Chapter 1
SCENE #2 – INT – TARDIS CONSOLE ROOM (THIRTEENTH DOCTOR’S TARDIS) – N/A
Somewhere in time and space, the Thirteenth Doctor dusts the TARDIS console.
DOCTOR 13
Hmm. Funny how you always seem to have dust piled up over the centuries. (Pause) I suppose that is partly my fault, since I never find the time to give you a regular check-up. Sorry about that. (Pause) Ah well, never mind. I’ll make it up to you someday. At least I’ve given you a quick clean-up.
At that moment, Yaz enters.
YAZ
Talking to the TARDIS, are you?
DOCTOR 13
What, no? Certainly not, Yaz. I was just…mulling my thoughts out loud.
YAZ
It’s alright, Doctor. I know how you like to do your TARDIS spring-clean now and again.
DOCTOR 13
Well, it’s got to be done, Yaz. And she looks quite brand-new, doesn’t she?
YAZ
(cheekily) Hmm. Emphasis on the ‘quite’.
DOCTOR 13
Alright, no need to be cheeky. Besides, I told the old girl I’ll give her a thorough check-up once we’ve landed somewhere. Trust me.
YAZ
Where exactly are we heading? And when?
DOCTOR 13
No idea. Thought I’d give the TARDIS the choice to take us somewhere. Hopefully it’ll be somewhere very interesting and exciting.
YAZ
Or we could just end up on another beach and have another relaxing time.
DOCTOR 13
(distracted) Yes, yes. There’s that too.
A moment of silence. The Doctor continues to work away at the console with Yaz watching her.
YAZ
Everything alright, Doctor?
DOCTOR 13
Yes. Yes, of course, Yaz. Why shouldn’t it be?
YAZ
(gradually) Oh, I dunno. It’s just you haven’t talked to me these past couple of days. Ever since we had that adventure with the Sea Devils… Thought you might be avoiding me.
DOCTOR 13
Avoiding you? No, not at all, Yaz. You know me. I easily get distracted.
YAZ
Well, so long as you’re comfortable with me being around…
DOCTOR 13
Yaz, trust me. You’re still my best mate. Nothing’s ever going to change that.
YAZ
Nothing?
DOCTOR 13
Nothing at all.
YAZ
(gradually) Well, that’s good to know.
DOCTOR 13
(to TARDIS) Now come on, old girl. Where are you thinking of taking us next?
YAZ
Old girl?
DOCTOR 13
The TARDIS, Yaz. I meant the TARDIS.
With Yaz quietly amused and the Doctor distracted, Dan soon enters.
DAN
(cheerily) Aye, aye. Everything alright here?
DOCTOR 13
Hi, Dan. Just checking where the TARDIS is taking us next. Be with you in a few minutes.
The Doctor presses buttons and pulls levers at the TARDIS console, whilst Dan joins Yaz.
DAN
(quietly) Everything alright between you two?
YAZ
(quietly) Yeah. Everything seems fine. Like nothing’s changed.
DAN
(quietly) Isn’t that the way the Doctor wants it?
YAZ
(quietly) I suppose so.
DAN
(quietly) But not in the way you want it.
A moment of silence.
YAZ
(quietly) The Doctor wants us to stay friends. (Pause) I’m fine with that. If she’s not ready to commit to anything, I can’t pressure her.
DAN
(quietly) Give it time, Yaz. Maybe she’ll change on how she feels.
YAZ
(quietly) Yeah. Somehow, I doubt it.
Another moment of silence.
DAN
(quietly) Hopefully, the Doctor can get us back to Liverpool. I have my date with Di to look forward to.
YAZ
(quietly) Or Sheffield. It’s been a while since I’ve seen my parents and sis.
At that moment, the Doctor cries out in pain. Yaz and Dan come to her side.
DAN
(concerned) ‘Ere! Everything alright?
YAZ
(anxiously) Doctor, what’s wrong? Are you hurt?
DOCTOR 13
(in pain) Argh! I’m not sure. I just suddenly had…an attack of cosmic angst.
YAZ
Cosmic angst?
DOCTOR 13
(in pain) It’s alright, Yaz. I’ve had something like this before… (trails off; thinks) Did I? When was that?
DAN
Shouldn’t we get you a doctor? A proper doctor, I mean…
DOCTOR 13
Quiet, Dan. I’m thinking. (groans in pain) When did I have this before? Am I experiencing déjà vu? (Pause; thinks) No, it couldn’t be. The Death Zone can’t be active. Gallifrey is gone, isn’t it?
YAZ
Doctor, you’re not making sense. Death Zone? Gallifrey?
Just then, the TARDIS jerks violently and a shuddering occurs.
DAN
(anxiously) What’s happening? Why is the TARDIS doing that?
DOCTOR 13
I need to check the TARDIS console.
The Doctor returns her attention to the TARDIS console whilst the console room shudders. She presses some buttons and switches and pulls a lever. Something gets displayed on the TARDIS scanner screen nearby.
DOCTOR 13
(gradually; shocked) No. No, it can’t be.
YAZ
(astonished) Doctor, what is that? A wormhole in space?
DOCTOR 13
It’s a maelstrom in Space and Time, Yaz. And it’s at the centre of the Universe. (Pause) How can it be there? Why would it trigger a surge of cosmic angst inside of me? And why are we being dragged towards it?
