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Once on the planet McCoy performs a quick scan and locates a source of the material fairly close at hand. But Spock is picking up readings too -- a human reading whereas a scan from the ship indicated no human life on the little world.
This is, however the least of their troubles. As they make for the ritallin deposit a strange floating device advances towards them. As it draws near, it fires some sort of beam, striking the ground nearby and driving them back.
The party draws their phasers and tries to fire, but the phasers are inactive. Again the machine drives them back with its beam. "Do not kill !", we hear a voice say and the device draws off.
A man advances to the three Federation officers and identifies himself as 'Flint'. He informs them that they are trespassing on his planet and demands that they leave immediately. Flint had come to this planet he now calls his own to escape from contact with other humans. He wishes to be left alone.
Kirk tires to reason with the man telling him of his sick crew. But Flint stands firm, "If you do not leave voluntarily, I have the power to force you to leave -- or kill you where you stand."
"Kirk to Enterprise. Mr Scott, lock phasers onto our coordinates.", orders Kirk. He gazes at Mr Flint and tells him that if anything should happen to the landing party, there will be four deaths. Then the crew will come down and take the ritallin needed. Flint remarks that it is an interesting test of power. "Your enormous forces against mine. Who would win?", he intones. Spock points out that, unless he is sure of the outcome, logic is against such a useless experiment.
"Have you ever seen a victim of rigellion fever?", asks McCoy of the man. "They die in one day. The effects are like bubonic plague." Flint closes his eyes and begins to recite, as if remembering, the outbreak of bubonic plague in Constantinople in the summer of 1334. (Getting any ideas yet, gentle reader?)
"Are you a student of history, sir?", inquires Spock. "I am", he replies and grants them two hours, after which they must leave. He tells them that M4, the device which had attacked them earlier, will gather the ritallin they need. He then invites them to his home to await the material. Mark up one for McCoy!
His home is quite impressive as is the collection inside. Impressive is right. McCoy is overcome. "Yes. A Shakespeare First Folio, Gutenberg Bible, Creation lithographs by Terra Nolosis, Antaris VI. That's one of the rarest book collections in the galaxy, spanning centuries."
Spock remarks that their ship's sensors did not indicate any life on this planet. Flint explains that through the use of screens he is able to give the impression of lifelessness. Asked if he lives here alone, Flint replies that he does, with M4 which acts as butler, gardener and watchdog. But we see in another room that Flint has lied. A handsome woman is watching the new arrivals on a viewing screen.
Flint excuses himself and bids the crew to help themselves to brandy.
Spock is surveying the room and remarks, "This is the most splendid private collection of art I've ever seen. And the most unique. The majority are the works of Leonardo DeVinci, Renaissance period. Some of the works of Reginald Pollack, 20th century. And even a Sten, from Marcus II."
Flint, meantime, has gone off and is speaking to the mystery woman. She comments on at last seeing other humans and one who is not human. He tells her Spock is a Vulcan. She expresses a desire to discuss sub-dimensional physics with him (no dumb-blonde, she!). Flint tells her that even the Vulcan is not her intellectual equal, and they are brutal, selfish -- a part of the human community from which he has shielded her.
But she begs to meet them. He asks if she has been lonely. She replies by asking what loneliness is and again asks to meet the Earthmen. She finds the opportunity exciting.
Out in the other room, Spock is making scans with his tri-corder. Bones has found the brandy, Saurian, 100 years old. Jim and Leonard partake -- Spock does too, to the surprise of both the doctor and captain. Spock is obviously on to something. "If I appear distracted, it is because of what I have seen.", Spock says, "I am close to experiencing an unaccustomed emotion." "What emotion is that?", McCoy asks. "Envy.", Spock replies.
Spock has analyzed the paintings. They are unquestionably the works of DeVinci, but none of them have ever been cataloged. And a further mystery. The pigments and canvass are all of recent origin. But why, Kirk wonders, would a man of impeccable tastes and wealth such as Flint bother with fake paintings? The Captain turns to McCoy and asks him to take a tri-corder reading of Flint as the earliest possible convenience.
M4 enters the room, carrying a bag of a purple material which we suppose to be raw ritallin. It drops the bag on a table near McCoy who proclaims the contents to be ritallin, ready to be processed into anti-toxin.
Kirk orders him to the ship to begin refinement right away as Flint walks into the room. Flint offers to have M4 prepare the material for inoculation. McCoy states that he would like to supervise the process, to which Flint replies, "And when you've satisfied as to procedures I hope you will do me the honor of being my guests at dinner."
Kirk thanks him, but states that they don't have the time. Flint continues that he regrets his former inhospitality and would like to make amends. He holds out his hand and Rayna (the mystery woman) joins him.
All is geniality now. As the girl meets Spock she mentions a desire to discuss one of his favorite subjects with him; field density and it's relationship to gravity phenomena. Flint explains that he has been her teacher, she posses the equivalent of 17 degrees in the sciences and arts. And although the intellect is not all, it should come first. She is the daughter of a couple who died while under his employ. Before dying, they placed the infant, Rayna, in his care. She has never seen a human being other than Flint.
