MindSifter

EXT. SPACE

A twentieth century Earth rotates serenely in space.

MCCOY (V.O.)

Chief Medical Officer's Log, Stardate 6208.4...

EXT. HOSPITAL

An aging, brick hospital poised menacingly on a hill.

MCCOY (V.O.)

The death of the Captain comforts me...unfortunately.

INT. HOSPITAL BASEMENT

A typical cement basement of a 1950's USA mental hospital. Dark, dusty, and filled with seldom-used, abandoned junk.

MCCOY (V.O.)

For if Jim Kirk were alive somewhere...

CLOSE UP - an old boiler furnace.

MCCOY (V.O.) (CONT'D)

...this ship of misery...

EXtreme close up - kirk, cowering behind the furnace.

MCCOY (V.O.) (CONT'D)

...would haunt his soul.

In the darkness, we see Fred and Frank making their way through the room, flashlights and a straight jacket in hand.

They are searching halfheartedly for the missing patient. They don't care if they find him: this is more of an excuse not to actually be working with the patients.

FRANK (O.C.)

He's gotta come out sometime.

FRED (O.C.)

Yeah, he'll get hungry. They all get hungry.

CLOSE UP - KIRK

He reacts: hell, yes, he's hungry.

But...DANGER! These men embody his terror now. He HAS to stay hidden - has to stay safe!

His body doesn't care about the rational: his hunger suddenly wins and a whimper escapes his lips. Horrified, he slams a his hand over his mouth to stifle the dangerous noise.

NORMAL POV

Fred and Frank STOP. What was that noise? Kirk... or a mouse? They whip their flashlights to shine in the direction of the furnace - but not on the furnace.

The LIGHT reveals nothing but dusty junk.

They move on.

CLOSE UP - KIRK

We HEAR the footsteps of Fred and Frank moving away.

Kirk's safe. Or is he? This hospital threatens not only his body - but one fleeting, tenuous thread of sanity.

We HEAR a DOOR OPENING. DANGER!

AND FOOTSTEPS - lighter than the ones before. DANGER!

HAMLIN (O.C.)

Jimmy, where are you?

This voice is different - safe?

NORMAL POV

Hamlin makes her way through the cellar with a flashlight.

HAMLIN (CONT'D)

Jimmy?

KIiRK (O.C.)

Help me. Please!

Thank God!

HAMLIN

I'm coming ...wait there!

CLOSE-UP ON KIRK

Hamlin's legs appear beside him. She bends down.

HAMLIN (CONT'D)

Oh, Jimmy... I was so worried. Why did you run away?

She touches him. Kirk instinctively recoils. Is this a trap?

HAMLIN (CONT'D)

It's all right. I'm Jan. You remember Jan, don't you?

Yes. Jan was.. nice: gentle.

KIRK

Jan?

HAMLIN

That's right, Jimmy. You remember.

Yes, Jan would help. Kirk takes hold of her hand.

HAMLIN (CONT'D)

Come now, get up.

She gently coaxes the reluctant Kirk to a standing position.

HAMLIN (CONT'D)

That's good. Come, let's go find you something to eat.

She tugs encouragingly at his hand and he starts to follow...

Until a sudden NOISE of something falling in the room...

DANGER! He pulls back: and pulls her off balance. She trips and falls toward Kirk, who catches her.

Kirk freezes: holding her shoulders, staring down at her as their eyes meet. This is familiar. Something familiar...right

HAMLIN (CONT'D)

(gently, but alarmed)

Let me go now, Jimmy.

KIRK

I...I want to...

HAMLIN

Jimmy? You want to what?

KIRK

I...want...

What does he want? Her shoulders are soft: they feel good in his hands. Deep within him... something familiar...

FRANK (O.C.)

Hey! Get away from her, you nut!

Frank grabs Kirk and knocks him upside of the head. He falls to his knees.

HAMLIN

Stop it! Frank, don't - please!

DANGER! Kirk starts to crawl away...

FRANK

Fred! Here's our Superman. Caught him fooling around with Nurse Hamlin.

Frank grabs Kirk and picks him up, jamming him face-first against the wall. His breath is knocked out of him and his face is scraped and bleeding. He starts to sob in fright.

FRANK (CONT'D)

We'll teach you to keep your dirty paws off our nurses!

HAMLIN

Leave him alone! He didn't mean anything.

Frank yanks Kirk around to face him. DANGER! He struggles.

HAMLIN (CONT'D)

I tripped - he helped me: kept me from falling!

