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by DAVID WHITAKER
first broadcast - 13 January 1968
running time - 23mins 46secs
1. SALAMANDER’S OFFICE, CONTROLLER HOUSE, CENTRAL EUROPEAN ZONE
SALAMANDER: But I tell you! (concerned) I must get back to research centre. You will come with me.
BRUCE: (insistent) It was you! (second-guessing) Or . . . someone like you.
(SALAMANDER, realizing the implications of an imposter, looks at him, fear in his face for the first time.)
2. KENT’S CARAVAN, AUSTRALASIAN ZONE
(As the scene changes, the DOCTOR’s face is superimposed over SALAMANDER’s.)
DOCTOR: Patience, Mister Kent, patience!
KENT: Astrid should have been in contact by now.
DOCTOR: (Rubbing hands.) Ah, perhaps her plan to infiltrate into Salamander’s organisation has failed.
KENT: Ah, no, otherwise Benik’s little visit here wouldn’t have been so moderate. He wouldn’t have stopped at breaking up the crockery.
(The DOCTOR listens, his mouth crooked, gently rubbing his hands.)
DOCTOR: Can’t you contact her?
KENT: If I knew where she was. Oh, no. I know she’s in the Central European Zone, but that’s a big place. No, we’ll just have to sweat it out and wait.
DOCTOR: But your friend Benik did indicate we weren’t entirely welcome here, you know.
KENT: (Arms crossed.) Yes, it’s not safe, ah, and taking you from place to place isn’t easy. And I mean, you’re er . . . not exactly inconspicuous, are you?
DOCTOR: Ah, thank you. Well, I suggest we give her another hour, and then if she doesn’t contact us by then, we’ll move out and find out what has happened.
(The small television is still on the table.)
3. KENT’S OFFICE, AUSTRALASIAN ZONE
(And the Communicator is still in KENT’s office. Someone is running. The door opens and ASTRID runs in. She closes the door and leans against it momentarily with a sigh. She quickly goes to the Communicator and turns it on.)
4. KENT’S CARAVAN, AUSTRALASIAN ZONE
(The television bleeps. KENT runs over and switches it on. ASTRID sits in front of the screen.)
KENT: Astrid, you’re back! Switch to scramble.
5. RECORDS ROOM, RESEARCH CENTRE, AUSTRALASIAN ZONE
(BENIK has intercepted and watches ASTRID on his own Communicator with a scowl.)
ASTRID: Scramble? Are we being monitored?
(KENT is unintelligible through both ASTRID’s monitor and BENIK’s monitor.)
ASTRID: Right. Switching now.
(The screen goes black and the monitor beeps. BENIK flips a switch with a frown. A guard appears on the screen.)
BENIK: Has Leader Salamander’s ship arrived at the terminal?
GUARD: I think it’s due now, sir.
BENIK: Good. Contact the guard. And I want the girl Astrid Ferrier traced, she’s Giles Kent’s assistant. I’ll have an identiprint sent down immediately.
She’s somewhere in this zone.
GUARD: Yes sir.
BENIK: Tell the captain to inform me the moment he’s found her, and to hurry.
GUARD: Sir.
6. KENT’S OFFICE, AUSTRALASIAN ZONE
(KENT and ASTRID continue their chat over the Communicator.)
KENT: Denes d*ad?
ASTRID: Yes, sh*t in the back.
KENT: Well, it looks as if our friend Salamander’s had a field day, doesn’t it?
ASTRID: (matter-of-factly) I’m afraid I haven’t done very well.
KENT: Don’t worry. It’s not your fault. Look, stay put and we’ll join you.
(ASTRID flips a switch to turn the Communicator off. Someone frantically knocks at the door. ASTRID quietly runs to the wall beside the door. As it opens, she reaches over to grab the handle and yanks the door, pulling the person on the other side inside, who happens to be FARIAH. She stumbles in with a shout, and she is wearing a shiny black vest over her usual uniform.)
FARIAH: Oh!
ASTRID: You! What are you doing here?
(FARIAH lifts a g*n, but ASTRID quickly grabs it and disarms her, trapping her in a hold. She touches the g*n to FARIAH’s neck, while FARIAH gasps in fear.)
ASTRID: No, don’t be foolish. What are you doing here?
FARIAH: (Not choking.) I can’t talk, you’re choking me.
(ASTRID throws her off and steps back, keeping the g*n on FARIAH as she spins around.)
ASTRID: One move, just one move . . . .
FARIAH: You think Salamander sent me here?
ASTRID: Well, didn’t he?
FARIAH: No it was my own idea. I came here to see Giles Kent.
ASTRID: Why?
FARIAH: I have some information for him.
ASTRID: Why should you want to help him?
FARIAH: (contemptuously) Because I hate Salamander probably even more than you do. I can help you to destroy him. I want to be there to see his face when he dies.
7. RECORDS ROOM, RESEARCH CENTRE, AUSTRALASIAN ZONE
(BENIK walks toward the Communicator as he paces anxiously.)
BENIK: Come on, come on.
(The guard appears on the screen.)
BENIK: About time too. Is the Captain there?
GUARD: Yes sir.
(The guard steps away and the CAPTAIN appears on screen. This Guard Captain of the Australasian Zone has a white helmet, while the Guard Captain of the Central European Zone had a black helmet.)
CAPTAIN: Here sir. The girl, Astrid Ferrier, she was in the Central European Zone.
BENIK: Was she? Well she’s here now. (sharply) Have you found her?
CAPTAIN: I think so. One of my men saw someone answering her description going into Giles Kent’s office earlier.
BENIK: Was she alone?
CAPTAIN: Yes, sir. But shortly after someone else followed her in.
BENIK: Well who, man, who?
CAPTAIN: Leader Salamander’s food taster sir, Fariah.
BENIK: (intrigued) Fariah? Right, I want the place surrounded, and I’ll join you there. Get a move on!
CAPTAIN: Yes sir.
BENIK: (Rolling the ‘R,’ bemused.) Fariah . . . .
(He walks away, that constant self-righteous smirk on his face.)
8. KENT’S OFFICE, AUSTRALASIAN ZONE
DOCTOR: But what are they going to do to Jamie and Victoria?
ASTRID: (Locking the door.) I don’t know.
KENT: Hold them in the Central European zone until Salamander has time to deal with them.
FARIAH: No. You’re wrong. Salamander doesn’t care for loose ends. He brought them back with him.
DOCTOR: What, to his headquarters?
(FARIAH nods and approaches.)
DOCTOR: The Research Centre?
FARIAH: Yes. He’s going to try to get information from them.
DOCTOR: (Fingers interlocked.) How far will he go to get it?
FARIAH: Very far.
DOCTOR: (sarcastically) That’s very comforting.
FARIAH: I tell you I know Salamander.
DOCTOR: Yes, I- I’m not quite clear about your part in all this. You work for Salamander, suddenly you fall over yourselves to betray him.
FARIAH: I came here for that purpose, yes.
DOCTOR: Why?
FARIAH: Because I have every reason to hate Salamander. He blackmailed me into being his personal servant. I even had to smile when he told me to.
KENT: What sort of blackmail? What had you done?
FARIAH: Does it really matter?
DOCTOR: Oh, no no no of course not my dear. Well nobody’s perfect, Kent. But I- I still can’t help wondering why-
FARIAH: (interrupting) Why I hadn’t tried to expose Salamander?
DOCTOR: Well you were in a unique position to do so.
FARIAH: Because without any proof I’d be wasting my time.
DOCTOR: (Waving hands violently.) Proof! Proof! Proof! (Approaches KENT.) It always comes back to the same thing! No one has any evidence against Salamander!
KENT: We have some.
DOCTOR: Not enough! It’s not enough! (Folds hands.) Salamander covers up too well.
FARIAH: I have what you want.
(The DOCTOR is intrigued.)
ASTRID: But I thought that you said-
FARIAH: (interrupting) No. Not about me. Fedorin.
ASTRID: Fedorin? A public embezzler who commits su1c1de?
FARIAH: (Nodding.) Salamander engineered nearly every one of those swindles, and I can prove it.
ASTRID: How?
(FARIAH smiles as she produces a file from under her black vest. The DOCTOR’s mouth opens in amazement.)
FARIAH: Fedorin’s file.
(The DOCTOR smiles and clasps his hands.)
DOCTOR: But that’s wonderful! Let me see.
(He quickly approaches, hands spread like a greedy little boy. FARIAH moves it away from him. He clasps his hands and nods reassuringly.)
DOCTOR: I’ll give it to you back.
(She hands it over and he eagerly snatches it.)
DOCTOR: Thank you.
(His brows furrow deeply as he flips through it.)
DOCTOR: (mutters) Oh. Yes. Yes . . . .
9. OUTSIDE BUILDING, AUSTRALASIAN ZONE
(BENIK approaches four guards.)
SERGEANT: (into helmet microphone) Report your position, A-three.
CAPTAIN: (to BENIK) Keep well back sir.
BENIK: Is the building surrounded?
SERGEANT: A-three’s in position, Captain.
CAPTAIN: Just closing up the gaps.
BENIK: Well you haven’t brought me here on a fool’s errand, I hope? (Looks up at the building.)
CAPTAIN: Still inside sir.
BENIK: Where’s Kent’s office?
CAPTAIN: Up on the second floor.
BENIK: Hmm, right. We’ll move in.
CAPTAIN: Just a moment, sir. (to SERGEANT) What about the roof?
SERGEANT: No reply yet, Captain. (into helmet microphone) Er- position A-five, position . . . .
BENIK: (Looking up at KENT’s office.) Come on, come on . . . .
10. KENT’S OFFICE, AUSTRALASIAN ZONE
(KENT has FEDORIN’s dossier and the DOCTOR is sitting in a chair.)
DOCTOR: But I’m afraid that this still isn’t evidence, it’s- it’s not real evidence.
KENT: (angrily) You mean even this doesn’t convince you about Salamander? (Slams the file on the desk.)
DOCTOR: Oh, I’m not saying that.
ASTRID: Well then you’ll do it? You’ll impersonate him?
FARIAH: And of course when they see you with me they’re bound to think you’re Salamander.
(The DOCTOR breaths heavily as he stands and steps away, folding his hands.)
DOCTOR: Yes but I . . . I still don’t know if I can carry it off.
KENT: It’s the only way to get your friends released.
DOCTOR: Yes . . . .
(The DOCTOR looks at KENT, beginning to have a suspicion.)
KENT: Of course, there are-
DOCTOR: (interrupting, disappointed) Oh I see, yes of course, there are conditions, aren’t there? (Distaste plain on his face.) You help me, I defeat Salamander?
KENT: Now look, you’re giving me the biggest opportunity I’ll ever have of ridding the world of this monster! Either I can convince you one way, or I’ll have to do it another.
DOCTOR: What you really want me to do is to k*ll him, isn’t it?
KENT: (contemptuously) What else do you do when someone is evil?
DOCTOR: (disapproving) Private justice, eh? (Shakes head.) Oh no. No. I’ll expose him, ruin him, have him arrested, but I won’t be his executioner.
(KENT tries to cut in.)
DOCTOR: No one has that right.
KENT: Sometimes it’s necessary.
DOCTOR: (Shakes head emphatically.) No.
KENT: Yes, Doctor yes! When the inducement is strong enough, and in your case yes, do you still want your friends out of danger?
DOCTOR: You can’t bargain with people’s lives like that!
KENT: I can. Either you get rid of Salamander, or we won’t lift a finger to help your friends.
(The DOCTOR stares at him. More dangerous than SALAMANDER, KENT is close to making an enemy of the DOCTOR.)
FARIAH: (Pointing out the window.) Mister Kent, look.
(KENT and ASTRID join FARIAH at the window, but the DOCTOR stays back.)
KENT: I’d make up my mind quickly if I were you.
DOCTOR: Why?
KENT: Have a look out of the window.
DOCTOR: Well, what is it?
(He steps toward the window, making sure to keep out of sight.)
11. OUTSIDE BUILDING, AUSTRALASIAN ZONE
(BENIK approaches the SERGEANT and the CAPTAIN.)
SERGEANT: A-five reporting in, Captain. Every man’s in position now.
CAPTAIN: Right, we’ll move in.
BENIK: Tell all men to sh**t on sight.
CAPTAIN: I- I can’t accept responsibility like that, sir.
BENIK: You won’t have any responsibility unless you do as I say. These people are t*rrorists. Give the order!
(The CAPTAIN hesitates before nodding at the SERGEANT.)
SERGEANT: (into helmet microphone) All ‘A’ positions, sh**t on sight.
CAPTAIN: (Walks past BENIK.) Forward!
12. KENT’S OFFICE, AUSTRALASIAN ZONE
KENT: No doubt of it, they’re security men.
FARIAH: And they’re closing in.
DOCTOR: (Spreads hands anxiously.) Well isn’t there another way out of here?
KENT: The usual ways will be blocked.
ASTRID: The f*re escape.
(KENT notices something and points.)
KENT: Up there, look!
(Two guards stand on a balcony of the adjacent building and a third joins them.)
DOCTOR: One down there, too!
(A woman pushes her pram past three more guards standing at the corner.)
FARIAH: What do we do now?
KENT: (Looks around frantically.) Over here, quick!
(He runs and lifts a door in the wall.)
DOCTOR: Well what’s that?
KENT: Through here, the ventilator shaft.
ASTRID: Giles, we can’t.
KENT: Yes, of course.
FARIAH: (Running to the desk.) Wait! The file.
(She grabs it as the DOCTOR runs to the shaft.)
KENT: Come on, quick.
DOCTOR: But where does it go?
13. OUTSIDE KENT’S OFFICE intercut with KENT’S OFFICE
KENT [OC]: It doesn’t matter, come on.
(The CAPTAIN runs up to the door and BENIK and the SERGEANT follow.)
CAPTAIN: It’s locked.
(BENIK stands and listens by the door, g*n in hand.)
BENIK: Wait! Why don’t you just let us in, it’ll save so much unpleasantness.
KENT: (Comforting FARIAH.) Now look just relax and you won’t feel a thing.
(KENT and the DOCTOR lower her into the shaft.)
KENT: Now you, Doctor, next.
BENIK [OC]: Kent! Open the door.
DOCTOR: (to ASTRID) Wh-wh-wh-what about you?
ASTRID: Oh no, you’re too important. You go, and Giles. I’ll follow.
KENT: All right.
(The DOCTOR helps KENT inside.)
BENIK [OC]: Very well . . .
DOCTOR [OC]: Quick! Quick!
BENIK: You leave me no alternative. Break it down.
(ASTRID closes the shaft after the others, and sh**t at the door.)
BENIK [OC]: Get back!
ASTRID: (Ducks behind a chair.) Get away from that door!
(A rope dangles outside the window behind ASTRID.)
BENIK [OC]: Can you hear me in there?
ASTRID: I can hear you!
BENIK [OC]: (Shouting over ASTRID.) Why don’t you come out?
ASTRID: I can hear you!
(A guard climbs down the rope and stands in the window.)
BENIK [OC]: How long do you think you can hold out against us?
(BENIK and the CAPTAIN stand on either side of the door while two other guards face it, g*n raised.)
BENIK: Standing by?
SERGEANT: (into helmet microphone) A-five. Progress?
BENIK: (impatient) Well!?
SERGEANT: He’s outside the window now, sir.
(BENIK is relieved.)
(ASTRID notices a piece of fabric moving in an air current. She spins to face the open window and the guard coming through. He jumps down and she falls back. He points his g*n at her, but she kicks her legs between his and swipes his feet out from under him with a shout. He reaches for her g*n and they wrestle for it, growling. They get to their feet, fighting for the g*n over their heads. The g*n goes off, f*ring at the ceiling. ASTRID elbows the guard in the stomach, causing him to bend over, letting go of the p*stol. ASTRID brings the handle down on the guard’s neck, sending him to the floor.)
(BENIK and the guards outside can hear the commotion.)
BENIK: He’s through, Sergeant, smash that lock.
(Repeating sh*ts ring out as the SERGEANT sh**t the lock. He kicks open the door.)
(The SERGEANT jumps inside, g*n ready, and the CAPTAIN follows. The SERGEANT runs to the opposite door and kicks it open as another guard runs in.)
BENIK: (Peers into the room, g*n in hand.) Well? Well?
SERGEANT: Empty.
(The SERGEANT goes to the door in the wall and opens it.)
BENIK: The air ducts. They’ve disappeared from the air conditioning plant. (to the CAPTAIN) Is there a manhole that could let them out to the street?
CAPTAIN: I don’t know, sir.
BENIK: Well find out!!
(The CAPTAIN, a guard, and BENIK run out of the room.)
CAPTAIN: On the double!
SERGEANT: (into helmet microphone) Attention all ‘A’ positions. Cover street. Send to the air conditioning plant.
(The SERGEANT and the other guard run out of the room.)
BENIK [OC]: (screaming) Tell your men to sh**t to k*ll!!!
SERGEANT [OC]: (into helmet microphone) sh**t to k*ll, repeat sh**t to k*ll.
(ASTRID is hiding under the desk, breathing heavily, listening to them leave with a g*n in her hand.)
14. STREET, AUSTRALASIAN ZONE
(FARIAH has been separated from the DOCTOR and KENT. She runs around a corner and pauses for a breath, holding the file tight to her chest. She runs under an archway and stops, spotting a guard. The guard hears her and spins around, g*n raised. FARIAH turns and runs as the guard fires. She arches back with a screech, holding her stomach. The CAPTAIN runs toward her as she collapses and helps her down, dropping his p*stol on the ground. He watches, horrified, while FARIAH writhes in pain. He looks up angrily at the guard as he approaches.)
CAPTAIN: (angrily) What do you think you’re doing?
GUARD: We had orders to k*ll.
CAPTAIN: Do you always obey orders?
GUARD: I’m sorry, Captain.
CAPTAIN: Oh, never mind. Go and search for the others.
(The guard runs off.)
CAPTAIN: (to FARIAH) I’m sorry. You should have stopped.
(BENIK runs around the corner.)
BENIK: (impatiently) Did you get the others?
CAPTAIN: Not yet, sir.
(BENIK runs to FARIAH and grabs her face.)
BENIK: Now listen to me. It was you, Astrid Ferrier, Giles Kent and another. Who was the other man?
FARIAH: (weakly) You- you’ll know . . . soon . . . soon enough.
BENIK: I want to know now. (Touches g*n to her cheek.)
CAPTAIN: Sir-
BENIK: Shut up! (to FARIAH) Well?
(FARIAH pauses to muster the strength to speak. She smiles.)
FARIAH: (weakly) You can’t thr*at me now, Benik. I can only die once. And someone’s beaten you to it.
(BENIK moves the g*n away from her face and grabs her shoulders, bending close to her.)
BENIK: (through teeth) Who was the other man?
(FARIAH, with her last strength, slaps BENIK in the face. BENIK stands and points his g*n at her, his hair in disarray with his fury.)
CAPTAIN: Sir! She’s d*ad.
BENIK: Good.
(BENIK notices the file and picks it up. He smiles.)
BENIK: Fedorin’s file. (to FARIAH) Thank you.
(He walks away. FARIAH is at peace.)
15. RECORDS ROOM, RESEARCH CENTRE, AUSTRALASIAN ZONE
SALAMANDER: What you mean is you failed.
(BENIK stands calmly, holding the dossier.)
BENIK: I always said something should be done about Kent.
SALAMANDER: (Walking around him.) You always say. You say things, but you don’t think!
(BRUCE walks in.)
BRUCE: You exceeded your authority, Benik. A woman’s been k*lled.
BENIK: (defensively) Resisting arrest.
BRUCE: Maybe. But you can’t just take the law into your own hands.
(BENIK looks away, unconcerned.)
BRUCE: Giles Kent hadn’t broken any rules that I know of.
BENIK: For sure he’d show himself one day, he was simply building up his resistance group.
SALAMANDER: (Shaking his head.) Resistance group . . . . The man’s a traitor! These people are rebels. Bruce, you must find this man who impersonated me. The dangers are obvious. He could walk in anywhere at any time pretending to be me and ruin everything.
BRUCE: You can leave that to me.
SALAMANDER: How so?
BRUCE: Benik, come with me and I’ll go over the security arrangements with you now.
(BRUCE walks to the door, but BENIK makes no indication to follow him.)
SALAMANDER: Do as you’re told!
(BENIK hands FEDORIN’s file to SALAMANDER.)
BENIK: I think you’ll find this interesting.
(SALAMANDER takes it and his eyes widen. He looks up at BENIK.)
SALAMANDER: What, the girl Fariah had this?
(BENIK just smiles. SALAMANDER steps toward him and smiles.)
SALAMANDER: What can I say?
(BENIK smiles and follows BRUCE. SALAMANDER glances at the file again, then goes to the Communicator and switches it on.)
GUARD: Yes sir?
SALAMANDER: The records room is out of bounds. I am not to be disturbed. See that the security locks are engaged.
GUARD: Very well, sir. For how long, sir?
SALAMANDER: For as long as I say so.
GUARD: Yes sir.
(SALAMANDER switches it off. He turns a knob and flips a switch. A metal door buzzes as it slides over the regular door, sealing it off. SALAMANDER goes to another console and flips a switch. The same buzzing sounds as another door is sealed off. He pushes a button and wheels begin spinning. An intermittent buzzer sounds as a metal door slides open, revealing a large capsule on a tall platform. It slides into the room on a track. SALAMANDER climbs up to the capsule and lays down inside. The whole thing slides back into the cupboard and the capsule rotates downward until SALAMANDER is upright. The metal door slides closed.)
16. ELEVATOR, RECORDS ROOM, AUSTRALASIAN ZONE
(SALAMANDER pushes a button and the capsule slides straight down an elevator shaft. As it travels rapidly downward, SALAMANDER stiffens against the slight shaking. He waits patiently as it falls farther and farther. The capsule comes to a sudden stop.)
17. HALLWAY, RESEARCH CENTRE, AUSTRALASIAN ZONE
BRUCE: Are you telling me that no one, no one at all can see Salamander?
GUARD: No one, sir.
BRUCE: (Approaches.) Can you communicate with him on closed circuit?
GUARD: I’ll try, sir.
(The guard goes to a panel and presses a button. Nothing happens. He turns back to BRUCE.)
GUARD: He’s turned off the master switch. Sorry, sir.
(BENIK walks down the hallway toward them with a file.)
BENIK: Get all the security details. What’s the matter now? (Approaches BRUCE.)
BRUCE: It seems that Salamander’s locked himself away and can’t be got at.
BENIK: So?
BRUCE: Well, suppose the place caught f*re?
BENIK: It won’t.
BRUCE: Don’t be foolish!
BENIK: Look, I can only tell you that when Salamander works in records, as he does from time to time, no one is allowed in.
BRUCE: I can understand if it were a . . . erm . . . a laboratory or a . . . research room of some sort, but a . . . a records room? What sort of records have you got in there anyway?
BENIK: What did you want to see him about?
BRUCE: Never mind. I just don’t like mysteries. Salamander’s far too important to lock himself away like this, anything might happen, a . . . a world emergency. (Has an idea.) Suppose . . . I had to order you to let me in there?
BENIK: It wouldn’t do any good. When the locks are switched over they can only be opened from the inside.
(BRUCE is suspicious.)
18. CONTROL ROOM, UNDERGROUND, AUSTRALASIAN ZONE
(The door opens onto a room with an administrator’s desk, covered in phones, an intercom, and files. A large Communicator stands by the wall. SALAMANDER enters, taking his jacket off. He is wearing a jumpsuit covered in burns, dirt, and scratches. His hair is no longer slicked down, but still parted and not as messy as the DOCTOR’s. He opens a drawer under the desk and stuffs his jacket inside. He pulls a key out of his pocket and locks the drawer. He puts the key back in his pocket as he approaches the Communicator and turns it on.)
19. WORK ROOM, UNDERGROUND, AUSTRALASIAN ZONE
(People work at their stations and walk around with clipboards, making sure everything is in order. The workplace is quiet and appears to be well-organized. They communicate with each other well, appearing to have no troubles with their coworkers. Everyone stops what they’re doing and looks up as SALAMANDER’s voice comes over the PA system.)
SALAMANDER: (Breathing heavily.) I have returned. Take radiation precautions. I will make a report about the surface.
SWANN: (to COLIN) He’s back! He’s managed to get back again.
COLIN: Let’s hope he’s got some good news this time.
MARY: Do you think Salamander’s found some more food, Swann?
SWANN: I hope so, otherwise we’re finished. Where’s that stock list?
COLIN: (Hands over a paper from his clipboard.) Here.
SWANN: Thank you. (Walks away.)
(COLIN takes a step, looking thoughtful and determined. MARY goes back to work.)
MARY: (to COLIN) Are you going to ask him?
COLIN: You bet I am. He’ll take me too.
(MARY quickly turns to him.)
MARY: Colin, I couldn’t sleep a wink last night thinking about you making the trip. None of the others have come back.
COLIN: Don’t stop me now! I’ve got to see the surface, Mary, I’ve got to! I want to see the Sun again, walk on top of the Earth! Not hide like a rat underground. I’ve got to do it, Mary, I’ve got to ask him.
(He walks past her. MARY watches him wistfully.)
MARY: Yes . . . .
(SWANN goes through the door to the Control Room.)
20. CONTROL ROOM, UNDERGROUND, AUSTRALASIAN ZONE
(SWANN energetically approaches SALAMANDER, who shies away, raising his arm defensively.)
SWANN: Welcome back, Salamander. Are you all right?
(SALAMANDER continues to fall back as SWANN presses him.)
SALAMANDER: No, Don’t- don’t come too near my friend . . . .
(SWANN backs off, concerned.)
SALAMANDER: (Breathing heavily.) I am not yet decontaminated. Oh, I am too weary . . . too- too utterly weary . . . .
SWANN: You shouldn’t have made this trip, Salamander, you’re doing too much.
SALAMANDER: Someone has to bring back the food for you, my friend, huh? You know that the- the radiation is slowly k*lling me, don’t you Swann?
SWANN: You’re just doing too much.
SALAMANDER: (Slowly stands.) I worry about you all the time. (Walking past SWANN.) What’re you going to do when I am no longer here?
(He steps into a cubby, which lights up when he enters, and leans his hand against the wall. The geiger counter clicks as the needle on the radiation meter jumps to the highest reading.)
SALAMANDER: (Sighs.) Radiation gets a little more each time, hm?
(The needle slowly spins back down.)
SALAMANDER: (Points.) One day, that needle will stay at maximum radiation.
MARY: Don’t say that!
(SALAMANDER smiles and steps out of the radiation chamber as the needle reaches zero.)
SALAMANDER: Why Mary! Colin! (Waves hands.) Huh, it’s my big joke, huh? Just to frighten you a little. I’ve got good news for us!
COLIN: We can return to the surface?
SALAMANDER: (Face falls.) No no no not yet, but I’ve found another store of food-
SWANN: (interjecting) Thank goodness!
SALAMANDER: And it’s undamaged! Colin, open the last store of wine, huh? (Waving.) Go on, you help him too, Mary.
(As soon as they turn away, SALAMANDER stumbles against his chair and SWANN takes his arm.)
SWANN: You must take it slowly for goodness sake.
SALAMANDER: I’m all right my friend. I’m just a little dizzy. (Looks upward.) It’s . . . it’s terrible up there, you know. Swann . . . you’ve no idea. (Takes a breath.) All right, I am ready.
21. WORK ROOM, UNDERGROUND, AUSTRALASIAN ZONE
(COLIN and MARY wheel in a keg on a trolley. The workers begin to congregate, muttering excitedly.)
SALAMANDER: (Approaching the group.) Here we are, my friends.
(They cheer and applaud, surrounding him and patting his shoulders.)
SALAMANDER: Please, no. It is enough that I am back with you again and I have brought food for you! Plenty of food!
(They cheer.)
SWANN: Here is the man who can try-
(SALAMANDER raises his hands to calm them.)
SALAMANDER: Please! Please Swann . . . . I re-remembered on- on my way back down here that we are near our anniversary again.
(The crowd murmurs.)
SALAMANDER: In a few short weeks we survivors will have been down in this shelter for exactly five years. (Holding up five fingers.)
CROWD: (Murmuring.) Five years...
SALAMANDER: Colin and Mary were- were just teenagers then.
(COLIN has his arm around MARY.)
SALAMANDER: Look at them now! We fed ourselves.
CROWD: (Muttering.) Yes!
SALAMANDER: (Gesturing passionately.) But what’s more than that, we are fighting back! We are doing something!
CROWD: Yes! Yes! Yes!
COLIN: (Shouting over the crowd.) Will we ever return to the surface, Salamander?
SALAMANDER: Yes, of course we will, this is what I’m striving for. (Looking up, grimly.) But up there it’s terrible still. The w*r goes on and on. You never know when the air is clean or when it’s poison.
COLIN: (forcefully) When can we return?
SALAMANDER: We have to . . . to fight for a while longer, hmm? Creating natural disasters. Monsoons! Earthquakes! Volcanic eruptions! Always in the places where the enemies of truth and freedom gather together!
(The crowd voice their approval.)
COLIN: You tell us this all the time, Salamander. When are we going to escape from this nightmare prison, that’s all I’m asking you?
MARY: Colin, please!
COLIN: I want an answer!
SALAMANDER: (Nodding.) You shall have an answer, my friend. You will return to the surface . . . when you have a good chance of survival.
(SALAMANDER falls forward and many hands catch him.)
SWANN: Are you ill?
(SALAMANDER stands and they slowly remove their hands.)
SALAMANDER: No no it’s alright, but you must believe me. Colin, all of you! (Shakes folded hands emphatically.) You cannot return to the surface until it’s safe to do so! (Gestures to SWANN.) Please my friend, we must . . . we must . . . .
(SWANN follows as SALAMANDER walks past him. The workers converse excitedly. COLIN walks away from the group and MARY follows him.)
MARY: He’s doing his best.
COLIN: (Spins to face her.) I can’t help it Mary! Next time I’m gonna make him take me with him.
MARY: No! You know the others didn’t come back.
COLIN: I’ve got to.
MARY: Then take me with you. I’d rather die with you up on the surface than live down here without you.
(SALAMANDER and SWANN approach the Control Room, but SALAMANDER turns to SWANN.)
SALAMANDER: Er, no, Swann, eh, we must check the power levels. Huh?
(He walks into the control room and SWANN turns away. SALAMANDER glares through the door at his sheep as he closes it.)
SWANN: All right! Everyone to their places please. Salamander wants to check the power levels.
(He points people around as they casually return to work.)
SWANN: Come along there, come on. Full blast, that’s right.
(Someone wheels the keg away.)
SWANN: Check the meter levels. Full power on line one, Salamander.
22. CONTROL ROOM, UNDERGROUND, AUSTRALASIAN ZONE
(SALAMANDER is smoking a cigar with his feet on the desk and an open file in his lap.)
SALAMANDER: Oh, good, good.
SWANN [OC]: No faults indicated!
SALAMANDER: Oh, excellent!
(He looks at the file and puffs his cigar.)
23. KENT’S CARAVAN, AUSTRALASIAN ZONE
(The DOCTOR has a round mirror in his lap and a towel over his shoulders across his front. He looks uncomfortable as ASTRID trims his bangs.)
DOCTOR: But I still don’t understand what’s happened to Fariah.
KENT: She went the wrong way. We lost her.
(ASTRID stands and begins to comb the DOCTOR’s hair.)
DOCTOR: Well we must find her! You don’t seem to realize how vital it is!
(ASTRID gestures, trying to get them to stop talking.)
ASTRID: Doctor, hold still a moment will you?
DOCTOR: (annoyed) Sorry.
(Suddenly SALAMANDER is sitting in the chair when ASTRID parts the DOCTOR’s hair. She lifts a photograph of SALAMANDER beside the DOCTOR’s face. The DOCTOR’s disgruntled face perfectly matches SALAMANDER’s scowl. He looks over at the picture.)
ASTRID: There. Look at that, Giles, isn’t it amazing?
(The DOCTOR lifts the mirror to get a better look.)
KENT: Salamander to the life.
DOCTOR: Yes, it’s . . . it’s not bad.
ASTRID: Shh, I think I heard something.
(She puts the photograph on the cabinets and the DOCTOR stands.)
DOCTOR: Well perhaps it’s Fariah.
(A guard’s black boots enter. The DOCTOR stares, fear in his face, and the towel still around his shoulders.) | {"type": "series", "show": "Doctor Who", "episode": "05x20 - The Enemy of the World - part 4"} | foreverdreaming |
by DAVID WHITAKER
first broadcast - 20 January 1968
running time - 24mins 22secs
1. KENT’S CARAVAN
(Black boots step into the caravan, which belong to BRUCE, accompanied by a security guard. The DOCTOR looks at BRUCE with fear, breathing heavily. He’s taken the towel off and he wears SALAMANDER’s jacket.)
BRUCE: Stay where you are. I’ve been looking forward to meeting you again. Over there . . . . No, not you.
(He holds the DOCTOR back with his cane while KENT and ASTRID move to the other side of the room. The DOCTOR has acquired the complete SALAMANDER costume, but he wears the jacket closed while SALAMANDER wears it open.)
BRUCE: Sit down, all of you.
(The DOCTOR sits and BRUCE steps toward him, giving the guard behind him room to come inside.)
KENT: How did you find us?
BRUCE: (Turns.) Your last visitor was Salamander’s deputy Benik. When he left, he fixed this underneath your trailer. (Holding a small, round device in his glove.)
ASTRID: A radio tracking device.
KENT: On whose authority?
BRUCE: Mine.
(He studies the DOCTOR.)
BRUCE: It’s amazing how alike you and Salamander are. Incredible. You fooled me the first time we met, but now, even Salamander himself would think he was looking in a mirror. Why?
(The DOCTOR sighs.)
BRUCE: (Turns to KENT.) You want this man to impersonate Salamander, why?
(Neither of them respond.)
BRUCE: (Turns to the DOCTOR.) How much are they paying you?
DOCTOR: I beg your pardon?
BRUCE: They want you to assassinate Salamander, don’t they? Take his place?
DOCTOR: That’s ridiculous! I couldn’t possibly do that!
BRUCE: But you were preparing to impersonate him, weren’t you?
DOCTOR: (Breathing rapidly.) Well- well yes.
BRUCE: All right then, why?
DOCTOR: (Breathing rapidly.) Because Salamander holds my two friends prisoner and I was going to attempt to rescue them.
ASTRID: And at the same time get evidence that would expose Salamander as a traitor, blackmailer, and m*rder!
BRUCE: Quite an ambitious plan. How do you know such evidence exists?
KENT: It exists in Salamander’s records.
BRUCE: Oh, yes, I know why you want Salamander out of the way. You hate him because he exposed your profitable sideline of misusing public money.
ASTRID: (insistent) Oh, it was Salamander who was misusing the money.
KENT: And I was dismissed from my post and the evidence against Salamander concealed.
BRUCE: So you say. But you’ve no evidence at all against Salamander, have you?
KENT: I tell you the evidence is in Salamander’s records.
BRUCE: And I’m expected to take that from you?
DOCTOR: We do hold evidence that Salamander isn’t quite so pure and white as he’s painted. (Mouth goes crooked.)
BRUCE: No? What?
DOCTOR: A file, containing certain information about a gentleman called Fedorin.
ASTRID: Salamander was going to use this evidence against Fedorin. Blackmail him into submission. After he’d got rid of Denes, that is.
KENT: And so gain control of another zone.
BRUCE: Where is this file?
DOCTOR: Fariah has it, Salamander’s food taster.
(The DOCTOR quickly covers his mouth, pretending to be embarrassed for saying too much.)
BRUCE: Fariah? But she’s d*ad.
(The DOCTOR stands, shocked.)
DOCTOR: d*ad? But how?
BRUCE: She was sh*t by one of Benik’s guards, escaping arrest.
DOCTOR: Oh, that’s . . . .
KENT: (Stands.) Escaping arrest? Benik had her k*lled, because she had evidence against Salamander.
ASTRID: And Benik will return the file to Salamander. We must get to the Research Station.
(She steps fearlessly toward the door, but BRUCE stops her.)
BRUCE: You’re not going anywhere or doing anything. As far as I’m concerned this story you’ve told me could be a pack of lies to cover your attempt to assassinate Salamander. Now I’m not saying I’m altogether satisfied with Salamander or his organisation, but I’ll investigate in my own way.
KENT: Meanwhile Salamander will have found a way to cover himself, and also a way of disposing of you. You’re digging your own grave, Bruce.
BRUCE: (Steps toward him.) That’s my affair. And I do things my own way.
(Suddenly ASTRID shoves the guard, causing him to fall out of the caravan, and takes his g*n, pointing it at BRUCE.)
ASTRID: And I do things my way. (Laughs.) Really, as Head of Security, you should have more reliable guards.
(BRUCE stares at the g*n in both fear and surprise.)
2. HALLWAY, RESEARCH STATION
BENIK: Leader Salamander?
GUARD: (Turns toward him.) Still inside, sir.
BENIK: Let me know the moment the doors are opened.
GUARD: Yes sir.
(More guards carry JAMIE and VICTORIA, unconscious on stretchers, past BENIK and the guard. The CAPTAIN approaches BENIK.)
BENIK: So you’ve brought them? Good. Any trouble?
CAPTAIN: No, a light drug saw to that.
BENIK: Let me know the moment they wake up.
CAPTAIN: Yes sir.
BENIK: I’m looking forward to questioning them. I have the feeling they’re going to be stubborn. So much more interesting when our prisoners are stubborn.
(BENIK follows the guards. The CAPTAIN looks glad to be away from BENIK, and sorry for BENIK’s prisoners.)
3. KENT’S CARAVAN
BRUCE: You’re only making trouble for yourself. k*lling me won’t get you anywhere.
(KENT keeps close behind ASTRID as she advances thr*at.)
ASTRID: We have to get to the Research Station, and you’re not going to stop us.
BRUCE: (Arms crossed.) But you’re completely surrounded. You don’t really believe I came here with just one guard, do you?
(The DOCTOR, KENT, and ASTRID look out the windows nervously. ASTRID’s confidence has vanished, but she keeps the w*apon on him.)
BRUCE: You’d be very silly to try and fight your way out. I’d give you about . . . (Looks toward the ceiling, thinking.) thirty seconds to live if you try.
KENT: All right Bruce, we might have just thirty seconds but you’d have exactly half that time, if you were lucky!
DOCTOR: Please, Mister Kent! (Hands folded.) You’re forgetting one very important thing.
KENT: What?
DOCTOR: Me. Without me you haven’t got an earthly chance of getting in that control centre.
KENT: So?
DOCTOR: I told you before, I will not have anything to do with v*olence!
KENT: And what about your two friends? Are you going to leave them to the tender mercies of Salamander?
DOCTOR: No I am not! (Spreads his hands toward ASTRID.) May I?
ASTRID: What?
DOCTOR: Please? Just trust me.
(He carefully grabs the g*n and pushes it down. He suddenly takes it from ASTRID and points it at BRUCE.)
DOCTOR: Now then, I think you’ll agree that at this moment your life is in my hands.
(The DOCTOR approaches BRUCE thr*at. He suddenly turns the g*n around, handing it over. BRUCE takes his chance and grabs it back as the DOCTOR quickly steps back.)
KENT & ASTRID: What are you doing?
(BRUCE points the g*n at them.)
BRUCE: Hold it.
DOCTOR: It’s all right, Mister Bruce isn’t going to sh**t anyone, are you?
(BRUCE relaxes, but keeps the g*n on them, genuinely confused.)
BRUCE: Why? Why’d you do that?
DOCTOR: Because I think I know what sort of man you are - honest and reasonable.
BRUCE: Go on.
DOCTOR: I gave you back that g*n because I trust you. Now I want you to trust me.
BRUCE: You must be a . . . complete fool, or very clever.
DOCTOR: Well I’m afraid you will have to make up your mind to that right away.
BRUCE: What do you here hope to gain from this gesture?
DOCTOR: Your confidence.
BRUCE: Do you believe . . . Kent’s accusations against Salamander?
DOCTOR: I think there’s reasonable doubt about Salamander’s personal integrity, but there’s only one way to get proof.
BRUCE: By getting into Salamander’s Research Station?
DOCTOR: Yes. And my two young friends may have some information.
BRUCE: And if there isn’t any evidence?
DOCTOR: Then you’ll be perfectly free to arrest us and put us in prison, won’t you?
BRUCE: (Clears throat.) All right, I’ll do it. On one condition.
DOCTOR: And what’s that?
BRUCE: That you and I go alone, Kent and the girl stay here as hostages.
KENT: Now wait a minute, I must go with him.
BRUCE: No, Kent, you stay here. (to the DOCTOR) I must be mad to trust you. I only hope your impersonation of Salamander fools Benik. If it doesn’t, we’re in d*ad trouble. (Handing the g*n to the guard.) Here, take this. Keep those two in the caravan.
(The guard points the g*n firmly at KENT and ASTRID while BRUCE and the DOCTOR step toward the door. BRUCE stops and turns.)
BRUCE: Oh, and, um . . . watch the girl. (to the DOCTOR) Come on.
(They walk away. The guard keeps the g*n pointed at KENT and ASTRID as he steps outside and closes the door. KENT and ASTRID look at each other, wondering what to do.)
4. CONTROL ROOM, UNDERGROUND
(SALAMANDER, still in his dirty jumpsuit, enters and approaches the intercom on his desk as the door slides closed behind him.)
SALAMANDER: Swann, I’m back in the control room.
5. WORK ROOM, UNDERGROUND
(SWANN looks up as SALAMANDER’s voice comes over the intercom.)
SALAMANDER: I placed the new food cases on the conveyor.
(The other workers listen.)
SALAMANDER: Detail some men to unload them. Then make a report on schedule seven.
SWANN: (Turns to the group.) Jones, Morris, Hunt.
(He waves and they follow him away from the group.)
SWANN: Now remember, if there’s any contamination showing up at all on the register, you must tell me immediately.
(One nods and they turn to the food station. He turns some knobs and a door in the wall slides open revealing a box labeled “MILK” with a sticker reading “GLASS” slapped to the cardboard almost sideways. Two men pull it out of the alcove and hand it to the third, who takes it away as another box slides down the conveyor belt. All that is visible of the label is “CAN.” SWANN nods at their progress and turns away.)
COLIN: Swann?
(SWANN turns to face him.)
COLIN: Have you ever thought what would happen to us if Salamander didn’t come back from the surface one day?
SWANN: No. He always comes back. And talk like that isn’t healthy, I’ve told you about this before, Colin. (Looks at clipboard.)
COLIN: You can live in a dream world if you want to.
SWANN: Morale is important down here.
COLIN: Reality is important, too! Facing facts!
MARY: (Steps between them.) Colin . . . .
COLIN: Yes, all right.
(He returns to his station. MARY follows SWANN as he continues his rounds.)
MARY: I’m sorry, Swann.
SWANN: (Faces her.) He’s the best man I’ve got.
MARY: I know.
SWANN: If only he’d just accept the fact that everything will-
MARY: (interrupting) He never will!
SWANN: He must be more patient then. We’ll get out of here one day.
MARY: Will we?
SWANN: Of course we will. Salamander says so.
MARY: (softly) Yes . . . .
(SWANN walks away. COLIN approaches MARY.)
COLIN: Blind idiot. Why does he think everybody else has to be an idiot too?
MARY: We daren’t let people think, Colin. Swann’s all right.
COLIN: I don’t think it’s right. Just work, sleep, eat - if there’s enough to go round. Like worms under the earth, sightless worms wriggling about without hope. Without purpose.
MARY: It isn’t like that.
COLIN: Isn’t it? All this? Every day I ask myself what are we doing down here!
MARY: You’ve never doubted him before.
COLIN: I don’t know. I don’t say I doubt him . . . but just once Mary, just once I wanna see with my own eyes what’s going on up there! Me! Not hear about it from anybody else.
SWANN: Getting on with your work? Mustn’t fall behind, you know.
(COLIN pretends to be busy and MARY goes back to work.)
SWANN: Come on Colin, we all get depressed. I know how you feel.
(SWANN touches COLIN’s arm reassuringly, but COLIN pulls away harshly. He quickly calms down.)
COLIN: Sorry.
SWANN: That’s all right.
(He pauses awkwardly before approaching the workers at the food station.)
SWANN: Ah, how we getting on here, huh? Ah, all this? That’s a good haul.
(He approaches a pile of boxes, many of which are stamped “FRAGILE.” He lifts a box labeled “MEAT,” with “FRAGILE” stamped right across the center of the word, and examines it. A piece of paper appears to be stuck to the bottom of the box. SWANN looks up at SALAMANDER’s voice over the PA.)
SALAMANDER: Stand by to make your report, Swann.
(As he puts the box down, he notices the scrap of paper and pulls it off. His face is blank. He stares at it while he walks toward the Control Room in shock.)
MARY: Reaching full power here, Swann.
(She looks concerned and touches COLIN’s arm when SWANN doesn’t respond. SWANN pushes workers out of his way to reach the door. He shakes the handle, but it is locked. He pushes a button on the intercom on the wall.)
SWANN: Salamander, I must see you.
6. CONTROL ROOM, UNDERGROUND
SALAMANDER: (Presses the button on the intercom.) Not now, we are too busy.
SWANN: This is urgent.
SALAMANDER: (Presses the button.) Oh very well. (Clears throat.)
(He stands and walks to the Communicator. He flips a switch to open the door and flips more switches and knobs to look busy as SWANN enters. SALAMANDER approaches him.)
SALAMANDER: Now what’s the matter, huh?
SWANN: (in shock) What’s this? What is this?
SALAMANDER: What?
SWANN: Newspaper. It’s a piece of newspaper.
(SALAMANDER glances at it.)
SALAMANDER: So?
SWANN: Well go on, look at it. Read it. Last year’s date. (Pointing.) Look at the bit of headline there. (Suddenly loses it.) THERE!
(The headline reads “HOLIDAY LINER SINKS MANY FEARED LOST.”)
SALAMANDER: Control yourself, Swann, you’ve gone mad!
SWANN: "Holiday Liner Sinks!" You say there’s a global w*r. Radiation everywhere. How can there be holiday liners? Tell me how! You’ve lied to us, haven’t you? Haven’t you!?
(SALAMANDER slowly turns away and sits down.)
SALAMANDER: In a way, Swann, yes. I . . . I had to.
SWANN: Had to!? What do you mean had to?
SALAMANDER: Well it’s true that- that the w*r is over, but have you any idea what happens to people who’ve been involved in a nuclear w*r? Have you?
SWANN: Course I haven’t, I’ve been down here.
SALAMANDER: Those who are lucky enough to escape the annihilation have their bodies eaten away by radiation poisoning. They’re deformed in mind and body.
SWANN: But this- this- this newspaper?
SALAMANDER: They have a kind of society, but it’s- it’s evil! Corrupt! You don’t think I could expose you to- to that sort of thing? Think of Mary a- and the other women.
SWANN: You could have told me, at least!
SALAMANDER: (defensively) I decided not to.
SWANN: You should have told me!
SALAMANDER: (defensively) I thought it was best!
SWANN: And what about the natural disasters we’ve been organising? The volcanoes, earthquakes?
SALAMANDER: Swann . . . they’re not fit to live.
SWANN: (horrified) You’re m*rder them. k*lling them off!
SALAMANDER: I want you and the others to inherit the Earth, make a new world.
SWANN: Yes, I know all about that, but not at the price of wholesale m*rder!
SALAMANDER: (Stands.) It’s not m*rder! If you could see you would understand. It’s an act of mercy!
SWANN: There must be some other way.
SALAMANDER: NO!
SWANN: I won’t take your word any more. I want to see for myself.
(SALAMANDER thinks fast, grasping at straws.)
SALAMANDER: You- you- you’d be horrified.
SWANN: Maybe.
SALAMANDER: The radiation would k*ll you!
SWANN: I’ll chance that.
SALAMANDER: (Sighs.) Very well. But- but promise me one thing. (Points with his thumb.) You won’t tell the others.
SWANN: Why shouldn’t I?
(SALAMANDER’s true colors show, frightened at his lack of control.)
SALAMANDER: Because I am right and you are wrong!!
(He breathes rapidly, gesturing and stuttering, struggling to think of something a benevolent leader would say.)
SALAMANDER: You- you wouldn’t want to- you wouldn’t want to hurt them like that, huh?
SWANN: And if you’re lying, and I want to tell when I get back?
SALAMANDER: Well . . . how can I stop you? (Slowly moving away from his chair.) You’d better, ah . . . tell them you’re coming with me. Say er . . . say you’ve persuaded me.
(SWANN puts his clipboard down and sits in SALAMANDER’s chair. SALAMANDER grabs his arm.)
SALAMANDER: Swann, trust me, don’t go ahead with this, huh?
SWANN: I have to.
(SWANN looks betrayed. He switches on the intercom.)
7. WORK ROOM, UNDERGROUND
(Everyone looks up at SWANN’s voice over the system.)
SWANN: This is Swann speaking. It’s nearly a year since anyone went on the surface with Salamander.
(COLIN’s face lights up with wonder.)
COLIN: Salamander’s changed his mind. He’s going to take me with him.
8. CONTROL ROOM, UNDERGROUND
SWANN: There are more stores to bring down too. Salamander can’t do it all on his own. We’ll both be back soon with good news I hope.
9. WORK ROOM, UNDERGROUND
(COLIN is shattered.)
COLIN: Why not me? Why? I asked him. He turned me down.
MARY: Colin . . . .
COLIN: Why not me?
(He throws his clipboard down and runs to the door.)
COLIN: (screams) WHY NOT ME??
(He stops at the door, considering banging on it, but goes and yells into the intercom.)
COLIN: Salamander, take me with you! (Yells at the closed door.) TAKE ME WITH YOU!!
(MARY runs to him.)
MARY: He’s gone, it’s no good! Please Colin.
(She turns him to face her.)
COLIN: (distressed) Why didn’t he take me? I’ve got to get out of here, Mary. Got to get out!
10. INTERROGATION ROOM, RESEARCH STATION
VICTORIA: (whispering) Jamie? Jamie?
JAMIE: What?
(He starts to sit up and groans. VICTORIA hands him a cup.)
VICTORIA: Here, drink this. The headache soon goes.
(He grunts as he takes it and quickly swallows it all. He gives the cup back to VICTORIA, who puts it down. JAMIE looks around.)
JAMIE: Where are we?
VICTORIA: I don’t know.
(JAMIE stands up and takes her hand.)
JAMIE: Ah, let’s find out.
(He opens the door to find himself face to face with BENIK. JAMIE and VICTORIA back away, tense, as BENIK and a guard enter.)
BENIK: Don’t leave us so soon. We can have a little talk.
(BENIK walks past them and the guard closes the door.)
JAMIE: Where are we?
BENIK: You’re in the Australasian zone. (Sits on the desk.) I had you brought here especially.
JAMIE: Why?
BENIK: So that Salamander could ask you some questions.
JAMIE: For all the answers he’s gonna get he might as well have left us there. (Sits casually.)
BENIK: (snaps) Stand up when you talk to me!
JAMIE: You’ll get nowhere by shouting.
BENIK: (pleasantly) On the contrary. I’m going to get everything I want from you two.
JAMIE: We’ll not tell you a thing.
BENIK: (Laughs.) That’s good. I like that.
JAMIE: What?
BENIK: Spirit. Resistance. And you’ve got plenty of both, haven’t you, boy? Well I wonder how long you will last. Five minutes? No, a little longer, maybe. Ten, perhaps?
JAMIE: (Stands slowly.) What do you mean?
BENIK: Come now, you don’t think I’m just going to sit here and ask questions, do you?
JAMIE: You must have been a nasty little boy.
BENIK: Oh I was. But I had a very enjoyable childhood.
(JAMIE suddenly punches the guard in the stomach and knocks him to the ground with a chop to the neck. He looks at BENIK, but BENIK just laughs, holding VICTORIA with a g*n to her head. VICTORIA is too frightened to move.)
BENIK: Yes, I thought so. Spirit, plenty of spirit.
(He throws VICTORIA back to JAMIE, but keeps the g*n on them.)
BENIK: Oh, we’re going to enjoy ourselves, aren’t we?
(JAMIE holds VICTORIA protectively. The guard has gotten back up and points his g*n at them as well.)
BENIK: Now then . . . .
VICTORIA: I . . . I thought you were going to take us to see Salamander?
BENIK: Yes I will. But he’d expect me to do my little best first.
JAMIE: You lay a finger on her, I’ll k*ll you.
BENIK: (Laughs.) Will you? (Chuckles.) How? No. I think the time’s come for you to answer my questions, don’t you? Come here, girl!
(VICTORIA leans into JAMIE’s protection and shakes her head, frightened.)
BENIK: If you don't, I shall have to sh**t one of you. Oh, not a mortal wound. (Angles the g*n down.) In the leg, perhaps?
(VICTORIA gasps in horror.)
JAMIE: (softly) Better go. Don’t worry.
(VICTORIA slowly moves toward him, as tense as can be.)
BENIK: There. That’s better. (Grabs VICTORIA’s hair.) Oh, such pretty hair, don’t you think?
(He yanks her head back and she shouts.)
JAMIE: All right, leave her alone! (defeated) What do you want to know?
BENIK: Quite a lot! And you’re going to tell me everything. Aren’t you?
(BENIK pulls again and VICTORIA gasps.)
JAMIE: All right, yes!
BENIK: Who’s behind you? Is it Giles Kent?
(Suddenly the door opens and SALAMANDER walks in, followed by BRUCE. He glances at JAMIE and VICTORIA before addressing BENIK.)
SALAMANDER: Ah, so they’re here, eh?
(JAMIE holds VICTORIA protectively.)
BENIK: Salamander, I- I thought you were in Records?
SALAMANDER: Have they told you anything yet?
BENIK: Not yet.
SALAMANDER: Very well. Bruce and I will take over. (Approaches BENIK.) You may go, and er . . . take your little puppy dog with you, hm?
(BENIK purses his lips, frustrated, and quickly strides out of the room, followed by his guard. BRUCE closes the door. SALAMANDER stands behind the desk, leaning on it.)
SALAMANDER: Now . . . .
JAMIE: (Playing innocent.) We can’t tell you anything.
SALAMANDER: Of course not. We know everything. (Sits.) We know about Giles Kent . . . we know about the girl called Astrid, and we know about your friend the Doctor. (Smiles.)
(VICTORIA and JAMIE look at each other in horror. VICTORIA walks to the desk and leans over it.)
VICTORIA: I don’t believe you.
SALAMANDER: A childish plan to impersonate me. Yes the truth, isn’t it?
JAMIE: (Points and approaches.) Ah but he didn’t agree to it.
SALAMANDER: But you two were sent to the Central European ro- zone to stir up trouble.
VICTORIA: If you want to know the truth, Giles Kent told us a story and we weren’t sure. Before the Doctor could do anything we had to come here and find out what person you’re like.
(BRUCE listens carefully, thoughtfully.)
JAMIE: Yeah, and we found that out right enough.
SALAMANDER: You see Bruce? They just t*rrorists. Not very big fry, either. All this nonsense about proof against me.
VICTORIA: If you’re doing so much good for the world, why are you so afraid for your own life?
JAMIE: Aye, and why do you have so many enemies?
VICTORIA: Personal guards?
JAMIE: Your own food taster?
VICTORIA: And why destroy the one man people trusted, Alexander Denes?
JAMIE: Aye.
BRUCE: What do you mean, destroy?
VICTORIA: One of your men sh*t him!
BRUCE: Trying to escape?
VICTORIA: He sh*t him deliberately!
JAMIE: (Pointing.) Aye, and that girl Fariah. (Approaches BRUCE.) Well she was close to Salamander, she’d speak against him, I know she would.
SALAMANDER: Fariah is d*ad.
VICTORIA: d*ad?
JAMIE: (contemptuously) You’ve had her m*rder too, have you?
(They both advance on him, but VICTORIA gets there first and raises her arm.)
VICTORIA: Why you . . . !
(SALAMANDER raises his arm to protect his face.)
SALAMANDER: (in the DOCTOR’s voice) Oh, Victoria! Don’t h*t me!
(He falls out of his chair in his haste to get away. VICTORIA pauses, confused by the sudden change. He clears his throat, looking up at them, and stands up nervously.)
DOCTOR: You wouldn’t h*t your old friend the Doctor, would you? (Spreads hands and clasps them.) I- I wouldn’t leave you in the tender mercy of S-Salamander.
JAMIE: Doctor?
(The DOCTOR’s face falls.)
DOCTOR: You don’t believe me? Oh. Huh.
(He clears his throat and makes a show of reaching into his jacket and pretending to pull something out. He wiggles his fingers and whistles Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star, miming so fabulously you wonder for a moment if he really has an invisible recorder. BRUCE looks on, completely befuddled. The DOCTOR puts a hand to his ear and JAMIE points at him, whistling “Shave and a Haircut.” The DOCTOR finishes with “Two Bits” and points at JAMIE.)
DOCTOR: Only, you made me leave it in the TARDIS.
(JAMIE and VICTORIA cry out and jump with joy.)
JAMIE: It is him!
VICTORIA: Oh, Doctor!
(They jump on him and hug him while he waves his hand, frantically trying to shush them.)
BRUCE: (Steps toward them.) "Tardis?"
(They quickly calm down.)
BRUCE: "Tardis," what’s that?
DOCTOR: Oh well- well, it’s a little place that we three have in common.
(JAMIE reaches over VICTORIA to grab the DOCTOR’s shoulder, still excited to see him. They are both still smiling broadly.)
DOCTOR: You must admit they thought I was Salamander to begin with.
BRUCE: Yes. I concede that. But there’s still no proof.
DOCTOR: No, but there’s enough doubt in your mind to make you go on asking questions, isn’t there? That’s why we came here.
11. HALLWAY, RESEARCH STATION
(BENIK walks angrily down the hallway.)
BENIK: I told you to let me know when Salamander was out of Records.
GUARD: But no one’s come out, sir.
(BENIK stops beside him and stares at him.)
BENIK: What did you say?
GUARD: He hasn’t come out, sir.
(BENIK is confused.)
12. TUNNEL, UNDERGROUND
(SALAMANDER leads SWANN past the elevator. SWANN stops.)
SWANN: Wait. (Points up.) What happens up there?
SALAMANDER: Oh, it ends in a ruined building. This is where I bring the stores, er . . . you would be safer here.
SWANN: Safer?
SALAMANDER: Yes, the radiation, I- I don’t think it filters down here.
(SALAMANDER turns and they continue through the tunnels.)
SWANN: I still want to see the surface.
SALAMANDER: You will, you will.
13. KENT’S CARAVAN
(KENT snaps his fingers as he paces.)
KENT: I should have insisted on going with him. Bruce should have taken me.
(ASTRID pulls her ascot out of her jacket and re-zips it.)
ASTRID: You know he doesn’t trust you.
KENT: He wouldn’t trust his own grandmother.
ASTRID: (Straightening her ascot.) Oh, never mind, Giles. We’ve come a long way. Months ago, well a few weeks ago even, nobody would have even listened to you. (Sits.)
KENT: Oh, maybe.
ASTRID: There’s no maybe about it.
KENT: Yeah perhaps you’re right. Bruce listens to us at last. He’s even prepared to ask questions, that’s fine, but I know Salamander. He’d talk his way out of the quicksand.
ASTRID: Well what else can we do? The guard’s still outside.
(KENT sits across from her.)
KENT: I must get into the Research Centre. I’ve got to make sure that Bruce understands the evidence, understands it, Astrid. Don’t you realize, he mightn’t know what he’s looking for. I know.
ASTRID: But we can’t att*ck the guard. It would only make matters worse.
KENT: Not if I was to give Bruce real evidence.
ASTRID: Giles, how long would it take you to get to the Research Station?
KENT: Well just a few minutes, I’ve got a pass. It’s just a matter of getting there.
(ASTRID looks away, biting her lip. She stands with determination and steps away, thinking.)
ASTRID: All right, I think I can help you. I’ll draw the guard off and leave you alone.
KENT: (Approaches.) You think you can do it?
ASTRID: (Smiles.) Yes, I think so.
(KENT tries to hide his excitement at the prospect of rebelling.)
KENT: But I thought you said we weren’t going to att*ck the guard?
ASTRID: (Smiling.) Oh, we’re not going to att*ck the guard. But there is going to be an att*ck. A fatal one.
14. TUNNEL, UNDERGROUND
(SALAMANDER lightly touches the wall to keep his bearings as they go. SWANN is still suspicious.)
SWANN: Where does this lead?
SALAMANDER: It goes on up and comes out in a field.
SWANN: What about radiation?
SALAMANDER: Here it’s almost negligible.
SWANN: You mean you could have brought others here from below?
(SALAMANDER doesn’t respond.)
SWANN: I don’t understand you. Don’t you realise what a break it would be for them, just moving away from that underground tomb once in a while?
(SALAMANDER stops in front of three boxes piled against the wall.)
SALAMANDER: You seem to forget, Swann, I’ve brought people up here before! There’s always an element of risk!
SWANN: I still want to have a look at these people you say are living on the surface.
(He looks around and points to another tunnel.)
SWANN: Where does that lead?
SALAMANDER: Oh, that’s a d*ad end. It’s a place I sometimes rest. (Snaps.) It’s very hard work, you know, bringing all the-!
SWANN: (interrupts) Yes, I know that. (Nods.) This way, then?
SALAMANDER: You- you sure you . . . you won’t change your mind, huh?
(As he speaks, he reaches behind his back and grabs a piece of metal piping off the pile of boxes. SWANN shakes his head and walks past SALAMANDER. SALAMANDER raises the metal pipe to his chest and grips it with both hands before following SWANN.)
15. KENT’S CARAVAN
(ASTRID smashes the window with her fist and quickly steps away from it. A guard immediately opens the door and points his g*n at ASTRID.)
GUARD: What’s going on here?
(ASTRID gasps, breathing hard, and points across the room.)
ASTRID: He’s been sh*t! Through the window.
(KENT lies motionless on his back, draped over the couch, eyes staring. A splotch of viscous liquid stains his forehead. The guard motions ASTRID back with his g*n.)
GUARD: All right, stand back.
(He keeps his side to ASTRID, for once not turning his back, and kneels to examine KENT.)
GUARD: He’s finished.
(ASTRID quietly sneaks out the door and slips away.)
GUARD: Better get a doctor anyway, just in case.
(The guard notices ASTRID is gone and quickly looks out the door.)
GUARD: Hey! Come back!
(He runs after her. KENT lies motionless a second longer, then looks to make sure the guard is gone and stands. He touches the sticky substance on his forehead with two fingers and licks it off before creeping out.)
16. BRUSH ON THE EDGE OF A FIELD
(The guard runs down the field along the edge of the brush. ASTRID appears out of the bushes and watches him go. She turns and pushes through sticks, bushes, and small evergreen trees. She stops, hearing a faint voice.)
SWANN: (faintly) Hellllp! Somebody help me!
(ASTRID switches direction and creeps toward the voice. She pushes through a thick patch of evergreens and stops to listen again.)
SWANN: (faintly) Heeellllp!
(She continues maneuvering through bushes and briars. The voice is suddenly clearer.)
SWANN: Help . . . ! Somebody help me . . . .
(ASTRID crawls to SWANN, lying on the ground, and gives a small gasp of horror and pity. She takes his shoulders and helps him sit up. She looks at her hand now wet with blood and gasps in horror.)
ASTRID: (angrily) Who did this to you?
SWANN: (breathing heavily) A man named . . . Sssalamander.
(ASTRID looks up, her face full of horror.)
ASTRID: (whispers) Salamander? | {"type": "series", "show": "Doctor Who", "episode": "05x21 - The Enemy of the World - part 5"} | foreverdreaming |
by DAVID WHITAKER
first broadcast - 27 January 1968
running time - 21mins 41secs
1. FIELD
(ASTRID crawls through bushes and briars toward a faint, distressed voice.)
SWANN: Help . . . ! Somebody help me . . . .
(ASTRID gasps in horror and pity to see SWANN on the ground. She takes his shoulders and helps him sit up as he breathes heavily. She looks at her hand now wet with blood and gasps in horror.)
ASTRID: (angrily) Who did this to you?
SWANN: (breathing heavily) A man named . . . Sssalamander.
(ASTRID looks up, her face full of horror.)
ASTRID: (whispers) Salamander?
(SWANN nods weakly and points toward a dark opening partially obscured by overhanging flora.)
SWANN: He did it . . . down there . . . .
ASTRID: (disbelief) Down there?
2. INTERROGATION ROOM, RESEARCH CENTRE
(JAMIE and VICTORIA are talking over each other.)
JAMIE: What other explanation is there?
VICTORIA: But that’s exactly what we’re saying!
BRUCE: Now wait a moment! Are you seriously trying to tell me without a shred of evidence that Salamander is attacking the world with natural disasters?
JAMIE: Well he must be.
VICTORIA: Yes!
DOCTOR: That’s what I believe!
BRUCE: But it’s beyond belief! How could he possibly!
DOCTOR: I’m sure we'll find proof in the Records Room.
BRUCE: Maybe. But that’s where Salamander is.
DOCTOR: Ahh. Well we shall have to wait until he comes out, won’t we? Hmm?
(The DOCTOR suddenly turns to see BENIK standing with a clipboard under his arm, completely, utterly, unamused.)
3. TUNNEL
(ASTRID has taken SWANN just inside the tunnel. He mumbles weakly.)
SWANN: Water . . . .
ASTRID: What?
SWANN: Water . . . !
ASTRID: (whispers) Yes.
(She looks down the tunnel.)
SWANN: No no . . . Salamander’s place . . . Danger . . . .
ASTRID: All right. I’ll be careful. I’ll get you some water.
(She leaves his side as he gasps in pain. She goes cautiously down the tunnel and inspects a rock that looks as if it could hide a secret entrance. She turns and notices a crevice in the wall that looks wet. She pats it with her fingertips, then rubs her fingers with her thumb. She licks the water off her fingers.)
4. INTERROGATION ROOM, RESEARCH CENTRE
DOCTOR: (as SALAMANDER) Really Benik, I’m beginning to wondering why I pay you such a monstrously high salary. Worrying me over trifles. Make your own decision! Is that all?
BENIK: You have to sign these passes for the hovertruck food supply.
DOCTOR: (as SALAMANDER) What, now?
BENIK: Well you always told me they had priority over everything.
DOCTOR: (as SALAMANDER) Oh very well.
(He takes the file and walks to the desk. VICTORIA, JAMIE, and BRUCE watch him. The DOCTOR sits with the clipboard and picks up a pen. He glances up at BENIK, trying to avoid having to write a signature.)
BENIK: By the way . . . .
DOCTOR: (as SALAMANDER) Yes?
BENIK: The door to the Record Room. It’s jammed. It was all right when you came out, wasn’t it?
DOCTOR: (as SALAMANDER) Oh, yes.
BENIK: Well it won’t open now. Can I have your key?
(The DOCTOR reaches into his jacket, then chuckles deeply.)
DOCTOR: (as SALAMANDER) I’m going mad. I left it in there, what a fool. (Laughs.)
BENIK: It’s all right, I’ll use the emergency key.
DOCTOR: (as SALAMANDER) Yes, do that will you? Right away. Oh please don't wait for these.
(BENIK leaves as the DOCTOR bends over the papers. He looks up, watching BENIK until he closes the door. The DOCTOR leans back, bl*wing his breath out in relief.)
DOCTOR: (as himself) That was close.
BRUCE: How long was he standing there listening to us?
DOCTOR: I don’t know.
JAMIE: D’you think he’s on to us?
DOCTOR: (Studying the papers.) I . . . I hope not. But he’s done us a good turn in bringing me these. (Glances at BRUCE.) This’ll interest you, Bruce.
BRUCE: Mm-hm?
DOCTOR: How many people you say work in the research centre?
BRUCE: Fewer than you’d think. It’s fully automated, you know. (Thinking.) Six engineers, and six guards on duty at any one time.
(The DOCTOR listens with a crooked mouth.)
DOCTOR: A dozen, eh? Will you tell me why thirty people are catered for here?
(He taps the papers for emphasis.)
5. TUNNEL
(ASTRID returns with a damp cloth and dabs SWANN’s face.)
SWANN: (Breathing heavily.) The w*r . . . h-how bad was the w*r?
ASTRID: w*r? I didn’t understand you.
(SWANN groans in pain and turns away. Blood trickles down his neck around his ear.)
ASTRID: I wish there was something I could do for you.
SWANN: (distressed) What’s he done? What’s he done? He’s kept us prisoners. Listen. (Grips ASTRID’s hand.) There are others . . . there are more people down the shaft . . . .
ASTRID: (whispers) Others?
SWANN: Salamander’s kept us down there, prisoners, years of it. Promise you’ll bring them to the surface. Swear it . . . . You've got to swear it . . . !
(He gasps, breathing rapidly, his face contorted in pain. His head drops with a sigh. ASTRID looks up from his lifeless body.)
ASTRID: Yes . . . . (convicted) I swear it!
6. INTERROGATION ROOM, RESEARCH CENTRE
(The DOCTOR is on the phone.)
DOCTOR: (as SALAMANDER) This is Salamander. I want a security escort to come to the interrogation room immediately. I’m releasing two prisoners. They are to be conducted to the main gates and set free. Is that understood? Good.
(He puts the phone down and clasps his hands, turning to JAMIE and VICTORIA.)
DOCTOR: (as himself) Well I hope that works.
JAMIE: So do I.
VICTORIA: What do you want us to do when we get outside?
BRUCE: There are plenty of public phones in the area. Dial double zero one and ask for a man named Forrester.
JAMIE: Eh?
BRUCE: He’s my deputy to this area.
VICTORIA: Double zero one Forrester.
BRUCE: Tell him where I am and just say "redhead".
VICTORIA: Redhead.
BRUCE: Redhead. Is that clear?
JAMIE: Redhead? Is that your wife?
BRUCE: It’s our emergency call.
(The intercom buzzes.)
JAMIE: Sorry.
(The DOCTOR picks up the phone.)
DOCTOR: (as SALAMANDER) Salamander.
(He listens and sh**t a concerned glance toward his companions.)
DOCTOR: (as SALAMANDER) Is the er- is the pass in order . . . ? Very well, you have my authority. (Puts down the phone.)
JAMIE: What’s all that about?
DOCTOR: (as himself) We have a visitor. (Touches his lip in thought.) Now Bruce, you’re going to get your proof, but I want you to do one thing. (Rubs hands.)
BRUCE: What?
DOCTOR: (Pointing.) I want you to take my two friends to the gates and see they get away all right.
BRUCE: What are you going to do?
DOCTOR: (to JAMIE and VICTORIA) You are to go straight to the TARDIS as soon as you can.
JAMIE: Now wait a minute Doc-
BRUCE: (interrupting) What is this "Tardis?"
VICTORIA: Well it’s a sort of space-
JAMIE: (Nudges her.) Shh!
VICTORIA: House. House we live in.
(BRUCE knows something is up, but lets it go.)
BRUCE: (to the DOCTOR) I don’t think you heard me the first time. What are you going to do?
7. WORK ROOM, UNDERGROUND
(Everyone is gathered around a large pot of food. MARY takes a bowl to COLIN and sits across from him, but he shakes his head.)
MARY: Please eat some of it Colin.
COLIN: I will, later.
(The buzzer sounds. MARY and COLIN stand. MARY looks hopeful, but COLIN looks grim.)
MARY: They’re coming back!
COLIN: Right. This time I’m gonna have it out with Salamander.
8. CONTROL ROOM, UNDERGROUND
(The door opens and ASTRID emerges. She turns to watch the door as it closes. She looks around the room and approaches an open file on the desk. She flips through it. She goes to the door to the work room and pulls on the handle, but it is locked. She approaches the large Communicator. She flips a switch and looks around to see if it did anything. She chooses another switch and pauses for something to happen. She flips a third switch and the door unlocks with a whir. The workers open the door from the other side, crowding to see SWANN’s return. They are silent with shock to see the first stranger they’ve seen in five years. They back away and disperse, muttering nervously.)
9. WORK ROOM, UNDERGROUND
(ASTRID steps into the work room and looks around at all the machines, buzzing and whirring softly. None of the workers are to be seen.)
ASTRID: Where are you?
MAN [OC]: Keep away. Get back!
(ASTRID takes another step into the room.)
ASTRID: I’ve come to help you.
(Suddenly the workers break out with mops, brooms, and anything else they can use as a w*apon. ASTRID shouts as they att*ck her. COLIN and MARY struggle against the men holding them.)
COLIN: Let me go!
MARY: (to COLIN) The radiation!
COLIN: It’s a girl, a human being!
MARY: But the radiation!
(COLIN breaks free and pushes toward ASTRID.)
ASTRID: Please, don’t! Please!
(COLIN pushes to the front and stands in front of ASTRID, facing the crowd.)
COLIN: What’s the matter with you, are you all mad!? Get back! Get back!
(His outburst calms everyone down. They back away. ASTRID sighs with relief as she stands.)
ASTRID: Thanks!
(COLIN backs away.)
COLIN: First, don’t move. I don’t know who you are, but you must be carrying radiation.
ASTRID: What?
COLIN: You’re from the surface, aren’t you?
ASTRID: Radiation?
MARY: How’d you get down here?
COLIN: Did you see Salamander? And Swann? What about Swann?
ASTRID: Swann sent me.
(A mutter of excitement washes through the crowd.)
MARY: Swann? Where is he?
ASTRID: He’s d*ad!
(There are cries of disbelief and ASTRID is still upset by the experience.)
MARY: You see, Colin, Salamander was right! He always said if we went up to the surface we’d die of radiation.
ASTRID: (Shaking her head.) No, not radiation. Salamander k*lled him.
CROWD: No. No. I don't believe her. She’s lying.
ASTRID: He lied to you! He’s been keeping you prisoners, I don’t know why!
(The crowd speaks out in disagreement.)
MARY: That’s impossible!
ASTRID: Now listen to me!
COLIN: (Shouting over the crowd.) Now wait!
(The room quiets.)
COLIN: We must decontaminate you. There’s equipment in Salamander’s control room. In there.
CROWD: Yes. Yes. In there. Yes.
ASTRID: (annoyed) All right.
(She walks back into the Control Room.)
10. CONTROL ROOM, UNDERGROUND
(COLIN and MARY follow her at a safe distance.)
COLIN: (Points.) In there.
(ASTRID walks into the cubby. The geiger counter clicks as the needle on the radiation meter jumps to the highest reading.)
COLIN: See. Radiation.
(The needle slowly spins back down as the clicking dies out.)
COLIN: You can come out now.
ASTRID: (annoyed) I’m all right?
COLIN: Yes. Now, tell us. What’s this about Swann?
ASTRID: (Waves her finger.) No. Just watch. (Grabs a ruler off the desk.) Look at the meter.
(She lowers the ruler just inside the cubby. The needle clicks and spins all the way up. COLIN and MARY watch in shock as the needle runs back down.)
ASTRID: The machine’s a fake. Is this ruler contaminated?
(COLIN approaches, shocked.)
ASTRID: (Points with the ruler.) Look. See those valves? There’s an invisible ray. Break it, and it works the meter. (Holds the ruler toward COLIN.)
COLIN: But Salamander-
MARY: He built it! He always uses it when he comes down.
ASTRID: (Approaches MARY.) Yes I know, to try and convince you for some reason or other that there’s radiation above ground.
MARY: There is. The w*r!
ASTRID: (Chuckling in frustration.) w*r? What w*r?
COLIN: (quietly furious) Where is he? Where’s Salamander?
ASTRID: (angrily) That’s just what I would like to know.
11. RECORDS ROOM, RESEARCH CENTRE
(SALAMANDER looks at the door to the elevator and approaches the record machine. He flips some switches.)
12. HALLWAY, RESEARCH CENTRE
(JAMIE and VICTORIA walk into a hall, followed by a guard. Another guard and the CAPTAIN watch them.)
CAPTAIN: Wait. Where are you going?
(JAMIE approaches nervously.)
JAMIE: Leader Salamander’s orders.
CAPTAIN: What orders?
JAMIE: He’s released us.
CAPTAIN: I wasn’t informed.
BRUCE: I was.
(BRUCE strides up to the CAPTAIN.)
CAPTAIN: Where are the release papers?
BRUCE: Are you questioning my word?
CAPTAIN: No, of course not, sir, but there are strict rules.
BRUCE: Rules? Really? You forget, I’m world Security Controller. I make rules and break them. And men, Captain. Come on, you two.
(He turns and leads JAMIE and VICTORIA away.)
CAPTAIN: (to guard) Find Deputy Benik. Quickly!
GUARD: Sir!
(The CAPTAIN and the guard walk opposite directions.)
13. CONTROL ROOM, UNDERGROUND
(The workers are all gathered in the Control Room, talking excitedly. ASTRID pushes through the crowd, trying to talk over them.)
ASTRID: But I can only take two at a time!
MARY: I’m sure they all understand that.
COLIN: Don’t you see, I must find Salamander!
MARY: Are you sure you don't want me to wait here with them?
ASTRID: No. Now that Swann’s d*ad you two seem to be the leaders. After what you’ve told me we must confront the man who started all this, face to face.
14. HALLWAY, RESEARCH CENTRE
(KENT walks down the hall and looks around before approaching the intercom for the Records Room. He switches on the camera to see inside. He presses a button and a buzzing sounds as the door is unlocked. He looks around the corner to see the door. He hears voices behind him and quickly flattens himself against the wall around the corner.)
GUARD: Yes, sir, the door’s jammed and I can’t get a view of the inside of it all.
BENIK: Right. So Bruce and the rest of them are in the interrogation room?
(They stop in front of the intercom.)
GUARD: Yes sir. The Captain felt something was wrong and so do I sir.
(KENT is listening.)
GUARD: One minute Leader Salamander’s locked in the Records room, the next he’s in the interrogation room. It doesn’t make sense, sir.
BENIK: Of course it doesn’t make sense if you haven't got any sense.
(He walks away until he’s standing in front of KENT, but doesn’t turn around.)
BENIK: Just stand guard and try and keep your wits about you.
GUARD: Yes sir.
(BENIK walks away, the guard takes his post by the intercom, and KENT slips away.)
15. RECORDS ROOM, RESEARCH CENTRE
(KENT opens the doors and steps in, closing them behind himself. He walks to the Communicator and flips a switch, sealing the door off.)
SALAMANDER: Giles Kent.
(KENT spins to face SALAMANDER standing with his hands on his hips.)
SALAMANDER: What are you doing here?
KENT: (Smiling.) Oh, I’ve been looking forward to this meeting. You’re getting careless. You didn’t double lock the doors. Oh, it’s all right, I’ve done it now. (Laughs.) The only way anybody can get through there is to blast their way through.
SALAMANDER: How did you get into the Research Centre?
KENT: Oh, you know me. There isn’t a pass in the world I can’t get my hands on if I put my mind to it.
SALAMANDER: (Smiling.) You won’t find it so easy getting out.
KENT: Really? Well we’ll see. I’m not on my own this time. I’ve got friends here with me. And between us we’re going to fix you once and for all.
SALAMANDER: You always were a tiresome man, Kent.
KENT: I’m going to be more than tiresome this time. You know the biggest mistake you ever made was not k*lling me when you had the chance.
SALAMANDER: Oh so you going to k*ll me huh? How petty. What good do you think that will do?
(He takes a step, but KENT whips out a g*n.)
KENT: Hold it! Now don’t move quickly, my nerves are a bit shaky at the moment.
16. HALLWAY, RESEARCH CENTRE
(The live video of KENT with SALAMANDER at g*n is on the intercom outside.)
BRUCE: We must get in there somehow.
BENIK: We can’t without the emergency key, and Salamander has it in there.
CAPTAIN: We could burn our way in.
BENIK: Never.
BRUCE: Why not?
BENIK: It’s an X-structure alloy, you’d hardly scratch the surface.
BRUCE: We’ll have to try it. Get the gear up here. Fast!
(The CAPTAIN leaves.)
17. RECORDS ROOM, RESEARCH CENTRE
KENT: (Laughs.) Never get away with it? Oh, that’s good, coming from you. Don’t you realize you’re dispensable, and the world is going to get along fine without you from now on.
(SALAMANDER just growls quietly.)
KENT: The only good idea you ever had in your life was getting rid of me and you couldn’t even do that properly, could you? (Laughs.) And now I’m back and you’re finished.
(From outside, the sound of machinery can be heard.)
KENT: Oh, what’s that?
SALAMANDER: They’re breaking down the door.
(KENT backs toward the Communicator, keeping the g*n on SALAMANDER, and flips the switch to turn on the camera. BRUCE and BENIK stand behind a guard blasting at the door.)
KENT: They don’t appear to be having much success.
18. OUTSIDE RECORDS ROOM, RESEARCH CENTRE
(The guard has a blowtorch and goggles.)
GUARD: It’s not cutting, sir.
BRUCE: Never mind, keep at it!
(BENIK produces a g*n, but BRUCE grabs it and forces it out of his hand.)
BRUCE: Ah-ah-ah! I’ll take that.
(BENIK shakes his hand and rubs his wrist.)
GUARD: It’s no good sir.
BRUCE: Keep going!
19. CONTROL ROOM, UNDERGROUND
(The workers crowd around the Communicator screen and point as they watch the elevator ascend.)
20. RECORDS ROOM, RESEARCH CENTRE
SALAMANDER: You’re trapped, aren't you?
KENT: Oh you’re a fool, Salamander. You don’t think I’d forgotten already, do you?
SALAMANDER: (concerned) What?
KENT: (Laughs.) I’ve been with you too many times in this room in the past, not to know where this leads to.
(He flips the switch on the recording machine, opening the door to the elevator. He walks around SALAMANDER, keeping the g*n on him, and points at the opening door.)
KENT: Your little bolt-hole. Halfway down the tunnel. A passage out to the fields and enough expl*sives down there to stop you or your thugs following me.
(SALAMANDER backs away as KENT moves toward the elevator shaft. SALAMANDER raises his hands, pointing upward, a gesture and expression very similar to the DOCTOR’s. He taps his fingers, then folds his hands with a smile.)
SALAMANDER: (as the DOCTOR) Well that’s very interesting Mister Kent. Why didn’t you tell me that before?
(KENT stares in disbelief and his confidence wavers. He takes a step closer, trying to call SALAMANDER’s bluff.)
KENT: Oh no, it can’t be!
DOCTOR: Oh-ho, I’m afraid it is. Oh look! Here’s another surprise for you. Look behind you.
(KENT spins to face ASTRID, COLIN, and MARY, just having come from the elevator. ASTRID has a g*n pointed at KENT.)
KENT: Astrid, you’ve come just in time.
ASTRID: It’s too late, Giles, I know everything.
COLIN: That’s him, that’s the man who took us down there in the first place.
MARY: Giles Kent, we thought you were d*ad.
KENT: Now look, I’ve never seen these people before in my life.
ASTRID: They told me everything. You and Salamander were in it together.
21. SECRET ROOM, UNDERGROUND
(SALAMANDER is at an intercom in the underground tunnels, watching the happenings inside the Records Room.)
ASTRID: You built an atomic shelter, took some people down for an endurance test. The next person they saw was Salamander,
22. RECORDS ROOM, RESEARCH CENTRE
ASTRID: Who told them that an atomic w*r had started.
DOCTOR: You see, Kent-
(KENT leaps at the DOCTOR with a roar. He grabs the DOCTOR’s arm as he tries to get away and wraps his arm around the DOCTOR’s neck, holding a g*n to his head.)
ASTRID: Oh, be careful, Doctor! He’ll k*ll you!
MARY: You kept us down there like animals!
COLIN: Why? Why did you do it to us?
KENT: We had to have someone create the natural disasters, didn't we, and we fooled you all!
DOCTOR: You didn’t fool me, Kent.
KENT: You didn’t suspect me.
DOCTOR: Any man who resorts to m*rder as eagerly and as rapidly as you must be suspect. You didn’t just want to expose Salamander . . . you wanted to k*ll him and take his place!
KENT: And I will! You think you’re gonna stop me? Or these people?
(He waves his g*n violently as he moves with the DOCTOR toward the elevator.)
KENT: Now move out of the way, quick! We’ll see who’ll stop me!
(ASTRID, MARY, and COLIN quickly step away from the elevator as KENT moves toward it, holding the g*n to the DOCTOR’s head. KENT throws the DOCTOR and ASTRID catches him, both shouting. The DOCTOR quickly runs back toward KENT as the door closes.)
DOCTOR: Stop him! Stop him!
(He runs into the door as it closes and runs back past ASTRID toward the Communicator.)
DOCTOR: Ah! He’s going to try and blow the place up!
(He flips switches on the Communicator.)
ASTRID: (to COLIN and MARY) Come on then!
(She runs for the Records Room door.)
DOCTOR: No! Don’t touch that door, it’s red hot!
ASTRID: What do you mean?
DOCTOR: (Waving his arms.) Well it’s locked. They’re trying to burn through from the other side.
(He resumes messing with the Communicator.)
MARY: (Points.) Look!
(A tunnel is visible on the screen.)
DOCTOR: It looks like a sort of cave.
ASTRID: It’s the escape route.
(On the screen, SALAMANDER climbs out of the secret entrance in the tunnels.)
ASTRID: Salamander!
DOCTOR: Yes. I wonder if he knows Kent’s on his way?
23. OUTSIDE RECORDS ROOM, RESEARCH CENTRE
(The guard is still blasting the door with a blowtorch. BRUCE holds his hand to his forehead.)
GUARD: Still no good, sir.
BRUCE: Come on, man! Can’t you increase the power?
(BENIK suddenly lunges for something.)
GUARD: No sir.
(BENIK stands with a guard’s g*n and backs away.)
BENIK: Get back!
(He turns and nearly runs into a group of guards and their captain.)
BRUCE: About time, Forrester.
(BENIK drops the g*n and puts his hands up.)
BENIK: Don’t sh**t! Don’t sh**t!
(BRUCE approaches and BENIK slowly lowers his hands.)
BENIK: (nervously) I demand a trial, Bruce. A fair trial.
BRUCE: What a nasty little man you are, to be sure. Forrester, I want all research personnel detained, and you can begin with Benik, here. Take him away.
(Forrester, the captain, leads the way as two guards take BENIK’s arms and drag him away.)
DOCTOR: (Over intercom.) Bruce? Bruce, can you hear me out there? Bruce?
(BRUCE runs down the hall.)
24. HALLWAY, RESEARCH CENTRE
(BRUCE runs to the intercom and presses the button to view the screen.)
DOCTOR: Can you hear me?
BRUCE: Yes, Doctor.
DOCTOR: (Breathing heavily.) Hah. Oh, there you are. (Clears throat.) I think Kent is going to try to blow us up. Any chance of getting us out of here? Things are going to turn rather nasty in a minute.
BRUCE: We’re doing our best, Doctor.
DOCTOR: (Breathing heavily.) Oh. Well if you can’t you better leave with your- your men. There’s no point in us all going up in smoke.
25. TUNNEL
(SALAMANDER hides around the corner as KENT comes down the tunnel, stopping to look around. KENT walks past SALAMANDER. SALAMANDER jumps out and wrestles the g*n away from KENT. He steps back, holding the g*n close.)
SALAMANDER: (unimpressed) You always were a fool, weren't you?
KENT: (whispers) Now wait a minute. They’ll be after both of us now.
SALAMANDER: (Shaking his head.) Oh no they won’t.
KENT: I tell you, they know!
SALAMANDER: So what do you want me to do, huh? Bury our differences, hmm? I didn’t need you once, I still don’t need you.
KENT: Now wait a minute. The place is mine, we know that, we planned it for years, together! Between us we can destroy them all, and the evidence! Just you and me, Salamander.
SALAMANDER: You and me? What use are you to me? (Raises the g*n to point upward.) You were useful once, but now . . . . (Levels the g*n.)
KENT: (horrified) No . . . . No!
(SALAMANDER fires. KENT grabs his shoulder and falls against the wall. He stumbles away, using the walls for support, and SALAMANDER laughs deeply. He walks slowly after his wounded prey.)
SALAMANDER: You won’t get away from me, Kent! (Laughs.)
(KENT stumbles through the tunnel, breathing hard. He finds the secret entrance, but it is closed up. He shoves his shoulder against the rock and the door slowly opens.)
26. RECORDS ROOM, RESEARCH CENTRE
(The DOCTOR and ASTRID watch KENT on the screen as he emerges from the secret door. The DOCTOR glances at ASTRID and raises a hand to his mouth.)
27. SECRET ROOM, UNDERGROUND
(KENT falls against the wall next to the intercom in the secret room. He watches as SALAMANDER climbs through the secret door, laughing. He points the g*n at KENT.)
SALAMANDER: I told you you could not escape me.
(He fires again. KENT cries out and holds his stomach. He slides down the wall, panting, and groans.)
KENT: (Breathing heavily.) Well if I’m . . . going to die . . . Salamander . . . you’ll die with me!
(KENT lunges at the intercom and grabs a lever.)
SALAMANDER: (horrified) No! No!
(KENT pulls the lever. The screen flashes white with the sound of an expl*si*n. White smoke fills the screen.)
28. RECORDS ROOM, RESEARCH CENTRE
(A large post falls onto the recording machine, knocking the DOCTOR down with a scream. The girls scream and the guys shout as the room shakes and falls apart. COLIN and MARY hug each other in fear as dust flies everywhere. The door finally opens and a guard runs in, followed by BRUCE, while everyone is still shouting and the room rumbling.)
COLIN: Come on, let’s get out of here.
(BRUCE runs to the DOCTOR as he begins to pick himself up, covered in dust and dirt.)
BRUCE: Come on Doctor, let’s get out of here.
(BRUCE and ASTRID help the DOCTOR as he groans. ASTRID gasps with horror when she sees the cave-in on the scanner.)
ASTRID: Oh, Doctor! Salamander! Giles! They’re d*ad!
(BRUCE pulls the DOCTOR, who pulls ASTRID, traumatized after seeing KENT’s death.)
BRUCE: Yeah, we’ll be too if we don’t . . . .
DOCTOR: Come on! Come on out of here.
29. OUTSIDE RECORDS ROOM, RESEARCH CENTRE
(Amidst much gasping and shouting, everyone gets out, BRUCE, ASTRID, and the DOCTOR last. The DOCTOR holds his head, grunting, his hair, torn jacket, and face covered in dirt. ASTRID coughs from the dust.)
ASTRID: The people . . . .
BRUCE: People? What people?
ASTRID: The people underground in the deep shelter.
DOCTOR: They may have been k*lled!
ASTRID: (upset) I promised Swann I’d get them out!
BRUCE: But that’s not your fault. You couldn’t have done more!
DOCTOR: (Pointing.) There’s a TV monitor screen in there. There must be a link to the deep shelter.
(ASTRID runs back into the Records Room and BRUCE follows her, but the DOCTOR stays behind, holding his head.)
30. RECORDS ROOM, RESEARCH CENTRE
(ASTRID flips a switch and turns knobs on the Communicator. She covers her head with a shout as something falls apart behind her. The screen comes on.)
ASTRID: (Laughing with relief.) It’s all right! They’re alive!
BRUCE: How are you going to get to them?
ASTRID: There’s a tunnel from outside! (Ducks under a flying piece of debris.) We can get to it outside the Research Station.
BRUCE: But that’s probably been destroyed by the expl*si*n.
ASTRID: We’ll get to them somehow!
BRUCE: Look out!
(BRUCE pulls ASTRID away as pieces continue to fall around them.)
31. OUTSIDE RECORDS ROOM, RESEARCH CENTRE
(They run to join the DOCTOR outside the room.)
ASTRID: Get me some men! I’ll lead them!
BRUCE: All right! I’ll go with you!
DOCTOR: (Breathing heavily.) Oh good then. That’s splendid. I’ll come too.
ASTRID: Oh no Doctor, it’s far too dangerous! They might mistake you as Salamander.
DOCTOR: Oh yes.
(He groans and holds his head.)
ASTRID: Are you hurt?
DOCTOR: No I’m all right. I’ll come with you as far as the gates. Come on, we must go!
(BRUCE and ASTRID run off and the DOCTOR follows, holding a hand to his head in pain.)
32. DUNES, NIGHT
(JAMIE opens the TARDIS door and looks out. He steps out onto the sand, rubbing his hands. The wind blows and the ocean roars a short walk away. He puts his hands on his hips when he finally sees what he’s looking for. The DOCTOR trudges wearily across the dunes, still disguised as SALAMANDER.)
JAMIE: I thought you were never coming.
(The DOCTOR stops and holds a hand to his head, exhausted.)
JAMIE: Hey Doctor, are you all right?
(JAMIE runs to him and helps him into the TARDIS.)
33. TARDIS CONSOLE ROOM
(VICTORIA turns to face them and grabs the back of a chair.)
VICTORIA: Oh there you are Doctor.
(JAMIE walks in with the DOCTOR, the TARDIS light revealing the extent of his battering. His hair is a mess, his jacket torn and dirty, and his face is scratched up and dirty, his nose bleeding.)
VICTORIA: You do look in a state. Come and sit down.
JAMIE: (Approaches VICTORIA.) I told you it wouldn’t be long. You- you worry too much.
VICTORIA: We shouldn’t have left him.
JAMIE: You see, after the expl*si*n, Doctor, we didnae know what to do.
(The DOCTOR looks over the console.)
JAMIE: You said to come back here, which we did, but I’m sure we were followed.
VICTORIA: Please, can we start straight away?
(The DOCTOR reaches toward some controls, then lifts a hand to his head wearily and waves JAMIE over.)
JAMIE: Me, Doctor?
(JAMIE approaches and grabs a dial. He hesitates and lets go.)
JAMIE: But you said we were never to touch the controls.
DOCTOR: Quite right, Jamie.
(The DOCTOR spins around, his mouth unmoving. The real DOCTOR stands by the doors in his normal clothes, his hair unkempt, his collar awry, and a bandage on his cheek.)
DOCTOR: Welcome to the TARDIS.
SALAMANDER: Thank you. You’re doing so well impersonating me, eh . . . I thought I might return the compliment.
DOCTOR: And Giles Kent?
SALAMANDER: Unfortunately, didn’t survive the expl*si*n.
(The DOCTOR speaks with a concerning lack of animation, just like SALAMANDER.)
DOCTOR: We’re going to put you outside, Salamander, no friends, no safety, nothing. You’ll run. But they’ll catch up with you.
(SALAMANDER spins and reaches for the controls. The DOCTOR lunges and grabs him.)
DOCTOR: No!
(SALAMANDER grabs the DOCTOR’s shirt and punches him in the stomach. The DOCTOR groans as SALAMANDER spins and shoves him backwards over the console. SALAMANDER leans over the DOCTOR, their identical faces inches from each other.)
SALAMANDER: And now I’m going to k*ll you.
(JAMIE jumps on SALAMANDER and pulls him away.)
JAMIE: No you don't.
(SALAMANDER elbows JAMIE in the stomach, causing him to fall with a groan. SALAMANDER wrenches a dial and the TARDIS starts up with a bang. The DOCTOR tumbles backwards into a chair and catches VICTORIA as she slides toward him, both shouting. The TARDIS whines, rising in pitch.)
VICTORIA: Oh, Doctor!
(The DOCTOR holds onto the chair, which must be bolted to the floor, and pulls VICTORIA close as she holds onto him.)
DOCTOR: Victoria! Jamie! Hold onto something!
(JAMIE catches a post, but SALAMANDER has nothing. He slides toward the open doors with a scream.)
DOCTOR: Jamie! Woah!
(SALAMANDER screams as he is sucked out of the TARDIS and into the void. As the TARDIS’s whine rises to a piercing pitch, he flails, falling aimlessly in the maddening swirl of lights . . . .) | {"type": "series", "show": "Doctor Who", "episode": "05x22 - The Enemy of the World - part 6"} | foreverdreaming |
by MERVYN HAISMAN
and HENRY LINCOLN
first broadcast - February 3 1968
(To those with arachnophobia, don’t worry, there are none of those triggers in this story.)
1. TARDIS CONSOLE ROOM
(The DOCTOR and VICTORIA cling to the base of the TARDIS console, the DOCTOR with his other arm around her, as the TARDIS shakes, leaning dangerously, thr*at to throw them out the open doors. VICTORIA shouts in fear.)
DOCTOR: Jamie! Jamie! The doors! We’ve- w-w-we’ve got to close the doors! Can you do it?
(He shouts in fear. JAMIE has grabbed onto a roundel in the wall furthest from the doors.)
JAMIE: I- I’ll try, Doctor, but I’ll have to get to a better position!
(JAMIE inches his way across the wall, while the other two cling on precariously, shouting with fear.)
DOCTOR: That’s it, Victoria. Hold on, whatever you do, hold on!
VICTORIA: I’m slipping!
DOCTOR: No, no you’re not, I’ve got hold of you!
(As he helps her back up, she lifts her head to look out the doors and her face fills with horror. She cries out and turns away.)
DOCTOR: Don’t look out there, concentrate on holding on!
VICTORIA: I can’t! I can’t!
DOCTOR: Yes you can, that’s the style.
(JAMIE has made it to the middle of the far wall.)
JAMIE: Right, Doctor . . . I’m going to try and fall to the control panel!
DOCTOR: All right, but watch the TARDIS doesn’t lurch again!
(As the DOCTOR and VICTORIA continue shouting, JAMIE lets go of the wall and stumbles backward. He twists around and falls onto the console.)
JAMIE: Made it!
DOCTOR: Well done!
JAMIE: So far, so good.
DOCTOR: You know the switch?
JAMIE: Aye, I’ve found it.
(JAMIE edges around the console, struggling to hold on.)
JAMIE: I’m nearly . . . there . . . .
(JAMIE reaches around the front, but loses his grip and falls with a grunt. He grabs onto the DOCTOR to keep from being sucked into space.)
VICTORIA: Jamie!
(JAMIE frantically grabs at the DOCTOR’s coat.)
JAMIE: Doctor I’m slipping!
(They all shout in distress, the DOCTOR and VICTORIA staring at the void outside.)
JAMIE: Hold on!
DOCTOR: It’s all right!
(The doors hum as they close and the console room straightens.)
DOCTOR: They’re closing!
(Everyone sighs and gasps with relief and they begin to sit up. The DOCTOR heartily pats JAMIE’s back.)
DOCTOR: Oh well done Jamie, you did it! Oh, that was a near thing, wasn’t it? Are you all right, Victoria?
VICTORIA: (Holding her head.) Oh, what happened? Are we safe now?
(The DOCTOR grunts as he stands up.)
DOCTOR: (Clears throat.) Oh yes, I think so. (Walks around console.) Salamander started the TARDIS without first closing the doors. (Raises arms.) He was sucked out!
(JAMIE helps VICTORIA up as he stands.)
JAMIE: Aye, and I nearly joined him!
DOCTOR: Well, I’m very glad you didn’t.
(JAMIE and VICTORIA trudge toward the DOCTOR, exhausted. He still has a bandage on his cheek.)
DOCTOR: He’s not in a very enviable position, you know, at the moment, floating around in time and space. (Claps and rubs hands.) Now then . . . where shall we go?
JAMIE: Oh, let’s just get our breath back first before we start tearing off anywhere. (Gestures toward controls.) Anyway, as you know the TARDIS has a mind of its own. You know you can’t control it.
(The DOCTOR looks at him and smiles mischievously, folding his hands.)
DOCTOR: Can’t control it?
JAMIE: No.
DOCTOR: (Grinning.) We’ll see about that. We’ll see about that!
(He flips switches on the central console and the Time Rotor starts its up and down movement.)
VICTORIA: (Wearily.) Here we go again!
JAMIE: I wonder where it’ll be this time.
DOCTOR: (Happily.) Yes, I wonder.
2. MANSION DISPLAY ROOM
(In a dim, candle-lit museum, a Yeti stands motionless, a huge mound of fur with a patch of empty black fur for a face. An old man examines it, brow furrowed with concern. He sports spectacles, a black fedora, and a bushy moustache and beard. Beneath all the age and hair, he is PROFESSOR TRAVERS, much older than when we saw him in Tibet. The Yeti doesn’t move, and neither does TRAVERS, even when the door opens.)
ANNE: [OOV.] Mr. Silverstein?
SILVERSTEIN: [OOV.] Yes, er- who are you?
ANNE: [OOV.] Anne Travers. Is my father here?
SILVERSTEIN: [OOV.] Yes, he’s here, er . . . .
(SILVERSTEIN closes the door after them.)
SILVERSTEIN: [OOV.] Come and see him, and take him away! He’s a fool, an old fool!
(TRAVERS and the Yeti stand in the center of the room. A baby giraffe stands by the fireplace, a suit of armor stands at the entrance to a hall, and the head of an Asian elephant is mounted on the wall, its trunk dangling over a table covered in assorted candelabras, cups, and swords.)
ANNE: [OOV.] Father?
(ANNE TRAVERS approaches TRAVERS and walks in front of him, wearing a cape and her dark hair in a simple pixie cut. Her kind smile never fades.)
ANNE: Father.
(SILVERSTEIN, a short man with large glasses and a scowl stands behind them. TRAVERS stares at the Yeti a moment longer before looking at ANNE. He seems surprised she’s there.)
TRAVERS: Anne. Er . . . what are you doing here?
(His gaze shifts back to the Yeti.)
ANNE: Looking for you.
TRAVERS: Uh . . . ?
ANNE: You’re supposed to be meeting me!
(He keeps staring, but tears his eyes away, finally beginning to look present.)
TRAVERS: Was I?
(SILVERSTEIN walks away, frustrated and impatient.)
ANNE: At the airport.
TRAVERS: Mm . . . . (Looks at the Yeti.)
ANNE: Father, what is the matter? You sent me a cable saying you’re in grave trouble, and I have flown half way around the world-.
TRAVERS: (Interrupts.) Trouble! Yes, a great deal of trouble.
(SILVERSTEIN comes back.)
TRAVERS: (Pointing.) And it’s that thing!
ANNE: The Yeti?
TRAVERS: (Grunts.) You’re a stupid old fool, Julius Silverstein.
SILVERSTEIN: (Chuckles.) Me the fool? You would like me to be the fool and give you back my Yeti, huh?
TRAVERS: Well you must, man, don’t you understand? It’s dangerous!
SILVERSTEIN: Huh!
(He turns away for a moment, then addresses ANNE.)
SILVERSTEIN: (Pointing.) For 30 years it stands here in my museum, and now he tells me it is dangerous!
TRAVERS: (Growls.) I wish I’d never brought it back from Tibet.
ANNE: Father, what has happened?
TRAVERS: Well he won’t listen to me, the silly old goat won’t listen to me! I’ve told him! Warned him! Dammit, he knows it’s a robot!
ANNE: Oh, but father, the Yeti isn’t dangerous - it can’t work unless it has a control unit.
TRAVERS: (Eyes wide.) But I’ve done it, Anne! I have reactivated a control unit.
ANNE: Oh! Oh, but Father, this is wonderful news!
TRAVERS: (Mumbles.) Is it? Yes, I- I suppose it would be, except for one thing . . . .
ANNE: What?
TRAVERS: The sphere - it’s gone! It’s disappeared! Look, you must let me have the Yeti back, Julius! Y-.
(He cuts himself off, breathing heavily and shakes his head in frustration.)
TRAVERS: (Upset.) Oh make him understand, Anne!
SILVERSTEIN: Oh, I understand - I buy the Yeti off you thirty years ago, and now it is valuable. Yes? You try to scare me, take your Yeti back.
(TRAVERS looks furious at the misconception.)
SILVERSTEIN: Why? Money! You want to rob me!
TRAVERS: All right then, I’ll buy the thing back if that’s what you want!
SILVERSTEIN: (Shaking his head.) Oh no! No, no, no, no, aha . . . . (Smiles.) It’s priceless. The only one in the world - and it is mine!
TRAVERS: You fool!
SILVERSTEIN: Thief!
TRAVERS: I’m not a thief!
SILVERSTEIN: Swindler!
TRAVERS: Stubborn old goat!
ANNE: Father!
SILVERSTEIN: Take him away - out of my house! (Walks away.)
ANNE: (Still smiling.) Father, look, perhaps you’ve made a mistake. You put the sphere away somewhere in your laboratory and forgotten it. You’ve done it before, you know.
TRAVERS: No, I’ve- I’ve looked everywhere.
ANNE: Well let’s go home and look again, shall we? You know what you’re like.
TRAVERS: (Mumbles.) But suppose-.
ANNE: (Interrupts.) Let’s go and have a quiet dinner and you can tell me all about it. Then we’ll go home and we’ll look for the sphere.
TRAVERS: Mm . . . . Well all right. But I warned you, Julius, I warned you!
SILVERSTEIN: (Approaches angrily.) Get out! Take him away! Nobody destroys Julius Silverstein’s collection!
TRAVERS: Ha!
SILVERSTEIN: Nobody!
ANNE: Come on, father! (Leads him away.)
SILVERSTEIN: (Follows.) No! The Yeti’s mine! You can’t scare me with your mad stories! Go on! Out, out!
(As he shouts, a very familiar sound to strike fear into any Whovian starts up; a rhythmic beeping. The accompanying silver control sphere appears unnoticed in the window.)
3. MANSION DISPLAY HALL intercut with DISPLAY ROOM
(SILVERSTEIN enters a hall, lined with suits of armor and fancy chairs, lit by candelabras on pedestals. SILVERSTEIN blows out the nearest candles and walks toward the next candelabra.)
(The sphere continues to beep in the window. The Yeti is unguarded.)
(SILVERSTEIN blows out two more candles and the room goes dark. His face is lit as he walks to the final stand of five candles. He blows them out, spinning the stand to reach all of them.)
(The sphere propels itself through the window.)
(SILVERSTEIN looks around anxiously in the dark, hearing the window crash. He walks back down the hall and stops halfway, eyes wide with fear.)
SILVERSTEIN: Travers . . . Travers, is that you? I-I am not frightened by your stupid tricks! (Continues down the hall.) Travers? I know it’s you, I’m not a fool!
(SILVERSTEIN walks into the display room, past the young giraffe. The sphere beeps incessantly, but he doesn’t notice. He takes off his glasses, looking up at the broken window. Behind SILVERSTEIN’s back, large, round, glowing eyes appear in the Yeti’s head and fur comes over its featureless face almost like a beak. The Yeti turns toward SILVERSTEIN. He turns and spots it. His face contorts in terror as the creature towers above him, its giant arm raised. The monster strikes down as he screams.)
4. TARDIS CONSOLE ROOM
JAMIE: (Pointing at a bulb on the console.) I tell you it did, it was flashing!
(The DOCTOR is holding a paper plate and a sandwich triangle on the other side of the console. JAMIE has the other triangle of the sandwich and has already eaten half of it.)
DOCTOR: (Waving his hand, still holding the sandwich.) Now Jamie, if that light had come on, we’d have landed, wouldn’t we?
JAMIE: (Walking around the console.) I’m not arguing about that.
DOCTOR: But we’re still travelling, aren’t we? So how could it have done?
(He takes a bite of the sandwich and chews while JAMIE speaks.)
JAMIE: Look, I don’t know. (Pointing emphatically.) All I know is - that thing came on. Now I’m not taken to seeing things - at least I don’t think I am.
(The DOCTOR just chuckles as JAMIE takes a bite of his sandwich. VICTORIA runs in with a new dress and twirls.)
VICTORIA: Hey! Do you like it?
(The dress is short, the sleeves are long and flare at the end, and tassels hang around her neck.)
DOCTOR: What?
VICTORIA: I found it in the chest. I think it looks very sophisticated, don’t you? (Poses.)
DOCTOR: (Encouraging.) Oh yes, very sophisticated, Victoria. (Elbows JAMIE.) Come on, Jamie, don’t you?
JAMIE: (Dismissively.) Yeah, aye. (Immediately turns to the DOCTOR.) Now look, I’m not daft you know, Doctor.
(VICTORIA looks disappointed until she notices something and slowly approaches the console.)
VICTORIA: Wh- . . . Doctor?
DOCTOR: What?
VICTORIA: Why is that light flashing?
(The small bulb is flashing.)
JAMIE: (Proudly.) Aha! (Leans against the console.)
DOCTOR: I see.
(He puts his plate with the sandwich down on the console and walks around it to VICTORIA.)
DOCTOR: Are you two playing some sort of game, hm? (Points at both of them.)
(The DOCTOR no longer has his bandage. The smile drops off his face when he sees the light flashing. He immediately looks up at the scanner. JAMIE approaches, finishing his sandwich.)
JAMIE: (Points.) There you are - told you so!
DOCTOR: Well, th- then we are landing, aren’t we?
(The groaning noise of the TARDIS materialisation is heard. The DOCTOR walks around VICTORIA.)
VICTORIA: Let’s hope it’s somewhere pleasant.
JAMIE: (Points and claps.) Hey, it might even be Scotland.
DOCTOR: (Waves at JAMIE.) Now shush! (Spins around.) The scanner, that will tell us.
(They all look up at the scanner, which shows only a formation of stars.)
VICTORIA: Where are we?
JAMIE: Nothing but stars. What’s it mean?
DOCTOR: I don’t know. Something strange has happened. We’re suspended in space.
5. SPACE
(The TARDIS is slowly enveloped by a white, web-like substance. As it spreads, the flashing light on the roof is slowly obscured.)
6. TARDIS CONSOLE ROOM
(The DOCTOR flips some switches. Where the bandage was, a small cut is still on his cheek.)
DOCTOR: Gravity?
JAMIE: On.
DOCTOR: Power?
VICTORIA: On.
DOCTOR: Control?
JAMIE: Yeah, on.
DOCTOR: Flight?
VICTORIA: (Points.) Th-th-that’s on too.
DOCTOR: There you are, you see. I was right, it is all working.
JAMIE: You mean we’ve landed, yet we haven’t landed?
VICTORIA: (Urgent.) Doctor!
DOCTOR: (Waving.) Just a minute, Victoria. If the time lock has slipped . . . .
VICTORIA: Doctor, look at the scanner!
(He spins around and clears his throat. They all look as the view from the scanner is slowly obscured by a mass of pulsating, white, web-like substance.)
JAMIE: (Crosses arms.) What is that stuff, Doctor?
DOCTOR: I don’t know . . . . But something or someone is holding us here.
7. SPACE
(The TARDIS is suspended in space, enveloped in a thick layer of white webbing.)
8. OPERATIONS ROOM
(CORPORAL LANE, a middle-aged, light-haired soldier dressed in full battle-gear, is sitting at a radio desk in the corner of the room, talking into a telephone receiver.)
LANE: Hello? Hello . . . ? Hello!
(The door slides open and another soldier, also in the uniform of a Corporal, enters the room and approaches Corporal LANE.)
CORPORAL: Do you know where the Captain is?
LANE: Yeah, he’s upstairs, being chatted up by that TV bloke.
9. COMMON ROOM
(HAROLD CHORLEY sits at a table, dressed in civilian clothes and thick-rimmed black glasses, holding a small microphone by his mouth, which is wired to a tape recorder.)
CHORLEY: (Into microphone.) And finally, Captain Knight, could you tell us your own feelings about Colonel Pemberton?
(He shoves the microphone under the nose of CAPTAIN KNIGHT, a dark-haired officer in his mid-thirties, who has his hands folded on the table.)
KNIGHT: Well, he was certainly a brave soldier, there’s no doubt about that. He gave his life for his country, and I was proud to serve under him.
(CHORLEY has his chin in his hand, looking uninterested.)
KNIGHT: (Slightly annoyed.) Is that all right?
CHORLEY: (Smiling.) Oh, super, sterling stuff! (Turns off tape recorder.) You talk in pure quotes, old boy.
KNIGHT: Not just quotes, Mr Chorley. I meant what I said.
(CHORLEY wraps the wires around the microphone, preparing to put his equipment away. A knock comes at the door, then the CORPORAL walks in and salutes.)
CORPORAL: Professor Travers is here, sir.
(TRAVERS bustles in past the soldier.)
TRAVERS: What the devil’s going on? Why have I been brought here like this?
(He slams his bag on the desk and growls at the nearest person, who happens to be Captain KNIGHT.)
TRAVERS: Who are you?
KNIGHT: Knight.
TRAVERS: Never heard of you. Who?
KNIGHT: Captain Knight. OK, Corporal.
(TRAVERS grumbles. The CORPORAL salutes and leaves.)
KNIGHT: Look, it’s no good shouting at me, Professor. I didn’t ask for you.
TRAVERS: Huh, well, who did, then?
KNIGHT: Your daughter.
TRAVERS: Anne? (Growls.) She’s like a mother - always interfering in things she knows nothing about.
KNIGHT: I understood that you’d sent for her to come back from America and help you.
TRAVERS: (Grumbles.) Well, what do you want me for, anyway?
KNIGHT: I don’t- I consider this to be a military matter. Others disagree.
TRAVERS: You haven’t had much success so far, have you?
(KNIGHT leaves, exasperated.)
TRAVERS: (Chuckles.) Army. (Grunts.) What the devil do they know about it? Hmph . . . . (Notices CHORLEY.) Who are you?
(CHORLEY looks up from writing notes and pushes his chair back as he stands.)
CHORLEY: Harold Chorley, London Television.
TRAVERS: Who? What?
CHORLEY: Harold Chorley, London Television
TRAVERS: (Over CHORLEY.) Television? Never watch it. You an actor or something?
CHORLEY: (Laughs.) Journalist, actually. The Government, in its infinite wisdom, decided only to allow one correspondent down here. The Press chose me.
(TRAVERS walks away while he’s talking.)
TRAVERS: Oh, yeah?
CHORLEY: (Into microphone.) Tell me, Professor, will you be in charge of the scientific section, or will your daughter?
(He points the microphone at TRAVERS, who looks up from a book he has taken from a small collection on some shelving.)
TRAVERS: Mind your own business!
(He flips through the book a moment longer and puts it back as CHORLEY talks into the microphone.)
CHORLEY: And how long do you think it’s going to take you to come up with the answer, eh? One week?
(TRAVERS looks at him angrily.)
CHORLEY: Three perhaps?
TRAVERS: (Approaches.) How the hell should I know? (Points at the microphone.) Is that thing working?
CHORLEY: Of course.
(TRAVERS grunts and takes it from CHORLEY.)
TRAVERS: (Into microphone.) More than likely we won’t be able to defeat this menace. (Sniffs.) London, in fact the whole of England, could be completely wiped out! (Shoves the microphone at CHORLEY.) There, d’you get that?
(TRAVERS storms out, leaving CHORLEY lost for words.)
10. TARDIS CONSOLE ROOM
(The DOCTOR and VICTORIA are sitting against the base of the central console. The DOCTOR has a box-shaped electronic device on his lap with a large lever and cables leading off it. JAMIE walks in carrying a small, cylindrical component and hands it down to the DOCTOR.)
JAMIE: That’s the only one I could find.
DOCTOR: Oh . . . . (Studies it.) Oh yes, that’ll do, Jamie, I think . . . just get that in there . . . .
(He twists the component into a slot on his device and closes the flap, then picks it up to look it over one more time.)
DOCTOR: And that’ll be excellent. (Hands it up to JAMIE.) There we are, that should work! (Clears throat.)
(JAMIE studies it with a confused expression.)
JAMIE: What’s it do?
DOCTOR: Oh, nothing.
JAMIE: Oh no!
DOCTOR: (Chuckles.) Well, nothing yet. But it will do once we start moving again.
(JAMIE groans and purposefully drops the device as he walks away. The DOCTOR shouts as he catches it. He makes sure it’s okay and stands up with VICTORIA.)
VICTORIA: Oh, do you think we ever will? We’ve been here so long . . . .
DOCTOR: Yes, of course we will, Victoria. You see, whatever’s holding us must let go sometime.
(JAMIE points from the other side of the console.)
JAMIE: Doctor! The scanner, it’s clearing!
(The DOCTOR and VICTORIA look.)
11. SPACE
(The thick web covering the TARDIS slowly starts to dissipate.)
12. TARDIS CONSOLE ROOM
(The scanner shows a clear view of the stars.)
VICTORIA: The scanner’s cleared!
DOCTOR: (Breathing rapidly.) Right . . . now Jamie, give me a hand while there’s still time.
(The DOCTOR runs to JAMIE and hands him the end of a cord connected to the device.)
DOCTOR: Plug this in.
JAMIE: Yes.
DOCTOR: Plug it in there, that’s right.
(JAMIE plugs it in and the DOCTOR sets his device on the console. He opens the flap, revealing two rows of dials, and messes with them as he speaks.)
DOCTOR: Now listen, both of you - as soon as we land, whatever you do, don’t let go! Hold on.
(He closes the flap and sets his hands on a lever.)
VICTORIA: What’s going to happen?
(The DOCTOR looks up at the scanner and slowly pushes the lever up.)
VICTORIA: We’re landing . . . .
(VICTORIA holds tight to the console and JAMIE searches for something to hold onto and ends up holding onto the DOCTOR’s shoulder.)
DOCTOR: There . . . now . . . . (Grabs the large lever on the device.) Hold tight.
(The DOCTOR watches the scanner as he finds a handhold on the console. He pulls the lever dramatically, but nothing happens for a moment. They all immediately let go of the console to cover their ears as a piercing electronic noise surrounds them. The DOCTOR and JAMIE slowly uncover their ears while the noise still rings.)
DOCTOR: Oh, it’s not so bad as I thought . . . .
(The TARDIS jolts and the noise ramps up, throwing the crew to the floor, shouting. The DOCTOR gets up, covering his ears.)
DOCTOR: Is everyone all right?
(The noise quickly fades away.)
JAMIE: (Picks himself up.) Aye, what did you do?
(VICTORIA pushes herself up and they all watch the scanner.)
DOCTOR: (Moving around the console.) Well, I- I’ve managed to move us on a bit. Not very far, perhaps half a mile from where we were expected to land. For the moment, we have eluded our captor. (Points.) Look at the scanner, both of you.
(The scanner shows that the TARDIS has landed in a long, round, dark tunnel made of bricks. VICTORIA walks around the console to join the DOCTOR.)
VICTORIA: Well, where are we?
DOCTOR: (Beginning to smile.) I really don’t know, Victoria. (Places his hand on her back.) Shall we go out and have a look?
VICTORIA: Now is it safe?
DOCTOR: (Mischievously.) Oh, I shouldn’t think so for a moment! Jamie . . . I think we’re going to need torches.
13. TUNNEL
(The TARDIS stands by a gate, forcing them to go the other direction down the tunnel. The DOCTOR steps out and shines his torch through the gate. VICTORIA steps out cautiously and JAMIE shines his torch down the tunnel. The DOCTOR turns to JAMIE and VICTORIA.)
DOCTOR: Some sort of grille.
JAMIE: Aw, don’t say you’ve landed us in a prison!
(The DOCTOR walks slowly past VICTORIA and they move cautiously forward.)
DOCTOR: It could be the dungeons of a castle.
VICTORIA: It’s so dark!
DOCTOR: Ah. (Points aside.) Steps. Come along, be careful.
(He takes VICTORIA’s hand and leads them down a flight of stairs. Their shadows move smoothly along the wall.)
DOCTOR: Yes, there seems to be a large wall - tiled walls . . . curved ceiling. Hm, come on!
(The DOCTOR leads the way into a larger room.)
14. PLATFORM, COVENT GARDEN
(The TARDIS trio walk across a platform beside a deep trench. JAMIE moves ahead and shines his torch down.)
JAMIE: The floor seems to end here. Hey, it’s a . . . sort of trench, look!
(JAMIE shines his flashlight along the trench and the DOCTOR watches. The trench runs into another tunnel.)
VICTORIA: Hey Doctor, come and look at this.
DOCTOR: What have you found, Victoria? Hm?
(The DOCTOR and JAMIE approach VICTORIA and shine their torches on a f*re extinguisher mounted to the wall.)
VICTORIA: See for yourself.
(The DOCTOR looks confused, then searches the wall with his torch until he finds a panel of words near the ceiling.)
DOCTOR: Covent . . . Garden. (Laughing deeply.) Oh yes, of course! (Looks around.) It’s an underground station - we’re standing on the platform!
VICTORIA: Underground station?
(JAMIE looks at the trench, confused.)
DOCTOR: Mmm, trains, underground trains.
(JAMIE looks at the DOCTOR, still confused.)
DOCTOR: Little after your time, I think, Victoria.
(The DOCTOR and JAMIE shine their torches around.)
VICTORIA: Is it always as dark as this?
DOCTOR: No no no, it’s probably the middle of the night. (Walks toward the staircase.) Come along, let’s go up top. There’ll be lots of lights up there.
(JAMIE and VICTORIA follow.)
DOCTOR: Funny, isn’t it?
JAMIE: What?
DOCTOR: How we keep landing on your Earth!
(The three exit the platform.)
15. STATION
(JAMIE and VICTORIA emerge from the staircase to see the station exit, which is barred by a gate.)
VICTORIA: Oh, the Doctor was wrong.
JAMIE: Aye, it’s not the middle of the night, it’s broad daylight!
(The DOCTOR emerges last, holding his side.)
DOCTOR: (Breathing heavily.) Just let me . . . just let me get my breath back, whoo! Those stairs . . . oh!
JAMIE: Looks like we’re locked in, though.
DOCTOR: (Breathing heavily.) Huh, well that’s strange.
VICTORIA: Doctor.
DOCTOR: (Breathing heavily.) Yes?
VICTORIA: Listen . . . .
(There is absolute silence.)
JAMIE: I can’t hear anything.
DOCTOR: Oh, it . . . it is quiet, I see what you mean. Middle of London, there should be some noise.
JAMIE: Hey, Doctor. (Points.) There’s an old man over there. Let’s ask him.
DOCTOR: (Whispers.) Yes, go on.
(JAMIE walks over to the gate, outside which an old man is sitting, motionless, with his back to the station.)
JAMIE: (Whispers.) Excuse me . . . . (Louder.) Excuse me.
(JAMIE reaches through the gate to tap the old man on the shoulder. The man slumps limply to the ground. He is covered with cobwebs. JAMIE notices the sign beside the man, bearing the headline “Londoners flee! Menace spreads.”)
16. PLATFORM, COVENT GARDEN
(The travellers emerge onto the platform, with a “way out” sign pointing their direction beside the f*re extinguisher, a cable drum, and two brooms. The DOCTOR is comforting VICTORIA, holding her hand.)
DOCTOR: It’s all right, it’s all right. Hm?
VICTORIA: Oh but Doctor, did you see his face? (Touching her face.) It was sort of covered with cobwebs!
(The DOCTOR shines his torch and looks down the tunnel.)
JAMIE: Hey, it’s nothing to be so scared of.
DOCTOR: Yes, yes. Now come along.
(The DOCTOR makes toward the tunnel.)
VICTORIA: Oh no, don’t let’s go into the tunnel, please!
DOCTOR: But we’ve got to get above ground, Victoria.
(She shakes her head.)
DOCTOR: Now let’s try the next station.
JAMIE: Aye, come on.
(JAMIE jumps down from the platform, landing with a foot on either side of one of the rails. The DOCTOR reaches to stop him too late.)
DOCTOR: (Frantically.) No Jamie! No!
(VICTORIA cries out in fear. JAMIE looks around, startled.)
DOCTOR: (Frantically.) Don’t move! Don’t touch the rails! Whatever you do, stand still!
JAMIE: (Over the DOCTOR.) What’s the matter?
DOCTOR: (Breathing heavily.) Stand still! Don’t move.
(The DOCTOR crouches down, producing a small meter from his pocket. He lies down on the platform and holds the meter over the rails.)
DOCTOR: Keep quite still, Jamie.
(He sighs with relief and lifts his head.)
DOCTOR: It’s all right, you can relax. The electricity’s off. (Stands.)
(JAMIE climbs back onto the platform.)
JAMIE: (Annoyed.) What was all that about?
DOCTOR: (Pointing.) If there had been a current running through these rails, you’d have been fried!
JAMIE: Eh?
DOCTOR: (Waving his hand in a circle.) Electrified. Brunched! Burnt up! Now come along - it’s safe now, I think, but we’d better be careful. Follow me.
(He leads the way into the tunnel, VICTORIA following, then JAMIE.)
17. TUNNEL
(The light of the torches and dark shadows appear along the walls before the DOCTOR appears, followed by his companions. Their footsteps echo and the rails creak in the silence. The DOCTOR bends down to run his fingertips along a rail. JAMIE and VICTORIA bend down beside him.)
VICTORIA: What are you doing, Doctor?
(He points the torch at his hands.)
DOCTOR: Just confirming something - yes, just as I thought. There haven’t been any trains here for some time.
JAMIE: (Spots something ahead.) Hey, what’s that over there?
(They quickly approach and examine the object.)
DOCTOR: It’s a power cable. I wonder what it’s doing down here?
(The travellers look up as a row of overhead lights suddenly comes on all along the tunnel. VICTORIA gasps lightly.)
DOCTOR: In there, quick!
(They quickly hide in an alcove along the tunnel. The DOCTOR cautiously peers out as someone approaches and ducks back inside. Three soldiers march down the tunnel; one in front with a g*n, the other two holding either side of a cable drum stringing cable along the tunnel. The one in front swings his g*n over his shoulder, bends down, and picks up another cable drum. They walk past the alcove. VICTORIA’s head appears, watching them go, then JAMIE’s appears above hers, and the DOCTOR’s above his.)
DOCTOR: Soldiers? I wonder what they’re doing down here?
JAMIE: (Whispers.) Let’s go and ask them.
DOCTOR: No no, I- I think we’d better tread carefully. (Steps out.) Let’s go and find out what’s going on first.
(The DOCTOR quietly follows the soldiers. VICTORIA follows nervously and JAMIE takes up the rear. The DOCTOR stops to look at the cable.)
VICTORIA: (Whispers.) What do you want us to do, Doctor?
DOCTOR: (Pointing at both of them.) You follow the soldiers - but keep out of sight. I’m going to see where this cable goes to. (Looks at watch.) Meet back here in a few minutes.
JAMIE: (Whispers.) Right.
(The DOCTOR turns back the way they came, keeping his torch on the cable as he trots down the tunnel.)
18. TUNNEL
(The three soldiers - STAFF SERGEANT ARNOLD, a man in his 40’s with a grey moustache, CORPORAL BLAKE, a tall young man, and CRAFTSMAN WEAMS, a shorter young man - continue to unwind the cable drum. Craftsman WEAMS stops and looks around nervously while Staff Sergeant ARNOLD goes ahead.)
BLAKE: (Whispers.) What’s the matter?
WEAMS: (Whispers.) Thought I heard something.
(ARNOLD turns to them and leans toward WEAMS. His speech is always mumbled so that it is sometimes hardly intelligible.)
ARNOLD: (Chuckles.) Getting a bit jumpy, aren’t you, Weams?
WEAMS: It’s no wonder, is it, Staff?
BLAKE: Shall we connect the new drum now, Staff?
ARNOLD: Yeah, all right Corp.
(They bend down and put down their heavy cable drums.)
BLAKE: Good thing we fixed these lights, eh?
WEAMS: You can say that again.
19. TUNNEL
(VICTORIA and JAMIE creep quietly through the tunnel. JAMIE holds up his hand and pauses to listen.)
JAMIE: (Whispers.) Can’t hear anything.
VICTORIA: (Whispers.) Are they still there?
JAMIE: (Whispers.) No, I think they must be moving. Come on!
(He waves VICTORIA forward and they continue. VICTORIA runs into a cobweb and she lets out a startled gasp,which carries down the otherwise silent tunnel, waving her hands to get the webbing off her face.)
20. TUNNEL
(The soldiers hear VICTORIA’s gasp and look down the tunnel nervously.)
WEAMS: Told you I heard something, didn’t I, Staff?
ARNOLD: Yeah . . . . Come on!
(He leads his men back down the tunnel as they reach for their g*n.)
21. TUNNEL
(VICTORIA waves the spider web off her face and it floats to the ground, sticking on her hands.)
VICTORIA: I’m sorry!
JAMIE: (Whispers harshly.) It’s only a cobweb!
(JAMIE helps her wave it off her hands.)
VICTORIA: Oh, do you think they heard?
JAMIE: (Whispers.) Hope not. Come on.
(JAMIE takes VICTORIA’s shoulder and helps her get started. He leads the way again as they continue cautiously. They pass another alcove, in which Staff Sergeant ARNOLD is hiding. He steps out, behind them, pointing a r*fle at them.)
ARNOLD: Well, well, well, would you believe it?
(VICTORIA gasps as she and JAMIE spin around. JAMIE holds her shoulders protectively.)
ARNOLD: The babes in the wood.
(VICTORIA’s face is filled with fear.)
22. PLATFORM, CHARING CROSS
(The DOCTOR is bent over, following the cable with his torch. He picks up the cable and runs it through his hand as he follows it. He notices the cable leads up onto another platform. He jogs over and jumps onto the platform of Charing Cross station. He runs to examine the pile of expl*sives at the end of the cable. He immediately stops to hear the familiar high-pitched bleeping sound of a Yeti Control Sphere. He looks around for the source of the sound. He peers around a post and his eyes widen in horror. He runs and jumps into the trench, ducking under the edge of the platform as the giant form of a newly remodeled Yeti appears above him.)
23. OPERATIONS ROOM
(Corporal LANE is sitting hunched over the radio, while Captain KNIGHT stands leaning against a table, writing on a clipboard in his hand. LANE raises a telephone to his ear.)
LANE: Oh, it’s no good, I can’t raise them, sir.
KNIGHT: (Looks up.) Truck was due there twenty minutes ago. (Continues writing.)
LANE: Oh, well I wouldn’t worry, sir, we’ve never had any trouble at Holborn before. They’re probably on their way back by now. (Puts phone down.)
KNIGHT: Yeah, perhaps you’re right, Corporal Lane. (Puts clipboard down.) Keep trying Holborn. (Walks to the door.)
LANE: Sir.
(The door opens just before KNIGHT reaches it and ANNE TRAVERS enters, carrying a piece of equipment.)
KNIGHT: Oh, hello!
ANNE: This blast recorder’s working now, Captain. (Walks past him.)
KNIGHT: (Following her.) Fine. Let me give you a hand.
(She puts the blast recorder on a table and begins to mess with it.)
ANNE: It’s quite all right, I can manage.
KNIGHT: No, no, I insist. Come on.
(HAROLD CHORLEY, the reporter, blusters in.)
CHORLEY: Ah, now look here, Knight, I really must protest.
KNIGHT: (Annoyed.) What’s the matter now, Mr. Chorley?
CHORLEY: Professor Travers! He’s being obstructive and secretive. Now I was led to believe that when I came here, I was gonna be given full facilities.
(Seeing KNIGHT isn’t going to be helpful, he gestures to ANNE.)
CHORLEY: Look, perhaps you can help, Miss Travers . . . .
ANNE: (Brushing him off.) I really am very busy, Mr. Chorley.
(She finds something to do with the blast recorder.)
CHORLEY: But so am I!
KNIGHT: There’s not time for talking, Chorley.
(KNIGHT takes CHORLEY by the shoulders and leads him toward the door.)
KNIGHT: Travers is busy.
CHORLEY: But . . . I didn’t reali- I thought-
KNIGHT: Now don’t worry, I’ll see that you’re not left in the dark.
(ANNE smiles to herself as KNIGHT ushers CHORLEY out of the room.)
24. PLATFORM, CHARING CROSS
(The DOCTOR lies in the trench against the platform. His eyes widen in fear when he hears a second bleeping noise, differently pitched to the first. He looks up, wishing to get a look, but doesn’t move. The first Yeti approaches the second and points at the pile of expl*sives. The DOCTOR listens nervously, wondering what the strange hissing sound is. The creatures aim small g*n w*apon at the pile of crates, and to the accompaniment of the sweeping, rushing noise, smother the crates with mist and a thick, white, web-like substance. The DOCTOR risks a look over the edge. His eyebrows raise and he quickly ducks down, concerned.)
25. COMMON ROOM HALL
(Staff Sergeant ARNOLD and the cable-laying party arrive at the base with JAMIE and VICTORIA in tow. Through a doorway is a steep, metal, spiral staircase.)
ARNOLD: (To JAMIE and VICTORIA.) All right, you two, stand over there. Keep an eye on them, Blake, will you?
(JAMIE and VICTORIA stand by the wall as Craftsman WEAMS and Corporal BLAKE enter with the cable drum and another soldier enters briskly from the spiral staircase. ARNOLD stops him.)
ARNOLD: Hey, you there. Give the Craftsman a hand.
SOLDIER: ‘Ere, but Staff, I’m on this other job.
ARNOLD: Don’t argue, lad, just get on with it. I want that in the Operations Room upstairs.
(The SOLDIER takes Corporal BLAKE’s end of the cable drum and he and WEAMS follow ARNOLD, leaving BLAKE to guard JAMIE and VICTORIA.)
26. OPERATIONS ROOM
(ANNE is screwing something into the blast recorder and Corporal LANE is working on something on the table behind her. Captain KNIGHT creeps in with a smile and leans against the table behind ANNE, rubbing his hands with a cloth.)
KNIGHT: How’s it going?
ANNE: (Annoyed, but polite.) Just fine.
(KNIGHT smiles at LANE, who smiles back.)
KNIGHT: (Crosses arms.) What’s a girl like you doing in a job like this?
ANNE: Well, when I was a little girl, I thought I’d like to be a scientist. (Heavily sarcastic.) So I became a scientist.
(KNIGHT swaggers over.)
KNIGHT: Just like that?
(ANNE smiles patronizingly at him.)
ANNE: Just like that.
(Staff Sergeant ARNOLD enters the room, approaches KNIGHT, and salutes.)
ARNOLD: Sir.
KNIGHT: Been a long time, Staff. Everything all right?
ARNOLD: Yes, all right sir. Weams is just struggling up with the cable now.
(He walks toward the door, through which Craftsman WEAMS and the SOLDIER carry the cable drum between them.)
ARNOLD: Come on, you two, chop chop!
WEAMS: In here, mate, come on.
(ARNOLD returns to KNIGHT.)
KNIGHT: Any trouble at Charing Cross?
ARNOLD: No trouble, sir.
(WEAMS and the SOLDIER finish setting up the drum on the floor.)
ARNOLD: All right, lad, you can buzz off now.
(The soldier stands and salutes before leaving.)
ARNOLD: (Smiling.) By the way, I brought you back a little present, sir.
KNIGHT: Oh?
ARNOLD: Found a couple of youngsters loose in the tunnel.
KNIGHT: What the devil were they doing down there?
ARNOLD: I dunno, sir. I thought perhaps you’d better chat ‘em up, so I brought them back here.
KNIGHT: Dahh . . . . Put them in the Common Room, Staff. I can’t talk to them now! I don’t want to waste any more time on this demolition job.
ARNOLD: Sir. (Turns to leave.)
ANNE: (Quickly.) Staff Sergeant.
ARNOLD: Yes, miss?
ANNE: You’re sure there’re only two of them down there?
ARNOLD: Yes miss, why?
ANNE: Well, I don’t like the idea of the tunnel being blown up if there’s anybody else down there.
ARNOLD: Mm, I see what you mean, miss.
KNIGHT: Make sure there’s nobody else down there. Have a word with them, Staff. I want that tunnel blown as soon as possible.
27. COMMON ROOM HALL
(Corporal BLAKE stands guard over JAMIE and VICTORIA. JAMIE looks at his watch.)
JAMIE: How much longer are we going to be kept here?
BLAKE: What’s the matter then - don’t you like it here?
VICTORIA: No, I don’t.
(JAMIE sighs impatiently.)
VICTORIA: Where are we, anyway?
(Staff Sergeant ARNOLD enters.)
ARNOLD: All right, Blake, I’ll take over now.
BLAKE: Righto, Staff.
(BLAKE puts his g*n over his shoulder and leaves. ARNOLD opens a door.)
ARNOLD: You two, in here.
28. COMMON ROOM
(JAMIE and VICTORIA head through the door to the Common Room, where there is a dart target on the wall. Staff Sergeant ARNOLD follows and closes the door.)
JAMIE: D’you mind telling us where we are?
ARNOLD: Oh, this place has been here a long time. It were a transit camp in the Second World w*r.
JAMIE: What d’you do down here?
ARNOLD: Now, now, everybody knows what’s happening. And you know very well you shouldn’t have come down here. By the way - you were on your own, weren’t you?
VICTORIA: Well-
JAMIE: (Interrupts.) Oh yes.
(ARNOLD is suspicious of the misdirection.)
29. PLATFORM, CHARING CROSS
(The Yeti complete their task and lumber off, leaving the crates covered in smoldering web. The DOCTOR peeks over the edge to watch them go, then sits up and climbs onto the platform.)
30. COMMON ROOM
(JAMIE and VICTORIA are sitting at the table while Staff Sergeant ARNOLD sits on the table.)
ARNOLD: You’re quite sure there was nobody with you?
JAMIE: (Wearily.) Look, how many more times.
ARNOLD: Well, that’s all right then.
(Captain KNIGHT enters the room and ARNOLD stands.)
KNIGHT: Clear to f*re, Staff?
ARNOLD: Yes sir, they were on their own apparently.
KNIGHT: Right.
(KNIGHT leaves and closes the door.)
JAMIE: What was all that about?
(ARNOLD hesitates before sitting on the table again.)
ARNOLD: Suppose there’s no harm in telling you. You know, you two are very lucky. We’re going to blow up the tunnel.
(JAMIE and VICTORIA stand, horrified.)
JAMIE: What!
ARNOLD: That’s what we were laying the cable for.
(JAMIE and VICTORIA look at each other.)
VICTORIA: The Doctor!
31. OPERATIONS ROOM
(Craftsman WEAMS, Corporal LANE, and ANNE sit around waiting. Captain KNIGHT enters and they all stand.)
KNIGHT: It’s all right, they were on their own. OK Weams, no sense in wasting any more time. Off you go.
WEAMS: Right, sir.
(WEAMS flips two switches on the blast recorder, then pushes a button.)
32. PLATFORM, CHARING CROSS
(The DOCTOR crouches beside the pile of expl*sives, examining the thick covering of webbing thoughtfully. The web glows with a brilliant white light and the sound of an expl*si*n fills the platform. The DOCTOR is thrown from the platform with a scream . . . .) | {"type": "series", "show": "Doctor Who", "episode": "05x23 - The Web of Fear - part 1"} | foreverdreaming |
by MERVYN HAISMAN
and HENRY LINCOLN
first broadcast - February 10 1968
1. OPERATIONS ROOM
(Craftsman WEAMS, Corporal LANE, and ANNE TRAVERS sit around waiting. Captain KNIGHT enters and they all stand.)
KNIGHT: It’s all right, they were on their own. OK Weams, no sense in wasting any more time. Off you go.
WEAMS: Right, sir.
(WEAMS flips two switches on the blast recorder, then pushes a button.)
2. PLATFORM, CHARING CROSS
(The DOCTOR crouches beside the pile of expl*sives, examining the thick covering of webbing thoughtfully. The web glows with a brilliant white light and the sound of an expl*si*n fills the platform. The DOCTOR is thrown from the platform with a scream. The noise dies down, leaving the crates pulsing with a white glow inside the web.)
3. COMMON ROOM
(JAMIE bangs on the barred window of the Common Room door.)
JAMIE: (Shouting.) Come on, let us out! Let us out!
VICTORIA: It’s no good, Jamie, they can’t hear!
(JAMIE lowers his hand with a sigh and VICTORIA shakes her head.)
VICTORIA: (Upset.) What have we done?
JAMIE: Not we, Victoria - me. I’m the one that’s to blame. I should have told them about the Doctor.
4. OPERATIONS ROOM
(Staff Sergeant ARNOLD has told Captain KNIGHT, Craftsman WEAMS, and ANNE that the DOCTOR was in the tunnels when the expl*si*n was set off.)
KNIGHT: A doctor! Well, if he was anywhere near those expl*sives when they went up . . . .
ARNOLD: Yes sir. Don’t you think I should go and have a look, sir? The youngsters said he was following the cable.
KNIGHT: Yes, you’d better.
ARNOLD: Sir!
(ARNOLD stomps lightly as a form of salute and strides to the door.)
KNIGHT: Oh, and Staff, take someone with you.
ARNOLD: Sir!
(He leaves the room. WEAMS is messing with the blast recorder with a screwdriver. He flips a switch and nothing happens. He lifts the screwdriver and studies the head.)
WEAMS: Sir?
KNIGHT: Yes, Weams?
WEAMS: This blast recorder ain’t working, sir.
KNIGHT: Rubbish. Miss Travers checked it!
WEAMS: Well it ain’t registered, sir.
ANNE: (Looking at the equipment.) He’s right!
KNIGHT: But it fired. (Points.) Look at the circuits! You can’t have an expl*si*n without a blast, can you?
WEAMS: No sir.
ANNE: Well, come to think of it, we didn’t hear anything either. We should have heard something, even at this distance.
KNIGHT: Yes . . . .
WEAMS: Sir, this er . . . this Doctor bloke that’s in the tunnel - he could have tampered with the charges, you know.
KNIGHT: Sabotage. Yes I think it’s time we had a chat with those two youngsters.
5. COMMON ROOM
(JAMIE and VICTORIA are sitting at the table. VICTORIA has her hands folded and JAMIE plays with a pen anxiously.)
VICTORIA: You mustn’t blame yourself, Jamie. After all, the Doctor did tell us to be careful. Now we still don’t know who these people are.
JAMIE: No, we don’t know anything, except the Doctor might have been blown to kingdom come.
(He puts the pen down heavily in frustration. They look at the door and quickly stand, asking about the DOCTOR as Captain KNIGHT enters followed by ANNE.)
JAMIE: Ah. The Doctor, is-?
VICTORIA: Oh, the Doctor, is he all-?
KNIGHT: Sit down, both of you.
(They sit quietly. HAROLD CHORLEY enters last and closes the door.)
VICTORIA: Is it bad news, then?
ANNE: Oh, no. Well at least, we hope not.
KNIGHT: We don’t know for the moment. I’ve sent a couple of men along the tunnel to investigate. But that’s not why I came in here. You three are up to something, and I mean to find out what.
JAMIE: (Indignant.) We’re up to something? Now just a moment. Suppose you tell us first just what’s going on down here.
CHORLEY: How did you get into the tunnel?
(He thrusts the microphone under JAMIE’s nose, who makes a face and pulls back. He takes the microphone back.)
CHORLEY: Or let me put it another way - where did you break in?
(He gives the microphone back to JAMIE.)
VICTORIA: We didn’t break in.
(He shoves the microphone at VICTORIA.)
CHORLEY: But you must have done. All the stations are sealed, aren’t they?
(VICTORIA pulls her head back with an annoyed sigh as CHORLEY pushes the microphone right up to her mouth.)
VICTORIA: (Annoyed.) We just arrived - we were brought here!
(Everyone looks as Craftsman WEAMS opens the door and enters in a hurry.)
WEAMS: Sir, Lane’s got Holborn on the line. Sounds like trouble.
KNIGHT: Yeti?
WEAMS: Could be, sir. Something’s up.
KNIGHT: OK, Weams.
(The two soldiers leave, with CHORLEY tagging behind them, speaking into his microphone.)
CHORLEY: That was one of the soldiers, reporting the Yeti have . . . .
(The two travellers are left with ANNE.)
JAMIE: (Concerned.) Yeti? Did he say Yeti?
6. OPERATIONS ROOM
(Corporal LANE sits hunched over the desk in the corner, speaking into the telephone. He is watched by another soldier over his shoulder, Private O’BRIEN.)
LANE: Hello, hello, Holborn? (Spins the rotor.) This is HQ to Holborn. Can you hear me . . . ? (To O’BRIEN.) Not a sausage.
O’BRIEN: There must be someone manning the phone.
(Captain KNIGHT, Craftsman WEAMS and CHORLEY enter.)
KNIGHT: OK, Lane, what gives?
LANE: Well, it’s just f*ring at the other end, sir.
KNIGHT: f*ring?
LANE: Yes, sir. Listen.
(He hands the receiver to KNIGHT, who hears muffled sounds of a fierce g*n battle. CHORLEY raises his microphone to the receiver to record the g*n while everyone listens silently with concern. Soldiers shout unintelligibly amidst the loud blasts. A soldier screams and a Yeti roars before the line goes d*ad with a moment of static.)
CHORLEY: Great stuff.
(The soldiers look at him with varying levels of contempt and confusion.)
LANE: (Into telephone.) Hello, HQ to Holborn?
(CHORLEY keeps the microphone on LANE. LANE gives KNIGHT a concerned glance.)
KNIGHT: What happened, Lane?
LANE: Well, it was difficult to hear, sir. I think the truck was late getting there. (Replaces the receiver.)
KNIGHT: Then what?
LANE: Well they must have got the a*mo unloaded, sir, ‘cos he says they was jumped when they was leaving.
(KNIGHT thinks a moment.)
KNIGHT: (To Lane.) Take O’Brien and a couple of the others.
LANE: Sir! (Inclines his head.) Come on, mate.
(LANE and Private O’BRIEN leave, followed by KNIGHT, but CHORLEY stops him.)
CHORLEY: Here, you’re not going out there?
KNIGHT: Yes, Mr Chorley. (Patronizing.) Want to come? Report some action first hand?
CHORLEY: (Sheepish.) Well, I don’t think I’d better get in the way. I, er . . . (Chuckles nervously.) think I’d better stay here, don’t you?
KNIGHT: Yes. (Making no attempt to mask his contempt.) Yes, I think you better had.
(He quickly walks out, leaving CHORLEY alone to doubt his own self-esteem.)
7. PLATFORM, CHARING CROSS
(Footsteps echo and a shadow darkens the wall until Corporal BLAKE and Staff Sergeant ARNOLD appear around the curve of the tunnel. Holding their r*fles ready, they approach the station platform, which they find deserted and undamaged.)
BLAKE: There hasn’t been an expl*si*n, Staff!
ARNOLD: I can see that, lad. Here!
(He gestures with his g*n to move forward. They climb onto the platform and search all entrances to make sure it’s safe.)
BLAKE: No sign of that Doctor bloke.
ARNOLD: No . . . .
(ARNOLD takes notice of the pile of splinters covered in the burnt, white web substance in the middle of the platform.)
ARNOLD: Here, what do you make of this?
(He crouches and picks up a small box off the crispy covering. BLAKE crouches and takes the box.)
BLAKE: It’s our detonator, all right. It’s fired, too. ‘Ere, hang on a minute. (Puts down the detonator.) All the a*mo, Staff. If it’s fired, then why didn’t-?
ARNOLD: Yeah, why didn’t this tunnel go up?
(They look around nervously.)
ARNOLD: No damage at all . . . . (Stands.) Yet something blew up here!
BLAKE: (Stands.) It’s obvious, innit? It’s been got at.
ARNOLD: Where’s that Doctor? That’s what I’d like to know.
(They look down the tunnel suspiciously, g*n ready.)
8. LABORATORY
(On a bench covered in tools, wires, and odds and ends sits a silver control sphere and two tiny Yeti models. Professor TRAVERS lifts the top off the control sphere, revealing a network of wires and silver ball bearings oriented around a small central column. He carefully lifts the control sphere to his face. His spectacles are awry to make room for his jeweller’s eyepiece. ANNE bursts into the room.)
ANNE: Father?
(He doesn’t turn away from the sphere.)
TRAVERS: Hmm . . . ?
ANNE: The soldiers have found two youngsters in the tunnels. They seem to know a great deal about the Yeti.
TRAVERS: Oh?
(He is finally interested and puts the sphere down.)
ANNE: They know they’re robots!
TRAVERS: What!
ANNE: And they know about the control spheres, too.
(TRAVERS takes out his jeweller’s eyepiece.)
TRAVERS: But they can’t have. I mean, the-the-the public were never told!
ANNE: I know!
TRAVERS: Well, where are they?
(He marches past ANNE, who follows him through the door.)
9. COMMON ROOM
(JAMIE appears to have been pacing while VICTORIA sits at the table.)
JAMIE: (Gesturing for emphasis.) Don’t you see, it makes sense, Victoria! If the Yeti are in London, then the Intelligence is here too!
VICTORIA: Wh- you mean controlling them?
JAMIE: Aye, and not only them! (Strides toward her and leans over the table.) Look, it must have been the Intelligence that got hold of us in space, and it must have brought us here.
VICTORIA: Oh, but why?
JAMIE: (Turns away in frustration.) Oh, I wish I knew. Revenge perhaps.
(TRAVERS suddenly bursts in just in front of JAMIE and looks him over suspiciously.)
TRAVERS: Huh . . . hmm, well now . . . . (Steps toward VICTORIA.) You’ve got some explaining to do, haven’t you?
(ANNE enters behind him.)
JAMIE: We have!? Now look here!
(VICTORIA begins to realize who it is.)
TRAVERS: Now now, just what do you know about the Yeti?
(VICTORIA’s eyes light up and her smile slowly widens.)
JAMIE: Quite a lot, but before we go into all-
(VICTORIA inhales to speak, but no one is giving her any space.)
TRAVERS: And the spheres? Where’d you find out about them?
JAMIE: That’s none of your business! I’d just like to-!
TRAVERS: Who are you?
JAMIE: I’d like to ask you the same question!
VICTORIA: (Over JAMIE.) Wait a minute, Jamie! (Turns to TRAVERS with a smile and speaks with emphasis.) I’m Victoria Waterfield!
(TRAVERS grunts, puzzled. He suddenly pauses, searching deep in his memory, and looks at VICTORIA.)
VICTORIA: (Chuckles.) And that’s Jamie McCrimmon!
(TRAVERS slowly turns to JAMIE. JAMIE gives him a look, still trying to be aggressive and intimidating. He lets his guard down when TRAVERS looks back at VICTORIA, stunned to speechlessness.)
ANNE: (Concerned.) Father?
TRAVERS: But it . . . it can’t be . . . .
(TRAVERS collapses into a chair. JAMIE and ANNE come around him, watching him with concern. TRAVERS looks between JAMIE and VICTORIA in disbelief, breathing heavily.)
TRAVERS: Why that’s . . . that’s over . . . (Eyes widen.) forty years ago!
JAMIE: What’s going on here?
VICTORIA: (Smiling broadly.) Oh Jamie, don’t you recognise him? It’s Professor Travers!
(JAMIE and TRAVERS look at each other.)
JAMIE: (Spreads his hand.) So it is! Professor Travers!
(VICTORIA laughs.)
JAMIE: (To VICTORIA.) Hey, hasn’t he got old!
TRAVERS: Huh?
JAMIE: (Takes TRAVERS’ hand and shakes it vigorously.) Oh, but we’re very pleased to see you, Professor, very pleased!
(TRAVERS just stares at him, still dumbstruck.)
TRAVERS: Oh . . . well it’s . . . . (Breathing heavily.) The time machine . . . it was all true then?
(VICTORIA nods.)
JAMIE: The TARDIS - I mean aye, of course it’s true! Hey! (Points.) Do you know what’s happened to the Doctor?
VICTORIA: Oh, is he safe?
TRAVERS: Isn’t he with you?
ANNE: No, he’s in the tunnels. Arnold’s gone to look for him. Father, what is going on?
TRAVERS: Oh dear, I do hope he’s all right. (Taps JAMIE’s arm.) Come on, Jamie, let’s go and find out if he’s got back yet.
(TRAVERS and JAMIE quickly leave and ANNE calls after them, frustrated and confused.)
ANNE: Father!
TRAVERS: Eh? (Pops back in.) Oh, er, Victoria, try and explain to Anne, will you? Eh . . . . It’s all right, Victoria, I mean . . . you- you were born . . . er, I mean . . . . (To Anne.) She was born years before I was!
(He leaves, still flustered. ANNE turns to VICTORIA, frustrated.)
ANNE: (Disbelieving.) A time machine?
(VICTORIA is not excited about trying to explain.)
VICTORIA: Oh dear.
10. OPERATIONS ROOM
(Staff Sergeant ARNOLD and Corporal BLAKE have returned from Charing Cross to find Craftsman WEAMS and CHORLEY in the Operations Room.)
ARNOLD: The Captain’s been gone about twenty minutes, you say?
WEAMS: Yes, Staff.
CHORLEY: Sounded quite a battle. I should think we’ve lost those chaps bringing back the a*mo.
ARNOLD: Well it’s to be hoped you’re wrong, Mr Chorley. All right, Blake, you can stand down now. You too, Weams.
WEAMS: Righto, Staff.
(As WEAMS and BLAKE leave, JAMIE rushes in with TRAVERS.)
JAMIE: Ah, Sergeant! The Doctor, is he all right?
ARNOLD: He weren’t k*lled in the expl*si*n, if that’s what you mean.
TRAVERS: Oh, thank heavens!
ARNOLD: For the simple reason that there weren’t no expl*si*n.
(JAMIE and TRAVERS stare at him in confusion.)
CHORLEY: What?
ARNOLD: Somebody had tampered with it - and it’s my guess it was this Doctor feller.
TRAVERS: What rot, Arnold, the Doctor’s a friend of mine. He’s the one man that can help us!
ARNOLD: Is he now? Well, he weren’t nowhere to be seen; he’d disappeared.
JAMIE: Do you think the Yeti got him?
ARNOLD: No.
JAMIE: What makes you so sure?
ARNOLD: I dunno - just a hunch.
(JAMIE makes for the door, but ARNOLD follows him.)
ARNOLD: Hey, wait a minute, where d’you think you’re going?
JAMIE: (Waves arm.) He may be lying injured!
ARNOLD: No, we’d have found him. Unless you know where he is?
JAMIE: I might . . . .
ARNOLD: Take me to him, could you?
JAMIE: Aye.
ARNOLD: Right, well come on, lad!
(They both leave.)
11. COMMON ROOM
(ANNE is incredulous at VICTORIA’s explanation of the TARDIS.)
ANNE: It flies? Through time and space?
VICTORIA: Not exactly “flies” . . . oh, it’s difficult to explain.
ANNE: Not half as difficult as it is to believe!
VICTORIA: Your father believes it.
ANNE: Yes . . . yes, he seems to, and . . . and you met him - when was it you said? In 1935?
VICTORIA: In Tibet, yes!
ANNE: You couldn’t possibly have. You’re no older than . . . . But you seem to know about the Tibet business . . . . Why didn’t my father tell anyone about this Doctor friend of yours and his TARDIS?
VICTORIA: You’re his daughter, and even you find it difficult to believe. So how would other people react?
(ANNE looks like she concedes to VICTORIA’s point but she doesn’t have time to respond before Harold CHORLEY walks through the door.)
CHORLEY: Sorry to barge in. Left my typewriter in here, and I want to knock up a quick piece about this mysterious Doctor chap.
(He picks up a suitcase off the bookcase and takes it to the table.)
CHORLEY: A bit of a turn-up for the book, wasn’t it? Any theories?
ANNE: On what?
CHORLEY: On what the Doctor and these two kids were doing in the tunnel.
ANNE: Mushrooming?
CHORLEY: (Chuckles.) No, seriously.
ANNE: Ask a silly question . . . .
CHORLEY: Well hasn’t she told you anything?
ANNE: Nothing that you would print, Mr Chorley.
CHORLEY: (Turns away in frustration.) Oh for goodness sake, why is everybody being so evasive? Why won’t anybody answer any questions?
ANNE: Perhaps they’re afraid you’ll interpret them in your own inimitable style.
(Her perpetual smile never fades, although this time it is not kindness but no-nonsense honesty, not afraid to hurt someone’s feelings.)
CHORLEY: And what does that mean, pray?
ANNE: It means you have a reputation for distorting the truth. You take reality, and you make it into a comic strip. In short, Mr Chorley, you are a sensation-monger.
CHORLEY: You smug little redbrick university-!
ANNE: (Interrupts.) Don’t say it, Mr Chorley, I have a very quick temper and very long claws.
CHORLEY: There’s no sense in losing our temper, Miss Travers. I’m sorry that my journalistic style doesn’t appeal to you, but there are millions of people who-
ANNE: (Condescending.) Yes, the Gutter Press has a very large following.
CHORLEY: Yes, it does, it does indeed, and you’d do very well to remember that, because I intend to print all the facts when we get out of here. (Patting his suitcase.)
ANNE: If we get out of here - the Yeti, remember?
CHORLEY: I’m not forgetting. (Gesturing toward VICTORIA.) In fact, I think our little friend here could tell us a few things about them. It was quite a coincidence, wasn’t it, you three pitching up when you did.
VICTORIA: (Defensively.) What do you mean?
CHORLEY: Ah, don’t give us the innocent bit, love. You know very well that the Doctor sabotaged that expl*si*n.
ANNE: Mr Chorley, what are you talking about?
CHORLEY: Arnold’s just come back and confirmed there was no expl*si*n in the tunnel, and the only person who was in there, as far as we know, was your Doctor friend.
VICTORIA: (Adamant.) If the Doctor did stop it, he had a very good reason.
CHORLEY: Yes, well we’ll find out soon enough, because Arnold’s just taken the lad back in to hunt him out.
VICTORIA: (Worried.) Jamie’s gone into the tunnel?
12. TUNNEL BARRICADE
(Captain KNIGHT and one soldier, Private THOMPSON, have built a barricade of amm*nit*on crates which they have salvaged from Holborn across the tunnel. They place one last expl*sive box on top of the barricade, breathing heavily in exertion.)
KNIGHT: Right, Thompson, that’s the best we can do. Now go and tell the Corporal to get the men back here as fast as he can.
(Private THOMPSON begins to climb over the barricade, but g*n ring from down the tunnel and KNIGHT pulls him back.)
KNIGHT: No, you’re too late. Stay where you are.
(THOMPSON aims his g*n down the tunnel and KNIGHT cups his hands and shouts through the sound of g*n.)
KNIGHT: Lane? Lane! Fall back, you’ll never hold them!
13. TUNNEL
(Corporal LANE and two soldiers, Privates O’BRIEN and COCKSEY, f*re wildly at two Yeti lumbering down the tunnel.)
COCKSEY: Will nothing stop them?
(The b*ll*ts seem to have no effect on the giant creatures.)
O’BRIEN: They’re still coming!
(LANE and the two soldiers continue to f*re bravely, fear evident on their faces. The Yeti continue to amble on, unaffected, eyes glowing menacingly. LANE lowers his g*n and runs. He stops when his soldiers don’t move.)
LANE: Come on, back!
(Privates COCKSEY and O’BRIEN continue to f*re as the Yeti advance relentlessly.)
COCKSEY: Right, come on!
(COCKSEY gets up to run, but his foot is caught in the rail and he falls. His comrade stays to protect him as the Yeti come closer and closer. COCKSEY pulls the trigger repeatedly, but his r*fle is jammed.)
COCKSEY: Change!
(Private O’BRIEN fires relentlessly, unwilling to leave his comrade but unable to help. The Yeti are right on top of them. COCKSEY pulls the trigger frantically.)
COCKSEY: Stop him!
(Knowing w*apon have no effect, O’BRIEN throws himself against the Yeti with a growl in a last-ditch effort to protect his friend, attempting to wrestle with the beast. LANE watches in horror as the Yeti tosses O’BRIEN aside like a twig. Unprotected, COCKSEY points his useless w*apon at the approaching Yeti. It lumbers right past him. He looks at the second Yeti, which raises its w*apon. With a sweeping, rushing noise, the Yeti fires its web substance at COCKSEY. Covering his face with an agonised scream, he collapses, d*ad. LANE retreats down the tunnel.)
14. TUNNEL
(Staff Sergeant ARNOLD and JAMIE stop and look at each other, hearing the scream.)
ARNOLD: Come on, boy.
(They continue down the tunnel.)
15. TUNNEL BARRICADE
(Corporal LANE rushes down the tunnel and Private THOMPSON helps him climb over the barricade.)
LANE: We couldn’t hold ‘em, sir. They’re coming, two of ‘em! They got O’Brien and Cocksey, nothing stops them!
(Muffled shouts come from down the tunnel, in the opposite direction to the Yeti, and Captain KNIGHT, LANE, and THOMPSON spin around, g*n raised.)
LANE: It’s Staff Arnold!
KNIGHT: Yeah, come on.
(KNIGHT pats LANE’s shoulder and walks past him toward Staff Sergeant ARNOLD and JAMIE. KNIGHT takes ARNOLD’s shoulder and they all look down the tunnel toward the Yeti past the barricade.)
ARNOLD: Captain?
KNIGHT: (Breathless.) Yeti!
THOMPSON: They got two of us!
KNIGHT: And the a*mo detail - they’re all gone.
ARNOLD: What’s the plan then?
KNIGHT: I brought a load of expl*sives down from Holborn. I’m going to blow it - and them with it.
ARNOLD: Taking a bit of a risk, aren’t you, sir?
KNIGHT: Yeah, I know.
(In the distance, the sound of Yeti g*n can be heard.)
JAMIE: (Points.) Hey, look what’s happening!
(The Yeti stand over the expl*sives, smothering them with webbing.)
LANE: What are they doing?
(The Yeti continue to spray until the expl*sives are completely covered.)
JAMIE: Looks like the cobwebs!
KNIGHT: Cobwebs or not, I’m going to blow it sky high. Get back!
(KNIGHT readies his p*stol and the others retreat. With the Yeti standing straight over the barricade, KNIGHT fires a single sh*t into the expl*sives, creating a bright flash and an enormous bang. As the light fades, the expl*sives are still intact and the Yeti roar in anger. The boxes in the web glow with an eerie white light, which fades and shines rhythmically with a low rushing sound. LANE approaches KNIGHT.)
LANE: What’s that noise?
JAMIE: (Points.) The boxes are pulsating!
(The YETI roar and kick down the barricade, forcing their way through with their size and brute strength. KNIGHT resumes f*ring.)
KNIGHT: Get back!
(They turn to run from the robots, but stop in horror - standing in front of them are another pair of Yeti!)
16. LABORATORY
(The PROFESSOR fiddles with a circuit board at the laboratory bench while ANNE works with containers on a shelf. Professor TRAVERS lowers his circuit board with a look of concern.)
TRAVERS: Hmm . . . Chorley’s an idiot - telling Victoria the boy’s gone. Those two are . . . all that child’s got in the world. Mm . . . .
(ANNE approaches with an intact control sphere.)
ANNE: I asked her to make some tea - thought it would take her mind off things.
TRAVERS: Oh, good idea. Oh, switch the soldering iron on, will you?
ANNE: Mm. (Turns on the switch.) Father?
(She leans against the bench while he puts down what he was working on and picks up another one.)
TRAVERS: Hmm?
ANNE: Have you ever seen this TARDIS?
(He looks at her nervously, understanding what she’s getting at.)
TRAVERS: No, no, I can’t say I have.
17. FORTRESS MAIN CORRIDOR
ANNE: [OOV.] It all sounds a bit far-fetched to me.
(VICTORIA walks around the corner, carrying a tea tray, and approaches the laboratory door. She stops outside the door, concerned at the conversation.)
ANNE: [OOV.] You know, I think the Doctor’s at the back of all this.
TRAVERS: [OOV.] What do you mean?
ANNE: [OOV.] Doesn’t it strike you as odd that on the two occasions you’ve encountered the Yeti, you’ve also come across the Doctor?
(VICTORIA looks back, hearing someone approaching.)
TRAVERS: [OOV.] Well?
ANNE: [OOV.] Well, it’s obvious - he controls them!
(A soldier walks down the hall and VICTORIA enters the laboratory, pretending she hadn’t been listening.)
18. LABORATORY
TRAVERS: Oh, but surely-
(ANNE quickly touches his arm and shushes him as VICTORIA opens the door.)
TRAVERS: Huh? Oh! Oh, tea. Thank you, my dear.
(She sets down a tray of two mugs on the bench.)
TRAVERS: Oh, er, aren’t you having any?
VICTORIA: N-no, I think I’ll go and lie down for a bit.
TRAVERS: Good idea.
(VICTORIA leaves. ANNE stands beside her father.)
ANNE: Do you think she heard?
TRAVERS: No . . . . In any case, what you say is nonsense, Anne. And I saw the Doctor defeat those robots and save Detsen Monastery. Well he wouldn’t do that if he was in league with them, now would he?
(ANNE looks at him.)
ANNE: (Politely.) No, no I suppose not. In a situation like this, one imagines all sorts of things.
TRAVERS: (Nods.) Mm-hm.
19. TUNNEL
(Captain KNIGHT, Staff Sergeant ARNOLD, Corporal LANE, Private THOMPSON, and JAMIE are crowded in a circle, surrounded by Yeti, two on each side. The YETI stand motionless.)
LANE: This waiting’s getting on my nerves. Why the heck don’t they do something?
ARNOLD: Steady, lad. We’ll know soon enough.
LANE: We can’t just stand here. Can’t we make a run for it?
JAMIE: We wouldn’t stand a chance, not with them switched on.
KNIGHT: (Accusing.) How do you know that?
ARNOLD: It’s all right, sir. The Professor’s vouched for him. Understand he knows a great deal about these robots.
JAMIE: See, you have to find out-
(He stops as the Yeti suddenly start emitting their familiar rhythmic bleeping noise at various pitches. JAMIE looks around.)
JAMIE: What’s that?
(The soldiers back against the wall as the Yeti suddenly move past them, totally ignoring them. They watch the Yeti go, gripping their g*n once again.)
LANE: (Whispers.) What are they, blind?
KNIGHT: What made them do that, I wonder?
ARNOLD: Couldn’t say, sir. But I don’t think we should stay to find out.
KNIGHT: Yes, you’re right, Staff. Come on, let’s get back.
(The soldiers start to move back, but JAMIE stops KNIGHT.)
JAMIE: Wait - can we not just see what they’re up to?
(JAMIE takes a step toward them, but KNIGHT holds him back.)
KNIGHT: No! If there’s one thing that I’ve learned, it’s never push your luck. Now come on.
(KNIGHT turns JAMIE around and ushers him after the others.)
20. OPERATIONS ROOM
(Craftsman WEAMS and Corporal BLAKE sit drinking from mugs, BLAKE sitting on the table and WEAMS with his feet up on it.)
WEAMS: Tibet? Tibet? You’re joking.
BLAKE: (Fingering something in his mug.) That’s where old Travers says they come from. He reckons they’re Abominable Snowmen.
WEAMS: Well, he’s off his chump, ain’t he? How’d they get here in the first place?
BLAKE: Come through the post, didn’t they?
WEAMS: Nah, seriously. Outer space, that’s where they come from. Well that’s what I reckon, anyway. (Takes a sip.)
BLAKE: Oh do leave off! You’ve been reading too many kids’ comics, you have!
WEAMS: All right then, Corp, where do they come from?
BLAKE: It’s a foreign power, innit? Bacteriological warfare, that’s what that stuff is in the tunnels. (Nods toward the board map hanging from the ceiling.)
WEAMS: What, that fungus stuff?
BLAKE: Yeah. And them Yeti are some sort of new w*apon. Well, a sort of robot army.
WEAMS: What, you mean it ain’t real then?
BLAKE: Well of course they ain’t, you nit! (Stands.) Otherwise we’d be able to knock ‘em out with the small arms, wouldn’t we? (Sits on a crate.)
WEAMS: Yeah - nothing hardly touches ‘em, does it?
BLAKE: Not unless you can cop ‘em straight between the eyes. (Touching between his eyes.) Then they’ve had it.
WEAMS: Yeah, well that’ll take some doing. I mean, I’d have a job just holding me arm steady if one of them ugly creeps came at me, wouldn’t I?
BLAKE: I wish we had some more hand grenades, ‘cos they’re the things that seem to stop ‘em d*ad in their tracks.
WEAMS: Yeah, but we ain’t got any, have we?
BLAKE: Nah . . . . It’s a pity that a*mo truck they stopped at Holborn had all the gear in.
WEAMS: (Sits up.) Stone me! ‘Ere, we ain’t got much of a chance if it comes- we come up against that lot, ‘ave we?
BLAKE: Not with the funny old crowd we got down here with us. (Puts mug on the table and counts on his fingers.) You got civvies, RE’s, REME . . . .
WEAMS: (Unamused.) ‘Ere, watch it, mate.
BLAKE: The lot. A right old Fred Karno’s Army, innit? Still, (Slaps WEAMS’ knee.) not to worry, me old son. (Stands.) Not the end of the world, is it? Want some more tea?
WEAMS: Yeah, all right then.
(BLAKE picks up his mug and takes WEAMS’ mug.)
BLAKE: Well move then!
(WEAMS moves his chair out of the way. As BLAKE walks to the door, WEAMS happens to glance up at the map on the wall.)
WEAMS: (Stands.) Here, Corp, look at this!
(BLAKE stops and turns.)
BLAKE: What?
(He puts the mugs down as he approaches WEAMS and the map.)
BLAKE: Oh, crikey!
(The map is of the London Underground, the rail lines marked with a bright white light. A line of black where the lights are out, indicating rails blocked with fungus, have taken over most of the Circle Line, from the Embankment through Paddington to Euston Square. The northern end of the black line flickers towards Kings Cross.)
BLAKE: That’s what comes of talking about it!
WEAMS: It’s that fungus stuff, it’s moving again!
21. LABORATORY
(TRAVERS holds a tool to the exposed wiring of an open control sphere. The point starts smoking as TRAVERS’ hands shake. He puts the tools down in frustration.)
TRAVERS: (Waving arms angrily.) Oh Anne, come and do this for me, would you?
ANNE: All right, father. (Walks around the bench.)
TRAVERS: It’s my hands - can’t control ‘em! Getting old, that’s my trouble!
(He walks away and ANNE picks up the tool.)
ANNE: Don’t worry!
(She bends down to work on the sphere.)
TRAVERS: Huh, can’t help it. I feel . . . responsible somehow. (Sighs.) If only the Doctor would turn up. I’m sure he could help us.
(A knock comes at the door and TRAVERS grunts in surprise. Corporal BLAKE rushes inside.)
BLAKE: ‘Scuse me, sir.
TRAVERS: Eh, what?
BLAKE: (Buttoning his collar.) That fungus stuff, it’s on the move again. Euston Square’s gone.
TRAVERS: (Rushes to the door.) Come on, let’s have a look!
(ANNE and BLAKE quickly follow him.)
22. OPERATIONS ROOM
(Craftsman WEAMS rubs his chin as he looks at the map. TRAVERS, ANNE, and Corporal BLAKE rush into the room and join WEAMS. The light at King’s Cross continues to flicker.)
TRAVERS: It’s on the move again, Weams?
WEAMS: Yes, sir. Kings Cross has gone, and it’s moving on to Farringdon.
ANNE: It’s never moved as fast as this before!
WEAMS: Hasn’t moved at all the last three weeks, Miss.
BLAKE: What started it up again all of a sudden?
TRAVERS: Err, can’t say.
(Harold CHORLEY suddenly shows up out of nowhere, holding his glasses.)
CHORLEY: Strange, isn’t it, that all this should happen on the very day that your mysterious Doctor friend turns up? (Smiles at TRAVERS.)
ANNE: He hasn’t turned up.
CHORLEY: Precisely. He could have sent those kids in here as spies. (Puts on his glasses.)
TRAVERS: Rubbish! Would Jamie go away and leave Victoria, if he didn’t intend coming back again?
BLAKE: Excuse me, sir, but where is the young lady?
TRAVERS: Oh, in the Common Room, I suppose.
BLAKE: No she’s not, ‘cos I went in there when I was looking for you!
TRAVERS: What? Well . . . where is she then?
23. TUNNEL
(VICTORIA wanders alone in the tunnels, hopelessly lost. She stops at an intersection and calls softly, too frightened to speak up.)
VICTORIA: Jamie? Doctor?
(She steps into a side tunnel.)
VICTORIA: Jamie? Doctor?
(She continues warily down the tunnel.)
24. OPERATIONS ROOM
(ANNE and Corporal BLAKE come in through the door; the others are all still standing around.)
ANNE: Not a sign of her.
BLAKE: We looked everywhere.
TRAVERS: Oh, then, she must have gone . . . .
CHORLEY: Like I said, a couple of spies.
WEAMS: (Points at the map.) Look, sir, the fungus! It’s moving again!
(The lights go out on the map as the black line continues its journey round the Circle Line, engulfing Farringdon and closing in on Liverpool Street.)
BLAKE: (Steps forward.) Hope the Captain and Staff Arnold ain’t anywhere near that little lot.
25. TUNNEL
(A male voice in the distance sings up and down a scale. JAMIE and the soldiers creep down the tunnel, confused by the singing. They stop as the voice sings up and down the scale again.)
ARNOLD: (Whispers.) What is it, sir?
KNIGHT: (Whispers.) Quiet! Listen.
(They listen to the voice finish the scale.)
KNIGHT: (Whispers.) Quick, get in there.
(Captain KNIGHT motions with his g*n toward a nearby alcove and most of them slip inside, while two of them hide in the alcove on the other side of the tracks. The voice starts a rendition of “Sospan Fach” in Welsh. As it gets closer, the source, an army Private, appears round a corner, striding down the tunnel, g*n ready. As the soldier, EVANS, passes the alcove, Staff Sergeant ARNOLD steps out.)
ARNOLD: Soldier!
(EVANS spins around and they point their r*fles at each other. He has a crooked jaw, when he smiles it is wry, and his eyes are always wide. JAMIE and the other soldiers file out of their alcoves.)
EVANS: (Lowers r*fle.) Well, there’s a sight for sore eyes!
KNIGHT: (In a loud whisper.) Are you stark raving mad!?
EVANS: Aye, well I always sing when I’m scared, see.
ARNOLD: Stand to attention when you’re talking to an officer!
(EVANS stands rigid.)
ARNOLD: Name and last three!
EVANS: (Loudly.) 6-0-
ARNOLD: Shush!
EVANS: (Whispers.) 6-0-1 Evans, sir!
KNIGHT: Evans? Anybody know him?
EVANS: Oh, I’m not one of your lot, sir.
ARNOLD: Then what are you doing down here?
EVANS: Trying to get out, Sarge!
ARNOLD: Don’t try to be funny with me, lad! How did you get down here in the first place?
EVANS: Driver on the a*mo truck to Holborn. Got jumped, we did - quite a dust up, there was. Couldn’t get past them hairy creatures, see? Been wandering for hours. Lost, I was. I tried one way, but there seemed to be some sort of cobweb muck moving down the tunnel.
KNIGHT: Moving? Are you sure it was moving?
EVANS: Well of course I’m sure! Er, sir . . . . Sounds daft, I know, but it seemed to be following a Yeti that had a kind of pointed glass thing in its hands.
JAMIE: (Indicating size with his hands.) Was it shaped like a pyramid?
EVANS: Well, I suppose it was, really.
JAMIE: (Pointing.) Well that’s it! Smash the pyramid, and you put the Intelligence out of action! (Swipes hands through the air.)
KNIGHT: What Intelligence?
ARNOLD: Whereabouts did you say this happened?
EVANS: Kings Cross, Staff.
KNIGHT: What!
ARNOLD: Headquarters, sir - HQ may be in danger!
KNIGHT: Yes, we’d better get back as soon as we can. Come on.
(KNIGHT and ARNOLD turn to leave, but JAMIE grabs KNIGHT’s arm.)
JAMIE: No, look-
ARNOLD: Now listen to what the officer said, young man. Come on!
JAMIE: (Pointing at ARNOLD.) Now look, I came down here to find the Doctor. I’m not going back till I have!
ARNOLD: Now look here.
JAMIE: No, I’m not going! And if I get a chance to smash that pyramid, I will!
KNIGHT: That’s quite a risk you’re taking.
JAMIE: Aye, but it’s me that’s taking it.
KNIGHT: All right, it’s your neck, chum.
EVANS: Sir!
KNIGHT: Yes?
EVANS: I’d like to volunteer to go with the young gentleman, sir.
KNIGHT: Well, you’re not one of my lot. All right. Come on, the rest of you.
(The soldiers head off.)
JAMIE: (To EVANS.) Thanks!
EVANS: (Smiling.) Don’t be daft, boyo. First chance I get and I’m skipping!
(JAMIE’s face falls.)
26. OPERATIONS ROOM
(Craftsman WEAMS, CHORLEY, TRAVERS, and ANNE still watch the map.)
WEAMS: Liverpool Street gone now, sir.
TRAVERS: Aha . . . but still no movement on the southern section.
