6. Redemption

 

2.6 – REDEMPTION

by Juno Dawson

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

FX                    BBC Sounds Sting

 

 

Scene 6.1 – INT. UNDERGROUND. DAY

 

FX                    Cleo is menaced by the Cobot in an echoing disused rail tunnel.

 

COBOT            Step aside or you will be eliminated.

 

CLEO               Just leave them alone.

 

COBOT            Step aside human female.

 

CLEO               No, I’m not letting you into that camp.

 

COBOT            Step aside. Final warning.

 

CLEO               They aren’t hurting anyone. (BEAT) Honour? Honour, can you hear me? Just leave them alone!

 

COBOT            Obstructions will be destroyed.

 

FX                    The cobot grabs Cleo, who screams.

 

CLEO               No! Let go!

 

COBOT            Fatal force permitted.

 

Cleo screams in pain.

 

CLEO               (Struggle) Get off me! Let go! (Pause) Help! Someone help!

 

 

 

ANNO              Doctor Who: Redacted, Episode Six. Redemption by Juno Dawson.

 

Scene 6.2 – INT. SARAH JANE’S ATTIC. DAY

 

Abby, Shawna and Rani wait for news.

 

RANI                Attention to anyone out there who can help: The Doctor is missing, I repeat, the Doctor is missing.

 

Rani hits some buttons. Bleeps and bloops from Mr Smith.

 

MR SMITH       Message sent.

 

RANI                OK – Abby, Shawna – someone will help. The Doctor has a lot of friends out there. Plus, there’s every chance the TARDIS will pick it up.

 

ABBY               Wow.

 

RANI                With a bit of luck we’ll find the Doctor.

 

SHAWNA         (In awe) This tech is next level.

 

ABBY               Yeah…

 

RANI                Which is exactly why we have to keep it secret. Wrong hands and all that.

 

ABBY               So what now?

 

RANI                I guess we wait. (She takes a breath) The Doctor can’t be gone. We’d know. Somehow we’d know. The sky would be collapsing on our heads.

 

ABBY               Well then let’s hope the Doctor’s OK.

 

An electronic alarm sounds.

 

RANI                What is it, Mr Smith?

 

MR SMITH       I have detected alien weaponry active in London.

 

RANI                What? Where?

 

MR SMITH       The Bakerloo Line on the London Underground. Identifying…Model VI Cobot Technology. Origin: The Origin.

 

RANI                Huh?

 

MR SMITH       High probability of lethal force. Civilian casualties and fatalities likely.

 

SHAWNA         Is it the Blue Box?

 

RANI                No. The TARDIS isn’t a weapon.

 

ABBY               Then what is it?

 

RANI                Never mind that now. What can we do?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Scene 6.3 – INT. UNDERGROUND. DAY

 

Cleo continues to battle the Cobot. She kicks and hits at it.

 

CLEO               (Frantic) Put me down!

 

COBOT            Fatal force permitted.

 

CLEO               Please! Please, I can’t breathe…please…you’re crushing me…

 

The fight ebbs out of Cleo.

 

CLEO (weak)    I can’t…Help someone…

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Scene 6.4 – INT. ATTIC. DAY

 

Rani operates Mr Smith – pushing buttons and levers - as Abby and Shawna look on in horror. An alarm sounds.

 

SHAWNA         (Urgent) What’s happening?

 

ABBY               (Urgent) Is Mr Smith meant to be making that noise? It’s not a good noise.

 

RANI                I don’t know! (Pause) Mr Smith, are you able to hack into the Cobot remotely?

 

MR SMITH       Scanning all wavelengths.

 

Electronic scanning noise.

 

MR SMITH       Rani, I have audio-visual access. Do you want me to display?

 

RANI                Yes.

 

Over Mr Smith, we hear Cleo struggling.

 

CLEO (over comms)

(In peril) Help! Someone!

 

ABBY               No! That’s Cleo!

 

SHAWNA         Help her!

 

RANI                Mr Smith, can you override?

 

MR SMITH       Running security checks…acquiring access…

 

 

Scene 6. 5 – INT. TUNNELS. DAY

 

Cleo continues to struggle.

 

CLEO               Someone…someone please…I can’t breathe…

 

Cleo gasps. She sounds weak.

 

CLEO               (Very faint) I can’t…

 

COBOT            Signal received.

 

Then we hear a ‘power-off ’tone and a mechanical whirr.

 

COBOT            Powering down.

 

The machine shuts down.

 

CLEO (weak, confused)

Wait! Don’t you dare drop – ah!

 

With a yell, the Cobot drops her and she plummets down into a heap.

 

CLEO               Ow! Ouch!

 

She picks herself up and dusts herself down.

 

CLEO               Ow. Rude. I knew inheriting my mum’s bum would come in handy. (TO COBOT) What’s wrong with you?

