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Ahh, it’s ok! Everyone’s got real-life stuff going on at the moment, so I’d really rather you guys take your time and enjoy the experience than rush and feel stressed about it. ^.^
-rosesghost (oh yeah btw, I changed my URL for Halloween)
An invisible enemy lurks in Victorian London, snatching beggars from the streets, but local detectives aren't enough to defeat him. A freshly regenerated Doctor arrives on the scene, though he may be too weak to help. Is there finally a villian who's simply too large for the Doctor to handle?
The twelfth Doctor (played by Thor villain Tom Hiddleston) makes his arrival, accompanied by companion Clara Oswald (Jenna Coleman) in the premiere episode of the completely independent Our Series 8 project, just the first in a series of brilliant fan-written scripts.
A DIFFERENT ANIMAL
by
mommamilioti
FADE IN:
INT. TARDIS.
CLARA OSWALD watches THE DOCTOR; he is busy fiddling with the controls.
CLARA
Doctor?
THE DOCTOR
Hmm?
CLARA
Doctor, you're different.
THE DOCTOR
Oh. Yes. I regenerated.
CLARA
Okay?
(beat)
Doctor?
THE DOCTOR
Yes, Clara?
CLARA
Aren't you going to explain regeneration to me? You know, talking circles around me using all of your wild hand gestures?
THE DOCTOR
Wild hand gestures?
He considers it.
THE DOCTOR (CONT'D.)
No, I don't think I do wild hand gestures anymore.
CLARA
Well, can you explain it to me, then?
THE DOCTOR
Oh, certainly.
(long pause)
CLARA
Doctor?
THE DOCTOR
Hmm?
CLARA
Are you even listening to what I'm saying?
THE DOCTOR
Oh, yes, certainly, Clara. It's the regeneration. I'm always a little tired afterwards. And a bit...
He sways and falls.
CLARA
Doctor!
She runs over to him.
THE DOCTOR
I'm in thriving condition, Clara. I really am quite all right. It's only the regeneration.
He stands up.
CLARA
This new form is tall, Doctor. Taller than before. I like it.
She watches him, hoping to get some sort of Eleven-ish response out of him, but he doesn't react.
CLARA (CONT'D.)
So are you going to tell me what this regeneration is, then?
THE DOCTOR
Oh, it's a... It's like a side effect of being a Time Lord. Whenever we sustain heavy enough damage to kill us, we have the power to regenerate and take a new form. This is my twelfth incarnation - well, thirteenth - in the last thousand years.
CLARA
So... You mean... When you saved me, you could've been killed?
THE DOCTOR
It was necessary. You've proven invaluable to me and to the TARDIS.
CLARA
Um... Doctor?
THE DOCTOR
Yes?
CLARA
You're being really odd. What happened to you calling me bossy and short?
THE DOCTOR
Oh. Hmm.
He thinks.
THE DOCTOR (CONT'D.)
I'm not certain, actually. I may still do that. Especially the calling you short.
CLARA
So it's still you in there? You haven't become a completely new person?
THE DOCTOR
I'm sure it will make you happy to know that I am mostly intact. I should explain to you, Clara: regeneration makes a considerable difference. I may act differently now than I did before - I cannot say for sure, but I feel different. I don't think I have the same energy as I used to.
CLARA
Oh.
THE DOCTOR
Are you going to be all right, Clara?
CLARA
No, I... I think that I want to go home. I've had enough adventure for one week, and the kids are still at the cinema. I need to go get them.
THE DOCTOR
Clara...
CLARA
You can come back and get me at the same time next week, I promise.
THE DOCTOR
Very well, then. To home.
He begins fiddling with the TARDIS controls again.
EXT. CLARA'S HOME, DAY.
The TARDIS appears, and Clara exits, watched from the doorway by THE DOCTOR. She gives him a small wave and a smile and the TARDIS disappears.
CLARA
All right, now some children are about to get their wi-fi taken away...
She enters the house.
EXT. CLARA'S HOME, ONE WEEK LATER.
The TARDIS appears. CLARA exits her home.
CLARA
Hello, Doctor? Is greeting me at the door no longer something you do anymore? Am I just going to have to walk myself to the TARDIS now?
No answer. She walks over to the TARDIS and tries the door - to her surprise, it opens.
She walks in.
INT. TARDIS.
THE DOCTOR is slumped over the console.
CLARA
Doctor?
She runs over to him.
CLARA (CONT'D.)
Doctor, are you all right? Doctor?
She shakes him and gets no response.
CLARA (CONT'D.)
Come on, wake up! You know that I can't fly this thing by myself; remember the last time I tried? Oh, come on... What's going on, TARDIS? Why is he like this?
The TARDIS interface, in the form of the eleventh Doctor, appears. CLARA is startled.
TARDIS
This is the TARDIS voice interface.
CLARA
Oh yes, of course. What's wrong with him?
TARDIS
The Doctor is experiencing what is known as regeneration fatigue. It is a condition common to Time Lords after regeneration, where their energy has been depleted by the process. The only cure is a prolonged period of sleep.
CLARA
What am I supposed to do?
TARDIS
The only cure for the Doctor is a prolonged period of sleep.
CLARA
Don't get sassy with me; I just meant... Where is he supposed to sleep? I can't take him home. The children won't know who he is, and... Could you change the hologram? It's making me a bit uncomfortable.
The TARDIS interface changes into Clara.
TARDIS
Would you prefer this setting?
CLARA
No, no... You remember Angie, don't you? Could you become her?
