INT. TARDIS
The Doctor gleefully adjusts the Tardis controls. Rose observes, but it's clear from her expression, she's having trouble following.
DOCTOR
Backwards, forwards, backwards, forwards. Everything's in play. Time is our oyster. Pearls, no that's clams. Whatever, they're everywhere. And all you have to do is pick a star in the sky. Not so bad, is it?
ROSE
You're enjoying yourself, aren't you?
DOCTOR
Best job in the world. So, where should we go? Anywhere you want, anywhen you want.
ROSE
How about 1776? The signing of the Declaration of Independence.
DOCTOR
Really? A billion worlds out there, all of time to explore, and you want to hop back a few steps on the same little pebble where you were born and raised? Who am I, Mr. Peabody?
ROSE
Mr. who?
DOCTOR
I prefer, Doctor. Ba-zing! But seriously, if we're gonna stick with Earth, we can at least get a little creative. Ah-ha! I've got an idea. If you like the Declaration of Independence, then you're going to adore the Independence from Declaration!
He flips a lever and the Tardis whooshes through time. The central core glows bright, then winds down, presumably after having come to a stop.
ROSE
Is that it?
DOCTOR
What do you want, fireworks? We just traveled thousands of years into the future. How is that not impressive?
ROSE
Okay, you don't have to get all persnickety about it. What's outside? Where are we?
DOCTOR
Take a look.
He points at the door. She smiles and approaches cautiously.
INT. DOCKING PORT 212 - SPACE STATION NEW ROME
With a hiss, a bay door swings open. Rose steps through and into a large chamber with golden walls and blinding light that radiates from hovering white crystals overhead. She squints and holds her hand to her face to shield her eyes.
ROSE
Whoa.
The Doctor steps inside.
DOCTOR
Yowza, that's bright. Lights down, fifty-percent.
The lights dim by half and to tolerable levels. Rose opens her eyes again and admires the gem-studded golden walls and the crystals overhead, but something else catches her attention even more; a thirty foot by nine foot view port that shows a spectacular view of the Earth... from space!
ROSE
We-we're...
DOCTOR
Yup.
ROSE
And that's...
DOCTOR
Mmhmm. Earth, the year 12,005, as seen from docking port 212 of Space Station New Rome.
Rose approaches the view port and admires the various spaceships which flutter about the crustacean-shaped space station. She screams with glee.
ROSE
I'm in space!
She grabs the Doctor's hands and dances around. He smiles, admiring her joy. He even offers a half-hearted hop of his own.
DOCTOR
Hooray.
Across the room, a second door hisses open and GRIZZY, a blue man wearing peacock feathers woven into a diamond gown, scuttles inside. He appears rather nervous.
GRIZZY
Oh my, oh dear. Who are you, then? You're not the Excream Delegates. You're not. That's not you.
DOCTOR
It's all right, um, who are you?
ROSE
He's blue.
Rose giggles.
GRIZZY
I am Grand Auctioneer Grizzy, and you are not supposed to be here. Please, turn around, get back in your ship, before any of the other delegates complain. The Excream can be very ungracious.
The Doctor pulls out his telepathic ID and shows it to Grizzy.
DOCTOR
I think you'll find, sir, that we very much are supposed to be here.
Grizzy double inspects the ID.
GRIZZY
Oh. Oh. But, you... and she... excuse me, you're just so... inelegant.
ROSE
Inelegant?
GRIZZY
Well, your clothes... and your makeup... and your hair. You're positively frumpy.
ROSE
I am not frumpy!
The Doctor steps in between Rose and Grizzy.
DOCTOR
You'll have to excuse us. It's been a very long trip. I assure you, we'll be elegant as all can be when the time calls for it. And that would be when and where exactly?
GRIZZY
Of course, my apologies. The declaration process will begin in one hetma in the grand observatory, of course, through those doors, up the shaft, to the top level.
DOCTOR
Fantastic. And, uh, just between you and me, Grizzy ole chap, ole friend o' mine, what are you hearing through the vents about inside bids, if you know what I mean?
The Doctor slips Grizzy a few gold coins. Grizzy looks around the sneaks them into his pocket.
GRIZZY
Well, I'm not supposed to say, but dillzens unloading at bay six overheard Lady of Olefew has her eye on some slaves.
DOCTOR
Think she has a chance?
Grizzy winks, then scuttles out.
ROSE
What was that about?
DOCTOR
Can't be totally sure, but it sounds like all of humanity's about to be sold into slavery.
She looks appalled. He shrugs.
DOCTOR
No sense fretting about it. We have got to get you fabulous.
He drags her back into the Tardis.
-OPENING CREDITS ROLL-
-To be Continued...-