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.

75. Chapter 75 - Bad Doctor

INT. CAFETERIA - MARLOWE-1

Corporal Beers waits by the door, both his hardened eyes trained on the Doctor, who is seated at the table closest to the door. It's also one of the only tables that doesn't have debris on it from when the earthquake struck. The Doctor's hands are handcuffed to the table.

Beers and the Doctor stare at each other, each chewing gum, as General Pollock enters. Beers stands at attention. We see Frick on the outside of the door, also at attention. As Pollock enters, he eyes the Doctor and instantly recognizes that the Time Lord is chewing gum. Pollock's eyebrow raises, until he sees that Beers is also chewing gum.

POLLOCK
You gave the prisoner gum?

Beers tightens.

BEERS
Yes, sir.

POLLOCK
May I see it?

Beers holds his gun at his side as he fumbles through his pockets for the pack of gum. He hands it to Pollock, who inspects the pack.

POLLOCK
Corporal Beers, I gave orders that the prisoner be locked down and isolated, not given a tasty treat that whitens his teeth while it freshens!

Pollock shoves the pack of gum back into Beers' hand.

BEERS
Yes, sir. Sorry, sir. It won't happen again, sir.

POLLOCK
Just go get our guest from the transport.

Beers turns, but hesitates at the doorway. Pollock notices the Corporal's hesitation.

POLLOCK
What?

BEERS
Did-did you want a piece of gum, General?

POLLOCK
Go!

BEERS
Yes, sir.

Beers scurries out and closes the door behind him.

Pollock shakes his head and turns back to face the Doctor.

DOCTOR
Seriously? Who turns down free gum?

POLLOCK
Are you done? Can we be serious? Is that all right with you?

The Doctor shrugs.

Pollock sits at the table across from the Doctor.

POLLOCK
I've been waiting a long time for this day. Although, I guess, for you it hasn't been very long at all, has it?

DOCTOR
I don't know what you're talking about.

POLLOCK
Oh, I'm not offended that you don't remember me. I was just a low-level officer back then, doing what I was told, serving my country, keeping my mouth shut. I was especially good at that. I had to be. You know, the day you broke out, I wasn't even supposed to be there. It was my day off. Someone called out sick and I got called in. I was there the day you butchered thirty-seven people in that building.

The Doctor hangs his head.

DOCTOR
That wasn't me.

POLLOCK
I'm not blaming you. We all knew what they were doing to you down there. We just didn't care. I still don't.

DOCTOR
Your compassion is warms the soul.

POLLOCK
National security isn't a compassionate business. I really should thank you. Everyone you left alive in that building either got buried or promoted high up the ranks to shut them up. I was one of the lucky ones. You made my career.

DOCTOR
Anything I can do to help.

POLLOCK
I always knew you'd make a play for that ship. It took us a while to find it, too, even after you broke and told them where the damn thing was. I'll tell you a secret; I don't even believe in God, but I prayed you'd go after it in my lifetime. I prayed, just in case. I wanted to be here.

DOCTOR
The Brygosans are not a threat to you.

POLLOCK
They're a colony ship. You said so yourself. I read the transcript of the entire interrogation. They're here for our planet.

DOCTOR
They were here for your planet hundreds of thousands of years ago, when it was unpopulated. They're not conquerors, they're refugees, just looking for a new home.

POLLOCK
Right, and this is ours. And we're going to defend it.

DOCTOR
Let me talk to them.

POLLOCK
You know, Cano never thought you'd break. It kept him up nights. I used to find him in the cafeteria at three in the morning downing pudding cups like they were Jell-o shots or something. Crazy bastard loved pudding.

DOCTOR
I can send them somewhere else.

POLLOCK
Like where? Mars?

DOCTOR
Their jump drives are capable of making two interstellar jumps. That ship has already made one. They can make one more jump before they lose interstellar capability.

POLLOCK
Which they're going to use to jump from below the ice into orbit prior to invading our planet.

DOCTOR
Because that's their only option right now. I can give them a second option. Their scanners won't work with the ship under the ice, but I can offer them the data they need to calculate a jump to anywhere they want to go. I've even found them a suitable world for them to colonize.

