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 Posted: Tue Aug 05, 2008 1:35 pm
I've actually written four fanfics. But this one by far has gotten the most positive responses from my family. Again, it is in screenplay mode, because I'm rubbish at description.
This story takes place directly before the events of "The Sontaran Strategem/The Poison Sky."
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Posted: Tue Aug 05, 2008 1:39 pm
INT. TARDIS CONSOLE ROOM – DAY
The TARDIS is shaking about violently, almost every possible alert sounding off. DONNA NOBLE is clutching one of the handrails, trying not to be thrown about the room. The (10TH) DOCTOR is at the console, simultaneously trying to stay upright and get the TARDIS back under control.
DONNA
Doctor! Do something!!
DOCTOR
What do you think I’m doing here?!
The Doctor recoils as sparks fly in his face and barely remains standing.
DOCTOR
We’re out of control! The TARDIS is in free-fall!
DONNA
‘Free-fall?’
DOCTOR
That’s what I said!
DONNA
‘Free-fall?!?!’ We’re gonna crash?!
DOCTOR
Nah!
Another spark, smoke starts wafting from under the floor. The Doctor frantically cranks at a switch.
DOCTOR
Then again...
DONNA
If we die I’m gonna kill you!
DOCTOR
Hold on!
The TARDIS lurches wildly. Sparks and debris are flying about. After a few agonizing moments the TARDIS shudders to a halt and loses primary power. The room is bathed in the eerie glow of the console and emergency lighting. The Doctor and Donna’s adrenaline-fueled panting can be heard. Finally:
DONNA
What. The hell. Was that all about?! We crashed?! Since when do you crash?!
The Doctor goes under the deck paneling. He pops back up and sits dejectedly on the deck, examining a burnt-out component.
DOCTOR
Oh no...
It’s completely gone, that was my last one.
DONNA
Just how many times have you crashed? What happens to the TARDIS?! Is it all splinters outside? Are we stuck in a mountain or half-buried in muck?! Do we have to-
DOCTOR
Donna! We’re fine! Yes, we crashed. But we’re on solid ground and the TARDIS is more or less intact.
DONNA
So we can take off, then?
DOCTOR
Well...no.
He tosses the component to Donna.
DONNA
What’s this?
The Doctor gets out of the hole and replaces the decking.
DOCTOR
That feeds the regulating fluid into the time rotor. Without it, the rotor overheats and malfunctions. When that happens I have no control over where...
The Doctor trails off, looking at Donna’s semi-blank and annoyed expression.
DOCTOR (CONT’D)
It’s like a...oh never mind.
DONNA
Can’t you fix it?
The Doctor looks at the monitor.
DOCTOR
No, it’s beyond repair. I need a replacement.
DONNA
Reckon we can’t just pop into a shop and get one...
The Doctor puts on his coat and moves for the door.
DOCTOR
Nope.
DONNA
So we’re stuck here.
DOCTOR
It could be worse...
DONNA
How could this be worse?!
The Doctor steps outside. Donna follows him.
EXT. A BACK ALLEY – DAY
The TARDIS doesn’t look any worse for the wear but the metal buildings on either side were dented and debris was strewn about the alley. The Doctor emerges, grinning at the sight. Donna is a little miffed.
DOCTOR
Oh, not a scratch. She’ll survive anything, she will.
(beat, turning around)
Oh yes! Look at that!
DONNA
Look at what? How can you be so excited? We’re stuck on some planet, in the middle of nowhere, in some other galaxy, and we have no way to get back to Earth!
DOCTOR
Donna, just listen. What do you hear?
DONNA
I don’t hear anything!
Something similar to a car horn honks.
DONNA
Was that a car? You wanted me to listen for a car?!
DOCTOR
Exactly! Technology! Lasers, holo-projectors, vacuum tubes!
DONNA
So?
DOCTOR
So! We could’ve landed sometime in the dark ages, millennia away from anything remotely useful being invented, but we didn’t! We landed smack dab in the middle of all this technology! I can do anything with technology.
DONNA
(more hopeful)
So you can...
DOCTOR
Yup!
DONNA
What are we standing around for, then?
The Doctor grins.
DOCTOR
Allons-y!
The Doctor and Donna walk towards the street together.
