The Price ( episode ) The " Enterprise " hosts negotiations for possession of the only known stable wormhole . Summary . Teaser . Counselor Troi enters her quarters after what appears to be an exhausting day . She begins to read some mail from her mother , ignoring a research inquiry originating in Canada from the " Manitoba Journal of Interplanetary Psychology " and plans on having a chocolate sundae from her replicator when she is called by Captain Picard to attend a reception in Ten Forward for delegates negotiating for the rights to the Barzan wormhole , which is about to appear visibly . After attempting to beg off , she reluctantly heads to Ten Forward , muttering sarcastically to herself about not wanting to miss seeing a wormhole . Once arriving , Picard introduces her to Premier Bhavani of Barzan II and two of the negotiators : Seth Mendoza of the Federation and Leyor of the Caldonian s . Then the third negotiator , Devinoni Ral , a Human representing the Chrysalian s , introduces himself . Troi seems immediately drawn to Ral , who has an attractive female companion on his arm . Those gathered then turn their attention out the forward windows , where the Barzan wormhole - the only stable wormhole known to exist - makes itself visible , as it does every 233 minutes . Troi then turns to Ral , who is looking at her with interest . Act One . Since the Barzans don ' t have the means to administer the wormhole ' s use , they are offering that right to interested spacefaring races and groups . Just as the negotiations start in the conference room , Riker informs them that a Ferengi delegation wants to be included . Bhavani admits that she was not expecting the Ferengi , but does not wish to incur any ill will . Picard has Chief O ' Brien beam the Ferengi party directly to the conference room . Their leader , DaiMon Goss , begins by protesting at not being invited , then demands seats for himself and his two consuls , Dr . Arridor and . Picard ( keeping his temper with difficulty ) , informs the Daimon that all the parties have agreed to limit their delegations to one representative , that the two Ferengi counsels are welcome to accommodations aboard the , and Picard will vacate his own chair for Goss . Goss says they can handle the pleasantries later ; taking a large bag from Kol , he opens it on the table to display a pile of gold , confidently predicting that he can outbid anyone else at the table . Back in her office , Troi is researching Ral . She discovers that he was born on Earth in 2325 , but moved to Hurkos III when he was 19 . Her door chime sounds , and Ral enters . He begins a flirtatious conversation with Troi , during which he informs her that his traveling companion is now " traveling . " He then begins rather forwardly stroking Troi ' s hair , removing the hair clip she had in it . She protests slightly , but Ral silences her and then invites her to dinner at 20 : 00 . Act Two . In Picard ' s ready room , Picard , Riker , Data , La Forge and Mendoza are reviewing the data from the Barzans ' unmanned probe sent into the wormhole , which indicates that the other end exits near the Denkiri Arm , in the Gamma Quadrant . Picard gives a low whistle : a distance that would take nearly a hundred years at warp nine to traverse , covered in a matter of seconds through the wormhole . Riker has some reservations ; a " stable " wormhole is an unknown beast in the galaxy , and Picard agrees that , for all the eagerness of the other parties , the Federation should hesitate before bidding its resources to acquire " " the proverbial lemon . " " Mendoza notes that , for all of Goss ' bluster , the Ferengi don ' t have the resources needed to whet the Barzans ' interest . Riker agrees , guessing that Ral , the most relaxed competitor at the table , is the one to worry about . Mendoza agrees , shrewdly guessing that Riker is a poker enthusiast . La Forge and Data volunteer to man a shuttlecraft to gather more meaningful information . Picard agrees , and says they may do so the next day , after taking more readings on the Barzan side of the wormhole . In the Ferengis ' quarters , Dr . Arridor is helping Goss set up a " poison handshake " that will make whoever he grasps have a severe allergic reaction , albeit non - fatal , in order to remove the competition in the negotiations . They cackle at their ingenuity . At 8 : 00 , Ral arrives at Troi ' s quarters . She invites him in for a drink , but he steals a kiss before she can order . She turns away , unsure of why she ' s so drawn to him and what she may do . She then orders champagne from the replicator ; Ral