DR MOON (VO)
Close your eyes and tell me what you see.
The black screen turns into a view of a futuristic town, filled with books. A girl is floating in the air as lullaby music plays.
THE GIRL
The Library.
DR MOON (VO)
Open your eyes again.
The Girl opens her eyes and is revealed to be sitting on a lounge suite in a flat; her father and Dr Moon opposite her.
DR MOON
Where are you now?
THE GIRL
My living room, Dr Moon.
DR MOON
When you close your eyes...
THE GIRL
I go to the Library.
DR MOON
Go to the Library now.
The Girl closes her eyes and is taken to a huge circular room in the Library, with several doors around and the walls covered with book shelves. In the middle of the room there's an open dome letting in the sunlight, and that's where the Girl floats inside.
DR MOON (VO)
Are you back there?
THE GIRL
Yes.
DR MOON (VO)
The same part?
THE GIRL
No, it’s always different. The Library goes on for ever.
DR MOON (VO)
How do you move around?
THE GIRL
By wishing.
One of the large, wooden doors begins shaking, and the Girl is startled. Cuts back to the flat.
DR MOON
What’s wrong?
THE GIRL
Something's here! Someone's got in! No one's supposed to get in!
DAD
She's never mentioned any one else. She’s always been alone.
Cuts to the Library; the doors are close to opening.
THE GIRL
Someone’s in my Library!
Cuts to the flat.
THE GIRL
No, no, please, that’s not allowed! It's not allowed!
DR MOON
Listen to me. The Library is in your mind.
THE GIRL
I know it’s in my mind - but something’s got inside!
Cuts back to the Library. The Girl is standing in horror awaiting the door to open – the Doctor and Donna step through, panting for breath. The Doctor places a thick book in the handle of the door to prevent whatever is on the other side from getting through.
DOCTOR (noticing the Girl)
Oh! Hello!
He puts his hands in his pockets and walks towards the Girl, followed by Donna.
DOCTOR
Sorry to burst in on you like this. OK if we stop here for a bit?
Cuts to the flat; the Girl opens her eyes in terror, gasping.
***
OPENING CREDITS
DAVID TENNANT
CATHERINE TATE
SILENCE IN THE LIBRARY
By Steven Moffat
***
DOCTOR
Books! People never really stop loving books.
While he speaks, he picks up his coat and exits the TARDIS, followed by Donna. They arrive to a huge but empty reception area.
DOCTOR
51st century. By now you've got holovids, direct to brain downloads, fiction mist, but you need the smell. The smell of books, Donna. Deep breath.
They cross the room and go through a door. They walk down the staircase and get to see the surface: a huge city all filled with book shelves.
DOCTOR
The Library. So big it doesn't need a name. Just a great big "the."
DONNA
It's like a city.
DOCTOR
It's a world. Literally a world. The whole core of the planet is the index computer, biggest hard drive ever. And up here, every book ever written. Whole continents of Jeffrey Archer, Bridget Jones, Monty Python's Big Red Book. Brand new editions, specially printed. We're near the equator, so... (he licks his finger then lifts it up to feel the wind) this must be Biographies! I love biographies!
DONNA
Yeah, very you. Always a death at the end.
DOCTOR
You need a good death. Without death, there'd only be comedies. Dying gives us size.
Donna picks up a book but the Doctor snatches it off her.
DOCTOR
Oi! Spoilers!
DONNA
What?
DOCTOR
These books are from your future. You don't wanna read ahead, spoil all the surprises. Like peeking at the end.
DONNA
Isn't travelling with you one big spoiler?
DOCTOR
I... try to keep you away from major plot developments. Which, to be honest, I seem to be very bad at, cos you know what? This is the biggest Library in the universe. So where is everyone? It's silent.
He goes to an information terminal and starts to fiddle on it with the sonic.
DONNA
The Library?
DOCTOR
The planet. The whole planet.
DONNA
Maybe it's a Sunday.
DOCTOR
No, I never land on Sundays. Sundays are boring.
DONNA
Well... Maybe everyone's really, really quiet.
DOCTOR
Yeah, maybe. But they'd still show up on the system.
DONNA
Doctor, why are we here? Really, why?
DOCTOR
Oh, you know, just passing.
DONNA
No, seriously. It was all, "let's hit the beach" then suddenly we're in a Library. Why?
DOCTOR
Now, that's interesting.
DONNA
What?
DOCTOR
Scanning for life forms. If I do a scan looking for your basic humanoids - you know, your book readers, few limbs and a face (we see the terminal's screen: "filtered humanoid lifeform scan; 2; complete") - apart from us, I get nothing. Zippo, nada, see? Nobody home. But if I widen the parameters to any kind of life...
He pushes some keys, numbers run on the screen until it stops and writes "error; 1.000.000.000.000; lifeform number capped at maximum record."
DOCTOR
A million million. Gives up after that. A million million.
DONNA
But there's nothing here. There's no-one.
DOCTOR
And not a sound. A million million life forms, and silence in the Library.
DONNA
But there's no-one here. There's just books. I mean, it's not the books, is it? I mean, it can't be the books, can it? I mean, books can't be alive?
They look at each other then cautiously reach towards a book. Just before they would touch it they hear a voice, making them both jump.
