It's the planet Shan Shen - alive with colour and people. The camera pans down on one particular alley, decorated with banners and choked by stalls. We see the Doctor and Donna among them.
DOCTOR
Ooh, you are gonna love this... one two three!
They take a drink from the tumblers, filled to the brim with foam. The Doctor snorts, Donna laughs.
DONNA
It's lovely!
They continue through the market.
SALESWOMAN
You want to buy shukina? Or peshmoni, most beautiful peshmoni in all of Shan Shen?
DONNA
Ah, no, thanks.
She walks off in an opposite direction from the Doctor.
FORTUNE TELLER
Tell your fortune, lady... your future predicted, your life foretold.
DONNA
Oh, no thanks.
FORTUNE TELLER
Don't you want to know... if you're going to be happy?
DONNA
I'm happy right now, thanks.
FORTUNE TELLER
You got red hair. The reading's free for red hair.
DONNA (laughs)
Alright then!
***
Donna and the fortune teller are sitting inside her tent, the fortune teller holding Donna's hands.
FORTUNE TELLER
Oh, you fascinating... ah, no, but you good... I can see... a man. The most remarkable man. How did you meet him?
DONNA
You're supposed to tell me.
FORTUNE TELLER
I see the future. Tell me the past... when did your lives cross?
DONNA
It's sort of complicated. I ended up in a spaceship on my wedding day. Long story.
FORTUNE TELLER
But what led you to that meeting?
DONNA
All sorts of things. But my job, I suppose... it was on Earth, this planet called Earth, miles away... but I had this job, as a temp - I was a secretary at a place called HC Clements...
A quick flashback of Donna at HC Clements. Then back in the fortune teller's tent, Donna jolts forwards.
DONNA
...sorry.
FORTUNE TELLER
It's the incense. Just... breathe deep. This job of yours - what choices led you there?
DONNA
There was a choice... six months before... because the Agency offered me this contract with HC Clements...
Flashback: Donna and Sylvia are getting into their car.
DONNA (VO)
But there was this other job. My mum knew this man...
SYLVIA
Jival, he's called. Jival Chowdry. He runs that little photocopy business and he needs a secretary.
DONNA
I've. Got. A job!
SYLVIA
As a temp! This is permanent, it's twenty thousand a year, Donna.
DONNA
HC Clements is in the city. It's nice, it's posh, so, stop it!
She turns the key. The flashback ends.
FORTUNE TELLER
Your life could have gone one way or the other. What made you decide?
DONNA
I just did...
Something is creeping up behind Donna.
FORTUNE TELLER
But when was the moment? When did you choose...
Back to the flashback: a van drives past car of the Nobles, standing at the junction.
SYLVIA
It won't take long, just turn right! We'll pop in and see Mr Chowdry, so Suzette can introduce you.
DONNA
I'm going left, if you don't like it, get out and walk.
SYLVIA
If you turn right you'll have a career, not just filling in!
DONNA
You think I'm so useless!
SYLVIA
Oh, I know why you want a job at HC Clements, lady - because you think you'll meet a man with lots of money and your whole life will change - well let me tell you, sweetheart, city executives don't need temps, except for practice!
DONNA
Yeah. Well, they haven't met me.
She turns left. Flashback ends.
FORTUNE TELLER
You turned left. But what if you turned right, what then...
DONNA (now scared)
Let go of my hands.
FORTUNE TELLER
What if it changes, what if you go right, what if you could still go right...
DONNA
Stop it!
Something creeps onto her back.
DONNA
What's that? ...what's on my back? What is it, what... what's on my back?
FORTUNE TELLER
Make the choice again, Donna Noble, and change your mind... turn right.
DONNA (as under hypnosis)
I'm turning...
FORTUNE TELLER
Turn right... turn right. Turn right!
The flashback scene comes back again.
SYLVIA
Well let me tell you, sweetheart - city executives don't need temps, except for practice!
DONNA
Yeah. Suppose you're right.
She turns right.
FORTUNE TELLER (VO)
Turn right, and never meet that man. Turn right, and change the world!
***
OPENING CREDITS
DAVID TENNANT
CATHERINE TATE
and
BILLIE PIPER
TURN LEFT
by Russell T Davies
***
It's a pub. Christmas decorations everywhere, people dressed up, drinking, happy, singing. Donna moves through the rabble towards a table carrying drinks.
DONNA
Come on then. Get out the way! Get out the way...! (she puts the tray to the table surrounded by her friends) Here we are! Feed at the trough!
VEENA
Mooky says let's go to the boardwalk, it's two for the price of one!
DONNA
Christmas Eve, it'll be heaving!
MOOKY
Well exactly, get in and grab them!
They all laugh.
VEENA
Hey, that's the second round of drinks you've bought, it was my turn!
DONNA
I can afford it. Promotion. You are talking to Jival Chowdry's Personal Assistant, I'll have you know, capital P, capital A, £23,000 per annum, merci beaucoup!
VEENA (raising her glass)
Here's to Mr Chowdry!
ALL
Mr Chowdry!
MOOKY
She gets all the luck!
But Donna notices that one of the girls, Alice, did not join the toast, instead she is staring at her, bemused.
DONNA
...what's wrong? What is it?
ALICE
Sorry?
DONNA
Did someone spill a drink on me?
ALICE
Why?
DONNA
Why do you keep looking at my shoulder? What's wrong?
ALICE
I don't know...
DONNA
Oh, don't tell me you're getting all spooky again, it was bad enough when you saw the ghost of Earl Mountbatten at the boat show! What are you looking at? What is it?
ALICE
It's like... it's like there's something I can't see.
MAN IN PUB
Now, shut up! All of you, come and see! Just look at the sky! It's a star! It's a Christmas star!
VEENA
...well, come on then!
They all rush outside the pub. A shining star-web is hanging in the air above.
