Open to the Public?

"Alright, Doctor, when are we now?" a blonde woman, about 20 years old, addressed the figure at the TARDIS's controls.

"1980, I think. We're running out of power unfortunately. We'll have to stay the night here. These clothes won't do." The Doctor regarded his leather jacket, dark green jumper, black pants, and combat boots. "Neither will those, Rose. Go change."

"Oh, it won't matter that much. We won't be here that long." Rose retorted.

--- --- --- --- ---

A 13 year old girl and a boy of about 19 found themselves in downtown Cardiff. Katie and Oliver Lowell were outfitted with cameras and curiosity. Katie looked around excitedly. Noticing something odd, she elbowed her brother. "What's that, Ollie?" She gestured towards a dark blue box, rather similar to a phone booth.

"It's a police box." Katie's elder brother replied. "Mum was telling me about them. And don't call me Ollie!"

"I'll call you Ollie if I want to! What's it for?" Katie wriggled free of her brother's grip on her hand and ran towards the box.

Chasing after his sister, Oliver finally caught up to Katie, and took hold of her sleeve. She came to a jerky stop, and glared at her brother. "I only wanted to see it. I wasn't going to get into trouble."

"Sure you weren't. We can come back and look at it later." Oliver dragged the reluctant Katie away from the police box and towards a strip of cafés and knickknack shops.

--- --- --- --- ---

"Rose, listen. I'm about 45 times your age, and I've been time travelling for a lot longer than you have. Go and change. Now." The Doctor didn't usually have a short temper, and he didn't fancy hanging around earth for long. Unfortunately, the TARDIS was nearly out of power, and Cardiff was the quickest rift to get to.

"Fine. But I get to show you around town." Rose gave in as she walked down a hallway.

The Doctor sighed, knowing that it was the only way to get her to dress appropriately, but winced when she came back. Rose had returned wearing colors so bright they almost glowed.

"Ready? Wait, I thought you were going to change." Rose looked confused.

"Right." The Doctor disappeared into the same hallway where Rose had gotten her clothing, and came back wearing nearly what he always wore, but with a patterned red jumper.

"Such a difference." Rose's commented sarcastically. "Let's go."

--- --- --- --- ---

"Oliver, this is boring. I want to go back and look at the police box." Oliver had pulled his sister into a souvenir shop, where he had wandered over to the card, all bearing the name of the city in various fonts and colors.

"Hold on a moment, Katie. Let me buy these," He held up a thin deck of cards. "Then we'll go eat lunch, and then we can go back and look at your silly box, if you insist."

All through their meal, Katie fidgeted in her seat. As soon as they exited the small restaurant, Katie took off. She nearly flew back to the police box, Oliver trying to control her, but failing miserably.

--- --- --- --- ---

"Rose, you look ridiculous. Pick something a little less… vibrant…" The Doctor had to shield his eyes from the day-glo pinks, oranges, yellows, greens, and purples of her outfit.

"Why? I think this looks fantastic!" Rose found a mirror and admired her outfit.

"Oh, come on, Rose. Humor me. Go an-" The Doctor's request was cut off by a sudden thudding sound from outside.

--- --- --- --- ---

"Katie, get away from it. You don't know whose this is or what it does." Oliver was trying desperately to pull his sister away from the doors of the box.

"Come on, Ollie! Help me open it! I want to look inside!" Katie's excitement was easily heard in her voice. Noticing a phone on one side, she abandoned her frantic attempts to open the doors.

"Hello? Hello? Operator? Yes, I'd like to speak to the Queen please. Right awa- Hey!" Oliver took the phone from his sister and placed it back on the hook.

--- --- --- --- ---

"The hell was that?" Rose instantly forgot about her clothing dilemma. "Trouble?"

"Trouble." The Doctor answered his companion's query as a grin spread across his face. "Fantastic."

"Let's go have a look, then!" Rose ran towards the door of the TARDIS, nearly beating the Time Lord.

--- --- --- --- ---

"Katie, come on. We're going. We don't want to get in trouble!" Oliver's attempts to get Katie to listen to him completely failed. Before he could yell again, the doors opened, and a man with large ears, a large nose, and a beaten-up leather jacket stepped out.