The TARDIS interface changes into ANGIE MAITLAND.
TARDIS
As you wish.
CLARA
Now, where can I go? I can't afford a hotel, and I don't live on my own.
The TARDIS says nothing.
CLARA (CONT'D.)
If I figured out a location in time and space where he could sleep, could you take me there?
TARDIS
I am like one of your human vehicles. I require a driver.
CLARA
I thought we'd reached an understanding with each other.
TARDIS
I am like one of your human vehicles. I am incapable of reaching understandings with humans.
CLARA
All right, all right; I get it.
She walks over to the console.
CLARA (CONT'D.)
Okay, Clara, think, come on, how did the Doctor say to do this... Can you at least tell me one thing, TARDIS? How would I get to Madame Vastra, Strax, and Jenny?
TARDIS
You would pull the lever to your right.
Clara does so.
CLARA
Is that all?
TARDIS
No. Now twist the knob to your left.
CLARA
I'm gonna help you, Dcotor.
EXT. OVERHEAD SHOT OF LONDON SLUMS, FALL 1893, NIGHTTIME, RAINING.
EXT: A DESERTED STREET.
JENNY FLINT, dressed as a beggar from the time period, runs down the street. Her pursuers are two young men also dressed in poor clothing with no expressions on their faces. Jenny scans the street and turns down an alley. The boys follow her.
EXT. ALLEY.
JENNY stands in her battle clothing, ready to fight. The boys slow, startled.
JENNY
Come and get me, boys.
The boys growl in an inhuman way and advance. Jenny initiates a fight.
During the fight, the boys seem to have equally inhuman strength and agility, but Jenny manages to take BOY #1 down easily.
As she is standing up, BOY #2 throws her against the wall. She slams it hard and hits the ground, dazed.
Before she can recover, Boy #2 is on top of her, pinning her to the ground with enough force to crack bone.
Boy #2 opens his mouth impossibly wide, stretching out his face and revealing long, jagged teeth. But before he can take a bite...
CHILLINGWOOD
Stop. Come back to me.
All that can be seen of CHILLINGWOOD is his silhouette. Boy #2 stops and lurches back to Chillingwood.
Jenny tries to stand up as Chillingwood approaches her (although the camera only shows his legs), but is in too much pain. She looks up at Chillingwood.
CHILLINGWOOD (CONT'D)
Is it really... Jenny? The pet of the famous detective?
Jenny spits at him.
CHILLINGWOOD (CONT'D)
Oh yes, you'll do. You'll do very nicely.
CUT TO: Doctor Who theme.
EXT. A VICTORIAN HOUSE - THE CURRENT RESIDENCE OF THE PATERNOSTER GANG.
A young street urchin CHILD runs up the street and knocks on the door. STRAX opens it.
STRAX
Hello?
CHILD
I was told to come here, sir, if I spotted anything strange, sir, and I saw something strange, sir; they was on the street last night.
MADAME VASTRA has crept up behind Strax during this. She looks worried.
VASTRA
Did you see a woman with them? Dark hair, young, human?
CHILD
Yes, I think I did, ma'am; only I'm so hungry, you see now, ma'am, I can barely concentrate, and I was promised some money if I did this -
STRAX
Permission to show the runt the meaning of honor?
VASTRA
Permission denied, Strax; we need to know what he has to say.
She gives the child a coin.
CHILD
Why, yes, I can feel myself remembering now, ma'am. Thank you, ma'am, I just get so hungry -
STRAX
Get on with it, ungrateful runt.
CHILD
Yes, yes, sir, I think there was one. A woman you say, ma'am? She was being chased by two of them; I hid under a street car, ma'am, then I saw them - they chased her down an alley and I didn't see her no more.
VASTRA
Where? Where was this?
CHILD
Oh, I don't really remember, ma'am -
Vastra pulls two more coins out of her pocket.
VASTRA
If I give you these, will you take us there?
The child nods, grinning.
EXT. VICTORIAN LONDON STREETS, BY DAY THIS TIME.
STRAX drives the carriage (with his hood on), while the CHILD directs him. VASTRA peeks out of the curtains, looking worried.
EXT. SAME ALLEY AS BEFORE.
STRAX, VASTRA, and the CHILD enter.
CHILD
It was this alley, ma'am. I didn't go in, ma'am, but I saw them go in here.
VASTRA
Thank you.
CHILD
Er, ma'am, if I may ask enough for one more meal...
STRAX
Asking for bribes is one of the worst kinds of dishonor, boy. Permission to shoot him if he doesn't stop?
VASTRA
Again, permission denied, Strax. Thank you for what you've done for us. This is all that we can give you right now unless you have more information for us.
The child leaves. Vastra and Strax search the alley.
STRAX
Jenny does not appear to be here. Perhaps the boy lied to us. May I suggest a special attack force to go after him with maximum strength in explosives?
VASTRA
No, Strax.
She sees JENNY's beggar disguise and picks it up.
VASTRA (CONT'D)
She was in a fight.
STRAX
Madame, Jenny is a talented fighter. She has, on occasion, even managed to gain a temporary advantage over me. I calculate the odds of her being unable to beat another human as very small. No larger than eleven percent.
VASTRA
Then were is she?
STRAX
I believe a few grenades might be helpful in this situation. If we were to level several of the surrounding buildings, we might be able to see much better.
VASTRA
No, Strax.
STRAX
What am I around for if you never take any of my suggestions?
VASTRA
(humorously)
You're here to drive us, Strax. Now take me home so we can sort this out.
