LIFESIGNS
Episode 35
Part C

 

The Doctor is explaining his ongoing treatment to Danara who is watching and listening to him attentively. Doctor: "I've finished ingrafting the Klingon neural tissue to your cerebral cortex. Now all I have to do is create an axonal pathway between that tissue and your basal ganglia." Danara: "Your technique is very impressive."

Doctor: "It's all part of my programming. For example, this exact procedure was developed by Dr Leonard McCoy in the year 2253. I'm equipped with the collective medical knowledge of more than three thousand cultures. Additionally, as you see here, my imaging system allows me to perform, and in many cases improve upon, the most delicate tactile maneuvers required by a dizzying array of surgical procedures." Danara: "Incredible." Doctor: "It is, isn't it? Hand me the sub-micron suture, please." She does so and he employs it. "There, that should do it."

Doctor: "Ah, excellent work, Dr." He leaves the surgical bay, followed by Danara. Danara: "I was only assisting." Doctor: "Nonetheless, that assistance was invaluable. It could be two or three days before we'll know if the graft will hold. In the meantime, perhaps I should deactivate your program temporarily."

Danara, surprised: "Do you have to?" Doctor: "It would slow the degradation of your synaptic patterns."

Danara: "But I have so much energy!" Excited: "I don't know, maybe it's the excitement of the surgery or, or maybe it's this new body. What I'd really like to do is take a walk and see the rest of your ship."

Doctor: "Unfortunately, that's not possible. However, if you're looking for something to do, please feel free to use my office to access our medical database. You'll find several interesting texts on comparative endocrinology." Danara: "Alright. Thank you."

Doctor: "On second thought, there is some place else we could go."

In the Chez Sandrine holoprogram Neelix is playing pool with Paris. There are numerous holo-characters there. An accordion-player plays dance music.

Danara and the Doctor are seated at a table. Danara: "It's wonderful. If I had a place like this to go to, I'd be there every day." Doctor: "Don't your people have recreational facilities?" Danara: "Congregation in groups is strictly regulated. It's considered to be a threat to public health." Doctor: "A wise policy." Danara: "I suppose. Sometimes I think my people spend so much time trying to save lives, they don't know how to live any more."

Neelix comes up to the table. "Doctor! Aren't you going to introduce me to your date?"

Doctor: "She's not my date. She's my patient." Neelix: "I'm sorry. I didn't realise." Doctor: "Mr Neelix, this is Dr Danara Pel." Neelix to Danara: "As chief morale officer, may I be the first to welcome you to Voyager."

The Gigolo comes up. "Madame, your loveliness illuminates our dark little cavern. May I have the pleasure of this next dance?"

He reaches for Danara's hand, but she automatically pulls away, shocked by the fact that he was going to touch her.

Doctor, understanding Danara reaction: "Go away, immediately, both of you. You're disturbing my patient."
Gigolo to the Doctor: "You are just jealous because you cannot dance!"
Neelix to the Gigolo: "Let's go. You're making the lady nervous." To Danara: "Nice to meet you."
They leave.
Doctor: "I apologise."
Danara: "No. They were just being nice."
Doctor: "Irritating, isn't it?"
Danara: "I guess I'm just not used to so much attention. Where I come from, when you're as sick as I am, people, healthy people, stay away from you. I guess I forgot for a second that I don't look like that any more."
Doctor: "It's a natural response."

Danara: "All this talk about me. There's still so much I'd like to know about you." Doctor: "There's not much to tell really. My program was developed by Dr Lewis Zimmerman in a lab on Jupiter Station. I was activated on stardate 48308. Since that time I've performed 347 medical exams, healed 11 compound fractures, performed 3 appendectomies, and in my greatest feat of medical prowess I once cured Mr Neelix of an acute case of the hiccups." Danara laughs. "You're very funny." Doctor: "I am? Well, several clinical studies have shown humour to be very therapeutic. Consider it part of your treatment. What is it?" Danara: "It's, er, just that I, I haven't laughed in a very long time. Thank you."

There is an awkward silence between them. "Well, what did that man mean when he said you can't dance?" Doctor: "That's dancing."

Danara: "And you can't do it?" Doctor: "It's not part of my programming." Danara: "Oh. I see."

Doctor: "Well, Dr Pel-" Danara: "Please, call me Danara." Doctor: "As you wish, Danara." Danara: "And what about you? What should I call you?" Doctor: "Well, as I said-" Danara: "I know. You don't have a name. Would it be alright if I gave you one?" Doctor: "Well, I-" Danara: "How about - Shmullus?"

Doctor: "Shmullus." Danara: "It was my uncle's name. He used to make me laugh too." Doctor: "Dr Shmullus. I think I like the sound of that."

After a pleasant evening in the holoprogram, the Doctor and Danara materialise in Sickbay. Doctor: "Ah! Here we are." Danara: "Yes, here we are." The Doctor, though enjoying her company, finds it hard to know what to say, and when he does speak the words come out rather jerkily. Doctor: "Danara, I think we should-" Danara, eagerly: "Yes?" Doctor: "Deactivate your program for at least eight hours." Danara, disappointed: "If you think it's best." Doctor: "I do." Danara: "Alright, then." Doctor: "Alright. Computer-" Danara: "Shmullus." Doctor: "Yes?" Danara: "I had a wonderful time." Doctor: "I'm pleased." Danara: "Thank you, for everything." Doctor: "Thank you for giving me a name." Embarrassed without knowing why, he falls back on: "Er, well, good night, Danara." Danara: "Good night, Shmullus."

Doctor: "Computer, deactivate Vidiian Program Alpha." Her program goes offline, and the Doctor is left, in the dark, suddenly feeling alone.

USS Voyager cruising at warp speed.

There are a good number of crewmembers in the Messhall. Chakotay walks up to Paris who is dining alone at a table.

Chakotay: "Mind if I join you?" Rather surprised, Paris indicates Chakotay should take a seat, which he does.

Chakotay: "So how are things, Tom?" Paris: "Excuse me?" Chakotay: "How have you been feeling lately? Something bothering you?"

Paris laughs. "Oh, oh, no offence Commander, but why this sudden concern for my feelings?" Chakotay: "Well, you've been moody lately, indifferent to your duties. To be honest, you don't seem to be taking your job very seriously. If you've got a problem, I'd like to know what it is."

"What's that supposed to mean?"

Paris: "Yeah, I've got a problem. My problem is you." Chakotay: "You care to elaborate?" Paris: "You tell me I don't take my job seriously. But half the time, you don't let me do my job." Chakotay: "What's that supposed to mean?" Paris: "It means that you don't trust my judgement. You don't allow me to take initiative. Remember last week. I suggested that we might save time by travelling through that emissions nebula. But what did you say? 'Oh, no. That's not the way we do things on this ship.'" Chakotay: "Look, sometimes I'm not going to agree with your suggestions. But making decisions is part of being a leader. Maybe someday you'll understand that." Paris: "Being a leader also means knowing when to give your people a little leeway and let them be creative. I might as well put this ship on autopilot for all the freedom you give me to do my job." Chakotay, sternly: "I didn't come here for a lecture from you on how to do my job." Paris: "Yeah, well, I know you don't put much stock in my opinion." He stands up and says loudly: "So maybe you should talk to some of these people," everyone turns to look at him, aware he and Chakotay are arguing, "because I'm not the only one around here who's got a problem with you. Now, if there's nothing else," adding insolently, "sir," continuing: "I'd like to be excused."

Chakotay: "Sure, Paris. You're excused."

Paris strides out of the Messhall. One or two crewmembers look at him as he goes. One crewmember in particular, Crewman Michael Jonas, is thoughtful.