Vincent and the Doctor Part 2
We sit in the courtyard waiting for Vincent to return with his stuff. The Doctor is pacing, Amy is drumming her fingers on the table, and I am lost in my own thoughts.
"I may just go see what's keeping him," the Doctor mentions before heading up to Vincent's room.
"How's the head?" I hear Amy talking.
"Huh…" I look up to see her staring at me. "What?"
"You're head, how is it?"
"Oh," I absentmindedly touch the bump, "still a little sore."
"Ok, I've let it slide long enough," Amy says as she stands up. "What is going on with you and the Doctor? He's being really nice and you keep going off in to your own head." She stands over me with her arms crossed demanding an explanation. We hear muffled yelling coming from upstairs.
"Maybe we should go see what all the yelling is about," I say jumping up and moving past Amy not giving her a chance to protest.
"What's happening?" Amy questions the Doctor as we meet him outside.
"We're leaving. Everyone knows he's a delicate man. Just months from now, he'll…he'll take his own life."
"Don't say that. Please," Amy begs quietly. The Doctor heads down the stairs and in to the house. After a brief moment, Amy and I follow him.
"Come on," he says putting down the painting he was looking at. "We have to do this on our own. Go to the church at the right time and hope the monster still turns up." We hear footsteps coming down the stairs and turn to see Vincent with his painting gear.
"I'm ready. Let's go."
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"I'm sorry you're so sad," Amy tells Vincent as we make our way to the church.
"But I'm not. Sometimes these moods torture me for weeks, for months. But I'm good now. If Amy Pond can soldier on," he takes Amy's hand, "then so can Vincent Van Gogh."
"I'm not soldiering on. I'm fine."
"Oh, Amy. I hear the song of your sadness. You've lost someone, I think." The Doctor and I share a look as we trail behind them.
"I'm not sad."
"Then why are you crying?" Amy reaches up and wipes at the tears. "It's all right. I understand."
"I'm not sure I do."
"Ok. Ok! So, now, we must have a plan. When the creature returns…" the Doctor starts.
"Then we shall fight him again," Vincent states with assurance.
"Well, yes, tick. But last night we were lucky. Amy could have been killed. So this time, for a start, we have to make sure I can see him too."
"And how are we meant to do that, suddenly?" Amy questions.
"The answer's in this box. I had an excellent, if smelly, godmother." We look up the road to see a funeral procession.
"Oh, no. It's that poor girl from the village," Vincent laments sadly. We pause and bow our heads in respect at the procession walks by.
"You do have a plan…don't you?" I question once they are past.
"No. It's a thing-it's like a plan, but with more greyness."
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"And you'll be sure to tell me if you see any, you know, monsters," the Doctor questions as Vincent sets up his paint and easel.
"Yes. While I may be mad, I'm not stupid." I look around at the church as crows caw in the distance.
"No, quite. And, to be honest…I'm not sure about mad either. It seems to me depression is a very complex…"
"Ssh. I'm working." Vincent interrupts the Doctor's rambling.
"Well, yes. Paint! Do painting!"
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Amy watches Vincent paint while the Doctor rambles on behind them. I sit in the grass and pick at the blades.
"I remember watching Michelangelo painting the Sistine Chapel. Wow! What a whinger. I kept saying to him, 'Look, if you're scared of heights, you shouldn't have taken the job.'"
"Ssh!" Amy says as Vincent turns to look at him.
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A little while later, the Doctor starts talking again.
"And Picasso. What a ghastly old goat. I kept telling him, 'Concentrate, Pablo, it's one eye, either side of the face.'"
"Quiet." Amy admonishes him.
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A few hours later, it's dark out and I am absolutely bored.
"Is this how time normally passes? Really slowly. In the right order." The Doctor stands up and paces. "If there's one thing I can't stand, it's an unpunctual alien attack."
"Are you ok? You seem a bit, if I didn't know you better, I'd say nervous," Amy says walking over to him.
"Yes. There's something not right, and I can't quite put my finger on it."
"There! He's at the window," Vincent informs us.
"Where?"
"There, on the right."
"As I thought," the Doctor grabs the box he brought. "Come on. I'm going in."
"Well, I'm coming too," Vincent states as he puts his brush down.
