Home > Star Trek: Deep Space Nine

It's Only a Paper Moon

What if I say something dumb?

Something that makes him uncomfortable?

Like what?

Like, "How's your new leg?"

I think he's probably expecting a few questions.

I just don't want to say the wrong thing.

You'll be fine.

But maybe I shouldn't be there when he arrives.

Why?

Well, when he was in the hospital he didn't answer any of my letters.

That's okay. I'm only his stepmother.

But he's going through something so personal maybe he only wants his real family around.

You are real family.

That's right and you should both just relax.

Yes, Nog has lost a leg and that's a traumatic experience but nothing you do or say is going to be worse than what he's already gone through.

Just be happy to see him and tell him you love him.

For today, that'll be enough.

They've docked.

Welcome aboard. Thanks.

BLONDE WOMAN: Aha, there you are.

Hi.

How are you?

I'm fine.

Colonel, are you sure this is the right transport?

I checked the passenger list this morning.

He definitely boarded it.

LEETA: Here he comes.

( applause )

Welcome back, Nog.

ROM: It's good to have you home. LEETA: Welcome home, Nog.

Thank you. Thank you. It's good to be back.

My orders, Captain.

"Medical leave"? How could that be?

O'BRIEN: Sounds like an excuse to loaf around while the rest of us work.

Hard work and plenty of it-- that's what I prescribe.

Captain, maybe he forged those orders.

SISKO: I'm afraid they're genuine.

"Ensign Nog has no duties until further notice."

Except... to attend a "Welcome Home" party in the Wardroom.

If it's all the same to you, sir, I'm rather tired.

I'd rather just go to my quarters. Is that all right?

Absolutely. We can celebrate once you've settled in.

Great.

I can carry your bag.

I've got it.

Well, if you'll all excuse me.

...and Julian and Miles have become even more obsessed with their Alamo program, if you can believe it.

I half expect Miles to start wearing a coonskin cap to work.

You see, Davy Crockett wore this cap... made of raccoon skin and...

I know the program.

Oh.

Well, I think we've covered just about everything you missed while you were away.

Is there anything you want to talk about?

Not particularly.

( sighs )

Here it comes.

What?

The "cane problem."

You're about to ask me why

I need to walk with a cane since Dr. Benbasset told you my biosynthetic leg works perfectly.

He also told you the problem's all in my head, that I'm crazy.

He didn't say that.

That's what he thinks.

Forget what he thinks.

What do you think?

Why do you need the cane?

My leg hurts.

And if I put my full weight on it it hurts more, so I have to limp and that means I need to walk with a cane.

That sounds reasonable to me.

Good.

( sighs heavily )

Look, can I be perfectly honest with you?

I've spent the last three weeks talking about my feelings with the counselors on Starbase 235 and to tell you the truth, I'm a little sick of it.

I just want to be left alone for a while.

I understand.

I think we've done enough for today.

I'll see you tomorrow.

Computer, what time is it?

COMPUTER: The time is 0932 hours.

NOG: ( sighs )

( soft piano music plays )

VIC FONTAINE: ♪ I'll be seeing you ♪

♪ In all the old familiar places ♪

♪ That this heart of mine embraces... ♪

Jake says he's been sleeping over 18 hours a day and Julian says he's missed his last two physical therapy appointments.

And his counseling sessions have been going nowhere.

In his words, he's "sick of talking about his feelings."

I can't say I blame him.

He's been under constant psychiatric care for almost two months now.

What should we do?

I'm not sure.

For now, I think our best bet is to simply watch and wait.

Not my first choice.

I know but sometimes a patient can help guide his own treatment.

Let's see what Nog does next.

♪ ...but I'll be seeing you. ♪

( song ends )

( song begins )

♪ I'll be seeing you ♪

JAKE: ( sighs )

♪ In all the old ♪

♪ Familiar places... ♪

Nog, I am trying to be understanding and I want to be your friend but enough is enough!

You've been playing that same stupid song for three days.

I-I can't take it anymore.

Aren't you going to say anything?

You've barely said three words to me since you came home.

Maybe I don't have anything to say.

( sighs ) I'm trying to help you here, Nog but you're not making it easy.

You want to help me? Fine.

Leave me alone.

All right. Okay.

But if you want to hear that song again go rent a holosuite!

