Main content

Do you remember the Doctor? Ten-part drama starring Charlie Craggs, with Jodie Whittaker.

Welcome to UNIT: the Unified Intelligence Taskforce, home to the largest collection of alien artefacts in the British Isles. Under the competent leadership of Chief Scientific Officer Dr Petronella Osgood, UNIT is prepared for any and all eventualities – including this so-called ‘blue box’, and the mysterious ‘Doctor’ behind it.

Credits:

Cleo Proctor - Charlie Craggs
Abby McPhail - Lois Chimimba
Shawna Thompson - Holly Quin-Ankrah
The Doctor - Jodie Whittaker
Petronella Osgood - Ingrid Oliver
Dr Anthony Sinclair - Karim Kronfli
Joel - Ken Cheng

Written by Ken Cheng
Additional Writing by Ella Watts
Produced and Directed by Ella Watts
Executive Producer: James Robinson

Sound Engineer: Paul Clark
Studio Assistant: Jacob Tombling
Sound Design: David Thomas
Additional Sound Design: Arlie Adlington
Original Composition: David Devereux
Production Co-ordinators: Sarah Sharpe and Sarah Nicholls
Script Editor: Tasha Dhanraj
Recorded at Sonica Studios, Clapham.

A 鶹Լ Studios Production for 鶹Լ Sounds.

Release date:

Available now

27 minutes

6. RECRUITS

DOCTOR WHO: REDACTED

Episode 6

By Ken Cheng

鶹Լ SOUNDS STING

Loud, ceremonial brass music plays.

CREDITS

Doctor Who: Redacted. Episode 6.

By Ken Cheng.

SCENE 1 UNIT HQ - MEETING ROOM

ABBY, SHAWNA and CLEO are in a UNIT Headquarters meeting room, watching a video on the projector.

FX: The ceremonial music continues while an old 70s-style informational video plays, followed by sounds of small pieces of metal scratching against each other.

DR. ANTHONY SINCLAIR

Oh. Hello there. You've just caught

me playing with some magnets.

We all know of course that a North

magnet will attract a South magnet

like so.

FX: Click of a magnet.

DR. ANTHONY SINCLAIR (CONT’D)

We also know that a North

magnet will repel a North magnet,

as you can see here. But what about

if you put a North magnet next

to...a West magnet?

FX: Sound of a big crash with high-pitched screeching, followed by the collapse of several filing cabinets

DR. ANTHONY SINCLAIR

That's what we do here at UNIT, we

investigate the uninvestigated. In

fact, I like to say you can't spell

uninvestigated without the word

UNIT.

Beat.

DR. ANTHONY SINCLAIR

I'm Dr. Anthony Sinclair, head

science communicator at UNIT.

Phenomena like the West Magnet crop

up in all sorts of odd places, but

sometimes it isn't just a magnet.

(His voice begins to fade into the background)

It can also be a plant that prefers

darkness, or plastic which moves on

its own-

We continue to hear Dr. Sinclair in the background on the projector.

SHAWNA

What even is this video? It's like

a hundred years old.

CLEO

You mean like from Medieval times?

SHAWNA

No, not actually-

ABBY

Sshh I'm trying to listen!

DR. ANTHONY SINCLAIR

So if you're the type of person who

likes the idea of serving Queen and

Country-

SHAWNA

Also if you enjoy cosplaying as the

Gestapo and locking up three

innocent women.

ABBY

Shawna!

DR. ANTHONY SINCLAIR

UNIT has also met several unidentified

life-forms. That’s right boys. Ever

since the space race, our borders have become interstellar. Some life forms are hostile, some are friendly and

some...we're not sure. For example,

meet:

FX: Loud and overpowering distorted noises, including one that sound recognisably like the TARDIS.

All three scream in confusion and to make it stop.

CLEO

(covering ears)

Oh my god what is that?!

DR. ANTHONY SINCLAIR

And what an honour it was to meet

him. Of course, just like the work of

those heroes at Bletchley Park, this intelligence is the kind of thing that

might win us a war. Which is why, despite the modest place scientists like myself

have in this organisation, I like to think that our role is absolutely crucial -

DR. ANTHONY SINCLAIR

So why should you join UNIT? Well,

if you have a burgeoning passion for

the unexplainable or a penchant for

shootingweaponry at the unexplainable,

this may well be the place for you. And

of course, you could even get to meet...

