Gentle music plays, as there is an exterior view of the glistening, luxurious planet Midnight. Zooms into a sunbathing lounge with a pool, Donna lying lazily on the chair. A butler brings the ringing phone over to Donna, who answers it as the butler walks away.
DONNA
I said, no!
Cuts to the Doctor on the other end of a public phone.
DOCTOR
Sapphire waterfall - it’s a waterfall made of sapphires! (cuts back to Donna who is smiling cheekily) This enormous jewel, size of a glacier, reaches the Cliffs of Oblivion, and then shatters into sapphires at the edge - they fall 100,000 feet into a crystal ravine.
DONNA
I bet you say that to all the girls.
DOCTOR
Oh, come on! They’re boarding now! It’s no fun if I see it on my own. Four hours, that’s all it takes.
DONNA
No, that’s four hours there and four hours back, it’s like a school trip. I’d rather go sunbathing.
DOCTOR
You be careful, that’s Xtonic sunlight.
DONNA
Oh, I’m safe. It says in the brochure this glass is fifteen feet thick.
DOCTOR
All right, I give up. I’ll be back for dinner, we’ll try that anti-gravity restaurant. With bibs.
DONNA
That's a date. Well, not a date. Oh, you know what I mean. Oh get off!
DOCTOR
See you later.
DONNA
Oi! You be careful, all right?
DOCTOR
Nah. Taking a big space truck with a bunch of strangers across a diamond planet called Midnight - what could possibly go wrong?
He hangs the phone up.
***
OPENING CREDITS
DAVID TENNANT
CATHERINE TATE
MIDNIGHT
by Russell T Davies
***
The Doctor is on the shuttle, watching the last passengers board. The Hostess is talking to a woman, Sky, who sits near the Doctor.
HOSTESS
Complimentary juice pack and complimentary...
SKY
Just the headphones, please.
HOSTESS
There you go.
She moves to the Doctor and starts to hand him things.
HOSTESS
That's the headphones for Channels 1 to 36; modem link for 3D vidgames; complimentary earplugs; complimentary slippers; complimentary juice pack; and complimentary peanuts. I must warn you some products may contain nuts.
DOCTOR
That'll be the peanuts.
HOSTESS
Enjoy your trip.
DOCTOR
Oh, I can't wait! Allons-y!
HOSTESS
I'm sorry?
DOCTOR
It's French, for let's go!
HOSTESS
Fascinating.
She moves to the people sitting in the row behind the Doctor: Professor Hobbes and his young assistant Dee Dee.
HOSTESS
Headphones for channels 1-36...
PROFESSOR HOBBES
Oh no, thank you, not for us!
DEE DEE
Earplugs, please.
HOSTESS
There you go.
PROFESSOR HOBBES (to Dee Dee)
They call it a sapphire waterfall, but it's no such thing, sapphire's an aluminium oxide, but the glacier is just a compound silica with iron pigmentation!
Camera shifts to the Hostess talking to a middle-aged couple, Biff and Val.
HOSTESS
...complimentary juice pack and complimentary peanuts.
VAL
Thank you.
PROFESSOR HOBBES
Have you got that pillow for my neck?
DEE DEE
Yes, sir.
PROFESSOR HOBBES
And the pills?
The camera returns to the Professor and Dee Dee.
DEE DEE
Yes, all measured out for you, there you go.
The Doctor looks at the Professor and Dee Dee over the back of his seat.
PROFESSOR HOBBES
Hobbes! Professor Winfold Hobbes!
DOCTOR
I'm the Doctor, hello!
They shake hands.
PROFESSOR HOBBES
It's my 14th time!
DOCTOR
Oh! My first.
DEE DEE
And I'm Dee Dee, Dee Dee Blasco.
She shakes the Doctor's hand too.
PROFESSOR HOBBES
Now don't bother the man! Where's my water bottle?
HOSTESS (talking to Jethro, a young man who sits away from his parents Biff and Val)
... complimentary slippers, complimentary juice pack, and complimentary peanuts, I must warn you some products may contain nuts.
VAL
Don't be silly, come and sit with us. Look! We get slippers!
BIFF
Jethro! Do what your mother says.
JETHRO
I'm sitting here.
BIFF
Oh, he's ashamed of us. But he doesn't mind us paying, does he?
VAL
Oh, don't you two start. Should I save the juice pack or have it now? Look, peach and clementine!
The Hostess walks to the front of the shuttle to address all passengers.
HOSTESS
Ladies and gentlemen and variations thereupon, welcome on board the Crusader 50, if you would fasten your seatbelts, we'll be leaving any moment. Doors!
Doors seal automatically.
HOSTESS
Shields down!
Shields descend in front of the windows.
HOSTESS
I'm afraid the view is shielded until we reach the Waterfall Palace. Also, a reminder, Midnight has no air, so please don't touch the exterior door seals. Fire exit at the rear, and should we need to use it... you first.
She laughs at the absurd idea.
HOSTESS
Now I will hand you over to Driver Joe.
DRIVER JOE (over intercom)
Driver Joe at the wheel! There's been a diamondfall at the Winter Witch Canyon, so we'll be taking a slight detour, as you'll see on the map. (a map is shown on a screen) The journey covers 500 kliks to the Multifaceted Coast, duration is estimated at four hours. Thank you for travelling with us, and as they used to say in the olden days, wagons roll!
Engines accelerate and the shuttle starts to move.
HOSTESS
For your entertainment, we have the Music Channel playing retrovids of Earth Classics.
She pushes a key on her remote, screens appear in front of each passenger, they show Raffaello Cara singing "Do It Do It Again".
HOSTESS
Also, the latest artistic installation from Ludovico Klein.
She pushes another key to start a hologram show.
HOSTESS
Plus, for the youngsters, a rare treat - the Animation Archives.
She turns on a projector that shows old cartoons.
HOSTESS
Four hours of funtime! Enjoy!
Everything going simultaneously, it all ends up as a terrible cacophony that nobody but Val and Biff enjoy. The Doctor uses the sonic screwdriver to stop it.
PROFESSOR HOBBES
Well, that's a mercy!
HOSTESS
I do apologise, ladies and gentlemen and variations thereupon. We seem to had a failure of the Entertainment System...
