ACT FIVE
FADE IN:
INT: ENTERPRISE – MESS HALL
The large crowd that had gathered earlier persists. The mood is very somber as silence fills the room. No one seems willing to speak first.
Commander Tucker leans back in his chair and looks at the crowd. He pauses a little as he notices T’Pol’s discomfort, but otherwise continues his sweeping gaze, sizing up the reactions he sees, and noting the many neglected meals on the tables around him. He takes a deep breath.
TUCKER
That’s about all there is to tell, really.
(beat)
He went on with the project, became one of their top pilots and the rest is pretty much history.
REED
(curious)
How did you come to know him?
(beat)
I know the two of you have known each other for a considerable amount of time.
TUCKER
(allowing himself a smile)
He and Commander Jeffries brought me on to the project back when I was an ensign.
Reed looks at the engineer expectantly, a mischievous glint in his eyes.
REED
Care to tell us about it?
Tucker thinks about it for a BEAT, then shakes his head.
TUCKER
No, I think that’s a better story for another time.
(beat, off many disappointed looks/sounds)
Besides, I think some of you are due at your posts pretty soon anyway.
Though the disappointment among the crowd is still very pervasive, most of them begin to gather up their now cold meals and make their way to the disposal.
TUCKER
(above the noise of the crowd)
I hope this was more than a good story for all of you. Hate for none of you to learn anything.
T’Pol starts to leave as well, and Tucker gives her a concerned look.
TUCKER
Think you can stay for a bit longer?
(beat, off her raised eyebrow)
I have a few other things I want to talk with you about.
Though her expression remains as stoic as ever, T’Pol sits back down and waits patiently.
The crowd is now confined to the area around the disposal unit, leaving only Ensigns Sato and Mayweather, and Major Reed sitting at the table in addition to T’Pol and Tucker. We PAN, revealing that, surprisingly, SENIOR CHIEF PETTY OFFICER MARCUS LAFAYETTE is standing patiently nearby, his arms crossed over his chest.
TUCKER
(a little taken aback)
Midas!
The remaining members of the group turn their attention to the elderly chef.
TUCKER (CONT’D)
I’m a little surprised to see you.
LAFAYETTE
(wryly)
Oh, I was just keeping an eye on the competition.
Tucker grins at that.
TUCKER
I’m pretty sure this is just a one time deal, Senior Chief.
(beat)
Your reputation is secure.
Though it obvious he’s just joking, Midas does his best to look serious. He slowly nods his head in response to the chief engineer.
LAFAYETTE
I wouldn’t sell yourself too short, you can tell quite the story yourself. Entertaining and educational, just the way I like ‘em.
Tucker raises his eyebrows a little at that. Lafeyette uses the opportunity to point at the remaining officers’ meals.
LAFEYETTE
Any of you want those reheated?
None of them look interested.
LAFEYETTE
Bus your trays when you’re done here then.
Before any of them can reply, the old chef turns and makes his way back to his kitchen. Reed watches with the rest of them as Lafeyette disappears through the door that separates the ship’s galley from the mess hall, then gives Trip a knowing look.
REED
(wryly)
If nothing else I learned to give the captain a wide berth for the rest of the day.
(beat)
Until I see you again, Commander.
(nodding to the other officers in turn)
Sub-Commander, Ensigns…
Reed stands, taking his tray with him to the disposal, the crowd having dwindled down to nothing by now.
With the major gone, Tucker gives his remaining audience his consideration. Mayweather is staring somewhat intensely at the tabletop and Sato is looking at him with concern.
TUCKER
Travis? You okay?
MAYWEATHER
Yes, sir.
(beat)
You’ve given me a lot to think about.
(beat, looking directly at Tucker)
It makes me wish that talk the captain and I were having hadn’t been interrupted.
Tucker gives him a warm expression.
TUCKER
I’m sure he’d be willing to finish it.
Mayweather smiles and nods his head.
MAYWEATHER
I might just do that.
Tucker suddenly considers something.
TUCKER
(a little concerned)
Just…give him a couple days.
(beat, off the ensigns’ inquisitive looks)
He should be in more of a mood to talk by then.
Mayweather nods his understanding and Sato places a comforting arm across his shoulders.
TUCKER
(as he stands)
See you around, Ensigns.
(looking at T’Pol)
Care to walk with me, Sub-Commander?
T’Pol again raises an inquisitive eyebrow, but accompanies him as he makes his way toward the exit.
SATO
(quietly, to Mayweather)
You know, if you ever want to talk about it, I’m here too…
INT. ENTERPRISE – CORRIDOR
The door leading into the mess hall opens, revealing Tucker as he gestures for T’Pol to enter the corridor in front of him. She looks slightly confused at the gesture, but proceeds nonetheless.
We change angles as the two of them start to walk away from the mess hall at a slower than normal pace. The door closes behind them and T’Pol clasps her hands behind her.
TUCKER
Sorry if I put you on the spot back there.
(beat, off her quirked eyebrow)
When the crowd started showing up I was so caught up in telling the story that I forgot you aren’t real big on crowds.
T’Pol allows her understanding to show through briefly.
T’POL
There is no need to apologize, Commander. I asked you for information and you were more than adequate in providing it. Any discomfort I felt was … unimportant.
TUCKER
I only hope I actually managed to answer your question.
T’Pol raises both eyebrows in careful consideration.
T’POL
I believe I have a better understanding of Captain Archer’s difficulties dealing with members of my species.
(beat)
I also understand that this date holds a special significance for him, though I confess I still find it illogical.
Tucker smiles at the Vulcan’s use of the word “illogical” gives her a sidelong glance.
TUCKER
(wryly)
I guess that’s just one of the quirks to being human.
(beat, off her flat look)
I suppose Vulcans have an easier time dealing with loss.
(wistfully)
Must be nice to be able to keep everything locked up like that.
T’Pol stops, the two of them having come to an intersection with another corridor. Tucker looks momentarily concerned, thinking that he might had said something to offend the suddenly silent and unreadable Vulcan standing next to him. What little expression there is on her face makes her seem very distant, as she seems to be looking at nothing, other than slightly away from Tucker. After a BEAT, she seems to come out of it, but there’s a hint of pain in her expression.
T’POL
The loss of a family member or a close acquaintance can affect us very deeply, Commander.
(beat)
Vulcans may not express loss the same way humans do, but we do understand it.
Tucker doesn’t respond for a BEAT, clearly unsure how to.
TUCKER
I guess I learned something new today, too.
T’Pol inclines her head slightly in farewell.
T’POL
Until tomorrow, Commander.
He offers her a smile.
TUCKER
Have a good evening, Sub-Commander.
The two of them part ways, with T’Pol walking down the other corridor.
INT. ENTERPRISE – ARCHER’S OFFICE
We focus on a scorched piece of metal that sits atop Captain Archer’s desk. The letters that mark it clearly read:
XCV-330 SS Enterprise.
Though we’ve seen this chunk of metal before, its placement is only now understood. We hold for a BEAT before PULLING BACK to reveal Captain Archer sitting at his desk with his back to us. Though his monitor is active, he’s not working on it. Instead, he seems to be holding something, his body language hinting at the sadness he’s feeling.
We PAN UP and PUSH IN slightly, until we are looking over his shoulder, revealing that he’s holding the picture frame that normally sits next to his monitor. Currently the frame displays a picture of a young Archer dressed in a UESPA cadet’s uniform, posing with his father in an outdoor area of the university we saw in Act One.
Archer presses a small button hidden on the back of the frame, changing the image to an earlier photograph, of Henry Archer with his arm proudly resting over a teenaged Archer’s shoulders as they stand in front of the massive engine mock-up we also saw in Act One. After a BEAT, Archer presses the button again, bringing up an image of a nine-year-old Archer sitting on a workbench next to his father as the older man works on something. The young boy looks absolutely fascinated at what his father is doing, and since neither Henry nor Jon are looking at the camera, it’s obvious that this was a candid shot neither was aware of at the time it was taken.
After a BEAT, we focus on one last image – Cadets Archer and Hernandez, arms draped over one another as they smile at the camera. We change angles to see the expression on Archer’s face, a combination of sorrow and pained regret painting his features.
Suddenly, the door chime sounds. Archer looks up, surprise on his face for a fraction of a second before he frowns and furrows his brows, looking like a dark reflection what we saw just an instant before.
ARCHER
(hotly)
What is it!?
We change angles to see the door open, revealing a meek Commander Tucker. He holds a bottle of bourbon in one hand and two stacked glasses in the other. Angling back to Archer, we can see that his mood hasn’t changed significantly, with only a little of the hardness having left the captain’s face.
TUCKER
Evenin’, Cap’n.
(beat, making his way to the chair across form Archer)
Listen, I know you might not be in much of a mood to talk today, but I bring a peace offering.
The engineer offers his friend a small smile and holds out the bottle and the glasses. Archer’s glare softens a little more and he nods before setting the picture frame back down in its usual spot. Tucker accepts the invitation and sits down in the chair. He quickly sets out the glasses and starts working on the bottle-cap, which is still wrapped.
TUCKER
(still working the cap through the wrapping)
Had Midas take this out of storage…
(breaking the seal with a grunt)
Picked it up the last time I was on leave.
Archer watches silently as Tucker fills both glasses. He accepts the glass his friend pushes toward him, his anger gone, replaced by despondence. Tucker raises his glass in a salute.
TUCKER
To friends.
Archer raises his glass in return before the two men tilt their heads back and take a drink. Once finished, Archer places his glass on his desk and Tucker refills them.
ARCHER
(glumly)
Sorry I snapped at you, Trip.
Tucker offers his captain and friend another smile to go with his refilled glass of bourbon.
TUCKER
Don’t worry about it.
(beat, more humbly)
I know what this day means to you.
(beat, lighter)
I’ve been through a few of them with you, remember?
Archer nods his head as he absently rotates the glass with his hand.
ARCHER
I know.
(beat)
Doesn’t really excuse it though. You’d think a grown man could get a handle on this after so many years…
TUCKER
Everyone deals with this kinda thing in their own way, Jon. You’re not any different.
Archer shakes his head slightly, disagreeing.
ARCHER
I am different. I’m a captain now, not some hot-headed test pilot who doesn't know better.
(beat, morose)
I made a real ass of myself today on the bridge. I even feel sorry for snapping at the Vulcan.
Tucker’s face twitches slightly at Archer’s use of the word “Vulcan”, but the other man doesn’t notice it, too caught up in his own unarticulated feelings.
ARCHER (CONT’D)
I hope they can understand.
(beat)
I just don’t know how to really explain it to them.
TUCKER
I don’t think you have to worry about that anymore, Cap’n.
Tucker meets Archer’s confused stare with a mischievous smile. Slowly, understanding creeps across Archer’s face.
TUCKER (CONT’D)
Hope you don’t mind that I held a little story-time session in the mess hall today.
Archer looks a little perturbed, yet a smile seems to threaten to make itself known at the same time.
ARCHER
I don’t exactly disapprove if that’s what you’re worried about.
Archer exchanges another look with Tucker. The younger man’s expression clearly shows that isn’t the case. Archer holds the stare for a BEAT, trying to maintain the serious expression on his face, but he finally loses his private little battle, allowing the smallest of smiles to grace his lips.
ARCHER (CONT’D)
So how’d it go over?
TUCKER
Oh, I’d say it went over pretty well actually. Midas even complimented me on my story-telling skills.
The two men share a short chuckle.
TUCKER (CONT’D)
(serious again)
I think our resident Boomer really took the most from it though.
(beat, exchanging a knowing look with Archer)
Wouldn’t surprise me if he came to see you sometime in the next couple days or so.
Archer nods, understanding, the expression on his face telling us that he’s looking forward to it. He stops playing with his glass and raises it to his lips. Tucker joins him, but both stop short of emptying their glasses.
TUCKER
(smiling mischievously)
Bet you’ll never guess who started me on telling that story in the mess hall today.
(beat, off Archer’s confused look)
Sub-Commander T’Pol.
Archer is clearly surprised, and yet, pessimism starts to darken his expression.
ARCHER
I suppose she’ll be putting that in her report regarding my treatment of her today…
Tucker looks into his partially filled glass.
FLASH CUT TO:
INT. ENTERPRISE – CORRIDOR - FLASHBACK
The scene has a slight white haze over it as we replay the earlier scene between Tucker and T’Pol in the corridor. We focus on her distant expression for a BEAT before we
FLASH CUT TO:
INT. ENTERPRISE – ARCHER’S OFFICE
Tucker looks up from his glass at Archer.
TUCKER
I can almost guarantee you that she won’t, Cap’n.
Archer looks at Tucker skeptically, but the engineer gives him an insistent look.
ARCHER
I guess I’ll just have to take your word on that.
(beat, looking at his glass)
Aah, I don’t want to think about Vulcans for the rest of the night. I’ll worry about it in the morning.
(hefting his glass)
To Henry Archer.
TUCKER
(also hefting his glass)
To Henry Archer.
At that, both men take another swig from their glasses as we PULL OUT…
EXT. SPACE – ENTERPRISE
…through the viewport. We can still see Archer and Tucker sharing the bourbon as we continue to PULL OUT. Enterprise moves away from us, slowly orbiting the distant trinary stars we saw in the teaser as we…
FADE OUT.
END OF ACT FIVE
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