MOOKY
What the hell is that?
VEENA
Ken Livingstone, that's what! Spending our money on decorations! I mean how much does that cost?
MOOKY
Don't be so stupid - it's flying, it's really flying!
DONNA
That's not a star, that's a web. It's heading east. Middle of the city.
Bolts of electricity suddenly burst forth from the web. Everyone runs away screaming, save Donna and Alice. But Alice hardly looks at the star - she stares at Donna's back, terrified.
DONNA
Thanks! There's a great big webstar thing shooting at people, and you're looking at me!
ALICE
There is something on your back!
She flees. Donna runs off towards the star.
VEENA
Donna! Donna, where are you going? You'll get yourself killed! Donna!
But Mooky pulls her to the opposite direction.
***
In the city, a tank fires on the webstar.
SOLDIER
Fire!
Other tanks shoot at it as well and the star is destroyed. We see Donna running down an alley.
SOLDIER
Everyone, stay back! The Thames has been closed! Return to your homes! Keep away from the river, and that's an order!
Donna is walking around a police barrier, where a crowd is pressing, watching something, and being restrained. She walks around to an army jeep, and stands there, hearing a UNIT private speaking to his commander on walkie-talkie.
UNIT OFFICER
Trap 1 to Greyhound 15, what is your report? Over.
PRIVATE HARRIS
From the evidence I'd say he managed to stop the creature. Some sort of red spider. Blew up the base underneath the barrier, flooded the whole thing. Over.
UNIT OFFICER
And where is he now? Over.
PRIVATE HARRIS
We found a body, sir. Over.
A body, covered in a red blanket, is being carried into an ambulance.
UNIT OFFICER
Is it him? Over.
PRIVATE HARRIS
I think so. He just didn't make it out in time.
Donna watches as the arm of the body flops down, dropping the sonic screwdriver.
PRIVATE HARRIS
...the Doctor is dead. Must have happened too fast for him to regenerate.
The Doctor's body is loaded into the ambulance.
PRIVATE HARRIS
Escort the ambulance back to UNIT base.
Donna walks away down the street. A distant figure is running towards her.
ROSE
What happened, what did they find? I'm sorry, did they find someone?
DONNA
I don't know. A bloke called the Doctor... or something.
ROSE
Well, where is he?
DONNA
They took him away. He's dead.
Rose's face is shocked, yet somehow empty... sad. She turns away.
DONNA
I'm sorry - did you know him? I mean... they didn't say his name. Could be any doctor.
ROSE
I came so far.
DONNA
It-it could be anyone.
Rose turns back.
ROSE
What's your name?
DONNA
Donna. And you?
ROSE
Oh, I was just passing by, I shouldn't even be here. This is... wrong. It's wrong. This is so wrong. (but she seems to be distracted by something on Donna's back) Sorry, what was it? Donna what?
DONNA
Why do you keep looking at my back?
ROSE
I'm not.
DONNA
Yes you are. You keep looking behind me. You're doing it now! (she tries to see her own back) What is it, what's there? Did someone put something on my back?
But as she looks back, Rose has disappeared. Donna is alone. She pauses, then walks away.
***
Donna is in the office, holding a piece of paper and growling at Mr Chowdry.
DONNA
You can’t sack me, I’m your personal assistant!
MR CHOWDRY
You don’t have to make a scene, just come downstairs and we can have a little talk.
DONNA
Oh I’ll make a scene, all right, right in front of a tribunal and the first thing I’m gonna say is 'wandering hands'!
MR CHOWDRY
Now, come on Donna, you know what it’s been like for the past few months, ever since that Christmas thing! Half my contracts were on the other side of the river and the Thames is still closed off. Look, I can’t deliver, I’m loosing a fortune!
DONNA
Well, sack one of this lot! Sack Cliff! He just sits there, don’t know what he does all day. Sorry, Cliff. (she turns to Cliff) Actually, I’m not sorry, what do you do all day?
There is a loud bang and a shake. Everyone in the office, except Donna, rushes to the window while Donna opens the piece of paper.
MR CHOWDRY
What the hell? Like an earthquake.
They look out the window and see the Royal Hope Hospital standing tall with dark clouds over it.
MR CHOWDRY
It’s weird – funny sort of clouds.
DONNA (unconcerned about the events outside)
Who typed this? I’m your PA - did you get somebody else to type this?!
A woman looks guilty at Donna.
DONNA
Beatrice?
A few minutes later, the events are on the television, with the headline "Royal Hope Hospital vanishes in upward rain mystery".
REPORTER
It sounds impossible, but the entire hospital has vanished. The Royal Hope no longer exists. It’s not been destroyed, there’s no wreckage, it’s simply gone. Reports from bystanders say that the rain lifted up around the hospital-
Cuts back to the office where everyone besides Donna is watching the news broadcast on the telly, sitting on the filing cabinet. Donna is packing away things in a box.
DONNA
Hole punch, having that. Stapler, mine. Toy cactus – you can have that Beatrice, catch. (she throws the toy cactus over to Beatrice) Cliff, I’d leave you the mouse mat but I’m worried you’d cut yourself.
MR CHOWDRY
All right, Donna, have some respect! There’s 2,000 people in the hospital – and it vanished.
DONNA
Oh I’ll show you vanishing. Thanks for nothing! (pause) Oh, and you know when that money went missing from the kitty? Anne-Marie. That’s all I’m saying – (her voice rises) Anne-Marie!
There is a loud bang and shake once again.
DONNA (sarcastic)
Don't tell me, the hospital’s back. Well isn’t that wizard!
She kicks the cabinet shut as she leaves.
***
On the television once again: the reporter is standing in the rain broadcasting.
NEWSREADER
To confirm, the Royal Hope hospital has returned to it’s original position, but with only one survivor. (pause) The only person left alive is medical student Oliver Morgenstern.
