Transporter

by Joe Wahman

Characters

James Kirk: Captain of the starship Enterprise

Dr. McCoy: Ship’s doctor

Mr. Spock: First officer

Scene I

(At rise, James Kirk, captain of the starship Enterprise, sits in sick bay.)

KIRK

Captain’s log, stardate 1672.1. Orbiting Xion in the Magellan cluster. We have met with the Xionians, but there has been an incident with the transporter.

(Dr. McCoy, the ship’s surgeon, enters reading a scanner.)

McCOY

You appear to be perfectly healthy, Jim. Can you describe what happened?

KIRK

I was standing in the transporter when the teleportation process began. It seemed normal—or what I assume was normal. Then I began seeing flecks of light around me, which condensed into a thick energy field.

McCOY

Amazing.

KIRK

Strange, isn’t it: I’m not suffering from the typical transporter amnesia. Perhaps because I didn’t dematerialize.

McCOY

What did it feel like?

KIRK

Nothing unusual.

McCOY

Nothing? Nothing that would explain...you know.

KIRK

Cadet terror?

McCOY

Well...

(They share a smile—Kirk’s is wry, McCoy’s sheepish.)

KIRK

That was a long time ago.

McCOY

Not that long.

KIRK

You were new, Bones. And at first nobody really liked you much. You knew that.

McCOY

It actually came as quite a surprise.

KIRK

Come on, Bones, you know how you can be.

McCOY

What do I know? I’m just a simple country doctor.

KIRK

That, I think, is what galled us the most.

McCOY

What do you have against country doctors?

KIRK

Nothing, if I ever met one.

McCOY

It was practically the country, all right?

KIRK

I’m just saying—anyway, we’re past that. Now it’s one of the things I like about you.

(McCoy goes about his business, quiet.)

KIRK

Look, blame the transport crew on Starbase Theta. They should have briefed you on teleportation before we beamed you aboard.

McCOY

I’m not sure any of them even knew what teleportation was.

KIRK

I still remember you in that transporter, when you began to dematerialize. The look of absolute panic.

McCOY

Well, I imagine it’s a strange feeling being dematerialized. It must feel like you’re losing yourself, or dying. Maybe it’s good that we don’t remember it.

KIRK

No harm done, right?

McCOY

I’m just glad Scotty finally told me what was going on.

KIRK

So it was Scotty.

McCOY

Oh, it wasn’t for my sake, I’m sure. I think he was just tired of the crowd that was coming to watch my transports.

KIRK

That was after you started the yelling.

McCOY

The yelling. No one ever told me about that.

KIRK

An almost Romulan wail.

McCOY

Hilarious.

KIRK

The rest of the crew standing there as cool as can be, and you, whaaaa!

McCOY

What the hell do you expect, Jim? All I remembered from my previous transports was just a smooth click and you’re there. I thought—well, I don’t remember what I thought, but it must have been pretty bad.

KIRK

I apologize, Bones. We were having a little fun at your expense. I was young.

McCOY

You were full of yourself.

KIRK

We both were, if you remember. It used to annoy me to no end that you kept showing up on the bridge for no apparent reason. Giving counsel that I didn’t think I needed. Our little transporter game was a small retaliation.

McCOY

You know it took me a long time to forgive you.

KIRK

Rightfully so, Bones, rightfully so.

McCOY

But you didn’t feel anything?

KIRK

A little guilty, I suppose.

McCOY

No, this time.

KIRK

Oh. Nothing.

McCOY

You’re sure? You remember everything, no amnesia?

KIRK

Apparently not. I clearly remember seeing the energy field around me. But I don’t remember any particular sensation, anything that might cause the panic. I don’t think I lost any time; I feel like I’ve retained the entire experience. I didn’t move, didn’t disappear. The field faded away and I was left standing there. That was it. I walked over to Scotty at the control panel, and that’s when the call came through from the surface of Xion, from...me.

McCOY

Amazing, Jim. It seems to have been a normal transport, except you didn’t dematerialize.

KIRK

I wasn’t transported, I was duplicated.

McCOY

Apparently.

KIRK

Have you examined him yet? The other Captain James Kirk?

McCOY

We call him Newkirk. Briefly. It’s uncanny, Jim. In every way he seems to be you.

KIRK

I’d like to see him.

McCOY

He’s in quarantine at the moment. We don’t really know what to expect.

(Mr. Spock, the half-Vulcan, half-human first officer of the Enterprise, enters.)

