The Space Pirates
5:15pm - 5:40pm
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1: SPACE
(A huge beacon - a large decagonal structure made of eight pre-fabricated sections, a docking station and a power shield section - hangs in the blackness and silence of space. The words on the side of the structure designate it as "ALPHA 1". A smaller black, pointed ship moves up next to and docks with the beacon.)
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2: INT. SPACE BEACON ALPHA ONE. AIRLOCK
(The pressure gauge in the airlock reaches normal and the doorway from the new ship buzzes opens to admit three men dressed in helmets and space armour. They carry various pieces of equipment. One of them is an older moustached man - DERVISH. He is dressed in a uniform and helmet of the same ilk. He watches as one of the other two men moves to the doorway which leads into the beacon itself and starts to open it.)
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3: SPACE
(Soon, outside the beacon, two men in helmeted spacesuits traverse along the hull. As they do so, they attach a small magnetic devices to the outside of the beacon along with a propulsion unit.)
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4: INT. SPACE BEACON ALPHA ONE. PASSAGEWAY
(CAVEN, the leader of the raiders, walks into the beacon from the airlock. He wears a ribbed and armoured uniform with a helmet which covers most of his head but leaves his nose, mouth and cold eyes exposed.)
CAVEN: Dervish... (Shouts.) Dervish!
(DERVISH walks up to him from within the beacon.)
DERVISH: We're nearly finished.
CAVEN: About time.
DERVISH: Our men are just coming. We'll detonate by radio beam.
CAVEN: Right, hurry it up.
(The other two men return and they all re-enter their ship. The door to the airlock buzzes closed behind them.)
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5: SPACE
(The ship moves away from the beacon. A radio signal transmits from the ship and, seconds later, a huge explosion takes place that breaks the beacon up into its component sections.)
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6: SPACE
(A V-Ship, a large military cruiser with the registration number V41-LO, moves through space. It is flat with an small Eagle design on the front of the ship.)
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7: INT. V-SHIP FLIGHT DECK
(Inside the ship, the flight deck is on two levels. The upper level, whose front panel is decorated also with an Eagle insignia, is the command area whilst the flight technicians sit on the lower level. A large monitor screen dominates one of the walls of the lower level. All the occupants of the ship wear space-age military uniforms consisting of silvery suits with metallic interlocked diamond collar insignia. MAJOR IAN WARNE, the young American second in command, walks into the room and past TECHNICIAN PENN, another young man with dark hair and a moustache, on the lower level.)
MAJOR IAN WARNE: Everything all right, Penn?
TECHNICIAN PENN: Fine, sir.
MAJOR IAN WARNE: Fine.
(WARNE makes his way up to the upper level by way of some steps at the back and approaches an older grey-haired man who sits in a command chair overlooking the flight deck. The dais in front of the chair is covered by a large astral grid-map. At the back of the command level is a small monitor screen.)
MAJOR IAN WARNE: You sent for me, sir?
(GENERAL HERMACK looks up and speaks in a rich clipped tone.)
GENERAL HERMACK: Ah yes. Ian, sit down.
(WARNE sits in the chair next to him.)
MAJOR IAN WARNE: Thank you.
GENERAL HERMACK: Any information on that beacon signal yet?
MAJOR IAN WARNE: No sir. There's been no response to the secondary emergency circuits either.
GENERAL HERMACK: No, there wouldn't be.
MAJOR IAN WARNE: Sir?
GENERAL HERMACK: What do you think has happened to that beacon?
MAJOR IAN WARNE: Well, it's difficult to say, sir. It could be a failure in the solar energy store.
GENERAL HERMACK: No, the emergency power would operate and we'd get a May-Day signal.
MAJOR IAN WARNE: Well?
(WARNE considers, then...)
MAJOR IAN WARNE: Oh, you don't think this is a mechanical failure, sir?
GENERAL HERMACK: No, no, I don't. These beacons are practically fool proof.
MAJOR IAN WARNE: You got any ideas?
GENERAL HERMACK: Yes, I have. And I must be right - Argonite! These beacons are almost entirely constructed of Argonite.
MAJOR IAN WARNE: Of course, sir! What are you going to do about it?
(HERMACK turns to the controls in front of his chair and switches on the ship wide communications. He picks up a microphone and speaks into it as all the personnel on the flight deck stop and listen to the echoing message...)
GENERAL HERMACK: (Into microphone.) Attention all personnel. This is General Hermack. Your V-Ship is now fifty days and many billions of miles out from Earth. You're entering the fourth sector of our galaxy. In this sector for some time now, Earth Government has been aware that a highly organised gang of criminals have been roaming the space ways, and preying upon defenceless cargo ships. The main target of these criminals is Argonite, the most valuable mineral known to man, and so far only found on the planets of the Fourth Sector. A government space beacon marking the approaches to the planet New Sarum has ceased transmitting its navigation signal. These beacons, as you know, are constructed of Argonite. It is my belief that the criminals are attacking the government navigation beacons and plundering the Argonite. There can be no other explanation for its failure. This being the case, I have decided to...abandon our present mission and to investigate the missing beacon in the New Sarum sector. I want all section commanders on the bridge at twenty hundred hours, sector four, solar time. Resume normal duties until then.
(He switches off and turns back to WARNE who gestures to the grid map.)
MAJOR IAN WARNE: There are eighteen space beacons cra...scattered across this sector, sir.
GENERAL HERMACK: Seventeen, Ian, until the one at New Sarum's replaced.
MAJOR IAN WARNE: Seventeen. And they're millions of miles apart.
GENERAL HERMACK: Mmm hmm.
MAJOR IAN WARNE: So how can we be sure which one the pirates are likely to attack next?
GENERAL HERMACK: (Smiles.) Ha ha! We can't.
MAJOR IAN WARNE: Well exactly. The odds are seventeen to one against us being in the right place at the right time.
GENERAL HERMACK: Ah! With our speed, I think we can cut those odds a bit.
(He also points to the map.)
GENERAL HERMACK: Now, there are four beacons in the Pliny Solar System here. That is where we'll start our patrol.
[SCENE_BREAK]
8: SPACE
(Beacon "ALPHA 7" is as seemingly as peaceful in the blackness of space as its recently destroyed counterpart. Again, the sleek, pointed ship docks with the structure.)
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9: INT. SPACE BEACON ALPHA SEVEN. AIRLOCK
(Again the airlock gauge rises and the door to the newly arrived ship buzzes open. CAVEN and DERVISH both enter the airlock followed by the two space-suited pirates who again carry their equipment and start to ready it. CAVEN watches the two men impatiently.)
CAVEN: (Urgently.) Come on! Speed it up.
DERVISH: Caven, I don't like this.
CAVEN: Nobody's asking you to like it. Just get those scissor charges laid into position.
DERVISH: If we attack any more beacons we'll have the whole of the Interstella Space Corps in this sector.
CAVEN: Look. As of this moment, the Space Corps has its hands full of trouble. Brush fire wars in three different sectors . There's never been a better time for getting rich.
(DERVISH opens the door to the beacon.)
DERVISH: Right lads. Now we'll lay four charges along the main axle, then we'll attach booster charges around the hull. Okay.
(The two pirates move into the beacon. DERVISH is about to follow but CAVEN stops him.)
CAVEN: You're a good engineer, Dervish. Just do your job and leave the Space Corps to me, eh?
DERVISH: Okay, but I worked ten years for Earth Government.
CAVEN: You should've stayed with them. They'd have given you a pension.
(CAVEN laughs.)
DERVISH: Attacking Government property is one crime they make sure never pays.
CAVEN: Sixteen hundred tons of pure Argonite pays all right, Dervish. To me this is like a floating bank.
(CAVEN laughs again and the two men step into the beacon.)
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10: SPACE
(The two space-suited pirates float along the outside of Beacon Alpha Seven, again placing charges and a propulsion unit.)
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11: INT. V-SHIP FLIGHT DECK
(WARNE is on the lower command deck and stops before the station of TECHNICIAN PENN.)
MAJOR IAN WARNE: What range are the forward scanners set for, Penn?
TECHNICIAN PENN: Fifteen hundred, sir.
MAJOR IAN WARNE: Well, reset them at, er, two thousand. Right?
TECHNICIAN PENN: Very good, sir.
MAJOR IAN WARNE: And keep a sharp eye on that screen. There are lots of rogue asteroids in the Pliny System.
TECHNICIAN PENN: Sir.
(WARNE steps up to the upper deck where HERMACK is giving instructions to another part of the V-Ship through the tannoy system.)
GENERAL HERMACK: (Into microphone.) Oh and one thing more. Make sure the Minnow ships are fully fuelled, and put the detonation heads on their missiles. Report back as soon as that is done.
(HERMACK finishes giving his instructions.)
MAJOR IAN WARNE: We're approaching the Pliny system now, sir. We've made scanner contact with the four beacons. They're functioning normally.
GENERAL HERMACK: Ah good.
(He looks over the astral chart and indicates one point on it.)
GENERAL HERMACK: Now this - the planet Ta here - is the main one in the system. We'll orbit here for a few weeks and see what happens.
MAJOR IAN WARNE: So that's Ta, huh?
GENERAL HERMACK: Ah, you've heard of it?
MAJOR IAN WARNE: Yeah, that's the headquarters of the Issigri Mining Corporation. The most productive planet in the entire galaxy.
GENERAL HERMACK: Hm hmm. Madeleine Issigri has built quite a place there. Which is one reason for basing ourselves in the Pliny system.
MAJOR IAN WARNE: Why's that a reason, sir?
GENERAL HERMACK: Well, if we're out here long, Ian, the men will need somewhere for rest and recreation. Deep space sickness is the one thing we can't chance.
(PENN calls up from his lower deck station.)
TECHNICIAN PENN: Major Warne?
MAJOR IAN WARNE: What is it Penn?
TECHNICIAN PENN: I've got a contact sir. At...
(He checks the radar scanner.)
TECHNICIAN PENN: Beacon Alpha Seven.
MAJOR IAN WARNE: Well hold on it. Any identification?
TECHNICIAN PENN: No sir. Too far away.
(HERMACK studies PENN'S screen from the upper level.)
GENERAL HERMACK: Ah, it's a space ship right enough. Check central flight information, Ian, and see if anyone should be out there.
MAJOR IAN WARNE: Right sir.
(WARNE walks off to check and HERMACK shouts our an order to his crew.)
GENERAL HERMACK: Change course for Beacon Alpha Seven.
(He then speaks through the ship's tannoy system.)
GENERAL HERMACK: (Into microphone.) Bridge to Power Room, I want ten seconds main boost.
(The rising sound of the engines echoes through the room. WARNE returns with his report.)