FRANK

I've seen you with this guy before - you're kinda soft on him, ain't ya?

Kirk breaks free and starts to run - but is caught by Fred, who is holding a straight jacket. Frank joins him and Kirk goes limp - they push him to the floor.

HAMLIN (O.C.)

Stop it! Stop it! I'll report you!

They don't have the time or energy for this nonsense. They pin his form against the floor as he's writhes in fear.

KIRK

Help me! Sp...Spock? Help me Spock!

FRED

Shut up! Damnit, you'll start all the loonies in the place howling!

KIRK

Spock!

SMASH CUT TO:

EXT. SPACE

An ice-covered planet, busy with ships in orbit. The Enterprise leaves orbit and flies into space.

INT. BRIDGE

Spock's head snaps up - his jaw hard - as Kirk's voice echoes in his mind, unheard by anyone but him.

DeSalle, Sentell, Sulu, Chekov, Xon, Uhura, Peter and Prescott at their stations. Spock in the command chair, hands a CLIPBOARD back to a YEOMAN - who EXITS.

SULU

On route to Wilson's Planet, WARP 2

SENTELL

Captain, I estimate two days to resupply the ship and take on the needed provisions for the outward archeological colonies.

DESALLE

I hope they've received the equipment we ordered. I don't want to sit around waiting.

SPOCK

Hope is a futile use of time, Mr. DeSalle. Contact the base and do what you must to ensure timely delivery of the equipment.

DESALLE

(dour)

Aye, Sir.

Uhura stands and approaches Spock. This captain may not care about the crew, but Uhura certainly does.

UHURA

Captain, we're going to be at the planet for two days: this is a perfect opportunity to give the crew some much-needed Shoreleave.

SPOCK

As First Officer, it is Commander Scott's task to delegate duty shifts and recommend leave.

UHURA

Mr. Spock, this crew hasn't had leave since - since you took command, Sir.

SPOCK

Indeed. And every crewmember will remain on board this ship until I choose to give permission for leaves.

Uhura has plenty to say about that, but...

SPOCK (CONT'D)

(coldly)

Lieutenant, if you do not return to your station immediately, I will have you relieved of duty.

The crew reacts: this is uncalled for - but not unexpected.

UHURA

Yes, Sir.

INT. HOSPITAL CORRIDOR

Hamlin walks Kirk through the abandoned patients lingering in the hall. They are naked, or half dressed in old rags that used to be clothes.

KIRK

Thank you.

She's startled: after all this time a sign of comprehension?

HAMLIN

(carefully)

For what, Jimmy?

KIRK

For being...nice.

Yes - comprehension!

HAMLIN

You're welcome, Jimmy.

KIRK

Jim.

(falters)

Yes, Jim - not "Jimmy".

HAMLIN

(hope rising)

'Jim' what?

He struggles to remember - the failure on his face.

KIRK

Jim - I - don't - just Jim.

HAMLIN

That's all right. It doesn't matter.

As they walk, their surroundings intrigue him.

KIRK

Jan, why is it straight?

HAMLIN

Why is what straight?

KIRK

The corridor - it's straight. It should curve.

She catches her breath. This is too much to hope for. He's never put a thought into so many words before, and never a memory.

HAMLIN

Yes, this corridor is straight: it should be. You're thinking of another corridor, someplace else.

KIRK

Yes, another one - a blue one - is curved.

HAMLIN

Do you know where?

He hesitates and becomes confused.

HAMLIN (CONT'D)

That's alright.

Her voice calms his fears, and he's calm when he speaks.

KIRK

(with finality)

It's not here.

HAMLIN

No, Jim, it's not.

They continue to walk.

INT. HOSPITAL DINING ROOM - MOMENTS LATER

Dinner time. PATIENTS - some eating, some oblivious to their food. ORDERLIES - some helping, some ignoring them.

Kirk and Hamlin take seats at a table on which an ORDERLY has just placed a tray of food. As he moves to leave...

HAMLIN

(knowingly)

Eddie, no lottery today on who chokes first.

Eddie is unmoved as he heads off..

EDDIE

The world is what it is.

The reminder weighs heavily on Hamlin, but she's recalled to her task as Kirk reaches for his own battered spoon. She moves to take it...

KIRK

No. I - I can.

She acknowledges and watches with baited breath as he struggles to eat the grayish-gravy mess of food - slowly getting the hang of it. She can't believe the change in him.

Kirk takes a drink from the coffee cup and makes a face.

