24. Making Decisions

SCENE #272 – INT – STOLEN CAR, CARDIFF – DAY, MORNING
The chase is on, as Sean leaves Churchwood Street with Nyssa in the stolen car. Sean drives the car into the city centre.

NYSSA
Sean, please stop! Where are you taking me?

SEAN
Shut up, you! I don’t want to hear your voice!

NYSSA
But you’re driving us into the city centre! Why? Sean, I must know why!

SEAN
I don’t have to tell you anything, do I? I make my own mind about what to do!

NYSSA
Don’t do anything you’ll regret, Sean!

SEAN
I regret nothing, you hear! Nothing! It’s the Doctor who’ll regret ever meeting my family and causing them to die!

NYSSA
I’m sure the Doctor can help you. It’s not his fault you ruined your life.

SEAN
(ignores Nyssa) My Alexandra! She turned against me! She hates me!

NYSSA
Please Sean, we didn’t mean this to happen! It’s only because the Dwaxi…

SEAN
(interrupts) Shut up, will you! Just shut up! Shut up!!! I hate you now more than I’ve ever hated anyone! I hate you! I hate the Doctor! And I hate Billy! We’re going to the bay to end this! This will be the end of everything!!!

NYSSA
The bay?

Sean ignores Nyssa, as he keeps driving on through the city centre.

---

SCENE #273 – INT – DANNY’S CAR, CARDIFF – DAY, MORNING
The Doctor and Billy drive in Danny’s car in hot pursuit of Sean and Nyssa in the stolen car.

BILLY
The bay! That’s where Sean’s heading for! The bay!

DOCTOR
Tiger Bay! Yes, I see that now!

BILLY
(anxiously) But why the bay? What he’s going to do when he gets there?

DOCTOR
I don’t know. But I imagine it’s something very bad to let his anger out and take his vengeance on us.

BILLY
Sean must be really berserk to hate us for what happened. I’ve never seen him so mad. My old best friend.

DOCTOR
Since most of his family are dead and his wife’s rejected him, I’m not surprised.

BILLY
Can we go any faster, Doctor? Try and stop him to corner him off before he gets to the bay.

DOCTOR
(apprehensively) I’m going as fast as I can, Billy!

The Doctor drives at full speed as he chases after Sean and Nyssa.

---

SCENE #274 – EXT – CARDIFF, SOUTH WALES – DAY, MORNING
The two cars drive at ferocious speeds, as they pass many cars. The Doctor and Billy speed up to catch with Sean and Nyssa, as they head off for Tiger Bay. None of them realise they’re being followed, as a Dwaxi battle van chases after them as well as two motorcyclists. They shoot down other cars blocking their way to get through.

---

SCENE #275 – EXT – SEA DOCKS, TIGER BAY – DAY, MORNING
At Tiger Bay, the Doctor and Billy arrive. They get out of the car and catch up with Sean who holds Nyssa at the edge of some sea docks. They approach Sean carefully, as he threatens to throw Nyssa off into the water.

DOCTOR
(cries) “Sean! Sean, wait! Listen to me!”

SEAN
“Back off, Doctor! You wouldn’t want me to throw Nyssa into the water now, would you? Not when I’m about to throw Nyssa off the docks!”

NYSSA
“Don’t worry about me, Doctor! Please stop him before he causes more trouble or harm to anybody!”

DOCTOR
“Sean, please! We can talk about this! If you could just come away…”

SEAN
(yells) “My parents are dead because of you! Do you get that?! You killed my parents! And now my wife hates me and has left me! This is your fault! Your fault!!! Admit it, Doctor! Admit it!!!”

BILLY
“Sean, please! Come away from the edge! Give Nyssa back to me!”

SEAN
(shouts) “Why?! Why should I?! My life’s over because of you!”

BILLY
“It’s not over, Sean! Just give Nyssa back to me and we’ll talk about it!”

SEAN
“No!”

BILLY
“One little chat, Sean. That’s all!”

SEAN
“Are you deaf as well as naïve, Billy?!”

BILLY
(pleads) “Please give Nyssa back to me! Please! Please!!! Give Nyssa back to me, Sean!!!”

SEAN
(angrily) “After all the insults you two hurled at me?! Calling me a ‘jerk’! Calling me ‘stupid’; ‘worthless’!” (to Nyssa) “‘Cry-baby’ is what you called me, Nyssa?!”

Nyssa trembles whilst being by Sean over the edge of the docks.

BILLY
(sorrowfully) “I should never have said those things to you, Sean. I never meant it!”

SEAN
“Yeah well, too little; too late!”

BILLY
“Please, Sean! Don’t let it end like this! After all the good times we shared! All the buddy things we did together! Our day trips and night outs together! Are we going to let it go all to waste?! Don’t make it worse Sean, please! Just let my Nyssa go!”

SEAN
(to Billy) “You don’t deserve my forgiveness!” (to Nyssa) “Nor do you deserve Nyssa!”

