Part 2
Chapter Three
Hypatia of Alexandria
Louise stared in disbelief at the seemingly unending stock of bundled papers, scrolls and ancient writings. The Great Hall contained millions of pigeonholes housing scroll after scroll, the best of which were wrapped in linen or leather-bound for protection. Men moved everywhere like worker bees servicing the honeycombs.
‘This, my young friend, is the Bibliothekai’.
Carved into the wall above the shelves, Louise noticed an inscription read, which read, ‘The place of the cure of the soul.’
‘This is the largest collection of books anywhere in this world before or since. You see Alexandria is the centre for trade in this area and attracts ships from all over. The Library at Alexandria has been charged with collecting, cataloguing and copying all the world's knowledge. As you’ve seen it does so by taking writings from every person or ship that docks at the port. You see, what they do is keep the original texts and make copies to send back to their owners.’ The Doctor pondered that thought for a moment. ‘Clever… I like that… very clever.’
Louise Ruth’s complexion reddened slightly at the thought of ancient Egyptian scholars copying leaflets on Chlamydia for distribution. With relief she realised that no one would be able to read it. English, as she knew it, hadn’t been invented at this time. With a start she also realised that the opposite must then be true. How could she read the writing about the shelves or the notice above the soldiers at the entrance to the city? Then there was the speech. How could she understand what the soldiers were asking and talking about? She couldn’t speak Egyptian, Latin or whatever they spoke. Putting two and two together she came to the conclusion that it must have something to do with the blue time machine. Shrugging she continued to take in as much as she could before she woke. Dreaming was the obvious conclusion. She must still be unconscious on the floor of the Angel. The thought sent a shiver up her spine.
Many people wandered around the hall examining texts, reading, writing and removing scrolls in a constant stream of academic pondering. Seeing the number of men wandering around the Doctor tried to explain.
‘It’s also the home to a host of international scholars and their families. As a research institution, the library is filled with new works in mathematics, astronomy, physics, natural sciences and other subjects.’
‘Can I get a first addition copy of ‘Homers Iliad’, or do I need a ticket?’
‘Funnily enough they do have a copy, although it’s not a book. A piece of writing like the ‘Iliad’ is housed on dozens of scrolls. Part of the work here is to copy these scrolls onto self contained books.’ Louise nodded her gaze fixed on the writings as they were removed and returned to their places of rest.
Suddenly, out of nowhere, a blonde haired woman stepped in front of them impeding their progress, anger clearly showing in her eyes. ‘Who may I ask are you?’
Raising his right hand and gesturing towards his companion the Doctor smiled. ‘This is my assistant Louise Ruth and I…’ before he could finish the blonde haired women barged passed them and shouted towards a group of men manhandling a series of scrolls.
‘Not there you idiot. Put them in the Philosophy section. What’s the point in leaving them there.’
In defence one man stood tall answering her onslaught. ‘They were acquired at the same time. One might want to know what new writings we have recently gathered?’
The blonde women shook her head. ‘Look fool, I’ve told you before, put the scrolls into subject order. That way if they are needed they’ll all be together.’
Turning back towards the Doctor and Louise Ruth the anger in her eyes had only increased in intensity. ‘If you’re Christians then get the hell out of here now. I’ve had it up to here with your double standards and your pious manor.’
Extending his arm once again the Doctor tried to diffuse the situation with a smile. ‘I’m the Doctor and I’d like to ask you a number of questions.’
Again the blond women ignored the Doctor and turned towards Louise Ruth. ‘Is he with you? Do you vouch for him?’
Louise smiled and nodded. ‘Men. You can’t live with them and you can’t bury them… yes I vouch for him.’
‘If it’s got anything to do with sex, then no problem, but academically they’re useless.’ She added the last part of the sentence in a voice loud enough so those at the back could hear. Heads turned but no one dared speak.
‘I here you sister.’ Louise added raising a fist in solidarity as the blonde haired women turned and left.
‘Who was that?’ the Doctor asked the question to no one in particular.
‘That, my strangely dressed friend, was Hypatia of Alexandria. She’s a Greek and renowned scholar and mathematician. She works as teacher of philosophy, teaching the works of Plato and Aristotle. Her father was a great teacher and she… I suppose… is carrying on his work.’ The voice came from an elderly man with a white bearded that reached down to his waist.
‘Not one to suffer fools gladly.’ The Doctor added with a look of interest. The name sounded instantly familiar but for the life of him he couldn’t place it.
‘She suffers no one. Do you know what she did when an Egyptian nobleman told her she was beautiful and wanted her for his wife?’ The Doctor shook his head as Louise Ruth leaned in, her interest aroused. ‘She only waved her menstrual cloths at him claiming they demonstrated that there was ‘nothing beautiful’ about carnal desires.’
The Doctor looked aghast. ‘No… she didn’t.’
Spurred on by his interest the elderly man stroked his beard as if in thought then continued. ‘She’s also known to appeared in public, in presence of the magistrate. Would you believe it?’
‘Noooo,’ the Doctor said, a look of mock horror on his face.
‘Neither does she feel abashed in attending assemblies for men only.’ The Doctor followed her retreating form with his eyes, a look of admiration across his face. ‘Men, on account of her extraordinary dignity and virtue, admire her all the more for it.’
The Doctor looked shocked. ‘Unbelievable?’
Turning to Louise Ruth the Doctor realised that she was smiling and just about to say something when the Doctor cut her off with a wave of his hand. Quickly turning back he extended his hand to the grey haired man. ‘Hi, nice to meet you, I’m the Doctor, and I’m looking for the man in charge.’ Looking around for anyone that superseded his authority and seeing no one the elderly man smiled taking hold of the Doctor’s outstretched hand.