BLAKE: (Rushing into the room.) No sign of the Captain yet.
WEAMS: Once this stuff joins up, we’ve had it. Why don’t we try and get out now, while we’ve still got a chance?
CHORLEY: Sounds like a very good idea to me.
TRAVERS: (Stands.) No, no! The decision to evacuate this Fortress must be taken by Captain Knight!
ANNE: Yes, but where is he, father? He’s been gone for ages!
BLAKE: Let’s just hope he’s not on the Circle Line.
27. PLATFORM, CANNON STREET
(JAMIE and Driver EVANS walk onto a station platform and examine an underground map.)
EVANS: (Pointing.) Here we are, then. Cannon Street. Circle Line.
(JAMIE searches the map with his finger.)
JAMIE: We’ve gone miles out of our way!
(He resumes examining the map to determine a new course.)
EVANS: I told you I didn’t know one tunnel from another, didn’t I?
JAMIE: Why didn’t you tell me about these maps before?
EVANS: Why? Who wants to find a Yeti anyway?
JAMIE: (Reading the map.) Monument next, then Tower Hill. Come on, we must find that pyramid.
(JAMIE looks down the tunnel, then jumps down and sets off, followed by Driver EVANS.)
28. OPERATIONS ROOM
(CHORLEY spreads his arms like he’s expecting a hug.)
CHORLEY: Oh, thank heavens you’re back, Captain!
(Captain KNIGHT and the soldiers enter, ignoring CHORLEY.)
ANNE: Where are the other men?
KNIGHT: Gone.
TRAVERS: Captain, come here!
(TRAVERS Leads KNIGHT and his men to the map.)
TRAVERS: (Pointing.) The southern section’s on the move. Charing Cross and the Temple have gone.
(CHORLEY worms his way to the front.)
CHORLEY: Look, Weams says there’s a danger we might be cut off. Now don’t you think it would be a very good idea if-
KNIGHT: (Interrupts.) If you want to leave, Mr Chorley, no-one’s stopping you. (Turns to TRAVERS.) Now, when did all this happen?
TRAVERS: Just after you left. Still no sign of the Doctor?
KNIGHT: None.
ANNE: Or the girl?
KNIGHT: Has she gone too?
TRAVERS: (Sadly.) Yes.
ARNOLD: That means . . . all three of them are out there, sir.
KNIGHT: Yes. (Turns to the map.) But where?
29. TUNNEL
(VICTORIA continues to walk down the tunnels, tense with fear, alone and hopelessly lost.)
VICTORIA: Doctor? Jamie?
(Nearby, the booted foot of an unfamiliar soldier silently steps off the rail, ducking back into the alcove . . . .)
VICTORIA: Doctor?
30. OPERATIONS ROOM
(Staff Sergeant ARNOLD and Captain KNIGHT have moved away from the main group, and are talking in the background.)
WEAMS: I think we’ve had it, Corp!
BLAKE: Yeah, that stuff’s got us trapped, all right.
TRAVERS: Captain? (Approaches KNIGHT and ARNOLD.) Look, I know it seems hopeless, but . . . if we could find the Doctor! I’m sure he could help us.
KNIGHT: Perhaps. But I’m sure that he must be d*ad by now.
ARNOLD: If any of those three are on the Circle Line, sir . . . they’ve had it.
CHORLEY: Captain Knight? (Takes KNIGHT’s shoulder and leads him to the map.) Captain Knight! Cannon Street and Tower Hill have gone now!
KNIGHT: (Gravely.) That just leaves the Monument.
31. PLATFORM, MONUMENT
(JAMIE and Driver EVANS approach another station along the railway. JAMIE glaces up as they walk past.)
JAMIE: Monument! Then it’s Tower Hill next.
EVANS: Hey! Wait a minute!
(JAMIE stops. EVANS looks around.)
EVANS: Did you hear something?
JAMIE: What?
EVANS: Listen.
(A distant seething, pulsating sound can be heard; it is gradually getting louder and closer.)
EVANS: (Points past JAMIE.) Look!
JAMIE: The fungus, it’s here!
(A bright glow of white light emanates from the tunnel, and a glowing mass of bubbly fungus appears, blocking their retreat. The mass on the rails grows rapidly, completely filling the tunnel as the noise becomes deafening.)
JAMIE: We’d better get out, fast!
(JAMIE pushes EVANS back and they run away from the web, but EVANS stops and JAMIE grabs his shoulders so as not to run into him. The tunnel opposite is bathed in the same pulsating glow. JAMIE looks both ways, horrified.)
JAMIE: We’re trapped!
(The fungus completely blocks the tunnel they just came from.)
EVANS: We’ve had it, boyo! We can’t go forward, and we can’t go back!
(The noise crescendos with a whine and JAMIE and EVANS cover their ears, cringing, as the fungus continues to close in on them from both sides . . . .) | {"type": "series", "show": "Doctor Who", "episode": "05x24 - The Web of Fear - part 2"} | foreverdreaming |
by MERVYN HAISMAN
and HENRY LINCOLN
first broadcast - February 17 1968
1. PLATFORM, MONUMENT
(The noise crescendos, and the fungus continues to close in on JAMIE and Driver EVANS from both sides. JAMIE pushes EVANS and they jump up onto the platform, looking both ways as the fungus shuts out the light. JAMIE spots an archway leading off to the side of the tunnel.)
JAMIE: We’ve got to get to that archway!
EVANS: There’s something coming through, look!
(A bleeping noise becomes audible, as the giant figure of a Yeti emerges from the Web, carrying a small glass pyramid.)
JAMIE: The pyramid! sh**t the pyramid!
(EVANS aims his r*fle and fires two sh*ts. The YETI continues to advance.)
JAMIE: The pyramid - get it!
(EVANS fires two more sh*ts, but both miss again, his hands shaking in fear.)
JAMIE: Come on, man, try again!
(EVANS sh**t again and hits; the pyramid is destroyed with an expl*si*n, but to JAMIE’s horror, the Yeti and fungus both continue relentlessly.)
JAMIE: But we’ve destroyed the pyramid. It doesn’t work!
EVANS: Let’s get out while we can!
JAMIE: But you sh*t it!
EVANS: Don’t argue, come on!
(They run for the archway, reaching it moments before the station is engulfed in glowing fungus.)
2. TUNNEL
(VICTORIA wanders aimlessly through the tunnel network, alone and afraid. The silence around her is broken by the sound of quiet footsteps nearby.)
VICTORIA: Doctor? Doctor, is that you?
(Just behind her, the DOCTOR steps out from an alcove into the tunnel. But holding him is a soldier with a thin brown moustache, wearing the insignia of a COLONEL with a tartan headband; he has a Kn*fe at the DOCTOR’s neck.)
COLONEL: One moment!
(VICTORIA gasps as she spins around.)
DOCTOR: Victoria! Er . . . er . . . .
VICTORIA: Oh, Doctor, thank goodness I found you! Are you all right?
(The COLONEL lets him go and he clears his throat loudly.)
DOCTOR: Well . . . .
(VICTORIA stutters incoherently, a nervous wreck.)
DOCTOR: (Breathing heavily.) Well you see, Victoria . . . .
(His eyes indicate the COLONEL behind him.)
COLONEL: Well, before you begin this rapturous reunion, there are one or two questions I’d like answered. For a start, is there anyone else down here playing hide-and-seek?
VICTORIA: W-we-well . . . .
DOCTOR: Well- well yes, er . . . where is Jamie, Victoria?
VICTORIA: He came out to look for you.
COLONEL: Out? Out from where?
VICTORIA: The Fortress at Goodge Street.
COLONEL: Goodge Street? Hang on, are you anything to do with Travers and his daughter?
DOCTOR: Travers? Wha-what do you mean, Tra-?
VICTORIA: (Interrupts.) It’s the same man we met in Tibet! I’ve come to warn you, he thinks you’re responsible for the Yeti!
DOCTOR: (Feigned shock.) Me?
COLONEL: Oh, does he? The plot thickens, doesn’t it? I think it’s time I got you two back to HQ. Lead on!
(The DOCTOR hesitates before leading the COLONEL.)
3. OPERATIONS ROOM
(Captain KNIGHT, Staff Sergeant ARNOLD, Craftsman WEAMS, HAROLD CHORLEY, and ANNE TRAVERS stare at the underground map; a solid black line now encircles their position.)
ANNE: Well . . . that’s that. The whole of the Circle Line gone. We’re completely hemmed in.
KNIGHT: Yes - we can’t get out, and no one can get in. Not very healthy, is it?
(Corporal LANE enters and salutes the CAPTAIN.)
LANE: ‘Scuse me, sir.
KNIGHT: Er, yes, Corporal, what is it?
LANE: That girl’s turned up again, sir, and that Doctor feller you was looking for.
ARNOLD: Oh! Him?
LANE: Yes, Staff. They was brought in by a Colonel.
ARNOLD: A Colonel?
KNIGHT: Where did he spring from?
LANE: I don’t know, sir.
KNIGHT: I suppose I’d better show my face. Where are they?
LANE: Er, Corporal Blake’s got them in the Common Room, sir, under guard.
KNIGHT: (Approaches ANNE.) Anne, you’d better fetch your father. He’ll want a word with the Doctor. And you carry on here, Staff.
ARNOLD: Sir!
(He salutes, as KNIGHT leaves with ANNE.)
WEAMS: Hey Staff, this Colonel - where’d he come from? And what’s he doing here?
ARNOLD: Don’t ask me, lad. It’s turning into a proper holiday camp, this place.
4. COMMON ROOM
(The DOCTOR and VICTORIA are sitting at the table, with the COLONEL standing watching them. Corporal BLAKE stands guard, r*fle held aloft.)
VICTORIA: You’re sure?
DOCTOR: Yes, yes, I’m quite all right, Victoria. I was just knocked out a bit by the expl*si*n, that’s all.
VICTORIA: (Leans in to whisper.) Where did the Colonel come from?
(The DOCTOR looks around to make sure no one’s listening before responding.)
DOCTOR: (Whispers.) Well, I don’t know. When I came to, there was no sign of the Yeti, so I- I- I wandered around for a bit; and then, as I was on my way back to you, he suddenly popped out from nowhere!
VICTORIA: (Whispers.) How did you find out about the Intelligence?
DOCTOR: (Quietly.) When I saw the Yeti, I put two and two together. And then . . . now you say Travers is here, well . . . .
(The DOCTOR stops talking as Captain KNIGHT opens the door and enters.)
COLONEL: (To KNIGHT.) Afternoon. Captain Knight?
KNIGHT: Afternoon, Colonel, um . . . .
COLONEL: Lethbridge-Stewart. Expect you’re wondering who the devil I am, eh?
KNIGHT: Well, as a matter of fact, sir - yes.
COLONEL: Well, I couldn’t tell you before, but you’re a bit cut off down here, aren’t you? I’m taking over from Pemberton. (Sadly.) Sorry about him - very fine soldier.
KNIGHT: (Disbelieving.) Taking over? I see. Well, excuse me, Colonel, but have you got any, er . . . .
COLONEL: Authorisation? Yes, of course. Here are my papers.
(He produces a booklet and KNIGHT looks at the papers inside.)
COLONEL: Glad to see you don’t take things at face value.
(KNIGHT takes a moment to finish looking over the papers.)
KNIGHT: All right, Blake, you can fall out.
BLAKE: Sir!
(He stomps and leaves the room.)
KNIGHT: How did you get in, sir?
COLONEL: Holborn. amm*nit*on party. Got badly beaten up. All the men d*ad, I’m afraid.
KNIGHT: Not all - Evans managed to escape.
COLONEL: Evans?
KNIGHT: The driver.
COLONEL: Oh yes.
KNIGHT: Evans didn’t mention any other survivors.
COLONEL: No, well it all got a bit confused. Driven into a side tunnel, myself. After that, got a bit lost, and then found this Doctor.
DOCTOR: Yes, I was wondering when you were going to get around to me.
KNIGHT: Yes, well the Professor’s spoken for him. We do know a little bit about the Doctor already.
COLONEL: I see. In fact, more than you do about me, eh?
KNIGHT: To tell you the truth, sir, yes.
(The conversation is interrupted as TRAVERS bursts into the room.)
TRAVERS: Doctor!
(The DOCTOR quickly stands.)
DOCTOR: Good-!
TRAVERS: Oh my dear fellow, am I glad to see you!
DOCTOR: My word, it is! It’s been a long time!
(TRAVERS laughs.)
COLONEL: Professor, I’m told you know this man.
TRAVERS: Huh? I’d have thought that was obvious. And if it comes to that, who are you?
COLONEL: Colonel Lethbridge-Stewart. New CO.
(TRAVERS grunts.)
COLONEL: So you can vouch for the Doctor here?
TRAVERS: (Snaps.) Well, of course I can.
COLONEL: And what about this girl?
(He indicates VICTORIA.)
DOCTOR: Oh er, she’s on my staff.
TRAVERS: We’ve got lots to do, Doctor. Time’s running short - need your help. Er, Captain Knight, I’ll take him straight down to the lab. Now come on, Doctor. You’d better come too, Victoria.
DOCTOR: (Speaking at the same time as TRAVERS.) Come along, Victoria.
TRAVERS: Things are getting a bit desperate, and I’ve got an idea.
(Their voices fade as the three of them disappear.)
COLONEL: (Teasing.) It would seem that the Professor’s in charge down here, Captain.
KNIGHT: Yes, well he does have a job to do, sir. I think it’s best to let him get on with it, don’t you?
COLONEL: Hmm . . . .
5. LABORATORY
(The DOCTOR is examining TRAVERS’s opened control sphere, watched by the Professor, ANNE, and VICTORIA.)
DOCTOR: Yes, well as I say, er, when I came to, there was no sign of the Yeti, so I . . . I wandered around a bit, got lost, and . . . saw the fungus.
ANNE: You’ve seen it, then?
TRAVERS: Oh, foul stuff. Oh, it was the Intelligence, all right.
DOCTOR: Not me, then?
TRAVERS: Huh? Wh-what do you mean?
DOCTOR: From what Victoria said, you had one or two suspicions about me.
TRAVERS: (Blows through his lips.) Rubbish, my dear fellow! (Defensively.) Whatever gave you that idea, Victoria? Pah! Never heard anything so ridiculous in all my life!
(The DOCTOR laughs.)
ANNE: (To VICTORIA.) So you did hear us talking, then?
VICTORIA: Yes.
TRAVERS: Oh, that! Well, it was only . . . just idle chatter. (Chuckles.) Ah yes, it was the Intelligence that brought you here, all right.
DOCTOR: But why? That’s what I can’t understand, why?
TRAVERS: Yes . . . . Well, you’ve given it the slip, Doctor. It doesn’t know where you are - yet.
VICTORIA: (Worried.) I hope it hasn’t caught Jamie.
6. PLATFORM, SAINT PAUL’S
(JAMIE and Driver EVANS have found their way into another tunnel and emerge into a station, their footsteps echoing. JAMIE reads the sign on the wall.)
JAMIE: Saint . . . Paul’s.
EVANS: We’re on the Central Line, all right.
JAMIE: Right, come on.
EVANS: (Sharply.) Wait a minute!
JAMIE: (Startled.) What? What is it?
EVANS: Nothing. Just want a bar of chocolate, that’s all. Got sixpence?
JAMIE: Och, don’t be daft! Those beasties might be right behind us. Now come on!
EVANS: All this walking . . . . (Walks onto the platform.) Shouldn’t be down here at all, you know. Driver, I am.
(He approaches a vending machine and shakes it, jostling it until a candy bar drops down. He pulls it out and shows a chocolate bar to JAMIE.)
EVANS: Well, there’s lovely!
(He walks off the platform past a frustrated JAMIE.)
7. OPERATIONS ROOM
(CHORLEY and Staff Sergeant ARNOLD are arguing, while Craftsman WEAMS looks on.)
CHORLEY: (Agitated.) Don’t you understand, Sergeant? I’ve- I- I’ve got to get out of here!
ARNOLD: Well I don’t see as I can put it any clearer, sir. (Points at the map hanging from the ceiling.) We’re here at Goodge Street, right, and the fungus has gone all the way round the Circle Line.
CHORLEY: Yes, I know that, man, but, well, the- these other tunnels . . . the-th-th- the Northern Line, the Central Line. I mean, they’re not filled, are they?
ARNOLD: (Pauses.) No, sir.
CHORLEY: They must be on a different level to the Circle Line, I mean - (Excited.) well I mean, it’s absolutely simple! We go out under the stuff.
ARNOLD: Now look, sir. You know we’ve already lost two men trying to do that. The influence of this fungus extends through the earth, both downwards and up. Believe me, sir, we’re trapped!
CHORLEY: (Agitated.) But I’ve got to get out. You see . . . well, my reports are so important, I mean- I mean, the world must know what’s going on down here, I mean . . . . (Breathes heavily.) Well . . . well, there must be a way out! (Having an idea.) The surface - what’s on the surface?
ARNOLD: Well, there’s a ground level door in Cheney Street, sir, but-
CHORLEY: (Interrupts.) Of course, of course, of course! Thank you, Sergeant, thank you!
(He leaves the room hurriedly.)
WEAMS: ‘E’s a nutter.
ARNOLD: Huh! You’re telling me! Can’t even get my rank right.
WEAMS: (Teasing.) Yeah, I noticed that, Sergeant.
ARNOLD: Cheeky!
8. LABORATORY
(The DOCTOR, TRAVERS, ANNE and VICTORIA are gathered round the work bench.)
DOCTOR: But how, that’s what I can’t understand, hm? What brought the Intelligence back again?
TRAVERS: Oh, well, that was my wretched curiosity, I’m afraid.
DOCTOR: Oh . . . .
TRAVERS: You see, when I came back from Tibet, I brought quite a bit of stuff with me, you know . . . broken Yeti, bits of control spheres, and things like it - oh, the monks were only too glad to see the back of it!
DOCTOR: Yes . . . .
TRAVERS: Yes, and then . . . then, my dear fellow, one of the control spheres . . . was intact. So naturally, I wanted to find out how it worked.
DOCTOR: Oh dear.
TRAVERS: Then I fiddled with the thing on and off for years, and then one day . . . .
DOCTOR: Don’t tell me, it just disappeared.
(TRAVERS grunts.)
DOCTOR: Yes . . . . Well, presumably, once the sphere started working, the Intelligence just homed on it.
TRAVERS: Yes, and with a fully functional Yeti, well, it was a ready-made pair of hands for the Intelligence.
(Captain KNIGHT opens the door.)
DOCTOR: Hmm.
KNIGHT: Sorry to interrupt, Professor, but Colonel Lethbridge-Stewart has decided to hold a briefing. He’d like you all to attend.
ANNE: (Disapproving.) A briefing? We’re not in the army yet, Captain.
KNIGHT: Ah yes, I know that, Miss Travers. But now that he’s taken over command, he thinks it would be the simplest way of being put in the picture.
TRAVERS: Ah, splendid idea! Might help you too, Doctor. Now come on, I’d like to show you the layout as I . . . .
(TRAVERS’ voice fades into the background as he leads the DOCTOR for a tour.)
KNIGHT: (Calling after them.) If you’ll just make your way to the Common Room, you’ll find that he’s waiting for you.
(He turns to follow.)
ANNE: (Sharply.) Captain.
(KNIGHT halts.)
VICTORIA: Any news of Jamie?
KNIGHT: No. No, I’m afraid not.
9. TUNNEL
(JAMIE and Driver EVANS continue their journey along the Central Line, EVANS in front for once.)
EVANS: Come on, boyo. Not far to Chancery Lane now.
JAMIE: (Harsh whisper.) You’re in a hurry, all of a sudden.
EVANS: Aye, well I’ve got it all worked out, see. Next station’s where I’m getting off.
JAMIE: What!
EVANS: Aye! (Stops and faces JAMIE.) Last time, the Yeti were at Holborn Station, so I reckon if I can get out at Chancery Lane, I might be able to reach my lorry.
JAMIE: So you meant what you said, then? You’re not going back to HQ?
EVANS: Noo. I’d be more of an ‘inderance, I would. Anyway, I’m not supposed to be down here. I’m a driver, I am.
JAMIE: (Angrily.) There is another word I could use. Look, all you want to do is save your own skin.
EVANS: Well, it’s the only one I got! Look, boyo, they don’t stand a chance back there. Hop it with me now, boy, while the going’s good!
(JAMIE scoffs in disgust and EVANS walks off.)
EVANS: You’ve got to take care of Number One in this world! You’ll learn! I’m getting out of these tunnels, fast!
10. COMMON ROOM
(At the COLONEL’s briefing the civilians and soldiers are sitting on chairs or tables in front of Captain KNIGHT and the COLONEL, who stand by a large projector screen. Corporal BLAKE is at the controls of a slide projector. The only absentees from the briefing are Harold CHORLEY and Craftsman WEAMS.)
KNIGHT: So this was the situation on the 5th. Next slide, Blake.
(A picture of a London Street covered in an eerie mist appears on the screen.)
KNIGHT: Ah, yes sir, this will give you a better idea. You can see the fog, or mist, very clearly.
DOCTOR: This mist - does it do anything? I mean, is it- is it poisonous or anything?
TRAVERS: No, no, no, but if anybody goes into it, they just . . . well, they just don’t come out again.
DOCTOR: Oh . . . .
COLONEL: As soon as the effect of the mist was known, this whole area was cordoned off. But by the 6th, the area had expanded to include South Ken tube station. Right, carry on, Knight.
KNIGHT: (A touch annoyed.) Sir. Next slide please, Blake . . . . Now, you see how quickly it was spreading.
COLONEL: (Interjecting.) Ah yes, that’d be the 7th, the day the fungus was first reported in the Underground. The tube system had to be abandoned, of course.
DOCTOR: Any sign of the Yeti by this stage?
KNIGHT: No, they weren’t sighted until the 9th. Next slide.
(A picture of a YETI is shown on the screen.)
DOCTOR: Ah yes . . . my word . . . . I thought I wasn’t mistaken. Those- those Yeti have changed in appearance, look.
TRAVERS: Why yes, I see what you mean!
DOCTOR: It’s a sort of Mark II, isn’t it?
TRAVERS: Ho-ho, yes, very interesting.
DOCTOR: I wonder how the Intelligence managed that.
KNIGHT: (Interrupting.) Gentlemen!
TRAVERS: I’m so sorry.
DOCTOR: Sorry.
KNIGHT: Now by this time, the fungus below ground and the fog above had both extended. Slide!
(Another slide appears, showing two sections of fungus linked by a thin strand of mist.)
COLONEL: Ah yes, that’s it. Now notice this thin area of mist linking the two arms. I think we must now assume . . . that this mist covers the entire area enclosed by the Circle Line.
DOCTOR: Have you had any success against it yet?
KNIGHT: No. We’ve tried chemicals, flame throwers, expl*sives, all to no avail.
COLONEL: That’s why we’re dependent on you three coming up with the answers. If you fail . . . London’s finished - England itself, perhaps. Now the army will of course give you all the support you need. Tell me, Miss Travers, what progress have you made so far?
ANNE: Well . . . my father and I think we may be able to jam the transmissions to the Yeti.
TRAVERS: Eh, what we really need is some additional equipment.
COLONEL: Knight?
KNIGHT: Well, sir, the main problem has been lack of communication. As you know, this fog absorbs all radio waves.
DOCTOR: What about telephones?
KNIGHT: All right for a while, but the Yeti soon destroyed them. We’ve laid a couple of lines ourselves, between here and Holborn, but I don’t know how long they’ll last.
(CHORLEY bursts into the room, to be greeted by a general muted groan.)
CHORLEY: Ah, Colonel Lethbridge-Stewart.
COLONEL: What is it, Mr Chorley? We’re in the middle of a briefing.
CHORLEY: Yes, so I see. Did you know about this door to the surface? A helicopter could lift us all out!
COLONEL: Could it? Always assuming we could make contact with the outside world - which we can’t - how do you imagine they would find us in that mist? Sit down, please.
CHORLEY: (Growling.) Look, Colonel, I resent your tone. You seem to forget that I’m here as a representative of the Press, and as such-!
COLONEL: (Interrupting.) And as such, Mr Chorley, you are no more than a passenger. Staff, lights please!
ARNOLD: Sir!
(He flicks a switch, and the lights come on.)
CHORLEY: (Furious.) Right!
(CHORLEY turns and storms out, slamming the door; the others mutter quietly as he goes, until the COLONEL interrupts them.)
COLONEL: Right, let’s get down to some constructive thinking.
11. OPERATIONS ROOM
(Craftsman WEAMS is on duty in the Operations Room. CHORLEY enters and approaches the map, much calmer.)
CHORLEY: Ah, Weams. Weams, I’d like some information, man.
WEAMS: Sir.
CHORLEY: Now wouldn’t I be right in thinking there are a lot of very tall buildings in this area?
WEAMS: Well, the Post Office Tower, that ain’t far away.
CHORLEY: The Post Office Tower, yes . . . . Do you think that’s above the mist?
WEAMS: Well I wouldn’t know about that, sir, would I?
CHORLEY: Where is it in relation to the Circle Line?
(WEAMS is hesitant.)
CHORLEY: Come on, man, where is it?
(WEAMS puts down his device heavily, walks over, and points at the map.)
WEAMS: (Annoyed.) Well, it’s about ‘ere. Crikey!
CHORLEY: What’s the matter?
WEAMS: (Urgent.) Can’t you see? It’s that fungus stuff, starting up again! (Runs to the door.) I’ve got to tell the Colonel!
12. TUNNEL
(JAMIE, now alone, wanders down the tunnels, his footsteps echoing. A second, faint echo arises. JAMIE hides in an alcove. The steps come closer, until JAMIE jumps out with a yell onto a startled Driver EVANS, who screams in surprise.)
EVANS: (Gasping.) You gave me a fright there for a minute, boy!
JAMIE: I thought you were supposed to be-
EVANS: (Interrupts.) Aye, well, I . . . I changed my mind, see. (Breathing rapidly.) Quite right, you were - can’t leave your mates when they’re in trouble, can you?
JAMIE: Oh, aye?
EVANS: No, well I mean it wouldn’t be right, would it?
JAMIE: (Suspiciously.) Well, what was it like up top then?
EVANS: Er . . . dunno . . . . Er, between you and me . . . I couldn’t get out, see. The gates were locked!
JAMIE: (Unimpressed.) Come on.
(JAMIE continues down the tunnel and EVANS follows him.)
EVANS: Aye, let’s get over to HQ. At least we’ll be safe there.
13. OPERATIONS ROOM
(The soldiers - except Corporal LANE - plus the DOCTOR, TRAVERS, and CHORLEY are looking at the illuminated map, on which the black lines are now spreading out from the Central Line.)
COLONEL: Queensway, Lancaster Gate, Strand, Chancery Lane - all in a half hour, and it’s creeping in all the time. How long do you think we’ve got, Professor?
TRAVERS: Err It’s difficult to say - why, at this rate, oh, a couple of hours at the most.
DOCTOR: Really, don’t-
CHORLEY: Look, Colonel, you’ve got to do something. We can’t just stand here waiting, can we?
COLONEL: Ah, Mr Chorley. You’d like to help, wouldn’t you?
CHORLEY: Well, I-
COLONEL: (Interrupts.) Yes, of course you would. Now look, I’ll tell you what I want you to do. We shall all be rushing about a bit, so what I want you to do is to wait in the Common Room. Act as a sort of Liaison Officer. You could do that, couldn’t you?
CHORLEY: Well, I don’t know-
COLONEL: (Interrupts.) Yes, of course you could. Off you go! We’ll all report progress to you personally.
CHORLEY: What, do you mean coordinate things?
COLONEL: Yes, that’s it. Corporal Blake?
BLAKE: Sir?
COLONEL: See that Mr Chorley has everything he needs. Desk, comfortable chair, plenty of paper and so on.
BLAKE: Sir!
COLONEL: Off you go.
(He pauses until a bewildered CHORLEY leaves with Corporal BLAKE.)
COLONEL: (Sighs.) Right. That’s enough diplomacy for one day.
(The DOCTOR chuckles.)
COLONEL: Now, let’s get down to some practical soldiering. Doctor, you’ve been very quiet. Any ideas?
DOCTOR: Well, as far as I can see, what we most need is time. Now . . . (Indicates the map.) if we were to blow the tunnel here, just above Goodge Street, we could seal ourselves in for a bit.
COLONEL: Good - practical suggestion. Staff, have we got any expl*sives?
ARNOLD: Oh there is a bit, sir.
COLONEL: Enough to blow the tunnel?
ARNOLD: Just about enough, sir.
KNIGHT: The trouble is, every time we lay the charges, the Yeti cocoon them.
DOCTOR: I thought of that. Got anything on wheels, something that will run along a track?
KNIGHT: Yes, yes there’s a baggage trolley. I think it’s beside the stairs. Go and see, would you, Staff?
ARNOLD: Yes, sir. Be the wrong gauge, of course - we’ll soon fix up that though, sir.
(He leaves the room.)
COLONEL: What’s the plan?
DOCTOR: Well, it’s simple enough. We- we lay the expl*sives on the trolley and set a triggering device, and then blow it up while it’s on the move.
COLONEL: Yes. Yes, that should work.
DOCTOR: Come on, Travers. (Heads for the door.) Let’s fix up this detonator.
(TRAVERS follows him out.)
COLONEL: Think I’ll take the opportunity to have a look around the place. Let me know when you’ve got the trolley organised.
KNIGHT: (Grudgingly.) Sir!
(The COLONEL leaves.)
WEAMS: Glad to see we’re doing something active at last, sir.
KNIGHT: Yes . . . . Let’s hope that it works. It had better!
14. FORTRESS ENTRANCE DOOR
(The door to the Fortress is made of thick metal, and held by giant clamps. The hand of an unseen man furtively opens the clamps, leaving the Fortress unlocked and unguarded.)
15. LABORATORY
(ANNE and VICTORIA are in the Professor’s lab. VICTORIA looks worriedly at one of the Professor’s miniature model Yeti.)
ANNE: You’ve . . . seen those things before, Victoria?
VICTORIA: Yes. I remember them in Tibet. The Intelligence used them to guide the robot Yeti.
(The door opens, and the DOCTOR enters.)
DOCTOR: Ah, there you are, Victoria. I’ve been looking for you everywhere.
(He sees the model Yeti VICTORIA is staring at.)
DOCTOR: Oh my word, that looks familiar. (Picks it up.) It doesn’t work, does it?
ANNE: No. Neither do the other three.
VICTORIA: Three? There are only two.
ANNE: Well that’s funny, there’s one missing! (Unconcerned.) I wonder where that’s got to.
(The DOCTOR gives VICTORIA a concerned look.)
16. FORTRESS MAIN CORRIDOR
(The door to the Fortress’s expl*sives store bears a sign warning “Danger - High expl*sives.” The hands of the unseen saboteur place the missing model Yeti on the floor outside, next to the door’s padlock. The model starts quietly emitting the familiar high-pitched bleeping sound.)
17. TUNNEL
(A robot Yeti springs to life, bleeping in response to the small model, and starts moving through the tunnels.)
18. LABORATORY
(TRAVERS comes in to join the DOCTOR, ANNE, and VICTORIA.)
TRAVERS: Doctor? Sorry to have been so long, but I’ve got your blowing-up thingamajig - here we are.
(TRAVERS gives the small, rectangular detonator to the DOCTOR.)
DOCTOR: Ah, good. Fine. This should do the trick. It’s both timing and contact.
(He begins to fiddle with the detonator, wrapping wires over his shoulders.)
ANNE: Well, I think Victoria’s right.
TRAVERS: What on earth are you talking about?
ANNE: The expl*si*n! We’ll be cut off, all right, but so will Jamie!
VICTORIA: Don’t you see, he’ll be trapped!
19. FORTRESS ENTRANCE DOOR
(The robot YETI, no longer bleeping but still acting in response to the model’s signal, approaches the now unlocked door to the Fortress. It pushes the door open and enters.)
20. OPERATIONS ROOM
(The DOCTOR, Captain KNIGHT, and the COLONEL discuss the detonating device which the COLONEL is holding.)
COLONEL: And this will explode in 60 seconds?
DOCTOR: Yes - just push the trolley down the gradient, and that should give you enough time to get clear.
KNIGHT: Yes, but suppose the Yeti stop it before it goes off?
DOCTOR: Well, if it comes into contact with anything, it’ll blow up at once.
(ARNOLD comes in and salutes.)
ARNOLD: We’ve got the trolley on the line, sir.
COLONEL: Ah, thank you, Staff.
ARNOLD: Funny thing, though, sir - the main door was open.
COLONEL: Open? You sure about that?
(Corporal BLAKE enters in a hurry.)
BLAKE: Sir! Sir, sorry to interrupt, sir, but I found this.
(He holds out a large padlock.)
KNIGHT: What is it?
BLAKE: It’s the padlock from the expl*sives store, sir. And this thing was with it.
(BLAKE holds up the model Yeti in his other hand.)
DOCTOR: (Urgent.) Did you see inside?
BLAKE: No, I thought best not. I left Lane on guard, sir.
KNIGHT: Come on!
(The officers, Staff Sergeant ARNOLD, and the DOCTOR all leave.)
WEAMS: ‘Ere, let’s have a look at that thing.
BLAKE: There.
(He hands the model to Weams, who studies it in curiosity. BLAKE walks out on other business.)
21. FORTRESS MAIN CORRIDOR
(The DOCTOR, Staff Sergeant ARNOLD, and the two officers arrive to find the entrance door open, and Corporal LANE standing guard. The door to the expl*sives storeroom is just down the hall.)
COLONEL: Staff, close that door, would you?
ARNOLD: Sir!
(He goes to the main door and closes it.)
COLONEL: All right, Corporal.
LANE: Sir!
(LANE goes back down the hall. Captain KNIGHT examines the door to the expl*sives storeroom.)
KNIGHT: Well, it seems quiet enough. Do you think there is something in there?
DOCTOR: There’s only one way of finding out, isn’t there?
(He tentatively opens the door to the storeroom - to reveal the room is full of the pulsating fungus, which expands out through the doorway! He tries to push the door shut.)
KNIGHT: Oh, shut it!
(He makes no headway on the door until the soldiers help, grunting. They manage to push it shut and stand back, panting.)
DOCTOR: Well, now we know. How are we going to blow up the tunnel now?
22. LABORATORY
(A tearful VICTORIA sits on the bench, being comforted by ANNE and her father.)
ANNE: Don’t worry, Victoria. The Doctor promised he wouldn’t blow the tunnel until the very last moment.
VICTORIA: Yes, but Jamie . . . .
ANNE: Jamie might be a lot safer than you and- or I at this moment. Have you thought of that?
VICTORIA: Safe, but . . . how, he-?
ANNE: (Interrupts.) Perhaps he was right off the Circle Line by the time it closed up.
VICTORIA: (Encouraged.) Oh, do you really think so?
ANNE: Of course.
TRAVERS: Oh, don’t you worry, my dear; why, the Doctor will find a way. Well once we’ve blown the tunnels and sealed ourselves off, we’ll be able to get on with the job in hand. (Chuckles.) Why, with Anne’s technical knowledge, and the Doctor and I, ho! The Intelligence won’t stand a chance!
23. FORTRESS MAIN CORRIDOR
(The DOCTOR and the COLONEL remain by the entrance.)
DOCTOR: The Yeti have dealt with the expl*sives here, and I’m willing to bet they’ll do the same with those at Holborn as well.
COLONEL: Maybe.
DOCTOR: I think you’re wasting your time now, Colonel.
COLONEL: Yes. Still, at least there’s a chance. We must check.
(ARNOLD arrives and stomps.)
ARNOLD: Search completed, sir. Headquarters all clear. No sign of Yeti.
COLONEL: Good. Captain Knight got the men ready?
ARNOLD: Yes, sir.
COLONEL: Well tell Captain Knight to start, will you?
ARNOLD: Yes, sir.
COLONEL: You and I will follow on behind, Staff.
ARNOLD: Sir.
COLONEL: Oh, better tell the Professor we’re leaving.
ARNOLD: Yes, sir. What about Mr Chorley?
COLONEL: No. Less he knows, the better.
ARNOLD: Sir!
(ARNOLD stomps and leaves.)
COLONEL: Right, I shall be leaving four men behind here. You’ll be quite safe, Doctor.
DOCTOR: Will I?
COLONEL: Huh?
DOCTOR: (Softly.) Someone here is in league with the Yeti - maybe even controlling them.
COLONEL: What?
DOCTOR: The main door didn’t open by itself, did it? It may be any one of us.
COLONEL: Me, perhaps?
DOCTOR: Perhaps.
COLONEL: Or even you?
(The COLONEL walks out.)
24. COMMON ROOM
(VICTORIA and CHORLEY sit at the table.)
CHORLEY: So, Covent Garden, you say?
VICTORIA: That’s where we landed.
CHORLEY: Ah, this is ridiculous. You can’t land in an Underground station!
VICTORIA: The TARDIS can - it’s not an ordinary sort of craft.
CHORLEY: Look, look . . . you say it can get us out of here?
VICTORIA: Yes. But the Doctor wouldn’t go without Jamie. And now they’re going to blow up the tunnel, I don’t see that we’re going to-
CHORLEY: (Interrupts.) Blow up the tunnel? Blow up the tunnel? Well then, we’ll never get out of here. And the Doctor won’t leave until Jamie gets back, eh? Hmm?
(He stands up and makes for the door, but bumps into the DOCTOR, who is entering the room.)
CHORLEY: Oh! Oh, there you are, Doctor, we were just talking about you. I hadn’t realised what was going on.
DOCTOR: Oh?
CHORLEY: No . . . .
(CHORLEY quickly leaves, shutting the door behind him.)
DOCTOR: What’s the matter with him?
VICTORIA: Doesn’t want them to blow up the tunnel.
(The DOCTOR pulls out a chair and sits.)
DOCTOR: Well, he’s too late, they’ve already left. Wait a minute . . . why doesn’t he want them to blow up the tunnel?
VICTORIA: He thinks we’ll be cut off from the TARDIS.
DOCTOR: (Horrified.) You didn’t tell him about the TARDIS, did you!?
VICTORIA: (Horrified.) Oh dear! Oh no! No, do you think that-!
DOCTOR: Yes I do think!
VICTORIA: Oh, but . . . .
(They both scramble for the door, but it won’t open.)
DOCTOR: There you are, it’s locked!
VICTORIA: Oh!
DOCTOR: (Accusatory.) Victoria!
(VICTORIA sighs.)
25. FORTRESS ENTRANCE DOOR
(JAMIE and Driver EVANS have arrived at the Fortress entrance, and are passing CHORLEY on his way out.)
CHORLEY: They’ve left already?
JAMIE: Aye, we passed them a while back.
EVANS: Aye, off to Holborn, they were.
CHORLEY: Holborn, eh?
(JAMIE is hesitant to respond.)
EVANS: Right.
(CHORLEY runs off towards the tunnels.)
EVANS: Before you go, sir, could you tell me where . . . .
(CHORLEY disappears without listening.)
EVANS: Scarpered.
(A loud banging on a door can be heard from within the Fortress.)
JAMIE: Listen!
26. COMMON ROOM
(The DOCTOR and VICTORIA are still frantically banging on the door.)
VICTORIA: I’m so worried about Jamie!
(The DOCTOR continues banging for a moment. The DOCTOR steps back, hearing footsteps, and the door is opened from the outside by JAMIE and Driver EVANS.)
DOCTOR: Jamie!
(The TARDIS trio grab and hug each other in a joyous reunion, talking at the same time.)
JAMIE: Doctor! Good to see you!
VICTORIA: Oh Jamie, you’re safe!
DOCTOR: Jamie, have you seen Chorley?
JAMIE: Who’s he? Hey, why were you locked in?
DOCTOR: Have you seen anyone leave headquarters here?
JAMIE: Well aye, just now-
DOCTOR: (Interrupts.) Right, come along, no time to waste!
JAMIE: What-?
DOCTOR: Come on, I’ll tell you as we go!
(He bundles the other three out through the door.)
27. LABORATORY
(Professor TRAVERS and ANNE are working on some electronic equipment.)
TRAVERS: But where’s the Doctor? After all, this was his idea.
ANNE: Well, shall I go and get him?
(She stops abruptly as a loud scream tears through the Fortress. ANNE and TRAVERS look at each other for a moment, eyes wide.)
TRAVERS: Wait here!
ANNE: Father, no!
(TRAVERS walks quickly to the door, and goes to investigate.)
28. OPERATIONS ROOM
(TRAVERS walks cautiously into the room and recoils in horror from the sight of the body of Craftsman WEAMS lying on the floor, d*ad. He approaches the body.)
TRAVERS: Weams? Weams!
(He sees something on the floor by the body.)
TRAVERS: What . . . ?
(He picks up the object - it is the miniature model Yeti.)
TRAVERS: Good Lord!
(As he looks at it, he hears a deafening roar behind him. He turns around to find the huge form of a robot Yeti standing over him. The Yeti’s eyes glow, and TRAVERS screams as it raises its arm . . . .) | {"type": "series", "show": "Doctor Who", "episode": "05x25 - The Web of Fear - part 3"} | foreverdreaming |
by MERVYN HAISMAN
and HENRY LINCOLN
first broadcast - February 24 1968
1. OPERATIONS ROOM
(Professor TRAVERS’ breath shakes as he cowers on the floor, shrinking away from the giant Yeti in front of him. He stands as he backs away, eyes wide in terror.)
TRAVERS: Anne! Yeti!
(He backs into a wall as the Yeti advances. He screams as the Yeti strikes its arm down.)
2. FORTRESS MAIN CORRIDOR
(ANNE rushes out of the laboratory, hearing his scream, and runs right into a Yeti. She screams as it roars and throws her to the lab floor.)
3. OUTSIDE OPERATIONS ROOM
(The Yeti, emitting its characteristic bleeping noise, drags the unconscious TRAVERS away by his arm. Another Yeti takes up the rear.)
4. TUNNEL
(The DOCTOR, VICTORIA, JAMIE, and Driver EVANS are racing to reach Covent Garden and the TARDIS. They pass a tunnel leading off to the side and JAMIE stops them.)
JAMIE: Wait, which way?
DOCTOR: (Indicates straight ahead.) It’s this way to Covent Garden.
(EVANS looks down the side tunnel.)
JAMIE: You’re sure Chorley’s after the TARDIS though?
DOCTOR: Yes, certain of it. Why else would he lock us in?
(EVANS takes a few steps down the side tunnel.)
JAMIE: Aye, mebbe you’re right.
(JAMIE gestures for them to continue.)
EVANS: Like me to take a shufty down this tunnel? He might have taken a wrong turning.
DOCTOR: No, no, no, if he did it doesn’t matter, does it? (Waves arm.) Come along, this way.
(He heads off down the tunnel, followed by the others.)
5. TUNNEL
(The COLONEL and Staff Sergeant ARNOLD are trying to catch up with Captain KNIGHT’s group. The COLONEL stops and raises his p*stol, moving against the wall. ARNOLD stops behind him, holding his r*fle ready.)
ARNOLD: (Whispers.) What is it, sir?
COLONEL: Something up ahead.
(They tense as quiet footsteps approach. The COLONEL lowers his g*n.)
COLONEL: It’s all right. Captain Knight and his party.
ARNOLD: They’ve been very quick, sir!
COLONEL: Yeah . . . .
(He walks forward with ARNOLD to meet KNIGHT and his soldiers.)
COLONEL: Any luck?
KNIGHT: Afraid not, sir. The fungus b*at us to it. A hundred yards this side of Holborn.
ARNOLD: Just as if it knew what we were up to, sir.
COLONEL: Yes . . . .
KNIGHT: There’s just a chance, Colonel, that we might be able to get to Holborn via Piccadilly.
COLONEL: Fungus on the Central Line only, eh?
KNIGHT: Well, it’s worth a try, sir.
COLONEL: Yes, right. Tottenham Court Road, down to Leicester Square, and up past Covent Garden. Come on, follow me.
(He walks past KNIGHT and leads the party off.)
6. TUNNEL
(The DOCTOR’s group continue rushing through the tunnels as fast as they can without stumbling over the many rails and boards.)
DOCTOR: This looks familiar - it’s around this corner. (Points.)
(They round the corner and JAMIE stops short, holding out an arm to halt those behind him.)
JAMIE: Oh no!
(The TARDIS crew look in horror at a wall of the web-like fungus blocking the tunnel.)
VICTORIA: Oh, we can’t get to the TARDIS!
DOCTOR: No, Victoria, I’m afraid we can’t.
(They slowly approach the webbing.)
JAMIE: What’s happened to Chorley, then?
DOCTOR: That’s what I’m wondering. Did he reach the TARDIS before the fungus, or- or did he not?
(The DOCTOR stops a few feet away and studies it.)
JAMIE: You mean to say, he could have got to the TARDIS and already taken off with it?
DOCTOR: I don’t know . . . .
(The DOCTOR takes another step closer.)
JAMIE: Hey, come back, Doctor!
(The DOCTOR cautiously approaches and produces two large pairs of tweezers from a pocket.)
DOCTOR: It’s er, it’s all right, Jamie, I’m not going to do anything silly. I- I just want to try and get a little bit for an analysis.
VICTORIA: Oh Jamie, stop him!
DOCTOR: (Turns to face her.) It’s all right, Victoria.
(The DOCTOR turns back to the fungus and steps within arm’s reach.)
DOCTOR: Has anyone got a box?
(EVANS feels the many pockets on his army gear.)
EVANS: I’ve got my tobacco tin.
(He pulls it out as the DOCTOR approaches him.)
DOCTOR: Oh, splendid. (Takes it.)
EVANS: But then, it’s got tobacco in it.
DOCTOR: Oh never mind.
(He promptly empties the contents into EVANS’ hand. EVANS just stutters in protest and the DOCTOR walks away.)
EVANS: Hey! Oh, all right. I only hope you think the sacrifice is worth it!
(The DOCTOR approaches the fungus again.)
DOCTOR: Hold the tin for me, would you, Evans?
(EVANS approaches and takes his tin back. The DOCTOR reaches toward a strand of webbing as it sways with the air currents in the tunnels. He clasps the strand and cries out in surprise as it reacts to the att*ck. He clasps the strand with the other pair of tweezers when it starts pulsating and glowing. The DOCTOR grunts as he struggles to tear the strand away.)
EVANS: Gone and set it off! Come on, now!
(The fungus continues to pulsate angrily.)
VICTORIA: Oh, it’s horrible!
JAMIE: Go on, Doctor, get it out!
DOCTOR: Nearly done! Hold the tin underneath!
(He has cut the strand, then quickly tears a piece off and drops it into the tin.)
DOCTOR: There we are - now back, everyone, quickly!
(They all make a hasty retreat while the fungus continues to glow.)
7. PLATFORM
(Staff Sergeant ARNOLD and Corporal BLAKE are ahead of the main party and step onto a station platform.)
ARNOLD: All right, Corporal. Nip back and tell Captain Knight it’s all clear up ‘ere. And get ‘em to get a shift on!
BLAKE: Righto, Staff.
(BLAKE goes back along the tunnel. Behind ARNOLD, Driver EVANS suddenly appears around the corner.)
EVANS: Hello, Staff.
(ARNOLD spins around, g*n raised.)
EVANS: (Calls down the tunnel.) It’s all right, it’s just Staff Arnold!
ARNOLD: One of these days, Evans my lad, you’re going to creep up on someone once too often!
EVANS: Well, that’s life, innit Staff?
(The DOCTOR, JAMIE, and VICTORIA appear from the tunnel.)
DOCTOR: Any luck at Holborn?
ARNOLD: No - fungus.
JAMIE: Same back there.
ARNOLD: Right. I’ll tell the Colonel. You lot had better get back to HQ. We’ll be along in a few minutes.
DOCTOR: Come on, Jamie, I’ll- I’ll just show this bit of fungus to Travers.
JAMIE: Right.
(JAMIE, VICTORIA, and EVANS follow the DOCTOR. ARNOLD resumes his post waiting for KNIGHT.)
8. FORTRESS MAIN CORRIDOR
(It looks as if the Goodge Street Fortress’ thick metal entrance door has been ripped off its hinges, leaning against the wall, covered in black, squiggling burn trails.)
JAMIE: [OOV.] The door’s open, Doctor!
DOCTOR: [OOV.] Let’s see, Jamie.
(JAMIE enters first and gets a good look at the damaged, burnt door.)
JAMIE: Hey, look at this!
(The DOCTOR brushes past JAMIE as he gently touches the burn marks and VICTORIA and Driver EVANS file in.)
DOCTOR: Good Lord! That’s Yeti!
(VICTORIA goes farther into the Fortress as the men contemplate the door.)
JAMIE: You don’t think they may still be here?
DOCTOR: No.
JAMIE: I hope not!
(VICTORIA looks down the hall around the corner and gasps in horror, pointing at something on the floor. The DOCTOR and JAMIE rush to her side.)
VICTORIA: Oh, Doctor!
(A pile of expired soldiers lies in the hall, covered thickly with white webbing. VICTORIA cries out, hiding her face in JAMIE’s arms.)
DOCTOR: Shh, quiet, Victoria!
(The DOCTOR listens as VICTORIA quiets down. A faint moan can be heard. The DOCTOR turns and steps into the Laboratory.)
9. LABORATORY
(The DOCTOR looks at the floor as he enters.)
DOCTOR: Anne!
(He rushes to her side, as she is prostrate on the floor.)
JAMIE: Miss Travers!
(The DOCTOR takes her shoulders and turns her over. JAMIE runs to her and rubs her hand to stimulate her to wake up. The DOCTOR pulls a vial of smelling salts out of his jacket and holds it under her nose.)
VICTORIA: Oh, will she be all right?
(ANNE begins to move her head, coughing and gasping.)
DOCTOR: Yes, yes I think she’ll be all right.
(The DOCTOR and JAMIE help her sit up, still coughing.)
DOCTOR: Evans, get a chair for her, would you? Get her up, Jamie, come on.
(They pull her to her feet as EVANS rushes to grab a chair. The DOCTOR comforts her as they help her toward the chair.)
DOCTOR: It’s all right. It’s all right now, Anne. Sit down.
(ANNE collapses in the chair, gasping with shock, while JAMIE pats and rubs her hand to keep her from fainting again.)
DOCTOR: There you are. It’s all right now.
ANNE: (Gasping.) Oh, Doctor, Doctor, the Yet- Yeti. Have they gone?
DOCTOR: Yes, they’ve gone now, it’s quite safe now.
JAMIE: What happened?
ANNE: (Suddenly remembers.) Oh my father . . . the Yeti! (Grabs the DOCTOR’s shoulder.) The Yeti, they’ve taken him!
(The DOCTOR’s face fills with horror.)
JAMIE: Eh?
ANNE: Oh, my . . . .
(She is still gasping, and close to hysterics. The DOCTOR and JAMIE speak at the same time.)
DOCTOR: Jamie, you’d better get her to the Common Room. You go too, Victoria.
JAMIE: It’s all right, we’ll find him for you.
(JAMIE helps her stand, nearly hyperventilating, and he and VICTORIA take her to the door.)
DOCTOR: Lie her down.
JAMIE: Easy, that’s it.
(The DOCTOR clears his throat.)
EVANS: You OK?
JAMIE: Oh I’ll manage, thanks.
(He and VICTORIA lead ANNE out of the room, while the DOCTOR and EVANS watch with concern. The DOCTOR turns and walks slowly toward the bench, staring thoughtfully. The soldiers arrive and mill about outside, discovering the pile of bodies in the hall.)
EVANS: D’you reckon they have?
DOCTOR: Have what?
EVANS: Taken him? Like she said?
DOCTOR: Yes, I’m very much afraid they have. But why? Why didn’t they just k*ll him? Unless . . . .
EVANS: Yes?
DOCTOR: (Looks at EVANS.) Well, unless they had a use for him.
(The COLONEL steps into the room.)
COLONEL: Ah, Doctor. What’s this I hear about Travers?
(The COLONEL leans on his g*n and EVANS steps out of the way as Captain KNIGHT walks in.)
DOCTOR: Well, the Yeti broke in while we were out looking for Chorley.
COLONEL: Chorley?
KNIGHT: What the devil was he doing in the tunnel in the first place?
DOCTOR: Well I’m not quite sure.
KNIGHT: (To the COLONEL.) I knew that one would panic.
(ARNOLD enters and stomps half-heartedly.)
ARNOLD: I’m afraid . . . young Weams has had it, sir, like the other poor devils outside.
(The atmosphere in the room is suddenly melancholy, everybody looking down and avoiding eye contact.)
COLONEL: I see. Er, Staff, you’d better get-
(He cuts himself off, not wanting to finish, and gestures with his arm, meaning “get the bodies out of here.”)
ARNOLD: Yes, all right sir, we’re doing that now. Evans, come with me.
EVANS: (Stomps.) Staff!
(EVANS begins to leave, but stops by the COLONEL.)
EVANS: Glad to see you’re all right, sir.
(The COLONEL is pulled reluctantly from his brief moment of mourning.)
COLONEL: Eh?
EVANS: Drove you to Holborn, I did, sir.
COLONEL: (Uninterested.) Ah yes, so you did.
ARNOLD: Evans!
EVANS: Sorry, Staff.
(He hurries past ARNOLD, who had stepped back inside. ARNOLD closes the door behind them.)
COLONEL: (Leans on his r*fle.) I can’t make out why the Yeti broke in. I mean, they could have destroyed the place if they’d wanted to.
DOCTOR: Well, the answer’s simple. They came for something, and they got it. (Mouth goes crooked thoughfully.)
COLONEL: What was that?
DOCTOR: (Slowly looks at him.) Travers!
10. FORTRESS MAIN CORRIDOR
(Corporal BLAKE rounds the corner and stops abruptly when he sees the pile of bodies. He looks at the guard on duty, but doesn’t say anything, and glaces at the bodies again before entering the lab.)
11. LABORATORY
(Corporal BLAKE enters and approaches the COLONEL.)
BLAKE: ‘Scuse me, sir, but I think you ought to come to the Ops Room.
KNIGHT: Why? What’s happening?
BLAKE: That fungus stuff, it’s on the move again!
(They all head through the door.)
12. OPERATIONS ROOM
(The illuminated map of the Underground network shows the black lines slowly closing in on Goodge Street. The DOCTOR, the COLONEL, Captain KNIGHT, and Corporal BLAKE walk in to see the fungus’s relentless progression.)
BLAKE: It’s like a spider’s web, innit?
DOCTOR: Yes. And we’re the flies, all right, but . . . where is the spider? (Looks around the room suspiciously.)
COLONEL: Better give the others a hand, Corporal.
BLAKE: Sir.
(He stomps and leaves.)
COLONEL: Doctor, I’ve been thinking about what you were saying earlier.
DOCTOR: Hmm?
COLONEL: About someone here in HQ being responsible for all this.
(KNIGHT looks surprised.)
COLONEL: Could it have been Travers?
DOCTOR: Oh I doubt it.
KNIGHT: Well, after all he has disappeared.
DOCTOR: Yes - so has Chorley. I’d say he was a much more likely suspect.
COLONEL: True.
DOCTOR: (Walking past them.) On the other hand, of course, whoever is in league with the Il- Intelligence could still be amongst us here.
(He looks suspiciously to either side, his back turned to KNIGHT and the COLONEL. The COLONEL and KNIGHT glance at each other.)
COLONEL: That’s a fact of which I am uncomfortably aware. But tell me, Doctor, this . . . Intelligence - exactly what is it?
DOCTOR: (Turns sideways to them.) Well I wish I could give you a precise answer. Perhaps the best way to describe it is a sort of . . . formless, shapeless thing, floating about in space like a cloud of mist, only . . . with a mind and will.
COLONEL: What’s it after? What’s it want?
DOCTOR: Mm, I wish I knew. The only thing I know for sure is that it brought me here.
(KNIGHT looks at the COLONEL, looking for an explanation.)
KNIGHT: (Incredulous.) Brought you here?
COLONEL: Yes, been wondering how you got here.
DOCTOR: (Happy to brag.) Yes, well I . . . I don’t think there’s any harm in telling you now. I . . . I have a craft . . . that travels in time and space. (Tries not to smile.)
(KNIGHT looks at the COLONEL, expecting it to be a joke, but the COLONEL is expressionless as always. KNIGHT scoffs and the DOCTOR smiles.)
KNIGHT: Oh, come now Doctor, you can’t expect me to-
COLONEL: (Interrupts.) This craft of yours, this time-space craft. Could it get us out of here?
DOCTOR: Well, yes - but it’s at Covent Garden!
COLONEL: What does it look like?
DOCTOR: (Knowing it sounds ridiculous.) It’s a police box. (Interlocks fingers.)
KNIGHT: Oh really, Colonel, surely you’re not-
(KNIGHT walks away as he speaks, but the COLONEL interrupts him and he stops.)
COLONEL: So - if we could rescue that craft, you could take us out?
DOCTOR: (Breathing heavily.) Yes, yes I could, but I- I have to stay here and finish Travers’ work!
JAMIE: Ah, Doctor.
(They look as JAMIE enters.)
JAMIE: Miss Travers is feeling all right now, and would like to see you right away. (Points and waves arm.)
DOCTOR: Very good, Jamie. Excuse me, gentlemen, please.
COLONEL: Yes.
(The DOCTOR and JAMIE quickly leave the room. The COLONEL goes and sits on the table.)
KNIGHT: (Amused.) Well, I’ve heard some stories in my time, but that one really takes-
COLONEL: (Interrupts.) So you don’t believe him?
KNIGHT: No, of course not, sir! The whole idea is screwy. A police box!
COLONEL: Well whether you think it foolish or not, we are going to rescue that craft.
KNIGHT: Oh, but sir! Our job-
COLONEL: (Interrupts.) Captain Knight. The Army has failed to defeat this menace.
(KNIGHT is silent, but avoiding eye contact and clenching his jaw, frustrated at constantly being told what to do by the COLONEL.)
COLONEL: Now the Doctor thinks he might succeed. Personally, I doubt it. But if we stay here, we’re as good as d*ad. Therefore I do not intend leaving any escape route unexplored, however . . . screwy you may think it.
KNIGHT: Oh, surely Colonel, our-
COLONEL: (Interrupts.) Let’s get on with it, shall we, Knight?
KNIGHT: (Grudgingly.) Sir.
(KNIGHT marches to the door, but turns back to the COLONEL and leans on the table.)
KNIGHT: I suppose you’ve considered that the Doctor might be leading us into a trap?
(The COLONEL just looks at him.)
13. COMMON ROOM
(ANNE, now recovered, is sitting at the table with VICTORIA and JAMIE. The DOCTOR stands apart with his back turned.)
ANNE: But . . . but there must be a chance! If the Doctor’s spa-
DOCTOR: (Interrupts.) No, the soldiers could comb these tunnels for a fortnight and- and still never find him. I’m afraid your father’s been taken by the Intelligence. The only way that we can save him is . . . by finding the central control source.
JAMIE: Aye, if he’s anywhere, that’s where he’ll be.
ANNE: But why? Why him? Why not me, or one of the soldiers, or-
(JAMIE rubs her shoulder as she looks near to tears.)
DOCTOR: (Interrupts.) Yes, I know. Tell me . . . (Contemplates wording.) what- what was your father working on before the Yeti broke in, Anne?
ANNE: Um . . . oh, we were ready to test the sphere with the control unit, but I don't see what this has to do with anything, Doctor.
DOCTOR: (Faces them.) But don’t you? (Approaches, pointing.) If he was near to success . . . .
VICTORIA: That’s why they took him!
DOCTOR: (Touches chin.) Well, it’s a possibility, isn’t it? (Gestures toward the door.) Now Anne, do you feel strong enough to come back to the- to the laboratory?
ANNE: (Stands.) Yes, yes of course.
JAMIE: (Quickly stands.) A-a-anything we can do?
DOCTOR: (Opens door.) No, no, you just take it easy, Jamie. Come on.
(The DOCTOR ushers ANNE out of the room. JAMIE steps toward a pensive VICTORIA.)
JAMIE: What’s the matter?
VICTORIA: I’ve been thinking about what the Doctor said. Anything we do, the Intelligence always knows!
JAMIE: Aye, but I wouldn’t let it worry you. (Taps her arm.) The Doctor will soon find a way out. (Sits on the table.)
VICTORIA: (Quietly.) I wish I could believe that.
14. LABORATORY
(The DOCTOR’s eye is magnified as he looks through a magnifying glass at the inner workings of the control sphere which TRAVERS had been working on.)
DOCTOR: Oh yes. Yes, this seems to be in order, Anne.
(ANNE approaches, holding a small box.)
ANNE: My erm . . . my father didn’t want it put together until this was in . . . proper order.
(The DOCTOR puts down the magnifying glass and the control sphere to look at the rectangular box, which has two small prongs sticking out on each side and a coiled bit of wire hanging off an edge.)
DOCTOR: Very wise. Let’s have a look at this.
(He takes the control box and pulls on one end, sliding out a clear tub filled with circuitry and wires, one of which was the coiled one sticking out.)
DOCTOR: Oh yes, yes . . . . (Looks at ANNE.) My word, this is a splendid piece of work, Anne.
ANNE: Oh, thank you.
DOCTOR: Yes, this should control the sphere, all right, but . . . would it override the commands issued by the Intelligence, I wonder?
ANNE: No. No, I’m afraid it won’t. I just didn’t have the time. Do you think we can do it?
DOCTOR: Oh, we can do it, if you’ve got the right bits and pieces.
(They look up as Driver EVANS appears behind them.)
EVANS: Hope I’m not disturbing, Doctor, but Staff asked me to give you this.
(He puts an object in the DOCTOR’s hand - it is one of the miniature model Yetis. The DOCTOR looks at it with horror.)
DOCTOR: (Gravely.) Where’d you get this?
EVANS: On the floor, by that young lad Weams, it was.
DOCTOR: But this is what brought the Yeti to the expl*sives store! It’s obviously been reprogrammed as a homing device, and you’ve given it to me!
(He tosses it down onto the bench, which ANNE begins staring at.)
EVANS: Here! You don’t think I had anything to do with these Yeti, do you?
ANNE: Doctor! (Looks past EVANS.) The other models - they’ve gone!
(The DOCTOR searches the bench, then looks straight at EVANS. ANNE looks at him as well.)
EVANS: Well don’t look at me! (Pointing.) I didn’t want to come down here in the first place! I shouldn’t be down here at all, really. Driver, I am, see. (Reaches into pocket.) You’d better have this, before you say I’ve nicked it.
(He pulls out the tobacco tin containing Yeti webbing and hands it to the DOCTOR.)
DOCTOR: Thank you.
EVANS: (Pointing.) And I’ll have the tin back, when you’ve finished with it. (Sniffs.)
DOCTOR: Don’t look so unhappy - we’re all under suspicion, you know, including me.
EVANS: Hmm!
(He walks off briskly.)
ANNE: What’s in the tin, Doctor?
DOCTOR: It’s the fungus from the tunnel. I thought if we examined it, it might give us a clue. (Puts down the tin and picks up the Yeti model.) I must get this dismantled. It’s like holding a time b*mb.
(He picks up a pair of pliers and holds them to the base of the Yeti model.)
15. OPERATIONS ROOM
(The COLONEL is holding a briefing. He stands by a street map of Central London propped on an easel, while KNIGHT, ARNOLD, LANE, BLAKE, EVANS and a group of SOLDIERS watch. The COLONEL indicates places on the map with a pointer.)
COLONEL: So my party will get above ground and approach Covent Garden by Neal Street. Is that clear?
(The soldiers murmur their understanding.)
COLONEL: Now Staff here will be taking the trolley through the tunnel, and will arrive, we hope, at the same time as we do. You picked your two men, Staff?
ARNOLD: Er, yes, sir. Lane and Evans.
COLONEL: Right. Now as soon as we get there, we shall be looking for a police box.
BLAKE: A police box, sir?
COLONEL: Yes, a police box.
(BLAKE tries not to smile, looking around to discern if the COLONEL is serious.)
COLONEL: Now I want that box either out of the station or onto the trolley as quickly as possible. Is that understood?
ARNOLD: Yes, sir.
COLONEL: Right. Any questions?
BLAKE: (Amused.) Yes, sir, this, um . . . police box. Is it important?
COLONEL: Corporal Blake, we’d hardly be going to this trouble if it weren’t.
KNIGHT: Who’s going to look after the civilians, sir?
COLONEL: I’d like you to stay behind and look after them, Captain Knight. The Doctor’s got work to do. Right gentlemen, time to go.
(KNIGHT is still bitter, but doesn’t protest. The COLONEL marches out of the room, followed by the others.)
16. LABORATORY
(The DOCTOR sticks his hands inside a pair of large gloves connected to the side of a clear observation box, allowing him to reach inside. The box contains EVANS’s tobacco tin. The DOCTOR leans over the container and ANNE watches over his shoulder.)
DOCTOR: Now you’d better stand back, Anne.
ANNE: Is it really necessary, Doctor?
DOCTOR: (Straightens.) This fungus is an unknown quantity, you know.
(JAMIE and VICTORIA enter the laboratory.)
JAMIE: Ah, Doctor.
DOCTOR: Oh Jamie, what is it?
JAMIE: Er, the Colonel says to tell you he’s on his way.
DOCTOR: On his way where?
JAMIE: To rescue the TARDIS!
DOCTOR: (Raises eyebrows.) He’s wasting his time.
(The DOCTOR turns back to the tobacco tin and proceeds to ignore everyone.)
VICTORIA: Well that’s what I told him. And I think that man Chorley must be behind-
(JAMIE shushes VICTORIA and indicates that the DOCTOR is busy.)
DOCTOR: (Frustrated at the constant interruptions.) Now look! Get behind me, both of you, and keep clear.
(JAMIE and VICTORIA step back.)
DOCTOR: Here we go.
(He carefully pries open the tobacco tin.)
DOCTOR: No!
ANNE: What is it, Doctor?
DOCTOR: Well the tin’s empty!
(The bottom of the tin shines brightly, completely clean. The DOCTOR looks up in realization.)
DOCTOR: Evans!
17. FORTRESS MAIN CORRIDOR
(Staff Sergeant ARNOLD and Driver EVANS prepare their gear for the journey through the tunnels.)
EVANS: Course, really I shouldn’t be doing this, you know, Staff. Not officially on the strength down here, see. What I am really is a driver, you see-
ARNOLD: (Interrupts.) Don’t try to come the old soldier with me, lad!
EVANS: Who, me?
ARNOLD: Yes, you! And when we get in the tunnels, don’t you try to skive off, ‘cos if you do I’ll have you for breakfast. D’you understand?
(Corporal LANE appears from the tunnels outside the doorway.)
LANE: Trolley’s ready, Staff.
ARNOLD: Right, come on!
(ARNOLD follows LANE outside and EVANS takes up the rear.)
18. LONDON STREET
(Along a deserted street of the capital, gates are closed and windows are shuttered. The COLONEL, Corporal BLAKE, and a number of soldiers march through the streets. BLAKE has a bazooka over his shoulder. The COLONEL stops and addresses BLAKE.)
COLONEL: So far, so good. If we don’t see any Yeti, we should make Covent Garden in about ten minutes. Come on!
(The COLONEL continues and the soldiers march in a line behind him.)
19. OPERATIONS ROOM
(JAMIE, VICTORIA, the DOCTOR, and ANNE come into the room.)
JAMIE: Captain, they’ve gone, and Evans with them, I think. I can’t find him anywhere.
(They all stand around Captain KNIGHT.)
KNIGHT: Yes, well we’d better question Evans carefully when he gets back.
JAMIE: Aye, if he gets back.
KNIGHT: (Nods.) It’s a funny business, Doctor, that fungus disappearing.
DOCTOR: Yes, yes I know . . . . Don’t worry about that just at the moment. I’ve been working on this control box with Miss Travers. There’s a few more things I need - transistors, circuits . . . .
KNIGHT: Aren’t there any in Stores?
DOCTOR: No, not of the right type.
KNIGHT: Well in that case, Doctor, I can’t help you.
DOCTOR: Well, er . . . I was wondering, erm . . . (Pointing.) if I could go up to street level . . . .
VICTORIA: But the mist! Or the Yeti!
DOCTOR: There’s no mist directly above us here - we’d have to risk the Yeti.
KNIGHT: No. No, I’m afraid that’s out.
ANNE: (Playing on KNIGHT’s misplaced affections for her.) It’s terribly important. Please!
(KNIGHT looks uncertain.)
DOCTOR: It’ll only take five minutes.
(KNIGHT looks at ANNE again.)
KNIGHT: (Reluctantly.) All right. I’ll get my gear. (Walks off.)
DOCTOR: (Softly.) Well done, Travers.
(KNIGHT stops at the door and the DOCTOR runs past him.)
KNIGHT: (Points.) And while we’re gone, you three lock yourselves in.
JAMIE: (Disappointed.) Oh aye!
20. TUNNEL
(Staff Sergeant ARNOLD, Corporal LANE, and Driver EVANS, taking a trolley along the rail tracks to Covent Garden, have found their way blocked by a wall of glowing fungus. ARNOLD shields his eyes from the light.)
ARNOLD: The Colonel will be through there at Covent Garden in a few minutes, right?
EVANS: Do you think they’ll be able to load the police box on here, Staff?
ARNOLD: Well, if we can get this thing through the f- fungus stuff - there’s not much of a gradient in this section of the tunnel.
(ARNOLD faces the other two and they stand at attention.)
ARNOLD: Right, I want one volunteer.
EVANS: Volunteer? That’s a dirty word, that is. Not me!
ARNOLD: Lane?
LANE: Well what for, Staff?
ARNOLD: Well, if this thing wants some help going through to Covent Garden, I’m going through with it.
LANE: What, into that stuff?
ARNOLD: Have we got those respirators?
LANE: Well yeah, here.
(He sets his r*fle on the trolley and runs back a few paces down the tunnel where they left the respirators. He comes back and hands two gas-mask packs with oxygen t*nk to ARNOLD.)
ARNOLD: I reckon we should be all right in these.
(He hands one to LANE. LANE hesitates to take it and looks nervously at the fungus. ARNOLD takes it back.)
ARNOLD: (Frustrated.) Oh all right, Lane lad. I’ll go by meself.
(ARNOLD begins to put on the respirator, lowering a strap over his head so the pack rests on his chest.)
LANE: (Takes off his hat.) No, ‘ang on a sec, Staff.
(He picks up the second respirator. ARNOLD stops to look at him. LANE tries to argue his decision was purely practical rather than being based on sappy stuff like loyalty or camaraderie.)
LANE: That trolley’s heavy, it’ll take two of us to shift it.
(He begins to put the respirator on.)
ARNOLD: Good lad. Come on.
EVANS: You’re potty, the pair of you!
ARNOLD: (Snaps.) Shut up, will you! Do as you’re told. Play that rope out as we go; any sign of trouble whip us out sharpish. Right?
EVANS: Well, it’s your neck.
ARNOLD: OK.
(ARNOLD pulls a gas mask over his face, which distorts his voice.)
ARNOLD: (Through gas mask.) All right Lane.
(LANE fits his gas mask over his face. Thick tubes from the gas masks run into the packs on their chests. ARNOLD gives LANE a thumbs up and LANE repeats the signal back to him as EVANS steps back and takes hold of the rope. The two of them slowly advance into the fungus, pushing the trolley ahead of them. EVANS lets the rope play out. As they push through, the fungus starts glowing and pulsating. LANE lifts his arm to shield his face as he disappears, pushing through the thick webbing. EVANS struggles to perform his task, trying to hide his face from the light. He crouches down with an arm over his face, letting the rope through his other hand. Suddenly he hears a piercing scream, followed by a second. The pulsing and whirring of the fungus fades into silence. EVANS slowly looks up at the silent, motionless webbing. As he stands, horrified, thin wisps of smoke appear in patches of light around him.)
EVANS: Staff? Staff Arnold?
(EVANS pulls hard on the rope, struggling to pull it out of the thick fungus. Wheels squeak as the trolley appears. Lying on it is LANE, the respirator still over his face, his whole body covered with the web-like fungus. EVANS lets go of the rope and slowly approaches, eyes even wider than normal in horror. He reaches out and grabs the gas mask covered in webs. He pulls the mask off, causing the webbing to stretch across LANE’s lifeless face. EVANS takes a step back, breathing hard. He looks into the fungus.)
EVANS: (Loudly.) Staff?
(He turns and runs away, terrified.)
21. INTERSECTION, COVENT GARDEN
(The COLONEL arrives at an intersection and stops his line of soldiers, seeing four Yeti lumbering up the street toward them. He looks aside and sees two more Yeti coming up the street on the left. The soldier in the back of the line turns and looks behind them.)
SOLDIER: (Points.) Look, sir!
(Four more Yeti approach in the rear.)
COLONEL: In Here! Quick!
(He ducks to the right.)
22. WAREHOUSE YARD ENTRANCE
(The COLONEL pushes open a large service gate and stands aside as the soldiers rush inside.)
COLONEL: Come on!
(As soon as they are all through, muttering between themselves, two soldiers shut the gate.)
COLONEL: I’m going to find a way out. Split up!
(The soldiers run down the short entrance street.)
23. WAREHOUSE YARD
(They run into a yard full of boxes stacked in piles and covered with tarpaulins, which become cover for two or three soldiers each. The Yeti approach; the soldiers f*re their r*fles, but the Yeti continue to lumber on. Finally one of them stumbles and roars, but continues. The COLONEL runs into the yard and two soldiers run to him.)
SOLDIER: Yetis - three of them, sir!
COLONEL: Grenades!
(The COLONEL ducks behind a pile of boxes. The soldier swings his arm and throws a hand grenade at the towering creatures. It explodes in their midst with a shower of sparks and a tower of smoke, knocking two of them over.)
SOLDIER: Hey, look!
(Yeti pour out of doorways, appearing from all directions.)
BLAKE: Right, f*re!
(The troops f*re off another round of r*fle sh*ts. A soldier in front reloads and continues f*ring. The COLONEL makes his way to the front, standing sideways against an uncovered pile of boxes, and sh**t with his p*stol. The Yeti continue to approach, seemingly impervious to the b*ll*ts.)
24. WAREHOUSE YARD ENTRANCE
(The service gate begins to bend at the bottom as the Yeti kick and push against it. The latch breaks and the Yeti push it open. One of the two soldiers guarding the gate shouts back.)
SOLDIER: Sir, they’re smashing down the gate!
(They f*re at the Yeti, who walk through the gate. One of them collapses aside, to reveal another directly behind it. The soldiers continue f*ring. The Yeti covers its face with its hands and falls.)
SOLDIER: We can’t hold ‘em, sir!
25. WAREHOUSE YARD
(The COLONEL hears the call and quickly makes a decision.)
COLONEL: Over the top, all of you!
(The soldiers break cover and climb over a large wall of tarpaulin-covered crates, giving them a long, thin, defendable stretch between the boxes and the brick wall of the building, with only one small open space at the front for the Yeti to approach. The Yeti march into the yard before all the soldiers have made it over.)
SOLDIER: (Screams.) They’re coming! We’ve had it!
(He screams as he is grabbed and thrown down. The Yeti grab another one and send him flipping to the ground. The COLONEL manages to make it over just in time and jumps down as the soldiers sh**t through the opening at the front, lined up along the walls. Corporal BLAKE is readying his bazooka and moves it out of the way as the COLONEL runs past him. He kneels by a few crates at the front, resting his arm over the top, and sh**t at the Yeti on the other side of the wall. They turn toward him, roaring.)
COLONEL: Grenades! Over the top!
(He ducks back under cover.)
SOLDIER: Grenades!
(BLAKE puts down his bazooka and throws a grenade over the top. It explodes between the Yeti, shaking them, but they remain functional. Another soldier throws a grenade, which knocks over a Yeti in its blast. A third soldier throws a grenade, causing another Yeti to fall. The COLONEL risks a look over the crates at the front to assess the damage and runs back to cover.)
COLONEL: Through the yard, come on!
(BLAKE grabs his bazooka and he and one of the remaining soldiers follow the COLONEL. The last three remain behind in a covered position in the back, sh**ting at the Yeti approaching from the gate. The COLONEL leads his men to a low stack of crates.)
COLONEL: Right, bazooka here to cover the others.
(BLAKE sets the bazooka across the top of the pile. The soldiers in the back continue to f*re at the Yeti approaching from the gate. More Yeti appear with w*apon. The COLONEL stands behind BLAKE, who is f*ring a g*n, and the soldier who is kneeling with the bazooka over his right shoulder. The COLONEL pats the soldier’s hat and he fires the bazooka with a deep bang, smoke sh**ting out the back end. A Yeti is knocked off its feet. The Yeti roar and g*ng up on the group sh**ting from their protected area.)
COLONEL: Dawson! Langley!
(The soldiers continue f*ring, despite the COLONEL’s warning. A Yeti raises its deadly web g*n and sprays the fungus on the three soldiers, who cry out and slump to the ground as they are covered in webbing. The Yeti are beginning to swarm the yard, but the COLONEL, BLAKE, and the last soldier continue f*ring. The COLONEL lowers his g*n.)
COLONEL: Make for the warehouse!
(He runs and BLAKE follows, but the soldier stays behind with the bazooka. The COLONEL and BLAKE reach the warehouse bay doors and see that the last soldier has not followed.)
COLONEL: Murphy!
(Murphy fires the bazooka again, but this time it appears useless. The Yeti continue their slow but relentless approach. The COLONEL and BLAKE f*re at the Yeti from the bay doors, to no avail. The Yeti bear down on Murphy and he is covered in the web spray. He screams and holds his face as he falls backward. The COLONEL and BLAKE f*re a few more sh*ts before retreating into the warehouse through an open bay door.)
26. ELECTRICIAN’S SHOP
(The words on the glass front of the office read “M Thomson & Son Electricians.” Captain KNIGHT stands guard while the DOCTOR rummages around the office, digging in a box. KNIGHT hears some of the sounds of g*n in the distance.)
KNIGHT: There it is again, Doctor!
DOCTOR: (Looks up.) Just one more thing.
(He leaves the box and goes to a shelf with a box and a record player. The DOCTOR holds up his tiny component and picks up another tiny piece, intensely interested in it. KNIGHT steps into the office.)
KNIGHT: For heaven’s sake, hurry up!
DOCTOR: I just need one more component. (Points.) I’ll look through here.
(He disappears into the back room of the office. KNIGHT shifts impatiently, then slowly follows the DOCTOR. One of the huge, hairy beasts approaches the office in perfect silence. Another ambles behind. KNIGHT stands in the middle of the office, watching the DOCTOR anxiously. The Yeti steps through the doorway and roars. KNIGHT turns to see them.)
KNIGHT: Doctor! Doctor, look out!
(He moves behind the desk as he fires his p*stol at the creatures, but they are unharmed. The first blocks his way out and he scratches at the wall for an exit. The DOCTOR runs and pounds the Yeti furiously in the back as it bears down on KNIGHT. The Yeti spins and throws the DOCTOR to the floor. Using the distraction, KNIGHT tries to jump over the desk, but the second Yeti knocks him down and he falls off the desk. The first Yeti roars and raises its arm to strike the DOCTOR on the floor with a massive blow.)
DOCTOR: No! No! No!
(Suddenly the beeping starts and the Yeti halt in mid-motion. They slowly turn and walk away. The DOCTOR breathes heavily as they walk out. He slowly gets to his feet and watches them go before turning to KNIGHT, draped across a crate, eyes staring lifelessly. The bleeping of the Yeti fades away, but one bleep remains loud and clear. The DOCTOR sticks his hand into KNIGHT’s pocket and, to his horror, pulls out a model Yeti.)
27. OPERATIONS ROOM
(JAMIE looks confused as he lifts the model Yeti.)
JAMIE: And this was in his pocket, you say?
(JAMIE studies it and holds it to his ear as he walks toward the group - VICTORIA, ANNE, Driver EVANS, and the DOCTOR.)
VICTORIA: How did he get it? You said it was stolen.
ANNE: You can’t think that he’s-
DOCTOR: No no no, he didn’t steal it.
(JAMIE hands the model Yeti back to the DOCTOR, who studies it again.)
DOCTOR: The person who did planted it on him.
EVANS: Hmm.
(JAMIE looks accusingly at EVANS and crosses his arms.)
EVANS: Eh, don’t you try and pin this on me, boyo! Strikes me, anything goes wrong around here and I’m always the one to get the blame.
DOCTOR: All right, all right, let’s keep our temper, shall we? (Raises the model.) The point is, two of these were missing. (Concerned.) Now where’s the other one?
28. WAREHOUSE
(The COLONEL and Corporal BLAKE run through the warehouse, between large stacks of boxes and smaller piles, f*ring whenever possible. The Yeti smash through stacks of boxes in their as*ault. The COLONEL and BLAKE run into the maze of stacks of crates. The COLONEL tries to sh**t, but his p*stol is out of a*mo. They run around the corner as a Yeti lumbers toward them. BLAKE gives the COLONEL his r*fle and climbs onto a high stack of crates. The COLONEL hands the r*fle back and climbs up himself. They flatten themselves on top of the stack, hoping to keep hidden from the Yeti as it beeps around the corner. A Yeti paw grabs BLAKE’s leg from behind. He twists to see.)
BLAKE: Sire, there’s one here!
(The COLONEL gets back, knowing he can’t help, and BLAKE kicks and struggles as the Yeti pulls him to the edge. BLAKE is close enough to kick the Yeti’s face, but it doesn’t care.)
BLAKE: Get off! Get off!
(He yells and flails as the Yeti pulls him down and he falls to the floor, his back against the stack of crates. He looks up at it in terror and sinks down in a feeble attempt to get away as it raises its arm.)
BLAKE: No! No! NOOOO!!
(The Yeti swings its arm down and BLAKE is silent after an agonized scream. The COLONEL, seeing the entire squad wiped out, uses the distraction to jump off the pile of crates. He fires two more sh*ts and turns to sprint.)
29. LABORATORY
(The DOCTOR twists the base off the model Yeti, revealing two round prongs. He sticks the two prongs in a large, wooden vise and twists the lever, pressuring the prongs to bend. The DOCTOR struggles to twist it further until one of the prongs breaks. He unwinds the lever and lifts the broken Yeti model.)
DOCTOR: There. That one shouldn't bother us any more.
(He places it back on the desk and walks to ANNE, Driver EVANS, JAMIE, and VICTORIA standing around the bench.)
DOCTOR: Now then, come along, Anne, let’s get down to work. Where did I put those bits and pieces? (Reaches into pocket.) Here we are . . . .
VICTORIA: I wish I knew who put it in the Captain’s pocket.
(The DOCTOR and ANNE mutter as they bend over the DOCTOR’s bits and pieces.)
JAMIE: Well it must have been Chorley.
VICTORIA: Well look, he left ages ago.
(The DOCTOR straightens, hearing someone coming.)
JAMIE: It doesn’t matter. He-
(The COLONEL quickly enters and closes the door.)
DOCTOR: Colonel!
(He trudges into the room, looking shaken and upset.)
VICTORIA: Are you all right?
JAMIE: What’s happened?
(The COLONEL, ignoring them, leans against the desk, breathing heavily.)
DOCTOR: (Concerned.) Colonel, what happened?
(VICTORIA looks horrified, reading his face.)
COLONEL: Gone.
VICTORIA: Oh, not all of them?
(The COLONEL grunts quietly in confirmation.)
DOCTOR: (Quietly.) All of them?
COLONEL: (Looks up.) I said so, didn’t I?
(VICTORIA and JAMIE look at each other and JAMIE places a comforting hand on VICTORIA’s shoulder.)
COLONEL: All of them . . . . Evans, what about your party?
(EVANS quickly shakes his head.)
COLONEL: Arnold?
EVANS: Gone, sir.
(A quiet bleeping noise starts up in the background - nobody notices.)
JAMIE: (Softly.) Captain Knight, too.
COLONEL: Knight! Hopeless.
(He stands, a look of despair in his eyes, and slowly walks around the bench as he speaks.)
COLONEL: (Despair.) Can’t fight them. It seems . . . indestructible. (Angrily.) Can’t fight them! You were right, Doctor, when you said they were . . . formless, shapeless . . . you were right.
(The COLONEL sits on the end of the bench. The DOCTOR raises a finger, a look of horror on his face.)
DOCTOR: Listen . . . listen, everyone! It’s the other Yeti model! It’s here! (Looks around.) It’s somewhere in this room!
(He turns to search and the others also take up the search, but the COLONEL just looks confused and turns toward the DOCTOR.)
COLONEL: That noise, I’ve been hearing it on and off all day.
DOCTOR: (Points emphatically.) Your pockets!
COLONEL: What?
DOCTOR: (Gesturing frantically.) Open your pockets, Colonel!
COLONEL: (Feeling pockets.) Oh . . . ?
DOCTOR: Quickly, quickly, come on!
(The COLONEL pulls the remaining model Yeti out of a pouch and the DOCTOR quickly grabs it.)
DOCTOR: That’s it!
COLONEL: How- how . . . ?
DOCTOR: (Emphatically indicating the model.) They bring the Yeti!
(The DOCTOR runs across the room to the door, which suddenly opens in front of him revealing a Yeti. He stumbles back as it roars and VICTORIA shouts in fear. The Yeti stands still and another appears beside it. They stand silently and someone shuffles in behind them. Between the huge piles of fur, the wide-eyed face of Professor TRAVERS appears!) | {"type": "series", "show": "Doctor Who", "episode": "05x26 - The Web of Fear - part 4"} | foreverdreaming |
by MERVYN HAISMAN
and HENRY LINCOLN
first broadcast - March 2 1968
1. LABORATORY
(The DOCTOR, JAMIE, VICTORIA, ANNE, Driver EVANS and the COLONEL watch the two Yeti standing silently. Between the huge piles of fur, the wide-eyed face of Professor TRAVERS appears. When he blinks it is unnaturally slow and deliberate. The onlookers gasp and murmur in disbelief as they see him.)
JAMIE: Oh no!
COLONEL: I just don’t understand what’s happening!
JAMIE: Poor Travers!
(TRAVERS’s expression remains unchanged and his voice is airy, but harsh.)
TRAVERS: Silence!
ANNE: Father!
(She steps forward; the DOCTOR and JAMIE put out their arms to restrain her.)
DOCTOR: No, no! No!
ANNE: But I must-!
(She takes another step and the DOCTOR holds her tighter.)
DOCTOR: No, Anne! Don’t go near him. (Slowly lets go.) Just . . . just listen to him.
(TRAVERS speaks, but the voice has changed again - it is a rasping hiss, the speech halting.)
TRAVERS: (Steps forward.) I . . . am . . . the Intelligence!
(There are cries of shock and denial from the onlookers.)
ANNE: No!
DOCTOR: The Intelligence?
COLONEL: It can’t be!
TRAVERS: (As the Intelligence.) Listen to me! I speak to you . . . with this man’s voice . . . because the time has come . . . for you . . . to understand my purpose.
EVANS: What’s he getting at?
COLONEL: Quiet!
DOCTOR: What do you want?
TRAVERS: (As the Intelligence.) You defeated me in Tibet, Doctor.
DOCTOR: Yes.
TRAVERS: (As the Intelligence.) Now . . . you have fallen into the trap . . . that I have so carefully prepared for you.
DOCTOR: Oh, I see, so that’s why you’ve brought me here. Revenge!
TRAVERS: (As the Intelligence.) Oh, no.
(As he speaks, he steps forward with stiff, jerking movements, hands raised and fingers bent with tension. The group shuffles back and VICTORIA gasps in fear.)
TRAVERS: (As the Intelligence.) Revenge . . . is a petty human emotion. (Breathes loudly.) My purpose for you . . . is far more interesting.
DOCTOR: And what’s that?
(TRAVERS’ breathing has become very labored, with a bit of a whine.)
TRAVERS: (As the Intelligence.) Through time and space . . . I have observed you, Doctor. Your mind surpasses that of all . . . other creatures.
DOCTOR: (Shouts.) What do you want?
TRAVERS: (As the Intelligence.) You! Your mind will be invaluable to me. Therefore I have invented a machine . . . that will drain all past knowledge . . . and experience from your mind.
VICTORIA: But you’ll k*ll him!
TRAVERS: (As the Intelligence.) Oh, no. He will survive, his mind unharmed . . . only empty . . . as a newborn child’s.
DOCTOR: (Nervous.) And if I refuse?
TRAVERS: (As the Intelligence.) Then I shall have to seek the help of . . . lesser mortals . . . like your companions here.
(JAMIE and VICTORIA shrink back as he reaches toward them.)
TRAVERS: (As the Intelligence.) And many . . . many others.
DOCTOR: But you can’t!
TRAVERS: (As the Intelligence.) I can . . . and I will.
DOCTOR: (Sadly.) Yes, I . . . I believe you.
JAMIE: You can’t - we’ll fight!
TRAVERS: (As the Intelligence.) That will not do. The Doctor . . . must submit willingly.
DOCTOR: (Breathing rapidly.) And if I- if I do submit, wh- what of the others?
TRAVERS: (As the Intelligence.) Then the others will go free.
ANNE: (Hesitantly.) And my father too?
TRAVERS: (As the Intelligence.) Oh, him too. I’m only using his body . . . to communicate with you.
ANNE: (Nervously hopeful.) Oh, he- he didn’t help you before, then?
TRAVERS: (As the Intelligence.) Oh, no. I have many . . . other . . . human hands at my command.
(ANNE and the DOCTOR smile reassuringly at each other.)
DOCTOR: And who are they?
(TRAVERS’ voice rises slightly in pitch and his breathing becomes more frantic and wheezy in anger.)
TRAVERS: (As the Intelligence.) Always questioning! Even now, you’re seeking to destroy me! I see . . . I shall have to guide your thoughts.
(TRAVERS continues to stagger toward them and VICTORIA whimpers, hiding her face behind the DOCTOR’s arm. With a fast, unexpected movement, TRAVERS grabs VICTORIA’s wrist and she cries out in alarm as he pulls her away.)
DOCTOR: Oh no! No!
(JAMIE starts forward, but the DOCTOR jumps in front of him, back turned to the Yeti, and the COLONEL holds him back. The Yeti roar in warning, stepping protectively in front of TRAVERS and VICTORIA.)
DOCTOR: No, Jamie, no!
TRAVERS: (As the Intelligence.) Cooperate and the child will be unharmed.
(VICTORIA continues to whimper softly and the DOCTOR listens, nervous with his back turned.)
TRAVERS: (As the Intelligence.) You have . . . twenty minutes to make up your mind.
(Still holding VICTORIA, he turns to leave, followed by the Yeti. The DOCTOR shouts and strains as JAMIE fights him.)
JAMIE: Let me go, Doctor!
DOCTOR: Jamie, don’t be a fool! You don’t stand a chance!
(The COLONEL helps hold JAMIE as he continues to struggle.)
JAMIE: Let me go! Victoria!
(The COLONEL strides to the door and JAMIE rips himself free of the DOCTOR’s grip, running after the COLONEL. JAMIE tries to grab the COLONEL before he reaches the door, but he shuts it and stands in front of it.)
JAMIE: Let me past, Colonel!
COLONEL: No. The Doctor’s right. There’ve been enough lives wasted.
JAMIE: And what are we going to do? Just sit around and wait for the next thing to happen?
COLONEL: Don’t be a fool, boy! Can’t fight those things bare-handed! We must work out a plan.
(The COLONEL slowly steps away from the door, thinking.)
JAMIE: Well you do what you want - I’m going.
(He opens the door to an ear-splitting roar as the Yeti standing guard turns toward him. The DOCTOR runs to him as he quickly closes the door and its small, barred window.)
DOCTOR: He left one of those things there to stop us getting away. Now, Victoria is quite safe.
JAMIE: (Turns angrily.) Safe?!
DOCTOR: (Calmly.) The Intelligence knows that if it harms her, I won’t cooperate!
ANNE: But does that go for my father too?
DOCTOR: (Faces her.) Yes, Anne, it does.
ANNE: Oh, it- it- . . . . Are you sure?
(The DOCTOR and JAMIE approach her.)
DOCTOR: Yes, I’m sure!
(She smiles hopefully.)
EVANS: Permission to speak, sir.
COLONEL: (Stops pacing.) Eh? Yes, what is it, Evans?
(EVANS slowly approaches the COLONEL and JAMIE, ANNE, and the DOCTOR crowd in after him to listen.)
EVANS: Well, stop me if I’ve got it wrong, sir, but . . . if this Intelligence thing here gets the Doctor, will he leave us all alone?
COLONEL: Yes, that’s what it looks like. What’s in your mind?
EVANS: Well, sir, why don’t we just let it have him?
(The DOCTOR’s eyebrows drop and his mouth opens as he looks at EVANS.)
EVANS: Then we could all go home!
(Everyone looks at the DOCTOR, whose expression doesn’t change.)
2. TUNNEL
(TRAVERS’ possessed body shuffles through the tunnels, pulling VICTORIA along.)
VICTORIA: Please . . . my wrist . . . Professor! Oh! Ooh!
(She tries to pull her arm out of his iron grip. A Yeti follows silently behind. A distant bleeping suddenly starts up in the tunnel ahead.)
VICTORIA: Professor . . . please . . . you’re hurting me! My wrist! Professor!
(TRAVERS is unmoved; he keeps hold and stares blankly ahead, heading towards the bleeps like a zombie. VICTORIA lifts a string of beads off her neck and drops it on the floor as they go. The Yeti walks past it.)
3. LABORATORY
COLONEL: Will this Intelligence keep its word, do you think?
JAMIE: Well it didn’t in Tibet!
(The DOCTOR has the small, clear control box in his hands, and tries to keep JAMIE from talking about it with Driver EVANS in the room.)
DOCTOR: Jamie!
EVANS: Least ways, it’s a chance.
(JAMIE approaches him aggressively.)
JAMIE: But it’s not you that’s taking the risk, is it?
EVANS: I reckon he ought to give himself up now.
COLONEL: Evans! When I want your opinion I’ll ask for it.
EVANS: Sorry, sir.
(The DOCTOR approaches JAMIE and EVANS, still tinkering with the control box.)
DOCTOR: It’s all right, Evans. If I don’t come up with the answer, I will give myself up, I promise.
EVANS: That’s OK then. (Walks away.)
JAMIE: (Grabs the DOCTOR’s shoulder.) You will not give yourself up.
(The DOCTOR looks up from his work.)
DOCTOR: (Harshly.) Don’t be foolish, Jamie!
JAMIE: But Victoria!
DOCTOR: She will be your responsibility. And when it’s all over, you’ll just both have to look after me, that’s all.
(He turns back to the control box and EVANS listens at the door in the background.)
JAMIE: Eh?
DOCTOR: Well, if what the Intelligence says is true, my mind will be like that of a child.
(JAMIE looks horrified.)
DOCTOR: You’ll have to look after me un- until I grow up.
JAMIE: (Rubs jaw.) Oh . . . .
DOCTOR: Don’t worry, I- I’m going to try not to let it happen.
EVANS: Hey! Wait a minute!
(The DOCTOR and JAMIE quickly turn to him. The COLONEL approaches from across the room.)
COLONEL: (Annoyed.) What is it, Evans, what’s the matter now?
EVANS: Stand back everyone!
(He quickly opens the door and the COLONEL steps back. EVANS and JAMIE look down the corridor, then simultaneously turn to look at the COLONEL. The Yeti guard has gone.)
EVANS: I thought I heard it go!
COLONEL: Yes, well we’d better make sure. Evans - you, myself and McCrimmon will go and search the place. Doctor, you’d better stay behind here and get on with your tinkering.
(The DOCTOR immediately returns to work on the gadget in his hands as he slowly walks back to the work bench. The COLONEL, JAMIE, and EVANS quickly leave. The DOCTOR takes a deep breath and starts turning the box, picking at the wires inside with his fingers. ANNE, watching him, comes around to the front.)
ANNE: You’re not seriously thinking of giving yourself up to those creatures, are you?
DOCTOR: Well I sincerely hope it won’t come to that, Anne.
ANNE: It’s so hopeless. What can we do?
DOCTOR: (Tapping it.) This control box - we’ve got to get it working!
ANNE: Doctor, we’ve only got twenty minutes.
DOCTOR: Then there’s no time to lose, is there? Oh come on, Anne, don’t give up. I need your help!
ANNE: (Smiles.) Yes, yes of course.
(She turns toward the bench, ready to help.)
DOCTOR: Right. Now hand me that sphere, will you?
(He holds up his hands and ANNE gives him the opened sphere.)
4. OPERATIONS ROOM
JAMIE: Suppose that Yeti was left there as a kind of rearguard?
COLONEL: Possibly.
(JAMIE leans against the desk, Driver EVANS stands in front of the map of the tunnels, and the COLONEL joins him, a baton under his arm.)
JAMIE: If we went into the tunnels, we’d run into them again.
COLONEL: Yes, probably would.
JAMIE: (Waving finger in an arc.) But supposing we were to go over the top? (Approaches and points at the COLONEL.) You see, Colonel, as I see it, there’s only one way for them to go - south.
COLONEL: Yes?
JAMIE: So if we could get there ahead of them . . . .
COLONEL: What, take them by surprise, you mean?
JAMIE: Aye!
COLONEL: What’s the point? You can’t fight those things. I know, I’ve tried.
EVANS: Anyway, we’d never get back in, sir. All the stations are locked.
JAMIE: We might find one that’s open. I mean, after all, the Yeti get in and out - why can’t we?
EVANS: Well, reckon we’re safer here, sir.
JAMIE: (Challenging.) Aye, we are. But what about Victoria and Travers, eh? Oh, if you’re both too scared, I’ll go myself!
(JAMIE waves his hand angrily and quickly heads off.)
COLONEL: Wait a minute, McCrimmon!
(JAMIE stops as he opens the door. The COLONEL and EVANS approach.)
COLONEL: I think it’s pointless, but at least we’ll be doing something active.
EVANS: What about the Doctor and Miss Travers, sir?
COLONEL: Oh, yes. Mustn’t leave them unprotected. You stay here, Evans.
(JAMIE walks off.)
EVANS: Right, sir.
COLONEL: And don’t go taking any chances!
(The COLONEL follows JAMIE and EVANS watches them go.)
EVANS: (Chuckling to himself.) Don’t worry, I won’t!
5. LABORATORY
(The DOCTOR is explaining his additions to ANNE’s control box, pointing them out with a pair of tweezers, while ANNE watches, crouched beside him.)
DOCTOR: And the cross wire’s here. Hmm?
ANNE: I still don’t see how you can-
DOCTOR: (Interrupts.) Well, I haven’t finished yet. Now if you detach the germanium crystal strip here, hm? And then attach the collector and the emitter.
(ANNE hums in comprehension as he speaks, and gasps when she understands.)
ANNE: Yes, yes, and link up there - of course! (Stands.) Then the frequency variations, they’ll automatically change!
DOCTOR: Simple?
ANNE: Yes!
DOCTOR: Right. You get on with that.
ANNE: OK.
DOCTOR: And I’ll just check this sphere.
(He gently picks up the opened control sphere and examines it carefully as ANNE bends over the control box.)
DOCTOR: Yes . . . yes, that should complete the circuit, good . . . . (Looks up.) I wonder . . . .
(With those words, as he thinks, his eyes dart side to side just like the First Doctor. It’s comforting to see a bit of 1 still in there.)
6. SURFACE ENTRANCE
(The door from the Fortress to the surface is closed. JAMIE and the COLONEL stand against the door, listening.)
JAMIE: There’s only one way to find out.
COLONEL: Yes. Certainly no sound out there.
JAMIE: Shall we chance it, then?
COLONEL: Why not?
(JAMIE steps back and the COLONEL unlocks the door.)
COLONEL: Now!
(The COLONEL throws open the door. Covering the entrance is a thick wall of billowing, glowing fungus!)
JAMIE: No! Back! No!
(They throw themselves against the door as the fungus starts to burst in.)
COLONEL: Push! Push!
(The door slowly closes against the huge weight of fungus.)
COLONEL: Push, hard as you can!
(Slowly but surely, the door closes on the powerful mass.)
COLONEL: Push, get your back to it! Get your back to it!
(The two men both turn their backs against the door and hold it shut. The fungus continues to fight, jostling the door just enough that they can’t latch it.)
COLONEL: f*re door - by the stairs - go and unhitch it, and I’ll try to hold this. Go on, McCrimmon!
JAMIE: You sure?
COLONEL: Yes, go on! Go on!
(JAMIE races back down the corridor and down a flight of spiral stairs. The COLONEL struggles to hold the door against the mass of fungus. After a moment, JAMIE shouts back.)
JAMIE: [OOV.] All right, Colonel, come on!
(The COLONEL psyches himself for a moment, then lets go and sprints down the corridor. The door bursts open and the fungus glows, ready to engulf the corridor.)
7. LABORATORY
(While ANNE works on an electronic box in the corner, the DOCTOR watches the reassembled control sphere on the workbench.)
DOCTOR: Strange, it- it’s not picking up.
(He bends down and turns his ear to the sphere.)
DOCTOR: The Intelligence must be transmitting. (Scowls at it.) I wonder why it’s not working.
(He straightens and stares at it in frustration for a moment. He raises his hand and thumps the bench just beside the sphere, which immediately starts bleeping and rolling slowly across the bench. He spreads his arms and claps them together.)
DOCTOR: Aha! Success! It’s going, Anne!
(He chuckles deeply as he steps to the side of the bench to wait for the sphere.)
ANNE: Oh, oh that’s marvellous.
(The DOCTOR claps gently and wiggles his fingers toward the sphere.)
DOCTOR: (To sphere.) Come along.
ANNE: I’m sorry I’m being so long - this is such a fiddling job.
(As she speaks, the sphere edges toward the end of the bench and the DOCTOR wiggles his fingers excitedly.)
DOCTOR: Help you in a minute . . . .
(He picks up the sphere as it reaches the edge and sets it on the floor.)
DOCTOR: There we are. Now then . . . .
(The DOCTOR steps back and the sphere rolls across the floor toward the door.)
DOCTOR: (Points with both hands.) Yes, you see, it’s homing!
(ANNE watches with a smile. The DOCTOR clears his throat and picks up the sphere, putting it down a few feet back.)
DOCTOR: There we are.
(It resumes rolling toward the door.)
DOCTOR: Fairly strongly.
(He claps his hands and cackles with glee. The door opens and JAMIE and the COLONEL walk in; the DOCTOR reacts frantically.)
JAMIE: Doctor!
DOCTOR: Careful - shut the door!
COLONEL: Sorry.
(JAMIE closes the door before the sphere can escape and ANNE comes over.)
ANNE: The sphere! The sphere, it’s working.
JAMIE: (Waving his arm.) Never mind about that.
DOCTOR: Why, what’s happened?
JAMIE: We tried to get out the surface door, but the fungus is there!
DOCTOR: Well, I’m not surprised - I thought the Intelligence would try to hem us in.
COLONEL: Yes, unfortunately it’s got into HQ.
ANNE: What?
COLONEL: Now don’t worry. Managed to get a f*re door closed. Should hold it.
ANNE: I hope you’re right.
DOCTOR: Come on, Anne, we must get to work.
(He picks up the sphere and ANNE follows him to the bench with the control box.)
COLONEL: Doctor, tell me, this sphere of yours. Exactly how’s it going to help us?
DOCTOR: Well the sphere itself - it won’t.
JAMIE: Eh?
DOCTOR: No. But it will help us to test the control box.
JAMIE: Is that all?
DOCTOR: (Offended.) All?
JAMIE: You mean to say you’ve wasted all this time, just to-?
DOCTOR: (Interrupts angrily.) Wasted - we haven’t been wasting our time!
JAMIE: Well I think you have!
COLONEL: Must agree with the boy, Doctor. You don’t seem to have achieved very much.
ANNE: (Fed up with the arguing.) Colonel, if you left us alone we’d get along a lot quicker.
(JAMIE sighs in frustration and the DOCTOR’s mouth is very crooked.)
COLONEL: Huh? Oh, very well. Come on, McCrimmon, we’ll leave them to it.
(He leaves with JAMIE, who is still sighing, and shuts the door.)
DOCTOR: Right, Anne. Let’s get on with this control box.
(He puts the control sphere down on the bench and picks up ANNE’s control box. He looks at the control sphere, still bleeping as it rolls, and can’t help laughing.)
8. OPERATIONS ROOM
(Driver EVANS waits just inside the door to the Operations Room, flat against the wall. JAMIE and the COLONEL enter the room.)
COLONEL: Right, let’s have a look at this board.
(EVANS slams the door shut behind them and they spin to face him as he raises his r*fle.)
COLONEL: Evans! What exactly do you think you’re playing at?
EVANS: Been working it out, I have, see. Come to the conclusion one of you two must be working for this Intelligence.
JAMIE: Oh for heaven’s sake!
EVANS: No! It told us it had another pair of hands working for it. Well I know it’s not me, see, so it must be one of you two. Stands to reason, dunnit?
JAMIE: Oh, don’t be daft, man, it’s Chorley! (Gesturing for emphasis.) I’ve said so all along.
EVANS: Well, it’s only natural you’d say that, innit?
COLONEL: I don’t know what you’re talking about, Evans, and quite frankly I don’t care. Now McCrimmon and I are going out into the tunnels. You’d better join the Doctor and Miss Travers.
(The COLONEL knocks EVANS’ g*n away and walks past him.)
EVANS: If it’s all the same to you, sir, I’d prefer to stay here.
COLONEL: Evans, I gave you an order.
EVANS: A better position here, sir - keep an eye on the corridors, I can. Better tactically, don’t you think, sir?
(The COLONEL pushes open the door and walks out. JAMIE gives EVANS a look as he follows. EVANS looks proud of himself.)
9. PLATFORM, PICCADILLY
(A Yeti with a web g*n stands guard over VICTORIA and TRAVERS, who is still holding her wrist firmly and standing motionless, as if in a trance.)
VICTORIA: P- please, Professor, let me go. I won’t try to escape. Oh, please!
(Suddenly the raucous whispering voice of the Intelligence sounds, seemingly from all around her.)
INTELLIGENCE: Release her, Professor.
(VICTORIA looks around in fear and TRAVERS lets go of her wrist.)
INTELLIGENCE: As she says, she will not escape. There is nothing for you to be afraid of, child.
(VICTORIA slowly walks in front of TRAVERS to his other side, tense with fear.)
VICTORIA: Isn’t there? Oh! Where are you?
INTELLIGENCE: Nearby.
VICTORIA: Wh . . . why don’t you show yourself?
INTELLIGENCE: All in good time.
(VICTORIA takes a breath, as if to scream, but holds it back.)
INTELLIGENCE: (Harshly.) TRAVERS! You have served your purpose. Awake!
(TRAVERS squeezes his eyes shut and falls to his knees. VICTORIA goes to his side as he breathes heavily.)
INTELLIGENCE: Soon you will both see me.
(TRAVERS holds his head as he tries to gather his senses. He speaks dazedly, but his voice is again his own.)
TRAVERS: (Mumbling.) Where am I? What’s happened? Erm . . . where are we?
(VICTORIA holds him steady as he wobbles.)
VICTORIA: (Nervous.) Er . . . I think you’d better rest for a bit.
TRAVERS: Rest? No, oh no. Work to do. I’ve got to help the Doctor!
(He suddenly catches sight of the Yeti guard and holds perfectly still.)
TRAVERS: (Whispers.) Don’t run, Victoria, but there’s a Yeti, over there, on the platform.
VICTORIA: (Frightened) I know.
TRAVERS: (Whispers.) Yes, well we’ll try and give it the slip-. (Looks hard at her.) What did you say?
VICTORIA: I know. That’s the one that brought us here.
TRAVERS: What?
(TRAVERS holds his head, trying to work it out, and VICTORIA moans in pity for him.)
TRAVERS: Well, come on, Victoria.
(He takes her wrist and creeps along the platform, away from the motionless Yeti. VICTORIA follows hesitantly. TRAVERS sits on the edge of the platform and slips off, then waits for VICTORIA to hop down. Surprised and filled with hope that the Yeti doesn’t seem to care, they begin to run. VICTORIA screams as she barely stops herself from running into another Yeti. The giant creature raises its arm and roars a savage warning.)
10. LABORATORY
(The sphere, still bleeping across the floor, finally bumps into the door. ANNE monitors it while the DOCTOR works on the control box.)
ANNE: Doctor . . . Doctor, do hurry!
DOCTOR: Nearly ready.
(He fits all the wires inside and closes the clear box inside its wooden casing.)
DOCTOR: There. (Clears throat.) Now then, let’s see if it works.
(The DOCTOR holds the control box at arm’s length and flicks a switch, watching the sphere expectantly. The sphere doesn’t respond, still trying feebly to ram the door. The DOCTOR flips the switch repeatedly. The sphere continues bleeping.)
ANNE: Isn’t it at full power?
DOCTOR: Yes.
ANNE: (Shakes her head.) Then we’ve failed.
DOCTOR: No, hang on a minute.
(He moves closer to the sphere, still flicking the switch. Each time he flicks the switch, he steps closer. He finally bends down to the sphere, holding the box only two or three feet away. When he flips the switch, the sphere suddenly stops bleeping.)
DOCTOR: Aha!
ANNE: (Clasps hands.) Oh, it works!
(The DOCTOR laughs deeply.)
DOCTOR: Back you come.
(He backs off and the sphere slowly rolls towards him. He gives the control box to ANNE and picks up the control sphere.)
DOCTOR: Yes, the trouble is, it only works at very short range.
ANNE: But still, that’s better than nothing.
DOCTOR: Hmm.
ANNE: So now what do we do?
(They move back to the bench.)
DOCTOR: (Tapping the control box.) Well, we know that your control box can stop a Yeti.
ANNE: Mm-hm.
DOCTOR: (Tapping the control sphere.) Now then, if I can re-program this sphere to obey our verbal commands, hm?
ANNE: Yes, but can we do it? I mean, in the time?
DOCTOR: How long have we got?
(ANNE looks at her watch.)
ANNE: Twelve minutes.
(The DOCTOR grunts as he examines the sphere.)
11. TUNNEL
(JAMIE and the COLONEL, p*stol raised, edge carefully through the tunnels. The COLONEL stops at a junction and glances down both tunnels.)
COLONEL: Do we go on or turn back?
JAMIE: Let’s go on.
COLONEL: Right.
(The COLONEL leads the way down one of the turnings, then stops and turns as he realises JAMIE hasn’t followed him.)
COLONEL: Come on, what are you waiting for?
(He waits as JAMIE approaches.)
JAMIE: What made you choose this turning, Colonel?
COLONEL: What? Well, I don’t know really. Why?
(JAMIE is silent, giving the COLONEL his signature stare of distrust.)
COLONEL: You’re not still thinking about what Evans said, are you?
JAMIE: Well, he was right about one thing. One of us is working with the Intelligence.
COLONEL: I can assure you it’s not me, McCrimmon.
JAMIE: Aye, maybe so.
(They look at each other suspiciously for a moment, then the COLONEL grunts and leads off. JAMIE follows, then stops as he sees something lying between the rails.)
JAMIE: (Harsh whisper.) Hey, wait a minute!
(He picks up VICTORIA’s string of beads.)
JAMIE: (Harsh whisper.) This is Victoria’s! (Points at it.) We’re on the right track!
(He follows the COLONEL.)
12. PLATFORM, PICCADILLY
(TRAVERS and VICTORIA have returned to the platform and sit together against a large, metal sand bin, still guarded by the Yeti. They have calmed down considerably, but the atmosphere is still tense. TRAVERS anxiously fingers a pen sticking out of his pocket.)
TRAVERS: Anne’s all right, you say?
VICTORIA: (Sounding uncertain.) Don’t worry, Professor. The Doctor’s bound to come up with something.
TRAVERS: I wish I shared your confidence, my dear.
(He looks up and notices a Yeti starting to move.)
TRAVERS: Hello, what’s happening?
(One of the two Yeti guards turns and walks away. TRAVERS pretends to be uninterested and turns his head away. Out of the corner of his eye, he spots a figure just around the corner into the tunnel. It is Staff Sergeant ARNOLD, clothes draped with webs and his face covered in dirt, flattening himself against the wall of the tunnel. TRAVERS creeps to the edge of the platform and repeatedly looks to make sure the Yeti doesn’t notice.)
TRAVERS: (Whispers.) Arnold! How’d you get here! I thought - well Victoria said . . . .
ARNOLD: (Whispers.) What? What’s happened, sir?
TRAVERS: Sssh! Just a moment . . . .
(He watches the Yeti, which still stands motionless.)
TRAVERS: (Whispers.) Do you think you can get to HQ?
ARNOLD: (Whispers.) I can try, sir.
TRAVERS: (Whispers.) Yeah, well get hold of the Doctor, and tell him where we are.
ARNOLD: (Whispers.) Right, sir.
(He quietly sneaks back down, along the wall of the tunnel, keeping an eye on the Yeti. TRAVERS moves back to VICTORIA.)
VICTORIA: Can’t we go with him?
TRAVERS: (Whispers.) No, Victoria. That Yeti’s guarding us. if we go, it’ll follow. I don’t think they’ve found out about Arnold yet.
(The Yeti turns toward them.)
13. OUTSIDE OPERATIONS ROOM
(A bleeping control sphere rolls across the tiled floor of a corridor, and goes through the door to the Operations Room.)
14. OPERATIONS ROOM
(Driver EVANS sits with his r*fle on his lap. He hears the beep and looks around nervously, unable to determine its source. He finally spots it, slowly rolling closer, and quietly stands up on his chair, keeping the r*fle pointed straight at the sphere.)
DOCTOR: No, don’t sh**t!
(The DOCTOR and ANNE run into the room, but EVANS doesn’t move his r*fle.)
EVANS: Is that thing on our side, then?
DOCTOR: It is now.
(The DOCTOR uncovers something in his hand; a small microphone, and speaks into it.)
DOCTOR: Stop!
(The sphere stops bleeping and rolls to a stop. The DOCTOR smiles at EVANS’ expression, holding the microphone proudly. EVANS looks at him, shocked.)
DOCTOR: Were you scared?
EVANS: Eh? Oh no, no, I mean, I just got up here to get a better aim, that’s all. How did you make it stop then?
DOCTOR: Simple - I told it to. (Mouth goes crooked.)
(EVANS just looks at him, then at ANNE, then at the sphere on the floor. He finally raises his g*n and steps off the chair. The DOCTOR and ANNE move to get a better view as EVANS kneels in front of the sphere.)
EVANS: Here - ball. (Points with thumb.) Why don’t you go back where you come from?
(He looks at the DOCTOR, whose mouth is still crooked, and stands.)
EVANS: Now, pull the other one.
ANNE: Oh, show him, Doctor.
DOCTOR: All right, I will. (Into microphone.) Move forward.
(The sphere bleeps and obeys.)
DOCTOR: Stop.
(It stops bleeping, but takes a moment to stop rolling.)
DOCTOR: Move to the left.
(Apparently unable to suddenly switch direction, it slowly curves to the DOCTOR’s left. The DOCTOR chuckles gleefully.)
DOCTOR: Stop.
(The sphere obeys.)
DOCTOR: There you are, how about that?
EVANS: (Laughing.) Hey, that’s great! Make a smashing toy, that would.
(The DOCTOR’s grin immediately turns to a frown.)
ANNE: Toy? That’s a highly complex piece of equipment.
(The DOCTOR clears his throat, hands folded.)
EVANS: Oh, is it? Well I don’t see how it’s going to help us.
DOCTOR: (Points with hands folded.) But it obeys our commands!
EVANS: So?
DOCTOR: (Smiling.) Well, once we get it inside a Yeti, it- we’ll have a powerful ally!
EVANS: (Disbelief.) Inside a Yeti?
ANNE: Yes, certainly. Will you help us?
EVANS: You must be joking! Go near one of them things? I may be stupid, but I’m not daft.
DOCTOR: Oh very well, Anne, I shall have to do it myself. (Bends down and picks up sphere.)
ANNE: Oh, I’m coming with you, Doctor.
(He quickly moves toward the door, but stops.)
DOCTOR: No no, it’s far too dangerous.
EVANS: There you are, what’d I tell you?
(ANNE pats the DOCTOR’s shoulder as she walks past him.)
ANNE: Not another word, I’m coming with you.
(They leave EVANS behind, who blows his breath out.)
15. TUNNEL
(The COLONEL and JAMIE are still creeping through the tunnels. The COLONEL puts a hand in front of JAMIE.)
COLONEL: Hold it.
(They listen for a moment. A figure staggers out of the shadows ahead, dragging his feet, arm raised weakly for help. Recognizing him, JAMIE and the COLONEL move toward him.)
COLONEL: Staff Arnold?
(Staff Sergeant ARNOLD grips the COLONEL’s shoulder and the COLONEL helps him stand, holding his arm.)
COLONEL: It can’t be, we’d given you up for lost!
(ARNOLD begins to sink and the COLONEL and JAMIE help him down to his knees.)
JAMIE: Easy, easy . . . . That’s it.
ARNOLD: (Breath trembling.) Sorry about this, sir.
JAMIE: What happened?
ARNOLD: I don’t know. Can’t remember. (Squeezes eyes shut, then opens them.) I were pushing the trolley through the fungus, and . . . and I blacked out. I th- I thought I were . . . falling. When I come to, sir, I were in the tunnels . . . . Where’s the Doctor, sir?
(His arm tenses on the COLONEL’s shoulder in his urgency and the COLONEL helps him stand.)
ARNOLD: I met the Professor and the girl back there-
JAMIE: (Interrupts.) Victoria! Is she all right?
(JAMIE doesn’t take his eyes off the direction VICTORIA must be. ARNOLD begins to fall backward, but the COLONEL holds him up with a firm grip on his arm.)
ARNOLD: Yeti - guarding them, but . . . I promised I’d tell the Doctor, sir.
(He sways with exhaustion, breathing heavily.)
COLONEL: Right. Come on, back to HQ.
JAMIE: I’m going for Victoria.
COLONEL: Really, we’d stand a better chance if we stick together. Go ahead!
(JAMIE takes another look down the tunnel toward VICTORIA, then turns and leads in front. The COLONEL pulls ARNOLD’S arm over his shoulders.)
COLONEL: Come on, Staff.
(The COLONEL supporting ARNOLD, they mutter to each other as they head back toward Goodge Street.)
16. PLATFORM, PICCADILLY
(TRAVERS looks at his watch and grunts.)
TRAVERS: Doctor’s twenty minutes almost up.
(Two bleeping noises start up at the same time, at different pitches. VICTORIA looks over nervously.)
VICTORIA: (Whispers.) Professor . . . ?
(The Yeti that had left has come back, and they both slowly approach VICTORIA and TRAVERS.)
VICTORIA: Oh . . . !
(The Yeti stop in front of them and growl. VICTORIA and TRAVERS stand up. They pass tensely between the Yeti, TRAVERS holding VICTORIA’s shoulders. The Yeti turn to lead them across the platform.)
VICTORIA: (Whispers.) Where are they taking us?
TRAVERS: (Whispers.) Now keep calm, Victoria. I’m sure the Doctor will think of something.
VICTORIA: Oh . . . !
17. OUTSIDE OPERATIONS ROOM
(EVANS walks quietly down a corridor, looking around cautiously. He hears footsteps ahead and slips around the doorway into the Operations Room.)
18. OPERATIONS ROOM
(EVANS quietly walks into the Operations Room, looking for a place to hide. He steps behind the map of the London Underground, which shows only a small stretch around Goodge Street still clear of the fungus. He has chosen the worst hiding place as his entire lower half can be seen below the map. The COLONEL strides into the room, followed by JAMIE helping Staff Sergeant ARNOLD. They approach the map, immediately spotting EVANS.)
COLONEL: (Exhausted.) Evans, come out from behind that board.
(EVANS slowly peers around the map.)
EVANS: Oh, it’s you, sir.
COLONEL: Where’s the Doctor?
(EVANS slowly steps toward him, pointing, obviously trying to come up with a lie or excuse.)
COLONEL: (Snaps furiously.) Evans!
EVANS: B-b-but y-y-y-you-you-you . . . .
ARNOLD: Stop bleating like a Welsh baa-lamb, Evans, and answer the Colonel.
EVANS: (Submissive.) Sir?
COLONEL: Doctor and Miss Travers, where are they?
EVANS: Gone, sir.
JAMIE: Gone - where?
EVANS: Warren Street, I think.
JAMIE: Why?
EVANS: After a Yeti, they said.
(JAMIE looks at ARNOLD, horrified, and the COLONEL mutters in disbelief.)
ARNOLD: (Points.) Look at the board, sir. Warren Street.
JAMIE: (Pats ARNOLD.) Come on!
(He runs off. ARNOLD follows, but the COLONEL stops him.)
COLONEL: No, not you, Staff. Evans, make yourself useful. Get a dressing for the Staff Sergeant’s head.
EVANS: Yes, sir.
ARNOLD: Thank you, sir.
(The COLONEL and EVANS quickly leave and ARNOLD takes a breath to calm down.)
19. TUNNEL
(ANNE and the DOCTOR, holding his control sphere, stare through a web-like wall of fungus as it pulses and sways gently.)
DOCTOR: Do you think it’s mutating, Anne?
ANNE: I . . . I don’t know, but I don’t think we’ll stay and find out.
DOCTOR: No, perhaps you’re right.
(He clears his throat as they walk the other way. They both stop short, the DOCTOR holding the sphere close to his chest. The DOCTOR looks back and ANNE grabs his arm.)
ANNE: We’re trapped!
(A Yeti in the tunnel ahead advances with a roar and begins beeping.)
DOCTOR: (Calmly.) Give me the control box, Anne.
(He wiggles his fingers as she searches her pockets, trying to stay calm.)
ANNE: The control box . . . .
DOCTOR: Yes.
ANNE: (Beginning to panic.) Oh, haven’t you got it, Doctor?
DOCTOR: What! Huh . . . . (Frantically pats pockets.) Hold the sphere!
(ANNE takes it and he searches his pockets, breathing rapidly as the Yeti draws closer.)
ANNE: Oh Doctor, you must have it!
DOCTOR: Yes, yes, got it.
(He pulls the control box out from a pocket and turns it over, searching for the correct switch. He holds up the box and flips the switch. He sighs and keeps it in the air as the Yeti bears down on them. It raises its arm.)
ANNE: (Terrified.) Doctor!
DOCTOR: Don’t worry, it’ll work! Heh . . . . (Panicked.) It’s got to work!
(The Yeti begins to roar, but the sound dies down as it halts. For a moment, the only sound is the Yeti’s bleeping, then even that stops. ANNE gasps with relief and the DOCTOR slowly lowers the control box with a smile.)
ANNE: I know you said it only worked at short range, but for a moment . . . .
DOCTOR: Well, don’t tell me you were worried?
(A moment of silence passes while ANNE realizes she’s holding tight to the DOCTOR, her arm over his shoulders, and lets go, muttering in embarrassment.)
DOCTOR: Would you like to hold this for me?
(He gives ANNE the control box and steps toward the now lifeless Yeti, flipping a screwdriver out of his pocket.)
DOCTOR: Now then . . . .
(He lifts up the flap and jams the screwdriver into the compartment. He wrenchess the screwdriver harder and harder, struggling to pop the control sphere out. ANNE watches, worried.)
DOCTOR: It’s all right, it’s quite safe.
(He works the screwdriver so hard it looks as if it should break.)
DOCTOR: Nearly out . . . . There.
(The sphere drops into his hand and he swaps it with the one ANNE is holding.)
DOCTOR: Right.
(He shoves it into the compartment and closes the flap of fur. He looks up with a sigh of satisfaction and lifts the small microphone hanging from a string around his neck to his mouth.)
DOCTOR: Now then - turn round!
(The DOCTOR laughs with that deep growl of his and claps gleefully as the Yeti obeys. They both run around to the front.)
ANNE: Oh, it works! You’ve done it!
DOCTOR: We’ve done it, you mean! Now then, (Clears throat.) with my reprogrammed sphere and your control box, we should be able to work him over quite a distance. (To the Yeti.) And put your arm down!
(The Yeti does so. The DOCTOR can’t help but chuckle again and ANNE laughs.)
DOCTOR: Now we’ve got a chance, Anne. Come on!
(The two of them move off; the YETI stays motionless. The DOCTOR taps ANNE’s back as he stops and turns.)
DOCTOR: Oh, mustn’t forget him. (Into microphone.) Come on, Fred, at the double!
(They laugh again as Fred bleeps and follows them.)
20. OPERATIONS ROOM
(Staff Sergeant ARNOLD grimaces and pulls his head away as Driver EVANS dabs a wound on his forehead with a cotton ball.)
EVANS: Hold still, can’t you?
ARNOLD: Oh come on, Evans, get on wi’ it!
(EVANS places a plaster over ARNOLD’s wound and admires his handiwork proudly.)
EVANS: Hey oh, I reckon I ought to have been a doctor. Real professional, that is.
ARNOLD: (Smiles patronizingly.) All right then, doctor. Take your gear back to the lab.
(He picks up the first aid kit and places it in EVANS’ hands.)
EVANS: Oh, righto then. (Turns.)
ARNOLD: And when you’ve done that, you can come back and shift that chair.
(EVANS walks away with a frustrated sigh. ARNOLD stands and approaches the map, rubbing his chin thoughtfully.)
EVANS: [OOV.] (Frightened.) Staff! Staff!
ARNOLD: (Turns.) What is it?
(He runs out.)
21. FORTRESS MAIN CORRIDOR
(Staff Sergeant ARNOLD comes running around the corner and runs to the Laboratory.)
ARNOLD: What is it, Evans?
22. LABORATORY
(Driver EVANS stands by the door, staring across the room, as ARNOLD runs in to join him. ARNOLD stops and shrinks back, squinting his eyes at the light. Cracks in the far wall glow, then the wall breaks inward, shoving tables and chairs out of the way as glowing fungus pours in. ARNOLD grabs EVANS and pushes him out.)
ARNOLD: Go on, Evans lad, get out of it!
23. FORTRESS MAIN CORRIDOR
(EVANS turns and runs out the damaged door into the tunnels, closely followed by ARNOLD.)
24. LABORATORY
(The floor is covered in glowing, bubbly fungus, tables overturned and engulfed, and a smoky haze begins to fill the air . . . .) | {"type": "series", "show": "Doctor Who", "episode": "05x27 - The Web of Fear - part 5"} | foreverdreaming |
by MERVYN HAISMAN
and HENRY LINCOLN
first broadcast - 9 March 1968
1. LABORATORY
(Poured through the hole in the wall, the Laboratory floor is covered in glowing, bubbly fungus, tables overturned and engulfed, and a smoky haze begins to fill the air.)
2. TUNNEL
(Staff Sergeant ARNOLD stumbles through the tunnels as fast as he can, followed by Driver EVANS. They pause for breath, gasping.)
EVANS: What are we going to do now, Staff?
ARNOLD: (Coughs.) The main door sh-should keep the fungus out of the tunnels for a bit. We must warn the others that HQ’s had it.
EVANS: Right.
ARNOLD: Well, come on, then.
(ARNOLD steps forward resolutely, but stops when EVANS backs away.)
EVANS: Oh, oh no, not me.
(ARNOLD steps in front of him assertively.)
ARNOLD: You’re not disobeying an order, are you, Evans?
EVANS: Now look here, Staff. If we go up there, and this stuff breaks out, we’ll be trapped!
ARNOLD: Now look, lad, you’re scared, that’s understandable. But you’ve been in the Army long enough to know that orders is orders. (Points.) There’s four people up there. If we don’t warn them, they’re for the chop.
EVANS: So? Four of them’s getting the chop - there’s no reason to make it six, is there?
ARNOLD: I’ve had enough of your lip for one day. Now come on! Follow me.
(He sets off up the tunnel; as he goes, EVANS turns and bolts in the opposite direction. ARNOLD runs after him a few paces.)
ARNOLD: Evans! Come back here!
EVANS: [OOV.] Not on your nelly! Cheerio, Staff!
(ARNOLD points after him vengefully, his face contorted in anger.)
ARNOLD: Right, lad - I’ll get you for this!
3. TUNNEL
(The DOCTOR and ANNE walk through another section of the tunnels, followed by a bleeping Fred. The DOCTOR slows and touches his lip in thought. He raises a finger and turns to face ANNE.)
DOCTOR: Anne . . . oh!
(He jumps aside as Fred carries on going, brushing straight past them, causing ANNE to stumble aside.)
ANNE: Hey!
DOCTOR: (Into microphone.) Stop!
(Fred immediately stops.)
DOCTOR: (Into microphone.) Come back here.
(Fred walks backward until it is just in front of ANNE and the DOCTOR.)
DOCTOR: Stop! Anne, I’ve been thinking. Until we know who else is working for the Intelligence, everyone must be suspect.
(ANNE hums in comprehension as he speaks.)
ANNE: Yes?
DOCTOR: (Pointing at Fred.) Well, the fewer people who know this chap’s on our side, the better. (Mouth goes crooked.)
ANNE: Yes . . . yes, and whoever is the Intelligence is bound to know that you’re controlling this Yeti.
DOCTOR: (Touching chin.) Mmm . . . . (Snaps fingers.) I know.
(He clears his throat twice as he takes the control box from ANNE and goes around in front of Fred. ANNE follows him.)
DOCTOR: (Into microphone.) You are to remain here for-. (To ANNE.) Do you think a minute will be enough?
ANNE: What for?
DOCTOR: For us to get clear.
ANNE: Perhaps.
DOCTOR: (Into microphone.) You are to remain here for- for ninety seconds, and then resume acting on orders from the Intelligence until you are told otherwise. Is that understood?
(Fred roars, raising its arm, causing the DOCTOR to cringe back. It lowers its arm harmlessly; ANNE sighs with delighted relief, realizing it was a roar of confirmation, and the DOCTOR chuckles deeply as he relaxes.)
DOCTOR: (Into microphone.) Right. Switch off, for ninety seconds, starting from now.
(The bleeping stops, and Fred stands lifeless. The DOCTOR and ANNE watch it for a moment to make certain it’s off.)
DOCTOR: Come on, Anne.
(He taps her arm and they run off. Their footsteps fade into the distance as Fred stands motionless and silent, its eyes glowing.)
4. TUNNEL
(JAMIE heads down a tunnel and stops. He turns to address the COLONEL behind him.)
JAMIE: (Harsh whisper.) It is them! Come on!
(He waves the COLONEL forward and moves ahead.)
JAMIE: Am I glad to see you!
(He approaches the DOCTOR and ANNE.)
JAMIE: (Pointing.) There’s fungus at Warren Street.
DOCTOR: Yes, I know.
JAMIE: Oh. Hey, what are you doing down here, anyway?
DOCTOR: Well, as a matter of fact-
(ANNE takes his arm, warning him of something behind JAMIE. The DOCTOR looks.)
DOCTOR: (To JAMIE.) I’ll tell you another time. (Waves.) Er, hello, Colonel.
(JAMIE turns to watch the COLONEL stride to join them.)
COLONEL: Glad to see you’re both safe. Any luck with your gadgets?
(The DOCTOR and ANNE glance at each other and speak at the same time.)
DOCTOR: Erm . . . no . . . no.
ANNE: No, I’m afraid not.
COLONEL: Pity.
DOCTOR: Any news of Victoria?
JAMIE: Yes, she’s at Piccadilly Station.
DOCTOR: (Excited.) Piccadilly?
ANNE: (Excited.) Is my father there too?
JAMIE: (Nodding.) Aye, he’s with her.
DOCTOR: Are they all right?
COLONEL: Yes.
DOCTOR: (Suspiciously.) How do you know?
COLONEL: I ran across Arnold - he saw them.
DOCTOR: Arnold?
ANNE: Arnold! But- but Evans said, the fungus . . . !
COLONEL: Yes, he went into it, all right, but he came out again somehow. Says he can’t remember what happened.
DOCTOR: Well we haven’t got any time to find out.
(ANNE touches the DOCTOR’s arm, looking meaningfully at him.)
ANNE: N-no, time’s nearly up.
(The DOCTOR recognizes she means their ninety seconds before Fred comes back online.)
DOCTOR: Yes . . . .
COLONEL: Yes, your twenty minutes.
(The DOCTOR and ANNE speak their agreement at the same time.)
DOCTOR: Yes.
ANNE: Yeah, yes.
COLONEL: Well come on, then.
(He sets off with JAMIE; the DOCTOR and ANNE stay behind.)
ANNE: (Whispers.) What are you going to do?
DOCTOR: We can’t do anything until we get back to Headquarters, and . . . then if we’ve got time, we’ll- we’ll try and increase the range of the control unit.
Come on!
ANNE: (Whispers.) Yes!
(They hurry to catch up.)
5. TUNNEL
(Fred stands motionless. It clicks to life and begins the rhythmic bleeping. It raises its arms and clenches and relaxes its clawed paws. Two armed Yeti come up the tunnel behind Fred and it joins the group as they move toward the distant sounds of human footsteps.)
6. TUNNEL
(The COLONEL and JAMIE lead the way through the tunnels. The COLONEL stops and holds out a hand to stop JAMIE, listening. The DOCTOR and ANNE come up behind them.)
DOCTOR: What is it, Colonel?
COLONEL: Something up ahead.
ANNE: (Glances back.) Well we can’t go back!
(The DOCTOR looks back, knowing she means avoiding Fred.)
COLONEL: What, fungus, you mean?
ANNE: Yes.
DOCTOR: Oh yes.
(A voice shouts from the darkness ahead; it has an unmistakable gruff Yorkshire accent.)
ARNOLD: [OOV.] Is that you, Colonel?
COLONEL: It’s Arnold. (Shouts.) Hang on, Staff!
(He rushes toward ARNOLD.)
JAMIE: Why isn’t he in HQ?
(The COLONEL goes to meet Staff Sergeant ARNOLD, who salutes as the rest of the group approach.)
ARNOLD: (Breathing heavily.) Sir, the f-fungus. It’s swamped HQ.
DOCTOR: No!
(The DOCTOR and JAMIE look at each other in horror.)
ARNOLD: I’m afraid so, sir. The main doors should keep it out of the tunnels for a bit, but . . . .
(He trails off, unwilling to speak aloud the inevitability of their destruction.)
COLONEL: Where’s Evans?
ARNOLD: Scarpered, sir.
(Suddenly two savage roars cause the group to look back in fear. Fred and the two armed Yeti approach, roaring repeatedly. First ARNOLD turns, then the rest of the group, to see the giant forms of two more Yeti marching from the other side.)
ARNOLD: Our time’s up! We’re all together - they’ve come to fetch us!
(The DOCTOR turns as Fred, just in front of him, raises its arm.)
7. TUNNEL CORNER
(In another part of the tunnels, Driver EVANS approaches a corner and peeks around. He pulls his head back and remains flat against the wall as a bleeping noise approaches. He swallows as the beeping grows louder. The Yeti appears and he squeezes his eyes shut. The Yeti lumbers past without noticing, and he opens his eyes to watch it go. As the beeping fades away, he blows his breath out in relief. He steps around the corner to run the opposite way, still watching the direction the Yeti went, and bumps into another Yeti. It roars and he runs back around the corner, only to stop short in front of a third Yeti. He looks between them in horror as they roar. The roaring dies down and he backs against the wall, gasping - but the Yeti don’t move. He looks between them nervously.)
EVANS: (Nervous.) Hello! If you- if you’re looking for your friend, he went that way. (Points.)
(The two Yeti begin bleeping, still motionless.)
EVANS: (Nervous.) Look, you don’t want me! I’m not one of them, see? (Mimes driving.) Driver, that’s what I am. (Stutters.) Actually I shouldn’t be down here at all, really.
(Each Yeti grabs one of his arms and he pants fearfully.)
EVANS: Hey, steady on!
(The Yeti lift him effortlessly off the ground and head off down the tunnel, carrying the helpless soldier between them.)
EVANS: (Breathing rapidly.) Oh! Going for a walk, are we? There’s lovely.
8. TUNNEL
(A single Yeti beeps as it escorts the COLONEL, Staff Sergeant ARNOLD, the DOCTOR, JAMIE, and ANNE through the tunnels. Only one of the other Yeti guards the rear. Neither of them have w*apon, so either could be Fred. The Yeti turns and roars softly to them to stop. It goes on ahead, still bleeping away. The DOCTOR peers around the COLONEL to see where it’s going. It stops a few paces away and turns to face them again. ARNOLD takes the opportunity to whisper to the COLONEL.)
ARNOLD: I’m going to make a break for it, sir.
COLONEL: Think you can?
ARNOLD: Well, it’s worth a try. On the loose, sir, I might be able to do something, if only you could distract them, sir.
COLONEL: Right, Staff.
(The Yeti turns toward a tunnel leading aside and roars softly.)
ARNOLD: I think it wants us to go on, sir.
COLONEL: Right. Here we go.
(He leads the group slowly, then stumbles with a yell and crouches in a display of pain. Everyone rushes to his side, crying out in concern.)
DOCTOR: Oh, Colonel!
(The Yeti in the back roars thr*at, claws raised. ARNOLD backs away from the Yeti. JAMIE tries to pacify it.)
JAMIE: Wait! Can’t you see, he’s fallen over!
(ARNOLD slips away and ducks around a corner. He listens carefully to make sure he hasn’t been noticed.)
JAMIE: [OOV.] Help him!
(ARNOLD hears lots of banging and beeping as they help the DOCTOR to his feet on the loud rails of the echoing tunnels.)
JAMIE: [OOV.] Be careful, be careful!
(The noise quiets down, leaving only the calm bleeping of the two Yeti, slightly out of synch. ARNOLD slips away unnoticed.)
9. TICKET HALL, PICCADILLY CIRCUS
(In the middle of the deserted ticket hall of the station is a large, hollow, glass pyramid composed of triangular panels. A space cut out of one side allows access to a small, white seat inside. A figure in business dress quietly enters the station, his face off-screen. As soon as he hears voices, he ducks back into the hall and flattens himself against the wall.)
VICTORIA: [OOV.] Where are we being taken, Professor?
TRAVERS: [OOV.] Oh, to meet the Intelligence, I suppose.
(Two Yeti usher VICTORIA and TRAVERS into the station from another corridor. VICTORIA immediately recalls the Pyramid that housed the INTELLIGENCE in Tibet.)
VICTORIA: (Frightened.) A pyramid!
TRAVERS: (Intrigued.) Yes - but it’s different!
(TRAVERS walk around the Pyramid, studying it, and VICTORIA sticks close to him as the Yeti follow them farther into the room.)
TRAVERS: We-w-we’ve never seen one like this before. It’s fascinating! This must be the machine that the Intelligence intends using on the Doctor.
(His scientific curiosity getting the better of him, TRAVERS moves closer to examine the pyramid. One of the Yeti guards growls and he quickly backs away.)
VICTORIA: Oh, no, no. No no, I shouldn’t if I was you.
(He takes her hand and her shoulder to comfort her.)
TRAVERS: Yes, I think perhaps you’re right.
(As they continue to move around the Pyramid to move away from the Yeti, they end up in sightline of the hall in which the mysterious man is hiding.)
VICTORIA: (Points nervously.) Th-th-there’s someone there . . . .
TRAVERS: What?
(The man quickly slips down the hall.)
VICTORIA: There!
TRAVERS: (Aggressively.) Who’s that? Who is it?
(He pauses when there is no more sign of the mysterious man.)
TRAVERS: Huh. D’you see who it was?
VICTORIA: No. Do you think it could have been . . . ?
TRAVERS: The Intelligence? Hm. (Shrugs.)
(He looks back at the Yeti guards and so does VICTORIA as he takes shoulders. He leads her a few steps away from the guards to speak quietly.)
TRAVERS: If only we could do something!
(The Yeti guards follow them to stay within reach.)
VICTORIA: (Sounding uncertain.) I’m sure the Doctor will think of something.
TRAVERS: No, not this time, Victoria. The Doctor would . . . never risk the chance of the Intelligence harming you. (Pats her shoulder.)
VICTORIA: (Looks at him in horror.) You mean he’ll just give in?
TRAVERS: (Sighing.) Yes, I’m afraid so. Afraid there’s no alternative.
(VICTORIA’s face fills with dread. They both look up sharply as the grating, disembodied voice of the INTELLIGENCE rasps out of a speaker on a pillar, echoing eerily throughout the large hall.)
INTELLIGENCE: Yes, you are right, Professor. He has no alternative.
(VICTORIA and TRAVERS listen anxiously.)
INTELLIGENCE: I am sorry not to be here to welcome you personally, but I am sure you will not be offended. After all, the guest of honour is the Doctor - he, I am sure, will cooperate, as I advise you to do.
(TRAVERS looks at VICTORIA and she looks down, biting her lip, looking near to tears.)
INTELLIGENCE: Any attempt to interfere would be pointless. My Yeti can destroy you so easily.
(TRAVERS pulls VICTORIA closer. Distraught at his helplessness, he steps away, shifting his weight and waving his arms angrily.)
TRAVERS: It’s all my fault! If I hadn’t tampered with that sphere - people k*lled, London inv*de, hmm! All because of my wretched curiosity! (Breathes heavily.)
VICTORIA: Don’t blame yourself, Professor.
(He turns away from her, breathing heavily.)
TRAVERS: And why not? I-I-I’ve sacrificed you all! And for what?
10. PLATFORM, PICCADILLY CIRCUS
(The DOCTOR is once again passing the time by playing his recorder, this time the “Skye Boat Song.” He and JAMIE sit on the edge of the platform and ANNE and the COLONEL stand off to the side, whispering. The COLONEL saunters over to the two Yeti guards, standing in the shadows, their eyes glowing. Neither of them react and he wanders back. The DOCTOR looks up at him and JAMIE touches the DOCTOR’s arm to stop him playing.)
JAMIE: (Whispers.) Why didn’t you tell me all this before?
(The DOCTOR smiles and points at the COLONEL over his shoulder with the recorder.)
DOCTOR: (Whispers.) Him.
JAMIE: (Pointing back.) You don’t think the Colonel . . . ?
DOCTOR: (Putting the recorder away.) Well, you never know, do you?
(JAMIE looks between the two YETI.)
JAMIE: (Whispers.) Which one is ours?
DOCTOR: (Whispers.) I don’t know.
JAMIE: (Harsh whisper.) What!
DOCTOR: (Softly.) Well unfortunately I’ve lost track of him.
JAMIE: (Whispers.) Oh, that’s a great help!
DOCTOR: (Reaching into pocket.) Well, never mind, I . . . I want you to take this microphone and keep on calling our Yeti to you.
(He surreptitiously hands the small microphone to JAMIE and scratches his nose.)
JAMIE: (Whispers.) How will I know I’ve got the right one?
(The DOCTOR pauses.)
DOCTOR: (Softly.) Well, you’ll soon know if you haven’t got the right one, won’t you!
(He smiles and chuckles darkly before turning serious again.)
DOCTOR: (Whispers.) Jamie, I hope you don’t suffer from claustrophobia.
(He looks down, refusing to elaborate.)
11. TUNNEL
(Staff Sergeant ARNOLD walks through the tunnels. As he passes a corner, he doesn’t notice HAROLD CHORLEY. The journalist jumps out behind him to get his attention.)
CHORLEY: (Hisses.) Sergeant!
(CHORLEY looks back, almost as if paranoid, his hair and suit disheveled. ARNOLD takes his arms and pulls him aside, off the main track. CHORLEY gasps, gripping ARNOLD tightly, sounding afraid and desperate, a far cry from his previous confident manner.)
CHORLEY: (Breathing rapidly.) Oh, oh thank heavens I found you! I’ve been wondering down here by myself for . . . (Looks around in paranoia.) for ages!
ARNOLD: Well well well . . . quite forgotten about you, we had, Mr Chorley!
(CHORLEY is just about hyperventilating, his voice trembling.)
CHORLEY: Tried to get out over the surface, but . . . (Shakes head in horror.) there were Yeti everywhere! And there’s this . . . this fungus, and- and fog, all around, you see, and . . . (Shakes head.) it’s hopeless! I tried to get back to HQ, I tried, but . . . all the stations were locked, you see, and . . . I couldn’t get back in! And all the time I kept seeing more and more Yeti . . . and they were closing in on me. (Chokes, fighting back tears.) I was retreating . . . (Removes glasses and wipes face, distraught.) I was always retreating . . . and then . . . at last I . . . found I could get into Piccadilly, but . . . (Suddenly calming down, almost sinister.) when I got down there . . . there was this . . . machine, and . . . the Professor . . . and the girl. (Distraught.) And more Yeti . . . !
(He drops his head on ARNOLD’s chest, finally releasing his fitful terror and paranoia as tears.)
CHORLEY: I just ran and ran!
ARNOLD: My, my, my, we are in a state, aren’t we, sir?
(CHORLEY nods, sniffs, and lifts his head, trying to compose himself.)
CHORLEY: Yes . . . all right . . . no, I’m fine.
(He still breathes with heavy, trembling breaths, but his voice and his demeanor have calmed down. Feeling ashamed of his behavior, he looks at ARNOLD and sees judgement, whether it is really there or not, and tries to defend his pride. In his emotional state, he ends up whispering harshly.)
CHORLEY: Well, so would you be if you’d been up there!
ARNOLD: (Softly.) ‘S all- it’s all right, sir, nothing to be ashamed of.
(CHORLEY puts his glasses back on.)
CHORLEY: Yes.
ARNOLD: There’s just one thing that puzzles me though, sir.
(Suddenly tension fills the room.)
CHORLEY: (Quietly.) Oh? What’s that?
ARNOLD: How you managed to exist all this time - why didn’t the Yetis get you?
(CHORLEY looks away, searching for an explanation and finds that he has none.)
CHORLEY: (thr*at.) I- I’m sorry, what are you suggesting? You’re not suggesting that I’m-
ARNOLD: (Interrupts.) Oh no, sir, I was just wondering, that’s all. I think perhaps you’d better come along with me, don’t you, sir?
(CHORLEY nods submissively, just happy to have companionship. ARNOLD pats his shoulder and leads him back onto the tracks.)
ARNOLD: Come on, now.
12. PLATFORM, PICCADILLY CIRCUS
(The Yeti are still on guard. The DOCTOR and ANNE sit on the edge of the platform together, with the COLONEL sitting on the metal sand bin nearby. JAMIE is nowhere to be seen. Both c*ptive and guards are perfectly still, almost like a photograph. The DOCTOR sits cross-legged, staring thoughtfully into the distance. ANNE finally breaks the stillness, leaning toward the DOCTOR.)
ANNE: (Quietly.) Where’s the control box?
(The DOCTOR takes a deep breath as he is pulled out of his thoughts. He turns absently to ANNE.)
DOCTOR: Hm?
ANNE: The control box!
DOCTOR: (Patting his coat.) It’s in my pocket. (Clears throat.)
ANNE: (Whispers.) Well, why don’t you use it on these Yeti? And then maybe we can escape!
DOCTOR: Oh, no. I must meet the Intelligence face to face.
(The metal bin warps back into place with a bang when the COLONEL stands up. He crouches behind the DOCTOR and ANNE.)
COLONEL: Doctor?
DOCTOR: (Quietly.) What is it?
COLONEL: Been thinking - the Yeti haven’t noticed McCrimmon’s disappearance yet. Not that I think he’ll be able to achieve anything.
DOCTOR: Go on.
COLONEL: Well, I don’t really know how to say this, but, um . . . there’s Miss Travers and Victoria to think of, and, er . . . .
DOCTOR: (Smiles ruefully.) You mean, am I going to give myself up, hm?
COLONEL: Yes. Of course, the decision must be yours, and yours alone. But the Intelligence did promise to release Travers and Victoria.
(A bleeping sound becomes audible in the background.)
DOCTOR: You believe that?
COLONEL: Well, why not?
(ANNE lifts her head, hearing the bleeps.)
ANNE: Hello, we’ve got company.
(The DOCTOR and the COLONEL look the way ANNE is looking and they all stand. A pair of Yeti arrive on the platform, still carrying the helpless Driver EVANS stiffly between them.)
EVANS: Hello, sir!
(They drop him on the platform in front of the others. He stands stiff with fear.)
COLONEL: Evans, where the devil have you been?
(EVANS swallows and begins to relax in spite of the two Yeti still directly behind him.)
EVANS: Didn’t Staff Arnold tell you, sir?
COLONEL: Yes. Sounded very like desertion to me.
EVANS: Desertion? Me? Oh, good heavens, no! No, I . . . I thought I’d try a single-handed and desperate attempt to rescue Professor Travers and the girl!
(He looks at the small group.)
EVANS: Isn’t Staff Arnold about?
ANNE: No.
EVANS: Good.
(More bleeping sounds start up at different pitches.)
DOCTOR: Listen!
(He looks at one of the guards as it returns to life. He grunts nervously as it approaches. He tenses and looks away, but doesn’t move as the Yeti places its talon on his shoulder.)
DOCTOR: Now listen, everyone - when the Yeti come for you, don’t struggle.
(The Yeti leads him away, past the other Yeti.)
DOCTOR: Whatever you do, don’t resist them!
(EVANS, ANNE, and the COLONEL huddle together as the Yeti are active around them.)
EVANS: Don’t struggle, he says! He must be joking!
COLONEL: The Doctor will have to give in. There’s no other choice!
(ANNE begins to reply, but she is interrupted by a roar from one of the remaining Yeti. The creature herds them after the DOCTOR.)
EVANS: Aye, aye, time to get fell in!
(They exit with the Yeti, leaving the station platform deserted. A moment later, the lid of the large sand bin slowly lifts, as JAMIE peers cautiously out with a mischievous smile.)
13. PASSAGEWAY, PICCADILLY CIRCUS
(A large movie poster is plastered across a wall. The Yeti leading the DOCTOR, still bleeping, stops in front of the poster. The DOCTOR watches nervously as the hairy shadow of a second Yeti appears on the wall at the turning ahead. The Yeti appears and turns to face him, carrying an electronic headset device. It lumbers toward the DOCTOR, who stands stiffly. As soon as the Yeti is within range, the DOCTOR quickly lifts the control box over his head and flicks the switch. Both Yeti stop and all bleeping ceases. The DOCTOR looks between the two of them and puts the control box proudly under his arm. He carefully lifts the headset from the Yeti’s grasp.)
DOCTOR: Thank you!
(He clears his throat as he examines the inside of the clear headset for a moment. He screws up his face in concentration as he fiddles with the connections. His eyebrows raise in satisfaction as he looks it over, then puts it on his head. He then lifts the control box, flicks the switch, and the Yeti spring back to life along with their beeping. The Yeti in front turns around and the two of them escort the DOCTOR on through the passageways.)
14. TICKET HALL, PICCADILLY CIRCUS
(A Yeti stands darkly by the large Pyramid. ANNE, the COLONEL, and Driver EVANS are brought in by a Yeti. ANNE can only react to one thing; she smiles in delight.)
ANNE: Father!
(She runs to TRAVERS and VICTORIA and into her father’s arms.)
ANNE: Oh, father, are you all right?
TRAVERS: Yes, I’m all right.
(ANNE has no words to express her joy and relief.)
ANNE: Oh . . . ! Oh . . . !
TRAVERS: (Patting her arm.) Now don’t- don’t worry, Anne.
VICTORIA: (Urgently.) Jamie and the Doctor - where are they?
(ANNE’s face falls and she gives her father a despondent look.)
ANNE: (Quietly.) Oh . . . .
TRAVERS: Anne?
(She lowers her head.)
15. PLATFORM, PICCADILLY CIRCUS
(JAMIE stands on the track just below the platform, talking softly into the DOCTOR’s small microphone, held just by his mouth.)
JAMIE: Yeti . . . come towards me . . . .
(He looks cautiously between both tunnels as he speaks.)
JAMIE: I’m standing beside the platform at Piccadilly Station . . . ! Yeti, wherever you are, come towards me!
(The tunnel is utterly silent. JAMIE lowers the microphone with a disappointed sigh.)
16. TUNNEL
(A Yeti lumbers down the tunnels, bleeping, its heavy footsteps echoing. It comes upon a turning.)
17. PLATFORM, PICCADILLY CIRCUS
(JAMIE can now hear and see the Yeti. He beckons toward it nervously.)
JAMIE: (Into microphone.) Come towards me . . . .
(He turns his palm toward the Yeti, gesturing for it to keep its distance.)
JAMIE: (Into microphone.) Like that, that’s it . . . . Come to . . . .
(JAMIE knows he doesn’t need to beckon to it anymore and steps up onto the platform as it enters the station, keeping his hand stretched defensively between himself and the giant creature. The Yeti stops in the exact spot JAMIE had just been. JAMIE takes a step back, still cautious, but gaining confidence.)
JAMIE: (Into microphone.) Right now. Raise your right arm.
(He waits anxiously for the Yeti to move. He looks it up and down, but it stands motionless. JAMIE shifts nervously and points at the Yeti’s right arm. He tries to sound more assertive, but he speaks hesitantly.)
JAMIE: (Into microphone.) Raise your right arm!
(The Yeti moves on down the tunnels, leaving the Scotsman pointing and staring after it in bewilderment. He drops the microphone and waves his hands dismissively.)
JAMIE: Oh, what’s the use?
(He turns to leave and runs directly into another Yeti; it raises its arms and roars.)
18. TICKET HALL, PICCADILLY CIRCUS
(The large room is clouded with an eerie fog.)
TRAVERS: (Patting ANNE’s arm.) Well, there’s nothing to be afraid of, dear. Just- just be calm.
(The others talk in low voices among themselves. The DOCTOR is led into the room by his two Yeti. VICTORIA turns to see him as he approaches resignedly, the headset on his head and Yeti’s arm on his shoulder.)
VICTORIA: Doctor!
(The muttering suddenly breaks off and several of the other c*ptive gasp at once.)
TRAVERS: The Doctor!
ANNE: Doctor!
VICTORIA: What are they going to do?
DOCTOR: Now don’t worry, Victoria.
(The DOCTOR’s voice is strangely calm; he sounds like a man totally resigned to the inevitability of his fate.)
VICTORIA: Oh . . . ! But . . . I-!
DOCTOR: Everything’s under control. Don’t be frightened. (Gently pats her shoulder.)
VICTORIA: But Doctor, what are they going to do?
(The DOCTOR cuts in insistently.)
DOCTOR: Everything is under control. Tell her, Anne, you understand?
ANNE: (Quietly.) Yes, yes, I think so.
(The Yeti holding the DOCTOR’s shoulder growls impatiently and pushes him around the Pyramid to the front.)
DOCTOR: Now listen, everyone. Don’t do anything foolish! I am perfectly all right.
(The DOCTOR looks up sharply as the voice of the INTELLIGENCE echoes from the speaker.)
INTELLIGENCE: Yes, he is perfectly all right. Thank you, Doctor, for being so cooperative.
COLONEL: Why don’t you show yourself? Who are you?
INTELLIGENCE: Patience! You will know soon enough.
(Through the fog, a figure stumbles from a passageway into the room. Everyone exclaims at once.)
VICTORIA: Chorley?
COLONEL: Ch- Chorley!
VICTORIA: It’s him! That’s Chorley!
TRAVERS: Good grief!
ANNE: But that horrible little man . . . !
EVANS: You, the Intelligence?
ANNE: No . . . no!
COLONEL: No no no, he can’t be the Intelligence, he can’t! It doesn’t make sense!
(CHORLEY, flustered and close to tears, finally works up the courage to speak.)
CHORLEY: It isn’t me! It isn’t me, don’t you understand! I’m not the Intelligence! The Intelligence is him! (Points.)
(A man stands in the passageway, wearing a headset similar to the DOCTOR’s.)
TRAVERS: It can’t be!
ANNE: (Loses it.) Oh . . . oh it’s too horrible! I don’t believe it!
(The figure slowly walks into the room through the fog - it is Staff Sergeant ARNOLD. He approaches the group and his face is impassive.)
ANNE: Arnold . . . .
(The group stares at ARNOLD in nervous shock. ARNOLD now speaks, but the voice is different. The gruff Yorkshire manner has gone, replaced by the calm, less accented tones of the INTELLIGENCE.)
ARNOLD: No. Merely Arnold’s lifeless body in which I have concealed myself. But let us to work. There will be time for discussion later. In fact, all the time in the world.
ANNE: Oh, so you . . . you weren’t going to let us go then, afterwards?
TRAVERS: Did you think he would?
ARNOLD: The last member of the party. Come and join us!
(Everyone turns toward the passage CHORLEY came from. JAMIE walks in sullenly, followed by his Yeti captor.)
VICTORIA: (Sadly.) Oh, Jamie!
JAMIE: (Takes her shoulders.) Victoria, are you all right?
VICTORIA: Yes.
ARNOLD: Your solicitude is touching. Nevertheless, it is wasting time.
DOCTOR: Frightened that something might go wrong?
(ARNOLD looks at the DOCTOR, but doesn’t respond. He looks at JAMIE and points toward the DOCTOR.)
ARNOLD: Join the Doctor.
DOCTOR: Do what he says, Jamie.
(JAMIE and VICTORIA look at each other before JAMIE lets go of her and walks over to the DOCTOR.)
ARNOLD: Take him!
(The Yeti as the DOCTOR’s guard reaches in front of JAMIE and grabs him viciously around the neck, almost lifting him off the ground in a neck-brace. JAMIE grabs at the enormous, hairy hand, grimacing and struggling for breath. The DOCTOR steps back helplessly.)
DOCTOR: Leave him! Leave him be!
VICTORIA: Oh no!
(JAMIE gasps and coughs shallowly, struggling to breathe.)
ARNOLD: I must ensure your complete cooperation, Doctor. Should you prove at all unhelpful, your young friend’s neck will be broken.
DOCTOR: You gave your word that no one would be harmed. I refuse to submit until you release Jamie!
ARNOLD: All right. Release the boy!
(The Yeti lets go and JAMIE bends over, gasping and coughing. The DOCTOR takes his arm.)
ARNOLD: But at the first sign of trouble from you . . . .
DOCTOR: Don’t worry. I will do what you say.
(JAMIE straightens, recovering, holding his neck. He glances at the Yeti.)
ARNOLD: Good. Into the machine, Doctor.
(He points at the Pyramid. JAMIE watches the DOCTOR, horrified, and the others gasp and murmur helplessly as the DOCTOR moves slowly toward the Pyramid. He blows his breath out nervously. He studies the Pyramid for a moment and cautiously sticks his hand in. Confident that it’s safe, he turns his back and slowly sits down on the small chair, crouched slightly to fit inside. ARNOLD slowly walks around to the front of the Pyramid as the DOCTOR examines it curiously from the inside. ARNOLD picks up a cord and reaches inside. The DOCTOR turns his head away, but lets ARNOLD plug the cord into his helmet.)
ARNOLD: Soon your mind will be absorbed by the Great Intelligence. You should be very proud, Doctor - your knowledge of the past will help to shape the future of this planet.
DOCTOR: Just get on with it, please.
ARNOLD: You seem very anxious suddenly.
DOCTOR: (Nervously.) I just want it over and done with.
(ARNOLD looks at him with a hint of suspicion. Unnoticed, JAMIE has produced the small microphone and handles it anxiously.)
ARNOLD: Submission is essential. You must understand, Doctor, that without your complete cooperation, this transference would be of no value. Should you offer any opposition, either physical or mental, I shall be forced to punish you, or rather your friends. Prepare for a great darkness to cloud your mind.
JAMIE: (Into microphone.) att*ck now! att*ck the Yeti!
(VICTORIA cries out in fear as the Yeti react in confusion. Fred turns to att*ck its neighbor and ARNOLD shouts to warn it.)
ARNOLD: Oh it’s coming! Destroy it! Destroy it!
(Fred strikes the Yeti down. The Yeti behind JAMIE goes to stop Fred. JAMIE points commandingly at ARNOLD.)
JAMIE: (Into microphone.) Get Arnold!
DOCTOR: (Horrified.) No! No, Jamie!
(ARNOLD goes to stop Fred, but the Yeti clubs him savagely to the ground.)
DOCTOR: No!
(Fred turns to fight the approaching Yeti. The two huge creatures are locked in a powerful battle. With the Yeti under att*ck, everyone rushes either to escape or to help the DOCTOR.)
COLONEL: Come on, get the Doctor out!
(Chaos ensues, with everyone shouting at once over the ferocious roars of the battling Yeti, the DOCTOR repeatedly shouting “no!” The COLONEL goes to a control panel to see if he can put the Pyramid out of action. He turns as a Yeti bears down on him. He tries to defend himself, but the monster tosses him to the ground. Fred takes down another Yeti. JAMIE grabs the DOCTOR’s arm with both hands, trying to pull him out - an attempt which is hampered not only by the Yeti battle, but also by the DOCTOR himself!)
DOCTOR: No, you don’t understand, you’ll ruin everything! No!
(JAMIE waves the others over.)
JAMIE: Professor! Anne! Give us some help!
(The DOCTOR growls in his insistence to stay put in spite of JAMIE’s jerking. He shouts over the continued battle.)
DOCTOR: No . . . ! Nooohohoo . . . ! No . . . !
(Fred sends another Yeti to the ground as ARNOLD gets to his feet. Fred grabs ARNOLD around the neck. ANNE, JAMIE, and TRAVERS are crowded around the entrance of the Pyramid, all pulling as hard as they can. Somehow the DOCTOR manages to stay put.)
DOCTOR: Leave me be! You don’t understand, I’ve got to stay here!
(The DOCTOR finally comes off the chair and out of the Pyramid with a shout, the helmet torn from his head. ANNE gives a shout as everyone falls to the ground except JAMIE, who manages to keep his footing and runs to the Pyramid. He reaches inside and yanks on the cord in the helmet. It comes loose and he falls to the ground with the others, knocking the DOCTOR down again as he tries to get up. Immediately the Pyramid disintegrates into thin air, revealing a Yeti and the COLONEL lying motionless on the ground behind it. A blinding white flash and a huge expl*si*n fill the room. ARNOLD stands directly in the blast, held in place by Fred. His face is black with soot and he throws his head back with a scream that is drowned out by the sound of the expl*si*n. Both ARNOLD and Fred fall to the ground. The light and the noise fade away. Everyone is on the floor, surrounded by prostrate Yeti, covering their ears, groaning, and coughing. The COLONEL slowly sits up, then gets to his feet, holding his head as EVANS stumbles into the room over a Yeti. EVANS approaches the DOCTOR, pretending he had actually participated, as the DOCTOR stands up, holding his face.)
EVANS: Well, that’s that then, innit?
DOCTOR: (Hopping mad.) You blithering Welsh imbecile! Why can’t you do what you’re told?
EVANS: Eh?
(The DOCTOR storms toward the COLONEL, who is helping VICTORIA and ANNE up, and JAMIE follows him.)
JAMIE: Hey, now just a minute, Doctor! If we hadn’t pulled you out of that, you’d have been a heap of dust by now.
(The DOCTOR turns, but his head is hung in disappointment. He rounds on JAMIE.)
DOCTOR: You’re just as bad! I told you to leave it to me! (Slaps JAMIE’s shoulder.) Now you’ve gone and ruined everything!
(He walks away and grabs his face in distress.)
JAMIE: Ruined every - how can we! We- we’ve won, haven’t we?
(The DOCTOR waves his hands down violently.)
DOCTOR: (Extreme emphasis.) No!
TRAVERS: What do you mean, Doctor?
DOCTOR: (Distressed.) Oh, why didn’t they leave it to me? (Gesturing emphatically.) I had crossed those wires on that helmet thing. The Intelligence wouldn’t have drained me, I d- would have drained the Intelligence! As it is, all we got was a crossed circuit!
(He turns and walks away in frustration.)
ANNE: Oh . . . ! You mean, all we’ve done is- is cut off its contact with Earth, it- it’s still out there in space somewhere, flying around?
(The DOCTOR stops in the middle of the room to listen.)
DOCTOR: Precisely! Look! (Points.)
(ARNOLD lies face-up, the face blackened into an agonised death mask. Everyone comes to see, but VICTORIA turns away immediately.)
VICTORIA: Oh! Oh . . . !
TRAVERS: Oh, poor fellow!
(JAMIE takes VICTORIA in his arms.)
COLONEL: Do you mean to say that Arnold wasn’t the Intelligence?
DOCTOR: (Sadly.) No. He was just a poor soldier that was taken over.
(They leave ARNOLD’s body in peace.)
DOCTOR: He was probably one of the first to disappear.
EVANS: You mean it might come back?
DOCTOR: Well, it’s still around, isn’t it? (Sighs.) I’ve failed.
(Everyone gathers supportively around the DOCTOR.)
TRAVERS: Nonsense, man!
ANNE: (Shakes his arm.) You were marvellous.
COLONEL: (Flatly.) Yes. Great victory.
DOCTOR: I doubt it.
ANNE: (Chuckles.) No - you were a hero, and you know it.
(The DOCTOR can’t resist praise and adoration for long.)
DOCTOR: You don’t really think so. Do you?
ANNE: Yes, yes I do.
(CHORLEY pushes his way through the group of people.)
CHORLEY: You’ve got to face facts, old man. Tomorrow you’re going to be a household word, a national figure . . .
DOCTOR: (Growing concern.) Oh no. Oh no!
CHORLEY: Yeah! I want you on my television programme, and . . .
DOCTOR: Ohhh no!
CHORLEY: . . . and a big Press Conference, and . . .
(The DOCTOR pushes past JAMIE and VICTORIA.)
DOCTOR: Jamie! Victoria! Come along, it’s time we left!
CHORLEY: . . . but the Press Conference, Doctor!
(The DOCTOR raises his arm high to wave to everyone as VICTORIA and JAMIE follow him.)
DOCTOR: Goodbye!
TRAVERS: But Doctor, Doctor! You- you can’t go yet, there are a lot of things I want to discuss with you!
(The DOCTOR keeps JAMIE in front of himself, almost as a shield.)
DOCTOR: I’m sorry, Travers, we have to go.
CHORLEY: Where are you going?
DOCTOR: Covent Garden! Come along. Come along, Jamie.
(He pats JAMIE’s shoulder and continues to wave as he leaves. JAMIE and VICTORIA follow him, amidst a chorus of goodbyes and confusion. EVANS seems to be insisting once more “driver I am, see,” miming driving with his hands.)
TRAVERS: Bye . . . ! Bye.
CHORLEY: (Approaches TRAVERS.) Where’s he going?
TRAVERS: Huh? Oh, er, back to his TARDIS, I suppose. (Sniffs.)
CHORLEY: You mean this, uh . . . this time machine thing, it really exists?
TRAVERS: Y- well I, er . . . . (Sighs.) Oh, explain it to him, Anne, will you?
ANNE: Oh . . . .
(He makes a hasty retreat.)
TRAVERS: Colonel, erm . . . I think we’d better check up top, don’t you?
(The COLONEL readily agrees.)
COLONEL: Right, Professor. Evans!
(EVANS looks surprised to hear his name. The COLONEL heads after TRAVERS and EVANS follows after a short hesitation.)
EVANS: Sir.
(They head off, leaving ANNE alone with CHORLEY. ANNE tries following, but CHORLEY grabs her arm.)
ANNE: Father, father, I-
(CHORLEY takes her shoulder and leads her gently aside.)
CHORLEY: Now now don’t you go, Miss Travers, I’d er . . . I’d like you to explain all about this- this time machine for me.
(ANNE sighs as she turns away.)
ANNE: Oh dear . . . !
19. TUNNEL
(Back in the tunnels, the DOCTOR, JAMIE, and VICTORIA stroll down the tracks, until the DOCTOR comes to a stop at a fork.)
DOCTOR: Well, where do we go? Which is the way to Covent Garden?
(They all look around in uncertainty.)
JAMIE: Oh, don’t ask me. I’ve completely lost my bearings.
VICTORIA: All these tunnels look the same to me.
DOCTOR: Come on, let’s try this way. (Points.)
(He starts, but JAMIE holds him back.)
JAMIE: Well it doesn’t matter, anyway. I mean, there’s no danger, is there?
DOCTOR: (Waving his hands.) Well, not from the Yeti, no, but who knows, they might suddenly start the trains again! Come on!
(The DOCTOR heads down a turning.)
JAMIE: (Frightened.) Trains?
VICTORIA: (Frightened.) Oh!
(They both look back, almost expecting to see a train behind them.)
JAMIE: Come on!
(VICTORIA holds onto JAMIE’s arm as they run off after the DOCTOR.) | {"type": "series", "show": "Doctor Who", "episode": "05x28 - The Web of Fear - part 6"} | foreverdreaming |
by VICTOR PEMBERTON
first broadcast - 14 March 1968
1. NORTH SEA COAST
(The TARDIS comes zooming down from the sky to land with a plop in the middle of the ocean, remaining just above the waves. The TARDIS crew throw out a rubber dinghy and start paddling towards the shore. After a while the rubber dinghy reaches the beach. The DOCTOR proceeds to help VICTORIA out.)
DOCTOR: There Victoria, up you get.
JAMIE: Trust you to bring us right down in the middle of the sea.
DOCTOR: The TARDIS is perfectly capable of floating you know.
VICTORIA: (Looking around.) Where are we exactly?
DOCTOR: Oh England undoubtedly.
JAMIE: Aye, you can tell by the weather.
DOCTOR: And by the cliffs.
VICTORIA: We always seem to land on this planet.
JAMIE: Aye, it's always England. You'd think for all the hammering the TARDIS has got, you've gone an' spiked it
(The DOCTOR bends down to inspect the foam that seems to be covering this stretch of the coast.)
JAMIE: Hey, what are you doing? Hey, what's all this stuff Doctor?
VICTORIA: Foam, you silly. You often see the stuff along the sea shore.
JAMIE: But not big lumps like this, aye Doctor?
DOCTOR: No, not usually. Jamie. Hey Jamie, feel that.
(The DOCTOR splatters a handful of foam into JAMIE's face. The three are subsequently consumed in a foam fight. Their playful fight leads them towards to a pipe near the base of a cliff.)
JAMIE: Hey, look at that. Maybe that's where the foam's coming from.
DOCTOR: Oh I hardly think so, Jamie. Let's go and see.
(Unbeknownst to the time travellers their movements are being observed by a man sheltering behind an outcrop of rocks. He has them through the sights of his tranquiliser r*fle.)
2. PIPE LINE SECTION
JAMIE: What is it?
DOCTOR: Just what it says, Jamie. Euro Sea Gas.
JAMIE: Gas from the sea? Oh, who are you trying to kid?
VICTORIA: And it has nothing to do with the foam then.
DOCTOR: No. No, I shouldn't think so.
(The DOCTOR notices a black metallic box sitting on the pipe and tries to pry it open with his hands, with little success.)
JAMIE: Would it not budge?
DOCTOR: No, can't budge it, I'm afraid Jamie. Ah well, have to use this.
(From his pockets the DOCTOR produces a tubular device.)
DOCTOR: It's a Sonic Screwdriver. Never fails.
(The DOCTOR applies it to the screws on the top of the box and they begin to unscrew themselves - a soft humming sound is coming from the sonic screwdriver.)
DOCTOR: There we are. Neat isn't it? All done by sound waves. Now what have we got here?
(The DOCTOR peers into the newly opened black box.)
DOCTOR: Oh yes.
(There is a faint noise coming from the pipe.)
JAMIE: What is it? What's that noise?
DOCTOR: I don't know Jamie.
(The DOCTOR produces a stethoscope from his pockets and applies it to the pipe.)
DOCTOR: There's a heart beating...
VICTORIA: I can hear it too.
DOCTOR: Yes. Probably throbbing from a pump, you know.
VICTORIA: Doctor please hurry up. I don't like this place. It's so quiet. I feel as if we're being watched.
DOCTOR: Alright Victoria.
(The man that has been monitoring them, raises his r*fle and takes aim. JAMIE is sh*t and collapses.)
DOCTOR: Jamie!!!
(The DOCTOR soon joins him as he is subsequently sh*t down.)
VICTORIA: Doctor!!! DOCTOR!!!
(Another quick sh*t and Victoria collapses on her friends.)
3. CONTROL ROOM
(The DOCTOR, JAMIE and VICTORIA lie on the floor of the Control room. Guards with r*fles stand over them. Slowly the effects of the tranquiliser darts begin to wear off, and the trio regain consciousness.)
DOCTOR: Victoria... Jamie you there?
VICTORIA: I can't move... my legs.
JAMIE: What happened? What do you want?
DOCTOR: Would someone kindly tell us where we are?...Why don't you answer?
JAMIE: Come on where are we?
VICTORIA: What have they done? Can't move...
DOCTOR: I think we've... we've been tranquilised Victoria. Tranquilised.
JAMIE: Eh? Who do they think they are?
(ROBSON - the Chief of the Euro Sea Complex - and his second in command - HARRIS - move over to the prostrate trio on hearing their raucous.)
ROBSON: We should be the ones asking the questions. I expect quite a lot of answers.
JAMIE: What is this place?
ROBSON: You mean you don't know?
JAMIE: If only I could just get up...
ROBSON: I wouldn't try if I were you.
DOCTOR: You know, in this condition it's just a little difficult to communicate.
HARRIS: Shall we give them some U4 sir?
DOCTOR: Eh?
ROBSON: Yes. Do that Mr. Harris.
(HARRIS, with canisters of U4, begins administering it to the trio despite their protests.)
VICTORIA: Oh no.
DOCTOR: I think it's alright Victoria.
VICTORIA: No...
DOCTOR: I think it's an antidote. There's nothing we can do about it you know...
(HARRIS stands back as the U4 begins to take effect on the three strangers.)
DOCTOR: Oh yes. That's better... Thank you. Thank you very much.
ROBSON: You were on the beach, by the pipe line, in a restricted area. Now why?
VICTORIA: We were lost that's all.
ROBSON: You were tampering with the emergency release valve remote control. You're a saboteur.
VICTORIA: He's not. He's a doctor.
DOCTOR: I can assure you. I was only being curious.
HARRIS: I don't really think how they could have anything...
ROBSON: When I want your opinion Harris, I'll ask for it. In the mean time, lock them up in one of the cabins. I'll interrogate them later. (To the Technicians at their posts.) And you lot get back to work.
(ROBSON turns and walks off back to his duties.)
JAMIE: Is he always as charming as that?
HARRIS: We're in something of an emergency at the moment. You see, we've lost contact with one of our rigs at sea.
DOCTOR: Communications have broken down?
HARRIS: No that's what's so curious about it. As far as we can tell our video link is functioning normally. The crew just aren't answering.
VICTORIA: You can't blame us for that surely.
HARRIS: There's also been a drop in pressure in the feed line from the rigs. You were seen tampering with the release valve on the pipeline.
DOCTOR: I told you I was merely being curious.
HARRIS: Were you?
JAMIE: Are you calling us liars?
HARRIS: No. But you must admit your sudden appearance here inside our restricted area is suspicious.
VICTORIA: That's no reason to sh**t us down like animals.
HARRIS: Maybe not, but we were under security alert and Mr Robson... well, is under considerable pressure himself. I'm sorry, but I shall have to do what he says and lock you up.
DOCTOR: Oh dear.
HARRIS: Would you... er... follow me?
JAMIE: Why do we always...
(His voice drifts off as the trio follow HARRIS and a guard out of the control area.)
4. GUARD ROOM - ENTRANCE TO CONTROL COMPOUND
(A guard stands watch as a woman - MRS MAGGIE HARRIS - approaches the barriers.)
GUARD: May I see your pass please madam?
MAGGIE: Pass?
GUARD: I have instructions that no one is to leave or enter the compound without a written pass from Chief Robson. Not until after the emergency.
MAGGIE: But you know who I am. My husband is second in command to Chief Robson.
GUARD: Yes Mrs Harris, I...
MAGGIE: Then let me pass... please.
GUARD: Sorry madam. I think you should return to the residential block.
5. CREW CABIN
(The DOCTOR's group are led in, whilst the guard stands watch in the doorway.)
HARRIS: I'm sorry but there is nothing I can do to help you until you tell me what you were doing with that release valve on the pipe line.
DOCTOR: It wasn't the valve I was interested in.
HARRIS: Oh?
DOCTOR: I heard a movement coming from inside the pipe.
HARRIS: Movement?
DOCTOR: Yes.