BILLY
“I’m asking you, Sean! Please! As a friend! My best friend!”

SEAN
(bitterly) “Not any more!”

With that, Sean throws Nyssa off the sea docks. She ends up screaming, falling into the water.

BILLY
(cries) “No!!! Nyssa!!!”

Billy immediately unbuttons his coat and throws it away, as he’s about to dive in.

DOCTOR
(shouts) “No, Billy! Don’t!”

BILLY
“I must save her, Doctor! I must!”

DOCTOR
(shouts) “No, Billy, no!”

But Billy dives in, head first and splashes into the water. Billy swims uneasily, as he rescues Nyssa. Sean laughs whilst the Doctor glares at him disapprovingly.

SEAN
(laughs) “Billy’s got guts, I’ll give him that. Considering he can’t swim well. Believe me, I should know!”

DOCTOR
“You could end up being responsible for the death of your best friend, Sean. Billy, your best friend! Can you see sense in that?!”

SEAN
“You really are starting to annoy me, Doctor! This is how my parents wanted things to be! If they don’t care about insignificant lives, then I must do the same! I’m the son of the Directors! And I must carry on their memories!”

DOCTOR
(angrily) “You’re insane, Sean! You’ve completely flipped it!”

SEAN
“And it’s all thanks to you, Doctor.”

At that moment, Dwaxi appear as they teleport behind Sean. These are Lord Ramga, Kolgu, Bolesh and Mullog as well as a few Dwaxi troopers. They grab Sean instantly. Sean becomes resistant, as he struggles to break free of them.

LORD RAMGA
“And on that note, Sean, it’s time you came along with us!”

SEAN
(yells) “Get off me! What do you twits think you’re doing?!”

BOLESH
“You’re the son of the Directors, little Sean boy!”

KOLGU
“So we’re going to teach you the ways of the Dwaxi!”

MULLOG
“By raising you up ourselves!”

LORD RAMGA
“It’s time for a trip back to the rift whilst it’s still open for us to pass through! You’ll be taken for better purposes!”

SEAN
(protests) “No! I won’t go with you lot, I won’t! Don’t make me go with you!”

LORD RAMGA
“You do as you’re told!!! You’re coming with us whether you like it or not!!!”

DOCTOR
(protests) “Let him go please! He doesn’t deserve this!”

LORD RAMGA
“Goodbye, Doctor! Be sure we will meet again!”

DOCTOR
“Don’t hurt him! Please let Sean go!”

LORD RAMGA
(to Dwaxi troopers) “Prepare for teleport back to the main Dwaxi flagship!”

SEAN
(shouts; angrily; to Doctor) “This is your fault, Doctor! Remember that! This is your fault!!! Remember the death, the violence, the rage!!! Feel it, Doctor!!! The heat of hell!!!”

But Sean’s words get caught up in a teleport beam, as he, Lord Ramga, Kolgu, Bolesh, Mullog and the other Dwaxi troopers teleport out. The Doctor runs forward to stop them, but is too late as they’ve beamed out already. The Doctor groans before a shout echoes behind him.

BILLY
(cries) “Doctor! Doctor, help me!”

The Doctor runs over to the other side of the docks to find Billy halfway climbing up a dock ladder and carrying Nyssa with him, having rescued her from the water.

BILLY
(anxiously) “She’s unconscious! Help me get her up where you are!”

Soon, the Doctor climbs down the dock ladder to get to Billy. Billy raises Nyssa up to the Doctor for him to take back up onto the sea docks. The Doctor takes Nyssa and climbs back up the dock ladder.

DOCTOR
(reassuringly) “It’s alright, Billy! I’ve got her! I’ve got Nyssa!”

BILLY
“Good! I’m coming right up!”

The Doctor and Billy eventually get back onto the sea docks from the dock ladder, as they carry Nyssa with them whilst she’s unconscious.

---

SCENE #276 – EXT – SEA DOCKS, TIGER BAY – DAY, MORNING
A few minutes later, Billy does mouth-to-mouth resuscitation to revive Nyssa after drowning. He does it a few times, but seems to have little success.

BILLY
(panics) “It’s not working! She’s not responding to mouth-to-mouth resuscitation!”

DOCTOR
“Let me try, Billy! Perhaps I can manage…”

BILLY
(determined) “Wait! I can do this! I’ll try again!” (to Nyssa) “Come on, Nyssa, please! Please wake up for me!”

Billy mouth-to-mouth resuscitates Nyssa again, as he desperately tries to revive her. At first, it seems to be of no use. Eventually, after trying another time, Billy manages to revive Nyssa. She gasps for breath, coughing and spluttering water out of her mouth. She sits up coughing, whilst Billy and the Doctor sigh with relief.

BILLY
(relieved; to Doctor) “It’s alright! It’s alright, Doctor! Nyssa’s alive!”

DOCTOR
“Yes! Well done, Billy! You’ve managed to save her!”

