2. Visit To The Jane Austen Centre

SCENE #12 – INT – SCIENCE LAB #4 – DAY, MORNING – SEPTEMBER 2011
In science lab #4 at the school of physics in Bath University, Dr. Moore and Tracy Gibbons have set up the equipment they’re about to use for their demonstration. They are now waiting, as Dr. Moore is obviously impatient whilst Tracy anticipates their visitors’ arrival.

DR. MOORE
(grumbles) “Where are they? Two o’clock he said and two o’clock it is now. So where are they?”

TRACY
“I’ve no idea, Dr. Moore. Perhaps they got stuck in the lift or something. Or got stuck in a traffic jam on their way to here.”

DR. MOORE
“Well it’s very inconvenient! I planned to spend some time with my wife at home, who I haven’t seen much of lately. And that cursed minister has to spoil my plans.”

TRACY
“I was hoping to be ‘on the town’ with some of my girlfriends. We were going to see all around Bath in one night. I had to text them to say I couldn’t make it. They’re really miffed now.”

DR. MOORE
“I just don’t see why we had to be called upon to attend this experiment, or demonstration, whilst everything seems to be flowing away like clockwork.”

Just then, the door opens as Mr. Alex Vernon enters.

VERNON
“Ah. Dr. Moore; Miss Gibbons. Sorry to have kept you both waiting. My client is on his way to see what you’ve been able to achieve. So I expect great results.”

DR. MOORE
(protests) “Now see here, Vernon…”

VERNON
“Hello Miss Gibbons. You’re looking well.”

TRACY
(nervously) “Thank you Mr. Vernon.”

VERNON
“I hope I haven’t inconvenienced you or spoiled your evening.”

TRACY
(politely) “No, no. That’s alright Mr. Vernon. I’m happy to work on this experiment.”

VERNON
“Perhaps you’ll do me the honour of providing you with a special meal once we’ve…”

DR. MOORE
(impatiently) “Can we get on?!”

VERNON
“Yes of course.” (clears throat) “Now. Have you all the equipment in place?”

TRACY
(nervously) “Yes Mr. Vernon. All in place as we rehearsed it.”

Tracy goes to another part of the room where she demonstrates to Vernon.

TRACY
(nervously) “The HDS has been installed to the conductor containing the water spring. We should be able to generate a heat level of forty-seven degrees Celsius and more.”

DR. MOORE
“Provided we don’t blow the whole place up.”

VERNON
“Very good Miss Gibbons. I’m impressed!”

TRACY
(shyly) “Thank you.”

VERNON
“And you, Dr. Moore. Are you willing to see to it that no fault occurs during this experiment?”

DR. MOORE
“Nothing can go wrong with this experiment unless I disconnect one of the nodes which are all in place. All security measures have been taken as you know well. I checked with IT.”

VERNON
“Well that’s well. Thank you, Dr. Moore.”

DR. MOORE
(frustrated) “I don’t understand why you need to be so worried Mr. Vernon. The water level in that tub can be operated by the Hydrogen Dissolution Stabiliser – HDS – as would a natural spring in one of the Roman Baths. The particles within the amount of hydrogen gas which we’ve been able to store in that massive magical container hanging above our heads, are able to generate enough water as well as the heat level produced by this heating system underneath the main bonnet.”

TRACY
“Don’t forget the temporal inverters we’ve been able to borrow from one of the scientific ministries, here in Bath, doctor.”

DR. MOORE
“Thank you Tracy.” (to Vernon) “I don’t know why you need be so hoity-toity about the way we’ve done things to prepare this little experiment.”

VERNON
“Believe me, sir I have no doubt you have all the components in place to create a finely made mechanical spring. But all precautions must be taken into account; particularly as we’re about to demonstrate this project to a client, who we want permission granted to us to ensure we can carry on further.”

DR. MOORE
(blithely) “Don’t worry Mr. Vernon. This is my project you know. I have a heart for it.”

TRACY
“Besides what’s it all for? To provide electronic springs in everyone’s house?”

DR. MOORE
“And where’s all the water going to come from? Hmm? We have a huge hydrogen crystal in those chambers above to be certain, but it’s not enough for the particle generators to filter the hydrogen into water particles to eventually become water itself.”

TRACY
“And how much is this all going to cost?”

DR. MOORE
“Exactly?”

Suddenly the door opens as someone enters the lab. Vernon greets him.

VERNON
“Ah. Here you are, sir.” (to Tracy; Dr. Moore) “Dr. Moore; Miss Gibbons, may I introduce my manager. Mr. Salvador.” (to Salvador) “Mr. Salvador, these are the two scientists who have been working on the electronic water spring program with temporal mechanics.”