DOCTOR
Ooh.
VAL
But what do we do?!
BIFF
We've got four hours of this! Four hours of just... sitting here?
DOCTOR
Tell you what! We'll have to talk to each other instead!
He grins at the passengers who seem to find this a weird idea.
***
98 KLIKS LATER...
People are laughing, having a great time telling stories, except Sky who sits apart from the rest reading a book, and Jethro who seems rather embarrassed by his parents.
VAL
So Biff said, "I'm going swimming".
BIFF
Oh, I was all ready, trunks and everything! Nose plug!
VAL
He had this little nose plug, you should've seen him.
BIFF
And I went marching up to the lifeguard, and he was a Shamboni, you know, those big foreheads?
VAL
Great big forehead!
BIFF
And I said, where's the pool? And he said...
BIFF & VAL
"The pool is abstract!"
VAL
It wasn't a real pool!
BIFF
It was a concept!
DOCTOR
And you wore a nose plug!
BIFF
I was like this! (pinching his nose) Mmm...where's the pool?
Everyone burst out laughing again.
***
150 KLIKS LATER...
The Doctor and Dee Dee are in the galley.
DEE DEE
I'm just a second-year student, but I wrote a paper on the Lost Moon of Poosh, Professor Hobbes read it, liked it, took me on as a researcher. Just for the holidays. Well, I say researcher, most of the time he's got me fetching and carrying. But it's all good experience!
DOCTOR
And did they ever find it?
DEE DEE
Find what?
DOCTOR
The Lost Moon of Poosh!
DEE DEE (laughing)
Oh no! Not yet!
DOCTOR
Well, maybe that'll be your great discovery, one day. Here's to Poosh!
He lifts his coffee cup.
DEE DEE
Poosh!
***
209 KLIKS LATER
The Doctor is sitting beside Sky, just having had their meals served.
DOCTOR
No, no, I'm with this friend of mine, Donna, she stayed behind in the Leisure Palace. You?
SKY
No, it's just me.
DOCTOR
Oh, I've done plenty of that. Travelling on my own. I love it. Do what you want! Go anywhere!
SKY
No, I'm still getting used to it. I've... found myself single rather recently, not by choice.
DOCTOR
What happened?
SKY
Oh, the usual. She needed her own space, as they say. A different galaxy, in fact. I reckon that's enough space, don't you?
DOCTOR
Yeah... I had a friend who went to a different universe.
SKY
Oh, what's this, chicken or beef?
DOCTOR (examining a piece on his fork)
I think it's both.
***
251 KLIKS LATER...
Professor Hobbes is showing his slides to the other passengers.
PROFESSOR HOBBES
So, this is Midnight, d'you see? Bombarded by the sun! Xtonic rays, raw galvanic radiation. Dee Dee, next slide! (she switches to the next slide) It's my pet project. Actually, I'm the first person to research this. Because you see... the history is fascinating, because there is no history. There's no life in this entire system, there couldn't be. Before the Leisure Palace Company moved in, no-one had come here in all eternity. No living thing.
JETHRO
But how d'you know? I mean, if no-one can go outside...
VAL
Oh, his imagination! Here we go!
DOCTOR
He's got a point, though.
PROFESSOR HOBBES
Exactly! We look upon this world through glass. Safe inside our metal box. Even the Leisure Palace was lowered down from orbit. And here we are now, crossing Midnight, but never touching it.
There's a rattling then the engines go silent.
VAL
We've stopped. Have we stopped?
BIFF
Are we there?
DEE DEE
We can't be, it's too soon.
PROFESSOR HOBBES
They don't stop, Crusader vehicles never stop.
HOSTESS
If you could just... return to your seats, it's... just a small delay.
Just as confused as her passengers, she goes to the intercom to talk with the driver.
BIFF
Maybe just a pit stop.
HOSTESS (talking to the driver via intercom)
What's going on?
PROFESSOR HOBBES
There's no pit to stop in, I've been on this expedition 14 times, they never stop.
SKY
Well evidently, we have stopped, so there's no point in denying it.
JETHRO (laughing)
We've broken down!
VAL
Thanks, Jethro.
JETHRO
In the middle of nowhere!
BIFF
That's enough, now stop it!
HOSTESS
Ladies and gentlemen and variations thereupon, we're just experiencing a short... delay, the driver needs to stabilise the engine feeds. It's perfectly routine, so if you could just stay in your seats...
The Doctor walks towards the driver's cabin.
HOSTESS
No, I'm sorry sir, I... could you please...
DOCTOR
There you go, engine expert! Two ticks!
He opens the door and enters the cockpit.
HOSTESS
Sorry sir, if you could just sit down! You're not supposed to be in there...
The doors closes behind the Doctor.
DRIVER JOE
Sorry, if you could return to your seat, sir...
DOCTOR
Company insurance, let's see if we can get an early assessment. So, what's the problem, Driver Joe?
DRIVER JOE
We're stabilising the engine feeds, won't take long.
DOCTOR
Um, no, cos that's the engine feed, that light there, and it's fine, and it's a micropetrol engine, so stabilising doesn't really make sense, does it? Sorry! I'm the Doctor, I'm very clever. So, what's wrong?
MECHANIC CLAUDE
We just stopped, look, all systems fine and everything's working, but we're not moving.
DOCTOR (checking with the sonic)
Yeah you're right. No faults. And who are you?
MECHANIC CLAUDE
Claude, I'm the mechanic. Trainee.
DOCTOR
Nice to meet you.
DRIVER JOE
I've sent a distress signal. They should dispatch a rescue truck, top speed.
DOCTOR
How long till they get here?
DRIVER JOE
About an hour.
DOCTOR
Well, since we're waiting... shall we take a look outside? Just... lift the screens a bit?
DRIVER JOE
It's 100% Xtonic out there, we'd be vaporised.
DOCTOR
No, those windows are Finitoglass, they'd give you a couple of minutes. Go on! Live a little!
Driver Joe gives in and raises the shields. The three of them look the landscape in awe.
DOCTOR
Ohhh, that is beautiful...
MECHANIC CLAUDE
Look at all those diamonds! Poisoned by the sun. No-one can ever touch them.