Nyssa comes to, as she sees Billy beside her and gives him a hug.

NYSSA
(anxiously) “Billy, are you alright?”

BILLY
“Am I alright? It’s you I’m worried about.”

NYSSA
“I’ll be fine.” (Pause) “It’s just…I couldn’t help overhearing Sean mentioning that you can’t swim well!”

BILLY
(hesitantly) “I had a bit of luck.”

Nyssa and Billy then laugh with each other before they hug each other again.

DOCTOR
(relived) “I’m so pleased to see you alright, Nyssa. Billy saved you in time.”

NYSSA
(pleased) “Doctor! I’m pleased to see you too!” (Pause) “Did you get Sean in the end?”

DOCTOR
(grimly) “No. Sean was taken by the Dwaxi. They’re on their way back to the rift. About to go through it to return to their home dimension before it closes.”

BILLY
“Will they make it? Can we even rescue Sean?”

DOCTOR
“I don’t know. I don’t think so.” (Pause) “I think Sean made his choice about being against us! Whether he’ll be willing to do that with the Dwaxi, I don’t know.” (Pause) “As to whether they’ll make it through the rift, I’m not sure. They could easily get through the rift before it closes in time to reach their home dimension. Or else they’ll find themselves stuck in this world.”

NYSSA
“But surely they’ll destroy the fabric of reality if they’re trapped here. Considering they’re not of our universe.”

DOCTOR
“The universe will cancel them out eventually. Or maybe the laws of physics will permit them to live, I don’t know. I don’t know everything, you see.”

BILLY
(saddened) “Poor Sean. Poor dear buddy Sean. And I wanted so much for him to be my friend in that moment.” (to Nyssa) “For him to redeem himself before he threw you over the docks, Nyssa.” (Pause) “Am I such an idiot to think that he would listen? That he would hear my voice?”

A moment of silence ensues.

NYSSA
“It doesn’t make you an idiot, Billy. Never think that. You’re a hero in the end.”

BILLY
(gradually; saddened) “I just hope the Dwaxi won’t hurt Sean much.”

DOCTOR
“That’s hardly likely I’m afraid, Billy. Considering the reputation of the Dwaxi.”

NYSSA
“Yes, I fear that as well.” (Pause) “I wonder what’s happened to the Dwaxi. And where they are now.”

DOCTOR
“Hmm. I wonder too.” (Pause) “Anyway, it’s over. For now.”

The Doctor, Nyssa and Billy sit silently on the docks for a while, reflecting over the impact the Dwaxi and Sean have had on them. They eventually get up and head back to Danny’s car to return to Churchwood Street.

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SCENE #277 – EXT – TIME VORTEX – N/A
In the time vortex, the Dwaxi flagship containing Lord Ramga, Kolgu, Bolesh, Mullog, Sean and other Dwaxi troopers makes its way back through the rift. It manages to pass through within a fraction of a minute before it closes up completely. Sean’s anguished and belligerent yells echo through the rift, as it closes up and cuts the Dwaxi dimension off completely. A cold silence in space ensues.

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SCENE #278 – INT – LIVING ROOM, NO. 28 – DAY, MORNING
A few days later at the Simmons’ House in No. 28 of Churchwood Street, Alexandra sits in the living room. She sulks, being depressed, as she reflects on all that has happened to her in the past few days. There’s a knock on the door, as Bruce enters.

BRUCE
“There you are, Alex! Guess who’s come to see us!”

Bruce steps in the living room to allow Billy in.

BILLY
“Hello, Alexandra! It’s me!”

ALEXANDRA
(sullenly) “Hello!”

BILLY
“I thought I’d come and tell you the good news, since your mum and dad are at the hospital. Lizzy’s making a full recovery. The Doctor and Nyssa have been treating her and she should be out in a few days.”

BRUCE
“Now isn’t that great news? Hey, Alex?”

ALEXANDRA
(sullenly) “Yes. Yes, it is.”

A moment of tense silence ensues.

BRUCE
“Do you fancy a cuppa, Billy?”

BILLY
(apprehensively) “Err, I don’t think I should really…”

ALEXANDRA
(interrupts; to Bruce) “Could you give Billy and me a moment, Bruce? I’d like to speak to him.”

BRUCE
“Is that alright with you, Billy?”

BILLY
“Yeah, it’s fine by me.”

BRUCE
“I’ll leave you two to it then. Excuse me.”

With that, Bruce leaves the room. Billy gradually approaches Alexandra and sits near her.

BILLY
“Are you doing okay?”

ALEXANDRA
(gradually) “Today was supposed to be my wedding anniversary. I would have been married to Sean for a whole year. Now it’s come to this.”

BILLY
“I’m sorry, Alex. I really wish things could have been different.”

Another moment of tense silence ensues.

BILLY
“I understand you’re having a baby soon. Congratulations. I hope it’ll be a happy event when the time comes.”