EXT. A BUSY CITY STREET – DAY
The street is packed with pedestrians and vehicle traffic. It wouldn’t be so odd except that the cars are strangely shaped and hovering about 2 feet off the ground. In addition, the pedestrians aren’t exclusively human. Some are cat-people; the Doctor and Donna landed in the year five-billion-and-ten, just not in New New York. Donna stares at one of the cat-people in disbelief.
DONNA
That’s a cat...
DOCTOR
It’s not nice to stare, Donna.
DONNA
But that’s a cat...
DOCTOR
Yes, that’s very observant, now-
CAT-PERSON
Oi, you got a problem wit’ me, Red?
DONNA
And it talks! It’s a giant cat, and it talks!
DOCTOR
(to Cat-Person)
Sorry, don’t mind her. First visit to the city, bit of culture shock.
(to Donna)
Come on.
CAT-PERSON
Yeah, well just keep your little woman away from me, mate.
DOCTOR
No, no, no, no, no, we’re-we’re not-we’re not a couple.
CAT-PERSON
Whatever.
Cat-Person walks off into the crowd.
DONNA
Cat-people? Cat-people?! You. Are. Bonkers! Living fat, giant spiders, Pyroviles, Ood, and now cat-people! What’s next, dogs with no noses?
The Doctor looks thoughtful for a moment.
DOCTOR
If you don’t like it...
DONNA
Are you kidding? I love it!
(looking off)
Oh! Is that a shop? Can we go shopping?
DOCTOR
I don’t think-
DONNA
Come on! Everywhere we’ve been there hasn’t been any shops! Let me get a few souvenirs for Granddad! Bit of shopping won’t hurt you.
The Doctor inhales, realising the futility of arguing with Donna.
DOCTOR
I suppose...
DONNA
Great!
(beat)
Hold on, will my money still work?
DOCTOR
Probably not.
DONNA
Do I have to exchange it then?
The Doctor looks around. Spotting a terminal, he pulls out the SONIC SCREWDRIVER and uses it. Below the terminal pops out an elongated credit card-type item. He hands this to Donna.
DOCTOR
Here we are. Please don’t buy anything that could disrupt the timeline, okay?
DONNA
(exasperated)
I’ll only buy trinkets, promise.
Donna hurries into the nearest store, dragging the Doctor behind her.
INT. A SHOP, 15 MINUTES LATER – DAY
Donna is looking over trinkets while she makes the Doctor carry all her potential purchases. She picks up an object and shows it to the Doctor.
DONNA
How about this?
DOCTOR
It has a nuclear battery. No.
Donna puts it back and picks up another.
DOCTOR
Holographic star charts. No.
DONNA
All you’ve said ‘yes’ to was a paperweight, a music box, and a mug! Why can’t I get something alien?!
DOCTOR
Because someone could get a hold of it and use that knowledge to alter the future!
DONNA
Fine, what can I get then?
DOCTOR
(thoughtfully)
The mood-ink pen. You could get that.
Donna opens her mouth to complain when a series of screams is heard from outside. The Doctor hastily puts the objects down and exits the shop.
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Posted: Tue Aug 05, 2008 1:41 pm
EXT. A BUSY CITY STREET – DAY
Traffic has stopped. Down the street, sprawled across the entire surface of the intersection, is the giant corpse of the Cat-Person from earlier. Some people run in panic while others stand and watch in morbid curiosity. The Doctor and Donna force their way through those gathered to gawk at the spectacle.
DONNA
Oh my god, is that the same cat from before?
The Doctor turns toward the crowd.
DOCTOR
Everyone needs to step away! This is a dangerous situation and I need everyone out of the immediate vicinity!
A few members of the crowd leave but the majority stays. Donna pensively approaches the corpse.
DOCTOR
Everyone got out of here, now!
(sees Donna)
Donna! Don’t touch it!
Donna jumps in surprise. The Doctor grabs her and pulls her away. As he did, the corpse collapses, as though every bone inside had dissolved. The rest of the crowd flees in panic.
DONNA
What just happened?!
DOCTOR
A Nicul.
DONNA
What’s a ‘Nicul?’
DOCTOR
A parasite that feeds on living calcium. It ate his bones.
DONNA
But, how did he...? Why is he so big?
DOCTOR
It’s the final stage of the infection. We need to get out of here. The Nicul is about to release its spores.
DONNA
‘Spores?’ You mean there’s gonna be more of those things?!
DOCTOR
Come on. We have to be at least fifteen meteres away from it.
They turn and run a few feet when Donna spots TIM, a little kitten-person, approaching the corpse. She runs back for him.
