Doctor Who: Surprise Holiday

Chapter 4: Culture Shock

"Oh God."

Clara groaned and rolled over. Her throat was dry, and the act of rolling over made her feel woozy. Sunlight streamed in through the floor-to-ceiling glass outer wall, hurting her eyes. It only now occurred to her there were no curtains or shades to close. Anyone in several buildings across the way could potentially see into her room. How did anyone get any privacy?

Clara lifted her head from the pillow and shaded her eyes.

"Ugh. Make it stop," she moaned.

The room plunged into darkness as the outer wall turned opaque. Clara gratefully dropped her head back onto the pillow.

The Doctor was trying to tell Clara something, but for some reason she could not understand what he was saying. The TARDIS kept pinging for attention. She walked around the console looking for the source. When she couldn't find it, she expanded her search, heading down a corridor checking rooms. The pinging seemed to come from everywhere.

Clara awoke with a start to the sound of pinging.

"What!" she said grumpily. Now her head was starting to throb as well.

"Pardon me, Clara," said the room interface. "Miss Sophie Klein is outside. May she enter?"

"I'm not dressed—oh, right. Never mind," Clara replied as she rubbed her forehead.

"Yes, Sophie may enter."

The door slid open and Clara blinked at a figure silhouetted in the bright glare.

"Good morning sleepyhead."

Sophie stepped inside and the room was suddenly dark once again.

"Mine if I turn up the lights? I can't see a thing."

"Go ahead," Clara agreed reluctantly. She put a hand over her eyes to protect them.

"Room: lights at twenty percent."

The room brightened to roughly candlelight level. Clara removed her hand and carefully opened her eyes.

"Thanks," she said as she looked up at Sophie. "It didn't occur to me to ask the room if the lights could be dimmed."

Sophie set down a blister pack and a large bottle of water. "It can also do this. Room: bring the lights up to full over a ten minute interval." She looked at Clara. "That should give you time to adjust."

Clara carefully sat up. Moving too quickly, she discovered, made her feel nauseous. The throbbing in her head was getting worse.

"I hope you have something for a headache."

"Here—I'll get it." Sophie tore open the blister pack, shook out two pills, and handed them to Clara along with the water bottle.

"You're dehydrated. Be sure to drink the whole thing down. Small sips."

"Yes mother," Clara mumbled. She downed the pills and drank greedily, until she remembered Sophie's instructions.

"Sorry about being so grumpy," Clara said after a moment. "Actually, I think you'd make a great mother. You have all the right instincts."

"Thanks," Sophie replied with a smile. "I get a lot of practice with Hans."

Clara smiled back. "I suppose little brothers can be difficult to manage."

Sophie laughed. "Actually, Hans is the older one, but you'd never know it. I'm taking today off, by the way. If you're feeling up to it, I suggest we pay for the beer."

Clara paled. "Oh no! Did I forget to settle with the Ratskeller last night?"

"Don't worry," Sophie said with a snort. "You paid the bill. I simply meant we should do something fun to burn off the calories. Don't want to get beer thighs."