YAZ
(realises) Doctor, there are other objects being drawn to the maelstrom.
DAN
They look like… (realises) …TARDISes!
The Doctor takes a look to see what Yaz and Dan are seeing on the scanner screen.
DOCTOR 13
Yes, Yaz; yes, Dan, you’re right. Those are other TARDISes being dragged towards the maelstrom. Why is that? And who has engineered this?
DAN
There looks to be about twelve so far. As far as I can see that is.
YAZ
And they’re all entering into the maelstrom one by one. We could be entering the maelstrom soon enough.
DOCTOR 13
(intrigued) Twelve TARDISes plus one equals thirteen. Interesting.
As the Doctor ponders on what’s happening with the console room shaking around her, Yaz and Dan…
SCENE #3 – EXT – OUTER SPACE – N/A
…the thirteen TARDISes continue to be drawn towards the maelstrom in Space and Time. Echoes of mayday messages are being sent out simultaneously from the first three TARDISes entering the maelstrom.
DOCTOR 1 (V’O)
Mayday, mayday. This is an urgent message to anyone who can hear me…
DOCTOR 2 (V’O)
…It’s vitally important you listen. My existence is being threatened…
DOCTOR 3 (V’O)
…I’ve been snared into some kind of vicious trap. Caused by what or who, I cannot say. But I do know that…
SCENE #4 – INT – TARDIS CONSOLE ROOM (THIRTEENTH DOCTOR’S TARDIS) – N/A
In the Thirteenth Doctor’s TARDIS, with the console room still shuddering, Yaz and Dan hear the mayday messages being sent out into space via the TARDIS’ audio systems. The messages however sound distorted.
DAN
Someone’s calling for help from those TARDISes.
YAZ
Seems that way, yes.
DAN
I can’t make out what they’re saying. There are a lot of crackly noises on the speakers.
YAZ
Hopefully, the Doctor can make out what the messages are when she returns.
DAN
Where’s she gone, anyway?
YAZ
Gone to fetch something from one of the TARDIS cupboards, I believe.
The Doctor re-enters, carrying a device in her hands.
DOCTOR 13
Hey, you two. Any changes since I’ve been out?
YAZ
Doctor, there are mayday messages being sent out by the first three TARDISes. We can’t make them out though.
DAN
We were hoping you could decipher them.
The Doctor puts the device she’s carried in to one side. She approaches the console.
DOCTOR 13
Let’s see what this is all about then. Let’s increase the volume on the speakers.
The Doctor presses buttons and switches to increase the volume on the sound speakers. The messages are still distorted though, as the Doctor plays them back.
DOCTOR 1 (V’O)
Mayday, mayday. This is an urgent…
A burst of static occurs.
DOCTOR 1 (V’O)
…can hear me…
DOCTOR 2 (V’O)
…It’s vitally important…
Another burst of static occurs.
DOCTOR 2 (V’O)
…being threatened…
DOCTOR 3 (V’O)
…I’ve been…
Another burst of static occurs.
DOCTOR 3 (V’O)
…who, I cannot say. But I do know that…
The messages are kept on playback, as the Doctor processes what she’s just heard.
DAN
Still no clearer, those messages. Even with the volume up.
YAZ
Did they make sense to you, Doctor?
DOCTOR 13
(distracted, to herself) Yes. It’s starting to make sense. But how come…? I don’t recall…
YAZ
(gradually) Do you know who the people sending out those messages are, Doctor?
Eventually, the Doctor snaps out of it and returns her attention to Yaz and Dan.
DOCTOR 13
(clears throat) Yes, of course. I know who the people sending out those messages are. They’re me.
YAZ
What?
DAN
T-t-those three blokes we’ve just heard… They’re you?
DOCTOR 13
Yes, yes, they are. I’ll have to explain about regeneration to you two another time. But right now…
DAN
(interrupts) How come those blokes happen to be you, Doctor?
YAZ
And how come they’re inside those TARDISes being drawn into that maelstrom? Does every one of those twelve TARDISes have versions of you in them?
DOCTOR 13
(distracted) There must be something or someone on the other side of that maelstrom drawing my TARDIS in. All thirteen. I will have to check out the TARDIS instruments to be certain.
The Doctor presses a few buttons on the TARDIS console.
YAZ
Doctor, does every one of those TARDISes contain past versions of you?
DOCTOR 13
There could be past and future versions of me, Yaz. It is hard to say at this stage. (Pause; realises) Wait a minute.
The Doctor presses some more buttons at the TARDIS console, as she zooms out on the scanner screen display of the maelstrom.
DOCTOR 13
(cheers) There! Look, look! See?
DAN
What, Doctor? What is it we’re supposed to be looking at?
DOCTOR 13
The twelve TARDISes we’re seeing on the scanner are being grouped into twos. Someone is being very selective in how we’re being pulled into the maelstrom.
YAZ
Someone? You think there’s someone controlling the maelstrom. This isn’t a natural thing.
DOCTOR 13
The maelstrom appears to be a construction rather than a natural formation.
DAN
Does that mean we’re going to be paired with another TARDIS too? Whilst we’re still shuddering about in here?
DOCTOR 13
Not if I have anything to say about it. I just need to plug this device I’ve brought in into the TARDIS console first.
