The Crackers (short story)

The Crackers was the sixteenth short story in the Short Trips anthology Short Trips: The Ghosts of Christmas. It was written by Richard Salter. It featured the Sixth Doctor and Evelyn Smythe.

Summary
The Cracker family is celebrating Christmas in 1957 when the Doctor and Evelyn appear in their home. The Doctor tries to explain that they aren't really in 1957 but are in a simulation caused by his TARDIS. He takes Alice outside the house, and her real memories come rushing back — her family entered a blue police box and wandered around for days. George even hacked a hole in the TARDIS with an axe. Then they woke up one morning and it was Christmas.

The Doctor takes Alice back to her "house", but when she enters, she forgets what's real and the entire family believes they're celebrating Christmas with their "Aunty Evelyn", who is also a victim of the simulation. The Doctor tries to explain what is happening — his TARDIS is being attacked by Vortisaurs and is trying to keep them out.

The Doctor is able to convince Alice because she realises that it's been Christmas every day. She comes up with a plan to get her family out of the "house": the Doctor picks up Thomas and leaves the house. Alice's parents and Evelyn follow them out. The Doctor brings them all to the TARDIS control room. He is able to close the hole and get away from the Vortisaurs.

The Cracker family realises that they really live in 2007 and they are the Kemp family. They have dinner with the Doctor and Evelyn. When the Doctor and Evelyn leave, the Doctor gives Alice a doll.

Characters

 * Sixth Doctor
 * Evelyn Smythe
 * Alice Kemp
 * George Kemp
 * Helena Kemp
 * Thomas Kemp

Continuity
to be added