NODE
Welcome!
DONNA
That came from in there.
DOCTOR
Yeah!
They head back to the reception. They see a Node there - it looks like a modern statue with a living face mounted into it's head.
NODE
I am Courtesy Node 710/aqua. Please enjoy the Library and respect the personal access codes of all your fellow readers regardless of species or hygiene taboo.
DONNA
That face, it looks real.
DOCTOR
Yeah, don't worry about it.
DONNA
But a statue with a real face, though! It's a hologram or something, isn't it?
DOCTOR
No, but really, it's... fine.
NODE
Additional. There follows a brief message from the head librarian for your urgent attention. It has been edited for tone and content by Felman Lux Automated Decency Filter. Message follows. "Run. For God's sake, run. No way is safe. The Library has sealed itself, we can't... Oh, they're here. Arg. Slarg. Snick." Message ends. Please switch off your mobile comm units for the comfort of other readers.
DOCTOR
So that's why we're here... Any other messages, same date stamp?
NODE
One additional message. This message carries a Felman Lux coherency warning of 5, 0, 11...
DOCTOR
Yeah, yeah, fine, fine, fine, just play it.
NODE
Message follows. "Count the shadows. For God's sake, remember... if you want to live, count the shadows." Message ends.
DOCTOR
Donna...
DONNA
Yeah?
DOCTOR
Stay out of the shadows.
DONNA
Why, what's in the shadows?
They go through another door and arrive to an aisle between bookshelves, several floor high, reaching as far as they can see.
DONNA
So... We weren't just in the neighbourhood.
DOCTOR
Yeah, I kind of, sort of lied a bit. I got a message on the psychic paper.
He shows it to Donna - the message is "The Library. Come as soon as you can. x"
DOCTOR
What do you think? Cry for help?
DONNA
Cry for help - with a kiss?
DOCTOR
Oh, we've all done that.
DONNA
Who's it from?
DOCTOR
No idea.
DONNA
So why did we come here, why did you...
DOCTOR
Donna!
The lights on the far end of the corridor go out and the darkness seems to move towards them.
DONNA
What's happening?
DOCTOR
Run!
They run until they reach a door. The Doctor tries to open it but he can't.
DOCTOR
Come on!
DONNA
What, is it locked?
DOCTOR
Jammed! The wood's warped!
DONNA
Sonic it, use the thingy!
DOCTOR
I can't, it's wood!
DONNA
What, it doesn't do wood?!
DOCTOR
Hang on, hang on, if I can vibrate the molecules, fry the bindings, I can shatterline the interface...
DONNA
Oh, get out of the way!
She kicks the door open, they burst into the room, shut the door and use a book to bolt it - same scene we've seen in the pre-credits sequence.
DOCTOR (to the Girl)
Oh! Hello! Sorry to burst on you like this. OK if we stop here for a bit?
As the Girl opens her eyes and returns to her world, in the Library a sphere falls to the ground where she used to be.
DONNA
What is it?
DOCTOR
Security camera. Switched itself off.
He picks it up and starts to examine it.
***
THE GIRL
They were in my Library. How can they be in my Library?
DOCTOR MOON
Who were they?
We hear the sound of the sonic screwdriver and the Girl puts her hands on her ears in pain.
THE GIRL
What's that? What's that noise?
DAD
What noise?
***
In the Library, the Doctor sonics the security camera.
DOCTOR
Nice door skills, Donna.
DONNA
Yeah, well, you know, boyfriends... sometimes you need the element of surprise. What was that, what was after us? I mean, did we just run away from a power cut?
DOCTOR
Possibly.
DONNA
Are we safe here?
DOCTOR
Course we're safe. There's a little shop.
We see the sign on the wall pointing towards the shop.
DOCTOR
Gotcha!
The cover on the security camera's lens opens.
***
In her home, the Girl is on the ground crying in agony. Under her, there's a symbol on the floor identical to the one on the lens cover of the security camera.
THE GIRL
No, stop it, no, no!
***
The Girl's words appear on a display of the camera.
DOCTOR
Ooh, I'm sorry. I really am, I'm sorry, I'm so sorry. (he puts down the sphere) It's alive.
DONNA
You said it was a security camera.
DOCTOR
It is. It's an alive one.
***
The Girl is still on the floor, now quiet. Her dad and Dr Moon are comforting her.
DR MOON
Can you hear me? Are you all right?
THE GIRL
Others are coming.
DR MOON
Who's coming? Who are the others?
THE GIRL
The Library is breached. Others are coming.
DR MOON
What others?
***
Again, the Girl's words are appear on the display.
DONNA
Others? What's it mean, "others"?
The Doctor is just as puzzled as her, so she turns to a Node in the room. This one has a different face.
DONNA
Excuse me, what does it mean, "others"?
DOCTOR
That's barely more than a speak your weight machine, it can't help you.
DONNA
So why's it got a face?
NODE
This flesh aspect was donated by Mark Chambers on the occasion of his death.
DONNA
It's a real face?!
NODE
It has been actualised individually for you from the many facial aspects saved to our extensive flesh banks. Please enjoy.
DONNA (shocked)
It chose me a dead face it thought I'd like? That statue's got a real dead person's face on it...