The three men are entranced with the beautiful (and smart, let's not forget smart) young woman. Flint gives the ritallin back to M4 and suggests that McCoy accompany it to the laboratory where he may rest assured that the drug is being made as promised.
As McCoy moves off, Flint asks, "Your pleasure gentlemen? Chess, billiards, conversation?" "Why not all three?", answers Kirk.
They follow Flint and Rayna into another room to a billiard table. Rayna proves to have some notable skill at billiards. "Did you teach her that?", Kirk asks after she makes a difficult shot. Flint answers that they play often. Rayna offers to show the Captain how it is done.
As she assists him, Kirk talks to Flint of the Federation and its people -- how they are no longer savages. Flint points out Kirk's ship, 'bristling with weapons', to colonize and exploit. But Jim answers that the weapons are a last resort, their missions are of peace, and it was he, Flint, who demonstrated first hostility with the M4 device on this planet. Flint excuses this action as 'the result of pressures which are not your concern.'
Just through the doorway, Mr Spock is toying with a piano -- playing a few notes of a waltz he has found interesting. "Why don't you play the waltz, Mr Spock. Rayna is a most accomplished dancer.", Flint invites. Smiling Kirk invites the girl and waltzes with her under the gaze of our man Flint. Flint definitely has something up his sleeve.
As the Captain waltzes, Doctor McCoy enters the room. Kirk walks over to him and asks if something is wrong. Spock stops playing and also comes over. "Yes, there's something wrong.", says the doctor, "The ritallin is no good. It contains irrilium. Nearly one part per thousand." This renders the drug inert and useless.
Flint expresses regret and announces that he will go with M4 to gather more ritallin and screen it himself. He offers McCoy the opportunity to come along with him.
McCoy confers with Kirk. He remarks that the robot is incredibly fast, but wonders if all the ritallin on the planet is contaminated with irillium. Kirk tells him to go with Flint and watch him.
Spock, who has been puzzling over the sheet of music he just played adds more to the puzzle. "Captain. Something else which is rather extraordinary. This waltz I just played is by Johannes Brahms. Captain, it is written in manuscript. In original manuscript, in Brahm's own hand, which I recognize. It is totally unknown; definitely the work of Brahms; and yet -- unknown."
Kirk dismisses this at the moment and wants to go to the laboratory to see if the ritallin can be salvaged. While in the lab Kirk wonders if they were wise in trusting Flint. The man seems helpful enough -- and yet, there is this mystery about him.
Rayna walks into the lab and stands by a sealed door. Jim, coming over asks her what is in there, but she does not know. She comes to this place when she is troubled, as she is now. He asks if she is happy here with Flint, to which she replies that he is the greatest, kindest, wisest man in the galaxy. Kirk moves to embrace her. As he does so, in floats M4.
Rayna responds as if afraid. She commands it to stop, but it continues towards the Captain who has been trying to get away. Finally, as it approaches Jim, a force disintegrates it. Spock stands in the doorway, phaser in hand. "Thank you, Mr Spock", sighs Jim.
Later, in the parlor, Flint explains to Kirk. M4 was programmed to protect the members of the house. It thought that Kirk was attacking Rayna and moved to her defense. He admits that he should have altered its programming to allow for visitors. "And if it were around right now, it would correct ....", begins Kirk.
In floats M4. "Too useful a device to be without really. I created another.", comments Flint.
There is another display of bravado, in which Flint tells Kirk that he should be thankful that he did not attack. Flint claims twice the strength of any other. When the Captain responds, Flint points out Kirk's behavior. "Would you call him brave -- or a fool?", Flint asks. "I'm --- glad he did not die.", answers the girl. "Of course!", he answers, "Death, when unnecessary, is a tragic thing."
Flint turns to the Captain and tells him that Doctor McCoy is in the laboratory with the ritallin. He is satisfied as to its quality. He suggests the Kirk wait here patiently as his defenses are automatic and not always predictable. The man calls Rayna to him, who appears to be reluctant to leave Captain Kirk. But after a second summons, she follows him out of the room. Kirk mentions that he does not like the way Flint orders her around. (little green around the eyes, Captain?)
Spock counsels him, "Since we are dependant on Mr Flint for the ritallin, Captain. I respectfully suggest that you pay less attention to the young lady if you should encounter her again. Our host's interests do not appear to be confined to art and science." "He -- loves her?", questions the Captain, surprised. "Strongly indicated", returns Spock.
Kirk finds that this would explain the attack by M4, but then Flint seemed to want he and Rayna together in the billiards room and he was the one who suggested that they dance together. Another mystery.
Kirk calls the Enterprise, Mr Scott, for a report on the epidemic. Scotty explains that nearly everyone on board is now sick. They are working a skeleton crew and waiting for the ritallin. Kirk then asks Uhura for a report on Mr. Flint. There are no records on Mr Flint, she tells him. The planet was purchased some thirty years ago by a Mr. Brack, a wealthy financier and recluse. Kirk asks her to run a check on Rayna Coppak.
