EXT. DAY, MARKETPLACE
THE DOCTOR steps out of the TARDIS and pushes aside a
rough curtain, a broad smile on his face. DONNA stands beside him.
THE DOCTOR
Ancient Rome.
(steps put into the street with market stalls set up)
Well, not to them, obviously. To all intents and purposes right now... this is brand new Rome.
(steps put into the street with market stalls set up)
Well, not to them, obviously. To all intents and purposes right now... this is brand new Rome.
DONNA
(enthusiastically)
Oh my God, it's... it's so Roman. This is fantastic!
(hugs him)
I'm here... in Rome. Donna Noble in Rome. (walks along street)
This is just weird. I mean, everyone here is dead.
Oh my God, it's... it's so Roman. This is fantastic!
(hugs him)
I'm here... in Rome. Donna Noble in Rome. (walks along street)
This is just weird. I mean, everyone here is dead.
THE DOCTOR
Well, don't go telling them
that.
DONNA
(notices something behind him)
Hold on a minute. That sign over there is in English. Are you having me on? Are we in Epcot?
Hold on a minute. That sign over there is in English. Are you having me on? Are we in Epcot?
THE DOCTOR
No, no, no, no. That's the
TARDIS translation circuits. Just makes it look like English... speech as
well. You're talking Latin right now.
DONNA
Seriously?
THE DOCTOR
Mmm.
DONNA
I just said 'seriously' in
Latin.
THE DOCTOR
Oh yeah.
DONNA
(laughs)
What if I said something in actual Latin? Like 'veni, vidi, vici'? My dad said that when he came back from football. If I said 'veni, vidi, vici' to that lot, what would it sound like?
What if I said something in actual Latin? Like 'veni, vidi, vici'? My dad said that when he came back from football. If I said 'veni, vidi, vici' to that lot, what would it sound like?
THE DOCTOR
I'm not sure -- you have to think of
difficult questions, don't you?
DONNA
I'm gonna try it.
DONNA walks up to a stallholder.
STALLHOLDER
Hello, sweetheart. What can I
get for you, my love?
DONNA
Veni, vidi, vici.
STALLHOLDER
Hunh? Sorry? Me no speak
Celtic. No can do, missy.
DONNA
Yeah.
(walks back to THE DOCTOR )
What does he mean 'Celtic'?
(walks back to THE DOCTOR )
What does he mean 'Celtic'?
THE DOCTOR
Welsh. You sound Welsh. There
we are. That's something.
THE DOCTOR and DONNA keep walking through the streets
unaware that a red-robed young woman is watching them.
DONNA
Won't our clothes look a bit odd?
THE DOCTOR
Nah. Ancient Rome, anything
goes. It's like Soho... but bigger.
DONNA
You've been here before then?
The woman follows them.
THE DOCTOR
Hm, ages ago. Before you ask,
that fire had nothing to do with me. Well, a little bit, but I hadn't gotten
the chance to look around properly. Coliseum... Pantheon... Circus Maximus... You'd
expect them to be looming by now. Where is everything?
(stops and looks around)
Try this way.
(stops and looks around)
Try this way.
They walk on, the woman still following. They come to
a wider street and DONNA looks about.
DONNA
I'm not an expert, but there are
Seven Hills of Rome, aren't there? How come they only got one?
THE DOCTOR looks to one mountain in the distance. Suddenly the ground shakes.
MAN
Here we go again.
The vendors do what they can to save their stalls and
merchandise.
DONNA
Wait a minute! One mountain... with
smoke... which makes this...
THE DOCTOR
Pompeii. We're in Pompeii... and
it's Volcano Day!
{OPENING CREDITS}
INT. TEMPLE OF SIBYL
The young woman runs into what turns out to be a
temple. Inside are other women in red. She prostrates herself in front of a
contained fire.
YOUNG SOOTHSAYER
I beg audience with the High
Priestess of the Sibylline.
SISTER SPURRINA
The High Priestess cannot be
seen. What would you tell her, sister?
YOUNG SOOTHSAYER
It has come... as foretold in the
prophecy. The box... the blue box.
EXT. DAY, MARKETPLACE
THE DOCTOR and DONNA race through the streets of
Pompeii. They arrive back where they started only to find the TARDIS gone.
DONNA
You're kidding. Don't tell me
the TARDIS is gone.
THE DOCTOR
Okay.
DONNA
Where is it then?
THE DOCTOR
You told me not to tell you.
DONNA
Don't get clever in Latin.
THE DOCTOR
Um...excuse me! Excuse me!
(runs to same stallholder)
There was a box--big, blue box. Big, blue, wooden box...just over there. Where's it gone?
(runs to same stallholder)
There was a box--big, blue box. Big, blue, wooden box...just over there. Where's it gone?
STALLHOLDER
(smugly)
Sold it, didn't I?
Sold it, didn't I?
THE DOCTOR
But... it wasn't yours to sell.
STALLHOLDER
It was on my patch, wasn't it? I
got 15 sesterce for it. Lovely jubbly.
He rubs hands together.
THE DOCTOR
Who did you sell it to?
STALLHOLDER
Old Caecilius. Look... if you
want to argue, why don't you take it up with him? He's on Foss Street. Big
villa can't miss it.
THE DOCTOR
Thanks.
(He and DONNA run off but he comes back, slightly bemused)
What did he buy a big, blue wooden box for?
(He and DONNA run off but he comes back, slightly bemused)
What did he buy a big, blue wooden box for?
INT. CAECILIUS' VILLA
The TARDIS has just been placed in a corner of the
main room of the villa and the servants are now scurrying away.
CAECILIUS
(joyfully)
Modern art! Out of the way, that's it!
(shoos his servants out of the way. Stops one of them)
Oh, Rombus, I'm a little bit peckish. Get me some ants in honey, there's a good man. Ooh, maybe a dormouse!
Modern art! Out of the way, that's it!
(shoos his servants out of the way. Stops one of them)
Oh, Rombus, I'm a little bit peckish. Get me some ants in honey, there's a good man. Ooh, maybe a dormouse!
CAECILUS' wife, METALLA, is looking on. She clearly
does not approve of this so-called modern art.
CAECILIUS
What do you think?
METELLA
You call it modern art. I call
it a bloody great waste of space.
CAECILIUS
But we're going up in the world,
my love. Lucius Dextrus himself is coming to the house this afternoon. What,
with that and our Evelina about to be elevated...
EVELINA, their daughter enters the room, seemingly
bored with CAECILUS going on about her.
EVELINA
Oh, don't go on about it, Dad.
METELLA
If we had moved to Rome like I
said, she could have been a Vestal Virgin.
Their teenage son, QUINTUS enters the room, seemingly
just have woken up from a night on the town.
QUINTUS
Someone mention Vestal Virgins?
METELLA
Quintus, don't be so rude. You
apologize to the household gods.
QUINTUS
Get off.
METELLA
Apologize right now. The gods
are always watching.
The ground rumbles.
CAECILIUS
Positions!
The family run to their "positions" around
the villa to keep valuables from falling and breaking. When the rumbling
stops, Caecilius kisses the head of a male bust.
METELLA
There, now you've made the
household gods angry. Just say sorry.
QUINTUS goes to the shrine of the household gods.
METELLA
I tell you, Caecilius, that boy
will come to no good.
QUINTUS
(puts fingers in chalice and
sprinkles water on a marble frieze)
Sorry, household gods.
Sorry, household gods.
CAECILIUS
So where were you last night?
