The Players
The Doctor, an intergalactic time traveler.
Frobisher, a shape shifting Wifferdill in the form
of a Penguin.
Bob and Bill, workers for the City Council.
Act One
With its typical wining and groaning motion, the TARDIS came to rest within
the shadow of many skyscrapers. The morning sun streamed down on the
deserted London Street, and with the exception of the leaves rustling in
the wind, there was no sound at all. Suddenly the door to the TARDIS
is flung open, and a 4-foot tall Empire Penguin steps out. He looks
around taking in the sites of the deserted streets and calls back to his
traveling companion. “Hey Doc, I though you said we we’re heading for a fun
spot?” The Doc, or Doctor as he preferred to be called, exited the
TARDIS locking the doors behind him. His bright multi-colored coat
make him look like he was just caught in an explosion at a rummage sale,
and the contrasting striped orange and yellow paints did nothing to change
this image. “What are you on about now,” the Doctor asked, the annoyance
in his voice made it very clear that complaining was the one thing his traveling
companion did well. “Well after that really fun time you showed me
with Pepin and Tacitus,” Frobisher replied, “I though you said we were gonna
be taking a holiday. Now I don’t know what your definition of a holiday
is, but mine ain’t standing on a deserted street coroner watching the grass
grow!”
The Doctor
could never understand why all of his companions always expected him to materialize
the TARDIS right in the middle of any situation. It amazed him that
when he did stumble right into the middle of things, usually for the worst,
they’d complain and go on about how he had no control over the TARDIS, or
how he had very little regard for their personal safety. But here it
was, having promised Frobisher a holiday, and having materialized a mere
5 minute walk from said vacation, The Doctor is receiving a tongue lashing
for not putting them in the middle of it. “Now, now Frobisher,” the
Doctor said calmly. “A four foot penguin walking around 20th century
London will draw enough attention with out a metropolitan police box materializing
out of thin air.” “Earth!?” Frobisher spun around angrily, his
flippers fluttering in the air. “You brought us to Earth for a holiday?”
“Earth in the 20th century,” he added for effect. “It was a very interesting
time in human history,” the Doctor found himself defending his favorite planet.
“Not quite a technologically advanced species at this point, but just close
enough to allow the weary time traveler just the right amenities for a good
relaxing vacation.”
Frobisher
looked around himself, staring at the sky and then the floor. “Well
I don’t see any amenities,” he pointed out. “Nor cars, people, birds,
dogs, cats. I don’t even see a hot dog stand!” “No,” the Doctor
said, looking around the empty streets. “There does seem to be a conspicuous
absents of people mulling about.” “So where do you think they’ve gotten
to?” Frobisher moved slowly around the corner peering down the street.
“Maybe its a Sunday,” the Doctor guessed, “and there’s a game on.”
“Or maybe we’ve arrived after the Earth’s been abandoned,” Frobisher added.
“Not possible,’ the Doctor answered. “We have definitely arrived in
late 20th century England. I recognize the architecture. And
the pollution content in the atmosphere, there’s no dough.” Frobisher
finished looking around. Turning towards the Doctor he asked, “Then
where did all the people go?” Suddenly, and slowly, the low sounds of
cheering people rose above the rustling of the leaves. “What’s that,”
Frobisher asked? “I not sure, but I think we need to investigate.”
Heading toward the sounds, The Doctor and Frobisher set off to investigate.
Down the main street a convoy of black limousines made there way in a straight
line to the cheers of thousands. Confetti poured out of the office building
windows and children, their small hands clasped firmly in their mother's
own, cried in the streets. The Doctor and Frobisher pushed there way
through the massive crowds that lined the street. The group was so
think that it was almost impossible to see the street itself, but the Doctor
was clearly able to make out that some sort of parade was going on.
“Com’on Doc, what’s going on, what do you see?” Frobisher asked impatiently.
“I can’t really see much from back here,” the Doctor replied. “It’s
a parade of some kind, but I can’t see for who.” “Well lift me up on
your shoulders and I’ll take a look.” The Doctor looked down at him,
“Certainly not. A fine thing for a TimeLord such as myself. Going
around with a 4 foot tall shape-shifting penguin on my back!” “Well
push your way through then, cause I want to see what’s going on.” Frobisher
started jumping up and down flapping his flippers as if he was trying to
take off. The Doctor just stood and smiled at him. “You picked
the wrong aquatic bird if you expect to get anywhere near off the ground.”
Just then
the crowd starting shouting “the President, the President,” and Frobisher
looked up towards the Doctor. “President? I thought you said
this lot was ruled by a Prime Minister?” “Well they are,” the Doctor
answered. “Usually, but things may have changed. Perhaps we’re
not in the 20th century after all.” “Well whether it’s the 20th, 30th
or 40th,” Frobisher squawked, “its still not the holiday I was sold on!”
The Doctor however, looked worried. He was sure he had set the coordinate
rights, so how was it possible that they had shown up in the wrong place?
Then a sudden moment of realization hit him. “Of course,” he shouted,
“this must be a celebration for a visiting American President!” He
looked down at Frobisher, “they used to be greatest friends, Britain and
the United States.” “This must be the American President.” “Well
whoop-de-do,” Frobisher said spinning on his tail feathers. “That still
does not change the fact that I am spending my vacation standing on a hot
crowded street with nothing to see but the back-end of on lookers!”
The Doctor
was about to reply when a man wearing a dark gray suit walked up to where
they were standing. The man wore dark sunglasses and seemed to have
some type of communication device in his right ear. In his hand he
was holding a long, dark tube shaped object. Walking straight up to
Frobisher he handed him the tube-like object and asked, “Excuse me sir.
But would you mind holding this Bazooka?” Without even thinking Frobisher
reached out a flipper and took the bazooka from the man. “Why sure.”
Before the Doctor could mutter his objection all hell broke loose.
Story © 2002 John Rocco Roberto.