Home > Star Trek: Deep Space Nine

Far Beyond the Stars

00:00:05

The Defiant searched the area for almost six hours.

00:00:09

We couldn't find any sign of survivors.

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The Cortez was a good ship.

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You knew Captain Swofford a long time.

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I introduced him to his wife.

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Patrolling Cardassian borders Is getting more and more dangerous.

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You never know when you'll run into a squadron of Jem'hadar fighters.

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I guess we popped the champagne cork too soon, huh?

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Everyone thought the war was over When we retook the station

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And pushed the Dominion back into Cardassian space.

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I never believed that, and neither did you.

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A lot of good that did the 400 people on the Cortez.

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Ah. Mr. Sisko. How do you like our station so far?

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Well, it certainly is...

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Big.

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I heard about Quentin Swofford.

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I'm sorry.

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Look, dad... I know I haven't been very good company

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In the last few days.

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I didn't come here to be entertained. I came to see you and Jake.

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Well...

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You certainly picked an interesting time To take your first trip away from earth.

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Well, I figured it was now or never.

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Besides, I've been worried about you.

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The last couple of times we've talked,

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It seemed like you were carrying the weight of the entire alpha quadrant on your shoulders.

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Sometimes it certainly feels that way.

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Dad...

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Just say it, son.

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I don't know how much more I can take.

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I don't know how many more friends I can lose.

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Every time I achieve a real victory, Something like this happens,

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And everything seems to turn to ashes.

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So what do you want to do?

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Maybe it's time for me to step down, Let someone else make the tough calls.

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I see.

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No one is indispensable, son, Not even you.

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Whatever decision you make, I'll support. Of course, if Quentin Swofford was here,

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I'd bet he'd have a few things to say to you.

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But he's not here, and that's the whole point.

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I'd say you have some thinking to do, and I've got a dinner date with my grandson.

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So you'd better get to it.

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Who was that?

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Where'd he go?

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Who?

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The man that just walked by my door.

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I didn't see anyone.

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I could have sworn...

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I don't know what you're worried about, Ben

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I'm not taking my ship anywhere near the Cardassian border.

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I realize that, but the Dominion Is getting bolder and bolder

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And your freighter is no match For a Jem'hadar attack ship.

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Ah, they've got to catch me first.

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You're really not worried, are you?

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No. I'm fearless, and you know that.

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That's why you love me.

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I think I follow that logic.

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Man: Hey, Benny!

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Catch the game?

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What?

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Who was that?

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Who was who?

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Ben? Where you going?

00:04:09

( Tires screeching )

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BASHIR: He's awake now.

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Ben, are you all right?

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-I think so. -Thank god.

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You scared us there for a minute.

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-What happened? -BASHIR: I don't know.

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I'm reading some unusual synaptic potentials.

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Your neural patterns are similar To those you experienced last year.

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You mean... When I was having those visions about Bajor?

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Visions? Does this have to do with those prophets

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You're always telling me about?

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He's not going to need surgery again, is he?

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I'm not sure, so I'd like you to remain overnight

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For observation.

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Is that absolutely necessary?

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Take a look at these readings.

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BOY: Hey, you going to buy that or not?

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Now, personally, I don't see the attraction.

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Spaceships, flying saucers, men from mars.

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What's wrong with men from mars?

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Nothing, except it's all make-believe. Me? I like war stories.

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Did you see, from here to eternity? Burt Lancaster standing there

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In the middle of Pearl Harbor,

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Machine gun blazing... Shooting down those zeros.

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If it had been flying saucers, Forget about it.

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So you going to buy that or not?

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-Ah, Benny. -Hello, Albert.

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I, uh... I thought you might be going to the, uh...

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The office.

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We could walk there together.

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Exactly. Uh, uh... If I could find... Ah, there they are.

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So, you're looking at the galaxy I see.

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Paper here! Paper!

00:08:01

{\an8}Voila. A pitcher of plain water instantly becomes a pitcher of ice tea.

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{\an8}Incredible!