‘That would be me. Head Liberian and chief editor.’
The Doctor shook his hand enthusiastically and extended his wallet displaying two sheets of psychic paper that let the reader see what they wanted to see.
‘I’ve been sent here by decree of Ptolemy III of Egypt, to remove one complete set of everything you have here for safekeeping, while this business between Caesar and Achillas continues. We don’t want anyone burning this place down by accident and all of this lost, now do we?’ The head Liberian, with a look of shock on his face, nodded. The look then turned to horror at the enormity of the task set before him.
‘But how… where… when?’ The Head Liberian stammered, not reassured by the Doctors usually infectious smile.
‘Don’t worry, I’ve got everything in hand. All I need you to do is fill one of your rooms here, with an outside wall, with boxes of scrolls and my men will take them to a ship I have in the harbour. No problem.’ The man physically sighed with relief. Then turning, issued orders to a number of slaves that had been congregating near the entrance but who had cowered back into one corner as Hypatia approached.
Turning towards Louise Ruth, the Doctor handed her a number of red strips taken from one of his coat pockets, and thrusting his hand into a second pocket, which did not appear large enough to carry a small handkerchief let alone what he produced from it, he brandished a small metal bar with coloured lights and buttons running down one side.
‘I’m heading towards the docks to try and buy more time before the fire starts spreading across town. What I want you to do is transport as many boxes of scrolls to the TARDIS as you can.’
Louise Ruth shook her head. ‘No way Pedro, I can’t lift all of these. It would take me all day to get just one box back to the TARDIS, let alone half this library. Anyway, how am I supposed to get them past the guards without being stopped? They’ve still got my copy of Dorian Gray remember.’
The Doctor brandished the bar in his left hand so Louise Ruth could see what he held. ‘This, Louise Ruth, is a Trans-Mat bar. All you have to do is attach the red strip to the top of one of the boxes then aim the bar at the box. As soon as you press this red button here,’ he paused his narrative to point out the coloured buttons on the bar, ‘the box will tans-mat into the hold of the TARDIS. You got that?’
Louise looked on amazed. ‘Cool. It’s just like Star Trek. This just gets better and better.’ Heading towards the group of slaves Louise backed into the room the Head Librarian pointed at and began attaching red strips to the lids of every box brought to her. As soon as the slaves left the room she pointed the Trans-Mat bar at the boxes. ‘Beam me up Scotty,’ she said with a smile, and instantly the boxes disappeared.
Leaving Louise Ruth to Trans-Mat the scrolls the Doctor headed towards the docks to see how far the Romans had advanced. It took him two hours to get to the docks and arriving he found his way blocked by a group of Egyptian soldiers. His attire did not match that of an Egyptian and his pale features informed the soldiers that he was probably a Roman.
Advancing on him the Doctor realised the predicament he was in and began to run. Heading off down the square he vaulted over a vendor’s barrow selling live chickens, then ran off down a narrow back ally. In hot pursuit the Egyptians pushed the barrow out of the way sending chickens, feathers and a bucket of blood flying in all directions.
While the Doctor was running for his life, Louise Ruth Trans-Matted box after box, her arm beginning to ache. When five boxes were delivered at the same time she attached red strips to them and without checking the door pressed the Trans-Mat button. As she turned, to her horror, one of the slaves stood in the doorway a look of shock and anger on his face. As far as he was aware the scrolls had been destroyed before his very eyes. Without a word Louise advanced on him and slammed a right hook to his chin knocking him unconscious instantaneously.
‘I knew those boxercise videos would come in handy one day. Go Sugar Ray,’ she said dragging the unconscious slave further back into the room and unceremoniously dropping him to the floor. Just as she stepped back, the head librarian entered with five slaves, all carrying boxes. The head librarian took one look at the unconscious man then moved his gaze towards Louise Ruth. Smiling innocently Louise Ruth gave a shrug but no explanation and continued to tag the boxes. Turning his back on the slave the head librarian lowered his box to the ground then left the room without a backward glance.
Meanwhile, the Egyptian soldiers, spears pointing in front of them, charged down a side street in their desperate hunt for the Roman they were chasing. They passed a group of women, with cloaks wrapped about their faces and bodies, carrying jars of water on their heads. As the main body of soldiers ran on, one stopped and decided to examine one of the women. Advancing on a rather thin looking woman, with strange footwear, he stopped in front of her blocking her egress form the ally.
‘Remove your face cover and tell me where you are going.’ The women placed one hand on her scarf, and then bending forward, smashed the earthenware jar on the soldier’s head. Whipping off the robe with one pull of the cloth, the Doctor shouted, ‘Allons-y’ then turning, ran in the opposite direction the soldiers were headed.
Chapter Four
A hot time in the old town tonight
As the Doctor reached the Docks he realised with horror that he was too late. Smoke bellowed from a group of four ships anchored at the waters edge, lying dangerously close to a large warehouse where people were milling around not knowing what to do. Taking a quick glance at the warehouse he realised that events were far ahead of him and speeding up with every second. As a Time Lord he knew that he had only one chance to save as many scrolls as he could and he’d been putting off the trip for as long as he could. When it was game over, it was game over and he wouldn’t be able to start again and have a second attempt. What he needed was help and lots of it.
To his left the Doctor notice a group of Christian priests gathered about the entrance of the warehouse. Approaching them, the Doctor introduced himself in a warm friendly manor, his hand outstretched.
‘Hi… I’m the Doctor and I was wondering…’ the Doctor paused when he noticed a look of what could only be described as pure evil in the eyes of the first priest, ‘if you and your fellow priests could help hold back the fire…’
‘My name is Peter The Reader and if you had anything to do with this I’ll tear your heart out and feed it to the seagulls.’