INT. PARLOR OF VICTORIAN HOME.
STRAX and VASTRA are poring over a map of Victorian London that is covered in markings.
VASTRA
There is no center to their movements, nor for the attacks... How are we supposed to find her?
Strax's electronic device begins beeping, and he looks at it.
STRAX
Madame, I -
VASTRA
No, we are not blowing up London, Strax. For the last time, no.
STRAX
Madame -
VASTRA
Strax, please, I need to think. This is the first case we've taken since we lost Clara and the Doctor and I don't want to lose Jenny, too, because we're distracted.
STRAX
Madame -
VASTRA
Please, Strax, don't bother me. I need to think!
(beat)
STRAX
Very well.
He gets up and prepares to leave the room.
STRAX (CONT'D)
I was only going to tell you that I set the device to tell me if a Time Lord was ever in our immediate area... And it just told me that there is one outside, right now.
VASTRA
What?
There's a knock on the door.
STRAX
He's in very poor health according to this, madame. And there's a human with him.
VASTRA
It's impossible!
INT. FRONT HALL OF THE HOUSE
VASTRA and STRAX hurry to the door, and open it to find CLARA.
VASTRA
Clara!
She hugs her.
STRAX
It is good to see you are still alive.
CLARA
Thank you, Strax, Madame Vastra.
VASTRA
What happened to you? How did you survive? Where's the Doctor?
CLARA
He's - well - it's a long story, but he regenerated.
VASTRA
Regenerated?
CLARA
Yes, when we were in his memories. And he's not been doing well - he's unconscious right now in the TARDIS, said something about regeneration fatigue -
VASTRA
We'll get him inside. Strax?
INT. A BEDROOM IN THE HOUSE WITH TWO BEDS, AND A TABLE AND CHAIR BETWEEN THEM.
THE DOCTOR is sleeping on one of the beds CLARA, VASTRA, and STRAX stand around him.
CLARA
How long is he like this after a regeneration?
VASTRA
I don't know. I've heard of regeneration, but I wasn't around him the last time. Is he... Acting different?
CLARA
Yes. He's... Well, you know how he used to act like a twelve-year-old looking for his mummy?
STRAX
A twelve-year-old could not be such a fearsome warrior.
CLARA
Well, he's different now. He's more aloof and older sometimes.
VASTRA
I have heard from many I knew a while ago that the Doctor did not start out young. The latest regeneration was the youngest I'd seen in my research.
CLARA
He doesn't act it.
VASTRA
We'll see.
(beat)
But how did it happen? How did you two get out?
CLARA
I don't remember much of it, honestly. I think that I was still disoriented from being in the TARDIS and in every moment of the Doctor's timeline. There were some other copies of him there, and a man who kept on following us, but the Doctor wouldn't tell me his name, only that it was him from an earlier time. I think he took a lot of damage being there, and by the end, when we finally got out and the TARDIS wouldn't let us in because it was repairing itself, he was obviously about to collapse. I tried to help him, but there was no one around... And then light started shooting out of his head and his hands.
VASTRA
Regeneration.
CLARA
And then, when it was gone, he was transformed into... Well, him. And he carried on like nothing had happened when the TARDIS let us back in, although he seemed a bit weak on his feet. I asked him about the regeneration, but it took three tries for him to hear me. So I went home for the week and when he came back, I walked into the TARDIS and found him like this.
STRAX
His vitals seem fine; he's just been depleted by the amount of energy used for the regeneration. My diagnosis is that he'll be all right after he gets enough rest.
CLARA
How long will that take?
STRAX
It's hard to say.
CLARA
Well, I don't suppose the TARDIS will let me go back home without him, so I might as well stay here.
VASTRA
Actually, there's a case you could help me with.
CLARA
What is it?
VASTRA
Strange things are happening among the humans here, especially the poor. Several are being found mutilated in dark alleys, like they've been chewed on by some giant dog. Others are going missing completely. No one seems to care that much - they've all been treating it like a normal occurrence - but we've been investigating, and we've found that the ones who go missing are often seen again a day to a few days later acting completely different. They won't talk to anyone, they are strangely aggressive, and they steal to survive. They also walk in large circles around London all day, and at night, we've seen them chasing other people, who later disappear. We think that they've been kidnapped and transformed somehow, but we can't seem to find where they take their victims, and we've been tailing them for weeks. We sent Jenny out alone in disguise to follow one of the newest ones... And she hasn't been back.
CLARA
Do you think they took here?
VASTRA
We don't know. A boy saw her being chased and we found her disguise later, so we think she got in a fight.
STRAX
I suggested we level the buildings in the area to make it easier to find her -
VASTRA
And I refused. So now we have no idea.
CLARA
I'm sure Jenny will be all right.
VASTRA
We have no way of knowing that. I don't want to wait a few days to find that Jenny has been transformed, but we don't know where to start looking.
STRAX
Jenny is capable of escaping on her own. She's smart.
VASTRA
Yes, she is. I suppose there's nothing to do but wait.
STRAX
Madame, if I may make a suggestion -
VASTRA
For the last time, no, Strax.
STRAX
I was not going to suggest more explosives, madame. I was going to say that rather than hoping she will escape, we should go out and look for her. If she does escape, she may need assistance right away. We should be there. Aren't you her wife?
VASTRA
I trust Jenny. And what can we do? We don't know where to go, and neither of us can pass as human in the daylight enough to ask anyone!
CLARA
I could go.
VASTRA
What?