TRACY
“How do you do?”

DR. MOORE
“Yes, how do you do?”

They get no response, as Salvador slowly steps forward. He speaks in a cold unpleasant tone of voice with a strong Spanish accent.

SALVADOR
“Begin the experiment immediately. Time is pressing. Begin it at once!”

Feeling uneasy and puzzled, both Dr. Moore and Tracy do as Salvador asks.

---

SCENE #13 – INT – WEST CORNISH PASTY CO., BATH – DAY, MORNING – SEPTEMBER 2011
Back in the Cornish pasty shop, Nyssa and Billy sit next to the Doctor as they talk about what’s just happened earlier. They eat their Cornish pasties and drink their cups of tea, but not as with much enjoyment as before.

NYSSA
“You saw different people. Different times.”

DOCTOR
“It was more than that, Nyssa. The temporal imbalance created a series of events which were colliding with each other. I couldn’t make it out but…I could sense that a time zone was converging with another one.”

BILLY
“What does that mean? Another time zone converging with another one.” (thinks) “Déjà vu?! You experienced a form of déjà vu!”

DOCTOR
“No it wasn’t déjà vu, Billy. It was more like…some loud echo – no. A multitude of loud echoes from distant realms of history. Like a number of different realities calling to be heard and seen but never to be able to collide and break the balance.”

NYSSA
“A temporal displacement field. Like the anomaly we detected when we were on that railway train in nineteen sixty-three and the other time zones.”

DOCTOR
“Yes but this time it was like a number of time zones trying to get in and be as one. If that were to happen, and it’s a definite absurdity, it’d break all temporal boundaries and laws altogether.”

NYSSA
“Relative dimensions and realities would cease to exist. The causal nexus would occur and thermodynamic boundaries would collapse.”

DOCTOR
(sighs) “I just wish I knew what was causing it!”

Moment of silence.

BILLY
“What about that lady we saw?”

NYSSA
“Yes. She just appeared. And knew you instantly Doctor. She said something about…her life in disarray caused by the ones she encountered. And that she needed your help.”

BILLY
“Then she disappeared.”

Moment of silence.

NYSSA
“Doctor?”

DOCTOR
“Hmm?”

NYSSA
“Who was she?”

DOCTOR
“Who?”

NYSSA
“That lady?!”

DOCTOR
“Oh!” (Pause) “Jane Austen. That was Miss Jane Austen”

BILLY
(astonished) “Jane Austen. You don’t mean…the Jane Austen. The author of ‘Pride & Prejudice’ with Mr. Darcy and Lizzie Bennett and all that?”

DOCTOR
“Yes. I’m astonished as you are, Billy. Why she was there when we saw her I have no explanation. It’s impossible but she was there.”

BILLY
“I’d say it’s impossible. She’s dead already.”

NYSSA
(puzzled) “And who is Jane Austen, Doctor? Is she important?”

DOCTOR
“Important?! Nyssa, Jane Austen is one of the greatest literary figures in the history of the universe!”

BILLY
“The world! You mean the world, don’t you Doctor?”

DOCTOR
“No I mean she’s one of the greatest literary figures in the history of the universe, Billy!”

BILLY
“Oh. Okay.”

NYSSA
“She’s a writer then. An author!”

DOCTOR
“Yes Nyssa. She’s definitely an author. A lady who’s written six famous works of literature in the English language.”

NYSSA
(intrigued) “Fascinating. And the novels she wrote. They were…?”

DOCTOR
“Oh they were romances. You would like her novels, Nyssa. They said more about women than many members of the opposite sex fail to understand. I think it was what Jane Austen intended when she wrote them. Apart from that, her novels are witty, clever and absolutely brilliant!”

BILLY
“And she appeared like that now out of nowhere? Just like that?! Amazing!” (Pause) “And you recognised her, Doctor?”

DOCTOR
“Of course I recognised her, Billy. I’ve met her.”

BILLY
“You’ve met Jane Austen?!”

DOCTOR
“Of course I have. You don’t think I’d travel around the universe in a blue box and not meet the great Jane Austen, do you?” (Pause) “Although come to think of it, I don’t know how she was able to recognise me so immediately. I was a different man when I met her. Although in saying that she looked very young when I just saw her now a few minutes ago.”

NYSSA
“I still don’t see how significant she is to all this in regard to the time displacement field.”

DOCTOR
(shocked) “Nyssa! I can’t believe you’d use words like that about Jane Austen when you hardly know much about her.”