HARRIS: (Noticing the guard.) Oh it's alright, you can go.
DOCTOR: Yes. Movement. Don't ask me what it was.
HARRIS: I'm not sure what you're trying to suggest, but I can assure you, marine life couldn't possibly get inside the pipeline tube. It would never get pass the drill pumps.
JAMIE: Aye, that's it. Maybe there was something inside that tube because I heard it too.
VICTORIA: And so did I.
DOCTOR: Well if the pressure is down in the pipes, perhaps that's the reason why... marine life has got into the pipe.
HARRIS: But that's impossible. We've spent years of time, money and research into perfecting our emergency system.
DOCTOR: Well, perhaps there's a fracture in the pipes - a break, and something has got in that way?
HARRIS: Oh I doubt it.
DOCTOR: Mr Harris. I don't wish to appear interfering, but don't you think it'd be a good idea to turn off the gas - at least until you've had a chance to check.
HARRIS: Chief Robson would never agree to that.
DOCTOR: Why not?
HARRIS: Well he doesn't believe in working to the book. He prides himself that the flow has never been shut off ever since he took charge.
DOCTOR: Well he sounds like a very silly man.
HARRIS: Hmmm. But he appears to be right about one thing. You seem to know quite a lot about our business.
6. CONTROL ROOM
(ROBSON and the communications officer - PRICE - are clustered near the communications cone.)
PRICE: Ah, Chief. We've gained contact with Rig D. Come in Rig D. Come in please. Rig D. Can you hear me please?
(The face of Carney appears on the monitor.)
CARNEY: (Whispering.) Yes. Rig D to HQ. I can hear you.
ROBSON: CARNEY? What the dickens is going on out there?
CARNEY: (Whispering.) Everything is quite alright, Mr Robson.
ROBSON: What?
CARNEY: (Whispering.) We have the situation under control.
ROBSON: Would you speak up man. I can't hear a word you're saying.
CARNEY: (Whispering.) Don't worry...
ROBSON: Price, are we losing volume?
PRICE: No, sir. I don't understand. Could you speak up a little louder Mr Carney?
CARNEY: (Whispering.) Everything is under control.
ROBSON: Carney? What happened to the emergency crew we sent you? Have they arrived yet?
CARNEY: Yes...Yes... But they must stay here for the time being.
ROBSON: What?
CARNEY: They had a slight accident. Two men out of action.
ROBSON: Now listen Carney. You get that rig fixed A1 and quick.
CARNEY: But it will take some time.
ROBSON: What? What did you say? What's wrong with this thing.
PRICE: I don't know, sir. It must be their end. He seems to be whispering.
CARNEY: Everything is under control.
ROBSON: Carney, speak up man.
CARNEY: Everything is under control.
ROBSON: Carney...
(The signal is lost in static.)
PRICE: I think we've lost contact again sir.
ROBSON: Fix it man.
(ROBSON moves away from the Communications cone and heads towards HARRIS who has just returned from locking the strangers in the cabin.)
ROBSON: Price is getting too old for his job.
HARRIS: Mr. Robson, I think we should turn off the gas flow coming from the rig. Make a check.
ROBSON: You think what Mr Harris?
HARRIS: That Doctor chap. The stranger. He said he heard a movement coming from inside the pipe line on the beach.
ROBSON: Oh did he now. Did he say what he thought it was? Mice?
(The CHIEF ENGINEER walks up to the pair.)
ROBSON: Chief?
CHIEF: She's down at propeller 3. Pressure's on just 157.
ROBSON: Are you sure?
CHIEF: Yes. Sure.
HARRIS: That means the gas flow pressure is down 3% every...
ROBSON: Twenty minutes.
HARRIS: Doesn't that prove that something must be blocking the pipe line?
ROBSON: It proves nothing of the sort. It's probably a faulty gauge that's all. Check it.
HARRIS: Look, at least give it the benefit of the doubt.
ROBSON: When you want to find out about pipe lines and rigs Mr Harris, the thing to do is to go out and see and work on them.
HARRIS: Look I'm merely saying that if something had got into the tube...
ROBSON: You let me worry about that.
HARRIS: But Mr Robson, please listen. This ties up with what I've been trying to tell you. For three weeks now, there's been a regular and increasing build up of falls in pressure... Look I think you should at least look at my calculations. The time ratio of the increases and falls corresponds to form a definite progressive pattern. I'll get them.
ROBSON: What are you trying to prove Harris? That I don't know my job?
HARRIS: No. Just that I know mine. It's your decision whether you take notice of my work but I must put it on record that I have offered the information.
(Whilst the two are arguing a hand in a white glove picks a file off a desk.)
ROBSON: Don't thr*at me boy. I've eaten up sods like you for breakfast. You think you can baffle me with your little bits of paper don't you?
Alright, you go ahead and get them. I'll show you where you've gone wrong.
(HARRIS moves off to his desk as ROBSON turns his attention to the CHIEF ENGINEER.)
ROBSON: Did you make a thorough check?
CHIEF: Yes I checked it. Seems to be working properly.
(HARRIS returns from a fruitless search for the file in question.)
HARRIS: It's gone.
CHIEF: Doesn't seem to be anything wrong with her.
HARRIS: It's gone. The file's gone.
ROBSON: Well well well. Has it now?
HARRIS: I'm sure I put it in here this morning... er I must have left the file on my desk at home. I'll go home and get...
ROBSON: You won't. You'll stay here. I'm not doing your job as well as my own.
HARRIS: What's the matter sir? Are you scared that I might prove you wrong?
ROBSON: No. You go ahead. But you'd better have something more than a high blown theory, because if you haven't, I'm going to take up and chop you up into little pieces and throw you back to your crummy little university. Alright?
7. CREW CABIN
(JAMIE is perched on the DOCTOR's shoulders trying to prize open the grill above the door.)
JAMIE: I've got it.
DOCTOR: Put that down Victoria. Can you see anyone?
JAMIE: All clear.
DOCTOR: You think you can make it?
JAMIE: Of course I can make it. Hold on.
(VICTORIA is rummaging in her hair for a hairpin.)
VICTORIA: Don't bother, Jamie. You can do it with this.
JAMIE: Pick a lock with that hairpin? Don't be daft.
(JAMIE manages to pull free the grill which clatters on the ground outside.)
VICTORIA: Clumsy.
8. CORRIDOR
(HARRIS catches up to his wife on her way to the control area.)
HARRIS: Maggie. Where have you been? I've been trying to contact you.
MAGGIE: I was on my way to the village, but Robson's clamped down on security. I was just coming to find you for a pass.
HARRIS: Yes. There's been a bit of a flap on.
MAGGIE: Well can I have a pass?
HARRIS: No. Not at the moment. Look. Could you do something for me?
MAGGIE: Yes what is it?
HARRIS: There's a file - it's probably in the middle draw of my desk in the study. Could you get it and bring it to me at the control room?
MAGGIE: Alright darling. But what's the panic?
HARRIS: I'll explain later. Go along.
MAGGIE: Alright darling.
(MAGGIE moves off back to the residential block whilst HARRIS makes his way back to the control room.)
9. CREW CABIN
(JAMIE is still perched on the DOCTOR's shoulders trying to squeeze through the open grill above the door. VICTORIA is using her hairpin on the lock.)
VICTORIA: Oh he's stuck.
DOCTOR: No he's not. Are you ready Jamie. Right.
(JAMIE falls through on the other side of the door, just as VICTORIA succeeds in picking the lock and steps into the corridor. JAMIE picks himself up and dusts himself off.)
VICTORIA: Told you not to bother.
DOCTOR: Sorry, about that Jamie.
10. HARRIS' APARTMENT
(MAGGIE finds her husband's file on his desk. She picks it up.)
MAGGIE: Ow... Seaweed?
(MAGGIE picks it out and hastily throws the piece of seaweed out. She rubs her stung hand and moves out to the lounge area. The seaweed bubbles and seethes as foam begins to develop around it.)
11. CONTROL ROOM
(VAN LUTYENS - the Dutch Engineer - enters the control room and makes his way towards ROBSON.)
VAN LUTYENS: Mr. Robson. Could I speak with you please?
ROBSON: Van Lutyens. I thought you were at the Control Rig.
VAN LUTYENS: I just got back on the supply boat.
ROBSON: Something wrong?
VAN LUTYENS: I'm not quite sure. The men out there seem very restless.
ROBSON: Restless? What are you talking about?
VAN LUTYENS: You lost contact with Rig D didn't you?
ROBSON: Yes it was only a temporary fault. We regained contact within the hour.
VAN LUTYENS: Then why didn't you tell us that? Unusual incidents like that only cause tension on the rigs.
ROBSON: Don't tell me what happened out on the rigs. I spent four years on one of those things without a break.
VAN LUTYENS: Then you should know better than anyone how important it is to keep up the morale of the crew.
ROBSON: What do you want me to do? Wipe their noses for them? Mind your own business van Lutyens.
VAN LUTYENS: Mr Robson. I think you're forgetting we also have an interest in Euro Sea Gas.
ROBSON: We?
VAN LUTYENS: I'm here for the Dutch Government, not for myself.
ROBSON: You're here to offer me your expert advice, not spread alarm amongst my crews.
VAN LUTYENS: How dare you say that to me?
ROBSON: I didn't ask you to come here - it was Megan Jones and those fools on the board. I said it wouldn't work and it never has.
VAN LUTYENS: Only because you're too proud to accept advice.
ROBSON: Let's get one thing straight, my friend - when I need your advice I'll ask for it.
(VAN LUTYENS mutters his reply in Dutch and storms out. The DOCTOR, JAMIE and VICTORIA enter the control room, but remain in a small side room overlooking the control area. ROBSON moves over to the communications cone where PRICE is at work contacting CHIEF BAXTER at the Control Rig.)
BAXTER: Control. Chief Baxter at Control Rig. Is Robson there?
PRICE: Yes sir. Mr. Robson sir. Chief Baxter from Control Rig sir.
ROBSON: Right. Yes Baxter, what is it?
BAXTER: Van Lutyens arrive there yet sir?
ROBSON: Yes. Why?
BAXTER: Did he tell you how the men feel sir?
ROBSON: Now listen Baxter. I'm in charge of this outfit - not van Lutyens. You take orders from me not him.
BAXTER: Yes sir. But there's something else.
ROBSON: What else?
BAXTER: Something seems to have got inside the pipe lines.
ROBSON: Inside the pipe lines?
BAXTER: We've all heard it sir.
ROBSON: Heard what?
BAXTER: This sound. At first I thought it was something to do with the pumps, but it isn't. Most peculiar sound. A sort of regular thumping, pulsating...
like a heartbeat.
(In the side room, the DOCTOR overhears the description...)
DOCTOR: That's the noise I heard on the beach.
VICTORIA: What is it Doctor?
DOCTOR: I don't know, but we're going to find out. Come on, Jamie. Oh... ah Victoria. No. Not you.
VICTORIA: Why not?
DOCTOR: I think it'd be better if you... er... stayed back in the bunk room... hmmm?... please.
VICTORIA: Alright.
(The DOCTOR and JAMIE move off down the corridor to investigate the pipeline. VICTORIA watches them move out of sight and moves off in the opposite direction having no intention of returning to the cabin and being left out of the action.)
12. HARRIS' APARTMENT
(MAGGIE, all of a sudden feeling a bit queasy, moves over to the communications unit and calls up the control room. PRICE's face appears on the monitor.)
PRICE: Control.
MAGGIE: Mrs Harris here. Married Block 420. Could I speak to my husband please?
13. CONTROL ROOM
ROBSON: Have you recalibrated it?
VAN LUTYENS: I've just done Phase two.
ROBSON: Start on Phase three.
HARRIS: Mr Robson.
ROBSON: Yes Harris. Where are your figures?
HARRIS: Oh I haven't got them, sir. I sent my wife for them, but she's not well. I wondered if I could go and...
ROBSON: I would not. Tell her to call a doctor, not pester you.
HARRIS: But Dr. Patterson is still out at Rig D sir.
ROBSON: Tell her to get one in from the outside.
HARRIS: But you've still go the compound on full emergency alert. Remember?
ROBSON: Alright. But make it quick.
14. CORRIDOR OUTSIDE OXYGEN SUPPLY ROOM
(VICTORIA moves along the corridor. On hearing approaching footsteps, she ducks into the Oxygen Store room. HARRIS rushes past on his way to his wife. A hissing sound fills the air and VICTORIA starts gagging and coughing. She moves over to examine the oxygen cylinders, and finding the open one, begins to close it. She senses someone else is in the room with her and turns around just in time to glimpse a tall thin man going out the door. In the corridor the man locks the door and with gloved hands adjusts the environmental controls next to the door to Emergency Ventilation.)
15. IMPELLER AREA
(The DOCTOR and JAMIE come across the machinery that is responsible for pumping the gas out to sea.)
JAMIE: What's that thing supposed to do?
DOCTOR: It's an impeller Jamie. It pumps gas from the main pipeline out to sea. Come on Jamie.
(The DOCTOR leads JAMIE into the Pipeline Room. JAMIE notices the massive pipes running across the room. A section is transparent.)
JAMIE: This is the pipeline, then.
DOCTOR: Yes. Yes. They all are. It's a continuation of the pipe we found on the beach.
JAMIE: Aye? But we can see inside the pipe.
DOCTOR: Yes. It's transparent for checking condensation and... er... anything else that might get inside.
16. OXYGEN STORE ROOM
(VICTORIA tries the door handle to find it locked. She starts banging on the door.)
VICTORIA: Hello? Is anybody there? Oh come on...
(She gives up on the door. Behind her, the vents on the far wall have all been fully opened and foam begins to seep through it into the room. She turns around.)
17. PIPE LINE ROOM
(The DOCTOR and JAMIE look into the transparent pipe. Suddenly the familiar thumping pulsating sound emanates from it.)
DOCTOR: There it is again Jamie. Can you hear it?
JAMIE: Aye. What is it?
DOCTOR: Your guess is as good as mine. There's something inside.
(VICTORIA's voice echoes down the pipe.)
VICTORIA: (OOV.) DOCTOR!
DOCTOR: Victoria! Come on.
(The DOCTOR and JAMIE rush from the pipeline room.)
18. OXYGEN STORE ROOM
(VICTORIA begins backing away as foam and weed pores through the ventilation grille.)
VICTORIA: Jamie... Jamie... help!
19. CORRIDOR
(The DOCTOR and JAMIE race along a corridor, heading towards VICTORIA's voice.)
DOCTOR: Victoria. Where are you?
VICTORIA: (OOV.) Doctor... Jamie...
DOCTOR: Victoria. We're coming.
20. OXYGEN STORE ROOM
(VICTORIA watches terrified as the weed and foam surge towards her across the floor.)
VICTORIA: Doctor... Jamie... hurry.
(She gives one last scream.) | {"type": "series", "show": "Doctor Who", "episode": "05x29 - Fury from the Deep - part 1"} | foreverdreaming |
by VICTOR PEMBERTON
first broadcast - 23 March 1968
running time - 23mins 55secs
1. OXYGEN STORE ROOM
(VICTORIA watches terrified as the weed and foam surge towards her across the floor.)
VICTORIA: Doctor... Jamie... hurry.
2. CORRIDOR
(Both men charge down the corridor, looking everywhere for VICTORIA.)
DOCTOR/JAMIE: Victoria! Victoria, where are you!? Victoria!
3. OXYGEN STORE ROOM
(The weed creature gets closer and closer to VICTORIA.)
VICTORIA: No!
(She screams...)
4. CORRIDOR, OUTSIDE OXYGEN STORE ROOM
(The screams lead the DOCTOR and JAMIE straight to the Oxygen Store Room.)
JAMIE: In here!
DOCTOR: (Smelling/hearing the hissing noise from the door.) Gas!
(Both men are overcome by a violent fit of sneezing. Composing themselves they force the door open. VICTORIA is still shouting out "No!" as the creature advances towards her. Unable to see the weed creature, the DOCTOR and JAMIE pull VICTORIA into the corridor, and all three collapse by the side of the now closed door.)
VICTORIA: Doctor!
JAMIE: What happened?
DOCTOR: Deep breath... take deep breaths
(ROBSON, the CHIEF ENGINEER and VAN LUTYENS appear at the end of the corridor. They see the three travellers and charge down the corridor towards them.)
ROBSON: What's going on here? Who let you three out of the cabin?
(VAN LUTYENS and the CHIEF ENGINEER open the door to the Oxygen Store Room and immediately have to cover their mouths because of the gas.)
VAN LUTYENS: Mr Robson, in here, it's gas!
ROBSON: Check it then. Find out what it is
(ROBSON stands over the three while the other two staff members re-enter the OSR with handkerchiefs over their mouths.)
VICTORIA: Oh, Doctor... a horrible creature.
DOCTOR: (Puzzled.) Creature?
VICTORIA: Didn't you see it? It was over in there. It came straight towards me... covered with seaweed and foam and this horrible hissing sound... and then I screamed...
DOCTOR: (Holding her close in his arms.) All right, Victoria.
ROBSON: (Cynically.) Creature?! The girl's hysterical.
VAN LUTYENS: (Coming out of the Oxygen Storage Room.) Mr Robson, they're empty. The seals are broken.
ROBSON: (Interrogating VICTORIA.) Why were you in there?
VICTORIA: I... I was hiding. I heard someone coming, so I went in.
ROBSON: (Glaring at VICTORIA.) This door is always kept locked. You broke in! You emptied those cylinders, didn't you?
VICTORIA: Oh, no, no. It was open and someone locked it behind me.
JAMIE: (Menacingly to ROBSON.) She's telling the truth. The door was locked from the outside.
DOCTOR: Yes it was locked.
VAN LUTYENS: This room wasn't full of oxygen when we came in here. It was another gas of a toxic composition.
ROBSON: All right, if it was a poison gas, where did it come from?
DOCTOR: What about up there? The ventilator's open.
VAN LUTYENS: (To VICTORIA.) Did you open the ventilator?
VICTORIA: No, it opened by itself.
JAMIE: Then, whoever locked you in must have opened it. But how?
VAN LUTYENS: From here.
(The DOCTOR and VAN LUTYENS spot the ventilator control panel on the wall. The position on its dial is indicating "OPEN".)
5. HARRIS' QUARTERS
(MAGGIE is having difficulty in breathing since she was stung by the clamp of seaweed. Feeling dizzy and disorientated, she is currently lying down on the bed in the bedroom while HARRIS is sitting by her.)
HARRIS: What is it, love?
MAGGIE: I don't know... I feel so dazed... my hand...
HARRIS: Let me see.
(He examines the hand.)
HARRIS: It looks all right. What happened?
MAGGIE: I don't... remember.
HARRIS: You said you were stung or something.
MAGGIE: Did I? Why, yes... yes, yes it must have been. I went to get the file you asked for. I put my hand inside...
(She rises from the bed and turns to HARRIS.)
MAGGIE: ...and then... it was seaweed.
HARRIS: All right, my love...
(HARRIS helps MAGGIE back down onto the bed, smoothes her forehead with his hand and kisses her gently.)
HARRIS: ...lie still and rest. Shall I get you some food, a glass of milk or something?
MAGGIE: Honey... you couldn't even boil an egg.
HARRIS: You shouldn't have married a scientist then. Maggie!
MAGGIE: Darling...darling... darling...
(MAGGIE rises, suddenly, from the bed and hugs HARRIS.)
HARRIS: Maggie!
(But MAGGIE stares towards the kitchen... The seaweed that MAGGIE had thrown out on the kitchen patio is now nestling in a bed of foam. And the bubbles and the weed are popping to emit a gaseous vapour. The relentless thumping heartbeat grows in intensity, tearing into MAGGIE's mind... HARRIS tries to get her to lie down again but fails.)
HARRIS: What is it, love? What's the matter?
MAGGIE: I still don't know... I just feel...
(HARRIS manages to get her head down on the pillow again.)
HARRIS: I better get you a doctor. I'll go back and see if Dr Paterson's returned yet from Rig D. Will you be all right?
MAGGIE: I think so.
HARRIS: Well if he isn't back, there's this other doctor, he might be able to help. I won't be long.
(MAGGIE looks like she is falling asleep and, with a last look at his wife, HARRIS leaves his quarters. MAGGIE's eyes spring open as she listens to the thumping sound of the heartbeat. Then, like a zombie, she rises from the bed and moves slowly into the kitchen. The heartbeat grows louder and louder as she moves towards the kitchen patio door. She opens the door to see the out-of-control seaweed clump expanding in size. She slams the door and locks it. Rubbing her eyes, she stands with her back to the door, looking totally bewildered.)
6. IMPELLER ROOM
(In the Impeller Room, ROBSON and VAN LUTYENS push their way through a crowd of engineers who are anxiously watching a cluster of meters on the wall. The CHIEF ENGINEER turns to greet ROBSON.)
ROBSON: So what's the panic?
CHIEF: It's the pump, sir! The revs have dropped.
VAN LUTYENS: The pump is slowing down?
CHIEF: Yes, she's not holding steady even now. I don't understand it.
ROBSON: Well don't stand there thinking about it, man, do a complete check.
DOCTOR: Excuse me, may I say something?
(They all turn to the DOCTOR who is at the back of the room. ROBSON's glance tells him to mind his own business.)
DOCTOR: When I was in the pipe room, a short while ago, I'm sure I heard a movement coming from inside the pipe.
VAN LUTYENS: What kind of movement?
DOCTOR: Well, the same as I heard on the beach, a sort of thumping sound.
VAN LUTYENS: But that's what they heard out at the rigs.
ROBSON: (Snaps.) What you heard, and what everybody else heard, was a mechanical fault somewhere along the line.
DOCTOR: Then why did they hear it out at the rig?
ROBSON: Because, my friend, underneath this impeller shaft is a vast sealed gasometer buried in the earth. It acts like an echo chamber. It'll make the sound of a pin dropping sound like that of a thunder clap. It travels along the pipes.
DOCTOR: Oh, this wasn't a mechanical sound.
ROBSON: All right then, suppose there is something in the pipe, a fish or something. What do you want me to do about it?
(There is no doubt that the DOCTOR has put ROBSON on the defensive.)
DOCTOR: Turn off the gas flow. At least until you've had a chance to investigate.
ROBSON: That's out of the question.
VAN LUTYENS: Mr Robson, if there is something in the pipeline...
ROBSON: (Adamant.) We do not turn off the flow, and that is final.
(The CHIEF ENGINEER has been checking the readings...)
CHIEF: Mr Robson, sir.
ROBSON: Yes?
CHIEF: Down another half.
ROBSON: It must be a mechanical fault. Get a couple of men and check, man, check.
VAN LUTYENS: If you allow the pressure to build up in the pipeline, you'll blow the whole rig sky-high.
DOCTOR: And blow us with it.
VAN LUTYENS: All because you're too stubborn to turn off the gas.
ROBSON: All right, what do you think it is? One of these creatures the hysterical girl thought she saw.
DOCTOR: Well who knows.
7. CONTROL CONE
(PRICE is showing JAMIE and VICTORIA the layout of the complex. They both look at the equipment in awe...)
JAMIE: You mean to say that this place supplies all the gas for the whole of the south of England?
PRICE: And the whole of Wales.
(VICTORIA's face is illuminated by a succession of different coloured lights, flashing on and off all over the Cone.)
VICTORIA: What are all those lights for?
PRICE: (Pointing to the equipment.) Well that's a plan of the entire compound, and each of those lights represents a remote control camera that I can switch through to this screen, if I want to look at any particular area. Like this.
(He switches the camera showing JAMIE and VICTORIA different parts of the complex.)
JAMIE: Oh. Where are all these 'rigs' people talk about?
PRICE: Well, they're out at sea of course, but that plan over there shows you the relative position of all the rigs under our command.
(VICTORIA points to the large red-coloured oblong shape in the centre of the panel that PRICE has just pointed out.)
VICTORIA: What's the big one in the middle?
PRICE: Well that's the central Control Rig complex, the sort of the nerve centre of the whole thing. The other rigs feed her with gas, and she in turn pumps it to us via the main pipeline, see.
VICTORIA: How awful to have to live out at sea. And lonely.
PRICE: Oh, I don't know. Mr Robson once spent four years on one of the early rigs without ever going ashore.
JAMIE: Aye, that would account for quite a lot.
(The man himself enters the room and immediately starts giving orders. He turns to one of the engineers.)
ROBSON: Hey you! Come in here and give a hand.
JAMIE: Doesn't that man ever call anyone by their name?
PRICE: Well they'd probably be in trouble if he does. No, he's all right, is Robson. Certainly knows all there is to know about rigs, anyway.
(HARRIS, looking very worried, enters the room and goes straight up to PRICE.)
HARRIS: Price! Has Doctor Paterson returned from Rig D yet?
PRICE: No, sir.
(HARRIS spots VICTORIA and JAMIE. He goes up to them.)
HARRIS: Where's your friend, the Doctor?
JAMIE: In there...
(He points to the Impeller Area. HARRIS immediately goes down to the Impeller Area where he meets the DOCTOR coming back with VAN LUTYENS into the control room.)
HARRIS: Doctor! Doctor, I need your help. It's my wife. She's very ill.
DOCTOR: (Awkwardly.) Well I'm not sure that I...
HARRIS: You must come.
ROBSON: (Firmly.) He will not go with you.
HARRIS: This is an emergency, it's my wife.
ROBSON: These people are in my custody, until I decide what to do with them.
HARRIS: (Almost pleading.) But my wife!
ROBSON: (Snaps.) Don't bring your domestic affairs into the refinery, Harris. (To the other staff in the room.) That goes for the rest of you.
HARRIS: (Appalled and through clenched teeth.) Mr Robson, my wife is ill. If anything happens to her, I'll...
ROBSON: All right, one hour.
HARRIS: (To the DOCTOR.) Come with me.
(HARRIS and the three time travellers rush from the room.)
8. HARRIS' QUARTERS
(MAGGIE has opened her front door to two strange men. One of them, Mr. OAK, is small and fat. The other, Mr. QUILL, is tall and thin. Both of them are dressed in a white cap, tunic and trousers. They look like medical orderlies.)
OAK: Mrs Harris?
MAGGIE: Yes.
OAK: We are maintenance controllers, madam. I wonder if we might have a few words with your husband?
MAGGIE: Oh, my husband isn't here, He's at the compound.
OAK: Oh dear, that does make it rather difficult. We've come to carry out an inspection.
MAGGIE: Inspection?
OAK: In the Kitchen. Your husband didn't tell you?
MAGGIE: No. Couldn't it wait until another day? I'm... I'm not feeling very well.
OAK: I'm sorry, madam, it has to be carried out without delay. Chief Robson's instructions.
MAGGIE: That man never stops giving instructions, does he? Oh, I suppose you better come in then.
OAK: Thank you. My name is Mr Oak and this is my colleague, Mr Quill.
(The two men enter the quarters, QUILL raising his cap in greeting.)
MAGGIE: Yes, well, please be quick. I'm really not very well.
OAK: Of course, madam. Now don't you worry about us, Mrs Harris, you won't even know that we're here. Will she?
(MAGGIE disappears quickly back into her bedroom. Only then does Mr. OAK's smile fade. The two men enter the kitchen.)
OAK: The bag, Mr Quill.
(While OAK starts to examine the cooker, QUILL takes two pairs of white gloves out of the bag...)
9. IMPELLER AREA
(The CHIEF is still keeping an eye on the readings.)
CHIEF: Mr Van Lutyens.
VAN LUTYENS: What is it?
CHIEF: Feed line from the Control Rig. An excessive pressure build up in the pipeline.
VAN LUTYENS: She's almost up to capacity.
CHIEF: She'll blow herself wide open.
VAN LUTYENS: So there's a build up in the pressure coming in from the rigs and a drop in the pressure of the flow going out to the receiving stations.
CHIEF: There must be something interfering with the impeller itself.
10. CONTROL CONE
(PRICE gets a message from the Communicator.)
PRICE: Mr Robson, sir.
ROBSON: Yes.
PRICE: This is from Control Rig, sir. They say there's a pressure build up in their feed line, sir.
ROBSON: Right, ask them how much, will you.
(VAN LUTYENS enters from the Impeller Area.)
VAN LUTYENS: Almost up to danger level, Mr Robson. Shall I give the order to turn off the gas?
ROBSON: You will not, Mr Van Lutyens.
VAN LUTYENS: There'll be an expl*si*n any minute.
ROBSON: There will not be an expl*si*n.
VAN LUTYENS: There must be, if you don't turn off the gas.
(ROBSON turns his back on the Dutchman and yells out some orders.)
ROBSON: Open release valve, Section D, full pressure, will you?
VAN LUTYENS: What are you doing, man? It's too late for that. You can't possibly release enough gas in time.
ROBSON: You want to bet, Mr Van Lutyens?
11. HARRIS' QUARTERS
(MAGGIE is sitting at a dressing table in the bedroom. Now and then banging sounds come from the kitchen. MAGGIE looks very tired and drawn. In the kitchen, the two men suddenly stop work as the heartbeat starts up again. Both men are now wearing gloves. With a smile OAK turns on the cooker and QUILL opens the patio door. As the two men turn and start to walk towards the bedroom, the foam starts to sweep into the kitchen. In the bedroom, MAGGIE is brushing her hair. When she looks into the dresser mirror she sees OAK and QUILL looking at her with stupid, idiotic grins on their faces. She looks at them in puzzlement.)
MAGGIE: What are you doing in here?
(No answer.)
MAGGIE: Is there something that you want?
(They both stare at her with their grins, and MAGGIE starts to look worried. She starts to move away, but then OAK and QUILL open their mouths wider and wider, toxic gas hissing out. MAGGIE tries to back away from them, but they are between her and the door. Soon MAGGIE is overcome by the gas and collapses on the floor.)
12. SEA
(Somewhere along a lonely stretch of beach, the hissing sound of gas continues. This time however, it is being released from the valve on top of the giant pipeline tube. The hissing sound suddenly stops, as the valve is closed.)
13. IMPELLER AREA
(A large cheer goes up from the Engineers when the readings change.)
CHIEF: It's down. The pressure in the pipeline, it's back to normal.
(VAN LUTYENS says something in Dutch (probably "Thank Goodness") and then carries on...)
VAN LUTYENS: I wouldn't have thought you could possibly have done it in the time.
ROBSON: When you have too much gas in the tube, you release it. Didn't they teach you that much back at evening classes in the Hague, Mr Van Lutyens?
(He turns to PRICE.)
ROBSON: Contact Chief Baxter, Control Rig, will you? Tell him the immediate crisis is over. Oh, and a... contact the other rig chiefs.
PRICE: Right.
VAN LUTYENS: But the feed out to the receiving stations is still dropping. The impeller is still slowing down...
(This causes ROBSON to snap... again.)
ROBSON: What's the matter with you, Van Lutyens? You've been trying to teach me my job ever since you came here. I've been drilling for gas in the North Sea for most of my life. I don't need people like you or Harris to teach me how to do it.
PRICE: (From the communicator.) Mr Robson, sir. It's C Rig, sir. Can't raise them, no response at all.
VAN LUTYENS: (Ironically.) So, the immediate crisis is over, yeah.
14. HARRIS' QUARTERS
(HARRIS and the TARDIS crew arrive at HARRIS' quarters to see the front door was wide open.)
HARRIS: Maggie, I've brought the Doctor.
VICTORIA: Oh no it's the same...
DOCTOR: I smell gas! There's gas in this house!
JAMIE: It's coming from in here.
(JAMIE points to the bedroom and all four charge in. MAGGIE is lying alone on the floor, but OAK and QUILL are nowhere to be seen. The gas is overpowering, and the four have to cover their mouths and noses to stop themselves breathing in the gas.)
DOCTOR: The Window, Jamie! Jamie, the window! Quickly! Quickly!
(JAMIE, with a wooden chair, smashes open the bedroom window. Clear air rushes into the room. HARRIS kneels by his wife, trying to awake her.)
HARRIS: Maggie...
15. CONTROL CONE/IMPELLER AREA
(PRICE turns from the communicator.)
PRICE: I'm sorry, sir, I can't raise them.
(At the area between the Control Cone and the Impeller Area, VAN LUTYENS and ROBSON are arguing.)
VAN LUTYENS: There, are you pleased with what you've done?
ROBSON: I'm warning you, Van Lutyens.
VAN LUTYENS: And I warned you, but you are too [another Dutch word], too stubborn to listen. Look at the facts, man. The fact that we lose contact with two rigs. Have unprecedented, inexplicable pressure variations for over three weeks.
ROBSON: So that's it. You've been talking with Harris, eh?
VAN LUTYENS: Yeah, Mr Harris did show me his figures. Only because you refused to listen to him. That's why I went out to the Control Rig, to see if there was an explanation out there.
ROBSON: And what did you find? Nothing. I'll tell you why. 'Cause there's nothing to find!
VAN LUTYENS: All the same, Mr Harris' figures...
ROBSON: (Almost screaming.) Are bunk! And the rest of his upply-tapey tin-pot ideas. He's still a school kid with his bits of paper and his graph and his... slide rule. You think I'm going to take any notice of him? I know every nut and bolt on every one of those rigs out there!
VAN LUTYENS: (Roaring back.) All right! So your prejudice prevents you from accepting Mr Harris' calculations. But what about me? Do you treat my opinion with as much contempt?
ROBSON: (Scoffs.) You? You are here to offer me your expert advice, but I'm not obliged to take it. I run this outfit the way I think fit. Is that understood?
CHIEF: (Calling from the Impeller Area.) Mr Robson, the impeller. Quick, two men.
(They rush into the Impeller Area.)
CHIEF: She's down to 140 revs. Something must be jamming it at the base.
(The Impeller slows down and stops...)
VAN LUTYENS: Well, Mr Robson, where do we go from here? Come on, now, you have all the answers, don't you?
CHIEF: Wait a minute, quiet!
VAN LUTYENS: What is it?
CHIEF: I think I can here something...
(And he can. It is the unmistakable sound of the heartbeat...)
16. HARRIS' QUARTERS
(The DOCTOR examines MAGGIE with his stethoscope, while HARRIS and the others look on worriedly.)
DOCTOR: No, no, no. No.
HARRIS: Look, what's the matter with her?
DOCTOR: Well she's in some sort of coma. Possibly because of this gas - it was toxic.
HARRIS: It isn't possible there could have been a gas leak in the flat. Besides, natural gas isn't toxic.
DOCTOR: Well this isn't natural gas. This is the gas we found when Victoria was locked in the Oxygen Room.
HARRIS: But where could it have come from?
DOCTOR: I don't know. What was the matter with her before this happened?
HARRIS: Well, she said she'd been stung by some... seaweed or something.
JAMIE: Seaweed?
HARRIS: I asked her to get a file from my study, and she found the seaweed inside it.
DOCTOR: Did you put it there?
HARRIS: Well no, of course not.
DOCTOR: (Standing up from examining MAGGIE.) There's no marks or abrasions.
HARRIS: No.
VICTORIA: Doctor?
DOCTOR: Um.
VICTORIA: What's this?
DOCTOR: What. Oh!
(VICTORIA points at the seaweed which is now in another corner of the bedroom.)
JAMIE: A bit of seaweed. What's it doing in here?
DOCTOR: It's still wet.
HARRIS: Perhaps it's the same sort that Maggie was talking about.
(HARRIS reaches out for the seaweed...)
DOCTOR: No! Don't touch it.
HARRIS: Why?
DOCTOR: Well, in the first place you don't want to get stung like your wife, do you? And in the second place, whoever put it in your file meant you to touch it.
HARRIS: But that's ridiculous. Wait a minute! I was sure I put that file in my briefcase this morning, but it wasn't there when I went to get it. I was on my way home... when I met Maggie. But why? Why should anyone want me to get stung by a piece of seaweed?
VICTORIA: Well I hate the stuff. It's so slimy and horrid.
JAMIE: Och, well you've seen seaweed before, haven't you? There was loads of it down by the pipeline this morning.
(This catches the DOCTOR's interest.)
DOCTOR: By the pipeline?
JAMIE: Aye, the place is overrun with it.
VICTORIA: Well not like that, it didn't move.
JAMIE: Move?
17. IMPELLER AREA
(Everybody is rushing about now. The CHIEF is standing by the readings and yelling orders at everybody.)
CHIEF: I want them all checked, every remote control release valve on the line. And check and double check all those circuits.
(VAN LUTYENS spots the CHIEF.)
VAN LUTYENS: Excuse me, Chief, could I have a word with you please?
CHIEF: Yes of course.
VAN LUTYENS: The impeller is still not functioning, eh?
CHIEF: No it's not.
VAN LUTYENS: And that sound we heard, have you heard it again?
CHIEF: No. As Mr Robson says, it's probably just a mechanical fault.
VAN LUTYENS: You believe that?
CHIEF: Well it's really not my job to...
VAN LUTYENS: Ah! Come on, man, you're the chief engineer, the impeller is your responsibility.
CHIEF: It's not my job to formulate theories, it's Mr Robson's.
(The name causes VAN LUTYENS to explode.)
VAN LUTYENS: Robson! Robson, what's the matter with you? Are you frightened of him or something?
CHIEF: No, Mr Van Lutyens, I just respect his judgement.
VAN LUTYENS: Well I'm sorry Chief. Could I have a word with you in private?
CHIEF: Well I...
VAN LUTYENS: It's important.
CHIEF: (To the other Engineers.) Check the feed valves!
(The two men walk into the Control Hall and VAN LUTYENS pulls out a diagram.)
VAN LUTYENS: I've been looking at the installation plan, and the ah... impeller intake is rather particular. I think I know where the blockage may be.
CHIEF: All right.
(The Dutchman takes out a small pen and uses it to point some things out on the diagram.)
VAN LUTYENS: Well this valve is at the base of the main shaft and leads directly to the intake, yeah?
CHIEF: Uhum.
VAN LUTYENS: Well as far as I can see there is no point between that valve and the... Control Rig where a blockage could occur big enough to stop the impeller.
(The Dutchman points this area out, but the CHIEF points out another area.)
CHIEF: Apart from the undersea emergency valve.
VAN LUTYENS: But you've got remote control observation on those and they're free.
CHIEF: Um.
VAN LUTYENS: So the impeller intake must be at fault.
CHIEF: It's possible.
VAN LUTYENS: Possible, man, it's the only answer! What we have to do is to go down and free that valve.
CHIEF: I'll have to check with Mr Robson.
(The Dutchman explodes again at the mention of ROBSON...)
VAN LUTYENS: Robson! Robson! What's the matter with you? Are you children? Can't you do anything on your own initiative?
CHIEF: Look, I can't send men down there without his approval.
VAN LUTYENS: (Snaps.) Can you not also blow your nose without approval?
(This causes the CHIEF to turn and face VAN LUTYENS with a stony face.)
CHIEF: Now listen to me, Mr Van Lutyens. I've worked with Mr Robson a long time. We were out there on those rigs together in the early days. You may think he's wrong to run this place in the way he does, but I trust him. And I take orders from him purely because I trust his judgement. No other reason.
VAN LUTYENS: I'm sorry, Chief, I shouldn't have said that. You forgive me, yeah? Now what I would like you to do is to go to Mr Robson and say you think we know where the blockage is, and get official permission to inspect the bass of the shaft.
CHIEF: Listen, if that's your theory, that's not mine.
VAN LUTYENS: It's the only possibility. Anyway, that sound you heard, it must have come from the bass of the shaft.
CHIEF: If the main valve was open it could be an echo from any one of those rigs.
VAN LUTYENS: If it is open! But you do not know that it is open, and you will not know until you go down and check.
CHIEF: Well, I suppose I could put it to him.
VAN LUTYENS: You're not going to tell me that that is a mechanical fault.
CHIEF: I'll go and see him.
VAN LUTYENS: He's in his cabin.
(Just then, ROBSON actually enters the room and the CHIEF calls him over.)
CHIEF ENGINEER: Chief!
ROBSON: What's the matter?
CHIEF ENGINEER: Mr Robson, that noise in the impeller, it's started again. I think we should go down and check the main valve.
ROBSON: Oh, you do, do you?
CHIEF ENGINEER: It's right where we think the blockage is.
(ROBSON catches the "We".)
ROBSON: We?
CHIEF ENGINEER: Well, Mr Van Luty...
ROBSON: Mr Van Lutyens. I thought he'd get his nose in.
ENGINEER: Come on!
ROBSON: You lot get back to work!
(He spots VAN LUTYENS and starts to march up to him.)
ROBSON: Van Lutyens, I want to talk to you.
(VAN LUTYENS is standing by the actual pipeline.)
VAN LUTYENS: Mr Robson, there is something alive in the pipeline.
(It is clear that ROBSON is just holding onto his temper.)
ROBSON: You're out of your mind, there's nothing down there.
CHIEF ENGINEER: I promise you, sir, I did hear something.
ROBSON: You've been unnerving my crew. Now you, get out!
(The heartbeat starts up again.)
VAN LUTYENS: Listen!
(The CHIEF hears it too.)
CHIEF ENGINEER: That's it!
ROBSON: Did you hear what I said?
VAN LUTYENS: Shut up and listen will you! Down there... in the darkness... waiting... | {"type": "series", "show": "Doctor Who", "episode": "05x30 - Fury from the Deep - part 2"} | foreverdreaming |
by VICTOR PEMBERTON
first broadcast - 30 March 1968
running time - 25mins 34secs
1. IMPELLER AREA
(ROBSON enters the room and the CHIEF calls him over.)
CHIEF: Chief!
ROBSON: What's the matter?
CHIEF: Mr Robson, that noise in the impeller, it's started again. I think we should go down and check the main valve.
ROBSON: Oh, you do, do you?
CHIEF: It's right where we think the blockage is.
(ROBSON catches the "We".)
ROBSON: We?
CHIEF: Well, Mr Van Luty...
ROBSON: Mr Van Lutyens. I thought he'd get his nose in.
ENGINEER: Come on!
ROBSON: You lot get back to work!
(He spots VAN LUTYENS and starts to march up to him.)
ROBSON: Van Lutyens, I want to talk to you.
(VAN LUTYENS is standing by the actual pipeline.)
VAN LUTYENS: Mr Robson, there is something alive in the pipeline.
(It is clear that ROBSON is just holding onto his temper.)
ROBSON: You're out of your mind, there's nothing down there.
CHIEF: I promise you, sir, I did hear something.
ROBSON: You've been unnerving my crew. Now you, get out!
(The heartbeat starts up again.)
VAN LUTYENS: Listen!
(The CHIEF hears it too.)
CHIEF: That's it!
ROBSON: Did you hear what I said?
VAN LUTYENS: Shut up and listen will you! Down there... in the darkness... waiting...
2. HARRIS' QUARTERS
(In the bedroom, the DOCTOR and his companions are looking at the seaweed on the floor while HARRIS is trying to wake his sleeping wife on the bed. JAMIE reaches out to pick up the seaweed...)
DOCTOR: No, Jamie, don't touch it.
JAMIE: But it's only a piece of seaweed.
DOCTOR: Yes, unless it really did move like Victoria said.
JAMIE: Oh, how can it move. It's not a living thing, is it?
DOCTOR: Everything in the sea is living, Jamie.
VICTORIA: Well it did move! It gave me a shock. It was like a spider.
(The DOCTOR takes out an empty polythene bag.)
DOCTOR: Yes, well we're not taking any chances. Hold that for me, will you?
(He hands JAMIE the bag.)
JAMIE: Well what's this for?
DOCTOR: We're going to take a closer look at this weed. Now bring the bag down here. Right onto the floor. Don't let it touch your fingers.
(Using a pencil, the DOCTOR puts the seaweed in the bag.)
DOCTOR: Careful, slowly does it. Mind your fingers. There...
JAMIE: What are you going to do with it?
(He seals the bag up.)
DOCTOR: We're going to see if an ordinary piece of seaweed really can move.
(HARRIS sits on the bed. He has been unable to wake MAGGIE up.)
HARRIS: Doctor, my wife, will she be all right?
DOCTOR: Oh yes, I think so. I don't think there is any panic, but I'd get her under medical supervision if I was you.
HARRIS: Yes, I'll go back to the Medicare Centre at the Compound and arrange for her to be taken in there.
DOCTOR: Yes, you do that.
(He leaves his quarters - a very upset man.)
VICTORIA: Poor man.
(JAMIE realises something...)
JAMIE: Aye. Hey! I thought we were supposed to be prisoners?
DOCTOR: Yes, so did I. We better make the most of it, um. We've got a lot of work to do back at the TARDIS. She seems to be sleeping peacefully. Come on.
3. IMPELLER ROOM
(The three men were still discussing the heartbeat.)
CHIEF: What is it, that sound?
VAN LUTYENS: It's uncanny... it's like a heartbeat.
(The heartbeat stops.)
CHIEF: It's stopped again.
VAN LUTYENS: Well this is surely proof enough!
ROBSON: Proof?
VAN LUTYENS: That there is something down there blocking the impeller
(ROBSON doesn't believe this.)
ROBSON: Rubbish! Hysterical nonsense.
VAN LUTYENS: But you heard it. That dreadful sound...
ROBSON: I heard a fault in the base of the impeller.
VAN LUTYENS: But the impeller isn't working! Don't you believe a thing until you see it?
(But ROBSON has had enough.)
ROBSON: I want that pump operational in half an hour! Now get to it!
(He storms out...)
4. TARDIS - SCIENCE ROOM
(In the Science Room, the DOCTOR drops his seaweed specimen into a small glass t*nk. Attached to the side of the t*nk are two miniature metal cylinders containing two transparent tubes inserted through holes on either side of the t*nk.)
JAMIE: What are you doing, Doctor?
DOCTOR: Well you see, Jamie, these two cylinders contain a small amount of natural gas. It should be quite interesting to see what sort of effect it...
it has on the weed. How are you doing, Victoria?
(VICTORIA is at a workbench nearby, heating some liquid in a test tube over a Bunsen flame.)
VICTORIA: I don't know, I think you ought to have a look.
(The DOCTOR took the tube.)
DOCTOR: Um... Oh yes, well that's got the natural iron... content.
VICTORIA: Well I did the Bunsen test, like you told me, but I found something which worried me.
DOCTOR: Oh yes, I'm not surprised. Is this hot?
VICTORIA: No, no.
(VICTORIA reaches across to a bulb-shaped glass container. Inside is a small particle of the seaweed specimen floating in a colourless liquid. The sides of the container are tarnished with something which resembled rust...)
DOCTOR: You see this a... this rusty stuff here.
VICTORIA: Yes.
DOCTOR: Well it means that the weed is giving out a gas - probably toxic.
VICTORIA: Toxic?
DOCTOR: Um.
(JAMIE is at the DOCTOR's table, peering into the microscope.)
JAMIE: Hey, Doctor! What are these little wriggly things in the weed?
DOCTOR: Now just a minute, Jamie... looking at...
(What JAMIE has just said makes the DOCTOR turn about.)
DOCTOR: ...little wriggly things! Where?
JAMIE: Here, look. Look in there.
(The DOCTOR gives VICTORIA the bottle and goes over and takes over from JAMIE and peers into the microscope.)
DOCTOR: Jamie! This is it! There's molecular movement! Come and see, Victoria. There! Why, that's amazing.
JAMIE: What does it mean?
DOCTOR: Hmmmmmmm...
(Getting no answer from the DOCTOR, VICTORIA decides to spell it out for JAMIE.)
VICTORIA: It means, Jamie, that the weed is just as much alive as you and me.
(They look at the seaweed in amazement.)
5. CONTROL HALL
(HARRIS, coming back into the Control Cone, bumps into VAN LUTYENS.)
VAN LUTYENS: Ah, Mr Harris. I've been trying to get hold of you. Mr Robson won't listen to reason.
HARRIS: (Snaps.) I'm sorry, Van Lutyens, I've got something more important on my mind at the moment.
VAN LUTYENS: Important! What is more important...?
HARRIS: My wife is ill! Get out of my way, man.
(He charges out into the corridor and marches into the Control Cone.)
HARRIS: Price!
PRICE: Yes, sir
HARRIS: Is Doctor Paterson back?
PRICE: No, we've heard nothing from D Rig, sir.
HARRIS: Right. Get on to the Matron at the Medicare Unit and tell her to send a couple of orderlies over to my quarters with a stretcher to bring my wife in. She's ill.
PRICE: Yes, sir.
(ROBSON notices the new arrival and marches over, ready to have a go at him too.)
ROBSON: What's the panic now, Harris?
HARRIS: Oh, and get on with it.
ROBSON: Harris, I asked you a question.
HARRIS: My wife is ill. She needs medical attention.
ROBSON: What's the matter with her, she got a hangover?
HARRIS: She's very ill, Mr Robson.
ROBSON: Who says so, that Doctor fellow? Incidentally, where is he and the two kids?
HARRIS: Oh... well, I left them in my quarters when I found my wife was ill.
ROBSON: You what? Those three prisoners were in your charge and you left them there?
HARRIS: I was worried about my wife. I didn't have time to think about it...
ROBSON: That's your trouble you never do think, do you Harris, when you should. Those three prisoners were in your charge.
HARRIS: I don't care. Don't you understand? My wife was lying on the floor when I got there. She was unconscious and that smell of toxic gas was there.
She's been poisoned, Robson, poisoned!
VAN LUTYENS: And this toxic gas, where does it come from?
HARRIS: Oh, I don't know.
ROBSON: And none of us will know now you've let them loose.
HARRIS: How could they possibly have anything to do with it?
(Both men's voices rise with the argument.)
ROBSON: That still doesn't alter the fact that you let those prisoners go without my authority.
HARRIS: Prisoners? A harmless old man and a couple of... teenagers?
ROBSON: That "harmless old man" is probably a saboteur. It's probably him that's been tampering with that release valve on the shoreline.
Creating all those variations in pressure you got so excited about!
HARRIS: Oh don't be so ridiculous, Robson. You're clutching at straws, stupidly blind to the real facts!
ROBSON: Don't shout at me, boy!
(The CHIEF enters from the Impeller Area.)
CHIEF: Mr Robson, sir. Mr Robson. The impeller, it's moving again.
ROBSON: Good man. I told you it was only a mechanical fault, didn't I?
CHIEF: It just started quite... suddenly.
ROBSON: Well keep it going, man.
CHIEF: I don't know if we can...
ROBSON: Don't lose it now.
(ROBSON shouts out at everybody.)
ROBSON: You fools! You stupid fools!
CHIEF: Well the fault's not this end! It must be jammed at the base.
(The Controller whirls about on VAN LUTYENS in fury...)
ROBSON: You wanted this, didn't you? It's just what you wanted!
VAN LUTYENS: You should have listened to me, Robson.
ROBSON: What? Turned off the flow? Ruined a reputation of thirty years.
VAN LUTYENS: Reputation! Don't you realise that what is going on here is beyond your comprehension? That whatever it is that is in the pipelines - that's jamming the impeller, has taken over the rigs - is a menace and a thr*at to us all?
ROBSON: The only menace and thr*at around here is you, Van Lutyens and you Harris. Listen...
(He notices the other members of the Control Cone staff are looking at him.)
ROBSON: WHAT ARE YOU STARING AT!?
(Back to the other major members of staff...)
ROBSON: I want that impeller working in half an hour. I'll be in my quarters. Let me know as soon as the impeller starts moving again.
(He storms out of the room.)
VAN LUTYENS: (Swearing in Dutch.) He's cracking up, Harris.
HARRIS: (Starts to leave the room.) Look. I've got to get back to my wife.
VAN LUTYENS: Harris! You can't go now. He's losing control.
HARRIS: My wife's been poisoned.
VAN LUTYENS: She's in good hands, ya? She'll be brought into the Medicare Unit. What can you do?
HARRIS: But I ought to go and see her.
VAN LUTYENS: To hang about and worry, that's all. Robson is cracking up. You're the only man with authority to take over. We need you here.
(HARRIS gives it some thought and then calls the CHIEF over.)
HARRIS: Chief.
CHIEF: Sir.
HARRIS: Mr Robson, you know him better than any of us... How do... do you think he's all right?
CHIEF: Well he's under a lot of pressure, I think his nerves are a bit...
VAN LUTYENS: Yeah pressure, strain. He's cracking up, I tell you.
CHIEF: Well you're not helping him you know.
VAN LUTYENS: That's not my job. I'm here to give technical advice, which he ignores. All right, he knows a lot about engineering, but not all. And what he does not know is the state of mind of those men out on the rigs.
CHIEF: He ought to know. He was out on those rigs himself long enough.
VAN LUTYENS: Oh Yeah, yeah, yeah. Plenty of professional experience of normal conditions, but these are not normal conditions. There is something very strange going on here, but he refuses to accept the new factor.
CHIEF: So what... what do you think he should do?
VAN LUTYENS: I know what I would do - close the Compound, evacuate the rigs!
CHIEF: He'd never do it.
VAN LUTYENS: We've lost contact with two rigs. We have a major blockage in the main pipeline. The impeller is jammed, and we still don't know what is causing the trouble.
CHIEF: But we regained contact with Baxter on Rig D and he said everything was under control.
VAN LUTYENS: Yeah, and we've not heard from him since. And what about Rig C?
CHIEF: Oh that could be a telecommunications fault somewhere.
VAN LUTYENS: Yeah, it could be, but we have to check that it is, and we have to check the valve at the base of the impeller. But what does Robson do?
Nothing! Nothing!
HARRIS: Well I suppose he might listen if we all put it to him. What do you think, Chief?
CHIEF: You're absolutely right of course. We must check.
6. TARDIS, SCIENCE ROOM
(The DOCTOR has got an old dusty book open. He finds a page with a picture of the Weed Creature.)
VICTORIA: That's it, Doctor! That's the creature I saw back at the Compound.
DOCTOR: Yes. Yes, I was afraid it would be.
VICTORIA: But how did it get in this book?
DOCTOR: Well I told you, Victoria, this is a book of legends and superstitions. This particular drawing is supplied by ancient mariners in the North Sea in the middle of the eighteenth century, Jamie.
JAMIE: That's my time. You mean to say, this is the creature Victoria saw back at the Compound.
DOCTOR: Yes I think there's no doubt about it.
JAMIE: Well, what about these great clumps of weed.
DOCTOR: Well there's obviously some connection between the weed and the creatures themselves.
(JAMIE's face suddenly starts to curl. He is building up to a sneeze.)
JAMIE: Ah, aahh.
(JAMIE sneezes, but the DOCTOR points back at the seaweed specimen in the glass t*nk. It has doubled its size and its tentacles are hanging menacingly over the edge of the white foam-covered t*nk. The heartbeat sound is increasing in strength.)
VICTORIA: Oh, no!
DOCTOR: Gas! Jamie! Jamie, help me get the lid on! Oh, no... quickly!
(VICTORIA screams out loud, just as the DOCTOR dodges the tentacles. To their amazement the heartbeat stops and the tentacles flop back inside the t*nk. The two men push the top over the glass t*nk.)
DOCTOR: I was right. The weed formations are feeding off the natural gas beneath the North Sea and giving of toxic gas. Come on. We must get back to Harris'... Harris' quarters. Come along. Just a minute, that weed went back in its t*nk very suddenly, didn't it? I wonder why? Come on.
VICTORIA: Oh!
(All three rush out of the room.)
7. CONTROL CONE
(From the observation deck, ROBSON has listened to the others' ideas and now... totally loses it...)
ROBSON: (Screaming so that everybody looks at him.) No, I will not listen! It's you Van Lutyens, isn't it? Isn't it? You've been undermining my authority ever since you came here. You and Harris. You've been stirring up trouble just to get at me, haven't you? You've even got the Chief on your side now.
One of my oldest and trusted friends.
CHIEF: Mr Robson...
ROBSON: At least I thought I could trust you.
CHIEF: Mr Robson, all we wanted to do is...
ROBSON: I know what you want! I know what you all want! You gonna get at me, just to give up! I'm not going to give you that pleasure. Why don't you go and join him? Go on, join Van Lutyens! Go on, join him! What are you standing around for? What are you starring at? I'm in charge! I'm in charge here!
HARRIS: Mr Robson!
ROBSON: I'm in charge of this Compound, Harris! It's my responsibility! Mine! My responsibility!
(And he rushes out of the room.)
VAN LUTYENS: Do you still think he's capable of running this place? You do what you like. I'm going to get in touch with my people in the Hague.
HARRIS: What can they do?
VAN LUTYENS: Well they might push your people in London into some sort of action. (To PRICE.) Give me a direct line to Van der Post, Hague Central!
PRICE: Yes, sir.
8. ROBSON'S CABIN
(ROBSON slams the door behind him and locks it. He takes a picture out from a drawer and stares at it. It's the picture of a young woman. He then collapses on the bed, trying to rest. Outside the room, Mr. OAK moves forward and tries to open the door. ROBSON is alerted to the fact that somebody is at the door.)
ROBSON: Who's there? Go away. I'm not to be disturbed.
(Mr. OAK smiles and moves to a switch marked EMERGENCY VENT. He turns the switch to OPEN... In the cabin, ROBSON is lying on his bunk, trying to sleep.
Suddenly, his eyes spring open and stare at the ceiling. He hears a slight hum coming from the ventilation grille. For a moment nothing happens. Then the heartbeat starts up and a large bit of white foam erupts from the ventilator grille!)
ROBSON: Aaarrgh!
(The foam lands on ROBSON's face... Outside the room HARRIS hears ROBSON's screams.)
HARRIS: Mr Robson!
(HARRIS tries to open the door, but ROBSON opens it himself. He is in a state of panic.)
ROBSON: No... no... aarrgh! My face... aarrgh!
(HARRIS sees the white foam. He tries to hold ROBSON and get him to explain what's happened, but ROBSON pushes HARRIS out of the way and runs down the corridor.)
HARRIS: (Shouting.) Mr Robson, wait! I need your permission to send two men down the impeller shaft...
(But ROBSON was out of sight.)
9. HARRIS' QUARTERS
(VICTORIA helps the DOCTOR down the corridor towards the quarters.)
DOCTOR: Well, thank you, Victoria. Yes, nobody here. Better that way.
JAMIE: You speak for yourself. I'd rather... ah!
VICTORIA: Oh no!
JAMIE: Ahtchoo!
(This alerts the DOCTOR to the fact that there is gas in the Quarters.)
DOCTOR: Gas!
(All three cover their mouths.)
VICTORIA: Where's it coming from?
DOCTOR: Jamie, try the kitchen.
(JAMIE tries the kitchen, while the DOCTOR and VICTORIA try the Bedroom. The DOCTOR switches on the bedroom light... The air is immediately pierced by the thumping, heartbeat sound. VICTORIA screams hysterically as the floor crawls with clumps of pulsating seaweed, whose bubbled tendrils reach out from the mass of white foam. Realising that there is no one in the room, the DOCTOR and VICTORIA rush back out.)
DOCTOR: Mrs Harris! She's gone away!
VICTORIA: Mrs Harris?
DOCTOR: Mrs Harris. Oh yes of course, Mr Harris had her taken over to the medical centre. At least I hope he did.
JAMIE: Doctor, quick help me!
DOCTOR: That's Jamie!
VICTORIA: Jamie!
JAMIE: Doctor, I'm in here.
(The DOCTOR burst into the kitchen to find JAMIE in real trouble. The patio door is wide open and JAMIE is balanced precariously on top of a table in the middle of the room. All around him, the floor is covered in foam, just like in the bedroom...)
JAMIE: I can't hold out much longer.
VICTORIA: Oh! Oh!
DOCTOR: Quick! The terrace!
(JAMIE still keeps shouting for help, and the DOCTOR and VICTORIA keep on moving about the house.)
DOCTOR: Victoria, follow me!
VICTORIA: What are we going to do?
(The DOCTOR notices a pair of long curtains hanging at the hall windows.)
DOCTOR: Give me a hand!
(He tears down the curtains with VICTORIA's help.)
DOCTOR: Come on!
(They both rush to the terrace.)
DOCTOR: Jamie, Catch this!
(The DOCTOR throws one end of the curtains to JAMIE who catches it.)
DOCTOR: Come on, you can do this! Come on.
(JAMIE manages to tie his end of the Curtains to the leg of the Table.)
DOCTOR: Press it down, Victoria!
(And they start to pull JAMIE's table out of the kitchen to safety.)
10. ROBSON'S QUARTERS
(HARRIS, VAN LUTYENS and PRICE burst into ROBSON's cabin.)
HARRIS: In here, look!
(There is nothing there. The ventilator the grille is broken.)
HARRIS: Well it was in here. I saw it!
VAN LUTYENS: You did?
HARRIS: Yes, it was moving. Something alive. You don't believe me!
VAN LUTYENS: Oh yes, I believe you, Mr Harris. It must have come out of the ventilator grille, like it did in the oxygen store.
HARRIS: You mean when that girl Victoria was locked in.
VAN LUTYENS: Yeah. And having achieved its purpose, back down the shaft.
HARRIS: Purpose? What purpose?
VAN LUTYENS: Who knows? We know very little about it. And no one's tried to find out.
11. CONTROL CONE
(During this conversation, VAN LUTYENS and HARRIS walk back from ROBSON's Quarters to the Control Cone.)
HARRIS: I know.
VAN LUTYENS: Least of all Robson.
HARRIS: Yes, he rushed out of here as though he were... he was out of his mind.
VAN LUTYENS: You better alert security. He may do himself some harm.
HARRIS: Yes, you're right. At least the stuff won't get out of here.
VAN LUTYENS: Oh really, Mr Harris. There must be hundreds of grills in this Compound. And once the foam has got into the shaft it could emerge from any one of them.
HARRIS: I suppose you're right. Then we must insist that all emergency ventilators are kept shut.
VAN LUTYENS: Mr Harris, you know what you must do now?
HARRIS: (In puzzlement.) Do?
VAN LUTYENS: Assert yourself. Take over the Compound.
(The two men arrive at the Control Cone.)
HARRIS: Price!
PRICE: Yes, sir.
HARRIS: I want you to alert the security posts. Mr Robson may be ill. I'd like to know his whereabouts.
PRICE: Very good, sir.
HARRIS: And order all areas to keep their emergency air vents closed. Understand?
PRICE: Yes, sir.
VAN LUTYENS: You're taking over then?
HARRIS: Robson is still officially in charge.
VAN LUTYENS: I've already informed my authorities at the Hague. You must do the same with your Director in London.
HARRIS: Yes. Price.
PRICE: Yes, sir.
HARRIS: Get me Board Headquarters. I want to speak to Megan Jones.
12. CORRIDOR
(The DOCTOR and his two companions walk back down the corridor towards the Control Cone.)
DOCTOR: Are you all right, Jamie?
JAMIE: Oh, I've come over dizzy.
DOCTOR: Well you just rest a while.
JAMIE: I'll just get my breath back.
VICTORIA: Doctor, why is it that we always land up in trouble?
DOCTOR: Well Victoria, it's the spice of life, my dear.
VICTORIA: Well I'm not so sure. I don't really like being scared out of my wits every second.
DOCTOR: Is something wrong?
VICTORIA: Well I just wish that one... Oh never mind.
(VICTORIA walks off ahead of the two men down the corridor.)
DOCTOR: You 'right, Jamie? Come with me.
JAMIE: What's the matter with Victoria?
(The DOCTOR looks at JAMIE, and they move off along the corridor.)
13. CONTROL CONE
(PRICE is talking to a woman in her late forties on the communicator viewscreen.)
PRICE: Thank you, Miss Jones. We'll see you then in three hours time. Goodbye.
HARRIS: Three hours, and the whole Compound will be crawling with board officials.
VAN LUTYENS: Let's hope the situation doesn't get any worse.
HARRIS: I only hope Megan Jones understands why I've taken over. It was she who insisted that Robson should know this particular complex in the early days.
VAN LUTYENS: You did right, I will stand by you. You couldn't let Robson go on. You had the men on the rigs to think of. They are now her responsibility.
HARRIS: If only we knew what we were up against. These creatures that have been getting into the refinery, where do they come from? We don't even know what they are?
(The TARDIS crew enters the room.)
DOCTOR: That's where you're wrong, Mr Harris. We do know what they are. At least I think we do. Seaweed!
HARRIS: Seaweed?
DOCTOR: Yes. Not the sort that you'd normally find on the beach. This seaweed happens to be dangerously alive.
HARRIS: Alive? But how can it be...
DOCTOR: I think you better listen to me. I think you'd all better listen to me. Large formations of seaweed have been coming up on the beaches along this coast. Seaweed that shows clear indications of having life like human beings.
CHIEF: Is it this seaweed that's blocking the pipes then?
DOCTOR: Yes, I think there's no doubt about it.
VAN LUTYENS: We must clear the base of the impeller.
DOCTOR: No wait! The weed is capable of protecting itself. It gives of a toxic gas. It's also a parasite. It attaches itself to other living things.
HARRIS: You mean human beings? But what happens to them?
DOCTOR: I'm afraid I don't know.
HARRIS: But my wife was stung by the seaweed.
DOCTOR: Ah yes, but she survived, didn't she? How is she?
HARRIS: Well I asked the Medicare Centre to bring her in. Price. Get Medicare for me and ask how my wife is now. Doctor, I've just seen one of these creature things that your young friend saw in the Oxygen Room.
DOCTOR: Oh, where?
HARRIS: In Mr Robson's cabin. It might have att*cked him. He was in a wild state when I went in and just run out. He hasn't been seen since.
DOCTOR: Oh dear.
(PRICE turns from the communicator.)
PRICE: Mr Harris, sir.
HARRIS: Yes?
PRICE: The Matron says she's sorry, she hasn't brought your wife in yet. But she's sending someone over now.
(This news causes the DOCTOR to rush up to the group in alarm.)
DOCTOR: What!
HARRIS: What is it, Doctor?
DOCTOR: Well we've just come from your quarters, your wife wasn't there!
JAMIE: The place was covered with seaweed...
HARRIS: (To the DOCTOR.) Is this right?
DOCTOR: Yes. Yes, I'm afraid it is.
HARRIS: Then where is she? Where is she? I must go and find her.
VAN LUTYENS: Wait! Well where do you think she is? Do you think it has anything to do with this seaweed stuff?
DOCTOR: (With a puzzled, but mostly worried look.) I don't know. I simply don't know.
14. BEACH
(MAGGIE HARRIS is staring out to sea. She becomes aware that she is no longer alone anymore. Expecting the new arrival, she turns her head to talk over her shoulder.)
MAGGIE: (Soft and controlled.) There is little time. You know what you must do?
(The new arrival is ROBSON.)
ROBSON: Yes
MAGGIE: You will obey?
(ROBSON nods... Then, like an unseen signal has been given, MAGGIE, unblinking, and with icy calm, starts to move down towards the sea. ROBSON watches her march straight into the foam-covered sea until her head disappears under the waves... All the while the unmistakable sound of the heartbeat throbs on...) | {"type": "series", "show": "Doctor Who", "episode": "05x31 - Fury from the Deep - part 3"} | foreverdreaming |
by VICTOR PEMBERTON
first broadcast - 6 June 1968 (5:15pm - 5:40 pm)
1. BEACH
(MAGGIE HARRIS and ROBSON stand at the waters edge.)
MAGGIE: Very little time. You know what you must do.
ROBSON: Yes.
MAGGIE: You will obey.
(ROBSON looks on as MAGGIE walks towards the sea, staring at MAGGIE's slowly receding figure as she becomes submerged by the waves.)
2. CONTROL ROOM
(PRICE, VAN LUTYENS and the DOCTOR are at the communications dome trying to contact any of the rigs out at sea.)
PRICE: Rig D. Rig D. Control calling. Rig D, come in please. Rig D. Rig D. Control calling, come in please. (To VAN LUTYENS.) I'm sorry sir, I can't reach them.
VAN LUTYENS: Try Rig A again.
PRICE: Rig A. Control calling Rig A... (To VAN LUTYENS.) It's no good sir. That's three rigs not answering now sir.
VAN LUTYENS: The men on the remaining rigs won't last under this suspense much longer. Try the guard post again and see if there's any sign of Mr.
Harris... Three rigs now. What could have happened to them?
DOCTOR: Well, can't you send someone else to investigate?
VAN LUTYENS: No... I don't have the authority here. I'm just their technical adviser. Mr. HARRIS is in charge. When he comes back, he might properly authorise the company helicopter for at least to take a look.
DOCTOR: We can do nothing?
VAN LUTYENS: Nothing. Wait. Wait. Nothing.
3. IMPELLER AREA
(The CHIEF Engineer is inspecting the impeller shaft with his repair crew. Their work is interrupted when the familiar thumping heart b*at is once again heard coming from the pipes).
CHIEF: It's started again.
4. CABIN
(JAMIE has fallen asleep on the top bunk. VICTORIA paces the room decidedly worried.)
VICTORIA: Jamie... Jamie... Jamie... You asleep?
JAMIE: No. I'm just resting my eyes.
VICTORIA: I don't know how you can with all this trouble going on.
JAMIE: Oh don't worry. The Doctor will work something out. He always does.
VICTORIA: Yes. What then?
JAMIE: Oh what do you mean "what then?"
VICTORIA: What do we do next?
JAMIE: Oh Victoria, you know better than to ask a question like that. We never know where we're going to land one place to the next. It's half the fun isn't it?
VICTORIA: Is it?
JAMIE: Victoria, what's the matter? You've been acting very oddly ever since we got here.
VICTORIA: Oh it's nothing. It doesn't matter.
JAMIE: Look if you're worried, the Doctor...
VICTORIA: Jamie, I said it was nothing. Just go back to sleep.
JAMIE: Oh I wouldn't worry about that old bit of seaweed. The Doctor will work something out.
VICTORIA: Will he? There's so many questions. The weed grows. Feeds off natural gas. How fast does it grow? What happens to those who... who touch it. Oh Jamie. Jamie I'm frightened.
(The door to the cabin opens, and VICTORIA gasps, startled by the DOCTOR's sudden entrance.)
DOCTOR: Oh I'm sorry Victoria. Did I startle you?
VICTORIA: Yes. Doctor...
DOCTOR: Where's Jamie?
VICTORIA: Up there. He's asleep. Nothing can wake him except a b*mb dropping.
DOCTOR: Oh good.
VICTORIA: Doctor what's happening?
DOCTOR: Well I'm not sure, Victoria. I'm not sure. It's so peaceful out there, isn't it?
VICTORIA: Heard that noise again?
DOCTOR: Yes.
VICTORIA: Well what are they doing about it?
DOCTOR: Well we'll have to wait.
VICTORIA: Wait? But what for? For one of those awful creatures to come and att*ck us all?
DOCTOR: Now Victoria, it's not as bad as all that you know.
VICTORIA: Isn't it? Even you don't know really how bad it is, do you?
DOCTOR: Well no. Not exactly.
VICTORIA: Every time we go anywhere, something awful happens. Daleks. Cybermen.
DOCTOR: Yeti.
VICTORIA: Yes, the Yeti. Why can't we go anywhere pleasant? Where there's no fighting - just peace and happiness.
5. BEACH
(HARRIS spots a familiar figure at the edge of the shore. Running towards it, he finds it's ROBSON, and begins calling out to him).
HARRIS: Mr. Robson. Mr. Robson. What are you doing down here? Have you seen my wife at all?
ROBSON: Your wife?
HARRIS: I've been searching for her.
ROBSON: You'll find her Mr. Harris. Very soon.
HARRIS: Then you haven't seen her.
(ROBSON suddenly walks off along the beach - in a trance.)
HARRIS: ROBSON!
(ROBSON continues walking, ignoring HARRIS altogether.)
6. IMPELLER AREA
(The CHIEF, DOCTOR and JAMIE watch as VAN LUTYENS prepares himself to venture down into the impeller shaft.)
DOCTOR: If you don't mind me saying so, Mr. Van Lutyens, I think this is a very bad idea of yours. You don't know what you're up against.
JAMIE: Aye, you wouldn't catch me down there.
CHIEF: Why don't we wait till Mr. Harris comes back sir?
VAN LUTYENS: The only way to find out whether this weed stuff of yours is blocking the base of the impeller is to go down and have a look.
CHIEF: Mr. Van Lutyens, I have no authority to send my men down there...
VAN LUTYENS: I realize that. That's why I'm going down.
CHIEF: By yourself?
VAN LUTYENS: Oh yes.
CHIEF: I wouldn't go down... Well I hope you know what you're doing, sir.
VAN LUTYENS: I think so.
DOCTOR: I... I wish you wouldn't do this Mr. Van Lutyens.
VAN LUTYENS: I can't sit about waiting any longer. I have no position of authority here. But I do have the run of the company installations. And if I can do nothing else, I... I can at least inspect the base of the impeller shaft.
(The group make their way over to the lift platform. OAK and QUILL are standing at the ready by the lift controls. VAN LUTYENS steps into the life chamber.)
DOCTOR: Good Luck.
JAMIE: Good luck. You'll need it.
CHIEF: All right, lower him down.
(OAK operates the controls and the lift descends.)
7. BASE OF IMPELLER SHAFT
(VAN LUTYENS flashes his torch about as the lift chamber jolts to a stop at the bottom. He steps out and begins a thorough search. Finding a nearby inspection hatch, he opens it. But as he is about to take a closer look, weed and foam swarm towards him from the far end of the shaft.)
VAN LUTYENS: Help me! Let me out!
(VAN LUTYENS' screams are cut short as he is engulfed by the weed and foam.)
8. IMPELLER LIFT AREA
(Van Lutyens' screams are heard in the impeller area.)
CHIEF: Get him up!
(OAK operates the lift controls and the lift starts its ascent to the surface.)
VICTORIA: What is it? What's happened?
JAMIE: Van Lutyens is down there.
VICTORIA: What's happened to him?
DOCTOR: Oh we don't know, Victoria...
(The CHIEF engineer moves over to the lift shaft and returns stunned...)
DOCTOR: What happened? What did you see?
CHIEF: He's not in the shaft. He may still be down there. Let's find Mr. Harris.
(He leaves.)
DOCTOR: We can't just leave him down there.
JAMIE: Oh what are we going to do?
DOCTOR: We've got to go after him.
VICTORIA: (Distressed at the thought.) Oh Doctor no.
JAMIE: Oh no we're not.
DOCTOR: Jamie, you wouldn't want me to go down there all on my own now, would you?
JAMIE: Well no.
VICTORIA: Oh Doctor, you can't, you don't know what's down there.
9. COMMUNICATIONS AREA
PRICE: Ms Megan Jones... just... just leaving reception now... Right. Thank you.
(HARRIS walks in, after an unsuccessful search for his wife.)
PRICE: Oh Mr. Harris.
(HARRIS doesn't hear him at first, still preoccupied with his missing wife.)
PRICE: Mr. Harris, we've been looking for you everywhere.
HARRIS: What is it Price?
PRICE: Are you all right sir?
HARRIS: Yes... Just tired. Do you have any news of my wife?
PRICE: No. I'm afraid not sir. You didn't find her?
(HARRIS shakes his head and turns away.)
PRICE: Oh Mr. Harris...
HARRIS: Yes?
PRICE: The director, Megan Jones is leaving reception on her way here now sir.
HARRIS: I see. Thank you Price. Where's Van Lutyens?
PRICE: In the Impeller Area I think sir.
HARRIS: All right.
(HARRIS moves off, heading to the impeller area).
10. IMPELLER LIFT AREA
(The DOCTOR and JAMIE have descended down in the lift. HARRIS walks in and is updated by VICTORIA with what has happened.)
HARRIS: This is terrible. You mean to say that they both went down that shaft?
VICTORIA: I couldn't stop them. They went looking for Mr. Van...
HARRIS: What? What has happened to him?
(CHIEF enters the impeller area.)
CHIEF: Mr. Harris. Thank goodness you're back. Mr. Van Lutyens went down inside the impeller shaft to find... to find what is blocking the pipe line.
HARRIS: Yes?
CHIEF: He didn't come back. Now the Doctor and the boy has gone down there...
HARRIS: They've done what?
(He moves over to where OAK is at the lift controls.)
HARRIS: Get them up at once. Stop the lift.
OAK: I'm sorry sir. it's too late.
11. BASE OF IMPELLER SHAFT
JAMIE: Creepy sort of place isn't it?
DOCTOR: Jamie, that hole goes straight down to the ... down below.
(JAMIE stumbles over something on the floor. He bends down and picks the object up.)
JAMIE: Hey, isn't that Van Lutyens' torch?
DOCTOR: Well it must be.
JAMIE: But where is he?
DOCTOR: Shine that down here...
(JAMIE starts tapping the torch to get it to work.)
DOCTOR: Give that to me.
(An irritated JAMIE hands over the torch.)
JAMIE: Come on Doctor. Let's get out of here. I feel as if something evil is lurking down here.
12. CORRIDOR
(MEGAN JONES and her aide PERKINS are moving towards the communications area.)
PERKINS: It all seems quiet enough Ms Jones.
JONES: Of course it is. Robson's an efficient man. Why do you think I gave him control of the compound? He knows the job backwards.
PERKINS: Then why the sudden panic?
JONES: I don't know. Harris was rather vague.
PERKINS: Vague? Harris said he was taking over from Robson. I wouldn't call that vague.
JONES: You've not met Robson have you Perkins?
PERKINS: No. But...
JONES: When you do, you'll realize that he's not the sort of man one pushes around.
PERKINS: Then what's it all about?
JONES: Just an internal squabble I'd say. Harris is a bright man. I sent him thinking he might gain from Robson's technical experience. Obviously the two haven't taken off together.
PERKINS: So we're pouring oil? Politics?
JONES: Let's go and see shall we?
13. IMPELLER SHAFT AREA
(VICTORIA, HARRIS and the CHIEF are gathered around the lift shaft. OAK and QUILL stand in the background at the lift controls.)
VICTORIA: (Shouting down into the shaft.) JAMIE... DOCTOR.
(When no response is forthcoming. she moves back to the others.)
VICTORIA: Oh I do wish they'd hurry.
HARRIS: Is there any way we can get them up, Chief?
CHIEF: Well we can't use the lift in case they want to get back in a hurry. There's the ladder inside the pipeline...
(PRICE appears in the doorway to the impeller area.)
PRICE: Mr Harris?
HARRIS: Yes. What is it Price?
PRICE: Megan Jones has arrived sir.
HARRIS: Oh I see. Thank you.
(PRICE disappears back to the communications area.)
HARRIS: Chief, you'd better come with me. I'm going to need some support when I talk to Megan Jones.
CHIEF: Now?
VICTORIA: But what about Jamie and the Doctor?
HARRIS: There isn't a great deal we can do at the moment, I'm afraid.
(He moves over to the lift controls and addresses OAK.)
HARRIS: Oak, as soon as they signal, bring them up. If there's any sign of trouble, come and get me.
OAK: You can rely on us.
HARRIS: Come on Chief.
(HARRIS and the CHIEF leave. VICTORIA joins OAK and QUILL at the lift controls.)
VICTORIA: Will they be all right. I mean is it safe?
OAK: Oh yes Miss. Don't you worry about a thing. We'll take care of everything, won't we, Mr Quill?
14. CONTROL CENTRE
(HARRIS has just finished updating MEGAN JONES on the current situation).
JONES: Creatures? Seaweed Creatures? What do you say to that Perkins?
PERKINS: Oh. Well...
HARRIS: It's true.
JONES: You can't be serious Mr Harris.
HARRIS: These creatures have been seen in the refinery itself by...
JONES: By some half witted Doctor and a couple of teenagers.
HARRIS: And by me.
JONES: You've seen them?
HARRIS: Yes, Ms Jones. I have seen them.
JONES: Harris, I understand your wife has some sort of accident. I know it must have been a considerable shock to you and I fully understand...
HARRIS: You think I'm lying. That I've been seeing things. Believe me. There are things you don't know.
JONES: I know throughout the southern regions the sea rig stations are reverting to emergency supplies. What are we going to do about it?
HARRIS: At present there is nothing we can do about it. One by one we're losing contact with the rigs out at sea.
JONES: Then I suggest you send someone out to see what's going on.
HARRIS: All right. Have I your permission to call out air defence.
JONES: Certainly not. This is not a national emergency. Use the company helicopters.
HARRIS: But you don't understand...
JONES: Will you please do as I say?
HARRIS: Price.
PRICE: Yes Sir.
HARRIS: Get me the helicopter hangar please.
PRICE: Very good sir.
JONES: Now, Mr. Harris. I think I would like to talk with Chief Robson.
HARRIS: Oh I'm sorry. I think... Well he's not very well.
JONES: Not well? In what way?
HARRIS: Something's happened to him. I... That's all I can tell you.
JONES: Like what? What happened?
HARRIS: I... I don't know. I just don't know.
15. BASE OF IMPELLER SHAFT
JAMIE: Can you see anything?
DOCTOR: No, it's too dark Jamie. Not a sign of Van Lutyens.
JAMIE: Well no point hanging about here.
DOCTOR: Wait a minute.
(Foam and weed emerge further down the corridor.)
DOCTOR: Come on Jamie. Let's get out of here.
(The DOCTOR and JAMIE run back towards the lift shaft. The DOCTOR presses the lift recall button but nothing happens.)
16. IMPELLER SHAFT AREA
(Up above in the lift area, the lift control area is deserted. OAK, QUILL and VICTORIA are gone.)
17. BASE OF IMPELLER SHAFT
JAMIE & DOCTOR: Get us out of here. Take the lift up!!!!
18. IMPELLER SHAFT AREA
(A door with "Pipeline Room" on it opens and QUILL and OAK come out. Ignoring the lift controls, and in particular the flashing lift recall light, they exit the area.)
19. BASE OF IMPELLER SHAFT
(The DOCTOR and JAMIE drag themselves up the impeller shaft ladder.)
20. IMPELLER SHAFT AREA
(JAMIE emerges from the impeller shaft ladder and helps the DOCTOR out.)
JAMIE: Give me your hand. You all right?
DOCTOR: Yes. I think so.
JAMIE: What a climb.
DOCTOR: It's the weed. It must fill the entire shaft. It's moving too quick.
JAMIE: Let's get out of this place...
(He notices that the entire area is deserted.)
JAMIE: Where's Victoria?
DOCTOR: I don't know. No wonder they didn't see the lift shaft signal. There's no one here.
JAMIE: Victoria wouldn't desert us.
DOCTOR: No. Unless she had been persuaded to, Jamie. I think we'd better go and look for her. Come on. You go that way. I'll go this way.
JAMIE: All right.
(The DOCTOR and JAMIE head off in opposite directions.)
21. COMMUNICATIONS CONE
JONES: Foam and weed on all of the rigs?
HARRIS: According to the helicopter pilot - and no sign of life at all.
JONES: It's so fantastic. What on earth are we going to do?
HARRIS: Save the lives of all the men on all the other rigs.
JONES: How?
HARRIS: Give me permission to evacuate them.
PERKINS: What?
HARRIS: Then we blow every one of the rigs to pieces, right out of the sea.
PERKINS: You must be out of your mind. Miss Jones, you can't really agree to such a thing.
HARRIS: Just a minute. We have to. The men's life is more important than any of those rigs.
PERKINS: The minister would never agree.
JONES: That will do Perkins. You ask me to throw years of hard work, skill and government money like that?
(She snaps her fingers as demonstration.)
HARRIS: I'm asking you to destroy this evil that's in the sea. Before it's too late. b*mb the rigs. I implore you.
(ROBSON at that moment runs in.)
ROBSON: No... no. Never. You leave those rigs alone. They're mine. They're mine I tell you. Mine.
JONES: Robson. What's the matter with you?
ROBSON: Don't you see? They're getting at me. The rigs. They're mine. I built them from my own flesh and blood. They're mine. They're mine. They want to destroy everything. They think in that way they can destroy me. We won't allow.
JONES: We? Who Robson? Who?
ROBSON: What? My... I... Don't know... Chief.
(ROBSON stumbles and the CHIEF grabs him before he falls.)
JONES: Are you all right Robson?
ROBSON: Yes. I'm all right. I don't know... I don't know...
JONES: Robson...
(ROBSON staggers out of the communications cone area.)
HARRIS: Let him go. The strain must have affected his mind.
(The DOCTOR enters the communications area having overheard HARRIS's comment.)
DOCTOR: Oh it's not that I can assure you.
HARRIS: Doctor.
JONES: And who are you?
DOCTOR: Well...
HARRIS: Doctor, I've almost forgotten. What about Van Lutyens? did you...
DOCTOR: I... I'm afraid not.
HARRIS: Have you any idea what happened?
DOCTOR: Yes. Jamie and I nearly joined him. The whole of the bottom of the impeller shaft is covered in weed and foam.
JONES: What happened to Mr. Van Lutyens? And Mr. Robson?
DOCTOR: I'm afraid that Mr. Robson is being controlled by some force that emanates from this weed.
JONES: That's incredible.
HARRIS: That's what we said so far about everything the Doctor's told us. Each time he's been proved right. I think it's about time we started to believe him.
JONES: All right. The least we can do is listen.
22. CORRIDOR
(JAMIE is wandering down a corridor calling for VICTORIA.)
JAMIE: VICTORIA... VICTORIA... It's me. Jamie. Where are you?... VICTORIA.
23. COMMUNICATIONS CONE
JONES: You think this seaweed, or what ever it is, is a living organism capable of exercising telepathic control?
DOCTOR: Yes.
JONES: But seaweed's vegetable matter. Everyone knows that.
DOCTOR: This is a struggle for power, Ms Jones. Matter over mind. I'm convinced all these people - Mrs Harris, Chief Robson, Mr. Van Lutyens, have all been overcome in this struggle, and goodness knows how many more people.
HARRIS: Where does it get the intelligence from Doctor?
DOCTOR: The human brain. It's parasitic.
HARRIS: You mean... The creature has taken over human beings.
DOCTOR: I don't know, but they've certainly become part of the colony.
PRICE: Mr. Harris. Control rig...
(BAXTER appears on the monitor.)
HARRIS: Control. Yes, Baxter, what is it?
BAXTER: Mr. Harris, for pity's sake they're all around us.
HARRIS: All right. What's happening.
BAXTER: These things. They're everywhere... The whole... every living place.
HARRIS: Baxter. Baxter. Can you hear...?
BAXTER: Get us out of here. Somebody get us out of here...
(The screen goes blank.)
PRICE: Feed HQ calling Control rig. Come in please. Come in please.
24. IMPELLER AREA
(JAMIE makes his way down a corridor.)
JAMIE: VICTORIA... VICTORIA... VICTORIA.
(JAMIE returns to the impeller area.)
JAMIE: Back to square one. She must be somewhere.
(He notices the pipeline room door ajar. He swings the door open and sees the prone form of VICTORIA.)
JAMIE: Victoria! If anything happened to you, I'd never forgive myself.
VICTORIA: Oh Jamie. I didn't know you cared.
JAMIE: Victoria Waterfield. You tricked me. That's not fair.
VICTORIA: I'm not. I was unconscious.
JAMIE: Yeah. What happened?
VICTORIA: Those two engineers... they must have...
JAMIE: What engineers?
VICTORIA: You know the... and the little one...
JAMIE: You mean the two that were... with the...
VICTORIA: Yes. That's right. I don't remember. I must have passed out.
JAMIE: You know the Doctor and me, we were nearly... Oh never mind about that.
VICTORIA: Oh Jamie, why are we always getting into trouble like this? It's been every where we go.
JAMIE: How do you mean?
VICTORIA: I don't know. I'm just fed up. I'm tired of one crisis on top of another. I just want some piece and quiet.
JAMIE: Oh Victoria. Are you not happy with the Doctor and myself?
VICTORIA: Oh yes. Yes I am. But I just...
JAMIE: What's the matter...
(VICTORIA doesn't respond, and is listening to a background thumping sound.)
JAMIE: What's the matter?
VICTORIA: Listen Jamie.
JAMIE: What is it?
VICTORIA: Can't you hear it?
JAMIE: Yes but where's it coming from?
(He looks around and notices the transparent section of the pipe filled with seaweed and foam.)
JAMIE: Victoria look!
25. COMMUNICATIONS CONE
DOCTOR: With the Control rig gone, we can draw only once conclusion. The weed is trying to take over all the rigs and form one vast colony.
JONES: With what objective?
DOCTOR: The saturation of the British Isles, and perhaps in time the entire planet.
PERKINS: Is such a thing possible?
DOCTOR: Oh yes. Unless we can find the nerve centre and destroy it.
JONES: But how can we possibly do that? It could be anywhere out there in the North Sea.
DOCTOR: Yes. That is the difficulty.
(JAMIE and VICTORIA run in.)
JAMIE: Doctor.
DOCTOR: What is it?
JAMIE: The pipeline. Quick. Come on.
VICTORIA: Hurry.
(They all follow JAMIE and VICTORIA back to the impeller pipeline room.)
26. IMPELLER PIPELINE ROOM
DOCTOR: What's happening?
JAMIE: It's here.
(He points up at the transparent pipe.)
JONES: What in heaven's name is that?
DOCTOR: The advance guard.
JONES: I don't understand... what's happening?
DOCTOR: The first part of the invasion...
(The DOCTOR steps a little closer to the pipeline.)
VICTORIA: Doctor, don't go near.
DOCTOR: It's g*n... The battle of the giants.
(Weed and foam throb in the transparent pipe. VICTORIA screams as the weed and foam try to push their way out...) | {"type": "series", "show": "Doctor Who", "episode": "05x32 - Fury from the Deep - part 4"} | foreverdreaming |
by VICTOR PEMBERTON
first broadcast - 13 April 1968
running time - 23mins 50secs
1. PIPELINE ROOM
(The transparent section of the huge pipeline tube is crawling with clumps of pulsating seaweed, all wriggling in a mass of oozing white foam...)
2. CONTROL CONE
(The DOCTOR points up to the illuminated panel at the top of the Cone. The indicator light is no longer operating for the Control Rig, and only three lights remain: Rigs B, E, and F.)
DOCTOR: With the Control Rig gone we can draw only one conclusion. The weed is trying to take over all the rigs and form one vast colony.
MEGAN JONES: With what objective?
DOCTOR: The saturation of the British Isles and perhaps in time the entire planet.
HARRIS: Is such a thing possible?
DOCTOR: Well, yes. Unless we can find the nerve centre and destroy it.
(HARRIS and MEGAN exchanges a puzzled glance.)
MEGAN JONES: But how can we possibly do that? It could be anywhere out there in the North Sea.
DOCTOR: Yes, that is the difficulty.
(JAMIE and VICTORIA spot the DOCTOR from the door of the Impeller Area.)
JAMIE: Doctor!
DOCTOR: What is it?
JAMIE: Doctor! The pipeline, quick!
VICTORIA: (Practically screeching.) Quickly! Quickly!
(They all run into the Pipeline Room.)
3. PIPELINE ROOM
(The transparent section of the pipeline tube is, by now, jammed solid with the mass of foam and clumps.)
DOCTOR: What's happened?
JAMIE: Here! Come up!
(They all stare at the foam in the pipeline.)
MEGAN JONES: What is heaven's name is that?
DOCTOR: (Grim.) The advanced guard.
MEGAN JONES: I don't understand. What's happening?
DOCTOR: The first part of the invasion.
(The DOCTOR moves forward to examine the pipeline.)
VICTORIA: Doctor, don't go near!
DOCTOR: It's g*n. The battle of the giants!
(The heartbeat is almost deafening and, in the middle of it all, the weed tendrils grope uncontrollably at the transparent walls. The weed wants out and is determined to find a way...)
4. CONTROL CONE
(PRICE is trying to call up any of the rigs on the communicator.)
PRICE: Feed HQ calling Rig F. Feed HQ calling Rig F, can you hear me? Come in please.
(He notices HARRIS walking by the communicator.)
PRICE: Oh Mr Harris. I can't raise any of the rigs. Not one!
HARRIS: This is unbelievable!
PRICE: I'll try again, sir. (Into communicator.) Feed HQ calling Rig B. Feed HQ calling Rig B, can you hear me?
(There is no reply. PRICE looks about in desperation.)
MEGAN: (To PRICE.) Well keep trying man!
DOCTOR: You're wasting your time, Miss Jones. By now all those rigs will have been taken over by the weed colony.
HARRIS: I don't care about the rigs. What's happened to the crews?
DOCTOR: The worst, I'm afraid.
HARRIS: Then we've got to destroy the rigs.
MEGAN: No!
DOCTOR: No, we daren't do that.
HARRIS: Why not?
DOCTOR: Well that would spread this menace over a wide area and make it impossible to att*ck it.
HARRIS: Well what are we going to do?
DOCTOR: No, what is the weed going to do?
MEGAN: What can it do?
DOCTOR: Well, let's think. Now I imagine that in the first place the weed was drawn up by one of the drilling rigs.
HARRIS: No, no, anything that comes up through the bores would be cleared by the engineers at the source, otherwise it would block the pumps.
DOCTOR: Precisely. And the engineers who cleared it much have touched it, yes?
HARRIS: Yes, so they must have been amongst the first to be controlled.
DOCTOR: You see then, this att*ck, and it is an att*ck, follows a set pattern.
MEGAN: How do you mean?
DOCTOR: Top priority people have been att*cked first.
MEGAN: If your theory is correct, the weed now controls two people who know the entire layout and structure of this whole compound.
DOCTOR: Yes, I'm very much afraid that is true.
MEGAN: Robson was here not long ago. We must find him and prevent them using him, for his own sake as well as ours.
HARRIS: Yes I agree. Price.
PRICE: Sir.
HARRIS: Get security to search the entire Compound. I want Mr Robson found and put under armed guard in his cabin.
PRICE: Very good, sir.
HARRIS: Doctor! There's one thing that doesn't fit in with your theory.
DOCTOR: Oh, and what's that?
HARRIS: When Victoria was locked in the Oxygen Room. Now she's nothing to do with the personnel here.
DOCTOR: Yes, that's something that's being puzzling me too. But she disturbed somebody who was interfering with the oxygen supplies.
HARRIS: Someone wearing a gas mask.
DOCTOR: Now supposing that person was under the control of the weed. He was wearing a gas mask for one reason only.
HARRIS: Because to him pure oxygen would be toxic.
DOCTOR: Exactly, Mr Harris.
(Among a group of engineers listening nearby is OAK and QUILL, who exchanged a pointed glance with each other. Without saying a word, both slipped out of the room unnoticed.)
HARRIS: Well then we can use the oxygen as a w*apon against the weed!
DOCTOR: Well it's... it's only a theory at the moment.
MEGAN: Well as Mr Harris said before, you've been right so far. There's no reason why you shouldn't be now.
DOCTOR: (Beaming.) Oh, how nice to be trusted. But I only hope I am right.
5. OXYGEN ROOM
(OAK and QUILL enter the OXYGEN STORE ROOM. They put their white gloves and masks on and one by one they open the release taps on the oxygen cylinders. The room soon fills with the sound of hissing gas...)
6. CONTROL CONE
(PRICE is talking to a guard on the communicator.)
PRICE: Good, see that he stays there.
(He switches off the communicator and turns to HARRIS.)
PRICE: Mr Harris.
HARRIS: Yes?
PRICE: They've found Mr Robson.
HARRIS: Good. Where?
PRICE: In his cabin, lying on his bunk apparently.
HARRIS: Oh well, that's a relief.
PRICE: There's a guard at the door, sir.
HARRIS: Good.
(Hearing this, MEGAN walks over to HARRIS.)
MEGAN: Mr Harris. I want to see Mr Robson.
HARRIS: Robson? But he's ill, he won't be able to put two...
MEGAN: I want to see him.
HARRIS: But you've seen him already. Surely you could see that he was in no fit state to help us in anyway.
MEGAN: I fully realise that, Mr Harris, but we're old friends, he might talk to me. There's just a possibility that he may know something that could help us.
HARRIS: I see. All right, but I'm coming with you. Robson's in an unpredictable state at the moment, he could be violent.
MEGAN: All right, you come too Perkins.
PERKINS: Yes, Miss Jones.
(They both leave the room. HARRIS stops by PRICE before following them.)
HARRIS: Oh, if anything happens, Price, anything at all, I'll be with Miss Jones in Mr Robson's cabin.
PRICE: Very good, sir.
HARRIS: Chief.
(The CHIEF ENGINEER joins them.)
CHIEF ENGINEER: I'm right with you, sir.
7. CORRIDOR
PERKINS: Look, why don't you get the Minister to call up the National Defences?
MEGAN: What exactly do you suppose the armed forces could do?
PERKINS: Well att*ck this weed, or whatever it is.
MEGAN: How? If we att*ck the rig, what about the men out there?
PERKINS: But we don't know that they are there.
MEGAN: Equally, we don't know that they aren't. They could be prisoners, anything. Anyway, even if we blow the rigs out of the sea, there's no guarantee it will end this nightmare. It might well spread the menace, as the Doctor suggested.
HARRIS: This way please, Miss Jones.
MEGAN: Right!
(They start to move down the corridor and MEGAN notices PERKINS's worried look.)
MEGAN: And come along, Perkins. Don't look so worried, man, you might as well go home.
8. OUTSIDE ROBSON'S CABIN
(There is a guard outside the cabin door. HARRIS stops MEGAN just before the door.)
MEGAN: If you please, Harris.
HARRIS: Miss Jones, I'd rather you let me or Perkins come in with you.
MEGAN: No! Now don't fuss, Harris, I'll be perfectly all right.
(Giving up, HARRIS lets go of the door handle, and MEGAN enters the room.)
9. ROBSON'S CABIN
(ROBSON is lying on his bunk, eyes staring aimlessly at the ceiling. His face is white, gaunt, and lined, and his hair is now streaked with white.)
MEGAN: Robson. Robson! John. John. It's all right John, it's me, Megan, Megan Jones.
(ROBSON's head turns to face her. It is covered with sweat, as if he were fighting a mental battle.)
ROBSON: (Lifelessly.) Megan.
MEGAN: I want to try to help you.
(ROBSON speaks in a bewildered voice.)
ROBSON: Can't help. No one can help.
MEGAN: John, can you tell us what happened?
ROBSON: No.
MEGAN: John, listen to me. We can't help you unless you help us.
ROBSON: Can't help, no one... can help.
MEGAN: Yes we can, John, if you let us. Now whatever it is that's affecting you, you've got to fight it!
ROBSON: Can't fight.
MEGAN: You've got to fight it, John!
ROBSON: Can't fight it.
(MEGAN grabs ROBSON by the shoulders and shakes him - hard.)
MEGAN: Now come on, Robson! Robson! Now listen to me. I'm director of the board. I put you in charge of this area and I can just as easily send you back to the rigs. Do you understand me, Robson? Now pull yourself together, man!
ROBSON: Megan.
MEGAN: Pull yourself together!
ROBSON: Megan... Megan... help me.. help... Help me, Megan!
MEGAN: John.
ROBSON: Help!
MEGAN: It's all right, John.
(HARRIS and PERKINS burst into the room.)
HARRIS: Miss Jones!
MEGAN: John, can you hear me? Can you hear me?
(ROBSON just stares into space. MEGAN turns to HARRIS.)
MEGAN: It's as if he was in a trance, hypnotised. I thought for a minute he was rational.
HARRIS: I think we'd better let him rest.
(With a last look at ROBSON, MEGAN leaves the room.)
10. OUTSIDE ROBSON'S CABIN
(The guard snaps to attention as the three leave ROBSON's cabin.)
MEGAN: Harris, is there nothing we can do to help him?
HARRIS: No, the Doctor couldn't help my... my wife... so I'm sure there is nothing he can...
MEGAN: No. No, of course not. As far as I can see the only thing to do is to destroy this weed. Come on.
(She marches back toward the Control Cone. PERKINS and HARRIS exchange a surprised look before following her.)
11. CONTROL CONE
(The DOCTOR is sitting on some steps looking anxious as he thinks about the problem. JAMIE and VICTORIA are watching him.)
JAMIE: He does look worried this time. It's beginning to give me the willies.
VICTORIA: Yes. I wish we could go back to the TARDIS. Leave all this trouble behind.
JAMIE: We couldn't do that. You know the Doctor would never leave these people. Not while there's...
VICTORIA: (Irritably.) Oh I know, I know!
JAMIE: Oh, Victoria, you're not going to start again, are you? Look, the Doctor's got enough trouble as it is. So let him just sit and work it out.
Anyway, he says there's an obvious answer to this seaweed stuff.
VICTORIA: Is there? What do you mean?
JAMIE: A way of fighting it.
VICTORIA: If it's that obvious he would have thought of it by now.
JAMIE: Aye.
(MEGAN and the others enter the room. MEGAN marches straight up to the DOCTOR.)
MEGAN: Well Doctor, have you thought of a way in which we can att*ck this weed?
(The DOCTOR, deep in thought, does not respond.)
MEGAN: Doctor!
DOCTOR: Oh, Miss Jones. No, I'm afraid I haven't.
MEGAN: Well have you any idea what it might do next?
DOCTOR: Well I think it has little alternative, but to att*ck us here.
HARRIS: Here!
PERKINS: But why?
DOCTOR: 'Cause this is the gas distribution centre. It will want to gain control of it! We must find a way of attacking its nerve centre before it does.
PERKINS: But where is the nerve centre?
DOCTOR: That's the trouble, we don't know.
HARRIS: And we're not sure yet quite how to destroy it, are we?
DOCTOR: No, but there... there is something at the back of my mind.
PERKINS: Well what about the oxygen?
DOCTOR: Yes, that is a possibility.
MEGAN: Then we must put the oxygen supply room under guard.
DOCTOR: Right!
12. ROBSON'S CABIN
(ROBSON is asleep, his eyes closed. Suddenly the heartbeat of the Weed Creature starts. ROBSON's eyes open and he focuses on the ventilator grill in his room.)
ROBSON: Yes. Yes.
(It appears that ROBSON is receiving instructions.)
13. OUTSIDE ROBSON'S CABIN
(The Guard is waiting for an att*ck but is completely unprepared for the one from ROBSON who breathes on him with toxic air... The guard collapses and ROBSON runs off.)
14. CONTROL CONE
(HARRIS is being told of the damage done by OAK and QUILL.)
HARRIS: The whole of the oxygen store?
PRICE: Yes, sir, and there are no reserves left at all.
HARRIS: They seem to be one step ahead of us all the time
DOCTOR: Yes, I was right. Someone amongst us here is under the control of the weed.
HARRIS: You mean apart from Robson and Van Lutyens.
DOCTOR: Yes, I'm afraid so.
HARRIS: How will we find out who they are?
DOCTOR: Don't know, that's the difficulty.
(Everybody looks at each other in surprise and suspicion. VICTORIA's eyes fall on two engineers - OAK and QUILL.)
HARRIS: Well, we must have a personnel check. Now there's a fingerprint file in security.
DOCTOR: Yes.
HARRIS: Doctor, I shall need your help.
DOCTOR: Yes.
(VICTORIA alerts JAMIE to the two engineers. However they are just going out the door and JAMIE and VICTORIA rush after them.)
15. CORRIDOR
(OAK and QUILL hurry down the corridor, but find it difficult to move their legs while under the Weed's control. This gives JAMIE and VICTORIA time to catch up...)
JAMIE: Hey you two, just a moment! Stop!
(The two engineers turn into another corridor.)
JAMIE: Hey, come back. You wont get away from me!
VICTORIA: Careful!
(JAMIE throws himself on QUILL, who tries to breathe the toxic air into JAMIE's face... VICTORIA screams, and QUILL's strength seems to fade away. A quick punch from JAMIE puts the engineer on the floor. OAK manages to escape as the DOCTOR and the others arrive. Two guards grabs QUILL.)
JAMIE: Didn't know what h*t him, did he?
DOCTOR: Yes Jamie, I'm... I'm sure you're right.
JAMIE: There's a wee bit of power left in the old McCrimmon punch yet.
DOCTOR: (Examining QUILL.) I'm sorry to disillusion you, Jamie, but... I don't think it was the punch that did it.
(The CHIEF ENGINEER rushes into the room.)
CHIEF ENGINEER: Mr Harris!
HARRIS: What is it?
CHIEF ENGINEER: I think you better come, sir. Quickly!
(The guards drag a dazed QUILL away as the others rush back to the Pipeline Room.)
16. CONTROL CONE
(MEGAN and PERKINS notice the rush towards the Pipeline Room. MEGAN calls HARRIS over.)
MEGAN: What's the trouble?
HARRIS: The pipeline room.
MEGAN: But it's incredible
PERKINS: Why can't we do something?
MEGAN: We have to trust this strange Doctor. He's the only one who seems to be able to anticipate events.
PERKINS: Don't you think that in itself is suspect?
MEGAN: He's our only hope. Come on.
17. PIPELINE ROOM
(The pipeline is totally filled with the foam and weed. The alien heartbeat is almost deafening.)
JAMIE: What's happened to it, Doctor?
DOCTOR: It's beginning to expand, like it did in the TARDIS.
JAMIE: Is there no way of stopping it?
DOCTOR: No. I should have thought of this.
(Afraid, VICTORIA holds back at the doorway. Suddenly a weed-covered hand is placed over her mouth and she is dragged away without a sound...)
MEGAN: But you mean this horrible stuff's growing all the time?
DOCTOR: I'm very much afraid so!
PRICE: Mr Harris, sir. Mr Harris. Mr Robson's broken out of his cabin. He's att*cked the guard!
JAMIE: Doctor, look at that!
(JAMIE points in horror at the pipeline tube. The transparent section fractures with a loud crack, right down the middle. The foam explodes out of the crack and lands on some engineers nearby. The Weed creature starts to follow.)
DOCTOR: Right, Jamie, back. Back, everyone back. Come along.
(The room clears quickly. However MEGAN is transfixed, staring at the creature in horror.)
DOCTOR: Miss Jones, I think it's time you went. Come along.
(The DOCTOR shoves the Chairperson out of the room. Only JAMIE and himself remain.)
JAMIE: Where's Victoria?
DOCTOR: She was here.
VOICE: (From speakers.) RED EMERGENCY ALERT! RED EMERGENCY ALERT!
JAMIE: But, where is she?
DOCTOR: I don't know! She was standing right beside you.
JAMIE: I thought she was with you!
DOCTOR: No!
18. IMPELLER ROOM
(The DOCTOR and JAMIE continue their search for VICTORIA. Turning to leave, they notice that the doors are closed...)
JAMIE: Hey!
DOCTOR: The doors!
(They started to bang on the doors.)
DOCTOR: Open these doors! Open these doors!
(They notice some other doors...)
DOCTOR: Let's try here, Jamie!
(...as they move towards the doors they close in their faces.)
JAMIE: They've closed too.
(The DOCTOR spots some more doors...)
DOCTOR: They're not, come along!
(The DOCTOR runs through the doors as they start to close. He tries to stop them from closing before JAMIE can come through.)
DOCTOR: Jamie, I... the doors, they're heavy. I can't hold them! Jamie, hurry! Jamie! Jamie, come on! This way, in here. Hurry up, I can't hold them!
(JAMIE throws himself through the doors. As they close the area behind them fills with lethal gas...)
JAMIE: Now what do we do?
DOCTOR: We must look for Victoria. You go that way, I'll go this.
JAMIE: All right.
19. ENTRANCE TO BASE
(ROBSON drops an unconscious VICTORIA from his shoulder into the passenger seat of a little two-seater car. He gets into the drivers seat and drives off at great speed...)
20. CONTROL CONE
(The Control Cone is filled with people to-ing and fro-ing, alarm klaxon horns in the background.)
HARRIS: Seal off the pipeline room, completely! Close the pipeline - in and out! Well come on, man, don't just stand there!
(He turns to some guards.)
HARRIS: Guards! You must find Mr Robson. Search everywhere.
21. CLIFFTOP
(The car comes to a halt. ROBSON gets out, drags VICTORIA from her seat, and throws her across his shoulder. He turns and almost runs to a waiting helicopter. He starts the machine and takes off.)
22. CONTROL CONE
PRICE: Mr Harris!
HARRIS: What is it?
PRICE: Mr Robson has just taken off.
23. HELICOPTER
(VICTORIA is still unconscious. ROBSON moves the controls with his weed-covered hands...)
24. CONTROL CONE
(JAMIE and the DOCTOR come back into the Control Cone.)
JAMIE: Hey, have you seen Victoria?
HARRIS: No I haven't.
(JAMIE turns a worried face to DOCTOR.)
JAMIE: Look, haven't you found her yet?
DOCTOR: No, I was hoping you had.
JAMIE: But she was standing right beside us...
DOCTOR: No, no, no...
(While JAMIE looks totally crushed, HARRIS receives some news.)
HARRIS: Doctor, it's Robson. He's trying to get away in one of the company helicopters.
JAMIE: What?
HARRIS: I'm afraid he's got your young girl with him.
DOCTOR: Oh no. Oh no. Can I speak to him from here?
HARRIS: Yes. Price, switch to RT.
PRICE: Yes, sir.
(PRICE switches on the RT and a picture appears on one of the communicator screens. The DOCTOR turns to PRICE to confirm that he will be speaking to the right screen.)
DOCTOR: This one?
PRICE: Yes.
DOCTOR: (To the screen.) Robson. Robson. Robson, listen to me. Can you hear me?
25. HELICOPTER
(The DOCTOR's voice comes over the RT into the helicopter.)
DOCTOR: (OOV.) Robson. Come back, man, come back. Robson, don't you realise what they're trying to do to you? They're trying to control you!
ROBSON: Now listen to me.
DOCTOR: (OOV.) Robson. Robson.
ROBSON: Listen! Listen!
26. CONTROL CONE
ROBSON: (OOV.) I have the girl. She is my prisoner. She is my hostage. Do you understand? If you want her to live, come over to us. Come over to us.
(The screen goes blank.)
DOCTOR: Robson. Robson!
PRICE: He's switched off, sir.
MEGAN: What did he mean come over to us?
DOCTOR: Well he meant exactly what he said!
HARRIS: You mean they want you?
DOCTOR: Yes, they must think I'm a serious menace.
HARRIS: But you won't go, surely?
DOCTOR: But of course.
MEGAN: But we need you here, you're our only hope.
JAMIE: Doctor, we can't let him take Victoria! Now we've got to do something to stop him!
MEGAN: You can't go with that man, you can see he's not responsible.
DOCTOR: Jamie's right, we've got to go after him.
HARRIS: Yes, you can use the company helicopter.
MEGAN: Harris! If we let this man go now, what hope have we got?
DOCTOR: Miss Jones, I have a feeling that Mr Robson is going to lead us to the nerve centre of the colony.
HARRIS: Price, tell the helicopter crew to stand by. Doctor, come with me. I'll get you some transport.
27. CONTROL RIG COMPLEX
(ROBSON's helicopter approaches the Complex. VICTORIA is starting to come to...)
28. CONTROL CONE
(It is a little later. HARRIS is talking to PRICE through the Communicator.)
HARRIS: Good! Thank you, Price. Tell them not to lose touch. Oh, and Price, the Doctor and the boy, are they airborne yet?
PRICE: (OOV.) No, sir, they're just approaching the air field.
29. CLIFFTOP
(The other helicopter, this time with a pilot, takes off with the DOCTOR and JAMIE in the back.)
30. CONTROL CONE
(HARRIS rush back into the Control Cone.)
PRICE: Mr Harris, sir. Mr Harris, the Doctor's airborne.
HARRIS: Good! (Into the microphone.) Doctor, can you see Robson.
DOCTOR: (OOV.) No, can't see anything here.
HARRIS: All right, listen carefully. We managed to track him on the Radar scope. He just landed on the control rig complex.
31. DOCTOR'S HELICOPTER
(The DOCTOR and JAMIE are wrapped up warm in their anoraks.)
DOCTOR: The control rig complex.
32. CONTROL CONE
HARRIS: What? Say again.
DOCTOR: (OOV.) We are proceeding there now.
(He turns to MEGAN and PERKINS who stand there with a worried look on their faces.)
MEGAN: What chance have they got?
HARRIS: Your guess is as good as mine.
MEGAN: What do we do now?
HARRIS: We sit and wait.
MEGAN: But we can't...
HARRIS: If the Doctor hasn't done something within an hour, I'm evacuating the compound.
MEGAN: No...
HARRIS: And that's final, Miss Jones!
(The Chairperson looks outraged but says nothing more.)
33. DOCTOR'S HELICOPTER
(The two men are approaching the Complex.)
DOCTOR: (Pointing.) Jamie, there's the control rig complex.
JAMIE: Hey Doctor, one of those towers is all covered in white.
DOCTOR: Yes, it's foam. That's the nerve centre.
(JAMIE points something else out...)
JAMIE: Robson's helicopter.
DOCTOR: Yes.
JAMIE: We can't land there.
DOCTOR: Oh yes we can, Jamie.
34. CONTROL RIG COMPLEX
(The helicopter rolls out a long ladder and the DOCTOR starts to climb down.)
DOCTOR: Come on in, the water's lovely.
(JAMIE follows him down.)
DOCTOR: Go on, Jamie.
(They both walk across the landing pad which is covered with a thin layer of foam. The DOCTOR waves at his helicopter pilot.)
DOCTOR: Goodbye.
(They both enter the nearby room with LOG ROOM written on the door.)
DOCTOR: So far so good, Jamie.
JAMIE: But the driver, will he wait for us?
DOCTOR: Oh yes, he said he'd hang around.
JAMIE: Where do we go from here?
DOCTOR: I think we'll go down that way.
JAMIE: Like walking into the lion's den.
DOCTOR: Jamie, we're already in the lion's den. What we've got to concentrate on is keeping our heads out of his mouth.
(They leave the room via the interior door and start to climb down the metal stairs beneath.)
JAMIE: It's very quiet. Do you think Victoria really is down here?
DOCTOR: There's nowhere else she can be.
JAMIE: Aye, I suppose you're right.
(JAMIE opens his mouth to call to Victoria but only manage to get "Vic..." out before the DOCTOR clamps his hand over his mouth.)
DOCTOR: Jamie! Jamie! Now there's no element of surprise!
(But it was too late as for down the corridor comes...)
VICTORIA: (OOV.) Jamie! Doctor!
JAMIE: See I was right.
(He starts to charge down the corridor towards the cries but the DOCTOR holds his arm to stop him.)
DOCTOR: Now, Jamie!
JAMIE: What's the matter?
(The DOCTOR tries reasoning with the warrior Scot.)
DOCTOR: If you were hunting, what would you do?
JAMIE: Well I'd set a... oh I see, you think it might be a trap.
DOCTOR: Might be. We'll lets be cautious just in case, hey?
(They move slowly down the corridor checking each room as go. The is no sign of VICTORIA however and they reach the end of the corridor. Behind a door they can hear the unmistakable sound of the heartbeat.)
DOCTOR: Here we go.
35. CREWROOM
(The two men burst into the room and stare in horror... The end of the room is filled with the foam and the heartbeat, and in the middle is a terrifying sight... the figure of ROBSON looking half-demented, his neck and hands sprouting frond-like weed formations. And out of the foam that has almost completely engulfed him, the tentacles of the giant Weed Creature are snaking about him.)
JAMIE: (In almost total shock, half whispering.) It's Robson!
(At his name, ROBSON started to move forward slowly towards the pair.)
ROBSON: (Softly.) Come in, Doctor. I've been waiting for you. | {"type": "series", "show": "Doctor Who", "episode": "05x33 - Fury from the Deep - part 5"} | foreverdreaming |
by VICTOR PEMBERTON
first broadcast - 13April 1968
running time - 23mins 50secs
1. CREWROOM
(The two men burst into the room and stare in horror... The end of the room is filled with the foam and the heartbeat, and in the middle is a terrifying sight... the figure of ROBSON looking half-demented, his neck and hands sprouting frond-like weed formations. And out of the foam that has almost completely engulfed him, the tentacles of the giant Weed Creature is snaking about him.)
JAMIE: (In almost total shock, half whispering.) It's Robson!
(At his name, ROBSON started to move forward slowly towards the pair.)
ROBSON: (Softly.) Come in, Doctor. I've been waiting for you.
DOCTOR: What do you want with me?
ROBSON: (Still slowly marching on the DOCTOR.) You are going to help our new masters. They need you.
DOCTOR: They need me?
VICTORIA: (Calling from another door in the corridor.) Jamie! Doctor!
ROBSON: You are going to help...
JAMIE: Victoria.
(He rushes out to free VICTORIA.)
ROBSON: ...with the conquest of the human planet.
(JAMIE opens the door and frees VICTORIA.)
VICTORIA: (Hugging him.) Jamie!
JAMIE: Victoria!
DOCTOR: Don't you realise what they've done to you? They're trying to control your mind, man!
ROBSON: The mind does not exist. It is tired. It is d*ad. It is obsolete. Only our new masters can offer us life.
DOCTOR: Matter will never conquer mind! It's against the law of nature!
ROBSON: The body does not exist. Soon we shall all be one.
(ROBSON leans forward, opens his mouth and breathes gas onto the DOCTOR. The DOCTOR covers his nose with his handkerchief and fights to keep himself from been overwhelmed...)
DOCTOR: Jamie, hurry! Hurry, Jamie!
(The DOCTOR backs out into the corridor...)
2. CONTROL RIG COMPLEX
(...to join JAMIE and VICTORIA. ROBSON follows them as they back away down the corridor towards the stairs.)
ROBSON: You cannot escape. You must join us. You must join us. You will join us.
(He opens his mouth again, bellowing out toxic gas.)
VICTORIA: (Screams.)
(ROBSON stops d*ad, as if he is in pain. The DOCTOR, seeing this, gets an idea.)
DOCTOR: Scream again, Victoria!
(VICTORIA screams again and again...)
ROBSON: No... No... No... Stop... Stop! Stop! Stop!
(...He backs away from the screams into the crewroom...)
VICTORIA: (Still almost screaming.) Oh Doctor!
DOCTOR: Come along, it's time we got out of here.
(VICTORIA notices the door to the crewroom is still wide open.)
VICTORIA: The door?
JAMIE: Yes, should we lock him in?
DOCTOR: No, no. I think it's all right now. The helicopter's waiting, come along. Mind the stairs. They're slippery.
(They rush through the log room and out onto the landing pad. The whole place is covered in foam. It is almost impossible, from the ground, to see anything apart from foam...)
DOCTOR: Well where's the helicopter then?
VICTORIA: I can't see anything except this awful foam.
JAMIE: Don't worry, Victoria, it won't hurt you.
DOCTOR: (Looking up at the sky spots the helicopter.) There it is!
(All three shout 'hey!' at the helicopter, but can't get its attention through all the foam.)
VICTORIA: Oh, can't he see us?
DOCTOR: Probably not.
JAMIE: He's probably just too scared.
DOCTOR: Oh Jamie, help me get this hatchway covered. We can't hang around here. The helicopter will never see us.
(JAMIE helps the DOCTOR to close the hatchway to the log room to prevent ROBSON from following them.)
JAMIE: But we'll never get off the rig without it!
(The DOCTOR points over to the other landing pad to another helicopter - the one ROBSON used to kidnap VICTORIA.)
DOCTOR: There's Robson's helicopter in there.
JAMIE: But it hasn't got a driver!
DOCTOR: I've been dying to get my hands on one of those things. Come on. Come on.
(They rush over to the other pad.)
3. HELICOPTER
(The three pile into the helicopter as the alien heartbeat starts up again. The foam starts to move after them. The DOCTOR tries to take off, pressing buttons and moving the pilot stick.)
VICTORIA: Oh the foam, Doctor! I can't see!
DOCTOR: Don't worry, Victoria, we'll soon be out of it.
(The helicopter's blades accelerate enough for the DOCTOR to take off - admittedly in a sideways direction - nearly hitting a tower.)
JAMIE: I hope you know what you're doing.
DOCTOR: Well we're airborne, aren't we Jamie? Anyway, ask Victoria. She got kidnapped by one of these things.
VICTORIA: That's the only time.
DOCTOR: Now don't worry, Victoria. It's a very primitive machine, you know. It should be easy to control.
VICTORIA: Doctor, look out!
(The three make various exclamations - 'ohs', 'oohs' and 'ahs'- as the helicopter falls into a dive and nearly hits the sea before pulling up.)
VICTORIA: Oh, no!
(Again they make various exclamations of 'ohs', 'oohs' and 'ahs' as this time the helicopter pulls up and completes a loop-the-loop before levelling out again.)
DOCTOR: Well, that's strange.
JAMIE: What?
DOCTOR: Well I was always... under the impression that you couldn't loop the loop in a helicopter.
JAMIE: What?
(...more exclamations as the tower of the Control Rig looms again and the helicopter nearly hits it again. Luckily for the three, the pilot of the helicopter that took the DOCTOR and JAMIE out to the rig sees what is happening and starts to communicate instructions over the RV.)
PILOT: Switch back. Switch back. Nose down a bit. Go on. Right pedal down.
DOCTOR: Right pedal.
(The DOCTOR's helicopter obeys the pilot's instructions.)
PILOT: Right pedal down! Not too much, not too much. Try and keep the nose on the horizon. Okay... okay... now it's too much! Switch back! Switch back! Switch back, you want to come up now. Come on, you're getting too near the water. Much too near the water. Switch back... switch back... pull her up...
switch back! Switch back quickly! You're about to h*t the water. Now try and keep still and let me think for a while. Okay, now pull her up. Switch back! Switch back! quickly, switch back! Listen to me. Now try and keep the control central.
(Finally the DOCTOR's and the PILOT's helicopter are on a level course back to the Control Base.)
DOCTOR: Yes, thank you so much. Oh, just one thing! I've got it up all right and it should be comparatively simple to propel it forward. However, how do I land it?
(And with that the two helicopters fly off back towards the land.)
4. CONTROL CONE
(It is all very quiet. HARRIS is walking about, just about holding onto his temper. PERKINS and MEGAN are nearby. HARRIS slams his fist on the desk in anger.)
HARRIS: It's no good. We won't hear from the Doctor or any of them. We must evacuate the compound.
MEGAN: No! We said an hour. He's got... ten more minutes.
HARRIS: But even if he does come back, what good could he do? The only possible w*apon we could have used against the weed has been destroyed.
MEGAN: That was your entire stock of oxygen, was it?
HARRIS: Yes.
(MEGAN, using her chairperson's persona, twirls around on PERKINS and starts to give instructions.)
MEGAN: Right. Perkins, get onto London to the Defence Minister. I want a full red alert on this now. Tell him what's happened and ask him to arrange for as many t*nk of oxygen as he can muster to be sent here immediately.
PERKINS: Yes, Miss Jones.
HARRIS: They won't be in time. We must evacuate the compound! The pipeline room is a mass of weed and foam. You've seen how rapidly it reproduces. It could swamp the entire compound at any moment.
MEGAN: It could! But it hasn't yet!
HARRIS: And when it...
MEGAN: And until it does, we stay here!
HARRIS: And when it does att*ck, how do you expect to fight it? With what w*apon?
(A familiar voice rings out from the entrance to the Control Cone.)
DOCTOR: Perhaps I can answer those questions, Mr Harris.
(The DOCTOR, JAMIE and VICTORIA walk over to join the group.)
MEGAN: Doctor! Oh, thank heavens you're alive.
HARRIS: What about Robson, did you find him?
JAMIE: Aye, we found him all right.
HARRIS: And my wife?
DOCTOR: Well we didn't see her, no.
HARRIS: No! There's not much hope, is there? What can we do? How can we fight this hideous thing?
DOCTOR: You say there's not much hope. I believe there is!
HARRIS: But even if we succeed in fighting off the weed, what about... what about those people already affected by it?
DOCTOR: Well on our way back here we stopped of at the Medicare Centre. The man that Jamie fought with in the corridor has almost completely recovered.
(HARRIS and the others are astonished at this.)
HARRIS: What?
DOCTOR: Yes, the weed growth on his arm has disappeared and died. He's bemused, he's dazed, but he's alive!
HARRIS: How? Why? What k*lled the weed?
DOCTOR: Noise! Sound vibrations.
MEGAN: How did you find out?
DOCTOR: Victoria discovered it.
VICTORIA: (Puzzled.) I did?
DOCTOR: Well yes, you screamed.
VICTORIA: (Still puzzled.) I screamed?
DOCTOR: It's her scream, her particular pattern of sound that does the trick!
HARRIS: So that's why the crews on the rigs spoke softly. The noise affected them.
DOCTOR: Very possibly. Now, before you evacuate this compound, just give me one half hour.
(The CHIEF ENGINEER comes over with a report.)
CHIEF ENGINEER: Mr Harris, it is too great, sir. The entire compound is alive with seaweed.
MEGAN: Half an hour won't make that much difference. Doctor, what is it that we can do?
DOCTOR: We make a noise, Miss Jones, we make an awful lot of noise!
HARRIS: It's too late, we'll never stop it now!
DOCTOR: But we've got to, it may be too late!
HARRIS: It's impossible, I tell you. It's seeping in from every corner of the compound.
DOCTOR: Yes, but if we can destroy the weed's nerve centre.
MEGAN: But you said yourself that you don't know where the nerve centre is.
DOCTOR: But we do! It's here!
HARRIS: That's the Control Rig.
DOCTOR: Precisely! We must generate enough sound to penetrate the Control Rig.
MEGAN: But how will you get it there?
(The DOCTOR points to the pipeline.)
DOCTOR: That way! Through the pipeline. This is a habit. This is the only way to help your wife and all those other people.
HARRIS: I realise that, but there isn't time.
DOCTOR: But please, just one half hour!
HARRIS: Price.
PRICE: Sir.
HARRIS: What's happening in the pipeline room?
(PRICE flicks a switch and the huge central video monitor screen springs into life. There is an immediate gasp from everyone in the hall. The screen shows the pipeline room, now completely engulfed in white foam and squealing, wriggling weed tentacles.)
PRICE: (Shocked.) Half an hour?
HARRIS: Yes, that's about all we've got. But you're right - we must try.
(The DOCTOR claps his hands.)
DOCTOR: Oh, thank you. Now then, Mr Price, where do all these big leads go to, um?
(PRICE points out some other equipment.)
PRICE: The transmitters and loud speakers down below, sir.
DOCTOR: I see.
PRICE: What's this all about, Doctor?
DOCTOR: Well if we can boost this equipment to transmit enough sound down the pipeline, we can destroy the weed's nerve centre.
MEGAN: But do you think this idea will work?
DOCTOR: Have you got a tape recorder or some such thing?
PRICE: Yes, I think so.
(The DOCTOR turns to VICTORIA, who is standing nearby with JAMIE.)
DOCTOR: Victoria, I want you to scream.
VICTORIA: Scream?
DOCTOR: He will record it. Make a loop of it so that we can repeat it endlessly.
PRICE: Right, sir. What have we got here..?
(MEGAN turns to JAMIE while PRICE explains the use of some equipment to the DOCTOR.)
MEGAN: I hope he knows what he's doing.
JAMIE: Of course he does - I think.
CHIEF ENGINEER: Mr Harris, the impeller shaft. You men, quick!
(HARRIS and some other men rush towards the impeller shaft. MEGAN rushes over to the DOCTOR, who is concealed on the floor behind the Cone sorting out a vast complex of cables and electronic equipment.)
MEGAN: Oh come on, Doctor!
5. IMPELLER AREA
(The men rush into the area. The CHIEF pointed to the lift shaft.)
CHIEF ENGINEER: Look, there!
(He points at a flood of foam and weed that is seeping up from the lift shaft and swirling around inside the airlock.)
6. CONTROL CONE
(The DOCTOR turns with some speakers...)
DOCTOR: Take these magnetised speakers and attach them to the pipeline over there. Jamie, give me a hand.
(JAMIE and some engineers take the speakers and start to hook it up to the pipeline. Meanwhile PRICE has pointed a microphone at VICTORIA.)
PRICE: Right, ready miss. Now, scream into this. Now.
(VICTORIA looks very unnerved with the situation and looks totally lost.)
VICTORIA: What now?
PRICE: Yes, yes. There's not a moment to lose.
VICTORIA: I can't. It's silly.
(PRICE starts to get frantic.)
PRICE: No, no. Please... please do help a little.
VICTORIA: Oh, Doctor!
(The DOCTOR comes over.)
DOCTOR: What's the matter, Victoria?
PRICE: She can't scream, sir.
(The DOCTOR can't believe it.)
DOCTOR: Oh no! Oh Victoria, that's ridiculous!
VICTORIA: Jamie, you can't scream just like that!
DOCTOR: Everything depends upon you screaming!
(VICTORIA catches sight of something over the DOCTOR's shoulders. On the other side of the Cone, HARRIS, the CHIEF and the men that went with him are escaping from the impeller area as a great surge of foam and weed tries to force its way through a perspex door... VICTORIA starts to scream her heart out. The DOCTOR, JAMIE and PRICE cover their ears in pain and the tape in the tape recorder whirls into action recording the screams.)
DOCTOR: There you are. I knew you could.
HARRIS: Run! Don't just stand there!
(The DOCTOR tries to hook up the speaker system while the foam starts to break through the perspex door. JAMIE moves down and tries to drag the DOCTOR to safety but the DOCTOR shrugs him off his arm.)
DOCTOR: Get out of the way, Jamie! Keep away!
JAMIE: What?
DOCTOR: Jamie, keep away! Jamie!
(HARRIS twirls around and starts to give orders to a nearby engineer.)
HARRIS: All release valves open! Quick!
MEGAN: What are you doing, man?
HARRIS: I'm going to save the lives of an awful lot of people, Miss Jones. Close feed lines one to six! Come on, man!
(MEGAN charges over in anger and shock. She almost screams at HARRIS.)
MEGAN: You mean you're giving up? You're evacuating?
HARRIS: Open your eyes, Miss Jones, can't you see what's happening? We're gradually being strangled. I can't risk the lives of these men here any longer.
DOCTOR: Just a few more minutes, please Mr Harris. The scream is ready.
HARRIS: Good!
DOCTOR: And Mr Harris...
HARRIS: All right, all right, what do you want us to do?
DOCTOR: Now then, I've attached the speakers to the pipeline. Victoria's scream will be put through this.
(He points to a small electronic gadget.)
HARRIS: What... what does that do?
DOCTOR: Well it's a little toy of my own. Together with the amplifiers, yes... it should produce a sonic laser sound wave.
MEGAN: You mean like a laser light beam?
DOCTOR: Yes, passing through the pipes. It will destroy the nerve centre of the weed.
HARRIS: Will it destroy the weed here?
DOCTOR: Well unfortunately no. No, we have to do battle with that ourselves.
HARRIS: How?
DOCTOR: With these, Mr Price.
PRICE: With what?
DOCTOR: If a weed's detected here, we simply point these at them (He points at the hooked-up speakers.) and hope for the best. Now, for heaven's sake, don't get in the way of the speakers, the sound'll cut you to pieces! Look there!
PRICE: Look at the other two. There's another one.
(He points at the communicator screen which shows weed creatures coming out of the pipeline.)
HARRIS: Chief! Chief, quick!
JAMIE: Doctor, how many is that? I thought that there was only one... monster.
(The CHIEF rushes out to see what he can do to stop the flow of foam.)
VICTORIA: Oh no!
(HARRIS watches the progress of the foam on the communicator. The CHIEF is able to close one pair of doors, but fails to close the other set of doors...)
CHIEF: I can't get the other two.
HARRIS: It's making for the corridor.
PERKINS: How many...
(HARRIS calls after the CHIEF who is still trying to close the doors.)
HARRIS: Chief! Chief, quick!
(The DOCTOR completes his work on the circuits.)
DOCTOR: There you are, that's it.
7. CORRIDOR
(The foam runs down the corridor from the Impeller Area towards the Control Cone... The CHIEF watches in horror and keeps trying to close the doors.)
HARRIS: (OOV.) Back, Chief.
(The CHIEF gives up and runs back into the Control Cone. Behind him the foam reaches the open doors.)
8. CONTROL CONE
HARRIS: Full Alert!
(The klaxon horn starts again.)
DOCTOR: Close all doors!
PERKINS: Steady on.
HARRIS: I'm in charge! Close all doors!
(The doors close. We hear the foam and the weed creature arrive at the Cone doors and bang against it and the doors start to buckle.)
JAMIE: Those doors won't hold!
(The DOCTOR gives JAMIE one of the portable speakers he has created.)
DOCTOR: Point this at the monster but don't get in the way of it.
HARRIS: LOOK OUT!
(The main Doors cracks open and the foam runs into the room. Everybody starts to back away from the foam as quickly as possible.)
DOCTOR: Back, Everybody, Back! Onto the platform.
(Everybody jumps onto the control platform. The foam continues its advance. A weed creature appears at the doorway. The DOCTOR turns to PRICE who stares at the foam in almost total horror and shock...)
DOCTOR: Switch it on, man, switch it on!
(PRICE is in shock and doesn't throw the switch.)
DOCTOR: Hold that, Jamie.
(He passes his own portable speaker to JAMIE and goes over to PRICE.)
DOCTOR: Which is the connector switch? The connector switch! Come on! We've got to eliminate that creature.
(PRICE snaps out of his trance. The DOCTOR addresses the engineers who have their own portable speakers.)
DOCTOR: Point it at the creature. (To PRICE.) Go on!
(PRICE and the ENGINEERS switch on their equipment and point it at the creatures that are swarming into the room. The sounds of VICTORIA's enhanced screams are coupled with VICTORIA's real scream. The sound lashes out at the weed creature.)
JAMIE: What's going on?
(The Weed Creature continues to move forward - only slightly slower than before...)
MEGAN: It's not working!
DOCTOR: Give it a minute.
MEGAN: It's not working, I tell you! We're finished!
(The foam surges up the steps relentlessly and the Weed Creature itself moves closer and closer, hissing gas fumes as it approaches.)
HARRIS: No! Look!
(Now the bubbling white foam, up to the human's ankles and reaching out for them, starts to retreat rapidly from the room. The Weed Creature as*ault by the screams finally stops moving forward, and admitting defeat, withdraws from the room.)
DOCTOR: Behind you! Look behind you! The corridor!
(The communicator screen shows the corridor. The weed and foam are rushing back down the corridor. Soon both are gone and all that is left of the creature is little bits of foam.)
JAMIE: It worked.
HARRIS: Doctor, it worked.
DOCTOR: Switch off. Price! Switch off control!
(The "screams" are switched off.)
PRICE: Doctor, you've done it!
DOCTOR: Price, I think you better switch off the pipeline link-up.
PRICE: What about... the weed's nerve centre at the Control Rig?
DOCTOR: What about...
PRICE: Do you think we've destroyed that?
DOCTOR: Why don't you go and see?
(He notices that PRICE is still recovering at the "screams" switch.)
DOCTOR: Mr Price.
PRICE: Right!
(PRICE moves over to the communicator console.)
HARRIS: Price!
PRICE: Yes, sir.
HARRIS: Send out the company helicopters, right away, to the Control Rig. I want a full report, right away.
PRICE: Very good, sir.
(Nearby, MEGAN is thanking the DOCTOR for his help.)
MEGAN: Well Doctor, I still quite don't know what to say - except thank you.
DOCTOR: (Beams at her.) Miss Jones, that will be more than sufficient.
HARRIS: I still can't believe it.
(However, the DOCTOR notices that VICTORIA is in tears, sobbing deeply.)
DOCTOR: What's the matter, eh?
VICTORIA: I don't know. I'm always frightened...
DOCTOR: Well of course.
(VICTORIA suddenly collapses and buries her head in the DOCTOR's shoulder.)
VICTORIA: Oh, Doctor, I can't...
DOCTOR: It's all right.
VICTORIA: I can't...
(JAMIE and the DOCTOR exchange worried looks. HARRIS calls to the DOCTOR from the communicator console...)
HARRIS: Doctor they're safe!
DOCTOR: It's all right!
VICTORIA: (Still weeping.) I can't...
HARRIS: They're all safe! We've won! Isn't it marvellous?
DOCTOR: Come along Victoria. They're safe. Come and look for yourself.
(The DOCTOR joins HARRIS and PRICE leaving JAMIE to look after VICTORIA.)
HARRIS: (Talking into the communicator.) Maggie! Maggie! Mr, Robson, can you hear me?
ROBSON: (From the communicator screen.) Yes, Mr Harris, we can.
MAGGIE HARRIS: (From the communicator screen.) Yes, darling, we can hear you.
HARRIS: Good, good. Are you all well? Has the weed gone?
ROBSON: (From the communicator screen.) The weed? Oh yes, yes, it's gone.
(Shouts of "It's gone" etc. before HARRIS shushes them.)
HARRIS: What about Van Lutyens? I don't suppose you...
ROBSON: He's fine. He's well.
MAGGIE HARRIS: Darling, we're all all right, I promise you.
(Shouts of "They're all all right!" and cheers.)
HARRIS: Quiet everybody, quiet! Mr Robson, we're sending out one of the company helicopters to you right away. You'll be back with us in less than an hour!
(More shouting and cheers.)
9. HARRIS' HOME
(That night, the DOCTOR, VICTORIA, JAMIE, the HARRISes and ROBSON are having a party to celebrate their victory. Music is playing in the background. The happy atmosphere means that almost everything that is said is greeted with laugher.)
ROBSON: Oh, I should have listened to you in the first place, Mr Harris.
HARRIS: Oh I doubt it would have helped. As it turned out, we were lucky we didn't tamper with the weed.
DOCTOR: Oh yes.
MAGGIE HARRIS: Well the next time you ask me to get something from your desk, you can do it yourself.
ROBSON: To think I wanted to keep you locked up, Doctor.
DOCTOR: Well, lots of people have tried.
HARRIS: They didn't want to.
ROBSON: That was a very splendid dinner, Mrs Harris. Now if you'll excuse me, I'm very tired.
DOCTOR: Oh, really. Oh, dear.
ROBSON: See you in the morning, Doctor.
DOCTOR: Well um, no. No, as a matter of fact, we must be on our way.
ROBSON: Oh, dear. Where are you going?
DOCTOR: Well we haven't quiet decided yet.
JAMIE: Aye, even if we had it wouldn't make any difference. We wouldn't get there. Not with him...
ROBSON: If you're ever around here again, do drop in. And in the front gate this time, just to avoid any unfortunate incidents.
DOCTOR: Yes, well.
HARRIS: Bye, Mr Robson.
ROBSON: Goodbye, Mrs Harris.
DOCTOR: Goodbye to you, Mr Robson. Well I suppose I think it's time we went. Jamie... a... Victoria...
(VICTORIA remains seated at the table, her face resting on her hands.)
JAMIE: Hey Victoria. Wakey, wakey.
(VICTORIA looks at JAMIE and the DOCTOR and there were tears welling up in her eyes.)
JAMIE: What's the matter?
DOCTOR: You don't want to come with us, do you, Victoria?
(VICTORIA looks away. The DOCTOR takes her hand and starts to pat it.)
VICTORIA: I don't know. I don't really want to leave you.
DOCTOR: Well, I suspected as much.
VICTORIA: Would you mind?
(JAMIE is shocked.)
JAMIE: Victoria, you can't...
DOCTOR: Just a minute, Jamie. You mean you want to stay here and settle down, um? Well, if you want to, you must.
(VICTORIA buries her head and starts to gently sob.)
VICTORIA: I'm sorry.
DOCTOR: No that's all right.
(He pats VICTORIA gently on the head and then turns to MAGGIE.)
DOCTOR: Mrs Harris, I wonder if you'd mind if Victoria stayed with you for a little while. You see, she's got no parents or home and it is a bit difficult...
MAGGIE HARRIS: Well of course, we'd be delighted to have you for as long as you want to stay.
VICTORIA: Oh, would you?
(MAGGIE hugs her in confirmation.)
DOCTOR: There. Thank you very much. Jamie and I will stay for another day, just in case you want to think again.
JAMIE: Look, we'll talk it over later...
DOCTOR: Now, Jamie. She must make up her own mind. It's her own life. It's her decision.
JAMIE: Aye.
(But his face is as long as a fiddle.)
10. CONTROL CONE
(ROBSON comes into the Control Cone to hear PRICE getting a report from a rig. All of the rigs are back up and running.)
PRICE: Thank you Rig D. Normal function on all channels. Control checks positive. Closing down now. All communications remain on standby.
ROBSON: All right, Price?
PRICE: Oh yes, thank you, sir. Back to normal.
ROBSON: Relief?
PRICE: Crew's on their way sir.
ROBSON: Bet you could do with a bit of shut-eye, eh?
PRICE: Oh, I don't know, I think I'm a bit past it.
ROBSON: Go out like a light, eh?
PRICE: Probably.
ROBSON: Chief still here?
PRICE: Yes, in the impeller room, sir.
ROBSON: Goodnight, Price.
PRICE: Goodnight, sir.
11. IMPELLER ROOM
(The CHIEF is checking over some equipment when ROBSON enters the room.)
ROBSON: Chief.
CHIEF ENGINEER: Mr Robson.
ROBSON: Sound as a bell, eh?
CHIEF ENGINEER: Almost, sir.
ROBSON: Almost?
CHIEF ENGINEER: Still half a point of capacity.
ROBSON: Is it?
CHIEF ENGINEER: The main control valve is slightly damaged. They're working on it now. Be up to our normal output in the morning. There's still one or two minor repairs to be done.
ROBSON: Not tonight, Chief.
CHIEF ENGINEER: Well why not?
ROBSON: Get some sleep. Don't argue. Leave it to the relief.
CHIEF ENGINEER: All right.
(The CHIEF turns to leave and the rest of the crew in the room start to follow, but ROBSON whirls round on them.)
ROBSON: Where do you lot think you're going? There's another three minutes before your relief arrives.
(The crew turn back to work.)
CHIEF ENGINEER: Nice to know you're back to normal, sir.
ROBSON: If I didn't know you better, Chief, I would swear you were giving me lip.
CHIEF ENGINEER: (With a slight smile.) Oh, I wouldn't dream of doing that, sir.
ROBSON: Wouldn't you? Goodnight, Chief.
CHIEF ENGINEER: Goodnight, sir.
(He leaves the room. ROBSON allows himself a smile.)
12. HARRIS' HOME
(Before going to bed, VICTORIA and JAMIE have a talk about her decision to stay... They both talk softly, filled with emotion.)
JAMIE: Are you not tired?
VICTORIA: No. No, I'm fine. I'm not tired at all.
JAMIE: Do you know what the Doctor's just gone and done?
VICTORIA: No.
JAMIE: He's only gone down the beach for a swim. He gets worse. You're still not sure, are you?
VICTORIA: Yes. But it doesn't make it any easier leaving you and the Doctor.
JAMIE: Aye, we've been together a long time now. Has the Doctor said anything to you?
VICTORIA: No. No. You know what he's like, he wouldn't. He believes in people making up their own mind.
JAMIE: Oh, Victoria. Do you think you'll be happy here?
VICTORIA: Oh, I think so. The... The Harrises are very nice people.
JAMIE: Yes, I know that, but they're not from your time, are they?
VICTORIA: I wouldn't be at ease back in Victorian times. I have no parents or family left there anyway.
JAMIE: Aye, that's true. Oh, well.
(He starts to turn away. VICTORIA calls after him in a voice filled with emotion and tears.)
VICTORIA: Jamie!
JAMIE: Yes?
VICTORIA: You wouldn't go... without saying goodbye, would you?
JAMIE: Of course not. That won't be till the morning anyway. Goodnight, Victoria.
VICTORIA: Goodnight, Jamie.
(They hug and then go off to their own rooms.)
13. BEACH
(The following morning, both the DOCTOR and JAMIE hug VICTORIA for one last time. They get in the dinghy and row back to the TARDIS. They bob up and down while the DOCTOR opens the doors and the two men enter the ship.)
14. TARDIS - CONSOLE ROOM
(JAMIE looks at the scanner, which shows a forlorn VICTORIA waving sadly from the beach. The DOCTOR sets the controls behind him.)
JAMIE: We can't just leave her!
DOCTOR: We're not leaving her, Jamie. It was her decision to stay.
JAMIE: Oh!
DOCTOR: She'll be perfectly all right with the Harrises. Now don't worry so much.
JAMIE: I'm not, I'm just... och, come on, let's go.
DOCTOR: Well, where would you like to go?
JAMIE: Hmm? I couldn't care less.
(He stares at the DOCTOR for a moment, almost scornfully. The DOCTOR is hurt by the implied accusation.)
DOCTOR: I was fond of her too, you know, Jamie!
(He throws the dematerialisation switch...)
15. BEACH
(VICTORIA watches for the last time as the TARDIS rises above the sea and disappears into thin air - with one less passenger than it had when it arrived...) | {"type": "series", "show": "Doctor Who", "episode": "05x34 - Fury from the Deep - part 6"} | foreverdreaming |
by DAVID WHITAKER
from a story by KIT PEDLER
first broadcast - 27 April, 1968
1. NORTH SEA COAST
(The TARDIS hovers motionless over the sea, a few hundred yards from the coastline.)
2. INTERIOR, THE TARDIS
(JAMIE looks at the scanner, which shows a forlorn VICTORIA waving sadly from the beach. The DOCTOR sets the controls behind him.)
JAMIE: We cannae just leave her!
DOCTOR: We're not leaving her, Jamie. It was her decision to stay.
JAMIE: Oh!
DOCTOR: She'll be perfectly alright with the Harrises. Now don't worry so much.
JAMIE: I'm not, I'm just... och, come on, let's go.
DOCTOR: Well, where would you like to go?
JAMIE: Hmm? I couldn't care less.
(He stares at the DOCTOR for a moment, almost scornfully. The DOCTOR is hurt by the implied accusation.)
DOCTOR: I was fond of her too, you know, Jamie!
(He operates a control, and the TARDIS dematerialises. As the craft takes off, JAMIE miserably watches VICTORIA's form rapidly diminish.)
3. INTERIOR, THE TARDIS
(Some time later. The DOCTOR is at the controls; JAMIE stands nearby, not paying attention.)
DOCTOR: Jamie, we're landing... Jamie!
JAMIE: Huh?
DOCTOR: We're landing!
JAMIE: Oh.
(He sounds distinctly disinterested.)
DOCTOR: Let's have a look at the scanner, shall we?
(The DOCTOR turns on the scanner - the screen is totally blank. JAMIE is still not interested.)
JAMIE: I thought you said we'd landed?
DOCTOR: Well yes, we are, but I... I seem to have lost the picture. Let's... try a little bit more power, shall we?
(He operates another control. Nothing happens.)
JAMIE: You sure you're pushing the right one?
DOCTOR: Yes, of course I am. Look at the fault indicator, will you? It's round there on the left.
(JAMIE looks at the display the DOCTOR is pointing out.)
JAMIE: Well it's alright here.
DOCTOR: No movement at all?
JAMIE: No.
(The DOCTOR checks some of the other instruments.)
DOCTOR: Well, that's funny - the air's alright, the temperature's perfectly normal... there seems to be rather a lot of metal all around us...
JAMIE: What? Oh, you know I can't hear you when you talk to yourself!
DOCTOR: There we are, it's coming up now.
(They look at the scanner, which is now beginning to register. The picture slowly focuses to show an idyllic lake scene. Sunlight shines down on the crystal-clear water, and a flock of cranes rises from the surface and flies gently away. The DOCTOR chuckles with pleasure.)
JAMIE: Hey, now that looks alright! Boy!... Look at it...
(The picture changes to an enormous moonlit waterfall.)
JAMIE: ...why, what's that?... The size of it!
DOCTOR: Well that's funny, it's changed to night now!
JAMIE: That's a wee bit quick, isn't it?...
(As they watch, the picture changes again, this time to a tropical island scene, with white sand on the beach and palms waving in a gentle breeze.)
JAMIE: Look, it's changed again! What's going on?
DOCTOR: Oh dear. Those pictures aren't what's happening outside, I'm certain of that.
JAMIE: Well why do they keep appearing then?
DOCTOR: They're temptations.
JAMIE: Eh?
DOCTOR: The TARDIS is trying to warn us to get away from here to somewhere more pleasant. I must have pushed the wrong switch.
(JAMIE has been glancing back at the console, and quickly interrupts the DOCTOR.)
JAMIE: The red light's stopped flashing.
DOCTOR: What!
JAMIE: Something must be wrong!
DOCTOR: What?
(He looks at the fault indicator - its oscilloscope reading is showing a chaotic pattern.)
DOCTOR: Well the power's overloading... The power lines are overloading!
(He looks frantically as vapour begins leaking out from the panels under the central column, then something in the console explodes, sending clouds of gas pouring into the control room. The DOCTOR yells.)
DOCTOR: The fluid link's gone!
JAMIE: Doctor, look over here!
(They both head for the far wall, coughing and spluttering in the fumes. The gas is now almost filling the room.)
DOCTOR: The mercury's vapourising! We've got to get out of here, come on!
JAMIE: But how?
(They struggle towards the main doors. The DOCTOR presses a panel near the doors, and a concealed wall panel opens. A small, rod-shaped component is connected inside the panel.)
DOCTOR: Hold on to me.
JAMIE: What are you going to do?
DOCTOR: Just hold on!
(Gas is still flooding into the room, and the DOCTOR and JAMIE can hardly breathe. The DOCTOR disconnects the rod-like component. The control room groans, pulses, and begins to shrink in size; the central console fills more and more of the available space and thr*at to crush the two travellers. The doors also shrink; as soon as they are small enough, the DOCTOR pushes them open and he and JAMIE dive through to safety.)
4. EXTERIOR, THE TARDIS
(They emerge, still coughing and spluttering, into a narrow metal-walled corridor. The TARDIS stands against one wall; an open hatchway stands a short distance down the corridor.)
JAMIE: What happened to the TARDIS?
DOCTOR: I disengaged the time vector generator.
JAMIE: The what?
DOCTOR: Well once removed, it alters the size of the TARDIS. The inside becomes an ordinary telephone box again. Come along, come and sit down.
(JAMIE, still suffering the effects of the mercury vapour, sits on a nearby ledge.)
DOCTOR: If I hadn't have done, the mercury vapour would have k*lled us.
(JAMIE looks around and take in the surroundings.)
JAMIE: Well where are we?
DOCTOR: Well... it looks like the motor section of some sort of rocket.
JAMIE: A rocket?
(Now recovered, he gets to his feet again.)
DOCTOR: Yes. Yes, there's an artificial gravity system too.
JAMIE: What does that do?
DOCTOR: Well, it's what keeps us on our feet. Otherwise we'd be floating around.
JAMIE: Oh. There's no water around, is there?
DOCTOR: Water? No, not in here, Jamie.
(He pauses, listening.)
DOCTOR: There's no movement either, is there?
JAMIE: We're on the ground, then.
DOCTOR: Yes, I expect so.
(He suddenly sucks in his breath.)
DOCTOR: Oh!
JAMIE: What's the matter?
(The DOCTOR digs frantically in his pockets.)
JAMIE: Well don't keep me in suspense, what's the matter?
(The DOCTOR quickly pulls out a paper bag, and hold it out to JAMIE.)
DOCTOR: Have a lemon sherbet. It'll quench your thirst.
(JAMIE gives the DOCTOR a death stare, and takes a sweet.)
5. CORRIDOR
(Moments later. The DOCTOR and JAMIE investigate another corridor in the rocket.)
JAMIE: Doctor, the warning mechanism obviously thought there was something wrong out here, but what? I mean, everything's so... well, d*ad, isn't it?
(The DOCTOR notices marks on the ground ahead.)
DOCTOR: Hey, Jamie!
JAMIE: What?
DOCTOR: Look!
(He examines the mark, which stretches in a straight line along the corridor towards a closed hatch.)
DOCTOR: It's a track!
(He bends down to rub his finger through it.)
DOCTOR: Why, that's oil - it must be some sort of machine! It's recent, too.
JAMIE: Well, I wonder what that would...
(As he talks, he leans against the wall, uninterested, and leans on a button. The hatch slides open with a loud electronic hum. JAMIE jumps back in surprise, then cautiously approaches the door.)
JAMIE: I just... oh.
(It leads to another section of corridor, similar to this one. They both go through the hatchway.)
6. CORRIDOR
(They emerge into the next corridor. The oil tracks lead to a closed door in the wall at the far end of the corridor. The DOCTOR and JAMIE advance stealthily to the far door, passing two closed hatches in the wall on their right; the DOCTOR listens carefully at the door.)
JAMIE: D'you open the door?
DOCTOR: No, no. There may be something on the other side.
(He turns to examine a bank of monitors just to the left of the door.)
DOCTOR: Here we are.
(The DOCTOR fiddles with a few controls, and one of the screens lights up to show the room beyond the door - it appears to be a control room, a large area covered in shadows. A small cockpit is in the foreground, filled with controls and computer banks. The whole room looks deserted.)
JAMIE: Looks safe enough.
DOCTOR: Yes - now what caused the defense mechanism of the TARDIS to register danger then, hm? And where's the crew? And what's this track? There's plenty of air in there. Let's try and get in.
(He tries a number of controls. JAMIE tries to help, but messes something up and the DOCTOR chuckles.)
JAMIE: I'll... look up here, then.
(JAMIE goes over to the two closed hatches in the right-hand wall. He pushes a button to open the first - the room beyond is stacked full of metal containers. He glances at a few labels, then shuts the door. Behind him, the DOCTOR gives up with the monitor controls and goes to open the second hatch.)
JAMIE: Stores in that one.
DOCTOR: It's living quarters here.
(They go in, shutting the hatch behind them.)
7. CABIN
(The room they enter is a living cabin for two people. Two bunks are pushed against the right wall, with a table and two padded chairs occupying the middle of the room. Against the far wall is a dispensing machine. JAMIE goes to the machine and reads a label.)
JAMIE: Ah - water!
8. CONTROL ROOM
(Inside the rocket's control room, something emerges from the shadows. It is a small, squat object, metallic but built in a humanoid shape, with head, chest and short legs - clearly a ROBOT. A light on its shoulder starts flashing at some unseen signal and it emits a grating variably-pitched electronic noise. It trundles along the oil tracks to the door; a sensor lights up and the door slides open. It moves silently into the corridor.)
9. CABIN
(The DOCTOR stands by the cabin's observation port, at present covered with a small metal screen, which he is in the process of unscrewing.)
JAMIE: I'd have thought a rocket this size would have carried more than two people.
DOCTOR: Yes, Jamie, it does. It carries four - two on duty and two resting.
JAMIE: Oh, the TARDIS must have gone mad, then. I mean, there's nothing on board here, so there's no danger.
(The DOCTOR has now removed the metal cover, and is looking through the port.)
DOCTOR: Isn't there? We're just drifting, Jamie - drifting aimlessly in space.
(He stands back for JAMIE to look - the observation port shows only distant stars and the blackness of space.)
DOCTOR: Perhaps that's what the TARDIS was trying to warn us about.
JAMIE: What's it matter?
DOCTOR: Matter? We're just a piece of space flotsam, don't you realise that?
JAMIE: Well alright, stick your rod... dimen-
DOCTOR: Time vector generator.
JAMIE: Aye, stick it back in, and we'll float off somewhere else!
DOCTOR: No, it's not as sa- simple as that, Jamie. The fluid, hm? We need mercury to refill it, don't we?
JAMIE: Well there must be some on board here, surely?
DOCTOR: Yes - I hope so.
JAMIE: Well there's got to be!
DOCTOR: What's happened to the crew? They haven't just gone out for a little constitutional, you know.
JAMIE: Well, we won't find that out till we look inside that control room, will we?
10. CONTROL ROOM
(Inside the control room, a row of numbers counts down from 10,022. Just below it, three hands rotate at different speeds around a clock-like face. A small light flashes beside the counter, emitting the occasional electronic bleep.)
11. CABIN
(The DOCTOR returns from the corridor outside to join JAMIE.)
DOCTOR: Well I've searched my side; there's not a drop of mercury anywhere.
JAMIE: Me too. No, the only place we haven't searched is that control room.
DOCTOR: Well, we'll have a breather, and then we'll try in there.
JAMIE: And perhaps we'll find some food in that machine as well.
(He indicates the dispensing machine.)
DOCTOR: I can give you another lemon drop.
JAMIE: Er, something a bit more substantial, please!
DOCTOR: What d'you fancy?
JAMIE: Well right now I'd like a nice plate of roast beef with all the trimmings.
DOCTOR: I'll see what I can do, hm?
JAMIE: Eh? Ah now Doctor, where are you gonna find a plate of roast beef on this place?
(The DOCTOR smiles, walks over to the dispenser and presses some buttons.)
JAMIE: What you doing?
DOCTOR: Roast beef, you said?
(The machine starts humming.)
JAMIE: (Dubiously.) Well yes.
DOCTOR: What vegetables, hm?
JAMIE: Potatoes and cabbage.
DOCTOR: Potatoes... And cabbage.
(He presses more buttons.)
DOCTOR:What about a drop of fruit salad?
JAMIE: Fruit salad, yes!
(The DOCTOR chuckles in anticipation.)
DOCTOR: And I'll have some pork, potatoes and carrots. And, uh, I'll have a drop of ice-cream.
(The machine hums and whirrs, and two plates with foil-wrapped cubes of food substitute emerge from a slot, complete with paper napkins. The DOCTOR proudly carries the plates to the table. He sits, and stuffs a paper napkin into his collar.)
DOCTOR: There we are. Now, what about the gravy?
JAMIE: I don't think so.
(He looks disdainfully at the food cubes.)
JAMIE: Am I supposed to eat this?
DOCTOR: Yes, of course, it'll be delicious.
JAMIE: I've heard of a square meal, but this is ridiculous!
DOCTOR: Sit down and eat up.
(JAMIE sits in the vacant chair and starts eating one of the cubes.)
JAMIE: Doctor, what do you think Victoria's doing now?
DOCTOR: Now?... Time is relative, Jamie. If I knew when 'now' was, I might be able to hazard a guess.
JAMIE: You know what I mean.
DOCTOR: Well she's decided to stay in a good historical period - very few wars, great prosperity - she'll be happy enough. This is very filling, isn't it?
JAMIE: Aye...
(He finishes his 'meal'.)
JAMIE: Well, what do we do now?
DOCTOR: Well, when we've digested our dinner we'll have another try to get into the control room.
JAMIE: Oh, well while you do that, I'm going to have a wee lie down.
(He spreads himself out on the bottom bunk.)
JAMIE: Tell me, though - what do you think happened to the crew?
DOCTOR: I don't know, Jamie. Wish I did. I suppose they've been overtaken by some disaster or other. Perhaps we'll find out when we get into the control room.
12. CORRIDOR
(The ROBOT continues along its path. It comes to the door which JAMIE had opened. It stops, as if puzzled; its sensors and shiver and probe the surroundings. Then the ROBOT shuffles on through the doorway and continues along the next corridor.)
13. CABIN
(The DOCTOR looks through a small pocket telescope at the stars outside the observation port.)
DOCTOR: Well, uh... at least we don't seem to be in any immediate danger, Jamie. But I would like to know...
(He breaks off as he turns and sees JAMIE fast asleep on the bunk.)
DOCTOR: Oh!
14. EXTERIOR, THE TARDIS
(The ROBOT moves through the motor section and comes to the TARDIS. The counter now reads 1,005, still counting down with the three hands spinning and the light flashing. The ROBOT scans the strange object meticulously with its sensors. Then it moves on, back to the door which JAMIE had opened. It goes through and turns; sensors light up and the door closes. A rod then protrudes from the ROBOT's chest panel; it fires an optical beam around the edge of the doorway, sealing it shut. The ROBOT continues its path back towards the control room.)
15. CABIN
(The DOCTOR moves to the closed cabin door. As he prepares to open it, he pauses and listens, convinced he has heard a noise outside. After a moment, he cautiously opens the door.)
16. CORRIDOR
(The DOCTOR emerges into the deserted corridor. He bends down to examine the oil marks, and finds them covered in fresh oil. Standing up, he moves quietly to the monitor bank, and operates the screen for the control room. This time, the screen shows only static.)
17. CONTROL ROOM
(The ROBOT, now back in the control room, shuffles into the small cockpit area. There are computer panels ahead and to the side, with the strange counting device dominating the panel ahead. The ROBOT moves forward, a cable stretching out from its chest to connect with the computers. The control panel comes to life;
lights flicker and dials begin to register. A switch flicks automatically, and the craft lurches to one side.)
18. CORRIDOR
(Leaning over the monitor screen, the DOCTOR is caught by surprise by the sudden movement. He is thrown across the corridor with a yell, hits his head on the far wall and falls to the ground.)
19. EXTERIOR, THE ROCKET
(In the endless depths of space, the rocket can be seen steadily changing course.)
20. CABIN
(JAMIE has been thrown from the bunk by the sudden movement. He picks himself up, looks around, and sees the DOCTOR missing. He staggers over to the open door.)
21. CORRIDOR
(JAMIE emerges from the cabin to find the DOCTOR slumped against the far wall, dazed and nursing his head.)
JAMIE: Doctor, what's happening?
(The DOCTOR has difficulty speaking, sounding clearly concussed.)
DOCTOR: h*t my head... oh!
JAMIE: We're moving - the rocket's moving!
DOCTOR: Yes, I know, there's someone in the control room.
JAMIE: Well, let's have a look.
DOCTOR: No, no, Jamie. We've got to get back to the TARDIS - it's the only safe place.
JAMIE: But Doctor, the mercury stuff!
DOCTOR: Never mind that.
(The DOCTOR moved painfully towards the door leading to the motor section. JAMIE helps him, then tries to open the door. It is stuck fast.)
JAMIE: It won't open!
(He sees the scorch marks left by the ROBOT's ray-like device.)
JAMIE: Doctor, somebody's sealed the door!
DOCTOR: My head!
JAMIE: Easy... back here... in the cabin...
(JAMIE helps the DOCTOR back to the cabin area.)
22. CABIN
(The DOCTOR is almost unable to move by himself. JAMIE helps him through the door and onto the bunk. The DOCTOR moans in pain and disorientation.)
DOCTOR: Lock it, Jamie, lock it!
(JAMIE shuts and locks the hatch leading to the corridor outside.)
JAMIE: Easy... Doctor, you alright? Doctor?
(The DOCTOR has lapsed into unconsciousness.)
23. CONTROL ROOM
(The course change completes. The rocket stops moving, and the ROBOT disconnects itself from the navigation console. It then shuffles out of the cockpit to the centre of the control room, where a long cylindrical metal pod lies on the floor. The ROBOT's sensors flash, and the pod slowly splits open along its length, revealing its contents - a number of smooth, white, egg-shaped objects suspended in a wire frame.
A hatchway opens in the wall, and the pod steadily slides into the small airlock beyond. The internal door closes, and another opens on the outside. As air rushes out of the airlock, the eggs slowly float out of the cylinder and out through the open hatchway into space, forming a long procession. The hatchway closes.
The ROBOT watches in silence as the eggs form a line and move off towards some destination. It then turns to a monitor screen. Its sensors flash, and the screen lights up. It shows a giant wheel-shaped space station. The ROBOT remotely turns the ship's engines off and the humming dies down.)
24. CABIN
(The observation port now also shows the Wheel space station. JAMIE looks at the object in amazement, and fails to notice the DOCTOR stirring behind him.
Still dazed, the DOCTOR shakes his head, rises unsteadily to his feet and heads for the door.)
JAMIE: Doctor, there's a great big silver thing out here!
(With JAMIE's attention still fixed on the port, the DOCTOR unlocks and opens the cabin door, and moves into the corridor.)
25. CORRIDOR
(The one confused thought in the DOCTOR's concussed mind is that of JAMIE's safety.)
DOCTOR: Into the TARDIS... I've got to get him to safety... oh!
(He holds his head and groans. Then, arriving at the still-sealed door, he takes the time vector generator from his pocket and removes the black tip from one end. Inside is a glowing tip, almost like a torch. He points this at the edge of the door - the device hums, and the DOCTOR traces round the outline of the door, melting the ROBOT's sealant.
As he finishes, he senses a movement behind him. He turns. The ROBOT is bearing down on him, the rod-like laser extending from its chest. Too weak to resist, the DOCTOR cowers back against the door as the ROBOT advances.)
26. CABIN
(JAMIE is still staring out of the observation port.)
JAMIE: Doctor, you must see this!
(Hearing no reply, JAMIE finally turns to see the DOCTOR gone, his blanket dumped on the floor by the bunk and the door open. He picks up the blanket, and sets off through the door to find the DOCTOR.)
27. CORRIDOR
(JAMIE emerges to see the ROBOT bearing down on the helpless DOCTOR. Thinking quickly, JAMIE flings the blanket over the squat ROBOT, then shoves it with all his strength against the wall. He runs to drag the DOCTOR back.)
JAMIE: Back to the cabin, quick!
28. CABIN
(JAMIE shuts and locks the door behind them, and helps the DOCTOR back to the bunk.)
JAMIE: Easy... easy.
29. CORRIDOR
(The ROBOT recovers its balance, and with a blasting noise, the blanket is violently hurled down the corridor in little pieces. It aims its laser at the cabin door and starts burning a hole.)
30. CABIN
(The DOCTOR hears the hole burning in the door. He takes out the time vector generator and hands it to JAMIE.)
DOCTOR: Jamie... take this... it's... a g*n... like a torch... have to be careful... oh!
(He collapses back on the bed.)
31. CORRIDOR
(The ROBOT has melted a small hole in the door. As the hole grows bigger, JAMIE appears on the side of the door. He points the time vector generator at the ROBOT and fires. The results are spectacular - the ROBOT is blown across the corridor at high velocity, hits the far wall and falls apart.)
32. CABIN
(JAMIE admires his handiwork, then turns to the DOCTOR.)
JAMIE: Oh, we're alright for the time being. But listen, you, no more gallivanting about till I say so. Alright? Doctor? Doctor?
(The DOCTOR has again fallen unconscious. JAMIE returns to the observation port, which still shows the giant space station.)
33. WHEEL OPERATIONS ROOM
(The control room of the space station, W3, is a hive of activity. Technicians and scientists monitor an array of instruments; all are standing in the Wheel's artificial gravity. Banks of instruments and computers surround the central floor area. To the right, a raised platform stands in front of the exit. LEO RYAN, an Australian, sits by the monitors, with British doctor GEMMA CORWYN standing just behind him. TANYA LERNOV, a Russian scientist, monitors another set of instruments, while the Italian ENRICO CASALI sits by the radios.)
LEO: Hold. Get a fix on that.
GEMMA: It's not moving now.
TANYA: Crossover zero.
LEO: Triangulate it, Rico. How's it now. Tanya?
(GEMMA glances at TANYA's instruments.)
GEMMA: The same.
TANYA: Just a slight drift.
LEO: No, no the movement isn't real, it's just an illusion caused by slight polar precession.
(JARVIS BENNETT strides in and stands on the raised command platform. The crew are briefly silent in respect to the Station Commander. JARVIS speaks with an authoritative voice.)
JARVIS: How's our mystery rocket?
GEMMA: Suddenly lifeless.
LEO: Doesn't make sense, sir. It must have been driven by something.
GEMMA: No radio contact.
JARVIS: I'm not surprised. I've just checked out its description on the register. It's a Phoenix Mark IV. Name 'Silver Carrier'.
LEO: Tanya?
TANYA: The register's even. No crossover reading now.
LEO: No, it's definitely stopped moving.
GEMMA: 'Silver Carrier'?
JARVIS: Supply ship for Station Five. Reported overdue nine weeks ago. (Laughs.) It's only about eighty or ninety million miles off course!
LEO: Try radio contact again, Rico.
ENRICO: Okay.
(He speaks into the radio transmitter.)
ENRICO: Station Three to Silver Carrier. Station Three to Silver Carrier. Call sign LX88J, repeat, LX88J. Come in please... Nothing.
GEMMA: It couldn't have drifted all that way, Jarvis.
JARVIS: No, it couldn't.
TANYA: Try the emergency again, Leo?
LEO: Station Three to Silver Carrier. Call switched with red band to operate emergency transmitter.
GEMMA: You think their radio's gone?
TANYA: In case.
JARVIS: Good procedure. I'm afraid we're wasting our time, but waste it we must.
LEO: Any reaction, Tanya?
TANYA: No. Nothing. No movement at all.
GEMMA: How does Silver Carrier turn up in this part of the cosmos?
JARVIS: Something happens to the crew. One of them puts on the a*t*matic. The rocket's travelled so far now, the power feedback to a*t*matic is probably failing.
LEO: Yes, that's possible.
JARVIS: It could start up and start moving again at any minute.
GEMMA: And the crew?
JARVIS: A dozen and one things.
LEO: Well, we've tried everything, sir - we can't raise a sound!
JARVIS: Trouble is, if I'm right about that a*t*matic - and I think I am - that rocket could suddenly accelerate and whip straight towards us.
(He studies the instruments.)
JARVIS: There can't be any life on board there, can there?
34. SPACE
(The Silver Carrier hangs motionless in space, with the Wheel nearby.)
35. EXTERIOR, THE WHEEL
(The small white egg-like objects float towards the space station, and begin colliding with the outer rim. As they h*t, they appear to be drawn in through the station's rim with a popping noise.)
36. OPERATIONS ROOM
(TANYA looks at her instruments.)
TANYA: I'm getting something. Like - small meteorites... hitting our outer rim!
37. EXTERIOR, THE WHEEL
(The eggs continue to collide with the Space Station, each making the same popping sound as it phases through.)
38. OPERATIONS ROOM
(As another egg hits, TANYA speaks.)
TANYA: There's another drop in air pressure!
GEMMA: It can't be meteorites, we'd have had some warning.
TANYA: Well, something - look!
(She points to a dial.)
TANYA: Jumping all over the place!
JARVIS: It's obvious. We must take it some minor objects have escaped from the Silver Carrier. Objects of small mass and high density.
GEMMA: Then these objects would be clinging close to the rocket, Jarvis, not descending on us!
JARVIS: It doesn't matter, Gemma, it really doesn't. Don't start looking for mysteries. I can't risk that rocket homing on this station.
GEMMA: What are you going to do?
JARVIS: In a few moments, you're going to experience a sight rarely seen by human beings. Leo, is that projector on standby?
LEO: Yes, sir, moving into position now.
(The hum of motors is heard as LEO moves some controls.)
GEMMA: Jarvis, what are you going to do?
JARVIS: Turn the X-ray laser on the Silver Carrier. In a few moments you're going to witness the complete destruction of a rocket in space!
39. EXTERIOR, THE WHEEL
(The huge cannon-like form of the Station's laser swings itself around, and aims directly at the Silver Carrier.)
40. CABIN
(On the Silver Carrier, JAMIE still stands and watches the Space Station through the observation port...) | {"type": "series", "show": "Doctor Who", "episode": "05x35 - The Wheel in Space - part 1"} | foreverdreaming |
by DAVID WHITAKER
from a story by KIT PEDLER
first broadcast - 4 May 1968
running time - 23mins 50secs
1. OPERATIONS ROOM
(Everybody is running about as the crew awaits the order to destroy the Silver Carrier. We can hear the crew making checks before the laser is fired.)
ENRICO: On Red band emergency frequency come in please. Come in please. Station Three to Silver Carrier, Station Three to Silver Carrier, Red band emergency frequency.
JARVIS: All ready Leo?
LEO: Yes sir, it's locked on now!
JARVIS: That's it. You don't get much fun, better make the most of it.
LEO: Make a change from blasting meteorites would it?
GEMMA: (From across the room.) Jarvis?
JARVIS: Hold on a minute. Tanya, can we take a visual recording of it?
TANYA: Yes sir, can do.
LEO: Still no movement or radio signals sir.
JARVIS: Put up the anti-magnetic field Leo when I give you the word.
LEO: Right.
ENRICO: Still going to plan, sir.
JARVIS: Good, I'll do an announcement of our operations.
GEMMA: Before you do that Jarvis, can I have a word, it's important.
(JARVIS and GEMMA move out of the room to go to JARVIS' office.)
ENRICO: More bogeys!
LEO: (To crew.) Put all systems on green stand-by!
(He moves to have a quiet word with TANYA. TANYA notices the big grin that LEO is showing on his face.)
TANYA: I don't know what you are grinning about.
LEO: Neither do I.
TANYA: It isn't funny Leo. The Controller's like a kid with a new toy.
LEO: Oh, now, don't tell me you are going to be a old stick in the mud too?
TANYA: If you are referring to Dr. Corwyn, she is known, she is no stick in the mud. She is perfectly right to be cautious.
LEO: Oh, come on, Tanya. It's off course about eighty million miles. I mean there can't possibly be anyone alive on that thing.
2. CABIN
(On the Silver Carrier, JAMIE still stands and watches the Space Station through the observation port... The DOCTOR is still concussed... The DOCTOR turns over and falls off the bed causing something to fall over. JAMIE picks up the object and straightens the DOCTOR before going back to watch the WHEEL through the observation port..)
3. JARVIS' OFFICE.
(A big room showing off that whoever is in here is the boss. JARVIS is sitting down at his desk just holding on to his temper and GEMMA is trying to reason with him and not explode the already enraged Commander.)
GEMMA: Yes, I know all that Jarvis. But we still can't be absolutely certain.
JARVIS: Gemma, one thing I beg of you - Don't subject me to psychoanalysis. You think I'm having a wail of a time don't you? All kids again - bang, bang, blow up the balloon! You're wrong, you know.
GEMMA: Am I?
JARVIS: Say what you like, the Silver Carrier is a menace to the Wheel. Now surely you can see that?
GEMMA: If you equate menace with a*t*matic power drive, I don't.
JARVIS: What else?
GEMMA: You want me to believe some emergency happened on the Silver Carrier. The pilot switched to a*t*matic, then tragedy.
JARVIS: Right.
GEMMA: And all the crew died?
JARVIS: Right again.
GEMMA: Where was the Carrier bound for, Jarvis?
JARVIS: Servicing Station Five. I told you.
GEMMA: Then, isn't it be reasonable to assume that the a*t*matic would've taken it to Station Five?
(This catches JARVIS and makes him think.)
JARVIS: Yes. That's a good reason. But you are forgetting about the emergency. That could have damaged the control sensors. In fact, it must have done, which is why the rocket is so far off course.
GEMMA: Assumption again, guess work. It would be so easy to check.
(That provokes JARVIS again.)
JARVIS: (Snarls.) We can't risk that rocket turning in on us. Well don't you see? It would blast right through us!
4. CABIN
(JAMIE has a idea. He points the illuminated time vector generator and points it at the Wheel and starts pressing it. The generator sends out a signal which makes its way to the Wheel...)
5. OPERATIONS ROOM
(...which overloads the communications panel and causes the communications officer to tear off his headphones because of the loud feedback that he is now getting. Since the noise can now be heard from the communications panel this causes the officer to wither in agony and cry out because of the noise.)
LEO: What the matter?!
RUDKIN: Noise! Fantastic noise through my headphones.
TANYA: Leo! The approach indicators are all at red!
LEO: Of course it is! The green system's gone crazy! Tanya, get Dr. Corwyn. (To ENRICO while TANYA runs from the room.) Check emergency system yellow!
(ENRICO checks his readings.)
ENRICO: Emergency yellow negative.
(A female crew member takes over the console.)
CREW 1: Tell them I take over the telecommunications myself.
LEO: Bill!
BILL: Yo!
LEO: Will you lie down there?
(The Communications officer lies down.)
ENRICO: Ea, Ea, Ea, I don't want to do that again.
(LEO has been listening to the signals.)
LEO: Hey, listen!
(It now seems to be in a pattern.)
6. JARVIS' OFFICE
JARVIS: Don't argue with me Gemma! The decision is mine! This station and the people on it are my responsibility.
(TANYA rushes in.)
TANYA: Rudkin is hurt!
GEMMA: What happened?
TANYA: Colossal static pulses swamping the detectors.
JARVIS: It's the rocket. I knew that it was a menace.
(Everybody dashes out.)
7. CABIN
(On the Silver Carrier JAMIE continues to press the button causing it to send the static pulses through space to the Wheel.)
8. OPERATIONS ROOM
(JARVIS, GEMMA and TANYA rush back in.)
JARVIS: All right Tanya, get back to the complex, see if you can pin this static down.
(TANYA goes to the communications panel, taking over from the female officer.)
JARVIS: Vallance, Casali, here. (To GEMMA who is examining RUDKIN.) Well?
GEMMA: Bad.
JARVIS: Can we move him?
GEMMA: Yes.
JARVIS: Right. (To two officers.) You two, take him to the Medical Bay.
(They pick up RUDKIN.)
GEMMA: Gently with him now.
(GEMMA, two officers and RUDKIN leave the room.)
