"Made it," he sighed, and then raising his voice called back into the TARDIS. "We've arrived, darling."

Emma, his young companion (and fiancé), came bounding out, full of enthusiasm. "How do I look?" she asked.

"Marvellous, as ever, my angel," the Doctor replied as she twirled before him, dressed in a manner consistent with the Earth fashions of the nineteen forties.

"So," she asked him, "what's the big surprise?"

The Doctor smiled knowingly. "I'll explain later."

Emma grinned. "Tell me now," she demanded.

"Very well." But instead of speaking, the Doctor just pointed.

The TARDIS was parked on a street corner in what was obviously America, judging by the style of buildings, cars and the street in general. Also obvious was that the time period matched Emma's clothing. As she followed the Doctor's pointing finger, she saw a cinema. She also saw the poster outside the cinema.

"Casablanca!" she squealed in delight. "My favourite movie. Oh, Doctor, how thoughtful of you. What a wonderful engagement present."

The Doctor shrugged as she kissed him on the cheek. "I do my best."

They linked arms and crossed the street. "It's the premier, by the way," he told her.

She squeezed his arm tightly. "I do love you," she said.

"I know," he replied with a smile.

***

Inside the cinema, the Doctor relaxed with his popcorn.

"Do you know, Sarah, I haven't seen Casablanca in, oh, nearly a hundred years."

"The movie or the place?" asked Sarah Jane Smith, his young companion. She was dressed in nineteen forties style clothes, while the Doctor was still in his large overcoat and long scarf. His floppy felt hat was tucked into an inside pocket.

"The movie," he replied with a huge grin. "I took the Brigadier to see it once. Back before I changed, of course. I remember him saying to me..."

***

"...You know, Doctor, if that infernal contraption of yours can't get us back to U.N.I.T. H.Q., this could be the END of a beautiful friendship."

"There really is no need to worry, old chap," the Doctor reassured him. The TARDIS is working perfectly now that the Time Lords have lifted my exile."

"Thank you, Doctor, I feel so much better," Lethbridge-Stewart said with sarcasm.

"Come now, Brigadier, when have I ever let you down?"

"Do you really want me to answer that, Doctor?"

The two friends lapsed into silence as the house lights dimmed.

***

"What's it called again?" asked Nyssa as the cartoons began.

"Casablanca," Tegan told her. "It's a classic."

"Tegan's right," the Doctor added, absently stroking the stick of celery struck to the lapel of his fawn frock coat. "It is acknowledged as a classic of Earth culture."

"And you say this is the premier?" asked Tegan.

"Right again, Tegan. But it's not a premier as they were in your time."

***

"But it's not a premier as they were in your time, Polly, oh dear me no. No stars swanning about, no glitz. Just the films first showing."

"That's a shame," Polly replied. "I was looking forward to seeing Humphrey Bogart."

"I'm sure he doesn't know what he missed," said Ben.

"Now, Ben, there's no need for that." The Doctor scolded as he tried to loosen the spotted bow tie at his neck.

But Ben was now reminiscing. "You know, I remember my old Dad telling me how him and Mum went to see this when they were courting."

***

"You know, Professor, I remember my Nan telling me how she and my Granddad went to see this just after they were married."

"That's very interesting, Ace," the Doctor replied, resting his chin on his umbrella.

"And thanks for bringing us," said Benny from his other side.

"It's a pleasure, Benny. Anyway, I don't think I've seen the film for, oh, nearly a century."

"Well, it's a wonderful birthday present," Benny told him.

***

"And it isn't even my birthday," said Grace.

The Doctor smiled, brushing an invisible speck of lint from the sleeve of his green velvet jacket.

"Do I need a reason to take an old friend to see a movie?"

"I suppose not," she replied, "but it was so unexpected. The TARDIS turning up on the front lawn and you promising me a trip to see the premier of Casablanca. Only my favourite film ever!"

"I know," he said, grinning.

***

"But it was so unexpected," said Peri.

The Doctor raised a quizzical eyebrow. "What was?"

"The TARDIS finding the right landing site for once," she replied.

"Oh, ha-ha. My sides are splitting with mirth."

"And there's an advantage to sitting here in the dark."

"Which is?"

"I don't have to look at that horrible coat!"

***

"And you say this is a classic of Earth culture?"

"That's right, my dear child. If we are to spend any time on this planet, we must get to know it's cultural background."

"Of course, Grandfather. And it might also be fun."

"Yes," the Doctor replied, " yes, it just might at that."

***

The Doctor and Emma settled in to their seats near the back of the cinema just as the cartoons were finishing.

"Oh, that's a shame," Emma commented. "I like cartoons."

"I've seen them before," The Doctor said, looking around him.

As the main feature started Emma snuggled up to him. "I bet you bring all your girlfriends here," she joked.

"Nonsense, my dear," he replied. I just hope we can all remember where we parked, he thought.