INT. INTERROGATION ROOM OBSERVATION – TONADES PRECINCT
Kale enters the observation room in a rush. The videographer waits for him by the window. We see Rose pacing behind the glass.
KALE
What is it? What's the emergency?
VIDEOGRAPHER
She has to pee.
Kale blinks, watches Rose. She crosses her legs and looks nervously at the glass.
ROSE (V.O.)
Come oooon. I'm seriously going to explode.
KALE
(to videographer)
This is the emergency that couldn't wait?
VIDEOGRAPHER
I'm not cleaning it if she pees in there. That's not in my job description.
Kale shakes his head and presses the intercom.
KALE
Use the glass on the floor.
ROSE (V.O.)
I'm not taking my pants off in front of you people.
KALE
We won't watch.
ROSE (V.O.)
Screw you. Take me to a bathroom or I'm peeing on the floor.
Kale sighs.
KALE
Fine. Step away from the door and face the wall with your hands and legs spread.
Rose complies. Kale pulls some handcuffs from a pouch on his belt and enters. Through the window, we watch him approach Rose, handcuff her, and walk her out.
ROSE
Come on, come on, come on, come on.
He hurries.
INT. OUTSIDE THE BATHROOM – TONADES PRECINCT
Kale waits outside the closed bathroom door. After a few seconds, he knocks.
INT. BATHROOM – TONADES PRECINCT
Rose yanks on the sink, trying to pull the faucet free.
KALE (V.O.)
What's taking so long in there?
ROSE
Sorry. Um, I had to go so bad, I didn't realize I also had to... also... you know.
She cringes at her own excuse and gives up on the faucet. She crouches down under the sink and tries pulling free an exposed pipe. It doesn't budge.
KALE (V.O.)
If you're stalling...
ROSE
I'll be out in a minute!
She shakes her head.
ROSE
Geez, they can read the whole paper in here, but if we take five minutes, it's like the end of the freaking world.
She gives up on the pipe and steps over to the toilet, where she removes the porcelain backing from the water basin. She holds it in both hands, prepared to use it as a weapon.
ROSE
Okay, I'm all set.
KALE (V.O.)
Step away from the door, lean against the far wall, and spread your arms and legs.
ROSE
Ready when you are, big guy.
She raises the porcelain over her head and waits for the door to open.
The door opens and she swings the porcelain cap down on Kale's head. The porcelain shatters against his thick skull, but he doesn't move. He looks at her as if to say, "really?"
KALE
Are you finished?
Rose looks at the remaining piece of porcelain in her hand, shrugs, then tosses it.
ROSE
Actually, I never peed, and now that I think about it, I do kinda have to go.
KALE
Make it quick.
He leaves.
INT. HALLWAY – LEVEL THIRTEEN – ZIRA CLINIC
We see the Doctor, in bed, through the window of the door to his room. Leegrall stands watch just outside the door and comes to attention when he sees someone approach from down the hall. It's Lieutenant Valor.
VALOR
Report.
LEEGRALL
Situation unchanged. The patient is restrained inside.
VALOR
Has he said anything?
LEEGRALL
He has indicated outrage and also concern for his female. He knows she's been arrested.
VALOR
Are these his chart notes?
Valor sees a tablet loaded into a socket on the wall next to the door. He removes the tablet from the socket and reads from it.
LEEGRALL
Yes.
Nearby, Dr. Heeya notices Valor peaking at the Doctor's chart. She drops what she's doing and hurries over. She snatches them from Valor's grasp before he can react.
HEEYA
Excuse me, what do you think you're doing? Those are confidential chart notes regarding my patient.
VALOR
You mean the prisoner.
HEEYA
No, I mean my patient.
VALOR
I just wanted to have a little background on him before I went in.
HEEYA
And what exactly makes you think I'm going to let you see him?
Valor smiles, arrogantly.
VALOR
What makes you think I need your permission?
HEEYA
That man is under my care and happens to be very sick. I don't want you going in there, intimidating him, threatening him, and putting any undo stress on him that could cause his condition to worsen.
