













                STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION 
                              
                   "The Masterpiece Society" 
                          #40275-213 
                              
                           Story by 
                 James Kahn and Adam Belanoff 
                              
                          Teleplay by 
               Adam Belanoff and Michael Piller 
                              
                          Directed by 
                          Rick Kolbe 


THE WRITING CREDITS MAY NOT BE FINAL AND SHOULD NOT BE USED
FOR PUBLICITY OR ADVERTISING PURPOSES WITHOUT FIRST CHECKING
WITH THE TELEVISION LEGAL DEPARTMENT.

Copyright 1991 Paramount Pictures Corporation. All Rights
Reserved. This script is not for publication or
reproduction. No one is authorized to dispose of same. If
lost or destroyed, please notify the Script Department.

                         FINAL DRAFT

                       NOVEMBER 4, 1991


       STAR TREK: "Masterpiece Society" - 11/4/91 - CAST 

                STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION 
                     "Masterpiece Society" 

                             CAST                               
                              
                PICARD             AARON CONOR
                RIKER              MARCUS BENBECK
                DATA               HANNAH BATES
                BEVERLY            
                TROI               
                GEORDI             
                WORF               
                                   Non-Speaking
                                     GENOME COLONISTS
                AN ENSIGN            12-YEAR-OLD PIANIST
                          
                Non-Speaking       
                  SUPERNUMERARIES    

       STAR TREK: "Masterpiece Society" - 11/4/91 - SETS 

                STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION 
                     "Masterpiece Society" 
                      
                             SETS 

            INTERIORS                  EXTERIORS
          
            USS ENTERPRISE             USS ENTERPRISE
              MAIN BRIDGE
              CAPTAIN'S READY ROOM     MOAB FOUR
              OBSERVATION LOUNGE         DESOLATE SURFACE
              ENGINEERING                 (MATTE)
              TURBOLIFT                  GENOME COLONY
                                          (MATTE)
                                         COURTYARD
            GENOME COLONY                ISOLATED LOCATIONS
              LABORATORY                  BY BIOSHPERE WALL
          
                                       STELLAR CORE FRAGMENT

  STAR TREK: "Masterpiece Society" - 11/6/91 - PRONUNCIATION 

                STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION 
                     "Masterpiece Society" 
                        
                      PRONUNCIATION GUIDE 

               GENETICISTS       ja-NET-ih-systs
               GENOME            geh-NOHM
               GRAVIMETRIC       grav-ih-MEH-trik
               GRAVITON          GRAV-ih-tahn
               HOMEOSTASIS       ho-me-oh-STAY-ses
               MOAB              MOH-ub
               TECTONIC          tek-TAHN-ik
               TOXICITY          tahk-SIS-eht-ee

     STAR TREK: "Masterpiece Society" - 11/5/91 - TEASER     1.

                STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION                  
                   "The Masterpiece Society"                        
                            TEASER                              

	FADE IN:

1    EXT. SPACE - THE ENTERPRISE (OPTICAL)

	Traveling through space parallel but not too close
	to a huge stellar core fragment, hundreds of times
	larger than the Enterprise... It is quite spherical,
	not too nubly (unlike an asteroid) emitting a
	bluish-white light glow, with cascades of sparklies,
	occasional blue-violet gamma ray bursts...

					PICARD (V.O.)
			Captain's log, stardate 45470.1.
			The Enterprise has been diverted
			to the Moab sector to track a
			stellar core fragment of a
			disintegrated neutron star. Our
			science teams have been asked to
			monitor the planetary disruptions
			it may cause.

2    INT. ENTERPRISE - BRIDGE

	RIKER leaning over DATA at ops, reacting with concern
	to something. WORF, TROI, and GEORDI are also at their
	stations. Picard ENTERS from the ready room.

					RIKER
				(to Picard)
			We've got a problem... our core
			fragment is going to pass by Moab
			Four in six days...

     STAR TREK: "Masterpiece Society" - 11/5/91 - TEASER     2.

2    CONTINUED:

					PICARD
			Isn't that what we anticipated?

					RIKER
			We didn't anticipate that somebody
			would be living there.

	Picard reacts.

					DATA
			An artificial environment has been
			constructed on the southern
			continent, sir.

					PICARD
			Have you definitely established
			someone's inside it?

					DATA
			Yes, Captain. Sensors are reading
			Human lifeforms.

					PICARD
				(reacts)
			Human.

					RIKER
			Has there been a response to our
			hails, Mister Worf?

					WORF
			Negative, Commander.

					PICARD
			Any starships ever reported
			missing in this sector, Data?

					DATA
			Nossir.

					RIKER
			How the hell did they get
			themselves on a deserted planet?

					GEORDI
			I'm pretty sure they know we're
			here...

					PICARD
			Mister La Forge?

    STAR TREK: "Masterpiece... " - REV. 11/6/91 - TEASER    3.

2    CONTINUED: (2)

					GEORDI
			I'm picking up deep E-M
			readings... looks like wave
			emissions from an obsolete
			subspace relay...

					RIKER
			Which would suggest they also have
			the ability to communicate with
			us.

					PICARD
			Mister Worf, open the lower band
			frequencies that were most
			commonly used in the last
			century...

					WORF
			Channel open.

					PICARD
			This is Captain Jean-Luc Picard
			of the Federation Starship
			Enterprise. It is urgent that
			you respond.

	A beat.

					WORF
			Sir, defensive shields around the
			structure are increasing strength.

					RIKER
			Not exactly a welcome mat.

					PICARD
			We mean you no harm. We must warn
			you that your planet is about to
			experience massive seismic
			disruptions due to an approaching
			stellar core fragment. No
			structure will be able to withstand
			them.

	A beat... silence... and then --

					WORF
			They are responding.

					PICARD
			On screen.

     STAR TREK: "Masterpiece... " REV. 11/6/91 - TEASER     4.

3    ANGLE - VIEWSCREEN OPTICAL)

	On the viewscreen appears a human male, AARON CONOR, in
	his late 30's or early 40's. He wears power and
	authority easily for one relatively young and boyish
	looking. At the moment, he is obviously troubled.

					CONOR
			Enterprise... I am Aaron Conor...

					PICARD
			Mister Conor, we were unaware of
			any Human colony in this system.

					CONOR
			Captain, I don't want to be rude
			but we don't wish to interact with
			outsiders. I have only responded
			because of your warning.

					PICARD
			The fragment will begin to have
			serious effects on your planet
			in six days.

					CONOR
			Yes, I know. We have been
			tracking it. But our biosphere
			has been constructed to withstand
			quakes of eight-point-seven on
			the Richter Scale.

					RIKER
			Mister Data... ?

					DATA
				(to viewscreen)
			The fragment has a density of one
			hundred billion kilograms per cubic
			centimeter. As a result, when it
			passes Moab Four, it will cause
			tectonic shifts well beyond
			eight-point-seven on the Richter
			Scale.

					PICARD
			I'm afraid we're going to have
			to evacuate your people.

					CONOR
			Evacuate? That's not possible.
			There must be an alternative...

					RIKER
			The alternative, sir, is dying...

     STAR TREK: "Masterpiece Society" - 11/5/91 - TEASER     5.

3    CONTINUED:

					PICARD
			Mister Conor, if you wish, we will
			find you another isolated planet
			that is safe.

					CONOR
			No, we must remain here.

					RIKER
			Maybe we haven't made ourselves
			clear...

					CONOR
			Of course, you have, Commander...
			and I hope I've made myself clear
			that we must seek an alternative
			solution...

					PICARD
				(with diplomacy)
			We will gladly explore the
			possibility with you, Mister
			Conor... would you care to come
			aboard to discuss it?

					CONOR
			Our environment is sealed. No
			one can get in or out.

					PICARD
			We are capable of matter/energy
			transport...

					CONOR
			Matter/energy?

					PICARD
			We can take you directly through
			the structure.

					CONOR
				(reacts)
			Really. That's quite remarkable.

					PICARD
				(genial, inviting)
			May we arrange for your transport?

					CONOR
			No. I must stay here.

