Friday, May 25, 2007

C - Day VII

33. INT. POLLY’S FLAT (NIGHT)

Polly and Ben are sitting on the sofa, drinking tea. The Doctor is pacing. He glances at an art deco wall clock.

DOCTOR
Just gone two. Still no sign of Dodo. You’re sure she’s got the right address?

POLLY
Quite sure. Maybe she’s gone somewhere else. Where we are staying at the moment?

DOCTOR
Oh, a little er, bed sit. Just off Fitzroy Square. Perhaps I should check there but...

Angrily, he bangs his fists together.

DOCTOR
Dodo has my key!

BEN
Maybe we could get the police to help? Retrace her steps, that sort of thing.

POLLY
I don’t think Kitty would like the police around the Inferno. Their license is, a bit, well, delicate at the moment.

DOCTOR
But we must do something!

POLLY
We could phone the hospitals maybe?

BEN
What for?

POLLY
If she’s had an accident...

BEN
Oh, a regular little ray of sunshine ain't ya?!

The Doctor slumps down on the sofa beside Ben, looking exhausted.

POLLY
Well look, it's better than just sitting around here on our backsides doing nothing!

She rises and crosses to the phone. She picks up a phone book and flips through it.

POLLY
What's her surname?

DOCTOR
Oh, Chaplet. Dodo Chaplet.

POLLY
I wonder which the nearest will be?

A rasping doorbell buzzes. They all look up.

POLLY
Typical, I bet that’s her.

BEN
See? Told you there was nothing to worry about.

Polly hurries out. The Doctor blows out his cheeks.

DOCTOR
I hope she didn’t take it to heart.

BEN
What?

DOCTOR
I remember, telling her she would have to leave. Nonsense, an old man rambling. I do wish she was here. She’s a source of strength to me, so vibrant and enduring.

BEN
Don’t worry, Doctor, here she comes.

Polly re enters with Kitty.

POLLY
Sorry, fellas, false alarm.

BEN
Ere, Kitty, what are you doing here?

KITTY
I’ve come to see the Doctor.

The Doctor looks sharply at her.

DOCTOR
Have you? Have you indeed?

BEN
What is it? Have you seen Dodo?

Kitty continues to stare at the Doctor as he stiffly rises.

KITTY
Doctor, you must come with me.

DOCTOR
Must I? Why?

KITTY
Phase three has begun and all threats must be eradicated.

DOCTOR
Must they? And I suppose I am a threat?

KITTY
You must come with me.

DOCTOR
A threat to whom?

Polly eyes the zombified Kitty, worried.

POLLY
Doctor...

DOCTOR
To whom, young woman? ODIN, perhaps?

Kitty grabs the Doctor, who tries to fend her off to absolutely no success.

BEN
Hey, leave him alone, Kitty!

Ben tries to pull her free from the Doctor, but she refuses to let go and steers him over to the stairwell. The Doctor cries out in pain, unable to stop her.

KITTY
All threats to the operation must be eradicated!

POLLY
Ben, do something!

Ben grimly uses all his strength on Kitty – but his look of distaste changes to horror when he realizes she’s far stronger than he is. Without taking her eyes off the Doctor, she slams her right fist backwards up into Ben’s face, knocking him back. He falls onto Polly, knocking her over as she tries to hurl the Doctor down the stairs.

DOCTOR
You’ve been hypnotized!

KITTY
All threats must be eradicated!

DOCTOR
But I am not a threat! I’m just a harmless old man, I can prove it!

He groans and manages to haul one arm free and raises a fist – but not to strike Kitty, but to show off the blue ring on his finger.

DOCTOR
Look!

Kitty continues to try and throw the Doctor through the doorway.

DOCTOR
Look, my child! Look into the ring! Just a, such a pretty blue stone. Look at it!

Kitty does so. She stops trying to hurl the Doctor, and he speaks calmer.

DOCTOR
A precious blue stone given to me when I came of age. What do you think of it, my dear? Look closely at it. Look deep into it. Now, ODIN told you to eradicate me as a threat. But I’m not a threat, am I? How could I threaten anyone? ODIN is wrong about me. What he told you to do was wrong?