Down the thelopolium, I bet, cavorting with Etruscans, Christians and all
sorts. How's your head, sunshine? How's your head?
He emphasizes words with
claps at QUINTUS' ears.
QUINTUS
All right, Dad. Give us a break.
METELLA
You want to smarten yourself up,
Quintus, before Lucius Dextrus gets her. Look at your sister. She is giving
us... status.
QUINTUS
Oh, yeah, 'cause it's all about
Evelina.
METELLA
She has the gift.
(holds up EVELINA'S hand with an eye painted on it)
Be proud of your sister for once.
(to EVELINA)
Have you been consuming?
(holds up EVELINA'S hand with an eye painted on it)
Be proud of your sister for once.
(to EVELINA)
Have you been consuming?
EVELINA
Not this morning.
METELLA
Well, come on, sweetheart.
Practice. It's hot today.
(leads EVELINA to the hypocaust in the centre of the room)
The hypocaust is on full blast. (they sit on the ledge around it)
The mountain god must be happy. Breathe deeply. Remember what the sisterhood said.
(leads EVELINA to the hypocaust in the centre of the room)
The hypocaust is on full blast. (they sit on the ledge around it)
The mountain god must be happy. Breathe deeply. Remember what the sisterhood said.
EVELINA leans over and breathes deep.
EVELINA
It hurts.
METELLA
Oh, my love, is it too hot?
EVELINA
(shakes head)
Sometimes in the smoke... I see the most terrible things.
Sometimes in the smoke... I see the most terrible things.
METELLA
Like what?
EVELINA
A face. A face of stone.
METELLA
It'll make sense... one day... Sister
Spurrina promised it. The veil will be parted and you'll be a seer.
METELLA leaves EVELINA sitting by the hypocaust. She
breathes and looks down into the heat. Below a creature of stone looks up and
growls.
EVELINA
(leans back)
Who are you?
Who are you?
EXT. DAY, POMPEII STREETS
THE DOCTOR runs through the streets back to DONNA.
THE DOCTOR
Ha! I've got it! Foss Street,
this way!
DONNA
No, I've found this big sort of
amphitheatre I think... We can start there. We can get everyone together.
Then maybe they've got a great, big bell or something we could ring. Have they
invented bells yet?
THE DOCTOR
(puzzled)
What do you want a bell for?
What do you want a bell for?
DONNA
To warn everyone! To start the
evacuation! What time does Vesuvius erupt? When's it due?
THE DOCTOR
(serious)
It's 79 AD, 23 of August which makes Volcano Day tomorrow.
It's 79 AD, 23 of August which makes Volcano Day tomorrow.
DONNA
Plenty of time. We can get
everyone out easy.
THE DOCTOR
Except we're not going to.
He grabs her by the hand.
DONNA
(doesn't budge)
But that's what you do. You're the Doctor. You save people.
But that's what you do. You're the Doctor. You save people.
THE DOCTOR
But not this time. Pompeii is a
fixed point in history. What happens happens. There is no stopping it.
He tries to get her to move.
DONNA
Says who?
THE DOCTOR
Says me.
DONNA
What, and you're in charge?
THE DOCTOR
TARDIS, Time Lord... yeah.
DONNA
Donna, human... no! I don't need
your permission. I'll tell them myself.
THE DOCTOR
You stand in the marketplace and
announce the end of the world, they'll just think you're a mad old soothsayer.
Now, come on. TARDIS, we are getting out of here.
She storms off.
DONNA
Well, I just might have something
to say about that, spaceman!
THE DOCTOR
Oh, I bet you will!
DONNA follows. The YOUNG SOOTHSAYER watches them
leave. She places her hands -- which have eyes painted on the back -- over her eyes
and communicates with the other sisters.
YOUNG SOOTHSAYER
The tall one, he calls us mad.
INT, TEMPLE OF THE SIBYL
SISTER SPURRINA is in the temple, hands over her eyes.
SISTER SPURRINA
Then he is a stranger to
Pompeii. Soon he will learn.
SISTER THALINA arrives with two others. She is
carrying a scroll.
SISTER THALINA
We have found it, Sister
Spurrina. In the 13th book of the Sybiline oracle. The blue box.
(unrolls scroll to reveal a drawing of the TARDIS)
A temple made of wood... and yet the Sibyl foretold the box would appear at a time of storms and fire and betrayal.
(unrolls scroll to reveal a drawing of the TARDIS)
A temple made of wood... and yet the Sibyl foretold the box would appear at a time of storms and fire and betrayal.
HIGH PRIESTESS
(strained)
Sisters...
Sisters...
The sisters move to stand in front of a gauze curtain.
SPURRINA
Reverend Mother, you should
sleep.
HIGH PRIESTESS
The Sibylline oracles are wrong.
SPURRINA
But we have venerated her words
for generations.
HIGH PRIESTESS
This is a new age. Heed my
words. I predict a future of prosperity and might... and endless empire of
Pompeii, reaching out from this city to topple Rome itself and encompass the
whole wide world. If the disciples of the blue box defy this prophecy, their
blood will run on the temple floor.
The ground rumbles and the sisters gasp and look up.
SPURRINA
The gods approve!
INT. CAECILIUS' VILLA, MAIN ROOM
CAECILIUS
Positions!
CAECILIUS, METELLA and EVELINA run to their appointed
places. THE DOCTOR saves the bust from falling before CAECILIUS gets there.
THE DOCTOR
Whoa! (slaps its cheeks)
There you go.
There you go.
CAECILIUS
Thank you, kind sir. I'm afraid
business is closed for the day. I'm expecting a visitor.
THE DOCTOR
Oh, that's me.
He leans forward to shake CAECILIUS' hand. I'm a visitor. Hello.
CAECILIUS
Who are you?
THE DOCTOR
I am... Spartacus.
DONNA
And so am I.
CAECILIUS
Mr and Mrs Spartacus?
THE DOCTOR
Oh no, we're not married.
DONNA
Not together.
CAECILIUS
Oh, then brother and sister?
Yes, of course. You look very much alike.
THE DOCTOR & DONNA
Really?
CAECILIUS
I'm sorry, but I'm not open for
trade.
THE DOCTOR
And that trade would be?
CAECILIUS
Marble. Lucius Caecilius.
Mining, polishing and design thereof. If you want marble, I'm your man.
THE DOCTOR
That's good. That's good, 'cause
I'm the marble inspector.
He holds up psychic paper.
METELLA
By the gods of commerce, an
inspection.
(takes cup of wine from QUINTUS)
I'm sorry, sir. I do apologize for my son.
(takes cup of wine from QUINTUS)
I'm sorry, sir. I do apologize for my son.
She pours wine into pool.
QUINTUS
Oi!
CAECILIUS
This is my good wife, Metella.
I-- I must confess, we're not prepared for a--
THE DOCTOR
Nothing to worry about. I- I'm
sure you've got nothing to hide. Although, frankly, that...
(spots TARDIS)
object... rather looks like wood to me.
(spots TARDIS)
object... rather looks like wood to me.
He and DONNA walk towards it.
METELLA
(hisses)
I told you to get rid of it!
I told you to get rid of it!
CAECILIUS
I only bought it today.
THE DOCTOR
Ah, well. Caveat emptor.
CAECILIUS
Oh, you're Celtic. There's
lovely.
THE DOCTOR
I'm sure it's fine but I might
have to take it off your hands for a proper inspection.
DONNA
Although, while we're here,
wouldn't you recommend a holiday, Spartacus?
THE DOCTOR
I don't know what you mean,
Spartacus.
