Riker Declines Parrises Squares, Observes Crew's Departure and Power Reduction
Plot Beats
The narrative micro-steps within this event
Riker spots Tasha, Worf, and other crew members dressed for athletics as they prepare to leave for a friendly Parrises Squares game on the starbase, establishing the ship steadily emptying.
Tasha invites Riker to join the Parrises Squares game, but he declines, explaining that switching players disrupts the game’s rhythm, underscoring his choice to stay aboard as others leave.
Worf pledges victory with fierce determination, prompting Riker’s gentle reminder that the game is just friendly fun, highlighting contrasting attitudes toward competition.
Worf questions the point of playing without valuing winning, leaving Riker speechless and underscoring Worf’s complex worldview; Tasha then lightens the mood by noting Worf’s developing sense of humor.
Who Was There
Characters present in this moment
Optimistic and friendly with a subtle hint of disappointment at Riker’s refusal, but supportive of the crew’s upcoming competition.
Lieutenant Natasha Yar, dressed for athletics and carrying a duffel bag, enthusiastically invites Riker to join a Parrises Squares game against maintenance personnel. She encourages substitutions to accommodate Riker but respects his decision, showing warmth and team spirit before rejoining the others.
- • Encourage crew participation and morale through social sports.
- • Include senior officers like Riker to strengthen the team.
- • Maintain camaraderie and team spirit before impending challenges.
- • Social bonding through sports is valuable for crew cohesion.
- • Inclusion builds morale and strengthens group dynamics.
- • Friendly competition is a healthy outlet amid stressful duties.
Focused and resolute, exhibiting a proud and somewhat intimidating competitive spirit.
Worf, embodying fierce competitiveness, assures Riker of their inevitable victory regardless of cost. His intense focus on winning contrasts with Riker’s more tempered view of the game as friendly competition, revealing his warrior mindset even in leisure. He departs with the other crew members, projecting confidence and determination.
- • Win the Parrises Squares game at all costs.
- • Represent the Enterprise’s pride through victory.
- • Demonstrate strength and commitment to competition.
- • Victory is paramount and justifies any means.
- • Competition reflects personal and team honor.
- • Keeping score is essential to meaningful games.
Contemplative and slightly distant, masking a quiet concern about the ship’s operational status and the implications of crew dispersal.
Commander William Riker walks the corridor and engages with Tasha and Worf, declining their invitation to join a competitive Parrises Squares game. He displays thoughtful restraint, emphasizing the importance of maintaining game rhythm, and later, alone, investigates a sudden ship-wide power reduction. His solitary stance and watchful actions reveal a layered sense of responsibility and concern.
- • Maintain the integrity and spirit of the Parrises Squares game by refusing substitutions.
- • Monitor and understand the ship's operational changes, specifically the power reduction.
- • Support the morale of departing crew by encouraging their victory.
- • Stay vigilant about the ship’s condition amid shifting crew dynamics.
- • The flow and rhythm of a team game are critical to fair competition.
- • Maintaining ship systems' integrity is paramount for crew safety and mission success.
- • Friendly competition is important for crew morale but should not compromise operational focus.
- • Solitary vigilance is necessary even amid lighter social interactions.
Eager and motivated, energized by the prospect of friendly competition and social interaction.
Various members of the Enterprise Crew prepare for the Parrises Squares game, carrying athletic gear and displaying enthusiasm. They participate actively in the social challenge against maintenance personnel, fostering camaraderie and competition.
- • Engage in friendly competition to boost morale.
- • Represent the Enterprise positively in the game.
- • Team sports strengthen crew bonds.
- • Friendly rivalry is a constructive outlet during operational downtime.
Neutral and efficient, focused solely on delivering accurate information.
The Enterprise Computer provides factual, calm explanations about the power reduction in section L-Ninety Four, stating the necessity of the shutdown to facilitate a system upgrade and assuring that full power can be restored if required.
- • Inform crew members about system status updates.
- • Ensure clarity on operational changes to avoid confusion or concern.
- • System upgrades require temporary power reallocations.
- • Transparency aids crew trust and operational safety.
Objects Involved
Significant items in this scene
The Enterprise Corridor Communication Panel is used by Riker as an interface to query the Enterprise Computer about the sudden power reduction. Its touch-sensitive controls illuminate his presence, serving as a technological bridge between human vigilance and ship systems management.
Location Details
Places and their significance in this event
Section L-Ninety Four is referenced as the area undergoing a deliberate power reduction to clear computer bank resources for an upgrade. While not physically shown, it is central to understanding the ship’s operational shift that Riker detects and queries about.
The Enterprise Corridor serves as the physical and symbolic stage for the interaction between Riker and the athletic crew members. Initially a bustling passage filled with anticipation and camaraderie, it shifts to a more solitary, dimmed environment as crew members depart and power reduces, reflecting the ship’s evolving vulnerability and Riker’s watchful isolation.
Narrative Connections
How this event relates to others in the story
No narrative connections mapped yet
This event is currently isolated in the narrative graph
Key Dialogue
"TASHA: We've been challenged to a friendly game of Parrises Squares by some of the maintenance personnel -- want to join us on the starbase?"
"RIKER: No... if you do that in Parrises Squares you lose the rhythm of the game."
"WORF: Rest assured, Commander, we will be victorious, at whatever the cost."
"RIKER: (concerned) Worf -- it's just a game. You know, a little friendly competition -- work up a sweat, have some laughs, make new friends."
"RIKER: Computer -- There's a power reduction in section L-Ninety Four. Explain."
"COMPUTER: Unoccupied sections are being closed down in order to clear space in the main computer banks. It's necessary to facilitate the system upgrade. Full power can be restored if needed."