    STAR TREK: "Masterpiece... " - REV. 11/6/91 - TEASER    6.

3    CONTINUED: (2)

	Picard exchanges a glance with Riker, beginning to get
	impatient with this fellow.

					CONOR
				(beat)
			But under the circumstances, I
			will permit a small delegation
			from your ship inside the
			biosphere...
				(with humor)
			... if only to see this
			matter/energy transportation you
			speak of...

					PICARD
			Very good. Commander Riker and
			an away team will join you
			shortly. Picard out.

4    THE VIEWSCREEN

	returns to the planet. Picard is thoughtful...

					PICARD
				(to Riker)
			Limit the away team to three
			people, Will...

	Riker acknowledges and as he turns...

5    RESUME BRIDGE

					RIKER
			Geordi -- I want to overwhelm him
			with evidence...

					GEORDI
			Understood.

					RIKER
				(to Troi)
			Counselor, I'd like you with us
			on this one...

	She nods and as they move toward the turbolift...

6    EXT. GENOME COURTYARD - DAY - LATER

	A limited view of a yard... MARCUS BENBECK, a thin,
	studious man in his 50's is arguing with Conor.

     STAR TREK: "Masterpiece Society" - 11/5/91 - TEASER     7.

6    CONTINUED:

	Both men are excellent physical specimens, dressed in
	comfortable civilian clothes -- closer to 20th-century
	garb than we are used to seeing.

					BENBECK
			This is a mistake.

					CONOR
			Good Lord, Martin, what would you
			have me do?

					BENBECK
			Anything that would keep them out
			of here.

					CONOR
			We have nothing to hide.

					BENBECK
			We have a great deal to lose.

	They react first to the sound of the transport...

					BENBECK
			What is that... ?

					CONOR
				(reacting)
			It's them... Look at this,
			Martin...

	They watch --

7    THE AWAY TEAM (OPTICAL)

	MATERIALIZE.

					CONOR
			Incredible.

	Riker, Geordi and Troi and look around... and begin
	to have an inkling why these people are reluctant to
	leave... MOVE TO REVEAL the Genome Colony... lush,
	spacious, peaceful. The courtyard is the main
	gathering place and there are dozens of people watching
	with amazement at the away team's arrival... they are
	all very attractive, perfect physical specimens.
	Exotic vegetation and pleasant seating areas make it
	an inviting, comfortable area.

     STAR TREK: "Masterpiece Society" - 11/5/91 - TEASER     8.

7    CONTINUED:

	Walls with see-through panels separate this paradise
	from the red, barren, noxious landscape beyond -- an
	ever-present indication that this courtyard is merely
	an oasis from the toxic atmosphere outside.

					CONOR
			Hello.
				(beat)
			Forgive me... I'm not sure how
			to welcome you. You are the first
			visitors we've ever had...

									FADE OUT.

                         END OF TEASER                          

   STAR TREK: "Masterpiece ... " - REV. 11/6/91 - ACT ONE   9.

                            ACT ONE                             

	FADE IN:

          (NOTE: Episode credits fall over opening scenes.)            

8    EXT. GENOME COURTYARD - MINUTES LATER (OPTICAL)

	The group walks along the courtyard. Conor is cordial,
	outgoing. Benbeck is a stern, colorless man.

					TROI
			It's lovely... I can understand
			why you are reluctant to leave,
			Mister Conor...

					CONOR
			We are not just "reluctant", Ms.
			Troi. It is imperative that we
			remain.

					BENBECK
				(harsh)
			It would be suicide to evacuate.
			It would destroy everything we've
			worked for two centuries to
			accomplish...

					CONOR
			You see, this is an engineered
			society...

					RIKER
			Engineered... ?

					CONOR
			Genetically engineered...

	He pauses, trying to find a way to explain this
	simply...

					CONOR
			Our ancestors came from Earth to
			develop the perfect society. They
			believed that through controlled
			procreation, they could create
			people without flaws... and those
			people would build a paradise.

    STAR TREK: "Masterpiece Society" - 11/5/91 - ACT ONE    10.

8    CONTINUED:

					TROI
			All of you... have been
			selectively bred? Your DNA
			patterns chosen?

	Conor turns and smiles at her.

					CONOR
			Eight generations of us.

					BENBECK
			We have immeasurably extended the
			potential of humanity --
			physically, psychologically --
			we have evolved beyond...
			beyond...
				(realizing he's in
				 trouble)

					GEORDI
			Beyond us...

					BENBECK
			Frankly, yes. No one in this
			society would be blind, for
			example, no offense intended...

					GEORDI
			I can see you just fine, sir.

					BENBECK
			Yes, well, my point was just...

	Conor is embarrassed, looks at Benbeck with a critical
	eye, but with disarming humor...

					CONOR
			Thank you, Martin... Perhaps
			you've also made it clear that
			we still have a few imperfections
			we're working on...
				(beat)
			For the most part, we have
			achieved a fully integrated
			existence... not just among
			ourselves but with our
			environment... we don't just live
			here... we are part of the
			environment... it is part of us.
			Every plant life, every
			microscopic lifeform... is part
			of a master design.
					(MORE)

    STAR TREK: "Masterpiece Society" - 11/5/91 - ACT ONE    11.

8    CONTINUED: (2)

					CONOR (cont'd)
			We cannot separate ourselves from
			it without irreparably altering
			who and what we are.

					BENBECK
			Your presence here has already
			begun to affect the entire
			balance of our society...

					CONOR
				(firm)
			If we do not survive, the balance
			of our society won't mean a great
			deal... will it?

	Martin harrumphs and walks away... Conor leads the
	group slowly into the courtyard, moving with them --

					CONOR
			I apologize. But he is performing
			his function as he is designed
			to do.

					GEORDI
				(a poor opinion)
			What "function" would that be?

					CONOR
			He is the interpreter of our
			founders' intentions for this
			society.

					RIKER
			A judge.

					CONOR
			Yes, more or less. Obviously,
			he has no diplomatic talents.

					TROI
			And obviously you do.

   STAR TREK: "Masterpiece ... " - REV. 11/8/91 - ACT ONE   12.

8    CONTINUED: (3)

					CONOR
				(smiles)
			I have been bred to fill this
			specific role... we grow up
			knowing exactly what our society
			needs from us... what we are
			expected to do.

					RIKER
			Kind of takes some of fun out of
			choosing, doesn't it?

					CONOR
			Not at all. My entire
			psychological makeup tells me that
			I was born to lead... I am exactly
			what I would choose to be.
				(beat)
			Think of it another way -- are
			there still people in your society
			who have not discovered who they
			really are or what they're meant
			to do with their lives... ? They
			may be in the wrong job... they
			may be writing bad poetry. Even
			worse, there may be great poets
			working as laborers, never to be
			discovered. That does not happen
			here.
				(beat)
			It is, for us, an ideal existence
			and we won't give it up easily.

	He is passionate, and eloquent as a leader should be.
	And Troi is impressed with him.

					TROI
			We will do whatever we can to help
			you preserve it.

	Their eyes meet... his smile thanks her... And as the
	personal connection is made between them...

9    INT. GENOME LABORATORY - DAY (OPTICAL)

	HANNAH BATES is a vital young woman, about 30, bright,
	attractive, and inquisitive... working on Okudagrams
	regarding the fragment's path...

    STAR TREK: "Masterpiece Society" - 11/5/91 - ACT ONE    13.

9    CONTINUED:

					CONOR
			Hannah... I want you to meet our
			guests.

	She looks up, enthusiastic, comes over to greet them...

					HANNAH
			Yes... from the starship... I've
			been looking forward to speaking
			with you...

					CONOR
			Hannah Bates is one of our
			scientists. She's an expert on
			biosphere homeostasis...

	She finds herself staring an extra beat at Geordi's
	face...

					GEORDI
				(uncomfortable at her
				 stare)
			It's a sensory organ replacement.
			It allows me to see.

					HANNAH
			I'm sorry. I didn't mean to
			stare... I've just never seen
			anything like it.

					GEORDI
				(impatient)
			I'll be glad to show it to you
			if there's time...

					HANNAH
			Yes, of course, the fragment...

