EPISODES FEATURING CHEZ SANDRINE - illustrated episode excerpt

JETREL

Tuvok and Neelix are playing pool in the Chez Sandrine holoprogram, watched by its creator Tom Paris. Holocharacter Gaunt Gary, a representation of a famous pool hustler, also watches with interest.

Neelix: "He hasn't left me with a single shot." Gaunt Gary: "In that case, pal, call a safety." Neelix: "Safety?" Paris: "Er, it's a defensive strategy - since you can't make a shot, the idea is to leave the cue ball somewhere on the table where Tuvok can't make a shot either." Neelix: "Oh, I don't know. Sounds cowardly." Gaunt Gary: "Suit yourself, pal, but if you leave Vulcan Slim over here with an open shot, he's got a very good chance of running the table."

Neelix: "Alright. Safety." He prepares his shot.

He plays, sending the cue ball around behind others.

Neelix, gleefully: "Ah ha, ha, ha, ha! Mr Vulcan, let's see you reason your way out of this conundrum." To Paris: "This 'safety' business is a lot more satisfying than I imagined. I've left him with an impossible shot."

Tuvok: "The shot may be difficult, Mr Neelix, but to say that it is impossible is an exaggeration." Neelix: "Go ahead then. Call your shot." Tuvok: "Logic would dictate that if I strike the cue ball properly, it will deflect first off the rear bumper, then the side, striking the eleven ball and causing it to roll directly into the corner pocket." Paris: "This I have to see."

Tuvok plays, propelling the cue ball straight into the corner pocket.

Tuvok: "Perhaps the ship's stabilisers are not operating at peak efficiency." Gaunt Gary: "Yeah, and maybe Tom Terrific over here forgot to tell you that Sandrine's table rolls a little to the east." Neelix: "You should've called a 'safety'." The comm. signal sounds. Janeway, via comms: "Janeway to Mr Neelix. Please report to the Bridge." Neelix leaves for the Bridge.