POLLOCK
How generous of you.

DOCTOR
It's been my life's work. General, you must believe me, these people don't want to fight you. Every Brygosan on that ship represents one of the last hopes of a nigh dead civilization. Every soul they lose fighting you devastates their chances to rebuild, even if they ultimately did beat you. If I can offer them a peaceful resolution, they'll jump at it, I give you my word. At least let me try.

A knock at the door.

POLLOCK
Your word? Your word? That's very amusing.

Pollock stands up and walks over to the door.

POLLOCK
Hold that thought a moment, about your word, will you?

Pollock opens the door. The Doctor looks on, curious, as someone dressed similar to the commandos, but who is an unarmed civilian, walks in wearing protective head gear that masks their identity. The Doctor's expression changes as all color leaks from his face like water from a bucket with a hole in it. Despite the goggles and helmet, he recognizes HER instantly.

DOCTOR
Rose?

She stands across the table from him and pulls off her helmet, revealing a head of cascading blonde mixed with a bit of silver hair. She removes her goggles next and we now see her whole face, perhaps somewhat wrinkled and sunken by time, but still beautiful. It is Rose, an OLD ROSE, looking like she's in her early 50's, despite obviously being older than that - a testament to the anti-aging progress made by 2054... and her fortunate genetics.

OLD ROSE
Hello, Doctor.

Ever the gentleman, the Doctor tries to stand in the presence of the lady, but the handcuffs prevent him from standing all the way. Embarrassed, he sits back down.

POLLOCK
Doctor, I would like you to meet my wife, Rose Pollock. Oh, but, of course, you've already met, haven't you?

DOCTOR
Your... wife?

Pollock grins, like a man whose just won a high-stakes hand of poker.

POLLOCK
I insisted she stay behind. As a high-ranking officer in the United States military, with command privileges and authority, some of which that even supersede the President himself... I was still overruled.

The Doctor and Old Rose stare at each other from across the table. He searches her face for signs of warmth, but finds none.

DOCTOR
You're... married?

OLD ROSE
Yes. For more than twenty-five years.

DOCTOR
(disappointed)
Oh.

OLD ROSE
Did you expect my life to just end when you left?

DOCTOR
You left.

He regrets it right after saying it. His voice softens.

DOCTOR
And, no. Of course not. I'm glad you found happiness.

OLD ROSE
You said I could go home any time I wanted. You said you would leave me alone and the nightmare would end, but it was all just a lie, wasn't it? You left, but then they came looking for me.

She motions to General Pollock, a representative of "they"/"them"/the military.

DOCTOR
I didn't know they knew about you.

OLD ROSE
A couple of FBI agents knocked on Jackie's door. At first, I tried to deny the whole thing, but they had pictures of you and I together. So, I told them everything I knew. I thought that would be enough, but then they just wanted more... and more... even when I had nothing left to give. When they were done with me, they were ready to throw me in jail for treason. Do you believe that? Hugh stood up for me.

She motions again to General Pollock, Hugh.

OLD ROSE
He protected me from them, told them that I was honest and didn't know anything else, that I was just a stupid little girl when I was with you, taken in by the mysterious stranger who offered adventure and excitement, and that I didn't know any better at the time. And he was right.

Hurt, the Doctor looks away.

OLD ROSE
You did so much for me, even brought me to meet my father. And here you are, sitting there, like it's only been just a couple of days for you since then. I was so in love with you.

He looks up at her, eyes like a puppy dog's.

OLD ROSE
But you are the never-ending nightmare.

She sits down at the table to confront him at eye level.

OLD ROSE
They showed me pictures of us, pictures where we're places I didn't recognize.

DOCTOR
I can explain.

OLD ROSE
Can you? What was it, some sort of Sircosan mind control device? Did a Gisilisan brain eel leech the memories from my mind?

DOCTOR
No, no, nothing like that.

OLD ROSE
Then, why don't I remember those other places?! And why, no matter how far away I get from you, and no matter how much times passes, can I never get away from you?! Why can't you just leave me alone and let me live my own life?!