					CONOR
			Hannah, Commander La Forge has
			brought all the studies of the
			stellar core fragment done aboard
			his ship...

					HANNAH
			Wonderful...

					CONOR
				(to Riker)
			If there is any way to shore up
			our defenses, Hannah will find
			it...
					(MORE)

    STAR TREK: "Masterpiece Society" - 11/5/91 - ACT ONE    14.

9    CONTINUED: (2)

					CONOR (cont'd)
			She has a remarkable talent in
			theoretical physics...

	She moves to a work station... Geordi follows...

					HANNAH
				(to Geordi)
			I've worked up a few schematics
			based on gravimetric potentials
			and deflector energy allocation...

					RIKER
				(to Geordi)
			Mister La Forge... Troi and I
			will return to the Enterprise...
			when you reach a conclusion, let
			us know...

					GEORDI
			Yessir.

9A   ANGLE (OPTICAL)

					TROI
				(to Riker)
			Commander, if Mister Conor
			wouldn't object... I'd like to
			stay... and see more of his
			colony...

	They glance to Conor... who considers it for half a
	second...

					CONOR
			No, no, that would be fine...
			I'd like you to see it...

	Riker nods, fine... presses his combadge...

					RIKER
			Riker to Enterprise. One to beam
			up.

					TRANSPORTER CHIEF'S COM VOICE
			Acknowledged, Commander.

					RIKER
			Energize.

	HE DEMATERIALIZES. Conor and Hannah exchange an
	incredible glance...

    STAR TREK: "Masterpiece ... " REV. 11/6/91 - ACT ONE    15.

10   EXT. GENOME COURTYARD - DAY

	Troi and Conor stroll the courtyard, examining the
	flowers and a few free-standing sculptures that are
	dotted about.

					TROI
			You're sure my being here is not
			going to be disruptive... ?

					CONOR
			Disruptive... ? Oh, you mean, what
			Martin was saying...

					TROI
			I certainly don't wish to throw
			off your entire "balance"...

	With a smile --

					CONOR
			Too late. the damage is done.

					TROI
			Seriously.

					CONOR
			Sometimes, I think the strict
			interpreters like Martin forget
			that we're still Human. We'll
			adjust, accommodate...

					TROI
			There must be other unexpected
			events you have to deal with --
			an untimely death, an accident...

					CONOR
			Our geneticists are able to screen
			out any congenital health risks
			before conception... and the
			population is diverse enough
			to maintain a genetic balance
			in the event of accidental death.
			But very little that is unexpected
			occurs here...
				(beat)
			Am I making it sound incredibly
			dull?

					TROI
			Not at all.

    STAR TREK: "Masterpiece... " REV. 11/6/91 - ACT ONE    16.

10   CONTINUED:

					CONOR
				(laughs lightly)
			I'll tell you the truth... and
			I'll deny it if you tell Martin...
			but today has been exhilarating...
			meeting you, meeting new people,
			with new ideas...

					TROI
			I feel the same about being
			here... I'm something of a
			student of Human nature... I find
			this all fascinating...

					CONOR
			A student of Human nature?

					TROI
			I'm the ship's counselor.

					CONOR
			Ah, I'm afraid there wouldn't
			be much work for you here,
			Counselor.

					TROI
				(smiles, good)
			I'd book my next vacation at your
			hotel if you had one.

					CONOR
			Well, in that case, I'll have to
			have them build one.

	And they exchange a glance... that was definitely
	flirtatious in intent.

11   INT. GENOME LABORATORY - DAY (OPTICAL)

	CLOSE ON AN OKUDAGRAM:

					GEORDI
			... The planet's orbit is
			completely disrupted and the
			surface stability becomes almost
			nonexistent as the core fragment
			passes by...

	HANNAH, glum, moves away from the monitor...

    STAR TREK: "Masterpiece... " REV. 11/6/91 - ACT ONE    17.

11   CONTINUED:

					HANNAH
			The biosphere's superstructure
			will never withstand the tectonic
			shocks. The environment would
			be compromised.

					GEORDI
			That's how I see it.

	Hannah muses thoughtfully... frowns... shakes her
	head... a long beat...

					HANNAH
			Your ship... what kind of energy
			output is it capable of
			generating?

					GEORDI
			We have a matter/antimatter warp
			reaction system, the most powerful
			in Starfleet... normally kicks
			plasma up into the terawatt
			range... what are you thinking
			about?

					HANNAH
			Well, either we're going to have
			to move... or that fragment is...

					GEORDI
				(reacts)
			We can move a small moon or an
			asteroid, but a stellar core
			fragment? That's way too massive
			for our tractor beam...

	She punches up something on her computer... a new
	Okudagram appears...

					GEORDI
			What's that?

					HANNAH
			A wild idea. Purely theoretical.

					GEORDI
			A multiphase tractor beam?

					HANNAH
			When we first spotted the fragment
			approaching, I came up with the
			idea... but we can't generate the
			kind of energy we would need...
				(beat)
			You can.

	Off Geordi's reaction...

    STAR TREK: "Masterpiece Society" - 11/5/91 - ACT ONE    18.

12   EXT. GENOME COURTYARD - DAY (OPTICAL)

	Conor, Benbeck, Troi react as Geordi and Hannah brief
	them.

					GEORDI
			Hannah would have to come with
			us to the Enterprise.

					BENBECK
			No.

					HANNAH
			With my theories and their
			equipment, we might be able to
			alter the fragment's path -- it's
			our only chance to avoid
			evacuation.

	A long moment as Conor wrestles with this one...
	then...

					CONOR
			No one had ever come here... and
			no one had ever left. Until
			today. This is a date to note
			in our history books.

					BENBECK
			This is in direct violation of
			the intentions of our founders,
			Aaron...

					CONOR
				(interrupting)
			I don't think they intended us
			to die, Martin.

					BENBECK
			Her absence will create an
			additional imbalance...

					CONOR
			Temporarily. The circumstances
			require us to be flexible.

					BENBECK
			We have no idea how molecular
			transport will affect her DNA...

					GEORDI
			It won't affect her DNA at all...
			There's been a century of evidence
			to prove that...

    STAR TREK: "Masterpiece Society" - 11/5/91 - ACT ONE    19.

12   CONTINUED:

	Conor takes a beat to ask himself once more if this
	is the right thing to do... he glances at Troi, who
	sympathizes with a look... he knows that he's given
	in another inch here... he wants to hold the line but
	this is common sense. He nods, satisfied with the
	decision.

					CONOR
			You can go, Hannah.

					GEORDI
				(keys combadge)
			Enterprise, three to beam up.

					TROI
				(to Conor)
			May I return later?

	Conor, looks at her, his mind still distracted by the
	events...

					CONOR
			I look forward to it.

					GEORDI
			Energize.

	Troi's eyes lock once more with Conor's, and she smiles
	as she and the others DEMATERIALIZE. Conor stares at the
	empty space they have left. And he turns and strides
	off, leaving a dour Martin looking after him.

									FADE OUT.

                        END OF ACT ONE                          

    STAR TREK: "Masterpiece Society" - 11/5/91 - ACT TWO    20.

                            ACT TWO                             

	FADE IN:

13   EXT. SPACE - ENTERPRISE (OPTICAL)

	in orbit around Moab Three.

					PICARD (V.O.)
			Captain's log, stardate 45472.8.
			Commander La Forge and Hannah
			Bates of the Genome Colony have
			spent nearly three days trying
			to find a way to adjust the path
			of the approaching core fragment.
			If they do not succeed in the next
			forty-eight hours, I see no
			alternative but to begin
			evacuation.

14   INT. CAPT. READY ROOM

	Troi and Picard, mid-conversation... Picard is
	bringing some tea over from the replicator...

					TROI
			I believe some will choose to risk
			death rather than leave,
			Captain...

					PICARD
			You've spent a good deal of time
			on the surface, Counselor. How
			do you suggest we change their
			minds... ?

					TROI
			I'm not sure we can. It means
			abandoning their fundamental way
			of life.

					PICARD
				(frowns)
			They've managed to turn a dubious
			scientific endeavor into dogma...

