Bid Time Return II

11. EXT. OUTSIDE THE BAR (DAY)

Another alleyway. Lytton and Gamsool emerge from a doorway with bright white glyphs on the walls around the door. Several figures are milling around, some sitting against the wall with other, non cultist, drunks. The duo head off.


12. INT. THE BAR (DAY)

The trio are now swaying beside the bar. The Doctor downs an entire flask.

DOCTOR
I remember now...

RUXEL
Remember what?

DOCTOR
The Festival of Light. It’s all about freedom, isn’t it?

DANSTROP
Yeah, freedom for opiates.

DOCTOR
Yes, freedom for... NO! No, not that! Its about blessing everyone in the universe, since everyone needs a spot of luck, and you know, acknowledgement that there’s probably some kind of point to it all! That’s right, isn’t it?

DANSTROP
Yep.

DOCTOR
Good! I mean, the big bang was set off by SOMEONE... there must be a point. Right?

DANSTROP
You bet.

DOCTOR
I thought so. So, what do we do apart from getting drunk?

DANSTROP
Light candles, mainly. Basically, a thousand years ago, the whole galactic disc was ruled by an evil empire that made us worship them instead of... whoever you worship. Anyway, this mighty army of the people overthrew the empire and sorted it out all the temples. Anyway, they lit a candle to dedicate to the real gods, but the candle burned for eleven days longer than it should have done.

RUXEL
That’s the miracle, is it?

DOCTOR
It’s not about miracles, Reepicheep!

RUXEL
Ruxel.

DOCTOR
Whatever! It’s about the good guys winning. Being free. Absolute moral victory.

The Doctor sighs and looks sadly at his drink.

RUXEL
For more superstitions, just swapping sets. If that’s freedom?

DOCTOR
It is.

RUXEL
You don’t believe in that, do you?

DANSTROP
Who cares? It’s fun!

RUXEL
Fun? This entire city is decked out for a pagan ritual for the superstitious. You think if we didn’t have the Festival, we’ll have bad luck next year? It’s this kind of crude occult practices that are stopping this galaxy from getting anywhere.

DOCTOR
It’s the highlight of the year! What’s wrong with celebrating warmth and hope and fun and affection and... and belonging?

RUXEL
What’s good about it?

DANSTROP
It makes us feel happy.

Ruxel laughs.

RUXEL
I’ll drink to that!


13. INT. THE CASINO (DAY)

Naraleen leads Peri over to a large ovoid table with cones made out of coiled springs arranged in a pyramid. Several more sophisticated and intelligent-looking patrons stand around the table. Naraleen takes another drink from a passing waitress as she talks.

NARALEEN
Now, this game is a new import – and I’m certain you’ll find it to your liking.

PERI
I don’t have any chips to play.

NARALEEN
Which is why this is perfect game. No bids needed, no stake limit. It is called Spiral Rune and I think you’ll pick up the rules very quickly, my delightful, er...

PERI
Peri.

NARALEEN
“Peri”? That is such a delightful name.

PERI
It’s short for Perpugilliam.

NARALEEN
Oh, how exotic! Perpugilliam!

PERI
Please, just “Peri”.

NARALEEN
But of course. I can tell that you and I will be the most... compatible of companions.

PERI
I already have a companion.

NARALEEN
The more the merrier. Now, the rules of this game are tiresomely simple...

The lights suddenly blaze brightly. Peri looks around, confused as the light increases in intensity. Everything distorts slightly, then the room seems to shake as the light becomes blinding.


14. INT. CHELLAK’S QUARTERS (DAY) B&W

The glow just as quickly vanishes. A grubby, cramped cabin with a bed. Peri sits on it, looking unwell. She snaps out of it as SALATEEN reaches down and helps her up. MAJOR CHELLAK stands by the door.

CHELLAK
...if anything happens to you, Salateen, she will guide the men to Jek’s base. Give her another shot of sulphadione before we set out.

SALATEEN
Sir.

Peri struggles to focus. Salateen helps her stand.

PERI
That stuff you gave me...

SALATEEN
It’ll keep you on your feet for the moment.

PERI
Don’t you have a cure? Some bat milk supply?

CHELLAK
No. It’s almost impossible to obtain and not worth it.

SALATEEN
We have too few spectrox casualties to justify a supply.

PERI
How few?

SALATEEN
Only dozens.

PERI
“Dozens”?

SALATEEN
In terms of percentages, very few.

PERI
Oh, I like that philosophy. But, surely you help them...

Chellak picks up the belt-plate and looks it over.

CHELLAK
My troops are all warned about the dangers of raw spectrox – if they touch it, it is a self-inflicted injury.

PERI
Do you put that on the recruitment posters?

CHELLAK
Life in the army is better than being in any of Trau Morgus’ construction camps. Right, Salateen, your idea of duplicating these things. You better take it down to the artificers. If these work we can have a bloodless victory.

Half-smiling, Salateen takes the belt-plate.

SALATEEN
Except for Sharaz Jek’s blood, of course.

Chellak snarls happily.