DONNA
Oh, this lovely family, mother
and father and son... Don't you think they should get out of town?
CAECILIUS
Why should we do that?
THE DOCTOR rubs his eye as
DONNA tries to explain.
DONNA
Well, the volcano for starters.
CAECILIUS
(puzzled)
What?
What?
DONNA
Volcano.
CAECILIUS
What-ano?
DONNA
That great big volcano right on
your doorstep.
THE DOCTOR
Oh, Spartacus, for shame. We
haven't even greeted the household gods yet. (pulls her away towards the
shrine)
They don't know what it is. Vesuvius is just a mountain to them. The top hasn't blown off yet. (sprinkles frieze with water)
The Romans haven't even got a word for volcano. Not until tomorrow.
They don't know what it is. Vesuvius is just a mountain to them. The top hasn't blown off yet. (sprinkles frieze with water)
The Romans haven't even got a word for volcano. Not until tomorrow.
DONNA
(sarcastic)
Oh great. They can learn a new word... when they die.
Oh great. They can learn a new word... when they die.
THE DOCTOR
Donna, stop it.
DONNA
Listen, I don't know what sort of
kids you've been flyin' around with in outer space, but you're not telling me
to shut up. That boy... (points to QUINTUS)
how old is he, sixteen? And tomorrow he burns to death.
how old is he, sixteen? And tomorrow he burns to death.
THE DOCTOR
And that's my fault?
DONNA
Right now, yes!
The servant, Rhombus, enters the room.
RHOMBUS
Announcing Lucius Petrus Dextrus,
Chief Augur of the city government.
An older man strides in, a man who knows his
position. He wears his cloak so it drapes over his right side.
CAECILIUS
Lucius, my pleasure as always.
THE DOCTOR and DONNA leave the shrine, curious to see
the visitor.
METELLA
Quintus, stand up.
QUINTUS stands with a long-suffering sigh.
CAECILIUS
A rare and great honour, sir, for
you to come to my house.
He holds out hand but LUCIUS ignores it.
LUCIUS
The birds are flying north... and
the wind is in the west.
CAECILIUS
(puzzled)
Right. Absolutely. That's good, is it?
Right. Absolutely. That's good, is it?
LUCIUS
Only the grain of wheat knows
where it will grow.
CAECILIUS
There now, Metella, have you ever
heard such wisdom?
METELLA
Never. It's an honour.
CAECILIUS
Pardon me, sir, I have guests.
This is Spartacus, and, uh, Spartacus.
THE DOCTOR and DONNA both wave.
LUCIUS
A name is but a cloud upon a
summer wind.
THE DOCTOR
But the wind is felt most keenly
in the dark.
LUCIUS
Ah! What is the dark other than
an omen of the sun?
THE DOCTOR
I concede that every sun must set...
LUCIUS
Ha!
THE DOCTOR
...and yet the son of the father
must also rise.
LUCIUS
Damn. Very clever, sir.
Evidently a man of learning.
THE DOCTOR
Oh yes, but don't mind me. Don't
want to disturb the status quo.
CAECILIUS
(whispers)
He's Celtic.
He's Celtic.
THE DOCTOR
We'll be off in a minute.
He takes DONNA and heads for the TARDIS.
DONNA
(subdued)
I'm not going.
I'm not going.
CAECILIUS
(to Lucius)
It's ready, sir.
It's ready, sir.
THE DOCTOR
You've got to.
DONNA
Well I'm not.
CAECILIUS
The moment of revelation. (unveils
a square piece of marble)
And here it is...
And here it is...
THE DOCTOR looks back over his shoulder. The design on
the marble is familiar.
CAECILIUS
Exactly as you specified. It
pleases you, sir?
THE DOCTOR and DONNA stop.
LUCIUS
As the rain pleases the soil.
Curiosity aroused, THE DOCTOR rejoins them.
THE DOCTOR
Oh now that's... different. Who
designed that then?
CAECILIUS
My lord Lucius was very specific.
THE DOCTOR
Where'd you get the pattern?
LUCIUS
On the rain and mist and wind.
DONNA
Well that looks like a circuit.
THE DOCTOR
Made of stone.
DONNA
Do you mean you just dreamt that
up?
LUCIUS
That is my job... as City Augur.
DONNA
What's that then, like the mayor?
THE DOCTOR
Oh, ah, you must excuse my
friend. She's from... Barcelona.
(aside to DONNA)
This is an age of superstition... of official superstition. The augur is paid by the city to tell the future. "The wind will blow from the west." That's the equivalent of the 10:00 news.
(aside to DONNA)
This is an age of superstition... of official superstition. The augur is paid by the city to tell the future. "The wind will blow from the west." That's the equivalent of the 10:00 news.
EVELINA joins them looking pale and drawn, barley able
to stand.
EVELINA
They're laughing at us. Those
two, they use words like tricksters. They're mocking us.
THE DOCTOR
No, no. I meant no offence.
METELLA
I'm sorry. My daughter's been
consuming the vapours.
She walks to EVELINA.
QUINTUS
By the gods, Mother! What have
you been doing to her?
CAECILIUS
Not now, Quintus.
QUINTUS
But she's sick. Just look at
her.
LUCIUS
I gather I have a rival in this
household. Another with the gift.
METELLA
(proudly)
Oh, she's been promised to the Sybiline Sisterhood. They say she has remarkable visions.
Oh, she's been promised to the Sybiline Sisterhood. They say she has remarkable visions.
LUCIUS
The prophecies of women are
limited and dull. Only the men folk have the capacity for true perception.
DONNA
I'll tell you where the wind's
blowing right now, mate.
The ground quakes.
LUCIUS
The mountain god marks your
words. I'd be careful if I were you.
THE DOCTOR
Consuming the vapours, you say?
EVELINA
They give me strength.
THE DOCTOR
It doesn't look like it to me.
EVELINA
Is that your opinion... as a
doctor?
THE DOCTOR
I beg your pardon?
EVELINA
Doctor. That's your name.
THE DOCTOR
(bewildered)
How did you know that?
How did you know that?
EVELINA
And you, you call yourself noble.
METELLA
Now then Evelina, don't be rude.
THE DOCTOR
No, no, no. Let her talk.
EVELINA
You both come from so far away.
LUCIUS
A female soothsayer in inclined
to invent all sorts of vagaries.
THE DOCTOR
Oh, not this time, Lucius. I
reckon you've been out-soothsaid.
LUCIUS
Is that so... man from Gallifrey?
THE DOCTOR
What?
LUCIUS
Strangest of images. Your home
is lost in fire, is it not?
DONNA
Doctor, what are they doing?
LUCIUS
And you, daughter of... London.
DONNA
How does he know that?
LUCIUS
This is the gift of Pompeii.
Every single oracle tells the truth.
DONNA
But that's impossible.
LUCIUS
Doctor, she is returning.
THE DOCTOR
Who is? Who's she?
LUCIUS
And you, Daughter of London... you
have something on your back.
DONNA
(scared)
What's that mean?
What's that mean?
EVELINA
Even the word "Doctor"
is false. Your real name is hidden. It burns in the stars of the cascade of
Medusa herself. You are a lord, sir. A lord... of time...
EVELINA faints.
METELLA
Evelina!
THE DOCTOR and METELLA rush to EVELINA's prone figure.
INT. CAECILIUS' VILLA, EVELINA'S ROOM
EVELINA is unconscious on
the bed and METELLA is caring for her as DONNA approaches.