					TROI
			You don't approve of genetic
			engineering.

   STAR TREK: "Masterpiece... " - REV. 11/8/91 - ACT TWO   21.

14   CONTINUED:

					PICARD
			It was a bad idea whose time
			passed long ago.

					TROI
			They seem to have made it succeed.

					PICARD
			They have given their humanity
			away to this genetic
			manipulation... many of the
			qualities they breed out -- the
			uncertainty, the self-discovery,
			the unknown - those are the very
			qualities that make Human life
			worth living... at least to me.
			I would not like to live with the
			knowledge that much of my future
			has been written, that my
			boundaries have been set. Would
			you?

					TROI
			I've asked myself that question
			a lot during the past few days.
			I don't know. I doubt it.
			Nevertheless, this is what they
			believe in... and it won't be
			an easy matter to talk them into
			leaving...

   STAR TREK: "Masterpiece... " - REV. 11/8/91 - ACT TWO   22.

14   CONTINUED: (2)

	A beat.

					PICARD
			This leader of theirs, Conor, he
			seems like a reasonable man,
			doesn't he?

	Her smile betrays an affection...

					TROI
			I find him very reasonable. Open
			to suggestions, thoughtful, quite
			disarming... the perfect
			administrator...

					PICARD
				(grunts)
			I'm sure.
				(beat)
			Will he leave when he sees there
			is no other choice?

					TROI
			I don't know. I hope so.

					PICARD
			You admire him.

					TROI
			Yes.

					PICARD
			Try at least to help him accept
			the reality of what may happen
			to his colony. If he makes the
			right decision, and he's as good
			a leader as he was "designed" to
			be... perhaps the others will
			follow him.

	Troi nods and exits. A beat on a thoughtful Picard
	and...

    STAR TREK: "Masterpiece... " REV. 11/6/91 - ACT TWO    23.

15   INT. ENGINEERING (OPTICAL)

	Hannah and Geordi are working on a test apparatus... a
	practical model that emits a beam that the device can
	measure...

					HANNAH
			If we increase warp power transfer
			by eighty percent...

					GEORDI
			It's just gonna blow the emitters
			again.

					HANNAH
				(frustrated)
			We won't be able to reinforce the
			conduit to hold that power
			level... it just doesn't work...

	She turns off the device. Geordi collapses into a
	chair, hangs his head in fatigue... he takes off the
	VISOR without a second thought and rubs his tired brow.
	Hannah stares at his blinkies...

					GEORDI
			I haven't slept in so long, my
			eyelids feel like they have lead
			weights attached...

					HANNAH
				(studies him)
			Geordi...

					GEORDI
			Uh?

					HANNAH
			Were you always blind?

	Geordi reacts, realizing that she's seeing him without
	the VISOR on for the first time.

					GEORDI
			Ah, I'm sorry... I probably
			shocked the hell outta you, didn't
			I...

					HANNAH
			No...

					GEORDI
			Let me put it on...

    STAR TREK: "Masterpiece Society" - 11/5/91 - ACT TWO    24.

15   CONTINUED:

					HANNAH
			Don't.
				(beat)
			I'm sorry. I didn't mean to
			embarrass you.

					GEORDI
			I've never been embarrassed by
			this, Hannah. Never. I was blind
			at birth. It's the way I've
			always been.

					HANNAH
			May I see it... your VISOR?

	He holds it out to her and she takes it.

					GEORDI
			I guess if I had been conceived
			on your world, I wouldn't be here
			right now, would I?

					HANNAH
			No.

					GEORDI
			I'd've been terminated as a
			fertilized cell.

					HANNAH
			It was the wish of our founders
			that no one have to suffer a life
			with disabilities...

					GEORDI
			Who gave them the right to choose
			whether or not I should be here?
			Whether or not I might have
			something to contribute...

					HANNAH
				(long beat)
			I don't know what to say.

	She hands it to him... Another beat...

					HANNAH
			How does it work?

    STAR TREK: "Masterpiece... " REV. 11/6/91 - ACT TWO    25.

15   CONTINUED: (2)

					GEORDI
			The VISOR scans the
			electromagnetic spectrum between
			one hertz and one hundred thousand
			terahertz, converts it all to
			usable frequencies and carries
			the information directly to the
			brain.

					HANNAH
			But what about the data conversion
			rate? How do you avoid a
			sensory overload?

					GEORDI
			A bank of preprocessors compresses
			the data stream into pulses
			so my visual cortex isn't...

	He stops in mid-sentence... putting it back on...

					GEORDI
			Wait a minute... wait a minute...
			we should be able to send a high-
			energy pulse through the tractor
			system... and if it's short
			enough, it shouldn't overload the
			emitters... the technology is
			right in here...

	He taps the frame of his VISOR.

					GEORDI
			If we could adapt those pulse-
			compression routines and apply
			them to the warp power conduits...

					HANNAH
			We would have to avoid tractor
			force rebounding, but that
			shouldn't be hard...

	He rises... moves to a computer panel... starts to work
	the board...

					GEORDI
			Sure. With some modifications...
				(interrupting himself)
			Oh, this would be perfect...

   STAR TREK: "Masterpiece... " - REV. 11/6/91 - ACT TWO   25A.

15   CONTINUED: (3)

					HANNAH
			What... ?

					GEORDI
				(not unfriendly)
			If the answer to all this is in
			a VISOR created for a blind man...
			who never would have existed in
			your society. No offense
			intended.

	She is forced to smile.

16   EXT. COURTYARD - NIGHT (OPTICAL)

	Close on a 12-year-old pianist playing a gentle Chopin
	prelude... pulling back to see we're in the courtyard
	with the "outdoor" concert being attended by two dozen
	seated people... moving to find Troi standing in the
	back next to Conor.

   STAR TREK: "Masterpiece... " - REV. 11/6/91 - ACT TWO   26.

16   CONTINUED:

	Suddenly, the concert is interrupted by a quake... the
	music stops... everybody looks up, holds onto their
	balance. After a brief instant, it passes... but the
	people are shaken.

					CONOR
				(to the boy)
			Please, Matthew. Continue.

	The boy begins again... and after a beat, Conor moves
	off... and Troi follows him...

17   ISOLATED LOCATION BY THE BIOSPHERE WALL (OPTICAL)

	On the other side: swirling noxious gases rise to a
	bright starry sky... Chopin still audible in the
	background...

					TROI
			It's hard to believe... so much
			loveliness here... just a few
			meters away from such desolation.

	He nods.

					CONOR
			Hard to believe we're about to
			lose it...

					TROI
			This must sound incredibly
			simplistic... but can't you
			re-"engineer" all this on another
			planet...

					CONOR
				(a beat)
			A nursery rhyme my mother used
			to read to me has been running
			round and round my mind since this
			all began...

					TROI
			A nursery rhyme?

					CONOR
			"Humpty Dumpty sat on a wall...
			Humpty Dumpty had a great fall... "

   STAR TREK: "Masterpiece... " - REV. 11/6/91 - ACT TWO   27.

17   CONTINUED:

					CONOR & TROI
			"All the King's horses and all
			the King's Men... Couldn't put
			Humpty together again."

	A beat. Almost a smile.

					CONOR
			Why do we tell our children such
			ghastly stories?

					TROI
			Perhaps to prepare them for times
			like these.

	He looks to the ground...

					CONOR
			We are every bit as fragile as
			an egg and as impossible to
			reconstruct... integrated and
			refined to such a degree that any
			fundamental change would lead
			to chaos...
				(beat, sighs)
			Nobody ever talks about how the
			King feels about being so...
			helpless...

					TROI
				(whispers)
			I'm so sorry, Aaron. I wish I
			could do something to help.

	He looks at her, smiles...

					CONOR
			But you have helped, you've been
			wonderful these past few days...
			you've been...
				(beat, amused)
			... my Counselor.

					TROI
				(smiles)
			No. A Counselor has to maintain
			a discreet distance... I'd rather
			think of us as friends.

					CONOR
				(studies her)
			Friends.
				(beat)
			No, that just won't do either...