 

The cobot powers up once more.

 

COBOT            Cobot online.

 

 

CLEO               Oh here we go again…

 

FX                    Now the Cobot transmits Rani, who sounds slightly robotic via the Cobot’s built-in speaker

 

COBOT RANI   Cleo, don’t run, it’s us.

 

CLEO               What? Who is that?

 

COBOT RANI   It’s Rani! I’m with Shawna and Abby! Mr Smith hacked into the…whatever it is, and overrode its controls.

 

CLEO               Ok, I didn’t follow the last bit, but hi Rani! How’s it going?

 

COBOT RANI   Yeah not bad thanks, you?

 

CLEO               Well this is surreal. I’ve been better to tell you the truth. Have you heard from the Doctor?

 

COBOT RANI   No, but I’ve put word out.

 

Abby gets on the mic.

 

COBOT ABBY  Cleo, I’m so sorry we doubted you. The Doctor is real. Rani’s told us about them. We should have believed you.

 

CLEO               Abby! Abby! Abby! It’s OK. While we’re levelling – you were right about Apex.

 

COBOT SHAWNA

I’m so sorry, Cleo.

 

CLEO               Shawna! We don’t have time for a big group hug now – Apex’s ex is about to wipe out an entire refugee camp.

 

COBOT ABBY  Is Apex there?

 

CLEO (awkward)

No. I don’t know. (Long pause) He left.

 

Silence on the other end.

 

CLEO               Go on. You can say ‘I told you so’.

 

COBOT ABBY (tender)

I would never. I’m so sorry darling. Are you OK?

 

CLEO               You know me. I’ll be all right. (Pause) I don’t know why I thought this one was any different.

 

COBOT ABBY

Where are you?

 

CLEO               London Underground. Someone’s got to stop Honour from tearing up the camp.

 

COBOT SHAWNA

How are you gonna do that?

 

CLEO               I don’t know yet. But I can’t do nothing. The Doctor would march in there are say NO, STOP, NOT THIS TIME, so that’s what I’m gonna do.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Scene 6. 6 – INT. ATTIC. DAY

 

We return to Rani, Abby and Shawna.

 

RANI                That’s exactly what the Doctor would do to be fair. (Pause) But the Doctor does have a plan. Usually. Or at least the illusion of a plan.

 

CLEO (over intercom)

Can I use Optimus Prime here?

 

RANI                Mr Smith – do we have full access to the Cobot?

 

MR SMITH       Negative, Rani. Security protocols adapting. Access denied.

 

SHAWNA         So hack it again?

 

MR SMITH       Access denied.

 

SHAWNA         Great.

 

RANI                Cleo, you might want to get out of there; if the Cobot reboots…

 

CLEO               Got it. Thanks, you guys. It was worth a shot.

 

ABBY               Cleo, what are you going to do?

 

CLEO               I think it’s time for some female solidarity. We got dumped by the same guy, maybe I can get through to her.

 

RANI                Be careful.

 

CLEO               Careful is my middle name. Actually, it’s Rosemary after my Nan, but she was a very careful lady. Gotta run.

 

Cleo sprints away

 

FX                    footsteps.

 

ABBY               We’re gonna help you, Cleo!

 

There’s no response.

 

ABBY               I think she’s gone.

 

SHAWNA         Running into a massacre…what is she thinking?

 

RANI                That’s the problem with the Doctor, they make it look so easy. You start thinking you’re a superhero. Mr Smith: Triangulate the location of the alien tech and find us a route in.

 

ABBY               We need to find this Refugee Camp.

 

RANI                Wait – you’re not going down there are you?

 

ABBY               Cleo is all alone down there; she needs back-up.

 

RANI                We have no weapons, and they have what Cleo just called Optimus Prime…

 

SHAWNA         Wait. Rani – you know how our last coding project went so well -

 

RANI                Well-

 

SHAWNA         I’ve had an idea….

 

 

 

 

 

Scene 6.7– INT. TUNNELS. DAY

 

Cleo runs down the echoing tunnels, panting as she goes.

 

CLEO               (Effort) Absolutely no better at running. I’m gonna die.

 

She gets her breath back. As she reaches the encampment, we hear a panicked hustle and bustle. It grows louder as she approaches. We hear kids crying, people shouting.

 

WILDTRACK    (worried refugees)

 

CLEO               (Calls) Rume! Rume! Hey!

 

RUME              Cleo! Honour Bray is on her way to the Underground.

 

CLEO               Yeahh. She’s got a pet Terminator and she’s going to clear you all out.

 

WILDTRACK    (alarm and fear)

 

CLEO               My friends and I – we shut it down. We’ve bought you some time I hope.

 

RUME              To do what ? (PAUSE) Cleo ?