Kitty frowns, as if trying to concentrate.

KITTY
Instructions will... will... be carried... out.

DOCTOR
Your instructions are wrong, Kitty.

Ben and Polly are getting to their feet. Ben has a bloody nose.

DOCTOR
Kitty. A strange name. A bit like Dodo. Do you know where she is?

KITTY
W... warehouse. ODIN... I must obey.

Her voice is harder. She slams the Doctor into the doorframe and he crimes out.

DOCTOR
Must you? What is your real name, hmmm? Kitty?

Kitty looks uncertain again.

KITTY
Christine... Saunders.

DOCTOR
Yes. You are Christine Saunders, aren’t you?

The Doctor pulls off his ring and waves it in front of her eyes.

DOCTOR
No one else would be interested in something so, so fab, hmm? Your name is Kitty Saunders, isn’t it? Kitty Saunders. Say it?

KITTY
My name is Kitty Saunders.

DOCTOR
And you resist ALL attempts to change you into someone else.

KITTY
I...

The Doctor moves the ring back and forth before her eyes. She is mesmerized.

DOCTOR
You resist.

KITTY
I resist all attempts to change me into somebody else.

DOCTOR
Yes. Let go of me, please.

Kitty does so.

DOCTOR
Now, I'm going to start counting. And when I've counted up to a hundred you will be fast asleep. Now I'm going to start counting. Just look at that ring on my hand.

He moves it before her eyes.

DOCTOR
One. Two. Skip a few. Ninety-nine. One hundred.

Her eyes flutter and close. She sways and Polly and Ben manage to catch her and the Doctor slumps back against the wall.

POLLY
How did you do that?

DOCTOR
Oh, never mind, never mind. Put her to bed, Polly. She needs lots of sleep and peace and quiet for her, do you understand?

POLLY
Yes, Doctor. Are you sure she's alright?

DOCTOR
Oh yes, she's alright.

Polly steers Kitty onto the couch and lies her down. The Doctor grimaces.

BEN
Let me help you.

The Doctor growls in pain.

DOCTOR
I am not incapable and I’m not a fool! I simply need... need time.

He manages to straighten up.

DOCTOR
I’m not as feeble as I, hmm, uh, appear. No, there’s a puzzle to ponder, a problem to solve, a, a focus for failing energies.

BEN
She just tried to kill you.

DOCTOR
Yes. Someone, something broke down the walls of her mind and ordered her to do that. Luckily, the walls were still down and I was able to order her not to and then, then rebuild the walls.

BEN
But who did it?

DOCTOR
ODIN.

POLLY
A computer? How can a computer hypnotize anyone?

DOCTOR
I’m not certain. Some kind of artificial force, irresistibly subsuming the personality. A signal of some kind, a wave of corruption. I said, didn’t I, that ODIN recruits people. Once that is done, the machine intellect takes over completely, swallowing their minds like drops into an ocean. Thankfully, it was a very brief and minor effect on poor Kitty there. She should recover. But what about the others?

BEN
Others?

DOCTOR
I hardly think the most powerful computer on the entire planet will confine itself to taking over the owner of a night club... I must be slipping. The warehouse! Kitty said Dodo was at the warehouse!

Ben and Polly’s eyes widen at the implication.


34. INT. WAREHOUSE (NIGHT)

Dodo is no longer present. The workers have suspended the casing above the pit by chains. Tom and Wallis are installing the computer into the framework. Rich watches on, emotionless. Wallis steps back.

WALLIS
Circuit integration now complete.

TOM
Activate.

The whirring noise begins again, now louder. The antenna at the top of the casing begins to revolve in time with the noise.

WALLIS
The internal computer is now receiving information from all sensors. Computer is now establishing a direct link with ODIN itself.

A crackle of static and then a voice is heard. It is not the same as ODIN’s, but treated very similarly. Lights begin to flash and the reels of tape start to spin.

THOR
I... live. This... unit designated... Thor. I am Thor. Thor lives.


35. EXT. LONDON SKYLINE (NIGHT)

Dawn is starting to approach, silhouetting the Tower.


