












                STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION 
                              
                      "Cause and Effect" 
                          #40275-218 
                              
                          Written by 
                         Brannon Braga 
                              
                          Directed by 
                        Jonathan Frakes 


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 1992 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 This script is not for publication or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

                        JANUARY 2, 1992


         STAR TREK: "Cause and Effect" - 1/2/92 - CAST 

                STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION 
                      "Cause and Effect" 

                             CAST                               
                              
                PICARD             CAPTAIN BATESON
                RIKER              
                DATA               
                BEVERLY            
                TROI               
                GEORDI             
                WORF               
                                   Non-Speaking
                ENSIGN RO            FIRST OFFICER, USS BOZEMAN
                NURSE OGAWA  
      
                Non-Speaking       
                  SUPERNUMERARIES    

      STAR TREK: "Cause and Effect" - REV. 1/9/92 - SETS 

                STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION 
                      "Cause and Effect" 
                      
                             SETS 

            INTERIORS                  EXTERIORS
          
            USS ENTERPRISE             USS ENTERPRISE
              MAIN BRIDGE
              OBSERVATION LOUNGE       USS BOZEMAN
              SICKBAY
              ENGINEERING
              RIKER'S QUARTERS
              BEVERLY'S QUARTERS
              CAPTAIN'S READY ROOM
          
            USS BOZEMAN
              BRIDGE (SEEN ON VIEWSCREEN)

    STAR TREK: "Cause and Effect" - 1/2/92 - PRONUNCIATION 

                STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION 
                      "Cause and Effect" 
                          
                      PRONUNCIATION GUIDE 

                 CAUSALITY        kaw-ZAL-i-tee
                 DEJA-VU          day-zha-VOO
                 DEKYON           DECK-ee-on
                 TEMPORAL         TEM-po-ral

    STAR TREK: "Cause and Effect" - REV. 1/14/92 - TEASER    1.

                STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION                  
                      "Cause and Effect"                           
                            TEASER                              

	FADE IN:

1    EXT. SPACE - THE ENTERPRISE (OPTICAL)

	The ship's starboard nacelle is DAMAGED, sending out
	stray jets of plasma...

2    INT. BRIDGE

	SHAKING VIOLENTLY. PICARD, RIKER, DATA, WORF, GEORDI,
	and RO working frantically. BEVERLY and TROI standing
	by. The ship is at RED ALERT -- bridge dark, except
	for emergency lights. Quick action --

					RIKER
			Damage report!

	Beverly works a nearby console.

					BEVERLY
			Casualty reports coming in from
			all over the ship...

					DATA
				(off console)
			The starboard nacelle has
			sustained a direct impact. We
			are venting drive plasma.

					GEORDI
			Initiating emergency core
			shutdown.

	Geordi quickly works his console.

					RO
			Inertial dampers failing... we're
			losing attitude control...

					RIKER
				(to comm)
			This is the bridge. All hands
			to emergency escape pods.

3    EXT. SPACE - THE ENTERPRISE (OPTICAL)

	The starboard nacelle FLARES, throwing the ship into a
	SPINNING MOTION, out of control...

    STAR TREK: "Cause and Effect" - REV. 1/9/92 - TEASER    2.

4    INT. BRIDGE (OPTICAL)

	Round and round. People can barely stand up. On the
	VIEWSCREEN, the stars are WHIPPING past, dizzying...

					DATA
				(off console)
			The core shutdown was
			unsuccessful. We are losing
			antimatter containment.

					GEORDI
			We've gotta eject the engine
			core!

					DATA
			The ejection systems are
			off-line. A core breach is
			imminent...

	Tension -- no choice.

					PICARD
				(to com)
			All hands abandon ship. Repeat,
			all hands abandon --

	Too late:

5    EXT. SPACE - THE ENTERPRISE (OPTICAL)

	as it EXPLODES in a blast of fire and debris.
	Completely destroyed.

									FADE OUT.

                         END OF TEASER                          

    STAR TREK: "Cause and Effect" - REV. 1/6/92 - ACT ONE    3.

                            ACT ONE                             

	FADE IN:

          (NOTE: Episode credits fall over opening scenes.)            

6    EXT. SPACE - THE ENTERPRISE (OPTICAL)

	at impulse in a starry region of space.

					PICARD (V.O.)
			Captain's log, stardate 45652.1.
			The Enterprise has entered an area
			of space known as the Typhon
			Expanse. We are the first
			Starfleet vessel to chart this
			unexplored region.

7    INT. RIKER'S QUARTERS - POKER TABLE

	Poker game in progress, five card stud. Riker, Data,
	Worf, Beverly. Data SHUFFLES the cards with android
	speed and dexterity.

					RIKER
				(with humor)
			Sometimes I wonder if he's
			stacking the deck.

					DATA
			I assure you, Commander, the cards
			have been sufficiently randomized.

					WORF
			I hope so.

	A look between Worf and Data. Data proceeds to deal
	one card face-down to each person... then one card
	face-up in the order of Riker, Worf, Beverly, and
	himself. Data calls the cards like a true dealer,
	mimicking the terms he has heard in his years of
	poker...

	(NOTE: Because the cards will play an important role
	in ensuing Acts, they are specified here.)

					DATA
			An eight. An Ace. A Queen. The
			dealer receives a four.

	Everyone studies their cards.

    STAR TREK: "Cause and Effect" - REV. 1/9/92 - ACT ONE    4.

7    CONTINUED:

					WORF
			No bet.

	Data deals the next round of cards face-up. Beverly is
	dealt another Queen.

					DATA
			A ten. A seven -- no help there.
			A pair of "ladies" for the Doctor.
			The dealer receives a nine.
				(to Beverly)
			Doctor, may I remind you that
			since you show the highest hand,
			you control the next bet.

	Beverly throws in a chip.

					BEVERLY
			I'll bet ten.

	Everyone sees the bet. Data deals...

					DATA
			Jack. Four. Deuce. Six.

					BEVERLY
				(bets)
			Twenty.

	Data matches the bet.

					RIKER
			And I'll raise you fifty.

	Reactions. Worf is uncomfortable with the large bet.

					WORF
			Fifty.

					BEVERLY
			I'm in.

					DATA
			I will also see the bet.

	Worf grumbles, matches the bet.

					DATA
				(dealing)
			Seven... and a possible straight
			for Commander Riker. Jack --
			still no help for the Klingon.

	Worf bristles at the remark, unhappy with his cards.

   STAR TREK: "Cause and Effect" - REV. 1/6/92 - ACT ONE   4A.

7    CONTINUED: (2)

					DATA
				(continuing)
			Eight. Nine for the dealer.

	Beverly glances at Riker's cards... hesitant... tosses
	in a few more chips.

					BEVERLY
			Twenty.

    STAR TREK: "Cause and Effect" - REV. 1/9/92 - ACT ONE    5.

7    CONTINUED: (3)

					DATA
				(folds)
			"Too rich for my blood."

					RIKER
			I'll see your twenty -- and raise
			you a hundred.

	Riker throws in chips. Worf reacts to the bet,
	disgruntled.

					WORF
			Fold.

	Beverly studies Riker -- has a feeling here and goes
	for broke... matches his bet...

					BEVERLY
			And two hundred more.

	Riker matches.

					RIKER
			Two. And another three hundred.

	A beat. Worf studies Riker.

					WORF
			He does not have the straight.

	Beverly and Riker match poker faces.

					BEVERLY
			We'll find out, won't we?

	She matches his bet.

					BEVERLY
			Let's see what you've got.

	The moment of truth. Riker turns over his cards,
	defeated.

					RIKER
			Take it.

	Reactions as Beverly collects her winnings. Riker's
	ego has been bruised. He kicks off a playful
	exchange...

					RIKER
				(to Beverly)
			How'd you know I was bluffing?

					BEVERLY
			I just had a feeling.

    STAR TREK: "Cause and Effect" - REV. 1/6/92 - ACT ONE    6.

7    CONTINUED: (4)

					RIKER
			I guess it's better to be lucky
			than good.

					BEVERLY
			Or maybe it's the way your left
			eyebrow raises slightly when you
			bluff.

	Riker blanches -- is she kidding? Beverly smiles.

					BEVERLY
			Just teasing, Commander.

					NURSE OGAWA'S COM VOICE
			Ogawa to Doctor Crusher.

					BEVERLY
			Go ahead.

					NURSE OGAWA'S COM VOICE
			Commander La Forge needs you in
			sickbay.

					BEVERLY
			On my way.

	Beverly stands to go...

8    INT. SICKBAY

	Geordi is sitting on an examination table, while
	Beverly scans him with a medical tricorder. She
	centers around his ears and head...

					GEORDI
			At first I thought the catwalk
			was spinning. Turns out it was
			me.
				(beat)
			I'm lucky Ensign Fletcher was
			there to grab me -- it's a long
			way down to the bottom of the warp
			core.

	Geordi reacts to a sudden pain -- headache. Beverly
	completes her exam.

					BEVERLY
			You have all the symptoms of an
			inner-ear infection. That
			would explain your dizziness...
			and the headache.

    STAR TREK: "Cause and Effect" - REV. 1/6/92 - ACT ONE    7.

8    CONTINUED:

	She reaches for a nearby hypospray.

					BEVERLY
			But I don't see any physical
			evidence.
				(beat)
			My guess is... you've been working
			too hard.

	Geordi nods, admitting the fact.

					GEORDI
			I have been putting in extra hours
			on the Typhon Expanse survey.

	Beverly prepares the hypospray...