( screaming )

( yells )

( high-pitched scream )

COMPUTER: Program is running.

You may enter when ready.

Hi, there, pally.

Gee, it's good to see you.

Vic Fontaine.

I know. I'm Nog.

You're Rom's kid, right?

Right.

He's really proud of you.

He's always in here bragging about his son, the soldier boy.

Yeah.

What can I do for you?

I want to hear "I'll Be Seeing You."

Sure thing, kiddo. Any other requests?

No. Just... "I'll Be Seeing You."

Sounds like a special tune.

It is.

It helped me once when I was... unhappy.

What more can you ask from a song?

"I'll Be Seeing You." From the top.

( piano plays slow introduction )

♪ I'll be seeing you ♪

♪ In all the old, familiar places... ♪

Doctor...

♪ That this heart of mine embraces... ♪

Yes?

What is that?

It's a song that I had Vic Fontaine record for me.

Vic...

Yes. He's a character in a holosuite program of mine.

I thought it might take our minds off our troubles.

Is it bothering you?

No. It's kind of nice.

♪ ...the chestnut tree ♪

♪ The wishing well ♪

♪ I'll be seeing you ♪

♪ In every lovely summer's day ♪

♪ In everything ♪

♪ That's bright and gay ♪

♪ I'll always think of you... ♪

( with upbeat tempo ): ♪ ...I'll find you in the morning sun ♪

♪ And when the night is new ♪

♪ I'll be looking at the moon ♪

♪ But I'll be seeing you ♪

♪ I'll find you in the morning sun ♪

♪ And when the night is new ♪

♪ I'll be looking at the moon ♪

♪ But I'll be seeing you. ♪

Thank you.

Take five, fellas.

Okay, kid, I know

15 different arrangements of that song.

You've heard them all.

Now which one's your favorite?

The first.

( chuckles ): Somehow, I knew you were going to say that.

So let me guess-- Julian played it for you, right?

Right.

If I had him as a publicist

I'd be bigger than Elvis.

Who?

Never mind.

So... how's the new leg?

You know about that?

People talk.

If you really want to know... it hurts.

Can they give you something for that?

No. They say it's all in my head.

"According to my tricorder

"the pain receptors in your leg aren't being stimulated, Nog.

You must be imagining it."

But I don't care what they say.

It hurts all the time.

I believe you.

( sighs )

You're the only one.

So what else can I do for you?

Sing it again?

No.

Good.

To tell you the truth

I was starting to get a little sick of it myself.

How about something else?

No.

I just want to go to bed.

Okay, kid. Catch you later, huh?

Yeah.

Something wrong?

I don't want to go back to my quarters.

( sighs )

Actually, I don't want to go back to my life.

Vic... where do you live?

In the program, I mean.

Do you have a house or...

I have a suite here in the hotel.

Do you have an extra room?

Sure. You want to stay with me tonight?

Maybe more than just tonight.

Officially, I'm on medical leave and according to regulations

I can choose my rehabilitation facility.

You want to choose a holosuite program for your rehab?

Why not?

Okay, kid... if that's the way you want it from now on, you're staying with me.

Great.

Crazy.

My son is insane.

EZRI: Rom...

He's a one-legged crazy man!

He is not crazy.

But he is living in a holosuite.

At first, it struck me as a little... peculiar but after I thought it over, I began to think that this might be a good sign after all.

How can hiding in one of Julian's adolescent programs be a good sign?

Hey... It could be worse.

He could be hiding in the Alamo program.

LEETA: Or that ridiculous secret agent program.

Hey...

Or that stupid Viking program.

Hey! All right.

Are you sure this is in Nog's best interest?

No, I'm not sure but I think Nog might be subconsciously trying to seek out his own form of therapy.

I'm sorry, but moving into a holosuite isn't my idea of therapy.

Okay. It sounds a little odd.

QUARK: It sounds ridiculous. BASHIR: Not really.

I'm inclined to agree with Ezri on this one.

The mind has a strong natural instinct for survival.

Now, for whatever reason, Nog's mind has chosen to take shelter in the world of Vic Fontaine.

I think we should wait and see how this plays out.

Then someone should talk to Vic, make him aware of Nog's emotional and physical condition.

I'll do it.

And who's going to be paying for all this holosuite time?

