INT. TARDIS
The Doctor treads over the grilling in the TARDIS. He slings his jacket over one of the supports and walks slowly up to the console where he begins to operate the controls. The engines start to hum.
EXT. POWELL ESTATE
Rose, Jackie and Mickey are outside the TARDIS... Rose packed and ready to go.
JACKIE: Have you got everything?
ROSE: I've got everything, don't worry.
"You certainly look prepared." Jack said.
"Well, didn't take anything the first time I hopped in the Tardis, learn to be prepared." Rose said.
"I agree, I made sure to have clothes for any kind of weather." Donna said.
The others all reflected on how they did. Martha remembered she wore the same clothes for the first few days she was with the doctor. I was all a bit confusing, they didn't really rest, just jumped straight from one adventure to the next. Amy and Rory hadn't packed anything any of the times they ran off with the doctor, they just used the wardrobe in the Tardis for new clothes and there was no shortage of any other necessities. The bathroom provided to them had toothbrushes and other toiletries. Clara didn't actually stay overnight in the Tardis that often. It was interesting, looking around the room, it sounded like most of these people spent long periods of time living in the Tardis, travelling non-stop. She'd watched Rose live that way throughout the show so far. Yet, the doctor just picked her up for an adventure and then dropped her back home.
JACKIE: Be careful.
They hug.
ROSE: You got to call Mo about that...
JACKIE: Oh, never mind Mo…
"That was your cousin right?" Donna said. Rose nodded.
"Mo's alright." Mickey said.
"Yeah, she can be a bit…" Rose trailed off.
"Yeah…" Mickey added.
INT. TARDIS
The Doctor pulls a lever and the rotor begins to rise and fall. He gazes up at it and a proud smile spreads across his face.
"Always you and her isn't it." Amy teased. 11 blushed.
"Sometimes I get a little jealous." Said River, partially joking. The Tardis was the Tardis of course but she was still alive and it was obvious how much the Tardis and the doctor cared about each other.
EXT. POWELL ESTATE
ROSE: Okay, I'm going now. I love you!
She kisses her mum on the cheek.
JACKIE: I love you.
ROSE: Love you, love you...
INT. TARDIS
The Doctor smacks down on the controls.
EXT. POWELL ESTATE
Rose kisses Mickey goodbye.
MICKEY: Love you.
ROSE: Bye.
Mickey's face fell. It was hard watching himself and how he used to be. Martha squeezed his hand. They looked at each other.
"I know, I've been there." She looked over at 10. Mickey pulled her close and kissed the top of her head.
She goes to the TARDIS with a bounce in her step and a smile on her face.
INT. TARDIS
Rose closes the door behind her, shrugging the rucksack from her shoulders. The Doctor notices her and they beam at each other. The Doctor pulls a lever with extra vigour.
EXT. POWELL ESTATE
The TARDIS begins to dematerialize. Jackie is already walking away, but Mickey watches it go before following her.
INT. TARDIS
The Doctor and Rose are both at the controls.
ROSE: So, where are we going?
THE DOCTOR(grinning):Further than we've ever gone before.
Rose grins back.
The group leaned forward in anticipation.
Bet it wasn't as far as the end of the universe. Martha thought.
OPENING CREDITS
"NEW EARTH"
"Oh, so this was when you two went to New New York." Said Martha.
"Yeah…" Rose responded. "He take you there too?" Martha nodded. Rose sat back, not sure how to feel. 10 kept his head down.
EXT. NEW EARTH
Rose and the Doctor step out of the TARDIS onto a windy stretch of grass. Rose's mouth drops open.
THE DOCTOR: It's the year five billion and twenty three... we're in the galaxy M87, and this... this is New Earth.
They are looking upon a futuristic city, with flying vehicles zooming to and fro.
ROSE: That's just... that's...
She bursts out laughing, in wonder.
THE DOCTOR(nodding):Not bad. Not bad at all!
ROSE: That's amazing. I'll never get used to this. Never. Different ground beneath my feet!
She jumps up and down excitedly.
ROSE (CONT'D): Different sky...! What's that smell?
The Doctor bends down and pulls some grass up. He shows it to her.
THE DOCTOR: Apple grass.
ROSE: Apple grass…!
THE DOCTOR: Yeah, yeah!
ROSE: That's beautiful!
"Is it edible?" Clara asked, out of interest.
"About as edible as the grass you currently have on earth." 12 replied.
She gazes up at the Doctor with a wide smile.
ROSE (CONT'D): Oh, I love this. Can I just say...
She links her arm through his.
ROSE (CONT'D): ... travelling with you... I love it.
THE DOCTOR: Me too.
Rose laughs and the Doctor grins.
"You two are much more openly flirty these days." Jack said, smiling teasingly.
"Shut up." Rose said, blushing but still smiling. 10 blushed too. He couldn't deny he had feelings for Rose but… It was difficult. He never did anything about it because he could always feel their differences holding him back. Same as it was every time he fell in love with a human. He knew that their lifespans were far shorter than his and that humans eventually needed to settle down. He couldn't settle, he had to keep going. Keep travelling. Keep running.
THE DOCTOR (CONT'D): Come on!
He grabs her hand and they dash off.
INT. HOSPITAL BASEMENT
The Doctor and Rose are being watched through a reddish-tinged orb, by a pale man covered with interesting patterns. His eyes widen.
CHIP(awestruck):Human! She's pure-blood human.
He twists a control to zoom in.
CHIP (CONT'D): Closer. Closer!
EXT. NEW EARTH
One of the metal spiders (as seen in: The End of the World) scurries closer to where the Doctor and Rose lie sprawled on the grass, lying on the Doctor's coat.
"That looks like one of the spiders from the space station where you watched earth blow up." Donna said.
"She was spying on us when we arrived." Rose shivered. She hadn't previously been aware of this. It made sense in hindsight, how else did Cassandra lure her to the basement? At the time she was just concerned with getting away from the murderous slab of skin. Rose caught herself and tried not to think too badly of Cassandra. She did do the right thing in the end. Not that it made it right she'd murdered people. Rose felt frustrated, unsure how she should feel about Cassandra.
THE DOCTOR: So, the year five billion... the sun expands, the Earth gets roasted.
ROSE(smiling):That was our first date.
"You're acknowledging it was a date then?" Said Donna.
"A friend date." Rose clarified. "I mean, he was still a stranger back then." She smiled, thinking of how much closer they'd gotten since.
THE DOCTOR(leaning back to look at her):We had chips!
They giggle.
"I could go for some chips." Mickey said. It had been a while since they last ate. Suddenly, a bowl of chips appeared in front of everyone in a flash of blue. They all picked them up and began eating, not the slightest bit apprehensive. At this point they were used to Scar's randomness.
THE DOCTOR (CONT'D): So anyway, planet gone, all rocks and dust, but the human race lives on, spread out across the stars. Soon as the Earth burns up... oh, yeah, they get all nostalgic... big revival movement... but find this place!
He sits up for a better look at the view.
THE DOCTOR (CONT'D): Same size as the Earth... same air... same orbit... lovely! Call goes out, the humans move in!
ROSE: What's the city called?
THE DOCTOR: New New York.
ROSE(skeptically):Oh, come on.
THE DOCTOR: It is! It's the City of New New York!
He pauses, thinking.
THE DOCTOR (CONT'D): Strictly speaking, it's the fifteenth New York since the original. So that makes it New New New New New New New New New New New New New New New York.
"We should visit the others." Rose said, grinning at 10.
"Why not? Little New York tour."
"I'd be up for that." Amy said, looking at her doctor.
"Well, your wish is my command." 11 smiled. Rory rolled his eyes. The closeness of Amy and 11 still got on his nerves a little. Just a little.
Rose smiles down at him, reminiscing. He notices.
THE DOCTOR (CONT'D): What?
ROSE: You're so different.
THE DOCTOR: New New Doctor.
"It's strange how you always manage to be so different and yet so the same every time you regenerate." Rose said. The others had noticed it too, how different the doctors in the room were.
"It's the same for all time lords." 10 explained. "Our personalities change every time we regenerate but because we have the same memories we're still ourselves."
"It's the old nature vs. nurture idea. Both inborn desires and life experiences affect the personality, when we regenerate our memories, ergo, life experiences are intact but every cell in our body changes so the nature of our desires, our likes and dislikes can shift." 11 elaborated.
"I get it. Fish fingers and custard." Amy grinned at 11. He grinned back.
Rose giggles and the Doctor chuckles. The metal spider watches them.
INT. HOSPITAL BASEMENT
Chip is operating the controls and turns around at the sound of Cassandra's voice.
CASSANDRA: Impossible. I recognize that child. Her face. Show me her face!
CHIP: Closer. Closer!
EXT. NEW EARTH
The spider scurries across the grass.
INT. HOSPITAL BASEMENT
CHIP (CONT'D): Face! Face! Face!
EXT. NEW EARTH
ROSE(getting up):Can we go and visit New New York... so good they named it twice?
THE DOCTOR(also getting up):Well... I thought we might go there first.
He nods towards a large building in the distance, on the coast.
ROSE: Why? What is it?
He has trouble getting his coat on because of the wind, so Rose helps him.
THE DOCTOR: Some sort of hospital. Green moon on the side... that's the universal symbol for hospitals.
"Really?" Martha perked up.
"Hmm… You humans are the strange ones. Red for danger, red cross for hospital." 10 said.
ROSE: Hmm!
THE DOCTOR: I got this.
He pulls out his psychic paper.
THE DOCTOR (CONT'D): A message on the psychic paper.
The words: Ward 26... Please Come, scrawl across the paper.
THE DOCTOR (CONT'D): Someone wants to see me.
He tucks it back in his pocket.
ROSE: Hmm! And I thought we were just sight-seeing. Come on then! Let's go and buy some grapes.
She links her arm through his. The spider follows them.
INT. HOSPITAL BASEMENT
Cassandra gasps.
CASSANDRA: Rose Tyler! I knew it! That dirty blonde assassin!
"What did she say?!" Rose cried, offended.
CHIP: She's coming here, mistress!
CASSANDRA: This is beyond coincidence! This is destiny. At last I can be revenged on that little...
INT. NEW EARTH HOSPITAL
Rose and the Doctor walk through the hospital doors and into the reception.
ROSE: Bit rich coming from you.
Everyone in the room burst out laughing at the beautifully timed cut away.
THE DOCTOR: I can't help it! I don't like hospitals... they give me the creeps!
"You seemed fine when we met." Martha said.
"Well that probably all the adrenaline." Said 10.
"So why don't you like hospitals?" Amy asked.
"Well, lot of reasons I guess," 11 said thoughtfully. "Haven't had too many good experiences in them, was once possessed by a parasite and had to go inside my own head in a hospital, I was almost turned into a gas mask zombie in a hospital, I was accidentally killed in a hospital during the turn of this century, regenerated in a morgue."
"Wow." Said Rory
PA: The Pleasure Gardens will now take visitors carrying green or blue identification cards for the next fifteen minutes. Visitors are reminded that cuttings from the gardens are not permitted.
ROSE(looking around):Very smart. Not exactly NHS.
THE DOCTOR: No shop. I like the little shop!
"You said that when we met." Martha said, smiling at the memory.
"You said it to me just a few hours before we came here, but we were in a library not a hospital." Donna said.
"Well, little shops are great for anywhere." 10 grinned.
"Does the Tardis have one?" Asked Clara.
"Oh yeah, somewhere." He said.
ROSE: I thought this far in the future, they'd have cured everything.
THE DOCTOR: The human race moves on, but so do the viruses. It's an ongoing war.
A cat nurse walks by and nods politely to Rose, who stares at her.
