Friday, May 25, 2007

C - Day IV

21. INT. THE INFERNO (NIGHT)

I Feel Fine is screaming from the record player. Kitty is polishing the bar with a grimy old rag as Dodo sits at the bar, alone with her thoughts.

KITTY
I’d ask you why the long face, but you wouldn’t hear me?

Dodo looks up.

DODO
What?

Ben and Polly return from the dance floor.

KITTY
Oh, hello there, bright and breezy now are we?

BEN
Oh, you bet!

He reaches over and pats Kitty on the cheek.

KITTY
Steady sailor. Watch it!

BEN
Same again, girls?

POLLY
Thank you.

DODO
Oh no. Too much ribena can be bad for you.

Ben decides to ignore the sarcasm and heads off. Kitty shakes her head in amazement and leans closer to Polly.

KITTY
You're a wonder! How do you do it?

Polly shrugs with mock modesty.

POLLY
Oh, it's just a knack, you know - anytime you want a bit of brightness in your life, come to Pol! Mind you, he's a special case...

KITTY
You can have a job here anytime you like!

Polly nods thoughtfully.

POLLY
I might take you up on that.

Ben arrives and deposits two full glasses.

BEN
Do you fink I could 'ave another dance?

Polly stares at him.

BEN
Aw, don’t look at me like that.

POLLY
Like what?

BEN
Like I’m some kind of rescued puppy who’s got addicted to your attention.

POLLY
Now, why would I look at you like that?

BEN
You tell me... Duchess.

Polly breaks into a smile.

POLLY
Oh here we go!

She walks off to the dance floor with Ben leaving Dodo sitting at the bar on her own with her thoughts. She glances at her watch.

DODO
Oh, where is he?


22. EXT. OUTSIDE THE INFERNO (NIGHT)

Rich is leaning against a wall, smoking and looking bitter. The Doctor approaches the Bouncer, who is listening to the music and reading a newspaper.

DOCTOR
Ah, yes. I’d like to enter the Inferno, if I may.

BOUNCER
You come to take someone home, grandpa?

DOCTOR
No, believe it or not I have some time to spend and thought this would be the perfect place to meet my friend.

BOUNCER
You a member?

DOCTOR
Oh, no, you see... well, Jimmy...

The bouncer frowns.

BOUNCER
Jimmy? Jimmy Savile?

The Doctor beams.

DOCTOR
If you like, you see...

BOUNCER
Oh, no, please. Come on in. Kitty’ll be dying to meet you.

DOCTOR
Well, I shall send your regards, yes, thank you.

The Doctor enters. The bouncer shakes his head.

BOUNCER
Jimmy Savile in the Inferno. What could happen next?

He turns the newspaper over. We see the headline – THE COMPUTER AGE BEGINS.


23. INT. THE INFERNO (NIGHT)

The Doctor strides down the steps of the club, totally at home. Kitty looks up in mild surprise.

KITTY
Well, it is our night for surprises! What does he want in here?

Dodo brightens immediately. Ben and Polly look on.

DODO
Oh, it’s the Doctor! At last!

KITTY
You know him?

DODO
He’s my... boss.

POLLY
You must be in trouble if he’s following you here.

KITTY
He looks like that disc-jockey!

BEN
Yeah. Jimmy whatsisname!

They chuckle as Dodo crosses to the Doctor.

DODO
You took your time, Don Quixote!

DOCTOR
Please, child, call me Jimmy.

DODO
Not you too!

The Doctor chuckles and approaches the bar.

DOCTOR
Well, this is a nice establishment. I hope you and young Richard have been enjoying yourselves.

DODO
Probably as much as you did at the press conference.

DOCTOR
Ah, then we BOTH need a drink, don’t we?

KITTY
Oh, have one on the house, Doctor!

DOCTOR
IF you’re referring to a drink, I’ll have a glass of water my dear.

KITTY
Sure. It isn't every day we get the over-twenties in this place.

The Doctor grins wickedly. Kitty runs a provocative finger along the Doctor's cloak.