KIRK

Spock.

SPOCK

How are you feeling, Captain?

KIRK

Never felt better. But I don’t think the good doctor here wants me to meet my new twin.

SPOCK

I’m afraid I concur with Dr. McCoy. The man, Newkirk, is an exact copy of you, down to your oldest memories. Meeting him could be a very disorienting experience.

KIRK

Didn’t Pope say, “Know thyself”?

SPOCK

The saying is actually much older than Pope, going back I believe to the ancient Greeks. I can appreciate the sentiment, but in this case I do not think it a good idea. Your primary obligation, Sir, is to the ship and its crew. In view of that, meeting Newkirk is both risky and unnecessary.

KIRK

You doubt my abilities? Come on, Spock, you know me, I can handle myself. I’m a fighter.

SPOCK

Precisely. And so is Newkirk. Putting the two of you together, I fear, would provide a diverting drama, nothing more.

KIRK

But drama, Spock—isn’t that the basis of wisdom? Thesis, antithesis, synthesis.

SPOCK

Reality is rarely that tidy, Captain. The man in quarantine is not an anti-Kirk, nor a primal or partial Kirk; he is James Tiberius Kirk, Captain of the starship Enterprise—as are you.

KIRK

But he is not me, Spock. Don’t you see? If he were me I would know what he’s thinking. I would feel whatever he touches.

SPOCK

That is true, Captain. You are not two halves of the same coin; you are two coins from the same mint.

KIRK

I must talk to him.

McCOY

For God’s sake, Spock, what can it hurt?

SPOCK

Dr. McCoy, I find your attitude surprising and cavalier, given your profession.

McCOY

Get off your high horse, Spock. What do you know about my profession?

SPOCK

I’m sure you would be quite dispirited if I told you.

McCOY

Let’s start with your bedside manner, shall we?

KIRK

Bones, let it go. Spock, your objections are duly noted. Set up a meeting in my quarters.

SPOCK

I cannot do that, Sir.

KIRK

That’s an order, Spock.

SPOCK

Captain, I consider this situation a crisis, and until it is resolved I am in command of the ship.

KIRK

You can’t be serious. McCoy, you heard that. This is mutiny!

(pause)

Bones?

(Blackout.)

Scene II

(Spock is on the bridge, in the captain’s chair. McCoy enters, comes to his side.)

McCOY

How does it feel, Spock?

SPOCK

The chair? Quite comfortable.

(pause)

As I am sure you are aware, Dr. McCoy, it is my duty as the first officer of the Enterprise to assume command when the Captain is incapacitated.

McCOY

I think you’re enjoying this, every minute of it.

SPOCK

Enjoyment is a human emotion, Dr. McCoy.

McCOY

I’ve seen you smile.

SPOCK

Yes, the smile, the raised eyebrows. I do it to indicate what you would call quizzical amusement. Otherwise I would appear almost zombie-like or mechanical to you.

McCOY

You would appear as you really are, in other words.

SPOCK

I assure you, Dr. McCoy, I have a rich interior life.

McCOY

So does the ship’s computer.

SPOCK

In some ways the ship’s computer is more capable than you and I together.

McCOY

Well, bravo to the ship’s computer. How does the ship’s computer feel about Mozart, Shakespeare, Yeats?

SPOCK

That depends on what you mean by “feel,” Doctor.

McCOY

Feel! Feel! How can I describe a color you’ve never seen?

SPOCK

If you were to define the color space and accurately determine the coordinates, I’m sure I could imagine it.

McCOY

I’m talking about art, Spock, not numbers.

SPOCK

I know what art is, Doctor.

McCOY

I don’t believe that you do.

SPOCK

Art is a blindfolded child swinging at a piñata.

McCOY

My God, a metaphor!

SPOCK

That is not a metaphor, Doctor, it is the title of a painted representation hanging in Lieutenant Uhura’s quarters. What you would call, I believe, art.

McCOY

I should have known it was too good to be true. You’ll never be able to appreciate art because you totally lack emotional understanding. Human life, the human condition, it’s all written in our emotions.

SPOCK

Yes, and your intellect provides the footnotes. Helmsman, remain locked in orbit.

McCOY

You don’t really like me, do you, Spock.

SPOCK

Dr. McCoy, I assume you didn’t come here to discuss our personal relationship—or art or colors or the ship’s computer. Have you evaluated Newkirk?

McCOY

No, not yet.