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{\an8}"White rose redi-tea." What an appalling concept.

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{\an8}Oh! H.G. Wells would've liked it.

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{\an8}I doubt it. No self-respecting Englishman would.

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{\an8}Pabst! Pabst, get out here.

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{\an8}-What's wrong now, Herb? -One guess.

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{\an8}"Battle of the doughnuts," round 28.

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{\an8}That's it? You call me out here to complain? About the doughnuts?

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{\an8}They're stale again.

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{\an8}Delicious.

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{\an8}Delicious, my eye. These are two days old, and you know it.

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{\an8}I've been eating doughnuts my whole life.

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{\an8}These weren't baked more than... Six hours ago.

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{\an8}That's it. I quit. I'm going over to galaxy.

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{\an8}Galaxy? That rag?

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{\an8}HERB: That rag knows the difference between doughnuts and doorstops.

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{\an8}-Whose winning? -Draw, same as always.

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{\an8}Want to write in galaxy? They won't pay four cents a word.

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{\an8}You're paying him four cents a word?

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{\an8}-Stay out, Julius. -ALBERT: Where did I put?

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{\an8}I gave you the matches. I gave them to you.

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{\an8}For that fantasy crap you write, you're lucky to get two.

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{\an8}-ALBERT: Maybe I put them over there. -JULIUS: I beg your pardon?

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{\an8}-What's that? -The latest galaxy.

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{\an8}KAY: Benny has the new issue of Galaxy.

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{\an8}Let me see that.

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{\an8}Heinlein, Bradbury, Sturgeon.

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{\an8}Quite a lineup.

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{\an8}Add Herbert Rossoff to them, and it'd be complete.

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{\an8}What if I promise you fresh doughnuts tomorrow?

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{\an8}-Why should I believe you? -I'll even throw in a couple of crullers.

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{\an8}-Okay, I'll stay. -Don't do us any favors.

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{\an8}Good. Now that we've finished With the old business, on to the new.

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{\an8}Time to hand out next month's story assignments.

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Ritterhouse, we're waiting!

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Okay, friends and neighbors.

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Let's see what uncle Roy has for you today.

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PABST: All right, I've titled this one "Please take me with you."

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-Who wants it? -Kay: what do you think, Jules?

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JULIUS: I think we can do something with that.

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Oh, I'll bet you can. I can see it now...

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A lonely little girl befriended by empathetic aliens

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Who teach her how to smile.

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It's enough to make you go out and buy a television set.

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Next.

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ROY: This is Mr. Pabst's favorite, "honeymoon on Andorras."

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You've got to be kidding.

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I had too much sauerkraut in my franks that night.

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What can I say?

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That is the worst garbage I have ever seen.

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Thank you. I'll take it.

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Of course, you will. You have an affinity for garbage. Don't you?

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The picture may be garbage, but the story... The story will be art.

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( Others scoffing )

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PABST: All right, I haven't got a title for this one yet.

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-Anybody got any ideas? -I'll think of something.

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PABST: All right, next order of business. some of our readers have been writing in wanting to know what you people look like.

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KAY: well, write back and tell them

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We look like writers, poor, needy and incredibly attractive.

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Well, our publisher has a better idea.

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Mr. Stone has decided to run a picture of you in next month's issue.

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Is that absolutely...

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Necessary? I'm afraid it is.

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Kay, you can sleep late that day.

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Of course, I can.

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God forbid the public ever finds out That K.C. Hunter is a woman.

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I suppose I'm sleeping late that day, too.

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It's not personal, but as far as our readers are concerned,

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Benny Russell is as white as they are. Let's keep it that way.

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( Sarcastically ) Oh, yes...

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If the world's not ready for a woman writer...

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Imagine what would happen if it learned about a Negro with a typewriter.

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Run for the hills. It's the end of civilization.

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What about W.E.B. Dubois, Zora Neale Huston,

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Langston Hughes, Ralph Ellison, Richard Wright?

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Did you ever hear of native son?

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That's literature for liberals and intellectuals.