ALEXANDRA
(gradually) “My own pub’s been blown up. I’ve got no business or a home to look after. I’m now reduced to living in my mum and dad’s house. How sad is that?”

BILLY
“Is there anything I can do to help?”

ALEXANDRA
(scornfully) “How can you help me?”

Another moment of tense silence ensues.

BILLY
“Have you any plans? Do you know what you’re going to do with yourself?”

ALEXANDRA
(gradually) “I’m leaving Churchwood Street. I need to start life afresh. Something new. Something different.”

BILLY
“Where are you going to go?”

ALEXANDRA
“I don’t know. I could go to London. There are lots of opportunities in London. Perhaps they can use someone like me.”

BILLY
“You could come with us.”

ALEXANDRA
(bemused) “What? Me? Travelling with you and those freaky friends of yours.”

BILLY
“They’re not so bad when you get to know them.”

ALEXANDRA
“Why would you even want me? Wouldn’t I get in the way of the lovey-dovey thing you have with your girlfriend? I’d be a nuisance, wouldn’t I?”

BILLY
“You wouldn’t be in the way. I’m sure you wouldn’t.”

ALEXANDRA
“So, why would you even want me then?”

BILLY
(thinks) “I don’t know. Maybe travelling the stars will do you good. It did for me. And we can care take of you and make friends with you…”

ALEXANDRA
(interrupts) “So you’re doing this just out of charity for me?”

BILLY
(gradually) “That’s not what I meant.”

ALEXANDRA
“Let me tell you something, Billy. All of this happened because of you. My Sean’s betrayal, the ending of our marriage. It’s all down to you. You’re the cause of all this as well as your friends.”

BILLY
“That’s not fair.”

ALEXANDRA
“Isn’t it just? Because I used to think before I was married, you would come back begging on your hands and knees to ask me not to marry Sean. I thought you’d come back to tell me how you felt. And then you come back after two years being away with someone who claims to be your girlfriend.”

BILLY
(protests) “Nyssa is my girlfriend, Alex! She’s a sweet lovely lady…”

ALEXANDRA
(interrupts) “You’re not listening to me, Billy! I hoped you’d come back. Instead you’d let me marry Sean. I had to go through hell with him whilst we were living in the same house and sharing the same bed together. Do you know how much pain you’ve caused me?!” (Pause) “We used to be good, you and I. We had something. At least that was what it seemed. But then you started to drift away, thinking I wasn’t there. You started to lose interest in me. And that’s when I finally realised we weren’t meant for each other. I tried to deny it and I hoped you might too when Sean asked me to marry him.”

BILLY
“You never said anything, Alex.”

ALEXANDRA
“Like I’m going to tell you about my master plans for both of us?” (Pause) “Of course, it’s too late now. I even gave you the chance to ask me to marry you. So that we could be together.”

BILLY
“We were too young to get married.”

ALEXANDRA
“So what?”

BILLY
“You were rushing me too quick!”

ALEXANDRA
“We could still have got engaged.”

BILLY
“I wasn’t ready.”

ALEXANDRA
“Not good enough.”

Another moment of tense silence ensues.

ALEXANDRA
“Understand, Billy, that all of this is down to you! You could have prevented this from happening! So don’t even try to think you can be charitable towards me! I don’t need your charity! I don’t need Sean! And I don’t need you!”

BILLY
(gradually; glumly) “I’m sorry you feel this way. I had thought better of you.”

ALEXANDRA
(gradually; sullenly) “Goodbye, Billy. I hope you’ve found what you’re looking for.”

Alexandra turns away from Billy in a solemn mood. Billy then gets up and starts to leave. He opens the living room door, before turning back to address Alexandra.

BILLY
“Goodbye, Alex. Take care of yourself.”

With that, Billy leaves the living room, closing the door behind him. Alexandra is left alone again. Within minutes, she sobs her heart out, feeling sorry for herself.

---

SCENE #279 – INT – MEDICAL WARD, CHURCHWOOD HOSPITAL – DAY, MORNING
At Churchwood Hospital, Danny and Tina are with the Doctor who tends to Lizzy in the medical ward as she makes a full recovery. Nyssa has gone to meet up with Billy.

DOCTOR
“Feeling better, Lizzy?”

LIZZY
“Yes, Doctor. I’m much better thank you. I feel so happy I could sing!”

TINA
(pleased; teasingly) “Well don’t sing too loudly, Lizzy! We don’t want you to lose your voice!”

DANNY
(pleased) “And don’t sing now or else you’ll wake the other sick children here.” (to Doctor) “Doctor, you’ve done so much for us! We don’t know how to repay you!”

DOCTOR
“Oh no need. Besides it’s Nyssa you should thank, not me.”

TINA
“But will Lizzy be alright now, Doctor? Is she safe?”

DOCTOR
“The Dwaxi drug in her has dissolved completely. And you have my assurance she won’t go berserk or anything. Whatever Nyssa gave her certainly did the job.”

