Chapter 2
SCENE #15 – INT – MADAME TUSSAUDS, LONDON (2023) (ZONE #6) – DAY, MORNING
Back in Madame Tussauds in London, Nyssa and Billy are still trying to find their Doctor.
NYSSA
There’s no sign of the Doctor anywhere, Billy. We’ve looked in every corner of this strange place.
BILLY
This is Madame Tussauds, Nyssa. It’s a waxwork museum in London.
NYSSA
London? Is that where we are? We’re on the planet Earth?
BILLY
I guess so. Though why did we end up here? This wasn’t where I had in mind for us to go for our honeymoon. Admittedly, London’s not bad as a honeymoon destination, but still.
NYSSA
(anxiously) I’m dreadfully worried about the Doctor. He could be anywhere.
BILLY
Perhaps he’s gone back to the TARDIS.
NYSSA
We’ve been back there already, Billy.
BILLY
Well, maybe if we went back there again and waited a little longer, he might meet us there eventually. He must be wondering where we are too.
NYSSA
He’s so elusive sometimes. (Pause) Mind you, I don’t fancy waiting with these dummies on display.
BILLY
Yeah, I know what you mean. These waxwork displays look so lifelike. It’s really off-putting.
NYSSA
Are you sure they’re made of wax? They could be plastic.
BILLY
I’m sure they are made of wax. Waxworks in Madame Tussauds usually are. (Pause) Don’t say you think they might be Autons waiting to attack.
NYSSA
It’s a possibility.
BILLY
An unpleasant one. It’s given me the shudders. (Pause) Besides, there are other people in the museum looking at the displays. We’re not entirely alone.
NYSSA
Except they’re not looking at the displays. Look at them. They’re looking at their phones. And they’ve got earphones in their ears. They’re not studying the waxwork displays at all.
BILLY
(astonished) Now you mention it, that is true. I’m surprised I hadn’t noticed that before.
NYSSA
What could be on their portable devices to have them fixated?
BILLY
Indeed. Aren’t the waxwork displays interesting enough? They’re more impressive than the ones in the Madame Tussauds from my time in nineteen sixty-three. I recognise Winston Churchill and Charlie Chaplin, though there are some waxworks I don’t recognise.
NYSSA
(gradually) I think we should go outside and see if the Doctor’s waiting for us.
BILLY
You think that’s where he is then? Outside.
NYSSA
There’s only one way to find out. Come on. Let’s make our way out of here.
Just then, a museum attendant stiffly approaches Nyssa and Billy.
ATTENDANT
(monotone) You two. Move the new exhibit into the next room.
A moment of confused silence.
BILLY
(puzzled) I’m sorry, mate, are you talking to us?
ATTENDANT
(monotone) You will move the new exhibit into the next room now. Obey instructions.
BILLY
(puzzled; whispers) I think this person is confusing us with someone else, Nyssa.
NYSSA
(to attendant) Err…we’re not workers. We’re tourists. We’re here to see the exhibits.
BILLY
And very impressive they are too. I was only just saying [that…]
ATTENDANT
(interrupts; monotone) Do not desist. Obey instructions. Move the new exhibit into the next room now.
A moment of tense silence.
NYSSA
(whispers) We’d better humour him, Billy.
BILLY
(whispers) Agreed. He’s ignoring us.
NYSSA
(to attendant) Where is this new exhibit?
ATTENDANT
(monotone) Right here.
The attendant points. Nyssa and Billy look to see where the exhibit is and they make their way to it.
BILLY
(astonished) Goodness! Quite a tall chap, isn’t he?
NYSSA
(astonished) It’s… It’s the Doctor.
BILLY
(puzzled) The Doctor?
NYSSA
Yes. Or rather the Doctor I met when he came to Traken. It’s a waxwork copy of him, Billy.
BILLY
What, this is what the Doctor looked like when you first met him? Big floppy hat, long scarf and all teeth and curls?
NYSSA
Don’t be so surprised, Billy. We previously encountered him when he was with Private James Darby. Not a corporal as I recall. That was when we were on our quest to collect the segments of the Prime Factor weapon, remember?
BILLY
(realises) Oh yes! I do recall that now. This was your first Doctor then.
NYSSA
Yes.
BILLY
And somehow there’s a waxwork copy of him at Madame Tussauds in London.
NYSSA
And we’re supposed to move it into another room. But which room?
BILLY
(to attendant) Excuse me? Can you tell us which room we’re supposed to put the exhibit in?
No response.
BILLY
(puzzled) Err…excuse me?
Still no response.
NYSSA
Billy, he’s standing upright, and his eyes are wide open.
BILLY
(realises) Yes, Nyssa, I noticed that.
NYSSA
(realises) Everyone else is too. Look.
Nyssa and Billy look to see, as everyone stands upright with their eyes wide open.
BILLY
(disturbed) What are they all doing this for?
NYSSA
(disturbed) I don’t know. But I wouldn’t like to stay around to find out.
BILLY
You think we should leave now?
NYSSA
Yes. Come on, Billy. Let’s head out while we can.
BILLY
What about this exhibit of the Doctor? Your previous Doctor, I mean.
NYSSA
They can attend to it. Come on, Billy. Let’s leave before anything unpleasant happens.
Nyssa takes Billy’s hand, as they make their way out of the museum.
SCENE #16 – EXT – BAKER STREET, LONDON (2023) (ZONE #6) – DAY, MORNING
Meanwhile, outside Baker Street tube station, the Thirteenth Doctor exits, holding the temporal tracker in her hands.