DOCTOR
Donna!
Donna scoops Tim up.
DONNA
Come on, love, there’s nothing you can do now.
TIM
(struggling)
What happened? What happened to my dad?!
A cloud of milky-white spores erupts from the corpse.
DOCTOR
Donna! Run!
Donna looks at the expanding cloud for a split second before taking off running, Tim in her arms, screaming and clutching on to her with his claws. The cloud was gaining but the farther away from the corpse the thinner it got. Donna caught up to the Doctor’s position and together they ran outside the maximum radius, just barely beating the cloud there. Donna lets go of Tim and bends over, trying to catch her breath.
DONNA
You could’ve told me he had claws...
DOCTOR
He is a cat.
TIM
(sniffling)
Daddy...
Tim is about to rush back into the cloud but the Doctor grabs him and holds him close.
TIM
Let me go! Daddy! I have to see my daddy!
DOCTOR
I’m sorry. I’m so sorry. He’s gone.
DONNA
He doesn’t claw you...
DOCTOR
(hushed)
Donna!
DONNA
Sorry.
The Doctor holds Tim away so as to make eye contact.
DOCTOR
You can’t go in there, its very dangerous, do you understand?
Tim nods slowly.
DOCTOR (CONT’D)
Good. Now then, what’s your name?
TIM
(sniffling)
Ti-I’m Tim. Just Tim.
DOCTOR
Well, Tim just Tim, were you with your father when this happened?
TIM
Y-yes...
DONNA
Where’s your mum?
TIM
She went to New New York, to visit Granddad in hospital.
DONNA
‘New New York?’ What happened to old New York?
DOCTOR
Not now, Donna.
An emergency vehicle, sirens blaring, pulls up near the group. DETECTIVE INSPECTOR KEW steps out, followed by several containment workers in suits. The workers move into the cloud and begin neutralising the remaining spores. D.I. KEW approaches the DOCTOR.
D.I. KEW
(into radio)
I need a civilian retrieval unit at Delta-4-7. We’ve got contaminated.
DONNA
Just what do you mean by that?!
D.I. KEW
A van is coming. When it arrives you will be taken to an observation and de-contamination centre and tested for infection. In the meantime, you will remain here while we put the area under quarantine.
TIM
I wanna go home...
DOCTOR
Donna, take him.
(to D.I. KEW)
Now, mister...
D.I. KEW
Detective Inspector Kew.
DOCTOR
D.I. Kew, I can promise that we were better than fifteen meteres from the source of the spores. Nicul spores can’t survive traveling that distance.
D.I. KEW
Standard procedure, I’m sorry. No exceptions.
The retrieval can arrives.
D.I. KEW (CONT’D)
Please. The Sisters of Harmony will tend to you.
The Doctor, Donna, and Tim are ushered into the waiting van.
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Posted: Tue Aug 05, 2008 1:46 pm
INT. A HOSPITAL CAR PARK – DAY
The van pulls into a hospital identical in design to the one from ‘New Earth,’ save maybe an extra trauma centre and de-contamination ward. The van backs into an airlock.
INT. DECONTAMINATION WARD, RECIEVING – DAY
The Doctor, Donna, and Tim are let out the back of the van. Tim is holding fast to Donna’s hand. Inside the ward, CAT-NUNS try and separate the group for interviews. Tim hides behind Donna, who looks to the Doctor for guidance. The Doctor gives her a reassuring look.
CAT-NUN 1
Come on, little one. We won’t hurt you.
DONNA
(kneeling down)
Go on. The nice, uh, lady will help you find your mum.
TIM
Promise?
CAT-NUN 1
Of course.
TIM follows Cat-nun 1 into another room.
CAT-NUN 2
(to Donna)
Please follow me, miss.
DONNA
Why does everyone say ‘miss?’
The Doctor and Donna are led into interview rooms 2 and 4 respectively.
INT. DECONTAMINATION WARD, INTERVIEW ROOM 2 – DAY
CAT-NUN 3 sits opposite the Doctor.
DOCTOR
You’re not experimenting with diseases on living subjects, by chance?
CAT-NUN 3
Regretfully, what my sisters in New New York have done was reprehensible. Nevertheless, their actions have advanced the course of medical history.
The Doctor snorts in contempt.
CAT-NUN 3 (CONT’D)
Ahem. I assure you that the Sisters of Harmony perform no such experiments. Let’s begin.
