Captain Jack Transcripts (short story)
Captain Jack Transcripts was a short story exclusively published on the Series 2 version of the Torchwood website in March 2008 as a tie-in to the television story Fragments [+]Loading...["Fragments (TV story)"]. It depicts in-universe transcripts of conversations Jack Harkness had in 1897 and 1898, and functioned as part of the Torchwood Mission Game.
Two versions of the short story were published on the website, an Adobe Flash SWF version, and a "low-tech" plain text version. The website was not archived by the BBC, and so can only be accessed via the Wayback Machine. Following the deprecation of Flash, the SWF version is also inaccessible in its original format.
Plot[[edit] | [edit source]]
At the Greenstall Tavern on 12 February 1897, Jack Harkness talks to a tavern maid. He mentions how he was kicked in the head by a mule three hours prior, and has no scratch or bruises. He reveals he was trying to win a bet for two shillings. Ordering some ale, he asks the maid's name, which she reveals as Sally Smith. Noticing the dried blood in Jack's hair, Sally tells him that he should get it seen to. Jack says "the Doctor" will be able to fix him, to which Sally says that she doesn't trust those "bloody quacks".
At the Wellbridge Alehouse on 16 December 1897, Jack overhears two men talking about a bright light in the sky. He orders an ale and asks the two men how they're doing. He states that he too saw a bright light recently heading towards the East by the Cardiff docks. One of the men, Medwyn, confirms that he saw the same thing, and that he tried to follow it before it disappeared. The other man, Tom, simply believes that he is drunk. Jack remarks that when the Doctor turns up "it'll all be put right", before offering the men a drink.
At the Stone Quarter Inn on 4 April 1898, Jack sits at the bar conversing with the innkeeper. The innkeeper notices his accent and says that he doesn't sound like a Welshman. Believing him to be an American, he asks Jack what brings him to Cardiff. Jack reveals that he is waiting for someone. The innkeeper incorrectly infers that Jack is looking for a "young lady". Jack simply responds that the "young lady" is a different story, and that he is actually looking for the Doctor. He says he is the only one who can help him right now, and can give him the answers he needs. The innkeeper tells him that he should turn to the Bible, and to never underestimate the power of faith. Jack tells him that he has faith in bounds, before the innkeeper gives him a drink for his way.
Characters[[edit] | [edit source]]
Referenced only[[edit] | [edit source]]
Notes[[edit] | [edit source]]
- This story is written as an in-universe Torchwood Cardiff report, with each transcript beginning with a note that they are abridged.
Worldbuilding[[edit] | [edit source]]
- Jack drinks at the Greenstall Tavern, Wellbridge Alehouse, and the Stone Quarter Inn.
- Jack had a bet with a man called Ralph over whether he could milk a mule.
- A bright light appeared at the Cardiff docks some point before 16 December 1897.
- When Jack says he'd like to kiss then kill the Doctor, the innkeeper reminds him to watch what he says "on both accounts".
Continuity[[edit] | [edit source]]
- This story serves as a prequel to Jack Harkness's 1899 flashback seen in TV: Fragments [+]Loading...["Fragments (TV story)"], providing a background on the transcripts quoted by Alice Guppy.
- Jack talks of the Doctor, having last seen him on the Game Station in 200,100 in TV: The Parting of the Ways [+]Loading...["The Parting of the Ways (TV story)"].
- The innkeeper assumes Jack is from "the colonies". Jack responds that he could say that, referring to the Boeshane Peninsula seen in TV: Adam [+]Loading...["Adam (TV story)"].
- Torchwood Cardiff have been monitoring Jack for at least two years by TV: Fragments [+]Loading...["Fragments (TV story)"]. Notably, these transcripts occur prior to Alice Guppy's recruitment to Torchwood in PROSE: Diary of Alice Guppy [+]Loading...["Diary of Alice Guppy (short story)"].
External links[[edit] | [edit source]]
- Captain Jack Transcripts at Torchwood via the Wayback Machine
- Captain Jack Transcripts - Non-Flash version at Torchwood via the Wayback Machine