LIZZY
“Can I have some sweets whilst I’m in here?”

TINA
“Of course you can, darling. You can have all the sweets you want.”

DANNY
“Don’t be so ridiculous! You can’t have sweets in a hospital!”

DOCTOR
“I understand your son Bruce has been made the new chief police constable of Churchwood Street. Congratulations. You must be very proud of your son.”

DANNY
“Oh indeed we are. Yes indeed we are. He’s a good lad, Bruce. Always thought he’d aspire to that position. Shame about Wyatt though.”

TINA
“Yes. Poor Wyatt. Such a shame he died so abruptly.”

DOCTOR
“Yes. Such a shame many other people died. That nurse, what was her name? Jenny! She would’ve liked to have seen Lizzy well again.” (Pause) “Anyway. You won’t have any more people die on your doorstep now.”

DANNY
“By the way, where is your friend Nyssa? I’d like to thank her for saving Lizzy now you come to mention it.”

DOCTOR
“Ah, yes.”

The Doctor looks around wondering where Nyssa is.

---

SCENE #280 – EXT – CHURCHWOOD STREET, CARDIFF – DAY, MORNING
In Churchwood Street, Nyssa and Billy sit together on a bench. They talk about Billy’s visit to Alexandra.

NYSSA
“And what happened after that, Billy?”

BILLY
“I got up and left, wishing her well and telling her to take care of herself.” (Pause) “She seems so bitter and blames me for everything that happened. I can’t believe she could be so unforgiving.”

NYSSA
“I’m really sorry, Billy. I wish things could have been different.”

BILLY
“That’s what I told her. But she wouldn’t listen.”

NYSSA
(solemnly) “Well, let’s hope she finds a better future when she’s in London.”

A moment of silence ensues. Billy then takes out something out from his pocket and gives it to Nyssa.

BILLY
“Hey! I’ve bought you something.”

NYSSA
“What is it?”

BILLY
“Chocolate.”

NYSSA
“Chocolate?”

BILLY
“It’s really nice. You’ll like it. Go on, try it.”

Nyssa takes the chocolate bar from Billy. She unwraps it and takes a bit from the chocolate. She murmurs satisfied whilst eating.

NYSSA
“Hmm. It’s nice. Thank you, Billy. I do like it.”

BILLY
“That’s alright. I thought you’d like it. Girls usually do. They say chocolate’s a love potion.”

NYSSA
“Is that why you bought it for me? To make me say I love you?”

Billy giggles, as he sits closer to Nyssa and kisses her on the cheek. He then wraps his arm around her, whilst Nyssa rests her head on Billy. Billy then takes out Cuddles and shows it to Nyssa.

BILLY
(cheerfully) “Hey look, Nyssa! Look who’s come to say ‘hello’!” (as Cuddles) “Wuff, wuff!”

NYSSA
(laughs) “Oh! Hello Cuddles! Did you miss me?”

BILLY
(as Cuddles) “Wuff!” (as himself) “He saved us!” (to Cuddles) “Didn’t you, Cuddles?”

NYSSA
(cheerfully) “He most certainly did! Our symbol of love saved us!”

BILLY
(as Cuddles) “Wuff!”

Billy and Nyssa laugh as they hold Cuddles together. Another moment of silence ensues.

NYSSA
(gradually) “Did you used to give Alexandra chocolate, Billy?”

BILLY
(gradually) “On rare occasions. But somehow I don’t think she really appreciated me giving her chocolate as much as you did now. She didn’t sound grateful about it. She just took and ate it without considering who bought it for her.”

NYSSA
“Is that the reason why she became a distant memory to you? Because she seemed so inconsiderate?”

BILLY
“Maybe. It seemed like she didn’t take an interest in me when I tried to take an interest in her.” (Pause) “I really wish Alexandra could have been a better person. Or shown a little more consideration. Then things could have been different between me and her. If that makes sense.”

NYSSA
“I think it does.”

Another moment of silence ensues.

BILLY
(gradually) “But I don’t regret being with you though, Nyssa.”

NYSSA
(reassuringly) “And I don’t regret being with you, Billy Walker.”

The Doctor then turns up.

DOCTOR
“Ah! There you two are! I was wondering where you were. Hope I’m not interrupting anything.”

BILLY
(grudgingly) “No, no. Not at all. You haven’t interrupted anything, Doctor.”

NYSSA
“We were just talking, Billy and I.”

DOCTOR
“What’s that you’ve got there, Nyssa?”

NYSSA
“A bar of choco…err…” (to Billy) “What’s it called, Billy?”

BILLY
(to Nyssa) “Chocolate.” (to Doctor) “I gave it to her, Doctor.”

DOCTOR
(shocked) “Chocolate? You gave Nyssa a bar of chocolate?!”

BILLY
“Well what’s wrong with that?! I’m entitled to give Nyssa a bar of chocolate, aren’t I?”