    STAR TREK: "Masterpiece Society" - 11/5/91 - ACT TWO    28.

17   CONTINUED: (2)

	They look at each other with intensity... and he moves
	to her and kisses her gently on the lips... and he
	stays close as he says softly to her...

					CONOR
			... will it.

					TROI
			Aaron...

					CONOR
			I must confess a part of me knows
			that if I transport through these
			walls... you will be on the other
			side...

	And now he moves in and passionately kisses her and
	she tries to resist the intense feelings rising up
	within her...

					TROI
			Aaron, this is wrong...

					CONOR
			Terribly wrong.

	And as the music comes to a close, he kisses her
	again... and as she dissolves into his arms...

									FADE OUT.

                        END OF ACT TWO                          

   STAR TREK: "Masterpiece Society" - 11/5/91 - ACT THREE   29.

                           ACT THREE                            

	FADE IN:

18   INT. ENGINEERING (OPTICAL)

	Picard and Riker observe as Geordi and Hannah run a
	demonstration on the device... they are quite excited
	about their results...

					GEORDI
			In order to move the core fragment
			to a safe trajectory, we needed
			our tractor beam to be able to
			handle high power pulses...

					HANNAH
			And, we needed a much more
			efficient emitter to do that...

					GEORDI
			About four times more efficient...

					HANNAH
			But we couldn't get anywhere near
			that without overloading the
			emitter arrays...

					GEORDI
			So we added a little VISOR
			technology to the process and were
			able to boost the effective
			force... and at the same time,
			lower the power conduit stress
			levels...

	He turns on a much more powerful beam than we saw
	before... it now includes a bright pulse that quickly
	travels from the device to the target...

					PICARD
			What is the increase in
			efficiency?

					GEORDI
			Up to almost three hundred
			percent...

					RIKER
			That's not enough...

					HANNAH
			That's true... we won't be able
			to move the fragment as far as
			we'd like to, but...
				(looks to Geordi)

   STAR TREK: "Masterpiece Society" - 11/5/91 - ACT THREE   30.

18   CONTINUED:

					GEORDI
				(picking it up)
			... But if we fortify the
			biosphere's structural
			integrity at the same time...

					HANNAH
			With some of the shield
			improvements I've discovered
			here, it could work.

					GEORDI
			We'll have to lend them some of
			our engineering support crews...

	Picard exchanges a satisfied glance with Riker...

					PICARD
				(to Hannah)
			Advise Mister Conor. Number One,
			brief the appropriate officers,
			prepare to transport them as soon
			as Conor approves...

					RIKER
			Yessir...

	As Picard exits...

19   EXT. COURTYARD - EARLY MORNING (OPTICAL)

	Deserted. Except for Deanna, who walks slowly across...
	thoughtful... she sits down at the piano... plays a
	few notes... after a beat, find Conor behind her...

					CONOR
			You're up early.

					TROI
			I'm still on Enterprise time.

	He moves to her and sits on the piano bench beside
	her...

					TROI
			I'm going back to the ship, Aaron.
			I'm not going to see you again.

					CONOR
				(reacts)
			Why... ?

   STAR TREK: "Masterpiece Society" - 11/5/91 - ACT THREE   31.

19   CONTINUED:

					TROI
			Because it's the right thing to
			do.

					CONOR
			I'm not convinced of that.

					TROI
				(angry, sad)
			You know it as well as I do.

					CONOR
			You're angry...

					TROI
			Yes. I'm angry. With myself.
			For allowing this to happen.

					CONOR
			Deanna...

	She stands, moves away from him...

					TROI
			I could fall in love with you,
			Aaron. So easily. But we both
			know the end of that story, don't
			we? How would Martin feel about
			introducing half-Betazoid DNA into
			the genetic balance?

	A long beat. Softly...

					CONOR
			If we have to evacuate, anything
			is possible...

	Troi studies him. Here he is talking about evacuation,
	almost hoping for it now...

					TROI
			Listen to yourself. A few days
			ago, you didn't even want to talk
			to us.
				(beat)
			This is my fault. I'm so sorry,
			Aaron.

					CONOR
			I need you here... this doesn't
			have to happen again...

   STAR TREK: "Masterpiece... " REV. 11/6/91 - ACT THREE   32.

19   CONTINUED: (2)

	But as they look in each others's eyes, they both know
	it will...

					TROI
			I have to go...

	They react as they hear the sound of a beam-in -- turn
	to see Geordi and Hannah MATERIALIZE...

					HANNAH
			Good news, Aaron. We should be
			able to change the course of the
			core fragment... but we'll also
			need to fortify the structure...
			and we're going to need help to
			do it...

					GEORDI
			We'll have to bring down
			engineering crews from the
			Enterprise to work with your
			people for the next forty-eight
			hours...

					CONOR
			Engineering crews?

					GEORDI
			We've got to install five new
			shield generators and power
			supplies...

					HANNAH
			Fifty officers are waiting for
			your approval to transport down...

	Conor seems overwhelmed by the request and changes,
	the assault of technology, of people... he tries to
	process all of it...

					HANNAH
			We don't have much time, Aaron.

					CONOR
			Do we have any other choice?

					HANNAH
			None.

	Conor takes a beat, what else can he do? He nods his
	approval.

  STAR TREK: "Masterpiece... " - REV. 11/6/91 - ACT THREE  33.

19   CONTINUED: (3)

					GEORDI
			Enterprise, you may begin
			transporting when ready...

					TRANSPORTER COM VOICE
			Acknowledged.

	And in rapid order, in groups of six... Starfleet
	officers begin to MATERIALIZE in the square with tools
	and science kits... as Troi and Conor exchange another
	look, there is another brief temblor, and Conor finally
	walks away...

									FADE OUT.

                       END OF ACT THREE                         

    STAR TREK: "Masterpiece... " REV. 11/6/91 - ACT FOUR    34.

                           ACT FOUR                             

	FADE IN:

20   EXT. SPACE - ENTERPRISE (OPTICAL)

	moving parallel once again to the fragment.

					PICARD (V.O.)
			Captain's log, stardate 45474.6.
			Gravitational effects are being
			felt on Moab Four as fortification
			efforts continue. Meanwhile,
			the Enterprise has moved to a
			parallel course with the core
			fragment.
				(more)

21   INT. ENTERPRISE - BRIDGE

	Riker, Data, and Worf and an ENSIGN at their stations;
	Troi is at command. Picard enters from the ready
	room... over which...

					PICARD (V.O.)
				(continuing)
			We must adjust its trajectory by a
			minimum of one-point-two degrees
			to insure the colony's safety.

	He sits in command.

					PICARD
			Bring us within range of the
			fragment, Ensign...

					ENSIGN
			Aye, sir.

22   INT. ENGINEERING - INTERCUTTING

	Hannah and Geordi at their stations.

					PICARD'S COM VOICE
			You may proceed, Commander La
			Forge.

   STAR TREK: "Masterpiece Society" - 11/5/91 - ACT FOUR   35.

22   CONTINUED:

					GEORDI
			Aye, sir.
				(to Hannah)
			Good luck.

	She smiles at him... she's wired, eager for this
	challenge.

					HANNAH
			You, too.

					GEORDI
			Engage tractor beam.

	She works at the console.

23   EXT. SPACE - ENTERPRISE (OPTICAL)

	The tractor beam flares out from the ship and melds
	with the fragment.

24   INT. ENGINEERING

					GEORDI
			Okay, let's give it a try.
				(working panels)
			Shutting down noncritical
			systems...

25   INT. BRIDGE - INTERCUTTING

	Working the panels --

					DATA
			Increasing impulse power to
			tractor emitters. E-P-S power
			levels rising...

25A  INT. ENGINEERING

					HANNAH
			Emitter circuits one
			hundred-seventy percent over
			standard...

   STAR TREK: "Masterpiece Society" - 11/5/91 - ACT FOUR   36.

25A  CONTINUED:

					GEORDI
			Transferring warp power to tractor
			beam generator...

					HANNAH
			Graviton generators operating
			normally... surge pulse now
			synchronized... emitters radiating
			at three hundred-twenty percent
			over standard...

