Uhura nods.
SPOCK.
A most curious creature, Captain. Its trilling seems to have a tranquilizing effect on the human nervous system.
Kirk raises an eyebrow at Spock, who is absently stroking the tribble.
SPOCK.
(continuing) Fortunately, I am of course, immune to its effect.
Kirk grins at him, turns to leave. Spock comes out of it, realizing he is petting the tribble almost hypnotically, puts it down.16 He follows Kirk out during: MCCOY.
(to Uhura) Lieutenant, do you mind if I take one of these things down to the lab to .nd out what makes it tick?
UHURA.
It"s all right with me, but if you"re planning to dissect it, I don"t want to hear about it.
MCCOY.
Lieutenant, I won"t hurt a hair on his head. Wherever that is.
McCoy exits with a medium-sized tribble.
ENSIGN FREEMAN.
Say, Lieutenant, if you"re giving them away, could I have one too?
UHURA.
Sure, why not? They seem to be old enough.17 The crewman takes one eagerly-others also help themselves.
CUT TO:.
32A INT. CORRIDOR-KIRK AND SPOCK 32A.
Kirk and Spock round a bend, pause as: CHEKOV"S VOICE.
(.ltered) Bridge to Captain Kirk.
KIRK.
(goes to b.u.t.ton) Kirk here.
CHEKOV"S VOICE.
Mr. Baris is waiting on Channel E to speak to you, sir.
KIRK.
Pipe it down here, Mister Chekov.
CHEKOV"S VOICE.
Aye, sir. Mr. Baris is coming on.
KIRK.
Kirk here. What is it, Baris?
INTERCUT Baris in Lurry"s of.ce and Kirk in corridor.
BARIS.
Kirk! This station is swarming with Klingons!
KIRK.
I was not aware that twelve Klingons were a "swarm," Mr. Baris.
BARIS.
(quieter) Captain Kirk. There are Klingon soldiers on this station. I want you to keep that grain safe.
KIRK.
I have guards around your grain...I have guards on the Klingons! Those guards are there only because Star.eet wants them there! As for what you want...
(angry pause) It has been noted and logged. Kirk out.
Kirk savagely slams off the b.u.t.ton. He turns and starts away down the corridor.
SPOCK.
Captain...may I ask where you"ll be?
KIRK.
Sickbay. With a headache!
He exits as we: DISSOLVE TO:.
33 INT. LAB 33.
McCoy"s lab. Bones is a.n.a.lyzing a sample of something as Kirk enters. In the f.g., is a box of tribbles.
KIRK.
When you get a chance, Bones, I"d like something for a headache...
MCCOY.
(looking at Kirk) Let me guess...the Klingons...Baris?
KIRK.
Both...
McCoy nods as Kirk moves to look at the box of tribbles.18 KIRK.
(continuing; looking at tribbles) How many did Uhura give you?
MCCOY.
(taking pills from cabinet) Just one.
KIRK.
You"ve got eleven here.
MCCOY.
Oh, you noticed that.
He returns to Kirk with a couple of pills.
MCCOY.
(continuing; handing Kirk tablets) Here. This ought to take care of it.
Kirk, holding the tablets but concerned with the tribbles.
KIRK.
Bones...? Uh-what...? How...?
MCCOY.
I"m still trying to .gure it out myself... I can tell you this much-almost .fty percent of the creature"s metabolism is geared to reproduction-Do you know what you get if you feed a tribble too much?
KIRK.
A fat tribble?
MCCOY.
(slightly irked at being a straight man) No. You get a whole bunch of hungry little tribbles.
Kirk swallows the headache pills.
KIRK.
(starting to leave) Well, Bones, I suggest you open a maternity ward.
Kirk exits. McCoy looks at the tribbles and grimaces and we:19 DISSOLVE TO:.
34 OMITTED 34.
35 TRANSPORTER ROOM 35.
...where a small knot of men are waiting to beam over to the s.p.a.ce station for sh.o.r.e leave. Chekov is one of them. Mr. Scott is at the console with a technician. Kirk is speaking to him...
KIRK.
I want all men who are going on sh.o.r.e leave to stay in groups. Avoid any trouble with the Klingons.
SCOTT.
Aye, Captain, I"ll tell them before they go.
KIRK.
Mr. Scott, aren"t you going on sh.o.r.e leave?
SCOTT.
(puzzled slightly) No, sir.
KIRK.
Mr. Scott, I want you to go on sh.o.r.e leave. I want you to make sure there will be no trouble with the Klingons.
SCOTT.
But, Captain- Kirk stares Scott down.
SCOTT.
(continuing, sad) Aye, Captain.
KIRK.
And Scotty...
(Scott looks up) Enjoy yourself.
Scott moves to the transport platform, and we: DISSOLVE TO:.