DOCTOR
It's the 51st century, that's... basically like donating a park bench.
DONNA
It's donating a face!
In horror, she backs away from the Node.
DOCTOR
No, wait, no!
He grabs Donna at the waist to prevent her from entering into a dark shadow behind her. She slaps on his hands.
DONNA
Oi! Hands!
DOCTOR
The shadow, look.
DONNA
What about it?
DOCTOR
"Count the shadows."
DONNA
One. There, I counted it, one shadow.
DOCTOR
Yeah... But what's casting it?
They look around but can't see anything that could cast it.
DOCTOR
Oh! I'm thick! Look at me, I'm old and thick! Head's too full of stuff, I need a bigger head!
They look towards a corridor - it's very dark and the only lamp is blinking.
DONNA
Power must be going.
DOCTOR
This place runs on fission cells. They'll outburn the sun.
DONNA
Then why is it dark?
DOCTOR
It's not dark.
Donna turns around and notices that the shadow they'd seen is now gone.
DONNA
That shadow. It's gone.
DOCTOR
We need to get back to the TARDIS.
DONNA
Why?
DOCTOR
Because that shadow hasn't gone. It's moved.
NODE
Reminder: the Library has been breached, others are coming. Reminder: the Library has been breached, others are coming. Reminder: the Library has been breached...
A door is burst open and six people in spacesuits enter the room. Their leader walks straight to the Doctor. She switches her visor to transparent to reveal a female face, and she smiles at the Doctor.
RIVER
Hello sweetie.
DOCTOR
Get out!
DONNA
Doctor.
DOCTOR
All of you, turn around, get back in your rocket and fly away! Tell your grandchildren you came to the Library and lived, they won't believe you.
RIVER
Pop your helmets, everyone. We've got breathers.
Everyone take off the helmets.
ANITA
How do you know they're not androids?
RIVER
Cos I've dated androids. They're rubbish.
MR LUX
Who is this? You said we were the only expedition, I paid for exclusives.
RIVER
I lied, I'm always lying. Bound to be others.
MR LUX
Miss Evangelista, I want to see the contracts.
RIVER
You came through the north door, yeah? How was that, much damage?
DOCTOR
Please, just leave. I'm asking you seriously and properly, just lea... Hang on. Did you say expedition?
MR LUX
My expedition, I funded it.
DOCTOR
Oh, you're not, are you? Tell me you're not archaeologists.
RIVER
Got a problem with archaeologists?
DOCTOR
I'm a time traveller. I point and laugh at archaeologists.
RIVER
Ah. Professor River Song, archaeologist.
DOCTOR
River Song, lovely name. As you're leaving, and you're leaving now... you need to set up a quarantine beacon. Code-wall the planet, the whole planet. Nobody comes here, not ever again... not one living thing, not here, not ever. (one of the people walks towards the shadows) Stop right there! What's your name?
ANITA
Anita.
DOCTOR
Anita, stay out of the shadows. Not a foot, not a finger in the shadows till you're safely back in your ship. Goes for all of you. Stay in the light. Find a nice, bright spot and just stand. If you understand me, look very, very scared.
They just look at him, River smiling, the others blank.
DOCTOR
No, bit more scared than that.
Miss Evangelista looks somewhat scared.
DOCTOR
OK, do for now. You, who are you?
OTHER DAVE
Uh, Dave.
DOCTOR
OK, Dave...
OTHER DAVE
Oh, well Other Dave, because that's Proper Dave the pilot, he was the first Dave, so when we...
The Doctor takes Other Dave to the door they've come in through.
DOCTOR
Other Dave, the way you came, does it look the same as before?
OTHER DAVE
Yeah. Oh, it's a bit darker.
DOCTOR
How much darker?
OTHER DAVE
Oh, like I could see where we came through just like a moment ago. I can't now.
DOCTOR
Seal up this door. We'll find another way out.
He walks back to the rest of the group.
MR LUX
We're not looking for a way out. Miss Evangelista?
Miss Evangelista steps to the Doctor and Donna with papers in her hand.
MISS EVANGELISTA
I'm Mr. Lux's personal... everything. You need to sign these contracts agreeing that your individual experience inside the Library are the intellectual property of the Felman Lux Corporation.
DOCTOR
Right, give it here.
DONNA
Yeah, lovely. Thanks.
They take the contracts from Miss Evangelista and tear them to pieces.
MR LUX
My family built this Library. I have rights.
RIVER
You have a mouth that won't stop. (to the Doctor) You think there's danger here?
DOCTOR (sarcastic)
Something came to this Library and killed everything in it, killed a whole world. Danger? Could be.
RIVER
That was 100 years ago. The Library's been silent for 100 years. Whatever came here is long dead.
DOCTOR
Bet your life?
RIVER (smiling at him)
Always.
MR LUX
What are you doing?
OTHER DAVE
He said seal the door.
DOCTOR
Torch!
He snatches a torch from Mr Lux's hand.
MR LUX
You're taking orders from him?
DOCTOR
Spooky, isn't it?
He walks to the other side of the room and starts to look around, using the torch to light the dark corners.
