C - Day II

9. EXT. STREET CORNER (DAY)

A van passes by. The Doctor is glaring up at the tower as Dodo folds up the newspaper again, shaking her head.

DODO
Not a single mention of where the club is! I suppose it’s invite only anyway.

DOCTOR
Hmph. We’ve got to get there somehow. If I can just...

A black cab turns the corner and slows to a park nearby.

DOCTOR
Ah, a taxi! Perfect!

Almost immediately, a straggled-haired young man in a dusty overcoat shambles out the door. The TRAMP carries a sack over his shoulder and speaks in a thick Australian accent. The TAXI DRIVER does not.

TRAMP
Cheers for that, cobber.

DRIVER
Oi! Not so fast, mate. What about my fare?

TRAMP
I was gunna pay ya. Got change for a quid?

The tramp pulls out a battered pound note. The driver rolls his eyes.

DRIVER
Oh no, not another one! I haven't got the change!

TRAMP
That’s all right, sport. The Tricolour’s round here, I’ll just get some there.

DRIVER
Oh, no, you don’t!

The Doctor and Dodo reach the driver.

DOCTOR
I say, my man, could you hurry along?

DRIVER
Not until he pays!

Dodo fumbles in her pocket and pulls out a handful of change.

DODO
I think I've got change. Here you are.

She hands it to the tramp, who is shocked by her generosity.

TRAMP
Oh! Er... thank you Miss.

Glaring at the driver, the tramp hands over the coins and coldly adds another.

TRAMP
There you are, “my man”. And half a crown on the top.

The driver glares back at him.

DRIVER
Thank you. Now clear off.

Changing personality completely, the driver smiles pleasantly at the Doctor.

DRIVER
Right, where to guv'ner?

DOCTOR
Eh, Oh er yes-yeah. The Royal Scientific Club – do you know where that is?

DRIVER
Course I do. Just around the corner. Come on.

The Doctor groans but climbs into the cab anyway.

DOCTOR
Off you go, Dodo, off you go. Have a fine time at the Inferno! Hmm!

DODO
I want to see you back before closing!

The Doctor tuts at her through the window.

DOCTOR
No faith and no moral fibre, my child, that is the problem with you. Drive on!

The cab does a U-turn and heads off, leaving Dodo with the Tramp.

TRAMP
The Inferno? The nightclub? Near Covent Garden, love.

DODO
Oh yeah, it is... Great! And there goes the taxi!

TRAMP
Oh well. Might as well show you the way. There’s some empty warehouses down there, they say. Just what I need.

DODO
Why? Are you going to bunk down there?

TRAMP
Can’t be any worse than the last six months. What’s your name?

DODO
Dodo.

TRAMP
Dodo?

DODO
Dorothea, just call me Dodo.

TRAMP
Call me Rob. Delighted to know ya, Dodo.

DODO
Same here, Rob.

They wander down the street.


10. EXT. OUTSIDE THE SCIENTIFIC CLUB (DAY)

The taxi pulls up and the Doctor emerges.

DRIVER
Oi!

DOCTOR
Ah, yes. I, er. Seem to be missing my wallet.

DRIVER
Oh no you don’t, you old...

The Doctor fumbles through his pockets and pulls out an old quill.

DOCTOR
Ah yes! How about this in lieu of the fare, eh?

The driver peers at it.

DRIVER
What is it? A feather?

DOCTOR
It is a quill used by William Shakespeare himself. Utterly invaluable and beyond price.

DRIVER
Really?

DOCTOR
Oh yes.

The driver takes it, looks at it, then scowls and throws it away.

DRIVER
Yeah, right! Forget it!

He roars off down the road. The Doctor sniffs.

DOCTOR
Hmmm! Well, only Francis Bacon used it, so let the buyer beware! Ha!

He turns to face the doorway. The plaque reads: THE ROYAL SCIENTIFIC CLUB. The Doctor takes a final look at his newspaper. The article has a single photo of a balding civil servant. He nods and pockets the paper, striding through the door.


11. INT. ROYAL SCIENTIFIC CLUB (DAY)

This clubroom is finely decorated but has been slightly reorganized for the press conference. At one end of the room is a stage on which stands a machine identical in every way to ODIN and beside it a table with seats. The room is packed with GUESTS – scientists, technicians, journalists, photographers, and some hacks from the BBC. The Doctor moves through the group, frowning as he spots the computer and heads over to it. He takes his pince nez from his pocket and studies it, frowning. SIR CHARLES SUMMER spots the Doctor and frowns. His was the photo in the newspaper.

SUMMER
Excuse me, do you have an invite?

DOCTOR
Hmm?

SUMMER
This is a closed session, invite only.

DOCTOR
Oh, yes, yes, I’m afraid I must have, er, misplaced it.