CLARA
I'm human, aren't I? And besides, I'm not going to get much else done around here.
STRAX
Absolutely not. You have not been trained in the ways of war, like Jenny, the Madame, and myself. It would be unacceptable to send you into battle unprepared.
CLARA
I've traveled with the Doctor for quite a while. I know how to take care of myself. And I reckon that I could find something to wear in the TARDIS; the Doctor mentioned there was a wardrobe in there somewhere.
STRAX
Yes, but how many battles have you been in? How often have you had to do a full frontal assault on your opponents, charging them with gun in hand, shooting when you see the whites of their eyes, friends exploding and dying horrible, visceral deaths all around you -
VASTRA
Strax, let her do it.
STRAX
Madame, this is extremely inadvisable!
VASTRA
You were right. We need to find Jenny as soon as we can. Don't worry, I'll accompany Miss Oswald in my veil; I just won't draw attention to myself. You need to stay here and watch over the Doctor.
STRAX
Madame, permission to tell you that you're making a big mistake?
VASTRA
Permission denied. Come along, Clara, we'll go and get our clothing.
EXT. VICTORIAN HOUSE.
VASTRA and CLARA leave the TARDIS, both in Victorian garb: Vastra in her usual, and Clara in clothes more suited to a beggar. Clara looks back at the TARDIS.
CLARA
Do you think that we should move it somewhere less visible?
VASTRA
How do you suggest we move it?
CLARA
I'll ask nicely. Sometimes, if it's for the greater good, she'll do what I say.
Clara re-enters the TARDIS. A moment later, it disappears. Another minute, and Clara exits the house.
CLARA (CONT'D)
I moved it inside. Is that all right?
VASTRA
Yes, now let's go.
CLARA
Are we walking there? These shoes are uncomfortable.
VASTRA
We need to be able to talk to people easily, and Strax can't take us while he's tending to the Doctor. We'll blend in, don't worry. Jenny and I never had any problems when we were travelling alone.
EXT: A BUSY MARKET STREET
CLARA
This all looks a little familar.
VASTRA
What?
CLARA
I think that I was here when I was in the Doctor's timeline. He says I was broken apart by the time winds and I was scattered across his life. I think one of me was here.
Vastra is unsure whether or not to tell her.
CLARA (CONT'D)
Did you ever meet any other of me?
VASTRA
Yes, we did.
CLARA
When?
VASTRA
It was here, in London, last winter. You were a barmaid and a governess. It was right after the Doctor's old companions, the Ponds, had left him, and he wasn't helping people any more until you showed up. You followed him to the TARDIS, where I found you and you passed the one-word test - quite impressively, I might add - and got hi, to help. He even offered you a key to the TARDIS, but you died before you could travel with him. Still, the Doctor finally realized he'd seen you before and went off looking for you. You were the reason he started helping people again.
CLARA
I feel like I should remember some of this. I thought I did, back when I was falling, but I can't quite think of any of it.
VASTRA
Do you remember seeing this new Doctor?
CLARA
He... He looked a little familiar, yes, but I don't think I saw him very much.
VASTRA
Maybe that means you'll be with him for most of his time before he regenerates again.
CLARA
I hope so.
VASTRA
Good. After the Ponds... Well, he should never be on his own. I've heard the stories of what he's done before when he had no companion.
She stops suddenly and points.
VASTRA (CONT'D)
Clara. That man.
CLARA
Which one?
VASTRA
The one in the strange hat. I've seen him before - he's one of the men we've been tailing. He hasn't spoken to his family in three weeks.
The MAN suddenly turns and starts walking with purpose in another direction. Clara and Vastra follow him.
VASTRA (CONT'D)
When we've followed him before, we've never gotten anywhere. HE just has a big circle he walks around in this neighborhood, like the others.
CLARA
And no one else has noticed that
VASTRA
It's a big circle. But he's never gone this way before.
The man speeds up. Clara and Vastra speed up as well, pushing through the crowd. A few crowd members don't want to let them through, but Vastra glares at them, and they back off.
The man turns down a less crowded street, and Clara and Vastra follow, keeping a cautious distance.
CLARA
Have you tried talking to them?
VASTRA
I told you, they don't say anything to their -
CLARA
Well, maybe they'll talk to a stranger.
The man has slowed. Clara runs up behind him and taps him on the shoulder.
CLARA (CONT'D)
Excuse me, could you tell me the way to get to -
The man growls at her, and she falters. He turns and walks more quickly the other way.
Vastra catches up to Clara.
VASTRA
They haven't done that before.
CLARA
Did you see his teeth?
VASTRA
What do you mean?
They begin walking again, close to an alley where a leg clad in black sticks out.
CLARA
They were... Pointy. Like shark teeth.
VASTRA
I confess, I hadn't noticed that.
CLARA
Yes, it's odd. And when he growled, he was like some sort of animal.
VASTRA
Maybe that's why they attack others after they come back?
She nearly stumbles over the leg sticking out of the alley. Looking down, she realizes what it is.
VASTRA (CONT'D)
Jenny?
She bends over, picking up the body - it is JENNY.
VASTRA (CONT'D)
Wake up, Jenny, come on... Clara, is she alive?
Clara feels Jenny's wrist for a pulse.
CLARA
Yes.
VASTRA
We need to get her back to the house.
CLARA
But what about the man? He's going someplace.
The man, by now, is towards the end of the street.
VASTRA
I won't leave her here.
CLARA
You take her back. I'll follow him.
Vastra hesitates.