appends the order " for two . " Troi then admits that she ' s been constantly thinking of Ral , and steps forward and kisses him deeply . Troi breaks the kiss , stating that they ' ll be late for dinner . Ral then lifts her into his arms and states , " very late . " Mendoza is staggering down the hallway , obviously a victim of Goss ' handshake . He stumbles into sickbay , and collapses . Dr . Crusher and Martinez rush forward to help him . In Picard ' s ready room , the Ferengi are arguing with the captain and Riker about their plans to explore the wormhole . Picard offers to share their data , but Goss is skeptical . Riker angrily suggests they send their own probe , which Goss says he will . After the Ferengi storm out , Picard tells Riker to instruct Data and La Forge to stay out of the Ferengis ' way on their shared probe mission . As Riker leaves , the doctor calls and asks for the captain to come to sickbay . The doctor tells Picard that Mendoza is having a histaminic reaction , and won ' t be able to return to the negotiations for several days . Picard and Riker leave , where Picard tells Riker that he ' ll have to take over for Mendoza . Riker protests , but Picard points out that he , Picard , is the host and cannot step in without awkwardness . However , Mendoza had already noted Riker ' s poker skills , and all he ' s doing is stepping into the game as the stakes are raised . Act Three . Data and La Forge ready themselves in a shuttle to enter the wormhole at the same time that Arridor and Kol are doing the same in their pod . The opening of the wormhole appears , and Picard orders them to proceed . The Ferengi follow the shuttle in . Communications are quickly lost between the shuttle and the " Enterprise " as it rapidly travels across the galaxy . In the conference lounge , Ral is trying to undermine Riker ' s confidence as a negotiator , but Riker counters him well . Ral then continues his case for his clients , stating that the Chrysalians may be not be as powerful as " " the mighty Federation " " , but they have the resources and technology to make the Barzans prosperous , and they have also had peace with all species for ten generations - something the Federation cannot claim . Later in Troi ' s quarters , Ral and Troi are having an intimate discussion about their developing relationship . Ral asks about Riker and Troi , and she admits that although they are friends now , they were once much closer . Troi then presses Ral about himself . Ral admits to her that he is also part Betazoid ; he is one - quarter , Troi is one - half . Ral was the only child out of five with empathic abilities . He says this is why he left Earth , because it was difficult having empathic powers while others didn ' t . He then received training so he could handle them . At the other opening of the wormhole , the " Enterprise " s shuttle and the Ferengi pod arrive . La Forge tries to be cordial , but Arridor dismisses him . Data then notices that they are not where the Barzan probe ' s data indicated . They are 200 light years away from where the probe emerged , well within the Delta Quadrant , and 70 , 000 light years from Barzan II . Data speculates that this far end of the wormhole is unstable , moving about while the other end is anchored in the Alpha Quadrant . La Forge detects heightened sub - atomic activity with his VISOR in the now - invisible wormhole opening , and Data detects increased gravitational changes . Act Four . While preparing for a gymnastics session , Crusher and Troi spend a few minutes giddily discussing Deanna ' s budding relationship with Ral . In Ten Forward , Goss is making ( unsuccessful ) passes at female crew members at the bar . Ral is talking with Leyor about his people ' s motivations for administering the wormhole , since the Caladonians are more renowned for their scholarly pursuits . Leyor admits that he ' s uneasy about taking on the responsibility of administering the wormhole . At the next session of the negotiations , Leyor suddenly withdraws his people ' s stake . Riker immediately asks to negotiate with the Caldonians for their resources to be added onto the Federation ' s offer . But Leyor reveals that the Caldonians have already negotiated such an arrangement with Ral ' s clients . Riker voices his suspicions , but Ral coolly says it was just a matter of timing . He then adds the Caldonians ' assets to the Chrysalians ' . Back in the Delta Quadrant , La Forge is trying to convince Arridor that the wormhole is unstable , and that they should all return immediately . Arridor dismisses him again . La Forge and Data enter