Taken aback by the hate that seemed to ooze from every pour of the priest the Doctor decided to look for help else were.
‘He’s a Roman,’ another priest shouted as all heads turned towards him.
‘Hold on a minute.’ The Doctor held up both hand in a gesture designed to placate the onlookers. ‘I was just asking for help to stop the fire from spreading not…’
Removing a small but extremely sharp knife from beneath his robes Peter The Reader advanced on the Doctor. ‘Take hold of him while I cut the Romans throat.’
A second and third priest grabbed the Doctor from behind pinning his arms to his side. Peter The Reader placed the sharp knife against the Doctor’s Adams Apple then, as if taking orders from another he lifted the knife heavenward ready to plunge it down into the Doctors exposed neck. ‘Oh Lord I commend this soul into your… shit!’
With all the strength the Doctor could muster, he twisted his left hip throwing the priest on his right into the path of the descending knife. The head of the falling priest connected with the head of Peter The Reader as the Doctor tripped the third priest, causing him to land, unceremoniously, onto the first two, in one giant heap.
From out of nowhere a hand grasped his shoulder and dragged him forward, into the warehouse. Before he disappeared inside the Doctor noticed the priests, their composure returned, giving chase.
Sending scrolls and parchments flying in every direction, the Doctor and his companion ran towards the rear exit. The commotion reached a crescendo behind them as priests ran everywhere dislodging boxes and discarding sacred writings, in what could only be described a religious fever.
Hiding behind a stack of old boxes filled to the brim with paper writings the Doctor turned to his new companion and smiled. ‘Hypatia of Alexandria, what a pleasant surprise.’
Hypatia looked at the Doctors beaming face and couldn’t help smiling herself.
‘Thank you for the timely rescue, although… it was my first impression that you didn’t like me.’
‘Look I’m not as hard nosed as I may first appear. It’s just… well… to make any contribution, academically, in these times you have to be a man… and… well my father told me that the only way I would achieve anything was to be better then they were… so.’ The Doctor nodded his understanding. ‘It’s not that I don’t like men… it’s just… well… in my work I haven’t time for all that ‘lovers hyperbole’. I just want to prove that I’m just as good as they are.’
Turning his attention from the advancing priest the Doctor looked her in the eyes and smiled. The warmth and sincerity of her heart shone back at him. ‘Well Hypatia of Alexandria, I think you’re unbelievably beautiful and perhaps…’ the Doctor paused. He knew he’d heard the name before but still couldn’t place it. ‘Perhaps…’ Hypatia cut him off and leaning forward kissed him on the lips.
‘Here they are.’ A voice rang out above them as they both looked up. Jumping down to join them, their hiding place discovered, Peter The Reader slapped the women’s face then turned his attention towards the Doctor. Without a word the Doctor kicked the priest in the right leg, then taking hold of his falling body threw him across the room.
‘When I say run…’ the Doctor turned towards Hypatia, but she was already on the move. As the Doctor ran towards Hypatia and the rear exit, Peter’s body collided with two other priests, their lanterns flying from their surprised hands. As the lanterns crashed against the outside wall flames ignited a box filled with scrolls and parchments. Seeing the flames attack a nearby stack of papers, Peter and the two priests turned on their heels and ran the way they came.
Finally reaching fresh air they looked back at the burning building, the parchments and dry heat causing the flames to spread quickly. Deciding the best course of action would be to head off towards the library, Peter and the other priests turned and ran.
Heading out of the rear door at speed, the Doctor, holding Hypatia’s hand tightly, ran back towards the library. Stealing a rear glance the Doctor noticed that the flames from the ships had not come anywhere near the warehouse as he had previously worried about but despite that flames licked destructively at the roof of the building threatening to jump to the next warehouse filled to capacity with straw and grain. Feeling a tug on his left hand the Doctor was guided down a back street where a chariot and two horses waited.
After hours of work Louise Ruth had finally given up stealth and was seated on one of the boxes casual pointing the Trans-Mat bar at every box that was left in the room. Turning towards the doorway she noticed the head librarian gazing incredulously at her. Instinctively she knew that he had seen her tag and Trans-Mat the final boxes.
‘You’ve destroyed thousands and thousands of writings.’ Louise Ruth held up a hand to protest but remained quiet as more slaves entered the room. Turning she noticed the doorway behind her was still open and, standing, she shouted, ‘Allons-y Alonzo!’ Then turning she ran for the exit. Abruptly coming to a halt she realised that her timely egress was impeded by a group of monks looking more than a little dishevelled.
‘Peter, stop her,’ the librarian shouted as he and his slaves proceeded to cut off any escape back into the library. Fresh from his encounter with the Doctor Peter The Reader wanted, no, needed this woman. Someone had to pay for the indignities he had suffered at the hands of the Roman and his friend. Reaching out he went to grab hold of her. Then for no specific reason he could think of he sat back on the ground waiting for the sting in his nose to abate slightly and his eyesight to return.
‘Jab, cross, hook, uppercut, jab, cross, hook, uppercut,’ Louise Ruth could hear the instructor’s voice in her head. She had done the workout video enough times to be able to follow the whole routine with the sound off and her music blasting. The punches actually seemed to do the trick, though she decided to leave out the boxer’s shuffle and the pliés, as they probably wouldn’t be as effective on the priests falling in front of her than they seemed in the confines of her bedroom back home. But she did make sure to remember her footwork and to keep her abs tight. The last priest went down after a rather satisfying hook-hook, uppercut and her whole body sagged in relief.
