The Littlest Timelord: Blast from the Past

Chapter 8 (The Shakespeare Code)

"But how do you travel in time? What makes it go?" Martha asked. 

"Oh, let's take the fun and mystery out of everything. Martha, you don't want to know. It just does. Hold on tight." 

The TARDIS landed roughly and threw Martha to the floor. "Blimey! Do you have to pass a test to fly this thing?" Martha said, getting up. 

"Yes, and I failed it. Now, make the most of it. I promised you one trip, and one trip only. Outside this door, brave new world." 

"Where are we?" 

"Take a look. After you." The Doctor opened the door and they stepped out. 

They appeared to be in the past, but looks could be deceiving sometimes. 

If she had to guess, Elise would say they were in London. 

"Oh, you are kidding me. You are so kidding me. Oh, my God, we did it. We traveled in time. Where are we? No, sorry. I got to get used to this whole new language. When are we?" Martha asked. 

Elise had to admit that she was picking up on everything rather quickly. 

"Mind out," the Doctor said, pulling the girls back. 

A man emptied a bucket out his window. "Gardez l'eau!" 

"Somewhere before the invention of the toilet. Sorry about that." 

"I've seen worse. I've worked the late night shift A+E. But are we safe? I mean, can we move around and stuff?" 

"Of course we can. Why do you ask?" 

"It's like in the films. You step on a butterfly, you change the future of the human race." 

"Tell you what then, don't step on any butterflies. What have butterflies ever done to you?" 

"What if, I don't know, what if I kill my grandfather?" 

"Are you planning to?" 

Elise laughed. 

"No," Martha answered. 

"Well, then," the Doctor said. 

"And this is London?" 

"I think so. Round about 1599." 

"I knew it!" Elise said. 

The Doctor smiled at her excitement. 

"Oh, but hold on. Am I all right? I'm not going to get carted off as a slave, am I?" Martha asked. 

The Doctor looked at her like she was crazy. "Why would they do that?" 

"Not exactly white, in case you haven't noticed."

"Elle and I aren't even human. Just walk about like you own the place. Works for me. Besides, you'd be surprised. Elizabethan England, not so different from your time. Look over there. They've got recycling." He pointed to a man shoveling manure into a bucket. "Water cooler moment." 

Two men were talking near a water barrel. 

"And the world will be consumed by flame!" a preacher yelled. 

"Global warming. Oh, yes, and entertainment. Popular entertainment for the masses. If I'm right, we're just down the river by Southwark, right next to..." 

They kept walking and saw the Globe Theater. 

"Oh, yes, the Globe Theater! Brand new. Just opened. Though, strictly speaking, it's not a globe, it's a tetradecagon. Fourteen sides. Containing the man himself."