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Published: 2011-11-26 12:28:34 +0000 UTC; Views: 21957; Favourites: 159; Downloads: 215
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Because you guys demanded it- here's the first chunk of script for THE DOCTOR & I, accompanied by the lovely artwork of Shawn Van Briesen , with colors by yours truly with an assist from the great Paul CookeAfter Shawn and I did our Nick Courtney tribute FADE AWAY, we thought it would be fun to do another story that had was just a lark- a completely bat**** crazy adventure that could never, ever be done as official Doctor Who story, but also with ideas that could never be used elsewhere for an original project. Basically, an answer to the question, "If we ever WERE going to create a total piece of fanwank, not giving a damn about what anyone else (especially the BBC) thought... what would it be?" Here's your answer. This is a story that could only exist as fanfiction- because nothing "official" could be this much fun to write. Unfortunately, I went so crazy with the concept that we could never actually complete the comic of what resulted- but at least we can give you a taste of what almost was. This is our lost story- our DARK DIMENSION. Our SHADA.
This particular story takes place a few weeks after the adventure THE SCREAM OF THE SHALKA [link] Folks not familiar with Richard E. Grant's Doctor can learn about him here: [link] Or just watch SHALKA for free and 100% legally on the BBC website: [link]
Enjoy! And here's some Shalka Doc opening music, to get you in the mood: [link] Or from another perspective: [link]
PART TWO HERE: [link]
THE DOCTOR & I
EPISODE 1, PART 1
PAGE 1
1.1
Skinny panel. The TARDIS spins through the time vortex. It looks very reminiscent of the Scream of the Shalka title sequence- which is appropriate as this doubles as our "credits panel". A singing voice emanates from somewhere inside...
TARDIS SFX: VWORP! VWORRRRRRP!
VOICE (OC, singing): ♫ I'LL BUILD A STAIRWAY TO PARADISE , WITH A NEW STEP EVERY DAAAAAAAY! ♪
1.2
We're in the dimly-lit console room of Scream of the Shalka, but keep things framed so that that's not too obvious right away. In the distance, a figure sings as he toils away under the console, making modifications. In the foreground, a woman's silhouette (we don't know yet, but it's ALISON CHENEY) walks out of the darkness, heading for the console. The black-gloved hand of a seated figure (spoiler alert- it's revealed to be THE MASTER in the next panel) rises gently into frame and motions after her with one finger raised. Alison doesn't look back.
VOICE (singing off-camera): ♫ I'M GONNA GET THERE AT ANY PRICE; STAND ASIDE, I'M ON MY WAAAAAAY! ♪
THE MASTER: HE'S SINGING AGAIN.
ALISON: I KINDA NOTICED.
THE MASTER: BUT HE HAS A KARAOKE MACHINE NOW. HE'S INSTALLED IT IN THE CONSOLE. IT'S PERVADING THE SHIP'S P.A....
ALISON: YEAH, I KNOW.
VOICE (singing off-camera): ♫ I'VE GOT THE BLUUUUUES, AND UP ABOVE IT'S SO FAIR! SHOOOOOOOES, GO ON AND CARRY ME THERE! ♪
1.3
Reverse angle, medium shot of Alison walking ahead, with the Master staying seated in the background (it's a handsome mahogany/ leather chair with a well-maintained grandfather clock nearby). The Master's eyes peer over the top of the novel he's reading, watching Alison go. His face stays half-hidden behind the book (H.G. Wells' THE SHAPE OF THINGS TO COME). Alison shows no interest in what he says- she's on a mission.
THE MASTER: THIS IS DELIBERATE, YOU REALIZE. HE'S TRAPPED ME HERE AND HE'S TRYING TO DRIVE ME MAD. WITH SHOWTUNES. THIS IS HIS WAY OF PUNISHING ME.
VOICE (singing off-camera): ♫ I'LL BUILD A STAIRWAY TO PARADISE , WITH A NEW STEP EVERY DAAAAAAAY! ♪
THE MASTER: MS. CHENEY, COULD I BEG A FAVOR OF YOU?
ALISON: MAYBE.
THE MASTER: DESTROY ME.
ALISON: I'LL GET BACK TO YOU, MATE.
