Work Text:
INT. GARAK’S TAILOR SHOP.
Garak is attending to a lovely couple. Two dads, a Starfleet
officer and a cinnamon bun fawning over a gorgeous dress
especially made for their daughter.
TAREL
Oh, Ariela will love it.
LT. AMERAL
We saw the work you did for
Molly O’Brien and Keiko told
us all about the process.
TAREL
Yes, we knew we couldn’t
say no to such a wonderful
tradition.
LT. AMERAL
She is going to be so
pleased how it turned out.
GARAK
I am glad to be of service. I
am sorry to hear that Ariela
is feeling unwell. Do bring
her in if the dress requires
any adjustments.
TAREL
I’m sure that it won’t.
LT. AMERAL
Thank you once again.
GARAK
Oh, it was nothing as I said -
-
TAREL
‘You are happy to serve.’
Garak bows slightly to them and the two leave the shop with a
lighter step in their walk. Giggling, and passing Ziyel who is
also barely containing her joy.
ZIYEL
Did you hear the news?
GARAK
I don’t believe I have. I am
sorry, I have been cooped up
in the shop the whole day.
ZIYEL
An art gallery is opening on
DS9 and they are taking
submissions from the
residents.
GARAK
Well that is lovely. The
station is in dire need more
culture. The DS9 community
theatre players are
delightful, but their last
performance of the Hamlet
in the original Klingon left
much to be desired.
ZIYEL
I am considering applying.
GARAK
Why that is wonderful. You
should. A promising young artist
such as yourself would be a perfect fit
ZIYEL
I have to write an artist
statement, and I hoped that
you and Major Kira would
talk it over with me.
Garak hesitates at the word ‘Major Kira’
GARAK
I’d be delighted.
INT. CELESTIAL CAFE
Major Kira is sitting at a table with a drink and reading a
PADD. Garak approaches her, sees she is alone, and
changes his demeanor to more formal.
GARAK
Good afternoon Major.
MAJOR KIRA
Garak.
GARAK
May I join you, while we wait
for Ziyel?
Major Kira gestures to an open seat, keeps reading, and
sipping her drink. Garak and Major Kira sit in silence for what
feels like a painful eternity, but is likely only 30 seconds, when Ziyel
comes towards the table waving and carrying a large portfolio.
Major Kira puts away her PADD and smiles. Garak gets up
and pulls out a chair for Ziyel. Ziyel places the portfolio beside
her and out of sight.
ZIYEL
I am sorry to keep you both
waiting. I had a difficult time
deciding which work to bring.
GARAK
I look forward to seeing it all.
MAJOR KIRA
I’m curious to see what
you’ve been working on.
ZIYEL
Yes, but I have to decide a
theme for the show, and
create work supporting the
theme.
MAJOR KIRA
You have to make specific
work for the gallery? You
can’t show what you’ve
already made?
GARAK
Is it an artist residency?
ZIYEL
Yes, the gallery wants the
artists to work in the studio
space and give lessons to
the children visiting the
gallery.
MAJOR KIRA
Connecting the community.
That’s a great idea. What
were you thinking?
ZIYEL
I... don’t know yet. It’s a
pretty big question. What
can I show people? What do
I have to share with
everyone?
GARAK
You’ve had a very
interesting life. All of that
can spark artistic inspiration.
Growing up on Bajor during
the Cardassia’s reign.
MAJOR KIRA
The occupation.
GARAK
Yes, the occupation. Or
perhaps even prison colony.
Many great artists use their
pain as inspiration for their
work. Do you have anything
about those experiences
you’d want to discuss?
MAJOR KIRA
You could talk about life on
the Klingon ship or
transferring to DS9. There is
a lot to cover with both of
those topics.
ZIYEL
Those are both very good
ideas. I’m glad to talk to
both of you about them...
but...No. I’ve thought about
it a lot and I don’t want to
make work about suffering,
but about healing from it.
Growing. Parts of the healing process.
The life that lives
around us... that we overlook.
How despite our differences
a lot of us share similar
things, and we need stop
and take joy in those things
or we forget what is
important.
Both Kira and Garak’s hearts grow a 1/2 size. Both can barely
contain their shock.
MAJOR KIRA
Ziyel, that’s beautiful.
GARAK
I agree with the Major,
beautiful.
ZIYEL
You don’t think it’s silly? Or
naïve?
GARAK
Not at all.
MAJOR KIRA
Healing is challenging work.
It takes a very strong person
to move past pain and begin
to heal. To see that not
everything is suffering. I’m
happy for you.
ZIYEL
When I was at the art
academy on Bajor I noticed
so many similarities
between ideas in art works
from Cardassia and Bajor.
That we all have a life to
live. That there is duty to
family. Even the smallest
plant has meaning.
Ziyel takes a out a rag from her pocket and wipes down the table. She lays her
portfolio flat and opens it revealing many works on paper.