VASTRA
All right. But if you get in any trouble, get back to the house immediately.
CLARA
I won't. He probably won't even notice me.
Vastra nods, picks Jenny up, and carries her away. Clara hurries after the man.
EXT. DESERTED STREET.
The MAN walks down the street, growing more and more suspicious. He turns around, but there is no one there.
After he has begun walking again, CLLRA peeks out from behind a building with a smile.
The man turns the corner into an alley, and, after a moment, Clara follows him.
EXT. ALLEY.
CLARA follows the MAN down the alley, struggling to see in the gloom.
When she reaches the end, she finds the man waiting for her.
He opens his mouth wide and his face transforms like that of the BOYS in the beginning.
CLARA
Oh, hello. Guess that's my cue.
Clara turns and runs up the alley, nearly crashing into a WOMAN.
CLARA (CONT'D)
Come with me, it's not safe -
The woman's expression is blank, and, just as Clara realizes this, the woman transforms, too.
Clara backs away, careful to stay away from the man.
CLARA (CONT'D)
What would the Doctor do, what would the Doctor do... Can't run don't have the screwdriver ,can't talk to them or reunite them with their long-lost loves...
She spots a chair in the garbage.
CLARA (CONT'D)
Oh!
Clara picks up the chair and bashes the man over the head with it, but the woman tackles her to the ground and leans over her, drooling. Clara shoves at the woman but it does nothing.
CHILLINGWOOD
Stop. Come back to me.
Both the man and the woman run to CHILLINGWOOD's side. He steps into the light, revealing himself as a grimy-looking man of nearly thirty.
CHILLINGWOOD (CONT'D)
What have we here? Another street urchin?
CLARA
I don't know who you think I am, sir, but they have no reason to attack me; I was just walking down the street.
CHILLINGWOOD
Secure her.
Chillingwood hands the woman a handkerchief. The woman walks over to Clara, and, after a struggle, places it against her nose and mouth. Clara collapses.
INT. DOCTOR'S ROOM.
STRAX enters, checking out something on his electronic device.
STRAX
No change, why do I need to be here when all he does is sleep? I told her that was the only cure.
Still grumbling, he checks THE DOCTOR's vitals to be sure and arranges his sheets.
VASTRA (O.S.)
Strax! Where are you?
STRAX
In the Doctor's room, Madame. I take it my suggestion of a search for Miss Jenny proved a success?
VASTRA enters, carrying JENNY.
VASTRA
Yes, I found her, but she's been knocked out. Could I put her here so that you can watch over both of them?
STRAX
Not another one!
VASTRA
I don't have time to argue about this, Strax. I left Clara out there tailing one of them. I've got to go back and get her.
STRAX
Very well.
VASTRA
Check on Jenny first, Strax; that way, I'll know before I go.
She sits at Jenny's side in the chair, and Strax begins working on his device.
INT. CHILLINGWOOD'S WAREHOUSE LAIR.
Several people are lying around, including the MAN, the WOMAN, and the BOYS from earlier. CLARA wakes to see JENNY watching her.
JENNY
Oh good, you're up!
CLARA
But - how did you get here? We saw you in the alley. Madame Vastra took you back home, I thought. Is she here, too?
JENNY
No, I haven't seen her. But how can you be here? I thought that you and the Doctor died!
CLARA
No, we made it out, just barely. He regenerated.
JENNY
Really? What's the new him look like?
CLARA
Tall - very tall - and older. We left him at the house because he's been asleep almost since he regenerated. But - do you remember escaping or being knocked out? Or us finding you in the alley?
JENNY
No, I can't say I do. I've been here ever since I was knocked out.
CLARA
Then who did Madame Vastra take home?
JENNY
I've got a theory. You see those two boys over there? They were the ones who attacked me. So I confronted them about it and nearly started a fight, but they don't remember it at all. And I've seen their teeth - they're normal, human teeth.
CLARA
And those two over there were the ones who attacked me!
JENNY
Yes, you see? So I think somehow he's making clones of us.
CLARA
He?
JENNY
The man who's in charge. I don't know who he is. He stopped them from attacking me. I don't even want to think about what happens to the others. I think they might get eaten.
CLARA
What happens to us?
JENNY
I don't know. Sometimes they come in and take people out and they never get seen again. They probably get eaten, too, or killed.
CLARA
Right, so we've got to get out of here.
JENNY
I've been trying for twenty-four hours. But now that I have someone else here, too...
CLARA
And we should try to get some of the others involved, too, if we can.
JENNY
We should do it soon, while my clone is unconscious.
Clara looks at her. Jenny smiles sweetly.
JENNY (CONT'D)
These monsters seem to have been given superhuman strength along with whatever fighting ability they had before. If I'm in a fight with Strax and the Madame... It's going to be dangerous.
INT. THE DOCTOR'S ROOM
THE DOCTOR and JENNY are still asleep. STRAX and VASTRA stand over Jenny's body, Strax looking at his device.
STRAX
She seems to be improving, Madame. Her vitals are stronger than I've ever seen them. But there's something odd...
He presses a few more buttons.
VASTRA
What is it?
STRAX
She's got... She's got some DNA in her that isn't human.
VASTRA
What?
STRAX
Yes. She is about ten percent -
Jenny leaps up suddenly, face stretching and morphing. She tackles Vastra, sending her flying into the wall.
STRAX (CONT'D)
I've got her, madame!
Strax and Vastra fight with Jenny. Jenny crushes them easily. She turns towards her intended meal, the human-looking Doctor, but he is no longer on the bed.