DOCTOR 13
(cheerfully) Right! Here we are. And surprisingly, not many people caught the tube train from Trafalgar Square to Baker Street. That’s nice for me. (Pause; perplexed) Yet off-putting when tube trains are usually busy in London. (Pause) Unusual that it was quicker than it usually is.
The Thirteenth Doctor switches on her temporal tracker, which bleeps away, and scans the area for a bit. A moment of silence.
DOCTOR 13
Hmm. Two temporal energy signatures emanating on my left. Right at Madame Tussauds if I’m not mistaken. (Pause; thinks) That reminds me of something. (Pause) Let’s go over there and find out, shall we?
The Thirteenth Doctor heads off in the direction of Madame Tussauds.
SCENE #17 – EXT – MADAME TUSSAUDS, LONDON (2023) (ZONE #6) – DAY, MORNING
At Madame Tussauds, Nyssa and Billy exit, panting for breath.
BILLY
(cheers; relieved) We did it, Nyssa! We’ve escaped!
NYSSA
Too easily, I think, Billy.
BILLY
What do you mean by that?
NYSSA
Think about it. We were able to escape past the attendants and the attendees who were frozen on the spot. We could have easily been caught if one of them had woken up.
BILLY
Yes, I see what you’re getting at. But thankfully, nobody’s come out here to try and get us.
NYSSA
Not yet, Billy. It’s almost as if someone’s playing a game with us. It depends on what time period we’re in on Earth.
BILLY
I wonder why those people behaved like that in Madame Tussauds. Almost as if they were possessed. Or acting like robots.
NYSSA
Have you noticed anything else strange happening out here, Billy?
BILLY
Why, what else have you seen, Nyssa?
NYSSA
Everyone in the street we’re in. They seem to have blank expressions on their faces. Just like that museum attendant we met.
BILLY
(realises) Yes. They also seem absorbed in their handheld gadgets and devices, as well as those things they wear in their ears.
NYSSA
This isn’t natural, Billy. It’s like we’re in a construct of London instead of the real place.
BILLY
So, where do we go from here? Do we continue looking for the Doctor?
NYSSA
Yes. And the best thing to do is to stay together. We mustn’t be separated, Billy. After all, anything can happen in this place.
BILLY
I’m alright with that.
DOCTOR 13
(calls; astonished; from a distance) Nyssa! Billy! Is that you?
Nyssa and Billy look to see, as the Thirteenth Doctor approaches them.
BILLY
(puzzled) Nyssa, who is that woman? She seems familiar.
NYSSA
And she doesn’t have a blank expression on her face… (stops; realises) Wait a minute….
DOCTOR 13
(calls) Nyssa; Billy, it’s me! The Doctor. Not your Doctor though. A different Doctor.
NYSSA
(realises) The Doctor! Yes, of course, I remember. You’re the Doctor!
BILLY
(surprised) What? She’s the Doctor?
NYSSA
Billy, don’t you remember? We met her on the planet Cybeross at the end of our quest to collect the segments of the Prime Factor weapon. She’s one of the Doctor’s future selves.
BILLY
(realises) Oh yes! That adventure keeps coming back to me the more we mention it.
DOCTOR 13
(happily) Nyssa and Billy, I’m so glad to see you two! Come here!
The Thirteenth Doctor hugs Nyssa and Billy.
BILLY
(gradually; perplexed) It’s err… It’s good to see you too, Doctor.
NYSSA
(perplexed) Yes, likewise.
Eventually, the Thirteenth Doctor lets Nyssa and Billy go.
DOCTOR 13
Nyssa; Billy, I know you have a lot of questions and I’ll do my best to answer them.
NYSSA
(interjects) Where exactly are we, Doctor? Are we on Earth? Is this London?
DOCTOR 13
It looks like London, but there’s more to this place than meets the eye.
BILLY
We were inside Madame Tussauds a moment ago. The people there are behaving very oddly. They were frozen on the spot and stood upright with their eyes wide open.
DOCTOR 13
Fascinating. That is unusual. (Pause) I knew there was something odd about the people here. As you noticed, they’ve all got blank expressions on their faces. And in this street, they’re totally obsessed with their phones and earphones.
NYSSA
Yes, we noticed that. Billy wondered if the people in Madame Tussauds were possessed. Or robots instead of people.
DOCTOR 13
Very good theories. It could well be that.
BILLY
Thankfully, nobody’s come out here to catch us.
DOCTOR 13
Don’t count your chickens, Billy. This place seems unpredictable. We don’t know who’s controlling this place or what rules we have to abide by.
NYSSA
You think someone is in control of this place. That we’re inside a construct of London, not the actual place.
DOCTOR 13
It seems that way, yes.
BILLY
We were trying to find the Doctor – our Doctor – before we exited Madame Tussauds and before you arrived.
NYSSA
He went on ahead of us and we didn’t have a chance to catch up with him.
DOCTOR 13
Then I suggest we go looking for him. We’ll use my temporal tracker to track him down.
The Thirteenth Doctor takes out her temporal tracker, switches it on and begins to search for a temporal energy signature with it bleeping away. A moment of silence, as it bleeps away.
NYSSA
Have you been able to locate him?
DOCTOR 13
(triumphantly) Yes! He’s in the south-westerly direction past Baker Street tube station along Marylebone Road. Don’t worry. My temporal tracker never lets me down. It helped me to find you two after all.