Some very simple brush work of flowers from Bajor, others
more complex architectural drawings, renderings of
photos and holographic recreations of buildings on Cardassia
Prime. Both Garak and Kira gravitate to the work that
impresses them.
ZIYEL
I’m studying different art
styles from both Bajor and
Cardassia. I’m trying to find
the spirit of their art. Some
are practice on technique.
GARAK
You are very accomplished.
Once you have technique
down the possibilities are
endless.
MAJOR KIRA
These flowers are more
than flowers. They are
beautiful, and tragic at the
same time.
ZIYEL
Thank you. I enjoy the
impermanent nature of
plants. They have such
short lives but their lives are
meaningful. And then there
are others that are timeless,
that lived through so many
events. Or keep growing
and return despite their
destruction.
Garak picks up one the ink works of an old growth forest on
Bajor.
GARAK
I know this is Bajor, but the
style is very distinctly
Cardassian Spectrum 8.
MAJOR KIRA
No, it’s Bajorian late
transcendentalist.
ZIYEL
I’m hugely influenced by
both of them, and their
connection with nature and
the spirit. That the brush
can be a connection to soul.
That we should look at a
single blade of grass and
understand it, and then
paint it. Empty your mind of
all thoughts.
MAJOR KIRA
You are combining Bajorian
and Cardassian philosophies?
GARAK
Very radical Cardassian
thinking. Human too,
Julian... Doctor Bashir has
told me about Earth’s
Japanese Sumi-e painting,
Zen Buddhism and it’s
influence on a mostly French group of painters
called the Impressionists.
People’s connection to
nature seems to be a
universal concept.
MAJOR KIRA
These are all very lovely. I
think if you apply with the
less technical drawings, and
use the ones from your
heart it will be a very strong
show.
GARAK
I agree. Don’t get me wrong,
I do love a very technically
sophisticated rendering, but
these ones of nature are
wonderous.
ZIYEL
Thank you, I made the
pigment myself.
MAJOR KIRA
You made the ink?
ZIYEL
Yes, and the paper. It’s
much harder now that I am
back on DS9, but on Bajor
there were so many plants. I
spent days experimenting
making my own colours.
GARAK
Very impressive. Is there
going to be an opening?
ZIYEL
I haven’t applied yet. I’m still
preparing.
GARAK
I’m certain you will get it.
ZIYEL
Garak.
GARAK
No, no, no, I have a very
refined taste and what you
have proposed is profound.
What I am concerned about
is the minute detail of what
you will wear to your
opening.
ZIYEL
I haven’t got in yet.
MAJOR KIRA
Garak.
GARAK
Major, I think we both can
agree this is a very
compelling idea. Perfect for
DS9. And even if you don’t
get the position I believe a new outfit
is a fantastic way to
celebrate.
ZIYEL
You don’t need to trouble
yourself.
GARAK
It is no trouble at all. What
kind of Cardassian would I
be if I let the only other
Cardassian --
Major Kira gives a killer look
GARAK
--Of Bajorian descent, go to
their own art opening
without appropriate attire?
ZIYEL
It is a good idea...
GARAK
Of course it is! Now, don’t
worry about expense. This
is on me as a loyal patron of
the arts.
MAJOR KIRA
Don’t let Quark hear you
say that.
Ziyel giggles. Garak is determined to kill with kindness and
formality.
GARAK
Now I have some ideas.
ZIYEL
As do I. I was thinking
something that could honour
both my heritages.
Garak is deflated for less than a millisecond, and then the
wheels in his head begin to turn, boatnecks, complex lattice
work, blue, bold reds, structured fabric, lose and flowing
fabric. The possibilities of combining Bajorian and Cardassian
fashion are oddly exhilarating.
GARAK
Yes, this will be an exciting
opportunity.
Ziyel smiles and makes a gleeful noise.
INT. DOCTOR BASHIR’S QUARTERS
Julian Bashir and Garak are settling in for the night. Drinks in
hand with light nibbles. The two unwind after a long day of
clothes to be hemmed and patients to be mended.
BASHIR
She made the ink herself?
GARAK
Yes! The blue she made
had beautiful granulation
and such deep colour. The
way she mixed the colours. I
hadn’t seen anything like it.
BASHIR
I’ve gotten so use to
replicated art work, or
holographic artwork, that
someone getting their hands
dirty and finding bits and
bobs grinding it down.. is..
fascinating!
GARAK
It’s wonderous, but much
harder to do on a space
station.
BASHIR
Right. How is she going to
forage for supplies?
GARAK
The Major is going to put
her in touch with the botany
lab and see if they have
anything to spare. And she
offered to talk to Quark if he
had any kitchen scraps to
give Ziyel.
BASHIR
He will make her pay for it.
GARAK
Oh yes. I buy hand dyed
fabrics, and I had thought to
get in touch with my
suppliers, but that defeats
the point.
BASHIR
It does but it’s very kind.