MAJOR IAN WARNE: According to flight information, sir, there should be no ships in the area within the next seventeen days.
GENERAL HERMACK: Ah, well whoever they are they've not yet reported to central flight information.
MAJOR IAN WARNE: Do you think it's the Pirates?
GENERAL HERMACK: It could be. Though some of these commercial flights don't always like to report their whereabouts, er, for reasons of their own. Anyway we shall soon know.
[SCENE_BREAK]
12: SPACE
(The pirate ship moves away from Beacon Alpha Seven and off into space.)
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13: INT. V-SHIP FLIGHT DECK
(This movement shows on PENN'S radar screen.)
TECHNICIAN PENN: She's backing off, sir.
GENERAL HERMACK: Keep track of her.
(The blip on the screen gathers pace as they all watch.)
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12: SPACE
(The pirate ship moves further off.)
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14: INT. V-SHIP FLIGHT DECK
TECHNICIAN PENN: She's moving quite fast, sir.
MAJOR IAN WARNE: Got a good turn of speed for a commercial.
GENERAL HERMACK: Is Beacon Alpha Seven still functioning?
(WARNE checks a reading.)
TECHNICIAN PENN: Yes, sir. Very strong signal.
GENERAL HERMACK: Ah, well, that's something.
MAJOR IAN WARNE: Maybe they were just picking up emergency supplies, sir. Some of these beacons do carry reserve medical and oxygen equipment.
TECHNICIAN PENN: (Puzzled.) Sir, I've... got another signal coming in now. It's a UHF!
MAJOR IAN WARNE: UHF? Well that's reserved for demolition teams.
GENERAL HERMACK: Well, put it on audio.
TECHNICIAN PENN: Yes sir.
(PENN does as instructed and the warbling signal is heard across the flight deck issuing from a loudspeaker.)
[SCENE_BREAK]
15: SPACE
(Space Beacon Alpha Seven explodes, again not into fragments but into its component pre-fabricated sections.)
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16: INT. V-SHIP FLIGHT DECK
TECHNICIAN PENN: Alpha Seven's broken up, sir!
GENERAL HERMACK: (Angrily.) Argh! Right under our noses. Main boost.
(Again the sound of the rising engines is heard.)
TECHNICIAN PENN: Lost the beacon, sir. No more signal.
MAJOR IAN WARNE: No there won't be. It's probably in a dozen separate bits by now.
GENERAL HERMACK: Penn, hold contact with that pirate ship!
TECHNICIAN PENN: Yes, sir.
GENERAL HERMACK: At least we can be sure they don't get away. Ian give me a projected arrival, time.
(WARNE checks a console.)
MAJOR IAN WARNE: Three hours, sir. Maybe I can get a visual on the main scanner.
(In place of the image of the radar signal, a picture of a pirate ship and the beacon fragments appears on the front view screen.)
MAJOR IAN WARNE: There she is, sir. And that's what's left of the beacon.
GENERAL HERMACK: (Pleased.) Oh we've got them cold, Ian! We'll be onto them long before they get rid of that salvaged scrap.
MAJOR IAN WARNE: Yeah, providing she doesn't see us approaching, sir.
GENERAL HERMACK: They don't know...
TECHNICIAN PENN: That ship looks fast...
GENERAL HERMACK: They don't know we're in the same area.
(Suddenly the image on the screen starts to become less distinct.)
GENERAL HERMACK: What's wrong with the scanner?
MAJOR IAN WARNE: Seem to be losing visual contact, sir.
TECHNICIAN PENN: The ship's moving away, sir.
GENERAL HERMACK: What?
TECHNICIAN PENN: Just started to go...and the beacon debris's going with her.
GENERAL HERMACK: Hold that contact, Penn!
TECHNICIAN PENN: It's no good, sir. She's going too fast.
GENERAL HERMACK: They must have twice our speed.
MAJOR IAN WARNE: Maybe the minnows can hold her?
GENERAL HERMACK: Not at this distance. They haven't the fuel.
TECHNICIAN PENN: Lost contact, sir.
GENERAL HERMACK: (Resigned.) Oh...hold the same course.
TECHNICIAN PENN: Sir.
GENERAL HERMACK: Keep searching.
MAJOR IAN WARNE: They must have attached rocket units to the beacon, sir, the way it moved off.
GENERAL HERMACK: Yes. They're very well organised. They cut the beacon into several manageable pieces by means of scissor charges, then shoot the bits off to some pre-arranged collection point. Very clever.
MAJOR IAN WARNE: And quick. It cuts down the time they're at risk. And they just burn out the Argonite at their leisure.
GENERAL HERMACK: Ian, we shall have to rethink our tactics. We shall never catch them by normal patrol methods.
MAJOR IAN WARNE: What else can we do, sir?
GENERAL HERMACK: (Thinks.) Man the beacons.
MAJOR IAN WARNE: Man them?
GENERAL HERMACK: It's the only answer. We'll drop small parties of four or five men on each beacon, and give them rations and supplies for two months. Well all these mark five beacons were designed as emergency survival centres.
MAJOR IAN WARNE: Yes sir, but I don't think anybody has ever tried living on them. Some of these beacons are pretty primitive.
GENERAL HERMACK: (Snaps.) I'm not interested in men's comfort, Major! Set course for the nearest beacon.
MAJOR IAN WARNE: Yes, sir.
[SCENE_BREAK]
17: SPACE
(Some time later, the V-Ship docks with another Space Beacon - Alpha Four, in order to carry out HERMACK'S strategy.)
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18: INT. SPACE BEACON ALPHA FOUR. AIRLOCK
(The airlock pressure rises and the hatch from the V-Ship opens to admit the dark-skinned LT. SORBA and four other men who carry their guns and rations for their protracted stay. WARNE follows them into the airlock and small box-shaped communicator with a round aerial on top of it.)
MAJOR IAN WARNE: Here's your radio, lieutenant. It's beamed automatically to main control. All you have to do in the event of trouble is press this button, right?
LT. SORBA: Don't worry, I'll press it.
MAJOR IAN WARNE: Remember your main job here is to give us the earliest possible warning in the event of the pirate ship approaching right?
LT. SORBA: And after that, we fight them.
MAJOR IAN WARNE: After that, I think you'll have to, Joe. Good Luck.
LT. SORBA: Thank you.
MAJOR IAN WARNE: See you in about six weeks.
LT. SORBA: I hope.
(WARNE goes through the airlock and back into the V-Ship. The door closes behind him.)
[SCENE_BREAK]
19: SPACE
(The V-Ship disconnects from the Beacon and moves off.)
[SCENE_BREAK]
20: INT. V-SHIP FLIGHT DECK
(WARNE walks back onto the flight deck through the opening door as HERMACK gives the order to go onto their next destination.)
GENERAL HERMACK: Set a course for Alpha Nine.
TECHNICIAN PENN: Very good, sir.
MAJOR IAN WARNE: I told Lieutenant Sorba we'd be back in about six weeks, sir.
GENERAL HERMACK: Or much earlier if the pirates raid Alpha Four. How's morale on the picket?
MAJOR IAN WARNE: Oh, it's pretty high sir. I think they're hoping for the chance of a party.
GENERAL HERMACK: They understand they have to shoot on sight?
MAJOR IAN WARNE: Yes sir, I told them. No, anybody poking their nose aboard Alpha Four will find plenty of trouble waiting for 'em.
[SCENE_BREAK]
21: INT. SPACE BEACON ALPHA FOUR. COMPUTER BAY
(The TARDIS materialises in the middle of this potential battlefield. Its arrival point is a cramped computer bay in one of the sections.)
[SCENE_BREAK]
22: INT. SPACE BEACON ALPHA FOUR. COMPANIONWAY
(Meanwhile, LT. SORBA is briefing three of his men in one of the narrow companionways of the beacon. As he does so, the fourth of his SPACE GUARDS climbs down a ladder into the companionway.)
LT. SORBA: Now we're going to be here for about six weeks. Settle down...
(The SPACE GUARD pushes through him comrades.)
SPACE GUARD: 'Scuse me.
LT. SORBA: ...and keep your eyes open. Take care about...
SPACE GUARD: (Interrupts.) Sir!
LT. SORBA: What? What are you doing here? Why aren't you in the observation tower?
SPACE GUARD: There's something in the computer bay, sir.
LT. SORBA: Something? Well what do you mean by that?
SPACE GUARD: I heard something in there, sir - a noise.
LT. SORBA: All right, we'd better check it out then. Come on.
(The men run off towards the computer bay with their guns held.)
[SCENE_BREAK]
23: INT. SPACE BEACON ALPHA FOUR. COMPUTER BAY
(The DOCTOR steps out of the TARDIS and looks round his darkened surroundings. The TARDIS is at the back of the small compartment on a raised platform. In front of the platform is a square piece of machinery.)
DOCTOR: Oh dear.
(ZOE, dressed in light-coloured hotpants and matching top, steps out of the TARDIS behind him.)
ZOE: Well, what's wrong?
DOCTOR: Well, I...well, I don't think we're...we're quite where I expected.
(JAMIE mutters in no great surprise. The DOCTOR spots the piece of machinery and starts to look over it.)
DOCTOR: But never mind. This looks very interesting.
JAMIE: Interesting? A piece of old machinery?
DOCTOR: Yes. I...I've never seen a computer quite like this before, Jamie.
(ZOE starts to look round the compartment.)
ZOE: It looks like some sort of control room.
DOCTOR: Yes, but what does it control?
JAMIE: Ah, well I think we'd better get out of here before somebody catches us.
ZOE: Good idea.
(She indicates a door to her left.)
ZOE: There's a door here.
JAMIE: No, Zoe, I meant in the TARDIS.
DOCTOR: Jamie, stop worrying. There's obviously nobody here.
JAMIE: Well, how do you know that?
DOCTOR: Well, this machine is programmed to operate by itself.
JAMIE: Eh?
ZOE: Yes, but what does it do?
DOCTOR: Well, I'm not sure Zoe, but I...I think we're on an unmanned spacecraft in a...in a fixed orbit. We're...we're too far away from anywhere to be a...a weather satellite. Let's see what, er, what clues we can find through here, shall we?
(They are about to leave the computer bay through the hatchway indicated by ZOE into the corridor when JAMIE sees a floor panel opening in the upper level of the bay.)
JAMIE: What's that?
DOCTOR: What?
(Before JAMIE can answer, SORBA pops his head through and starts firing at the trio.)
JAMIE: Doctor!
ZOE: Oh Jamie, run!
(The DOCTOR, JAMIE and ZOE bolt into the corridor, but away from the computer bay and the TARDIS. JAMIE slams the hatch behind him.)