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The average reader won't spend his hard-earned cash

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On stories written by Negroes.

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Someone shoot me and put me out of my misery.

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-Oh, how I long for a gun. -Sorry, Benny.

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I wish things were different, but they're not.

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Wishing never changed a damn thing.

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Come on, Benny, it's just a photo.

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I'll try to remember that.

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You're a dog.

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All right, enough standing around. Get back to work.

00:12:02

( Typewriter clattering )

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Hey, hey, hey.

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-What's the hurry? -That's my drawing.

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-Is that so? -Nice suit.

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Where'd you get it?

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I bought it.

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Can I have my drawing back?

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Hey, boy, I'd watch that tone of voice if I were you.

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What are you doing here?

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I work here.

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RYAN: Yeah? Where?

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In there.

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What are you? The janitor?

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Awfully well-dressed for a janitor.

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How do we know that picture's yours?

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It's the drawing of a space station.

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BOTH: Space station?

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MULKAHEY: Hey, hey... Uh-uh.

00:13:01

Well, get off it already.

00:13:03

Okay, okay.

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See? It's not worth anything except to me.

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Let's say we run him in, check him for priors.

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Eh... We got to be uptown in 15 minutes.

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Take your drawing... And get out of here.

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RYAN: Hey, hey. You're getting off with a warning this time.

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Next time, not so lucky. Now, get out of here.

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You heard him, move on.

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I don't know, Kevin.

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This whole city's going to hell in a hand basket, huh?

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Damn shame.

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Come on.

00:13:51

MAN: And he said to me... "These words are trustworthy and true.

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"And the lord god started the spirits of the prophets

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"shall send his angel to show his servants what must soon take place."

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Praise the lord. Open their eyes. Help them to see.

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Are you talking to me?

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"O, that my words were now written.

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O, that they were printed in a book."

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Write those words, brother Benny. Let them see the glory of what lies ahead.

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"B-benny"? How do you know my name?

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Go now and write the truth that's in your heart...

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The truth "that shall set them free." Praise be the word of the lord.

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Praise to the word of the prophets!

00:14:58

( Sighs )

00:16:43

( Typing )

00:16:51

( Singing doo-wop )

00:17:06

CASIE: Hey, baby. Have a seat. The usual?

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How about scrambling those eggs today?

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Oh, my. Aren't we feeling adventurous.

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I have just written the best story of my life.

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That's great, baby.

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I've got some good news, too.

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I talked to Mrs. Jackson last night, and she's serious about retiring

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In the next couple of years.

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I asked her about selling this place to us, and she said that she would be willing.

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Cassie, we have been over this. I have a job I am a writer.

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And how much money have you earned doing that?

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I've only been working at it for a few years.

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A few years? More like 15... If you count all those stories you wrote in the navy.

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-That was amateur stuff. -Oh, baby.

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Neither one of us is getting any younger. Can't you see?

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This is our chance.

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We can make some money, we can get married.

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You're always talking about writing for the future.

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Well, look around you. This is our future.

00:18:00

In you go, ladies. Lunch is on me.

00:18:04

Cassie, hear the game last night?

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Went two for four, robbed Snider of a tater.

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Should've heard the crowd... yelling and carrying on.

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Sure, they were yelling.

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They want to know why the giants are in fifth place.

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Would you please tell this fool to take his business someplace else?

00:18:21

Well, I thought about it.

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Trouble is, if he did leave, he'd take my heart with him.

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Well, suit yourself. But if you ask me,

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It's a waste of a very pretty heart.

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I don't think so.

00:18:34

Strike three. You're out.

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Oh, that's all right. I'll get another turn at bat.

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How about some steak and eggs?

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Ah, coming right up. Uh, but tell me something.

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How come you still living uptown? A famous ballplayer like you,

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You can live anywhere you want.

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The hell I can. They can hardly get used to the idea

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Of me playing alongside them.

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Living next door to them? That's a whole other story.

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Besides, around here, when people look at me,

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It's 'cause they admire me.

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There, I'm just another colored boy That can hit a curve ball.