					GEORDI
			Bridge, we need more power...

25B  INT. BRIDGE

					RIKER
			Reduce life support to minimum
			requirements, Mister Data.

					DATA
			Aye, sir.

25C  EXT. SPACE - THE ENTERPRISE (OPTICAL)

	The tractor beam is tied to the fragment... We can see
	it pulsing...

26   INT. ENGINEERING

	Checking readings on separate monitors...

					HANNAH
			Three-hundred-ninety percent over
			standard...

					GEORDI
			Come on... come on...

					HANNAH
			No change in the fragment's
			course...

	On the move...

					GEORDI
			We've gotta increase the pulse
			frequency...

  STAR TREK: "Masterpiece... " - REV. 11/6/91 - ACT FOUR  36A.

26   CONTINUED:

					HANNAH
			The emitter circuits won't hold
			for long...

					GEORDI
			We won't need them for long...

	He starts to work the panels...

27   EXT. SPACE - ENTERPRISE (OPTICAL)

	Tied to the fragment as before. More frequent pulses.

28
thru	OMITTED
29

30   INT. ENGINEERING

					HANNAH
			Four hundred percent over
			standard...

					GEORDI
			All right. now we're getting
			there...

	Hannah moves to a new monitor...

					HANNAH
			The fragment's moved point-four
			degrees off its previous
			heading... point six-five... it's
			working...

   STAR TREK: "Masterpiece... " - REV. 11/6/91 - ACT FOUR   37.

31   INT. MAIN BRIDGE

	At the conn, the ensign presses panels, taking
	readings... Suddenly a warning SOUNDS from the
	console... We begin to hear significant sound bumps
	and whines from the ship... hard move to Data as he
	reacts...

					DATA
			We have lost one of the emitter
			circuits...

					WORF
			Life support failure... decks
			nine, twelve, and thirteen...

					RIKER
			Engage evacuation procedures for
			those decks. Geordi, I'm gonna
			need power back soon...

32   INT. ENGINEERING

					GEORDI
			Acknowledged.

	Hannah checking readings...

					HANNAH
			Fragment's new heading adjustment
			is at one-point-zero-one
			degrees... is it enough?

	Geordi's poised to cut it off at the right time...

					GEORDI
			Not yet... hold on...

33   INT. MAIN BRIDGE

					DATA
			We have lost the second lateral
			emitter circuit...

					WORF
			Losing life-support systems on
			decks five through nine.
			Evacuation procedures initiated.

   STAR TREK: "Masterpiece Society" - 11/5/91 - ACT FOUR   38.

33   CONTINUED:

					PICARD
			Mister La Forge...

34   INT. ENGINEERING

					GEORDI
			Hold on, Captain...

					DATA
			Shipwide life-support failure in
			fifteen seconds...

					HANNAH
			Almost there, Geordi. Course
			shift is at one-point-one-six
			degrees...

	Light levels are dropping, flickering...

					DATA
			Termination of all life-support
			in five seconds...

					PICARD
			Now, Mister La Forge...

					HANNAH
			One-point-one-eight...

					GEORDI
			Yessir.
				(rapidly making
				 adjustments)
			Shutting down all tractor
			emissions... transferring power
			back to life-support...

					HANNAH
			One-point-two... we've got it...

	She almost jumps off the floor with exhiliration...

   STAR TREK: "Masterpiece Society" - 11/5/91 - ACT FOUR   39.

35   EXT. SPACE - ENTERPRISE AND METEOR (OPTICAL)

	The tractor beam retracts.

36   INT. BRIDGE

	Light levels resume normal intensity.

					WORF
			Life-support normal on all
			decks...
					PICARD
			Mister Data --

					DATA
			The fragment's course has been
			altered, sir, by one-point-two-one
			degrees.

					PICARD
			Hail the colony.

37   ANGLE INCLUDES THE VIEWSCREEN (OPTICAL)

	Conor appears...

					CONOR
			Yes, Captain.

					PICARD
			Success, Mister Conor. With the
			upgrades to your biosphere, the
			core fragment should no longer
			be a serious danger.

					CONOR
			I cannot adequately express my
			appreciation to your crew.

	Troi studies him... he is tired and worn... and she
	wishes she could reach out to him...

   STAR TREK: "Masterpiece Society" - 11/5/91 - ACT FOUR   40.

37   CONTINUED:

					CONOR
				(continuing)
			Is Hannah able to hear me?

38   INT. ENGINEERING (OPTICAL)

	Conor on a monitor. Geordi beaming, shows Hannah how
	to use the companel... she is as excited as a child,
	exhilarated after this heady experience.

					HANNAH
				(to com)
			Yes, yes, go ahead Aaron...

					CONOR
			This is an historic achievement,
			Hannah. You've done a wonderful
			thing for our people.

					HANNAH
			Thank you.

					CONOR
			We look forward to honoring you
			appropriately when you return.

	And those words bring Hannah back to the reality...
	as her smile fades a bit...

					CONOR (o.c.)
			Thank you again, Captain. Conor
			out.

	The realization sinks in: now she has to go home. The
	moment of triumph has lost its joy.

									FADE OUT.

                        END OF ACT FOUR                         

   STAR TREK: "Masterpiece... " - REV. 11/6/91 - ACT FIVE   41.

                           ACT FIVE                             

	FADE IN:

39   EXT. SPACE - THE ENTERPRISE (OPTICAL)

	In orbit around Moab Four.

					PICARD (V.O.)
			Captain's log, supplemental. The
			stellar core fragment has passed
			safely out of the Moab system.
			The colony was shaken by powerful
			temblors but fortunately there
			were no injuries and only minor
			damage was reported.

40   EXT. GENOME COURTYARD - DAY (OPTICAL)

	Riker, Geordi are with Conor... as the last science
	team prepares to beam out...

					RIKER
				(to com)
			Energize.

	The team DEMATERIALIZES...

					RIKER
			That should do it... all members
			of the Enterprise crew are
			accounted for, Mister Conor...

					CONOR
			They've been invaluable,
			Commander... thank you again...

					RIKER
			If there's nothing else, we'll
			be on our way...

					CONOR
			Would you tell Deanna Troi for
			me... that I'm sorry I didn't have
			the opportunity to say good-bye
			personally...

					RIKER
				(being polite)
			I'm sure she'll feel the same...

	Suddenly, there's an ALARM... Conor reacts...

   STAR TREK: "Masterpiece Society" - 11/5/91 - ACT FIVE   41A.

40   CONTINUED:

					CONOR
			A breach in the biosphere...
				(to a nearby colonist)
			Get Hannah Bates...

	He moves off, Riker and Geordi follow and

									TIME CUT TO:

   STAR TREK: "Masterpiece... " - REV. 11/6/91 - ACT FIVE   42.

41   EXT. ANOTHER ISOLATED AREA NEAR BIOSPHERE WALL - DAY
(OPTICAL)

	Hannah examines the wall with a tricorder type
	device... The alarm continues...

					HANNAH
			Apparently, the refortification
			wasn't adequate. There's definite
			structural damage... it appears
			the tectonic shifts created a
			breach...

					BENBECK
			Can it be repaired?

					HANNAH
			I don't know.

42   CLOSE ON GEORDI

	as he watches this unfold... rather disconcerted...

					HANNAH (o.c.)
			I'll have to run a diagnostic in
			the lab...

43   RESUME

	She's on the move... moving with her and the others...

					HANNAH
			Unless we can find a way to seal
			it... and fast... we'll have to
			evacuate.

	Reactions.

					CONOR
			How long do we have, Hannah?

					HANNAH
			Based on the level of toxicity
			I'm reading... it may be only a
			matter of hours.

     She moves off...

                 GEORDI                        CONOR
            (to Riker)                     (to the others)
       Mind if I... give her a        Interrupt all communication
       hand, Commander?               link-ups... advise
                                      families to return to their
                 RIKER                homes and stay there until
       By all means.                  they're contacted...

     Geordi moves after her...      People run off...

   STAR TREK: "Masterpiece... " - REV. 11/6/91 - ACT FIVE   43.