BILLY
So, we go in that direction to find our Doctor.
DOCTOR 13
Once we’ve found him, we’ll head back on the nearest tube train to return to Trafalgar Square. Yaz and Dan should be waiting for us by then.
NYSSA
Yaz and Dan. They’re your latest companions.
DOCTOR 13
You’ll like them. Yaz and Dan are great mates. Not like you two of course, but still great mates. Come on. Let’s head off in this direction, shall we?
The Thirteenth Doctor leads the way, with Nyssa and Billy following her. The Doctor keeps holding the temporal tracker in her hands, as it bleeps away.
DOCTOR 13
I was hoping to find you two, your Doctor and your TARDIS in one go. Sadly, it didn’t turn out like that. But it still is good to see you two again.
NYSSA
The feeling is mutual, Doctor.
BILLY
We left the TARDIS inside Madame Tussauds, Doctor.
DOCTOR 13
(pleased) Good, good. At least you know where to find the old girl when you and your Doctor return to this place.
NYSSA
After we’ve solved this mystery of course.
DOCTOR 13
Of course. (reassuringly) Don’t worry, you two. I’ll keep you both safe until we find your Doctor. And I’m sure he can look after himself. Provided he and we don’t end up somewhere in New York along the way?
BILLY
(puzzled) Sorry, excuse me. New York?
DOCTOR 13
(realises) Ah. Yes, sorry. Forgot to mention that part, didn’t I!
SCENE #18 – EXT – CENTRAL PARK, NEW YORK (2023) (ZONE #6) – DAY, MORNING
Meanwhile, Yaz and Dan are in Central Park in New York. They use the temporal tracker given to them by their Doctor, which bleeps away loudly.
DAN
The Doctor’s right, Yaz. These people are peculiar with their blank expressions. They remind me of teenagers on the bus, glued to their phones and gadgets. Them ones wearing earphones make me feel uneasy.
YAZ
And we’re in New York. Not London anymore. The two cities can’t coexist with each other at the same time, can they?
DAN
This is definitely Central Park we’re in. Which part of Central Park, I don’t know.
YAZ
Bethesda Terrace. I saw the signpost as we came in here.
DAN
Alright, clever-clogs. No need to show off.
YAZ
Also, nobody seems to be taking any notice of us, Dan. (Pause; calls) Hiya! Hey, how are you? Want to talk to us? (Pause) Hello!
No response.
YAZ
See!
DAN
Let me try. (calls) Hullo! Nice day, isn’t it? Hullo?
Still no response.
YAZ
Nobody is paying any attention to us? The Northerner and the Scouse making a racket in Central Park.
DAN
It’s very unnerving. I wish the Doctor were here to tell us more about what’s going on.
YAZ
(saddened) Me too.
A moment of silence.
DAN
(gradually) Do you think she’s not letting on enough about how she feels about you, Yaz?
YAZ
(gradually) Now’s probably not the time to talk about this, Dan.
DAN
Probably not. But who else are you going to talk to about it? When is there going to be a good time? We always go from one adventure to the next.
YAZ
I told you, Dan. I’m content with just being her friend.
DAN
Your eyes tell another story.
Another moment of silence.
YAZ
Am I really that obvious?
DAN
I just don’t want you to get hurt. Travelling in the TARDIS could be painful. I don’t want you to suffer unnecessarily.
YAZ
(gradually) I’m holding on to hope, Dan. A vain hope, but it’s enough. (Pause; teases) Besides, what can you do without me? You still need to learn how to be an experienced TARDIS traveller.
DAN
(chuckles) That is true. Well done, Yaz. Where would I be without you?
At that moment, shouts echo nearby.
DONNA
(shouts; from a distance) Will someone please listen to me?! Look at me! Please, listen to me! Is everyone deaf here?
YAZ
Someone’s not happy.
DAN
A disgruntled tourist?
YAZ
(realises) Or maybe it’s one of the Doctor’s friends!
Yaz and Dan check their temporal tracker and it bleeps quite loudly.
DAN
Our temporal tracker confirms it. The energy reading is very strong. And whoever it is is really loud too.
YAZ
(eagerly) Come on! Let’s go and see who’s making all that noise, shall we?
Yaz and Dan head off to follow the continuing shouts of someone nearby.
SCENE #19 – EXT – CENTRAL PARK, NEW YORK (2023) (ZONE #6) – DAY, MORNING
At the Bethesda Fountain in Central Park, Donna Noble shouts at the top of her voice, attempting to get attention from people passing by.
DONNA
(shouts) Look! I just want some help! Please can anyone spare me a few moments?
No response. People keep walking by with blank expressions on their faces. Some are absorbed with their phones as they walk.
DONNA
(shouts; angrily) Fine! Ignore me! Pretend I’m not here! I hope every one of you gets eyestrain or a migraine from your phones!
At that moment, Yaz and Dan appear.
YAZ
(calls) Hello! Hello, excuse me!
DAN
Can we help you at all?
DONNA
(realises) Wait! Hold on. Are you two talking to me? It is me you’re talking to, isn’t it?
YAZ
(reassuringly) Yes. Yes, it is.
DONNA
(relieved) Oh thank God! You two have noticed me! I thought I was going mad.
YAZ
Perhaps it’d be better if you came down from the fountain.
DAN
Yeah. You could easily fall and hurt yourself.
