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INT. HOSPITAL OFFICE – AFTERNOON
A middle-aged JULIAN BASHIR slides into his seat looking harried, brushing his hands through his hair as though there is something in it. He is dressed in an official-looking dress shirt that is slightly askew as though he has been working harder than the shirt was intended to manage. He mutters to himself as he presses a few buttons on the panel just out of the camera’s sight.
BASHIR
Oh, he’s going to kill me; he told me not to do this, he told me it wouldn’t work. He did tell me.
I do so hate it when he’s right…and knows it. [sighs] There. Computer, open transmission channel to Elim Garak.
The computer bleeps affirmatively and ELIM GARAK appears on screen, at ease in a library but clearly surprised by the call.
GARAK
Julian?
BASHIR
Garak? Garak, are you there?
GARAK
Julian, is everything all right? What’s the matter? You’re due back in two hours.
BASHIR
I’m fine, I’m not hurt, Garak, but—well, there’s a different problem. I—I’m so sorry, but I won’t be there in two hours.
GARAK
[pauses]
Indeed.
BASHIR
The summer sandstorms came early, Garak, and everything’s been grounded
and all transport shut down until this settles down a bit. I don’t know if you can hear it, but the wind is incredible—
out here away from the city, this is a whole different experience than what I’ve seen before. I’m surprised communications are still up, really.
GARAK
[more drily still]
Indeed.
BASHIR
It took the whole medical team to batten down the hatches here—
for all that it’s a brand-new medical facility, it was a good test of what kinks there are still to work out in the reality of Cardassian weather.
I was making sure everything was set and all patients were settled, otherwise I would have called sooner.
GARAK
[frosty by now]
Of course you were.
BASHIR
[aware of Garak’s displeasure]
Garak? I really am sorry.
GARAK
[swinging to airy sarcasm]
Of course you are, Doctor! And who could possibly have known you’d be trapped by an early sandstorm in Unt’ram?
Surely not any native Cardassian with a lifetime’s worth of experience in Cardassian climate shifts.
Or any reasonable person who has studied the permanent climate changes left by the destruction of the Dominion.
And absolutely not the person who told you that even a new medical facility was not sufficient cause
to risk getting trapped out on the plains at this time of year. Whoever could have foreseen this?
BASHIR
I know, Garak. I know you told me about the possibility of the storms,
and I know you said I shouldn’t come out here—and believe me, Elim,
I know full well that our anniversary is tomorrow and I’m here and not there.
GARAK
But surely such a storm that often takes two full weeks to dissipate, historically speaking,
will be clear enough for transport tomorrow. Am I correct in that understanding?
Please do explain it to me, as I fear your optimism still escapes me sometimes.
BASHIR
All right, Garak, that’s enough. Look, I know I should have listened to you and I know
that it’s highly unlikely that I’ll make it back in time. And I am sorry; truly, Elim, I am so sorry. I messed this one up, for true and certain.
He pauses to see if Garak will fully meet his gaze yet, but Garak is still angry.
And. I also know that the Kira Nerys Facility for Child Development is a wonder.
Garak, this place is amazing—I know I told you the details before I left, but this is so incredibly needed
in a place like Unt’ram; pediatric health is still so far down on the list of concerns here, if it’s even on the list at all.
And it’s really real, the commitment they promised to the care of all children—the work
you and the administration have done in the Restructuring to open Cardassian hearts to anyone
regardless of parentage or class is here in living, breathing staff members who are treating
every sick child who comes through these doors. You helped make something like this possible, Elim.
GARAK
Ah, so you have stayed in Unt’ram in order to celebrate my achievements? How kind of you.
BASHIR
No, I—no, I’m not trying…I didn’t mean to turn that around on you.
But you are a part of this and that’s important. And to have it named after Nerys, of all people!
I knew she was a bit of a war hero here, but this is just mind-boggling.
I wish she could have been here, Bajoran duties be damned—
although I think she feels she’s spent enough time on Cardassia for her lifetime, hero status or no.
He realizes Garak still isn’t celebrating with him.
But you had asked me not to risk the timing and I did anyway.
I gambled and lost, and now I’m going to miss our anniversary
and I…I don’t have any good way to apologize for that, Elim. I know that.
GARAK
[resigned]
It’s just a day, Doctor.
BASHIR
No, it’s not. Even humans like to observe anniversaries, but I’ve been listening to you, Garak;
ten years for Cardassians is more than just an anniversary, it’s a declaration.
I mean, I don’t know why we don’t factor in knowing each other for nearly twenty years beforehand,
but that’s neither here nor there—it’s important to you that we’ve been married ten years and, therefore,
it should have been important to me. It deserves to be celebrated properly
because it was the best choice I’ve ever made and I would say yes all over again if you asked me tomorrow.