METELLA
She didn't mean to be rude. She's
ever such a good girl. But when the gods speak through her...
METELLA unwraps a
cloth from EVELINA's arm.
DONNA
What's wrong with her arm?
METELLA
An irritation of the skin. She
never complains, bless her. We bathe it in olive oil every night.
DONNA
What is it?
DONNA walks closer.
METELLA
Evelina said you'd come from far
away. Please, have you ever seen anything like it?
DONNA runs her fingers along EVELINA's arm.
DONNA
It's stone.
INT. CAECILIUS' VILLA, MAIN ROOM
THE DOCTOR and CAECILIUS are at the hypocaust. THE
DOCTOR removes the grille.
THE DOCTOR
Ah! Different sort of hypocaust.
CAECILIUS
Oh yes, we're very advanced in
Pompeii. In Rome, they're still using the old wood-burning furnaces, but we've
got hot springs... leading from Vesuvius itself.
THE DOCTOR
Who thought of that?
CAECILIUS
The soothsayers after the great
earthquake seventeen years ago. An awful lot of damage but we rebuilt.
THE DOCTOR
Didn't you think of moving away?
Oh, no, then again, San Francisco.
CAECILIUS
That's a new restaurant in
Naples, isn't it?
THE DOCTOR looks down into the Earth where there is a
loud grating and rumbling.
THE DOCTOR
What's that noise?
CAECILIUS
Don't know. Happens all the
time. They say the gods of the Underworld are stirring.
THE DOCTOR
But after the earthquake... let
me guess. Is that when the soothsayers started making sense?
CAECILIUS
Oh yes, very much so. I mean,
they'd always been... shall we say "imprecise"? But then... the
soothsayers, the augurs, the haruspex--all of them, they saw the truth again and
again. It's quite amazing. They can predict crops and rainfall with absolute
precision.
THE DOCTOR
Have they said anything about tomorrow?
CAECILIUS
No. Why should they? Why do you
ask?
THE DOCTOR
No, no, no reason. Just asking.
But the soothsayers... they all consume the vapours?
CAECILIUS
That's how they see.
THE DOCTOR
(puts on glasses)
Ipso facto...
Ipso facto...
He leans into the hypocaust.
CAECILIUS
Look, you...
THE DOCTOR
(straightens)
They're all consuming this.
They're all consuming this.
He pinches rock particles.
CAECILIUS
Dust?
THE DOCTOR
Tiny particles of rock. (sprinkles
them before tasting)
They're breathing in Vesuvius.
They're breathing in Vesuvius.
QUINTUS is lounging, sipping wine when THE DOCTOR
walks up
THE DOCTOR
Quintus, me old son... this Lucius
Petrus Dextrus, where does he live?
QUINTUS
Nothing to do with me.
THE DOCTOR
(walks up beside lounge)
This Lucius Petrus Dextrus...
(pulls coin from behind QUINTUS' ear) where does he live?
(pulls coin from behind QUINTUS' ear) where does he live?
EXT. NIGHT, STREETS OF POMPEII
QUINTUS, holding a torch, leads THE DOCTOR through
the streets. He stops outside LUCIUS'.
QUINTUS
Don't tell my dad.
THE DOCTOR
(leaps onto a barrel before climbing
onto the windowsill)
Only if you don't tell mine.
Only if you don't tell mine.
He enters the villa.
INT. LUCIUS' VILLA
Inside it's dark except for the light from the
hypocaust.
THE DOCTOR
Pass me that torch.
THE DOCTOR checks that no one is around. Outside,
QUINTUS nervously looks about before climbing through the window. THE DOCTOR looks
behind a curtain then hands QUINTUS the torch. With both hands free, he pulls
down the curtain to reveal more "circuits".
QUINTUS
The liar. He told my father it
was the only one.
THE DOCTOR
(slips on glasses)
Well... plenty of marble merchants in this town. Tell them all the same thing; get all the components from different places so no one can see what you're building.
Well... plenty of marble merchants in this town. Tell them all the same thing; get all the components from different places so no one can see what you're building.
QUINTUS
Which is what?
LUCIUS
The future... Doctor.
(THE DOCTOR and QUINTUS turn around)
We are building the future as dictated by the gods.
(THE DOCTOR and QUINTUS turn around)
We are building the future as dictated by the gods.
INT. CAECILIUS' VILLA, EVELINA'S ROOM
EVELINA is laughing as DONNA gets used to her new
gown.
DONNA
You're not supposed to laugh.
Thanks for that. What do you think?
(strikes a pose)
The goddess Venus.
(strikes a pose)
The goddess Venus.
EVELINA
(laughing)
Oh, that's sacrilege.
Oh, that's sacrilege.
DONNA
Nice to see you laugh, though.
(sits beside her on the bed)
What do you do in old Pompeii, then... girls your age? You got... mates? Do you go hangin' about 'round the shops? T.K. Maximus?
(sits beside her on the bed)
What do you do in old Pompeii, then... girls your age? You got... mates? Do you go hangin' about 'round the shops? T.K. Maximus?
EVELINA
(shakes head)
I'm promised to the sisterhood for the rest of my life.
I'm promised to the sisterhood for the rest of my life.
DONNA
You get any choice in that?
EVELINA
It's not my decision. I have the
gift of sight. The sisters chose for me.
DONNA
Then... what can you see
happening tomorrow?
EVELINA
Is tomorrow special?
DONNA
You tell me. What do you see?
EVELINA
(closes eyes)
The sun will rise. The sun will set. Nothing special at all.
The sun will rise. The sun will set. Nothing special at all.
She opens her eyes again.
DONNA
Look... don't tell the Doctor I
said anything 'cause he'll kill me... but I've got a prophecy too.
EVELINA covers her eyes with her hands thus creating a
link with the sisterhood. They can hear everything DONNA says.
DONNA
Evelina, I'm sorry, but you've
got to hear me out...
INT, TEMPLE OF THE SIBYL
SPURRINA
Sisters...
All sisters cover their eyes.
INT. CAECILIUS' VILLA, EVELINA'S ROOM
DONNA
Evelina, can you hear me?
Listen.
EVELINA
There is only one prophecy.
DONNA
But everything I'm about to say
to you is true. I swear. Just listen to me. Tomorrow, that mountain is going
to explode. Evelina, please listen. The air is going to fill with ash and
rocks... tons and tons of it and... this whole town is gonna get buried.
EVELINA
That's not true.
DONNA
I'm sorry. I'm really sorry, but
everyone's gonna die.
INT, TEMPLE OF THE SIBYL
SPURRINA
A new prphesies.
THALINA
Impossible. There is only
one.
INT. CAECILIUS' VILLA, EVELINA'S ROOM
DONNA (CONT'D)
Even if you don't believe me,
just tell your family to get out of town... just for one day, just for
tomorrow. But you've got to get out! Just leave Pompeii!
EVELINA
(upset)
This is false prophecy!
This is false prophecy!
She breaks contact with the sisters.
INT, TEMPLE OF THE SIBYL
The sisters kneel in front of the High Priestess
SPURRINA
The Noble woman, she spoke of a
new prophecy... the fall of Pompeii.
HIGH PRIESTESS
Pompeii will last forever.
SPURRINA
Then what must we do?
HIGH PRIESTESS
The false prophet must die.
Sacrifice her.
The sisters bow their heads.
INT. LUCIUS' VILLA
THE DOCTOR is arranging the marble slabs.
THE DOCTOR
Put this one... there.
(takes another from QUINTUS)
This one... there. Uh... I'll keep that one upside down. What have you got?
