Paydirt was the nineteenth story in the Bernice Summerfield anthology A Life of Surprises. It was written by Lance Parkin.
Summary
In the 46th century, Stev Grayson, Gould, N-v23 and Professor Kent are excavating a dig site looking for information on Bernice Summerfield.
Later, they discuss the legends they've heard about Benny, and speculate whether an earring they've found belongs to her. Professor Kent tries to explain to the students the nature of fact and legend.
Characters
- Bernice Summerfield ("the Professor")
- Stev Grayson
- Gould
- Professor Kent
- N-v23
References
- A universe exists where the Doctor had thirteen half-immortal children with Benny.
- Professor Kent mentions King Arthur, Robin Hood, Beowulf, Jack the Ripper, Lady Macbeth, Catwoman, Sherlock Holmes, Don Quixote, Shakespeare's plays, the Bible and Greek myths.
- Clonodating is banned by the Vatican.
- There are tombs for Benny on Mars, Vremnya and the Kalkravian asteroid belt.
- Benny's eyes are variously described as green, blue and brown.
Notes
- Benny uses "the Professor" as an alias. The Seventh Doctor was often called "Professor" by his companion Ace.
- In Lance Parkin's Iris Explains, published in the charity anthology Missing Pieces, Iris Wildthyme mentions a version of Benny who had thirteen children with the Doctor.
Continuity
- Gould knows that Benny got married in 2010. (PROSE: Happy Endings)