DOCTOR
“Billy! Chocolate may be fine for you humans! But you don’t know how seriously it may affect Nyssa’s physiognomy!”

NYSSA
“I actually like it, Doctor.”

BILLY
“You see, Doctor! You can’t deny her enjoyment of it. Besides I gave Nyssa chips when we first came here. Why can’t I give her chocolate?”

DOCTOR
(shocked) “Chips?! You gave Nyssa chips?!”

NYSSA
“I’m surprised you didn’t notice.”

BILLY
“Where have you been anyway, Doctor?”

DOCTOR
“Oh just been to the hospital, giving my kind regards to Danny and Tina with Lizzy.” (to Nyssa) “She’ll be recovering soon, thanks to you, Nyssa.”

NYSSA
“What do you intend to do now, Doctor?”

DOCTOR
“Well, we should probably be making our way. The TARDIS is waiting. So if you want to say goodbye to your parents Billy, you should probably do that…”

BILLY
(interrupts) Doctor, I… (Pause) I’m not coming with you.

NYSSA
(shocked) What?!

DOCTOR
(startled) I beg your pardon?

BILLY
(gradually) I’ve decided. I’m staying here. On Earth. With my parents.

NYSSA
But why, Billy? Don’t you want to travel in the TARDIS with us?

BILLY
Yes I do, Nyssa. I want to so much. But I can’t leave my parents. Not like this. I’ve been away for so long and I… (Pause) I need to catch up with them. And after everything that’s happened, they need me more than ever. I need to look after them. I can’t leave them just yet. (Pause) Please don’t be angry with me.

DOCTOR
Oh Billy. Of course we’re not angry with you. If that’s how you feel, of course you must stay. (to Nyssa) Nyssa?

NYSSA
“Doctor? Can you give Billy and me a moment?”

DOCTOR
“Of course.”

Billy stands up and reaches out to shake the Doctor’s hand. The Doctor shakes hands with Billy as they say goodbye.

BILLY
“Goodbye, Doctor!”

DOCTOR
“Goodbye, Billy! I hope we’ll see each other again soon.”

BILLY
“Yeah. Me too.”

DOCTOR
(gradually; to Nyssa) I’ll wait for you back at the TARDIS once you’ve finished with Billy, Nyssa.

The Doctor then heads off back to the TARDIS. Meanwhile, Nyssa and Billy face each other.

NYSSA
(apprehensively) Billy, I don’t…

BILLY
(interrupts) Nyssa… (Pause) I’d like you to stay with me. On Earth. With my and my parents.

NYSSA
You…you would?

BILLY
Yes. I’ve been thinking about what you said. About us spending our lives together. Well, I’ve thought about it…and…I really want to do that. I want you to stay with me on Earth.

NYSSA
You do? You’d really like me to stay with you on Earth?

BILLY
(gradually) I was afraid when you asked me. When we had that conversation about you giving up travelling in the TARDIS and staying here on Earth. I was afraid because…I just couldn’t believe it you’d actually considered it. That you considered staying on Earth with me. It just made me nervous. (Pause) When you left to walk by yourself, I thought…I thought you didn’t love me anymore. That you didn’t believe I would be there for you when we grew older.

NYSSA
No, Billy! Don’t be silly. I still love you. When you thought about the questions I asked you about us being together on Earth, I never stopped loving you. Never give up on that, Billy! Never!

BILLY
So, does that mean you’ll stay with me, Nyssa?

NYSSA
Is that what you really want, Billy? Me to stay here? With you?

BILLY
(gradually) I want to make you happy, Nyssa. I don’t want you to leave me. I love you. I really do and I want you to stay with me please.

Another moment of silence, as Nyssa gradually makes up her mind for Billy.

---

SCENE #281 – EXT – CHURCHWOOD STREET, CARDIFF – DAY, MORNING
Still in Churchwood Street, the Doctor waits patiently outside the TARDIS as he expects Nyssa to return. Eventually, Nyssa turns up as the Doctor turns to greet her.

DOCTOR
(cheerfully) “Nyssa, there you are! Right! Let’s be setting off! Shame Billy couldn’t come with us! Now how about we head off somewhere restful and peaceful for a change? How about the Eye of Orion? It certainly is one of the most tranquil places in the universe…”

NYSSA
(interrupts) “Doctor.” (Pause) “I’m not coming with you.”

DOCTOR
(gradually) “You’re not?”

NYSSA
I need to stay here. With Billy. He needs me. And…I need him.

DOCTOR
(gradually) Is this what you want, Nyssa?

NYSSA
He loves me, Doctor. I love him. I can’t just leave him. In a way, this will be a chance to find out for myself what it’s like to settle down. To find a place where I can belong, if Earth should happen to be that place.

DOCTOR
You do realise it won’t be the society you’re usually accustomed to on Traken. You won’t be able to put the skills you have to good use in a society that predates yours.