[SCENE_BREAK]
24: INT. SPACE BEACON ALPHA FOUR. CORRIDOR
JAMIE: Nobody here eh?
ZOE: Oh now what are we going to do? The TARDIS is in there.
DOCTOR: There's only one thing we can do.
ZOE: What?
DOCTOR: Run.
JAMIE: Well, maybe next time you'll listen to me.
ZOE: If there is a next time.
(They dash off as the hatch opens with SORBA and his men in pursuit. SORBA turns round to his men.)
LT. SORBA: All right there are only three of them and they can't get away. Hunt them down and don't forget - shoot to kill.
(They carry on the chase.)
[SCENE_BREAK]
25: SPACE
(Meanwhile, the Pirates' beta dart ship docks with Beacon Alpha Four.)
[SCENE_BREAK]
26: INT. SPACE BEACON ALPHA FOUR. AIRLOCK
(The airlock buzzes open and CAVEN and DERVISH step through, looking round.)
CAVEN: Alpha Four. Another present from the home planet's tax payers.
DERVISH: Same procedure as last time?
CAVEN: Yes, Dervish, but now that you've had a little practice get those scissor charges laid a bit quicker eh?
(The sound of shots from SORBA and his men reach them.)
DERVISH: Hey, what's that? Caven, those were blaster guns!
CAVEN: Get the crew in here - at the double.
(DERVISH moves back through the airlock into the beta dart to get the crew.)
[SCENE_BREAK]
27: INT. SPACE BEACON ALPHA FOUR. ANOTHER CORRIDOR
(The TARDIS crew, somewhat out of breath, run into another corridor and lock the connecting door behind them.)
JAMIE: Are you all right, Zoe?
ZOE: Yes, I think so.
(The DOCTOR turns a locking bar on the hatch door.)
DOCTOR: That should hold them for a little while.
ZOE: Oh, why are they trying to kill us? We haven't done anything.
JAMIE: (Indignantly.) No!
DOCTOR: I don't know. But we're certainly not stopping to find out.
(A strange sound reaches them.)
JAMIE: What's that? (Points.) Look!
(The light of a thermic lance appears on the door as SORBA and his men start to cut their way through.)
DOCTOR: Come on. Let's find somewhere else to hide.
(They run down the corridor into another room.)
[SCENE_BREAK]
28: INT. SPACE BEACON ALPHA FOUR. CORRIDOR
(SORBA and his men continue cutting through the door.)
[SCENE_BREAK]
29: INT. SPACE BEACON ALPHA FOUR. COMPARTMENT
(The TARDIS crew find that they have reached a dead end. They are on another small platform which has a handrail running along it. On the right hand side of the lower level is a bank of machinery.)
JAMIE: Doctor, there's no way out of here.
DOCTOR: What?
JAMIE: Look!
ZOE: (Plaintively.) Oh Doctor, what can we do?
DOCTOR: Well, I don't know. If we go down there we'll bump straight into them. I'm afraid we're trapped!
[SCENE_BREAK]
30: INT. SPACE BEACON ALPHA FOUR. CORRIDOR
(The pirates catch up with the space corps and shoot down SORBA'S men in front of the doorway they are still cutting through. As SORBA collapses, he uses the radio beam to send out a distress signal.)
[SCENE_BREAK]
31: INT. V-SHIP FLIGHT DECK
TECHNICIAN PENN: Thirty minutes from Beacon Alpha Three, sir
GENERAL HERMACK: Right, warn the picket to stand by on C deck, Ian.
MAJOR IAN WARNE: Right, sir.
(He is about to step away, but an alarm beep starts to be heard in the room.)
TECHNICIAN PENN: Emergency from Beacon Alpha Four, sir!
MAJOR IAN WARNE: Sorba's being attacked!
GENERAL HERMACK: Set course for Alpha Four. Try and get me a visual on the scanner, Ian.
TECHNICIAN PENN: On course, sir.
(HERMACK speaks into the communicator.)
GENERAL HERMACK: (Into microphone.) Bridge to Power House: I want main boost for as long as you can hold it without vapourising the motors.
[SCENE_BREAK]
32: INT. SPACE BEACON ALPHA FOUR. CORRIDOR
(CAVEN and his men are standing over the bodies of the space corps guards. CAVEN notices SORBA is still moving.)
CAVEN: This one's still alive.
DERVISH: So the Space Corps were too busy to bother about us eh?
CAVEN: (Harshly.) Shut up! I'm thinking.
DERVISH: There's no time for thinking - we've got to get out of here!
CAVEN: Four space guards and an officer. What are they doing here?
DERVISH: There must be a cruiser in the area.
CAVEN: Not a big enough crew to defend the beacon, but they must have been put on board for a reason.
(He notices the radio beam device near SORBA'S hand. He picks it up to examine it.)
CAVEN: What's this?
DERVISH: It looks like a fixed beam transmitter. (Realises.) Why that's it! Well, they'll...they'll be on their way back here by now.
CAVEN: (Quietly.) Then you'd better get moving.
DERVISH: Well, you don't still want the beacon cutting up?
CAVEN: That's what we came here to do.
DERVISH: Well, you might...!
CAVEN: (Interrupts.) Don't waste time. Get on with it.
(As DERVISH walks off, CAVEN takes out his gun and destroys the transmitter...)
[SCENE_BREAK]
33: INT. V-SHIP FLIGHT DECK
(...and the signal on the flight deck cuts out.)
MAJOR IAN WARNE: Could be their radio's packed up, sir?
GENERAL HERMACK: Yes. Can you give me a projected arrival time?
(WARNE checks his console.)
MAJOR IAN WARNE: Two hours, twenty minutes.
GENERAL HERMACK: I should have left a stronger picket.
MAJOR IAN WARNE: Oh no, sir. We haven't the man power. Besides, Sorba knew he could only hope to delay things.
GENERAL HERMACK: I am going to get that gang of murdering thieves if I have to spend the next ten years out here!
[SCENE_BREAK]
34: INT. SPACE BEACON ALPHA FOUR. CORRIDOR
(LT. SORBA, weakened from his wound, lies in a heap on the floor, with CAVEN standing over him. SORBA looks over his fallen comrades.)
CAVEN: Yes, Lieutenant, you're the last of the toy soldiers.
LT. SORBA: Shot in the back.
CAVEN: (Laughs.) You mean we're disqualified? You don't want to play any more?
LT. SORBA: You can laugh now. But you won't get away with this.
CAVEN: Who's going to stop me, Lieutenant?
LT. SORBA: How did you get those decoys aboard?
CAVEN: (Puzzled.) Decoys?
LT. SORBA: Those three that lead us into your ambush.
CAVEN: Concussion Lieutenant, or stalling for time - which?
LT. SORBA: You know who I'm talking about. They ran off into the aft-companion way.
CAVEN: None of my men down there. Must be some of yours.
LT. SORBA: (Sarcastically.) Sure, we were having a private training session with loaded Thermite Guns.
CAVEN: (Considers.) We did hear firing in the airlock. You mean there really is someone else in there?
LT. SORBA: I thought you'd planted them there.
CAVEN: Well, whoever they are, I've got no time to bother with them now.
(DERVISH runs up to CAVEN.)
DERVISH: I've laid the charges. Just fixing the rockets.
CAVEN: Good.
(He gestures to SORBA.)
CAVEN: Well, if he can walk get him out of here. If he can't leave him.
(CAVEN fires his gun at the round lock on the hatch door to the compartment.)
DERVISH: What are you doing ?
(CAVEN fires again.)
CAVEN: Just sealing a coffin, Dervish.
[SCENE_BREAK]
35: INT. SPACE BEACON ALPHA FOUR. COMPARTMENT
(On the other side of the door, the three travellers strain to listen to the pirates' conversation.)
JAMIE: I wish we could hear what they're saying.
ZOE: I believe they're trying to burn through it.
DOCTOR: Just a minute. I think they've gone away.
ZOE: Well, I don't understand. Why didn't they come in here after us?
JAMIE: Aye, they must've known we were trapped.
DOCTOR: Well...
JAMIE: Why not finish us off?
DOCTOR: They didn't seem very friendly did they?
(The DOCTOR, who has been leaning against the door to listen, suddenly jumps back.)
DOCTOR: Oh!
JAMIE: What's the matter?
DOCTOR: Well it's hot. You try.
JAMIE: Er, ah, no thank you.
ZOE: I told you they were trying to burn through it.
JAMIE: Well, why haven't they?
(They hear a banging noise outside the compartment.)
ZOE: ...
JAMIE: Shh!
ZOE: What's that?
(They move to listen against the outer wall.)
DOCTOR: There's something moving out there.
ZOE: It sounds as though somebody's on the hull.
[SCENE_BREAK]
36: SPACE
(Once again, two space-suited pirates attach the charges and propulsion units to the hull.)
[SCENE_BREAK]
37: INT. SPACE BEACON ALPHA FOUR. COMPARTMENT
JAMIE: What are they doing?
DOCTOR: I don't know Jamie. Perhaps they're cleaning the windows?
JAMIE: Oh... (Realising.) Hey?
ZOE: Look, why don't we sneak back to the TARDIS and get out of here?
JAMIE: Aye, while we've still got the chance.
DOCTOR: Sensible idea, Zoe. Er, umm. You sure there's nobody out there?
ZOE: Well, I haven't heard anybody for ages. Come on.
(ZOE approaches the door.)
DOCTOR: Mind out, it's hot.
(She touches the door.)
ZOE: Well it's not hot any more.
DOCTOR: What?
(ZOE tries to open the door, but it won't budge.)
ZOE: Oh, I can't unlock it.
JAMIE: Oh, let me, Zoe. You'll have to eat more porridge.
(JAMIE gives it a try, but to no avail.)
DOCTOR: Jamie, I don't think it's any use. You know what I think they've done?
JAMIE: What?
DOCTOR: They've welded the lock. We're prisoners.
[SCENE_BREAK]
38: SPACE
(The Pirates' Beta Dart detaches from the beacon and moves off.)
[SCENE_BREAK]
39: INT. V-SHIP FLIGHT DECK
(PENN calls up to the commanding officers on the upper deck.)
TECHNICIAN PENN: They're leaving Beacon Alpha Four, sir.
[SCENE_BREAK]
40: SPACE
(The Beta Dart continues to speed off.)
[SCENE_BREAK]
41: INT. V-SHIP FLIGHT DECK
MAJOR IAN WARNE: It's exactly what happened before.
GENERAL HERMACK: What is our arrival time?
TECHNICIAN PENN: Still ninety minutes to go, sir.
GENERAL HERMACK: (Furiously.) We are going to be too late again!
(They suddenly hear the detonation radio signal.)