YAZ
What is that, Doctor?
DAN
It looks rather big and cumbersome.
The Doctor plugs the device into the TARDIS console, before she returns her attention to Yaz and Dan. Eventually, the shuddering dies down a bit.
DOCTOR 13
(cheerfully; pleased) Ah. There we are. The console room has stabilised. We’ve held off the shuddering for a little while.
YAZ
Doctor, what is that device you’ve brought in?
DOCTOR 13
This device, Yaz and Dan, happens to be an interdimensional manipulator.
YAZ
(wryly) Of course. I should have guessed.
DOCTOR 13
Basically, when plugged into the TARDIS, it locks onto a spatial-temporal event. It latches onto that event without any interference from any external forces. I have in mind to latch our TARDIS onto one of the TARDIS pairs drawn into the maelstrom and maintain temporal stability once we’re inside. Hopefully, this will make life easier for when and where we end up.
DAN
So, we’re going to piggyback onto one of those TARDIS pairs and hope for the best.
DOCTOR 13
Piggyback, yeah. Well done, Dan. Top marks.
YAZ
Have you done this before, Doctor? Have you ever used the interdimensional manipulator for something like this before?
DOCTOR 13
Not really. I did tests on prototype models in the past, but this is the latest model I’ve been working on. Haven’t had a chance to test it yet.
YAZ
What?!
DAN
This could all end in disaster then. We could end up as piles of goo.
DOCTOR 13
Have faith, both of you. There’s a chance this will work.
YAZ
And there’s a chance that it won’t.
Just then, the shuddering in the console room returns and becomes violent.
DAN
(anxiously) The shuddering’s started up again, Doctor!
DOCTOR 13
(gradually) Well, there’s only one way to find out. I knew the interdimensional manipulator wouldn’t stabilise the TARDIS for long. It’s on limited power, you see. Hence why the shuddering came back.
YAZ
Doctor, what’s causing that shuddering to come back all of a sudden?
DOCTOR 13
(gradually) Let’s switch on the scanner screen again, shall we?
The Doctor turns back to the console and switches on the scanner screen again. The trio soon see what’s happening outside.
DOCTOR 13
As I thought. We’re getting uncomfortably close to the maelstrom’s gravitational pull. (Pause) We’d better latch onto a pair of TARDISes as quickly as possible before we lose our chance to secure a clear choice on where and when we end up.
The Doctor approaches the console and starts to pull levers and press buttons.
DAN
(nervously) Err, Doctor. You were joking when you said you hadn’t had a chance to test the latest model of your new device thing, weren’t you?
DOCTOR 13
Hold on tight to something, you two. We’re about to go for a bumpy ride.
YAZ
That clearly means ‘no’, Dan.
DAN
Yeah, I gathered that.
DOCTOR 13
(cries) Hold on tight, I said. We’re latching onto a pair of TARDIses…now!
With that, the Doctor presses a button and the TARDIS judders forward at a furious rate. The Doctor, Yaz and Dan hold on for dear life, as the violent shuddering worsens.
YAZ
(cries) Doctor, what’s happening? What did you do?
DAN
(panics) Are we going to blow up?
DOCTOR 13
We’ve managed to latch onto a pair of TARDISes! Who they belong to, I don’t know.
DAN
I thought you said they were you!
DOCTOR 13
Which ‘me’s’ of course, Dan. (realises) And it looks like we’re about to be pulled into the maelstrom at an incredible velocity.
YAZ
Doctor, please say we’re going to survive this! (Pause) Doctor?
DOCTOR 13
(cries) Just hold on tight! And don’t panic! We’re entering the maelstrom…now!
The Doctor, Yaz and Dan continue to hold on for dear life, as they cry out loud whilst the TARDIS is being pulled into the maelstrom by its gravitational pull. They also follow the pair of TARDISes they have latched onto. A white light soon envelops the TARDIS trio and it knocks them out unconscious.
SCENE #5 – INT – TARDIS CONSOLE ROOM (FIFTH DOCTOR’S TARDIS) – N/A
Sometime later, the Fifth Doctor, Nyssa and Billy have woken up in their TARDIS. They get up from the floor, disorientated and groggy, as they take in their surroundings.
DOCTOR 5
(concerned) Nyssa; Billy, are you alright?
NYSSA
We’re fine, Doctor. Aren’t we, Billy?
BILLY
Yeah. No bones broken. What happened? One minute we were minding our own business, travelling in space…
NYSSA
(finishes) …the next minute we got caught up in that maelstrom. In Space and Time, didn’t you say, Doctor?
DOCTOR 5
That’s right, Nyssa. And then, we were enveloped in that bright white light. Thankfully, the TARDIS systems don’t seem to be affected and we’re all in one piece.
BILLY
Was it my imagination or were there two other TARDISes that came alongside us?
NYSSA
More than two, Billy. About twelve other TARDISes entered the maelstrom with us.
BILLY
Yes, but we seemed to be paired up with another TARDIS as we entered the maelstrom. In fact, all the TARDISes were being put into pairs as we entered the maelstrom.
DOCTOR 5
Yes, I noticed that, Billy. It made me curious at the time we were being pulled in.
NYSSA
It seems our efforts to break out our TARDIS from the maelstrom’s gravitational pull were unsuccessful, Doctor.