DOCTOR
Joe, you said we took a detour?
DRIVER JOE
Just about 40 kliks to the west.
DOCTOR
Is that a recognised path?
DRIVER JOE
No, it's a new one, the computer worked it out, on automatic.
DOCTOR
So we're the first? This piece of ground. No-one's ever been here before. Not in the whole of recorded history.
MECHANIC CLAUDE
Did you just...? No, sorry, it's... nothing.
DOCTOR
What did you see?
MECHANIC CLAUDE
Just there. That ridge. Like... like a shadow. Just, just for a second.
DOCTOR
What sort of shadow?
An alarm sounds.
DRIVER JOE
Xtonic rising! Shields down.
MECHANIC CLAUDE
Look, look, there it is, there it is, look, there!
DOCTOR
Where?! What was it?
MECHANIC CLAUDE
Like, just, something... shifting, something sort of... dark. Like it was...running.
DOCTOR
Running which way?
MECHANIC CLAUDE
Towards us...
DRIVER JOE
Right, Doctor, back to your seat and not a word, rescue's on its way. If you could close the door, thank you.
The Doctor returns to the passenger cabin.
SKY
What did they say? Did they tell you? What is it, what's wrong?
DOCTOR
Oh, just stabilising, happens all the time.
SKY
I don't need this. I'm on a schedule. This is completely unnecessary!
HOSTESS
Back to your seats, thank you.
She goes to the cockpit while the Doctor and Sky return to their seats.
DEE DEE (low voice)
Excuse me, Doctor, but they're micropetrol engines, aren't they?
PROFESSOR HOBBES
Now, don't bother the man.
DEE DEE
My father was a mechanic. Micropetrol doesn't stabilise, what does 'stabilise' mean?
DOCTOR
Well. Bit of flim-flam. Don't worry, they're sorting it out.
PROFESSOR HOBBES
So it's not the engines?
DOCTOR
It's just a little pause, that's all.
PROFESSOR HOBBES
How much air have we got?
DEE DEE
Professor, it's fine.
VAL
What did he say?
DOCTOR
Nothing!
VAL
Are we running out of air?
PROFESSOR HOBBES
I was just speculating...
The Hostess returns from the driver's cabin.
BIFF
Is that right, miss? Are we running out of air?
VAL
Is that what the Captain said?
HOSTESS
If you could all just remain calm...
VAL
How much air have we got?
JETHRO
Mum, just stop it.
HOSTESS
I assure you, everything is under control.
BIFF
Well, doesn't look like it to me!
VAL
Well, he said it.
DEE DEE
... it's fine, the air is on a circular filter...
VAL
... he started it...
All talk at once, panicked.
DOCTOR
Everyone...
They keep shouting.
DOCTOR
Shhh shhh shhh... QUIET!
Silence falls.
DOCTOR
Thank you. Now, if you'd care to listen to my good friend Dee Dee...
DEE DEE
Oh! Um... it's just that... well, the air's on a circular filter so... we could stay breathing for ten years.
DOCTOR
There you go! And I've spoken to the Captain, I can guarantee you, everything's fine.
They hear two loud knocks on the wall of the shuttle.
VAL
What was that?
PROFESSOR HOBBES
It must be the metal. We're cooling down, it's just settling...
DEE DEE
Rocks. Could be rocks falling.
BIFF
What I want to know is, how long do we have to sit here.
The double knocking is repeated on a different part of the shuttle.
SKY
What is that?
VAL
Is someone out there?
PROFESSOR HOBBES
Now, don't be ridiculous!
DEE DEE
Like I said, it could be rocks.
HOSTESS
We're out in the open. Nothing could fall against the sides.
Again, two knocks on the wall.
DOCTOR
Knock knock.
JETHRO
Who is there?
SKY
Is there something out there? Well? Anyone?
Knocking again.
SKY
What the hell is making that noise?
PROFESSOR HOBBES
I'm sorry, but the light out there is Xtonic, that means it would destroy any living thing, in a split-second. It is impossible for someone to be outside.
The knocking is repeated again - always two knocks.
SKY
Well, what the hell is that, then?!
The Doctor goes to the wall where they heard the last knocks from, and uses a stethoscope to hear what's outside.
HOSTESS
Sir! You really should get back to your seat.
DOCTOR
Hello?
Now, the knocking comes from the fire exit at the rear.
JETHRO
It's moving...
There's a rattling from the door, like something is trying to get it open.
VAL
It's trying the door!
PROFESSOR HOBBES
There is no 'it', there's nothing out there. Can't be.
The thing tries again with the door, then it goes around - always double knocks, from the roof then from the side door.
VAL
That's the entrance. Can it get in?
DEE DEE
No, that door's on two hundred weight of hydraulics.
PROFESSOR HOBBES
Stop it. Don't encourage them.
DEE DEE
What do you think it is?
Biff goes to the door.
VAL
Biff, don't...
DOCTOR
Mr Cane, better not...
BIFF
Nah, it's cast iron, that door...
Biff knocks on the door three times - and the thing outside repeats with three knocks.
VAL
Three times! Did you hear that, it did it three times?!
JETHRO
It answered!
VAL
It did it three times!
DOCTOR
All right, all right, all right, everyone, calm down.
SKY
No, but it answered, it... answered, don't tell me that thing's not alive, it answered him!
Three knocks again.
HOSTESS
I really must insist, you get back to your seats!
SKY
No! Don't just stand there telling us the rules! You're the hostess, you're supposed to do something!
The Doctor goes to the door and knocks four times - and in repeat, the thing knocks four times too.
SKY (yelling in total panic)
What is it, what the hell's making that noise? She said she'd get me. Stop it, make it stop, somebody make it stop! Don't just stand there looking at me, it's not my fault, he started it with his stories...
DEE DEE
Calm down!
SKY
... and he made it worse...
VAL
You're not helping!
SKY
...why couldn't you leave it alone? Stop staring at me! Just tell me what the hell it is!
DEE DEE
Calm down!
The knocking becomes continuous. In panic, Sky backs towards the cockpit door.
SKY
It's coming for me, ohh it's coming for me, it's coming for me... It's coming for me! It's coming for me!