					BEVERLY
			I'll give you twenty cc's of
			vertazine -- it'll clear up your
			dizziness. But finding time to
			relax is up to you...

	Beverly stops in mid-sentence, caught by a sudden
	awareness -- the feeling that she's done this before...
	the examination... the conversation...

					GEORDI
				(off her look)
			What is it?

					BEVERLY
			Geordi... have you ever had these
			symptoms before?

					GEORDI
				(thinks)
			Never.

					BEVERLY
			You're sure?

					GEORDI
			Positive. Why?

					BEVERLY
			It's funny... I get the feeling
			that we've discussed these
			complaints.
				(beat)
			I remember giving you a hypospray
			for dizziness.

      STAR TREK: "Cause and Effect" - 1/2/92 - ACT ONE      8.

8    CONTINUED: (2)

					GEORDI
			I've never had these symptoms
			before today. You must be
			remembering some other patient.

					BEVERLY
			No. I'm sure it was you.

	Beverly shrugs off the feeling. She administers the
	hypospray.

					BEVERLY
			Try to get some rest. And stay
			away from high places for a few
			days, just in case.

	Geordi stands, appreciative.

					GEORDI
			Thanks, Doc.

					BEVERLY
			Goodnight.

	Geordi EXITS. Off Beverly's face, as she returns to
	her work...

9    INT. BEVERLY'S QUARTERS

	Later. Beverly is dressed in her nightclothes, ready
	for bed. She passes by a table topped with several
	exotic PLANTS, picks up a cutting tool and starts to
	snip away the dead leaves. As she does so, she quietly
	sings a little song, letting herself unwind. After a
	peaceful beat, she puts down the tool, and heads for
	bed...

10   ANGLE ON BED

	Beverly sits down, reaches for a GLASS of water off the
	night stand and takes a sip. She turns off the lamp
	and the room darkens. She crawls under the covers,
	lays her head on the pillow. A quiet moment passes
	as Beverly drifts off to sleep...

	Then, slowly in the darkness, a barely perceptible
	VOICE can be heard. A distant and echoey whisper.
	Beverly opens her eyes. Listens. Gradually, a dozen
	VOICES fade in -- disembodied murmurs. Creepy. She
	sits up, glances around the dark and empty room...

   STAR TREK: "Cause and Effect" - REV. 1/14/92 - ACT ONE   9.

10   CONTINUED:

	More voices, louder now, all meshing together. Beverly
	tries to make out what they are saying -- but they are
	unclear.

	Alarmed, Beverly turns on the light, accidentally
	knocking over the glass -- the glass BREAKS on the
	table, startling her.

	The voices stop. Beverly catches her breath, shaken...

11   EXT. SPACE - THE ENTERPRISE (OPTICAL)

	at impulse.

12   INT. OBSERVATION LOUNGE

	Picard, Riker, Data, Geordi, Troi, and Beverly. Geordi
	is standing next to a WALL MONITOR, which displays a
	MAP of the TYPHON EXPANSE. They are wrapping up a
	discussion about their mission.

					GEORDI
			The Typhon Expanse is huge. If
			we want to chart the most remote
			star system, we'll have to launch
			a probe within the next few hours.

					RIKER
			Fine.
				(consults PADD)
			What about the luminosity studies?

					GEORDI
			They may pose a problem...

					PICARD
			How so?

					GEORDI
			The flux spectrometers are still
			down for realignment.

					RIKER
			I thought they were supposed to
			be back on-line yesterday.

					GEORDI
			They were, until the stellar
			dynamics lab decided they needed
			to install new modules.

   STAR TREK: "Cause and Effect" - REV. 1/9/92 - ACT ONE   9A.

12   CONTINUED:

					DATA
			I recommend we use the gravitron
			polarimeter instead. It will
			perform a similar function.

   STAR TREK: "Cause and Effect" - REV. 1/9/92 - ACT ONE   10.

12   CONTINUED: (2)

					PICARD
			Make it so.

	Beverly cuts in, awkward...

					BEVERLY
			Captain... There's something I'd
			like to report.

					PICARD
			Yes, Doctor?

					BEVERLY
			I heard... voices in my room last
			night. I was alone... so at first
			I thought I was imagining things.
			But this morning, ten other people
			reported hearing them at the same
			time I did.

					TROI
			What were the voices saying?

					BEVERLY
			I couldn't make them out...

	Reactions to the curious news.

					RIKER
			Data, did the sensors pick up
			anything unusual last night?

					DATA
			No anomalous readings were
			reported.

					RIKER
			When we're through here,
			double-check the sensor logs.

					DATA
			Aye sir.

					PICARD
			Counselor?

					TROI
			I sensed nothing out of the
			ordinary last night.

   STAR TREK: "Cause and Effect" - REV. 1/14/92 - ACT ONE   11.

12   CONTINUED: (3)

					GEORDI
			Maybe it's a problem with the com
			system.

					WORF'S COM VOICE
			Bridge to Captain Picard.

					PICARD
			Go ahead.

					WORF'S COM VOICE
			We are getting unusual readings
			-- twenty thousand kilometers off
			the port bow.

	A concerned glance, then they rise and head for the
	door...

13   INT. BRIDGE - CONTINUOUS

	Picard and the others ENTER the bridge, take stations.
	Riker stands near Data, at ops.

					PICARD
			Report.

					RO
			Sensors didn't detect the
			phenomenon until we were almost
			on top of it, sir.

					WORF
				(off console)
			It is a highly localized
			distortion in the space-time
			continuum.

	Reactions -- they don't like the sound of it.

					RIKER
			On screen.

14   INTERCUT: VIEWSCREEN (OPTICAL)

	The area of space just ahead is MURKY and DISTORTED.
	Reactions to the sight.

					PICARD
			Back us off, Ensign. Nice and
			slow.

   STAR TREK: "Cause and Effect" - REV. 1/14/92 - ACT ONE   12.

14   CONTINUED:

					RO
			Aye sir.
				(beat)
			Captain -- maneuvering thrusters
			are not responding.

	On the screen, the distortion RIPPLES slightly.

					DATA
				(off console)
			The distortion field is
			fluctuating.

	Suddenly, the bridge lights FLICKER and GO OUT. The
	EMERGENCY LIGHTS come on -- and some of the consoles
	LOSE POWER.

					GEORDI
			All main systems just went down.
			Power levels dropping rapidly...

					RIKER
			Red Alert.

	The ship goes to RED ALERT.

					DATA
			There is an energy build-up in
			the distortion field.
				(beat)
			Something is emerging...

	Suddenly, Troi is overwhelmed by a distinct and
	horrible feeling.

					TROI
				(certain)
			Captain -- we have to get out of
			here now.

	Picard looks at her, and then --

15   ON VIEWSCREEN (OPTICAL)

	A STARSHIP EMERGES from the murk -- HEADED DIRECTLY
	FOR US. (Note: It's clearly an older style starship.)
	The following action happens quickly --

					RIKER
			Shields up! Evasive maneuvers!

					WORF
			Shields inoperative!

   STAR TREK: "Cause and Effect" - REV. 1/6/92 - ACT ONE   13.

15   CONTINUED:

					RO
			The helm's not responding!

					DATA
			The vessel is on a collision
			course. Impact in thirty-six
			seconds...

					PICARD
			Hail them.

					WORF
			No response.

	On the viewscreen, the ship comes closer... closer...

					PICARD
			Suggestions?

					RIKER
			Decompress the main shuttlebay
			-- the explosive reaction might
			kick us out of the way.

	Picard reacts -- sounds dangerous. Data cuts in, his
	hands flying across the controls...

					DATA
			Captain -- I recommend we use the
			tractor beam to alter the other
			ship's trajectory.

					PICARD
			Mister Worf -- make it so.

					WORF
				(working)
			Engaging tractor beam...

16   EXT. SPACE - THE ENTERPRISE (OPTICAL)

	The Enterprise sends out a TRACTOR BEAM -- but it's
	too late. The other ship COLLIDES with our starboard
	nacelle, knocking us aside. The Enterprise's starboard
	nacelle is DAMAGED, sending out stray jets of plasma...

17   INT. BRIDGE

	SHAKING VIOLENTLY. The crew working frantically.

   STAR TREK: "Cause and Effect" - REV. 1/14/92 - ACT ONE   14.

17   CONTINUED:

					RIKER
			Damage report!

	Beverly works a nearby console.

					BEVERLY
			Casualty reports coming in from
			all over the ship...

					DATA
			The starboard nacelle has
			sustained a direct impact. We
			are venting drive plasma.

					GEORDI
			Initiating emergency core
			shutdown.

	Geordi works quickly.

					RO
			Inertial dampers failing. We're
			losing attitude control...

					RIKER
				(to comm)
			This is the bridge. All hands
			to emergency escape pods.

18   EXT. SPACE - THE ENTERPRISE (OPTICAL)

	The starboard nacelle FLARES, throwing the ship into
	a SPINNING MOTION, out of control...

19   INT. BRIDGE (OPTICAL)

	Round and round. People can barely stand up. On the
	viewscreen, the stars are WHIPPING past, dizzying...

					DATA
				(off console)
			The core shutdown was
			unsuccessful. We are losing
			antimatter containment.

					GEORDI
			We gotta eject the engine core!

					DATA
			The ejection systems are
			off-line. A core breach is
			imminent...

	Tension -- no choice.

      STAR TREK: "Cause and Effect" - 1/2/92 - ACT ONE      15.

19   CONTINUED:

					PICARD
				(to com)
			All hands abandon ship. Repeat,
			all hands abandon --

20   EXT. SPACE - THE ENTERPRISE (OPTICAL)

	as it EXPLODES in a blast of fire and debris.
	Completely destroyed.