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Now, if you will excuse me, my public awaits.

00:19:18

I'll see about those eggs.

00:19:22

Hey, hey, Benny. You want to buy a watch?

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-Where'd you get that? -I found it. Nice, huh?

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Jimmy, you've got to turn this around or one day you're going to find yourself in some serious trouble.

00:19:34

Anything I can get into, I can get out.

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You keep thinking that way and watch what happens.

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Man, why you always trying to lecture me?

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-I'm not. I'm just trying to help. -You want to help me?

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You can buy this watch. I can use the cash.

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Why don't you get a job?

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As what? A delivery boy or a dishwasher?

00:19:53

No, thanks.

00:19:54

I like being my own boss, setting my own hours.

00:19:57

Sounds like a great life.

00:20:00

Yours ain't no better writing stories about a bunch of white people living on the moon.

00:20:04

Man, who cares about that?

00:20:05

Hey, I'm not doing that anymore. I'm writing about us.

00:20:08

What, colored people on the moon?

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-BENNY: check out next month's issue. -Colored people on the moon.

00:20:15

( Chuckling )

00:20:16

I just might do that. But first, I'm going to need to raise me some cash.

00:20:36

Oh! She's got a worm in her belly.

00:20:40

Oh, that's disgusting. That's interesting, but that's disgusting.

00:20:45

And you,

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Uh, um... If you don't mind my asking that is,

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You... You are...?

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I'm Mr. Pabst's new secretary, Darlene Kursky.

00:20:55

Which one of youse wrote this?

00:20:57

I did.

00:20:58

You? Surprised?

00:21:00

Well... It's the best thing I've read Since the puppet masters.

00:21:04

I read a lot of science fiction.

00:21:06

Bless you, my child. The world needs more people like you.

00:21:09

This story is really... It's... It's... Um... Uh...

00:21:14

How should I put it?

00:21:15

It's... It's very...

00:21:17

-Impressive? -Yes.

00:21:20

It's a damn fine piece of writing is what it is.

00:21:23

And deep space nine is a very intriguing title.

00:21:26

Very admirable.

00:21:28

The master of understatement.

00:21:29

What he really means is, He wishes he had half your talent.

00:21:33

KAY: You know what, Benny?

00:21:34

I like this major. She's a tough cookie.

00:21:37

Science fiction needs more strong women. I'm always saying that, aren't I?

00:21:41

Ad nauseam, dear.

00:21:43

These Cardassians... I like the way you described them,

00:21:46

Especially the neck ridges.

00:21:48

I'm going to do some sketches, make a nice cover.

00:21:51

Don't waste your time.

00:21:53

You, get back to work. You, too, Roy.

00:21:56

Douglas, you're not going to tell us

00:21:58

-You don't like this story. -Oh, I like it.

00:22:00

It's very good. But you know I can't print it.

00:22:03

-Why not? -Oh, come on, Benny.

00:22:05

Your hero's a Negro Captain,

00:22:07

The head of a space station, for Christ's sake.

00:22:10

What's wrong with that?

00:22:12

People won't accept it. It's not believable.

00:22:15

-And men from mars are? -PABST: Stay out of this, Herb.

00:22:18

Look, Benny, I am a magazine editor. I am not a crusader.

00:22:23

I'm not here to change the world. I'm here to put out a magazine.

00:22:26

That means I have to answer to the publisher,

00:22:28

The national distributors, the wholesalers, and none of them are going to want To put this story on the newsstand.

00:22:34

For all we know, it could cause a race riot.

00:22:37

Congratulations, Douglas.

00:22:40

That's the most imbecilic attempt To rationalize personal cowardice

00:22:45

That I've ever heard.

00:22:47

Uh. He's angry now.

00:22:48

Huh! 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.

00:22:56

Calm down, dear boy. We're writers, not vikings.

00:23:01

I'm not going to stand here and let some craven fascist call me

00:23:04

HERB: a pinko and get away with it.

00:23:06

Douglas, um...

00:23:08

What did you think of, uh... of my story?

