What Transpires by Patrick Sproull
INT. THE MASONRY GALLERY – HALL – NIGHT
An upmarket, stylish Manhattan art gallery – there’s indistinguishable CHATTER. It’s a PARTY.
We’re on the middle floor, on a mezzanine level, in a CLUSTER of wealthy GUESTS – there’s DANIEL FREEDMAN (32), dishy, suited, a flute of champagne in his hand.
MALCOLM DOHERTY (49), owner of THE MASONRY GALLERY, approaches him – pleased, English, slightly incongruous appearance.
MALCOLM
(smiling)
I see time has changed your mind, Daniel.
DANIEL, startled –
DANIEL
Time changes everyone’s mind.
MALCOLM
How poetic…
DANIEL
I’m a writer, everything’s poetic to me.
MALCOLM
(gestures with his own glass)
What do you think of her, then?
They’re at a railing, overlooking the GROUND FLOOR and at the end, DECORUM, an oil painting depicting THE EMPIRE STATE BUILDING, tall, sleek and half-constructed.In front of it is a MAN, obstructing the view from other GUESTS.
DANIEL
Hm? Oh, beautiful, beautiful.
MALCOLM
Isn’t she just? It took some arm-twisting to get it here in the first place. If I hadn’t pulled strings with Guildenstern’s estate then you probably would never has seen this. First time it’s been displayed in America despite the fact it was painted here.
He laughs.
DANIEL
Congratulations, the painting’s quite a--
MALCOLM interrupts –
MALCOLM
What’s happening down there?
The MAN in front of DECORUM is feverously writing something down – looking up at the painting from time to time.
MALCOLM (CONT’D)
What’s that guy doing?
The MAN starts to run back through the crowd, underneath the balcony MALCOLM and DANIEL are on – disappearing.
Everyone continues as they were.
MALCOLM, puzzled, suspicious.
DANIEL tries to take his mind off it.
DANIEL
When did he paint it?
MALCOLM, still distracted.
MALCOLM
Huh. Oh, Guildenstern… well---
A WOMAN screams.
Everyone looks around to see what she’s screaming at. Some GUESTS gasp and point.
Something flies past the balcony, hitting the ground below.
DANIEL leans over the bar to see the MAN, dead.
CUT TO TITLES
An upmarket, stylish Manhattan art gallery – there’s indistinguishable CHATTER. It’s a PARTY.
We’re on the middle floor, on a mezzanine level, in a CLUSTER of wealthy GUESTS – there’s DANIEL FREEDMAN (32), dishy, suited, a flute of champagne in his hand.
MALCOLM DOHERTY (49), owner of THE MASONRY GALLERY, approaches him – pleased, English, slightly incongruous appearance.
MALCOLM
(smiling)
I see time has changed your mind, Daniel.
DANIEL, startled –
DANIEL
Time changes everyone’s mind.
MALCOLM
How poetic…
DANIEL
I’m a writer, everything’s poetic to me.
MALCOLM
(gestures with his own glass)
What do you think of her, then?
They’re at a railing, overlooking the GROUND FLOOR and at the end, DECORUM, an oil painting depicting THE EMPIRE STATE BUILDING, tall, sleek and half-constructed.In front of it is a MAN, obstructing the view from other GUESTS.
DANIEL
Hm? Oh, beautiful, beautiful.
MALCOLM
Isn’t she just? It took some arm-twisting to get it here in the first place. If I hadn’t pulled strings with Guildenstern’s estate then you probably would never has seen this. First time it’s been displayed in America despite the fact it was painted here.
He laughs.
DANIEL
Congratulations, the painting’s quite a--
MALCOLM interrupts –
MALCOLM
What’s happening down there?
The MAN in front of DECORUM is feverously writing something down – looking up at the painting from time to time.
MALCOLM (CONT’D)
What’s that guy doing?
The MAN starts to run back through the crowd, underneath the balcony MALCOLM and DANIEL are on – disappearing.
Everyone continues as they were.
MALCOLM, puzzled, suspicious.
DANIEL tries to take his mind off it.
DANIEL
When did he paint it?
MALCOLM, still distracted.
MALCOLM
Huh. Oh, Guildenstern… well---
A WOMAN screams.
Everyone looks around to see what she’s screaming at. Some GUESTS gasp and point.
Something flies past the balcony, hitting the ground below.
DANIEL leans over the bar to see the MAN, dead.
CUT TO TITLES
CUT TO TITLES
FOUR WEEKS LATER
EXT. CENTRAL PARK – DAY
We’re in a peaceful and untouched part of CENTRAL PARK – there’s a frail DAWN CHORUS – and nobody is around.
Clearly, it’s early morning.
Everything is quiet until –
AMY WILLIAMS appears from behind a bush, carrying a too-large net.
AMY
Here, boy! Here, boy … come to Auntie Amy.
RORY WILLIAMS joins her side.
RORY
You really think that will work?
AMY
Why shouldn’t it?
(teasingly)
It works on you.
RORY
(loudly)
Hey!
AMY
Keep your voice down, we don’t want to scare it away. Where’s Sam?
RORY
Other side of the lake.
AMY
That’s a loch, I’ll have you.
Finding it both amusing and exasperating, RORY –
RORY
We’ve been over this hundreds of times, Amy, it’s only a loch when it’s in Scotland.
AMY
Shush.
RORY
What?
She hits him gently.
AMY
I heard something.
There’s a bubbling, gurgling sound.
AMY (CONT’D)
Did you hear that?
RORY
Yep.
A SQUELCH.
A louder SQUELCH.
RORY (CONT’D)
Get ready… in 3, 2…
AMY breaks off into a sprint, shouting, the net held high above her head.
RORY (CONT’D)
Oh, come on…
He charges out too.
AMY is holding her net over a CREATURE: a purple slab of tentacles and limbs.
RORY is slightly repulsed.
AMY
See, got him. Scots-style.
RORY
Well, I’m just glad you didn’t shout, “Braveheart”.
AMY
I was going to.
The CREATURE gurgles.
SAM GARNER comes running down a path next to the lake, panting.
SAM
I saw him go underwater, I tried shouting but you didn’t hear me.
AMY
Well, I caught him, good n’ proper.
SAM
So what do we do with it?
AMY
It’s moments like this that make me miss the Doctor. He would know what to do. Probably.
(pause)
Well, maybe.
RORY sighs
RORY
Come on, Amy, we’re on our own now, we can work this out without the Doctor’s help. We’ll be fine. We have been since we got here.
SAM
Do we have a name for Mr Purple?
AMY
Mr Purple sounds good. He’s lighter than purple, though. Maybe a Mr Pink or a Mr Violet.
RORY
Erm… let me check the thing. Maybe we can find a better name for him than Mr Violet or whatever.
RORY takes out a tablet-like device – the DATABASE.
AMY points at it.
AMY
Oh, yeah, the Database. Ages since we last used that.
RORY takes a photo of the CREATURE and inspects the screen:
RORY
It’s a Ludivool.
SAM
Any way of getting rid of it?Him, her?
RORY
Hang on… yes, yes. There should be a teleporter ring on its left hand.
AMY
Don’t you mean, tentacle?
SAM
Well, I’m not touching it.
AMY
(quickly)
I’m out, too!
RORY
Why me?
RORY hands AMY the DATABASE and goes up to the LUDIVOOL, which hisses at him.
He touches a RING on its tentacle, it gurgles and teleports.
RORY (CONT’D)
(to AMY)
Happy?
AMY
Very.
SAM, filled with relief –
SAM
I’m not sure if that thing was dangerous or not but man, did it look funny.
AMY
To it, you probably looked worse. Now, boys – my investigating boys – let’s get back to the agency. There are worse crimes in the world than rogue Ludivools.
EXT. NEW YORK STREET – DAY
SAM, RORY and AMY are walking en route down a NEW YORK STREET. The wilted, tawny leaves of CENTRAL PARK have blown onto the pavement, swirling around in a whirlwind. It’s peaceful, sedate.
RORY
And we got out of the TARDIS and we were in this big cavern – like a cobwebby cave – and it was me, my dad, Amy, of course, the Doctor, the Egyptian Queen Nefertiti – yeah, I know – and Riddell, one of the Doctor’s friends. It was…
RORY notices AMY has not said a word. He puts a hand on her back.
RORY (CONT’D)
Hey… sorry, I didn’t mean to upset you.
AMY
No, you’re not upsetting me. It’s fine. Carry on. Sorry, Sam.
SAM exhales dramatically.
SAM
Don’t apologise. I’m still trying to get round the whole Egyptian queen thing and I don’t think I can.
They pass the MASONRY GALLERY – a tall, grand building – but the doors are chained shut. Inside, MALCOLM DOHERTY is talking furiously into the RECEPTION phone.
RORY
Oh God, of course: the Masonry. I heard about this.
AMY
Come again?
SAM
Even I know about this.
RORY
The Masonry – it’s a really posh art gallery for really posh people – and they imported this painting from a British guy. Can’t for the life of me remember his name.
AMY tuts and arches an eyebrow.
RORY (CONT’D)
Right, his name’s Guido Guildenstern but I don’t know much about him.
AMY coughs.
RORY (CONT’D)
Fine, I know a bit.
(AMY sighs)
A lot.
(AMY arches another eyebrow)
Okay, I’m a big fan. Anyway, they got one of Guildenstern’s most famous paintings, Decorum and it was the opening night a few weeks ago. Some homeless guy decided to kill himself there and then.
AMY
That’s horrible. Did he leave a note?
RORY
I don’t know, I didn’t pay much attention to the article.
SAM
We could always ask that bald guy inside?
AMY claps.
AMY
See, Rory, Sam’s got a clue. No Internet for him. Straight-up, foot in the door questioning.
SAM
Inter-what?
AMY
I take it all back.
She hammers on the door, rattling the chains and MALCOLM DOHERTY marches over to them. He unlocks the chains from the inside.
MALCOLM
What do you so desperately desire that you have to pummel my front door?
AMY
Information. We’re from the press, just getting a little bit more additional information on the recent suicide. I’m Amelia Williams of the New York Free Press. This is my colleague, Samuel Garner and our dogsbody, Rory.
MALCOLM
Good afternoon, Miss Williams. I never turn away press – always been a rule of mine. Unless you’re here to write a hatchet job and sully this gallery’s name, you’re perfectly welcome to come in.
He ushers them into the gallery reception.
SAM and RORY linger in the doorway.
SAM
There’s no such paper as the New York Free Press.
RORY
He doesn’t know that. Yet. Now, come on.
INT.THE MASONRY GALLERY – OFFICE – DAY
MALCOLM DOHERTY sits at his desk in a smart but barren office.
AMY and SAM are seated opposite while RORY is standing by the door, a dark look on his face.
MALCOLM notices and AMY smiles.
AMY
Sorry, ignore him. He’s not been feeling very well lately.
MALCOLM
Ah.
AMY
So, sir… sir, sir, sir.
MALCOLM
Mr Doherty.
AMY
Yes, Mr Doherty. Could you give your own interpretation of what happened when that man…
MALCOLM
Jumped? Simply put: I was talking to one of my guests when there was a scream and he fell.
AMY
“Fell”, Mr Doherty?
MALCOLM
Leapt – sorry. It’s been a long day.
SAM
So after he “leapt” you did what exactly?
MALCOLM
I telephoned the police, they arrived, did their bit and then departed. I’m sorry, Miss Williams and Mr Garner but I struggle to see how any of this information is additional? I have given numerous statements containing this information.
AMY
Sorry, the Free Press are a bit behind.
MALCOLM
That may be so but I feel you must leave. I’m behind on paperwork and things.
AMY
“And things”?
MALCOLM
Yes, yes, please, leave me, I think you’ve brought on a migraine.
MALCOLM rises and AMY and SAM go to the door. RORY joins them.
SAM
One last thing, Mr Doherty…
MALCOLM
What?
SAM
We need to see Decorum.
MR DOHERTY’s eyes twinkle.
He can’t resist.
INT. THE MASONRY GALLERY – HALL – DAY
AMY, RORY and SAM are standing around a velvet cord protecting DECORUM, still in pristine condition.
MALCOLM DOHERTY is stood to the side, watching them.
MALCOLM
I’m astonished we got this in the first place. Guildenstern died a couple of years ago and his estate is a shambles. It was probably a missed memo that got us Decorum.