KIRK (CONT'D)

Cold. Just once I'd really like a cup of hot coffee.

She's stunned. He's speaking clearly, casually: as though they'd been talking for hours.

HAMLIN

And you shall have it.

She moves to stand, but he suddenly panics and grabs her arm.

KIRK

Don't leave me, Jan!

HAMLIN

I'm not leaving you.

She points to the serving counter.

HAMLIN (CONT'D)

I'm going there - for coffee.

(pats his hand)

Watch me.

Kirk's eyes are fixed on her as she retrieves the coffee, returns with it, and sits back down.

Kirk carefully tastes the steaming coffee.

KIRK

Just how I like it. You programmed the selector just right.

HAMLIN

I - what?

KIRK

It usually takes months to train a new yeoman.

Hamlin catches her breath. Yeoman?

Suddenly, a LOUD CLANGING BELL can be HEARD - the programmed end to visiting hours, although there haven't ever been visitors. The patients react anxiously to the sound, but..

Kirk is on his feet, striding toward the door with determination and purpose. Hamlin scrambles after him into...

INT. HOSPITAL CORRIDOR - CONTINUOUS

Hamlin catches up to the striding Kirk when he stops suddenly. He's not frantic: he's all business.

KIRK

Where's the turbo-lift? Which way?

HAMLIN

Jim, there's no...

KIRK

Red Alert! I've got to get to the bridge!

The bell stops. Confusion grips Kirk.

KIRK (CONT'D)

What happened? Why...why did it stop?

(confusion growing)

Where is the...?

Hamlin's heart sinks as the confusion grows. As it all slips away, Kirk is fully aware of what he's lost: an awareness that is almost impossible to see. It's heart-wrenching.

KIRK (CONT'D)

It's gone. Jan, I almost...

She knows.

HAMLIN

It's alright. Come'on, Jim: I'll take you back to your room.

INT. KIRK'S HOSPITAL ROOM - MOMENTS LATER

Hamlin watches Kirk sadly as he sits on the bed. His eyes are dull, withdrawn once more.

She EXITS. Kirk stares out the window at the darkening sky.

KIRK'S POV

A pin-point of light moves across the sky: a late plane.

NORMAL POV

A spark: he sits forward and reaches toward the window: touching it. He whispers.

KIRK

Spock? Help me...please..

INT. CORRIDOR

As Spock strides, the crew salute: but throw piercing glances at his back. He ENTERS -

INT. TURBOLIFT - CONTINUOUS

He turns. And as the door closes...

He reels - a wave of emotion wresting it's way free and crashing over him. This is becoming a familiar struggle. 4 months of buffeting the crew's anger and resentment: 4 months of carrying alone hope and despair that he needs -

He raises a shaking hand to his face, closing his eyes as he struggles to gain control again.

INT. SCOTT'S OFFICE

At his desk, a frustrated Scott faces a conglomeration of data tapes, padds, and tape readers as Uhura ENTERS.

UHURA

Do you ever plan to come up for air and get something to eat?

SCOTT

Lass, I can diagram an engine circuit in my sleep, but duty rosters and rotations...

(firmly)

The department heads should schedule their own people!

UHURA

(sternly)

I'm taking you out of here.

SCOTT

I don't have time...

UHURA

I'm here to help.

SCOTT

There's no help for me, lass.

uHURA

(hurt)

Scotty, you don't trust me! I spoke to the Captain, made some calls...

She steps aside from the door and COMMANDER DECKER ENTERS.

UHURA (CONT'D)

Mr. Scott, I'd like to introduce you to our new First Officer - Commander Decker.

Scott melts in relief.

EXT. SPACE

The twentieth century Earth.

EXT. HOSPITAL

Establishing shot - the dismal brick hospital atop a hill.

INT. DOCTOR WRIGHT'S OFFICE

An overworked administrator's office scattered with arcane props from science fiction movies. WRIGHT, a large man with a kind face and soul, faces Hamlin as he repeats it - again.

WRIGHT

He had no I.D. Missing Persons has no record of anyone meeting his description. The FBI has no record of his fingerprints.

HAMLIN

(insistent)

The red alert, the yeoman, the strange costume...he's always staring at the stars.

WRIGHT

A secret military organization? That's what you're thinking? Even if it were true...no one is going to want a paranoid schizophrenic back.

She's an immoveable force. He sighs.

WRIGHT (CONT'D)

I hope you realize how futile this is.

HAMLIN

Maybe they think he's dead - gave up looking for him.