Donna obliges, as she gets down from the Bethesda Fountain. Yaz checks the temporal tracker in her hand, as it bleeps away.
DONNA
I am sane, aren’t I? This is New York City we’re in, right?
DAN
(cautiously) It looks like it, yeah.
DONNA
Well, I tell you. I’ve tried to get attention from these bozos for the past half-hour. Just one moment of their time would have been enough. But they ignore me as if I wasn’t here. It’s so rude. And they’re just on their phones.
DAN
Yeah. Very rude that.
DONNA
I’ll tell you something else. I wasn’t as bad as that when I used to be a trivia expert back home in Chiswick. (notices) What’s that gadget you’ve got there?
Yaz soon finishes checking the temporal tracker, as she switches it off.
YAZ
Excuse me, but….do you know the Doctor?
DONNA
(startled) The Doctor? Yeah! Yeah, of course I know him. Do you two know him?
DAN
We do indeed. We’re mates of hers. (realises) Sorry, did you say ‘him’?
DONNA
(realises) Did you say ‘her’?
YAZ
Perhaps we’d better start with introductions. I’m Yaz and this is Dan.
DAN
Hullo.
YAZ
And you are?
DONNA
Donna. My name’s Donna. But wait, you two travel with the Doctor?
YAZ
We do, yes.
DONNA
The same Doctor who travels in a blue box called the TARDIS? Tall, skinny fella with spiky hair, talks at about ten minutes per second or something.
DAN
She has a blue box called the TARDIS, but our Doctor is a blonde-haired woman.
DONNA
You, what? Are you two having me on?
YAZ
Trust me. We’re not having you on. I think your Doctor is our Doctor’s past. Or her future.
DONNA
(confused) Pardon?
DAN
Your Doctor isn’t the only one who’s trapped here. There are other Doctors. At least two of them. We’re not exactly sure where we are at the moment.
YAZ
And this place seems to have London and New York merged together. We don’t know how that’s possible, but the Doctor seems to know more about what’s going on.
DONNA
Have I gone nuts or has the world gone crazy?
DAN
That’s the other thing. We don’t know if this is Earth or not.
DONNA
(sighs) All I wanted was to get to my mum and gramps back home. Now I find myself here. And I’ve been trying to find the Doctor – my Doctor – ever since we wandered off. I wonder if this has all been a bad dream. Should I dunk my head in the fountain to check?
YAZ
Donna, tell us. How did you and your Doctor end up here in New York?
DONNA
(recollects) Well, we were in the TARDIS and we got dragged towards a maelstrom. The Doctor didn’t know what was going on at first, but then we saw other TARDISes being dragged towards the maelstrom too. It was all pretty crazy.
YAZ
And then your TARDIS was being paired with another one before another TARDIS came along and piggybacked onto you.
DONNA
(realises) Yes. That’s it exactly. How did you know that?
YAZ
Our TARDIS was the one that piggybacked onto you.
DAN
And as soon as you entered the maelstrom, you and your Doctor blacked out and found yourselves here.
DONNA
That’s what happened to you two and your Doctor as well, wasn’t it?
DAN
Yeah. Yeah, it was.
DONNA
When we woke up in the TARDIS, the Doctor and I went out and explored Central Park. We then wandered off separately and I ended up by myself. You know the rest, of course.
YAZ
We’d better head back to the Doctor. (to Donna) Our Doctor that is.
DAN
She’ll be waiting for us back in Trafalgar Square in London, won’t she?
DONNA
Sorry, what? Trafalgar Square in London? In New York?
YAZ
Like we said, London and New York have merged together. You’ll see what we mean when we make our way back there.
DAN
Yeah, come on. Let’s head back there now whilst we can.
Yaz and Dan lead the way. Donna follows them to Trafalgar Square in London.
DONNA
How come your Doctor isn’t with you? Where is he… she, I mean?
YAZ
She’s following…or was following another temporal energy signature with her temporal tracker in London. We haven’t heard from her since. We found you with our temporal tracker. You and your Doctor’s TARDIS must be close by.
Yaz shows the temporal tracker to Donna and switches it on for a bit, as it bleeps loudly.
DONNA
(realises) Oh yeah. Yeah, the TARDIS is close by in Central Park now you mention it.
DAN
It’s lucky we were able to find you. You shout pretty loudly, you know.
DONNA
That’s me. I’d like to shout the place down to get attention.
YAZ
(anxiously) Dan; Donna, stop a minute.
Yaz, Dan and Donna come to a stop.
DAN
What is it? What’s wrong, Yaz?
YAZ
(gradually) Donna, these people. They weren’t paying attention to you earlier, right?
DONNA
Yeah.
YAZ
(gradually) Well, how come they’re looking at us right now?
They look to see the people who have stood still in Central Park staring at them. A moment of silence.
DAN
They’ve come to a stop, Yaz.
YAZ
Yeah, Dan, so I’ve noticed.
DONNA
Their blank stares. Look at their eyes glazed over but still giving us the evils.
YAZ
I don’t like this. (Pause) Keep walking. Hopefully they’ll ignore us.
Yaz, Dan and Donna keep on walking, whilst the people in Central Park start to follow them.
DAN
(anxiously) They’re following us, Yaz. Everyone in Central Park is following us.
DONNA
(anxiously) What’s got them interested in us all of a sudden?
YAZ
(anxiously) Just keep walking, you two. Hopefully, we’ll get back to Trafalgar Square in London safe and sound.