I guess I am.

And it's very generous of you.

Keep me informed.

I get it. He's got some healing to do.

I could spot that the moment he walked in here.

Great. Do you have any questions?

You sure he doesn't need the cane?

Because he's pretty sure he does.

I'm positive.

It's a psychological need, not a physical one.

Well, then I have some ideas on how to wean him off the stick.

Okay, but don't push it.

Do I seem pushy to you?

No. Well, you know how to reach me if you have any problems.

I got your number.

So you're Jack Wilson.

What's that mean to you, Shane?

Hey, kid.

Hey, Vic.

Have you seen this movie?

Oh, yeah.

JACK: What have you heard, Shane?

SHANE: I've heard that you're a lowdown

Yankee liar.

Shane, look out!

From these books, I can't tell if I'm as rich as Rockefeller or poor as a church mouse.

It's not real money, Vic.

Don't worry about it.

Hey, it's real to me, kid.

Well, I can have the computer put some money in your account.

No, thanks.

I'll figure it out.

I got to be going on.

Why, Shane?

Didn't he just get shot a minute ago?

Yeah. He took one in the arm.

He's not bleeding.

He's not even in pain.

Noggles, take it easy. It's only a movie.

( echoing ): Shane!

Come back!

I like The Searchers better.

Yeah. Who doesn't?

Son of a gun.

I got to get ready for the show.

Show? I thought we were hanging in.

No, "hanging out."

And we are, except I have a gig to do.

Cancel it.

I can't do that.

Why not?

It would be unprofessional.

Besides, performing is my life.

It's what I do.

I got to get out there and swing.

Otherwise, I'm just another Clyde in a tux.

You coming to the show?

Sure.

Good.

Then, may I suggest you, uh... carry something with a little more... style?

Now, this is a cane.

It's a replica of the one Errol Flynn used to have... only his was a little taller.

It's beautiful.

It reminds me of the Grand Nagus' staff.

It has a little secret.

Push that button at the back of the head.

( laughing )

Great! But what's it for?

You never know when a lady's gonna need a light.

Now, be careful with that stick.

It's fragile.

It might not hold your whole weight.

Actually, I don't need to put my whole weight on it.

Good.

Now, let's get dressed.

Tuxedos?

You're catching on.

( chuckling )

♪ I've got a song that I sing ♪

♪ I can make the rain go ♪

♪ Any time I move my finger ♪

♪ Lucky me ♪

♪ Can't you see I'm in love? ♪

♪ Life is a beautiful thing ♪

♪ As long as I hold that string ♪

♪ I'd be a silly so-and-so ♪

♪ If I should ever let it go ♪

♪ I've got the world on a string ♪

♪ Sittin' on a rainbow ♪

♪ Got the string around my finger ♪

♪ What a world... ♪

JAKE: Hey, have you seen Nog?

I think I see him sitting right over there.

JAKE: All right, thanks.

♪ Life is a beautiful thing ♪

♪ As long as I hold that string... ♪

Hi, there.

Nog, let me introduce you to...

MAN: Down in front.

Sorry.

Nog, this is Kesha.

Kesha, Nog.

Nice to meet you.

Welcome to Las Vegas.

Thanks.

♪ ...around my finger ♪

♪ What a world, what a life ♪

♪ What a world, what a life ♪

♪ What a world, what a life ♪

♪ I'm in love. ♪

Thank you, thank you.

You're too kind.

I guess that's the response you get when you pack the house with relatives.

( laughter )

( band starts intro to "Just In Time" )

So, uh, what have you been doing?

Hanging out.

Out of what?

It's an expression.

There's a lot of old Earth slang in this program.

Right, daddy-o?

Right.

Why don't I get us some drinks, huh?

Kesha, what'll you have?

A Makara fizz.

They don't serve that here.

Oh. Well, what are you having?

A martini. Two olives.

I'll have the same.

Okay. I'll be right back.

♪ ...Now you're here ♪

♪ And now I know just where I'm going... ♪

Jake says you're going to be the first Ferengi Captain in Starfleet.

We'll see.

He also says you're quite a hero.

I'm not a hero.

Don't be so modest.

Jake's not the only one.

Everyone on the station...

I said

I'm not a hero.

Okay.