DOCTOR 5
Sadly, yes, Nyssa. Don’t worry about it. There’s always trial and error involved.
BILLY
When we were being paired off with one of the TARDISes, I noticed another TARDIS trying to piggyback onto us. Didn’t any of you notice that?
NYSSA
Now you mention it, Billy, I noticed that too. Perhaps the manoeuvre succeeded. Do you think so, Doctor?
DOCTOR 5
It’s hard to tell at this stage, Nyssa.
NYSSA
(gradually; realises) Doctor, I’ve just realised something.
DOCTOR 5
Yes, Nyssa? What have you just realised?
BILLY
Yeah, Nyssa, do tell.
NYSSA
Those TARDISes. They all had the blue police box outer shell your TARDIS has.
DOCTOR 5
I wondered when you’d notice that, Nyssa.
BILLY
(confused) So, what does that mean? Are those TARDISes…?
DOCTOR 5
(interjects) Yes, it could well mean that. The twelve other TARDISes could have twelve other versions of me piloting them.
BILLY
(astonished) What?
NYSSA
Thirteen TARDISes piloted by thirteen iterations of you drawn into a spatial-temporal maelstrom in the centre of the Universe? Why should that happen, Doctor?
BILLY
And what caused it to happen? And who…or what is it we’re dealing with?
DOCTOR 5
Let’s check the TARDIS scanner and see where we are, shall we?
With that, the Doctor presses a control switch. The TARDIS scanner screen is switched on, as the hatch opens. Once the hatch is opened, the Doctor, Nyssa and Billy look outside.
BILLY
(gradually) Hmm. There doesn’t seem to be much happening outside. In fact, it looks dark.
NYSSA
We must be in a kind of corridor. Or a dark corner of a room somewhere.
DOCTOR 5
You could be right, Nyssa. It does have a gloomy atmosphere, doesn’t it?
BILLY
Can the TARDIS instruments tell us where we are and when?
DOCTOR 5
Good thinking, Billy. Let’s check the TARDIS instruments and see what they have to say.
With that, the Doctor checks the TARDIS instruments on the console unit. After a while…
DOCTOR 5
(puzzled) Oh? That’s unusual.
NYSSA
What is it, Doctor? What do the instruments say?
DOCTOR 5
Well, that’s the thing you see, Nyssa. The instruments don’t say anything. They register zero.
BILLY
Zero? What, all of them?
DOCTOR 5
All of them, Billy. Both in terms of Space and Time.
BILLY
Well, that can’t be right.
DOCTOR 5
Indeed not. It almost seems to suggest that we’ve ended up in nowhere and nowhen. Simple as that.
NYSSA
That is disturbing. (Pause) So, what do you suggest we do next then?
A moment of silence, as the Doctor thinks.
DOCTOR 5
(gradually) Well, we won’t know much about what’s happening out there whilst we’re in here, will we? We might as well go out there and have a look.
NYSSA
Do you think that’s wise?
DOCTOR 5
Come on, Nyssa. We could be in a worse situation than we’re in now. You and Billy could have ended up living a happily married life with no memory of where and when you were.
BILLY
You mean, we could have been brainwashed or something?
NYSSA
I’m glad it hasn’t come to that. (happily) Mind you, I would like us to spend a happily married life together. Especially since we are now married, Billy.
BILLY
(happily) Yes, Nyssa. A happily married life with you would be splendid. We still have that house in Swansea in the year twenty-twelve on Earth to go back to.
NYSSA
(happily) Yes. With our cuddly toy dog Cuddles waiting for us to return home of course.
BILLY
(laughs) Exactly!
DOCTOR 5
(exasperated) Alright, you two. I know how much you’re looking forward to your honeymoon after the wedding. We’ll get you to your honeymoon destination soon enough, don’t worry.
BILLY
I hope so. I’m looking forward to seeing Nyssa’s reaction when I show her the honeymoon surprise I’ve got for her.
NYSSA
(happily) I’m looking forward to the surprise too, Billy.
BILLY
(happily) I’m pleased you are, dear.
DOCTOR 5
(interjects) Anyway, let’s go outside and see where we are before we’re distracted further. And don’t wander off once we’re outside. I hate to lose you two should we be split up.
The Doctor presses the door lever control. The interior doors open, as the Doctor takes his Panama hat off the hatstand, before heading outside. Once he’s out, Nyssa and Billy gradually follow.
BILLY
I wonder if we’ll get many answers as to where and when we are outside.
NYSSA
We sometimes do. We could be on Earth. Isn’t that where our honeymoon destination is?
BILLY
Ideally, yes. But whether it’s the right time zone or not remains to be seen.
NYSSA
Let’s take a look, shall we? Catch up with the Doctor while we can.
With that, Nyssa and Billy head off outside.
SCENE #6 – INT – TARDIS CONSOLE ROOM (TENTH DOCTOR’S TARDIS) – N/A
Meanwhile, the Tenth Doctor tries to wake up Donna, as she lies on the TARDIS floor. He smacks her face gently with his hands.
DOCTOR 10
(calls) Donna! Donna, can you hear me?
No response as the Doctor keeps smacking her face, a little harder this time, to wake her up.
DOCTOR 10
(calls) Donna! Donna, if you can hear me, wake up! Wake up!
Eventually, Donna wakes up.