She screams. The Doctor moves towards her, warning.
DOCTOR
Get out of there!
The whole shuttle rocks, lights go out and sparkles fly. The people fall over screaming, then gasp and groan in the darkness as the shuttle stops moving.
BIFF (holding Val tight)
All right? OK.
DOCTOR
Argh... Arms. Legs. Neck. Head. Nose. I'm fine... Everyone else?
On a screen behind the Doctor, Raffaella Cara continues singing. Then for a few seconds she is replaced by Rose, mouthing "Doctor!". But her voice can't be heard and she disappears again, unnoticed.
DOCTOR
How are we, everyone all right?
PROFESSOR HOBBES
Earthquake, must be...
DEE DEE
But that's impossible, the ground is fixed, it's solid.
HOSTESS
We've got torches, everyone, take a torch, they're in the back of the seats.
They find the torches and start looking around.
VAL
Oh, Jethro, sweetheart, come here...
JETHRO
Never mind me, what about her?
In the front of the shuttle, Sky is sitting motionless among ruined seats, her back to the others.
VAL
What happened to the seats?
BIFF
Who did that?
VAL
They've been ripped up.
DOCTOR (soothing, to Sky)
It's all right, it's all right, it's all right, it's over. We're still alive... Look, the wall's still intact. D'you see?
He points his torch at the wall in front of Sky - there's a dent in it but it's not broken. The Hostess is trying to reach the driver via intercom.
HOSTESS
Joe, Claude?
DOCTOR (to Sky)
We're safe.
HOSTESS
Driver Joe, can you hear me? I'm not getting any response, the intercom must be down.
She opens the cockpit door and bright light blinds everyone. They scream until the Hostess closes the door.
VAL
What happened? What was that?
BIFF
Is it the driver? Have we lost the driver?
HOSTESS
The cabin's gone.
PROFESSOR HOBBES
Don't be ridiculous. It can't be gone, how can it be gone?
DEE DEE
Well, but you saw it!
HOSTESS
There was nothing there, like it was ripped away.
The Doctor is fiddling on a panel in the front wall with the sonic.
BIFF
What are you doing?
He points his torch at the Doctor.
DOCTOR
That's better, bit of light, thank you. Molto bene!
VAL
D'you know what you're doing?
BIFF
The cabin's gone, you'd better leave that wall alone.
PROFESSOR HOBBES
The cabin can't be gone!
DOCTOR
No, it's safe, any rupture would automatically seal itself... (taking off the panel) But something sliced it off. You're right. The cabin's gone.
HOSTESS
But if it gets separated...
DOCTOR
It loses integrity. I'm sorry, they've been reduced to dust. The driver and the mechanic. But they sent a distress signal. Help is on its way. They saved our lives! We're gonna get out of here, I promise. We're still alive, and they're gonna find us.
JETHRO
Doctor. Look at her.
He is watching Sky who still sits in the same position, her back to the others.
DOCTOR
Right, yes, sorry... Have we got a medical kit?
JETHRO
Why won't she turn around?
DOCTOR
What's her name?
HOSTESS
Silvestry. Mrs Sky Silvestry.
DOCTOR
Sky? Can you hear me? (he crouches down to her) Are you all right? Can you move, Sky? Just look at me.
JETHRO
That noise, from the outside...
VAL
What of it?
JETHRO
It's stopped.
VAL
Well, thank God for that.
JETHRO
But what if it's not outside anymore? What if it's inside?
VAL
Inside? Where?
JETHRO (looking at Sky)
It was heading for her.
DOCTOR
Sky...it's all right, Sky. I just want you to turn around, face me.
Slowly, she turns around and stares at the Doctor with wide eyes, looking like a wild animal caught in torchlight.
DOCTOR
Sky?
SKY
Sky?
DOCTOR
Are you all right?
SKY
Are you all right?
DOCTOR
Are you hurt?
SKY
Are you hurt?
DOCTOR
You don't have to talk.
SKY
You don't have to talk.
DOCTOR
I'm trying to help.
SKY
I'm trying to help.
DOCTOR
My name's the Doctor.
SKY
My name's the Doctor.
DOCTOR
OK, can you stop?
SKY
OK, can you stop?
DOCTOR
I'd like you to stop.
SKY
I'd like you to stop.
PROFESSOR HOBBES
Why's she doing that?
SKY (turning towards him)
Why's she doing that?
BIFF
She's gone mad.
SKY
She's gone mad.
VAL
Stop it.
SKY
Stop it.
VAL
I said stop it!
SKY
I said stop it!
DEE DEE
I don't think she can.
SKY
I don't think she can.
PROFESSOR HOBBES
All right, now stop it, this isn't funny.
SKY
All right, now stop it, this isn't funny.
DOCTOR
Sh, sh, sh, all of you.
SKY
Sh, sh, sh, all of you.
JETHRO (looking amused)
My name's Jethro!
SKY
My name's Jethro!
DOCTOR
Jethro, leave it, just shut up!
SKY
Jethro, leave it, just shut up!
DOCTOR
Why are you repeating?
SKY
Why are you repeating?
DOCTOR
What is that, learning?
SKY
What is that, learning?
DOCTOR
Copying?
SKY
Copying?
DOCTOR
Absorbing?
SKY
Absorbing?
DOCTOR
The square root of pi is 1.77245385090551602729816748...
SKY
The square root of pi is 1.77245385090551602729816748...
DOCTOR
...3341. Wow!
SKY
...3341. Wow!
PROFESSOR HOBBES
But that's impossible.
SKY
But that's impossible.
DEE DEE
She couldn't repeat all that.
SKY
She couldn't repeat all that.
VAL
Tell her to stop!
SKY
Tell her to stop!
VAL
She's driving me mad.
SKY
She's driving me mad.
VAL
Just make her stop!
SKY
Just make her stop!
They start talking all at once, but Sky still repeats every single word he hears, copying also tone and rhythm.
VAL
...stop her staring at me, shut her up...
SKY
...stop her staring at me, shut her up...
HOSTESS
...a trick...
SKY
...a trick...
DEE DEE
...that's impossible...
SKY
...that's impossible...
BIFF
...I'm telling you, whatever your name is...
