Chapter Text
“Where d’ya suppose the Doctor’s gotten to then?” Was the first question Dodo asked when they reached the Tardis. “I wish he’d taken us with him, whatever he’s up to.”
Steven sighed as the young girl looked at him with expectant eyes. “Aren’t you going to let us in?” She asked him, gesturing towards the Tardis doors.
“How many times do I have to tell you, I haven’t got a key. Only the Doctor can open those doors.” He snapped grumpily.
“There’s no need for you to get into a mood Steven! We’ve had a nice day.”
Sourly, Steven tried to reason with her ultimately well-founded optimism. “That’s easy for you to say, you didn’t have to explain to the police why you’ve got a bank note minted in the 23rd century, it’s a wonder they let me get away.”
Dodo clucked her tongue in agreement, “True… You really were lucky. Anyways, let’s hope the Doctor comes back soon. It’s nice enough here but I’m dead bored now, I thought the Tardis would take us to all sorts of interesting places.” She added bitterly.
“This is interesting! Don’t you get into a mood now!”
“To you maybe, but for me it’s hardly the distant future.” Steven supposed she was right, 1973 wasn’t exactly far from Dodo’s own time. He’d been enjoying it well enough, the fashions were rather odd and he didn’t really understand why people insisted on operating those hideous diesel cars that made his eyes water, but it was a relatively peaceful place compared to their recent adventures.
“That’s fair.. But still, surely it’s nice to get a glimpse of what your life might look like?” He suggested to her. He wasn’t usually optimistic but when Dodo was in a grump it was best to try and uplift her spirits. “I mean, you might even be here somewhere- if you don’t move away from London that is.”
Dodo crossed her arms and huffed irritatedly. “Who’s to say I’ll come back to my own time? Maybe I’ll stay with the Doctor forever.” She didn’t sound too upset at that particular prospect Steven thought.
He hummed noncommittally and placed his hands on his hips, looking around the drab grey street; though, however dull the street itself seemed, there was colour all around. The people wore bright and extravagant clothes, Steven had seen such fashions in history books and yet even after all his travelling it was strange to see it all in practice.
“Odd sort of people, aren’t they?” He started before Dodo gave him an affronted look.
“Steven! They’re my people!” Steven’s face went red, he’d not considered that before he spoke.
“I don’t mean- look, if they are your people, then tell me why you insist on those horrible diesel cars? My nose stings just looking at them.” He wasn’t sure how anyone could cope in these conditions on the daily, it was suffocating.
Dodo was quick to argue back: “I can’t answer that! Do I look like an expert on cars? I don’t think so.” She said petulantly, arms crossed.
“Well alright then, how about the fashion? You always claim to be an expert on that. So, why are all these people dressed so… brightly?” Steven felt completely out of place in his dark turtleneck and duffel coat amongst the bold trends of the 1970s.
“Once again, how should I know?” Dodo huffed, “Trends change, clearly a lot since I was here last. And besides, I don’t think you should be making comments about clothes, what with your taste in ‘fashion’.”
Steven spluttered frustratedly in response. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
“Nothing, nothing.” Dodo muttered, picking at her nails trying to seem inconspicuous.
Rolling his eyes at her, Steven looked around again for any sign of the Doctor. He knew the old man could take care of himself, but Steven couldn’t help but feel uneasy when he wasn’t around to mock-bicker with.
The Doctor had left them with some money and a warning not to get into trouble, then wandered off giggling to himself. Steven had no idea what he could be up to this time, but thought it best to leave him to whatever it was. That had been hours ago and now Steven was starting to get worried. Dodo too, but she let it show less. The ship had taken a funny turn just before they landed, so the day had hardly started peacefully.
As the pair waited impatiently at the police box, their annoyance was heightened further by the rain starting up again. Dodo pulled her coat around herself, shivering while Steven fixed the hood of his raincoat back up again.
“Great, this is just our luck.” They watched as the more reasonable members of the public fled the streets in favour of their own homes or assorted shops and businesses.
“I hope the Doctor’s inside, wherever he is. I don’t want him getting ill.” Dodo said, moving in closer to Steven as if his height would protect her from the downpour.
“I’m sure he’s fine- I mean he was the only one out of us who didn’t get sick with your cold.”
That didn’t help Dodo’s nerves. “Don’t remind me, I still feel terrible about that.”
It had been rather scary, Steven knew that. “But it all worked out in the end, didn’t it?” It was best to push past the casualties, he didn’t want her dragged down into despair alongside him. “Anyways we really ought to find some shelter, the Doctor may be fine but you and I'll be soaked.”