FX: Same loud and overpowering distorted noises.

All three cover their ears and shout with exasperation.

DR. ANTHONY SINCLAIR

Let me tell you boys: UNIT is the future.

Investigate the uninvestigated.

Video ends with a ceremonial fanfare.

SHAWNA

Well that was...informative.

CLEO

Wait, that was for children?

SHAWNA

Not just children, Cleo: boys. You

know that right? Girls like us

could never (mimics Dr.Sinclair)

"investigate the uninvestigated".

ABBY

What do you think that weird noise

was?

SHAWNA

It's probably just the video being

so old.

CLEO

I heard it's from Medieval times.

ABBY

No it wasn't just a random

distortion, it kept happening at

the same point, just when they were

about to show us something...

CLEO

We’ve heard it before. It has to have something to do with the Doctor.

ABBY & SHAWNA

Who?

CLEO

Ok seriously, I love you girls, but you

have got to stop doing that every time I mention the Doctor.

ABBY

Whoever or whatever is behind all this,

I bet UNIT can help us figure it out.

SHAWNA

Oh god I can't believe you talked me into

skipping around hand in hand with the Army.

ABBY

Look, I don't like it any more than

you do.

䳢


You’re acting like a military beg friend.

SHAWNA

All I'm saying is I'm not ready to jump

into bed with a bunch of murderous

sociopaths just because they're now

bringing us sandwiches.

CLEO

Yeah and my ham bloomer was very dry.

SHAWNA

Listen, it's clear we know way more

about the blue box than they do.

CLEO

And the doctor!

SHAWNA

And Cleo’s doctor. So just remember that

whatever happens, we hold the cards. They

need us more than we need them.

OSGOOD

That's right, we do.

SCENE 2.

FX: Sound of chairs sharply moving as the three are surprised.

OSGOOD

Sorry about the sandwich. New caterers.

I’m Dr Petronella Osgood, Chief Scientific

Officer at UNIT.

CLEO

But wait, where’s the other one?

Where’s Kate Stewart?

OSGOOD

Who?

CLEO

Oh god never mind.

ABBY

What are we supposed to be doing

here? That video wasn't helpful at

all.

OSGOOD

Well yes. That recruitment

video is just one of many things

that don't quite make sense around

here.

SHAWNA

You mean like the complete

disregard of our human rights?

OSGOOD

I’m really, really sorry about that.

And just so you know: the member of

staff who threatened you with violence

no longer works here.

䳢


Is that because you fired him or because

he’s disappeared?

OSGOOD

I promise it’s not how we do things.

Everyone’s been acting scared lately and

it’s making people…unpredictable.

SHAWNA

(deeply sarcastic)

Oh well, good to know you have a handle

on it then.

OSGOOD

We have hundreds of files in our database

similar to that old recruitment video, with

massive chunks being corrupted or missing.

SHAWNA

Maybe a cyber attack?

OSGOOD

We thought that at first, but there’s more to it. We also have a massive collection of unidentified objects down in the basement. Absolutely no idea how they got there. No record, nothing.

ABBY

What kind of objects?

CLEO

Alien foetus in a jar? Come on...?

OSGOOD

It'll be easier if I show you.

FX: Sound of large pneumatic doors rising.

ABBY

Woah!

CLEO

Wow!

SHAWNA

Errr...we're all just looking at a

warehouse right?

Background music starts as we near the end of the scene, and the girls are keen to explore the warehouse.

CLEO

Yeah, but cool doors.

OSGOOD

Who wants a tour?

Music fades into the next scene.

SCENE.3 WAREHOUSE

FX: They're now in a large echoey warehouse, where there are all sorts of construction noises going on. Their voices sound echoey because it’s such a big space.

OSGOOD

So over the past few months we've had

completely unexplained objects

turning up in our vaults, from

strange gadgets to wildlife that'll

remind you of Little Shop of

Horrors.

ABBY

Wow, it's like being in the British

Museum!

SHAWNA

What, because everything's stolen?