NYSSA
(apologetically) “I’m didn’t mean anything disrespectful, Doctor. I was only saying…”

DOCTOR
“Miss Austen is the most significant person in Earth’s history. More significant than any human being knows, believe me. Without her, this world wouldn’t exist today, which is a hard thing to say on my part with regards to the human race.”

BILLY
“Oh charming.”

DOCTOR
“Quiet Billy. (to Nyssa) “Even this city of Bath was important in Jane Austen’s life. Why it’s the place where…” (breaks off) “Now I tell you what. I’m going to take you two to one of the most famous tributes made to Jane Austen. A place where everyone can know and learn about the great author.”

BILLY
“Place? What place?”

DOCTOR
“You’ll see Billy! You’ll see. It’s a little place. Not far from here. We can have a look around the shop, go into the exhibition and have a cup of tea afterwards with a few toasted teacakes. How about that?”

NYSSA
“But Doctor. The temporal displacement field!”

DOCTOR
“Displacement field?! What displacement field?”

NYSSA
“You don’t mean you’re going to ignore it!”

DOCTOR
“We’re on holiday remember, Nyssa?! And I’m not going to let things spoil my day because of a temporal oddity. I’ve had enough of being curious. All I want is a quiet life.” (Pause) “Now come along, both of you! Let’s go to the Jane Austen Centre.”

NYSSA
“The Jane Austen Centre?!”

DOCTOR
 (keenly) “Come on! We’ve finished our pasties. Let’s go there now!”

The Doctor stands up and immediately heads outside, leaving the Cornish pasty shop . Nyssa and Billy too stand up and follow behind him.

---

SCENE #14 – INT – SCIENCE LAB #4 – DAY, MORNING – SEPTEMBER 2011
In the science lab at Bath University, the two scientists Dr. Moore and Tracy conduct their experiment and demonstrate to Mr. Vernon and Salvador. Electronic whirring noises echo, as the HDS generates some processes and fizzy noises occur when the water flow is produced, springing down into the metallic spring provided at the output end.

DR. MOORE
“As you can see gentlemen, the three pods set on this apparatus are filled with water generated by the particles from the hydrogen crystal, which we are grateful to you, Mr. Salvador.”

Salvador makes no comment.

DR. MOORE
“The HDS is generating enough particles to supply the spring to its average level, whilst the heat and molecular transducers are replicating new particles for future processes when the water supply runs out. This would of course be unlikely as the water level is already heated by the radiation unit underneath the base. The heat level currently is forty-seven degrees Celsius.”

VERNON
“But how do you keep the heat level stable, Dr. Moore? That is the very thing my client’s interested in with your work.”

DR. MOORE
I shall be happy to explain, Mr. Vernon. (to Tracy) Will you do the honours, Tracy?

Tracy complies and goes over to another part of the equipment in the room.

DR. MOORE
What my assistant will do now is initiate the temporal inverters to create a stasis field around the spring filled with water. (to Tracy) Go ahead, Tracy.

Tracy presses some switches on a control panel to begin her computations.

TRACY
Initiating temporal convergence program. Energising stasis field. Ready to execute…now.

Pressing the final switch, Tracy activates the temporal field around the three pods containing the water. A fizzed noise occurs to indicate the field is established.

TRACY
Our stasis field’s in place, doctor.

DR. MOORE
(confident) Good. Now I shall switch off the heating unit to a lower level of twelve  degrees.

Dr. Moore turns the control in an anticlockwise direction. Once he’s done this, he presses a few switches to maintain the current heat level.

DR. MOORE
What are the heat levels now on those pods, Tracy?

Tracy checks the readings at her workstation.

TRACY
Heat level is forty-seven degrees Celsius, Dr. Moore.

DR. MOORE
Excellent. (Pause) Now I will charge up the radiator to sixty-seven.

Dr. Moore does so, turning the controls. After he presses a few switches…

DR. MOORE
Tracy? The heat level is…?

TRACY
Heat level: still at forty-seven degrees Celsius.

DR. MOORE
(pleased) And now I switch it off altogether.

Dr. Moore does so again, turning the radiation unit off altogether.

DR. MOORE
Tracy, my dear?

TRACY
(pleased) Still forty-seven degrees Celsius, doctor.

DR. MOORE
And the water level’s still flowing from the HDS unit whilst the heat’s maintained.

TRACY
(thrilled) “Absolutely, doctor!”

DR. MOORE
(to Vernon; Salvador) “And there you have it gentlemen. The water’s still at forty-seven degrees Celsius whilst the machine’s working without the heating unit. It means that water can never get cold when the temporal emitters are functioning.” (to Tracy) “Thanks Tracy.”