CUT TO: INT. DECONTAMINATION WARD, INTERVIEW ROOM 4 – DAY
CAT-NUN 2 and Donna are seated identical to Cat-nun 3 and the Doctor.
CAT-NUN 2
Name?
DONNA
Donna Noble.
INTERCUT WITH: INT. DECONTAMINATION WARD, INTERVIEW ROOM 2 – DAY
CAT-NUN 3
Doctor who?
DOCTOR
Just the Doctor.
CAT-NUN 2
Age?
DONNA
Twenty-nine.
CAT-NUN 3
Your real age.
DOCTOR
Nine hundred thirty-five.
(beat)
Oh, all right. I’m lying.
(beat)
I’m nine hundred seventy-four. Just a bit vain, me.
The Doctor grins.
CAT-NUN 2
Moving on. Do you have any diseases or medical abnormalities that could have an effect on the outcome of your examination?
DONNA
Um, no...
DOCTOR
Yes.
CAT-NUN 3
Can you be more specific?
DOCTOR
No.
CAT-NUN 2
Do you take any medications or submit to any therapies regularly?
DONNA
No.
DOCTOR
Some say I should...
CAT-NUN 3
Just get on the scanner now...
The Doctor steps onto a scanner apparatus. A red light comes on and an alarm sounds.
DONNA
What?! What is it?! What does that sound mean?!
CAT-NUN 2
I’m so sorry, Miss Noble. You’ve been infected with a Nicul spore.
Two android guards enter the room.
CAT-NUN 2 (CONT’D)
These androids will take you to the quarantine chamber. Please cooperate.
Donna is led from the room by the androids.
INT. DECONTAMINATION WARD, RECIEVING – DAY
The Doctor exits interview room 2.
DOCTOR
Well, that wasn’t so bad, was it Donna?
(sees Donna being escorted)
Donna?! What’s going on?
DONNA
They said I was infected...
Cat-nun 2 exits interview room 4. Donna is led down the corridor. The Doctor starts to follow but is stopped by Cat-nun 2.
DOCTOR
Donna!
CAT-NUN 2
I’m sorry, sir. She’s infected and needs to be quarantined. I’m afraid there is no treatment.
DOCTOR
Yes there are! There are plenty of treatments for Nicul infection! Its entirely treatable!
CAT-NUN 2
If there were a treatment, I assure you Doctor, we would have found it by now. My sisters in New New York were studying the effects of the parasite when their operation was exposed.
Cat-nun 3 exits interview room 2. Cat-nun 2 silently signals Cat-nun 3, who produces a syringe.
DOCTOR
Oh, yes, sorry, that was me.
(beat)
But I’m telling you that there are! Cryogenic stasis or surgeries are the simplest and most widely used treatments. Either method has a near one hundred percent success rate!
Cat-nun 3 injects the contents of the syringe into the Doctor’s arm. Another guard android moves in close. The Doctor looks at Cat-nun 3 in surprise.
DOCTOR (CONT’D)
What? What did you... yoooouuu...?
The Doctor’s eyes roll back a bit and he collapses, the android catches him.
CAT-NUN 3
This man is mentally unstable. Take him to the psychiatric centre for further evaluation and possible medication.
The android carries him off down the other corridor.
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Posted: Tue Aug 05, 2008 1:52 pm
INT. PSYCHIATRIC CENTRE, ROOM – DAY
The Doctor is coming to about an hour later. Looking around, he groggily notices that he is restrained to the bed. Allowing his eyes to focus further, he sees GREGSON, the attending physician/psychologist, looking over the Doctor’s things, scrutinizing the psychic paper. Gregson notices the Doctor stirring. He makes his way over and examines the Doctor.
GREGSON
Ah, I see you’re awake now. I’m Doctor Gregson. Can you tell me your name?
The Doctor mulls the decision for a moment.
DOCTOR
Which would you believe more, my name or my alias?
GREGSON
I’m only interested in what you believe to be true.
The Doctor groaned. It was obvious that the staff had already decided that he was insane and wouldn’t believe anything he told them. He figures his best chance is to force Gregson into performing a physical exam and then have him try and explain away his unique physiology.
DOCTOR
I assume you want to see what makes me tick?
GREGSON
I’m conducting a psychological evaluation, yes.
DOCTOR
What about physical tests? What if I just ate a bad mushroom or something?