JARVIS: (To room.) Your attention. That rocket has given us enough trouble. Bill, knock it out.
BILL: Right.
TANYA: Controller!
JARVIS: Yes, what is it?
TANYA: The static, there's a signal on it!
JARVIS: There can't be!
(LEO has been listening to the static as well.)
LEO: You're right Tanya. Get me a fix on that.
TANYA: If I can.
(She touches some controls.)
TANYA: It's not any code I've ever heard before, but there's definitely a repetitive order to it.
LEO: It's no good using Radio or Radar. We will have to use milli-micron waves.
JARVIS: You think it's coming from the rocket?
LEO: Just want to make sure that it's not coming from anywhere else.
TANYA: The rocket. It is.
JARVIS: You're sure?
TANYA: Certain. I was fixed on it anyway. There's no doubt.
JARVIS: Then somebody is on board. Phil!
PHIL: Sir.
JARVIS: I want two men to cross over. Organise it will you?
PHIL: Right sir.
JARVIS: Eighteen million miles off course. If they're alive on board that craft, they must be in a pretty bad way.
9. CABIN
(JAMIE still keeps an eye on the DOCTOR. Meanwhile two men from the Wheel have arrived. JAMIE sees them gesturing toward the front end of the ship toward the airlock and JAMIE hurries to comply. The men then enter the Silver Carrier.)
JAMIE: Quick, I have somebody injured in here.
(All three rush through into the Cabin.)
10. OPERATIONS ROOM
(A little while later - the Space Wheel has returned to normal. LALEHAM now occupies the vacant seat of radio operator and is presently warning passing travellers of a meteorite storm and plotting alternate courses for the space traffic.)
LALEHAM: Voyager five, codesign K-1 to 10-Q, confirm please, Station 3.
VOICE: (OOV.) Receiving you, Station 3. Hello, Hello.
LALEHAM: Light to medium meteorite storm will cross your planned route between 13:00 and 14:00 hours. Co-ordinates: A-ALPHA 2710.4, B-BETA 4.7. Do you receive Voyager Five?
VOICE: (OOV.) Yes, thank you for the information Station 3.
LALEHAM: We have computed an alternative route for you Voyager Five. Stand by for instructions.
(Meanwhile, LEO and TANYA get together for a talk.)
LEO: How are the guests?
TANYA: Dr. Corwyn's examining the older one now. They are both slightly in shock anyway.
LEO: What's the story?
TANYA: I don't know. Quite a mystery isn't it.
LEO: Jarvis won't like that. Hey, what's that on green system three Chang?
(CHANG, a Chinaman, looks up from his console.)
CHANG: Very odd sir. Been getting one or two funny signs here and there, all the time. Soon as you check them out, they vanish.
LEO: Put them in the log. OK?
CHANG: Yes sir. It's as if a number of magnets was touching the outer skin of the wheel and then letting go. Localised field effects, that's all.
All detector fields are checked out sir. Can't be anything serious.
LEO: Keep a log and let me know.
CHANG: Right sir.
LEO: (To TANYA.) More mysteries?
TANYA: I know.
(Her face is filled with anxiety which doesn't go unnoticed by Leo.)
LEO: Something else worrying you, Tanya?
TANYA: Well, what about those sudden drops in air pressure levels? They were small enough and soon adjust themselves but... I didn't like it.
LEO: How small?
TANYA: Only a few millimetres. One degree sometimes one and a half.
LEO: Hmm... some fault in the air supply unit. Or the pumps.
TANYA: In so many different parts of the Wheel?
LEO: Did you tell Jarvis?
TANYA: (Half laughing.) Of course. He bit my head off.
LEO: Have you tell... told Gemma Corwyn yet?
TANYA: No, she was busy with the new arrivals. I didn't like to disturb her.
LEO: Well, if I was you Tanya, I'd start a check on the whole air supply unit.
TANYA: That's what I thought. Leo?
LEO: Hmm.
TANYA: None of these things - your system showing temporary faults, the air pressure levels. Well they all started with the rocket didn't they?
LEO: What, do you think that there are little green men on board, do you?
TANYA: Well, the two that they bought back weren't exactly normal were they?
LEO: Well, I tell you what, hey. If you get scared, I'll erm... I'll let you hold my hand, OK?
TANYA: (Half laughing.) I'm serious.
LEO: (With a grin.) So am I.
(TANYA's face is now in an affectionate smile which masks her continuing concern.)
11. EXTERIOR, THE WHEEL.
(Meanwhile, the outside of the Wheel is once more under att*ck. A small egg-like bubble drifts through space, passing through the outer rim of the space station.)
12. GEMMA'S OFFICE.
(In GEMMA's office, which looks like a medical doctor's office, JAMIE is having a physical check-up from GEMMA. JAMIE has got his shirt open and GEMMA has got a stethoscope to his chest.)
GEMMA: Breathe in again
(JAMIE breathes in.)
GEMMA: Out.
(JAMIE breathes out.)
GEMMA: And again please.
(JAMIE breathes in again.)
GEMMA: Out.
(JAMIE breathes out again.)
GEMMA: Now, I want you to take a deep breath and exhale as slowly as you can.
(JAMIE does so.)
GEMMA: Good. You can dress now.
(GEMMA takes her stethoscope away and JAMIE starts to do up his shirt.)
JAMIE: How about the Doctor?
GEMMA: Concussion certainly. I am waiting for the X-Rays to see if there's any fracture. What were you both up to?
JAMIE: Hey?
GEMMA: Fancy dress or something? Your clothes?
JAMIE: Look, have you ever thought what you look like walking down the street in those things? People would think you were a wee bit strange as well.
GEMMA: I dare say. But I don't understand the analogy. We're both in space. It's you and your friend who aren't conforming to custom.
JAMIE: How about the medical; do I pass?
GEMMA: You'll do. If it's any comfort to you, you are in fine physical shape.
(She takes out a form.)
GEMMA: Can you give me your full name please?
JAMIE: Er, James Robert McCrimmon. Er, Jamie.
(GEMMA writes this down.)
GEMMA: Thank you. And your friend?
JAMIE: Err. The Doctor.
GEMMA: I can't put that down.
JAMIE: Err...
(JAMIE is stuck but he is in luck. He spots the lid of Gemma's stethoscope box with the words "JOHN SMITH & ASSOCIATES" on it.)
JAMIE: John Smith.
GEMMA: (With a bemused look on her face.) Really?
JAMIE: Aye.
(GEMMA writes this down.)
GEMMA: Dr. John Smith.
(JAMIE spots the look on GEMMA's face.)
JAMIE: Oh, there must be a lot of them about.
GEMMA: I dare say. You were passengers aboard the Silver Carrier, were you?
JAMIE: Err. Do you think that I can have a drink of water please?
(GEMMA gets him the water.)
GEMMA: What happened to the crew?
JAMIE: I don't know.
GEMMA: Could you go further than that?
JAMIE: Well, I was... ill in the cabin you see. Terrible fever. Raving for days.
(GEMMA sees that this is a lie. If JAMIE did have a fever, the medical would have shown it up.)
JAMIE: Well, when I came to, the door was closed against us, the Doctor was hurt and your people came.
GEMMA: All the communicating doors were closed against you?
JAMIE: Aye.
GEMMA: And your friend didn't tell you what happened?
JAMIE: No.
GEMMA: (Gives up.) All right Jamie. That will do for the present. The Controller will want to have a chat with you. We have to get you home somehow.
JAMIE: Ah, that would be the day.
(He sees GEMMA's inquizzable look.)
JAMIE: Oh, of course.
GEMMA: There should be another ship passing through in a week or two.
JAMIE: Well, can I go now?
GEMMA: You didn't drink your water.
JAMIE: No. That's all right.
(He turns to leave.)
GEMMA: Wait a moment.
JAMIE: What?
GEMMA: Would you like to see over the Wheel? I could arrange it for you if you like.
JAMIE: Oh yes. I mean there's nothing else to do.
GEMMA: Well, if you go along the corridor, you will see a door marked Parapsychology Library.
JAMIE: Para... what?
GEMMA: It's on the other side of the wheel complex. About eight sections on. I'll tell Zoe to show you round.
JAMIE: Zoe?
GEMMA: She's our... Well the best way to describe her would be to call her our librarian.
JAMIE: Zoe, you say?
GEMMA: That's right.
JAMIE: Oh, you will tell me what happens to the Doctor.
GEMMA: Yes, of course.
JAMIE: Thank you.
(JAMIE leaves the room and GEMMA waits until he has gone and then patches through a visual link to the parapsychology library.)
GEMMA: (Into communicator.) Parapsychology library. Dr. Corwyn calling.
(An attractive young dark-haired girl in her late-teens/early-twenties answers her call.)
ZOE: (OOV.) Parapsychology library. What reference do you require, Dr.Corwyn?
GEMMA: No reference thank you Zoe. I need your help in another way.
ZOE: (OOV.) Oh?
GEMMA: One of the people retrieved from the rogue spaceship is coming to your section. I'd like you to show him round the Wheel and observe him.
ZOE: (OOV.) Observe him?
GEMMA: Discreetly of course.
ZOE: (OOV.) Do you want these observations recorded?
GEMMA: Yes please.
ZOE: (OOV.) Hmm, should be interesting. Any facts known?
GEMMA: Yes. He is a nice lad. His name's James...
ZOE: (OOV.) Just a minute.
(She interrupts to conclude the mental analysis of a half-solved problem. GEMMA patiently waits for her to finish.)
ZOE: Sorry, I was halfway through a RNA analysis when you came on. Right...
13. CORRIDOR
(JAMIE walks down the corridor searching for the right door.)
14. LIBRARY.
(He finds and walks into the circular room as Zoe is completing her delivery of information on nova star predominance.)
ZOE: (Talking into microphone.) With the exception of the Hercules clusters. Confirmation of the information received shows that one of the stars in the Messa 13 group is entering the nova phase. This would be a repetition of the phenomena observed in the Perseus cluster last week. Information of the gamma radiation level is available.
(She notices that JAMIE has entered the room.)
ZOE: Sorry. You must be...
(She breaks off into uncontrollable giggles on seeing his attire.)
JAMIE: What are you laughing at?
ZOE: Your clothes. You're wearing female garments.
JAMIE: Female?! Look I'll have you know this is a kilt. Have you never seen it before?
ZOE: (To herself.) Kilt? Kilt. A barbaric form of garment as worn by a kiltie! Are you of Scandinavian origin? Danish?
JAMIE: (Annoyed.) No I am not. I am a true bred Scot! And I just stand...
ZOE: Oh, a Scot! Scotland, of course. Pre-century history isn't my field you see.
JAMIE: Aye, well maybe not, but just you watch you lip, or I'll put you across my knee and larrup you.
ZOE: (Laughing.) This is going to be fun! I shall learn a lot from you. Come on James Robert McCrimmon, do you know anything about interstellar flora?
JAMIE: (Lost.) Hey?
15. POWER ROOM
(The first stop on the tour is the Power Room where JAMIE is shown about by BILL DUGGAN.)
BILL: And this is my little kingdom.
(In the corner there is a greenhouse for various interstellar flowers.)
BILL: Here, how do you like the Greenhouse?
JAMIE: Oh, do you collect these?
(BILL laughs.)
BILL: No, they're floating seeds. The only place they flourish is down here in the power room. Of course, the old man kicked up a mad dust storm at first, but Doc Corwyn said they was good psychology or something. Anyway, I just like flowers. Hey...
(He points to one.)
BILL: That one comes all the way from Venus. Imagine that. All those millions of miles away.
ZOE: 24,564,000 miles at perihelion and 161,350,000 miles at aphelion.
(This goes over JAMIE's head.)
JAMIE: Oh, I was dying to know that.
(BILL laughs and moves to a small machine fixed in the middle of the floor.)
BILL: And this is the capacitor bank for the x-ray lasers.
JAMIE: The what?
BILL: Oh it controls the laser g*n. Without it the g*n's useless.
JAMIE: Well what do you need a g*n for up in space anyway?
BILL: Self-defense. We can blot out any attacker up to ten thousand miles in any one direction. Good eh?
JAMIE: Reassuring.
BILL: And there are the anti-magnetic field generators. They can fend off even a medium-sized meteorite up to 50 miles.
JAMIE: You know Bill the Doctor will love all this.
(This arouses ZOE's curiosity.)
ZOE: This Doctor friend of yours. Is he a scientist?
JAMIE: He is in a way I suppose, yes.
ZOE: What's his speciality?
JAMIE: His what?
ZOE: Well, is he a physicist, biochemist, astronomer, biometrician.
JAMIE: Yes, he is.
BILL: Well, he certainly sounds a interesting character, this Doctor friend of yours. When is he going to be up and about?
16. GEMMA'S OFFICE
(That is the question being discussed by JARVIS and GEMMA. GEMMA is sitting on her chair behind her desk while JARVIS sits in her guest chair.)
GEMMA: If he's just suffering from concussion, not too long.
JARVIS: Oh, it doesn't tell me much. I want facts.
GEMMA: I don't blame you.
JARVIS: We've landed with a couple of strays. Panic, mysteries from the crew. The routine's getting shoddy and I don't like it.
GEMMA: What panics?
(JARVIS waves this off and stands up pacing about the room.)
JARVIS: Oh, nothing, nothing. I'll tell you if it gets serious. People are just... edgy. Out in space, human beings have got to rely on routines, ordinariness. Confuse them and you got trouble.
GEMMA: Yes.
JARVIS: I'm used to emergencies. Trained in them. But these things, I don't know...
GEMMA: What you call mysteries?
JARVIS: Exactly, Exactly. I don't want to know, Gemma. I don't want to know. Well you s...
(He sits down again.)
GEMMA: You better hear my preliminary report on the boy.
JARVIS: Yes, go ahead.
GEMMA: He's lying. Not completely and apparently reluctantly. He's very fit both ment*lly and physically, nice constructive personality. His blood pressure suggests he's not been in space very long.
JARVIS: Lies about what?
GEMMA: He said he had fever on the Silver Carrier - he hadn't. His gamma globulins are normal.
JARVIS: Why would he lie about that?
GEMMA: I asked him what happened to the crew. Fever was his excuse for not knowing. And then again he lied. At least, I'm almost sure that he lied about his friend's name. John Smith he called him.
JARVIS: Well, they do exist you know.
(He points at the "JOHN SMITH" mark.)
GEMMA: Yes, he had been looking at that for long enough. Coincidence possibly. Somehow I doubt it. And then what's the most precious thing in deep space, Jarvis.
JARVIS: Air, water, take your pick.
GEMMA: Exactly. It's space training even for one journey travellers. He asked me for a drink of water and then he left it. He might have been on Earth.
That boy's had no space travel training Jarvis. He's probably a stowaway or... or he may be an agent.
JARVIS: Sabotage?
GEMMA: Plenty of people on Earth think we should suspend the space programme. Some of them have tried to force their opinions already.
(JARVIS stands up again.)
JARVIS: You think these two could have stowed away somehow, even disposed of the crew of the Silver Carrier, pretended to drift here helplessly, we take them in and they start breaking things up!
GEMMA: I don't go THAT far.
JARVIS: (Excited.) Of course, it fits! Everything fits!
GEMMA: I only suggested it as a possibility, Jarvis. There are others.
JARVIS: (Going to the door.) We'll talk about those later. This could be serious.
GEMMA: Jarvis, wait, I...
(But JARVIS has charged through the doors.)
17. OPERATIONS ROOM
(ZOE, BILL and JAMIE are just entering the Operations Room.)
ZOE: And this is the Operations and Communications room.
JAMIE: What does this Wheel do up here anyway?
ZOE: Well, it has varied functions, but mainly it's a radio/visual relay station for Earth, a half-way house for deep space ships, a space research station, stellar early warning station for all types of space phenomena and...
JAMIE: (Baffled.) Aye, well ask a silly question.
(He begins to sit down.)
ZOE: Not there. That's the Controller's chair.
(JAMIE stands up speedily.)
LEO: (Cheerfully to everyone.) Hey, you're in for quite a treat.
JAMIE: I am?
BILL: The old man going ahead then?
LEO: Too right he is.
TANYA: I thought Gemma talked him out of it.
LEO: Only because she thought there might still be somebody on board. (To JAMIE.) Just as well for you.
JAMIE: Aye, I'm sorry I lost you in the first part.
ZOE: The Controller, Jarvis Bennett, wanted to destroy the rocket.
TANYA: And then we got your message.
LEO: Only minutes in it too. The laser was all primed and ready to blast.
TANYA: (To LEO.) Has Jarvis given the go-ahead?
LEO: Yes, I run a new co-ordinate fix. Everything's programmed and ready. All we need now is the final signal.
JAMIE: Oh, well, you're not going to blow up the rocket, then.
LEO: Oh, it might h*t us. So to be on the safe side we blast it out of existence.
TANYA: Jarvis asked me to make a visual recording of it, so I better re-position.
(She moves away and then turns to Zoe.)
TANYA: Zoe, help me do a quick mental calculation would you? You're quicker than me...
LEO: (To everybody.) It'll be great to see this at leisure. It should be quite an expl*si*n.
(He turns to the console.)
TANYA: (To ZOE.) Right, Zoe. Lineal reading is 198.42 metres at 23 degrees latitude.
(JAMIE, unnoticed, leaves the room)
TANYA: 190.03 metres. 24 degree latitude...
18. CORRIDOR
(Seeing that the others are busy, and worried about the Wheel staff bl*wing up the rocket with the TARDIS still on board, JAMIE decides to slip away and heads for the power room.)
19. OPERATIONS ROOM
(A little white later, JARVIS has arrived and noticed that JAMIE is gone and is talking about it to ZOE and BILL.)
JARVIS: But he was definitely here?
ZOE: Yes, he just vanished.
JARVIS: Bill, any ideas?
BILL: No sir, he was here with us. We were showing him around...
JARVIS: Where?
BILL: Well, the Power House...
JARVIS: The Power House.
BILL: Yes sir.
JARVIS: Look Bill, not a word to the others. Just follow me in a moment or two. Zoe - not a word.
ZOE: Right sir.
(JARVIS half-runs out of the room. LEO and TANYA have been watching them without hearing what is being said.)
LEO: Well don't look at me. I don't know what's going on.
TANYA: Problems?
LEO: I don't know.
(TANYA crosses over to ZOE while BILL, obeying JARVIS, leaves a minute after JARVIS.)
BILL: (To LALEHAM.) It's all in the mind Eric, It's all in the mind.
(Nearby...)
TANYA: (To ZOE.) What was the Controller talking to Bill Duggan about, Zoe?
ZOE: Nothing important. At least, I don't think so. I don't know.
(She feigns cheerful naivety.)
ZOE: Does it matter?
(TANYA crosses to a corner in the room and LEO comes and joins her.)
LEO: Hey, what's all the whispering about?
TANYA: I wish I knew. Leo, did I ever tell you about my nose?
(LEO raises an eyebrow.)
LEO: Your nose?
TANYA: Yes. It's like a barometer. It never lets me down.
LEO: Oh.
TANYA: I smell trouble!
LEO: (Half laughing.) Can you pinpoint it?
TANYA: Hmm. It's something to do with that rocket out there. There's something sinister about it.
(They both turn to look at the monitor showing the rocket.)
20. SPACE
(The Silver Carrier hangs motionless in Space.)
21. ROCKET CONTROL ROOM
(The control clock reaches six o'clock and the counter hits zero. Nearby in a dark corner, two small eggs are growing in the room with an strange, increasing electrical hum. They get bigger and bigger and a clicking noise can be heard. One of the eggs begins to move. A vaguely humanoid figure is seen inside one egg.
As the noise reaches its zenith, the figure within becomes more sharply defined - Tall, thin, more metal, like a robot in human shape. It starts to move and the grating dramatically changes in pitch as a stubby metallic fist brutally punches through the skin of the sphere. The brittle shell of the synthetic womb is no match for the awesome strength of a Cyberman; the Doctor's second most dangerous and ruthless enemies have awakened...) | {"type": "series", "show": "Doctor Who", "episode": "05x36 - The Wheel in Space - part 2"} | foreverdreaming |
by DAVID WHITAKER
from a story by KIT PEDLER
first broadcast - 11 May 1968
running time - 25mins 37secs
1. SPACE
(The Silver Carrier hangs motionless in Space.)
2. ROCKET CONTROL ROOM
(The control clock reaches six o'clock and the panel lights up. Nearby in a dark corner, two small eggs are growing in the room with an strange increasing electrical hum. They get bigger and bigger and a clicking noise can be heard.
One of the eggs begins to move. A vaguely humanoid figure is seen inside one egg. As the noise reaches its zenith, the figure within becomes more sharply defined - Tall, thin, more metal, like a robot in human shape.
It starts to move and the grating dramatically changes in pitch as a stubby metallic fist brutally punches through the skin of the sphere. The brittle shell of the synthetic womb is no match for the awesome strength of a Cyberman. The Doctor's second most dangerous and ruthless enemies have awakened...)
3. OPERATION ROOM
(LEO and TANYA are by a monitor. On it is the Silver Carrier. TANYA is pointing a finger at her nose.)
TANYA: My nose never let me down.
LEO: Well, don't overwork it, eh. I mean it's rather pretty. Too much exercise might damage it's shape.
TANYA: (Half laughing.) If something happens don't say I didn't warn you. That rocket's dangerous!
LEO: Nah, not for long. Soon as Jarvis gives the word, the laser will blast it out of existence.
4. POWER ROOM
(JAMIE is wondering how to put the capacitor out of action. He sees a spray bottle labeled "quick-set plastic" on a shelf and takes it. He opens the capacitor and starts to spray the inner workings, covering them with a layer of foamy plastic. Suddenly JAMIE is grabbed by JARVIS and BILL!)
JARVIS: Red-handed!
JAMIE: No, wait, let me explain!
BILL: What do you think you're doing, you fool!
JARVIS: Oh, he's no fool,...
(BILL tries to wash away the plastic but it's too late! The plastic has hardened. JARVIS holds JAMIE in a vice grip.)
JARVIS: ...are you?! You're a saboteur!
JAMIE: No, I'm not! I'm.
JARVIS: Shut up! (To BILL.) Well?
BILL: Nah, no good! He wrecked it!
JARVIS: Completely?
BILL: Yup.
JARVIS: Watch him.
(He releases JAMIE and moves over to the communication panel. BILL moves over to JAMIE.)
JAMIE: All right, I won't give you any trouble.
BILL: Too right, you won't!
JARVIS: (Into the communicator.) Now hear this, this is the Controller...
5. GEMMA'S OFFICE
(GEMMA and ZOE are listening to JARVIS over the communicator.)
JARVIS: (OOV.) All men on Security duty to issue themselves with sidearms at once. Easy-yellow security plan to be put into effect immediately.
Two off-duty men, security...
6. OPERATIONS ROOM
(LEO and TANYA are doing the same.)
JARVIS: (OOV.) section, report to the power room - on the double!
LEO: Easy-yellow! Well, now what's the sudden panic?
TANYA: I told you Bill and the Controller were up to something.
LEO: I'd better log out the blasters. Keep a eye on the Hercules cluster, will you? Zoe thinks one of the stars in Messa 13 is about to enter the nova state.
TANYA: That's all we need! A star bl*wing into a thousand pieces. I told you my nose never lets me down.
7. ROCKET CONTROL ROOM
(By now, both CYBERMEN have broken out of their eggs. They are sitting in the chairs by the control panel. On the panel's screen we see a picture of another space ship growing larger and larger and then a massive CYBER-PLANNER is seen. It's obvious that the computer is on board the other space ship.)
CYBER-PLANNER: (OOV.) Report.
CYBERMAN 1: Phase one complete.
CYBER-PLANNER: (OOV.) Cybermats are launched.
CYBERMAN 1: Phase two complete.
CYBER-PLANNER: (OOV.) You are undetected on the rocket?
CYBERMAN 1: Phase three ready.
CYBER-PLANNER: (OOV.) Report again after phase three.
8. CORRIDOR
(GEMMA and ZOE are in a corridor and other members of the Wheel's crew are running about.)
VOICE: (OOV.) All sections - easy-yellow status.
GEMMA: I hope you can prove your theory, Zoe.
ZOE: Oh, I'm right. Hercules 208 in Messa 13 is definitely on the blink. I can tell you the radiation affect on Earth, if you like?
GEMMA: (Starting to move.) Not now.
ZOE: I suppose you are going to see the fun, whatever it is.
GEMMA: Somehow, I don't think this is fun.
9. POWER ROOM.
(Two guards are holding JAMIE. JARVIS is very angry and BILL is looking inside the capacitor.)
BILL: Yeah, I see.
JARVIS: Well?
BILL: Yep.
JARVIS: WELL?
BILL: (To JAMIE.) You done a good job boy.
JARVIS: What's the exact damage?
BILL: Serious sir. All of the primary relay contacts are fused shut. This whole unit will have to be stripped down.
JARVIS: How long?
BILL: Well, that depends on how much plastic he uses and how far down it went.
JARVIS: HOW LONG?
BILL: I honestly don't know Chief.
JARVIS: But surely you can give some idea? Without the laser beam, we're virtually helpless!
BILL: All right, well, let's assume the worst that the laser's absolutely finished. I mean, this charged storage part of it. A replacement could take a week.
JARVIS: A WEEK?!
(GEMMA enters.)
GEMMA: What's the trouble Jarvis?
JARVIS: This young idiot has ruined the laser. Poured quick-seal plastic right into the relay lines of the Brewster mirrors!
GEMMA: (To JAMIE.) Why?
JARVIS: Sabotage!
JAMIE: No!
JARVIS: What are you? One of these pull-back-to-Earth maniacs? Where are your friends, eh? Out there in deep space, just waiting to come in and att*ck us when you put our laser out of action?
JAMIE: Och, you're talking rubbish!
BILL: You can't deny it boy, we all saw you.
JAMIE: I'm not denying it.
GEMMA: Is the laser really out of action, Jarvis?
JARVIS: Yes it is.
GEMMA: Zoe's calculated a new star going nova. We haven't checked with radar yet but she's usually right.
JARVIS: How bad?
GEMMA: The radiation flux will swing the Perseus shower right in on us. With the laser we could knock some of them out.
BILL: Hey, I better get started.
JARVIS: Confirm all Zoe's calculations with the radar computers. Come on, bring him.
(The guards take JAMIE, and he, the guards, JARVIS and GEMMA leave the room. BILL uses the communications device.)
BILL: All hands to the power room. Immediate and urgent. All hands to the power room.
(He examines the capacitor.)
BILL: Argh, what a mess!
(While he examines the capacitor a Cybermat appears from a cupboard door. BILL spots it.)
BILL: Well, I'll be...
(The Cybermat moves as BILL moves over to have a look.)
BILL: Hey, hey, hang on.
(He bends down to have a look.)
BILL: I'm not going to hurt you. Well, where did you spring from?
(He touches it.)
BILL: Metal? Well, you are a strange little creature aren't you? Some form of space bug?
(He hears footsteps and opens the cupboard door and moves the Cybermat into the cupboard and closes the door.)
BILL: Oh hello. I believe we'd better hide you billy bug. Or they'll believe I've gone bonkers.
(RUDKIN enters.)
BILL: Er, Rudkin, lets get started right away, shall we? Pass me the thermo...
10. OPERATION ROOM
(The group that left the power room enters.)
JARVIS: (To technicians.) Confirm Zoe's figures and ready computers two and five. (To JAMIE.) Didn't know what you're letting yourself in for, did you. Have you ever been in a sky station when a meteorite hits?
JAMIE: Look, I'm sorry.
GEMMA: Why did you do it?
JAMIE: Well, they said you were going to blow up the rocket.
JARVIS: So?
GEMMA: Why not?
JAMIE: Well I couldn't let you, that's all.
JARVIS: Why? WHY?
JAMIE: Because the Doctor told me to protect it.
11. DOCTOR'S ROOM
(The DOCTOR is in his shirt-sleeves and is in bed. JAMIE is with him.)
DOCTOR: Well that's marvellous isn't it? "The Doctor told me to protect it." You don't give a reason. Just leave me to get you out of trouble.
JAMIE: Well, I had to stop them destroying the rocket didn't I.
DOCTOR: Oh, I suppose so.
JAMIE: Course I did. I mean, what about the TARDIS? A fine thing if they blown that to pieces!
DOCTOR: I was just beginning to enjoy this little rest.
JAMIE: Anyway, what are you going to tell them?
DOCTOR: I don't know. Jamie, what exactly did happen on the rocket?
(JAMIE looks at him puzzled.)
DOCTOR: Well don't look at me like that.
JAMIE: You don't remember?
DOCTOR: Well it's a bit hazy.
JAMIE: Well, I found you lying in that corridor near that locked control room. Something had just shaked up the rocket and tumbled me out of bed and, well, whatever it was must have made you stumble as well.
DOCTOR: I suppose I h*t my head.
JAMIE: You honestly can't remember?
DOCTOR: No. But it's there. It's there at the back of my mind.
JAMIE: Well, what about the machine then? The one that was going to att*ck you. Now surely you remember that?
DOCTOR: Machine? No. But there's something. Some warning, some menace...
12. ROCKET CONTROL ROOM
(The word menace is overlapped with the face of a Cyberman. The two CYBERMEN are again reporting to the CYBER-PLANNER.)
CYBER-PLANNER: Report progress.
CYBERMAN 1: All phases proceeding as planned.
CYBER-PLANNER: Prepare phase four.
13. OPERATION ROOM
(ENRICO is talking on the radio while LEO, TANYA and ZOE look on.)
ENRICO: Yes. Yes. It's all happening in the Hercules star cluster. Okay.
ZOE: I told you. The same thing happened in the Perseus cluster a week ago.
TANYA: Except we had the laser then, we could deflect the meteorites.
ENRICO: Picture. There it is.
(Points to the radar scanner which shows the meteorites approaching.)
ENRICO: And beginning to emit hard Gamma already.
LEO: It's bigger than the Perseus one Rico.
ENRICO: It's four magnitudes up.
(LEO blow out a big breath.)
ENRICO: Well, I see if I can get some further information for you.
LEO: I better give the bad news to the controller.
(TANYA and ZOE follow LEO as he starts to move.)
TANYA: What are we going to do if Bill can't repair the laser in time?
LEO: Well, we've got the convolute force field.
ZOE: The neutron barriers won't help us. A star of this magnitude when it goes nova deflects meteorites with a mass of two hundred tons each.
TANYA: Two hundred...
ZOE: At least.
LEO: (A bit put out with Zoe.) Aren't you ever wrong, eh?
ZOE: (Laughing.) Rarely.
LEO: No. It's all a problem in solid geometry to you isn't it. Don't you care what happens here?
ZOE: Well of course. I'm only telling you what's going to happen.
LEO: Just like a robot. Fact, calculations.
TANYA: Leo!
LEO: Proper little brainchild. All brain and no heart!
(LEO storms off and TANYA with a "sorry" look at ZOE goes after him. ZOE stands there with a surprised look on her face.)
14. POWER ROOM
(The repairs are just being started. Two technicians are helping BILL.)
BILL: Gently now, gently. Keep it upright. Good, good. Fine, get Magna Seven over right away will you.
(The technicians leave and BILL goes over notices the Cybermat he'd put in the cupboard sitting outside, surrounded by bent, rusted bars of metal.)
BILL: Hello Billy-bug. You should've stayed where I...
(He notices that all of the Bernalium has been eaten.)
BILL: Hey, did you do this?
(He opens the cupboard to see that all of the Bernalium has been eaten too.)
BILL: What have you done?
(He turns about and the Cybermat is gone. Another crew member (RUDKIN) has entered.)
RUDKIN: What's the matter?
BILL: What? Oh nothing, how's it going?
RUDKIN: Okay now. Dr. Corwyn's taken me off communications.
BILL: Good. Good.
RUDKIN: The Controller asked me to come and see how you are getting on.
BILL: Oh you can tell him we're making good time. Err, hey come on, will you do something for me?
RUDKIN: Yes?
BILL: Go down to spares and check their Bernalium stock will you.
RUDKIN: Right.
(RUDKIN leaves. BILL waits until he has gone and then checks the cupboard again to see if the Cybermat is in there.)
BILL: That's all right anyway. I'll m*rder that little pest.
(He crosses back to the laser and starts working. Behind him, two Cybermats come on out from the crate they were hiding in.)
15. DOCTOR'S ROOM
(GEMMA is using the stethoscope to check the Doctor. JAMIE is there too and is watching GEMMA checking the Doctor over.)
GEMMA: You and your friend are healthy specimens aren't you.
DOCTOR: Well, we keep fit one way and another. I suppose all this mean I've got to get up?
GEMMA: No, I'm afraid not just yet.
DOCTOR: Oh good.
GEMMA: Does your head ache?
DOCTOR: Well, it did but it's better now.
GEMMA: Any loss of memory?
DOCTOR: Well, just a little.
GEMMA: Does it make you anxious?
DOCTOR: (Smiling.) I think that you find my psyche in very good order.
GEMMA: Probably but don't strain to remember. Concussion can bring about temporary lapses in memory. There's quite a lot we don't know about the memory bank yet you know. Good.
(She puts away her tools.)
GEMMA: I suppose the part you can't remember is why you told Jamie to protect the rocket.
DOCTOR: Oh yes I can. Perfectly. We're not saboteurs, you know.
GEMMA: Probably not.
DOCTOR: The last thing we want to do is to interfere with what you are doing here, or put you in any danger. You saved our lives on that rocket and we're very grateful.
GEMMA: But you have interfered. We're in the path of a very serious meteorite storm. The second we've been thr*at with in a week. Only we have no defense against this new one.
JAMIE: But I tell you I didn't know about the meteorites.
GEMMA: I hope not.
JAMIE: Look I don't even know what they are.
(ZOE enters.)
ZOE: (To GEMMA.) Is it all right? The guard said you were here.
DOCTOR: Guard?
GEMMA: We can't let you roam about wherever you want to.
JAMIE: Aye, we're under arrest.
DOCTOR: Oh no!
ZOE: How did you pilot the rocket, Doctor?
DOCTOR: I don't think we met have we?
GEMMA: Zoe, Doctor... John Smith isn't it?
(The Doctor looks about for Dr. John Smith.)
JAMIE: (Poking the Doctor's arm to get his attention.) John... John...
(The DOCTOR realises that John Smith is himself.)
DOCTOR: Oh, oh yes, erm. (To Zoe.) And what do you do here, Zoe?
ZOE: I'm an astrophysicist, pure-mathematics major.
GEMMA: With honours.
DOCTOR: Oh, I am impressed.
GEMMA: We use Zoe as our second opinion.
ZOE: (To the DOCTOR.) You didn't answer my question.
DOCTOR: What question?
JAMIE: (To ZOE.) You know, I'm surprised you didn't know the answer. Now don't tell me there's something you can't work out.
ZOE: (To the DOCTOR.) How did you pilot the rocket ship? You see, I calculated its original course. It was a surface and supply ship for number five station. Overdue and presumed lost nine weeks ago. Well the rocket couldn't have drifted 87,000,000 miles off course.
DOCTOR: So what's your theory?
ZOE: Well, there's a record of the last contact with the Silver Carrier rocket. It had seven million miles to touchdown and enough fuel for twenty million. Well, it couldn't have drifted here off course in the time involved. It must have been driven and piloted.
JAMIE: Och, you are a right wee space-detective.
ZOE: There's only one solution. That rocket was refueled in space. Provided with at least with another twelve fuel rods.
DOCTOR: Well, it is an interesting theory...
ZOE: Oh, it isn't a theory. You can't disprove the facts. It's pure logic.
DOCTOR: Logic, my dear Zoe, merely enables one to be wrong with authority. Supposing there was a faulty a*t*matic pilot.
ZOE: To drive a rocket 87,000,000 miles on fuel for 20,000,000?
DOCTOR: Well, it's a possibility.
ZOE: (Firm.) That rocket was driven here somehow. I know it was.
16. SPACE
(Another view of the Silver Carrier.)
17. ROCKET CONTROL ROOM
(Again the two Cybermen are sitting in the chairs by the control panel. On the panel's screen we see the picture of another space-ship growing larger and larger again for the massive CYBER-PLANNER wants to speak to them.)
CYBER-PLANNER: (OOV.) We have ionised the star. The first meteorites will strike the Wheel.
CYBERMAN 2: Phrase three is in operation.
CYBER-PLANNER: (OOV.) The Cybermats will consume Bernalium. Without Bernalium the Wheel cannot deflect the meteorites.
CYBERMAN 2: They will discover Bernalium on board this rocket-ship.
CYBERMAN 1: Phrase four is ready.
CYBER-PLANNER: (OOV.) Remove any control from Cybermats.
(The screen goes blank. The first Cyberman points at the clock in the middle of the control panel and the signal is sent from the Cyberman's finger to the panel. The clock starts going around and the controls starts to move by themselves. A light on the panel starts to bleep...)
18. POWER ROOM
(...and the Cybermats eyes are flashing with the same pulses and they start to move out.)
19. GEMMA'S OFFICE
(Meanwhile, GEMMA is talking to BILL DUGGAN.)
GEMMA: Let me get this right, Bill. You say the Bernalium...
BILL: Gemma, it's useless. All of it.
GEMMA: What about the reserves?
BILL: Yea, I had a check made of the stock but then I remembered that I'm holding most of it over in the power room. Well, you know how much we rely on those Bernalium rods. They are the only ones that stand up in the X-ray laser.
GEMMA: I'm far more interested in these creatures of yours.
BILL: Oh, there is only one of them, at least that is all I found.
GEMMA: Did anybody else see it?
BILL: Nope.
GEMMA: Did you tell anybody else about it?
BILL: Oh, you're joking. They think I'm mad anyway for messing about with space flora. How do you think they're gonna react if I tell them I found a space-bug.
GEMMA: What's it like?
BILL: Oh, it's smallish about so big.
(He holds out his hands to show GEMMA.)
BILL: Made of metal or some light tensile material.
GEMMA: And you say it eats metal?
BILL: Oh, not exactly. It sort of draws the life out of it. You know, corrodes it. You should see what it's done to the Bernalium stock.
GEMMA: But... how did this space-bug get inside the Wheel in the first place.
BILL: You can search me, I just found it. It could have gone through one of the loading bays or the airlocks.
GEMMA: (In thought.) Yes, I... I suppose that's possible.
BILL: What's the matter? You think I'm a nut too do you?
GEMMA: No but I want to see this creature for myself, Bill.
BILL: All right. Come on, I'll introduce you to billy-boy.
(They leave en route to the Power room.)
20. POWER ROOM
(RUDKIN enters the room and looks about for BILL. On the floor he sees a Cybermat and then the cupboard opens and another Cybermat falls out. RUDKIN's eyes open in terror and he dashes across and picks up a sharp metal prong and is about to h*t a Cybermat when its eyes flash and RUDKIN drops the prong and falls to the floor with a cry. He stands up quickly, holding his paralyzed hand, and turns about to see another Cybermat. He turns once more to see a fourth. All four start to close in, and he backs out the only opening and grabs the bottle of Quick-Set Plastic from the shelf.
He starts spraying it on the closest Cybermat, causing it to stop. As the plastic builds up, a beam from a Cybermat causes him to drop the bottle. He is trapped, holding his paralyzed hands awkwardly. All he can do is scream as the Cybermats draw closer and closer...)
21. CORRIDOR
(GEMMA and BILL hear the scream and run toward the Power Room.)
22. DOCTOR'S ROOM
(The DOCTOR, JAMIE and ZOE hear the scream, and JAMIE dashes to the door and opens it. FLANNIGAN is there guarding the door.)
FLANNIGAN: You can't come out.
JAMIE: What was that scream!?
FLANNIGAN: I don't know. It sounded like all the devils in hell were hounding someone but you still can't come out!
(He closes the door.)
23. POWER ROOM
(GEMMA and BILL burst in to discover the body. They both get down to have a look and there are no Cybermats to be seen. Two other crew members enter the room.)
BILL: Is he d*ad?
GEMMA: Yes, I'll tell the Controller.
(She starts to leave but notices a small lump on the floor - it is the Cybermat which RUDKIN covered in plastic.)
GEMMA: What's that?
24. DOCTOR'S ROOM
(The DOCTOR is holding the plastic coated Cybermat in his hand while ZOE is telling him about what has just happened.)
ZOE: The Controller's mounted an immediate inquiry. I'm much more interested in this. ('this' meaning the Cybermat.)
DOCTOR: This was found by the body was it?
ZOE: Yes. I had to get one of the men to take a floor-plate up. You just can't cut through hyperoxide. It's polymer strength is higher than chrome steel.
DOCTOR: Gordian knot couldn't be untied either.
ZOE: I don't know what that means.
JAMIE: Oh it means that...
(JAMIE goes on but it's clear that he doesn't know either.)
DOCTOR: It means there's always a solution.
JAMIE: Aye.
DOCTOR: The Bernalium is a right-off is it?
ZOE: Completely. We've got a few spares but not half enough. We'll have to get more up from Earth.
DOCTOR: The X-Ray laser g*n, the main armament of the Wheel relies on Bernalium.
ZOE: D'you think there is a connection?
DOCTOR: It's a possibility isn't it. Jamie, what do you think?
JAMIE: Me... errr... Well, there can be a saboteur on board. Jarvis Bennett. He did say something about a group of people "Earth For Earth" something like that.
ZOE: Well, there are such people. They do want to stop the space programme.
JAMIE: Yes, let's suppose they planted a saboteur on board, waiting for the right moment. Well along drifts the rocket and we're aboard. The saboteur thinks it is the right moment and strikes.
DOCTOR: And m*rder?
JAMIE: Well, if he was caught messing about with the Bernalium stuff, he may have had to k*ll.
DOCTOR: Well, it is an interesting theory.
JAMIE: Aye, but it fits.
DOCTOR: Hmm... It doesn't fit this. (Holding up the Cybermat.)
ZOE: Which we can't cut inside.
JAMIE: Argh, it's just a spare part of something. The d*ad man tried to defend himself, used the quick set plastic, it misfired and went over this bit of machinery.
DOCTOR: Well, we can find out.
ZOE: How?
DOCTOR: With the X-ray machine.
ZOE: (Laughing.) Of course. Why didn't I think of that.
(The DOCTOR laughs and claps his hands.)
JAMIE: Aye, why didn't you?
ZOE: Well, all I had to go on was the fact that hyperoxide is unbreakable. Why, I just didn't think of X-rays.
DOCTOR: Simple common sense works wonders sometimes, Zoe.
ZOE: (To JAMIE.) Well, at least, you didn't think of X-rays. That would have been awful.
(The DOCTOR laughs at their rivalry.)
25. OPERATIONS ROOM
(JARVIS is talking to the others.)
JARVIS: (To BILL.) You're under restriction. I'll have you back to Earth on the next ship that puts in. I want a written report on the whole affair and I want it in my hands tomorrow morning - first thing. That's all.
(BILL walks away and JARVIS turns to the others.)
JARVIS: He's confined to quarters. Tanya, you'll have to take over some of Leo's operations.
TANYA: Very well.
JARVIS: Now Leo, I want that laser working as soon as possible. Get on to it at once.
(LEO leaves, and ENRICO, who has been listening to the communicator, suddenly gets something.)
ENRICO: Controller.
JARVIS: (To others.) Now all of you. Let's get back to normal working conditions.
(He abruptly turns to GEMMA)
JARVIS: Gemma, I want a word with you in my quarters.
(He turns to Enrico.)
JARVIS: All right?
ENRICO: Radar and balance are ready sir. We're waiting for the go-ahead.
JARVIS: Give it!
ENRICO: Yes sir. (Into communicator while the whole of the bridge crew is listening.) Hello travel party, you are free to embark now. We will operate air pass doors and emergency stand-bys.
VALLANCE: (OOV.) Entering departure hatch for oxygen rating now. Standing-by.
ENRICO: Yes, receiving you. Stand-by for...
(JARVIS storms off the bridge with GEMMA close behind him. While ENRICO and some others are talking, TANYA goes over to BILL who is standing alone by the door.)
TANYA: I'm sorry, Bill!
BILL: It's my own fault. I'm a fool.
TANYA: You didn't do anything.
BILL: I should have told someone. I know the old man doesn't believe me, but there was a creature there.
(LEO comes to joins them.)
LEO: We did search around, Bill. Your power house is in a heck of a mess. There wasn't a sign of anything.
BILL: I didn't dream it, did I. Oh, what's the use of talking. Rudkin's d*ad. I'd give anything to... What's the use talking.
(Clearly upset he leaves the bridge.)
TANYA: (To LEO.) I thought you said you found some corroded metal in the power room.
LEO: Yes. Gemma wanted me to keep quiet about it until she talked to Jarvis. You know, all this extra work means we won't be spending too much spare time together.
TANYA: (Smiling.) I'll find someone else to keep me company.
(She turns to Leo with a smile.)
TANYA: I'd hate it if you didn't have a sense of humour.
26. GEMMA'S OFFICE
(Things are not going well.)
JARVIS: No, No, No! There's too much unexplained. Too many irrational phenomena. What's the matter with you people?! I can't turn round without somebody dreaming up some odd little thing happening, some bit of emotion-based fantasy!
GEMMA: Calm down, Jarvis.
JARVIS: Did you hear that fool, Duggan. Space-rodent. The man's a wreck.
GEMMA: Jarvis, will you listen...
JARVIS: If it's sensible, yes.
GEMMA: I'd like to go through some facts.
JARVIS: (Sits down.) All right. All right, I'm listening.
GEMMA: One, the rocket drifts near us. Two, drops in temperature, temporary, adjustment back to normal. Three, drops in air pressure, temporary, adjustment back to normal. Four, two meteorite storms in above avenge dimensions, both within seven days. Five, two strangers bought to the Wheel, one of them sabotages our armaments...
JARVIS: Don't lump all those things together. I thought you were going to be sensible.
GEMMA: They could be connected.
JARVIS: Oh, for heaven's sake, Gemma. Don't you start. What are you trying to do, make trouble?
GEMMA: We've got trouble, Jarvis. You're putting your head in the sand. Bill Duggan's apparitions, call them what you like, only started appearing after the rocket appeared. After the drops in air pressure and Bernalium, the one thing vital to our defences, Bernalium is corroded just at a time when we're facing a big meteorite storm. I tell you, that rocket is the basis of all our troubles.
JARVIS: Don't you worry about that. I've got some men to go across and look it over. But mysteries, please Gemma, not you as well.
27. DOCTOR'S ROOM
(The DOCTOR has a projector on his lap.)
ZOE: The X-rays are processed now. Can you turn out the light Jamie.
(JAMIE turns out the light.)
DOCTOR: Here we go. Now, let's see what we've got.
(The Cybermat image is shown up on the wall encased in the plastic.)
ZOE: What's that?!
DOCTOR: It's a Cybermat!
JAMIE: Aye.
DOCTOR: The lights, Jamie, the lights!
(The lights come back on.)
DOCTOR: Cybermats!
JAMIE: The Cybermen must be here too!
DOCTOR: Yes, and there's only one place they can be. On that rocket!
(We close in on his face.)
28. SPACE
(VALLANCE and LALEHAM, in space-suits, move towards the Silver Carrier.)
29. CABIN
(They climb abroad through the airlock and see a lot of crates. They go and have a look at these when suddenly they hear a noise behind them. It's the Cybermen. Before VALLANCE can move, one of the Cyberman emits a mesmerising light-beam from its forehead. VALLANCE cries out, but then he gives in to the power.
LALEHAM grabs a box and lifts it over his head, preparing to throw it, but the light-beam from the other Cyberman causes him to drop it, and he is soon taken over. The two hypnotised men turn to their new masters.)
CYBERMAN 1: You will take us to the Wheel.
CYBERMAN 2: Obey. Inside the Wheel you will help us. You will obey. | {"type": "series", "show": "Doctor Who", "episode": "05x37 - The Wheel in Space - part 3"} | foreverdreaming |
by DAVID WHITAKER
from a story by KIT PEDLER
first broadcast - 18 May 1968
running time - 25mins 32secs
1. CABIN
(The two hypnotized men turn to their new masters.)
CYBERMAN 1: You will take us to the Wheel.
CYBERMAN 2: Obey. Inside the Wheel you will help us. You will obey.
(LALEHAM and VALLANCE nod in agreement.)
2. DOCTOR'S ROOM
(ZOE has got JARVIS and GEMMA and they have been listening to the Doctor as he explains about the Cybermen and shows them the Cybermat.)
JARVIS: And what's all that supposed to mean?
DOCTOR: The Cybermen are thr*at this space Wheel.
JARVIS: Cybermen!? Where did you dream up a name like that.
(ZOE, ever wanting to be useful, pitches in.)
ZOE: The study of a system. Control and communication in animals and devices such as Cybernetic machines.
JARVIS: (Talking to Zoe.) What are you talking about?
ZOE: Cybernetics.
JARVIS: (Snaps.) I know all there is to know about Cybernetics. I don't need a lecture from you.
DOCTOR: But Cybermen exist. You've got to believe me, you've got to!
JARVIS: What, on the evidence of one faked-up X-ray sh*t?
ZOE: It's not faked-up. I took it myself Controller.
(This takes the sting out of JARVIS.)
JARVIS: Well... well, what are these Cybermen then?
DOCTOR: They were once men, human beings, like yourself, from the planet Mondas. But now they're more robot then man.
JARVIS: You mean half and half?
DOCTOR: Oh no, more than that. Their entire bodies are mechanical and their brains have been treated neurosurgically to remove all human emotion. All sense of pain. They're ruthless inhuman K*llers!
(JARVIS greets this with mocking laughter.)
JARVIS: You really expect me to believe that rubbish!
DOCTOR: It's not rubbish! They'll k*ll anyone who stands in their path. You've got to believe me. You've just got to!
3. CABIN
(The two crewmen get their instructions.)
CYBERMAN 1: You will ferry us to the Wheel. Obey. Inside the Wheel you will help us.
(The CYBERMEN then climb into a huge empty crate and two men then duly fit false bottoms. They then stack Bernalium rods above the prostrate Cybermen.)
4. DOCTOR'S ROOM
DOCTOR: But don't you understand. The Cybermen will get inside this space Wheel.
JARVIS: Nothing just comes in and out of this Wheel. What do you think this is - a jet heliport?
DOCTOR: They've already sent their Cybermats in to weaken you.
JAMIE: Look, listen to him. He's telling you the truth!
JARVIS: No, I'll tell you what he's doing, what too many people are trying to do. I don't know why - must be space sickness. They're spreading fear, alarm... terror. You think I can't see it?
GEMMA: He's sincere Jarvis. At least...
JARVIS: How can anything get into the Wheel, Gemma? How? How could it get through the airlock? Perhaps it just floats through the loading bay in full view of everybody.
GEMMA: It's still worth listening and taking precautions just in case there is anything in all this.
JARVIS: Don't tell me my job, Gemma. I am still Controller of this Wheel and things will be run in my way. Any orders to the contrary can come from Earth central. That's what...
(The increasing pressure begins to show on the frantic man's face as he storms out.)
DOCTOR: Oh dear. How do you convince a man like that?
GEMMA: That X-ray. I think Bill Duggan should see it. Go and find him, will you Zoe?
ZOE: Isn't he confined to his quarters?
GEMMA: Have him bought here, under guard if necessary, but get him - I'll be responsible.
(ZOE leaves.)
GEMMA: Jarvis was right about one thing, Doctor. These Cybermen of yours can't just walk into the Wheel you know.
DOCTOR: (Grim.) They will find a way.
5. SPACE
(VALLANCE and LALEHAM space walk back to the Wheel trailing the big crate behind them.)
6. OPERATIONS ROOM
(Enrico now mans the communication console.)
ENRICO: (Into communicator.) Rainbow flux normal. That completes the advance weather information, Earth Central. This is Station W-3 signing out.
VOICE: (OOV.) Thank you W-3. Thanks for the good news. Signing out.
ENRICO: Survey party calling in. (Into communicator.) Yes, come in survey party.
VALLANCE: (Dull and OOV.) Coming in through loading bay, Control.
TANYA: Ask why. Airlock five is all ready.
ENRICO: (Into communicator.) Is anything wrong? Airlock five is ready for you.
VALLANCE: (OOV.) We found a whole crate of Bernalium on the rocket. Bringing it over with us. Approval please Control.
ENRICO: This'll buck the old man up a bit.
TANYA: Yes. I'll just check.
(She goes to the communicator and calls up JARVIS.)
ENRICO: (Into communicator.) Just checking with control Armand. Await confirmation.
JARVIS: (OOV.) Yes?
TANYA: Survey party reports a find of Bernalium. They are bringing it over from the rocket. Can I give them the go-ahead?
JARVIS: (OOV.) Somebody's using their brains as last. Yes, we need it badly. Good work, good work.
TANYA: All right, Enrico.
ENRICO: Hello, survey party. All clear on the cargo now. Am clearing the loading bay for your arrival.
TANYA: Close off airlock five and clear loading bay...
7. DOCTOR'S ROOM
(BILL has arrived and has been shown the picture.)
BILL: Well, that's it all right.
GEMMA: What you call "billy-bug"
BILL: Yea.
GEMMA: You're sure about this?
BILL: I'm definite. I thought I'd come across some strange space-creature.
DOCTOR: It's an alien machine. Destructive. Capable of k*lling.
BILL: Seemed like a space-rodent. Look, I know, you all think I'm crazy...
GEMMA: Oh, of course not Bill. After all, you discovered space flora out here. When you found the Cybermat, you obviously thought that it was space fauna.
DOCTOR: Yes, a pity you didn't tell somebody sooner.
BILL: Maybe so, Doc, but look what happened when I did tell the old man.
DOCTOR: Yes.
ZOE: (To BILL.) I'd better take you back Bill. (To the others.) I've got some new calculations to do on those meteorites. Half the space-fleet might be flying straight into them.
(She leaves with BILL.)
DOCTOR: Meteorites. Yes. Now the Cybermats must have been sent in to destroy the laser g*n, but...
GEMMA: They nearly did.
DOCTOR: What?
GEMMA: Well, I assume they did. They seem to have taken a liking to all the stock of Bernalium on board. The laser needs constant supplies of Bernalium rods.
DOCTOR: You see, Jamie?
JAMIE: I see right enough. If I hadn't put the laser out of action, the Cybermats would have.
DOCTOR: Yes, but why?
JAMIE: That's obvious. Put the Wheel out of action and make it defenseless.
DOCTOR: But the Wheel must have other defenses.
GEMMA: Magnetic field projectors. The meson shield. They can counteract small meteorites.
DOCTOR: No, I think the Bernalium was destroyed for another purpose but what? What?
8. LOADING BAY
(LALEHAM and VALLANCE's space walk nears it's end. Bringing the large crate behind them, they enter the loading bay doors of the Wheel with their deadly cargo.)
9. LIBRARY
ZOE: (Into microphone.) Progress readings on the star Hercules 208 in Messia 13. Radar computer reading...
JAMIE: Hey, what are you doing?
(ZOE carries on like nothing has happened.)
ZOE: Bank A-208.16, Bank B-321.64. Lateral...
JAMIE: Are you talking to yourself.
(ZOE gives up and switches off the tape.)
ZOE: James Robert McCrimmon, do you realise what you've done?
JAMIE: What have I done?
ZOE: Well I was recording some very important readings. And now you're on my tape.
JAMIE: (Lost.) Hey?
(ZOE rewinds the tape and plays it back.)
JAMIE: How did you do that without moving your lips?
(ZOE points to the recorder. We hear JAMIE interrupt ZOE again.)
JAMIE: That's me. Sorry have I ruined it?
ZOE: No, not really.
(She turns and moves further down the library. JAMIE follows her and she turns round.)
ZOE: Is there anything you want?
JAMIE: No. I'm all right.
ZOE: Well, I've got some calculations to do on those new readings.
JAMIE: Aye, everyone's so busy. Not that they would talk to me anyway.
ZOE: Well, you did get off to a bad start.
JAMIE: You mean ruining the laser. Aye, I suppose I did. Hey, anyway I had to do that.
ZOE: Why?
JAMIE: Well the...
(JAMIE is torn between lying and telling ZOE about the TARDIS.)
JAMIE: Well, I can't really tell you.
10. POWER ROOM
(FLANNIGAN, LEO and another crew-member are trying to mend the laser.)
LEO: Will you hold that light still, Flannigan.
FLANNIGAN: My arm's getting tired.
LEO: Oh, you are a great help.
CREW-MEMBER: Just another few seconds, sir.
LEO: Will you get me that driver over there.
(The crew-member goes over and gets it.)
LEO: Come on, hurry up.
(He is handed the driver.)
LEO: Right.
(He attempts to get something out...)
LEO: Ah, my beauty.
(...which he succeeds in doing. JARVIS and BILL enter the room.)
JARVIS: How's it going?
LEO: Ah, hello sir. (To the Crew-Member.) All right Penny. (To JARVIS.) Well, the boys can do with a break, they worked non-stop.
JARVIS: I'm giving you Bill Duggan, No reason why he can't make himself useful. You others take a break. Keep up the good work.
LEO: All right sir.
JARVIS: Yes.
(JARVIS leaves.)
LEO: Oh boy, am I glad to see you Bill.
BILL: How's it look?
LEO: Oh, we've just had a bit of luck. The central deployment complex didn't get any plastic.
BILL: Oh, that's great. What about the Bernalium?
LEO: I haven't got around to that yet. (To the crew-member and FLANNIGAN.) Go on you two, hop it.
FLANNIGAN: It's all right, if it's all the same with you sir, we'll just grab a snack and be back in five minutes.
LEO: You'll take 45 minutes and like it.
FLANNIGAN: Right.
(They leave.)
BILL: What about you - you look done in.
LEO: Oh, I can't leave you on your own. It needs at least two to handle this thing.
(CHANG walks by FLANNIGAN at the door and enters the room.)
CHANG: Some people have all the luck. The Controller said you needed some help. Of course, I've only done two watches in a row.
LEO: Congratulations. I've done three.
BILL: Oh, go and shove off Leo, Chang and I can handle this.
LEO: Well, I...
BILL: Come on, I know how to get the Bernalium done, hey.
11. DOCTOR'S ROOM
(GEMMA holds up an X-ray of the DOCTOR's head.)
GEMMA: It's an extraordinary X-ray.
(The DOCTOR is flattered.)
DOCTOR: Extraordinary! Extraordinary?
GEMMA: I dare say your head'll ache for a quite a while yet, but at least there's no damage.
DOCTOR: Oh, I am so glad there is no damage. Miss Corwyn.
GEMMA: Mrs.
DOCTOR: Oh, oh forgive me.
GEMMA: My husband died in the asteroid belt three years ago.
DOCTOR: Oh. I'm so sorry.
GEMMA: My name's Gemma.
DOCTOR: Gemma... How nice. Hmm, Gemma. Tell me... tell me about the Controller, Jarvis.
GEMMA: Tell you what?
DOCTOR: He is a strange man to be in a position like this?
GEMMA: In ordinary circumstances no.
DOCTOR: Are there any ordinary circumstances in space?
GEMMA: Jarvis is simply a man who can't accept phenomena outside the laws of physics.
DOCTOR: Yes, that's a very accurate...
GEMMA: Were you going to say diagnosis?
DOCTOR: You're very perceptive.
GEMMA: You see in this failing of his a medical weakness.
DOCTOR: Don't you?
GEMMA: Normally he is more than capable of commanding this station. It's a continuous and merciless responsibility.
DOCTOR: Exactly. One does wonder what a man like that will do when faced with a problem for which he has no solution.
GEMMA: I must confess I've been concerned. Jarvis shows signs of blocking off his mind. He just can't face the truth.
12. OPERATIONS ROOM
(JARVIS enters the room and walks up to TANYA.)
JARVIS: Everything in order here?
(He jumps in before TANYA can say a word.)
JARVIS: Yes, yes. I can see it is. Good, good.
(He goes, leaving TANYA with suspicions about his behaviour.)
13. CORRIDOR
(JARVIS breezes through the Wheel on his way to the Medical unit.)
14. DOCTOR'S ROOM
(The DOCTOR is out of bed and is putting on his black frock-coat against GEMMA's advice.)
GEMMA: But you need rest, you really shouldn't get up yet.
DOCTOR: Of course I have to get up.
(JAMIE enters the room, GEMMA turns to him.)
GEMMA: Can you persuade him to rest?
JAMIE: Och, there's no good trying to stop him.
GEMMA: But it's much too soon.
DOCTOR: Now Gemma, be reasonable. I know the dangers. The Cybermen need to colonise. They must have the treasures of Earth.
GEMMA: You can't leave this room. Jarvis has given orders.
DOCTOR: He's not in control of himself.
GEMMA: I'm sorry, Doctor. I can't countermand any orders the controller's has issued.
JAMIE: (To DOCTOR.) He's as stubborn as you are.
15. CORRIDOR
(JARVIS stops a person walking along the corridor.)
JARVIS: Everything in order here? Good. Good.
(He enters the Doctor's room.)
16. DOCTOR'S ROOM
JARVIS: (Cheerfully to the Doctor.) Up and about again eh? That's better. (To Gemma.) I've done a tour, Gemma. Everything running like clockwork.
GEMMA: Fine. I'd like to talk to you about the rocket.
(JARVIS doesn't seem to have heard the question.)
JARVIS: Yes, everything is going rather well. Very well indeed. (To the DOCTOR.) You must want to stretch your legs. Get someone to take you round.
DOCTOR: Oh, oh thank you. Er, you will tell the guard, won't you.
JARVIS: (To the GUARD outside.) Off you go. Everything's in order here.
GEMMA: Jarvis...
JARVIS: You might make a note about morale, Gemma. It's excellent. Never been better.
GEMMA: But...
JARVIS: Yes, there's nothing we can't handle. Nothing.
(He rubs his forehead.)
JARVIS: Tired now. Turn in I suppose and get some sleep. Yes that's good. I'll need you first watch. Yes, keep up the good work. Keep up the good work.
(He leaves leaving three people shocked and confused about his behaviour.)
17. POWER ROOM
(BILL takes out the Bernalium rods from the laser.)
BILL: These are no good anyway. They're covered in plastic.
CHANG: Laleham and Vallance bought back a load of Bernalium from the rocket.
BILL: Well just don't stand there, go and grab a dozen sticks. With a bit of luck, we can replace these and reassemble in a couple of hours. Well, go on.
Chop Chop
CHANG: I'm on my way.
(CHANG walks out of the room...)
18. LOADING BAY
(...and goes to the loading bay. It is seemingly deserted as CHANG descends a ladder to examine the opened Bernalium boxes. However, the open crate with an obviously false bottom soon diverts his curiosity. A stubby metallic hand clutches his shoulder before he can continue investigating. He staggers back in horror on realising the thr*at posed by the powerful silver giants. LALEHAM and VALLANCE, now out of their spacesuits, do nothing as CHANG turns to them for help.)
CHANG: Help me!
(CHANG makes some desperate gestures of resistance, but the aliens viciously terminate his life by activating lethal energy bursts from their chest units.
LALEHAM and VALLANCE then pick up the boxes of rods and carry them up the ladder while the Cybermen turn to the body.)
19. OPERATIONS ROOM
(A light shines up on Tanya's panel as Leo comes in.)
TANYA: Enrico?
ENRICO: Hmm.
(LEO walks in.)
TANYA: Oh, hello Leo.
ENRICO: Hello Chief.
TANYA: Have you any notes of anybody using the waste incinerator in the loading bay.
ENRICO: No, I don't think so. I'll check.
LEO: What's the problem?
TANYA: Somebody just used the incinerator in the loading bay.
ENRICO: No, no, there's nothing here.
LEO: Hmm, you better put it in the log, Tanya. Somebody's for the high jump.
20. POWER ROOM
(BILL hears VALLANCE and LALEHAM come back with the boxes.)
BILL: (Thinking that it is Chang.) Hello boys, hey good on ya. (He sees who it is.) Where's Chang?
LALEHAM: (Dull.) Cut his hand - he's gone to the Medical bay.
BILL: Trust him.
VALLANCE: (Dull.) Anything to be done?
BILL: Yea, you can open up a box of rods.
(Turns back to the laser.)
BILL: Got this job licked. I just hope the rods are the right dimensions. That's all.
LALEHAM: (Dull.) They are.
BILL: Since when have you been a expert.
(The controlled humans open the box as BILL continues to work.)
VALLANCE: (Dull.) The lasers have to be made operative. Or the meteorites will destroy the Wheel.
(He states this as if it is his only purpose in life.)
BILL: (Sarcastic.) No! Well why do you think I'm sweating my back off here.
(He laughs. LALEHAM removes a rod and takes it up to BILL. VALLANCE is out of earshot.)
BILL: Here, what's up with him?
(LALEHAM ignores the question.)
LALEHAM: (Dull.) They're the right ones.
(BILL looks at them.)
BILL: Yes, so they are. You must be psychic. But don't tell the old man. He doesn't believe in Extra Sensory Perception.
(He fits the rod in.)
BILL: Hey, this is perfect, marvellous.
VALLENCE: (Dull.) When will the repair be finished?
BILL: Well it won't be done at all if you keep nattering.
VALLENCE: (Dull.) The meteorites must not harm the Wheel.
BILL: Sheech, that's all that worries you doesn't it. Oh, don't worry, don't worry. It'll be a close call, but I reckon to have this laser ready and in operation in six to seven hours. So you can sleep in your beds like babies; the pair of you. Daddy won't let anything happen to you.
(He turns back to the laser and starts work again, whistling.)
BILL: Now, (Talking over his shoulder.) if you really want to make yourself useful...
(He is aware of a presence behind him. He slowly turns to face one of the Cybermen. The creature emits a mesmerising light-beam from its forehead. Bill falls to his knees and lets out a horrified wail as his mind is taken over. He then stands up.)
CYBERMAN 1: The Wheel must be protected from the meteorites. We will assemble your laser defense rays. You will go to Central Control.
BILL: (Dull.) Central Control?
LALEHAM: (Dull.) The Operations Room
CYBERMAN 1: These are your orders.
21. GEMMA'S OFFICE
(GEMMA is working at her desk when she hears a knock at the door. ZOE opens the door and enters the office.)
GEMMA: Oh Zoe, it's you. What do you want?
ZOE: Well, it's rather difficult to explain.
GEMMA: What is it?
ZOE: Well, I've done a report. Some calculations I've been doing. I was ordered to forget them.
GEMMA: (Surprised.) Ordered?! By whom?! What report!?
ZOE: My calculations on the orbital path of the meteorite storm. I found a new element which indicated a critical state and I reported my findings to the Controller.
GEMMA: And he ignored them.
ZOE: Yes. Well you don't sound very surprised.
GEMMA: No.
ZOE: Well he said it was all perfectly normal but it isn't.
GEMMA: He's getting worse.
ZOE: Is he ill?
GEMMA: I don't know yet.
ZOE: Well, if he is he's chosen rather an inconvenient time hasn't he?
GEMMA: (Half-puzzled and half-disgusted.) Do you ever feel anything emotional, Zoe?
ZOE: Emotional. You know that's the second time I've been asked that in the last few hours. Leo Ryan said I was "all brains and no heart."
GEMMA: (Understanding.) Yes, it's your training. I shouldn't worry about it.
ZOE: Oh, but I do. I don't want to be thought of as a freak. Leo said I was like a robot, a machine. I think he's right. My head's been pumped full of facts and figures which I reel out automatically when needed, but, well, I want to feel things as well.
GEMMA: (Pleased.) Good. Unfortunately the parapsychology unit at the city tends to ignore this aspect in his pupils. Some of them never fully develop their human emotions.
ZOE: You don't think I'll be like that, do you?
GEMMA: No. No, you seem to have survived their brain-washing techniques remarkably well.
ZOE: (With relief.) Oh good.
GEMMA: Now about these calculations of yours...
22. OPERATIONS ROOM
(The DOCTOR is being shown round by LEO and TANYA. JAMIE is in the background.)
TANYA: And this last one is how we check everything.
DOCTOR: I see.
LEO: Yes, anything that uses energy on the Wheel, however small, is registered on this wall. From a coffee-grinder up.
DOCTOR: Oh, do you have any coffee?
LEO: Would you like some?
DOCTOR: I'd love some, I really would.
(TANYA offers a tablet to the Doctor.)
TANYA: A coffee pellet. Would you like one?
DOCTOR: Well that's very... Hold on a moment, why I haven't seen one of these for years.
(He mumbles about the controls and then GEMMA and ZOE arrive on the bridge. GEMMA signals to LEO.)
LEO: Excuse me Doctor. Tanya.
(TANYA gives the Doctor his coffee and then goes and joins the group. JAMIE joins the DOCTOR.)
JAMIE: Doctor, don't forget we need that mercury stuff for the TARDIS.
DOCTOR: No, Jamie, I haven't forgotten. I'm worried about the TARDIS. If I'm right and those Cybermen are...
(He notices the group.)
DOCTOR: What's going on?
(JAMIE spots ZOE.)
JAMIE: Let's find out.
(They join ZOE.)
DOCTOR: What's going on Zoe?
ZOE: I've done some new calculations on the orbital path of the meteorite storm. They're heading towards us faster than we thought.
JAMIE: Don't you have any cheerful news?
ZOE: Fact are facts. And these are indisputable.
DOCTOR: I wouldn't dream of contradicting you. Can you... Can you repair the laser g*n in time?
ZOE: Well, that's not the worry. It's the Controller. I went to him with the new data on the meteorites and he just brushed the whole thing aside.
DOCTOR: Oh dear, he's getting worse.
ZOE: That what Dr. Corwyn said. He is ill isn't he?
DOCTOR: Why aren't you worried about the laser g*n. I thought all the Bernalium had been destroyed.
ZOE: Oh no, some more turned up.
DOCTOR: Oh good.
ZOE: Yes, two of the men bought a crate of it over from the rocket.
DOCTOR: (Happy.) Ah. (Then changes to obvious concern.) What?! What did you say?
ZOE: Well, that's what Flannigan said. I met him when he was going off duty.
(The DOCTOR dashes over to GEMMA.)
DOCTOR: Gemma! Gemma, did you know about this Bernalium from the rocket?
GEMMA: Yes, Tanya told me.
DOCTOR: But don't you see what it means. The Cybermen are here. They came over in that crate.
GEMMA: But how can our two men have bought them over.
DOCTOR: But they didn't know what they were doing. They were just obeying orders.
GEMMA: The Cybermen hypnotised them.
DOCTOR: Yes, something like that.
GEMMA: We're not exactly children, Doctor. All space-men are protected against brain-control by drugs.
DOCTOR: Yes but a... a psycho... a neurotropic drug is only effective against a known enemy. Have you induced repulsion in all parts of the brain yet?
GEMMA: No but then there's the implanted Silenski capsule. It gives off a signal when there's an adverse influence against the wearer.
DOCTOR: How can we check?
GEMMA: (Calls to TANYA.) Tanya, I want to check the Silenski circuit.
TANYA: But I shall have to activate the whole defense network.
GEMMA: I'll authorise the extra power.
(TANYA crosses to the particular panel with the DOCTOR. While they are doing this BILL enters the room.)
TANYA: Watch the lines. If they're steady then, everything is normal.
DOCTOR: I see.
TANYA: Try this room first.
DOCTOR: Yes, yes. (To GEMMA.) Is that all right?
(GEMMA nods. Nearby JAMIE and ZOE have spotted BILL.)
JAMIE: What's he hanging around for? I thought he was under guard or something.
ZOE: So did I. Bill, has the Controller...?
(BILL walks past them and slowly walks towards the communicator panel.)
TANYA: Here, Wait a minute. Look.
(A line can be seen on the monitor.)
GEMMA: Someone is affected, Doctor. You were right.
TANYA: Someone in this room.
DOCTOR: Er, can we pin it down to an individual.
TANYA: I cordoned the room off.
(BILL gets closer and closer and we can see that he has a spanner in his hand.)
TANYA: Over there.
(She points to the communication panel. BILL raises the spanner.)
TANYA: In the direction of...
(She is too late as BILL starts to att*ck the communication equipment.)
DOCTOR: Oh, stop him.
(ENRICO is hurled from his chair and even an att*ck from JAMIE isn't much use as he is casually thrown aside by the possessed man, as he att*cks the communication panel like there is no tomorrow. LEO pulls out a blaster and sh**t BILL before any more damage can be done. As the blaster haze subsides, BILL falls to the ground with a scream. The DOCTOR approaches the body and checks him over.)
DOCTOR: He's d*ad.
(He stands up, his face grim. This death must not go unpunished.)
DOCTOR: Now listen... listen everyone, the Cybermen are here, in this Wheel. They took over this poor fellow to stop you sending for help or signalling to Earth.
LEO: But...
DOCTOR: Just a minute. Gemma, you must alert the whole Wheel and you need something stronger than drugs to stop your people from being taken over. It doesn't matter how crude it is. A metal plate and a transistor will do. Tape them to the back of the neck. It'll absorb the Cyber control signal.
LEO: I can do that.
DOCTOR: Yes. Good.
TANYA: (To LEO.) I'll help you.
DOCTOR: Right.
(He joins JAMIE.)
JAMIE: What do we do?
DOCTOR: We're going hunting Jamie.
JAMIE: Are you sure you know who is going to be hunted?
DOCTOR: That is a very good question. Come on.
(They leave the bridge and ZOE goes over to LEO and TANYA.)
ZOE: Can I do something?
TANYA: No.
ZOE: Isn't there anything I can do?
TANYA: Well, all right...
(TANYA finds something for ZOE to do.)
23. LOADING BAY
(The DOCTOR and JAMIE edge down the steps to the loading bay. After looking about for a moment, JAMIE sees the crate that they are looking for.)
JAMIE: Doctor, there it is.
DOCTOR: Jamie, I know, shush.
(They soon discover the crate's false bottom. However a noise is heard - Someone is coming down the steps. They both whisper to each other and they both hide behind the crate to see who it is... It's a CYBERMAN. It descends the steps, crosses over to one of the boxes of Bernalium. However, if it turns around it will see the DOCTOR and JAMIE...) | {"type": "series", "show": "Doctor Who", "episode": "05x38 - The Wheel in Space - part 4"} | foreverdreaming |
by DAVID WHITAKER
from a story by KIT PEDLER
first broadcast - 25 May 1968
running time - 22mins 57secs
1. LOADING BAY
(The DOCTOR and JAMIE edge down the steps to the loading bay. After looking about for a moment, JAMIE sees the crate that they are looking for.)
JAMIE: Doctor, there it is.
DOCTOR: Jamie, I know, now shush.
(They both go over to have a look at it. They both speak in whispers.)
JAMIE: It's safe?
DOCTOR: Yes, this is it.
JAMIE: But can they...
(They soon discover the crate's false bottom. However a noise is heard - Someone is coming down the steps. They both whisper to each other and hide behind the crate to see who it is... It's a CYBERMAN. It descends the steps, crosses over to one of the boxes of Bernalium. However, if it turns around it will see the DOCTOR and JAMIE... Instead it effortlessly lifts the box, carrying it back to the steps. It quickly ascends, vanishing from sight. After they are sure that it has gone, The DOCTOR and JAMIE come out of cover.)
JAMIE: That was close.
DOCTOR: So easy.
JAMIE: What?
DOCTOR: I don't understand them.
JAMIE: What are you talking about?
DOCTOR: Destroying the wheel Jamie, that's what I am talking about. From the outside it's strong enough but now the Cybermen are inside I...
JAMIE: Yes, I see what you mean... What do you think they're planning?
DOCTOR: Well, they obviously don't want to destroy the wheel.
JAMIE: Well, what do they want then?
DOCTOR: I wish I knew. The first thing we must do is to protect the people here.
JAMIE: How?
DOCTOR: What's the thing that we need to survive which the Cybermen don't?
JAMIE: Food.
DOCTOR: You're always thinking of your stomach aren't you? No. Air, Jamie, air!
(He crosses to the communicator.)
DOCTOR: Now I wonder how this works...
2. OPERATIONS ROOM
(The communicator bleeps and TANYA goes to answer it. The face of the DOCTOR appears.)
TANYA: It's the Doctor.
(Both GEMMA and LEO come over to watch.)
DOCTOR: (OOV.) Hello, I think it would be wise to lock all the air-lock doors. Can you do that?
LEO: Yes.
TANYA: (To the DOCTOR.) Leo says he can. Why?
DOCTOR: (OOV.) The Cybermen are definitely on the Wheel. Jamie and I have just seen one. They may try to interfere with the air supply.
JAMIE: Doctor...
DOCTOR: What? (To the watchers.) Keep this channel open.
JAMIE: Something moved over there - just caught the corner of my eye.
(They both turn to have a look.)
GEMMA: What's wrong?
TANYA: I don't know.
LEO: Shall I seal off the airlocks, Gem?
GEMMA: Yes.
(LEO goes across to the console and seals the airlocks.)
LEO: (From console.) Sealing off all the airlocks.
TANYA: (To GEMMA.) I suppose we can trust the Doctor?
GEMMA: Not sure why I do but I do. Sealing off the airlocks is good common sense anyway.
3. LOADING BAY
JAMIE: It's there.
(It's a Cybermat. They both draw back, wary of the approaching device. The DOCTOR turns to the communicator as JAMIE keeps a eye on it.)
DOCTOR: (To communicator.) Listen to me very carefully. Do as I ask and don't delay. One of the Cybermats is very close to us. It will tune into our brain waves at any minute.
(The Cybermat is getting closer.)
JAMIE: Doctor! It's turning!
DOCTOR: Hook up a variable audio-frequency on this channel right away. Do it at once!
4. OPERATIONS ROOM
(GEMMA turns to ENRICO who is doing something.)
GEMMA: Enrico, leave that.
(He does and comes over to GEMMA.)
5. LOADING BAY
(A second Cybermat has arrived.)
JAMIE: There's a second one.
(He starts to move towards the stairs.)
JAMIE: Come on.
DOCTOR: No.
(He holds on to JAMIE.)
DOCTOR: We don't stand a chance. They've got a range of at least ten feet.
6. OPERATIONS ROOM
DOCTOR: (OOV.) Hurry, please hurry.
GEMMA: Come on Enrico.
(ENRICO is working through the circuits.)
ENRICO: All right, all right!
(He stands up.)
ENRICO: (To his technician.) That's it. Power!
(A high-pitch noise is heard.)
ENRICO: (To his technician.) Come on! Come on! Come on!
(The high-pitch grows louder and higher.)
7. LOADING BAY
(The sound reaches the Loading Bay. Both the DOCTOR and JAMIE are forced to cover their ears. The Cybermats begin to spasmodically lose control. They run across the room in some kind of metal agony. They spin round and collide as the noise increases and decreases in pitch and intensity. One of the two begins to emanate thick smoke while the other slams into a wall, disintegrating with a burst of light and noise.)
8. OPERATIONS ROOM
GEMMA: That's enough Enrico.
(ENRICO turns the power down and the sound stops.)
9. LOADING BAY
(The DOCTOR and JAMIE take their hands down.)
DOCTOR: We're coming back as fast as we can.
(The DOCTOR picks up a destroyed Cybermat and shows it to the communicator.)
DOCTOR: This is what you've saved us from.
10. OPERATIONS ROOM
TANYA: What that's thing?
ZOE: It's a Cybermat?
DOCTOR: Exactly.
11. POWER ROOM
(Meanwhile a Cyberman opens a communicator and soon the picture of the CYBER-PLANNER appears.)
12. OPERATIONS ROOM
(TANYA is now by the controls.)
TANYA: Leo.
(LEO comes up and joins her.)
TANYA: There is an energy reading coming from the power house.
(LEO checks some of his readings.)
LEO: It's not coming off our power source that's for sure. Let's check it out.
13. POWER ROOM
CYBERMAN 1: All Cybermats have been destroyed.
CYBER-PLANNER: (OOV.) Destroyed? By what method.
CYBERMAN 1: They have used high-current phase contrast.
CYBER-PLANNER: (OOV.) One human has knowledge beyond our predictions. Report.
CYBERMAN 1: The X-ray laser machine is repaired.
CYBER-PLANNER: (OOV.) And operative?
CYBERMAN 1: Yes. In stage of operation.
CYBER-PLANNER: (OOV.) Communication beam to Earth?
CYBERMAN 1: att*cked and damaged.
CYBER-PLANNER: (OOV.) Phase Six.
CYBERMAN 1: Yes.
CYBER-PLANNER: (OOV.) The space station is to be taken over. Complete Phase Six.
(The CYBER-PLANNER fades from sight.)
14. OPERATIONS ROOM
(ENRICO and TANYA are talking about the damage from the att*ck by Bill Duggan. LEO is trying to work the Communicator.)
LEO: (Into the Communicator.) Workshop! Workshop will you come in please?
ENRICO: Well, Bill Duggan knew the right spot OK.
TANYA: What about radar?
ENRICO: The radar's fine but the radio's kaput.
TANYA: When's the next check to Earth Central?
ENRICO: 0300. In two hours time.
TANYA: Set up a check on the first wave of the meteorites.
ENRICO: I don't see the point. We haven't got a laser to knock them out with.
TANYA: Don't be pessimistic Enrico. They may not have a direct course onto us, anything can happen.
ENRICO: Everything is.
(They both turn to LEO who just joined them.)
LEO: Blimey, you'd think we were alone on the Wheel. I can't raise anybody.
TANYA: Have you told Gemma?
LEO: She's got her hands full enough as it is.
(Nearby, the DOCTOR and GEMMA are talking to JARVIS while ZOE is holding the Cybermat.)
GEMMA: Jarvis. Jarvis, look at the creature.
(JARVIS doesn't look at it.)
GEMMA: Show it to him Zoe.
(ZOE moves forward and presents it under his nose, but JARVIS looks like he doesn't want to see it or believe that it is there.)
JARVIS: No. No, it's not true. Not true.
GEMMA: All right Zoe. Put it away somewhere.
(ZOE moves away with the creature.)
GEMMA: (To the DOCTOR.) Complete withdrawal. Loss of effect.
DOCTOR: But not necessarily complete. Hmm, catatonic feature certainly.
GEMMA: I can try ECT. He could be shocked back to normal.
DOCTOR: Is the equipment here?
GEMMA: No it's in the Medical bay.
DOCTOR: Oh, I wouldn't advise moving him. You've thrown a magnetic forcefield round this section.
GEMMA: Yes.
DOCTOR: Enough to keep the Cybermen out?
GEMMA: Enough to keep anything out. The crew have been warned. Oh...
DOCTOR: No, it's no good. You are second-in-command. You must take over.
GEMMA: Take over what? We're inv*de. We have no contact with Earth, we're in the path of meteorites. Take over what? How do we fight without the laser?
(Nearby ZOE looks after JARVIS. JAMIE comes over to join her.)
JAMIE: How is he?
ZOE: Hopeless.
JAMIE: Well, that's just fine.
ZOE: He just closed himself away.
JAMIE: Well who's the second in command?
ZOE: Dr. Corwyn.
JAMIE: At least she's all right.
ZOE: Yes, although what she can do I don't know.
JAMIE: (A little happy at having something that he can gloat over.) Oh, there is something that you don't know then?
ZOE: There's too much I don't know. I was trained to believe logic and calculation would provide me with all the answers. Well I'm just beginning to realise there are questions which I can't answer.
JAMIE: You're just not trained for a emergency like this.
ZOE: Well, that's the whole point! What good am I. I've been created for some false kind of existence where only known kinds of emergencies are catered for. Well what good is that to me, now?
JAMIE: Hey, we're not done yet you know.
ZOE: And if we survive? What then, Jamie? Suppose we do get ourselves out of this mess - what have I got left? A blind reliance on facts and logic?
(It's clear that ZOE's self-confidence is in tatters and she walks away. Back at the communicator LEO is trying to get through to the Oxygen Supply Room.)
LEO: (A little annoyed.) Section Twelve, Section Twelve. Will you please come in?
15. OXYGEN SUPPLY ROOM
(Even through the Communicator is bleeping there is nobody to answer it. Another body is casually thrown on the floor by a m*rder Cyberman.)
16. OPERATION ROOM
LEO: (Into communicator.) Calling power house. Power house will you please come in.
17. POWER ROOM
(The communicator bleeps in the power room, where FLANNIGAN is. Just as he turns to answer it, the controlled VALLANCE and LALEHAM walk into the room.)
FLANNIGAN: Oh, it's yourself. Why don't you answer this thing. Somebody sounds a bit violent.
VALLANCE: (Dull.) It's not important.
(The Communicator stops bleeping.)
FLANNIGAN: Nah, it could be the old man himself you know. Well, is this laser working yet, is it?
LALEHAM: (In the same tone as VALLANCE.) Yes. Finished.
FLANNIGAN: Ah, so we're not to be riddled with the meteorites then?
VALLANCE: (Dull.) No.
FLANNIGAN: (A little testily as the Communicator starts again.) Well, that's great. I've a whole year's leave coming to me back on Earth. Now come on.
(He reaches for the communicator.)
LALEHAM: (Dull.) Don't touch that.
FLANNIGAN: You just can't ignore it. What is it? What's the matter with you two, hey?
VALLANCE: (Dull.) Just do as you are told.
FLANNIGAN: Hey, now, have you both gone mad or what?
(VALLANCE draws his blaster and points it at FLANNIGAN.)
FLANNIGAN: Don't point that thing at me laddie.
(FLANNIGAN knocks the w*apon from both VALLANCE and LALEHAM's hands. A violent struggle erupts. While LALEHAM tries to h*t FLANNIGAN with a metal bar, and VALLANCE dives for his blaster, FLANNIGAN fights for all his worth. He is more than capable of holding his own.)
FLANNIGAN: All right, if it's a fight that you are after, I'm your man. Come on.
(The fight goes on.)
FLANNIGAN: (Above the noise of the struggle.) You need a few lessons in the noble and manly art, me bucko! All right, come on!
(They fight on. VALLANCE fires into the struggle with his blaster just as FLANNIGAN turns around with LALEHAM around his neck. The blaster sh*t goes into LALEHAM's back, causing him to crumple to the floor and die. VALLANCE is in shock from his actions and this causes his mind to be freed from the Cybermen's control. Meanwhile, behind FLANNIGAN the door opens and a CYBERMAN enters. While FLANNIGAN stares at the silver giant the control beam from the CYBERMAN's head-piece is activated causing both VALLANCE and now FLANNIGAN to fall under the Cybermen's control again.)
CYBERMAN 1: The Earth machine has been installed?
VALLANCE: (Back in his slurred dull voice.) Yes.
CYBERMAN 1: A force field has been set around the Operations control room. How is it operated?
VALLANCE: (Dull.) Only from within the Operations Room.
(The Cyberman now sees LALEHAM's body.)
CYBERMAN 1: Dispose of the body of the human.
(They drag the body away.)
18. OPERATIONS ROOM
(ZOE is trying to get JARVIS to drink some water.)
ZOE: Come on some more. Just a little more.
JARVIS: (Dully.) No, no more.
TANYA: (To ZOE.) Don't force him. Give him whatever he wants.
(The DOCTOR meanwhile has been watching LEO's attempt to get someone on the communicator.)
DOCTOR: Well I'm not surprised you can't get in touch with the rest of the Wheel.
JAMIE: Aye, the Cybermen aren't gonna sit around doing nothing.
GEMMA: But can they still control our people. I thought you'd...
DOCTOR: The metal plates you mean. Has everyone had them fitted to the back of their necks?
GEMMA: No, not yet. There are still some crew members without.
DOCTOR: Well, it would be advisable to have it done.
LEO: (From the other end of the room.) Coming through now!
(The rest, except for JARVIS, rush over to the radar which has just reported the meteorites.)
ENRICO: Thought we'd lost it for a moment there.
(The blips on the radar show that the meteorites are now very close. They can all listen to the noise of the meteorites getting closer and closer.)
ENRICO: Hey, will you listen to that! Now this is a big storm, bigger than we thought.
LEO: All right, all right, don't make it worse.
GEMMA: We'll have to rely on the anti-matter field projectors.
ENRICO: You don't think the meteorites are going to bounce off them, do you? Now we're talking about things weighing two or three hundred tons here.
GEMMA: How far away are they?
ENRICO: See for yourself. Less than a million miles now. Closing on an elliptical path tilted ten degrees.
(The Communicator bleeps.)
LEO: Well, thank goodness for that.
(LEO runs across and presses the button. The picture of FLANNIGAN appears on the screen.)
FLANNIGAN: (OOV & dull.) Power room!
LEO: Flannigan! Where have you been?
FLANNIGAN: (OOV and dull.) Storing the laser discharge.
LEO: What was that?
FLANNIGAN: (OOV and dull.) It has been completed.
LEO: The laser's repaired?!
FLANNIGAN: (OOV and dull.) It is ready for testing now.
LEO: Great. (To the others.) The laser's working.
(There are sounds of relief.)
LEO: Stand by to run a test. (To the communicator.) Flannigan, where have you been? I've been trying to raise you for ages.
FLANNIGAN: (OOV and dull.) There must be a fault on the line. Vallance is here with me. We are ready when you are ready.
LEO: Right.
19. OUTSIDE WHEEL
(A partition opens on one of the other sections of the Wheel, spawning a huge laser cannon. The w*apon slowly repositions itself as the crew calibrate a new angle. With a relatively short effective range there is little room for error.)
20. OPERATIONS ROOM
(LEO has moved from the communicator and is now in his chair.)
ENRICO: (Slightly panicky.) We're cutting it too fine, they're coming at us too fast. Seven hundred thousand now. Six-ninety, Six-eighty. The speed of them is fantastic.
LEO: Take position from radar calibration estimates.
ENRICO: Angle ninety on zero-four, zero-two. Distance now six-ten thousand, Six-dead, Five-ninety...
JAMIE: (To GEMMA.) What's the range of your machine?
GEMMA: Fifty thousand miles total destruction, ninety thousand partial.
DOCTOR: Well, it would be as well not to miss then, wouldn't it.
(This fails to relieve the tension in the air.)
LEO: We'll try a random sh*t, at least see how the power banks react. (To the others in the room.) Stand by to test laser. Blue button. Red on stand-by!
ENRICO: Angle eighty-eight on zero-four, zero-one now. Distance closing - five hundred thousand d*ad. Four-ninety, four-eighty.
LEO: (Calls to TANYA.) Tanya, take a power reading on this. (To the others.) And f*re!
(We hear the laser f*re.)
TANYA: Power maximum and normal.
LEO: (Turns his chair around and speaks confidently.) Well everybody, I think we stand a chance.
21. SPACE
(The meteorites continues to rush inexorably toward them.)
22. OPERATIONS ROOM
ENRICO: Angle eighty-eight on zero-four, zero-one and holding. Distance closing three-fifty thousand, three-forty, three-thirty. Angle change.
Eighty-seven on zero-four-zero point nine-nine recurring. Distance two-eighty thousand. Two-seventy, Two-sixty.
LEO: Stand by for further tests on lasers.
TANYA: Power max one hundred and all systems green and steady.
LEO: Red on stand-by. f*re.
(The laser is fired again.)
TANYA: Power maximum and normal. All systems operating.
LEO: Stand-by for test blanket f*re. Red on stand-by.
TANYA: Power max one thousand, all systems green and steady.
LEO: Red on stand-by. f*re.
(The laser is fired.)
TANYA: Power maximum and normal. All systems operative.
LEO: (Cheerfully.) Well, let them all come. We're ready for them.
DOCTOR: I think it reasonable to assume that the Cybermen caused that star to go nova.
GEMMA: Deliberately causing the meteorites to deflect from their orbit. To destroy the wheel.
DOCTOR: No! Not to destroy the Wheel. To make you want to use the laser. Then they sent in their Cybermats to att*ck the laser and destroy the Bernalium.
JAMIE: (Catching on.) And then you'd search that drifting rocket and find a big crate.
DOCTOR: With the Cybermen inside it.
JAMIE: Aye.
DOCTOR: It was the only way they could get into the Wheel.
GEMMA: And now you think they've repaired the laser.
JAMIE: They must have done, I mean, otherwise they'd be smashing up the Wheel wouldn't they.
DOCTOR: So you see this isn't just an att*ck by an alien race on a space station. The Cybermen have another purpose.
GEMMA: What?
DOCTOR: They have an over-riding ambition to inv*de the Earth, plunder its mineral wealth. Somehow they see a way of doing it through this Wheel.
GEMMA: But how can we stop them?
DOCTOR: I don't know.
GEMMA: Presumably these Cybermen disposed of the crewmembers of the rocket in space.
DOCTOR: (In thought.) Hmm... yes. (To JAMIE.) Jamie, the Time Vector Generator from the TARDIS. Where is it?
JAMIE: Oh you mean the gold rod thing?
DOCTOR: Yes, yes, where is it.
JAMIE: You got it. I put it your pocket in the rocket.
DOCTOR: Are you sure?
JAMIE: Yes?
(The DOCTOR checks his pockets.)
DOCTOR: But I haven't got it.
JAMIE: You must have. Not unless it's fallen out when they were moving you. Is it important?
DOCTOR: Important? Somebody will have to go over to the rocket and get it.
JAMIE: Good luck to them. Who's going?
DOCTOR: Well, if Gemma can spare someone to show you how to make the journey...
JAMIE: (In shock.) ME!?
DOCTOR: Yes, of course. You're the only one who knows what it looks like besides me and I am much too busy. Besides, it's your fault that it's lost.
JAMIE: Mine?
DOCTOR: Well isn't it?
JAMIE: (Confused.) Well yes... no... Dr. Corwyn... Oh Doctor. Och.
23. OXYGEN SUPPLY ROOM
(This is some kind of control room since there are controls and some kind of lamps in the background. VALLANCE is here standing behind his CYBERMAN master who is communicating with the CYBER-PLANNER via the Cybermen's communicator.)
CYBER-PLANNER: (OOV.) The meteorite shower is approaching the Wheel.
CYBERMAN 1: The w*apon of the Earth humans have been tested and are operating.
CYBER-PLANNER: (OOV.) Phase six can be completed.
CYBERMAN 1: The Earth humans have set up a neutron field barrier on the perimeter of the section containing their room of Operations.
CYBER-PLANNER: (OOV.) Do not complete Phase Six. Initiate Plan Three.
(The CYBERMAN stands and turns to VALLANCE.)
CYBERMAN 1: Follow me.
(VALLANCE obeys.)
24. CORRIDOR
(GEMMA is taking JAMIE and ZOE to the Oxygen Supply Room where there is the nearest airlock.)
GEMMA: (Into communicator.) Replace the field barrier now! We're through.
ZOE: I'll see if it's clear ahead.
(She moves forward.)
JAMIE: I still don't see why you should send a wee thing like that with me.
GEMMA: She's the only one I can spare who knows enough about space-drill to get you across to that rocket safely.
JAMIE: Maybe so. I still think I'm better by myself.
GEMMA: Do you? I wouldn't be too sure if I were you.
25. OPERATIONS ROOM
(LEO is furious that ZOE is going to the rocket. He rounds on the DOCTOR.)
LEO: Have you gone off your head?!
DOCTOR: Well, she... she agreed to go.
LEO: She had no right to agree. And you'd no right to let her.
DOCTOR: I had to. Jamie will look after her.
LEO: Have you any idea of the dangers they'll face between the Wheel and the rocket? And you send Zoe and your friend out into an area that's bound to be b*mb with small debris, quite apart from the radiation and the thermal shock.
DOCTOR: Well, they knew the risk. Zoe calculated it.
(This makes LEO angrier.)
LEO: Oh yes. Zoe calculated it! And what about Gemma, hey? What if Gemma meets up with one of those Cyberman things?
ENRICO: Coming into range now sir.
LEO: All right. (To the DOCTOR.) Now you don't do anything unless I say so. Clear? (To TANYA,) Tanya, take a power reading on this. (To ENRICO.) Rico, calculate distance and direction. (To the others.) All systems on stand-by.
26. OXYGEN SUPPLY ROOM
(Inside, GEMMA, ZOE and JAMIE find the m*rder crewman. GEMMA checks the body.)
JAMIE: He's d*ad?
GEMMA: Yes, I'm afraid so. (To ZOE.) Zoe, the emergency exit.
(ZOE goes to the back of the room and enters an airlock.)
GEMMA: You'll find space equipment in the airlock.
(ZOE opens the airlock door.)
ZOE: Come on, Jamie.
JAMIE: All right. You'd better take that.
(He hands GEMMA a blaster and enters the airlock.)
GEMMA: Good luck!
JAMIE: Thank you.
(The airlock door closes.)
27. OPERATIONS ROOM
(The communicator bleeps and the DOCTOR uses it to get GEMMA on the screen.)
DOCTOR: Yes?
GEMMA: (OOV.) We're through. No problems.
DOCTOR: Good.
ENRICO: Main concentration coming into range.
LEO: Crossover on vector link. Countdown is from now.
ENRICO: Well, this is the big stuff. Angle ninety on channel-3. Distance - one hundred thousand miles.
28. SPACE
(The meteorites come into range of the laser.)
29. OXYGEN SUPPLY ROOM
(GEMMA hears a noise as she prepares to leave and ducks for cover when VALLANCE and the CYBERMAN enter the room. The CYBERMAN and VALLANCE stand by a control console)
CYBERMAN 1: This controls the oxygen on the Space Station.
VALLANCE: (Dull.) Yes.
CYBERMAN 1: Open it.
(VALLANCE opens a box of small silver capsules that he is carrying.)
CYBERMAN 1: Each section of the Wheel has a separate air supply.
VALLANCE: (Dull.) Yes.
CYBERMAN 1: Insert one capsule into each section. The oxygen will turn into pure ozone. The humans will die.
30. OPERATIONS ROOM
LEO: f*re!
(A laser sh*t is again heard.)
LEO: f*re!
(Another laser sh*t.)
LEO: And f*re!
ENRICO: Look, it's hopeless. There's too many of them.
LEO: Shut up, Rico. f*re!
(Another f*re. The Communicator bleeps again and the DOCTOR answers it to reveal GEMMA's face very flushed. It looks like she is in hiding from something or someone.)
ENRICO: Angle change. Ten degrees.
DOCTOR: (Into communicator.) Yes?
GEMMA: (OOV speaking fast.) Doctor, listen carefully.
31. OXYGEN SUPPLY ROOM
(We pick it up from GEMMA's point-of-view.)
GEMMA: They're going to poison the air supply. Do you understand - poison the air supply? Tell Leo Ryan to switch over to the sectional supply unit.
32. OPERATIONS ROOM
(The DOCTOR notices that the CYBERMAN and VALLANCE have seen her.)
DOCTOR: Gemma, run! Get away from there! Run.
33. OXYGEN SUPPLY ROOM
(GEMMA switches off her set knowing that she has been seen but letting the Doctor see what happens. Raising her blaster, she fires again and again at the advancing Cyberman and tries to maneuver her way to the door. The Cyberman staggers for a moment and taking her chance GEMMA runs for the exit... but she is not quick enough. The Cyberman composes itself quickly and activates its w*apon. It's blast catches Gemma by the door and her limp body falls slowly to the ground.
She has gone to join her husband... The Cyberman moves forward to have a look at her body...)
34. OPERATIONS ROOM
(The DOCTOR watches in horror the events in the Oxygen Room.)
DOCTOR: (Into communicator.) Gemma, can you hear me?! GEMMA! GEMMA!
ENRICO: Deviation ten degrees.
LEO: f*re!
DOCTOR: GEMMA!
(The last two are said together. The Doctor is not distracted by Zoe and Jamie's voices on the operations room intercom...)
35. SPACE
(JAMIE and ZOE are caught in the meteorite storm.)
JAMIE: (Pointing at the meteorites.) Zoe, look!
ZOE: The meteorites! They're heading straight for us!
(The meteorites get closer and closer to JAMIE and ZOE...) | {"type": "series", "show": "Doctor Who", "episode": "05x39 - The Wheel in Space - part 5"} | foreverdreaming |
by DAVID WHITAKER
from a story by KIT PEDLER
first broadcast - 1 June 1968
1. SPACE
(JAMIE and ZOE are travelling from the Wheel to the Space Rocket when they are caught in a meteorite storm. JAMIE points frantically at the meteorites.)
JAMIE: Zoe, look! Look!
ZOE: The meteorites! They're heading straight for us!
2. OPERATIONS ROOM
(LEO and ENRICO are at the controls. Behind them are the DOCTOR and TANYA. All are looking worried.)
LEO: f*re!
(ENRICO hits the f*re button.)
3. EXTERIOR, THE WHEEL
(The laser g*n mounted on the outside of the Wheel fires a single sh*t.)
4. SPACE
(The sh*t destroys one of the meteorites, starting off a chain reaction between a couple of the closer meteorites. Both JAMIE and ZOE are thrown about with the shock waves of the expl*si*n. They grab hands to try and stay together.)
5. OPERATIONS ROOM
ENRICO: We're hitting them!
DOCTOR: What about Jamie and Zoe?
(TANYA moves closer to LEO, who is busy checking the targeting controls.)
TANYA: Leo, the shock radiation and blast...
LEO: (To ENRICO.) f*re!
TANYA: But you must think about those two children...
LEO: I can't think about anything except those meteorites. (To ENRICO.) f*re!
TANYA: But Zoe and the boy...
LEO: I can't help that! They've got to take their chances. (To ENRICO.) Range, Rico?
ENRICO: One eighty - One ninety.
LEO: Right, new sequence...
(ENRICO touches another control.)
LEO: Red on standby... f*re!
(TANYA, now very anxious, turns to the DOCTOR.)
TANYA: They could be blown out into space!
DOCTOR: Zoe calculated the risk. Let's hope she was right.
LEO: f*re!
6. SPACE
(The sh*t destroys another one of the meteorites, starting off another chain reaction. The latest shock wave causes JAMIE and ZOE to lose hold of each other's hands.)
7. OPERATIONS ROOM
(Both LEO and ENRICO have now stopped f*ring the laser.)
ENRICO: The screen's clear, sir... We've done it! Main body deflected.
DOCTOR: Any signs of Jamie and Zoe?
ENRICO: No. I won't be able to pick them up on the video screen until the static has cleared.
LEO: Well, keep it on blue-standby for now. There's bound to be a cloud of smaller stuff following on behind.
ENRICO: Yeah. Ok.
LEO: And do a check on all circuits.
(He turns to the bridge TECHNICIANS.)
LEO: Maintain all power levels until further notice.
ENRICO: I can't find them.
LEO: (To ENRICO.) Watch out for smaller meteorites, Rico.
(He turns to the DOCTOR.)
LEO: Now then, you know what you've done, don't you, hey? Those two kids out there have probably been either b*rned up by radiation or fried by thermal blast. Always assuming, of course, they weren't actually h*t by any of that rubbish.
DOCTOR: Do you think I don't know that? It was a calculated risk that had to be taken!
LEO: Why?
DOCTOR: Because there's something on board that rocket that we've got to have if we're going to b*at the Cybermen.
LEO: And that justified risking two lives?
DOCTOR: Yes! To save many! But anyway, we are all going to get k*lled shortly unless you change over to sectional air supply. [Patrick messes up this line, actually saying "<a href="../http://www.dwwa.net/dr2/Wheel/sexual.wav">sexual air supply</a>".]
LEO: What are you talking about?
DOCTOR: The Cybermen are going to poison the air!
LEO: How do you know?
DOCTOR: Gemma told me.
LEO: Where is she?
DOCTOR: She's in the oxygen room.
LEO: Right, well I'll talk to her.
DOCTOR: No, no, well y... you... you can't.
(He looks away.)
DOCTOR: She's d*ad.
(TANYA gasps in shock. LEO stares at the DOCTOR, then moves over to the communications scanner and finds the channel for the Oxygen Room. The screen shows GEMMA lying by the door, d*ad.)
DOCTOR: She sacrificed her life to warn us.
ENRICO: Here comes another swarm!
(LEO recrosses the bridge back to the laser g*n controls.)
ENRICO: Meteor bearing 45-36.
LEO: Right
(LEO sits back in his chair with ENRICO.)
TANYA: Any sign of Zoe or the boy?
ENRICO: No.
(JARVIS has got up from his chair, and after a long look at GEMMA's body on the screen, quietly leaves the room - not noticed by anybody.)
LEO: All systems on stand-by. We'll try three-second interval sh*ts. Stand by to reinforce the anti-matter field round the Wheel - maybe we can turn them off course.
ENRICO: Coming into range.
LEO: Right. Tanya, watch the power levels.
(TANYA is at her console by now.)
LEO: The Bernalium rods must be nearly b*rned out by now.
ENRICO: In range now. Bearing One Eighty - One Ninety as before.
LEO: Red on stand-by. f*re!
(The sound of a sh*t is heard.)
LEO: f*re!
(Another sh*t.)
TANYA: Power dropping, Leo.
LEO: (To Bridge TECHNICIANS.) Switch over to anti-matter field projectors!
(The TECHNICIANS work busily for a moment, before ENRICO cuts in.)
ENRICO: They're turning! We've deflected them!
(The DOCTOR starts to sit down in JARVIS's now empty chair.)
DOCTOR: Well, thank heav...
(He notices that JARVIS is not on the bridge.)
DOCTOR: Hello... Where's Jarvis?!
(The crew look about the bridge for JARVIS. He has disappeared.)
8. CORRIDOR
(JARVIS is walking down the corridor, his face totally blank face. His mind is on other things.)
9. OPERATIONS ROOM
(The DOCTOR and LEO are standing by the communication screen while TANYA is switching through different sh*ts of the Wheel's interior. Finally they come across a picture of the corridor and see JARVIS walking down it.)
LEO: There he is.
(JARVIS walks off the screen. LEO calls into the communicator.)
LEO: Jarvis! Jarvis! What are you doing?
(JARVIS's face comes in close on the screen - he is obviously staring at the communicator camera.)
LEO: Jarvis, what are you doing? Come back!
JARVIS: (On screen.) No, I'm going on. They've k*lled Gemma, you know.
TANYA: Please come back!
JARVIS: (On screen.) I've lifted the force field. You'd better replace it.
(LEO makes a move towards the door.)
TANYA: Leo, where are you going?
LEO: To bring him back...
(The DOCTOR spots something moving behind JARVIS on the screen.)
DOCTOR: No, wait... You're too late... Look!
(A CYBERMAN is approaching JARVIS from behind. LEO and TANYA spot it but too late.)
LEO: Jarvis, watch out!
TANYA: Arrghh!
10. CORRIDOR
(JARVIS turns around and sees the CYBERMAN approaching him. He moves forward, intending to att*ck the giant creature. They get closer and closer to each other and then, just as JARVIS is about to put his hands on the CYBERMAN, the CYBERMAN grabs hold of JARVIS's throat and starts strangling him.)
11. OPERATIONS ROOM
(LEO and TANYA watch in horror and hold on to each other. The DOCTOR also watches, horrified by what he is seeing.)
12. CORRIDOR
(The CYBERMAN picks JARVIS up and hold him above his head. JARVIS is crying out in agony.)
13. OPERATIONS ROOM
(LEO, TANYA and the DOCTOR are still watching in horror.)
14. CORRIDOR
(JARVIS lands hard on the floor after being thrown by the CYBERMAN. He looks stunned, but the CYBERMAN fires a sh*t from his chest unit w*apon and JARVIS is k*lled. The CYBERMAN moves closer to inspect the body.)
15. OPERATIONS ROOM
(LEO, TANYA and the DOCTOR watch as the CYBERMAN moves forward to inspect JARVIS's body.)
TANYA: Turn it off! Turn it off!
(The DOCTOR moves over and switches off the communicator.)
16. ROCKET CONTROL ROOM
(In the control room of the 'Silver Carrier', ZOE is sitting in the chair gasping for breath, while JAMIE comes in view and gives ZOE a drink. Both have taken their helmets off.)
JAMIE: Here.
ZOE: Oh, thanks, Jamie.
JAMIE: How do you feel now?
ZOE: I didn't think we'd get through! I feel as if someone's been hitting me all over with small hammers.
JAMIE: Aye, just you take it easy.
ZOE: Oh, it's all right. I'll help. What's this thing like, we're looking for?
(JAMIE puts his hands some distance apart to indicate a length.)
JAMIE: It's about that long, gold, with a gold tip at one end and a white one on the other.
(ZOE nods her understanding.)
JAMIE: Now, you're sure you're alright?
(ZOE nods.)
JAMIE: Come on, then.
17. A ROOM IN THE WHEEL
(A CYBERMAN is in the room with VALLANCE. There are controls behind the two of them.)
CYBERMAN: The meteorites have been destroyed. Now we will take over. You have inserted the capsule in the air supply?
VALLANCE: Dull. Yes.
CYBERMAN: Inject it into the system.
(VALLANCE turns to the controls and flicks some switches.)
CYBERMAN: Effective penetration should be immediate. Report.
(VALLANCE turns back to the CYBERMAN.)
VALLANCE: Dull. Negative. They must have switched over to the emergency supply.
CYBERMAN: That cannot be reached?
VALLANCE: Dull. No. It is inside the force field.
(The CYBERMAN turns to a cyber-communicator and opens it. The picture of the CYBER-COMPUTER appears on the screen.)
CYBER-COMPUTER: Do you report success?
CYBERMAN: No. Our plans are anticipated.
CYBER-COMPUTER: Wait. The data will be computed.
(A noise comes from the CYBER-COMPUTER as it checks the new data.)
CYBER-COMPUTER: One of the Earth humans must have experience of our methods. Projection of all identities on the Wheel is essential.
(The CYBERMAN turns to VALLANCE.)
18. ROCKET CONTROL ROOM
(ZOE is watching the monitor screens on the Rocket's control panel, and a picture of VALLANCE and the CYBERMAN has appeared. JAMIE enters.)
JAMIE: Zoe, I've found the rod... Look! This is the...
(JAMIE waves it about.)
ZOE: The Cybermen! I must have broken in on their frequency! This may be important.
19. A ROOM IN THE WHEEL
(A beam from the CYBERMAN's head touches VALLANCE's head. It seems that the CYBERMAN is getting information from VALLANCE.)
CYBERMAN: Stare into the box.
(VALLANCE turns and stares into the box indicated by the CYBERMAN.)
CYBERMAN: Think of each individual human being at present on the Wheel. Form the image in your eyes.
20. THE CYBER-COMPUTER
(We see a close-up of the CYBER-COMPUTER. A picture of TANYA overlaps the image of the COMPUTER.)
VALLANCE: (OOV.) Tanya Lernov, Astrogater, Second Class.
CYBER-COMPUTER: Negative.
(The picture of TANYA is replaced with one of LEO.)
VALLANCE: (OOV.) Leo Ryan, Communications Officer.
CYBER-COMPUTER: Negative.
(LEO is replaced with JARVIS.)
VALLANCE: (OOV.) Jarvis Bennett, Space Station Controller.
CYBER-COMPUTER: Negative.
21. ROCKET CONTROL ROOM
(Both JAMIE and ZOE are watching the Cyber-Computer on the rocket's console screen.)
ZOE: They seem to be talking about the whole crew of the Wheel, one after the other.
JAMIE: But why? What're they after?
(A picture of ZOE is overlapped on the screen with the CYBER-COMPUTER. JAMIE points it out, but ZOE has already seen it.)
VALLANCE: (OOV.) Zoe Heriot, Astrophysicist, Astrometricist, First Class.
CYBER-COMPUTER: Negative.
22. THE CYBER-COMPUTER
(ZOE's picture is replaced with one of the DOCTOR.)
VALLANCE: Dull. Doctor... I don't know who he is.
CYBER-COMPUTER: Name.
VALLANCE: Dull. I don't know!
23. A ROOM IN THE WHEEL
(VALLANCE is ment*lly struggling. He wants to remember the DOCTOR's name, but he can't.)
CYBER-COMPUTER: (OOV.) Name?
VALLANCE: Dull. I don't know... I don't know...
24. OPERATIONS ROOM
(LEO is talking with the DOCTOR, TANYA and ENRICO.)
LEO: But what possible use could the Wheel be to these Cybermen, Doctor?
DOCTOR: That remains to be seen.
LEO: I don't see why you don't accept my theory that they're simply attacking us.
DOCTOR: But they wouldn't go to all this trouble just to knock out one small space Wheel.
(TANYA's attention has been grabbed by something on her screen.)
TANYA: Leo! There's something on radar.
LEO: What?
(They all stare at the radar scanner.)
ENRICO: It's not a meteorite. Look, it's changing course.
TANYA: There are no ships due in this part of space!
ENRICO: Anyway, it's too big for one of our ships.
DOCTOR: It could be a Cyberman space-ship.
LEO: Moving in for the k*ll.
DOCTOR: Possibly.
LEO: What about radio, Rico? We must contact Earth for assistance.
ENRICO: No, no, not a chance. Though I could fix it up OK, but I need some transistors and they're in the Power Room.
LEO: Then one of us will have to go and get 'em.
25. ROCKET CONTROL ROOM
(ZOE and JAMIE are still watching the CYBER-COMPUTER on the screen.)
CYBER-COMPUTER: (OOV.) Positive. The Doctor is known and recorded. An enemy. He must be lured outside the force field and destroyed.
(JAMIE grabs his helmet.)
JAMIE: They're going to try and trap the Doctor! Come on, let's get back and warn him!
(ZOE grabs her helmet and follows.)
26. OPERATIONS ROOM
(TANYA is showing the DOCTOR and LEO the map of the Wheel.)
TANYA: ...And these are the corridors leading to the Power Room.
LEO: Well that's no good. We don't know where those Cybermen will be.
TANYA: How else is he going to get there? Through the cable tunnels?
LEO: No, No. They are blocked off. Here... and here.
(He points at two places on the map.)
LEO: That just leaves the emergency air tunnel.
(The communicator bleeps and LEO turns it on. It is FLANNIGAN.)
FLANNIGAN: Dull. Captain.
LEO: Flannigan! Where are you?
FLANNIGAN: Dull. In the corridor. Outside the Spares and Workshop. I've got a whole bunch of them locked up in the Workshop.
LEO: Is the way clear through to the Power House?
FLANNIGAN: Dull. It is. But they're melting down the doors. I can't hold them for much longer.
LEO: Well look, one of us has got to come for some radio spares. Will you bottle them up as long as possible?
FLANNIGAN: Dull. Right. I will seal off the other compartments but you'd better send somebody quickly for them spares!
LEO: Right.
FLANNIGAN: Dull. They may be trying the other doors.
DOCTOR: Excuse me...
(He pushes forward to LEO.)
DOCTOR: Tell him I will go for the spares.
LEO: You! Well surely it's better if I go...
DOCTOR: I think it essen... essential that I go!
LEO: Alright, it's your neck. (To FLANNIGAN.) Look, Flannigan, the Doctor's coming for the spares. Now hold them back as long as you can.
FLANNIGAN: Dull. I will meet up with the Doctor in Corridor Six.
LEO: Right.
(LEO turns off the communicator.)
DOCTOR: Now listen, as soon as Flannigan comes through the force field, grab him!
TANYA & LEO: Grab him?
LEO: What for?
TANYA: And he isn't coming here. Didn't you hear him? He's going to meet you in Corridor Six.
DOCTOR: I somehow don't think he will. Now please do as I say. I'll have the map.
(He takes it from TANYA and moves toward the door.)
DOCTOR: Now remember. Don't trust him! Check the metal plate on the back of his neck.
TANYA: But you'll get...
(TANYA starts to protest, but the DOCTOR is gone.)
27. CORRIDOR
(FLANNIGAN is walking down a corridor, and is greeted by a CYBERMAN.)
FLANNIGAN: Dull. The Doctor is coming to Corridor Six.
CYBERMAN: Return to the operations room. Destroy the force field after they let you through.
(FLANNIGAN turns and walks away.)
28. SPACE
(JAMIE and ZOE are seen on their way back to the Wheel.)
29. POWER ROOM
(The DOCTOR opens the Power Room grate and climbs into the room. He checks the map to see if he is in the right place and then sees a small bottle on a table. He moves over to the table, puts the map down on it and picks up the bottle - it contains mercury. The DOCTOR pockets it.)
DOCTOR: Ah... mercury!
(He grabs some other parts from the table and moves to the door to check that the coast is clear. It is. He has a good look at the door frame and then moves over to another table, on which lies a lot of equipment, including a mechanical box with a lever. He pulls the lever to see what it does.)
DOCTOR: Yes, I - I don't see why it shouldn't work.
(He gets to work.)
30. EMERGENCY AIRLOCK
(The airlock opens to admit JAMIE and ZOE. JAMIE see GEMMA's body.)
JAMIE: Doctor Corwyn!
(Then he sees that she is d*ad. He takes ZOE by the hand, and they leave the room.)
31. CORRIDOR
(A corridor outside the Oxygen Room. JAMIE and ZOE walk quietly down it, looking for any signs of life. They run into FLANNIGAN.)
ZOE: Flannigan!
FLANNIGAN: Dull. What are you two doing wandering about? Them creatures are all over the place!
JAMIE: We know they are.
FLANNIGAN: Dull. Follow me... This way's quicker.
(ZOE and JAMIE follow him.)
32. CORRIDOR SIX
(VALLANCE and a CYBERMAN are waiting for the DOCTOR.)
CYBERMAN: The Doctor has not come.
VALLANCE: Dull. He must have gone another way.
CYBERMAN: How?
VALLANCE: Dull. Through the air tunnels. There is one leading to the Power Room.
CYBERMAN: Show me.
(They move forward.)
33. OPERATIONS ROOM
(FLANNIGAN comes into the room, followed by JAMIE and ZOE. FLANNIGAN goes straight to the force-field controls but is spotted by LEO and ENRICO, who grab him, wrestle him to the floor and fix the metal plate on the back of his neck.)
JAMIE: Hey, what you doing?
ZOE: He led us here!
TANYA: He was under Cyberman influence.
JAMIE: What?!
(FLANNIGAN cries out, then nearly passes out.)
LEO: Right, he should be alright now. Sit him down over there for a while, Rico.
(ENRICO takes FLANNIGAN to a chair.)
ZOE: You mean he was being controlled?
LEO: Yes. You were d*ad lucky.
JAMIE: Aye. Here, where's the Doctor? The Cybermen are going to try and lure him away and trap him.
TANYA: He's already gone.
JAMIE: What?
(The communicator bleeps. LEO goes and answer it. It's the DOCTOR.)
DOCTOR: I've got the spares.
JAMIE: Doctor, be careful!
DOCTOR: Jamie! Oh thank heavens. Are you and Zoe alright?
JAMIE: Yes. Now listen, the Cybermen know you're on the Wheel. They're going to try and trap you.
DOCTOR: Yes, I guessed they would. Have you got the Time Vector Generator?
JAMIE: Yes.
(He waves it in front of the communicator screen.)
DOCTOR: Good! Now, now listen to me, I want you to bring it to me, hmm... Get somebody to show you the way through the air corridors.
(He pauses and stares at something in a corner of the room. He knows that he isn't alone.)
DOCTOR: Hello... I think I've got company...
(The DOCTOR switches off the communicator.)
JAMIE: Company? Wh... what did he mean... Company!
34. POWER ROOM
(The DOCTOR moves forward, hesitant to face them, then he turns about. Two CYBERMEN are standing just inside the door. The DOCTOR speaks to them in a quiet, almost resigned voice.)
DOCTOR: I, I suppose you've come for me.
CYBERMAN 1: You know our ways.
DOCTOR: Yes I... I thought you'd realise somebody did. I imagine you have orders to destroy me.
CYBERMAN 2: Yes.
DOCTOR: Tell me one thing. Why did you order Duggan to destroy radio communication with the Earth? After all, that is why you want possession of the Wheel, isn't it?
CYBERMAN 1: You know our ways.
DOCTOR: That doesn't answer my question.
CYBERMAN 2: He was instructed to destroy only the transmitting complex.
DOCTOR: (In thought.) Oh, I see. How interesting. Yes, of course. And presumably your large spaceship holds your invasion fleet. And the smaller ships can only enter the Earth's atmosphere by homing on a radio beam.
CYBERMAN 2: You know our ways. You must be destroyed.
DOCTOR: Yes, well I... I was afraid you would get back to that. Well, you'd better come in.
(The first CYBERMAN starts to move forward. After he has taken two steps, the DOCTOR throws the lever. Lightning jumps between two points on each side of the door, trapping the CYBERMAN and causing him to struggle about. After fighting a losing battle the CYBERMAN crashes to the floor - d*ad. The second CYBERMAN tries to k*ll the DOCTOR by f*ring from his chest unit w*apon, but the energy from the sh*t is absorbed as it reaches the lightning points. It seems that when the DOCTOR switched the points on, it created a small force shield.)
DOCTOR: You can't get through the field you know.
(The second CYBERMAN, seeing he is trapped, starts backing out of the door.)
CYBERMAN 2: You will be destroyed. Others are coming.
(The DOCTOR throws the switch again turning off the force shield. Suddenly the ventilation grate is opened and FLANNIGAN climbs out. The DOCTOR looks worried, as he thinks FLANNIGAN is still under the control of the CYBERMEN; his anxiety soon turns to delight when JAMIE follows FLANNIGAN out into the room.)
DOCTOR: Jamie!
(He points to FLANNIGAN.)
DOCTOR: Is he alright?
JAMIE: Yes.
DOCTOR: Oh!
FLANNIGAN: I got a head like a big bass drum. Sombody's going to pay for this.
(JAMIE indicates the d*ad CYBERMAN.)
JAMIE: Well, looks like the Doctor's already made one of them pay!
DOCTOR: Yes, but they're sending in reinforcements, probably through the Loading Bay. Have you got the rod?... Thank you.
(The DOCTOR takes the rod from JAMIE and moves over to the laser g*n. He slots the rod into the g*n, talking to JAMIE and FLANNIGAN while he works.)
DOCTOR: I'm going to try and fix this into the laser g*n circuit. With any luck, I should be able to boost the power enough to destroy the Cyberman spaceship. But you'll have to hold them off at the loading bay - I need time.
FLANNIGAN: Right, leave that to me.
DOCTOR: Well there's still a Cyberman left, so watch out for him.
(FLANNIGAN picks up a container filled with liquid plastic, and waves it at the DOCTOR.)
FLANNIGAN: Well, I think I know just the thing for him!
DOCTOR: Good.
(He throws another metal transistor plate to JAMIE, who catches it.)
DOCTOR: Here's a metal plate for Vallance.
(JAMIE exits, turning back as he goes through the door.)
JAMIE: Leo Ryan says for you to call him.
(FLANNIGAN follows.)
FLANNIGAN: Let's see how them creatures like this stuff!
(Alone again, the DOCTOR start to work fully on restoring the laser g*n.)
35. OPERATIONS ROOM
(LEO and the rest of the crew are still at their usual posts.)
ENRICO: That ship's closing in on us.
(The communication screen chimes, and LEO moves across to it and flicks the switch. The screen fills with the picture of the DOCTOR.)
DOCTOR: I'm trying to put some extra power into your laser. Line it up on the Cyberman space-ship and I'll let you know when I'm ready.
LEO: Right - well you'd better hurry, Doctor, that ship's moving toward us.
DOCTOR: Yes, I know. They're going to inv*de us!
36. SPACE
(The CYBERMEN's spaceship moves ever closer to the station.)
37. LOADING BAY
(JAMIE and FLANNIGAN, dressed in spacesuits, climb down the stairs to the loading bay. VALLANCE, also dressed in a spacesuit, and the CYBERMAN with him, move forward to greet the two new arrivals.)
FLANNIGAN: Dull. I could not get through the force field to the Operations room, and I caught this man on the way back.
CYBERMAN: He is not important.
(The CYBERMAN starts to moves over to the door control. FLANNIGAN and JAMIE look at each other and then at VALLANCE. VALLANCE is staring hard at both JAMIE and FLANNIGAN.)
38. POWER ROOM
(The DOCTOR is still working at the laser g*n control and LEO is on the power room communicator.)
LEO: Hurry, Doctor! Hurry!
DOCTOR: Yes, alright!
39. SPACE
(A large group of CYBERMEN walk through space toward the Wheel.)
40. LOADING BAY
(The CYBERMAN is still moving toward the door control and while his attention is on the control, both JAMIE and FLANNIGAN make their moves. FLANNIGAN grabs hold of VALLANCE's space helmet and forces it up high enough for JAMIE to reach up and put the metal plate on VALLANCE's neck. VALLANCE cries out and looks disoriented.)
JAMIE: Got him! Flannigan!
(The CYBERMAN has noticed VALLANCE's cries and starts to return to the bay. FLANNIGAN points the plastic container at the CYBERMAN and sh**t the liquid plastic at the CYBERMAN's chest unit. As the liquid takes effect, the CYBERMAN manages to reach the door control and turn it, causing the main Wheel doors to open.)
41. OUTER DOORS
(The approaching CYBERMEN are now just a few metres away from the open doors, and slowly moving toward them.)
42. LOADING BAY
(As the CYBERMAN collapses, FLANNIGAN moves over and re-turns the door control, causing the outer doors to start to close.)
43. OUTER DOORS
(The CYBERMEN have nearly reached the doors as they start to close.)
44. LOADING BAY
(JAMIE moves over to FLANNIGAN, and the two of them watch as the CYBERMEN approach.)
45. OUTER DOORS
(The first CYBERMAN from space has reached the outer doors and is trying to keep them open.)
46. LOADING BAY
JAMIE: Use the plastic again!
FLANNIGAN: I can't! I wasted it all on the other one!
47. OUTER DOORS
(The first CYBERMAN is still trying to keep the doors from closing.)
48. OPERATIONS ROOM
(The DOCTOR has appeared on the communication screen. TANYA is by the screen, with LEO seated at the controls.)
DOCTOR: Right. Everything is ready here.
(TANYA turns to LEO.)
TANYA: Ready, Leo.
LEO: Red on standby.
49. SPACE
(The CYBERMEN's space-ship is still moving closer.)
50. OPERATIONS ROOM
(LEO is still at the controls.)
LEO: And f*re!
51. EXTERIOR, THE WHEEL
(The laser g*n mounted on the exterior of the Wheel fires a sh*t.)
52. SPACE
(The sh*t h*t the CYBERMEN's space-ship, causing it to explode!.)
53. OUTER DOORS
(The first CYBERMAN is now managing to re-opening the doors.)
54. LOADING BAY
(FLANNIGAN is moving over to the stairs and is hanging on to them.)
FLANNIGAN: They're going to operate the neutron force-field! Hold tight!
(JAMIE hangs on to FLANNIGAN and another stair.)
55. SPACE
(With white flashes of light, the CYBERMEN outside the outer doors are pushed away from the Wheel by the neutron force-field, which causes them to go spinning out-of-control into deep space.)
56. LOADING BAY
(With the outer doors closed, VALLANCE operates the oxygen controls. Oxygen is pumped into the Loading Bay, and VALLANCE, JAMIE and FLANNIGAN lift off their helmets' visors and breathe in the air.)
JAMIE: Oh, we've done it!
(JAMIE and FLANNIGAN punch each other on the shoulder in a sign of triumph.)
57. OPERATIONS ROOM
(Some time later, most of the Wheel crew except for ZOE is standing on the bridge. ENRICO is talking into the communicator, while LEO and TANYA are very close together.)
ENRICO: Earth Central, stand by for emergency report.
VOICE: (OOV.) Earth Central - contract clear. Standing by.
(ENRICO hands over the communicator to LEO.)
LEO: (To TANYA.) Where's Zoe?
TANYA: She gone to take the Doctor and Jamie back to the rocket.
VOICE: (OOV.) Earth Central standing by with recording apparatus. Commence report.
(LEO speaks into the communicator.)
LEO: Hello, Earth Central. This is Captain Ryan, acting controller of Station Three.
VOICE: (OOV.) Recording in progress. Go ahead, Captain.
LEO: Preliminary report on communications failure. Radio contact lost at approximately 12:52 hours due to invasion of alien force. Full report to follow.
(TANYA moves forward and holds LEO's hand, which is on the controls.)
LEO: All systems now operational. Request official permission to assume responsibility.
58. ROCKET CONTROL ROOM
(JAMIE and ZOE are shaking hands and saying goodbye.)
ZOE: So I've just got to go back!
JAMIE: I'm afraid so.
ZOE: And you won't tell me anything about this... what is it?
JAMIE: TARDIS.
ZOE: Oh yes. I asked the Doctor what it meant. Time And Relative Dimensions In Space, he said.
JAMIE: Er... yes.
ZOE: But you won't explain it.
JAMIE: Well... You see Zoe, it's... well it's like two different worlds. Look, you've got yours and the Doctor and me have ours.
(The DOCTOR calls from the corridor outside the control room.)
DOCTOR: (OOV.) Jamie!
(JAMIE starts to move away towards the DOCTOR's voice.)
JAMIE: Look, you've been... well, look Zoe, we won't forget you.
(JAMIE exits quickly, leaving ZOE deep in thought.)
59. TARDIS CONSOLE ROOM
(The DOCTOR is slowing pouring mercury from a small bottle into a funnel, which is plugged into the TARDIS. The DOCTOR pours a decent amount of mercury in and then changes his mind and adds a little bit more. After putting on the lid, he then throws a switch on the console. The Time Rotor lights up, indicating that the TARDIS is back to normal working conditions. The DOCTOR is happy with this and is still laughing when JAMIE enters.)
JAMIE: All set?
DOCTOR: Yes, I've even got some mercury left over.
(The DOCTOR moves over another part of the console and looks at the readings.)
JAMIE: Then we can go then?
DOCTOR: Yes, I think...
(He stops when he notices that a chest, in a corner of the console room, is slightly open. A human hand can be seen holding the lid. The person inside is trying to close it without making a noise.)
DOCTOR: Just a little matter to settle first, I think, Jamie...
(The DOCTOR moves over to the chest, knocks on it and opens the lid. The person inside the chest slowly climbs up. It is ZOE.)
JAMIE: Hey, I thought I told you...
ZOE: I want to go with you!
JAMIE: Well, it's impossible!
DOCTOR: Now, Jamie, it's not impossible, it's something that we have to decide. (To ZOE.) You may change your mind.
ZOE: No, I won't.
DOCTOR: I wonder!
(The DOCTOR crosses to a roundel and pushes it away to reveal a strange helmet device. He takes the helmet and puts it on.)
DOCTOR: Zoe, watch the screen up there.
(He indicates the scanner.)
JAMIE: What are you going to do?
DOCTOR: I'm going to show Zoe the sort of thing that she may be in for.
ZOE: Thought patterns?
DOCTOR: Yes, only I'm going to weave them into a complete story for you. Have you ever heard of the Daleks?
ZOE: No.
DOCTOR: Then watch!
(All three of them stare at the scanner screen as a picture appears...)
60. HIDDEN ROOM IN WATERFIELD'S STUDY
(The scanner shows a scene from the Doctor's previous encounter with the Daleks. KENNEDY stands in a small room, dominated by an alien-looking transmat device against one wall. He looks on in horror as a DALEK appears in the transmat device.)
DALEK: Who are you? Who are you? Answer!
(KENNEDY looks in terror at the creature, and turns to run. As he reaches the door, though, the DALEK fires, and with a scream of agony, KENNEDY slumps to the ground, d*ad. The DALEK steps back into the transmat device and dematerializes.)
61. CONSOLE ROOM
(ZOE watches in surprise, awe and excitement.) | {"type": "series", "show": "Doctor Who", "episode": "05x40 - The Wheel in Space - part 6"} | foreverdreaming |
The Dominators
Episode One
By Norman Ashby
Original Air Date: 10 August, 1968
5:15pm - 5:40pm
1, MODEL sh*t: SPACE
(A fleet of glowing dots fly across space in an arrowhead formation. The dots can be seen more clearly closer up - they are a space armada comprised of stubby little saucer-shaped craft with blinking lights. One of them breaks the formation and heads off towards a nearby world, the others ignoring the deviant.)
2, MODEL sh*t: ISLAND
(The topmost craggy peaks of an island can just be made out, wreathed in poisonous smoke. A glowing saucer moves above the sandy surface of the island and descends. No longer glowing, the saucer makes a final descent. Little landing stanchions pop out and the saucer blows dust away from its underside.)
3, EXT: SAUCER
(The underside of the saucer stretches around a pillar-like tubular base like a high ceiling. At the front of the tube, the flat metal face of an outer-door airlock slides open like a pair of lift doors; they reveal a silicon-black inner airlock inlaid with a network of filigree gold patterns like the spidery network of connections on a circuit board. Within the airlock, an inner door rises into the ceiling with a hum revealing a dark space within. A man with short raven-black hair steps boldly out onto the new world as if he owned it, his eyes emotionlessly glaring around at the barren island. The space-conqueror is dressed in a strange kind of space armour, a kind of modern chainmail comprised of fluttering flakes of dark plastic-like material. A large, ridged torso-plate with high rounded shoulders forms an arc at head-height giving him the appearance of a upright, humanoid tortoise devoid of all neck. Another, dressed identically, joins the first and for a moment they stand in silence like two cosmic hunchbacks as they take in their surroundings.)
RAGO: Is the local radiation completely absorbed?
TOBA: Yes, its energy's been transferred to our fuel reserves, but we need much more.
RAGO: Of course, that is why we are here.
TOBA: With respect Navigator Rago, I still consider we should have continued on to Epsilon-Four.
RAGO: I decided otherwise Probationer Toba.
TOBA: But this planet has never been fully surveyed.
RAGO: It is suitable for our purpose. The planetary crust is thin here, and there is a intelligent form of life suitable for a work force.
TOBA: But the natives may not be suitable for sl*ve labour. Suppose they're hostile?
RAGO: If necessary we shall destroy them.
(Toba smiles.)
TOBA: Yes, destroy them!
RAGO: But only if necessary! Commence work on the preliminary survey.
TOBA: Command accepted. Shall I order the Quarks to mark out the drilling sites?
RAGO: Yes.
(Toba turns back towards the open doorway.)
TOBA: Quarks!
(There is a bleeping from within the saucer.)
7, MODEL sh*t: ISLAND
(The island can be seen from afar, in a sea of swirling mist. To one side an odd hovercraft resembling a lemon-squeezer traverses the sea of mist.)
8, INT: HOVERCRAFT
(Inside the craft sophisticated control banks and monitors line the walls. Three men in strange dresses that appear to be made from curtains, and a young dull-looking girl in a swimming costume with a wispy translucent skirt gaze hopefully at the monitor screens, all looking reasonably bored. While two of the men seem to be well toned and in their late twenties with square jaws, the third is in his mid thirties, is rather round and balding with a curious gleam of mischief in his eyes that seems to be lacking from the others.)
WAHED: I'm not so sure that this so-called "adventure" was such a good idea after all. I mean, this is a terribly primitive way to travel isn't it?
ETNIN: Well, we are supposed to be looking for excitement aren't we?
TOLATA: That's why I came.
WAHED: I really don't see what's so exciting about sitting for hours on end in this old tub! If we'd used a travel capsule we could have been here in a few minutes.
CULLY: Not without a permit you wouldn't.
WAHED: I suppose that does add a little zest.
CULLY: Well, here we are everyone, the island of death! Uninhabited for one hundred and seventy years, nothing can live on this poisonous plot of soil!
WAHED: You're being melodramatic again Cully - as usual. You know perfectly well that there's a permanent survey unit there to monitor the radiation.
ETNIN: And there's a weekly visit there by parties of students to show them the horror of atomic radiation.
CULLY: Alright, alright, I know; but all this is organised and supervised by the state. You've travelled miles by sea in a ship navigated by man, none of your auto-piloting. And don't forget we're here without permits, all of this is illegal.
ETNIN: Yes, I'd almost forgotten that.
CULLY: An adventure with Cully is something never to be forgotten.
(Tolata looks at Cully with demure amusement.)
WAHED: It doesn't look any different to me from the way I've seen it in vision-books on my own screen at home.
CULLY: Ah, but this time it's real.
WAHED: Is it?
CULLY: Well yes of course it is. You're actually here.
WAHED: Are we?
CULLY: You don't believe me.
WAHED: Well you could just be throwing up old pictures on your scanner, couldn't you? After all, there's nothing to show that it is real.
CULLY: Well you can't go out and see.
WAHED: Why not?
TOLATA: Yes, why not?
CULLY: Look, I'm all for a bit of danger, but going out on that island without protective suits would be madness!
WAHED: So we just have to take your word for it Cully?
CULLY: Yes you do.
TOLATA: Didn't you mention something about a warning signal?
CULLY: Yes, when we're in the radiation zone, why?
TOLATA: Well aren't we a bit close?
(They all stare at the image of the rocky coastline on the screen that suddenly looms towards them out of the soupy mist.)
ETNIN: Do something Cully!
WAHED: We're going to crash!
4, MODEL sh*t: ISLAND
(The hovercraft zooms towards the poisoned island and smashes into a sandy shore.)
5, INT: HOVERCRAFT
TOLATA: Quickly Cully!
(She screams as they are thrown about the craft by the impact.)
6, MODEL sh*t: ISLAND
(The lemon-squeezer hovercraft has banked itself on the shores of the island.)
7, INT: HOVERCRAFT
(Cully desperately swishes his hands over the controls, but only succeeds in creating a hideous grinding sound from the motive units.)
CULLY: We're stuck.
WAHED: Mm?
TOLATA: Oh no!
WAHED: Do you mean permanently?
CULLY: Yes, we've run aground. The drive is well and truly waist-in solid.
WAHED: Well how are we supposed to get back to the mainland?
CULLY: Look don't ask me!
ETNIN: This really is an adventure isn't it?
WAHED: Are you sure this isn't one of your practical jokes Cully?
CULLY: Now look, running aground on an atomic island isn't my idea of fun!
WAHED: Yes, but is that where we really are?
(He moves to the control panel and picks up a pen-like object. He runs it over a nearby panel.)
WAHED: Well the radiation meter's registering zero.
(Cully looks at the screen of the radiation meter which is registering nothing.)
CULLY: Yes, odd. Well they...they-they've probably broken down.
WAHED: Let's try again shall we?
(He repeats the process at the panel.)
WAHED: Clear the computer. Now!
(The screen still registers nothing.)
CULLY: Zero? But it can't be!
WAHED: So much for your navigation Cully!
(He looks at Cully with scorn.)
WAHED: Island of death!
(He swipes another control and a section of the floor descends into a ramp, a door sliding open in the far wall. Wahed and Etnin disembark and Cully stands at the doorway.)
CULLY: Alright, go out there. Get yourselves cooked to a frazzle by the radiation, but don't come complaining to me if you get yourselves k*lled because I don't refund money to...Refund? What am I saying, they haven't even paid me yet, hey wait!
(He skips through the doorway and Tolata follows him.)
CULLY: Oh Tolata, don't be a little fool, this island is a k*ller!
TOLATA: So you say, but your radiation counter didn't seem to be making too much of a fuss about it.
CULLY: Yes I-I know...but, well; it must have gone bust.
WAHED: And all the others in this tub of yours as well?
TOLATA: Why don't you admit it Cully, you're a rogue! This isn't the test island is it?
CULLY: But I tell you it is!
ETNIN: Wahed! Over the hill, people.
WAHED: People? Well that settles it rather doesn't it Cully. No-one ever visits the island of death!
CULLY: There's the survey unit, or they could be students. Were they wearing protective suits?
ETNIN: No, but they had a new type of robot.
WAHED: A work party most probably. Come on Etnin, let's go and seek their assistance in getting us off this dreary island which Cully has so carelessly marooned us on.
CULLY: No wait, Wahed stop!
8, EXT: SAUCER
(From the Quark's point of view the world exists through the hexagon-shaped border of a camera-eye. Toba looks down at it.)
TOBA: Quarks! You will set up the drilling site in accordance with the instructions of Domin...
(He notices three people in the distance running down a sandy dune towards him. Far behind them Cully watches in horror.)
CULLY: Wait, stop!
(Toba turns back to the Quarks.)
TOBA: Quarks, destroy them!
(From the Quark's point of view again as its power builds. From his far off point Cully can do nothing to stop the others.)
CULLY: Oh get down quickly! They're going to... Get down!
(He throws himself to the sand From the Quark's view again as, giggling with energy, it discharges a blast from its kinetic-force projection w*apon straight into the middle of the defenceless Newtons-cradle of Dulcians. At the front of the trio Tolata bears the full brunt of the k*lling wave, her face steaming and melting away as if it were made of wax. They are all knocked flat as swiftly as a group of skittles on a railway track. Toba looks delighted with his handiwork.)
TOBA: Quarks, reload force units.
(From its point of view the Quark obediently sparkles and chitters it at him in its electronic language.)
RAGO: Trouble?
TOBA: I have dealt with it. Three alien beings of the planet.
RAGO: d*ad?
TOBA: Of course.
RAGO: That was unnecessary!
9, EXT: EASTERN ROCKFACE
(Cully walks by oblivious to something which is happening behind him. The soft whisper of a drawn out sigh falls through the air resolving itself into a regular juddering, which in turn becomes a tortured-trumpeting as a square shape firmly ices itself into existence like a large blue birthday cake. The doors of the cake open inwards as a small chuckling man in a black frock-coat exits, followed by a youth in a kilt and a girl is a pale futuristic outfit.)
DOCTOR: Oh yes, o-hoh yes! Ah...oh!
(He yawns.)
DOCTOR: Ah.
JAMIE: Are you still feeling tired Doctor?
DOCTOR: Yes, just a little bit weary Jamie. It's a very exhausting business projecting all those mental images you know.
ZOE: You need a good rest Doctor.
DOCTOR: Yes, we all do. A nice holiday! Mm.
JAMIE: Oh, where did you say this place was again?
ZOE: Well the scanner screen in the TARDIS showed it as an island of some sort surrounded by a sea of mist.
JAMIE: Aye.
DOCTOR: Yes, it's an island on Dulkis, a perfectly splendid planet!
(He claps delightedly to himself for his good navigating, but Jamie knows better and whispers cynically to Zoe.)
JAMIE: Aye, I've heard that one before.
ZOE: And there won't be any Cybermen or Daleks will there?
(The Doctor chuckles some more.)
DOCTOR: No-no-no of course not. There's nothing unpleasant on Dulkis.
(He ducks into the TARDIS and returns with a long fishing net which he hands to Zoe.)
ZOE: Well is the whole island as dreary as this?
DOCTOR: Oh no, goodness me no, they're a very advanced race the Dulcians. And-and they're very gentle too - and friendly. You're going to like them.
(He vanishes inside again.)
JAMIE: Oh I see, you've been here before.
(The Doctor returns with a deflated beach ball which he hands to Jamie.)
DOCTOR: Oh yes Jamie, blow that up for me would you?
JAMIE: Eh?
DOCTOR: Yes...some time ago mind you, it was splendid! It was so peaceful I just didn't want to leave.
(He ducks back for a moment and returns with a metal folding chair which he opens and sits in.)
DOCTOR: Yes, that's what we all need, a nice peaceful holiday.
(Zoe glances at Jamie as he struggles to inflate the balloon. He merely shrugs at her in reply.)
10, EXT: CLIFFTOP
(Toba looks down at Cully's hovercraft which is marooned on the sandy bank far below. A short distance below, out of Toba's line of sight, Cully walks down the bank and stops d*ad as he sees the burly Dominator above.)
TOBA: Quarks! Destroy the alien vessel.
(From the Quarks point of view it zooms in on the craft. The creature begins to eagerly whoop faster and faster as it builds power, then with a burst of metallic giggling projects its invisible malice at the defenceless hovercraft, crushing it like a empty drink can in a single deadly stroke. The fuel t*nk erupt in a massive fireball and when the smoke clears there is nothing but a flaming sheet of pancake-thin metal. Cully is thrown to the ground by the expl*si*n where he stays. High above, the Quark chatters and chitters to itself in afterglow as it recovers from its task.)
11, EXT: RUINED HOUSE
(In a clearing is a large futuristic house, or what remains of one. The rear section of the building seems intact, but the front has collapsed into a melee of girders and hexagonal-shaped bricks. A sliver internal door leads into the standing portion of the structure.)
JAMIE: I thought you said it was a peaceful planet?
ZOE: Well which direction did it come from? It sounded as though it was almost on top of us.
JAMIE: Hey, now would you look at that!
ZOE: Did you say these people were peaceful Doctor?
DOCTOR: Well yes Zoe they... But-but Dulki..Duclians are-are gentle...and-and friendly!
JAMIE: Aye, sounded like it! Did the expl*si*n cause this?
DOCTOR: Oh no-no-no, this was caused by an expl*si*n some time ago, Jamie.
ZOE: Looks like atomic blast damage to me.
DOCTOR: Yes, I-I think you're right Zoe...but I don't understand it! Let's look inside shall we?
(He helps Zoe over a pile of rubble and girders.)
DOCTOR: Mind... Over here.
(The metal door creaks ominously as they enter the gloomy building.)
12, INT: MUSEUM
JAMIE: Hey, what sort of place is this?
ZOE: Looks like a kind of museum.
DOCTOR: Yes, you're right Zoe... A w*r museum!
(All around the hexagonal-brick walled room are Tables and cases filled with an assortment of nasty looking gadgets, the function of most lost in extremely unpleasant supposition. There are also a few more conventional looking g*n lining the walls.)
JAMIE: Peaceful you said?
DOCTOR: Oh yes, but these are very old fashioned w*apon, Jamie. They..this was banned ages ago.
(Jamie picks a slim atomic-laser from a stand on a nearby table.)
JAMIE: Hey how you work this sort of thing..?
DOCTOR: No, Jamie no! p-put that down!
(As Jamie idly toys with the w*apon the Doctor snatches it from him before he accidentally sh**t someone.)
JAMIE: What's the matter? W-what?
DOCTOR: Well it's a sort of laser g*n. You know what that'll do, it'll burn a hole through anything. Metal, concrete, wood, anything! It-it may look old, but you never know it-it just might go off. Now please, just leave things as they were! Where was it? Oh...
(The Doctor replaces the g*n on the stand. Zoe notices a hatch in the floor.)
ZOE: I wonder what's down here?
(Jamie continues to study the w*apon on the table.)
JAMIE: Oh is that the trigger there?
DOCTOR: Oh well that seems to be something...
(As Zoe looks up she notices something else.)
ZOE: Look!
JAMIE: Oh, what's the matter?
DOCTOR: What did you see?
JAMIE: What?
(The Doctor and Jamie rush over to Zoe and see a table a few paces away where something decidedly unpleasant awaits them. Two figures are sat at the table which appear to be the remaining husks of what used to be men; their ravaged features scarred and covered hideous burns, the few clumps hair that remain seared to their glassily staring faces.)
JAMIE: What's happened to them?
DOCTOR: Stay here Zoe. Come on Jamie.
(As Zoe waits, the Doctor And Jamie cautiously approach the table. Having seen enough the Doctor begins to relax and chuckles to himself.)
JAMIE: Oh what are you laughing at? ...Oh, they're just dummies!
(Jamie slaps one on the back. The putrid figure lolls forwards slithering onto the charred remains its face like a floppy pus-filled sack of skin.)
JAMIE: What did they put them in here for?
DOCTOR: They're dummies!
ZOE: Dummies?
(A thought suddenly strikes the Doctor and his grin vanishes.)
ZOE: Did you check...
DOCTOR: Uh?
ZOE: Did you check the radiation levels before we left the TARDIS?
DOCTOR: That's just what I was thinking Zoe, I... I think I did, I... Yes I'm sure I did!
JAMIE: Hey, what are you two on about?
ZOE: Well I was just thinking. This place reminds me of the old atom-test islands on Earth.
DOCTOR: Yes, yes I think you're right Zoe.
JAMIE: Test islands?
ZOE: For atomic w*apon Jamie.
DOCTOR: But-but-but, why on Dulkis? They've outlawed w*r! No there must be some other explanation...
JAMIE: Aye, well I vote we go back to the TARDIS and find somewhere else.
ZOE: Doctor!
(Before them stand three figures in bizarre radiation suits covered in small plastic discs that give them the appearance of just having struggled in from a blizzard of jam tarts. They stare blankly at the intruders from behind dark visors.)
13, MODEL sh*t: SURVEY UNIT
(From a high up position on the side of the island sits a strange metallic complex of smooth sloping walls like a curious steel ziggurat.)
14, INT: SURVEY UNIT
(Inside the survey unit modern consoles similar to the ones in the hovercraft monitor all process data about the environment and new arrivals. The striking difference from the hovercraft is that it is more spacious and there are tables and comfortable chairs and benches all around, with the odd leafy plant here and there to give the place a homely feel. One of the radiation-suited figures lifts the protective helmet off to reveal a cascade of golden hair and the face of a pretty young girl called Kando. The others follow suit to reveal a man Kando's age called Teel and the older, bearded figure of Educator Balan with the monotonous voice of a born lecturer. Once out of their suits they are revealed to be dressed in the native curtains or swimming-costume style.)
BALAN: Oh I hope we're not too late. If they were out there for any length of time... How badly are they affected?
(Kando tries to read the meter, but keeps getting a unhelpful bleep from the machine.)
KANDO: I don't know, Educator Balan.
BALAN: Oh come now Kando, I've taught you how to read a radiation meter. But this is registering negative - are you sure you've switched it on?
KANDO: Yes!
BALAN: How is yours Teel?
TEEL: Exactly the same sir, the sign says zero.
BALAN: It's very strange.
TEEL: Could it be that the meters aren't working sir?
BALAN: No, the warning lights would have gone on if the circuits had failed.
KANDO: Well we can't leave them in there indefinitely!
(There is a muffled thumping and a faint sound of irate protestation.)
BALAN: No, that is true. Teel, as they're not radioactive we may as well let them out.
(Balan sits to write a report and Teel presses a button on the wall. A doorway into the decontamination chamber slides open and the Doctor, Jamie and Zoe burst spluttering into the room amid clouds of decontaminant steam.)
DOCTOR: Oh-oh...oh my beautiful coat is all wet!
ZOE: Oh thank goodness for that!
JAMIE: Ridiculous!
DOCTOR: All this is totally unnecessary you know, there's not a trace of contamination on us!
BALAN: Yes, so I've noticed, it's odd isn't it?
DOCTOR: What's odd about it?
BALAN: Well the whole island is radioactive - it has been for a hundred and seventy-two years, you must know that.
ZOE: Well it isn't now.
KANDO: Of course it is.
DOCTOR: Have you checked?
TEEL: Well not yet, we've only just arrived. We'll be taking the annual readings during the next few days.
DOCTOR: Well if I were you I'd take them now. Oh!
BALAN: I, er... I wasn't aware that anyone else had permission to work on the island. So, tell me what has been happening.
DOCTOR: But...but I was hoping you were going to tell us that!
ZOE: This is an atom test island isn't it?
BALAN: Of course, everybody knows that.
JAMIE: Ah, well we don't.
DOCTOR: But atomic w*apon on Dulkis? I thought w*r had been abolished here!
BALAN: It has, you seem to know surprisingly little about your own planet!
JAMIE: Ah well that's it you see, we've just come in the TAR-TAR...
(Jamie falls silent.)
DOCTOR: Well, as Jamie was about to say; we come from a different world, a different time...
BALAN: Not from this world? Really, that's very interesting, I must note that in my daily report.
ZOE: Well you don't sound very surprised.
BALAN: Well it does explain how you came to expose yourself to the dangers on this island. No Dulcian would do such a foolish thing.
JAMIE: Oh? What are you doing here then?
KANDO: We're part of Educator Balan's expedition from the university.
DOCTOR: But-but when I was here some time ago you were a peaceful race.
BALAN: Ah, so you've been here before?
DOCTOR: Well, yes...
BALAN: Ah, I must put that in my...I'm so sorry, you were saying?
DOCTOR: Well, well what's happened to you? I thought aggressive w*apon had been abolished?
BALAN: Oh, indeed they have, under the second council, under Director Olin. He banned the manufacture of all w*apon.
DOCTOR: Then what are you doing letting off atomic devices all over the place?
BALAN: Oh... Oh, there was only one device. Perhaps my pupil Kando should tell you? Let's see how much you remember my dear...
KANDO: Um...
BALAN: The seventh council...
KANDO: The seventh council under Director Malos initiated research which led to the development of atomic energy. The dest...
BALAN: Destructive capabilities.
KANDO: The destructive capabilities of this were immediately apparent, and...
BALAN: This island.
KANDO: ...And this island was used to test an expl*sive des-device, the results of which can be seen today. Thereafter all further research into this type of energy was prohibited, and this island was kept as both a museum and warning to future generations.
JAMIE: Oh well, she certainly does her homework.
DOCTOR: I see. Then this, this is an atomic test site?
BALAN: Oh yes, you see students are... That was really very good Kando. ...Students are brought here to test the radiation level and observe the effect on the vegetation. And of course, to see for themselves the horrors of atomic destruction.
DOCTOR: So there should be radioactivity here?
JAMIE: But there isn't?
DOCTOR: No. I wonder why?
15, EXT: SAUCER
(Rago and Toba are still ironing out the rules of interplanetary etiquette.)
RAGO: And you destroyed this travel-ship?
TOBA: You gave me no order to the contrary!
RAGO: You are a Probationer Navigator, your first duty is to investigate, second assess! You allowed your instinct for destruction interfere with your primary task!
TOBA: Not accepted!
(Rago steps from the shade of the saucer into the harsh glare of the sun.)
RAGO: How can you asses that which does not exist?!
(The glare fades a little as a fluffy cloud passes by.)
RAGO: Have you completed your atomic analysis?
TOBA: Analysis complete. Atomic energy released on this island seventeen point-two decades ago.
RAGO: A long time...strange that this should be the only trace of radiation on this planet. Continue!
TOBA: Drilling sites have now been located and marked.
RAGO: Then we will examine them.
16, EXT: EASTERN ROCKFACE
(Cully runs his hand over the TARDIS curiously, then turns and examines a strange star-shaped emblem burnt into the ground. He ducks into hiding as the Dominators stride into view.)
TOBA: This is the eastern drilling site.
RAGO: What is that?
TOBA: Oh just a crude box-like structure. Shall I summon the Quarks to destroy it?
RAGO: Why, will it interfere with the work?
TOBA: No, but...
RAGO: Then it would be wasteful to destroy it!
17, EXT: RUINED HOUSE
(A radiation-suited figure stoops to examine an identical star to the one by the TARDIS, but this one has been burnt into the ground just outside the ruined house. The figure looks up to see Cully striding past a ruined wall.)
TEEL: Cully what are you doing here?
CULLY: Who is it, who's that over there?
TEEL: My name is Teel, you remember, I'm with the survey team.
CULLY: Survey? Right, take me to your survey unit.
TEEL: But...
CULLY: Come on don't argue!
TEEL: Oh very well. It's over this way.
(They move away just as the Dominators round the corner of the ruined wall.)
RAGO: Here. Evidently a test site - it would explain the radiation.
(They enter the building.)
18, INT: MUSEUM
TOBA: Primitive architecture.
RAGO: Every culture develops Probationer Toba. Never base an assumption on the past, examine the present.
(Toba examines the dummies, seeming not to realise that they aren't real people who were used as test subjects.)
TOBA: Yes Navigator Rago. Hmph, you were right it was a test site.
(Rago stands before the atomic-laser w*apon Jamie picked up earlier.)
RAGO: Come here. Explain.
TOBA: Part of this collection of crude w*apon.
RAGO: Continue...
TOBA: Well, this one operates on the early laser-principle.
(He picks it up and aims at a map of the island on the wall.)
TOBA: f*re mechanism here.
(There is a neat little hum from the w*apon and a hole the size of a melon is excavated from the map in a flump of smoke and flame.)
TOBA: Self-charging power-cell, limited range.
RAGO: All you notice?
TOBA: The other w*apon are just as simple; there's nothing here that could thr*at us. These things are so old that they could...
RAGO: Precisely! Old! At last you casually mention a fact of major significance. Has it not occurred to you Probationer Toba that other w*apon must have been developed since these?
TOBA: Agreed Navigator Rago.
RAGO: I reproved you at the time of your precipitate act of self-gratification in destroying those three creatures. It will now be necessary to find other specimens. They will have to be investigated...
19, INT: SURVEY UNIT
(The Doctor sits on a comfortable sofa under a recess in the wall containing a large exotic flower.)
DOCTOR: But why do you think we might be responsible?
(He takes a beaker of drink from the tray offered to him by Kando.)
DOCTOR: Thank you.
BALAN: Well it is conceivable that your craft the um..?
DOCTOR: TARDIS.
(Balan takes a drink.)
BALAN: The TARDIS could have attracted the radioactivity in the same way that a m-magnet attracts metal.
(The Doctor chuckles.)
DOCTOR: Oh, it would have registered!
(Kando takes the ray over to Zoe who takes a drink.)
ZOE: Do spacecraft often land in Dulkis?
KANDO: As far as you know you are the first.
(Jamie takes a drink.)
JAMIE: Oh I must say then, you don't seem the least bit surprised.
KANDO: We are taught to accept facts, being foolish to contemplate fantasy in the face of reality. You are here - this is fact. That you come from another planet I accept because I have no other means of proving it.
(The door to the decontamination area slides open and two figures shamble in.)
TEEL: Not a sign of radiation, but look what I found.
BALAN: Cully what aren you..?
CULLY: Never mind that now, we've got to get back to the capital!
BALAN: Oh we haven't even g*n our survey yet!
CULLY: If you don't you'll be wiped out!
TEEL: He claims to have seen robots and spacecraft!
(Balan turns to the Doctor.)
BALAN: You didn't tell me you brought robots!
DOCTOR: I haven't!
CULLY: Look, I've brought three people here in my ship, they've been k*lled by those creatures!
(He begins to chuckle at Cully.)
ZOE: Well what's so funny?
BALAN: Now I see it, yes - three people.
(He turns to the Doctor.)
BALAN: So, you come from another world do you Doctor?
DOCTOR: Eh, I don't...I...
BALAN: Really Cully, you and your friends might at least have agreed on the same story!
CULLY: What, but these aren't my three you oaf! Oh what's the use?
JAMIE: Eh? Look what's he talking about?
DOCTOR: I don't know, look I've never seen this gentleman before in my life.
BALAN: Cully, you had no right to bring these people here without permission, even if you are the son of the Director of the council.
CULLY: Well go on then, why don't you call him up? At least he's not as stupid as you are!
DOCTOR: You say you've seen a spacecraft?
CULLY: Well I've told you haven't I? A-and robots...well least I think they were robots.
DOCTOR: What exactly did this spacecraft look like?
CULLY: Well it's large and circular and a sort of silvery colour.
JAMIE: Ah, that means it can't be the TARDIS.
DOCTOR: Are you sure it wasn't square - like a large wooden box?
CULLY: No, no, that isn't the spacecraft. No, the box is where the aliens have made a sort of of mark - a five-pointed star. They were examining just now, talking about destroying it!
DOCTOR/JAMIE/ZOE: What?!
DOCTOR: Jamie we'd better go and see!
JAMIE: Come on!
BALAN: You're wasting your time.
DOCTOR: I-I prefer to make up my own mind thank you! Uh, Jamie...are you coming Zoe?
ZOE: No, I think I'll stay here.
DOCTOR: Right, we shan't be a minute.
JAMIE: Come on then.
DOCTOR: Are you sure there's no radioactivity?
TEEL: Certain.
DOCTOR: Good.
(The Doctor and Jamie rush away.)
ZOE: Why do you think they're wasting their time Balan?
CULLY: Because they all think I'm a liar!
BALAN: Oh!
20, EXT: SAUCER
RAGO: Commence work on preparing the sites of the outer boreholes.
TOBA: At once Navigator Rago.
RAGO: Send this message to fleet leader. Materials located, detailed report follows.
TOBA: Command accepted!
(He strides through the airlock.)
21, INT: SURVEY UNIT
(Teel is sat at a console trying to resolve a screen of their video-link which has become fogged with static.)
BALAN: No. No, I'm sorry Cully, I'm taking no action until I've spoken to your father.
CULLY: But all this is just wasting time, and anyway you know full well what the old man's going to say: "Do nothing"!
BALAN: Yes, and better that than setting the whole of Dulkis in a panic! Besides Cully, I think you should show more respect, if not to me at least to your father.
CULLY: My father? The great Senex, leader of the Dulcians?
(He laughs.)
CULLY: He's as bad as the rest of you! Vegetables, the lot of you. You don't live, you exist.
BALAN: Haven't you got through yet Teel?
TEEL: There seems to be some sort of interference.
CULLY: Ah, there you are! Robots are causing that, what did I tell you?
(Balan angrily waves Cully away and he wanders over to Zoe.)
ZOE: You don't seem to be having much success with them do you?
CULLY: Idiots, blind idiots they are! Still, at least your Doctor friend showed some interest.
(Balan glares at Cully and sshs loudly.)
ZOE: Yes, he has an enquiring mind.
CULLY: In that case he'll end up as unpopular as I am!
22, EXT: EASTERN ROCKFACE
JAMIE: Ah, at least they haven't harmed the TARDIS.
DOCTOR: That's a relief. Jamie, come and have a look at this, it's interesting, look.
JAMIE: What?
DOCTOR: See?
(He points at the five-pointed star burnt into the ground.)
JAMIE: Oh, what's so interesting about that?
DOCTOR: Well I think it must be some sort of survey-mark.
JAMIE: Ah, very likely...
DOCTOR: Jamie, look!
(He points to the ground again, but this time at a set of parallel oblongs in the sand.)
DOCTOR: Some sort of tracks.
JAMIE: So they are.
DOCTOR: Let's follow them shall we?
(Rounding the corner they see the saucer in the far distance.)
JAMIE: Hey look at that!
DOCTOR: Now that really is interesting!
23, EXT: SAUCER
(They walk past a landing stanchion.)
JAMIE: Oh look, I-I-I-I think we'd better be getting back. Z-Zoe'll be wondering what's happened to us.
DOCTOR: Oh this is interesting, yes... Obviously an interstellar spaceship of considerably advanced design.
(The Doctor walks towards the airlock, but Jamie holds him back.)
JAMIE: Oh no, you're not thinking what I think you're thinking are you?
DOCTOR: That, I think Jamie, depends upon what you think I am thinking!
JAMIE: Oh!
(The Doctor fusses busily with the airlock.)
JAMIE: Hey Doctor!
DOCTOR: Stop it.
DOCTOR: ...Doctor!
(Jamie tugs at the Doctor's coat to get his attention.)
DOCTOR: Jamie, don't do it!
JAMIE: Doctor look!
(Reluctantly he turns and sees that he is being scanned by two creatures. A round mace-like head studded with shards of crystal sits atop a small boxy torso;
within the front face of which are two concealed folding arms, one above the other that can hinge out in two opposing 90° angle sweeps. Below, the robots move on two tiny flexible legs ending in rectangular feet. The two Quarks stand atop a nearby sandbank.)
DOCTOR: Oh my word!
(The lead Quark addresses the Doctor and Jamie in a high-pitched mechanical voice.)
QUARK: DO NOT MOVE! DO NOT MOVE!
(They are joined by the sadistic form of Toba.)
QUARK: NEXT TASK? SHALL WE DESTROY? SHALL WE DESTROY?
(The right-hand Quark extends an arm with an inbuilt w*apon and aims it at the Doctor and Jamie.) | {"type": "series", "show": "Doctor Who", "episode": "06x01 - The Dominators - part 1"} | foreverdreaming |
The Dominators
Episode Two
By Norman Ashby
Original Air Date: 17 August, 1968
5:15pm - 5:40pm
1, EXT: SAUCER
(The Doctor fusses busily with the airlock of the Dominator spacecraft.)
JAMIE: Hey Doctor!
DOCTOR: Stop it.
JAMIE: ...Doctor!
(Jamie tugs at the Doctor's coat to get his attention.)
DOCTOR: Jamie, don't do it!
JAMIE: Doctor look! Look.
(Reluctantly he turns and sees that he is being scanned by two creatures. A round mace-like head studded with shards of crystal sits atop a small boxy torso;
within the front face of which are two concealed folding arms, one above the other that can hinge out in two opposing 90° angle sweeps. Below, the robots move on two tiny flexible legs ending in rectangular feet. The two Quarks stand atop a nearby sandbank.)
DOCTOR: Oh my word!
(The lead Quark addresses the Doctor and Jamie in a high-pitched mechanical voice.)
QUARK: DO NOT MOVE! DO NOT MOVE!
(They are joined by the sadistic form of Toba.)
QUARK: NEXT TASK? SHALL WE DESTROY? SHALL WE DESTROY?
(The right-hand Quark extends an arm with an inbuilt w*apon and aims it at the Doctor and Jamie.)
2, INT: SAUCER
(The chamber inside the saucer is cavernous, the roof rising sharply in the centre. Around the walls in between support struts banks of bright monitors and control panels hum and click. Beside an internal door is a bank of quark-shaped lights monitoring the operations of all the robots. The centre of the chamber rises into a high safety-railed circular dais containing a glowing console. Around the base of the dais is a circular seat and a small set of steps behind to ascend. Rago casually looks up from a from a bank of hypnotically swirling and pulsing screens.)
RAGO: Bring them inside.
(Toba strides across the room and motions to the Quark who herds the Doctor and Jamie into the interior of the large spacecraft. The Doctor scampers about looking at the control consoles with eager curiosity.)
DOCTOR: Ooh good heavens!
(The Dominators both ascend the central dais and gaze down at the Doctor and Jamie.)
JAMIE: Look, what's going on? Who are you?
RAGO: We are Dominators! Both of you stand by that wall.
JAMIE: I will not!
DOCTOR: Oh now Jamie...
JAMIE: They're not going to bow to...
TOBA: We are meant to be obeyed!
JAMIE: Not by me you're not!
DOCTOR: Jamie!
(A Quark moves menacingly towards Jamie.)
JAMIE: Wha... Oh if you insist.
(He reluctantly backs away towards the nearby wall. The Quark bibbles at him, and suddenly Jamie is sucked towards the wall where he sticks, hanging immobily as if pinned to a dissection table.)
JAMIE: Doctor I can't move, help me!
(The Doctor rushes forward, but the wall next to Jamie attracts him to it. It holds him fast.)
RAGO: It is pointless to struggle, my Quarks have used a molecular force to bind your bodies to the wall.
JAMIE: What's he gonna do with us?
(There is a hum and the section of wall containing JamieSpecimen slides horizontal, and a solarium-like scanner slides above him. The Dominators descend, and Rago strides over to the Doctor, towering above him.)
RAGO: Alien races are occasionally of interest to us, I intend to probe your physiological make up.
DOCTOR: Do what?
JAMIE: Doctor, can you not do anything?
DOCTOR: Now don't struggle Jamie, keep quite still!
RAGO: Toba!
TOBA: Quarks, attach force units.
(A Quark shuffles forward and attaches a claw to the base of the scanner, by Jamie's foot.)
TOBA: Activate.
(A hum of energy builds, then falls into silence again.)
RAGO: Visor!
(Toba passes plastic, surgical-looking visor to him.)
RAGO: Transmatter focus probe.
(Placing the visor onto his head, Rago moves over to inspect Jamie.)
RAGO: Brittle skeletal structure. Reasonable flexibility, certain amount of muscular force - could be marginally useful. Vulnerable, only one heart.
TOBA: Intelligence?
RAGO: A simple brain. Signs of recent rapid learning. Still, somewhat crude.
TOBA: Shall I prepare the other specimen for scrutiny?
(Rago removes his visor.)
RAGO: No, they will be identical. Conserve power.
TOBA: Tip.
(Jamie's wall slides back into it's original position.)
TOBA: Are they dangerous?
RAGO: No, they are physically inferior.
TOBA: So we destroy them?
RAGO: No. It is possible we may use them.
TOBA: What for?
RAGO: Workforce.
TOBA: We've got the Quarks.
RAGO: We must conserve their power, you know that!
TOBA: But why do you want...
(Rago casts a steely glare at Toba and he falls silent.)
TOBA: Command accepted.
RAGO: Set up a reaction test.
(Toba bears down on The Doctor sadistically until he is an inch from his face.)
TOBA: Test this one.
(The Doctor looks concerned as a nearby Quark chirrups obediently.)
3, INT: SURVEY UNIT
(The flickering static-fogged image of Director Senex can be barely made out on the main video-screen.)
SENEX: Your picture is fading Balan, your picture is fading.
(Cully moves forward a little.)
CULLY: Well never mind the picture father, the important thing is; what are you going to do?
SENEX: I can't hear you Balan! Send Cully and the strangers to the Capitol, I'll question them there.
(The screen goes blank.)
CULLY: Father? Father! Well can't you get them back?
TEEL: They've switched off the reception I'm afraid.
CULLY: Oh, switched off? That's typical isn't it? Typical Dulcian behaviour. Something strange, something you don't understand and you switch off - up here.
(He points at his head.)
BALAN: We don't all have your childish curiosity Cully.
CULLY: Hah! You'd have more fun out of life if you did.
TEEL: The power units of the travel capsule are charging now.
CULLY: You ever travelled in a capsule before?
ZOE: I can't say that I have. How do they work?
CULLY: Hah, dunno. Can't stand the things myself. Hey, you asked a question.
ZOE: Yes.
CULLY: There you go Balan, this girl's got an enquiring mind. She can't possibly come from Dulkis!
BALAN: That will be for your father to decide.
(He turns to Zoe.)
BALAN: As soon as your friends return they will follow you and Cully in the second capsule.
ZOE: Wouldn't it be better if all four of us went together?
KANDO: Travel capsules only take two.
(There is a chime from the console.)
TEEL: Number one ready.
KANDO: It's nothing to be frightened of you know.
ZOE: Oh I'm not frightened. I'm looking forward to it.
CULLY: Come on, let's try and stir up a little action in the Capitol!
KANDO: You really mustn't believe Cully's wild tales.
(Balan moves his hand over a photocell swipeswitch and a section of the wall slides back. Within the space are two plush padded seats, one before the other, and small control panel.)
BALAN: I will dial for the Capitol Cully, if you don't mind.
(He reaches in and operates the panel.)
CULLY: I see. Frightened I might disappear, eh?
BALAN: Well it has been known, hasn't it Cully?
CULLY: It'd be a joke if it happened this time though, wouldn't it?
(He chuckles to himself as the door slides closed.)
4, MODEL sh*t: CAPSULE
(The capsule clears the survey unit by sh**ting through a round capsule-sized hole and flies forward though the mist. It is a silvery bullet-shaped rocketship straight out of a Dan Dare comicbook, complete with a needle point at the front and three sweeping fins at the rear.)
5, INT: CAPSULE
(Zoe and Cully sit back as the capsule lurches skywards.)
CULLY: Selector's a bit worn...soon reach the ceiling. It'll be alright when we level off.
(The ride get a little smoother.)
CULLY: There you are. Sit back and relax, won't be long.
ZOE: Does this land on a*t*matic control as well?
CULLY: Oh yes, the whole thing's a*t*matic. Dial where you want to go and in less than eight minutes you're there.
6, MODEL sh*t: CAPSULE
(The capsule flies on.)
7, INT: SAUCER
JAMIE: Look how long are you gonna keep us like this?
TOBA: Silence!
JAMIE: Oh, if I could only get away from, this wall...
DOCTOR: Shush Jamie! I am trying to listen.
JAMIE: Oh, everyone wants me to shut up! Alright I will.
(Over at the other side of the room the Dominators are talking amongst themselves.)
RAGO: And if we are to use these Dulcians as slaves there are certain qualities you must look for. Obedience, strength, sufficient intelligence to make them of use, but not so much as to make them dangerous. Is that clear?
TOBA: Yes.
(Back at the examination wall.)
JAMIE: Ah...what are they saying?
DOCTOR: I think they're arranging for some sort of test.
JAMIE: Test? What for?
DOCTOR: I dunno. I thought I heard them mention the word intelligence.
JAMIE: Oh, you mean they're going to find out how clever we are?
DOCTOR: Yes... Or how stupid. I wonder which is the more important to them?
8, MODEL sh*t: CAPSULE
(The nose of the capsule dips as it begins to arc gracefully down towards the ground.)
9, INT: CAPSULE
ZOE: Will it take long to reach the Capitol?
CULLY: Reach it? We're there. Door to door service.
(The capsule neatly flies into a little capsule-shaped slot.)
8, INT: COUNCIL CHAMBER
(The Council Chamber is a cosily comfortable room in the main Capitol complex. All around it is decorated with sumptuous furnishings, computer consoles and well-maintained plants. Through a window the wide expanse of the city's architecture can be see shining in the mellow sunlight. On a central table sits a strange rolling device, possibly a futuristic kind of recreational drug, which consists of half a metal sphere set with a rod and a perspex disk. Deputy Director Bovem is entertaining a group of assembled politicians upon domestic matters.)
BOVEM: Oh very well then. It is agreed that the area in question be converted into an area for holiday and relaxation purposes. This is now agreed?
(There are murmurs of assent from the assembled politicians.)
BOVEM: Er, subject of course to the approval of Director Senex.
COUNCILLOR ONE: Oh I'm sure the Director will approve our decision, after all...
COUNCILLOR TWO: Has he sufficiently considered the case of the residents and the committee?
COUNCILLOR ONE: Oh I'm sure that...
BOVEM: Really gentlemen, we've been debating this matter for several months! I don't wish to hurry you, indeed, but at least...
(There is a chime and Bovem presses an intercom.)
BOVEM: Yes what is it?
(A cultured female voice pipes out of the speaker.)
SECRETARY OOV: Cully has arrived with the strangers.
BOVEM: Uh.
SECRETARY OOV: They're here in the antechamber.
BOVEM: Ah yes. Well, you'd better keep them out there. Has the Director been informed?
SECRETARY OOV: Not yet.
CULLY OOV: No I will not stay here! I'm going in I want to see my father!
BOVEM: What is going on out there?
(Cully and Zoe burst into the chamber.)
CULLY: If you think that I'm going to stay out there for hours on end kicking my heels, you're very much mistaken Bovem!
(Bovem glances at Cully with delicate contempt for his brash behaviour, and extends a finger to the intercom once more.)
BOVEM: Will you tell the Director that his son has arrived?
SECRETARY OOV: Yes of course.
BOVEM: You realise, of course, that you've interrupted a most important meeting?
CULLY: Not nearly as important as the news I've got.
BOVEM: Oh really? And what adventure have you dreamt up for us this time? Who is this girl?
CULLY: Zoe, I met her on the island with two of her friends, they're coming on later.
BOVEM: Oh I see. Er, doubtless none of you have permits?
CULLY: Oh don't be stupid man, how could they have permits? They've come from another planet!
(Without a second thought he Councillors of Dulkis kick spontaneously into action as if someone had just yanked a pullcord in their backs.)
COUNCILLOR ONE: Oh nonsense, the existence of life on another planet was conclusively disproved!
COUNCILLOR TWO: Oh come now, in my opinion
COUNCILLOR ONE: By scientific...
COUNCILLOR TWO: It is perfectly possible that life does exist!
COUNCILLOR ONE: But, but but...
(Cully frantically holds his hands up in an effort to silence them.)
CULLY: Look, we don't have time for the usual Dulcian debate! Don't you realise what's happened?
BOVEM: And what's that?
CULLY: A space vehicle has landed.
(As if this were a cue, there is another rabble of voices and scornful laughter.)
COUNCILLOR TWO: A space vehicle?
COUNCILLOR ONE: Oh come on! Ridiculous!
(He laughs.)
BOVEM: Oh really Cully, you're wasting the Council's valuable time with these ridiculous stories! Just because you're the Director's son, does not mean...
CULLY: Hello father.
(Bovem hastily gets up from where he has been sitting.)
BOVEM: I am sorry Director Senex, I was not aware that...
SENEX: So I observed. I think it would be better if I were to speak to Cully and the young lady alone.
BOVEM: Of course, yes.
SENEX: Well wait in the antechamber.
(The politicians begin to bicker semantics amongst themselves again as they leave.)
COUNCILLOR TWO: I told you the commission specifically stated that there was life on other planets than this!
(They close the door after them.)
CULLY: Look father, I...
SENEX: Cully, do you enjoy being treated like a clown? And your name?
ZOE: Zoe.
SENEX: Well then Zoe, what were you doing on the island?
ZOE: Well nothing really, just looking around.
SENEX: But didn't you know it was dangerous?
ZOE: No... At least, not at first.
SENEX: Oh Cully! How can your conscience allow you to expose innocent and foolish people to such dangers?