MORGENSTERN
And there were these creatures... (pause) like rhinos, talking rhinos, in, in-in black leather...
Cuts to Wilf and Donna sitting on the couch with coffees, watching the television. Sylvia is over at the table looking over what Donna has bought home from the office.
DONNA
Rhinos?
WILF
Rhinos could be aliens.
DONNA
Shh!
Cuts to the news broadcast.
MORGENSTERN
We couldn’t breathe, we were running out of air… a colleague of mine gave me the last oxygen tank. Martha, M-Martha Jones… and sh-she died.
Cuts back to the Noble household where Sylvia is looking at Donna’s supplies from the office.
SYLVIA
At least you got a hole punch… and a raffle ticket!
DONNA
Yeah, well they can keep the raffle. I won't take a penny of that man.
WILF
Honestly to you two, there’s aliens on the news, they took that hospital all the way to the moon, and you’re banging on about raffle tickets!
DONNA
Don’t be daft Gramps, it wasn’t the moon. It couldn’t be.
WILF
Yes, well I am telling you, it's getting worse, these past few years. It’s like all of a sudden, they suddenly know all about us. And, there’s keen eyes up there and they’re watching us and they're not friendly.
SYLVIA (examining the stapler)
This stapler says 'Bea'.
DONNA
Can’t believe how well you’re taking it, me getting sacked. Thought you’d hit the roof.
SYLVIA
I’m just tired, Donna, what with your father and everything. (pause) To be honest, I’ve given up on you.
Cuts to the television broadcast again.
MORGENSTERN
There was this woman who took control, said she-she knew what to do… said she could stop the MRI or something. Sarah Jane her name was, S-Sarah Jane Smith.
REPORTER
Sarah Jane Smith was a freelance investigative journalist, formerly of Metropolitan Magazine. (they show pictures of Sarah Jane) Her body was recovered from the hospital late this afternoon.
Cuts back to Noble household.
REPORTER
Miss Smith had a son, called Luke...
DONNA
What’s for tea?
SYLVIA
I've got nothing in.
DONNA
I’ll get chips. Last of my wages. Fish and chips, yeah?
But nobody responds, Wilf only has eyes for the news and Sylvia examines the plant Donna bought home from the office.
REPORTER
... along with his teenage friends Maria Jackson and Clyde Langer. It is feared that they also perished.
***
Donna is walking along the street at night, steps onto a path and sees a blue flash of light accompanied by an electrical buzz. Rose jumps out from behind the alley and runs onto the road, where Donna walks over to her.
DONNA
Blimey! Are you all right? What was that, fireworks or...?
ROSE
I don’t know, I was just… walking along, that’s weird.
DONNA (recognising Rose)
You’re the one. Christmas Eve, I met you in town.
ROSE
Donna? Isn’t it?
DONNA
What was your name?
ROSE (changing subject)
How're you doing? You’re looking good. How’s things, what have you been up to?
DONNA
You’re doing it again.
ROSE
What?
DONNA
Looking behind me. People keep on doing that. Looking at my back.
ROSE
What sort of people?
DONNA
People in the street. Strangers. I just catch them sometimes, staring at me. Like they’re looking at something. And then I get home, and I look, and there’s nothing there. (she attempts to look at her back, slapping at it) See? Look, now I’m doing it!
ROSE
What are you doing for Christmas?
DONNA
What am I what?
ROSE
Next Christmas, any plans?
DONNA
I don’t know, that’s ages away. Nothing much I suppose. Why?
ROSE
Just … I think you should get out. You and your family. Don’t stay in London, just... leave the city.
DONNA
What for?
ROSE
Nice hotel, Christmas break?
DONNA
Can’t afford it.
ROSE
Well no, you, you got that raffle ticket.
DONNA
How do you know about that?
ROSE
First prize – luxury weekend break. Use it, Donna Noble.
DONNA
Why won’t you tell me your name?
Rose glares at Donna, as Donna crosses her with a shifty look.
DONNA
I think you should leave me alone.
Donna walks away, as the electric sound from earlier happens yet again.
***
The Nobles park in the driveway of the country mansion hotel where Donna won a holiday, Slade's 'Merry Christmas Everybody' can be heard playing on the radio. Footmen appear once the car pulls up on the driveway.
WILF
Cor, blimey - that's what I call posh!
He is wearing two pairs of antlers on his head.
WILF (to Donna)
I said you were lucky, didn't I? I always said, my lucky star!
SYLVIA (low voice)
For God's sake, don't tell them we won it in a raffle. Be classy. (she sees the antlers) Dad! Take those things off!
WILF
No, I shan't! It's Christmas! (to the footman taking bags from the boot) Oi, I'll have that one, thank you. It's got my liniment in it.
Donna and Sylvia walk up the drive.
DONNA
I reckon we deserve this. It's been a hell of a year.
SYLVIA
Your dad would have loved this.
DONNA
Yeah. He would have.
She puts her arm around Sylvia and they go inside together.
***
In the hotel room, Wilf is lying on the sofa, Sylvia is sitting on the double bed with a box of chocolate and Donna is brushing her hair in the bathroom. Someone knocks on the door.
DONNA
Oi, Gramps! Get that! That'll be breakfast. We've got croissants!
Groaning, Wilf gets up.
WILF
Why can't you get it, Lady Muck?
SYLVIA
It's Christmas Day, I never get up before ten. Only, madam there was up with the dawn chorus, like when she was six years old.
DONNA
I'm not wasting a second of this place. How was the sofa?
WILF
Oh, yeah... oh, not so good, really. Ooh. You know, we could have paid for a second room. Oi! (he whistles and points at Donna) Merry Christmas!
Laughing, Donna points back.
DONNA
Merry Christmas!
SYLVIA (laughing too)
Merry Christmas, Dad.
