Picking up where the last episode left off - Rose runs into the TARDIS and joins the Doctor.
The Doctor presses a few buttons.THE DOCTOR
Right then, Rose Tyler - you tell me, where do you want to go? Backwards or forwards in time. What's it going to be?
ROSE
Forwards.
He pulls a lever and turns a knob. The engines lurch and then stop after a few seconds.THE DOCTOR
How far?
ROSE
(picking random number)
One hundred years.
The Doctor starts up the engines again. When they stop, he looks at her.THE DOCTOR
There you go, step outside those doors, it's the twenty-second century.
ROSE
You're kidding.
THE DOCTOR
That's a bit boring though, do you want to go further?
ROSE
Fine by me!
The TARDIS hurtles through the time vortex. With a pinging noise, the TARDIS stops.THE DOCTOR
Ten thousand years in the future. Step outside, it's the year 12005, the New Roman Empire.
ROSE
(teasingly)
You think you're so impressive.
THE DOCTOR
I AM so impressive!
ROSE
You wish!
THE DOCTOR
Right then, you asked for it. I know exactly where to go.
(revs up the engine, pumps a lever furiously)
Hold on!
The Doctor gestures towards the doors. Rose smiles excitedly.ROSE
Where are we?
The Doctor gestures again. Rose steps outside the doors.ROSE (CONT'D)
What's out there?
INT. VIEWING GALLERY
Rose finds herself in some kind of wooden room. The Doctor follows her and with his sonic screwdriver, opens the shutters of an enormous window. They go down the stairs and find themselves looking down on the planet Earth.
EXT. PLATFORM ONETHE DOCTOROPENING CREDITS
You lot. You spend all your time thinking about dying. Like you're going to get killed by eggs or beef or global warming or asteroids. But you never take time to imagine the impossible. Maybe you survive. This is the year 5.5/apple/26. Five billion years in your future. This is the day... hold on...
(looks at his watch)
This is the day the sun expands. Welcome to the end of the world.
Two space shuttles zoom towards Platform One, essentially a huge space station.
INT. PLATFORM ONE, CORRIDORCOMPUTER VOICE
Shuttles 5 and 6 now docking. Guests are reminded that platform 1 forbids the use of weapons, teleportation and religion. Earth Death is scheduled for 15:39, followed by drinks in the Manchester Suite.
Rose and the Doctor are walking down a corridor.
The Doctor starts to open a door with his sonic screwdriver.ROSE
So, when it says 'guests' does that mean people?
THE DOCTOR
Depends what you mean by people.
ROSE
I mean people. What do you mean?
THE DOCTOR
Aliens.
ROSE
What are they doing on board this spaceship? What's it all for?
INT. THE MANCHESTER SUITETHE DOCTOR
It's not really a spaceship. More like an observation deck. The great and the good are gathering to watch the planet burn.
ROSE
What for?
THE DOCTOR
Fun.
They enter a large observation gallery.
THE DOCTOR
Mind you, when I said the great and the good, what I mean is, the rich.
ROSE
But, hold on, they did this once on 'Newsround Extra' - the sun expanding - that takes hundreds of years.
THE DOCTOR
Millions. But the planet's now property of the National Trust. They've been keeping it preserved. See down there?
(points out of the window at tiny glints of light orbiting the Earth)
Gravity satellite. That's holding back the sun.
The Doctor looks at his watch.ROSE
(peering out of the window at Earth)
The planet looks the same as ever. I thought the continents shifted and things.
THE DOCTOR
They did. And the trust shifted them back. That's a classic Earth. But now the money's run out, nature takes over!
ROSE
How long has it got?
Rose looks back to the window, realization spreading across her face.THE DOCTOR
About half an hour. And the planet gets roasted.
ROSE
Is that why we're here? I mean, is that what you do? Jump in at the last minute and save the Earth?
THE DOCTOR
I'm not saving it. Time's up.
ROSE
But what about the people?
THE DOCTOR
It's empty! They're all gone. All left.
The Steward hurries towards them.ROSE
Just me then.
The Doctor nods at him. After the steward walks off, the Doctor shows Rose the card he had flashed at the steward. It is completely blank.STEWARD
Who the hell are you?
THE DOCTOR
Oh! That's nice, thanks.
STEWARD
But how did you get in? This is a maximum hospitality zone. The guests have disembarked! They're on their way any second now!
THE DOCTOR
That's me, I'm a guest, look! I've got an invitation!
(flashes a small leather wallet at the Steward)
Look, there you see? It's fine, see? The Doctor plus one. I'm the Doctor, this is Rose Tyler. She's my plus one. That all right?
STEWARD
Well... obviously.
(Doctor grins)
Apologies, et cetera. If you're on-board, we'd better start. Enjoy.
The steward is now speaking through a microphone at the other end of the suite.THE DOCTOR
The paper's slightly psychic. Shows them whatever I want them to see. Saves a lot of time.
ROSE
He's blue.
THE DOCTOR
Yeah.
ROSE
Okay...
He claps his hands and a lot of little blue people (the staff) start scurrying around.STEWARD
We have in attendance, the Doctor and Rose Tyler. Thank you! All staff to their positions.
Jabe, Lute and Coffa walk through the doors.STEWARD (CONT'D)
Hurry now! Thank you, as quick as we can! Come along, come along! And now, might I introduce the next honoured guest, representing the forest of Cheem, we have Trees. Namely, Jabe, Lute and Coffa.
The Doctor smiles cheerily, as Rose looks on bewildered.STEWARD (CONT'D)
There will be an exchange of gifts representing peace. If you can keep the room circulating, thank-you. Next, from the solicitors Jolco and Jolco, the Moxx of Balhoon.