Then, in his search, Steven spotted a large crew of people all orbiting around some vans for which they were loading various pieces of what he assumed to be retro filming equipment into.
Pointing them out to Dodo, he exclaimed “Look, over there! Maybe they’ll know a place for us to stay, just until the Doctor gets back. Come on.”
Keen to get out of the rain, he grabbed Dodo’s hand and ushered her over to the crew with him.
Just as they stopped before the conglomeration of people, a man approached them. He had a solid, keen posture, with sharp clothes and an intricately trimmed beard framing a round face.
“Hello!” Steven greeted him with a plastered on smile- he wasn’t exactly in the mood for confrontation right now and knew that approaching the man with his usual manner might’ve led to that. “Sorry, we’re just trying to get out of the rain, do you know anywhere nearby we can go?”
The man subtly flinched at Steven’s voice before his eyes lit up in angry recognition. His eyes raced from Steven’s clothes up to his face, a furrowed look on his face.
“Where have you been? We’ve been waiting for you, it’s time to go.” He said angrily, flicking through the pages of the checklist he carried.
“I beg your pardon?” Steven wasn’t sure if anyone had ever waited for him, let alone this stranger.
In response the man tapped his wristwatch frustratedly “We’re finished with those last shots of the shoot. Let’s not dilly dally, especially in this weather.”
Then, as if she’d been invisible before, he noticed Dodo hunched at Steven’s side.
“Who’s she then?” He asked with a heavily raised eyebrow.
“Dodo. Dodo Chaplet.” She answered for herself.
“I’m afraid I don’t understand, why do you need us?” Steven was very confused.
For a moment Steven worried that the man might get properly furious, but he kept his composure with a sigh. Then he gestured for Steven to get into the closest van, noticing that everyone had finished packing away.
“If this is some sort of jape you and John are playing at, then I want no part in it. Let’s just get out of this weather and back into the studio for the run through.”
Steven just stared at him blankly. With every word the stranger said everything seemed to get more and more confusing. “John? Jape? Studio?” He muttered to himself. “Now I really don’t understand.”
“What about me?” Dodo chirped up. “Am I supposed to stay here all by myself? In the rain?” Perhaps she ought to stay, just to look out for the Doctor while Steven dealt with whatever this was, but he knew it was probably best for them to stick together.
“If you want me then she’s coming too.” He said firmly. Whatever this was, he was determined not to let Dodo out of his sight, especially if things turned nasty (as they usually did).
Clearly his intimidation had some effect, as the man frowned and just said “Well, if you insist. She’s your…”
“Friend. She’s in my care. And if I-”
“Right…” The man cut him off skeptically “Well come along, we’re ready to leave.”
Steven and Dodo shared a bewildered expression before following whoever he was to the van. He got into the driver’s seat and beckoned for them to join him in the other front two seats. They awkwardly shuffled in (Steven noticed the vehicle didn’t have any seatbelts, but neither his fellow passenger nor driver seemed to care) and the man started the engine.
For a while it was deathly silent as the driver navigated his way through the bleak streets and harsh weather; Steven wondered if he himself was in shock. Then Dodo, suddenly perking up, started speaking with a charming smile aimed the stranger’s way.
“So, this shoot, how did it go? I’m afraid I didn’t catch your name, Mr…?” Steven playfully shoved her in the side as she tried to keep up the agreeable demeanour.
“Edward Barnes.” The man responded. “And I’d say the shoot went well, I'd say. It’ll be on the programme within a week or so, though I rather don’t think it’s of much interest to you.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
“I just can’t see a young girl like yourself enjoying this film- by film I mean film insert, to be added into a later edition on transmission day. It’s not to your taste, too much football.”
Turning away from the steering wheel for a moment, (Did these people not care for safety at all?) Edward gave Steven a casual grin. It seemed he’d started to calm down now and was treating Steven with a level of amicability that felt odd to the travellers.
“You agree of course?” He prompted Steven.
“What?”
“What has gotten into you? You were perfectly fine when we were filming and now you’ve come back from your walk all… funny. Pull your hood down, it makes you look like a right fool wearing it in the car.”
Afraid of what might happen if he didn’t follow the strange man’s demand, slowly Steven complied, pulling it down and trying to ignore the cold droplets of water that fell from it and caught on his neck, sending a shiver down his spine.
Edward’s eyes widened drastically. “What on-? Is that what you were up to during your little disappearing act?” He asked, seeming genuinely baffled.
