. Peiriannydd: Episode 3: "Seven" (12/12)
. by Barbara Goldstein PhD
.
. TEASER
INT. MINI T - DAY
The hum of the Mini T ceases as it lands. Perianne checks
readings on the console, then turns on the main screen.
Gordon scrutinizes the view:
Greenery that gives no specific indication of location, other
than Earth: a few small trees, plants and bamboo.
GORDON
Where are we?
Perianne consults the console.
PERIANNE
Tibet.
GORDON
There's a Time Lord in Tibet in
2001?
PERIANNE
Within walking distance.
Perianne looks up at the screen and a "7" overlays the view
of vegetation. Gordon wraps his mind around being in Tibet in
2001.
PERIANNE (CONT'D)
Did you touch something?
Gordon has no idea what Perianne is referring to, and she
points to the screen. Gordon looks around him, sees nothing
he might have contacted and shakes his head.
PERIANNE (CONT'D)
(frowning)
Wonder if we have a glitch?
GORDON
Perianne, we need to keep a low
profile here. We have no passports,
and this is technically China, not
the friendliest of countries.
PERIANNE
We're near a large market area with
people from all over your planet.
GORDON
Tourists? Good.
EXT. TIBET MARKET PLACE - DAY
Stalls, some standing shops with open fronts, some tented
open areas, are lined with both native and prefab goods. The
prefab goods taint the scene a little. Indeed, Tourists from
all over the world peruse the wares.
Perianne and Gordon enter from a tiny side street. Perianne
consults her watch and walks at the pace of a business person
late to an appointment. Gordon puts a gentle hand on her
shoulder.
GORDON
Slow down; you'll draw attention.
Perianne looks around her and conforms.
PERIANNE
Thanks. I was so busy tracking the
signal -
GORDON
Take a look around you. See Tibet.
We'll find the Time Lord.
Perianne takes a look around at the market place.
PERIANNE
It is different than Wales.
Perianne and Gordon look at items in stalls as they pass - a
beautiful piece of fabric, a yak horn pipe, a thick woolly
blanket. Perianne semi-stops tracking the Time Lord and
becomes a tourist with Gordon.
To Gordon's surprise, Perianne picks up a western-looking
manufactured box with a warrior figure wearing a large Asian
mask. The box says "Omega Toys: Hanshu Warrior from the hit
show Sky Ninjas."
GORDON
I remember that anime! It was a
favorite of the guys in Geology
when I was in school.
PERIANNE
I don't know why, but I would like
it. It means something. How do I
obtain it?
GORDON
My money's from the future. Wait!
Gordon takes off his watch.
GORDON (CONT'D)
It's from the future, but that
won't likely be recognized here.
Gordon signals to the shopkeeper that he'd like to swap. The
shopkeeper takes one look at the watch and gladly trades.
Perianne carefully tucks the box in an inside coat pocket.
She checks her watch again.
PERIANNE
Thank you. This says we're within
thirty feet of the Time Lord.
Perianne points ahead of them. She and Gordon scan the crowd
trying to discern who it might be as they move forward.
Perianne keeps one eye on her watch.
As they make their way past stalls, Gordon's cell phone
rings, three tones, then four, pauses then repeats. He jumps.
GORDON
That's not my ring - Here?
PERIANNE
The Mini T.
GORDON
(answering)
Chinowydd...
(starts frowning)
Yes, Father... Yes, Father... I'll
look into it... No, father.
Gordon hangs up.
GORDON (CONT'D)
There's a problem at the mine.
After we find the Time Lord, can
you program the Mini T to pop me
home and back?
PERIANNE
Of course.
They find themselves near the end of the selling area at a
huge farmer's market with an array of vegetables, fruits and
grains.
The clientele is notably more local, and a small Asian man in
monk's garb, carrying a low flat basket already containing
several long breads and several fruits becomes the focus of
their attention.
To Gordon's surprise, the man turns around when they are
still ten feet from him.
KENPO
Doctor, you got my mess-
He stops seeing Perianne.
PERIANNE
You're not the Doctor?
KENPO
(chucking)
It appears neither of us are.
PERIANNE
I did pick up your signal.
KENPO
But I doubt you'll want to get
involved with this.
PERIANNE
What?
KENPO
This planet is under invasion.
.
. END OF TEASER
. ACT I
EXT. TIBET MARKET PLACE - RESUME
GORDON
(too loudly)
Invasion? By whom?
Perianne, Gordon and Kenpo do draw attention, but for only a
moment.
KENPO
Best we speak of this in private.
PERIANNE
I've got send him back to his time,
first.
Kenpo follows Perianne and Gordon back through the market.
They turn down the tiny street that almost immediately dead
ends at a
EXT. TINY PARK - DAY
It has a grassy area, several benches, a pond in the middle
and a semi-circle of trees and bamboo. At the back among the
trees is the Mini T which is green like the computer housing,
but the top has made some attempt to look like branches.
Perianne, Kenpo and Gordon arrive. Perianne "types" on her
watch and zaps the Mini T. Kenpo looks oddly at it.
KENPO
Modern art?
PERIANNE
What? I got a seven in response to
my programming.
Perianne programs again on her watch, and this time, she
looks satisfied with the results.
KENPO
Perhaps your Tardis is trying to
tell you something.
PERIANNE
More likely a glitch.
Kenpo looks surprised.
PERIANNE (CONT'D)
(to Gordon)
You know which button: once to go
and once to land right back there
and now.
Gordon nods and goes into -
INT. MINI T
The view screen now has an even larger seven on the screen.
Gordon shrugs, pushes the button and -
EXT. TINY PARK - DAY
The Mini T abruptly disappears; again Kenpo looks at it
oddly. Then he guides Perianne out of the park via a small
side path.
INT. SMALL BUT MODERN APARTMENT - DAY
Kenpo leads Perianne into his apartment. It is a far cry from
the Monastery where he was last seen: there is a television,
a computer and a microwave in a small but full kitchen area.
Perianne looks around.
PERIANNE
I thought you were a monk.
KENPO
I used to be, but now I'm their
liaison for their products and the
marketplace. The garb helps the
sales pitch.
Kenpo offers Perianne a seat; she sits. Kenpo puts away the
groceries. He then takes off the Monk's robe and is wearing
modern pants and a shirt.
PERIANNE
So, who's invading Earth?
KENPO
Crechpians.
PERIANNE
If you can detect them, it means
the process is far along.
Kenpo joins her, carrying a a tray with a plate of biscuits,
a pot of tea and cups. Then he pours cups of tea.
KENPO
The Doctor is very good at solving
these kinds of problems. Do you see
anything that can be done?
PERIANNE
The Doctor may be involved in the
Time War by now.
Kenpo squirms notably as he hands Perianne a cup of tea. She
takes a sip curiously.
PERIANNE (CONT'D)
Ummm! What analysis have you done
of the Crechpians?
Kenpo finishes pouring his own cup of tea before getting a
large ring binder from a bookcase.
KENPO
Here's what I've learned.
Kenpo hands the binder to Perianne. She peruses the contents.
KENPO (CONT'D)
Except for extreme cold, nothing
affects them.
Perianne runs figures on her watch. Kenpo finally sits down
and sips his tea.
PERIANNE
The cure is as bad as the planetary
incineration they're heading
toward. We'd have to freeze the
planet killing all life, long
before the Crechpians perish.
KENPO
Yes; we must come up with other
options.
EXT. PARYS MOUNTAIN MINE - DAY
The Mini T materializes in the form of a metal storage shed,
next to a service building near the parking lot. Gordon exits
and heads straight toward the mine.
INT. MINE, MAIN TUNNEL
Gordon, now wearing a safety helmet, strides past workers and
ore carts going both directions. He turns down a -
INT. MINE, SIDE TUNNEL
At the end of the tunnel are two men in worker's jumpsuits
and safety helmets.
GORDON
Okay. I'm here.
The two men turn around. One is the Chief Geologist. The
other man is Gordon's father, Conyn Chinowydd - a humorless,
emotionally cold, rigid work-aholic in his late 60's. There
is no resemblance between Gordon and his father.
