The Tourist (Banshee Squadron episode)

Teaser

Dexter Gray and Alex Dalton take a walk in the park, talk about the future and the past, and make an unusual new friend.

Chapters

Boredom

Dexter and Alex are on a date in Serenity City. They're a little bored so find a park bench and talk about the future of Banshee Squadron. Alex is feeling depressed so Dex suggest they go shopping.

Alarm

On their way through the park to the shopping district, Dex and Alex notice a huge bear-like creature stalking a young mother and her children. Alarmed, Dex runs to warn the mother, but the bear reveals itself to be a large furry alien tourist. It snaps a photo and ambles off.

Horror

Dex follows along as Alex happily shops for shoes. They buy ice-cream and find another park bench. They talk about their feelings, and the conversation turns to Dexter's horrific encounter with the Jelly Brains. The bushes behind them rustle, and the bear-alien pops his head up. It snaps a photo.

Curiosity

Dex, Alex, and the alien introduce themselves. The alien indicates that he is from the SagDEG galaxy. Dex and Alex accept his claim. The alien is curious about garbage. He seems to have no experience with the concept of waste products. After answering all the alien's questions, it gives Dex and Alex candy. Later that day, the alien reappears and asks where the zoo was. Dex and Alex tell it, and receive another piece of candy.

Gratitude

Dex and Alex continue shopping. The alien periodically appears with questions. Each answer is rewarded with candy. The alien wants Dex and Alex to pose with it for a picture, which they do. The local authorities arrive in force and surround them. The alien is sad and says "this always happens". He says thank you to Dex and Alex and flies away straight up into the air and is gone.

Incredulity

The police exhaustively question Dex and Alex about the alien, but eventually let them go because they don't know anything useful except that the alien was interested in garbage. Dex and Alex return home and kiss goodnight, a wonderful end to an interesting day.

Memorable Quotes

• "I'm gonna bug you about it until you tell me, you know," said Alex. "It's what girls do."

Notes

• The Tourist was the first Banshee Squadron episode written in response to a writing exercise suggested on the TrekCreative Writer's Group. The assignment was, "What is your character's favorite flavor of ice cream, and why?"

• For some strange reason, this is one of my favorite Banshee Squadron stories.