RORY
It’s gorgeous. I’m a big fan of Guildenstern’s work.
MALCOLM
Quite.
AMY
So the night the man died was the same night Decorum was unveiled, correct?
MALCOLM
Right, you are. The dead man was somewhat interested in the painting.
SAM
How so?
MALCOLM
Well, the police acquired a notebook on the body. He was a homeless kook, obsessed with the Empire State Building. The notes he made were unintelligible.
AMY
Do you have them?
MALCOLM
No, they’re with the police now but there was something about the spire. None of the detectives could make sense of it. As I said: kook.
AMY leans over the cord at a precarious angle and MALCOLM gasps. She squints at the painting.
AMY
I can’t see any---
(a beat)
Rory. Rory.
RORY
(concerned)
Yeah?
AMY
Look at this, at the painting. On the spire. Recognise anything?
RORY looks closer.
His eyes widen in both AMAZEMENT and FEAR.
There’s DALEKANIUM on the top of the EMPIRE STATE BUILDING.
INT. THE MASONRY GALLERY – OFFICE – DAY
AMY and SAM are sat together while RORY is sitting on MALCOLM DOHERTY’s desk. MALCOLM is nowhere to be seen.
AMY
(to SAM)
You seriously don’t know who the Daleks are?
RORY
Everyone knows who the Daleks are. Everyone saw them in the skies and in the streets. They stole planets from their orbit and just left them near Earth.
AMY
Everyone in 2008, Rory.
RORY
That’s true.
SAM is pinching the bridge of his nose, trying to work out what they’re saying.
SAM
So the Daleks are in New York?
RORY
Why else would there be that metal Dalek stuff on the Empire State Building?
SAM
I don’t know. I don’t know what the Daleks are. Are they a group? Like a secret organisation.
AMY
Pretty much. Replace ‘secret’ with ‘universal’ and you’ve got the Daleks.
RORY
They’re deadly and weaponised and totally hostile to anything that isn’t Dalek. Amy and I have met them.
SAM
God – if they’ve got their Dalek… ness on the Empire State Building then I can pretty damn well guess they are not for decoration.
AMY
So we need…
The door opens and MALCOLM DOHERTY enters.
MALCOLM
What we need, Miss Williams, is to go up to the roof. You’ll find all your answers there.
EXT. THE MASONRY GALLERY – ROOFTOP – DAY
THE MASONRY GALLERY overlooks the whole of Manhattan but it’s the EMPIRE STATE BUILDING that RORY, AMY, SAM and MALCOLM DOHERTY are looking at.
MALCOLM
Do you see anything glistening in the sunlight? Any bronze metal?
They all frown into the sunlight, trying to see the spire of the EMPIRE STATE BUILDING clearly.
MALCOLM hands AMY a pair of binoculars.
She looks through them.
AMY
He’s right, there’s nothing.
RORY and SAM take turns on the binoculars.
SAM
Is it bad that I’m disappointed?
AMY
Yes. But I’ve spent most of my adult life getting a kick out of adrenaline. You’re in our world now, Sam.
MALCOLM
Your babblings about “alien interference” with the Empire State Building is absolute hokum, Miss Williams. As diverting as your little visit has been – and I’m fully aware you’re not a journalist, I’m not an idiot just a complete show-off – it is high time you leave. All of you.
AMY
Thank you, Mr Doherty.For helping us and for not chucking us out immediately.
MALCOLM purses his lips.
AMY (CONT’D)
We can let ourselves out. Come on, boys.
INT. THE MASONRY GALLERY – HALL – DAY
AMY, RORY and SAM are back around the painting, DECORUM.
MALCOLM DOHERTY is nowhere to be seen.
AMY
We are stupid. We are so stupid. Rory, Sam, tell what we’ve overlooked.
They both look at the picture.
RORY
It’s the date. The date! We are stupid.
SAM
Huh?
AMY
Guildenstern painted it in 1930. That was 8 years ago.
SAM
Still not getting it.
AMY
Oh, keep up, Sam. The Dalek plates on the Empire State Building will have been taken down by now – 8 years is a long time and somebody will have noticed.
RORY
The question is: what were they doing there in the first place?
AMY
And who killed the homeless guy?
EXT. NEW YORK STREET – DAY
AMY, RORY and SAM are standing outside the MASONRY GALLERY, thinking about what to do next.
AMY
You two, we need to brainstorm.
SAM
Brain-what?
RORY
Brainstorm: a group discussion to solve a problem. It’s a British word, sorry. And it probably won’t be invented for a long while yet. Sorry. Again.
SAM
You Brits put brain and storm together as a way of saying ‘to think as a group’ … brainstorm. Nah – not doing it for me.
AMY
Guys, concentrate. Where can we find answers?
RORY
What about Hooverville? Best place to find information on the homeless bloke.
AMY
Perfect. Well done, husband. We’ll go there. As for you, Sammy, my boy, I want you to go to the Empire State Building, find us some original blueprints and then meet us back at the agency.
SAM
Because the tallest building in the world are really going to let me see their architectural schematics. That makes total sense.
AMY
You’re a good actor. Work something out.
SAM
Wish me luck.
AMY
Break a leg!
SAM
Huh?
AMY
Okay – right, just never mind!
EXT. HOOVERVILLE – CAMP – FIRE PIT – DAY
ARMITAGE (60s), a grizzled, dark-skinned man in a trench coat stumbles out of his tent, rubbing his sore back.
The CAMP is a tented village, all surrounding a central, guttering fire pit. Grubby CHILDREN run amok, dashing between the tents. WOMEN sit on stumps of wood, scrubbing old sheets on washboards while some MEN sit around the fire. OTHERS toil in the woods behind.
This is HOOVERVILLE: a city within a city.
AMY and RORY approach.
AMY
How are we going to do this?
RORY
Do what?
AMY
Introduce ourselves? Glean information?
RORY
I’ll leave it up to you.
AMY
What? Where are you going?
RORY doesn’t answer. He strides over to a LITTLE GIRL who is picking an infected-looking scab on her knee.
He starts talking to her but nothing can be heard.
RORY takes out a med-pack, something he always carries.
AMY (CONT’D)
Well, then.
A MAN walks up to her.
MAN
Your friend does not need to do that.
AMY
He’s just helping. He’s a nurse, you know.
ARMITAGE
A nurse? How times fly by when you’re living in poverty.
He laughs. And AMY, considering it appropriate, laughs, too.
AMY
I’m Amy.
She holds out her hand.
ARMITAGE
Armitage, I’m the leader here in Hooverville.
ARMITAGE takes her hand.
AMY
Is that a title?
ARMITAGE
Somewhat. I’ve been the leader here for, well, that’ll be 8 years now.
AMY
8 years! Who was the person before you?
ARMITAGE
A man called Soloman.
AMY
And, what, did he resign?
ARMITAGE
No.
(he laughs drily)
He was killed. Devastated the people here. Only a few here today witnessed it.
AMY
I don’t want to pry but could I ask how he was killed?
ARMITAGE
A Darlek killed him.
AMY’s eyes widen.
AMY
A Darlek? You mean, a Dalek!
ARMITAGE
Perhaps. The name means little, it’s what that thing stood for.
AMY
Death, destruction, xenophobia.
ARMITAGE looks at her, watching her eyes.
ARMITAGE
You have met them, then?
AMY
On more than one occasion.
ARMITAGE
Then, you, are possibly one of the most unluckiest people on God’s green Earth, Amy.
EXT. HOOVERVILLE – CAMP – LITTLE GIRL’S TENT – DAY
RORY is daubing something from a tube onto the knee of a LITTLE GIRL (10) who is sitting on a log.
RORY
So, I’m Rory. I’m a nurse, believe it or not.
LITTLE GIRL
Like a doctor? I thought nurses were girls.
RORY
Yeah, so did a lot of people. What’s your name?
MARIA
My name is Maria. What are you doing to my leg?
RORY
This is called antiseptic cream, it stops your leg from getting all infected.
MARIA
I thought it looked kinda cool.
RORY
Maria, can I ask you something?
He looks round to AMY who is deep in conversation with ARMITAGE by the fire pit.
RORY takes out a plaster from a modern packet and rips off the strips at the back.
MARIA
I think you can. My momma might not.
RORY
It’s nothing bad, I’m sure your momma won’t mind. What do you know about the Empire State Building, Maria?
MARIA
Well, it’s really tall.
RORY
Apart from that.
MARIA
Sonny will be probably know more than me.
RORY sticks the plaster on her knee.
RORY
And does Sonny live here?
MARIA
In that tent.
She points.
RORY
Thank you, Maria.
MARIA
I have a question of my own: why did this bandage come out of a box? And why is it sticky and soft?
RORY
It’s really new. Just leave it on for a few days then whip it off and your leg will be as good as new.
MARIA
Really?
RORY
Yip. Thanks again, Maria.
He starts to walk away.
EXT. HOOVERVILLE – CAMP – FIRE PIT – DAY
AMY and ARMITAGE are around the fire pit, sitting on a log.
ARMITAGE
The Dalek came down from the sky and looked at Soloman, cold as morning frost, and electrocuted him. He died in an instant after the poor man pleaded for his life.
AMY
And you knew Soloman?
ARMITAGE
When the attack happened I was new to Hooverville – didn’t fit in much, almost left after the Daleks but people persuaded me to stay. I made friends, we moved on but still remembering what happened. Still remembering the casualties we suffered.
AMY
Armitage… I… I am so sorry. I’ve seen Daleks kill people in front of my eyes. I’ve seen families ripped apart because of them. I hate them as much as you do.
ARMITAGE
And this… this all happened in where you’re from? Ireland?
AMY
Scotland. And sort-of, yeah.
ARMITAGE
Alien activity in a faraway land…
EXT. HOOVERVILLE – CAMP – SONNY’S TENT – DAY
RORY is standing rather awkwardly outside a brown, battered tent. It looks just like the others
A face appears in the flap: suspicious, surprisingly young.
SONNY bursts out: a broad-shouldered, lantern-jawed man, dressed in ragged clothes.
SONNY
What do you want?
RORY
Well, uh, Maria sent me. She didn’t send me per se but she advised me to come to you.
SONNY
And why would a little girl like Maria advise you to come to me?
RORY
I take it you’re a bit of an Empire State Building aficionado?
SONNY grins and extends a hand.
SONNY
I like to think so.
RORY takes it.
RORY
I’m Rory.
SONNY
Sonny.
He gestures to a log outside.
SONNY (CONT’D)
Take a seat.
They both sit.
SONNY (CONT’D)
So what do you want to know?
RORY
Metal plates.
SONNY
The ESB is built of a lot of things – metal plates doesn’t narrow it down.
RORY
ESB? Oh. Well, the plates were new – they were put up when the Empire… the, uh, ESB was being built.
SONNY
When specifically?
RORY
1930.
SONNY looks at him, mouth hanging open.
SONNY
You’re talking about the..
RORY
… the Dalekanium.
SONNY
And the Daleks? The Dalekanium!
RORY
Yeah, that’s it: Dalekanium. I didn’t know it had a name.
SONNY looks around the quiet campsite.
SONNY
I think you’d better come inside. Quickly!
INT. HOOVERVILLE – CAMP – SONNY’S TENT – DAY
SONNY’S tent is cluttered: a portable campfire is on a low table with two stools, a bundle of rags serves as the bed on one side.
In the back is a separate section of the tent: the sleeping area.
SONNY pulls back the fabric partition: it’s not a sleeping area, it’s a fanatic’s workshop. Dirty, grubby and faint photos of the EMPIRE STATE BUILDING line the walls. String connects things. It’s messily organised.
RORY
You really do like the Empire State Building.
SONNY
Don’t laugh.
RORY
Sorry. So, do you do this on your own? This investigating into the Dalekanium?
SONNY
There have been others but they all go. Hooverville is not an established community, people come and go every week. There are only a few who you could call residents.
RORY
How long have you been here?
SONNY
Five years now. When I heard about the Daleks and what they did to our old leader.
RORY
Sorry, what?!
EXT. HOOVERVILLE – CAMP – OUTSKIRTS – DAY
A MAN in a dark suit and black glasses approaches the camp, spats-covered shoes crushing the leaves.
His eyes are covered by dark sunglasses and his equally dark hair is immaculate.