She turns around just in time to get in the head with the chair, and she is knocked unconscious. The Doctor stands over her
THE DOCTOR
Hmm. Seems hitting things with chairs is still something I do.
VASTRA
Doctor!
She and Strax stand up. Strax retrieves his device and gets to work healing himself and Vastra.
THE DOCTOR
Hello, Vastra, Strax. Good to see you all again; sorry it had to be in such circumstances. I'd advise a strong sedative for the creature on the bed.
STRAX
I've got one!
He raises his fist.
THE DOCTOR
No, I meant one of the ones that work on humans. Although she's not quite human, anymore.
STRAX
What is she, then?
THE DOCTOR
She is part alien now - someone's added in alien DNA to make her stronger and more aggressive. But where did they get it from, and why?
VASTRA
Is this... Is this Jenny?
THE DOCTOR
Oh, no, not quite; this is a clone. Even alien Jenny would be able to stop herself from attacking you immediately. She would still be able to think, I believe, and she would be able to resist the aggressive impulses, if only for a short time. Strax, the sedative.
STRAX
Right away, sir.
Strax leaves to get it.
THE DOCTOR
Where's Clara? I assume that she brought me here.
VASTRA
Yes, she did. We thought you were dead.
The Doctor leans over Jenny, examining her.
THE DOCTOR
I wasn't. I regenerated. But how did you three get off?
VASTRA
We went out the same way we came, by the trick grave, and we were looking for a way out when we suddenly found a stash of... Well, they were like watches, but they helped you travel in time.
THE DOCTOR
River's vortex manipulator.
VASTRA
Once we figured out how to use them, we got back here pretty quickly, and found a case to work on. But Clara told us how you got out -
THE DOCTOR
Yes, Clara. Where is she?
VASTRA
She and I were trying to solve the case. There are poor people disappearing, and when they reappear, they are emotionless. I suppose they've been replaced by their clones. We were tailing one of them when I found Jenny and brought her back here. Clara wants to stay because she wanted to find out where the man was going, so I told her to stay out of trouble -
Strax enters and injects the sedative into Jenny.
STRAX
It should be known that I heartily disapprove of this.
THE DOCTOR
You asked Clara to stay out of trouble, and you thought she'd listen?
Vastra is horrified.
VASTRA
Well.
THE DOCTOR
I've got to find her. Madame, come with me. Strax -
STRAX
You're leaving me here again? What's the point of a warrior if he doesn't fight?
THE DOCTOR
No, I think we might have need of you. Arm yourself.
STRAX
Thank you, sir!
He exits excitedly.
THE DOCTOR
Jenny - her clone - won't wake up; we don't need him here. But before we leave, one more thing.
He pats his coat and pockets, searching. Finally, he pulls out the sonic screwdriver.
THE DOCTOR (CONT'D)
There it is.
INT. INSIDE OF THE WAREHOUSE.
JENNY and CLARA have their plan ready and are trying to convince the others.
CLARA
All right, you lot, everyone listen up!
All prisoners look at Clara.
CLARA (CONT'D)
We've got a plan to get out of here, but we need your help!
WOMAN
You can't do it.
CLARA
What?
WOMAN
People have tried before, but they always disappear.
The other prisoners agree with her.
CLARA
Well, has everyone ever tried all together? Look, he sends out most of the clones into the street, right? So how many will he have in there? If we're the ones he's making them out of, there's bound to be less than our number.
BOY #1
I have no idea how to fight!
CLARA
Oh, I don't believe that; your clone nearly killed my friend here, and she's a top-notch fighter. I seriously doubt he can program the clones to fight well, can he? Come on, we aren't the rich elite; we know what real life is like. We've all been in a few scuffles. And he's chosen the healthy, strong ones on purpose, haven't you noticed? So how many of you have been in a fight?
Most of the crowd raises their hands.
CLARA (CONT'D)
How many one?
Only a few people put their hands down.
CLARA (CONT'D)
So you see, we can do this! We've got the numbers, we've got fighters, and we are not going to let some man take advantage of us! We are going to fight our way out of here! And, seriously, how many of us can he kill? He needs us for his clones!
Most of the prisoners look convinced.
JENNY
Here's the plan. Next time one of them brings us food, we're going to rush the door. We can do it, al right?
EXT. STREETS OF LONDON.
THE DOCTOR, VASTRA, and STRAX run down the street, Vastra and Strax with concealed weapons in their clothing. Vastra gestures to one of the street entrances.
VASTRA
Doctor, it was this way -
THE DOCTOR
No.
VASTRA
What?
THE DOCTOR
Whoever's doing this left chips in the clones' heads, possibly so that he could track their movements. However, the screwdriver can hack into that. It's coming from this way.
VASTRA
There were tracking chips in there the whole time -
The Doctor and Strax are ahead of her. She hurries to catch up.
INT. WAREHOUSE PRISON.
The prisoners, JENNY, and CLARA wait. A CLONE opens the door and brings in food.
CLARA
Now.
Jenny leads the charge and takes out the clone. Clara and all the other prisoners rush into the hall.
INT. WAREHOUSE HALL.
The prisoners, CLARA, and JENNY all spill out. There are a few CLONES in the hall, but they are quickly taken out by sheer number. They run down the hall towards what looks to be an exit.
INT. WAREHOUSE, MAIN ROOM.
The prisoners, CLARA, and JENNY charge into it to find a lab setup with lots of large pieces of scientific-looking equipment.