She had reached the end of the ‘Arm and shoulder sculptor’ section and she doubted the ‘Washboard abs’ section would have been very effective. One thing old Sugar Ray hadn’t bothered to mention was the pain she felt from the blows she’d inflicted. Her right thumb ached where it joined the hand and her wrists felt fat. She wasn’t able to move them as effectively as she had prior to the ‘Suzy queues,’ old one-two she had landed on the side of one of the priest’s head.
That aside the worst was the sickly feeling of exhilaration that coursed through her veins and ended up in her stomach. As the bright red blood ran freely from Peter The Reader’s nose and mouth, passing between the hairs of his well-trimmed beard, to end up in a puddle on the black stone beneath her, she wanted to throw up. She had done that Her controlled anger had directed her to lash out in a base animal instinct honed through many hours in front of the TV.
Shrugging she walked away, then realising the extent of what she’d done began to run, closely followed by the head librarian’s shouts of anger.
Hypatia’s chariot pulled up next to Louise Ruth in a cloud of dust. ‘Get in, the fire is spreading from the docks and it’s burning everything,’ the Doctor shouted, while clinging on to the rear of the chariot. Without another word Louise Ruth, helped by the Doctor, jumped into the back of the chariot. An angry mob headed around the corner of the library, flames crossing from roof to roof above their heads at remarkable speeds. Lashing at the horses, the chariot pulled away, Hypatia’s blonde hair drawn back by the wind. The flames spread rapidly in the driving wind, quickly consuming most of the dockyard and many structures on its devastating rush towards the library.
Reaching the city gate, Louise Ruth noticed that the guards had fled under the onslaught of people trying to evacuate the devastation that followed. Tapping Hypatia on the shoulder, the Doctor pointed towards a small blue box that stood alone in the bleak landscape that opened up before them. It took Hypatia a few moments to notice the police call box despite its out-of-place look. The perception filter blinding her eyes to its presence until, with the Doctors prompting, she finally saw it as it loomed up in front of them. Pulling the chariot to one side Hypatia stopped in front of the blue edifice allowing the Doctor and Louise Ruth to dismount.
Removing a silver key on a chain the Doctor opened the front door, allowing Louise Ruth to enter. Turning back towards Hypatia the Doctor smiled, the thought of her burning in his memory. He knew that he’d heard her name before but couldn’t quite put his finger on the particular memory. Living as long as he had meant loosing some memories and prioritising others. It would come to him eventually.
‘Come with us,’ he said smiling up at Hypatia. ‘There’s nothing left for you back there.’
Hypatia smiled, part of her wanting to take the Doctor up on his offer. ‘I can’t. I have work to do. And… besides I’m needed back there. You saw how the monks spoke to me. Things need to change… not just for Alexandria but also for women in general. People have to realise that we’re not just second-class citizens content to tidy the dwelling and have babies.’
‘Go girl. Strike one for the women’s lib.’ Louise’s voice rang out in praise from somewhere inside the TARDIS.
The Doctor nodded, a look of concern showing on his face. He knew he should stop her but also new she’d do what she felt was right. ‘It’s been fun Doctor. Maybe we’ll do it again some time.’
The Doctor smiled but in his heart he knew he’d never see her again. ‘Well all that’s left to say is Allons-y.’ The Doctor gave her one last smile then disappeared inside the TARDIS, the doors closing behind him. A moment later the ground began to shake and the air around the blue box shimmered as if in a heat haze. Hypatia held onto the horse’s rains as nervousness took hold of them. A flashing white light, on top of the box, momentarily distracted her, then the sound hit her like nothing she’d ever heard or felt before. One moment she was transfixed on the flashing light then the next it was gone. Not just the light, but also the blue box underneath had disappeared as well.
‘Doctor!’ she shouted but to no avail. Shrugging she turned her chariot around and headed back towards Alexandria. She had work to do and a future ahead of her and no one was going to stop her.
Epilogue
The Picture of Dorian Gray
As the centre consol moved up and down and the floor vibrated to the rhythm, Louise Ruth sat while the Doctor bandaged her right hand.
‘And you banged this on the door as you left… in a hurry?’ the Doctor questioned.
‘Well…’ Louise Ruth began. ‘Sort of…’
The Doctor smiled. He knew pugilistic injuries when he bandaged them. ‘I said to John L. Sullivan… you have to watch those doors when you leave in a hurry. Look what it’s done to your hands.’
The Doctor stood, examining his handy work. ‘I have something for you.’
Looking up at the Doctor, Louise Ruth saw him rummaging around in his coat pocket. With a smile he produced a small, leather bound book and handed it to her.
‘As promised, one replacement for the book you had taken from you.’
Louise Ruth looked astounded. ‘It’s ‘The Picture of Dorian Gray,’ she said gazing at it in wonder. Carefully opening the first pages she checked the published date. Surprise showed clearly on Louise Ruth’s face when she read 1891.
‘I never liked it. It wasn’t as good as the original. He added a few more chapters and made far too many changes. I told him, ‘look Oscar, less is more,’ but he wouldn’t listen. Stubborn Irishman,’ the Doctor added as he walked back to the centre consol and began flicking numerous buttons and switches.
Not wanting to believe him, Louise Ruth flicked back to the title page and, written in large garish handwriting, were the words, ‘To the Doctor, ‘Always forgive your enemies, nothing annoys them so much, Oscar Wilde.’
As Louise Ruth walked into the adjacent room, her eyes never left the pages of the book held so delicately in her bruised hands. The Doctor turned his back on her, eyes reddening and tears streaming down his face. And he had thought that he couldn’t cry. He had eventually remembered where he’d heard Hypatia’s name before and what had happened to her.
