Doctor Who - American Version - Serial

by RevolutionMan

Doctor Who - Presented as a re-imagining of the show Doctor Who for American audiences. It presumes NO connection to the continuity established by the long running British television series, but absolutely WILL borrow heavily from that awesome/amazing show. Some characters will be re-named. Some "laws" will be broken. A serial adaptation, in script form.

9. Chapter 9 - Alien Elegance

INT. CHANGING CLOSET VORTEX – TARDIS

Inside a semi-circular room are clothes from centuries and planets long lost to time, and some that don't yet exist. The eclectic collection sits together on hangars on a bronze rail that curves with the far wall. Underneath are rows and rows of shoes, some paired, some sets of three or even up to eight. A spider's shoes?

In the center of the room is a free-standing white metal frame, like a door frame, with a dull electric mesh hanging from it. On one side of it, connected by wires, stands a funnel shaped cylinder that gets wider at the top.

The Doctor brings Rose inside, and she is instantly enamored.

ROSE
Oh. My god. My mother would die.

DOCTOR
Hm. We should bring her one day.

She smacks him playfully. She walks over to the bronze rail and admires some of the clothes.

ROSE
These are amazing.

She pulls a hangar with skimpy Egyptian kilt-like garment for men called a shendyt. She raises one eyebrow.

DOCTOR
Ah, I wore that while performing a play with an Egyptian theater group for Cleopatra.

ROSE
You were in a play?

DOCTOR
Really? I name-drop Cleopatra and the fact that I was in a play is what interests you?

ROSE
What was the play about?

DOCTOR
Not much of a story. It was more just an excuse to have a bunch of men twirling about. She found it amusing. Really, though? Cleopatra. Nothing?

Rose shrugs and moves on to some interesting blue dresses with matching heels.

ROSE
Um, so, what's this about, then? Hm?

The Doctor swallows nervously.

DOCTOR
Oh, well, those, right.

Rose pulls one of the dresses from the rack. It's a gorgeous sequined navy gown.

ROSE
It's gorgeous. I love the color. I couldn't imagine a more beautiful thing.

DOCTOR
I, yes, you know, I don't recall exactly when I might have... worn... that.

He tries to take it from her, but she pulls it away to admire some more in front of a mirror. She presses it against her figure to imagine herself in it.

ROSE
Stunning.

DOCTOR
You know what, it was probably... There's a planet in the Grenchian system where the gender roles are very much reversed from what you find on Earth. That was probably it. I must have worn it, then. It's hard to remember when I wore what.

Confused, Rose takes the dress and presses it against the Doctor. Where it appears to be a perfect fit for her, it's clearly way too small for him.

ROSE
I don't think so.

He takes the dress from her and hangs it back up.

DOCTOR
Yes, well, this is all very distracting, but we need to get you into something more appropriate for this place and this time. If you could just walk over here.

ROSE
It's okay, you know.

DOCTOR
What?

ROSE
I didn't think I was the first.

DOCTOR
You didn't?

ROSE
Of course not. It must get lonely traveling through time all by yourself. It doesn't shock me that you'd seek out... companionship.

DOCTOR
It doesn't?

ROSE
No.

DOCTOR
Oh. Yes, well, as I was saying, if you could just step over here.

He motions for her to step over to the frame. He punches in some information into a small control panel on the side of it and the electric mesh begins to glow.

DOCTOR
The year is 12,005, and we are on Space Station New Rome, and we need something truly, absolutely, elegant for the time. Now, we just feed the machine some material...

He walks over to the rack and pulls from it a horrible plaid thing that someone somewhere might've called a jumpsuit. He rolls it up into a ball and pushes it into the funnel next to the frame. A bell dings as the funnel gobbles up the material.

DOCTOR
Now, just step through.

She hesitates.

DOCTOR
Go on, it's not going to hurt you.

Rose takes a breath and steps through the frame. The mesh bends around her form and into the shape of an incredibly ostentatious powder blue gown with a pyramidal skirt and frilly lace along all the edges. Her blonde hair is instantly tied up into a high bun and makeup is applied to her face to accentuate her cheekbones. She looks in the mirror and is appalled.

ROSE
Oh, it's hideous. Awesome machine, but hideous. Do I have to wear this?

DOCTOR
Yes. It's elegant, or at least what aliens in the year 12,005 refer to as elegant. It'll do. Now, I just have to find something for me.

He scans the rack for another piece of clothing he doesn't care for anymore, then pushes it into the funnel.

While she waits, Rose sulks and picks at some of the lace. A piece tears off and she hides it behind her back before he notices, embarrassed.

ROSE
So, um, who was she?

The Doctor steps through the mesh and ends up looking like a variation on an English gentleman from the colonial era, but with considerably more animal fur accenting his costume.

DOCTOR
Who was who?

ROSE
The woman who wore that dress? I mean, I don't know how this contraption works or anything, but I gather you haven't shredded the gown for a reason. She must have been very important to you.

DOCTOR
Yes, yes she was.

ROSE
So, who was she?

DOCTOR
… Just someone who looked very nice in blue.