SKY
...I'm telling you, whatever your name is...
DOCTOR
Now, just stop it, all of...
SKY
Now, just stop it all of...
PROFESSOR HOBBES
...her eyes, what's wrong with her eyes?
SKY
...her eyes, what's wrong with her eyes?
JETHRO
...copy anything...
SKY
...copy anything...
VAL
...Biff don't just stand her, do something, make her stop...
SKY
...Biff don't just stand her, do something, make her stop...
BIFF
...you're scaring my wife...
SKY
...you're scaring my wife...
HOSTESS
...Mrs Silvestry...
SKY
...Mrs Silvestry...
JETHRO
Six, six, six.
SKY
Six, six, six.
VAL
...make her stop...
SKY
...make her stop...
They hear a high-pitched noise as the lights come back and that finally stops them shouting.
HOSTESS
Well then, that's the back-up system.
BIFF
Well! That's a bit better.
VAL
What about the rescue, how long's it gonna take?
HOSTESS
About 60 minutes, that's all.
PROFESSOR HOBBES
Then I suggest we all calm down. This panic isn't helping. That poor woman is evidently in a state of...
PROFESSOR HOBBES & SKY
...self-induced hysteria, we should leave her alone.
JETHRO (noticing what's happening)
Doctor...
DOCTOR
I know.
Sky is copying words Professor Hobbes says - but no more repeating, now she talks simultaneously with him.
PROFESSOR HOBBES & SKY
Doctor, now step back, I think you should leave her... Alone. (he notices that Sky talks simultaneously with him) What's she doing?
VAL & SKY
How can she do that? She's talking with you... and with me! Oh, my God! Biff, what's she doing?
JETHRO & SKY
She's repeating... At exactly the same time.
DEE DEE & SKY
That's impossible.
PROFESSOR HOBBES & SKY
There's not even a delay.
JETHRO & SKY
Ohh man, that is weird.
DOCTOR & SKY
I think you should all be very, very quiet, have you got that?
VAL & SKY
How's she doing it?
DOCTOR& SKY
Mrs Cane, please, be quiet.
VAL & SKY
But how can she do that? She's got my voice, she's got my words!
BIFF & SKY
Sweetheart, be quiet, just... hush now. Hush. She's doing it to me!
DOCTOR & SKY
Just stop it, all of you. Stop it. Please.
He crouches down to look into Sky's eyes.
DOCTOR & SKY
Now then, Sky. Are you Sky? Is Sky still in there? Mrs Silvestry? (pause) You know exactly what I'm going to say, how are you doing that? (pause) Roast beef! Bananas! The Medusa Cascade. Bang! Rose Tyler Martha Jones Donna Noble TARDIS! Shamble bobble dibble dooble. Oh, Doctor, you're so handsome. Yes I am, thank you. A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, J, K, L, M, N, O...
The Doctor rises.
DOCTOR & SKY
First she repeats. Then she catches up. What's the next stage?
DEE DEE & SKY
Next stage of what?
JETHRO & SKY
But that's not her, is it? That's not Mrs Silvestry any more.
DOCTOR & SKY
I don't think so, no. I think... the more we talk, the more she learns. Now, I'm all for education, but in this case... maybe not. Let's just... move back. Come on. Come with me. Everyone, get back, all of you, as far as you can.
They walk to the galley.
VAL & SKY
Doctor, make her stop.
DOCTOR & SKY
Val, come on, come to the back, stop looking at her, come on, Jethro, you too. Everyone, come on... 50 minutes. That's all we need. 50 minutes till the rescue arrives. And she's not exactly strong, look at her, all she's got is our voices.
VAL & SKY
I can't look at her. It's those eyes.
DEE DEE & SKY
"We must not look at goblin men."
All look at her, confused.
BIFF & SKY
What's that supposed to mean?
DOCTOR & SKY
It's a poem. Christina Rossetti.
DEE DEE & SKY
"We must not look at goblin men
We must not buy their fruits
Who knows upon what soil they fed
Their hungry, thirsty roots?"
DOCTOR & SKY
Actually, I don't think that's helping.
PROFESSOR HOBBES & SKY
She's not a goblin, or a monster, she's just a very sick woman.
JETHRO & SKY
Maybe that's why it went for her.
PROFESSOR HOBBES & SKY
There is no 'it'!
JETHRO & SKY
Think about it though. That knocking, it went all the way round the bus until it found her. And she was the most scared, out of all of us. Maybe that's what it needed. That's how it got in.
PROFESSOR HOBBES & SKY
For the last time! Nothing can live on the surface of Midnight.
DOCTOR & SKY
Professor, I'm glad you've got an absolute definition of life in the universe, but perhaps the universe has got ideas of its own, mmm? Now trust me, I've got previous! I think there might well be some... consciousness inside Mrs Silvestry, but maybe she's still in there. And it's our job to help her.
BIFF & SKY
Well, you can help her, I'm not going near.
DOCTOR & SKY
No, I've got to stay back. If she's copying us, maybe the final stage is becoming us. I don't want her becoming me, or things could get a lot worse.
VAL & SKY
Oh, like you're so special.
DOCTOR & SKY
As it happens, yes I am. So that's decided. We stay back, and we wait. When the rescue ship comes, we can get her to hospital.
HOSTESS & SKY
We should throw her out.
PROFESSOR HOBBES & SKY
I beg your pardon?
VAL & SKY
Can we do that?
DOCTOR & SKY
Don't be ridiculous.
HOSTESS & SKY
That thing, whatever it is, killed the driver, and the mechanic, and I don't think she's finished yet.
DOCTOR & SKY
She can't even move!
HOSTESS & SKY
Look at her, look at her eyes! She killed Joe, and she killed Claude, and we're next.
BIFF & SKY
She's still doing it. (he walks back to Sky) Just stop it! Stop talking! Stop it!
VAL & SKY
Biff, don't, sweetheart!
BIFF & SKY
But she won't stop! (he walks back to the group) We can't throw her out though, we can't even open the doors.
DOCTOR & SKY
No one is getting thrown out!