Sequel - Doctor Who and the Cathedral of Light
Hypatia of Alexandria
Louise stared in disbelief at the seemingly unending stock of bundled papers, scrolls and ancient writings. The Great Hall contained millions of pigeonholes housing scroll after scroll, the best of which were wrapped in linen or leather-bound for protection. Men moved everywhere like worker bees servicing the honeycombs.
‘This, my young friend, is the Bibliothekai’.
Carved into the wall above the shelves, Louise noticed an inscription read, which read, ‘The place of the cure of the soul.’
‘This is the largest collection of books anywhere in this world before or since. You see Alexandria is the centre for trade in this area and attracts ships from all over. The Library at Alexandria has been charged with collecting, cataloguing and copying all the world's knowledge. As you’ve seen it does so by taking writings from every person or ship that docks at the port. You see, what they do is keep the original texts and make copies to send back to their owners.’ The Doctor pondered that thought for a moment. ‘Clever… I like that… very clever.’
Louise Ruth’s complexion reddened slightly at the thought of ancient Egyptian scholars copying leaflets on Chlamydia for distribution. With relief she realised that no one would be able to read it. English, as she knew it, hadn’t been invented at this time. With a start she also realised that the opposite must then be true. How could she read the writing about the shelves or the notice above the soldiers at the entrance to the city? Then there was the speech. How could she understand what the soldiers were asking and talking about? She couldn’t speak Egyptian, Latin or whatever they spoke. Putting two and two together she came to the conclusion that it must have something to do with the blue time machine. Shrugging she continued to take in as much as she could before she woke. Dreaming was the obvious conclusion. She must still be unconscious on the floor of the Angel. The thought sent a shiver up her spine.
Many people wandered around the hall examining texts, reading, writing and removing scrolls in a constant stream of academic pondering. Seeing the number of men wandering around the Doctor tried to explain.
‘It’s also the home to a host of international scholars and their families. As a research institution, the library is filled with new works in mathematics, astronomy, physics, natural sciences and other subjects.’
‘Can I get a first addition copy of ‘Homers Iliad’, or do I need a ticket?’
‘Funnily enough they do have a copy, although it’s not a book. A piece of writing like the ‘Iliad’ is housed on dozens of scrolls. Part of the work here is to copy these scrolls onto self contained books.’ Louise nodded her gaze fixed on the writings as they were removed and returned to their places of rest.
Suddenly, out of nowhere, a blonde haired woman stepped in front of them impeding their progress, anger clearly showing in her eyes. ‘Who may I ask are you?’
Raising his right hand and gesturing towards his companion the Doctor smiled. ‘This is my assistant Louise Ruth and I…’ before he could finish the blonde haired women barged passed them and shouted towards a group of men manhandling a series of scrolls.
‘Not there you idiot. Put them in the Philosophy section. What’s the point in leaving them there.’
In defence one man stood tall answering her onslaught. ‘They were acquired at the same time. One might want to know what new writings we have recently gathered?’
The blonde women shook her head. ‘Look fool, I’ve told you before, put the scrolls into subject order. That way if they are needed they’ll all be together.’
Turning back towards the Doctor and Louise Ruth the anger in her eyes had only increased in intensity. ‘If you’re Christians then get the hell out of here now. I’ve had it up to here with your double standards and your pious manor.’
Extending his arm once again the Doctor tried to diffuse the situation with a smile. ‘I’m the Doctor and I’d like to ask you a number of questions.’
Again the blond women ignored the Doctor and turned towards Louise Ruth. ‘Is he with you? Do you vouch for him?’
Louise smiled and nodded. ‘Men. You can’t live with them and you can’t bury them… yes I vouch for him.’
‘If it’s got anything to do with sex, then no problem, but academically they’re useless.’ She added the last part of the sentence in a voice loud enough so those at the back could hear. Heads turned but no one dared speak.
‘I here you sister.’ Louise added raising a fist in solidarity as the blonde haired women turned and left.
‘Who was that?’ the Doctor asked the question to no one in particular.
‘That, my strangely dressed friend, was Hypatia of Alexandria. She’s a Greek and renowned scholar and mathematician. She works as teacher of philosophy, teaching the works of Plato and Aristotle. Her father was a great teacher and she… I suppose… is carrying on his work.’ The voice came from an elderly man with a white bearded that reached down to his waist.
‘Not one to suffer fools gladly.’ The Doctor added with a look of interest. The name sounded instantly familiar but for the life of him he couldn’t place it.
‘She suffers no one. Do you know what she did when an Egyptian nobleman told her she was beautiful and wanted her for his wife?’ The Doctor shook his head as Louise Ruth leaned in, her interest aroused. ‘She only waved her menstrual cloths at him claiming they demonstrated that there was ‘nothing beautiful’ about carnal desires.’
The Doctor looked aghast. ‘No… she didn’t.’
Spurred on by his interest the elderly man stroked his beard as if in thought then continued. ‘She’s also known to appeared in public, in presence of the magistrate. Would you believe it?’
‘Noooo,’ the Doctor said, a look of mock horror on his face.
‘Neither does she feel abashed in attending assemblies for men only.’ The Doctor followed her retreating form with his eyes, a look of admiration across his face. ‘Men, on account of her extraordinary dignity and virtue, admire her all the more for it.’
The Doctor looked shocked. ‘Unbelievable?’
Turning to Louise Ruth the Doctor realised that she was smiling and just about to say something when the Doctor cut her off with a wave of his hand. Quickly turning back he extended his hand to the grey haired man. ‘Hi, nice to meet you, I’m the Doctor, and I’m looking for the man in charge.’ Looking around for anyone that superseded his authority and seeing no one the elderly man smiled taking hold of the Doctor’s outstretched hand.