TRACY
“You’re welcome.”

Moment of silence.

VERNON
Very impressive, Dr. Moore; Miss Gibbons. Very impressive indeed. I can most definitely say…

SALVADOR
(coldly) Can any physical matter be transferred through the stasis field whilst it’s functioning?

DR. MOORE
(puzzled) Err yes, Mr. Salvador. You can put your hand in. But you best not put your hand in for too long otherwise you’ll have it stuck in the stasis field unless someone switches it off. And you wouldn’t want to lose a hand, believe me.

SALVADOR
Good, Dr. Moore. Very good. (Pause) I’d like a demonstration of this experiment shown to a public audience. To some students studying at this establishment perhaps.

TRACY
You…you want us to do you another one of these? For the students?

SALVADOR
Yes.

DR. MOORE
“When?”

SALVADOR
“Today.”

DR. MOORE
(shocked) “Today?”

SALVADOR
“At the Roman Baths.”

TRACY
(shocked) “At the Roman Baths?”

VERNON
“May I speak to you for a moment, Mr. Salvador? In private?”

Moment of silence.

SALVADOR
(reluctantly; gradually, to Dr. Moore; Tracy) “If you’ll excuse us, please.”

Both Salvador and Vernon move away from Dr. Moore and Tracy who have become agitated.

VERNON
(quietly; agitated) “Roman Baths, sir? You said nothing about the Roman Baths in our plan. Has it been a new edition or have you planned it long before you encountered me?”

SALVADOR
(quietly) “You need not fear as to the nature of this business I have conjured in my mind. All is as it should be as was foretold. These prophecies will be fulfilled in your hearing.”

VERNON
(quietly) “Never mind about your prophecies sir, or your fortunetelling as you surely and cleverly have. This was not part of our deal. What has caused you to change your mind so quickly?!”

SALVADOR
(quietly) “You are to serve and follow my commands without any hint of doubt in your heart. You will do according to my will. That is what we agreed when we first met. You remember who I am, don’t you?!”

Moment of silence.

VERNON
(agitated) “I just find little comfort when you do not tell me everything you have in your frame of mind to plan the day ahead, sir. And I don’t see how the Roman Baths may be part of this business.”

SALVADOR
“You will learn to bear with my decision. All will be revealed as it should. And all your desires will be fulfilled.”

Another moment of silence, as Vernon contemplates what Salvador says to him. He then turns back to Dr. Moore and Tracy to addresses them.

TRACY
“Well?”

VERNON
“I’ve spoken with my client, Mr. Salvador here, and I agree with him. There must be a demonstration of this experiment to students. It shall take place in the Roman Baths today.”

DR. MOORE
“Well that’s all very well, Mr. Vernon. But the Head of Physics wouldn’t permit it. It’s too short notice and there would be negotiations to be made with the managers of the Roman Baths to use their facilities. We just can’t do it!”

Moment of silence, as tension is stirred in the air caused by Salvador’s coldness.

SALVADOR
(coldly) “We shall see, Dr. Moore. We shall see.”

Salvador then chuckles to himself.

---

SCENE #15 – EXT – JANE AUSTEN CENTRE – DAY, MORNING – SEPTEMBER 2011
Meanwhile on Gay Street in the city of Bath, the Doctor, Nyssa and Billy walk up the hill as they approach the Jane Austen Centre on their right.

DOCTOR
“Here we are. The Jane Austen Centre. One of two homes containing the history of Jane Austen’s life and her experiences living in Bath. The other is the Jane Austen house in Chawton.”

NYSSA
“Bath must have been a really special place for her. She must have really loved it!”

DOCTOR
“Oh on the contrary, she absolutely hated Bath!”

BILLY
“What was that Doctor?”

DOCTOR
“Exactly, Billy! And quite ironic that two of her novels, ‘Northanger Abbey’ and ‘Persuasion’, were set in this town.”

NYSSA
“Why did she write two novels set in Bath if she didn’t like it?”

DOCTOR
“Because she knew the ins and outs of the city at the time she was living here.”

BILLY
“Did Jane Austen ever fall in love and get married? Like all women did in those days.”

DOCTOR
“She never married nor had a family, Billy.”

BILLY
“That’s also a bit ironic that, Doctor. Since she wrote six novels about romance.”

DOCTOR
“She did fall in love with somebody. But the relationship was short-lived. She did have a few proposals but she rejected them! She didn’t want to live a love-less marriage with money at the centre of it.”