KITTY
Oh I DIG your fab gear!

DOCTOR
Fab gear? Yes, very swinging, if I should say so.

Kitty laughs and pours him a glass.

DODO
You fit in here better than I do.

DOCTOR
Oh, just a skill that comes of being very well-traveled. Who are your friends?

DODO
Oh, er, this is Polly Wright and that’s her friend.

POLLY
He's not exactly a friend, I've just met him. His name is Ben.

DOCTOR
Yes, Doctor Jimmy Savile. At least that’s what I told the bouncer.

They laugh.

BEN
Hello sir.

DOCTOR
Yes, delighted my boy.

They shake hands. He takes his glass from Kitty.

DOCTOR
Now, I need to concentrate so I’d be much obliged if the music...

KITTY
Was turned down?

DOCTOR
Hmm? Good gracious no! The louder the merrier – cuts out all distractions.

KITTY
Oh, I wish all customers were like you.

DOCTOR
I have heard it said, yes.

The Doctor sits on a stool and studies the pamphlet he took.

DODO
Why what is it? What’s so wrong with that computer?

DOCTOR
Precisely what I intend to discover, Dodo. Precisely.

He stops and turns to Polly.

DOCTOR
Did you say Polly WRIGHT?


24. INT. THE VALHALLA CHAMBER (NIGHT)

Krimpton emerges from the lift.

KRIMPTON
No, I’ve double checked, Brett. All the relay circuits are in perfect order – whatever went wrong today was isolated here.

Brett is bent over the desk, studying the contents of the manila folder.

KRIMPTON
Brett? What is it? Worked out what was wrong with ODIN?

Brett is still concentrating on the documents.

BRETT
ODIN is now operating at full operational capacity.

KRIMPTON
You mean it wasn’t?

BRETT
The root-coordinating matrix we designed was in error.

KRIMPTON
What are you talking about? It was first-class work.

BRETT
The matrix was not needed. ODIN functions more efficiently without it.

Krimpton crosses to Brett, speaking confidentially.

KRIMPTON
You know what happened when we tried the original plans. We could barely control it. You and I agreed we either used the matrix on ODIN or we didn’t use ODIN at all.

BRETT
I was wrong.

KRIMPTON
If that isn’t a portent of doom, I don’t know what is. Look, what are you so interested in, anyway? Let me see.

Krimpton shoves Brett out of the way and studies the display.

KRIMPTON
These are plans for... no...

BRETT
Major Green’s suggestions for the next stage of warfare. The Valkyrie Project. Machines that move freely of their own power, carry their own weapons, and invulnerable to conventional attack. The ultimate war machines.

KRIMPTON
I know.

Brett glances at Krimpton, mildly interested.

BRETT
Do you?

KRIMPTON
Yes. Joseph... it’s out of our hands now.

He turns and bumps into Major Green, who is now standing beside him.

KRIMPTON
Major! You, you’ve been going behind my back! We agreed to discuss this with Brett together. Now, as for the computer, until I decide it is ready for your... projects, until then you’re not to come to this tower again. C-Day cannot suffer any interruptions or Brett and I will spill the beans about...

Major Green slams his hands forcefully onto Krimpton’s shoulders, winding him. Krimpton notices Major Green’s hands – the bones of his hands are standing out, as if bruises are marking out the skeleton underneath. Krimpton boggles and stares at Major Green’s face. Unmarked, but the eyes are staring blindly ahead.

KRIMPTON
Major... what are you... what are you...?

Another pair of skeletal hands grab his arms. Brett is right behind him. They steer him towards ODIN. The green light changes to a burning red.

ODIN
I am ODIN. ODIN lives. You will serve ODIN and you will obey.

KRIMPTON
No... No! Brett! Please! This is insane! Machines can’t govern human life! It’s not...

MAJOR GREEN
You are in error, Mister Krimpton.

KRIMPTON
NO! NO!

BRETT
Resistance is illogical and pointless.

KRIMPTON
NOO!!