CONYN
You took a slow boat from China to
get here.
GORDON
(with humor)
I got here from China rather
quickly.
The comment goes past his father and the Chief Geologist.
CHIEF GEOLOGIST
We've got something we've never
seen before. Take a look.
The Chief Geologist shows Gordon a stripe of something orange
brown in the cave floor and wall. Gordon studies the area
closely and is intrigued.
GORDON
I don't recognize it.
CHIEF GEOLOGIST
Neither do I.
GORDON
What did the analyzer say?
CHIEF GEOLOGIST
'Unknown' with elements both
geological and living.
GORDON
I can do an advanced analysis at
the University.
CONYN
That's why we called you.
Gordon grabs several clean worker rags from a dispenser on
the side of a digging machine, scrapes some of the orange
brown material into one with a nearby tool, folds it, wraps
it in the others and tucks it into his pocket.
GORDON
Fascinating.
CONYN
I'm glad something here interests
you. You've taken a lot of time off
lately.
Chief Geologist wisely exits at a good pace. Gordon and his
father walk toward the Main Tunnel more slowly.
GORDON
As a regular worker, I've accrued
the time to take.
CONYN
I promote you to Junior Geologist.
GORDON
Thank you, but that doesn't change
getting or taking leave.
Conyn harrumphs.
GORDON (CONT'D)
Just because you never take a day
off, you can't expect me to live
that way.
CONYN
For a business to run well, you can
never take your eye off of it.
GORDON
'Never' is unhealthy, Father. There
is an optimal level for things.
CONYN
If you are going to take over this
business, you can't be off
gallivanting.
GORDON
Father, you had a wife and child.
Someday, I may too. But that won't
happen if I'm always here.
CONYN
Oh! You've met a woman.
INT. SMALL BUT MODERN APARTMENT - DAY
Perianne looks out an open patio window in Kenpo's small
living room. Kenpo is not far from her.
PERIANNE
I see Gordon.
Perianne waves and waves again. She turns from the window. A
couple beats later, Gordon enters.
GORDON
The invasion?
PERIANNE
Crechpians.
GORDON
And they are...?
PERIANNE
Microscopic organisms. We think
they arrive by meteor, burrow into
the ground and multiply. When they
hit a critical mass millennia
later, they burst into flame and
incinerate the planet.
KENPO
It's believed they survive the
incineration and feed on the
carbon.
PERIANNE
The resulting planetary explosion
sends meteors into space to start
it all over again. It's all theory.
GORDON
What have you considered in
fighting it?
PERIANNE
ph, chemical reactions,
electromagnetism, dark energy
interactions, inter-dimensional
bleed and biological attack. We've
been running numbers for hours.
GORDON
That doesn't leave much.
KENPO
It's vulnerable to near absolute
zero.
GORDON
Wait!
Gordon looks inspired and fishes in his pocket. He pulls out
the worker rags. He tucks the clean ones back in his pocket
and carefully opens the inner one. He shows the orange-brown
material to Kenpo and Perianne. Kenpo is surprised.
KENPO
That's it! Where did you get that?
GORDON
From the Parys Mountain Mine in
Wales.
PERIANNE
In 2013.
KENPO
Then it's even closer to the
surface than my measurements showed
- which means there's even more to
eradicate.
GORDON
What about the past when there
isn't so much to kill?
KENPO
It should quickly be deep within
the planet and difficult to get to.
PERIANNE
But that's also good. No one need
die.
GORDON
If we could identify the original
bore hole, we could use it as a
path to the heart of the colony.
PERIANNE
An absolute zero laser.
KENPO
Do you have such equipment?
PERIANNE
No, but I might be able to jury-rig
something. I am an Engineer.
Kenpo arises and non-verbally signals Perianne and Gordon to
follow him. He takes them to a Chinese screen and walks
around to the back of it. Perianne and Gordon follow. They
find themselves -
INT. KENPO'S TARDIS
-in the console room. It is reminiscent of Tardis' from
seventh and eighth Doctors. Kenpo pulls up information on a
screen.
KENPO
Here are the resources I have.
Perianne joins him and looks at the entries. Kenpo moves to
another section of the console, pulls up information and
beckons Gordon.
KENPO (CONT'D)
Here's the geological information I
have about the Crechpian network.
Perhaps you can triangulate the
original point of entry.
Gordon sits down with great interest. Kenpo returns to
Perianne.
PERIANNE
We have everything but the key
freezing element. We have
converters, but nothing that cools
to absolute zero. Sequentially, we
only get to minus two forty-three.
KENPO
Some sort of power boost?
PERIANNE
We might fry the circuitry.
KENPO
Then we make what we have work.
GORDON
I have the point of entry and when:
the Taklamakan Desert about fifteen
hundred years BC.
KENPO
That's only a few hundred miles
north of here!
GORDON
And thirty-five hundred years.
PERIANNE
We go as soon as I have the laser
completed. I need a converter from
the Mini T.
GORDON
I have more figures to run here.
KENPO
I'll escort you.
EXT. TIBET MARKET PLACE
Perianne and Kenpo cross through.
PERIANNE
I don't mean to be blunt, but why
are you so willing to help the
Earth people?
KENPO
This is my adopted home - and I'm
sure you know that war has started
back on Gallifrey.
PERIANNE
The Daleks left no choice.
KENPO
It shouldn't even be a close
conflict.
Kenpo dallies at a stall and examines a piece of art.
PERIANNE
There are - rumors - the Daleks
acquired advanced technology.
KENPO
I'll go home when it's over. And
what about you? You say you have
amnesia?
PERIANNE
I had total amnesia after crashing
here. Recently I recovered most of
my memory, but not who I am.
Perianne and Kenpo arrive at the edge of the market and the
small street that leads to -
EXT. TINY PARK - DAY
Perianne and Kenpo enter -
INT. MINI T
Kenpo looks around curiously. Perianne goes into a cupboard.
KENPO
This isn't a real Tardis.
PERIANNE
No. I constructed it from time
stinger engine par -
Perianne realizes what she said. Kenpo looks at her, wide
eyed.
KENPO
You're from my future!
Perianne winces as she nods.
PERIANNE
My apologies, this is my first trip
to the past.
Perianne finds the converter and closes the cupboard. But she
also spies a large "7" on the darkened view screen.
PERIANNE (CONT'D)
Again?
KENPO
What?
PERIANNE
I keep finding the number seven on
the screen. I think I have a
programming error.
KENPO
Listen to your machine. A real
Tardis is a symbiotic relationship.
PERIANNE
I've heard that, but this is a
machine, not a being. I built this.
KENPO
Listen.
INT. KENPO'S TARDIS
Tardis noises stop; Kenpo, Perianne and Gordon have landed.
The view screen shows a dirt road and neat farm fields.
Kenpo, Perianne and Gordon scan the view. On part of the
console rests a long tube supported by struts on a long
board, the cold laser.
PERIANNE
I wonder how receptive to strangers
these people will be.
Kenpo pulls out a drawer on the Tardis periphery and places
vegetables and fruits into a sack. Perianne follows Kenpo to
continue to conversation. Gordon still watches the screen.
KENPO
Gifts won't hurt.
PERIANNE
Brilliant.
GORDON
Hey! We're in the wrong time and
place.
Gordon points to the screen which shows a horse drawn, four
wheel crude cart lead by a tall Caucasian man with dark red
hair and beard. In the cart are hay and other crops.
GORDON (CONT'D)
It looks like ancient Wales.
Perianne and Kenpo come over quickly enough to see the cart
and man. Kenpo checks his Tardis readings.
KENPO
No, we are a couple miles from Lop
Nur not far from the Konqi River.
The penetration point of the
Crechpians is a couple miles west
of us.
GORDON
History's not my strong suit, but
this doesn't make sense. How can he
be in China?
PERIANNE
Let's find out.
EXT. FARMLAND WITH DIRT ROAD - DAY
Kenpo's Tardis has taken the form of a tree next to others
near the dirt road. He, Perianne and Gordon exit from a door
in the "trunk." Gordon carries the cold laser wrapped in a
blanket. Perianne consults her watch. She points down the
dirt road in the opposite direction the cart headed.