He scans Hooverville, now from far away, a defenceless cluster of tents.
Sitting ducks.
INT. HOOVERVILLE – CAMP – SONNY’S TENT – DAY
RORY
So you have never seen a Dalek?
SONNY
No but I have dreamed of. The Great Depression has left me with little things to occupy my time. Everyone needs a hobby.
RORY
This isn’t a hobby – this is an obsession. You don’t understand who the Daleks are. I’ve met them!
SONNY
Do not preach to me. I know what they are capable of, I know that their technology is capable of helping us!
RORY
You think the Daleks can help us? Killer, death machines from outer space will just hand over their laboratories for mankind to fiddle about with?
SONNY
We will use force.
RORY
And whose “we”?
SONNY says nothing.
RORY (CONT’D)
Were there any other people helping you?
SONNY
Yes, of course. I’m not delusional. Harry helped me.
RORY
And what happened to Harry?
SONNY
He died.
RORY
Oh. I’m sorry to hear that.
SONNY
A month ago he went on a solo investigation. If you think I’m obsessive then you should have seen Harry. He said he had a lead. He always enjoyed keeping me in the dark so that when he finally discovered something that would help us, I would be surprised. This time it was some ramblings about a painting.
RORY
Decorum! It’s Decorum. Oh, yes!
SONNY
What’s Decorum?
RORY
A painting, made in 1930 when the ESB was being constructed. The artist, Guildenstern, who is great, by the way – worth checking out – managed to capture the Dalekanium on top of the ESB in his painting. It’s been removed now but this is basically confirmation that the Empire State Building has something to do with the Daleks!
EXT. HOOVERVILLE – CAMP – FIRE PIT – DAY
The MAN in the suit is approaching the camp towards where AMY and ARMITAGE are sitting.
ARMITAGE
Now, who’s this? It’s like Times Square today.
MAN
Good afternoon. Where is the vagrant human called Sonny?
ARMITAGE
Vagrant human? Who do you think you are?
MAN
It is of no matter.
AMY puts a hand on ARMITAGE’S chest, stopping him from walking up to the MAN.
ARMITAGE
I think you’ll find it is. I’m Armitage, the leader here. Who are you?
The MAN twitches for a second.
MAN
My name is Mr Dread.
AMY
And I’m Mrs Spooky – I think we’re going to get on like a house on fire.
MR DREAD
Your levity is not appreciated in the circumstance.
AMY
And what circumstance is that?
MR DREAD
Where is the vagrant human?
AMY
Now you’re just being impolite.
(shouts)
Rory!
MR DREAD uses one hand to rip off the other, revealing a chunky, steel weapon built into his arm.
He levels it at AMY and ARMITAGE
MR DREAD
Tell me where the vagrant human is or prepare to be incinerated.
Green energy gathers in the nozzle of MR DREAD’S gun.
Then…
RORY tosses a blanket over him and SONNY kicks MR DREAD over. The man falls awkwardly, mechanically.
AMY
Time to go!
RORY and AMY break into a sprint, running through HOOVERVILLE.
ARMITAGE ducks into his tent and SONNY dithers before following AMY and RORY.
Any denizens of HOOVERVILLE that have watched the scene unfold run into their tents.
MR DREAD rips out of the blanket, stands up and pulls something out of his pocket. He scans the air.
MR DREAD
The male and the female and the vagrant have gone. But I shall not be far behind.
INT. ANGEL DETECTIVE AGENCY – RECEPTION – DAY
AMY, RORY and SONNY enter the RECEPTION of their offices, the ANGEL DETECTIVE AGENCY.
It’s homely, cosy and there are books piled high in stacks on the floor.
SAM is sitting on a battered sofa.
AMY
What have you found?
She drops into the sofa next to him.
SAM
(sarcastically)
Well, I’ve got a date with Beverly, a lovely lady who also happens to be the Empire State Building’s current director.
AMY
But you’ve got some of the blueprints? The schematics?
SAM
Yeah, I do.
He points to his desk and RORY grabs them.
SAM (CONT’D)
Whose your friend?
RORY
This is Sonny. He’s helping us get to the bottom of this.
SAM stands up.
SAM
The bottom of what exactly?
AMY
Rory, tell us. What happened?
EXT. NEW YORK STREET – DAY
MR DREAD marches down a quiet street, eyes hidden by dark glasses.
He’s still in pursuit of AMY, RORY and SONNY.
He stops, pulls out a device from his jacket, clicks it.
MR DREAD
Several humans have been alerted to my presence. They must undertake a memory wipe or, if they do not comply, obliteration. Join me.
And he snaps it shut.
And continues – to THE ANGEL DETECTIVE AGENCY.
INT. ANGEL DETECTIVE AGENCY – RECEPTION – DAY
SAM is standing next to RORY now, AMY is leaning against a desk and SONNY is seated on the edge of the sofa.
SAM
You’re telling me that this kid – Sonny – has been investigating the Dalek-metal on the Empire State Building, too?
RORY
That’s Dalekanium.
AMY
What?
RORY
It has a name.
SAM
That’s great but could it mean the Daleks are here?
RORY
I don’t know. We need more information. We need to start at the bottom. Quite literally.
He points at the bottom of the blueprints, indicating the basement of the Empire State Building.
SAM
It says here that during construction, the basement was sealed off by the previous director of operations: a guy named Mr Diagoras.
AMY
So we check out the basement?
RORY
If the Daleks had something to do with the Empire State Building in 1930 then that seems a logical place to hide.
SONNY stands up.
SONNY
If Harry saw this then he’d probably faint. This is the biggest development we’ve had since the painting.
AMY
Welcome to the Angel Detective Agency, Sonny; we get things done.
SONNY
Then can I come with you? To the ESB?
AMY looks puzzled.
RORY
The Empire State Building. It’s slang.
AMY
Oh – I suppose you can. Sam, you coming?
SAM
As long as we don’t bump into Beverley again then I’m there.
AMY flings open the door.
MR DREAD and two other suited MEN IN BLACK are in the threshold, guns raised.
AMY slams the door shut.
AMY
Time to make our exit. This way! Come on!
AMY dashes through her office. SAM and RORY follow.
The door explodes open in a flash of green energy.
SONNY, petrified, leaps over the sofa and hides.
EXT. ANGEL DETECTIVE AGENCY – FIRE ESCAPE – NIGHT
RORY shuts the window out of AMY’s office and he looks at AMY and SAM.
They’re standing on a black, iron fire escape but the final ladder leading down to the street is gone. It’s dropped.
RORY
If we were in a burning building, we’d probably die now.
AMY
We might still if we don’t get away from Mr Creepy-pants in there!
SAM
Stop arguing, guys – come on!
He ascends the stairs to the roof – and AMY and RORY follow.
INT. ANGEL DETECTIVE AGENCY – RECEPTION – NIGHT
MR DREAD surveys the room.
MR DREAD
Three of four identified humans have escaped through there. I shall pursue them. Scan this level for the other human.
MR DREAD marches after AMY, RORY and SAM through AMY’s office.
The other two MEN IN BLACK produce their own gadgets and scan the room.
One of them walks round the room.
SONNY yells out and jumps out from his hiding spot.
He darts to the door of AMY’s office but one of the MEN IN BLACK step in front and he whacks into the MAN’s chest.
There’s a clink of metal.
The MAN aims his gun at SONNY and he shuts his eyes, bracing himself.
EXT. ANGEL DETECTIVE AGENCY – ROOF – NIGHT
AMY and RORY and SAM are standing on the roof at the top of the fire escape stairs.
SAM peeps over.
MR DREAD has smashed through AMY’s office window and is loudly climbing up the stairs.
SAM
He’s coming!
RORY
Sorry, “Mr Creepy-pants”?
AMY
Shut up, Rory – we need to go!
They sprint across the flat roof but there’s no other way down.
With a bang, MR DREAD reaches the roof.
MR DREAD
Stop – or prepare to be incinerated.
AMY
I’m Amy Williams. This is Rory and Sam.
MR DREAD
Your names are irrelevant.
AMY
Oh, Mr Dread, I think you’ll find that on planet Earth, names carry a lot of relevance.
MR DREAD
You know about the Dalekanium.
RORY steps forward.
RORY
Yes, we do.
AMY gently motions him behind her.
AMY
And we’re not going to incinerated, thanks.
MR DREAD
Your minds must be wiped.
AMY
I’m afraid that’s off the cards, too. You know, it’s interesting that you said Dalekanium and not Daleks.
MR DREAD
That information is irrelevant.
AMY
Everything’s irrelevant to you!
Behind AMY and RORY, SAM creeps to the lip of the building and glances down.
He smiles.
MR DREAD
Prepare to be incinerated.
AMY
Well, you see… I don’t really want to be incinerated. Sorry about that. Way of the world. Not many people do.
MR DREAD’s gun powers up.
RORY fumbles in his jacket pocket and takes out the DATABASE. He aims it at MR DREAD.
SAM
Rory, what are you doing? Jump!
SAM grabs RORY and pulls him off the building.
AMY cries out and grabs for them. MR DREAD fires and the laser-bullet misses.
But AMY’s foot catches on the edge and she falls after her friends.
EXT. ANGEL DETECTIVE AGENCY – ALLEYWAY – NIGHT
AMY is sitting upright in a dumpster, using a flattened cardboard box as a cushion. SAM is next to her, lying against a mattress.
RORY is upside down, legs sticking up.
AMY
Well, there’s several upsides to this.
RORY
(muffled)
Including the literal upside: me.
SAM
What are the other upsides?
AMY
Well, we survived jumping off a building – and I get a nice view of Rory from this angle.
RORY
Hey!
AMY
Don’t worry, dear, you look great.
RORY rights himself and the three start to clamber out of the dumpster.
SAM
I suppose another upside is that this wasn’t a refuse dumpster.
EXT. ANGEL DETECTIVE AGENCY – ROOF – NIGHT
MR DREAD watches as AMY, RORY and SAM sprint away down the ALLEYWAY.
He clicks his communicator open again.
MR DREAD
The humans have escaped. Rendezvous outside – I have a plan.
EXT. NEW YORK STREET – NIGHT
RORY, AMY and SAM hurry along a darkened street, glancing behind them.
AMY stops in her tracks. RORY is busy with the DATABASE.
AMY
What about Sonny? We can’t just leave him.
SAM
He got caught by one of those guys.
RORY
You mean, androids.
AMY
They are robots, I should have known. I thought he just had a cool gun in his hand.
RORY holds up the DATABASE.
RORY
They’re part of an organisation called the Alliance of Shades. Hm, “shades”. I guess that explains the dark sunglasses.
AMY
Sounds like Mr Creepy-pants has equally sinister pals.
RORY
They dispatch these androids to lie dormant on Earth and when it’s necessary they are activated to remove any kind of disruptive aliens or evidence that could harm humans – and wipe the memory of witnesses.
AMY
And they’ve been doing a great job there. Do you think they’ll have wiped Sonny’s mind?
SAM
They could have incinerated him.
AMY
That’s really put me at peace. Thanks, Sam.
SAM
Listen, we can’t go back to the agency. Not now. Those shady guys will be after us and once we’ve stopped them, then we can deal with Sonny. Right now, we need to get our priorities sorted.
AMY
Sorry, yeah, you’re right. We need to go.
She sets off down the street and SAM follows.
RORY
Hey – wait for me!
INT. EMPIRE STATE BUILDING – FOYER – NIGHT
A fresh-faced RECEPTIONIST is making her way across the FOYER to AMY, RORY and SAM who have just entered.
RECEPTIONIST
Ah, hello again, Mr Garner. If you’re here to see Mrs Gomez again, you’ll have to wait till tomorrow – she just left.
SAM
Oh, I just left my wallet in Beverley’s office. I’ll only be a jiffy.
RECEPTIONIST
I was about to go myself…
SAM
Could you wait? It’s really important that I get this wallet – me and my… friends were planning on going out.
RECEPTIONIST
I’m sorry, Mr Garner but I think---
AMY punches her full force in the face.
The RECEPTIONIST collapses.
RORY’s mouth curves into an O.
SAM
The Scots are violent, aren’t they?
He bends down and picks up the RECEPTIONIST, sliding her body behind the desk.
AMY
Needs must. And she’ll be fine, I’m sure.
She smiles sweetly and SAM and her make for the lift.
