ACT THREE
FADE IN:
INT. ENTERPRISE – MESS HALL
Tucker, T’Pol, and Reed have now been joined by Ensigns MAYWEATHER and Sato. Sato looks pretty enthralled by the story, but Mayweather looks somewhere between shocked and skeptical.
MAYWEATHER
You mean the captain actually resigned?
(beat, confused)
He told me that he dealt with his father’s death by burying himself in his work.
The other four give him their attention. Among the humans, they seem to recognize what meaning this holds for Mayweather in light of his own father’s recent death. T’Pol watches the interaction with interest.
TUCKER
He did bury himself in his work; I just haven’t gotten to that part yet.
Tucker offers the helmsman a small but disarming smile.
TUCKER (CONT’D)
I’m sure he left this part out because he still regrets it himself. It’s not something he’d want you to repeat yourself.
Mayweather nods in solemn understanding. After a BEAT, everyone turns their attention back to Tucker.
SATO
(uncertain)
So Ensign Hernandez was able to talk him out of resigning?
Tucker indicates that he’s a bit iffy on that point as we
FADE TRANSITION TO:
EXT. YOSEMITE VALLEY – FOREST – DAY
Ensigns Archer and Hernandez continue to hike through the forest. There is an awkward, uncomfortable tension between them. Though they are essentially right next to each other, we get the distinct impression that not a whole lot has been said between them since we last saw them.
TUCKER (VO)
Yes and no.
(beat)
The thing that the cap’n credits her most with is getting him to open up again, and getting him to put things back into perspective.
(beat)
It took her a while, though.
Ensign Hernandez is becoming visibly agitated as she and Ensign Archer continue to hike. The bereft young man does his best to pretend not to notice the frustrated sighs of his companion. Her patience is clearly reaching its end.
ENS HERNANDEZ
How long are we supposed to pretend?
Ensign Archer abruptly stops and stares at the attractive young woman.
ENS ARCHER
(annoyed)
Pretend what?
Ensign Hernandez lets out a frustrated sigh.
ENS HERNANDEZ
Pretend that all of this is just going to fix itself on its own.
(beat)
We’ve been hiking from one end of this valley to the other, making small talk like there’s nothing wrong.
(beat, with concern)
I’m here for you, Jon. But how long do you really think we can put our lives off?
Now it’s Ensign Archer’s turn to become agitated. He’s visibly bristling, angry but trying to hold it back to avoid wounding his companion too deeply.
ENS ARCHER
I really appreciate you offering to come along, Erika, but I never asked you to tag along. I came out here to find myself, not to wallow in self pity or to share sob stories about my dad.
The spitfire of a woman puts her hands on her hips, a determined look on her face.
ENS HERNANDEZ
That’s exactly what you’re doing, Jon.
(beat, off his confusion)
This is all about you wallowing in self pity.
(beat, off his insulted look)
Considering what you’ve lost, that’s perfectly understandable. I’m not blaming you for feeling sorry for your loss.
Ensign Archer hovers somewhere between indignation and the sadness that he’s been keeping bottled up inside. Ensign Hernandez offers him an expression that clearly conveys the depth of her feelings for him.
ENS HERNANDEZ (CONT’D)
But I do blame you for trying to keep this bottled up inside of you when you have people who care about you.
(beat, heavy with emotion)
I love you, Jon. I know I haven’t been very serious about what we have, but dammit, I can’t stand to see you throw your life away like this.
(beat, indignant)
Don’t I deserve better? Don’t the people in your life deserve better? Doesn’t your father deserve better?
The mention of his father immediate sets young Archer off.
ENS ARCHER
(snapping)
Don’t you bring him up! Don’t you dare bring him up!
ENS HERNANDEZ
Why not!? One of us has to remember him!
ENS ARCHER
(defensively)
I’m not trying to forget him.
ENS HERNANDEZ
Aren’t you? Isn’t that what you’re doing by turning you back on everything he worked for?
ENS ARCHER
It’s my life!
(beat)
It’s my prerogative to decide how I want to live it! Not yours, and not Dad’s!
ENS HERNANDEZ
So what are you going to do with it now?