SCENE #20A – EXT – CHAPEL STREET, LONDON (2023) (ZONE #6) – DAY, MORNING
Meanwhile, the Thirteenth Doctor, Nyssa and Billy have ended up in Chapel Street. The Doctor uses her temporal tracker as they go. It bleeps quite loudly.
NYSSA
Admit it, Doctor. We’re lost.
DOCTOR 13
Lost? Of course we’re not lost. What do you take me for, Nyssa? I have an unerring sense of direction. I’m sure this is where we need to go.
BILLY
Where exactly are we, Doctor?
DOCTOR 13
Err…Chapel Street, I think, Billy. (Pause; realises) Aha. Here we are.
NYSSA
What is it?
DOCTOR 13
This corner here. I recognise it. And the tracker seems to agree with me.
The Doctor holds up her temporal tracker as it bleeps louder.
BILLY
Are you sure that gadget of yours is reliable, Doctor?
DOCTOR 13
Don’t worry, you two. We’ll find your Doctor soon enough.
The Doctor leads the way, as she, Nyssa and Billy are about to turn a corner.
DOCTOR 13
We go along here, turn around the corner, and…
SCENE #20B – EXT – EDGWARE ROAD, LONDON (2023) (ZONE #6) – DAY, MORNING
DOCTOR 13
(finishes) …We’re lost.
NYSSA
(groans) Oh, Doctor.
BILLY
I thought you said you had an unerring sense of direction.
DOCTOR 13
Alright, Billy. No need to be cheeky. (Pause) Usually, I would know my way around London from Madame Tussauds to Trafalgar Square.
NYSSA
But not today, it seems.
DOCTOR 13
Surprisingly not. And that’s the odd thing.
BILLY
Odd? What’s odd, Doctor?
DOCTOR 13
It’s not just the fact we’re lost that bugs me. It’s the fact that London’s structure keeps changing every time we enter a new area. I sensed it when I boarded the tube train from Trafalgar Square to Madame Tussauds to find you two.
NYSSA
Like Castrovalva. That place kept changing its structure every time we entered a new area. Is that what this is? Are we caught in a space-time trap? Is the Master involved?
DOCTOR 13
I wouldn’t put it past him. I wouldn’t be at all surprised if the Master popped up out of nowhere and declared “Here I am” and “It was me all along”. It’ll have to depend on what incarnation of the Master it is we’re dealing with.
NYSSA
(astonished) There’s been more Masters since?
BILLY
How long has it been since you last saw us, Doctor?
DOCTOR 13
Oh, I’ve had quite a number of regenerations since we last saw each other, Billy. Can’t recall the exact number at the moment.
NYSSA
(gradually) Perhaps we should make our way back to Madame Tussauds. We can retrace our steps and start again.
BILLY
Or we could try getting a map.
DOCTOR 13
Good suggestions, you two. Let’s make our way back to Madame Tussauds first before we consider purchasing a map.
The Doctor, Nyssa and Billy head back the way they came.
SCENE #21 – EXT – CHAPEL STREET, LONDON (2023) (ZONE #6) – DAY, MORNING
As they make their way back…
DOCTOR 13
So, where are you two now? I know you’re still a couple, but I’m not sure whether…
NYSSA
(interjects) We’re married now, Doctor. Billy and I married recently in Churchwood Street in Cardiff following that Christmas invasion of the Daleks in nineteen sixty-five.
DOCTOR 13
(pleased) That’s brilliant news! Congratulations to you both. I’m so glad you got married.
BILLY
Thanks. You were there too, Doctor. You gave Nyssa away, remember?
NYSSA
And you gave us both rings.
DOCTOR 13
Ah, but that was the other me, wasn’t it? Your Doctor did those things. That time I gave you away, Nyssa, and gave you and Billy rings was another lifetime for me. (reflects) I’ve had so many lifetimes since then. It’s hard to keep track of everything I did. Everyone I met. (gradually; saddened) And everyone I lost.
NYSSA
(gradually) How have things been for you, Doctor? I assume you’re happy. You’re currently travelling with friends. Yaz and Dan, I believe you call them.
DOCTOR 13
Yes. Yes, Nyssa. Very happy indeed with Yaz and Dan as my latest friends in the TARDIS.
BILLY
You seem sad about something though, Doctor. I can tell by the tone in your voice.
A moment of silence.
DOCTOR 13
(gradually) Something’s coming for me, Billy. (Pause; saddened) I fear this current life I’m living won’t last for long. I’ll be on my way to regenerating soon.
NYSSA
(gradually) Don’t say that, Doctor. Even if you regenerate, Billy and I know you’ll live on.
DOCTOR 13
Nothing’s ever certain, Nyssa. Especially for a weary old traveller like me.
Another moment of silence.
DOCTOR 13
(snaps out of it) Nah, don’t listen to me, you two. You’ll probably forget everything that’s about to happen here today. Especially when it comes to meeting my other selves and the other friends I have.
NYSSA
You think there are more Doctors in this place?
DOCTOR 13
I’m not sure. Hopefully when we meet up with Yaz, Dan and whoever else they’ll find, we’ll be able to find more Doctors in this place before we find anyone else. Whether that’s in London or New York.
BILLY
(anxiously) Doctor; Nyssa. These people here with their blank stares. They’ve stopped. They’re looking at us.
The Thirteenth Doctor, Nyssa and Billy look to see the people with blank stares.