NYSSA
(fascinated) “Interesting.”

DOCTOR
“But enough from me, let’s go inside and get our tickets for the exhibition. And if we have to wait for a while before the next presentation starts we can have a look around the shop.”

BILLY
“Works for me.”

NYSSA
“Whatever you say, Doctor.”

They walk up the steps as they enter the Jane Austen Centre.

---

SCENE #16 – INT – JANE AUSTEN CENTRE – DAY, MORNING – SEPTEMBER 2011
On the first floor of the Jane Austen Centre, the Doctor, Nyssa and Billy sit in amongst an audience as they are about to be given a presentation. A lady named Lucy stands up at the front to welcome them.

LUCY
“Hello everybody and welcome to the Jane Austen Centre. Just to introduce myself, I’m Lucy and I’m here to start off your exhibition around the centre. Before I take you down to the exhibition itself, I’d like to give you a little history of Jane Austen, who she is and what she did throughout her life.”

As Lucy talks, the Doctor whispers to Nyssa.

DOCTOR
(whispers) “This is for you Nyssa. You’ll be able to know who Miss Austen really is.”

NYSSA
(whispers) “Very reassuring, Doctor. The girl Lucy just told us so, didn’t she?!”

DOCTOR
(whispers) “Oh yes. So she did.”

The Doctor remains silent, as he, Nyssa and Billy listen to Lucy.

LUCY
“Now Jane Austen was born in a family of eight children; including her six brothers and her sister Cassandra as well as herself, which I’ll explain later. Her father was the Reverend George Austen, born seventeen thirty-one to eighteen hundred and five. And her mother was Cassandra Leigh-Austen, born seventeen thirty-nine to eighteen twenty-seven. [Both her parents were married at St. Swithin’s in Bath in seventeen sixty-four and the family moved to Steventon Rectory in Hampshire, which is where George eventually became Rector of Deane. Jane Austen’s first brother James was born in seventeen sixty-five to eighteen nineteen, who would eventually…”]

Whilst Lucy talks, Billy whispers to the Doctor.

BILLY
(whispers) “Quite extraordinary that Jane had a large family to cope with and to live under a roof above their heads. I’m thankful I’m an only child. I couldn’t live with that.”

DOCTOR
(whispers) “On the contrary, Billy. Family was important to Miss Austen in the way she wrote her books.”

NYSSA
(whispers) “How so, Doctor?”

DOCTOR
(whispers) “Well her brother Henry was important in liaising with publishers to get her books sold. And her family experience inspired her to create families like the Bennetts in ‘Pride and Prejudice’, the Dashwoods in ‘Sense and Sensibility’ and the Elliots and Musgroves in ‘Persuasion’. And some of her brothers were in the navy and in the church, which inspired her to create characters like Captain Wentworth, Admiral Croft and Edmund Bertram.”

BILLY
“Remind me to read the books when we finish here.”

Someone in the audience ‘sshes’ the Doctor, Nyssa and Billy to be quiet. The trio become embarrassed.

NYSSA
(whispers) “Let’s carry on watching the presentation. We’ll learn more if we talk less.”

BILLY
(whispers) “Good idea.”

They listen attentively, as Lucy continues…

LUCY
“…and Cassandra was the closest companion that Jane had to talk to within the household. [Now Jane came to Bath for holiday visits in the seventeen nineties before she came to live in Bath for five years from eighteen hundred and one to eighteen hundred and six.”]

BILLY
(whispers) “I still can’t believe she hated living here. What’s the point of having two novels set in this place if she didn’t like it?”

NYSSA
(whispers) “Quiet Billy and listen.”

Billy becomes quiet, as he and Nyssa listen.

LUCY
“Now two of Jane Austen’s novels as some of you will know were set in Bath. These were ‘Northanger Abbey’ and ‘Persuasion’. Both novels were published in eighteen seventeen right after her death, and are written in different times and contexts in the history Jane knew Bath. ‘Northanger Abbey’ was based on her early visits to Bath, whilst ‘Persuasion’ was set during the oppressive period she spent living in Bath. [‘Northanger Abbey’ is about a naïve teenager visiting Bath full of innocence and wide-eyed curiosity, whilst ‘Persuasion’ is about a character that disliked Bath because of its oppressive society. An interesting story about when Jane Austen first heard…”]

Whilst Lucy talks…

DOCTOR
(whispers) “Interesting parallels between the two definitions Miss Austen gives to Bath. The enthusiastic approach being so great in one novel whilst presenting a bleak picture in another.”

BILLY
(whispers) “Perhaps there was something in Bath she didn’t like.”