The knocking is repeated, Wilf goes to open the door.
WILF
Yeah, all right, come in, my darling. Grub's up. Merry Christmas!
SPANISH MAID
Merry Christmas, sir!
The maid walks in with the breakfast tray, while we hear the newsreader from the telly.
BBC NEWSREADER
We have interrupted your programme to bring you breaking news.
SYLVIA
Have you seen this?
DONNA (not listening)
Cos I thought, nice early breakfast and then we'll go for a walk. People always say at Christmas, "oh, we all went for a walk". I've always wanted to do that. So, walk first, presents later, yeah?
The news going on in the background frightens Sylvia.
SYLVIA
Donna, come and see.
The maid spots something on Donna.
SPANISH MAID
Tienes algo en tu espalda.
DONNA
What?
SYLVIA
Donna, look at the telly.
SPANISH MAID
Tienes algo en tu espalda.
DONNA
What does that mean? I don't know what you're saying.
SYLVIA
Donna, look at the TV!
SPANISH MAID (mixed fear and suspicion)
Tienes algo en tu espalda!
Now, Donna notices something too - she tries to see what is on her back, but when she finally can get a good view in the mirror, she can't see anything. Panicked, the maid runs out of the room.
SYLVIA
For God's sake, Donna, don't just stand there - come and look!
BBC NEWSREADER
...how this is possible, but this footage is live and genuine. The object is falling on Central London. I repeat, this is not a hoax. A replica of the Titanic is falling out of the sky and it's heading for Buckingham Palace.
The TV shows the Titanic heading for London.
BBC NEWSREADER
We're getting this footage from the Guinevere range of satellites.
DONNA
Is that... a film or something?
BBC NEWSREADER
The Royal Air Force has declared an emerg...
The Titanic crashes into Buckingham Palace and the transmission is cut dead. A second later, the hotel itself is shaken. Sylvia tries to flip channels.
SYLVIA
It's gone dead. All of them.
DONNA
No, but the Titanic... well, don't be daft. Is that like a... sequel?
Wilf looks out of the window and sees something terrible.
WILF
Oh... oh, God rest their souls.
***
Staff and guests gather in front of the hotel, watching a huge mushroom cloud where London used to be.
WILF
I was supposed to be out there selling papers. I should have been there, we all should. We'd be dead.
SYLVIA
That's everyone. Every single person we know. The whole city.
DONNA
Can't be.
SYLVIA
But it is, it's gone! London's gone!
WILF
If you hadn't won that raffle...
Donna turns around and sees the Spanish maid who, despite all what's happening, is only watching her, with eyes full of hatred.
***
Donna, Sylvia and Wilf are in a small, crowded office talking to a housing officer.
DONNA
Leeds?! I'm not moving to Leeds!
HOUSING OFFICER
I'm afraid it's Leeds - or you can wait in the hostel for another three months.
SYLVIA (tired)
All I want is a washing machine.
DONNA
What about Glasgow? I heard there was jobs going in Glasgow.
HOUSING OFFICER
You can't pick and choose! We've the whole of Southern England flooded with radiation. Seven million people in need of relocation, and now France has closed its borders. So, it's Leeds - or nothing. Next!
She stamps LEEDS on their papers.
***
The Nobles and a bunch of other refugees are driven to Leeds in an army bus.
***
The refugees are waiting for instructions on a street.
SOLDIER
The Daniels Family, billetted at number 15. Mr & Mrs Obego, billetted at number 31. Miss Contrane, you're in number 8. The Noble family, billetted at number 29.
WILF
That's us. Come on, off we go. Oh. All right?
They walk ahead, passing by a woman standing in the doorway, who gives them a hostile look.
WOMAN IN DOORWAY
Used to be a nice little family, number 29. They missed one mortgage payment, just one - they got booted out. All for you lot.
DONNA
Don't get all chippy with me, Vera Duckworth! Pop your clogs on and go and feed whippets!
WILF
Sweetheart, come on. You're not going to make the world any better by shouting at it.
DONNA (darkly)
I can try.
They stop at number 29.
SYLVIA
What happens? Do we get keys?
WILF
I don't know, do I?
SYLVIA
Who do we ask? The soldiers?
But the door opens and a short Italian man comes out to welcome the Nobles.
ROCCO (enthusiastic)
Hey-ey! Is a big house! Room for all! Welcome! In you come!
DONNA
I thought this was our house.
ROCCO
Is many people's house! Is wonderful! In, in, in.
Rocco keeps talking as the Nobles walk into the house.
ROCCO
We've been here for eight weeks already. Had a nice little paper shop in Shepherd's Bush - all gone now! So, upstairs, we have Merchandani family, seven of them. Good family. Good kids. Except that one. (he points at one of the two boys watching them from the stairs) You be careful of him. Ah, that's a joking! (he ruffles the boy's hair) Where's that smile, eh? Rocco Colasanto. I'm here with my wife and her sister and her husband and their kids and their daughter's kids. We've got the front room. My mother, she's got the back room. She's old. You forgive. And this, this is you. This is your palazzo!
She leads the Nobles into the narrow kitchen.
SYLVIA
What d'you mean, this is us?
ROCCO
You live here!
DONNA
We're living in the kitchen?
ROCCO
You got camp-beds. You got the cooker, you keep warm, you got the fridge, you keep cool. Is good!
SYLVIA
What about the bathroom?
ROCCO
Nobody lives in the bathroom.
SYLVIA
No, I mean, is there a rota?
ROCCO
Is pot-luck! Is fun! I go wake Mamma. She likes new people. (he leaves them alone, shouting as he goes) Mamma! Is people! Nice people!
WILF
Oh, well. We'll settle in, won't we? Make do, huh? Bit of wartime spirit, eh?
DONNA
Yeah, but there isn't a war. There's no fight. It's just... this.