The Doctor chuckles at the look on Rose's face.STEWARD (CONT'D)
And next, from Financial Family Seven, we have the Adherents of the Repeated Meme.
Enter new aliens.STEWARD (CONT'D)
The inventors of hyposlip travel systems, the brothers Hop Pyleen. Thank you!
Enter new aliens.STEWARD (CONT'D)
Cal 'Spark Plug'.
Enter new aliens.STEWARD (CONT'D)
Mr. and Mrs. Pakoo.
Jabe approaches the Doctor. Either side of her, her companions are holding plant trays with little shoots in them.STEWARD (CONT'D)
The Ambassadors from the City State of Binding Light.
He clears his throat and starts feeling his jacket for something, finding nothing, he says-JABE
The Gift of Peace.
(takes a cutting, hands it to the Doctor)
I bring you a cutting of my Grandfather.
THE DOCTOR
Thank you!
(gives it to Rose)
Yes, gifts... erm...
He blows gently onto Jabe's face, who closes her eyes briefly.THE DOCTOR (CONT'D)
I give you in return, air from my lungs.
Rose has the sort of look on her face that is to be expected of someone who has just witnessed their companion flirting with a tree.JABE
How... intimate.
THE DOCTOR
(flirtatiously)
There's more where that came from.
JABE
I bet there is...
A huge head in an equally huge jar is wheeled through the doors. The Moxx of Balhoon approaches the Doctor and Rose.STEWARD
Sponsor of the main event, please welcome the Face of Bo.
He spits accurately into Rose's left eye.THE DOCTOR
The Moxx of Balhoon.
MOXX OF BALHOON
My felicitations on this historical happenstance. I give you the gift of bodily saliva.
Rose rubs the spit out of her eye. Next, the Adherents of the Repeated Meme approach them.THE DOCTOR
(laughs)
Thank you very much.
He breathes heavily over them all.THE DOCTOR (CONT'D)
Ah! The Adherents of the Repeated Meme. I bring you air from my lungs.
He holds out a large silver egg, which the Doctor takes, throws up into the air, catches, and hands to Rose.ADHERENT
A gift of peace in all good faith.
The Doctor looks at Rose to see her reaction. The sliding doors open and what looks like a vertical trampoline made of human skin is wheeled through. It has eyes and a mouth, and wears lipstick.STEWARD
And last but not least, our very special guest. Ladies and Gentlemen, and Trees and Multiforms. Consider the Earth below. In memory of this dying world, we call forth The Last Human.
The Doctor laughs silently but heartily and looks at Rose, who looks shocked.STEWARD
The Lady Cassandra O’Brien Dot Delta Seventeen.
CASSANDRA
Oh, now, don't stare. I know, I know it's shocking, isn't it? I've had my chin completely taken away and look at the difference! Look how thin I am.
One of the two men in white body suits who wheeled her in is holding a canister, which he sprays onto Cassandra.CASSANDRA (CONT'D)
Thin and dainty! I don't look a day over two thousand. Moisturize me, moisturize me.
Rose creeps closer for a better look.CASSANDRA (CONT'D)
Truly, I am The Last Human.
Rose has been walking around to the other side of Cassandra, to get a good view of her from all angels. She is completely flat.CASSANDRA
My father was a Texan. My mother was from the Arctic Desert. They were born on the Earth and were the last to be buried in the soil.
One of the staff comes in and displays the egg to the room.CASSANDRA
I have come to honour them and...
(sniffs)
...say goodbye. Oh, no tears.
(bodyguard wipes her eyes)
No tears. I'm sorry. But behold! I bring gifts. From Earth itself - the last remaining ostrich egg.
Rose looks mildly confused.CASSANDRA (CONT'D)
Legend says it had a wingspan of 50 feet and blew fire from its nostrils.
Rose rolls her eyes but the Doctor laughs.CASSANDRA (CONT'D)
Or was that my third husband?
She laughs and mumbles to herself for a few seconds. Behind her, a large jukebox is wheeled into the room.CASSANDRA
Who knows! Oh don't laugh. I'll get laughter lines!
Rose looks amazed.CASSANDRA (CONT'D)
And here, another rarity. According to the archives, this was called an iPod. It stores classical music from humanity's greatest composers.
One of the staff presses a button and a record falls into place. The 'iPod' starts playing Tainted Love by Soft Cell. The Doctor bops around appreciatively.CASSANDRA (CONT'D)
Play on!
Rose has a lost, overwhelmed expression on her face. Everywhere she looks there are aliens, but no other humans. She rushes from the gallery. Concerned, the Doctor starts to follow her, but is stopped by Jabe.STEWARD
Refreshments will now be served. Earth Death in 30 minutes.
The Doctor proceeds on. Jabe walks in the opposite direction. The Adherents of the Repeated Meme are offering the Steward a silver egg.JABE
Doctor?
(she snaps a photo of him when he pauses)
Thank you.
The Adherents of the Repeated Meme holds the egg out more persistently.ADHERENT
A gift of peace in all good faith.
STEWARD
No, you're very kind, but I'm just the Steward.
He takes the egg. Meanwhile, Jabe is trying to get her computer to identify the Doctor's species.ADHERENT
A gift of peace in all good faith.
STEWARD
Oh, yes. Thank you. Of course.
The computer makes a small whistling noise.JABE
Identify species. Please identify species.
In a nearby glass cabinet, a metal robotic spider climbs out of one of the metal eggs that the Adherents of the Repeated Meme had been handing out.JABE (CONT'D)
Now, stop it. Identify his race. Where's he from?
(after a moment, stares at the computer in disbelief - hushed)
It's impossible.