CHILLINGWOOD stands at the largest console. Enough CLONES are in the room to outnumber the prisoners.
JENNY
Clara, I think that we're outnumbered.
CLARA
Back! Back! Other way! Other way!
CHILLINGWOOD
Shut the door behind them.
Several clones stop prisoners from leaving and shut the door. Chillingwood walks over to them.
CHILLINGWOOD (CONT'D)
Now what's going on here?
CLARA
Don't be intimidated. He can't kill us; he needs us!
CHILLINGWOOD
Do I? No, not really. I have clones of most of you already. As for the others, well, I can find more. Do what you want with them.
One of the clones grabs BOY #2, and leans in to take a bite.
Screaming, Jenny tries to fight, and most of the prisoners try to rum, but there is nowhere to go until lasers are seen taking out some of the clones.
VASTRA and STRAX come in with guns, shooting the clones. Before long, the majority of the clones are dead.
CHILLINGWOOD (CONT'D)
I told you, it doesn't matter. I can make more if I want to, even if you destroy all of my clones, or take me away from here. They're still out there, still waiting -
THE DOCTOR
Not anymore, they aren't.
THE DOCTOR's behind him, at the machinery. He points his screwdriver at it and it sparks and breaks. The remaining clones fall to the ground.
THE DOCTOR (CONT'D)
Sonic screwdriver. Does wonders to technology, especially when you've implanted that technology in clones' brains.
CHILLINGWOOD
Sonic screwdriver? You're -
THE DOCTOR
The Doctor, precisely. Pleasure to meet you.
CHILLINGWOOD
Oh, I heard about you. I knew the man who became the Great Intelligence. His plan was good, but he lacked genius.
THE DOCTOR
And you have genius?
CHILLINGWOOD
Yes, I have genius. That's why I knew to go to outsiders for help. I searched, for a decade, until I found proof of what I've always suspected - there are aliens here on Earth. And I enlisted their help and they gave me the technology to achieve my goal. That's why it doesn't even matter that you destroyed my equipment, Doctor, for they'll give me more than before-
THE DOCTOR
Achieve your goal?
CHILLINGWOOD
To fix human evolution. Darwin was right, Doctor; as a species we are evolving, but we are going the wrong way. The rich are taking advantage of the poor, using our hard work to keep themselves healthy and strong. So I'm changing that. I'm remaking the world so the ones who work hard are the ones who survive.
THE DOCTOR
By making clones of them?
CHILLINGWOOD
By giving them an advantage. And if that advantage comes from an outside source, why does it matter?
THE DOCTOR
You're cheating, that's why it matters, and, what's more, you're doing it incorrectly. These clones have been eating people. Their aggression can't be controlled. You've made a foolish and reckless decision.
CHILLINGWOOD
Have I? Or have I just stopped humans from thinking that they're the top of the food chain? Only with predator can we truly evolve as a species, can the weak rich be picked off so that the strong will survive. And if humans are wiped out altogether by my master race, is that really so bad?
THE DOCTOR
You're talking about possibly wiping out the human race so that you can control it?
CHILLINGWOOD
I'm adding a challenge for humans, so they'll have a chance to survive. They'll have to resort to fairness. Why should I be denied a job because I don't have the money or the connections? Because I couldn't afford the best education? So I'm going to change things, and now, the ones who survive will be the ones who work for it!
THE DOCTOR
You're mad. And, also, I feel I must inform you that you've failed.
CHILLINGWOOD
What?
THE DOCTOR
I know the alien species you met. They are a proud folk who value success over anything else. If you go back to them and tell them you've failed and ruined several pieces of expensive equipment, you most certainly will not survive the encounter. And if someone else told them - for example, a distinguished alien such as myself - the consequences would be even worse. I would keep your head down if I were you. My associates will be watching.
Chillingwood sneers as the Doctor leaves the platform. Vastra, Strax, Clara, and Jenny are staring at him.
THE DOCTOR (CONT'D)
Come on, let's leave here. Strax, I trust you know what to do with the building and equipment.
STRAX
Yes - yes, sir.
The Doctor leaves, followed by Vastra and Jenny, now arm-in-arm, Clara, and the rest of the prisoners.
EXT. STRAX, VASTRA, AND JENNY'S HOUSE.
A muffled explosion is heard.
INT. DOCTOR'S BEDROOM.
The body of JENNY's clone has been removed. Jenny and CLARA are remaking the bed.
JENNY
He really has changed after his regeneration. I didn't think it would alter his personality so much.
CLARA
I know. I - I kind of miss him being childish and energetic.
JENNY
Well, maybe he'll become more like himself once he's feeling better. But killing all of those clones like that... It's not who he used to be. Just - don't leave him, Clara.
CLARA
I'm not planning on it.
JENNY
The adjustment might be hard, but he can't be on his own again. Last time was... Not very good.
CLARA
I won't. It'll just take some getting used to, but the Doctor is the Doctor.
THE DOCTOR enters.
THE DOCTOR
Ready to go?
CLARA
Yes, Doctor. Bye, Jenny.
JENNY
Bye, Clara. Bye, Doctor.
THE DOCTOR
We'll meet again, I'm certain.
INT. TARDIS.
CLARA and THE DOCTOR enter. The Doctor hesitates over the controls.
THE DOCTOR
Hold on, I need to make one more stop.
INT. VICTORIAN SUIT SHOP.
THE DOCTOR strolls down the aisle, pulling objects off the racks. CLARA follows him.
CLARA
Doctor, what are you doing?
THE DOCTOR
A new suit. I'm a new Doctor; I need a new suit.