NYSSA
(whispers) “Quiet both of you. The girl called Lucy’s talking.”

All three keep paying attention to Lucy as she speaks…

LUCY
“…and she fainted when she heard from her father they were going to live in Bath.”

A ripple of laughter occurs from the rest of the audience. The Doctor, Nyssa and Billy are baffled at having missed the humorous point made.

LUCY
“Miss Austen made her first visit to Bath in the later part of November to early December in seventeen ninety-seven. The year following she began writing ‘Northanger Abbey’. Some say it was based on her first experiences when she visited Bath. But no one is at all quite certain, and many theories have speculated since then.”

This arouses interest in the Doctor, as he ponders on what Lucy has said.

DOCTOR
“Interesting.”

---

SCENE #17 – INT – JANE AUSTEN CENTRE – DAY, MORNING – SEPTEMBER 2011
Later on, the Doctor, Nyssa and Billy are having tea and toasted teacakes in the Regency Tea Rooms on the third floor. It’s been a while since the presentation, and Nyssa and Billy discuss their thoughts of the exhibition.

BILLY
“What did you think of that, Nyssa? Did you enjoy the exhibition?”

NYSSA
“I thought it was very informative. And historically accurate. Though I wish there could have been more to it than there was.”

BILLY
“I enjoyed the film they gave us at the far end. I rather liked that woman…Amanda Root who was in it. I’m amazed they’ve been able to make proper versions of the stories Jane Austen wrote. And the technology they used. I’ve only seen a black-and-white film version of ‘Pride & Prejudice’ with Laurence Olivier in it. I thought it was rubbish!”

NYSSA
“It’s really impressive Miss Austen was able to take into account everything that was occurring in her time during the eighteenth century. She’s a fine lady who lived in an interesting society.”

BILLY
“I’m pleased we’re able to come back up here and enjoy a cup of tea. It’s an important aspect of Jane Austen life too. And we’re having tea with tea leaves. And buttered toasted teacakes too.”

NYSSA
(amused) “Food does become you, doesn’t it Billy.”

BILLY
“Oh I wouldn’t say that. But it helps keep your humour.”

Amused, Nyssa then turns to see the Doctor preoccupied.

NYSSA
“Doctor, are you going to tell us what’s wrong?”

DOCTOR
“Wrong? Why should anything be wrong?”

NYSSA
“You’ve been quiet all the time we were in that exhibition. You hardly said a word when Billy and I commented on some of the exhibits they had.”

BILLY
“Yeah. Talk about showing us the wonders of this centre. You hardly seem to enjoy it now. I thought you’d wanted a cup of tea in these tea rooms.”

DOCTOR
“Oh I do, Billy. I did want tea in these tea rooms. And I hope to enjoy it.”

BILLY
“Then why aren’t you drinking it? The waitresses provided us with the Jane Austen tea set splendidly. And I think they’re rather nice those waitresses.”

NYSSA
“Doctor, tell us what’s the matter please.”

DOCTOR
“Nothing’s the matter, Nyssa. Nothing at all.”

Moment of silence and tension ensues.

DOCTOR
(gradually) “The nightmare I had last night. The temporal oddities that I’ve experienced. And now Jane Austen appearing to us in the Cornish pasty shop in the present.” (Pause) “I’ve been wondering whether there was a connection to these things. And I’m beginning to see there is.”

NYSSA
“That’s why you brought us here, Doctor. In the hope you’d be able to clarify the tangled web you’re experiencing.”

DOCTOR
“Miss Austen was in my dream, Nyssa. And I’m afraid it wasn’t a pleasant experience.”

BILLY
“That’s why you kept saying ‘Jane’ when you woke up.”

DOCTOR
Yes. I killed her before the tidal wave approached.

BILLY
Pardon?

DOCTOR
(gradually) The storm in my dream. Before the tidal wave appeared, the storm represented a gothic setting. And I was placing Jane Austen on the altar in an abbey – Bath Abbey, at which I would sacrifice her in the end.

NYSSA
And we talked about Bath Abbey over dinner last evening. To put the dream in your mind.

DOCTOR
Exactly, Nyssa. Dreams are references to future events in my opinion. So why Miss Austen and Bath Abbey are connected I’m not sure.

NYSSA
And you almost killed her? Miss Austen?

DOCTOR
Not almost, Nyssa. I did kill her.

NYSSA
Why would you kill Jane Austen?

DOCTOR
Well, to create a sense of gothic imagery for one thing.

NYSSA
I don’t see the significance of gothic imagery.

