Reedy-Tweedy pipes play as the threesome approaches the front door to the temple. "You say this is a place to purge emotions? Looks like someone had to purge pretty bad. He bashed the door in," Trip comments sexistly. The sooner he's acquainted with how freakishly strong Vulcan women can be, the better for my rage. T'Pol tells him that given the age of the temple, they can't expect it to be in perfect condition. No, but given the logic and intelligence of Vulcans, I would expect her to notice how fresh and unweathered those bash marks are, not to mention the telltale wood splinters on the ground. T'Pol yanks on a thick cord, which results in the obligatory gong. I think it would be really funny if, for once, when you pulled a cord like that, you heard a raspberry. Only in Mel Brooks's world. Sigh. Quantum straightens his shoulders and composes his face in an expression of thoughtful reverence. Either that, or he smells something emanating from Trip. They wait a bit, but since no one immediately runs to fling the doors open wide, Quantum decides to just swagger in.

The three regard the anteroom, filled with untouchable Vulcan treasures, including a bathrobed Vulcan standing in front of a screen. They wait. Trip thinks about asking to use the bathroom. Finally, T'Pol sucks in her cheeks and struts up to the Vulcan on parade. The two speak in undertones, which we can just barely make out to be T'Pol telling him how honored they are to visit this great place of contemplation, and the Vulcan telling her he regrets that he cannot invite them to stay because of Kolinahr. Isn't it remarkable how easily we all picked up the Vulcan language? Trip and Quantum do some more gaping at their surroundings. There's a big face carved into the wall, on which the camera pauses a shade too long for me not to think it's going to be significant later on. T'Pol reports back that the monks have entered the final stage of Kolinahr and must not be disturbed. "Oh, that's too bad," is Quantum's comment, "Well, at least we got to see the place." "The place"? Would you say that about visiting the Hanging Gardens of Babylon or the Colossus of Rhodes? "So, this is the place, huh? Why dontcha snap a picture, Eunice, these pyramids aren't going to be around forever." Hoark, spit, burp. T'Pol turns back to the Vulcan elder, pays him a few respects, and asks to see the J'Kah Stone, "for my distinguished guests." The Vulcan tells them to wait half a tick and he'll be back. T'Pol looks around the atrium, noting broken pottery on the floor, and a lighted relic tipped awkwardly against the wall. Quantum asks her if there's something wrong. "This is the main atrium, there should be more than one member of the Order present. And the icon in that shrine is perched at an odd angle," T'Pol tells him. "Oddly perched, huh?" Trip says, giving Quantum a nudge-nudge-wink-wink look. "We'd better call Starfleet Command." Shut your trap, Trip. As if Starfleet would even have the tiniest grain of a clue what to do. And since Vulcans aren't really given to alarmist notions -- unlike you and your wimpishness on the Xyrillian ship -- I'd think you might want to listen to T'Pol instead of taunting her. Oh, and another thing: shut up, more. Logically, T'Pol ignores him and says, "That's not all, Captain. The Vulcan Elder seems...agitated." "You call that agitated?" Trip asks mock-inquisitively. I'm really begging you to stick a sock in it, Trip, or I'll agitate you.