00:23:12

I 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.

00:23:20

No offense, Albert.

00:23:22

Well, I...

00:23:23

Like robots. They're very... Uh... Uh, efficient.

00:23:30

Here. Write me a novella based on this picture.

00:23:32

I'll print it in next month's issue.

00:23:34

You do a good job, you might even get the cover.

00:23:36

-What about my story? -The way I see it,

00:23:39

You can either burn it or stick it in a drawer

00:23:41

For the next 50 years or how ever long it takes

00:23:42

The human race to become color-blind. I want people to read it now.

00:23:45

You want me to print it, make the Captain white.

00:23:48

That's not what I wrote!

00:23:50

It's your call.

00:24:09

I'm sorry they didn't buy your story, baby.

00:24:11

Really I am.

00:24:12

I told you you were wasting your time. A colored Captain.

00:24:17

The only reason they'll ever let us in space

00:24:19

Is if they need someone to shine their shoes.

00:24:22

Ain't that right, Cassie?

00:24:23

I don't know, and to be honest.

00:24:25

I don't much care what happens a hundred years from now.

00:24:28

It's today that matters.

00:24:30

Well, I've got news for you.

00:24:31

Today or 100 years from now, It don't make a bit of difference.

00:24:35

As far as they're concerned, we'll always be niggers.

00:24:39

Things are going to change. They have to.

00:24:41

Oh, you keep telling yourself that.

00:24:44

Maybe this is all happening for a reason.

00:24:46

You mean maybe it's God's way of telling me

00:24:48

I should quit writing and go into the restaurant business?

00:24:51

Hey, it's possible.

00:24:55

Baby, I know we can make this work for us. We could be happy.

00:24:59

Besides, you don't have to give up Writing altogether.

00:25:02

Maybe you could write something for the Amsterdam news

00:25:05

Or... Some other Negro newspaper.

00:25:07

I'm not a reporter. I'm a writer. I write fiction,

00:25:12

And the Amsterdam news is not going to publish stories about a space station 400 years into the future.

00:25:20

Hear the game last night?

00:25:21

( Yelling )

00:25:24

Oh, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to frighten you.

00:25:27

You 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?

00:25:33

No, I... I just need some air.

00:25:35

Are we still on for tonight?

00:25:37

I'll pick you up about 10:00.

00:25:40

( Door shuts )

00:25:41

Well, what are you doing till 10:00?

00:25:44

Whatever it is, I won't be doing it with you.

00:25:56

PREACHER: Hello, brother Benny.

00:26:00

Oh, you again.

00:26:01

I don't understand what you want from me.

00:26:04

To follow the path of the prophets.

00:26:07

Walk with the prophets, brother Benny.

00:26:10

Show us the way.

00:26:12

W--what way?

00:26:13

-I don't know what you're talking about. -Write the words, brother Benny...

00:26:17

PREACHER: The words that will lead us out of the darkness

00:26:20

Onto the path of righteousness! Write the words, brother Benny!

00:26:26

Write the words!

00:26:53

( Playing slow jazz )

00:27:10

Hey, baby.

00:27:11

Hey, hey, hey.

00:27:13

You forgot all about our date.

00:27:15

Ohh... Our date. I'm sorry. I was working.

00:27:20

Ben Sisko? Isn't that your colored Captain?

00:27:23

Mm-hmm.

00:27:25

Why are you writing another one of those stories?

00:27:27

You couldn't sell the last one. what makes you think this one will be any different?

00:27:32

It probably won't be, but it doesn't matter.

00:27:35

It's what I've got to do. Right now, what you've got to do is eat.

00:27:40

I'm not hungry. ( Yawning )

00:27:42

What time is it anyway?

00:27:46

It's after midnight. I should be getting home to bed.

00:27:51

But before I go, what do you say we take a spin on the dance floor?

00:27:55

Okay.

00:28:07

Mmm. Feels good, doesn't it?

00:28:11

I could stay like this forever.

00:28:13

Mmm, me, too. It's times like these

00:28:15

That I wish we'd never heard of the Dominion.