VALOR
I don't think you understand what's going on here.
HEEYA
I think I understand perfectly well, Valor.
At the sound of his name, he looks her over for a second time, more thoroughly than the first.
HEEYA
That's right. I know exactly who you are, and why you're here, including what happened on Verazon that got a man of your ilk transferred to our peace-loving world. And I won't have you rebuilding your reputation on the shattered backs of my patients.
VALOR
Leegrall, I'd like to speak to the doctor a moment.
Leegrall nods and steps out of earshot.
VALOR
(to Heeya)
Since the patient is unavailable to answer my questions, perhaps I could ask you some questions?
HEEYA
I'm not sure how much help I'll be-
VALOR
For instance, I had a very interesting conversation with a young man last week who recounted for me the story of how he had checked his wife in to this clinic for a pretty standard spinal transplant sometime last year. During the procedure, there were some complications, and it seems that she died. When he asked to see her, he was denied that opportunity, and offered a fairly flimsy explanation as to why.
Heeya's facial expression changes, grows cold. It's clear she knows the patient he's talking about.
VALOR
He filed a lawsuit against the clinic and, much to his surprise, was offered a settlement of more than twice the amount he asked for. This young man wanted legal advice. Why he came to me, and not a lawyer, I'm not actually sure, but he wanted to know, providing he accepted the settlement, if that would preclude the state from opening up a criminal investigation.
Valor stares into her eyes to make sure she comprehends the threat.
VALOR
What was particularly strange about his story was that it's not the first time I had heard of family members being denied the opportunity to view the remains of their lost loved ones at this clinic. You wouldn't happen to know anything about that, would you?
HEEYA
Um... well... without knowing the specifics, I could only speculate. In certain cases, there could be quarantine implications, and-
VALOR
Anyway, I told him that the Zira Clinic has operated above reproach for the better part of two centuries and there simply wasn't enough evidence to open an investigation. Of course, as you so boldly pointed out, my reputation is not what it once was, and I'm always looking for that next big opportunity to set my career back on track and get in the good graces of my superiors.
She thinks. He waits.
HEEYA
I will not tolerate interrogation tactics that endanger the welfare of my patient.
He smiles.
VALOR
I can be nice. When I want to be.
HEEYA
You may see him. But his chart remains off limits. That information is confidential and protected by law.
VALOR
We wouldn't want to break the law, now would we?
Valor and Heeya move to the door.
INT. SECURED HOSPITAL ROOM – ZIRA CLINIC
The Doctor looks to the door as Heeya escorts Valor inside. His eyes widen briefly when he sees Valor, but he otherwise remains calm.
HEEYA
Doctor, this is Lieutenant Valor of the Tonades Police. With your permission, he'd like to ask you a few questions.
DOCTOR
Do I really have a choice?
VALOR
Of course, but we both know you're going to say yes, because I'm the one holding your friend.
DOCTOR
(to Heeya)
I'll talk to him.
Valor turns to Heeya with a smile. He motions with his eyes for her to leave.
HEEYA
I'll just be outside.
Valor nods and watches her leave. After the door closes behind her, he makes sure to press on it to be positive it's shut all the way. He turns back and stares at the Doctor.
VALOR
So, you're the Doctor. I've been so very interested in meeting you.
DOCTOR
I'd return the compliment, but I've never heard of you.
Valor laughs.
VALOR
A calculated insult designed to damage my pride without overtly appearing as an insult. That might warrant retaliation, from which you could not defend yourself. You know my people. Curious that your friend did not.
DOCTOR
Is she all right?
VALOR
Of course. And she can stay that way if you cooperate. Who are you, really?
DOCTOR
I'm the Doctor.
VALOR
What is your name?
DOCTOR
That's all the name I need.
VALOR
I'm told Time Lords can live to be many thousands of years old. How old are you?
DOCTOR
Fifty-two.
VALOR
Thousand?
DOCTOR
No, just fifty-two.