DOCTOR
Almost every species in the universe has an irrational fear of the dark. But they're wrong. Cos it's not irrational. It's Vashta Nerada.
DONNA
What's Vashta Nerada?
DOCTOR
It's what's in the dark. It's what's always in the dark.
He walks back to the group.
DOCTOR
Lights! That's what we need, lights. You got lights?
RIVER
What for?
DOCTOR
Form a circle, safe area, big as you can, lights pointing out.
RIVER
Oi! Do as he says.
MR LUX
You're not listening to this man?!
RIVER
Apparently, I am. Anita, unpack the lights. Other Dave, make sure the door's secure, then help Anita. Mr. Lux, put your helmet back on, block the visor. Proper Dave, find an active terminal. I want you to access the Library database, see what you can find about what happened here a hundred years ago. Pretty Boy, you're with me. Step into my office.
She walks to a desk with an information terminal.
MR LUX
Professor Song, why am I the only one wearing my helmet?
RIVER (cheekily)
I don't fancy you.
The Doctor walks to Proper Dave.
DOCTOR
Probably I can help you.
RIVER (calling from the other side of the room)
Pretty Boy, with me I said.
DOCTOR (dumbfounded)
Oh, I'm Pretty Boy?
DONNA
Yes. Ooh, that came out a bit quick!
DOCTOR
Pretty?!
DONNA
Meh.
The Doctor walks to River's place while talking to the rest of the group.
DOCTOR
Don't let your shadows cross! Seriously, don't even let them touch. Any of them could be infected.
OTHER DAVE
How can a shadow be infected?
Everyone busy, Miss Evangelista is the only one who has nothing to do.
MISS EVANGELISTA
Excuse me, can I help?
ANITA
No, we're fine.
MISS EVANGELISTA
I could just... you know, hold things.
OTHER DAVE
No, really, we're OK.
DONNA
Couldn't she help?
OTHER DAVE
Trust me. I just spent four days on a ship with that woman. She's...
ANITA
Couldn't tell the difference between the escape pod and the bathroom. We had to go back for her. Twice.
River is packing out things from her bag. She pulls out a strange, TARDIS-shaped book.
RIVER
Thanks.
DOCTOR
For what?
RIVER
The usual. For coming when I call.
DOCTOR
Oh, that was you?
RIVER
You're doing a very good job, acting like you don't know me. I'm assuming there's a reason.
DOCTOR
A fairly good one, actually.
RIVER
OK, shall we do diaries, then? Where are we this time? Uh, going by your face, I'd say it's early days for you. Yes? So, um... (she flips pages in the book) crash of the Byzantium, have we done that yet?
The Doctor looks at her, expressionless.
RIVER
Obviously ringing no bells. (she turns several pages) Right, um, oh. Picnic at Asgard. Have we done Asgard yet?
He just stares at her.
RIVER SONG
Obviously not. Blimey, very early days, then. Huh, life with a time traveller, never knew it could be such hard work.
She examines the Doctor's face carefully and is surprised by what she sees.
RIVER (whispering)
Look at you! You're young.
DOCTOR
I'm really not, you know.
RIVER SONG
Nah, but you are. Your eyes. You're younger than I've ever seen you.
DOCTOR
You've seen me before, then?
RIVER
Doctor... please tell me you know who I am?
DOCTOR
Who are you?
They are interrupted by a noise - kind of alarm but rather strange.
PROPER DAVE
Sorry, that was me. Trying to get through into the security protocols, I seem to have set something off. What is that? Is that an alarm?
DONNA
Doctor? Doctor, that sounds like...
DOCTOR
It is. It's a phone!
***
In the Girl's home, an old-fashioned telephone rings but the adults don't care about it.
THE GIRL
Dad!
DAD
In a minute.
***
PROPER DAVE
I'm trying to call up the data core, but it's not responding. Just that noise.
DONNA
But it's a phone!
DOCTOR
Let me try something.
***
THE GIRL
Dad! The phone, aren't you gonna answer it?
DAD
It's not ringing, sweetie.
Confused, she goes to the phone, but it stops ringing before she could answer it.
***
The terminal's screen shows the symbol we've seen on the security camera and the Girl's floor, with 'ACCESS DENIED' written over it.
DOCTOR
OK, doesn't like that, let's try something else.
***
The Girl is back to drawing pictures of the Library, with a cartoon on the telly behind her.
DOCTOR (voice from the TV)
OK, here it comes.
He appears on the screen.
DOCTOR
Hello?
THE GIRL (turning to the telly)
Hello. Are you in my television?
DOCTOR
Well, no, I'm, I'm... sort of in space. I, I was trying to call up the data core of a triple-grid security processor.
THE GIRL
Would you like to speak to my dad?
DOCTOR
Dad or your mum, that'd be lovely.
THE GIRL
I know you! You were in my Library.
DOCTOR
Your Library?
THE GIRL
The Library's never been on the television before. What have you done?
DOCTOR
Ah, I... I just rerouted the interface...
The connection breaks and the cartoon comes back to the screen.
***
RIVER
What happened, who was that?
The ACCESS DENIED signal appears again.
***
The Girl picks up the remote and starts to flip channels, trying to find the Doctor again.