MAJOR IAN WARNE: The beacon should blow any second now.
[SCENE_BREAK]
42: SPACE
(Space Beacon Alpha Four explodes.)
[SCENE_BREAK]
43: INT. SPACE BEACON ALPHA FOUR. COMPARTMENT
(The TARDIS crew is thrown to the floor screaming, as smoke fills the exploding beacon.)


EXT. CITY STREET, NIGHT
Streetlights flicker and a few people mill about the park across from Sanderson & Grainger department store.
INT. STORE, LADIES DEPARTMENT, NIGHT
A young clerk, KELLY, and her supervisor, SHONA, are serving the last customer of the night.
SHONA: Thank you. (gives customer his bag)
KELLY: I better cash up then? S'pose John-Joe can just wait for me? (doesn't move)
SHONA: No, I'll do it, you head off.
The lights in the store flicker.
KELLY: When's the council going to fix this? Last night my telly went off in the middle of Top Model.
SHONA: John-Joe's waiting. I'll do the changing rooms, too.
KELLY: Oh, thanks, Shona.
KELLY leaves and SHONA looks at the lights nervously.
INT. OWENS HOUSE, FRONT HALL, NIGHT
The hall light flickers as CRAIG and SOPHIE come down the stairs. SOPHIE has a coat on.
SOPHIE: There's a list on the fridge.
CRAIG: I saw it.
SOPHIE: And I've labelled the food And sort of numbered it.
CRAIG: Sophie, you don't need to number food.
SOPHIE: It's just a suggestion. Also, my mum might phone.
CRAIG: Might?
SOPHIE: And your Mum. And my Dad. And you know, just some people.
CRAIG: I can cope on my own! Now, please, go and have a rest. You need it. I love you.
SOPHIE: I love you, too. (hugs him) And thank you for this. And I do know you can cope on your own. And I may have drawn some arrows in the fridge.
CRAIG: You do really have to go.
CRAIG picks up her bag and walks her outside.
INT. STORE, LADIES CHANGING ROOMS, NIGHT
SHONA walks into the changing rooms and sees clothes strewn about the floor as the lights continue to flicker.
SHONA: Kelly!
SHONA bends over to start picking up the clothes. The curtain over the last room waves.
SHONA: Hello? Sorry, we need to close up? Two minutes, OK? (continues to pick up clothes)
INT. OWENS HOUSE, KITCHEN, NIGHT
CRAIG is sitting at the table talking on the phone.
CRAIG: Mum, it's not just you. I'm phoning everybody. I'm texting the world. Craig Owens can do it on his own. No-one is coming to help me! (knock on the front door) Mum, I'm going to have to call you back. (shuts off the phone and rubs his eyes as the knocking continues) I'm coping, I'm coping on my own... I'm coping on my own! (walks to the front door)
EXT. OWENS HOUSE, FRONT DOOR, NIGHT
CRAIG: (opens door) I'm coping on my own!
DOCTOR: Hello, Craig! I'm back!
CRAIG: She didn't? How could she phone you?
DOCTOR: How could who phone me? Nobody phoned me, I'm just here. (peers inside) You've redecorated! I don't like it.
CRAIG: It's a different house, we moved.
DOCTOR: Yes, that's it.
CRAIG: Doctor, what are you doing here?
DOCTOR: Social call. Thought it was about time I tried one out. How are you?
CRAIG: I'm fine.
DOCTOR: This is the bit where I say. "I'm fine, too" isn't it? I'm fine, too. Good. Love to Sophie, bye!
The DOCTOR turns and walks away but stops when the light at the front door begins to flicker.
DOCTOR: Something's wrong! (goes inside)
CRAIG shuts the door.
INT. OWENS HOUSE, HALL, NIGHT
The DOCTOR is scanning with the sonic. He then goes upstairs.
DOCTOR: On your own, you said. But you're not... you're not on your own!
CRAIG: (follows) Just, shhh!
DOCTOR: Increased sulphur emissions. And look at the state of this place. What are you not telling me?
CRAIG: Doctor, please!
DOCTOR: Shhh!
CRAIG: No, you shhh!
DOCTOR: Shhh!
CRAIG: Shhh!
DOCTOR: No, you shhh! (goes to bedroom door)
CRAIG: Doctor!
INT. STORE, LADIES CHANGING ROOMS, NIGHT
SHONA is still cleaning up when she sees the shadow of a pair of legs appear in the last changing room.
SHONA: (walks closer) Hello, who's in there?
INT. OWENS HOUSE, HALL, NIGHT
The DOCTOR opens the bedroom door and rushes in.
INT. OWENS HOUSE, ALFIE'S ROOM, NIGHT
We see the room is a nursery with stuffed toys and cloth hangings on the walls. The DOCTOR doesn't see any of this.
DOCTOR: Whatever you are, get off this planet!
ALFIE starts to cry and CRAIG goes over to the crib.
CRAIG: Oh, you've woken him!
INT. STORE, LADIES CHANGING ROOMS, NIGHT
SHONA stops just outside the curtain.
SHONA: Hello? You all right?
SHONA opens the curtain and screams. Inside is a CYBERMAN, albeit one that is dirty and scratched.
[SCENE_BREAK]
Matt Smith Karen Gillan Arthur Darvill
"Closing Time" By Gareth Roberts
Producer Marcus Wilson
Director Steve Hughes
[SCENE_BREAK]
INT. OWENS HOUSE, KITCHEN, NIGHT
The DOCTOR closes the freezer door and turns to CRAIG
DOCTOR: So when you say on your own...
CRAIG: (holding ALFIE) Yes, I meant on my own with the baby, yes. Cos no-one thinks I can cope on my own. Which is so unfair. Because...I can't cope on my own with him! I can't. He just cries. All the time. I mean, do they have off-switches?
DOCTOR: (sits at table and flips through a pregnancy book) Human beings. No. I've checked.
CRAIG: (puts ALFIE in high chair) No, babies.
DOCTOR: Same difference. Sometimes this works though. (puts forefinger in front of his lips) Ssh.
ALFIE quiets.
CRAIG: Can you teach me to do that?
DOCTOR: (now looking at baby books) Probably not.
CRAIG: Oh, please come on, I need something, I'm rubbish at this.
DOCTOR: At what?
CRAIG: Being a dad. You read all the books, they tell you you'll know what to do if you follow your instinct. I have no instinct! That's what this weekend's about, trying to prove to people I can do this one thing well.
DOCTOR: (laughs at the book and closes it) So what did you call him? Will I blush?
CRAIG: No, we didn't call him "the Doctor"!
DOCTOR: No, I didn't think you would.
CRAIG: He's called Alfie. What are you doing here anyway?
As CRAIG prepares tea, the DOCTOR leans over and listens to ALFIE.
DOCTOR: Yes, he likes that, Alfie. Though personally he prefers to be called Stormageddon, Dark Lord of All.
CRAIG: Sorry, what?
DOCTOR: That's what he calls himself.
CRAIG: How do you know that?
DOCTOR: I speak baby. (stands)
CRAIG: Of course you do! I don't even know when his nappy needs changing. (sits) I'm the one supposed to be his dad.
DOCTOR: Oh, yeah. He's wondering where his mum is? (massages CRAIG'S shoulders) Where is Sophie?
CRAIG: Gone away with Melina for the weekend. Needs a rest.
DOCTOR: (to ALFIE) No, he's your dad, you can't just call him 'Not-Mum'.
CRAIG: Not-Mum?
DOCTOR: That's you. Also, Not Mum, that's me. And everybody else is...(leans in front of ALFIE) "peasants." That's a bit unfortunate. (tickles ALFIE's head)
CRAIG: What are you here for?
DOCTOR: I just popped in to say hello. (almost puts a piece of chalk in his mouth)
CRAIG: I checked down stairs when I moved in. And next door, both sides, they're humans. Is it the fridge? Are there aliens in my fridge?
DOCTOR: I just want to see you, Craig! Cross my hearts. (each hand crosses a heart) I've been knocking about on my own. A farewell tour. One last thing, popping in to see you, then I'm off to the Alignment of Exedor.
CRAIG: The Alignment of Exedor?
DOCTOR: 17 galaxies in perfect unison. Meant to be spectacular, I can't miss it. Literally can't. It's locked in a time stasis field, I get one crack at flying my TARDIS straight into it, if I get my dates right. (looks at newspaper) Which I have.
CRAIG: Sounds nice.
DOCTOR: (picks up the paper again) So this is me popping in and popping out again. Just being social, just having a laugh. (slowly) Never mind that.
CRAIG: Never mind what?
DOCTOR: Nothing.
CRAIG: (stands) No, you noticed something. You've got your noticing face on. I have nightmares about that face.
The DOCTOR puts a hand over his face and spins around as CRAIG talks.
DOCTOR: Nope, given up all that, done with noticing things. (lights flicker) Didn't even notice that, for example. Got to go. Good seeing you, Craig. (shakes CRAIG'S hand) Goodbye, Stormageddon. (air kisses ALFIE on each cheek)
ALFIE starts fussing as the DOCTOR walks away.
CRAIG: No, no, wait, wait, could you do the shushing thing? Shhh.
DOCTOR: No, it only works once, and only on life forms with underdeveloped brains.
CRAIG: Hang on, you said farewell tour? What do you mean, farewell?
DOCTOR: Ssh...
CRAIG can't speak.
EXT. OWENS HOUSE, STREET, NIGHT
The DOCTOR walks down the street talking to himself.
DOCTOR: Just go. Stop noticing. Just go! Stop noticing! Just go. Stop noticing. Just go. Stop it! (sees the streetlight flicker) Am I noticing? No, no I am not. And what I am not doing is scanning for electrical fluctuations. (scans with sonic) Oh, shut up, you! I'm just dropping in on a friend, the last thing I need right no is a patina of teleport energy, I'm going. Going! Not staying. Going. I am through saving them. (rests head on TARDIS door) I'm going away now.
INT. STORE, TOY DEPARTMENT, DAY
The DOCTOR is demonstrating a remote control helicopter for a group of children.
DOCTOR: It goes up-tiddly up, it goes down-tiddly down-down! For only £49.99, which I think is a bit steep but then again it's your parents' cash and they'll only waste it on boring stuff like lamps and vegetables, yawn!
CRAIG enters pushing ALFIE in a stroller. He's on his mobile with SOPHIE.
CRAIG: Yeah, Soph... Just enjoy your holiday! Yeah, coping.
DOCTOR: Nobody panic, but I appear to be losing control.
CRAIG: Yeah, love you.
The helicopter comes down behind CRAIG. The DOCTOR sits on the display table.