RORY is still frozen to the spot.
AMY (CONT’D)
Come on, slowcoach! Get your skates on.
The lift pings open.
AMY and SAM step in.
After a moment, RORY swiftly follows.
INT. EMPIRE STATE BUILDING – FOYER – NIGHT
SAM looks at the buttons beside the door in the LIFT.
SAM
What floor?
RORY
The basement. Remember.
SAM
The basement? I… can’t…
They all stare at the buttons.
AMY bashes the bottom marked ‘basement’ incredibly forcefully.
SAM
I couldn’t see that. Why couldn’t I see the button?
AMY
If I were the Doctor I would say that before the Daleks left, they installed a perception filter around the basement. It seems logical. And you all have to marvel at that because I’m not the Doctor.
SAM
What’s a perception filter?
AMY
It blocks things out in a way. Like a door or that button can just become something you see in the corner of your eye but never dare investigate.
SAM
That’s handy.
AMY
Not when it’s used by the Daleks.
INT. EMPIRE STATE BUILDING – DALEK LABORATORY – NIGHT
The pillared laboratory is a cavern of technology, ranging from large, faded, electric-blue monitors to tables piled high with Bunsen burners and flasks. A hollow, shattered radio sits on one counter, grey with dust. There’s a lost quality to the room like it was abandoned abruptly, left undiscovered…
AMY is first to step out of the lift.
AMY
This place is definitely Dalek. Look.
She points at a semicircle of Dalek-like metal at the far end of the room. Cables stream from it, hanging limply. Something was once connected to this.
RORY
It must be. I’m getting that chill down my neck. The one my body reserves specially for them.
SAM
These Daleks really mean something to you, don’t they?
AMY
Met them with Winston Churchill, in their nuthouse – more than I should of, really.
SAM
Sorry, Winston who?
AMY
1938… yeah, you’ll recognise the name in a few years.
AMY snaps on a torch from her pocket and starts to inspect the equipment.
She squints at one of the monitors.
AMY (CONT’D)
These screens are dead but the last image on it is still up.
RORY and SAM hurry round.
It’s DALEK SEC in human form.
INT. EMPIRE STATE BUILDING – FOYER – NIGHT
MR DREAD and his associates stride into the foyer. The RECEPTIONIST is unconscious behind the desk.
MR DREAD
Check if the female is alive. If she is, conduct a memory wipe.
One of the MEN does so.
MR DREAD presses the button to summon the lift.
The floors click up.
Basement.
Ground floor.
MR DREAD steps into the lift.
INT. EMPIRE STATE BUILDING – DALEK LABORATORY – NIGHT
SAM
What the hell is that?
AMY
Anyone want to take a guess?
SAM and AMY look at RORY.
RORY
Well, uh, some kind of mutant.
AMY
Check the Database.
RORY scans it.
The screen reads ‘NO RESULT FOUND’.
RORY
That’s weird. It normally knows everything. Well, most things.
AMY
Rory, you using dodgy tech River gave us from the Maldovar Markets is a recipe for disaster in the first place. What did you expect?
She grins.
RORY’s eye catches the dial above the lift, showing it descend to the basement.
RORY
Uh oh, company’s on its way!
The doors chime open.
MR DREAD and his associates step out, their guns already pointed at AMY, RORY and SAM.
MR DREAD
Step away from the controls.
AMY
Gladly. It’s not a pretty sight.
She steps back and SAM and RORY comply as MR DREAD checks the monitor.
With his back to them, he says –
MR DREAD
Hold them!
The two MEN IN BLACK grab SAM and RORY from behind.
RORY
Amy!
One of them kicks AMY behind her knee and she drops to the floor.
MR DREAD advances on her and she scrabbles upwards.
AMY
Get away from me!
MR DREAD’s associates pull SAM and RORY away.
AMY (CONT’D)
And you can leave those two alone.
MR DREAD
They are irrelevant.
AMY
Back to square one. It’s like talking to a brick wall. A brick wall with sunglasses.
MR DREAD
You are wise beyond your status.
He pulls out his scanner and aims it at AMY.
A green light washes over her.
MR DREAD (CONT’D)
There is residual artron energy in your system. You have travelled in time and space.
AMY
And proud.
MR DREAD
The average human is not meant for this.
AMY
As you can see, I’m not the average human.
MR DREAD
Your experiences must be removed, your mind expunged.
AMY
Oh no, you stay away from me…
AMY moves back but there’s nowhere to run.
SAM and RORY and their captors are by the lift, the MEN IN BLACK’s hands clamped their mouths – the other gun-arm pointed at their heads.
RORY’s eyes are wide with fear.
AMY
Don’t you dare!
AMY bangs into one of the tables and stops.
MR DREAD whips off his sunglasses. He has sharp, dark, keen eyes.
They flash green.
The memory wipe begins.
DARKNESS
A circle – like a great big porthole – is in the centre of this dark space. It flickers on like an old television set. Images start to appear on it –
AMY locking THE DOCTOR’s tie in a car door.
AMY helping BRACEWELL embrace his humanity.
AMY and THE DOCTOR defeating the KIN.
AMY meeting RIVER SONG for the first time.
- FASTER –
AMY getting a kiss from VINCENT VAN GOGH.
AMY getting attacked by a dismembered CYBERMAN head.
AMY, RORY, THE DOCTOR and CANTON EVERETT DELAWARE III in AREA 51.
AMY sword-fighting on a pirate ship.
- FASTER –
AMY discovering RIVER SONG is her daughter.
AMY trapped on APALAPUCIA, in THE SHILL GOVERNOR’s replica gardens.
AMY running through the snow on the DALEK ASYLUM.
- FASTER –
AMY accidentally firing a gun in MERCY.
AMY using defibrillators on THE DOCTOR.
- FASTER –
AMY, RORY, RIVER SONG and THE DOCTOR in that NEW YORK graveyard.
AMY (O.S.)
What… how…
MR DREAD (O.S.)
Curious.
AMY (O.S.)
Mr Dread… what are you doing in my head?
MR DREAD (O.S.)
You are stronger than an average human. Your body is resisting my hypnosis.
AMY (O.S.)
Like I said, not your average human. Now get out of my head.
MR DREAD (O.S.)
No. Were I to sever the connection without care, I could cause you permanent brain damage.
AMY (O.S.)
Then get out with care. These are my memories!
MR DREAD (O.S.)
And they are poisoning your brain.
AMY (O.S.)
Poisoning?
MR DREAD (O.S.)
This is an experience you should not have had.
AMY (O.S.)
And am I doing any harm? Am I hurting anyone?
MR DREAD (O.S.)
Only yourself. Stop resisting.
AMY (O.S.)
Or prepare to be incinerated? You can’t incinerate me inside my own head.
MR DREAD (O.S.)
The memory wipe will continue as planned.
Images from AMY’s time with THE DOCTOR and her time in MANHATTAN flash by, speeding up until they are almost a streak of colours.
AMY steps in front of the circle, a silhouette, it’s like a miniature AMY in her head.
AMY
Get out of my head. Don’t you dare touch my memories!
MR DREAD (O.S.)
You are fighting. This must be remedied.
MR DREAD steps in front of the circle from the other side.
MR DREAD (CONT’D)
Amelia Williams, resist.
AMY clutches at her head like she’s getting a particularly bad headache.
AMY
Get some humanity, Mr Dread. You might be a metal bonehead but I bet a part of you is capable of forming human emotions. You look like us, after all.
MR DREAD
Human emotions are not important in my position.
AMY
And your position is to erase my life, is it?
MR DREAD
N-n… no.
AMY
Then stop.
MR DREAD
But your mind has been corrupted. You must be cleansed.
AMY
Look at them…
The images on the circle slow down – there’s AMY happy, smiling, enjoying her life. She’s with THE DOCTOR. He’s as elated as she is. They’re in the TARDIS. Now the MUSÉE D’ORSAY in PARIS. On the BEACH by LAKE SILENCIO, picnicking with RORY and RIVER SONG.
This is AMY’s life.
AMY
I had an amazing time – the best time – with the Doctor and those memories are, undoubtedly, the greatest I’ll ever have. My life with the Doctor was my entire life until I moved on and realised there was more in the world than just travelling through the universe. Mr Dread, please, you have to let me keep these memories. They’re…
(falters)
They are all I have left.
MR DREAD is silent for a moment.
MR DREAD
What of your experiences since moving into New York?
The images on the circle change to AMY and SAM pursuing the VAENFELL across the rooftops of the city, to AMY on DAISY’s spaceship, to AMY and RIVER SONG’s argument in THE ANGEL DETECTIVE AGENCY, to AMY and RORY arriving at RICANTI’s book launch, to NATHAN PATTERSON pleading with AMY to help him, to CAPTAIN JACK HARKNESS’ dramatic entrance.
AMY
We protect the city – we stop them from getting hurt. People like that homeless man that died in the Masonry Gallery – I take it that was you?
MR DREAD
We knew the vagrant was investigating and when we attempted to conduct a memory wipe, he fled. He was attempting to convey more information to his associates when we tracked him to the art gallery.
AMY grits her teeth.
AMY
And then you killed him.
MR DREAD
That information is false. He ran up stairs and when he saw us descending he took fright and the foolish vagrant flipped over the bannister and that was how he perished.
AMY
It… it was an accident?
MR DREAD
Correct. However, the result was advantageous.
AMY
So, he was investigating the Daleks, yeah?
MR DREAD
Yes. And so were you. But that is not your designation.
AMY
We didn’t need to be designated, we volunteered. If you think it should be you then where have you and your pals out there been the whole time?
MR DREAD
I was dispatched to eliminate all evidence of the Daleks’ experiments.
AMY
Eight years late! Talk about efficiency.
MR DREAD
You are not fit to take our position.
AMY
We didn’t take your position – you’re trying to take ours. And we’re far more effective defenders. No win, no fee – and we always get our fee. Usually.
(pause)
On good days.
MR DREAD
You seem… competent.
AMY
I’ll take that as a compliment.
MR DREAD
Full memory erasure might not be necessary.
AMY
How about no memory erasure? I understand the lifestyle I previously led and I – we – don’t kiss and tell. By kissing I mean defeating monsters from space.
MR DREAD
Your memories show your words to be true.
AMY
Do something for me, Mr Dread: stop this and dredge up some humanity from inside. By all means, follow your mandate and get rid of the Daleks’ stuff but leave us.
MR DREAD freezes for a second.
MR DREAD
You… I…
AMY
Please. Mr Dread, let me speak to what humanity is inside you. Stop this – continue with your task and then power down. New York’s covered. After all, the Angel Detective Agency are on hand.
INT. EMPIRE STATE BUILDING – DALEK LABORATORY – NIGHT
AMY, RORY and SAM are standing by the open lift doors.
MR DREAD is flanked by his associates – they’ve all got their sunglasses back on.
AMY holds out a hand.
AMY
Thank you, Mr Dread – for making the right decision.
MR DREAD
This experience has been educative. What I am feeling, as a result of interacting with you, is allowing me to upgrade, to assimilate a more human identity and blend in better on Earth.
AMY
I’m glad.
RORY
What will you do now?
MR DREAD
My associates and I will carry out our objective here and remove any shred of Dalek technology, and then, as you recommend, power down in our ship until we are giving further instruction.
SAM
And when will that be? I mean, I think all of us would rather we don’t run into each other again.
MR DREAD
It could happen at any point although I shall alert the Alliance of Shades to your existence and that they should not dispatch any other agents here.
RORY
Thank you. We appreciate it. And we might even develop a fan-base with them.
AMY shoots him a look.
MR DREAD
Fan? Base?
AMY
Mr Dread might start to be feeling a bit more human but let’s not get too far ahead of ourselves.
MR DREAD
I shall bid you farewell then, Amelia Pond.
AMY
Catch you later.
She motions SAM and RORY into the lift.
MR DREAD and his MEN IN BLACK adjust their weapons and as the lift doors shut, green FIRE spews out of the nozzle, engulfing the laboratory.
The lift rises.
INT. ANGEL DETECTIVE AGENCY – RECEPTION – NIGHT
AMY, RORY and SAM enter the reception area – tired but happy.
AMY looks around and her eyes widen.
AMY
Sonny!
RORY
Oh my god, how could we forget?
AMY runs back out of the door.
