The Trouble With Tribbles Part 20

UHURA'S VOICE.

Enterprise here.

KIRK.

Secure from general quarters. Beam over two and only two security guards. Have them report to Commander Lurry.

(a beat) Also, authorize sh.o.r.e leave for all off-duty personnel.

UHURA.

Yes, Captain.

KIRK.

Kirk out.

He puts away the communicator. Baris is upset because Kirk has only authorized two.

BARIS.

Kirk! Star.eet Command is going to hear about this... A mere two men!

Kirk looks at Baris for a long moment.

KIRK.

(.nally) I have never questioned either the orders, or the intelligence of any representative of the Federation...

(pause, looking at Baris) ...until now.

Leaving a speechless Baris and Darvin, Kirk exits, followed by Spock.

CUT TO:.

13A 13A.

thru OMITTED7 thru 13C 13C.

13D INT. BAR/STORE-ANGLE ON KIRK.

AND SPOCK 13D.

Like a western general store, this is a combination of two or more functions. Primarily it is a bar with a few tables and a bar against one wall, but a few extra props behind the bar should suggest that TRADER also runs a general store type of establishment. Kirk and Spock are at the bar, just putting down empty gla.s.ses. Kirk is shaking his head as he puts down the gla.s.s, looks at the wheat he holds in his hand.

KIRK.

...summoned a stars.h.i.+p on a priority A-1 channel to guard some storage compartments.

(starts away) Storage compartments of wheat!

SPOCK.

Still, Captain, it is a logical precaution. The Klingons would not like to see us successfully develop Sherman's Planet.

He and Spock are crossing toward the door on his last line. Uhura and Chekov enter, followed separately by CYRANO JONES. Uhura and Chekov wait to meet the captain, but Jones crosses past them to the bar beyond where he will engage the Trader.

KIRK.

(to Uhura and Chekov) I see you didn't waste any time going off duty.

UHURA.

How often do we get sh.o.r.e leave?

CHEKOV8.

She wanted to shop... and I wanted to help her.

KIRK.

Mister Chekov.

(holds out wheat) What do you make of this?

CHEKOV.

(takes it eagerly) Quadro-triticale! I've read about this, but I've never seen any of it till now!

KIRK.

Mister Spock, does everyone know about this grain, but me?

CHEKOV.

Not everyone, Captain. It's a Russian invention.

Kirk gives up...shot down in .ames by nationalism again. As he and Spock start to exit, Uhura and Chekov move toward the bar.

14 14.

thru OMITTED thru 16 16.

17 ANGLE ON CYRANO 17.

Cyrano Jones is arguing with the Trader. He has a great amount of merchandise on the counter. Obviously, he has been trying to sell it to the Trader, and the Trader has obviously been very stubborn.

TRADER.

No! I don't want any. I told you before, and I'm telling you again.

Chekov and Uhura approach and wait for the Trader's attention.

TRADER.

(continuing) I don't want any Spican Flame Gems. I already have enough Spican Flame Gems to last me a lifetime.

Cyrano shrugs. He starts to open his carryall sack to put them away.

CYRANO.

(pityingly) How sad for you, my friend...

(hopefully) You won't .nd a .ner stone anywhere...

The Trader is frowning.

CYRANO.

(continuing; hastily) Ah, but I have something better...

(picking a vial off the counter) Surely, you want some Antarean Glow Water . . .

TRADER.

(deadly monotone) I use it to polish the .ame gems.

By this time Chekov and Uhura are watching interest-edly. Cyrano sweeps most of his other stuff back into his sack.

CYRANO.

(sighing) You are a most dif.cult man to reach...

Picking up something off the counter...it is a green-gold ball of .uff, a tribble.

CYRANO.

(continuing) Surely, you want...

TRADER.

(although he is interested) ...not at that price.

UHURA.

(catching sight of the tribble) Ooooh, what is it...? Is it alive...?

(taking the tribble) May I hold him? Oooh, he's adorable!

(to Cyrano) What is it?

CYRANO.

What is it? Why, little darlin', it's a tribble...

UHURA.

(softly) A tribble...?

CYRANO.

(continuing over) It's only the sweetest little creature known to man-exceptin' of course, yourself...

UHURA.

(laughing; she is not taken in by the .attery) Oh! Oh! It's purring!

18 VERY CLOSE ANGLE ON TRIBBLE 18.

The tribble in the lieutenant's hands purrs and throbs. It is a ball of green-gold .uff about the size of a large beanbag. Its purr is soft and highpitched like a dove's cooing.

19 ANGLE 19.

CYRANO.

Ah, little lady, he's just sayin' that he likes you.

UHURA.

He's adorable. Are you selling them?

TRADER.

That's what we're trying to decide right now.

(he glares at Cyrano) CYRANO.

(to Trader) My friend...ten credits apiece is a very reasonable price...You can see for yourself how much the lovely little lady here appreciates .ne things...

TRADER.

(an offer) A credit apiece.

Chekov, asking Cyrano, as he takes the tribble from Uhura; he has put his grain on the counter: some spills out.

CHEKOV.

He won't bite, will he?