When 7th Galaxy announced that they would be holding an extra special signing for the release of 'The Daleks' Masterplan' CD box set, the gang were very excited. In attendance would be Peter Purves (Steven Taylor - astronaut and purveyor of fashion), Nicholas Courtney (Bret Vyon - Who stalwart) and…JEAN MARSH (Sara Kingdom, Princess Joanna and Morgaine).

Chalky was overjoyed as Miss Marsh was one of the few companions he needed to complete his collection of autographs in that great tome of information - 'The Companions' by John Nathan-Turner. He wasn't going to get into arguments about whether Miss Marsh counted as a companion. She was in the book and that was all that mattered (after all, this book contained a whole section on the Master!!)

Shirt was also quite excited, but a bit peeved that he might have to buy a black and white item of merchandise - and a 12 episode one, at that - to obtain Miss Marsh's autograph.

However, as the date drew closer the release of The Daleks' Masterplan was delayed and 7th Galaxy were forced to move the date of the signing. Mr. Purves and Mr. Courtney quickly rearranged but Miss Marsh was on holiday. Would she be able to change the date?

Shirt hoped not, because if she didn't it meant that 7th Galaxy would hold a separate signing for Miss Marsh alone, seeing as to lose a big coup like this would be tantamount to insanity. If Miss Marsh could only make the original date, it would mean that Shirt would be able to just buy a photograph or two, rather than the box set.

Jean couldn’t change dates, so Shirt wouldn't have to buy The Daleks' Masterplan.

However, Fate decided that one favour was more than enough and had her fun with the trains instead.

The gang were leaving earlier than usual, due to the rarity of Miss Marsh at Who events. As Chalky pottered up the high street to the station his mobile rang.

"Where are you?" asked Dufus.

"Coming up the high street. About 5 minutes away."

"Well, there's a train going in 2 minutes. I'm going to get it."

"Okay, bye then," replied Chalky, but Dufus had already gone.

Getting to the station, Chalky met Shirt.

"Dufus has already got the train," explained Chalky.

"When?"

"About 2 minutes ago, probably."

"I've been here for 2 minutes! He's left me up here waiting."

Chalky and Shirt got on the next train and reached Victoria. However, a sign informed them of problems on the District line.

"Oh great!" they chorused.

They decided to get a Jubilee Line train to Stratford.

"I'm sure you can get a overground train to Barking from there," they agreed (after briefly debating whether they went from West Ham.

Getting to Stratford, they found out that the Barking trains did indeed go from…West Ham.

"Bugger!" they chorused.

Returning to West Ham, they finally got a train to Barking and met up with the deserter, Dufus - who was chatting in the queue to Lupine who had arrived a few minutes before Chalky and Shirt.

Inside the shop, Chalky was deciding what to buy with some birthday money from his uncle. His original plan was to get some Dalek Rolykins and a Soldiers of Love CD, but then the newly released Talking Daleks caught his eye.

"Oooh," he sighed, "They're exactly the amount of birthday money I have." After a bit of thought, "Okay, I'll get one. After all, they do have 5 different phrases! Which one should I get?"

"The classic silver and blue, obviously," advised Lupine.

"But I quite like the black and gold."

"Silver and Blue!" insisted Lupine.

"Okay, silver and blue it is."

Chalky still bought the Rolykins and the Soldiers of Love CD, though, in a Dufus-inspired money-spending moment. Having also bought The Daleks' Masterplan (or at least the front cover - the actual CDs wouldn't arrive for a couple of weeks), and Shirt having purchased a photo of the lovely Miss Marsh (the one that did NOT have William Hartnell in it, mind you) the trio of Lupine, Chalky and Shirt joined Dufus in the queue, surreptiously pushing in.

"Look what I've bought!" declared Chalky, pulling his brand spanking new Talking Dalek out of the bag to show Dufus.

"Oooh. I didn't see them!" cried Dufus (despite the fact there had been boxes of the things lined up around the walls of the shop). "I'll have to get one now."

"No you won't," the others joked, thinking that Dufus was also joking, bearing in mind the £24.99 price tag.

"Yes I will."

It was at this point that something akin to a comic book transformation overtook Dufus. Where previously had stood a fat balding man with very little money and an unhealthy obsession with Doctor Who stood……well, a fat balding man with very little money, an unhealthy obsession with Doctor Who AND A FOUL TEMPER.

Shirt was all that stood between Dufus and his Talking Dalek.

"You are NOT getting it," stated Shirt, defiantly - mindful of his friend's financial situation. "You cannot afford it. Chalky bought his with birthday money." He emphasised the last two words, being a major aspect of his argument.

"You can't stop me!" retorted Dufus, getting all Incredible Hulk on Shirt.

"You're not getting it!"

Chalky noticed that the atmosphere had turned slightly nasty.

"Let him go if he wants to. He can regret it later."

"No!" replied Shirt, now determined to stop Dufus's foolish financial faux pas.

"I'm fed up with you sticking your nose into my finances!" shouted Dufus, in danger of attracting a small audience.

"You can't afford it. You're not getting it," repeated Shirt - clearly attempting to stay calm.

By now, Dufus was enraged and going bright red to prove it. Lupine cast Chalky despairing looks - clearly fearing for his own safety.

Dufus suddenly grabbed Shirt by the shirt (as it were).

"I don't care if you are a probation officer. I'll kill you if you stick your nose into my business again!"

With this, Shirt and Chalky both thought it wiser to let him go. Dufus stormed off into the shop and the remaining trio stood in silence for a few minutes. Then, Dufus returned.

"I'm still getting one!" he said, defiant and scrabbling down his bag. It later transpired that he'd forgotten to take his wallet into the shop with him on his initial rampage.

Some time later, Dufus emerged with a shiny black and gold Talking Dalek at a retail price of £24.99.

After a little while, Chalky suggested that Dufus and Shirt make up. It was around this time that Dufus started having doubts about whether he could actually afford the Talking Dalek he had just bought. Well, he can't say we didn't try and tell him.

With this episode of Eastenders over, the gang were distracted by the arrival of Miss Jean Marsh, who seemed flabbergasted at the number of people queuing to see her.

In time, the gang were inside the shop and meeting Miss Marsh. First up were Shirt and Dufus. Shirt passed through with out incident, but Dufus insisted on pitching his idea to Miss Marsh that they should team up and write the new period drama - The House of Eliot/Upstairs Downstairs for our time.

This brief discussion of television continued into Lupine's turn where Miss Marsh bemoaned the state of television today by promptly swearing, rather violently, at Lupine.

Chalky was informed by Miss Marsh that her autograph is one of the rarest in Who and Chalky retorted by saying, he knew that - that was why they had been standing there to meet her.

With photographs taken, the gang left and took the long route home. At Tower Hill tube the gang decided whether to pay a visit to the British Museum where an 'art' event was taking place which promised the presence of luminaries such as Quentin Blake.

Dufus decided to go home, having other engagements (namely getting his car to the garage - now with a worrying noise coming from the steering column since it's unfortunate run in with Northern - MIDLANDS! - Northern youths).

Lupine toddled along behind but all three found it to be a bit of a waste of time when, apart from a few kids drawing pictures and the prospect of queueing for another autograph (this time, Quentin Blake's) it didn't seem to be very interesting.

Aside from witnessing the aftermath of a bus/car crash near Tottenham Court Road, nothing of any more significance happened and the trio parted to wend their merry ways home.