Captain's Log, Stardate 37762.8. The USS Employment is on route to Career IV to pick up the Thalassian placement minister from a conference on interstellar hiring. Travel is smooth, and crew
members are taking advantage of the unexpected free time to pursue hobbies or just to relax.
| Data: | We're approaching the Osutech System, Sir. |
| Picard: | On screen! |
| Worf: | Aye, Sir. |
| Picard: | Report? |
| Data: | The Osutech System is primarily a cluster of uninhabited planets, moons, and asteroids orbiting a single star. The only Class M planet in the region is Ishto. I can transfer the information from our database to your Ready Room, Captain. |
| Picard: | Make it so, Mr. Data. |
| Riker: | Ishto? A curious name. |
| Data: | Not quite, Commander. The Ishtolians are a headstrong race. Although
technologically very capable and on the verge of a vast leap forward, many
inhabitants of the planet elect to live at a level that requires only minimal educational achievement. Their entire thinking is
consumed by the question of whether or not a development is necessary or their
participation is required. Hence Ishto - I shouldn't have to. |
| Picard: | How does that impact their society? |
| Data: | There appears to be a schism between the ones who see
and realize the possibilities and move forward and those who remain economically
depressed on the grounds that "they shouldn't have to" do something. As a
result, leadership is fragmented, and society advances at a much slower pace than necessary. |
| Picard: | I'd like to learn more about them. Offensive capabilities, Mr. Worf? |
| Worf: | Mostly of the sawed-off-shotgun and Saturday-night-special type with some
semi-automatic assault, all using late twentieth-century technology. No match for our shields, Sir. |
| Picard: | Commander Riker, assemble an away team. |
| Riker: | Data, Worf, Counselor--you're with me. |
| On the planet's surface. |
| Troi: | This is quite a pleasant environment. |
| Riker: | Environmental report, Data? |
| Data: | Tricorder readings indicate an oxygen-nitrogen atmosphere laced with cigarette smoke and truck exhaust. This planet has a major pollution problem,
Commander. |
| Troi: | I hope we will be able to talk to the natives. |
| Worf: | I would advise against that. They might consider our intentions hostile. |
| Riker: | Your warning is duly noted, Lieutenant. I happen to see some sort of oblong
metal dwelling with wheels behind that hill. Let's give it a try. |
| Riker: | I'm Commander William Riker of the starship USS Employment. These are Lt. Cmdr.
Data, Lt. Worf, and Counselor Deanna Troi. What is your name? |
| Bubba: | The name's Bubba Scroggs. What can I do you for? |
| Troi: | We're just interested in life on this planet. You, for example, appear to be living
in very modest surroundings despite having a family, yet I see bigger houses
just down the street. Why did you make that decision? |
| Bubba: | Oh, they was unreasonable. When I graduated high school, I was going to
go to college and get me a nice job, but they was wanting me to take writing. I wanted
to be a technician--I shouldn't have to take writing. |
| Data: | That is a common misconception, Sir. Many careers in technical fields require
good grammar and writing skills. And you are certainly aware of the
connection between clear writing and clear thinking. |
| Bubba: | Who is he? Some sort of smart guy? |
| Troi: | Don't you wish you had a better life for your family? Don't you wish you could
pay the bills and not worry about money? |
| Bubba: | But I shouldn't have to take that writing %$@#&. Who needs writing? |
| Troi: | What about enrichment and pleasure in general? |
| Bubba: | Listen, I shouldn't have to do that. That's all there is to it. Is that so hard to get? You guys are really starting to tick me off ... |
| Riker: | Riker to Employment--four to beam up. Get us out of here! |
| Back on the Employment. |
| Riker: | Captain, could you imagine having one of those guys work
for you? What a nightmare. |
| Picard: | The universe never ceases to amaze me, Number One. [Turns to helm.] Ensign, lay in a course for Starbase Omicron. 37682 Mark 4. Warp 2. Engage! |
| The Employment goes to warp speed and disappears behind a cluster of asteroids. |
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