PERIANNE
For now this road goes in the
direction we want.
Perianne leads Kenpo and Gordon down the road, but they
haven't moved far along when from behind them they hear:
DELWYN (O.S.)
There you are! We've been on the
look-out for you for weeks now!
The cart that passed them is now heard behind Perianne, Kenpo
and Gordon; they turn around. This time the cart is empty;
the bearded man, Delwyn, is driving.
GORDON
(sotto voce)
He's speaking English!
PERIANNE
(also beneath her breath)
My watch has a translation circuit.
Gordon looks relieved. The cart has caught up with them.
Delwyn gets out and looks over the group and spies Gordon.
DELWYN
Neirin, I'm your cousin Delwyn.
Delwyn gives Gordon a bear hug.
GORDON
(gasping)
I'm not Neirin.
DELWYN
Then which cousin are you?
GORDON
Gordon, but I'm not your cousin.
DELWYN
Of course you are. You are almost
my image in a still pond.
And upon closer examination, the face beneath the beard and
unruly red hair does indeed bear a striking resemblance to
Gordon! Gordon is stunned. Perianne and Kenpo are surprised.
GORDON
Indeed, we must be, but I didn't
come here seeking family.
DELWYN
But family you have found. I insist
you and your friends come to the
village for supper and a night's
lodging.
PERIANNE
Which way?
DELWYN
The way you're going.
Perianne subtly nods.
GORDON
Then thank you very much.
INT. COMMUNITY HOUSE - NIGHT
It's one large room, 30 x 100 feet. The wall with a huge
fireplace is crude stones, and a series of iron kettles hang
above the roaring fire along an iron rod. The other walls are
mud, sand and hay brick, but also have smaller stone
fireplaces. The roof is crudely hewn boards sealed with black
tar. A huge rock slab with rough wood benches on all sides
takes up a large portion of the room. It currently is covered
with empty "plates," flat thin rocks of varying dimensions.
A half dozen women, four Celtic, one Iranian and one Asian
clear the plates to a waiting tub of water. At one end, a
group of men, more bearing resemblance to Delwyn and Gordon,
play a game with something akin to dice while they pass a
pipe among themselves.
Delwyn, Gordon, Perianne and Kenpo sit at the table. Delwyn
takes a remaining fruit from a platter, clearly one that
Kenpo brought. Delwyn takes a bite.
DELWYN
Good! If you are not here to find
family, what brings you this way?
GORDON
There's something a short distance
west of here in the desert -
DELWYN
You don't want to go there. The
Tarim has always been difficult,
but ever since the chariot from
heaven came to Earth -
PERIANNE
When did that happen?
DELWYN
Two seasons ago.
GORDON
Only a half year's growth? We have
a real shot at this.
DELWYN
Evil lives out there; we smell the
demons when the winds shift. You're
going to try and stop it?
KENPO
A parasite came on a rock zipping
through the heavens.
DELWYN
A strange rock that lands slowly
like a bird with round fire eyes
underneath?
GORDON
That sounds like a space ship!
PERIANNE
Crechpians don't use ships!
DELWYN
An air ship??
KENPO
How interesting that -
(looks at confused Delwyn)
we have an eye witness.
EXT. VILLAGE - DAY
The Village consists of a small square with the Community
House on one side and mud brick dwellings surrounding the
rest. Farmland starts immediately after the buildings, except
just outside the village entrance where sits a small
cemetery. It has stone structures that look like dolmens from
Britain, surrounded by Celtic-looking figures.
Perianne lounges pensively in the morning sun not far from a
dwelling against the crude fence to the cemetery. She twirls
the box with the toy figure between her middle fingers.
Kenpo comes up to her, already having gathered an armful of
wild flowers.
KENPO
Good morning.
Perianne comes out of her reverie and stops playing with the
box; Kenpo eyes it.
KENPO (CONT'D)
What is that?
PERIANNE
Oh, a child's toy I got in the
market near your home.
KENPO
You'd better not let the locals see
it - but I find it interesting.
PERIANNE
Why?
KENPO
Because you're an Engineer, and the
figure looks like the last known
image of the greatest Engineer in
Gallifreyian history.
PERIANNE
(struggling)
The greatest Engineer in
Gallifreyian history...
KENPO
The name is right there on the box -
the brand.
Perianne looks closely at the box and the figure.
PERIANNE
Omega!
.
. END OF ACT I
. ACT II
EXT. VILLAGE - DAY - RESUME
Perianne remembers -
INTERCUT:
INT. GLASS HOUSE - DAY
The house has facets of different colors, some clear as
windows, so beautiful lights play off the floors which are
covered with something that looks like padded white cotton
knit. A spiral ramp gets you to different levels. The
furniture hovers in the air and is lawn-chair thin. Pole
lamps that go the full two-plus stories add extra light.
A mature version of Perianne, her Mother, points to a
holographic picture on the wall, and a six year old Little
Perianne looks at the image of Omega, the man, holding the
mask under his arm.
MOTHER
Onda, this is your grandfather, the
great Omega. He is both our pride
and our shame. Without him, there
would be no time travel. He is the
greatest Engineer in history.
LITTLE PERIANNE
Why would we be ashamed of the
greatest Engineer in history?
MOTHER
Because he tried to destroy
Gallifrey. There were extenuating
circumstances, but most don't know.
LITTLE PERIANNE
Do people hold it against the
family?
MOTHER
Most Gallifreyians are too
enlightened to hold it against us
individually, but Omega's sons and
daughters have produced other
advancements for Gallifrey.
LITTLE PERIANNE
And people don't appreciate them?
MOTHER
The things our family invents are
appreciated, but there's always a
nervousness. Each advancement
reminds people afresh that we could
potentially wipe them out.
LITTLE PERIANNE
But we don't want to harm anyone!
MOTHER
I know, baby. It won't be an issue
until you become an Engineer.
EXT. VILLAGE - DAY - RESUME
Kenpo watches Perianne struggle internally, then clear. She
looks at him directly.
PERIANNE
I'm Ondonella Veray PrandOmega.
KENPO
Granddaughter of the great Omega.
PERIANNE
Yes. Is it a problem?
KENPO
No; we may well need every bit of
your skill.
Gordon exits the nearby mud brick dwelling.
GORDON
Are we ready to go?
PERIANNE
Delwyn insists on coming and
bringing his best archer.
GORDON
An archer may be useful.
KENPO
But all the explanations!
Delwyn and a red-haired woman, Glenys, in her mid twenties
come around the dwelling and join them. Glenys carries a fine
bow and has a sack of arrows slung over one shoulder.
GORDON
(sotto voce to Perianne)
Bows this early?
Perianne shrugs.
DELWYN
My daughter, Glenys.
EXT. DESERT - DAY
Perianne, Kenpo, Gordon, Delwyn and Glenys trudge across
barren land. In the distance, a black cloud can be seen
hanging in the sky, and it has ominous flashes of lightning.
Gordon carries the cold laser, covered in the blanket.
Perianne checks her watch. Delwyn and Glenys stare.
DELWYN
What manner of thing is on your
wrist?
PERIANNE
On this journey you'll see many
strange things; prepare yourselves.
This gives me information - and
it's telling me that cloud is smog!
GORDON
Smog? Now?
The group rounds protruding boulders and finds a steep
decline into the Tarim basin. They see below in the -
EXT. BASIN - DAY
a massive fenced-in area. Within is a spaceship, a massive
drill rig, a lot of equipment and a metallic building that
has a chimney letting off terrible black smoke. There is a
bustle of activity - all by eight-nine foot tall green beings
from Rexicorico Fallapatorious.
DELWYN
You did mean a sky ship!
GLENYS
But, Father, those beings!
PERIANNE
Up close, each star is the sun.
DELWYN
Beings from another star.
Delwyn and Glenys work at accepting what they are seeing.
KENPO
Crechpians aren't a natural
phenomena!
GORDON
But what good are incinerated
planets?
