On a Bench in the Park, Saturday Afternoon

[geoff-chaucer.livejournal.com]

Geoff lies sprawled on a park bench, feet propped up on the curved metal arm. He has a sheaf of papers in his hand, on which he occasionally makes marks with a pencil.


[He'll be here all day, unless he gets a better offer (may be slow-played).]

Comments

[ten-and-chips.livejournal.com]

[The Doctor smiles.] Me too. And it's served me well, I think. Most of the time.

[geoff-chaucer.livejournal.com]

[Geoff returns his smile and then, uncertain as to where the conversation is leading, he looks away across the park.]

Are you glad you came here?

[ten-and-chips.livejournal.com]

[This takes a moment for the Doctor to process, to consider, and to come up with a plan for answering. In the end, he says...]

Yes, I think so. Are you not?

[geoff-chaucer.livejournal.com]

[The question draws Geoff's attention quickly back.] Actually, yes. I am. I...like it here. I know there are a few people -- Miss Mcclay, for instance -- who've expressed concern that I'm being somehow...too influenced by the future, that my work will be tainted by it somehow. But, really, how is that any different than being influenced by a visit to another country, or reading another author's work?

[ten-and-chips.livejournal.com]

...I don't know. As long as you don't start writing about, say, going to Saturn--at least not in explicit terms, like 'I got in a spaceship and flew to another planet for a day trip'--I don't see why there'd be a problem. [slightly sardonic] I can't say I haven't wreaked enough havoc in timelines myself.

Geoff...do you plan on ever going back? Permanently?

[geoff-chaucer.livejournal.com]

[It's obvious by his expression that this is a topic that has already occurred to him, and one that he's up until now been avoiding putting too much thought into.]

I...suppose I'll have to, won't I? Eventually.

[ten-and-chips.livejournal.com]

[The Doctor's aware of the fact that this is painful. Not everyone can afford to be a citizen of the universe, of time and space and everything beyond.]

Not always.

[geoff-chaucer.livejournal.com]

[Geoff gives the Doctor a speculative look.] Maybe not. But in my case, at the risk of sounding self-important, there are things I'm supposed to do, aren't there? Things that are expected, that have...well, already been done. Not going back changes all of that.

[ten-and-chips.livejournal.com]

I wonder. [The Doctor stares off into space.] Maybe you could go and come back. Be a resident of both spaces.

[geoff-chaucer.livejournal.com]

[Geoff nods, considering] If I had any idea how I managed to get to and from, I might consider it. It would be a nice change of pace, now and again -- from both places, actually. [He grins at the Doctor] Is that what you plan to do?

[ten-and-chips.livejournal.com]

[slowly] I...I make no plans.

[geoff-chaucer.livejournal.com]

[The Doctor's introspective mood has become obvious from his responses, and Geoff wonders if he should leave the man to his thoughts.] Much more difficult to be disappointed, and much easier to be surprised. It can be a satisfying way to do things.

[He gives the Doctor a thoughtful look.] I don't want to distract you if you have things to do, or... [trails off]

[ten-and-chips.livejournal.com]

[The Doctor shakes his head.] I'm sorry, Geoff. My mind's started to wander. And I'm sure you need to finish your work.

[geoff-chaucer.livejournal.com]

It's all right, Doctor. The day's getting late, and I probably should get some work done. [He stands and gathers up his papers] I've really enjoyed talking to you. Thank you.

[ten-and-chips.livejournal.com]

Likewise. [winning smile] And please. Call me Ten.

[geoff-chaucer.livejournal.com]

[Geoff grins back] Thank you, Ten. I expect to see you around the shop sometime.

[He gives the Doctor's shoulder a strong squeeze and heads off down the street.]