Tucked into the Parisian inn known as L'Auberge du Pont Romain, John Lucarotti hopes for a glass of Medoc and a chance to soak up the inn's historic atmosphere. As he leans in to order his wine, he hears the voice of the Doctor behind him. The Doctor reminds Lucarotti of the times they have shared together over glasses of wine. Lucarotti briefly indulges the Doctor before coming to his senses. He insists that the Doctor is fictional. The Doctor humours him, but mysteriously suggests that he can go wherever Lucarotti has been; maybe Lucarotti wants to go to Samarkand.