The Remembrance Curse
Written By Ewan Holye
Doctor
(echoey as its the doctor imagining reading his journal)
It's been a month since Kreig left… And I’m still missing him. It’s weird, you’d think that after all this time I’d be used to people leaving, but… It always gets to me. At least I’ve got Skyler still around. But there's still only a matter of time till she goes too…
Skyler
Oh Doctor, there you are!
Doctor
(no longer echoey)
Oh, hey Skyler.
Skyler
So What are you reading, Anything good?
Doctor
No, I was just writing in my journal.
Skyler
Oh not again. You only seem to do that when you’re depressed nowadays. When was the last time you wrote something positive in there!?
Doctor
I don’t know. Since Kreig left I just…
Skyler
I know Doctor, I miss him too… I really loved him, I barely got to say goodbye. He’ll never get to know how I truly felt.
Doctor
Sorry… I didn’t even stop to think about what you might be going through. Are you alright…? Well, clearly not but…
Skyler
Come on Doctor. We haven’t gone anywhere properly since he left, why don’t you come out of your study and take me to a planet for once? Might help us take our minds off it.
Doctor
Hmm, I suppose I could do that…
Skyler
Woo! I’ll meet you in the console room.
Skyler runs off.
Doctor
(sighs)
(sounds of flickering through a book)
So many pages… so many lost…
The Doctor closes the book and puts it down. He stands up and walks out.
[Console room]
Skyler
I was looking through this textbook of planets. Which one do you think we should go to..?
Doctor
I don’t know, it's really up to you.
Skyler
(flipping through pages)
Hmmm… lets see… How about… midnight?
Doctor
After what happened last time, no thanks!
Skyler
(flipping through pages)
Ok… uhm… Apalapucia?
Doctor
You mean the place I had to watch an alternate version of my best friend die!?
Skyler
Skaro?
Doctor
You’re not serious!? Kreig and I went there awhile ago and he almost became a roboman!
Skyler
Ok, this one isn’t as interesting but… the library? You like books right?
Doctor
No! Not my poor wife!!
Skyler
Ok. Wait… you were married?.. Doctor, it seems like everywhere I suggest you have had something bad happen there.
Doctor
Well when you're as old as me… oh just keep trying…
Skyler
Ok.
(flipping through pages)
How about… Celica?
Doctor
Celica? As in Toyota? I don’t think I’ve ever been there before!
Skyler
Well go! Put the coordinates in!
Doctor
Eye, eye. Show me the page.
Skyler turns the book to the Doctor.
Doctor
(typing on keyboard)
Ok! 21… 38… and… 47!
The Doctor pushes some buttons and dials on the console. The TARDIS enters flight mode.
[Celica - Village - Night]
The TARDIS lands. The doors open and out walks The Doctor and Skyler. Outside is a village preparing for a festival. But everyone is so depressed.
Skyler
Woah, this is a nice little village. It's so quiet for the amount of people that are actually here.
Doctor
Well... This is really depressing.
Skyler
Doctor!
Doctor
What!? It is!
Skyler
We could at least look around…
Doctor
Ok, Whatever keeps you happy.
They start walking around the place.
Skyler
Looks like they’re setting up for some sort of festival?
Doctor
Excuse me sir. What are you all doing?
McCoy
(very depressed)
Setting up for the annual Remembrance Festival.
Doctor
Right. Uhm… Why does everyone look so depressed?
McCoy
(very depressed)
It’s a festival where we gather to mourn the ones we’ve lost.
Doctor
I see. Are you alright?
McCoy
(very depressed)
I’ve been better. My parents left town last week. They moved to the other side of the planet. I don’t see them coming back.
Doctor
Can’t you go visit them?
McCoy
(very depressed - sarcastic)
In times like these. Right.
Doctor
Well, it’s at times like this where I try to remember the happy times between me and those I’m no longer with.
Skyler
(insisting he should take his own advice about Kreig)
That’s good advice isn’t it “Doctor”.
McCoy
(very depressed)
The problem is… I can’t. I can barely remember anything about them. It’s like I’m losing my memory. It’s driving me nuts!
Doctor
What? It’s only been a week.
McCoy
(very depressed)
I’ve gotta get on with my job. See you around.
