11:59
Episode 117
Part F

Events in the year 2000 involving Shannon O'Donnel appear in this style.

 

Shannon bangs on the door of the shop. Henry: "We're closed!" Shannon: "It's me!" She knocks on the door again. Henry: "I said we're closed!" Shannon: "That's not what the sign says! Dammit, Henry, it's cold out here!" Henry: "Who's with you?" Shannon: "Nobody but us galliformes." He opens the door and she hurries inside, but does not seem pleased to see her. "Thought you'd be in Ohio by now. Car break down again?" Shannon turns the electric lights on. He turns them off. "What the hell are you doing?" Shannon: "Get your things. We're leaving." Henry: "I'm not going anywhere." Shannon: "Do I have to drag you out the front door!" Henry: "You can try." Shannon: "Henry-" Henry: "I won't leave." Shannon: "It's over." Henry: "I'm going to have to ask you to leave." Shannon: "Half the town is out there. You're on the News. Maybe you'll even go down in history. You've made your point." Henry: "Well, obviously I haven't, because if I had you wouldn't be asking me to sign my life away." Shannon: "Maybe if you looked up from your books once in a while you'd see what's in front of you." Henry: "Oh please, no more speeches about the future!" Shannon: "So long as I don't have to hear you pontificate about the past." Henry: "It's a deal. Glad we had this chat. Goodbye." Shannon: "It's almost midnight, Henry." Henry: "Exactly. I've won." Shannon: "What have you won? The right to hide behind these shelves for the rest of your life?" Henry: "It's worked so far." Shannon: "Well, it isn't working for your son, or this town, or me." Henry: "Look, I know you've got a job to do." Shannon: "Oh this isn't about the job." Henry: "Then why are you here?" Shannon: "It was the cookies." Henry: "Cookies?" Shannon: "I was on the interstate. I stopped for gas, and I bought a bag of chocolate chip cookies in a convenience store. It's a little ritual of mine. Whenever I get back on the highway I like to treat myself." Henry: "I see. Well, erm, what does this have to do with anything?" Shannon: "They didn't taste good, Henry. It wasn't the same. I just kept thinking about you and how I wish you'd been there." Henry: "Actually I prefer oatmeal cookies. I'm allergic to chocolate." Shannon: "Oh you don't know what you're missing. It's been a long time, but I'm starting to feel like I've found a place. I'd like to stick around for a while, with you and Jason." Henry: "And we'd like to have you." Shannon: "But I can't work in a bookstore for the rest of my life. I've been given a second chance, Henry, and I can't lose that. I'm stuck in the future, you're stuck in the past, but maybe we could get unstuck in the present." Henry: "I don't see how without sacrificing my-" Shannon: "You know, Mr Moss offered me a job in Canton even though I failed to keep up my end of the bargain. Guess he felt sorry for me. But I'm prepared to turn him down, if you want me to stay with you." Henry is starting to come around. "I suppose I could re-open my shop in that monstrosity you want to build." Shannon: "And I'll have a few connections. I could probably get you a nice remote location so nobody would bother you." Henry: "Not much profit in that. You sure you won't drive away again?" Shannon: "No. But if I do, we'll make the trip together." Henry no longer has any doubts. He makes his decision. "What time is it?" Shannon: "Minute to midnight." Henry: "Then we're not too late." Jason watches the shop, wondering what is happening between Shannon and his father, but hoping for the best. Marci Collins is about to report that the midnight deadline has passed. Gerald Moss is disappointed at the apparent turn of events. Suddenly Shannon steps outside the shop. Everyone watches intently. Then Henry comes out and turns the sign on the door from 'Open' to 'Closed'. Jason is delighted that his father has chosen to close the shop but mainly because his father and Shannon have just become a couple. Jason, Henry and Shannon. The crowd bursts into applause. Henry, Shannon and Jason as the three walk slowly away from the book shop toward their new future together.

On USS Voyager, Janeway is mulling over Shannon's life which she has learned about. The com. alert sounds. comms. signal "Neelix to Captain Janeway." She presses her combadge, which is on the shelf in front of her. combadge "Yes?" Neelix, via comms: "Captain, would you mind coming to the Messhall?" Janeway, via comms: "Is there a problem?" Neelix, via comms: "No. No emergency. But I need to speak with you, personal matter." Janeway, via comms: "Give me a minute."

A short while later Janeway enters the Messhall. standard doors The senior staff are waiting for her, champagne glasses in hand. It is a surprise party! An ebullient Neelix calls out: "Happy Ancestors' Eve!" They echo him.

Janeway: "What's all this?"

Neelix: "It's April 22nd, Ancestors' Eve, a holiday first established well er today actually, with the Captain's permission." Janeway mock-rebukes him: "Neelix."

Chakotay: "I think he's onto something - an evening of reflection in honour of those who came before." Kim: "Hear, hear! Uncle Jack would approve." Torres: "It got me out from under a warp conduit, I'm all for it." Janeway: "I appreciate what you're trying to do but-" Paris: "Neelix, the gift."

Janeway is surprised. "What gift?"

Neelix presents her with the photograph he found in the Ferengi database. He has framed it. "Shannon O'Donnel-Janeway, circa 2050. We did a little more research. This photograph was taken in a small park near Portage Creek, 28 years after the dedication of the Millennium Gate. I thought it would look nice in your Ready Room, on the shelf next to your desk?"

Janeway: "Thank you. But I'm not so sure she has a place there any more."

Seven: "You are mistaken, Captain." Janeway: "Oh?" Seven: "Her life captured your imagination. Historical details are irrelevant." Tuvok: "I concur with that analysis." Chakotay: "If it weren't for Shannon O'Donnel you wouldn't have joined Starfleet." Janeway: "Yeah, and I would never have got you all stuck here in the Delta Quadrant." Torres: "It gave us all time to get to know each other."

The Doctor picks up his holocamera. "Time for a family portrait of our own." He sets it on the counter facing them. "Everyone, gather around the Captain, please. Face the camera. Smile." He sets the autocontrol on his holocamera then joins the group.

Janeway raises her glass: "To family." Everyone echoes: "To family!" Doctor: "Another one for posterity." But the others disagree, and the group breaks up into an informal gathering which everyone will enjoy and remember for a long time.

It is 2050 and the photograph of Shannon O'Donnel-Janeway and her family is taken, a copy of which one day Janeway will hold in her hand.

Shannon notices the boy Kieran sticking two fingers up behind the person on Shannon's right. "Come here, Kieran," Shannon tells him. "That's an order."

Shannon poses with her grandson for another picture.