Mary Prout lived in Victorian London. In December 1861, she inherited money from an aunt she didn't even know existed.
When Mary met Anak, she stole from him what appeared to be a bottle of ink. It was actually a liquid containing microbes, all that remained from the war between Hextacosulous Blue and Hextacosulous Green. The Third Doctor and Anak determined that the "ink" posed no danger to Earth as long as Mary drank it. When she did so, an intricate tattoo appeared on her back.
Mary performed at the Egyptian Hall with several other entertainers. She changed her name to Maria Parota, the Living Panorama. (PROSE: The Lampblack Wars)