DEE DEE & SKY
Yes, we can. Cos there's an air pressure seal. (to the Hostess) Like when you opened the cabin door, you weren't pulled out, you had a couple of seconds, cos it takes the pressure-wall about six seconds to collapse. Well, six seconds exactly. That's enough time to throw someone out.
DOCTOR & SKY (sarcastic)
Thanks, Dee Dee, just what we needed.
VAL
Would it kill her, outside?
DEE DEE & SKY
I don't know, but she's got a body now, it would certainly kill the physical form.
DOCTOR & SKY
No one is killing anyone!
HOSTESS & SKY
I wouldn't risk the cabin door twice, but we've got that one. (she points to the fire exit behind them) All we need to do is grab hold of her and throw her out.
DOCTOR & SKY
Now, listen, all of you. For all we know that's a brand new life form over there. And if it's come inside to discover us, than what's it found? This little bunch of humans, what d'you amount to? A murder? Cos this is where you decide. You decide who you are. Could you actually murder her? Any of you? Really? Or are you better than that?
For a few seconds, they look at each other silently.
HOSTESS & SKY
I'd do it.
BIFF & SKY
So would I.
VAL & SKY
And me.
DEE DEE & SKY
I think we should.
DOCTOR & SKY
What?!
DEE DEE & SKY
I want her out.
DOCTOR & SKY
You can't say that!
DEE DEE & SKY
I'm sorry, but you said it yourself, Doctor, she is growing in strength.
DOCTOR & SKY
That's not what I said!
DEE DEE & SKY
I want to go home. I'm sorry. I want to be safe.
DOCTOR & SKY
You'll be safe, any minute now, the rescue truck is on its way.
HOSTESS & SKY
But what happens then, Doctor? If it takes that thing back to the Leisure Palace, if that thing reaches civilisation, what if it spreads?
DOCTOR & SKY
No, when we get back to the base, I'll be there to contain it.
VAL & SKY
You haven't done much so far!
BIFF & SKY
You're just standing in the back with the rest of us!
HOSTESS & SKY
She's dangerous. It's my job to see this vessel is safe, and we should get rid of her.
PROFESSOR HOBBES & SKY
Now hang on, I think, perhaps we're all going a little bit too far.
DOCTOR & SKY
At last! Thank you.
HOSTESS & SKY
Two people are dead!
DOCTOR & SKY
Don't make it a third! Jethro, what d'you say?
JETHRO & SKY
I'm not killing anyone.
DOCTOR & SKY
Thank you.
VAL & SKY
He's just a boy!
JETHRO & SKY
What, so I don't get a vote?
DOCTOR & SKY
There isn't a vote, it's not happening! Ever. If you try to throw her out that door, you'll have to get past me first.
For a moment, they just stare at him.
HOSTESS & SKY
OK.
BIFF & SKY
Fine by me.
DOCTOR & SKY
Ohh, now you're being stupid. Just think about it! Could you actually take hold of someone and throw them out of that door?
BIFF & SKY
Calling me a coward?
VAL & SKY
Who put you in charge, anyway?
PROFESSOR HOBBES & SKY
I'm sorry, but... you're a Doctor of what, exactly?
HOSTESS & SKY
He wasn't even booked in. Rest of you, tickets in advance. He just turned up out of the blue.
VAL & SKY
Where from?
DOCTOR & SKY
I'm just... travelling, I'm a traveller, that's all.
VAL & SKY
Like an immigrant?
HOSTESS & SKY
Who were you talking to? Before you got on board, you were talking to someone, who was that?
DOCTOR & SKY
Just Donna, just my friend.
BIFF & SKY
And what were you saying to her?
VAL & SKY
He hasn't even told us his name.
JETHRO & SKY
Thing is, Doctor, you've been loving this.
DOCTOR & SKY
Oh, Jethro, not you.
JETHRO & SKY
No, but ever since all the trouble started, you've been loving it.
PROFESSOR HOBBES & SKY
It has to be said, you do seem to have a certain... glee.
DOCTOR & SKY
All right, I'm interested, yes, I can't help it, cos whatever's inside her, it's brand new, and that's fascinating!
VAL & SKY
What, you wanted this to happen?
DOCTOR & SKY
No!
BIFF & SKY
And you were talking to her, all on your own, before all the trouble, right at the front, you were talking to that Sky woman, the two of you together, I saw you.
VAL & SKY
We all did!
HOSTESS & SKY
And you went into the cabin!
BIFF & SKY
What were you saying to her?
DOCTOR
I was just talking!
BIFF & SKY
Saying what?
JETHRO & SKY
You called us humans like you're not one of us!
VAL & SKY
He did! That's what he said!
DEE DEE & SKY
And the wiring, he went into that panel and opened up the wiring.
DOCTOR & SKY
That was after!
BIFF & SKY
But how did you know what to do?
DOCTOR & SKY
Because I'm clever!
They all fall silent.
PROFESSOR HOBBES & SKY
I see. Well. That makes things clear.
BIFF & SKY
And what are we, then? Idiots?
DOCTOR & SKY
That's not what I meant.
DEE DEE & SKY
If you're clever then what are we?
VAL & SKY
You've been looking down on us from the moment we walked in.
HOSTESS & SKY
Even if he goes, he's practically volunteered.
DOCTOR & SKY
Oh come on, just listen to yourself, please!
BIFF & SKY
What d'you mean - we throw him out as well?
HOSTESS & SKY
If we have to.
DOCTOR & SKY
Look, just... Right, sorry, yes, hold on, just... I know, you're scared, and so am I, look at me, I am. But we have all got to calm down and cool off and think.
PROFESSOR HOBBES & SKY
Perhaps you could tell us your name.
DOCTOR & SKY
What does it matter?
HOSTESS & SKY
Then tell us.
DOCTOR & SKY
John Smith.
PROFESSOR HOBBES & SKY
Your real name.
BIFF & SKY
He's lying, look at his face.
VAL & SKY
His eyes are the same as hers.
JETHRO & SKY
Why won't you tell us?!
VAL & SKY
He's been lying to us, right from the start!
BIFF & SKY
No-one's called John Smith! Come off it!
Again, all are talking at once.
DOCTOR & SKY
Now listen to me. Listen to me right now! Because you need me, all of you, if we're gonna get out of this, then you need me.