(takes another from QUINTUS)
This one... there. Uh... I'll keep that one upside down. What have you got?
LUCIUS
Enlighten me.
THE DOCTOR
What? The soothsayer doesn't
know?
LUCIUS
The seed may float on the breeze
in any direction.
THE DOCTOR
Yeah, I knew you were gonna say
that. But... it's an energy converter.
LUCIUS
An energy converter of what?
THE DOCTOR
I don't know. Isn't that
brilliant? I love not knowing, keeps me on my toes. (moves to stand beside
LUCIUS)
It must be awful, being a prophet. Waking up every morning, "Is it raining? Yes, it is. I said so." Takes all the fun out of life. But who designed this, Lucius? Hmm? Who gave you these instructions?
It must be awful, being a prophet. Waking up every morning, "Is it raining? Yes, it is. I said so." Takes all the fun out of life. But who designed this, Lucius? Hmm? Who gave you these instructions?
LUCIUS
I think you've babbled long
enough.
THE DOCTOR
Lucius, really, tell me
honestly. I'm on your side. I can help.
LUCIUS
You insult the gods! There can
be only one sentence. At arms!
LUCIUS' guards enter and THE DOCTOR backs away,
removing his glasses.
THE DOCTOR
Oh, morituri te salutant.
LUCIUS
Celtic prayers won't help you
now.
QUINTUS
But it was him, sir. He made me
do it. Sir Dextrus, please don't.
THE DOCTOR
Come on now, Quintus... dignity
in death. I respect your victory, Lucius. Shake on it?
(holds out hand)
Come on.
(wiggles fingers of extended hand)
Dying man's wish?
(holds out hand)
Come on.
(wiggles fingers of extended hand)
Dying man's wish?
THE DOCTOR lunges and grabs LUCIUS' hand and yanks.
LUCIUS' forearm comes off
QUINTUS
But he's...
THE DOCTOR
Show me.
LUCIUS throws back his cloak to reveal the stump of a
stone arm.
LUCIUS
The work of the gods.
QUINTUS
He's stone!
THE DOCTOR
'Armless enough, though. Whoop!
(throws arm back to LUCIUS and runs)
Quintus!
(throws arm back to LUCIUS and runs)
Quintus!
QUINTUS throws the torch at one of the guards and
clambers out the window while THE DOCTOR uses the sonic screwdriver on the
circuits.
THE DOCTOR
Out! Out! Out! Hurry!
LUCIUS
The carvings!
EXT. NIGHT, STREETS OF POMPEII
THE DOCTOR jumps onto the street.
THE DOCTOR
Run!
INT. LUCIUS' VILLA
LUCIUS
(examines circuits)
My carvings! The work is unbroken.
My carvings! The work is unbroken.
EXT. NIGHT, STREETS OF POMPEII
THE DOCTOR and QUINTUS run through the streets.
LUCIUS
(v.o.)
Oh, lord of the mountain, I beseech you.
Oh, lord of the mountain, I beseech you.
INT. LUCIUS' VILLA
LUCIUS
(into hypocaust)
This man would prevent the rise of Pompeii.
(a snarling sound comes from below)
Lord, I beg of you, show yourself! (the snarling becomes louder)
Show yourself!
This man would prevent the rise of Pompeii.
(a snarling sound comes from below)
Lord, I beg of you, show yourself! (the snarling becomes louder)
Show yourself!
Below is the same creature EVELINA saw.
EXT. NIGHT, STREETS OF POMPEII
THE DOCTOR and QUINTUS stop for a moment.
THE DOCTOR
No sign of 'em. Nice little bit
of allons-y. I think we're all right.
QUINTUS
But his arm, Doctor. Is that
what's happening to Evelina?
A loud booming echoes.
THE DOCTOR
What's that?
THE DOCTOR and QUINTUS turn around as the sound
continues.
QUINTUS
The mountain?
THE DOCTOR
No, it's closer.
The thudding continues and stalls and baskets fall
over even though nothing is there.
THE DOCTOR
They're footsteps.
QUINTUS
It can't be.
THE DOCTOR
Footsteps underground!
QUINTUS
What is it? What is it?
THE DOCTOR turns QUINTUS around and they continue
running. As they pass vents, steam blows up like geysers.
INT. CAECILIUS' VILLA, MAIN ROOM
METELLA
What is it? What's that noise?
CAECILIUS
Doesn't sound like Vesuvius.
THE DOCTOR comes running in.
THE DOCTOR
Caecilius! All of you, get out!
DONNA
Doctor, what is it?
THE DOCTOR
I think we're being followed.
The grille over the hypocaust is blown into the air.
THE DOCTOR
Just get out!
THE DOCTOR tries to
herd everyone out the door as the ground beneath the hypocaust cracks and a loud
growling is heard. No one moves. A creature made of stone and magma forces
its way through.
EVELINA
The gods are with us.
THE DOCTOR
Water! We need water! Quintus,
all of you, get water! Donna!
DONNA, QUINTUS and one of the servants run out of the
room. RHOMBUS steps towards the creature.
RHOMBUS
Blessed are we to see the gods.
The creature breathes fire and RHOMBUS is burned to
ash. THE DOCTOR approaches, hands out.
THE DOCTOR
Talk to me! That's all I want!
Talk to me. Tell me who you are. Don't hurt these people.
On her way back with water, the sisterhood takes
DONNA. EVELINA witnesses it.
DONNA
(muffled)
Doctor! Doctor!
Doctor! Doctor!
THE DOCTOR
Talk to me. I'm the Doctor.
Tell me who you are.
The creature prepares to breath on THE DOCTOR just as
QUINTUS and the servant return with urns. QUINTUS dips it in the pool.
QUINTUS
Doctor!
They throw the water at the creature and it seems to
freeze before falling and crumbling to pieces.
CAECILIUS
What was it?
THE DOCTOR
Carapace of stone... held
together by internal magma. Not too difficult to stop. But I reckon that's
just a foot soldier.
METELLA
Doctor... or whatever your name
is... you bring bad luck in this house.
THE DOCTOR
I thought your son was
brilliant. Aren't you going to thank him?
QUINTUS looks at THE DOCTOR, amazed that he would say
something. METELLA hugs him.
THE DOCTOR
Still... guess there are aliens
at work in Pompeii and it's a good thing we stayed. Donna!
(turns around)
Donna? Donna?!
(turns around)
Donna? Donna?!
INT, TEMPLE OF THE SIBYL
DONNA
You have got to be kidding me.
DONNA is lying on a sacrificial altar and SPURRINA is
holding a dagger above her.
SPURRINA
The false prophet will surrender
both her blood and her breath.
DONNA
I'll surrender you in a minute.
Don't you dare!
SPURRINA
You will be silent.
DONNA
You might have eyes on the back
of your hands but you'll have eyes in the back of your head by the time I
finish with you! Let me... go!
SPURRINA
This prattling will cease... forever.
She raises dagger above her head in preparation to strike.
THE DOCTOR
Oh, that'll be the day.
SPURRINA
No man is allowed to enter the
Temple of Sybil.
THE DOCTOR
Oh, that's all right, just us
girls.
(starts to walk towards them)
Do you know, I met the Sibyl once. Hell of a woman. Blimey, she could dance a tarantella. Truth be told, I think she had a bit of a thing for me. I said it would never last. She said, "I know". Well, she would.
(stops in front of altar)
You all right there?