00:28:18

The Dominion?

00:28:19

What do you mean?

00:28:21

You said something about the Dominion.

00:28:25

What is it, Ben?

00:28:27

What's wrong?

00:28:29

I don't know.

00:28:30

I think I'm losing my mind.

00:28:35

Tell me what's wrong. I'm starting to see things from my story.

00:28:40

It's as if I'm becoming this Captain Sisko.

00:28:44

Okay, baby, you just need to get some rest.

00:28:46

It's all right. It's all right.

00:28:49

I'm with you. I'm with you, baby.

00:28:51

Just take it easy. Shh.

00:28:59

Have you lost your mind?

00:29:02

I've been asking myself the same question.

00:29:04

I give you a novella to write, I even offer you a shot at the cover.

00:29:06

Three weeks later instead of a novella,

00:29:08

You come back with six stories,

00:29:10

Six sequels to a story I refused to publish

00:29:12

In 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

00:29:22

Through a private publishing house. A nice, elegant volume 50 to 100 copies.

00:29:26

That's a great idea.

00:29:28

Yeah, might as well write it in chalk on the sidewalk.

00:29:30

More people would read it that way.

00:29:32

I've got an idea. Why not make them, you know, a, uh...

00:29:37

A d--dream?

00:29:42

What's that?

00:29:43

Just make the ending

00:29:45

Of your first story of deep space nine a...

00:29:50

Dream.

00:29:52

Would that make a difference?

00:29:54

( Sighs )

00:29:57

-That depends. -On what?

00:29:59

On who's doing the dreaming.

00:30:00

Well, obviously someone, uh... Someone without a lot of hope.

00:30:05

A--a shoeshine boy, a convict... Someone dreaming of a better future.

00:30:10

( Sighs )

00:30:11

A Negro.

00:30:13

Yeah, well, I suppose he'd have to be if he was dreaming about a Negro Captain.

00:30:17

HERB: Hold on.

00:30:19

-Making it a dream guts the story. -Shut up, Herb!

00:30:23

I think it makes it more poignant.

00:30:25

What about the other Sisko stories? You can't make them all a dream.

00:30:28

Let him get this published, then worry about the others.

00:30:31

What do you think, Benny?

00:30:35

I think...

00:30:38

It's better than chalk on the sidewalk.

00:30:43

Can I play?

00:30:44

Hey, Jimmy, I got great news. We are headed for the stars.

00:30:47

Yeah, sure, whatever.

00:30:49

-Oh, come on. -I'll buy you lunch.

00:30:50

I'll tell you all about it.

00:30:51

Later. I got some business to take care of.

00:30:53

What kind of business?

00:30:55

Big time. That's all I'm saying.

00:30:56

Hey, hold it. Hold it.

00:30:58

What are you talking about?

00:30:59

Don't worry about it.

00:31:00

-It's cool, I got it under control. -Huh?

00:31:03

I'll see you around.

00:31:07

Bottom of the seventh, I'm up again.

00:31:09

O-2 fast ball... bam! Into the left field bleachers.

00:31:13

Had to be 400 feet.

00:31:15

I know all about it, Willie. I read the newspaper.

00:31:18

Oh, but you got to admit...

00:31:20

They don't tell it like I tell it.

00:31:23

BENNY: Hey, Cassie!

00:31:28

( Giggles )

00:31:29

WILLIE: Hey, man, did you hear the game last night?

00:31:31

I went two for four.

00:31:32

That's great, but I just hit a grand slam.

00:31:35

They are publishing one of my Sisko stories

00:31:37

At three cents a word, three cents a word!

00:31:39

Oh, good for you, baby!

00:31:41

That means tonight we are celebrating. Dancing, the works.

00:31:44

-I'll wear my red dress. -You're damn right you will.

00:31:47

Three cents a word. Three cents a word.

00:31:49

Whoo!

00:31:50

( Cassie laughing )

00:32:19

Hey! There you are.