VALOR
That's not being cooperative. That's the kind of thing that could get someone's friend hurt.
DOCTOR
I'm four-thousand seventeen years old.
VALOR
And your friend, where did you meet her?
DOCTOR
On Earth.
VALOR
Still not being cooperative.
DOCTOR
How about you tell me what you want to hear before you ask the question and I'll answer you that way?
VALOR
How about you tell me the truth?
DOCTOR
People don't like to hear the truth. They like to hear what they want to hear. For instance, I'm not really four-thousand seventeen years old, but you liked that answer better than fifty-two because you thought you'd gotten it out of me by threatening my friend. You like threatening others. You like having power over them. That's more valuable to you than the truth. I can lie to you all I want, and you'll believe me, as long as I appear submissive and weak.
VALOR
And you're neither of those things, even in this condition.
DOCTOR
I'll be happy to pretend if it'll make you feel better. But, like I said, this conversation might go easier if you simply told me what you wanted to hear before asking the question.
Valor smiles and steps closer. He observes the IV drip currently pumping fluids and steroids into the Doctor's arm.
VALOR
You did not meet your friend on Earth. You couldn't have, because Earth is dead, but she does not know that, which means you did not tell her. I don't know why you didn't tell her. Perhaps, you thought it would be too hard, that she wouldn't believe you, or maybe you just like telling her the things you think she wants to hear. That's fine. Wouldn't be the first time a guy lied to get a girl in bed.
Valor watches the Doctor's face for a reaction. The Doctor's face doesn't move.
VALOR
I think, wherever you did meet her, there are others like her, other humans. I think you found one of the lost colonies spoken about in their ancient texts, one of the many wagon trains to the stars sent out long before they even became an empire. The people live there like they did when Earth was young, because that's all they know, and they have no idea about the war. And I think, when you were there, you picked yourself up a pretty little present and promised to show her the stars and wonders she couldn't ever have dreamed of. How am I doing so far?
DOCTOR
It's your story.
VALOR
You know what else I think? I think you're a good man. You know that colony can't be allowed to exist. The humans cannot be allowed to rebuild. But you knew no one would believe you that it exists unless you brought back proof. Maybe there's enough credit to go around. Maybe you and I return to that colony with an entire fleet of scimitar warships and end the human race once and for all. That sounds like something I would really love to hear you say.
The Doctor smiles.
DOCTOR
Good, now, what's the question?
Valor leans forward. He licks his lips and stands right over the Doctor's bed. He whispers...
VALOR
Do you want to live?
DOCTOR
Blow it out your ass.
Valor seethes, pulls a knife from his side and presses it against the Doctor's throat.
VALOR
Then, I have for you a counter-proposal. Rose Taylor will be tried and convicted of the indefensible and abominable crime of being born a human. She will be publicly humiliated and executed, at which point, I will return with her severed head and watch you fill her hollowed out skull with your tears, then drown you in them. Additionally, I will find your ship, rip the coordinates of that colony from its memory banks, and voyage to her home and burn every last one of them to dust.
Redge and Chui race into the room under the instructions of Heeya. They grab Valor and pull him off the Doctor.
HEEYA
Get him out of here!
VALOR
How is that, you scat-ridden parasite? Is that what you wanted to hear?
While Redge and Chui drag Valor out of the room, Heeya checks on the Doctor.
HEEYA
Are you all right?
The Doctor nods.
DOCTOR
(whispers)
You have to let me go. We're out of time.
HEEYA
(whispers)
I'm working on it. Sit tight.
Heeya leaves.
INT. HALLWAY – LEVEL THIRTEEN – ZIRA CLINIC
In the hallway, Redge and Chui have Valor restrained and up against a wall. Two security officers have Leegrall restrained.
Heeya points at Leegrall.
HEEYA
He can stay to stand watch outside the room.
Next, she points at Valor.
HEEYA
You? You're done. If I see you on this floor again, I'm filing an official report with your superiors and having you banned from this hospital. Get him out of my sight!
Redge and Chui start to drag him down the hall, but Valor shakes them off and puts his hands in the air.