WILF (trying to stay optimistic)
Well, America, they'll save us. It was on the news. They're going to send Great Britain fifty billion quid in financial aid. God bless America!
***
The Nobles are watching television in the crowded kitchen.
AMNN NEWSREADER
America is in crisis, with over sixty million reported dead. Sixty million people have dissolved into fat. And the fat is walking. (shots of marching Adipose) People's fat has come to life and is walking through the streets. And there are spaceships. There are reports of spaceships over every major US city. The fat is flying. It's leaving...
WILF
Aliens.
DONNA
Yeah.
They are not even wondering about it anymore.
AMNN NEWSREADER
...the fat creatures are being raised into the air...
***
Donna and Sylvia are lying on their camp beds in the kitchen lit by candles.
SYLVIA (depressed)
Mary McGinty. Do you remember her?
DONNA
Who was she?
SYLVIA
Worked in the newsagent's on Sunday. Little woman. Black hair.
DONNA
Never really spoke to her.
SYLVIA
She'll be dead. Every day, I think of someone else. All dead.
DONNA
Maybe she went away for Christmas.
SYLVIA
Maybe.
DONNA (reassuringly)
I'll go out, tomorrow. I'll walk into town. There's got to be work. Everyone needs secretaries. Soon as I'm earning, we'll get a proper place. Just you wait, Mum.
But Sylvia has lost all hope.
SYLVIA
What if it never gets better?
DONNA
Course it will.
SYLVIA
Even the bees are disappearing. You don't see bumble-bees anymore.
DONNA
They'll sort us out. The emergency government. They'll do something.
SYLVIA
What if they don't?
DONNA
Then... we'll complain.
SYLVIA
Who's going to listen to us? Refugees. We haven't even got a vote. We're just no-one, Donna. We don't exist.
They hear the Colosanto family singing.
COLASANTOS
...and I spent all my money on whiskey and beer...
DONNA
I am going to KILL that man!
She bursts into the sitting room.
DONNA
Now, listen, Mussolini! I am telling you for the last time, to button it! If I hear one more sea shanty...
As Rocco moves aside, Donna spots her grandfather sitting in the background, smiling at her shyly.
WILF
I always loved a sing-song!
***
Donna and Sylvia have joined the company, all singing together.
ALL
I'm just a poor boy nobody loves me, he's just a poor boy from a poor family, spare him his life from this monstrosity - easy come, easy go, will you let me go? Bismillah! No...
They stop as they hear guns rattling outside.
ROCCO
You stay here! Everyone, stay!
He goes out, followed by the Nobles. They see soldiers firing at the exhaust pipe of a military Jeep.
ROCCO
Hey! Firing at the car is not so good! You, you crazy or what?
SOLDIER
It's this ATMOS thing, it won't stop! It's like gas, it's toxic.
WILF
Well, switch it off!
SOLDIER
I have done, it's still going. It's all the cars. Every single ATMOS car, they've gone mad.
As Donna looks back at her mother standing in the doorway, the soldier spots something on her back and points his gun at her.
SOLDIER
You, lady, turn around! Turn around! Now!
ROCCO
Are you crazy, boy?
WILF
Put the gun down!
SYLVIA
No!
SOLDIER
I said, turn around! Show me your back!
SYLVIA
Do what he says! Turn around!
SOLDIER
Turn around, now! Show me your back!
Hands held high, Donna turns around - and there's nothing on her back.
SOLDIER
Sorry. I thought I saw...
WILF
Call yourself a soldier? Pointing guns at innocent women? You're a disgrace! In my day, we'd have had you court marshalled!
But Donna doesn't care about the soldier anymore - she notices the blue flash of light see saw when Rose appeared previously, and she walks away without a word.
SYLVIA (shouting after her)
Donna? Where are you going? It's not safe at night! Donna! Donna!
Donna walks around the corner, Rose is waiting for her there.
DONNA
Hello.
ROSE
Hi.
***
Donna and Rose are sitting on a park bench.
ROSE
It's the ATMOS devices. We're lucky it's not so bad here, Britain hasn't got that much petrol. But all over Europe, China, South Africa... they're getting choked by gas.
DONNA
Can anyone stop it?
ROSE
Yeah, they're trying right now, this little band of fighters, on board the Sontaran ship. Any second now...
Just as she says it, the sky gets aflame, then it goes dark again.
DONNA (shocked)
And that was...?
ROSE
That was the Torchwood team. Gwen Cooper, Ianto Jones, they gave their lives. And Captain Jack Harkness has transported to the Sontaran home world. There's no-one left.
DONNA
You're always wearing the same clothes. Why won't you tell me your name?
ROSE
None of this was meant to happen. There was a man. This wonderful man, and he stopped it. The Titanic, the Adipose, the ATMOS, he stopped them all from happening.
DONNA
That... Doctor?
ROSE
You knew him.
DONNA (puzzled)
Did I? When?
ROSE
I think you dream about him, sometimes. It's a man in a suit. Tall, thin man, great hair. Some really great hair.
DONNA
Who are you?
ROSE
I was like you. I used to be you. You've travelled with him, Donna. You've travelled with the Doctor in a different world.
DONNA
I never met him, and he's dead.
ROSE
He died underneath the Thames on Christmas Eve, but you were meant to be there. He needed someone to stop him, and that was you. You made him leave. You saved his life.
For a moment Donna seems to remember - flashback from The Runaway Bride, the Doctor standing in the middle of the destruction, watching the Racnoss drowning.
DONNA
Doctor! You can stop now!
The flashback ends, Donna stands up, angry and scared.
DONNA
Stop it. I don't know what you're talking about, leave me alone!
ROSE
Something's coming, Donna. Something worse.
DONNA
The whole world is stinking. How can anything be worse than this?