00:32:21

( Humming )

00:32:22

Oh! Oh, my poor feet. Baby, you better marry me soon.

00:32:25

I'm not getting any younger.

00:32:27

Yes, but you are getting more beautiful

00:32:29

Day by day.

00:32:30

♪ I'd be happy just to spend my life ♪

00:32:35

♪ Waiting on your beck and call ♪

00:32:41

PASTOR: Brother Benny.

00:32:44

I 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."

00:32:52

But, brother Benny,

00:32:53

This is only the beginning of your journey, not the ending, and the path of the prophets

00:32:59

Sometimes leads into darkness and pain.

00:33:03

Benny, what is he talking about?

00:33:06

Who are you?

00:33:07

I speak with the voice of the prophets.

00:33:20

PASTOR: And in their words, hope and despair walk arm in arm.

00:33:30

Did you understand any of that?

00:33:32

( Gunfire )

00:33:35

Is that gunfire?

00:33:46

-Hey! Whoa, whoa! -What happened?

00:33:48

-What's it to you? -I know him.

00:33:51

Oh, yeah? Maybe you can explain what he was doing trying to break into this car.

00:33:54

You shot him because he was breaking into a car?

00:33:56

-He had a weapon. -A crowbar!

00:33:58

Yeah, now, step back.

00:34:00

-Let's go. -Come on.

00:34:02

Hey!

00:34:03

CASSIE: Stop it! Stop it! Stop it! Let him go!

00:34:07

Stop 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!

00:34:32

I'm telling you, baby. You've been cooped up in this apartment for weeks.

00:34:36

Going down to the office will do you good.

00:34:38

I suppose you're right. I should be there when the first copies

00:34:42

Of this month's issue are delivered.

00:34:44

Absolutely. After all that work you did,

00:34:47

You deserve to see your story in print.

00:34:51

Just no jumping up and down with excitement.

00:34:54

I wouldn't want you to hurt yourself.

00:35:01

I will restrict myself to a proud grin.

00:35:04

You're not having any more of those hallucinations, are you?

00:35:08

I'm fine.

00:35:22

( Door shuts )

00:35:27

KAY: What about "it came from outer space"?

00:35:29

JULIUS: I think it's a smashing title. wish I'd thought of it.

00:35:41

Hey, Benny.

00:35:44

Long time no see.

00:35:48

Is it here?

00:35:50

Not yet.

00:35:51

Pabst is still at the printer.

00:35:54

We're waiting for his return with baited breath.

00:35:57

We, uh, heard that...

00:36:01

-That you were... -We heard they beat the hell out of you.

00:36:06

I'm okay.

00:36:09

Glad to see that you're...

00:36:11

You know, up... And about.

00:36:15

Tell him the good news, Albert.

00:36:17

-Yeah. -Oh, it's-it's nothing.

00:36:21

Nothing? He sells a novel to gnome press, And he says it's nothing?

00:36:25

Novel, Albert. Congratulations. Robots, huh?

00:36:29

Well, you know, what else?

00:36:31

( All laughing )

00:36:37

JULIUS: It's about time.

00:36:42

Douglas, magazine?

00:36:46

There isn't any magazine not this month anyway.

00:36:49

Mr. Stone had the entire run pulped.

00:36:52

-He can't do that. -Oh, he can... And he did.

00:36:55

He believes, quote, "this issue did not

00:36:58

"live up to our usual high standards," unquote.

00:37:01

Well... What's that supposed to mean?

00:37:04

It means he didn't like it.

00:37:08

Which means the public will simply have to get along

00:37:12

Without any "incredible tales" this month.

00:37:15

What exactly is it that he did not like? The-the-the artwork, the, uh, the layout?

00:37:20

Uh, what "high standards" is he talking about?

00:37:24

Take it easy, Benny.

00:37:25

No, I...

00:37:28

It's about my story, isn't it?

00:37:30

That's what this is all about.

00:37:33

He didn't want to publish my story,

00:37:35

And we all know why. Because my hero is a colored man.