44   INT. HANNAH'S LAB - DAY

	She moves to a monitor and studies some schematics...
	after a beat, Geordi ENTERS...

					HANNAH
				(rueful)
			Isn't it amazing... after all we
			went through...

					GEORDI
			Yeah, amazing...

					HANNAH
				(re: the monitor)
			It looks bad... it's cracked well
			beneath the surface...

					GEORDI
			Why are you doing this?

					HANNAH
			What do you mean?

					GEORDI
			There's no breach...

					HANNAH
			What are you talking about...
			it's right here, look at it...
			I measured the toxic leak... you
			saw me...

					GEORDI
			Hannah, my VISOR's positronic scan
			would have detected the leak...
			and its molecular pattern enhancer
			would have picked up even the
			smallest crack...

	Hannah sighs, guilty...

					HANNAH
			The damned thing doesn't miss
			much, does it?
				(beat)
			Fine. I'll tell them the truth.
			Will that make you happy?

					GEORDI
				(repeating)
			Why are you doing this... ?

	A beat as she collects her thoughts.

   STAR TREK: "Masterpiece Society" - 11/5/91 - ACT FIVE   44.

44   CONTINUED:

					HANNAH
			I was born to be one of the best
			scientific minds of my generation.
			But in the past five days, I have
			encountered technology that I have
			barely imagined. I've got to
			ask myself... If we're so
			brilliant... how come we didn't
			invent any of these things?

					GEORDI
			Maybe necessity really is the
			mother of invention. You don't
			always look for something until
			you need it.

					HANNAH
				(nods)
			And all my needs are anticipated
			and planned for. Before I'm even
			born.
				(beat)
			All of us in this colony might
			as well have been living in the
			dark ages. It's like we're the
			victims of a two
			hundred-year-old joke. Until
			you came, we could only see to
			the wall of the biosphere.
			Suddenly our eyes have been opened
			to infinite possibilities.
				(beat)
			Now I'm supposed to come back to
			the farm and pretend I never saw
			Paris... ? Well, I can't.

	Off Geordi's reaction...

45   INT. OBSERVATION LOUNGE

	Picard, Riker, Geordi, Troi, BEVERLY, Worf. Geordi
	has just told the group about his conversation with
	Hannah.

					PICARD
			Asylum?

					GEORDI
			She wants to leave the colony.

   STAR TREK: "Masterpiece Society" - 11/5/91 - ACT FIVE   45.

45   CONTINUED:

					RIKER
			She may not be the only one.
				(reactions)
			The science teams working on the
			surface... fielded a lot of
			questions from colonists who were
			more than curious about what's
			outside their world...

					WORF
			Why shouldn't we grant them
			asylum?

					TROI
			We can't do that.

					GEORDI
			We have to do that.

					TROI
			Do you understand what it would
			do to the colony?

					GEORDI
			I understand these are Human
			beings, Counselor. With free
			will. If she wants to leave, she
			has a right to.

					RIKER
			And what happens to the colony
			if she does? If others join her?

					BEVERLY
			The society is genetically
			integrated. Suddenly, there would
			be gaps, missing pieces...

					TROI
			It would destroy them.

					BEVERLY
			There must be something we can
			do to help...

        STAR TREK: "Masterpiece Society" - 11/5/91 - ACT FIVE       46.

45   CONTINUED: (2)

					PICARD
			I think, Doctor, that we may have
			"helped" these people too much
			already...

					WORF
			We did save them from destruction.

					PICARD
				(beat, thoughtful)
			Did we?

	The moral issues here are far from clear and Picard
	is deeply troubled by the choice at hand.

					PICARD
			Counselor, I think it is time you
			took me to meet Mister Conor.

46   INT. TURBOLIFT

	The door opens and Picard and Troi ENTER.

					PICARD
			Transporter room three.

	The doors close. Picard is quiet, thoughtful. Troi
	can stay silent no longer.

					TROI
				(to com)
			Computer, halt.

	Picard reacts as the turbolift stops, turns to her.
	She's as uncomfortable as we've ever seen her. The
	words sort of stutter out...

					TROI
			Captain, I... have to tell you
			something... and it isn't easy
			for me... because I've used some
			very poor judgement... I've acted
			quite unprofessionally, actually...

					PICARD
			Counselor... what is it you always
			say... ? "Take a deep breath"...

        STAR TREK: "Masterpiece Society" - 11/5/91 - ACT FIVE       47.

46   CONTINUED:

					TROI
				(sighs)
			Conor and I have had a
			relationship.

					PICARD
			I see.

					TROI
			It should never have happened.
			I knew there was concern about
			outside influences. I should have
			been more careful.

					PICARD
			Yes... I think we all should have
			been more careful. That's
			becoming more clear by the moment.
				(beat)
			What is your status with him
			presently?

					TROI
			I did not intend to see him again.

					PICARD
			Would you prefer not to return
			to the surface?

					TROI
			I think I should come with you.
			But I wanted you to know before
			we went down.

					PICARD
			I appreciate that.

	He looks at her for a beat, gives her room for more...
	she feels awful about this... she's almost on the verge
	of tears...

					TROI
			I wanted so much to help him, to
			be there for him... but the more
			I was...

	Troi shakes her head. Picard looks at her.

        STAR TREK: "Masterpiece Society" - 11/5/91 - ACT FIVE       48.

46   CONTINUED: (2)

					PICARD
			Deanna, every one of us went into
			this with the best intentions...

					TROI
			I should have walked away as soon
			as I saw what was happening...

					PICARD
			And you didn't. And that's Human.
			We make mistakes.
				(not at all flip)
			Genetic manipulation or not --
			nobody's perfect.

	She smiles an appreciation...

47   INT. HANNAH'S LAB - DAY

	Benbeck and Conor are with Hannah...

					BENBECK
			You would ignore the welfare of
			the colony for your own selfish
			interests... ?

					HANNAH
			The welfare of this colony would
			be best served by rejoining the
			Human race.

					BENBECK
			She has been contaminated by the
			people on that ship...

	Conor is glum, overwhelmed with the turn of events...

					TROI (o.c.)
			Aaron...

	They turn to see

48   ANGLE

	Picard and Troi have entered...

        STAR TREK: "Masterpiece Society" - 11/5/91 - ACT FIVE       49.

48   CONTINUED:

					PICARD
			Mister Conor, I believe you and
			I should talk.

	Conor nods as...

					BENBECK
				(to Picard)
			This is your doing. We should
			never have answered your hails.

					HANNAH
			If we'd followed that advice,
			Martin, we'd all be dead now.
			So much for the welfare of this
			colony.

					BENBECK
				(to Picard)
			You are not taking her with you.

					HANNAH
			I'm leaving. And I'll tell you
			something else. There are at
			least a dozen more who are ready
			to go with me...

					TROI
			Hannah... let's allow Aaron and
			Captain Picard to discuss this.
			Why don't we take a walk...

	Hannah doesn't want to disengage the argument but
	finally leads Troi out, getting the last word...

					HANNAH
			There's nothing for them to
			discuss...

	Picard is left alone with Benbeck and Conor.

					CONOR
			Martin...

	Benbeck looks at him, refusing to take the hint...

					BENBECK
			I think it would be helpful if
			I...

					CONOR
			I want to talk with Captain Picard
			alone.

        STAR TREK: "Masterpiece Society" - 11/5/91 - ACT FIVE       50.

48   CONTINUED: (2)

					BENBECK
			But...

					CONOR
			Thank you, Martin.

	Benbeck throws Picard an enraged glance and EXITS.

					CONOR
			The irony is... he's the one who
			saw this coming. From the moment
			you arrived. And because I didn't
			want to hear it, I chose not to
			listen...

					PICARD
			You made decisions that you felt
			would save your colony.

					CONOR
				(grins, self-indicting)
			No... no, I wish it were that
			simple... but I cannot forgive
			myself so easily. You see,
			Captain, I know what Hannah Bates
			is feeling. For I have been
			feeling it as well. I found...
			your people to be... intriguing
			and stimulating... as she did.
			I was every bit as curious about
			you as the next man.
				(beat)
			But I am not the next man. I am
			the leader of these people. And
			every genetic fiber in my being
			demands that I protect them.
			Instead, I have betrayed them.
			I have allowed this to happen.