 

CLEO               Right. Fair. Just - Give me a second, okay ?

 

RUME              Time is not on our side. (CALLS) Everyone! We have to get out of here. Right now!

 

CLEO               And go where?

 

RUME              I…I don’t know.

 

WILDTRACK    Abrupt laser-fire and everyone screams, running for cover.

 

CLEO               What the hell?!

 

RUME              Take cover!

 

WILDTRACK    Everyone scrambles for cover. Drones sweep into the camp

 

DRONE            Surrender and prepare to welcome the Right Honourable Lady Honour Bray! Surrender and Welcome!

 

WILDTRACK    (PANIC, FALLING SILENT)

 

RUME (to Cleo)

Stay hidden…

 

A hush falls over the camp as HONOUR enters. Wildtrack whispers and sniffles as people cower.

 

HONOUR         Calm down, please. (pause) I said calm down.

 

She commands silence.

 

HONOUR         That’s better. (She clears her throat) I’m Honour Bray. If you aren’t familiar, I own the London Underground. I’m sorry to say I’m serving you eviction notice for rent arrears. (Pause) That sounded better in my head. Look, I know it’s a cliché, we can do this the easy way or the hard way. The hard way, um, obviously, is these drones kill you all.

 

WILDTRACK    (HORROR)

 

HONOUR         Then just pick the easy way!

 

Rume breaks cover.

RUME              What’s the easy way?

 

HONOUR         OK. Fine. A ship is waiting to transport you all to the tinclavic [Tin-klavik] mines of Raaga [Rah-ga].

 

RUME             What?

 

WILDTRACK    (HORROR)

 

HONOUR         In short, I sold you to settle your bills. I’ve had a better offer for this place. There’s a pod of Radusians [Rad-oo-see-ans] just off Saturn who’ll pay double what you agreed to. Six months up front in cash. It’s not personal, it’s just business.

 

Cleo now breaks out from her hiding place

 

CLEO               (Runs over) Oi! You can’t do that!

 

HONOUR         Oh good. You.

 

CLEO               You can’t just ship people into space.

 

HONOUR         I’m afraid I can. They’re alien. They have no right to remain on this planet. After the Flux, anti-alien sentiment is higher than it’s ever been.

 

CLEO               Whatever you say, we – humans – we care. We do. Sometimes it’s hard because life kicks your butt like 90% of the time, but we won’t stand for this.

 

HONOUR         (Deadpan) Rousing. (To the camp) Come along, your new life digging tinclavic awaits. Fun!

 

CLEO               No. No way.

 

HONOUR         Look, I could honestly do without this. I don’t want this to get messy, but it will.

 

CLEO               Honour. Let’s discuss what this is really about. You got dumped and you’re salty about it. Apex… he’s trash but he really cares about these people and that’s why you’re ebaying them. Out of spite.

 

HONOUR         Is that so? (Beat) You don’t know Apex Costa … whose spaceship do you think I’m shipping them out in? (CALLS) Oh Apex!

 

CLEO               (SOFT) No.

 

Apex returns, footsteps crunching in gravel.

 

WILDTRACK

(Gasps and whispers from the refugees.)

 

HONOUR         Guess who slithered into my DMs.

 

APEX               I’m sorry, Cleo.

 

CLEO               You have got to be kidding.

 

APEX               I owe her. I couldn’t run any more.

 

CLEO               Well done, Apex, truly my opinion of men has never been lower.

 

HONOUR         I knew he’d come back. My Apex likes the finer things in life too much to rough it on a planet like Earth with a lowborn like you. (Pause) The trick to men, Cleo, is to stop expecting them to be anything other than what they are. You make peace with it.

 

CLEO               Is that what you are, Apex? Her pet?

Apex says nothing.

 

CLEO               Coward.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Scene 6. 8 – INT. SARAH JANE’S ATTIC. DAY

 

Shawna works frantically at Mr Smith. We hear an ugly beeping noise.

 

SHAWNA         Come on, you ruddy thing.

 

RANI                (Urgent) Mr Smith! What’s happening?

 

MR SMITH       Access denied. Port connection not made. Node disallowal. Node refusal.

 

SHAWNA         Oh come on!

 

She types away.

 

MR SMITH       Access denied.

 

ABBY               Shawna, are you sure you can do this?

 

SHAWNA         What? Don’t you trust me?

 

ABBY               Of course I do…but this is alien tech…

 

SHAWNA         Look, I never met a computer I couldn’t hack.

 

RANI                Please don’t break Mr Smith. Not after we nearly lost him.

 

SHAWNA         Seriously you lot need to chill. Just give me a minute…

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Scene 6.9 – INT. TUNNELS. DAY

 

HONOUR         So. Cleo. I’ve got Apex. I’ve got a shipful of alien refugees. Now what’s the one thing I don’t have?