‘That would be me. Head Liberian and chief editor.’
The Doctor shook his hand enthusiastically and extended his wallet displaying two sheets of psychic paper that let the reader see what they wanted to see.
‘I’ve been sent here by decree of Ptolemy III of Egypt, to remove one complete set of everything you have here for safekeeping, while this business between Caesar and Achillas continues. We don’t want anyone burning this place down by accident and all of this lost, now do we?’ The head Liberian, with a look of shock on his face, nodded. The look then turned to horror at the enormity of the task set before him.
‘But how… where… when?’ The Head Liberian stammered, not reassured by the Doctors usually infectious smile.
‘Don’t worry, I’ve got everything in hand. All I need you to do is fill one of your rooms here, with an outside wall, with boxes of scrolls and my men will take them to a ship I have in the harbour. No problem.’ The man physically sighed with relief. Then turning, issued orders to a number of slaves that had been congregating near the entrance but who had cowered back into one corner as Hypatia approached.
Turning towards Louise Ruth, the Doctor handed her a number of red strips taken from one of his coat pockets, and thrusting his hand into a second pocket, which did not appear large enough to carry a small handkerchief let alone what he produced from it, he brandished a small metal bar with coloured lights and buttons running down one side.
‘I’m heading towards the docks to try and buy more time before the fire starts spreading across town. What I want you to do is transport as many boxes of scrolls to the TARDIS as you can.’
Louise Ruth shook her head. ‘No way Pedro, I can’t lift all of these. It would take me all day to get just one box back to the TARDIS, let alone half this library. Anyway, how am I supposed to get them past the guards without being stopped? They’ve still got my copy of Dorian Gray remember.’
The Doctor brandished the bar in his left hand so Louise Ruth could see what he held. ‘This, Louise Ruth, is a Trans-Mat bar. All you have to do is attach the red strip to the top of one of the boxes then aim the bar at the box. As soon as you press this red button here,’ he paused his narrative to point out the coloured buttons on the bar, ‘the box will tans-mat into the hold of the TARDIS. You got that?’
Louise looked on amazed. ‘Cool. It’s just like Star Trek. This just gets better and better.’ Heading towards the group of slaves Louise backed into the room the Head Librarian pointed at and began attaching red strips to the lids of every box brought to her. As soon as the slaves left the room she pointed the Trans-Mat bar at the boxes. ‘Beam me up Scotty,’ she said with a smile, and instantly the boxes disappeared.
Leaving Louise Ruth to Trans-Mat the scrolls the Doctor headed towards the docks to see how far the Romans had advanced. It took him two hours to get to the docks and arriving he found his way blocked by a group of Egyptian soldiers. His attire did not match that of an Egyptian and his pale features informed the soldiers that he was probably a Roman.
Advancing on him the Doctor realised the predicament he was in and began to run. Heading off down the square he vaulted over a vendor’s barrow selling live chickens, then ran off down a narrow back ally. In hot pursuit the Egyptians pushed the barrow out of the way sending chickens, feathers and a bucket of blood flying in all directions.
While the Doctor was running for his life, Louise Ruth Trans-Matted box after box, her arm beginning to ache. When five boxes were delivered at the same time she attached red strips to them and without checking the door pressed the Trans-Mat button. As she turned, to her horror, one of the slaves stood in the doorway a look of shock and anger on his face. As far as he was aware the scrolls had been destroyed before his very eyes. Without a word Louise advanced on him and slammed a right hook to his chin knocking him unconscious instantaneously.
‘I knew those boxercise videos would come in handy one day. Go Sugar Ray,’ she said dragging the unconscious slave further back into the room and unceremoniously dropping him to the floor. Just as she stepped back, the head librarian entered with five slaves, all carrying boxes. The head librarian took one look at the unconscious man then moved his gaze towards Louise Ruth. Smiling innocently Louise Ruth gave a shrug but no explanation and continued to tag the boxes. Turning his back on the slave the head librarian lowered his box to the ground then left the room without a backward glance.
Meanwhile, the Egyptian soldiers, spears pointing in front of them, charged down a side street in their desperate hunt for the Roman they were chasing. They passed a group of women, with cloaks wrapped about their faces and bodies, carrying jars of water on their heads. As the main body of soldiers ran on, one stopped and decided to examine one of the women. Advancing on a rather thin looking woman, with strange footwear, he stopped in front of her blocking her egress form the ally.
‘Remove your face cover and tell me where you are going.’ The women placed one hand on her scarf, and then bending forward, smashed the earthenware jar on the soldier’s head. Whipping off the robe with one pull of the cloth, the Doctor shouted, ‘Allons-y’ then turning, ran in the opposite direction the soldiers were headed.
Chapter Four
A hot time in the old town tonight
As the Doctor reached the Docks he realised with horror that he was too late. Smoke bellowed from a group of four ships anchored at the waters edge, lying dangerously close to a large warehouse where people were milling around not knowing what to do. Taking a quick glance at the warehouse he realised that events were far ahead of him and speeding up with every second. As a Time Lord he knew that he had only one chance to save as many scrolls as he could and he’d been putting off the trip for as long as he could. When it was game over, it was game over and he wouldn’t be able to start again and have a second attempt. What he needed was help and lots of it.
To his left the Doctor notice a group of Christian priests gathered about the entrance of the warehouse. Approaching them, the Doctor introduced himself in a warm friendly manor, his hand outstretched.
‘Hi… I’m the Doctor and I was wondering…’ the Doctor paused when he noticed a look of what could only be described as pure evil in the eyes of the first priest, ‘if you and your fellow priests could help hold back the fire…’
‘My name is Peter The Reader and if you had anything to do with this I’ll tear your heart out and feed it to the seagulls.’
