Disclaimer: Star Trek is the property of Paramount/Viacom. This story is the property of and is copyright (c) 1977 by Gerry Downes. Originally published in Stardate: Unknown #3, Gerry Downes, editor.

YOUR TURN, DOCTOR

Gerry Downes

I always thought emotions

were troublesome

and fickle things,

not worth my attention

or participation.

So I remained outside them

and watched you humans

play your games,

revealing a great deal

but keeping more inside.

You're the worst one of all

berating me, nagging

and gleeful as a cat

to catch a mouse

of feeling from me.

I, unfortunately, always

can find an explanation

-- oh really, Doctor? --

guaranteed, of course

to set you off again.

But after careful thought

and all due consideration

I have decided that

games are childish things,

too much so for us.

I can do away, I think,

with my facade

if you can;

shall we try it,

just this one time?

Leonard, can I

call you -- friend?