ROSE
Trust me. We need the Doctor more than ever. I've - I've been pulled across from a different universe, because every single universe is in danger. It's coming, Donna. It's coming from across the stars and nothing can stop it.
DONNA
WHAT is?
ROSE
The darkness.
DONNA (frustrated)
Well, what do you keep telling ME for? What am I supposed to do? I'm nothing special. I mean, I'm... I'm not, I'm nothing special, I'm a temp. I'm not even that, I'm nothing!
ROSE
Donna Noble, you're the most important woman in the whole of creation.
DONNA
Oh, don't. Just... don't. I'm tired. I'm so... tired.
ROSE
I need you to come with me.
DONNA
Yeah. Well. Blonde hair might work on the men, but you ain't shifting me, lady.
ROSE (smiling)
That's more like it.
DONNA
I've got plenty more.
ROSE
I know you'll come with me. Only when you want to.
DONNA
You'll have a long wait, then.
ROSE
Not really, just three weeks. Tell me, does your grandfather still own that telescope?
DONNA
He never lets go of it.
ROSE
Three weeks time. But you've got to be certain. Cos, when you come with me, Donna... sorry... so sorry, but... you're gonna die.
She fades away in front of Donna's eyes.
***
Rocco is hugging Donna with his usual enthusiasm.
ROCCO
And you! I'm going to miss you most of all, all flame-haired and firey.
DONNA (laughing)
Oh, but why d'you have to go?
ROCCO (sounding happy)
It's the new law! England for the English, et cetera. They can't send us home, the oceans are closed! They build labour camps.
DONNA
I know, but... labour doing what? There aren't any jobs.
ROCCO
Sewing! Digging! Is good! Now, stop it before I kiss you too much.
He turns to Wilf and salutes.
ROCCO
Wilfred. My capitano.
Wilf salutes too. As they look at each other, it's obvious that they both know what's happening, something that Donna doesn't realise. Then Rocco climbs up to the military van where the rest of his family is sitting.
DONNA (still oblivious)
It'll be quiet with him gone. Still, we'll have more room.
WILF (eyes red from unshed tears, voice trembling)
Labour camps. That's what they called them last time.
DONNA
What d'you mean?
On the van, Rocco hugs his sobbing wife.
WILF
It's happening again.
DONNA
What is? (she walks towards the soldiers) Excuse me? Excuse me, where are you taking them? (running after the van) Where are you going? Rocco, where are you going? Where are you going? Where are you going?!
Donna enters the house. Sylvia is sitting there, motionless, depressed.
DONNA
I asked about jobs, with the army. They said I wasn't qualified.
No response from Sylvia, she just keeps staring into space.
DONNA
You were right. You said I should have worked harder at school. (pause) I suppose I've always been a disappointment.
SYLVIA (with the same blank expression)
Yeah.
***
Wilf and Donna are sitting outside at night, by his precious telescope.
WILF
You know, we'd get a bit of cash if we sold this thing.
DONNA
Don't you dare! I always imagined, your old age... I'd have put a bit of money by. Make you comfy. Never did. I'm just useless.
Wilf looks into the telescope.
DONNA
You're supposed to say "no, you're not".
WILF (not listening)
Ah, it must be the alignment.
DONNA
What's wrong?
WILF
Well, I don't know - I mean, it can't be the lens. I was looking at Orion, the constellation of Orion. You take a look. And tell me, what can you see?
DONNA
Where?
WILF
Well, up there in the sky!
Donna looks into the telescope, than back to the sky.
DONNA
Well, I can't see anything, it's just... black.
WILF
Well, I mean it's working! The telescope is working.
DONNA
Well... maybe it's clouds.
WILF
There is no clouds!
DONNA
Well, there must be!
WILF
There is not! It was there. An entire constellation.
Looking up to the sky, now he can see it with the naked eye too - one by one, the stars are disappearing.
WILF
Look... look there... They're going out. Oh, my God! Donna! The stars are going out.
Donna doesn't seem surprised. She just turns around to see Rose waiting for her.
DONNA
I'm ready.
***
Speechless, Donna and Rose are sitting in a UNIT Jeep.
***
Donna and Rose enter to a huge warehouse type building. There is a circle of mirrors in the middle, and in the background there's the TARDIS, a bunch of wires connecting it to the mirrors and a large computer.
LOUDSPEAKER
Loadstone testing now at 15.4. Repeat, 15.4.
A UNIT officer salutes to Rose.
CAPTAIN MAGAMBO
Ma'am.
ROSE
I've told you, don't salute.
She goes to check the computer.
CAPTAIN MAGAMBO
Well, if you're not going to tell us your name...
DONNA
What, you don't know either?
ROSE
Crossed too many different realities. Trust me, the wrong word in the wrong place can change an entire causal nexus.
CAPTAIN MAGAMBO
She talks like that. A lot. And you must be Miss Noble.
DONNA
Donna.
CAPTAIN MAGAMBO
Captain Erisa Magambo. Thank you for this.
DONNA
I don't even know what I'm doing.
ROSE
Is it awake?
CAPTAIN MAGAMBO
Seems to be quiet today. Ticking over. Like it's waiting.
Rose looks at Donna, then at the TARDIS.
ROSE
D'you want to see it?
DONNA
What's a 'police box'?
ROSE
They salvaged it from underneath the Thames. Just go inside.
DONNA
What for?
ROSE
Just go in!
Rose watches, smiling, as Donna enters the TARDIS.
DONNA
No. Way!
Mouth open, she gets out, walks around the box, back inside to see it's really that big, then she walks back to Rose, shocked.
ROSE (grinning)
What d'you think?
DONNA
Can I have a coffee?
***
Rose and Donna are inside the TARDIS, Donna holding her coffee mug.
ROSE
Time And Relative Dimension In Space. This room used to shine with light. I think it's dying.
She touches the console and the rota rises a bit.
ROSE
Still trying to help.