♪ ...Now you're here ♪

♪ And now I know just where I'm going ♪

♪ No more doubts... ♪

Which one?

What?

That's what you're wondering, right?

Which leg is it?

Uh, no, I wasn't wondering about that.

About what?

About your... you know...

My new leg?

Can't you say it?

No. Yes.

I mean, I'm not trying to say anything.

Then maybe you should just keep quiet.

Okay. Here we go.

Three martinis.

I think we should leave, Jake.

Sounds like a good idea.

What's going on?

It's all my fault.

I didn't mean to stare.

At what?

What do you think?

Oh.

I'm really sorry if I made you uncomfortable, Nog.

Wonderful. Good-bye.

Hold on. She said she was sorry.

I heard her.

Now you can go.

Nog, what's wrong with you?

I said get out!

Nog...

Let me put it another way.

( Jake groans )

Hey. Hey, hey, hey. Break it up.

You all right?

Yeah. I'm fine.

And you, take a hike.

What?

You heard me.

You don't come into my club and start hitting customers.

Now, get out before I throw you out.

( gunshots on television )

You're still up?

I couldn't sleep.

Do you mind?

What a night.

I'm sorry about what happened.

Don't apologize to me.

I'm not the one you belted.

I'll settle things with Jake.

And his girl.

Absolutely.

Can I go back to the club tomorrow night?

I can't have you hitting the customers.

It's not good for business.

I promise it'll never happen again.

What got into you, anyway?

I don't know.

She started calling me a hero, and... things just went downhill from there.

She called you a hero and for that you slugged your best friend?

Remind me never to give you a compliment.

You know, I'm beat.

That's never happened to me.

What?

Being tired.

My program's never run this long.

Usually people come in, ask for a song or two-- sometimes a night on the town-- but I never have to put in a full day.

Maybe you should go to bed.

I got work to do.

If I don't get these books in order

Uncle Sam's going to come down on me like a ton of bricks.

Sounds like my uncle.

Is there anything I can do?

You know anything about bookkeeping?

I'm a Ferengi.

It's in our blood.

Be my guest.

Where's your computer?

Right here.

It's 1962.

What do you want from me?

It's all right. I can do it this way.

I'm going to hit the sack.

Can I ask you a question, Vic?

Sure.

When you sleep... do you dream?

Good night, kid.

Good night, Vic.

VIC: So, when Dino goes in to pick up his robe he doesn't realize that across the back

Frank has printed in big bold letters...

I'll finish the story later.

Hi, dollface.

Hi.

Where's Nog? Up in the room-- still working on the receipts from '61.

That kid's a hell of an accountant.

He said the government owes me money.

Can you believe that?

I need to talk to him.

Can it wait?

I'm afraid not.

It's about that thing with Jake, right?

Is he pressing charges?

No. But I do think that it's time for Nog to leave the holosuite.

Wait-wait a minute. Wait a minute.

He likes it here. He's making progress.

Okay, he lost his cool.

But I don't think that'll happen again.

Vic, he can't hide in here forever.

He has to face reality sometime.

The kid's had too much reality lately if you ask me.

He's lost a leg.

He's watched good friends die.

Like you said, we shouldn't push him.

He needs time to heal.

No offense, but you're just a hologram and I am his counselor.

I outrank you and I feel that it's time for him to go.

He's on medical leave and according to Starfleet Regulations he can spend it wherever he chooses.

How do you know that?

NOG: I told him.

And if you try to force me to leave

I'll resign my commission.

Wait a minute.

Let's slow down here.

No one's talking about forcing anyone to do anything.

Good.

Because Vic and I have big plans.

We do?

I've been going over your books, and this place is a latinum mine and you don't even know it.

In my opinion it's time to expand the business.

Nog, this is a holosuite.

Of course it's a holosuite.

But that doesn't mean we can't build a new casino.

A new casino?

How much money do I have?

If you'll excuse us, Counselor.

We have business to conduct.