DOCTOR: Oops. (kneels on the floor and gathers the children around him) Guys, guys, ladies and gentlemen, while I deal with this awkward moment you go and find your parents/guardians! Try in lamps! (gives one girl a high five before they leave) Craig!
CRAIG: What the hell are you doing here?
DOCTOR: I'm the Doctor, I work in a shop now. Here to help. They gave me a badge (points) with my name on in case I forget who I am, very thoughtful, as that does happen.
CRAIG: You were leaving... the alignment of Exeter, what about that? One chance to see it, you said.
DOCTOR: Well, I was on my way, saw a shop, got a job, you got to live in the moment, Craig. (turns away) Mind Yappy.
CRAIG: What?
DOCTOR: Yappy. The robot dog. Not so much fun as I remember. (strokes YAPPY) You look awful!
CRAIG: I haven't slept, have I? I still can't stop him crying. I even tried singing to him last night.
DOCTOR: Yeah, he did mention that...he thought you were crying, too. He didn't get a wink. Yappy, say goodbye to Craig and Stormageddon. (pretends to be the dog) "Goodbye, Craig, goodbye, Stormageddon."
As the DOCTOR sets Yappy down, something whizzes across the floor at the other end of the department.
DOCTOR: What was that? (heads down the aisle)
CRAIG: You're here for a reason, aren't you? You noticed something, and you're investigating it.
The DOCTOR gets down on his hands and knees.
CRAIG: Because it's you, it's going to be dangerous and alien.
DOCTOR: (stands) It might not be.
CRAIG: Doctor, I live here, I need to know!
DOCTOR: No, you don't.
CRAIG: My baby lives here, my son.
DOCTOR: Sheila Clark, went missing Tuesday. Atif Ghosh, last seen Friday. Tom Luker, last seen Sunday.
CRAIG: (picks up newspaper) Why's that not on the front page?
DOCTOR: Page one has an exclusive on Nina, a local girl who got kicked off Britain's Got Talent. These people are on pages seven, 19, 22. (pushes the stroller) No-one's noticed yet, they're far too excited about Nina's emotional journey, which in fairness, is quite inspiring.
CRAIG: And what else?
INT. STORE, CHILDREN'S, DAY
DOCTOR: These funny old power fluctuations... which just happen to coincide with the disappearances.
CRAIG: That's just the council, putting in new cables. Isn't it?
The DOCTOR stops in front of the lift that is blocked by construction tape.
DOCTOR: Oh, yes, that's it, mystery solved, oh, wasting my time, now you can go home and (uses sonic on lift) I can go to Exedor, goodbye, and here's a lift.
CRAIG: It says out of order.
DOCTOR: Not any more. (pulls down tape) See? Here to help.
The lift doors open and the DOCTOR starts to push the stroller inside. CRAIG takes over.
CRAIG: It says, "danger".
DOCTOR: Oh, rubbish, lifts aren't dangerous.
CRAIG: Do I look like I'm stupid?
ALFIE gurgles.
INT. STORE, LIFT, DAY
DOCTOR: Quiet, Stormy! Oh, all right, there's more. (enters lift and uses sonic on the panel) Just between you, me and Stormy, don't want to frighten my punters. Someone's been using a teleport relay, right here in this shop. Missing people last seen in this area. (places his finger on CRAIG'S lips) Before you ask, CCTV's been wiped.
CRAIG: A teleport? (stammers) A teleport? Like a beam me up teleport, (uses hand motions) like you see in Star Trek?
DOCTOR: Exactly. Someone's been using a beam me up Star Trek teleport. Could be disguised as anything.
CRAIG: But a teleport? In a shop? That's ridiculous!
The lights flicker again and they are no longer in the lift. CRAIG hasn't noticed.
INT. CYBERSHIP, DAY
CRAIG: What was that? Was that the lights again?
DOCTOR: (squeaky) Yes, that's it. That's all, it's the lights.
CRAIG: Why did you say that like that?
DOCTOR: (high) Like what? (normal) Like, like what?
CRAIG: Like that, in that high-pitched voice.
DOCTOR: Just keep looking at me, Craig. Right at me, just keep looking.
CRAIG: Why?
DOCTOR: Well, because, because, because... (CRAIG starts to turn around and the DOCTOR grabs his arms) I love you.
CRAIG: You love me?
DOCTOR: Yes, Craig. It's you. It's always been you.
CRAIG: Me?
The DOCTOR puts his arms around CRAIG'S shoulders, trying to hide the fact he's taken out the sonic.
DOCTOR: Is that so surprising?
CRAIG: Doctor, are you going to kiss me?
DOCTOR: Yes, Craig. Yes, I am. Would you like that? Bit out of practice, but I've had some wonderful feedback. (puckers up)
CRAIG: Doctor, no, I can't, I'm taken... (turns around and sees the ship) Oh, my God!
DOCTOR: Or we could just hold hands if it make you'd feel more comfortable?
CRAIG: What is happening?
A Cyberman appears in the distance and sees them.
DOCTOR: Well, first of all, I don't really love you, except as a friend.
The Cyberman walks towards them.
CRAIG: And what is that?
With a scream, the DOCTOR uses the sonic on the machinery sending them back to the lift just as the Cyberman was about to reach them.
INT. STORE, LIFT, DAY
DOCTOR: Quick reverse!
CRAIG: What the hell just happened?
INT. STORE, CHILDREN'S, DAY
The lift opens and the DOCTOR strides out, followed by CRAIG pushing the stroller.
DOCTOR: They must have linked the teleport relay to the lift, but I've fused it! They can't use that again. Stuck up there on their spaceship.
CRAIG: What were those things?
DOCTOR: Cybermen.
CRAIG: Ship? Space ship? We were in space?
EXT. CITY STREET, NIGHT
The DOCTOR and CRAIG look up at the sky as the DOCTOR scans with the sonic.
DOCTOR: It's got to be up there somewhere, can't get a fix, it must be shielded.
CRAIG: You fused the teleport. You sorted it. They can't come back.
DOCTOR: I've just bought myself a little time. Still got to work out what they're doing before I can stop it.
CRAIG: But if they've got the teleport and they're evil, why haven't they invaded already?
DOCTOR: Craig... take Alfie and go.
CRAIG: No!
DOCTOR: No?
CRAIG: No, I remember from last time, people got killed, people that didn't know you. I know where it's safest, for me and Alfie. And that's right next to you.
DOCTOR: Is that so?
CRAIG: Yeah, you always win, you always survive!
DOCTOR: Those were the days.
CRAIG: I can help you, I'm staying!
DOCTOR: Craig...(shakes head) Craig, all right, all right... maybe those days aren't quite over yet. Let's go and investigate... I mean, there's no immediate danger now.
INT. STORE, JEWELRY, NIGHT
The DOCTOR and CRAIG walk in with the stroller. The DOCTOR greets an older woman behind the counter.
DOCTOR: Good afternoon, Val.
VAL: Hello.
The DOCTOR starts to walk over to the counter, but CRAIG grabs his arm.
CRAIG: Where am I investigating?
DOCTOR: Well, look round. Ask questions. People like it when you're with a baby, babies are sweet, people talk to you. That's why I usually take a human with me.
CRAIG: So I'm your baby?
DOCTOR: You're my baby! (hugs CRAIG)
From the counter, VAL watches and smiles. CRAIG leaves with ALFIE. The DOCTOR tries on a pair of sunglasses.
VAL: Hope you don't mind me saying, Doctor, but I think you look ever so sweet, you and your partner and the baby.
DOCTOR: Partner. Yes, I like it. Is it better than 'companion'?
VAL: Companion sounds old-fashioned. There's no need to be coy these days.
DOCTOR: You've not noticed anything unusual around here lately, Val?
VAL: Well...
DOCTOR: Yes, yes?
VAL: Mary Warnock saw Don Petheridge snogging Andrea Groom outside the Conservative Club on his so-called day off 'golfing'.
DOCTOR: Yeah. Maybe this wasn't such a good idea after all.
The DOCTOR air-kisses VAL on each cheek and starts to walk away.
VAL: And then there's that silver rat thing.
DOCTOR: (turns) What?
INT. STORE, LADIES DEPARTMENT, NIGHT
As CRAIG walks through pushing the stroller, we see a "silver rat thing" zip across the floor. CRAIG stops to give himself a pep talk.
CRAIG: All right, Alfie, you watch Daddy investigate. You look cute, I'll do the talking.
CRAIG approaches KELLY, who is holding bras up for size. CRAIG leans in a little close.
KELLY: Good afternoon, sir, can I help you?
CRAIG: Hiya! (holds out his hand) I'm Craig!
KELLY: (ignores CRAIG'S hand) Yeah?
CRAIG: Do you mind, if I just ask you some questions?
KELLY: Y'what?
CRAIG: Just between you and me, in confidence, have you noticed anything unusual? Interesting?
KELLY: Y'what?
CRAIG: Talk to me about ladieswear.
KELLY: (backs away) George!
A large security guard walks over.
CRAIG: Hi, George... nice uniform.
INT. STORE, TOY DEPARTMENT, NIGHT
The DOCTOR is under a table scanning with the sonic. He has a large net in his other hand.
DOCTOR: A silver rat. (stands) Glowing red eyes.
VAL: Yes, then it zizzed off. I wanted to get one for my nephew, but stockroom say there's no such item.
DOCTOR: I bet they do. (puts away sonic)
VAL: Well, what was it then? Answer me that.
INT. STORE, LADIES DEPARTMENT, NIGHT
GEORGE: Can I help you, sir?
CRAIG: Have you seen how cute my baby is? Look at his face. (backs away pulling stroller) I'm going to head off actually. All right, whoa..(knocks over a stand)
INT. STORE, TOY DEPARTMENT, NIGHT
The DOCTOR and VAL hear the sound of stands falling over.
VAL: What's all that hullabaloo?
DOCTOR: Umm. That'll be my partner! (hands VAL the net and runs off)
VAL: Aww!
INT. STORE, LADIES DEPARTMENT, NIGHT
CRAIG is trying to pick up the items. ALFIE is crying.
GEORGE: Make a habit of hanging round in womens' wear, sir?
CRAIG: I'm sorry, oh, ssh, ssh, Alfie, come on. (rocks the stroller)
KELLY: He's a pervert, look at him.
The DOCTOR runs over.
DOCTOR: Hello, everyone! Here to help.
KELLY: Hello, Doctor.
GEORGE: Hello, Doctor.
DOCTOR: Hello. Has anyone seen a silver rat? No, OK. Long shot, I see you've met my friend, Craig. Nice uniform George. (gives him the "OK" sign and whistles)
GEORGE: Thank you, Doctor. If he's with you, that's all right then.