"No! You're Vincent Van Gogh. No," the Doctor enforces.
"But you're not armed."
"I am."
"What with?"
"Overconfidence, this, and a small screw driver. I'm absolutely sorted. Just have to find the right crosactic setting and stun him with it. Sonic never fails. Anyway, Amy and Jaz, only one thought, one simple instruction-don't follow me under any circumstances."
"We won't," Amy agrees quickly as the Doctor heads off in to the church.
"Will you follow him?" Vincent questions.
"Of course, she will," I comment with a sigh.
"I love you," Vincent comments looking at Amy.
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"Has he moved?" Amy questions as she paces nervously.
"No. Just shifted to the next window." Amy huffs in frustration. "But wait!" Amy turns around quickly, "He's turning now." We listen carefully as Vincent keeps an eye on the creature. We hear the Doctor grunt as the sound of things breaking reach us.
"Doctor!" Amy yells running to the church.
"Amy!" Vincent calls after her. He turns back to me and then grabs the chair he was sitting on. He runs toward the church.
"Vincent wait!" I call after him. "This is just perfect," I mutter as I run after him. I catch up to him as he gets ready to enter.
"Jaz, stay behind me," he says as he brings the chair up as a shield.
"Don't have to tell me twice," I say under my breath as we enter the church.
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We hear Amy scream as we round a corner. Vincent puts an arm up to halt my movement.
"Hey! Are you looking for me, sonny? Come on! Over here." I look around and see the Doctor and Amy hiding in a confessional. "Because I'm right here waiting for you." Vincent ducks and then motions me on with his arm. I run over to them.
"Come on. Quickly!" I say grabbing on to Amy's arm and dragging her behind me.
"Get behind me," Vincent directs. The Doctor points his screwdriver at the animal.
"Doing anything?"
"Uh-uh." Vincent motions us back. We head out in to the courtyard.
"Where is he?" the Doctor questions.
"Where do you think he is, you idiot? Use your head." I stifle a laugh as the Doctor points the screwdriver again.
"Anything?"
"Nothing. In fact, he seemed to rather enjoy it."
"Ooh," the Doctor says fascinated. He spins around and away from us.
"Duck!" Vincent directs. "Left!" The Doctor is flung sideways. Amy screams as he hits a wall. "Right, sorry."
"Argh!" the Doctor moans as we rush to him.
"Your right, my left," Vincent apologizes as he stands guard.
"This is no good at all. Run like crazy and regroup," the Doctor hops up.
"Oh, come on, in here." Amy leads us in to another room of the church. We struggle to shut the door against the creature. Vincent stomps his foot and the creature backs off and we get the door closed.
"Right. Ok. Here's the plan. Amy, Jaz, Rory…"
"Who?" Amy questions.
"Sorry, um, Vincent."
"What is the plan?" I question.
"I don't know, actually. My only definite plan is that in future, I'm definitely just using this screwdriver for screwing in screws," he says placing the sonic back in his pocket.
"Give me a second. I'll be back," Vincent says before rushing off.
"Follow him," the Doctor tells me motioning after him.
"Right," I say pushing off the door and running after him.
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We hear glass shattering and Amy scream as we head back toward the church. Vincent holds his easel out in front of him.
"Over here, mate!" Vincent yells getting the attention of the creature. Amy and the Doctor join us.
"What's it up to now?" the Doctor questions.
"It's moving round the room. Feeling its way around."
"What?" the Doctor questions confused.
"It's like it's trapped. It's moving round the edges of the room."
"I can't see a thing," Amy comments quietly.
"Neither can it," I whisper to the Doctor.
"I am really stupid," he comments.
"Oh, get a grip! This is not a moment to reevaluate your self-esteem," Amy chastises.
"No, I am really stupid and I'm growing old. Why does it attack, but never eat its victims? And why was it abandoned by its pack and left here to die? And why is it feeling its way helplessly around the walls of the room?" The Doctor moves next to Amy.
"It can't see because it's blind," I comment kneeling down next to Vincent.
"Yes, and that, of course, explains why it has such perfect hearing!" the Doctor says the last part rather loudly.
"Which unfortunately also explains why it is now turning around and heading straight for us," Vincent states as he stands up.
"Vincent. Vincent, what's happening?"