1.4
Alison steps up to the red-carpeted console platform and looks down at THE SHALKA DOCTOR's body sticking out from beneath the Jules Verne-esque brass console. He's a bit more "dressed down" than usual- having ditched the jacket and cape, leaving him in white shirtsleeves with a black waistcoat. He's extremely pale, tall, and lanky- almost to the point of betraying his non-terrestrial origins. At the moment, he's wearing black gloves to work- and they're just as sharp and "natty" as everything else about him. He's very much the opposite of the grungy, hodge-podged Ninth Doctor played by Chris Eccleston. The TARDIS tool kit is splayed out next to him- neutron ram, moog drone clamp, all that 80s TARDIS Technical Manual kind of stuff...
ALISON: DOCTOR-
SHALKA DOCTOR (singing): ♫ DAH-DAH DAH DAH-DAH-DAH-DAH-DAH, DA DA-DAH DA DA DA DAAAAAAAH! ♪
ALISON: OI- WILL YOU SHUT IT?!! THERE'S SOMETHING SERIOUSLY WRONG!
SHALKA DOCTOR: WRONG? WRONG?!!
1.5
The Doctor emerges from under the console, looking a bit annoyed. He's wearing a big pair of steampunkish, bug-eyed welding goggles. He wags the sonic screwdriver at her as he talks. He's strikingly strange-looking, with his delicate, sharp features. He's definitely the most alien-looking of the Doctor's nine lives.
SHALKA DOCTOR: ALISON, IT'S GEORGE GERSHWIN, AND I HAVE PERFECT PITCH.
SHALKA DOCTOR: WHAT COULD POSSIBLY BE "WRONG"?!
SHALKA DOCTOR: I CAN DO SOME "BRITPOP" IF THAT'S MORE TO YOUR TASTES. "CHAMPAGNE SUPERNOVA", PERHAPS?
ALISON: LOOK, I'M NO EXPERT, BUT...
PAGE 2
2.1
Alison points a thumb over her shoulder, to the area off to the right of the console platform, where a TARDIS much like the Doctor's sits quietly. It's a bit boxier, with the door handle on the wrong side and a red lamp on top.
SPECIAL NOTE: It is, in fact, the TARDIS design from the scrapped 80s Nelvana cartoon- see the reference pics I send ya.
ALISON: THAT LOOK RIGHT TO YOU?
2.2
CU of the Doctor, rising to his feet and pulling the welding goggles down around his neck. He's gone even paler than usual.
SHALKA DOCTOR: OH.
SHALKA DOCTOR: THIS IS VERY MUCH THE OPPOSITE OF GOOD.
2.3
The Doctor turns and points at the Master accusingly. The Master rises to his feet and takes a few steps toward the new Police Box. He claps his hands gleefully.
SHALKA DOCTOR: YOU!
SHALKA DOCTOR: YOU SABOTAGED THE THERMO-COUPLINGS!
THE MASTER: NO, I DIDN'T! BUT IT'S MOST AMUSING!
2.4
The Doctor steps off the console platform, cautiously approaching the new TARDIS. He loses the gloves and goggles and slips his neatly pressed black jacket on, as though he's expecting company. The Master makes a very feminine gesture, melodramatically putting his hand to his head in a classic "damsel in distress" gesture right out of a silent movie. Alison stands in the back holding the Magnetic Clamp from the TARDIS tool kit- ready to clobber whatever comes out of the box...
THE MASTER: PERHAPS IT'S A GRAVITY BUBBLE.
SHALKA DOCTOR: SHUT UP.
THE MASTER: OR A RECURSIVE SPACE LOOP. OH NO, WE'LL BE TRAPPED HERE FOREVER.
SHALKA DOCTOR: SERIOUSLY, SHUT UP.
THE MASTER: NOT THAT IT'D BE MUCH CHANGE FOR-
2.5
Same frame. The doors of this strange new TARDIS open OUTWARD with a tiny creak. The Doctor freezes in his tracks, stunned by what he sees. The Master's face shows just the faintest hint of dull surprise. Poor Alison just looks confused.
DOOR SFX: CREEEEEEEAK!
THE MASTER: AH.
2.6
Standing in the other TARDIS' door is none other than Paul McGann's 8th Doctor. But it's the short-haired, leather jacketed version so many fans hate (yes, he even has the "man-purse"). And he looks much the worse for wear- he's been through Hell to get here.
SPECIAL NOTE: from here on out, "The Doctor" refers to the Shalka Doctor only, as he's our main character. Any other Doctors who pop up will be clearly designated so things don't get confusing. So unless I put a number or other name in front of it, "the Doctor" refers to the Shalka Doctor.