KELLY: Sorry. I thought he was hassling me, 'cause that's the last thing I need today. 'Cause Shona's not turned up, right, so I'm doing twice the work for the same money.
DOCTOR: Ssh!
KELLY stops talking.
CRAIG: Please teach me how to do that.
DOCTOR: No hold on... Un-ssh! Shona?
KELLY: My supervisor. She's meant to be in today but never showed up.
DOCTOR: Where did you last see her?
INT. STORE, LADIES CHANGING ROOMS, NIGHT
The DOCTOR and CRAIG walk along the changing room corridor.
CRAIG: How do you do that? It's a power, isn't it, some sort of weird alien hypnotic power, I bet you excrete some sort of gas that makes people love you.
DOCTOR: Would that I could, Craig.
The DOCTOR opens a curtain and a woman screams. He closes the curtain.
DOCTOR: Sorry, Madam. (opens curtain) I'd try that in red if I were you. (closes curtain)
CRAIG: I'm right though, aren't I?
DOCTOR: (peers into another room) You love me, I've never excreted any weird alien gases at you.
CRAIG: I don't love you! Don't start that again.
ALFIE gurgles.
DOCTOR: Yes, I know. Of course he does. Of course you do, we're partners.
CRAIG: But I did exactly what you would have done, and I nearly got arrested!
ALFIE makes some more noises.
DOCTOR: Stormy thinks you should believe in yourself more. (scans with the sonic)
CRAIG: Great, now my baby is reviewing me.
The DOCTOR steps into the last room.
DOCTOR: Here. Right here Last night, a Cyberman took Shona.
CRAIG: A Cyberman...I thought it was a little silver rat?
DOCTOR: It's not a rat. It's a Cybermat!
CRAIG: All right don't have a go at me just cos I don't know the names.
[SCENE_BREAK]
INT. STORE, LADIES DEPARTMENT, NIGHT
The DOCTOR and CRAIG walk through the department.
DOCTOR: Cybermats are infiltrators. Very small, very deadly... they collect power like bees collect pollen. One of them's been sucking the electrical energy from this area. But why a shop, you know, why not a nuclear power station?
CRAIG: OK, why?
DOCTOR: Let's ask it. We wait for the shop to shut, we stake the place out, and grab ourselves a Cybermat.
CRAIG: And this is just a coincidence, is it?
DOCTOR: What is?
CRAIG: Aliens in Colchester? Aliens twice in my life, happening to me just when you turn up.
DOCTOR: This is not my fault, Craig.
ALFIE starts fussing.
CRAIG: Shh, shh. Look what you've done! (comforts ALFIE)
DOCTOR: It's his nappy, he's mentioned it twice.
CRAIG: I don't speak baby, do I?
DOCTOR: There's a changing station over by electrical goods.
CRAIG: And of course, you'd know that. Come on, Alfie. (heads off)
VAL sees what's happening while with a customer.
DOCTOR: Craig it's a coincidence. It happens, it's what the universe does for...
The DOCTOR turns around and sees AMY and RORY shopping-RORY carrying many bags. A GIRL comes up to AMY.
GIRL: Can I have your autograph please?
AMY: Yeah. Sure. (takes the girl's notepad)
DOCTOR: ..fun.
AMY: What's your name?
GIRL: Ellie.
AMY: (signs autograph) I like your hairband.
ELLIE: Thank you.
The DOCTOR opens his mouth as if to call AMY. Instead, he backs away and ducks behind a rack of clothes.
RORY: All right?
AMY: There you go. (hands ELLIE her pad)
ELLIE: Thank you.
AMY and RORY leave. ELLIE points out AMY to her mother and then points in the DOCTOR'S direction. The DOCTOR questioningly points at himself before turning around. Behind him on the wall is a promotional ad bearing AMY'S face. It is for a perfume named Petrichor "For The Girl Who's Tired of Waiting".
DOCTOR: (smiles) Amelia Pond.
INT. STORE, PERFUME COUNTER, NIGHT
The DOCTOR and CRAIG hide as GEORGE walks by on patrol. The DOCTOR is holding the net.
DOCTOR: OK, sshh.
The DOCTOR and CRAIG get up as soon as GEORGE passes by. The DOCTOR starts scanning with the sonic.
DOCTOR: Right. Let's be having you then, Cybermat.
ALFIE starts crying.
CRAIG: Can't you put that on quiet?
DOCTOR: No! It's a sonic screwdriver. Sonic equals sound! (takes an item out from his coat) Take this. I got it on my discount, 10% off. It's a papoose. (drapes it on CRAIG)
CRAIG: Why do I need a papoose?
DOCTOR: Alfie wants to attach you to him. You're far too slow when he summons you.
CRAIG: When's he going to stop giving me marks?
DOCTOR: Never. That's parenthood. Couldn't you have got a babysitter? (ALFIE vocalizes) No, any babysitter...doesn't have to be a hot one.
CRAIG: I told everyone I know I didn't need their help this weekend, they won't answer my calls. I didn't know there was going to be an invasion of Cyberman. (ALFIE fusses) Sshh.
INT. STORE, BASEMENT, NIGHT
GEORGE is checking the fusebox. He taps one of the fluorescent lights and it comes on momentarily. He uses his torch to check the corridor.
INT. STORE, PERFUME COUNTER, NIGHT
The DOCTOR and CRAIG try to quiet ALFIE.
DOCTOR: It's OK.
As CRAIG picks up ALFIE, the DOCTOR sees the cybermat and lunges, catching it in the net.
DOCTOR: Ha-ha! (whispers) That's very odd. It must be on low power. Or I'm better at that than I remember.
The DOCTOR picks up the cybermat and stands, showing CRAIG.
CRAIG: Oh, is that it?
DOCTOR: Yeah.
CRAIG: Oh, it's quiet cute look at that. Look, Alfie, look.
The cybermat opens its mouth showing two rows of sharp teeth. CRAIG screams and the DOCTOR uses the sonic on it.
INT. STORE, BASEMENT, NIGHT
GEORGE walks down one of the corridors but stops when he hears a clanking sound. As he turns, behind him we see the silhouette of a Cyberman.
INT. STORE, PERFUME COUNTER, NIGHT
CRAIG is panicking.
CRAIG: Metal rat. Real mouth! Metal rat, Real mouth, metal rat, real mouth!
DOCTOR: Stop screaming. STOP SCREAMING! Sshh!
They hear a scream.
DOCTOR: Come on!
The DOCTOR runs off and CRAIG follows, putting ALFIE in the papoose as he does so.
INT. STORE, BASEMENT, NIGHT
The DOCTOR searches the corridors using the sonic's "torch" setting.
DOCTOR: George! (spots GEORGE'S torch on the floor and then sees GEORGE'S body) George...
As the DOCTOR bends over to examine GEORGE, a Cyberman comes out of the doorway and knocks him to the ground with its arm. He blacks out. He comes too with CRAIG looking down at him.
CRAIG: Doctor! Doctor! What happened?
DOCTOR: Oh, I've been chipped, chapped... Chopped! (CRAIG helps him stand) The Cyberman... it killed George, took him back to the ship.
CRAIG: The Cybermen are here! But you said.
DOCTOR: (stumbles) Yeah, I know what I said, I say a lot of things! (scans with sonic) But I fused the teleport it should have taken them days to repair.
CRAIG: Are you OK?
DOCTOR: I should be dead...but the arm it chopped me with, it was damaged, old spare parts. Must have changed those missing people.
CRAIG: They changed the missing into Cybermen? Why didn't they change you?
DOCTOR: Long story. I'm not exactly compatible. But why are they using spare parts, why? Everything I find out makes less sense!
CRAIG: Doctor, listen to me. If the Cybermen are here, then we're not safe, we've got to go. We've got to go back to base.
DOCTOR: We've got a base? When did we get a base?
INT. OWENS HOUSE, KITCHEN, NIGHT
The DOCTOR is playing mad scientist mixing up something on the table. Resting next to him is the cybermat.
CRAIG: I'm going down the shops, we're out of milk. You know what to do if he cries. (tosses intercom at the DOCTOR)
DOCTOR: No!
CRAIG: (from hallway) Me neither.
ALFIE starts crying.
INT. OWENS HOUSE, ALFIE'S ROOM, NIGHT
Above ALFIE'S crib is a soft mobile of the moon and stars. As it turns, it plays music and projects stars onto the ceiling. The DOCTOR steps cautiously into the room.
DOCTOR: Hello, Stormageddon. It's the Doctor. Here to help.
The DOCTOR picks up a small stuffed bunny and tries to get the baby's attention.
DOCTOR: Shhh. There, there. Be quiet. Go to sleep. Really, stop crying. (ALFIE looks at him) You've got a lot to look forward to, you know. A normal human life on Earth. Mortgage repayments, the nine to five, a persistent nagging sense of spiritual emptiness. Save the tears for later, boyo. Oh, no! (rubs forehead) That was crabby. No, that was old! But I am old, Stormy. I am so old. So near the end.
INT. OWENS HOUSE, KITCHEN, NIGHT
On the kitchen table, the cybermat switches back on.
INT. OWENS HOUSE, ALFIE'S ROOM, NIGHT
The DOCTOR picks up ALFIE.
DOCTOR: You, Alfie Owens, you are so young, aren't you? And, you know, right now, everything's ahead of you. You could be anything. Yes, I know. You could walk among the stars. They don't actually look like that, you know, they are rather more impressive.
The DOCTOR uses the sonic and the projection becomes more realistic of space.
DOCTOR: Yeah! You know, when I was little like you, I dreamt of the stars. I think it's fair to say, in the language of your age, that I lived my dream. I owned the stage, gave it a 110%. I hope you have as much fun as I did, Alfie. (kisses ALFIE'S head)
INT. OWENS HOUSE, KITCHEN, NIGHT
The cybermat is no longer on the table, but scooting across the floor.
INT. OWENS HOUSE, ALFIE'S ROOM, NIGHT
DOCTOR: Your dad's trying his best, you know. Yes, I know. It's not his fault he doesn't have mammary glands. No, but neither do I! Alfie, why is there a sinister beeping coming from behind me?
The DOCTOR turns around slowly and sees the cybermat at the doorway, chomping its mouth.
DOCTOR: Oh, no you don't. (uses the sonic) Come on, Alfie. Run! It's only stunned!
INT. OWENS HOUSE, KITCHEN, NIGHT
The DOCTOR hurries down the stairs and through the kitchen to the door.
DOCTOR: It's going to be OK. Good, Alfie. We're going to go outside. Don't worry about it.
The DOCTOR opens the door but drops the sonic. The door locks behind him.
INT. OWENS HOUSE, FRONT HALL, NIGHT
CRAIG returns home.