INT. PLATFORM ONE ROOM, SHAFT
Rose, in another part of the ship, looks out of a window at the raging sun. She jumps when another one of the staff comes into the room, this one female. Her name is Raffalo.
The employee looks around uneasily.ROSE
Sorry, am I allowed to be in here?
She looks at Rose expectantly. Rose looks unsure.RAFFALO
You have to give us permission to talk.
Raffalo goes to a panel in the wall and enters a code. Rose watches her.ROSE
Uh... you... have permission...?
RAFFALO
Thank you! And, no. You're not in the way. Guests are allowed anywhere.
ROSE
'Kay.
She kneels before an air vent.ROSE
What's your name?
RAFFALO
Raffalo.
ROSE
Raffalo?
RAFFALO
Yes, Miss. I won't be long, I've just got to carry out some maintenance.
Rose laughs.RAFFALO (CONT'D)
There's a tiny little glitch in the Face of Bo suite. There must be something blocking the system - he's not getting any hot water.
ROSE
So, you're a plumber?
RAFFALO
That's right, Miss.
ROSE
They still have plumbers?
RAFFALO
I hope so! Else I'm out of a job!
Raffalo looks slightly worried. Rose snaps herself out of it.ROSE
Where are you from?
RAFFALO
Crespallion.
ROSE
That's a planet, is it?
RAFFALO
No, Crespallion's part of the Jaggit Brocade, affiliated to the Scarlet Junction, Convex 56. And where are you from, Miss?
(seems to remember herself)
If you don't mind me asking.
ROSE
No! Not at all. Erm... I dunno, a long way away... I just sort of, hitched a lift with this man.
(only just realising the risk she's taken herself)
I didn't even think about it... I don't even know who he is... he's a complete stranger...
She begins to walk away.ROSE (CONT'D)
Anyway, don't let me keep you. Good luck with it!
Roffalo nods and smiles. When Rose has gone, she takes the cover off the air vent.RAFFALO
Thank you, Miss. And--
(Rose turns)
Thank you for the permission. Not many people are that considerate.
ROSE
(smiles)
'Kay. See you later.
She peers into the vent and then speaks into a small microphone attached to her collar.RAFFALO
Now then.
The metal spider we saw breaking out of the egg earlier appears at the end of the shaft.RAFFALO (CONT'D)
Control - I'm at Junction 19 and I think the problem's coming from in here. I'll go inside and have a look.
(hears small tapping)
What's that? Is there something in there?
The spider scurries away as if frightened.RAFFALO (CONT'D)
Oh! Who are you, then?
A red beam of light falling on Raffalo's face tells us the spider has come back.RAFFALO (CONT'D)
Hold on! I... if you're an upgrade I just need to register you, that's all. Oh, come back!
Another spider joins the first.RAFFALO (CONT'D)
Ah, there you are. Now, I just need to register your ident.
She is dragged head first into the air vent.RAFFALO (CONT'D)
Oh, there's two of you! Got yourself a little mate!
(giggles)
I think I'd better report this to control. How many of you are there?
(a third spider appears, and then a fourth)
What are you? Oh, no. No. Nooooo!
INT. STEWARD'S OFFICE
The steward enters and puts his egg on a nearby table and sits down. He listens to Control speaking.
While he is talking, a spider has broken out of his egg and run up the opposite wall.STEWARD
What's that? Well, how should I know?
(activates loudspeaker)
Would the owner of the blue box in private gallery 15 please report to the steward’s office immediately. Guests are reminded that use of all teleportation devices is strictly forbidden under Peace Treaty 5.4/cup/16. Thank you.
EXT. PLATFORM ONE
We are shown another shot of the burning sun and the satellite over the Earth.
INT. VIEWING GALLERYCOMPUTER VOICE
Earth Death in 25 minutes. Earth Death in 25 minutes.
Rose sits on the steps, throwing the egg up in the air and catching it again when she hears this announcement.
She puts the egg down and turns her attention to the cutting of Jabe's grandfather. She picks it up.ROSE
Oh, thanks.
She suddenly realizes what she is doing and hurriedly puts the plant down.ROSE (CONT'D)
Hello! My name's Rose. That's a sort of plant. We might be related...
Behind her, the spider breaks out of the egg.ROSE (CONT'D)
I'm talking to a twig.
INT. PLATFORM ONE, CORRIDOR
The TARDIS is being dragged away by some of the staff.
One of them walks up to the Doctor, squeaks at him, hands him a card and walks away again. The Doctor reads it - it says 'Have a nice day'. The Doctor looks at the retreating staff's back as if he or she is completely off his or her rocker, and walks off. A few of the metal spiders scurry up the wall behind him. A few more are running along the air vent.THE DOCTOR
Oi, now, careful with that. Park it properly. No scratches.
INT. VIEWING GALLERY
The spider that came out of Rose's egg appears to be scanning her hand, but Rose is completely oblivious. It jumps and runs to the air vent when the Doctor's voice floats through the door.
The spider scrambles through the vent just in time, before the Doctor comes through the door.THE DOCTOR
Rose? Are you in there?
The Doctor laughs. There is a short pause.THE DOCTOR (CONT'D)
Aye aye!
(sits on other side of stairs)
What do you think, then?
ROSE
Great! Yeah... fine. Once you get past the slightly psychic paper...
The Doctor sits up and looks away from her.ROSE (CONT'D)
They're just, so alien.
(Doctor looks at her questioningly)
The aliens. Are so alien. You look at 'em... and they're alien.
THE DOCTOR
Good thing I didn't take you to the Deep South.
ROSE
(as if looking at him properly for the first time)
Where are you from?
THE DOCTOR
All over the place.
ROSE
They all speak English.
THE DOCTOR
No - you just hear English. It's a gift of the TARDIS. Telepathic field, gets inside your brain - translates.