Doctor
Sorry, I’ll let you carry on with what you’re doing.
Skyler
What was that?
Doctor
Hmm. I’m sure it's nothing. Some people handle grief in different ways.
They hear Eliza struggling to carry something.
Skyler
Oo! Let me help you with that.
(growns like lifting something heavy)
Almost there…
They place it down and sigh with relief.
Eliza
(very depressed)
Thank you. You’re too kind.
Skyler
Hehe, Always good to lend a helping hand, What's your name?
Eliza
(very depressed)
Oh.. uhm… Eliza.
Skyler
Eliza, what a lovely name! You can call me Sky!
Eliza
(very depressed)
Sky, nice.
Doctor
Hello, Eliza. I’m the Doctor. I must ask, why is everyone so depressed? Like, I get it’s to remember everyone you’ve lost but… you could think about the happy times instead of just moping around.
Skyler
Doctor!
(elbows the doctors ribs)
Doctor
Ow! What?
Eliza
(very depressed)
Well, I’d love to do that. That's what we used to do. Decades ago… but it's hard to remember anything nowadays. Even my husband… All my memories are slipping away.
Doctor
That's what one of the other villages told us earlier. Why are you all losing your memories?
Eliza
It's because of the Greifmonger…
The atmosphere goes all dreary and the music gets mysterious and spooky.
Skyler
The what Monger?
Eliza
The Greifmonger. It's been feasting on our grief for decades… Feasting on our memories.
Skyler
(freaked out)
O… Kay…
Eliza
Every night. It comes for us. Taking our memories one by one.
Doctor
Hm, a creature that comes after you at night. Almost sounds like Dracula, or even Nosferatu… I may have to go talk to the other residents to help understand their side of things. Skyler I think it's best if you stay here.
Skyler
Ok Doctor!
The Doctor walks off.
Eliza
(very depressed)
Sky… you seem so happy.
Skyler
I am!
Eliza
(very depressed)
I don't think you are. You’ve lost someone I think.
Skyler
I’m fine…
Eliza
(very depressed)
Hmmm… I don't think so.
Skyler
(depressed)
Ok... I’m actually having a hard time… I just lost who I thought was the love of my life and now, I’ll never see him again.
Eliza
(very depressed)
Well why so cheery then?
Skyler
(depressed)
I have to be. For the Doctor. He's been having such a hard time since Kreig left. And I feel there's more on his conscience than he’s saying.
Eliza
(very depressed)
Have you asked him?
Skyler
(depressed)
Yes, of course. But he just ignores me.
The Doctor walks back up to them.
Doctor
They’re all saying the same thing.. The Griefmonger comes at night and takes memories of those you’re grieving.
We hear a bunch of wind picking up and people gasping. We hear things flying around.
Skyler
(panicked)
Woah! Doctor! What is that?
Doctor
(panicked)
I don’t know!
Eliza
(panicked)
It's him! It's the grief monger!
Doctor
(panicked)
Skyler, get everybody out of here!
Skyler
Ok Doctor!
Griefmonger
(Laughing)
Doctor
Listen, I don’t know exactly what you are… But you need to leave these people in peace.
Griefmonger
Ahhh, Doctor!
Skyler
Doctor! He knows you?
Doctor
I don’t-
Griefmonger
I know everyone… (giggles) The timelord who ran away from gallifrey and has been running ever since. The oncoming storm, the slayer of the jabberwocky and defeated the once greatest King of Orax. Held the key to time in his hands… All that grief. All those you’ve lost…
Doctor
You stay away from me…
Griefmonger
All those memories… I feed on them!
Doctor
I command you to leave this village alone!
Village Guy 2
Stay away from us!
Doctor
No, don't!
Village guy 2
(throws rock)
ARGGGG!!!!!
Doctor
NO!
Griefmonger
Now, time to consume!
The greifmonger flies over to the villages.
Skyler
(screams)
Doctor help!
Doctor
Crap!
The Doctor runs over to them. Before the Doctor gets there in time the grief monger is gone.
Doctor
Skyler! Is everyone ok!?
Skyler
Doctor, he- he consumed me! Argg! I’m so sick of this!
Doctor
I know. I’m having a hard time too.