DONNA
(cries; in pain) Ow, ow! That’s my face! Stop hitting me!
DOCTOR 10
(relieved) Oh thank goodness you’re alive. I was afraid you might have had concussion.
DONNA
Well, I haven’t, okay. Now get off me! And hands off!
Gradually, feeling disorientated and groggy, Donna gets up from the floor and takes in her surroundings with the Doctor beside her.
DONNA
(groggily) Where are we? What is this place?
DOCTOR 10
You’re still inside the TARDIS, Donna. We haven’t left since we entered that maelstrom in Space and Time.
DONNA
(realises) Oh yeah, of course. I remember now. There was a big whopping swirling hole in space and we were being drawn into it.
DOCTOR 10
I tried everything to break us free from the maelstrom’s gravitational pull, but the old girl couldn’t do it.
DONNA
(realises) And there were those TARDISes. Twelve other TARDISes that looked like police boxes. (Pause; thinks) Were they like…twelve different versions of ourselves being drawn into that hole in space?
DOCTOR 10
Maelstrom, Donna. Get it right, it’s a maelstrom we’ve fallen into.
DONNA
Alright, maelstrom, whatever. But is that what that was? Duplicate versions of ourselves being pulled in?
DOCTOR 10
I doubt it, Donna. Remember the twinge of cosmic angst I had?
DONNA
Yeah, so?
DOCTOR 10
I experienced something like that before. From that, I met up with multiple versions of myself and we fought an enemy in the Death Zone on Gallifrey.
DONNA
Death Zone? Gallifrey? That’s the name of your home planet, right?
DOCTOR 10
(gradually; saddened) Indeed it was, Donna Noble.
DONNA
(realises) Sorry. That was me being insensitive.
DOCTOR 10
(saddened) No need to apologise. Sometimes I forget my home planet is gone.
A moment of silence.
DONNA
So, anyway, back on track. You think we’ve ended up back on Gallifrey in the past then? Where there are multiple versions of you and me.
DOCTOR 10
Me, Donna. Just multiple versions of me. I don’t think there’d be multiple versions of you.
DONNA
Huh. Charming.
DOCTOR 10
(teasingly) The thought of many Donnas terrifies me.
DONNA
Oy! Don’t knock it.
DOCTOR 10
Besides, I don’t think it is the Death Zone on Gallifrey we’ve ended up on. It can’t be. It must be something else.
DONNA
What ‘something else’ could there be if we’re not on Gallifrey?
DOCTOR 10
Let’s check the scanner and see where we are.
The Doctor goes over to the scanner monitor screen at the console and presses a few buttons to switch it on to check what’s outside. Donna comes by his side to look too.
DONNA
(realises) Hang on! Is that…?
DOCTOR 10
Yes, Donna. I believe it is.
DONNA
(gradually; realises) It’s Central Park in New York!
DOCTOR 10
Indeed it is. This must be Strawberry Fields in Central Park.
DONNA
How did we end up here then?
DOCTOR 10
Well, presumably we came here when I tried to take you back home to be reunited with your family.
DONNA
Typical. Always ending up in the wrong place at the right time and on the right planet.
DOCTOR 10
(shrewdly) I didn’t have much choice in terms of directing where the TARDIS needed to go.
DONNA
So, the maelstrom sort-of…what? Spat us out to be back on Earth and we end up in Central Park in New York of all places?
DOCTOR 10
Possibly, Donna, possibly. Except…
DONNA
(eagerly) Except what? Oh come on, Doctor, don’t ruin it. I’ve always wanted to visit New York. How amazing is that?
DOCTOR 10
Yes, except we don’t know why we ended up being drawn into a maelstrom in Space and Time at the centre of the Universe in the first place? One of the twelves TARDISes we saw tried to piggyback onto the pair we were in, remember? Why do you suppose that happened, hmm?
DONNA
(impatiently; eagerly) Who cares! I want to go outside.
DOCTOR 10
Hold on, hold on. Let me just check the TARDIS instruments a minute.
The Doctor goes over to check the TARDIS instruments on the console unit. After a while…
DOCTOR 10
(intrigued) Ooh? Ooh, now that’s weird.
DONNA
What is? What’s weird? What’s the matter now, Doctor?
DOCTOR 10
The TARDIS instruments. They seem to be registering ‘zero’.
DONNA
Zero? What does that mean?
DOCTOR 10
I don’t know. Almost as if the TARDIS was telling us that…that we’re nowhere and no time.
DONNA
(scoffs) Now that’s ridiculous. We can’t be nowhere and no time. It’s Central Park in New York out there. And it’s clearly daytime.
DOCTOR 10
It is most peculiar though, Donna.
DONNA
(impatiently; eagerly) Oh come on, let’s go out and explore Central Park! After that, we can explore New York. Let’s go while we can!
DOCTOR 10
Alright, alright, Donna. We’re going. Let me just fetch my trenchcoat.
The Doctor goes over to fetch his trenchcoat from the nearby hatstand and dons it on.
DONNA
Come on, Spaceman! Don’t you feel excited about visiting New York and its Central Park? (realises) Though I suppose you’ve visited New York more times than me.
DOCTOR 10
More than you care to imagine. And I am excited. Truly I am.
DONNA
(pleased) Oh good. That’s good to hear.
DOCTOR 10
Excited to solve the mysteries we’re caught in once and for all.