									FADE OUT.

                        END OF ACT ONE                          

      STAR TREK: "Cause and Effect" - 1/2/92 - ACT TWO      16.

                            ACT TWO                             

	FADE IN:

21   EXT. SPACE - THE ENTERPRISE (OPTICAL)

	at impulse in a starry region of space.

					PICARD (V.O.)
			Captain's log, stardate 45652.1.
			The Enterprise has entered an area
			of space known as the Typhon
			Expanse. We are the first
			Starfleet vessel to chart this
			unexplored region.

22   INT. RIKER'S QUARTERS - POKER TABLE

	(As seen in Act One.) Poker game in progress. Riker,
	Data, Worf, Beverly. Data SHUFFLES the cards with
	android speed and dexterity.

					RIKER
				(with humor)
			Sometimes I wonder if he's
			stacking the deck.

					DATA
			I assure you, Commander, the
			cards have been sufficiently
			randomized.

					WORF
			I hope so.

	A look between Worf and Data. Data proceeds to deal
	one card face-down... then one card face-up to Riker,
	Geordi, Beverly, and himself.

					DATA
			An eight. An Ace. A Queen. The
			dealer receives a four.

	They study their cards.

					WORF
			No bet.

	Data deals the next round. Beverly gets another Queen.

      STAR TREK: "Cause and Effect" - 1/2/92 - ACT TWO      17.

22   CONTINUED:

					DATA
			A ten. A seven -- no help there.
			A pair of "ladies" for the
			Doctor. The dealer receives a
			nine.
				(to Beverly)
			Doctor, may I remind you that
			since you show the highest hand,
			you control the next bet.

	Beverly glances at Riker's cards... and is suddenly
	struck with a vivid sense of deja-vu. The clarity of
	feeling is almost uncomfortable.

					WORF
				(off her look)
			Is there something wrong, Doctor?

	Beverly snaps out of it.

					BEVERLY
			No... I bet ten.

	Everyone sees her bet.

					DATA
				(dealing)
			Jack. Four. Deuce. Six.

					BEVERLY
				(bets)
			Twenty.

					RIKER
			And I'll raise you fifty.

	Everyone matches bets. As Data deals...

23   CLOSE ON RIKER

	as he has a flash of deja-vu. He eyes Beverly -- knows
	where this game is going...

					RIKER
				(to Beverly, certain)
			You're going to call my bluff,
			aren't you?

	Beverly stares back at him, surprised. It's like a
	game of dueling premonitions.


   STAR TREK: "Cause and Effect" - REV. 1/9/92 - ACT TWO   18.

23   CONTINUED:

					RIKER
				(folds)
			I think I'll quit while I'm ahead.

	Beverly is astonished -- how could he have known?

					BEVERLY
			How did you know I was going to
			call your bluff?

					RIKER
			I just had a feeling.

					BEVERLY
			Me too...

					NURSE OGAWA'S COM VOICE
			Ogawa to Doctor Crusher.

					BEVERLY
			Go ahead.

					NURSE OGAWA'S COM VOICE
			Commander La Forge needs you in
			sickbay.

					BEVERLY
			On my way.

	Beverly stands to go...

24   INT. SICKBAY (OPTICAL)

	Geordi sits on an examination table, while Beverly
	scans him with a medical tricorder. She centers around
	his ears and head...

					GEORDI
			At first I thought the catwalk
			was spinning. Turns out it was
			me.
				(beat)
			I'm lucky Ensign Fletcher was
			there to grab me -- it's a long
			way down to the bottom of the warp
			core.

	Geordi reacts to a sudden pain -- headache. Beverly
	completes her exam.

      STAR TREK: "Cause and Effect" - 1/2/92 - ACT TWO      19.

24   CONTINUED:

					BEVERLY
			You have all the symptoms of an
			inner-ear infection. That would
			explain your dizziness... and the
			headache.

	She reaches for a nearby hypospray.

					BEVERLY
			But I don't see any physical...

	She stops in mid-sentence, caught by a strange and
	sudden awareness. The same feeling she had in the
	poker game -- she's been here before.

					GEORDI
				(off her look)
			What is it?

					BEVERLY
			Geordi... have you ever had these
			symptoms before?

					GEORDI
				(thinks)
			Now that you mention it... I think
			I did.

					BEVERLY
			Do you recall when?

					GEORDI
			No, I don't.

	They both try to remember...

					BEVERLY
				(certain)
			We've had this discussion. I
			remember giving you this
			examination...
				(beat)
			Let's check the medical logs.

	They move to a nearby console. Beverly hits a few
	commands -- information comes up on the screen. They
	study it...

   STAR TREK: "Cause and Effect" - REV. 1/9/92 - ACT TWO   20.

24   CONTINUED: (2)

					BEVERLY
				(off console)
			You've been treated several times
			for headaches related to your
			VISOR... but I see no mention
			of dizziness.

	A beat as they consider.

					GEORDI
				(lightly)
			Must be deja-vu.

	Beverly looks troubled.

					BEVERLY
			Both of us -- about the same
			thing?

	As they exchange a mystified look...

25   INT. BEVERLY'S QUARTERS

	Later. Beverly is dressed in her nightclothes. She
	passes by the table topped with exotic plants, picks up
	a cutting tool, starts to trim the plants. She begins
	to sing a little song, and stops -- a feeling of
	deja-vu overwhelming her. She sets down the tool...
	determined to break the feeling and do things
	differently. She moves toward her bed...

26   ANGLE ON BED

	Beverly sits down, picks up the glass of water and
	takes a sip. She stares at the glass, deja-vu nagging
	at her -- is something going to happen to the glass?
	She sets down the glass, turns off the lamp, crawls
	under the covers... tries to sleep...

	Slowly, a barely perceptible VOICE can be heard... a
	distant and echoey murmur. Beverly opens her eyes.
	Listens. Gradually, a dozen VOICES fade in --
	disembodied murmurs in the darkness. She sits up,
	glances around the dark and empty room...

	More voices, louder now, all meshing together.

   STAR TREK: "Cause and Effect" - REV. 1/13/92 - ACT TWO   21.

26   CONTINUED:

	Beverly turns on the light, accidentally knocking over
	the glass -- the glass BREAKS on the table, startling
	her.

	The voices stop. Beverly catches her breath, shaken,
	then gets out of bed. She picks up a nearby
	communicator, taps it.

					BEVERLY
			Crusher to Captain Picard.

	A beat.

					PICARD'S COM VOICE
			Yes, Doctor?

					BEVERLY
			Jean-Luc... do you have a minute?

27   INT. READY ROOM

	Beverly, tired after a long night, sits with Picard
	in the dimly lit, comforting room. She has been
	recounting recent events. Picard hands her a cup of
	steaming liquid.

					PICARD
				(re: cup)
			My Aunt Adele cured a lot of
			sleepless nights with this steamed
			milk.

					BEVERLY
			Thank you.

	Beverly takes a sip, lets it warm her.

					BEVERLY
			Mmm... nutmeg.

					PICARD
			Every time I get insomnia, I try
			to perfect the recipe.

	Beverly smiles... then collects her thoughts, getting
	back to the subject at hand.

					BEVERLY
			It was the eeriest feeling. When
			the glass broke, it triggered the
			same sensation even more intensely
			-- that I had done it all before.


   STAR TREK: "Cause and Effect" - REV. 1/9/92 - ACT TWO   22.

27   CONTINUED:

	Picard thinks, reaches for a table and picks up a
	leather-bound BOOK.

					PICARD
			Earlier, when I was reading this
			book... I had the distinct
			feeling I'd read certain
			paragraphs before.
				(beat)
			I just assumed I'd read the book
			years ago and forgotten.

					BEVERLY
			I've been having this feeling
			for hours.
				(beat)
			And then those voices...

	An uneasy beat.

					PICARD
			Do you feel like we've had this
			conversation before?

					BEVERLY
			No. None of this seems familiar.

	Picard considers.

					PICARD
			This could be nothing more than
			a restless night. But let's be
			sure... Call Geordi and Data.
			I want you to run a shipwide
			diagnostic, concentrating on the
			time and place you heard the
			voices.
				(beat)
			We'll discuss the results tomorrow
			at oh seven hundred hours.

	Beverly nods, feeling a little better. She takes a sip
	of the milk.

   STAR TREK: "Cause and Effect" - REV. 1/13/92 - ACT TWO   23.

27   CONTINUED: (2)

					BEVERLY
			Thank you, Jean-Luc.
				(re: the milk)
			For everything.

					PICARD
			Thank Aunt Adele.

	They share a gentle smile...

28   EXT. SPACE - THE ENTERPRISE (OPTICAL)

	at impulse in the Typhon Expanse.

29   INT. OBSERVATION LOUNGE

	Picard, Riker, Data, Geordi, Troi, Beverly.
	Mid-conversation...

					DATA
			The internal scans were negative.
			There was no evidence of auditory
			anomalies anywhere on the ship.

					GEORDI
			As far as the sensors are
			concerned, nothing unusual
			happened last night.

	Beverly isn't satisfied.

					BEVERLY
			Before I came up here, ten other
			people reported hearing voices
			at the same time I did.

	Reactions to the curious news.

					WORF'S COM VOICE
			Bridge to Captain Picard.

					PICARD
			Go ahead.

					WORF'S COM VOICE
			We are getting unusual readings
			-- twenty thousand kilometers off
			the port bow.

	PUSH IN on Beverly as she reacts to the news, suddenly
	very worried...

   STAR TREK: "Cause and Effect" - REV. 1/14/92 - ACT TWO   24.