“Huh? My what now? I’ve only just-”
Continuing his shocked tirade, Edward interrupted Steven “I can’t believe my eyes. I mean, whatever would you do that for so suddenly? Mid-life crisis? Whatever it is, we aren’t paying for it, and the same goes for those clothes.”
“Mid-life crisis? I’m not that old yet!” Steven renounced the accusation hurriedly. He knew he was getting on a bit at the ripe old age of 29, but mid-life crisis?
“Well you certainly don’t look it now. That haircut’s taken you years back! How extraordinary… You’ll have to tell me who did it so I can make a quick visit.”
Steven and Dodo looked at each other very confusedly.
Thinking maybe if he stopped pressing the matter any further that his head might stop ringing, Steven went quiet.
The rest of the strange journey was silent, apart from Edward’s humming and Dodo chipping in every few minutes to ask if they had arrived yet.
After around half an hour Edward made a turn and drove into a large corporate car park, which was nested against an odd looking building. Looking out the window, Steven could see it was shaped almost exactly like a doughnut. It was in a ‘modern’ style, the tiled walls done up in a shade of turquoise cyan. Windows lined every room and if he craned his head, Steven was sure he could see that the inner circle of the doughnut contained a large fountain. People rushed about the doughnut hurriedly, clearly hoarding important business.
“There you go.” Edward said as the awkward trio exited the van.
Steven and Dodo looked around, taking in their surroundings keenly. This was miles away from the Tardis, the Doctor wouldn’t be happy with them if they couldn’t get back. Steven tried to remember the road they’d taken to get here but failed to make it come together.
Edward eyed him up curiously, now seemingly more anxious than angry.
“Aren’t you going in?” He asked, giving the pair another puzzled look.
“Going in? Oh, are we? I’ve always wanted to-” Dodo began; Steven pulled her aside and began furiously whispering her way.
“You know this place?”
“It's the Television Center! I used to come past here on my paper round.” Dodo was clearly delighting in her knowledge triumphing Steven’s, she had a cheeky grin on her face as she spoke. “Don’t you know, it's where all the famous programmes are made and all that.”
“A… Television Center? You mean they make TV shows in there?”
While Steven had had his fair share of experience working in the business in the 1950s, he’d assumed that by this point the facilities would have improved (though this was already an improvement on the even tinier, lesser known studio he’d been forced to rehearse in), or that making more popular shows meant the studio would simply HAVE to be bigger. He just couldn’t make sense of a building like this being used to house a whole production business, let alone one so popular.
“Seems a bit small- if they’re making well known shows that is.” He muttered, giving it another disbelieving glance.
“Well somehow they manage. I mean even all the best shows take place on tiny sets, so clearly it all works out. What’s it like in your time then?”
“Nothing like that I’m sure!” Steven hadn’t taken much interest in the production of his favourite shows, he’d probably been too preoccupied with the action taking place within them. “It’s all much more efficient, I’m sure. I think the sets are projections, so there’s no need for studio space at all.” He bluffed, trying to sound clever but not really knowing the exact truth. “Probably cuts costs but everything just gets a bit.. Superficial.”
“How odd. You know if we ever end up-”
She stopped as Edward came up behind Steven, tapping him on the shoulder irritatedly. Crossing his arms, he raised his eyebrow at the pair.
“What on earth are you talking about Pete? Projections? Did you lose your marbles as well as your hair, lord know we can’t be dealing with that on top of everything else…”
He tapped his watch again, saying “I’ve got to be going, you know how it is. Good job on the film, I can always count on you for a good sports feature.”
“Um, thanks? And thank you for the lift?” Perhaps this was not the best day to be trying out a policy of politeness, but Steven figured he’d started and best go along with it now.
“Well it's hardly like I’d have left you out in the rain to find your own way back is it?” Edward laughed gruffly. “Honestly Peter, what has happened to you?”
“Well…” Steven stuttered. Now he was sure Edward had the wrong man.
Trying to prevent confrontation, Dodo grabbed Steven’s hand and with her free one waved goodbye to Edward “Well we’ll be off now, thank you Mr Barnes. Come along ‘Pete’, let’s get out of the rain.” She said, ushering Steven away.
Edward gave one last puzzled glance Steven’s way before rushing off into the building through a backdoor at its side. Shivering from the cold downpour, Dodo pulled Steven to shelter under a nearby fringe of roof.
Finally, Steven felt like he could breathe again. However this relief was cut short as his mind started racing once again.
“What on- I mean- What just happened? Did we just get kidnapped?” He hated sounding so hysterical, especially in front of Dodo, but the situation had left him completely dumbfounded. At least with most other instances of him and Dodo getting involved with things, the people they were involved with didn’t act like they knew Steven- or someone like him.