AMY
They’ve done something to him. That humanity reached Mr Dread a bit too late.
SAM
Hold up, Amy.
He reaches for something on the sofa: one of the MEN IN BLACK’s communicators.
AMY re-enters the room.
AMY
What’s that doing here?
RORY
Sam, be careful… it might be a trap.
SAM
They’d have to be pretty evil to give us that display back at the lab and then blow us up here.
He clicks a button on the side.
Nothing happens.
Then.
A HISS of static.
SONNY (O.S.)
Amy, Rory, Sam, I’m sorry.
The three of them look at each other in surprise.
SONNY (O.S.) (CONT’D)
I was too slow and one of the suited guys got me. He wanted to erase my memory but I asked a favour of him. And, guess what, he’s actually reasonable. I asked him if I could write a note to you all to explain everything and he handed me this. I don’t know if you’ll ever receive this message because I’m basically speaking into a tube but, anyway, here goes.
AMY swallows hard.
SONNY (O.S.) (CONT’D)
I consent to this memory erasure because 1) this suited guy could have killed me and I don’t want to live in fear of my life because of some stupid building. Yeah, that’s right, I called the ESB stupid. Secondly and most importantly, I don’t want to put the people of Hooverville at risk because of this. I want to continue my life and I know of the devastation the Daleks caused when they attacked all those years ago and I don’t want a repeat of it. So, please, don’t ever look for me again. Don’t even come up to me anonymously. I don’t want you to trigger anything. Please, all of you, promise you’ll leave me be. Because, well, I assume I’ll be happy. God, I’m getting the jitters waiting for my memory to be wiped. Funny how you wake up some days and they turn out entirely different from the way you planned?
FOUR WEEKS LATER
EXT. CENTRAL PARK – DAY
We’re in a peaceful and untouched part of CENTRAL PARK – there’s a frail DAWN CHORUS – and nobody is around.
Clearly, it’s early morning.
Everything is quiet until –
AMY WILLIAMS appears from behind a bush, carrying a too-large net.
AMY
Here, boy! Here, boy … come to Auntie Amy.
RORY WILLIAMS joins her side.
RORY
You really think that will work?
AMY
Why shouldn’t it?
(teasingly)
It works on you.
RORY
(loudly)
Hey!
AMY
Keep your voice down, we don’t want to scare it away. Where’s Sam?
RORY
Other side of the lake.
AMY
That’s a loch, I’ll have you.
Finding it both amusing and exasperating, RORY –
RORY
We’ve been over this hundreds of times, Amy, it’s only a loch when it’s in Scotland.
AMY
Shush.
RORY
What?
She hits him gently.
AMY
I heard something.
There’s a bubbling, gurgling sound.
AMY (CONT’D)
Did you hear that?
RORY
Yep.
A SQUELCH.
A louder SQUELCH.
RORY (CONT’D)
Get ready… in 3, 2…
AMY breaks off into a sprint, shouting, the net held high above her head.
RORY (CONT’D)
Oh, come on…
He charges out too.
AMY is holding her net over a CREATURE: a purple slab of tentacles and limbs.
RORY is slightly repulsed.
AMY
See, got him. Scots-style.
RORY
Well, I’m just glad you didn’t shout, “Braveheart”.
AMY
I was going to.
The CREATURE gurgles.
SAM GARNER comes running down a path next to the lake, panting.
SAM
I saw him go underwater, I tried shouting but you didn’t hear me.
AMY
Well, I caught him, good n’ proper.
SAM
So what do we do with it?
AMY
It’s moments like this that make me miss the Doctor. He would know what to do. Probably.
(pause)
Well, maybe.
RORY sighs
RORY
Come on, Amy, we’re on our own now, we can work this out without the Doctor’s help. We’ll be fine. We have been since we got here.
SAM
Do we have a name for Mr Purple?
AMY
Mr Purple sounds good. He’s lighter than purple, though. Maybe a Mr Pink or a Mr Violet.
RORY
Erm… let me check the thing. Maybe we can find a better name for him than Mr Violet or whatever.
RORY takes out a tablet-like device – the DATABASE.
AMY points at it.
AMY
Oh, yeah, the Database. Ages since we last used that.
RORY takes a photo of the CREATURE and inspects the screen:
RORY
It’s a Ludivool.
SAM
Any way of getting rid of it?Him, her?
RORY
Hang on… yes, yes. There should be a teleporter ring on its left hand.
AMY
Don’t you mean, tentacle?
SAM
Well, I’m not touching it.
AMY
(quickly)
I’m out, too!
RORY
Why me?
RORY hands AMY the DATABASE and goes up to the LUDIVOOL, which hisses at him.
He touches a RING on its tentacle, it gurgles and teleports.
RORY (CONT’D)
(to AMY)
Happy?
AMY
Very.
SAM, filled with relief –
SAM
I’m not sure if that thing was dangerous or not but man, did it look funny.
AMY
To it, you probably looked worse. Now, boys – my investigating boys – let’s get back to the agency. There are worse crimes in the world than rogue Ludivools.
EXT. NEW YORK STREET – DAY
SAM, RORY and AMY are walking en route down a NEW YORK STREET. The wilted, tawny leaves of CENTRAL PARK have blown onto the pavement, swirling around in a whirlwind. It’s peaceful, sedate.
RORY
And we got out of the TARDIS and we were in this big cavern – like a cobwebby cave – and it was me, my dad, Amy, of course, the Doctor, the Egyptian Queen Nefertiti – yeah, I know – and Riddell, one of the Doctor’s friends. It was…
RORY notices AMY has not said a word. He puts a hand on her back.
RORY (CONT’D)
Hey… sorry, I didn’t mean to upset you.
AMY
No, you’re not upsetting me. It’s fine. Carry on. Sorry, Sam.
SAM exhales dramatically.
SAM
Don’t apologise. I’m still trying to get round the whole Egyptian queen thing and I don’t think I can.
They pass the MASONRY GALLERY – a tall, grand building – but the doors are chained shut. Inside, MALCOLM DOHERTY is talking furiously into the RECEPTION phone.
RORY
Oh God, of course: the Masonry. I heard about this.
AMY
Come again?
SAM
Even I know about this.
RORY
The Masonry – it’s a really posh art gallery for really posh people – and they imported this painting from a British guy. Can’t for the life of me remember his name.
AMY tuts and arches an eyebrow.
RORY (CONT’D)
Right, his name’s Guido Guildenstern but I don’t know much about him.
AMY coughs.
RORY (CONT’D)
Fine, I know a bit.
(AMY sighs)
A lot.
(AMY arches another eyebrow)
Okay, I’m a big fan. Anyway, they got one of Guildenstern’s most famous paintings, Decorum and it was the opening night a few weeks ago. Some homeless guy decided to kill himself there and then.
AMY
That’s horrible. Did he leave a note?
RORY
I don’t know, I didn’t pay much attention to the article.
SAM
We could always ask that bald guy inside?
AMY claps.
AMY
See, Rory, Sam’s got a clue. No Internet for him. Straight-up, foot in the door questioning.
SAM
Inter-what?
AMY
I take it all back.
She hammers on the door, rattling the chains and MALCOLM DOHERTY marches over to them. He unlocks the chains from the inside.
MALCOLM
What do you so desperately desire that you have to pummel my front door?
AMY
Information. We’re from the press, just getting a little bit more additional information on the recent suicide. I’m Amelia Williams of the New York Free Press. This is my colleague, Samuel Garner and our dogsbody, Rory.
MALCOLM
Good afternoon, Miss Williams. I never turn away press – always been a rule of mine. Unless you’re here to write a hatchet job and sully this gallery’s name, you’re perfectly welcome to come in.
He ushers them into the gallery reception.
SAM and RORY linger in the doorway.
SAM
There’s no such paper as the New York Free Press.
RORY
He doesn’t know that. Yet. Now, come on.
INT.THE MASONRY GALLERY – OFFICE – DAY
MALCOLM DOHERTY sits at his desk in a smart but barren office.
AMY and SAM are seated opposite while RORY is standing by the door, a dark look on his face.
MALCOLM notices and AMY smiles.
AMY
Sorry, ignore him. He’s not been feeling very well lately.
MALCOLM
Ah.
AMY
So, sir… sir, sir, sir.
MALCOLM
Mr Doherty.
AMY
Yes, Mr Doherty. Could you give your own interpretation of what happened when that man…
MALCOLM
Jumped? Simply put: I was talking to one of my guests when there was a scream and he fell.
AMY
“Fell”, Mr Doherty?
MALCOLM
Leapt – sorry. It’s been a long day.
SAM
So after he “leapt” you did what exactly?
MALCOLM
I telephoned the police, they arrived, did their bit and then departed. I’m sorry, Miss Williams and Mr Garner but I struggle to see how any of this information is additional? I have given numerous statements containing this information.
AMY
Sorry, the Free Press are a bit behind.
MALCOLM
That may be so but I feel you must leave. I’m behind on paperwork and things.
AMY
“And things”?
MALCOLM
Yes, yes, please, leave me, I think you’ve brought on a migraine.
MALCOLM rises and AMY and SAM go to the door. RORY joins them.
SAM
One last thing, Mr Doherty…
MALCOLM
What?
SAM
We need to see Decorum.
MR DOHERTY’s eyes twinkle.
He can’t resist.
INT. THE MASONRY GALLERY – HALL – DAY
AMY, RORY and SAM are standing around a velvet cord protecting DECORUM, still in pristine condition.
MALCOLM DOHERTY is stood to the side, watching them.
MALCOLM
I’m astonished we got this in the first place. Guildenstern died a couple of years ago and his estate is a shambles. It was probably a missed memo that got us Decorum.
RORY
It’s gorgeous. I’m a big fan of Guildenstern’s work.
MALCOLM
Quite.
AMY
So the night the man died was the same night Decorum was unveiled, correct?
MALCOLM
Right, you are. The dead man was somewhat interested in the painting.
SAM
How so?
MALCOLM
Well, the police acquired a notebook on the body. He was a homeless kook, obsessed with the Empire State Building. The notes he made were unintelligible.
AMY
Do you have them?
MALCOLM
No, they’re with the police now but there was something about the spire. None of the detectives could make sense of it. As I said: kook.
AMY leans over the cord at a precarious angle and MALCOLM gasps. She squints at the painting.
AMY
I can’t see any---
(a beat)
Rory. Rory.
RORY
(concerned)
Yeah?
AMY
Look at this, at the painting. On the spire. Recognise anything?
RORY looks closer.
His eyes widen in both AMAZEMENT and FEAR.
There’s DALEKANIUM on the top of the EMPIRE STATE BUILDING.
INT. THE MASONRY GALLERY – OFFICE – DAY
AMY and SAM are sat together while RORY is sitting on MALCOLM DOHERTY’s desk. MALCOLM is nowhere to be seen.
AMY
(to SAM)
You seriously don’t know who the Daleks are?
RORY
Everyone knows who the Daleks are. Everyone saw them in the skies and in the streets. They stole planets from their orbit and just left them near Earth.
AMY
Everyone in 2008, Rory.
RORY
That’s true.
SAM is pinching the bridge of his nose, trying to work out what they’re saying.
SAM
So the Daleks are in New York?
RORY
Why else would there be that metal Dalek stuff on the Empire State Building?
SAM
I don’t know. I don’t know what the Daleks are. Are they a group? Like a secret organisation.
AMY
Pretty much. Replace ‘secret’ with ‘universal’ and you’ve got the Daleks.
RORY
They’re deadly and weaponised and totally hostile to anything that isn’t Dalek. Amy and I have met them.
SAM
God – if they’ve got their Dalek… ness on the Empire State Building then I can pretty damn well guess they are not for decoration.
AMY
So we need…
The door opens and MALCOLM DOHERTY enters.
MALCOLM
What we need, Miss Williams, is to go up to the roof. You’ll find all your answers there.
EXT. THE MASONRY GALLERY – ROOFTOP – DAY
THE MASONRY GALLERY overlooks the whole of Manhattan but it’s the EMPIRE STATE BUILDING that RORY, AMY, SAM and MALCOLM DOHERTY are looking at.
MALCOLM
Do you see anything glistening in the sunlight? Any bronze metal?
They all frown into the sunlight, trying to see the spire of the EMPIRE STATE BUILDING clearly.
MALCOLM hands AMY a pair of binoculars.