OSGOOD

We've been attempting to catalogue

everything and link it to

corresponding files in the

database. And unfortunately, everything

in there's been heavily corrupted,

with huge chunks missing.

CLEO

Yeah sounds like my laptop

since my brother downloaded that dodgy

copy of Pirates of the Caribbean 4.

ABBY

So how many objects do you actually have here?

OSGOOD

862 according to the UNIT database...

though 97 are completely missing.

ABBY

What is this? Some kind of alien

laser gun?

OSGOOD

Actually, that's just a back

massager. That shouldn’t be down here. 



ABBY

Oh, is it an alien back massager?

OSGOOD

No, I got it online.

FX: Massage gun turning on for a bit.

SHAWNA

Oh and I suppose this must be some

sort of a hair dryer.

OSGOOD

Don't touch tha-

FX: A very loud laser bolt is fired sending everyone into a panic. It bounces off various crates, knocking things off shelves until it eventually dissipates.

OSGOOD

Don't worry! No, everything's fine!

Luckily, it wasn't lethal, but if

it went near your head it would've

given you a very GI Jane buzzcut.

Anyway, this is what I wanted to

show you. Item #547. Catch.

FX: Sound of Osgood throwing a small bottle and Cleo catching it.

CLEO

What are these?

OSGOOD

Look on the label.

CLEO

No way!

ABBY

Adipose Diet pills!

SHAWNA

Oh my Lord...has anyone tried

taking them?

OSGOOD

No, no of course not.

CLEO

Because you guys at UNIT are all

body positive right ain’t ya?

OSGOOD

No, because they tend to dissolve you

from the inside.

CLEO

Oh.

ABBY

So that's why we're here? You're

hoping it's not just Adipose diet

pills that match up between our

podcast and your database.

OSGOOD

That's exactly right.

SHAWNA

How do we know we can trust you?

OSGOOD

Well, have we lied to you yet?

SHAWNA

You kidnapped us!

OSGOOD

Yes but we never said we weren't

going to do that.

Beat.

CLEO

I mean, that does sort of make sense.

OSGOOD

Look, if I'm honest I’m really

looking forward to collaborating with

you. I'm really very impressed with

everything you've accomplished.

SHAWNA

So what now? We all hang out here,

sorting through weird artifacts and

become best buds? Maybe we find a four person slanket and we can all snuggle up together and take a little nap?

OSGOOD

Actually, this afternoon I'll

be directly debriefing Abby first

about her theories. I'm very interested in

hearing about them.

ABBY

(Chuffed)

Oh...well, I guess.

SHAWNA 


Splitting us up? Clever. That’s never

Worked out badly for the little guy.

OSGOOD

We'll just be in the office at the

end there.

CLEO

Oh wow, interior glass. No privacy

here?

SHAWNA

What about us?

CLEO

That slanket nap you suggested sounds dreamy.

(YAWNING)

Turns out being kidnapped really takes it

out of you.

OSGOOD

Shawna and Cleo, you'll be down

here in the warehouse helping sift

through our collection with Joel.

CLEO

Who's Joel?

OSGOOD

Our head Archivist...

JOEL

(deadpan)

Hi.

CLEO

(startled)

Oh god! You really have zero presence

in the room don't you?

JOEL

That’s correct.

CLEO

Yeah, own it, Joel. Love it.

OSGOOD

Er this way Abby.

ABBY

Yeah, one second.

Osgood walks off.

ABBY

Are you guys going to be okay?

SHAWNA

Obviously. Just, be careful. I Dz’t

Trust her. Or any of them.

CLEO

Don’t listen to her. She just needs a go

with the back massager.

ABBY

OK, I’ll see yas in a bit.

FX: Abby leaves.

䳢


You’re being so paranoid!

Thoughtful music appears in the background.

SHAWNA

It’s not paranoia to think a top secret

government agency is out to get you. (BEAT)

CLEO

It sort of is.

SHAWNA

We literally just got kidnapped by a

secret government agency!

CLEO

Abs’ll be fine, Shawna.

And if I notice her and

Osgood making out I’ll distract you with

that hairdryer thing, Dz’t worry.

SHAWNA sighs.

Music fades into next scene.

