Doctor Who: Surprise Holiday

Chapter 1: New Sun

The TARDIS spun and bounced through the time vortex like a cork in a stream before transitioning to normal space as it approached its destination, a beautiful emerald green and deep blue planet with no ice caps. As the TARDIS zoomed around the planet on an elliptical course, it passed through the night side shadow. Continents were outlined by a scattering of artificial lighting, a telltale sign of civilization. Within seconds the TARDIS was back in daylight, descending towards a large city.

The orange time-rotor rods glowed warmly as the Doctor walked around the TARDIS console, checking displays and tweaking the occasional setting. With a final groan, the TARDIS completed its landing sequence.

"Where are we?" Clara Oswald asked as she entered the console room from the lower level.

"A planet called Neuesonne, or 'New Sun' if you like," replied the Doctor as he looked up. "Boring name, but it stuck. It's a somewhat isolated settlement from Earth established in the early twenty-seventh century, nearly three hundred years ago present time. Almost no axial tilt so there are no discernible seasons. Tropical-like climate virtually all the way from the equator to both poles. Everyone here lives in peace. There hasn't been a conflict since colonization."

"Sounds ideal," smiled Clara. She turned and took a step towards the TARDIS doors when the Doctor interrupted.

"Not so fast, Clara. You can't go out like that! You'll frighten the horses. You need to change."

"Really?" replied Clara as she looked over her shoulder at the Doctor. "What should I wear then?"

The Doctor grinned. "That's the easy part. To blend in, don't wear anything."

Clara turned back around, a frown on her face. "What do you mean, 'don't wear anything?' "

The Doctor frowned in return, his gray eyebrows knitting together. "Did I say something difficult to understand? Your clothes stay here inside the TARDIS—all of them. Take off your kit. Don't wear a stitch. Be in your birthday suit. Wear only your smile," he said, while pointing to a brief grimace on his face.

He paused. "But keep your hair on. It would be odd to see you bald... or would that be an improvement?" he pondered as he gazed speculatively at her head.

Clara cocked her head, hands on hips, eyes narrowed. "You're winding me up, aren't you?"

"Not at all," the Doctor replied breezily. He waved his hands with excitement. "Think of it, Clara! Entire industries don't exist on this world. No fashionistas dictating hem lines, or if ties and lapels should be narrow or wide. No garment industry or clothing shops. No pointing fingers at people who cannot afford the latest fashion because one's own body is the fashion, and it's always in style!"

"You're telling me there's no such thing as clothing here?" Clara asked skeptically as she folded her arms. "No cloth at all?"

The Doctor huffed in exasperation. "Don't be silly! Of course there's a cloth industry. They do have things like sheets and towels you know. They're not savages; they simply don't make or wear clothes."

"Whyever not?"

"Didn't I say? Neuesonne was settled by a group of pacifists and the FKK, 'Free Body Culture' in English, originally a German naturist society. This planet is perfect for nudists. A comfortable temperature year round, the indigenous insects have no interest in biting humans, and the atmosphere blocks enough ultraviolet light to prevent sunburn. After generations of peaceful naturism, the people here view clothing as an ancient curiosity. Reading about clothing would no more motivate them to put on clothes, than you would be motivated to worship cats if you read a book on Egyptian mythology."