the wormhole before it is visible , returning to the Alpha Quadrant . After they leave , Arridor chuckles that they quickly panicked , and the wormhole becomes visible again , right where he predicted . But before they can enter , the wormhole ' s opening zips away , leaving Arridor and Kol with their mouth s agape , stranded in the Delta Quadrant . That evening , Troi and Ral are having dinner in her quarters . Troi says everyone ' s talking about Ral ' s " coup " . She then accuses him of using his empathic powers to unfairly read his competitors ' emotion s to gain negotiating advantage . Ral disagrees with her assessment , saying he uses that plus reading body language , just like any other good negotiator . Troi then says that he hides his empathic powers not because they make others uncomfortable , but because they are his secret tool to outmaneuver his opponents . He then storms out . Act Five . Later that evening in Ten Forward , Ral sits with Riker and compliments him on his negotiation skills . But Ral says it is in the last round of negotiations that the stakes become highest , and only those willing to take the biggest risks will succeed . Ral , for instance , confides that he is willing to commit his clients to owning the wormhole before the Federation and Ferengi explorations return with more data - can Riker say the same ? Riker is silent . Ral then further needles Riker , hinting at his intimacies with Deanna , saying he ' ll take Troi away from Riker and the " Enterprise " , because Riker was not attentive enough . At that , Riker smiles , saying that if it makes Deanna happy , then he ' s all for it . He then needles back , saying that Ral isn ' t such a bad fellow , but he is , at heart , a mercenary , with nothing to value or look forward to except his next deal . Riker can attest , from experience , that Deanna is just the sort of woman who could bring some meaning to Ral ' s sorry life - if Ral is the sort of man with the wit to realize it , but " " I doubt that you are . " " The next day , Ral and Riker are back at the negotiating table , but DaiMon Goss has left the " Enterprise " . He ' s gone back to his ship , and complains that the Federation has not acted fairly , that they already have an agreement with the Barzan . Picard denies this , but Goss fires a missile at the wormhole to destroy it ( which it wouldn ' t ) . Worf destroys it anyway with a quick phaser shot . The " Enterprise " goes to red alert , drawing Riker out of the negotiations . Ral then takes this opportunity to point out that the Federation - Ferengi power play wouldn ' t be an issue if his clients were the wormhole ' s administrators . Goss continues to threaten to destroy the wormhole , but Troi says he ' s lying , almost unequivocally . Ral and Bhavani then enter the bridge , where Ral offers to quell Goss ' anger . He says he ' s come to an agreement with the Barzan on behalf of the Chrysalians , and that he ' s willing to allow Ferengi free access to the wormhole if he stands down , in exchange for trade concessions to the Chrysalians to be negotiated later . Goss accepts , and Bhavani apologizes to Riker for negotiating behind his back , but she realized that the Chrysalians ' long tradition of peace makes them a more desirable partner than the Federation . Troi , though , speaks up , revealing Ral ' s empathic powers , and guessing ( correctly ) , that the minor upset was a piece of theater arranged between Ral and Goss to tip Bhavani towards Ral ' s side . Among other things , she sensed a complete absence of tension from either Ral or Goss during the confrontation . Goss begins to protest , and Picard orders the communication off . Wesley Crusher then announces that the shuttle is returning from the wormhole . La Forge hail s them , saying he ' s reporting in , though just barely . Picard asks where the Ferengi pod is , and La Forge informs them that the Ferengi pod is stuck in the Delta Quadrant . Data explains that the other end of the wormhole shifts , and that eventually the Alpha Quadrant end will shift too - the wormhole is not stable at all , and is indeed worthless . Bhavani sags - whatever short - term gains her people will receive from the Chrysalians , the wormhole will not usher in the new age of prosperity she was fervently hoping for . Riker cannot resist " congratulating " Ral on his " victory " in the negotiations . Ral does his best to smile , saying he wouldn ' t take the risks if he wasn ' t prepared to lose , and will stand by his clients ' new commitments to the Barzans . Worf announces that DaiMon Goss is hailing , demanding to