DOCTOR
Because...

He tries to say it, but...

She waits, but after a few seconds of waiting, she can wait no longer.

OLD ROSE
I want. To be done. With you. I don't want to see you anymore. I don't want to hear your name ever again. I don't want my entire life to be defined by my association with a cold, self-righteous, man with a hero complex who wrecks everything he touches.

DOCTOR
I never meant to hurt you.

OLD ROSE
That's what you do, Doctor. And a Doctor who hurts people is the worst kind of doctor.

She stands back up and heads for the door. Pollock stops her before she reaches it.

POLLOCK
Are you okay?

She offers him a smile to reassure him.

OLD ROSE
I'll be okay.

She walks out. He watches her go, unconvinced.

The General then turns his attention, and reserved fury, on the Doctor.

POLLOCK
You want me to trust your word? You see what you've done to her?

DOCTOR
You promise me one thing, Pollock...

The Doctor looks up at Pollock with anger in his eyes like we've never before seen from the Doctor.

DOCTOR
You promise me that you married her because you love her and not so you could keep an eye on her in case I ever showed up on her doorstep. You promise me that or I'll make you regret you were ever born.

Pollock ignores the question.

POLLOCK
That ship is a danger to every man, woman, child, and Rose on this planet. Once it escapes the ice, we no longer have the advantage, and I'm not going to give up the high ground on the word of a man like you. I'm going to destroy that ship.

DOCTOR
Well, I won't help you do it.

POLLOCK
Oh, Doctor. Doctor, Doctor, Doctor... You misunderstand, I'm not asking for your help.

Pollock leans over the table and stares right into the Doctor's eyes when he says...

POLLOCK
I'm not asking, because I don't need it. That's the point. This isn't an interrogation. I'm not here to convince, persuade, or force you into helping us. I'm here to neutralize the two biggest threats this planet has ever encountered; the Brygosan ship, and the Doctor.

Pollock heads for the door. Before he reaches it, he turns back around.

POLLOCK
Humanity doesn't need the Doctor. We can take care of ourselves. Watch us.

Pollock leaves, locking the door behind him.

INT. HALL - MARLOWE-1

In the hall, General Pollock meets with Frick and Beers. We can also see Old Rose standing not far off by herself. Pollock sees her and looks concerned, but talks to his men first.

POLLOCK
(to Frick)
Find some rope and tie him down in there. When you're done, report to the command center. We're leaving as soon as those drills are up and running.

FRICK
I thought our orders were to take the Doctor back with us.

A few feet away, Old Rose has her back turned, but can just barely overhear what her husband whispers to his men.

POLLOCK
(shakes head)
Change of plan. When this place goes up, the Doctor gets a front row seat.

Old Rose's eyes flinch ever so slightly upon hearing her husband's plans to murder the Doctor.

Beers and Frick move inside the cafeteria. Pollock walks behinds his wife and puts his arm around her.

POLLOCK
I'm proud of you. That couldn't have been easy, to face him like that.

OLD ROSE
It's been so long since I've seen him, but somehow it still feels like yesterday. I guess with the Doctor, you never really stop traveling through time.

POLLOCK
It's over now. Get back to the transport. It's not safe for you here. I'll be along soon.

She nods to him, kisses him on the cheek, and walks off on her own.

INT. CAFETERIA - MARLOWE-1

Frick and Beers finish tying up the Doctor, who appears defeated.

BEERS
Oh.

Beers holds his hand out in front of the Doctor's mouth.

DOCTOR
What?

BEERS
I need the gum back.

The Doctor rolls his eyes and spits the gum into Beers' hand. Beers then pops the gum into his own mouth.

FRICK
Ugh. What the hell, Beers?

BEERS
What? It's still good gum.

FRICK
You're a sick son of a bitch.

With the Doctor securely tied to the support beam, Frick and Beers head for the door.

BEERS
You know it's biodegradable gum?

FRICK
We're about to blow a hole in this place the size of the grand canyon and you're talking about biodegradable gum like you're a mother-freakin' enviro-Nazi.