PERIANNE
Radioactive - it's fuel!
KENPO
This is a horrible scam to avoid
galactic authorities! Just
monstrous. Inhabited worlds!
GORDON
The patience of thousands of years?
PERIANNE
That's planning for the next
generation for them.
DELWYN
So what are we going to do about
it?
Gordon uncovers the cold beam laser. Delwyn and Glenys stare
but take it far more in stride. Kenpo is still upset.
KENPO
I, for one, want to return to the
Tardis and report this.
PERIANNE
To whom?
KENPO
The Shadow Proclamation can take
care of this lot.
Kenpo resolutely reverses direction. Gordon looks like he
agrees with Kenpo, but before he can say -
PERIANNE
We'll still try and stop it as
planned. You may find the universe
busy.
DELWYN
What do we have to do?
GORDON
(puts his feelings aside)
We have to shoot this
(points to laser)
down that well.
Gordon points to the drill site in the basin.
DELWYN
We'll go in after dark.
PERIANNE
I need to get some idea of what
they've done before we do anything.
DELWYN
After dark.
PERIANNE
In the meantime, we observe and
plan.
DISSOLVE TO:
EXT. DESERT - NIGHT
Perianne, Gordon, Delwyn and Glenys - look down at the edge
of the -
EXT. BASIN - NIGHT
The drill site is well lit with artificial lights.
EXT. DESERT - NIGHT - RESUME
Delwyn is unhappy, but keeps his voice down.
DELWYN
They have robbed us of the dark of
night!
GORDON
It doesn't change our plan.
GLENYS
We neutralize a guard with lime
rock arrow heads and lime dust
while avoiding its terrible claws.
Two sacks of white powder are now aside Gordon.
PERIANNE
Because of their height, aim high
with powder and under the chin with
the arrows.
GORDON
You and Delwyn will get information
on the status of the drilling,
while Glenys and I set up the
machine at the drill site.
DELWYN
We reconvene there and set off your
weapon.
EXT. BASIN - NIGHT
Delwyn leads Perianne, Gordon and Glenys down the slope.
DELWYN
This way. I can see where the
guard's blind spots are.
And indeed, Delwyn gets the group right to the fence
surrounding the drilling compound, along one side. The Guards
steadfastly guard the front entrance.
Delwyn is about to climb the fence.
PERIANNE
No!
Gordon physically stops Delwyn. Glenys looks shocked.
GORDON
It's too easy. Watch.
Gordon fishes a coin out of his pocket, tosses it at the
fence and all four watch it disintegrate in some sort of
field. A shaken Delwyn embraces Gordon in another bear hug.
DELWYN
Thank you, wise cousin!
It is followed by an embrace from Glenys that has just a
touch of intimacy. Gordon is surprised.
PERIANNE
The minute we're in, we split up.
Perianne leads the group along the edge of the fence toward
the front. Glenys readies an arrow.
They arrive at the front, and Glenys shoots the eight and
half foot tall guard under the chin. He opens his mouth to
scream, but nothing comes out.
Then, instead of incapacitating him, he explodes - albeit
quietly - green innards going everywhere, including on the
foursome.
.
. END OF ACT II
. ACT III
EXT. BASIN - NIGHT
Perianne, Delwyn, Gordon and Glenys remove green innards from
themselves. Whispered -
GORDON
Did you know that was going to
happen?
PERIANNE
No!
There's a shriek from the other Guard even though he saw
nothing, the Rexicorico Falipatorian psychic link.
Perianne quickly turns off the power in a box on a nearby
post and opens the fence with a beam from her watch. The four
go through into
EXT. DRILLING COMPOUND - NIGHT
Perianne closes up the fence to look reasonably intact with a
different colored beam.
PERIANNE
(to Gordon, pointing)
That way!
(to Delwyn)
This way!
Gordon, the laser and Glenys go one way, and Perianne and
Delwyn the other.
EXT. BASIN - NIGHT
The second Rexicorico Falapatorian Guard arrives at the
remains of the first Guard outside the compound fence. It has
something akin to a Bluetooth off a ring around its neck.
SECOND GUARD
I found Umrots remains. We need to
investigate.
EXT. DRILLING COMPOUND - NIGHT
Gordon and Glenys make their way carefully around large,
alien, round, flat, two seater vehicles, large bins, and a
variety of oversize equipment. Whispered -
GLENYS
It looked so much closer from
above.
GORDON
Indeed! And we're still not that
close!
INT. METAL BUILDING - NIGHT
It's a dirty metal Quonset hut. Most of the area is taken up
by a generator using large chunks of "coal" (burnt,
radioactive planet), a gigantic bin of it along side,
robotically fed. The engine loudly chugs along at a low rpm
due to the low energy demand of the hour.
Perianne leads Delwyn through the machinery; he's horrified.
DELWYN
(whispered)
This is a nightmare: it stinks,
it's deafening, and it spews the
fires of hell.
PERIANNE
It's a huge fireplace, but instead
of providing just heat, it provides
energy - like for the lights.
Delwyn more or less understands. He and Perianne arrive at an
large door. It takes both of them to pull it open.
INT. OFFICE - NIGHT
It's very plain, and everything is over-sized for humans: the
desk, the chair and the computer keyboard. As the door closes
behind Perianne and Delwyn, it's suddenly very quiet.
Perianne goes straight for the computer. She hits a key and
finds it's only asleep. With difficulty, Perianne types.
Delwyn watches with fascination. Perianne reads.
PERIANNE
They've been infusing Crechpians
for four mon- moons.
DELWYN
Are we in time to reverse it?
PERIANNE
Yes, if we can make that shot down
the well.
DELWYN
Then why aren't we doing it?
PERIANNE
We need to know exactly what
they've done, so the shot is right.
Perianne continues to awkwardly type and read.
EXT. BASIN - NIGHT
The Rexicorico Fallapatorian Second Guard has been joined by
two others. Nude other than their communication "neck-rings"
there is no way to tell who's in charge, but it soon becomes
evident.
SECOND GUARD
I found this -
The Second Guard shows Glenys' arrowhead and part of the
stem, now in a baggie.
FROTCHNEK
Clearly the work of a local. What
are they doing out here?
WERCHKUR
Are we to take it as coincidence
that the weapon happened to be a
rock poison to us?
FROTCHNEK
How could they possibly know?
WERCHKUR
It makes the bowman a powerful
adversary.
Werchkur looks around the ground, and then examines the
fence. He's about to look elsewhere when he notices the fence
has been cut and resealed.
WERCHKUR (CONT'D)
No local could do this!
Frotchnek sniffs the air.
FROTCHNEK
They're still here! A mix of locals
and -
Frotchnek shakes his head.
FROTCHNEK (CONT'D)
What could they possibly want?
WERCHKUR
I couldn't care less. I just want
this planet ready as an endowment
to my first granddaughter, Blonfel.
My daughter will give birth in
three millennia.
FROTCHNEK
Then let's find these beings and
kill them.
WERCHKUR
(to Second Guard)
Sound the alarm!
EXT. COMPOUND - NIGHT
Gordon and Glenys make their way to the drill site, now
making their way through drilling equipment and pipes.
The alarm sounds and lights come on suddenly. Gordon is
startled and drops the cold laser!
INT. OFFICE - NIGHT
Perianne looks surprised at the over-size computer.
PERIANNE
We had it wrong; the power settings
are incorrect. If Gordon shoots the
laser - We have to get to him!
DELWYN
What's wr-
The alarm sounds all around them.
PERIANNE
They know we're here.
Delwyn and Perianne go to the door and peer out.
INT. METAL BUILDING - NIGHT
No one's around. Perianne and Delwyn quickly make their way
across the area through the machinery and noise.
Suddenly, the door at the other end opens and initially
unintelligible voices are heard. Perianne and Delwyn stop.
The voices become understandable.
FROTCHNEK (O.S.)
I smell at least one being in here.
WERCHKUR (O.S.)
I lost my sense of smell years ago.
Perianne looks around where she and Delwyn are hiding and
spies a can of solvent. Whispered -
PERIANNE
This is really going to stink, but
it will mask our scents.