ROSE(pointing):They're cats.
THE DOCTOR: Now, don't stare... think what you look like to them, all...
He looks her up and down.
THE DOCTOR (CONT'D): Pink and yellow. That's where I'd put the shop!
He points over Rose's shoulder.
THE DOCTOR (CONT'D): Right there!
Rose elbowed 10 lightly for his comment.
Whilst Rose is looking, he walks over to the lift and steps inside.
INT. HOSPITAL LIFT 1
THE DOCTOR (CONT'D): Ward 26, thanks!
INT. HOSPITAL BASEMENT
CHIP: Override controls.
INT. NEW EARTH HOSPITAL
ROSE: Hold on! Hold on!
She rushes to the lift, but too late... the doors have closed.
INT. HOSPITAL LIFT 1
THE DOCTOR(through the doors):Oh, too late... I'm going up.
"You didn't even wait for me." Rose snipped.
"Yeah… Sorry." 10 said sheepishly. With everything that happened that day he hadn't really thought about it but if he'd waited for Rose at the lift and made sure they entered together then she wouldn't have had to deal with Cassandra alone, he could have stopped her from having her body stolen. Guilt settled in his chest as he realised this.
INT. NEW EARTH HOSPITAL
ROSE: It's all right, there's another lift.
She rushes to the other lift and presses the button.
INT. HOSPITAL LIFT 1
THE DOCTOR(calling down):Ward 26. And watch out for the disinfectant.
INT. HOSPITAL BASEMENT
Chip watches through the orb.
INT. NEW EARTH HOSPITAL
ROSE(calling up):Watch out for what?
INT. HOSPITAL LIFT 1
THE DOCTOR: The disinfectant!
INT. NEW EARTH HOSPITAL
ROSE: The what?
INT. HOSPITAL LIFT 1
THE DOCTOR: The di... oh, you'll find out.
INT. HOSPITAL LIFT 2
Rose steps into the lift.
ROSE(awkwardly):Um... Ward 26. Thanks...
The doors close and the lift goes down.
INT. HOSPITAL LIFT 1
SPEAKER: Commence stage one... disinfection.
Green lights flash on and the Doctor is soaked in a shower of disinfectant. He is perfectly calm about this.
INT. HOSPITAL LIFT 2
SPEAKER (CONT'D): Commence stage one... disinfection.
Rose is also soaked in the disinfectant. She screams.
Rose blushed.
"I told you to watch out." 10 said, try and failing to hide his smirk. Rose punched him in the arm.
INT. HOSPITAL LIFT 1
The Doctor smoothes his hands through his hair.
INT. HOSPITAL LIFT 2
Rose smacks the walls frantically with her eyes screwed shut, trying to turn the shower off.
INT. HOSPITAL LIFT 1
A white powder is puffed onto the Doctor, who barely reacts.
INT. HOSPITAL LIFT 2
The same white powder is puffed onto Rose. She squeezes her eyes shut, looking shocked and a bit disgusted.
INT. HOSPITAL LIFT 1
A blow-dryer engages. The Doctor looks as though he is enjoying the experience immensely, spreading his coat out to dry and smiling happily.
"You'd enjoy anything." Martha said, chuckling. She said that when the doctor took her to New Earth.
"Absolutely." 10 smiled. 12 looked on sadly, it had been a while since he'd been able to enjoy everything so thoroughly. Though to truth was, a lot of it was just him chasing happiness, not really feeling, not deep down. There was always a crushing emptiness within him, the last of the time lords. Even now, when he knew he wasn't truely the last anymore, he still felt it. Like he didn't have a place to belong.
INT. HOSPITAL LIFT 2
After the initial shock, Rose tries to tidy her hair in the gusts of wind from the blow-dryer.
INT. WARD 26
The lift doors slide open at ward 26 and the Doctor steps out, looking very well groomed. His hair is perfectly tidy for once.
INT. HOSPITAL BASEMENT
Rose steps out at what seems to be some sort of cellar. She is still pulling at her hair, which is looking quite neat.
CHIP(some way down the corridor):The Human child is clean.
ROSE: Um... I'm looking for Ward 26...?
CHIP: This way, Rose Tyler.
He scurries off. Rose follows him apprehensively. She picks up a metal rod just in case.
Everyone began to feel nervous. Whatever Cassandra had planned couldn't be good given her last encounter with Rose. Which begged the question, how could she still be alive?
INT. WARD 26
The Doctor is led into the ward by Sister Jatt.
THE DOCTOR(looking around):Nice place. No shop, downstairs. I'd have a shop. Not a big one... just a shop. So people can shop.
SISTER JATT(surprised):The hospital is a place of healing.
THE DOCTOR: A shop does some people the world of good. Not me. Other people…
"Anyone particular in mind?" Mickey asked.
"No… No… No one really. Just you know. People." 10 said vaguely, to the confusion of everyone.
They start to walk. The Doctor sees a patient who is completely red.
"What is that?" Martha asked, the doctor in her was insanely curious.
"Marconi's Disease." 10 said. "Nasty virus humanity picked up among others when they ventured into the stars, turns skin red and hard as a rock, not to mention nausea, migraines, cold feet. Takes years to recover from."
"I see, what kind of research was performed on it?"
"Well…" 10 launched into a long explanation, most people tuned out but Martha listened with rapt attention.
SISTER JATT: The Sisters of Plentitude take a lifelong vow to help. And to mend.
The doctors all gritted their teeth. They weren't big fans of hypocrisy. They were even less fans of experimentation on living beings that caused endless suffering and death.
They pass a bed holding a man (The Duke of Manhattan) looking as though he is about to turn to stone. By the bed is a very prim woman... Frau Clovis.
FRAU CLOVIS(indignantly):Excuse me!
She approaches the Doctor.
FRAU CLOVIS (CONT'D): Members of the public may only gaze upon the Duke of Manhattan with written permission from the Senate of New New York.
"That must make public speeches difficult for him." Mickey laughed.
"I imagine they have written permission from the senate." Martha said.
"Manhattan has a Duke in the future?" Donna asked, intrigued.
"All sorts of new systems in New Earth." 10 said. "The Dukeship of Manhattan came about after resolution of a dispute between the former USA and UK following the evacuation of Earth."
THE DOCTOR(nodding to the Duke):That's Petrifold Regression, right?
DUKE: I'm dying, sir. A lifetime of charity and abstinence. And it ends like this.
FRAU CLOVIS: Any statements made by the Duke of Manhattan may not be made public without official clearance.
DUKE(gasps):Frau Clovis!
She rushes to his side. He grasps her hand.
DUKE (CONT'D): I'm so weak!
FRAU CLOVIS(outraged):Sister Jatt! A little privacy, please!
Sister Jatt leads the Doctor away.
SISTER JATT: He'll be up and about in no time.
THE DOCTOR: I doubt it. Petrifold Regression? He's turning to stone. There won't be a cure for... oh... a thousand years? He might be up and about, but only as a statue…
"Well that's depressing." Amy rolled her eyes.
"For a doctor you don't have the best bedside manner." Rory added.
"I have a great bedside manner." 11 said defensively.
"My bedside manner has always been the best, I come to the bedside and make everything better." 12 said. Clara facepalmed.
SISTER JATT: Have faith in the sisterhood. But is there no one here you recognize?
The Doctor looks around. His eye is caught.
SISTER JATT: It's rather unusual to visit without knowing the patient.
THE DOCTOR: No. I think I've found him.
Sister Jatt follows his gaze. The Face of Boe is in the corner of the ward by the window. They approach him and the nurse he is with.
SISTER JATT: Novice Hame... if I can leave this gentleman in your care?
THE DOCTOR: Oh, I think my friend got lost. Uh... Rose Tyler. Could you ask at reception?
SISTER JATT: Certainly, sir.
She leaves. Novice Hame and the Doctor look at the Face of Boe.
NOVICE HAME: I'm afraid the Face of Boe's asleep. That's all he tends to do these days. Are you a friend, or...?
THE DOCTOR: We met just the once on Platform One. What's wrong with him?
NOVICE HAME: I'm so sorry. I thought you knew. The Face of Boe is dying.
THE DOCTOR: Of what?
NOVICE HAME: Old age. The one thing we can't cure. He's thousands of years old. Some people say millions. Although, that's impossible.
THE DOCTOR(smiling):Oh, no... I like impossible.
"Maybe you'll be a million years old someday." Donna pondered.
"Wouldn't that be something, I could say things like: back in my day and shake my fist at teenagers." 11 laughed.
"Doesn't matter how old you'd get you'll still be a big kid." Amy laughed.
"Must be almost time for his nap soon." Rory whispered to her, making her laugh more.
"I don't need naps." 11 grumbled.
"Would it make you feel better if I joined you sweetie?" River asked suggestively. 11 blushed but tried to hide it with a smirk.
Clara and 12 watched on sadly. Clara had seen the doctor as an old man after only a thousand years and he'd spent all that time waging a war. 12 did not think the prospect of reaching a million was anything to look forward to. All the people he would lose along the way…
He kneels before the Face of Boe.
THE DOCTOR (CONT'D): I'm here. I look a bit different, but it's me... it's the Doctor...
He places a hand on the tank. The Face of Boe sighs.
INT. HOSPITAL BASEMENT
Rose emerges from the corridor into a room where an old tape is playing. She curiously looks at the flickering image being projected onto the screen. It is a glamourous party scene, everyone present laughing and holding champagne. Cassandra is there, talking to everyone and as she was before all her surgery.
CASSANDRA(on tape):I mean, you never know what your life's going to be like! Ever! I'm bored with this drink.
She hands it away to someone.
CASSANDRA(CONT'D)(on tape):Anyway... oh, hello darling! Now, don't! Stop it!
She pushes a man playfully in the chest.
"Wow, she was actually quite pretty before she became a piece of skin." Martha mused.
"Hold on, you're telling me that woman is the piece of skin that tried to kill ya?" Donna asked, shocked.
Rose and 10 nodded but didn't say anything.
ROSE: Wait a minute... that's...
She spins around, and there is Cassandra. Chip cowers beside her.
CASSANDRA: Peekaboo!
ROSE(holding up the metal rod):Don't you come anywhere near me, Cassandra.
"You don't seem that shocked to find her alive?" Clara commented.
"Well, you get used to stuff like that when you spend enough time with him." She gestured to the doctor next to her.
CASSANDRA: Why? What do you think I'm going to do? Flap you to death?
ROSE: Yeah, but... what about Gollum?
She gestures to Chip.
CASSANDRA: Oh... that's just Chip. He's my pet.
CHIP: I worship the mistress!
CASSANDRA: Moisturize me, moisturize me...
Chip picks up a canister and squirts Cassandra with it.
"So he's basically a replacement for those weird guys dressed in white." Rory said.
"How can she call him a pet though." Martha said. "It's disgraceful." She seemed genuinely outraged. Rose felt embarrassed she hadn't got more upset about it at the time, all she was thinking about was her own self-preservation.
CASSANDRA (CONT'D): He's not even a proper life-form. He's a force-grown clone. I modelled him on my favourite pattern. But he's so faithful. Chip sees to my physical needs.
ROSE: I hope that means food. How comes you're still alive?
CASSANDRA: After you murdered me.
ROSE: That was your own fault.
CHIP: The brain of my mistress survived. And her pretty blue eyes were salvaged from the bin.
Cassandra looks flattered.
ROSE: What about the skin? I saw it, you...
She laughs in disbelief.
ROSE: You got ripped apart.
"You seemed more upset about it at the time?" Said Clara. Rose glared at her, feeling a little judged.
"So I'm supposed to be happy she's alive, a woman who killed several people and almost me?" Rose asked. "Right yeah, I should have run over to hug her and say how happy I was to see her."