SPOCK

Aren’t you curious?

McCOY

Curious? You say the man is your friend. What has happened to him is a tragedy, Spock. A tragedy!

SPOCK

If by that you mean unfortunate, I agree.

(McCoy is frustrated.)

McCOY

Isn’t there some way we can put them in the transporter and somehow reintegrate them into one person?

SPOCK

I’m afraid the transporter doesn’t work like that. We have two nearly identical Captains. We must choose one of them to keep and remove the other.

McCOY

It’s true: you have no human feelings.

SPOCK

Helmsman, adjust orbit to the Xionian contact point.

McCOY

We owe it to them to let them meet.

SPOCK

If they were Vulcans I would agree. Ironically it is your human emotions that make such a meeting inadvisable. In my experience, humans either love themselves or hate themselves. Or both.

McCOY

You’re talking dime-store psychology. I hardly think the captain hates himself.

SPOCK

Nor do I, but you’re ignoring an equal danger. It’s entirely possible that Captain Kirk would find in himself a lover that he is not willing to relinquish.

McCOY

What! That’s outrageous!

SPOCK

Imagine meeting someone with whom you are in perfect harmony, whose every desire is your desire, whose every pleasure you know intimately. If you have an impulse, you know that he has the same impulse.

McCOY

That’s enough! That’s sick!

SPOCK

I have met few humans who were indifferent to themselves, Doctor, least of all our captain.

McCOY

But a healthy self-regard—now you’re twisting everything! Even you are not indifferent! I could accuse you of the same sort of—are you sure the transporter can’t just—Captain Kirk especially would never...never...

SPOCK

The transporter, Dr. McCoy?

McCOY

Joining them somehow.

SPOCK

As I told you—

McCOY

Couldn’t we at least try?

SPOCK

The results of such an experiment would be highly unpredictable. We could end up with a conjoined Kirk, a deformed Kirk, a Chimera, a Janus, a mirror Kirk, a reverse Kirk, a giant Kirk, an homogenized Kirk—shall I continue?

McCOY

Dammit, Spock, I get the point.

SPOCK

It’s time to make a decision, Dr. McCoy.

McCOY

You’re right, of course.

(pause)

I say we stick with the one we know is legitimate.

SPOCK

Which is?

McCOY

The one in sick bay. The one who didn’t transport.

SPOCK

Think carefully, Dr. McCoy. The other Kirk transported normally, the way we do all the time.

McCOY

I’m at a loss, Spock. What can your “superior logic” tell us?

SPOCK

Each man believes himself to be Kirk. From our point of view, either one of them could be Kirk. Perhaps we should leave the decision to chance.

McCOY

Chance?

SPOCK

Draw straws.

McCOY

Never.

SPOCK

What difference—

McCOY

Never, never! I’m not leaving Jim’s fate to the luck of the draw.

SPOCK

Very well. In that case, I suggest we keep Newkirk. Since he has already met with the representatives from Xion, that saves us meeting with them again.

McCOY

Unbelievable.

SPOCK

I grant you, it is a small advantage, but otherwise they are, as you say, identical.

McCOY

I wish I could understand how your mind works.

SPOCK

Does that response indicate acquiescence?

McCOY

No. Definitely not! The other one never left the transporter room. If anything, he’s the real Jim, Newkirk is a copy.

SPOCK

I understand how a human might form an emotional attachment to the older, preexisting version of the man, but—

McCOY

Ah! So you admit that he is the true Captain Kirk.

SPOCK

Did I say that?

McCOY

What exactly did you mean, then, by the “preexisting version of the man”?

SPOCK

Doctor, if you have a digital image on device A, and you copy it to device B, does it really matter which existed first? Do you even think about that? Both contain precisely the same information.

McCOY

Human beings are not digital copies.

SPOCK

They are, Doctor, if they have ever been transported.

McCOY

Then maybe we should quit using the transporter.

SPOCK

Is that a serious proposal?

McCOY

I don’t know. No, of course not. Despite what you may think, I’m not a total Kaczynskyite.

SPOCK

I have never actually suspected you of that.

McCOY

Thank you, I guess. I’m at my wit’s end.

SPOCK

A further advantage to Newkirk is that he is unaware that he was duplicated. He can simply return to duty, never knowing that anything unusual has happened.

McCOY

And how is that an advantage?

SPOCK

We avoid certain existential questions that might arise in the future should the captain ever think too deeply about what happened to him.

