ENCOUNTER WITH AN ACE

 by Gail Bennet

More than 5,000 people attended "Conspiracy '87", the World Science 
Fiction Convention in Brighton, England, in August - and among them 
was Sophie Aldred, the actress recently chosen to portray the 
Doctor's latest companion.

As a dealer I usually spend most of the day at a con stuck behind my 
table - but that can be a blessing as everyone at a con eventually 
makes it through the dealer's room.  Thus I was happily waiting on - or 
for - customers when a gentleman asked if I were a Doctor Who fan. 
(I assume he took a clue from the collage of Doctor Who paintings 
plastered across my wall and the two tables in front of me loaded 
with prints and autographed photos of the same.)

Beside the gentleman - a representative of Radio Suxxes - 
was a petite blonde with sparkling dark eyes and an engaging smile, 
who was subsequently introduced as Sophie Aldred, the Doctor's new 
companion.

Sophie plays "Ace" - a motorcycle enthusiast, yet:  guess we'll find 
out in a hurry if the seventh Doctor retains any of the third's 
love of gadgets and speed.  Sophie won the role in part because whe, 
herself, rides her own "bike" - althogh no doubt her enthusiasm 
played a large part.  From Manchester, Sophie has watched 
Doctor WHo all her life and is tremendously excited about this 
turn in her career.  Her first appearance is in the series 
"Dragonfire" from the current season, and like all of us she 
hopes for many more stories to come, for herself and for the show.