"Sorry." Clara huffed, feeling Rose took her question too personally. Rose ignored her and went back to the screen.
CASSANDRA: That piece of skin was taken from the front of my body. This piece is the back.
ROSE(laughing):Right! So you're talking out of your...
CASSANDRA: Ask not.
"There's been quite a big of that this episode." Mickey commented. This did seem to be the first episode they were including these cut aways and interruptions for rude words.
CHIP: The mistress was lucky to survive. Chip secreted mi'lady into the hospital.
ROSE: So they don't know you're here?
CHIP: Chip steals medicine. Helps mi'lady. Soothes her. Strokes her...
He raises a hand to stroke Cassandra.
ROSE: You can stop right there, Chip.
"Thank you." Donna breathed.
CASSANDRA(sadly):But I'm so alone, hidden down here... the last Human in existence...
ROSE: Don't start that again... they've called this planet New Earth!
CASSANDRA: A vegetable patch.
ROSE: And there's millions of Humans out there... millions of them.
CASSANDRA: Mutant stock!
ROSE: They evolved, Cassandra. They just evolved, like they should. You stayed still. You got yourself all pickled and preserved, and what good did it do you?
10 smiled. He was proud of Rose for being so positive about the future. A lot of people on earth, sadly, were very prejudice and wouldn't be at all happy with how humanity changes in the future but his friends were always open-minded.
CASSANDRA(referring to film):Oh, I remember that night. Drinks for the Ambassador of Thrace. That was the last time anyone told me I was beautiful. After that it all became... such hard work.
Rose frowned. She felt a little sad. Cassandra in Chip's body was the one to tell herself she was beautiful, it meant a lot to her but at the same time it meant she'd spent the rest of her life believing someone other than herself had thought she was beautiful that night but it turned out that wasn't true. She wondered when the true last time another had called her beautiful was.
ROSE: Well, you've got a knack for survival... I'll give you that.
CASSANDRA: But I've not been idle, Rose... tucked away, underneath this hospital... I've been listening. The Sisters are hiding something.
ROSE: What d'you mean?
CASSANDRA: Oh... these cats have secrets.
That was ominous. Everyone began to worry just a bit. Not that they didn't think the doctor could handle it.
10, rather, felt angry as he remember the secret those cats were hiding. He'd seen a lot of horrific and inhumane things throughout his long life and that was one of the worst. Those people… The cats may have created them but they were alive and they'd been made to suffer short lives of nothing but sickness. They deserved better.
Hush, let me whisper. Come close.
ROSE(laughing):You must be joking if you think I'm coming anywhere near you!
She takes a few steps backwards and is caught by a machine that binds her with light so she cannot move.
CASSANDRA: Chip! Activate the psychograft!
Chip bounds over to the controls.
ROSE(scared):I can't move! Cassandra, let me go!
Chip pulls a lever and bars of light come down from the ceiling and surround Rose like a cage.
ROSE(CONT'D)(frightened):What're you doing?
Everyone felt worried as they heard the fear in Rose's voice. Whatever Cassandra had planned couldn't be good.
10 frowned. He felt guilty for not realising what happened. He knew straight away when he met Cassandra-Rose that something was wrong, but he had figured the hospital staff had done something to Rose, not that she was possessed by a murderous socialite.
CASSANDRA: The lady's moving on. It's goodbye trampoline, and hello Blondie!
After a few seconds, a cloud of light jumps from Cassandra, across the room and into Rose.
"How did she do that?" Martha asked.
"That's how a psychograft works it sucks the consciousness from one being out of their body and implants it in another living brain." 10 explained.
"It suppresses the user to death, slowly losing more and more of their memories and brain cells." 12 said. Clara coughed to interrupt his tactless explanation.
Chip releases the lever and Rose's body falls to the ground.
CHIP(peering at her):Mistress?
CASSANDRA-ROSE(beginning to stir):Moisturize me...
Everyone's eyes widened as it really hit them what had happened. Cassandra had essentially possessed Rose.
Rose grimaced, she didn't have many memories of what Cassandra did while in her body, she was not looking forward to having to see this.
Chip hurries to retrieve the canister.
CASSANDRA-ROSE(breathless):How bizarre... arms... fingers... hair! Let me see! Let me see!
She springs to her feet and dashes to a mirror. Her eyes widen in horror.
CASSANDRA-ROSE(horrified):Oh my God. I'm a chav!
Rose prickled. She was normally pretty confident in herself but there were times. Rare, rare times. When she felt the teeniest bit insecure of her low class.
INT. WARD 26
PA: Hope, harmony and health. Hope, harmony and health.
The Doctor crosses the ward and gives Novice Hame a glass of water.
NOVICE HAME: That's very kind. But there's no need.
THE DOCTOR(going to the window):You're the one working.
NOVICE HAME: There's not much to do. Just maintain his smoke. And I suppose I'm company. I can hear him singing, sometimes. In my mind... such ancient songs...
THE DOCTOR: Am I the only visitor?
NOVICE HAME: The rest of Boe-kind became extinct. Long ago. He's the only one left. Legend says that the Face of Boe has watched the universe grow old.
The Doctor smiles.
10 smiled softly. The Face of Boy felt like a kindred spirit. As a time lord, the doctor had also been forced to watch the universe grow. To see so many people, planets, empires, change around him while he was stuck. The curse of near immortality that belonged to so few beings after the time war.
NOVICE HAME (CONT'D): There's all sorts of superstitions around him. One story says that just before his death, the Face of Boe will impart his great secret. That he will speak those words only to one like himself.
THE DOCTOR: What does that mean?
NOVICE HAME: It's just a story.
THE DOCTOR: Tell me the rest.
NOVICE HAME: It's said he'll talk to a wanderer. To the man without a home.
The Doctor recognizes himself in this sentence.
NOVICE HAME (CONT'D): The lonely God.
"No prizes for guessing who that's supposed to be." Martha said.
"God is stretching it a bit." Donna added.
"I never claimed to be a god, people just seem to want to push that image on to me." 10 grumbled. He was frustrated. He did not appreciate being called a god as often as he was. He was just a traveler. Just someone who passes through, looking for a fun time and help out when he can.
12 lowered his gaze. He had come to realise people saw him as a god because of his actions. He was the one who drew attention to himself. He had thought that by calling himself the protector of many worlds and the enemy of beings of evil like the daleks or the cybermen that he could be a deterrent to them. He didn't stop to think about the way the people he was trying to protect saw him. That was a mistake. He wasn't a god, or a hero. He needed to keep his head down more, try to help without making such a mess of things all the time.
INT. HOSPITAL BASEMENT
Cassandra is still stood in front of the mirror looking at Rose's body, absolutely horrified.
CASSANDRA-ROSE(frantic):Look at me! From class to brass! Although...
She pulls the zipper of Rose's jacket down slightly and runs her hands over her body.
CASSANDRA-ROSE (CONT'D): Oh... curves... oh, baby...
She bounces up and down, Chip following suit.
CASSANDRA-ROSE(CONT'D)(delighted):It's like living inside a bouncy castle!
CHIP: Mistress is beautiful!
Rose blushed in embarrassment but couldn't help smiling despite herself. Being called beautiful made her feel good. On the other hand, having someone occupy her body and feel her up… Yeah, stopping that train of thought.
CASSANDRA-ROSE: Absolutement! Oh, but look...
Her eye is caught by Cassandra's old frame, which is empty.
CHIP(sad surprise):Oh...! The brain meat expired... my old mistress is gone.
"So she can never return to her former body?" Martha asked. Rose shrugged and 10 nodded.
"Can't see why she would want to." Said Amy. "Who'd want to be stuck as a slab of flesh, reminds me of that creepy hunk of meat Mr Wright has in his shop." She turned to Rory who nodded.
CASSANDRA-ROSE: But safe and sound in here.
She taps her head.
CHIP: What of the Rose child's mind?
CASSANDRA-ROSE: Oh... tucked away... I can just about access the surface memory, she's...
That was something, Rose supposed, that Cassandra couldn't just root through her entire mind.
She pauses to think.
CASSANDRA-ROSE (CONT'D): Gosh... she's with the Doctor... that man... he's the Doctor... the same Doctor with a new face! That hypocrite! I must get the name of his surgeon.
"I am no hypocrite." 10 said instinctively, only thinking about what Cassandra was insinuating, that he'd gone and gotten cosmetic surgery. Then when his words sank in, he sat down sheepishly.
"Not sure we can really say that." 11 chuckled.
"You're just going to admit to being a hypocrite?" Clara said.
"Well, when you live long enough, you're bound to reverse opinion every now and then." 12 justified.
She turns on her heel to look in the mirror again.
CASSANDRA-ROSE (CONT'D): I could do with a little work. Although...
She runs her hand over Rose's bum.
CASSANDRA-ROSE (CONT'D): Nice rear bumper. Hmm!
"Glad someone noticed…" Rose mumbled, purposefully unassuming. 10 blushed and refused to look at anyone. He'd never look at any of his friends like that. Not that he didn't notice Rose. What was he thinking?!
She smiles. Rose's mobile rings.
CASSANDRA-ROSE (CONT'D): Oh... it seems to be ringing... is it meant to ring?
She pulls Rose's phone out of her back pocket and stares at it.
CHIP: A primitive communications device.
Cassandra presses a button and the Doctor's voice is on the other end.
THE DOCTOR(over the phone):Rose, where are you?
CASSANDRA-ROSE(whispering, placing the phone to her ear):How does she speak?
CHIP(whispering back):Old Earth Cockney.
CASSANDRA-ROSE(into mobile):Uhm... Wotcha...
Rose facepalmed.
"You didn't fall for that, of course." She looked accusingly at 10.
"Oh, oh, of course." He smiled.
INT. WARD 26
THE DOCTOR: Where've you been? How long does it take to get to Ward 26?
CASSANDRA-ROSE(over the phone, forced voice):I'm on my way, governor.
INT. HOSPITAL BASEMENT
CASSANDRA-ROSE(CONT'D): I shall proceed up the Apples and Pears.
"What era does she think I'm from?" Rose complained.
"Oh I dunno, who doesn't enjoy apples and pears?" 10 laughed.
"I can think of at least one person." Amy chuckled.
INT. WARD 26
THE DOCTOR: You'll never guess. I'm with the Face of Boe! D'you remember him?
INT. HOSPITAL BASEMENT
CASSANDRA-ROSE(laughs, through gritted teeth):Course I do... that big old... Boe... face...
"Has she forgotten?" Rose exclaimed, outraged. Cassandra had held him and many others hostage and almost killed them.
The doctors all frowned, they too didn't like it when criminals couldn't even remember the people they'd hurt or killed. 11 felt particularly strongly about it. Seemed that part of his character was a strong part of his regeneration. He could not forgive someone who destroyed lives and then dismissed them so easily.
INT. WARD 26
THE DOCTOR(distracted by something happening at the Duke's bed):I'd better go. See you in a minute.
He replaces the receiver. The Duke is laughing. He and Frau Clovis both have a glass of champagne.
DUKE: Didn't think I was going to make it!
The Doctor steps into view.
DUKE (CONT'D): It's that man again!
The Doctor smiles, scratching his ear absent-mindedly.
DUKE (CONT'D): He's my good luck charm! Come in! Don't be shy!
FRAU CLOVIS: Any friendship expressed by the Duke of Manhattan does not constitute a form of legal contract.
The Doctor nods.
"She's very businesslike isn't she?" Said Martha.
"I'm sure the duke's happy to have someone so diligent by his side." 10 smiled. He could appreciate people who took their job very seriously. When they didn't let it come before the safety of others.
DUKE: Winch me up.
