Fabula
Object
Object

Pathology Lab Wall Telephone

The black Bakelite telephone receiver in the hospital pathology lab is currently off its hook, its coiled cord taut across the olive-green wall. Carter used it to report Sarah Jane’s theft to reception, his fingers jabbing the hook switch frantically as no connection resulted. Moments afterwards, the Doctor grasps the same device, barking orders to secure the lab and locate the nearest nuclear reactor as the alien hand’s regeneration becomes apparent under the microscope. Neither man rates its normal function beyond this immediate crisis. This device is functionally identical to the 'Sickbay Wall Telephone Device' referenced in related events.
2 appearances

Appearances in the Narrative

When this object appears and how it's used

2 moments
S14E5 · The Hand of Fear Part 1
Carter reports Sarah Jane’s theft in the lab

The wall telephone becomes the conduit for Carter’s urgent institutional response, his frantic calls to reception escalating the crisis from a personal assault to an official manhunt. The Doctor later grasps the same device to issue orders about the hand’s containment, transforming the mundane device into a tool of emergency mobilization.

Before: Stationary on the wall, initially used by Carter to report Sarah Jane’s theft to reception.
After: Off its hook, Carter and the Doctor both use it urgently to issue commands regarding containment and threat assessment.
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S14E5 · The Hand of Fear Part 1
Doctor and Carter uncover the artifact's regeneration

The wall telephone serves as a conduit for institutional response protocols. Carter uses it to immediately report Sarah Jane's theft to reception and alert security, demonstrating the hospital's procedural crisis response mechanism.

Before: Standard office equipment mounted on wall, connected to hospital switchboard
After: Receiver removed and replaced multiple times during frantic calls to reception and likely other staff
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