Taken aback by the hate that seemed to ooze from every pour of the priest the Doctor decided to look for help else were.
‘He’s a Roman,’ another priest shouted as all heads turned towards him.
‘Hold on a minute.’ The Doctor held up both hand in a gesture designed to placate the onlookers. ‘I was just asking for help to stop the fire from spreading not…’
Removing a small but extremely sharp knife from beneath his robes Peter The Reader advanced on the Doctor. ‘Take hold of him while I cut the Romans throat.’
A second and third priest grabbed the Doctor from behind pinning his arms to his side. Peter The Reader placed the sharp knife against the Doctor’s Adams Apple then, as if taking orders from another he lifted the knife heavenward ready to plunge it down into the Doctors exposed neck. ‘Oh Lord I commend this soul into your… shit!’
With all the strength the Doctor could muster, he twisted his left hip throwing the priest on his right into the path of the descending knife. The head of the falling priest connected with the head of Peter The Reader as the Doctor tripped the third priest, causing him to land, unceremoniously, onto the first two, in one giant heap.
From out of nowhere a hand grasped his shoulder and dragged him forward, into the warehouse. Before he disappeared inside the Doctor noticed the priests, their composure returned, giving chase.
Sending scrolls and parchments flying in every direction, the Doctor and his companion ran towards the rear exit. The commotion reached a crescendo behind them as priests ran everywhere dislodging boxes and discarding sacred writings, in what could only be described a religious fever.
Hiding behind a stack of old boxes filled to the brim with paper writings the Doctor turned to his new companion and smiled. ‘Hypatia of Alexandria, what a pleasant surprise.’
Hypatia looked at the Doctors beaming face and couldn’t help smiling herself.
‘Thank you for the timely rescue, although… it was my first impression that you didn’t like me.’
‘Look I’m not as hard nosed as I may first appear. It’s just… well… to make any contribution, academically, in these times you have to be a man… and… well my father told me that the only way I would achieve anything was to be better then they were… so.’ The Doctor nodded his understanding. ‘It’s not that I don’t like men… it’s just… well… in my work I haven’t time for all that ‘lovers hyperbole’. I just want to prove that I’m just as good as they are.’
Turning his attention from the advancing priest the Doctor looked her in the eyes and smiled. The warmth and sincerity of her heart shone back at him. ‘Well Hypatia of Alexandria, I think you’re unbelievably beautiful and perhaps…’ the Doctor paused. He knew he’d heard the name before but still couldn’t place it. ‘Perhaps…’ Hypatia cut him off and leaning forward kissed him on the lips.
‘Here they are.’ A voice rang out above them as they both looked up. Jumping down to join them, their hiding place discovered, Peter The Reader slapped the women’s face then turned his attention towards the Doctor. Without a word the Doctor kicked the priest in the right leg, then taking hold of his falling body threw him across the room.
‘When I say run…’ the Doctor turned towards Hypatia, but she was already on the move. As the Doctor ran towards Hypatia and the rear exit, Peter’s body collided with two other priests, their lanterns flying from their surprised hands. As the lanterns crashed against the outside wall flames ignited a box filled with scrolls and parchments. Seeing the flames attack a nearby stack of papers, Peter and the two priests turned on their heels and ran the way they came.
Finally reaching fresh air they looked back at the burning building, the parchments and dry heat causing the flames to spread quickly. Deciding the best course of action would be to head off towards the library, Peter and the other priests turned and ran.
Heading out of the rear door at speed, the Doctor, holding Hypatia’s hand tightly, ran back towards the library. Stealing a rear glance the Doctor noticed that the flames from the ships had not come anywhere near the warehouse as he had previously worried about but despite that flames licked destructively at the roof of the building threatening to jump to the next warehouse filled to capacity with straw and grain. Feeling a tug on his left hand the Doctor was guided down a back street where a chariot and two horses waited.
After hours of work Louise Ruth had finally given up stealth and was seated on one of the boxes casual pointing the Trans-Mat bar at every box that was left in the room. Turning towards the doorway she noticed the head librarian gazing incredulously at her. Instinctively she knew that he had seen her tag and Trans-Mat the final boxes.
‘You’ve destroyed thousands and thousands of writings.’ Louise Ruth held up a hand to protest but remained quiet as more slaves entered the room. Turning she noticed the doorway behind her was still open and, standing, she shouted, ‘Allons-y Alonzo!’ Then turning she ran for the exit. Abruptly coming to a halt she realised that her timely egress was impeded by a group of monks looking more than a little dishevelled.
‘Peter, stop her,’ the librarian shouted as he and his slaves proceeded to cut off any escape back into the library. Fresh from his encounter with the Doctor Peter The Reader wanted, no, needed this woman. Someone had to pay for the indignities he had suffered at the hands of the Roman and his friend. Reaching out he went to grab hold of her. Then for no specific reason he could think of he sat back on the ground waiting for the sting in his nose to abate slightly and his eyesight to return.
‘Jab, cross, hook, uppercut, jab, cross, hook, uppercut,’ Louise Ruth could hear the instructor’s voice in her head. She had done the workout video enough times to be able to follow the whole routine with the sound off and her music blasting. The punches actually seemed to do the trick, though she decided to leave out the boxer’s shuffle and the pliés, as they probably wouldn’t be as effective on the priests falling in front of her than they seemed in the confines of her bedroom back home. But she did make sure to remember her footwork and to keep her abs tight. The last priest went down after a rather satisfying hook-hook, uppercut and her whole body sagged in relief.