	INT. BRIDGE - CONTINUOUS

	Picard and the others ENTER the bridge, take stations.
	Riker stands near Data at ops.

					PICARD
			Report.

					RO
			Sensors didn't detect the
			phenomenon until we were almost
			on top of it, sir.

					WORF
				(off console)
			It is a highly localized
			distortion in the space-time
			continuum.

	Reactions -- they don't like the sound of it.

					RIKER
			On screen.

31   INCLUDE VIEWSCREEN (OPTICAL)

	The area of space just ahead is MURKY and DISTORTED.

					PICARD
			Back us off, Ensign. Nice and
			slow.

					RO
			Aye sir.
				(beat)
			Captain -- maneuvering thrusters
			are not responding.

	On the screen, the temporal distortion RIPPLES
	slightly.

					DATA
			The distortion field is
			fluctuating.

	Suddenly, the bridge lights GO OUT. The EMERGENCY
	LIGHTS come on -- and a few consoles LOSE POWER.

   STAR TREK: "Cause and Effect" - REV. 1/14/92 - ACT TWO   25.

31   CONTINUED:

	Beverly watches with intense discomfort -- a remote
	part of her knows what's coming, but there's nothing
	she can do to stop it...

					GEORDI
			All main systems just went down.
			Power levels dropping rapidly...

					RIKER
			Red Alert.

	Ship to RED ALERT.

					DATA
			There is an energy build-up in
			the distortion field.
				(beat)
			Something is emerging...

	Suddenly, Troi is overwhelmed by a distinct and
	horrible feeling.

					TROI
				(certain)
			Captain -- we have to get out of
			here now.

	Picard looks at her, and then --

	On the viewscreen, a STARSHIP EMERGES from the murk --
	HEADING DIRECTLY FOR US. The following action happens
	quickly --

					RIKER
			Shields up! Evasive maneuvers!

					WORF
			Shields inoperative!

					RO
			The helm's not responding!

					DATA
			The vessel is on a collision
			course. Impact in thirty-six
			seconds...

					PICARD
			Hail them.

					WORF
			No response.

	On the viewscreen, the ship comes closer... closer...

					PICARD
			Suggestions?

   STAR TREK: "Cause and Effect" - REV. 1/14/92 - ACT TWO   26.

31   CONTINUED: (2)

					RIKER
			Decompress the main shuttlebay
			-- the explosive reaction might
			kick us out of the way.

	Data cuts in, his hands flying across the controls...

					DATA
			Captain -- I recommend we use the
			tractor beam to alter the other
			ship's trajectory.

					PICARD
			Mister Worf -- make it so.

					WORF
			Engaging tractor beam...

	Worf hits a command. A tense beat. The other ship
	looming on the viewscreen...

	WHAM! The Enterprise JOLTS as we collide with the
	other ship. The crew is tossed about.

					RIKER
			Damage report!

	Beverly works a nearby console.

					BEVERLY
			Casualty reports coming in from
			all over the ship...

					DATA
			The starboard nacelle has
			sustained a direct impact. We
			are venting drive plasma.

					GEORDI
			Initiating emergency core
			shutdown.

	Geordi works.

					RO
			Inertial dampers failing. We're
			losing attitude control...

					RIKER
				(to com)
			This is the bridge. All hands
			to emergency escape pods.

   STAR TREK: "Cause and Effect" - REV. 1/6/92 - ACT TWO   27.

31   CONTINUED: (3)

	The ship ROCKS, tossing people about. Stars on the
	viewscreen start WHIPPING past, dizzying...

					DATA
			The core shutdown was
			unsuccessful. We are losing
			antimatter containment.

					GEORDI
			We've gotta eject the engine
			core!

					DATA
			The ejection systems are
			off-line. A core breach is
			imminent...

	Tension -- no choice.

					PICARD
				(to comm)
			All hands abandon ship. Repeat,
			all hands abandon --

	Without warning, VIOLENT ROARING NOISE and A BLAST OF
	FIRE erupt across the scene as the ship EXPLODES --

									FADE OUT.

                        END OF ACT TWO                          

  STAR TREK: "Cause and Effect" - REV. 1/6/92 - ACT THREE  28.

                           ACT THREE                            

	FADE IN:

32   EXT. SPACE - THE ENTERPRISE (OPTICAL)

	at impulse in a starry region of space.

					PICARD (V.O.)
			Captain's log, stardate 45652.1.
			The Enterprise has entered an area
			of space known as the Typhon
			Expanse. We are the first
			Starfleet vessel to chart this
			unexplored region.

33   INT. RIKER'S QUARTERS - POKER TABLE

	(As seen in Acts One and Two.) Poker game in progress.
	Riker, Data, Worf, Beverly. Data SHUFFLES the cards
	with android speed and dexterity.

					RIKER
				(with humor)
			Sometimes I wonder if he's
			stacking the deck.

					DATA
			I assure you, Commander, the cards
			have been sufficiently randomized.

					WORF
			I hope so.

	A look between Worf and Data. Data deals one card
	face-down to each person. They glance at their cards.
	Worf looks agitated -- he keeps glancing around the
	room, bothered by a nagging feeling...

					RIKER
				(off his look)
			Something wrong, Worf?

	Worf considers.

					WORF
			I am experiencing nIb'poH.
				(beat)
			The feeling I have done this
			before.

  STAR TREK: "Cause and Effect" - REV. 1/9/92 - ACT THREE  28A.

33   CONTINUED:

					RIKER
				(with humor)
			Yeah -- last Tuesday night.

					WORF
			That is not what I mean.


  STAR TREK: "Cause and Effect" - REV. 1/13/92 - ACT THREE  29.

33   CONTINUED: (2)

					BEVERLY
				(off his remark)
			I've been feeling the same way...

	Beverly looks disturbed by her feelings. Data and
	Riker exchange a look -- both unfazed. They don't know
	what to make of it. Beverly looks intently at the deck
	of cards...

					BEVERLY
			Data.... keep dealing.

	Data deals the next cards face-up, calling them...

					DATA
			An eight. An Ace...

					BEVERLY
				(cutting in)
			A Queen. I'm going to get a
			Queen.

	Data turns over the next card -- it's a Queen.
	Reactions. Beverly points to Data.

					BEVERLY
			And you're going to get a four...

	They all look at Beverly, puzzled.

					BEVERLY
			Deal the cards.

					DATA
			But nobody has bet.

					BEVERLY
			Forget the bet. Deal.

	Data deals -- the next card is indeed a four. Beverly
	calls the cards a split second before they are dealt --
	the cards are all exactly as she calls them...

					BEVERLY
			Ten... Seven... Queen...

	Worf cuts in, picking up the card calling...

					WORF
			Nine... Jack... Four...

	Every card matches what Worf predicts. Riker takes
	over, a wave of deja-vu overcoming him...

  STAR TREK: "Cause and Effect" - REV. 1/9/92 - ACT THREE  29A.

33   CONTINUED: (3)

					RIKER
			Deuce... Six...

	Riker hits them all. Data stops dealing, puzzled. An
	eerie beat as they absorb the moment.

					DATA
			This is highly improbable.

					RIKER
			How did we know...

					BEVERLY
			Wait.

  STAR TREK: "Cause and Effect" - REV. 1/6/92 - ACT THREE  30.

33   CONTINUED: (4)

	Beverly has another flash of deja-vu -- she acts on
	it.

					BEVERLY
				(taps communicator)
			Crusher to sickbay.

					NURSE OGAWA'S COM VOICE
			Sickbay here.

					BEVERLY
			Is Commander La Forge there?

34   INT. SICKBAY

	Nurse Ogawa working at a station, alone.

					NURSE OGAWA
			No, Doctor, he's not.

	The sickbay doors slide open and Geordi ENTERS. Ogawa
	reacts.

					NURSE OGAWA
			Wait a minute -- he just came in.

35   INT. RIKER'S QUARTERS

	Reactions. Off Beverly's troubled expression...

36   INT. SICKBAY

	Picard ENTERS, having been called. He crosses to
	Beverly and Geordi...

	Geordi has his chin in a headrest, his VISOR connected
	to a diagnostic INSTRUMENT. Beverly is projecting
	light into his VISOR, analyzing the results. It's the
	24th-century visit to the eye doctor.

					PICARD
				(to Beverly)
			You wanted to see me, Doctor?

					BEVERLY
			Yes...

	Beverly finishes with the instrument. Geordi starts
	to adjust his VISOR. Beverly turns to Picard.

  STAR TREK: "Cause and Effect" - REV. 1/16/92 - ACT THREE  31.

36   CONTINUED:

					BEVERLY
			Captain... have you been getting
			the feeling that you've
			experienced certain things before?
			A sense of... repetition?

	Picard looks surprised by the question.

					PICARD
			Yes... recently. While I was
			reading. Why do you ask?

	Beverly and Geordi exchange an anxious glance.

					BEVERLY
			There have been similar incidents
			reported all over the ship.
			Feelings of deja-vu.
				(beat)
			And now this...

	She indicates Geordi.

					BEVERLY
			I had a premonition Geordi was
			going to come in to sickbay. A
			few seconds later, he did -- with
			the symptoms of an ear infection.
				(beat)
			I was going to run all the
			standard tests... but somehow I
			knew they were going to be
			negative. So I ran an optical
			diagnostic... which traced the
			problem to Geordi's VISOR...

	Beverly refers to some TECH data on the instrument.

					BEVERLY
			His dizziness is being caused by
			a phase-shift in his visual
			receptors. It's causing him to
			see images that aren't there...

	Geordi looks around the room.