Delwyn nods. Perianne tips over the can of solvent. She
signals, and she and Delwyn move parallel to the two
Rexicorico Fallapatorians.
FROTCHNEK (O.S.)
Ugh! What is that smell?
WERCHKUR (O.S.)
Our prey being very clever.
Perianne signals to stop. Whispered -
PERIANNE
They don't know we can understand
them.
DELWYN
I wondered about that. Wasn't there
an opening in that room we were in?
PERIANNE
Yes!
Perianne and Delwyn back track to -
INT. OFFICE - NIGHT
Perianne and Delwyn race in, push the door shut and lock it.
She pulls her laser screwdriver out of her jacket and in
short order removes the stationery window. Werchkur and
Frotchnek (O.S.) try the door b.g., rattling heard. Perianne
and Delwyn slip out the window well before the door is forced
open.
EXT. COMPOUND - NIGHT
Delwyn drops from the window; Perianne is already down.
DELWYN
We need to go some place they don't
think we'll go.
PERIANNE
(pointing)
That way, then left. It'll take us
to the well, Gordon and Glenys.
Perianne and Delwyn make their way between rows of large
tanks. They stop at the edge of a group.
DELWYN
What is in all these vats?
PERIANNE
The Crechpians, the parasites
they're putting into the planet.
Delwyn makes a face. Perianne peers around the corner and
pulls back.
PERIANNE (CONT'D)
Two!
Perianne looks around and takes loose oil off a machine joint
and puts it on herself; Delwyn follows suit.
Perianne sprints across the open area to a supply shack near
the next set of tanks. She's not seen, but she no sooner gets
to the shack when a Rexicorico Fallapatorian exits it. He and
Perianne are face to face.
Perianne reacts first and grabs a handful of lime dust from
her pocket and throws it at the Rexicorico Fallapatorian. He
screams and falls to the ground. The thundering sound of the
two nearby Rexicorico Fallaportorians responding (O.S.) is
immediately heard.
Perianne waves off Delwyn who's still on the other side, and
Delwyn disappears. Perianne then takes off down the line of
tanks on her side only to come face to face with yet another
Rexicorico Fallapatorian coming to the screams. He grabs her
putting a large claw to her neck before she can react.
EXT. COMPOUND - NIGHT
Gordon and Glenys hide behind long, six feet across pipes
just outside the drilling area.
The drilling area is fenced in, and armed guards are now
every hundred feet along the fence. In low voices -
GLENYS
That scream!
GORDON
I'm afraid it means Perianne and
your father had an encounter.
GLENYS
(points to drilling area)
What about that?
GORDON
I have a plan, but I need the
information Perianne went after.
GLENYS
I thought all you had to do was
shoot that thing.
She points to the blanket wrapped laser on the ground.
GORDON
If I have to, yes, but information
would give me a better idea about
how long to keep shooting.
GLENYS
We need to do this before dawn.
Gordon checks his watch.
GORDON
We can wait a little l-
Gordon and Glenys jump as they are joined by Delwyn.
DELWYN
The green things captured Perianne!
GORDON
Damn! Do they know about you?
DELWYN
No. They took her to a small
building behind that smoking one.
GORDON
Do we try and rescue her or set off
the charge?
GLENYS
She could already be dead.
DELWYN
She has information she said would
be important to Gordon.
Gordon checks his watch.
GORDON
May she forgive me. But we don't
have time to rescue her and take
our shot before dawn.
(fighting ambivalence)
Convince me the planet is more
important than one person.
DELWYN
I believe this is what she would
want us to do.
INT. SMALL BUILDING - NIGHT
The accommodations are over-sized by human standards and
plush. It's a single large room that is Werchkur's office and
home-away-from-home. There is a large hot tub taking up a
third of the room. There are couches, a huge viewing screen,
a kitchen of some sort. The unnerving element is that the
floors and walls are skin and fur-lined - now synthetic, but
clearly a reflection of their earlier history.
Perianne is tied up with green vine-like cords. Werchkur
paces in front of her. Frotchnek and Second Guard who has a
weapon pointed at Perianne observe.
WERCHKUR
Who sent you? Your clothes are too
finely woven to be of this time?
(to Frotchnek)
Are you sure the translation
circuit is on?
Frotchnek checks a panel and nods.
WERCHKUR (CONT'D)
Who sent you? How much do they
know?
PERIANNE
Nobody sent me.
Frotchnek has an instrument pointed at Perianne; she sees and
recognizes it.
FROTCHNEK
She tells the truth.
WERCHKUR
What are you doing here?
PERIANNE
I'm stranded. I didn't expect to
find you.
FROTCHNEK
True.
WERCHKUR
Why did you break in and not come
to the front gate?
Perianne can't come up with a truthful answer and says
nothing.
WERCHKUR (CONT'D)
So, you do have something to hide!
EXT. DRILLING COMPOUND - NIGHT
Gordon gets out the laser from the blanket, and checks it
carefully.
GLENYS
Is it okay?
GORDON
Seems to be -
Gordon turns the laser on; there's an ominous red flashing.
He turns it off and examines the power pack in particular.
GORDON (CONT'D)
Damn! The power pack has been
dislodged.
GLENYS
Can you reattach it?
GORDON
Yes, but it appears that the power
has drained. We have to find a
power source.
Delwyn and Glenys are at a loss. Gordon looks around and
spies a huge coil of thick cable.
He carefully goes over - no one in sight - pulls out his pen
knife and starts to cut off a few yards-worth. Delwyn offers
a much larger knife and the length is quickly cut.
GORDON (CONT'D)
Don't ever cut cable that's
attached. It will kill you.
DELWYN
That has power inside?
GORDON
No, it transfers power from where
it's created to where it's needed.
Gordon attaches the cable to the jury-rigged cold laser.
GORDON (CONT'D)
I have to find a power source to
get our machine going again - and
that can't happen until we're very
near the well.
Gordon checks his watch.
GORDON (CONT'D)
Are we ready to do this?
Nods from Delwyn and Glenys. Glenys takes her bow, a hard
tipped arrow and takes the spigot off a tank aside the fenced
in drilling area. The tank hisses but not loudly enough to
draw the attention of the nearest Guard. Glenys takes the
another spigot off. She then grabs a wood tipped arrow.
GLENYS
We don't have fire!
Gordon fishes in his pocket, pulls out a lighter and lights
the arrow head, of course, shocking Delwyn and Glenys. It
doesn't alter Glenys' aim, and suddenly there's a violent
explosion.
Rexicorico Fallipatorian Guards leave their places along the
perimeter and rush toward the explosion.
Gordon and Delwyn use slingshots to hurl baseball-sized
amounts of lime powder toward the Guards, and after four
shots, the air around the fence near them is smoky with the
powder. The Guards scream as it hits their skin. Others
explode from breathing it in.
Gordon hands a handkerchief to Glenys and a work towel to
Delwyn. He then uses the remaining rag and wraps it bandit
style over his nose. Delwyn and Glenys mimic him.
GORDON
Let's go!
Gordon, Delwyn and Glenys make their way to the fence around
the drill and injection system. Between the injured and dead
Guards and the fire set from the explosion, no one notices
the three going into the drilling area. Gordon has the cable
coil over his shoulder and carries the laser.
INT. SMALL BUILDING - DAY
Perianne is woozy. She has a black eye, blood dripping from a
corner of her mouth and a series of ever deepening cuts up
her arm, the last two dripping blood. Second Guard still has
a weapon trained on her. Werchkur and Frotchnek confer.
FROTCHNEK
She really doesn't add up. If she
wasn't sent and is stranded, what
secret could she have of relevance
to us?
WERCHKUR
I don't know, but I'm sure she
does.
Proof - the explosion outside the drilling area - is heard
and shakes the building.
WERCHKUR (CONT'D)
She's not alone!!
(to Frotchnek)
Find out what's happened!
(to Perianne)
What have you done?
Frotchnek exits in a hurry. Secondary explosions are heard.
PERIANNE
Trying to save planet Earth.