PROFESSOR HOBBES
So you keep saying! You've been repeating yourself more than her.
VAL
If anyone's in charge, it should be the Professor, he's the expert!
JETHRO
Mum, stop, just look...
BIFF
You keep out of this, Jethro.
JETHRO
Look at her!
DEE DEE
She's stopped...
They all turn around to look at Sky, still sitting motionless.
DOCTOR & SKY
When did she...? No, she hasn't, she's still doing it.
VAL
She looks the same to me... No, she's stopped! Look, I'm talking, and she's not!
BIFF
What about me, is she...? Look! Look at that! She's not doing me, she's let me go!
HOSTESS
Mrs Silvestry?... Nor me! Nothing!
DOCTOR & SKY
Sky? What are you doing?
DEE DEE
She's still doing him!
PROFESSOR HOBBES
Doctor, it's you. She's only copying you.
DOCTOR & SKY
Why me? Why are you doing this?
DEE DEE
She won't leave him alone!
VAL
D'you see?! I said so, she's with him.
BIFF
They're together!
PROFESSOR HOBBES
How d'you explain it, Doctor? If you're so clever.
DOCTOR & SKY
I don't know. Sky, stop it. I said stop it. Just stop it!
He walks closer to Sky.
VAL
Look at the two of them!
Again, the Doctor crouches down to look into Sky's eyes.
DOCTOR & SKY
Mrs Silvestry. I'm trying to understand. You've captured my speech, what for? What d'you need? You need my voice in particular. The cleverest voice in the room. Why? Cos I'm the only one who can help? Ohh, I'd love that to be true. But your eyes. They're saying something else. Listen to me. Whatever you want, if it's life, or form, or consciousness, or voice, you don't have to steal it. You can find it without hurting anyone. And I'll help you. That's a promise. So. What d'you think?
SKY
Do we have a deal?
DOCTOR
Do we have a deal?
There's a shocked silence as they start realising what has just happened.
DEE DEE
Hold on, did she...?
JETHRO
She spoke first.
VAL
She can't have.
PROFESSOR HOBBES
She did!
JETHRO
She spoke first!
SKY
Oh, look at that, I'm ahead of you.
DOCTOR
Oh, look at that, I'm ahead of you.
PROFESSOR HOBBES
Did you see? She spoke before he did! Definitely!
JETHRO
He's copying her.
PROFESSOR HOBBES
Doctor, what's happening?
SKY
I think it's moved.
DOCTOR
I think it's moved.
SKY
I think it's letting me go.
DOCTOR
I think it's letting me go.
DEE DEE
What do you mean? Letting you go from what?
BIFF
But he's repeating now, he's the one doing it! It's him!
JETHRO
They're separating.
PROFESSOR HOBBES
Mrs Silvestry? Is that you?
SKY
Yes, yes, it's me.
DOCTOR
Yes, yes, it's me.
SKY
I'm coming back, listen.
DOCTOR
I'm coming back...
SKY
It's me!
DOCTOR
...listen. It's me!
Now, the Doctor is crouching there motionless, while Sky slowly starts to move her head and hands.
JETHRO
Like it's passed into the Doctor. It's transferred. Whatever it is, it's gone inside him.
DEE DEE
No, that's not what happened.
VAL
But look at her!
SKY
Look at me, I can move...
DOCTOR
Look at me...
SKY
I can feel again...
DOCTOR
I can move... I can feel again...
SKY
I'm coming back to life...
DOCTOR
I'm coming back to life...
SKY
And look at him, he can't move.
DOCTOR
And look at him, he can't move.
SKY
Help me.
DOCTOR
Help me.
SKY
Professor?
DOCTOR
Professor?
SKY
Get me away from him.
DOCTOR
Get me away from him.
SKY
Please.
DOCTOR
Please.
Cautiously avoiding to touch the Doctor, the Professor moves forward and takes Sky's hand, then leads her to the others in the rear of the shuttle.
SKY
Ohh thank you.
DOCTOR
Ohh thank you.
JETHRO
They've completely separated.
BIFF
It's in him, d'you see? I said it was him all the time.
VAL
She's free! She's been saved!
SKY
Oh, it was so cold.
DOCTOR
Oh, it was so cold.
SKY
I couldn't breathe.
DOCTOR
I couldn't breathe.
SKY
I'm sorry.
DOCTOR
I'm sorry.
SKY
I must've scared you so much.
DOCTOR
I must've scared you so much.
Val goes to hug her.
VAL
No, no, it's all right, I've got you, ohh, there you are my love, it's gone, everything's all right now.
DEE DEE
I wouldn't touch her.
BIFF
But it's gone, she's clean, it passed into him.
DEE DEE
That's not what happened.
PROFESSOR HOBBES
Thank you for your opinion, Dee, but clearly, Mrs Silvestry has been released.
DEE DEE
No...
VAL
Just leave her alone! She's safe, isn't she? Jethro? It's let her go, hasn't it?
JETHRO
Think so, yeah. Looks like it. Professor?
PROFESSOR HOBBES
I'd say, from observation... the Doctor can't move, and when she was possessed, she couldn't move, so...
BIFF
Well, there we are then! Now the only problem we've got is this Doctor.
SKY
It's inside his head.
DOCTOR
It's inside his head.
SKY
It killed the driver.
DOCTOR
It killed the driver.
SKY
And the mechanic.
DOCTOR
And the mechanic.
SKY
And now it wants us.
DOCTOR
And now it wants us.
VAL
I said so!
SKY
He's waited so long.
DOCTOR
He's waited so long.
SKY
In the dark. And the cold.
DOCTOR
In the dark. And the cold.
SKY
And the diamonds.
DOCTOR
And the diamonds.
SKY
Until you came.
DOCTOR
Until you came.
SKY
Bodies so hot.
DOCTOR
Bodies so hot.
SKY
With blood.
DOCTOR
With blood.
SKY
And pain.
DOCTOR
And pain.
VAL
Stop, oh, my God, make him stop, someone make him stop!
DEE DEE
But she's saying it!
VAL
And you can shut up!
DEE DEE
But it's not him, it's her, he's just repeating!
BIFF
But that's what the thing does, it repeats!
HOSTESS
Just let her talk!