					GEORDI
			They're like... blurry
			afterimages.

  STAR TREK: "Cause and Effect" - REV. 1/13/92 - ACT THREE  32.

36   CONTINUED: (2)

					BEVERLY
			I ran a scan to see if I could
			detect what he was seeing. I
			picked up miniscule distortions
			in the surrounding dekyon
			field.
				(beat)
			Somehow, his VISOR seems to be
			translating those distortions
			into visual impulses.

					GEORDI
			It could be a malfunction in the
			ship's warp field generator. I'll
			check it out.

					PICARD
			While you're at it, run a
			localized subspace scan to look
			for anything unusual.

					GEORDI
			Aye, sir.

					PICARD
			Keep me advised.

	Geordi nods, turns to exit. Picard and Beverly
	exchange a concerned look...

37   INT. BEVERLY'S QUARTERS

	Later. Beverly is still dressed in her uniform, too
	edgy to get ready for bed. She stops at a table filled
	with exotic plants, reaches for a cutting tool and...
	stops. She has a flash of deja-vu -- and moves away
	from the table to disrupt the feeling. She crosses
	to her bed...

38   ANGLE ON BED

	Beverly sits down, picks up the glass of water from the
	night stand and takes a sip. She stares at the glass
	with dread certainty -- the glass is going to break.

	She stands, crosses the room, sets the glass on a
	counter as if to say: this time, it will not break.

  STAR TREK: "Cause and Effect" - REV. 1/9/92 - ACT THREE  33.

38   CONTINUED:

	She returns to bed, turns off the lamp and lays down...
	but she's too anxious to rest.

	Softly in the darkness, a barely perceptible VOICE is
	heard...

	Beverly sits up. Gradually, a dozen VOICES --
	disembodied murmurs. Beverly turns on the lamp and
	listens -- but the voices are unintelligible.
	Suddenly, she gets an idea -- stands and grabs a
	tricorder, hits a button and aims the tricorder into
	the air, recording the voices...

	The voices fade away. Beverly takes a breath, shaken.

					BEVERLY
				(taps communicator)
			Crusher to Commander La Forge.

					GEORDI'S COM VOICE
			La Forge here.

					BEVERLY
			I just heard what sounded like...
			voices in my room. But there's
			no one here.

	A beat.

					GEORDI'S COM VOICE
			Sensors just picked up something
			strange, too. We're checking it
			out...

					BEVERLY
			I'm on my way down.

	Tricorder in hand, Beverly crosses to the dresser --
	grabs her smock and accidentally knocks over the glass.
	It BREAKS on the counter. Beverly stares at the
	glass, astonished...

39   INT. ENGINEERING

	Beverly watches as Geordi and Data analyze a console.
	They are listening to the RECORDING Beverly made -- a
	cacophony of VOICES which is muddled by static and
	noise. The sound stops.

  STAR TREK: "Cause and Effect" - REV. 1/15/92 - ACT THREE  34.

39   CONTINUED:

					GEORDI
				(off console)
			Looks like you managed to record
			six point two seconds worth.
				(beat)
			Let's see if we can filter the
			signal and clear it up a little.

	Geordi and Data work the console.

					BEVERLY
			So I wasn't just hearing things?

					DATA
			The sound itself appears to have
			been real. However the acoustic
			energy does not correspond to
			any ship's system, nor to any
			voice communications sent at the
			time you heard it.

					BEVERLY
			Then where did the sound come
			from?

					GEORDI
			You heard the voices at the same
			time our localized subspace scan
			picked up a another dekyon field
			distortion. The two may be related.

	Geordi completes his work at the console.

					GEORDI
			Let's take another listen...

	Geordi taps a command. They listen as the six seconds
	plays out: The same VOICES that Beverly heard, a
	distant and eerie murmuring that's hard to make out.
	After six seconds, the recording stops. Beverly is
	chilled to hear them again.

					DATA
			Computer -- perform a narrow
			bandwidth analysis. Eliminate
			all nonvocal waveform components.

	The VOICES play again, this time louder and more
	distinct -- a warbled thousand-voice chorus. After six
	seconds, it stops.

   STAR TREK: "Cause and Effect" - REV. 1/6/92 - ACT THREE 35-36.      

39   CONTINUED: (2)

					BEVERLY
			Can we isolate the voices... find
			out what they're saying?

					DATA
			I will attempt to distinguish the
			individual voices.
				(beat)
			Computer -- continuous playback.

	The six seconds PLAYS continuously, with Data listening
	intently. A few moments pass by... then Data cocks
	his head in reaction to what he hears.

					DATA
				(over the noise)
			There seem to be approximately
			one thousand human voices
			overlapping.
				(beat)
			The voices are those of the
			Enterprise crew.
				(beat)
			Our voices.

	Beverly and Geordi react. As they listen to the
	cacophony...

									FADE OUT.

                       END OF ACT THREE                         

  STAR TREK: "Cause and Effect" - REV. 1/13/92 - ACT FOUR  37.

                           ACT FOUR                             

	FADE IN:

40   EXT. SPACE - THE ENTERPRISE (OPTICAL)

	at impulse.

41   INT. OBSERVATION LOUNGE (OPTICAL)

	Beverly and Geordi, addressing Picard, Riker, Data,
	Worf and Troi.

					BEVERLY
				(to all)
			I'm sorry to call you here so
			early. But we couldn't wait until
			oh seven hundred hours.
				(beat)
			We think we may have an
			explanation for the odd
			occurrences around here...

	Beverly looks to Geordi, who takes the floor. He moves
	toward the wall monitor...

					GEORDI
			This is going to sound pretty
			wild...
				(beat)
			Somehow, we've entered what seems
			to be a temporal causality loop.

	Geordi taps a command on a nearby console, and a
	CAUSALITY LOOP DIAGRAM appears on the wall monitor.
	It's a series of loops, one laying atop the other in
	quick succession to form a continuous spiral.

					GEORDI
				(re: diagram)
			We think we're stuck in a
			particular fragment of time. And
			we've been experiencing that same
			fragment over and over again.

	Reactions -- it's a bizarre, startling premise.

					TROI
				(tentative)
			Is this what's causing our
			deja-vu?

  STAR TREK: "Cause and Effect" - REV. 1/14/92 - ACT FOUR  38.

41   CONTINUED:

					BEVERLY
			Yes, but it's more than that.
			In deja-vu, you only think you're
			repeating events. We actually
			are.

					GEORDI
			Our theory is this -- every time
			the loop begins again, everything
			resets itself, and starts all
			over. We don't remember anything
			that happened before... so each
			time through the loop, we think
			it's the first.

					RIKER
			You mean, maybe we've come into
			this room, sat at this table and
			had this conversation a dozen
			times already?

					GEORDI
			A dozen... a hundred... It's
			impossible to tell. Maybe we've
			been trapped here for hours...
			days... maybe years.

	A mind-boggling beat. This is a strange and disturbing
	situation.

					BEVERLY
			If what we're saying is true --
			those voices I heard might've
			been "echoes" from previous loops.

					GEORDI
			The same thing with the
			phase-shift in my VISOR --
			afterimages in time.

	They consider.

					PICARD
			If you are correct... how did it
			happen? How did we get here?

					DATA
			I have a hypothesis which may
			explain that, Captain.
				(beat)
			I have analyzed the recording
			Doctor Crusher made.
					(MORE)

  STAR TREK: "Cause and Effect" - REV. 1/22/92 - ACT FOUR  39.

41   CONTINUED: (2)

					DATA (cont'd)
			Most of it is quite ordinary.
			One hundred twenty-five
			discussions about ship operations,
			two hundred fifty-seven
			conversations of a personal
			nature, five couples engaged in
			romantic encounters...

					PICARD
			Your point, Mister Data?

					DATA
			There is evidence of some sort
			of disaster involving the
			Enterprise -- severe enough that
			the captain would order all hands
			to abandon ship. I have isolated
			three segments of the recording
			which are crucial.

	Data taps a command on the table console, and the
	VOICES PLAY. The recording is fuzzy, broken up by
	static, but recognizable as three separate pieces of
	dialogue from the end of Act One. They listen with
	fascination...

					WORF (V.O.)
			... a highly localized
			distortion...

	Beat.

					DATA (V.O.)
			... collision course. Impact in
			thirty-six seconds...

	Beat.

					PICARD (V.O.)
			... hands abandon ship. Repeat,
			all hands abandon...

	The recording stops. A grim beat as they digest what
	they've heard.

  STAR TREK: "Cause and Effect" - REV. 1/14/92 - ACT FOUR  40.

41   CONTINUED: (3)

					TROI
			The phrase "collision course"
			suggests we collided with
			something.

					GEORDI
				(nods)
			Worf refers to a "distortion."
			If this were a temporal
			distortion, and if we were close
			enough to it... it's possible
			that a large enough explosion
			might've ruptured the space-time
			continuum.
				(beat)
			We collided... exploded... and
			got stuck in this repeating loop
			of time.

	They consider.

					PICARD
			If you're right about this...
			perhaps we could escape the loop
			by avoiding the collision...

					GEORDI
			That's our guess.

					WORF
			Maybe we should reverse course.

					RIKER
			For all we know, reversing course
			might be what leads us into the
			crash.

	Picard thinks a moment, then shakes his head.

					PICARD
			We can't afford to start
			second-guessing ourselves. We'll
			stay on our present course until
			we have reason to change it.
				(beat)
			In the meantime, let's do
			everything we can to avoid a
			collision.

	Nods all around.

  STAR TREK: "Cause and Effect" - REV. 1/14/92 - ACT FOUR  41.