ROSE
It's inside my brain?
THE DOCTOR
Well, in a good way.
ROSE
(colder, starting to sound angry)
Your machine gets inside my head. It gets inside and it changes my mind, and you didn't even ask?
THE DOCTOR
(thrown)
I didn't think about it like that.
ROSE
(angrily)
No! You were too busy thinking up cheap shots about the Deep South! Who are you then, Doctor? What are you called? What sort of alien are you?
The Doctor gets up and walks down the steps away from her.THE DOCTOR
I'm just The Doctor.
ROSE
From what planet?
THE DOCTOR
Well, it's not as if you'll know where it is!
ROSE
Where are you from?!
THE DOCTOR
What does it matter?
ROSE
Tell me who you are!
THE DOCTOR
(suddenly angry)
This is who I am, right here, right now, alright? All that counts is here and now, and this is me!
ROSE
Yeah, and I'm here too because you brought me here, so just tell me!
After a few moments, Rose gets up and follows the Doctor down the steps.COMPUTER VOICE
Earth Death in 20 minutes. Earth Death in 20 minutes.
The Doctor, with his back turned to her, smiles at that. Rose gets her mobile out of her pocket.ROSE
Alright... as my mate Shareen says... don't argue with the designated driver...
He takes the phone from her.ROSE (CONT'D)
Can't exactly call for a taxi... there's no signal. We're out of range. Just a bit!
THE DOCTOR
Tell you what...
He takes the back off the phone.THE DOCTOR
With a little bit of jiggery pokery...
Rose takes it and looks at him uncertainly. He nods. Rose gets her mum's number onto the screen and puts the phone to her ear. It rings.ROSE
Is that a technical term, 'jiggery pokery'?
THE DOCTOR
Yeah, I came first in jiggery pokery, what about you?
ROSE
Nah, failed hullabaloo.
THE DOCTOR
Oooh.
(fits in a new battery, hands phone back to Rose)
There you go.
INT. TYLERS' KITCHEN
We find ourselves in the Jackie's kitchen, 2005.
Jackie, at home, is putting some washing into the machine.JACKIE
Hello?
ROSE
Mum?
INT. VIEWING GALLERYJACKIE
Oh, what is it? What's wrong? What have I done now? Oh, this red top's falling to bits! You should get your money back. Go on! There must be something, you never phone in the middle of the day!
Rose laughs.
INT. TYLERS' KITCHEN
INT. VIEWING GALLERYJACKIE
What's so funny?
INT. TYLERS' KITCHENROSE
Nothing! You all right, though?
INT. VIEWING GALLERYJACKIE
Yeah! Why wouldn't I be?
INT. TYLERS' KITCHENROSE
What day is it?
INT. VIEWING GALLERYJACKIE
Wednesday. All day. You got a hangover? Oh, I tell you what, put a quid in that lottery syndicate, I'll pay you back later.
INT. TYLERS' KITCHENROSE
Yeah, um, I was just calling 'cause I might be late home.
INT. VIEWING GALLERYJACKIE
Is there something wrong?
The Doctor laughs.ROSE
No! I'm fine! Top of the world!
INT. TYLERS' KITCHEN
Jackie puts the phone down.
INT. TYLERS' KITCHEN
Rose lowers the mobile, stunned.
The ship shudders.THE DOCTOR
Think that's amazing, you want to see the bill.
ROSE
That was 5 billion years ago. So... she's dead now. Five billion years later, my mum's dead.
THE DOCTOR
Bundle of laughs, you are.
INT. STEWARD'S OFFICETHE DOCTOR (CONT'D)
(rather pleased and curious)
That's not supposed to happen...
As soon as it is switched off again, he speaks angrily to control again.STEWARD
(to control)
Well, what was it? I'm just getting green lights at this end.
(activates loudspeaker)
Honoured guests may be reassured that gravity pockets may cause slight turbulence, thanking you.
A spider scurries down the wall behind him.STEWARD (CONT'D)
The whole place shook! I felt it! I've hosted all sorts of events on platforms 1, 3, 6 and 15 and I've never felt the slightest tremor. I warn you, if this lot decide to sue... I'm going to scan the infrastructure.
(presses a few buttons)
What's that?
Suddenly, he spots the spider, which is now pottering around on his desk next to his mug.STEWARD (CONT'D)
Control, I don't want to worry you, but I'm picking up readings...
(computer beeps)
I have no idea! Well, they're small, and the scan says they're metal...
(computer beeps - frustrated)
I don't know what they look like!
The spider looks at him almost mockingly and presses a yellow button on the control panel. The computerized woman's voice booms out again.STEWARD (CONT'D)
Although, I imagine they might look rather like that... you're not on the guest list... how did you get on board...?
The sunfilter does indeed, descend.COMPUTER VOICE
Sunfilter deactivated.
STEWARD
No. No!
COMPUTER VOICE
Sunfilter descending.
He fumbles frantically with the buttons on the control panels, but too late.STEWARD
(frantic)
No! Sunfilter, up! No, no, no!
Blinding light engulfs the steward.STEWARD (CONT'D)
Sunfilter up! Sunfilter up!
The Steward screams. Outside the room, the spider escapes through an air vent.COMPUTER VOICE
Sunfilter descending.
INT. THE MANCHESTER SUITE
The guests are completely oblivious to the commotion, chatting to each other. The Moxx of Balhoon is talking to the Face of Bo.
The Doctor and Rose enter.MOXX OF BALHOON
...this is the Bad Wolf scenario...
He is fiddling with a control panel next to the door. Jabe approaches them.THE DOCTOR
That wasn't a gravity pocket. I know gravity pockets and they don't feel like that.