BIFF
What do you know? Fat lot of good you've been!
HOSTESS
Just let her explain.
DEE DEE
I think... I mean, from what I've seen... it repeats, then it synchronises, then it goes on to the next stage and that's exactly what the Doctor said would happen!
BIFF
What, and you're on his side?
DEE DEE
No!
JETHRO
The voice is the thing!
DEE DEE
And she's the voice! She stole it! Look at her! It's not possessing him, it's draining him!
HOSTESS
She's got his voice...
VAL
But that's not true, cos it can't, because I saw it pass into him, I saw it with my own eyes!
BIFF
So did I!
DEE DEE
You didn't!
VAL
It went from her, to him. You saw it, didn't you?
JETHRO
I don't know.
VAL
Oh, don't be stupid, Jethro, of course you did!
JETHRO
I suppose... he was right next to her.
BIFF
Everyone saw it, everyone!
DEE DEE
You didn't, you're just making it up! I know what I saw, and I saw her stealing his voice.
VAL
She's as bad as him, someone shut her up!
PROFESSOR HOBBES
I think you should be quiet, Dee.
DEE DEE
Well, I'm only saying...
PROFESSOR HOBBES
And that's an order! You're making a fool of yourself! Pretending you're an expert in mechanics and hydraulics, when I can tell you, you are nothing more than average, at best! Now shut up!
During the row, they don't notice Sky' s satisfied smile.
SKY
That's how he does it.
DOCTOR
That's how he does it.
SKY
He makes you fight.
DOCTOR
He makes you fight.
SKY
Creeps into your head.
DOCTOR
Creeps into your head.
SKY
And whispers.
DOCTOR
And whispers.
SKY
Listen.
DOCTOR
Listen.
SKY
Just listen.
DOCTOR
Just listen.
SKY
That's him.
DOCTOR
That's him.
SKY
Inside.
DOCTOR
Inside.
BIFF
Throw him out!
VAL
Get him out of my head!
BIFF
Yeah, we should throw him out!
VAL
Well, don't just talk about it! Just, you're useless! Do something!
BIFF
I will! You watch me! I'm gonna throw him out!
The Doctor still can't move but his eyes tell everything, his fear, and his fight against the thing possessing him.
SKY
Yes!
DOCTOR
Yes!
SKY
Throw him out!
DOCTOR
Throw him out!
SKY
Get rid of him!
DOCTOR
Get rid of him!
SKY
Now!
DOCTOR
Now!
Biff grabs the Doctor and starts to drag him towards the door.
DEE DEE
Don't!
VAL
It'll be you next!
HOSTESS
Don't think we should do this!
BIFF
It was your idea! Professor, help me.
PROFESSOR HOBBES
I can't... I - I'm not...
BIFF
What sort of a man are you? Come on!
VAL
Throw him out!
BIFF
Come on!
VAL
Just do it, throw him out!
BIFF
Help! Professor, help me!
VAL
Get him out!
BIFF
Grab hold of him!
Awkwardly, the Professor grabs the Doctor's hand.
BIFF
Not like that! Are you stupid?!
SKY
Cast him out!
DOCTOR
Cast him out!
SKY
Into the sun!
DOCTOR
Into the sun!
VAL
I want him out!
SKY
And the night!
DOCTOR
And the night!
VAL
Get him out!
BIFF
Come on! Don't just stand there! Do something say!
VAL
Get him out!
SKY
Do it!
DOCTOR
Do it!
SKY
Do it now!
DOCTOR
Do it now!
SKY
Faster!
DOCTOR
Faster!
VAL
Just do it!
SKY
That's the way!
DOCTOR
That's the way!
Jethro joins Biff and the Professor, pulling the Doctor towards the door.
SKY
You can do it!
DOCTOR
You can do it!
SKY
Molto bene!
VAL
Throw him out!
DOCTOR
Molto bene!
VAL
Get him out!
SKY
Allons-y!
DOCTOR
Allons-y!
HOSTESS (realisation dawning on her)
That's his voice.
SKY
The starlight waits!
HOSTESS
She's taken his voice!
DOCTOR
The starlight waits!
SKY
The emptiness!
DOCTOR
The emptiness!
VAL
Get him out!
SKY
The Midnight sky!
DOCTOR
The Midnight sky!
HOSTESS
It's her. She's taken his voice!
She grabs Sky and pushes the button that opens the fire exit. Blinding light gets into the shuttle, making everyone stop and scream. The Hostess stands in the door, holding Sky.
HOSTESS
One, two, three, four, five, six.
As the pressure wall collapses the Hostess and Sky are sucked outside, then the door slides closed. The men let go of the Doctor who falls to the ground, gasping.
DOCTOR
It's gone, it's gone... It's gone, it's gone, it's gone... It's gone. It's gone... It's gone, it's gone, it's gone... It's gone, it's gone, it's gone...
He slowly sits up and leans to a seat, still panting. The others are breathing heavily too - with the fright gone, they are realising what they were about to do.
VAL (making a feeble excuse)
I said it was her.
***
20 MINUTES LATER...
The Doctor is still sitting on the floor. The other passengers are spread out in the cabin, everyone sits alone, all lost in their own dark thoughts.
VOICE VIA INTERCOM
Repeat, Crusader 50, rescue vehicle coming alongside in three minutes, door-seals set to automatic. Prepare for boarding, repeat, prepare for boarding.
DOCTOR
The Hostess... what was her name?
They just look away, ashamed.
PROFESSOR HOBBES
I don't know.
***
Back in the Leisure Palace, the Doctor walks slowly to Donna. She hugs him without a word.
***
DONNA
What d'you think it was?
DOCTOR
No idea.
DONNA
D'you think it's still out there?
The Doctor doesn't answer.
DONNA
Well, you'd better tell 'em. This lot.
DOCTOR
Yeah. They can build a Leisure Palace somewhere else. Let this planet keep on turning, round an Xtonic star. In silence.
DONNA
Can't imagine you, without a voice.
DOCTOR (with a weak smile)
Molto bene.
DONNA (teasing)
Molto bene!
DOCTOR
No, don't do that. Don't. Don't...
=== DOCTOR WHO (2005) ===
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