					PICARD
			We have both allowed this to
			happen, Conor.

					CONOR
			Then let us both find a way to
			stop it from going any further...

					PICARD
			I wish I could see a way.

					CONOR
			Picard, I was born to govern this
			colony, not to dismantle it.

        STAR TREK: "Masterpiece... " - REV. 11/8/91 - ACT FIVE       51.

48   CONTINUED: (3)

					PICARD
			If you force them to stay, you
			will be suppressing their Human
			rights.

					CONOR
			If even a handful leave, the
			damage to this society will be
			devastating. What about the
			rights of those who would stay
			behind? They are the ones who
			inherit the social chaos that
			would follow for generations.
				(beat)
			Your arrival created this problem.
			Your departure solves it.

					PICARD
			That is simplistic.

					CONOR
			Refuse them passage.

					PICARD
			I cannot ignore the requests of
			people, Humans who ask for
			transport away from here...

					CONOR
			Nor can you ignore the fact that
			thousands will suffer if you agree
			to take them. And as suffering
			grows, more will demand to leave.
			We are witness to the end of this
			existence, Captain. I implore
			you -- do not let it happen.

	Picard studies him... with sympathy...

					PICARD
			You would have me make the
			decision for you, Connor. But
			I cannot. I am willing to talk
			to these people with you. I will
			urge them not to make an impulsive
			choice. But if they finally
			choose to leave, the Enterprise
			cannot turn them away...

	OFF Conor's reaction...

        STAR TREK: "Masterpiece Society" - 11/5/91 - ACT FIVE       52.

49   EXT. GENOME COURTYARD - DAY

	Troi, Hannah, Benbeck and dozens of other colonists
	wait for word from the summit meeting... finally Picard
	and Conor come out... Conor moves to address the
	crowd...

					CONOR
			Captain Picard has decided to
			grant transport to any individuals
			who wish to leave Genome Colony.

	There is an instant uproar about this announcement,
	both pro and con... Troi exchanges a glance with Conor
	and sees the deep pain in his eyes... Conor struggles
	to continue...

					CONOR
			I'm asking you to stay.

					HANNAH
			Aaron... we can't be happy here
			any longer... we were innocent...
			it will never be that way again...

					CONOR
			The experiences of the past week
			will become part of our
			heritage... we will adjust...
			in a few generations, we will be
			able to...

					HANNAH
			We're not willing to wait a few
			generations...

        STAR TREK: "Masterpiece... " - REV. 11/8/91 - ACT FIVE       53.

49   CONTINUED:

					CONOR
			All right. Give me six months...
			just wait six months before you
			leave...

	And this has been part of his plan, his hope to
	forestall this action, and he has Picard's support
	as we will soon learn...

					HANNAH
			What will that accomplish?

	Picard steps forward to speak...

					PICARD
			There is no question that our
			presence here has had an
			unintended influence on your
			society. That is done and there
			is no way to undo it now. But
			feelings are running high.
			Perhaps it's not such a bad idea
			to give yourselves adequate time
			to carefully weigh the
			consequences of what you are about
			to do. We are prepared to return
			in six months...

					HANNAH
			In other words, we are being asked
			to stay here for six months while
			they pressure us to change our
			minds.

					PICARD
			In five days, you have seen only
			the most superficial evidence of
			what life is like outside your
			biosphere...

	Hannah moves forward to confront him.

					HANNAH
			Would you ever choose to live
			aboard a ship-in-a-bottle,
			Captain?

        STAR TREK: "Masterpiece... " - REV. 11/8/91 - ACT FIVE      53A.

49   CONTINUED: (2)

					PICARD
			What I would choose is not at
			issue...

					HANNAH
			You are the captain of a starship.
			You live to explore the unknown. We
			ask for the same privilege.

					CONOR
			Hannah, this is your home, and
			we are all, in a sense, your
			family. Don't we deserve an
			opportunity to open a dialogue
			on this issue at the very least?
			I am only asking for six months.

        STAR TREK: "Masterpiece... " - REV. 11/8/91 - ACT FIVE       54.

49   CONTINUED: (3)

					HANNAH
			It's not going to make any
			difference. You will only be
			putting this colony through
			unnecessary pain and anguish.

					BENBECK
			You are the ones who are causing
			pain and anguish in this colony.
			You.

					HANNAH
				(reacting to Benbeck)
			Don't you see, Aaron? It's over.
			It's time for you to lead our
			people into a new era, into a
			renaissance of discovery... come
			with us.

	A long beat. Conor's eyes move to Troi's... and we
	know a part of him wants to go... but finally, he
	lowers his head, defeated.

					CONOR
			When you're ready to come home,
			you will be welcome.

50   ANGLE (OPTICAL)

	Conor moves away... turning to Picard for a moment...

					CONOR
			You may proceed, Captain Picard.

	Picard nods. There are no words left to say.

					PICARD
			Enterprise, two to beam up.

					TRANSPORTER COM VOICE
			Aye, sir...

					TROI
			Captain, may I have a moment...

        STAR TREK: "Masterpiece... " - REV. 11/6/91 - ACT FIVE       55.

50   CONTINUED:

					PICARD
				(nods)
			Make that one, Enterprise.

					TRANSPORTER COM VOICE
			Aye, sir.

					PICARD
			Energize.

	He DEMATERIALIZES. Troi stands there alone with Conor.

					TROI
			What will you do now?

					CONOR
			Attempt to assess the damage.
			Spend the rest of my life on the
			near-impossible task of rebuilding
			this society without the proper
			pieces.

					TROI
			Aaron, you acted in the best
			interests of your people... there
			was no way to avoid what
			happened...

	A beat... he looks away, thinks...

					CONOR
			I replay each step of this in my
			mind... looking for the wrong
			turn, the mistake in judgement...
				(beat)
			And I find only one...

	And he turns and looks at her with still deeply felt
	passion...

					CONOR
				(continuing)
			And as hard as I try, I cannot
			even regret that one. In fact,
			I'm certain that given the
			opportunity, I would choose to
			make the same mistake again.
				(beat)
			I have to wonder why, with all
			the hundreds of genetically
			compatible women here... I would
			fall in love with you.

					TROI
			Don't say that, Aaron...

        STAR TREK: "Masterpiece... " - REV. 11/8/91 - ACT FIVE       56.

50   CONTINUED: (3)

					CONOR
			Perhaps it is your imperfections
			that make you so unique. But I
			am in love with you, Deanna Troi,
			and I will always be...

	One more look in her eyes and he walks away... and as
	she stands there...

51   EXT. SPACE - THE ENTERPRISE (OPTICAL)

	in orbit around the planet.

52   INT. CAPT. READY ROOM

	Picard is at the window, looking out, musing. A
	chime...

					PICARD
			Come.

	Riker ENTERS.

					RIKER
			The colonists are all on board,
			sir.

					PICARD
			How many finally?

					RIKER
			Twenty-three.

	Picard takes that in... frustrated, unhappy...

					PICARD
			If we ever needed a reminder of
			the importance of the Prime
			Directive, we have it now...

					RIKER
			They're Human. The Prime
			Directive doesn't apply.

					PICARD
			Doesn't it? Our very presence
			damaged, perhaps destroyed, a way
			of life.
					(MORE)

        STAR TREK: "Masterpiece... " - REV. 11/8/91 - ACT FIVE       57.

52   CONTINUED:

					PICARD (cont'd)
				(beat)
			Whether or not we agree with that
			way of life... whether or not
			they are Human... is ultimately
			irrelevant, Number One. We are
			responsible.

					RIKER
			We had to respond to the threat
			from the core fragment... didn't
			we?

					PICARD
			Yes. Of course we did. And I wish
			I could see any other course we
			could have taken.
				(beat)
			But I would submit, in the end,
			we proved ourselves just as
			dangerous to that colony as any
			stellar fragment could ever be.

	Riker acknowledges and EXITS, and on Picard's look...

									FADE OUT.

                        END OF ACT FIVE                         

                            THE END                             