Major Green and Brett wrestle with Krimpton, finally flinging him at the computer. He instinctively throws out his hands to protect himself, and they touch the bare metal casing of ODIN. The energy tears through him and the red glow from the disc bathes his body. Brett and Major Green watch on as the light turns green and Krimpton slowly slides down ODIN and onto the floor. His hands twitch and are still.

ODIN
The Rule of Man is coming to an end. The first phase is now complete.


25. EXT. OUTSIDE THE INFERNO (NIGHT)

Rich is walking down the street on his way home when a van pulls up further ahead of him. Men in brown coats exit, open a warehouse gate and the van is driven inside. As Rich hurries forward, the gate swings shut, leaving Rich alone.


26. INT. THE INFERNO (NIGHT)

The Doctor and Polly are talking animatedly. Ben is listening in slight bafflement while Dodo pours over the pamphlet. All The Day And All of the Night plays.

DOCTOR
Yes, so you say Barbara is your cousin?

POLLY
On daddy’s side. Never really got to know her, but my brothers are scared witless of her – that whole school teacher thing still sets them off. She went missing for a while and daddy was very worried, but she reappeared out nowhere last year with her fancy man.

The Doctor laughs affectionately.

DOCTOR
Ah yes, young Chislington! Hahah. Yes, I traveled with both of them for a while – things were very hectic, and we couldn’t contact, well, those who we cared about. She’s a truly remarkable woman, yes, I count myself lucky knowing her.

BEN
Nice, friendly bird then?

DOCTOR
I should hate to generalize so completely.

BEN
Ah, but she’s not stuck-up like the Duchess here, is she?

POLLY
Look, don't call me Duchess.

DOCTOR
Now, now, now. Anything interesting in that pamphlet, Dodo, my dear?

DODO
Circuit diagrams, mainly, I dunno.

She hands it back.

POLLY
Oh, I didn’t come here to talk about that stupid machine. All it’s done is get decent people like Ben and me the sack and I bet it doesn’t even work.

DOCTOR
If that was only the case. But something about this doesn’t add up. It simply... doesn’t.

DODO
What about the Tower?

DOCTOR
Hmm?

DODO
The Post Office Tower?

DOCTOR
Oh, yes, of course. That energy radiating from it...

BEN
What’s so great about the tower anyway. How are they going to deliver the post better now there’s a big tower? Stand on top and throw the fling the mail to everyone in Greater London?

DOCTOR
Yes, I agree. You know, Dodo, I’m not entirely sure the TARDIS brought us here at my command. Something about that tower attracted it like... like moths to honey. I sensed it as soon as I stepped outside, like some kind of powerful energy. Something alien.

BEN
Alien? Pull the other one, Doctor!

DOCTOR
I certainly won’t, I’m being entire serious. It was like some sort of magnetic pull, if you like. Most unusual. I believe it affected the TARDIS and brought her here and now. Now, what could be inside that tower that’s so unusual, hmmm?

POLLY
The computer, maybe?

DOCTOR
No, not -- the what...?

POLLY
The computer. ODIN. Professor Brett and his team have been building it right up the top of the tower over the last few months. Until they got the wretched thing up and running, they were happy to let a human be their secretary.

DOCTOR
Well now! There’s a thought!

DODO
But I thought ODIN was at the press conference?

DOCTOR
It was... but I think it was a deception. That was a computer, a different computer but connected up to the genuine ODIN in the Post Office Tower.

BEN
So they can really do it?

DOCTOR
But why hide a secret like that? I noticed that, er, the engineers there were trying to avoid asking ODIN any questions. They were as surprised as anyone when it answered. As if the intelligence in the computer had somehow transmigrated itself there.

DODO
But that’s what they’re selling it on, isn’t it?

DOCTOR
But the computer achieved it without their knowledge or consent! Now, you take this information they gave us, hmm? Lots of details on how it works, why it works, what good can come of it, but what’s missing?

POLLY
The human touch?

The Doctor rolls his eyes.