DONNA
And... and it belonged to the Doctor?
ROSE
He was a Time Lord. Last of his kind.
DONNA
But if he was so special, what was he doing with me?
ROSE
He thought you were brilliant.
DONNA
Don't be stupid.
ROSE
But you are! It just took the Doctor to show you that, simply by being with him. He did the same to me. To everyone he touches.
DONNA
Were you and him...?
Rose doesn't answer. Instead, she touches Donna's shoulder gently.
ROSE
Do you want to see it?
DONNA
No.
Rose keeps looking at her back.
DONNA
Go on, then.
***
Rose and Donna are now standing in the centre of the circle of mirrors.
ROSE
We don't know how the TARDIS works, but we've managed to scrape off the surface technology. Enough to show you the creature.
DONNA
It's a creature?
ROSE
Just stand here.
CAPTAIN MAGAMBO
Out of the circle, please.
ROSE
Yes, ma'am.
She walks out.
DONNA
Can't you stay with me?
CAPTAIN MAGAMBO
Ready? And... activate.
The lights around the circle turn on. Frightened, Donna closes her eyes.
ROSE
Open your eyes, Donna.
DONNA
Is it there?
ROSE
Yeah, open your eyes, look at it.
DONNA
I can't.
ROSE
It's part of you, Donna. Look.
Slowly, Donna opens her eyes to see her back in the mirrors - there's a massive beetle clinging to her. She starts to spin around in panic, trying to get a better view.
ROSE
It's okay, it's okay, it's okay - calm down. Donna? Donna? Donna!
Donna stops spinning.
ROSE
Okay.
DONNA (trying to stay calm)
What is it?
ROSE
We don't know.
DONNA (sarcastic)
Oh. Thanks.
ROSE
It feeds off time. By - by changing time, by making someone's life take a different turn, like, meetings never made... children never born... a life never loved. But with you, it's...
DONNA
But I never did anything important.
ROSE
Yeah, you did. One day, that thing made you turn right instead of left.
DONNA
When was that?
ROSE
Oh, you wouldn't remember. It was the most ordinary day in the world, but by turning right, you never met the Doctor and the whole world just changed around you.
DONNA
Can you get rid of-of it?
ROSE
No, I can't even touch it. It seems to be in a state of flux.
DONNA (fed up with technobabble)
What does that mean?
ROSE
I don't know. (laughing) It's the sort of thing the Doctor would say!
DONNA
You liar! You told me I was special! But it's not me! It's this thing, I'm just a host!
ROSE
No, there's more than that. The readings are strange it's... it's like reality's just bending round you.
DONNA
Because of this thing!
ROSE
No, no! We're getting separate readings from you. And they've always been there, since the day you were born.
CAPTAIN MAGAMBO
This is not relevant to the mission.
ROSE
I thought it was just the Doctor we needed, but it's the both of you. The Doctor and Donna Noble. Together. To stop the stars from going out.
DONNA
Why? What can I do?! (pause) Turn it off. Please.
ROSE
Captain.
CAPTAIN MAGAMBO
Power down.
The lights go off and Rose walks to Donna, touching her arm comfortingly.
DONNA
It's... it's still there, though. What can I do... to get rid of it?
ROSE
You're gonna travel in time.
***
Donna is wearing a strange coat full of wires. She is listening to Rose who sounds quite like the Doctor as she is explaining what to do.
ROSE
The TARDIS has tracked down the moment of intervention. Monday the 25th, one minute past ten in the morning. Your car was on Little Sutton Street leading to the Ealing Road, but you turned right heading towards Griffin's Parade. You need to turn left. That's the most important thing. You've got to go back, turn left. Have you got that, Donna? One minute past ten, make yourself turn left, heading for the Chiswick Highroad.
CAPTAIN MAGAMBO
Keep the jacket on at all times - it's insulation against temporal feedback.
An officer puts a kind of watch on Donna's wrist.
CAPTAIN MAGAMBO
This will correspond to local time wherever you land.
Captain Magambo hands Donna a cup of water.
CAPTAIN MAGAMBO
This is to combat dehydration.
***
Donna, Rose, Captain Magambo and several UNIT soldiers walk to the circle of mirrors.
ROSE
This is where we leave you.
DONNA
I don't want to see that thing on my back.
ROSE
No! The mirrors are just incidental. They bounce chronon energy back into the centre which we control and decide the destination.
DONNA (incredulously)
It's a time machine.
ROSE (smiling)
It's a time machine.
CAPTAIN MAGAMBO
If you could?
Donna walks back to the centre.
CAPTAIN MAGAMBO
Powering up.
The lights turn on.
DONNA
How d'you know it's gonna work?
ROSE
Hmm? Oh... yeah... we, we don't. We're just... we're just guessing.
DONNA (with a little laugh)
Yeah. Oh, brilliant!
ROSE
Just remember, when you get to the junction, change the car's direction by one minute past ten.
DONNA
How do I do that?
ROSE
It's up to you.
DONNA
Well, I just have to... run up to myself and... have a good argument.
ROSE (laughing)
I'd like to see that!
CAPTAIN MAGAMBO
Activate loadstone.
ROSE
Good luck.
DONNA
I'm ready!
ROSE
One minute past ten.
DONNA (scared, but full of hope)
Cos I understand, now. You said I was gonna die, but you mean this whole world, it's gonna blink out of existence. But that's not dying. Because a better world takes its place. The Doctor's world. And I'm still alive! That's right, isn't it? I don't die? If I change things, I don't die? That's... that's right, isn't it?
Looking at Rose for reassurance, Donna can see she is wrong.
ROSE
I'm sorry.
DONNA
But I can't die! I've got a future! With the Doctor - you told me!
CAPTAIN MAGAMBO
Activate!
Sparkles fly, Donna is engulfed in white light, then she disappears.