DONNA
(sighs) Whatever turns you on. So long as you don’t disturb and spoil my fun once we’re out.
DOCTOR 10
(interjects) As if I would.
DONNA
Yeah, well, just try to make sure that you don’t. Otherwise, you’ll get a slap in the face.
DOCTOR 10
Scout’s honour, Donna. (Pause) Also, try not to wander off once we’re outside. I hate the idea of losing you should we split up.
Eventually, the Tenth Doctor and Donna make their way to head out of their TARDIS.
SCENE #7 – INT – TARDIS CONSOLE ROOM (THIRTEENTH DOCTOR’S TARDIS) – N/A
Elsewhere, the Thirteenth Doctor, Yaz and Dan wake up in their TARDIS. They’re disorientated and groggy, as they get up from the floor and take in their surroundings.
DAN
(groggy) I shouldn’t have had that full English breakfast bar from the TARDIS food machine.
DOCTOR 13
Is everyone alright? Yaz; Dan, speak to me.
YAZ
(groggy) I’ll be alright. My insides do feel like they’ve been turned upside down though.
DAN
Me too. I feel rather queasy.
DOCTOR 13
Try not to be sick. The disorientation will soon pass. I’ll switch on the air vents.
The Doctor presses a couple of buttons on the TARDIS console. Soon, fresh air starts to emanate from the air vents, filling the TARDIS console room.
DOCTOR 13
Feel any better, you two?
YAZ
(gradually) I nearly threw up but I think it’s working now.
DAN
Yeah. I’m starting to feel better already.
DOCTOR 13
Good, good. Well, once we’ve recovered, we’ll go outside.
YAZ
Where exactly are we, Doctor? Can you find that out?
DOCTOR 13
I’ll check the TARDIS instruments.
The Doctor checks the TARDIS instruments on the console unit. After a while…
DOCTOR 13
(gradually; surprised) Oh! Well, that’s weird.
YAZ
(concerned) What is it? What do the TARDIS instruments say?
DOCTOR 13
Well, that’s it, you see. They say nothing.
DAN
What? Nothing whatever?
DOCTOR 13
Nothing whatever. The instruments say ‘zero’.
YAZ
Zero? That can’t be right.
DOCTOR 13
Take a look for yourselves.
Yaz and Dan go over to join the Doctor at the TARDIS console. They see what the instruments are saying.
YAZ
You’re right. They do say ‘zero’.
DAN
Like they can’t pick up on what’s going on outside.
DOCTOR 13
(intrigued) This is very peculiar. I wonder if we’ve ended up in the Land of Fiction. It would explain a lot.
DAN
Can you check what’s going on outside using the TARDIS scanner?
DOCTOR 13
Of course. Let’s have a look, shall we?
With that, the Doctor presses a button and the TARDIS scanner is switched on. They’re able to see what’s clearly going on outside.
YAZ
(gradually) Well, it looks pleasant enough. It seems that we’re back on Earth.
DAN
Yeah, it does, doesn’t it? Perhaps we are back in Liverpool after all.
YAZ
Or Sheffield.
DOCTOR 13
Let’s go outside and see, shall we?
SCENE #8 – EXT – ALLEYWAY, LONDON (2023) (ZONE #6) – DAY, MORNING
Outside, the Thirteenth Doctor, Yaz and Dan find themselves in an alleyway. The Doctor sniffs the air.
DAN
Something got up your nose, Doctor?
DOCTOR 13
Just checking the atmosphere. (sniffs; disgusted) Ugh! (sniffs: disgusted) Ugh! Not nice. Not very nice at all. Disgusting in fact.
YAZ
Well, we’re in an alleyway. That might explain a lot.
DOCTOR 13
No, it’s not that. There’s something tangy in the air. Tangy and excessive in power. I don’t like it. It’s very unnerving.
YAZ
So, where exactly are we? Can we explore?
DAN
(realises) Hang on. There’s a newspaper on that dustbin. I’ll check the date on it.
Dan goes over to the dustbin to pick up the newspaper. Meanwhile, the Thirteenth Doctor continues to sniff the air.
DOCTOR 13
(sniffs; wrinkles her nose) Hmm. Not nice at all. It seems we’re on twenty-first century Earth. And if I’m correct, we’re somewhere in the heart of…
YAZ
London. We’re in the heart of London, Doctor.
DOCTOR 13
(puzzled) How did you deduce that, Yaz?
YAZ
Well, it wasn’t difficult. There’s a plaque on that corner saying Brydges Place. The WC2 number also gave it away.
DOCTOR 13
I see. Well spotted, Yaz. (Pause; realises) Wait. If we’re in Brydges Place, we must be between St. Martin’s Lane and Bedfordbury in the City of Westminster. We must be close to Trafalgar Square.
YAZ
If you say so, Doctor.
DAN
Seems you’re right about us being on twenty-first century Earth, Doctor. The newspaper says it’s the twenty-third of November, twenty twenty-three.
Dan shows the newspaper to the Thirteenth Doctor and Yaz.
DOCTOR 13
That might be an old newspaper, Dan. Who knows how long it’s been on that dustbin.
DAN
Oh, I dunno. It feels nippy enough in the air for me to believe it’s November.
YAZ
Perhaps we should have worn warmer clothes before we came out.