***
The Doctor pushes keys but can't get through, so he runs across the room to the terminal at River Song's workplace.
DOCTOR
I need another terminal. Keep working on those lights, we need those lights!
RIVER
You heard him, people, let there be light.
Working on the terminal, the Doctor keeps looking at the TARDIS-shaped diary River left on the desk. Finally, he reaches for it, but River takes it off from him.
RIVER
Sorry. You're not allowed to see inside the book, it's against the rules.
DOCTOR
What rules?
RIVER
Your rules.
***
The Girl is still flipping channels, then opens a cover on the remote to reveal a second set of buttons. As she starts pushing those, books fly off the Library shelves.
DOCTOR
What's that? I didn't do that, did you do that?
PROPER DAVE
Not me.
The Doctor turns back to the terminal. The screen displays again the 'ACCESS DENIED' sign, now with 'CAL' on the top.
DOCTOR
What's CAL?
When the books finally stop flying off, Donna walks to Miss Evangelista who seems very stressed by everything that's happening around her.
DONNA
You're all right?
MISS EVANGELISTA
What's that? What's happening?
MR LUX
I don't know.
DONNA (trying to calm her)
Oh, thanks for... you know... offering to help with the lights.
MISS EVANGELISTA
They don't want me. They think I'm stupid, cos I'm pretty.
DONNA
Course they don't, nobody thinks that.
MISS EVANGELISTA
No, they're right though. I'm a moron, me. My dad said I have the IQ of plankton, and I was pleased.
DONNA (laughing)
See, that's funny.
MISS EVANGELISTA
No... no, I, I really was pleased. Is that funny?
DONNA
No, no.
Books start to fall again.
RIVER
What's causing that? Is it the little girl?
DOCTOR
But who is the little girl? What's she got to do with this place?
***
The Girl is still fiddling with the remote.
***
DOCTOR
How does the data core work? What's the principle? What's CAL?
RIVER
Ask Mr Lux.
DOCTOR (turning to Mr Lux)
CAL, what is it?
MR LUX
Sorry. You didn't sign your personal experience contracts.
DOCTOR
Mr Lux, right now, you're in more danger than you've ever been in your whole life. And you're protecting a patent?
MR LUX
I'm protecting my family's pride.
DOCTOR
Well, funny thing, Mr Lux, I don't want to see everyone in this room dead because some idiot thinks his pride is more important.
RIVER
Then why don't you sign his contract? (pause) I didn't either. I'm getting worse than you.
DOCTOR
Okay, okay, okay. Let's start at the beginning. What happened here? On the actual day, a hundred years ago, what physically happened?
The Girl pushes another button on the remote and a panel of the Library wall slides open, unseen by anyone but Miss Evangelista.
RIVER
There was a message from the Library. Just one. "The lights are going out". Then the computer sealed the planet, and there was nothing for a hundred years.
MR LUX
It's taken three generations of my family just to decode the seals and get back in.
MISS EVANGELISTA
Um... excuse me...
MR LUX
Not just now.
RIVER
There was one other thing in the last message...
MR LUX
That's confidential.
RIVER
I trust this man. With my life, with everything.
MR LUX
You've only just met him!
RIVER
No, he's only just met me.
MISS EVANGELISTA
Um. This might be important actually...
MR LUX
In a moment!
RIVER
This is a data extract that came with the message.
She shows the message on a PDA to the Doctor.
DOCTOR
"4022 saved. No survivors."
RIVER
4022, that's the exact number of people who were in the Library when the planet was sealed.
DONNA
But how can 4022 people have been saved if there were no survivors?
RIVER
That's what we're here to find out.
MR LUX
And so far, what we haven't found are any bodies.
***
During the conversation, Miss Evangelista walks out of the room through the open wall panel. She walks along a shadowy corridor to arrive into a lecture room. Then the rest of the team hear her scream and they run after her. They arrive to the lecture room but only find a skeleton there.
DOCTOR
Everybody, careful! Stay in the light.
PROPER DAVE
You keep saying that. I don't see the point!
DOCTOR
Who screamed?
PROPER DAVE
Miss Evangelista.
DOCTOR
Where is she?
RIVER (to her communicator)
Miss Evangelista, please state your current...
They are shocked to hear River's voice echo from the direction of the skeleton.
RIVER
Please state your current...
She stops, then whispers the last word, terrified by the realisation.
RIVER
...position.
She pulls out a piece of the spacesuit's collar from behind the skeleton's back. The green lights of the communicator are still on.
RIVER
It's her. It's Miss Evangelista.
ANITA
We heard her scream a few seconds ago. What could do that to a person in a few seconds?
DOCTOR
It took a lot less than a few seconds.
ANITA
What did?
MISS EVANGELISTA (voice from the communicator)
Hello?
RIVER
Um, I'm sorry everyone, um, this isn't going to be pleasant. She's ghosting.
DONNA
She's what?
MISS EVANGELISTA
Hello, excuse me? I - I'm sorry, hello? Excuse me?
DONNA
That's... That's her, that's Miss Evangelista!
OTHER DAVE
I don't want to sound horrible, but couldn't we just... you know?
RIVER
This is her last moment... no, we can't. A little respect, thank you.
MISS EVANGELISTA
Sorry, where am I? Excuse me?
