After a friend's ship is destroyed and Sisko considers leaving Starfleet, he begins having visions of his crew as 1950's Americans. Bashir's examination reveals unusual synaptic patterns, but before Sisko can discuss treatment, he finds himself in 1953 New York City as Benny Russell, a writer for a science-fiction magazine. Fellow staffers resemble O'Brien, Kira, Bashir, Dax, and Quark in human form, and their editor, Pabst, looks like a human Odo. Writing assignments are given as illustrations, and each writer creates a story to fit their drawing. Benny's illustration is a crude version of Deep Space Nine.

Avery Brooks (Capt. Benjamin Sisko/Benny Russell)
Rene Auberjonois (Odo/Douglas Pabst)
Michael Dorn (Lt. Commander Worf/Willie)
Terry Farrell (Lt. Cmdr. Jadzia Dax/Darlene)
Cirroc Lofton (Jake Sisko/Jimmy)
Colm Meaney (Chief Miles O'Brien/Albert)
Armin Shimerman (Quark/Herb)
Alexander Siddig (Dr. Julian Bashir/Jules)
Nana Visitor (Major Kira Nerys/K.C. Hunter)
Brock Peters (Joseph Sisko/Preacher)
Jeffery Combs (Weyoun/Mulkahey)
Marc Alaimo (Gul Dukat/Ryan)
J.G. Hertzler (General Martok/Roy)
Aron Eisenberg (Ensign Nog/Vendor)
Penny Johnson (Kasidy Yates/Cassie)

• Sisko had the first vision from the Prophets in season 5's "Rapture".
  
• This is also the first appearance of Kasidy Yates on the station since "Rapture".
  
• The Benny Russell vision continues in the episode "Shadows And Symbols".