41   CONTINUED: (4)

					GEORDI
			Captain... We may not find out
			how to avoid this accident until
			it's too late. And if the loop
			begins again -- we'll forget
			everything we've learned this time
			around.

					PICARD
			What do you suggest?

					GEORDI
			If we do find a way to avoid the
			collision... we should try to
			send that information into the
			next loop.

	An intriguing notion.

					RIKER
			Is that possible?

					DATA
			We have seen that echoes, or
			afterimages, from previous loops
			appear as distortions in the
			dekyon field. We may be able to
			send a deliberate echo into the
			next loop.

					TROI
			Like a message in a bottle...

					GEORDI
			Exactly. We could enhance a
			dekyon emission to create a
			specific pattern... and send
			ourselves a message. Not a long
			one -- probably only a few
			characters... maybe one word...

					RIKER
			How do we know we'll pick up that
			word the next time through?

					DATA
			If the dekyon emission is
			modulated correctly, it would set
			up a resonance in my positronic
			subprocessors. I would receive
			the information -- on what you
			would call a subconscious level.

  STAR TREK: "Cause and Effect" - REV. 1/14/92 - ACT FOUR  42.

41   CONTINUED: (5)

					GEORDI
			That's the catch. We're not sure
			how the information will be
			perceived by Data... it might
			be almost like a posthypnotic
			suggestion.

	They weigh the proposal.

					PICARD
			Even with all these uncertainties,
			we've got to try.
				(to Geordi and Data)
			Take whatever steps are
			necessary to send a message.
				(beat)
			Dismissed.

	As they rise to go...

42   INT. ENGINEERING (OPTICAL)

	Data seated at a console with a panel on his head
	exposed. Geordi makes a few adjustments to Data's
	circuitry. He then attaches a small EMITTER DEVICE
	to Data's uniform. Beverly looks on as Geordi makes
	the meticulous adjustments...

					GEORDI
			It's possible we've tried this
			a thousand times and it's never
			worked.

	It's a frightening thought.

					BEVERLY
			Do you have the feeling you've
			done it before?

					GEORDI
				(thinks)
			No, I don't.

					BEVERLY
			Neither do I. Maybe that's a good
			sign.

	Geordi nods, hopeful. He completes his adjustments
	to the emitter.

  STAR TREK: "Cause and Effect" - REV. 1/13/92 - ACT FOUR  43.

42   CONTINUED:

					GEORDI
				(re: device)
			Let's test the emitter.

	Data hits a few buttons on the emitter device.

					DATA
			Particle accelerators to full
			power.

  STAR TREK: "Cause and Effect" - REV. 1/13/92 - ACT FOUR  44.

42   CONTINUED: (2)

	Data's exposed panel starts to blink rapidly -- while a
	nearby console lights up with a GRAPHIC showing dekyon
	emission levels. Geordi studies the console.

					GEORDI
			Dekyon field active... particle
			flux nominal...
				(beat)
			We're in business.

	As Geordi puts the final touches on Data's emitter...

					BEVERLY
			All we need now is a message.

	Suddenly, the ship goes to RED ALERT.

					RIKER'S COM VOICE
			Senior staff report to the bridge.

					BEVERLY
			On our way.

	As they head for the door...

43   INT. BRIDGE (OPTICAL)

	Red Alert. Tension. Picard, Troi, Ro -- Riker
	standing near ops. N.D.s as needed. The viewscreen
	shows the TEMPORAL DISTORTION, as seen in previous
	Acts.

	Data, Geordi, Beverly ENTER and take stations. Data
	still wears the emitter device on his uniform.

	Picard and Riker exchange a glance. Their first major
	decision here -- how should they handle it? How do
	they avoid repeating the same mistakes?

					RIKER
			How do you think we might've
			handled this before?

	Picard thinks, but doesn't have an answer. He goes
	with his best instincts.

  STAR TREK: "Cause and Effect" - REV. 1/14/92 - ACT FOUR  45.

43   CONTINUED:

					PICARD
			Back us off, Ensign. Nice and
			slow.

					RO
			Aye sir.
				(beat)
			Captain -- maneuvering thrusters
			are not responding.

	On the screen, the distortion RIPPLES slightly.

					DATA
				(off console)
			The distortion field is
			fluctuating.

	Suddenly, the bridge lights FLICKER and GO OUT. The
	EMERGENCY LIGHTS come on -- a few consoles LOSE POWER.
	Picard and Riker look frustrated and vulnerable -- fate
	seems to be dragging them right back into danger...

					GEORDI
			All main systems just went down.
			Power levels dropping rapidly...

					DATA
			There is an energy build-up in
			the distortion field.
				(beat)
			Something is emerging...

	Suddenly, Troi is overwhelmed by a distinct and
	horrible feeling.

					TROI
				(certain)
			Captain -- we have to get out of
			here now.

	Picard looks at her, and then --

	On the screen, a STARSHIP EMERGES from the murk --
	HEADED DIRECTLY FOR US. Reactions.

					RIKER
			Shields up! Evasive maneuvers!

					WORF
			Shields inoperative!

       STAR TREK: "Cause and Effect" - REV. 1/7/92 - ACT FOUR       46.

43   CONTINUED: (2)

					RO
			The helm's not responding!

					DATA
			The vessel is on a collision
			course. Impact in thirty-six
			seconds...

					PICARD
			Hail them.

					WORF
			No response.

	On the viewscreen, the ship comes closer... closer...

					PICARD
			Suggestions?

					RIKER
			Decompress the main shuttlebay
			-- the explosive reaction might
			kick us out of the way.

	Data cuts in, his hands flying across the controls...

					DATA
			Captain -- I recommend we use the
			tractor beam to alter the other
			ship's trajectory.

					PICARD
			Mister Worf -- make it so.

					WORF
			Engaging tractor beam...

44   EXT. SPACE - THE ENTERPRISE (OPTICAL)

	The Enterprise sends out a TRACTOR BEAM -- but it's
	too late. The other ship COLLIDES with our starboard
	nacelle, jolting us aside. The Enterprise's starboard
	nacelle is DAMAGED, sending out stray jets of plasma...

       STAR TREK: "Cause and Effect" - REV. 1/14/92 - ACT FOUR      47.

45   INT. BRIDGE - CLOSE ON DATA

	as he has a realization about their situation -- he
	begins to make speedy mental calculations...

45A  THE SCENE

	SHAKING VIOLENTLY.

					RIKER
			Damage report!

	Beverly works a nearby console.

					BEVERLY
			Casualty reports coming in from
			all over the ship...

					DATA
			The starboard nacelle has
			sustained a direct impact. We
			are venting drive plasma.

					GEORDI
			Initiating emergency core
			shutdown.

	Geordi works quickly.

					RO
			Inertial dampers failing. We're
			losing attitude control...

					RIKER
				(to com)
			This is the bridge. All hands
			to emergency escape pods.

46   EXT. SPACE - THE ENTERPRISE (OPTICAL)

	The starboard nacelle FLARES, throwing the ship into a
	SPINNING MOTION, out of control...

47   INT. BRIDGE (OPTICAL)

	Round and round. Stars WHIPPING past on the
	viewscreen...

					DATA
			The core shutdown was
			unsuccessful. We are losing
			antimatter containment.

       STAR TREK: "Cause and Effect" - REV. 1/14/92 - ACT FOUR     47A.

47   CONTINUED:

					GEORDI
			We gotta eject the engine core!

					DATA
			The ejection systems are off-line.
			A core breach is imminent...

       STAR TREK: "Cause and Effect" - REV. 1/13/92 - ACT FOUR      48.

48   CLOSE ON DATA

	as he makes a conclusion about their situation. He
	glances up at Riker, who is standing beside him --
	no time to discuss it. He quickly and intently inputs
	a few discrete commands into the emitter device
	strapped to his uniform...

					PICARD (o.s.)
				(to com)
			All hands abandon ship. Repeat,
			all hands abandon --

49   EXT. SPACE - THE ENTERPRISE (OPTICAL)

	as it EXPLODES in a blast of fire and debris.
	Completely destroyed.

									FADE OUT.

                        END OF ACT FOUR                         

       STAR TREK: "Cause and Effect" - REV. 1/8/92 - ACT FIVE       49.

                           ACT FIVE                             

	FADE IN:

50   EXT. SPACE - THE ENTERPRISE (OPTICAL)

	At impulse in a starry region of space.

					PICARD (V.O.)
			Captain's log, stardate 45652.1.
			The Enterprise has entered an area
			of space known as the Typhon
			Expanse. We are the first
			Starfleet vessel to chart this
			unexplored region.

51   INT. RIKER'S QUARTERS - POKER TABLE

	(As seen in Acts One, Two, Three.) Poker game in
	progress. Riker, Data, Worf, Beverly. Data SHUFFLES
	the deck of cards with android speed and dexterity.

					RIKER
			Sometimes I wonder if he's
			stacking the deck.

					DATA
			I assure you, Commander, the cards
			have been sufficiently randomized.

					WORF
			I hope so.

	A look between Worf and Data, then Data deals one card
	face-down to each person. They glance at their cards.
	Worf looks agitated -- he keeps glancing around the
	room...

					RIKER
			Something wrong, Worf?

					WORF
			I am experiencing nIb'poH.
				(beat)
			The feeling I have done this
			before.

					RIKER
				(with humor)
			Yeah -- last Tuesday night.

					WORF
			That is not what I mean.

					BEVERLY
				(off his remark)
			I've been feeling the same
			way...

       STAR TREK: "Cause and Effect" - REV. 1/13/92 - ACT FIVE      50.