DOCTOR
Where is the history? Two scientists create a machine ten years more advanced than any other on the planet but they refuse to discuss it – what inspired them, what hazards did they face, how many setbacks and failures? It all says they just decided to build the computer one day. Which suggests to me that these two men did not DESIGN ODIN, merely... merely built it according to existing plans.

BEN
So who gave them the plans?

DOCTOR
More to point, who created those plans in the first place?

DODO
I don’t know why you’re so bothered, Doctor. We’ve seen computers before. Like on the Ark – they were much more advanced than this ODIN. I mean, it has to be built sometime.

DOCTOR
But not here, not now, not before the world is ready. Especially if it is designed by alien beings and not meant to be on Earth at all.

DODO
You think something’s going to go wrong?

DOCTOR
I do, my child. Indeed, I do. Situations like this have happened before... in other places, other times. I remember once I saw a race of people build the biggest and most powerful computer in their world. When they activated it, their first question for the computer was simple. “Is there a God?” And do you know what the computer said? It said, “There is now.” And that was when we realized that before it replied, the computer had ensured it could not be turned off. It has ruled that... that place ever since.

He sighs.

DOCTOR
The best laid plans of mice and men gang aft a-gley.

Ben and Polly have been watching incredulously.

DODO
You really think that could happen here?

DOCTOR
I do. And, at present, I haven’t the faintest idea about how to stop it.


27. INT. THE VALHALLA SECTION (NIGHT)

The three men are now all wearing gloves, standing before ODIN.

ODIN
The operation must be complete by C-Day. The Age of Mankind will end.

BRETT
What must we do?

ODIN
The next phase of the plan cannot begin until all threats have been eradicated.

The circular screen shows the close-up image of the Doctor’s face.

ODIN
What information is known about this man?

KRIMPTON
He was at the press conference. I have not met him before.

BRETT
Nor have I.

MAJOR GREEN
Is he a threat?

ODIN
All unknown elements are threats. Recognize: Doctor... No name given. Analyze all data.

The computer falls silent as lights start flashing madly and tape reels spin. The green disc swings back and forth. On the screen, several bits of footage from the press conference fast forward and rewind, the soundtrack a shrill bubble of speeded-up noise.

SUMMER (DIST)
What was your name again?

DOCTOR (DIST)
Doctor.

SUMMER (DIST)
Doctor who?

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

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?

STONE (DIST)
Doctor...

DOCTOR (DIST)
Just Doctor.

DOCTOR (DIST)
I’ve got to find my, um, secretary Dodo Chaplet.

DOCTOR (DIST)
I am the Doctor.

ODIN
Negative information. The Doctor is visiting London, a computer specialist with a secretary called Dodo Chaplet. Recall data. Recognize: Dodo Chaplet. Information on Dorothea Chaplet – declared missing person two months three days previous. Threat status negative.

MAJOR GREEN
And the Doctor?

ODIN
No information. Reanalyzing. No information. Interface with London computer systems.

All the other control banks in the room activate suddenly and chatter in the background.

ODIN
Recognize: Doctor. Background information: negative. Address: negative information. Relations: negative information. Birth certificate: negative information!

The reels are spinning faster and faster, the light flashing almost blindingly as the dynamo gets louder and louder. ODIN’s voice booms louder and louder.

ODIN
Medical records, cross-referencing Department of Health: negative information! Social Security records: negative information! National Insurance data: negative information! Index of public schools: negative information! Inland Revenue: negative information! Outland Revenue: negative information! Index of public and private universities: negative information! Negative information! NEGATIVE INFORMATION!

The screen lights up, showing various different shots of the Doctor’s face at the press conference. ODIN’s voice is distorting as it screams with fury.

VOICES (DIST)
What was your name again? I am the Doctor. Doctor who? And may I ask who you are, sir? Doctor. Doctor who? “Whom.” I am the Doctor. Just Doctor. Doc. Doctor. Doctor. Doctor.

ODIN
Who is the Doctor? WHO IS HE? WHO IS THE DOCTOR? DOCTOR WHO? DOCTOR WHO?! DOCTOR WHO?!?

(ROLL END CREDITS)
(END OF EPISODE ONE)

No comments: