The Doctor covered McKenzie's eyes as they walked out of the TARDIS.

"Right then, where are we?" he asked her.

"Ok..." she turned her head, as if she were looking around.

"Hey, no peeking." he chuckled, tightening his grip on her.

She sighed.

"Oh come on, I never get to play this game with anyone."

"Alright, fine." she took a deep breath in and sniffed the air, "Hmm... far... very far away... yet somehow old... really old. Ancient even. Ok... we're in a future recreation of an ancient civilisation..."

The Doctor giggled excitedly.

"The air…" she rubbed her hands together, "It feels... Pointy. Definitely Egypt."

He uncovered her eyes and together they looked out over the river boat they had landed on.

"Hm, I guess that was an easy one! You better find something challenging for when it's my go." he smiled as they walked over to the edge of the deck.

"Well you did say you were going to show me the Nile at some point... But this isn't exactly what I thought you meant..." said McKenzie, leaning on the barriers.

"Oh but this is much more fun." The Doctor smiled, "The planet Nile is all the best bits of ancient and... slightly less ancient Egypt all in one!"

"Please, this is a tourist attraction!" she pointed to a sign detailing the journey the boat was heading on.

"Murder mystery cruise." The Doctor insisted, "Based on the works of one of the greatest authors of all time! I actually met her once, she is brilliant."

"Fine... but if it turns out to be a bunch of crazy fan boys..." she folded her arms.

He raised his eyebrow at her, "It won't be, I promise. It's a completely authentic, paddle steamer, no technology–"

She sighed, "Alright fine, but if we're really going to do this, we're going to do it properly." she grabbed his hand and pulled him along to the wardrobe, "Right, Earth 30's was it?"

The Doctor nodded, "Should be up the stairs and to the left."

They stood in the wardrobe and McKenzie stared at him for a moment, she narrowed her eyes, "Don't move" she said before disappearing up the stairs.

He thought for a moment, 'She doesn't expect me to change...? Normally they change and I just–'

"Heads up!" McKenzie shouted from somewhere within the wardrobe.

"What?" he turned and was hit in the face by a flying fedora and a pair of braces, "Ow..." he said rubbing his head.

"I said heads up didn't I?"

"You don't expect me to wear this do you?" he looked at the items she had thrown him.

"Yes! I said we'd do it properly!"

"Fine" he rolled his eyes. He positioned himself in front of a mirror and tucked his shirt in, he fiddled with the braces and pinged them back, "Ouch..." he grumbled. He put the hat on and looked at himself in the mirror, he pulled the brim down, smiled and clicked his fingers, "Hello handsome…" he said to himself in the mirror, "You know what, McKenzie, this actually looks quite–" he turned and stopped, McKenzie came over to him dressed in a long gown with loose shoulders and a jewelled headband.

"Wow." he said, admiring her.

"What?" she giggled, her cheeks turning pink.

"You look amazing." he smiled.

"Well... I wouldn't say– Whoa!" she tripped, seemingly on nothing and fell forwards. The Doctor caught her.

"You alright?" he tried not to laugh.

"Yeah, alright laugh it up." she stood, "It's the skirt, I'll have to take smaller steps." she laughed.

"Well, I said amazing, not graceful."

She raised her eyebrow at him, "You don't look so bad yourself." they looked at themselves together in the mirror, blushed a little and awkwardly smiled to each other.

"Shall we go then?" he asked.

"Let's." she said as she linked arms with him. They headed out of the TARDIS and onto the boat.

They stepped onto the deck and looked out at the river, the water was crystal blue against the sand and the sky was perfectly clear, not a single cloud. Bright green plants and flowers grew at the banks of the river complimenting it perfectly.

"I suppose it is rather nice here…" said McKenzie. The water almost glowed in the light of the blazing desert sun, "So, who are we? Or do we get given a persona...?"

"I don't know... Although I know there are definitely a few actors... "

"Excuse me?" a voice said from behind them.

A steward walked over to them, he was short with dark hair. McKenzie jumped when she saw him, she couldn't help getting a strange feeling from him.

"All guests are meeting in the dining room for the introduction, may I see your tickets?" he asked, suspiciously eyeing up McKenzie.

"Of course," The Doctor showed him the psychic paper.

He narrowed his eyes at The Doctor, "Very good Sir, right this way..." he said, still seeming a little suspicious, before he led them into the dining room.

"Gotta love that trick." she smiled, nudging The Doctor in his side.

"Ah, I'm just that impressive." he smiled charmingly.

There were a few people stood and sat around tables chatting, dressed up in full Earth 1930's garb, just like in the 'Death on the Nile' story.

"Would you like me to introduce you now or later?"

"Oh, no later is fine thanks." said The Doctor.

"Alright, just so you know, all of the staff are actors and so if you have any questions just ask them. We'll create characters for you based on how you introduce yourself. There's one more guest arriving, then we'll start the events. Now is a good time to get to know everyone." he left.

"Did that guy seem a little odd to you?" McKenzie asked.

"So, who do we want to be?" asked The Doctor, "I know I've got a few ideas..." he grinned.

"Calm down." said McKenzie raising her eyebrow at him, "How about detectives?"

"Ooh I like it..." he put on a pretty unconvincing private-eye voice, "Keep on your toes Murph, they're all suspects."

"Alright," she laughed, "Into the fray then?"

They headed over to the group, there was a maid hurriedly dusting the ornaments and four guests, a man, a couple and an elderly man.

"Hello there, I'm Professor Doyle." the man put his hand out to shake.

The Doctor shook his hand, "I'm Detective Inspector Smith and this is my sassy young assistant Miss Murphy." he said.

McKenzie shook his hand, "It's a pleasure..." she said through gritted teeth and a fake smile.

"Oh the pleasure is all mine, my dear!" he kissed her hand, lingering just a little bit too long.

McKenzie smiled smugly at The Doctor and he rolled his eyes.

The couple joined them, the husband was Catkind and his wife was human.

"This is our first cruise." she smiled a little embarrassed, her cheeks going pink.

"We've got to play our parts dear!" said the husband in a very think Irish accent, "Hello there!" he shook everyone's hands, "I'm Captain Brannigan and this is my wife Valerie."

The Doctor stared at him, unable to speak.

"You're boyfriend doesn't say much, does he?" Brannigan chuckled, nudging McKenzie.

"Don't worry about him…" said McKenzie, a little stunned at The Doctor.

"I'm Smith!" The Doctor stuttered realising he hadn't spoken, "John Smith, I'm a detective and this is–"

"Ms Murphy." she interrupted, "I'm his partner– uh, we're detectives, together... I just need to have a little word with him, so sorry!" McKenzie tried to drag him aside.

"But?" said The Doctor, trying to resist.

"Don't sass me boy." McKenzie pulled him away.

"Just a little holiday away from the kids, for our anniversary." they heard Valerie saying to the others.

"What's up with you? You look like you've seen a ghost…" said McKenzie.

"I feel like I have..." said The Doctor.

"Oh... You know them, don't you?"

"Well, as a time traveller, the order you experience things in, isn't always the same order as they do..." he pointed to the people in the room.

"Oh..." McKenzie looked up and saw the sadness in his eyes, she took his hand.

"Thomas Kincade Brannigan... Last time I saw him he had lost his wife, Valerie, to the Judoon and Cybermen attack on New New York. He and another Catkind Novice Hame... they summoned me to help... but I couldn't save her..."

"Oh no..." McKenzie said, wiping a tear from her face, "Not that look."

"But I could–"

"No, you can't. As you told me, we can't change things, we can only be there as they happen." they looked over at the Brannigans cheerfully chatting to the other guests.

He sighed, "You're right..."

"As per usual." she winked at him.

"So... how do you know that look?" he raised his eyebrow at her.

"Well... For one, it's my determined look... and two... I've seen it on you before." she placed her hand on his cheek, "It's the look you get when you worry about me."

They smiled at each other and headed back into the room.

"Ladies and Gentlemen." said the steward appearing at the door, "May I present a very special guest, Miss Marple."

The Doctor and McKenzie looked at each other in confusion as a kindly looking old lady stepped into the room, the guests clapped and cheered.

"Oh there's no need for that." she smiled.

"Wasn't Death on the Nile a Poirot story? Also, wasn't she a fictional character?" asked McKenzie.

The Doctor shrugged, "Her chosen persona I suspect."

The steward addressed everyone.

"Honoured guests, we welcome you to the S.S Karnak. Now, there are a few rules I would like to go over before we begin; unscripted violence will not be tolerated, all tech is kept in the engine room for emergencies and don't forget, have fun! Characters should be kept from now on, except in times of emergency. You will all have a sheet in your room with any information we have created for your chosen characters, please take the time to read them after this meeting; it will really help you to immerse yourself into the story and help you react to whatever happens. As you all know we've create this story around you! All your luggage has been placed in your rooms and Miriam, our maid, will attend to your rooms. Now it is time to introduce everyone. Travelling with us on this journey we have the respected Colonel Reichs." the older man nodded and waved, "The brave and courageous Captain Brannigan and his lovely wife Valerie."

"Hello all!" Brannigan waved to everyone, Valerie blushed and laughed.

"Professor Doyle renowned for his work in Egyptian archaeology."

Doyle raised his glass to everyone.

"The perceptive Detective Inspector Smith and his beautiful and mysterious assistant Ms Murphy."

McKenzie blushed, "Did you tell him to say that?" she whispered to the Doctor.

"Do you think I would have given myself perceptive?" he replied, through his teeth as he smiled and waved to everyone.

"Our dear Miss Marple." said the steward. She sweetly waved to everyone.

"And ladies and gentlemen, may I present to your our guest of honour Lady Oolaina Brimstone."

Everyone clapped as a very tall spindly woman with pale blue skin and long brown hair entered the room.

"Hello everyone." she said with voice that almost echoed around the room.

"Now that you are all acquainted we can begin the evenings events, dinner will be served in an hour or so in here, may I suggest that you check your rooms are to your liking as we will embark in 3...2..." the boat shook into action and paddled happily down the river.