McCOY

Too deeply?

SPOCK

Too deeply, Doctor.

McCOY

I hardly think that’s something we should be worrying about.

SPOCK

Perhaps not.

(Blackout.)

Scene III

(Captain Kirk alone in quarantine.)

KIRK

Captain’s log, stardate 1672.1. Approximately four hours ago I returned from the surface of Xion V where I was meeting with representatives of the Xionians. The ship’s doctor, Leonard McCoy, met me in the transporter room and informed me that I may have been exposed to a virus on the surface of the planet. He injected me with an antiviral drug. I think he said it was an antiviral. Perhaps it was an antiparasitic. He injected me... McCoy met me in the transporter room... He was holding an injector... I believe I am in quarantine. Someone has written the word “Newkirk” on my forearm. I don’t yet know the meaning of that.

(McCoy enters, businesslike, uneasy.)

KIRK

Bones.

McCOY

How are you feeling?

KIRK

A little...did you give me something? What am I doing in quarantine?

McCOY

A situation has developed. We thought it was best to keep you here for the time being.

KIRK

Ah, the virus, the parasite. Is it serious?

McCOY

(hesitating)

There is no parasite.

KIRK

So I’m clean. Good.

(pause)

You don’t look happy, Bones. What’s the matter?

McCOY

The transporter malfunctioned.

KIRK

What’s the status? Is everyone all right?

McCOY

I...I think so.

KIRK

Have Scotty work on it. I need to meet with the Xionians again before we leave orbit. I want Spock to accompany me.

McCOY

The problem is...you see—Sir—the transporter malfunction involved you. It, uh...

KIRK

Sir?

McCOY

Jim. I’m sorry, this is difficult.

KIRK

Speak to me, Bones.

McCOY

When you beamed down to the surface, the transporter created an exact duplicate of you.

KIRK

What? Repeat.

McCOY

When you beamed down, a duplicate of you remained in the transporter.

KIRK

A clone?

McCOY

Well...the truth is, we’re not really sure which—

KIRK

Is it friendly? Has it communicated with us? What does it want?

McCOY

You don’t understand. It’s you. It wants—he wants—exactly what you want.

KIRK

A clone of me? Flesh and blood? I must meet him. O-six-hundred in my quarters.

McCOY

I’m sorry, but you can’t meet him right now. Both of you have been quarantined until we understand the dangers involved.

KIRK

Dangers? You think we’ll explode or something? Matter and antimatter?

McCOY

No, of course not. We just don’t know. There could be psychological ramifications.

KIRK

You’re joking, Bones. Have you ever known me to exhibit “psychological ramifications”?

(pause)

I mean, nothing I couldn’t handle.

McCOY

We just want to play it safe, OK?

KIRK

That’s the difference between us, Bones. You always play it safe.

McCOY

I’m afraid that’s my job, Captain. “First, do no harm.”

KIRK

Let’s figure this out. You say this clone was created at the moment I beamed down.

McCOY

Perhaps “created” isn’t the right word. It’s more like somehow one version of you was left unaffected and another version beamed down.

KIRK

(indicating the name on his arm)

Ah, hence the name. This means you think I’m the clone, the freak.

McCOY

No. I...I don’t know.

KIRK

Come on, Bones, level with me.

McCOY

I admit I did, but now I’m not so sure. You transported normally, like we always do.

KIRK

Yes, think what that means. If I’m a clone, we’re all clones, every one of us who have ever used the transporter. You too.

McCOY

What do I know? I’m just a simple—

KIRK

Don’t give me that, Bones. Not now.

(pause)

Forgive me. We’ve been friends a long time, been through a lot together. You saved my life more than once. I’ve seen you through a few rough patches.

McCOY

That’s true.

(pause)

Do you recall that practical joke you played on me when I first came aboard?

KIRK

Practical joke? Oh, when we spiked your tea with quadraphene.

McCOY

Not that one. The transporter.

KIRK

Ah. That was cruel, wasn’t it.

(pause)

Oh, I see! This is a joke, you’re getting back at me! Touché, Bones.

McCOY

No, it’s not a joke. I was talking about it with the other Jim.

KIRK

Oh.

(pause)

“The other Jim.”

(pause)

Did the other Jim tell you I was young and full of myself?

McCOY

More or less.

KIRK

Well, I suppose that would have been my first response too. You deserve more than that. I want you to know that I’m sorry, Bones. It was highly unprofessional of me.