 

CLEO               Er, a soul?

 

HONOUR         My TARDIS! The last TARDIS. And you’ve a direct line to the Doctor.

 

CLEO               You think I’m phoning the Doctor for you?

 

HONOUR         Why else do you think Apex repaired your phone?

 

CLEO (HEARTBROKEN)

Oh.

 

APEX               Honour, don’t do this.

 

HONOUR         I’m so close, Apex. Just give me this one thing.

 

APEX               I came back to you, didn’t I? (Beat) You promised me she’d be safe.

 

CLEO (to Apex)

You traded for me? That’s cute.

 

HONOUR         Cleo, you’re going to phone the Doctor. I had hoped – unleashing my Cobot on you would bring the Doctor running. But no. So. Let’s be more direct.

 

FX                    HONOUR PULLS A SPACE GUN. IT POWERS UP.

 

HONOUR         This gun’s the last surviving weapon from Balen’s Gate. One charge left. Almost a waste to use it on you. But I will.

 

APEX               Honour, stop!

 

 

HONOUR        Quiet! [BEAT] Phone the Doctor, Cleo. One last time. Beg. If everything I’ve heard about the Doctor is true, they’ll do it. They’ll give it all up to save a friend.

 

CLEO               No.

 

HONOUR         Go on.

 

CLEO               It’s not like the Batsignal.

 

HONOUR         Ah now it kind of is - if you mean as much to the Doctor as you keep saying you do. Unless… were you fibbing? Is that it? Cleo? Are you not so special after all.

 

CLEO               I – I don’t even know if it’s the right number. (SIGH) If I do this for you, you’ll let these people stay?

 

HONOUR         If? No. You will do this. These people are off to the mines whatever. But maybe they won’t have to step over your body on the way out. Phone. The. Doctor.

 

FX                    AND THE WEAPON POWERS UP MORE. FIZZING.

 

CLEO               That’s the deal; take it or leave it. If I phone the Doctor, you let them go. All of them.

 

HONOUR         Very well. Deal.

 

FX                    CLEO PULLS OUT PHONE. DIALS CLEO

 

 

(BROKEN) Doctor. It’s me. Cleo. Again. I hope you’re okay. Sorry about all the messages – I was just – going through some stuff. (BRIGHT) I just want you to know – no matter what’s happening in your life – I’m doing great. Amazing. Let’s do drag brunch in Clapham sometime. See ya.

 

FX                    SHE HANGS UP CLEO

 

Sue me, Suella.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Scene 6.10 – INT. SARAH JANE’S ATTIC. DAY

 

MR SMITH makes a noise that sounds like an old modem loading.

 

MR SMITH       Portal connection refused – re – re – re - eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee

 

ABBY               What is Mr Smith doing?

 

RANI                Shawna? That doesn’t sound good.

 

SHAWNA         Can you give it a break?

 

ABBY               We need to get to Cleo! Shawna!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Scene 6.11 – INT. CAMP

 

CLEO               The Doctor’s not coming.

 

HONOUR         Phone them again.

 

CLEO               No point. The Doctor just isn’t that into mimosas.

 

HONOUR         Fine.

 

FX                    GUN CRACKLES

 

APEX               No!

 

RUME              [Shout] Leave her alone!

 

HONOUR         Get out of the way, Rume.

 

RUME              No! Cleo Proctor has shown us nothing but kindness. The people of London Underground stand with her.

 

CLEO               Aw, you guys…

 

RUME              You’ll have to go through us.

 

HONOUR         This is such a waste of time! Whatever, fine! Step aside, or I call in the Cobot.

 

RUME              We ain’t going anywhere.

 

APEX               You can’t hurt them, Honour. You sold them.

 

HONOUR         They’re mine. (CALLS) Cobot! Cobot!

 

 

FX                    We hear a mechanical stomping coming down the tunnels.

 

HONOUR         (CALLS) Clear the camp. You’re authorised to use lethal force.

 

WILDTRACK:   (spreading panic)

 

FX                    Cobot comes closer.

 

COBOT            Fatal force permitted.

 

HONOUR         What a dreadful waste. [beat] Ah well.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Scene 6.12 – INT. SARAH JANE’S ATTIC. DAY

 

FX                    Gurning from Mr Smith. Wildtrack repeats. Dangerous noises.

 

ABBY               Shawna – how’s it going?

 

SHAWNA         Mr Smith?

 

MR SMITH       G-g-g-g-g - J’avais prendre la stylo de ma tante – Bu-bu-bu – Fahren zi mit der strassenbahm – Po-po-po-

 

The noise persists. We hear a bunch of foreign languages and beeps and alarms.

 

RANI                (OVER THIS) What have you done to Mr Smith?

 

We then hear a more optimistic loading noise.

 

MR SMITH       Connection established, Rani.