(starts to walk towards them)
Do you know, I met the Sibyl once. Hell of a woman. Blimey, she could dance a tarantella. Truth be told, I think she had a bit of a thing for me. I said it would never last. She said, "I know". Well, she would.
(stops in front of altar)
You all right there?
DONNA
(sarcastically)
Oh, never better.
Oh, never better.
THE DOCTOR
I like the toga.
He reaches into his pocket and takes out the sonic screwdriver.
DONNA
Thank you. And the ropes?
THE DOCTOR
Eh, not so much.
He uses the screwdriver on the ropes.
SPURRINA
What magic is this?
THE DOCTOR
(flips the sonic screwdriver
and puts it away)
Let me tell you about the Sibyl... the founder of this religion. She would be ashamed of you. All her wisdom and insight turned sour. Is that how you spread the word, eh? On the blade of a knife?
Let me tell you about the Sibyl... the founder of this religion. She would be ashamed of you. All her wisdom and insight turned sour. Is that how you spread the word, eh? On the blade of a knife?
SPURRINA
Yes... a knife that now welcomes
you!
She raises the knife.
HIGH PRIESTESS
Show me this man.
They all turn towards the curtain and the sisters
kneel.
SPURRINA
High Priestess, the stranger
would defy us!
HIGH PRIESTESS
Let me see. This one is
different. He carries starlight in his wake.
THE DOCTOR and DONNA approach the curtain.
THE DOCTOR
Ah, very perceptive. Where do
these words of wisdom come from?
HIGH PRIESTESS
The gods whisper to me.
THE DOCTOR
Oh, they've done far more than
that. Ah, might I beg audience, look upon the High Priestess?
The curtains part.
DONNA
(gasps)
Oh my God! What's happened to you?
Oh my God! What's happened to you?
The HIGH PRIESTESS sits upon a bed, her body nearly
converted completely to stone.
HIGH PRIESTESS
The heavens have blessed me.
THE DOCTOR
If I might...
(motions that he'd like to step closer. She raises her arm and THE DOCTOR kneels and touches it)
Does it hurt?
(motions that he'd like to step closer. She raises her arm and THE DOCTOR kneels and touches it)
Does it hurt?
HIGH PRIESTESS
It is necessary.
THE DOCTOR
Who told you that?
HIGH PRIESTESS
The voices.
DONNA
Is that what's happening to
Evelina?
(turns to sisters)
Is this what's gonna happen to all of you?
(turns to sisters)
Is this what's gonna happen to all of you?
SPURRINA
(approaches, sleeve pulled
back)
The blessings are manifold.
The blessings are manifold.
DONNA
(touches SPURRINA'S arm)
They're stone.
They're stone.
THE DOCTOR
Exactly. (stands and walks
back to DONNA)
The people of Pompeii are turning to stone before the volcano erupts. But why?
The people of Pompeii are turning to stone before the volcano erupts. But why?
HIGH PRIESTESS
This word... this image in your
mind, this "volcano", what is that?
THE DOCTOR
More to the point, why don't you
know about it? Who are you?
HIGH PRIESTESS
High Priestess of the Sibyline.
THE DOCTOR
No, no, no, no. I'm talking to
the creature inside you. The thing that's seeding itself into a human body, in
the dust in the lungs... taking over the flesh and turning it into... what?
HIGH PRIESTESS
Your knowledge is impossible.
THE DOCTOR
Oh, but you can read my mind.
You know it's not. I demand you tell me who you are!
HIGH PRIESTESS
(echoing)
We... are... awakening!
We... are... awakening!
SPURRINA
The voice of the gods!
SISTERS
(chanting)
Words of wisdom, words of power. Words of wisdom, words of power.
Words of wisdom, words of power. Words of wisdom, words of power.
They keep on repeating this.
THE DOCTOR
Name yourself! Planet of origin,
galactic coordinates, species designation according to the universal
ratification of the Shadow Proclamation.
HIGH PRIESTESS
(echoing)
We... are... rising!
We... are... rising!
THE DOCTOR
Tell me your name!
HIGH PRIESTESS
(throws back her hood)
Pyrovile!
Pyrovile!
SISTERS
(chanting)
Pyrovile. Pyrovile.
Pyrovile. Pyrovile.
They keep repeating this.
DONNA
What's a Pyrovile?
THE DOCTOR
Well, that's a Pyrovile... growing
inside her. She's at the halfway stage.
DONNA
Well, and that turns into?
THE DOCTOR
That thing in the villa, that was
an adult Pyrovile.
HIGH PRIESTESS
And the breath of a Pyrovile will
incinerate you, Doctor.
THE DOCTOR
I warn you... I'm armed.
(pulls out water pistol)
Donna, get that grille open.
(pulls out water pistol)
Donna, get that grille open.
DONNA
What are...?
THE DOCTOR
Just...
(jerks head and DONNA goes to hypocaust)
What are the Pyrovile doing here?
(jerks head and DONNA goes to hypocaust)
What are the Pyrovile doing here?
HIGH PRIESTESS
We fell from the heavens. We
fell so far and so fast we were rendered into dust.
THE DOCTOR
Right. Creatures of stone
shatter on impact. When was that, seventeen years ago?
HIGH PRIESTESS
We have slept beneath for
thousands of years.
THE DOCTOR
Okay, so seventeen years ago woke you up
and now you're using human bodies to reconstitute yourself, but why the psychic
powers?
HIGH PRIESTESS
We opened their minds and found
such gifts.
THE DOCTOR
Yeah, okay, fine. You force
yourself inside a human brain, use the latent psychic talent to bond. I get that.
I get that. Yeah, but... seeing the future, that is way beyond psychic, you can
see through time. Where does the gift of prophecy come from?
SPURRINA watches THE DOCTOR as the HIGH PRIESTESS
moans.
DONNA
I got it!
THE DOCTOR
Now get down.
He moves towards
her, water pistol still aimed at the HIGH PRIESTESS.
DONNA
What, down there?
THE DOCTOR
Yes, down there! Why can't this
lot predict the volcano? Why is it being hidden?
SPURRINA
Sisters, I see into his mind.
The weapon is harmless.
THE DOCTOR
Yeah, but it's got a sting! (shoots
water and the HIGH PRIESTESS who moans in pain)
Get down there!
Get down there!
DONNA drops through the opening and THE DOCTOR follows.
INT. VOLCANIC TUNNELS
DONNA
You fought her off with a water
pistol. I bloody love you.
THE DOCTOR
(gets up)
This way.
This way.
DONNA
Where are we going now?
THE DOCTOR
Into the volcano.
DONNA
No way.
THE DOCTOR
Yes way. (twirls pistol)
Appian way.
Appian way.
INT, TEMPLE OF THE SIBYL
HIGH PRIESTESS
The stranger would threaten our
great endeavour. The time has come. The prophecy must advance.
INT. LUCIUS' VILLA
LUCIUS is staring into the hypocaust.
LUCIUS
The prophecy must advance. They
will be done. (to guard)
Summon the cult of Vulcan.
Summon the cult of Vulcan.
GUARD
Yes, sir.
LUCIUS
We must go to the mountain.
Vesuvius awaits.
INT. CAECILIUS' VILLA, MAIN ROOM
CAECILIUS
Sunrise, my love. A new day. Even
the longest night must end.
QUINTUS
The mountain's worse than ever.
METELLA
We killed a messenger of the gods
in our own house. (to Evelina)
Sweetheart, can you see? Tell us. What's going to happen?
Sweetheart, can you see? Tell us. What's going to happen?
QUINTUS
Just... leave her alone.
EVELINA
I can see...