SCENE. 4 OSGOOD'S OFFICE

FX: ABBY enters OSGOOOD'S office. Chairs shuffling.

OSGOOD

There you go. Please sit down.

ABBY

Thank you.

Chairs shuffling

OSGOOD

I feel like I

should clear the air a bit first.

Or try to. I know we didn't get off

to the best start.

ABBY

Yeah I can't say I've had an

induction day quite like this.

Usually it's name-tags and you know, icebreakers.

OSGOOD

Oh yeah, like two truths and a lie?

ABBY

It does feel a lot like that actually.

OSGOOD

Right. Well if it helps I've

been looking forward to this.

ABBY

So… You listened to our podcast?

OSGOOD

Yes, of course. For the job.

Doesn't mean I wasn't allowed to

enjoy it.

ABBY

Wow.

OSGOOD

What? Oh no, was that weird?

ABBY

No, just we've never actually had

positive feedback from a listener.

Well there was one guy, but he mostly

Said creepy things about my Scottish

accent.

OSGOOD

(lightly laughing)

Oh god.

ABBY

Yeah not great. Still, it was a

five star review at least.

They laugh.

SCENE 5 WAREHOUSE

Their voices sound echoey in the big warehouse.

CLEO

Shawna, will you stop staring at them?

We've got work to do.

SHAWNA

I wasn’t staring. (BEAT) What do you think

they’re laughing about?

CLEO

Babe, let it go.

SHAWNA

Right, where’s this database?

JOEL

You can access it on that panel there.

CLEO

For everything here? God it really is

Like the British Museum!

SHAWNA

What, because everything's stolen?

CLEO

You made that joke earlier.

SHAWNA

Yeah but no one laughed.

CLEO laughs.

JOEL

Just press this…

FX: Touchscreen pressing. Suddenly, loud distorted noises, similar to earlier.

SHAWNA

Argh!

CLEO

Ah! Can you mute the sound on

that thing?

The noise stops abruptly.

SHAWNA

Right, let’s have a look.

SHAWNA taps on a touchscreen, we hear beeps and computer sounds.

SHAWNA

Ok, I'm in.

CLEO

What's it say?

SHAWNA

It's a mission report. "The moon

rocks were retrieved from Royal

Hope Hospital in March 2008."

CLEO

What else?

SHAWNA

Well that's it.

JOEL

Yes, unfortunately our database has

taken quite a beating.

FX: More pressing noises.

SHAWNA

So many of these files are like

this though. Look at these. This

one's a medical report and just

says the sentence "gas exchange

causes them to fart

uncontrollably".

CLEO

(Chuckles)

Well that’s one for the dating profile..

FX: Frantic Pressing

SHAWNA

Okay okay. So looks like the files

marked in red are corrupted.

CLEO

It’s like the whole thing is broken

SHAWNA

862 corrupted records apparently,

and 97 completely missing.

CLEO

Where do we even start then?

SHAWNA

How about Adipose?

CLEO

Fat babies!

FX: Clicking and beeping sounds.

SHAWNA

I’m not sure you can even call this

a database any more. It’s a digital wasteland.

FX: More clicking sounds.

SHAWNA

(reading)

Here’s something: "A UNIT task force was

sent to Adipose Headquarters for clean-up."

Is that it? Looks like everything else was deleted.

CLEO

(Quiet)

I bet it was the Doctor. All this missing stuff is the Doctor.

FX: More beeping sounds.

SHAWNA

This one's just two words.

CLEO

What are they?

SHAWNA

"Bad Wolf".

CLEO

Bad Wolf...? Sounds like an emo band.

FX: More of Shawna going through the database, getting increasingly irritating error sounds, faster and faster until –

SHAWNA

Come on… come on… stupid..

FX: Beeping error code

SHAWNA

God this is useless! Why did we agree to work for such incompetent tools?

No offence Joel.

JOEL

None taken.

CLEO

Wait, do you have anything about Jordan Proctor? Or Andy Proctor?

JOEL

Proctor?

CLEO

My brother. And my Dad. They’re both missing.

FX: Sound of SHAWNA going through the database

SHAWNA

P...P… prisoners, proton beams, pastries…

I can’t see a Procter. Sorry Cleo.