***
Donna appears on an ordinary street. She looks around, then throws her arms into the air, laughing in victory. But then, she takes a better look at her surroundings.
DONNA
But... hold on... but this is... I'm not... this is Sutton Court! I'm half a mile away! I'm half a mile away!
She looks at her watch - it's 9:57.
DONNA
Four minutes? Oh, my God...
She starts to run.
Cuts to the events we've seen: Sylvia nagging Donna to take the job at Jival Chowdry's.
SYLVIA
Jival Chowdry. He runs that little photocopy business in Merchant's Street. And he needs a secretary.
DONNA
I've. Got. A job!
Cuts to present Donna running along the streets.
Then back to past Donna, sitting in the car with Sylvia.
DONNA
H.C. Clements is in the City. It's nice, it's posh, so, stop it!
Cuts to present Donna - out of air, she checks the wristwatch, then runs again.
Cuts back to past Donna and Sylvia, their car now standing at the junction.
SYLVIA
It won't take long, just turn right!
DONNA
I'm going left, if you don't like it, get out and walk.
Cuts to present Donna still running, then back to past Donna in the car.
DONNA
You think I'm so useless!
SYLVIA
Oh, I know why you want a job with H.C. Clements, lady - because you think you'll meet a man...
Cuts to present day Donna, gasping, checking the watch in despair.
DONNA
I'm not gonna get there.
Then she suddenly seems to understand what Rose meant.
ROSE (in flashback)
You're gonna die.
Donna sees a large blue van driving up the road.
Cuts to past Donna and Sylvia, still arguing at the junction.
SYLVIA
...city executives don't need temps, except for practice.
DONNA
Yeah. Suppose you're right.
She switches the indicator from the left to the right.
Cuts to present day Donna, watching the van with resignation.
DONNA
Please...
She steps in front of the van, the driver tries to stop but it's too late. A woman screams in horror.
Cuts to past Donna and Sylvia - they can hear the scream.
SYLVIA
Can you hear that?
Cuts back to present Donna - the crash stopped the traffic.
VAN DRIVER
Hold on! Back up!
TAXI DRIVER (stuck behind the van)
Oi! Get a move on!
Cuts to past Donna: the jam is now reaching the junction, blocking the way to the right.
DONNA
The traffic's stopping.
SYLVIA
Something must have happened!
Cuts to present Donna: she is lying on the ground, she opens her eyes and sees Rose leaning over her.
ROSE
Tell him this: two words.
She whispers something in Donna's ear. Donna's eyes close and her head falls to the side.
Cuts to past Donna.
DONNA
Well, that decides it. I'm not sitting in a traffic jam. I'm going left.
She switches the indicator back and turns to the left.
***
The word "left" echoes as Donna, sitting in the fortune teller's tent, screams. Events of the alternate world rewind, images flashing quickly through her head, then the beetle falls off her back, twitching weakly before it dies. The fortune teller is cowering in the corner, terrified.
DONNA
What the hell is that?
FORTUNE TELLER
You were so strong. What are you? What will you be? What will you be?
She flees. The Doctor walks into the tent.
DOCTOR
Everything all right?
DONNA
Oh, God...!
She runs to hug him.
DOCTOR (laughing)
What was that for?
DONNA
I don't know!
So happy to see him, she hugs him again.
***
The Doctor and Donna are sitting in the fortune teller's tent, the Doctor poking the dead beetle with an incense stick.
DONNA
Can't remember. It's slipping away. You know, like when you try and think of a dream and it just sort of goes.
DOCTOR
Just got lucky, this thing. It's one of the Trickster's brigade. Changes a life in tiny little ways. Most times, the universe just compensates around it, but with you... great big parallel world!
DONNA
Hold on, you said parallel worlds are sealed off.
DOCTOR
They are. But you had one created around you. (looking at Donna curiously) Funny thing is, seems to be happening a lot. To you.
DONNA
How d'you mean?
DOCTOR
Well, The Library and then this...
DONNA
Just... goes with the job. I suppose.
DOCTOR
Sometimes I think there's way too much coincidence around you, Donna. I met you once. Then I met your grandfather. Then I met you again. In the whole wide universe, I met you for a second time. It's like something's binding us together.
DONNA
Don't be so daft. I'm nothing special.
DOCTOR (fondly)
Yes, you are, you're brilliant.
His words remind Donna of Rose saying the same.
ROSE (flashback)
He thought you were brilliant.
DONNA
She said that.
DOCTOR
Who did?
DONNA
That woman... I can't remember.
DOCTOR
Well, she never existed now.
DONNA
No, but she said... the stars... she said the stars are going out.
DOCTOR
Yeah, but that world's gone.
DONNA
No, but she said it was all worlds. Every world. She said the darkness is coming, even here.
DOCTOR
Who was she?
DONNA
I don't know.
DOCTOR
What did she look like?
DONNA
She was... (flashback of Rose) blonde.
DOCTOR (now full of suspicion)
What was her name?
DONNA
I don't know!
DOCTOR (urgently)
Donna, what was her name?
DONNA
But she told me... to warn you. She said...
Flashback to Rose leaning over dying Donna.
ROSE
Two words.
DOCTOR
What two words? What were they? What did she say?
Flashback to Rose whispering the words into Donna's ear.
DONNA
"Bad Wolf."
He looks at her, shocked.
DONNA
Well, what does it mean?
But the Doctor jumps up and runs out without answer and Donna rushes after him. As they look around outside, "Bad Wolf" is everywhere: on the banners, the posters, even on the TARDIS itself, every piece of text is replaced by those two words. Terrified, the Doctor enters the TARDIS followed by Donna. The interior is lit by red lights and the cloister bell is ringing.
DONNA
Doctor, what is it? What's Bad Wolf?
DOCTOR
It's the end of the universe.
=== DOCTOR WHO (2005) ===
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