"It's charging now. Get back. Get back!" he motions us backward. Suddenly we see Vincent swinging through the air. "Ah! Argh!" There is a sound like something large falling to the ground. We hear the creature wailing as we walk over. "He wasn't without mercy at all. He was without sight. I didn't mean that to happen. I only meant to wound it, I never meant to…" Vincent trails off no longer able to speak. The Doctor kneels down.
"He's trying to say something."
"What is it?" I question as Amy comforts Vincent.
"I'm having trouble making it out, but I think he's saying, 'I'm afraid. I'm afraid.' There, there. Ssh! Ssh! It's ok. It's ok." The Doctor puts a comforting hand on the creature. "You'll be fine. Ssh!" Everything goes silent and the Doctor sighs.
"He was frightened. And he lashed out like humans, who lash out when they're frightened. Like the villagers who scream at me. Like the children who throw stones at me," Vincent states solemnly.
"You know, sometimes winning-winning is no fun at all," the Doctor comments.
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We find ourselves lying in the grass and staring up at the night sky. Vincent grabs hold of Amy's hand before looking over at the Doctor.
"Hold my hand, Doctor. Try to see what I see. We are so lucky we are still alive to see this beautiful world." Both Amy and the Doctor reach for my hands. "Look at the sky. It's not dark and black and without character. The black is in fact deep blue. And over there, lighter blue. And blowing through the blueness and the blackness, the wind swirling through the air and then shining, burning, bursting through-the stars! Can you see how they roar their light? Everywhere we look, the complex magic of nature blazes before our eyes."
"I've seen many things, my friend. But you're right. Nothing quite as wonderful as the things you see," the Doctor comments.
"I will miss you terribly," Vincent tells us sadly.
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The next morning, we say our goodbyes to Vincent.
"I only wish I had something of real value to give you," Vincent states as we all giggle excitedly at the painting.
"Oh, no, no. I could never accept such an extraordinary gift," the Doctor states handing Vincent back the painting.
"Very well. You are not the first to decline the offer. Amy, the blessed, the wonderful." They hug.
"Be good to yourself and be kind to yourself."
"I'll try my best."
"And maybe give the beard a little trim before you next kiss someone," Amy comments with a small smile.
"I will. I will. And if you tire of this Doctor of yours, return. And we will have children by the dozen."
"Eek!" Amy comments as she shudders.
"Doctor, my friend… we have fought monsters together and we have won. On my own, I fear I may not do as well." They hug as well.
"Goodbye Vincent," I say extending my hand. He takes it and then looks at me seriously.
"Jaz, may I have a moment." I look back to Amy and the Doctor.
"We'll be outside," the Doctor states. I nod and turn back to Vincent.
"You're sister has lost someone, hasn't she?" I only nod my head. "But she does not remember?"
"It's a long and complicated story, Vincent," I tell him giving his hand a small squeeze. He releases my hand and puts his hands on my shoulders.
"Promise me you'll keep an eye on her," he states staring at me intently.
"I promise." He smiles widely and then brings me in for a hug.
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I meet up with Amy and the Doctor and we start heading for the TARIDS.
"Are you thinking what I'm thinking?" the Doctor questions.
"I was thinking I may need some food or something before we leave," Amy replies.
"Well, no, you're not thinking exactly what I'm thinking."
"What are you thinking?" I finally question. The Doctor smiles and then turns back to Vincent's house.
"Vincent!" He comes to the window. "Got something I'd like to show you. Maybe just tidy yourself up a bit first."
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"Now, you know we've had quite a few chats about the possibility there might be more to life than normal people imagine?" the Doctor questions Vincent as we make our way to the TARDIS.
"Yes," he comments suspiciously as we reach it.
"Well, brace yourself, Vinny." Amy and I laugh as the Doctor opens up the TARDIS. We stand back and watch Vincent. He steps back out and walks all the way around the TARDIS. He then looks back at us.
"How come I'm the crazy one…and you three have stayed sane?" he comments as he walks back inside. "What do these things all do?" he questions looking at the panel.
"Oh, a huge variety of things. This one here, for instance, plays soothing music." Amy and the Doctor prance around to the music. "While this one makes a huge amount of noise." He looks at us and we nod. The TARDIS makes its patented whirring noise as it takes off. "And this one makes everything go absolutely tonto." We all laugh as Vincent dances around trying to keep his balance.
