Jonathan Frakes credited as playing...
Commander William Thomas 'Will' Riker
- Devinoni Ral: [of Troi] She's a remarkable woman. Brilliant, lovely... very passionate. And she could've been yours, Will. But you just didn't do enough to keep her. And now, well... I'm here. And I'm gonna take her, too.
- Commander William T. Riker: [smiles sardonically] That's the first bad play I've seen you make. If you can bring happiness into Deanna's life, nothing would please me more. You know, you're really not such a bad sort, Ral. Except you don't have any values - beyond the value of today's bid, that is. Deanna is just the woman to bring some meaning to your sorry existence, if you're smart enough to take it. I doubt that you are. To the last mile.
- [the crew and Mendoza are assessing their rivals at the negotiations]
- Commander William T. Riker: I think that Devinoni is the one that we need to watch out for.
- Seth Mendoza: An accurate observation. How did you recognize that?
- Commander William T. Riker: Well, he was the most comfortable one in the group.
- Seth Mendoza: You must play poker, Commander.
- Commander William T. Riker: [feigning ignorance] Poker - is that a game of some sort?
- Devinoni Ral: Commander, I realize what a difficult position this must be for you. If you don't understand something, I hope you won't be too embarrassed to ask me.
- Commander William T. Riker: I think I have an idea what the rules are.
- Devinoni Ral: Well, that's what makes it so interesting. The rules of the game change to fit the moment.
- Commander William T. Riker: Not unlike commanding a starship, Mr. Ral.
- [Picard asks Riker to replace Mendoza as Federation representative at the negotiations]
- Captain Jean-Luc Picard: You're the next likely choice. And Mr. Mendoza will certainly agree. He's quite impressed by your natural instincts.
- Commander William T. Riker: Excuse me, sir, but those weren't natural instincts; those were poker instincts. A card game doesn't exactly prepare me for this.
- Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Yes, the stakes are higher. But then, isn't that when the game gets interesting, Commander?
- Devinoni Ral: [about negotiating] You know, you're very good at this - very good. Much better than you realize.
- Commander William T. Riker: Well, I hope I'm better than *you* realize.