She looks through them.
AMY
He’s right, there’s nothing.
RORY and SAM take turns on the binoculars.
SAM
Is it bad that I’m disappointed?
AMY
Yes. But I’ve spent most of my adult life getting a kick out of adrenaline. You’re in our world now, Sam.
MALCOLM
Your babblings about “alien interference” with the Empire State Building is absolute hokum, Miss Williams. As diverting as your little visit has been – and I’m fully aware you’re not a journalist, I’m not an idiot just a complete show-off – it is high time you leave. All of you.
AMY
Thank you, Mr Doherty.For helping us and for not chucking us out immediately.
MALCOLM purses his lips.
AMY (CONT’D)
We can let ourselves out. Come on, boys.
INT. THE MASONRY GALLERY – HALL – DAY
AMY, RORY and SAM are back around the painting, DECORUM.
MALCOLM DOHERTY is nowhere to be seen.
AMY
We are stupid. We are so stupid. Rory, Sam, tell what we’ve overlooked.
They both look at the picture.
RORY
It’s the date. The date! We are stupid.
SAM
Huh?
AMY
Guildenstern painted it in 1930. That was 8 years ago.
SAM
Still not getting it.
AMY
Oh, keep up, Sam. The Dalek plates on the Empire State Building will have been taken down by now – 8 years is a long time and somebody will have noticed.
RORY
The question is: what were they doing there in the first place?
AMY
And who killed the homeless guy?
EXT. NEW YORK STREET – DAY
AMY, RORY and SAM are standing outside the MASONRY GALLERY, thinking about what to do next.
AMY
You two, we need to brainstorm.
SAM
Brain-what?
RORY
Brainstorm: a group discussion to solve a problem. It’s a British word, sorry. And it probably won’t be invented for a long while yet. Sorry. Again.
SAM
You Brits put brain and storm together as a way of saying ‘to think as a group’ … brainstorm. Nah – not doing it for me.
AMY
Guys, concentrate. Where can we find answers?
RORY
What about Hooverville? Best place to find information on the homeless bloke.
AMY
Perfect. Well done, husband. We’ll go there. As for you, Sammy, my boy, I want you to go to the Empire State Building, find us some original blueprints and then meet us back at the agency.
SAM
Because the tallest building in the world are really going to let me see their architectural schematics. That makes total sense.
AMY
You’re a good actor. Work something out.
SAM
Wish me luck.
AMY
Break a leg!
SAM
Huh?
AMY
Okay – right, just never mind!
EXT. HOOVERVILLE – CAMP – FIRE PIT – DAY
ARMITAGE (60s), a grizzled, dark-skinned man in a trench coat stumbles out of his tent, rubbing his sore back.
The CAMP is a tented village, all surrounding a central, guttering fire pit. Grubby CHILDREN run amok, dashing between the tents. WOMEN sit on stumps of wood, scrubbing old sheets on washboards while some MEN sit around the fire. OTHERS toil in the woods behind.
This is HOOVERVILLE: a city within a city.
AMY and RORY approach.
AMY
How are we going to do this?
RORY
Do what?
AMY
Introduce ourselves? Glean information?
RORY
I’ll leave it up to you.
AMY
What? Where are you going?
RORY doesn’t answer. He strides over to a LITTLE GIRL who is picking an infected-looking scab on her knee.
He starts talking to her but nothing can be heard.
RORY takes out a med-pack, something he always carries.
AMY (CONT’D)
Well, then.
A MAN walks up to her.
MAN
Your friend does not need to do that.
AMY
He’s just helping. He’s a nurse, you know.
ARMITAGE
A nurse? How times fly by when you’re living in poverty.
He laughs. And AMY, considering it appropriate, laughs, too.
AMY
I’m Amy.
She holds out her hand.
ARMITAGE
Armitage, I’m the leader here in Hooverville.
ARMITAGE takes her hand.
AMY
Is that a title?
ARMITAGE
Somewhat. I’ve been the leader here for, well, that’ll be 8 years now.
AMY
8 years! Who was the person before you?
ARMITAGE
A man called Soloman.
AMY
And, what, did he resign?
ARMITAGE
No.
(he laughs drily)
He was killed. Devastated the people here. Only a few here today witnessed it.
AMY
I don’t want to pry but could I ask how he was killed?
ARMITAGE
A Darlek killed him.
AMY’s eyes widen.
AMY
A Darlek? You mean, a Dalek!
ARMITAGE
Perhaps. The name means little, it’s what that thing stood for.
AMY
Death, destruction, xenophobia.
ARMITAGE looks at her, watching her eyes.
ARMITAGE
You have met them, then?
AMY
On more than one occasion.
ARMITAGE
Then, you, are possibly one of the most unluckiest people on God’s green Earth, Amy.
EXT. HOOVERVILLE – CAMP – LITTLE GIRL’S TENT – DAY
RORY is daubing something from a tube onto the knee of a LITTLE GIRL (10) who is sitting on a log.
RORY
So, I’m Rory. I’m a nurse, believe it or not.
LITTLE GIRL
Like a doctor? I thought nurses were girls.
RORY
Yeah, so did a lot of people. What’s your name?
MARIA
My name is Maria. What are you doing to my leg?
RORY
This is called antiseptic cream, it stops your leg from getting all infected.
MARIA
I thought it looked kinda cool.
RORY
Maria, can I ask you something?
He looks round to AMY who is deep in conversation with ARMITAGE by the fire pit.
RORY takes out a plaster from a modern packet and rips off the strips at the back.
MARIA
I think you can. My momma might not.
RORY
It’s nothing bad, I’m sure your momma won’t mind. What do you know about the Empire State Building, Maria?
MARIA
Well, it’s really tall.
RORY
Apart from that.
MARIA
Sonny will be probably know more than me.
RORY sticks the plaster on her knee.
RORY
And does Sonny live here?
MARIA
In that tent.
She points.
RORY
Thank you, Maria.
MARIA
I have a question of my own: why did this bandage come out of a box? And why is it sticky and soft?
RORY
It’s really new. Just leave it on for a few days then whip it off and your leg will be as good as new.
MARIA
Really?
RORY
Yip. Thanks again, Maria.
He starts to walk away.
EXT. HOOVERVILLE – CAMP – FIRE PIT – DAY
AMY and ARMITAGE are around the fire pit, sitting on a log.
ARMITAGE
The Dalek came down from the sky and looked at Soloman, cold as morning frost, and electrocuted him. He died in an instant after the poor man pleaded for his life.
AMY
And you knew Soloman?
ARMITAGE
When the attack happened I was new to Hooverville – didn’t fit in much, almost left after the Daleks but people persuaded me to stay. I made friends, we moved on but still remembering what happened. Still remembering the casualties we suffered.
AMY
Armitage… I… I am so sorry. I’ve seen Daleks kill people in front of my eyes. I’ve seen families ripped apart because of them. I hate them as much as you do.
ARMITAGE
And this… this all happened in where you’re from? Ireland?
AMY
Scotland. And sort-of, yeah.
ARMITAGE
Alien activity in a faraway land…
EXT. HOOVERVILLE – CAMP – SONNY’S TENT – DAY
RORY is standing rather awkwardly outside a brown, battered tent. It looks just like the others
A face appears in the flap: suspicious, surprisingly young.
SONNY bursts out: a broad-shouldered, lantern-jawed man, dressed in ragged clothes.
SONNY
What do you want?
RORY
Well, uh, Maria sent me. She didn’t send me per se but she advised me to come to you.
SONNY
And why would a little girl like Maria advise you to come to me?
RORY
I take it you’re a bit of an Empire State Building aficionado?
SONNY grins and extends a hand.
SONNY
I like to think so.
RORY takes it.
RORY
I’m Rory.
SONNY
Sonny.
He gestures to a log outside.
SONNY (CONT’D)
Take a seat.
They both sit.
SONNY (CONT’D)
So what do you want to know?
RORY
Metal plates.
SONNY
The ESB is built of a lot of things – metal plates doesn’t narrow it down.
RORY
ESB? Oh. Well, the plates were new – they were put up when the Empire… the, uh, ESB was being built.
SONNY
When specifically?
RORY
1930.
SONNY looks at him, mouth hanging open.
SONNY
You’re talking about the..
RORY
… the Dalekanium.
SONNY
And the Daleks? The Dalekanium!
RORY
Yeah, that’s it: Dalekanium. I didn’t know it had a name.
SONNY looks around the quiet campsite.
SONNY
I think you’d better come inside. Quickly!
INT. HOOVERVILLE – CAMP – SONNY’S TENT – DAY
SONNY’S tent is cluttered: a portable campfire is on a low table with two stools, a bundle of rags serves as the bed on one side.
In the back is a separate section of the tent: the sleeping area.
SONNY pulls back the fabric partition: it’s not a sleeping area, it’s a fanatic’s workshop. Dirty, grubby and faint photos of the EMPIRE STATE BUILDING line the walls. String connects things. It’s messily organised.
RORY
You really do like the Empire State Building.
SONNY
Don’t laugh.
RORY
Sorry. So, do you do this on your own? This investigating into the Dalekanium?
SONNY
There have been others but they all go. Hooverville is not an established community, people come and go every week. There are only a few who you could call residents.
RORY
How long have you been here?
SONNY
Five years now. When I heard about the Daleks and what they did to our old leader.
RORY
Sorry, what?!
EXT. HOOVERVILLE – CAMP – OUTSKIRTS – DAY
A MAN in a dark suit and black glasses approaches the camp, spats-covered shoes crushing the leaves.
His eyes are covered by dark sunglasses and his equally dark hair is immaculate.
He scans Hooverville, now from far away, a defenceless cluster of tents.
Sitting ducks.
INT. HOOVERVILLE – CAMP – SONNY’S TENT – DAY
RORY
So you have never seen a Dalek?
SONNY
No but I have dreamed of. The Great Depression has left me with little things to occupy my time. Everyone needs a hobby.
RORY
This isn’t a hobby – this is an obsession. You don’t understand who the Daleks are. I’ve met them!
SONNY
Do not preach to me. I know what they are capable of, I know that their technology is capable of helping us!
RORY
You think the Daleks can help us? Killer, death machines from outer space will just hand over their laboratories for mankind to fiddle about with?
SONNY
We will use force.
RORY
And whose “we”?
SONNY says nothing.
RORY (CONT’D)
Were there any other people helping you?
SONNY
Yes, of course. I’m not delusional. Harry helped me.
RORY
And what happened to Harry?
SONNY
He died.
RORY
Oh. I’m sorry to hear that.
SONNY
A month ago he went on a solo investigation. If you think I’m obsessive then you should have seen Harry. He said he had a lead. He always enjoyed keeping me in the dark so that when he finally discovered something that would help us, I would be surprised. This time it was some ramblings about a painting.
RORY
Decorum! It’s Decorum. Oh, yes!
SONNY
What’s Decorum?
RORY
A painting, made in 1930 when the ESB was being constructed. The artist, Guildenstern, who is great, by the way – worth checking out – managed to capture the Dalekanium on top of the ESB in his painting. It’s been removed now but this is basically confirmation that the Empire State Building has something to do with the Daleks!
EXT. HOOVERVILLE – CAMP – FIRE PIT – DAY
The MAN in the suit is approaching the camp towards where AMY and ARMITAGE are sitting.
ARMITAGE
Now, who’s this? It’s like Times Square today.
MAN
Good afternoon. Where is the vagrant human called Sonny?
ARMITAGE
Vagrant human? Who do you think you are?
MAN
It is of no matter.
AMY puts a hand on ARMITAGE’S chest, stopping him from walking up to the MAN.
ARMITAGE
I think you’ll find it is. I’m Armitage, the leader here. Who are you?
The MAN twitches for a second.
MAN
My name is Mr Dread.
AMY
And I’m Mrs Spooky – I think we’re going to get on like a house on fire.
MR DREAD
Your levity is not appreciated in the circumstance.
AMY
And what circumstance is that?
MR DREAD
Where is the vagrant human?
AMY
Now you’re just being impolite.
(shouts)
Rory!
MR DREAD uses one hand to rip off the other, revealing a chunky, steel weapon built into his arm.
He levels it at AMY and ARMITAGE
MR DREAD
Tell me where the vagrant human is or prepare to be incinerated.
Green energy gathers in the nozzle of MR DREAD’S gun.