NYSSA
I am fully aware of that, Doctor. But I want to stay. Billy wants me to be with him and…I want to be with him. If that’s alright?

DOCTOR
(gradually) You’re really sure you want to do this…?

NYSSA
(interjects) “I’m adamant, Doctor!”

Moment of silence.

DOCTOR
(gradually) “Then I wish you the best of luck, Nyssa. You and Billy. I hope you’ll be happy together.”

NYSSA
“We leave in good faith then?”

DOCTOR
“Of course.” (Pause) “Thank you. For everything, Nyssa.”

NYSSA
“Thank you, Doctor. For everything too.”

They then hug each other goodbye, before Nyssa kisses the Doctor on the cheek.

NYSSA
“Goodbye, Doctor. And take care.”

DOCTOR
“Goodbye, Nyssa. Send my regards to Billy.”

NYSSA
“I will.” (Pause) “Look after yourself.”

With that, Nyssa turns and walks away. She heads off to find Billy, leaving the Doctor standing at the TARDIS and watching her go. As soon as Nyssa’s gone, the Doctor turns back to look at the TARDIS. He touches the battered blue police box, patting it gently.

DOCTOR
(to TARDIS) Well, it’s just you and me, old girl. (Pause) Now! Let’s see about rescuing me, Enid, Fred, Nyssa and Billy from earlier.

The Doctor then takes out the TARDIS key and turns it in the lock, before he pushes the door and enters inside the battered blue police box. He closes the door behind him once he’s inside. Very soon, the TARDIS makes a whooshing, grinding sound as it dematerialises and departs from Earth. The Doctor is off on another trip through time and space, as he goes to rescue himself, Enid, Fred, Nyssa and Billy from earlier in ‘Part Six’ from the conditioning rooms of the ASR plant in the Brecon Beacons.

---

SCENE #282 – INT – LIVING ROOM, NO. 8 – DAY, AFTERNOON
In the living room of No. 8 in Churchwood Street, Billy hears the echo of the TARDIS dematerialising. He’s at the window in the living room of his parents’ house when he hears the TARDIS sound. Enid and Fred then enter, as they bring lunch and put it on the dining table.

ENID
Here we are, Billy! Lunch is nearly ready.

FRED
“We’ve got your favourite! Spaghetti Bolognese! You like Spaghetti Bolognese don’t you, son?”

BILLY
(gradually) “Let’s not start having lunch yet, Mum and Dad.”

ENID
“What? Why not, Billy?”

BILLY
“Nyssa’s supposed to be coming back. I’m waiting for her to return.”

FRED
“But…didn’t we just hear the TARDIS leaving? That elephant noise it was making?”

There’s then a knock on the front door.

ENID
“Oh. There’s someone at the door.”

BILLY
“I’ll get it. It’s bound to be Nyssa. She said she’d come back.”

Billy heads off and goes to answer the door. Enid and Fred remain in the living room.

ENID
“I suppose this means Nyssa will be staying with us for a while, Fred.”

FRED
“You don’t mind that so much do you, Enid?”

ENID
(gradually) “No. Not so much.” (Pause) “I’m glad Billy decided to stay with us.”

FRED
“Yeah. So am I, Enid. So am I.”

Billy then re-enters the living room with Nyssa.

BILLY
“Hey, Mum; Dad! Look who’s here.”

NYSSA
(gradually) “Hello, Enid; Fred.” (Pause) “I’ve decided to stay with Billy. The Doctor sends his regards.”

FRED
(pleased) “It’s good to see you, Nyssa. I’m glad you’re staying with Billy.” (to Enid) “Isn’t that nice, Enid?”

ENID
(gradually) “Yes. It is nice.” (Pause; to Nyssa) “I’m glad you’re staying too, Nyssa.”

NYSSA
(pleased) “Thank you, Enid; Fred. You don’t know how much that means to me.”

BILLY
(happily) “I’m glad the Doctor sends his regards.” (Pause) “Thank you for staying with me, Nyssa.”

NYSSA
(pleased) “It’s alright, Billy. I’m pleased you asked me.”

Nyssa and Billy then hug each other, whilst Enid and Fred are in the room.

ENID
(gradually) “Well…since we’ll be seeing more of each other, we might as well get to know each other, Nyssa.”

NYSSA
“Yes, Enid. I really would like that.”

FRED
“We were just going to have lunch. Care to join us, Nyssa?”

NYSSA
“Thank you, Fred. I’ll be happy to join you for lunch.”

FRED
“It’s Spaghetti Bolognese we’re having. I hope you’ll like it. Billy does.”

NYSSA
“I’m sure I will, Fred.”

BILLY
(quietly; happily) “See, Nyssa. I told you my parents would like you in the end.”

Eventually, Nyssa, Billy, Enid and Fred take their seats, as they’re about to have lunch around the table.