8th DOCTOR: HUH....
8th DOCTOR: HELLO.
PAGE 3
3.1
The 8th Doctor stumbles out and collapses on the floor. Alison and the Doctor run over to him.
8th DOCTOR: I'M THE- *
ALISON: OH MY GOD.
3.2
The Doctor crouches by his side, cradling his head. He takes a close look at his face. Alison leans over the Doctor's shoulder. The 8th Doctor mumbles incoherently, eyes closed...
8th DOCTOR: LUCIE... ALEX...
8th DOCTOR: OH, SUSAN, I'M SO SORRY.
ALISON: WHAT'S HE ON ABOUT?
SHALKA DOCTOR: DELIRIOUS, POOR CHAP. HE NEEDS WINE. TWO GLASSES OF MASSANDRA 1775, ALISON!
3.3
Alison runs off at the Doctor's behest, but turns back as he belays the order. The Doctor stays focused on #8. There's a touch of nostalgia in his face, remembering the days when he was him...
ALISON: WHERE AM I SUPPOSED TO-?
SHALKA DOCTOR: IN THE WINE CELLAR, OF COURSE! TWO DOORS DOWN FROM THE ZEPPELIN HANGAR. MIND THE LEOPARD!
SHALKA DOCTOR: NO ON SECOND THOUGHT... TEA. YOU WERE ALWAYS ONE FOR TEA, WEREN'T YOU, OLD MAN?
3.4
The Doctor grabs each side of #8's face and tries to touch his forehead to his, like the Master did to the 10th Doctor in The End of Time Part 1.
SHALKA DOCTOR: I THINK YOU BETTER BRING ME UP TO SPEED.
SHALKA DOCTOR: CONTACT.
3.5
#8's eyes open. He shoves the Doctor away with violent, delirious energy. We've never seen #8 so unbalanced- except maybe back during his "WHO AM I?!!" scream in the TV Movie. He scampers off in the general direction of the console platform. The Doctor looks on, confused and a touch offended...
8th DOCTOR: GET AWAY FROM ME!
SHALKA DOCTOR: HONESTLY-
SHALKA DOCTOR: A "NO TELEPATHY TODAY, THANK YOU" WOULD HAVE SUFFICED.
PAGE 4
4.1
The 8th Doctor runs madly toward the console, waving his arms about. The Master stands by the console, one hand moving toward the main door controls while his other gestures innocently toward the doors themselves.
8th DOCTOR: THE DOORS! DEADLOCK THE DOORS!
THE MASTER: WHAT- THESE DOORS?
8th DOCTOR: OF COURSE THOSE DOORS!!!
THE MASTER: THERE'S SOMETHING ABSOLUTELY GHASTLY ON THE OTHER SIDE, YES?
8th DOCTOR: YES!!!
4.2
CU of the Master's fingers, as they flick the door switch to "OPEN".
THE MASTER: GOOD.
THE MASTER: BECAUSE I THINK I'VE HAD QUITE ENOUGH OF YOUR COMPANY, DOCTORS.
8th DOCTOR: NO!!!
4.3
POV from outside the main doors, just starting to open. The Master turns from the console and starts to walk toward them. He throws his arms out in a grandiose welcoming gesture and smiles.
THE MASTER: HELLO! HELLO, HORRIBLE THING OUTSIDE! I DO HOPE YOU'VE COME TO KILL US ALL!
THE MASTER: ALLOW ME INTRODUCE MYSELF, I'M USUALLY REFERED TO AS-
4.4
Same angle. The doors are now fully open. The Master stops dead in his tracks. His face drops, a bit disappointed.
THE MASTER: HMPH.
THE MASTER: WELL, I BELIEVE WE'VE ALREADY MET ACTUALLY.
4.5
The Master BLOWS THE F*** UP- his android innards blowing apart as a massive charge of green electricity knocks him into the air, back toward the console.
4.6
The smoke clears as a strange robot-like creature rolls through the doorway. A thing with a revolving, tentacled eyestalk and two massive, strange arms. It's a DALEK, but not like one we've ever seen... unless we know the Daleks from the Japanese Target novelizations. The eye turns right at us- seeking out its next victim. It's like a giant magnifying glass, with a distorted, all-too-human eye twitching underneath. Inexplicably, it's dialogue includes Japanese subtitles...