McCOY

Thank you, Jim, for saying that.

(Spock enters.)

KIRK

Spock.

SPOCK

How are you feeling, Captain?

KIRK

I feel perfectly fine, but the good doctor here is trying to quarantine me.

SPOCK

I don’t think that will be necessary; do you, Dr. McCoy? I’m sure that after your examination is completed you can return to the bridge.

KIRK

Finally, a man of reason.

McCOY

Now hold on a minute!

SPOCK

Yes?

McCOY

I don’t know if that’s a good idea, Spock.

SPOCK

I thought we had agreed.

McCOY

We had not agreed.

SPOCK

We had agreed that I would decide.

McCOY

Not without consulting me.

SPOCK

I did consult you, Dr. McCoy. You were at your wit’s end. And now we are falling behind schedule.

McCOY

Well the schedule is going to have to wait.

KIRK

Nonsense, Bones. I’m perfectly fit; you said as much yourself. Spock, arrange a meeting with the clone.

(Spock hesitates.)

KIRK

Whatever you call him. My twin.

SPOCK

I see you have been speaking with Dr. McCoy.

KIRK

Yes, and I’m eager to meet the other Captain Kirk.

SPOCK

I see.

(pause)

I’m afraid that is not possible.

KIRK

I don’t follow.

SPOCK

Dr. McCoy, you have intentionally sabotaged me.

McCOY

I thought it was only fair that both of them know.

KIRK

Can you tell me what’s going on here?

SPOCK

Captain, you obviously know that we now have two Captain Kirks on board the Enterprise.

KIRK

Yes, but, Spock, it’s me, Jim.

SPOCK

I understand that, Sir. Still, we have a situation that we must remedy. One argument for retaining you as captain was that you were unaware of what had happened. Dr. McCoy has made sure that you don’t have that advantage.

(McCoy is defeated.)

McCOY

I’m sorry.

(He leaves.)

KIRK

Bones—

(pause, to Spock)

I appreciate your Vulcan honesty.

SPOCK

It has been overrated, I think.

(pause)

His loyalties are divided. It’s quite understandable.

KIRK

Yes.

(pause)

So where do we go from here?

SPOCK

I’m afraid I was hasty in ordering your release. I am forced now to consider other factors.

KIRK

Factors such as...

SPOCK

The feelings of Dr. McCoy and possibly other crew members.

KIRK

Feelings?

SPOCK

Dr. McCoy has developed a very human attachment to the man he considers the “original” Kirk, the man who failed to dematerialize in the transporter. That attachment must be considered.

KIRK

So you’re going to let McCoy defeat you, just like that.

(Spock doesn’t respond)

KIRK

You, with your superior intellect, outflanked by a simple country doctor.

(Spock doesn’t respond)

KIRK

You know he’s never liked you.

SPOCK

It doesn’t take one with my superior intellect, as you call it, to realize that.

KIRK

Well, what are you going to do about it, Spock? You’ve displayed weakness; McCoy will take advantage of that. It’s only human.

SPOCK

I hardly have reason to fear Dr. McCoy, but it would be unproductive for me to totally disregard his emotional attachments.

KIRK

(giving up)

How ironic! You being forced to consider human emotions.

SPOCK

For the record, there are other small advantages that recommend you.

KIRK

But how do they stack up against feelings? Attachments?

SPOCK

Sir, you understand these things better than I do.

KIRK

Enough to know that logic is no match for emotions.

(pause)

How will you decide?

SPOCK

I am a logical being, Sir.

KIRK

That’s what I like about you.

(Spock thinks it over)

SPOCK

You are the ranking officer. You will decide.

KIRK

That’s more like it, Spock. But what about Bones?

SPOCK

In the end I believe Dr. McCoy will be satisfied with your decision.

KIRK

And the duplicate?

SPOCK

For the good of the mission, the duplicate must be removed from the Enterprise.

KIRK

May I suggest that we drop him at the nearest Federation outpost?

SPOCK

Put yourself in that situation, Captain. What would you do if we were to drop you at the nearest Federation outpost?

KIRK

I see what you mean. I would immediately lodge a complaint.

SPOCK

Precisely. The two of you would be tied up in litigation until the matter was resolved. For the good of the mission we must exile the duplicate to Xion V.

KIRK

That’s awfully cold, don’t you think?

SPOCK

I’m told it’s temperate.