“I have absolutely no idea!” Dodo chuckled.
“That man must be round the bend if he thinks I’m ‘Pete’, I mean, I’m me!” Steven said, gesticulating wildly, “There’s no one else out there that looks like me, surely, surely?”
“Oh come on ‘Pete’, you’ve got to admit this is at least a bit funny.” Steven could feel his face heating up with every conceivable emotion: panic, embarrassment, fear, annoyance- he was feeling them all.
“This isn’t a game Dodo! We should have stayed with the Tardis, the rain isn’t even… that bad. I shouldn’t have said yes to him, and now we’re stranded in the middle of who knows where and a stranger thinks I’m some sporty guy called Pete!”
Dodo was unperturbed by his panic. “Hmm, I suppose you do look a bit like a Pete.” She said, scrutinising his face “Or maybe a Michael, but Steven’s what suits you best.”
“Well thank you, I did choose- hang on, don’t try to distract me! We need to get back to the Tardis.”
Now the Doctor really would be cross, especially if they ended up even more caught up in whatever was going on than they already were. Steven could already hear the old man accusing him of doing this on purpose, or perhaps he would think they were just incapable of taking care of themselves.
Dodo pouted and crossed her arms, “Do we really? It’s not like anyone’ll take it, it blends in perfectly! And besides, I’d like a look around here.” She took Steven’s arm and began dragging him in the direction of the main doors.
Steven sighed as they marched into the inner circle of the building, taking in the sight of a glorious fountain embellished with golden statues posing atop it. It was a fantastic sight, that was for sure, but wonderment did little to ease his nerves.
“I just don’t like not knowing how we’ll get back.” He said with crossed arms. The Doctor was sure to admonish him for not keeping track, and that was if they even managed to get back to him in the first place. “And besides, we should’ve been keeping an eye on the ship. You know something went wrong earlier, just before we landed.”
“It’ll be fine! When the Doctor gets back he can take a look.” Dodo assured him. Her enthusiasm at this strange opportunity was palpable, Steven was sure she was just saying that to convince him to let them explore. “He’ll be back soon enough.”
“And find that we’re not there?” Sometimes Steven thought he was the only reasonable person aboard the Tardis.
Dodo reached up and patted him on the shoulder “Stop being such a worrier Steven! You know you have a habit of believing the worst in everything sometimes. It’s fine! Live a little! Now, if Mr Barnes thought you were this… ‘Pete’ person, then maybe other people will do too, that’ll get us right into the heart of the place.” She conspired as Steven ran his hand through his hair irritatedly.
“Why’re you so keen? To see this place I mean?”
Dodo shrugged. “Well, it’s just exciting isn’t it? Always wanted to see how telly gets made, and this is our chance!”
It seemed he had little choice but to give in to her demands. “I don’t like it when you get your way, you know that right? Come on then, if you’re so eager then lead the way.”
She squealed excitedly, taking his arm in hers and trying to act confident as she led them into Television Center; Steven reluctantly smiled.
Entering the building the pair found themselves in a busy reception. The interior matched the exterior, everything being in a clean art deco style. At first Steven and Dodo stood around awkwardly, before Steven decided he had to be proactive and marched up to one of the front desks, puffing up his chest in determination.
The receptionist, who was a young, trendy woman with large glasses, looked up from her work to see Steven leaning against the desk trying to seem casual. He wanted to act like he fitted in, a pretense he didn’t feel he was very good at so far.
“Um, hello there.” He started awkwardly. “I’ve… I’m back now- from the shoot.”
She nodded at him before her eyes sprung up to stare at his hair. Steven spluttered awkwardly as she took in his ‘new’ look.
“Oh, that’s very fly Peter.” She flattered him, “Bold, I’ll give you that, but I’m sure the missus’ll like it.”
Missus? Steven went tomato red as Dodo giggled behind him. This had certainly not been part of the plan. He cringed, still blushing, and stood up straight from his previously relaxed stance.
“Yes, um, thank you. Sorry, been a bit of an odd day, where am I supposed to go?” He stuttered, unused to anything like this- thought that wasn’t to say similar things hadn’t happened before, it had just been a while.
Clucking her tongue the receptionist responded “Last thing I heard, you’ve all got a run through with the car in the studio later this afternoon. John came through here this morning shouting about it- late of course.” She added, rolling her eyes.
“That’s great, thanks. And I’m sorry, what studio is this- the number I mean?”
The receptionist looked at him concernedly. “Are you sure you’re alright Peter? You’re a bit off pallour, are you sure you aren’t coming down with something? You sound a bit hoarse too.”