BILLY
I do. Jane Austen wrote about it in ‘Northanger Abbey’ through the character of Catherine. Catherine read novels of gothic horror to spark her imagination when she visited Bath and the abbey believing it to be real.

DOCTOR
(astonished) I didn’t know you were an expert on Miss Austen, Billy.

BILLY
No, I’m not. But I have seen a play of it back home with my parents. We often do see amateur productions of Jane Austen’s work like ‘Pride & Prejudice’, ‘Mansfield Park’ and ‘Northanger Abbey’.

NYSSA
So ‘Northanger Abbey’. It’s a gothic novel.

DOCTOR
More of a gothic parody. Miss Austen was taking the mick out of the gothic novels that were written at the time like ‘Frankenstein’ and ‘Dracula’.

BILLY
(bewildered) What…featuring creatures like vampires and zombies and things?

Billy shudders for a moment.

DOCTOR
Miss Austen even referred to the works of Mrs. Ann Radcliff, which were the books that Catherine read in ‘Northanger’.

NYSSA
I wonder why she would feature such horrific references in a book like that.

BILLY
Yeah, usually she writes romances. It’s kind of odd for her to write something a little unusual.

DOCTOR
“I’ve often wondered that myself. Meant to ask her that when I first met her, but I didn’t have the time.” (Pause) “But the thing is…Miss Austen wrote ‘Northanger Abbey’ a year after her first visit in Bath in seventeen ninety-seven. And people said it was based on her first visit to Bath.”

BILLY
“But her first recorded visit to Bath was vague. It doesn’t say much about what she did.”

NYSSA
“Apart from living with her aunt and uncle and her sister Cassandra for six weeks, leading up to her birthday.”

DOCTOR
“Yes.” (thinks) “So if ‘Northanger Abbey’ is based on her first actual visit to Bath, what were her first impressions of it?”

The TARDIS trio ponder on this before a waitress comes by

JA WAITRESS
“Have you finished your teacakes, sirs; madam?”

The TARDIS trio snap out of their train for thought, as they look to the waitress.

DOCTOR
“Sorry?”

JA WAITRESS
(politely) “I was just checking to see if you finished with your teacakes. But obviously you haven’t. Shall I come back later?”

DOCTOR
“Err…”

Before the Doctor can answer, the tea-rooms shift and fade out of temporal existence. The Doctor stands up immediately to see everything around him shimmering.

DOCTOR
“No! Not again! Not this!”

Everything shakes and shimmers, as people and places break through the temporal barriers.

NYSSA
“Doctor, what’s happening? I can see people and places. Phased.”

DOCTOR
(astonished) “You’re seeing it too, Nyssa?!”

NYSSA
“Yes. Just about.”

BILLY
(baffled) “So am I. And so is everyone else for that.”

This is confirmed as people sitting in the tea rooms mummer and mutter. Some of them panic and worry about what’s happening.

DOCTOR
“What in Rassilon’s name is going on?”

The Doctor asks this, whilst he, Nyssa and Billy stand in the tea-rooms with the other customers.

---

SCENE #18 – INT – SCIENCE LAB #4 – DAY, MORNING – SEPTEMBER 2011
In science lab #4, Dr. Moore, Tracy, Vernon and Salvador experience the temporal oddity too. The ceiling lights flicker and fade.

DR. MOORE
(petrified) “The lights are going out!”

TRACY
(petrified) “Doctor! What’s going on? Everything’s fuzzy. And I’m seeing things. People walking about in the place.”

DR. MOORE
(petrified) “I’m seeing people too! One looks like he’s wearing a top hat and a tight-collared shirt. Another is wearing a robe or a gown.”

TRACY
(petrified) “I know it’s impossible…but they all look like ghosts.” (Pause) “I’m scared at seeing this. What is going on?”

Moore tries to comfort Tracy, whilst Vernon speaks quietly to Salvador.

VERNON
(whispers) “What’s happening, Mr. Salvador? They see it now! The temporal convergence! Your plans are ruined if they find out…”

SALVADOR
“They will not find out, sir!”

VERNON
(whispers) “But they…”

SALVADOR
(sharply) “Silence underling! You will do as I say! You will listen…and everything will be fine! You understand? Everything will be alright!”

Hypnotised by Salvador’s words, Vernon says nothing as he watches the shuddering continue.

---

SCENE #19 – INT – JANE AUSTEN CENTRE – DAY, MORNING – SEPTEMBER 2011
Back in the Regency Tea Rooms at the Jane Austen Centre, the temporal shuddering still occurs and the Doctor, Nyssa and Billy are perturbed.