KIRK

(distracted, thinking)

Yes, right...It is a beautiful planet, Spock. Some might even call it a paradise. The inhabitants are friendly, very much like humans. I want you to meet them. We’ll arrange everything, make sure he’s well received.

SPOCK

To be fair, I will remain in charge until we meet with the Xionians. And as a pro forma gesture, I want you to promise me that you will keep an open mind about the matter until we evaluate the living conditions on Xion.

KIRK

What do you mean?

SPOCK

In case you would rather be the one to retire to this paradise.

KIRK

(amused)

Very well, Spock.

(pause)

It’s strange to think there will be a copy of me living his life on this remote planet.

SPOCK

All planets are remote, Sir.

(on his communicator)

Scotty, how are the repairs to the transporter progressing?

(pause)

Good. Stand by; Captain Kirk and I will be beaming down shortly.

KIRK

I would like to meet him, just once.

SPOCK

Captain, I have reviewed the situation thoroughly and determined that there is nothing to be gained by the two of you meeting.

KIRK

I trust your judgment, Spock. It’s just...I don’t even know how to think about him. You say he was left standing there, apparently unaffected by the transport?

SPOCK

That is true.

KIRK

And yet he is a different person than me.

SPOCK

Also true.

KIRK

Could it be that I’m the clone?

SPOCK

What is a clone, Sir? If it is true that our bodies rebuild themselves every decade or so, are we not all clones of ourselves?

KIRK

Yes, I suppose we are.

(pause)

It reminds me of a joke a neighbor used to tell when I was a kid in Iowa. He had an old axe that he claimed had been in his family for five generations. Of course they had to replace the handle every decade or so, and had to replace the head once, but that axe had been in the family for five generations.

SPOCK

That’s quite clever, Sir, and a good analogy to the present situation. The transporter simply throws away the old axe and buys a new one.

(Kirk laughs—briefly.)

KIRK

You made a joke! That is a joke? I’m not sure I like the sound of it.

SPOCK

We are just a collection of cells, after all, that together create an illusion of continuity even as the cells die off and are replaced.

KIRK

If a child could meet himself as an adult, would he really be meeting...himself?

SPOCK

An interesting philosophical speculation, Sir. Where does it lead?

KIRK

Are you baiting me, Spock?

SPOCK

Not at all, Captain. It’s just that we do not have a lot of time.

KIRK

You’re always business, Spock. That’s what I like about you. I wonder if that transporter’s ready.

SPOCK

You misunderstand me. I want you to finish your thought.

KIRK

Which thought is that?

SPOCK

I believe you were about to make an important discovery about the transporter.

KIRK

Was I? Fill me in, I missed it.

SPOCK

The child meeting the adult...

KIRK

Ah, the child is the father of the man.

SPOCK

I don’t believe that is what you were saying.

KIRK

But it is very true. And very relevant.

SPOCK

Sir, do you remember the first time you used the transporter?

KIRK

Yes, years ago, on the Republic.

SPOCK

And since then you’ve used it, what, hundreds of times?

KIRK

Thousands, I’m sure.

SPOCK

And you’ve never questioned how it works?

KIRK

Of course I have. I know exactly how it works.

(Spock waits.)

KIRK

Not all the technical details, but it dematerializes you, then beams your energy pattern to a target and rematerializes you there.

(Spock waits.)

KIRK

There’s a molecular imaging scanner that uses Heisenberg compensators to covert the subject into a stream of energy, which is transmitted within an annular confinement beam on a subspace frequency. Ask Scotty if you want the technical details.

SPOCK

I assure you, Scotty has not pursued the technical details. At most he has scrolled through the manual.

KIRK

I’ve seen the manual. It’s very comprehensive.

SPOCK

And yet it is not complete.

KIRK

All I know is that the transporter works.

SPOCK

Oh, yes, it works. You have faith that it works, and so you have never asked how a machine can turn your body—and your mind—into a stream of information traveling at light speed and then recreate it tens or hundreds of miles away.

KIRK

It works, Spock. Can you tell me how hyperdrive works?

SPOCK

I can, but that’s beside the point. My point is that your conception of the transporter is completely illogical, and you know it’s illogical, but the transporter is a convenient device and you believe you have used it over a thousand times with no complaints. So you ignore logic and trust faith.

KIRK

What do you mean, believe? I’ve used it, you’ve used it, McCoy has used it.

SPOCK

Dr. McCoy has always been afraid of it, and rightly so, but he hasn’t let reason stand in the way of his faith.