"We have still a greater mystery, Captain.", Spock informs the Captain. He has run a tri-corder check on Flint and he is human. But certain bio-functions are abnormal. For one thing, extreme age is indicated -- on the order of six thousand years.
As all this is going on, Flint and Rayna are monitoring Spock and Kirk in the other room. Flint tells her to go to them and say her goodbye's. The ritallin is almost ready.
Scott summons the Captain on his communicator and tells him there is no record anywhere of any Rayna Coppak, ward or otherwise. "Like Flint.", Kirk muses, "People without a past. What hold does he have over her?"
Rayna steps into the room at this moment to say goodbye. Kirk tells Spock that he will meet the Vulcan in the lab. Our Captain is obviously smitten with this kitten. As he kisses the girl, we note that Flint is watching this all on his monitor. Flint seems to be studying them both.
In the lab, McCoy tells Spock that the ritallin was almost ready, when the robot - and the ritallin - disappeared. Spock observes that their host is apparently not yet ready for them to leave.
Back in the parlor, Kirk is asking Rayna to come away with him, but she is reluctant. She turns and runs from the room. Kirk moves slowly to the laboratory where McCoy tells him that Flint lied, the ritallin is not here. Spock, using his tri-corder, locates the ritallin behind the sealed door. It looks to be a game of cat and mouse, with Kirk and his crew as the mice.
Kirk and his officers prepare to blast the door, when it opens of its own accord. Ready to enter, Kirk is stopped by Spock. Spock says he is afraid of danger to the captain, they he will go alone. But Kirk tells him that they will all go.
Inside they find the ritallin, ready to go, and something else.
It is Rayna, another Rayna, several Raynas. Each on its own table. These are all models, prior attempts at the creation of a perfect woman. Her only flaw -- she's not human. She's an android.
"Created here, by my hand.", remarks Flint in the doorway. Our host has slipped in unnoticed.
Spock confronts their host with the evidence he has been gathering. Original DeVinci paintings, but of recent creation, music in manuscript in Brahm's own hand, but of conventional materials. Flint slowly admits, "I am Brahms." "And DeVinci?", Spock questions. Flint nods. "How many others names shall we call you?"
"Solomon, Alexander, Lazarus, Methuselah, Merlin ......." and he continues. He was a warrior, cruel and barbarious. When he fell in battle, pierced to the heart he did not die. He found that he was immortal and has lived the ages as many men. Lived a portion of a life and then moved on.
Kirk is angered when he finds that Flint had created Rayna to be his eternal mate. He asks if she knows. Flint tells him no, she will never know. Kirk prepares to leave, but Flint informs him that they will be staying. "Why", he wants to know. Flint, although assured that they will keep his secret, does not wish to take a chance. His seclusion is his refuge and he does not trust the captain to remain silent.
When Captain Kirk tries to signal the ship, Flint pushes a toggle on a small device. The Enterprise disappears from orbit and reappears on the laboratory table (in smaller form, of course). 
Looking inside, the Captain can see his crew -- but they are all frozen in motion. His fate is soon to be the same -- to be awakened a millennium in the future.
Rayna enters the lab at this moment, hearing what is in store for the crew of the Enterprise. She tells Flint no, do not do this to them. Playing on her emotions, Spock asks her what she will feel for him after they are gone. "All emotions are in play, Mr Flint. You harm us -- she hates you.", observes McCoy.
Kirk asks again for his ship, Flint's secret is safe with them. Now with no other option, Flint complies. The Enterprise is back in orbit.
Captain Kirk walks over to the 'girl'. He can't love her, but he does love her. He is angered at Flint for using him to awaken the emotions of the android merely to take over afterwards. Flint, suddenly upset by the fact that Rayna 'loves' Kirk, attacks physically. They fight, the vastly stronger Flint throwing Kirk about like a rag doll.
Rayna, seeing this and realizing that she is at the root of it, calls for them to stop. "I can not be the cause of this -- I will not be the cause of this! Please, Stop. I choose ... where I want to go, what I want to do. I choose. I -- choose."
Rayna, it seems has become a woman. (fantasy, fantasy... captain)
But these newly found emotions and freedom along with the struggle of choice cause a dilemma within her. Both men want her, she wants both men, but cannot have both. As her mind struggles with the conflict she falls - dead - upon the floor. The strain of choice was too great. Spock explains the matter to both Flint and Kirk. "The joys of love made her human. And the agonies of love destroyed her."
Epilog: Back aboard the ship, Captain Kirk is sitting in his quarters, quietly brooding. As Spock enters, Kirk inquires about the epidemic and is informed that the fever has been beaten and is no longer a threat. The ship is on course as ordered. None of this cheers Kirk. "A very old and lonely man.", he murmurs, "and a young and lonely man. We put on a pretty poor show, didn't we?" Burying his head in his arms and beginning to doze he adds, "If only I could forget."
Spock moves over to his sleeping form -- touches his head in the Vulcan way and whispers, "Forget."