Skyler
A hard time? A HARD TIME!? Before he even showed up, you were moping about life and here you are, making it all about yourself!
Doctor
Well maybe it's because I’ve lived a lot longer than you and I’ve experienced more grief! Did you ever think of that!? And meanwhile you’ve been so happy, it's like you don’t even care about Kreig or something!
Skyler
(angry)
Cause I keep trying to keep a straight face and act happy for you! But, the truth is. It really hurts! All of it does. My parents, Nida and now I’ve even lost Kreig! You keep trying to make this all about your own sadness, but Doctor! I have feelings too!!
Doctor
(the doctor snaps out of his anger)
Wait… Skyler, you need to calm down! I think that's it. It's the griefmonger. He’s amplifying our grief and using it to turn us against each other. We need to stay positive.
Skyler
I’m so sick of staying positive!
Doctor
I know, just try for now. Please.
The Doctor turns and grabs the attention of everyone in the village.
Doctor
Everyone, it’ll all be ok! I promise, I will find a way to stop this thing! And if it's possible, I’ll try to get all your memories back. For now, we just need to do all we can to keep the memory of everyone we love alive! Think about them as much as you can. Like Eliza, think about your husband. And you, village guy… sorry I didn’t catch your name-
McCoy
It’s McCoy.
Doctor
McCoy! Perfect! Think about your parents. You too Sky… Think about your parents or Nida, before the wolfkind killed them… Think about Kreig! Now come one! Get back to work! Let's make this the best Remembrance Festival you’ve ever had!
Everyone walks off silently.
Doctor
Wow, tough room.
Skyler
Uhm, Doctor…
Doctor
Yes Sky?
Skyler
Uhm… Whose Nida.
Doctor
Oh no. The griefmonger already starting to take your memories. He was your friend remember! From back home!
Skyler
Oh yes. I remember. Sorry…
Doctor
Don’t worry. It's not your fault. I’ll find a way to fix this…
Skyler
What are you going to do?
Doctor
‘We’ you mean!
Skyler
Huh?
Doctor
We’re gonna help the villagers set up the festival!
The Doctor runs off.
Skyler
Doctor. Where are you going!?
The Doctor's voice sounds distant as he's running away.
Doctor
Just stay there. I have a plan!
Skyler
Uh… ok! Eliza, what he said! Lets get everyone working!
Eliza
If you say so…
We hear a transition in the music. Once the doctor returns, He notices that everything has been set in place.
Doctor
Hello everyone! I’m back! Wow! It looks amazing! Luckily I bought back some supplies…
We hear the Doctor drop some fire wood onto the ground.
Skyler
What's all this for?
Doctor
I need you to help me build a fire. Then we’ll bring everyone over.
Skyler
A fire? What are we gonna do? Burn the place now?
Doctor
Haha, noo. You'll see. Just put a layer of larger sticks at the bottom and put the shorter sticks on the top.
Eliza
Ohhh, a campfire!
Doctor
Exactly! Skyler my dear, could you cover the top with some dead leaves and straw?
Skyler
On it!
The sticks are then finally put in place as Skyler puts on some dead leaves to help light it up.
Skyler
Well, that's all sorted, but how are we supposed to light it up?
Doctor
Luckily, I have a little something that'll help. Now Where is it, it has to be here in my pockets?
The Doctor then pulls out a packet of Everlasting Matches from his pocket.
Doctor
Ahha!
The Doctor lights it up and places it on the wood pile.
Doctor
There we go, that will keep it going for a while!
Skyler
A packet of matches? Doctor is there anything you don’t keep in your pockets?
Doctor
Don’t think so, but these aren’t any regular matches. These ones I invented years ago. They’re called Everlasting Matches! Even if you throw water on it, they still continue to burn.
Eliza
But won’t that start a forest fire?
Doctor
Luckily, this one will only go on till the night ends.
Skyler
(Jokingly)
So they're not really everlasting then, are they?
Doctor
They, ah Nevermind, let's just get back to work.
The doctor then gives out a clear whistle for everyone to hear.
Doctor
If I can have your attention please! Now, I know a lot of you may think that I’m a bit crazy. But if there's something that I do believe in, it's that this town is being held in a grip of fear by the grief monger. Something that uses its power to scare of innocence.