CLEO

(False cheer) It’s fine! I figured there

probably wouldn’t be. What about the Doctor?

SHAWNA

Let’s see… D-O-C-T-O-R

FX: An eery sound followed by a loud error noise as the database completely shuts down, followed by a pop.

SHAWNA

That was not my fault.

JOEL

Don’t worry. It’s been on the blink for

weeks.

SHAWNA

Cleo, you ok?

CLEO

Yeah, no I’m fine. It’s fine. Tell you

what. Joel: what’s the most exciting

thing you got here? For like, a normal

person. Not you. Oh no offence. Like the kind of thing you could sell for billions

or whatever. Not that I would. Just to repeat: I’m not trying to steal the government’s stuff.

JOEL

Follow me.


SCENE. 6 OSGOOD'S OFFICE

FX: OSGOOD shuffles her chair.

OSGOOD

So… when did you first become interested

in the paranormal?

ABBY

Wait, are you interviewing me? Like for

real “giving me a job” interviewing me?

OSGOOD

Well, I was just gathering data but-

ABBY

(Disappointed)

Oh, right. Of course.

OSGOOD

But I can multitask?

ABBY

I know I’m wildly underqualified

for something like this, and there’s

probably like a fitness test which I definitely wouldn’t pass and I’d need to figure out what me and Mum are gonna do -

OSGOOD

Abby -

ABBY

Yeah?

OSGOOD

I think you’d be a great fit for UNIT.

Comforting music plays as OSGOOD compliments ABBY.

ABBY

Seriously?

OSGOOD

Seriously.

ABBY

Wait, but, honestly is there some kind of

hybrid working situation going on? Because

I’ve been away from home too long already.

My Mum needs me, and I’m not having her put

into care.

OSGOOD

Look. We have the UK’s largest collection

of alien artefacts. I think we can handle working from home.

ABBY

So that’s a yes on the hybrid working thing then? Just to be super clear.

OSGOOD

(WARM) Yes. That’s a yes. So! When did you first become interested in the paranormal?

ABBY

Ok, so, I was six years old – it was

before my Dad died, and we were all watching ET. It’s like this really old movie

about this kid who finds an alien and-

Ұ


Sorry Abby, do you think I’m too young to know what ET is?

Oh. Are you not? Sorry!

Ұ


No Dz’t be! I liked it.

Music fades out as we transition to:

SCENE 7. WAREHOUSE

JOEL

Item #372. Take a look at this.

SHAWNA

That's...some mascara.

CLEO

Oh we get it Joel. Because we're

*GIRLS*, we like wearing makeup.

Very funny babe.

JOEL

No, it's not just mascara.

It's sonic mascara.

SHAWNA

...like the hedgehog?

JOEL

I'll demonstrate. Cleo, hand me that

cup of coffee. Stand back.

FX: JOEL sets the cup of coffee down onto the table and activates the sonic mascara. The coffee starts to boil heavily and then the mug explodes.

CLEO

Oh my god!

SHAWNA

Woah.

CLEO

What the hell?

SHAWNA

No fair enough, that is cool.

How does it work?

JOEL

You know how microwaves work by agitating water particles?

CLEO

Oh yeah! We exploded an egg in science

for that.

JOEL

Well this mascara uses sound to

hyper-agitate molecular structures

to the point of volatility.

SHAWNA

And in English that means…?

JOEL

It makes things blow up

SHAWNA

Cool.

FX: Moments later... chirpy music begins to play as we hear CLEO’s voice in a recorded video.

CLEO

Okay here's a special video for our

loyal fans, so you've seen diet

coke and Mentos, get ready

for...diet coke and sonic mascara.

FX: Sonic mascara noise. Bottle of diet coke bubbling and exploding and going over both CLEO and SHAWNA.

They both laugh hysterically.

CLEO

Oh my god!

SHAWNA

It's everywhere!

CLEO

Did you get that?! That’s crazy

SHAWNA

I swear it went 50 feet into the

air.

JOEL

What the hell are you two doing?!

CLEO

Oh sorry Joel. We were just...

experimenting. Sorry.

JOEL

It works better with Ginger Ale.

CLEO

(Pleased)

Oh really...?