CHELLAK
That goes without saying, Major.

Peri holds her head in her hands as there is another blinding burst of light.


15. INT. THE CASINO (DAY)

The light reduces to its normal level as a vibration runs through the room. Only Peri seems to have registered it and looks around in a daze. Naraleen is still talking to the crowd as if nothing has happened.

NARALEEN
Now, gentle beings, gather round. I am certain that the superb Perpugilliam will amaze us all yet again with her amazing skills. She is truly a champion of chance! Aren’t you?

Peri blinks in confusion.

PERI
Yeah. Sure. You bet.

NARALEEN
You see? Now, let us all drink, let us all play and let us all be merry!

A mild cheer. Naraleen slides an arm around Peri’s waist.

NARALEEN
As this beautiful young woman has so rightly agreed, “Life is but a game”!

Another, louder cheer.


16. INT. THE BAR (DAY)

The Doctor looks up sharply from the empty bottle in his hands.

DOCTOR
What on Earth was that?

The others look round, foggy-eyed.

DANSTROP
What was that?

RUXEL
It was whatever it was, and whatever it was...

DOCTOR
A noise, like... like something falling... falling and breaking. Or someone standing in front of my tombstone. An echo.

Ruxel considers the aftertaste of her drink.

RUXEL
An echo of something falling?

DOCTOR
No... not falling. GOING to fall.

DANSTROP
You’re hearing an echo... of something... that hasn’t HAPPENED yet?

DOCTOR
Yes. Something so powerful, it might have been just now. But it’s echoing backwards. The crash before the fall happens.

RUXEL
What do you mean?

DOCTOR
Something’s coming. Something very big, something very scary and...

RUXEL
Yes?

DOCTOR
Oh, I desperately need a drink! Alpha Centauri? Another, er, Sirian Panther Sweat, please?

ALPHA CENTAURI
It’ll make your teeth fall out.

DOCTOR
I’ll grow a new set!

DANSTROP
Seriously, can you do that?

DOCTOR
If not, I’ll get dentures.

They laugh. Ruxel finishes her drink.

RUXEL
So, what was that noise, then, Doctor? The sound of the world ending?

The Doctor looks at her with a drunken seriousness.

DOCTOR
You know, I think it probably was.

He beams at her and accepts another drink. As his fingers brush it there is a brilliant building flash. The Doctor opens his mouth to speak as the light blots him out.


17. INT. TARDIS CONTROL ROOM (DAY) B&W

The glare fades to show the time rotor is rising and falling. The Doctor is leaning over the console, brooding darkly, eyes fixed on the time rotor but clearly not seeing it. Peri is leaning on one of the pillars opposite the scanner. She’s changed her clothes and has been talking for a while.

PERI
...that too. Yeah, I mean, I’ve had a bit of a traumatic night too. But, well, if the teenage botanist who doesn’t know how to swim can pull herself together, then surely the 900 year old adventurer in time and space can do it? Huh?

The Doctor does not react. Frowning, she approaches him.

PERI
Doctor?

Peri waves a hand in front of his face. The Doctor looks up at her vacantly, then turns to staring into the time rotor.

PERI
Snap out of it, Doctor! You haven’t spoken since we left Earth. You look so pale, almost... haunted.

DOCTOR
Maybe I am.

PERI
Ah, ah, but we exorcised the ghost.

She smiles broadly. He doesn’t seem to have heard her.

PERI
Come on, crack a smile, can’t you? You’re not flaking out again, are you?

DOCTOR
No. Not this time. It’s just... I won’t see him ever again. Outside nightmares.

PERI
You were OK the last time you thought you killed him.

The Doctor winces and looks at her. She squirms slightly.

PERI
Sorry, but you were.

DOCTOR
I was a different person then, Peri. At the time, I... I expected he’d survived. Somehow. I... I can’t remember why. Maybe it was just some kind of denial?

He sighs.

DOCTOR
Wouldn’t be the first time.

PERI
Look, you did what you had to. I mean, would he feel this bad if things were reversed?

DOCTOR
No. But it’s no excuse, is it?

PERI
At least you need one. I mean, I get what you’re feeling.

DOCTOR
Do you?

PERI
The Master was the nastiest guy in the universe, OK? But that doesn’t mean him dying is any less important than Flast or Azmael or, well, anyone. I mean, if we didn’t care about people dying, then we might as well not care about being alive. We wouldn’t be human!

DOCTOR
I’m not human, Peri. Neither was he.

Peri looks at him, deadpan.

PERI
You know what I mean.

The Doctor laughs weakly and nods.

DOCTOR
Hmm. His arrogance cost us both. Now I’ll never be free of him.

PERI
Yeah, and standing there for the last six hours, that’s really helped. Not eating, sleeping or talking, that’s the icing on the cake. You know what you need? Cheering up! Let’s go somewhere fun!

The Doctor doesn’t seem to be paying attention.

DOCTOR
Don’t dwell on nightmares. Concentrate on dreams.

PERI
Hello?

The Doctor does not react at all to her voice.

