DEEP SPACE NINE: "Statistical... " - REV. 10/23/97 - ACT ONE    16.

14   CONTINUED:	(4)

	That sums up everyone's feelings -- they're willing to 
	break the rules for him.

					BASHIR 
			An exception. I suppose I should 
			be used to that, I've been one all 
			my life. First because of the 
			resequencing, and now because I'm 
			allowed to serve in Starfleet 
			anyway.

	
A moment, then Worf tries to apologize --

					WORF
			Perhaps I should not have said 
			anything.

	A beat, then Bashir backs off -- realizing he shouldn't 
	have taken Worf's hypothetical so personally.

					BASHIR 
			It's all right.

	Even so, we can see he's feeling strangely alone among 
	his friends... it takes him back to the days when he 
	bore his secret alone. An awkward moment as everyone 
	tries to recover from this uncomfortable discussion. 
	Sisko decides to take the bull by the horns.

					SISKO 
			Anyone care to speculate about 
			what Gul Damar is going to say in 
			his speech?

					O'BRIEN
			Nothing we're going to like, I'll 
			wager.

					KIRA
			It should be starting any minute.

					DAX
			If he announces another new battle 
			offensive, it'll spoil dessert.

	Bashir's combadge suddenly SQUAWKS with STATIC.

					JACK'S COM VOICE 
			-- can you hear me? Hello? 
			Calling Doctor Bashir.

	Bashir reacts with surprise, double-taps his combadge 
	to clear the signal.