He gives the Doctor the thumbs up. Frau Clovis presses a button on a remote and the bed tilts forwards.
DUKE (CONT'D): Ah! Look at me! No sign of infection!
WAITER(to the Doctor):Champagne, sir?
THE DOCTOR: No thanks. Uh... you had Petrifold Regression, right?
DUKE(happily):Had being the operative word! Past tense! Completely cured.
He laughs joyfully.
THE DOCTOR: But that's impossible.
MATRON CASP: Primitive species would accuse us of magic, but it's merely the tender application of science.
THE DOCTOR(staring at her):How on Earth did you cure him?
MATRON CASP: How on New Earth, you might say.
People snorted.
THE DOCTOR(nodding to the drip):What's in that solution?
MATRON CASP: A simple remedy.
THE DOCTOR(challenging her):Then tell me what it is.
MATRON CASP: I'm sorry. Patient confidentiality. I don't believe we've met. My name is Matron Casp.
Martha shifted. She was a doctor herself and had worked with many doctors throughout her career. She just had this feeling. There was something about this Matron Casp that was off. Cruel. As though she did not truly value life.
THE DOCTOR: I'm the Doctor.
MATRON CASP: I think you'll find that we're the Doctors here.
SISTER JATT(to Matron Casp):Matron Casp... you're needed in intensive care.
MATRON CASP(to the Doctor):If you would excuse me.
The Doctor nods to her and she leaves with Sister Jatt. He watches them walk away.
SISTER JATT(quietly):It's happened again. One of the patients is conscious.
MATRON CASP: Oh... we can't have that...
The Doctor watches them suspiciously.
As did everyone in the room. The doctors all frowned, remembering the horror those women had caused.
Rose vaguely recalled how outraged she was when the doctor explained it to her afterwards. Her memories of the whole event were fuzzy thanks to being trapped inside her own head for much of it. It was both interesting and unnerving watching it from an outside perspective like this.
"Speaking as a qualified doctor, it's usually a good thing when patients regain consciousness." Said Martha. "Unless they need to be under for some form of recovery…" She looked to the doctors, her intuition told her the patients weren't unconscious for their own good. The looks of the doctors' faces confirmed it.
INT. HOSPITAL BASEMENT
CHIP: This Doctor man is dangerous.
Cassandra-Rose flicks her hair back, fixing herself up in the mirror.
CASSANDRA-ROSE: Dangerous and clever. I might need a mind like his. The Sisterhood is up to something. Remember that Old Earth saying...? Never trust a Nun. Never trust a Nurse. And never trust a cat. Perfume?
"No saying I've ever heard." Said Donna. "And let me tell you if I've not heard it, it's not a phrase worth saying." The others laughed.
10 grinned, he could see why he travelled with this woman.
"I believe it was a phrase invented in the year twenty-four fifty… Three? No four. Twenty-four fifty-four." 11 said.
Chip takes a small tube of perfume out of his pocket and gives it to her. She pushes it down her cleavage.
Rose grimaced. First Cassandra runs her hands over her ass and now down her cleavage. She was beginning to feel violated.
10 noticed her discomfort and gave her hand a quick squeeze. She smiled at him gratefully.
She then strides out of the room with purpose.
INT. INTENSIVE CARE
Sister Jatt and Matron Casp pass luminous green doors in intensive care.
SISTER JATT: It was having a perfectly normal blood-wash. And all of a sudden, it started crying. It's this one.
They open one of the doors and look inside. Diseased hands reach out to them.
PATIENT: Please...
SISTER JATT: Look at its eyes. So alive.
MATRON CASP: Positively sparkling!
PATIENT: Please... where am I?
MATRON CASP: And speech! How can it even have a vocabulary?
SISTER JATT: Sister Corvin's written a thesis on the migration of sentients. She calls it: The Echo of Life. It's well worth a read.
PATIENT: Help me...
MATRON CASP(disgusted):I've seen enough, thank you.
They shut the door and walk away.
Everyone in the room felt uneasy. Those who hadn't lived these events could tell something was very wrong. There was a person asking for help in there, definitely, yet they were acting like they weren't even human.
MATRON CASP (CONT'D): If this happens again, we might have to review our brain stem policy.
SISTER JATT: And what should we do with the patient?
MATRON CASP(dismissively):Standard proceedure. Incinerate.
"What?" Martha gasped. Everyone looked outraged. "How dare these women call themselves doctors?" Martha seethed.
"You said it." Donna chimed it. "What kind of practice incinerates their patients? Don't the families complain? Isn't someone inspecting this hospital or this just what passes for normal in the future? Cause let me tell you—"
"No." 10 interupted. "It definitely isn't what passes for normal. It's a barbaric experiment disguised as a kindness."
Matron Casp rounds a corner. Sister Jatt pulls a lever on the wall, and there is a terrible scream from the patient's cell as it glows white. She leaves.
Everyone felt sick as they watched.
INT. WARD 26
Cassandra-Rose finally emerges onto Ward 26, still smoothing down her hair. She spots the Doctor examining various drips, with his glasses on. She smiles when he notices her.
THE DOCTOR: There you are! Come and look at this patient!
He takes her arm and shows her a patient whose skin is completely red.
Rose sighed. She wished the doctor would stop to notice her now and then instead of being distracted by whatever was trying to kill them. Maybe if he had he would have realised she wasn't herself.
10 turned away sheepishly. He could tell Rose was upset he initially fell for Cassandra's ploy. In his defense, he had a lot going on at the time. He did catch on pretty quick.
THE DOCTOR (CONT'D)(taking his glasses off):Marconi's Disease. Should take years to recover. Two days. I've never seen anything like it... they've invented a cell washing cascade... it's amazing. Their medical science is way advanced. And this one!
He leads her to another bed sporting a man who is completely white.
THE DOCTOR (CONT'D): Pallidome Pancrosis. Kills you in ten minutes, and he's fine!
He waves cheerily to the patient.
THE DOCTOR (CONT'D): I need to find a terminal. I've got to see how they do this.
They walk off, Rose walking rather differently.
THE DOCTOR (CONT'D): Because if they've got the best medicine in the world... then why's it such a secret?
CASSANDRA-ROSE(stopping):I can't Adam and Eve it.
THE DOCTOR(confused):What's... what's with the voice?
CASSANDRA-ROSE(looking up at him):Oh, I don't know... just larking about New Earth... New me...
She looks him up and down. He finally seems to notice that most of the buttons on her shirt are undone.
Most of the people in the room felt a little secondhand embarrassment. 10 placed his head in his hands.
River began chuckling softly. The doctor was so adorable.
THE DOCTOR: Well, I can talk. New New Doctor.
He grins.
CASSANDRA-ROSE: Mmm... aren't you just...
She very suddenly pulls his face towards her and plants a smacking kiss on his lips. When she finally pulls away, he looks extremely shocked and she's slightly breathless. He stares at her.
"Wow…" Donna said.
Rose pulled away from 10 sharply. He looked at her and was worried to see how upset she looked. Inside, she felt sick, violated. Cassandra had used her body to kiss someone. Of course, the doctor was someone she wanted to kiss but that didn't change anything. To see herself kiss someone without her consent.
"I feel like I should apologise." 10 said.
"It's not your fault." Rose said.
"Still, I'm sorry that happened to you. Can I promise you the next time you get possessed I'll put a stop to it immediately?" He said.
Rose smiled at him. She knew he probably wouldn't be able to keep that promise but she also knew she'd probably forgive him. Strangely, she was okay with that.
CASSANDRA-ROSE (CONT'D): T... terminal's this way.
She walks off, exhaling slightly. He watches her go looking extremely dazed and tousled.
THE DOCTOR(high-pitched):Yep... still got it...
He follows her, smoothing his hair down.
Everyone burst out laughing. Only the doctor would react so confused and casual at the same time after being kissed out of the blue. Surprisingly, or maybe not surprisingly, it wasn't that uncommon an occurrence.
INT. HOSPITAL
The Doctor and Cassandra/Rose are looking at details of the hospital on a screen.
THE DOCTOR: Nope... nothing odd... surgery... post-op... nano-dentistry... no sign of a shop... they should have a shop.
CASSANDRA-ROSE(walking around him):No, it's missing something else. When I was downstairs, those Nurse / Cat / Nuns were talking about Intensive Care. Where is it...?
THE DOCTOR: You're right, well done.
CASSANDRA-ROSE: Why would they hide a whole department?
The Doctor takes his sonic screwdriver out of his pocket.
CASSANDRA-ROSE (CONT'D): It's gotta be there somewhere. Search the sub-frame.
THE DOCTOR: What if the sub-frame's locked?
CASSANDRA-ROSE: Try the installation protocol...
THE DOCTOR(scanning screen):Yeah, course. Sorry. Hold on.
Rose gave the doctor a light whack on the arm. "You don't seem that worried, surely you realise I wouldn't know what an installation protocol is."
"Of course I did." 10 defended. "I knew something was off from the beginning I just didn't know what. I was afraid they'd done something to your head, I needed to be careful and play along until I had more information. I didn't want to risk hurting you."
Rose relaxed and smiled. She felt warm inside to hear how much the doctor was taking care of her.
He clicks his sonic screwdriver off and the entire wall moves downwards, revealing a secret corridor behind. Cassandra/Rose smiles and walks straight into it. The Doctor follows, knowing something isn't quite right about her.
THE DOCTOR (CONT'D): Intensive Care. Certainly looks intensive.
Behind them, Novice Hame watches them enter the corridor. She follows.
INT. INTENSIVE CARE
The Doctor and Cassandra-Rose go down metal steps into Intensive Care. They find themselves in the huge cavernous chamber, looking upon row and row of green doors. The Doctor walks along one of the rows and opens a door with his sonic screwdriver. A man, covered in boils and surrounded by smoke looks back at them.
Donna put a hand over her mouth, fighting the urge to throw up. "That's just horrible. I can see what they mean by intensive care, he definitely looks like he needs a ton of futuristic shots."
"Is this what I think it is?" River asked, glowering at the screen.
"Yes." 10 hissed darkly, he could tell River had already worked out what was going on.
Martha watched the two curiously. As a doctor, she'd never come across anything like what she was seeing on screen, but she suspected it was some disease that didn't exist yet. What confused her was the anger the doctors were showing on their faces. There had to be more going on here. It gave her a bad feeling.
CASSANDRA-ROSE: That's disgusting. What's wrong with him?
THE DOCTOR(to the man, horrified):I'm sorry. I'm so sorry.
Cassandra-Rose holds her nose whilst the Doctor closes the door gently. He opens another.
CASSANDRA-ROSE(looking at the woman inside):What disease is that?
THE DOCTOR(quietly, disgusted):All of them. Every single disease in the galaxy, they've been infected with everything.
"Is that even possible?" Amy asked, horrified. She clutched Rory for support. Martha and Rory both nodded.
"It is but… It's torture." Rory shivered.
"This is deliberate." Martha growled. "Surely these sisters have their own Hippocratic oath or equivalent, this violates everything being a doctor should stand for." Mickey placed a southing hand on his wife's shoulder, but she barely felt it. She'd never been so livid. With the doctor and with UNIT, she'd seen the worst of the universe and even the worst of humanity, but this felt more personal. She was a doctor and these cat-women claimed to be doctors too but they were obviously forcefully infecting people for experimentation. This couldn't stand. No doubt the doctor would not let it.
CASSANDRA-ROSE: What about us? Are we safe?
THE DOCTOR: The air's sterile. Just don't touch them.
He shuts the door and then leans over the railing, looking upon the rows of doors. Cassandra-Rose follows.
CASSANDRA-ROSE: How many patients are there?