WERCHKUR
What is worth saving on this
wayward planet?
PERIANNE
The future of the human race. And
you knew it, or you wouldn't be
using the Crechpian scam.
WERCHKUR
The Crechpian 'scam,' as you call
it, has been the secret of the
family Sliveen for countless
millennia, and we're going to keep
it that way.
Werchkur raises a bared claw to take Perianne's life.
.
. END OF ACT III
. ACT IV
INT. SMALL BUILDING - NIGHT - RESUME
As Werchkur slices, Perianne disappears, a large cabinet
taking her place with the sounds of an arriving Tardis.
Werchkur hits the large cabinet/Tardis, breaking his claw. He
yowls.
INT. KENPO'S TARDIS
Perianne is shocked to find herself facing Kenpo and not
Werchkur.
PERIANNE
Thank you!
KENPO
The Shadow Proclamation has the
place surrounded.
PERIANNE
We have to get to Gordon. He's
about to use twice the blast
needed.
EXT. COMPOUND DRILLING AREA - NIGHT
Gordon, Delwyn and Glenys reach the drill hole, still with
their masks on. Gordon looks frantically for a place to steal
power. Glenys positions the laser above the drill hole.
Delwyn lobs a couple more slingshots of lime powder around
them. Gordon finally finds a juncture box, opens it and works
at attaching the cable. Gordon's phone rings - again an odd
three beats followed by four! He frowns and answers.
GORDON
Yes?
Delwyn and Glenys are again taken aback. Gordon keeps working
on attaching the cable as he speaks.
CONYN
(over phone)
Have you found anything?
INT. MINE, MAIN TUNNEL
Conyn Chinowydd and the Chief Geologist watch light smoke
waft from the smaller tunnel.
CONYN
It's starting to combust.
Chief Geologist takes the phone.
CHIEF GEOLOGIST
Gordon, I've never seen anything
like this before. There's nothing
in the conditions in the mine to
ignite it.
Conyn takes the phone back.
CONYN
If you don't come up with an
analysis soon, we're going to have
the equivalent of an ongoing coal
fire.
EXT. COMPOUND DRILLING AREA - NIGHT - RESUME
Gordon successfully has connected the thick wire to the
juncture box.
GORDON
(into phone)
I'm on it!
(hangs up)
But not in the way you think.
(to Delwyn and Glenys)
We're going to have a single try at
this. I'm sure the power isn't
compatible and will burn up the
machine.
GLENYS
I've got this thing is pointing
straight down.
Gordon goes to the cold laser and nods at Glenys' alignment.
GORDON
For planet Earth!
DELWYN
For Earth!
Tardis noises start in the background. As Gordon fires the
cold laser -
PERIANNE (O.S.)
Don't!!
Perianne is in the doorway of a piece of equipment that
wasn't there previously, Kenpo's Tardis' latest chameleon
form. Delwyn and Glenys just shake their heads in shock.
It is too late for Gordon to stop the shot, but he doesn't
prolong it and actually turns the laser off before it blows.
GORDON
Perianne!!
Gordon sees Perianne's black eye and cuts.
GORDON (CONT'D)
Oh my God! I'm so sorry we didn't
try to rescue you.
PERIANNE
I was willing you not to come; I
was buying you time.
GORDON
Then what's with 'don't?"
PERIANNE
The Crechpians lodge in the middle
of the planet and grow both
directions.
GORDON
I could have done half the
strength! What have I done?
Kenpo exits his Tardis.
KENPO
The cold will rise to the surface
in about twenty seven hundred years
and cause a period of cooling on
the planet.
GORDON
For how long?!
KENPO
About three hundred years!
To everyone's surprise, as Gordon does the math, he starts to
laugh.
GORDON
You're telling me I caused the mini
ice age from 1350 to 1850?
KENPO
Then established history is
maintained.
DELWYN
Then, can we go home?
PERIANNE
If you can take a couple more
surprises we can have you home in a
minute.
Delwyn and Glenys are "game" and enter -
INT. KENPO'S TARDIS
Gordon' follows Delwyn and Glenys in. The latter two gawk at
the inner size and are a little afraid of the noise of the
Tardis taking off - and landing.
GLENYS
How can it be so big?
GORDON
That's one I can't explain.
PERIANNE
(to Delwyn)
Open the door.
Delwyn does and is shocked to see -
EXT. VILLAGE - DAY
Delwyn exits a tree trunk, followed by Glenys, Gordon,
Perianne and Kenpo. Delwyn and Glenys only mildly react to
coming out of a trunk.
DELWYN
No one will ever believe our story.
GLENYS
I can't explain any of it in a way
understandable to our people.
KENPO
You'll find a way.
PERIANNE
You really did help save the
planet. Almost no one ever gets to
say that.
Delwyn beams. Glenys pulls Gordon aside.
GLENYS
I'm sorry you are not Cousin
Neirin. I'm promised to him. He'll
have a hard time living up to you.
GORDON
For your sake, I hope he puts me to
shame.
Gordon kisses Glenys on the forehead.
INT. KENPO'S TARDIS
Kenpo mends Perianne's wounds with a light ray. Her shiner is
gone, and he finishes up her deepest cuts. Gordon watches.
KENPO
I did a lot of thinking as I walked
back to the Tardis. I grappled with
why would I fight for the existence
of planet Earth, but not Gallifrey.
PERIANNE
Because no planet with sentient
life should be so callously
sacrificed?
KENPO
Selfishness. I left Gallifrey
because I wanted to continue my
contemplative way of life. The
impending war was making that
impossible.
Kenpo finishes healing Perianne's wounds and puts the
equipment away under the Tardis console.
PERIANNE
Having been in the war, your choice
is understandable.
KENPO
Your slip about time fighters
opened my eyes. I can't conceive of
Gallifrey having machinery of war.
Kenpo makes adjustments at the console, and his Tardis makes
noises of landing.
PERIANNE
Again, my -
KENPO
No; I've been gone many, many
years. I'm sure such machines exist
in my time. I didn't want to know.
The Tardis stops making noises, Kenpo opens the door and
Perianne and Gordon find themselves at the back of the -
EXT. TINY PARK - DAY
Kenpo's Tardis as a tree is next to the Mini-T. Kenpo checks,
the park is empty, and he, Perianne and Gordon exit. Perianne
sits on a stone bench, and Kenpo sits on a stone platform
lotus style. Gordon wisely meanders over to the tiny pond.
KENPO
I feel obligated to go home.
PERIANNE
To what end? Wouldn't it be better
to preserve what Gallifrey was?
KENPO
I don't know. I'll know after I go
home.
PERIANNE
I feel like I'm sending you to your
death.
KENPO
You know better. I choose for
myself. I may not stay long.
Kenpo arises, bows and heads toward his Tardis. He turns
around as he reaches the door in the tree.
KENPO (CONT'D)
Listen to your machine; I really
believe it's trying to tell you
something.
Perianne nods. Kenpo goes into his Tardis, and moments later,
the sounds of it leaving are heard. The Tardis/tree fades
out. Gordon joins Perianne.
GORDON
I'm tired, hungry and overwhelmed.
Can we go home?
PERIANNE
You really are related to Delwyn.
They laugh and enter the Mini T with it's branching top.
INT. MINI T
Gordon and Perianne enter and find "7" on every screen large
and small.
GORDON
What's going on? My phone was
ringing in sevens.
PERIANNE
Kenpo insists it's not a processor
glitch, that the Mini T is trying
to communicate.
Perianne takes off, and the sound of the Mini T is heard -
hum.
GORDON
Tardis' talk? Text?
PERIANNE
In a real Tardis, it's a
subliminal, symbiotic telepathic
connection. This?
Perianne shrugs.
GORDON
So what could the Mini T need seven
of? What are the important systems?
PERIANNE
She doesn't have redundant systems
like a real Tardis - just one of
everything.
GORDON
(lighting up)
Not redundant - sequential! You
chose only three of those things -
Gordon points to the central column of the console and the
three blades taking turns keeping them in the Time Vortex.
GORDON (CONT'D)
Any particular reason for three?