Ensign Archer hesitates for a BEAT.
ENS HERNANDEZ
(impatiently)
Well?
ENS ARCHER
(defensively)
I don’t know that yet dammit!
(beat)
That’s part of what coming out here was supposed to be about!
ENS HERNANDEZ
The job market isn’t very big for washed out test pilots.
(beat)
What are you going to do? Fly civilians around for the rest of your life?
ENS ARCHER
Maybe I will!
ENS HERNANDEZ (CONT’D)
(as if he hadn’t said anything)
Going from point A, to point B, and back again?
ENS ARCHER
What’s so horrible about that?
ENS HERNANDEZ
It’s no place for a hot-shot wannabe test pilot, that’s what.
Ensign Archer’s jaw line tightens as he grits his teeth. He knows that she’s right, but doesn’t want to admit it.
ENS HERNANDEZ
(insightful)
Do you honestly think you can just wrap your pain up in your uniform and toss them both away?
Her statement has a disarming effect on him. He starts to wind down.
ENS ARCHER
That isn’t really how I’d put it, but I thought it’d be worth a try.
Ensign Hernandez gives him a beseeching look.
ENS HERNANDEZ
You’d be miserable, Jonny.
Though there is an element of anger that flickers across his face, Ensign Archer in fact looks like he’s close to breaking down.
ENS ARCHER
(desperately)
Don’t call me that…please.
ENS HERNANDEZ
(genuinely apologetic)
Sorry.
(beat)
I’ll try, but it’ll be hard for me.
(beat)
I want you to do something for me though. I’ll make a deal with you.
ENS ARCHER
What?
ENS HERNANDEZ
I want you to really think about what you’re doing.
(beat)
You’re right, it is your life, but think about the people around you. Think about everything you and your father ever worked for.
The mention of his father starts to distress Ensign Archer again.
ENS HERNANDEZ (CONT’D)
He worked his ass off to get back what the Vulcans snatched away from us, and he almost managed to do it.
(beat)
Who’s going to pick up the pieces now?
ENS ARCHER
And what am I supposed to do about it?
(beat, frustrated)
I’m not an engineer! I can’t take my father’s place.
ENS HERNANDEZ
(annoyed)
I know that…
(beat, calmer)
But you’ve been with the project since you were a kid. How fitting that Jonathan Archer should pilot the first ship to be powered by Henry Archer’s engine?
(beat)
Don’t you think that would make him proud?
Ensign Archer shakily nods his head.
ENS ARCHER
But his engine doesn’t work.
ENS HERNANDEZ
So don’t you think you should wait around until it does? Someone’s bound to figure out the last few adjustments.
ENS ARCHER
(slowly shaking his head)
I don’t know if I like the idea of that.
ENS HERNANDEZ
Do you think he would’ve cared as long as his work came to fruition?
ENS ARCHER
(absolutely sure)
No. It was never about the credit with him.
Ensign Hernandez senses something within Archer, and changes her demeanor.
ENS HERNANDEZ
Tell me about him.
Ensign Archer forces a weak smile.
ENS ARCHER
(half-heartedly)
Aren’t you tired of hearing my stories?
ENS HERNANDEZ
Of course not.
(beat, joking)
Besides, I need you to help me keep them straight.
Ensign Archer lets himself chuckle at that. He tilts his head back for a BEAT, remembering.
ENS ARCHER
Mom hated it when he started taking me to work with him.
(laughing fondly)
A warp propulsion lab isn’t exactly the safest of environments for a pre-teen, especially one as clumsy and awkward as I was.
(beat)
Commodore Forrest wasn’t real hot on the idea either, but Dad managed to talk him into it somehow.
(shaking his head)
I don’t know how he did it. I mean, they were friends, but Dad just had a way of getting people to do almost anything.
ENS HERNANDEZ
(interjecting, smiling)
So I see.
Ensign Archer lets himself laugh again. And yet, his eyes are beginning to look wet.
ENS ARCHER
It wasn’t long before I became the unofficial mascot. Just hanging around, pestering all the engineers with questions all day…
(beat, mischievous)
Dad made them answer every single question I asked.