 

SHAWNA         Girls, I’m in.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Scene 6.13 – INT. TUNNELS. DAY

 

FX                    The mechanical footsteps grow louder and louder. Cobot powering up.

 

WILDTRACK    (growing panic)

 

HONOUR         Cobot! Attack!

 

FX                    And the Cobot raises its weapons – dangerous powering up of guns and drills.

 

COBOT SHAWNA

Stick ‘em up, punks.

 

HONOUR         What?! Cobot? Power down.

 

COBOT ABBY  Nice try, lady, we’re in control now! You’re so hacked.

 

CLEO               Oh my god.

 

COBOT SHAWNA

Abs! I’m doing it! Everybody get down. We’ve got you covered.

 

FX                    We hear robotic arms jerking around wildly as A and S grapple for control.

 

COBOT ABBY

Shawna! Will you get off?

 

FX                    The Cobot’s blaster goes off accidentally.

 

COBOT ABBY

Shawna! Careful!

 

COBOT SHAWNA

That was you! Backseat driver!

 

FX                    The blaster goes off again, rubble falls. More screaming.

 

WILDTRACK    (Panicking and alarm)

 

COBOT SHAWNA

Freeze! We’ll shoot! We will!

 

HONOUR         Drones – Destroy that Cobot!

 

FX                    Drones powering up DRONE

 

DRONES          On the orders of the Right Honourable Lady Honour Bray – Destroy the Cobot!

 

DRONES          Attack Cobot! Destroy Cobot! Attack Cobot!

 

FX                    Drones whizzing into battle against the Cobot. Firing. Blasts pinging off the Cobot.

 

COBOT ABBY

Shawna! We’re under attack! Shawna, there! Shoot that one!

 

COBOT SHAWNA

What do you think I’m doing?!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Scene 6.14 – INT. CAMP

 

FX                    At a slight remove, the battle continues.

 

APEX               Cleo! Down here! [beat] Are you OK?

 

CLEO               What do you think?

 

APEX               Look, you need to run. Just go.

 

CLEO               Run, your answer to literally everything. I’m staying put. Clearing up your mess.

 

APEX               I tried to do good here. I really did.

 

CLEO               How’d you say that’s going?

 

APEX               (SMILES) Meh.

 

CLEO               Your life story is a stream of women tidying up after you.

 

FX                    More blaster shots. Explosions.

 

CLEO               Typical

 

APEX               Do you still have my magic flute?

 

CLEO               Oh my god. You’re asking for your stuff back now?!?

 

APEX               Do you have it?

 

CLEO               Yes, no. I don’t know. I must have dropped it when the Cobot grabbed me.

 

APEX               Where?

 

CLEO               I don’t know, back in the tunnels. Near the light corridor thing. God, if you’re that bothered, come to mine later, I’ve got a Metallica hoodie that some guy never came back for too.

 

APEX               I gotta go.

 

FX                    He turns in the ground.

 

CLEO               What? Where are you going now?

 

APEX               Gotta run.

 

CLEO               Just this once. Don’t.

 

APEX               I’m sorry. Keep her busy for like two minutes.

 

FX                    And Apex runs away.

 

CLEO               (SOFT) Apex.

 

FX                    A new blast of gunfire.

 

COBOT            Damage sustained. Error. Error. Error. Attend unit. Attend unit.

 

FX                    There’s an almighty blast as the Cobot explodes.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Scene 6.15 – INT. SARAH JANE’S ATTIC. DAY

 

Shawna and Abby are trying to operate the Cobot with Rani. An alarm sounds.

 

ABBY               What’s it doing?

 

RANI                Mr Smith, status update!

 

MR SMITH       The Cobot unit has sustained critical damage. Motor control is lost. Feedback surge! Feedback surge!

 

FX                    ALARMS GROW

 

RANI                Mr Smith!

 

MR SMITH       Rani Chandra - I have failed you… (DIES)

 

FX                    THE POWER GOES DOWN

 

RANI                You never failed me, Mr Smith. (TO SHAWNA) What happened?

 

FX                    TYPING

 

SHAWNA         (TYPING) The Cobot systems fought back – and he held them off for so long… I can get him back on line. Hold on. (PAUSE) Abby, if you’d just let me handle it!

 

ABBY               It wasn’t my fault we got hit!

 

SHAWNA         I had it under control. (Beat) Why do you always act like I’m incompetent?

 

ABBY               What? When did I ever say that?

 

 

SHAWNA         You don’t have to say it – you don’t even trust me to use the toastie machine. Everything you do tells me I’m no good.

 

Abby is silenced.

 

ABBY               Well…I’m sorry you feel that way.

 

SHAWNA         Sorry you feel that way is not an apology.

 

Rani clears her throat.