CULLY: But I didn't take her to the island!
SENEX: Oho, nonsense I know all about "Cully's Adventures Unlimited."
CULLY: You know, but why didn't you..?
SENEX: Well you weren't doing any harm... At least we thought you weren't.
CULLY: But it's illegal.
SENEX: But to prosecute would have given you open publicity - and it wouldn't have reflected very well on me either.
CULLY: I see. Why can't I be treated as an individual and not always as the "son of the Director?"
(Senex sits wearily down in a nearby seat.)
SENEX: Now then young lady, tell me exactly what happened.
ZOE: Well, I landed with the Doctor and Jamie...
SENEX: In Cully's ship, yes?
ZOE: Cully? ...Oh no! We came in the TARDIS.
SENEX: Oh, what is that?
ZOE: It's an advanced craft for travel.
CULLY: Goes through time and space.
SENEX: I think this joke has gone far enough.
CULLY: There you are, I knew he wouldn't believe it.
ZOE: But it's true! You can ask the Doctor and Jamie, they'll be here soon.
SENEX: What do you hope to gain by this foolishness?
CULLY: But it's not! I told you when we spoke on the vision link! Three people have been k*lled, a spacecraft has landed, radioactivity has disappeared, and there are robots on that island. Now I may have a pretty inventive mind, but I wouldn't have dreamt up that lot, would I?
SENEX: And no doubt you will confirm all this?
CULLY: Er, well I haven't actually seen the spacecraft and robots...
SENEX: Ah! So we only have your word for it Cully. And experience has taught us how little that can be relied upon!
9, INT: SAUCER
(The Doctor and Jamie are still on their wall as Rago And Toba put the finishing touches to a curious perspex box. Two hand-sized holes have been cut into the top, and it has been filled with various different shapes and corresponding slots. Before the box is a seat.)
JAMIE: What's he up to now?
DOCTOR: He's arranging some sort of intelligence test, Jamie.
JAMIE: You mean those wee shapes in that big box? What for?
DOCTOR: Yes, well, you have to put the right shapes into the correct holes, it's-it's quite simple.
(They watch Toba as he arranges the shapes.)
JAMIE: Oh well if that's all it is a-a kid of two could do it!
DOCTOR: Yes, that 's what's bothering me. It's too simple.
(The Doctor scratches his nose thoughtfully.)
JAMIE: Uh... You moved!
DOCTOR: I'm free, what about you?
JAMIE: Me too. Come on.
(Still side by side they begin to shimmy together to their right like two silent synchronised dancers, but they get a foot before the monitoring Quark lets out a double-burble. Toba joins the machine.)
TOBA: Well?
QUARK: MOLECULAR FORCE EXPENDED. ORDER RRREQUIRED. ARE THE SPECIMENS TO BE RRREFUSED?
TOBA: No.
DOCTOR: What are you going to do with..?
TOBA: Quiet! Over there.
(The Doctor moves over to the box.)
TOBA: Sit!
DOCTOR: Well thank you.
(He sits at the box.)
TOBA: Attach force units.
(The Quark connects an arm to the side of the box.)
TOBA: Hands!
(The Doctor holds them up, as if Toba had ordered a fingernail inspection.)
TOBA: Through there!
(He points to the holes in the box.)
TOBA: Power.
(A hum of power from the Quark causes the Doctor to contort in agony, but doesn't remove his hands from inside the box.)
DOCTOR: Ooh-oh-oh!
(The power cuts out.)
TOBA: That will be repeated again at regular intervals until the puzzle is reassembled.
DOCTOR: Oh...oh no! Oh..oh..oh..ah.
(Toba ascends the upper level and watches.)
TOBA: Begin!
(From the other side of the room Jamie watches as the Doctor fumbles with the shapes.)
JAMIE: Hurry up Doctor!
(Another jolt surges forth.)
DOCTOR: Oh-ooh, ooh-ooh oh...my hands! Ah..ah..er...
(Jamie stares in disbelief as the Doctor continues to get the puzzle wrong.)
JAMIE: No, the square bit not..no not the star, the square bit in there!
(There is another jolt.)
DOCTOR: Aargh! Argh..oh!
(Toba has been watching in contempt, and studies his data.)
TOBA: Detach.
(The Quark unplugs and lumbers away and Jamie rushes to the Doctor's side. He is still woozy from the shocks.)
JAMIE: Doctor! Doctor. Now where's that..?
(Jamie searches the Doctor's pockets and extracts a vial. Uncorking it, he wafts it under his nose.)
JAMIE: Here. Sniff-sniff.
(The Doctor coughs and regains consciousness.)
JAMIE: Come away, come away from that fearful contraption. You alright?
(The Doctor glances at him slyly.)
DOCTOR: Yes I'm alright.
JAMIE: What were you up to? That puzzle was easy!
DOCTOR: An unintelligent enemy is far less dangerous than an intelligent one, Jamie.
JAMIE: Eh?
DOCTOR: Just act stupid - do you think you can manage that?
JAMIE: Oh aye, it's eas...
(He notices the Doctor's smile and gives him a resigned look. On the dais Toba calls to a couple of Quarks.)
TOBA: Attach force units.
(The two robots lumber over and each attaches an arms either side of the circular seat that runs around the base of the dais.)
TOBA: You two over here. Sit!
JAMIE: Oh, thank you.
DOCTOR: Thanks. Oh.
TOBA: Power.
(There is a faint crackle from the Quarks.)
TOBA: Now, get up.
(The Doctor moves a foot towards the ground and yelps in pain as a shaft of electricity arcs into his shoe. He pulls back his leg, clutching his foot tenderly.)
DOCTOR: Oh-oh ooh!
TOBA: I said get up!
DOCTOR: Oh, but...
(As Jamie attempts to step down, he gets a shock too, and grabbing the Doctor's arm for support only succeeds in accidentally zapping him.)
JAMIE: Try this around here.
(Jamie points in another direction, but Toba's malicious face booms down from above them.)
TOBA: You are surrounded.
JAMIE: But then how do we get off?!
TOBA: There is a way, find it!
(Rago strides in.)
RAGO: Test complete?
TOBA: These creatures are useless!
RAGO: Strange.
TOBA: You question my report Navigator Rago?
RAGO: I find it at variance with what we already know.
TOBA: I don't understand...
RAGO: The w*apon we saw earlier, could they have been devised by such apparent simpletons?
TOBA: You think that there were others?
RAGO: That we will find out. Message to fleet leader:
Materials readily accessible, fleet proceed to refuel. Investigating potential sl*ve labour. Transmit!
(A nearby Quark burbles and Rago sweeps by the Doctor and Jamie.)
RAGO: Come with me.
DOCTOR: But every time we try to get up, there's a...
RAGO: Jump!
DOCTOR: Jump?
(He looks at Jamie in apparent confusion.)
DOCTOR: Jump.
(Joining hands The Doctor and Jamie jump over the electrified portion of the floor.)
DOCTOR: Aargh... Oh.
RAGO: A simple circuit completed by your bodies, you obviously know little of electricity.
DOCTOR: Elec...elec...
RAGO: Are you such a fool? You have intelligent eyes. I will continue the test personally. Bring!
(The Quark herds them after Rago.)
DOCTOR: Alright! Er, we'll go...
10, INT: SURVEY UNIT
KANDO: The strangers are a long time returning Balan.
BALAN: Yes. Doubtless searching the whole island in search of something that doesn't exist. Teel, have you found that graph?
TEEL: Yes sir.
BALAN: Show it me please.
TEEL: Well, er, it doesn't seem logical somehow, sir. We all know that there's been a steady uniform decrease in radiation during the past hundred and seventy-two years...
(A wavy line graph appears on the screen, ending in a sudden downward spike.)
TEEL: Now suddenly it's all disappeared.
BALAN: Well it has happened, therefore it is a fact. We now know that the effect of an atomic expl*si*n lasts for a hundred and seventy-two years.
TEEL: But why sir?
BALAN: Oh I dare say our atomic experts can provide a reason. But it seems pointless to spend time searching for reasons to prove facts. A fact is a truth.
KANDO: But the spacecraft that Cully saw!
BALAN: Oh, there is no such spacecraft. Nor are there any robots.
11, INT: MUSEUM
RAGO: I said what is that?!
DOCTOR: Well...well, it's um, it's some sort of g*n isn't it?
(He picks up the atomic-laser and begins to delicately play with it.)
RAGO: Explain it to me.
DOCTOR: Well I don't know that I...
RAGO: Firepower potential?
DOCTOR: Huh..?
RAGO: What does it do?
DOCTOR: Oh, oh I see. Well-well...g*n k*ll people - is that what you wanted to know?
RAGO: f*re it.
DOCTOR: Oh well I-I don't think I...
(He gestures and the base of the g*n, then the muzzle.)
DOCTOR: You have to put something into it first. And it er, it comes out here, er, as far as I remember.
(Rago snatches the g*n and hands it to Jamie.)
RAGO: You. f*re it.
JAMIE: Oh I wouldn't know how it...
TOBA: Do as Dominator Rago says! f*re it!
JAMIE: Well I'll-I'll-I'll try. Ah...you put a cork or something in-in there and something you...
(He absently swings around, the laser pointing dangerously at the Doctor.)
DOCTOR: Jamie! ...Jamie be careful.
JAMIE: Oh I'll get the hang of it Doctor.
DOCTOR: Jamie be careful!
(The Doctor swiftly snatches the g*n away from Jamie.)
DOCTOR: We...we don't understand g*n on Dulkis! We haven't used them for hundreds of years!
(Rago snatches the w*apon and slowly levels it at the Doctor's horrified face.)
RAGO: So, you don't understand g*n...
(There is a searing flash, a chunk of wall next to the Doctor's head melts into a sticky mass of molten metal.)
DOCTOR: Ooh oh-oh argh!
RAGO: Are you sure?
DOCTOR: Yes! It was the "Clever Ones" that invented them!
RAGO: "Clever Ones"?
DOCTOR: Yes! They-they lived long ago you see, there aren't many of them-them left. They stopped us using g*n and things.
RAGO: There are two distinct types on this planet?
DOCTOR: Yes!
RAGO: How many of these "Clever Ones" are there?
DOCTOR: Well there are, there are not many of them left. We don't like them. They...they tell us what to do you see.
RAGO: Good, I see.
(He replaces the laser on its stand.)
RAGO: There is nothing to fear from these primitives, and the others sound as if they're pacifists.
TOBA: So they are useless.
RAGO: They have a small labour potential, nothing more.
TOBA: Shall I destroy them?
RAGO: No we must conserve power!
TOBA: But why must we...
RAGO: We have nothing to fear from these primitives so it would be a waste of energy to destroy them. Leave them!
(Rago turns back to the Doctor and Jamie.)
RAGO: Stay away from us and the Quarks.
DOCTOR: Oh yes sir!
JAMIE: Yes Master!
(They leave and the Doctor sighs, mopping his brow with a handkerchief.)
JAMIE: Am I glad that's over!
DOCTOR: Me too. They're a bloodthirsty lot these Dominators, aren't they?
JAMIE: Aye. What do you think they're after?
DOCTOR: I dunno. That message they sent... "Material readily accessible. Some sort of mineral deposits do you think?
JAMIE: And then-then-then this fleet of theirs would land, refuel and pick it up!
DOCTOR: Well what do they want the Dulcians as slaves for? They've got the Quarks.
JAMIE: Aye, nasty little beasties.
(He gazes through the doorway.)
JAMIE: Hey Doctor, they've gone. We'd better get back to that survey place, Zoe'll be wondering what's happening.
DOCTOR: Yes I think you're right.
12, INT: COUNCIL CHAMBER
CULLY: I've got to make them believe me - before it's too late.
ZOE: Well what are you going to do?
CULLY: Get some evidence. Will you come back to the island with me?
ZOE: Alright, but how do we get past the council out there?
CULLY: Through my father's rooms, come on.
(He leads Zoe away, then stops a moment.)
CULLY: We'll have to steal a travel capsule somehow, well I can manage that alright but...
(Cully eyes up Zoe.)
ZOE: Well what's the matter?
CULLY: Your clothes. Not exactly Dulcian are they?
ZOE: So?
CULLY: We'd attract too much attention, we'd never get past the capsule managers. Still, no problem. We can always fix you up with some Dulcian garments.
ZOE: Where from?
CULLY: Clothing dispenser unit - there's one in my father's rooms, come on.
(He takes her hand again and they walk off.)
13, INT: SURVEY UNIT
(Balan ushers the Doctor and Jamie into the seats of travel capsule two as Kando and Teel stand by.)
BALAN: This will take you direct to the Capitol Doctor.
DOCTOR: Ah!
BALAN: Your young friend Zoe is already there.
(The Doctor eagerly climbs into the capsule, with a slightly reluctant Jamie behind him.)
DOCTOR: Oh yes!
BALAN: Director Senex is awaiting your arrival.
DOCTOR: Oh this is splendid! Hahaha!
JAMIE: Oh look Doctor, what is this?
(The door to the capsule hums shut.)
JAMIE: You know I hate being cooped up...
BALAN: Now perhaps we can get on with our work?
(Balan strides back into the survey unit, but Teel looks a little unsure.)
KANDO: What are you thinking?
TEEL: They seemed so positive that they'd seen robots.
KANDO: Yes, I almost believed them.
(Teel walks over to the sofa where Balan is sitting.)
TEEL: Balan we may be in great danger. Would it not be wise to check for ourselves?
BALAN: I can see I shall get no work from you two until you have got positive proof. Come along.
14, INT: COUNCIL CHAMBER
(Cully calls into the next room.)
CULLY: Hey, come on, nearly ready?
ZOE: Yes, just about.
CULLY: Good!
ZOE: I'm not sure I pressed the right button.
(She looks at the swimming costume and wispy translucent skirt in puzzlement.)
CULLY: Why not? It's not bad - even for an a*t*matic machine.
ZOE: Well they're not very efficient garments are they?
CULLY: Well, at least you look more like a girl now.
ZOE: Oh I'm not sure, they feel impractical.
CULLY: Never mind, the main thing is that now you'll pass as a Dulcian. Let's go and get a capsule.
(They move off towards the Capitol's capsule bay.)
15, INT: SAUCER
RAGO: Drill depth on fourth bore?
TOBA: Eighteen thousand.
RAGO: link feeds from your seismographic readings, inform expl*sive force, inquire time and depth. Feed into calculator now.
TOBA: Command accepted.
(A Quark burbles.)
QUARK: UNKNOWN CREATURES APPROACHING.
(On the video-screen Balan, Kando and Tell are seen making their way across a dune.)
TOBA: Destroy?
RAGO: No, investigate.
16, EXT: SAUCER
(Kando and Teel look up and the immense silver bulk in wonder, but Balan just frowns.)
KANDO: It's enormous!
TEEL: So Cully was telling the truth!
BALAN: Was he?
KANDO: But Balan..!
BALAN: Where are the robots?
KANDO: Inside perhaps?
17, INT: SAUCER
(On a video-screen Balan, Kando and Teel can be heard as they approach the ship.)
KANDO: Oh please may we go in?
BALAN: Oh very well.
(The internal door rises with a hum and the trio enter. They look around the vast chamber, but don't see anyone.)
KANDO: But it's empty!
(Balan's attention is drawn to a screen on the wall.)
BALAN: Look, there's a map of the island.
(A Quark moves out from a position by a wall to block their escape.)
QUARK: STAND STILL.
(Rago and Toba appear.)
BALAN: But...you are not Dulcians!
(The Quark bibbles, and Balan is sucked towards the seat face first, and sticks on his hands and knees.)
KANDO: Balan!
BALAN: I-I can't move!
KANDO: Oh what have they done?
RAGO: Stand quite still! You move over there.
(Teel backs away from the advancing Dominator.)
RAGO: Activate.
(A nearby Quark activates the force unit a second time and Teel is sucked towards the wall. Kando Screams.)
RAGO: Silence! Toba?
(Teel's wall slides horizontal and the scanner unfolds.)
TOBA: Attach force units.
(A Quark clips itself onto the machine.)
RAGO: These look different. Visor.
BALAN: Leave that boy alone!
KANDO: What do you want from us?
(Rago takes the visor from Toba and places it on his head.)
TOBA: Silence!
RAGO: As I thought, they are different. Greater brain power, two hearts. There are two distinct species on this planet.
TOBA: Dangerous?
RAGO: No.
TOBA: Then we might have the labour force we need after all.
RAGO: Yes, if there are more on the island. We will search.
18, MODEL sh*t: CAPSULE
(A travel capsule flies through the mist.)
19, INT: CAPSULE
(Cully chuckles to himself.)
ZOE: Well what's funny?
CULLY: I just thought, your friends are probably on their way back to the Capitol. We'll have passed them going the other way.
ZOE: I hope not!
CULLY: Oh it doesn't make much difference, we can always turn around again...as long as those robots don't appear.
20, EXT: SANDY PLAIN
(The Dominators walk across the plain with three Quarks at their heels.)
21, INT: CAPSULE
CULLY: Hold on, deceleration. Another minute or two and we'll be at the survey unit.
22, INT: SURVEY UNIT
(Toba and two Quarks enter the unit.)
TOBA: Record all technical data.
(The Quarks do two complete shuffling turns in unison.)
QUARK: SCAN COMPLETED.
TOBA: Good! Follow.
23, EXT: SURVEY UNIT
(With the Survey Unit in the distance Toba moves from one Quark to the other two.)
TOBA: Recharge.
(The two robots open and close their folding arms a number of times with a prolonged electronic bibble.)
24, INT: SURVEY UNIT
(Cully climbs out of the travel capsule and they both look around the empty room.)
ZOE: Where do you think everybody is?
CULLY: I dunno. Come on, out you get.
25, EXT: SURVEY UNIT
(Toba gazes up at the Survey Unit and smiles malevolently.)
TOBA: Destroy, destroy!
(Noisily powering up their w*apon, all three Quarks send volley after volley of force blasts towards the helpless Survey Unit in the distance.)
26, INT: SURVEY UNIT
(Violent expl*si*n burst all around Zoe and Cully, causing the building to sway giddily on it's foundations.)
ZOE: Cully, what's happening?!
CULLY: I don't know.
(He moves towards a console, but it explodes before he can get near. Zoe shrieks.)
CULLY: The door quick!
(He tries to swipe the control with his hand, but it fails to work.)
ZOE: Oh!
CULLY: It's stuck, it's stuck! We're trapped!
(Zoe screams as another expl*si*n brings down the roof.) | {"type": "series", "show": "Doctor Who", "episode": "06x02 - The Dominators - part 2"} | foreverdreaming |
The Dominators
Episode Three
By Norman Ashby
Original Air Date: 24 August, 1968
5:15pm - 5:40pm
1, INT: SURVEY UNIT
(Violent expl*si*n burst all around Zoe and Cully, causing the building to sway giddily on it's foundations.)
ZOE: Cully, what's happening?!
CULLY: I don't know.
(He moves towards a console, but it explodes before he can get near. Zoe shrieks.)
ZOE: Oh!
CULLY: The door quick!
(He tries to swipe the control with his hand, but it fails to work.)
ZOE: Oh.
CULLY: It's stuck, it's stuck! We're trapped!
(Zoe screams as another expl*si*n brings down part of the roof.)
2, EXT: SURVEY UNIT
TOBA: Recharge.
(With a bibbling and a flapping of their arms the quarks do so.)
TOBA: Complete destruction!
(As the power of the w*apon builds, Rago and a Quark appear over a dune.)
RAGO: Toba!
TOBA: Quarks, wait.
(The whine of power fades away.)
3, INT: SURVEY UNIT
CULLY: Maybe you'll believe in my robots now!
ZOE: I don't know about robots, but something was attacking us, and with pretty sophisticated w*apon too!
CULLY: Well whatever it was, we'd better get out of here fast. Let's try and move this door.
4, EXT: SURVEY UNIT
TOBA: Wanted to prevent their escape.
RAGO: You wanted to destroy, unnecessary destruction is wasteful. Did you inspect it?
TOBA: All relevant details have been recorded.
RAGO: See if there are any survivors and bring them to me - alive.
(Rago storms away.)
5, INT: SURVEY UNIT
ZOE: Oh it's no good, it's jammed!
CULLY: Yes, we're trapped in here.
ZOE: What about the travel capsule?
CULLY: Oh I can't navigate it, we'd end up back at the Capitol.
ZOE: Well that's better than being cooked in here.
CULLY: Yes, but they'd pick us off easily in that. Come on let's try that door again.
(They struggle with the door.)
CULLY: Come on!
ZOE: Oh!
CULLY: Keep it...
(Finally the door groans open, to the sight of a Quark.)
CULLY: Now you know I'm not lying!
6, INT: COUNCIL CHAMBER
BOVEM: Director Senex asked that you be brought to the Council chamber immediately.
JAMIE: Just a moment... Er, where's Zoe?
BOVEM: You mean the girl?
JAMIE: Yes Zoe, is she here?
BOVEM: No.
DOCTOR: Well then where is she? She did arrive safely?
BOVEM: Oh yes.
JAMIE: Well then? Hey, has anything happened to her?
BOVEM: Director Senex will explain when he arrives, should he think fit.
JAMIE: And just..!
BOVEM: There is no cause for alarm. I will inform the Director of your arrival.
JAMIE: What do you think's happened to her, Doctor?
DOCTOR: Oh I've no idea Jamie, but the Dulcians wouldn't've harmed her. Of that I'm certain.
JAMIE: Mmm.
7, INT: SAUCER
KANDO: Are you alright Balan?
BALAN: Uh? Oh yes, but I don't understand what is happening; why should these people wish us harm?
RAGO: Silence!
TOBA: The other two specimens for examination, shall I bring them in?
(Rago nods.)
RAGO: Wait! Observe the cerebral cortex development in this specimen.
(He hands Toba the headset.)
KANDO: Oh please don't hurt him!
BALAN: If only you would tell us what you wanted!
RAGO: I said silence!
(He turns back to Toba.)
RAGO: Well?
TOBA: Higher potential than the first two. Not a very resourceful brain pattern, but intelligent.
RAGO: Yes...I will send this information to fleet leader for analysis. It is possible these creatures could be used for sl*ve labour. Unfortunately their muscular development seems somewhat limited.
TOBA: Then they are of no use?
RAGO: We shall test them. Put them to work on the drilling site, observe how long they survive.
TOBA: Command accepted.
RAGO: And send a Quark back to the unit. Should any more arrive I want them alive.
8, INT: COUNCIL CHAMBER
SENEX: As far as we know she left with my son Cully, presumably they have returned to the island.
DOCTOR: What?
JAMIE: Oh no! Why'd you not tell us? Come on Doctor!
SENEX: I do not think that would be advisable.
JAMIE: Aye, you mean we're prisoners again?
SENEX: No, there are no prisoners on Dulkis.
DOCTOR: It's not necessary you see, Jamie. This is a society of total pacifism.
JAMIE: You mean they don't fight? They don't have any armies?
DOCTOR: No, no.
JAMIE: Oh that's just great! How then, are we gonna drive off those Quark things?
SENEX: From your reaction and your lack of knowledge of the way of life on Dulkis, it would seem there was some truth in your story that you are from another planet.
JAMIE: Of course there's some truth! Look, it was your people who thought we were with Cully's.
SENEX: The identity of my son's companions has now been established, although what has happened is not quite clear.
DOCTOR: But Cully has told you - they were m*rder!
(There are murmurings from the Councillors.)
DOCTOR: And I believe him!
SENEX: Why?
DOCTOR: Because I've seen these Dominators. We were t-taken aboard their spacecraft. Believe me, they're callous - without pity!
FIRST COUNCILLOR: Of for goodnesses sake.
SECOND COUNCILLOR: I can't believe this.
SENEX: I would be grateful if you could tell me what occurred on the island.
JAMIE: Och look here, we've told you! We're just wasting time talking while Zoe's in danger!
9, EXT: RUINED HOUSE
(A Quark burbles to itself.)
ZOE: Can't we get away?
CULLY: OH we wouldn't stand a chance, these Quarks are deadly.
ZOE: Any idea how they're powered?
CULLY: No, why?
ZOE: Well if we knew we might be able to put them out of action.
CULLY: att*ck them? Are you out of your mind?
ZOE: Well they're only robots.
CULLY: Only? ...Do you really think we could destroy one?
ZOE: It'd be easier if we had a g*n of some... The laser g*n! Cully, I think we stand a chance.
(A Quark approaches them and bibbles.)
10, INT: SAUCER
TOBA: Take them to the others.
(The Quark wanders from Toba to Kando, Teel and Balan.)
QUARK: MOVE.
(It ushers them towards the doorway which raises.)
TOBA: I'll send them to work on the drilling site.
RAGO: Work potential and stamina to be recorded and sent for analysis.
TOBA: Agreed. If any of them should escape...
RAGO: Then you will report the fact to me, no personal action.
(Toba walks away.)
RAGO: Toba!
(Toba reluctantly stops and turns.)
TOBA: Command accepted.
11, EXT: RUINED HOUSE
ZOE: So the Doctor and Jamie are on the mainland?
CULLY: Yes. It looks as if from now on we're on our own.
TOBA: You creatures, follow.
12, INT: COUNCIL CHAMBER
DOCTOR: And when these horrible tests were over, they just let us go.
SENEX: Did you discover for what purpose these tests were carried out?
JAMIE: Yes, to see if we were intelligent enough to use as slaves.
(Bovem smiles scornfully.)
BOVEM: Evidently you were not.
DOCTOR: I would like to make a suggestion. I know it is the way of Dulkis to discuss and deliberate, but the situation is urgent. Send someone to the island to confirm if what we've told you.
JAMIE: Yes, and while they're away we can be thinking out some plan to tackle those Dominators.
SENEX: These Dominators... They let you go free, why should we fear them?
DOCTOR: Because they are aggressive, callous and unfeeling. Don't expect them to act and think as you do - they're alien, from another world.
SENEX: Well so are you Doctor!
(The Doctor grins, a little ashamedly.)
DOCTOR: Oho dear, you've got me there.
JAMIE: Oh for heavens sake! Look, are we going to that island or are we not?
SENEX: Patience young man. Doctor, what in your opinion did this Dominators want?
DOCTOR: Well I'm not sure, but I heard them say that the material was readily accessible. Probably some kind of mineral ore.
SENEX: Oh, haha, there are no valuable minerals here, they are welcome to whatever they can find. There is no cause for alarm.
DOCTOR: Yes, but there's the matter of the disappearance of the radioactivity from the island. That could be significant.
SENEX: Why seek menace where there may be none?
JAMIE: But you can't just sit here and do nothing!
BOVEM: Why not?
FIRST COUNCILLOR: Haste is not in the Dulcian tradition.
SECOND COUNCILLOR: Better do nothing than do the wrong thing.
JAMIE: Oh you're mad, the lot of you!
BOVEM: What would you suggest we do?
JAMIE: For a start send an armed party over there to rescue Zoe and your people!
BOVEM: An armed party?
JAMIE: Yes!
FIRST COUNCILLOR: But the use of arms on Dulkis is totally unprecedented.
SECOND COUNCILLOR: Not totally unprecedented. In the earliest days of our history.
FIRST COUNCILLOR: Ooh, in primitive times perhaps, but impossible to consider today.
SECOND COUNCILLOR: Oh of course.
JAMIE: What are they talking about?
DOCTOR: Told you Jamie, there are no w*apon on Dulkis.
SENEX: For centuries we have lived in peace. We have proved that universal gentleness will cause aggression to die.
JAMIE: Aye, well the Dominators don't know anything about your gentleness.
DOCTOR: Yes, Jamie has a point there you know. Now I suggest that you get in touch with Balan on the island, again.
JAMIE: Ah.
DOCTOR: He must know more by now.
SENEX: Oh very well.
DOCTOR: Ah.
JAMIE: Eh?
(He swipes a switch and a monitor blinks on revealing a view of the survey unit. As it pans the room is revealed to be empty apart from an attentive looking Quark.)
JAMIE: Hey, would you look at that!
SENEX: Balan are you there?
DOCTOR: It-It's too late!
(Bovem has jumped up in a panic.)
BOVEM: What is that?!
DOCTOR: It's a robot!
JAMIE: That's a Quark! Now come on, we've wasted enough time!
DOCTOR: Yes!
(He runs after Jamie pausing only for a moment in the doorway.)
DOCTOR: Now perhaps you'll believe me!
13, INT: CAPSULE
(Jamie looks agitated.)
DOCTOR: Now Jamie, what did you want to tell me?
(The Doctor calmly chews on a jelly baby while he returns the ratty paper bag to his inner coat pocket.)
JAMIE: Well, I suppose you know what you're doing.
DOCTOR: What do you mean?
JAMIE: Well this capsule is homing in on the survey place, right?
DOCTOR: Yes, that's right.
JAMIE: Well there's a Quark there waiting for us!
(The Doctor looks a little shocked that he hadn't remembered, himself.)
14, EXT: RUINED HOUSE
TOBA: If these tests prove favourable some of you may be among those chosen to serve the Dominators...
ZOE: As slaves, you mean?
(Toba glares at Zoe.)
TOBA: Don't ever interrupt me again. To serve the Dominators, masters of the ten galaxies. Your progress here will be reported.
CULLY: Progress at what?
TOBA: This area here is to be cleared of debris and rubble.
ZOE: Why?
TOBA: Because I command it!
ZOE: I am not going to work unless I know why you want...
TOBA: Quiet! ...Very well. This site is to be cleared; firstly because we want it cleared, secondly, to find out whether you have enough strength to make a work force.
ZOE: And if we haven't?
TOBA: You will all be destroyed. So remember, you are working for your lives.
(He sweeps away.)
BALAN: We must, for now.
(Balan walks over and takes a rock.)
ZOE: I wonder why they want to drill here?
CULLY: Who cares what they want, what are we going to do?
ZOE: We've got to get away!
CULLY: Yes, but how?
ZOE: Well there's only two Quarks; there are five of us.
BALAN: Escape is pointless, where would we go?
KANDO: We can't get off the island.
TEEL: Perhaps the Capitol will send help.
CULLY: The Capitol? But what can they do? They're not equipped to deal with this sort of thing. No, we've gotta get out of this mess ourselves.
ZOE: And that's just what I mean to do. Cully, how fast can these Quarks move?
BALAN: Young lady, I cannot allow you to incite my pupils. Resistance will only lead to v*olence.
ZOE: And submission leads to sl*very. We must fight! What about you Cully?
CULLY: You can count me in. Kando?
KANDO: No, Balan is right. v*olence is always met with v*olence.
CULLY: Teel?
TEEL: I accept what you both say. But I'm afraid I also agree with Zoe and Cully, meek submission would be humiliating.
(A Quark wanders over to investigate the sudden cessation of rock shifting.)
QUARK: CONTINUE WORKING!
15, INT: CAPSULE
(The Doctor gives the control panel a sharp tug and it comes away in his hand to reveal a mass of wiring and circuitry beneath.)
JAMIE: Hey have you gone daft or something?
DOCTOR: No Jamie, not exactly. Oh dear, this is rather complicated.
JAMIE: Y-y-y'can't just take things to pieces. Not when we're flying at heaven knows what speed!
DOCTOR: Oh Jamie... As you said, this capsule is homing straight back onto the survey unit, and the Quarks are there.
JAMIE: Well I did try to warn you!
DOCTOR: Yes I know. Thank you. Now Don't worry, all I've got to do is to override the a*t*matic pilot.
JAMIE: Oh. Hey, are-are-are there not any ordinary controls for flying this thing?
DOCTOR: Mm? The...
(Jamie mimes a steering wheel.)
DOCTOR: Ah...no. No Jamie, there don't seem to be. But the simplest way is to get straight at the control mechanism.
JAMIE: The simplest?!
DOCTOR: Yes, now it's alright Jamie, just leave it all to me. T-the trouble is all the wires seem to be...leading up into the nose. Ah... Just hold this for a minute will you Jamie?
(He hands the control board to Jamie who eyes the whirring components cautiously, then tries to get into the foot space below.)
DOCTOR: Let's see if I can scramble through here. Just wait a minute, we're nearly there...Oh oh ooh!
(He legs flail wildly.)
16, INT: SAUCER
RAGO: Transmit course and point of deviation to fleet leader.
TOBA: Command accepted.
(He turns to operate a communications rig. Rago walks over to examine a wall which contains an immense holo-chart of the entire galaxy with all its stars and planets. A Quark wanders over to him and bibbles courteously.)
RAGO: Yes?
QUARK: INITIAL REPORT.
RAGO: Continue.
QUARK: ALL PRISONERS EXCEPT ONE SHOWING SIGNS OF FATIGUE.
TOBA: That will be the young man.
QUARK: CORRECTION DOMINATOR. IT IS A FEMALE THAT SHOWS THE LESS FATIGUE.
RAGO: Interesting.
TOBA: Shall I liven them up?
RAGO: No. Work them to the point of exhaustion, note their time of collapse then bring them to me.
(Toba exits.)
17, EXT: RUINED HOUSE
(Cully helps Zoe down with a large rock.)
CULLY: If we don't get a move on the others will be too tired to even attempt an escape. Have you got any ideas?
ZOE: Well we'll have to put that Quark out of action or we won't stand a chance.
CULLY: Yes, but how?
ZOE: Well there's a laser g*n in that museum place. Somehow we've got to get hold of it.
(Balan drops from exhaustion.)
BALAN: I'm-I'm sorry.
KANDO: Don't be.
QUARK: CONTINUE WORKING.
ZOE: He can't! He's exhausted.
QUARK: CONTINUE WORKING.
CULLY: You stupid tin box, can't you see he's worn out?
QUARK: IS THIS SPECIMEN BROKEN?
CULLY: Yes!
QUARK: PLACE IT ON ONE SIDE, REMAINDER CONTINUE WORKING.
KANDO: I'm sorry. We're not used to manual labour on Dulkis.
(As Balan rests, they all begin to heave rocks again. Zoe nods at Cully, who walks over and deposits a rock in the path of the Quark. She then nips towards the door of the museum, slipping inside. Once inside, Zoe is greeted by the disappointing sight of another Quark with it's w*apon raised, so turns and walks right back out again.)
18, INT: CAPSULE
(Jamie watches as the Doctor's legs continue to flail, as if he were trying to burrow himself a warren.)
JAMIE: Hey, what are you doing in there?
DOCTOR: Uh-uh-uh...I've-I've-I've nearly got it Jamie. Oh, yes, I think I've got it.
JAMIE: You think? You mean you're not sure?
DOCTOR: Well, there won't be time for another try you know. Oh, give me a hand, pull me back.
(Jamie tugs him back into his seat, when he sits up straight he has a small black box trailing wires into the nose section. Flipping open the top of the box he fiddles a little more.)
DOCTOR: Oh, oh there we are, yes. Yes, I think I've got it. Now then, hold on and I'm going, I'm going to try and steer this thing.
JAMIE: With that mess of wires?
(The Doctor makes a slight adjustment and there is a roar from the motive units and Jamie is flung forward onto the Doctor, grabbing onto his head for support, and accidentally covering his eyes.)
DOCTOR: Whoah my...ah-ah...
(With another tweak they both land in their seats again as normal acceleration is resumed.)
JAMIE: Take it easy!
(The Doctor chuckles.)
DOCTOR: Well, at least we know it works, don't we?
JAMIE: Hey, can you land the thing?
DOCTOR: Of course I can! I'll get us down in no time at all!
JAMIE: Aye, but in one piece?
DOCTOR: Now just hold on!
19, MODEL sh*t: CAPSULE
(The nose of the capsule dips as it begins to descend.)
20, INT: COUNCIL CHAMBER
SECOND COUNCILLOR: Perhaps we should do something, we must be...
BOVEM: Gentlemen, gentlemen, this is no matter for precipitate action.
SENEX: Nevertheless, we must hope that the Doctor may be able to pursue some useful course of action.
BOVEM: With respect Director, I am reluctant to rely on the assistance of any alien.
SENEX: You do now admit that he is not a Dulcian?
BOVEM: Yes, so I think that our alliance should be placed in the Chairman of Emergencies Committee.
SENEX: Chairman Tensa? Yes, he is able, but can he deal with this crisis?
BOVEM: Chairman Tensa has proved his efficiency in the face of fires, droughts, earthquakes...
SENEX: All natural disasters, all created by forces not acting from inherently aggressive motives.
(The intercom chimes.)
SENEX: Yes?
SECRETARY: Chairman Tensa is here, presents his compliments.
SENEX: Send him in immediately.
FIRST COUNCILLOR: A very able man, he'll deal with this.
(Tensa walks in, a reasonably young man for his regard at council.)
TENSA: My greetings Director Senex, gentlemen.
SENEX: Tensa, you have been informed of the emergency that has arisen?
TENSA: Yes.
SENEX: What would you advise?
(Tensa looks nervous.)
TENSA: The facts of this emergency are non-conclusive.
(There is a disappointed murmur.)
FIRST COUNCILLOR: Oh yes-yes.
SECOND COUNCILLOR: Of course.
TENSA: But, as I see it there are three alternatives.
(There is an encouraging babble.)
FIRST COUNCILLOR: Three!
SECOND COUNCILLOR: Ah!
SENEX: Which are?
TENSA: If these aliens and their robots are aggressive, and as yet this is not a fact; but if they are then we can either fight...
(The council seems aghast at this idea, and many stand up in protest.)
FIRST COUNCILLOR: Fight?!
BOVEM: Fight?!
SENEX: Silence! Tensa, continue...
TENSA: Fight, submit or flee.
SECOND COUNCILLOR: Flee?
FIRST COUNCILLOR: Oh no, no!
BOVEM: Flee to where?
SENEX: We cannot make w*r we are not able; flight is impossible, there is nowhere to hide, and submission - to what?!
TENSA: Who knows?
SENEX: So we can do nothing?
TENSA: Nothing, except wait.
(The Councillors sit down again, satisfied that order has been restored.)
21, MODEL sh*t: CAPSULE
(The capsule lies half buried in the sand on one of the far beaches.)
22, EXT: CAPSULE
(The door whirrs open and the Doctor and Jamie fight to extricate themselves from the wiry mess of the capsule interior.)
DOCTOR: Ah-ah oh-oh oh...no bones broken!
JAMIE: Aah.
DOCTOR: Oh dear. Oh-oh ah, there we are.
(The Doctor takes the control box from around his neck and deposits it on the seat as he leaves.)
DOCTOR: Oh my word, Aah. Oh, well...I think we've done rather well if I say so, don't you?
JAMIE: More by luck than from judgement if you ask me. What a landing!
DOCTOR: Oh, it was just a bit bumpy. Oh now then, main thing is we weren't spotted. Come along, we've got to find Zoe and the others.
JAMIE: Yeah.
23, EXT: RUINED HOUSE
(Teel and Cully are shift a large rock. Teel is looking the worse of the two.)
TEEL: But do you think it'll work?
CULLY: Of course it will, once we can get hold of the laser and flatten these Quarks, then go to ground somewhere.
TEEL: But where? it mustn't be far, I mean, look at Kando.
ZOE: Yes, and Balan. Is there anywhere near here to hide?
(Teel shakes his head, then remembers something.)
TEEL: Wait a minute, the shelter...the b*mb shelter. I'm-I'm sure they built one here somewhere, part of the atom test.
ZOE: Well that sounds ideal, where is it?
(Teel shakes his head wearily.)
TEEL: Can't remem...
24, EXT: SANDY CLIFF
JAMIE: Hey would you look down there!
DOCTOR: That's the ruined building, hello.
(He digs out an old battered brass telescope and takes a look.)
JAMIE: What can you see?
(The Doctor passes the telescope to Jamie, who scans the ruined building. He sees Balan and Kando lying near one another exhausted. A little way away he notices Cully and Zoe trying to shift a rock.)
JAMIE: It's Zoe and Cully!
DOCTOR: We've got to get down there. Jamie.
JAMIE: Uh.
DOCTOR: We'll split up and get around the back of them. I'll try to cut across those cliffs.
JAMIE: I'll go this way.
(They walk off in different directions.)
25, EXT: RUINED HOUSE
ZOE: You ready?
CULLY: Yes.
ZOE: Once you're ready give me time to get those two Quarks into your line of f*re.
CULLY: Here we go.
(He attempts to pick up a rock, and collapses on top of it. Two Quarks move either side of him.)
QUARK: NEXT ONE COLLAPSED. JOIN THE OTHER SPECIMENS.
(Cully drags himself over to Balan and the others.)
BALAN: This is foolishness Cully.
(He looks over at the Quarks.)
BALAN: All clear, best of luck.
26, INT: MUSEUM
(Cully scrambles inside and moves over to the laser. Picking the w*apon up he goes to the window and drops down in a f*ring stance.)
27, EXT: RUINED HOUSE
(Zoe drops the rock she's carrying and slumps over it waiting for the Quark to move over to her.)
ZOE: Ohh!
28, INT: MUSEUM
(Cully scans the area beyond the window through the sights of the laser.)
29, EXT: RUINED HOUSE
(A Quark approaches Zoe who is still slumped over her rock.)
QUARK: ALL SPECIMENS HAVE REACHED POINT OF COLLAPSE.
(Zoe whispers to herself.)
ZOE: f*re Cully, f*re!
30, INT: MUSEUM
(Cully gets the two Quarks in the sights of his laser, suddenly he feels a tug from behind.)
JAMIE: Hey what do you think you're doing? Zoe's out there!
CULLY: I know that you fool, I was aiming at those Quarks!
QUARK OOV: ALL SPECIMENS STAND UP.
(He tries to aim at them again.)
CULLY: I missed my chance, I had them in my sights!
31, EXT: RUINED HOUSE
TEEL: Why didn't he sh**t?
KANDO: I don't know.
QUARK: SPECIMENS MUST ALL BE RETURNED TO DOMINATOR RAGO.
(As the weary prisoners file away the Quark notices a numerical imbalance.)
QUARK: ONE OF THEM IS MISSING. IT IS THE SPECIMEN CU-LLY.
32, INT: MUSEUM
CULLY: Oh...Oh it's no good, Balan's in the way now!
JAMIE: Well I-I said I'm sorry. Anyway I don't think we should do anything until the Doctor gets here.
CULLY: Well he'd better be quick, those Dominators will be after me soon.
JAMIE: Don't worry, he'll get here!
33, EXT: SANDY DUNE
(The Doctor's head slowly appears from behind a rock, he notices a pair of armoured legs right in front of him and gets to his feet.)
TOBA: What are you doing? You were told to keep away from the Quarks.
DOCTOR: Oh but I do! Whenever I see one I go away. But they're all over the island, where can I go?
(To one side the working party marches over flanked by two Quarks behind and one in front. Toba wanders over.)
TOBA: Stop. One of them is missing.
QUARK: THE MAN CULLY HAS ESCAPED.
(Toba glares maliciously.)
TOBA: Has he? Alright carry on, take this idiot with you. Quark follow me.
(The three Quarks obediently tail Toba.)
34, INT: MUSEUM
CULLY: It's no good Jamie, we daren't wait any longer. Something must have happened to the Doctor.
JAMIE: Yeah, I think you're right.
TOBA OOV: Cully!
JAMIE: Down! I told you to stay away from the window!
CULLY: Do you think he saw me?
TOBA OOV: I know you're in there Cully!
JAMIE: Give me that.
(Jamie takes the laser from Cully and moves to the window.)
35, EXT: RUINED HOUSE
TOBA: Now you'll see what happens when the orders of a Dominator are disobeyed! Quark, destroy!
(With a rippling noise the Quark opens f*re on the building with it's devastating force-projectors.)
36, INT: MUSEUM
(Jamie throws himself to one side as the sturdy metal door flies off it's hinges in a clouds of smoke, parts of the roof beginning to rain down signalling the imminent end of the museum. He gets up again, amidst the choking dust and debris.)
JAMIE: Right, here goes.
(Moving to the window he aims the laser and fires at the nearest Quark.)
37, EXT: RUINED HOUSE
(At first the metal that makes up the Quark seems to absorb the laser energy without a mark, but the result is immediate and satisfying. The tiny robot begins to chitter wildly to itself as its innards begin to melt together causing it to billow smoke from it's vents. In moments its molten circuitry has reached it's w*apon units and it is torn apart by an unmodulated force discharge, leaving nothing but two tiny, smoking legs. After the debris has finished raining down Toba moves closer to examine the remains of the Quark. Turning savagely to the remaining two robots.)
TOBA: Destroy! Destroy! Total destruction!
(On the ground the severed head of the Quark faithfully attempts to obey the command, but only manages to roll feebly backwards and forwards. With a rippling-sparkling of combined force-projection w*apon the robots avenge their sister's demise with wave after wave of destructive energy.)
38, INT: MUSEUM
(All around them the museum is shaking, the walls crumbling like old biscuits. Jamie attempts to see through the hot, smoke-filled air, but finds it impossible.)
JAMIE: Can't see a thing! If only I could get in another sh*t.
(Part of a girder from the ceiling slams down onto Cully pinning him to the middle of the floor.)
CULLY: Aargh!
(Jamie manages to heave it off him and together they attempt to scramble through the choking fug to safety, but they have left it too late to escape.)
JAMIE: Come on, let's get out of here!
CULLY: No, this way...
39, EXT: RUINED HOUSE
(From outside expl*si*n are still ripping through the concrete façade of the museum, as the building finally succumbs to gravity, rumbling down in clouds of smoke.)
TOBA: Stop.
QUARK: WORK COMPLETED.
(Toba smiles at the destruction he has caused.) | {"type": "series", "show": "Doctor Who", "episode": "06x03 - The Dominators - part 3"} | foreverdreaming |
The Dominators
Episode Four
By Norman Ashby
Original Air Date: 31 August, 1968
5:15pm - 5:40pm
1, EXT: RUINED HOUSE
(From outside expl*si*n are still ripping through the concrete façade of the museum, as the building finally succumbs to gravity, rumbling down in clouds of smoke.)
TOBA: Stop.
QUARK: WORK COMPLETED.
(Toba smiles at the destruction he has caused.)
2, INT: SAUCER
QUARK: ON THE ORDERS OF DOMINATOR TOBA THE BUILDING WAS DESTROYED, ALSO THE MAN CULLY.
DOCTOR: But Jamie was in that building!
(Rago advances menacingly upon the Doctor who shuts up. The large frame of the Dominator wheels around and addresses Toba.)
RAGO: Silence! You deliberately disobeyed my order?
TOBA: My life was thr*at and a Quark destroyed.
RAGO: Yes, because of your own actions!
TOBA: Are you suggesting I should have let him escape?
RAGO: And where would he have gone? We are on an island Toba, these creatures cannot escape.
(He glares evilly.)
RAGO: Now listen to me carefully, and this time you will obey my instructions. Send these creatures back to the central bore position, I want it cleared ready for drilling.
TOBA: But the Quarks will do it more quickly!
RAGO: We must conserve their energy for drilling purposes, you know the power levels are low!
TOBA: Command accepted. Quark, bring these creatures.
(A nearby Quark bibbles and Rago ascends the dais. Toba and his group move towards the exit.)
RAGO: Leave the inferior types.
(A Quark blocks the Doctor and Zoe's path.)
RAGO: Toba!
TOBA: Yes Navigator Rago?
RAGO: I have not yet dismissed you.
TOBA: But the creatures!
(Rago steps down from the dais.)
RAGO: Quarks, take these specimens back to the drilling site, await the arrival of Dominator Toba.
(Two quarks shuffle away.)
RAGO: You two! Over there.
(The Doctor's Quark herds he and Zoe back towards the map wall.)
DOCTOR: Alright, alright.
TOBA: May I ask..?
RAGO: You may ask nothing. You are here to listen.
TOBA: I am listening.
RAGO: Probationer Toba, I'm far from satisfied with your conduct on this mission.
TOBA: I protest!
RAGO: Be silent! I am beginning to wonder if you have the qualities of intelligence and detachment necessary in a Dominator.
TOBA: Where have I failed?
RAGO: You have repeatedly destroyed the creatures and installations of this planet to no purpose!
TOBA: My purpose was to protect us both.
RAGO: Protect?! These creatures are harmless primitives. You acted out of your desire to gratify a need for pointless destruction.
TOBA: Was it by softness that the Dominators became masters of the ten galaxies?
RAGO: It was by ruthlessness Probationer Toba; that which thr*at us we destroy, that which is too weak to harm us we ignore.
TOBA: Are they so harmless, these primitives? They've disobeyed us, they've att*cked us - even here on this small island. The rest of the planet may be preparing to att*ck us even now!
RAGO: I will investigate the more advanced type of alien for myself. You will concern yourself with obeying my orders and nothing more. I will report your conduct to fleet leader.
(He walks away.)
TOBA: And I shall protest at yours.
(Rago freezes, and slowly moves to fix Toba with a steely glare.)
RAGO: What did you say?
TOBA: You've jeopardised our mission by unnecessary softness! You've humiliated me before members of an inferior race. Perhaps it is you who is not fit to be a Dominator?!
RAGO: You have the insolence to thr*at me?
TOBA: It is not unknown for a leader who is unfit to be replaced!
RAGO: It is not unknown for a mutinous subordinate to be ex*cuted!
TOBA: You would not dare!
RAGO: Quark! Place Dominator Toba under restraint.
(The Quark wanders over to Toba.)
QUARK: YES SIR?
TOBA: Quark, return to the prisoners.
(The robot makes to move away...)
RAGO: Quark! I am the senior Dominator, you will obey me!
(Sorting out it's inner conflict, the Quark advances on Toba again.)
RAGO: Well Toba?! Shall I order molecular force, or do you submit?!
TOBA: I submit.
(He looks sheepish.)
RAGO: Quark, return to the prisoners.
(The Quark wanders back to the Doctor and Zoe.)
ZOE: What was all that about?
DOCTOR: A little internal dispute I fancy, mm?
(He notices the Quark returning.)
DOCTOR: Oh dear, oh!
(In the centre of the ship Rago is still lecturing Toba.
RAGO: You are fortunate that I still have need of your services. You will supervise work on the drilling site and make sure nothing delays your task.
TOBA: Command accepted.
(He rushes out. Rago stops by the dais.)
RAGO: You two. Here!
(The Doctor and Zoe join him. Rago's voice gains a soft decadence of total control.)
RAGO: I have some questions to ask you about your planet. You will be advised to make sure your answers are satisfactory, for your own sakes...
3, EXT: RUINED BUILDING
(Toba angrily marches towards Kando, Teel and Balan with two Quarks.)
TOBA: You two! Clear the site. Quark, guard them. Old man, follow me. Quark!
(Toba and Balan move off with the Quark following, the remaining robot turns it's attention to Kando and Teel.)
QUARK: OBEY THE DOMINATOR. CLEAR THE SITE. WORK! WORK!
(They resume clearing the rocks.)
TEEL: I wonder if Cully made it to the shelter?
(Kando looks at the tangled remains of the museum.)
KANDO: They'll almost certainly be d*ad if they were under that. Looks very quiet.
(A short distance from where she is looking a small patch of rubble shifts slightly.)
4, INT: SHELTER
(Jamie makes an effort to turn a metal periscope which is set into the ceiling as Cully descends the ladder leading to a hatch above. The shelter is sparsely decorated with a bunk and a few old storage lockers. High up in the ceiling is a metal grille.)
JAMIE: Nuh...No. No use, I can't see a thing. There must be tons of stuff on top of it, same as the hatch.
CULLY: Well, we just have to sit and wait until someone comes and digs us out.
JAMIE: You think they'll find us then?
CULLY: Well of course. Balan told me where the this old shelter was, so surely they'll be able to work it out.
JAMIE: Oh, I wish you'd told us about this place sooner. We could have got down here straight away.
CULLY: What, and miss exploding that Quark? That was a tremendous sh*t!
JAMIE: Aye, maybe so. I just hope the Dominators don't take it out on the others.
CULLY: I wonder if those Quarks are still hanging about up there?
JAMIE: Aye... If only we could open that hatch.
(He ascends the ladder and heaves against the trapdoor.)
JAMIE: No, it's no good. Feels as though the whole building's sitting on top of it.
(Jamie jumps down panting heavily and rubbing his neck.)
CULLY: Jamie, perhaps it is?
JAMIE: Hey!
CULLY: What's the matter?
JAMIE: Just been thinking; have you noticed how stuffy in here it's getting?
CULLY: Yes, now you mention it.
JAMIE: Aye, that's the only ventilator shaft I can see and... Hey if that's blocked we'll suffocate!
(They both rush back to re-examine the hatch.)
5, INT: SAUCER
RAGO: And this leader Senex, he is in the Capitol city?
DOCTOR: Well I'm not sure, ah...
RAGO: Quark, molecular force!
(Zoe gets sucked towards a nearby wall where she sticks.)
DOCTOR: No!
RAGO: I asked you a question.
(He glares maliciously as the Doctor looks helplessly at Zoe.)
DOCTOR: Yes, yes...so you did.
RAGO: Well?
DOCTOR: Yes, yes Senex is at the Capitol.
RAGO: These Dulcian travel machines, how do I summon one?
(The Doctor makes a show of looking forlorn.)
DOCTOR: Well you can't. The-the terminal at the survey unit was destroyed wasn't it?
RAGO: Yes... By Toba. Prepare this ship for take off!
(A Quark burbles at his order.)
DOCTOR: But a-a-are you going to take your own craft to the Capitol?
RAGO: I have no alternative.
DOCTOR: Well actually, now I come to think of it I-I-I-I do know where there is a capsule.
(Rago turns from the instruments.)
DOCTOR: I-I I didn't tell you about it before because I-I'm not sure that it works, it has some loose wires and things. But I'm-I'm sure that you'd be able to fix it.
RAGO: How big is this machine? Will it be able to transport a Quark?
DOCTOR: Oh dear, I don't...
RAGO: Then it is useless to our purpose, we will use our own machine.
DOCTOR: Well actually, now-now I come to think of it, if you were to take out one of the seats a Quark might fit inside.
RAGO: You will show me this machine.
DOCTOR: Oh yes.
(He bows a little and scurries towards Zoe.)
RAGO: Quark. Prepare to transmit recorded data on work habits of tested specimens. Contact direct Fleet Leader.
(The machine chirrups.)
DOCTOR: Don't worry Zoe, the effect soon wears off.
ZOE: Why did you tell him about the capsule?
DOCTOR: Well if he takes this craft we won't be able to investigate it will we?
ZOE: But why do you want to?
DOCTOR: To find out what sort of power unit it has. Then we can tell what the Dominators are looking for on Dulkis. Besides, if they take us to the Capitol we won't be able to search for Jamie, will we?
ZOE: That's true. Hey, wait a minute though; he might be alright if he and Cully...
(Rago sweeps back.)
RAGO: Silence! You will lead me to this travel craft. Quark, release the female. Follow.
(A Quark turns off the molecular force and Zoe walks from the wall.)
DOCTOR: There...there you are, you see?
(The Quark ushers them out with an impatient chirp.)
DOCTOR: Alright, it's alright!
6, EXT: DRILLING SITE
TOBA: Enough! Quarks, take up drilling positions.
(The robot acknowledges.)
TOBA: Old man, stand that drill between those Quarks over the drilling site.
(Balan does so.)
TOBA: Attach force units.
(The Quarks clip their boxy little arms either side of the drill.)
TOBA: Operate.
(Balan shields his eyes from the harsh glare as the Quarks activate the ultrasonic drill. Toba notices a new Quark.)
TOBA: Quarks, cease drilling. Report.
QUARK: ORDERS FROM DOMINATOR RAGO. PROBATIONER TOBA TO REPORT.
TOBA: Command accepted. Continue operation.
(The Quarks start up again.)
7, EXT: BEACH
(Rago peers into the belly of the beached travel capsule.)
RAGO: Hm, a primitive machine, but functional. The circuits need repairing. Minimal task.
(Moving back to the Doctor.)
RAGO: So, you were telling the truth.
DOCTOR: Of course.
RAGO: I'm glad you appreciate that to attempt sabotage would be pointless.
(Toba appears.)
TOBA: You sent for me.
RAGO: Yes. I'm going to the alien leader to investigate potential sl*ve force. You will remain here and complete the drilling operations.
TOBA: Command accepted. You are travelling in this alien machine?
RAGO: Yes.
TOBA: Is that wise? It could be dangerous.
RAGO: I have tested it, it is operable. I will take a Quark for protection. You will command in my absence, but I expect to find the same number of alien specimens on my return.
TOBA: Command accepted.
(Over to one side the Doctor and Zoe are whispering to themselves.)
DOCTOR: Why didn't you tell me about this underground shelter before?
ZOE: Well I'm sorry, but we haven't had a chance. Balan told us about it, and with any luck Jamie and Cully might have found their way down there.
DOCTOR: Well it's possible, it-it's possible...
ZOE: And if they have, they should be alright shouldn't they?
DOCTOR: Well, well I think...
TOBA: You two! Follow me.
DOCTOR: Oh yes...
(He holds a hand up in a pacifying gesture.)
DOCTOR: Alright!
(They leave.)
8, INT: SHELTER
(Jamie and Cully are Trying to force the hatch open by combing their efforts. They have removed a long pole-like section from the bunk, and are bracing it against the hatch, but to little avail.)
JAMIE: Oh!
CULLY: Gnnnh... Oh, it's no good, it's stuck again!
(They rest a moment.)
CULLY: Oh what shall we do?
JAMIE: Look, there's only one thing to do; try again! Now come on will you?!
CULLY: Oh!
(With a grim determination they resume the struggle to free themselves.)
9, EXT: RUINED MUSEUM
(The pile of rubble shifts back and forth a little. As a large chunk of masonry rolls away from the main mess, the hatch pops open.)
10, INT: SHELTER
(Cully looks amazed by their success.)
CULLY: We... We did it!
JAMIE: Aye. Well, no point in hanging around eh?
(Jamie ascends the ladder.)
11, EXT: RUINED MUSEUM
(Jamie cautiously pokes his nose above the rubble, gratefully breathing in lungfuls sweet, fresh air.)
JAMIE: Huh. All clear.
(He climbs out, followed by Cully, but ducks down as he sees a Quark taskmaster mercilessly slaving Kando and Teel a few metres away.)
JAMIE: Oh no, Quarks again! They must be all over the place. Hey, I wonder how many there are?
CULLY: Why?
JAMIE: Well the Dominators don't seem much good without them, do they?
CULLY: So?
JAMIE: We destroyed one Quark, why not another?
(Cully's tone raises in surprise.)
CULLY: att*ck the Quarks?
JAMIE: Shhh! Yes.
CULLY: But we had a laser g*n before. And that's hidden under all this lot now.
JAMIE: Look, there wasn't a laser g*n where I come from, yet us McCrimmons still dealt with the redcoats right enough.
CULLY: Redcoats?
JAMIE: Aye, they were... Och, never mind! Look, are you with me?
CULLY: Well...why not?
JAMIE: Good! First thing to do is estimate the strength of the enemy. Come on, through there.
(They leave.)
12, EXT: SANDY CLIFF
(Jamie's head appears over the top of the cliff and he looks down. Below are the two Quarks and their drill, still working away. Cully's head joins Jamie's, but Jamie pulls him out of sight. They both gaze down again, but a little more cautiously.)
JAMIE: Five so far. Look, you take that side, I'll look around up here.
(Cully walks for a little way, then starts a sound behind him. Jamie scrabbles down towards Cully, and grabs him to prevent himself from falling.)
JAMIE: Sorry, I slipped. How many?
CULLY: Two more, and you?
JAMIE: Same here.
CULLY: Balan's down there with those two. They seem to be doing some sort of drilling.
(Drilling Quarks.)
JAMIE: Aye, they're drilling in four places. It must be pretty important to the Dominators.
CULLY: Yes.
JAMIE: Right let's start some trouble.
CULLY: But what can we do?
JAMIE: Oh I've a wee idea that should just stir them up a bit. Come on!
(Jamie leads Cully away by the hand.)
13, INT: SAUCER
(A Quark approaches Toba and burbles.)
TOBA: Report.
QUARK: DRILLING IN OPERATION ON ALL PERIMETER SITES.
TOBA: Is the centre site cleared yet?
QUARK: TASK NEAR COMPLETION.
TOBA: Report progress to Fleet Leader direct. Operations proceeding as planned.
(The machine signals it's understanding and walks off past the Doctor and Zoe who are already being guarded.)
ZOE: What are they up to?
DOCTOR: I don't know. We must find out exactly what they're drilling for.
ZOE: Not a chance with this thing guarding us.
DOCTOR: Yes... If only we could create a diversion for a moment.
14, EXT: SANDY CLIFF
(Jamie lobs a rock at the drilling Quark from a short distance away. It stops working and as the machine looks around in confusion, Jamie throws another.)
JAMIE: Take this you wee tin kettle!
(The throws another rock as the Quark spots him and builds up firepower in its w*apon.)
JAMIE: Argh!
(Jamie ducks as a section of cliff to one side of him erupts in a miniature expl*si*n.)
JAMIE: Ah, ya missed me!
(He throws a final rock, then runs. The Quark chases him through a nearby valley f*ring wildly, the force blasts missing Jamie by fractions each time.)
JAMIE: Now Cully!
(High above Cully heaves. A large boulder rolls over the edge of the cliff and down towards the Quark. Moments later it lies under pieces of broken rock, twitching feebly. Its usually chirrupy voice tails off as the smashed power units run down.)
QUARK: QUARK ATT-
15, INT: SAUCER
(On the wall, a Quark-shaped light is blinking on and off as an alarm siren blares.)
TOBA: Another Quark has been destroyed! Quark, follow.
(He exits with the Quark.)
ZOE: Somebody destroyed a Quark? But who?
DOCTOR: Only one person here's strong enough to do that.
ZOE: Jamie! Then he and Cully are alive!
DOCTOR: Yes, alive and kicking by the sound of it! This is just what we needed, now there's no time to waste.
(He rushes up onto the central dais and glances at it.)
ZOE: What are you looking for?
DOCTOR: Well now's our chance to investigate the power unit and-and find out what fuel this ship carries.
ZOE: Well the Quarks use ultrasound. So presumably it must be a fuel capable of producing a high enough energy quotient to sustain an amplifying complex of considerably sophisticated design.
DOCTOR: Yes, must be pretty powerful too.
ZOE: Yes, well that's what...
(She notices his expression and fold her arms snootily.)
ZOE: Well if you don't want my help...
DOCTOR: Oh I do, I do, I do, Zoe!
(He skips around her.)
DOCTOR: Now, where do you think these power cells are located?
(He wanders over to the far wall and Zoe ascends the dais to look it over for herself.)
ZOE: Well if the Quarks do use ultrasound to propel this craft...
DOCTOR: No. Ultrasound has no horsepower, as such.
(He moves to another console and continues to make his examination.)
ZOE: Oh no. Well what do you think they use then? No solid fuel rockets surely.
DOCTOR: No. More-more likely to be electromagnetic - probably produced by... Ah yes!
(He rushes over to a boxy metal column in towards the rear of the chamber. The face of the column is constructed from a clear crystalline material behind which a mass of packed circuitry illuminated from below by a strange ethereal light. Below is a small, blank inspection hatch.)
DOCTOR: Here we are Zoe! Help me to get the inspection cover off.
(They struggle the hatch off and peer at a mass of blazing coils that descend deep into the bowels of the craft.)
DOCTOR: Here we are, now then...
(He frowns.)
DOCTOR: Oh dear.
ZOE: What?
(The Doctor removes a small Geiger counter on a string from his pocket, and lowers down the well. As it goes down the rate of clicks increase.)
ZOE: Atomic fission reactor?
DOCTOR: No... No not exactly. But it's radioactive material of some sort.
(He reels in his device, pockets it and with a click his fingers.)
DOCTOR: Zoe, this is a storage unit! That accounts for the strange disappearance of the radioactivity from the island. This unit sucked it up and stored it!
ZOE: But then why are they drilling out there?
16, EXT: DRILLING SITE
TOBA: A Quark has been destroyed old man, who did it?
BALAN: I don't know.
TOBA: Quark, report.
QUARK: ALIEN att*ck.
TOBA: Who was it?
BALAN: I didn't see, I was here being guarded by your Quark.
(Toba grabs Balan by the shoulder.)
TOBA: Is there a hostile force on this island?
BALAN: No! We have no such...
TOBA: Then who destroyed the Quark?!
BALAN: I don't know...uhh!
(Balan is thrown to the ground, Toba moves to his two Quarks.)
TOBA: Quarks, search the island. Destroy any aliens unaccounted for.
17, INT: COUNCIL CHAMBER
TENSA: To remain passive is in itself a course of action.
BOVEM: Director, Tensa speaks for the emergencies committee. Who else is competent to advise? We must do as he says.
SENEX: Bovem, you say we must do as Tensa says, but that is negative for we can do nothing. This is our tragedy. Perhaps if we were to show these creatures we mean no harm?
SECOND COUNCILLOR: It's always possible that they mean harm to us.
FIRST COUNCILLOR: But why should they? Surely no civilised race would indulge in purposeless v*olence?
(Rago bursts into the chamber to the accompaniment of gasps from the assembled Councillors. Tensa leaps back as the Dominator sweeps through the room carefully taking it all in.)
TENSA: Look!
SECOND COUNCILLOR: What, who?
RAGO: You are the council of this planet?
SENEX: Yes, I am the Director.
RAGO: You control the population?
SENEX: Yes. We presume that...
(Bovem gets up, but Rago simply shoves him aside.)
RAGO: I require information.
BOVEM: If you'd care to make an appointment!
COUNCILLOR TWO: There is, I'm sure, the correct procedure.
RAGO: Listen and obey me!
TENSA: Such discourtesy to our Director is not to be borne!
RAGO: Silence! You will provide me with certain statistics, open your files.
TENSA: Really sir, I must protest!
(Rago regards him as he would a bothersome gnat, his voice dangerously quiet.)
RAGO: Protest? You defy me, you defy a Dominator?
TENSA: Senex is our leader and as such he demands respect!
RAGO: I warn you, a Dominator must be obeyed. Your leader is nothing to me, I respect only one thing - superior force!
(He strides back to Senex.)
RAGO: You will obey my command.
TENSA: Sir you would do better to request rather than command!
RAGO: Silence!
COUNCILLOR ONE: Yes, perhaps if we were to explain the correct Dulcian procedure to you?
COUNCILLOR TWO: After all, your visit doesn't need...
RAGO: I will give you no further warning!
TENSA: I insist that you conduct this meeting in a manner acceptable to the Dulcian...
RAGO: Quark, destroy!
(Tensa screams, slumping to the ground and smoking profusely as Rago's Quark obediently toasts him like an overdone joint of bacon.)
RAGO: I have no wish to repeat such action. Let it serve to teach you that a Dominator must be obeyed without question. You, Director. It will be necessary for you to place at my disposal a certain number of the strongest of your species.
SENEX: You wish our assistance?
(Rago seems amused.)
RAGO: Assistance? You are indeed an ingenuous race. I require slaves! Nothing more, nor less.
SENEX: Slaves, but...
RAGO: Do not defy or question a Dominator, obey! Unless you wish to join your fellow countryman!
SENEX: Had you come here in peace we would have done our utmost to assist you, but...
RAGO: Dominators do not seek assistance - what we need we take!
SENEX: Always by force?
RAGO: If necessary. We control an entire galaxy, our w*r mission is spreading to colonise others. Our Quarks must be released for this task, therefore we must replace their workforce on our home planets.
SENEX: So you require our people as slaves?
RAGO: Yes.
SENEX: So we shall be transported to your planet?
RAGO: Those who are selected will be fortunate, they will be saved.
SENEX: Saved? From what? What of the rest of our people?
RAGO: Enough questions, you will obey my commands! I shall require only the strongest of your species. You will be informed exactly how many I require.
(He points down to the charred cadaver.)
RAGO: Remember, you can be crushed as simply as that if you do not cooperate. Quark follow.
(They exit leaving a bewildered council. Bovem moves to examine Tensa.)
18, EXT: DRILLING SITE
TOBA: A drilling site has been att*cked and a Quark destroyed. Who is responsible?
KANDO: Cully, he must be!
TOBA: What do you know about this?
TEEL: How can we know anything? We've been here working!
TOBA: Silence!
(He grabs Kando and viciously twists her arm.)
TOBA: ...Talk!
TEEL: Leave her alone!
(Toba throws her aside.)
TOBA: Do you dare to defy a Dominator?
TEEL: Just leave her alone!
(Teel rushes towards Toba who casually grabs him and forces him to the floor with sadistic enjoyment.)
TOBA: Obviously you must be taught a lesson! Quarks, target!
(Two Quarks stand to attention.)
KANDO: Oh no!
(Toba holds her back as she attempts to help Teel.)
TOBA: No-one att*cks a Dominator! Quark, power!
(Teel screams and writhes as the machines electrocute him.)
KANDO: Oh stop!
(Toba nods and the Quarks fall silent.)
TOBA: Well, who was it that att*cked and destroyed the Quarks?
KANDO: It must have been Cully.
TOBA: The man Cully is destroyed!
(He grabs her arm.)
KANDO: Then he must have escaped. There's no-one else on the island!
TOBA: Yeah there is! The other stupid one, the boy... Where would he hide?
KANDO: I don't know!
(Toba thinks for a moment, then decides upon a course of action.)
TOBA: Bring these back to the Dominator's craft. Help him! One of you creatures must know where the boy is. And you will tell me. Follow!
(The Quark chatters.)
19, INT: SAUCER
DOCTOR: And Jamie really destroyed another Quark?
BALAN: Yes, I feel sure it was Jamie.
DOCTOR: Yes er, Balan... Oh...er...
(He avoids a menacing Quark as he paces the room.)
DOCTOR: Balan, can you remember where the...where the scientists who exploded that first atomic device got their...got their materials from?
BALAN: Many years ago, but I think that it was somewhere in the Northern hemisphere.
ZOE: That's the other side of the planet. Then why are the Dominators drilling here?
BALAN: Oh they can't drill too deep here because the crust is too thin.
(The Doctor snaps his fingers.)
DOCTOR: But perhaps that's why they've chosen this place! The magma - the molten core of the planet, could that be radioactive?
BALAN: No. If so we'd have been aware of it from the minor eruptions we have from time to time.
ZOE: But this whole operation was to refuel their fleet, but how?
DOCTOR: It's these drill holes that intrigue me. One at each corner of a square, and one directly in the middle. But why, why? Oh!
(He looks up as the door raises with a hum and Toba moves in.)
TOBA: Put them with the others.
(The Quarks move Kando and Teel towards the main group.)
TOBA: Now, I want to know where the other creature is, the boy. The other stupid one. He has destroyed a Quark and defied the Dominators. Where is he?
(Stood in a line with no hope of escape, the group remains silent.)
TOBA: Quark!
(The robot moves into position beside him, its stubby little arms outstretched as if to administer a lethal mechanical hug.)
TOBA: You will die one by one unless you tell me. k*ll!
(The Quark builds up the power and empties its force units into Balan who screams horribly, dying wreathed in a choking fug of his own cooking organs.)
TOBA: You! You're next, you know the boy, where is he?
(The Doctor stands shifting uncomfortably under Toba's harsh gaze. The room is completely still as all assembled including the Quarks watch the Doctor for his reaction.)
TOBA: Answer or you will die! | {"type": "series", "show": "Doctor Who", "episode": "06x04 - The Dominators - part 4"} | foreverdreaming |
The Dominators
Episode Five
By Norman Ashby
Original Air Date: 7 September, 1968
5:15pm - 5:40pm
1, INT: SAUCER
TOBA: Quark, k*ll!
(The robots power units sing with glee as it discharges both its force w*apon into Balan. He gives a horrible scream and falls to the floor, d*ad.)
TOBA: You! You're next, you know the boy, where is he?
(The Doctor faces Toba in silence.)
TOBA: Answer or you will die! Quark..!
RAGO: Toba! What is the meaning of this? Explain!
(Toba turns to see Rago looking at him with a face like thunder.)
TOBA: We were being att*cked and a Quark was destroyed; it was an emergency.
RAGO: Emergency? A few hostile primitives manage to destroy a Quark and you expend time and power chasing them!
TOBA: Don't you see...
RAGO: Why has the drilling stopped? Are you finished?
TOBA: All four perimeter bores are complete!
RAGO: And the centre bore?
TOBA: The centre bore is...
RAGO: Not even started! The Quarks power cells are dangerously low, and yet you send them scuttling all over this island on a pointless search and k*lling harmless aliens!
TOBA: I considered it was my..!
RAGO: Silence! Have the rockets been inserted into the perimeter boreholes yet?
TOBA: No.
RAGO: Do it! Is the seed device at a critical mass?
TOBA: There has not been enough time!
RAGO: Time?! You have jeopardised this most vital part of the Dominator's w*r mission, you will remain on this planet and die with it!
TOBA: Navigator Rago I have been..but..but!
RAGO: You are useless unless you obey the Navigator's orders! Now check that seed device.
(The Doctor skips out of the way as Toba sweeps past him to check a device the size and shape of a silvery ostrich egg, nestled safely within a transparent crystal box.)
ZOE: Oh!
RAGO: Well?
TOBA: Seed device is almost at critical mass.
RAGO: You are fortunate Toba.
(The Doctor stands silent, taking advantage of his "worthless simpleton" status to earwig unchallenged.)
RAGO: Now, time is running short. You must complete the operation with maximum speed. Has there been a reply from fleet leader concerning the potential use of sl*ve labour force?
TOBA: I will check
RAGO: No, I will. Take these aliens and place them under guard. Complete the centre borehole and place rockets in all perimeter holes, understood?
TOBA: Command accepted.
(He moves off.)
RAGO: Recall all Quarks from this ridiculous search and conserve their power. We can afford no more delays.
2, EXT: SANDY PASS
(A pursuing Quark's energy banks giggle as the force w*apon f*re off two rounds that explode in the sand at the heels of Jamie and Cully as they run across the dunes. They run up an incline and over the other side, skidding to a halt as they scan the ground below.)
CULLY: That was too close for comfort, they're all around us.
JAMIE: Aye.
CULLY: Wait a minute, they're leaving I think - look!
(Below them three Quarks solemnly march away.)
JAMIE: Hey you're right. Come on, let's get back to the shelter while there's still a chance.
(They scramble back the way they came)
3, INT: SHELTER
(Jamie and Cully descend the ladder.)
JAMIE: Alright Cully?
CULLY: Yes.
JAMIE: I've unblocked that ventilator shaft, at least we can breathe now.
CULLY: Oh I haven't had so much running about for years! Still, it was worth it.
(Cully collapses on the bunk puffing with exhaustion.)
JAMIE: Aye, we certainly stirred them up didn't we? Anyway, we'll lie low a wee while and then nip out and get us another Quark.
CULLY: Oh, you don't believe in half measures do you?
JAMIE: Well it's important to keep the enemy guessing. Oh I wish we had some food though, I'm fair famished.
CULLY: Hold on, I seem to remember...
JAMIE: What?
(Cully rummages in the nearby storage locker.)
CULLY: Yes, survival kit.
JAMIE: Mm?
CULLY: Goes with the shelter; food, medicines, all that sort of thing.
(He places a box on the nearby table and examines the contents.)
CULLY: Ah!
(He extracts a long waxy slab of pasty nougat-looking comestible.)
JAMIE: Well what's that?
CULLY: Try it.
(Jamie nibbles a corner with obvious distaste.)
CULLY: Basic nutriments. Vitamins, carbohydrates, proteins - you can live on it for years!
JAMIE: Oh, I hope I'll not need to do that. Here did you unblock that periscope?
CULLY: Yes.
JAMIE: Good, let's see if we were followed.
(The periscope gives an ancient creak as he pulls it down from the ceiling and turns it, squinting into the viewer to examine the outside surroundings.)
CULLY: Hey Cully would you look who's here!
(Cully replaces Jamie, and sees the Doctor, Kando, Teel and a Quark.)
JAMIE OOV: Any Quarks?
CULLY OOV: Yes, one.
JAMIE OOV: Uh.
(Cully turns a little more to the left and sees Toba and two more Quarks working the ultrasonic drill.)
CULLY OOV: No there's more...can't quite see but I think they're working at something just outside the building.
JAMIE: Let's have a look.
(He takes Cully's place.)
JAMIE: Aye, they don't seem to have harmed anybody.
CULLY: Well Balan isn't there.
(Jamie folds up the periscope handles and pushes it towards the ceiling.)
JAMIE: Aye, he's probably working somewhere else. Look Cully...
CULLY: What now?
JAMIE: We can't just let them stay up there can we?
CULLY: Well what can we do?
JAMIE: Get them down here with us.
CULLY: But what about the Quarks?
JAMIE: Well we'll...
CULLY: Here we go again! But how?
JAMIE: Ah well, don't know yet. Er...
(He paces the floor chewing his finger in thought, his gaze falling upon the bunk.)
JAMIE: Ah, wait a minute!
(He pulls off the sheet and examines it thoughtfully.)
JAMIE: Ah...yes.
4, EXT: DRILLING SITE
TOBA: Operate!
(The sonic drill glows harshly as the two Quarks divert their fizzing, sparkling energy into it.)
5, EXT: RUINED MUSEUM
(The Doctor, Zoe sit beside one of the remaining walls, beneath the map of the island with the hole neatly lasered into it. In a corner a Quark stands guard over them, Kando and Teel are slouched not far away.)
ZOE: Doctor?
DOCTOR: Mm?
ZOE: What are they doing?
DOCTOR: They're drilling.
ZOE: Well yes, I know that, but what for?
DOCTOR: Mm? I don't think they want to take something out of the earth Zoe, rather put something into it.
ZOE: Well what?
DOCTOR: Well, if I'm right... Oh no!
(The Doctor has seen Jamie's head pop up from the rubble several feet away, with Cully in his wake. Jamie swings a rolled up sheet like a rope, trying to get it over the head of the nearby Quark, but twice he misses. He decides to kneel silently behind the machine and ties the sheet around it's legs. As the Quark burbles to itself Doctor appears from the ruined doorway.)
DOCTOR: Ah, excuse me, I wonder...
QUARK: DO NOT MOVE!
DOCTOR: Oh...oh!
(The Quark tries to walk towards the Doctor, but it's legs don't move. Jamie gives the robot a shove from behind and it keels over pitifully wailing it's alarm cry. As Jamie sits on the robot to keep it from swinging round to sh**t anyone, the Doctor, Zoe and the others rush past.)
JAMIE: Right Cully!
(Cully throws another sheet other the robot's head.)
CULLY: Quick follow me!
JAMIE: Doctor, come! Move on!
CULLY: Quick!
(In moments the others scamper to freedom, a few seconds later Jamie rushes after them.)
6, EXT: DRILLING SITE
TOBA: Cease drilling, a Quark is being att*cked! Follow!
(The two Quarks obey, and they move off. Not far away a hatch in the floor of the ruins silently closes.)
7, INT: SHELTER
(The Doctor descends the ladder.)
8, EXT: RUINED MUSEUM
TOBA: Quarks search and destroy!
(Toba pulls the sheet from around the neck of the Quark and rights it, the alarm stops.)
TOBA: Quark, where are the prisoners?
QUARK: MEMBER OUT OF ACTION, NO RECORDED DATA.
TOBA: They can't be far away, they must be hiding. Quarks, search and destroy!
RAGO: Command countermanded! Why has the drilling stopped again Toba?
TOBA: The prisoners have att*cked a Quark and escaped!
RAGO: And once again you drop everything to hunt them! I have just completed calculating the remaining power levels of the Quark force; thanks to your foolish actions they are dangerously low! All efforts must now be concentrated on completing our mission!
TOBA: And if they att*ck us again?
RAGO: The Quark's power must be conserved. Complete the drilling operation!
TOBA: Command accepted.
RAGO: Toba. The primitives will not go unpunished. Fleet leader has just confirmed the Dulcians are unsuitable for sl*ve labour. They will die with their planet.
TOBA: Good! So the sooner we complete the drilling operations the sooner they will die.
9, INT: SHELTER
(The Doctor and Jamie descend, looking nervously upwards.)
10, EXT: RUINED MUSEUM
TOBA: Quark, follow!
(The Quarks bibble and move back to the drilling site with him. Rago glares curiously around, then follows.)
11, INT: SHELTER
(Jamie steps from the ladder.)
CULLY: They've gone.
DOCTOR: It was very rash of you Jamie, those Quarks are appallingly dangerous.
JAMIE: Och they're not so terrible.
CULLY: You know, we dropped a rock on one earlier.
JAMIE: Aye.
CULLY: Hey where's Balan? Why wasn't he...
TEEL: He's d*ad Cully, the Dominators k*lled him.
CULLY: Oh no! If only we'd managed to get him away too.
KANDO: You did your best Cully.
TEEL: It's thanks to you and Jamie that the rest of us are safe.
(The Doctor looks glum.)
DOCTOR: I'm afraid not. Nowhere on the island is safe; nowhere on the entire planet come to that!
JAMIE: You see we heard the Dominators say that the Dulcians were unsuitable for sl*ve labour.
TEEL: But then they'll leave us in peace!
JAMIE: Well, no. They said you'd all die with your planet.
KANDO: Surely they don't mean to destroy Dulkis completely?
DOCTOR: I'm afraid they do.
TEEL: But why, what do they want?
DOCTOR: A large amount of fuel for their invasion fleet.
ZOE: But we know that there are no minerals worth having, at least not on this side of the planet.
DOCTOR: They're not mining for minerals or any natural fuel source.
ZOE: But their spaceships use atomic power, we've established that.
DOCTOR: But there was no reactor in their ship of theirs, only a radiation storage unit. You remember how, when they landed it sucked up all the radioactive dust from the island.
ZOE: Yes. So you're saying that they store radioactive particles and then convert that energy into power.
DOCTOR: Exactly!
ZOE: But then why are they drilling?
DOCTOR: Look, I'll show you.
(Digging a piece of chalk from his breast pocket he draws four circles in a diamond pattern upon the metal table.)
DOCTOR: There are four drill holes here, here, here and here. And one drill hole in the centre.
(He adds a circle.)
DOCTOR: Now then, they have rockets mounted in each of these drill holes, and the centre hole is probably for that atomic seed device.
JAMIE: Oh.
DOCTOR: W-well don't you see? They've chosen this spot because the crust of the planet is thin.
(He adds a thin strip beneath the diamond pattern.)
DOCTOR: They're going to f*re the rockets through the crust into the magma, the molten core.
(He finishes the diagram by drawing a V-shape down through the crust from the centre hole, and scribbling to indicate the mighty forces of the planetary core.)
ZOE: Then that will almost certainly fracture the crust of the planet.
DOCTOR: Exactly.
ZOE: But that would create a volcano; and if they explode the atomic seed device in the middle of that...
DOCTOR: Yes, that's right Zoe. The whole planet will become one vast molten mass of radioactive material - the fuel store for their fleet!
JAMIE: Well we'll just...have to stop them then.
DOCTOR: Oh Jamie, it's not as simple as that is it? If only I could get hold of that atomic seed device I-I might be able to defuse it.
ZOE: Yes. Then there'd only be a local volcanic eruption on the island.
DOCTOR: Yeah...
ZOE: How can we get to the device?
DOCTOR: Yes, that's the problem.
JAMIE: Doctor, I've just had an idea.
DOCTOR: Shush a minute Jamie, I'm trying to think.
JAMIE: Yes I know that but...
ZOE: Oh Jamie!
CULLY: Will you listen to me?! Now look, there's a d*ad easy way to get that device thing.
ZOE: Really?
JAMIE: Yes! You said they were going to drop it down the centre hole, the one they're drilling outside here.
DOCTOR: Yes.
(He sounds exasperated.)
JAMIE: Well it's simple isn't it? All we've got to do is dig a tunnel through from here to the borehole and catch the seed device thing on it's way down!
(There is a pause.)
JAMIE: Oh, well it was just an idea...
DOCTOR: But Jamie... It's a brilliant idea! It's so simple only you could have thought of it.
JAMIE: Oh!
(He grins, then thinks about the words a little more carefully.)
JAMIE: ...Eh?
ZOE: We can get the direction from the periscope, just line it up with the drilling site.
DOCTOR: Yes, there's only one snag though - could we complete the tunnel in time? It'd have to be twelve feet long or more.
JAMIE: Well Cully and I could delay the Dominators' work up there.
ZOE: How?
JAMIE: Oh, we're getting very good at destroying Quarks aren't we?
CULLY: Yes, certainly seems to stop them working.
DOCTOR: Yes, that's true - but you've been lucky so far. If only I could devise some sort of w*apon for you... Ah, is anything down here, Cully?
CULLY: No, doubt it. Nothing but survival rations and medical kits.
DOCTOR: Medical kit, ooh. It's surprising what you can do with a few simple chemicals and a little ingenuity. Now come on, we must dig this tunnel!
JAMIE: Huh.
DOCTOR: Zoe, give us a direction will you?
ZOE: Right. Er, on a line from...here!
DOCTOR: Right! We start there tunnel there. Get that bunk away come on.
(Teel and Cully move the bunk away from the wall.)
JAMIE: That's it Cully, I'll start it off with a Kn*fe, now... This line here.
(He begins to chip at the concrete with his dirk, to little effect.)
DOCTOR: I think you'd better let me start it, Jamie.
JAMIE: How are you gonna dig through there with your sonic screwdriver?
DOCTOR: A little more than a screwdriver, just watch this.
(As the others look on, he gives his small pencil-torch sized device a twist and aims it at the wall of the shelter. A harsh beam of light issues from the end and the concrete blisters and disintegrates in a neat line.)
TEEL: He's got the technology to do that?
JAMIE: Yes.
KANDO: It's burning straight through!
JAMIE: Aye, the Doctor's very good.
(In moments the hole in the wall is almost cut.)
12, EXT: DRILLING SITE
TOBA: Cease drilling.
RAGO: Report progress.
TOBA: Proceeding as planned. Operation will be completed on schedule.
RAGO: Good. All rockets are now in position, no further sign of the aliens?
TOBA: No.
RAGO: Good. Continue. Inform me when you are ready for the seed device.
TOBA: Command accepted.
13, INT: SHELTER
(Kando and Teel work digging the sandy tunnel beyond the hole in the concrete wall, Jamie and Cully impatiently watch as the Doctor and Zoe add different amounts of medicines and cleaning chemicals to a beaker.)
JAMIE: Oh we can't wait much longer.
CULLY: What's the Doctor trying to do?
JAMIE: I've no idea.
(He approaches the table where the Doctor is working, as Zoe stirs the beaker of suspicious looking browny-grey powder.)
JAMIE: Look Doctor, I-I don't think we should wait you know!
DOCTOR: Hang on Jamie this is ready. Now if this works you should have a good chance of distracting the Quarks, and maybe even destroying one or two of them. Right come on Zoe let's try it.
ZOE: What, in here?
DOCTOR: Yes, in here. There you are. Just a bit.
ZOE: Alright.
(He offers her a small self-sealing vial into which she tips a small amount of the powder.)
DOCTOR: Whoah-whoah, that'll do. Now then Jamie, all you've got to do is to add one of these little number nine pills to each bottle just before you throw it, like that.
(He drops a small white pill into the vial, seals it and raises a cautionary finger.)
DOCTOR: But whatever you do, and this is important, you must throw it before ten seconds have elapsed, otherwise you're liable to blow up with...
JAMIE: Seven...eight... Doctor!
DOCTOR: What? Whoah!
(He tosses the vial into a far corner of the shelter where it erupts violently into a shower of sparks and a puff of smoke. The Doctor laughs delightedly and hops around waving his arms.)
DOCTOR: It works!
JAMIE: You could have blown us all to kingdom come!
DOCTOR: No-no-no Jamie, that was just a small quantity. But with ten times that amount you should have quite a handy little b*mb!
(He grins mischievously around.)
14, EXT: SANDY INCLINE
(Jamie and Cully skid to a halt overlooking two giggling Quarks as they drill.)
JAMIE: Two each side.
CULLY: Yes. Where do we start?
JAMIE: Well one of the Quark's as good as another. Come on.
(The duo move back up the incline until they can see the other side. On narrow pass below three Quarks slowly trudge. Lying low on their vantage point, Jamie motions to Cully who pops a pill into the vial, seals and hands it to Jamie who in turn throws it at the path of the metal trio.)
JAMIE: Two...three...four...five...
(With an enormous crump the expl*sive goes off seconds too early. The centre Quark is knocked backwards by the expl*si*n, teeters on it's legs and collapses wailing it's distress siren.)
JAMIE: Not quite. Quick, another one!
(The Quarks move to examine their fallen sister. Cully hands Jamie another vial which he tosses into the middle of the static target. There is a titanic expl*si*n and all three Quarks are instantly rent to smithereens leaving little more than a few robot parts and smoking metal feet.)
JAMIE: That's it! Quick, round the other side.
15, INT: SAUCER
(On the wall of the saucer, the illuminated display of the active Quarks begins to wail in a warning siren. One of the Quark symbols begins to flicker. Rago descends the central dais and examines the atomic seed device in it's protective casing. There is a distant sound of an expl*si*n and two more Quark emergency lights begin to wail and flicker. Rago stalks from the saucer with a m*rder look.)
16, EXT: DRILLING SITE
(Toba hears the expl*si*n and excitedly leaps into action.)
TOBA: Cease drilling. Quarks, search and des...
(But after a moments thought he scowls.)
TOBA: Wait! Continue working.
17, INT: SHELTER
(Zoe has been watching Toba through the periscope.)
ZOE: They've started again.
DOCTOR: Oh dear, it's obviously going to take quite a disturbance to stop them drilling. Er, Teel?
(He moves to the hole in the wall.)
DOCTOR: Teel, how far have you got?
TEEL: A little bit further than my own length.
DOCTOR: Teel, come out and take a rest. Zoe, your turn. Come on.
ZOE: I hope Jamie and Cully are alright.
(The sound of an expl*si*n is heard not too far away and the Doctor chuckles.)
DOCTOR: Sounds as though they're having great fun.
18, EXT: SANDY CLIFF
(Jamie and Cully run along the top, and round a twisting path that leads a little way down. Staying close to the sharp bank of sand, Jamie throws another vial into three more Quarks as they march below. They burble to themselves, but continue to advance. Another expl*si*n goes off to the left, but they ignore it)
19, EXT: DRILLING SITE
(Rago approaches.)
TOBA: Cease drilling.
RAGO: Two more Quarks have been destroyed.
TOBA: You should have let me destroy the aliens!
RAGO: Silence! We have eight Quarks left, but their power levels are very low. Do your two Quarks have sufficient power to complete the drilling?
TOBA: Quarks check power levels and report.
QUARK ONE: POWER LEVEL TWO UNITS ONLY
QUARK TWO: POWER LEVEL FIVE UNITS ONLY
TOBA: Equalise.
(The two Quarks grip each other by the claws and in a rippling burst they even their power.)
TOBA: They will have enough for drilling.
RAGO: Good. Continue operations.
(Rago stalks off.)
20, EXT: SANDY INCLINE
JAMIE: They've started drilling again! Look, we've got to stop them somehow.
CULLY: Now that's going to be tricky.
JAMIE: I know, but the others need more time! Come on.
21, INT: SHELTER
(Kando and Teel help Zoe as she struggles from the hole in the wall.)
ZOE: Oh...ooh, we must be merely six feet or so from the borehole, I can hear their drill.
DOCTOR: Yes, but they must be nearly finished by now!
TEEL: Right, I'll take another turn.
ZOE: Any sign of Jamie and Cully?
DOCTOR: No, still up there. Unfortunately they're taking a bit...
(There is a far louder sound of an expl*sive blast, and the whole shelter shakes. Zoe squeals and clutches the Doctor who seems more amused than anything.)
DOCTOR: Whoah-ho-ho!
ZOE: That was close!
(The Doctor grins up at the ceiling as Zoe moves to the periscope.)
DOCTOR: Yes.
(Looking through the periscope Zoe sees the drill has turned over and squashed one of the Quarks which is belching a pall of fresh smoke. The blast also seems to have thrown Toba to the ground.)
ZOE OOV: I think they've att*cked the drilling Quark!
KANDO OOV: Has the drilling stopped?
ZOE OOV: I think...yes!
KANDO OOV: Oh!
22, EXT: DRILLING SITE
RAGO: Toba!
(Toba scrambles to his feet.)
TOBA: Ah, these primitives again! You see what damage they're doing with their primitive expl*sives? We must destroy them!
RAGO: Replace the Quark! Continue operation! You will not be interrupted anymore. I will personally destroy these primitives. Quark, follow!
(Rago's Quark bibbles and obeys.)
23, EXT: SANDY PASS
(Cully and Jamie run along the pass, straight into the path of two Quarks.)
JAMIE: Back!
(They rush back, but run into three capturing them in a pincer movement.)
CULLY: It's no good! Trapped.
JAMIE: Up here. Quarks can't climb - I hope.
(They desperately climb up the bank as Rago joins the three Quarks.)
RAGO: Quarks, destroy.
(Two expl*si*n of force rip past Jamie and Cully as they climb.)
RAGO: Recharge force units. Reason for failure?
QUARK: POWER LEVELS LOW. DISTANCE TOO GREAT FOR ACCURATE AIM.
RAGO: Keep order. Destroy.
(Cully cries out as he gets h*t by the force charge.)
JAMIE: Right Cully, I think we're safe now.
CULLY: Wait! It's my arm, I can't move it, nor my leg. You'd better leave me behind.
JAMIE: Now don't be ridiculous, I'll give you help.
CULLY: Those Quarks will be after us in no time!
JAMIE: Aye. How many of those b*mb have you got left?
(Rago stares up at Jamie and Cully in the distance.)
RAGO: Quarks, form a flank movement round this area. Disperse.
(The lead robot chitters as they move to obey.)
24, INT: SHELTER
(Teel carries off a sheet full of sand and the Doctor emerges from the hole.)
ZOE: Doctor, they've started drilling again! The blast didn't destroy that Quark and Toba's managed to get the drill working again!
DOCTOR: Yes, I know, I can hear it up there. We must be pretty near. Ssh.
(The Doctor looks worried for a moment and the all rush to the ladder as they see the hatch moving open.)
JAMIE: Doctor, help him, he's hurt!
(As they see Jamie's face they give a collective sigh and spring into action.)
DOCTOR: What happened?
JAMIE: He was h*t by a Quark, lucky for him its power levels were low.
DOCTOR: My word, lucky indeed! Come along, down you come. That's right Cully. Get over to the bunk, get the table out of the way. Here...there we are, it's all right Cully. Sit down, mind your head. There we are, there...now then.
CULLY: My arm seems to be paralysed.
DOCTOR: Can you move your fingers?
(He manages a feeble movement from his battered arm.)
DOCTOR: Ah...you're lucky. I think it's only temporary paralysis.
CULLY: Oh don't worry about me; get on with the tunnel.
DOCTOR: Thanks to you and Jamie it's nearly finished.
(Zoe has been looking through the periscope.)
ZOE: Doctor, I think the Dominators have finished drilling too.
DOCTOR: What?! We've still got a few feet left!
(He rushes over and leaps into the hole.)
25, EXT: DRILLING SITE
RAGO: Have you finished?
TOBA: Yes, just completed.
RAGO: Good! I shall enjoy destroying this planet and its creatures. Get the seed device, we will delay no longer!
26, INT: SHELTER
(The Doctor, Kando and Teel gaze into the tunnel.)
DOCTOR: Can you see the borehole yet Jamie?
JAMIE: Ceiling keeps caving in.
(Zoe turns the periscope slightly.)
ZOE: They're back! Toba's bringing the seed device.
DOCTOR: Oh dear.
JAMIE: I'm through!
27, EXT: SAUCER
RAGO: You will recall all Quarks from their positions and prepare the craft for take off.
TOBA: Command accepted.
RAGO: I will insert the seed device. Prime the rockets at perimeter boreholes.
TOBA: Command accepted.
RAGO: I would soon see this planet die and it's creatures with it.
TOBA: Shall I report to fleet leader?
RAGO: Inform him the Dominator fleet may approach, and it refuel in orbit.
TOBA: Command accepted. Quark, follow.
(The robot giggles and trails behind.)
28, INT: SHELTER
(Zoe is still at the periscope, the Doctor has replaced Jamie on the tunnel.)
ZOE: Quickly Doctor, he's taking the device out of it's case now. Oh Jamie, he'll be too late! He's putting it in now.
(She watches Rago pause for a moment, then drop the seed device into the hole.)
ZOE: It's gone!
(Zoe rushes to join to the others assembled around the hole.)
DOCTOR OOV: Oh...ooh!
JAMIE: Doctor, have you caught it?
ZOE: Oh Doctor!
TEEL: Great tunnelling Doctor!
JAMIE: Quick, out. Well?
(The Doctor scrambles out of the hole. Moments later he withdraws the primed thermonuclear device from within his jacket as if it were nothing more than a football. There is the sound of sighs and relived laughter as the silvery egg in his hands continues to hum ominously.)
KANDO: Oh thank goodness!
(She moves over to happily link arms with Teel.)
TEEL: We're saved then!
DOCTOR: Now that's just it. I've still got to defuse it before they explode it. Oh. Oho-ho my word!
(He turns the device over in his hands.)
ZOE: What?
DOCTOR: Well it's sealed, it's completely sealed! I can't possibly undo it!
JAMIE: You mean all that was for nothing? W-we're still gonna get blown up?!
DOCTOR: Yes I'm afraid so, unless I can think of some way of getting it off the planet without a...
JAMIE: H-h-have you thought of something?
DOCTOR: Well there is a way of getting it off the planet without it doing any harm to any of us at all...
(He looks thoughtful.)
ZOE: Well how?
DOCTOR: Ha! But it's not going to be easy...
JAMIE: W-what're you gonna do?
DOCTOR: Now just leave it to me Jamie, mm? You and Zoe go back to the TARDIS. Teel take Kando and Cully and get them to the capsule and go to the Capitol. Tell them that there'll be a minor volcanic eruption, but with any luck nothing more violent.
JAMIE: But what're you going to..?
DOCTOR: Now-now-now there isn't time Jamie! Now come along!
(They all rush towards the ladder.)
29, EXT: SAUCER
RAGO: Is all prepared?
TOBA: Yes, just two more Quarks to arrive.
RAGO: Start take off procedure.
TOBA: Command accepted!
(They move through the open doorway.)
30, EXT: SANDY PLAIN
(The Doctor runs flat out across the island, once or twice almost dropping the deadly seed device.)
31, EXT: SAUCER
(As the last Quark is embarking the Doctor sneakily nips in behind it, unseen. Silently, he places the seed device down with great care on the floor of the ship, just inside the inner door. As he pauses to admire his handiwork he almost gets caught on board as the external doors close, but manages to struggle through.)
32, INT: SAUCER
(Rago and Toba are at the consoles of their ship, too engrossed in their tasks to notice anything else.)
TOBA: All Quarks now accounted for.
RAGO: Power level?
TOBA: Capacity for lift off.
RAGO: Electromagnetic field, contact!
TOBA: All systems functioning.
RAGO: Proceed with lift off!
33, MODEL sh*t: SAUCER
(Glinting dully in the afternoon sun, the silvery saucer lifts off from the planets surface in a blast of dust, the spindly legs retracting as it soars high into the air.)
34, EXT: EASTERN ROCKFACE
(Jamie and Zoe are nervously standing by the doorway waiting for the end of the island.)
ZOE: Oh where is he?
JAMIE: The Dominator's ship, it's away!
ZOE: Oh!
JAMIE: Oh where's the Doctor?
(The Doctor cannons into them from behind, skidding to a halt and panting heavily from running all the way to and from the Dominators' ship.)
ZOE: Doctor!
JAMIE: Hey, where's the b*mb thing?
ZOE: Oh, did you get rid of it?
JAMIE: Oh where is it?
DOCTOR: Y'askmanyquestionz...there's no time.
JAMIE: What?
(Long whistle like a steam train as jets of gas f*re from the perimeter boreholes.)
ZOE: What's that?
DOCTOR: It's the rockets in the other perimeter holes. Come along we'd better get inside the TARDIS there's going to be an almight...Whoah-ohhh!
JAMIE: Oh!
ZOE: Umph!
(A sudden earthquake knocks them all to the ground.)
35, INT: SAUCER
(As the ship banks slightly to escape the atmosphere Rago observes the seed device roll across the floor with rising horror.)
RAGO: Toba! Stop the countdown.
TOBA: Impossible, countdown has already started!
RAGO: OBEYYY!
36, MODEL sh*t: SAUCER
(Having just escaped the atmosphere of Dulkis, the Dominator saucer explodes harmlessly in a radioactive flash of smoke and flame.)
37, EXT: EASTERN ROCKFACE
JAMIE: Doctor come on will ye, the whole place is gonna blow up!
DOCTOR: Oh it's quite alright Jamie, the planet is quite safe, there's only going to be a localised eruption - it'll only affect the island.
(He beams idly on.)
JAMIE: Maybe so, but we happen to be on the island!
DOCTOR: Oh my word! Oh-oh!
(They both rush for the door of the TARDIS as creamy rivers of molten rock gush and bubble their way hungrily towards them...) | {"type": "series", "show": "Doctor Who", "episode": "06x05 - The Dominators - part 5"} | foreverdreaming |
THE MIND ROBBER
By DERRICK SHERWIN
Episode 1
Original Air Date: 14 September 1968
5:20pm - 5:40pm
JUST OUTSIDE THE TARDIS
(The sound of an expl*si*n.)
(The Doctor is standing just outside the TARDIS doors with his back to them, looking off to the left, mopping his face with a handkerchief. He is in his usual outfit of checked trousers, white shirt and dark jacket. One of the doors is open, and Jamie is standing in the doorway with a hand on the Doctor's shoulder and his mouth hanging open as he looks off to the right. He is wearing his kilt as usual and a light-colored button-front shirt and a vest, with a kerchief knotted around his neck.)
(Jamie glances at the Doctor, seeing that he is looking elsewhere. He grips the Doctor's shoulder and shakes it in rising panic.)
JAMIE: Come on Doctor, will you look!
(He points off to the right.)
(The Doctor stuffs his handkerchief into the breast pocket of his jacket and looks in the direction Jamie has pointed. Lava is rolling steadily downhill toward them. The Doctor's eyes grow big in alarm.)
DOCTOR: Oh my word! Come on Jamie, into the TARDIS! Quickly!
(He pushes Jamie through the doorway and follows him in.)
TARDIS CONTROL ROOM
(The lava is continuing its steady and speedy approach.)
(The Doctor hesitates inside the TARDIS, looking over his shoulder to glance at the lava through the doors, fascinated, then rushes to the console where Jamie has activated the control to close the doors.)
(Zoe watches the lava on the scanner, fascinated. She is in a sleeveless dress, and both she and the dress are smudged liberally with dirt.)
ZOE: Isn't it beautiful?
(Jamie walks over to Zoe.)
JAMIE: Hey?
(She turns to look at him.)
ZOE: The volcanic eruption. It's beautiful!
(She looks back to the scanner.)
JAMIE: Beautiful?! A great river of molten lava rolling any minute...
DOCTOR: Shush! Shush just a minute! Quiet! Oh! Oh dear!
(Jamie and Zoe rush over to the Doctor at the console.)
JAMIE: (Concerned.) Something wrong?
DOCTOR: Well, this sort of thing has happened before. The... the fluid links don't seem to be able to take the load. Oh! Oh!
(Smoke is suddenly coming from the TARDIS console, and the Doctor starts fanning it away. Jamie and Zoe start fanning at the smoke.)
ZOE: Oh! Mercury vapours!
DOCTOR: Yes. (Coughs.)
JAMIE: Well we can't stay here. We'll be buried by that lava. (He glances at the scanner.) It's nearly on us. Look!
(They all look to the scanner. Lava is advancing.)
DOCTOR: (Enthralled, smiling.) Oh my word. What a wonderful sight!
ZOE: (Agreeing, smiling.) Fantastic.
JAMIE: Listen, will you two stop gaping at that and get us out of here!
DOCTOR: Don't worry, Jamie. We're safe in the TARDIS.
(He continues to watch the lava on the scanner, fascinated.)
JAMIE: Are you sure?
DOCTOR: (Starting to think.) Well...
JAMIE: Well, I mean, has the TARDIS ever been buried up to its neck in lava before?
DOCTOR: (Looking increasingly concerned and thoughtful.) Well... no.
JAMIE: Well, how can you be so sure were going to be alright?!
DOCTOR: (Flustered, unsure. He turns back to the controls.) Well... perhaps the fluid links have cooled down by now.
(He starts flipping switches on the console.)
DOCTOR: (Muttering under his breath.) Just a bit more power.
(Jamie starts to wring his hands nervously.)
DOCTOR: Uh... Zoe... uh. Can you read off what that... uh... that meter is registering please?
ZOE: Reading... 987 point 3...
DOCTOR: Yes.
(Jamie starts to wring his hands again.)
ZOE: ...point 4...
DOCTOR: Uh..
ZOE: ...5...
DOCTOR: Oh no.
ZOE: ...6...
(Her jaw drops and her eye get wide.)
ZOE: It's jumped to 991 point... it's going up by numerals!
DOCTOR: Oh no!
(The Doctor is struggling with a control on the console. Smoke is pouring from the console again. Jamie is fanning at the smoke with both hands and starts coughing.)
DOCTOR: Oh! This dumb thing's stuck! Of all the stupid idiotic...!
(The Doctor fans the smoke with one hand. They are all coughing. Jamie looks up at the scanner.)
JAMIE: Doctor!
(He points to the image on the scanner.)
JAMIE: The lava's up to the TARDIS!
(He starts to cough again.)
ZOE: (OOV.) It's reached the thousand danger mark Doctor!
(The Doctor is still struggling with the control on the console.)
DOCTOR: If only I could unstick this stupid idiotic...
(It finally gives.)
DOCTOR: (With obvious relief.) Oh there we are. Oh.
ZOE: Have you done it?
DOCTOR: No but...
ZOE: Are we on our way?
DOCTOR: I've stopped the fluid links from vaporizing. We shan't suffocate.
JAMIE: No, but if you don't hurry up and get us out of here, we'll be fried by that lava.
ZOE: Well, isn't there any way we can get away?
DOCTOR: (Considering.) Well there is an emergency unit, but... oh no, I can't possibly use that.
ZOE: But this is an emergency!
DOCTOR: But it moves the TARDIS out of the time space dimension! Out of reality!
JAMIE: Well fine!
(He looks back at the scanner.)
JAMIE: Reality's getting too hot anyway!
DOCTOR: (Flustered.) Oh... ah... oh alright!
(He goes underneath the console and opens a door, and pulls something out of a compartment there.)
DOCTOR: Here we are!
(He looks it over, one end, then the other.)
DOCTOR: Now then... which end was... yes...
(He starts to push it into a slot in the console, but stops abruptly. His hand is still resting on the emergency unit.)
DOCTOR: No. I... I can't possibly use this. We don't know what will happen!
JAMIE: Look, will you stop this jabbering and get on with it! Look!
(He points to the scanner where the lava is covering the view. He puts his hand over the Doctor's and pushes the device into the console. The sound of the TARDIS dematerializing is heard, but it sounds distorted, grating. The TARDIS is shaking. Jamie clutches the Doctor in terror as they all look around, waiting to see what will happen.)
JUST OUTSIDE THE TARDIS
(The outside of the TARDIS is covered in lava, except for the light and the very top panel. The light is flashing, and the lava continues to flow. The lava covers the entire TARDIS.)
TARDIS CONTROL ROOM
(Jamie is still clutching the Doctor fearfully. The shaking and the dematerializing sound stop.)
JAMIE: Oh! There you are. We're alright. What was the panic all about?
(The Doctor, staring at the scanner, motions to Zoe.)
DOCTOR: Is there any reading on the meter Zoe?
ZOE: Yes it's...
(She looks down at the meter in disbelief.)
ZOE: Well, that's funny. There's no reading at all.
DOCTOR: I know. (Looking over the console.) None of the meters are registering. Not one.
(Jamie walks over to the Doctor and Zoe.)
JAMIE: Ah, but we're safe aren't we? I mean, we're out of the lava stuff and we're alright here.
DOCTOR: (He looks concerned, subdued.) Yes, possibly. I'd better get working on the TARDIS controls right away.
(He starts to turn away.)
ZOE: Uh... Doctor?
DOCTOR: Mmm?
ZOE: We're not actually in flight, are we?
DOCTOR: No, why?
ZOE: Well, then presumably we've landed. So why isn't the scanner showing anything?
DOCTOR: (Looking grave.) Well... because... well... we're nowhere. It's as simple as that. I'll be in the power room Jamie.
JAMIE: Oh, right.
(He watches the Doctor leave the control room, and approaches Zoe.)
JAMIE: Hey! What does he mean by "nowhere"?
ZOE: I don't know. I suppose he means that outside the TARDIS now is... nothing.
JAMIE: Oh.
ZOE: Just nothing.
JAMIE: Hunh. Well, I'm away to change. And I suggest you do the same.
(He looks at her up and down with disdain.)
JAMIE: You look like a wee McLarty
ZOE: A what?!
JAMIE: A... a... ragamuffin... uh, oh never mind.
(He walks away, and looking puzzled she walks away as well. The scanner is still showing nothing.)
TARDIS POWER ROOM
(Zoe walks into the room in a dark, glittering cat suit.)
ZOE: Doctor?
DOCTOR: (Alarmed) Wh-Wh-What's happened?!
ZOE: Oh, nothing. It's all exactly the same.
DOCTOR: Oh good, good.
ZOE: You're worried about something, Doctor. What is it?
DOCTOR: Me? Worried? No. No. It's only the unknown that worries me Zoe.
ZOE: But if there's nothing outside the TARDIS, and we're nowhere, then what is there to worry about?
DOCTOR: I don't know, but you see, the emergency unit is limited to a certain time simply because it's...
ZOE: ...because it's dangerous to stay where we are for any longer. Yes. But we must be safe at the moment, otherwise the unit wouldn't let us stay here, would it?
DOCTOR: (Bemused.) You're interested in what's outside the TARDIS now, aren't you?
ZOE: Well... curious, yes.
DOCTOR: Zoe. Listen to me. If we move outside the TARDIS, we step into a dimension about which we know nothing. We should be at the mercy of the forces outside time and space as we know it.
ZOE: But Doctor, I still think we should go out and see...
DOCTOR: (Sternly.) Zoe, we must stay in the TARDIS.
TARDIS CONTROL ROOM
(Jamie has changed clothes, and is now wearing his usual kilt, a dark short-sleeve mock turtleneck and the same scruffy, warm-looking vest as before. He is watching the scanner. He can hear bagpipes playing. His mouth gapes open in joy and amazement. He can see the hills of the Highlands. He is smiling. There is a tear in his eye.)
ZOE: (Striding into the room.) He still has his head stuck in that...
(She sees the look on Jamie's face and stops.)
JAMIE: Zoe! Do you see that?! Do you see where we are?!
ZOE: What?
JAMIE: Look on the scanner! (He points to it excitedly.) It's my home! It's Scotland!
ZOE: Scotland?!
(She turns to look at the scanner.)
JAMIE: Aye!
(He looks back to the scanner. There is nothing there.)
JAMIE: Oh. It was there.
ZOE: (Sounding skeptical.) Oh... yeh.
(She walks over to the console.)
JAMIE: Now look...
(He walks over to her.)
JAMIE: I'm not seeing things you know. It was there I tell you.
ZOE: Really?
JAMIE: Aye. The... the mist must have covered it over. Aye. You get a lot of mist in the Highlands.
ZOE: So you think we've landed then?
JAMIE: Yes! I mean I... I couldn't... (Gesturing to the scanner.) have seen anything, could I... Oh, just a minute.
ZOE: What?
(He starts looking over the TARDIS console.)
JAMIE: There's a wee gadget on here somewhere that... warns you to go elsewhere if there's any danger... No! No, it's definitely switched off! We've landed!
ZOE: (Turning away from him.) Well, I think it's more likely that you saw...
(She is staring at the scanner as if she can't believe her eyes. She sees a futuristic sprawling city.)
ZOE: It can't be, Jamie...
JAMIE: (Looking at the console.) Aye. It's switched off alright.
ZOE: It's the city. My home. (Turning excitedly to Jamie at the console.) Jamie you did see something, but it wasn't Scotland!
JAMIE: Of course it was. Look, I know Scotland when I see it!
ZOE: And I know my home city. Anyway, there's your proof. (Gesturing towards the scanner.)
(The scanner is blank. There is nothing there.)
JAMIE: Uh hunh.
ZOE: But I don't understand. It was there.
JAMIE: Yeah, I know. Scotland.
ZOE: Nooo. It was quite plainly... Oh! Anyway, we've both seen something, so that proves we've landed, doesn't it?
JAMIE: Yes.
ZOE: Well, let's go out and see.
(Zoe moves to walk past Jamie and leave the TARDIS. Jamie puts his hand on her shoulder to prevent her, and makes a sound of disagreement.)
JAMIE: (Firmly.) Now, not without the Doctor.
ZOE: (Frustrated and disgusted.) Oh, alright.
JAMIE: Aye.
(He leaves to get the Doctor. Zoe looks up at the scanner... and sees the image of her home, the futuristic city again.)
ZOE: (Excitedly.) It tis! Jamie! Doctor! It tis my home!
(She looks in the direction Jamie and the Doctor have left by, not seeing them.)
ZOE: (Impatiently.) Oh come on!
(She hurries to the console.)
ZOE: Now which one...
(She looks over several levers and pushes one. The TARDIS doors slowly open, revealing white nothing beyond. Terribly tempted, but unsure, she looks back to see if the Doctor and Jamie are coming, but they're not.)
ZOE: Oh come on!
(She looks toward the open doors, hesitates, then hurries through them and is swallowed up by the void. The picture on the scanner remains for a moment after she has disappeared, then it too disappears.)
TARDIS POWER ROOM
JAMIE: No, we definitely saw something!
DOCTOR: But Jamie, it's not p... (Considering.) You say you both saw different things?
JAMIE: No! It was definitely Scotland. Zoe thought she saw something else, a... home city or something, but no, it was very misty and she couldn't ha'
seen right.
DOCTOR: So you both saw your homes.
JAMIE: No, Doctor! I'm saying...
(The Doctor had turned to leave the room.)
JAMIE: Aww.
(Jamie gives up in disgust and follows the Doctor.)
TARDIS CONTROL ROOM
DOCTOR: Zoe!
(He sees that the room is empty and the doors are open.)
DOCTOR: Oh my word!
JAMIE: Where is she?
(The Doctor rushes to the TARDIS doors with Jamie following.)
DOCTOR: Zoe! Zoe! Uh!
JAMIE: (Annoyed.) Oh! I told her to wait. I'll go and get her.
(He starts to walk past the Doctor to go after Zoe.)
DOCTOR: No! Jamie!
(He stops Jamie from leaving too.)
DOCTOR: Don't you see?! Those pictures that you and Zoe saw... on the scanner were put there... obviously put there to tempt you to go outside.
JAMIE: But wh-why?
DOCTOR: I don't know...
(He looks through the open doors.)
DOCTOR: ...but there's someone or something out there that wants us to go out of the TARDIS.
JAMIE: You mean some kind of danger?
DOCTOR: I don't know.
(A bell-like warning sounds and a light flashes on the console.)
DOCTOR: Oh. Oh no! That's the first warning.
(He rushes to the console with Jamie right behind him.)
DOCTOR: There isn't much more time.
JAMIE: What about Zoe? We can't leave her out there. I'll go and find her.
(He runs through the door before the Doctor can stop him, disappearing.)
DOCTOR: No! Jamie! No!
(He runs to the doorway, staring into the nothingness, hoping for a sign of him.)
DOCTOR: JAMIE! JAMIE!
(The bell-like warning starts to sound again, though now sounding more urgent. The Doctor turns to look back at the console.)
DOCTOR: Oh. Oh no!
(He glances at the white void outside the TARDIS, then to the console again. He hurries to the console. He then hears a high pitched discordant noise getting louder and starts looking around the room for the source of it. He puts his hands over his ears. The alarm stops.)
DOCTOR: Who are you?!
(The noise seems to lessen and the Doctor starts to lower his hands from his ears. But then the noise intensifies and his hands fly back to cover his ears, trying to block the sound out.)
DOCTOR: Who are you?! Where are you?! What do you want with me?!
(He sits in a chair.)
DOCTOR: No! No! I... I must fight. I must fight!
(He grips the arms of the chair and closes his eyes tightly in concentration.)
DOCTOR: I will fight!
WHITE VOID
ZOE: (OOV.) Jamie! Doctor! Where are you?
(She is in the distance running, then stops, looking around.)
JAMIE: (OOV) Zoe! Zoe!
(He appears and jogs over to Zoe.)
ZOE: Oh Jamie, I though I was lost for good.
JAMIE: Aye. (Looking around.) It's funny out here isn't it? It's... not the mist that we thought it was. It's uh...
ZOE: Opaque. Nothing.
JAMIE: Aye.
ZOE: Just like the Doctor said.
JAMIE: Doesn't feel right though. Come on. Back to the TARDIS.
(He steps forward in the direction he has come from, pulling Zoe with him as they are now hand in hand. Zoe resists.)
ZOE: Is that the right way?
JAMIE: Course that's the right...
(He looks in the direction Zoe had come from.)
JAMIE: ...way... Oh... Yeh... Uh... No it could be um...
(He looks back in the direction he's come from and had been about to go.)
JAMIE: Oh.
(And looks back in the other direction again.)
ZOE: We're lost aren't we?
JAMIE: No... No, I wouldn't say that...
(But it is clear he doesn't know which way to go.)
JAMIE: uh... we just uh... well, we um...
(He walks a few steps in the direction Zoe has come from and stops.)
JAMIE: We just eh...
(He looks back at Zoe, reluctant to admit it.)
JAMIE: Uh...
(He peers in one direction and then looks back at Zoe.)
JAMIE: Uh. You want to know something?
ZOE: What?
JAMIE: I think we're lost.
ZOE: (Sounding stern and frightened.) Oh this isn't a joke, Jamie.
JAMIE: Oh... no you're right.
(Hesitating in front of Zoe, he take several steps past her, to once again look in the direction he has come.)
JAMIE: The Doctor was saying that those... images we saw in the scanner were... put here to tempt us out.
ZOE: Well, if there was somebody trying to tempt us away, where are they? And who are they?
JAMIE: Aye. Aye! Well, let's not be in too much of a hurry to find out, hey?
ZOE: But what are we going to do?
JAMIE: The TARDIS can't be that far away. No! If we stand here and shout for the Doctor, when he hears us he can guide us back. Doctor!
ZOE: Doctor! Can you hear us?
TARDIS CONTROL ROOM
(The Doctor is still sitting in the chair, holding onto its arms with his eyes closed.)
JAMIE: (OOV) Doctor!
ZOE: (OOV) Doctor!
JAMIE: (OOV.) Answer if you can hear us?!
DOCTOR: (Thinking to himself as Jamie and Zoe's voices are in the background.) {No. I will fight. I will fight!}
WHITE VOID
(Zoe is running, trying to find the TARDIS. She stops and looks around. Jamie comes to a halt behind her.)
ZOE: Oh Jamie. This is hopeless. We could be going round in circles.
JAMIE: Aye. You know, I've got the funny feeling that we're being watched. Do you not feel it too?
ZOE: Yes.
(Two white robots appear a little distance behind Jamie and Zoe, but neither Jamie nor Zoe see them.)
JAMIE: Can you see anyone?
ZOE: No. No one at all.
(Looking around slowly, she looks behind them.)
ZOE: Jamie! Look!
(He turns to look.)
JAMIE: What tis it?
ZOE: I-It's very faint... but I think it's my home again!
JAMIE: (Sounding almost angry.) Zoe! It's a trick! Now you know it tis?
(Standing behind her, his hands have her firmly by the upper arms, keeping her from going toward her "home".)
ZOE: Oh Jamie. It's gone!
JAMIE: Well that proves it, doesn't it? A city like that doesn't just disappear, does it?
ZOE: But it is out there!
JAMIE: (With his hands on her upper hands, adding impact to his words.) It's not Zoe! You know it tisn't!
ZOE: No. I know. But for a moment I thought it was real. It was almost as though I was seeing what I most wanted to see.
(She shudders and looks around.)
ZOE: Oh Jamie. alright. We've got to get away.
(She looks back to Jamie, but he is standing completely still, staring into space, mesmerized.)
ZOE: Jamie?
(Jamie can hear the sound of bagpipes, and sees the green and hills of his Highlands once again.)
ZOE: Jamie! It's not real!
JAMIE: I know... but it's there...
ZOE: No Jamie! It's not!
(She stands in front of him, grabbing his shoulders.)
JAMIE: ...I must...
ZOE: (Shaking him by his shoulders.) No! Jamie no!
(Desperate, she slaps him. He recoils, holding his hand to the side of his face staring at Zoe.)
JAMIE: Oh! What did you...?
(They both stare for a moment in the same direction Jamie has been a moment before.)
ZOE: Oh, the Doctor's right. There is something or someone trying to tempt us away.
JAMIE: ...aye...
(Jamie takes Zoe by the hand and they turn around to leave. They stop immediately, having taken only a step. There are white robots coming towards them.)
JAMIE: ...what are they?...
ZOE: I don't know. But they don't look very friendly.
(They try to run away but are surrounded. They see an image of themselves clothed entirely in white. Zoe screams. The white clad smiling Zoe and Jamie beckon.)
TARDIS CONTROL ROOM
(Zoe and Jamie, clothed in white, beckon soundlessly to the Doctor. He is sitting in the chair with his hands gripping the arms of the chair, a look of strain and concentration on his face.)
DOCTOR: {Jamie! Zoe! Don't go! Don't go!}
UNKNOWN VOICE: Follow them. Follow and save them.
(The Doctor's eyes warily open, and he lets his hands off the arms of the chair, raising them to his ears.)
DOCTOR: {Who are you? What do you want?}
UNKNOWN VOICE: Follow them.
DOCTOR: No. I won't. I won't give in.
UNKNOWN VOICE: You will. You will. You will.
WHITE VOID
(Jamie and Zoe are being att*cked by the white robots who are directing a beam of hypnotic-like power at them, affecting their minds, their very existence.
Zoe screams.)
TARDIS CONTROL ROOM
(The Doctor is standing with his eyes closed and a hand to the side of his head, in pain and concentration.)
UNKNOWN VOICE: There is still time. Save them. Save them!
DOCTOR: {I can't let it happen. I can't.}
(Wincing, the Doctor starts to walk toward the open TARDIS doors, no longer able to resist.)
WHITE VOID
(The Doctor emerges from the TARDIS and into the nothing. He turns to look back at the TARDIS. It has turned white. He looks out into the void.)
DOCTOR: Jamie! Zoe!
(He sees them standing motionless, all in white.)
DOCTOR: (OOV.) {Jamie. Zoe. Concentrate only on my words. Think of me. Think of the TARDIS. They are the only real things here. Everything else is unreality. It is only in your minds. Now, concentrate. Come to me now. Now!}
(The now white-clad, zombie-like Jamie and Zoe start to move forward. A white robot is behind them.)
DOCTOR: Walk straight to the TARDIS. Don't stop!
(Jamie and Zoe are approaching the Doctor and the TARDIS.)
DOCTOR: Come on. Walk into the TARDIS. Come on. Don't look behind you!
(There are three white robots behind Jamie and Zoe, and they are continuing to advance.)
DOCTOR: Now go in. Go in!
(Jamie and Zoe get closer to the Doctor and the TARDIS and safety, then stop. The robots are catching up with them.)
DOCTOR: Jamie! Zoe! Go in before it's too late!
(The robots again direct their hypnotizing effect on Jamie and Zoe. In desperation, the Doctor tries to grab them and pull them into the TARDIS, but changes his mind when they are resistant and runs behind them pushing instead.)
DOCTOR: (Yelling.) Go in!
TARDIS CONTROL ROOM
DOCTOR: (Pushing Jamie and Zoe into the TARDIS.) Go in!
(Jamie and Zoe instantly revert to their normal selves upon entering the TARDIS, no longer clothed in white, but in their normal clothes. The Doctor closes the doors as soon as he is able.)
JAMIE: (Bewildered.) Doctor. What's been happening?
DOCTOR: (Without looking up from operating controls on the console.) Shush, Jamie. Quiet.
(The TARDIS center column is moving. They are in flight.)
JAMIE: Oh. (A sort of moan, recovering from the ordeal.)
DOCTOR: (Glances at Jamie.) How do you feel?
ZOE: Oh what happened? Where have we been?
DOCTOR: Nowhere.
JAMIE: Bu-Bu... Bu... I th...
DOCTOR: All mental images Jamie. Pure imagination.
ZOE: But why? What's all this about?
DOCTOR: I don't know. We've got to be careful. We've got to be very, very careful now.
ZOE: But careful? But we're safe enough back in the TARDIS aren't we?
DOCTOR: Yes, possibly.
(A whining high pitched sound fills the TARDIS. It is the same sound as the one the Doctor had heard earlier.)
JAMIE: What's that?
DOCTOR: I... I... I... don't know.
JAMIE: Oh, it's not the TARDIS going wrong again?
DOCTOR: No. No. We're... we're on our way alright, but... uh... trouble is I don't know where to.
JAMIE: Well that's not unusual. Look... let... Just tell me when we get there, hey?
(He walks away.)
ZOE: I'm sorry Doctor. It was my fault. I shouldn't have gone outside.
DOCTOR: (Distractedly.) That's alright Zoe. (Patting her on the arm.) I... I don't think you could help it.
ZOE: (Indignant.) Why not?
DOCTOR: Well... I think whoever it was that was tempting you outside made it irresistible. Why, even I gave in when the voice...
ZOE: What voice?
DOCTOR: I... I... I don't know. Perhaps there wasn't one but... Perhaps it was just... illusion.
ZOE: But... but we are safe now?
DOCTOR: Oh yes. Yes. Yes. The... the TARDIS is performing quite normally... Oh that's odd.
ZOE: What?
DOCTOR: Well... this meter's dropped below a thousand.
ZOE: Well, is that critical?
DOCTOR: No. It just means that we're using more power than we're... than we're storing, but... don't worry, we've got a... an emergency power booster unit here somewhere, if I can only find the switch. Now...
(He tries a switch without success.)
DOCTOR: No. Uh. Oh. Oh dear. It's here somewhere.
(Jamie, asleep in a chair, the same one the Doctor had been sitting in earlier, is thrashing about in the grip of a bad dream. He hears the sound of a nightmarishly distorted whinnying horse.)
DOCTOR: Ah!
ZOE: Found it?
DOCTOR: Yes! Yes, that's the one. Now just a little bit more... power and... Read off the meter for me will you Zoe?
ZOE: Reading... 990...
(A throbbing vibration is audible, unlike any normal sound of the TARDIS. No one seems to notice.)
DOCTOR: Yeh.
ZOE: ...1...
DOCTOR: Good.
ZOE: ...2...
DOCTOR: Fine.
ZOE: ...3...
(Jamie wakes up from his nightmare with a start.)
JAMIE: AH!
DOCTOR: Quiet Jamie.
JAMIE: Oh. Wuh-Wuh... What's been happening?
ZOE: ...4...
DOCTOR: Yeah.
ZOE: Steady at 4.
DOCTOR: Oh no. Oh.
JAMIE: (Getting up from the chair.) S---Something wrong?!
ZOE: ...5...
DOCTOR: Good.
ZOE: ...6...
DOCTOR: Fine.
ZOE: ...7...8...
DOCTOR: Oh yeh. Let it creep up now... I... I don't want it to blow the fluid links again.
JAMIE: (Walking over to Zoe) I just had... the most peculiar dream. There was this big white horse with a horn... right in the middle of his head, and... and...
ZOE: A unicorn?!
JAMIE: Hey? Aye, probably. He was charging straight towards me...
ZOE: ...998...
JAMIE: ...head down, ready for the k*ll! I thought any moment...!
ZOE: (Annoyed.) Oh really Jamie! Your imagination is...
(She is staring at something.)
JAMIE: What's the matter?
ZOE: I don't... Jamie, look!
(Jamie looks at the Doctor, whose eyes are closed, and the heel of his right hand is pressed to his forehead.)
JAMIE: Doctor?
DOCTOR: Mmm?
JAMIE: What's up?
DOCTOR: Uh. Quiet, Jamie. Quiet.
(Jamie suddenly puts his hands to his head and winces. The Doctor opens his eyes.)
DOCTOR: That sound. That vibration. It's alien.
ZOE: (Her fingers pressed firmly to her temples.) I can feel it too! In my head!
DOCTOR: I don't seem to be able to concentrate. Uh. Concentrate!
(His eyes get bigger - he's just realized something. The sound becomes louder, and the Doctor presses his fingers to his temples as if trying to push it out of his mind.)
DOCTOR: Both of you! Concentrate on something!
ZOE: I CAN'T!
JAMIE: What is it?!
DOCTOR: Read off the figures to me Zoe! Aloud!
ZOE: (Struggling.) ...991...
DOCTOR: Go on. Louder! Both of you! Read them off!
ZOE: ...2...
JAMIE: (Head down, hands clutching his head.) ...2...
ZOE: ...3...
JAMIE: ...3...
DOCTOR: It's dragging me!
ZOE: ...4...
JAMIE: ...4...
DOCTOR: Concentrate! Both of you!
JAMIE/ZOE: ...5...
DOCTOR: Oh! It's... too strong!
JAMIE/ZOE: ...6...
DOCTOR: It's too powerful!
JAMIE/ZOE: ...7...
DOCTOR: Oh!
JAMIE/ZOE: ...8...
DOCTOR: Oh!... I must fight!
JAMIE/ZOE: ...9...
DOCTOR: I must fight!
JAMIE/ZOE: ...10...
DOCTOR: I will fight!
JAMIE/ZOE: ...11...
OUTSIDE THE TARDIS
(The TARDIS gently turns in starless space. Suddenly an expl*si*n, and it flies apart. The console slowly spins in space with Jamie holding on desperately, and Zoe draped across it clinging just as desperately.)
ZOE: (Pointing) Jamie! The Doctor!
(She starts screaming. The Doctor, eyes closed, is spinning gently in the black nothingness. The console with Jamie and Zoe holding on is slowly obscured, but spinning faster and faster. Eventually it disappears, swallowed by the mist...) | {"type": "series", "show": "Doctor Who", "episode": "06x06 - The Mind Robber - part 1"} | foreverdreaming |
THE MIND ROBBER
By Peter Ling
Episode 2
Original Air Date: 21 September 1968
5:20pm - 5:40pm
OUTSIDE THE TARDIS
(The TARDIS is gently turning in starless space. Suddenly, an expl*si*n and it flies apart. The console slowly spins in space with Jamie holding on desperately and Zoe draped across it, clinging just as desperately.)
ZOE: (Pointing.) Jamie! The Doctor! (She starts screaming.)
(The Doctor, eyes closed, is spinning gently in the black nothingness.)
(The console with Jamie and Zoe holding on is slowly obscured, but spinning faster and faster. Eventually it disappears, swallowed by the mist.)
Episode 2
UNKNOWN PLACE
(A place with a flat surface and thick irregular things that protrude from the ground and have a bark-like surface, like a tree but flat-topped. Jamie is wandering warily around. He peers around one tree, then another. He is in a strange forest.)
JAMIE: (OOV.) Doctor?! (Emerging from between trees.) Zoe?! Where are you?! What's happened?!
ZOE: (OOV.) Jamie! Jamie, over here!
JAMIE: Zoe?! Is that you?!
(He looks around, trying to figure out which way her voice is coming from. He sees a soldier with white pants, a tall black hat and a bayoneted g*n. It is a Redcoat.)
JAMIE: ...Redcoats...
(He ducks behind a tree-like growth and draws his Kn*fe.)
JAMIE: ...Am I back in my own time?... Now they'll sh**t me down...
(He steps boldly, resolutely forward, bursting into the open.)
JAMIE: sh**t me down like a dog, would you?! Well, a McCrimmon's never died without a fight yet!
(He races forward to att*ck, yelling his battle cry.)
JAMIE: Creag an tuire!
(The Redcoat turns to him and a sh*t rings out. There is a puff of smoke and Jamie freezes in mid att*ck. There is no blood. Jamie is as still as the two-dimensional cardboard-like cutout he has now become.)
ZOE: Jamie! Jamie!
UNKNOWN PLACE/FOREST
(Zoe appears to be in the same kind of place as Jamie - the strange forest.)
ZOE: (OOV.) Jamie! Jamie!
(She looks scared, frantically looking around.)
ZOE: Jamie, I'm here! Where are you?! Jamie, can you hear me?! Jam---!
(Turning, she sees a stone block wall with small, scraggly, leafless trees up against it where just a moment before had been the forest. She stares at the wall, slowly backing away. She turns in another direction and... is confronted by another stone block wall that hadn't been there before. She looks around and realizes that she is now surrounded by walls on all four sides. She rushes to a wall in a panic.)
ZOE: Jamie! Doctor! Help! Somebody help me! I'm trapped!
(Suddenly there are two large, white, sturdy and old-fashioned-looking doors with iron door knockers set in one of the walls. One of the doors slowly opens inward as if in invitation, creaking loudly as it does. Tentatively she approaches the doors after having looked them over first. She hesitates in the doorway, looking into the gloom, trying to see what's inside. She takes a step and... falls, screaming. Creaking loudly, the door slowly closes.)
UNKNOWN PLACE TWO
(A television-like device, a viewscreen shows the closed large wooden doors that Zoe has just stepped through. A second one shows Jamie as the two-dimensional cardboard-cut-out-like figure.)
UNKNOWN MAN: Good. Good. Excellent. And now the good Doctor. Where is he?
(A third viewscreen shows the forest - the one Jamie and Zoe have been in. But no sign of the Doctor.)
UNKNOWN MAN: (The voice changes.) Look-Around. He-Must-Be-Here-Somewhere. Find-Him. Search.
(The voice sounds stilted and almost mechanical. Both voices appear to be coming from a man sitting at a desk-like console with the viewers ahead and above him. Only the back of him can be seen. He is dressed in dark colors with a dark jacket and a dark glittering yarmulke - a skull cap worn by Orthodox and Conservative Jews.)
UNKNOWN MAN: I see he has eluded us for the moment. So he is not yet completely under my control. Perhaps it is better this way. Yes, he'll soon find out.
(He chuckles, his hand resting on the console in front of him. He has dark fingerless gloves on.)
UNKNOWN MAN: Find-Him. Search-All-Areas.
FOREST
(The Doctor's eyes are closed. He is unconscious. Asleep.)
DOCTOR: ...Jamie... Zoe... oh... fight... must fight... oh... Uh!... Fight! Fight!
(His eyes snap open as he awakens from his dream. He glances around briefly. He is sitting on the ground with his back up against one of the trees. He gets up, looking around.)
DOCTOR: Where in time and space am I?
(He peers around, realizing something with growing alarm.)
DOCTOR: Where are the others? Jamie? Zoe?!
JAMIE: (OOV, voice of Hamish Wilson.) Doctor! Hellooo!
(He runs in the direction of Jamie's voice.)
DOCTOR: Jamie, is that you?
(He stops and listens for the reply so that he can track Jamie by the sound of his voice.)
ZOE: (OOV.) Jamie! Doctor!
DOCTOR: Zoe!
(He hurries a little way, listening for her voice.)
DOCTOR: Zoe?
ZOE: (OOV.) Doctor I'm trapped!
(The Doctor turns a corner and runs down a straightaway. The place is just as much a maze as it is a forest.)
ZOE: Help me please!
(He comes to a halt.)
DOCTOR: Alright Zoe just... just stay where you are... I'll... I'll... I'll see if I can... I... I can find you. Uh. Hellooo!
(He moves about the maze-forest with nervous energy, peering in one direction, then in another, looking for Jamie and Zoe but going in circles.)
DOCTOR: Call out to me!
JAMIE: (OOV.) Here! Over Here!
DOCTOR: Yes. Alright... Jamie.
ZOE: (OOV.) Hello Doctor! I'm over here!
(Her voice seems to be coming from the opposite direction to Jamie's.)
DOCTOR: Yeh... alright Zoe.
(He holds up one finger as if to say "wait a minute", looking in the direction of her voice. Jamie yells out and he turns in his direction.)
DOCTOR: Alright Jamie.
(But Zoe calls out again and he is obviously getting frustrated. In a moment both Jamie and Zoe are calling out to the Doctor at the same time and the Doctor can't tell where either of them are.)
DOCTOR: ...No... No... No... No... (His frustration boils over.) No! No! No! No! No! Not both together! One at a time! (Quieter.) Now then Jamie... you seem to be the nearer. You first. Count up to ten.
(He is poised ready to listen to the sound of Jamie's voice.)
JAMIE: (OOV.) ...1...2...3...
(The Doctor starts to follow Jamie's voice, listening very carefully.)
UNKNOWN PLACE TWO
(The unknown man is in his chair watching the Doctor's progress on the screen, while Jamie continues to count.)
JAMIE: (OOV.) ...4...5...
UNKNOWN MAN: Find-Him-Search-Search! (The voice changes.) ...perhaps some light will help...
FOREST
(The Doctor peers about in the dimness of the forest.)
DOCTOR: This is like exploring a maze in the dark.
(He slowly backs up and bumps into a tree.)
DOCTOR: Oh!
(He turns around and looks at it. He continues to look around tentatively. Suddenly it is brighter, as if someone has turned on a light switch. Searching for the source of the light - or the one who turned on the light - he comments:)
DOCTOR: Well thank you, whoever you are.
(A sound alerts the Doctor. It is a rhythmic sound that after a few seconds sounds like footsteps, though distorted, amplified. They are being made by black legs and undetailed feet like that of a toy. The Doctor nervously takes a step back, and then another, and retreats into one of the hollow trees, peering around the edge. Walking stiffly in unison like soldiers, they are tall with tall dark hats or helmets, long g*n in their hands and epaulets on their shoulders like generals. There is a round light on the front of each soldier's helmet. The soldiers move their upper body from side to side. They are searching for the Doctor.)
UNKNOWN PLACE TWO
(The man is watching all three screens. They are all showing different areas of the forest, but still no sign of the Doctor.)
UNKNOWN MAN: Spread-Out. Cover-The-Whole-Area. Slowly. Keep-Moving. Look-Left-To-Right. Search-Every-Inch-Of-The-Forest. (The man's voice changes.)
I know the Doctor is here somewhere. Mm. No sign of him. Well he can't be far away. You... continue on this course. (The voice changes again.)
Track-Him-Down. Those-Are-Your-Orders. He-Must-Be-Found.
FOREST
(The soldiers are continuing their search and walk past the Doctor's hiding place. Carefully he emerges, making sure they are gone. He then starts urgently looking around for Jamie and Zoe. He whispers loudly, cupping his hands around his mouth:)
DOCTOR: Jamie! Zoe!
(A man's voice rings out suddenly, deep and full of authority:)
STRANGER: (OOV.) Heckinah degul!
(The unexpected sound of the voice startles the Doctor and he immediately turns to see who has spoken. A tall, thin man is holding an early-model p*stol, pointing it at him. The Doctor's hands fly into the air in the sign of surrender. The man is wearing a dark tri-cornered hat, a white blouse-like shirt and a dark vest. His hair is long and brown, tied back into an unkempt loose pony tail. His face is fierce and unfriendly.)
STRANGER: Tolgo phonac!
(The Doctor continues to stare wide-eyed at the man, uncomprehendingly. The man gestures with the g*n for the Doctor to come closer. The Doctor nervously approaches as the man speaks again:)
STRANGER: Langro dehul san! Grildig!
(The Doctor comes to halt in front of the man.)
STRANGER: Splacknuck!
(The Doctor is flustered. He obviously doesn't have a clue as to what the man is saying.)
DOCTOR: Yeh... uh...
(He stutters nervously, then manages to get words out:)
DOCTOR: ...Parlez-vous Francais?
STRANGER: Recal si tratan de que tutis! Glandack daytan!
DOCTOR: Do you speak English by any chance?
STRANGER: Sir...
(He says the word so warmly that the Doctor lets out a little "Oh" of surprise and relief. The Doctor smiles.)
STRANGER: ...my birth was of honest parents in an island called England.
DOCTOR: Oh... Oh, well... gracious me. Why didn't you say so at once? (His voice is equally as warm.)
STRANGER: I spoke in as many languages as I have the least smattering of, high and low Dutch, Latin...
DOCTOR: Well... uh... lets start at... the... uh beginning, shall we... uh? What did you say to me?
(The man suddenly, menacingly takes steps towards the Doctor as he speaks, his g*n still pointed in the Doctor's general direction.)
STRANGER: I said "Beware false traitor, highwayman, robber, pickpocket, m*rder."
DOCTOR: I think you must be making some mistake. Highwayman indeed. Can you tell me when you were last in England?
STRANGER: We set sail from Bristol on May the 4th, 1699.
DOCTOR: (OOV.) We?
STRANGER: What became of my companions, I cannot tell. They were all lost.
DOCTOR: (With sympathy in his voice and on his face.) Oh my dear sir, you and I are in the same boat.
STRANGER: (He speaks vehemently and leans closely toward the Doctor.) You have a stout ship?!
DOCTOR: (Leaning back away from the man a little, alarmed.) No. No. No. No. Unfortunately no. Look... uh...
(He Pushes the g*n away with one finger, slowly.)
DOCTOR: ...would you mind taking that pop g*n away? It does unsettle me so.
STRANGER: Well sir, if you assure me...
(He moves the g*n to point back at the Doctor.)
STRANGER: ...you are no traitor.
DOCTOR: Now how can I be a traitor when I don't even know where I am?! Where am I?
STRANGER: I cannot tell.
DOCTOR: That makes two of us, doesn't it?
(The man slowly puts his g*n in his waistband but doesn't take his hand off of it.)
DOCTOR: Oh! Thank you. Oh! Thank you.
(The Doctor sits down on a stump.)
DOCTOR: Listen, I've... I've lost my companions too... uh... two of them, a boy and a girl, Jamie and Zoe. You haven't seen them by any chance?
STRANGER: (OOV.) Alas, no.
DOCTOR: No... No. Well, I've got to find them. Perhaps you could help me uh... if you know your way around.
STRANGER: (Somewhat indignant.) It is not permitted.
DOCTOR: Who says so?
STRANGER: The Master!
DOCTOR: The Master?
STRANGER: He has articles of impeachment against you for treason and other capital crimes.
DOCTOR: (Thoughtfully.) Treason again. Really.
STRANGER: I leave you to your prudence what measures you will take. And now sir, to avoid suspicion... (He looks up and has a dazed, faraway look in his eyes.) ...I must retire in as private a manner I came.
(He bows to the Doctor and walks away. Seeing the man walking away so abruptly startles the Doctor.)
DOCTOR: Oh but sir...
(The Doctor gets up and follows slightly behind him.)
DOCTOR: Oh, n-n-no, don't go. I wanted to ask you...
(The man has disappeared around a corner. The Doctor, astonished, twirls in a circle looking for him.)
DOCTOR: A hallucination?
(He shrugs his shoulders and throws up his hands. He scratches his head with one hand and puts the other on his hip.)
DOCTOR: Ah well.
(He starts walking, continuing the search that was interrupted by the man.)
DOCTOR: Jamie! Zoe!
VOICE: (OOV.) Cooeee!
(The Doctor stops walking and whirls to look around him, looking for the source of the voice.)
DOCTOR: Is that you Zoe?
(A young girl with long dark brown hair in a bow, dressed in old fashioned clothes, emerges from behind a tree to the left of the Doctor and a little behind him.)
VOICE: (OOV.) Cooeee!
DOCTOR: Who's that?!
(A boy, also wearing old fashioned clothes, abruptly appears near the Doctor.)
DOCTOR: Who are you?
(He steps toward the Doctor and the Doctor retreats. Suddenly children emerge from all directions.)
DOCTOR: Oh.
(The children surround the Doctor. There are six of them in all, four boys and two girls of varying ages and sizes, and all wearing out-dated clothing. The Doctor claps his hands together in delight.)
DOCTOR: Well. Well, well, well, well, well.
(He chuckles and bows slightly to them.)
DOCTOR: How do you do?
(They are quiet and unsmiling. They do not respond.)
FIRST BOY: (He is the first boy the Doctor saw, possibly the eldest of the boys.) Why did the chicken cross the road?
DOCTOR: Well, really, I... I don't think this is the time for riddles.
TALLEST GIRL: (She is only inches shorter than the Doctor, and the eldest of all in the group. She has long blonde hair and is wearing a straw hat.)
You must answer. Why did the chicken cross the road?
DOCTOR: Oh very well. To get to the other side... or so I've always been led to believe. Now would you mind telling me--
FIRST BOY: (Standing right next to the Doctor, to his left.) Which is correct: The yolk of an egg is white or the yolk of an egg are white?
DOCTOR: (Having listened very carefully.) Neither. It's yellow
SMALLEST GIRL: (She is the smallest of the them all.) How many beans make five?
DOCTOR: I--
HATLESS TWIN BOY: Where was Moses when the lights went out?
DOCTOR: Well, I--
TWIN BOY WITH HAT: Adam and Even and Pinch-Me went down to the river to bathe...
ALL THE CHILDREN: ...Adam and Eve got drowned, who do you think was saved?!
DOCTOR: (Considering, staring up into the air.) Well, Pinch-Me obviously.
(Laughing, the children start pinching him.)
DOCTOR: Ah! (He recoils from them.) No! Stop it! Don't do that!
(He wipes one arm, then the other, trying to wipe off the smarting of their pinching spree.)
DOCTOR: Oh! Now it's my turn to ask you questions. (Looking directly at the oldest girl.)
(Suddenly the first boy has a sword and holds it to the Doctor's throat. The Doctor freezes and his eyes look to the boy holding it.)
FIRST BOY: What can you make of a sword?
DOCTOR: Hunh?
SMALLEST BOY: What can you make of a sword?
HATLESS TWIN BOY: (OOV.) Rearrange it.
TWIN BOY WITH HAT: (OOV.) Think.
TALLEST GIRL: This is your last chance.
SMALLEST GIRL: S-W-O-R-D. Rearrange.
DOCTOR: (Thinking.) S-W-O-R-D, rearrange. Well, rearranged it makes uh... W-O-R-D-S. Words.
(The children cheer in unison and the First Boy throws the sword into the air as if it were confetti. The Doctor makes a hasty, alarmed grab for the sword...)
DOCTOR: Unh!
(...but ends up with a large, darkly bound book instead. Puzzled, the Doctor opens the book, then looks around to the children for answers.)
DOCTOR: Well... i-it's a dictionary. Words.
FIRST BOY: You have answered correctly.
TALLEST GIRL: You may be suitable.
DOCTOR: (Sharply.) Suitable?
SMALLEST GIRL: I do hope so.
(The Doctor smiles at her, charmed in spite of himself.)
SMALLEST BOY: (Excitedly to the other children.) Come on! It's teatime!
HATLESS TWIN BOY: (OOV.) I'm hungry!
TWIN BOY WITH HAT: Race you home!
(The children agree in a chaos of excited voices and race off leaving the Doctor alone holding the dictionary, bewildered. All is shockingly silent. He turns to the dictionary, opens it, and briefly looks at a page.)
DOCTOR: (Thoughtfully.) Words.
JAMIE: (OOV, faintly.) Doctor!
(The Doctor is instantly alert, poised, turning his head to get a better idea of where the voice is coming from.)
JAMIE: Over here!
(The Doctor's face brightens as he recognizes the voice.)
DOCTOR: Jamie?
(He slowly turns.)
DOCTOR: Jamie!
(He takes several steps towards Jamie's voice.)
DOCTOR: Is that you?
(He sees Jamie and stops, then throws up his hands thrilled.)
DOCTOR: Oh! Jamie!
(He runs to where Jamie is and realizes, after getting there and looking him over, that it isn't Jamie after all. It is a cardboard cut-out. He is disgusted and bitterly disappointed.)
DOCTOR: Aww! It's just another trick!
(Something catches his attention.)
DOCTOR: Hello.
(He starts walking over to whatever it is.)
DOCTOR: What's this?
(He stops.)
DOCTOR: A safe.
(He bends down to get a better look at it and to check the handle.)
DOCTOR: Locked of course.
(He turns his attention to another object.)
DOCTOR: And a wishing well. Mmm.
(He peers into the wishing well with his hands on the edge of the well. He looks up and closes his eyes.)
DOCTOR: I wish...
(His eyes open and he chuckles and wistfully says:)
DOCTOR: I wish I believed in wishing wells.
(He straightens up, starts to turn away and as an afterthought turns back and throws the dictionary into the well. Ha, ha, ha laughs a voice from the wishing well. The Doctor rushes back to the well, peering into its depths. The Doctor suddenly looks up, looking as if he has just had a revelation. He looks around.
Suddenly there is mist and the letters M and T appear next to each other over the mist. They are crossed off.)
DOCTOR: ...hello... this is a... a puzzle... that's what it is.
(His attention is captured by another phenomenon. Mist again. A drawing of a long, pointy-fingered hand with an H on the palm, but it is also crossed off.)
DOCTOR: Oh yes...Yes! I'm beginning to recognize this, a sort of... picture writing. Let me see now...
(He glances back at the cardboard Jamie.)
DOCTOR: "Jamie mist"... without the M or the T... i-s... "is". Hand without the H... "and". So we have: Jamie is... (He points to the safe.) safe and (Gesturing to the wishing well in glee, having solved the riddle.) well!
(There is a popping sound. He looks around expecting something, and suddenly the cardboard Jamie is next to him, but...)
DOCTOR: (Appalled and almost speechless.) ...oh... Oh! I've lost his face!! Unh!
(The space where Jamie's facial features had been is now a blank. Distressed, the Doctor notices another surprise - it is a flat, dark board with human noses, sets of eyes and mouths.)
DOCTOR: ...hello... Oh, I see. I'm supposed to provide the face, am I? Mmm hm.
(He leans toward the choices, rubbing his hands together.)
DOCTOR: Very well. Now then...
(He considers the choices for a moment.)
DOCTOR: Yes.
(He plucks his choice from the board, holding it at arms length to make sure...)
DOCTOR: There we are.
(...and places a set of eyes on Jamie.)
DOCTOR: There you are.
(He turns back to the board immediately.)
DOCTOR: Oh yes, that's his nose alright.
(He makes his next selection, considering it at arms length again and places it on Jamie. He turns back to make his final decision.)
DOCTOR: And...
(Taking longer, not as sure of himself, he plucks a mouth from the board and looks at it consideringly.)
DOCTOR: Yeh... (More confidently.) Yes. Yes.
(He places the mouth he has chosen in place. He lowers his hands and instantly realizes:)
DOCTOR: Oh no, I've done it wrong!! Oh!
(Jamie is suddenly standing in place of the cut-out of himself, flesh and blood again. Everything about Jamie is the same as it was before except his face.
It's not Jamie's face anymore.)
JAMIE: Doctor. Oh... (He chuckles.) Oh I'm glad to see you again.
(Relieved to see the Doctor, and no longer needing the Kn*fe he'd intended to use on the Redcoat, he puts it away.)
DOCTOR: (Staring, mouth gaping in astonishment and disbelief.) But... but-but-but you're not... Jamie.
(A disembodied male voice chuckles in apparent amusement and the Doctor briefly looks for the source and then looks back to Jamie.)
JAMIE: (Confused.) Hey? What are you on about?
DOCTOR: Bu- Well your... your face it's-it's-it's-it's different!
JAMIE: What do you mean, different?
DOCTOR: (Fishing a mirror from his pocket.) Well... well l-look, look in the mirror.
(The Doctor sticks the mirror out to Jamie so he can look for himself. He looks and touches his face with his hands in shock. He looks at the Doctor.)
JAMIE: That's not my face!
DOCTOR: Well it's the one you're stuck with for the moment.
JAMIE: Well, why should I suddenly be different?
DOCTOR: I don't know.
(He glances around with a look of angry accusation on his face.)
DOCTOR: It's a particularly nasty trick on the part of the person who brought us here.
JAMIE: Brought us here? (Looking around.) What's happening?
DOCTOR: Uh. I don't know. (More sharply, pointing at Jamie.) Just a minute. If you really are Jamie, you should know what's happened. How did you get here?!
JAMIE: Well, you know I was telling you about my dream...
(The Doctor makes a noncommittal noise.)
JAMIE: ...you know, about the unicorn...
DOCTOR: Yes?
JAMIE: Well he was charging straight for me, head down, ready for the k*ll, when suddenly... everything went crazy, and... (He shrugs.) ...I was off.
DOCTOR: Off? Where to? (With increasing agitation.) W-w-w-where-where have you been?!
JAMIE: In a fog. I mean really. Ever since the TARDIS broke up.
DOCTOR: (Aghast, he grabs at Jamie in agitation.) It did what?!
JAMIE: It broke up, it fell to bits. The next thing I knew I was wandering about here. I heard your calling but... I couldn't find you.
ZOE: (OOV, her voice sounds muffled.) Jamie! Hellllp!
DOCTOR: Zoe? Where are you?!
ZOE: (OOV.) I'm trapped, you must help me!
(Jamie grabs the Doctor to quickly get his attention and points:)
JAMIE: Sounds as if she's over there.
DOCTOR: What?
(He looks in the direction Jamie is pointing.)
DOCTOR: Come on then!
(Jamie and the Doctor take off, running, weaving around trees, searching for Zoe.)
DOCTOR: Zoe!
(He and Jamie run up to a wood and iron door set in a brick wall and framed by shrubs and scrubby, leafless trees. The Doctor stops in front of the door to look it over.)
ZOE: (OOV.) I can't get out! Help me please!
(Jamie pushes past the Doctor to open the door, but can't.)
JAMIE: There's no handle. There's no sign of a lock either.
DOCTOR: Yeah. Don't you see? It's... it's not even a door at all, just a... a brick wall with a door painted on it.
JAMIE: But that's crazy! How do you open a door that isn't a door?!
DOCTOR: Now let me think... uh...
(He turns away from the door, thinking.)
JAMIE: What's the good of thinking? What we want's a battering ram...
DOCTOR: When...
JAMIE: ...one of these trees.
DOCTOR: ...is a door... not a door?
JAMIE: Och, this is no time for riddles. (Shaking his head in disbelief.)
DOCTOR: N-No. (Excitedly.) When is a door not a door?!
JAMIE: Hey?
DOCTOR: Mm. When it's ajar!
(He looks to the fake door expectantly.)
JAMIE: Hey?
ZOE: (OOV.) Get me out! Get me out!
(Zoe becomes visible as the door and wall start to fade away. She is in a large glass jar and is pounding ineffectually on the glass from inside, desperate to get out.)
ZOE: (OOV.) Oh get me out! Get me out!
JAMIE: (OOV, chuckling.) Oh Zoe. (He starts to laugh.)
ZOE: (OOV.) Get me out!
DOCTOR: (OOV.) Yes, of course.
(Laughing, the Doctor and Jamie approach the jar with Zoe inside.)
JAMIE: (Shaking his finger at her and laughing.) Not unless you promise to be a good girl.
(The Doctor can't entirely stifle his chuckle of amusement at Jamie's comment.)
ZOE: (OOV.) Oh...you!
(He puts his hand on Jamie's shoulder and points to Zoe, putting an end to the teasing.)
DOCTOR: Go and get her out.
JAMIE: Alright.
(Jamie walks over to the jar and chops through the paper seal. The Doctor peers eagerly down into the jar at Zoe while clutching the rim of the jar, delighted to see her again. Suddenly the look on his face changes and he looks very serious. He has realized that Zoe has not yet noticed the change in Jamie, and when she does, she may find out it was his fault.)
JAMIE: C'mon then.
(He reaches into the jar for Zoe.)
JAMIE: Up you come.
(He puts his hands around her waist and she braces her hands on his upper arms.)
JAMIE: 1...2...3...
(He lifts her out and puts her down, with the Doctor following right behind Jamie, peering from around Jamie at Zoe.)
ZOE: (Brushing her glittering cat suit off vigorously.) I thought I was never going to get out of... (She stares at Jamie's face.) Well, who are you?
(The Doctor's hand goes to his mouth in a nervous gesture as he observes her reaction.)
JAMIE: Hey? Don't you start Zoe. (He jerks his thumb and glances back at the Doctor.) I've had enough from the Doctor. I tell you I'm me, Jamie!
ZOE: (Looking at Jamie then to the Doctor for confirmation, unsure.) Well, why... (Gesturing to Jamie.) does he look so different?
DOCTOR: (Timidly.) Well I... I... I'll tell you later. I... (Loudly.) I think it's about time we got out of this wood.
(Zoe is looking Jamie over skeptically.)
JAMIE: Aye, this place gives me the creeps.
DOCTOR: Yes, well (He clears his throat.) you go on ahead, Jamie.
(Jamie nods and leaves, with the Doctor and Zoe watching him depart.)
ZOE: Is that really Jamie?
DOCTOR: Well... well, yes.
ZOE: But he couldn't just have changed like that, I mean it's impossible!
DOCTOR: Well I... I think we may be in a place where nothing is impossible. C'mon.
(He starts off after Jamie, pulling Zoe along with him.)
(Sometime, hours later, Jamie, Zoe and the Doctor are trudging wearily through the forest. The Doctor mops his face with a handkerchief.)
ZOE: Oh my feet ache. I'm going to sit down and have a rest.
JAMIE: (Surveying the forest around them.) If only we could see over these trees. (He looks back at the Doctor.) Doctor. If you could give me a leg up, I could shin up...
DOCTOR: Yes, good idea!
(He follows Jamie with his hand on Jamie's back, escorting him.)
DOCTOR: Come along.
(Jamie disappears into the inside of a hollow tree and starts to climb with the Doctor's help.)
DOCTOR: Up you go.
(Both make sounds of effort.)
DOCTOR: Can you manage?
JAMIE: Aye, I think so. (Making slow but obvious progress.) It's... a bit tricky but... I'm... I'm nearly... nearly there.
DOCTOR: There's a foothold.
JAMIE: Ah! I'm at the top.
(Catching his breath, Jamie looks down at the flat-topped tree he is standing on.)
JAMIE: Doctor.
ZOE: What is it? Can you see something?
JAMIE: (OOV.) I can see alright. Do you know what this tree is?
DOCTOR: (OOV.) No, what?
JAMIE: (Chuckling.) It's a letter "S". (He looks to one side.) The next one's an "L" (The letters stretch out into the distance.), and then an "O", then a "W". (In awe.) It's a forest of words.
DOCTOR: This must be a... a world of words.
ZOE: Well, what do the words say?
JAMIE: Slow... but... sure. In... for... a... penny...
DOCTOR: ...in for a pound. They're all sayings, proverbs.
JAMIE: Look... before... you... leap. I can't read any more.
ZOE: (OOV.) Well never mind that, can you see a way out?
JAMIE: (Looking down at the Doctor and Zoe, then around.) I think so. (He sees the exit.) Yes! Yes! (He starts his descent.)
DOCTOR: Down you come. (Reaching up to help Jamie.) There's a foothold. (He utters several encouraging comments.)
JAMIE: (Reaching the ground.) There we are. (Pointing.) It's this way.
(They all start walking, but stop abruptly.)
ZOE: (Afraid.) Oh, Doctor.
(The tall, thin, multilingual man that the Doctor met before is standing a little distance ahead of them, blocking the way, with his g*n drawn and pointed their way.)
DOCTOR: It's alright, don't worry. I... I've met this gentleman before. He's a traveler like ourselves.
STRANGER: Sir.
(He starts to walk slowly towards them, a smile on his face.)
DOCTOR: (Chuckling and sincerely happy to see the man again.) Delighted to meet you again sir. Allow me to present my two companions, uh, this is Zoe... (Gesturing to Zoe.)
(The man nods and bows slightly to her.)
DOCTOR: ...and this is Jamie.
(The Doctor gestures to Jamie and the man nods and bows to Jamie.)
JAMIE: How do you do sir.
DOCTOR: We're... we're trying to find our way out of the wood.
STRANGER: This resolution may perhaps appear very bold and dangerous.
ZOE: But we've got to get away!
DOCTOR: Well haven't you ever tried to escape from this place?
STRANGER: (Sounding surprised.) No. No, I looked upon myself to be fully settled for life.
DOCTOR: These tests, what's the point of 'em?
STRANGER: In choosing persons for all employment as they have regards to great abilities. A course of study is required to qualify any man for the service of his country.
ZOE: But who's in charge hear? Who's setting all these tests for us?
STRANGER: The Master.
DOCTOR: The Master again, hey? (Thinking out loud.) I suppose this army of robots works for the Master as well.
STRANGER: Army? As to their military affairs I knew not what they meant.
DOCTOR: (In disbelief.) Oh surely you've seen them.
STRANGER: (Firmly.) I knew not what they meant.
DOCTOR: Ah now but surely--
(He's heard something, he's listening sharply. His eyes widen in alarm as he recognizes what it is he is hearing.)
DOCTOR: Oh. That's the sound they make. They're coming back!
ZOE: Well, what do we do?!
DOCTOR: We hide! In among the trees! Quick! There's a "J", (Gesturing to it.) there's room for two! Oh, thank goodness there's a letter
"C".
(He runs into its hollow. But runs out again a moment later, going toward the man who is looking around bewildered with his g*n drawn.)
DOCTOR: You, sir. Aren't you going to take cover? (Peering past the man fearfully.)
STRANGER: The best expedient I could think of was to keep guard.
ZOE: Well whatever you do, don't give us away.
(Zoe and the Doctor rush back to their hiding places. The sound of the soldiers is getting louder as they approach. The soldiers stand in front of the man.
The man leans back a little and speaks to the Doctor over his shoulder:)
STRANGER: I could not forebear smiling sir. What you told me is mistaken. There was no army here.
(The soldiers move forward, discovering Zoe and Jamie. They are frightened.)
UNKNOWN PLACE TWO
(Only two screens are visible. Jamie and Zoe are on one and the Doctor is on the other.)
THE MASTER: At last. Very well. Round-Them-Up-And-Lead-Them-Away. You-Have-Your-Orders. You-Know-What-To-Do.
FOREST
(Jamie leaves his hiding place and approaches the man.)
JAMIE: (Looking disgustedly at him.) Thank you very much.
ZOE: Why did you give us away?
STRANGER: But I said there was no army here.
DOCTOR: (Whispering, trying to move his mouth as little as possible, trying to be inconspicuous.) Jamie, Zoe, don't you see? (Pointing to the man, but barely moving his arm, hand and finger.) As far as he's concerned, they don't exist. He can't see them.
(He looks back to the man and smiles as if everything were just fine, which to the man it is.)
STRANGER: And now sir, I must forebear to trouble you further. Having answered the only objections you have raised against me, I now take a final leave of you all.
(He makes a little bow and leaves.)
DOCTOR: Sir. (Bowing, smiling to the man.)
JAMIE: (Starting to go after the man.) Hey, but wait a bit--!
(He is stopped by soldiers blocking his way.)
DOCTOR: I... I think the soldiers want us to go in the other direction.
ZOE: (Watching the soldiers.) Doctor? These soldiers, am I mad or do they look like toy soldiers?
DOCTOR: Yes.
(A soldier, with bayoneted g*n pointed in their direction, comes up behind them to start them walking.)
DOCTOR: Particularly dangerous toys too. Come along, let's go.
(The soldiers herd them off. They walk ahead of the soldiers into a black, blank, treeless void. They walk a little way, and then the sound of the soldiers walking behind them stops. Zoe turns around immediately and looks at them.)
ZOE: They stopped.
(Jamie and the Doctor turn around to look too.)
JAMIE: Why have they brought us here. (Looking around, puzzled.)
DOCTOR: Well, we shall soon find out.
UNKNOWN PLACE 2
(Jamie, Zoe and the Doctor are on all three viewers, standing together in blackness.)
THE MASTER: Mission-Is-Accomplished.
FOREST
ZOE: It's so dark.
JAMIE: (Shifting his weight from one foot to another anxiously.) You know... I've got a funny feeling I've... been here before.
(The Doctor hears something.)
DOCTOR: (Sharply.) Shhh!
(There is a faint sound.)
DOCTOR: Listen!
(It's getting louder, a rhythmic pounding sound. They are all listening.)
JAMIE: It sounds like... like a horse galloping.
ZOE: (Her eyes wide and fearful.) It's getting nearer. It's coming this way!
(They hear a horse whinnying.)
DOCTOR: It's not a horse. Look!
(He points. They all look. It's a light-colored, dappled horse with a horn protruding from its forehead. It is standing, moving its head up and down in a way that suggests agitation.)
ZOE: (OOV.) A unicorn!
JAMIE: My dream!
ZOE: It's looking at us!
DOCTOR: (Calm and intent.) Be quite still.
(The Unicorn rears again and again on its hind legs, lashing out with its front hooves, shaking its head, whinnying.)
JAMIE: (Poised to run away, to escape.) It's coming straight for us. Run!
(He and Zoe start to take a step away from the Doctor to escape, but the Doctor grabs them each by the arm in an unshakable grip.)
DOCTOR: No!
JAMIE: We don't stand a chance!
(The Unicorn is galloping straight at them.)
DOCTOR: (OOV.) Stand still!
(The Unicorn is coming towards them in a full gallop and it's head is down and its horn is aimed to k*ll.)
JAMIE: (OOV.) Doctor...!
ZOE: (OOV.) Oh, Doctor!
DOCTOR: (OOV.) Hold your ground!
(The babble of Jamie and Zoe's panicked exclamations and the Doctor's steadfast refusal to budge blend with the thundering hooves and incensed whinnying of the charging unicorn.) | {"type": "series", "show": "Doctor Who", "episode": "06x07 - The Mind Robber - part 2"} | foreverdreaming |
THE MIND ROBBER
BY PETER LING
EPISODE 3
Original Air Date: 28 September 1968
5:20pm - 5:40pm
FOREST
(Against a black background, a unicorn rushes towards the companions, shaking its head, whinnying.)
JAMIE: (Poised to run away, to escape.) It's coming straight for us. Run!
(He and Zoe start to take a step away from the Doctor to escape, but the Doctor grabs them each by the arm in an unshakeable grip.)
DOCTOR: No!
JAMIE: We haven't got a chance! Don't you see, it's my dream all over again.
ZOE: It's real
DOCTOR: (Shouting.) No, it's not real, it's a legend. You mustn't believe in it, you mustn't. Say it "doesn't exist", say it.
(The unicorn continues to approach.)
JAMIE AND ZOE: (Together OOV.) It doesn't exist.
(The unicorn freezes. They all stare with open mouths.)
JAMIE: What happened?
(The Doctor sighs with relief. They approach the unicorn, which has transformed into a cardboard statue cut-out.)
DOCTOR: Another test.
JAMIE: But, it was alive, we all saw it.
ZOE: It was terrifying.
(She looks up at the unicorns face.)
DOCTOR: He challenged us to believe it.
JAMIE: Who? The Master?
DOCTOR: Whoever it is who's setting up all these conjuring tricks.
ZOE: But I don't understand.
DOCTOR: The unicorn appeared to be real until you said it wasn't, then we were safe.
ZOE: But we believe in it, Jamie and I.
DOCTOR: Yes, but that was just the danger. Your belief was affecting me.
JAMIE: Who would think up a crazy notion like this?
DOCTOR: I don't know. A fantastic mind.
UNKNOWN PLACE 2
(The figure of The Master is sitting behind a console with his back to us. Images of the three companions, taken from different angles, can be seen on the three suspended monitors.)
THE MASTER: Too kind. (He bows slightly.) And if I may, I'd like to return the compliment. It's obviously supremely intelligent. He is learning the rules with admirable speed. Yes, you were right to choose the good Doctor.
FOREST
(The three companions are standing, as before, but The Unicorn is no longer visible. We hear the disjointed sound of the Toy Soldiers.)
JAMIE: Doctor. (He points in front of him.)
ZOE: The Soldiers.
(Three Toy Soldiers walking in a column march past.)
UNKNOWN PLACE 2
(The Master is watching on a monitor. He raises a hand, which appears to hold a pen.)
THE MASTER: Stop! Let them go. Wherever they run, whatever they do, every step they take will only brings them nearer. The trap is set, let them walk into it.
ANOTHER PART OF THE FOREST
(The three companions are moving through a bare forest. A strange mechanical sound can be heard. The knurled trees are covered in thick cobwebs. Jamie uses his Kn*fe to cut through the thick strands while the Doctor, with a look of disgust, pulls the webs out of the way. Zoe tags along at the back.)
ZOE: Oh, how much further
JAMIE: There's no sign of the toy soldiers now.
DOCTOR: We have to get out of this place.
JAMIE: (He points off to his left.) Look, there's a house
(He approaches, and spots the Redcoat standing before a closed door.)
JAMIE: You again.
(He raises his Kn*fe.)
JAMIE: I'll sort you this time.
(He rushes forward.)
JAMIE: (Shouts.) Creag an tuire
(The Redcoat fires from almost point-blank range, releasing a huge plume of smoke.)
(Zoe rushes over, and as the smoke clears we see Jamie has been turned into a cardboard cut-out again. The Redcoat has disappeared. The Doctor arrives a second or two after Zoe. He uses his hand to waft some of the smoke away.)
ZOE: Jamie! ... Doctor?
DOCTOR: Now it's alright Zoe. Mmm.
(He looks up in the air.)
DOCTOR: Oh come on.
(He snaps his fingers angrily a couple of times.)
DOCTOR: Come on, if you want to play games, let's get on with it.
(The Master gives a sinister laugh OOV.)
ZOE: What's that?
(A blackboard on an easel has appeared. It has four sets of eyes, four noses and four mouth sections stuck to it.)
DOCTOR: (Stroking his chin.) Well, I have to make up his face again.
ZOE: (Accusingly.) You did this before?
DOCTOR: Yes.
ZOE: And that's how Jamie's face got changed, you got it all wrong.
DOCTOR: What! (Flustered.) No...No, No...No well...I...I was rushed. Now then...
(He takes one of the eye sets from the board. He begins to turn and notices Zoe shaking her head. He replaces the eye set.)
DOCTOR: ... alright, I know.
(He selects another.)
DOCTOR: ... there we are.
(He sticks it in the appropriate place on the cut-out of Jamie.)
DOCTOR: ... one ...
(He turns, rubbing his hands in glee.)
DOCTOR: ... now then... oh yes that's his nose. You can't mistake his nose, can you.
(He selects a nose section and sticks that on the cut-out.)
DOCTOR: ... and ...
(He goes to select a mouth set, looks at Zoe, and hesitates. He makes a selection. Zoe smiles, and he places the mouth onto the cut-out.)
DOCTOR: ... ha ha ha.
(He claps his hands together excitedly.)
DOCTOR: ... oh ... there you are we see.
(The Frazer Hinds version of Jamie comes to life, slashing downwards with his blade.)
ZOE: (Laughing.) Jamie!
DOCTOR: (Smiling.) Jamie.
ZOE: Thank goodness you're back.
JAMIE: (Looking at his Kn*fe.) Back? What do you mean back? I haven't been anywhere.
ZOE: But you've got your face back.
JAMIE: (He begins to feel his face.) I have?
DOCTOR: (Offering him a mirror.) Yes, look.
JAMIE: (Looking in the mirror.) Oh you're right, I have. That's much better. Oh the house...
(He points off in front of him and sets off.)
DOCTOR: Yes, come along, let's go inside.
(He takes Zoe's hand and leads her. Jamie begins to open the door.)
HOUSE INTERIOR
(A spider's web dominates the POV as we see the companions enter, lead by Jamie holding his Kn*fe. The door makes an eerie screech as it opens. The companions enter, looking around as they go. The interior is revealed to be made of rough stone, lit by an elaborate candelabra on which many lit candles burn.
The door to the house swings mysteriously shut with another loud screech and an ominous thud.)
ZOE: There must be someone here (Points to candles.) these candles are alight.
(Zoe catches her hand on a cobweb, her face contorted in disgust.)
ZOE: eehh
(The Doctor hands her his handkerchief, which she uses to wipe her hands.)
JAMIE: (Cups his hand over mouth and shouts.) Hello there. (Echoes.)
ZOE: One, two, three, four,... four tunnels leading off.
JAMIE: It would be easy to get lost in there.
(The Doctor notices something on floor and steps forward to pick it up.)
DOCTOR: Just a moment.
JAMIE: What's he found?
(They step forward to join Doctor.)
DOCTOR: Ah, yes, A ball of twine. (Begins to unravel end.) Oh yes, This must be an invitation.
ZOE: Why?
DOCTOR: Well, it's the classical way of getting through a maze. (Hands end to Jamie.) Now Jamie, tie that to the door will you.
(Jamie walks over to the door and tries to open it.)
JAMIE: Hey, it's locked.
ZOE: Then we are meant to go on.
DOCTOR: Yes I think we are.
(In the background Jamie ties the thread to the door handle.)
ZOE: That means that wherever we go... At any time they know...
DOCTOR: Yes
ZOE: They're expecting us.
(Jamie approaches.)
DOCTOR: Don't break the thread. Come along.
(They move off into an unseen tunnel.)
UNKNOWN PLACE 2
(He has moved further along his control console. The three monitor screens can be seen to his left.)
THE MASTER: Ah, at last.
(He is looking at another screen with a map of a network, or labyrinth, of tunnels on it. The three companions are shown as three lights moving along one of the passageways.)
THE MASTER: The Doctor is commendably prompt. I wonder how long it will take him to get to the heart of the mystery.
TUNNEL 1
(The tunnel is covered in cobwebs and lit by more candles set in candelabras mounted on the walls. Zoe appears first, followed by the Doctor. They exchange a glance. The Doctor then points off to his left, and they move on.)
TUNNEL 2
(Jamie is moving along, unravelling the ball of string. It is now substantially reduced in size. He moves on.)
TUNNEL JUNCTION
(Another candle-lit tunnel, very similar to Tunnel 1. The Doctor and Zoe approach and stop. They look around them.)
DOCTOR: Which way, do you think?
ZOE: To the Right.
(Jamie enters the area via an opening to the right of the Doctor and Zoe. He is now left with only a few feet of string. He approaches them.)
DOCTOR: They both seem equally unattractive to me.
ZOE: But it must be to the right. I've been working it out as we went along.
JAMIE: (Interrupting.) Doctor...
DOCTOR: Ssh... how?
ZOE: Well, as soon as we avoided the d*ad ends, it soon fell into a clear pattern. One left, (Indicates using her hands.) two right, three left, four right and so on. It's a simple arithmetic progression.
JAMIE: (Interrupts again.) Yes, but Doctor...
DOCTOR: Sssh, Jamie.
(Jamie makes a face and puts his hands on his hips.)
DOCTOR: What it is to have an arithmetical brain, eh. (To Jamie, irritably.) What do you want?
JAMIE: The thread's run out!
(Holds up the end of the twine.)
JAMIE: Now, should we not go back?
DOCTOR: No, you stay here...
JAMIE: Oh!
DOCTOR: ...and Zoe and I will explore a little further. There must be another way out of this maze. I just need to find it.
(The Doctor heads off to the right.)
ZOE: (To Jamie.) It seems they don't want us to find a way out, only a way in.
(She follows the Doctor.)
(Jamie is left alone. He puts his hands behind his back and begins a fairly tuneless whistle.)
UNKNOWN PLACE 2
(The Master is viewing the map of the labyrinth. One of the light sources has stopped moving. Two others continue to move towards a large open space on the map.)
THE MASTER: (Excitedly.) Go on, go on, almost there.
HEART OF THE LABYRINTH
(The Doctor appears from a partially concealed tunnel. He glances around and then indicates to Zoe to follow. He leads her by the hand into a large open space. They move cautiously. The cave is lit once more by candles set in wall-mounted candelabras. The floor is uneven and they take care as they move to slightly higher ground.)
ZOE: I was right, this isn't the way out. We're in the middle of the maze. Oh Doctor, I don't like it. Let's go.
(She begins to head back in the direction she came from.)
DOCTOR: Just a minute...
(Zoe turns back.)
DOCTOR: I was rather expecting a welcoming committee but perhaps I was wrong.
(He rubs his fingers together nervously.)
ZOE: Well I hope you were.
DOCTOR: Ah yes... (Points to something on the ground.) but there has been someone here, and not that long ago either. Look.