BEERS
We only get one planet, Sarge.

FRICK
Shut the hell up, Corporal.

They exit.

Alone and tied to the support beam, the Doctor lets out a long sigh.

DOCTOR
They could have at least let me keep the gum.

Thirty feet away, a ceiling tile crashes to the ground. The Doctor looks over just in time to see Tarin fall through the ceiling, bounce off a table, and hit the ground.

DOCTOR
That looked painful.

Tarin, wearing a backpack, gets to his knees, cringing from obvious pain.

TARIN
Yeah. That's okay. It'll go well with my limp.

Tarin gets to his feet and walks over. As he does, he pulls the backpack from his back and unzips it. He pulls out a digital mobile pad.

TARIN
If I didn't break it when I fell, this pad should be hooked up to the network and should enable you to login to Newt's workstation in the lab, if they didn't disconnect it, that is. Jesus, that's a lot of rope.

Tarin rubs the top of his head as he stares at the tremendous amount of rope Beers and Frick used to tie up the Doctor.

DOCTOR
My hands are cuffed, too.

TARIN
Of course, they are. I really miss the days when this place was just an ass-fest.

The Doctor gives Tarin a look.

Tarin starts untying the Doctor.

INT. CONFERENCE ROOM - BRYGOSAN SHIP

Captain Visilimee, First Officer Mumy, Science Officer Jetreel, Commander K, LT. BOLIVAR, and CREW MANAGER UMA sit around the conference room table, along with several of their PERSONAL AIDES.

LT. BOLIVAR
What if we used the landing thrusters? They might be powerful enough to push us through to the surface?

FIRST OFFICER MUMY
Maybe. Where is Chief Engineer Morporo, anyway?

SCIENCE OFFICER JETREEL
The ship is completely ensconced in ice and rock. Even if the landing thrusters were powerful enough, there's nowhere for the released energy to go once they ignite. We would incinerate the ship.

CAPTAIN VISILIMEE
What about trying to get a probe to the surface to obtain our interstellar coordinates so we can calculate a second jump to an alternate world?

SCIENCE OFFICER JETREEL
We don't have anything that can dig through a planet. This kind of thing isn't supposed to happen.

FIRST OFFICER MUMY
What about the human? She got on the ship. She must have a way off of it.

COMMANDER K
We know nothing about the humans' intentions. How do we know they will be willing to help us? I recommend we make the jump to orbit now. The longer we sit here, under ice, the longer we remain vulnerable to a possible human attack.

LT. BOLIVAR
Might we be safer here? For all we know, they have a war armada in orbit and the only thing protecting us is the ice.

CAPTAIN VISILIMEE
(shakes head)
We got here a little late - okay, a lot late - but the humans haven't been here that long. I'm hesitant to jump to conclusions with respect to their technology.

FIRST OFFICER MUMY
They have transmat capabilities, or "beaming" as Rose called it. Surely, they have some level of sophistication.

COMMANDER K
Assuming we believe her story, which I do not.

CAPTAIN VISILIMEE
How long until your security teams finish sweeping the ship?

COMMANDER K
I expect to hear back from them within the next ten minutes. It's a big ship.

CAPTAIN VISILIMEE
One thing is clear, we have to know more about the people we're dealing with. Send in the girl.

Commander K stands and heads for the door. He opens it and motions to one of his men to bring Rose in. He does, then leaves. Commander K stands guard over Rose at the far end of the table.

CAPTAIN VISILIMEE
We need more information on your people.

FIRST OFFICER MUMY
What are your offensive and defensive capabilities?

ROSE
Excuse me?

FIRST OFFICER MUMY
How many warships do you have in orbit?

CAPTAIN VISILIMEE
Mumy, please.

ROSE
I'm not going to help you figure out the best way to attack Earth, if that's why you're asking.

COMMANDER K
You will if I force you.

CAPTAIN VISILIMEE
Commander, everyone, if you don't mind.

Commander K looks away.

Rose takes a baby step closer to the table, farther away from Commander K.