Jabe looks at Rose.THE DOCTOR (CONT'D)
What do you think, Jabe? Listened to the engines - they pitched up about 30 hertz, is that dodgy or what?
JABE
It's the sound of metal, it doesn't make any sense to me.
THE DOCTOR
Where's the engine room?
JABE
I don't know... but the maintenance duct is just behind our guest's suite, I could show you. And...
(gestures Rose)
...your wife.
THE DOCTOR
She's not my wife.
JABE
Partner?
THE DOCTOR
No.
JABE
Concubine?
THE DOCTOR
Nope.
She makes her way over to Cassandra.JABE
Prostitute...
ROSE
(insulted)
Whatever I am, it must be invisible, do you mind? Tell you what, you two go and pollinate, I'm going to catch up with family. Quick word with Michael Jackson.
The Doctor grins back at her.THE DOCTOR
Don't start a fight.
(proffers arm to Jabe)
I'm all yours.
ROSE
(watching them leave)
And I want you home by midnight!
INT. MAINTENANCE CORRIDORCOMPUTER VOICE
Earth Death in 15 minutes. Earth Death in 15 minutes.
Before the Doctor and Jabe enter, several spiders scurry out of view.
The Doctor is silent for a moment.THE DOCTOR
Who's in charge of Platform One? Is there a captain or what?
JABE
There's just the steward and the staff. All the rest is controlled by the metal man.
THE DOCTOR
You mean the computer? But who controls that?
JABE
The Corporation. They move Platform One from one artistic event to another.
He starts walking again.THE DOCTOR
But there's no one from the corporation on board.
JABE
They're not needed. This facility is purely automatic. It's the height of the alpha class. Nothing can go wrong.
THE DOCTOR
Unsinkable?
JABE
If you like. The nautical metaphor is appropriate.
THE DOCTOR
You're telling me. I was on board another ship once. They said that was unsinkable... I ended up clinging to an iceberg, it wasn't half cold.
(stops a moment)
So, what you're saying is, if we get in trouble there's no one to help us out?
JABE
I'm afraid not.
THE DOCTOR
(grinning)
Fantastic.
Behind them, a spider creeps out of its hiding place.JABE
I don't understand. In what way is THAT fantastic?
INT. THE MANCHESTER SUITE
Rose is talking to Cassandra. They are looking out of a window at the sun and down at the Earth.
She walks off. The Adherents of the Repeated Meme watch her leave through the sliding doors.CASSANDRA
Soon, the sun will blossom into a red giant, and my home will die. That's where I used to live, when I was a little boy. Down there. Mummy and Daddy had a little house built into the side of the Los Angeles Crevice.
(sighs)
I had such fun.
ROSE
What happened to everyone else? The Human Race - where did it go?
CASSANDRA
They say Mankind has touched every star in the sky.
ROSE
So, you're NOT the last human.
CASSANDRA
I am the last PURE human. The others... mingled.
(disgusted)
Oh, they call themselves 'New Humans' and 'Proto-humans' and 'Digi-humans' even 'Human-ish' but you know what I call them?
(lowers her voice to a whisper)
Mongrels.
ROSE
Right. And you stayed behind.
CASSANDRA
I kept myself pure.
ROSE
How many operations have you had?
CASSANDRA
708. Next week, it's 709, I'm having my blood bleached. Is that why you wanted a word? You could be flatter, Rose. You've got a little bit of a chin poking out.
ROSE
I'd rather die.
CASSANDRA
Honestly, it doesn't hurt--
ROSE
No, I mean it. I'd rather die. It's better to die than live like you - a bitchy trampoline.
CASSANDRA
Oh well. What do you know.
ROSE
I was born on that planet. And so was my mum, and so was my dad and that makes me officially the last human being in this room, 'cause you're not human. You've had it all nipped and tucked and flattened till there's nothing left. Anything human got chucked in the bin. You're just skin, Cassandra. Lipstick and skin. Nice talking.
INT. MAINTENANCE CORRIDOR
The Doctor and Jabe are still making their way down the corridor, the low ceiling forcing them to stoop slightly.
The Doctor looks impressed. He then points to a control panel.THE DOCTOR
So, tell me, Jabe. What's a tree like you doing in a place like this?
JABE
Respect for the Earth.
THE DOCTOR
Oh, come on. Everyone on this platform's worth zillions.
JABE
Well... perhaps it's a case of having to be seen at the right occasions.
THE DOCTOR
In case your share prices drop? I know you lot. You've got massive forests everywhere, roots everywhere, and there's always money in land.
JABE
All the same. You respect the Earth as family. So many species evolved from that planet. Mankind is only one. I'm another. My ancestors were transplanted from the planet down below. And I'm a direct descendant of the tropical rainforest.
He gets out his sonic screwdriver and starts poking the screen with it.THE DOCTOR
Excuse me.
The Doctor pretends to be concentrating on the scan, but a flicker of emotion passes across his face.JABE
And what about your ancestry, Doctor? Perhaps you could tell a story or two... perhaps a man only enjoys trouble when there's nothing else left...
(no answer)
I scanned you earlier. The metal machine had trouble identifying your species - refused to admit your existence.
The Doctor stops scanning. Deep sadness is reflected in his eyes. Jabe's tone is hushed, awed.JABE (CONT'D)
And even when it named you, I wouldn't believe it. But it was right.
Jabe puts a comforting hand on his arm. The Doctor's eyes are filled with tears. He places his hand over hers, and a tear falls down his cheek. He quickly finishes the scan and he and Jabe go through a door.JABE (CONT'D)
I know where you're from. Forgive me for intruding, but it's remarkable that you even exist. I just want to say... how sorry I am.