 

RANI                Sorry. I don’t want to get involved but… what about Cleo?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Scene 6.16 – INT. TUNNELS. DAY

 

As the Cobot falls, there’s more screaming and panic.

 

COBOT            Cobot offline. Cobot offline.

 

DRONES          In the name of the Right Honourable Lady Honour Bray surrender and prepare to be destroyed.

 

WILDTRACK    (whimpering, fear)

 

RUME              We surrender.

 

CLEO               No.

 

RUME              Sorry, Cleo. We’ve all been here before. There’s a time to pack up and move on. Just accept it.

 

CLEO               No way.

 

FX                    Honour marches through the rubble.

 

HONOUR         I offered you an easy way. Do you remember that bit? This was all on you.

 

FX                    She raises gun.

 

CLEO               And now what, you gonna kill me?

 

HONOUR         You know what – it’s your choice, Cleo. Life in the Tinclavic mines or be on the receiving end of the most expensive death ray in the universe. (BEAT) Wait. Where’s Apex?

 

CLEO               Ran away.

 

 

HONOUR         Figures. (SHRUGS) He’ll come back. He always does. So. What’s it to be?

 

CLEO               Do these nails look ready for mining to you?

 

HONOUR         Thought not.

 

FX                    She powers up gun.

 

CLEO               Kill me if you want, but it won’t make Apex love you any more. You’ll still be the worst thing in the world…alone.

 

HONOUR         We’re all alone.

 

CLEO               No that’s where you’re wrong. Look around. I had all of London Underground on my side. I had my best friends. And Rani. I had Apex Costa. And I had…

 

FX                    Stop. From nowhere we hear it – the oldest, most beautiful sound in the universe. A TARDIS begins to pull itself out of space and time.

 

CLEO               Not now…

 

HONOUR         What is that -

 

CLEO               Doctor! Doctor, no! Get away! It’s a trap! Doctor!

 

WILDTRACK    (Amazed excitement)

 

HONOUR         A TARDIS. I’ve finally got a TARDIS.

 

FX                    Thunk. The TARDIS finishes materializing.

 

 

CLEO               (CALLS) Doctor! Crazy lady big gun! Get out of here!

 

HONOUR         It’s beautiful. A bit – weathered – but that adds to the patina. The last time machine in the universe. You know what? I guess a girl can have everything. I’ll never be alone again. [beat] Knock knock! Anyone home?

 

FX                    Honour reaches out to knock on the door – but there is a fizz.

 

HONOUR         What? Is that right?

 

CLEO               Well, your hand just went through it. Didn’t do that last time.

 

FX                    Fizz! The TARDIS vanishes. Apex runs forward.

 

HONOUR         What?

 

APEX               Sorry, Honour! Just a hologram.

 

HONOUR         Apex!

 

CLEO               For once in your life – you came back.

 

APEX               I needed a distraction…

 

HONOUR         Drones! Kill everyone!

 

FX                    Drones power up.

 

APEX               While I rebooted this…

 

HONOUR         What is that? A magic flute? Cute.

 

APEX               Sure. Why not.

CLEO               Ha ha! You’re so done, Honour. You’re cancelled.

 

APEX               Activating

 

FX                    Apex activates the Magic Flute. Massive sonic wave.

 

WILDTRACK    (wincing)

 

HONOUR         (over) What is that?

 

FX                    The sound dies. We hear an electric burbling.

 

CLEO               It’s not a magic flute. It’s a wave disruptor!

 

FX                    Bin lid clangs as a dozen drones malfunction. Echoing of a long tunnel.

 

HONOUR         What’s happening? What’s-

 

FX                    And the soundscape melts under the disruption wave

 

CLEO               It’s over Honour.

 

HONOUR         I’ve still got this!

 

FX                    gun charges up again

 

CLEO               No. Let’s settle this woman to woman. My way.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Scene 6.17 – INT. CHICKEN SHOP. EVE.

 

Melting noise resolves - Musak plays. We hear a deep fat fryer.

 

CHICKEN MAN

Got a vegan bucket for Claire? Vegan bucket for Claire?

 

CLEO               It’s Cleo, thanks.

 

FX                    Chair scrape. Cleo goes, comes back with the feast to the table.

 

HONOUR         What is this place?

 

CLEO               Heaven. It’s a restaurant. Sort of.

 

HONOUR         They serve nothing but deep fried fake poultry?

 

CLEO               Yep. Get stuck in. It’s really good. (EATING) mmmm.

 

HONOUR         I…won’t.

 

CLEO               Suit yourself. Apex?

 

APEX               Why not. And this brown fluid is..?

 

CLEO               Gravy. My man, you are in for a treat. (EATS)

 

HONOUR         Stop this torture, I beg. Just let me go.

 

CLEO               (LOOKS UP FROM EATING) You ain’t a prisoner. Go.