NYSSA
Why have they turned their attention on us?
DOCTOR 13
I don’t know. Was it something I said?
At that moment, one of the Londoners steps forward.
LONDONER
(monotone; out loud) Intruders. Intruders. We have intruders in the area.
BILLY
(baffled) Is he talking about us?
DOCTOR 13
(protests; to Londoner) Oy! We’re not intruders! We’re just passing. Don’t mind us.
NYSSA
Billy, these people seem to be like the museum attendant we met in Madam Tussauds.
BILLY
Yeah, that’s what I was thinking. Has everyone suddenly become a zombie or a robot?
Just then, Cybermen come marching out into the street, stomping as they go and startling the Thirteenth Doctor, Nyssa and Billy.
NYSSA
(astonished; panics) Cybermen!
BILLY
(astonished; panics) Stomping street corners and joining these blank-faced people.
DOCTOR 13
Yes. (deduces) The humans in this area with blank expressions must be controlled by the Cybermen. It would explain a lot as to why they’ve been so emotionless and absorbed in their technology.
BILLY
(realises) They’re also wearing wristbands, these people. I noticed them before.
DOCTOR 13
Me too, Billy. The wristband-like devices must be what the Cybermen utilise to control these poor people.
The Cyber Leader stomps forward and addresses the Thirteenth Doctor, Nyssa and Billy.
CYBER LEADER
You will accompany us. Do not resist. Resist and you will be deleted.
BILLY
That’s their leader with the black handles on his head, I presume.
NYSSA
Well observed, Billy.
DOCTOR 13
(cries) Nyssa; Billy! Run!
BILLY
Where to?
DOCTOR 13
(cries) Don’t ask questions! RUN!!!
The Thirteenth Doctor, Nyssa and Billy make a run for it. The Cybermen and the controlled humans pursue the Thirteenth Doctor, Nyssa and Billy, stomping as they go.
CYBER LEADER
Pursue them. The fugitives cannot escape.
CYBER LIEUTENANT
Confirmed. They will become like us.
SCENE #22 – EXT – CENTRAL PARK, NEW YORK (2023) (ZONE #6) – DAY, MORNING
Meanwhile, Yaz, Dan and Donna are running for their lives in Central Park in New York. The Cybermen are coming at them on all sides.
YAZ
Keep running, Dan; keep running, Donna! Don’t stop!
DAN
I don’t get it! One minute people were staring at us, the next minute [there are…]
YAZ
(interjects) Yes, Dan, I know. Cybermen come charging at us out of nowhere.
DONNA
I thought the blank-faced people had just gone nuts. Now I see…
YAZ
(interjects) They’re being controlled by the Cybermen, yes, Donna. Via those wristbands.
CYBERMAN #1
Cease your attempt to escape us.
CYBERMAN #2
You will become like us. Surrender or you will be deleted.
DAN
Na, I don’t think so.
DONNA
Not today, Tin Men with no hearts!
Yaz, Dan and Donna run with the Cybermen and the controlled humans in pursuit.
YAZ
(realises) Dan; Donna, look! There’s a car nearby. I can see the key in the ignition. Perhaps we should take it.
DONNA
That car may belong to someone.
DAN
Yeah, well, it’s not going to be much use to them now, is it? Whoever owned that car has probably become one of these Cybermen.
YAZ
Or one of the blank-faced people. And we can use it to pick up the Doctor and whoever else she’s been able to find. Dan, you can drive.
DAN
(nervously) What, me? Oh. Alright then.
DONNA
(encouragingly) Come on, Danny boy. You’ve driven a car before, haven’t you?
DAN
Yes! But not one with a left-hand drive.
DONNA
Aww, don’t worry about it. It’ll be like riding a bike.
YAZ
The Cybermen and their human puppets are gaining on us. Come on, you two! Run faster!
Yaz, Dan and Donna pick up speed, as they make for the abandoned car.
SCENE #23A – INT – CAR, CENTRAL PARK (2023) (ZONE #6) – DAY, MORNING
Arriving at the car, Dan manages to open the driver’s door.
DAN
(cheers) It’s open, Yaz! The car is open! We can get in!
YAZ
(urgently) Come on then! Let’s get in!
DONNA
I’ll go in the back. You take the front passenger seat, Yaz.
Yaz, Dan and Donna manage to get in and shut the car doors in an instant. The Cybermen and controlled humans soon surround the car, banging their fists on the car doors and attempting to break in.
DONNA
(startled) This Cyber lot are relentless! Can’t we get this thing going?
YAZ
(urgently) Dan, hurry up!
DAN
Alright, Yaz! I’m hurrying, I’m hurrying!
Dan turns the car key in the ignition, and soon, the car starts up, ready to go.
DAN
(cheers; triumphantly) I did it! I got it to work!
YAZ
(impatiently) Dan! Let’s get a move on!
DONNA
Yeah! The Cybermen and their buddies are about to smash the windows in!
Just then, a Cyberman smashes its fist through the back window where Donna is. Donna screams, backing away from the Cyberman’s hand reaching out for her.
DONNA
(cries) Please, Dan, hurry up! One of the Cybermen has smashed his way in and is trying to get at me!
YAZ
(urgently) Now, Dan! Drive now!
DAN
Alright, alright.
Dan steps on the accelerator.
SCENE #23B – EXT – CENTRAL PARK, NEW YORK (2023) (ZONE #6) – DAY, MORNING
Instead of going forwards however, the car goes backwards. Dan, Yaz and Donna scream once the car goes backwards, running some Cybermen over.