THE DOCTOR: They're not patients.
CASSANDRA-ROSE: But they're sick.
THE DOCTOR(angry):They were born sick. They're meant to be sick. They exist to be sick. Lab rats. No wonder the Sisters have got a cure for everything. They've built the ultimate research laboratory. A Human farm.
There was nobody in the room who wasn't horrified. Donna even felt like she might throw up.
CASSANDRA-ROSE: Why don't they just die?
THE DOCTOR: Plague carriers. The last to go.
"Spending weeks in unbearable agony." River said. Normally she was quite composed, and that was true even now, she'd seen the worst of the universe, but that didn't mean there was not disgust in her tone and expression.
NOVICE HAME(appearing at the end of the row):It's for the greater cause.
THE DOCTOR: Novice Hame. When you took your vows, did you agree to this?
NOVICE HAME: The Sisterhood has sworn to help.
THE DOCTOR(shouting):What, by killing?
NOVICE HAME(gently):But they're not real people. They're specially grown. They have no proper existence.
THE DOCTOR(advancing dangerously):What's the turnover? Hm? Thousand a day? Thousand the next? Thousand the next? How many thousand? For how many years? How many?
10 turned away from the screen. It was unnerving to see himself in that state. He did not regret losing his temper, even now he could feel anger. But this was a past memory from him, he already knew how it would all play out and it couldn't be changed so his feelings were slightly more muted. Seeing himself in a state of pure, uncontrolled rage was actually quite uncomfortable.
NOVICE HAME: Mankind needed us. They came to this planet with so many illnesses. We couldn't cope. We did try. We tried everything. We tried using clone-meat and bio-cattle... but the results were too slow. So the sisterhood grew its own flesh. That's all they are. Flesh.
THE DOCTOR: These people are alive.
NOVICE HAME: But think of those Humans out there... healthy... and happy, because of us.
THE DOCTOR: If they live because of this, then life is worthless.
NOVICE HAME: But who are you to decide that?
THE DOCTOR(stepping forward):I'm the Doctor. And if you don't like it... if you want to take it to a higher authority, then there isn't one. It stops with me.
12 flinched. Thinking so highly of himself had caused more harm than good he'd begun to realise in recent years. He looked at his younger selves and felt both pity and disgust. He hated himself for being so proud but he felt sad because he knew it was only because he/they cared too much. Maybe that's why he'd stopped trying so hard, stopped caring? Because it was dangerous? Or maybe he was just angry at the universe. He certainly embraced a lot of the rage he'd suppressed in previous regenerations this time around.
CASSANDRA-ROSE(peering over the Doctor's shoulder):Just to confirm... none of the Humans in the city actually know about this?
NOVICE HAME: We thought it best not...
"They want to argue what they're doing is right, yet they do all they can to hide it, suggests they know it's wrong." Amy said.
"Amazing how people can be in two minds about something." 10 commented. He didn't say much else. His emotions were running high and he didn't really feel like talking.
THE DOCTOR: Hold on. I can understand the bodies. I can understand your vows. But one thing I can't understand... what have you done to Rose?
NOVICE HAME: I don't know what you mean.
THE DOCTOR(deadly quiet):And I'm being very, very calm. You wanna beware of that... very, very calm. And the only reason I'm being so very, very calm is that the brain is a delicate thing. Whatever you've done to Rose's head, I want it reversed.
"See, I told you she didn't have me fooled." 10 said to Rose.
"I know." She chuckled. "Thanks for… You know." She blushed. 10 smiled widely. Of course, he would do anything for his friends.
NOVICE HAME: We haven't done anything.
CASSANDRA-ROSE: I'm perfectly fine.
THE DOCTOR(to Novice Hame):These people are dying, and Rose would care.
Rose smiled warmly, pleased the Doctor thought so highly of her character. He was right of course, what they did in that hospital was sick. They were experimenting on conscious beings; artificially grown or not, they were still alive.
CASSANDRA-ROSE: Oh, all right, clever clogs.
She spins him around to face her.
CASSANDRA-ROSE(CONT'D)(pulling his tie out flirtatiously):Smarty pants.(Huskily).Lady-killer.
THE DOCTOR: What's happened to you?
"Not fond of a Rose that flirts with you?" Jack asked, partly teasing, partly curious.
"I like my Rose, the way she is." 10 said simply. Rose grinned, her heart fluttering in elation.
CASSANDRA-ROSE: I knew something was going on in this hospital, but I needed this body and your mind to find it out.
THE DOCTOR: Who are you?
Cassandra/Rose stands on tip toes to whisper into the Doctor's ear.
CASSANDRA-ROSE: The Last Human.
THE DOCTOR(pulling back, unpleasantly surprised):Cassandra?
"You've got a very good memory." Said Martha, impressed.
"Yes I have." 10 grinned. 11 shifted uncomfortably. His previous selves all prided themselves on their memory, for better or worse. Lately, he'd been actively trying to forget the worst. In this regeneration he wanted to have fun, to not be weighed down by pain and sadness.
CASSANDRA-ROSE: Wake up and smell the perfume.
She takes the tube of perfume and sprays it in the Doctor's face. He immediately keels over, unconscious.
NOVICE HAME(kneeling at his side):You've hurt him! I don't understand... I'll have to fetch Matron!
CASSANDRA-ROSE: You do that, 'cause I want to see her. Now, run along! Sound the alarm!
Novice Hame hurries off. Cassandra-Rose rips a cable out and an alarm goes off. She smiles, satisfied.
Rose shivered. It was disturbing seeing herself like this. Of course she knew it was Cassandra not her but still, it's hard to get past seeing malice and cruelty on your own face.
INT. HOSPITAL
Novice Hame emerges from Intensive Care and meets Matron Casp and Sister Jatt going in.
NOVICE HAME(scared):Matron! It's that man. And the girl!
MATRON CASP: We heard the alarm, now get back to work. Tend to your patients.
Novice Hame hurries off and Matron Casp and Sister Jatt walk into Intensive Care.
INT. INTENSIVE CARE
The Doctor wakes up and finds himself inside one of the cells in Intensive Care.
THE DOCTOR: Let me out! Let me out!
CASSANDRA-ROSE(looks through door):Aren't you lucky there was a spare? Standing room only.
THE DOCTOR: You've stolen Rose's body.
CASSANDRA-ROSE: Over the years, I've thought of a thousand ways to kill you, Doctor. And now, that's exactly what I've got. One thousand diseases. They pump the patients with a top-up every ten minutes. You've got about... three minutes left. Enjoy.
THE DOCTOR: Just let Rose go, Cassandra.
"Never mind about me, worry about yourself." Rose said. She was heart warmed to know the Doctor was more concerned for her but at the same time she feared for him, subjected to thousands of diseases. He'd only just got that new body. Of course, they made it out okay but they wouldn't be that lucky every time. "You should have more self-preservation." She chided.
"Here here." Agreed Donna.
"I have plenty of self-preservation." 10 argued. "Well, some…" He amended.
CASSANDRA-ROSE: I will! As soon as I've found someone younger and... less common... then I'll junk her with the waste. Now hushaby! It's showtime.
Matron Casp and Sister Jatt approach Cassandra-Rose.
SISTER JATT: Anything we can do to help?
CASSANDRA-ROSE: Straight to the point, Whiskers... I want money.
10 scowled. Of course. Once again, Cassandra was thinking about money. Shallow people who put monetary gain ahead of people's lives disgusted him.
MATRON CASP: The Sisterhood is a charity. We don't give money. We only... accept.
CASSANDRA-ROSE: The Humans across the water pay you a fortune. And that's exactly what I need. A one-off payment. That's all I want... oh, and perhaps a yacht. In return for which, I shall tell the City nothing of your institutional murder. Is that a deal?
Sister Jatt presses a few buttons on a remote.
MATRON CASP: I'm afraid not.
CASSANDRA-ROSE: I'd really advise you to think about this.
MATRON CASP: There's no need. I have to decline.
CASSANDRA-ROSE: I'll tell them! And you've no way of stopping me! You're not exactly Nuns with guns... you're not even armed.
MATRON CASP: Who needs arms when we have claws?
Her claws shoot out of her paws and she hisses menacingly.
"Okay, suppose we should have seen that coming." Said Clara, still sounding stunned.
CASSANDRA-ROSE: Well, nice try.
She spins around to call to Chip who is waiting nearby.
CASSANDRA-ROSE: Chip? Plan B!
Chip pulls a lever and every cell door on the row springs open. The Doctor steps out of his cell, and also the infected people.
On the one hand everyone was relieved the Doctor was out of one danger but on the other, straight into another, and one that put more people in danger.
THE DOCTOR(yelling):What've you done?
CASSANDRA-ROSE: Gave the system a shot of adrenaline, just to wake 'em up. See ya!
"How did she even know how to do that?" Asked Martha.
"She's been living at that hospital in secret for years, I doubt there's anything there she doesn't know how to do." Said 10.
She runs off.
THE DOCTOR: Don't touch them!
He calls back to the nurses.
THE DOCTOR (CONT'D): Whatever you do, don't touch!
He dashes after Cassandra/Rose and Chip. The infected people walk zombie-like up to Sister Jatt and Matron Casp.
SISTER JATT: I think we should withdraw.
MAN: We understood what you did to us. As part of the machine, we know the machine.
MATRON CASP(backing away):Fascinating. It's actually constructing an argument.
"That's sick." Clara said, voicing everyone else's thoughts. They were talking about these people like they weren't people.
MAN: And we... will end it.
He plunges his hands into the electrics, electrocuting himself to death but causing every single cell door in Intensive Care to explode open.
Everyone was taken aback by the man's sacrifice. He willingly killed himself to free all the others. Of course, the alternative would have been dying a slow painful death as a lab rat.
Cassandra-Rose screams as she, the Doctor and Chip run for their lives along the row. The infected people start to leave their cells.
SISTER JATT(looking over the railings, horrified):They're free. By the Goddess Centauri... the flesh is free!
The zombies stagger slowly towards them, muttering: stop the pain..., reaching out to them. Sister Jatt is backed against the wall and one of the people touches her. She immediately breaks out in boils, screaming with pain. The Doctor, Cassandra-Rose and Chip pause for a moment and watch all the zombies break out of their cells.
CASSANDRA-ROSE: Oh, my God...
THE DOCTOR: What the hell have you done?
CASSANDRA-ROSE: It wasn't me!
THE DOCTOR: One touch and you get every disease in the world, and I want that body safe, Cassandra! We've gotta go down!
The zombies are advancing.
CASSANDRA-ROSE(scared):But there's thousands of them!
THE DOCTOR: Run! Down! Down! Go down!
"So they can survive but anyone else would die from being touched?" Amy asked.
"They're carriers, their immune systems have developed a small immunity, enough to keep both the human and viruses alive until it can be passed on. They do die eventually." 11 explained. "Other humans, of course, their immune systems have no resistance."
"I hope you shut that place down." Said Martha.
"Oh, of course." 10 smiled.
They run down the stairs. Matron Casp picks up a phone.
MATRON CASP: Quarantine the building!
She hangs up and runs.
PA: This building is under quarantine.
INT. HOSPITAL LOBBY
Shutters seal off every entrance and exit to the hospital, causing alarm amongst the patients, staff and visitors.
Most everyone felt sad for the ordinary people in the hospital. How could they have known what would happen that day?
10 felt sadness and guilt. Wishing he could have saved everyone, just as he always did. At the time he was focused on staying alive and saving as many people as he could but now, looking back, he had time to think on the people who died that day. The people he couldn't save.
Rose kept holding his hand, sensing his feelings and trying to be there for her doctor.
PA(CONT'D): Repeat... this building is under quarantine. No one may leave the premises. Repeat...