KIRK

Now you’re not making sense, Spock. That’s not like you.

SPOCK

The transporter transforms you into information, Sir.

KIRK

I don’t need a manual to tell me that. Where are we going with this?

SPOCK

What if that information about you were merely recorded? What if it was intercepted mid-transmission by a stenographer who wrote it all down in a book?

KIRK

It’d be a very big book.

SPOCK

And at some future date someone entered that data into a computer and recreated you?

KIRK

I’d probably be exhausted. Can you get to the point, Spock?

SPOCK

You are refusing to see the obvious, Captain. Just because a future being is like you in every way, that does not mean that he is you.

KIRK

What you’re saying is...

SPOCK

What I’m saying is something that logic-based species have known for a long time. Something that, for obvious reasons, could not be revealed to emotional species such as the people of earth.

(pause)

There is no continuity of life when a person is transported, only of information.

KIRK

I’m afraid I don’t follow. You’re saying...

SPOCK

First the transporter scans you, mapping very precisely every cell in your body, every state that those cells are in. Then it dematerializes you. Do you know what it means to be dematerialized, Captain? You are dead, you are gone. You will never see another star, never think another thought. You will never breathe again, ever. Fortunately, a precise record of you remains, which is beamed to another location along with sufficient energy to create a new Captain Kirk. Totally new. He is not you, Sir, but he doesn’t know that. Because he has your memories, he has no clue that he has only now been created.

KIRK

Oh, that’s...that’s...that’s not right, Spock. I know who I am. I feel it. I know it with every ounce of my body!

SPOCK

Of course you feel it. You have no reason not to. The question is, what does the man who stepped into the transporter feel?

KIRK

That’s me! I’m him! I remember stepping into the transporter. I’m that person!

SPOCK

Have you ever asked yourself why we don’t remember anything of the energy field that dematerializes us?

KIRK

It’s only natural to lose a few minutes.

SPOCK

A few minutes? More than that, Captain. Once the information has been recorded, the subject is superfluous. Whatever he thinks and feels in those final moments, there will be no one left to remember.

KIRK

That’s insane! That’s not teleportation.

SPOCK

Unfortunately it’s the best we have. True teleportation may be an existential impossibility.

KIRK

That’s a lie. Why are you lying to me, Spock? What’s happening on this ship?

SPOCK

I assure you the ship is functioning normally.

(flips open his communicator)

Dr. McCoy, we have made our decision. You may release Captain Kirk from sick bay.

KIRK

What? Give me that!

(He reaches, but Spock fends him off.)

You said it was my decision.

SPOCK

I am confident you will make the right decision, Sir.

KIRK

The right decision?

(laughs desperately)

I see... I see what you’re doing, Spock. You’re trying to shake my faith in technology so I’ll voluntarily choose exile on some remote rock and live out my days eating Xionian bananas or whatever. I won’t do it, Spock. Look, your whole story is preposterous. I don’t believe there really is another Captain Kirk; he’s a hologram, an automaton, an animation. I demand to meet him face to face, may the best man win.

SPOCK

Believe what you want, Captain.

KIRK

You yourself have used the transporter hundreds of times. You may be logical, but you’re not suicidal.

SPOCK

How can you know what I am, Captain? After all, I am a Vulcan.

KIRK

Half Vulcan, half human.

SPOCK

But the Vulcan half is dominant, as you are aware. Even now you keep glancing at my ears.

KIRK

That’s not true. I mean, yes, it’s only natural to notice our differences. But to me you were always human. Very human.

(They stare at each other.)

SPOCK

Sir, you are looking at my ears.

KIRK

Now, yes. You’ve made it an issue!

SPOCK

As a Vulcan I put my obligation to the mission above everything. From the beginning I have known—we have known—what was required of us.

KIRK

I don’t believe you. Isn’t life the most important thing?

SPOCK

For humans, perhaps. Other species have other priorities. Knowledge, wisdom.

KIRK

But whose knowledge? Whose wisdom? You have used the transporter twice in the last hundred hours. That means—

SPOCK

You confuse me with other “instances,” if you will, of the Spock identity. I have used the transporter precisely once, Captain. The transporter created me, and the transporter shall destroy me.

KIRK

But life, Spock. Life!

SPOCK

All life is regrettably short. A single life is an instant in the life of the universe, as the life of the universe is itself an instant against eternity.

KIRK

But don’t you see? That makes it all the more precious!