GREGSON
I do not believe that will be necessary.
DOCTOR
Come on! My pulse is racing, I’m excitable, and I’m slightly paranoid! Not to mention I’m a little cold here...well, that might be the room, but! I must have ingested something to cause the other symptoms!
GREGSON
Not necessarily.
DOCTOR
Humour me.
GREGSON
(sighing)
Will you cooperate and stop trying to drive me off track if I do?
The Doctor nods. Gregson proceeds to attempt to find a pulse and frowns in confusion when he finds two. The Doctor smiles. Gregson pulls out a stethoscope.
DOCTOR
What? Something amiss?
Gregson says nothing. He keeps searching with the stethoscope.
DOCTOR
A little more to the left there.
Gregson finally finds the left heart. He looks confused.
GREGSON
What is the heart doing over there?
DOCTOR
Mind-boggling, innit? Try the other side.
Gregson reluctantly checks the other side and finds the right heart. He bounces back and forth between the two in confusion.
GREGSON
You-you have...
DOCTOR
Yup.
GREGSON
How can you have-you...
DOCTOR
Just say it, you’ll feel better. Just let it out.
GREGSON
You have two hearts! You’re not human!
DOCTOR
Nope.
GREGSON
You’re part of a new species!
DOCTOR
I wouldn’t say new-
GREGSON
I’ve discovered a new species! I’m gonna be famous!
DOCTOR
What?! No, no, no, no, no, no, no! I’m not new! My species isn’t new by any stretch of the imagination!
GREGSON
I have to document this!
Gregson moves to leave.
DOCTOR
Wait!
Gregson ignores him and leaves. The Doctor slams his head back on the pillow in frustration.
INT. QUARANTINE CENTRE, QUARANTINE – DAY
Donna is sitting on a medical bed in a hospital gown, staring angrily at the physicians and Cat-nuns on the other side of an observation window.
CAT-NUN 4 (FILTERED)
How are you feeling now, Miss Noble?
DONNA
Pissed off! I want to see the Doctor!
BIRKEN (FILTERED)
I’m Doctor Birken-
DONNA
Not you, dumbo! I want to see the Doctor! The bloke who came in with me!
Birken takes his finger off the speaker and confers with his colleagues. Donna crosses her arms and glares.
BIRKEN (FILTERED)
Miss Noble, we need you to cooperate. We need to know and understand how Nicul infections affect the body.
DONNA
Tough! You bring the Doctor down here and we’ll talk.
CUT TO: INT. QUARANTINE CENTRE, OBSERVATION ROOM –DAY
Birken sighs and sends one of the Cat-nuns off to find more information about where they sent the Doctor. On the instrument panel is a weight readout, suggesting that the quarantine is on a massive scale, that is ticking up by one tenth of a kilogram every 2 seconds or so.
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Posted: Tue Aug 05, 2008 1:55 pm
INT. PSYCHIATRIC CENTRE, ROOM – DAY
Gregson is finishing setting up a camera with an anti-gravity field and has it trained on the Doctor. Gregson holds a microphone.
GREGSON
This is Doctor Harold Gregson, attending physician and psychologist, psychiatric centre, New Nice Hospital, Five-billion-and-ten. In the course of my duties I was sent this patient for psychiatric evaluation. Preliminary medical examination revealed a physical anomaly: the patient has a binary vascular system. He has two hearts.
The Doctor sighs audibly.
GREGSON (CONT’D)
At this point it is unclear if the patient is intelligent-
DOCTOR
(insulted)
Oi! I’m brilliant, me!
GREGSON
Ahem. Intelligent, or merely mimicking our speech and behavior for the purposes of communication.
DOCTOR
(frustrated sigh)
Humans.
GREGSON
Regardless, the patient has confirmed that he is not human. Over the next several months, I-
DOCTOR
‘Months?!’ Are you kidding?! Donna doesn’t have months!
The Doctor begins struggling against the bonds. Gregson shuts off the camera.
GREGSON
If you continue this I’ll have no choice but to sedate you.
DOCTOR
Here’s an idea: you could let me go.
GREGSON
That would be against protocol. I haven’t reported on your mental condition yet.
DOCTOR
Listen, my friend is down in your quarantine, dying. I’m the only one who knows how to save her. You have to release me.
Gregson pulls out a notepad. Obviously skeptical of the Doctor’s story.
GREGSON
Why was your friend quarantined?