EXT. NEW EARTH HOSPITAL
The PA is booming out over the landscape.
PA (CONT'D): ... no one may leave the premises.
INT. INTENSIVE CARE
The zombies follow the Doctor, Cassandra-Rose and Chip down the stairs, arms outstretched.
THE DOCTOR: Keep going! Go down!
INT. HOSPITAL
The door to Intensive Care opens and the zombies reach out into the hospital. They grab onto a woman's arm, whispering: help us, stay with us... She screams.
WOMAN: Help me!
Her skin breaks out into boils.
INT. HOSPITAL BASEMENT
Cassandra-Rose, Chip and the Doctor descend the last flight of stairs and burst through a door into the cellar. Cassandra/Rose frantically tries to operate the lifts.
THE DOCTOR(stopping):No, the lifts have closed down. That's the quarantine, nothing's moving.
CASSANDRA-ROSE: This way!
She runs the other way, the Doctor on her heel. More of the infected people are beginning to spill out from converging corridor. Chip is left behind. He whimpers.
THE DOCTOR(beginning to go back):Someone will touch him!
CASSANDRA/-ROSE(grabbing his arm):Leave him! He's just a clone thing, he's only got a half life... come on!
CHIP(calling pitifully):Mistress!
Cassandra-Rose is already running in the opposite direction.
THE DOCTOR(calling to Chip):I'm sorry, I can't let her escape!
He runs after her, out of sight.
CHIP(terrified):My Mistress!
The infected people advance on him. Whimpering, he runs back in the direction he came from and jumps down the waste chute.
Jack smiled. "Resourceful that one, for a clone."
"Seriously?" Mickey said.
"I've dated clones, some specially grown." River said with a wink. 11 blushed and smiled awkwardly, hearing about his wife's love life was quite flustering.
INT. WARD 26
Frau Clovis emerges through some sliding doors.
FRAU CLOVIS(irritated):Excuse me...! Can we get some service?
She looks helplessly around the empty room. She sees the opening to Intensive Care and the zombies emerging from it, screams, presses the alarm and runs in the opposite direction.
"If the building is already under quarantine what does that alarm do?" Donna asked. 10 shrugged, he had no idea.
INT. HOSPITAL BASEMENT
The Doctor and Cassandra-Rose rush back into the room where Rose met Cassandra, slamming the door behind them. Cassandra-Rose tries another door but seeing the zombies all clambering to get in behind it, slams it shut again.
CASSANDRA-ROSE(upset and scared):We're trapped! What're we going to do?
THE DOCTOR(angrily):Well, for starters, you're going to leave that body.
He gestures up at the psychograft with his sonic screwdriver.
THE DOCTOR (CONT'D): That psychograft is banned on every civilized planet! You're compressing Rose to death.
Rose shivered. To think she was that close to death. Well, nearly dying wasn't uncommon when travelling with the Doctor but she didn't really remember this well. It was strange to see yourself in danger whilst unaware. Like being able to watch someone stand over you with a knife while you're sleeping.
CASSANDRA-ROSE: But I've got nowhere to go. My original skin's dead.
THE DOCTOR: Not my problem. You can float as atoms in the air. Now, get out.
He points his sonic screwdriver at her throat.
THE DOCTOR (CONT'D): Give her back to me.
10 and Rose both blushed.
"He really was desperate to be with you." Donna teased. "Always talked about you when we were together."
"Yeah," Martha joined. "I travelled with him after you left and I never quite seemed to measure up." She laughed, she'd come to look on that time fondly, now that she was happy and secure in her own life she no longer harboured any feelings of jealously or inadequacy.
"Okay…" 10 sighed. "We should really keep watching, I think the important stuff is coming up." Everyone laughed, seeing the doctor embarrassed was a rare treat.
CASSANDRA-ROSE: You asked for it.
A cloud of light leaps from Rose's body into the Doctors.
ROSE(disorientated):Blimey, my head...
10 placed his head in his hands. He had never wanted to know what Cassandra did and said in his body.
She looks around the room.
ROSE (CONT'D): Where'd she go...?
CASSANDRA-THE DOCTOR(very camp):Oh, my. This is... different.
ROSE: Cassandra?
CASSANDRA-THE DOCTOR: Goodness me, I'm a man. Yum. So many parts! And hardly used...
10 refused to look at the screen. The other doctors felt sympathy for him. That was still technically them.
"Best to get that rectified." Jack said.
"The doctor did say he'd "danced" before." Amy said, with airquotes.
"I have had children before you know." 11 said defensively.
"You mentioned that once." Donna remembered, she and 11 shared a look, both thinking of her…
"What about you Rose, do you want kids?" Jack asked.
"Shove off." She laughed awkwardly, trying to laugh off her embarrassment. She wouldn't be opposed to starting a family someday… She shook her head, trying not to get stuck in daydreams.
Cassandra-the Doctor wiggles around crazily.
CASSANDRA-THE DOCTOR (CONT'D): Ah.. ah! Two hearts! Oh, baby, I'm beating out a samba!
ROSE: Get out of him.
CASSANDRA-THE DOCTOR(running a hand down his body):Ooh, he's slim. And a little bit foxy.
He raises his eyebrows at Rose.
"Not the word I would have used." Donna rolled her eyes.
CASSANDRA-THE DOCTOR (CONT'D): You've thought so too. I've been inside your head...
Rose looks sheepish because it's true.
CASSANDRA-THE DOCTOR(CONT'D)(coming closer teasingly):You've been looking... you like it.
10 and Rose avoided each other's gaze. They'd shared a kiss earlier but they hadn't actually had a chance to talk things out so neither of them was sure where they stood.
"Hey." Martha placed a hand on Rose's shoulder. "We've all been there." She whispered. Both girls smiled.
"Speak for yourself." Donna said, she did not want anyone to assume she'd have romantic feelings for the doctor. The very idea seemed ridiculous, he was totally not her type.
The zombie people suddenly burst through the doors making them both jump.
CASSANDRA-THE DOCTOR(CONT'D)(frantically):What do we do? What would he do? The Doctor... What the hell would he do?!
ROSE(spinning around and noticing a ladder):Ladder... we've gotta get up.
"Quick thinking." 10 smiled. Trust Rose to notice the obvious answer. She was always there to see the things he missed.
Cassandra-the Doctor shoves Rose roughly out of the way to get to the ladder first.
CASSANDRA-THE DOCTOR:Out of the way, Blondie!
The zombies come even closer. Rose hurriedly follows Cassandra-the Doctor up the ladder.
INT. WARD 26
The zombies are pressed against a glass window, trying to get through into the ward whilst patients, staff and visitors alike try to stop them.
INT. INTENSIVE CARE
Chip is back in Intensive Care, zombies approaching from both directions. He whimpers and backs into one of the cells, shutting the door on himself.
"What about the regular top up every ten minutes?" Rory asked. "Won't that kill him?"
"Well it's possible with the quarantine active and the hospitals non-essential systems offline that isn't active." 10 said thoughtfully. Must have been something like that, given Chip emerged fine when everything was over.
INT. STAIRWELL
ROSE(climbing the ladder behind Cassandra-the Doctor):If you get out of the Doctor's body, he can think of something.
CASSANDRA-THE DOCTOR: Yap yap yap... God, it was tedious inside your head. Hormone City.
"I am not some overemotional teenager." Rose protested.
"Yeah, you would have been twenty for at least two weeks." Mickey smirked.
"Shut up." Rose snapped back but there was no bite in it. It felt nice, bantering together just like they've always done since they were kids.
ROSE: We're gonna die if...
She screams as Matron Casp grabs her ankle.
ROSE (CONT'D): Get off!
MATRON CASP: All our good work! All that healing!
Cassandra-the Doctor rolls his eyes.
MATRON CASP (CONT'D): The good name of the Sisterhood... you have destroyed everything!
"Oh nice." Rose sighed. To be blamed for something someone else did while using her body. Only people travelling with the doctor could have those kinds of problems.
CASSANDRA-THE DOCTOR(dismissively):Go and play with a ball of string.
MATRON CASP: Everywhere... disease! This is the Human World. Sickness!
A diseased hand grabs Matron Casp's ankle. She wails in pain and breaks out into boils. She falls down the lift shaft, wailing. After watching her fall, the zombie people start to climb the ladder again.
Everyone was beginning to feel the tension of the situation. Those poor people were right behind Rose and the doctor, well Cassandra but the doctor was still in there, and despite their slow movement they were still after them.
ROSE: Move!
Cassandra-the Doctor whimpers and hastily starts to climb the ladder again.
10 blushed. It was embarrassing hearing himself whimper pathetically, even if it wasn't really him. Amy snorted, it wasn't the kind of thing she had ever imagined the doctor doing. She and Rory began sniggering together.
PA: Maximum quarantine. Divert all shuttles.
They get to the top of the ladder and find the lift doors are sealed.
CASSANDRA-THE DOCTOR: Now what do we do?
ROSE: Use the sonic screwdriver.
Cassandra-the Doctor takes it out of his pocket between his thumb and forefinger with his nose wrinkled.
CASSANDRA-THE DOCTOR: You mean this thing?
ROSE: Yes, I mean that thing.
CASSANDRA-THE DOCTOR: Well, I don't know how... that Doctor's hidden away all his thoughts.
"That's a shame, I could have got her to tell me all your secrets." Rose laughed.
"Never going to happen." 10 smirked.
ROSE: Cassandra, go back into me... the Doctor can open it. Do it!
10 grabbed Rose hand tightly. "Don't ever ask anyone to do that again." He said to her seriously.
"Oh, alright." She chuckled.
"I'm serious." He said. "She was compressing your mind, who knows how long you would have lasted. I don't want to lose you."
Rose blushed. "Okay, I promise." She said, smiling sincerely.
CASSANDRA-THE DOCTOR: Hold on tight.
Cassandra leaps back into Rose.
CASSANDRA-ROSE: Oh... oh, chavtastic again. Open it!
THE DOCTOR(pointing his sonic screwdriver at her):Not 'til you get out of her.
CASSANDRA-ROSE: We need the Doctor.
THE DOCTOR(shouting angrily):I order you to leave her!
Rose whacked 10 on the shoulder. "I'm all for you wanting to rescue me but maybe wait until after escaping the disease ridden zombies. No point saving me from Cassandra if I'm just going to be killed."
"Well, you know, I was, it's—" 10 stammered. He was embarrassed to admit he hadn't been thinking rationally at the time. His mind was focused on saving Rose from Cassandra and everything else was second.
Cassandra leaps back into the Doctor.
CASSANDRA-THE DOCTOR: No matter how difficult the situation, there is no need to shout.
ROSE: Cassandra, get out of him!
CASSANDRA-THE DOCTOR: But I can't go into you, he simply refuses... he's so rude.
ROSE: I don't care. Just do something.
CASSANDRA-THE DOCTOR(disgusted, reluctant):Oh, I am so gonna regret this...
Cassandra leaps from the Doctor's body into a diseased woman's body.
CASSANDRA-ZOMBIE: Oh, sweet Lord... I look disgusting.
"Wow, that was actually pretty smart." Said Martha.
The Doctor opens the lift doors and holds out a hand to Rose.
THE DOCTOR: Nice to have you back.
CASSANDRA/ZOMBIE: No you don't...
She leaps back into Rose, who is crouched on the floor.
Rose sighed. That was the last coherent memory she had of the situation so, whatever happened next was completely new to her. She prayed to whoever was listening Cassandra didn't do or say anything too embarrassing for her.
THE DOCTOR(sealing the doors):That was your last warning, Cassandra!
Cassandra-Rose stares into space.