"And this one," Vincent states as he goes to touch it.
"That's a friction contrafibulator!" the Doctor yells stopping him.
"And this?"
"Ah, that's ketchup, and that one's mustard."
"Mm. Nice! Come on. Back to the café and you can tell me about all the wonders of the universe."
"Good idea. Although, actually, there's a little something I'd like to show you first."
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We step back out of the TARDIS and back in to present day Paris.
"Where are we?"
"Paris. 2010 AD. And this is the mighty Musee d'Orsay. Home to many of the greatest paintings in history."
"Oh, that's wonderful," Vincent comments as he catches sight of a portable radio.
"Ignore that. I've got something more important to show you."
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We reach Vincent's section of the gallery. He looks around in awe at all his paintings and all the people enjoying them.
"Dr. Black…?" the Doctor gets the attention of the curator and Amy and I get Vincent's attention.
"Yes."
"We met a few days ago. I asked you about the Church At Auvers."
"Oh, yes. Glad to be of help. You were nice about my tie."
"Yes. And today is another cracker, if I may say so. But, I just wondered, between you and me, in 100 words, where do you think Van Gogh rates in the history of art?"
"Well, um…big question. But, to me, Van Gogh is the finest painter of them all. Certainly, the most popular great painter of all time, the most beloved. His command of color, the most magnificent. He transformed the pain of his tormented life into ecstatic beauty." Vincent looks around with tears glistening in his eyes as he listens to Dr. Black speak. "Pain is easy to portray, but to use your passion and pain to portray the ecstasy and joy and magnificence of our world-no one had ever done it before. Perhaps no one ever will again. To my mind, that strange, wild man who roamed the fields of Provence was not only the world's greatest artist, but also one of the greatest men who ever lived." We look over to Vincent to see him crying.
"Vincent. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. Is it too much?" the Doctor questions as he hugs him.
"No. They are tears of joy." He approaches Dr. Black and kisses cheek before hugging him. "Thank you, sir. Thank you."
"You're welcome. You're welcome." Dr. Black looks a little confused.
"Sorry about the beard," Vincent states once he lets go.
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"This changes everything," Vincent states excitedly as he walks out of the TARDIS. "I'll step out tomorrow with my easel on my back a different man. Though I still can't believe one of the Haystacks was in the museum. How embarrassing."
"It's been a great adventure and a great honor."
"You've turned out to be the first doctor ever actually to make a difference to my life."
"I'm delighted. I won't ever forget you."
"And you are sure marriage is out of the question?"
"This time," Amy states before giving him a hug. She turns back to us and rushes in to the TARDIS. "Come on. Let's go back to the gallery right now."
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"Time can be rewritten. I know it can. Come on!" Amy rushes ahead of us.
"She's going to be absolutely crushed," I comment to the Doctor as we follow her inside. He just smiles at me sadly.
"Oh, the long life of Vincent Van Gogh. There'll be hundreds of new paintings." We make our way up the stairs.
"I'm not sure there will," the Doctor comments.
"Come on!" Amy prods as the Doctor and I slowly trudge our way toward Vincent's exhibit.
"We have here the last work of Vincent Van Gogh, who committed suicide at only 37. He is now acknowledged to be one of the foremost artists of all time. If you follow me now…" We watch as Amy realizes how wrong she was. She turns back to us with tears in her eyes.
"So you were right. No new paintings. We didn't make a difference at all."
"I wouldn't say that. The way I see it, every life is a pile of good things and bad things." The Doctor pauses as he brings Amy in for a hug. "Hey. The good things don't always…soften the bad things. But vice versa-the bad things don't necessarily spoil the good things or make them unimportant. And we definitely added to his pile of good things. And if you look carefully…" he pulls her over to the painting of the church, "maybe we did indeed make a couple of little changes."
"No Krafayis."
"No Krafayis." Amy turns away sadly and a painting catches her eye. The Doctor and I follow her over. It's his painting of the sunflowers dedicated to Amy.
"If we had got married, our kids would have had very, very red hair," Amy comments sadly.
"The ultimate ginger," the Doctor states as he laughs.
"The ultimate ginge," Amy comments. "Brighter than sunflowers."