SCENE #23C – INT – CAR, CENTRAL PARK (2023) (ZONE #6) – DAY, MORNING
DONNA
(cries) You’re in reverse, Dan! We’ve gone backwards!
YAZ
(urgently) Get into first gear, Dan! Go forwards!
DAN
(cries) I’m doing it, I’m doing it!
Dan goes into first gear and steps on the accelerator again.
SCENE #23D – EXT – CENTRAL PARK, NEW YORK (2023) (ZONE #6) – DAY, MORNING
Thankfully, the car does go forward, running some more Cybermen over. Dan drives straight ahead, as he, Yaz and Donna escape.
SCENE #23E – INT – CAR, CENTRAL PARK (2023) (ZONE #6) – DAY, MORNING
In the car, Dan, Yaz and Donna maintain their cool whilst driving past many Cybermen and controlled humans in Central Park.
YAZ
Careful as we go, Dan. We don’t want to crash at full speed.
DAN
It’s very difficult to drive through here with so many Cybermen about.
DONNA
So, where do we go from here?
YAZ
We need to get back to Trafalgar Square in London.
DONNA
What?
YAZ
Trust us, Donna. London is closer to New York than you think.
DONNA
My mind’s in a whirl today.
DAN
Let’s hope we’ll be able to get back to Trafalgar Square safely in this thing.
At that moment, a couple of Cybermen jump onto the car’s bonnet. Dan, Yaz and Donna cry out startled.
DONNA
(startled) Where did those two come from?!
YAZ
(startled) They jumped on the bonnet out of nowhere!
DAN
(frustrated) They’re blocking my view. I can’t see where I’m going.
The car swirves from side to side with Dan trying to keep it on the road. The two Cybermen try to break in through the car’s front window, using their fists.
YAZ
(cries) Dan, please! Keep the car steady! We’re veering from side to side!
DAN
Find a way to get rid of these Cybermen and I’ll happily oblige.
YAZ
(calls) Donna? Is there something in the back we can use to ward these Cybermen off? A metal pole perhaps?
Donna searches around the back of the car. Eventually…
DONNA
(cheers; triumphantly) Ah! A walking stick. Will that do?
YAZ
We’ll see. Pass it over, will you?
Donna picks up the walking stick and hands it over to Yaz.
DONNA
Somebody must have brought their grandad or grandma out on a family outing.
Yaz takes the walking stick from Donna. She soon unbuckles her seat belt, unwinds her car door window, and gets up.
DAN
Yaz, what are you doing? You’ll get yourself killed going out through your car door window.
YAZ
It’s the only way to knock these Cybermen off the bonnet.
DONNA
Be careful, Yaz.
YAZ
Don’t worry, I will. (to Dan) Keep your focus on driving the car on the road, Dan.
DAN
You don’t have to tell me twice, Yaz.
YAZ
Right. Here goes.
As Dan keeps on driving, Yaz gets up to go through the car window. She reaches out with the walking stick to aim it at the two Cybermen on the bonnet.
YAZ
(cries) Right! That’s enough, you two! Off you go!
Yaz strikes at one of the Cybermen once, then twice and then three times. The Cyberman groans once it’s been hit and soon slips off the car’s bonnet.
DONNA
(cheers) That’s it! Cyberman down and out! Well done, Yaz!
YAZ
Only one more to go.
Yaz soon strikes again at the second Cyberman with the walking stick. After striking once, then twice and then three times again, the second Cybermen groans and soon slips off the car’s bonnet.
DAN
(cheers) And it’s all clear! Yes, I can see where we are. Well done, Yaz. I see clearly now.
Yaz manages to get back inside the car and winds up her car door window, then sits down and fastens her seat belt.
DONNA
(cheers) Way-to-go, Yaz! You knocked those Cybermen off the car like they were ragdolls.
YAZ
(pleased) Thanks. (Pause) I rather enjoyed that. But we have to keep focused. We must get to Trafalgar Square as quickly as possible to meet up with the Doctor.
DAN
Not to worry, Yaz. We’ll be back in London in no-time.
DONNA
(intrigued) Will this really be a quick trip from Central Park, New York to Trafalgar Square in London?
YAZ
You’ll be surprised, Donna. It was a surprise for me and Dan to cross the border into New York from London.
DAN
We’re on our way out of Central Park now, Yaz.
YAZ
I’ll switch on the temporal tracker. Hopefully the Doctor should be there at Trafalgar Square. If she isn’t, we’ll have to use the temporal tracker to locate where she is in London.
DAN
Let’s hope she is at Trafalgar Square. I’d hate to think she’d been delayed.
YAZ
Don’t worry, Dan. I can drive should we need to go further into London.
DONNA
But we’ve still got Cybermen after us. (realises; panics) And they’re speeding up!
YAZ
Then we’d better speed up too, hadn’t we?
DAN
Hold tight, you two. This may be a very bumpy ride.
Dan drives the car at full speed whilst the Cybermen and the controlled humans continue to pursue them.
SCENE #24 – EXT – MARBLE ARCH, LONDON (2023) (ZONE #6) – DAY, MORNING
Meanwhile, in Marble Arch in London, the Cybermen, led by their leader, stomp along as they’re trying to locate the Thirteenth Doctor, Nyssa and Billy.
CYBER LIEUTENANT
The fugitives have absconded. We are not receiving them on our detectors.
