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BOARDROOM, SUNRISE FILMS PRODUCTION OFFICES
MORNING, TORONTO, CANADA

MEETING - Partnership meeting, 'The New Doctor' project
Attending: Paul Saltzman (Sunrise Films), Terry Nation (TN Enterprises), David Burton (Millennium Productions)

Paul Saltzman stood up as David Burton and Terry Nation were lead into the boardroom. He strode forward to greet them, first taking Burton’s hand.

“David,” he said, “wonderful to see you again.”

He turned.

“And this is the famous Terry Nation,” they shook hands.

Nation seemed out of breath. That was odd. Had he been working out or something. Nation should have arrived in Toronto yesterday with his wife. He’d stayed at the same hotel as Burton. He should have been well rested.

But the former Welshman’s grip was firm, as if to make up for the shortness of breath. Saltzman sized up the tall man, instantly reading him as far more formidable and businesslike than the somewhat flighty Burton.

He lead them to their seats. Sherry brought in coffee. Neither asked for anything stronger. Saltzman took that as a good sign. There were too many hard drinkers in the trade. She took her place with her notepad and recorder.

“So,” Paul began, “I’m very glad that the three of us can get together. I think that there’s an opportunity here for The New Doctor. A serious opportunity. As we’ve discussed on the phone, the Canadian Science Fiction Channel is starting up. As a condition for their television license, they have to invest in new, original programming. This means that they’re looking for projects. Projects like this one.”

He glanced at them. David looked elated, he couldn’t help but grin. Paul could understand that, David had been pushing The New Doctor for years without a glimmer of hope, before their chance meeting on that convention panel.

Nation, on the other hand, was more self contained. Positive but noncommital. Just watching and listening. Again, Paul marked him as the real professional.

“I’ve gone over the proposal thoroughly,” Paul said, “and I’ve made a few notes for discussion. Just my ideas on where we should go with the project, and how best to sell it.”

Taking a deep breath, he started in on his vision for The New Doctor.

Fifteen minutes later, he concluded with a sunny, “so, what do you think?”

It wasn’t good.

David Burton was red in the face. Visibly angry.

“What do I think?” he demanded. “What do I think? I’m not sure what I think matters, from the sound of this. You want to know what I think?”

David got up from the table, shoving his chair back roughly.

“It’s not on! That’s what I think! Who do you think you are?”

“David,” Saltzman said, trying to placate him, “it down, we’ll talk about it.”

“No,” snapped Burton. “I’m not going to talk. I’m going back to the hotel.”

Burton glanced at Terry Nation. “Are you coming, Terry.”

“I’ll be along in a little bit,” Nation said easily. “I’ll meet you back at the hotel. I’ll call up to your room, and then we’ll have a drink and hash it out.”

Burton hesitated, unsure of himself for a second. He’d clearly expected Nation to be as outraged as he was.

“Fine,” Burton snapped, he left the boardroom, slamming the door.

Paul was surprised and concerned. Was Burton really that unprofessional? Or were the two of them playing some version of good cop / bad cop on him. Either way, Paul wasn’t interested in game players, the project was interesting, but not that interesting. Saltzman had long ago learned that toxic people were never worth the time.

Now just he and Terry Nation were in the Boardroom.

“I have to say....” Nation began thoughtfully, “I liked it.”

“Glad to hear it,” Saltzman said.

“It’s a good spin on the concept,” Nation said. “Changes things up, while remaining true to the core. I liked the idea for the medical van, and driving in and out of wormholes, very topical, very current. Like Stargate or Sliders. I think it’s very doable.”

“The Outer Limits guys,” Nation said, “Wright and Glassner, I hear they’re doing a pitch for a Stargate series.”

It wasn’t just making conversation. Nation was showing off his command of the industry. Saltzman nodded.

“Too military. I’m an ex-hippy at heart,” he said. There was also the fact that it was probably outside his price range. “I like a more positive spin. Positive messages.”

Nation nodded.

“That’s what Doctor Who was always about. Positive messages for children.”

Saltzman allowed himself to relax a little.

“Don’t mind David,” Nation said, changing the subject, “actors... you know how excitable they can get. He’s less experienced, doesn’t fully understand the way things work, not the way we do. I’ll talk to him, he’ll come around.”

“I’d appreciate that,” Paul said. “I guess he’s really invested in playing the role.”

“That he is,” Nation replied. “But there’s reality. Back in the day, the BBC did this amazing production of 1984, starring Peter Cushing. But when they made the movie, it starred someone else. For the Doctor Who movies in the 1960's, they didn’t cast Hartnell, the cast Cushing. That’s how it goes. Same with Quatermass.”

“Or Ghostbusters,” Paul offered. “Ernie Hudson, from the movie, tried out for his character on the cartoon... They gave it to Arsenio Hall instead.”

“That’s how it goes.”

“So is David going to be a problem?”

Nation appeared to think it over.

“Nah,” he said. “I’ll sit him down and talk some sense to him. He’ll come round. He just has to get used to it.”

“Good,” Saltzman replied.

“There is just one thing....”

“Yes?”

“The Daleks. I love your suggestions, but...”

“But?”

“It’s not on.” Nation leaned forward. “Now here’s the thing, if it was a different situation, I’d be with you.”

“So what’s the issue?”

“But the problem with the Daleks is that they’re an established property. They’ve been so for twenty five years now. Movies, televison, public appearances, toys. There’s a lot of contracts tied up in merchandising. In particular, there’s a lot of interest holders, from the BBC down to toy makers, that are invested in a particular rendition of the Daleks.”

“It’s just not viable,” Nation explained, “to re-do the Daleks. We’d need to get too many parties on board, tear up too many contracts. That’s no easy, believe me. I tried back in the 60's. And frankly,” Nation concluded, “I’ve got royalties. I’m not going to mess with that.”

“I thought Daleks were part of the project,” Saltzman said.

“They are,” Nation replied. “Or they can be. But licensed through me. That’s a separate deal.”

“So you’re part of this project,” Saltzman said, “but you’re also arms length licensing the Daleks to the project.”

“That’s right.”

“And collecting a licensing fee.”

“Correct.”

“Isn’t that a conflict of interest,” Paul asked.

Nation shrugged.

“It’s just business, the way I see it.”

"So if you're not contributing the Daleks, if all you're doing is licensing them... what's your equity?"

"What's yours?" Nation asked, smiling.

"Look," Nation said, "cards on the table. We're all here talking now, because we think we can sell this to someone. That's the equity, someone will buy it. That's how it works."

Paul Saltzman leaned back and thought it over carefully.

“All right,” he said finally. “Sounds fair.”

Nation smiled.

“I’m glad we can see eye to eye,” he said.

“What about David?” Paul asked.

“David understands that the project comes first,” Nation replied. “We all have to make sacrifices for the project. If it takes a new actor to make the New Doctor succeed... Well, that’s nothing new. Don’t worry about David. I’ll bring him around.”

Nation paused. "And if he doesn't.... well, he's not the only bloke in Millennium Productions."