DOCTOR
“I see things clearly now! Yes! I can see through the barriers! There are two…no three time zones converging into one!”

NYSSA
“Three?!”

DOCTOR
“Yes!” (Pause) “Now! One is from now – here where we are. Another is from late eighteenth century – Regency. And the third is from ancient Rome. And all three times are trying to be in the same place at the same time.”

BILLY
“How can you know what’s from what period in history? It’s still faded.”

DOCTOR
“I’m a Time Lord and I can see things clearly, Billy! I can see the various types of clothing people are wearing apart from us. The traditional top hat of a gentleman, the bonnet of a fair lady, the robes of a roman official, the sandals of a slave boy. All of them attempting to get into the temporal field of one place in time. Bath.”

NYSSA
(amazed) “It’s extraordinary!”

DOCTOR
“It’s disturbing. Disgusting! It shouldn’t be happening!”

NYSSA
“Well obviously it is, Doctor! Or it’s going to happen! Whatever the context!”

DOCTOR
“But why? What’s causing all this? Who’s engineered this I wonder.”

BILLY
(puzzled) “They don’t seem to be aware of us, those people. They just walk about like they haven’t noticed us.”

DOCTOR
“Oh they will! They will. Once the temporal convergence is complete they’ll see us altogether. Roman, Georgian and Modern day Bath as one place in time. And the shock will be unbearable.”

NYSSA
“Not just to the people…”

DOCTOR
“…but to the whole stability and structure of the universe.”

Moment of silence, as the trio are shocked at the reality of their current situation.

BILLY
“We’ve got to stop this from ever happening! Make sure time is secure!”

DOCTOR
(irritably) “Very commendable statement, Billy Walker. How can we put things in their proper order?”

Billy is unable to answer and he groans at a lack of an answer. The Doctor sighs frustrated, until a familiar voice speaks behind them.

JANE
“Doctor? Is it you?”

The TARDIS trio turn to see Jane Austen standing there before them whilst the convergence is occurring. The Doctor steps forward.

DOCTOR
“Miss Austen?”

JANE
(relieved) “How glad I am to make your acquaintance again?”

DOCTOR
“Miss Austen, what’s happening? Why are you here?”

NYSSA
“Hello Miss Austen. You said something about the Doctor causing disarray when you encounter him. What exactly did you mean…?”

JANE
“I’m sorry Miss Nyssa. But I have pressing matters to attend to.” (to Doctor) “Doctor, I have a message.”

BILLY
(astonished) “She knew your name, Nyssa!”

NYSSA
“Yes she did. But how?”

As Nyssa ponders, Miss Austen speaks to the Doctor.

JANE
(urgently) “My matter is urgent, Doctor. Take heed of this advice. You are to make your way to the Roman Baths this instant and to Bath Abbey. You Doctor must attend the abbey, whilst Mr. Walker and Miss Nyssa must attend the Baths.”

BILLY
(astonished) “She knew my name too! How did she know?!”

NYSSA
“Quiet, Billy!”

Billy remains quiet whilst Miss Austen continues.

JANE
“A great catastrophe is about to occur, Doctor! An abomination that would envelop all of Bath. You must see to it that Bath is saved by attending both the abbey and the Roman Baths.”

DOCTOR
“Bath Abbey? Roman Baths? Who told you to tell us this?”

Moment of silence.

JANE
“You did, Doctor.”

DOCTOR
(bewildered) “I did?”

JANE
“Please, Doctor! No more discussion. My business is urgent. I beseech you take heed of my warning. The tidal waves are coming! Even as I speak…”

Suddenly, Miss Austen fades out of temporal existence…

DOCTOR
“No! Wait!”

…whilst the collision of the three time zones fades away and everything reverts back to normal. Once the Regency Tea Rooms are back to normal, all the people sitting in the Tea Rooms are shaken by what’s just happened. Even the waitresses have collapsed to the floor, some of them fainting. The waitress that attended to the Doctor earlier is weary and dizzy as she sits up on the floor.

JA WAITRESS
(worn out) “May I take your order, sirs; madam.”

Meanwhile Nyssa and Billy are all too aware of what’s just happened. They look to the Doctor for confirmation.

BILLY
“Doctor? Miss Austen. She was really speaking to us! She knew us!”

NYSSA
“She said some great catastrophe is about to happen. A tidal wave!”

DOCTOR
(troubled) “That theory you made, Billy. About nightmares not being real when you tell them to people.”

BILLY
“Yeah?”

DOCTOR
“Can I say I don’t entirely agree with that theory?!”

---

© Tim Bradley, 2017

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