Rose nods, letting it drop... for now. She looks down at the powder blue dress she's wearing.

ROSE
I bet she would've loved this monstrosity, then. Huh?

DOCTOR
Maybe.

He extends his arm to her, like a gentleman.

DOCTOR
Shall we?

Rose smiles and wraps her arm around his.

ROSE
Let's.

They leave, arm in arm.

INT. GRAND OBSERVATORY – SPACE STATION NEW ROME

The Grand Observatory is like an arboretum and ballroom all in one at the very top of Space Station New Rome. Exotic moss-covered marble trees hold up the glass dome, like Corinthian pillars. Outside, the giant blue Earth rotates like a majestic gem, a stark contrast against the backdrop of black space.

Alien delegations of various shapes and configurations huddle together around banquet tables, or mingle with representatives from other delegations on the meeting floor in the middle. A stage is setup with a podium, like an auction house, but with giant holo-screens on either side with population and resource information pertaining to Earth.

Off to one side is the elevator shaft, one of the only ways in or out. Grizzy, the greeter and Grand Auctioneer, stands by the shaft and announces delegates as they arrive.

GRIZZY
From the Balhoon Forest Preserve of Cree, Summer Palm Jabe, and company Flower and Grass.

JABE is a tree-woman with alternating striations of light and dark bark for skin. Her servants, FLOWER and GRASS, grow out of her body in a symbiotic relationship, and also serve as her clothing.

GRIZZY
From the Corporate Planets of the Argolis Cluster, the Lady of Olefew, Cassandra, with Jax, Bix, Rix, and Sax.

The Lady of Olefew, CASSANDRA, arrives with quadruplet slaves, JAX, BIX, RIX, and SAX. She is stunning to behold, and glows from within, which is evident thanks to her semi-translucent skin. She is bald, with a smooth face and head, and only small orifices where her ears and nose should be. She wears a white silk robe that hugs her lack of curves. Her slaves all look practically human, but with yellow skin. They are dressed only in loincloths to show off their jagged muscles.

GRIZZY
The Cybermen of the Constructor Union.

CYBERMEN, four of them, highly advanced androids of ergonomic design.

GRIZZY
Mobbles and The Head, of the Excream.

Mobbles is a shifty looking child and he carries The Head, a spidery-looking thing, in a jar.

GRIZZY
The Doctor and Rose Taylor, representatives of The Net Reality Television Programming.

They smile as they step from the shaft and into the observatory.

ROSE
(to the Doctor)
We're reality tv producers?

DOCTOR
The ID showed him what he wanted to see. Evidently, Grizzy has stars in his eyes.

GRIZZY
Thank you, everyone. The auction is due to begin in a few minutes. Please, take this opportunity to greet those around you in the interests of peaceful negotiation.

Everyone mingles. Rose looks to the Doctor.

DOCTOR
You can go.

Like a little kid, she wanders off to explore.

DOCTOR
Just don't eat anything until you ask me first.

Jabe, the tree-woman, approaches the Doctor.

JABE
Greetings, Doctor.

DOCTOR
Greetings, madam. Might I say, you're looking quite elegant.

JABE
As are you. I had not expected members of The Net to have any interest in Earth. It's such a young species.

DOCTOR
Yes, well, we're always on the lookout for new children's programming. Got to get them while they're young.

JABE
Then, your interests are only speculative?

DOCTOR
And what would your interests in the planet be, Jabe?

JABE
Fertile soil, a salvageable environment, pre-interstellar revolutionary society, and a star with more than a billion years of life left in it. I don't think I need to tell you how rare that can be in this universe.

DOCTOR
You're looking to bid to have Earth declared an environmental preserve?

JABE
Where trees and wildlife can grow freely and protected from interstellar industrialization.

GRASS
And grass...

FLOWER
And flowers...

JABE
We were just thinking what a marvelous opportunity that would be for you and your network.

DOCTOR
Were you, now?

JABE
Yes. Think of it, an entire station devoted to the evolution and drama of nature.

ELSEWHERE: Rose observes Earth through the looking glass when she is tapped on the shoulder by Sax, one of Cassandra's slaves. Cassandra stands next to him, and the other three quadruplets stand behind her.

ROSE
Oh, hello.

CASSANDRA
You are a human female?

ROSE
Um, yes. And what race are you?

CASSANDRA
Are all the females of your race so unimpressive?

ROSE
Excuse me?

CASSANDRA
Your features, they are inelegant.

ROSE
Yes, well, sticks and stones may break my bones.

Rose turns away.

CASSANDRA
So, your race is frail as well. That is good to know. We'll have to genetically modify the DNA to account for those deficiencies.

ROSE
Bye.

Clearly annoyed, Rose begins to walk away when Sax grabs her arm and keeps her from leaving.

ROSE
Let go, or I'm putting you on the ground.

SAX
You were not given permission to leave m'lady's audience.

ROSE
I don't need permission. She pissed me off, so I'm leaving.

CASSANDRA
You have misunderstood my intentions. My assessment of your race was not meant as an insult.

