The
Invisible Enemy
Ah, Graham, Graham! Come in, sit down.
Been meaning to have a word. See how you’ve been settling in.
As you know, you were asked to take
over as producer of Doctor Who –
super show, – because it had come to my attention that the previous chap – has
he emptied his desk yet? – had been making it a little too… brusque. Aubergines
coming to life, bursting through shop windows, holding people’s heads
underwater, that sort of thing
Now, as Head of Drama at the BBC, one
thing I don’t like is things coming to my attention. I’m a busy man, I don’t
have time to go around paying attention to things. Avoid it whenever I can. So
that’s why you were brought in. No more shootings, no more stabbings and
absolutely no more aubergines.
So tell me about your first show.
What’s it called?
Excellent! Sounds perfect. And
so budget-conscious! So much cheaper than having a visible enemy!
Oh, I see. It’s just very, very small.
Well, that still sounds super. So, how was your first day in the job?
Now Graham, there’s no need to cry.
Just start at the beginning and tell me what’s wrong.
What do you mean, “we’ve got a script
that’s impossible to make”? That script was commissioned by the previous
producer! Have you tried phoning him up?
Yes, and what did he say when he
stopped laughing?
“Without a paddle”, I see. But it can’t
be that difficult. What makes you think you can’t afford it?
You don’t have to build real
spaceships, you can use models, you know.
Oh, I see, that fee was for the models. What else?
A robot dog called K-9? And how much
did this ‘Matt Irvine’ person that would cost?
Can’t you just get a dachshund and wrap
it in bacofoil? You’re not making Star
Wars, you know! So, what happens in the story.
Two
Tom
Bakers?
Oh, I see, the same Tom Baker twice,
for the same fee. Almost gave me a heart attack! And this all takes place
where?
Are you sure you can’t set it in a
gothic mansion? Only we get a discount if we film on National Trust property.
Your predecessor was very keen.
No? Well, maybe you can bear it in mind
for the next one. And this “not actually invisible, but very, very small”
enemy. How much did Matt say that would cost?
Good grief. And that’s for…?
"A bin bag with a pincer sticking out
the side". Well, I might be able to help you out there. The Crackerjack Christmas special last year had a giant comedy prawn,
took it home for the kids, you could use that. Terrifying in the right light.
Graham, hiding under the desk
whimpering won’t solve anything. Have my hankie. One last thing. About that new
girl…
Yes, she does rather, doesn’t she?
Could you have her back in the leathers? Saw her in the Victorian thing. Most
discouraging. Except for that bit in the sewers.
Well, I think we’ve covered everything.
Just remember – it doesn’t have to be good, just get it made and make sure
everyone’s out of the studio before you start paying overtime. Oh, and before
you go, what’s the next story about?
Vampire
Mutations? Ah. That might be a problem…