(beat, sobering)
He was always there for me, Erika. I’m really going to miss him.
She has nothing but compassion and empathy for him. It is obvious that he is still going over the many memories he had of his father, as he says nothing, but has a wistful expression. Suddenly, his chest begins to shudder with the sobs he can’t quite keep from coming. It’s obvious that he’s fighting them, hard. Ensign Hernandez rolls her eyes and gives him an exasperated sigh.
ENS HERNANDEZ
Why do men always act like they’re afraid to cry?
She closes the short distance between them and embraces him tightly. He doesn’t try to get away from her, but he keeps his arms stay stiffly at his sides, his hands balled into fists.
ENS HERNANDEZ
(quiet, soothing)
It’s okay, you can trust me. Just let it go.
The tears start to flow freely from his eyes, and he sobs more openly. His body is racked with each one; he just can’t quite let himself completely go. Ensign Hernandez runs a hand through his hair and rocks him gently.
ENS HERNANDEZ
Let it out…
ENS ARCHER
(between sobs, angry)
Damn Vulcans! They took him…they took him from me!
ENS HERNANDEZ
Then don’t let them win.
(beat)
If you give up, they win.
Ensign Archer starts to calm down again.
ENS HERNANDEZ
Promise me that you’ll at least talk to Commodore Forrest.
She loosens her embrace, but holds on to his arms. She looks into his eyes, silently pleading with him. He relents, silently nodding as the last few tears make their way down his face.
ENS ARCHER
I don’t know if that’ll do any good though.
(beat, wiping his face)
I already tendered my resignation.
ENS HERNANDEZ
(optimistically)
You never know, it might’ve gotten lost.
Ensign Archer laughs at that, then laughs bitterly to himself.
ENS HERNANDEZ
What?
ENS ARCHER
It’s just…
(beat, embarrassed)
Part of the reason I came out here by myself was in case something like this happened. I don’t exactly relish the idea of breaking down like that in front of anyone.
She smiles sarcastically at him.
ENS HERNANDEZ
I won’t tell anyone if you don’t.
Ensign Archer returns the smile and they embrace again as we
FADE TRANSITION TO:
INT. ORBITAL COMPLEX – COMMODORE FORREST’S OFFICE
Ensign Archer stands before Commodore Forrest’s desk in full service dress. While the ensign’s posture is somewhat rigid, the mood is informal, as we can tell from the conversation, this has already been going on for a while.
ENS ARCHER
It’s just something I have to know, Commodore.
Commodore Forrest gives the young man standing in front of him a sympathetic look.
COMMODORE FORREST
For the time being, it’s restricted information.
Ensign Archer gives the commodore an angry glare that borders on insubordination.
ENS ARCHER
He was my father, for God’s sake.
COMMODORE FORREST
I know that and I sympathize, Jonathan, but uniform or not, I can’t give out this information to someone who’s no longer part of the program.
The commodore’s expression is somewhat ambiguous. It’s difficult to tell if he’s truly being serious, or if he’s being calculating. Ensign Archer gives him a hard look in an attempt to see for himself, but after a BEAT he lets out a defeated sigh.
ENS ARCHER
About that…
(beat)
I’ve been reconsidering…
COMMODORE FORREST
You don’t sound too sure.
(beat, off his nervous reaction)
Resignations don’t just go away. The Agency can’t have people just up and quitting on a whim, only to rejoin, just so they can quit again.
ENS ARCHER
(flustered)
Commodore… I just can’t… there are too many memories here, and I don’t know if I can deal with them.
(beat, off Forrest’s considering look)
Sir, you’ve been like an uncle to me. I’d really appreciate any advice…
COMMODORE FORREST
I can’t really give you any advice, Jon. This is something you have to decide for yourself. Are you going to be able to go forward with your life?
(beat, off his uncertainty, more relaxed)
Jon, your father and I were good friends since long before you were born. His loss weighs heavily on me too. I’m going to miss him dearly.
ENS ARCHER
How are you coping?
COMMODORE FORREST
I’m doing everything I can to remember him, and what he would’ve wanted.