INT. VENTILATION CHAMBER
The Doctor and Jabe find themselves in the ventillation chamber. There are huge fans circulating in there. The Doctor looks down at Jabe.
INT. PLATFORM ONE, CORRIDORTHE DOCTOR
Is it me, or is it a bit nippy?
Rose walks alone down a corridor. The Adherents of the Repeated Meme are coming from the other end. She smiles at them, but the front one strikes her to the ground where she lies unconscious as they drag her from view.
INT. VENTILATION CHAMBER
The panel falls off and a spider scuttles out and scurries across the floor and up the wall. The Doctor and Jabe watch it.THE DOCTOR
Fair do's, though, that's a great bit of air conditioning. Sort of, nice and old fashioned. Bet they call it 'retro'.
(scans another control panel with his sonic screwdriver)
Gotcha.
He points the screwdriver at the spider. However, Jabe fires something up at the spider, disabling it. It comes falling into the Doctor's hand.THE DOCTOR
What the hell's that?
JABE
Is it part of the 'retro'?
THE DOCTOR
I don't think so. Hold on.
They hurry from the chamber.THE DOCTOR
Hey! Nice liana!
JABE
Thank you! We're not supposed to show them in public.
THE DOCTOR
Don't worry, I won't tell anybody.
(turns his attention to the spider)
Now then. Who's been bringing the pets on board?
JABE
What does it do?
THE DOCTOR
Sabotage.
COMPUTER VOICE
Earth Death in 10 minutes.
THE DOCTOR
And the temperature's about to rocket. Come on.
INT. THE MANCHESTER SUITE
The aliens mill about.
Britney Spears' Toxic suddenly blasts out of the enormous 'iPod'.CASSANDRA
The planet's end. Come gather! Come gather! Bid farewell to the cradle of civilization. Let us mourn her with a traditional ballad.
INT. CORRIDOR OUTSIDE STEWARD'S OFFICE
The Doctor and Jabe hurry along - the corridor is filled with smoke and the staff are coughing squeaky little coughs.
He moves his sonic screwdriver over another control panel.THE DOCTOR
Come on! Get back!
INT. VIEWING GALLERYCOMPUTER VOICE
Sunfilter rising. Sunfilter rising.
JABE
(concerned)
Was the Steward in there?!
THE DOCTOR
You can smell him. Hold on - there's another sun filter program to descend.
'Toxic' plays loudly as Rose wakes up, rubbing her head.
Rose sits up in alarm as the Sunfilter descends. She runs to the door and knocks on it frantically.COMPUTER VOICE
Sunfilter descending. Sunfilter descending.
INT. CORRIDOR OUTSIDE VIEWING GALLERYROSE
Let me out!
COMPUTER VOICE
Sunfilter descending.
The Doctor runs along the corridor.
The Doctor arrives outside the door to attempt to make the Sunfilter rise again.ROSE
Let me out! Let me out!
INT. VIEWING GALLERYTHE DOCTOR
Anyone in there?
ROSE
(frantically)
Let me out!
THE DOCTOR
Oh, well, it would be you.
INT. CORRIDOR OUTSIDE VIEWING GALLERYROSE
Open the door!
INT. VIEWING GALLERYTHE DOCTOR
Hold on! Give us two ticks!
The whole room is smoking.
INT. CORRIDOR OUTSIDE VIEWING GALLERYCOMPUTER VOICE
Sunfilter descending. Sunfilter descending.
The display on the control panel says 'Sunfilter Rising'. The Doctor looks up expectantly.
The Doctor looks pleased with himself.COMPUTER VOICE
Sunfilter rising. Sunfilter rising.
INT. VIEWING GALLERY
Rose sighs with relief.
INT. CORRIDOR OUTSIDE VIEWING GALLERYCOMPUTER VOICE
Sunfilter rising... Sunfilter descending.
INT. VIEWING GALLERYTHE DOCTOR
This is just what we need. The computer's getting clever.
INT. CORRIDOR OUTSIDE VIEWING GALLERYROSE
Will you stop mucking about!
INT. VIEWING GALLERYTHE DOCTOR
I'm not mucking about, it's fighting back!
INT. CORRIDOR OUTSIDE VIEWING GALLERYROSE
Open the door!
INT. VIEWING GALLERYTHE DOCTOR
Hang on!
Rose runs down the stairs and flattens herself to the floor.
INT. CORRIDOR OUTSIDE VIEWING GALLERYROSE
The locks melted!
COMPUTER VOICE
Sunfilter descending. Sunfilter descending.
The Doctor jabs his sonic screwdriver right inside the wires.
INT. VIEWING GALLERYCOMPUTER VOICE
Sunfilter rising. Sunfilter rising.
Panting, Rose runs back to the door. The Doctor cannot open it.
INT. THE MANCHESTER SUITETHE DOCTOR
The whole thing's jammed. I can't open the doors. Stay there! Don't move!
ROSE
(terrified sort of sarcasm)
Where're am I gonna go?! Ipswich?!
COMPUTER VOICE
Earth Death in 5 minutes.
The Doctor takes the destabilized spider out of Jabe's hand.JABE
(looking at her computer)
The metal machine confirms. The spider devices have infiltrated the whole of platform one.
CASSANDRA
How's that possible? Our private rooms are protected by a code wall. Moisturize me, moisturize me.
There is a general gasp of shock.MOXX OF BALHOON
Summon the Steward!
JABE
I'm afraid the Steward is dead.
He places the spider down on the floor. The spider scuttles along to Cassandra and looks up at her. Cassandra looks shifty for a moment, but the spider moves on to the feet of the Adherents of the Repeated Meme.MOXX OF BALHOON
Who killed him?
CASSANDRA
This whole event was sponsored by the Face of Bo! He invited us!