CASSANDRA/ROSE(quietly):Inside her head... they're so alone... they keep reaching out, just to hold us... all their lives and they've never been touched.
The Doctor holds out a hand, which Cassandra-Rose takes. He pulls her to her feet.
"So she does know how to empathise." Clara remarked.
"Guess there was still some humanity left in her after all." 10 mumbled, sombre. He could never forgive Cassandra but he was somewhat happy she found peace in the end.
The diseased people bang on the lift doors. The Doctor and Cassandra/Rose walk off, through a door which leads back onto Ward 26.
INT. WARD 26
Frau Clovis brandishes a chair at them menacingly, roaring like a wild animal.
"She descended into madness quickly." Jack commented.
"Self-preservation is a powerful thing." 12 lamented. The number of times he'd had to stop people from putting others in danger just to save themselves…
THE DOCTOR: We're safe! We're safe! We're safe. We're clean! We're clean! Look, look...
FRAU CLOVIS: Show me your skin.
THE DOCTOR(showing her):Look! Clean. Look... if we'd been touched, we'd be dead.
Frau Clovis nods and puts the chair down.
THE DOCTOR (CONT'D): So, how's it going up here? What's the status?
FRAU CLOVIS: There's nothing but silence from the other wards. I think we're the only ones left. And I've been trying to override the quarantine.
She fiddles with a small device she is holding.
FRAU CLOVIS (CONT'D): If I can trip a signal over to New New York, they can send a private executive squad.
THE DOCTOR: You can't do that. If they forced entry, they'd break quarantine.
FRAU CLOVIS(angrily):I am not dying in here.
THE DOCTOR: We can't let a single particle of disease get out... there is ten million people in that City, they'd all be at risk! Now, turn that off!
FRAU CLOVIS: Not if it gets me out.
Everyone frowned. Fear could often bring out the worst in humanity.
THE DOCTOR: All right, fine. So I have to stop you lot as well. Suits me. Rose. Novice Hame. Everyone! Excuse me your grace... get me intravenous solutions for every single disease. Move it!
Everyone gathers all the solutions.
"How do you do that?" Rory asked, turning to his doctor.
"What?"
"Just make people do what you want."
"I just have one of those faces people trust."
"Many faces." 10 grinned.
"Not always." Said Clara, smirking.
"What's that supposed to mean?" 12 asked. "People love my face, this is a face that says I am here to save you, please don't hug me afterwards."
The Doctor ties a rope around his body and Cassandra-Rose attaches the solutions to it so they hang off him.
THE DOCTOR (CONT'D): How's that? Will that do?
CASSANDRA-ROSE: I don't know! Will it do for what?
"Genius." River complemented, of course having realised his plan.
The Doctor opens the doors to the lift with his sonic screwdriver.
CASSANDRA-ROSE (CONT'D): The lifts aren't working.
The Doctor peers down the shaft.
THE DOCTOR: Not moving. Different thing.
He steps right back, ready for a running jump.
THE DOCTOR (CONT'D): Here we go.
He sticks the sonic screwdriver between his teeth and runs.
CASSANDRA-ROSE: But you're not going to...
He jumps into the middle of the shaft and clings onto the rope.
CASSANDRA-ROSE (CONT'D): What do you think you're doing?!
THE DOCTOR: I'm going down!
He fixes up the wench with his sonic screwdriver. Cassandra-Rose looks away, exasperated.
THE DOCTOR (CONT'D): Come on!
CASSANDRA-ROSE: Not in a million years.
THE DOCTOR: I need another pair of hands. What do you think? If you're so desperate to stay alive... Why don't you live a little?
Rose flushed. She knew that wasn't her but still… The way the doctor said that…
More zombies emerge from the quarantine.
FRAU CLOVIS: Seal the door!
INT. LIFT SHAFT
The doors close, leaving Cassandra/Rose trapped with the zombies and no choice but to jump into the lift shaft and onto the Doctor's back with a regretful moan.
CASSANDRA-ROSE: You're completely mad. I can see why she likes you.
Rose blushed again. When would this be over? The sooner they got to the part where she got her body back the better.
THE DOCTOR: Going down!
They whizz down the shaft, screaming. They straighten themselves out when they reach the bottom.
"That looked amazing, can we do that?" Amy asked, turning to 11 in excitement. Rory groaned internally. He loved his fiancé but did she have to jump into crazy situations like a mad person? 11 just smiled, already dreaming of more thrilling experiences he could take them on.
CASSANDRA-ROSE: Well, that's one way to lose weight.
"Can you actually lose weight doing that?" Donna asked, intrigued.
"Well," said 10, "you are using your upper body strength to hold on so theoretically, if you did that regularly you would lose some weight."
THE DOCTOR: Now, listen... when I say so, take hold of that lever.
CASSANDRA-ROSE: There's still a quarantine down there, we can't...
THE DOCTOR(shouts):Hold that lever!
Cassandra-Rose backs down.
THE DOCTOR: I'm cooking up a cocktail. I know a bit about medicine myself.
"I'm never certain if you're a real doctor or not?" Martha asked.
"I have a doctorate." 10 and 11 said together.
"Several, actually." 11 added. "Picked up quite a few from various educational institutions around the universe over my time. I'm not a qualified medical doctor by earth standards but I've studied medicine at various institutions. I have an understanding of the anatomy, medicine and treatment practices of most civilisations."
He rips the tops of the packets of each solution with his teeth and skirts them into the clear container where the disinfectant for the lift should go.
THE DOCTOR (CONT'D): Now, that lever's going to resist. But keep it in position.
He opens a trapdoor in the top of the lift.
THE DOCTOR (CONT'D): Hold onto it with everything you've got.
CASSANDRA-ROSE: What about you?
THE DOCTOR: I've got an appointment. The Doctor is in.
He drops down into the lift. He opens the doors with his sonic screwdriver. Beyond, are all the infected people huddled in groups. When they see him, they start to come towards him.
THE DOCTOR (CONT'D): I'm in here, come on!
CASSANDRA-ROSE: Don't tell them!
THE DOCTOR: Pull that lever!
The infected people stagger towards the lift.
THE DOCTOR (CONT'D): Come and get me, come on! I'm in here, come on!
Of course, everyone was sure the doctor had a plan, and they had a pretty good idea of what it was but they were still a little worried.
They reach out to him.
SPEAKER: Commence stage one... disinfection.
THE DOCTOR: Hurry up, come on!
He beckons them towards him. The solution showers into the lift, soaking him.
THE DOCTOR (CONT'D): Come on, come on.
The infected people stumble into the shower and are also socked with the medicine.
By now everyone was sure of what the doctor was doing.
THE DOCTOR (CONT'D)(enthusiastically):All they wanna do is pass it on. Pass it on!
CASSANDRA-ROSE(confused):Pass on what? Pass on what?!
THE DOCTOR: Pass it on!
The infected people touch each other, and pass on their good health. The boils begin to disappear. The Doctor grins manically. Cassandra/Rose jumps down into the lift with the Doctor's help.
CASSANDRA-ROSE: What did they pass on? Did you kill them? All of them?
THE DOCTOR: No. That's your way of doing things.
He walks into their midst.
THE DOCTOR (CONT'D): I'm the Doctor and I cured them.
The new humans look around at their surroundings, slightly child-like.
"That's just like you…" Martha smiled. The doctor would always find a better way if he could.
A woman comes up to the Doctor and hugs him.
THE DOCTOR(CONT'D)(gently):That's right! Hey, hey! There we go, sweetheart! Ay? Look at him...
He ushers her off to sit with someone.
The group smiled. It was such a heartwarming moment.
12 grinned. He'd kept an eye on them over the years and those people had grown and learned quickly. Some had gone on to travel to other planets and do amazing feats, pioneering in exploration and science. Some had found somewhere to settle down and lead quiet happy lives. All equally important.
THE DOCTOR (CONT'D): Go on, that's it! That's it! It's a new sub-species, Cassandra!
He takes a man by the shoulders and looks at him.
THE DOCTOR (CONT'D): A brand new form of life! New Humans! Look at them, look!
He bends down to look at them with a huge smile on his face.
THE DOCTOR (CONT'D): Grown by cats... kept in the dark, fed by tubes... but completely, completely alive!
He points at Cassandra-Rose
THE DOCTOR (CONT'D): You can't deny them, because you helped create them.
Cassandra-Rose rolls her eyes.
"Right, quite the racist wasn't she." Jack said. The others frowned, remembering how she'd acted towards the aliens on platform one and what she said about evolved "unpure" humans.
10 sighed. Cassandra was probably partly a product of her upbringing, growing up in the upper privileged society on earth. In the end it was still her choice though, to look down on others. He felt he'd made his peace with Cassandra and what she'd done though.
THE DOCTOR (CONT'D): The human race just keeps on going. Keeps on changing. Life will out! Ha!
Everyone cheered. The doctor's happiness was infectious.
EXT. NEW EARTH HOSPITAL
Shuttles zoom towards the hospital.
LOUDSPEAKER: This is the NNYPD. Please step away from the shuttles.
INT. WARD 26
The hospital is swarming with police officers when the Doctor (still wet and in shirtsleeves) and Cassandra-Rose emerge back onto the ward.
PA: All staff will present themselves to the officers for immediate arrest. I repeat... immediate arrest. All new life forms will be catalogued and taken into care.
Novice Hame is lead away by a police officer. She catches the Doctor's eye. He does not smile.
10 frowned. She had seemed nice… But he could not forgive her.
11 felt differently, having met her again. He'd popped in a few times since and was pleased with how New Earth's revitalization progressed thanks to her hard work. She'd confessed to her guilt and worked hard to make amends for her wrongs. This trip down memory lane opened a few old wounds and he felt past anger bubbling up inside him but he still believed he could call her a friend.
PA (CONT'D): All visitors to the hospital will be required to make a statement to the NNYPD.
THE DOCTOR(suddenly remembering):The Face of Boe!
He dashes off again. Cassandra/Rose rolls her eyes before following.
INT. WARD 26 (CONT'D)
The Doctor approaches the Face of Boe who looks very much alive and well.
THE DOCTOR(smiling):You were supposed to be dying.
FACE OF BOE(through telepathy):There are better things to do today. Dying can wait.
The group chuckled. Wasn't that the sentiment.
CASSANDRA-ROSE: Oh, I hate telepathy. Just what I need, a head full of big face.
THE DOCTOR: Shh!
FACE OF BOE: I have grown tired with the universe, Doctor, but you have taught me to look at it anew.
"It's what you do for all of us." Amy smiled fondly.
"Well, I'm merely returning the favour." 11 replied.
"What do you mean?" Asked Rose.
"I've been travelling a long time, been to so many places so many times but it always seems different through the eyes of new friends." He meant it. He was so grateful for the way his friends made him see things.
THE DOCTOR(kneeling before him):There are legends you know, saying that you're millions of years old.
FACE OF BOE(laughs slightly):There are? That would be impossible.
"Is it not true then?" Donna asked.
"Who knows." 10 shrugged. He didn't intend to find out, some things were better left a mystery.
THE DOCTOR: Wouldn't it just? I got the impression... there was something you wanted to tell me...
FACE OF BOE: A great secret.
THE DOCTOR: So the legend says.
FACE OF BOE: It can wait.
THE DOCTOR(put out):Oh, does it have to?
A lot of the audience groaned. They wanted to know the secret. 11 and 12 didn't share the sentiment, now knowing what it was, they would have enjoyed waiting a bit longer for the storm that came to them.
FACE OF BOE: We shall meet again, Doctor, for the third time... for the last time... and the truth shall be told. Until that day...
He teleports himself away.