DONNA
But that's Miss Evangelista.
RIVER
It's a data ghost, she'll be gone in a moment. (to her communicator) Miss Evangelista, you're fine, just relax. We'll be with you presently.
DONNA
What's a data ghost?
DOCTOR
There's a neural relay in the communicator, lets you send thought mails. That's it there, those green lights. Sometimes it can hold an impression of a living consciousness for a short time after death. Like an after image.
ANITA
My grandfather lasted a day. Kept talking about his shoelaces.
DONNA
She's in there!
MISS EVANGELISTA
I can't see, I can't... Where am I?
PROPER DAVE
She's just brain waves now. The pattern won't hold for long.
DONNA
She's conscious! She's thinking.
MISS EVANGELISTA
I can't see, I can't... I don't know what I'm thinking.
DOCTOR
She's a footprint on the beach. And the tide's coming in.
MISS EVANGELISTA
Where's that woman? The nice woman... is she there?
MR LUX
What woman?
DONNA
She means... I think, she means me.
MISS EVANGELISTA
Is she there? The nice woman?
RIVER
Yeah, she's here, hang on. (to Donna) Go ahead. She can hear you.
MISS EVANGELISTA
Hello? Are you there?
Donna shakes her head in horror.
DOCTOR (whispering)
Help her.
DONNA
She's dead.
DOCTOR
Yeah. Help her.
MISS EVANGELISTA
Hello? Is that the nice woman?
DONNA
Yeah. Hello. Yeah, I'm, I'm... I'm here. You OK?
MISS EVANGELISTA
What I said before, about being stupid. Don't tell the others, they'll only laugh.
DONNA
Course I won't. Course I won't tell them.
MISS EVANGELISTA
Don't tell the others, they'll only laugh...
DONNA
I won't tell them. I said I won't.
MISS EVANGELISTA
Don't tell the others, they'll only laugh.
DONNA
I'm not going to tell them.
The lights of the neural relay are now blinking.
MISS EVANGELISTA
Don't tell the others, they'll only laugh.
RIVER
She's looping now. The pattern's degrading.
MISS EVANGELISTA
I can't think, I...don't know, I... I... I... Ice cream. Ice cream. Ice cream. Ice cream.
She keeps repeating those words.
RIVER
Does anybody mind if I...?
She steps to the skeleton and turns off the relay.
DONNA
That was... that was horrible. That was the most horrible thing I've ever seen.
She's in tears, the Doctor puts his hand on her shoulder comfortingly.
RIVER
No. It's just a freak of technology. But whatever did this to her, whatever killed her... I'd like a word with that.
DOCTOR
I'll introduce you.
He rushes back to the room where they came from, the others following him.
DOCTOR
I'm gonna need a packed lunch.
RIVER
Hang on.
She and the Doctor crouch down to her bag. Searching for the food, she first pulls out her TARDIS book.
DOCTOR
What's in that book?
RIVER
Spoilers.
DOCTOR
Who are you?
RIVER
Professor River Song, University of...
DOCTOR
To me. Who are you to me?
RIVER
Again... spoilers. (she hands a lunch box to him) Chicken, and a bit of salad. Knock yourself out.
After a long look, he stands up.
DOCTOR
Right, you lot. Let's all meet the Vashta Nerada!
***
DAD
Darling, Dr Moon is going now. But he'd like a word with you alone, is that all right?
THE GIRL
Yes, of course, Dr Moon.
DR MOON (to the Dad)
Thank you. (he walks to the Girl) Now, listen. This is important. There's the real world, and there's the world of nightmares. That's right, isn't it? You understand that?
THE GIRL
Yes, I know, Dr Moon.
DR MOON
What I want you to remember is this... and I know it's hard. The real world is a lie, and your nightmares are real. The Library is real. There are people trapped in there, people who need to be saved. The shadows are moving again. Those people are depending on you. Only you can save them. Only you.
***
In the Library, the Doctor is on the floor, examining shadows with the sonic.
RIVER
You travel with him, don't you? The Doctor, you travel with him.
DONNA
What of it?
Going around the room, the Doctor arrives to Proper Dave's feet.
DOCTOR
Proper Dave, could you move over a bit?
PROPER DAVE
Why?
DOCTOR
Over there by the water cooler. Thanks.
Proper Dave walks to the rest of the group.
DONNA
You know him, don't you?
RIVER
Oh, God, do I know that man. We go way back, that man and me. Just not this far back.
DONNA
I'm sorry, what?
RIVER
He hasn't met me yet. I sent him a message but it went wrong, it arrived too early. This is the Doctor in the days before he knew me. And he looks at me, he looks right through me and it shouldn't kill me, but it does.
DONNA
What are you talking about? Are you just talking rubbish? Do you know him or don't you?
DOCTOR
Donna! Quiet! I'm working.
DONNA
Sorry!
RIVER
Donna? You're Donna? Donna Noble?
DONNA
Yeah. Why?
RIVER
I do know the Doctor. But in the future. His personal future.
DONNA
So why don't you know me? Where am I in the future?
Just before River could answer, the Doctor stands up.
DOCTOR
OK, we've got a live one! That's not darkness down those tunnels, this is not a shadow. It's a swarm. A man-eating swarm.
