The Doctor's Meditation
by Stephen Moffatt - released in cinemas outside the UK on 15 Sept 2015
[Doctor's room]
The Meditation Begins
(Hollywood style Arthurian / Robin Hood fanfare as we fly over a lake and into a castle room, where the Doctor is sitting on the floor facing the window, lit by candles. A fire blazes in a hearth to his left. A bearded man dressed in leather armour with an embossed chest piece enters.)
DOCTOR: How many days have I been here?
BORS: About three hours.
DOCTOR: Three hours?
BORS: Well, nearly.
DOCTOR: Maybe Clara's right. She keeps telling me I've got Attention Deficit er something or other.
(He drinks from the same goblet that Paul McGann used in Night of the Doctor. It doesn't taste nice.)
BORS: What is your journey?
DOCTOR: You can't come with me, Bors.
BORS: I'm pledged to your service ever since you saved my life.
DOCTOR: I didn't save your life. You had a splinter.
BORS: Where is it you go, and why must you meditate first?
DOCTOR: Someone I know is very sick. He'll want to see me before (pause) while there's still time.
BORS: An old friend?
DOCTOR: Someone I've known a very long time.
BORS: If there is danger, let me ride at your side.
DOCTOR: You can't help me, not where I'm going. I have to get myself ready. I have to be alone. I have to think. No more distractions.
BORS: As you wish, Sir Doctor.
(He turns to leave. The Doctor takes another drink from the goblet.)
DOCTOR: Urgh. Hang on a minute. (stands up) The water.
BORS: The water, sir?
DOCTOR: I don't like it. I can't meditate properly without decent water.
(He hands the goblet to Bors and walks out. Bors sniffs the liquid.)
[Outside the castle]
(Outside the castle, peasants are following the Doctor with shovels.)
DOCTOR: We're going to dig a well! Right on, er, this spot. There will be excellent water here.
BORS: How'd you know?
DOCTOR: Oh, I'm very good at water.
(Day 5)
DOCTOR: This is definitely a good spot for water.
BORS: But this is the twelfth place you've made us dig.
DOCTOR: Well, twelve is my lucky number.
(Groans from the peasants. Days 8-11.)
DOCTOR: Here. No, here. Look at this grass. This is watery grass. Follow the squelchy.
(Day 12. The deep stone-lined well is complete and the workers exhausted. Bors draws a bucket of water.)
BORS: Well, you've all the water you need now and it is the finest in the land. Your meditation can begin.
DOCTOR: Yes, I suppose it can. Except.
BORS: Except?
DOCTOR: Do you know what this well really needs?
BORS: Nothing. It's perfect.
DOCTOR: A visitor's centre.
(Bors lets the bucket drop back down the well.
Day 17. The Doctor is making coins disappear from his hands whilst sitting in a deck chair by a camp fire and imitating Tommy Cooper, when Bors walks up to him.)
BORS: Everyone has agreed on the plan for the throne room extension, but we're we're not quite sure what you mean by a sun roof.
DOCTOR: Look at this coin. You see it?
BORS: (putting down his armful of scrolls) I see it.
(The Doctor waves his hands about.)
DOCTOR: Where is it now?
BORS: There. (pointing to the correct hand.)
DOCTOR: No, it isn't.
BORS: Yes, it is. I saw it.
DOCTOR: Are you sure? I'm really a very good magician.
BORS: What is it you dread?
DOCTOR: Why would I dread anything?
BORS: You're always making jokes. You never sit still, like you're running in fear of days to come.
DOCTOR: I thought you were an idiot.
BORS: I know. I thought that too.
DOCTOR: Good. I was worried I would have to break it to you
[Doctor's room]
(Day 21 - they climb the stairs to the chamber.)
BORS: Are you sure?
DOCTOR: I've been avoiding it. One last night, then I have to go.
BORS: Do you wish to be alone?
DOCTOR: I have to prepare myself.
BORS: But why? You've never explained.
(The Doctor rearranges the candles.)
DOCTOR: I did something wrong. I let somebody down when I should have been brave enough and strong enough to do better. Tomorrow I pay the price. Tonight, I make myself ready.
(He sits down.)
BORS: Goodbye, Magician. You have widened my mind.
(The Doctor stands and puts his hand on Bors' shoulder.)
DOCTOR: You do realise you're still an idiot.
BORS: Yeah.
DOCTOR: Good. I have to be quiet now. Quiet as the grave.
BORS: I do not believe you are capable of silence.
DOCTOR: Oh? Oh, well, we'll see about that, shall we?
BORS: We shall, Sir Doctor.
(Bors leaves and the Doctor makes chalk marks on the floor whilst muttering to himself.)
DOCTOR: No more distractions. Got to focus. No more distractions. Bors!
(Bors returns.)
DOCTOR: Are you any good with a broadsword?
BORS: Yes.
(The Doctor holds up his spoon.)
DOCTOR: Fancy a friendly?
BORS: Enough, Magician! I do not believe that you will meditate. It is not in your nature. If this is to be your last night here then we shall celebrate. There shall be revels. But first past, tell me your story. Tell me how you came to this place and why now you are compelled to leave it. I will not depart this room until you do so.
DOCTOR: (standing) I suppose I do owe you.
BORS: I have served you loyally, Sir Doctor.
DOCTOR: Yes. Yes, you have.
BORS: Then begin your tale.
DOCTOR: Well, a little while ago, a very long way from here, I was looking for a bookshop. Instead, I found a battlefield. Story of my life. I've seen many battlefields. But this one will be different. This one will be my last.
(Over his memory of sound of machine guns and cries on a muddy battlefield- To Be Continued)