(They look down at a skeleton.)
ZOE: Oh. (Bringing her hand to her mouth.)
DOCTOR: Oh oh
ZOE: (Points at another part of the cave floor.) And they're some tracks of an animal too.
(The Doctor bends over to examine them.)
ZOE: Oh Doctor let's get...
(A huge animal roar echoes through the cave. The Doctor looks up in alarm. Zoe rushes to him and the Doctor wraps his arms around her.)
ZOE: ... it couldn't be.
DOCTOR: What?
ZOE: I know it's silly but do you remember the story of the Minotaur?
DOCTOR: Half man, half bull, yes.
ZOE: And he lived in the heart of a labyrinth ... and there were human sacrifices.
DOCTOR: Exactly, but I don't think we need be too alarmed, after all...
(The animal roars again. They huddle even closer, a look of fear on their faces.)
DOCTOR: ...as I was saying... as long as we're quite certain the minotaur is only a...
ZOE: Doctor, look. (She points off to her right.)
(A shadow falls across a cave wall. It appears to he an enormous horned head. The animal roars again.)
TUNNEL JUNCTION
(Jamie is still holding the end of the string. He hears the animal roar from the cave. He moves toward the tunnel that the Doctor and Zoe left by.)
JAMIE: (Shouting.) Doctor are you alright. What's happening?
(He throws the end of the string, which he is still holding, down on the floor and sets off down the tunnel. Almost immediately he hears the mechanical marching noise of a toy soldier. He darts back into the tunnel junction and hides. A toy soldier marches into the area. It passes Jamie and then turns to face him. Jamie examines the Toy Soldier closely.)
JAMIE: Oh, so that's how you can see - that wee lighthouse of yours.
UNKNOWN PLACE 2
(The Master watches this encounter on the central monitor.)
TUNNEL JUNCTION
(Jamie crouches and removes his jacket. He Approaches the Toy Soldier cautiously.)
UNKNOWN PLACE 2
(The Master continues to watch this encounter on the central monitor. He sees Jamie approach and throw his jacket over the Soldier. The monitor screen goes blank.)
THE MASTER: (Angrily.) No. Brainless Idiot. Get yourself free, don't let the boy escape. Forward. Forward.
TUNNEL JUNCTION
(The Toy Soldier, his head covered by Jamie's Jacket, moves forward and drops his head. The Jacket falls to the floor. Accompanied by his mechanical noise, the Toy Soldier heads off in pursuit of Jamie who is nowhere to be seen.)
HEART OF THE LABYRINTH
(The horned-head shadow moves across the cave wall.)
ZOE: Doctor, it's moving.
(They are still huddled together.)
ZOE: It's coming closer.
(The shadow of the beast falls across them.)
ZOE: It's going to att*ck.
DOCTOR: Zoe, it's a legend...
(They stare in horror as a massive bull-headed creature approaches.)
DOCTOR: ...Another mythical beast like the unicorn.
ZOE: (Afraid.) But it's there.
DOCTOR: No. (Forcibly.) The minotaur is a mythical beast. Say it.
ZOE: The minotaur is a mythical beast. It doesn't exist.
(Suddenly the shadow lifts and the creature disappears.)
ZOE: It's gone.
DOCTOR: Yes. (Puts a hand to one of his hearts.) Yes, I'm afraid we made it too difficult for it to stay. Come on, let's go find Jamie.
(He begins to lead her off.)
TUNNEL JUNCTION
(Zoe leads the way as they move through the tunnel complex. They enter a small clearing or cave. The Doctor looks over her shoulder and points. They enter another clearing.)
ZOE: I think this is the place.
DOCTOR: Yes, but there's no sign of him. I'm sure he wouldn't've gone off without...
(Zoe bends over and picks up a jacket.)
DOCTOR: What's that?
ZOE: His jacket.
DOCTOR: Well he must be around somewhere.
(He turns around and begins to looks for Jamie.)
ZOE: (Shouting.) Jamie ...
(She sees someone approaching.)
ZOE: Who's that?
(The Stranger approaches. As before he is dressed in black breeches with white socks, a white shirt with a waistcoat, and a white neckerchief. He has a three-cornered hat and carries a knapsack over his right shoulder.)
DOCTOR: Oh. Oh my dear sir.
STRANGER: Your servant sir.
DOCTOR: You have a knack of turning up unexpectedly.
ZOE: Have you seen Jamie?
STRANGER: I walked alone, but no sign of any inhabitants.
ZOE: Are you absolutely positive.
STRANGER: I would not impose a falsity upon you. I adhere strictly to truth.
DOCTOR: Of course. This... this person that controls this place... The Master.
STRANGER: The Master, yes.
DOCTOR: Have you seen him?
STRANGER: Upon occasions he has been pleased to grant me an audience.
DOCTOR: Where might I find him?
STRANGER: The Master's palace is no ordinary edifice...
(Zoe looks at him with bafflement.)
STRANGER: ...but a citadel, a walled town at the top of a hill, or cliff, that is recognised the highest in the kingdom.
DOCTOR: (Smiling.) Yes, now I think I understand. May I ask, sir, where you come from? Would it not be Nottingham?
STRANGER: My father had a small estate in Nottingham, sir. I was the third of five sons. He sent me to Emmanuelle College in Cambridge at fourteen years old, where I applied myself close to my studies, learning navigation and other parts of the mathematics ...
DOCTOR: ... useful for those who intend to travel, ...
BOTH: ... as I always believed it would someday or other, my fortune to do.
DOCTOR: Now I know who you are sir. Your name is Lemuel Gulliver.
(He grasps Gulliver's free hand in both of his.)
GULLIVER: Your Servant
ZOE: (Incredulously.) Gulliver!
DOCTOR: Yes, yes. Oh I'm looking forward to a long talk with you, one of these days.
GULLIVER: I would like that above all things, but it would not be proper at this juncture to trouble you with the particulars of my adventures.
DOCTOR: I wouldn't dream of detaining you.
GULLIVER: Ah, having been condemned by nature and fortune to a restless and active life, I must take my leave of you. Farewell.
DOCTOR: Farewell.
(He makes a little mock bow, still grinning hugely.)
ZOE: Why did he talk in such an extraordinary way.
DOCTOR: Well he can only speak the words that Dean Swift gave him to say.
ZOE: But that's ridiculous. There never was such a person as Gulliver. He's a fictional character.
DOCTOR: Of course he is. Don't you understand? This world that we've tumbled into is a world of fiction. Unicorns, minotaur, Gulliver's travels - they're all alive here.
ZOE: Then what are we doing here? What do they want with us?
DOCTOR: I'm not sure I understand that yet. Come along, we'd better find Jamie. Better put this on.
(He wraps Jamie's Jacket round her as they set off.)
ROCK FACE
(Jamie runs up a gully. He stops by a steep cliff or rocky hillside. He looks around. A single Toy Soldier approaches accompanied by its strange mechanical sound. Jamie immediately begins to climb the cliff. The Toy Soldier approaches, scraping the bayonet at the end of his musket against the cliff edge. Jamie climbs on, occasionally looking back down to see that the soldier has not been able to follow him up the steep rock face. He struggles for grip, finds it, and climbs on. Eventually the sound of the Toy Soldier fades and is gone. He climbs onto a narrow ledge, stands up, and looks around him. He is faced with an almost sheer rock wall.)
JAMIE: Oh no. I'd need to be a human fly to get up that lot. I can't go back though. What I really need is a...
(A long length of rope suddenly falls from an unseen source high above him. Jamie grabs the rope.)
JAMIE: Who says wishes don't come true.
(He tests the strength of the rope and then begins to climb. Below him the Toy Soldier moves off.)
CLIFF LEDGE AND CASTLE WINDOW
(Jamie can now see that the rope has come from a window in a round tower. He climbs up to a ledge just outside the window.)
JAMIE: (To himself.) Jamie, so far so good... Some sort of Castle... Ok Jamie, now where. You don't have much choice do you?
(He pulls on the rope.)
PRINCESS RAPUNZEL: Ouch!
(The rope is revealed to be a part of her hair, which is blonde, set in a centre parting, with a long braid which she wears over her right shoulder. She wears a long sleeveless gown with braiding and embroidery down the front and a thin gauze-like long sleeved undershirt. She has two thick gold chains around her neck.)
PRINCESS RAPUNZEL: I suppose you know that hurts.
JAMIE: You mean, this is your hair?
PRINCESS RAPUNZEL: Of course. I don't object to people climbing it - I'm quite used to it actually - but you would keep tugging it so.
JAMIE: Oh, I'm terribly sorry.
PRINCESS RAPUNZEL: Are you a Prince?
JAMIE: No, why?
PRINCESS RAPUNZEL: You're supposed to be. I'm a princess, but I suppose you knew that. My name is Rapunzel. (Excitedly.) You're not a woodcutter's son by any chance
JAMIE: No, I'm the son of a piper.
PRINCESS RAPUNZEL: Oh how very disappointing. Well in that case I think you'd better go. Goodbye.
(She begins to leave.)
JAMIE: (Urgently.) Your highness, wait.
PRINCESS RAPUNZEL: (Returns to window.) Well
JAMIE: I can't go back there. It's a sheer drop, and I can't just stand out here. I'll... I'll have to climb though the window.
PRINCESS RAPUNZEL: Well, I don't know if that will be allowed.
JAMIE: Well I won't stay long, just passing through you might say. Oh please.
PRINCESS RAPUNZEL: (Sighing.) It's a pity you're not a prince, you'd have made rather a good one. Well I suppose you'd better come inside. For goodness sake be quiet.
CASTLE INTERIOR
(Jamie climbs through a window into the castle. The window is arched with a sloping window sill. The interior is almost entirely white in colour. To the right of Jamie is an Archway. Jamie looks through this.)
JAMIE: Rapunzel... Your Highness... where have you gone. Don't be silly, I'm not going...
(Jamie walks down a step into another part of the room.)
JAMIE: Hey, this doesn't look like the inside of a princess's castle to me.
(Three strange metallic devices protrude from the wall, close to the window. In the lower area of the room several strange machines and devices are operating. A large circular screen can be seen. Jamie approaches it. The control mechanism for the screen is just in front of it to the right. Jamie operates it. A double page spread from a book appears on the screen. An illustration is on the left-hand page, while text appears on the right-hand page. The title
'Treasure Island' can be seen along with the legend 'Chapter 1'. Jamie switches the machine off and continue to examine the room. He bumps into a machine, which starts up.)
FEMALE VOICE: "Christmas won't be Christmas without presents," grumbled Joe, lying on the rug. "It's so dreadful to be poor,"
sighed Meg, looking down at her old ro...
(Jamie switches the reading machine off. He notices a set of lights on a huge machine. The lights have labels above them. He can clearly see a label which reads 'Vanity Fair'. The lights flash on and off. Other labels visible read 'Don Quixote', and 'The Pit and the Pendulum'. Jamie can hear another machine operate. It looks like an old-fashioned ticker-tape message printer. A tall glass bell jar houses the mechanism, and a stream of ticker tape emerges. Jamie approaches, picks up the ticker tape and begins to read out loud.)
JAMIE: "The Doctor and Zoe,"
(The words can clearly be seen on the ticker tape as Jamie reads.)
JAMIE: "unable to find their companion in the labyrinth, decide to return to the cave in search of him, where a new terror awaited them."
(Jamie looks up in alarm.)
HEART OF THE LABYRINTH
(The skeleton in the middle of the cave can clearly be seen. We can hear the Doctor's voice as they approach the cave.)
DOCTOR: There must be at least one more test... I wonder what it will be?
(The Doctor and Zoe enter the cave. Zoe is now wearing Jamie's jacket over her usual costume. They stand a little distance apart.)
ZOE: I can't believe you are beginning to enjoy all this.
(She looks at something across the cave.)
ZOE: That wasn't there before, was it.
(The Doctor looks over a full-sized statue in white stone. It is of the Medusa. Stone snakes form her hair, and her features are strangely angular. Her eyes are larger than a normal human's. Snakes cover her cheeks.)
DOCTOR: A statue.
ZOE: Like the unicorn.
(Zoe approaches the Doctor.)
DOCTOR: Yes. Only, the unicorn was alive first, and then became a statue. Only this time...
ZOE: What?
DOCTOR: Have a care Zoe. I have a feeling the situation is going to be reversed.
ZOE: It is coming to life.
(The snakes on the statue's head begin to writhe and move. They emit a low hiss.)
DOCTOR: (OOV.) Medusa.
CASTLE INTERIOR
(One of the labels above the flashing lights reads 'Legends of Ancient Greece'. Jamie doesn't notice it, as he has his back to it, reading from the ticker-tape machine.)
JAMIE: "The Doctor and Zoe where face to face with Medusa. One glance from her eyes would ... would turn them to stone."
HEART OF THE LABYRINTH
(The Doctor and Zoe are huddled close together. They stare off into space, their eyes averted from the Medusa which is approaching. They can hear the hiss of the many snakes on her head.)
DOCTOR: Now, we know what we have to do Zoe?
ZOE: Yes.
(She risks a glance over her shoulder.)
ZOE: She's moving. (Afraid.) She's going to look at us.
(The Medusa approaches. Snakes are coiled around her neck as well as moving on her head.)
DOCTOR: (Forcibly.) Zoe, we have to say "Medusa doesn't exist."
ZOE: (Panicked.) But, she does.
(The Medusa moves closer.)
DOCTOR: (Very forcibly.) Zoe, Medusa is a myth. If you believe it her, she can turn us both to stone. Now Zoe, say it: "The Medusa is a myth," say it.
(The Medusa's hand approaches over Zoe's left shoulder.)
ZOE: (Terrified.) But she's alive.
DOCTOR: No.
ZOE: (Terrified.) She's real
DOCTOR: No. Don't look in her eyes, don't look.
(The Medusa stands next to them, snakes writhing on her head.) | {"type": "series", "show": "Doctor Who", "episode": "06x08 - The Mind Robber - part 3"} | foreverdreaming |
THE MIND ROBBER
BY PETER LING
EPISODE 4
Original Air Date: 5 October 1968
5:20pm - 5:40pm
HEART OF THE LABYRINTH
(This room is a large cave at the centre of a labyrinth of tunnels. Although not seen in this scene, the room is lit by a number of candles mounted in candelabras set into the walls. We first see the Medusa's head in close up, snakes writhing about her head, then we cut to The Doctor and Zoe who are huddled close together, the Doctor's arm around Zoe's shoulder. They stare off into space, their eyes averted from the Medusa, which is approaching. They can hear the hiss of the many snakes on her head.)
DOCTOR: (Urgently.) Don't look in her eyes. Don't look. The Medusa doesn't exist, you must believe that.
ZOE: (Panicked.) I can feel her fingertips, like ice.
DOCTOR: No, no, that's marble. Think of her as a marble statue. A legend.
ZOE: But she's real. I've got to look at her, I've got to.
CASTLE INTERIOR
(This room consists of two linked areas. The first is a bare white room roughly square in shape. It contains an arched window in the centre of the back wall.
To the right of this window is an small arched exit. To the left of the window is a large square arched opening with a step leading down into the second area.
The second area is where Jamie is standing by the teleprint machine, reading. This area contains a number of machines.)
JAMIE: (Reading.) "One glance from her eyes would turn them to stone. But all was not yet lost. Suddenly the Doctor found a sword at his feet, picked it up, and with one stroke, slew the monster."
(He looks up and stares off into the distance, deep in thought.)
HEART OF THE LABYRINTH
(The Doctor is bent over. He suddenly straightens up holding a sword in his right hand. His left hand is held protectively around Zoe's shoulder.)
DOCTOR: A sword!
ZOE: Well, that's it - you're supposed to use the sword, like Perseus.
DOCTOR: Maybe it's another trap?
ZOE: Oh Doctor, please!
DOCTOR: No, how can I k*ll something that doesn't exist.
(He throws the sword to the floor.)
ZOE: I've got to open my eyes, I've got to see.
DOCTOR: No wait! Perseus, of course, a mirror.
(He reaches into his right hand jacket pocket and produces an oval mirror with a handle.)
DOCTOR: (Forcibly.) There, look at her reflection in the mirror, look.
(The Doctor holds the mirror so Zoe can see the Medusa's reflection. We see from Zoe's point of view. We can see the face of the Medusa.)
DOCTOR: You see her.
ZOE: Yes.
DOCTOR: This is how Perseus escaped. He looked at her reflection in his polished shield. There's no danger in the reflection.
(Slowly the snakes on the Medusa's head slow and stop moving. Eventually the Medusa becomes a statue again. Both the Doctor and Zoe cautiously turn to look at it.)
DOCTOR: (Calmly.) You can look now, the statue has become a statue again.
CASTLE INTERIOR
(Jamie is still reading from the teleprint machine.)
JAMIE: Cancel! cancel! cancel! The Doctor test report failure.
(He drops the message reel and sets off across the room. He passes out of the machine area, past the arched window through which he entered the castle, and begins to leave the room through the arched exit. As he does so, an alarm sounds. He rushes back into the room.)
THE MASTER: (Voice only.) Attention! Attention! There is a stranger inside the building.
(Jamie attempts to climb out of the window but a metal grille swings down, blocking his escape. Jamie jumps back to avoid the swinging grille.)
THE MASTER: (Voice only.) Call out a search party.
(Jamie checks through the archway, where he appears to see someone approach. He runs back into the machine room, hiding to the left of the connecting archway. We can see a small metallic device mounted into the wall about 30 cm from the floor. We see a figure enter the room through the narrow arched entrance.
The figure who enters carries a sword. He crosses the room quickly, and as he spots Jamie, is revealed to be Gulliver.)
GULLIVER: Ah the young traveller. I had wondered as much.
JAMIE: Have you been sent to find me?
GULLIVER: His companions were in a state of some anxiety concerning his present whereabouts.
JAMIE: Companions! Zoe and the Doctor. Where are they?
GULLIVER: Safe and well.
JAMIE: You've actually spoken to them?
GULLIVER: The gentlemen desired I let him know what place I came from and whither I was bound.
(We hear a strange mechanical sound.)
JAMIE: Oh what's that?
(Jamie rushes across the archway and hides against the opposite wall, his back to it.)
GULLIVER: I heard nothing.
(Jamie pops his head round the corner to take a look.)
JAMIE: Probably the search party.
(Gulliver follows him and stands nearby.)
GULLIVER: By the laws of this kingdom, every chamber must be searched.
JAMIE: If they find me, I'm done for.
GULLIVER: You should be put to death.
(As Jamie leans back against the wall, a panel slides across, revealing a darkened recess beyond. Jamie stumbles backward into it. He leans forward and emerges again.)
JAMIE: What about you?
GULLIVER: I will come to no harm.
JAMIE: (Pointing at Gulliver.) If you give me away this time, I'm finished.
(Jamie enters the recess and slides the panel across, leaving Gulliver alone in the room. Gulliver draws his sword in his right hand and a small flintlock p*stol in his left.)
GULLIVER: (To Himself.) I was ready with the hazard of my life to defend this person.
(A group of the three White Robots enter. They move slowly across the room accompanied by a mechanical sound and periodic electronic beeps. They pass close to Gulliver but ignore him. He continues to look around the room as he stands vigil. It is unclear if he sees the White Robots at all. Eventually the three White Robots cross the room and stand at a black door at the far side of the machine area. It opens and they begin to leave. Jamie then emerges from his hiding place.)
JAMIE: Where have they gone?
GULLIVER: Mmm
JAMIE: The White Robots!
GULLIVER: Young Sir, I do assure you, there was no such person here.
JAMIE: Aye, well, robots or not, I'm getting out of this place.
(Jamie walks to the grilled window and begins to pull on the bars, to no avail. As he struggles, Gulliver approaches and stands near.)
GULLIVER: You desire your liberty?
JAMIE: Yes. I mean, I got in alright - the thing is how do I get out?
(Gulliver moves away from the window and Jamie joins him.)
GULLIVER: After some consideration...
JAMIE: Yes.
Gulliver: ...I was of the opinion that...
JAMIE: Go on, go on.
GULLIVER: ...this was altogether impossible.
(Jamie looks to the heavens for help.)
CLIFFSIDE
(We see a many-towered castle, high on a hillside. The castle turrets are toped with ornate coned roofs and the battlements are adorned with crenellations.
DOCTOR: (OOV.) Oh yes, that's the citadel alright.
(The Doctor and Zoe are revealed standing close to a cliff wall, looking off to their left at the Citadel high above them.)
DOCTOR: The question is, how do we get up there.
ZOE: It's an awful long way to climb.
(We hear a strange noise.)
DOCTOR: (Alarmed.) Zoe, duck!
(The Doctor pulls Zoe to the floor. Behind them, a rock explodes as some w*apon narrowly misses the time travellers. The pair cautiously look up. The Doctor focusing on the exploded rock. Zoe turns and her mouth falls open in surprise.)
ZOE: (OOV.) The Karkus.
(A comic-book style effect, involving an expanding star design, occurs, and an armed figure is revealed. The figure is wearing tight black pants or leggings with a large buckled belt above. He has a light covered shirt with exaggerated musculature design embossed onto it, and large padded shoulders. He has a long black cape. He is wearing a dark mask covering the top part of his face. He is holding a futuristic-looking g*n in his left hand.)
KARKUS: (Heavily accented.) You are my Prisoners.
ZOE: It's the Karkus.
DOCTOR: What?
KARKUS: You will come out and put the hands above your head.
(The Doctor and Zoe emerge from behind their cover and approach the Karkus, cautiously. Neither raises their hands. Zoe plays with the buttons on Jamie's jacket nervously. The Doctor merely holds his hands to his side.)
ZOE: You know, He's fictional too.
KARKUS: Obey, or I will f*re.
(Both the Doctor and Zoe raise there hands quickly. The Karkus approaches to stand a few feet away. We can see he is much taller than both the companions.)
DOCTOR: What with that thing? What sort of w*apon is that?
ZOE: It's an anti-molecular ray disintegrator.
DOCTOR: Rubbish. Such a w*apon is scientifically impossible, it doesn't exist.
(The w*apon is suddenly gone from the Karkus' hand.)
KARKUS: (In rage.) Ah.
(The Doctor drops his hands.)
DOCTOR: That seems to've taken care of that.
KARKUS: I shall tear you limb from limb.
(The Doctor and Zoe huddle together again.)
ZOE: Oh Doctor, be careful. He could do it, you know. The Karkus has super-human strength.
KARKUS: You will be minced meat.
ZOE: Quickly, Doctor, say it, you know he's a fictional character.
DOCTOR: But I don't. I've never heard of him.
(The Karkus leaps at the Doctor, who ducks under his swinging arm.)
DOCTOR: Oh Zoe, run!
(The Doctor's momentum carries him forwards and he ends up behind Zoe.)
DOCTOR: What are you doing?
ZOE: Oh
(The Karkus picks Zoe up by the waist and throws her out of the way. The Doctor holds his hands out defensively.)
ZOE: (Alarmed.) Oh.
DOCTOR: No, Please. I'm sure we can talk this over.
(Zoe approaches the Karkus from behind, catches his right hand and throws him. She turns to the Doctor.)
DOCTOR: Zoe
ZOE: Lesson seventeen.
(The Karkus stands up, pulls his cape off and angrily throws it away. He approaches Zoe. She backs off and takes a defensive stance.)
DOCTOR: Be Careful.
ZOE: Oh dear.
(The Karkus approaches Zoe deliberately. He raises his right arm and brings it down with some force. Zoe blocks him, and twisting her body performs a hip throw on the giant man.)
ZOE: Lesson thirty-two.
(The Karkus rises again. He turns to face Zoe and draws back his arm to strike a blow. The Doctor grabs his hand but doesn't have the strength to hold him back. The doctor is thrown out of the way. The Karkus now rounds on the Doctor and begins to approach him. Zoe sneaks around the back of the Karkus and, as he is about to att*ck the Doctor, she kicks him in the backside. The Karkus rounds on her and delivers a swinging hay-maker, which she easily ducks under. The Karkus att*cks Zoe again but once again misses, landing close to a panicked Doctor.)
DOCTOR: Don't do anything rash.
(The Karkus once more turns his attention to Zoe. He lunges, and is thrown once more. He rises and att*cks again. Yet again, Zoe blocks his att*ck and throws him to the ground. The Karkus rises, but he is visibly swaying. His next lung is weak and he is thrown once more. Zoe rushes over to where he has fallen. She gets behind him, and as the Karkus half rises, she gets him in a neck hold. Zoe has her right arm across his wind pipe and her left across the back of his neck.
She grimaces with effort.)
KARKUS: (Begging.) Mercy.
ZOE: You'd better submit you know.
KARKUS: (In Pain.) Mercy.
ZOE: (Partial obscured by Karkus' cries of pain.) Coming from Earth you can only take a certain amount of pressure. Do you submit.
KARKUS: I submit.
(Zoe smiles and releases her hold.)
ZOE: That's better.
(Both Zoe and the Karkus stand, and they are joined by the Doctor.)
KARKUS: I am your sl*ve. Command me.
ZOE: (To Karkus.) Do you know the way to the Citadel.
KARKUS: I know it.
DOCTOR: (Raising one finger.) Well, well take us there, there's a good chap.
(Zoe snaps her fingers.)
KARKUS: (Bowing.) I obey.
(The Karkus departs. Zoe again smiles. She is out of breath from her exertions and she remains behind with the Doctor.)
ZOE: (Breathlessly.) We all followed his adventures in the strip sections of the hourly telepress.
DOCTOR: The strip. Ah, oh. Oh. A strip cartoon of the year two thousand
ZOE: You've been in the year two thousand haven't you?
(They both turn to stare off in the direction that the Karkus went.)
DOCTOR: Yes, but I hardly had time to follow the strip cartoons.
ZOE: (Pointing.) Well you better start following this one, he's half way up that cliff you know.
(She pulls the Doctor after her as she heads off.)
CITADEL EXTERIOR
(We see a solid-looking wooden door with a small grille in the centre. The Grille provides a lookout point for the people inside the citadel. There is a hinged panel behind the grill which is closed. The door is contained in an arched entrance with a bell pull to the right.. The Karkus arrives at the doorway and stands to the right, his arm stiffly to his side. He is joined by the Doctor and Zoe. Zoe is unchanged; however, the Doctor has collected the Karkus' discarded cloak and is wearing it wrapped around his shoulders.)
DOCTOR: Well thank you, thank you Mr... (To Zoe.) what did you say his name was?
ZOE: K-A-R-K-U-S
DOCTOR: Ah yes, Mr Karkus, thank you.
ZOE: We won't be needing you any longer, run along.
(Zoe snaps her fingers, and the Karkus bows. This once again brings a smile to Zoe's face.)
KARKUS: I obey.
(As the Karkus departs, Zoe lets out a brief sigh. The Doctor clears his throat.)
DOCTOR: Come along.
ZOE: We can't just ring the bell and ask to go in.
DOCTOR: Well why not. It's the usual way.
(The Doctor pulls at the bell cord and a bell rings softly.)
ZOE: Oh. Are you sure this is a good idea.
(The panel behind the grille slides open in two parts, revealing a black space beyond.)
THE MASTER: (Mechanically.) State your name and attribution.
(The Doctor pulls Zoe under his cloak, hiding her from view.)
DOCTOR: (Mimicking Karkus.) I am Karkus.
THE MASTER: And your attribution?
(Zoe suddenly pops her head out from under the cloak.)
ZOE: What's that?
(The Doctor forces her head back down.)
DOCTOR: (To Zoe.) Ssh. (To door panel.) Year two thousand, comic strip creation, the hourly telepress.
THE MASTER: Authenticated, you may enter.
(The door swings open automatically. The Doctor, still with Zoe wrapped under the cape, enters the Citadel. The door then swings closed with a creak and a solid bang.)
CASTLE INTERIOR
(Jamie is standing by the sliding door which the White Robots used to leave the room. He is feeling around the panel, trying to see if there is a way to open the door. He finally gives up and turns to Gulliver, who is standing across the other end of the Machine room.)
JAMIE: Come on now, you heard them given an order to look for me. Why do you suppose that happened?
GULLIVER: I conjecture these were orders given by some person in authority.
JAMIE: (Pointing at Gulliver.) The master?
GULLIVER: It is possible.
(Jamie walks over to join Gulliver.)
JAMIE: Oh, now I'm getting somewhere. Now listen, if there aren't any robots, who do you think was carrying out those orders? I mean, who was I hiding from?
GULLIVER: Why sir, the Yahoos.
JAMIE: Who's the Yahoos?
GULLIVER: A cursed race of inferior creatures. I've never beheld a more disagreeable an animal.
JAMIE: Well I haven't seen any Yahoos. You haven't seen any robots. A fine pickle we're all in.
(The Doctor and Zoe arrive at the alarmed archway.)
ZOE: Jamie!
DOCTOR: What happened?
(Jamie holds up his hand in alarm, and rushes over to join them.)
JAMIE: No! No! Stay where you are!
(Jamie uses his arms to trace around the edge of the archway.)
JAMIE: There's an electrical gadget round here somewhere which sets off an alarm gong. I walked through it, the gong went off and they set a g*ng of robots after me.
ZOE: (To Jamie.) Robots. You mean the same ones we saw before.
JAMIE: Aye, the big white ones, aye.
ZOE: (To Doctor.) Oh Doctor, did you hear that.
(The Doctor is bent over examining the archway.)
DOCTOR: Yes, I thought they'd turn up sooner or later. Yes it's a simple photoelectric cell. We just...
(He picks Zoe up in his arms.)
DOCTOR: Better if I lift you over it.
JAMIE: Be careful.
(He throws Zoe across the threshold, clear of the alarm trigger.)
DOCTOR: There you go.
(The Doctor then leaps over himself, and begins to look around the room.)
DOCTOR: Oh my word.
(Zoe and Jamie hang back while the Doctor enters the machine area of the room. Zoe removes Jamie's jacket and hands it to him. He immediately puts it on.)
ZOE: Oh Jamie, what happened to you when you left the tunnel?
JAMIE: I got chased by one of those tin soldiers. Luckily, I climbed up the cliff - up here. Hey, the thing is - how do we get out?
DOCTOR: I'm not going yet. I'm here on business.
ZOE: (To Jamie.) No, the Doctor's made up his mind. He's going to see the Master.
GULLIVER: (To Doctor.) This resolution may perhaps appear very bold and dangerous.
ZOE: (To Doctor.) There you are, you see.
DOCTOR: (To Gulliver.) Why do you say that?
GULLIVER: I think you should not be here. The Master makes up the rules for the government of his Kingdom. It is unwise for you to disobey.
ZOE: So you think we shouldn't try to see the Master.
GULLIVER: If you would take my advice - swear a peace with the Master and his kingdom - find yourselves a place to lodge - stay quietly with the expectation that things would mend.
DOCTOR: (Smiling.) Yes, well. I see. I'll think it over very carefully.
(Gulliver bows low and heads towards the alarmed archway.)
GULLIVER: Your Servant, Doctor.
(He turns, removes his hat and bows to Zoe and Jamie.)
GULLIVER: Your Servant.
(Gulliver then leaves.)
JAMIE: You're not really going to do as he says, are you?
DOCTOR: No, of course not. I said I'd think it over. Well I have thought it over. We're staying on and fighting on.
ZOE: We'll be fighting on in the dark. We don't know where the next att*ck will come from. Medusa was bad enough.
JAMIE: Ah Medusa. I read about that on this machine here.
(Jamie leads the Doctor and Zoe over to the teleprint machine.)
JAMIE: Wee words keep coming out of it all the time. Look.
(Jamie holds up the printout.)
DOCTOR: Let's have a look.
(The Doctor takes the print from Jamie. Jamie looks over his shoulder and point at a passage.)
JAMIE: There. Look.
DOCTOR: (Reading.) "Cancel, Doctor test report failure." Oh, I think I'm beginning to understand.
JAMIE: Well, I wish I was.
DOCTOR: Well, when someone writes about an incident after it's happened - that's history.
JAMIE: Yes.
DOCTOR: But, when the writing comes first - that's fiction. If we had fallen into the Master's trap, we would have become fiction.
ZOE: Oh that's horrible. Come on.
(Zoe starts to run across the room towards the alarmed archway.)
DOCTOR: (Calling after her.) Zoe, where are you going?
ZOE: Let's get out of here before it's too late.
DOCTOR: Don't go...
ZOE: (Over her shoulder.) It's alright
DOCTOR: ...not through there.
(Zoe runs through the archway and the alarm gong sounds.)
JAMIE: Oh no.
(Zoe hides in a corner by the door.)
THE MASTER: Attention. Attention. There are still strangers at large. Renew the search. The strangers must be found.
ZOE: (Shouting.) What are we going to do?
JAMIE: (To Doctor.) That's funny - Gulliver walked through.
DOCTOR: (To Jamie.) Gulliver's not real - we are.
(Zoe rushes over to the Doctor and Jamie.)
ZOE: They're coming. Where are we going to hide?
DOCTOR: No need to hide.
ZOE: Why not? If they find us...?
DOCTOR: Let them find us.
JAMIE: You mean, just stand here and wait?
DOCTOR: Yes, why not? We'll ask for an interview with the Master.
ZOE: They may not give us time to ask for anything.
(Three White Robots enter via the alarmed archway and close in on the Doctor and his companions.)
JAMIE: (Alarmed.) Look!
DOCTOR: (To Robots.) Are you looking for us, by any chance?
(The White Robots continue to advance, driving the three companions back towards the sliding door.)
DOCTOR: (Nervously.) ...We... (Demandingly.) We demand an interview with the Master.
(The door behind them slides open.)
THE MASTER: (OOV.) How very fortunate. Do come in Doctor. I've been expecting you.
(Zoe flinches.)
THE MASTER: Oh don't be alarmed, won't you walk into my parlour.
DOCTOR: Said the spider to the fly. Come on.
(The Doctor leads them in. Jamie puts his arm protectively around Zoe and follows. The Doorway slides shut behind them.)
MASTER CONTROL ROOM
(Initially we see little of the room. The Doctor and his companions are standing behind a two panelled sliding glass door. The Door has a hexagonal pattern on it, picked out of a metal frame.)
JAMIE: Hard to see anything.
DOCTOR: (Shouting.) Where are you?
(We next see a vast glass globe. The globe is spinning. It contains a number tendrils and a central globe. As we pull back, we can see that the larger globe is in fact made up of a number of interlocking see-through panels. Finally, we reveal the Master himself. He is a man in late middle age. He is bearded but has no moustache. He is wearing half-rim glasses almost on the point of his nose. He is dressed in a dark jacket, with waistcoat, bat-wing collared shirt and a dark tie. He has a skull cap on his head with two cables clearly seen running from it. These cables run into a fixture at the base of the globe.)
THE MASTER: Here - patiently waiting.
(The glass door slides open and the companions cautiously enter. We see a White Robot standing to the right of the door. The Master is seated behind a large console with the panelled globe behind him. Beyond the spinning globe is a black background with stars. To the left of the Master's console is a device with many flashing lights.)
THE MASTER: Oh Doctor, this is a great pleasure. And your two young companions. Now let me see...
(The master picks up a folder.)
THE MASTER: Oh yes, yes. Zoe and Jamie. I have your dossiers in front of me.
ZOE: You appear to be very well organised.
THE MASTER: Oh yes. We have to be. The running of this place requires enormous attention to detail. It's a responsible position, but very rewarding.
DOCTOR: Responsible? Ah. To someone else.
THE MASTER: Not to someone. Another power - higher than you could begin to imagine. I must congratulate you on the great skill in which you tackled the various stages of your examination.
DOCTOR: What is the purpose of all these tests.
THE MASTER: Well, do you know, when I was first brought here myself, I was as bewildered as you are.
JAMIE: Well, how long have you been here?
THE MASTER: I left England in the summer of nineteen twenty-six.
(The Master removes his glasses and rubs the bridge of his nose.)
THE MASTER: It was a very hot day, as I remember. I think I must have dozed off over my desk, and when I awoke... oh ho ho, but that is a long story.
Did you ever hear of the Adventures of Jack Harkaway.
DOCTOR: No, I can't say that I...Wait a minute, a serial in a boys' magazine.
THE MASTER: The Ensign.
DOCTOR: The Ensign.
THE MASTER: And for 25 years, I delivered five thousand words every week.
DOCTOR: You are a writer?
ZOE: Twenty-five years, five thousand words a week. Well, that's well over half a million words.
THE MASTER: Yes, yes. It was probably some kind of record. Anyway, that is why I was selected to work here.
JAMIE: And you are the one that's in charge of all of this.
THE MASTER: In a sense. Yes.
DOCTOR: Or is all this in charge of you.
THE MASTER: My brain is the source of the creative power which keeps this operation going.
DOCTOR: I see. That means that you are virtually a prisoner.
(Suddenly the interior workings of the globe begin to glow and a rising electronic sound forms. The Master appears distressed and puts his glasses back on.)
THE MASTER: You must excuse me for a moment.
(The Master pick up a pen and begins to write in a large book. We can see some hand-written notes already in the book.)
JAMIE: (Aside to Doctor.) Come on Doctor, let's get out of here.
ZOE: (Aside to Doctor.) Yes let's. It gives me the creeps.
DOCTOR: No, I need to find out more.
JAMIE: Ok, you keep him talking, and Zoe and me will find another way out.
DOCTOR: Jamie, I think it will be safer If we all stick together.
(The globe stops glowing and the Master returns his attention to the Doctor. He stands up.)
THE MASTER: Oh I'm sorry to have kept you waiting. Now where were we?
DOCTOR: You were about to answer my question. Are you a prisoner here?
(Zoe and Jamie have how walked over to stand near the console.)
THE MASTER: Well, no, no. I wouldn't say that. In fact I rather like being here.
(Zoe and Jamie make there way slowly behind the globe machine and disappear from view.)
THE MASTER: I have everything I could possibly want. This vast library with all the known works of fiction. All the masterpieces written by Earthmen since the beginning of time.
LIBRARY
(Jamie and Zoe enter a large library. The walls are lined with books. We can see several tables covered in books and papers. Several shelves of books exist, forming a near maze.)
ZOE: I don't think he noticed.
JAMIE: No, let's try down there.
(Jamie and Zoe set off in another direction.)
MASTER CONTROL ROOM
(The master remains standing behind his console with the Doctor in front of him.)
DOCTOR: I see, yes, and only an Earthman type creature has the power to create fiction. The power to imagine.
THE MASTER: Exactly. This is the one field in which the intelligence I serve cannot compete. They need man. A man of boundless imagination, as a powerhouse. A lifeline, you might say.
DOCTOR: What is this intelligence you serve, and why have you brought me here.
(The master removes his glasses.)
THE MASTER: Well as you can see I am no longer young, where as you Doctor are ageless. You exist outside the barriers of time and space.
DOCTOR: And you want me...
THE MASTER: To take over this unique situation. To take my place.
DOCTOR: (Emphatically.) I refuse.
(The globe begins to glow and the frantic sound begins again.)
THE MASTER: (Mechanically.) Refusal is impossible. You are here to serve us. There is no alternative.
LIBRARY
(Jamie and Zoe run back from another part of the Library.)
ZOE: There's got to be a way out of here.
JAMIE: There must be a door somewhere.
(A White Robot enters from the right, initially unseen by the companions.)
JAMIE: Look, if we're going to get the Doctor away...
(Zoe spots the robot.)
ZOE: (Pointing.) Jamie!
(Zoe and Jamie head for an opening, but it is blocked by another advancing White Robot.)
JAMIE: No
(They try running in another direction, and this too is blocked by a White Robot.)
JAMIE: back this way.
(They take the only remaining route away.)
MASTER CONTROL ROOM
(The machine to the left of the Master's console is now glowing and flashing. The Master remains seated, with the Doctor standing in front of the console.)
THE MASTER: (Mechanically.) Resistance is useless. Submit your will for the sake of the greater good. It has been decided.
DOCTOR: (Defiantly.) I refuse. I shall make that decision for myself.
(Suddenly the mechanical noise from the globe stops.)
THE MASTER: (Normal voice.) You will find there is only one decision open to you.
(The mechanical noise resumes.)
THE MASTER: (Mechanically.) Mission accomplished. Procedure as arranged.
DOCTOR: What does that mean?
THE MASTER: The latest chapter of the serial story. I'll read you the last sentence. (Reading from a book.) "Zoe and Jamie, attempting to escape, Bu..." ha ha... "in making it through the library they were ambushed by a sortie of guards and were overpowered."
DOCTOR: Oh no, Zoe... Jamie...
THE MASTER: Are you prepared to co-operate now. Your life in return for theirs. Is that a bargain. Look!
(A monitor is mounted facing The Master's console. On it we can see the three White Robots attacking Jamie and Zoe.)
LIBRARY
(The White Robots are attacking Zoe and Jamie. A wave is being emitted from a w*apon mounted on their chest units. Zoe and Jamie reel from the as*ault. They hold there arms up defensively.)
ZOE: Oh Jamie, My eyes.
(The pair back away from the attackers.)
JAMIE: I can't see, my eyes, quick, back, back away Zoe.
(Jamie grabs Zoe's arm and pulls her.)
JAMIE: Here, Quick.
(He suddenly realises that they are trapped inside a giant book. A chapter heading 'Pris au piece' can be seen. One of the White Robots stands by the cover of the book.)
JAMIE: No, it's a book - back out again.
(A second White Robot takes position at the other cover and begins to close the book.)
ZOE: Push.
JAMIE: Push. It's closing.
(Jamie and Zoe struggle against the Robots, but the book closes and they disappear from view. Fade to black.) | {"type": "series", "show": "Doctor Who", "episode": "06x09 - The Mind Robber - part 4"} | foreverdreaming |
THE MIND ROBBER
BY PETER LING
EPISODE 5
Original Air Date: 12 October 1968
5:20pm - 5:40pm
LIBRARY
(Jamie and Zoe are trapped inside an outsized book. The chapter title 'Un Renard' can clearly be seen with a subheading 'Pris au piege'. A White Robot enters a large library. The walls are lined with books. We can see several tables covered in books and papers. Several shelves of books exist forming a near maze.)
JAMIE: It's a book Zoe,
ZOE: Oh Jamie,
JAMIE: It's closing on us.
ZOE: No!
(The book begins to close, trapping the two companions.)
JAMIE: Push!
ZOE: Push!
JAMIE: Push! Oh keep it open!
(The book closes and a White Robot moves in front of it blocking the view.)
MASTER CONTROL ROOM
(On a viewing monitor, we see the final seconds of Jamie and Zoe being trapped in the book. The Doctor turns to face the Master who is seated behind his console.)
DOCTOR: (Angrily.) What have you done to them?
(He rushes over to stand before the Master.)
THE MASTER: (Smiling.) They are no longer human beings, just fictional characters. Now if you consent to take my place here, they can be released.
DOCTOR: You really would do that?
THE MASTER: No, my dear sir, you would. Once you have taken up your post here, it could be your first official task as the new controller.
DOCTOR: I see, how very ingenious.
THE MASTER: I take it then, that you agree.
DOCTOR: (Defiantly.) No! My answer is still no!.
THE MASTER: How very unfortunate.
(He pushes a button on the console. We see a door made of two glass panels with a hexagonal design slide apart to reveal two White Robots. As the Doctor turns to escape them, a third robot approaches blocking off his retreat.)
THE MASTER: I'm sorry to have to use violent methods, but you must submit. You have no alternative.
(The Doctor stands between two of the White Robots.)
DOCTOR: I've yet to see a robot...
(The Doctor suddenly rushes toward a set of book shelves.)
DOCTOR: ...that can climb.
(The Doctor begins to climb. As the White Robots stand helplessly at the bottom.)
THE MASTER: You cannot escape. But, we will play your game a little longer.
THE CITADEL EXTERIOR AND COURTYARD
(We see a view of the Citadel exterior. A series of turrets, towers and crenellations. We see the Doctor emerge from as window. He looks over the edge of a wall, and winces at the height. He then climbs over a low wall, wiping his hands of dust afterwards. He suddenly flattens himself against a wall as he hears footsteps approach, his face a picture of worry and concern. A door opens with a creak and Jamie emerges, and we see they are in a wide open courtyard on top of the battlements. Jamie is swiftly followed by Zoe who turns and spots the Doctor.)
ZOE: Doctor.
DOCTOR: Zoe! Jamie!
JAMIE: Oh, am I glad to see you.
DOCTOR: The Master said you turned...
JAMIE: Aye, where do we go from here?
ZOE: Well, back to the Tardis.
JAMIE: We can't do that. It fell apart, do you not remember?
ZOE: Oh well, It's all over now, thank goodness.
JAMIE: The Tardis broke up!
DOCTOR: Yes, you've said that Jamie.
ZOE: I'm tired, I think I'll sit down and have a rest.
(Zoe moves off with a strange lifeless expression on her face.)
DOCTOR: (Concerned.) Is some thing wrong, Zoe?
JAMIE: (To the Doctor.) Aye, where do we go from here?
ZOE: (OOV.) Back to the Tardis.
JAMIE: We can't do that. It broke up. Do you not remember?
DOCTOR: But you... you just keep saying the same things.
(The Doctor snaps his fingers in front Jamie's face, as if trying to snap him out of hypnosis.)
JAMIE: The Tardis broke up.
(The Doctor moves off leaving Jamie standing motionless.)
DOCTOR: Well it's true. They're not real. They've been turned into fiction.
(As he wanders forwards, he comes across a skylight. He looks down into it.)
DOCTOR: Well what's this?...
(He pulls out his handkerchief and uses it to clean the window. We see a tele-printer. We can see "They were ambushed by a party of White Robots,"
being printed.)
DOCTOR: ...The master tape!...
(The Doctor stuffs his handkerchief back in his top jacket pocket.)
DOCTOR: ...I wonder. Perhaps if I were to create a few immortal words of fiction of my own. Yes, it's worth trying.
(The Doctor struggles to open the window but is unable to do so.)
DOCTOR: (Frustrated.) What I need is the strength of Karkus!
(A comic-book visual effect and a whirling sound announces the arrival of the comic-book hero. He stands with his hands on his hip in classic superhero stance.)
KARKUS: I am at your command.
(He approaches the Doctor.)
DOCTOR: Oh thank you dear sir. Perhaps you could release this for me.
(The Karkus bends and with some ease removes the entire window, frame and all.)
KARKUS: This is want you want?
(He offers the Doctor the frame.)
DOCTOR: No, I don't actually want it. You see I want to get down here somehow.
(He points into the now open skylight.)
KARKUS: You wait.
DOCTOR: Thank you.
(The Karkus moves off. The Doctor approaches the still motionless Jamie and Zoe.)
DOCTOR: Jamie... Jamie, Zoe. You are being controlled!
(Again the Doctor tries snapping his fingers in front of Jamie's face.)
DOCTOR: Jamie, listen, listen.
(The Doctor hops about in frustration.)
DOCTOR: Oh it's no use.
(He returns to look down the open skylight. The Karkus approaches.)
KARKUS: A rope.
(Distracted by events, the Doctor accepts the rope.)
DOCTOR: Oh, thank you.
(He pulls on it.)
PRINCESS RAPUNZEL: (OOV.) Ouch.
DOCTOR: What?
(We see that the rope is in fact Princess Rapunzel's hair as she appears alongside the Karkus.)
PRINCESS RAPUNZEL: Careful!
DOCTOR: Oh yes of course, you're Princess Rapunzel.
PRINCESS RAPUNZEL: Are you a prince?
DOCTOR: No. No, I'm afraid not. Would you mind if I used your hair to get down there.
PRINCESS RAPUNZEL: No, of course not. Everyone else uses it, so I don't see why you shouldn't
DOCTOR: Thank you very much. Now then, where can we attach the...
(The Karkus grabs the hair, securing it.)
DOCTOR: ...ah yes, of course.
(The Doctor begins to climb down the rope.)
THE MASTER-TAPE ROOM
(The Doctor climbs down the last few feet. The room is angular, and the walls appear to have panels and lights. In the middle of the room is the master-tape machine itself. The Doctor, after a brief look around, rushes over to the master tape and sits down before it. He looks up and smiles. Then he rubs his hands and prepares to type.)
MASTER CONTROL ROOM
(On a viewing monitor, we see the Doctor poised over the master-tape machine. He appears to be typing. We see the words "Enemy had finally been defeated" on the machines printout. The Master leans forward in triumph.)
THE MASTER: Yes... Yes... go on.
THE MASTER-TAPE ROOM
(The Doctor is still sitting at the machine looking pleased with himself.)
DOCTOR: "The enemy had finally been defeated by the Doctor."
(Suddenly a look of concern passes over his face.)
DOCTOR: No! No! I can't say that. If I say that? Phew! I nearly fell for it didn't I. Another two seconds and I should have turned myself into fiction!
(Suddenly a Toy Soldier appears.)
MASTER CONTROL ROOM
(The Master watches as on a viewing monitor. We see the Doctor stand up and edge back towards the hair rope. He reaches it and begins to climb. The Master reacts angrily.)
THE MASTER: Halt! Now we shall play games no longer.
THE CITADEL EXTERIOR AND COURTYARD
(The Doctor emerges from the skylight, helped by the Karkus and Princess Rapunzel.)
DOCTOR: I'm very obliged to you both.
PRINCESS RAPUNZEL: Always happy to be of assistance.
(The Doctor notices for the first time that Jamie and Zoe are no longer in the Courtyard.)
DOCTOR: Jamie and Zoe! I left them here. Where are they? (Shouts.) Jamie! Zoe!
(Gulliver and the group of children enter from an arched entrance in the corner of the courtyard. They approach the Doctor, Karkus and Princess Rapunzel.)
GULLIVER: They had to make a departure. It was necessary.
FIRST BOY: They'll be back soon.
TALLEST GIRL: What's happening?
(The Children begin to all talk at once, f*ring questions at the Doctor.)
SMALLEST BOY: You must have some idea?
SMALLEST GIRL: Is it a game?
HATLESS TWIN BOY: Yes. What's going on?
(The Noise level increases and the voices become indistinct. The Doctor holds his hands over his ears.)
DOCTOR: (Shouting.) Please! Please I must think.
(The Doctor runs away from the group but the children follow f*ring indistinct questions at him.)
DOCTOR: There must be some way out of this. There's just got to be.
MASTER CONTROL ROOM
(The Master sits behind his console. He is writing in his ledger. He stops and reads aloud.)
THE MASTER: "Jamie and Zoe realised at last that the Doctor was in fact the most monstrous and cunning villain. There was no punishment too severe for the crimes he had committed."
(The hexagonal glass doors open and Jamie and Zoe enter, accompanied by two White Robots.)
THE MASTER: Splendid! Splendid! Come closer my children.
(The pair approach the desk, standing side by side. They stare out ahead of them as if in a dream. One of the White Robot stands behind them menacingly.)
JAMIE: You sent for us Master.
THE MASTER: Now you know what your friend the Doctor is really like, don't you.
ZOE: He is the most monstrous and cunning villain.
JAMIE: No punishment is too severe for the crimes he has committed.
THE MASTER: Word perfect. That is why I have sent for you both at this moment of crisis. We need your help.
ZOE: Tell us what we must do?
THE MASTER: Well...
THE CITADEL EXTERIOR AND COURTYARD
(The Doctor sits on a small flight of steps in the courtyard. Near him are Gulliver and Princess Rapunzel. The Tallest Girl and First Boy also stand nearby.
The remaining children are spinning around in a circle singing a nursery rhyme. There is no sign of the Karkus.)
CHILDREN: A pocket full of posies. A tissue, A tissue. We all fall down.
(They break the circle and begin to laugh.)
GULLIVER: (To the Doctor.) I understand, sir, that you are in an unhappy situation.
PRINCESS RAPUNZEL: Isn't there anything we can do to help?
DOCTOR: I only wish there was.
(Suddenly the Smallest Girl spot something.)
SMALLEST GIRL: (Points.) Look!
HATLESS TWIN BOY: What's that?
TWIN BOY WITH CAP: I never saw it before.
(The Doctor stands, up a look of pleasure on his face. He begins to walk forwards.)
DOCTOR: The Tardis!... safe and sound... by all that's wonderful.
(He leaps and beams a smile as he stands by the familiar police box. The door opens and Jamie emerges.)
JAMIE: Doctor, are you ready?
(Zoe emerges as Jamie moves out of the way.)
ZOE: The time has come.
DOCTOR: The time?
ZOE: To leave.
DOCTOR: But how did you find the Tardis?
JAMIE: We'll explain all that later.
ZOE: Come on! We must get away.
(The pair man-handle the Doctor into the police box.)
DOCTOR: Yes! Yes of course we must. Just when I was thinking all was over.
(Jamie pulls the door to, locking the Doctor inside.)
ZOE: Oh no.
JAMIE: It's not over yet Doctor.
ZOE: Not yet.
(They both back away, laughing menacingly.)
DOCTOR: Oh Jamie! Zoe!
(The front of the Tardis has become a cardboard facade. It falls to the floor revealing the Doctor trapped inside a transparent cube. The children rush to the side of the cube laughing. The image of the Doctor begins to fade.)
DOCTOR: What's happening?
(The Doctor disappears, leaving the group of children still laughing as the screen fades to black.)
MASTER CONTROL ROOM
(The Master, pencil in hand, sits behind his console. He dictates.)
THE MASTER: "The children obeyed perfectly. Their mission is completed."
(We now see the Doctor. He is trapped against a transparent panel with an elaborate set of machinery arranged about his head.)
THE MASTER: And now perhaps we can get down to business. As you refuse to take over my post at the controls, we have been forced to incorporate you into the computer itself.
DOCTOR: To what purpose?
THE MASTER: To Bring the whole planet Earth under our control.
DOCTOR: And it's people?
THE MASTER: We have no wish to destroy them. Merely to adjust their minds to suit our purpose.
DOCTOR: (Angrily.) Sausages. Mankind will just become like a string of sausages. All the same.
THE MASTER: Man will simply vanish from the Earth and reappear here.
DOCTOR: Leaving the Earth undamaged and uninhabited for you to take over.
THE MASTER: Precisely.
DOCTOR: If I co-operate.
THE MASTER: You have no alternative. You are part of the Master Brain.
DOCTOR: (Slyly.) So the computer feeds off my thoughts does it?
THE MASTER: Correct
DOCTOR: Then it will create what I think.
THE MASTER: (Panicking.) Oh No! No, no. No, no. You are now under the control of the Master Brain
DOCTOR: (Defiantly.) Are you so sure? You couldn't control my mind before, and you certainly can't control it now.
THE MASTER: Submit!
DOCTOR: No! You've given me equal power. It's now a battle of wits between me and you.
(The Doctor closes his eyes. Lights on the apparatus around his head begin to glow.)
THE MASTER: Oh no, no, no! Stop! Stop!
DOCTOR: Jamie! Zoe! Can you hear me? Think for yourselves. Don't be afraid. You can open the book. Go on, you can do it.
THE MASTER: No! Oh dear. This is against everything we ever worked for.
(The Master Brain suddenly starts up, taking charge of the Master.)
THE MASTER: (Mechanically.) Warning! Warning! Emergency Action. Emergency! Emergency!
DOCTOR: Don't worry about fiction. Hang on to real life. You've got to get out!
THE MASTER: (Mechanically.) Calling the White Robots. Guards will enter the control centre. The Master Brain must be protected.
THE CITADEL EXTERIOR AND COURTYARD
(The Six children, Princess Rapunzel and Gulliver stand in the courtyard. They speak to an unseen person.)
FIRST BOY: What is it?
TALLEST GIRL: What are you saying?
SMALLEST BOY: Is it a game?
GULLIVER: We are no longer in the same service
PRINCESS RAPUNZEL: You're going away from us?
(We now see that they are talking to Jamie and Zoe who walk mechanically away.)
LIBRARY
(Jamie and Zoe are trapped inside the outsized book.)
JAMIE: Push Zoe. Push hard. We will get out.
(They strain and the cover begin to part.)
MASTER CONTROL ROOM
(The Master watches this on a viewing monitor. We see the Doctor still in the transparent link watching on a large screen. We can see Jamie and Zoe beginning to win their struggle. The Master reacts angrily.)
THE MASTER: Soldiers to the roof immediately.
DOCTOR: Jamie! Zoe! Concentrate. You've got to get out of there. Now push. Harder! Harder!...
(On the screen we see Jamie and Zoe succeed in escaping from the book. The screen goes blank.)
DOCTOR: ...Splendid, splendid.
THE MASTER: Soldiers forward, seize them, destroy them.
DOCTOR: No! Jamie! Zoe! Run!
THE CITADEL EXTERIOR AND COURTYARD
(The real Jamie and Zoe find themselves on the rooftop courtyard. We see Gulliver, Princess Rapunzel and six children in the background. We see Jamie and Zoe back away from some unseen danger.)
JAMIE: Back Zoe.
(Three Toy Soldiers approach accompanied by the mechanical marching sound. The companions turn and approach Gulliver.)
ZOE: Can't you help us?
(Gulliver withdraws a flintlock p*stol and looks off in the wrong direction.)
GULLIVER: We obey our creator. That is all that is expected of any character, unless the Master bids us otherwise.
(Jamie and Zoe huddle together and stare at the approaching Toy Soldiers with fear.)
MASTER CONTROL ROOM
(The Master and The Doctor watch this as on the viewing monitor.)
THE MASTER: And now Doctor, obey me.
DOCTOR: No... Somebody...
(Thinks for a moment then suddenly remembers.)
DOCTOR: "The Karkus comes to their rescue!"
THE CITADEL EXTERIOR AND COURTYARD
(The comic-book visual effect and sound announce the arrival of the Karkus. He is holding his anti-molecular disintegrator g*n.)
KARKUS: I am at you command.
(The Karkus rushes around the courtyard to confront the Toy Soldiers.)
DOCTOR: (Voice Over.) "He raised his anti-molecular disintegrator g*n and destroyed the soldiers."
(The Karkus fires and one of the Toy Soldiers is h*t. He falls to the floor. The Karkus takes aim again, and a second soldier is felled.)
MASTER CONTROL ROOM
(The Master watches this on the viewing monitor.)
THE MASTER: No.
(He begins to dictate and write into his ledger.)
THE MASTER: "But the Karkus realised his mistake and turned back to face his real enemies, Jamie and Zoe."
THE CITADEL EXTERIOR AND COURTYARD
(The Karkus stops f*ring on the Toy Soldiers and slowly begins to turn to face Jamie and Zoe. The companions watch this, and realise with fear what is happening.)
JAMIE: What's he doing? Duck! Zoe!
(Jamie and Zoe duck behind a wall. The Karkus takes careful aim.)
MASTER CONTROL ROOM
(The Master continues to write in his journal.)
THE MASTER: "With Jamie and Zoe fixed firmly in his sights, the Karkus pressed the trigger of his g*n."
DOCTOR: "But the power had been used up on the soldiers and it was useless."
(The Doctor turns to the Master.)
DOCTOR: Oh you'll have to do better than that.
THE MASTER: "Suddenly a swashbuckling figure appeared. The poet and swordsman..."
(We see a figure emerge on the large monitor.)
THE MASTER: "Cyranno de Bergerac."
(We see the figure turn to face us. He is reading a book, and has a very long nose.)
THE CITADEL EXTERIOR AND COURTYARD
(Cyranno draws his sword and begins to advance.)
THE MASTER: (Voice Over.) "Remorselessly, Cyranno advanced on those that had dared poke fun at his nose."
MASTER CONTROL ROOM
(The Doctor inside the transparent link.)
DOCTOR: "But wait..."
THE CITADEL EXTERIOR AND COURTYARD
(Behind Cyranno a figure emerges, his sword already drawn. Draws his sword and begins to advance.)
DOCTOR: (Voice Over.) "He found himself face to face..."
(The two fictional swordsmen begin to duel.)
DOCTOR: "...with the fearless musketeer and fearless swordsman D'artangon."
(The Fight continues as both men cut, thrust and parry. As stirring music plays.)
MASTER CONTROL ROOM
(Doctor in transparent link.)
DOCTOR: Jamie! Zoe! Get away from there.
THE CITADEL EXTERIOR AND COURTYARD
(Cyranno and D'artangon continue to duel. We see Jamie and Zoe hiding from the fight.)
JAMIE: Come on Zoe.
(Jamie leads Zoe around to the skylight opening which leads to the master tape.)
JAMIE: Princess Rapunzel, can I borrow you hair again?
PRINCESS RAPUNZEL: Of course.
(Jamie takes the hair and feeds it down the opening.)
ZOE: Why are we going down there?
JAMIE: We've got to get to the Doctor. Come on!
(He lifts Zoe over the Edge and helps her to climb down.)
MASTER CONTROL ROOM
(The Master watching from his console.)
THE MASTER: Stop them. Substitute cutlass for rapier.
THE CITADEL EXTERIOR AND COURTYARD
(Cyranno and D'artangon continue to duel.)
THE MASTER: (Voice Over.) Cancel Cyranno.
(Cyranno is replaced by a heavily built man with a cutlass and a bushy beard.)
THE MASTER: (Voice Over.) Black beard the Pirate.
(The pirate strikes D'artangon, disarming him and knocking him to the floor. Laughing maniacally he towers over the musketeer and raises his sword to deliver a deadly blow.)
DOCTOR: (Voice Over.) Cancel D'artangon...
(The musketeer is replaced by a knight in armour astride a white horse. The knight wears a helmet with its face guard down so we cannot see his face. He has a feather plume on top of his helmet.)
DOCTOR: (Voice Over.) ...substitute Sir Lancelot in full armour.
(The Pirate looks puzzled and fearful. Lancelot raises his sword. The pirate att*cks but is disarmed and sent to the floor.)
THE MASTER-TAPE ROOM
(Jamie falls to join Zoe at the base of the rope inside the MASTER-TAPE ROOM. Zoe helps him land. He points off to his left.)
JAMIE: This way.
MASTER CONTROL ROOM
(The Master Brain is active again. We see the spinning transparent ball and hear the electrical-mechanical noise.)
THE MASTER: (Mechanically, OOV.) The Doctor is expendable. Expendable. He will be destroyed.
(The Master Brain subsides.)
THE MASTER: (To the Master Brain, mildly.) Oh no. No, he is the only person. There is no one else. I can't go on forever. Please, Please give me another chance.
(The Master Brain starts up again.)
THE MASTER: (Mechanically.) You have failed. The Master Brain must protect against overloading. Robot force will deal with him.
(The Master pushes another button on the console and the White Robots advance.)
THE MASTER: Change robot w*apon to destructor beam.
(The Master pushes another button on the console. The panel in the White Robot's chest opens and a w*apon emerges. We see Jamie and Zoe enter the control room. They crouch down behind the Master Brain.)
THE MASTER: Remove him.
(The Robots begin to advance.)
DOCTOR: Oh my goodness. "As..."
(The Robots are very close now.)
DOCTOR: "...As the White Robots advance on the Doc..."
(He suddenly realises what he is doing.)
DOCTOR: ...No, I can't say that! I can't say that!
THE MASTER: No, Doctor, you can't save yourself this time. Bring him out.
(The White Robots close in on the Doctor. One reaches out for him. Meanwhile, crouched behind the Master Brain, Jamie and Zoe watch on.)
JAMIE: Zoe, what can we do? We cant fight those brutes.
ZOE: No Jamie, but the computer. It must control everything here, the robots included. And the Master said it must be protected against overloading.
(Four White Robots surround the Doctor. Two lead him before the Master.)
THE MASTER: It's a pity we must have to destroy such an intelligent mind as yours, Doctor. But, you leave us no alternative. Disintegrate.
(One of the White Robots begins to charge up its w*apon. Jamie and Zoe rush to the main computer console. They begin to push buttons at random. On the screen, an image of a unicorn, the Medusa, followed by the unicorn again, appear in quick succession.)
THE MASTER: Stop them...
(Jamie and Zoe continue to push buttons rapidly.)
THE MASTER: ...they will overload the Master Brain.
(The Master Brain is working very hard.)
THE MASTER: Destroy them! Destroy!
(The Doctor, realising what is happening, rushes over to the Master and pulls off his head gear. The Master collapses in a faint.)
THE MASTER: Oh!! Oh!!
(The four White Robots advance in a line, their w*apon ready. Jamie and Zoe witness this.)
JAMIE: Zoe, let's get out of here and... Duck!
(The Robots open f*re. The main computer console burst into flames. The Robots continue to f*re, destroying the control room. The Doctor remains by the unconscious Master.)
DOCTOR: Zoe! Jamie! Oh my goodness.
(The Robots continue to destroy at random. Jamie and Zoe make their way to join the Doctor.)
ZOE: Shouldn't we all get out of here?
DOCTOR: Yes, come on Jamie...
(He begins to pick up the Master's limp body.)
DOCTOR: ...give me hand with him.
JAMIE: What do we want to bring him for?
DOCTOR: Don't argue with me Jamie. Give me hand.
(The Doctor leads the Master away, followed by Jamie and Zoe, as the destruction continues.)
THE BLACK VOID
(The Doctor leads the Master, who is putting on his spectacles. Jamie and Zoe follow on behind. They are in a featureless black void.)
JAMIE: Why did we have to bring him for? He's the one that caused all this trouble.
THE MASTER: I'm not altogether entirely sure where I am. Is this the office of the ensign magazine?
DOCTOR: No. No. No. You were kidnapped, just like we were. They've been using your mind.
(Thin white smoke begins to drift across the area.)
ZOE: What happens to us now?
DOCTOR: That depends how efficient the White Robots are. Their last order was to destroy. Let's hope they're destroying one another.
(We can hear the distance expl*si*n.)
ZOE: But what about the Karkus and Gulliver and all our friends out there?
DOCTOR: You can't blow up a fictional character Zoe.
JAMIE: Aye, but what about us though?
DOCTOR: Well, we'll just have to hope that the destruction of the computer returns all to reality, and you my dear sir.
(The Smoke is getting thicker.)
THE MASTER: You mean I'm going home?
DOCTOR: Well I hope so.
ZOE: But it could just as well send us into oblivion.
JAMIE: You mean, we could vanish forever?
DOCTOR: We shall soon know. Hang on! Here it comes.
(They Fade away. We see an image of the TARDIS joining back together.) | {"type": "series", "show": "Doctor Who", "episode": "06x10 - The Mind Robber - part 5"} | foreverdreaming |
BY DERRICK SHERWIN
FROM A STORY BY KIT PEDLER
First broadcast - 2 November 1968
1. THE BORDERLINE BETWEEN REALITY AND FICTION
(The TARDIS reforms, its shattered pieces clicking and locking seamlessly together.)
2. THE CONSOLE ROOM OF THE TARDIS
(The Doctor, Jamie and Zoe are safe.)
JAMIE: Doctor! It's all right, it worked!
DOCTOR: Jamie! You're right! We... we... we'd better just check though.
ZOE: Are we actually on our way, Doctor, or are we stuck somewhere?
DOCTOR: Well let's see shall we?
(He activates the scanner, which reveals the dark, looming shadow of the moon.)
JAMIE: Wh... where are we, what's that?
ZOE: It's the moon, isn't it Doctor?
DOCTOR: Yes, yes. That's the dark side of the moon. We seem to have stopped in space.
(We see the inky blackness of space beyond the dark side of the moon, the TARDIS hovering in its shadow.)
ZOE: I remember seeing this before.
DOCTOR: Ssh Zoe.
(As the scanner pans slowly round, they see a dim light on the moon's surface.)
DOCTOR: That light on the moon's surface, do you see it?
ZOE: Doctor! It's getting bigger!
(The light is spiralling towards them, a pin prick in the dark getting gradually larger.)
ZOE: It's coming towards us!
DOCTOR: Zoe... that's a m*ssile!
JAMIE: (In panic.) A what?
ZOE: It's a m*ssile. Somebody's fired a m*ssile at us Jamie! Oh Doctor, come on, let's get out of here!
DOCTOR: Don't fuss me Zoe.
(He pulls open a panel on the console and yanks out some circuits.)
ZOE: Well what's happened?
DOCTOR: Well it's the landing circuit, it seems to have jammed! That's why we're stuck in space! Ah...
(Outside in deep space, the m*ssile is roaring towards the TARDIS.)
ZOE: We'll never make it! Oh we're too late!
DOCTOR: (Wrestling with the console.) Oh the stupid thing!
(The m*ssile rushes forwards and there is an expl*si*n...)
3. A COUNTRY FIELD
(There is a strange sound from the sky. The TARDIS materialises in its police-box form.)
4. THE TARDIS CONSOLE ROOM
DOCTOR: Oh!
JAMIE: (Sarcastically.) I think we've landed!
DOCTOR: Yes, I'm... I'm sorry about that Jamie! Are you all right Zoe?
ZOE: Yes I think so!
JAMIE: Oh, anyway, we weren't blown to pieces by that m*ssile thing.
ZOE: Why would anybody want to f*re a m*ssile at us? Surely they'd find out who we were first?
DOCTOR: (Suspiciously.) Yes. Unless they knew already.
ZOE: The question is: was the object we saw on the other side of the moon in this time zone or not?
JAMIE: You mean, it could still be out there?
DOCTOR: Yes, let's have a look.
(They all turn to the scanner again, which is panning across a field filled full of cows. Zoe looks on astonished as they seemingly stare at her. The Doctor roars with laughter.)
DOCTOR: Ha ha haha ha!!
(The others join in.)
DOCTOR: We're certainly not on the moon's surface, are we?!
(Suddenly the console gives a judder and, outside, the police box vanishes. The TARDIS is invisible!.)
JAMIE: What's the matter with the TARDIS, Doctor? It keeps going wrong all the time.
DOCTOR: It merely needs an overhaul Jamie, just like any piece of machinery.
ZOE: Well, haven't you got any spares?
DOCTOR: No, no. We shall have to see if we can get some made. Let's have a further look, shall we?
(They look at their new surroundings on the scanner in closer detail.)
DOCTOR: Oh yes, it could be twentieth-century England. In summer time, I should say. See the rain clouds?
(He suddenly has an idea.)
DOCTOR: We... we might try and look up our old friend Professor Travers in London. He might be able to help us!
JAMIE: Aye.
DOCTOR: Hmm... Yes. Always supposing he's not a baby or a schoolboy! Now come along! I'll just collect this circuit, and I think I'd better leave this one. There.
(He plucks it from the console and instantly the interior of the ship dissolves into nothing.)
DOCTOR: It's all right. Just a fault in the visual s*ab circuit. We'd better take that too.
JAMIE: Doctor? Doctor? Where are you?
DOCTOR: Come along ...
(They exit the TARDIS.)
5. THE MEADOW OUTSIDE
(The Doctor, Jamie and Zoe emerge from the TARDIS, to find it invisible; Zoe rolls her eyes in disbelief, and the Doctor simply holds up the circuits he has removed from the console as explanation. The three of them walk across the field to the country road. A lorry comes along the lane and pulls up before them. The driver is scruffily attired, with ginger hair.)
DOCTOR: I... I wonder if you could help us?
DRIVER: Are you trying to get out?
DOCTOR: We're trying to get to London!
DRIVER: Get in!
DOCTOR: Oh that's very civil of you.
DRIVER: You, shut up will you, and get in.
(They climb into the back of the lorry and squeeze amongst cartons of eggs and old crates. The truck pulls sharply away down the lane. After a while, it pulls to a stop and they get out.)
DOCTOR: Is something wrong?
DRIVER: Look, we'd better get rid of the lorry. Come on.
(They clamber down into the bushes on the side of the road.)
JAMIE: Wha... what's happening? Why are we hiding?
DRIVER: Company security were on my trail.
ZOE: Which company?
DRIVER: Come on, there's only one company.
DOCTOR: Well, you see, we're strangers around here.
DRIVER: Strangers? Then you're not from the community then?
DOCTOR: No.
DRIVER: Then how did you get inside the compound?
DOCTOR: Well, that's rather a long story.
ZOE: This community you talked about... are they prisoners here then?
DRIVER: Those who haven't gone over to the company are, yes. Not that they say you can't get out, they just make it pretty impossible without passes.
JAMIE: You can move in and out.
DRIVER: I got in alright. But getting out might be just a bit more difficult.
DOCTOR: This company, what do they do?
DRIVER: International Electromatics. Now surely you've heard of them?
DOCTOR: Well no, we've been a little out of touch.
DRIVER: You must have been. They're the worlds biggest electronics manufacturers. You can hardly buy a piece of equipment that isn't theirs. Quick, get down!
(He has heard a distant roar of engines. The Lorry Driver drags them all backwards into the shelter of the hedge row as two large motorbikes scream past, leaving a cloud of dust. The Doctor looks perplexed.)
ZOE: Well what is this place? This compound?
DRIVER: They set up a whole community of their own. Factories. Houses. A vast network of industrial complexes. All of the local people have been bought out. Most of them join the company. The others...
ZOE: What about them?
DRIVER: My people haven't been able to trace them.
DOCTOR: Your people?
(The Driver bites his lip, obviously not meaning to let this slip. He ignores the question.)
DRIVER: Should be safe now. We're not far from the guard post. You three had better stay out of sight in the lorry. I'll try and bluff our way out.
(He scrambles to his feet.)
DRIVER: Come on.
(They all climb back into the lorry, the Doctor, Jamie and Zoe concealing themselves in the back, hidden. The Lorry continues off down the track.)
6. THE GUARD POST
(The Lorry comes to a high metal fence lined with barbed wire and spikes. There is a large electrified gate where it meets the road. In the back of the lorry the Doctor and his companions are huddled down.)
JAMIE: We're slowing down! Must be the guard post now.
ZOE: Why are we hiding like this? We've done nothing wrong!
DOCTOR: We'll find out later. Keep down!
(A Guard emerges from a security hut. The insignia on his dark visored helmet, under which only his mouth is visible, is a zigzag of lightening in the grip of a clenched glove, the symbol of International Electromatics. The Lorry Driver shows the Guard his pass, which is seemingly in order. The gates glide open and the Lorry containing the Doctor and his friends is driven through. Moments after it has gone, the two motorbikes we saw earlier tear up to the guard post and one of the bikers speaks to the Guard. They both then accelerate off after the recently departed Lorry.)
7. FURTHER DOWN THE ROAD
(The lorry comes to a halt and the Doctor, Jamie and Zoe climb out.)
DRIVER: They're right behind us ...
DOCTOR: Oh, well. Thank you.
DRIVER: Now come on. Get lost!
(The trio escape through a hedge as the motorbikes approach.)
BIKER: Hey you! I want to see your pass!
(The Driver gives the Biker his pass.)
BIKER: You will come back with us for questioning.
DRIVER: Oh come off it, the pass is in order, isn't it?
BIKER: Don't argue! Follow us.
DRIVER: Oh no, I'm not going back inside that compound, and there's nothing you can do to make me.
BIKER: You will come back with us.
DRIVER: Look, we're not on IE property now, you've no authority... Sorry, you want to hold me, get onto the police, see you!
(The Biker draws a g*n and sh**t the Driver several times, whose smoking body is thrown over his Lorry and rolls down behind it. Meanwhile, having made their escape, the Doctor, Jamie and Zoe flag down a passing car further up the track.)
DOCTOR: Er... Can you give us a lift to London?
CAR OWNER: Yes, I suppose so.
JAMIE: Thank you. Thank you very much.
(The car drives away.)
8. LONDON - PROFESSOR TRAVERS' HOUSE (EXT)
(Outside Travers' house, the Doctor examines the door plaque.)
DOCTOR: Here we are. Right. That's odd! It says 'Watkins'.
JAMIE: Perhaps it's the wrong house.
DOCTOR: Well the telephone directory definitely said number eighteen. We'll ask.
(He rings the bell, to no reply. He rings again, holding the bell down until the door is opened by an attractive young girl.)
ISOBEL: If you don't mind, I'm TRYING to work!
(The Doctor, Jamie and Zoe follow her into the house.)
9. INT. TRAVERS' HOUSE - LOUNGE
DOCTOR: Oh... I'm sorry Miss, but we, er... wondered whether you could help us. We wondered if...
ISOBEL: (Picking up her camera.) Well now the stupid thing's gone and jammed!
DOCTOR: Oh dear, perhaps I could help you.
ISOBEL: Well, do you know anything about cameras?
DOCTOR: Yes, a little.
(The Doctor takes the camera and studies it.)
DOCTOR: I see...
ISOBEL: I had it on a*t*matic shutter...
DOCTOR: You're taking photos of yourself?
ISOBEL: ...and yes you interrupted me and the stupid thing jammed! Have you come to see my Uncle? He's not here. But who are you? Friends of his? Fellow nuts?
DOCTOR: Please let me answer one question at a time.
ISOBEL: You be careful of that thing, it cost me a fortune.
DOCTOR: It's alright, it's a very simple mechanism. Who is your uncle?
ISOBEL: Professor Watkins.
DOCTOR: Oh. Then Professor Travers doesn't live here?
ISOBEL: He did. He left about a month ago. Gone to America for a year with his daughter.
JAMIE: Oh that's just great!
ISOBEL: My Uncle worked at the Cavendish lab. He wanted to do some work, so Professor Travers said he could use his daughter's lab, here. And I moved in because I got kicked out of my studio last week.
DOCTOR: What field of science is your uncle in?
ISOBEL: Oh, I don't know. He's in... applied physics or something. Always messing around with computers and things. Complete nuts.
DOCTOR: Well that is fortunate, perhaps he might be able to help us. Is he at home?
ISOBEL: No.
DOCTOR: Well, where is he?
ISOBEL: Well how do I know, I'm not his keeper. Hey, have you fixed it?
DOCTOR: Oh yes, that's alright.
(The Doctor hands Isobel the camera, which is now no longer jammed.)
ISOBEL: That's really great, thanks!
DOCTOR: Miss...
(Isobel's eyes light up as she spots Zoe in her sparkling outfit.)
ISOBEL: Hey! That's... that's a jolly outfit, would you mind posing for me?
ZOE: (Taken aback.) What?
ISOBEL: Just stand there.
(She begins snapping away at Zoe.)
DOCTOR: Miss!
(She continues to take snaps of Zoe.)
ISOBEL: Isobel. Yeah, OK ... Now, head over shoulder.
DOCTOR: Have you any idea when your uncle is going to be back?
ISOBEL: No, he left about a week ago. I haven't seen him since.
JAMIE: A week?
ISOBEL: Yeah, he was prattling on about some new invention, or something or other, and having the chance to develop it. Now. (To Zoe.) Not you.
OK. Now.
DOCTOR: Can't you get in touch with him?
ISOBEL: No, I tried. I... I wanted to borrow a couple of quid off him in a hurry, but... well they said he wasn't available for phone calls.
DOCTOR: "They"! Now... now who is "They"?
ISOBEL: (To Zoe.) Just get that, will you? (To Doctor.) I don't know. International Electric something or other.
ZOE: International Electromatics?
ISOBEL: Yes, probably.
DOCTOR: (Gently.) You mean your uncle has gone to work for these people?
ISOBEL: Mmm.
(She is far more interested in her new model - Zoe.)
DOCTOR: Well, surely we can get in touch with him.
ISOBEL: Well, you can try telephoning, but I doubt if you'll get any joy. Oh, phone's in the hall, and the number's scribbled on the wall.
DOCTOR: Thank you.
ISOBEL: (To Zoe.) Hey. Don't go. I don't often get the chance of photographing a real model.
ZOE: Oh all right.
ISOBEL: Come on, let's get you fixed up with some gear!
(The pair disappear to kit Zoe out in some fashionable attire.)
10. HALLWAY
(Jamie and the Doctor find the phone in the hall, by a large wall covered with scribbled-down names and telephone numbers. Jamie finds the number on the wall and reads it out as the Doctor dials.)
JAMIE: Three.
DOCTOR: Three.
JAMIE: Four.
DOCTOR: Four.
JAMIE: Two.
DOCTOR: Two.
JAMIE: Doctor, do you suppose this firm could be the one that driver was talking about?
DOCTOR: Oh I'm sure of it.
JAMIE: In that case, Watkins could have been kidnapped!
DOCTOR: Ah, Jamie. You mustn't let your imagination run away with you. I must admit, it's a bit strange...
(A flat, toneless voice answers the phone at IE H.Q.)
RECEPTION: International Electromatics company, state your business.
DOCTOR: I would like, please, to speak with Professor Watkins.
RECEPTION: One moment...
(There is a long pause.)
RECEPTION: Party not available.
DOCTOR: Oh, yes. You see... but, this is very important.
RECEPTION: Party not available.
DOCTOR: Yes, but I must speak with him.
RECEPTION: Party not available. Party not available.
(The machine continues to repeat this statement in an endless loop.)
DOCTOR: (Angrily.) But this is an a*t*matic answering device! Ah, shut up you stupid machine!
JAMIE: Now what?
DOCTOR: There's only one thing for it! We'll have to go there ourselves.
11. LOUNGE
(In the lounge, Zoe is wearing a feather boa round her neck and posing for Isobel.)
ISOBEL: Okay, that's fabulous, just keep it like that. Great.
(The Doctor and Jamie enter.)
ISOBEL: Any luck?
DOCTOR: No, it was stupid, simple-minded computer answering service.
ISOBEL: Well, what do we do now?
DOCTOR: Jamie and I are going to this place, come on Zoe.
ZOE: No thanks, I think I'll stay here, it's great fun.
JAMIE: You look like a chicken with all those feathers on!
DOCTOR: No. Well, come on Jamie. Oh, the address...
ISOBEL: Oh that's scribbled on the wall too.
DOCTOR: Oh, thank you.
JAMIE: Do you not write anything down on paper at all?
ISOBEL: I'd only lose it if I did. Writing on a wall is much safer. You can't lose a wall, can you?
JAMIE: (Confused.) ...No.
ISOBEL: (To Zoe.) OK listen, just put your boa round your head... OK now bring your eyes just into me...
12. INTERNATIONAL ELECTROMATICS HQ (EXT.)
(The HQ is a huge building which towers above the Doctor and Jamie, its surface a grid of dark windows. A plaque above the entrance holds the IE symbol of lightening within a clenched fist. Outside, they are observed by some suited men in a car. One of these is Corporal Benton of UNIT. The Doctor and Jamie march into the foyer.)
13. INT. I.E. H.Q. - FOYER
(The foyer is deserted aside from the large computer that answered the Doctor's earlier phone call.)
DOCTOR: I thought so!
JAMIE: What?
DOCTOR: More stupid computers! a*t*matic receptionists! Right!
RECEPTION: International Electromatics company. State your business.
DOCTOR: I would like please, to speak with Professor Watkins.
(The Computer whirrs.)
RECEPTION: One moment...
(Its response is as before.)
RECEPTION: Party not available.
DOCTOR: Then I would like to speak with someone in authority.
RECEPTION: Your request will be considered, and your appointment arranged. Please state your name and address.
DOCTOR: That's no good. I wish to speak with somebody, now.
RECEPTION: I am sorry. All personnel are engaged.
DOCTOR: But I insist. This is an emergency!
RECEPTION: State the nature of the emergency.
DOCTOR: It's a private matter.
RECEPTION: Private matters have no emergency status.
DOCTOR: Ah shut up you stupid machine! Diabolical inventions!
JAMIE: What now?
DOCTOR: Come on!
JAMIE: Where are we going?
DOCTOR: There must be somebody else in this building except these stupid machines. Come on.
(They venture further into International Electromatics HQ.)
14 EXT. ROAD OUTSIDE I.E. H.Q.
(Outside, they are being discussed by the two soldiers in the unmarked car.)
BENTON: HQ are checking now. Where are they?
TRACY: Gone round the back, down the side alley.
BENTON: That's a d*ad end, isn't it? So they've got to come out this way!
TRACY: If they come out.
15. INT. VAUGHN'S OFFICE
(At the very top of the IE building, Tobias Vaughn has observed the Doctor's arrival, and speaks to his henchman, Packer. The two of them watch a monitor picture of the Doctor and Jamie cautiously walking down a corridor of the main building.)
PACKER: Well.
VAUGHN: The same two?
PACKER: Yeah.
VAUGHN: Deal with them.
16. INT. CORRIDOR
(As the Doctor and Jamie round a bend, hidden canisters spray a choking gas at them.)
17. EXT. ROAD OUTSIDE I.E. H.Q.
(Outside in the car, it is time for action.)
BENTON: Okay, lets move.
TRACY: HQ?
BENTON: Yes, they've run a check. They want these two. Priority.
TRACY: Right, let's get 'em.
18. INT. CORRIDOR
(The Doctor and Jamie are overcome by the gas. As the toxic fumes clear, Packer and his guards emerge from the shadows. A guard raises a hand to strike the Doctor...)
PACKER: Wait! (Aggressively.) This will be my pleasure!
VAUGHN: (On the videolink.) Packer! Bring them to my office.
PACKER: But Mr Vaughn, I haven't interrogated them yet.
VAUGHN: Packer! Please do as I say.
PACKER: Yes sir.
(The Doctor Moans.)
PACKER: Come on. This way.
19. INT. VAUGHN'S OFFICE
VAUGHN: Come and sit down, gentlemen.
DOCTOR: Thank you.
VAUGHN: You can go, Packer.
PACKER: But Mr Vaughn...
VAUGHN: Thank you Packer. Thank you.
PACKER: Yes sir.
(Packer leaves.)
VAUGHN: (To the Doctor.) I must apologise for Packer's crude devotion to duty. But your method of entry into my building was rather...
unconventional, wasn't it?
JAMIE: Aye, well there was no need for all that gas and stuff.
DOCTOR: Jamie! I think perhaps it is we who should be apologising to you, Mr...
VAUGHN: Vaughn. Tobias Vaughn. I'm the managing director of International Electromatics. Your business must be very pressing to force you to such extremes.
DOCTOR: Yes, it is.
VAUGHN: Concerning Professor Watkins?
JAMIE: Huh. How did you know?
VAUGHN: My computer. It reported directly to me.
DOCTOR: Oh I see.
VAUGHN: You've gone to a lot of trouble for nothing you know. The Professor's working on an experiment and refuses to see anyone.
JAMIE: Ah, well. We only want to talk to him you see.
VAUGHN: Perhaps I can help.
DOCTOR: No, I don't think so, thank you very much.
JAMIE: Oh, come on Doctor, it's only a couple of electronic circuits.
(Vaughn instantly looks intrigued and the Doctor sh**t Jamie an angry look: he didn't want Vaughn to find out about the circuits from the TARDIS.)
VAUGHN: (Eagerly.) Circuits? Electronic circuits? My technicians are the best in the world. I'm sure they'd be able to assist you. Show me the circuits.
DOCTOR: Well I...
VAUGHN: Please... I'd like to help.
(The Doctor is forced to hand over the circuits to Vaughn.)
VAUGHN: As you say, rather complex. However, I'm sure we'll be able to help you.
DOCTOR: Yes. You see...
VAUGHN: I'll have them sent to my workshops immediately.
DOCTOR: Oh, how very kind.
VAUGHN: Not at all. Professor Watkins is a valued colleague. Any friend of his is... Oh. Have you got one of these young man?
(He is holding a very small transistor radio, and offers it to Jamie.)
JAMIE: No, what is it?
VAUGHN: Surely you've seen them about. They're disposable transistor radios. One of our latest products. Most popular. We've sold ten million in this country alone. Here. Compensation for the treatment you received from the worthy Packer.
JAMIE: Thank you. How does it work?
(He turns it on and a stream of very loud noise can be heard.)
DOCTOR: Yes, that's how you turn it on Jamie.
VAUGHN: Now if you'll excuse me, I'm afraid I have an urgent appointment.
DOCTOR: Yes, of course, come along Jamie.
VAUGHN: Packer will meet you and show you the way out, Mr...
DOCTOR: Doctor. Goodbye.
VAUGHN: Goodbye Doctor.
JAMIE: Goodbye Mr Vaughn, thank you for the radio.
VAUGHN: Not at all. Packer?
PACKER: (From video link.) Yes Mr Vaughn?
VAUGHN: Show our visitors off the premises would you?
PACKER: Very good sir.
20. EXT. ENTRANCE TO I.E. H.Q.
(Packer shows the Doctor and Jamie to the exit of IE H.Q.)
PACKER: Next time, read the notice on the door.
JAMIE: Oh, don't tell me you can read as well, what else do you do!
DOCTOR: Jamie!
JAMIE: Friendly sort of chap!
DOCTOR: huh.
(The Doctor is deep in thought.)
JAMIE: Is something wrong?
DOCTOR: Yes! That fellow's not what he seems.
JAMIE: That big idiot? Oh don't worry I'll soon sort...
DOCTOR: No, no, no. I mean Vaughn. The normal range of human blinking is about one every ten or fifteen seconds. Vaughn was blinking far less frequently than that.
JAMIE: Oh, and he's got a forked tail and wee horns.
DOCTOR: Oh I'm not joking Jamie. Underneath all that charm, there was something... odd, sinister, almost inhuman.
21. VAUGHN'S OFFICE
(In his office, Vaughn flicks a concealed switch. The whole far wall revolves upwards to reveal a space beyond. In the space is a machine, like a cage, surrounded in a network of wires and circuits. At the heart sits a pulsating, throbbing intelligence...) | {"type": "series", "show": "Doctor Who", "episode": "06x11 - The Invasion - part 1"} | foreverdreaming |
BY DERRICK SHERWIN
FROM A STORY BY KIT PEDLER
First broadcast - 9 November 1968
Running time - 24 minutes 26 seconds
1. VAUGHN'S OFFICE
(VAUGHN presses a large control on the wall of his office, which activates a sliding panel. The wall pivots with a loud whine on it lower right corner to reveal a dark alcove. Inside stands an odd tangle of metal wires and tubes, spinning around a glowing sphere. The device hums electronically at VAUGHN.)
2. LONDON STREETS
(JAMIE and the DOCTOR continue walking through an alley near the IE building. They look behind themselves and see a large black car following them slowly down the alley. They back away. Inside the car, the fair-haired man points his finger at the DOCTOR and JAMIE, and his dark-haired colleague eases the car forward.)
3. WATKINS'S HOUSE
(ZOE is frozen while ISOBEL takes her picture.)
ISOBEL: (On the floor.) Hold it now, last one.
(She snaps her camera.)
ISOBEL: OK, you can relax.
ZOE: (Relaxing.) Oh good! I never knew that standing still could be so exhausting.
ISOBEL: (Standing up.) Would you like some coffee?
ZOE: Hm, please.
(While ISOBEL readies the coffee pot...)
ZOE: How long have they been gone?
ISOBEL: Oh, I don't know. A couple of hours I suppose.
ZOE: I hope they're all right.
ISOBEL: Oh, of course they are. Probably just got lost or something. What's so important about these, ah, circuit things you were telling me about anyway?
ZOE: Well, they were part of a... well, it was a sort of machine that we travel in.
ISOBEL: Oh you mean... you mean a sort of electric car?
ZOE: Well, it's a bit more sophisticated than that.
ISOBEL: Oh well, anyway, I'm hoping that you're going to stick around for a bit. I get sick of photographing myself.
ZOE: Oh, why don't you always use a model?
ISOBEL: Can't afford it. I've only just got enough cash to buy all the junk I need for the camera. It's an expense business and, well, I'm not good enough to be a professional yet.
ZOE: Well, I think you're very good...
(Looking at all the pictures of ISOBEL in the room.)
ZOE: These photographs of you are splendid.
ISOBEL: Oh yeah, they're great, but I didn't take them. I was just the model. That's how I earned the loot to pay for all this.
ZOE: Oh I see.
(ISOBEL notices that ZOE is still worried about the DOCTOR and JAMIE.)
ISOBEL: You're still worried about your two friends, aren't you?
ZOE: Yes, a bit.
ISOBEL: They can't have got themselves into any sort of trouble, can they?
ZOE: Oh, you wouldn't say that if you knew them. If there's trouble to be found, the Doctor and Jamie can't miss it.
4. LONDON STREETS
(The DOCTOR and JAMIE are now running down the alley as the car still pursues them, and then suddenly stop as another car blocks off the other end. Both cars stop, and a pair of occupants emerge from each vehicle.)
JAMIE: Well, what do we do now, Doctor?
DOCTOR: Accept the situation, Jamie. There's nothing else we can do.
(He suddenly sits on the curb-side and starts an impromptu game of solitaire. The four men surround them and the DOCTOR offers the cards to them as if to say, "Join in!")
5. VAUGHN'S OFFICE
(A worried-looking moustached fellow in a white lab coat and dark-rimmed glasses stands in Mr VAUGHN's office, looking over the TARDIS circuits the DOCTOR left behind. VAUGHN is sitting behind his desk.)
VAUGHN: Well?
(The man (GREGORY) simply nods, worriedly.)
VAUGHN: From a Head Research Assistant, Gregory, I expect a little more coherent a reply than an enigmatic shake of the head.
GREGORY: I'm sorry, Mr Vaughn. I've never seen anything like these circuits before. Given time I'll...
VAUGHN: (Interrupting.) Then take time, my dear fellow.
GREGORY: (Turning to leave.) Right, Mr Vaughn.
VAUGHN: Take one hour.
(GREGORY, now very worried, leaves with the circuits in hand. VAUGHN touches the intercom button on his desk.)
VAUGHN: Packer!
(PACKER's face appears as an enlarged close-up on VAUGHN's monitors.)
PACKER: (OOV.) Yes, Mr Vaughn?
VAUGHN: Packer, those two uninvited guests we had this morning: I assume they were photographed?
PACKER: (OOV.) Yes sir, security cameras would have taken visual recordings, sir.
VAUGHN: Have some prints taken and sent up to me.
6. WATKINS'S HOUSE
(ISOBEL is showing off an old-fashioned gramophone and record of "The Teddy Bears' Picnic" which she got at a good price.)
ISOBEL: Great, isn't it. I got it off a barrow in the Portobello Road.
ZOE: (Preoccupied.) Oh, yes.
ISOBEL: What's the matter? Don't... don't you like it?
ZOE: Oh yes, it's fine.
ISOBEL: You're still worried about your two friends, aren't you? Why?
ZOE: Oh I don't know. I've just got this feeling that something's happened to them.
ISOBEL: Why on earth should it have done?
ZOE: No reason at all really. It's not a logical conclusion, just intuition.
ISOBEL: Well, I'll tell you what we do then - we go right on after them, OK?
ZOE: Oh yes, please.
ISOBEL: (Stopping the record.) We better leave a note for them, just in case they come back when we're not here.
ZOE: OK.
(They both open the door.)
ISOBEL: I'd better get my coat first.
(They leave the room.)
7. AIRFIELD
(The car carrying the DOCTOR and JAMIE rolls into an airfield and approaches a large cargo plane. The plane lowers its cargo ramp and four men rush out to complete the ramp for the car to drive onto and into the plane, which it then does.)
8. UNIT AEROPLANE
(Grey-suited, yet obviously military, personnel populate the interior of the airplane, in a chamber that appears to be some sort of information centre, with maps and telephones and radios dotted about the sides, and a master map in the centre on a table. The DOCTOR and JAMIE are escorted by the fair-haired man
(BENTON) and the dark-haired man (TRACY) inside.)
JAMIE: Would you mind telling us what all this is about?
BENTON: You'll find out sir.
JAMIE: Sir?
(On the opposite side of the room, a tall, dark-haired, slim man climbs down a short ladder and approaches the DOCTOR and JAMIE. As he nears, we see familiar features, a new feature in the form of a dark moustache, and rank insignia on the shoulders befitting a Brigadier.)
BRIGADIER: All right, Benton, thank you.
BENTON: Sir.
TRACY: NAAFI break, sir?
BRIGADIER: Very well.
(Both BENTON and TRACY stamp their feet together, turn, and leave the room.)
BRIGADIER: How nice to see you again, Doctor.
DOCTOR: (Breaking into a broad smile.) It's Colonel Lethbridge-Stewart!
BRIGADIER: Ah, Brigadier now. I've gone on up in the world.
JAMIE: Oh course, the Yetis. We met you in the...
BRIGADIER: That's right, McCrimmon, in the underground. Must be... four years ago now.
JAMIE: That long? It only seems about a couple of weeks ago, doesn't it.
DOCTOR: I've told you over and over again Jamie. Time is relative.
BRIGADIER: You still making a nonsense of it, in your, what was it called? TARDIS?
DOCTOR: Yes, we're still travelling. Yes.
BRIGADIER: Travers told me all about it. It's umm, well it's, to say the least, an unbelievable machine.
DOCTOR: Any more unbelievable than the Yetis, hm?
BRIGADIER: No, true. I'm not quite so much of a sceptic as I was, since that little escapade.
DOCTOR: But what's all this, and why all the cloak and dagger stuff to bring us here.
BRIGADIER: Yes, I'm sorry about that, but my chaps have to be a little melodramatic in their methods. But I'll explain. Oh, do sit down.
(Both JAMIE and the DOCTOR move to the centre table.)
JAMIE: Thank you.
DOCTOR: How nice.
BRIGADIER: (To one of the soldiers.) Oh, Sergeant Walters!
WALTERS: (Coming across to the BRIGADIER.) Yes sir?
BRIGADIER: Lay on some tea, will you?
(He crosses to the table where the DOCTOR and JAMIE are now sitting.)
BRIGADIER: You'd like some tea, would you Doctor?
DOCTOR: Oh thank you, and a packet of biscuits too.
(The BRIGADIER sits down.)
BRIGADIER: Yes, since the Yeti do, I've been in charge of an independent intelligence group that we call UNIT - that's United Nations Intelligence Taskforce.
JAMIE: You mean you're like a, a... world secret police.
BRIGADIER: Not quite. We don't actually arrest people - just investigate them.
JAMIE: But what about us? You arrested us.
BRIGADIER: Not really. You see, my men were keeping a watch on the International Electromatic Headquarters when you two showed up. I've been keeping a check on everyone going in that building. When your pictures were transmitted to this Head Quarters and I recognised you.
DOCTOR: But what's so odd about people going into the building.
BRIGADIER: Oh, nothing odd about them going in. The problem is, some of them haven't come out.
9. IE BUILDING, OUTSIDE
(ZOE and ISOBEL walk up to the tall skyscraper of the IE building, look up at it for a second, swallow their intimidation and press on in the main door.)
10. IE BUILDING, LOBBY
(Inside the lobby, the women meet the robot receptionist that also takes the phone calls.)
ZOE: Looks like a robot reception.
ISOBEL: Oh.
(She spots the robot.)
ISOBEL: Yes, this probably the same idiot machine that answers the telephone when you ring up.
(ZOE presses a switch on its surface and starts it going.)
MACHINE: International Electromatic Company. State your business.
ZOE: Enquiry: Reference two persons seeking information concerning the whereabouts of Professor Watkins.
(The Machine whirls to itself.)
MACHINE: Wait please.
(More whirls.)
11. VAUGHN'S OFFICE
(VAUGHN looks over a photograph of the DOCTOR & JAMIE, taken while they were outside the IE building, and considers it. He then stands and presses the wall switch to reveal the alcove and the standing apparatus.)
VAUGHN: Has the information been considered?
(A thickly synthesised voice replies from the apparatus.)
APPARATUS: The images of the two humans have been analysed and registered. They are known and are hostile.
VAUGHN: Hostile!? How can that be? Have you been on Earth before?
APPARATUS: No, they have been recognised on Planet Fourteen. They are dangerous and must be destroyed.
VAUGHN: (Surprised.) Planet Fourteen?! But how?
APPARATUS: They must be destroyed!
VAUGHN: Yes, I'll deal with them.
APPARATUS: Plans for invasion are nearing completion. Nothing must be allowed to interrupt them.
VAUGHN: Don't worry. Nothing will.
(The machine repeats its last sentence as VAUGHN closes the alcove door. A high-pitched oscillating alarm tone sounds from his desk, and VAUGHN crosses to it and presses a switch. The monitor screens light up to show ZOE and ISOBEL confronting the a*t*matic receptionist in the lobby.)
12. IE BUILDING, LOBBY
(Things are not going well and ZOE is losing patience.)
ZOE: Now listen to me, you stupid, primitive machine. I asked a perfectly simple question, and I expect an answer!
(The machine whirls to itself for a moment.)
MACHINE: No information available.
ISOBEL: It's no good Zoe.
ZOE: (Pulling ISOBEL to one side.) I will not be beaten by this brainless tin box!
ISOBEL: But we can't do anything about it.
ZOE: Can't I? A little problem in ALGOL, I think.
ISOBEL: In what?
ZOE: ALGOL. It's a sort of language you talk to computers in. Now watch!
(She turns to the receptionist and presses its switch again.)
MACHINE: International Electromatic Company. State your business.
ZOE: (To the Machine.) BEGIN REAL X SUM POSITIVE DELETE SQUARE BEGIN SUM 2 SUBSCRIPT J
(The Machine begins to whirr.)
ISOBEL: That's ALGOL?
(ZOE nods and carries on.)
ZOE: INTEGER COMPUTE PRINTOUT Y TO THE MINUS X VARIABLE 1
(The Machine begins to whirr more furiously and starts to greet them again.)
ZOE: I'm enjoying this.
(She completes her program.)
ZOE: GOTO FINISH CONTINUE INTEGRATE ON INVERSE SINE
(ISOBEL notices the machine is now beginning to spew smoke.)
ISOBEL: You'd better stand back. It's getting a little heated.
ZOE: (Very happy.) You bet. This equation is insoluble.
ISOBEL: Zoe, I think you ought to stand back.
(ZOE stands back with ISOBEL, and tells the computer...)
ZOE: Now, CONTINUE PRINTOUT CONTINUOUS INTEGRATION
(The machine printouts a bang and a flash, and continually integrates the curves between billows of smoke issuing from its inert innards. The two girls laugh at this.)
13. VAUGHN'S OFFICE
(VAUGHN smiles at the screen.)
VAUGHN: (Into Communicator.) Packer!
(PACKER appears on the intercom.)
PACKER: (OOV.) Yes, sir?
VAUGHN: Reception. Two young girls. Bring them to me.
PACKER: (OOV.) Right, Mr Vaughn.
(PACKER leaves to get on with this, and VAUGHN starts to laugh out loud in amusement.)
14. IE BUILDING, LOBBY
(ZOE and ISOBEL recline in chairs and admire ZOE's handiwork.)
ZOE: It'll take more than a soldering iron to put that right.
ISOBEL: Yeah, don't you think we'd better get out of here before somebody gets annoyed.
ZOE: Oh yes. I think perhaps you're right.
(They make for the door, where they are ambushed and grabbed by PACKER and his security men.)
15. UNIT AEROPLANE
(The BRIGADIER shows the DOCTOR and JAMIE a picture of a dark-haired man.)
BRIGADIER: This is Gordon Jones, lecturer in physics, Churchill College, Cambridge.
(He next points out a man in another picture.)
BRIGADIER: Next one's a chap I knew at Sandhurst, old Billy Rutlidge. He's got himself a nice cushy number at the Ministry of Defence.
DOCTOR: And all these people went into the building, the IE building, and didn't come out.
BRIGADIER: No, most of them came out again, but there was something definitely odd about them when they did.
DOCTOR: Odd?
BRIGADIER: Yes, old Billy Rutlidge, for instance. He was quite co-operative about my investigation into Vaughn initially, but after he'd been to the IE Building, he started getting a bit sticky about it.
JAMIE: (Looking through the pictures.) Doctor, would you look at that one!
BRIGADIER: Do you know this man?
(All three looks at the picture - it's the man that saved the TARDIS team and gave them a lift in the lorry.)
JAMIE: Aye, he gave us a lift in his lorry.
BRIGADIER: When did you last see him?
JAMIE: This morning.
BRIGADIER: This man's an agent of ours. His report is almost twelve hours overdue.
JAMIE: Ah, well he did say something about some security guards on his tail.
DOCTOR: I expect that he is all right. He was alright this morning when we left him. Brigadier, tell me more about this International Electromatics set-up.
BRIGADIER: Oh, there isn't much to tell. The head of the group is a man named Tobias Vaughn.
JAMIE: Oh yes, we've met him. A nice man. He gave me this.
(He shows off the transistor radio VAUGHN gave him earlier.)
DOCTOR: Jamie...
BRIGADIER: Oh yes, that is just the small stuff.
DOCTOR: Put it away.
(JAMIE does so.)
BRIGADIER: They control practically all of the major computer lines. They made their real breakthrough in micro-monolithic circuit designs undercutting practically everyone else in the market.
DOCTOR: But what's your interest in this?
BRIGADIER: Well, I knew a little about Vaughn before his sudden success. I put out a routine check on him and we came up with one or two things of interest.
DOCTOR: Like the disappearance of Professor Watkins.
BRIGADIER: Yes
(The BRIGADIER nods. JAMIE "ahhs" and pushes the Doctor slightly to make his point.)
DOCTOR: Jamie...
(The Doctor stands up, thinking.)
DOCTOR: I, um... I don't suppose you have any authority to search the building, have you?
BRIGADIER: No. Vaughn's too powerful. He's got too many top people on his side. You see, Doctor, I daren't make a move against him unless I've got good reason to do so.
DOCTOR: Well, it looks to me that if Jamie and I want to find the Professor, we'll have to find him in our own way.
BRIGADIER: (Standing up.) That's about the sum of it. However, should you find yourself in any difficulty... Sergeant Walters!
(WALTERS comes across.)
WALTERS: Yes, sir?
BRIGADIER: Got a TM45 handy?
WALTERS: Yes, sir. Right here.
(He disappears off to get it.)
DOCTOR: Is that a t*nk?
BRIGADIER: Oh no no. My units are on constant alert, so if you should find yourself in any real trouble, you can just give us a call.
DOCTOR: Jolly good!
(WALTERS returns with a small walkie-talkie radio.)
WALTERS: Here you are, sir.
BRIGADIER: Thank you, Sergeant.
(The Sergeant goes back to work. The BRIGADIER holds up the TM45 and JAMIE comes over to join the group.)
BRIGADIER: Now, this is a small transceiver, range of about fifty miles on a set frequency. Just press the button and ask for me.
DOCTOR: Oh that's splendid! This is going to be very handy.
BRIGADIER: Call me any time, I'm usually available. Now I'd better lay out transport to get you two back to London.
16. WATKINS' HOUSE
(Back in London, JAMIE rings the doorbell to the house and gets no answer.)
JAMIE: Nope. They must have gone out.
(He pushes the door, which opens. Both men enter the house.)
DOCTOR: Zoe? Isobel?
(They enter the photograph room and the DOCTOR spots the sandwiches left by the girls.)
JAMIE: Probably gone for a walk.
DOCTOR: Look Jamie, sandwiches! I'm hungry! Want one?
JAMIE: Thanks.
(And he takes one.)
JAMIE: You know, Doctor. That chap, Mr Vaughn, doesn't seem to be a bad man.
(He takes out his little radio and starts blaring some rock music again.)
DOCTOR: Oh Jamie!
(He grabs it and turns it off.)
DOCTOR: How can I think when you've got that thing on?
(The DOCTOR starts to prize the radio open to get a look inside it.)
JAMIE: Hey!
DOCTOR: All right! All right!
JAMIE: Don't break it.
DOCTOR: All right! I just want to take a look at it, that's all.
(The DOCTOR first looks over the radio's circuitry with mild interest...)
DOCTOR: Oh, yes. It's an interesting little piece of...
(...And then his face changes to one of amazement.)
JAMIE: What?
DOCTOR: Well, well, well. What have we here?
JAMIE: What do you mean, "what have we here?"
DOCTOR: There's a... a micro-monolithic circuit in the back plane of this radio.
JAMIE: What's that?
DOCTOR: It's a very complex piece circuit in miniature.
JAMIE: What's so odd about that?
DOCTOR: It has nothing to do with the radio, as far as I can see.
JAMIE: Oh Doctor, just put it back together again!
DOCTOR: All right!
(JAMIE starts to look around.)
JAMIE: I don't suppose Zoe would have left a note, do you?
(He looks at all the shelves.)
JAMIE: Nope. Can't see anything...
(He turns to see the DOCTOR still mucking about with the radio.)
JAMIE: You might at least help me look for it.
(He takes the radio (now back together) off the DOCTOR.)
DOCTOR: I suggest that we try the wall.
JAMIE: Hey?
DOCTOR: Isobel never writes anything on paper. You can't lose a wall, remember.
JAMIE: Oh.
(The two arrive at the wall and find the message.)
JAMIE: Ah! (Reading.) "Tired of waiting. Gone to IE offices to look for you. - Zoe and Isobel."
DOCTOR: (Looking worried.) Jamie! We better go after them.
17. VAUGHN'S OFFICE
(VAUGHN is lecturing at ZOE and ISOBEL, who are being guarded by PACKER.)
VAUGHN: You and your friend, the Doctor, have caused some considerable trouble today. First he breaks into this building and then you ruin a very expensive device.
ISOBEL: Only because the stupid thing wouldn't tell us what we wanted to know.
VAUGHN: Ahh, yes Miss Watkins. You're concerned about your uncle, aren't you?
ISOBEL: I'd like to know where he is, yes.
VAUGHN: He's perfectly well, I assure you, although a little, ah... uncooperative at the moment. Your visit here is most opportune. I think that you can be very useful to me.
ISOBEL: (Puzzled.) Me? But how?
VAUGHN: Your uncle needs to be "persuaded" to continue his work for me.
ISOBEL: But I can't do anything about that.
VAUGHN: No... But I can now! (Looking up at PACKER.) Packer, I'd like you to take care of these two young ladies please.
PACKER: (To the guards.) Take them!
(ISOBEL and ZOE are forced out of the room.)
18. IE BUILDING, OUTSIDE
(The DOCTOR and JAMIE stop outside the lobby of the IE building.)
JAMIE: Thought that we were going in there to look for Zoe and Isobel.
DOCTOR: The only one in there is that stupid computer, and that's not much help to us.
JAMIE: But how are we going to find out that they are in there?
DOCTOR: Well, if the Brigadier's men are still around, they would have seen them go in.
(He turns on the little radio the BRIGADIER gave him.)
DOCTOR: Hello?
VOICE: (OOV.) UNIT operations, over.
DOCTOR: Hello, can I speak to the Brigadier?
VOICE: (OOV.) Stand by, out.
(While they wait for the BRIGADIER to be put through...)
DOCTOR: This is an interesting little gadget, Jamie.
JAMIE: Aye, but doesn't play tunes like mine.
19. UNIT AEROPLANE
(The BRIGADIER takes a microphone.)
BRIGADIER: Yes, Doctor. I've got a report on two girls. About nineteen or so. One of them dark, one of them fair. One of them was wearing some very distinct clothes.
JAMIE: (OOV.) Zoe. Doctor, they've got Zoe...
DOCTOR: (OOV.) Jamie, just a minute please. Brigadier...
BRIGADIER: Yes?
DOCTOR: (OOV.) These clothes. Did they include... a rather brightly-coloured feather boa?
(The BRIGADIER checks the photographs.)
BRIGADIER: Yes, the little dark one was wearing that. They friends of yours?
DOCTOR: (OOV.) Yes, I'm afraid they are.
JAMIE: (OOV.) Doctor, come on, let's get after them...
DOCTOR: (OOV.) All right, all right, Jamie. Brigadier, ah, we are going to try to get into the building and try to find them.
BRIGADIER: Yes, well, be careful. You may not be so lucky this time. Call me if you get into trouble.
DOCTOR: (OOV.) Thanks.
BRIGADIER: Right, over and out.
(The BRIGADIER's men look around in bemusement at the odd way the DOCTOR and JAMIE spoke on the radio. A young man in a Captain's uniform approaches -
TURNER, whom the BRIGADIER calls Jimmy.)
TURNER: Is it wise to let them go in alone, sir? I mean, they don't exactly sound like professionals to me.
BRIGADIER: Don't underestimate them, Jimmy. They may look like amateurs, but that man has an incredible knack of being one jump ahead of everyone. If there is a safe way into that place, he'll be the one to find it.
20. RAILWAY
(The DOCTOR and JAMIE come to the end of a set of railroad tracks which leads to an unlocked fence gate, which they use to get into the back of the IE compound.)
JAMIE: You're right, you know. It does lead to the back of the place.
DOCTOR: Yes, of course, Jamie. Come on.
21. VAUGHN'S OFFICE
(GREGORY looks worried again at Mr. VAUGHN as he stares at the DOCTOR's circuits.)
GREGORY: I'm sorry, sir, but these circuits don't make sense. The material isn't any known metal alloy. In fact, the structure's more like that of a plastic. What's more, the connections seems to be to be completely illogical.
(VAUGHN turns from his office window.)
VAUGHN: Hmm. How very interesting. This strange Doctor intrigues me more and more.
GREGORY: I can do some more tests on the circuits if you like, sir, but...
VAUGHN: No, I think I know the answer, Gregory. You can go.
GREGORY: Yes, sir.
(GREGORY goes, worriedly. VAUGHN again touches the wall panel.)
VAUGHN: I need more data about this man that you say you recognise. This Doctor?
APPARATUS: It is enough that you know he is hostile. He must be destroyed.
VAUGHN: You said you recognised him on Planet Fourteen. How is this possible?
APPARATUS: These questions are unnecessary. He must be destroyed.
VAUGHN: That is for me to decide.
APPARATUS: You will obey.
VAUGHN: (Suddenly shouts at the machine.) YOU FORGET I CONTROL THE OPERATION FROM EARTH! UNLESS THAT IS CLEARLY UNDERSTOOD, OUR PARTNERSHIP WILL CEASE. Tell that to your leader.
(The machine's whirrs change pitch, and it rotates more rapidly as it appears to transmit and receive data.)
APPARATUS: It has been agreed.
VAUGHN: (Back in his usual calm voice.) I felt sure you would be reasonable. Now, you say you recognise this Doctor on Planet Fourteen. How did he get there?
APPARATUS: He has a machine.
VAUGHN: What sort of machine?
APPARATUS: We have no more information. But he must be destroyed. The invasion must succeed.
VAUGHN: It will. The Doctor will be taken care of. I shall see to that personally.
22. WAREHOUSE
(The DOCTOR and JAMIE duck behind a corner inside a large warehouse in the IE compound. They watch as a workman carries in a very large crate with one arm.
They both speak to each other in whispers.)
DOCTOR: That's incredible!
JAMIE: What?
DOCTOR: The ease with which that man carried that crate.
JAMIE: It could be empty.
DOCTOR: Is it?
(After they check that the man has gone, they creep up to the crate and attempt to open it, and then to try and shift it, succeeding in neither effort.)
JAMIE: He must have been a superman.
DOCTOR: Odd, Jamie, it's distinctly odd.
(Footsteps can again be heard.)
JAMIE: Someone coming!
(They run and hide, and the superman appears again. He is again carrying a giant crate, which he again places on the floor, next to the last one.)
DOCTOR: Amazing.
JAMIE: Yes... Come on, let's find Zoe and Isobel and get out of here. These fellers are giving me the creeps.
DOCTOR: Yes.
(They walk on - trying to keep out of everybody's way.)
23. VAUGHN'S OFFICE
(The alarm bell rings on VAUGHN's desk, and he answers it.)
VAUGHN: Yes?
(PACKER's face appears on the screen.)
PACKER: (OOV.) They're back again, Mr. Vaughn. The Doctor and the boy. Security eye picked them up in the warehouse.
VAUGHN: (Sneering.) Rather unfortunate for them, isn't it Packer?
PACKER: (OOV.) Shall I put a full security alert on, sir?
VAUGHN: No, Packer. We don't want to frighten them off, do we? Just close off the area and we'll flush them out. Have you dealt with the two young ladies yet?
PACKER: (OOV.) No sir. I was about to when this new alert happened.
VAUGHN: How fortunate. We need a sprat to catch our mackerel. Take them down to the warehouse area.
24. WAREHOUSE
(The DOCTOR and JAMIE continue their search of the warehouse. JAMIE looks about him.)
JAMIE: It's like a maze. We're lost.
DOCTOR: There'll be a door to the main building somewhere.
(Two screams - unmistakably ZOE's and ISOBEL's ring out.)
JAMIE: Zoe and Isobel! Come on.
(They turn and run back along the corridor they came along. In a open area, two guards are carrying ZOE and ISOBEL, who are unconscious, towards two crates, while being watched by PACKER.)
PACKER: Right! Put 'em inside!
(PACKER watches the guards load the unconscious forms of ZOE and ISOBEL into two of the crates.)
PACKER: Load it onto the return van.
(JAMIE sees the guards pick up the crates.)
JAMIE: Come on!
(JAMIE starts to charge out of his hiding place.)
DOCTOR: (Dismayed.) No, Jamie, Wait.
(JAMIE rounds the corner and tackles PACKER to the floor.)
PACKER: (Shouting.) GUARDS! GUARDS!
(JAMIE lets go of PACKER, and he and the DOCTOR start to run away. Meanwhile, the other guards and some friends of theirs hear PACKER's cries and turn towards them. The DOCTOR tries to lead JAMIE away, but their way is blocked by more guards. PACKER draws his revolver as he pulls up off the floor, and gloats at the DOCTOR and JAMIE, and their raised hands of surrender.)
PACKER: Caught... like rats in a trap... | {"type": "series", "show": "Doctor Who", "episode": "06x12 - The Invasion - part 2"} | foreverdreaming |
BY DERRICK SHERWIN
FROM A STORY BY KIT PEDLER
First broadcast - 16 November 1968
Running time - 23 minutes 44 seconds
1. WAREHOUSE
(PACKER watches the guards load the unconscious forms of ZOE and ISOBEL into two of the crates.)
PACKER: Load it onto the return van.
(JAMIE sees the guards pick up the crates.)
JAMIE: Zoe's there!
(JAMIE starts to charge out of his hiding place.)
DOCTOR: (Dismayed.) No, Jamie, wait.
(JAMIE rounds the corner and tackles PACKER to the floor.)
PACKER: (Shouting.) GUARDS! GUARDS!
(JAMIE lets go of PACKER and he and the DOCTOR start to run away. Meanwhile, the other guards and some friends of theirs hear PACKER's cries and turn towards them. The DOCTOR tries to lead JAMIE away but their way is blocked by more guards. PACKER draws his revolver as he pulls up off the floor and gloats at the DOCTOR and JAMIE, and their raised hands of surrender.)
PACKER: Like rats in a trap... You really don't learn, do you? This is private property. A restricted area.
JAMIE: Where's Zoe? Where have you taken her?!
PACKER: Be quiet!
JAMIE: Look, we heard them scream. If you hurt her...
PACKER: BE QUIET!
(JAMIE lunges for Packer's throat, but PACKER catches JAMIE and easily hurls him back across the wall. PACKER intends further damage to JAMIE's well-being until VAUGHN steps into the room.)
VAUGHN: Packer! You really must try and control this violent streak in your nature, Packer. Although I must admit, the situation is provoking. (To the DOCTOR and JAMIE.) So here you are again. You really are beginning to try our patience, you know.
JAMIE: (Nodding at PACKER.) And he's beginning to try mine.
DOCTOR: Jamie, Jamie. (To VAUGHN.) We came here looking for two friends of ours.
VAUGHN: Two young ladies? Yes?
JAMIE: So he admits they are here.
VAUGHN: (Laughs.) Ha ha. Correction - they were. It would seem that you have been chasing each other's tails. They came here - looking for you.
DOCTOR: Where are they now?
VAUGHN: Why, they left of course.
JAMIE: Aye, carted off by two of your thugs in a box.
(VAUGHN smiles.)
VAUGHN: Oh really...
JAMIE: Look it's true. We heard them scream and I saw some of Zoe's clothes trapped in the lid.
VAUGHN: You really do have a very fertile imagination, young man.
JAMIE: Now listen you, I'm telling... I definitely saw those...
DOCTOR: Jamie, Jamie. (To VAUGHN.) It would set our minds at rest if we could take a look inside those boxes.
VAUGHN: Then you shall. (To PACKER.) Packer, I assume the only crates going out of here are the empty ones being returned to the factory.
PACKER: Yes sir, they're loading now, sir.
VAUGHN: Then you shall inspect them at your leisure. After you.
DOCTOR: How kind.
(VAUGHN gestures for them to lead the way. On the way out, he turns and signals to PACKER. PACKER turns on a small wristwatch radio he is wearing.)
PACKER: This is Packer. Get the return van moving - immediately. Do you understand? Immediately!
2. OUTSIDE
(The DOCTOR, JAMIE, and VAUGHN emerge into open air to find they've just missed the train carrying the boxes.)
VAUGHN: Ah, just too late, I'm afraid. Such a pity. Still, all is not lost - I am myself going down to the factory today. Care to join me? We can meet the train on its arrival.
DOCTOR: That's very civil of you.
VAUGHN: My pleasure.
(The three turn back into the building.)
3. UNIT AEROPLANE
(The BRIGADIER is on the radio to his surveillance crews.)
BRIGADIER: How long ago did they go in?
BENTON: (OOV.) Some time ago, sir. Tracy followed them as far as the official boundary of the railway sidings. They went in about an hour ago.
BRIGADIER: Is Tracy still round there?
BENTON: (OOV.) Yes sir.
BRIGADIER: Right, stick around for a while...
BENTON: (OOV.) Just a minute, sir.
BRIGADIER: What is it, Benton?
BENTON: (OOV.) The Doctor and the boy. They're coming out sir... with Vaughn.
4. CAR
(The DOCTOR and VAUGHN climb into VAUGHN's very large private car. JAMIE darts round the car and takes the front seat, to the annoyance of PACKER, who wanted it.)
5. UNIT AEROPLANE
BRIGADIER: Benton, what's happening? WHAT'S HAPPENING?
BENTON: (OOV.) Oh, sorry sir. Nothing really, they've all got into Vaughn's private car... oh, they're driving off, sir.
BRIGADIER: Is any force being used?
BENTON: (OOV.) No, not that I can see. Packer was there but it looked very friendly to me. Shall we follow?
BRIGADIER: No, I have them tracked more discretely. Over and out.
(He signs off, and then turns to Sergeant WALTERS.)
BRIGADIER: Sergeant Walters.
WALTERS: Yes sir?
BRIGADIER: Alert all area patrols in section three.
(He turns to TURNER.)
BRIGADIER: Did you hear all that, Jimmy?
WALTERS: Yes sir.
BRIGADIER: Look, we'll get you aboard a chopper and you can rendezvous with the tracking agent.
WALTERS: All right, sir. Are there any specific instructions?
BRIGADIER: No, we're playing a bit by ear for the moment, so try to keep out of trouble. Should the Doctor contract us for help, I have his signal relayed straight to you.
WALTERS: Right, sir.
(He walks off towards the exit.)
6. IE'S COUNTRY HQ
(VAUGHN's car drives to the main gate of the countryside IE compound the DOCTOR, ZOE and JAMIE left earlier. The guards open the gates and allow the car to drive through. As they close the gates, they see a helicopter hovering nearby, watching them.)
7. HELICOPTER
(Inside the chopper, the Captain is on the radio.)
TURNER: They've just gone into the IE area, sir. Should we follow?
8. UNIT AEROPLANE
BRIGADIER: No, circle the area. We can't really do anything until we get a request from the Doctor.
TURNER: (OOV.) Standing by, sir.
BRIGADIER: Oh, and Jimmy, keep out of sight. If Vaughn's private army see you, they might have the wind, and they might make things rather unhealthy for the Doctor and the boy. Over and out.
9. IE'S COUNTRY HQ
(VAUGHN's car parks next to the main building and PACKER, VAUGHN, JAMIE, and the DOCTOR climb out. The security guards in front of the building all give a loud militaristic salute as VAUGHN passes them.)
10. LIFT
(Inside the building, VAUGHN leads the party to the end of a corridor and a lift.)
JAMIE: Hey, what's happening? I thought we were looking for Zoe and Isobel.
VAUGHN: All in good time, young man. The train on the indicator will take some time to get here. In the meantime, I'd rather like to talk to you.
DOCTOR: Oh really?
VAUGHN: Yes... Those circuits you gave me, they're rather fascinating. I'd like to know more about them.
(The door opens.)
VAUGHN: This way gentleman.
DOCTOR: Thank you.
VAUGHN: Packer.
(When the lift reaches its destination, the four people file out, but VAUGHN and PACKER lag behind - PACKER in the doorway, VAUGHN in the corridor.)
VAUGHN: Be a good fellow and see if Professor Watkins is finished, will you?
PACKER: Very good, Mr. Vaughn.
(The lift door starts to close but PACKER stops it.)
VAUGHN: You might offer him a little encouragement. (To the DOCTOR and JAMIE, walking off.) Coming gentlemen.
(PACKER climbs back into the lift and smiles.)
11. VAUGHN'S OFFICE
(JAMIE, the DOCTOR, and VAUGHN enter VAUGHN's office. JAMIE gapes in astonishment because this office is exactly the same as the one in London - the video screens, the swirly patterned carpet, the desk, the window (with a different view, of course), everything.)
JAMIE: Hey!? Doctor, it's...
VAUGHN: Confusing, isn't it?
JAMIE: Exactly the same as your office in London.
VAUGHN: In all basic assertions - yes it is. That's the secret of my success, you see: uniformity, duplication. My whole empire is based on that principle. The very essence of business efficiency. Do sit down.
DOCTOR: Oh, how kind.
(The DOCTOR sits down - JAMIE turns and stares out of the window at the different view.)
VAUGHN: I must say I'm rather glad that we have this opportunity to talk.
DOCTOR: Really?
VAUGHN: I should of course be angry with you. You've thwarted my elaborate security precautions twice. I'd like to know why.
DOCTOR: Oh, that's quite simple. I hate computers, and refuse to be bullied by them.
VAUGHN: Your young friend Zoe...
JAMIE: Well, what about her?
VAUGHN: She appears to have the same instincts. She so confused one of my computers, she ruined its memory store.
JAMIE: (Turning from the window.) So that's why your thugs dragged her and Isobel away.
VAUGHN: My dear young man, I wasn't angry with her. On the contrary, I found the incident quite amusing. She's a remarkable girl. And you, Doctor, are obviously a man of no mean scientific ability.
DOCTOR: Why do you say that?
VAUGHN: Oh, my research department found these... (He pulls the TARDIS circuits from a breast pocket.) ...quite fascinating, particularly the illogical factor in their construction. Are they your own invention?
(The DOCTOR gives a noncommittal answer, with his eyes fixing themselves on something interesting on the ceiling.)
VAUGHN: Ah, you're determined to guard your secret, I see.
(He puts the circuits down.)
VAUGHN: I don't blame you. I promise not to pry any more. In fact, I'll do all I can to help you.
DOCTOR: Oh, how kind.
VAUGHN: Now you say you came here looking for Professor Watkins because you thought that he might be able to help you.
DOCTOR: Yes.
VAUGHN: Then I'll "try" to persuade him to put aside his work and um... concentrate his efforts on your behalf. Make yourself at home.
(VAUGHN stands and walks out of the room.)
JAMIE: Look, you're not going to trust him, are you? What about Zoe and Isobel?
DOCTOR: I haven't forgotten them, Jamie.
JAMIE: They're in that box, I'm sure of it.
DOCTOR: Jamie, we're not going to help Zoe by annoying Mr. Vaughn, are we.
JAMIE: I don't think you can annoy that man even if you want to. He's being as nice as pie.
DOCTOR: He's too nice.
JAMIE: Why should he be?
DOCTOR: I don't know. He was a little too interested in these circuits for my liking.
JAMIE: Hey, you think he knows about the TARDIS then?
DOCTOR: (Surprised.) Well, I don't see how he could do.
JAMIE: Perhaps this Professor Watkins will be able to tell us what's going on around here.
DOCTOR: Yes, that's what's worrying me.
JAMIE: What?
DOCTOR: If... if Vaughn has anything to hide, why is he letting us talk to Watkins.
12. LABORATORY
(PACKER is talking with a bearded man (WATKINS).)
PACKER: I'd think about it if I was you, Professor. After all, she is a pretty girl. It'll be a shame to spoil all that.
WATKINS: What a vicious sadist you are, Packer. I don't believe you anyway.
PACKER: I don't make idle thr*at, Professor, as you well know. If you want to see that girl again in one piece, I suggest you do as Mr. Vaughn asks.
WATKINS: How do I know you haven't already harmed her. If you got her...
(VAUGHN enters the room.)
VAUGHN: You can take my word for that, Professor.
WATKINS: Your word. (Laughing.) Oh, I know how much value I can put on that.
VAUGHN: Harsh words, Professor, harsh words. (To PACKER.) Any progress?
(VAUGHN crosses the laboratory to examine a tangle of technology on the table.)
VAUGHN: So you haven't yet completed the machine.
WATKINS: No, and I don't intend to.
VAUGHN: Oh I think you will, Professor. Much as I detest v*olence... I find it difficult to restrain Packer's... er... indisputable talent for persuasion. Your niece is in our custody, and unless you do as I ask, I shall hand her over to Packer. The choice is yours...
WATKINS: (Thinks.) If I do co-operate, will you let her go?
VAUGHN: (Laughs.) Oh no, she's our guarantee, but she'll come to no harm.
WATKINS: All right. But I must see Isobel first.
VAUGHN: Of course. Oh, there is just one other thing.
(WATKINS looks hard at him.)
VAUGHN: Don't look at me so suspiciously, my dear Professor. It's merely that there are some friends of yours that wish to see you.
WATKINS: Friends?
VAUGHN: (Purrs.) Yes, they're going to great pains to seek you out.
WATKINS: But I haven't been allowed visitors since I came here. Why are you suddenly considerate? I might tell them everything.
VAUGHN: Everything? My dear Professor, you know nothing that can harm me. And besides, there's always Isobel to consider, isn't there.
PACKER: Or would you rather leave her to me.
VAUGHN: Now, now, Packer. The Professor's going to do exactly as we ask, aren't you.
(WATKINS looks totally defeated.)
13. VAUGHN'S OFFICE
(The DOCTOR and JAMIE are looking out the window in VAUGHN's office at something interesting in the compound.)
JAMIE: Can you see?
DOCTOR: Yes, Jamie, I can see. Let's have a closer look at that, shall we?
(The DOCTOR takes an extending telescope from a pocket and rests it on JAMIE's shoulder to get a better look.)
DOCTOR: Now just hold still a minute. Keep your shoulder still.
(Through the lens he sees three large white spheres resting on buildings.)
DOCTOR: That's odd. That's very odd.
JAMIE: What is it?
DOCTOR: It looks like a deep-space radio communication system. What's it doing here?
JAMIE: Don't ask me. You're the brains.
(JAMIE then sees something else.)
JAMIE: Hey, a helicopter. Could it be the Brigadier's lot?
(He hears something.)
JAMIE: Shh.
(Understanding the meaning, the DOCTOR and JAMIE turn round just in time to see PACKER enter.)
PACKER: Come on.
(The DOCTOR and JAMIE pass him to leave the room.)
14. UNIT AEROPLANE
(Sergeant WALTERS is manning the radio.)
WALTERS: Hold on, sir, he's just here.
(He turns as the BRIGADIER approaches.)
WALTERS: Sir, it's Captain Turner.
BRIGADIER: (Into the microphone.) Yes, Jimmy. Any news?
TURNER: (OOV.) No, sir. Not a sign of them.
BRIGADIER: Right, stay in the area. We daren't make a move until we hear from the Doctor. Over and out.
15. LABORATORY
(WATKINS, the DOCTOR, and JAMIE are alone in WATKINS' lab.)
WATKINS: Yes, of course, I remember Anne Travers telling me about you. She was a student of mine, you know, some years ago - brilliant girl, brilliant.
DOCTOR: Yes, yes, they... they went to America, didn't they?
WATKINS: Oh, Travers was getting past it, a little you know, and Anne had persuaded him to go with her.
DOCTOR: Oh yes.
(The DOCTOR looks around the room, still nervously and suspiciously.)
WATKINS: What are you doing here?
DOCTOR: Well, it's a long story...
16. VAUGHN'S OFFICE
(VAUGHN stands in his office, confiding events to PACKER.)
VAUGHN: This strange Doctor has been on another planet, Packer.
PACKER: That's not possible!
VAUGHN: It is a fact, Packer. He has some sort of machine. Now let's see if we can learn more about it shall we? Switch on, Packer... with sound.
(PACKER throws a switch, and a view of the lab and the DOCTOR's voice appear on the monitors in the room, and Packer smiles as he realises this is the reason VAUGHN wanted them to talk alone.)
DOCTOR: (OOV.) ...so we went to see Mr. Vaughn. He said you were working on something important.
PACKER: I see... That's why you want to leave them alone together.
VAUGHN: Exactly, Packer.
17. LABORATORY
(The DOCTOR has spotted something on a wall.)
JAMIE: But the Doctor needs some help with some electronic circuits that the TARDIS has.
WATKINS: Really?
JAMIE: Aye, aye...
DOCTOR: Jamie, Jamie... I don't think the Professor wants to hear about that.
WATKINS: On the contrary, from what Anne told me of the TARDIS, it's most intriguing... I'd like to hear a lot more about...
DOCTOR: Professor, I... think that I should warn you that Anne Travers allowed her imagination to run a little wild.
WATKINS: (Turning to JAMIE.) You mean to say that there is no such machine.
JAMIE: Of course there is...
DOCTOR: Jamie, I think that there are other more important things to talk about at the moment.
(While saying this, the DOCTOR points to the camera, from out if its sh*t. JAMIE and WATKINS catch on.)
JAMIE: Oh, I see, yes.
DOCTOR: Professor, tell us about what you're doing.
(The DOCTOR fumbles in his pockets for something.)
WATKINS: Oh, it's very simple, really. I've been developing some new kind of teaching Machine.
DOCTOR: Oh yes? A teaching machine?
JAMIE: What's it called?
WATKINS: I call it the Cerebraton Mentor. The main difference from the other teaching machines is that it is able to induce emotional changes in the subject.
JAMIE: Oh.
(The DOCTOR suddenly places a small piece of metal up against the camera's box.)
18. VAUGHN'S OFFICE
(The picture and sound from the monitor disappear, to be replaced by static.)
PACKER: Could it have broken down?
VAUGHN: Let's check.
(VAUGHN, via the controls on his desk, checks other cameras to see if it's just the screen that's broken down. All the others are working perfectly.)
VAUGHN: All the other monitors are functioning.
PACKER: Yeah?
VAUGHN: Our friend, the Doctor, is a resourceful man. No wonder our allies fear him.
PACKER: (Surprised.) Our allies know him?!
VAUGHN: Oh yes, I was ordered to destroy him. First I must know the secrets of this extraordinary machine of his.
PACKER: If you've been ordered to destroy him...
(VAUGHN rounds on PACKER and shouts loudly:)
VAUGHN: I DON'T TAKE ORDERS. I GIVE THEM! Now, I think the time has come to stop playing games with this Doctor!
(He turns to walk out of the office.)
19. LABORATORY
(The DOCTOR is looking over the machine.)
WATKINS: But what can we do? If, as you say, they have Isobel and your young friend, then we are entirely at their mercy.
DOCTOR: Oh no, not entirely. There's my friend the Brigadier, remember.
WATKINS: Do you think he can help us?
DOCTOR: Possibly. But quickly, what is Vaughn up to? What's he doing here?
WATKINS: I don't know more than you do. He's a ruthless man, without morals or principles. His object, I'm sure, is to get complete control of the electronics industry of the world!
DOCTOR: (Faintly.) I wonder... I've got a nasty feeling that he's aiming somewhat higher than that...
(JAMIE, listening at the door, turns rapidly about.)
JAMIE: Doctor, quick, somebody's coming.
(Before the DOCTOR can undo his work to the camera, VAUGHN enters.)
VAUGHN: Don't bother, Doctor. Allow me.
(VAUGHN looks at the piece of metal on the camera.)
VAUGHN: Very ingenious. A simple magnet. I congratulate you.
(He hands the magnet back to the DOCTOR.)
DOCTOR: (Staring straight ahead.) Oh how kind.
VAUGHN: However, you must surely realise that it has forced me to consider other methods to make you talk.
JAMIE: What are you going to do?
VAUGHN: Your friend, Zoe, is due to arrive here shortly.
JAMIE: So you have got her! Listen, if you have harmed her in any way...
(He moves forward to grab VAUGHN but PACKER and a guard grab him.)
VAUGHN: You may still be adolescent enough to make idle thr*at, young man, but I can assure you, I am not. (To the DOCTOR.) I want your travel machine, Doctor. Otherwise, I shall hand your friend Zoe over to Packer. It's a simple choice, and it shouldn't take you longer than an hour to consider. Take them away, Packer.
(PACKER escorts the DOCTOR and JAMIE, giving them a little push as they pass him.)
DOCTOR & JAMIE: All right, all right.
PACKER: (To the guard.) Leave them to me, I'll take them.
VAUGHN: Now, Professor, I suggest you continue with your work.
20. CORRIDOR
(The DOCTOR, JAMIE and PACKER are walking down the corridor.)
DOCTOR: Oh dear. You know Jamie, I've always been rather scared of lifts.
JAMIE: Why?
DOCTOR: I don't even like to start them. You'll have to push the button for me.
PACKER: Keep your mouth shut and do as you're told.
DOCTOR: (Significantly.) Yes, Jamie. Do as you're told.
(JAMIE nods recognition and steps into the lift.)
JAMIE: Oh, I see...
PACKER: Be quiet!
(The DOCTOR suddenly turns round.)
DOCTOR: Packer! Mr. Packer, I obviously can't let you harm Zoe, so I'll have to tell you all you want to know - now.
PACKER: You mean, you're willing to talk?
DOCTOR: Yes, I'm sure Mister Vaughn... (Looking over PACKER's shoulder.) Oh, there he is now...
(PACKER turns round to look at VAUGHN, but VAUGHN isn't coming. The DOCTOR instantly pushes Packer to the floor...)
JAMIE: Quick, Doctor.
(...and leaps into the lift with JAMIE, who instantly closes the door and starts the lift.)
21. LIFT
DOCTOR: Your Kn*fe... Give me your Kn*fe.
(JAMIE gives him his Kn*fe. He uses it to prise the cover off the lift's control panel.)
JAMIE: What are you going to do?
DOCTOR: Try to break the circuit.
(The DOCTOR looks set to yank the wires.)
JAMIE: What would that do?
DOCTOR: It will either stop the lift, or send us out of control.
JAMIE: But we're six floors up.
DOCTOR: Well, we've got to take that risk. Hold tight, here we go.
(He pulls the wires and the lift shudders to a sudden stop.)
22. VAUGHN'S OFFICE
(PACKER is reporting the escape to VAUGHN in the office, and VAUGHN is not at all pleased.)
VAUGHN: Why are you so gullible, Packer?
PACKER: Just wait until I get a hold of them... I do...
VAUGHN: You'll do nothing! I want them in one piece.
(A call comes over PACKER's wrist radio.)
PACKER: Packer here. Have you got 'em?
(He listens.)
PACKER: Well, what happened!?
(Listens again.)
PACKER: STUCK! HOW!?
(Listens.)
PACKER: WELL, GET ON WITH IT MAN! (To VAUGHN, hardly able to believe what he is saying.) The lift is struck between the fourth and fifth floors.
VAUGHN: So I gathered, Packer.
PACKER: Well, it's obviously a mechanical fault...
(He breaks off, while VAUGHN looks on.)
PACKER: Wait a minute... HE did it! (Referring to the DOCTOR.)
VAUGHN: Yes, Packer. Our clever Doctor has outwitted you. Oh, then that wouldn't be too difficult, would it?
PACKER: Well, it won't do him much good, will it? After all, he can't get anywhere, can he?
VAUGHN: No, but then why do it?
(He thinks to himself.)
VAUGHN: He might be playing for time. But I doubt it.
23. LIFT
DOCTOR: There was a fifty-fifty chance, Jamie.
JAMIE: Yes, but what good has it done us. I mean, we're stuck here in this lift now.
DOCTOR: No, no it's the lift that's stuck. Not us. Look!
(He draws JAMIE's attention to the emergency door at the top of the lift.)
JAMIE: Hey, where does that lead to?
DOCTOR: Out into the lift shaft, I imagine. Quickly, on your back.
(He bends down to allow JAMIE to climb up to it.)
JAMIE: You know something? You're a clever wee chappie!
24. CORRIDOR
(PACKER is talking into the wrist radio whilst surrounded by guards.)
PACKER: Switch over to the emergency circuits. I want that lift operational in three minutes!
(He turns to speak to the guards assembled in front of him.)
PACKER: I want all lift exits covered. I want a man on each floor. MOVE!
(The guards do so - rather fast. When they clear, we can see VAUGHN approaching PACKER.)
VAUGHN: Don't panic, Packer. Our birds can't fly away.
25. LIFT SHAFT
(JAMIE emerges onto the top of the lift and sees that they have a long climb ahead of them. He then helps the DOCTOR to scramble out of the lift.)
DOCTOR: Thank you, Jamie.
(He looks up at the huge shaft.)
DOCTOR: Oh my word! Well, that's a long way up, isn't it? Oh well, we'd better get cracking before they realise what's happened. First I'd better shut this.
(He then closes the emergency door, and then leads the way up the ladder on the side of the lift shaft.)
JAMIE: Hey, Doctor? I've just been thinking. What happens if they get the lift going before we reach the top?
DOCTOR: Oh, that's simple.
JAMIE: What?
DOCTOR: We get squashed.
JAMIE: What! Well, come on!
(They start to climb - the DOCTOR first, and then JAMIE.)
26. CORRIDOR
(PACKER gets a report on his wrist radio.)
PACKER: (Into radio.) Right! (To VAUGHN.) They've switched over the circuits. The lift's working!
VAUGHN: (Bored.) How splendid! Bring it up here.
PACKER: (Into the wrist radio.) Bring it up to the sixth floor.
27. LIFT SHAFT
(As they climb, JAMIE hears a clanging noise.)
JAMIE: Hey, that's not what I think it is, is it?
DOCTOR: I'm very much afraid it is. Come on!
(They start climbing faster, but JAMIE looks down and sees that the lift is rising quickly.)
JAMIE: We'll never make it!
DOCTOR: Yes, we will! Come on!
(The lift suddenly stops.)
JAMIE: It stopped!
DOCTOR: They must be checking it. Come on, they may guess where we are and come after us.
28. LIFT
(The lift doors open and PACKER enters, g*n ready. He is followed by VAUGHN.)
PACKER: They vanished! They just vanished!
VAUGHN: (Roaring.) CHECK THE OTHER FLOORS!
(PACKER steps outside the lift and speaks into his radio.)
PACKER: This is Packer. Check all the lift exits and get me the engineer.
(He listens to the reply.)
PACKER: Hello? Yes?
(He listens.)
PACKER: Did the lift stop at any other floors on the way up?
(He listens again.)
PACKER: You're certain.
(And again, and then turns to VAUGHN.)
PACKER: Right, the engineer's certain...
VAUGHN: (Cutting him off.) The shaft terminates in the roof, doesn't it, Packer?
PACKER: Yes, sir.
VAUGHN: Why didn't you think of that?
PACKER: (A little fearfully.) I'll get them!
VAUGHN: (Angrily.) Call me when you do, Packer. I'll be in my office, and PLEASE DON'T FAIL THIS TIME, THERE'S A GOOD FELLOW.
(VAUGHN walks out. PACKER talks into the radio again.)
PACKER: This is Packer. Get some men on the roof. They're still in the lift shaft.
(He listens.)
PACKER: NO! Don't take the lift. Those two might still be...
(He stops and thinks.)
PACKER: Hey, wait a minute! (Into the radio.) I'll take the lift. Tell the engineer to take it right to the top.
(The lift doors close, and PACKER stands in the centre of the lift with his arms folded, with a grim/furious look on his face.)
29. LIFT SHAFT
(The DOCTOR and JAMIE are nearing the top of the shaft. On the wall is chalked "Kilroy Was Here!".)
JAMIE: Are we nearly there, Doctor?
(The lift starts moving again.)
JAMIE: It's started again!
DOCTOR: Hurry, Jamie! Hurry!
(They continue to climb faster and faster.)
30. ROOF
(The DOCTOR and JAMIE climb out through a door onto the open rooftop of the IE building. They crawl on the ground for a little bit before they straighten up on their knees. Both are exhausted from the climb.)
DOCTOR: Come on, Jamie.
JAMIE: Wait a minute, Doctor.
DOCTOR: No, come on. Let's see where we are.
(They stand up and walk over to the edge. The DOCTOR looks down.)
JAMIE: Now where?
DOCTOR: Down there.
(JAMIE looks six floors down.)
JAMIE: Oh no!
DOCTOR: We can't go down the lift again, can we? Hello.
(He spots something that we can't see.)
DOCTOR: There's a f*re escape. Come on.
(They run over to it and the DOCTOR begins climbing down. JAMIE swallows and follows.)
31. VAUGHN'S OFFICE
(PACKER is reporting the DOCTOR's escape.)
VAUGHN: Oh, Packer, you do disappoint me.
PACKER: They must have gone down the f*re escape.
VAUGHN: And, of course, you didn't think to have a guard on that!
PACKER: Well, normally...
(VAUGHN shouts him down.)
VAUGHN: YOU'RE A STUPID INCOMPETENT! I WANT THAT DOCTOR! PUT THE WHOLE COMPOUND ON ALERT! HAVE EVERY AVAILABLE GUARD ON THE JOB! FIND HIM PACKER! FIND HIM!
32. TRAIN STATION
(The DOCTOR and JAMIE hide in an alleyway formed by a wall and a railcar. They crouch down and crawl under the train, hiding from guards passing by. They come up from the other side and then climb into the door of the car, closing it behind them, while another alarm starts.)
33. RAILCAR
(The railcar is filled with crates like the ones which ZOE and ISOBEL were in.)
JAMIE: Hey, Doctor. Do you think that this is the train that Zoe and Isobel came on? Vaughn said that one had empty crates on it, didn't he?
DOCTOR: Yes.
JAMIE: Well, we'll soon see. Let's peak inside.
(They push one of the crates open, and to JAMIE's disappointment, it's full of a cobwebby substance.)
JAMIE: Oh no, these are full.
(PACKER's voice comes from outside.)
PACKER: (OOV.) I want all these trains searched from top to bottom! MOVE!
DOCTOR: Jamie! Hide! Quickly, Hide!
(The DOCTOR dashes off to the left, off-screen, and JAMIE opens up the box to climb inside and hide beneath the lid - just in time, for as JAMIE's lid closes, the door is opened and light is thrown into the railcar.)
34. CRATE
(JAMIE lies next to something covered by a sheet and he hears PACKER's voice.)
PACKER: (OOV.) You two, search this one.
(JAMIE lies still nervously, and then even more nervously as he feels something shift beneath him. He turns and looks and sees that the cobwebby substance he's on top of is stirring silently...) | {"type": "series", "show": "Doctor Who", "episode": "06x13 - The Invasion - part 3"} | foreverdreaming |
BY DERRICK SHERWIN
FROM A STORY BY KIT PEDLER
First broadcast - 23 November 1968
1. CRATE
(As the alarm bell sounds throughout the compound, JAMIE crouches down inside the crate he's hiding in.)
PACKER: (OOV.) You two, search this one!
(And other Guards' voices are heard outside, forcing JAMIE to stifle himself as he feels something beneath him move. The guards' voices recede into the distance and the DOCTOR climbs out of his hiding crate. He opens JAMIE's.)
DOCTOR: Jamie... Jamie!
JAMIE: Doctor, I think...
DOCTOR: Shh...
JAMIE: But Doctor...
DOCTOR: I think the guard's still out there.
(He takes a look about the entrance of the train. JAMIE comes over to join him.)
JAMIE: Doctor...
DOCTOR: (Hissing.) Keep your voice down!
JAMIE: That thing in there... It moved!
(The DOCTOR looks at him.)
JAMIE: In the crate, there's something alive in there.
DOCTOR: Alive?
(The DOCTOR looks outside. Not a guard to be seen.)
DOCTOR: Jamie, the darkness plays funny tricks with the imagination...
JAMIE: Look it moved I tell ya!
(The DOCTOR looks harder at him.)
DOCTOR: Are you sure?
JAMIE: Positive!
DOCTOR: All right, let's have a closer look.
(As they are about to look inside the crate, they hear a guard's voice outside shouting.)
GUARD: (OOV.) You two! Over here! Get those two girls over the Main Administration Building! Move!
JAMIE: Zoe and Isobel!
(He starts to climb out of the train.)
DOCTOR: Wait! We'll follow in a few moments!
2. VAUGHN'S OFFICE
(PACKER reports to Mr. VAUGHN in his office.)
PACKER: The whole compound's under alert, Mr Vaughn.
VAUGHN: And?
PACKER: Well... um...
VAUGHN: You haven't yet found them.
PACKER: It's only a matter of time.
VAUGHN: Is it? I doubt it, Packer. This Doctor's far too clever a fish for you to net.
PACKER: (Upset.) Well, if you'd let me take care of them properly in the first place and obeyed the orders of our allies...
VAUGHN: Orders? Me Packer? I told them and I'll tell you. I give orders, not take them.
PACKER: You told them that?
VAUGHN: The invasion's under my control, and when our purpose has been achieved, I shall still be in control.
PACKER: You can't fight them.
(An amused look appears on VAUGHN's face.)
VAUGHN: Packer. Why do you think I kept that old fool Watkins alive.
PACKER: Well, to work on his machine of course.
VAUGHN: And why did you think I wanted him to do that?
PACKER: Well I... I dunno.
VAUGHN: Our allies appear to find the Professor's machine somewhat disturbing. So much so, in fact, that when they saw the prototype, they ordered us to destroy it and all similar machines.
PACKER: You mean, they're frightened of it?
VAUGHN: Hmm... The teaching power of the machine didn't worry them, but ah...when I generated some emotion pulses... I'm convinced, Packer, that emotion could be used to destroy them.
PACKER: But that's only a guess.
VAUGHN: A gamble, Packer, a reasonable gamble and, after all, we are playing this game for very high stakes, are we not?
PACKER: Well, I think you're taking too big a chance.
(VAUGHN comes out from behind his desk and moves towards him.)
VAUGHN: Do you wish to be totally converted? Would you prefer to be one of them? Completely inhuman?
PACKER: (Shivering.) Ah, no! But...
VAUGHN: That's what will happen if "they" take over. We will cease to be human. (Musing.) So...We must use their force and their might, and then... (Makes a throwing away movement.) ...discard them.
PACKER: And you're sure that this machine can do it?
VAUGHN: Even if we fail, we could escape. The Doctor. We must secure this spacecraft of his.
PACKER: (Seeing.) Oh yeah, I see. Insurance.
VAUGHN: Exactly, Packer. The two young ladies have arrived, I hope?
PACKER: Yes, Sir, they're under guard.
VAUGHN: Good.
PACKER: They're being taken over to the Main Administration Building now, sir.
VAUGHN: When they're safely tucked away, we'll flush out our clever Doctor...
3. OUTSIDE
(The DOCTOR and JAMIE follow the guards that have ZOE and ISOBEL in their boxes, and they hide when PACKER appears.)
PACKER: (To the guards.) Take them inside. Central block. Tenth floor.
(The crates are wheeled inside the building, and JAMIE looks up at a whirring noise and sees a helicopter hovering over the compound.)
JAMIE: Could be the Brigadier's lot! Call them up for help!
DOCTOR: No, no, not yet. We've got to rescue the girls first. Tenth floor, central block. Come on.
(They set off across the compound for the central block, hiding in shadows on the way.)
4. HELICOPTER
(We see a close-up of Captain TURNER in the helicopter, who is reporting in to the BRIGADIER.)
TURNER: There's a lot of unusual activity, sir. Guards everywhere. It looks like some sort of emergency.
BRIGADIER: (OOV.) Any sign of the Doctor and the boy?
TURNER: No sir. None at all.
BRIGADIER: Right, Jimmy. Get out of the area and stand by.
TURNER: Right, sir. Will do.
(TURNER signals to the pilot, and the helicopter pulls back across the IE property line.)
5. UNIT HQ
(The BRIGADIER, inside his cargo plane HQ, turns to WALTERS, who is manning the communicator.)
BRIGADIER: All units please, Sergeant.
WALTERS: Yes sir.
(He throws some switches on the radio and passes the microphone to the BRIGADIER.)
WALTERS: Go ahead, sir.
BRIGADIER: (Into the microphone.) This is the Brigadier. All units - stand by. Full penetration of red sector imminent.
6. VAUGHN'S OFFICE
(However the helicopter has been spotted. PACKER is re-reporting to VAUGHN.)
VAUGHN: A helicopter?
PACKER: Yes sir, and two of the outer perimeter guardposts reported seeing strangers in the area outside, sir.
VAUGHN: I see.
PACKER: I think this Doctor's with the UNIT organisation. And what are we gonna do?
(VAUGHN thinks about it.)
VAUGHN: Nothing.
PACKER: (Shocked.) NOTHING! But they...
VAUGHN: (Calm.) They can't harm us, Packer. We're in control...or at least I am. Leave this to me.
7. OUTSIDE
(Outdoors, the alarm continues to blare over JAMIE and the DOCTOR's heads as they find the tall central block building.)
DOCTOR: I... I should think that's the central block, wouldn't you, Jamie?
JAMIE: How do we find out which room they're in? And when we have, how do we get them out?
DOCTOR: Stop looking for problems, Jamie. Let's get along up here, shall we?
(They set off for the f*re escapes snaking down the central block building. Suddenly, the alarms stop and VAUGHN's amplified voice echoes across the compound and the DOCTOR and JAMIE stop to listen.)
VAUGHN: (OOV.) Doctor. If you can hear me, listen. You have ten minutes, Doctor. Ten minutes to relinquish your freedom. At the end of that time, your young friend Zoe will pay the consequences of your foolish and totally pointless opposition. Ten minutes, Doctor, ten minutes.
JAMIE: There's not much time.
DOCTOR: There's just about time enough to effect a simple rescue operation. Come along, Jamie..
JAMIE: Simple?!
DOCTOR: Yes, come along.
(He leads the way up the f*re escape towards the roof of the building.)
8. CELL
(Inside a large-windowed room on the tenth floor of the building, ZOE and ISOBEL pound on the locked door.)
ISOBEL: Oh, let us out of here, you stupid idiotic... (To ZOE.) Oh why have they brought us here.
ZOE: I suppose, because I ruined that stupid computer of theirs. Well, I'm sorry.
ISOBEL: But why kidnap us? Why didn't they just turn us over to the police or something?
ZOE: I don't know. Anyway, we've got to get out of here.
ISOBEL: (Looking down.) We can't get out this way, look!
(They both look out of the window.)
ISOBEL: It's a sheer drop.
(Suddenly, ISOBEL sees JAMIE and the DOCTOR climbing nearby f*re escapes on the side of the building.)
ISOBEL: Hey, Zoe! Zoe, Look!
ZOE: Doctor! Jamie!
9. f*re ESCAPE
(JAMIE looks up and spots them.)
JAMIE: Doctor, it's them, look!
(The DOCTOR spots ZOE and ISOBEL waving.)
DOCTOR: Good. As long they don't give the game away too soon.
(The DOCTOR motions for ZOE and ISOBEL to move back from the window.)
10. CELL
ISOBEL: It looked as if they're were trying to tell us something.
ZOE: The Doctor wants us to keep away from the window for some reason.
ISOBEL: I wonder why?
ZOE: Well, I'm not sure.
(The DOCTOR and JAMIE continue climbing the building, past the tenth floor. ZOE suddenly realises what's going on, so she tells Isobel.)
ZOE: (Whispering.) Just try and act as though nothing has happened.
(She motions with her eyes across the room.)
ZOE: Don't look now, but we're being spied on.
11. UNIT HQ
(The BRIGADIER gets a call from the DOCTOR, and he tells him to come in.)
BRIGADIER: Yes, Doctor, come in.
DOCTOR: (OOV.) Brigadier, I think we shall require a little assistance in a few moments.
BRIGADIER: Why? Are you in trouble?
DOCTOR: (OOV.) No, but we shall need help. You have a helicopter in the area?
BRIGADIER: Yes.
DOCTOR: (OOV.) I wonder, have they a rope ladder on board?
BRIGADIER: Yes, I'm pretty sure they have. Where are you?
DOCTOR: (OOV.) We're just going up to the roof of the main building. That is the central block on the... on the north side. That should give your helicopter cover, should there be any ground f*re. Have you got that?
BRIGADIER: Yes, I got that. Over and out.
12. VAUGHN'S OFFICE
(PACKER is issuing orders, using his wrist radio.)
PACKER: All right. Keep looking. FIND THEM! (To VAUGHN.) I've got the whole place covered, Mr Vaughn.
VAUGHN: Don't worry, Packer. They won't risk any harm coming to their little friends.
(He turns on the loudspeakers again, and speaks into the microphone.)
VAUGHN: Doctor, you have five minutes. Five minutes.
PACKER: They won't give themselves up. They'd be mad to.
(VAUGHN comes round from behind his desk, and looks at PACKER with a sneer.)
VAUGHN: Not mad Packer, merely human.
(Suddenly they hear something outside their window and they go to look.)
13. OUTSIDE
(The UNIT helicopter approaches the main administration building's north side.)
14. VAUGHN'S OFFICE
PACKER: It's the same one! The same helicopter.
VAUGHN: (Watching the helicopter approach the roof.) Yes. Perhaps they do mean to save their own skins after all. Probably the helicopter's trying to pick them up. (To PACKER.) Stop them! sh**t IT DOWN IF NECESSARY!
PACKER: Yes, sir.
(He rushes out.)
15. ROOF
(The helicopter hovers over the DOCTOR and JAMIE.)
JAMIE: (Shouting.) You're not going to leave the "lassies" by themselves are you?
DOCTOR: No, no, of course not ...
(The helicopter extends a very long rope ladder down to them, and the DOCTOR extends the extra length across the roof, secures the rope on the ledge, and then drops the rest over the side of the building at the right point, so that it lines up nearly with the room ZOE and ISOBEL are in.)
DOCTOR: Right, down you go, Jamie!
JAMIE: Eh!
(At the sound of more alarms, he swallows his fear and starts climbing down the side of the building.)
16. CELL
ISOBEL: Something must be going on.
ZOE: It is a helicopter!
(Suddenly they see JAMIE climbing down to them.)
ZOE: Hey, look, It's Jamie!!
ISOBEL: Oh yes!
ZOE: Give me a hand with this to barricade the door.
(The girls run over to barricade the door to their room by piling filing cabinets and office furniture in front of the door. JAMIE forces open the window from the outside, but has a little trouble climbing in.)
ZOE: Jamie, be careful!
(JAMIE enters the room and fully opens the window.)
JAMIE: Right, now quick, up you go.
ISOBEL: (Taking a look at the rope ladder.) You don't think we're going up that, do you?!
JAMIE: Do you want to be left with Vaughn and Packer? Now go on!
(ISOBEL climbs up and then ZOE, and JAMIE keeps telling them hard-to-hear instructions such as "not to let go" and "Whatever you do, don't look down either.")
17. GROUND
(From the ground, PACKER and some guards see the rescue attempt in operation.)
PACKER: There he is - f*re!
(The guards start to open f*re at the figures climbing the ladder, now some twelve stories above them. No one comes close to hitting them.)
PACKER: Get up there! Stop them!
18. ROOF
(All four are now on the roof as ZOE and JAMIE climb the last rungs of the ladder.)
ISOBEL: Thank goodness that's over.
DOCTOR: I'm afraid it isn't quite yet, Isobel.
(He points to the ladder leading to the helicopter. Once all are on the roof, the DOCTOR frees up the extra length of ladder and all start climbing the ladder to the helicopter.)
19. GROUND
(More guards start f*ring.)
PACKER: Come on! Get up there after them! Quickly!
20. HELICOPTER
(Guards emerge onto the roof and start to f*re at the helicopter hovering high above. JAMIE still hasn't gotten into the helicopter when the f*ring begins.)
DOCTOR: Come on, Jamie, hurry up! (To the pilot.) Get us out of here! (To JAMIE.) Hold on, Jamie.
(The guards f*re everything they've got, including some machine g*n, at the departing helicopter and the figure of JAMIE hanging beneath it. JAMIE continues climbing up and finally gets inside the chopper.)
21. UNIT AEROPLANE
(The BRIGADIER hears sh*ts over the RT.)
BRIGADIER: Jimmy! What's happening, Jimmy? Do you want ground support?
TURNER: (OOV.) Hello, sir! No, mission accomplished. On our way back now.
BRIGADIER: (Happy.) Splendid. No casualties?
TURNER: (OOV.) No, sir. All well. Fortunately Vaughn's jackboots couldn't... couldn't sh**t a flying elephant.
(Laughs are heard from the cockpit.)
TURNER: Over and out.
(WALTERS flips some switches on the radio - to clear the channel.)
BRIGADIER: All units, please, Sergeant.
WALTERS: Yes, sir. Go ahead, sir.
BRIGADIER: All UNIT groups - Red Alert cancelled. I say again - Red Alert cancelled. Return to base.
22. VAUGHN'S OFFICE
(A sweaty and upset PACKER is reporting to VAUGHN.)
PACKER: That helicopter was one of the UNIT force group. I told you.
VAUGHN: (Still calm.) Don't panic Packer. You've blundered again, but fortunately it won't really matter.
PACKER: (Still upset.) Matter? There's bound to be an official reaction.
VAUGHN: There will be no official reaction. I've told you, we're in command.
PACKER: But...
(Suddenly VAUGHN starts screaming at PACKER.)
VAUGHN: DON'T ARGUE PACKER! JUST DO AS YOU'RE TOLD, MAN! AND FOR ONCE, DO IT RIGHT!
PACKER: Yes sir,
VAUGHN: (Calmer, but still sounds annoyed.) Now. I want Professor Watkins' Cerebraton machine loaded into my car. We're going back to London.
PACKER: Back to London, sir? But... you can't... we...
VAUGHN: Due to your clumsiness, Packer, we must now alter our plans. I intend to bring the invasion forward. We have twenty-four hours to prepare for it.
PACKER: Twenty-four hours! But they'll never agree to it. The invasion forces aren't anywhere near complete, sir.
VAUGHN: (Now back in his calm voice.) They'll be sufficient for our immediate purpose. After the invasion we'll no longer have any need for secrecy. Now you attend to the Professor and... I'll deal with our UNIT friends. Bring Watkins up here to me when you're ready.
(PACKER stares at VAUGHN for a moment, before replying.)
PACKER: Yes sir.
(VAUGHN sits down in his desk and presses the intercom switch.)
VAUGHN: Get me the Ministry of Defence and switch it through to my visual circuit.
(A SECRETARY appears on his monitor screens.)
SECRETARY: (OOV.) Good morning. Ministry of Defence. Can I help you?
VAUGHN: (In his usual calm, arrogant tone.) Yes, get me...
(He looks up and sees the SECRETARY.)
VAUGHN: Ah, good morning. Major General Rutlidge, please.
SECRETARY: (OOV.) Just one moment.
(The SECRETARY checks something.)
SECRETARY: Who is calling, please?
VAUGHN: Tobias Vaughn.
23. RUTLIDGE'S OFFICE
(Major General Bill RUTLIDGE sits at a desk in an ornate office inside the MOD building in London. He is on the telephone.)
RUTLIDGE: Fine, sir, fine. We'll meet this evening for dinner then.
(He listens to the phone.)
RUTLIDGE: What? About eight. Yes, at the club.
(He hears a second phone ring.)
RUTLIDGE: Good. Fine. Goodbye, sir.
(He hangs up the first phone. He picks up the second.)
RUTLIDGE: Yes?
SECRETARY: (OOV.) Outside call for you, sir.
RUTLIDGE: Male or female?
SECRETARY: (OOV.) It's a Mr. Tobias Vaughn, sir.
(The General suddenly looks worried.)
RUTLIDGE: Vaughn?
SECRETARY: (OOV.) Yes sir. Shall I put him through?
RUTLIDGE: Vaughn? Yes... yes.
SECRETARY: (OOV.) Just one moment.
(RUTLIDGE thinks for a second.)
RUTLIDGE: Operator?
SECRETARY: (OOV.) Yes, sir?
RUTLIDGE: Priority scramble.
SECRETARY: (OOV.) Yes, sir.
(There is a whine over the line and then VAUGHN's voice comes through clearly, as does his picture on a video screen.)
VAUGHN: (OOV.) Ah, Rutlidge. Can we be overheard?
RUTLIDGE: No, no, no. Priority scramble is in operation.
VAUGHN: (OOV.) Good. Now listen. Your friends in the UNIT groups has been causing trouble. They must be stopped, understand!
RUTLIDGE: I... er... I understand.
(His face is confused and glazed over, unsure of himself.)
VAUGHN: (OOV.) There must be no more interference.
RUTLIDGE: No, no. I'll deal with it.
VAUGHN: (OOV, smiling.) Good fellow. Knew I could rely on you.
(RUTLIDGE looks around for a moment and says to himself:)
RUTLIDGE: I understand.
24. UNIT AEROPLANE
(Everybody is about the table in the centre of the aeroplane and is drinking tea.)
BRIGADIER: You were lucky. d*ad lucky.
JAMIE: (Looking at the DOCTOR.) He said that it would be a simple rescue operation. Simple.
ISOBEL: But what about my uncle? They've still got him prisoner.
BRIGADIER: Don't worry, Miss Watkins. As soon we have returned to base, I'm going to raise hell and get some action.
JAMIE: You think they'll listen to you now?
BRIGADIER: (Seething.) No one, not even Tobias Vaughn, can go as far as trying to sh**t down one of my helicopters!
ISBOEL: Oh, I wish I'd had my camera. I could have got a fortune for those pictures.
TURNER: Yes, it was a pity. (To the BRIGADIER.) That would have clinched it as far as the Ministry are concerned, sir.
BRIGADIER: Don't worry, Jimmy. Billy Rutlidge will have to take some action now.
(JAMIE notices the DOCTOR in a deep contemplative mood.)
JAMIE: Doctor? Hey, Doctor, what's the matter?
DOCTOR: Hm... Jamie. That object on the other side of the moon...
BRIGADIER: (Overhearing this.) Other side of the...
ZOE: Yes. The TARDIS went wrong, you see. And we had a sort of... what Doctor, a forced landing?
DOCTOR: Mm... Yeah..
ZOE: And then they fired a m*ssile at us.
JIMMY: Who?
ZOE: Well, whoever it was who was on that spaceship on the other side of the moon.
BRIGADIER: Spaceships? On the other side of the Moon?
DOCTOR: And then there was that deep-space radio transmitter. I wonder.
TURNER: Look, sir. I know this may sound ridiculous, but could those reported sightings of UFOs have anything to do with this.
JAMIE: UFOs? What's that?
ISOBEL: Unidentified Flying Objects... Flying saucers?
TURNER: But these weren't saucers. All of the sightings were quite clear on that.
DOCTOR: Did anyone, by any chance, photograph any of these objects?
TURNER: Oh yes, we've got several in the files. Shall I get them?
DOCTOR: Oh, if you would be so kind.
TURNER: Right.
DOCTOR: (Muttering to himself.) Unidentified Flying Objects.
25. LABORATORY
(WATKINS is brought before VAUGHN who is standing by the door.)
WATKINS: What was that sh**ting going on? If you've harmed Isobel...
VAUGHN: (Still calm.) She's perfectly safe, Professor.
WATKINS: Why am I being taken back to London? What about my niece? What's happened to Isobel?
VAUGHN: I tell you, she's perfectly safe.
WATKINS: WELL, I WANT TO SEE HER!
VAUGHN: So you shall - when you've finished working on your machine. Do as I ask, and you shall both go free.
WATKINS: You don't even expect me to believe you, do you?
VAUGHN: Well... you've very little choice. Now, we're going back to London. There you will work on your machine to my specifications. You will have 24
hours to complete it. Only if you hadn't finished your work by that time would you have cause to worry about your niece.
PACKER: Got everything you need?
WATKINS: (Sadly.) Everything.
PACKER: Come on then. Come on.
(They leave.)
26. UNIT AEROPLANE
(The DOCTOR looks over the pictures of cylindrical-shaped, glowing objects in the night skies.)
BRIGADIER: Mean anything to you, Doctor?
DOCTOR: Possibly. How long ago were these objects first sighted?
BRIGADIER: Reports have been drifting in for well over a year now. We sent up fighter planes to investigate, but nothing ever came of it.
TURNER: The odd thing about these sightings is that they usually seem to disappear somewhere over south-east England.
ISOBEL: But... isn't that where all those factories and laboratories of Vaughn's are?
TURNER: Exactly. That's why I brought it up.
DOCTOR: Jamie, when you were hiding in that crate, you say something moved?
JAMIE: Aye, it was wrapped up in that gauze stuff.
DOCTOR: Did you recognise it at all?
JAMIE: No.
ZOE: What do you think it was, Doctor?
DOCTOR: I dunno. We've got to find out, and quickly.
ZOE: How?
DOCTOR: Well obviously they bring these things, whatever they are, up from the factory in the country to the London premises. That's where we're going to find the answer.
JAMIE: (Worried.) You mean, go back to Vaughn's place?
BRIGADIER: I don't think that's wise, Doctor. You've been lucky so far.
JAMIE: Aye, if you think I'm going back inside there...
DOCTOR: Jamie, we have to find what is inside these crates. Brigadier, have you got a map... including the... the London premises?
BRIGADIER: Yes, yes I think so. Sergeant Walters!
WALTERS: (From the communicator.) Sir?!
BRIGADIER: May we have map number 8 please?
WALTERS: Yes sir.
TURNER: I'll get it, sir.
DOCTOR: Thank you.
(The table is cleared, and a medium-sized map of London is placed before them. The DOCTOR looks over the map.)
DOCTOR: Here we are.
(His finger follows the route towards the London IE premises.)
BRIGADIER: Now this... this is the whole area in detail - London offices, warehouse area and surrounding buildings.
DOCTOR: Oh yes, I see.
JAMIE: But Doctor, you can't go back the same way again. They'll be waiting for us this time.
(The DOCTOR spots something on the map.)
DOCTOR: Oh my word. How very fortunate.
BRIGADIER: Anything I can do to help?
DOCTOR: Brigadier, you don't, by any chance, know where I can find a canoe?
(The BRIGADIER looks a little surprised.)
27. CANAL
(The DOCTOR and JAMIE are paddling a canoe down a small canal leading into the IE London premises.)
JAMIE: You sure this is how we get in?
DOCTOR: Yes, yes, now come on! Go on ...
(They climb out and beach the canoe, and then walk into a small entrance at the back of the premises. They head off down a corridor.)
28. LABORATORY
(The DOCTOR and JAMIE enter a bland laboratory in the IE building, and hide behind a piece of equipment. They watch as men in lab coats activate a strange, alien-looking spinning device. across the room stands one of the webbed cocoons JAMIE saw earlier. The DOCTOR stares at the outfit.)
DOCTOR: (Whispering.) Jamie, I'm afraid I was right!
JAMIE: Hey?
(The device emits a low-pitched pulsing sound. It grows in pitch, volume, and frequency, and as the pitch gets louder, a shape inside the cocoon stirs and stirs until finally, something pierces the web from the inside. A metal hand emerges and the cocoon tears. A large man-shaped creature strides out, with metal limbs, piping on its joints, a large complex chest unit, and a blank nose-less face with jug-handle hoses for ears. It is a Cyberman.) | {"type": "series", "show": "Doctor Who", "episode": "06x14 - The Invasion - part 4"} | foreverdreaming |
BY DERRICK SHERWIN
FROM A STORY BY KIT PEDLER
First broadcast - 30 November 1968
Running time - 23 minutes 25 seconds
1. LABORATORY
(Staccato tones rise in pitch as the webbed cocoon writhes in agitation. Its surface tears at its top, and two metal hands part the fabric to free its head, a head with a blank face, no nose, a slit for a mouth, featureless eyes, metal for skin, and jug-handle-shaped stiff hoses replacing ears. The figure struggles out of its berth, revealing stiff metal limbs, a complex bank of lights and equipment affixed to its chest, and a looming stature. It could only be one thing.)
JAMIE: (Whispering.) The Cybermen.
DOCTOR: Shh...
JAMIE: Where do they come from?
DOCTOR: I don't know, Jamie, but they're here, aren't they?! Come on, let's go back to the canoe.
(They both quietly leave the warehouse, heading back for their canoe.)
2. RIVER
(JAMIE and the DOCTOR paddle through the canal in the same manner they came - up the river in the canoe.)
3. UNIT AEROPLANE
(ISOBEL, ZOE and Captain TURNER gather about the command table.)
ZOE: And what do you think will happen?
TURNER: Well, it's not really a military matter now.
ISOBEL: You'll simply hand this over to the police?
TURNER: More or less.
ISOBEL: Pity. I could have got some great pictures and made a b*mb selling them to the papers. Oh well.
TURNER: Look, perhaps I can compensate by buying you dinner.
ISOBEL: (Looks surprised and delighted at the thought.) That would be nice.
(A thought suddenly occurs to her.)
ISOBEL: Hey are you stinking rich?
TURNER: (Laughs.) Not on a Captain's pay, I'm not.
ISOBEL: It's not my day is it?
TURNER: Money isn't everything, you know...
(Their conversation is interrupted when JAMIE and the DOCTOR return to the UNIT HQ aeroplane.)
ZOE: Doctor, any luck? What did you find out?
JAMIE: Some old friends of ours are here, Zoe.
ZOE: Who?
JAMIE: The Cybermen.
(ZOE, looking a little shocked, turns to the DOCTOR.)
DOCTOR: Yes, I'm afraid it's true, Zoe.
ZOE: That's what you suspected, wasn't it?
ISOBEL: What on Earth are Cybermen?
DOCTOR: They're from another world - inhuman K*llers.
TURNER: You mean... they are from space or something?
ZOE: And that spaceship on the other side of the Moon was obviously their craft.
ISOBEL: (Jokingly.) What are they? Little green men?
(She notices the DOCTOR sit down with a very worried expression on his face.)
ISOBEL: You're serious?
ZOE: (Very serious.) We've met Cybermen before and seen what they can do.
TURNER: Where exactly are they and how many?
JAMIE: At Vaughn's headquarters in London...
DOCTOR: Hundreds... possibly thousands.
ZOE: So Vaughn's helping them.
DOCTOR: That deep-space radio transmitter is obviously going to be used by the Cybermen spaceships to home in on.
TURNER: So that's what all those UFOs were. But there have been hundreds of those sightings...
JAMIE: Aye, they must have quite an army by now. The thing is, where are they hiding them all?
(The DOCTOR stands up again.)
DOCTOR: I don't know, Jamie. Captain, where's the Brigadier?
TURNER: At the Ministry of Defence. I'd better get on to him immediately and tell him what you've discovered.
DOCTOR: No, no, Captain. The people who went into Vaughn's HQ were different when they came out, weren't they.
TURNER: Yes.
ZOE: Do you think they're been controlled, Doctor?
TURNER: (Puzzled.) Controlled?
ZOE: The Cybermen have means of controlling people's minds. They appear to be almost normal, but they're not, they're controlled.
DOCTOR: Who is the Brigadier immediately answerable to?
TURNER: Major-General Rutlidge.
4. RUTLIDGE'S OFFICE
(The BRIGADIER is in now in RUTLIDGE's office, and is not happy at the way he is taking his report.)
BRIGADIER: (Incredulously.) No cause for alarm? Billy, do you know what happened? They tried to sh**t down one of my helicopters.
RUTLIDGE: You were trespassing over their top security area.
BRIGADIER: Oh, for heaven sake. If you can't trust a UNIT force, who can you trust?
RUTLIDGE: There's nothing we...
(He breaks off suddenly.)
BRIGADIER: What's the matter?
RUTLIDGE: Nothing. Nothing at all.
(But he does have an odd glazed look on his eyes. The BRIGADIER tries a different track.)
BRIGADIER: Look, Billy, Vaughn's a powerful chap, I know that. We can at least request a formal investigation.
RUTLIDGE: This isn't our province.
BRIGADIER: (Thundering.) Well then who's province is it?
RUTLIDGE: It's no good in getting angry about this. You must see this from my point of view. All you have given me is vague reports, nothing conclusive, no proof.
(The BRIGADIER can't believe his ears.)
BRIGADIER: No proof?!
RUTLIDGE: I'm sure this is a misunderstanding. I'll talk to the C in C of internal security myself.
