SEVEN OF NINE BECOMING HUMAN : SOCIAL LESSONS Page 2

	In Chez Sandrine's, where the Doctor is acting as the pianist, Chapman tells Seven she looks beautiful. She replies that he looks beautiful too. Seven: "Where is our designated location?" Chapman: "Best table in the house." He confides that he was not sure if she would show up. Seven replies that she requested his presence. To be honest, he wondered if his friends had put her up to it. They reach the table and Seven sits down, leaving Chapman briefly at a loss because he was expecting to show her into the chair he was holding for her.
	Chapman: "Champagne?" Seven: "Synthehol impairs my cortical function. Water will suffice." Chapman: "Mind if I-?" Seven: "Proceed." Chapman: "I must admit, I'm a little nervous." Seven: "Elaborate." Chapman: "Oh let's just say, it's been a long time since I've been out on a date." Seven: "I've never been on a date. As a result I am experiencing anxiety as well." Chapman: "In that case, I guess you could say we've got something in common."
	Feeling awkward and increasingly nervous, Chapman discreetly tries to attract the attention of the waiter. Seven stands up and calls loudly, "Server, report to this station: we require your assistance."
	Chapman: "Problem?" Seven: "This creature has an exoskeleton." Chapman: "Er, it's a lobster. They're a delicacy on Earth. Try it."
	Seven looks towards the Doctor for help. He motions how to deal with the lobster.
	Seven breaks the lobster in half, causing bits to fly and land on Chapman's clothes.
	Seven is disconcerted. She says she will replicate him a new garment. Chapman makes the best of it. He suggests that maybe they should order dessert. Seven: "You wish to accelerate our social encounter." Chapman: "No, no, I didn't say that. Just er, I'm having a very" (he searches for the word, wanting to be honest but not rude) "...interesting...evening."
	They dance even though Seven says "That activity is covered in Lesson 35. I haven't reached it yet." Chapman says he is not very good himself, "but it might be fun." "As you wish," Seven replies flatly.

Chapman's expressions reveals to the tv-viewer that Chapman is finding the experience a strain but is making a brave effort.

Seven finds dancing awkward. Seven sees the other couple dancing: one of them spins the other, and Seven tries this with Chapman but he is not expecting it and there is a "crack!" as he sags to the floor, injured. The Doctor rushes over, scans him with his tricorder and tell him he has torn a ligament: he needs to go to sickbay where Paris will treat him. The Doctor adds there is no need to tell Paris how it happened (Chapman of course does not understand why particularly but we know it is because the Doctor does not want Paris to know how the date ended in disaster).

Chapman: "I had a great time, Seven. Let's do this again...some day." By his tone Chapman is just being kind and polite, for he actually means "never again".

Seven wishes to stop her lessons. She says, "I have failed. I wish to terminate our social lessons." but the Doctor encourages her.
Doctor: "Even Romeo and Juliet hit a few snags at first. Besides, Lieutenant Chapman's not the only lobster in the sea."
Doctor: "Just because you didn't achieve perfection your first time out doesn't mean you should give up."
Seven: "Dating is a poor means of interaction. There is far more efficiency in the way you and I communicate. We say what we mean simply and directly."
Doctor: "You and I do have a rapport, but we're colleagues, we're not pursuing romance."
Seven: "No."
Doctor: "I'm certain you'll be able to master these basic skills in short order."
Seven: "My first date was certainly short."
Doctor: "Was that a joke?"
Seven: "Lesson 6 Beguiling Banter."
Doctor: "Now you're getting the hang of it. Perhaps this evening doesn't have to end so abruptly. This may be a good time to cover Lesson 35 Shall We Dance."

The Doctor shows Seven how to dance to the computer's instrumental version of 'Someone to Watch Over Me'. "Don't worry," he tells her, "I don't have any ligaments to tear."

At the ambassador's reception, the ambassador is drunk, merry and far too loud. Seven arrives with the Doctor. Paris goes up to them. Doctor: "Mr Paris, I believe you know Seven of Nine, my date for the evening." Paris: "Oh, you don't say. Well, your last date ended up in sickbay. I hope this one goes a little smoother." Doctor: "There's no need to be insulting." Seven: "It's alright, Doctor, I believe he was merely engaging in small talk. May I get either of you gentlemen a drink?" Paris: "Gin and tonic with a twist." Doctor: "You know I don't drink. I don't have the stomach for it." Paris winces at the joke. Seven: "A well-crafted joke, Doctor." Paris to the Doctor as Seven gets the drink: "Impressive. You've actually taught her to be polite."

Seven's Lesson 23 Toast the Town: "Ladies and gentlemen, I require your attention. May cultural differences encourage us to build bridges of understanding. To all that makes us unique." The drunken ambassador is much taken with Seven and tells Neelix he wants to meet her.

Paris to Doctor: "I've got to admit it, you've done wonders. Alright, you win." Seven: "Win?" Paris to Doctor: "I know when I'm licked. You tell me when you want me to start those double shifts." Seven: "You made a wager regarding me. Clarify." Doctor: "It's not what you think." Paris: "Um, don't blame him, it was my idea." Seven: "I believed your interest in my social development was sincere, not motivated by personal gain." Doctor: "It was sincere." Seven: "Clearly I am not the only one who requires social lessons." Sarcastically, as she leaves: "Thank you for a lovely evening."

Tobin: "Hey, why don't we go back to my quarters? I've studied human mating rituals." Seven: "Remove your hand or I will remove your arm!"

Neelix and Chakotay try to take Tobin in hand. But he shakes free and shouts that he isn't weary, he wants another drink. Then he falls down and passes out.

The Doctor apologises to Seven about the wager. Doctor: "I can see how you might have felt manipulated, but I assure you that was never my intention." Seven: "I accept your apology." Doctor: "I want to make this perfectly clear, so there's no room for misunderstanding. I asked you to go with me to the reception because I enjoy your company, in fact, over the past few days I feel as though we've grown closer." Seven: "Closer?" Doctor: "We've become more than colleagues, we're....friends." Seven: "Friends. Agreed."

Seven enters the holodeck and presents the Doctor with a gift: a medical tricorder whose scanning resolution she has enhanced 33% - the Doctor once stated a desire for it: Lesson 22 Thanks for the Memories. Seven: "I chose to convey my gratitude at this time because I no longer require your assistance. It's obvious there are no potential mates for me aboard this vessel. However if I will encounter a compatible individual in the future I will again seek your guidance."