Depressed part 4
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By: Cohen
, engineer
, [NPC]
Craig Witmore, Engineer, [RNPC]
Stardate: 58206.15 2055
“The stars.”
“The stars. Great.” said Cohen dismally. “So what? What do they have to do with me?”
“You live among the stars, Cohen!” said Craig with enthusiasm. “do you have any idea what that’s like? Centuries ago, people stared up at the stars, their feet unable to leave the earth. They never saw outer space. Your ancestors never went to Mars, which was practically next-door. The kind of life you lead – it would have been the most incredible flight of fancy to them. The things you take for granted.” He nudged Cohen’s shoulder. “You don’t know what you’ve got.”
“What have I got?” said Cohen. He still looked sceptical.
Craig leaned back in the chair, his arms folded.
“Why don’t you tell me?”
“This is silly,” Said Cohen.
“consider it an order, “ said Craig, still friendly.
Cohen stared at him, trying to figure out if his Boss was kidding or not. He did’nt seem to be.
“Tell you what I’ve got.”
“Right.”
Cohen gave it some thought. “Nothing comes to mind.”
Craig blew air through his lips. “You help keep this ship running,” he said. “That’s one thing. There’s a thousand people on this ship that depend upon the engineering department – more than any other – to get them where they’re going. Now, maybe you consider your duties to be routing, even humdrum. But it’s the ability to stay on top of those duties, even when they’re tedious, that makes you a good and valued crewman.”
“I suppose,” said Cohen slowly. “I mean…. I can look at it with an eye that all these people need me.”
“Right!” said Craig.
“And, well, I do get shore leave, occasionally. And with the holodeck….”
“Exactly, “smiled Craig. “You can simulate anyplace you’d want to go and only the very latest starships are out fitted with the finest holodeck technology.
“And it’s not like I’ve got a dead end job.” Said Cohen. “I mean, there’s room for advancement.”
“Now your getting it.”
TBC