DALEK: EX-TER-MI-NATE !
SUBTITLES: 根絶しなさい!
CONTINUED HERE: [link]
Related content
Comments: 38
DecepticonFlamewar [2013-03-16 22:52:30 +0000 UTC]
OMG ALLISON! SHALKA! OMG!
Ahem. Sorry.
That's hilarious. I love the perfect pitch bit.
👍: 0 ⏩: 0
ChristianPrime1-Bot [2012-02-21 20:41:23 +0000 UTC]
Oh good grief!
McGann & E Grant! Japanese Daleks! return of Robot Master! Mysterious Title!
I smell a Withnail & I-style capery!
Now if we then finish off Gershwin and then add Jimi Hendrix to let the sparks fly!
Lovely colouring to go with the lineart!
👍: 0 ⏩: 0
Phantom-Jaselin [2012-01-22 01:12:30 +0000 UTC]
Awesome I Love Shalka Doctor's goggles. Of course I love the Shalka Doctor, too.
I kind of wish he were canon really. . .
👍: 0 ⏩: 0
BenSoulstone [2011-12-22 05:31:26 +0000 UTC]
Very awesome. I look forward to more of this. Shalka Doctor and his companions deserve more love, and you've brought some to them here. Keep up the great work!
👍: 0 ⏩: 0
PaulHanley In reply to PaulCowan [2011-12-08 04:47:07 +0000 UTC]
Thanks! More is definitely on the way- Shawn just sent me the rough sketch for the illustration for Part 2, so hopefully we'll be uploading something pretty soon.
👍: 0 ⏩: 0
PaulHanley In reply to Arcalian [2011-11-27 03:40:58 +0000 UTC]
Yeah, I was really sad to write him out like that- he was incredibe fun to write for. But where this story is headed, he would've been a fifth wheel (you'll see why by the end of part 3). And I felt it kicked things off with a good "no one is safe" vibe. The great thing about writing the Shalka crew is that they're all very much in real danger- they're a "canonical cul-de-sac" that isn't likely to be touched by official hands again- so the Doctor and his companions actually CAN die...
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
Arcalian In reply to PaulHanley [2011-11-27 04:19:29 +0000 UTC]
Oh....maybe I'd better pass then...
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
PaulHanley In reply to Arcalian [2011-11-27 05:51:34 +0000 UTC]
Ah, don't worry- read on. I love the REG Doctor more than anyone- I'm gonna do right by 'im. Trust me, if you're a Shalka fan- you're going to enjoy this.
The Master however, is done. Just like he was done in PLANET OF FIRE, the TVM, LAST OF THE TIME LORDS, etc. No way he's coming back.
👍: 0 ⏩: 0
PaulHanley In reply to RobertHack [2011-11-27 06:59:48 +0000 UTC]
Thanks Robert! Yeah- Shawn knocked the art out of the park. I love the Japanese Daleks- they're just so strange and... Japanese. I think we take the strangeness of the Daleks for granted. Looking at this alternate take (which still sticks to the basic concept), you can see the concept of the Daleks with fresh eyes and realize just how truly "alien" they are.
There's more "alternate" versions of traditional enemies on the way- stay tuned.
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
RobertHack In reply to PaulHanley [2011-11-27 10:34:58 +0000 UTC]
I've had the picture of the Japanese Dalek on all of my various hard drives for a while- I keep thinking about doing a piece with them but never seem to get around to it (same thing with The Trods). One of these days...
👍: 0 ⏩: 0
JoeEngland [2011-11-26 19:06:39 +0000 UTC]
I always wondered why there weren't more Doctor Who "Withnail and I" fanworks floating around. Indeed, Eight could very easily become a stand-in for Marwood on a cosmic scale, a childlike idealist who is ultimately forced to mature into a sadder but hopefully wiser and stronger man.
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
PaulHanley In reply to JoeEngland [2011-11-28 07:49:15 +0000 UTC]
Yeah- it seems an obvious idea for so many reasons. And don't forget that Richard Griffiths was also considered for the Eighth Doctor- many connections between that movie and DW.
More importantly, I'm amazed no one's actually sat down and "done the deed" of writing a story that reconciles the Shalka Doctor with the show's continuity (which he WAS a part of at one point). Heck, I'm amazed there's hardly any Shalka fanfic period- it's a great TARDIS crew with only one story and no kind of official resolution- a blank slate for anyone to write on...
