Realm of the Muse, Prompt 1.57.1
…oh. Oh, I think I’ve got his voice mail or something. No, he didn’t answer. I’ll just leave a message.
Hello! Professor Tithonus? This is Catherine Endicott. It was lovely to come back and find a message from you, and it was good of you to keep my number. The Doctor and I have thought about you a lot, we were just wondering the other day how you’d been.
…shhh, he can probably hear you, you realise… Doctor. Don’t be rude.
Anyway. As I was saying, we received your message… I’m sorry we weren’t in, and that I couldn’t get back to you sooner. The Doctor and I were… tied up. For a bit.
Well we were… and whose fault was that? Oh, go on, get changed, let me handle this…
I’d be delighted to come speak at your symposium. We’re en route. We should be there in plenty of time. It’s very kind of you to offer me a private dressing room. The Doctor and I can just share the one. And since you wished to know what I might require… I’m sorry, hold on just one moment…
Isn’t the brown suit clean? Right, fetch that, then. No… I like it better than the blue one. Right. Blue shirt, blue-and-brown tie. Fantastic. Thank you, love.
…what? Erm. Yes, a clean pair of trainers would be good.
Right, sorry, Professor. Where was I? Oh, right. Requirements.
Since I’ll be talking for long periods of time, I’ll need to stay hydrated, and I’ll need to soothe my throat. So plenty of things to drink are in order. Filtered water, mineral water, tea. And, erm, a bottle or two of white wine wouldn’t be out of place, either.
And on that note, some food as well. I’m partial to vegetables, fruits, fresh things, you know. Nothing processed or fried. But… some chocolate, or whatever your local equivalent would be, would be most welcome. Not a huge amount… sorry, hang on again.
Sorry, love, what was that? …cupcakes. I can ask… what? Did you just say “ball bearings”? Like what children shoot out of guns in the countryside? People eat those?
…it’s a peaceful planet, I’m not sure they’d have those. We’ll check on Earth, next trip, promise.
Sorry. Right, so we covered food and drink. I’ll need a computer terminal with access to your information and communications network. I like to keep up-to-date on things. I might need additional information for my lecture as well. And, you know, email, and so forth.
Next… *sigh* sorry, one moment.
Doctor, would you stop doing that to your hair? You’re just making it stick up worse. What? Well, no, love, I’ve never gotten it to lie flat either but that doesn’t mean you ought to go make it worse on our way over.
…shall I ask the professor to stock the room with a flat iron?
…oh, don’t make that face, come here, I’m sorry. *kissing sound* That better?
Right. Food, drink, internet or local equivalent thereof. Now on to the room itself. I’d like a nice view of the university grounds. Lots of natural lighting… but also lots of candles. Cosy. Lock on the door. Lots of places to sit comfortably. And perhaps lie down. Both of us.
…what? You don’t think you’ll want to lie down? Mmm… you keep kissing the back of my neck like that, you won’t have a choice…
Sorry, Professor. Was there anything else… one more moment, thank you for your patience…
Why don’t you go back to our room and finish dressing, love? I’ll be right back there, soon as I finish this message. See you in a minute.
*lowered voice* Right. One more request. Can you stock the room with books, brochures, any sort of informational media you have about the area? History of the planet and university, culture, folklore, myths, things like that. The Doctor, he’d love that.
And if you could look into these cakes… I’d best explain. Ball bearings, have you got those on your planet…?
Catherine Endicott
Doctor Who
Word Count: 680