Strange and Distant Shores (Star Trek: Deep Space 9, Garak/Bashir)

“Do you mind if I record our conversation?” Felix Marian set the small metal recording disc on the table between them. His fingers stayed on the device, shaking slightly with nervousness.

Chairman Elim Garak waved a hand and leaned back in his chair. His smile was a mixture of smug and content. “I don’t mind at all.”

“Thanks.” Felix pressed his finger to the top of the disc. The upper face turned green. He smiled sheepishly at Chairman Garak and quickly ran through his usual preamble. “Interview with Elim Garak, the current Chairman of the Cardassian Democratic Union. Stardate 75615.1.” He offered the Chairman as small smile. “Congratulations are in order, Chairman Garak. You were recently reelected to your tenth consecutive term, correct?”

Garak’s smile widened an almost imperceptible fraction. “You are correct. I believe my beloved is planning a party to surprise me. He’s being very secretive about it. It’s all very charming.”

Felix raised an eyebrow. “It’s hardly much of a surprise if you already know about it.”

“I find those are the best kind.”