DOCTOR
“Somewhere fun”. I heard.

PERI
Yeah, that’s what I said. Somewhere fun.

DOCTOR
Yes. A holiday. Why not? We both need a rest. And recreation.

He straightens up and starts adjusting controls on the console.

PERI
Where to? Vesta 95? Your coat can finally fit in!

DOCTOR
Assuming the TARDIS can get us there.

PERI
Why? What’s wrong?

The Doctor shrugs, uninterested, as he moves around the console, programming the console.

DOCTOR
Systems aren’t fully re-calibrated yet. Resetting the coordinates probably won’t help. I really should get the TARDIS back up to snuff. I’ve been letting it slide, lately. I never did get round to finish the modifications... The TARDIS isn’t getting any younger. Neither am I, come to think of it.

He gives a sad sigh and recommences adjusting the controls.

DOCTOR
Still... Onward, ever onward.

PERI
We could end up anywhere then?

The Doctor shakes his head to clear it of fatigue.

DOCTOR
Not ANYwhere. Just most places. One particular place in one particular time.

PERI
And where’s that, pray?

He hauls down the slide control and the time rotor slides to a halt with a chime.

DOCTOR
Let’s find out.

Another building flash of bright white.


18. INT. THE BAR (DAY)

The glare fades, leaving the Doctor holding the glass, looking baffled.

DANSTROP
Doctor? You all right?

The Doctor blinks. He speaks distantly.

DOCTOR
Yes. Yes, I’m fine.

Danstrop shrugs.

DANSTROP
Suit yourself. Any plans for the Festival, Ruxel?

RUXEL
No plans whatsoever.

DANSTROP
Just take things as they come, eh?

Ruxel gives Danstrop a knowing look, leaning past the Doctor to do so.

RUXEL
Things are going to change soon.

DANSTROP
They say change is inevitable.

RUXEL
Not for long.

Danstrop frowns his crested brow.

DANSTROP
What do you mean by that?

Ruxel grins and sips her drink.

RUXEL
You’ll find out, Danstrop. You’ll find out.

The Doctor lowers his gaze to fall on Ruxel, suspicious.


19. EXT. DOCKING BAY (DAY)

Lytton and Gamsool are moving through the walkways down to the ground. A few Rocinante figures mill about but do nothing as they pass. Gamsool is bitching to himself because Lytton isn’t listening.

GAMSOOL
It is so stupid, it beggars belief. This is Celeste! The biggest commercial outpost this side of Draconia! You can buy anything in the known universe here if you can front the price – everything that’s legal, most things that aren’t! A trader’s haven!

LYTTON
A gambler’s paradise. Playground for the degenerate.

GAMSOOL
Yeah, well, that’s as maybe. Silver City is big place, even discounting the Casino – all the clubs and bars and drug dens... It would make sense, business sense to encourage traders, wouldn’t it?

LYTTON
Yet the Governor thinks otherwise, which is why she put the taxes on trading.

GAMSOOL
Governor Naraleen! Now all trade has to go through her! No more free trade, it’s criminal.

LYTTON
Free trade IS criminal. It’s a polite way of saying smuggling.

GAMSOOL
Do you know what the tax would be on the three hundred chips you gave me?

LYTTON
Around fifty per cent.

GAMSOOL
Precisely! That’s me down to a hundred and fifty. It’ll drive the traders out...

LYTTON
You’re still here.

GAMSOOL
For the moment.

They start to cross the landing pads.

LYTTON
Others are too. I’m not remotely interested in your sob stories, Gamsool. You’re not the first dealer I contacted. The Governor is only concerned with trading profits above the fixed level, nothing else is penalized. It just limits the money you earn. If you can call it earning.

GAMSOOL
What about the Business Tax? Got to be paid annually!

LYTTON
That tax pays for the right to render all trading legal and above board no matter who or what you are concerned with. A small price to have all dealings rendered above board.

GAMSOOL
Well, I can’t afford it!

LYTTON
My heart bleeds. And yours will too if you don’t hand over the goods.

GAMSOOL
I’ll barely get the price of dinner at Lucan’s for this thing! I could charge enough to buy this whole planetoid, fixtures and fittings and still not get the full value!

LYTTON
But no one is willing to buy it, except me.

GAMSOOL
You’re not buying it, you’re stealing it!

LYTTON
Be grateful. The black market penalty tax Naraleen introduced will be far more than one hundred and fifty credits.

GAMSOOL
Typical. The only person that believes the merchandise is genuine is psychotic crook.

LYTTON
Why did the others think it wasn’t genuine?

GAMSOOL
They didn’t believe that I was capable of finding the genuine Drive.

LYTTON
I wonder why. Now if you want to live to complain about this, get a move on.

Gamsool crosses over to the Sidayzhet, stopping as he sees the main hatch has been slashed open. His face falls and he sprints over to it.

GAMSOOL
Lynella! Hyranto! LYNELLA!

Lytton moves to follow, then, frowns, blinks, sways. Light builds up around him.

- to be continued...