Village guy 2
We can't fight this thing, it's too powerful even beyond our comprehension.
Doctor
And that's why we have this campfire. Because all of us are gonna go around together and share the tales of those we have lost. Because the one way you can fight grief, is by acknowledging your feelings and seeking support from others by remembering the good times.
Eliza
(depressed, but feeling a bit hopeful)
Well you heard what he said, I suppose we should join in.
Everyone all gathers around the campfire with the doctor sitting in the middle next to Skyler and Eliza. The Doctor decides to choose one of the villages to speak first.
Doctor
Right, I wanna make sure that everyone here has a story to tell, You… How about you go first?
McCoy
Me..? Uhh…
Doctor
Yeah! Tell us about your parents.
McCoy
Mate, I really don’t remember anything.
Doctor
Just try.
Skyler
Come on.. You can do it!
McCoy
I guess… My dad's laugh was great.
Doctor
Good, good! Do you remember anything else?
McCoy
(not really bothered trying to remember)
I don't know.
Doctor
Come on…
Skyler
Details? Why was it great?
McCoy
(brightening up as memory is coming back)
Uhh… well… I guess, it wasn’t like any other laugh. And his shoulders, they would always bounce up and down in a particular way… it's coming back to me.
Doctor
Yes.. yes…
McCoy
(laughing telling the story)
I remember this time we were playing pictionary. It was terrible, but he gave it his all.
Doctor
(Giddy waiting for the rest of the story)
Terrible how?
McCoy
(laughing telling the story)
I mean, this guy couldn’t draw to save his life. He’d try, but it was like watching a cat trying to write a novel, you know? One time, the word was ‘penguin.’ Simple enough, right? Well, he starts drawing this… thing. And I swear, it looked more like a chicken that went through a blender.
Skyler
Oh no, did he get it wrong?
McCoy
Of course! But what made it even better (laughs harder) was the way he defended it. He was so serious, like, ‘No, no, it’s definitely a penguin. You guys just don’t get it.’ And we’re all sitting there, dying, ‘Dad, that’s a chicken with a mid-life crisis!’ And he’s just like, ‘I’m tellin’ ya, it’s a penguin! Then we all just started laughing and so did he. I tell ya, I’ve never laughed so hard in my life.
Doctor
See that was rather easy, now who's next?
Eliza
Well, maybe I should have a go
Doctor
Right then Eliza, Is there anyone that you feel that you lost in a way?
Eliza
Well, there is my husband who I was with for a short time.
Skyler
See it works and what was he like?
Eliza
He was quite charming, always knew how to handle a difficult situation and tried to lift me up when I was down. One day he started getting sick. It was really difficult seeing a wonderful young man slowly deteriorating in front of me. But I promised him that we would work together to get him better and then suddenly he was gone… just like that.
Eliza starts to cry As the memories start coming back to her.
Skyler
It's okay Eliza, we’re here for you.
Doctor
And so it's just you on your own, trying to fight hard after the loss of a good friend and husband.
Eliza
I tried to carry on, but how can I, knowing that he’s gone?
Doctor
He's not really gone, he's always there in your heart, Remember the times where you were taking care of him while he was bedridden.
Eliza
But it hurts having to remember such a horrible thing.
Doctor
Brave heart my dear. Just stay strong, and no matter what… You’ll get through it.
Eliza
I will, thank you
Doctor
Skyler? How about you have your turn now?
Skyler
Right so… Where do we begin… For one, I was born in the small town of Wolfville. I know, it's a strange name for a town but it wasn't all bad until the wolfkind came and a war broke out that cost thousands of lives. My brother, Nida and I only joined up to fight once my parents were killed. It was terrible, but then things changed once you and Kreig came to help. It took awhile to get used to you, but Now I know that even imperils you try your best to put things right even if the world doesn't want to see it.
Doctor
Ok… I guess it's my turn… (pause) you know what, I think that’s enough stories for tonight.
Skyler
Doctor!