CAPTAIN VISILIMEE
Rose, darling, you must understand, we are in a rather unique situation, and it is very possible that the entire future of my race, and possibly yours, depends on the next decision that I make. Now, in my current position, I would be making that decision in the dark, rather, in complete ignorance of the facts. You could also attempt to deceive me, tell me lies about your people, so that I might make that decision based on misinformation. However, I would feel much more comfortable if we - that is, you and I - worked together so that I might make an informed decision so that both our people's might benefit. Do you understand what I am saying to you?

ROSE
Maybe.

CAPTAIN VISILIMEE
I'm offering you a trade, dear. I am willing to give you access to our ship's full database in exchange for what I want to know and your cooperation in helping us to leave this planet and find a home elsewhere.

FIRST OFFICER MUMY
Captain, that is totally unaccept-!

Visilimee places his hand on Mumy's arm, a demonstration of his unwillingness to entertain the first officer's potential and obvious concerns.

ROSE
I'm... I mean, I don't think...

She stutters.

ROSE
I'm not really qualified to speak on behalf of all of Earth.

CAPTAIN VISILIMEE
Nonetheless, that's exactly what you're doing, standing in this room.

They all stare at her. This, as well as the responsibility set before her, make her uncomfortable. She fidgets in place while she tries to swallow the knot in her throat.

Meanwhile, the door opens and Communications OFFICER TET enters.

OFFICER TET
Captain, sorry to interrupt, sir. We have an incoming signal from the planet's surface.

COMMANDER K
It must be the person she was talking to when I found her in the specimen room.

OFFICER TET
Sir, you should know something about the transmission; it's being relayed to us from a Tardis, sir. It's a Time Lord signal.

FIRST OFFICER MUMY
I knew it! She's working with them! The humans are in league with the Time Lords!

Commander K grabs Rose aggressively.

COMMANDER K
Shall I snap the spy's neck now, Captain?

Everyone explodes up out of their seats, except for the Captain, who appears more disappointed than anything else. Everyone shouts. Rose begs for her life.

ROSE
No, please don't kill me. I'm only here to help. I swear!

Slowly, Captain Visilimee stands, then bangs his hands on the table twice, the second time even louder than the first.

CAPTAIN VISILIMEE
ENOUGH!

Everyone quiets and looks to the Captain.

CAPTAIN VISILIMEE
Officer Tet, please put the transmission through to the conference room.

OFFICER TET
Yes, Captain.

Officer Tet approaches a computer panel on the wall and presses a few buttons. A hologram is projected into the center of the table. It's the Doctor's face.

DOCTOR (V.O.)
To whoever's receiving this signal aboard the Brygosan ship, please respond. I am the Doctor and I am calling you from a human oil drilling station on the planet's surface, directly above your ship, where over one hundred people currently reside.

CAPTAIN VISILIMEE
I am Captain Visilimee of the Brygosan Ark Ship. You have remarkable command of the Brygosan language, Doctor, for a Time Lord.

DOCTOR (V.O.)
Captain Visilimee, before we begin, there is a woman on your ship, a human, a member of this planet's plentiful native species. Her name is Rose Taylor.

CAPTAIN VISILIMEE
Yes, she is here.

DOCTOR (V.O.)
Is she all right?

Captain Visilimee waves Rose over. Commander K releases her and she walks over to the Captain's side.

ROSE
I'm fine, Doctor.

DOCTOR (V.O.)
Good. Thank goodness. Now, Captain Visilimee, I need you to understand that I am not your enemy.

First Officer Mumy snorts his doubt.

DOCTOR (V.O.)
The war between our people ended a very long time ago. Since then, I have spent most of my life searching for your people's ark ships, including this one, to protect them.

CAPTAIN VISILIMEE
You'll forgive me if I find that a highly dubious statement, sir, considering that it was your race who unleashed the Dalek plague upon us and forced what few of us managed to survive to flee into the cosmos like scattered bretana flies.

DOCTOR (V.O.)
I understand your skepticism, and your mistrust. As a sign of good faith, I offer you this...

The Doctor is seen looking down before his face disappears and is replaced with an image of constellations. The Brygosans observe the image with great curiosity.

