DEEP SPACE NINE: "The Muse" - REV. 02/16/96 - ACT TWO      26A.

24   CONTINUED:

					ONAYA
			That's understandable. You should 
			be nervous when you start 
			something new.

	She reaches to take his hand, intending to lead him 
	over to where some pillows are arranged around a low 
	wooden TABLE, but he starts from the contact, making 
	her realize she was right.

					ONAYA
			Though maybe not this nervous. 
			Haven't you ever been alone in a 
			woman's quarters before?

	Off his reaction.

					ONAYA
			Whatever you're thinking, put it 
			out of your mind -- you're here to 
			work.

	Jake is reassured by her almost stern tone... relaxes 
	a bit. They settle on to the pillows. She looks at 
	him, enthusiasm in her face.

					ONAYA
			Now, what's the most ambitious 
			story you've ever wanted to tell?

					JAKE
				(considers)
			I have an idea for a novel. It's 
			sort of autobiographical. The 
			main character's mother dies 
			and... it's not really about 
			that... it's about a lot of 
			things...

	He shakes his head, seems uncertain.

					ONAYA
			So many it seems too big for you, 
			right now. You're afraid you 
			can't do it justice.

	He looks at her, surprised that she knows this.

					JAKE
			Yeah...