THIS TIME ROUND: CONSOLATION PRIZE 1/1 by Paul Gadzikowski DOCTOR WHO series characters and concepts copyright BBC tv THIS TIME ROUND concept by Tyler Dion, after Kielle The Doctor, Susan, Barbara and Ian sat in a booth, grumbling. "Coward," accused the Doctor. "The fellow's a coward." "Not to rise to a challenge like that," said Barbara. "Don't say 'rise to'," pleaded Ian, crossing his legs. "What's eating you lot?" asked the barmaid bringing their drinks, some future companion they didn't recognize. "We thought we were going to get some," said Susan. "Last week, on the thread from Andinach's alt-drabble, one of the other Pauls alluded to his 'private universe' and said 'maybe' he'd post some of it," elucidated the Doctor. "A followup even encouraged him," said Barbara. "The followup writer wanted to see other people's 'Hartnell-era smut'." "But he decided not to." Ian fidgeted uncomfortably. "Already has two different continuities running on adwc, he says, and doesn't want another to deal with." "The Master got boffed in a story posted this week," snapped the Doctor; "why can't I?" The barmaid could offer only sympathy. They were all at least four drinks gone before the solution occurred to Susan. "I say," she slurred, "this chap's THIS TIME ROUND pieces are all either self-referential bits about his other work, or sexual innuendo like an alt-drabble, right?" "Right," said Barbara. "Yesh," said Ian. The Doctor nodded blearily. "Well," said Susan, emphasizing each word by bouncing in her seat, "why can't this one be both?" The other three stared at her a moment; then, as one, all four rose and headed unsteadily for the stairs to the second floor rooms. THE END