PERIANNE
It worked out mathematically well
with a good cushion for not
overtaxing any single drive.
GORDON
What would happen if you went to
seven?
PERIANNE
A doubling in power?
GORDON
Any side effects?
PERIANNE
I don't foresee any, but there must
be some reason if this is what the
Mini T is trying to communicate.
GORDON
So?
PERIANNE
We might as well try.
All the sevens abruptly disappear from the screens. Gordon
starts. Perianne looks with interest.
PERIANNE (CONT'D)
Kenpo was right.
DISSOLVE TO:
INT. MINI T
Gordon looks very sleep deprived as he hands a tool to
Perianne who is perched on top of the console installing a
new central column with seven blades. Even Perianne looks a
little strained. She hands Gordon a tool.
PERIANNE
Fuser.
Gordon hands her the wand-shaped Fuser. She "welds" something
in the column.
PERIANNE (CONT'D)
That does it.
Gordon helps Perianne put on the central column's clear
housing.
GORDON
What's going to happen?
PERIANNE
I don't know; it's never been done
before.
Perianne turns on the power to the Mini T. At first, the
lights move between the seven blades just like it did with
three. But then the lights begin to move faster and faster.
Perianne and Gordon look at each other unsure.
The lights are going at a blinding speed, and suddenly
there's a brilliant flash.
.
. END OF ACT IV
. ACT V
EXT. GRAYSPACE
Perianne and Gordon are in a bubble floating in a gray,
cloudy space that has momentary small flashes and brief
"ribbons" of color flitting in and out of existence.
Perianne and Gordon are conscious and initially a little
disoriented as they float weightlessly. They look around.
GORDON
Where are we?
VOICE
You are in the eleventh dimension.
Gordon and Perianne are surprised, but for different reasons.
PERIANNE
That's the dimension of Tardis
intelligence.
VOICE
Yes. And it has been a long time
since we've had contact with Time
Lords.
PERIANNE
My race perished saving a universe.
VOICE
The Doctor's Tardis has informed
us. We only have direct contact
like this on one special occasion:
the birth of a Tardis.
GORDON
The birth of a Tardis?
VOICE
The seven time-fighter engines
created a large enough connection
to this dimension, a Tardis has
been born.
A gold wave of energy bounces around outside the bubble; it
is much smaller and more playful than the energy seen when
the Doctor's Tardis life force zipped around the control room
in The Doctor's Wife.
VOICE (CONT'D)
Are you ready for the bonding
ritual, Ondonella, Gordon?
Perianne and Gordon look at each other, unsure.
PERIANNE
History says that such a ritual
existed, but we don't know it.
VOICE
The baby Tardis being will go
through your minds and then decide
whether or not to bond with you.
GORDON
What do we do?
VOICE
(reverberating)
Open you minds!
Colored strips blip across the gray like an old movie sign,
creating a hypnotic effect. Another pattern with cooler
colors replaces the first, adding to the effect. A third
pattern with deeper blues and purples wafts among the gray.
Gordon and Perianne do look hypnotized with their eyes wide
open but not moving.
The golden light enters the bubble and circles Perianne and
Gordon. It nears Perianne and seems to sniff her then does
the same to Gordon. It enters Gordon - and suddenly on the
inside surface of the sphere are clips from Gordon's life:
MONTAGE
Toddler Gordon rides a trike with his mother, a warm woman
who bears strong resemblance to Gordon, and a young, cold
Conyn looks on. Seven year old Gordon holds back tears as he
waves good-bye to his mother and father as they leave him at
a boarding school. Twelve year old Gordon attends his
mother's funeral. Sixteen year old Gordon drives a fixed up
Triumph with friends filling the car. Gordon graduates as an
Engineer. Gordon serves in a "sandy war" building a bridge.
Gordon goes to work for his Father, now an even colder man.
EXT. GRAYSPACE
The golden light exits Gordon and enters Perianne, and clips
of her life flash across the inner surface of their bubble.
MONTAGE
Toddler Perianne builds a sophisticated robot to the delight
of two warm parents. Six year old Perianne plays with atoms
and creates new elements, then cries as she's sent away to
school at eight. Later in school, a "teen" Perianne builds a
solar system for her school science project - a real one.
Then it gets darker: the first attack by the Daleks on
Gallifrey she experienced, being escorted by military to
ensure her safety in advanced Engineering training, starting
to see "scar" damage to the planet and the people, the even
greater isolation amidst seeing even greater horrors on the
ship, and finally meeting Gordon in the caved-in tunnel.
EXT. GRAYSPACE
The golden light exits Perianne and stops in front of
Perianne and Gordon. It gets brighter and brighter then
discharges the energy, zapping Perianne and Gordon. They
shake as if electrocuted and collapse.
INT. MINI T
The Mini T seems dead: nothing on the console is lit; it's
quiet. Perianne and Gordon materialize on the floor,
lifeless, as if discarded. And then a couple beats later -
Around them the Mini T changes: it starts at the console
column. Gold light fills the column, and in a burst of
colored light, the "engine" inside becomes a single spiral
inside the glass housing, and a steady stream of now colored
light "blips" go along the spiral.
Next, the console transforms: it grows larger and fishtails
further along the two walls it's recessed into. The dials and
gauges change and new "stations" are created. Everything now
is glossy enamel with opalescent appointments.
The enamel and opal motif spreads along the wall the console
is on in both directions. The cabinets and drawers change
configuration: the cabinets recess into the wall, the now
opalescent counter thins and becomes retractable.
The up stairs at one end and the down stairway at the other
evolve into something grander made of the milky crystal. They
each are now up and down.
As the doors to Perianne and Gordon's rooms turn opal, the
doors rise to landings of respective stairs, move closer to
the console - from short side to the corners if it were a
rectangle, but it's actually curved.
There's an open walkway between their rooms; it includes the
door to the upstairs sitting room. The walkway is about a two
thirds of a story up, comfortably clearing the Mini T console
column.
The gold light makes other changes around the rest of the
Mini T in the new motif, then zips back into the console.
Perianne comes to first, gets up and looks around in wonder.
Gordon comes to more gradually.
GORDON
Was that real, or did I dream?...
Gordon orients to the changes and gawks.
GORDON (CONT'D)
I was in the eleventh dimension!
PERIANNE
Yes. And we're the 'parents' of a
brand new baby Tardis.
Gordon arises and looks at the console.
GORDON
Omigod! I know how to fly her. Is
this the symbiotic bond you talked
about?
PERIANNE
She chose us. But at least for
awhile, we can't travel any further
in time or space than before.
GORDON
There was a voice saying she had to
grow into the role.
PERIANNE
I remember that too.
Perianne types at the console, and a map of the Mini T shows
on main screen. It now shows eleven rather than nine rooms!
The configuration shows the sitting room between Perianne and
Gordon's rooms on the second floor. The bottom floor is still
the two storage rooms altered somewhat in size.
But the main floor has changed the most. There is now a
hallway that goes from one end of the console room in a "u"
to the other end, looping the storage room still behind the
console room. Along the periphery of the hall are the two new
rooms and the old two rooms.
PERIANNE (CONT'D)
We've gained two rooms.
GORDON
As beat as I feel, let's explore.
Perianne and Gordon head down -
INT. U-SHAPED HALL, MINI T
starting on the viewer's right. Immediately to Gordon and
Perianne's left is a door. Perianne peers in and pulls out.
PERIANNE
It's still the storage room;
there's another door on the other
side.
Gordon nods, and they continue to the next door on their
right.
GORDON
The old bedroom or a new room?
PERIANNE
New?
Gordon opens the door to -
INT. ENGINEERING LAB
The huge room has rows of equipment and lab counters.
Perianne suddenly looks like a child in a candy shop, almost
dancing from one piece of equipment to the next.
PERIANNE
This is the lab of my dreams! It's
straight out of a Gallifreyian
research facility! Thank you, Mini
T!
GORDON
You'll have to tell me what it all
does some time.
Perianne looks in cupboards.
PERIANNE
Whatever's in the cupboards in the
console room is no longer
Engineering supplies; they're all
in here! And more.