know where his men are . Picard instructs Worf to tell Goss that if he heads for the Delta Quadrant , he ' ll meet up with them in about eighty years . Ral makes a final visit to Troi , saying that he ' s being recalled by the Chrysalian s to address their questions about now owning a worthless wormhole . Troi offers a half - hearted apology , and he shrugs , saying his services have been valuable to them in the past , enough that he can be reasonably sure nothing really unpleasant will be done to him . He admits to her that he read Bhavani ' s desire to contract with the Federation , and had to act on that . She then tells him that she was obligated to let everyone know the nature of his skills once he did that . Ral admits that he now sees the error of his ways , and he asks Troi to run away with him , to be his conscience . She turns him down , saying she already has a job as a counselor . He leaves without another word . Memorable quotes . " " God forbid I should miss my first look at the wormhole . . . " " " " May I escort you , Ms . Troi ? " " " " Just tell me there ' s some chocolate here . " " " " There it is , ladies and gentlemen . The first and only stable wormhole known to exist . It ' s yours . . . for the right price . " " " " We ' ll need chair s . " " " " I am captain Picard of the " Enterprise " . I am serving as host for these proceedings . " " " " Good , then see to it that we get some chairs . " " " " Let me explain . . . " " " " Fine , fine ! Just have your Klingon servant get us some chairs . " " " " I ' m in charge of security ! " " " " Then who gets the chairs ? " " " " DaiMon , due to the delicate nature of these negotiations , all parties have agreed that one representative will suffice . Now , I will be happy to provide your counsels with accommodations , and you may have " my " chair . " " " " The Federation could end up owning the proverbial lemon . " " " " Proverbial lemon , sir ? " " " " Later , Data . " " " " Aye , sir . " " " " Just a moment of discomfort for a good cause , DaiMon . You understand this will not be lethal ? " " " " Doctor , you surprise me . I have no wish to kill anyone . A short - term crippling will suffice . " " " " You must play poker , commander . " " " " Poker . . . is that a game of some sort ? " " " " Commander Riker conducts master classes in poker . " " " " Our skills are not dissimilar , Commander . " " " " Anticipation is fun . " " " " Who needs rational when your toes curl up ? ! " " " " You know if this doesn ' t work , the thought of spending the rest of my life in here is none too appealing . " " " " There is a bright side , Geordi . You will have me to talk to . " " " " May I join you , commander ? " " " " Bought out the Ferengi yet , Ral ? " " " " I ' m taking us in , Data . . . with or without them . " " " " Thrusters at half power . Three quarters . " " " " Entering outer event horizon . " " " " But I " was " tense ! I was ready to blow it up ! I strongly protest ! " " " " Screen off ! " " " " Captain , DaiMon Goss is demanding to know where his men are . " " " " Tell him to set his course for the Delta Quadrant . He may run into them in . . . eighty years or so . " " " " I ' m very grateful for what you did , in a way . It ' s made me take a hard look at who I am . I don ' t like what I see . I once asked you to run away with me , and now I ' m asking again . I need you . You could help me change , you could be my conscience ! " " " " I already have a job as counselor . " " Links and references . References . 2325 ; 2344 ; 2346 ; 2366 ; accretion disk ; allergy ; Barzan ; Barzan II ; Barzan probe ; Barzan scientists ; Barzan wormhole ; Barzanian Planetary Republic ; Betazoid ; blood ; body language ; Brussels ; Caldonia ; Caldonian ; carbon ; chair ; champagne ; chocolate ; chocolate sundae ; Chrysalian ; conflict of interest ; contract ; counselor ; counselor ' s office ; ; DaiMon ; Delta Quadrant ; Denkiri Arm ; ; Earth ; empathic ; ethics ; European Alliance ; event horizon ; exercise room ; Federation ; Federation credit ; fee ; Ferengi ; Ferengi pod ; Gamma Quadrant ; gold ; Goss ' Marauder ; histamine ; Hurkos III ; ice cream ; lemon ; lepton ; " Ley " ; main shuttlebay ; " Manitoba Journal of Interplanetary Psychology " ; marathon ; marketing ; meson ; mile ; missile ; missile launcher ; negotiator ; Number one ; poker ; Premier ; pyrocyte ; radiation ; Romulan ; scientist ; Sector 3556 ; syringe ; three - dimensional chess ; thruster ; toll ; Trillium 323 ; Type 15 shuttlepod ; ; VISOR ; whipped cream ; wormhole ; Yuri vector field control Unused production references . Chrysalia