ACT FOUR
FADE IN:
INT. ENTERPRISE – MESS HALL
Tucker, T’Pol, Reed, Sato and Mayweather are still seated around the same table. However, a significant number of others, both SFs and UESPA crewmembers, have gathered around. They take up the tables directly adjacent to the one the main group is sitting at. T’Pol actually looks somewhat uncomfortable at the number of people that have gathered.
SATO
(teasing)
So I guess one of them must’ve said something, or you wouldn’t have known about it.
TUCKER
(confused)
Said something about what?
SATO
About what happened in Yosemite.
(beat)
I actually agree with this Erika Hernandez; I never did understand why men seem to have something against crying.
TUCKER
(shrugging it off)
Just not something a lot of men are really comfortable doing.
(beat, before Sato can press)
But to answer your question, yeah, the cap’n told me about it. I don’t think it bothers him that much, I mean, he’s as human as the rest of us, and losing someone close to you like he did can really hurt.
There are somber expressions all around, even T’Pol has a flicker of…something cross her face for just an instant. No one seems to want to say anything for a BEAT. Finally, Mayweather’s curiosity wins out.
MAYWEATHER
So what happened after that?
TUCKER
After he got back to flight training, the cap’n really took his promise to Admiral Forrest to heart. He really put his nose to the grindstone because he wanted to graduate at the top of his class.
(beat)
He still has his regrets about it though, and he’d want everyone that hears this little story to learn from his mistakes before you make your own.
T’Pol quirks an eyebrow at that, but says nothing. Mayweather’s face floods with recognition as he remembers the conversation he had with Captain Archer when his own father died. Tucker looks right at Travis, hinting that he knows what the younger man is thinking as we
FADE TRANSITION TO:
INT. CLASSROOM – EVENING
Ensign Archer stands next to a video display that stands in for the white-board of the classroom he’s in. He watches as a flight scenario plays on the screen before referencing a PADD that he’s holding in his hands. There are no windows, but from the deserted nature of the room, it is obviously evening. After a BEAT, the door opens, revealing Ensign Hernandez. She enters the room and joins Ensign Archer at the display screen. He nods distractedly to acknowledge her presence. She’s disappointed at that.
ENS HERNANDEZ
I was hoping to meet up with you tonight, maybe go out on the town.
(beat, wryly)
It is Friday night after all.
Ensign Archer shakes his head, not even taking his eyes off of his work.
ENS ARCHER
No, I want to make sure I have this down pat before next week.
(beat)
I want to ace the exam so I can finally get out of the simulator and into the real thing.
ENS HERNANDEZ
That doesn’t mean you can’t spend one night with someone you care about.
(beat, more seductively)
It might be worth putting this off until tomorrow.
From her tone and her body language, it’s pretty obvious that Ensign Hernandez has a pretty special night planned for the two of them. He gives her a sideways glance, and he definitely notices what she’s hinting at, but he tries to be nonchalant about it. He’s only moderately successful.
ENS ARCHER
Maybe in a couple weeks, Erika.
(beat)
I’m really too busy right now.
His response was definitely a mood killer; Ensign Hernandez assumes a much more rigid posture. She stares into the side of his head for a BEAT before giving him a disgusted sigh.
ENS HERNANDEZ
Am I really so horrible that you can’t even stomach the idea of spending the night with me?
Ensign Archer finally rips his eyes away from his work, surprised at her bluntness.
ENS ARCHER
What? Of course not!
(beat)
I’ve just got things to do, that’s all.
ENS HERNANDEZ
(rolling her eyes)
Oh please…
(beat)
You’ve been avoiding me more and more since flight training started. I hardly even see you anymore!
ENS ARCHER
I’m sorry Erika, but work comes before play. I have to put in the extra effort here so I know that my career is secure before I worry about my personal life.
She gives him a sarcastic laugh.
ENS HERNANDEZ
All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy.
(beat, off his confusion)
There’s more to life than the job, Jon.
Ensign Archer is quickly losing his temper.
ENS ARCHER
(snapping)
What the hell do you want from me!
(beat, glaring at her)
First, you do everything to get me to come back, and now you don’t want me to do my job?
Ensign Hernandez crosses her arms and glares right back at him
ENS HERNANDEZ
I didn’t mean for you spend every minute of your life on your career either.
ENS ARCHER
Commodore Forrest pulled some strings to let us make up our flight training. Don’t you think we should make sure it was worth his while?