SUMMER
Ah, then you will be on the list.

DOCTOR
Oh, yes, er, Jimmy said I should come in his place.

SUMMER
Did he? And your name is?

DOCTOR
Oh, I am the Doctor, my dear fellow. Sir Charles, isn’t it? Yes, I’d recognize you anywhere. We met a few years ago, don’t you remember? Of course you don’t, you’re a terribly busy man running this project on your own for how long is it now?

Summer is taken aback by the familiar attitude. Behind them, the green disc on ODIN suddenly lights up.

SUMMER
Oh, about six months now. The electrical engineers came to me with idea and all the research information was just too compelling to turn down.

DOCTOR
Yes, I had heard about it. What do you know about this computer, ODIN?

SUMMER
Well, it’s just a sort of faster, super version of the average computer, and can link up with others via phone lines. The idea is that we can create a huge information network across the whole word.

DOCTOR
Yes, a laudable aim, quite, but... there was no suggestion of it a year ago.

SUMMER
It did come out of the blue, but in the long run, well that’s for the best for Britain, don’t you think?

DOCTOR
Standing alone?

SUMMER
Yes, quite.

DOCTOR
It is not always the best position. You don’t think you’ll be putting all your eggs in one basket? And if the basket falls apart...

We now see the two men from ODIN’s POV. Their voices are slightly distorted.

SUMMER (DIST)
No chance of that, er, what was your name again?

DOCTOR (DIST)
Doctor.

SUMMER (DIST)
Doctor who?

DOCTOR (DIST)
“Whom”, I think is the correct term.

We return to normal view.

DOCTOR
Still, I’m no doubt getting in the way, so perhaps you could just answer one last question.

SUMMER
Oh, what?

DOCTOR
This machine, this is ODIN? Yes? The only one of its kind on Earth?

SUMMER
Yes.

DOCTOR
So there is no other machinery like it?

SUMMER
There’s some kind of crude prototype elsewhere, in Professor Brett’s laboratory, Valhalla, he calls it.

DOCTOR
Oh? And where’s that?

SUMMER
Top of the Post Office Tower. Now, if you’ll excuse me, ‘Doctor’, I must be...

DOCTOR
Yes, yes, of course.

The Doctor turns his attention back to the computer. The green light goes out before he can notice it.

DOCTOR
Odin in Valhalla... I wonder.


12. EXT. OUTSIDE THE INFERNO (DAY)

It is now dusk. It is a back street in the warehouse district. A large vertical sign near a doorway is marked INFERNO. A BOUNCER stands out. Lights and noise come from the doorway – specifically Paint It Black by the Rolling Stones. Dodo and the tramp approach.

DODO
This is it?

TRAMP
Part of the reason why people like it, I suppose. Not so fussy and open like the other hot spots. Take the Tricolour for instance...

DODO
I know, I know. I could pick those waitresses out in a crowd the way you describe them.

The tramp chuckles dirtily, then sighs.

TRAMP
Ah well, never could stand the taste of coffee. Anyway, hope you find your friend, Dodo.

DODO
You’re not really going to doss down in a warehouse, are you?

TRAMP
Course I am. Look at it! Bloomin’ paradise after what I’ve put up with.

DODO
Rob, there’s not even a bed.

TRAMP
Not what YOU’D call a bed. But I might have a bit of a meal...

He holds out his hand hopefully. Dodo folds her arm.

DODO
I paid for your taxi, remember? I don’t even know if I can pay for admission.

The tramp scowls.

TRAMP
Oh well. Good luck anyway.

DODO
You too.

He heads off. Dodo gnaws at a thumbnail and heads up to the door.

DODO
Um, can I go in?

BOUNCER
You a member?

DODO
No. Sorry.

BOUNCER
Cost ya a crown.

DODO
Oh, but I’ve got a friend who’s a member. He said he’d pay for me.

BOUNCER
Oh? Who’s your friend?

DODO
Rich Palis.

BOUNCER
Never heard of him, girl. A crown.

DODO
Uh. Jimmy said it would be all right.

BOUNCER
Who’s Jimmy?

DODO
Oh. You know. Jimmy. Everyone knows Jimmy.

BOUNCER
I don’t. Now either pay for a ticket or clear off.

POLLY (VO)
Oh, go easy on her, Eddie.

They turn and look and see the ultimate blonde bombshell in a red-and-orange PVC trenchcoat striding down the street towards us. POLLY WRIGHT is her name, and she’s rather important as we will discover.

BOUNCER
Hey, Miss Wright. You know this girl?

POLLY
Never saw her before in my life. You want to go in?

DODO
Yes. I’m meeting a friend, you see, and...

POLLY
She’s with me.

Polly links arms with Dodo.

POLLY
Put it on the tab.