Doctor
Ok… My entire life time, I’ve felt much pain… much grief. All the wars, all the creatures I’ve faced. All the people I’ve kill- (breaths out ristraning from saying killed) The pain I’ve felt… I can’t describe… All the friends I’ve lost… Rose, Alison, Jacob. Then more recently there's Elonra and… Kreig. Others that died, Adric, Clara and the one that hurt the most… Lucas… he-… he was just a kid… losing him nearly sent me on a downward spiral, but you know what, I never gave up. I kept on going. I mean, look where I am now. I’ve got Skyler. I’ve met all of you lot. And you know why? Because I kept on going. I may have gone through a lot, but I never leave those memories behind! There is one I still fear ther most though. The supreme commander…
Skyler
The what?
Doctor
The supreme commander. He still ravages the universe. And it’s all my fault. All those years ago, I nearly stopped his creation. But I failed. It’s all my fault. It’s all my fault. And I fear what he’s gonna do next.
The atmosphere suddenly gets airy. A dark echoey laughter fills the atmosphere.
Eliza
Oh lord… he's back!
Doctor
The stories weren’t strong enough! Everyone! Run! Go find shelter! Just get out of here!
The greifmonger disrupts their campfire. Swarming everyone. Everyone starts to forget again.
Skyler
Doctor, I don’t feel good. My memory…
Doctor
Skyler! Just keep remembering!
Skyler
(repeating for self assurance)
Keep remembering.
Doctor
Don’t forget! Your mum and dad. Nida. Kreig! Remember Kreig! Everything we’ve done!
Skyler
What?
Doctor
Just focus!
Skyler
Focus on what?
Doctor
Kreig!
Skyler
Who’s Kreig?
Doctor:
(gasps)
(pause)
Stay here!
The Doctor turns around and runs towards the grief monger.
We hear the grief monger’s echoed laughter.
Doctor
STOP! PLEASE! YOU CAN’T DO THIS!! LEAVE THEM ALONE!!
The Doctor runs closer to the griefmonger.
Doctor
Consume me! CONSUME ME! If it’ll stop you attacking these people!
Griefmonger
Ahahaha.
The grief monger moves over and consumes the Doctor. All of a sudden everything is muted. We no longer can hear the villagers screaming. Only the echo of the Doctor's voice and a few strange airy noises.
Greifmonger
Woah, what is this..?
Doctor
Welcome to my mind…
Griefmonger
What am I seeing..?
Doctor
This is me… Everything I’ve learned… Everyone I’ve known… Every win… every loss… I leave it all on you…
Griefmonger
Oh this is gonna be tasty! Ahahaharg… Ahhhh, Stop! …This is too much… arg. Are you done!?
Doctor
Oh… I’m far from done…
We hear echoes from the Doctor's past. Past companions calling the Doctor's name. Past Doctors catchphrases. Past enemies yelling.
Doctor
I give it all to you… And there's one more thing I haven’t shown you yet…
We hear a shift in the music. Everything becomes more mysterious.
Griefmonger
What is that!? What is that word in my head!?
Doctor
My biggest grief of all…
Griefmonger
No!! Get it out! No! Doctor! You knew this would kill me!! NoooOoOoOoOoOoOo!
The grief monger gets overwhelmed and is destroyed. The doctor watches as the creature's body starts to decompose, he walks over to the ashes to see what remains. The Doctor watches in silence.
Skyler
(from the distance)
Doctor!
Doctor
Skyler!
Skyler runs up to the Doctor.
Skyler
Man my head hurts.
Doctor
It's alright, Skyler. Everything is back to normal even your memories.
Eliza
He’s gone? What did you do?
Doctor
That… doesn’t matter.
(pause)
Anyway, come on you two.
As Sunrise approaches, the doctor is sitting down on a stone just outside the village as he watches the world go by now that the Grief Monger is gone, Skyler goes up to him knowing that he has had some peace and quiet for some time.
Skyler
I was wondering where you'd been, You doing okay?
Doctor
Yeah, I've been better.
Skyler
Just processing everything?
Doctor
Yeah…
Skyler
Me too… I miss Kreig so much… I know you miss him too.
Doctor
Mmmm. It may take a while to get used to his absence, but the important thing is… we keep moving forward.
Skyler
(trying to stay positive and motivated)
So… Where too next?
Doctor
Hmm, not sure. How does the eye of orion sound?
Skyler
Sounds… perfect.
Doctor
Very good. Well come on! Best not leave the old blue box waiting eh!
Skyler
Of Course not!
THE END