DOCTOR (V.O.)
What you're seeing now is a small sample of what I have to offer you; a current star map of the nearest two sectors.

Captain Visilimee makes a motion to Officer Tet.

CAPTAIN VISILIMEE
Are we recording this?

OFFICER TET
Yes, sir.

The star map is replaced by the image of the Doctor.

DOCTOR (V.O.)
My Tardis, which is currently in orbit, can relay to you all the information you need to calculate a successful jump to an uninhabited world you may colonize right now, today, if you wish. It's a small planet, but one that is rich in resources and currently resides in a remote galaxy where I can confirm you will be left alone to develop and grow for at least a millennia if that is your desire.

FIRST OFFICER MUMY
A likely story. This time, he'll have us jumping into the center of a sun or a black hole! It is a Time Lord trick!

DOCTOR (V.O.)
It's not a trick. It's restitution, or at least as close to it as I can get, but my help comes with a price...

FIRST OFFICER MUMY
Naturally.

DOCTOR (V.O.)
You must release Rose. I will not help you until I know she is safe.

CAPTAIN VISILIMEE
Give us a moment.

He motions to Officer Tet, who mutes and minimizes the communique.

CAPTAIN VISILIMEE
Well, if it isn't all our needs and desires neatly wrapped in a tight little bow. Almost seems too good to be true, doesn't it?

FIRST OFFICER MUMY
You can't seriously be considering listening to this Time Lord villain.

CAPTAIN VISILIMEE
(to Rose)
You haven't been entirely honest with me, dear Rose.

ROSE
I knew if I told you I was with a Time Lord, you wouldn't trust me.

CAPTAIN VISILIMEE
Your species does not have transmat capability, does it?

ROSE
No. But you have to believe me, the Doctor only wants to help. I know you don't trust him because he's a Time Lord, and because of the war and everything, but he's a good man. I promise.

A buzz at the door draws Commander K's attention. He walks over, it opens, and he talks to one of his men.

CAPTAIN VISILIMEE
The thing about liars is that even when they're telling the truth, it's hard to trust them.

COMMANDER K
Captain, sir. We have a situation in the jump engine room. While my men were sweeping the deck, they found all entrance points sealed shut from the inside.

Commander K circles the table. He reaches the computer panel on the wall and punches up a live feed of the jump engine room where Doctor Two currently holds Morporo and his engineers at gunpoint.

COMMANDER K
When we tapped into the security feed, this is what they found.

Visilimee, Mumy, Rose, and everyone else in the room observes the feed. They recognize Doctor Two.

ROSE
Oh, crap.

FIRST OFFICER MUMY
That's the Doctor, the same "good man" she and he just claimed is trying to help us. And there he is, holding our people hostage!

LT. BOLIVAR
If he's in our engine room, then he's not on the station above us.

ROSE
I can explain!

CAPTAIN VISILIMEE
I think we've had quite enough of your explanations for now, dear. Commander K, lock her up in the brig.

COMMANDER K
With pleasure.

ROSE
No, but you don't understand. That's not the same Doctor. It's a different one.

Rose runs around the table to avoid Commander K's grasp. When he goes right, she goes left. When he goes left, she goes right, always staying exactly opposite him.

COMMANDER K
Stand still, you little brat!

ROSE
But it's not the same Doctor!

SCIENCE OFFICER JETREEL
Sir, do you see what he's doing? Look.

Everyone's attention is drawn away from Commander K's pursuit of Rose and onto the live feed of the engine room, where Doctor Two is hard at work at one of the computer control units.

FIRST OFFICER MUMY
What? What's he doing?

SCIENCE OFFICER JETREEL
That's the core matrix stabilization controls.

FIRST OFFICER MUMY
Oh my god.

CAPTAIN VISILIMEE
From there, with a little bit of time, he can overload the core and destroy the ship.

FIRST OFFICER MUMY
And finish the job his race started so long ago.

CAPTAIN VISILIMEE
Well, I guess it's good that this time we have something he wants.

They all look at Rose.

ROSE
Double crap.

She exhales.

-To be Continued...-