CRAIG: I'm back!
CRAIG sets down his mobile and keys. The mobile buzzes.
EXT. OWENS HOUSE, BACK GARDEN, NIGHT
The DOCTOR is on his mobile.
DOCTOR: Come on, Craig, pick up, pick up, pick up, pick up!
INT. OWENS HOUSE, NIGHT
CRAIG checks the rooms for the DOCTOR.
CRAIG: Doctor? Doctor?
INT. OWENS HOUSE, KITCHEN, NIGHT
CRAIG goes into the kitchen and puts away the milk. As he turns around, the cybermat attacks, flying for his throat. The power of the attack knocks CRAIG to the floor, but he is able to hold back the gnashing teeth
EXT. OWENS HOUSE, BACK GARDEN, NIGHT
The DOCTOR is on his mobile.
DOCTOR: Craig, don't worry, Alfie is fine, but on no account enter the house.
CRAIG: (inside) Doctor!
The DOCTOR turns around and sees CRAIG fighting the cybermat.
DOCTOR: No, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no!
CRAIG: (inside) Help me!
The DOCTOR places ALFIE in his swing and kisses his head. He then spits on his hands, rubs them together and jumps through the glass door.
INT. OWENS HOUSE, KITCHEN, NIGHT
CRAIG is sill holding the cybermat away from his neck.
CRAIG: Where's Alfie?! Where's Alfie?!
DOCTOR: He's safe, he's safe! (gets the sonic)
CRAIG: Get it off me!
DOCTOR: I have to find the right frequency, shut it down!
CRAIG: Kill it!
DOCTOR: (groans) All right, all right, all right! MOVE!
The DOCTOR picks up a pot from the table and hits the cybermat, sending it skidding across the floor. CRAIG gets up but the cybermat is now at the DOCTOR'S throat.
DOCTOR: Ow! Baking tray, Craig, baking tray!
With timing, the DOCTOR throws it to the floor just as CRAIG covers it and holds it down with a baking tray. The DOCTOR gets up.
DOCTOR: Hold it down!
CRAIG: Get on with it!
DOCTOR: Ah, it must be shielded from metastatic energy! Of course!
CRAIG: Yeah, of course!
DOCTOR: Don't worry, I have an app for that. Stand back. Stand back!
CRAIG moves back and the DOCTOR fires at the cybermat, "killing" it.
DOCTOR: Success! That was amazing, you must be really, really strong. That thing should have had you easy.
CRAIG: Is it definitely dead?
DOCTOR: Inactive, yes. Technically never been alive. It was (air quotes) playing possum before, to take us by surprise. Bravo. (claps)
CRAIG: Whoo! (closes eyes and breathes deep) Alfie! (rushes outside)
INT. OWENS HOUSE, LIVING ROOM, NIGHT
The DOCTOR is sitting on the couch working on the cybermat, using a loupe. CRAIG is holding ALFIE.
CRAIG: I'm knackered. That thing was eating up the electricity.
DOCTOR: And transmitting it up to the Cybership. But why? Why do they need power, why are those conversions not complete yet, and what are they doing up there?
CRAIG: You said you were going to look at its brain.
DOCTOR: I had to wipe its brain. Now I can reprogram it, use it as a weapon against them.
CRAIG: (sits on the couch) The Cybermat came after us?
DOCTOR: No, after me.
CRAIG: They sent it after us?
DOCTOR: After me. Because of me, you and Alfie nearly died. (takes the loupe from his eye) Do you still feel safe with me, Craig?
CRAIG: You can't help who your mates are.
DOCTOR: No! I am a stupid and selfish man. Always have been. I should have made you go, I should never have come here.
CRAIG: What would have happened if you hadn't come? Who else knows about Cybermen and teleports?
DOCTOR: I put people in danger.
CRAIG: Stop beating yourself up! If it wasn't for you this whole planet would be an absolute ruin.
DOCTOR: (puts down cybermat) Craig, very soon I won't be here... my time is running out. I don't mean Exedor. Silence will fall when the question is asked. Don't even know what the question is. Always knew I'd die still asking. Thing is, Craig, it's tomorrow. Can't put it off any more. Tomorrow is the day I...
The DOCTOR looks over to see CRAIG and ALFIE both asleep. He smiles wistfully and sighs. He then stands and covers them with a blanket.
EXT. OWENS HOUSE, DAY
The DOCTOR closes the door gently behind him. He's holding the cybermat and a remote control.
DOCTOR: Safe mode. Clever me. Come along, Bitey. (pets the cybermat as he leaves)
INT. OWENS HOUSE, LIVING ROOM, DAY
CRAIG wakes with the sun in his eyes. SOPHIE is on the answer phone.
SOPHIE: 'So I'll be back about ten, cos Melina's totally gone off on one, she's going to kill David Jenkins. 'I'm stupid to worry, I can't wait to get home to my special boys!'
CRAIG stands and notices that the cybermat is missing.
CRAIG: Oh, no, no, no! Doctor?
INT. OWENS HOUSE, KITCHEN, DAY
CRAIG goes looking for the DOCTOR
SOPHIE: 'Love you. Alfie, love you, Craig!'
The DOCTOR left a note in silver ink on blue paper on the fridge. It reads: Dear Craig, Gone to stop Cybermen. Sorry. Goodbye. The Doctor.
CRAIG: You idiot!
INT. STORE, LADIES DEPARTMENT, DAY
The DOCTOR hurries in, looking around. VAL arrives.
VAL: Morning!
DOCTOR: Morning. Teleport's still fused. (walks with VAL) They didn't repair it. So the Cyberman last night, how did it get down here, how did it get out? And why, why, am I asking you?
VAL: You found the silver rat!
DOCTOR: But where are the silver men?
INT. OWENS HOUSE, KITCHEN, DAY
CRAIG has changed and has dressed ALFIE for outside. He puts the baby into the papoose.
CRAIG: Sorry, Alfie, I can't leave you here on your own. There's something up with the Doctor, and we owe him. I wouldn't have you or Mummy if it wasn't for him! He needs someone. He always needs someone and he just can't admit it. I promise nothing's going to happen to you! (kisses him on the cheek) All right, come on, here we go. (leaves)
INT. STORE, LADIES CHANGING ROOMS, DAY
The DOCTOR runs his theory past the cybermat.
DOCTOR: Secondary teleport. No, there is no other teleport, they must have had a back-up system, something complicated, something powerful, something shielded. Something like... a door. A door! (goes into last room) A disillium-bonded steel door disguised as a wall! That is cheating!
The full length mirror swings out on hinges revealing a roughly carved tunnel.
DOCTOR: So... it didn't teleport down. It climbed up.
INT. TUNNEL, DAY
The DOCTOR walks slowly and scans with the sonic. He then slides down and into a large cavern where the damaged cyber-ship was hidden.
INT. CYBERSHIP, DAY
The DOCTOR explores the ship and soon finds the conversion room.
DOCTOR: (whistles) Well, well, well. You have been busy.
INT. STORE, LADIES DEPARTMENT, DAY
CRAIG rushes in.
CRAIG: Doctor! Doctor!
VAL: Another row? He went in the changing rooms, something about silver men.
CRAIG: Oh, God, no. Val, I need you too look after Alfie for me, OK? (takes off papoose) Please look after him, the Doctor needs me. (hands ALFIE to VAL and runs off)
CRAIG: Don't follow me!
VAL: I wasn't intending to.
INT. CYBERSHIP, DAY
Partially buried in dirt on the floor, the DOCTOR finds GEORGE'S nametag. A CYBERMAN marches up behind him.
CYBERMAN: You have come to us.
DOCTOR: Took me a while, alot on my mind. (stands and turns around) Let's see, this ship crashed here centuries ago, no survivors, but the systems are dormant waiting for power. And then the council stick a load of new cables right on top of you. Bitey wakes up and channels the power, you start crewing up from the shop as best you can, not enough power, not enough parts.
CYBERMAN: When we are ready we will emerge. We will convert this planet to Cyberform.
DOCTOR: What, the six of you?
CYBERMAN: You know that is enough. You know us. You are the Doctor.
DOCTOR: Correct. And the Doctor always gives you a choice. Deactivate yourself, or I deactivate you.
The DOCTOR aims the sonic at it and the CYBERMAN takes a step back. Another CYBERMAN enters behind him.
INT. STORE, LADIES CHANGING ROOMS, DAY
CRAIG runs through the rooms.
CRAIG: Doctor? Doctor?
Craig sees the entrance to the tunnel. Looking around, he grabs a handheld UPC scanner before entering the tunnel.
INT. CYBERSHIP, DAY
The DOCTOR cries out as one of the CYBERMEN grabs him and holds his arms behind his back. The cybermat falls to the ground.
CYBERMAN 1: He must be the new leader.
CYBERMAN 2: No. He is not like us. Brain and binary vascular system incompatible.
CRAIG watches from the other room.
CYBERMAN 2: They will be discarded. Other body parts may be of use.
CRAIG: (brandishes scanner like a gun) Oi, Cybermen! Get off my planet, or I activate this.
DOCTOR: Craig, stop this, get out!
CRAIG: It's like you said, Doctor, got to believe you can do it!
CYBERMAN 2: You located us?
CRAIG: Teleport in the lift, bit rubbish. That little Cybermat never stood a chance. See what you're dealing with?
CYBERMAN 2: You are compatible. You are intelligent.
The CYBERMAN touches his hand to his chest panel and then shoots electricity at CRAIG, forcing him to drop the scanner. Another CYBERMAN grabs him and pulls him forward.
CRAIG: No, I'm not intelligent, you don't want me.
CYBERMAN 2: Do not fear. We will take your fear from you. You will be like us. You will be more than us.
CYBERMAN 2 moves to one of the conversion chambers and opens it.
CRAIG: No, no, no, no.
CYBERMAN 2: Your designation is Cyber Controller. You will lead us, we will conquer this world.
The CYBERMEN begin to force CRAIG into the chamber.
CRAIG: Doctor!
DOCTOR: Craig!
CRAIG: Do something! Please!
Different parts clamp down on CRAIG'S arms and legs.
CRAIG: DOCTOR!
DOCTOR: Craig, don't worry. I've reprogrammed the Cybermat, it'll drain their power!
The DOCTOR pulls the remote from his pocket. The cybermat scuttles across the floor until CYBERMAN 2 steps on it.
CYBERMAN 2: You have failed, Doctor. Begin conversion! Phase one. Cleanse the brain of emotions.
DOCTOR: No! Craig! Fight it! They can't convert you if you fight back! You're strong, don't give in to it!
CRAIG: Help me!
DOCTOR: Think of Sophie, think of Alfie, don't let them take it all away!