DOCTOR 13
I’m not convinced this is London on Earth in the twenty-first century.
YAZ
Looks convincing enough as London to me.
DOCTOR 13
Looks can be deceiving, Yaz. The TARDIS instruments said ‘zero’, remember?
DAN
So, what do we do then?
A moment of silence.
DOCTOR 13
(gradually) Do what Yaz suggests. Get out of the alleyway and explore our surroundings. Come on.
At that, the Doctor heads off. Yaz and Dan gradually follow her.
DAN
(quietly) At least she’s not completely ignoring you.
Yaz says nothing as they head out of the alleyway.
SCENE #9 – EXT – TRAFALGAR SQUARE, LONDON (2023) (ZONE #6) – DAY, MORNING
Soon, the Thirteenth Doctor, Yaz and Dan end up in Trafalgar Square. They end up sitting at the great fountain in the centre of the square.
DAN
Well, it looks normal enough.
YAZ
Yeah. We’re at Trafalgar Square and everything seems fine. People are going to their places of work. Maybe today’s a weekday.
DAN
It’s probably a Monday. Feels like a Monday. I hate Mondays.
YAZ
(teases) Don’t be such a sourpuss, Garfield.
DOCTOR 13
(concerned) Something’s not right. I can feel it.
DAN
(puzzled) What do you mean, Doctor? What isn’t right?
DOCTOR 13
Look around, you two. Don’t you see anything odd about the people walking about?
YAZ
What’s so odd about them? They seem fine.
DAN
Yeah. Most of them are on their phones or have earphones.
DOCTOR 13
Exactly! Spot on, Dan. Everyone is using technology in Trafalgar Square. And I mean everyone! No-one is chatting to each other or having a laugh. They’re all absorbed in their phones and gadgets. Everyone has blank expressions on their faces. No-one’s being happy or jolly with each other.
YAZ
(interjects) Yeah, okay. We get it, Doctor. (Pause) Perhaps they’re just busy catching up on stuff with their phones. It’s probably work-related or maybe they’re sending texts to family or friends.
DOCTOR 13
Good theories, Yaz. (Pause) But how come there aren’t any pigeons? Hmm? Shouldn’t there be pigeons on the statues or around the fountain? It’s usual to see people here, but surely pigeons as well.
DAN
(gradually; realises) That’s a good point there, Doctor. I don’t think I’ve seen a pigeon and Trafalgar Square’s famous for them.
DOCTOR 13
You see! There’s definitely something out-of-place.
YAZ
(gradually; realises) Yeah. And I’ll tell you something else that’s out-of-place.
DOCTOR 13
What, Yaz? What have you seen?
YAZ
Look there. On the far corner of Trafalgar Square. That doesn’t look like it’s part of Trafalgar Square, does it?
The Doctor and Dan look to see what Yaz has seen.
DOCTOR 13
(gradually; realises) No, it doesn’t, does it. It’s a completely different part of the city.
DAN
(realises) Isn’t that…Isn’t that Times Square in New York City?
YAZ
Exactly, Dan. It is Time’s Square in New York City. It shouldn’t be here in Trafalgar Square in London with us.
DOCTOR 13
(pleased) Well done, Yaz. Your police observation skills have improved over the time you’ve spent with me.
YAZ
But why are we seeing Time’s Square in Trafalgar Square? That doesn’t make sense.
DAN
Is this an alternative reality we’re in? Or do London and New York combine together at some point in the future?
YAZ
Don’t be so daft, Dan.
DOCTOR 13
You know, this reminds me of when I visited a London and New York with friends of mine inside a miniscope. There were Autons, Ogrons, Drashigs, robots, dinosaurs and the like. But this surely can’t be a miniscope we’re in. (Pause) Can it?
SCENE #10 – EXT – MADAME TUSSAUDS, LONDON (2023) (ZONE #6) – DAY, MORNING
Meanwhile, with the Fifth Doctor, he finds himself walking out of a waxwork museum.
DOCTOR 5
(realises) Of course! So that’s where we are then. We’re in London. And I’ve just walked out of Madame Tussauds. (Pause) But how can that be after we fell through the maelstrom…?
He then looks behind him to see that Nyssa and Billy aren’t with him.
DOCTOR 5
(puzzled) Nyssa; Billy? (Pause) Where have those two got to now?
SCENE #11 – INT – MADAME TUSSAUDS, LONDON (2023) (ZONE #6) – DAY, MORNING
In Madame Tussauds itself, Nyssa and Billy are having trouble trying to find their Doctor.
NYSSA
Can you see him, Billy?
BILLY
No. Nowhere to be found. The Doctor is gone.
NYSSA
(sighs) And he told us not to wander off.
BILLY
(annoyed) Typical. He could have waited for us.
SCENE #12 – EXT – CENTRAL PARK, NEW YORK (2023) (ZONE #6) – DAY, MORNING
Meanwhile, in Central Park in New York, the Tenth Doctor has arrived at the Cherry Hill fountain. He breathes in and lets out a contented sigh.
DOCTOR 10
(cheers) Ah! Smell that air. It’s sunny too. And the Cherry Hill fountain looks lovely. (Pause) Mind you, there is a tang in the air. Don’t you think so, Donna…?
He then looks behind him to find that Donna’s not with him.