 

APEX               And leave me alone.

 

HONOUR         You owe me a TARDIS.

APEX               You know I can’t do that. Take everything I’ve got. I just want this over with.

 

There’s a pause.

 

HONOUR         But…but what about us?

 

APEX               What about us? You can’t buy me.

 

HONOUR         You owe me – so much more than money. Time. Dignity.

 

APEX               I don’t love you, Honour. I’m sorry. If I made you think I did, that was cruel. I didn’t mean to if it makes any difference.

 

CLEO               That’s what this is about, isn’t it? You loved him and he humiliated you.

 

HONOUR         Yeah thanks, I have a therapist, I don’t need another.

 

CLEO               Oh grow up.

 

HONOUR         I beg your pardon?

 

CLEO               Oh boo, haven’t you ever been dumped before? God, can you imagine if I threw a massive hissy-fit every time some wasteman ghosted me? It’d be a full- time job, babes. You just get back on the apps and hope the next one might be Tom Hardy. What I’m saying is, erect a bridge and get over it.

 

HONOUR         How dare you –

 

CLEO               No. Not being funny, but why are you letting some man erode your chic? No offence Apex…

 

 

APEX               None taken –

 

CLEO               But look at him. Is he really worth it?

 

APEX               Thanks for that.

 

CLEO               He’s a liar; a scam artist; he’s a fully grown man wearing dungarees for pity’s sake. Are you really going full supervillain for this?

 

APEX               Hey!

 

HONOUR         You make a valid point.

 

CLEO               Don’t let some man be the thing that defines you.

 

There’s a long pause.

 

CLEO               Honour?

 

HONOUR         I want your ship.

 

APEX               And you’ll give the camp to Rume?

 

HONOUR         If it means I never have to come back to this tawdry planet, then yes.

 

APEX               Done.

 

They shake on it and she goes to leave.

 

FX                    chair scraping.

 

 

 

HONOUR         Goodbye and good luck, Cleo. You’ll need it. (Pause) And never text me again, Apex, even if it’s Christmas and you’re lonely.

 

She struts away and the doorbell sound goes as she leaves. Apex breathes a sigh of relief.

 

APEX               So what now? (Pause) Cleo?

 

CLEO               Sorry. Nothing. I can’t stop thinking about the Doctor. Why they didn’t come.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Scene 6.18 ALT SCENE – EXT. LONDON STREET. DAY

 

FX                    A London Street

 

CLEO               Rani! Look at you! Thanks for coming!

 

RANI                Hi

 

RANI                In the flesh at last, you did so good. You all did. I’ve been doing this since I was a kid – but you lot –

 

CLEO               Hit the ground running? When we weren’t hitting the ground.

 

RANI                Sometimes, that’s the fun bit. (SMILES) Right, quite a clear-up operation to organize. I’ll put in a few calls. Clyde, Luke, Maria and Sky – you’ll like them. But that’s not the important thing – Cleo. Did the Doctor come?

 

CLEO               No show. The Doctor’s still out there, somewhere. And I think they’re in trouble…

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Scene 6.19 – PODCAST - INT. LONDON AND GLASGOW. DAY

 

We join the friends mid-episode. They are laughing a lot.

 

ABBY               Stop! Stop, I’m not kidding! (beat) But I think it’s a warning. When you consider what happened with both the rats in London and the spiders in Sheffield, it’s clear to me we have to examine our impact on the environment.

 

CLEO               Or nature will, quite literally, bite you on the bum.

 

ABBY               Yeah

 

SHAWNA         And don’t forget the maggots in Wales.

 

CLEO               How could we?! Favourite episode ever.

 

ABBY               Same. But anyway, this is the last episode of the Blue Box Files for a wee while. We’re taking a break, but rest assured, we’ll still be looking out for weird and wonderful stories so do get in touch with your blue box sightings.

 

SHAWNA         Remember to like and subscribe.

 

CLEO               And merch! Buy a tote bag!

 

ABBY               Always buy a tote bag. Bye for now! Bye!

 

They sign off.

 

CLEO               Thanks, Ab. Sending my audio file now before I don’t forget.

 

ABBY               And thank you. This was one of the best episodes yet – mutant space rats in the docklands. Iconic.

 

SHAWNA         I’m so sorry Cleo. We should have listened. We were a right pair of –

 

CLEO               Stop! I was sulking. We’ve changed. It’s not a bad thing, it’s just different now.

 

ABBY               It was very poor form. I guess we were in the honeymoon period.

 

CLEO               It’s fine. London Underground is safe now. That’s all that matters. Thanks to all of us. Another job well done for the Blue Box Files.

 

ABBY               Next time you predict an extra-terrestrial threat, we’ve got your back 100%.

 

CLEO               Thanks. (Pause) And speaking of extra-terrestrial threat, I better go. (Pause) I’m meeting Apex in a bit.