Then…
RORY tosses a blanket over him and SONNY kicks MR DREAD over. The man falls awkwardly, mechanically.
AMY
Time to go!
RORY and AMY break into a sprint, running through HOOVERVILLE.
ARMITAGE ducks into his tent and SONNY dithers before following AMY and RORY.
Any denizens of HOOVERVILLE that have watched the scene unfold run into their tents.
MR DREAD rips out of the blanket, stands up and pulls something out of his pocket. He scans the air.
MR DREAD
The male and the female and the vagrant have gone. But I shall not be far behind.
INT. ANGEL DETECTIVE AGENCY – RECEPTION – DAY
AMY, RORY and SONNY enter the RECEPTION of their offices, the ANGEL DETECTIVE AGENCY.
It’s homely, cosy and there are books piled high in stacks on the floor.
SAM is sitting on a battered sofa.
AMY
What have you found?
She drops into the sofa next to him.
SAM
(sarcastically)
Well, I’ve got a date with Beverly, a lovely lady who also happens to be the Empire State Building’s current director.
AMY
But you’ve got some of the blueprints? The schematics?
SAM
Yeah, I do.
He points to his desk and RORY grabs them.
SAM (CONT’D)
Whose your friend?
RORY
This is Sonny. He’s helping us get to the bottom of this.
SAM stands up.
SAM
The bottom of what exactly?
AMY
Rory, tell us. What happened?
EXT. NEW YORK STREET – DAY
MR DREAD marches down a quiet street, eyes hidden by dark glasses.
He’s still in pursuit of AMY, RORY and SONNY.
He stops, pulls out a device from his jacket, clicks it.
MR DREAD
Several humans have been alerted to my presence. They must undertake a memory wipe or, if they do not comply, obliteration. Join me.
And he snaps it shut.
And continues – to THE ANGEL DETECTIVE AGENCY.
INT. ANGEL DETECTIVE AGENCY – RECEPTION – DAY
SAM is standing next to RORY now, AMY is leaning against a desk and SONNY is seated on the edge of the sofa.
SAM
You’re telling me that this kid – Sonny – has been investigating the Dalek-metal on the Empire State Building, too?
RORY
That’s Dalekanium.
AMY
What?
RORY
It has a name.
SAM
That’s great but could it mean the Daleks are here?
RORY
I don’t know. We need more information. We need to start at the bottom. Quite literally.
He points at the bottom of the blueprints, indicating the basement of the Empire State Building.
SAM
It says here that during construction, the basement was sealed off by the previous director of operations: a guy named Mr Diagoras.
AMY
So we check out the basement?
RORY
If the Daleks had something to do with the Empire State Building in 1930 then that seems a logical place to hide.
SONNY stands up.
SONNY
If Harry saw this then he’d probably faint. This is the biggest development we’ve had since the painting.
AMY
Welcome to the Angel Detective Agency, Sonny; we get things done.
SONNY
Then can I come with you? To the ESB?
AMY looks puzzled.
RORY
The Empire State Building. It’s slang.
AMY
Oh – I suppose you can. Sam, you coming?
SAM
As long as we don’t bump into Beverley again then I’m there.
AMY flings open the door.
MR DREAD and two other suited MEN IN BLACK are in the threshold, guns raised.
AMY slams the door shut.
AMY
Time to make our exit. This way! Come on!
AMY dashes through her office. SAM and RORY follow.
The door explodes open in a flash of green energy.
SONNY, petrified, leaps over the sofa and hides.
EXT. ANGEL DETECTIVE AGENCY – FIRE ESCAPE – NIGHT
RORY shuts the window out of AMY’s office and he looks at AMY and SAM.
They’re standing on a black, iron fire escape but the final ladder leading down to the street is gone. It’s dropped.
RORY
If we were in a burning building, we’d probably die now.
AMY
We might still if we don’t get away from Mr Creepy-pants in there!
SAM
Stop arguing, guys – come on!
He ascends the stairs to the roof – and AMY and RORY follow.
INT. ANGEL DETECTIVE AGENCY – RECEPTION – NIGHT
MR DREAD surveys the room.
MR DREAD
Three of four identified humans have escaped through there. I shall pursue them. Scan this level for the other human.
MR DREAD marches after AMY, RORY and SAM through AMY’s office.
The other two MEN IN BLACK produce their own gadgets and scan the room.
One of them walks round the room.
SONNY yells out and jumps out from his hiding spot.
He darts to the door of AMY’s office but one of the MEN IN BLACK step in front and he whacks into the MAN’s chest.
There’s a clink of metal.
The MAN aims his gun at SONNY and he shuts his eyes, bracing himself.
EXT. ANGEL DETECTIVE AGENCY – ROOF – NIGHT
AMY and RORY and SAM are standing on the roof at the top of the fire escape stairs.
SAM peeps over.
MR DREAD has smashed through AMY’s office window and is loudly climbing up the stairs.
SAM
He’s coming!
RORY
Sorry, “Mr Creepy-pants”?
AMY
Shut up, Rory – we need to go!
They sprint across the flat roof but there’s no other way down.
With a bang, MR DREAD reaches the roof.
MR DREAD
Stop – or prepare to be incinerated.
AMY
I’m Amy Williams. This is Rory and Sam.
MR DREAD
Your names are irrelevant.
AMY
Oh, Mr Dread, I think you’ll find that on planet Earth, names carry a lot of relevance.
MR DREAD
You know about the Dalekanium.
RORY steps forward.
RORY
Yes, we do.
AMY gently motions him behind her.
AMY
And we’re not going to incinerated, thanks.
MR DREAD
Your minds must be wiped.
AMY
I’m afraid that’s off the cards, too. You know, it’s interesting that you said Dalekanium and not Daleks.
MR DREAD
That information is irrelevant.
AMY
Everything’s irrelevant to you!
Behind AMY and RORY, SAM creeps to the lip of the building and glances down.
He smiles.
MR DREAD
Prepare to be incinerated.
AMY
Well, you see… I don’t really want to be incinerated. Sorry about that. Way of the world. Not many people do.
MR DREAD’s gun powers up.
RORY fumbles in his jacket pocket and takes out the DATABASE. He aims it at MR DREAD.
SAM
Rory, what are you doing? Jump!
SAM grabs RORY and pulls him off the building.
AMY cries out and grabs for them. MR DREAD fires and the laser-bullet misses.
But AMY’s foot catches on the edge and she falls after her friends.
EXT. ANGEL DETECTIVE AGENCY – ALLEYWAY – NIGHT
AMY is sitting upright in a dumpster, using a flattened cardboard box as a cushion. SAM is next to her, lying against a mattress.
RORY is upside down, legs sticking up.
AMY
Well, there’s several upsides to this.
RORY
(muffled)
Including the literal upside: me.
SAM
What are the other upsides?
AMY
Well, we survived jumping off a building – and I get a nice view of Rory from this angle.
RORY
Hey!
AMY
Don’t worry, dear, you look great.
RORY rights himself and the three start to clamber out of the dumpster.
SAM
I suppose another upside is that this wasn’t a refuse dumpster.
EXT. ANGEL DETECTIVE AGENCY – ROOF – NIGHT
MR DREAD watches as AMY, RORY and SAM sprint away down the ALLEYWAY.
He clicks his communicator open again.
MR DREAD
The humans have escaped. Rendezvous outside – I have a plan.
EXT. NEW YORK STREET – NIGHT
RORY, AMY and SAM hurry along a darkened street, glancing behind them.
AMY stops in her tracks. RORY is busy with the DATABASE.
AMY
What about Sonny? We can’t just leave him.
SAM
He got caught by one of those guys.
RORY
You mean, androids.
AMY
They are robots, I should have known. I thought he just had a cool gun in his hand.
RORY holds up the DATABASE.
RORY
They’re part of an organisation called the Alliance of Shades. Hm, “shades”. I guess that explains the dark sunglasses.
AMY
Sounds like Mr Creepy-pants has equally sinister pals.
RORY
They dispatch these androids to lie dormant on Earth and when it’s necessary they are activated to remove any kind of disruptive aliens or evidence that could harm humans – and wipe the memory of witnesses.
AMY
And they’ve been doing a great job there. Do you think they’ll have wiped Sonny’s mind?
SAM
They could have incinerated him.
AMY
That’s really put me at peace. Thanks, Sam.
SAM
Listen, we can’t go back to the agency. Not now. Those shady guys will be after us and once we’ve stopped them, then we can deal with Sonny. Right now, we need to get our priorities sorted.
AMY
Sorry, yeah, you’re right. We need to go.
She sets off down the street and SAM follows.
RORY
Hey – wait for me!
INT. EMPIRE STATE BUILDING – FOYER – NIGHT
A fresh-faced RECEPTIONIST is making her way across the FOYER to AMY, RORY and SAM who have just entered.
RECEPTIONIST
Ah, hello again, Mr Garner. If you’re here to see Mrs Gomez again, you’ll have to wait till tomorrow – she just left.
SAM
Oh, I just left my wallet in Beverley’s office. I’ll only be a jiffy.
RECEPTIONIST
I was about to go myself…
SAM
Could you wait? It’s really important that I get this wallet – me and my… friends were planning on going out.
RECEPTIONIST
I’m sorry, Mr Garner but I think---
AMY punches her full force in the face.
The RECEPTIONIST collapses.
RORY’s mouth curves into an O.
SAM
The Scots are violent, aren’t they?
He bends down and picks up the RECEPTIONIST, sliding her body behind the desk.
AMY
Needs must. And she’ll be fine, I’m sure.
She smiles sweetly and SAM and her make for the lift.
RORY is still frozen to the spot.
AMY (CONT’D)
Come on, slowcoach! Get your skates on.
The lift pings open.
AMY and SAM step in.
After a moment, RORY swiftly follows.
INT. EMPIRE STATE BUILDING – FOYER – NIGHT
SAM looks at the buttons beside the door in the LIFT.
SAM
What floor?
RORY
The basement. Remember.
SAM
The basement? I… can’t…
They all stare at the buttons.
AMY bashes the bottom marked ‘basement’ incredibly forcefully.
SAM
I couldn’t see that. Why couldn’t I see the button?
AMY
If I were the Doctor I would say that before the Daleks left, they installed a perception filter around the basement. It seems logical. And you all have to marvel at that because I’m not the Doctor.
SAM
What’s a perception filter?
AMY
It blocks things out in a way. Like a door or that button can just become something you see in the corner of your eye but never dare investigate.
SAM
That’s handy.
AMY
Not when it’s used by the Daleks.
INT. EMPIRE STATE BUILDING – DALEK LABORATORY – NIGHT
The pillared laboratory is a cavern of technology, ranging from large, faded, electric-blue monitors to tables piled high with Bunsen burners and flasks. A hollow, shattered radio sits on one counter, grey with dust. There’s a lost quality to the room like it was abandoned abruptly, left undiscovered…
AMY is first to step out of the lift.
AMY
This place is definitely Dalek. Look.
She points at a semicircle of Dalek-like metal at the far end of the room. Cables stream from it, hanging limply. Something was once connected to this.
RORY
It must be. I’m getting that chill down my neck. The one my body reserves specially for them.
SAM
These Daleks really mean something to you, don’t they?
AMY
Met them with Winston Churchill, in their nuthouse – more than I should of, really.
SAM
Sorry, Winston who?
AMY
1938… yeah, you’ll recognise the name in a few years.
AMY snaps on a torch from her pocket and starts to inspect the equipment.
She squints at one of the monitors.
AMY (CONT’D)
These screens are dead but the last image on it is still up.
RORY and SAM hurry round.
It’s DALEK SEC in human form.
INT. EMPIRE STATE BUILDING – FOYER – NIGHT
MR DREAD and his associates stride into the foyer. The RECEPTIONIST is unconscious behind the desk.
MR DREAD
Check if the female is alive. If she is, conduct a memory wipe.
One of the MEN does so.
MR DREAD presses the button to summon the lift.
The floors click up.
Basement.
Ground floor.
MR DREAD steps into the lift.
INT. EMPIRE STATE BUILDING – DALEK LABORATORY – NIGHT
SAM
What the hell is that?
AMY
Anyone want to take a guess?
SAM and AMY look at RORY.
RORY
Well, uh, some kind of mutant.
AMY
Check the Database.
RORY scans it.
