CAPTAIN KIRK PREPARES TO LEAVE THE ORBIT OF MORA-2.

Mr. Sulu, let's get to warp speed, shall we?

Captain, why the informal style of command??

(smiling)

Oh, just feel good today.

Hit it!

CAPTAIN KIRK NOTICES, AS THE ENTERPRISE'S ACCELERATION BEGINS, AN ODD SOUND.

Mr. Spock, do you hear an odd sound?

Captain, indeed I do hear a cyclic knocking sound.

Yes, I do believe it is knocking. Could it be our warp drive fuel pump again?

I believe that unit was replaced during our last tune up.

Tune up?

Excuse me, Captain. I mean, at our last power system overhaul.

Oh, ok. But, we have the sound, nevertheless.

(looking at Spock)

Do you see anything in the computer?

In it?

(Kirk scowls at Spock)

I see a display from it.

(continues scowling at Spock)

It is indicating the warp drive armature is failing.

Meaning?

Meaning that Mr. Scott is in heap big doo doo.

Spock? Why the colloquial and, by the way, non-Vulcan, way of speaking?

Pardon me, Captain. I just thought you felt good today and would enjoy the old saying.

I don't know what came over me.

We need to contact Mr. Scott.

(to Mr. Scott on intercom)

Mr. Scott ...

Aye, Captain ...

Mr. Scott, what is the problem down there?

I don't know, Captain. The warp drive seems to be shutting down.

That doesn't sound good!

Do you mean that figuratively, or you hear the sound and the sound, itself, doesn't sound good?

(sarchastic grin to bridge crew)

Mr. Scott, the former.

Forget that, how long to fix it?

That depends.

Depends on what?

Hey, wait a minute...

(blankly staring into space - heh, heh)

This situation puts me in mind of something from my childhood. Yes ...

In an early Three Stooges episode, Larry was walking on a city street and wearing a sandwich sign-board proclaiming that he was a bridge expert. A car stopped beside him. The driver sees his sign and says, "Bridge expert, eh?", to which Larry says, "Yes". The driver then tests Larry, "OK, what would you do if you held the Queen alone?". Larry replies, "It all depends". The driver, just like I just said, says, "Depends on what"? Larry replies, "Depends on when the King is expected home!".

Man! Those three earth performers were so funny! ...

(fingers in his ears, deadening the loud sound)

Captain, are you through recounting that story?

You mean, am I through remembering something beautiful from my childhood?

(fingers in his ears, still masking the loud sound)

Captain, Mr. Bridge Expert, our ship is sinking, so to speak, and you are embroiled in nostalsia!

(back to the real world)

Mr. Scott, either fix it or I'll come down there and, well, there will be big trouble, mister!

CAPTAIN KIRK TURNS HIS ATTENTION BACK TO THE BRIDGE CREW.

THE KNOCKING SOUND CONTINUES.

Ahhh! ... Pardon me, Captain.

Yes, Mr. Spock? What?

I accidentally let one go, as you earth people say, and I was just apologizing.

Mr. Spock you're relieved!

Oh, I am aware. And I feel so much better.