Note: For Star Trek: The Original Series, a scene was written featuring Lt. Uhura in which she had to dress up as a ballerina and dance ballet to appease a creature that was threatening the Enterprise. William Shatner demanded they change the scene so that it is his character, Captain Kirk, who has to dress like a ballerina and dance ballet to save the ship. This is that scene.

INT. ALIEN PLANET SURFACE - NIGHT

The landscape is otherworldly---glowing plants pulse in time with a faint humming. A shimmering forcefield keeps the Enterprise suspended midair above the surface, paralyzed. Before our crew, a towering, translucent being made of light and sound floats ominously. This is THE CONDUCTOR, an alien who speaks only in rhythm and aesthetic expression.

THE CONDUCTOR - (booming, melodic) - Only beauty shall determine your fate. Perform… or perish!

SPOCK - The entity appears to respond to artistic performances as a form of communication. It is, for lack of a better term, judging us.

SCOTTY - Then we’re doomed. I know engines, not art!

UHURA - I could try singing again, but it didn’t react the first time.

KIRK - (eyeing the alien) - It’s looking for something more… visceral. Physical. Emotional. (beat) Something like… ballet.

(All heads turn to Uhura.)

UHURA - (softly) - I did study ballet in the Academy... but---

KIRK - (interrupting, resolute) - No. I’ll do it.

SPOCK - Captain, logic dictates that Lt. Uhura is far more qualified---

KIRK - Exactly why it has to be me. The unexpected. The creature needs to be moved---not by perfection, but by passion. I’ll need... a tutu.

(A beat of silence. Then---)

SCOTTY - I've got some pink fabric and a plasma torch. Give me five minutes.

EXT. PERFORMANCE PLATFORM - MOMENTS LATER

On a stone dais surrounded by glowing monoliths, Captain JAMES T. KIRK now stands center stage in a sparkling white-and-pink ballerina outfit, tights, and soft slippers. His arms are toned, his chest heroic---even beneath tulle and chiffon. The crew watches nervously. McCoy shields his eyes.

MCCOY - He’s gonna throw out his hip.

SPOCK - I find this... statistically improbable.

(A haunting orchestral hum begins. The alien entity pulses expectantly.)

KIRK - (softly, to himself) - For the Enterprise.

(Then, with dramatic grace, Kirk launches into a ballet performance. It is not technically sound---but it is bold. Passionate. Poetic. He leaps. He pirouettes. He expresses the soul of a man torn between duty and freedom, war and peace, space and Earth. The Conductor begins to pulse in rhythm, responding. Its humming softens, then harmonizes with Kirk's movements.)

THE CONDUCTOR - (reverent, resonant) - Emotion… paradox… imperfection embraced. You dance the truth of your species. You are... spared.

(The forcefield dissolves. The Enterprise begins to regain power overhead. Kirk finishes with a dramatic pose, chest heaving. Silence---then applause from his stunned crew.)

UHURA - That was... surprisingly moving.

MCCOY - (grumbling) - Well, Jim, if Starfleet ever kicks you out, there’s always the Bolshoi.

SPOCK - Fascinating. Your technique was flawed, but your interpretive vulnerability was... effective.

KIRK - (catching his breath, smirking) - Just another day saving the galaxy---in tights.

FADE OUT.