[Video message]

[allons_y_alonso]

[The Doctor is sitting on the chair next to the TARDIS control console, bouncing a rubber ball against the floor and catching it again and again. He glances sideways at the camera, making a noise between his lips and his teeth.]

It's hard to know what to say, isn't it? After something like that. A lot of people hurt, or scared. A lot of people out of work because the buildings they work in were wrecked. Even school's down to half-days while they repair the damage.

But I can tell you this. Whatever kind of trouble we go through, we can all go on. Every last one of you. You are all -- we are all -- amazing people. Trolls, humans, Time Lords, assorted other species... we're resilient. Got depth nobody can guess at, not even ourselves. I've seen you all do it before, and it has been... incredible. A privilege, really.

And I think, right now, that might be what you all need to hear. We're going to make it. We're going to make it because you are all so strong, so astounding... such brilliant people.

I might not always be happy to be here, but I'm always proud to be one of you.


[The camera shuts off. Then, after a moment, it turns on again, with him crouching in front of it, squinting into the lens.]

And because of that, by the way. When the school does go back to a full day and my classes start again. Because you are such fantastic people... all the homework I assigned for Monday is still going to be due.

Comments

[razorback]

How does school even work?

[allons_y_alonso]

I've been asking myself that for a very long time.

[razorback]

Man, no one knows anything here. What do you teach?

[allons_y_alonso]

History!

[razorback]

Am I supposed to be in your class? I asked about a schedule but seriously, no one knows anything.

[allons_y_alonso]

Well, at the moment my classroom is buried under a pile of rubble. But once everything's sorted and fixed up again, yes, I'd say so.

In the meantime, consider yourself on holiday!

[razorback]

Right, thanks.

You don't happen to know if I can get my gun back, do you?

[allons_y_alonso]

Your what?

[razorback]

My gun. I had an assault rifle, but if that's too much for this place I'll settle for a handgun.

[allons_y_alonso]

How old are you?

[razorback]

Old enough.

...

Look, I get it, concerned adult. But my world's at war, I'd feel safer with a gun.

[allons_y_alonso]

Not in my classroom.

Or anywhere in the school.

I wouldn't know who to ask. Someone official, no doubt.

[razorback]

Man, you people suck at this. How do you get anything done?

[allons_y_alonso]

Politely, usually.


Well, no, that's not true.

I usually just ignore what everyone tells me and do whatever the smart thing to do is.

[razorback]

Well. That makes you the only person with authority I've met so far.

...

Not letting kids carry guns isn't smart, though.

[allons_y_alonso]

My classroom. My rules. Wouldn't let adults bring guns in either.

The problem with a gun is that it teaches you to ask the same question about every kind of problem. Will shooting this make it go away?

Much better to have a screwdriver.

[razorback]

[ he suddenly looks very upset, it lasts only for a moment before he adopts a neutral expression again ]

I just got here, but people got superpowers out of nowhere and went insane and brought down buildings. If that happens in you class and someone starts shooting lasers or whatever, shooting them would make it go away. One casualty instead of... how many kids are there in your class? Twenty?

[allons_y_alonso]

You're not wrong. But it's not that simple, either. There don't always have to be casualties. Not any.

If someone bursts into my classroom, even without guns, they're going to be in a lot of trouble. My kids are brilliant.

They don't need guns to be dangerous, and I'm far more dangerous than they are.

But if there's a problem, the whole class can be out and away in four pint seven six seconds. Timed it. Drilled them, more than once.

[razorback]

What if it's one of your students snapping mid-class? Or does this place lets you pick when and how to go insane?

[allons_y_alonso]

I protect my students. And I can read people very, very well. Had a long time to practice.

Worst that's ever happened in class was a black eye. And all that was about was young love gone wrong.

[razorback]

[ deep breath, okay. He can totally be mature about this ]

It sounds almost normal.

[allons_y_alonso]

Very almost, sometimes.

I understand you must be used to looking after yourself. And that's not a bad thing, not by any stretch. But in school, at least, we've got a brilliant staff. It's our job to look out for you.

[razorback]

I get that this isn't usually a war zone. I'm kinda looking forward to it, I hadn't seen a working computer since the invasion.

I'm still a soldier, though.

[allons_y_alonso]

Well. Consider yourself on furlough for now. We'll sort the details as we go.

I know someone very like you. I wish she was here to introduce you to.

[razorback]

I really doubt she's like me... unless she's from my world, I guess. It'd be nice to know there are other groups of survivors.