GARAK
Which I will not be able to do.
BASHIR
[clearly surprised]
I—ah, were you going to?
GARAK
No, Doctor. I—had other plans.
BASHIR
Would you tell me about them?
GARAK
To what end?
BASHIR
[trying not to be frustrated, moderately failing]
So I can honor the effort you put into this.
GARAK
An interesting honor, to narrate one’s own plans. Rather reminds me of the monologuing villains you once chased.
Perhaps you can have dinner with one of them? I’m sure the data rod is still around—or the incredible wind that is so eagerly knocking at your door?
BASHIR
[angry]
What do you want me to do, Garak? I screwed up. I’m sorry. I thought and I still think that it was important I be here—I’m the chief medical officer for the largest hospital in Cardassia City; it does a lot of good for both appearances and professional relations for me to support the Ministry of Health here, not to mention it creating ties across cultural lines.
GARAK
This wasn’t purely a service to Cardassia, Doctor. You may lie to yourself, but do not lie to me.
BASHIR
[quieting, considering]
It partly was, Garak, but you’re right. It’s not just for the Ministry—
I wanted to honor Nerys and the fact that they named a Cardassian hospital after my friend, a Bajoran.
I wanted to honor what she did—what you and she did in the war. I wanted to say that it mattered that this facility exists,
especially here in a place where more people are forgotten than remembered, or valued.
And those are good things to want—but I should have wanted to celebrate an important commitment
with the person I love more. I got my wantings in the wrong order. “I’m sorry” isn’t enough; how can I make this right, Elim?
GARAK
[studies Bashir, decides he gets it, sighs]
In the central plains along the equator, Doctor, it gets very hot—
far too hot for a human, even distinctly uncomfortable for a Cardassian.
Thus we won’t be visiting, you and I, so I’m sorry to say you won’t see them in person.
Bashir opens his mouth to interrupt but realizes Garak is doing his thing of burying an important point in a larger story, so closes his mouth and lets Garak continue.
Because it is so hot, very little grows there—and what does is extremely determined.
One of the few such remarkable pieces of flora is a shrub-like plant called k’sselessa.
It’s actually two plants that bind together: the k’ssele roots itself deep into the soil,
deep enough that it reaches bearably cool places far from the ferocity of the sun, while the s’sa
vine stretches toward the sky, opening broad leaves perfectly calibrated to take in every milliliter of rain
that falls in season and to balance the amount of light that shines on the plains.
It is perfectly possible for the two plants to grow apart from one another—
Tolan used to grow s’sa vines, actually—but when they are together,
they can grow into much more vibrant colors and much larger sizes than apart.
BASHIR
[smiling fondly]
Is there really a k’sselessa shrub, Garak?
GARAK
[affronted]
Would I lie about horticulture?
BASHIR
[laughing]
It’s a distinct possibility.
So the two pieces can be grown separately—but what happens if the plants are split after they’ve grown entwined?
GARAK
Ah, there is one of the greatest mysteries of Cardassia, Doctor. You see, once it has grafted onto a k’ssele root, the s’sa vine fully opens during the season of rain; whatever it gathers is stored in the deep k’ssele roots. So one would think that if they were separated, the vine would shortly die from no longer having the proper storage ration to its leaf capacity and the roots would wither from not having anything to gather moisture and sun. However, if the two are reunited within the season of rain—even if it is a full month later—the plant will still grow healthy and strong. Gardeners the world over have tried to uncover where the s’sa vine stores its extra water and how the k’ssele manages to hold on without it, but no one has yet puzzled it out. Somehow, the roots grow no leaves and the vines grow no roots but both patiently wait, storing what is needed.
BASHIR
[warmly]
So a few days, or even a couple of weeks, can hurt both plants, but the damage can heal when they’re put back together?
GARAK
Even so.
BASHIR
I’m relieved to hear it. It sounds like only the most reckless, foolish,
and hardhearted of actions would separate them in the first place, especially just before the rainy season.
He pauses, gathering himself to look at Garak directly and say what he means.
I promise to listen more carefully to you in the future, Mr. Garak.
GARAK
[smiling]
Oh, it’s just Garak. Plain, simple—
BASHIR
Garak. Thank you, my love. I’ll call again tomorrow to wish you a proper
happy anniversary as well as I can, and I’ll let you know how the sandstorm is developing. And, Garak?
GARAK
Yes, my dear?
BASHIR
I fully expect you to have photographs and diagrams of this k’sselessa to show me when I get home.
Perhaps we can get one for your greenhouse—it sounds like a beautiful and marvelous plant.
GARAK
One of the most beautiful I’ve seen—and quite resilient. Keep safe, Julian.
BASHIR
I love you, too. I’ll talk to you tomorrow.
He reaches to turn off the camera and touches the screen briefly before doing so.