DOCTOR
Stop psychoanalysing my responses already!
GREGSON
You have been evading even my basic questions, what do you expect me to do?
DOCTOR
Fine. I’m the Doctor. I’m not human; I’m a Timelord from the planet Gallifrey in the constellation Casterberus. I’m nine-hundred thirty-five years old. My friend has been infected with a Nicul parasite and is being held in your quarantine centre. I can save her but the longer you keep me here the less chance she has.
Gregson just nods and jots down some notes.
DOCTOR
Will you stop that?! Don’t you get it? By keeping me here you are killing Donna Noble!
Gregson raises an eyebrow and writes more notes. The Doctor gets frustrated and begins trying to slip out of the bonds again. Gregson takes a clipboard and leaves the room.
INT. PSYCIATRIC CENTRE, CORRIDOR – DAY
Gregson takes his notes to CAT-NUN 5 sitting at the nurse’s desk.
GREGSON
I’m recommending this patient for commitment. I don’t want anyone but myself tending to him.
Cat-Nun 5 looks over his notes.
CAT-NUN 5
Doctor Gregson, was the patient actually asking about a ‘Donna Noble?’
GREGSON
Yes, why?
CAT-NUN 5
Because there was a woman admitted to the hospital and quarantined with a Nicul infection this morning. Her name is Donna Noble. She keeps asking for the ‘Doctor.’
Gregson looks s**t-scared for a moment and then runs back to the Doctor’s room.
INT. PSYCHATRIC CENTRE, ROOM – DAY
Gregson bursts into the room, startling the Doctor, who almost had gotten one hand free. Gregson rushes over and begins releasing the Doctor’s bonds. The Doctor is a bit confused.
DOCTOR
What’s going on?
GREGSON
I’m releasing you.
The Doctor blinks in surprise.
DOCTOR
What changed your mind?
Gregson finishes releasing the bonds.
GREGSON
My sister died because of a Nicul parasite. If you know a treatment that can save those infected, I won’t stand in the way of that.
The Doctor gets out of the bed.
GREGSON (CONT’D)
Your friend needs you. I’ll leave you to change.
DOCTOR
There’s no time for that.
The Doctor just grabs his coat and SONIC SCREWDRIVER in cases he needed it.
DOCTOR (CONT’D)
Where’s the quarantine centre?
GREGSON
Follow me.
Gregson leads the Doctor out into and down the corridor.
INT. QUARANTINE CENTRE, QUARANTINE – DAY
Donna sits on the bed, arms crossed, bored, and apparently in some minor discomfort. She notices some commotion in the observation room and watches as Gregson comes into view, followed by the Doctor. She stands up and hurries over to the window, which she now towers over by a good foot or so.
DONNA
Doctor!
INTERCUT WITH: INT. QUARANTINE CENTRE, OBSERVATION ROOM – DAY
The Doctor, amid protests from Birken et al, finds the intercom button.
DOCTOR
Donna, are you alright?
DONNA
Where were you?! I’ve been stuck in here all day waiting for you to show up and... wait, why are you so short?
DOCTOR
It’s the second stage of the infection. I’m not short, Donna, you grew.
DONNA (FILTERED)
What?! So I’m gonna end up like that cat on the street?!
DOCTOR
No, no, no, no, this is good! Believe me, this is a good thing! This means the parasite is large enough to be removed!
Donna looks only slightly relieved. The Doctor turns to Gregson.
DOCTOR
Does this hospital use laser-bladed precision surgical equipment?
GREGSON
Of course, but I don’t think the operating tables can take that kind of weight.
DONNA (FILTERED)
Oi! Are you saying I’m fat?!
DOCTOR
You’re nearly three meteres tall, Donna. You weigh much more than you did this morning.
(to Gregson)
That bed held her weight, we’ll do it in there.
BIRKEN
Excuse me, what gives you the right to barge in here and order surgery for my patient?
DOCTOR
Because where you would just stand around and watch her die I’m the one who’s going to save her life. Now I expect you to stay out of my way.
(to Gregson)
Harry! Mind if I call you Harry?
GREGSON
I suppose...
DOCTOR
Good! Harry, run and get me every supply you can find for a spinal procedure.
Gregson rushes towards the door.
DOCTOR (CONT’D)
Local anesthetics only!
(to Donna)
I’m sorry, you have to be awake for this and, its not going to feel pleasant.
DONNA (FILTERED)
I don’t care. Just get this thing out of me!