 

There’s a silence.

 

CLEO               Well? Are you telling me you ain’t got an opinion?

 

SHAWNA         Nope. Never had an opinion in my life.

 

ABBY               I offer only support and love.

 

CLEO               Come on! Tell me what to do! That’s what you’re there for!

 

SHAWNA         Not this time, you’re on your own.

 

CLEO               Whatever. Don’t choke on herbal tea and cat fur.

 

ABBY               Good luck, darling.

 

 

 

Scene 6.20 – EXT. ROOF. NIGHT

 

We hear feet running upstairs. A fire door opens and Apex and Cleo step out onto the roof.

 

APEX               You ready? OK, here we are.

 

CLEO               I’m not sure we’re supposed to be up here, Apex. What even is this building?

 

APEX               It’s fine, I paid the security guy. Now: look at that view.

 

She takes it all in.

 

CLEO               That is spectacular to be fair. Hi London Town. It looks like a painting.

 

Pause.

 

APEX               Are you cold?

 

CLEO               No.

 

APEX               You are. Have my coat.

 

He hands it over.

 

CLEO               Thanks. Keeping this by the way.

 

APEX               It’s yours. (Pause) It’s quite beautiful isn’t it?

 

CLEO               What? The coat? It’s alright.

 

APEX               I meant London. But you, too.

 

CLEO               Shut up. Cringe.

 

Pause.

 

APEX               Hey look: you can see all the way down Camden to the river.

 

CLEO               Check you out with your knowledge. We’ll make a Londoner of you yet.

 

The breeze blows. We hear some distant sirens, a plane overhead.

 

CLEO               Sorry, can we do this quickly? Normally I don’t even get a goodbye, I just get left on read, so I don’t really know how to handle this.

 

APEX               Handle what?

 

CLEO               Well this is goodbye isn’t it? I’ve met men like you before. You can summon the illusion of the boyfriend experience for about three days and then it’s splitsville.

 

APEX               Splitsville?

 

CLEO               So long, farewell, auf weidersehen, adieu?

 

Pause.

 

APEX               It doesn’t have to be. Honour took my ship, but I still have the teleporter. I could get us both to Cirtes VI. We could get a new ship or –

 

CLEO               No. I’m staying here. I’ll be me wherever I go, and I’ll take all my baggage with me. I’ve got to figure out how to…live in this world, and be happy as I am.

 

APEX               Well…what if I stuck around too?

 

Cleo considers this.

 

CLEO               Well as long as it’s for you and not me.

 

APEX               Why else would I stay if it weren’t for you? Fried chicken and gravy?

 

CLEO               I can’t promise you anything, Apex.

 

APEX               Wait: who’s ghosting who?

 

CLEO               Stop. (Pause) You really messed with my head.

 

APEX               I know. I’m sorry. And normally when things get heavy, I go. So this…this must be something new, because I don’t want to run right now. I know it’s mad but I wanna stay.

 

CLEO               Apex…

 

APEX               I want to change. You make me want to be better.

 

Cleo wants to believe this, she really does.

 

CLEO               You’re an alien.

 

APEX               Um, so are you, to me.

 

CLEO               Oh. Fair.

 

APEX               I think we could make each other happy. Maybe briefly, but even that’s worth something, right? I think it’s worth finding out. Don’t you?

 

Pause.

 

CLEO               You’re right. Sod it. It’s always worth finding out.

 

Pause.

 

APEX               Can I kiss you now? Kissing is good.

 

CLEO               On a roof, at night, overlooking London? Bit much maybe. But yeah, go for it.

 

They kiss.

 

FX:                  A distant spaceship roars through the sky and lands. Boom. They break off.

 

CLEO               What was that?

 

APEX               I think a spaceship just crashed.

 

CLEO               We should do something –

 

Apex kisses her. In the distance we hear sirens.

 

CLEO               We absolutely should – (SHE KISSES APEX BACK) In a minute…. Yeah?

 

They kiss.

 

 

The music builds into a gleefully Whovian, alien symphony of synths and electric keyboard that cuts off into piano that continues under the rest of the credits.

 

END CREDITS

Doctor Who: Redacted. Episode Six. Redemption by Juno Dawson. Starring Charlie Craggs as Cleo Proctor, Lois Chimimba Abby Mcphail, Holly Quin-Ankrah Shawna Thompson, Freddy Carter Apex Costa, Dervla Kirwan Honour Bray, Anji Mohindra Rani Chandra, Alexander Armstrong Mr Smith, Teri Ann Bobby-Baxter Rume and Wilf Scolding as Drone. Directed by Bethany Weimers, Producer James Goss, Sound design by Rob Harvey, Original Composition by David Devereux. A BBC Studios Production for BBC Sounds.