He throws a chicken leg from the lunch box into the shadows. But by the time it reaches the ground, there's only the bone left of it.
DOCTOR
The piranhas of the air, the Vashta Nerada. Literally "the shadows that melt the flesh". Most planets have them, but usually in small clusters. I've never seen an infestation on this scale, or this aggressive.
DONNA
What d'you mean, most planets? Not Earth?
DOCTOR
Mmmm, Earth, and a billion other worlds. Where there's meat, there's Vashta Nerada. You can see them sometimes, if you look. The dust in sunbeams.
DONNA
If they were on Earth, we'd know.
DOCTOR
Nah, normally they live on road kill. But sometimes people go missing. Not everyone comes back out of the dark.
RIVER
Every shadow?
DOCTOR
No. But any shadow.
RIVER
So what do we do?
DOCTOR
Daleks - aim for the eyestalk. Sontarans - back of the neck. Vashta Nerada... Run! Just run.
RIVER
Run? Run where?
DOCTOR
This is an index point. There must be an exit teleport somewhere.
MR LUX
Don't look at me, I haven't memorised the schematics!
DONNA
Doctor, the little shop! They always make you go through the little shop on the way out so they can sell you stuff.
DOCTOR
You're right! Brilliant! That's why I like the little shop!
PROPER DAVE
OK, let's move it!
He heads towards the shop but the Doctor spots something.
DOCTOR
Actually, Proper Dave, could you stay where you are for a moment?
PROPER DAVE
Why?
DOCTOR
I'm sorry. I am so, so sorry. But you've got two shadows.
Everybody looks at Proper Dave's shadows in horror.
DOCTOR
It's how they hunt, they latch on to a food source and keep it fresh.
PROPER DAVE
What do I do?
DOCTOR
You stay absolutely still. Like there's a wasp in the room, like there's a million wasps.
RIVER
We're not leaving you, Dave.
DOCTOR
Course we're not leaving. Where's your helmet? Don't point, just tell me.
PROPER DAVE
On the floor, by my bag.
Anita goes to fetch the helmet.
DOCTOR
Don't cross his shadow! (he takes the helmet from Anita) Thanks. Now, the rest of you, helmets back on and sealed up. We'll need everything we've got.
He helps the helmet on Proper Dave.
DONNA
But, Doctor, we haven't got any helmets.
DOCTOR
Yeah, but we're safe anyway.
DONNA
How are we safe?
DOCTOR
We're not, that was a clever lie to shut you up. Professor, anything I can do with the suit?
MR LUX
What good are the damn suits? Miss Evangelista was wearing her suit, there was nothing left.
RIVER
We can increase the mesh-density, dial it up 400%. Make it a tougher meal.
DOCTOR
OK. (he sonics Proper Dave's suit) 800%! Pass it on.
He shows the sonic screwdriver to River but she lifts up a similar one.
RIVER
Gotcha!
DOCTOR
What's that?
RIVER
It's a screwdriver.
DOCTOR
It's sonic.
RIVER
Yeah, I know. Snap!
She goes around sealing everyone's suits with her sonic. The Doctor watches her with suspicion, then he grabs Donna's hand.
DOCTOR
With me, come on!
They run into the shop.
DONNA
What are we doing, we're shopping? Is it a good time to shop?
DOCTOR
No talking, just moving! Try it! Right, stand there in the middle. It's a teleport. Stand in the middle. Can't send the others, TARDIS won't recognise them.
DONNA
What are you doing?
DOCTOR
You don't have a suit, you're not safe!
DONNA
You don't have a suit, so you're in just as much danger as I am and I'm not leaving...
DOCTOR
Donna! Let me explain.
He pushes a lever and teleports Donna away.
DOCTOR
Oh, that's how you do it!
RIVER (calling from the other room)
Doctor!
The Doctor runs back.
***
Donna starts to appear inside the TARDIS, but before the process could finish she disappears again with a scream.
***
DOCTOR
Where did it go?
PROPER DAVE
It's just gone. I... I looked round, one shadow. See.
RIVER
Does that mean we can leave? I don't want to hang around here.
MR LUX
I don't know why we're still here. We can leave him, can't we? I mean, no offence...
RIVER
Shut up, Mr. Lux.
DOCTOR
Did you feel anything? Like an energy transfer? Anything at all?
PROPER DAVE
No, no, but, look, it's, it's gone.
He starts to turn around to show he's clear.
DOCTOR
Stop there, stop, stop, stop there, stop moving! They're never just gone. And they never give up.
He kneels down and starts to investigate shadows with the sonic.
DOCTOR
Well, this one's benign.
PROPER DAVE
Hey, who turned out the lights?
DOCTOR
No-one, they're fine.
PROPER DAVE
No, seriously, turn them back on!
RIVER
They are on.
PROPER DAVE
I can't see a ruddy thing.
DOCTOR
Dave, turn round.
Proper Dave turns back to the group slowly, his face invisible in the darkness of the helmet.
PROPER DAVE
What's going on? Why can't I see? Is the power gone, are we safe here?
DOCTOR
Dave, I want you stay still, absolutely still. (Dave suddenly stiffens) Dave, Dave? Dave, can you hear me, are you all right? Talk to me, Dave.