BRIGADIER: But Billy. Talk won't help. I want some sort of action, and I want it now. At least get the civil authorities to investigate.
RUTLIDGE: You have to leave this matter with me.
BRIGADIER: (thr*at.) Will I?
RUTLIDGE: If you're thinking about going to see the C in C yourself, I shouldn't bother, you'll be wasting his time.
BRIGADIER: So you're going to do nothing?
(A thought suddenly occurs to him.)
BRIGADIER: What sort of hold has Vaughn got on you?
(This catches RUTLIDGE off guard.)
RUTLIDGE: Vaughn? I...
(He then pulls himself together.)
RUTLIDGE: Brigadier, your UNIT force will take no precipitous action without top-priority permission. That is an order.
BRIGADIER: (Firmly.) I see,... sir. Well, you can override my authority, but not that of UNIT Central Command. I'm sending a full report to them in Geneva.
(He salutes, turns on his heel, and leaves briskly. RUTLIDGE looks worried and he reaches for the communicator.)
RUTLIDGE: International Electromatics - Central Office.
PHONE OPERATOR: (OOV.) Just one moment please, sir.
RUTLIDGE: Oh... with priority scramble.
PHONE OPERATOR: (OOV.) Yes sir.
5. VAUGHN'S OFFICE
(PACKER holds the London office door open for the entering Tobias VAUGHN. His telephone is ringing on his desk and he answers it.)
VAUGHN: Have Gregory work with Professor Watkins on the machine.
PACKER: Yes, Mister Vaughn
(PACKER turns to leave.)
VAUGHN: No, wait.
(He presses a button on his desk.)
VAUGHN: Report.
VOICE: (OOV.) Communication from Major General Rutlidge on public video.
VAUGHN: Switch to visual circuit.
(A close-up of RUTLIDGE's face appears on three screens set into the wall of the office.)
VAUGHN: What is it, Rutlidge?
RUTLIDGE: (OOV.) The UNIT group.
VAUGHN: Well?
RUTLIDGE: (OOV.) There'll be trouble. I can't stop it.
VAUGHN: Why not? You have authority to.
RUTLIDGE: (OOV.) I have no authority outside this country. A report is being made to UNIT Central Control. They're bound to investigate and take action.
VAUGHN: I see. How long before this will be effective?
RUTLIDGE: (OOV.) I think... I should...
(RUTLIDGE tries to say something, but his sentence falters and he just stares into the camera.)
VAUGHN: Rutlidge. RUTLIDGE!
PACKER: What's the matter with him?
VAUGHN: Listen to me, Rutlidge?
LISTEN! You will obey my commands. You understand?
RUTLIDGE: (OOV.) Your commands.
VAUGHN: You will leave your office and come here to me.
RUTLIDGE: (OOV.) To you?
VAUGHN: Immediately. Do you understand?
RUTLIDGE: (OOV.) I must... your commands.
VAUGHN: DO YOU UNDERSTAND?
RUTLIDGE: Yes. I understand. I understand.
VAUGHN: Good fellow.
(The picture fades away.)
PACKER: What was the matter with him?
VAUGHN: Our control over him is weakening.
PACKER: That could be dangerous. If he doesn't obey your orders to come over here, he might...
VAUGHN: Oh, he will, Packer, he will.
6. UNIT AEROPLANE
WALTERS: Are you sure, Miss? I see. Right, thanks.
(Sergeant WALTERS hangs up a phone and turns to Captain TURNER.)
WALTERS: Sir!
TURNER: Got him?
WALTERS: No sir, General Rutlidge's secretary says that he left some time ago.
TURNER: I see. What about the Brigadier?
WALTERS: Apparently he wasn't there long, sir. He must be on his way back now.
TURNER: Right.
(The DOCTOR comes into view.)
TURNER: Doctor, It seems to be too late. The Brigadier's already been in to see Rutlidge.
DOCTOR: (Looking worried.) Oh, dear.
TURNER: The question is now: where exactly do we stand with Rutlidge?
7. VAUGHN'S OFFICE
(RUTLIDGE is currently standing in VAUGHN's office and is glassy-eyes before VAUGHN's desk.)
VAUGHN: I must know, Rutlidge. You must tell me.
(RUTLIDGE at first says nothing, and suddenly VAUGHN slams his fist into the desk and screams at him.)
VAUGHN: HOW LONG BEFORE THE UNIT FORCES CAN TAKE ACTION?!!?
RUTLIDGE: I... One day, maybe two.
VAUGHN: Good. Time enough.
(PACKER interrupts from his perch near the window:)
PACKER: Well, I don't like it. Supposing the UNIT forces move faster than that? Supposing they...
VAUGHN: Let me do the supposing, Packer.
PACKER: Yes, Mister Vaughn.
VAUGHN: Ah, just to be on the safe side - I think that we should conduct an experiment.
PACKER: What do you mean?
VAUGHN: Have the Professor's machine taken down to the warehouse. Wait outside. I'll join you later.
PACKER: What are you going to do?
VAUGHN: Wait and see, Packer. Wait and see.
PACKER: Yes, sir.
(PACKER points at RUTLIDGE.)
PACKER: What about him?
VAUGHN: Oh, leave him to me.
(PACKER leaves and VAUGHN stands. VAUGHN crosses to the rear wall and presses the slide control. Again the wall pivots back on a corner and reveals the dark alcove and the "apparatus" [which can now be described as the CYBER-PLANNER] standing and whirring at him. RUTLIDGE stares at it - hardly able to believe his eyes.)
VAUGHN: There has been some difficulty. We must alter our plan.
CYBER-PLANNER: Report the difficulty and we will assess it.
VAUGHN: We must bring the invasion forward.
CYBER-PLANNER: Our invasion force is not yet complete.
VAUGHN: The invasion must take place in fifteen hours' time, otherwise we may have to face the combined military forces of the entire world.
CYBER-PLANNER: Wait while the report will be assessed.
(VAUGHN immediately jumps in.)
VAUGHN: You will accept what I say or our partnership will be at an end. The invasion will take place at dawn tomorrow.
(The Planner begins spinning and it whirrs at a different pitch as it transmits the data into space and receives instructions.)
CYBER-PLANNER: It has been agreed. The data will be computed and the invasion details transmitted to you. Discussion terminated.
8. WAREHOUSE
(Men wearing welding masks operate the controls of the waking device as it pours power into another one of the gauze-like cocoons. We see two already powered Cybermen standing in the corner. The cocoon tears open as the Cyberman within emerges. PACKER enters and marches up to one of the workmen.)
PACKER: How many more?
WORKMAN: About fifty more crates, sir.
PACKER: Hurry it up.
WORKMAN: Yes, sir.
(PACKER walks over and throws a switch which opens a secret door built into the wall.)
PACKER: Follow me.
(Both Cybermen follow willingly through a door into an adjoining room with a raised platform with a large opening set into its floor. PACKER stands on this platform, having thrown another switch to open the large opening.)
PACKER: Have you received your instructions?
(One of the two CYBERMEN speaks in a robotic high-pitched voice.)
CYBERMAN: Yes.
PACKER: You will proceed through the sewer tunnels to your allotted sectors. There you will obey the commands of your section leader.
CYBERMAN: We understand.
PACKER: Proceed.
(The CYBERMEN acknowledge the orders and start climbing up the platform.)
9. UNIT AEROPLANE
(The DOCTOR studies yet another map, this one of the sewers of London, which he describes to his audience of the BRIGADIER, JAMIE, ZOE, TURNER and ISOBEL.)
DOCTOR: You see, a network of tunnels underneath London.
BRIGADIER: And that's where you think they might be?
DOCTOR: Yes... and look!
(He points out a main flood-release sewer running under the warehouse.)
DOCTOR: There's a main flood-release sewer running right beneath the warehouse.
BRIGADIER: Yes, but if there is water in the sewers, wouldn't that affect them?
DOCTOR: Oh no, no. Besides, many of these tunnels are dry and only flood during heavy rainfall.
ISOBEL: What are we going to do - pray for a cloudburst?
BRIGADIER: Miss Watkins, this could be very serious.
ISOBEL: I'm sorry, but, well it's a pretty fantastic story to swallow.
BRIGADIER: Yes, but so was the att*ck from the Yeti, but nevertheless it happened.
(Captain TURNER bends over the BRIGADIER's shoulder.)
TURNER: With all due respect sir, she's right. Nobody believed in the Yetis until they saw them. If you go to Central Command with this story, they'll think you're mad.
BRIGADIER: Yes, Jimmy, you're right. Course, what we really need is some sort of evidence... some proof.
DOCTOR: I think that it might be better at the moment to find out what form that att*ck is going to take.
(He thinks for a moment, then turns to JAMIE.)
DOCTOR: Jamie...
JAMIE: What?
DOCTOR: That transistor radio that Vaughn gave you, have you still got it?
JAMIE: Aye, here.
(He hands it over to the DOCTOR, who starts to dismantle it.)
DOCTOR: Brigadier, do you have any IE equipment here?
BRIGADIER: Hmm, Jimmy, have we?
JIMMY: Yes, we have sir. A computer and several radios and various radar components.
DOCTOR: May I see them please?
BRIGADIER: Certainty, Jimmy, would you...
TURNER: I'll show you Doctor, this way...
DOCTOR: Thank you.
(TURNER leads him to them.)
10. WAREHOUSE
(PACKER watches as the two Cybermen climb down through the "Cyber" manhole, then gets up and returns to the wake-up room. There, VAUGHN and GREGORY are waiting for him.)
VAUGHN: Ah, there you are, Packer. Everything going well?
PACKER: Yes, Mister Vaughn.
VAUGHN: Good. Time for our little experiment.
(GREGORY looks worried.)
GREGORY: Mister Vaughn... I don't really think...
VAUGHN: We must try the machine, Gregory.
GREGORY: It could be dangerous.
VAUGHN: It could be even more dangerous if they didn't try it. We must make sure we have an effective w*apon against the Cybermen.
PACKER: You're going to try it on one of them?!
VAUGHN: Why not?
(He steps forward and examines one of the cocoons. He turns back to the Technicians.)
VAUGHN: Revive it... umm, just enough to bring it out of its cocoon.
TECHNICIAN: Yes, sir.
(One of the technicians attaches wires to the cocoon. They activate the waking device and the Cyberman slowly tears its way out of the web, and then stops and stands in place.)
VAUGHN: Hold it there. Now Gregory... connect the Professor's machine.
(GREGORY steps forward hesitantly, kneels down on the floor nervously, sets the box of wires that is the machine on the floor apprehensively, gets up.)
GREGORY: (Panicking.) Mister Vaughn, please!!
VAUGHN: CONNECT IT!
(GREGORY attaches wires around the Cyberman's neck cautiously, then picks up the machine again and steps back finally with a high degree of concern.)
GREGORY: What emotion should I induce.
VAUGHN: Fear! Let's see how the Cybermen will react to fear.
(GREGORY already knows how he reacts to fear as he switches on the machine. At first the Cyberman does nothing, but then begins to move a little, somewhat in pain.)
VAUGHN: Increase the power!
(GREGORY does. The Cyberman suddenly cries out in an electronic frenzy of half-choked screams and begins to writhe in pain.)
VAUGHN: More power!
GREGORY: (Shouts.) That's all there is.
(The Cyberman suddenly goes berserk and tears the wires from its neck. It screams in agony and twists its arms in circles, slowly moving PACKER against the wall. PACKER pulls his p*stol and fires several sh*ts into the Cyberman to no effect.)
PACKER: Quick!
(The three humans hide behind one of the unopened cocoons as the Cyberman suddenly changes its deranged mind and stumbles in the opposite direction, out the door into the room leading to the sewers, watched by VAUGHN and GREGORY.)
GREGORY: I warned you... that machine isn't ready yet.
PACKER: It's following them down into the sewers.
VAUGHN: Let it go.
PACKER: It's gone mad. It could have k*lled us all.
VAUGHN: Possibly, but we proved that the Professor's machine can be effective. Get him to work on it, Gregory. I want twice as much power and I want directional control.
(PACKER points to the mad Cyberman, who we can see through the door climbing down into the sewers.)
PACKER: But what about that one. We can't let it roam down there alone!
VAUGHN: (Calmly.) Why not?
PACKER: (Protests.) It will k*ll anyone who gets in its way.
VAUGHN: Good. Anyone fool enough to be down in those sewers deserves to die.
(He walks off, leaving PACKER and GREGORY to stare after him.)
11. UNIT AEROPLANE
(The BRIGADIER and ISOBEL talk about getting some proof. On a bench, JAMIE and ZOE are listening.)
ISOBEL: Now, you really believe that these Cybermen things are down in the sewers.
BRIGADIER: Seems to make sense.
ISOBEL: But you can't do anything about it without proof or evidence.
BRIGADIER: Central command would think I was mad.
ISOBEL: Well, the answer's simple surely: go and get some proof.
BRIGADIER: And how can I prove that in the sewers of London that there are creatures from outer space waiting to att*ck us. Go and get one?
(ZOE overhears.)
ZOE: You wouldn't stand a chance against them, Isobel.
ISOBEL: Ah, you wouldn't have to go anywhere near them. Photograph them.
(The BRIGADIER rounds on her with a look of "Eureka!" on his face.)
BRIGADIER: That's not a bad... Oh wait a minute, it would be pitch dark in those tunnels.
ISOBEL: You could use an infrared film, a twenty-five filter on a 35 mil camera with a telephoto lens and you can take frame after frame without getting anywhere near them.
BRIGADIER: Is that all gibberish or do you really know what you're talking about?
ISOBEL: (Irritated.) Of course I know.
BRIGADIER: If you're right, this could well be the sort of proof I need to get some action.
ISOBEL: (Energised.) Well, all I need is her cameras from the house and then I'm all set.
BRIGADIER: (Facing her, warning.) Wait a minute, this isn't a job for you.
ISOBEL: Why ever not?
BRIGADIER: (Trying to be tactful.) Well, you're a young woman. This is a job for my men.
(This doesn't go down well. ISOBEL totally explodes.)
ISOBEL: Well, of all the bigoted, anti-feminist, cretinous remarks...
BRIGADIER: (Insists.) This is no job for a girl like you, now that's final.
ISOBEL: (Stammering.) Oh, you, you... you MAN!
(The BRIGADIER isn't phased at all.)
BRIGADIER: I'll get in touch with my photographic unit and get them onto it.
(As the BRIGADIER walks off, ISOBEL returns to JAMIE and ZOE.)
ISOBEL: Oh, that stupid... bigoted... idiotic...
(JAMIE stands up.)
JAMIE: Aye, well, he's right you know!
ZOE: (Astonished.) Jamie McCrimmon!
JAMIE: Well, he is.
ZOE: Just because you are a man, you think that you're superior, do you?
JAMIE: Now I didn't say that... Of course, it's true.
ZOE: Is it really? Right, coming Isobel?
ISOBEL: (Catching on.) What a splendid idea.
(And the two step towards the exit of the UNIT plane.)
JAMIE: Where are you going?
ZOE: (Conspiratorially to ISOBEL.) Do you think we should let him come with us.
ISOBEL: Oh, I don't know. Men aren't much good in situations like this.
JAMIE: Just a moment, where are you're going?
ISOBEL: London... coming?
JAMIE: London? Now we shouldn't do anything without the Doctor!
(ZOE and ISOBEL aren't listening to him, and in fact exit the plane. He looks back for the DOCTOR, but can't see him anywhere.)
JAMIE: Och...
(Reluctantly, he follows them. Above, in another section, the DOCTOR is looking through a magnifying glass at some IE circuitry, watched by TURNER.)
DOCTOR: This is like looking for the proverbial needle in the proverbial haystack.
(He spots something.)
DOCTOR: Just a minute...
TURNER: Found something?
DOCTOR: I don't know. Just a minute.
(With a pair of tweezers, he pulls out a small piece of circuitry.)
DOCTOR: Yes... Yes, I'm almost sure that this is same sort of circuit that was in Jamie's radio.
TURNER: But what does it do?
DOCTOR: I've no idea. But it's certainly not part of that equipment. Have a look.
(The DOCTOR passes the glass to TURNER.)
TURNER: But why put it a circuit... if it doesn't do anything.
DOCTOR: Oh, it does something all right. The question is what?
12. VAUGHN'S OFFICE
(The CYBER-PLANNER is once again active.)
CYBER-PLANNER: One hour before invasion, the Cyber-transmitter units will be launched into orbit around Earth.
VAUGHN: The effect will be immediate?
CYBER-PLANNER: Yes, transmissions will penetrate all areas.
VAUGHN: And if it doesn't work?
CYBER-PLANNER: Humans cannot resist Cyber-control. Our forces will penetrate all areas and select suitable humans for cybernetic conversion.
(This throws VAUGHN a little.)
VAUGHN: Conversion to Cybermen?
CYBER-PLANNER: Yes. The unsuitable humans will be destroyed.
(VAUGHN explodes with anger.)
VAUGHN: No, this is not as we agreed!
CYBER-PLANNER: It has been decided.
VAUGHN: We agreed that I should remain in control of Earth. In return, I supply the minerals you require. You will honour that bargain, otherwise there will be no invasion!
CYBER-PLANNER: To control, you must undergo complete conversion and become one of us.
VAUGHN: NO! My body may be cybernetic but my mind stays human. That is final!!
(The Planner whirrs and transmits.)
CYBER-PLANNER: It has been agreed. Discussion concluded.
(VAUGHN throws the switch and the alcove door/wall slides shut, and PACKER steps forward from his point at the rear of the room.)
PACKER: You don't trust them?
VAUGHN: Of course not. I know they'll try to take control from me when the invasion's complete, but then, they don't know about the Cerebraton Machine, do they?
PACKER: Well, I don't like it. That thing just said humans can't resist control. How do we know these Cyber transmissions aren't going to affect us?
VAUGHN: (Soothes.) They won't. We shall be protected by the implanted audio rejection capsules. You see Packer, I've thought all this out in detail. Nothing has been overlooked.
13. UNIT AEROPLANE
(Captain TURNER watches as the DOCTOR looks through a magnifying glass at a circuit layout inside one of UNIT's pieces of equipment.)
TURNER: Found anything?
DOCTOR: No. I'm afraid not. What I really need is laboratory facilities. I'm sure that this micro-monolithic circuit is something to do with the Cybermen's invasion plan.
TURNER: Perhaps we can find a lab for you to work in.
DOCTOR: Oh no, that's no problem, I can go up to London and use Professor Watkins' laboratory at Travers's house.
TURNER: Right. I'll arrange transport.
DOCTOR: Thank you.
(They both move to the central part of the plane where the BRIGADIER is finishing an order over the radio.)
BRIGADIER: I'll arrange for a helicopter to transport the photographic detail here for a briefing. Over.
VOICE: (OOV.) Very good, sir. We'll be standing by. Out.
DOCTOR: Brigadier?
BRIGADIER: Yes, Doctor?
DOCTOR: Where's Jamie and Zoe and Isobel.
BRIGADIER: I've no idea. Sergeant Walters!
(WALTERS comes over.)
WALTERS: Yes sir.
BRIGADIER: Friends of the Doctors. Any idea where they are?
WALTERS: They took a van and went back to London, sir.
DOCTOR: (Puzzled.) London? What on earth for?
WALTERS: They said that they were going to get something important for the Brigadier, sir.
BRIGADIER: For me?
WALTERS: Oh no.
BRIGADIER: Oh no, they surely couldn't have been so stupid as... Sergeant Walters!
WALTERS: Sir?
BRIGADIER: Get Benton on the radio link.
WALTERS: Yes sir.
(WALTERS rushes over to the radio.)
DOCTOR: What's the matter? What's happened?
BRIGADIER: I'm sorry Doctor, I think those crazy kids have gone off to the sewers to get photos of the Cybermen!
(The DOCTOR looks very worried.)
DOCTOR: What?
14. STREET
(BENTON, now wearing a UNIT uniform marked with Corporal's stripes, drives a UNIT Land Rover along a London street and parks along the side. He has three passengers, ZOE, ISOBEL, and JAMIE.)
JAMIE: Well at least let's call the Doctor up first.
ZOE: Scared Jamie?
JAMIE: No... I don't even know what we're going to do.
ISOBEL: Well, come on then.
(ZOE and ISOBEL climb out of the vehicle.)
JAMIE: Och. Women.
(BENTON smiles.)
RADIO: (OOV.) UNIT Transport Car two-three report in, over.
(BENTON picks up the microphone to his radio.)
BENTON: Car 23 to UNIT Control. Receiving you, over.
15. UNIT AEROPLANE
WALTERS: There you are, sir.
(WALTERS hands over his microphone in the UNIT Control plane over to the BRIGADIER.)
BRIGADIER: This is the Brigadier. Have you still got your passengers?
BENTON: (OOV.) No sir. I've just dropped them.
(The BRIGADIER sighs.)
BRIGADIER: Your position.
BENTON: (OOV.) The vicinity of red sector one, sir - Shepherd's Street.
WALTERS: That's nearly on top of Vaughn's HQ, sir.
BRIGADIER: Benton, listen. Try to make contact with your passengers again and get them to report in to me.
BENTON: (OOV.) I'll try sir, but I'm not sure which way they've gone.
BRIGADIER: Don't make excuses Benton, this is a top priority situation, out.
(He signs off, then turns to Captain TURNER.)
BRIGADIER: Jimmy, I want you to take charge of this operation. Get over there at once, will you?
TURNER: Right, sir.
(He turns to a soldier.)
TURNER: Sergeant...
DOCTOR: (To the BRIGADIER.) I'll go back to London with them and see if I can make some sense of these circuits. I'll have to leave my three friends in your very capable hands.
BRIGADIER: Don't worry, Doctor. We'll get them back.
DOCTOR: Thank you.
(The DOCTOR quickly turns about and walks off.)
BRIGADIER: (After the DOCTOR has left.) I hope.
16. SEWERS
(A manhole cover rings onto a street and above we hear ZOE and JAMIE's voices.)
JAMIE: I'll try up here.
ZOE: Good. Go on then, Jamie. Down we go.
JAMIE: Me? but och...
(He leads the way down, followed by ZOE.)
ZOE: (Shouting up the ladder.) RIGHT! COME ON ISOBEL.
(JAMIE shushes her, so she calls in a lower tone of voice.)
ZOE: Lower your camera down to me.
17. STREET
(Above them, on the street, ISOBEL starts to climb down into the sewer. Further along the street, a police POLICEMAN sees her.)
POLICEMAN: Hey you! What do you think you're doing going down there, you young idiots!
(ISOBEL vanishes into the sewer tunnel as Corporal BENTON drives up and parks. He climbs out and joins the POLICEMAN who is leaning over the open manhole, calling down into the sewer.)
POLICEMAN: Hey you kids! Come out of here, or I'll come down after you.
18. SEWERS
(The POLICEMAN's voice echoes along the tunnels.)
POLICEMAN: (OOV.) I know you're down there. Are you down there? Are you coming up or do I have to come down to fetch ya?
JAMIE: (Whispering.) That's all we need. If he carries on shouting like that, we'll have every Cyberman in the area down on top of us.
(ZOE looks down the opposite direction of the tunnel they are in.)
ZOE: Shh... Jamie, look, I think that there's something further down the tunnel.
ISOBEL: I can't see anything...
(She gets her camera ready.)
ISOBEL: Just in case though.
JAMIE: I think that we'd better get back.
(The shape in the distance grows closer.)
ZOE: Oh Jamie, look! I was right!
(On the tunnel wall a shadow appears. Moments later they can just make out the silver-limbed form of a single Cyberman sort of staggering towards them.)
ISOBEL: Fantastic.
(She steps forward and begins snapping pictures quickly with her camera.)
JAMIE: Come on, back.
(They start to move back. Meanwhile, back at the manhole, the POLICEMAN finishes climbing into the sewer and he turns on a torch.)
POLICEMAN: (Shouting.) Right, you kids, where are you? Come on now, stop playing about. Are you down there then?
(Back down the tunnel, JAMIE gets anxious at the sudden outburst of new shouting from the POLICEMAN and he motions for ZOE and ISOBEL to come on and leave.)
POLICEMAN: (OOV.) Come on, come on, I know that you're down here somewhere.
(ISOBEL continues to take photos.)
JAMIE: Come on, you're just risking our necks.
ISOBEL: Just a couple more...
JAMIE: There isn't time. Come on!
(He lifts ISOBEL up, and shoves the girls back down the tunnel.)
JAMIE: Right, come on, out.
(They run off. Back at the ladder, the policeman keeps on shouting.)
POLICEMAN: Come on, come on, you'll get lost if you go wandering about down there. Come on.
(He turns and looks behind himself.)
POLICEMAN: What the heck?
(He sees two Cybermen approach him and stop. A fierce glow shines from the top of the second Cyberman's chest unit, and the POLICEMAN is caught in its glare.
He screams in agony and collapses onto the floor, his d*ad body glowing so brightly it appears like a photographic negative. JAMIE, ISOBEL, and ZOE freeze in place, gaping at what's happened down the tunnel and suddenly very sorry they came here.)
ZOE: The policeman! They k*lled him!
JAMIE: Right, come on!
(JAMIE starts to lead the way forward again, but ZOE stops him.)
ZOE: Oh, Jamie, no!
JAMIE: What?
ZOE: Don't you remember... we can't go back that way.
JAMIE: And we can't go that way... (Pointing back the way they came.) ...because that Cyberman after...
(Then the penny drops.)
JAMIE: Yes. They're coming at us from both directions!
(They look back down the tunnel in pure horror as the lone Cyberman, crazed and screaming, staggers towards them...) | {"type": "series", "show": "Doctor Who", "episode": "06x15 - The Invasion - part 5"} | foreverdreaming |
BY DERRICK SHERWIN
FROM A STORY BY KIT PEDLER
First broadcast - 7 December 1968
Running time - 23 minutes 20 seconds
1. SEWERS
JAMIE: (In horror.) They're coming at us from both directions!
(Two Cybermen are at the far end of the tunnel, and a third one is approaching from the other side, rapidly. The third one seems to be screaming in a form of agony.)
2. STREET
(A Land Rover carrying Captain TURNER, Sergeant WALTERS, and a private drives up and parks close to the manhole where Corporal BENTON is waiting for them.)
BENTON: Down here sir.
TURNER: (To WALTERS.) Sergeant, get the torch.
(WALTERS runs back to the Rover.)
3. SEWERS
ZOE: (Panicking.) What are we going to do?
JAMIE: Back! Against the wall!
(JAMIE presses everyone back against the wall as the Cyberman reaches them. It's suffering from something so horrible that it ignores them completely and runs straight past them. JAMIE, ZOE, and ISOBEL gape in astonishment.)
JAMIE: It's out of control, sort of wild.
(At the ladder to the pothole, Captain TURNER shines a torch up and down the tunnel as the last soldier climbs down the ladder into the sewer.)
WALTERS: Come on lads, let's hurry it up.
BENTON: What's that voice, sir?
TURNER: I don't know. Come on, let's try this way.
(He leads the way, to their right. TURNER has a p*stol at the ready and the others all carry r*fles. TURNER shouts out down the corridor.)
TURNER: Isobel, where are you? Jamie?
(Down the tunnel, JAMIE and the others hear him.)
TURNER: (OOV.) This is Captain Turner! Where are you?
ISOBEL: You see, somebody coming. I told you.
JAMIE: No, wait! There's Cybermen between us remember.
ISOBEL: What are we going to do? We just can't wait here for more to come along.
TURNER: (OOV.) Are you down there?
(ISOBEL looks like she is about to answer but then turns back to JAMIE and ZOE.)
ISOBEL: At least, let him know we're here.
JAMIE: Aye, and the Cybermen too.
(Meanwhile, WALTERS looks about him nervously.)
WALTERS: Reckon they copped it as well, sir?
TURNER: Can't be sure, that's the trouble.
WALTERS: Aye, these sewers are a right maze. They could be anywhere?
TURNER: Yeah. We'd better get in touch with the Brigadier immediately.
(They turn around to head back for the manhole when suddenly WALTERS sees something.)
TURNER: What the...
WALTERS: Sir, what...
(Down the tunnel, stand two Cybermen, chest units glowing in the darkness.)
TURNER: Move back, all of you... slowly.
(One of the Cybermen calls to them in a very computerised voice.)
CYBERMAN: Do not move!
(TURNER talks to WALTERS quietly.)
WALTERS: Sergeant, Grenades!
CYBERMAN: Do not resist. You will obey instructions.
TURNER: (Calls.) What do you want us to do?
CYBERMAN: You will come with us. Obey.
(WALTERS gives TURNER a grenade.)
WALTERS: Ready sir.
CYBERMAN: Obey or you will be destroyed.
(WALTERS starts to throw his grenade when TURNER stops him as suddenly the crazed Cyberman appears behind this pair. The two advancing Cybermen stop and turn around in logical surprise, as the rogue Cyberman crashes into them, flailing its limbs around wildly. TURNER sees their chance.)
TURNER: Now! Get down!
(The soldiers throw their grenades into the pile of Cybermen, and two expl*si*n throw them to the ground. One of the normal Cybermen staggers to its feet, stepping on its fallen comrades.)
TURNER: And again, Sergeant, Grenade quick!
WALTERS: Come on, Perkins, Come on.
(PERKINS, the private, rises and panics.)
PERKINS: It's too late, Sergeant. I'm getting out!
(He stands, turns, and runs for it.)
TURNER: Perkins! Come back, man!
(The Cyberman looks at PERKINS, and a fierce glow shines from the top of its chest unit. The glow bathes Perkins in its lethal light, and he collapses to the floor, his body shining in an oscillating negative. JAMIE, ZOE and ISOBEL have heard the sounds of battle.)
ISOBEL: Well, at least we could have warned them!
(They hear three more expl*si*n down the tunnel.)
TURNER: (OOV.) Isobel, Jamie, Zoe! Are you down there!?
JAMIE, ZOE & ISOBEL: Yes! Yes, we are!
TURNER: (OOV.) Get to the ladder, as quickly as you can.
JAMIE: Right.
(All three run down the tunnel towards the manhole. Here, TURNER and the other soldiers have reached the ladder.)
TURNER: Come on, hurry it up. Come on Sergeant, keep those men moving. Get the body quickly.
(The three civilians arrive, and ISOBEL nearly rushes into TURNER's arms.)
ISOBEL: Oh, thanks goodness...
TURNER: (Angrily.) Shut up! Come on, get out of here and keep out of the way. I've already lost one man and I don't want to lose any more. Now up that ladder. Get moving!
(Both ISOBEL and ZOE start to climb the ladder.)
TURNER: Jamie, any more behind you in the tunnel.
JAMIE: No.
TURNER: Good. (To WALTERS.) Get the body up. (To JAMIE.) Jamie, keep a good look-out. I think one of those Cybermen is still alive.
(JAMIE looks down the tunnel. TURNER is correct - one of the Cybermen is still moving.)
4. STREET
(JAMIE is the last to make it up the ladder.)
TURNER: Quickly! I'm with you!
(Before he clears the manhole, a large metal hand grabs the calf of his leg and he cries out in pain, unable to move and being dragged back down into the manhole.)
JAMIE: Ah! My leg!
TURNER: All right! All right, Jamie!
(TURNER helps keep JAMIE topside, but they can't break the tie between their strength and the Cyberman's.)
TURNER: (Calls.) Sergeant!
(WALTERS, who was helping BENTON carry PERKINS' body, runs to the Land Rover and picks up his previously discarded r*fle. He then runs to the manhole and starts to hammer at the Cyberman's arms and chest with the g*n's barrel. After six full hits, the Cyberman finally lets go of JAMIE's leg and starts to fall back down into the manhole.)
TURNER: Benton, grenade!
BENTON: Coming, sir!
TURNER: Quick, man! Hurry!
(BENTON runs over to them with a grenade and drops it down the manhole after the Cyberman. A flash, a loud expl*si*n, and smoke pour out of the manhole, followed by silence.)
WALTERS: I just don't believe it, sir. All them grenades and he still came out of it.
TURNER: Yes. Come on, Let's get out of here.
(WALTERS and BENTON help JAMIE walk to the Land Rover.)
5. LAB
(The DOCTOR sits in WATKINS' lab and peers into a microscope. He looks up frustratedly as the BRIGADIER comes in.)
BRIGADIER: Any success?
DOCTOR: No, not yet. There's an alien logic in these circuits that I hasn't been able to work out yet.
BRIGADIER: Hmm, so we're no further ahead.
DOCTOR: No, not yet.
(The DOCTOR looks down the microscope again.)
BRIGADIER: Miss Watkins is developing her photographs. I'm taking a full report to Geneva and UNIT Central Command.
DOCTOR: How long will that take?
BRIGADIER: Depends. I leave in the morning. If I can get the report to the Council tomorrow, we should get some action between two or three days.
DOCTOR: That might be too late!
(ISOBEL, ZOE, and JAMIE enter the lab. ISOBEL goes over to the BRIGADIER carrying several photographic prints.)
ISOBEL: There we are, some beauties.
(She shows them off proudly to the BRIGADIER, who looks over them with disappointment and says "yes" in what he hope is a reassuring tone. The first of the two pictures is a close up of a CYBERMAN, but is very fuzzy and out of focus. The second is of a Cyberman standing under a Sewer light, and it can be shown that it is a man-form but not exactly what it is.)
ISOBEL: What's the matter?
BRIGADIER: Nothing. They're very good. But I don't want to hurt your professional pride, Miss Watkins, but they do look, er, a little like, ... fakes.
ISOBEL: (Exclaims.) Fakes?!
(ZOE looks over the somewhat fuzzy photographs and off-center Cybermen.)
ZOE: Yes, I see what you mean.
ISOBEL: (Irritated.) Oh, charming, I don't know why I bothered!
(She storms out of the room.)
JAMIE: (Looking at the photos.) Of course it's a Cyberman! Any fool can see that!
BRIGADIER: You do, McCrimmon.
JAMIE: (Puzzled.) Hey?
BRIGADIER: You know them.
JAMIE: Oh.
BRIGADIER: But the people I'm trying to convince are a little more sceptical.
(Suddenly the DOCTOR looks up from his microscope.)
DOCTOR: Yes of course!
BRIGADIER: What, what?
DOCTOR: It could be, it just could be!
(He looks through the microscope again.)
6. VAUGHN'S OFFICE
(PACKER stands before VAUGHN's desk.)
PACKER: It was definitely the UNIT force. They att*cked three Cybermen and destroyed two of them.
(VAUGHN shrugs this off.)
VAUGHN: How very clever of them.
PACKER: They got out alive. Now if they report on what they saw...
VAUGHN: Their report would be meaningless, Packer. In a few hours time, the invasion will be complete. There cannot possibly be any serious opposition.
PACKER: Well, I hope you're right.
VAUGHN: I am, Packer, I am.
(He stands and looks out his office window, through the vertical blinds at the skyline of London outside.)
VAUGHN: Just look at it out there. Soon we shall control all that.
(He turns from his dream and back to PACKER.)
VAUGHN: Has the Professor completed his work on the Cerebraton Mentor machine?
PACKER: Yes. Gregory's bringing him now.
(The door alarm goes off.)
PACKER: That would be them.
(PACKER opens the door and VAUGHN welcomes GREGORY and WATKINS into his office, and their accompanying guard.)
VAUGHN: Ah, come in gentlemen. Well, Gregory, Success?
GREGORY: (Worriedly.) I don't know yet, sir. We added narrow bandwidth transducers which should make transmission more directional.
VAUGHN: Good, good. Show me.
(VAUGHN takes the machine and looks over the additions, including a small black trumpet-like horn attached to the top of the open metal frame of a box.)
WATKINS: This is madness! That machine is a deadly w*apon now.
VAUGHN: (Mock surprise.) Really?
WATKINS: The modifications were quite unnecessary. It worked perfectly well as it was.
VAUGHN: For your purposes, perhaps, Professor. I have a somewhat... different use for it.
WATKINS: All right, all right. Do with it what you will. The machine's yours now. Will you let get out of this place? And let Isobel go free as you promise?
(VAUGHN is still looking over the controls of the machine.)
VAUGHN: (Casually.) My dear fellow, she is free.
(WATKINS looks at him in shock.)
WATKINS: Free?! Where? Where is she?
VAUGHN: Probably sitting quite comfortably at home. Now then, how does one operate this?
(GREGORY notices that VAUGHN has the machine pointed towards WATKINS, whilst fiddling with the controls. He reaches forward to steady the machine in VAUGHN's hands.)
GREGORY: Careful, Mister Vaughn. Don't point it at anyone.
VAUGHN: No? Dangerous is it?
(His face changes from one of mock surprise to one of malice, as he asks WATKINS.)
VAUGHN: Fear, Watkins. Do you know what fear is?
(WATKINS realises what he's going to do.)
WATKINS: No, don't! Don't do... Don't...
(VAUGHN switches the machine on. It issues out a harsh metallic whine which crumples Watkins to the floor, writhing in panic and terror.)
GREGORY: Mister Vaughn! You'll k*ll him! Stop!
(GREGORY tries to wrestle the machine away from VAUGHN, but PACKER jumps forward and catches GREGORY in a vice-like grip. VAUGHN rounds on GREGORY.)
VAUGHN: Perhaps we should try the effectiveness of the machine on you Gregory! At full power!!
(PACKER throws GREGORY down on the floor next to the whimpering WATKINS.)
GREGORY: (Worriedly.) Mister Vaughn. It's only a play... and we still need the Professor!
VAUGHN: I'm aware of that. I suppose that I still need you, otherwise I...
(He breaks off, and controls his temper somewhat.)
VAUGHN: (To the guards.) Pick them up!
(And the guards roughly pick the scientists up off the floor.)
VAUGHN: Professor, you'll be taken back to the factory compound. I want these machines on the production lines immediately. Do you understand?
(WATKINS can't stand on his own, but is held upright by a guard on his left and a guard on his right, neither being careful about how tightly they hold him.)
WATKINS: Vaughn, obviously I can't choose but to work for you.
(He swallows and goes on.)
WATKINS: If I refuse, you'll t*rture me and k*ll me. (Sadly.) I know I can't stand up to t*rture, and I don't want to die. (Strongly.)
You're an evil man Vaughn! You're a sadistic man. You're a megalomaniac.
(VAUGHN looks at WATKINS strangely, as though he were really listening for once.)
WATKINS: I pity you, but if I get half a chance... I'll k*ll you!
(VAUGHN suddenly looks amused.)
VAUGHN: k*ll me? Would you?
(He reaches out a hand to PACKER.)
VAUGHN: Give me your g*n, Packer.
(PACKER obediently hands over his p*stol to VAUGHN. WATKINS looks at VAUGHN as though it were inevitable. VAUGHN steps forward and nearly presses the barrel of the g*n in WATKINS' weary face. He stops, turns the g*n around in his hand, and laughs.)
VAUGHN: Take it!
(WATKINS looks at it for a moment as though it were a trick.)
VAUGHN: There you are. Take it!
(WATKINS changes his mind and in one motion grabs the g*n and shrugs off the guards. The two guards, PACKER, and GREGORY all back away toward the wall as they watch WATKINS straighten his coat back onto his shoulders with a shrug as he grasps the g*n firmly.)
VAUGHN: Now you're free to sh**t me, Professor. sh**t!
(WATKINS just looks at VAUGHN in surprise, since VAUGHN has given him the g*n and is now making no moves to escape him.)
VAUGHN: sh**t!
(VAUGHN slaps WATKINS across the face sending him to the floor.)
VAUGHN: Come on, the g*n's loaded, or haven't you got the courage to pull the trigger?
(WATKINS giggles hysterically and he leaps to his feet, holding out the g*n and f*ring off one, two, and three sh*ts rapidly in succession. WATKINS looks disappointed, his face freezing with a new kind of horror, fear, and hopelessness. He faints d*ad away. Three b*llet holes stain VAUGHN's business shirt. But there is no blood, no pain, no holes and no death in Vaughn. VAUGHN looks down at WATKINS' unconscious form and laughs in wry amusement.)
VAUGHN: (To the guards.) Take him away. Get work started on the machine immediately.
7. LAB
(The DOCTOR still continues to work, studying circuits in the microscope intently. Across the room, Captain TURNER also works at setting up a radio set. The room is otherwise silent but for the ticks of the clock, and then for the slide of the door as ISOBEL enters, carrying a tray full of cups of tea. ISOBEL crosses the room, and first offers the tea to the DOCTOR.)
ISOBEL: Tea, Doctor.
(He looks up, accepts the tea and thanks ISOBEL.)
DOCTOR: Oh thank you.
(ISOBEL's next intended recipient is JAMIE, who is sleeping very comfortably indeed in a chair against the opposite wall. She tries to wake him and give him his tea.)
ISOBEL: Jamie... Jamie, tea.
(He doesn't budge. She sets the cup on a tray next to him.)
TURNER: (Into the radio microphone.) Captain Turner calling UNIT Control. Captain Turner calling UNIT Control. How do you read me, over?
WALTERS: (OOV.) UNIT Control. Loud and clear, sir.
TURNER: Relay all important messages and reports direct through to here, Sergeant, over.
WALTERS: (OOV.) Wilco, over.
TURNER: Good. Over and out.
(ISOBEL hands Captain TURNER his cup of tea and then steps back as he sips it.)
TURNER: Thanks.
(He smiles at her appreciatively.)
ISOBEL: I'm forgiven then?
TURNER: What?
ISOBEL: For being such a twit and going down those sewers. I'm sorry about the soldier.
TURNER: Yes, well it's alright. You weren't to know what you were really letting themselves in for.
ISOBEL: Why? I would have got us all k*lled.
(She sits down.)
ISOBEL: I just didn't realise. And yet those Cybermen things. I've just been listening to Zoe telling the Brigadier about them for his report, and they didn't sound so m*rder as they look.
TURNER: You know, we dropped five grenades right on top of them and one still came out of it. I'd hate to have to fight a whole army of them.
DOCTOR: (Cries.) No, no, no, no, no!
(He jumps off his chair and tosses a piece of paper to the ground petulantly. JAMIE stirs at the sound of the DOCTOR's voice.)
JAMIE: Hmm... what's the matter, Doctor? Would someone mind telling me what's going on?
TURNER: Never mind, Jamie. Just finish your tea and go back to sleep.
(Sergeant WALTERS' voice crackles over the radio set.)
WALTERS: UNIT Control to CO. UNIT Control to CO. Over.
TURNER: (Into microphone.) Captain Turner here, Sergeant. Stand-by. (To ISOBEL.) Isobel, will you go and get the Brigadier for me?
ISOBEL: Oh sure.
(ISOBEL runs out of the room.)
TURNER: (Into microphone.) Brigadier's on his way now, Sergeant. What's the flap? Over.
WALTERS: (OOV.) Report from red sector one at 2030 hours...
TURNER: (Into microphone.) Hold on a sec.
(The BRIGADIER enters with ISOBEL.)
TURNER: Right, the Brigadier's listening now. Go ahead, Sergeant.
WALTERS: (OOV.) Benton on routine observation reports two guards and another man leaving with the Professor. He is on their tail now, sir. Over.
TURNER: (Into microphone.) Hold on, Sergeant. (To BRIGADIER.) Look sir, we could intercept them and release the Professor.
BRIGADIER: Well, officially we...
ISOBEL: (Pleads.) Oh do, please do.
DOCTOR: Brigadier, if you do rescue him, he might help us with our problem.
(The BRIGADIER smiles.)
BRIGADIER: All right, your shindig Jimmy.
TURNER: (Into microphone.) Sergeant, tell Benton to stay with them. I'm on my way now. I'll contact en route, over.
WALTERS: (OOV.) Wilco, over.
BRIGADIER: Jimmy, don't take any chances. Vaughn's lot know we mean business, so they won't be playing games.
TURNER: Aye, sir. I'll take the full as*ault platoon with me.
BRIGADIER: Right.
TURNER: (Into microphone.) Sergeant, alert the full as*ault platoon. I'll relay instructions on route. Have you got that, over?
WALTERS: (OOV.) Yes, sir. Over
TURNER: (Into microphone.) Good. Over and out.
ISOBEL: (To TURNER.) Good luck.
BRIGADIER: Good luck, Jimmy.
(TURNER leaves and the BRIGADIER muses over the situation with a smile.)
TURNER: I think Mister Vaughn is going to have quite a scrap on his hands.
8. VAUGHN'S OFFICE
(Some time later, GREGORY stands in VAUGHN's office, but things have changed. He seems a little more worried than usual, as he explains to VAUGHN what a long night it's been for him. This is obvious, since his glasses are missing and his face is stained with dirt.)
GREGORY: (With alarm.) There were at least thirty of them, all UNIT men and all armed, Mister Vaughn. We didn't stand a chance. Out of nowhere... They came out of nowhere.
(VAUGHN sneers at him from near the dark windows of the brightly-lit office.)
VAUGHN: And they just took the Professor?
(GREGORY swallows nervously.)
GREGORY: What else could we do? There were at least...
VAUGHN: ...Thirty of them?
GREGORY: They sh*t the two guards, and they would have sh*t me if...
VAUGHN: ...if you hadn't run away.
(GREGORY realises that he is caught.)
GREGORY: Well... Yes.
(VAUGHN crosses from the window to approach the concerned GREGORY.)
VAUGHN: You realise, of course, that without the Professor's assistance, it will not be possible to get the Cerebraton Machine on the production line.
(GREGORY sees a ray of hope.)
GREGORY: Oh, Mr Vaughn, I can. Given a little time, I'm sure I can!
VAUGHN: (Icy calm.) But you have no time Gregory. No time at all...
9. IE SEWER ENTRANCE
(A few minutes later, GREGORY runs through the sewers. Behind him, PACKER turns to two Cybermen.)
PACKER: k*ll him!
(The Cybermen follow GREGORY. One of them fires its chest unit w*apon after him. GREGORY is caught in the glare, his back arches in pain, and he collapses to the floor, writhing in agony.)
10. LAB
(Professor WATKINS sits in safety, exhausted, but glad to be free. He drinks from a glass of brandy or wine. The assembled group is the DOCTOR, the BRIGADIER, JAMIE, ZOE, ISOBEL, and Captain TURNER.)
WATKINS: I'm sorry... I can't tell you.
DOCTOR: (Gently.) You've no idea what these micro-monolithic circuits are for.
WATKINS: No.
(The DOCTOR looks really worried.)
DOCTOR: Oh my word.
WATKINS: I couldn't understand why Vaughn wanted the modifications to the machine.
DOCTOR: You say that he is going to mass produce these machines?
WATKINS: (Nodding.) Hmm.
BRIGADIER: Why would he want a w*apon like that if he has got the Cybermen to fight for him.
DOCTOR: I've no idea. Unless... Professor!
WATKINS: Hm?
DOCTOR: You said that you develop this machine to produce excessively powerful emotional pulses.
WATKINS: Yes, that's true.
DOCTOR: (Excited.) Well, that's it! Vaughn going to use it as a w*apon against the Cybermen.
BRIGADIER: What, the Professor's machine?
DOCTOR: Yes. Emotion is alien to the Cybermen's nervous system. It would destroy it.
(And suddenly another thought occurs.)
DOCTOR: The micromonolithic circuits. They're emotional circuits! No wonder they weren't logical.
(He hurriedly runs to the microscope.)
DOCTOR: Now why didn't I think of this before. Now let's see.
(WATKINS slowly follows him to help.)
JAMIE: Now what's he up to?
ZOE: No idea.
WATKINS: Doctor...
BRIGADIER: Jimmy, I'd better get back to Control. I leave for Geneva at dawn. If the Doctor should come up with anything, let me know.
TURNER: Right sir.
(JAMIE sees several seats suddenly vacant, and he lies himself down again on one of them.)
JAMIE: Oh, oh well, if anything exciting happens, wake me up, will you? I was in the middle of a lovely dream.
ZOE: Honestly, Jamie. Cybermen underneath London, and all you can think about is your sleep.
11. SEWERS
(In the sewers, the Cybermen prepare their invasion. Many march to new positions, and some have now been supplied with larger caliber w*apon, like short steel g*n.)
12. LAB
(ZOE shakes JAMIE to wake him up.)
ZOE: Jamie!
JAMIE: (Sleepily.) Ach, what is it?
ZOE: The Doctor's discovered something important - come on!
(JAMIE finally wakes up and crosses the lab to where the DOCTOR has everyone assembled around a large white board with some drawings on it, a visual aid for his speech. He notices JAMIE's arrival.)
DOCTOR: Oh, how do you do Jamie.
(He turns and points to the large circle on the right of the board.)
DOCTOR: Now then, here is the Earth.
(He then points to a smaller circle on the left of the board.)
DOCTOR: And here is the Moon.
(Next, he points out many small dots around the Earth circle.)
DOCTOR: And these are the communication satellites circling the Earth.
(And lastly, he points out a small dot on the left side of the Moon circle.)
DOCTOR: And here is the Cybermen's spaceship, the invasion spaceship, the one that we saw. Right, now if I'm right, I think that this... (Waving his hand over the Cyberman spaceship.) ...would come to this side of the Moon and boost signals to the Earth.
(WATKINS steps in.)
WATKINS: The signals will activate these circuits.
DOCTOR: Precisely.
ZOE: You still haven't told us what that will do.
DOCTOR: The micro-monolithic circuits are an artificial nervous system. Once activated they will produce the Cyber-hypnotic force that controls human beings.
(TURNER's eyes widen in the realisation.)
TURNER: There are hundreds and thousands of these circuits in IE equipment all over the world.
WATKINS: Exactly.
ISOBEL: So everybody would come under their control.
ZOE: Yes, the Cybermen will take over everybody.
TURNER: Well, is there anything that we can do?
DOCTOR: Yes, there is a way to block the signals, isn't there, Zoe.
ZOE: The depolarizer! Worn at the back of the neck will jam the Cyber-control waves.
DOCTOR: Yes. (Turning to WATKINS.) Have you any neuristors here, Professor?
WATKINS: A few, I think.
DOCTOR: Zoe, show the Professor what to do. The invasion could come at any moment.
(ZOE gets to work.)
13. VAUGHN'S OFFICE
(VAUGHN is gazing at the dark early morning London skyline from his office window. The alarm from his wall goes off. He opens the dark alcove once more, to reveal the CYBER-PLANNER.)
CYBER-PLANNER: Is all in readiness?
VAUGHN: Of course.
CYBER-PLANNER: There is one hour to invasion time. Countdown will start from now.
(A musical ticking sound begins, repeating every second, to VAUGHN's delight.)
VAUGHN: Excellent.
CYBER-PLANNER: We are moving into position now. Ready to transmit the Cyber-signal.
(The CYBER-PLANNER continues to tick away the remaining hour.)
14. SPACE
(In the darkness of space, the large Cyberman spaceship begins to move slowly around the moon, towards the Earth.)
15. LAB
(The DOCTOR speaks over the UNIT radio set to the BRIGADIER.)
DOCTOR: Brigadier, they must all be fitted once. The invasion could come at any moment.
BRIGADIER: (OOV.) I'll get all UNIT groups onto it as soon as possible, Doctor.
DOCTOR: Good. Good. If you want any help, just call me up.
BRIGADIER: (OOV.) Will do. Out.
(The DOCTOR gets up and sees ZOE.)
DOCTOR: Now then, now many have you made, Zoe?
ZOE: Only three, I'm afraid. I couldn't find any more neuristors.
DOCTOR: (Shouts.) What? There must be some more amongst all this gubbins.
(He indicates the pile of scientific junk in the lab, casually ignoring the fact that he made the mess.)
DOCTOR: Come on, let's have a look. We must protect everyone here at least.
(He leads the all-out hunt for neuristors and everybody starts to pull the lab inside out.)
16. VAUGHN'S OFFICE
(The CYBER-PLANNER reports to VAUGHN.)
CYBER-PLANNER: We are proceeding to our position now. Transmission will be ready in forty minutes.
(PACKER enters the office.)
VAUGHN: A few minutes Packer, a few minutes and then... I shall control the world.
PACKER: (Uncertain.) You? You're sure?
VAUGHN: Quite certain Packer. Quite certain.
17. LONDON
(The early morning sunlight shines over a slowly waking, but still quiet London. All is peaceful and silent, but for the morning birdsong.)
18. ISOBEL'S ROOM
(ISOBEL looks out her window and smiles in peace and comfort. The smile deepens when Jimmy TURNER joins her.)
TURNER: Penny for them?
ISOBEL: It seems so peaceful.
TURNER: Hmm. Do you think the Doctor could be wrong this time? I mean, about the invasion.
ISOBEL: Well, he's been right up till now.
TURNER: Yeah. True, but I don't know. Look...
(He continues to look out the window.)
ISOBEL: It's incredible isn't it? Look at all that peace out there, and to think... It's difficult to imagine.
(Slowly, yet suddenly, a noise starts up, a loud and constant noise, like waves from an electronic ocean, washing ashore in London from all sides, or something electronic falling all the time, permeating all corners and circles, all streets and squares.)
ISOBEL: What's that noise?
19. LAB
(The DOCTOR hears the noise inside the lab, and he is reacting to it, to his surprise. He feels around his neck.)
DOCTOR: Zoe, my depolarizer. It must have fallen off!
(Suddenly he collapses to the floor in a deep sleep like a coma. Zoe leaps down to his side...)
ZOE: Oh Professor, get us a depolarizer quickly.
(WATKINS rushes off to find one.)
20. LONDON
(An upper-middle-class businessman walks along a sidewalk beside a chain-link fence somewhere, on his way to work. The electronic ocean storm sounds in his ears, and he collapses against the fence, grasping the links in fear and confusion. A glazed look forms in his eyes as he cannot help but listen to the noise. A middle aged woman wearing a stocking on her curled hair looks up into the sky and presses her hands into her cheeks and her ears to try to blot out the horrible sound. A man's head is pressed against his car's horn. Other men look skyward, listening to the sound. The man at the fence, the woman, the man in his car, the other two men, all listen to the electronic cacophony, along with the whole world.)
21. LAB
ZOE: Quickly!
(ZOE fixes a new depolarizer to the back of the DOCTOR's neck and tries to revive him.)
ZOE: Doctor! Doctor!
(ISOBEL rushes into the room.)
ISOBEL: Oh, is he alright?
ZOE: I don't know.
ISOBEL: Oh, whatever is that noise?!?
TURNER & JAMIE: (OOV.) Doctor! Doctor!
JAMIE: Hey!
(JAMIE and TURNER enter the lab. JAMIE rushing to the DOCTOR's side. ISOBEL asks Jimmy TURNER what he's looking so afraid about.)
ISOBEL: What is it? What's happening?
TURNER: It's the Cybermen. We've just seen hundreds coming out of the sewers.
22. LONDON
(Manhole covers all over London are thrown into the air like paper plates in the wind, and Cybermen emerge from beneath them. Nowhere is sacred from their march. A squadron slowly walks down the steps of Saint Paul's Cathedral, claiming it and the planet for their own...) | {"type": "series", "show": "Doctor Who", "episode": "06x16 - The Invasion - part 6"} | foreverdreaming |
BY DERRICK SHERWIN
FROM A STORY BY KIT PEDLER
First broadcast - 14 December 1968
Running time - 24 minutes 44 seconds
1. LONDON. DAY
(A storm of electronic noise floods London. Cybermen fling open manhole covers and climb from the sewers. A phalanx of Cybermen advance down the steps in front of Saint Paul's Cathedral.)
2. INT. LAB, TRAVERS' HOUSE. DAY
(The DOCTOR lies on the floor, just coming around from the unconsciousness induced by the Cybermen's hypnotic signal. ZOE and ISOBEL are by his side whilst JAMIE gently slaps the side of his face. Professor WATKINS and Captain TURNER are also gathered around, looking on.)
DOCTOR: Oh!
ISOBEL: Oh, are you all right Doctor?
DOCTOR: (Painfully coming to.) Oh... Oh... Oh, wha... Oh! Oh, my!
(The DOCTOR is helped to a sitting position, and still in pain, puts his fingers to his ears.)
JAMIE: Doctor! The invasion, it's g*n.
DOCTOR: Yes Jamie, I'd rather gathered that. I... is everyone else all right?
TURNER: (Together.) Yes.
ISOBEL: (Together.) Yes, we're fine.
DOCTOR: Oh, what about the Brigadier, and... and the rest of the men?
TURNER: I'll check.
(TURNER stands and goes into the next room to the R/T unit.)
DOCTOR: (OOV, still in discomfort.) Oh! Oh!
(JAMIE and ZOE mutter something, out of sight, as TURNER goes over to the radio.)
TURNER: (Into the R/T microphone.) Captain Turner calling UNIT control, Captain Turner calling UNIT control. Are you receiving me, over?
(There is no response. ZOE, JAMIE, and the others gather around where TURNER is seated.)
TURNER: Are you receiving me, over?
(Sergeant WALTERS' voice crackles over the radio set.)
WALTERS: (OOV.) UNIT control receiving you, over.
TURNER: Sergeant, is the Brigadier there?
WALTERS: (OOV.) Hold on a moment sir.
BRIGADIER: (OOV.) Yes Jimmy. Are you all right?
TURNER: Yes, sir.
BRIGADIER: (OOV.) Well, chaos here. Only half the crew's recovered so far.
DOCTOR: (Taking the microphone.) Ah, Brigadier. What about the rest of the UNIT men.
BRIGADIER: (OOV.) Oh, hard to say, reports still coming in. Look, I'll send transport for you, you'll be safer here with us.
DOCTOR: Oh, thank you.
BRIGADIER: (OOV.) Ah, Jimmy?
(TURNER takes back the microphone.)
TURNER: Yes, sir, I heard.
BRIGADIER: (OOV.) Right. Now stay put. As far as I can gather, the streets are packed with Cybermen. Sergeant Walters will try to get through with a jeep.
TURNER: Right, sir. Over and out.
(TURNER switches off the radio.)
TURNER: Well, sounds like total success for Vaughn and the Cybermen.
DOCTOR: Yes. We appear to be sitting right in the middle of the hornet's nest.
3. INT. VAUGHN'S OFFICE. DAY
(VAUGHN is seated by his desk. He is facing the CYBER-PLANNER in the hidden compartment and checking off items on a clipboard.)
CYBER-PLANNER: All areas are now covered by our transmission. The full invasion force is preparing for flight. Transmit the radio beam for the transporter ships to home on.
VAUGHN: It will be prepared.
CYBER-PLANNER: Control and supervision of Cybermen in all key positions will be arranged. Prepare your communication network.
VAUGHN: Wait. My organisation will now take over. The Cyberman army must stay under my control.
(The central sphere rotates as the CYBER-PLANNER considers this.)
CYBER-PLANNER: Why do you oppose us.
VAUGHN: I don't oppose you, we're allies! But you do not understand the world and it's organisation. I do.
CYBER-PLANNER: This is not necessary. Humans are now under Cyber-control.
VAUGHN: (Standing and shouting.) I MUST CONTROL THEM!
(VAUGHN approaches the CYBER-PLANNER.)
VAUGHN: Look, let's understand one another. You will not get what you want unless I too achieve my object. Is this agreed?
CYBER-PLANNER: (Again considering.) It has been agreed.
VAUGHN: Good! Then the invasion will continue under my direction.
CYBER-PLANNER: Discussion terminated.
(The wall pivots back to conceal the alcove containing the CYBER-PLANNER. VAUGHN returns to his desk and activates the Communicator.)
VAUGHN: Packer!
PACKER: (Immediately appearing on screen.) Yes sir.
VAUGHN: Have you discovered where the Professor is?
PACKER: Yes, Mister Vaughn.
VAUGHN: Go and collect him.
PACKER: But sir, the... the UNIT people.
VAUGHN: You won't meet with any resistance. They're all under Cyber-control.
PACKER: Right Mister Vaughn.
VAUGHN: I want work started on the production of the machines immediately. Go and recapture Watkins. Don't let anything or anyone stop you.
4. EXT. STREET OUTSIDE TRAVERS' HOUSE. DAY
(Sergeant WALTERS drives up in a Land Rover and parks outside Professor Travers' house. He leaps out with a r*fle and runs up the stairs to the front door.)
5. INT. HALL, TRAVERS' HOUSE. DAY
(Bearing his p*stol, Captain TURNER comes to the front door and lets in Sergeant WALTERS.)
WALTERS: What's up?
TURNER: Thank goodness you made it. Any trouble?
WALTERS: Hundreds of Cybermen about sir.
TURNER: Well the sooner we get out of here the better. (Raising his voice.) Everybody ready?
ZOE, JAMIE: (OOV, upstairs.) Yes!
ISOBEL: (OOV.) Ready, we're coming.
WALTERS: Listen!
(TURNER opens the front door and peers outside.)
6. EXT. STREET. DAY
(Another Jeep arrives, driven by PACKER and carrying GUARDS with r*fles. PACKER parks on the opposite side of the street to Travers' house and the GUARDS leap out and run to the door.)
7. INT. HALL, TRAVERS' HOUSE. DAY
(TURNER shuts and locks the front door, and turns to Sergeant WALTERS.)
TURNER: We have been seen. We'd better get out of here, out of the back as quickly as possible.
WALTERS: Right!
(WALTERS goes out to the back door. TURNER waits for the rest coming down from the lab upstairs: first ISOBEL, then ZOE, then the DOCTOR.)
TURNER: Come on, move everybody. Quickly!
(TURNER shepherds ISOBEL, ZOE and the DOCTOR through to the back door. JAMIE and Professor WATKINS come down next, the Professor carrying the radio.)
TURNER: Out of the back door. Hurry it up. Come on Jamie. Professor, alright? Good.
(A r*fle butt is shoved through the front door and a sh*t rings out. WATKINS clutches his leg.)
WATKINS: My leg!
(WATKINS falls to the floor and drops the radio. TURNER turns and sh**t two sh*ts back before his p*stol jams, k*lling the GUARD.)
WATKINS: Argh!
TURNER: Come on Jamie, get the radio out of here.
JAMIE: Right.
TURNER: Leave the Professor to me.
JAMIE: Right. Come on.
(TURNER picks up WATKINS and carries him out.)
TURNER: Right, I've got him.
(JAMIE picks up the radio and follows TURNER. Another sh*t rings out and JAMIE is h*t. He writhes in pain and there is a volley of g*n f*re as he retreats out to the back door.)
8. INT. UNIT AEROPLANE
(The BRIGADIER stands at the R/T console. Sergeant TURNER reports in.)
BRIGADIER: (Into microphone.) Yes Jimmy, where are you?
TURNER: (OOV.) In bother sir. We need help. Can you give us a chopper.
BRIGADIER: Yes.
(The BRIGADIER pulls down a chart from the top of the console and consults it.)
BRIGADIER: Can you make... sector five?
TURNER: (OOV.) We can try sir.
BRIGADIER: Right, I'll get the chopper there. Out.
(The BRIGADIER calls up another channel on the R/T and sits.)
BRIGADIER: (Into microphone.) UNIT control, calling sector five chopper, over?
PILOT: (OOV.) Receiving you, over.
BRIGADIER: This is the Brigadier, are you airborne?
PILOT: (OOV.) Yessir.
BRIGADIER: Right. Proceed to sector five and pick up Captain Turner and party, and bring them here.
PILOT: (OOV.) Wilco. Out.
9. INT. VAUGHN'S OFFICE. DAY
(VAUGHN is pacing up and down, and fulminating at PACKER.)
VAUGHN: How could they escape the Cyber-control?
PACKER: It's that Doctor, something to do with him. We should have got rid of him when we had the chance.
VAUGHN: Shut up, Packer!
(VAUGHN sighs in annoyance and sits in his chair.)
VAUGHN: I must go on with the invasion.
PACKER: But what about the Professor? Without him, we can't make any more machines; without machines, we can't control the Cybermen.
VAUGHN: Let me worry about that. For the moment, I have the Cybermen exactly where I want them.
PACKER: Yeah, but for how long. Now can you honestly say that everything's going according to plan, that nothing's been overlooked? Well can you?
(VAUGHN snaps, and pounds the desk with his fist.)
VAUGHN: JUST OBEY MY ORDERS! Now get in touch with the compound, and have the radio beam projected. The invasion fleet must be brought in.
10. INT. UNIT AEROPLANE
(Sergeant WALTERS reports to the BRIGADIER, who is seated at the conference table with the DOCTOR and Captain TURNER.)
WALTERS: New York's off the air, sir. Moscow's d*ad, and Peking. In fact, nothing, no radio communication at all.
BRIGADIER: Right Sergeant, keep trying all frequencies.
WALTERS: Yes sir.
(Sergeant WALTERS leaves to return to the R/T console.)
BRIGADIER: It seems to be a total blanket all over the world.
TURNER: Look, couldn't we make hundreds of these neuristor things sir, and distribute them.
BRIGADIER: I doubt there's time for that Jimmy. What do you think, Doctor?
DOCTOR: I agree. The Cybermen will att*ck in force now. There must be thousands of them in outer space.
BRIGADIER: (Impatiently bangs the table.) There's nothing we can do?
DOCTOR: Unless we can stop the Cyber-control signal.
BRIGADIER: If your theory's right, they'll be coming from somewhere near the moon. That means we're going to need a m*ssile of some sort.
DOCTOR: Yes, I'm afraid it does.
TURNER: That would need an orbital launch vehicle. We simply haven't got anything of that size.
BRIGADIER: No, only the Americans and the Russians. Oh... wait a minute.
(The BRIGADIER goes to the safe at the bulkhead wall and inserts the key to open it. He opens the door and retrieves a spiral ring binder.)
BRIGADIER: I remember reading... Ah, yes, yes, here we are. The Russians were planning a countdown at the time we were att*cked.
TURNER: For the moon, sir?
BRIGADIER: Yes, a manned orbital survey. That means they'll have a launching bay almost ready to go.
TURNER: You mean, we could put a warhead on it, in place of the astronaut capsule?
BRIGADIER: A possibility.
TURNER: How long would all this take?
BRIGADIER: Well, we could get a small party there in about two hours... Course, we'd have to revive the rocket personnel from Cyber-control. After that... well, that would be up to the Russians.
TURNER: It means it's all a question of time. How long do you think we have, Doctor?
DOCTOR: (Standing.) Oh, I'm surprised they're not here already.
BRIGADIER: (Handing the file to TURNER.) Jimmy. Here's the general on the Russian rocket base. You deal with that, now get your skates on.
TURNER: Yes sir.
BRIGADIER: Now Doctor, we must deal with this invasion you say is coming.
DOCTOR: Yes - at least we know where they'll land - they'll home in on Vaughn's radio signal.
BRIGADIER: Would we be able to pick them off with m*ssile m*ssile?
DOCTOR: Yes, that's a good idea, we might have a try.
BRIGADIER: Right - there's a base near Henlow Downs. Err, just a minute. Sergeant Walters?
(As the BRIGADIER turns to the R/T console, ZOE comes in.)
DOCTOR: Oh, Zoe, sit down. [...] Now, how's Jamie's leg?
ZOE: Oh, it's just a slight flesh wound. But he's furious, because the Army doctor won't let him walk on it.
DOCTOR: Well he won't be able to, would he? How's the Professor?
ZOE: Oh, he'll be all right, Isobel's looking after him. Anything I can do, Doctor?
DOCTOR: Well I... I suggest you... you go with the Brigadier. Much as I detest computers, I... I think that remarkable brain of yours will come in very handy.
ZOE: Right. What are you going to do?
DOCTOR: I think it's about time I had a serious talk with our Mister Vaughn.
ZOE: What, go back? But he'd k*ll you as soon as look at you.
DOCTOR: No, we need time if we're going to, ahh, stop this att*ck, and I think I can get us that time.
(Overhearing the DOCTOR's intentions, the BRIGADIER returns.)
BRIGADIER: No, this is madness. I can't afford to let you take that risk.
DOCTOR: Can't afford not to, Brigadier. If you're going to att*ck the Cybermen with m*ssile, they're going to retaliate, and we've got to know how and with what.
ZOE: But how can you find that out?
DOCTOR: I'll leave my radio on. Then you'll hear every word that passes between me and Vaughn.
BRIGADIER: But you'll never get near the place, the whole area will be crawling with Cybermen.
DOCTOR: Oh, there's one particular place where there'll be no Cybermen.
BRIGADIER: Where's that?
DOCTOR: In the sewers.
(Sergeant WALTERS calls from the R/T console.)
WALTERS: We're coming in to land, sir.
11. EXT. AIRFIELD. DAY
(The UNIT aeroplane has landed and the cargo ramp is lowered fully to the ground. The BRIGADIER and ZOE watch as the DOCTOR drives a Land Rover down the ramp and pauses at the bottom.)
DOCTOR: (To the BRIGADIER.) Bye-bye.
(He drives off. Another Land Rover, driven by Captain TURNER, is the next to arrive at the bottom of the ramp.)
BRIGADIER: All set Jimmy?
TURNER: Yes sir, I've got a supersonic jet laid on. We'll be in Russia in no time.
BRIGADIER: Splendid.
ZOE: Good luck!
(He drives off also.)
12. INT. UNIT AEROPLANE
(Sergeant WALTERS is seated at the R/T console. The BRIGADIER and ZOE are just returning inside the aeroplane.)
WALTERS: (Into microphone.) All sections prepare for take-off. Secure loading bay and standby for flight position. All UNIT ground section-leaders standby on full alert readiness.
BRIGADIER: Sergeant Walters, ask Wing Commander Robbins to bring us down at the nearest airstrip to Henlow Downs Defence base.
WALTERS: Yes sir.
BRIGADIER: Oh, and Sergeant, make sure that a chopper stays in Red sector one area. The Doctor might need it in a hurry.
13. INT. SEWERS
(The DOCTOR cautiously climbs down a ladder into a long, dark sewer corridor and switches on the TM45 radio to call the BRIGADIER.)
DOCTOR: (Under his breath.) Hello UNIT control. This is the Doctor. Is the Brigadier there, please?
(After a moment, the crackly voice of Sergeant WALTERS is heard.)
WALTERS: (OOV.) Hold on a moment sir, I'll get him.
(As he waits he peers in each direction. The sewer appears to be empty.)
BRIGADIER: (OOV.) Yes Doctor, go ahead.
DOCTOR: Ah Brigadier, I've just entered the sewers. I'm going to make my way to Vaughn's headquarters. I'll give you a call when I get there.
BRIGADIER: (OOV.) Right. We'll have a chopper in the area in case you get in trouble.
DOCTOR: Thank you.
(The DOCTOR switches off and puts away the radio. After deliberating about which way to proceed, and finally deciding to toss a coin, he gingerly starts towards Vaughn's headquarters.)
14. INT. UNIT AEROPLANE
(The BRIGADIER and ZOE talk at the conference table.)
ZOE: But your helicopter isn't going to be much use to the Doctor if he does meet any Cybermen down in those sewers.
BRIGADIER: If you've got any better suggestions, I'll be pleased to hear them.
(Sergeant WALTERS approaches from the R/T console.)
WALTERS: `Scuse me sir.
BRIGADIER: Yes.
WALTERS: Captain Turner's airborne ETA over Russia: two hours seven minutes from takeoff.
BRIGADIER: Good. Keep the Doctor's channel open and let me know the moment he contacts you.
WALTERS: Yes sir.
(Sergeant WALTERS exits.)
BRIGADIER: (To ZOE.) Well, don't look so worried. Fancy a cup of tea?
15. INT. VAUGHN'S OFFICE. DAY
(PACKER and VAUGHN are poring over a map showing the partial invasion force.)
PACKER: There's particularly heavy concentrations here, here, here, and here.
VAUGHN: And all the main communication centers are now manned by our forces?
PACKER: (Suddenly nervous.) Yes, but um...
VAUGHN: What, but what, Packer?
PACKER: Well, we can't make a complete takeover without the full invasion force.
VAUGHN: They'll arrive, Packer, they'll arrive. And when they do... (Sotto voce.) there won't be one city in the entire world that we don't control. (Full voice.) Think of it, Packer, the entire world!
(The security alarm suddenly goes off and PACKER jumps to the control panel.)
PACKER: The security alarm, the... the UNIT forces must have...
VAUGHN: Packer!
(They cycle through the security camera displays. The last one displays the face of the DOCTOR, who addresses the camera.)
DOCTOR: (On screen.) There you are. Ah, can you hear me, Mister Vaughn?
VAUGHN: (With suspicion.) Yes?
DOCTOR: (On screen.) I hope I haven't called at an inconvenient moment, but I... I would rather like a word with you.
VAUGHN: Clever of you to avoid our Cyber-control.
DOCTOR: (On screen.) Ah, it was nothing. I'll... I'll come up, I know the way.
(The DOCTOR moves out of sight of the camera.)
PACKER: He must be out of his mind!
VAUGHN: (Sotto voce.) Far from it, Packer. (Full voice.) Have the guards search the building, just in case he's brought any friends with him.
PACKER: Why not just k*ll him? He's caused enough trouble already.
VAUGHN: You forget, Packer. He's our insurance.
16. INT. UNIT AEROPLANE
(The BRIGADIER and WALTERS are by the R/T console.)
WALTERS: Approaching Henlow airstrip now, sir, two minutes to touchdown.
BRIGADIER: Fine. Tell the raiding party to standby.
WALTERS: Yes sir.
(The DOCTOR's voice whispers from the communications channel.)
DOCTOR: (OOV.) Ah, Brigadier. Brigadier.
BRIGADIER: Yes Doctor, go ahead.
DOCTOR: (OOV.) Ah, I am just about to enter the lion's den. I will leave the radio on as of now.
BRIGADIER: Right. Good luck.
DOCTOR: (OOV.) Thank you.
BRIGADIER: (To WALTERS.) Keep that channel open and get the whole thing on tape.
WALTERS: Yes sir.
BRIGADIER: If he yells for help while I'm away, send in everything we've got to get him out.
WALTERS: Right.
(WALTERS sets the radio channel up to be recorded. The DOCTOR's radio continues to broadcast from the communications equipment. There is a sound of his hand rapping on the door to VAUGHN's office, and the door being opened.)
VAUGHN: (OOV.) Ah Doctor, what an unexpected pleasure. Do come in.
17. INT. VAUGHN'S OFFICE. DAY
(Cut away to VAUGHN's office, continuing the previous conversation. The DOCTOR is seated, whilst VAUGHN paces in front of the large windows.)
DOCTOR: Can you trust them?
VAUGHN: Doctor, I've worked with the Cybermen for five years preparing this invasion. I know them, the way they think, the single-mindedness of their purpose.
DOCTOR: You must know what ruthless and inhuman K*llers they are.
VAUGHN: Of course. But then they are my allies, not my enemies.
DOCTOR: Do you really think they'll honour any bargain that you make with them.
VAUGHN: Oh, I've planned this operation in great detail, allowing for every possible factor. It was I who contacted them in deep space, provided the means by which they travelled to Earth. I masterminded the whole operation from A to Z.
(VAUGHN harrumphs in satisfaction and continues.)
VAUGHN: They have merely provided their advanced scientific skills, their might and strength.
DOCTOR: What do they get out of all this?
VAUGHN: What they want, and ah... what they're going to get, are two entirely different things.
DOCTOR: Oh, you're a fool Vaughn. When they get here, they'll take over.
VAUGHN: All Cybermen here are conditioned to obey my orders. They are directly under my command.
DOCTOR: Oh, possibly. But what about the others, out there in space. Are they conditioned to obey your commands?
VAUGHN: If they are not, I'll destroy them.
DOCTOR: With the Professor's machine?
VAUGHN: Yes.
DOCTOR: With one machine?
VAUGHN: I'll have more made.
DOCTOR: But you'll have to have the Professor's help to do that, won't you? We've got the Professor.
VAUGHN: (Irritated.) They'll be under my command, exactly like the others.
DOCTOR: But you can't be sure of that, can you?
18. INT. HENLOW DOWNS DEFENCE BASE. DAY
(The personnel of Henlow Downs are unconscious under the effects of the Cyber-control. Some are slumped at their desks clutching telephones, instruments, whilst others are out cold on the floor. The BRIGADIER, ZOE, and UNIT soldiers rush in and take control.)
BRIGADIER: Fit these men with neuristors, and put the radio over there.
(The radio is set up by the UNIT soldiers.)
BRIGADIER: UNIT control, UNIT control, how do you read me, over.
WALTERS: (OOV.) Loud and clear sir, over.
BRIGADIER: Any trouble?
WALTERS: (OOV.) No sir, Captain Turner reports they're over the Russian border now, sir, over.
: (To the BRIGADIER.) How about the Doctor?
BRIGADIER: Sergeant, how about the Doctor?
WALTERS: (OOV.) So far, so good sir, over.
BRIGADIER: Right. Out.
(The men of the base are beginning to come round, among them Major BRANWELL and Sergeant PETERS.)
BRIGADIER: Take it easy, Major.
BRANWELL: (Groggy.) What happened? Oh... were we att*cked?
BRIGADIER: Now just try and clear your head, there's a great deal to be done.
19. INT. VAUGHN'S OFFICE. DAY
(The DOCTOR isn't getting anywhere with VAUGHN, and now it is he who is rattled instead of VAUGHN.)
DOCTOR: (Impatiently.) But you daren't take the risk! Once the Cybermen take over, they'll destroy the world as we know it!
VAUGHN: You're just playing for time, aren't you?
DOCTOR: I'm trying to stop you from destroying the human race!
VAUGHN: Your UNIT friends... you presumably managed to protect them from the Cyber-control as well? What are they planning?
DOCTOR: I don't know what you're talking about.
VAUGHN: (Laughs to himself.) Packer?
PACKER: (Appearing on the monitor.) Yes sir.
VAUGHN: Is the radio beam in the compound aligned yet?
PACKER: (On monitor.) Yes sir, it's all ready.
VAUGHN: Good. Then link the beam to the invasion fleet.
PACKER: (On monitor.) Right, Mister Vaughn.
VAUGHN: Whatever it is your UNIT friends are trying to do... it's too late.
20. INT. HENLOW DOWNS. DAY
(BRANWELL is having a hard time believing the BRIGADIER's story.)
BRANWELL: But this is fantastic. Unbelievable.
BRIGADIER: Nevertheless true. We believe they'll be sending their full invasion fleet at any time. If they get here, we've had it.
BRANWELL: I see sir.
(They cross to the radar console.)
BRANWELL: Sergeant Peters?
PETERS: Sir.
BRANWELL: Anything on the scope?
(The full circle described by the radar beam reveals nothing.)
PETERS: Not a glimmer sir.
BRANWELL: Well sir?
BRIGADIER: I suppose we could be too late.
ZOE: What's the maximum range of your radar?
PETERS: Accurate up to fifty thousand miles, miss. Not so good after that.
ZOE: Well, that means we're not likely to pick them up until they're almost on top of us.
BRANWELL: Yes, that's true. Well, let's be prepared in case they do appear on the screens. Sergeant Peters, prepare all launch pads, begin fuel priming and start preliminary countdown.
PETERS: Sir!
(As PETERS activates the m*ssile countdown, a series of STANDBY signs on the main wall are illuminated, one after the other.)
1 3 5 7
STANDBY STANDBY STANDBY STANDBY
2 4 6 8
21. EXT. m*ssile LAUNCHING RANGE. DAY
(Near to the base, the m*ssile launching pads are activated, each holding several multiple-stage rockets. With a whirr of machinery, the pads are elevated and then the m*ssile raised to f*ring angle.)
22. INT. VAUGHN'S OFFICE. DAY
(VAUGHN is talking to the CYBER-PLANNER while the DOCTOR looks on.)
CYBER-PLANNER: The transporters will be launched.
VAUGHN: All agreed.
CYBER-PLANNER: The invasion fleet will arrive in two parts.
DOCTOR: (Rushing up to VAUGHN.) You must stop them! This is madness! You can't trust them!
VAUGHN: Don't you understand yet? I have no alternative. (Whispering to himself.) I can't stop now, to have the work destroyed! (Louder.) I must go on, I must!
23. INT. HENLOW DOWNS. DAY
(The BRIGADIER is talking to Sergeant WALTERS on the radio set.)
WALTERS: (OOV.) That's what we hear, sir. The rest of them are on their way. Over.
(From the opposite side of the room at the radar console, BRANWELL calls out.)
BRANWELL: Something coming in now sir.
BRIGADIER: (Into microphone.) Anything from Captain Turner? Have they landed in Russia yet?
WALTERS: (OOV.) They've landed sir, but we've heard nothing more. Over.
BRIGADIER: I see. Out.
(The BRIGADIER joins BRANWELL and PETERS. The radar scope is now beginning to show several objects at the maximum extent of its range.)
PETERS: Sir, it's just on range limits now, sir. Faint yet, but moving in fast.
BRIGADIER: Is it?
BRANWELL: It looks like it, sir.
PETERS: More sir now, look. They're on a ballistic trajectory.
(As the radar sweeps across the direction of the Moon, successively more and more objects are revealed in apparent formation.)
ZOE: How long before they appear within range of your m*ssile?
PETERS: At this rate, a couple of minutes at the moment, miss.
BRANWELL: Sergeant Peters?
PETERS: Sir!
BRANWELL: Where are we on countdown?
PETERS: T minus forty-five seconds sir.
BRANWELL: Hold.
(BRANWELL crosses to the public address system for the base.)
BRANWELL: Launch crew, hear this. Forty-five seconds to lift-off. Prepare fuse locks.
LAUNCH CREW: (OOV.) Fuse locks in preparation. Arming code running.
(Behind BRANWELL the display on the main board has progressed to display the status of the countdown.)
1 3 5 7
PHASING PHASING PHASING PHASING
2 4 6 8
1 3 5 7
READINESS READINESS READINESS READINESS
2 4 6 8
BRANWELL: Run co-ordinate program A theta.
PETERS: (Calling BRANWELL.) Sir!
(BRANWELL crosses to PETERS and ZOE at the radar. The scope is now teeming with ships.)
ZOE: There are more of them!
PETERS: Sir.
BRANWELL: Sky range probes active. Yes, what is it?
PETERS: More of them sir!
LAUNCH CREW: (OOV.) Arming code run. All warheads ready for lift-off activation.
BRANWELL: Oh we can't get them all. Let's take as many as we can. Lift-off activation check.
PETERS: Co-ordinate program running, sir.
BRANWELL: Set program A theta to guidance.
PETERS: Roger.
(ZOE has been thinking about an idea for a while, and crosses to BRANWELL to mention it.)
ZOE: Major, I think we stand a good chance of getting at least ninety percent of them.
BRANWELL: How, we haven't got enough m*ssile?
ZOE: Oh please Major. Just knocking out half a dozen of them would do very little good at all. Let's try for them all.
BRANWELL: Look Miss, I know my business and I'm telling you we haven't got enough m*ssile.
ZOE: Yes you have. These things are coming in in a formation pattern. Now, if you set your m*ssile carefully, you can set up a chain reaction of expl*si*n.
BRANWELL: No, there isn't time to compute all the relevant information - they'd be on top of us by then.
ZOE: Give me thirty seconds.
(The BRIGADIER, who has been listening with interest, intervenes.)
BRIGADIER: Give her what she asks, Major. Thirty seconds.
BRANWELL: But sir - this is ridiculous!
BRIGADIER: Just thirty seconds.
BRANWELL: (After a moment.) Hold for thirty seconds!
PETERS: Sir, that doesn't give us much time.
BRANWELL: Alright Sergeant, I know. Countdown to begin T minus forty-five seconds.
(ZOE races to the instrument desks at the rear of the room and begins writing down telemetry information for programming the m*ssile, to the bemusement of the army technicians. After scribbling down the last piece of data she returns and produces the paper for Sergeant PETERS.)
ZOE: Here. Feed this into your computer.
BRANWELL: Do as she says. I'll take over here.
PETERS: Sir.
BRANWELL: You'd better be right.
ZOE: I am!
BRANWELL: T minus forty-five seconds from now.
(BRANWELL activates the countdown. The status board now lights up with a new row of illuminated messages:)
1 3 5 7
ARMED ARMED ARMED ARMED
2 4 6 8
24. EXT. m*ssile LAUNCHING RANGE. DAY
(The m*ssile on the launching range are swiveled into their final positions, ready for lift-off. Nearby the dish of the base's long range radar rotates.)
25. INT. HENLOW DOWNS. DAY
(Major BRANWELL has produced two keys with which to arm the m*ssile f*ring console, and inserts each into a slot in the desk.)
PETERS: Information computed, sir.
BRANWELL: Thank you Peters. Set computer guidance, now.
PETERS: T minus thirty-two seconds.
LAUNCH CREW: (OOV.) Launch crew clear, sir.
PETERS: a*t*matic.
BRANWELL: Yes, all guidance now computer controlled, check.
PETERS: T minus twenty-eight seconds...
T minus twenty-two seconds...
Eighteen seconds...
BRANWELL: No hold-ups, please!
PETERS: T minus fourteen seconds... Thirteen... Twelve...
(As the count-down closes in below ten seconds, BRANWELL simultaneously turns the two keys in the m*ssile f*ring console ninety degrees clockwise to activate the lift-off controls.)
PETERS: Ten... Nine... Eight... Seven... Six... Five... Four... Three... Two... One... Zero.
(BRANWELL presses down on the launch button.)
26. EXT. m*ssile LAUNCHING RANGE. DAY
(One after another, the m*ssile are fired off from the m*ssile launching range. After a short time, the outer first-stage rockets are explosively jettisoned and the second stage of the m*ssile plows further into the stratosphere.)
27. SPACE
(The Cyberman invasion fleet is rapidly approaching the Earth. Suddenly, the m*ssile home in and strike their targets, and ship after ship explode in sequence.)
28. INT. VAUGHN'S OFFICE. DAY
(VAUGHN and the DOCTOR are standing before the CYBER-PLANNER.)
CYBER-PLANNER: The first transporter fleet is being att*cked and destroyed. You have betrayed us.
VAUGHN: (Shouting in fury.) NO!
CYBER-PLANNER: The failure of this mission is due to you. We will now take over the invasion.
VAUGHN: NO! WAIT! GIVE ME TIME! I CAN STOP THIS OPPOSITION!
CYBER-PLANNER: There is no more time.
VAUGHN: I WON'T ALLOW THIS INVASION TO...
(VAUGHN approaches the CYBER-PLANNER in a fury, and the CYBER-PLANNER releases a pulse of energy which drives VAUGHN staggering backwards.)
CYBER-PLANNER: We no longer need you. A Cyber-megatron b*mb will be delivered. We must destroy life on earth completely. Every living being.
DOCTOR: (To VAUGHN.) Is this what you wanted? To be the ruler of a d*ad world? | {"type": "series", "show": "Doctor Who", "episode": "06x17 - The Invasion - part 7"} | foreverdreaming |
BY DERRICK SHERWIN
FROM A STORY BY KIT PEDLER
First broadcast - 21 December 1968
Running time - 23 minutes 52 seconds
1. INT. VAUGHN'S OFFICE. DAY
(VAUGHN stands before the compartment containing the CYBER-PLANNER. With the destruction of the first invasion fleet, the CYBER-PLANNER has just broken the agreement with VAUGHN.)
CYBER-PLANNER: We no longer need you. The Cyber-megatron b*mb will be delivered. We must destroy life on earth completely, every living being.
DOCTOR: (To VAUGHN.) Is this what you wanted, Vaughn? To be the ruler of a d*ad world?
2. INT. UNIT AEROPLANE
(Corporal BENTON and ISOBEL are listening to the exchange between the DOCTOR, VAUGHN, and the CYBER-PLANNER at the R/T console. It continues:)
VAUGHN: (OOV.) You can't do that. You can't destroy the world. What about me?
CYBER-PLANNER: (OOV.) You are of no further use to us. The Cyber-invasion must succeed. The b*mb will be delivered.
(BENTON picks up a microphone and opens transmission on a new channel, ISOBEL looking very concerned.)
BENTON: UNIT control calling the Brigadier. UNIT control calling the Brigadier. Over.
3. INT. HENLOW DOWNS. DAY
(The crew of the defence base and the UNIT soldiers are in celebrations following the successful destruction of the Cyberman fleet, thanks to ZOE's programming finesse. The BRIGADIER and Major BRANWELL are the first to congratulate her:)
BRANWELL: Every single one of them, knocked right out of the sky.
BRIGADIER: Exactly as you predicted, a chain reaction of expl*si*n.
BRANWELL: It's fantastic, how do you do it.
ZOE: Well, it's all quite logical really, hardly any calculation needed at all. Except the simple stuff like speed, angle of descent, and relative positions of the spaceships.
PETERS: Can't we keep her on, sir? She's much prettier than a computer!
(The voice of BENTON is overheard, coming from the radio in the midst of the general hubbub.)
BENTON: (OOV.) UNIT control calling the Brigadier.
BRIGADIER: (Crossing to the radio.) Quiet everyone!
BENTON: (OOV.) UNIT control calling the Brigadier. Over.
BRIGADIER: Yes Sergeant, what's the flap?
BENTON: (OOV.) Corporal Benton here, sir.
BRIGADIER: Benton? Well what's happened to Sergeant Walters?
BENTON: (OOV.) He's taken over the Geneva link, sir.
BRIGADIER: Oh, I see. Well, what's the flap?
BENTON: (OOV.) It's news from the Doctor, sir. Just come through on his open channel. They're going to drop some sort of b*mb.
(Major BRANWELL and the BRIGADIER quietly echo the word "b*mb".)
BRIGADIER: b*mb? You mean the Cyberman are?
BENTON: (OOV.) Yes, sir. Something called a Cyber-megatron b*mb. They're going to wipe us all out, sir.
BRIGADIER: Right Benton, standby - we're on our way back. Out.
(The BRIGADIER turns the radio off and swings into military action.)
BRIGADIER: We're moving out. (To BRANWELL.) Keep in touch, Major. We'll keep all radio communication on an open network so that you'll know what's going on.
BRANWELL: Right sir.
BRIGADIER: And keep your eyes peeled in case they send any more stuff in. And try to get a fix on that b*mb.
BRANWELL: If we do sir, we'll try to touch it off on it's approach orbit.
BRIGADIER: Right. Let's go!
(The UNIT soldiers and ZOE depart.)
4. INT. VAUGHN'S OFFICE. DAY
(VAUGHN is continuing to argue with the CYBER-PLANNER whilst the DOCTOR watches.)
VAUGHN: But if you do, you'll destroy everything here. Even your own Cybermen!
CYBER-PLANNER: The sacrifice will be small.
VAUGHN: You can't do this! I won't let you!
CYBER-PLANNER: You cannot stop us. No-one can.
(The DOCTOR runs up to VAUGHN's side.)
DOCTOR: Now you're beginning to understand the Cybermen, Vaughn. You can't make bargains with them!
VAUGHN: I won't let them take over, I won't!
(VAUGHN races to his desk and picks up the Cerebraton Mentor.)
VAUGHN: You think you're indestructible. WELL, I CAN DESTROY ALL OF YOU!
(VAUGHN switches the Mentor on and points it toward the CYBER-PLANNER. After a moment the CYBER-PLANNER begins to combust, and it's parts swivel and gyrate out of control.)
CYBER-PLANNER: Opposition is useless. The Cybermen will...
DOCTOR: Vaughn! Switch it off, you'll blow us all sky high!
VAUGHN: I'LL DESTROY THEM ALL, ALL!
(Suddenly the CYBER-PLANNER explodes in a brilliant white flash, knocking the DOCTOR and VAUGHN to the floor. The room is filled with a thick acrid smoke which reduces the DOCTOR and VAUGHN to a coughing fit. Finally they stagger to their feet and see the ruined CYBER-PLANNER which has blown apart in disarray.)
VAUGHN: It's d*ad. I k*lled it. I destroyed it.
DOCTOR: That won't stop them. They're still out there in space preparing to destroy the world.
VAUGHN: (Looking at the wreck of the CYBER-PLANNER.) Five years, and in less than five seconds!...
DOCTOR: Vaughn, listen to me. The Cybermen will deliver their b*mb on the same radio beam they used for their invasion. You've got to turn it off, man, you've got to turn it off!
VAUGHN: (Still unable to come to terms.) What?
DOCTOR: We're both on the same side now, both fighting for our lives. You've got to turn the radio beam off!
VAUGHN: (Confused.) The radio?
DOCTOR: Yes! That's how they'll deliver their b*mb!
VAUGHN: (The penny drops.) The radio beam! Yes, yes, Packer must...
(VAUGHN crosses to his desk and, like the Tobias Vaughn of old, shouts through the intercom:)
VAUGHN: Packer! Packer! Where are you?
(There is no answer from the intercom. VAUGHN and the DOCTOR look at the empty monitor, which suddenly fills with the face mask of a Cyberman. In panic PACKER bursts in through the inner door, dressed in full uniform.)
PACKER: Vaughn! They've taken over! The Cybermen, they won't obey! They've k*lled the...
(PACKER breaks off and nervously looks behind at the door.)
PACKER: They're coming after us. Vaughn!
(PACKER goes up to VAUGHN and tries to shake an answer out of him:)
PACKER: What have you done to us? WHAT HAVE YOU DONE?
(A Cyberman comes crashing through the door and advances on them. PACKER rounds to face the Cyberman, draws his p*stol, and begins taking pot sh*ts at it.
After emptying the six sh*ts of the p*stol the Cyberman is unaffected and simply reaches for it's chest unit. A fierce glow envelopes PACKER who screams in agony and falls d*ad.
(The DOCTOR and VAUGHN are hiding behind the desk, when the DOCTOR jumps up and switches on the Cerebraton Mentor before the Cyberman can turn to face him, and switches it on full power. The Cyberman utters a piercing electronic shriek and collapses, finally stopping motionless on the floor.
(VAUGHN has crawled from behind his desk and is almost in shock as the DOCTOR comes up to him.)
DOCTOR: Vaughn! Where is the transmitter for the radio beam?
VAUGHN: (In fierce resignation.) We can't fight them, they're too powerful, too many of them.
DOCTOR: Oh don't be a fool man. Where do we turn it off!
VAUGHN: At the compound, but they'll be there.
DOCTOR: Right. We must stop them.
(The DOCTOR pulls out his transmitter and speaks into it.)
DOCTOR: Brigadier, Brigadier, this is the Doctor. Can you still hear me.
5. INT. UNIT AEROPLANE
(The BRIGADIER has the microphone at the R/T console. He replies:)
BRIGADIER: Yes Doctor, we heard everything. What do we do?
DOCTOR: (OOV.) There are only two possibilities. We must either cut off the transmitter of the radio beam at the compound or destroy the Cyberman spaceship.
BRIGADIER: How much time do we have?
DOCTOR: (OOV.) Oh, I've no idea, it could be minutes or hours - depends how long it takes them to prepare this b*mb of theirs.
BRIGADIER: Well, destroying the spaceship is gonna take time. Now we've heard from Captain Turner - the Russians are with us, but they say it'll take at least ten hours or more to get a m*ssile that far.
DOCTOR: (OOV.) Then there's only one chance. The radio beam. Err, wait.
(The DOCTOR can be overheard addressing VAUGHN.)
DOCTOR: Vaughn. Now Vaughn, will you help us. We must try to get to the controls of the radio beam. We'll never do it in time unless you help us!
6. INT. VAUGHN'S OFFICE. DAY
(VAUGHN is despondent at the failure of his plans and sits slumped against his desk in resignation.)
VAUGHN: You still think you have a chance?
DOCTOR: Yes, if you'll help us!
VAUGHN: Help you? Why should I!
DOCTOR: Well to save us! To save yourself!
VAUGHN: And if I survive, what future have I got? What will the world do with me?
DOCTOR: Oh, for heaven's sake, stop thinking about yourself! Think of the millions of people on earth who are about to die!
VAUGHN: Appealing to my better nature... No. If I help you, it'll be because I hate them, the Cybermen, "my allies". You think I'm mad, that all I want is power for its own sake. No, I have to have power. The world is weak, vulnerable, a mess of uncoordinated and impossible ideals. It needs a strong man, a single mind. A leader!
DOCTOR: Vaughn, will you listen?
VAUGHN: Right. I'll help you to destroy them because I hate them. They... destroyed my dream...
(The voice of the BRIGADIER suddenly sounds from the DOCTOR's transmitter.)
BRIGADIER: (OOV.) Doctor?
DOCTOR: Ah... yes, Brigadier?
BRIGADIER: (OOV.) We have a chopper in the area. Can you get up to the roof?
DOCTOR: Yes, yes, we'll wait there for you.
BRIGADIER: (OOV.) Wilco. Out.
VAUGHN: Your UNIT friends are very efficient. I'll lead the way to the roof.
(As they leave, VAUGHN snatches the Cerebraton Mentor from the DOCTOR who had taken it from the desk.)
VAUGHN: No, no, no - I'll take that, the Cybermen will be guarding the radio transmitter...
7. INT. UNIT AEROPLANE
(The BRIGADIER issues more orders over the UNIT aeroplane's internal communications.)
BRIGADIER: Brigadier to Wing Commander. Get us airborne and head for the nearest airstrip to the compound area. Red sector two.
WING COMMANDER: (OOV.) Wilco.
BRIGADIER: Take over, Benton.
BENTON: Right sir.
(BENTON takes over the communications post while the BRIGADIER goes over to join ISOBEL and ZOE.)
ISOBEL: Are we going to go in and help the Doctor?
BRIGADIER: Ah yes.
ZOE: He'll need it if he's got to fight his way through two hundred Cybermen.
BRIGADIER: Yes, I only wish we had more time to release more men from the Cyber-control. As it is, we've only got a platoon!
(The voice of Captain TURNER sounds from the communications post.)
TURNER: (OOV.) Captain Turner to UNIT control. Come in control. Do you read me, over?
BENTON: Loud and clear - hang on sir!
(The BRIGADIER steps up to the radio microphone.)
BRIGADIER: Yes Jimmy, over.
TURNER: (OOV.) Hello sir. The Russians have fitted a warhead to the rocket now sir, a super-cooled hydrogen device. It's a solid fuel booster, so it's nearly ready for lift-off. Over.
BRIGADIER: Good Jimmy, sounds promising. We probably haven't got all that much time, but there's no reason why we shouldn't chuck everything we've got at them. Out.
WING COMMANDER: (OOV.) Ready for take-off sir.
BRIGADIER: Take off.
8. INT. HENLOW DOWNS. DAY
(The crew of Henlow Downs are going about their business as BENTON's voice sounds out on the open network radio. Sergeant PETERS moves from his post to question Major BRANWELL.)
BENTON: (OOV.) All UNIT personnel to flight positions. Standard take-off procedure. as*ault platoon prepare for action. ETA, fifteen minutes approximately. All mobile UNIT groups proceed to red sector two area. I say again, all mobile UNIT groups proceed to red sector two area...
PETERS: Do you think that Russian rocket stands any chance?
BRANWELL: At that distance? Not enough time.
PETERS: Ah, I suppose not.
BRANWELL: That's why those Cybermen things are keeping their range - they know they're safe.
PETERS: But you never know, they could take time to get that b*mb of theirs ready, and that Russian rocket might make it.
BRANWELL: Yeah, it just might.
9. EXT. RUSSIAN LAUNCH PAD. DAY
(With an ear-splitting noise, the Russian m*ssile finally ascends on a brilliant column of exhaust gases from the rocket, and heads off high into the atmosphere, ground-based telescopes tracking it upwards. The fiery trail of the rocket dwindles until it is impossible to discern the rocket directed toward the moon.)
10. INT. UNIT AEROPLANE
(Corporal BENTON turns from his communications post to report to the BRIGADIER.)
BENTON: Sir, Captain Turner reports Russian m*ssile on it's way.
BRIGADIER: Wish `em luck. Now, Captain Turner will be keeping us posted stage by stage, so keep listening Benton.
BENTON: Sir.
PILOT: (OOV.) UNIT sector five chopper to command, over.
BENTON: Command here, receiving you, over.
PILOT: (OOV.) Coming in to land at the compound, red sector two, my passenger wants a word, over.
(The BRIGADIER takes the radio microphone.)
BRIGADIER: Yes Doctor.
DOCTOR: (OOV.) Um, Brigadier. We're... we're just coming in to land at the compound.
BRIGADIER: Yes, well hang on till we get there, we'll give you support.
DOCTOR: (OOV.) No, no, I'm sorry Brigadier, we must go in right away, otherwise we'll be too late.
BRIGADIER: But that's madness, you don't stand a chance against the Cybermen without us.
DOCTOR: (OOV.) Ah, don't worry - we have the Professor's machine, it's proved to be very effective so far.
BRIGADIER: Well don't take any chances, we'll get there as soon as we can. Where should we head for?
DOCTOR: (After a moment, OOV.) Vaughn says that the transmitter controls are in the old I.E. factory - that's on the... the east side of the compound.
BRIGADIER: Right.
PILOT: (After a moment, OOV.) Chopper Pilot to command, sir. Coming down now. What shall I do, stick around, over.
BRIGADIER: Yes, hover above, it'll give us a bearing.
PILOT: Wilco, out.
BRIGADIER: How long before we touch down, Benton?
BENTON: About ten minutes, sir.
BRIGADIER: Right, get the men out as soon as we've taxied in.
BENTON: Right, sir. (Switching on the R/T.) as*ault platoon prepare for action. Maintain constant communication with control on red alert frequency.
(The BRIGADIER comes up to ISOBEL and ZOE at the conference table.)
ZOE: Can we come with you?
BRIGADIER: Well, I don't really think...
ISOBEL: It'll be the last chance I'll get to photograph the Cybermen, please.
BRIGADIER: Well, as long as you keep out of the way. At least I'll be able to keep an eye on you this time.
11. EXT. GROUNDS OF THE OLD IE FACTORY. DAY
(The DOCTOR and Tobias VAUGHN are cautiously making their way through the grounds of the old factory towards the radio transmitter. They start running up a narrow lane between two buildings when they both realise there is a Cyberman standing guard right at the end of the lane, but facing away to the left. VAUGHN holds up the Cerebraton Mentor to take aim, but the DOCTOR pulls him aside to an alcove.)
VAUGHN: What are you doing? We must destroy them!
DOCTOR: We want to get to the radio transmitter control room! The Cybermen don't know we're here yet, let's keep that element of surprise.
(The Cyberman guard at the end of the lane still has not seen the DOCTOR and VAUGHN. They retrace their steps and look for an alternate route to bypass the guard. After a moment, the DOCTOR finds a different path around, but in the open space beside a building.)
DOCTOR: Come on, we'll try down here.
(They advance only to stumble onto another Cyberman guard facing them. Fortunately, VAUGHN has the Cerebraton Mentor in operation before the guard can raise it's blaster to sh**t them down. After a couple of seconds the Cyberman emits a loud electronic shriek and collapses to the ground, inert.)
DOCTOR: Now they know we're here.
VAUGHN: Right. We'll go over the roofs.
(There is a f*re escape just where they've passed by. They turn and clamber up the metal stairwell until they reach the roof of the building. From the high vantage point, VAUGHN points out a small brick building which is separated from them by a building and a long brick wall. It is guarded by several Cybermen, each armed with the cylindrical blasters.)
VAUGHN: That's it. That's where we've got to get to. Down there.
(VAUGHN is pointing to the place where the Cybermen are standing.)
12. EXT. ANOTHER PART OF THE FACTORY. DAY
(At the entrance to the old factory, the UNIT force arrives, a jeep driven by the BRIGADIER followed by a lorry. The BRIGADIER, ISOBEL, and ZOE get out of the jeep, and UNIT and regular army soldiers jump from the back of the lorry. The BRIGADIER notices the UNIT chopper hovering over the compound.)
BRIGADIER: There's the chopper. The Doctor's over that way. Follow me!
(The BRIGADIER draws his revolver and leads the way, closely followed by ZOE, ISOBEL, and the soldiers.)
13. EXT. FACTORY BUILDING ROOFTOP. DAY
(The DOCTOR and VAUGHN are crossing the rooftops of the factory buildings, but the Cyberman, having failed to find them on the ground, are now checking the rooftops as well. Suddenly a Cyberman appears in front of VAUGHN.)
DOCTOR: Look out!
(VAUGHN quickly aims the Cerebraton Mentor and drives the Cyberman back to the edge of the roof. The Cyberman drops its blaster and staggers backwards, then falls backwards over the edge of the roof with a loud cry. Unfortunately, the DOCTOR can see another four Cybermen following them along the roof.)
DOCTOR: Look out! Come on!
(They race to find shelter.)
DOCTOR: Can you see any way down?
VAUGHN: Yes.
(VAUGHN indicates a ladder at the edge of the building. They run across to it and begin descending.)
14. EXT. ANOTHER PART OF THE FACTORY. DAY
(The BRIGADIER leads his troops into a large open space in the compound. At the far end stand half a dozen Cybermen who begin marching on the soldiers.
Fortunately for the BRIGADIER and his men, the area has a variety of factory equipment around which they use as shelter.)
BRIGADIER: Cybermen! Take cover!
(A pitched battle begins with the sounds of r*fle f*re, then machine g*n, and then, as the Cybermen advance, the high-pitched burst from their metallic blasters which surrounds the UNIT soldiers in a nimbus of deadly expl*si*n. b*ll*ts seem to have little effect and the army soldiers take casualties as some are h*t by direct blasts.)
BRIGADIER: Grenades!
(While some of the soldiers keep up covering f*re, the others lob grenades into the middle of the Cybermen. Although not completely effective, several of the Cybermen are incapacitated.)
BRIGADIER: Bazooka!
(Two soldiers bring up a bazooka and f*re at will into the leading group of Cybermen, who are variously flattened to the ground or driven back, incapacitated.)
15. EXT. FACTORY ALLEYWAY. DAY
(As the DOCTOR and VAUGHN near the radio transmitter building, they stop for a moment and listen to the eruption of the battle behind them.)
16. EXT. BATTLE-GROUND IN THE FACTORY. DAY
(After one or two reloads of the bazooka and the continuing b*mb by grenades and machine g*n f*re, the Cybermen detachment is vanquished.)
BRIGADIER: Stop! Forward!
(The BRIGADIER, flanked by ZOE and ISOBEL, halts at the corpses of the Cybermen.)
BRIGADIER: And that was just a dozen of them. I'd hate to have to meet a hundred of them. Forward!
(The BRIGADIER and his soldiers continue their advance, whilst ISOBEL, camera at the ready, begins taking photograph after photograph of the Cybermen.)
17. EXT. ANOTHER FACTORY ALLEYWAY. DAY
(The DOCTOR and VAUGHN have reached the vicinity of the radio-transmitter building, but, to their surprise, there are no Cybermen on guard. On one side of the alley before them is a ladder of several steps up to a landing where the entrance to the control room is a simple wooden door.)
VAUGHN: There's the main control switch for the radio beam.
DOCTOR: Don't seem to be any Cybermen about at all, that's odd.
VAUGHN: Well let's not waste time then.
(VAUGHN moves forward and climbs up the ladder to the landing. The DOCTOR turns and notices opposite him a set of double doors with inset glass windows. The DOCTOR can clearly see a group of Cybermen behind the doors.)
DOCTOR: Look out behind you!
(Three Cybermen barge through the doors and take aim at VAUGHN. He turns, directing the Cerebraton Mentor at the Cybermen, but it is too late to incapacitate them all. Two of the Cybermen collapse but the last one left standing is more than enough. It fires its blaster at VAUGHN who cries his last, and falls to the ground, caught in a deadly expl*si*n.
(The remaining Cyberman then trains his blaster on the DOCTOR, who already is dodging and weaving his way down the alley, closely followed by expl*si*n from the w*apon. He yelps and leaps out of the way of the heat of each of the blasts.)
DOCTOR: (Exclaiming after each near miss.) Oh! Oh! Oh-ho-ho-ho!
(As the DOCTOR reaches safety at the end of the alley, the BRIGADIER and his troops catch up.)
BRIGADIER: Doctor, get down! Right, bazooka!
(The DOCTOR throws himself to the ground as the m*ssile is fired at the Cyberman, which is knocked down as though it were a metallic skittle.)
BRIGADIER: You `right, Doctor?
DOCTOR: What? Yes - it's there, in that building - the radio transmitter control, you've got to destroy it!
BRIGADIER: Leave it to us. Forward!
(The BRIGADIER leads the soldiers towards the radio transmitter building, whilst ISOBEL stays behind to take photographs of the DOCTOR, who at first is unwilling to sit still.)
ISOBEL: Just stay there.
DOCTOR: Oh, but I...
(The DOCTOR thinks better of following the BRIGADIER. Instead, he brushes his hair with his fingers and produces his best smile for the camera.)
18. INT. UNIT AEROPLANE
(The BRIGADIER is back at his headquarters, updating news for the military forces by radio.)
BRIGADIER: And for the moment, the crisis is over. The radio transmitter's been destroyed, so the Cybermen can no longer deliver their b*mb. But their spaceship is still sending out it's hypnotic signals. The world is still paralysed.
19. INT. HENLOW DOWNS. DAY
(Cut to the m*ssile base at Henlow Downs, where the crew, including Major BRANWELL and Sergeant PETERS, are listening to the BRIGADIER'S transmission.)
BRIGADIER: (OOV.) To stop these signals, we have to destroy the Cyberman spaceship.
PETERS: Sir!
(Sergeant PETERS has noticed something new on the long range radar. Major BRANWELL gets up from his chair to observe this, as the BRIGADIER continues.)
BRIGADIER: (OOV.) The Russians have already launched a m*ssile which should arrive on target in approximately six hours from now.
BRANWELL: What is it, Sergeant?
PETERS: Something on the screen, moving in fast.
BRIGADIER: (OOV.) If this is successful, ...
PETERS: Look at the size of it!
BRIGADIER: (OOV.) ...then the world will be released from the Cyber-control, and we can mobilise our forces to fight the Cybermen...
BRANWELL: That can only be one thing. The spaceship.
BRIGADIER: (OOV.) ...remaining on earth. In this case, I'd like all units...
(Major BRANWELL picks up the radio link microphone and calls the BRIGADIER.)
BRANWELL: Hello UNIT control, hello UNIT control. Henlow Downs calling UNIT control. Over.
BRIGADIER: (OOV.) Yes Major.
BRANWELL: Sorry to interrupt you sir, but we've picked up a large UFO approaching earth.
20. INT. UNIT AEROPLANE
(Cut back to the BRIGADIER and the others listening to BRANWELL's report, including Corporal BENTON, the DOCTOR and ZOE.)
BRANWELL: (OOV.) It's standing off at about fifty thousand miles. Outside our range, I'm afraid - over.
ZOE: They've moved in - why?
BRIGADIER: Thank you Major. Out. (To BENTON.) Get Captain Turner.
BENTON: UNIT control calling Captain Turner. UNIT control calling Captain Turner. Do you read me?
BRIGADIER: Why do you think they've moved their spaceship in so close, Doctor?
BENTON: UNIT control calling Captain Turner. UNIT control calling Captain Turner. Do you read me?
DOCTOR: I'm not sure... possibly to try to avoid the Russian m*ssile... or...
BRIGADIER: Or to deliver their b*mb by other means.
BENTON: UNIT control calling Captain Turner. UNIT control calling Captain Turner. Do you read me?
DOCTOR: Yes, I'm afraid so. You see, from where they were, let's say two hundred and thirty thousand miles out in space, their conventional m*ssile couldn't deliver the b*mb, so they had to come in close.
BENTON: UNIT control calling Captain Turner. Do you read me?
ZOE: But in moving in thirt... fifty thousand miles, they've come into range of the Russian m*ssile! Well, they can't be more than a few miles from them!
DOCTOR: But it's going in the opposite direction!
BENTON: UNIT control calling Captain Turner. Do you...?
TURNER: (OOV.) Captain Turner here. Over.
BENTON: Here we are sir.
BRIGADIER: Yes Jimmy.
TURNER: (OOV.) Sir. Sorry about the delay but we've had a bit of a flap on here.
BRIGADIER: Yes, we know! Can the Russians turn their m*ssile?
TURNER: (OOV.) Yes sir.
BRIGADIER: How long before it strikes?
(A short pause.)
TURNER: (OOV.) They estimate twelve point five minutes, sir.
BRIGADIER: Thank you Jimmy. Out.
(He switches off the radio channel and turns to the others.)
BRIGADIER: That's more than time enough for them to deliver their b*mb, move out to safety, isn't it.
DOCTOR: (In a muted voice.) Yes Brigadier, I'm afraid it is.
(As everyone looks to the wall clock, the BRIGADIER displays his ability to state the perfectly obvious:)
BRIGADIER: Yes, well this is going to be a long twelve minutes.
(The clock reads twenty past two. Time passes slowly; when we look again the clock reads twenty-six past two. We inter-cut to...)
21. INT. HENLOW DOWNS. DAY
(...where the crew of Henlow Downs Defence Base are waiting just as expectantly for the Russian rocket to reach its target. We scan along the line of men, reaching Major BRANWELL at the far end, who checks his watch. Cut back to...)
22. INT. UNIT AEROPLANE
(...the continuing vigil in the UNIT headquarters. The DOCTOR worriedly rubs his chin, and glances at ISOBEL. ISOBEL exchanges looks with ZOE. ZOE then looks to the BRIGADIER, who we find tapping his swagger stick against his shoulder nervously.)
(Inadvertently breaking the silence and everyone's intense concentration, BENTON noisily drops his tea cup on the floor. The BRIGADIER turns to him furiously.)
BENTON: Sorry sir.
23. INT. HENLOW DOWNS. DAY
(Cut to the m*ssile base at Henlow Downs. Sergeant PETERS alerts the crew to the new object which has appeared on the radar screen, some distance from the Cybermen's ship.)
PETERS: There it is, the Russian m*ssile.
BRANWELL: Thank heavens for that. I'll tell UNIT control.
(Now another new object appears, close to the spaceship, as the radar makes its next sweep.)
PETERS: Ah!
(The new object departs rapidly from the Cyberman's ship.)
PETERS: Must be the Cybermen's b*mb.
BRANWELL: Red-alert procedure! Raise all m*ssile!
(The crew of the m*ssile base erupt into sudden action.)
24. EXT. m*ssile LAUNCHING RANGE. DAY
(The m*ssile launching pads are once again activated, each with its load of several multiple-stage rockets. With a whirr of machinery, the pads are elevated and then the m*ssile raised to f*ring angle.)
25. INT. UNIT AEROPLANE
(Back in the UNIT aeroplane, the BRIGADIER, the DOCTOR, ISOBEL, ZOE and BENTON listen to BRANWELL's urgent communication.)
BRANWELL: (OOV.) It'll be in range in about thirty seconds, sir. It's travelling fast, but we stand a good chance of picking it off. Over.
BRIGADIER: How about the Cyber-spaceship, is that still there?
BRANWELL: (OOV.) Still there, sir. If they don't shift soon, that Russian m*ssile will h*t it right on the button.
BRIGADIER: Let's hope so.
26. INT. HENLOW DOWNS. DAY
(Cut back to the base where PETERS is hunched over the radar, following the progress of the Cybermen's b*mb. The countdown is paused at minus fifteen seconds.)
PETERS: Coming into range sir.
(BRANWELL signs off to the BRIGADIER and returns to the f*ring console.)
BRANWELL: Must go sir, over and out.
PETERS: Fifteen seconds.
BRANWELL: Right! Let's get it first time, lads!
PETERS: Ten... Nine... Eight... Seven... Six...
(BRANWELL inserts the arming keys into the console and swivels them into place simultaneously.)
PETERS: Five... Four... Three... Two... One... Zero!
(BRANWELL presses down on the launch button.)
27. EXT. m*ssile LAUNCHING RANGE. DAY
(The first of the m*ssile is fired off from its elevated launching pad. Ground-based telescopes track the m*ssile up into the stratosphere.)
28. INT. HENLOW DOWNS. DAY
(Cut back to the base control room; Sergeant PETERS and Major BRANWELL.)
PETERS: She's going wide!
BRANWELL: Prepare two!
29. EXT. m*ssile LAUNCHING RANGE. DAY
(The angle of the m*ssile on the next launching pad is quickly recalibrated, as the b*mb continues to close in to the earth. Then the first stage rockets light up, and the m*ssile explosively thrusts upwards from the launch pad. After a moment, the first stage boosters split aside and the powerful second stage takes over. Again, telescopes track the rocket upward.)
30. INT. HENLOW DOWNS. DAY
(PETERS reads the data from the m*ssile guidance computer.)
PETERS: Two away, and it looks good!
BRANWELL: Splendid! Standby three just in case.
PETERS: Standing by!
(As the b*mb closes in, suddenly the second m*ssile comes into the same range on the radar scope, and is obviously heading out towards it. At such close proximity, the m*ssile locks on to its target and the guidance computer begins pinging softly but regularly in the background.)
PETERS: Ten seconds and it's on the button! It's on the button!
(The trace of the m*ssile zeroes in on the b*mb, when suddenly they both disappear.)
PETERS: We've done it!
(Nothing at all is left remaining on the short range of the radar scope. BRANWELL races over to the radio link.)
BRANWELL: Hello UNIT Control. Hello UNIT Control. Henlow Downs calling UNIT Control, over.
(PETERS returns the scope of the radar to the maximum range, where the Cybermen's ship is still hovering, while the Russian rocket is likewise remorselessly closing in. He shouts out to Major BRANWELL:)
PETERS: Sir, the Russian m*ssile, it's almost on top of the spaceship! I think they've got her!
31. SPACE
(The Cybermen's spaceship remains stationed a quarter of the distance to the moon. Its crew, who perhaps are still waiting for the Cyber-megatron b*mb to wreak havoc on the earth, have not expected resistance in the form of a hydrogen b*mb fitted to the warhead of the Russian rocket. Without apparent warning, the m*ssile blazes in and burrows into the centre of the spaceship and, after a long moment, the warhead detonates. A colossal expl*si*n vapourises the spaceship in an orgasm of light and energy.)
(Thus the Cyber-control paralysing the world's population is ended and with the temporary exception of the few Cybermen left stranded on the earth, the Cybermen's invasion plans for earth are vanquished... for now.)
32. INT. TRAVERS' HOUSE. DAY
(The glow from the nuclear expl*si*n in space gives way to... the bright lighting of ISOBEL Watkins' photography equipment. The emergency long over, ZOE is once again modelling her glittering, close-fitting costume for ISOBEL. She stands straddling two chairs in ISOBEL's room, back at the London home of Professor Travers. Eventually ISOBEL finishes snapping ZOE and puts down her camera.)
ISOBEL: Tired?
ZOE: (Stepping down to the floor.) No... Exhausted!
ISOBEL: (Giggles at ZOE's frankness.) Okay, you can take a breather.
ZOE: Fine.
ISOBEL: Thank goodness I don't have to do any more modelling for a living.
ZOE: What is this new job of yours then?
ISOBEL: Well, because of my photographs of the Cybermen in action, I've got an exclusive contract with a publishing group. So I'll be travelling all over the world, snapping away with my little black box.
(Feeling very satisfied with herself, ISOBEL taps her camera, and then asks ZOE:)
ISOBEL: Oh... what will you do now?
ZOE: Oh, when the Doctor's finished making his circuits, we'll be off again, I suppose.
ISOBEL: Where to?
ZOE: Well, we're never really sure...
(Captain TURNER arrives and comes in through the open door.)
TURNER: Hello.
ISOBEL: Ah! Here comes my dolly soldier.
TURNER: Cheeky!
(TURNER smirks before addressing himself to ZOE.)
TURNER: Zoe, the Doctor says he's almost ready to leave. I've got the Jeep outside.
ZOE: Oh fine. But what about Jamie?
TURNER: Oh he's alright, he's just having a check-up at the hospital. We'll pick him up on the way.
ISOBEL: Well er... can I come with you?
TURNER: (Jimmy smiles brightly.) As long as you promise not to call me your "dolly soldier" in front of the Brigadier, yes. Come on.
ZOE: Right, come on!
33. EXT. A COUNTRY FIELD. DAY
(Captain TURNER brings the Land Rover to a halt by the field where the TARDIS first landed. The DOCTOR, ZOE, JAMIE, ISOBEL and TURNER get out and congregate at the gate to the empty meadow. They look about -- there is simply nothing in sight at all.)
ISOBEL: Here?
DOCTOR: Yes. This is fine, thank you.
TURNER: A field? There's nothing here.
ZOE: Are you sure this is the place, Doctor?
DOCTOR: Ahh, yes, yes. Well I'm very much obliged to you, Captain.
TURNER: Goodbye.
DOCTOR: Oh goodbye to you too.
ZOE, ISOBEL: Goodbye.
DOCTOR: Goodbye, Isobel. Goodbye everyone.
JAMIE: Goodbye.
(With their various farewells made, the DOCTOR, ZOE, and JAMIE stride forward through the gate into the field, to the confusion of TURNER and ISOBEL.)
ISOBEL: Why... why are they going into that field?
TURNER: I've no idea.
(The DOCTOR is unable to locate the invisible TARDIS and begins muttering to himself.)
DOCTOR: Now then, where exactly did we leave it, hmm? Ahh! You two try over there.
(To the complete bemusement of their onlookers, the DOCTOR and his companions begin wandering purposefully through what appears to be empty space, arms thrown wide. Clearly ISOBEL is beginning to wonder about the DOCTOR's sanity.)
ISOBEL: What's he doing?
TURNER: Search me.
(The DOCTOR, JAMIE, and ZOE continue to slowly sweep and wave their way through the field as though they are trying to catch an elusive breeze. When the DOCTOR is almost ready to give up his so-far fruitless search, he suddenly finds the side of his arm resting against something which is invisible, and by moving his hand on it's side, makes it disappear.
(He produces his key and quickly enters the invisible TARDIS, and totally disappears from view. JAMIE and ZOE shrug their shoulders for the benefit of the befuddled ISOBEL and Captain TURNER, who must be beginning to wonder what sort of conjuring tricks the DOCTOR is pulling. After several moments the familiar din of a shuddering and groaning noise fills the air, and a police box materialises where the DOCTOR was standing. A second later the DOCTOR emerges from it as though police boxes appearing out of nothing were commonplace occurrences.)
DOCTOR: There we are, all done and ready to go.
(He produces his handkerchief and waves it overhead to farewell ISOBEL and TURNER.)
DOCTOR: Bye, bye, ha ha ha. Bye bye!
ZOE: Bye.
JAMIE: Bye.
ISOBEL: A police box? I don't believe it!
(JAMIE and ZOE pile in through the door of the TARDIS, and the DOCTOR follows, closing shut the door behind him. After a moment the same deafening sound fills the air, the police box fades away to nothingness, from which it came... but this time the field really is completely empty...) | {"type": "series", "show": "Doctor Who", "episode": "06x18 - The Invasion - part 8"} | foreverdreaming |
The Krotons
Episode One
By Robert Holmes
Original Air Date: 28 December, 1968
5:15pm - 5:40pm
1, INT: LEARNING HALL
(The Learning Hall is a curious blend of two distinct styles. It is a large, dry subterranean chamber constructed out of primitive stone blocks and pillars, yet it contains numerous bright futuristic machines placed all around. At the front of the room is a ramp leading to a silvery door set into a hexagonal indentation in the wall, the edges of which glitter as though they had been inlaid with diamonds. A small circular results-hatch opens in the wall. The Gond leader Selris stands nearby, dressed in a dark plastic tunic decorated with metal squares as if it were part of a type of armour - it possibly being an honorary badge of office. He withdraws a silvery notation-tablet from within the hatch and reads it to a hall packed with his people.)
SELRIS: Class three-one-nine-six in the first grade. The names of the first selected candidates are: Male... Abu-Gond!
(A ripple of congratulation goes up from the crowd.)
SELRIS: The second name is female... Vana-Gond!
(As a similar ripple of congratulation goes up from the crowd a man from the back rushes forward shouting, a single dissenting voice in the entire chamber.)
THARA: No!
(Selris frowns disapprovingly, but ignores the interruption.)
SELRIS: Abu-Gond and Vana-Gond; alone of your generation you have been chosen for the highest honour that can befall a Gond. You are now the companions of the Krotons!
(Thara has found his way to Vana and can be faintly heard arguing with her in heated tones from some way away, but still Selris continues with the ceremony.)
SELRIS: Our warmest, our most sincere congratulations to you both. You will now...you will now step forward for the investiture of your robes of honour. Eelek?
(A young, stern-looking Gond takes a silver cloak with large shoulderpads and places it around the shoulders of Abu. Next, he sets to hanging a metal necklace around his neck. Vana and Thara are still having their argument which has become impossible to ignore now as they have g*n to struggle with each other.)
VANA: Please Thara!
THARA: You can't go, I won't let you go!
VANA: I must!
THARA: Look Vana, we can run away - there's still time!
VANA: You know that's not possible, we must always obey.
THARA: Why?!
SELRIS: Because my son, it is the law of the Krotons!
(With a hum of power the door at the far end of the chamber rises. The silver-cloaked Abu, looking like a funky 70s rockstar before a prize gig, stops for a moment to look back before walking through the glittering opening. The door slides closed behind him.)
2, EXT: WASTELANDS
(The scene is one of a desolate, arid landscape; all around mountainous sandy dunes of a bright sulphurous yellow littered with rocks stretch as far as the eye can see. From high above in the murky double-sunned sky something descends, a long drawn out sigh falling through the air like a strand of aural toffee. The sound gradually resolves itself into a regular trumpeting of tortured engines as a battered blue box appears at the foot of a rugged cliff. All around the wind howls noisily as a light on the box continues to blink on and off. The door opens and a small figure in a black frock coat and checked trousers pokes his head out carrying a dark umbrella. He stretches his arms as if he were just waking up, then moves over to join his companions, a youth in a kilt and a young girl in a short PVC outfit.)
DOCTOR: Lovely, lovely, lovely.
JAMIE: Pwoar, bad eggs. Let's try somewhere else...
(He turns to make his way back to the TARDIS.)
ZOE: No wait a minute... Where are we?
JAMIE: Och, you don't expect him to know do you?
DOCTOR: Well let's explore shall we?
JAMIE: An umbrella?
DOCTOR: Yes, twin suns. It's bound to be hot.
(They look up for a moment and see two blazing orbs.)
JAMIE: Oh.
ZOE: I don't think I like it here, looks d*ad.
JAMIE: Aye, it smells d*ad.
ZOE: Sulphur isn't it? It could be poisonous.
DOCTOR: No-no-no-no, the instruments in the TARDIS would have told us. No it's a...
(He sniffs.)
DOCTOR: It's a mixture of ozone and sulphur - very bracing!
(He wanders off and Jamie gives Zoe a resigned shrug Before setting off with her up the bleak rocky path.)
3, EXT: CLIFFSIDE
(The Doctor hums to himself merrily as he leads the way up a treacherously steep path leading to the top of the cliff. He pauses for a moment to pick up a flat mineral deposit.)
JAMIE: What's that?
DOCTOR: Oh yes, fascinating structures. Magnesium silicate.
JAMIE: Eh?
ZOE: He means mica.
JAMIE: Oh, er, what..?
(The Doctor reaches the top of the cliff and gazes down into the next valley chuckling to himself.)
DOCTOR: d*ad is it?!
4, MODEL sh*t: GOND CITY
(In the next valley is an arrangement of large, squat rectangular buildings with triangular tops.)
5, EXT: CLIFFSIDE
ZOE: A city!
DOCTOR: Yes, fascinating architecture. It's more typical of a...of a low gravity planet, yet the gravity here seems fairly normal, yes.
(He jumps on the spot a little.)
ZOE: Inca perhaps?
DOCTOR: Yes Zoe, possibly.
ZOE: Hey, Doctor!
DOCTOR: Come on, let's see what he's up to. Careful.
(The Doctor and Zoe carefully scrabble down the slope after Jamie trying not to slip on the piles of loose rocks.)
6, EXT: BEHIND THE DYNOTROPE
(Jamie is standing beside part of an enormous, gleaming, metal-like structure. It's face is segmented in a honeycomb pattern of hexagonal panels. A ramp leads up to an silvery indented door in the centre of the main structure. The door seems to be exactly the same design as the one Abu walked through in the Learning Hall, except this one has two strange holes; one to the left of the door and one to the right.)
JAMIE: Doctor, down here!
(The Doctor and Zoe join him.)
ZOE: Well what is it?
JAMIE: Don't know...there's a ramp here.
ZOE: Yes and there's a door as well. Is it a wall?
DOCTOR: I hardly think so Zoe.
(Jamie wrinkles his nose.)
JAMIE: Phwoar, that smell's a lot stronger round here.
(The Doctor examines the doorway curiously.)
DOCTOR: Oh this is interesting!
ZOE: What Doctor?
JAMIE: Oh, metal isn't it?
ZOE: What, metal covered in moss and lichen?
JAMIE: Well, er...
DOCTOR: Metal? Would you say so? I...I think we'd better get away from here.
JAMIE: What?
DOCTOR: Come along.
ZOE: But why?
DOCTOR: Well this isn't a building, this is a machine. Come along...
JAMIE: Machine?
(There is a hum of power and the door slides upwards.)
JAMIE: Doctor, it's opening!
DOCTOR: Come on, quickly - Behind the rocks!
(They rush behind a large boulder as Abu appears in the doorway still wearing his silver cloak and metal necklace. But he is very different to how he went in; looks more haggard and lethargic, and doesn't seem to be aware of his own surroundings. Jamie peeks above the boulder.)
JAMIE: What's the matter with him?
(The Doctor reaches up and pulls his head down again.)
DOCTOR: Ssh!
(As Abu stands on the ramp two long, a*t*matic nozzles push their way from the holes to the sides of the door and a thick white vapour streams from them. Abu places a hand to his head, moans in pain and as he falls to the ground he is enveloped completely. Moments later the vapour has dispersed to reveal nothing left behind but the metal necklace that the Gond was wearing. The Doctor, Jamie and Zoe move out from behind the boulder and examine the spot where Abu was disintegrated like an unwanted potato-skin.)
ZOE: Oh that poor man!
JAMIE: What happened to him Doctor?
DOCTOR: I don't know Jamie. Come on, let's...let's get away from here.
(They all scurry away from the area cautiously keeping well out of range of the deadly doorway.)
7, INT: LEARNING HALL
THARA: Can't you give the order she doesn't have to go, you're our leader!
SELRIS: But the Krotons have chosen Vana, it is a great honour!
THARA: Honour?! WHY do we TAKE their orders?!
(Eelek holds out another silver cloak.)
EELEK: Vana.
(She moves to accept the cloak, but Thara blocks her path.)
THARA: We don't even know if they exist!
VANA: Thara, you can't say things like that!
(Eelek glares at Thara.)
EELEK: Get out of the way.
THARA: She's not going into that machine!
EELEK: She has to go in. No-one defies the Krotons.
THARA: Alright!
(He draws a heavy iron axe (little more than a small mallet with pointed ends) out of his belt and stands between Vana and Eelek thr*at.)
EELEK: Now don't be so stupid!
SELRIS: Thara!
EELEK: Disarm him!
(A guard tries to get near, but risks getting h*t with the axe, so keeps his distance. Thara twists left and right, ready to defend Vana.)
THARA: Keep back!
(At the far side of the room, and as yet undetected, the Doctor, Jamie and Zoe have reached the bottom of the staircase into the Learning Hall.)
ZOE: Oh, well I hope they're friendly.
DOCTOR: Now just leave this to me Zoe.
(The Doctor leads the way into the hall, he holds up his hands and says in a loud voice.)
DOCTOR: We are friends!
(Immediately several deadly looking pikes are levelled at them.)
DOCTOR: It's alright, now don't be afraid!
JAMIE: We have trouble.
AXUS: Who are you?
DOCTOR: Buh..buh..buh... One of your people has been, just...
AXUS: You're strangers. Where are you from?
ZOE: Well if we told you it wouldn't mean anything.
AXUS: Answer me! Where are you from?
DOCTOR: There's no time for explanations! As I say, one of your people has been...
AXUS: They're not Gonds! Their clothes, the way they're dressed!
DOCTOR: Look we are friendly!
JAMIE: Look are you gonna let us pass or what?
ZOE: Doctor! Look...
(They all look toward the front of the room where the drama is still being played out.)
EELEK: Do something about him, he's your son!
THARA: I'm warning you, one step nearer...
SELRIS: Thara, will you be reasonable? The Krotons have sent for Vana.
THARA: She'd not going, nobody comes back from there!
VANA: Let me go Thara, please!
(She whispers.)
VANA: I don't want them to hurt you.
(Thara drops his axe and Vana walks to the front of the room where Eelek is holding out a metal necklace.)
EELEK: A bit of sense, just in time.
(He places the necklace around her neck. The Doctor, Jamie and Zoe are still watching from the back of the room.)
ZOE: That doorway, it's like the other one.
JAMIE: Aye, and she's wearing a cloak just like that chap we saw k*lled.
ZOE: Is she being sacrificed?
DOCTOR: Oh I-I don't think so Zoe, they're-they're too civilised for that.
JAMIE: Can we not stop them?
DOCTOR: Well we can try.
(He raises his voice again.)
DOCTOR: Just a minute, wait!
AXUS: He's interrupting the ceremony! Take them!
(Jamie looks down his nose at Axus.)
JAMIE: Ah, you wouldn't be so tough without these guards around you!
AXUS: Get back!
(He gestures to the guards then turns to Jamie.)
AXUS: I accept your challenge!
JAMIE: Oh you do do you? Aye, well that's just fine with me then.
DOCTOR: Now Jamie don't be so rash!
JAMIE: Ah don't worry Doctor, I'll soon see to this laddie.
(The guard offers Jamie an axe identical to Axus's.)
GUARD: Do you want this?
JAMIE: Oh I'll not be needing that thank you.
ZOE: Oh Jamie, watch out!
(They circle each other and Axus aims the axe for Jamie's head, but he ducks a first and second swing.)
DOCTOR: Jamie!
(Axus grabs Jamie's arm to stop him moving away and tries to swing again, but Jamie grab's his axe arm. They both strain and they each try to force the other down.)
ZOE: Oh Doctor! Oh can't we stop them?
DOCTOR: No Zoe, I think they...
ZOE: Oh Jamie! Oh Jamie come on!
(Jamie finally manages to force Axus to the floor, and the axe sins out of his hand.)
ZOE: Doctor look, the girl!
(The silvery doorway rises and Vana casts a final look back in much the same way Abu did, then walks forwards, the door sliding closed after her.)
EELEK: What is happening? Who are these people?
DOCTOR: That was the very question I was going to ask you! What is happening here? Where has that girl gone?
AXUS: Eelek, they forced their way through!
SELRIS: Who are you?
DOCTOR: There is no time to explain!
JAMIE: Look, you wouldn't understand even if we told you.
ZOE: We're from another planet, another world.
DOCTOR: That girl, now where has she gone?
SELRIS: How can they be from another planet?
JAMIE: Och we're just wasting time, now where has she gone!
DOCTOR: What's behind that wall?
THARA: The Krotons! They've sent her to join the Krotons!
ZOE: Well what are the Krotons?
THARA: The Krotons live in the machine, so we're told!
(The Doctor wanders.)
SELRIS: Vana is joining the Krotons, it is a great honour.
THARA: Honour! She didn't want to go! Nobody really wants to disappear into that thing.
(The Doctor wander up the ramp and peers at the door.)
DOCTOR: How do you open this door?
EELEK: Why are you asking so many questions?
DOCTOR: Because a moment ago we saw a young man dressed in a silver robe just like that girl, we saw him k*lled!
SELRIS: Abu-Gond!
EELEK: That's ridiculous, how can these people have seen Abu-Gond?
SELRIS: He is with the Krotons.
JAMIE: Aye, well we saw someone k*lled anyway. He came out of that machine and was...
ZOE: Vaporised.
JAMIE: Aye!
(Jamie approaches Eelek from behind, and places a hand on his shoulder.)
JAMIE: Right round the other side!
AXUS: Other side?
SELRIS: You have been in the wasteland?
(Eelek pushes Jamie's hand from his shoulder and moves back and all the other Gonds do the same.)
EELEK: They're contaminated...you're contaminated! No-one goes into the wasteland.
ZOE: Why not?
EELEK: Because it's poisoned, and you will die.
DOCTOR: Well it-it it may have been poisoned once, but I can assure you it's quite safe now.
JAMIE: Doctor, that girl! If she comes out that way...
DOCTOR: Oh Jamie you're right!
JAMIE: Come on!
DOCTOR: Oh we must save her!
JAMIE: I know!
DOCTOR: Well come on!
JAMIE: That's what I'm saying!
(The Doctor and Jamie rush out.)
SELRIS: Where are you going?
ZOE: To the wasteland!
(Zoe follows.)
SELRIS: Well you can't, it's against the law of the Krotons!
THARA: I'm going with them!
(And he does.)
SELRIS: Thara come back!
THARA: If they can go into the wasteland, I can!
SELRIS: Thara! You'll die!
(Axus and Eelek exchange a curious glance.)
8, EXT: BEHIND THE DYNOTROPE
DOCTOR: I wonder how long... I imagine we haven't much time.
(He looks around.)
ZOE: Well what are you going to do?
(The Doctor picks up a piece of mica.)
DOCTOR: Now you keep away Zoe, keep right away!
THARA: Can I help?
DOCTOR: Well Mister...
THARA: Thara.
DOCTOR: Yes, well you can find a few more stones like this.
THARA: What?!
DOCTOR: Well if you want to help! Now then...
(The Doctor walks up the ramp and presses his stone onto the right nozzle-hole beside the door, then forces it in with the umbrella tip.)
DOCTOR: Ah yes, that one.
(He takes one of Thara's stones and presses it into the left nozzle hole as he did the other.)
DOCTOR: Right! Come down here...
(They duck down beside the face of the machine a little way from the ramp, but out of the range of the gas jets. There is a hum and the door begins to rise.)
ZOE: Doctor, I think I can hear something!
DOCTOR: Yes Zoe, so can I.
(A dazed looking Vana walks through the door and stands on the platform.)
THARA: Vana!
JAMIE: Keep down!
(The Doctor rushes up with his umbrella still in his hand, and struggles Vana down from the ramp. There is an electronic sound as the gas jets attempt to push their way out of the holes, but are blocked by the stones.)
ZOE: Oh Doctor quick!
JAMIE: Oh Doctor look out!
ZOE: Oh Doctor hurry!
JAMIE: Quick!
(He manages to get her down just as the nozzles belch out their deadly stream of gas. Thara cradles Vana's form, she still seems unaware of her surroundings.)
THARA: Oh my dear... What's happened, what have they done to her?
(The Doctor looks unhappily at his umbrella which is now no more than a frame with a few fluttering shreds of cloth hanging limply from skeletal metal spokes.)
DOCTOR: The vandals - look at that!
ZOE: Well that could have been you!
DOCTOR: My favourite umbrella!
THARA: She doesn't know me. She can't speak or anything.
JAMIE: Aye, it's something that the Krotons have done to her!
DOCTOR: Let me see...
(He examines Vana.)
DOCTOR: Oh dear...this is almost catatonic.
ZOE: Well isn't there anything you can do?
DOCTOR: I'm not a Doctor of medicine you know Zoe. However, if there's no damage to the tissue, uh... Is there anywhere we can take her?
THARA: My father's house is quite near on the edge of the community.
DOCTOR: Good. Well let's take her there, give me a hand. Come on Jamie.
(They move off, Zoe glances back.)
9, INT: SELRIS'S HOUSE
(Selris hands Zoe an earthenware beaker resembling a small flower pot; she takes a tiny sip of Gond-juice and grimaces at the unpleasant taste. On the other hand, once again proving that there is no accounting for taste, Jamie on the knocks his own back with apparent relish.)
SELRIS: It's almost impossible to believe. The Krotons have always been our good friends; our benefactors.
ZOE: Well you've only got to see what they've done to Vana.
JAMIE: Aye...
SELRIS: Yes, poor child.
(Thara passes by moodily.)
JAMIE: How is she?
THARA: Just the same!
(He storms out of the house unnoticed.
THARA: Jamie wanders over to the Doctor who has removed his frock coat and is swinging a ticking fob watch over Vana.)
DOCTOR: You're resting, you're calmly resting. Your mind is quite empty, you're resting. Now you're going to sleep Vana, sleep... Feeling sleepy, very sleepy...sleep...
(Jamie returns to Selris and Zoe.)
SELRIS: ...You see, every so often the two best of our students have entered the machine to join the Krotons. They can't all have been m*rder!
ZOE: Well it's possible. If they had you wouldn't know because this spray stuff just...
JAMIE: Dissolves everything. In any case, none of your people ever go into the wasteland.
SELRIS: But why should they do it? Why should they k*ll the best two of our students?
(Jamie sighs.)
JAMIE: What are they like these Krotons?
SELRIS: No living person has ever seen them. They never come out of the machine.
ZOE: Never?
SELRIS: Not since the beginning; not for thousands of years.
ZOE: How is she?
DOCTOR: She's asleep at last.
JAMIE: Is she going to be alright, though?
DOCTOR: Well I hope so Jamie, it's difficult to tell.
(Selris hands the Doctor a beaker of Gond-juice.)
DOCTOR: Oh thank you.
SELRIS: And she was one of the finest students we've ever produced.
DOCTOR: Oh really? Competition for you Zoe.
ZOE: Selris was just saying that no-one's ever seen these Krotons.
JAMIE: Aye, they never leave that machine.
DOCTOR: How did all this begin Selris?
SELRIS: According to our legends, silver men came out of the sky and built a house among us. The Gonds att*cked them but the silver men caused a poisonous rain to fall k*lling hundreds of our people and turning the earth black.
JAMIE: The wasteland!
SELRIS: Yes. Because it was said that ever afterward anyone who set foot there would die in terrible pain.
10, INT: LEARNING HALL
(The Learning Hall is in darkness when the Custodian, a small pudgy man with thinning hair and a bushy moustache, does his evening rounds. He shines a small torch around and flips a few buttons on the machines turning them to standby so that they will be fully charged in the morning. In a cloister behind the row of machines a figure dashes past, keeping to the shadows. Before the Custodian has time to react Thara, and three other students jump out from behind and grab him, axes held high.)
CUSTODIAN: Who are you? What do you want? Leave me alone!
THARA: The Krotons; you must know a lot about them...
CUSTODIAN: What do you mean?
STUDENT: You're their servant aren't you? You work for them.
CUSTODIAN: I am only the Custodian of the Learning Hall.
THARA: Course! So you can tell us what we want to know.
CUSTODIAN: I am forbidden to discuss the secrets.
STUDENT: We only want to know how to get at them!
THARA: We want to see the Krotons for ourselves.
CUSTODIAN: Nobody has seen the Krotons, not for thousands of years!
THARA: You're sure they don't come out of the machine in the darkness when there's no-one here?
CUSTODIAN: No. Come out? Never!
THARA: Then how do they give their orders? Answer me!
CUSTODIAN: There are messages. You must know that!
THARA: What else?
CUSTODIAN: Sometimes... There is a voice...
THARA: But you've never seen them? There's no way you can get inside there?
CUSTODIAN: Only the companions of the Krotons may enter.
THARA: And now we know what happens to them. But you can summon the Krotons can't you?
CUSTODIAN: It is not for me to summon them, I obey their commands.
(Thara straightens up.)
THARA: If we can't get in there then we must fetch them out. Their precious teaching machines... Smash them!
(The Custodian looks in panic.)
CUSTODIAN: Smash the machines? Guards! Guannfff...
(Thara sees the enthusiastic student about to bring his axe down on the head of the Custodian and stops him.)
THARA: Ribo, do not hurt him! Tie his hands and gag him.
(He addresses the Custodian.)
STUDENT: Well keep then! We've quarrel is not with you.
11, INT: SELRIS'S HOUSE
JAMIE: But what happened after this w*r with the Krotons?
SELRIS: Ever since we have lived in peace with them. The Krotons never show themselves to us, but we learn from them through the teaching machines.
DOCTOR: Teaching machines?
SELRIS: Yes, in the Hall of Learning, where you were today. The machines fill the mind with knowledge.
DOCTOR: And everyone uses these machines?
SELRIS: Well, when they are young; that is the law.
DOCTOR: Whose law Selris?
SELRIS: Our law - the Gonds'.
DOCTOR: But I thought that you said all your laws were given you by the Krotons?
SELRIS: Yes, all our science, all our culture... Everything we have has come from the machine.
DOCTOR: I see, a sort of self-perpetuating sl*very. And the Krotons always choose your two most promising students?
SELRIS: To be their companions, yes. Do you think they've all been k*lled?
JAMIE: Aye well we saw one of them k*lled anyway.
ZOE: Well why are they doing it Doctor, what's the point?
DOCTOR: Well it's time it was stopped anyway, it's high time it was stopped!
(Selris seems lost in sombre thought.)
SELRIS: What shall I tell my people? How can I explain?
JAMIE: Explain what? Just tell the truth!
SELRIS: What, that they've been tricked? That for thousands of year the best of our students have been dying, m*rder by the Krotons?!
ZOE: Well what are you afraid of?
DOCTOR: Another w*r between your people and the Krotons you mean.
SELRIS: Yes... There could be terrible bloodshed - another wasteland here in our community.
(A figure with a scholarly air and a silver notation-tablet enters.)
BETA: Selris...
SELRIS: Ah Beta, come and meet our guests. Th..my friends, this is Beta our controller of Science and my son's good friend...
BETA: That's what I'm here for - do you know what Thara's planning?
SELRIS: Planning.
BETA: He and some students from school have gone down to the Learning Hall. They're going to wreck the machines!
SELRIS: No!
BETA: You've got to stop them Selris. I came as quickly as I could, but they'll be there by now.
SELRIS: Then it's too late!
DOCTOR: Not if we cut through the wasteland.
JAMIE: Aye, it's the shortest route.
SELRIS: Wasteland?
BETA: But the poison!
DOCTOR: Oh that wore off a long time ago, it's quite safe now.
JAMIE: Oh well look, we've been in it twice today and we're alright!
SELRIS: Very well!
(They all rush out.)
12, INT: LEARNING HALL
(The students start smashing the machines to smithereens with their iron axes.)
THARA: Come on!
(The Custodian looks on in horror, but being bound and gagged on the floor he can do little more than writhe and watch.)
13, INT: CONTROL CENTRE
(Within the machine is a bright, futuristic control centre fitted with gleaming control panels, and monitor screens. Computer spools spin as the a*t*matic machinery constantly regulates and re-regulates the millennia-old systems, maintaining and repairing them. An alarm chimes through the room as an error is detected in the teaching machines. An X appears on a nearby monitor screen as the systems await instructions from the auto-controller so that they take the appropriate course of action to fix the problem. The auto-controller slides into view on a track in the base of the console - it is no more than a boxy affair containing a small computer brain and a flat camera eye, mounted on a flexible metal arm. As the watchful camera-eye is seen from another angle it is apparent that the X has imprinted itself on the front of the lens as a cold machine-brain impassively considers the data.
In moments it reaches to a decision...)
14, INT: LEARNING HALL
(Thara and his friends are still smashing the machines to pieces with their axes.)
THARA: There! That should fetch them out!
STUDENT: Come on, let's wreck another!
THARA: Smash..!
(But the words are silenced by a booming, but utterly unemotional computerised voice.)
AUTO-CONTROLLER: STOP! THIS IS A WARNING - LEAVE THE HALL. ALL GONDS LEAVE THE HALL NOW.
STUDENT: It's the Krotons!
AUTO-CONTROLLER: LEAVE THE HALL. ALL GONDS LEAVE THE HALL NOW.
(Thara thinks for a moment, then unconvinced he returns to the task in hand.)
THARA: That's just a voice, listen! Come out you Krotons and fight!
AUTO-CONTROLLER: THIS IS A WARNING.
THARA: Come ouut!
STUDENT: m*rder!
(The Doctor Rushes in, followed by Selris and the others.)
DOCTOR: No, no, stop it!
SELRIS: Leave it alone! What are you doing?!
(Selris pulls Thara away from the machine and the Doctor quickly relieves him of his axe.)
DOCTOR: Stop it, stop it all of you! Listen to me, this will do no good at all! These Krotons must have enormous Scientific powers, you can't defeat them with axes!
15, INT: CONTROL CENTRE
(The auto-controller examines the scene in the Learning Hall. It sees a short man in a black coat gesticulating wildly at the saboteurs with an axe and then pointing towards the learning machines. Isolating the image of the Doctor in the crowd, it moves along on its track to another monitor. On the new monitor a picsellated image of the Doctor appears as the machine maps the pattern of his features...)
16, INT: LEARNING HALL
DOCTOR: Now if this was an atomic-laser, it might be more use!
(Thara looks confused.)
THARA: An atomic-laser? Is that better than an axe?
SELRIS: Look at the damage you've done - completely senseless!
THARA: Look what they did to our friends Father!
SELRIS: Destroying the machines won't avenge Abu...or help Vana, will it?
STUDENT: But we can't get in there! If we att*ck their machines...
THARA: The Krotons will come out!
DOCTOR: I think something's coming out now!
(The results hatch that Selris used at the beginning of the episode opens and a small, orblike probe peeks out into the room emitting a telemetric bleeping sound. A glowing camera eye into the front of the probe surveys the room.)
ZOE: Doctor, what is it?
(The Doctor nervously watches the probe, as yet unsure what kind of a thr*at it might be presenting to them.)
DOCTOR: I don't know Zoe, but keep well clear of it!
(Having looked around, the probe decides to venture out into the room. It is attached to a thick cable and reaches out through the air like an immensely long hovering snake, a computerised feeler which is being extended through the hole in the wall. It is still for a moment, then it speeds towards them.)
JAMIE: Look out!
(It halts again.)
THARA: What's it doing?
ZOE: It seems to be looking at us.
JAMIE: Well how can it, it's not alive...is it?
17, INT: CONTROL CENTRE
(As the auto-controller is viewing the picsellated image of the Doctor, it rotates 180º on it's base it to reveal that the image has superimposed itself on the lens of the camera. It sends the att*ck computer the recognition the pattern of it's prime target...)
18, INT: LEARNING HALL
(The snake-like electronic probe bleeps a little as it receives its instructions from the auto-controller. Steadily it begins to lurch towards the Doctor.)
ZOE: Doctor it's after you!
(The Doctor tries to scurry backwards out of the way of the probe, but only succeeds in slipping over on a piece of broken teaching machine.)
DOCTOR: Ah, oh, oh...ah-ah oh ooh oh er ah oh..!
(His fate seems sealed as the deadly probe steadily closes in on the defenceless form of the Doctor, he puts his hands up to shield his face from the harsh glare of the camera eye...) | {"type": "series", "show": "Doctor Who", "episode": "06x19 - The Krotons - part 1"} | foreverdreaming |
The Krotons
Episode Two
By Robert Holmes
Original Air Date: 4 January, 1969
5:15pm - 5:40pm
1, INT: LEARNING HALL
(The snake-like electronic probe bleeps a little as it receives its instructions from the auto-controller. Steadily it begins to lurch towards the Doctor. He tries to scurry backwards out of the way of the probe, but only succeeds in slipping over on a piece of broken teaching machine.)
DOCTOR: Oh deu...
ZOE: Ooh!
DOCTOR: oh oh oh!
ZOE: Oh!
DOCTOR: Oh no, aagh agh agh argh aargh! Oooh oh-oh!
(His fate seems sealed as the deadly probe steadily closes in on the defenceless form of the Doctor, he puts his hands up to shield his face from the harsh glare of the camera eye, the results are instantaneous and electric. The probe swishes about from side to side, momentarily confused. It sweeps the surrounding area for the pattern it knows as hostile. Keeping his face covered with an elbow, the Doctor scrambles to his feet.)
ZOE: Oh Doctor don't move!
DOCTOR: Aah, it's alright Zoe. I-I think it's quite safe now.
JAMIE: Oh I wouldn't be so sure!
DOCTOR: Just watch this Jamie.
(He walks towards the probe with his face covered by his hands, then moves his hands down as if he were playing peek-a-boo. The ailing probe lunges for him again, and again he covers his face with his hands.)
ZOE: Pattern recognition!
(Jamie suspiciously eyes the probe which is flapping about like a fish out of water again.)
DOCTOR: Yes, and the pattern is my face!
SELRIS: Doctor, do you mean that thing was sent out to att*ck you and only you?
DOCTOR: Yes, so it seems. It's rather flattering isn't it?
ZOE: Well then the Krotons know who you are,
JAMIE: Aye!
ZOE: Or at least what you look like.
DOCTOR: Yes... That means they must have a scanner in the wall of the machine. Now if we can find that we might be able to get in touch with them.
(While he is talking the Doctor has forgotten to cover his face, and the probe renews it's att*ck.)
JAMIE: Uh..Doctor!
(The Doctor ducks out of the way covering his face just as one of the students rushes up to the probe from behind and lunges with an axe. With lightning speed it flips around and sprays a stream of gas at the figure who evaporates, the metal axe clattering harmlessly to the floor. Everyone watches in horror, but the Doctor is particularly appalled.)
DOCTOR: Oh no.
2, INT: CONTROL-CENTRE
(Deep within the machine the pixellated image of the Doctor vanishes from the screen as order is restored to the computer's objective circuits.)
3, INT: LEARNING HALL
(The probe retracts back into the wall and the results hatch snaps closed again.)
JAMIE: It's gone back.
DOCTOR: Yes. That poor fellow must have confused it's att*ck mechanism.
JAMIE: Eh?
DOCTOR: Well it was programmed to k*ll once - me! It must think that it's succeeded, stupid machine!
THARA: There's your wonderful Krotons for you Father! m*rder!
(He throws his axes at the face of the machine and Selris holds him back.)
SELRIS: No! Thara, don't provoke them!
THARA: Is that all you care about, not provoking them?!
SELRIS: What can we do against their w*apon?
THARA: We can fight..!
AUTO-CONTROLLER: THIIIS IS A WARNING. YOUR LEADER HAS BEEN DESTROYED. ALL GONDS LEAVE THE LEARNING HALL AT ONCE - AT ONCE.
THARA: No, stay and fight!
AUTO-CONTROLLER: LEAVE THE LEARNING HALL. ALL GONDS LEAVE THE LEARNING HALL.
SELRIS: Everyone leave the hall. Now!
(Selris stands at the front of the room facing the machine as everyone files out of the hall.)
DOCTOR: Come on let's leave Jamie, uh Zoe...
4, INT: SELRIS'S HOUSE
(Vana is still unresponsively lying where she was set down in Selris's house. She stares blankly ahead as the Doctor examines her with a strange kind of illuminated optical medical-scanning instrument, feeling her head for signs of trauma. As the Doctor places the instrument to one side, Zoe wanders over and picks it up looking at it curiously. It resembles a long metal bar which is curved at one end culminating in a bulbous lamp-like scanner.)
ZOE: Where did this come from?
DOCTOR: I borrowed it from Beta.
ZOE: But I thought they didn't know anything about electricity?
(The Doctor continues his examination of Vana's head.)
DOCTOR: They don't - er, that works on stored solar energy. Yes the Gonds are quite advanced in some ways. The-their medicine is pretty good, but they haven't got very much general chemistry. I wish they had an ECT machine though.
ZOE: Yes. There are tremendous gaps in their knowledge. Well they only seem to know what the machines teach them.
DOCTOR: Yes. And the machines are programmed by the Krotons, so the gaps in their knowledge may be significant.
(Selris and Jamie wander over.)
DOCTOR: Ah, Selris...
SELRIS: How is she Doctor?
DOCTOR: Well I think she's better, it's difficult to tell. Um Selris, is it safe to enter the Learning-Hall yet?
SELRIS: Why?
DOCTOR: Er, Zoe and I want to have a look round, don't we Zoe?
ZOE: Oh, do we?
DOCTOR: Yes, that's right. Ah Jamie, hold out your hand will you?
JAMIE: Well what for?
DOCTOR: Ah, these pills I got from Beta.
JAMIE: Well there's nothing wrong with me!
DOCTOR: No-no. Ah, they're for Vana. I want you to stay and look after her.
JAMIE: Oh but why can't I go with you?
DOCTOR: Because I particularly want you to give her those pills the moment she wakes up.
JAMIE: Ah well...
ZOE: Well why are we going back to the Learning-Hall?
DOCTOR: Oh, to learn Zoe, why else?
SELRIS: I am coming with you Doctor.
DOCTOR: Oh my dear fellow, there is no need for that.
SELRIS: I must know what is happening.
DOCTOR: Oh well..ah, certainly. Come along Zoe.
(The Doctor, Selris leave, but as Zoe follows Jamie takes her by the arm for a moment.)
JAMIE: Zoe, watch him. You know what he's like.
ZOE: Oh don't worry Jamie. I'll make sure he doesn't do anything rash.
(Jamie sits beside Vana and gazes curiously at the medical-scanner.)
5, INT: LEARNING HALL
(A squad of pike-carrying guards passes by on the way to the steps, followed by Selris, the Doctor and Zoe.)
DOCTOR: Er Selris um, what's that?
(He points to a trap door in the floor of the hall.)
SELRIS: Oh, ah, that leads to the under-hall.
DOCTOR: Oh, what's down there?
SELRIS: Nothing, it's never used.
DOCTOR: I wonder how far underneath..? Ah, let's have a look shall we?
(He pulls up the trap door and begins to descend, his voice getting a little fainter.)
DOCTOR: Oh, ah... Oh yes, it's-it's a bit dark and musty down here, Enh. Zoe, stay up there will you? We shan't be long.
(Zoe gives herself a resigned smile, then wanders over to one of the teaching machines. Taking a brief moment to glance back, she sits down and places on a headset activating the machine. A complex series of symbols begin to circle each other on the screen. As Zoe operates the machine the rings of complex formulae break apart and arrange themselves in an orderly pattern.)
6, INT: CONTROL-CENTRE
(An alarm rings out alerting the Auto-Controller, which glides back along it's track. As it scans the instruments it notices something it has never experienced before - the needle on the test gauge of the most advanced teaching machine is registering at almost maximum.)
7, INT: LEARNING HALL
(The Doctor and Selris climb out from the trap door to the Under-Hall.)
SELRIS: I told you there was nothing down there.
DOCTOR: Ah, but there was Selris. Something rather curious.
SELRIS: Only the foundations of the machine. It stands on those metal pillars.
(The Doctor notices Zoe sitting at the machine with the headset on grinning vacantly as though she were under the influence of some rewarding boost to the pleasure centres of her brain.)
DOCTOR: Zoe!
(He walks towards her and pulls the headset off.)
DOCTOR: Zoe!
(She gets up, smiling a little blearily and faces the Doctor.)
ZOE: Oh, you're soon back Doctor.
DOCTOR: What do you think you are doing?!
ZOE: I was just trying the machine.
DOCTOR: You should know better than to do a thing like that!
ZOE: Oh but Doctor, it was all so easy! The Krotons were very pleased with me.
DOCTOR: Very pleased?
(Her head seems to clear a little.)
ZOE: Well I felt they were.
(He claps his hands in front of her face in a effort to snap her out of it.)
DOCTOR: Zoe! Now just you listen to me! Whatever else they are, these Krotons are certainly not friendly! Now we know that don't we?
ZOE: Yes of course!
DOCTOR: And they use these machines to plant impressions in the mind. That's how they've enslaved these people all these years.
SELRIS: Doctor!
(The Doctor wanders over to Selris.)
DOCTOR: What?
SELRIS: Look at the dial!
DOCTOR: Oh what of it?
(Selris is looking incredulously at the dial on the teaching machine.)
SELRIS: It's amazing! Even the best of our students registered less than half of that score!
DOCTOR: Yes well, Zoe is something of a genius. Of course it can be very irritating at times!
(He glares at Zoe who giggles at him.)
8, INT: SELRIS'S HOUSE
(Vana suddenly begins to writhe and hyperventilate and she sits bolt upright.)
JAMIE: Now Vana, now you're alright now. You're safe!
(Jamie lies her back down again.)
VANA: The ball... The burning ball!
JAMIE: What?
VANA: It's over my head!
JAMIE: Now Vana there's nothing here now!
VANA: No no! I saw it, I saw it!
(She begins to struggle and Thara appears and takes over from Jamie.)
JAMIE: Ah, Thara look...
THARA: Now Vana it's alright, there's nothing here. You're safe.
(She calms down again.)
VANA: It was...flashing - all the lights...burning my mind! The lights...
THARA: Vana, you're alright now. You're home.
VANA: Thara, is...is that you?
THARA: Ssh.
(He glances at Jamie.)
THARA: At least she recognises me! Vana listen, nothing can hurt you now, you're going to be alright.
VANA: Thara, I...I went into the machine...
JAMIE: Did you see the Krotons?
(She begins to become agitated again.)
VANA: The ball... Flashing! Coming down on me!
(Thara struggles to keep Vana from thrashing about.)
THARA: Now you're quite safe here Vana, now!
JAMIE: You'd better take these, here.
(Jamie moves a beaker to her lips.)
JAMIE: Drink up now - all down. That's it.
(She drinks and then relaxes back onto the bed, asleep.)
JAMIE: Flashing ball burning her mind?
THARA: What did she mean? Is it another of the Krotons w*apon?
JAMIE: I don't know... Look, you stay here with her, I'll go and get the Doctor.
(He pulls on his sheepskin jacket and leaves Thara and Vana alone.)
9, INT: LEARNING HALL
(The Doctor and Zoe are scraping at the door to the machine.)
ZOE: It's crystalline.
DOCTOR: Yes, it's hard but it-it's not brittle. I've never seen anything quite like it.
ZOE: What was it like down there?
DOCTOR: Mm? Oh, what Selris calls the foundations. Uh... Zoe, it was like a root structure.
ZOE: A root structure!? But indicates that...
DOCTOR: That this so-called "machine" is organic in structure.
ZOE: Well is that possible?
DOCTOR: Well why not? Some crystals do resemble simple virus forms. I wish I could get a bit of it for analysis...
(He returns to scraping the door.)
ZOE: Well if you're right that means that the whole of this machine is a sort of a living thing!
DOCTOR: Well all life doesn't necessarily have feeling you know...
DIRECTOR: Bong!
(A loud metallic striking note echoes from within the machine startling the Doctor.)
DOCTOR: Great jumping gobstoppers! What's that?
SELRIS: The Krotons command. It means there is a message for me.
(He walks over to the open results hatch and withdraws a tablet.)
DOCTOR: Oh, what does it say? Mm?
SELRIS: Class three-one-nine-seven, selected female Zo-Gond.
DOCTOR: Zo-Gond? Zoe - they mean you!
SELRIS: They've chosen you as a companion.
DOCTOR: And we all know what happens to them don't we?
ZOE: Oh Doctor what shall I do?
(The Doctor smiles at Selris.)
DOCTOR: Well she doesn't have to go does she?
(He frowns at Selris's lack of an answer.)
DOCTOR: Well does she or doesn't she?!
SELRIS: I'm afraid she must. Complete obedience is the Krotons first command, and if we fail to obey...
DOCTOR: They'll destroy you, I see...
ZOE: Oh dear.
(The Doctor turns on Zoe.)
DOCTOR: Now d'you see what you've done?! Fooling around with this stupid machine!
ZOE: Oh, but I'm not a Gond!
DOCTOR: But that machine doesn't know that!
(The Doctor hurries across the room.)
ZOE: Oh, where are you going?
DOCTOR: I'm going to take the test, I can't let you go in there alone! Er...what do I do?
ZOE: Oh sit down, and put this... This headset on.
(She helps him on with the headset.)
ZOE: And press the button.
(The Doctor continues to struggle with the headset as if he hadn't heard. Zoe lifts one side of it and yells.)
ZOE: Press the button!
DOCTOR: Alright, no need to shout! Now go away and don't fuss me!
(Zoe turns but before she can walk off...)
DOCTOR: No come back, what's this?
ZOE: ..Wha-i..
DOCTOR: ...It's alright, I know!
(He straightens up.)
DOCTOR: Alright, f*re away. I'm ready.
(He sits expectantly. A few moments later Zoe taps him on the shoulder and mouths "Press the button" at him. The Doctor fiddles with the machine, but it doesn't seem to go as well as the time Zoe used it.)
DOCTOR: Ah. Oh...oh.
ZOE: Oh Doctor, you've got it all wrong!
DOCTOR: Oh dear, I've been working in square roots. Er, can I have that again please?
ZOE: Well they don't give you a second sh*ts!
DOCTOR: Oh.
ZOE: Well press the button again!
(Selris watches from the background as he operates the machine again.)
SELRIS: This is the most advanced machine. Perhaps he can't answer the questions?
ZOE: Of course he can. The Doctor's almost as clever as I am!
SELRIS: I see.
(The meter still reads zero.)
DOCTOR: Uh...oh now what have I done?
ZOE: Oh Doctor, you've divided instead of multiplying! You must concentrate!
DOCTOR: I am Zoe, I am!
10, INT: CONTROL-CENTRE
(The Auto-Controller swivels across to look at the dial again. This time the needle is clearly attempting to display much more than it was designed to measure. It flicks back and forth as if it were trying to break through the maximum limit.)
11, INT: LEARNING HALL
(At the teaching machine the Doctor finally manages to get the formulae to break apart and display in an orderly fashion on the screen.)
SELRIS: Good.
DOCTOR: Mm-mm. Yes er, I think that's rather better.
(He gets up smiling.)
DOCTOR: I think I've scored more than you have Zoe!
(The Doctor begins to chuckle to himself looking a little vacant.)
ZOE: You answered more questions. Besides, this isn't supposed to be a competition!
DOCTOR: It's clever isn't it? The way they make you feel that they're pleased with you...
ZOE: Yes. Perhaps the Krotons aren't as bad as we think?
(The Doctor chuckles a little more.)
DOCTOR: What..?
(In an instant he collects his thoughts, clutching delicately at his head.)
DOCTOR: What? Of-of course they are!
(He turn to Selris.)
DOCTOR: Ah, what happens now?
SELRIS: The Krotons will be waiting for Zoe.
DOCTOR: Well they can wait! We are going in there together.
SELRIS: Normally the names don't come through for some time.
ZOE: Well mine did.
SELRIS: Yes, but perhaps they were impressed with your performance, and that's why.
(There is another metallic bonging sound and Selris moves to the open hatch again. The Doctor whispers conspiratorially.)
DOCTOR: Sounds a bit like a dinner gong, doesn't it Zoe?
SELRIS: Class three-one-nine-eight, selected male - Doctor-Gond.
DOCTOR: Doctor-Gond. Idiots!
(The door into the machine raises hopefully, like a hungry mouth.)
ZOE: Well it means you anyway.
DOCTOR: Yes, er-er... Well, are you ready?
ZOE: I suppose we have to...
DOCTOR: Well we started this, we'd better go through with it. We've got to get to the bottom of this somehow Zoe.
ZOE: Oh this is all my fault!
DOCTOR: Oh cheer up, cheer up. I expect it'll be quite interesting really.
SELRIS: I am sorry Doctor. My people will always remember you.
DOCTOR: Eh? Oh...oh that's very nice of them. Stay close to me Zoe.
(They walk though the open doorway. Jamie skids into the hall just in time to see the Doctor and Zoe disappear into the darkness.)
JAMIE: Doctor! No wait, come back!
(Selris holds up a hand to prevent him from entering the machine.)
JAMIE: What's happened?
(The door slides shut.)
JAMIE: Where've they gone?
SELRIS: Your people are gone. They are now companions of the Krotons.
(With a hum the door slides closed.)
JAMIE: Wha-?
12, INT: CONTROL-CENTRE
(From the control panel the Auto-Controller swivels around on it's base to monitor the open door and it's new arrivals. The silvery doorway slides closed again behind them as they enter the Dynotrope, causing the Doctor to look back for a moment.)
ZOE: It is a spaceship!
(She gazes around the gloomy, honeycomb-patterned walls of the chamber. In the half-light it is hard to make out very much apart from the instruments of the Control Centre to her left. There is also another door identical to the one the just entered. The Doctor looks at the Auto-Controller curiously.)
DOCTOR: Yes, but there doesn't seem to be any crew.
(He calls out, as if to the spacecraft itself.)
DOCTOR: Hello...anybody there? Is anybody at home, hello!
(A light comes on illuminating two seats.)
ZOE: I think we've been asked to sit down.
DOCTOR: Yes I think we have Zoe.
(The Doctor Pulls a metal chain from his pocket.)
DOCTOR: Uh, Zoe... Hold onto the end of this chain.
ZOE: What for?
DOCTOR: Look up there - it's a force generator. This chain might help to equalise the power load.
ZOE: Well what are they going to do?
(At the far side of the room a piece of apparatus is illuminated. It is like a strange angular pillar that tapers to a point, atop which sits a large round jewel ensnared within a series of metallic spokes, behind which is a large tube containing a few scant drops if a silvery substance. The jewel begins to glow with a harsh white light which seems to affect the Doctor and Zoe. They strain to remain composed under the onslaught of energy which is keeping them pinned to the seats like biological specimens.)
ZOE: Doctor I can't move!
DOCTOR: No, it's a forcefield. Try and relax...relax.
(A strange jellyfish-like shape begins to revolve and all around seems to become illuminated by an ethereal glow.)
ZOE: Oh!
(The light moves faster and faster until the surroundings melt away, swallowed up in the fierce pulsing as the thought-energy machine begins its feast.)
13, INT: LEARNING HALL
JAMIE: But why did you let them go?
SELRIS: It is a command of the Krotons.
JAMIE: Ah, the Krotons! They just rap out an order and everyone jumps don't they! Aye, well I'm not just standing here to see my...
(He rushes towards the machine.)
SELRIS: Where are you going?
JAMIE: To find a way into this box of tricks!
(Jamie desperately thumps on the door and winces.)
JAMIE: Ow!
14, INT: CONTROL-CENTRE
(In the centre of the thought-energy machine a tube slowly fills with some kind of silvery material; the jewel continuing to pulse greedily as if it were drawing the very life-force from the Doctor and Zoe. All they can do is desperately try to fight its effects with pained expressions from where they sit.)
DOCTOR: Argh-argh...
ZOE: Oh...oh...
DOCTOR: Argh!
ZOE: Oh!
(Still between them, the metal chain in their grasp begins to smoke.)
DOCTOR: Oh argh argh!
(The links of the chain begin to bend open under their own inconsequential weight, melting like warm putty.)
ZOE: Oh oh-oh... oh!
DOCTOR: Argh!
(The tube-like gauge on the machine fills to it's capacity and there is a puff of smoke from a bank of capacitors that haven't been used for thousands of years, and the pulsing ceases. Slowly one of the honeycomb-designed walls is absorbed back into the machine. As it fades away an antechamber is revealed containing two t*nk of mysterious, bubbling liquid. Slowly the Doctor and Zoe regain consciousness, sounding more than a little muzzy-headed.)
ZOE: Oh...oh...
DOCTOR: Are you alright Zoe? Oh!
ZOE: Yes...I think so...
DOCTOR: Oh!
ZOE: What happened?
DOCTOR: Oh some tremendous power, oh!
ZOE: They seem to have a way of transferring mental power into pure energy.
DOCTOR: Yes. And they used it - or-or rather us to operate a thermal switch.
(Having recovered sufficiently they get to their feet and regard the bubbling, steaming t*nk.)
ZOE: Doctor look!
DOCTOR: Yes.
ZOE: I thought there was a wall here.
DOCTOR: Yes, there was. Zoe I think that I'm beginning to understand.
ZOE: What's that?
(She peers a little closer at the bubbling t*nk which have g*n to swirl from within.)
DOCTOR: That's curious... Zoe, I think we've gone and done it.
ZOE: What?
DOCTOR: Well... Just a minute I've got an idea.
(He withdraws a small plastic bottle from his pocket, and pulling up his sleeve he and gingerly fills it from the t*nk. Zoe notices something on the floor and picks up one end of a long ridged pipe examining the end.)
DOCTOR: Oh yes... This is a form of slurry. Crystals in suspension.
ZOE: But what's its purpose?
DOCTOR: Well, life is supposed to have g*n on your planet in the sea, mm? Primeval soup someone once called it. Well there are lots of sorts of soups aren't there, I-I wonder what this sort is?
(He dips his finger in his sample bottle and tastes it. Zoe shows the Doctor the pipe.)
ZOE: And what do you suppose these are?
DOCTOR: Mm.
ZOE: They look like astronauts' air lines.
DOCTOR: Yes I think you're right Zoe. Zoe look!
(Their attention is drawn back to the t*nk again as something large begins to crystallise into shape within the t*nk.)
DOCTOR: I think it's time we...got out of here. Come along! Uh..
(The Doctor and Zoe rush towards the nearest exit as an inhuman clamp-like claw breaks the surface of the t*nk.)
15, INT: DYNOTROPE CORRIDOR
(The Doctor pauses for a moment.)
ZOE: Well what are we going to do if we do get out? We haven't learned anything yet.
DOCTOR: Yes we have, once we can analyse this.
(He taps the side of the bottle.)
DOCTOR: Now uh, come on...
16, INT: CONTROL-CENTRE
(In the Control-Centre of the Dynotrope a pulsing alien heartbeat can now be heard. The shape from the t*nk is now wandering about - its torso is large, crystalline and square as a box with two tentacles, one ending in a strange clamp and the other ending in a claw that resembles a pair of pinking shears. It checks that one of the lines is securely fixed to its torso with a claw, then moves over to the antechamber where another shape is forming in the fluid suspension of the second t*nk.)
17, INT: LEARNING HALL
(Jamie is attempting to jam his dirk into a gap in the door so he can pry it open.)
SELRIS: There is no way in!
JAMIE: Look, there's a door here if I can just get it open!
SELRIS: No-one can enter unless the Krotons wish it.
JAMIE: Well we'll see about that! All I need is some sort of crowbar...
(He looks around the hall.)
18, INT: CONTROL-CENTRE
(The large, square bulk of the Krotons stand side by side. Their bodies made of a hard, silvery substance which is ridged and studded with tiny crystalline peaks. Powerful shoulders are the base for a many-faceted head devoid of any recognisable features resembling a freshly cut gemstone. They move about the chamber on a legless membrane skirting, their two flexible arm-like tentacles operating the control panel. Their rough, booming voices have a strangely mechanical edge to them.)
KROTON-COMMANDER: THE GONDS SHOULD BE HERE.
KROTON: THEY ARE IN THE EXIT-SHAFT.
KROTON-COMMANDER: WHY? THEY ARE CONDITIONED TO OBEY!
KROTON: THE CONDITIONIN' MAY HAVE FAILED.
(The Kroton views the Doctor and Zoe on a video-screen.)
19, INT: POWER-CHAMBER
(The Doctor and Zoe cut through a strange area of the Dynotrope. All around pipes weave through the glowing-walled chamber, and in the centre is a strange sculpture, a tower of spheres and discs resembling a strange kind of radio antennae. Avoiding the antennae they rush through a wall of dangling pipes.)
20, INT: EXIT-SHAFT
(The Doctor moves to the doorway and examines it.)
ZOE: It should slide somewhere.
DOCTOR: Yes, there must be a trip-mechanism.
ZOE: Doctor look, there's a photo-electric cell here.
DOCTOR: Aah!
ZOE: It can't be working.
(Zoe moves her hand in front of a large circular hole on the wall to the right of the door.)
DOCTOR: Well if it's not working...
ZOE: Then the Krotons must have cut the circuit.
DOCTOR: Yes.
ZOE: Then we're trapped, they know we're here!
DOCTOR: Just a moment I have an idea. Er, that piece of mica that I picked up, here we are...
(He pulls the rock from his pocket and presses it into the hole.)
DOCTOR: Now if I can use it to bridge the gap...
ZOE: Well will mica work?
DOCTOR: Well the whole machine's made of crystal.
(The door rises, but the Doctor holds Zoe back.)
DOCTOR: Wait! The poison jet!
21, INT: CONTROL-CENTRE
(The Krotons are still monitoring the Doctor and Zoe.)
KROTON-COMMANDER: THEY HAVE ACTIVATED THE CIRCUIT.
KROTON: THEN THE DISPERSION UNIT WILL k*ll THEM.
22, INT: EXIT-SHAFT
ZOE: Doctor we've got to risk it!
DOCTOR: Yes, but-but jump down to the side, don't go down the ramp.
23, INT: CONTROL-CENTRE
(The image on the video link shows the Doctor and Zoe dart out of the door, jump from the side of the ramp and scurry off.)
KROTON-COMMANDER: THEY ARE NOT GONDS!
KROTON: WHY DID YOU INOPERATE THE DISPERSION UNIT?