(Face of Bo shakes his head)
Talk to the face! Talk to the face!
THE DOCTOR
Easy way of finding out. Someone bought a little pet on board.
(shows them the spider)
Let's send him back to Master.
The Adherents of the Repeated Meme tries to strike him, but he catches its arm and rips it off.CASSANDRA
The Adherents of the Repeated Meme. J'accuse!
THE DOCTOR
That's all very well, and really kind of obvious, but if you stop and think about it...
He rips a wire out of the arm and all of the Adherents of the Repeated Meme crumple into a bundle of black cloaks. Everyone gasps. Cassandra rolls her eyes.THE DOCTOR (CONT'D)
A Repeated Meme is just an idea. And that's all they are. An idea.
The spider ambles back over to Cassandra.THE DOCTOR (CONT'D)
Remote controlled Droids. Nice little cover for the real troublemaker. Go on, Jimbo!
(nudges spider with his foot)
Go home!
The Doctor raises his eyebrows.CASSANDRA
I bet you were the school swot and never got kissed.
The two bodyguards with canisters on either side of her raise their canisters.CASSANDRA (CONT'D)
At arms!
There are a series of explosions around the ship.THE DOCTOR
(mockingly)
What are you going to do, moisturize me?
CASSANDRA
With acid. Oh, too late anyway. My spiders have control of the mainframe. Oh, you all carried them as gifts, tax free, past every code wall. I'm not just as pretty face.
THE DOCTOR
Sabotaging a ship while you're still inside it? How stupid's that?
CASSANDRA
I'd hoped to manufacture a hostage situation with myself as one of the victims. The compensation would have been enormous.
THE DOCTOR
Five billion years and it still comes down to money.
CASSANDRA
Do you think it's cheap, looking like this? Flatness costs a fortune. I am The Last Human, Doctor. Me. Not that freaky little kid of yours.
MOXX OF BALHOON
Arrest her!
CASSANDRA
Oh, shut it, pixie. I've still got my final option.
COMPUTER VOICE
Earth Death in 3 minutes.
CASSANDRA
And here it comes. You're just as useful dead, all of you. I have shares in your rival companies and they'll triple in price as soon as you're dead. My spiders are primed and ready to destroy the safety systems. How did that old Earth song go? "Burn, baby, burn."
JABE
Then you'll burn with us.
CASSANDRA
Oh, I'm so sorry. I know the use of teleportation is strictly forbidden, but... I'm such a naughty thing. Spiders - activate.
She and her bodyguards teleport out.CASSANDRA
Force fields gone with the planet about to explode. At least it'll be quick. Just like my fifth husband.
(giggles)
Oh, shame on me. Buh-bye, darlings! Buh-bye, my darlings...
They leave the room. He calls back the crowd over his shoulder.COMPUTER VOICE
Heat levels rising.
MOXX OF BALHOON
Reset the computer!
JABE
Only the Steward would know how.
THE DOCTOR
No. We can do it by hand. There must be a system restore switch. Jabe, come on.
EXT. PLATFORM ONETHE DOCTOR (CONT'D)
You lot - just chill!
INT. MAINTENANCE CORRIDORCOMPUTER VOICE
Earth Death in 2 minutes. Earth Death in 2 minutes.
Jabe and the Doctor are running back through the maintenance corridor.
INT. VENTILATION CHAMBER.COMPUTER VOICE
Heat levels - critical. Heat levels - critical.
The Doctor and Jabe reach the ventilation chamber.
The switch is located at the other side of the enormous fans.THE DOCTOR
Oh. And guess where the switch is.
The Doctor pulls a lever down and the fans slow down.COMPUTER VOICE
Heat levels - rising. Heat levels - rising.
As soon as the Doctor lets go of the lever, the fans start to speed up again. As the Doctor looks hopelessly at the fans, Jabe pulls the lever down again and holds it there.COMPUTER VOICE (CONT'D)
External temperature - 5 thousand degrees.
He grins at her and runs back to the fans.THE DOCTOR
You can't. The heat's going to vent through this place.
JABE
I know.
THE DOCTOR
Jabe, you're made of wood.
JABE
Then stop wasting time. Time Lord.
INT. THE MANCHESTER SUITECOMPUTER VOICE
Heat levels - rising. Heat levels - rising.
The glass begins to crack.
INT. VENTILATION CHAMBERCOMPUTER VOICE
Heat levels - hazardous.
MOXX OF BALHOON
We're going to die!
The Doctor dodges the first fan and runs underneath it. He looks anxiously up at the next one.COMPUTER VOICE
Heat levels - hazardous.
INT. VIEWING GALLERY
The glass begins to crack. Rose cowers against the wall.
Rays of sun blast in through the cracks, burning holes in the parts of the metal wall they hit. Rose screams.COMPUTER VOICE
Shields malfunctioning. Shields malfunctioning.
INT. VENTILATION CHAMBER
The Doctor is still standing before the second fan. He looks back at Jabe who is sweating and breathing heavily.
The Doctor dodges under the second fan.COMPUTER VOICE
Heat levels - critical. Heat levels - critical.
INT. THE MANCHESTER SUITE
The glass cracks further, engulfing the Moxx of Balhoon in light. He cries out.
INT. VIEWING GALLERY
The sunrays hit the wall either side of Rose.
INT. VENTILATION CHAMBERCOMPUTER VOICE
Heat levels - rising. Heat levels - rising.
As the Doctor stands before the third fan. Jabe starts shaking violently. Suddenly, she gasps as one of her hands catches fire. She screams. The Doctor looks back, shocked. Now there is no one to hold the lever down, the fans circulate so fast that they can hardly be seen, in order to cool the ship down. It is impossible for the Doctor to get through.