36. INT. THE VALHALLA SECTION (NIGHT)

Krimpton and Brett are working on a new computer. They are breathing heavily now, showing faint signs of fatigue. ODIN’s lamp glows brighter.

ODIN
Direct link established to War Machine computer designated Thor. Phase Three shall now be completed.


37. EXT. STREET (NIGHT)

The Doctor and Ben emerge from the flat. Polly stays in the doorway.

DOCTOR
Now, if we find Dodo, we’ll ring you up and tell you what’s happening.

POLLY
You sure you’ll be all right?

The Doctor glares haughtily at her.

DOCTOR
My health has never been an issue, my dear.

BEN
I think she means any more brainwashed thugs, Doctor.

DOCTOR
Hmph. Well, that is where you come in. Polly, you stay here in case she comes back.

POLLY
How will I contact you?

DOCTOR
Ah. You don’t have those, er, those portable telecoms at the moment, do you?

BEN
Portable what?

DOCTOR
Yes, I thought so. A pity, they’re very handy. If we don’t find her in a few hours, we will contact the police and ring you from there.

POLLY
All right. Try not to get Kitty in trouble.

DOCTOR
I believe the Inferno’s license is the least of our worries. ODIN is up to something and the sooner we find out what, the faster we can deal with it.

BEN
Yeah, get some rest, Duchess.

POLLY
Will you be all right, Ben?

BEN
I can do for a while without kip. Don’t worry, we’ll find Dodo, tell the old bill about the super computer and I’m back off to the services club for a nap.

POLLY
Oh, well...

The Doctor fidgets impatiently.

DOCTOR
Yes, yes, Miss Wright?

POLLY
We’ll keep in touch. I'll stand you lunch!

BEN
Yeah, yeah alright. But I'm no Deb's Delight you know!

POLLY
I can see that!

BEN
Yeah well...

POLLY
That’s a good thing. I can’t stand Deb’s Delights!

DOCTOR
And I can’t stand shilly-shallying! You two can canoodle later, surely?

Ben and Polly look at the ground, embarrassed.

POLLY
Sorry, Doctor.

DOCTOR
Never mind, child. There’s hope for us all. But we must find Dodo!

The Doctor hurries off, dragging Ben by the arm.

BEN
See ya later, Duchess!

Polly grins and waves.

POLLY
Aye, aye, sailor!


38. INT. WAREHOUSE (NIGHT)

As before. The lens on the front of the casing has now lit up green.

THOR
Status of the Doctor’s secretary?

TOM
She should be arriving at the Tower now. What is to be done with her companion?

THOR
Recognize Richard Palis.

Rich steps forward and is bathed in the green glow.


39. INT. THE VALHALLA SECTION (NIGHT)

ODIN whirs.

ODIN
Analysis indicates he has no particular skills or abilities. Threat rating nil.

BRETT
We need to fit and test the destructive weapons on the War Machine.

Krimpton looks up from his work. We see how exhausted and pale he looks. Bruises are forming on his cheeks.

KRIMPTON
The ultimate alteration of mankind is the operation’s aim. Loss of life must therefore be kept at a minimum.

ODIN
Resistance will be easier to overcome once it is established the War Machines can use lethal force. Proceed with testing. Human Richard Palis shall be the target.


40. INT. WAREHOUSE (NIGHT)

Two rifle-like tubes emerge from the casing, ending in pointed spearhead-shaped eggwhisk-style frameworks. The workers and technicians abandon their work in silence and move away, as do Tom and Wallis. Rich stays where he is.

THOR
Priming weaponry to fatal. Bearing fifty two. Distance check: thirty feet. Elevation: five feet. Aiming. Fire.

Rich remains still as the two tubes are adjusted, and then two violent jets of gas are blasted out of the tubes in unison. The gas cloud engulfs Rich, who sways, gasps and chokes. Suddenly he looks afraid and claws at his throat, and gets out a gargling scream before falling heavily to the ground. A final spasm, and he goes limp. The gas has already cleared. Rich’s wide eyes stare up at the roof. Hedgehoppers’ Anonymous Good News Week begins to play.