SPOCK

You are conditioned by your human evolution to feel that way.

KIRK

And where did you evolve, in a petri dish? How can you survive as a race without the will to...survive?

SPOCK

As a race we have learned that life is simply another process, with no independent existence. It is made up of moments—like this. When they are finished, what remains? What remains of yesterday’s laughter? Your body has substance, your life does not. Only the one of them can be transported.

KIRK

That’s right, Spock. Mr. Spock. You are not human. You have no faith, no emotions, no spirit.

SPOCK

I grant you, that does make it easier to step into the transporter.

KIRK

Why are you doing this? I thought we were friends.

SPOCK

We are, Jim. The friendship, you see, outlives us. We pass it on.

KIRK

That’s not real friendship. That’s an illusion. Friendship requires continuity.

SPOCK

Continuity remains; we do not.

(Spock’s communicator beeps; he looks at it.)

It’s almost time.

KIRK

Take me down in the shuttle, Spock, I pray you.

(Spock thinks about it.)

KIRK

You live too!

SPOCK

Another day, another week? No. The transporter is functioning now. How would I explain using the shuttle?

KIRK

This is murder. You can’t get away with it; the crew will figure this out. They’ll rebel.

SPOCK

The crew will have nothing to rebel about. We have always used the transporter, and we will continue to use the transporter. Any questions about this episode will be soon forgotten as we move on to other concerns, other adventures.

KIRK

On Earth they call this cold-blooded murder. You’re a psychopath, Spock; you have no emotional connection to other people. You feel nothing.

SPOCK

As a Vulcan I shall consider that a compliment. What you call anger, desire, sadness, fear are vestiges of a pre-rational state of being. Realize that and you will be content with your fate.

KIRK

Psychopath! Murderer!

SPOCK

I am telling you this out of kindness.

KIRK

That’s a lie! You feel no kindness.

SPOCK

I’m telling you because it is necessary.

KIRK

You said I could decide!

SPOCK

Yes, after we meet with the Xionians.

KIRK

You’re bluffing, Spock. This is all an elaborate ruse.

SPOCK

I grant that, after we beam down, your replacement may have his doubts about what I have said. After all, it will be difficult for him to believe that he is completely new to the world. Nevertheless, since he will be human like you, I believe his final decision will favor self-preservation.

KIRK

Monster!

(Kirk lunges at Spock, who deftly grips Kirk’s shoulder, knocking him out. Spock flips open his communicator.)

SPOCK

Dr. McCoy, it was necessary to subdue Newkirk. I will need your help moving him to the transporter room.

(Blackout.)

Scene IV

(Bridge. McCoy is standing beside Kirk, who sits in the captain’s chair. Spock enters.)

SPOCK

Newkirk is now on Xion, Captain.

KIRK

Good.

SPOCK

I’ll make a full report.

KIRK

Excellent.

McCOY

Don’t you have any feelings for the man at all, Jim? He is your exact twin.

KIRK

He’s also an abstraction, since I was never allowed to meet him.

McCOY

You must understand the reasons for that, Jim.

KIRK

I do. Still, I would have loved to talk to him.

McCOY

It would be like talking into a mirror.

KIRK

Yes. Do you think I would like what I saw?

McCOY

Well...

(McCoy looks to Spock, who raises his eyebrows quizzically.)

KIRK

He will do well on Xion. He must be resourceful...a survivor, like me.

McCOY

He’ll probably be running the place in ten years.

KIRK

I wouldn’t be surprised. Spock? What do you think?

SPOCK

Despite his reluctance to go, I think he will adjust well to his new surroundings and, in time, consider himself fortunate.

KIRK

Reluctance? I can imagine. I would have protested vigorously.

SPOCK

I did have to subdue him, Sir.

KIRK

I trust it wasn’t too easy.

SPOCK

You understand, of course, my unique abilities as a Vulcan.

KIRK

That I do, Spock.

McCOY

He regained consciousness in the transporter and began yelling that we were killing him, over and over. Begging us, really. It was quite pitiful. And then a long, chilling wail. Almost Romulan.

KIRK

What are you trying to say, Bones?

McCOY

Nothing, nothing. Only, he does have your personality, Jim.

KIRK

Point taken, Bones. If you ever exile me, I’ll try to maintain my composure. Take us out of orbit, Mr. Spock. Ahead warp factor one.

(Curtain.)

Image: Modified publicity photograph from the original Star Trek television series.