INT. VIEWING GALLERY
The walls around Rose are rapidly burning.
INT. VENTILATION CHAMBER
The Doctor closes his eyes. All grows quiet.COMPUTER VOICE
Planet explodes in 10... 9...
The Doctor, still with his eyes closed, steps calmly though the fan. When at the other side, he opens his eyes and dashes to the switch, pulling it down.COMPUTER VOICE (CONT'D)
8... 7... 6... 5... 4...
INT. VIEWING GALLERYTHE DOCTOR
Raise shields!
Rose has her eyes closed and is shaking.
EXT. PLATFORM ONECOMPUTER VOICE
...1
The force fields around the ships are reset just as the planet is engulfed in fire. It explodes, leaving the ship completely unharmed.
INT. VIEWING GALLERY
The glass is automatically repaired. Rose opens her eyes, panting heavily.COMPUTER VOICE
Exoglass repair. Exoglass repair.
INT. VENTILATION CHAMBER
The Doctor walks back through the fans. He pauses for a moment to look sadly at the charred and smoking remains of Jabe.
INT. THE MANCHESTER SUITE
Rose walks back into the observation gallery, where all the aliens are sitting around, wounded or dead. The Doctor walks briskly in a few moments later. He glances at Rose but does not pause to talk to her. Instead he goes straight to Jabe's companions, mutters a few words to them and then places his hands on their shoulders, leaving them to grieve. He then walks back near Rose.
He strides over to the ostrich egg, breaks it open and the teleportation feed falls out. He picks it up.ROSE
You all right?
THE DOCTOR
Yeah, I'm fine. I'm full of ideas, I'm bristling with them. Idea number one - teleportation through five thousand degrees needs some kind of feed. Idea number two - this feed must be hidden nearby.
He twists the feed. Cassandra appears before them, apparently in the middle of gloating.THE DOCTOR (CONT'D)
Idea number three - if you're as clever as me, then a teleportation feed can be reversed.
Cassandra's skin is tightening. Her eyes are becoming bloodshot and she is getting whiter and whiter.CASSANDRA
Ah, you should have seen their little alien faces.
(notices her new surroundings)
Oh.
THE DOCTOR
The Last Human.
CASSANDRA
(flustered)
So. You passed my little test. Bravo. This makes you eligible to join the er... the human club.
THE DOCTOR
People have died, Cassandra. You murdered them.
CASSANDRA
That depends on your definition of 'people'. And that's enough of a technicality to keep your lawyers dizzy for centuries. Take me to court then, Doctor! And watch me smile, and cry, and flutter...
THE DOCTOR
And creak?
CASSANDRA
And what?
THE DOCTOR
Creak! You're creaking.
She's covered in red blotches.CASSANDRA
(panicking)
What? Ah! Ah! I'm drying out! Oh, sweet heavens! Moisturize me! Moisturize me! Where are my surgeons? My lovely boys! It's too hot!
She explodes. The Doctor looks completely cold and not remotely fazed. He leaves the room.THE DOCTOR
You raised the temperature.
CASSANDRA
(terrified, pathetic)
Have pity! Moisturize me! Oh, Doctor!
ROSE
(shaken)
Help her.
THE DOCTOR
Everything has its time and everything dies.
CASSANDRA
(shrivelling up)
I'm... too... young!
EXT. PLATFORM ONE
INT. MANCHESTER SUITECOMPUTER VOICE
Shuttles 4 and 6 departing. This unit now closing down for maintenance.
The Manchester Sute is now completely empty apart from Rose, who is standing at the window watching the Earth burn with a very vulnerable and sad look on her face, oblivious to the Doctor watching her from the doorway. Rocks fly past the window. She turns around when she hears the Doctor's footsteps as he comes to stand beside her.
Rose takes his hand and they walk away together.ROSE
(teafully)
The end of the Earth. It's gone. And we were too busy saving ourselves, no one saw it go.
(the Doctor looks down at her)
All those years... all that history and no one was even looking. It's just...
THE DOCTOR
(holds his hand out to her)
Come with me.
EXT. PICCADILLY CIRCUS
Back in 2005, Rose steps out of the TARDIS. She looks around at the crowds, seeing them in a new light. The Doctor stands beside her.
Rose turns to look at him. This is the first time he's mentioned his home.BIG ISSUE SELLER
Big issue!
THE DOCTOR
You think it'll last forever. People, and cars and concrete. But it won't. One day, it's all gone. Even the sky.
(they both look at the sky. After a moment -)
My planet's gone.
He doesn't answer, seemingly lost in thought.THE DOCTOR (CONT'D)
It's dead. It burned like the Earth. It's just rocks and dust. Before it's time.
ROSE
What happened?
THE DOCTOR
There was a war. And we lost.
ROSE
A war with who?
She smiles at him.ROSE (CONT'D)
What about your people?
THE DOCTOR
I'm a Time Lord. I'm the last of the Time Lords. They're all gone. I'm the only survivor. I'm left travelling on my own because there's no one else.
ROSE
There's me...
Rose looks at him for a few seconds.THE DOCTOR
You've seen how dangerous it is. Do you want to go home?
He smiles at her, delighted.ROSE
I don't know. I want...
(sniffs the air)
Oh! Can you smell chips?
THE DOCTOR
(laughs)
Yeah. Yeah!
ROSE
I want chips.
THE DOCTOR
(smiling)
Me too.
ROSE
Right then, before you get me back in that box, chips it is, and you can pay.
THE DOCTOR
No money.
ROSE
What sort of date are you? Come on then, tightwad, chips are on me.
They walk down the street together laughing, Rose nuzzling her head against his shoulder.ROSE (CONT'D)
We've only got five billion years before the shops close...
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