(beat)
He definitely wouldn’t want this project to come to a screeching halt just because he isn’t around.
The commodore’s expression is again ambiguous, but Ensign Archer seems to draw his own conclusion on what the older man is saying. The younger man visibly relaxes.
ENS ARCHER
I’m sorry about snapping at you…before.
COMMODORE FORREST
Don’t worry about it. I understand what you were going through, what you’re still going through.
ENS ARCHER
I’d like to rejoin the program.
Commodore Forrest looks at him blankly.
COMMODORE FORREST
I’m afraid that won’t be possible.
The fear builds within Ensign Archer. After all he’s gone through, he may have made a mistake that he can’t fix.
ENS ARCHER
I understand that UESPA doesn’t want its officers resigning on a whim, but I can promise them that I won’t quit again.
The commodore gives him a hard look.
COMMODORE FORREST
Can you promise me?
ENS ARCHER
(desperate)
Yes.
(beat)
I’ll go through OTS if I have to, whatever it takes.
Commodore Forrest leans back in his chair, satisfied.
COMMODORE FORREST
That won’t be necessary, Ensign.
ENS ARCHER
(not catching on)
I understand that resignations can’t be undone, but-
COMMODORE FORREST
(interrupting)
Only if they go through.
Ensign Archer stops and looks at him with confusion. The commodore opens a drawer in his desk and reaches inside. He pulls out a folder that’s emblazoned with the UESPA logo and plops it on his desk with enough force to make it slide across it to the dumbfounded ensign. The ensign turns the folder and opens it, only a little surprised to see his own resignation. There’s a large “VOID” stamped over his signature, with Commodore Forrest’s signature scrawled just beneath it.
ENS ARCHER
(amazed)
How’d you know?
COMMODORE FORREST
I didn’t. I just figured that if you really wanted to resign that I’d make you work for it.
The commodore finally lets himself smile. Ensign Archer can’t keep himself from smiling either, relieved that what could have been the biggest mistake in his life has been averted.
COMMODORE FORREST
So, what made you change your mind about coming to see me?
The commodore already has an idea, but Ensign Archer doesn’t notice the subtle expression on the older man’s face that gives it away.
ENS ARCHER
(smiling)
Let’s just say that behind every man, there’s an even better woman.
COMMODORE FORREST
(wryly)
I’ll be sure to tell her you said that.
The sudden realization comes over Ensign Archer’s face.
ENS ARCHER
(suspiciously)
You didn’t send her, did you?
COMMODORE FORREST
Hardly. There wasn’t anything I could do to keep her from going, one way or another.
(beat)
Somehow the idea of losing another tenacious officer didn’t appeal to me, and I’m sure Command would agree.
Ensign Archer sighs, reminded again of the rash decisions of his recent past.
ENS ARCHER
They might have something to say about me going AWOL though.
(beat)
Without a resignation, I basically just took off from advanced flight training.
Commodore Forrest takes the opportunity to nonchalantly pull yet another UESPA emblazoned folder out of his desk to plop it unceremoniously in front of Ensign Archer. The ensign opens it, unsure what to find, and a little confused to see the form within.
COMMODORE FORREST
They might be a little upset that you signed your bereavement leave form late, but I think they’ll understand given the circumstances.
Ensign Archer looks up from the form in disbelief just in time to see the commodore present him with a pen. The ensign takes it and quickly signs his name before shoving the folder and the pen toward Commodore Forrest. He takes them and adds his signature to the form, making it official.
COMMODORE FORREST
Of course this means that you’ll have to start your advanced flight training over again at the next session.
(beat)
On the other hand, that’ll give you as long as you feel you need.
Archer seems to take that bit of news when he suddenly thinks of something, or rather, someone.
ENS ARCHER
Commodore…
COMMODORE FORREST
(interrupting, knowing exactly what the ensign is thinking)
Don’t worry, she already “requested” leave with you, so it’s all taken care of.
(indicating the signed leave form, teasing)
Don’t you read everything before you sign it?
Off Ensign Archer’s relieved smile we…
FADE OUT.
END OF ACT THREE
Continue to Act Four