( mellow jazz playing )

VIC: ♪ Say, it's only a paper moon ♪

♪ Sailing over a cardboard sea ♪

♪ But it wouldn't be make-believe ♪

♪ If you believed in me ♪

♪ Now it's only a canvas sky ♪

♪ Hanging over a muslin tree ♪

♪ But it wouldn't be make-believe ♪

♪ If you believed in me ♪

♪ Without your love ♪

♪ It's a honky-tonk parade ♪

♪ Without your love ♪

♪ It's a melody played in a penny arcade ♪

♪ It's a Barnum & Bailey world ♪

♪ Just as phony as it can be ♪

♪ But it wouldn't be make-believe ♪

♪ If you believed in me ♪

♪ Without your love ♪

♪ It's a honky-tonk parade ♪

♪ Without your love ♪

♪ It's a melody played in a penny arcade ♪

♪ It's a Barnum & Bailey world ♪

♪ Just as phony as it can be ♪

♪ But it wouldn't be make-believe ♪

♪ If you believed in me ♪

♪ No, it wouldn't be make-believe ♪

♪ If you believed in me. ♪

( song ends )

( applause )

Go easy on the garnishes.

People order a drink they don't want a fruit bowl in the glass.

We'll talk about this later.

Okay.

Good evening.

I'll take care of them.

Hey, long time no see.

Oh, Nog.

Right this way.

( band plays instrumental version of "Moon River" )

So... how are you?

Couldn't be better.

Business is booming.

We're making money hand over fist.

I can hardly keep up with all the profits.

Those are holographic profits, right?

Yeah.

So, what's new with you?

Well...

Rom got a promotion.

Maintenance Engineer First Class.

( laughing ): That's great!

Congratulations, Dad.

Thanks.

We should celebrate.

We'll close the lounge.

Have a private party...

Actually, Chief O'Brien threw him a party last night.

Oh.

LEETA: It was a spur-of- the-moment thing.

No invitations or anything.

Don't worry about it.

I probably couldn't have gotten away.

Last night was really busy.

Uh-oh. Big player just walked in.

Excuse me a minute.

I need to go schmooze.

Okay.

See you later.

Bye.

Hey, I hope you're still talking to me.

Of course I am.

I got to hand it to you, Vic.

You've done a great job with him.

He seems like a new man.

He just needed a little time, that's all.

Heals all wounds, right?

Giving him that cane was a great idea.

I haven't seen him limp in days.

It gets better.

Yesterday, we drove out to see the architect who's designing the new casino.

I saw him actually run up a flight of stairs.

No kidding?

Would I kid a kidder?

So what's next for you two?

Ah... we don't break ground on the casino for about a week so I thought we'd fly up to Tahoe for a couple of days.

Sammy's going to be performing at the Cal-Neva and I thought I'd introduce the kid to him.

Sammy's a friend of yours?

Yeah. We're tight.

I see.

You're going to get Sammy to convince him that it's time to leave the holosuite.

Well... no...

Forget it.

I should know better by now than to ask you to give away your secrets.

You probably have the whole thing mapped out.

I mean, what am I thinking?

That this new casino is anything more than a ploy?

That you'd actually let him live out the rest of his life in a holosuite?

( chuckles )

No.

Of course not.

I mean... the casino's just a... just a ploy like you said, you know.

They'll be so glad to have him back.

Yeah.

He is better, isn't he?

It's like you said-- he just needed a break from reality.

Now all that's left is to decide when he's ready to go back.

But I'll leave that up to you.

See you around.

See ya.

Great set tonight, Vic.

Thanks.

Lots of familiar faces in the crowd.

Did I see Rom and Leeta out there?

They came for a while.

What do you think about moving the crap tables over to the south wing and expanding the slot machines out into here?

Good idea.

I'll think it over.

But we're supposed to meet with the architect tomorrow morning.

Not anymore.

It's time for you to go, kid.

Go where?

You know where.

It's time to end the program.

But we've got work to do.

We have a casino to build.

No, we don't.

This is just a fantasy.

It's not real.

It's real to me and it's real to you and don't say it isn't.

I know better.

You're right.

It's very real to me.

But I'm a hologram, Nog.

I'm not a person.

Until you came along, I'd never been on for more than six or seven hours straight.

I know.

And now you're running all the time.

Isn't it great?

It's incredible.

Since you've been here

I've slept in a bed every night, gone to work every day-- had time to read the paper, play cards with the boys.

I've had a life and I have to tell you it's a precious thing.

I had no idea how much it means to just... live.

And now I'm going to return the favor and give you your life back.

But I don't want that life anymore, Vic.

I'm perfectly happy here.