THOR
Test satisfactory. Effective at thirty five feet. Begin work on the remaining War Machines at once. Complete construction of this unit.

The workers return and continue unpacking boxes, piling up others and dragging away Rich’s body.

It's good news week,
Someone's dropped a bomb somewhere,
Contaminating atmosphere
And blackening the sky


Tom and Wallis supervise the main casing to be lowered into the pit, as it continues to buzz all the time.

It's good news week,
Someone’s found a way to give,
The rotting dead a will to live,
Go on and never die.



40. EXT. MONTAGE (DAY)

We see Battersea Power-Station busily churning out mountains of rich white smoke as dawn rises. Boats move on the River Thames.

It's good news week.
Lots of blood in Asia now,
They've butchered off the sacred cow.
They've got a lot to eat.


A plane heads into land at the airport. Buses cross London bridge. The Post Office Tower is silhouetted against the sunshine.

It's good news week,
Families shake the need for gold,
By stimulating birth control,
We're wanting less to eat.


A POLICEMAN pauses, puzzled by a police box with a sign made seven years in the future. An aerial view of Covent Garden rooftops.


41. INT. COVENT GARDEN (DAY)

It is still early morning. A few fruit and vegetable MERCHANTS are arriving. The Doctor and Ben watch as one wheels past a trolley carrying sacks of potatoes.

It's good news week,
Doctors finding many ways,
Of wrapping brains in metal trays,
To keep us from the heat.


BEN
You really think we can find her, sir? The place is vast.

DOCTOR
There are few other people in the area.

BEN
In a couple of hours, this place will be crawling with people.

DOCTOR
Then we best search while we can. The Inferno is just around the corner.

Absently, he scratches the back of his hands, then looks at them suspiciously.

BEN
What is it?

DOCTOR
Look at my skin! Look at that! I've got that prickling sensation again, the same... just as I had when I saw the Daleks... those Daleks were near!

He looks around in sudden paranoia.

BEN
“Daleks”? Who are they?

He glances at Ben, annoyed and confused.

DOCTOR
The Daleks! Oh. Er, yes of course you er, you didn't meet them did you, Ben? No, and I pray that you never will! No. The Daleks can’t be in London, 1966. It’s ridiculous.

Ben is lost.

BEN
...Why?

DOCTOR
Because if they were, my boy, there wouldn’t be a living thing left alive! No. This problem has nothing to do with Daleks, I’m certain. Yet, this all seems very familiar. The pattern of events suggests... suggests... Oh, if only I could remember...

BEN
Remember what?

DOCTOR
I forget. Disturbing. Most disturbing.

They move back down a side street, avoiding several merchants. The Doctor, apparently out of breath, pauses by a wall. Ben stops and hurries over to him. The Doctor fumbles in his pockets and pulls out a tumber of pills, like tic tacs.

BEN
You sure you’re all right?

DOCTOR
Yes, yes, Ben. It comes and goes.

He takes a pill.

BEN
What are those?

DOCTOR
D403 capsules. They are revitalizing agents. Just recently, I suffered... a rather draining experience. It’s like a dark rot in these old bones, a weakness eating away at my soul. These help combat it.

He is already sounding and looking healthier.

BEN
How many of those pills do you have?

The Doctor pockets the tumbler, scowling.

DOCTOR
Not enough.

BEN
And when they run out?

DOCTOR
I don’t know. But hopefully, I will cleanse myself. Be a better person. Come on.

They turn a corner and nearly step on the huddled figure of the tramp, who looks up at them and screams in terror, before starting to run off.


42. INT. POLLY’S FLAT (DAY)

Polly is dozing in a chair when the phone rings. Blinking awake, she gets up and picks up the phone.

POLLY
Hello?

Suddenly she stiffens and jerks, trying to pull the phone away from her, but seems unable to. She convulses again, crying out with pain.

POLLY
H... HELP--

Kitty is still fast asleep and understandably does nothing. Polly’s struggles end and she holds the phone closer to her ear. There is no emotion in her voice as she speaks.

POLLY
Yes. I understand.

She puts down the phone. We now see her eyes are wide and unblinking.

- to be continued...

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