Ensign Hernandez uncrosses her arms and puts her hands on her hips.
ENS HERNANDEZ
(hotly)
Don’t you bring him into this.
(beat)
This is an obsession, Jon.
ENS ARCHER
I have to be the best. How could I ever hope to have a shot at heading up the flight tests at the warp five project if I’m anything less?
Her arms drop to her sides in disbelief.
ENS HERNANDEZ
I don’t even recognize you anymore.
(beat)
The Jonathan Archer I knew wouldn’t have thought twice about giving me one night in return for the time I spent with you.
ENS ARCHER
Is that what this is about?
(beat)
I owe you now?
ENS HERNANDEZ
(defensively)
That isn’t what I meant and you know it.
ENS ARCHER
Look, I’m grateful for what you did for me. You reminded me that my career was too important to just give up on.
(beat)
Frankly, my career is all I have left.
Ensign Hernandez considers him for a BEAT, then nods in what is most definitely not a friendly manner. She turns and starts to leave, stopping as she reaches the door.
ENS HERNANDEZ
(sarcastically)
See you around, Jon. Call me if you ever decide to get a life.
Without waiting for a reply, she exits, never looking back. Ensign Archer stares blankly after her for a BEAT, then goes back to the simulation playing on the screen as we
FADE TRANSITION TO:
INT. ORBITAL COMPLEX – ENGINEERING LAB
The same engineering lab we saw Henry Archer arguing with Ambassador Soval in. Though there have been a few modifications since we last saw it, the engine mock-up the newly commissioned Ensign Archer had hidden behind still dominates that section of the room. This time, however, there is a large crowd gathered around to greet Ensign Archer. There are countless handshakes, pats on the back, and even some ruffling of the young man’s hair as they welcome their old mascot back to the lab with various greetings.
Commodore Forrest walks into the room, smiling broadly. Ensign Archer returns his smile and turns to greet him, hand extended.
COMMODORE FORREST
(taking his hand and shaking it)
Good to finally see you again, Jon.
They drop their hands.
ENS ARCHER
(downplaying)
Oh, I thought I’d stop by and see the old place since I finally graduated flight school.
COMMODORE FORREST
At the top of your class no less. Your old man would’ve been proud.
ENS ARCHER
(somberly)
I’d like to think so.
COMMODORE FORREST
I don’t doubt it. Not even for a second.
(beat)
I know I’m proud of you.
(beat, off his shy smile)
Hell, I think we’re all proud of you.
The commodore makes a sweeping motion toward the crowd of engineers, setting off another round of cheers and some sporadic clapping. After a BEAT, Commodore Forrest places a hand on Ensign Archer’s shoulder.
COMMODORE FORREST
If you’re up for it, I think I have a job for you.
The ensign gives him a confused look.
ENSIGN ARCHER
You have something for me to fly already?
(beat)
I thought you dismantled the ringships.
COMMODORE FORREST
We did, and the team is working on some new test ships.
(beat)
Commander Gardner and the rest of the flight team are just as anxious as you are to get out there and break some speed records, but Commander Jeffries here could really use your help.
At the mention of his name, COMMANDER MATTHEW JEFFRIES steps out of the crowd, a notebook in hand. He hands the notebook to Ensign Archer, who opens it to reveal what appears to be illegible scribbling with a few inset diagrams. There also appears to be several complex equations, but like the rest of the writing, it’s difficult to read.
JEFFRIES
I’m having a lot of trouble going over Henry’s old notes to figure out what he was working on before the accident.
Jeffries suddenly regrets mentioning the event that ended Henry Archer’s life, but Ensign Archer only pauses for a BEAT before continuing to flip through the notebook.
ENS ARCHER
(nostalgically)
He never was one for penmanship.
(beat, smirking)
It didn’t help that he liked using his own shorthand either.
COMMODORE FORREST
What do you say, Jon?
(beat, as Archer makes eye contact)
Could you translate some of your old man’s chicken-scratch for us? We could skip the formalities and put you on the books as a test pilot.
Commodore Forrest pins him with a hopeful look. The ensign remains skeptical, however.
ENS ARCHER
I need more flight hours to qualify for test flight status.
(beat, closing the notebook and hefting it)
I could work on this while I’m waiting for a new posting though.
COMMODORE FORREST
Or you could earn those hours shuttling me around.
(beat, shrugging)
Up to you of course.
The ensign is barely able to hold in his excitement at the idea. A smile graces his face even as he tries to remain dead serious.
ENS ARCHER
I wouldn’t want you to go easy on me just to keep me around, sir.
Commodore Forrest gives him a wicked grin.
COMMODORE FORREST
Who says I’d be easy on you? I happen to be a very demanding passenger.
(beat)
Trust me, you’d earn every single one of those hours working for me.
The ensign considers it for a BEAT, then gives Commodore Forrest an affirming nod.
COMMODORE FORREST
Good! Welcome aboard, Jon.
Commander Jeffries is the first of many to shake Ensign Archer’s hand in another round of congratulations as we
FADE TRANSITION TO:
EXT. LARGE CEMETERY
JUNIOR LIEUTENANT JONATHAN ARCHER walks through a grassy field lined with headstones, dressed in full service dress. We soon recognize it as the cemetery that Henry Archer’s funeral was held in. Lieutenant Archer walks in somber silence until he comes to one headstone in particular. Focusing on it, we can see that it reads:
HENRY ARCHER
June 26, 2083 – February 25, 2131
Beloved Husband and Father
Archer smirks slightly as he reads the last line.
JLT ARCHER
(softly, to himself)
Mom must’ve had something to do with that, or I’m sure there’d be something on there about being an engineer too.
(beat)
She never did like how your work tended to keep you away from the family. You always did like to bury yourself in your work.
JLT HERNANDEZ (OS)
(sarcastically)
Like father, like son…
Archer turns quickly in surprise to see JUNIOR LIEUTENANT ERIKA HERNANDEZ standing about a meter behind him, also dressed in full service dress.
JLT ARCHER
(startled)
Erika… I didn’t hear you
(beat, relaxing)
So how are you doing these days?
Hernandez shifts uncomfortably as she thinks of how to answer diplomatically for a BEAT. She isn’t entirely successful, as there is resentment seething beneath her features. None of the affection she once looked at Archer with remains.
JLT HERNANDEZ
I’m fine.
(beat, nodding toward Henry Archer’s headstone)
So, a year to the day now.
Archer looks back toward his father’s headstone before shifting his attention back to Hernandez. He looks equally uncomfortable with the situation.
JLT ARCHER
Yeah.
(beat)
It’s amazing how much can happen in such a sort amount of time.
Hernandez nods in agreement at that.
JLT HERNANDEZ
I see you got promoted yourself.
JLT ARCHER
(forcing a smile)
I finally earned all my flight hours shuttling the commodore back and forth between meetings.
(beat)
It won’t be too long now before they’ve built some test vehicles, and I’ll be a bona fide test pilot.
JLT HERNANDEZ
It’s good to know that the project is making some progress.
(beat, tensing)
At least your career is doing well. Mine is just starting to recover.
Archer immediately tenses.
JLT ARCHER
I’m not quite sure how to take that, Erika.
(beat)
You got promoted not long after I did. You’re the senior helmsman on the Edison.
JLT HERNANDEZ
(interrupting, sarcastically)
So you are reading my letters. All this time I thought you were just ignoring them. I mean, it’s not like I ever heard back from you.
Archer looks genuinely guilty about that.
JLT ARCHER
I keep meaning to write, really, I do. I just keep getting caught up with everything that’s going on with the project, that’s all.
Hernandez nods her head sardonically.
JLT HERNANDEZ
That always has been the problem. At least ever since we got back from bereavement leave.
This is clearly an old topic of conversation for them.
JLT ARCHER
(mentally exhausted)
Look, let’s not do this now…
(beat)
It’s been a few months, what do you say we go down to the old 602 Club and order something?
Hernandez shakes her head.
JLT HERNANDEZ
We keep going through this cycle, Jon. I’m tired of reaching out to you again and again just so you can find an excuse to ignore me.
(beat)
I’m done, Jon. For all that we’ve been through together, I’m obviously not important to you anymore.
Hernandez eyes Archer for a BEAT, as if expecting him to say something. He simply stands there, looking a right back at her. There’s a hint of sadness about him, but he keeps his emotions locked up otherwise.
JLT HERNANDEZ
I’m shipping out tomorrow, so you won’t ever have to see me again.
(beat, off his continued non-reaction)
Goodbye, Jonny.
He flinches at the mention of his old nickname, but otherwise stares blankly after Hernandez as she walks away from him. After a BEAT, he turns and looks down at his father’s headstone and we…
FADE OUT.
END OF ACT FOUR
Continue to Act Five
