(hinge squeaks)
-: It's about time.
(distant horns blaring) (wood clatters)
-: Douglas?
Magazine?
-: There isn't any magazine, not this month anyway.
Mr. Stone had the entire run pulped.
-: He can't do that.
-: Oh, he can and he did.
He believes quote, "This issue did not
"live up to our usual high standards," unquote.
-: Well what's that supposed to mean?
-: It means he didn't like it.
(sighs despondently)
Which means the public will simply have to get along
without any incredible tales this month.
-: What exactly is it that he did not like?
The art work, the layout?
What high standards is he talking about?
-: Take it easy Benny -: No, I...
It's about my story isn't it?
That's what this is all about.
He didn't want to publish my story, and we all know why.
Because my hero is a colored man.
-: Hey!
This magazine belongs to Mr. Stone,
if he doesn't want to publish this month,
we don't publish this month, end of story.
-: That doesn't make it right and you know it!
-: Don't tell me what I know!
Besides, it's not about what's right, it's about what is!
(sighs despondently)
And I'm afraid I've got some more bad news for you Benny,
Mr. Stone has decided that your services
are no longer required here. -: What?
-: You're firing me?
-: I have no choice Benny, it's his decision.
-: Well, you can't fire me.
I quit!
To hell with you,
and to hell with Stone! (metal clattering)
-: Try to stay calm Benny.
-: No, I'm tired of being calm.
Calm never got me a damn thing!
-: I'm warning you Benny, if you don't stop this
I'm going to call the police.
-: You go ahead, call them!
Call anybody you want, they can't do anything to me!
Not any more, and nor can any of you!
(wood clattering)
(heavy breathing) (Benny sobbing)
I'm a human being, damn it.
You can deny me all you want,
but you cannot deny Ben Sisko exists.
That future, that space station, all those people,
they exist in here, in my mind, I created it!
And every one of you know it, you read it!
It's here!
You hear what I'm telling you?
You can pulp a story, but you cannot destroy an idea!
Don't you understand?
That's ancient knowledge!
You cannot destroy an idea!
That future, I created it, and it's real!
Don't you understand?
It is real!
I created it, and it's real!