KOSH: I wish to engage your services.
TALIA: For what?
KOSH: Business.
TALIA: What sort of business?
KOSH: Important.
TALIA: Ambassador, I'd be happy to assist you, but there are certain details I must know before taking any commission. Not to mention getting clearances from the...
KOSH: All arranged. As is payment. We will meet in Red Three at the hour of scampering.
[Kosh walks away]
TALIA: The hour of scampering...?
[Later]
TALIA: Ambassador Kosh. All the clearances seem to be in order and the pay is very generous. However, there is something I still don't understand...
KOSH: Understanding is a three-edged sword.
[Abbut comes in]
ABBUT: Oh, Kosh! You old dog! You didn't tell me you were bringing a date!
TALIA: Erm, I'm Talia Winters, licensed commercial telepath, Psi Corps Rating P5. I'll be sitting in on the negociations on behalf of Ambassador Kosh.
ABBUT: Ah. I'm a 23 myself. A good number. Call me... Abbut.
KOSH: Please scan Abbut. Report to me his thoughts at this time.
ABBUT: Oh, goody! Nothing like a good mind scan to clear the old processor.
[Talia scans Abbut]
KOSH: Ms. Winters?
TALIA: He has no thoughts at all. It's as if his mind were empty.
KOSH: Excellent. We may now commence our business. Abbut?
ABBUT: Crab. Nebula.
[Talia sighs]
[Later]
KOSH: Then the willows must scuttle carefully.
ABBUT: Does Saturn have rings?
KOSH: The talks are over for the day. We shall commence again tomorrow at the hour of longing.
ABBUT: Suits me.
[Kosh walks away]
TALIA: Ambassador? Ambassador Kosh?
KOSH: There is a question?
TALIA: Yes. I've been scanning Mr. Abbut all day, and his mind is still just as empty as when we started. And these... these phrases you keep speaking, they don't make any sense.
KOSH: Ah. You seek meaning.
TALIA: Yes.
KOSH: Then listen to the music, not the song.
[Kosh disappears in the lift]
[Later]
TALIA: Ambassador, I thought it over and I don't believe I can continue with this assignment.
KOSH: Your belief does not enter into it. We have a contract.
TALIA: I know that, but you don't really need a telepath.
KOSH: What is need compared to the path?
[Abbut arrives]
ABBUT: Ah, the traffic was murder, but here I am! Ms. Winters! So lovely to see you again!
[Abbut takes Talia's hand, she has a strange vision]
[Later]
ABBUT: A herring is just a herring, but a good cigar is a Cuban.
KOSH: A stroke of the brush does not guarantee art from the bristles. Do you understand, Ms. Winters?
[Talia has another frightening vision. Talia screams]
KOSH: Our business is concluded.
ABBUT: You were swell. Maybe we can have that Jovian Sunspot some time. Kosh old boy, a pleasure as always.
[Abbut removes a data crystal from an implant in his brain. Kosh takes the crystal.]
ABBUT: Let's do lunch soon. Ms. Winters. [He walks away]
TALIA: What is he? And what was on the data crystal he gave you?
KOSH: Reflection, surprise, terror. For the future.
SINCLAIR: Why?
KOSH: You are not ready for immortality.