FX: Sonic mascara activating.

SHAWNA

Okay wait for it...wait for it...

FX: Bottle of ginger ale exploding and splashing over everyone, leaving them positively hysterical.

JOEL

(deadpan)

I'm wet and sticky and I love it.

Joyful drum and base style music plays as the montage continues.

SHAWNA

You know I still think the Diet Coke was

better.

CLEO

I mean there’s only one way to found

out guys, come on.

(BEAT)

CLEO

(announcer voice)

ON WHEELY CHAIR NUMBER ONE IS JOEL

RIDING FOR TEAM GINGER ALE -

(Joel woops in a deadpan voice)

CLEO

AGAINST WHEELY CHAIR NUMBER TWO, THE

CHALLENGER SHAWNA FOR TEAM COKE.

(Shawna woops)

CLEO

ALRIGHT GUYS. GET READY! GET SET! GO!

FX: Sonic mascara setting off both contestants, and the sounds of screaming as two wheely chairs shooting off and both crash into pile of crates, which fall down.

SHAWNA

Don't worry, we're fine, we're

fine!

CLEO

Are you OK? Oh my god!

JOEL

(deadpan)

That was the first time in my

entire life I've felt truly alive.

SCENE.8

FX: CLEO picking up something metallic.

CLEO

Is this like armour? How weird is that?

SHAWNA

Look at this weird robot one. What’s

a Ravulox?

CLEO

That’s the transformer-thing, that

attacked Rani Chandra.

SHAWNA

Creepy.

CLEO

Yeah.

FX: An ALIEN RADIO starts making strange liquid noises as it scans through various channels.

CLEO

Can you hear that?

SHAWNA

Hang on, I dropped my phone. Joel,

have you seen my phone over there?

Shawna’s voice becomes distant as Cleo focuses in on the radio.

CLEO

What’s this?

DOCTOR

(heavily distorted by the Redacted effect)

Can you hear me? This is (STATIC)The Doctor.

I’m broadcasting on all channels. (STATIC) If ANYONE can hear me, please respond.

CLEO

Yeah, hello?

DOCTOR

Hello? Can you hear me?

CLEO

Yeah I can here.

DOCTOR

I can’t hear you, can you hear me?

CLEO

Yeah, I can, I can! I can hear you. God you’d think some high tech military science unit would have better signal.

FX: STATIC DISTORION

CLEO

Hang on, I’m going to get near the window.

DOCTOR

(heavily distorted)

Hello? (STATIC NOISE). Can you try standing near the window?

(Frustrated, CLEO sighs)

FX: The alien radio makes a positive beep.

DOCTOR

Hello? Can you hear me?

CLEO

That’s better. Yeah, hi! I’m Cleo.

Are you alright?

DOCTOR

Cleo! Lovely name. I met Cleopatra once.

In answer to your other question: yes

and no.

(Voice slightly distorted)

Bit of a schrodingers situation, though

no cats were harmed in this thought experiment.

CLEO

What? Who are you?

DOCTOR

Funny thing: I can’t tell you that.

CLEO

Like you’re a secret agent? Listen,

we already know about UNIT.

DOCTOR

UNIT! Wonderful. Give my love to Kate and Osgood. No, I mean if I tell you, your

head might explode.

CLEO

What?

DOCTOR

Listen, Cleo, I Dz’t have much time.

FX: The REDACTED sound effect starts to rise on the radio again. Piano music plays in the background as CLEO tries to hear the DOCTOR.

DOCTOR

(heavily distorted)

- Seriously dangerous (STATIC) Hunting down(STATIC) - I’m trapped(STATIC) I can’t control it (STATIC) Killing people –

CLEO

Wait, hello? I can’t hear you

FX: The REDACTED sound effect is getting almost too loud to withstand

DOCTOR

(heavily distorted)

(STATIC) FIND (STATIC) - She can help you. Find her. Ask her about the Blue Box.(STATIC) Oh, and whatever you do, Dz’t call her a -

FX: The radio explodes with a pop. Cleo drops it.

CLEO

Find who? What?

SHAWNA shouts. Cleo runs to her.

SHAWNA

Eurrrghghh! Cleo look at this!