GORDON
Do you think the other new room is
something for me?
Perianne leads the way out the door, still quite jubilant.
INT. U-SHAPED HALL, MINI T
At the back end they find a third entrance to the storage and
two other doors on the periphery. Perianne sticks her head in
one and Gordon the other.
GORDON
Library - bigger.
PERIANNE
Guest room - redecorated.
Gordon and Perianne hasten to the final door. Gordon opens
it.
EXT. FIELD - DAY
There is a white fence picketing off part of the area and a
wooded area is to one side, outside the fence. On the other
side is a barn. The "room" is much bigger on the inside.
Gordon is confused to find himself convincingly outdoors.
Perianne looks around.
PERIANNE
Where are we?
GORDON
I don't know -
(looks around more)
Yes I do! Omigod!
Gordon touches the white fence almost lovingly.
GORDON (CONT'D)
This is identical to the area I
used to ride in summers as a kid!
This was the best time of my
childhood!
PERIANNE
Ride?
GORDON
Horses.
On cue, a whinny is heard from the barn.
GORDON (CONT'D)
That sounds like -
Gordon takes off at a run to the barn. Perianne sprints after
him.
Gordon arrives at the barn and finds the door open.
INT. BARN - DAY
There are two horses in stalls, a black Arabian and a
Palomino. Gordon enters and runs to the black horse! He lets
the horse sniff him and then throws his arms around the
horse's neck. With tears in his eyes.
GORDON
It can't be, but this is Midnight,
the best horse I ever knew!
Gordon looks totally tuckered out.
GORDON (CONT'D)
I've hit overwhelm.
PERIANNE
Let's get some rest and process it
in the morning.
INT. UPPER WALKWAY, MINI T
Gordon takes Perianne to her door. She looks in.
PERIANNE
It's my favorite room from summers
before the war!
Gordon hurries across the walkway, passed the door to the
sitting room to his own door and looks in.
GORDON
Mine looks like my room at home!
Thank you, Mini T! G'night
Perianne.
Perianne and Gordon go into their rooms.
DISSOLVE TO:
INT. MINI T (CONSOLE ROOM)
Gordon comes down the curving stairs. Perianne is already at
the console.
GORDON
I can't believe I slept for twelve
hours!
PERIANNE
I rested for two - which I almost
never do. But so much happened. I
met another Time Lord.
GORDON
Did it - help?
PERIANNE
I accept better my time in the war -
that trying to save Gallifrey was
the correct choice.
GORDON
I'm still having problems with a
piece of ancient Wales in China,
but I looked it up. It's known!
Their bodies have been found.
PERIANNE
Kenpo did say established history
was maintained.
GORDON
Do you think I'm really related to
Delwyn? - or just look-alikes?
Perianne takes a stray hair off Gordon's shoulder.
PERIANNE
I saved one of Delwyn's, and we,
now, have the capacity to check.
Perianne pulls a tissue out of her pocket; it contains a
redder hair. She goes over to a station in the left "fish
tail" of console stations, places both hairs on a screen on
the console and watches a screen perpendicular to it for
results.
PERIANNE (CONT'D)
With thirty-five hundred years
between you, don't expect much.
Results pop up. Gordon joins Perianne at the screen.
GORDON
And?
PERIANNE
Your mother's side breeds true;
three percent key markers.
GORDON
Nice! My father always said he
didn't see a lick of himself in me.
PERIANNE
How are you doing with causing the
mini Ice Age?
GORDON
More of a point of pride than it
should be.
PERIANNE
I'm feeling that way about seeing
the eleventh dimension. It's been
millennia since a Tardis was born.
GORDON
You know, we're skirting the big
issue.
PERIANNE
Bigger than what we've already
covered?
GORDON
Yes. You were tortured, worse than
anything you went through in the
Time War. And we could have died!
Perianne is genuinely surprised, and Gordon sees it.
GORDON (CONT'D)
Without any substantial weapons or
allies, we went into an armed
compound. We were very lucky.
PERIANNE
How could we have possibly known
that Crechpians were an alien scam?
GORDON
We should have retreated with
Kenpo.
PERIANNE
You're right. We were in over our
heads. But with your whole planet
at stake?
GORDON
(reconsidering a beat)
Maybe we need to go armed on these
little jaunts of ours.
PERIANNE
I don't do weapons.
GORDON
Not even defensive?
Perianne shakes her head, then brightens and beckons Gordon
to follow her.
INT. SUPPLY ROOM
It's much larger and wsll-stocked. Perianne leads Gordon in
and down several aisles. She finds a bin and pulls a tiny
box. To Gordon's surprise, she pulls a ring with a large
clear crystal out of the tiny box; it looks like a high
school ring. He's even more surprised when Perianne slips it
on his right ring finger.
GORDON
(chuckling)
You have no idea what you almost
did!
The comment goes over Perianne's head.
GORDON (CONT'D)
And this is?
Perianne leads Gordon away.
INT. WAREHOUSE - DAY
There is only one large crate in the warehouse. Gordon and
Perianne exit the huge crate, the Mini T now able to
transform accurately to its surroundings.
PERIANNE
Aim the crystal and either say or
think, 'protect.'
Gordon aims at piece of refuse on the ground.
GORDON
Protect!
A beam shoots out of the crystal and zaps near the refuse.
PERIANNE
It'll knock out most sentient
beings anywhere from fifteen to
fifty minutes.
GORDON
What about you?
PERIANNE
(shaking her head)
Oh, but it has to recharge after
eight-ten shots. Is this
sufficient?
GORDON
Yes! I just don't want us to die.
PERIANNE
Agreed.
GORDON
One more thing: Ondonella?
PERIANNE
Ondonella Veray PrandOmega. Kenpo
jogged my memories of my family. I
now have all my memories back.
GORDON
Are you okay? Should I start
calling you that?
PERIANNE
No. I like Perianne. A new name for
a new life. I have some processing
to do, but I'll be okay.
GORDON
I have some thinking to do, too.
But right now I have to see the
mine.
PERIANNE
None of what you went through with
your father happened after you
completed the time line.
GORDON
I know, but I have to see.
PERIANNE
I'll go with you.
EXT. PARYS MOUNTAIN MINE - DAY
Gordon's sports car arrives in the lot.
INT. MINE, MAIN TUNNEL
Gordon and Perianne wear hard hats. They pass a branch.
GORDON
This is where we met.
Perianne smiles. She and Gordon continue and arrive at the
newest excavation in
INT. MINE, SIDE TUNNEL
Chief Geologist and Conyn Chinowydd examinie the floor.
Gordon and Perianne come up.
CHIEF GEOLOGIST
I've never seen anything like it!
CONYN
Me neither.
Gordon looks alarmed.
GORDON
What's so unusual?
Conyn and Chief Geologist are surprised to see Gordon.
CONYN
You, here? On one of your day off?
I should promote you to Junior
Geologist.
Gordon looks confused for a moment and then shakes his head
realizing.
CHIEF GEOLOGIST
Take a look: isn't that one of the
purest seams of copper you've ever
seen?
Gordon looks, sees the gleaming metal, heaves a sigh of
relief and nods in agreement.
CONYN
So, why are you here?
GORDON
I got a message I thought was from
you and thought there might be a
problem.
CONYN
It's about time you began to think
more about this mine! You've been
taking off a lot of time -
Conyn notices Perianne.
CONYN (CONT'D)
Just like I said - a woman.
Gordon looks surprised and confused.
EXT. PARYS MOUNTAIN MINE - DAY
Gordon and Perianne walk toward Gordon's sports car.
GORDON
How could he remember a
conversation that never took place?
PERIANNE
Some sort of residual?
GORDON
Too bad he didn't remember making
me Junior Geologist.
PERIANNE
He raised that too.
Gordon opens the passenger door of his car for Perianne.
GORDON
Then maybe there's hope for the
promotion. But for now, let's give
our baby some practice and find a
quiet hillside. I understand better
now 'idyllic Earth.'
Perianne smiles and nods.
.
. THE END