The screen reads ‘NO RESULT FOUND’.
RORY
That’s weird. It normally knows everything. Well, most things.
AMY
Rory, you using dodgy tech River gave us from the Maldovar Markets is a recipe for disaster in the first place. What did you expect?
She grins.
RORY’s eye catches the dial above the lift, showing it descend to the basement.
RORY
Uh oh, company’s on its way!
The doors chime open.
MR DREAD and his associates step out, their guns already pointed at AMY, RORY and SAM.
MR DREAD
Step away from the controls.
AMY
Gladly. It’s not a pretty sight.
She steps back and SAM and RORY comply as MR DREAD checks the monitor.
With his back to them, he says –
MR DREAD
Hold them!
The two MEN IN BLACK grab SAM and RORY from behind.
RORY
Amy!
One of them kicks AMY behind her knee and she drops to the floor.
MR DREAD advances on her and she scrabbles upwards.
AMY
Get away from me!
MR DREAD’s associates pull SAM and RORY away.
AMY (CONT’D)
And you can leave those two alone.
MR DREAD
They are irrelevant.
AMY
Back to square one. It’s like talking to a brick wall. A brick wall with sunglasses.
MR DREAD
You are wise beyond your status.
He pulls out his scanner and aims it at AMY.
A green light washes over her.
MR DREAD (CONT’D)
There is residual artron energy in your system. You have travelled in time and space.
AMY
And proud.
MR DREAD
The average human is not meant for this.
AMY
As you can see, I’m not the average human.
MR DREAD
Your experiences must be removed, your mind expunged.
AMY
Oh no, you stay away from me…
AMY moves back but there’s nowhere to run.
SAM and RORY and their captors are by the lift, the MEN IN BLACK’s hands clamped their mouths – the other gun-arm pointed at their heads.
RORY’s eyes are wide with fear.
AMY
Don’t you dare!
AMY bangs into one of the tables and stops.
MR DREAD whips off his sunglasses. He has sharp, dark, keen eyes.
They flash green.
The memory wipe begins.
DARKNESS
A circle – like a great big porthole – is in the centre of this dark space. It flickers on like an old television set. Images start to appear on it –
AMY locking THE DOCTOR’s tie in a car door.
AMY helping BRACEWELL embrace his humanity.
AMY and THE DOCTOR defeating the KIN.
AMY meeting RIVER SONG for the first time.
- FASTER –
AMY getting a kiss from VINCENT VAN GOGH.
AMY getting attacked by a dismembered CYBERMAN head.
AMY, RORY, THE DOCTOR and CANTON EVERETT DELAWARE III in AREA 51.
AMY sword-fighting on a pirate ship.
- FASTER –
AMY discovering RIVER SONG is her daughter.
AMY trapped on APALAPUCIA, in THE SHILL GOVERNOR’s replica gardens.
AMY running through the snow on the DALEK ASYLUM.
- FASTER –
AMY accidentally firing a gun in MERCY.
AMY using defibrillators on THE DOCTOR.
- FASTER –
AMY, RORY, RIVER SONG and THE DOCTOR in that NEW YORK graveyard.
AMY (O.S.)
What… how…
MR DREAD (O.S.)
Curious.
AMY (O.S.)
Mr Dread… what are you doing in my head?
MR DREAD (O.S.)
You are stronger than an average human. Your body is resisting my hypnosis.
AMY (O.S.)
Like I said, not your average human. Now get out of my head.
MR DREAD (O.S.)
No. Were I to sever the connection without care, I could cause you permanent brain damage.
AMY (O.S.)
Then get out with care. These are my memories!
MR DREAD (O.S.)
And they are poisoning your brain.
AMY (O.S.)
Poisoning?
MR DREAD (O.S.)
This is an experience you should not have had.
AMY (O.S.)
And am I doing any harm? Am I hurting anyone?
MR DREAD (O.S.)
Only yourself. Stop resisting.
AMY (O.S.)
Or prepare to be incinerated? You can’t incinerate me inside my own head.
MR DREAD (O.S.)
The memory wipe will continue as planned.
Images from AMY’s time with THE DOCTOR and her time in MANHATTAN flash by, speeding up until they are almost a streak of colours.
AMY steps in front of the circle, a silhouette, it’s like a miniature AMY in her head.
AMY
Get out of my head. Don’t you dare touch my memories!
MR DREAD (O.S.)
You are fighting. This must be remedied.
MR DREAD steps in front of the circle from the other side.
MR DREAD (CONT’D)
Amelia Williams, resist.
AMY clutches at her head like she’s getting a particularly bad headache.
AMY
Get some humanity, Mr Dread. You might be a metal bonehead but I bet a part of you is capable of forming human emotions. You look like us, after all.
MR DREAD
Human emotions are not important in my position.
AMY
And your position is to erase my life, is it?
MR DREAD
N-n… no.
AMY
Then stop.
MR DREAD
But your mind has been corrupted. You must be cleansed.
AMY
Look at them…
The images on the circle slow down – there’s AMY happy, smiling, enjoying her life. She’s with THE DOCTOR. He’s as elated as she is. They’re in the TARDIS. Now the MUSÉE D’ORSAY in PARIS. On the BEACH by LAKE SILENCIO, picnicking with RORY and RIVER SONG.
This is AMY’s life.
AMY
I had an amazing time – the best time – with the Doctor and those memories are, undoubtedly, the greatest I’ll ever have. My life with the Doctor was my entire life until I moved on and realised there was more in the world than just travelling through the universe. Mr Dread, please, you have to let me keep these memories. They’re…
(falters)
They are all I have left.
MR DREAD is silent for a moment.
MR DREAD
What of your experiences since moving into New York?
The images on the circle change to AMY and SAM pursuing the VAENFELL across the rooftops of the city, to AMY on DAISY’s spaceship, to AMY and RIVER SONG’s argument in THE ANGEL DETECTIVE AGENCY, to AMY and RORY arriving at RICANTI’s book launch, to NATHAN PATTERSON pleading with AMY to help him, to CAPTAIN JACK HARKNESS’ dramatic entrance.
AMY
We protect the city – we stop them from getting hurt. People like that homeless man that died in the Masonry Gallery – I take it that was you?
MR DREAD
We knew the vagrant was investigating and when we attempted to conduct a memory wipe, he fled. He was attempting to convey more information to his associates when we tracked him to the art gallery.
AMY grits her teeth.
AMY
And then you killed him.
MR DREAD
That information is false. He ran up stairs and when he saw us descending he took fright and the foolish vagrant flipped over the bannister and that was how he perished.
AMY
It… it was an accident?
MR DREAD
Correct. However, the result was advantageous.
AMY
So, he was investigating the Daleks, yeah?
MR DREAD
Yes. And so were you. But that is not your designation.
AMY
We didn’t need to be designated, we volunteered. If you think it should be you then where have you and your pals out there been the whole time?
MR DREAD
I was dispatched to eliminate all evidence of the Daleks’ experiments.
AMY
Eight years late! Talk about efficiency.
MR DREAD
You are not fit to take our position.
AMY
We didn’t take your position – you’re trying to take ours. And we’re far more effective defenders. No win, no fee – and we always get our fee. Usually.
(pause)
On good days.
MR DREAD
You seem… competent.
AMY
I’ll take that as a compliment.
MR DREAD
Full memory erasure might not be necessary.
AMY
How about no memory erasure? I understand the lifestyle I previously led and I – we – don’t kiss and tell. By kissing I mean defeating monsters from space.
MR DREAD
Your memories show your words to be true.
AMY
Do something for me, Mr Dread: stop this and dredge up some humanity from inside. By all means, follow your mandate and get rid of the Daleks’ stuff but leave us.
MR DREAD freezes for a second.
MR DREAD
You… I…
AMY
Please. Mr Dread, let me speak to what humanity is inside you. Stop this – continue with your task and then power down. New York’s covered. After all, the Angel Detective Agency are on hand.
INT. EMPIRE STATE BUILDING – DALEK LABORATORY – NIGHT
AMY, RORY and SAM are standing by the open lift doors.
MR DREAD is flanked by his associates – they’ve all got their sunglasses back on.
AMY holds out a hand.
AMY
Thank you, Mr Dread – for making the right decision.
MR DREAD
This experience has been educative. What I am feeling, as a result of interacting with you, is allowing me to upgrade, to assimilate a more human identity and blend in better on Earth.
AMY
I’m glad.
RORY
What will you do now?
MR DREAD
My associates and I will carry out our objective here and remove any shred of Dalek technology, and then, as you recommend, power down in our ship until we are giving further instruction.
SAM
And when will that be? I mean, I think all of us would rather we don’t run into each other again.
MR DREAD
It could happen at any point although I shall alert the Alliance of Shades to your existence and that they should not dispatch any other agents here.
RORY
Thank you. We appreciate it. And we might even develop a fan-base with them.
AMY shoots him a look.
MR DREAD
Fan? Base?
AMY
Mr Dread might start to be feeling a bit more human but let’s not get too far ahead of ourselves.
MR DREAD
I shall bid you farewell then, Amelia Pond.
AMY
Catch you later.
She motions SAM and RORY into the lift.
MR DREAD and his MEN IN BLACK adjust their weapons and as the lift doors shut, green FIRE spews out of the nozzle, engulfing the laboratory.
The lift rises.
INT. ANGEL DETECTIVE AGENCY – RECEPTION – NIGHT
AMY, RORY and SAM enter the reception area – tired but happy.
AMY looks around and her eyes widen.
AMY
Sonny!
RORY
Oh my god, how could we forget?
AMY runs back out of the door.
AMY
They’ve done something to him. That humanity reached Mr Dread a bit too late.
SAM
Hold up, Amy.
He reaches for something on the sofa: one of the MEN IN BLACK’s communicators.
AMY re-enters the room.
AMY
What’s that doing here?
RORY
Sam, be careful… it might be a trap.
SAM
They’d have to be pretty evil to give us that display back at the lab and then blow us up here.
He clicks a button on the side.
Nothing happens.
Then.
A HISS of static.
SONNY (O.S.)
Amy, Rory, Sam, I’m sorry.
The three of them look at each other in surprise.
SONNY (O.S.) (CONT’D)
I was too slow and one of the suited guys got me. He wanted to erase my memory but I asked a favour of him. And, guess what, he’s actually reasonable. I asked him if I could write a note to you all to explain everything and he handed me this. I don’t know if you’ll ever receive this message because I’m basically speaking into a tube but, anyway, here goes.
AMY swallows hard.
SONNY (O.S.) (CONT’D)
I consent to this memory erasure because 1) this suited guy could have killed me and I don’t want to live in fear of my life because of some stupid building. Yeah, that’s right, I called the ESB stupid. Secondly and most importantly, I don’t want to put the people of Hooverville at risk because of this. I want to continue my life and I know of the devastation the Daleks caused when they attacked all those years ago and I don’t want a repeat of it. So, please, don’t ever look for me again. Don’t even come up to me anonymously. I don’t want you to trigger anything. Please, all of you, promise you’ll leave me be. Because, well, I assume I’ll be happy. God, I’m getting the jitters waiting for my memory to be wiped. Funny how you wake up some days and they turn out entirely different from the way you planned?
INT. ANGEL DETECTIVE AGENCY – AMY’S OFFICE – DAY
AMY is mending the smashed window in her OFFICE.
She seals the new glass pale in and then to test it, slides it up.
There’s a flowerbox that has survived the previous evening’s excitement.
She picks up a watering can from underneath her desk.
AMY starts to water the plants.
Peace again.
A wind kicks up.
A powerful wind accompanied by a grating, wheezing, coughing sound.
AMY’s ears prick up.
Then the wind dies down. It’s just a breeze. Nothing else. Nothing to get excited for.
AMY smiles, shakes her head and shuts the window.
Peace again.
AMY is mending the smashed window in her OFFICE.
She seals the new glass pale in and then to test it, slides it up.
There’s a flowerbox that has survived the previous evening’s excitement.
She picks up a watering can from underneath her desk.
AMY starts to water the plants.
Peace again.
A wind kicks up.
A powerful wind accompanied by a grating, wheezing, coughing sound.
AMY’s ears prick up.
Then the wind dies down. It’s just a breeze. Nothing else. Nothing to get excited for.
AMY smiles, shakes her head and shuts the window.
Peace again.