CLEO

Wait babe, I’ve seen this before.

SHAWNA

It’s so creepy. Like it’s staring into

my soul. Eurgghhhh.

CLEO

Wait, what does the label say?

(MORE)

SHAWNA

ಹ”

Eery music begins to play and grows louder into:

SCENE.9 OSGOOD'S OFFICE

OSGOOD

Let me show you something.

FX: OSGOOD pushes a button, and some mechanical shutters open.

ABBY

What is that?

OSGOOD

It's called the Osgood Box.

ABBY

Why?

OSGOOD

I have no idea. I have no memory of

how I got it or where it comes from.

But judging by the design, it’s of alien origin.

ABBY

What does it do?

OSGOOD

We don't quite know, but our

analysis of it suggests it has the

potentialto wipe out all life on

Earth.

ABBY

What if this came from there?

OSGOOD

Where?

ABBY

From The Blue Box! Everything weird

always ends up being tied to that box somehow. It’s like, a nexus event. A catalyst. And you’ve got this: a box

from a box! It makes sense, right?

OSGOOD

But I’ve never seen the Blue Box.

ABBY

You sure?

OSGOOD

Why?

ABBY

Everyone we've met who has had

contact with the blue box has

completely disappeared.

OSGOOD

(Sighs)

Yeah, can't say that fact has

escaped me.

Music fades into the next scene.

SCENE.10 WAREHOUSE - MASK SECTION

SHAWNA

Dalek? What is that?

CLEO

I don't know, but I've definitely

seen it before.

SHAWNA

When?

CLEO

I’m not sure.

SHAWNA

…You’re shaking.

CLEO

It’s not even scary. I mean, look at it.

It’s got a toilet plunger sticking out of it.

Shawna, why am I scared of it?

Tense music starts.

SHAWNA

We can take a break if you need.

CLEO

No, I'm fine. It’s fine. Let’s just find

Out what the hell this thing is and why

it’s giving me goosebumps.

SHAWNA

Where are you going?

CLEO

Joel. What do you know about Daleks?

JOEL

(Cautious)

Why do you ask?

CLEO

Oh come on. You’re a human being.

From one weirdo to another. Please.

Tell me.

SHAWNA

Cleo –

JOEL

I Dz’t think I can tell you.

CLEO

Oh please.

JOEL

(Grim)

There’s…a storage room. Entrance is on the

East side of the warehouse. It'll take you

about five minutes to get there. But…

I’m not supposed to let you go down there.

(BEAT)

But I guess I lost track of you in all the excitement.

CLEO

(Earnestly)

Thanks, Joel.

Cleo darts off.

SHAWNA

Cleo, wait up!

We hear Shawna running after Cleo.

SCENE.11 WAREHOUSE - EAST SIDE

Cleo and Shawna arrive at the basement door entrance.

FX: Cleo tries the door handle and its locked.

CLEO

ARGHHH! It’s locked.

Cleo presses her head against the locked door and breathes heavily.

SHAWNA

Cleo...

CLEO

This is so messed up! Why is this

Happening to me? I didn’t ask for any

of this. And neither did my Dad, and

neither did my brother. We’re just

normal people!

SHAWNA

I know, I know. But that’s the point. Whilst these idiots in fancy pyjamas are running around pretending to be heroes, no one stops to worry about what happens to people like you and me in the background. No one cares what happens to Extra number 6. It’s not fair. I know. But Cleo – look at me. This is why we do that stupid podcast. It’s so that someone cares. It’s so that someone bothers to find out what actually happened to people

like your Dad. And I’m not leaving until we do. Ok?

CLEO

Ok. Thanks, Shawna.

(BEAT)

There must be some way through this door...

SHAWNA

(Barely contained glee)

I’ve still have the sonic mascara. Stand back.

FX: Sonic mascara sound activating.

CLEO

Shawna!

SHAWNA

VIVE LA REVOLUTION!

FX: Mascara intensifies, blowing open the lock of the door and causing it to swing wide open.

CLEO

Oh my god! Shawna! Oh my god.

What is this place? It’s full of…

people's clothes.

SHAWNA

It looks like the lost property at

a swimming pool. Woolly jumpers,

winter coats.

CLEO

I Dz’t like it.