What "here"?

There is no "here."

Don't you get it? This is nowhere.

It's an illusion and so am I.

In fact, the only thing in this entire program that is not an illusion is you.

Okay. You're right... but I'm not ready to go back yet.

I need more time.

So let's just sleep on this and talk about it tomorrow.

Kid...

I hate to do this to you but you're not giving me any choice.

Computer...

No! Don't!

End program.

Oh, hi, Nog.

Chief.

Something wrong?

No, no. I, uh... I was running a diagnostic in Ops and I noticed a magnetic flux anomaly in the holosuite transilluminator circuits.

I didn't realize it was you.

Sorry.

I'm just having trouble getting the Las Vegas program to run.

You know...

Vic's matrix is a little different than your standard photokinetic hologram.

He can turn himself off.

And if he doesn't want to appear he doesn't appear.

You mean, he has free will?

Hey, I'm an engineer, not a philosopher.

All I know is, that when Vic turns himself off, he's off and ripping out the guts of the holosuite isn't going to change that.

Anything else I can do for you?

No.

Oh, we, uh... we all miss you in Ops.

Yeah.

So... now that the Chief's told you

I'm smarter than the average bear will you stop messing around with my holosuite?

If you turn the program back on.

What is it I'm not making clear to you, Charlie?

You got to go.

Don't you get it?

I can't go out there.

Why not?

I'm scared... okay?

I'm scared.

When the war began...

I wasn't happy or anything but I was eager.

I wanted to test myself.

I wanted to prove I had what it took to be a soldier and I saw a lot of combat.

I saw a lot of people get hurt.

I saw a lot of people die but I didn't think anything was going to happen to me and then, suddenly

Dr. Bashir is telling me he has to cut my leg off.

I couldn't believe it.

I still can't believe it.

If I can get shot, if I can lose my leg anything can happen to me, Vic.

I could die tomorrow.

I don't know if I'm ready to face that.

If I stay here, at least I know what the future is going to be like.

You stay here, you're going to die not all at once, but little by little.

Eventually, you'll become as hollow as I am.

You don't seem hollow to me.

Compared to you, I'm hollow as a snare drum.

Look, kid, I don't know what's going to happen to you out there.

All I can tell you is that... you've got to play the cards life deals you.

Sometimes you win, sometimes you lose.

But at least you're in the game.

( door opens )

( sighs )

Crazy.

ROM: He seemed happy.

LEETA: And he's stopped limping.

QUARK: You're joking.

No. He's a new man.

You should go see him.

I don't think I'll need to.

Hi.

Hi.

Are you okay?

No... but I will be.

Computer, run program Bashir 62.

Hi, kid.

Hey, nice threads.

Thanks.

You back at work?

Limited duty.

Just a couple hours a day.

How's it feel?

Different.

I feel older.

Happens to the best of us.

I want to thank you for all that you did for me.

That's not necessary.

You did something for me, too.

You gave me a chance to see what it's like to have a life.

Well, you're going to have that chance again.

I've made arrangements with my Uncle Quark to keep your program running

26 hours a day from now on.

What?

It's my gift to you.

Kid... I don't know what to say.

Just put it there, pally and tell me you'll always save a seat for me up front.

It's a deal, and you can take that to the bank.

( sighing )

Got to go.

I'm buying Jake and Kesha dinner tonight.

Hey.

Try not to overturn the furniture.

I'll try.

( chuckles )

26 hours a day?

( jazzy music playing )

♪ I've got the world on string ♪

♪ Sittin' on a rainbow ♪

♪ Got the string around my finger ♪

♪ What a world ♪

♪ What a life ♪

♪ I'm in love ♪

♪ I've got a song that I sing ♪

♪ I can make the rain go ♪

♪ Anytime I move my finger ♪

♪ Lucky me ♪

♪ Can't you see ♪

♪ I'm in love? ♪

♪ Life is a beautiful thing ♪

♪ As long as I hold that string ♪

♪ I'd be a silly so-and-so ♪

♪ If I should ever let it go ♪

♪ I've got the world on a string ♪

♪ Sittin' on a rainbow ♪

♪ Got the string around my finger ♪

♪ What a world ♪

♪ What a life ♪

♪ I'm in love ♪

♪ Life is a beautiful thing... ♪