CYBER LEADER
They must be apprehended. The fugitives are required for conversion.
CYBER LIEUTENANT
Resistance to conversion will require maximum deletion.
CYBER LEADER
Agreed. Total conversion or maximum deletion. Their choice will be made.
Eventually, the Cybermen move on, stomping as they go. As their stomping dies away, the Thirteenth Doctor, Nyssa and Billy gradually come out of their hiding place.
NYSSA
Doctor, we can’t keep on like this. Especially with the Cybermen pursuing us.
DOCTOR 13
(optimistically) I know, Nyssa. But at least we’ve managed to outrun the Cybermen at last. We’ve left Chapel Street and Edgware Road far behind us, haven’t we?
BILLY
You can say that again. How long did we run for? My legs are killing me.
DOCTOR 13
You should be lucky, Billy. Had we walked, it would have been fifteen minutes or so.
BILLY
Yes. Maybe I should exercise more.
NYSSA
You also need to eat less, Billy.
BILLY
Hey, that’s not fair! I had a light breakfast this morning.
NYSSA
Besides, we need to get rid of these Cybermen as soon as possible.
DOCTOR 13
No need to worry, Nyssa. Our perfect escape route from the Cybermen is quite nearby.
BILLY
How do you mean, Doctor?
DOCTOR 13
There’s a tube station over to our left. We can make our way there.
NYSSA
What if Cybermen should come out to get at us, Doctor?
DOCTOR 13
Then there’s a second option. We’ll have to go on the road, open one of the manhole covers and get down into the London sewers.
BILLY
Is there a manhole cover nearby?
DOCTOR 13
Of course there is. Look, see? On the road near us.
Nyssa and Billy look to see where the Thirteenth Doctor has seen the manhole cover.
NYSSA
(realises) Oh yes, so there is. I’m surprised I didn’t notice that before.
DOCTOR 13
I’m suspecting the Cybermen came from the sewers. How else would they have come out of nowhere? They did look grimy and not as silvery when we first saw them.
BILLY
Do we go now then? Do we try the tube station first?
DOCTOR 13
Not yet, Billy. We’ll wait a few minutes. Just to be sure no more Cybermen are in this area.
NYSSA
Do you think the Cybermen are the ones behind this predicament we’re in, Doctor?
DOCTOR 13
Possibly, Nyssa. Possibly. But I shouldn’t think the Cybermen are entirely capable of dragging us into a maelstrom in Space and Time.
SCENE #25 – EXT – TRAFALGAR SQUARE, LONDON (2023) (ZONE #6) – DAY, MORNING
Meanwhile, the Fifth Doctor ends up in Trafalgar Square, as he uses his temporal tracker, which bleeps loudly.
DOCTOR 5
Hmm. Trafalgar Square. And no sign of Nyssa and Billy. (Pause) No sign of anybody in fact. No pigeons either.
DOCTOR 10
(calls) Donna? Donna, are you about? Donna!
The Fifth Doctor turns to see the Tenth Doctor approaching.
DOCTOR 5
Ah. Seems like I’m not entirely alone.
DOCTOR 10
Ah. Hello there. I wonder if you can help me. I’m looking for…
The Tenth Doctor stops mid-sentence, as he and the Fifth Doctor see each other for the very first time.
DOCTOR 5
(realises) You! It’s you!
DOCTOR 10
(realises) Blimey, you’re here!
DOCTOR 5
What are you doing here? How did you end up here anyway?
DOCTOR 10
I could ask you the same thing. Aww, but this is just brilliant!
DOCTOR 5
Is it? We shouldn’t keep meeting each other like this.
DOCTOR 10
(cheerfully) When has that ever stopped us, Doctor?
DOCTOR 5
Not under these circumstances. Let me guess; you ended up falling through a maelstrom in Space and Time the same as I did.
DOCTOR 10
The same maelstrom in fact, yes. And…where are you now? (reads Doctor 5) Is it…Nyssa and Billy you’re travelling with?
DOCTOR 5
Yes. Nyssa and Billy are still travelling with me.
DOCTOR 10
Aww, that’s just lovely. How are those two getting on? Are they happily married?
DOCTOR 5
They are, yes. Recently in fact. (Pause) And I take it you’re travelling with someone as well. You’re looking for her in fact.
DOCTOR 10
Donna, yes. Donna Noble. My latest travelling companion.
DOCTOR 5
Well, I look forward to meeting her.
DOCTOR 10
You will, Doctor. Trust me, you will. If we can find her, Nyssa and Billy, that is.
DOCTOR 5
I thought my friends Nyssa and Billy might have ended up here in Trafalgar Square when I used my temporal tracker. They don’t seem to be here though.
The Fifth Doctor shows his temporal tracker, which bleeps quite loudly. The Tenth Doctor also shows his temporal tracker, which bleeps quite loudly.
DOCTOR 10
Same for me too. I used my temporal tracker to get here when Donna and I arrived in Central Park in New York.
DOCTOR 5
Central Park? You arrived in Central Park in New York?
DOCTOR 10
(realises) Oh, of course. My temporal tracker picked up your temporal energy signature, while yours picked up mine. Hence our reunion in Trafalgar Square.
DOCTOR 5
Well, I suppose we’d better stick together and try to find our companions. They can’t be too far away from us, can they?
DOCTOR 10
I should hope not. They must be nearby, but where can they be?
© Tim Bradley, 2023
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