SHAWNA

It’s definitely a 13 on the Spook-o-meter.

Look, the boxes are labelled – Clive Finch,

Priya Chakrabati, Olga Mettel… Oh no

CLEO

This room, it's for the victims isn't it? Everyone who died after seeing that Blue Box. After meeting the Doctor.

Sad, soft piano music plays in the background.

Shawna walks off and starts rifling through boxes, looking for evidence. Then she stops.

SHAWNA

It’s all itemised, look. These boxes are in

alphabetical order.

CLEO

Start looking.

SHAWNA

Cleo, are you sure about this?

CLEO

Just start looking.

TIME PASSES AS THEY SEARCH.

SHAWNA

Cleo turns to Shawna.

CLEO

What is it?

SHAWNA

This box has your Dad’s name on it.

CLEO

(Swallows)

Give it to me. (She opens it)

Oh my god. That’s his wedding ring. And these are his gloves.

(She sniffs them)

They still smell like him. How’s that possible? It’s been nearly 20 years since I’ve seen him and if I shut my eyes it’s like –

SHAWNA

I’m so sorry

They share a big hug, as Cleo starts to cry. Eventually she collects herself.

CLEO

We need to go.

(Getting angry)

They knew about this. They knew about

this the whole time. They’ve been lying

to us.

The piano music gets louder then suddenly stops.

SCENE.12 OSGOOD'S OFFICE

FX: Glass door opening abruptly. ABBY and OSGOOD are startled in their chairs as SHAWNA and CLEO rush in.

ABBY

What's going on?

SHAWNA

UNIT knew.

ABBY

Knew what?

CLEO

Abby hey knew what happened to my

Dad.You utter sickos. You knew

that my Dad was dead and you

didn't tell me.

ABBY

Oh my god, Cleo-

SHAWNA

Did you know about Cleo’s family?

OSGOOD

I didn't.

CLEO

You did, didn't you?

OSGOOD

I didn't! No, I swear I didn't!

CLEO

Of course you did!

ABBY

She said she didn't know, Cleo.

SHAWNA

Will you *STOP* defending her?!

You’ve only just met her!

OSGOOD

Listen everybody, why don't we all

just take a breather?

SHAWNA

No. Enough is enough. I've

been kidnapped, interrogated,

and coerced by EXACTLY the kind of people

I hate. And then I find out I was right!

CLEO

We’re just meaningless to you, aren’t we?

My Dad, my brother, me. We’re just the

afterthought in your stupid little games.

I Dz’t care about aliens, and I Dz’t care

about the Doctor, I Dz’t care about any of this.

ABBY

Oh Cleo -


CLEO

No! Just give me back my brother!

ABBY

Cleo, I know this is a horrible

situation for you.

䳢


You Dz’t have any idea what this is like.

SHAWNA

Right, let’s go. Now.

(BEAT)

Abby?

ABBY

I'm sorry.

Heavy, piano chords play as SHAWNA realises ABBY isn’t moving.

SHAWNA

Oh no. Oh no no no no no. You want to

stay? After all this?

ABBY

I need to be here. We could actually

make a difference. We could save people.

SHAWNA

Did you hear anything we just said Abby?

They murdered Cleo’s Dad and then covered

it up.

ABBY

We Dz’t know that. This is bigger than us, Shawna! This is bigger than all of us.

SHAWNA

We're talking about family here. What’s bigger than family?

ABBY

I'm sorry.

SHAWNA

I’m done.

FX: SHAWNA LEAVING

ABBY

Cleo?

CLEO

I hope what you're doing is worth it.

ABBY

Please stay!

FX: The door closes behind CLEO.

END OF EPISODE

Heavy piano music continues accompanied by gentle, electronic beats.

CREDITS

Doctor Who Redacted: Episode Six,

by Ken Cheng.

Starring: Charlie Craggs, Lois Chimimba, Holly Quin-Ankrah, Jodie Whittaker, Ingrid Oliver, Karim Kronfli and Ken Cheng.

Directed and produced by Ella Watts.

Sound design by David Thomas and Arlie Adlington. Original composition by David Devereux.

A 鶹Լ Studios production.

The piano music gently ends.

Podcast