ROSE
That's right. You're just sizing up the merchandise before you put in your bid. Seeing what work needs to be done before you flip us for something nicer. Fresh coat of paint in the dining room, new tile work in the bathroom, maybe finish the basement, then sell us all off as slaves.

CASSANDRA
A simple appraisal. What does it matter to you? You've clearly done well for yourself, though you could use some surgery to streamline your look. Some electrolysis to destroy all those pesky hair follicles leftover from your varmint ancestors. All it would take from there is a few surgeries to cut off your ears, flatten your nose, and excise those hideous breasts. Then, you'll be truly elegant.

ROSE
My breasts...!

Many nearby overhear when Rose's voice gets a little on the loud side. Recognizing this, she lowers her voice.

ROSE
I like my ears, nose, and breasts right where they are and how they are, thank you very much, and anyone who would be stupid enough to chop theirs off to look like some... some... androgynous poltergeist is the very opposite of elegant, you vain little glow-worm.

She shakes loose from Sax's grip and storms off... then back over.

ROSE
And for the record, if you had breasts like mine, you wouldn't have to buy your men.

She storms off again. Cassandra huffs.

CASSANDRA
Scamp.

MEANWHILE: The Doctor's conversation with Jabe seems to be going better than Rose's.

DOCTOR
Sure, everyone says they love nature, getting back to nature, but how many people actually put their money where their mouth is and sit back and watch it on tv? Not many.

JABE
But think of the drama of it all. Which roots will hold up to the mighty hurricane? Where will the winds blow the next forest fire?

FLOWER
Which flower will bloom the longest and brightest?

GRASS
Which blade will stand the tallest?

JABE
Life, against all odds, fights to flourish.

DOCTOR
Always does.

JABE
And together, we could combine our bids, and have Earth declared the largest preserve this side of the Wek'a Nebula.

The Doctor is distracted when he sees Rose storm off in a hurry, visibly upset. He follows.

DOCTOR
If you'll just excuse me.

Jabe eyes him as he goes. From across the room, she makes eye contact with Cassandra and shakes her head. Cassandra frowns her displeasure.

INT. MAINTENANCE BAY

Rose storms into the maintenance bay, what amounts to an excessively large janitor's supply closet at the rear of the Grand Observatory. There are buckets with mops, waste bins, supplies, an incinerator and THREE DILLZENS, human-ish pink-skinned maintenance workers. They're sitting around a large crate eating scraps they apparently stole from the kitchen. They look at her, afraid they've been caught.

ROSE
Don't mind me.

She sneaks behind some shelves and over to the only window far in the back, a small round port hole like the one you might find on a cruise ship. She overturns a bucket and sits on it as she stares out the window.

The Doctor follows her inside. He immediately points to the dillzens.

DOCTOR
You three, out.

They follow his instructions and scurry out.

DOCTOR
Rose?

ROSE (O.S.)
Back here.

He follows the sound of her voice. When he finds her, he approaches and leans against the wall, watching her stare out the window.

ROSE
They're all so alien.

DOCTOR
They are aliens.

ROSE
It's not just that, it's... I mean, they don't all speak English, do they?

DOCTOR
No. The Tardis translates their language and yours so we can understand each other.

ROSE
Right.

DOCTOR
Is that a problem?

ROSE
I mean... it looks like a ballroom. It's business as usual for them. And I hear them, and I understand them, but it's all just an illusion, isn't it? Even you. The truth is, I don't know what I'm doing here. I don't know who any of them are, or what's going on, and I don't know who you are.

DOCTOR
If you did, you'd know everything, and you can't know that.

ROSE
You do.

DOCTOR
I most certainly do not.

ROSE
Sure you do. You have a time machine. I bet you know just what's going to happen here, don't you?

DOCTOR
No, no, no.

ROSE
Sure you do. I bet you know who wins the auction, don't you?

DOCTOR
Only an idea.

ROSE
But it's already happened for you.

DOCTOR
In a way. We're here now. That means things have changed. Just our presence.

ROSE
See, I bet you even understand what the hell you're talking about. I sure don't.

The Doctor takes a breath as he surveys the room. He sees an elastic band on one of the shelves and grabs it. He then takes a pair of scissors and cuts it. He offers one end to her and he holds the other end.

DOCTOR
Take it.

She does.

DOCTOR
Time is elastic. There are only two fixed points, the beginning and the end.

He points to the two ends of the elastic band, one held by her and one held by him.

DOCTOR
No matter what happens in between, nothing will ever change the beginning of time or the end. Now, in the center, time is very pliable.

He touches the center of the band, and it stretches up and down, side to side.

DOCTOR
That's how time changes. And just our being here, bends it, moves it around. The closer you get to either the beginning of time or the end of time, the harder it is to make big changes, which is also why it's harder to travel to points in time closer to the beginning or end, and impossible to travel to the exact beginning or end.

ROSE
So, you don't know what's going to happen because we're here now and we weren't here before.

DOCTOR
Precisely.

The three dillzens return, now holding rather scary looking assault weapons. They point the guns at the Doctor and Rose.

DILLZEN
Don't move.

DOCTOR
For instance, I had no idea that was going to happen.

The Doctor sighs.

-To be Continued...-