Steven quickly shook his head, not keen to let anyone figure out the lie so soon. She gave him a skeptical look before continuing:
“Studio D, same as always. Good luck with it then, I hope you’re up for it.”
Steven gave nervous thanks as the woman nodded for him and Dodo to enter the main building, the pair ready to start their search for whatever ‘Studio D’ held. Steven figured it had to be something educational, or at least not a serious drama. From the way Edward had described the shoot Steven wondered if it was a sports show, and he was one of… the stars? He seemed to get enough looks of respect as he and Dodo marched down the corridors of the building to suggest something like that, though perhaps it was all in his head.
After a while, Steven concluded that they were lost.
“We’ve been through here before, I’m sure of it.” Dodo said with crossed arms, nudging Steven to stop him from racing forward any further.
“How can you tell? All these corridors look the same.” Steven wasn’t sure what part of travelling with the Doctor attracted so many identical looking hallways and corridors, whatever it was he wasn’t fond of it.
“Well for starters I’ve seen that sign for Dixon of Dock Green about 3 times now. Come on Steven, use your head! This place is one great big circle!”
“Oh.” He hadn’t quite realised that before he went off on his military style march around it.
Dodo laughed, “It’s just as that clown Clara said: You’ve got the brawn and I’ve got the brains!”
“What? She said that?” He made a mental note to ask Dodo what other pleasantries she’d exchanged with Clara while in that booth later. “Of all the clownish nonsense…”
Before Steven could fall into another mood, Dodo pointed out a corridor leading away from the circular circuit.
“Let’s try down there.”
Once through, they found themselves in a department called ‘variety’, full of random and seemingly unconnected shows. Dodo read out the labels for each door and tried to give brief explanations for the ones she was familiar with.
After a few minutes they finally found the door for Studio D.
“Aha!” Dodo exclaimed, pointing wildly towards the sign stuck onto the door. “Look here Steven: ‘Blue Peter. Barnes, Gill, Baxter.’
“‘Blue Peter’?” Steven repeated incredulously. “What does that even-”
“Have you got your own show? Oh this is brilliant!” Steven stared at the sign in horror as Dodo giggled looking up at him. “Can I have your autograph Mr Blue Peter, please?” She asked in a sickly sweet voice.
“I think the more important question is, why am I blue? Or rather why is Peter blue?”
“I wonder what it's about…” Dodo paid little attention to his questions. “You know, I just can’t picture you as an actor.”
“I’m a great actor!” He took offence to that, she had clearly never seen his stand-out performance as Hamlet back in the academy drama society. “I played the lead in all the school productions back in my time. Plus, I’ve had actual experience.”
“Like what?”
Steven whispered conspiratorily as if he were revealing a secret identity “Have you ever heard of the comedian Teddy Baxter? You must have. Anyways, I worked with him for a short time as his straight man and, not to brag, but I think I did a terrific job. I wonder if this ‘Baxter’’s related to him.”
“You’re joking… Or I suppose you wouldn’t be if you were the straight man.” Dodo was taken aback and Steven grinned cheekily at her shocked expression.
“I might not even be an actor here.” He pondered.
“What’s that supposed to mean, you’re clearly the star!” Steven figured she had a point, but just couldn’t see this show being a drama or anything of the sort. And then there was the fact that any attempt to picture himself as the leading man in that way sent shivers down his spine, he couldn’t see anyone like him wanting that.
“What I mean is that it might not be that kind of show. Edward said I’d been doing a sports shoot, not exactly the height of drama I’d say.”
“Oh.” Dodo deflated slightly. “Well, it could always be like United or something?” She suggested but didn’t elaborate after seeing Steven’s blank look. “Maybe we can have a look round the other studios later, really get the full picture.”
“Maybe- if they don’t arrest us for trespassing first.” His eyes darted back where they had come from, on the alert for anyone who resembled a security guard or a person of authority.
“Why should they? You’ve already fooled two people, who’s to say we can’t have all of Television Center wrapped around our fingers by the end of the day? And if anyone asks about me I’ll just say I’m your assistant or something, you’re probably famous enough to need one of those.”
“I can’t tell if you’re flattering me or not.” Steven retorted; he wasn’t so sure he wanted to be famous.
Then, looking at the sign once again, he realised something.
“Hey! If I’ve been taken here, then Peter’s probably still out in the middle of London, it’ll be like the whole crew’s abandoned him…”
Before either of them could get too worried, they both burst into nervous giggles. Steven tried to hush Dodo but she wasn’t easy to calm down.
“Let’s just hope he won’t be too offended…”