---

SCENE #283 – EXT – CHURCHWOOD STREET, CARDIFF – DAY, AFTERNOON
Months later, at around lunchtime on the 8th of May 1965, Billy waits for Nyssa in Churchwood Street. Billy sits on a bench, as Nyssa eventually turns up and meets him.

BILLY
“Nyssa!”

NYSSA
“Billy!”

Billy stands up and gives Nyssa a kiss as she approaches. They then sit on the bench together.

NYSSA
“Happy Birthday Billy!”

BILLY
“Thanks. Has your morning been alright?”

NYSSA
“Yes, it’s been fine. Lessons went well and the tutor is adequate as always. It’s hard adjusting to the amount of homework I’ve been given compared to my scientific training.”

BILLY
“Yeah.” (Pause) “You’re okay with the job though? I know it’s far from being a science lecturer at Cardiff University which we originally hoped for, but…”

NYSSA
(interjects) “I’m fine with my job at the clinic. The people are friendly, even though one or two get on my nerves. I’ve done the job for nearly one month and a half. I don’t see how bad it can be.”

BILLY
“It’s not the job you were hoping for, was it? Being a scientist, you deserve something better.”

NYSSA
“I’m happy at the moment, Billy. I’ll find my profession eventually.”

BILLY
“I’m sure you will.”

Tender silence ensues between them, before Billy takes out his birthday cards to show Nyssa.

NYSSA
“Have you had a good day so far, Billy?”

BILLY
“Yes. I’m doing alright with the new job I took over from Sean. Being a news reporter’s rather fun. But it’s hard work.”

NYSSA
“Have you had many birthday cards today?”

BILLY
“Yes. Thank you very much for your card by the way.”

Billy takes out Nyssa’s card and reads it out loud.

BILLY
(reads) “‘To Billy, Happy Birthday, Best Wishes and Love From Nyssa x and Cuddles.” (laughs) “Very nice of you both to send me that.”

Billy and Nyssa laugh together.

NYSSA
“I thought I might as well send that to you from me and him. Since you are a silly Billy!”

BILLY
(laughs) “Very sweet of you, thank you. I wish I had Cuddles with me.”

Nyssa and Billy then kiss each other.

NYSSA
“Who else have you got cards from?”

BILLY
“Oh from my mum and dad. From the Simmons family. A few of my old school friends; Bethany, Nina, Ryan, George, Dylan and Mark. And from my Auntie Mary who I haven’t seen in a long time.”

NYSSA
“Well it’s good you’ve managed to get so many cards.”

BILLY
“By the way, there’s something for you.”

NYSSA
“For me?”

BILLY
“Yes. Or rather it’s for you and me. It came in the post this lunchtime. And it’s not a card; it’s a letter. Here you go.”

Billy hands the letter over to Nyssa, at which she takes it and looks at it.

NYSSA
“Hmm. I wonder who this is from. It’s hardly likely to be from your Auntie Mary. She hardly knows me.”

BILLY
(laughs) “Oh she may do. With all this time-travel business we’ve been through.”

NYSSA
“Yes. Maybe.”

Nyssa begins to open the envelope of the letter.

BILLY
(gradually) “Are you happy being with me, Nyssa? You don’t regret leaving the Doctor, do you?”

NYSSA
Of course not, Billy. I’m happy being with you. I hope I didn’t sound ungrateful.

BILLY
No, of course not. I’m glad to hear you say that. (Pause) It’s just…well…things haven’t been as smooth for you as much as it has been for me.

NYSSA
I don’t mind that, Billy. I’m willing to go through the challenges and difficulties of life here on Earth. For the most part, I’ve been happy staying with you. (Pause) Now, I’d better see who this letter is from.

Nyssa eventually takes out the letter from the envelope and starts to read it quietly to herself. Billy rambles on nearby.

BILLY
Yes. Of course you’re willing. I meant…it was rather short notice when I asked you to stay with me on Earth after all was done with the Dwaxi and everything. I didn’t realise it would mean you not having to use your scientific skills to good use. With having to find a job, having to take studies, getting used to urban society, talking to all the folk here [and…]

NYSSA
(astonished) Oh my goodness!

BILLY
(gradually; puzzled) Why, what’s the matter?

NYSSA
“This letter, Billy!”

BILLY
“Yeah, what about it?”

NYSSA
“It’s from the Doctor!”

BILLY
(realises) “The Doctor! How is he? Is he alright? Where is he?”

NYSSA
(gradually) “He says he needs our help. He’s in trouble. The Doctor wants us to go and meet him. To help him out of a crisis. What I’ve said is a general outline of what he’s written in the letter.”

BILLY
“Meet him? Meet him where?”

NYSSA
“I never thought I would be visiting that place again.”

BILLY
“What place? Nyssa, tell me!”

NYSSA
(gradually) “Stockbridge!”

Billy is puzzled as ever as Nyssa holds the Doctor’s letter in her hand.

---

Sting music. Roll original 1982 Peter Davison end credits.

---

© Tim Bradley, 2018

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