She had reached the end of the ‘Arm and shoulder sculptor’ section and she doubted the ‘Washboard abs’ section would have been very effective. One thing old Sugar Ray hadn’t bothered to mention was the pain she felt from the blows she’d inflicted. Her right thumb ached where it joined the hand and her wrists felt fat. She wasn’t able to move them as effectively as she had prior to the ‘Suzy queues,’ old one-two she had landed on the side of one of the priest’s head.
That aside the worst was the sickly feeling of exhilaration that coursed through her veins and ended up in her stomach. As the bright red blood ran freely from Peter The Reader’s nose and mouth, passing between the hairs of his well-trimmed beard, to end up in a puddle on the black stone beneath her, she wanted to throw up. She had done that Her controlled anger had directed her to lash out in a base animal instinct honed through many hours in front of the TV.
Shrugging she walked away, then realising the extent of what she’d done began to run, closely followed by the head librarian’s shouts of anger.
Hypatia’s chariot pulled up next to Louise Ruth in a cloud of dust. ‘Get in, the fire is spreading from the docks and it’s burning everything,’ the Doctor shouted, while clinging on to the rear of the chariot. Without another word Louise Ruth, helped by the Doctor, jumped into the back of the chariot. An angry mob headed around the corner of the library, flames crossing from roof to roof above their heads at remarkable speeds. Lashing at the horses, the chariot pulled away, Hypatia’s blonde hair drawn back by the wind. The flames spread rapidly in the driving wind, quickly consuming most of the dockyard and many structures on its devastating rush towards the library.
Reaching the city gate, Louise Ruth noticed that the guards had fled under the onslaught of people trying to evacuate the devastation that followed. Tapping Hypatia on the shoulder, the Doctor pointed towards a small blue box that stood alone in the bleak landscape that opened up before them. It took Hypatia a few moments to notice the police call box despite its out-of-place look. The perception filter blinding her eyes to its presence until, with the Doctors prompting, she finally saw it as it loomed up in front of them. Pulling the chariot to one side Hypatia stopped in front of the blue edifice allowing the Doctor and Louise Ruth to dismount.
Removing a silver key on a chain the Doctor opened the front door, allowing Louise Ruth to enter. Turning back towards Hypatia the Doctor smiled, the thought of her burning in his memory. He knew that he’d heard her name before but couldn’t quite put his finger on the particular memory. Living as long as he had meant loosing some memories and prioritising others. It would come to him eventually.
‘Come with us,’ he said smiling up at Hypatia. ‘There’s nothing left for you back there.’
Hypatia smiled, part of her wanting to take the Doctor up on his offer. ‘I can’t. I have work to do. And… besides I’m needed back there. You saw how the monks spoke to me. Things need to change… not just for Alexandria but also for women in general. People have to realise that we’re not just second-class citizens content to tidy the dwelling and have babies.’
‘Go girl. Strike one for the women’s lib.’ Louise’s voice rang out in praise from somewhere inside the TARDIS.
The Doctor nodded, a look of concern showing on his face. He knew he should stop her but also new she’d do what she felt was right. ‘It’s been fun Doctor. Maybe we’ll do it again some time.’
The Doctor smiled but in his heart he knew he’d never see her again. ‘Well all that’s left to say is Allons-y.’ The Doctor gave her one last smile then disappeared inside the TARDIS, the doors closing behind him. A moment later the ground began to shake and the air around the blue box shimmered as if in a heat haze. Hypatia held onto the horse’s rains as nervousness took hold of them. A flashing white light, on top of the box, momentarily distracted her, then the sound hit her like nothing she’d ever heard or felt before. One moment she was transfixed on the flashing light then the next it was gone. Not just the light, but also the blue box underneath had disappeared as well.
‘Doctor!’ she shouted but to no avail. Shrugging she turned her chariot around and headed back towards Alexandria. She had work to do and a future ahead of her and no one was going to stop her.
Epilogue
The Picture of Dorian Gray
As the centre consol moved up and down and the floor vibrated to the rhythm, Louise Ruth sat while the Doctor bandaged her right hand.
‘And you banged this on the door as you left… in a hurry?’ the Doctor questioned.
‘Well…’ Louise Ruth began. ‘Sort of…’
The Doctor smiled. He knew pugilistic injuries when he bandaged them. ‘I said to John L. Sullivan… you have to watch those doors when you leave in a hurry. Look what it’s done to your hands.’
The Doctor stood, examining his handy work. ‘I have something for you.’
Looking up at the Doctor, Louise Ruth saw him rummaging around in his coat pocket. With a smile he produced a small, leather bound book and handed it to her.
‘As promised, one replacement for the book you had taken from you.’
Louise Ruth looked astounded. ‘It’s ‘The Picture of Dorian Gray,’ she said gazing at it in wonder. Carefully opening the first pages she checked the published date. Surprise showed clearly on Louise Ruth’s face when she read 1891.
‘I never liked it. It wasn’t as good as the original. He added a few more chapters and made far too many changes. I told him, ‘look Oscar, less is more,’ but he wouldn’t listen. Stubborn Irishman,’ the Doctor added as he walked back to the centre consol and began flicking numerous buttons and switches.
Not wanting to believe him, Louise Ruth flicked back to the title page and, written in large garish handwriting, were the words, ‘To the Doctor, ‘Always forgive your enemies, nothing annoys them so much, Oscar Wilde.’
As Louise Ruth walked into the adjacent room, her eyes never left the pages of the book held so delicately in her bruised hands. The Doctor turned his back on her, eyes reddening and tears streaming down his face. And he had thought that he couldn’t cry. He had eventually remembered where he’d heard Hypatia’s name before and what had happened to her.
Sequel - Doctor Who and the Cathedral of Light