There are a couple of
supplies in medical that
leave quite the stain and are
utterly harmless. Maybe the
other restaurants have
scraps as well? We eat out
so regularly maybe it’s
worth asking.
Both Bashir and Garak ponder this conundrum for quite a
while. And then Bashir begins to laugh.
GARAK
What?
BASHIR
Look at both of us.
GARAK
Both us... doing what?
BASHIR
Acting like parents trying to
help our daughter with her
art project.
GARAK
That is what loving parents
do.
BASHIR
You have got me there. Big
old loving dad to my chosen
Bajorian Cardassian
daughter. Do you remember
when she’d flirt with you?
GARAK
Not her fault at all. With Gul
Dukat as a father she
couldn’t help what you
humans make light of a
serious issue and call it
‘Daddy issues’.
BASHIR
Yes, very poor and dated
term that put the blame on
child and not the terrible
behaviour of absent and
distance fathers.
GARAK
Gul Dukat would love the
term. Anything to put blame
on someone else.
BASHIR
She’s grown so much. I
think about everything she’s
been through. It’s like she’s
starting to find herself, and
grow comfortable with
herself.
GARAK
They do grow up so fast
Doctor.
BASHIR
Have you thought about it?
GARAK
Thought about what?
BASHIR
Having kids?
GARAK
Of course I’d thought about
it. It’s every Cardassian’s
duty to serve family and
continue family.
BASHIR
I mean us.
Garak chokes on his drink a little.
GARAK
Us?
Garak shifts for a moment. The conversation did not go the
direction he expected.
GARAK
I.. I... we aren’t living
together. Or Married! I’m not
the kind of person that
would have children out of
marriage. I will not do that.
BASHIR
And I’m not saying you
would. Just that wouldn’t be
nice to extend our family?
See if we could do it right.
Maybe have two or three,
and then later on a ‘opps
baby.’
GARAK
An ‘opps baby’?
BASHIR
It’s when your children are
older, and there’s a ten or
twenty year gap between
them. Because you got
bored and missed having
kids around. Or you forgot
birth control. I’ve always
imagined myself as an ‘opps
baby’ person.
GARAK
Is it really an ‘opps’ if you
planned it?
BASHIR
Well I suppose not, but how
will anyone else know? The
intention is still there.
GARAK
Well, I have no counter
argument.
Bashir straightens. And puts down his drink. Serious, but
playful.
BASHIR
You? You have no
argument? You? Are you feeling well?
GARAK
I am perfectly well. But you
have caught me off guard.
It’s very difficult to argue a
position I had long assumed
I had no stake in.
BASHIR
You very much have a stake
in this. Argue away.
GARAK
All of it sounds so
lovely...but I’ve been...
Garak stops talking.
BASHIR
I think I know what you were
going to say, and I’m not
mad. Was it 'deceived'? I’m
not deceiving you, but I did
spring this on you without
warning. I am sorry for that.
We can talk about this later
when you’ve had time to
come up with an appropriate
argument.
GARAK
I look forward to it.
BASHIR
As do I
The smile and cheers their glasses.
INT. DS9 - CORRIDORS
Ziyel is walking with very full pack, bits of plants sticking out of
it, and clink of jars and talking to Major Kira.
ZIYEL
Everyone has been so
generous. I can’t even begin
to thank you and everyone.
MAJOR KIRA
You don’t need to thank me.
I think everyone is very
excited to help you.
ZIYEL
Even Captian Sisko. I hadn’t
expected him to collect so
many onion skins for me,
and divide them by colour.
He is a very busy person
and I did not expect such
kindness. I’ll make the most
wonderous yellows, browns
and purples for him.
MAJOR KIRA
Captain Sisko likes cooking,
the idea that you are also
making something with your
hands is something he
understands very well.
ZIYEL
I still can’t believe I’ve been
accepted. Next week the
children will visit the gallery
and I’ll show them some of
the easier inks to make, and
brush strokes. I’ll show them
how to use the six nobles
and they’ll get to take home
a painting for their families.
MAJOR KIRA
Expect some failures. Not
everyone takes to a brush
as well as you do.
ZIYEL
That’s not true! I didn’t. I’ve
spend more hours throwing
out drawings and paintings.
Doing brush strokes over
and over. This project is a
great one, because it’s
simple. The result looks so
good, even when you make
a mistake. You have to
embrace the mistake and
make it part of the work.
MAJOR KIRA
Your enthusiasm is great.
The kids will love it.
ZIYEL
You think so?
MAJOR KIRA
Of course. Is everything
alright?
ZIYEL
Most of the kids are
Bajorian, and I worry how
they will take a part
Cardassian teacher.
MAJOR KIRA
I know most of the parents.
They know I like you and
that we are very close. They
know that you are a very
good person.
ZIYEL
But... it will be strange for
them.
MAJOR KIRA
Maybe it’s as you said.
ZIYEL
As I said?
MAJOR KIRA
Part of the healing process.