The door opens, and a NURSE lets in A NEWS PHOTOGRAPHER and REPORTER, then EXITS.

WRIGHT

Thank you for coming, gentlemen. I'm sure nothing will come of it...just one more forgotten patient in a mental hospital.

REPORTER

A picture, a human interest story: hey, I get paid by the inch...so it's all good to me.

An ORDERLY and KIRK ENTER. Dressed in his uniform, his hair neat, Kirk stands with easy confidence: his body remembering who he is in these clothes, even if his mind does not.

WRIGHT

Gentlemen, I give you Jim Doe. Jim: these men are from the Daily News. They're going...

KIRK

(easily)

To put my picture in the paper to see if anyone recognizes me. Where should I stand?

The reporter indicates a spot, and Kirk moves there. A flash: Kirk cringes.

REPORTER

(to photographer)

Make sure you get a full-length one so that outfit will show.

(to Wright and Hamlin)

What's he supposed to be anyway?

Another flash - another cringe. Kirk steadies himself.

WRIGHT

That's enough.

(to Kirk)

Nurse Hamlin will bring you back to your room now.

Kirk stares at him, concentrating. This is a good day.

KIRK

Who are you?

WRIGHT

I'm Doctor Leonard Wright: Chief of Staff here.

KIRK

Doctor...

(suddenly)

Doctor Leonard - Bones? You're not McCoy!

(curt, sure)

What have you done with him? He's my Chief Medical Officer - not you, Doctor Wright. Where's Bones?

HAMLIN

That was the other...

An idea strikes Hamlin suddenly: she seizes on the moment.

HAMLIN

Who are you? Your name...James...

KIRK

James T. Kirk, Captain of the...

The name and rank suddenly rips everything away again. Pain and terror overtake his mind. He fights it, screaming...

KIRK (CONT'D)

I am Captain Kirk! I am Captain Kirk!

Hamlin is horrified - devastated - as he writhes, screaming against the full force of the Mind-Sifter again: visions of unspeakable horror, fear and excruciating pain.

KIRK (CONT'D)

Spock! Spooooock!

The photographer takes another photo.

INT. REC ROOM

A dismal group again. This is not a ship where people enjoy anything: not even their time off. McCoy and Scott sit together. Chekov is alone, silently studying a computer screen and drinking tea.

MCCOY

(guiltily)

Scotty, I just realized: I haven't thought about Jim in almost a week.

SCOTT

I find myself doing that too - forgetting.

MCCOY

I can't even remember when I started speaking about him in the past tense. When it changed...

ON CHEKOV - over the shoulder we see -

ON SCREEN - turning pages from an old American textbook.

SCOTT (O.S.)

The memorial service. It put an end to my hope of ever finding him.

ON SCOTT AND MCCOY AGAIN - CHEKOV BEHIND THEM

MCCOY

(reluctantly)

I guess that was it. Maybe it was a bad idea.

SCOTT

If we just knew what happened...then, maybe...

He's interrupted as Chekov stands suddenly, knocking the chair backwards.

The two men are on their feet and beside him.

MCCOY

What's wrong?

CHEKOV

Look at this photograph!

He moves out of the way and the two peer closer.

What they see is not possible.

HARD CUT TO:

INT. BRIDGE - MOMENTS LATER

ON VIEWSCREEN (OPTICAL)

A B&W photo of group of men in old-style uniforms studying an old piece of military equipment. The photo zooms on two men at one side - KARGH and KLAAR in Klingon uniform.

SPOCK (off camera)
What are we looking at, Mister Chekov?

NORMAL POV. Spock, Sulu, Xon, Uhura, Peter, Prescott, and DeSalle are at their stations. M'RESS is at navigation.

Chekov is at the science station with the tape. McCoy and Scott are standing next to the command chair.

CHEKOV
This is an old American history book I was studying!

ON VIEWSCREEN AGAIN

NORMAL POV

The image brings the crew to their feet.

UHURA

Klingons!

(confused)

What are they doing in a book on Earth's history?

SPOCK

(quickly)

The date of publication of that book, Mr. Chekov?

CHEKOV

This photo is credited to Nineteen fifty four, Sir.

XON

Impossible. The Klingons do not know how to travel in time.

A beat.

DESALLE

Do they?

All eyes turn to Spock.

The only sound is the hum and click of the automatics as Spock is silent. Relief - and pain - cross his features.

SPOCK

I may know where James Kirk is - and why.

END ACT TWO