DOCTOR 10
(calls) Donna! Donna, where are you?
No response.
DOCTOR 10
(groans) Oh typical! Just typical! I tell them not to wander off and this is what happens.
SCENE #13 – EXT – CENTRAL PARK, NEW YORK (2023) (ZONE #6) – DAY, MORNING
Meanwhile, with Donna, she’s ended up at Bethesda Terrace in Central Park in New York.
DONNA
(calls) Doctor! Doctor, where are you now? This is where I wanted to go! The Bethesda Terrace in Central Park.
No response.
DONNA
(annoyed) Aww, now that’s just typical of him. He tells me not to swan off and he goes swanning off himself when I tell him about coming here. (sighs) Where is he now then?
SCENE #14 – EXT – TRAFALGAR SQUARE, LONDON (2023) (ZONE #6) – DAY, MORNING
Back with the Thirteenth Doctor, Yaz and Dan; the Doctor takes out a couple of temporal trackers from her coat pockets. She switches one on to scan the area. It bleeps away.
YAZ
Doctor, are those tracking devices you’ve got there?
DOCTOR 13
Yes, Yaz. Temporal trackers, these are. Ideally, we should be able to locate two TARDISes. The pair of TARDISes we latched onto before we entered the maelstrom, remember?
DAN
You think those two TARDISes we piggybacked onto ended up here the same as we did?
DOCTOR 13
It stands to reason, yeah. (gradually; realises) Wait a minute.
The Doctor examines the readings on the temporal tracker she’s switched on. It continues to bleep away.
YAZ
What is it, Doctor? Is that tracker not working?
DOCTOR 13
(checks) Na, it’s working fine. It’s picking up temporal energy signatures as I expected, including ours. But it’s picking up temporal displacement currents as well.
DAN
(confused) Temporal displacement currents?
DOCTOR 13
Essentially, this place we’re in is filled with temporal background radiation. It’s displaced, yet wholly in sync with its environment.
DAN
That doesn’t make sense.
YAZ
Is that harmful then? Can this temporal background radiation hurt us?
DOCTOR 13
Don’t worry, Yaz. The TARDIS’ temporal background radiation protects and enables us to keep existing in this environment. It’s very odd about the temporal displacement currents though. I wonder why the temporal tracker… (stops; thinks; realises) Of course. Why didn’t I think of it before?
DAN
(puzzled) Think of what, Doctor? What is it?
DOCTOR 13
The two cities – London and New York. They’re from two different temporal zones. At present, they’re in collision with each other. They’ve been extracted from Earth at two points in time to coexist with each other. Someone has been able to engineer this set-up of two temporal-spatial locations to converge with each other in one dimension. Very clever. Awful, but still clever.
DAN
(puzzled) So, London and New York are in the same place and time. How can that be?
YAZ
And who would do it?
DOCTOR 13
Dunno. The Weeping Angels could be behind all this for all I know. There are still some pieces of the puzzle left to be solved.
YAZ
But how come things are stable? Surely if London and New York are from different times colliding with each other, disaster would happen right now.
DOCTOR 13
The TARDISes in this combined spatial-temporal zone are probably keeping things stable. The old girl has probably been able to link up with its counterparts in order to maintain the environment we’re in. We would need to return to the TARDIS to be sure.
DAN
Are we going back then? To the TARDIS?
DOCTOR 13
(gradually) No. We’ll try to find the other Doctors, their friends and their TARDISes first, using these temporal trackers. We’ll discover how London and New York are in the same spatial-temporal zone later. (Pause) I suggest we split up.
YAZ + DAN
(in unison) Split up?
DOCTOR 13
Yep. You two go and check out New York. And take this temporal tracker with you.
The Doctor gives a temporal tracker to Yaz and Dan, which Yaz takes.
DOCTOR 13
(continues) I’ll go and check out London. Once we get our Doctors and their friends, we’ll meet up back here. Any questions?
DAN
Err…
DOCTOR 13
Good, good. Come on. Let’s get a shift on.
The Doctor starts to head off in one direction in the London area.
YAZ
(calls) Doctor, shouldn’t we keep in touch? Have our phones on?
DOCTOR 13
Good idea, Yaz. (to Dan) Dan, chuck your phone over to me.
DAN
Why my phone?
DOCTOR 13
I need it to keep in touch with you and Yaz, don’t I? You two can use Yaz’s to contact me.
DAN
Where’s your phone then?
DOCTOR 13
I left it on recharge in the TARDIS before we came out. I haven’t got time to go back for it. Now come on, Dan. Be a sport and chuck your phone over.
DAN
(groans) Oh, alright. Here we go.
Reluctantly, Dan takes out his mobile phone and chucks it over to the Doctor. The Doctor catches it.
DOCTOR 13
Thanks, Dan. Take care, you two. See ya later.
With that, the Doctor heads off to another part of London. Yaz and Dan remain for a bit, as they watch the Doctor go.
DAN
(gradually) Well, I suppose we’d better get started then.
YAZ
Follow my lead, Dan.
DAN
You know how to use that tracker?
YAZ
Of course. You look after my phone whilst I handle the tracker. And don’t break it.
Yaz hands her mobile phone over to Dan, which he takes. Yaz soon leads the way and uses the temporal tracker, as she and Dan head off into the New York area.
© Tim Bradley, 2023
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