51   CONTINUED:

	Beverly stares at the deck of cards, entranced and
	utterly sure of her feelings...

					BEVERLY
			Wait.

	She points to each person, predicting their cards.

					BEVERLY
			An eight... an Ace... a Queen...
			a four...
				(beat)
			Deal the cards, Data.

	Data deals the cards face-up -- every card is a three.
	Beverly can hardly believe her predictions are wrong.

					BEVERLY
			I was positive I knew what cards
			were going to be dealt...

	Worf looks surprised, as well.

					WORF
			I was also sure.

					RIKER
			Finish the deal, Data.

	Data quickly lays out the cards, one by one. They
	watch with fascination as everyone is dealt
	three-of-a-kind. Reactions -- this is getting creepy.

					BEVERLY
			We all got three's... then
			three-of-a-kind?

	Curious, they turn over their last cards. As they
	marvel at the incident...

       STAR TREK: "Cause and Effect" - REV. 1/16/92 - ACT FIVE      51.

51   CONTINUED: (2)

					NURSE OGAWA'S COM VOICE
			Ogawa to Doctor Crusher.

					BEVERLY
			Go ahead.

					NURSE OGAWA'S COM VOICE
			Commander La Forge needs you in
			sickbay.

					BEVERLY
			On my way.

	They exchange an uneasy look as Beverly stands and
	EXITS...

51A  INT. SICKBAY (OPTICAL)

	Geordi sits on an examination table, while Beverly
	scans him with a medical tricorder. She centers around
	his ears and head...

					GEORDI
			At first I thought the catwalk
			was spinning. Turns out it was
			me.
				(beat)
			I'm lucky Ensign Fletcher was
			there to grab me -- it's a long
			way down to the bottom of the warp
			core.

	Geordi reacts to a sudden pain -- headache. Beverly
	completes her exam.

					BEVERLY
			You have all the symptoms of an
			inner-ear infection. That would
			explain your dizziness... and the
			headache.

	She reaches for a nearby hypospray.

					BEVERLY
			But I don't see any physical...

	She stops in mid-sentence, caught by a strange and
	sudden awareness. The same feeling she had in the
	poker game -- she's been here before.

       STAR TREK: "Cause and Effect" - REV. 1/16/92 - ACT FIVE     51A.

51A  CONTINUED:

					GEORDI
				(off her look)
			What is it?

					BEVERLY
			Geordi... have you ever had these
			symptoms before?

					GEORDI
				(thinks)
			Now that you mention it... I think
			I did.

					BEVERLY
			Do you recall when?

					GEORDI
			No, I don't.

	They both try to remember...

					BEVERLY
				(certain)
			We've had this discussion. I
			remember giving you this
			examination...
				(beat)
			Let's check the medical logs.

	They move to a nearby console. Beverly hits a few
	commands -- information comes up on the screen. They
	study it...

					BEVERLY
				(off console)
			You've been treated several times
			for headaches related to your
			VISOR... but I see no mention
			of dizziness.

	A beat as they consider.

					GEORDI
				(lightly)
			Must be deja-vu.

	Beverly looks troubled.

					BEVERLY
			Both of us -- about the same
			thing?

       STAR TREK: "Cause and Effect" - REV. 1/17/92 - ACT FIVE     51B.

51A  CONTINUED: (2)

	They exchange a mystified look. Beverly gets an idea
	-- she moves to a nearby diagnostic instrument (as seen
	in Act Three).

					BEVERLY
			Let's run an optical diagnostic.

					GEORDI
			For an ear infection?

					BEVERLY
			I've got a hunch...

	Geordi moves to the instrument, sits down and puts his
	chin in a headrest. Beverly connects his VISOR to the
	diagnostic instrument... works the controls.

					BEVERLY
			Hold still... this pulse may be
			a little bright...

	Beverly taps a command -- and a LIGHT is projected into
	Geordi's VISOR. Beverly analyzes the results.

					BEVERLY
				(off instrument)
			That's odd...
				(beat)
			Have you made any changes to your
			VISOR lately?

					GEORDI
			No. Why?

					BEVERLY
			I'm detecting a slight phase-shift
			in your visual receptors...

       STAR TREK: "Cause and Effect" - REV. 1/16/92 - ACT FIVE     51C.

52   INT. READY ROOM

	Picard relaxing in a chair, reading a leather-bound
	book (the same book seen in Act Two). A quiet moment
	as he reads... then pauses. A feeling of Deja-vu
	washes over him -- has he read this book before? He
	glances at the book title, flips through the pages a
	few times. Strange...

					BEVERLY'S COM VOICE
			Crusher to Captain Picard.

					PICARD
			Yes, Doctor?

					BEVERLY'S COM VOICE
			Can you come to sickbay
			immediately? It's urgent.

					PICARD
			On my way.

	Picard sets down the book, eyes it warily...

53   INT. SICKBAY

	Picard listening to Beverly and Geordi, near the
	optical diagnostic instrument (as seen in Act Three).
	Mid-conversation...

					BEVERLY
				(re: Geordi)
			His dizziness is being caused by
			a phase-shift in his visual
			receptors. It's causing him to
			see images that aren't there...

	Geordi looks around the room.

					GEORDI
			They're like... blurry
			afterimages.

					BEVERLY
			I ran a scan to see if I could
			detect what he was seeing.
					(MORE)

       STAR TREK: "Cause and Effect" - REV. 1/13/92 - ACT FIVE      52.

53   CONTINUED:

					BEVERLY (cont'd)
			I picked up miniscule distortions
			in the surrounding dekyon field.
				(beat)
			Somehow, his VISOR seems to be
			translating those distortions into
			visual impulses.

					GEORDI
			It could be a malfunction in the
			ship's warp field generator.
			I'll check it out.

					PICARD
			While you're at it, run a
			localized subspace scan to look
			for anything unusual.

					GEORDI
			Aye, sir.

					PICARD
			Keep me advised.

	As Geordi EXITS...

54   INT. ENGINEERING

	Later. Geordi and Data working at the consoles,
	analyzing the ship's sensors.

					GEORDI
			Lateral sensors on-line --
			subspace scanners active...
				(beat)
			Data, will you run a level two
			diagnostic on the warp subsystems?

					DATA
			Certainly.

	Data works the console at android SPEED...

55   CLOSE ON CONSOLE MONITOR (OPTICAL)

	Numbers begin to appear on the screen:

       STAR TREK: "Cause and Effect" - REV. 1/13/92 - ACT FIVE      53.

55   CONTINUED:

	3,3,3,3,3,3,3,3,3,3,3,3... All the numbers are three's.
	The console starts to BEEP in quick successions of
	three -- beep-beep-beep... beep-beep-beep...

56   RESUME (OPTICAL)

	Geordi looks at the monitor.

					GEORDI
			All three's... that can't be
			right.

	They watch the monitor, bewildered.

					DATA
			I have encountered the numeral
			"three" an inordinate number of
			times over the last two hours.

	Suddenly, another nearby console sounds a warning
	ALARM. Geordi runs to check it.

					GEORDI
			We've got a dekyon field
			fluctuation on deck nine, section
			twenty-eight...

					BEVERLY'S COM VOICE
			Crusher to Commander La Forge.

					GEORDI
			La Forge here.

					BEVERLY'S COM VOICE
			I just heard what sounded like...
			voices in my room. But there's
			no one here.

	Geordi keeps working.

					GEORDI
			Sensors just picked up something
			strange, too. We're checking it
			out...

					BEVERLY'S COM VOICE
			I'm on my way down.

	The CRASH of breaking glass is heard on Beverly's end
	of the com. Geordi and Data exchange a look.

       STAR TREK: "Cause and Effect" - REV. 1/22/92 - ACT FIVE      54.

56   CONTINUED:

					GEORDI
			Are you alright, Doctor?

					BEVERLY'S COM VOICE
			I'm fine.

	As they resume their work...

57   EXT. SPACE - THE ENTERPRISE (OPTICAL)

	at impulse.

58   INT. OBSERVATION LOUNGE (OPTICAL)

	Picard, Riker, Data, Worf, Geordi, Beverly and Troi.
	They are listening to the recording of the VOICES --
	the segments that Data isolated in Act Four. The wall
	monitor shows the causality loop diagram. The mood
	is tense -- they are in the middle of discussing their
	causality loop...

					WORF (V.O.)
			... a highly localized
			distortion...

	Beat.

					DATA (V.O.)
			... collision course. Impact in
			thirty-six seconds...

	Beat.

					PICARD (V.O.)
			... hands abandon ship. Repeat,
			all hands abandon...

	The recording stops. A grim beat as they digest what
	they've heard.

					TROI
			The phrase "collision course"
			suggests we collided with
			something.

       STAR TREK: "Cause and Effect" - REV. 1/14/92 - ACT FIVE     54A.

58   CONTINUED:

					GEORDI
				(nods)
			Worf refers to a "distortion."
			If this were a temporal
			distortion, and if we were close
			enough to it... it's possible that
			a large enough explosion might've
			ruptured the space-time continuum.
				(beat)
			We collided... exploded... and
			got stuck in this repeating loop
			of time.

	They consider.

					PICARD
			If you're right about this...
			Perhaps we could escape the loop
			by avoiding the collision.

					GEORDI
			That's our guess.

					WORF
			Maybe we should reverse course.

					RIKER
			For all we know, reversing course
			might be what leads us into the
			crash.

	Picard thinks for a moment, then shakes his head.

					PICARD
			We can't afford to start
			second-guessing ourselves. We'll
			stay on our present course until
			we have reason to change it.
				(beat)
			In the meantime, let's do
			everything we can to avoid a
			collision.