METELLA
What is it?
EVELINA
A choice. Someone must make a
choice.
(in tears)
The most terrible choice.
(in tears)
The most terrible choice.
INT. VOLCANIC TUNNELS
THE DOCTOR and DONNA walk through the tunnels toward
Vesuvius.
DONNA
But if it's aliens setting off
the volcano, doesn't that make it all right? For you to stop it?
THE DOCTOR
Still part of history.
DONNA
Well, I'm history too. You saved
me in 2008. You saved us all. Why is that different?
THE DOCTOR
Some things are fixed, some
things are in flux. Pompeii is fixed.
DONNA
How do you know which is which?
THE DOCTOR
(stops)
Because that's how I see the universe. Every waking second, I can see what is, what was... what could be, what must not. That's the burden of the Time Lord, Donna. I'm the only one left.
Because that's how I see the universe. Every waking second, I can see what is, what was... what could be, what must not. That's the burden of the Time Lord, Donna. I'm the only one left.
He walks on.
DONNA
How many people died?
THE DOCTOR
Stop it!
DONNA
Doctor!
(he stops and turns)
How many people died?
(he stops and turns)
How many people died?
THE DOCTOR
Twenty thousand.
DONNA
Is that what you can see,
Doctor? All twenty thousand? And you think that's all right, do you?
They hear the screech of a Pyrovile.
THE DOCTOR
They know we're here! Come on.
EXT. DAY, OUTSIDE MT VESUVIUS
LUCIUS approaches Vesuvius with the Cult of Vulcan,
bringing the circuits.
INT. VOLCANIC TUNNELS
THE DOCTOR and DONNA run through the tunnels avoiding
pockets of flame.
EXT. DAY, OUTSIDE MT VESUVIUS
LUCIUS
Oh, mighty Vesuvius accept these
offerings in Vulcan's design and show unto us, I beseech you, the gods of the
Underworld.
The members of the cult kneel as a Pyrovile steps out
of a cave.
INT. VOLCANIC CAVERN
THE DOCTOR and DONNA arrive at a great cavern.
THE DOCTOR
It's the heart of Vesuvius. (Pyroviles
are walking about)
We're right inside the mountain.
We're right inside the mountain.
DONNA
There's tons of 'em.
THE DOCTOR
What's that thing?
He takes out a small collapsible telescope.
DONNA
Well, you'd better hurry up and
think of something. Rocky IV's on its way.
THE DOCTOR sees the interior of a ship.
THE DOCTOR
That's how they arrived... or
what's left of it. Escape pod? Prison ship? Gene bank?
He collapses the telescope.
DONNA
But why do they need a volcano?
Maybe... it erupts and they launch themselves back in space or something.
THE DOCTOR
No, it's worse that that.
DONNA
How can it be worse?
(A Pyrovile roars.)
Doctor, it's getting closer.
(A Pyrovile roars.)
Doctor, it's getting closer.
LUCIUS
Heathens!
(he is higher up in the cavern)
Defilers! They would desecrate your temple, my lord gods!
(he is higher up in the cavern)
Defilers! They would desecrate your temple, my lord gods!
THE DOCTOR
Come on!
THE DOCTOR and DONNA run across the cavern floor.
DONNA
We can't go in!
THE DOCTOR
We can't go back!
LUCIUS
Crush them! Burn them!
THE DOCTOR and DONNA stop suddenly as a Pyrovile rises
in front of them. THE DOCTOR takes out the water pistol and uses it on the
Pyrovile who shies away. With a look up at LUCIUS, they continue running.
LUCIUS
There is nowhere to run, Doctor...
and Daughter of London.
THE DOCTOR
(stands in front of pod)
Now then, Lucius. My lord Pyrovillian... don't get yourselves in a lava.
(looks at DONNA)
In a lava... no?
Now then, Lucius. My lord Pyrovillian... don't get yourselves in a lava.
(looks at DONNA)
In a lava... no?
DONNA
No.
THE DOCTOR
No. But if I might beg the
wisdom of the gods before we perish... once this new race of creatures is
complete... then what?
A Pyrovile walks towards them, crushing boulders in
its path.
LUCIUS
My masters will follow the
example of Rome itself, an almighty empire, bestriding the whole of
civilization.
DONNA
But if you've crashed... and you've
got all this technology, why don't you just go home?
LUCIUS
The heaven of Pyrovillia is gone.
THE DOCTOR
What do you mean "gone"?
Where's it gone?
LUCIUS
It was taken. Pyrovillia is
lost. But there is heat enough in this world for our new species to rise.
THE DOCTOR
Yeah, I should warn you, it's 70%
water out there.
LUCIUS
Water can boil and everything
will burn, Doctor!
THE DOCTOR
(puts water pistol away)
Then the whole planet is at stake. Thank you, that's all I needed to know. Donna!
Then the whole planet is at stake. Thank you, that's all I needed to know. Donna!
He pushes her into the pod and follows, using the sonic screwdriver on
the door.
LUCIUS
You have them, my lords.
INT. PYROVILE SHIP
DONNA
Could we be any more trapped?
INT. VOLCANIC CAVERN
A Pyrovile breathes flames at the pod.
INT. PYROVILE SHIP
DONNA
Little bit hot.
THE DOCTOR
See, the energy converted takes
the lava, uses the power to create a fusion matrix which wields Pyrovile to
human. Now it's complete, they can convert millions.
DONNA
Well, can you change it... with
these controls?
THE DOCTOR
'Course I can, but don't you
see? That's why the soothsayers can't see the volcano. There is no volcano.
Vesuvius is never going to erupt. The Pyrovile are stealing all its power.
They're gonna use it to take over the world.
DONNA
But you can change it back.
THE DOCTOR
Well, I can avert the system, so
the volcano will blow them up, yes, but... that's the choice, Donna. It's
Pompeii or the world.
DONNA
(shocked)
Oh my God.
Oh my God.
THE DOCTOR
If Pompeii is destroyed, then it's
not just history, it's me. I make it happen.
INT. VOLCANIC CAVERN
The Pyrovile is still breathing fire.
INT. PYROVILE SHIP
DONNA
But the Pyrovile are made of
rock. Maybe they can't be blown up.
THE DOCTOR
(working on machinery)
Vesuvius explodes with the force of 24 nuclear bombs. Nothing can survive it.
(looks at DONNA)
Certainly not us.
Vesuvius explodes with the force of 24 nuclear bombs. Nothing can survive it.
(looks at DONNA)
Certainly not us.
DONNA
Never mind us.
THE DOCTOR
(puts his hands on the lever)
Push this lever and it's all over. Twenty thousand people.
Push this lever and it's all over. Twenty thousand people.
THE DOCTOR seems unwilling
to be responsible for so many deaths even in the course of saving the planet.
DONNA puts her hands on the lever with his. The look at each other before
pressing down.
INT. CAECILIUS' VILLA, MAIN ROOM
EVELINA senses the change in the future with a gasp.
INT, TEMPLE OF THE SIBYL
SPURRINA and the other sisters also feel the change.
INT. VOLCANIC CAVERN
LUCIUS
Nooooo! Noooooo!
INT, TEMPLE OF THE SIBYL
HIGH PRIESTESS
Nooooo!
SPURRINA
A new prophesy!
INT. CAECILIUS' VILLA, MAIN ROOM
EVELINA
The future is changing.
INT. VOLCANIC CAVERN
LUCIUS screams as the flames of the volcano burn him.
The Pyroviles shriek.