00:37:39

Hey! This magazine belongs to Mr. Stone. If he doesn't want to publish this month,

00:37:43

We don't publish end of story.

00:37:45

And that doesn't make it right, and you know it.

00:37:47

Don't tell me what I know.

00:37:50

Besides, it's not about what's right. It's about what is...

00:37:56

And I'm afraid I've got some more bad news for you, Benny.

00:37:59

Mr. Stone has decided that your services are no longer required here.

00:38:03

What?

00:38:04

You're firing me?

00:38:05

I have no choice, Benny.

00:38:07

It's his decision.

00:38:10

Well, you can't fire me.

00:38:13

I quit. To hell with you...

00:38:18

And to hell with Stone.

00:38:20

Try to stay calm, Benny.

00:38:22

No! I'm tired of being calm. Calm never got me a damn thing.

00:38:26

I'm warning you, Benny.

00:38:27

If you don't stop this, I'm going to call the police.

00:38:30

You go ahead! Call them!

00:38:32

Call anybody you want. They can't do anything to me.

00:38:36

Not anymore... And nor can any of you!

00:38:43

I... Am a human being, damn it.

00:38:49

You can deny me all you want... But you cannot deny Ben Sisko.

00:38:55

He exists.

00:38:57

That future, that space station, all those people, they exist in here.

00:39:03

In my mind. I created it. And every one of you know it.

00:39:09

You read it.

00:39:11

It's here. You get what I'm telling you?

00:39:15

You can pulp a story, but you cannot destroy an idea.

00:39:19

Don't you understand? That's ancient knowledge.

00:39:22

You cannot destroy an idea.

00:39:27

That future I created it, and it's real!

00:39:31

Don't you understand?

00:39:34

It is real! I created it, and it's real!

00:39:40

It's real. Oh, god!

00:39:44

( Weeping )

00:39:58

PARAMEDIC: Easy...

00:40:13

One... two... three.

00:40:35

Rest easy, brother Benny.

00:40:38

You have walked in the path of the prophets.

00:40:41

There is no greater glory.

00:40:43

Tell me, please.

00:40:46

Who am I?

00:40:47

Don't you know?

00:40:49

Tell me.

00:40:52

You are the dreamer...

00:40:55

And the dream.

00:41:13

KASIDY: Ben.

00:41:16

Ben?

00:41:27

-How long was I out? -Only for a few minutes.

00:41:31

Seemed like forever to me.

00:41:34

That's odd.

00:41:35

Somehow your neural patterns have returned to normal.

00:41:38

-That's good, isn't it? -Oh, it's very good.

00:41:41

I just don't understand how it happened.

00:41:51

How are you feeling, son?

00:41:53

I'm okay.

00:41:56

I'm done packing.

00:41:58

Transport leaves at 8:00 in the morning.

00:42:02

I wish you could stay longer.

00:42:05

I've got to get back to the restaurant.

00:42:07

My customers have never gone this long without me.

00:42:12

The question is what are you going to do?

00:42:18

The only thing I can do. Stay here and finish the job I started,

00:42:24

And if I fail...

00:42:26

"I have fought the good fight... I have finished the course...

00:42:32

I have kept the faith."

00:42:35

I've never known you to quote from the bible.

00:42:38

I'm full of surprises, aren't I?

00:42:42

And so are you.

00:42:45

Sounds like that dream you had... Helped you sort things out.

00:42:50

I suppose it did...

00:42:53

But I have begun to wonder.

00:42:56

What if it wasn't a dream?

00:42:59

What if this life we're leading, all of this...

00:43:04

You and me, everything... What if all of this is the illusion?

00:43:12

That's a scary thought.

00:43:15

I know. I know.

00:43:17

But maybe, just maybe...

00:43:20

Benny isn't the dream.

00:43:22

We are.

00:43:24

Maybe we're nothing more than figments of his imagination.

00:43:30

For all we know...

00:43:33

At this very moment,

00:43:35

Somewhere far beyond all those distant stars...

00:43:41

Benny Russell...

00:43:43

Is dreaming of us.