He goes behind a rack and comes out, clothed in a new suit and fingering the material of his old bow tie with an air of nostalgia.
CLARA
Very nice.
THE DOCTOR
Yes, I feel much better, much more dignified. Well, Clara, shall we go?
He offers his arm to her jokingly. Clara is relieved that he still has a sense of humor and takes it.
CLARA
Certainly, my lord.
With one long glance at the bow tie, the Doctor lets the material slip through his fingers and fall to the ground behind them.
INT. TARDIS.
THE DOCTOR is watching the controls. CLARA is watching him.
THE DOCTOR
What do you want to ask me?
CLARA
The clones... You killed them all. And you knew that you were doing it.
THE DOCTOR pauses in working the controls, turning to face her.
THE DOCTOR
They weren't - well, it's hard to explain, Clara.
CLARA
It's never been hard to explain before.
THE DOCTOR
They were like the Daleks. Did you ever meet them? The original you?
CLARA
The Exterminators, right? You told me about them.
THE DOCTOR
Yes. All they want to do, all they can do, is kill, kill, kill. It was the same with the clones. The fusion with the aliens just made them more aggressive, incapable of thinking or reasoning. They could obey orders from their creator but nothing more.
CLARA
So you killed them.
THE DOCTOR
They would have killed a lot more people otherwise.
The TARDIS stops.
THE DOCTOR (CONT'D)
Here we are.
The Doctor opens the door and he and Clara walk out. The Doctor stays with his back to the TARDIS.
THE DOCTOR (CONT'D)
See you next week?
CLARA
Yeah, next week.
She turns to wave to him and freezes - standing next to the Doctor is a member of the SILENCE.
THE DOCTOR
Clara? Clara, what's wrong?
CLARA looks at him and forgets.
CLARA
I - nothing. That's funny. I don't remember. Well, thank you, and goodbye.
THE DOCTOR
Farewell.
The Doctor turns and reenters the TARDIS. Clara walks back into her house, sending a worried look behind her before closing the door.
Hi. I'm writing episode 8x04 and it's not clear who exactly is the part time UNIT companion that will join. I that we voted for one, but I can't find it on the blog. Do you know where I can find it?
Soo, I don't know exactly what you guys were thinking when we were talking about outfits but I was talking about this-- Tuxedo Jeanne Lanvin 1927 --only, y'know with colours...
Was this the exact one you had in mind? I really like it; it looks perfect.
Awesome, I'm glad you're ok with it being Doctor-lite, as you said. I think it's going to work really well with the themes of the episode. That being said, I am way behind! My son and I caught some horrible preschool mutated virus that has had me with a fever the past week and a half, plus I have a new full-time job. I'm going to do my best to have the first draft by Saturday as scheduled, but it may not be 100% done by then.
That's completely fine - as it is, 8x01 and 8x02 are both going to be submitted late as well, and the publish dates are most definitely flexible. Thank you for keeping me updated!
Hey, just a quick heads up, I'm leaning heavily toward this being a "no-Doctor" episode. Every time I try to write in 12, it feels really heavy-handed and clunky. I don't think we have any plans for one this series yet, so if it's all right, I'd love to have episode 3 be River-centric with Clara and some others as companions, with appearances of 10 and 12. Is this all right?
Definitely, and thank you so much for letting me know in advance. The Doctor-lite episodes tend to be, in my opinion, some of the most interesting, and I'm looking forward to the dynamic between River and Clara. :)
Voting for the final cast member is now closed; Sammy Sheik will play Ben Hassan, who will appear as a full-time companion from 8x08 through at least the Christmas Special.
I know that the original due date for 8x01 was August 31, but after talking to crabcrabcrab, I decided to extend it because the writers were having some communications issues. Ideally, though, 8x02 would still be in next Saturday (September 7). Anyone who's currently working on a script, please message me and tell me how it's going! I'd love to hear, and, of course, to help out if you've encountered any problems.
Additionally, if you haven't been added to the side blog for script drafts yet, please message me with your email address (note: it won't be published; I'll just use it to add you and then delete it). Also, if you haven't voted in this poll yet for our final companion's actor, please do! I'll leave it up for 24 more hours, as I don't think many people saw it originally, and then our cast will be rounded out.
Either Mido Hamada or Sammy Sheik will join Tom Hiddleston, Jenna Coleman, and Eliza Bennett as full-time companion Ben Hassan, to be introduced in episode 8x08. Please vote for the actor!
I'm sorry, my brain has like, checked out of itself. I WILL get the companion profiles up tomorrow, I swear on Benlee's life. So sorry. I feel terrible. This week has been super busy for me and it isn't slowing down any time soon. But I will do it! Creatively, your Consultant ~union-jack-harkness
Okay, this system's only worked for one person so far... so if you haven't received an invitation yet, please message me with your email address and I'll try inviting you that way.
I think I've officially sent out invitations for the private blog to every writer. If you didn't get one, please tell me, and if you haven't accepted within forty-eight hours, I'll resend.
Quick reminder that the first draft for 8x01 is due in just a little under two weeks! I'm in the process of setting up the writers-only blog right now so that there's a private place to post them. How's it going, writers? Do you think that you'll be able to meet the deadline (August 31)?
Creative Consultant here! Sorry I've been absent lately. Been pretty busy, got two new pets! I will have the potential full time companion profiles up next week, I promise! Big shout out to crabcrabcrab for all the suggestions. Message me with any comments or questions. ~union-jack-harkness