Jack felt sad. He wasn't sure if that really was him, his future but there was a high possibility and it was a sad to see his adventures with the doctor coming to an end. Of course, he knew it would have to some day but still… To see it was difficult.
11 thought about his future trip to New Earth. Seeing the Face of Boe hadn't been his goal, in fact it didn't cross his mind until he saw him. Then… Well, it was never easy to lose a friend.
THE DOCTOR(very impressed):That is enigmatic. That... that is... that is textbook enigmatic.
He nods to himself, and then stands to face at Cassandra-Rose, who has been examining her nails, completely disinterested in the proceedings.
THE DOCTOR (CONT'D): And now for you.
CASSANDRA-ROSE: But... everything's happy. Everything's fine... can't you just leave me?
"As if I would ever have let her take you from me." 10 growled, gripping Rose's hand protectively. Rose flushed and smiled happily.
"I knew you'd sort it in the end. Never had any doubt." She smiled.
THE DOCTOR: You've lived long enough. Leave that body and end it, Cassandra.
CASSANDRA-ROSE(starting to cry):I don't want to die!
THE DOCTOR: No one does.
CASSANDRA-ROSE: Help me!
THE DOCTOR: I can't.
Chip appears, making Cassandra-Rose gasp.
CHIP: Mistress!
CASSANDRA-ROSE: Ah! You're alive!
CHIP: I kept myself safe. For you, mistress.
"Wow, that's actually impressive." Donna commented. To be honest, everyone had pretty much forgotten about Chip in all the palaver.
CASSANDRA-ROSE(staring at Chip, cogs ticking...):A body... and not just that, a volunteer...
THE DOCTOR(warningly):Don't you dare. He's got a life of his own.
CHIP: But I worship the mistress!
Cassandra-Rose winks at Chip.
CHIP (CONT'D): I welcome her.
"Urgh, that is just wrong." Donna shivered. Martha nodded beside her.
"Two people in one body, now there's an idea…" Jack grinned.
"Been there, done that." River shrugged. Jack's grin turned into full on laughter.
THE DOCTOR: You can't, Cassandra, you...
Cassandra ignores him and leaps into Chip's body. Rose falls forward with a gasp, and the Doctor lunges to catch her.
THE DOCTOR (CONT'D): Oh! You all right?
Rose pauses and loses her balance again.
THE DOCTOR (CONT'D): Whoa! Okay?
ROSE: Yeah...
Rose finally get her bearings and gathers herself together... and finds herself staring right at the Doctor. She smiles.
ROSE (CONT'D): Hello!
THE DOCTOR(smiling):Hello. Welcome back.
Rose gazes up at him, smiling, when they are distracted again by Cassandra.
Rose frowned, upset the moment had been interrupted. Martha looked at the screen with a feeling of acceptance. She had long moved on from her crush on the doctor and she could see now she never had a chance. When they'd met he'd still been hung up on Rose and it was obvious how much they liked each other.
River wasn't the jealous type, she and the doctor had had what you might call an open marriage. It was difficult for two time travelers to remain faithful when they kept meeting at random points in their lives, random points in their relationship development. Still, the doctor was the only man she'd ever truly loved. Anyone else she was with just for fun or a means to an end. It was sometimes difficult to see the doctor have genuine feelings for others.
CASSANDRA-CHIP: Oh, sweet Lord. I'm a walking doodle.
THE DOCTOR: You can't stay in there. I'm sorry, Cassandra, but that's not fair. I can take you to the City. They can build you a skin tank and you can stand trial for what you've done.
CASSANDRA-CHIP: Well, that would be rather dramatic. Possibly my finest hour. And certainly my finest hat.
The Doctor and Rose glance at each other.
CASSANDRA-CHIP (CONT'D): But I'm afraid we don't have time. Poor little Chip is only a half-life. And he's been through so much. His heart is racing so. He's failing. I don't think he's going to last...
His legs give way. Rose and the Doctor lunge forward to support him.
THE DOCTOR: You all right?
CASSANDRA-CHIP: I'm fine.
He pauses. The Doctor and Rose stare at him in concern.
CASSANDRA-CHIP(CONT'D): I'm dying. But that's fine.
"A minute ago she was doing everything to stay alive." Donna said, perturbed by the sudden change in attitude.
"Well, she wasn't exactly in the best frame of mind." 10 said. "And it's possible she was processing some of Chip's emotions along with her own.
THE DOCTOR(calmly):I can take you to the City.
CASSANDRA-CHIP: No, you won't. Everything's new on this planet. There's no place for Chip and me anymore. You're right, Doctor. It's time to die.
Rose looks rather upset. Cassandra-Chip swallows.
10 looked fondly at his Rose. She was always caring about others, even those who had wronged her. He remembered how she'd asked him to help the first time he allowed Cassandra to die and now at the end, even after having her body stolen, she still felt sorry for her. His Rose was the best.
CASSANDRA-CHIP (CONT'D): And that's good.
The Doctor and Rose help him to his feet.
THE DOCTOR: Come on. There's one last thing I can do.
They lead him away.
INT. PARTY
The TARDIS engines sound. The Doctor steps out of the doors, followed by Cassandra-Chip and Rose. He has landed at the place on the tape Cassandra was playing, at the party. Cassandra, as a proper human being is laughing and talking, the life and soul of the party. Cassandra/Chip turns to the Doctor.
CASSANDRA-CHIP: Thank you.
"Always the kindhearted." River said, patting her doctor on the knee.
"A kind heart can take you across the universe." He smiled.
And it was kind, to allow Cassandra, even after all she'd done, one last chance to relive her happy memory.
THE DOCTOR: Just go. And don't look back.
ROSE: Good luck.
Cassandra-Chip walks into the midst of the party, up to Cassandra. He's smiling, watching her.
CASSANDRA: And if you'd actually seen them, they were shocked! But don't quote me on that. Oh, naughty. a bientôt!
She walks away from the group of people she was talking to and Cassandra/Chip approaches her.
CASSANDRA-CHIP: Excuse me... Lady Cassandra...
CASSANDRA: I'm sorry, I don't need anything right now... I'm fine, thank you.
She turns away.
CASSANDRA/CHIP: No... I just wanted to say... you look beautiful.
Cassandra looks at him.
Everyone immediately realised what this meant. Cassandra was obsessed with being beautiful and this was the last night she had heard it. All that time it was something she'd said to herself. Could be interpreted as vanity and narcissism, especially in Cassandra's case but somehow, it didn't seem like that was true. Everyone had the sense that Cassandra had finally found the self-love she'd been lacking for years, right at the end.
CASSANDRA: Well. That's very kind, you strange little thing. Thank you very much.
CASSANDRA-CHIP: I mean it.
He steps forward and looks straight into her eyes.
CASSANDRA-CHIP(CONT'D)(sincerely):You look... so beautiful.
Cassandra stares at him, so touched.
CASSANDRA(whispers):Thank you.
Cassandra's-Chip's eyelids flutter closed and he keels over.
CASSANDRA(alarmed):Oh, my Lord. Are you alright? What is it? What's wrong? Someone get some help!
She gathers him into her arms.
CASSANDRA (CONT'D): Call a medic or something, quickly!
WOMAN: Who is he?
CASSANDRA(frantic):I don't know. He just came up to me. I don't even know his name. He just collapsed. I think he's dying. Someone do something! I've got you, sweetheart... it's all right...
Rose looks close to tears, and the Doctor is watching solemnly.
The other companions were crying in the audience.
CASSANDRA(CONT'D)(rocking him gently):There you are... there you are, I've got you... it'll be all right. There, there, you poor little thing...
"She didn't seem so bad in the past." Donna said.
"This was several hundred years before we met her on platform one." 10 said. "Time has all kinds of affects on people."
"And yet you're always the Doctor." Rose smiled.
"Well no matter how much we cover up, hide and conceal, we're still ourselves at the core… Or something like that."
The Doctor and Rose walk slowly back to the TARDIS. The Doctor pauses for one last look before following Rose through the doors.
[ END ]
NEXT TIME…
EXT. FIELD SOMEWHERE IN SCOTLAND
A footman opens the door to carriage.
THE DOCTOR: Might I introduce her majesty Queen Victoria.
"You met Queen Victoria?" Martha said, excited.
"Wasn't she the one who knighted and exiled you?" Amy asked, remembering the words of Liz 10.
"Spoilers!" Jack cried.
"We'd just left here when we were brought here." Rose said.
"So everything you see from after this point will be your future." Amy said, unable to hide the excitement from her voice.
Queen Victoria is seated in the carriage. The footman offers a hand and helps her out.
INT. TORCHWOOD CELLAR
The Host is sitting quietly in his cage.
Rose felt a chill run up her spine at seeing the werewolf again. It felt like a lifetime ago now, they'd been stuck here for who knows how long watching her adventures with the doctor and taking occasional breaks for food and sleep.
EXT. TORCHWOOD HOUSE
Father Angelo signals for his Monks to drop their cloaks. They are wearing bright red clothing beneath. They swing their staffs and a fast martial arts sequence follows.
"Now that's a monastery I'd like to visit." Amy grinned. Rory sighed heavily.
"You'd never survive a monastery." 11 said.
"I survived Ledworth." Amy retorted. 11 dipped his head, conceding.
INT. TORCHWOOD HOUSE DINING ROOM
SIR ROBERT: Every full moon, the howling rings through the valley. This is a man who becomes an animal.
INT. TORCHWOOD CELLAR
The Host raises his head slowly and opens his eyes... which are completely black.
INT. TORCHWOOD HOUSE DINING ROOM
THE DOCTOR: A werewolf.
"A werewolf and Queen Victoria? Come on." Donna said, not buying it despite the evidence to the contrary.
"Yeah, completely impossible." 11 said.
"I love impossible, don't you?" 10 asked.
"Can't get enough." 11 replied.
INT. TORCHWOOD HOUSE
The wolf turns around a corridor and growls.
QUEEN VICTORIA: There can't be an actual wolf.
The words are no sooner out of her mouth than a howling rings through the house. The company spin around, alarmed, and leave the room hurriedly.
INT. TORCHWOOD CELLAR
The Doctor rushes through the door, pulling it closed behind him and locking it with the sonic screwdriver. He runs.
INT. TORCHWOOD HOUSE
Queen Victoria, Rose and the Doctor all run through the corridors of the house. The wolf turns around a corner and growls, blowing the flames of candles.
"So… a form of light modulated species triggered by specific wavelengths?" River guessed.
"Something like that." Said 11, vaguely.
INT. TORCHWOOD HOUSE
The Steward commands a line of men holding guns.
THE STEWARD: Fire!
The men all shoot.
"Guessing that's not going to have any effect." Martha deadpanned.
"Yeah." Said 10.
"As if we'd ever be that lucky." Rose added. There was a pause then all the companions burst out laughing. Yeah right.
INT. TORCHWOOD HOUSE
THE DOCTOR:bullets can't stop it!
The werewolf stands tall, free of the cage. He stretches up and howls at the moon.
Jack howled along playfully and eventually Rose and Amy joined in too. 10 shoved Rose playfully.
"Well come on then, I want to see this werewolf encounter." Jack said, jumping giddily.
Everyone was chatting excitedly as the episode loaded up for them. Everyone except Rose.
Once this one was over… Everything they saw would be the future. She looked around at all the occupants of the room, future doctors and future friends. Some time in her future, she was forced away from the doctor. She refused to believe she'd leave of her own volition. Was she trapped somewhere forever? Killed? Dropped off home and forgotten about? None of the potential futures she envisioned for herself were particularly good. Now she would have to be faced with it and she wasn't sure she was ready for it. She tried to focus on the doctor she was snuggled up to as the next episode began. They were here, they were together, she just had to focus on that.