Author's preface: This episode occurs about two years after the episode "Pen Pals" and is a sequel to it. Thus, it fits in about the fourth season. That's all you need to know to enjoy the story.

Scene: TOWN OF TREETON

Data and Crusher are walking down a street in a more dilapidated part of town not seen before, and not fitting in with the rest of the town. There is an air of uneasiness. Not many other Dremans are around. There is graffiti on some of the buildings, and trash on the streets.

CRUSHER - Data, what makes you think that Sarjenka is here?

DATA - After scanning the news reports of the planet, and using the maps from the newspaper, I have eliminated all of the obvious places. And, having had experience with the Sherlock Holmes method of systematic investigation, I resolved the problem. This area was not considered because of its very nature. As you have noticed, Doctor, the population of this part of Treeton consists of tramps, hustlers, the poor, destitute, and homeless. The businesses are simply fronts for illicit activities, and the ...

CRUSHER - I get the picture. I would like to spend as little time as possible here. Can we go now?

DATA - But we have not yet discovered Sarjenka's hiding place.

CRUSHER - Data, it may not be a good idea to contact her. If she doesn't actually remember you or the Enterprise, this would be a big mistake. If she does remember you, this would simply add fuel to the fire.

DATA - I have considered those possibilities. But she will not remember you, Doctor.

CRUSHER - Oh, no. No. Nope. Absolutely not. I will not under any circumstances be your guinea pig for this wild goose chase.

Scene: IN A DOORWAY

The scene shifts to Crusher knocking on a door, glancing at Data who is sitting on a bench reading a newspaper, a real paper one, watching surreptitiously. A large Dreman woman answers through a peep hole in the door.

DREMAN WOMAN - Yeah?

CRUSHER - Um, can you help me?

There is a pause, and Crusher considers running away. Eventually the door opens to reveal a dark interior, but no one beckons. Crusher timidly steps inside, and the door closes behind her. Data sees this and shows concern. The scene follows Crusher into the darkened room, where the woman starts up some stairs with some effort. Crusher follows her.

CRUSHER - Thank you for opening the door for me. I'm looking for ...

DREMAN WOMAN - Up here.

Crusher follows without further comment. The two finally reach the top of the stairs and enter a small room with two chairs.

DREMAN WOMAN - (Indicating one of the chairs) Sit.

Crusher sits. She starts to say something to the Dreman woman, but the door closes and Crusher is alone. After a few frightening moments, the other door opens and a tall young Dreman man steps in, scrutinizes Crusher for a few moments, then steps out of the way, and Sarjenka walks in and sits in the other chair. The young man leaves. Crusher's thoughts are heard for the audience.

CRUSHER - (Thinking) Sarjenka!

CRUSHER - How could you know?

SARJENKA - I've been waiting for you. I was so scared that the news service wasn't going to send anyone out here to take my story. I'm so glad you finally got here. Aren't you going to record this?

CRUSHER - Yes.

SARJENKA - Well, where is your recorder?

CRUSHER - You can relax. Talk as if you were just telling me, as a friend.

SARJENKA - I guess first I want to say thanks for the people helping me. I'm sorry if they seem a bit sleazy. They really are the dearest people for watching out for me. You can't tell anyone where I am.

CRUSHER - No, no. I promise. No one will know.

SARJENKA - What everyone says is I'm the reason for the quakes, or I'm the reason they stopped, or I'm an angel, or a witch, or an alien. All of that is crazy. People give me weird looks at school, or on the street, like I'm some kind of freak. Do I look like a freak to you?

CRUSHER - No. But you look scared.

SARJENKA - I really don't know what's going on. That morning, as soon as my folks came back from the shelters, after the quakes stopped, they found me in my bed, with the singing stone. If it hadn't been for that stupid rock, nothing would have happened. I don't even know where the thing comes from. I don't know how I got it in the first place, and I don't know why everyone makes such a big fuss over the whole thing.

Sarjenka begins to cry and Crusher goes over to comfort her, with words such as "Take your time. It's all right," etc. Sarjenka resumes her composure, but Crusher has moved her chair closer.

SARJENKA- I've been here for five weeks, and I miss my Mom and Dad so much. If it weren't for Senker, he's the one you saw before. I just want everyone to let me go home. The scientists can keep the stupid singing stone. I just want to go home. This world is just so big, why can't they pick on someone else. Um, I don't even know your name.

CRUSHER - Beverly. There were reports that you built a transmitter.

SARJENKA - It was a science project. I got an "A".

CRUSHER - What's the transmitter for?

SARJENKA - To talk to the little green men on Drema Three.

CRUSHER - I'm not the enemy here.

SARJENKA - Oh, I'm sorry, Beverly. It was just a stupid idea.

CRUSHER - I'm not judging. You'll still get an "A".

SARJENKA - The original idea was to find out how far my transmitter would carry messages. At first I aimed them at the moon, and timed their return. Then I got carried away and wanted to know if there were others who could hear my transmissions. I thought for a while I had contacted someone ... something, but now I realize that the planet's crystal core was bending the signal so much, I was probably talking to another station on Drema Four. So much for little green men. Anyway, I was a lot younger then, and now I know how senseless it was. But it was a good exercise. I don't think you should put that in the news. No, don't even mention the transmitter. It would just mess everything up. (Jumps up) Oh, I'm sorry. This is terrible. I've got to go.

CRUSHER - It's all right. It's okay. I won't mention this. I promise. I won't tell a soul about the dream. Just stay a few more minutes please.

SARJENKA - Okay.

CRUSHER - Sarjenka, why don't you tell people what you've told me.

SARJENKA - Because. You'd be scared too, if they are always talking about religious and scientist and one believes and one does not. And it never stops. Ever since I can remember.

CRUSHER - What? Even before the quakes.

SARJENKA - Didn't you take history in school?

CRUSHER - It wasn't my best subject.

SARJENKA - When has Drema Four ever been without the argument?

CRUSHER - So the different factions, religious and scientist, didn't start with the quakes?

SARJENKA - Who are you? Senkar!

CRUSHER - I'm a friend, Sarjenka.

The door opens and Data steps in with Senkar holding his arm.

SENKAR - I found this one outside, Jen.

DATA - (To Crusher) I am glad to see you are well. I was ... concerned.

-to be continued