PROPER DAVE
I'm fine, I'm OK, I'm... I'm fine.
DOCTOR
I want you to stay still, absolutely still.
PROPER DAVE
I'm fine, I'm OK, I'm, I'm fine. I can't... Why can't I? I... I can't... Why can't I? I... I can't... Why can't I? I...
The lights on Proper Dave's communicator are blinking.
RIVER
He's gone. He's ghosting.
MR LUX
Then why is he still standing?
PROPER DAVE
Hey! Who turned out the lights? Hey! Who turned out the lights?
Cautiously, the Doctor moves closer to Proper Dave.
RIVER
Doctor, don't!
DOCTOR
Dave, can you hear me?
PROPER DAVE
Hey! Who turned out the lights?
He grabs the Doctor and starts choking him. His helmet finally lit, we see that only a skeleton is left in the space suit.
PROPER DAVE
Who turned out the lights? Hey! Who turned out the lights?
RIVER
Excuse me!
She uses her sonic to stun the skeleton and free the Doctor.
DOCTOR
Back from it, get back, right back!
The group backs away but they are cornered by skeleton/Dave, walking towards them in an awkward manner.
RIVER
Doesn't move very fast does it?
DOCTOR
It's a swarm in a suit. But it's learning.
Several shadows reach out from skeleton/Dave and move towards the group.
MR LUX
What do we do? Where do we go?
RIVER
See that wall behind you? Duck!
Mr Lux ducks and River uses a sonic blaster to make a hole in the wall.
DOCTOR
Squareness gun!
RIVER
Everybody out. Go, go, go! Move it, move, move! Move it, move, move!
They get out of the room and arrive to a shadowy aisle between book shelves.
RIVER
You said not every shadow.
DOCTOR
But any shadow!
PROPER DAVE (arriving to the aisle)
Hey! Who turned out the lights?
RIVER
Run!
She takes the Doctor's hand and they all run.
***
DAD
Sweetie, dinner's ready.
THE GIRL
Donna Noble has been saved.
DAD (confused)
Sweetie?
***
The Doctor is fiddling on a lamp with the sonic, River is near him while the rest of the group just sits there panting.
DOCTOR
Trying to boost the power. Light doesn't stop them, but it slows them down.
RIVER
So, what's the plan? Do we have a plan?
She points her screwdriver to the lamp too and the light becomes stronger.
DOCTOR
Your screwdriver... looks exactly like mine.
RIVER
Yeah. You gave it to me.
DOCTOR
I don't give my screwdriver to anyone.
RIVER
I'm not anyone.
DOCTOR
Who are you?
RIVER
What's the plan?
DOCTOR
I teleported Donna back to the TARDIS. If we don't get back there in under five hours, emergency program one will activate.
RIVER
Take her home, yeah. (to the rest of the group) We need to get a shift on.
The Doctor looks at his sonic and suddenly becomes very concerned.
DOCTOR
She's not there. I should've received a signal, the console signals me if there's a teleport breach.
RIVER
Well, maybe the co-ordinates have slipped. The equipment here's ancient.
The Doctor runs to a Node standing nearby.
DOCTOR
Donna Noble. There's a Donna Noble somewhere in this Library. Do you have the software to locate her position?
The Node turns its head to the Doctor to reveal it is wearing Donna's face.
NODE
Donna Noble has left the Library. Donna Noble has been saved.
DOCTOR (horrified)
Donna!
NODE
Donna Noble has left the Library. Donna Noble has been saved.
RIVER
How can it be Donna? How's that possible?
NODE
Donna Noble has left the Library. Donna Noble has been saved.
DOCTOR
Oh, Donna!
NODE
Donna Noble has left the Library.
PROPER DAVE
Hey! Who turned out the lights?
Skeleton/Dave appears in the aisle but the Doctor is too devastated to care, he just stares at the Node in despair.
RIVER
Doctor!
NODE
Donna Noble has been saved.
PROPER DAVE
Hey! Who turned out the lights?
NODE
Donna Noble has left the Library.
RIVER
Doctor, we've got to go, now!
She grabs his hand and pulls him after the rest of the group.
NODE
Donna Noble has been saved.
PROPER DAVE
Hey! Who turned out the lights?
NODE
Donna Noble has left the Library. Donna Noble has been saved.
PROPER DAVE
Hey! Who turned out the lights?
NODE
Donna Noble has left the Library. Donna Noble has been saved.
PROPER DAVE
Hey! Who turned out the lights?
NODE
Donna Noble has left the Library. Donna Noble has been saved.
PROPER DAVE
Hey! Who turned out the lights?
NODE
Donna Noble has left the Library.
The people are now cornered: skeleton/Dave is coming from one end of the aisle and shadows move closer from the other end.
RIVER
Doctor, what are we gonna do?
PROPER DAVE
Hey! Who turned out the lights?
NODE
Donna Noble has left the Library. Donna Noble has been saved.
=== DOCTOR WHO (2005) ===
TRANSCRIPT PROVIDED BY
WWW.TWIZTV.COMORIGINALLY TRANSCRIBED FOR DISCIPLES OF DONNA