VALOR
All right. All right! I'm going. I need to talk to Leegrall first.
HEEYA
You can talk to him on your way out.
Valor heads for the elevators. Leegrall follows him.
At the elevators, Valor watches to make sure Heeya isn't looking. He slips a hypodermic injector into Leegrall's hand.
VALOR
(whisper)
The Doctor doesn't make it to trial. Understand?
Leegrall hides the injector in a pocket.
VALOR
(whisper)
Find a way.
Leegrall nods and returns to his post outside the Doctor's room.
The elevator doors open and Valor gets in.
VALOR
Take me to the security office.
The elevator doors slide shut.
INT. INTERROGATION ROOM OBSERVATION – TONADES PRECINCT
Kale listens at a communication station.
VALOR (V.O.)
We need to find out how they got here and if they have a ship nearby. Use whatever means necessary to get the information out of her.
KALE
Understood.
VALOR (V.O.)
Valor out.
Kale walks into...
INT. INTERROGATION ROOM – TONADES PRECINCT
Rose steps away, anticipating...
KALE
Table and two chairs.
The floor bubbles up in the center to form a table and two chairs. Kale sits and looks up at her.
KALE
Where's your ship?
Rose walks over to her chair and sits down. She crosses her arms in front of her chest and stares at him.
KALE
I have orders to torture you to get the information I'm looking for. I would rather not.
Rose looks away, acts tough.
ROSE
Don't have the stomach for it?
Kale grabs both sides of the table and lifts. Rose's end tilts upwards and smacks her right in the face. A tiny bit of blood trickles down her nose.
ROSE
Ow, son of a...
Kale slams the table down on her foot.
KALE
In our society, it is perfectly acceptable for men to beat their wives.
ROSE
I'm not your wife.
KALE
That's right. I like my wife.
Rose wipes the blood from her nose.
KALE
Don't question my stomach. I'd rather not torture you because I'd very much like to kill you and I'm not convinced I'd be able to stop myself. I could get in trouble for something like that... if I don't get the information first. If I do, they might promote me for killing a human.
ROSE
Why do you hate humans so much?
KALE
How can you sit there and ask a question like that?
ROSE
It's fairly customary, where I come from, to ask questions when you don't know the damn answer.
KALE
Your people destroyed my planet.
She freezes. Her shoulders sink.
KALE
They deployed a world ender that ate our planet. Two billion of my people died that day. And they did it to prove a point. We weren't at war. We hadn't attacked you. We were barely even aware of you. Earth had only recently been registered for declaration and then opted to withdraw themselves from that process. We were going to leave them alone. But because they thought we were coming after them, and because they thought they needed to give the universe a reason to fear them, they tried to annihilate our entire race... and they almost succeeded.
ROSE
They wouldn't... they wouldn't have done that.
KALE
But they did. And they would use the fear they bred that day to keep others at bay while they built a galactic empire that ruled with an iron fist for centuries. Anyone who did not submit to their will was swiftly disposed of. It took an unprecedented alliance of civilized races to come together in order to overcome and finally defeat their oppressors. And when we had finally driven them back to their home planet, rather than allow themselves to be subjugated and held accountable for their crimes, they gathered together on Earth and ignited the last of their doomsday weapons. They incinerated themselves.
Rose holds her head in her hands.
ROSE
I think I'm gonna be sick.
KALE
That is why I hate you, girl. No species, in the history of the universe, has ever been capable of such unprecedented evil as yours. I am currently using every single ounce of self-control that I have to avoid climbing over this table. Your presence here boils my blood. The thought of the atrocities your species has committed offends me. That's why I don't plan to trick you. I will be honest with you. We want the location of your ship because we want the coordinates of your home planet, wherever that might be, and whatever you call it. And when we have it, we will go there, and slaughter you. Because that is what you deserve and because civilization demands it. You cannot be allowed to exist. Now, tell me where your ship is so I can save the universe.
Rose rests her head on the table.
- To be Continued...-