👍: 0 ⏩: 0
tangerinewarning [2011-11-26 16:43:28 +0000 UTC]
Japanese Daleks, references to the cartoon in the 80s (which has the be one of the most, even potential obscure references), and various Big Finish stuff.
I really wish the Shalka Doctor was around, offering wine as a cure all.
But the Japanese Dalek looks really good.
It's also great to see everyone look more...real and less animated.
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
PaulHanley In reply to tangerinewarning [2011-11-27 07:14:18 +0000 UTC]
Thanks! Yeah, the cross-spinoff-media-referencing definitely flies fast and furious in this one. I'm a rabid listener of the 8th Doctor adventures, and I liked the idea that I could give at least a little clue as to when this is happening from 8's perspective (though how much time has passed since what happened to Lucy and Alex... who knows?). But as far as I'm concerned, 8's Big Finish stuff is absolutely canonical, as it represents probably 98% of McGann's time performing the Doctor.
I love the Shalka Doctor b/c he's such a different take on the character. Elegant fashion sense, a taste for wine and classical composers, and a TARDIS that looks like it was designed for the Vanderbilts, basically the Doctor as an aristocratic gentlman adventurer (and maybe a bit of a snob)- with the Master as his slightly bitchy butler. Just incredibly fun stuff.
And yeah, a big part of the art was to stay true to SHALKA's designs while "humanizing" them more. Shawn put a lot of thought into the Master's look, trying to meld a younger Derek Jacobi's face with Delgado's and the cartoon's. It think it turned out great.
👍: 0 ⏩: 0
Lady-Ignis-Chan [2011-11-26 16:23:09 +0000 UTC]
Shalka and Paul McGann, I don't think I can handly this much awesome.
👍: 0 ⏩: 0
fresian-cat [2011-11-26 15:36:03 +0000 UTC]
Ooh. I'm SO glad that this kick-ass story is seeing the light of day. Watch out folks, this is going to be SOME ride!
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
PaulHanley In reply to fresian-cat [2011-11-27 07:01:28 +0000 UTC]
I'm glad you were around to help make it happen. Thanks, man.
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
fresian-cat In reply to PaulHanley [2011-11-27 08:02:19 +0000 UTC]
The pleasure was all mine. I hope I got somewhere close to what you wanted?
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
PaulHanley In reply to fresian-cat [2011-11-27 09:00:40 +0000 UTC]
Oh hell yeah! I was able to get all this done from what you'd started in pretty much one peaceful evening's work. Even just having stuff flatted is a MASSIVE help.
👍: 0 ⏩: 0
PaulHanley In reply to PunkyStinky [2011-11-26 15:13:22 +0000 UTC]
спасибо! It's kind of amazing to me no one's put R.E.G.'s and McGann's Doctors together yet, given that they're consecutive tenures and THEY'RE THE STARS OF F***ING "WITHNAIL & I" FOR CRYIN' OUT LOUD! Seems obvious.
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
PunkyStinky In reply to PaulHanley [2011-11-26 15:53:41 +0000 UTC]
Yeah, I agree.
I drew a comics about Eighth Doctor and Withnail almost three years ago, but I don't dare to put it on the Internet.))
👍: 0 ⏩: 0
gazzatrek [2011-11-26 14:12:11 +0000 UTC]
'fantastic.
'such a shame we won't get to see this realised fully...but I SO want to know what happens next!!
MORE!!!
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
PaulHanley In reply to gazzatrek [2011-11-26 15:19:48 +0000 UTC]
Thanks, Gary! Glad you're on the edge of your seat. I deliberately designed this one to have killer cliffhangers. The Master's death-by-Japanese-Dalek is the LEAST crazy one. As Kevin Spacey said in SE7EN, "I wish I could say more, but I don't want to ruin the surprise."
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
gazzatrek In reply to PaulHanley [2011-11-26 15:59:34 +0000 UTC]
"death-by-Japanese-Dalek" 'bloody mental!!
are there any more visuals to go with the upcoming chapters?
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
PaulHanley In reply to gazzatrek [2011-11-27 05:53:46 +0000 UTC]
Yep! Each installment will have illustrations by Shawn- so there's still gonna be a fair amount of visual accompaniement for the script as things proceed.
👍: 0 ⏩: 0