	Nods all around.

       STAR TREK: "Cause and Effect" - REV. 1/16/92 - ACT FIVE      55.

58   CONTINUED: (2)

					GEORDI
			Captain... We've been seeing the
			number three all over the ship.
			On consoles... in a poker game...

					DATA
			In total, we have encountered two
			thousand eighty-five conspicuous
			examples of the number "three."

					GEORDI
			All these "threes" can't be coming
			up by accident.

					RIKER
			Maybe somebody's trying to tell
			us something.

					GEORDI
			We came to the same conclusion...
			so we ran a shipwide diagnostic
			-- the only unusual thing we found
			was a dekyon field modulation in
			Data's positronic subprocessors.

					BEVERLY
			What could be causing it?

					GEORDI
			I don't know. But if I wanted
			to send information from one loop
			to the next... I might have used
			a method like a dekyon emission.

	A beat as they consider.

					TROI
			You think we sent ourselves a
			message?

					GEORDI
			It would make sense. Maybe we
			were trying to tell ourselves
			something...

	A beat.

       STAR TREK: "Cause and Effect" - REV. 1/13/92 - ACT FIVE      56.

58   CONTINUED: (2)

					PICARD
			If that were true... what could
			"three" indicate?

	They contemplate the riddle -- three... three...
	three...

					RIKER
			Maybe we should run a level three
			diagnostic on all key systems.

					GEORDI
			Good idea. And I'll have the
			computer run a pattern-matching
			algorithm based on the number
			three.

					RO'S COM VOICE
			Bridge to Captain Picard.

					PICARD
			Go ahead.

					RO'S COM VOICE
			We are getting unusual readings
			-- twenty thousand kilometers off
			the port bow.

	Reactions.

					PICARD
			Red Alert.

	The ship goes to RED ALERT. They rise and head for
	the door...

       STAR TREK: "Cause and Effect" - REV. 1/14/92 - ACT FIVE      57.

59   INT. BRIDGE - CONTINUOUS

	Picard and the others ENTER and take stations. Riker
	stands near Data, at ops.

					PICARD
			Report.

					RO
			Sensors didn't detect the
			phenomenon until we were almost
			on top of it, sir.

					WORF
				(off console)
			It is a highly localized
			distortion in the space-time
			continuum.

					RIKER
			On screen.

60   INTERCUT: VIEWSCREEN (OPTICAL)

	The area of space just ahead is MURKY and DISTORTED.
	Picard and Riker exchange a glance.

					RIKER
			How do you think we might've
			handled this before?

	Picard thinks, but doesn't have an answer. He goes
	with his best instincts.

					PICARD
			Back us off, Ensign. Nice and
			slow.

					RO
			Aye sir.
				(beat)
			Captain -- maneuvering thrusters
			are not responding.

	On the viewscreen: the distortion RIPPLES slightly.

					DATA
				(off console)
			The distortion field is
			fluctuating.

	Suddenly, the bridge lights FLICKER and GO OUT. The
	EMERGENCY LIGHTS come on -- and some of the consoles
	LOSE POWER.

       STAR TREK: "Cause and Effect" - REV. 1/14/92 - ACT FIVE      58.

60   CONTINUED:

					GEORDI
			All main systems just went down.
			Power levels dropping rapidly...

					DATA
			There is an energy build-up in
			the distortion field.
				(beat)
			Something is emerging...

	Suddenly, Troi is overwhelmed by a distinct and
	horrible feeling.

					TROI
				(certain)
			Captain -- we have to get out of
			here now.

	Picard looks at her, and then --

	On the screen, a STARSHIP EMERGES from the murk --
	HEADED DIRECTLY FOR US. Reactions to the sight --

					RIKER
			Shields up! Evasive maneuvers!

					WORF
			Shields inoperative!

					RO
			The helm's not responding!

					DATA
			The vessel is on a collision
			course. Impact in thirty-six
			seconds...

					PICARD
			Hail them.

					WORF
			No response.

	On the viewscreen, the ship comes closer... closer...

					PICARD
			Suggestions?

					RIKER
			Decompress the main shuttlebay
			-- the explosive reaction might
			kick us out of the way.

       STAR TREK: "Cause and Effect" - REV. 1/14/92 - ACT FIVE     58A.

60   CONTINUED: (2)

	Data cuts in, his hands flying across the controls...

					DATA
			Captain -- I recommend we use the
			tractor beam to alter the other
			ship's trajectory.

       STAR TREK: "Cause and Effect" - REV. 1/15/92 - ACT FIVE      59.

60   CONTINUED: (3)

					PICARD
			Mister Worf -- make it so.

					WORF
			Engaging tractor beam...

61   ON DATA

	as he works the console... and stops, having a powerful
	revelation. He turns and looks at Riker, who is
	standing beside him...

62   CLOSE ON RIKER

	PUSHING toward him slightly -- HOLD CLOSE ON the three
	pips of his uniform.

63   RESUME

	Data realizes what he must do. He rapidly works the
	console...

					DATA
			The tractor beam will not be
			successful. I am decompressing
			the main shuttlebay...

	As he works at hyper-speed...

64   OMITTED

65   CLOSE ON SAUCER SECTION (OPTICAL)

	We see the huge main shuttlebay DOORS OPEN a crack --
	light spills out from the inside, and a gust of VAPOR
	jets out, becoming a gale force as the doors open
	further...

66   WIDER ANGLE (OPTICAL)

	as the Enterprise takes a gentle NOSE DIVE, tumbling
	downward and out of the way. The other ship just
	misses us. As this happens, the Enterprise leaves
	behind several ghostly AFTERIMAGES of itself --
	Enterprises from previous loops. Each afterimage plays
	out the same fate, as they all hit the other ship and
	EXPLODE...

       STAR TREK: "Cause and Effect" - REV. 1/15/92 - ACT FIVE      60.

66   CONTINUED:

	The genuine Enterprise and the other ship escape
	unharmed...

67   INT. BRIDGE

	The TREMBLING subsides. bridge lights COME ON.

					WORF
			We are clear of the distortion,
			Captain.

	A sigh of relief. They get their bearings. Picard
	turns to Data.

					PICARD
			Data -- what happened?

					DATA
			At the last moment, I speculated
			that "three" might refer to the
			number of rank insignia on
			Commander Riker's uniform.
				(beat)
			This indicated to me that his
			suggestion was the correct course
			of action.

	Reactions to the explanation.

					GEORDI
				(to Data)
			You must've picked up a message
			we sent from the last loop...
			and stacked the deck in the poker
			game without realizing it.

					DATA
			That is possible, Commander. I
			may also have been inadvertently
			responsible for the unexplained
			appearances of the number
			"three."

	A beat as this sinks in.

					PICARD
			Mister Worf, end Red Alert. See
			if you can access a Federation
			time-base beacon. Find out how
			long we've been in this causality
			loop.

       STAR TREK: "Cause and Effect" - REV. 1/23/92 - ACT FIVE      61.

67   CONTINUED:

					WORF
			Aye, sir.

	Worf works -- the ship goes out of Red Alert.

					WORF
				(off console)
			Time-base confirms that our
			chronometers are off by seventeen
			point four days.

	Reactions to the news.

					PICARD
			Reset them, Mister Data.

					DATA
			Aye, sir.

	Worf reacts to his console.

					WORF
			Captain -- we are being hailed
			by the other vessel.
				(off console)
			The computer identifies it as the
			U.S.S. Bozeman. A Federation
			starship, Soyuz class.

					GEORDI
				(reacts)
			Soyuz Class... they haven't been
			in service for over eighty years.

	Picard and Riker exchange a concerned look. Picard
	takes a breath, preparing for the encounter.

					PICARD
			Open a channel.

68   INCLUDE VIEWSCREEN (OPTICAL)

	CAPTAIN BATESON and his FIRST OFFICER appear. (Their
	uniforms and surroundings are reminiscent of the
	original series.) They study our bridge, confused by
	what they see.

					BATESON
			This is Captain Morgan Bateson of
			the Federation Starship Bozeman.
			Can we render assistance?

       STAR TREK: "Cause and Effect" - REV. 1/23/92 - ACT FIVE      62.

68   CONTINUED:

					PICARD
			Captain Jean-Luc Picard of the
			Federation Starship Enterprise.
			We were just going to ask you the
			same thing.

	Bateson exchanges a confused glance with his First
	Officer.

					BATESON
			Captain Picard... your ship is
			unfamiliar to us.

	An awkward beat.

					PICARD
			Have you any idea what just
			happened?

					BATESON
			Our sensors detected a temporal
			distortion. Then your ship
			appeared... we nearly hit you.

					PICARD
			The Enterprise has been caught
			in temporal causality loop. And
			I suspect something similar
			happened to you.

					BATESON
			You must be mistaken. We only
			left starbase three weeks ago.

	Picard isn't sure how to put this...

					PICARD
			Captain Bateson... do you know
			what year it is?

					BATESON
			Of course I do -- it's twenty-two
			seventy-eight.

	Reactions around the bridge.

					PICARD
			Captain... perhaps you should beam
			aboard our ship.
				(beat)
			There's something we need to
			discuss.

       STAR TREK: "Cause and Effect" - REV. 1/8/92 - ACT FIVE       63.

68   CONTINUED: (2)

	Bateson nods, growing very concerned. OFF Picard's
	grim expression, as he anticipates the problems that
	lie ahead for these ancient prisoners of time...

68A  EXT. SPACE - THE ENTERPRISE (OPTICAL)

	facing the Bozeman...

									FADE OUT.

                        END OF ACT FIVE                         

                            THE END                             