CRAIG: Make it stop. Please make it stop!
DOCTOR: Please, listen to me! I believe in you, I believe you can do this! I've always believed in all of you, all my life! I'm going die, Craig. Tomorrow, I'm going to die, but I don't mind if you just prove me right! CRAIG!
The headpiece closes around CRAIG, seamlessly welding shut down the middle.
CYBERMAN 2: Begin full conversion.
The DOCTOR watches in agony as we hear the whir of machinery.
INT. STORE, LADIES DEPARTMENT, DAY
VAL tries to comfort a crying ALFIE.
VAL: Don't worry, It's just a little light going out.
INT. CYBERSHIP, DAY
A monitor comes to life with security footage from the store of VAL and ALFIE.
CYBERMAN 1: Unknown soundwave detected.
CYBERMAN 2: It is the sound of fear. It is irrelevant. We will remove all fear.
DOCTOR: Alfie! I'm so sorry! Alfie, please stop! I can't help him.
CYBERMAN 1: Emotions eradicated conversion complete.
CRAIG'S fingers twitch. An alarm sounds.
CYBERMAN 2: Alert. Emotional subsystems rebooting. This is impossible.
Energy crackles around the headpiece.
DOCTOR: He can hear him. He can hear Alfie! Oh, please, just give me this! Craig, you wanted a chance to prove you're a dad. You're never going to get better one than this!
A crack appears down the center of the headpiece.
CYBERMAN 2: What is happening?
DOCTOR: What's happening, you metal moron? A baby is crying. And you better watch out, cos guess what? Ha! Daddy's coming home!
The headpiece opens.
CRAIG: Alfie!
CRAIG begins the fight the machine and it starts to overload.
CRAIG: Alfie, I'm here! I'm coming for you!
The CYBERMEN stagger from the emotional onslaught.
DOCTOR: Yes, Craig!
The machine starts to release CRAIG. The DOCTOR pulls free of the CYBERMAN holding him.
CRAIG: Alfie!
DOCTOR: Alfie needs you!
CYBERMAN 2: Emergency. Emotional influx!
DOCTOR: (helps CRAIG) You've triggered a feedback loop into their emotional inhibitors. All that stuff they cut out of themselves, now they're feeling it! Which means a very big explosion!
CYBERMAN 2: Overload, overload, overload.
The DOCTOR and CRAIG run to the doors.
CRAIG: Get this open, we need to get to Alfie!
DOCTOR: They've sealed the ship!
The head of one of the CYBERMEN explodes.
CRAIG: We've got to get out of here!
DOCTOR: I know!
Two more CYBERMEN lose their heads.
DOCTOR: The teleport!
As another CYBERMAN'S head explodes, the DOCTOR and CRAIG run to the teleport. The DOCTOR activates it remotely with the sonic as they cling to each other.
INT. CAVERN, DAY
The Cybership explodes.
INT. STORE, LIFT, DAY
The DOCTOR and CRAIG are hugging each other tightly. They pull apart when the lift bell rings. CRAIG rushes out.
INT. STORE, LADIES DEPARTMENT, DAY
CRAIG runs into the department.
VAL: How did you get in there?
CRAIG: Alfie!
VAL: Here's your daddy.
As VAL gives ALFIE back to CRAIG, the DOCTOR runs up.
DOCTOR: That was another review. Ten out of ten.
CRAIG: The Cybermen... they blew up. I blew them up with love! (hugs ALFIE)
DOCTOR: No, that's impossible, and also grossly sentimental and over simplistic. You destroyed them because of the deeply ingrained hereditary human trait to protect one's own genes which in turn triggered a... uh... Yeah. Love. You blew them up with love.
LATER...
The DOCTOR is explaining things to KELLY.
DOCTOR: The building should be totally safe, structurally, and of course the bonded disillium contained the explosion.
KELLY: Right. Why you telling me all this?
DOCTOR: I don't know. Ssh.
CRAIG comes to VAL'S counter wearing a new shirt.
VAL: It suits you.
CRAIG: Thanks.
VAL: Discount applies to partners.
CRAIG: Great.
VAL: Are you two married then?
CRAIG: Nah, we talked about it, but it's just a piece of paper, isn't it?
The DOCTOR walks over and puts an arm around CRAIG'S shoulders.
DOCTOR: Thank you for your help, Val. Good noticing. Keep 'em peeled.
VAL: I will. I'm glad you two made up for baby's sake.
DOCTOR: Ah!
CRAIG: How d'you mean?
VAL: It's nice for baby to have two daddies who love each other.
CRAIG: Wait... hang on a sec! Two daddies?
Both the DOCTOR and CRAIG start making faces and shaking their heads.
CRAIG: You think I'm...?
VAL: His companion.
CRAIG: (laughs and turns around) Doctor?
The DOCTOR is gone.
VAL: Oh! Now where's he rushed off to?
CRAIG: (softly) He's gone.
INT. OWENS HOUSE, DAY
CRAIG enters the house and slowly looks around. The house has been cleaned and there are fresh cut flowers on the coffee table.
CRAIG: Who's tidied all this up?
INT. OWENS HOUSE, KITCHEN, DAY
CRAIG enters the kitchen to see it cleaned and the table is even set. The DOCTOR enters through the newly-repaired door.
DOCTOR: See, I do come back.
CRAIG: How did you...?
DOCTOR: Time machine! But even with time travel, getting glaziers on a Sunday, tricky.
CRAIG: You went back in time? That means you used up your hours. What about Exedor?
DOCTOR: What about you being in trouble with Sophie when she comes back? I couldn't let that happen.
CRAIG: You used up your time for me?
DOCTOR: Course I did. You're me mate. I notice Stormageddon's very quiet and happy. He prefers the name Alfie now. And he's very proud of his dad.
CRAIG: He calls me dad?
DOCTOR: Yes, of course he does now! Yeah, I know, he's a bit thick, isn't he?
CRAIG: Shut up, you two!
DOCTOR: Well... Now it's time. I have to go.
CRAIG: Doctor, I know that something's wrong, I can help you.
DOCTOR: Nobody can help me. I hope Sophie won't mind, I need these. (holds up blue envelopes)
CRAIG: Where are you going to go?
DOCTOR: America.
CRAIG: Sophie will be home any second, are you sure?
DOCTOR: I can't miss this appointment, Craig. Goodbye, mate.
CRAIG: Wait there. One second.
CRAIG leaves the room and the DOCTOR opens the fridge and looks inside, making a face. CRAIG returns with a Stetson.
CRAIG: From Sean's stag. (puts it on the DOCTOR'S head)
DOCTOR: Wow.
CRAIG: You ride 'em, pardner.
DOCTOR: Oh, thanks.
The DOCTOR snaps his fingers on both hands then points them like guns at CRAIG before heading for the back door.
CRAIG: Bye.
There's a knock at the front door and CRAIG looks to the front and then back again.
CRAIG: Doctor, that will be Sophie arriv...
The DOCTOR is gone, the back door open.
INT. OWENS HOUSE, FRONT HALL, DAY
There's another knock on the door and CRAIG opens it. It's SOPHIE.
SOPHIE: Hello! Hello! I forgot my keys! (steps inside)
CRAIG: Oh, I've missed you so much.(hugs and kisses her)
SOPHIE: Missed you too, both of you. (stands back) Are you wearing a papoose?
CRAIG: Yeah. (closes door)
INT. OWENS HOUSE, LIVING ROOM, DAY
SOPHIE enters and is shocked.
SOPHIE: Oh, my God, the place is spotless! Has anything happened? You look different.
CRAIG: Nothing happened! Nothing weird.
SOPHIE: Look at you two, thick as thieves. Who's Daddy's little boy then?
ALFIE: Doctor.
SOPHIE: What?! Craig?
EXT. OWENS HOUSE, DAY
The DOCTOR walks down the street towards the TARDIS. There are three children-a boy and two girls-playing in the cross-street. The DOCTOR stops just in front TARDIS door.
DOCTOR: Well then, old girl. (he licks his thumb and wipes off a spot) One last trip, eh?
He turns to look at the children who stop playing and walk towards him.
DOCTOR: Hey. I'm the Doctor. I was here to help. And you are very, very welcome. (puts his hand to his hat)
GIRL 1: (V.O.) 'It was funny. He seemed so happy but so sad at the same time.'
BOY: (V.O.) 'I was just a kid, I thought maybe he was a cowboy on his way to a gunfight.'
GIRL 2: (V.O.) 'I really liked his hat.'
INT. LUNA UNIVERSITY
RIVER is reading eyewitness accounts from the three children. She then opens her diary to an entry that reads: 22/04/11, 5:02 PM, Lake Silencio"
KOVARIAN: (V.O.) Tick, tock, goes the clock. And what now shall we play?
RIVER looks about the room but sees no one.
KOVARIAN: (V.O.) Tick, tock, goes the clock. Now summer's gone away.
RIVER: Hello?
KOVARIAN: (appears from the shadows) Such a lovely old song. But is it about him?
RIVER: You know about the Doctor?
KOVARIAN: So very well.
RIVER stands.
KOVARIAN: Oh, don't try and remember me. We have been far too thorough with your dear little head.
Two of the SILENCE walk up behind RIVER. She sees them and is startled.
RIVER: What are they? What are those things?
KOVARIAN: (reads RIVER'S diary) Your owners.
RIVER turns back.
RIVER: My what?
KOVARIAN: So they made you a doctor today, did they? Doctor River Song. How clever you are. You understand what this is, don't you? (points at the entry)
RIVER: According to some accounts it's the day the Doctor dies.
KOVARIAN: By Silencio Lake on the Plain of Sighs an impossible astronaut will rise from the deep and strike the Time Lord dead.
RIVER: (sits) It's a story.
KOVARIAN: And this is where it begins.
KOVARIAN looks to the door and two soldiers enter carrying the astronaut suit.
KOVARIAN: You never really escaped us, Melody Pond. We were always coming for you.
The soldiers set down the helmet and suit and grab RIVER by the arms.
RIVER: How do you know who I am? (struggles)
KOVARIAN: I made you what you are. The woman who kills the Doctor.
RIVER: No, no, no...! (sedated) Urgh!
RIVER falls into the chair and pants heavily.
KOVARIAN: Tick, tock, goes the clock and all the years they fly.
RIVER'S vision gets blurry and the voices are muffled.
KOVARIAN: Tick, tock, and all too soon your love will surely die.
INT. LAKE SILENCIO
RIVER slowly opens her eyes and she is in the astronaut suit underwater. We then hear the rhyme sung by a small girl.
"Tick tock goes the clock He cradled her and he rocked her Tick tock goes the clock Till River kills the Doctor..."