EXT. DAY, MOUNT VESUVIUS
The mountain erupts sending ash -- and the pod -- into
the air.
INT. PYROVILE SHIP
THE DOCTOR and DONNA are thrown about.
INT. CAECILIUS' VILLA, MAIN ROOM
CAECILIUS
(looking up)
The sky is falling!
The sky is falling!
EVELINA
Death. Only death!
EXT. DAY, MARKETPLACE
Stunned, the townspeople don't know what to do as they
watch the mountain.
EXT. DAY, MOUNT VESUVIUS
THE DOCTOR and DONNA climb out of the escape pod, a
little shaken.
THE DOCTOR
It was an escape pod.
He looks behind them and sees the volcano. He grabs DONNA's hand and they run.
EXT. DAY, MARKETPLACE
The people watch as the cloud of ash turns day into
night, blotting out the sun.
INT. CAECILIUS' VILLA, MAIN ROOM
The quake shakes the villa, dust and furniture
falling.
CAECILIUS
Out! Out, everybody out! Quickly!
EXT. DAY, MARKETPLACE
The people begin to panic and scream as they run to
escape the town.
INT. CAECILIUS' VILLA, MAIN ROOM
They try to make their way out as the ceiling falls in
around them.
EXT. DAY, MARKETPLACE
The ash begins to fall. THE DOCTOR and DONNA run
through the streets.
INT. CAECILIUS' VILLA, MAIN ROOM
The family finds their exit blocked.
INT, TEMPLE OF THE SIBYL
The HIGH PRIESTESS wails as the temple falls around
them. SPURRINA and THALINA are on the floor, the YOUNG SOOTHSAYER lying across
their laps.
SPURRINA
You lied to us! And yet this was
meant to be.
EXT. DAY, MARKETPLACE
THE DOCTOR and DONNA try to make their way back to the
TARDIS amidst the chaos in the streets. DONNA tries to help whoever will
listen.
DONNA
Don't! Don't go to the beach! Don't
go to the beach, go to the hills! Listen to me! Don't go to the beach, it's not
safe! Listen to me...!
(She sees a little boy crying, alone, and goes to him.)
Come here.
(She sees a little boy crying, alone, and goes to him.)
Come here.
WOMAN
(snatches the boy away)
Give him to me!
Give him to me!
DONNA just stands there crying, devastated, until THE
DOCTOR grabs her hand.
THE DOCTOR
Come on.
THE DOCTOR and DONNA continue on to CAECILIUS' villa.
INT. CAECILIUS' VILLA, MAIN ROOM
THE DOCTOR and DONNA arrive at CAECILIUS' villa. The
family is huddled together.
CAECILIUS
Gods save us, Doctor!
THE DOCTOR stares at them before heading for the
TARDIS.
DONNA
You can't! Doctor, you can't!
She follows him inside the TARDIS.
INT. TARDIS
THE DOCTOR is at the console, preparing to
dematerialise.
DONNA
You can't just leave them!
THE DOCTOR
Don't you think I've done
enough? History's back in place and everyone dies.
DONNA
You've got to go back! Doctor, I
am telling you, take this thing back!
THE DOCTOR releases the brake and the TARDIS starts to
dematerialise. His face shows no emotion, whereas DONNA has tears streaming
down her cheeks.
DONNA
It's not fair.
THE DOCTOR
No, it's not.
DONNA
But your own planet, it burned.
THE DOCTOR
(looks at her)
That's just it. Don't you see, Donna? Can't you understand? If I could go back and save them then I would, but I can't. I can never go back! I can't! I just... can't! (softer)
I can't.
That's just it. Don't you see, Donna? Can't you understand? If I could go back and save them then I would, but I can't. I can never go back! I can't! I just... can't! (softer)
I can't.
DONNA
Just someone. Please. Not the
whole town. Just save someone.
THE DOCTOR just looks at her.
INT. CAECILIUS' VILLA, MAIN ROOM
CAECILIUS and his family huddle together as ashes
fall. They hear the sound of the TARDIS and a bright light fills the room as
it materialises. The door opens and the figure of THE DOCTOR is silhouetted
against a white light. He reaches out his hand.
THE DOCTOR
Come with me.
CAECILIUS reaches out his hand and grasps THE DOCTOR's.
EXT, HILL OVERLOOKING POMPEII
A cloud of ash and smoke flows over the town. THE
DOCTOR, DONNA, CAECILIUS, and his family watch from the hills.
THE DOCTOR
It is never forgotten,
Caecilius. Oh time will pass, men will move on, and stories will fade, but one
day... Pompeii will be found again... in thousands of years... and everyone
will remember you.
DONNA
What about you, Evelina? Can you
see anything?
EVELINA
The visions have gone.
THE DOCTOR
The explosion was so powerful, it
cracked open a rift in time. Just for a second. That's what gave you the gift
of prophecy. It echoed back into the Pyrovillian alternative. But not
anymore. You're free.
METELLA
But tell me... who are you,
Doctor... with your words... and your temple containing such size within?
THE DOCTOR
Oh, I was never here. Don't tell
anyone.
CAECILIUS
The great go Vulcan must be
enraged. It's so volcanic. It's like some sort of... volcano.
(voice breaks)
All those people...
(voice breaks)
All those people...
CAECILIUS hugs METELLA. QUINTUS takes EVELINA'S hand. THE DOCTOR and DONNA
slip back into the TARDIS.
INT. TARDIS
DONNA
Thank you.
THE DOCTOR
Yeah.
(pauses)
You were right. Sometimes I need someone. Welcome aboard.
(pauses)
You were right. Sometimes I need someone. Welcome aboard.
DONNA
Yeah.
They smile.
SIX MONTHS LATER, INT. CAECILIUS' VILLA
CAECILIUS
(searching)
Metella, my love, have you seen that clasp? The beetle one. The Egyptians do love a scarab.
Metella, my love, have you seen that clasp? The beetle one. The Egyptians do love a scarab.
METELLA
(arrives with clasp)
Here we are, I was giving it a polish.
(hands it to him)
Now calm down.
Here we are, I was giving it a polish.
(hands it to him)
Now calm down.
CAECILIUS
If I get that contract, for the
marble granaries of Alexandria, we'll be rich, you'll see...
(EVELINA walks by wearing short tunic)
Hold on there, Evelina. You are not going out wearing that!
(EVELINA walks by wearing short tunic)
Hold on there, Evelina. You are not going out wearing that!
EVELINA
Don't start, Dad, it's what all
the girls in Rome are wearing.
(she kisses her dad)
See you later.
(she kisses her dad)
See you later.
CAECILIUS
Are you seeing that boy again?
QUINTUS walks by carrying scrolls and looking more "together"
than when we first saw him in Pompeii
METELLA
(so proud)
Oh, look at Quintus. My son, the doctor.
Oh, look at Quintus. My son, the doctor.
QUINTUS
Mum, I've told you, I'm not a
doctor, not yet. I'm just a student of the physical sciences.
METELLA
Well, that's a doctor to me. (she
kisses his forehead)
Give thanks to the household gods before you go. There's a good boy.
(to Caecilius)
Come here, let me fix it. You've got that folded all wrong...
Give thanks to the household gods before you go. There's a good boy.
(to Caecilius)
Come here, let me fix it. You've got that folded all wrong...
QUINTUS
(walks and kneels before the
shrine then sprinkles it with water)
Thank you, household gods. Thank you for everything.
Thank you, household gods. Thank you for everything.
We see the new carving in the shrine: the Doctor,
Donna, and the TARDIS as their temple.
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