BOUNCER
You don’t have a tab, Miss Wright.

POLLY
Well I just started one, didn’t I? Come on, um, what’s your name?

DODO
Dodo.

POLLY
Neat. I’m Polly.

DODO
How do you do?

POLLY
Only one way to find out.

The girls enter the club. The Bouncer gives their retreating forms a good leer.

BOUNCER
Polly and Dodo... this place gets all the birds.


13. INT. THE INFERNO (DAY)

It is a dingy, whitewashed basement bar. Candelabras dangle from the ceiling and African masks hang on the wall. A table in the corner has a battered record player linked up to speakers, the only new part of it the brand new LP. The bar is a long grubby table containing a selection of bottles.

Dodo and Polly move down the steps in a mild crowd of YOUNG PATRONS – the boys wear neat suits and ties, the girls are dressed in far out dresses. Several sit at tables drinking but most are dancing. Polly waves at someone at the crowd while Dodo looks around in visible disappointment.

DODO
THIS is the hottest night spot in town?

POLLY
It’s minamalist.

DODO
It’s cheap is what it is.

They head down to the bar.

DODO
Is there any decent booze here?

POLLY
There’s vimto.

DODO
You have got to be kidding me. So, why did you let me in?

POLLY
Us human beings have got to stick together.

DODO
Why? Been threatened by aliens?

POLLY
No, I just got fired because of a computer. You can look for your friend.

Polly pours herself a cup of fizzy liquid.

DODO
Oh, OK... You don’t want to talk about it?

POLLY
I don’t want to know about it to be honest.

DODO
I’ll let it go, then. Thanks though.

POLLY
You’re welcome.

A girl of about Polly’s age with dark hair and plunging neckline is behind the bar. This is KITTY, the proprietor of the establishment.

KITTY
Hello Polly, love. Oh, am I glad to see you!

POLLY
Hey, Kitty. This is Dodo. Dodo? Kitty.

DODO
Hello.

KITTY
Hi, Dodo.

Immediately, Kitty loses her smile and focuses on Polly. Dodo is a bit put out.

KITTY
Polly you're just the person I need! Will you help me?

POLLY
Oh, here we go again!

Dodo turns and bumps into someone – a grinning teenager in an appallingly tasteless pinstripe jacket. He leers happily.

RICH
If it isn’t my faintest flightless bird!

DODO
Rich!

RICH
Dodo!

They embrace.

RICH
Where’ve ya been, babe? You’ve been missing for ages.

DODO
So’s your fashion sense.

RICH
This is up to the minute, babe. Come on, sit down, tell us what’s happening.

DODO
Well, for a start, you said you’d pay for me.

RICH
Did I? Oh well, you should’ve said Jimmy was your friend.

DODO
Who’s Jimmy?

RICH
No idea, but there’s always a Jimmy at parties...

We focus back on Kitty and Polly as Dodo and Rich head off. Kitty assumes a posh, modest voice.

KITTY
I thought you “didn’t mind helping people”?

POLLY
I’ve had a bad day. I lost my job.

KITTY
Well, maybe this can take your mind off it.

Polly laughs weakly.

POLLY
OK, what is it then?

KITTY
When you were here last yesterday, do you remember a sailor at the end of the bar?

POLLY
Not especially. Why?

KITTY
He's been here all day. Poor lad, he just sits there at the end of the bar. Look out, here he’s come back from the gents.

A new figure glumly shoves his way through the bopping kids. A young man dressed in a neat sailor’s outfit. In his hand is clutched a white hat. He slumps down on a stool at the end of the bar, throws his hat onto the table and pours himself a generous glass of something non alcoholic. Kitty and Polly watch him intently. He glances at their direction. For a split second, he and Polly have eye contact. He goes back to his glum glass and uses a swizzle-stick to stir it. This is BEN JACKSON.


14. INT. ROYAL SCIENTIFIC CLUB (DAY)

Brett and Krimpton are sitting down at the table. Summer rises and taps a wine glass. The crowd focuses their attention on him. The Doctor continues to study ODIN.

SUMMER
Gentleman, ladies, may I have your attention please? Now, the United Kingdom has, along with Germany and the United States of America, been one of the forerunners of computer science. Over the last twenty three years, we have advanced greatly from the old Colossus codebreaker machines that needed to rewired to do anything at all. Vacuum tubes have been replaced by transistors and now by a revolutionary new method of integrated circuitry. ODIN is a name which will become very well known and very important over the next few years, not only to Great Britain, but to the entire world. Now, the visionary behind ODIN will explain it better than I ever could and will, in turn answer some questions before summing up. Professor Josiah Brett if you please.

He starts to clap and the crowd joins in. The noise finally drags the Doctor from ODIN and he eases his way through the crowd as Brett stands.

