Star Trek: The Motion Picture Page #13

SULU:

(continuing; gently

reminding)

Lieutenant Ilia...?

ILIA:

(a beat; then

quickly)

Confirmed, Mr. Sulu. Confirmed.

And she punches in some equations, then again peers

up at the doors where she last saw Decker. She is

very concerned.

140 INT. KIRK'S QUARTERS 140

The doors opening, Kirk entering, McCoy moves to b.g.

while Decker stands attentively, waiting as Kirk

turns to him.

KIRK:

Explanation, Mr. Decker: Why was

my phaser order countermanded?

DECKER:

(cool, polite)

Sir, the Enterprise redesign

increases phaser power by

channeling it through the main

engines. When they went into

anti-matter imbalance, the

phasers were automatically cut

off.

Kirk is surprised by this information, perhaps slight-

ly chagrined. After a beat:

KIRK:

Then you acted properly, of course.

DECKER:

Thank you, sir. I'm sorry I embar-

rassed you.

KIRK:

You saved the ship.

DECKER:

(coolly)

I'm aware of that, sir.

KIRK:

(flaring)

Stop competing with me, Decker!

DECKER:

Permission to speak freely, sir?

KIRK:

(tight)

Granted.

DECKER:

Sir, you haven't logged a single

star hour in two and a half years.

That, plus your unfamiliarity

with the ship's design -- in my

opinion, sir, seriously jeopardizes

our mission.

Kirk reacts with anger. Struggles for and regains

control.

KIRK:

I trust you will... nursemaid me

through these difficulties, Mister?

DECKER:

Yes, sir, I'll do that.

Kirk peers at Decker, who stands facing him

determinedly.

KIRK:

Then I won't keep you from your

duties any longer, Commander.

(whirling at McCoy)

Yes, Doctor?

Kirk's last line has drowned out Decker's "Aye, sir."

McCoy says nothing, waits until Decker is gone and the

door closes behind him. Then:

McCOY

He may not be wrong, Jim.

141 OMITTED 141

- -

142 142

143 INT. CORRIDOR 143

Decker moving toward an elevator -- the elevator doors

open, and there is Ilia. She steps out, faces him.

ILIA:

Was he difficult?

DECKER:

No more than I expected

(hesitates)

Not as difficult as this. I'm

sorry...

ILIA:

That you left? or that you didn't

say 'goodbye'?

DECKER:

If I'd seen you again, would you

have been able to say it?

ILIA:

(long hesitation;

then shakes head)

No.

Ilia whirls, moves toward her stateroom door, which

snaps open, then closes behind her. Decker stands

gazing at the door, remembering, regretful.

144 OMITTED 144

144A INT. KIRK'S CABIN - KIRK AND McCOY 144A

KIRK:

Get out of here, Bones.

McCOY

(shakes head)

As ship's doctor, I am now

discussing the subject of

command fitness.

Kirk's expression hardens.

KIRK:

Make your point, Doctor.

McCOY

The point, Captain, is that it's

you who's competing...

(a beat, as Kirk reacts)

You pulled every string in the

book short of blackmail to get

the Enterprise -- maybe even

that. And when this mission is

over, you have no intention of

giving her back.

KIRK:

(tight)

I intend to keep her, is that

what you're saying, Doctor?

McCOY

It's an obsession -- that can

blind you so far more immediate

-- and critical responsibilities.

Your reaction to Decker is an

example.

Kirk studies him a beat; has McCoy touched a nerve?

Something Kirk himself might have been unaware of?

Kirk starts speaking, but is interrupted by:

UHURA'S INTERCOM VOICE

Bridge to Captain.

144B ANGLE TO INCLUDE CABIN VIEWER 144B

as Kirk turns to it.

KIRK:

Viewer on.

At his VOICE COMMAND, the viewer comes on with AN IMAGE

of Uhura at her console.

UHURA FROM VIEWER

Signal from a Federation-registered

long-range shuttle, sir. She

wishes to come alongside, and

lock on.

KIRK:

For what purpose?

On the viewer, Chekov's IMAGE replaces Uhura.

CHEKOV:

It is a courier, Captain. Grade

One priority. Non-belligerency

confirmed.

KIRK:

Very well, Mr. Chekov, see to it.

Viewer off.

Viewer IMAGE FADES. Kirk turns back to McCoy whose

question of Kirk's fitness still hangs there between

them. Eye to eye - then, finally:

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