The Doctor grins at her.
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Posted: Tue Aug 05, 2008 1:57 pm
INT. QUARANTINE CENTRE, QUARANTINE – DAY
45 minutes later, Donna is lying face down on the bed. The Doctor and Gregson, both wearing face-masks and gloves, are standing off to one side. Gregson at the ready to assist the Doctor in the procedure. He has also set up a camera to document it. The Doctor finishes administering the anesthetics.
DOCTOR
You doing alright, Donna?
DONNA
Uh huh...
DOCTOR
Okay, you’re going to have to hold perfectly still. If the parasite feels threatened, it can kill you instantly.
DONNA
What?!
DOCTOR
Donna, calm down! This is a delicate but extremely simple procedure!
DONNA
How many times have you done this?
DOCTOR
After this time? Once.
DONNA
You’ve never done this before?!
DOCTOR
Not personally...
Donna moves to get up.
DOCTOR
Donna! I said don’t move!
The Doctor puts his hand on her massive shoulder.
DOCTOR (CONT’D)
I’m the only one here who even knows about this technique. I need you to trust me.
DONNA
(nervously)
You better do this right, spaceman.
The Doctor nods and Donna lays back down. Motioning to Gregson, the Doctor begins the procedure.
The Doctor makes 4 or 5 motions over the small of Donna’s back and trades the laser scalpel for some forceps.
He uses those to carefully remove a small pink glob. Donna looks uncomfortable and bites her lip to keep from yelling. Gregson is fascinated.
Taking the laser scalpel back, the Doctor removes a large, milky white glob and places it in a receptacle.
Trading that tool for a sutcher, he does another 3 or 4 passes over the area and puts the tool down. He takes off his mask, Gregson mimics.
GREGSON
What do we do with the parasite?
DOCTOR
Incinerate it. If we wait too long it’ll spore.
Gregson nods and leaves the room.
DONNA
Is it over?
DOCTOR
Yeah. Don’t move though, your back needs to heal a bit.
DONNA
But, I’m still big. What do we do about that?
DOCTOR
We don’t do anything. We just have to wait twelve hours or so.
CAT-NUN 4 (FILTERED)
That was amazing! How did you know where the Nicul was? Where’d you learn that procedure?
DOCTOR
Its just the Gregson...method... Oh! I’m thick! I should’ve seen this coming!
DONNA
What?! Did you forget something?! Am I still-
DOCTOR
No, no Donna, you’re fine. Its just, I learned about that procedure decades ago and I just taught it to the man who invented it!
DONNA
Is that bad?
DOCTOR
Nah, its just a little paradox. Come to think of it, no one really understood how an attending physician with no experience with surgeries could come up with a procedure like that.
(beat)
There weren’t any trials either...just one risky yet successful attempt on an unidentified patient...it becomes standard procedure across three galaxies...
(beat)
Donna Noble, you just saved over two million people...
DONNA
I should get a medal.
The Doctor smiles, Donna stifles a laugh.
INT. A SHOP, THE NEXT MORNING – DAY
The Doctor and Donna left the hospital without incident and were back looking at souvenirs. Donna isn’t completely back to normal, she is still as tall as the Doctor. She has buckled and is purchasing the mood-ink pen. Once finished, they leave the shop.
EXT. A BUSY CITY STREET – DAY
The Doctor and Donna are walking back towards the TARDIS.
DONNA
Think any other shops would have medals?
DOCTOR
You’re not still on that, are you?
Donna just smiles, clearly implying that she is only joking.
DONNA
Did you get all the bits you needed?
The Doctor pulls a jury-rigged component from his coat pocket.
DOCTOR
Molto bene.
They turn into the alley.
EXT. A BACK ALLEY – DAY
The Doctor and Donna walk towards the TARDIS.
DONNA
You know, I know something better than a medal.
The Doctor stops halfway in the door.
DOCTOR
Oh really? What’s that?
DONNA
You could teach me to drive this thing.
The Doctor snorts in disbelief and mistaken connotation. He enters the TARDIS, Donna follows.
DONNA (CONT’D, V.O.)
I’m serious! Please? Please? Please? Please? Please? (ad nauseam)
Donna keeps prodding and after about a minute the TARDIS takes off, Donna still pleading.
DOCTOR (V.O.)
All right! I’ll teach you!
THE END
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Posted: Thu Aug 07, 2008 4:23 pm
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