BRETT
Ladies and Gentlemen, we are here to day to talk about this machine.

He indicates the computer.

BRETT
This is ODIN. O-D-I-N, the Organizational Director of Information Networks, a computer system I can safely call my life’s work. ODIN is the only one of its kind and at least ten years ahead in terms of advancement. Ten years ahead of the latest developments by the United States, the Soviets, the Chinese. And what makes it so special? ODIN is not quite the largest computer on Earth but it is undoubtedly the most advanced. It can handle scientific problems well outside the range of any other computer in existence. It is first and foremost a problem solver, and it is the ultimate aim of the C-Day operation to link up ODIN with computers all over the globe. In the end, we want ODIN to be a worldwide, central intelligence.

The Doctor steps forward.

DOCTOR
And what good will that do, may I ask?

Brett tries to keep smiling through his exasperation.

BRETT
Imagine, if you will, a V-bomber is flying over the North Sea. Now, this V-bomber has developed a fault in its control systems. It needs to find and repair that fault immediately – many lives may be at stake. All that will be needed is for the on-board computer to be linked up to ODIN and the data will be passed on in a matter of moments. The answer supplied in record time and plane repaired without any loss of life. Again, take a hospital doctor in some remote country who needs details of the most up to date treatment. At the moment, there is no way to relay information like that without it being slightly behind the times. This machine will provide that information almost instantaneously. Can you see the benefits now?

DOCTOR
Certainly. And can you see the dangers?

BRETT
Dangers? What dangers?

Krimpton rises.

KRIMPTON
Excuse me, Brett.

ODIN is watching this.

KRIMPTON (DIST)
And may I ask who you are, sir?

DOCTOR (DIST)
I am the Doctor.

KRIMPTON (DIST)
And are you a specialist in computer development?

DOCTOR (DIST)
Well, hardly a specialist sir, but I dabble, yes, I dabble. And I could hardly visit London without being intrigued by this, could I? Hmmm?

Back to normal view.

DOCTOR
And I say no machine is perfect. This ODIN machine is being given power to control England and as well we all know – power corrupts.

BRETT
ODIN is a machine. Totally logical and self-regulating.

A gum-chewing journo with a notepad rises. This is ROY STONE.

STONE
Roy Stone, New York Sketch. I think he’s right. How can we trust the guy you set to operate ODIN? It’s giving them the keys to the city.

BRETT
Indeed, but no one will operate ODIN. ODIN will operate itself.

DOCTOR
And if it breaks down?

KRIMPTON
Impossible. The back-up systems we have implemented mean even in the unlikely chance of a malfunction...

DOCTOR
And if this malfunction affected your back-up systems, hmm?

Noises from the crowd. They like this less and less.

SUMMER
The Soviets themselves came up with SAGE – the Semi-Automatic Ground Environment computers to run their space program. Country-wide radar systems all working in series and failure proof. Are you seriously suggesting Britain cannot complete?

The murmur fades.

SUMMER
Well, you're heard the backroom boys, now it's about time you my turn. C-Day, that is Computer Day, will be this Saturday, July 23rd. All computer systems in Great Britain will be connected up to ODIN. Testing and regulation will be carried out and we are confident that in one year’s time the process of connecting all the computers in the world will begin.

DOCTOR
And who will run ODIN?

STONE
There must be someone in charge.

BRETT
Well, for an initial period of testing, Mister Robin Krimpton and I will monitor and assist ODIN.

DOCTOR
Making you two the most powerful people in Britain.

STONE
Yes, how do we know we can trust you not to tamper with it?

KRIMPTON
There would be no point.

DOCTOR
No point! Any petty warmonger could find a point! If ODIN runs all computers both civil AND military, then it could easily be used to cause untold...

BRETT
Please! ODIN is a computer brain – it acts logically. Without any political or private ends. It makes calculations and it supplies only the truth. It has no imaginative powers. And for your other point, its self-calibration systems would detect – AND prevent – any attempt to sabotage it by foreign powers or whoever. It is programmed to never suppress the truth. Why would it have any reason to?

DOCTOR
Even the most complicated computer cannot function as well as the human brain.

BRETT
ODIN can.

DOCTOR
But can it actually think for itself? Hmm?

Brett’s expression shows he’s sick and tired of this.

BRETT
Yes!

A ripple of disbelief. Krimpton quickly steps in.

KRIMPTON
Only, much more accurately and rationally. ODIN will have military implications – and peaceful ones. The following year is crucial but I can assure you that while it is near impossible for any malfunctions to occur, SHOULD it happen we will be in a position to reverse ODIN completely. If the machine stops, Britain will continue.

An almost involuntary smattering of applause. Krimpton glares at the Doctor, but he is more concerned at looking at ODIN. It’s green light goes out – but this time, the Doctor spotted it.

- to be continued...