KROTON-COMMANDER: WE NEED THEM ALIVE.
KROTON: THEY HAVE ESCAPED.
KROTON-COMMANDER: KEEP THE SCANNER ON THEM. WE WILL ORDER THE GONDS TO CAPTURE THEM AND BRING THEM BACK.
(Operating another video link, the Kroton sees Jamie in the Learning Hall as he attempts to break into the machine.)
KROTON: THAT IS NOT A GOND!
KROTON-COMMANDER: IT IS POSSIBLE THAT THEY HAVE EVOLVED.
KROTON: THERE HAS NOT BEEN TIME. IT IS A SIMILAR BIPED ANIMAL, BUT NOT FROM THIS PLANET.
KROTON-COMMANDER: IT IS POSSIBLE THAT THESE HIGHER ANTHROPOIDS HAVE TAKEN OVER THE PLANET.
(The picture of the Learning Hall changes to that of Selris.)
KROTON: THAT IS A GOND. THESE CREATURES ARE WORKING IN ALLIANCE WITH THE GONDS.
(The image switches back to Jamie again.)
KROTON-COMMANDER: LET US TAKE THIS ONE. IT'S MIND WILL HAVE THE CAPACITY WE NEED.
24, INT: LEARNING HALL
(The door to the machine slides open.)
JAMIE: At last!
SELRIS: No, don't enter!
JAMIE: Look, I have this.
(He brandishes his crowbar and then enters.)
25, INT: CONTROL-CENTRE
(Jamie cautiously enters the Control Centre from the Entrance-Shaft. But before he has the chance to look around a claw grabs him by the wrist causing the to crowbar skitter from his grasp. He is thrust violently into one of the chairs.)
JAMIE: Aaargh!
KROTON-COMMANDER: HAVE YOU DAMAGED IT?
KROTON: NO, IT IS ALIVE. ANIMAL TISSUE IS WEAK.
KROTON-COMMANDER: IT IS RECOVERING. TEST IT'S MIND.
KROTON: THIS IS NOT A HIGH-BRAIN - IT IS A PRIMITIVE!
KROTON-COMMANDER: THEN THE POWER WILL k*ll IT!
(The Krotons watch impassively as Jamie convulses in the chair under the harsh halo of light from the thought-energy machine...) | {"type": "series", "show": "Doctor Who", "episode": "06x20 - The Krotons - part 2"} | foreverdreaming |
The Krotons
Episode Three
By Robert Holmes
Original Air Date: 11 January, 1969
5:15pm - 5:40pm
1, INT: CONTROL-CENTRE
(The Krotons watch impassively as Jamie convulses caught in the harsh halo of light from the thought-energy machine. The power swirls faster and faster, as if it were attempting to consume him.)
KROTON: ITS MIND IS PRIMITIVE!
KROTON-COMMANDER: THE POWER WILL k*ll IT!
(The Commander turns it off the machine and Jamie slumps.)
KROTON: IT IS STILL OF VALUE, IT CAN GIVE INFORMATION ABOUT THE OTHER CREATURES.
2, EXT: WASTELANDS
ZOE: This isn't the way to the city.
DOCTOR: No, it's the way to the TARDIS.
ZOE: The TARDIS? But we can't leave Jamie behind.
DOCTOR: Well don't worry about him, he's perfectly safe isn't he? Come on!
(They walk up towards the cliffside path.)
3, INT: CONTROL-CENTRE
(Jamie rubs his head as slowly he recovers.)
JAMIE: Oh my head.
(The Krotons tower over him.)
KROTON-COMMANDER: WHERE ARE YOU FROM?
(He glances up at the two crystalline beings.)
JAMIE: Oh it's you. I thought I'd dreamt you up.
KROTON-COMMANDER: WHERE ARE YOU FROM?!
(The Commander points a claw at the screen.)
KROTON-COMMANDER: YOU ARE OF THE SAME RACE AS THESE BIPEDS?
(As Jamie looks, the Kroton wobbles over to the panel, apparently uninterested in the interrogation.)
JAMIE: Zoe and the Doctor... Where are they?
KROTON-COMMANDER: YOU ARE SPACE TRAVELLERS?
JAMIE: Got out. Good old Doctor!
KROTON-COMMANDER: ANSWER!
(The Kroton grabs Jamie's arm in a pincer.)
JAMIE: Y-you're breaking my arm!
KROTON: DO NOT DAMAGE THE CREATURE!
(The Kroton operates a few controls on the panel and a revolving truth-machine appears above Jamie.)
KROTON-COMMANDER: YOU AND THESE OTHER BEINGS ARE SPACE TRAVELLERS?
KROTON: COMMANDER!
(A picture of the TARDIS swims into view on the monitor.)
KROTON-COMMANDER: WHAT IS THAT?
JAMIE: It's the TARDIS.
KROTON-COMMANDER: WHAT IS ITS FUNCTION?
JAMIE: It travels through time and space.
KROTON: RANGE ZERO-SEVEN DISPERSION UNIT ON TARGET.
(On the screen, the Doctor and Zoe enter the TARDIS.)
KROTON: THEY ARE LEAVING, SHALL I f*re?
(Jamie looks worriedly up at the screen again.)
JAMIE: They're not leaving...they wouldn't!
4, INT: BETA'S HOUSE
(Beta stands adding careful measures of liquid to a cauldron of some evil smelling mixture while it bubbles happily away over a nearby stove. He looks up as Eelek and Axus and a few others enter the room.)
BETA: You wish to see me?
EELEK: You got my message?
BETA: That the council needs my advice. On a matter of science I presume?
EELEK: On a matter of w*r.
BETA: w*r?
EELEK: w*r against the Krotons.
BETA: w*r against the Krotons?! Are you both out of your minds?
(Beta walks over to a shelving unit and tinkers, Axus grabs him brandishing his axe.)
AXUS: Now you listen to me!
EELEK: Axus! Not yet! Beta you're a scientist, surely you want to be free of the Krotons?
BETA: Free, yes; d*ad, no!
AXUS: We can defeat them!
BETA: Can we? Our ancestors tried.
EELEK: They were savages; primitive men with clubs and stones.
AXUS: We are much more advanced now!
BETA: Are we? All our knowledge is given us by the Krotons.
EELEK: Then we can use it against them!
BETA: You're talking nonsense Eelek! We only know what the Krotons tell us. We don't think, we obey.
AXUS: He could help us if he wasn't afraid of the Krotons.
BETA: Don't you think I want to be free of them? Don't you think I want to discover truth for myself? Instead of being fed information like a dog with scraps.
EELEK: Then you will help us?
BETA: To fight the Krotons? Listen, I've just been talking to the stranger, the Doctor. He made me realise how pitifully little the Krotons tell us.
EELEK: I would forget the Doctor if I were you, and his friends.
BETA: What do you mean?
EELEK: They submitted themselves to the teaching machines in the Learning Hall.
BETA: What happened?
AXUS: The Doctor and the girl scored the highest result ever. The Krotons summoned them, they went into the machine and the boy followed them.
EELEK: So now they'll be d*ad like Abu-Gond, or mindless like Vana. So, you will help us?
BETA: Give me time Eelek. There are certain things the Krotons forbid us to study; fluids which eat away metal and flesh; in time I can develop some way of attacking them.
EELEK: In time! It's always "in time!" isn't it?! "Just give us a little more time, just be a little more patient!" Always time,
a little more time!
BETA: We've been slaves for a thousand years, do you think you can free us in one day?
EELEK: Yes!
BETA: Why don't you wait and see what Selris has to say?
EELEK: You will no longer obey Selris, you will obey me!
(Beta gives an exasperated look.)
5, INT: CONTROL-CENTRE
KROTON: SHALL I f*re COMMANDER?
KROTON-COMMANDER: WE CANNOT k*ll THEM, WE NEED THEIR MINDS. YOU WILL LEAVE THE DYNOTROPE AND FETCH THEM BACK.
(Jamie watches as the subordinate Kroton glides over to a rack in the wall and picks up a large metal canister with a funnel built onto the front. The creature then exits the room, moving towards the back of the machine. The Commander turns back to Jamie.)
KROTON-COMMANDER: WHAT IS THE OPERATING PRINCIPLE OF YOUR CRAFT?
JAMIE: Ah... you-you-you mean how does it work? Well, only the Doctor knows that.
KROTON-COMMANDER: WHAT IS ITS TRANSFERENCE INTERVAL?
JAMIE: Ah, transference interval? Well... Er, er... What's that?
KROTON-COMMANDER: YOU HAVE NO VALUE!
KROTON: VISION CONTROL REQUIRED NOW.
KROTON-COMMANDER: ON CONTROL AND PROCEED.
(On the screen the Kroton wobbles down the ramp.)
6, EXT: WASTELANDS
(From the Kroton's eye view as it moves across the rugged terrain.)
7, INT: SELRIS'S HOUSE
(Thara is Mopping Vana's brow while she sleeps as Selris appears.)
SELRIS: How is Vana?
THARA: Better, much better - but very tired. She'll be alright by morning though.
SELRIS: That is good news.
THARA: Are the strangers still in the Learning Hall?
SELRIS: They're gone.
THARA: Do you mean they've left, they've gone back?
SELRIS: They went into the machine.
THARA: What?!
SELRIS: The Krotons sent for Zoe, and the Doctor insisted on going as well.
THARA: You let them go, why didn't you stop them?
SELRIS: What could I do? It is the will of the Krotons!
THARA: But why didn't they run? Why did they go in when they know what must happen?
SELRIS: Because they knew what would happen if they failed to obey.
THARA: But not to them father, they could have escaped in their machine!
SELRIS: There is a council meeting.
THARA: Council meeting! Is that all you can ever think about, talking? What about some action Father? You think that the Krotons are still our great benefactors, don't you?!
SELRIS: No Thara. I think of them as enemies; we're powerless to do anything against them!
THARA: Well Eelek is going to do something about it!
(Vana begins to mumble to herself and Thara helps her to sit up for a moment, embracing her.)
VANA: Thara?
THARA: It's alright Vana, you're quite safe.
VANA: I feel so faint.
(Thara gently lies her back down.)
THARA: Try to sleep now, we're looking after you.
VANA: Oh!
(She is asleep again as soon as her head touches the pillow.)
8, INT: CONTROL-CENTRE
KROTON-COMMANDER: RADIUS ONE-EIGHT-ONE VECTOR FIVE.
(Jamie gets to his feet, and the Kroton turns seeing him.)
KROTON-COMMANDER: DO NOT MOVE!
JAMIE: Uh, I was just er, just stretching my leg.
(He sits down again.)
JAMIE: Look, what are you gonna do with me?
KROTON-COMMANDER: YOU HAVE NO VALUE.
JAMIE: Oh what do you mean?
KROTON-COMMANDER: YOU WILL BE DISPERSED!
9, INT: SELRIS'S HOUSE
SELRIS: Thara, what did you mean about Eelek?
THARA: I meant you don't know what's happening. He is no longer your deputy, he's taken over as council leader.
SELRIS: He has no authority..!
THARA: A vote was taken!
SELRIS: A vote?
THARA: Listen, everybody in the city knows how the Krotons have tricked us - Eelek announced it!
SELRIS: The fool! They will want revenge.
THARA: Well exactly, and that's what Eelek has promised them.
SELRIS: Can't you understand, Eelek doesn't care what happens to our people.
THARA: Eelek is a patriot.
SELRIS: It is not patriotism to lead people into a w*r they cannot win!
THARA: We can't let the Krotons rule us forever without putting up some sort of fight!
SELRIS: We will be strong one day, we will fight them.
THARA: After another thousand years?
SELRIS: Eelek must be stopped.
THARA: How? He won't listen to you. Our people want this w*r because of what happened to Vana and the others.
SELRIS: And how does Eelek intend to fight the Krotons, march on their machine?
THARA: Do you have a better idea?
SELRIS: There is a way we could fight them, and that is by not letting them suspect that they are being att*cked!
10, INT: CONTROL-CENTRE
KROTON-COMMANDER: RADIUS ONE-SEVEN-NINE VECTOR-FIVE.
JAMIE: What about the Doctor, what are you going to do with him?
KROTON-COMMANDER: THEY ARE NEEDED FOR THE DYNOTROPE.
JAMIE: Dynotrope? Th-that's this machine then?
KROTON-COMMANDER: ONE-SIX-EIGHT VECTOR-FOUR.
JAMIE: Well why do you need them, and w-why have you been k*lling the Gonds?
KROTON-COMMANDER: THE DYNOTROPE NEEDS HIGH-BRAINS FOR TRANSFER POWER. THE GONDS HAVE NO HIGH-BRAINS.
JAMIE: Aye, and that makes it alright to k*ll them, does it?
KROTON-COMMANDER: THAT IS PROCEDURE. RADIUS ONE-SIX-THREE VECTOR-FOUR.
(Jamie looks over at the rack which still contains a canister.)
11, INT: COUNCIL CHAMBER
BETA: Selris should be here; he's still the council leader, or am I mistaken.
AXUS: You are mistaken.
EELEK: Selris is old. In time of w*r we need a strong leader.
AXUS: Eelek has taken command.
BETA: So at last you've achieved your ambition, eh?
EELEK: Yes, and I have the support of the whole council.
BETA: It must be quite a change for you to feel popular.
EELEK: And there is a limit to how much I will take from you.
BETA: I'm wondering just how popular you will be when hundreds of our people have been k*lled. Do you want a repetition of the m*ssacre we suffered when the Krotons first came here?
EELEK: Today we have slings and fireballs. w*apon that will destroy the strongest building to rubble!
BETA: Have you ever looked at the wasteland?! Nothing grows there even to this day - it smells of death! Compared with their kind of w*apon I tell you we still only have clubs and stones!
12, INT: CONTROL-CENTRE
JAMIE: Ah I mean, h-how would you like to die without knowing the reason, eh?
KROTON-COMMANDER: KROTONS CANNOT DIE.
JAMIE: Y-you mean you can't be k*lled, you-you live forever?
KROTON-COMMANDER: WE FUNCTION PERMANENTLY, UNLESS WE EXHAUST.
JAMIE: Exhaust?
KROTON-COMMANDER: RADIUS ONE-FIVE-TWO VECTOR-THREE.
JAMIE: How do you mean by exhaust?
KROTON-COMMANDER: THE EXHAUST PROCEDURE IS MERELY REVERSION TO BASIC MOLECULES, BUT THE MATTER CAN BE RE-ANIMATED.
JAMIE: Well what about me though? I mean; I can't be reanimated, why k*ll me?
KROTON-COMMANDER: RADIUS ONE-FOUR-NINE, VECTOR-THREE.
JAMIE: I mean, what good will it do you?
KROTON-COMMANDER: ALL WASTE MATTER MUST BE DISPERSED, THAT IS PROCEDURE.
(Jamie tries to pick up the canister.)
13, EXT: WASTELANDS
(From the Kroton's point of view as it surveys the wastelands behind it's enormous w*apon. All it sees are yellow rocky wastes peaking sharply into cliffs before him. Further away, the TARDIS sits comfortably in the area where it arrived. The door opens and the Doctor and Zoe exit.)
DOCTOR: So, these creatures have a life system based on tellurium, eh? It's fascinating isn't it Zoe? Then that t*nk must have been a polarised centrifuge.
ZOE: Which we activated.
DOCTOR: Oh don't blame yourself Zoe. Oh, that machine must have lain around for thousands of years for someone as clever as us to turn up.
ZOE: Just like a giant mousetrap - and those poor Gond students have been the mice.
DOCTOR: Yes, that's horrible. Still, you must admit, that it's a-a very good way of existing through time.
ZOE: Uh, what are you doing?
DOCTOR: Oh, there's some-some deposits of sulphur around here somewhere.
(He goes to the cliffside and begins to scrape at the crystalline, vegetation covers surface.)
ZOE: Yes, Jamie remarked about the smell as soon as we stepped out of the TARDIS.
DOCTOR: Hydrogen telluride.
ZOE: What? Oh of course! The worst smell in the world.
(The Doctor chuckles.)
DOCTOR: The worst smell in any world.
ZOE: Why didn't I think of that?
DOCTOR: Zoe, I'd say it's a safe bet that that machine is composed of tellurium.
ZOE: Doctor, what do you want sulphur for?
DOCTOR: Oh-oh it-it'll come in useful - it's very useful stuff sulphur, you know, very useful stuff indeed.
ZOE: I've got the funny feeling we're being watched...
14, INT: CONTROL-CENTRE
KROTON-COMMANDER: RADIUS THREE-ZERO VECTOR ONE. TWO ZERO, OBJECTIVE IN RANGE.
(Zoe's face is seen on the monitor at the control centre. Behind the Commander Jamie whispers hopefully at the screen, knowing there is no way he can possibly warn them.)
JAMIE: Get back in the TARDIS will you! Go on!
KROTON-COMMANDER: RADIUS ONE-ZERO
JAMIE: Go on!
15, INT: WASTELANDS
(The Doctor is entirely absorbed in the local geology. To his side is an old carpet bag brimming with yellow rocks.)
DOCTOR: Look at this, it's almost pure sulphur.
ZOE: Oh Doctor, can we go now?
DOCTOR: Oh yes, in a minute. What do you know about tellurium Zoe?
ZOE: Well it's one of the exceptional elements in the periodic table.
DOCTOR: Mm.
ZOE: It's atomic weight is a hundred and twenty eight.
DOCTOR: Yeah.
ZOE: And it's atomic number is fifty...
(she looks towards the path.)
DOCTOR: Mm-hm, well go on...
ZOE: It doesn't really matter anymore.
DOCTOR: Mm?
(The Doctor gets up and they both look at the silver shape before them.)
DOCTOR: Oh my giddy aunt.
KROTON: YOU WILL RETURN TO THE DYNOTROPE.
DOCTOR: Oh-oh, yes. Ah yes of course, ah...yes, if you put it that way. Er, I wonder perhaps if I were to...
(He hurriedly picks up the bag, spilling a few rocks.)
KROTON: RETURN!
DOCTOR: Oh yes-yes!
16, INT: CONTROL-CENTRE
(Jamie rushes to the w*apon rack at the back of the room and struggles out the second huge canister-like dispersion unit, and aims it at the Commander.)
KROTON-COMMANDER: STOP!
JAMIE: Hah, now we'll see if you die or not!
KROTON-COMMANDER: STOP! STOP!
(Jamie after a little fumbling Jamie manages to f*re the w*apon, but it seems to have no effect on the crystalline life form. It is lassoed by swathes of vapour as it approaches.)
KROTON-COMMANDER: STOP! STOP! STOP!
(Suddenly the w*apon cuts out as if an a*t*matic anti-tamper fail-safe switch has clicked in. Jamie thumps it a few times to try and fix it, but to no avail.
One swipe of the Commander's claw sends the huge canister flying from Jamie's grasp and to the floor with a clunk. It grasps Jamie in a painful grip.)
JAMIE: Oh no, argh!
17, INT: WASTELANDS
(The Large boxy bulk of the Kroton looks a little less menacing. It wobbles around on it's base, flapping like a beached fish.)
KROTON: DIRECTION POINT! DIRECTION POINT! I HAVE LOST CONTACT!
DOCTOR: Quick, Zoe, up there - run!
(They scramble away before the creature can regain its faculties.)
KROTON: STOP! DIRECTION POINT REQUIRED IMMEDIATELY!
18, INT: CONTROL-CENTRE
KROTON-COMMANDER: RADIUS ONE ZERO, VECTOR THREE.
KROTON OOV: DO I PROCEED?
KROTON-COMMANDER: NO, WAIT. THE AUTO-SCANNER HAS LOST CONTACT. YOU WILL DESTROY THE TARDIS MACHINE.
KROTON OOV: DIRECTION POINT?
KROTON-COMMANDER: RADIUS FOUR-ONE, VECTOR TWO.
(The TARDIS swims into view on the control centres scanner.)
19, INT: CLIFFSIDE
ZOE: Can't it see?
DOCTOR: No apparently not in the light. It was dark in the machine wasn't it?
ZOE: Look it's moving again now.
DOCTOR: Yes.
ZOE: It's going towards the TARDIS.
DOCTOR: Yes it's being directed by the machine's scanners.
(They watch as below, the Kroton aims it's w*apon at the tall blue box and fires. The shape is completely consumed, and when the smoke clears nothing of the TARDIS is left.)
ZOE: Oh Doctor, the TARDIS!
DOCTOR: Yes.
ZOE: Well now what do we do?
DOCTOR: Well there's-there's nothing we can do until that wretched Kroton moves away.
20, INT: CONTROL-CENTRE
KROTON OOV: FURTHER INSTRUCTIONS?
KROTON-COMMANDER: RETURN TO THE DYNOTROPE.
KROTON OOV: DIRECTION POINT?
KROTON-COMMANDER: REVERSE THE READINGS.
21, INT: CLIFFSIDE
(The Kroton glides away back to the Dynotrope. Had the beast been able to look upwards it might have seen something strange happen on the cliffside high above it. An icy ethereal wind begins to swirl accompanied by a loud juddering sound. Gradually the skeletal form of a tall blue box begins to form in an absurd position on the cliffside. The battered box gains form, texture and finally substance with a resounding thunk.)
ZOE: Look, it alright again!
DOCTOR: Yes, what a, what a stupid place to land. You can tell that the Captain is not at the helm can't you?
ZOE: You knew it would vanish like that, didn't you?
DOCTOR: Well it only does that, you see, if I, if I remember to set the HADS.
ZOE: The what?
DOCTOR: The HADS. The Hostile-Action Displacement System. If the TARDIS is att*cked it automatically dematerialises. Now, I think it's safe, I think it's safe for us to move now.
ZOE: Oh, to move where?
DOCTOR: Well I... We've got to ssee...tell the Gonds that we're alright haven't we? And Jamie'll be worried, come along now. Carefully.
(They make their way down the cliffside path towards the settlement.)
22, INT: COUNCIL CHAMBER
(Eelek, Beta and Axus are debating their plans as a number of pike carrying guards stand around watching.)
EELEK: First we destroy the Learning Hall, then we make a frontal att*ck.
BETA: su1c1de!
AXUS: What does the Controller of Science know of w*r?
BETA: You came here asking for my advice, I have given it. Wait until we can develop effective w*apon.
EELEK: And how long will that take? I say att*ck now?
SELRIS: No Eelek!
BETA: You'll be pleased to know he's taken your place as leader of the council!
SELRIS: To lead an att*ck on the Krotons?
EELEK: That is my plan.
SELRIS: I forbid it!
EELEK: You can't forbid anything!
(He raises his voice to the guards.)
EELEK: Ordered slings and fireballs to be prepared!
(Selris looks at the assembled Gonds for support, but they all file out. Eelek looks triumphant.
EELEK: They've heard enough of your plans.
(He follows the guards out.)
BETA: Slings and fireballs will never reach the Krotons while they're still in that machine!
SELRIS: Exactly Beta, and I have a plan to draw them out. Now under the Hall of Learning there are three pillars which support the machine...
23, INT: CONTROL-CENTRE
KROTON-COMMANDER: THE HIGH-BRAINS MUST BE RECAPTURED BEFORE EXHAUST TIME.
KROTON: c*ptive ALIENS ARE DISPERSED.
KROTON-COMMANDER: CHECK EXHAUST TIME.
(Jamie gets up from where he has been lying on the floor, but the Krotons seem to absorbed in their tasks to notice him.)
KROTON: COMMENCE CHECK.
KROTON-COMMANDER: ILEAL POWERSTAT IS?
KROTON: STATIC.
KROTON-COMMANDER: GRAVITATION FEED?
KROTON: NORMAL.
(Jamie slowly creeps towards the door.)
KROTON-COMMANDER: AUXILIARY OUTPUT.
KROTON: RISING.
KROTON-COMMANDER: DYNOTROPE BALANCE.
KROTON: BALANCE FOUR.
KROTON-COMMANDER: THE DYNOTROPE WILL EXHAUST IN THREE HOURS.
(Jamie watches from the door a few more seconds before rushing away towards the exit.)
24, INT: SELRIS'S HOUSE
(Thara and Vana are finishing packing a selection of bags.)
THARA: Are you sure you're strong enough?
VANA: Of course. I'm alright now.
THARA: I can carry you.
VANA: That won't be necessary, I'll walk Thara.
THARA: It's a long way to the hills...
(Thara looks up and sees a familiar face walk in the door.)
VANA: Doctor you're back!
DOCTOR: Yes, I'm sorry I've been so long.
THARA: But...we thought you were d*ad!
DOCTOR: d*ad?
VANA: Selris said that you'd gone into the machine.
DOCTOR: Oh yes, well we did, but er... Well-well er, what goes in must come out, mustn't it? You're better aren't you?
VANA: Much.
DOCTOR: Sit down, you mustn't...
(He notices the bags.)
DOCTOR: Oh, I'm glad to see you're going on holiday.
THARA: Holiday? We aren't goi...
DOCTOR: Well it looks as though...
THARA: Well the city's being evacuated.
DOCTOR: Evacuated? What do you mean?
THARA: My father's going to lead an att*ck on the Krotons. He hopes they'll strike back and come out into the open.
DOCTOR: Didn't he learn last night?
THARA: Oh he's going to att*ck the machine from underneath.
VANA: Demolish the machine's supports.
DOCTOR: Oh I don't think that's a very good idea! Zoe, there's no time to be lost!
(He turns back to Thara.)
DOCTOR: Will you take me to Beta please?
THARA: Yeah.
(They all leave.)
25, INT: UNDER-HALL
(In an enormous, dank chamber a group of Gonds with torches work on demolishing the machine above. They toil with mallets to attach a number of chains to the base of a towering, fluted column.)
SELRIS: Ready with the stop-draw? Now!
(The chains pull tightly around one of the Dynotrope support struts.)
26, INT: BETA'S LABORATORY
BETA: Thara, if you've come to try and persuade me to leave you're wasting your time.
THARA: I haven't, the Doctor asked to see your laboratory.
DOCTOR: Can you hold my bag please.
(Thara takes the bag and the Doctor addresses Beta.)
DOCTOR: Er, there's a small job I want you to do.
(Beta looks curiously at a small rock the Doctor has just given him.)
BETA: Oh, what's that?
DOCTOR: It's sulphur. I've written out some instructions here, I don't know whether you can follow them, can you?
BETA: Yes, I think so. But the Krotons forbid us to study chemistry.
DOCTOR: Yes... Beta, did it ever occur to you to wonder why?
(Zoe looks around missing a voice.)
ZOE: Doctor, where's Jamie?
(She glances at Vana.)
ZOE: He's supposed to be looking after you. Well where's he got to?
THARA: Well he followed you out to the Learning Hall.
DOCTOR: Well I haven't seen him since this morning!
ZOE: Oh you don't suppose he tried to get into the machine do you?
DOCTOR: Come on, we must go!
ZOE: Yes, let's!
(He rushes out after Zoe, pausing only briefly.)
DOCTOR: Give me a sample of that as soon as you can will you?
(He vanishes through the door.)
THARA: Vana, I'm staying here to help.
BETA: Oh no you're not, you're going to the hills the pair of you.
VANA: Oh don't be ridiculous Beta we're not leaving you here. Besides, I feel quite faint - I don't think I could walk a step.
(Beta glares at Thara who grins back at him.)
26, INT: CONTROL-CENTRE
(Alarms echo through the Dynotrope Control-Centre as the Krotons heads spin madly around.)
KROTON: THE GRAVITATION FEED IS DROPPING.
KROTON-COMMANDER: THE DYNOTROPE IS MOVING OUT OF BALANCE. STATIC BEAM, SWITCH TO FULL VOLUME.
KROTON: FULL VOLUME ON.
KROTON-COMMANDER: SYSTEM CHECK COMMENCE.
26, INT: UNDER-HALL
(A Gond is cranking the handle of a crude ratchet device around and around.)
SELRIS: Shine the light up there?
(As the Gond does so, a large crack is clearly visible in the ceiling.)
BETA: If that comes down we shall all be k*lled!
(Selris gazes up with a zealous glint in his eye.)
SELRIS: But the machine will come down first! Look at the vibration!
(The ground begins to shake and a number of Gonds flee for their lives.)
DOCTOR: Stop it! Stop it!
SELRIS: Doctor!
DOCTOR: What do you think you're doing, you idiots?! Just unhook the thing, you're meddling with things you don't understand!
ZOE: Oh Doctor, look out!
(The split in the ceiling widens and a chunk of concrete dislodges and falls to the ground.)
DOCTOR: Oh Zoe! Run, run!
(A stream of rubble falls from the hole in the ceiling burying the Doctor completely.) | {"type": "series", "show": "Doctor Who", "episode": "06x21 - The Krotons - part 3"} | foreverdreaming |
The Krotons
Episode Four
By Robert Holmes
Original Air Date: 18 January, 1969
5:15pm - 5:40pm
1, INT: UNDER-HALL
(The Doctor looks upwards as the split in the ceiling widens and a chunk of concrete dislodges, falling to the ground.)
DOCTOR: Oh...oh!
ZOE: Doctor!
(A stream of rubble falls from the hole in the ceiling burying the Doctor completely.)
DOCTOR: Argh...oh!
2, INT: LEARNING HALL
(Thara and Vana descend the steps to the hall and gaze towards the entrance of the machine, the ground juddering and there is a loud rumbling.)
THARA: I'm going down. You go back.
(He begins to descend to the under-hall.)
VANA: Well be careful Thara!
3, INT: UNDER-HALL
(Zoe coughs and looks up from where she is lying, covered in dust.)
ZOE: Doctor!
(Thara rushes over and helps her up.)
THARA: Are you alright Zoe?
ZOE: Yes, I think so.
(Thara takes her by the hand.)
THARA: Come on, this way.
ZOE: No, we must find the Doctor!
THARA: Well where is he?
ZOE: S-somewhere over there, I saw him fall.
THARA: I'll look for him. You stay under here.
(He moves off to search.)
4, INT: LEARNING HALL
(Selris helps a few survivors from the under hall evacuate, and runs across Vana.)
SELRIS: Vana, what are you doing here? Why aren't you in the hills?
VANA: Because Thara and I stayed behind with Beta to make some acid. We were bringing it here for the Doctor when we felt the earthquake.
SELRIS: The Doctor!
(He looks around.)
SELRIS: Has anyone seen him?
VANA: He's probably buried down there with the digging party.
(Selris rushes down to the under hall again.)
5, INT: UNDER-HALL
(Thara rounds one of the machine's cracked support struts. He spots the sprawled figure of Doctor lying in a depression in the ground, surrounded by fallen rock.)
THARA: I've found him Zoe!
DOCTOR: Oh...
(Thara helps the Doctor up.)
THARA: Are alright Doctor?
DOCTOR: Yes, yes, I think so. I don't think there's any bones broken.
(He glances at the ceiling.)
DOCTOR: But if they don't get that vibration under control soon..!
THARA: We must hurry, there's gonna be a...
DOCTOR: Oh look out!
THARA: Look out!
(Thara pushes the Doctor away as another rain of rocky debris falls from the ceiling, this time it mainly lands on Thara.)
DOCTOR: Oh!
(The Doctor walks around a the strut and back to where Thara lies with a large rock on his leg.)
DOCTOR: Oh, Thara! Ah, don't worry, we'll get it off you. Zoe!
ZOE: Oh Doctor.
(Together the Doctor and Zoe heave at the rock.)
6, INT: ENTRANCE SHAFT
(Jamie tries to keep his footing as the Dynotrope rumbles and judders about. He is attempting to open the door leading into the learning hall, but it proves impassable. He changes his mind and moves back through the mass of pipes towards the exit shaft.)
7, INT: CONTROL-CENTRE
(The Krotons are at the control panel, their blank heads still spinning away.)
KROTON-COMMANDER: CUT AUXILIARIES.
KROTON: AUXILIARIES CUT.
KROTON-COMMANDER: OUTPUT ZERO.
KROTON: FEED IN EMERGENCY POWER.
KROTON-COMMANDER: GRAVITATION FEED CHECK.
KROTON: STATIC.
(The heads stop spinning.)
KROTON-COMMANDER: DYNOTROPE BALANCE NORMAL.
(The Kroton slithers around and examines a monitor. It views the people in the under hall.)
KROTON: THE GONDS HAVE att*cked THE DYNOTROPE.
KROTON-COMMANDER: THE TWO HIGH-BRAINS ARE THERE. BRING THEM HERE.
(The Kroton moves away.)
8, INT: UNDER-HALL
(Zoe examines Thara's leg while the Doctor stands about nervously with a piece of wood in his hand.)
ZOE: Could be a fracture.
THARA: Feels painful enough.
ZOE: I'll strap it. Oh Doctor, give me the wood.
DOCTOR: Yes w..hurry up Zoe! We've got to move out of here you know.
VANA: You think there'll be another earthquake?
DOCTOR: Oh that was not an earthquake.
VANA: Oh no, it was coming from the machine.
(She listens for a moment.)
VANA: It's stopped.
DOCTOR: Yes. That means the Krotons are free to deal with us. Haven't you finished yet Zoe?
ZOE: No I haven't. Hey, can I borrow your braces?
DOCTOR: No!
(Zoe pulls one of his braces, then to the Doctor's annoyance lets it twang back.)
DOCTOR: Ooh!
(He offers her the handkerchief from his top pocket.)
DOCTOR: Here, I'd much rather you use this.
ZOE: Oh alright.
DOCTOR: Hello...
(He looks up at the machine.)
SELRIS: Yes Doctor, I'm afraid we have failed. The machine is unharmed.
DOCTOR: I'm not so sure - look at that.
9, MODEL sh*t: KROTON MACHINE
(The spherical honeycombed belly of the Dynotrope can be clearly seen to be leaking an oily, black mucus from a structural wound.)
10, INT: UNDER-HALL
SELRIS: What is happening to it?
DOCTOR: I-I'd say it was no longer functioning under full power. Vana, how is Beta getting on with the acid I asked him to make?
VANA: Oh, he sent this Doctor.
DOCTOR: Oh good.
VANA: He only made a small amount to start with.
DOCTOR: Yeah...Uh-huh.
(He unscrews and takes a cautious sniff.)
VANA: Is it alright.
ZOE: Pooh, sulphuric acid isn't it?
DOCTOR: Yes, well basically...with a few things added.
(Vana reaches towards the bottle.)
DOCTOR: Uh-uh, don't touch - it'll burn you.
ZOE: Doctor what about Jamie?
DOCTOR: Jamie! I'd forgotten all about him in the excitement!
ZOE: Has anybody seen him?
SELRIS: But he followed you.
DOCTOR: Followed us? What, in there?
SELRIS: Yes, I tried to...
ZOE: Well how long ago?!
SELRIS: About an hour after you and the Doctor.
ZOE: But Doctor, Jamie wouldn't be any use to them! His mind is completely untrained.
DOCTOR: Yes, and if the machine rejects him like the others... Come on!
(He and Zoe rush away. Vana remembers the bottle, but they have already left.)
VANA: Doctor!
(She looks curiously at the bottle of acid.)
12, INT: EXIT SHAFT
(Jamie to open the door into the wastelands, but it is as solid as the one into the learning hall. He looks around for something to prise the door open, and notices something by his feet.)
JAMIE: The Doctor's piece of mica.
(He compares the mica with the size of the hole in the wall.)
13, INT: LEARNING HALL
(Eelek and his cronies have returned to the learning hall. He faces Selris sternly.)
EELEK: Well? Are you satisfied with your efforts?!
AXUS: Seven of his working party are unaccounted for, there are four badly injured - and I think two of them are going to die.
SELRIS: They will all be attended to. I am making arrangements.
EELEK: No, you've done enough already.
SELRIS: But you are the one who wanted to fight with the Krotons!
EELEK: I'll fight them... In my own way, in my own time.
SELRIS: I tell you my way is better. Inside the machine the Krotons are invulnerable. But if we can draw them out...
AXUS: You've had your chance and look what you've done! The learning hall is ruined, out people are d*ad and wounded and the machine is untouched!
SELRIS: The machine is damaged!
EELEK: Damaged! It must be destroyed! I will launch a mass att*ck with slings and fireballs. They are in position now.
SELRIS: And the Krotons will turn our city into another wasteland. Don't be a fool Eelek!
(Eelek pulls a piece of junk aside to reveal a corpse.)
EELEK: Do you see what your stupidity has done? You are a traitor, you were dismissed as leader of then council. You had no authority to order this att*ck!
SELRIS: The leadership of this council is hereditary! My son Thara will replace me!
EELEK: No, I have replaced you! Arrest him!
(The guards approach Selris.)
SELRIS: Wait! Eelek, this is no time for us to be fighting among ourselves. We need to organise...
EELEK: I have no need of your help.
SELRIS: I said I would bring the Krotons out of the machine!
(The hatch slides open and the Kroton wobbles to the ramp. Eelek approaches.)
KROTON: STOP! WHERE ARE THE HIGH-BRAINS?
EELEK: I don't understand.
KROTON: THE TWO ALIEN CREATURES ARE NEEDED. WHERE ARE THEY?
SELRIS: He means the Doctor and Zoe. What do you want with them?
KROTON: UNIMPORTANT. PRODUCE THEM.
EELEK: They're not here.
KROTON: WHERE ARE THEY?
EELEK: You say you need them? Why are they so important to you? You never left your machine before.
KROTON: DO NOT ARGUE!
(The Kroton sprays it's disintegrator at a nearby, Gond burning him from existence.)
SELRIS: Why did you do that?! He was doing you no harm!
KROTON: PRODUCE THE HIGH-BRAINS IN FIFTEEN MINUTES.
EELEK: If we give you the strangers, will you leave us in peace?
KROTON: THE HIGH-BRAINS WILL ENABLE US TO OPERATE THE DRIVE MECHANISM OF THE DYNOTROPE.
EELEK: You mean you will go? You will leave our world?
KROTON: YES. BUT IF THE TWO HIGH-BRAINS ARE NOT BROUGHT TO THE DYNOTROPE, YOU WILL ALL BE DISPERSED. DO YOU UNDERSTAND?
EELEK: Very well. If you leave us, you shall have them.
14, INT: EXIT SHAFT
(Jamie presses the mica into the slot, but unfortunately the Dynotrope power is only sufficient to raise the door a little. He gets down and attempts to squeeze through small crack which barely wide enough for a person.)
DIRECTOR: Cut!
15, INT: LEARNING HALL
SELRIS: But why Eelek? It's only a few hours since you wanted to fight the Krotons!
EELEK: If we give the the strangers they will leave us in peace.
SELRIS: But the Doctor and Zoe are our friends. They risked their lives for us!
EELEK: I put the interests of our own people first!
(He glances at Axus.)
EELEK: Now keep them all under guard!
16, INT: BEHIND THE DYNOTROPE
(Jamie's head and upper body poke out under the partially open door.)
JAMIE: A-argh...aah...ah Doctor!
DOCTOR: Jamie!
JAMIE: Quick!
(The Doctor and Zoe rush up to help him.)
DOCTOR: Jamie, watch out for the poison jets!
JAMIE: It's just on my back!
(The both tug at Jamie.)
ZOE: Oh!
DOCTOR: We've got to get you out of here!
JAMIE: I know!
ZOE: Oh!
DOCTOR: Jamie!
JAMIE: It's just another inch I think.
DOCTOR: I think you're getting free.
JAMIE: Argh.
DOCTOR: Oh!
ZOE: Oh quick!
(They manage to pull him through the gap just as the gas jets extend and spray their deadly toxin into the air.)
DOCTOR: Oh!
JAMIE: What's been happening? I though that machine was going to shake itself to pieces!
DOCTOR: There's no time to explain Jamie. How are you feeling?
JAMIE: Well I...
DOCTOR: Good.
JAMIE: Eh?
DOCTOR: There's something I want you to do for me.
JAMIE: Oh not again!
DOCTOR: Now Beta is making some special sulphuric acid for us, I want you to go and tell him to make it in bulk.
JAMIE: Yes, but...
DOCTOR: As much as you can.
JAMIE: Oh, b-b-but Doctor...
DOCTOR: There's no time to argue, now hurry. We'll see you back at the learning hall.
(The Doctor and Zoe scamper away leaving Jamie behind.)
JAMIE: Eh...ah.
17, INT: LEARNING HALL
EELEK: The strangers are coming back. You two stay here, the rest come with me.
VANA: They're going to walk into a trap!
SELRIS: Yes. Eelek claims to act for the people. But he's only concern is his own skin.
VANA: Oh, if only we could warn the Doctor! He and the girl could get away in their space-machine.
SELRIS: I agree. We owe them the chance to escape.
18, INT: BETA'S HOUSE
(In Beta's lab area he attends to his bubbling pots and cauldrons as he attempts to complete the Doctor's acid. Both he and Jamie have ragged cloths fastened tightly over their noses and mouths, despite this they are still having trouble breathing.)
JAMIE: How long will it be? How long will it be?
BETA: I don't know.
(There is a flash from one of the pots of volatile mixture.)
JAMIE: It's not going to explode is it?
BETA: I don't know.
JAMIE: What?
BETA: I don't know!
JAMIE: Well I thought you were supposed to be the scientist?
BETA: Well I've never worked with acid before...
(He tests a little diluted mixture on the tip of his finger.)
BETA: Ooh! The Krotons forbid it. Shall we put a bit more in?
JAMIE: Well why ask me?
BETA: Let's see what happens. We can only blow ourselves up.
(Jamie backs away nervously as Beta begins to tip a pile of ground sulphur into his bubbling cauldron. He jumps as the contents of the pot next to him explodes in a puff of smoke. Beta examines the contents of his cauldron curiously, then turns to Jamie.)
BETA: Do you think that's enough?
JAMIE: Aye, well it's enough for me anyway. Quite enough.
(The mixture in the cauldron explodes in a searing flash.)
19, INT: LEARNING HALL
VANA: Listen, you distract Axus's attention while I slip away.
SELRIS: But there are men on the stairs.
VANA: I might be able to dodge by them. Anything's worth trying!
SELRIS: Yes, there is just a chance. But be ready.
(He walks over to Axus.)
SELRIS: Axus, a minute.
AXUS: What is it?
SELRIS: In the past you have always accepted my judgement. Believe me, the Krotons are not to be trusted.
AXUS: I don't trust them. But Eelek's right, we're doing the only thing we can.
SELRIS: But if we surrender the Doctor and Zoe, we ourselves will be k*lled.
AXUS: What do you mean?
SELRIS: I'm sure of it! The Krotons don't care for us, they never have. But while we have the Doctor and Zoe we have a means of negotiation.
AXUS: And if we don't hand over the strangers they'll k*ll us anyw-anyway. You're getting old Selris, you're arguments make no sense.
(He notices Vana as she tries to slip away.)
AXUS: Stop! Stop that girl!
(Two guards round Vana up and lead her away, as she struggles she drops the bottle of acid.)
VANA: Oh! Let me go! Doctor, Doctor! Oh no..!
(Selris notices the bottle of acid lying on the floor and picks it up.)
20, INT: CONTROL-CENTRE
KROTON-COMMANDER: BALANCE ZERO PLUS TWELVE.
KROTON: WE HAVE RESERVE POWER FOR TWENTY-SEVEN MORE MINUTES.
KROTON-COMMANDER: THEN WE SHALL EXHAUST! OUR FUNCTION WILL END.
21, INT: LEARNING HALL
(The Doctor and Zoe pause on the steps.)
ZOE: Oh, what do we do next?
DOCTOR: Well if only we can get inside that machine again, Zoe.
(Eelek appears behind the Doctor.)
EELEK: You can Doctor.
DOCTOR: Oh?
EELEK: We'll help you into it.
DOCTOR: Oh, that's very good of you...
(The guards appear brandishing their pikes.)
DOCTOR: What?! What's all this?
ZOE: Oh...oh Doctor!
(They are shoved towards the machine.)
22, INT: CONTROL-CENTRE
(The Krotons watch on the video-screen.)
KROTON-COMMANDER: THE HIGH-BRAINS HAVE BEEN CAPTURED! BALANCE CHECK?
KROTON: ZERO PLUS NINE.
KROTON-COMMANDER: EXHAUST TIME TWENTY-TWO MINUTES.
KROTON: SHALL I OPEN THE DYNOTROPE?
KROTON-COMMANDER: ONLY THE TWO HIGH-BRAINS MUST ENTER.
23, INT: LEARNING HALL
EELEK: Well take them up!
(He motions to the guards who usher them across the hall.)
DOCTOR: Oh really! We will not be bullied! Don't push! Vana, Vana have you got that bottle, it's vital!
KROTON-COMMANDER OOV: THE HIGH-BRAINS WILL ENTER IMMEDIATELY!
ZOE: I think we'd better do as they say Doctor.
DOCTOR: Yes... V-Vana...oh!
(They get herded through the open doorway.)
24, INT: CONTROL-CENTRE
KROTON-COMMANDER: THE HIGH-BRAINS ARE ENTERING THE DYNOTROPE. PREPARE FOR TAKE-OFF. PHASE ONE.
KROTON: PHASE ONE READY. SHALL I DESTROY THE GONDS NOW? THEY ARE OF NO VALUE.
KROTON-COMMANDER: NO, THE DISPERSION UNITS USE POWER. WE HAVE NO POWER TO WASTE.
25, INT: LEARNING HALL
VANA: That bottle Selris?
SELRIS: It's alright, I have it here.
VANA: The Doctor needs it, he says it's vital!
(Selris runs towards the machine and dives through the doorway as it begins to close.)
VANA: Come back!
26, INT: CONTROL-CENTRE
(The interior door slides open and the Doctor and Zoe walk into the centre of the Kroton's operations. The crystalline captors turn to face their high-brains.)
DOCTOR: I believe you wish to speak with us.
(Just then, Selris runs through the doorway and presses the bottle of acid into the Doctor's hand.)
SELRIS: Doctor!
DOCTOR: Look out!
(The Kroton sprays a jet of gas. Selris turns and tries to run back, but the door blocks his escape. He frantically scrabbles at the smooth surface.)
SELRIS: No!
(His scream is cut short as he evaporates. Zoe turns to the Doctor, who sadly places an arm around her.)
KROTON-COMMANDER: SET THE INTERGALACTIC LINK.
KROTON: TAKE OFF PHASE TWO.
KROTON-COMMANDER: PREPARE TO TRANSFER.
KROTON: ALL SYSTEMS SET.
(A small pulsing console extends from the floor. Upon it are a pair of headsets similar to those in the machines of the learning hall.)
KROTON-COMMANDER: YOU WILL ASSIST US NOW.
DOCTOR: Assist you? In what way?
KROTON: THE DYNOTROPE WILL EXHAUST IN TWELVE MINUTES.
ZOE: Well that's your problem.
DOCTOR: Er, no Zoe. If this machine does run down there will be the most colossal release of energy. Enough to destroy us, the Krotons and most of the planet.
(He addresses the Commander.)
DOCTOR: Er... If you want us to help you, you must explain what it is you want us to do. What is this thing?
KROTON-COMMANDER: IT TRANSFERS THE DYNOTROPE BACK TO OUR OWN COSMOS. IT OPERATES THROUGH MENTAL POWER.
DOCTOR: You've discovered a way of using mental power?
ZOE: And you Krotons haven't enough.
KROTON-COMMANDER: FOUR HIGH-BRAINS ARE NEEDED IN RELAY. THERE ARE ONLY TWO OF US.
ZOE: Then how did you get here?
KROTON-COMMANDER: NO MORE QUESTIONS!
DOCTOR: If you want us...if you want us to cooperate you must expect questions!
KROTON-COMMANDER: UNLESS YOU DO AS WE ORDER YOU WILL BE DISPERSED!
DOCTOR: Very well, but that won't help you, will it?
KROTON-COMMANDER: WE'RE WASTING TIME! THE DYNOTROPE WAS PART OF A BATTLE FLEET, TWO OF OUR CREW WERE EXHAUSTED BY ENEMY f*re.
ZOE: Do you mean that they were k*lled?
KROTON-COMMANDER: CEASED TO FUNCTION. WE CARRIED OUT THE EMERGENCY PROCEDURE AND LANDED ON THE NEAREST PLANET. TO CONSERVE POWER WE SET THE DYNOTROPE IN PERPETUAL s*ab.
DOCTOR: Ooh I see! And you set the-the machines systems to educate the Gonds up to the standard you require.
(Without moving the Doctor moves the bottle behind his back, tapping it lightly against her behind. She takes it.)
KROTON-COMMANDER: YES. THEY WERE PRIMITIVES.
ZOE: Well you didn't have to k*ll them to do that!
KROTON-COMMANDER: GOND SAMPLES WERE BROUGHT IN FOR TESTING AT INTERVALS. THE DYNOTROPE ABSORBED THEIR MENTAL POWER INTO IT'S CIRCUITS - THE WASTE MATTER WAS REJECTED.
KROTON: AND DISPERSED. NINE MINUTES TO EXHAUST TIME, COMMANDER!
27, INT: LEARNING HALL
(With cloths still over their mouths, Jamie and Beta, struggle into the hall. Between them they are dragging large three-foot high earthenware urn, a steaming mixture bubbling within. A number of Gonds rush past them on their way out.)
BETA: Look out!
JAMIE: Hey now, careful. Hey watch it!
BETA: Watch it, it's deadly.
JAMIE: Cue back davit.
BETA: Ad admonito.
(Axus bars their way aggressively.)
AXUS: Where do you think you're going? What's that?
BETA: It's something called acid. The Doctor asked me to make it for him.
AXUS: He won't be needing that now. You've been wasting your time.
JAMIE: W-where is he then?
AXUS: He's joined the Krotons.
BETA: You mean he's gone into the machine?
JAMIE: Well what about Zoe?
VANA: Zoe too. The Krotons wanted them, and Eelek surrendered them.
JAMIE: You did what?
EELEK: The Krotons need your friends to enable them to leave our world.
JAMIE: And you just handed them over, did you?
EELEK: If the Krotons will leave our world, they're welcome to your friends.
JAMIE: Ya miserable...
(Beta stands between Jamie and Eelek.)
BETA: Careful Jamie!
EELEK: It's time we were leaving.
BETA: Leaving?
EELEK: Unless you want to die.
BETA: What are you talking about Eelek?
EELEK: Beta, for a scientist you're very stupid. The learning hall and most of our city is built around that Kroton's machine, and once that machine starts moving off...
BETA: The whole place will come down.
EELEK: Exactly, and you'll be buried alive.
JAMIE: Aye, well I'm staying. Somehow I'm gonna get the Doctor and Zoe out of there. Beta?
BETA: Yes, I'll stay here and help you.
EELEK: Vana?
VANA: I'll stay here and look after Thara. I'm not sensible enough to run away and leave my friends.
EELEK: No. Let them stay, and let them die.
BETA: He could be right you know.
JAMIE: Aye, maybe so. But I'm not going down without a fight. Now where do we put this stuff?
28, INT: CONTROL-CENTRE
KROTON-COMMANDER: PUT ON THE HEADSETS.
DOCTOR: Now just a moment. If we're going to help you transfer the Dynotrope back to your own planet, what's going to happen to us?
KROTON-COMMANDER: YOU WILL SUFFER NO HARM.
DOCTOR: Well how can we be sure of that? We die without oxygen you see. Er, just as you would die if anyone was to upset the stuff you're drawing from that t*nk.
KROTON-COMMANDER: TAKE UP YOUR POSITIONS.
DOCTOR: I was merely trying to say that if anyone was to contaminate what was in that t*nk, you'd know what it was like to breathe poisoned air!
(Behind her back, Zoe unscrews and tips the bottle of acid into the swirling t*nk of fluid, dropping the bottle in for good luck.)
KROTON: SIX MINUTES.
KROTON-COMMANDER: YOU HAVE NO CHOICE. PUT ON THE HEADSET.
DOCTOR: Oh well, I suppose we had better just take your word for it then.
KROTON-COMMANDER: SET THE TRANSFER LINK.
KROTON: FINAL PHASE ON a*t*matic.
DOCTOR: Oh. Now then ah, where do you want us to stand?
KROTON-COMMANDER: UNIMPORTANT.
DOCTOR: Oh. Well I'll stand over here then.
ZOE: Oh... Oh Doctor I wanted to stand over there.
DOCTOR: Oh my dear, oh well you stand there and I'll stand here. Better still, a much better idea. I'll stand here and you stand...
KROTON-COMMANDER: PUT ON THE HEADSETS OR YOU WILL BE DISPERSED!
DOCTOR: Alright, alright. How do, how do you wear these things?
ZOE: Nothing seems to be happening.
DOCTOR: Alright, give it time, give it time.
(The Doctor puts the headset on sideways and pretends to make it slip from his head.)
DOCTOR: Oh, ha-ha! Butterfingers!
(He picks it up again.)
ZOE: Oh Doctor you are clumsy!
(Zoe puts on her headset.)
KROTON-COMMANDER: ENOUGH OF THIS! PUT ON THE HEADSETS!
DOCTOR: Well it's your fault, you're making me nervous!
(Zoe seems to be in silent pain as the headset tunes in with her mental energy. Suddenly the Krotons begin to gurgle horribly as they were choking on their fluid. The creatures collapse to the floor. The Doctor whips the headset off Zoe.)
DOCTOR: Down Zoe!
(The Doctor and Zoe throw themselves to the floor as the falling Kroton activates the dispersion unit which fires harmlessly into the air above them, then runs down until it is empty. They stand up and glance down at the once imposing forms of the Krotons that now lie on the floor, like a couple of broken and defeated toys.)
DOCTOR: Are you alright Zoe?
ZOE: Yeah. Look Doctor, it's dissolving.
(The Kroton's heads begin to sizzle and melt away.)
DOCTOR: Yeah...yeah. It's returning to it's basic form.
ZOE: Oh Doctor! These fumes, they're choking!
DOCTOR: Yes, we must get out of here. Zoe, look!
(The walls begin to run like molten wax.)
DOCTOR: The machine, it's melting! Come on, let's get out of here before we're trapped.
29, INT: LEARNING HALL
(Jamie and Beta have enlisted some help, and between them they struggle to pour the acid from two large urns over the base of the machine. The amount of smoke it seems to be generating indicates that the acid is rapaciously feasting upon the crystalline structure. The Doctor and Zoe rush through the doorway which has opened again, probably due to the circuits malfunctioning.)
JAMIE: Doctor, Zoe!
BETA: What happened?
JAMIE: Did you get out alright?
DOCTOR: Yes.
JAMIE: How are you?
DOCTOR: Yeah..yes, well I'm a little bit shaken; but ah, not half so bad as the Krotons I can assure you. What're you doing here?
THARA: Look at the machine!
VANA: It's working Thara! Look, it's working.
30, MODEL sh*t: MACHINE
(The huge honeycomb bulk of the machine continues to blister and melt away.)
31, INT: LEARNING HALL
ZOE: Well what made you think of pouring acid on it?
BETA: Well we reckoned that if the Doctor thought it worthwhile experimenting with a few drops, we'd see what a few gallons would do.
DOCTOR: Oh Well done!
(He chuckles.)
ZOE: But how did you know that the machine would dissolve?
DOCTOR: Mm? Oh, well the machine was eighty percent tellurium, Zoe. And tellurium is soluble in sulphuric acid.
ZOE: But the machine wasn't pure tellurium.
DOCTOR: Well the acid wasn't pure sulphuric acid, but it worked didn't it? Come on, let's get away. I don't like goodbyes.
(Silently, they creep away.)
32, MODEL sh*t: MACHINE
(The melting machine begins to come away in chunks, dribbling from the widening wounds in it's surface like rivers of poisonous pus.)
33, INT: LEARNING HALL
VANA: It's finished now, isn't it?
THARA: Yes it is finished - the end of the Krotons. We're free at last!
VANA: We still have Eelek to deal with.
THARA: That will be my pleasure. I shall take over from my father as leader of the Gonds whatever Eelek thinks.
BETA: And we can develop our own science, the Doctor can help...
(He looks around.)
BETA: Doctor?
THARA: They've gone.
BETA: But I wanted to ask his advice! There's so much to be done!
THARA: We'll have to find our own answers now, Beta.
34, INT: CLIFFSIDE
(High up on a cliffside, a blue "POLICE PUBLIC CALL BOX" contrasts vividly against the yellow landscape. Slowly, it begins to judder as tired engines grind into their own curious, painful melody. The box begins to slip out of phase with the reality around it, fading away like a summer breeze. With nothing to bear witness to it's passing except a cluster of silent, sulphurous rocks.) | {"type": "series", "show": "Doctor Who", "episode": "06x22 - The Krotons - part 4"} | foreverdreaming |
The Seeds of Death
Episode One
By Brian Hayles and Terrance Dicks
Original Air Date: 25 January, 1969
5:15pm - 5:40pm
1, MODEL sh*t: SPACE
(The vast white-hot orb of the sun is eclipsed from the dark side of the moon, beyond which spins the green and blue jewel in the crown of the star system -
the third planet.)
2, INT: EARTH-CONTROL
(T-Mat Earth Control, London, is a hive of activity, like a kind of busy air-traffic control centre. Technicians in futuristic grey PVC uniforms rush about from console to console controlling and regulating the busy teleporter activity. The main chamber itself is sparse, metallic and extremely futuristic in design with large illuminated maps of every location and Travel-Mat reception centre in the world. Monitor screens and banks of controls hum and blink everywhere under watchful eyes. To the sides are rows of empty T-Mat cubicles, resembling telephone booths. In one corner a large computer with winking lights which is emblazoned with the T-Mat logo sits churning out information to the technicians via a large speaker.)
COMPUTER: b*mb/TOKYO SHIPMENT ACTIVATED. b*mb SENDING NOW, TOKYO RECEIVING NOW. DISPATCH COMPLETED. NEW YORK TO MOSCOW DELAY, MOONBASE CLEARANCE AWAITED. STOCKHOLM/WASHINGTON PERSONNEL/TRANSPORTATION. STOCKHOLM SENDING NOW, WASHINGTON RECEIVING NOW. DISPATCH COMPLETED. NON-ARRIVAL SHIPMENT OF SYNTHETIC PROTEIN. NEW YORK TO MOSCOW, MOONBASE CLEARANCE AWAITED.
(Technical Co-ordinator Gia Kelly is a young blonde with a stern face and an abrupt attitude and is wearing a black PVC uniform of different design to the technicians. She calls over to her assistant.)
KELLY: Brent?
BRENT: Yes Miss Kelly?
KELLY: Why is there a delay with Moon Control?
BRENT: There's some mix up with the Moscow shipment, it seems to have landed up in Canberra.
KELLY: Fewsham again I suppose? Take Moscow out of phase while they sort it out.
(Brent moves to a panel and flips a few switches.)
BRENT: Moscow sending, Moonbase clear.
COMPUTER: TORONTO/CALCUTTA SYSTEM ACTIVATED. TORONTO SENDING NOW, CALCUTTA RECEIVING NOW. DISPATCH COMPLETED.
BRENT: Moscow ready now, Miss Kelly.
KELLY: Report Canberra/Moscow situation please.
COMPUTER: CANBERRA/MOSCOW CLEAR.
KELLY: Brent, tell Canberra to activate now.
BRENT: Canberra/Moscow, go ahead please.
COMPUTER: CANBERRA SENDING NOW, MOSCOW RECEIVING NOW. DISPATCH COMPLETED.
(There is a chime of autowarning from a nearby cubicle and a man appears out of thin air carrying a briefcase.)
OSGOOD: Goood morning Gia!
KELLY: Morning. Just as well you've arrived.
OSGOOD: Why what's up?
KELLY: The sooner you take over from Fewsham on Moon control, the better.
OSGOOD: Oh not again!
KELLY: All T-Mat consignments are five minutes behind schedule!
OSGOOD: What?
KELLY: Fewsham routed a large Moscow consignment through to Canberra.
OSGOOD: Oh he's a lunatic!
KELLY: You should never have recommended him for an Assistant Controller's job in the first place.
OSGOOD: Yes...I know now. But I thought he deserved a break.
KELLY: Sentimental. He'll do something really disastrous one day and you'll have to answer for it.
OSGOOD: So I'll go and work in a synthetics factory...
(He laughs, but Kelly deliberately refuses to participate.)
KELLY: It's your career.
OSGOOD: So it is. Hey, have you got a T-Mat cubicle ready for me?
KELLY: Yes, number six.
OSGOOD: Seeya later!
(He moves across and walks into one of the clear-sided booths.)
KELLY: Prepare lunar cubicle number six for transport to Moon Control.
BRENT OOV: Ready and waiting.
(Kelly spares Osgood a glance as he is waiting to leave and he blows her a kiss through the clear perspex of the T-Mat cubicle. She is unmoved.)
KELLY: Activate.
(Osgood fades into nothingness.)
BRENT: Lucky he got here before your man arrived.
KELLY: Yes, he's late. Keep a public T-Mat cubicle open for him.
BRENT: Right. Circle cubicle two, hold it open.
KELLY: Report Moonbase situation please.
COMPUTER: MOONBASE CLEAR. ROUTINE SHIPMENTS TRANSFERRING ON a*t*matic CONTROL. LOCAL ARRIVAL CUBICLE-TWO ACTIVATING.
(T-Mat Cubical two glows and a white-haired man appears, then disembarks.)
RADNOR: Morning Brent.
BRENT: Morning sir.
RADNOR: Morning Gia, all functioning well?
KELLY: Yes Commander Radnor.
RADNOR: In your case Miss Kelly, efficiency and charm go hand in hand.
KELLY: I try to keep things running smoothly.
RADNOR: Nothing ever goes wrong while you're on duty.
KELLY: I don't allow it.
(Radnor strides past the computer and though the doorway into his office.)
3, MODEL sh*t: SPACE
(Past the sphere of the Earth is the vast rock of the moon.)
4, MODEL sh*t: THE MOONBASE
(On the inhospitable surface of the moon, the Moonbase is like a tiny metal self-contained city. There is a cluster of main buildings, external ports for vehicles. The main features however, is a vast array of aerials and dishes for controlling the entire world's T-Mat traffic with.)
5, INT: MOONBASE-CONTROL
(Moonbase Control is large, but doesn't appear to be as packed with technicians as Earth Control. Most of the systems being a*t*matic allowing for only a skeleton crew on the Moonbase. There are the usual T-Mat booths along one wall, and a central bank of control consoles and monitors in the centre of the room.
To the right is a doorway into the main complexes, at directly ahead is a large screen of gently pulsing lights. Osgood is in the process of tearing a strip off a nonchalant young technician who is sitting at the controls. Fewsham is staring guiltily ahead steadfastly refusing to meet Osgood's gaze as if he were attempting to atone for accidentally drifting off to sleep at the controls.)
OSGOOD: You may have been on duty all night Fewsham, but that's no excuse for this kind of slip up!
FEWSHAM: They weren't a major hold ups, just a few minutes!
(Osgood faces Fewsham angrily.)
OSGOOD: Kelly was going mad back in Earth Control!
FEWSHAM: She would!
OSGOOD: Look I'm sorry Fewsham, but it's my head in the noose as well you know!
FEWSHAM: I know, I'm... sorry.
(He looks genuinely upset, and Osgood softens.)
OSGOOD: I.. Oh alright. Go on, you'd better get back to Earth.
(Fewsham moves over to one of the cubicles, but as he has his hand on the door, an electronic auto-alert begins to pulse and a light blinks on the console.)
OSGOOD: Now what?!
FEWSHAM: The outer door airlocks.
OSGOOD: Who's there?
FEWSHAM: No-one.
OSGOOD: Then how come the airlocks are in use?
(There is a scream from the corridor beyond the main control room. Osgood runs to the doors and a technician falls through into his arms, as if he were slightly concussed. He shakes his head and begins to come to.)
OSGOOD: Phipps, what is it man?! What's happened? Come on man!
(The scream sounds again from just down the corridor, and two technicians run through the doorway skidding to a halt inside the main control room.)
LOCKE: Close the doors, we've got to keep...
(From the corridor beyond, something very large lumbers towards the room. All of the men are rooted the spot in terror of what they see before them.)
OSGOOD: Don't move anyone, don't do anything!
(Harvey runs across the room in an attempt to escape.)
OSGOOD: Harvey don't!
(But Osgood has spoken too late. A w*apon is brought to bear, and flashes bright white. With a burble of resounding airwaves, a wobbling translucent ball of force sails through the air and hits Harvey squarely in the chest. He twists in and out as if he were made of putty and slumps to the ground. The creatures enter the room without any further resistance.)
6, INT: EARTH-CONTROL
(A light on Kelly's console marked "Delay" begins to blink.)
BRENT: Oh not again.
KELLY: The second Moscow consignment?
BRENT: Yes. They'll think we're deliberately sabotaging their stuff if this goes on.
KELLY: T-Mat reception Earth to Moon, Controller Kelly calling. Switch your communication links to video.
(The video screen remains blank.)
KELLY: Osgood's gone too far this time. There'll be trouble!
(She get ups up and strides resolutely over to Commander Radnor's office.)
7, INT: MOONBASE-CONTROL
(Osgood is conducting a conversation with the inv*de who are barking orders at him in their cold hissing tones.)
OSGOOD: No, I refuse!
SLAAR: You would be wise to co-operate at once. Otherwise you will be destroyed.
OSGOOD: Well I, I-I suppose that leaves me no alternative.
(He goes over to the console and makes a few adjustments.)
PHIPPS: Don't do it!
SLAAR: Silence!
OSGOOD: There's a...certain element of risk in what you're asking me to do.
SLAAR: You are wasting time!
(Osgood operates the controls on a console inlaid with a monitor screen. There is a strangled whine if dying circuits from the panel and wisps of smoke begin to issue forth from beneath the casing.)
SLAAR: What is happening?
OSGOOD: I'm, er...I'm afraid there has been a fault. The er, circuits overloaded. Very unfortunate.
(He tries to conceal the smirk which is making a break for his face.)
SLAAR: You have deliberately sabotaged this apparatus! k*ll him!
(There is another bubbling whine of displaced air as the w*apon is fired again, and a wave of force blitzes through Osgood's defenceless frame. He falls to the floor in a shroud of waxy smoke.)
8, MODEL sh*t: SPACE
(From the dark side of the moon, the view switches across the empty wastes of space to that of the Earth again.)
9, INT: EARTH-CONTROL
(Radnor stands in the doorway of his office with his arms crossed.)
RADNOR: I thought the system was infallible?
KELLY: It won't be anything serious.
RADNOR: I'm glad you think so.
KELLY: Brent, is there any obvious damage?
BRENT: No damage reported, all links s*ab.
RADNOR: That's only local, surely
KELLY: It's only one stage of the checking process. Report on Intercity T-Mat breakdown.
COMPUTER: COMPLETE POWER PHASE BLANK.
KELLY: State of materialisation pulse generator?
COMPUTER: OVERLOADED IN POWER SURGE, NO DAMAGE THIS END.
KELLY: Check with Moonbase.
COMPUTER: PRIMARY VIDEO LINK d*ad.
KELLY: Cause?
COMPUTER: BEING INVESTIGATED.
RADNOR: Are you sure it isn't serious?
KELLY: My staff are running a thorough and immediate check, until I have their report I can't answer.
RADNOR: Then they'd better hurry. I want that report soon!
(He storms off.)
10, INT: TARDIS CONSOLE ROOM
(The tortured juddering sound of materialisation echoes around the console room, appearing to emanate from the centre column of the control console. In the surgically white roundelled room stand Jamie, Zoe and the Doctor.)
ZOE: Doctor, if we've landed, where are we?
DOCTOR: That is what I am trying to find out Zoe.
(The Doctor twists a control on the console and an image sharpens into focus on the external viewer screen mounted on the wall. The view outside is dark, but one thing can be made out, the unmistakable shape of...)
ZOE: A rocket!
JAMIE: Aye, we're just hanging in space!
DOCTOR: Well we can't be.
ZOE: Well let's try and find a star we know.
(She tries to manipulate the controls but the Doctor bats away her hand, much to her annoyance. With effort he twists the controls some more and the view revolves to a close up image of a space suit.)
DOCTOR: Ah there we are. Oh... What in heavens name?
JAMIE: Hey, what's he up to?!
ZOE: He's trying to climb aboard!
DOCTOR: Just a minute, just a minute!
(He wrestles the image back to that of the rocket.)
DOCTOR: Oh this-this control, it's urgh... There we are. Now-now that, that's an ion-jet rocket of-of the twenty-first century; but-but, this helmet if I can... There we are! Uh..
(The view shifts back to the space suit.)
DOCTOR: That's not nearly so sophisticated, it's certainly not later than 1960.
JAMIE: W-well those letters on his helmet?
ZOE: C-C-C-P.
JAMIE: ah.
DOCTOR: Oh, of course!
JAMIE: What?
DOCTOR: Er.. Just a minute. Ah-ah.
(He twists the knob a little more and an old painting, the blueprints for some kind of a mechanical device materialises on the screen, written in some kind of ancient foreign scrawl.)
DOCTOR: Yes I, yes I think that explains it!
ZOE: Oh Doctor, what is it?
DOCTOR: Mm? Well it's um, it's a flying machine. Er, designed by er, a gentleman by the name of Leonardo Da Vinci in about um, 1500, um...
JAMIE: Well what's it doing up here?
ZOE: Doctor?!
DOCTOR: Mm?
ZOE: Where are we?
JAMIE: Yeah!
DOCTOR: Mm? We're in a museum!
JAMIE: Eh?
DOCTOR: A space museum! Look! There you are, a balloon...
(A primitive hot air balloon. Next, a picture of a futuristic cross between a concorde and a spaceshuttle.)
ZOE: Oh.
DOCTOR: ...That's a Transporter.
(He swivels the view to look at the space suit again.)
DOCTOR: And, now, here those initials - they stand for Russia. That's Gagarin, the first Earth-man in space! Look! Come on, let's have a look round shall we?
(Jamie and Zoe puzzle to themselves over a picture of the moon which has the words "TRAVELMAT RELAY" printed over it. The Doctor flips a control and the huge main-doors in the corner of the room swing open. Jamie and Zoe rush out of them excitedly. The Doctor stops to grab his frock coat and scrambles after them.)
DOCTOR: Wait for me!
11, INT: SPACE MUSEUM
(Through the doors is a large chamber filled with a mass of space related paraphernalia. In one corner is an astral map, in another is a large rocket on the ground, and all around are models of various sizes. The rocket they saw on the monitor is sitting on a table against a vast decorative space backdrop.)
JAMIE: Hey, quite a place isn't it?!
DOCTOR: Oh my word.
JAMIE: Hey, look at the size of this one Doc!
DOCTOR: Yeah, my word Jamie, look at that.
ZOE: Oh Doctor look!
DOCTOR: Very large.
ZOE: Doctor, look!
JAMIE OOV: Hey, look at that!
(The Doctor looks at the cosmonaut's suit then turns to the model of the ion-jet rocket, reaching out and touching it lovingly. Zoe leans on a nearby control panel, she is spoilt for choice, not knowing which button to push first.)
DOCTOR: Now, I tell you, Zoe!
(There is a double chime and behind Zoe a long screen unfolds. Jamie spins around and puts a protective arm around Zoe, but she just gazes at the screen.)
JAMIE: Oh, what's that?!
(A voice from, a hidden speaker narrates as pictures flood across the screen.)
NARRATOR: Travel-Mat is the ultimate form of travel. Control centre of the present system is the moon, serving receptions at all major cities on the Earth. Travel-Mat provides an instantaneous means of public travel, transports raw materials and essential food supplies to all parts of the world.
JAMIE: Travel-Mat? It sounds like a flying carpet!
(Zoe laughs with him, but the Doctor holds up a hand.)
DOCTOR: Ssh! Shush Jamie, I'm trying to listen!
NARRATOR: Travel-Mat supersedes all conventional methods of transport. Using the principle of dematerialisation at the point of departure, and rematerialisation at the point of arrival in special cubicles, departure and arrival are almost instantaneous.
ZOE: Faster than light!
NARRATOR: Although the system is still it its early stages it completely automated, and foolproof against power failure.
JAMIE: Aye, well we have our own system thank you, only it isn't foolproof!
ZOE: Right!
(They laugh with each other again like a pair of children sharing a highly original joke for the first time. The screen retracts again.)
DOCTOR: Jamie, I think that that is just a tiny bit...
(He feels he is being watched so he turns and stares straight into the barrel of some kind of ray g*n. Wearily he raises his hands in the manner he has become so accustomed to, and Jamie and Zoe follow suit.)
12, INT: MOONBASE-CONTROL
(In the main control room the mysterious inv*de Slaar is attempting to coerce an extremely frightened Fewsham to do his bidding as the other technicians look on from across the room.)
SLAAR: You saw what happened to your superior. You would do well to co-operate.
FEWSHAM: k*lling him didn't do you any good!
SLAAR: But you will do as I ask.
FEWSHAM: There is nothing I can do!
SLAAR: You do not want to die?
FEWSHAM: Look, I'm not that good enough a technician. It needs an expert.
SLAAR: But you are second in command here.
FEWSHAM: Yes, but...
SLAAR: Then you must have certain abilities, you must know what needs to be done!
FEWSHAM: In theory, yes...
SLAAR: Then you will do it.
PHIPPS: He'll only make it worse!
SLAAR: What is their status here?
FEWSHAM: Maintenance. Second class technicians.
LOCKE: There's only one person who can really put things to rights and she's back at Earth Control. Without her it just can't be done!
SLAAR: Who is this specialist?
FEWSHAM: Miss Kelly, technical co-ordinator. But there's no way to reach her, T-Mat's not working!
SLAAR: But you have a video link!
FEWSHAM: Yes but...Osgood wrecked that too.
SLAAR: So, there is no means to communicate with Earth.
PHIPPS: No, you've cut us off completely!
SLAAR: In that case you are useless. You will all be destroyed.
FEWSHAM: No...there's the emergency T-Mat link! It only operates from here to Earth.
SLAAR: Then you will activate the apparatus. At once.
FEWSHAM: It's damaged too!
SLAAR: The technicians will help you repair it.
PHIPPS: We won't help you, neither will he.
SLAAR: Then he will die.
(Fewsham looks fearfully at the inv*de.)
SLAAR: You will start work at once. There will be a guard at the door. When I return you will have the T-mat link ready for operation.
(The inv*de strides out of the room.)
PHIPPS: Don't be such a fool Fewsham, if we repair the emergency link then these creatures can travel to Earth!
FEWSHAM: What about us?
PHIPPS: Do you think that will make any difference in the end? As soon as he gets what he wants, well, we'll mean nothing to him!
FEWSHAM: And if we co-operate with them, at least there's a chance!
PHIPPS: Osgood didn't take it!
FEWSHAM: You saw! Do you think I want to die like that? I wanna live!
13, INT: EARTH-CONTROL
KELLY: Brent is there anything at all, any trace of a reason?
BRENT: Every link has been double-checked. This end is functioning normally.
KELLY: Then it must be Moonbase!
BRENT: We've no way of checking their apparatus from this end, and they don't answer our call.
KELLY: Where's Commander Radnor?
BRENT: Not back from the Intercity Council yet.
KELLY: He'll expect a full report.
BRENT: Well there it is, we've even checked the computer.
(He hands her a stack of papers and walks away. Radnor appears in the doorway behind Miss Kelly.)
RADNOR: Have you located the cause of the breakdown?
KELLY: This end is completely clear.
RADNOR: That isn't what I want to know.
KELLY: We cannot trace the fault.
(She tries to walk off, but Radnor stops her.)
RADNOR: MISS KELLY! I have senior government officials hounding me. They expect a more informative answer and so do I.
KELLY: There isn't one, the trouble is at Moonbase.
RADNOR: Why can't you deal with it?
KELLY: We can't get there!
BRENT: We can't even talk to them!
RADNOR: Do you mean to tell me that there's no other way of contacting them?
BRENT: No.
KELLY: Only by rocket.
(She smirks in a patronising manner as if she had just made an extremely funny joke, and Brent laughs. But Radnor seems to have had a sudden flash of an idea at this comment.)
RADNOR: That could be our only answer!
BRENT: But... The only place you'd find a rocket is... In a museum.
RADNOR: Exactly.
KELLY: And even if there was one that was operational, there's no-one that could control such a project.
RADNOR: You're wrong. There is just one man, one man alone who can help us now!
(He looks triumphant, his conference having brought about a decisive course of action on the situation at last.)
14, INT: SPACE MUSEUM
(The elderly, portly figure of Professor Eldred, the owner of the museum is harshly quizzing the travellers at g*n.)
ELDRED: For the last time, who are you and what are you doing in my private workshop?
DOCTOR: Now-now just listen, there-there really is no need for all these, these-these histrionics! Ah... We are perfectly harmless.
ELDRED: How did you even get in here?
DOCTOR: Oh well, the usual way, we-we just materialised.
ELDRED: The T-Mat cubicle always gives a*t*matic warnings - but it didn't this time!
ZOE: Well that's not our fault, is it?
ELDRED: Why did you come?
DOCTOR: Well this is a museum.
ELDRED: Well the museum is...
(He notices the TARDIS for the first time.)
ELDRED: Well what on Earth's that? It-it's a twentieth-century Police-Box isn't it?
DOCTOR: Well, yes, in a way.
ELDRED: Well how did a thing like that get in my museum!
ZOE: Oh well, you could say it's a form of space ship.
DOCTOR: Er, Zoe, I think we do owe this gentleman an apology. We really are most interested in the museum, Mr um?
ELDRED: Eldred, Professor Eldred. Look the museum is closed to the general public. You've obviously made a mistake, perhaps you'd be good enough to leave?
JAMIE: Er, are you in charge of this place?
ELDRED: I own it, that is why I have the right to ask you to leave!
DOCTOR: Yes but there's no need to thr*at us you know!
ELDRED: Trespassers are not welcome. Will you please GO?!
ZOE: We're not trespassers, we're very interested.
ELDRED: Interested? In Professor Eldred and his antiquated machines? Come for a good laugh I suppose like the rest of them!
DOCTOR: Laugh? What d'you mean people laugh at all this? Why, it's a magnificent exhibition!
ELDRED: We've had enough souvenir hunters too!
JAMIE: Ah, now we're not thieves you know!
DOCTOR: No of course not, we haven't come here to take anything. We-we genuinely are interested in space travel!
(He moves the large model of the ion-jet rocket to get a better look at it.)
DOCTOR: Why, especially a thing like this - this is superb!
ELDRED: Yes, magnificent. It was to have been the vehicle to take man beyond the moon. T-Mat put a stop to all that.
DOCTOR: What, you mean this model's been abandoned? But it's speed and s*ab concept alone, it's a tremendous advance in rocket design!
ELDRED: Exactly! Exactly! Here-here...let me show it to you, let me show it to you!
(The three breathe a silent, communal sigh of relief as he places down his w*apon and rushes over to where the Doctor is to give him a lecture on the main love in his life.)
DOCTOR: I'll give you an hand, here we are.
(Together the Doctor and Eldred move the ion-jet rocket down to another table.)
DOCTOR: Oh yes this is superb, my word...
ELDRED: And the secret, the real breakthrough, was a compact generator of enormous power!
DOCTOR: I see, and these must be the secondary-electrode accelerators.
ELDRED: Yes. You see it b*at the, er, the, er, problem of the neutron-caesiam ions - and incidentally magnified the G-Thrust to fantastic
proportions!
DOCTOR: Well that was awkward, what did you do about that?
ELDRED: Well, I'll-I'll show you. Come with me, I'll show you.
(The Doctor and Eldred walk off across the room to study design schematics like a couple of old schoolfriends.)
DOCTOR: What have we go here, ah blueprints!
JAMIE: Look at them, like a couple of kids!
ZOE: Yeah, you can tell he's almost in love with that rocket!
(From across the room Eldred has heard Zoe's comment.)
JAMIE: Ssh ssh!
ELDRED: That's not surprising - I designed it. I've been in rocketry all my life. My father engineered the first lunar passenger module, and I travelled back on the last trip back to Earth. Before it all finished.
ZOE: Before all what finished?
ELDRED: Space travel.
ZOE: But if the rocket was so good, why stop at the moon?
JAMIE: Aye, why end there?
ELDRED: Because of T-Mat. T-Mat the ultimate in travel. With about as much sense of adventure as a-a synthetic carbohydrates factory!
DOCTOR: But-but surely rockets would still be useful as an auxiliary means of transport wouldn't they? Besides, how would man get beyond the moon?
ELDRED: Nobody cares anymore about exploring space! Life made...well it was made too easy by T-Mat.
DOCTOR: I see, so you lost government backing?
ELDRED: The project was abandoned, except by me.
15, INT: MOONBASE-CONTROL
(Fewsham is trying to get Phipps and Lock to help him repair the T-Mat, but they seem be standing reluctantly by.)
FEWSHAM: You've gotta help me! If we don't repair it we'll all be k*lled!
PHIPPS: Maybe we could repair it and T-Mat back to London?
FEWSHAM: With that thing guarding the door? I'm going to keep on trying!
(Fewsham moves to go, but Locke grabs him by the arm.)
LOCKE: Maybe there is something we can do...
PHIPPS: What?
FEWSHAM: Alan are you serious?
(Locke moves to the console.)
FEWSHAM: What are you doing?
LOCKE: The video link with Earth. Yes it's not so badly damaged as the T-Mat.
FEWSHAM: We were told to repair the T-Mat link, not the video!
PHIPPS: Let's have a look. We can't just give ourselves up. Maybe we can get a message through by video?
FEWSHAM: Look, the guard will see what we're doing, he'll k*ll us!
(Locks looks sternly at Fewsham.)
LOCKE: You play your game, we'll play ours.
16, INT: SPACE MUSEUM
ELDRED: No more money, no more facilities. A life's work abandoned just like that! All because of T-Mat.
DOCTOR: Well I can understand your bitterness. Very short-sighted of the government to put all their eggs in one basket.
ELDRED: Mm. You, er, still haven't told me who you are and what you're doing here.
(An electronic chime begins to echo through the room.)
DOCTOR: Well...
ELDRED: That...that's the main-door alarm! What's going on?
(Radnor and Kelly stride through the door. Radnor walks up to Eldred and shakes him by the hand.)
RADNOR: Professor Daniel Eldred, well well well.
(He laughs pleasantly.)
ELDRED: Radnor! Come to see how your spies are getting on?
RADNOR: Pardon?
(He turns to the Doctor.)
RADNOR: I'm Sorry, I don't think we've met. My name's Radnor, this is Miss Kelly.
DOCTOR: Oh, ah, how do you do. Er, this is Zoe, Jamie and I'm the Doctor.
ZOE: Hello
JAMIE: Hello
ELDRED: Oh Radnor, don't pretend that you don't know them!
RADNOR: I can assure you I've never met them before in my life.
(The Doctor mouths "come on!" and the travellers slink off while Eldred and Radnor are arguing.)
ELDRED: I see, I find three strangers prowling around my museum, and by the merest co-incidence you turn up on their very heels!
RADNOR: I can assure you I merely wanted a chat with a very old friend.
ELDRED: Why, you've done without a chat for a good many years.
RADNOR: Old times, friendships don't die.
ELDRED: Our friendship died the day that you walked out of my laboratory and joined the government administration on T-Mat!
RADNOR: Different men, different careers, Daniel.
ELDRED: Yeees, but you happened to know which career was going to be financed by government funds!
RADNOR: But you could have come over with us, we asked you to join us.
ELDRED: Yes, and worked as Miss Kelly's assistant perhaps?
KELLY: You know I respect your work Professor Eldred. We would have welcomed you on T-Mat.
ELDRED: I prefer rockets, obsolete as they are.
RADNOR: Not so obsolete as all that Daniel, eh?
ELDRED: What?
(He moves the model of the ion-jet rocket as he examines it.)
RADNOR: We don't miss very much, you know.
ELDRED: So you've been spying on me!
RADNOR: Oh no-no-no-no-no. We stopped that a long time ago.
ELDRED: I should think so, what's wrong with running a private museum?
RADNOR: Nothing. But you're doing rather more than that, aren't you, Daniel?
ELDRED: Alright, what if I am? It's a free country isn't it? What's wrong with having a-a hobby?
RADNOR: Rather more than a hobby. Preparing an ion rocket for an unauthorised journey into space!
ELDRED: Alright, so you know...
(Radnor nods.)
RADNOR: Uh.
ELDRED: What do you intend to do?
RADNOR: My dear fellow, help you of course.
ELDRED: What?!
RADNOR: You can make your trip with full government backing - as long as it's to the moon.
ELDRED: Why the moon?
(Radnor opens his mouth to reply, but Kelly beats him to it.)
KELLY: There's a minor fault developed at T-Mat control, at Moonbase.
RADNOR: And we have to put it right quickly!
ELDRED: I thought T-Mat was infallible!
KELLY: It will be eventually, however we have no way of reaching the moon.
ELDRED: Except by out of date rocket! Oh that's perfect, ha-ha! So you need me after all!
RADNOR: I thought you'd be taken with the idea, Daniel. And a large sum of government funds wouldn't come amiss would they? Now, how soon can you be ready to...
(He tries to remember the correct terminology.)
RADNOR: ..."Blast off." Well come on man, it's urgent! Can you give me an approximate ETD?
ELDRED: I could.
RADNOR: Good!
ELDRED: But I won't!
RADNOR: Why?! There are no strings!
ELDRED: I don't have to give you reasons. I'm just telling you that I REFUSE!
17, INT: MOONBASE-CONTROL
(Locke finishes wiring in a final connection into a lash-up of components that is sitting on the console.)
LOCKE: Right, that should do it.
PHIPPS: I'll switch on the power.
FEWSHAM: You fools! When they find out we'll all be k*lled!
(Locke turns on the video-link and faces it.)
LOCKE: Moonbase to T-Mat reception Earth, Moonbase to Earth. Emergency, emergency...
18, INT: SPACE MUSEUM
RADNOR: You CAN'T REFUSE MAN! There's more at stake than an out of date rocket programme!
(Eldred's video link bleeps.)
COMPUTER: COMMANDER RADNOR.
(Radnor looks up at the screen.)
RADNOR: Radnor. What is it?
COMPUTER: EMERGENCY MESSAGE FROM MOONBASE. SWITCHING THROUGH NOW.
LOCKE: Commander Radnor, Miss Kelly. We are in desperate trouble. Osgood is d*ad and we're...
(The video link goes blank.)
RADNOR: Locke, Locke!
(Radnor looks up at the screen helplessly.)
19, INT: MOONBASE-CONTROL
(large green claw grips the lash up and pulls it off the control panel. It smashes into fragments on the floor. They all wheel around and see the armour-plated head of the inv*de; a scaly, Martian Ice-Lord. It has a thin body and limbs compared to the others, with a smooth rounded green uniform instead of a shell. It's hands are large, clamp-shaped claws with a small tubular sonic w*apon grafted onto it's wrist. From the round helmet two blank and emotionless, electronically-enhanced eyes glare out, beneath which a scaly chin with razor-sharp teeth sneers. The whole creature has the air of an mechanically augmented half-reptile, half-machine.)
SLAAR: Guard!
(Through the doorway lumbers a huge green reptilian biped, it's body and limbs protected by thick green shell, and the joints in the armour sprout black tufts of hair.. It's head consists of a green helmet made of the same bumpy shell as it's body. It's hands are two large clamps, one armed with a same silver w*apon as it's Lord. It is unmistakably an Ice-Warrior.)
SLAAR: k*ll him!
(The warrior aims it's w*apon at Locke, and it flashes brightly. There is a high-pitched squeal of rending air and a force wave devours Locke. His lifeless body slumps to the floor like a marionette that has had it's strings cut. Phipps looks on in horror...) | {"type": "series", "show": "Doctor Who", "episode": "06x23 - The Seeds of Death - part 1"} | foreverdreaming |
The Seeds of Death
Episode Two
By Brian Hayles and Terrance Dicks
Original Air Date: 1 February, 1969
5:15pm - 5:40pm
1, INT: MOONBASE-CONTROL
(Slaar glares evilly at the humans.)
SLAAR: Guard!
(Through the doorway lumbers a huge green form of a Martian Ice-Warrior.)
SLAAR: k*ll him!
(The creature brings it's w*apon to bear on Locke, it flashes brightly and with a high-pitched squeal of rending airwaves and Locke falls down d*ad. Phipps watches in horror, then turns and desperately runs for the door of the control room.)
SLAAR: Stop him!
(The Warrior fires again, but the unfriendly soundwaves are seconds too late and rebound off harmlessly off the wall.)
SLAAR: Hunt that man! He must not escape!
(As the Warrior lumbers off after Phipps, the Ice-Lord turns accusingly back to Fewsham.)
SLAAR: You allowed them to send a message back to Earth.
FEWSHAM: They tricked me! I tried to stop them!
SLAAR: No matter. He will be found and k*lled.
FEWSHAM: What about me?
SLAAR: Have you repaired the emergency T-Mat link?
FEWSHAM: Not yet, It-it isn't easy.
SLAAR: But it is possible.
FEWSHAM: Yes, only give me time.
SLAAR: Very well. But now you know what will happen if you fail. You will die!
2, INT: EARTH-CONTROL
(Radnor turns and tries to reason with Eldred again.)
RADNOR: Daniel, don't you see this goes far beyond a petty quarrel over rockets and T-Mat! Those men at Moonbase are in serious trouble and we must help them.
ELDRED: You'll have to find some other way.
KELLY: With T-Mat d*ad there is no other way. Your rocket is our only hope of reaching the moon.
DOCTOR: Professor listen to them...
ELDRED: I'm listening.
DOCTOR: In a way this is a triumph for your rocket.
ELDRED: Is it?
RADNOR: Of course it is! The government recognises the fact.
ELDRED: Then the government is going to be disappointed!
(Eldred walks over to a corner of the museum and Radnor follows him.)
RADNOR: I don't understand you!
ELDRED: Oh, I'd better be frank with you...
RADNOR: Yes I think you'd better.
ELDRED: I must admit I played with the idea of making a space flight - I even prepared a rocket.
KELLY: Well then?
ELDRED: Well it was...just a dream - an illusion for a disappointed man.
KELLY: You mean there's nothing?
ELDRED: Oh, the rocket's there partially prepared.
RADNOR: Good!
ELDRED: As for an actual lift off...
RADNOR: We can do it Daniel, I know we can.
ELDRED: It takes more than enthusiasm to get a rocket off the ground!
RADNOR: You've only to ask for what you want. Funds, men, equipment...
ELDRED: It needs the one thing which you have not got - time!
KELLY: A crash programme with the best available technicians.
RADNOR: Hm.
ELDRED: It's nowhere near ready woman! Most of the equipment is still unchecked.
RADNOR: A computer can be programmed for that!
ELDRED: It would still be impossibly dangerous!
RADNOR: Daniel, it was you who created this rocket... It was your driving force and enthusiasm that got it off the drawing board! With you in control we can't fail to succeed!
ELDRED: That was a long time passed. Now my heart couldn't take the strain of the G-Force.
KELLY: That doesn't mean you experience and knowledge are useless. We need your guidance.
ELDRED: No...
(Eldred turns sadly and walks away again. Radnor circles for a moment, then gazes at the Professor from behind the console, and opens his mouth to argue further, but Eldred cuts him of before he can utter a word.)
ELDRED: I told you it's a dream! I can never go to the moon and neither can rocket - ZA685.
(A small way away Jamie and Zoe are having a conference of their own.)
JAMIE: Look, could we not help them? We could use the TARDIS.
(The Doctor's face silently appears from behind a beam as he listens to the conversation.)
ZOE: What for a trip to the moon?
JAMIE: Aye.
ZOE: We'd probably sh**t by a few million years.
JAMIE: Huh!
DOCTOR: Yes, or by a few million miles. I'm afraid that the TARDIS is not suited to short-range travel.
ZOE: Still, I think we should help them if we can.
JAMIE: Aye.
(They all look at the Doctor and after a short pause he smiles having reached a decision.)
DOCTOR: Yes.
(The Doctor moves back to where Eldred is still weighing up the cons of the space flight with Radnor and Kelly.)
DOCTOR: Erm, I think I could get your rocket to the moon.
(Eldred looks at the Doctor in surprise, having temporarily forgotten that he was there.)
ELDRED: You?!
DOCTOR: Yes, I have considerable knowledge in space travel, and so have my two companions.
(Radnor doesn't care who the Doctor is, for a moment he has heard a little glimmer of good news.)
RADNOR: Doctor that's splendid, thank you!
ELDRED: But the rocket is not ready!
(Radnor frowns again.)
DOCTOR: Well perhaps you're overestimating the difficulties? Ah, how much more work is required on your rocket?
ELDRED: It needs fuelling, a complete computerised check-up...
RADNOR: Well I can order that.
ELDRED: No I will not allow it! The risk is too great, no!
RADNOR: If there were any other way believe me I wouldn't even consider such a risk.
(Eldred thumps the table in anger.)
ELDRED: NO!
KELLY: There's, ah, always the chance that the problem at T-Mat will clear itself.
COMPUTER: COMMANDER RADNOR, URGENT.
RADNOR: Excuse me.
(Radnor walks over to the computer.)
RADNOR: Radnor. Go ahead.
COMPUTER: T-MAT RECEPTIONS NEW-YORK, MOSCOW, TOKYO EXPRESS GREAT CONCERN ABOUT CONTINUED HOLD-UP. MEDICAL SHIPMENTS AND FOOD SUPPLIES AWAITING TRANSIT TO ASIATIC CENTRES POSITION DESPERATE, CALCUTTA INSTRUCTIONS AWAITED.
(Radnor turns to Eldred.)
RADNOR: That's your answer!
DOCTOR: Well we're willing to help as I said.
ELDRED: You don't know what you're doing! It-it's su1c1de!
RADNOR: Listen if this fault lasts much longer there's going to be worldwide chaos, and world population is at stake!
ELDRED: Infallible T-Mat putting the world in jeopardy!
RADNOR: Alright I admit it.
ELDRED: And now you want this man to risk his life to get you out of trouble!
RADNOR: No not me, but thousands of people all over the world who will die if we don't take this risk! I'm sorry, but I've got no alternative.
Miss Kelly?
KELLY: Sir?
RADNOR: I want all technical personnel working on this. I want that rocket prepared for launching.
KELLY: Yes Commander.
(Miss Kelly strides out of the room, and Radnor turns back to Eldred.)
RADNOR: We'd be grateful for your help.
ELDRED: If that rocket is gonna get to the moon safely, you'll need more than help, you'll need a miracle!
4, INT: MOONBASE CORRIDOR
(An Ice-Warrior lumbers down the stark, metal beamed corridor, and meets up with another at the end.)
WARRIOR: Continue the search, he must not escape!
(Hissing at coldly at each other, they turn and depart again. One of them heads along the corridor and comes to a door marked "SOLAR ENERGY STORE ROOM")
5, INT: SOLAR-ENERGY STOREROOM
(Inside the small room packed with spare equipment and control panels stands Phipps. He has his back pressed up against a wall beside a piece of machinery as the Ice-Warrior moves to the door and pulls it open. The creature lumbers into the room and looks around, turning as it does so. A foot away, pressed up against the wall Phipps remains still and quiet. The warrior slowly turns full circle, it's gaze sweeping past where Phipps is. Finally making up it's mind that the room is empty, it strides out the doorway. Making sure that the coast is clear, Phipps moves over to the door and quietly closes it again. He thinks for a moment and then rushes to a desk and opens a box marked "SOLAR AMPLIFIER" and pulls out a large chunk of bare equipment...)
6, INT: SPACE MUSEUM
(Radnor and Kelly are whispering discreetly to themselves in a corner.)
KELLY: Commander?
RADNOR: Yes Miss Kelly?
KELLY: Do you think it's wise letting these people crew the rocket?
RADNOR: Wise? No of course it's not wise, but what's the alternative? We gave up training astronaughts years ago.
KELLY: But who are they?
RADNOR: Some of Eldred's crazy friends I imagine. But the man who calls himself the Doctor certainly knows his space travel.
KELLY: How can you be sure?
RADNOR: Well you wanted the briefing, but he and the girl know more about space flight than Eldred.
KELLY: What about the boy?
RADNOR: Yes I'm not sure about him.
(He turns and raises his voice.)
RADNOR: Er, Doctor...
DOCTOR: Yes?
RADNOR: Tell me, are all three of you planning to crew this rocket?
DOCTOR: Oh-oh of course you mean ah...
JAMIE: Oh aye of course, I can be useful too you know!
DOCTOR: Jamie I hadn't thought about you.
JAMIE: Hey, you're not leaving me behind and that's final!
ELDRED: There can be no excess weight on this trip.
JAMIE: Well how much does this rocket thing hold?
ELDRED: Well it was designed for a three man crew...
JAMIE: Ah, well then I'm going!
KELLY: Commander?
RADNOR: Yes Miss..er...
KELLY: The chemical fuel reserve pumps are barely adequate for the moon journey and return.
RADNOR: What about other sources of supply?
KELLY: New-York and Moscow. Transit impossible due to the T-Mat malfunction.
DOCTOR: But surely it's only a question of getting to the moon, we shall come back by T-Mat won't we?
(Somewhere someone drops a clanger.)
RADNOR: Mm? Possibly, depends what's wrong with it.
ELDRED: There is another source of supply.
RADNOR: Oh what's that?
ELDRED: The fuel dump on the moon. There's a refuelling system connected to the landing bay.
RADNOR: But surely that equipment hasn't been used for years!
ELDRED: Neither has the radio homing-beam, and if that doesn't work you'll never make a landing at all!
JAMIE: Oh, in that case we needn't worry about getting back!
ELDRED: Well all the equipment has been completely automated and solar powered. Designed all myself, no reason why it shouldn't work.
DOCTOR: I'm sure it will.
ELDRED: Are you sure that you've remembered all that I told you at the briefing?
JAMIE: Uh-huh.
DOCTOR: Oh yes, and even if I don't, Zoe has total recall.
ELDRED: Well just in case, I've written it all down here.
DOCTOR: There's no need, we...
JAMIE: Hah!
ELDRED: And there's a map of Moonbase-Two here.
DOCTOR: Uh-huh. There-there.
ELDRED: Now you know how to operate the homing beam?
DOCTOR: Now don't worry about a thing. Your rocket is going to be in good hands!
(Jamie clears his throat skeptically.)
DOCTOR: Yes, alright that's enough of that Jamie...
ELDRED: And remember you've only got enough food and water for three days.
DOCTOR: Yes, well we've taken...
(A short way away Kelly has reached a decision, and turns to Radnor.)
KELLY: Commander?
RADNOR: Yes Miss Kelly?
KELLY: I think I should go as crew on the rocket.
RADNOR: Don't be ridiculous! You're too valuable here.
KELLY: But how can T-Mat be repaired if I'm not there?
RADNOR: Well what about the other technicians a-already there?
KELLY: Osgood's d*ad!
RADNOR: Yes, well...what about Fewsham, Phipps and..?
KELLY: Oh he's incapable of repairing it! I think I should go.
RADNOR: No! You're the only one who really understands T-Mat. I can't have you risking your life.
KELLY: And yet you're perfectly prepared to let them risk theirs!
DOCTOR: Now don't worry Miss Kelly, we're going to be perfectly alright!
KELLY: But how can you be sure? You don't even know what the trouble is up there!
7, INT: MOONBASE-CONTROL
(Slaar moves across to the main panel where Fewsham is working.)
SLAAR: The emergency link with Earth, is it ready yet?
(Fewsham looks up from the component he is wiring.)
FEWSHAM: I've nearly finished.
SLAAR: Do not make any mistakes.
FEWSHAM: I am not an expert.
SLAAR: But you will do it.
FEWSHAM: Yes! But I don't see what good just this emergency link can be. Even if you had a gigantic army of warriors you couldn't send them all
to conquer Earth.
(The Ice-Lord hisses to himself as he attempts to be cryptic.)
SLAAR: We do not need an army. Earth will be ours for the taking, very soon...
8, INT: SOLAR-ENERGY STOREROOM
(Phipps stops working on his rig at the table, and looks around. He sees a battered looking circular tin solar heat-lamp and plugs it into the base of his lash-up. He holds a plug in his hand and searches around on the wall but doesn't find what he is looking for. He looks frantic, then moving a box aside he finds a socket marked "DANGER SOLAR POWER LINE".)
9, INT: ROCKET
(Images are shown on a circular monitor screen. With every new image there is a click. Professor Eldred's face appears first.)
ELDRED: Ignition, reserve power.
(His face is replaced by a gauge, then a switch then a bank of lights.)
ZOE OOV: Fully charged.
(Miss Kelly's face appears.)
KELLY: Internal atmosphere settings?
(Her face is replaced by some dial and a bank of lights, then two dials, then a row of switches.)
DOCTOR OOV: All normal.
(Eldred's face appears.)
ELDRED: Trajectory bearings, orbiter lock.
(His face is replaced by some dark circular indicators, then some dials and switches.)
ZOE: Pre-set registering normal functions.
10, INT: MISSION CONTROL
(A small T-Mat monitoring station has been set up as a temporary Mission Control site. A few technicians seated around and Eldred, Kelly and Radnor at the main bank of controls and monitors towards the front. Miss Kelly is stares at the console.)
KELLY: Lift off activation check complete.
(Kelly's face is superimposed onto the speaker of the computer.)
KELLY: All readings alpha-green.
RADNOR: Well done. In record time and not a thing wrong!
ELDRED: So far.
RADNOR: Doctor?
DOCTOR OOV: Er, yes?
RADNOR: Final check on procedure after you land.
DOCTOR OOV: Oh yes I know. We're to re-establish video link with the Earth.
RADNOR: Yes that's right. When we can see what's wrong, you can do the rest under Miss Kelly's supervision.
DOCTOR OOV: Right, er...we're ready when you are.
KELLY: Link programme to telemeter guidance.
(Kelly's face is superimposed over a pattern of computer logic blocks.)
KELLY: Three minutes. Countdown will begin at T-Minus sixty seconds.
RADNOR: This is it!
11, MODEL sh*t: LAUNCHING BAY
(The Ion-Jet Rocket stands on the pad.)
KELLY OOV: All functions are on computer controlled pre-set. Clear launching site.
12, INT: ROCKET
(The rocket is small and crammed with a hotch-potch of computer panels and screens. Across the walls cables and wires blend the ancient pieced-together systems with the modern high-tech controls that Radnor's technicians have added at the last minute. The Doctor, Jamie and Zoe sit lying horizontally strapped in awaiting take-off. Curiously they are all dressed in their usual clothes. The only small indication that they are about to fly across the hostile, empty wastes of space towards a small orbiting rock are a pair of chunky standard space-programme headphones each.)
ZOE: Three minutes seem an awfully long time.
DOCTOR: Yes. You remember your take off briefing Jamie?
JAMIE: Aye, he's told me all about this G-Force stuff, now I know.
(He looks around the cabin nervously as if he's awaiting a tooth out.)
ZOE: Oh you don't know about it 'til you've experienced it!
JAMIE: Look Zoe, I'll have you know that the Doctor and I have...
KELLY OOV: T-Minus sixty seconds from now.
DOCTOR: There's one minute to go, now hold tight everyone.
ZOE: Well I'm alright Doctor. How about you Jamie?
JAMIE: Look I-I keep telling you, I-I-I'm fine!
(He looks around nervously again expecting to feel the severe pain any second.)
KELLY OOV: T-Minus fifty...
13, INT: MISSION CONTROL
ELDRED: Make sure telemeter guidance is operative!
RADNOR: Don't worry everything's been checked and rechecked.
KELLY: T-Minus forty. Technicians report.
TECHNICIAN OOV: All areas clear.
ELDRED: Check all systems.
KELLY: We have!
ELDRED: We must make sure!
KELLY: T-Minus thirty... Twenty six.
14, INT: ROCKET
(The crew of the rocket sit back looking pensive.)
KELLY OOV: Twenty two...
15, MODEL sh*t: ROCKET
(The Rocket sits on the launching pad, it's pointed nose cone stretching upwards silhouetted against a murky sky.)
KELLY OOV: Eighteen... Fourteen... Twelve...
16, INT: MISSION CONTROL
(As Kelly counts the a light with the backwards number on is reflected on her face.)
KELLY: Ten... Nine... Eight... Seven... Six... Five... Four... Three... Two... One.
(She presses a button.)
17, MODEL sh*t: LAUNCHING BAY
(Slowly the Ion-Jet Rocket showing the ZA685 painted on the side rises into the air riding on a trail of smoke and flame.)
18, INT: ROCKET
(The crew of the rocket are pressed down into their seats and the rocket climbs higher. Jamie is feeling the strain as is Zoe, but the Doctor merely looks as if he is dozing peacefully.)
19, MODEL sh*t: SKY/SPACE
(The rocket's trajectory changes from vertical to diagonal as it leaves the atmosphere and out of the bright periphery of planet Earth towards the inky black.)
20, INT: MISSION CONTROL
(Kelly Radnor and Eldred look on tensely.)
KELLY: We have lift off!
(There is a sh*t of a rocket rising on the monitor screen in front of them.)
RADNOR: I never thought I'd see that again - a rocket rising in flight!
ELDRED: Beautiful! Let's see how they are.
(Eldred flips the switch to turn on the video-link, but the screen remains blank.)
ELDRED: The link is d*ad!
KELLY: What? Something must have gone wrong on lift off.
RADNOR: Try the shadow channel.
KELLY: Nothing.
RADNOR: Do you mean to say we're out of touch completely?
21, MODEL sh*t: SPACE
(The rocket speeds away from the Earth.)
22, INT: MISSION CONTROL
ELDRED: What about a radio link?
KELLY: Earth control to rocket. How do you read me - over.
ELDRED: Nothing but static!
RADNOR: It's only a minor fault surely!
23, INT: ROCKET
(Used to instant results Miss Kelly assumes the worst and begins to urgently hail them. On the rocket the limbs of the three space-travellers are floating in the weightless environment.)
KELLY OOV: Earth control to rocket, how do you read me? Earth control to rocket...
ZOE: Don't you remove your safety strap until I've switched over to a*t*matic gravity, otherwise you'll float away.
KELLY OOV: ...Switch over to radio communication. Earth control to rocket, how do you read me?
ZOE: Oh wait a minute! Switching to a*t*matic gravity control... Now.
24, INT: MISSION CONTROL
ELDRED: Try them again.
KELLY: Earth control to rocket...
ZOE OOV: Rocket to Earth Control, wait a minute can't you? We've only just recovered from take-off!
ELDRED: Is everything alright up there? We seem to have lost our video-monitor link.
DOCTOR OOV: Yes I-I think that there must be a fault in one of the circuits...
(His voice tails off.)
ELDRED: Doctor? ...Doctor?!
25, INT: ROCKET
(The Doctor is desperately trying to fan away a rising pall of smoke from the panel he is sitting at.)
ZOE: Oh what is it?
DOCTOR: Well, ah, one of the circuits has burnt out Zoe. I'll-I'll switch to a secondary one.
JAMIE: Oh no, this is worse than the TARDIS!
26, INT: MISSION CONTROL
ELDRED: Do you read me Doctor?
KELLY: Sounds as though the entire communications circuitry has blown out.
ELDRED: Yes, let's hope that's all that's happened!
RADNOR: Keep trying Miss Kelly.
27, MODEL sh*t: SPACE
(The rocket is further away from the Earth now, but still on course.)
28, INT: MOON-CONTROL
FEWSHAM: It's done. The emergency link will work now.
SLAAR: Excellent!
FEWSHAM: What are you going to do?
SLAAR: Do not ask questions - activate the link. On receive only!
FEWSHAM: Receive? But aren't you going to send an ar...
SLAAR: Activate the link on receive at once!
29, INT: SPACE MUSEUM
(Radnor and Kelly are having discussions with Brent who is on a video monitor link from elsewhere.)
KELLY: And you've double checked everything?
BRENT: Yes, the fault is definitely at Moonbase.
RADNOR: Is it possible for you to effect repairs over video?
KELLY: Provided the fault is not too major.
ELDRED: And provided they actually get there in the rocket.
RADNOR: They'll get there.
ELDRED: Why? How do you know? You can't even be sure if the rocket's still in one piece!
BRENT: Miss Kelly!
KELLY: What is it Brent?
BRENT: We've got through! The emergency T-Mat link to the Moon-Control is activating.
KELLY: Is someone coming through?
BRENT: No it's on send.
KELLY: Moonbase must have managed to make a temporary repair!
BRENT: It seems odd.
KELLY: Hah it's all we need! Brent have a full emergency kit waiting, I'll join you as soon as possible.
BRENT: Yes Miss Kelly crew are standing by.
RADNOR: Where do you think you're going?
KELLY: Well if we can send it's the only thing I can do!
RADNOR: You've no idea what conditions are like up there!
KELLY: I know all too well what they're like down here! And it's my job to put things right.
RADNOR: Miss Kelly! You cannot assume that responsibility without authorisation!
KELLY: Commander, you've stopped me once, please don't try it again. Otherwise I shall have to go above your head.
(Kelly walks off with her nose in the air.)
ELDRED: She's after your job Julian!
RADNOR: Miss Kelly! She's a fool! If we lose her nothing can save us!
30, INT: SOLAR-ENERGY STOREROOM
(Phipps has rigged up three of the circular solar heat-lamps upon tripods and he moves to the power rig and squeaks the plug from the lamp wires into the solar amplifier rig. He then plugs it onto the solar power line.)
31, INT: MOON-CONTROL
(Fewsham sits morosely in his seat, facing the T-Mat cubicles. There is a whoosh, a cubicle glows and Miss Kelly and two technicians appear.)
FEWSHAM: Thank heavens you've come!
KELLY: What happened?
FEWSHAM: Osgood - it must have been space-madness. He just went berserk, raving mad...it was terrifying!
KELLY: Osgood? But he'd be the last man I'd have thought...
FEWSHAM: Hmph, so did we.
KELLY: Where are the others?
FEWSHAM: When Osgood fused the controls Locke tried to stop him. Osgood k*lled him.
KELLY: This is fantastic! What about Phipps?
FEWSHAM: Well he-he was injured too, I I-I've put him under sedation.
KELLY: And you?
FEWSHAM: There's nothing wrong with me.
KELLY: You look frightened.
FEWSHAM: If you'd seen Osgood die wouldn't you be?
KELLY: How did he die?
FEWSHAM: He... His body's outside. He just went out.
KELLY: Without a pressure suit?
(Fewsham slowly nods.)
KELLY: I see. Open all control sections and computer links. Fewsham what are you doing?
FEWSHAM: I thought I'd best switch off the emergency link. Ah, the trouble we've got it could easily burn itself out.
KELLY: Sensible. Anyway it'll prevent Commander Radnor sending up a security guard to drag me back to Reception-Earth.
(In the shadows just beyond the doorway Slaar whispers to his guard.)
SLAAR: The other human is still concealed, find him. He must not interfere with our plans.
(With a hiss the Warrior departs.)
32, INT: SOLAR-ENERGY STOREROOM
(Phipps unplugs his heat-lamps and plugs in a transmitter rig. Picking up a microphone he begins to broadcast.)
PHIPPS: Hello Earth-Control this is Moonbase. Emergency emergency. How do you read me?
(He adjusts the equipment.)
PHIPPS: Hello Earth-Control this is Moonbase. Emergency, can you hear me?
(He tugs open the equipment and takes a look inside.)
33, MODEL sh*t: SPACE
(The rocket moves through space, now much closer to the moon, and gaining distance all the time.)
34, INT: ROCKET
(Inside the rocket the atmosphere has become rather fuggy from the smoking of the overheating panels.)
ZOE: It's no use, no contact at all - every circuit's d*ad!
DOCTOR: Oh dear this is most unfortunate!
JAMIE: Aye well-well don't try them again you may blow up the whole rocket next time!
ZOE: Well there's no use worrying about the radio now anyway, we're nearly at the end of the journey.
DOCTOR: Well I had hoped we could stay in contact with Earth.
ZOE: Well we don't need them. All we need to do is activate the Moon homing beam.
JAMIE: Well how d'you do that? I-I-I thought we weren't in contact with anyone on the Moon?
ZOE: well it's quite simple Jamie, it's an a*t*matic device. We send out code radio signals which triggers the homing beacon into action. We automatically lock onto it. Until we reach the point in orbit where we f*re retro-rockets to land.
JAMIE: Oh... Ah. Ah, but-but if they've all been cut off how can they activate?
DOCTOR: It works off a different power source Jamie, solar-power. It's independent of the T-Mat system.
JAMIE: Aye well, I just hope it works that's all.
ZOE: Well if it doesn't we're going to have trouble docking at Moon-Control airlock - it could be quite a crash.
JAMIE: Hm?
DOCTOR: Well lets try now shall we? I think we're near enough.
(A musical chime sounds twice and a steady hum begins to issue from a speaker.)
DOCTOR: There, that's our activating signal.
ZOE: That's it, as long as that note stays steady we're home and dry, no trouble at all!
35, INT: SOLAR-ENERGY STOREROOM
(Unseen on the wall high above Phipps an indicator light marked "ROCKET HOMING BEAM OPERATIVE" blinks on He continues to try and get a message through with his radio transmitter.)
PHIPPS: Hello Earth-Control this is Moonbase. Emergency, emergency! Can you hear me? Hello Earth-Control this is Moonbase. Emergency, emergency! Can you hear me?!
(Outside in the corridor a patrolling pair of green scaly feet move towards a new noise. Phipps gets a little more frantic.)
PHIPPS: Hello Earth-Control this is Moonbase. Emergency! Can you hear me?!
(The feet move over to a doorway.)
PHIPPS: Hello Earth-Control this is Moonbase. Can you hear me?!
(Slowly the Warrior walks through the door.)
PHIPPS: Hello Ear-
(Quick as a flash Phipps pulls out the radio-transmitter plug and inserts the heat-lamp one in it's place. With the switch already pulled, the heat-lamps burst into life showering the poor Warrior with a powerful burst of UV radiation. The Ice-Warrior contorts horribly back and forth, caught in the full negative-glare of the lamps and promptly evaporates. Shielding his eyes Phipps throws the switch and the lamps cut out. He looks around. The technician idly notices that not only have the lamps have worked, but they have worked very well indeed. Upon giving the ground a curious examination Phipps discovers all that is left of the unfortunate Martian is a sticky puddle of green goo on the floor. He plugs in the transmitter again and repeats his urgent plea.)
PHIPPS: Hello Earth-Control this is Moonbase. Emergency, emergency! Can you hear me?
(Phipps has failed to notice that his use of the three solar heat-lamps to destroying the Ice-Warrior has burnt out the relay used by the homing-beacon system. The indicator on the wall is dark once again.)
36, INT: ROCKET
ZOE: The homing beam, it's cut out!
DOCTOR: I know, I know I'm trying to re-activate it.
JAMIE: Well what's gone wrong, I-I thought you said it was infallible?
DOCTOR: Well the solar-power source must have been damaged Jamie.
JAMIE: Y-you said we'd have trouble if that didn't work!
DOCTOR: Yes, without the beam it'll be impossible to land safely!
JAMIE: You mean we'll crash?
ZOE: Well either that or drift on endlessly through space!
37, MODEL sh*t: SPACE
(The Ion-Jet Rocket flies on and the moon begins to grow in the distance.)
38, INT: SOLAR-ENERGY STOREROOM
(Phipps finishes making a few more adjustments and begins to re-broadcast again.)
PHIPPS: Hello Earth-Control this is Moonbase. Emergency, emergency! Can you hear me?
39, INT: ROCKET
ZOE: At our present rate of drift and allowing for all the usual gravitational influences, we'll be drawn into the heart of the sun in approximately...five months and ten days.
JAMIE: No need to worry about that then!
ZOE: Well what do you mean?
JAMIE: We've only got enough food and water for three days remember?!
40, MODEL sh*t: SPACE
(The Ion-Jet-Rocket's maiden voyage streaks forwards to an uncertain fate...) | {"type": "series", "show": "Doctor Who", "episode": "06x24 - The Seeds of Death - part 2"} | foreverdreaming |
The Seeds of Death
Episode Three
By Brian Hayles and Terrance Dicks
Original Air Date: 8 February, 1969
5:15pm - 5:40pm
1, INT: ROCKET
ZOE: At our present rate of drift and allowing for the usual gravitational influences, we'll be drawn into the heart of the sun in approximately five months and ten days.
JAMIE: No need to worry about that then.
ZOE: What do you mean?
JAMIE: We've only got enough food and water for three days remember?
2, MODEL sh*t: SPACE
(The Ion-Jet-Rocket drifts on steadily towards the moon.)
3, INT: ROCKET
DOCTOR: Just a minute, I think I’m getting something!
PHIPPS OOV: Hello Earth-Control, this is Moonbase. Emergency-emergency, Can you hear me?
DOCTOR: Hello... Moonbase! Can you hear me?
4, INT: SOLAR-ENERGY STORE-ROOM
(Phipps looks rather astonished that his signal has been received, with renewed determination he answers the Doctor’s voice.)
PHIPPS: Yes, yes I can hear you load and clear. What part of Earth are you speaking from?
DOCTOR OOV: Oh, we’re not on the Earth. We’re in a rocket orbiting the moon.
PHIPPS: A rocket, but...but that’s impossible!
5, INT: ROCKET
DOCTOR: Well I can assure you it’s not impossible. What is your emergency, what’s been happening on Moonbase?
PHIPPS OOV: We’ve been inv*de. Aliens have taken over.
(The Doctor suddenly listens attentively.)
6, INT: MOON-CONTROL
(Kelly hands a small metal grille to a technician who moves to replace it beneath the console.)
KELLY: Put that cover back on. Right Let’s test it now.
FEWSHAM: Do you really think it will work?
KELLY: No reason why not. We’ve replaced the overloaded circuits - it should be alright. Turn on the power.
(A technician fumbles with the controls Miss Kelly’s patience wears thin with a small tut.)
KELLY: Hold it...
(She moves over to the control herself.)
KELLY: Try again. We’ll T-Mat back to Earth and report to Commander Radnor.
(The party prepares to move out.)
SLAAR: Stop! You will remain here.
(An Ice-Warrior appears at the left door to main control.)
FEWSHAM: Don’t move, do exactly as they say!
(A round technician makes a break for the right door, but another warrior appears and it’s g*n flashes. The torpidly ambling technician falls d*ad in a haze of wibbling soundwaves. The second picks raises a heavy wrench and att*cks one of the Warriors, and in seconds joins his colleague, the tool falling to the floor with a resounding clatter. Flanked by two warriors, Slaar regards Fewsham and particularly Kelly.)
SLAAR: You will remain here.
7, INT: EARTH-CONTROL
RADNOR: Brent, has contact be re-established with Moonbase yet?
BRENT: No sir. As soon as Miss Kelly’s transmitted the emergency link switched off again.
ELDRED: And you’ve no idea what’s happened?
BRENT: Oh I’m sure that Miss Kelly will sort things out alright.
RADNOR: I wish I had your optimism.
8, MODEL sh*t: SPACE
(The Ion-Jet-Rocket continues towards the moon which is now looming large.)
9, INT: ROCKET
DOCTOR: How much longer Zoe?
ZOE: Oh, well our orbit will bring us back into his range in approximately forty-three seconds.
DOCTOR: Let’s hope he can still transmit
ZOE: Well his signal was quite strong when we were orbiting his side of the moon, there’s not reason for it to fade.
DOCTOR: It’s not his equipment I’m worried about, it’s his survival!
ZOE: Doctor, these aliens he described...
DOCTOR: How much did you hear?
ZOE: Bipeds, reptilian... Armed with some kind of sonic device.
JAMIE: Yes, Ice-Warriors!
ZOE: What?
DOCTOR: Yes, yes... Jamie and I have met them before. They come from the planet Mars.
ZOE: Well what do they want?
DOCTOR: Well, Mars is a dying planet, I imagine they’re trying to find a new home.
ZOE: Why the Moon?
DOCTOR: Oh I think that that’s just a stepping stone.
ZOE: What did you they were...Ice-Warriors?
JAMIE: Yes.
DOCTOR: Yes, well Mars as you know is a cold planet; well they’ve adapted to that - it’s heat they can’t stand.
ZOE: We should just about be coming into range... Now.
(Zoe replaces her headphones.)
DOCTOR: Hello Moonbase, hello Moonbase... Can you read me?
PHIPPS OOV: Yes, I read you loud and clear.
DOCTOR: Oh thank heavens for that! Now listen, we need your help to make a landing.
PHIPPS OOV: But you mustn’t land, you must warn Earth about what’s happened here!
DOCTOR: But we can’t do that, we’ve lost radio contact with the Earth.
PHIPPS OOV: Well then go back and warn them!
DOCTOR: Well we can’t do that either, we haven’t got enough fuel. We need to get to the fuel dump on the moon.
PHIPPS OOV: But they’ll k*ll you!
DOCTOR: Mnn, well we’ll just have to take that risk. Now, where are you Mr erm...what..what?
PHIPPS OOV: Phipps. I’m in the Solar Energy Store. Now...now, what do you want me to do?
ZOE: Doctor, if we could adapt our homing equipment to his radio signal, we could beam in on that!
DOCTOR: Did you hear that? We want you to keep your transmitter going.
PHIPPS OOV: Alright I’ll try, but I’ve no idea how long this transmitter can last...
10, MODEL sh*t: SPACE
(The Ion-Jet-Rocket orbits the moon.)
11, INT: ROCKET
DOCTOR: There, I think that’s done it. Now then, let’s see if we can pick up his signal.
(A regular chirruping of the signal beacon is heard.)
DOCTOR: Yes, yes, there we are! Now Zoe, what about the approach trajectory?
ZOE: Yes, here.
(She hands him a piece of printout.)
DOCTOR: Ah good. Oh yes - Hah! Yes, I don’t think I could have done better myself.
ZOE: We need to f*re the retro-rockets in seventeen point-five seconds.
DOCTOR: What?! W-well landing positions everyone.
12, MODEL sh*t: SPACE
(The Ion-Jet-Rocket vectors in on the moon.)
13, INT: ROCKET
ZOE: Two seconds...one... Now!
(The Doctor flicks a lever marked “RETRO ROCKETS” and a loud blast is heard.)
14, MODEL sh*t: SPACE
(The rocket adjusts along its entire length positioning its boosters towards the moon for retro descent.)
15, INT: ROCKET
ZOE: Let’s hope there’s enough fuel left to cushion down on.
JAMIE: Aye, let’s hope that radio beam thing doesn’t conk out before we get there.
DOCTOR: Don’t worry Jamie, I’m sure we’re going to be alright.
16, INT: SOLAR-ENERGY STORE-ROOM
(The an illuminated glass tubular diode on the communications apparatus glows blazingly bright as he uses the lash up again.)
PHIPPS: Hello Moon-Rocket, can you hear me?
DOCTOR OOV: Hello Moonbase, yes we can. We are coming in on your signal now - whatever you do, keep transmitting.
(Suddenly the glass diode, having reached a critical brightness fizzles and fades into darkness, burnt out from sudden overuse as the homing beam was.)
17, INT: ROCKET
DOCTOR: The signal! It’s stopped!
ZOE: Oh can’t you get back...us back into orbit?
DOCTOR: No! No, I shall have to get us down as best I can.
ZOE: But if we crash into a mountain range we’ll be smashed to pieces!
18, INT: SOLAR-ENERGY STORE-ROOM
(sh*t with panic, Phipps struggles to screw in a replacement diode, which fortunately glows brightly.)
19, INT: ROCKET
(The chirruping signal starts up again.)
ZOE: It’s working again!
DOCTOR: Uh?
ZOE: Doctor, can you lock back onto it?
DOCTOR: Well I’ll try. Yes, yes there it is.
(He breathes a huge sigh of relief.)
DOCTOR: Oh my word! I think we’re gonna be alright!
20, MODEL sh*t: SPACE
(The rocket descends vertically towards a waiting Moonbase rocket bay on the lunar surface with a trail of smoke belching from it’s boosters.)
21, STOCK FOOTAGE: SPACE MODULE
(Space module jettisoning part of itself is played backwards to simulate a rocket coming in to land in a silo.)
22, INT: ROCKET
(There is an almighty jolt as the rocket touches down and the crew are thrown about.)
DOCTOR: Oh! Oh...Oh!
(The rocket travellers cautiously collect themselves.)
DOCTOR: Yes, well I’m...I’m sorry about the landing. Is everyone alright?
JAMIE: Aye, well we’re down that’s that main thing.
DOCTOR: Yes.
ZOE: Oh now what do we do?
DOCTOR: Well, the first we must do is to refuel. You can see to that Zoe, can’t you?
ZOE: Well yes, but what are you going to do?
DOCTOR: Well I’m going to go and search for Mr Phipps.
ZOE: But what about the Ice-Warriors?
DOCTOR: Oh well, I’ve met them before.
ZOE: Oh but Doctor, you can’t just go...
DOCTOR: Well I’ve got to rescue Mr Phipps, now haven’t I? Now where did I put that map of our...
(He searches the pockets of his frock coat and pulls out and unfolds a large map.)
DOCTOR: Ah, hang on a minute... Here we are. Now then the Solar-Power Room is... Here we are. Oh yes...oh yes, that seems to be quite a simple route.
JAMIE: Right, I’ll come with you.
DOCTOR: No! ...You’ll stay here and look after Zoe.
JAMIE: What?
DOCTOR: Now don’t worry, you’re going to be quite alright.
JAMIE: Ah.
(The Doctor disappears out of the hatchway into the silo.)
DOCTOR: Good luck.
ZOE: And to you.
JAMIE: And to you.
(He turns to Zoe.)
JAMIE: Well...how do we refuel?
ZOE: Oh, well that’s simple. It’ll connect automatically from, er, here.
(She taps a dial.)
JAMIE: Uh-huh.
ZOE: Now you watch that dial, and when it reads full you switch it off.
(She clicks the switch to demonstrate.)
JAMIE: Ah.
ZOE: Now do you think you can remember that?
(Jamie sh**t her a look.)
JAMIE: Course I can!
ZOE: Good, I want to have a look at the rocket motors.
JAMIE: Why, what’s the matter?
ZOE: Well I didn’t much like the way we landed. It could have caused some damage.
(She opens a hatch in the floor of the command module and climbs down a service ladder into the bowels of the rocket.)
JAMIE: Well I, I-I know it was a bit rough, but surely it wasn’t as bad as all that?
(Her voice echoes up.)
ZOE OOV: Well it’s not the landing that matters now, it’s the take-off.
23, INT: MOON-CONTROL
(While Slaar watches from a distance, Fewsham is flicking switches on his board in front of him:
NEW YORK
ATHENS
MOSCOW
IZMIR
TORONTO
ROME
CALCUTTA
OTTAWA
b*mb
TOKYO
STOCKHOLM
LONDON
WASHINGTON
CANBERRA
The city names illuminate as he checks them off one by one.)
FEWSHAM: Tokyo... London... Canberra. That’s the lot, the whole system’s completely operational again.
SLAAR: We can now send to any city in the world?
FEWSHAM: Yes, anywhere there’s a T-Mat centre.
KELLY: Fewsham do you realise what you’re doing?
FEWSHAM: I’m trying to save our lives!
KELLY: And what about the people on Earth?
FEWSHAM: We’re in no position to argue!
KELLY: Why do you want control of T-Mat?
(Slaar regards her, his breath hissing icily but remains stoically silent.)
KELLY: If you’re going to inv*de the Earth you’ll be fighting the armed forces of the entire world. You’ll never succeed, there’ll be too much resistance!
SLAAR: There will be no resistance
FEWSHAM: What about us? What’ll happen to us?
SLAAR: You will remain alive as long as you are useful.
KELLY: You’ll never get any help from me!
SLAAR: When the time comes you will do exactly what you are told - or die!
24, INT: MOONBASE CORRIDOR
(The Doctor skulks cautiously down a corridor looking around, but it is deserted. He turns a corner.)
25, INT: SOLAR-ENERGY STORE-ROOM
(The Doctor approaches a metal door and quietly knocks, then lets himself in closing the door behind him.)
DOCTOR: Hello?
(Phipps jumps out with the standard large metal wrench raised.)
PHIPPS: Who are you?!
DOCTOR: Oh! Oh...Mr Phipps I presume?
PHIPPS: Yes, but where’d you come from?
DOCTOR: Er...from the rocket. Ah...We were talking on the radio.
(He lowers his wrench with a sigh of relief.)
PHIPPS: Thank heavens you made it. ...The others here too?
DOCTOR: No they’re still in the rocket. Ah...how many of the Ice-Warriors are there?
PHIPPS: The creatures you mean?
DOCTOR: Yes.
PHIPPS: Well there aren’t many, but they’re deadly.
DOCTOR: Oh they have their weak points.
PHIPPS: Look, they’ve k*lled everybody here! All except Fewsham and he’s helping them.
DOCTOR: I see...well there is only one thing for it, we shall have to destroy T-Mat.
PHIPPS: What?!
26, INT: ROCKET
(Jamie speaks clumsily uses the communications apparatus.)
DOCTOR OOV: H-have you refuelled the rocket Jamie?
JAMIE: Yea..er..Yes, we’ve just finished and Zoe’s checking the rocket-motors.
DOCTOR OOV: Oh good, er...I have found Mr Phipps.
JAMIE: Ah, how is he?
DOCTOR OOV: Oh, he is quite alright but er...
JAMIE: Aye, and you’re bringing him back now?
DOCTOR OOV: Yes eventually Jamie, but I’ve got to put T-Mat out of action first.
JAMIE: Butbutbut Doctor, what about the Ice-Warriors?
DOCTOR OOV: Now don’t worry Jamie! You and Zoe prepare the rocket for take off and wait for us, goodbye!
JAMIE: Butbutbut Doctor, Doctor y-hey..!
(He thumps the machinery.)
JAMIE: Och!
(Zoe climbs up from the hatch in the floor.)
JAMIE: T-that was the Doctor. He..he-he’s found Phipps and he wants us to prepare the rocket for take off while they put T-Mat out of action.
ZOE: But he can’t!
JAMIE: Why?
ZOE: I’ve just checked the main power drive and the rocket’s motors are completely useless. The only way back to Earth is by T-Mat!
JAMIE: What?! Oh!
(Zoe grabs the communications apparatus.)
ZOE: Doctor, Doctor? Can you hear me, this is Zoe...Doctor?! Ooh he must have switched off!
JAMIE: Oh now what do we do?
ZOE: Well go and find him, come on!
(They rush out of the doorway.)
27, INT: MOONBASE CORRIDOR
DOCTOR: Where does this lead to?
PHIPPS: Control Headquarters. Through this way...
(They rush stealthily across the corridor and turn a corner to see an Ice Warrior at the other end frogmarching a struggling Miss Kelly somewhere, one huge clap-like hand on her shoulder.)
DOCTOR: There’s an Ice-Warrior, it’s got Miss Kelly. But how..?
(Suddenly the Ice-Warrior sees them and it’s arm snaps up covering them with it’s w*apon.)
DOCTOR: RUN!
(Phipps and the Doctor run down the corridor as Miss Kelly pulls away from the Warrior and runs after them. The Doctor rushes back towards the Warrior and runs around it causing it’s cumbersome frame to wheel around in confusion as it tries to get a clear aim. The Doctor runs off down the corridor drawing the creature away from the others who have by this time managed to put some distance between them and the Warrior. The creature lumbers after the Doctor. Upon rushing down a corridor in which the highly polished walls reflect into each like opposing mirrors, he pauses for a moment. Gazing curiously to the side he examines his multiple reflections staring back at him before continuing his flight. He scrambles forward along many more corridors until the Warrior is quite a way back. The Doctor pauses to breathe a sigh of relief, that is until he spots two more Warriors lumbering towards him in the opposite direction. He rushes back the way he came through the section with the reflective walls, then changes direction again rushing back towards the two warriors. In a desperate attempt to escape he takes a side corridor instead but his journey is cut short by a set of doors which are firmly chained shut. The Doctor rattles the doors in a futile attempt to open them, but he has run out of places to run so turns to face the Warriors who are closing in upon him menacingly. He holds up his hands desperately.)
DOCTOR: STOP!
ICE-WARRIOR: You must be desstroyed.
DOCTOR: You-you’ve got no orders to k*ll me!
ICE-WARRIOR: All...
DOCTOR: Your leader will want to speak to me!
ICE-WARRIOR: Humans are our enemiess!
DOCTOR: But I can be useful to you, like Fewsham! Er...your leader will be angry if you k*ll me, I... I’m a genius!
(The Warriors turn to face each other momentarily unsure of what to do.)
ICE-WARRIOR: Geniuss?
(They face him again.)
ICE-WARRIOR: You will come with me!
28, INT: MOONBASE CORRIDOR
(Jamie and Zoe creep along a corridor and come to a fork.)
JAMIE: Now which way?
ZOE: I don’t know, I’m lost.
JAMIE: I thought you knew the way?
ZOE: So did I!
JAMIE: Oh!
(She chooses the right-hand fork.)
ZOE: Let’s try this way.
(She heads off.)
JAMIE: Women!
(He follows her as they come to another fork and in the distance the icy, rattling breath of a Warrior can be heard a short way away.)
JAMIE: Oh no, we could wander around here all day!
ZOE: Listen! Quick, here!
(They cower together in the shadows behind one of the Moonbases iron support struts. A Warrior lumbers by and Zoe gazes curiously at its retreating form.)
ZOE: What was that thing?
JAMIE: An Ice-Warrior. You see, we were right!
(The Warrior turns and spots them and lumbers forward.)
JAMIE: Quick, follow me!
(Jamie and Zoe rush away down the corridor with the Warrior in pursuit. They rush down the left fork and hide behind another beam.)
ZOE: Get back, don’t move!
(The Warrior reaches the fork and looks left and right and decides to lumber back to control.)
JAMIE: Phew! Now what do we do?
ZOE: Keep looking for the Doctor and keep your eyes open for the solar energy room. Come on!
JAMIE: Solar energy...
(They wander off.)
29, INT: MOONBASE-CONTROL
FEWSHAM: I wish you’d tell me what you want me to do!
SLAAR: You will shortly dispatch a cargo to certain cities on Earth. They will include Ottawa, Oslo, Stockholm, Hamburg...
FEWSHAM: Cargo, what sort of cargo?
ICE-WARRIOR: The prisoner Kelly has escaped. This human was in the corridorss.
SLAAR: Who are you? Where are you from?
DOCTOR: I might ask you the same question!
SLAAR: You will find the human Kelly and bring her back here. Who is this man?
FEWSHAM: He’s not one of the crew. I don’t know him - he must have just arrived here.
SLAAR: Impossible, we control T-Mat. How did you get here?!
(The Doctor smirks.)
DOCTOR: Our resources are not limited to T-Mat you know!
SLAAR: You arrived here by other means, by spacecraft?
FEWSHAM: Rockets haven’t been used for years.
SLAAR: Then you are lying! You have been concealed here all the time.
DOCTOR: But you can’t be sure of that can you, mm? The people of the Earth may be preparing a whole fleet of rockets to defend themselves with!
SLAAR: No, Earth relies entirely on T-Mat. There is no defence against our plans.
DOCTOR: And what are your plans?
(Slaar seems to realise that he has said too much and says nothing further on the subject.)
DOCTOR: Invasion by T-Mat? There are too few of you to conquer all the peoples of the Earth.
(Two Warriors lumber in and set down a small, frozen metal casket which has a set of icicles jutting from the rim like broken teeth.)
ICE-WARRIOR: The Grand Marshall has ordered all the seeds to be prepared. You are to receive your instructions.
SLAAR: Then guard the humans, if they try to escape you are to k*ll them.
(Slaar departs. As the Warriors busy themselves with the casket for a moment, the Doctor sidles up to Fewsham.)
DOCTOR: Why are you helping them?
FEWSHAM: I have seen what they can do.
DOCTOR: Do you know what is in that container?
FEWSHAM: All I know is they want me to send something to Earth by T-Mat. I suppose that’s what’s in it.
DOCTOR: Then I shall have to have a look inside - and you are going to help me...
30, INT: SOLAR-ENERGY STORE-ROOM
ZOE: The Doctor’s been captured? But couldn’t you help him?
PHIPPS: I’m sorry there was nothing we could do.
KELLY: I’m sorry but we had a job to reach here ourselves.
JAMIE: Aye, so did we.
ZOE: Are you sure the Ice-Warriors don’t know about this place?
PHIPPS: Well one of them did find it, but I managed to deal with him.
ZOE: How?
PHIPPS: Well I fixed up a sort of booby trap to the solar-energy power line.
JAMIE: Ah.
KELLY: By the look of those things I’d have though they were invulnerable!
ZOE: No, the Doctor said they can’t stand heat.
JAMIE: Ah, that’s right.
PHIPPS: The heating system of the entire base is controlled from the centre. Now if we could reach those controls and turn up the heating...
ZOE: But how could we get there, there are Ice-Warriors patrolling those corridors.
JAMIE: Aye.
PHIPPS: Yes I know...
(He clicks his fingers.)
PHIPPS: The maintenance tunnels, over here.
JAMIE: Hey, Oh, if we could get through here...then turn the heating up, knock the warriors out we could rescue the Doctor.
KELLY: Then T-Mat ourselves back to Earth.
JAMIE: Aye.
ZOE: But I thought T-Mat had broken down?
(Kelly looks down her nose frostily at Zoe as if she’d been personally insulted.)
KELLY: Not anymore. I repaired it. How can we get this cover off?
PHIPPS: This part of the base hasn’t been used for ages, it’s rusted solid. It’ll take some time.
JAMIE: Aye, well the Doctor may not have much time.
31, INT: MOON-CONTROL
(The Doctor whispers to Fewsham by the control panel as a guard watches them from a distance.)
DOCTOR: Alright Fewsham, now.
FEWSHAM: I can’t! He’ll k*ll us both!
DOCTOR: You have got to help me!
FEWSHAM: I said I can’t!
DOCTOR: Very well, I shall do it by myself. If I’m caught which is most likely we won’t both get k*lled.
FEWSHAM: Alright!
(Fewsham walks across the room past the Warrior who swings around to follow him.)
ICE-WARRIOR: Do not move!
FEWSHAM: I was ordered to prepare the controls for transmission. I-I’ve have got to check that everything is in order.
ICE-WARRIOR: Return to where you were.
(Slowly the Doctor scrambles unseen, past the main console and over to the metal casket.)
FEWSHAM: But this is most important!
ICE-WARRIOR: If you are trying to escape I shall destroy you.
FEWSHAM: I-I’m not trying to escape!
ICE-WARRIOR: Go back to where you were!
FEWSHAM: Alright, alright...
(The warrior swings around and sees the Doctor examining the now open casket and covers him with his sonic disruptor. The lid of the casket bangs shut as the Doctor raises his hands, but he is saved by an unexpected voice.)
SLAAR: Wait!
(He addresses the Doctor.)
SLAAR: Open it.
(The Doctor stays where he is.)
SLAAR: I said open it!
(The Doctor does so and removes a small white sphere for a cursory examination.)
DOCTOR: What are these things? They...they look like seed pods.
(As the Doctor watches, the sphere suddenly enlarges to three times it’s size and explodes in the Doctor’s face disgorging a cloud of white vapour.
Fewsham rushes forward but the warrior puts up an arm to keep him from getting any closer to the spreading cloud.)
FEWSHAM: What is it? What’s happened to him? Is he d*ad?
32, INT: SOLAR-ENERGY STORE-ROOM
(Phipps and Jamie manage to remove the cover to the maintenance tunnels.)
PHIPPS: That’s it!
ZOE: I think I heard something.
KELLY: Be careful!
(Zoe peeks out of the door, and ducks back inside as she sees an Ice-Warrior heading straight for them and speaks in hushed tones.)
ZOE: There’s one coming. I don’t think it saw me.
JAMIE: We won’t take any chances.
(Jamie jams a metal bar in the sliding door as a large silhouette is seen from the outside.)
JAMIE: That should hold it!
ZOE: Get back!
(Phipps mouths “Don’t move” at Jamie.)
JAMIE: The booby trap thing, does it still work?
PHIPPS: It’ll have to be reconnected.
JAMIE: Well come on!
PHIPPS: Psst, Kelly.
(He motions to the equipment and they hurriedly plug it back in. Zoe pulls the metal bar from the door and stands back as Jamie holds the door closed.)
JAMIE: Hurry up!
(Phipps plugs into the solar-power line.)
PHIPPS: Right!
KELLY: Now!
(Phipps throws the switch, and the Warrior is bathed in brilliant white luminescence from the solar lamps. The creature writhes horribly under the intensity of the stored ultra-violet radiation and completely evaporates into another slime-green puddle. They all gather around, curiously.)
33, INT: MOON-CONTROL
(An Ice Warrior removes a sphere from the metal casket and moves towards the T-Mat cubicles.)
SLAAR: You will prepare to activate the cubicle and transmit to London.
(He pauses for a moment.)
SLAAR: Obey!
(Miserably, Fewsham moves to the console.)
34, INT: EARTH-CONTROL
COMPUTER: EMERGENCY TRANSPORT SYSTEMS NOW IN OPERATION; HOWEVER, SITUATION STILL EXTREMELY CRITICAL IN MOST PARTS OF THE WORLD, PRIMITIVE AREAS SURVIVING BEST. BUT ALL MAJOR CITIES NOW SUFFERING SEVERE FOOD SHORTAGES.
(Radnor turns to Eldred.)
RADNOR: Without T-Mat millions are going to die - especially in the cities.
35, INT: MOON-CONTROL
(Fewsham sits with his hand on the control, within a cubical sits a tall metal stand which contains a single white sphere.)
SLAAR: Activate!
(Fewsham does so and the stand fades away.)
36, INT: EARTH-CONTROL
(There is a whine from a nearby cubical as something appears.)
BRENT: Commander Radnor, the T-Mat is working!
RADNOR: Working? Kelly must have got through!
ELDRED: Splendid!
(They all peer at the object that has materialised.)
ELDRED: What is it?
(Brent Enters the cubicle and touches the sphere. As he does so it begins to grow like the Doctor’s, but more ferociously.)
BRENT: It's alive!
(They all look astonished as the alien artifact soon fills the entire cubicle with an unknown rippling white mass, and just when it seems it can expand no further...) | {"type": "series", "show": "Doctor Who", "episode": "06x25 - The Seeds of Death - part 3"} | foreverdreaming |
The Seeds of Death
Episode Four
By Brian Hayles and Terrance Dicks
Original Air Date: 15 February, 1969
5:15pm - 5:40pm
1, INT: EARTH-CONTROL
(There is a whine from a nearby cubicle as something appears.)
BRENT: Commander Radnor, the T-Mat is working!
RADNOR: Working? Kelly must have got through!
ELDRED: Splendid!
(They all peer at the object that has materialised.)
ELDRED: What is it?
(Brent Enters the cubicle and touches the sphere. As he does so it begins to grow like the Doctor’s, but more ferociously.)
BRENT: It's alive!
(They all look astonished as the alien artifact soon fills the entire cubicle with an unknown rippling white mass, and just when it seems it can expand no further it explodes disgorging a mass of white vapour into the Brent’s face. As he collapses the others rush away from the rapidly spreading cloud, Radnor briefly checking Brent for signs of life.)
ELDRED: Get away from here quick, quick!
RADNOR: He’s d*ad, keep back and out of that smoke! Guards, keep away from here!
(They all begin to get overcome by the undispersing cloud.)
ELDRED: Use the air conditioning!
(Radnor turns to a guard.)
RADNOR: Switch the air conditioning to expel!
(A guard rushes to the controls and throws the switch, there is a whine as all the cloud of vapour gets sucked out through a grille.)
ELDRED: It seems to be clearing - what was that thing?
(He peers closer at the remains of the sphere.)
RADNOR: Careful Daniel!
ELDRED: It’s alright, harmless enough now. It’s shrivelled up.
RADNOR: Get Brent’s body over to the medical wing - tell them that I want a full autopsy!
(Four technicians take Brent's body away.)
RADNOR: Now what do you make of that?
ELDRED: Ever seen anything like that thing before?
RADNOR: No. It looked like some sort of seed pod, but why do you think it exploded like that?
ELDRED: Some plants reproduce that way, their pods explode and spread their seeds.
RADNOR: All this thing spread was some kind of smoke.
ELDRED: Which has now been dispelled into the outside air of London!
2, INT: MOON-CONTROL
(On the control board the Ottawa light is flashing. An Ice-Warrior moves forward with a new seed and places it on a stand in the cubicle.)
SLAAR: Prepare to dispatch... Dispatch!
(The stand and seed in the cubicle vanish. The Warrior moves forward with another seed repeating the process for Oslo.)
SLAAR: Hamburg.
FEWSHAM: Why are we doing this? What are those things?
(Slaar glares at him.)
SLAAR: Dispatch!
3, INT: SOLAR-ENERGY STORE-ROOM
(Kelly is examining one of the solar energy heat-lamps with a screwdriver.)
KELLY: Zoe could you hold this for a moment?
(She hands Zoe a small bulb.)
ZOE: What is it?
KELLY: Well this circuit was overloaded; it blew out when we destroyed that creature. I'm trying to repair it.
(Zoe hands the bulb back and moves over to gaze at the other lamp.)
ZOE: Well this one looks alright.
KELLY: Let's hope it works.
ZOE: Well let's hope we don't need it.
(Zoe crawls into the entrance to the maintenance tunnels and looks, then comes back out again.)
ZOE: No sign of them. Isn't getting any warmer is it?
KELLY: Well they can't have had time to reach the heating controls yet.
ZOE: And the heating controls are in the main control room aren't they?
KELLY: Yes.
ZOE: ...And so are the Ice-Warriors.
4, INT: MAINTENANCE TUNNEL
(Jamie and Phipps crawl through a small rough metal section and pause for a moment.)
PHIPPS: Are you alright?
JAMIE: Fine.
(They continue to a section where they can stand up and walk past an array of dirty old pipes. Rounding a corner they find a grille in the wall, looking through Phipps sees the Ice-Warriors and Fewsham.)
SLAAR: Paris! Dispatch!
(Another stand and seed pod vanishes and Jamie and Phipps crouch down again.)
JAMIE: What are they up to?
PHIPPS: I don't know, it looks as though they're sending something by T-Mat.
JAMIE: Well who's that helping them?
PHIPPS: Fewsham.
(Phipps stands up again and looks.)
JAMIE: Hey, can you see the Doctor anywhere?
PHIPPS: No, there's no sign of him. I wonder what it is they're sending?
5, INT: EARTH-CONTROL
COMPUTER: THE OBJECT APPEARED IN RECEPTION CUBICLE T-MAT HEADQUARTERS. LEADING TECHNICIAN DOUGLAS D. GRANT IN CLOSE PROXIMITY TO THE OBJECT COLLAPSED AND DIED INSTANTLY. CAUSE OF DEATH AS YET UNKNOWN. MESSAGE FROM NEW YORK ENDS.
RADNOR: That's another one. How many does that make?
ELDRED: Sixteen T-Mat reception centres.
RADNOR: How many deaths?
ELDRED: Brent here, that man in Berlin, two in New York... But I doubt that those things were sent just to k*ll one or two people at random.
RADNOR: Well what else then?
ELDRED: Well I don't know, but ...
RADNOR: What?
ELDRED: I'm wondering if there's any pattern with these cities. London, Ottawa, Oslo, Hamburg, Berlin..
RADNOR: Yes, they're all major population centres certainly.
ELDRED: But is that all they have in common?
(There is a whistle and Radnor pulls a piece of printout from the control panel. He gazes at it incredulously.)
ELDRED: What is it?
RADNOR: The autopsy report on Brent.
ELDRED: Well?
RADNOR: He died of oxygen starvation.
ELDRED: Oxygen starvation takes at least three or four minutes. He died instantly!
RADNOR: Exactly! And according to this the medical unit can't believe it either.
ELDRED: Obviously what k*lled him was that smoke-like substance which was emitted when the pods exploded; which was expelled into the outside atmosphere!
let's hope that diluted with air it loses it's toxic quality, otherwise...
(They look at each other in concern.)
6, EXT: EARTH-CONTROL GROUNDS
(The gas-like vapour sweeps through the air like a deadly poison shroud. On the grass below slimy white fronds begin to push themselves up from the soil.
Inside the fronds a small round pustule expands a bit before ejaculating a little more vapour with an expl*sive pop...)
7, INT: MOON-CONTROL
SLAAR: Zurich. Dispatch!
(Another trisilicate-grey metal stand bearing a seed pod vanishes from the cubicle. The Ice-Warrior lumbers away from the cubicle and Slaar surveys the room.)
FEWSHAM: Is that the last?
SLAAR: It may be necessary to send further seeds later.
(Fewsham gets up and moves over to the Doctor.)
FEWSHAM: What about him?
SLAAR: Is he still alive?
(Fewsham checks.)
FEWSHAM: Yes, still breathing.
SLAAR: That is unusual, most humans would be d*ad. Take him to the T-Mat cubicle.
FEWSHAM: What for?
SLAAR: Do as I say.
(Fewsham drags the Doctor over to the cubicle while Jamie and Phipps watch helplessly from behind the grille.)
8, INT: MAINTENANCE TUNNEL
JAMIE: What are they going to do?
PHIPPS: Ssh!
9, INT: MOON-CONTROL
(The Doctor lies in a cubicle.)
SLAAR: Dispose of him!
FEWSHAM: What do you mean?
SLAAR: You will adjust the T-Mat controls and suspend him in space; between the moon and the Earth.
(Fewsham looks a little sick.)
10, INT: MAINTENANCE TUNNEL
JAMIE: We've got to try and save him!
PHIPPS: Back of the cubicle, over here quick.
(They crawl over to the grille that leads into the back of the cubicle that the Doctor is lying in.)
11, INT: MOON-CONTROL
FEWSHAM: But you can't just ask me to k*ll a man, just like that!
SLAAR: You dispatched the seeds, in so doing you destroyed your entire species. What is the death of one man compared to that?
(Fewsham looks distraught.)
FEWSHAM: What was in those things?!
SLAAR: No more questions. Operate the controls.
FEWSHAM: I can't. I can't!
SLAAR: Prepare to die.
FEWSHAM: T-Mat is only programmed to send to other centres. I shall have to reprogram the circuit.
SLAAR: Then do so - at once!
12, INT: MAINTENANCE TUNNEL
JAMIE: Are you sure this is the back of the right cubicle?
PHIPPS: It'd better be!
13, INT: MOON-CONTROL
FEWSHAM: Please... Please don't make me...
SLAAR: Complete it!
14, INT: MAINTENANCE TUNNEL
(Loosening the last screws Jamie and Phipps tug the grille.)
PHIPPS: Right!
(As the grille falls away they see another one.)
JAMIE: Oh no!
PHIPPS: It's only the interior casing; it comes away easily.
JAMIE: Oh.
15, INT: MOON-CONTROL
(The Doctor still lies slumped in the cubicle.)
SLAAR: Is the circuit prepared yet?
FEWSHAM: Yes. Almost...almost.
SLAAR: You are wasting time, operate.
FEWSHAM: No!
SLAAR: At once!
(Fewsham flips a switch and looks at the cubicle that the Doctor was lying in. It is now empty.)
FEWSHAM: You've k*lled him... You've k*lled him, you've k*lled him!
SLAAR: Prepare to dispatch to London. Do as I say!
(Leaving a dejected looking Fewsham at the console, he strides over to a waiting Warrior.)
SLAAR: The time has come, Umil. You understand what you must do?
ICE-WARRIOR: I understand.
SLAAR: You must succeed at all costs.
(The Warrior lumbers over to the cubicle and gets inside as Slaar returns to Fewsham.)
SLAAR: Transmit to London.
FEWSHAM: I need time. I must reprogram.
16, INT: MAINTENANCE TUNNEL
(Phipps and Jamie have hauled the Doctor out through the grille at the last possible moment.)
PHIPPS: Bringing the Doctor by yourself?
JAMIE: Yes.
PHIPPS: Can you remember the way back?
JAMIE: Oh I-I I think so.
PHIPPS: I'll try and get to the heating controls.
JAMIE: Good.
(Jamie moves off dragging the still unconscious Doctor with him. Phipps crawls through another low tunnel and climbs a ladder. Walking through another higher passageway Phipps turns a corner and peers through a grille on the other side of the control room. From where he is he can see the heating control. Silently he removes the grille and tries to squeeze out, but it proves too small for him to fit through. He replaces the grille and decides to follow Jamie.)
17, EXT: EARTH-CONTROL GROUNDS
(There is now a mass of slimy fungal fronds voraciously spreading across the ground at an alarming rate. As each of the many pustules on it's surface erupts, they spray jets of gloopy ichor across the ground which instantly take root and begin to grow their own pustules...)
18, INT: EARTH CONTROL
COMPUTER: REPORTS NOW RECEIVED ON CAUSE OF DEATH OF T-MAT RECEPTION TECHNICIANS IN NEW YORK AND BERLIN. IN ALL CASES VICTIMS DIED OF OXYGEN STARVATION.
RADNOR: Discontinue report.
ELDRED: Wait a minute, there's something else...
RADNOR: Alright. Continue report.
(He sits down.)
COMPUTER: INFORMATION COMING IN ON APPEARANCE OF VEGETABLE BLIGHT NOW ATTACKING PARKS AND GARDENS IN THE METROPOLISES.
(In a T-Mat cubicle an Ice-Warrior appears. The creature exits through the door neglecting to open it first, noisily destroying the entire cubicle. Radnor jumps up from where he is sitting.)
COMPUTER: MANY AREAS HAVE SUCCUMBED TO THIS UNIDENTIFIED MENACE. FOAM APPEARS TO BE BYPRODUCT OF LARGE FUNGI WHICH GROW AND BURST SPREADING THEIR SPORES OVER LARGE AREAS.
(As the Warrior advances a couple of technicians rush away.)
COMPUTER: RATE OF GROWTH IS SUCH THAT ACRES OF GROUND ARE COVERED IN MINUTES.
(The Warrior approaches Radnor and Eldred, then turns to pursue the fleeing technicians but they escape. It lumbers back to Radnor and Eldred again)
RADNOR: GUARDS!
COMPUTER: ...ESTIMATED THAT STRONG SOUTH-WESTERLY WINDS WILL SPREAD THIS DISEASE OVER LARGE AREAS OF EUROPE AND ASIA...
(A group of oxygen-masked, armed guards rush in and f*re their r*fles at the warrior, but the b*ll*ts ricochet off it's bumpy green carapace having no effect.)
COMPUTER: ...DESTROYING CERTAIN CROP CEREALS. MESSAGE ENDS.
(The Martian raises it's arm and it's w*apon flashes condemning a guard to death by bibbling. The Warrior lumbers out through the doorway. There are sounds of sh*ts, then a terminal whine, a wibble of the sonic disruptor and silence. Radnor Picks up a r*fle and rushes through the doorway after the Ice Warrior, then returns moments later glancing at the r*fle in his hand.)
RADNOR: The guards... It's k*lled them; it's k*lled them all!
19, INT: MOON-CONTROL
(Slaar is addressing two of his warriors.)
SLAAR: I shall return shortly. You will remain here.
(He addresses the other.)
SLAAR: The humans that escaped - have they been found?
ICE-WARRIOR: We are searching for them.
SLAAR: Intensify the search. They must be found and destroyed.
(Slaar strides out without looking back.)
SLAAR: Guard him.
20, INT: SOLAR-ENERGY STORE-ROOM
(Zoe glances at the figure of the Doctor lying on a table at the back of the room.)
ZOE: How is he?
KELLY: I think the water helped him.
JAMIE: Aye, well we'd better get back then. We've still got to get those heating control things.
PHIPPS: It's no good, we'll never make it.
JAMIE: Why not?
PHIPPS: Because the ventilor's too small and there's no other way.
JAMIE: Well maybe I could get through?
PHIPPS: No look, it's impossible.
ZOE: How big is this grille?
PHIPPS: About so big.
(He holds his hands apart and Zoe manoeuvres herself between them.)
ZOE: Well I could get through.
JAMIE: No Zoe, you're not going!
ZOE: Look, I'm smaller than you and I'll probably be a lot quieter too!
JAMIE: Look, it-it it's too dangerous anyway!
ZOE: Well what other alternative is there?
JAMIE: W-well...
KELLY: She's right, it's the logical thing to do.
ZOE: Thank you. Well come on! Show me the way...
(She rushes past Jamie to the maintenance tunnels.)
21, EXT: EARTH-CONTROL GROUNDS
(The Ice-Warrior strides through the middle of the undulating mass of foamy slime and fungal fronds which are now covering the entire ground like a living carpet.)
22, INT: EARTH-CONTROL
ELDRED: He can't just have vanished!
RADNOR: I can assure you that the security guards have lost all trace of it!
ELDRED: I wonder what its purpose was.
RADNOR: Purpose, what are you talking about?
ELDRED: Well can't you see, it's all part of the same plan. First the seed pods and now this creature. I tell you it came here for some purpose; and heaven help anyone that gets it it's way!
23, EXT: EARTH-CONTROL GROUNDS
(The Ice-Warrior continues it's grim march through the fungus-infested grounds. To one side of the slimy fungal mass three masked guards with
"DEFENCE" stencilled on their helmets stand hosing the weed with chemical defoliant. It clearly isn't working as the fungus keeps advancing, clinging to the ground and the guards alike, making them appear as bizarre snowmen. The warrior pauses and g*n down a guard who twists, falls and is swallowed whole by the spreading gloop. The other two guards turn and flee. The warrior presses on through the shapeless Martian vegetable life.)
24, INT: EARTH-CONTROL
(Eldred faces the computer.)
ELDRED: Any trace yet of the alien creature?
COMPUTER: REPORTS FROM SECURITY NEGATIVE.
RADNOR: There you are, what did I tell you?
COMPUTER: SECURITY REPORTS CORDON ROUND T-MAT COMPLEX UNBROKEN.
ELDRED: At least we know it's still in the area.
COMPUTER: CORRECTION, URGENT MESSAGE: BODIES OF THREE TECHNICIANS FOUND IN T-MAT GROUNDS.
25, INT: MAINTENANCE TUNNEL
(Zoe and Phipps crouch at an intersection of the tunnels and Phipps looks extremely flustered.)
ZOE: Right, which way now?
PHIPPS: I'm not sure.
ZOE: But you must remember, you've already been this way once with Jamie.
PHIPPS: Yes I know but...I can't remember this time.
ZOE: But surely...
PHIPPS: Look, I can't remember! All the tunnels look the same.
ZOE: Are you alright?
PHIPPS: Oh yes I'm fine. Seeing most of my friends k*lled and being hunted by monsters!
ZOE: Well if you keep on shouting like that you'll be caught by them and so will I.
PHIPPS: I'm sorry, I don't know what's the matter with me.
ZOE: Nervous exhaustion and a slight touch of claustrophobia. Just sit down here and we'll have a rest.
26, INT: EARTH-CONTROL
ELDRED: I tell you that creature came here for some purpose. It must be making for somewhere, somewhere in this area.
COMPUTER: URGENT MESSAGE: CONTACT MADE WITH THE SECURITY GUARD OBSERVING THE ALIEN.
RADNOR: Relay report direct!
GUARD OOV: Report to central control.
27, EXT: EARTH-CONTROL GROUNDS
(Another guard stands behind a tree.)
GUARD: Report to central control. The creature is entering the east compound area.
(The Ice-Warrior spots the guard, who tries to run off. Pausing to look back for a moment he is just in time to see the warrior blast him. The radio remains clutched in the man's hand as he slumps.)
RADNOR OOV: What's happened? Report.
28, INT: EARTH-CONTROL
RADNOR: What's happened? Report!
COMPUTER: SECURITY GUARD CEASED TRANSMISSION.
RADNOR: Tell security I want a armed patrol sent to the East Command without fail. Immediately! And relay any findings to me here direct. Top priority.
ELDRED: You're only going to lose more security guards.
RADNOR: Well I can't let that creature roam loose, can I?
ELDRED: Can we stop it? Do you know how we can stop it? You know that b*ll*ts will do no good, we've seen that for ourselves. In all these cities there... Wait a moment...yes! Oslo, Ottawa, Berlin, Hamburg, London, Paris, New York! These are the places where the pods have arrived.
RADNOR: Well, so what?
ELDRED: Well don't you see? They're all cold climates, all northern hemisphere. In all of those cities it's winter as it is here!
RADNOR: So?
ELDRED: Why haven't the pods arrived in any warm areas?
COMPUTER: URGENT MESSAGE. SUBJECT: CONTINUED BREAKDOWN OF T-MAT AND CESSATION OF ALL WORLD TRANSPORT AND DISTRIBUTION. TOTAL BREAKDOWN OF SOCIAL ORDER PREDICTED EMERGENCY MEASURES PROVING INADEQUATE...
RADNOR: Discontinue report.
COMPUTER: INCOMING DATA WILL BE RECORDED.
ELDRED: Well, the emergency measures may manage to save a few people.
RADNOR: Well what's the good of that? With no distribution of food supplies we could lose millions!
ELDRED: We may lose most of the world's population before they've finished with us.
RADNOR: They?
ELDRED: That creature... It's only the first - we're going to be inv*de!
29, EXT: EARTH-CONTROL GROUNDS
(Silhouetted against the sun, the warrior strides across the ground.)
30, INT: SOLAR-ENERGY STORE-ROOM
(Jamie crouches at the entrance to the maintenance tunnels.)
KELLY: Any sign of them?
JAMIE: No.
KELLY: They've been gone ages. They can't have reached the heating controls yet the temperature seems the same.
JAMIE: Look, I'm going down there.
KELLY: No, our job is to act as a rearguard in case something goes wrong!
JAMIE: Look, a lot of good we are!
KELLY: Well we're not entirely helpless...
JAMIE: Ah, you've got that thing working again?
(He squeezes through the low opening and into the room.)
KELLY: I think so, but we can hardly test it.
JAMIE: Oh look, where are they? What's keeping them?
31, INT: MAINTENANCE TUNNEL
ZOE: I think we ought to go on.
PHIPPS: Alright.
ZOE: Look, can you remember the way now?
PHIPPS: No, it's no good.
ZOE: W-we could work it out.
PHIPPS: How?
ZOE: Well presumably these maintenance tunnels run parallel to the corridors.
PHIPPS: Well, yes they do, but...
ZOE: Well I've seen a map of the corridors, the Doctor had one in the rocket.
PHIPPS: But you can't possibly remember..!
ZOE: Yes I can, I think.
(She closes her eyes and scans her memory.)
ZOE: Now there's a main corridor here, there are two junctions here... We went left, right left... It must be that one.
(She points.)
PHIPPS: But you and Jamie got lost on the way to the solar energy storeroom!
ZOE: Well only temporarily, I found the way eventually.
PHIPPS: Well you'd better be right this time.
ZOE: Oh come on!
32, INT: MAINTENANCE TUNNEL
(Zoe and Phipps have found the grille that faces out onto the central control room, but there is an Ice-Warrior on guard.)
ZOE: Oh, how long is it going to stand there?
PHIPPS: I don't know... But I daren't move the grille until it goes.
33, INT: SOLAR-ENERGY STORE-ROOM
JAMIE: Look, I'd better see what's happened to them.
KELLY: Alright, but...
JAMIE: What?
KELLY: Ssh!
(They hear the icy, rattling breath of an Ice-Warrior coming closer.)
KELLY: Quick the door!
(Jamie rushes up with his iron bar to jam the door, but there is no time.)
JAMIE: Too late!
(He rushes to a hiding place behind a piece of apparatus as the warrior comes through the door and strides into the middle of the room looking around. Jamie silently mouths "Now!" and hides his eyes as Kelly throws the switch, but hearing no sound of solar energy, peeks out. The warrior is standing a whisker from where he is hiding looking around. Jamie mouths "come on!" at Kelly, and she desperately pulls at the on switch, but the apparatus doesn't work. The Ice-Warrior turns and makes to leave, but as it is in the door way it stops and turns. The creature moves towards the table that the Doctor is lying on.)
34, INT: MAINTENANCE TUNNEL
ZOE: It's moving.
PHIPPS: Quick, move the grille!
(Phipps sets to removing the grille.)
35, INT: CENTRAL-CONTROL
FEWSHAM: How much longer must I wait here?
ICE-WARRIOR: Do not ask questionss!
FEWSHAM: I need food, rest! I haven't had any sleep for...
(He notices the grille being taken off and completes his sentence a little distantly.)
FEWSHAM: ...hours.
(He gazes at the small crack where the grille has been partially removed. The faces of Phipps and Zoe peek out.)
ICE-WARRIOR: What are you doing?
(Fewsham gets up and walks over to the cubicles and begins to make a show of examining them.)
FEWSHAM: I must check the cubicles.
ICE-WARRIOR: But you said T-Mat was functioning properly.
FEWSHAM: I know, but there is something I've forgotten.
36, INT: MAINTENANCE TUNNEL
PHIPPS: Quick! Now the heating controls are over there, turn the main wheel to full.
(He helps Zoe up and out through the grille.)
37, INT: MOON-CONTROL
(Zoe squeezes through the grille and walks along a small raised dais that skirts the wall around the room. She silently shuffles across the vast pulsing screen of lights towards the heating control and tugs it, but it is jammed from lack of use. She looks back at Phipps, then returns to the task and tugs with all her might. Slowly the control moves towards full-on.)
38, STOCK FOOTAGE: THERMOMETER
(The Moonbases heating system rapidly zooms towards 80 degrees.)
39, INT: MOON-CONTROL
(Zoe starts to creep back along the dias as the Ice-Warrior turns.)
PHIPPS: Look out Zoe!
(The warrior's g*n flashes and Phipps dies in a distorted haze of treacly air. Zoe is cornered, standing on the dias before the pulsing screen of lights there is nowhere she can run in time to escape from a second deadly blast. She looks desperately at Fewsham as a rabbit caught in the headlights of a speeding car.)
ZOE: Well help me can't you?! Help me!
(Fewsham nervously shakes his head at Zoe as the Ice-Warrior, with a deliberate laggard grace borne of pure sadism, aims it's w*apon...) | {"type": "series", "show": "Doctor Who", "episode": "06x26 - The Seeds of Death - part 4"} | foreverdreaming |
The Seeds of Death
Episode Five
By Brian Hayles and Terrance Dicks
Original Air Date: 22 February, 1969
5:15pm - 5:40pm
1, INT: MOON-CONTROL
(Zoe starts to creep back along the dais as the Ice-Warrior turns.)
PHIPPS: Look out Zoe!
(The warrior's g*n flashes and Phipps dies in a distorted haze of treacly air. Zoe is cornered, standing on the dais before the pulsing screen of lights there is nowhere she can run in time to escape from a second deadly blast. She looks desperately at Fewsham as a rabbit caught in the headlights of a speeding car.)
ZOE: Well help me can't you?! Help me!
(Fewsham nervously shakes his head at Zoe as the Ice-Warrior, with a deliberate laggard grace borne of pure sadism, aims it's w*apon. Fewsham rushes up to the warrior and attempts to pull its arm, and gets swatted out of the way like an annoying bug. He gets up and tries again, and the warrior turns and knocks Fewsham about a bit, but before it can aim at Zoe again it puts it's two clamp-like hands to it's head and falls to the ground overcome by the efficient heating system of the base just in time. Zoe jumps down from the dais and skids across the floor to where Fewsham is groggily lying.)
ZOE: Are you alright?
FEWSHAM: Yes I-I am. Who are you, what are you doing here?
ZOE: Oh well nevermind that, I thought you were on their side!
FEWSHAM: Is that what they all think?
ZOE: Oh well you have been helping them haven't you.
FEWSHAM: I had no alternative, they'd have k*lled me!
ZOE: Well look, where are the other Ice-Warriors?
FEWSHAM: I think they've gone to their ship, but they'll be coming back, we must get out of here.
ZOE: Oh but how?
FEWSHAM: Look, I can get you back to Earth. T-Mat is working again.
ZOE: Oh! Well I'll get back to the others and tell them the good news.
(She rushes over to the maintenance hatch and slips away.)
3, INT: SOLAR-POWER STORE-ROOM
(With Jamie and Kelly still hiding, the Ice-Warrior walks towards the door, but before it can get there the Doctor begins to moan deliriously to himself. The warrior turns and walks back over to the table he is lying on.)
DOCTOR: Ohh. Oh ooh oh. Oh my... Oh Victoria, Jamie... Ah...oh.
(As the creature aims at the defenceless form of the Doctor Jamie leaps out and brings his metal bar crashing down on the Martian's g*n damaging the sensitive w*apon. The warrior knocks Jamie into the middle of the room with a swipe of it's massive arm Kelly rushes forward to assist and is similarly knocked aside. Jamie runs at the creature for another attempt but it anticipates this and grabs his wrists in it's clamp-like hands. Crying out in agony, Jamie is forced down to the floor.)
JAMIE: Argh...no..!
(The warrior lets Jamie go and aims it's w*apon at Kelly.)
4, STOCK FOOTAGE: THERMOMETER
(The Moonbase's heating system rapidly zooms towards 80 degrees.)
5, INT: SOLAR-ENERGY STORE-ROOM
(Moments later it's head sinks into it's crusty carapace and it collapses onto the floor, whether it is as a result of a discharge it's own damaged w*apon or simply the heat is unclear.)
DOCTOR: Oh...oh well done Jamie!
KELLY: Are you alright?
DOCTOR: Yes, I think so...ooh. Or a little bit dizzy, it's so hot in here!
JAMIE: Aye, lucky for us. Zoe and Phipps turned the heating up just in time.
DOCTOR: What? But-but where are they now?
KELLY: They went though the maintenance tunnel to the main control room.
(As the Doctor mops his forehead with a red and white spotted handkerchief he notices Zoe crawling out of the maintenance hatch.)
DOCTOR: Ah, Zoe!
ZOE: Oh Doctor! Oh are you alright?
DOCTOR: Yes, I-I think so.
ZOE: Good.
JAMIE: Where's Phipps?
ZOE: He's d*ad, an Ice Warrior k*lled him.
DOCTOR: Oh!
KELLY: Well how did you manage to escape?
ZOE: That other man helped me.
KELLY: Fewsham?
ZOE: Yes.
KELLY: Well I thought that he was working for them!
ZOE: He saved my life.
KELLY: Doesn't sound much like Fewsham.
ZOE: He att*cked a warrior. He's also got T-Mat working again.
DOCTOR: Well do I gather we can get back to Earth then?
ZOE: Yes, I think so.
KELLY: Well let's not waste any more time.
ZOE: No, come on.
6, INT: EARTH-CONTROL
(Radnor paces about the control room.)
RADNOR: Well that's all we need!
(Eldred wanders over.)
ELDRED: What is it?
RADNOR: Gregson's here.
ELDRED: Gregson eh?
RADNOR: Sir James Gregson.
ELDRED: United Nations Plenipotentiary.
RADNOR: Minister with special responsibility for T-Mat.
(Eldred grins mischievously.)
ELDRED: ...And your boss in other words!
(The door opens and a small silver haired officious-looking gentleman steps into the room unseen by Radnor.)
RADNOR: Oh don't!
GREGSON: Radnor I've read your report.
(Radnor guiltily snaps to attention.)
GREGSON: I can't make head nor tail of it.
(He looks down his nose at the Professor.)
GREGSON: Who's this?
RADNOR: Ah, Professor Eldred sir.
ELDRED: How do you do.
(Gregson ignores Eldred and strides over to examine a workstation.)
GREGSON: Ah well.
RADNOR: He's helping me sir.
GREGSON: This breakdown of T-Mat, er what is the position now?
RADNOR: Er, still no contact yet with Moonbase.
GREGSON: And what are you doing about it?
RADNOR: We've got people up there.
GREGSON: How did you get them there without T-Mat?
RADNOR: We sent a rocket sir. Professor Eldred is an expert in rocketry.
GREGSON: Oh I see. And er, what happened to the rocket.
RADNOR: Well it's rather difficult to say sir. We lost radio contact with it soon after take-off.
GREGSON: Is that all you've done?
RADNOR: Oh no. No, my Chief-Technician Kelly has also gone to Moonbase.
GREGSON: Oh, more rockets?
RADNOR: No sir, she went by T-Mat.
GREGSON: But T-Mat isn't working.
RADNOR: Well T-Mat started to function again sir, so Miss Kelly went to the Moonbase wher-with a repair team.
GREGSON: So you had a full report from her?
RADNOR: Well no sir, er soon after take off er, T-Mat ceased to function again.
GREGSON: But this is quite ridiculous! T-Mat out of action and then this sudden outbreak of some sort of crop blight.
RADNOR: Ah, now you see sir, think that's connected...
GREGSON: As for this incredible story about a monster from outer-space...
RADNOR: Well you see Sir James I think I owe you an explanation...
GREGSON: Er, what happened about this creature? Have you any more news?
ELDRED: No, it seems to have completely disappeared.
(Eldred moves to a transparent map of the local area and points.)
ELDRED: It was reported here. Then it was seen by some workmen here, and the last sighting was by the Weather-Control Bureau there.
7, EXT: EARTH CONTROL GROUNDS
(The Ice-Warrior plods on through the foamy sludge. A huge shadow falls across an engraved plaque which reads "Weather-Control STATION". It continues on towards a futuristic-looking building and up a ramp. It casually pushes the large metal door open and walks inside. In the grounds the foamy mass continues it's advances.)
8, INT: WEATHER-CONTROL
(A member of weather station personnel is checking some reading on a clipboard, when he hears a hissing breathing coming from behind. He looks at the warrior in astonishment, and attempts to run away, but the creature blocks the way to the exit. The technician rushes towards a small catwalk at the back of the room and runs to the middle and stops squinting at the warrior as if he expects it to be pursuing him, in seconds he is d*ad. Turning from the corpse, the warrior lumbers over to a small console marked "Weather-Control UNIT" and pulls the levers one by one towards the "DRY" setting. It then fires it's w*apon at the machine locking the levers and warping the casing and creating numerous dribbling rivulets of molten metal.)
9, INT: MOON-CONTROL
(The Doctor, Kelly and Fewsham are talking while Jamie and Zoe hover in the background.)
FEWSHAM: But I had to help them or they would have k*lled me!
KELLY: Alright Fewsham, there'll be a full tribunal when we get back to Earth. We've no more time to waste here, we must T-Mat back to Earth immediately.
DOCTOR: But if we're all going who is going to dispatch us?
FEWSHAM: Look, there's a way of doing that.
DOCTOR: Uh?
FEWSHAM: Here this is a time-switch.
DOCTOR: Oh.
FEWSHAM: It delays transportation by ten seconds.
DOCTOR: Oh I see, very ingenious.
FEWSHAM: Now I'll dispatch you and follow using the time-switch.
DOCTOR: Righto. Jamie, Zoe Come along. I think this could be quite fun you know.
JAMIE: Oh ar.
(The Doctor, Jamie and Zoe get into a cubicle. Kelly moves sternly to Fewsham.)
KELLY: Fewsham, that time-switch was down on the maintenance report as being inoperable.
FEWSHAM: We repaired it.
(Fewsham operates a control and the occupants of the cubical vanish with a rush of wind.)
JAMIE: In you get Miss Kelly.
(Kelly opens her mouth to protest.)
JAMIE: Look I'll use the time switch. You'd better hurry or those Ice Warriors could be back any minute!
10, INT: EARTH-CONTROL
(The Doctor, Jamie and Zoe disembark the cubicle on Earth.)
DOCTOR: You know, I-I find T-Mat travel rather disappointing. There's no sensation at all.
RADNOR: Where have you been?
DOCTOR: Ah.
RADNOR: And what have you been up to all this time? And where's Miss Kelly?
DOCTOR: Oh well...
(There is a chime and Miss Kelly appears in the cubicle.)
DOCTOR: Miss Kelly, Miss Kelly! What's happening up there?
GREGSON: Will somebody kindly tell me what's happening down here? Who are these people? Is T-Mat working again?
(There is a confused gabbling of questions and answers from all sides.)
DOCTOR: P-please! Let us answer one question at a time!
ELDRED: Doctor, do you know there's been a alien here?
JAMIE: An Ice-Warrior, here?
DOCTOR: Jamie I am not surprised. They have taken over the whole of Moonbase.
RADNOR: What about the crew?
KELLY: All d*ad except for Fewsham.
RADNOR: And you left him there?
KELLY: Well he said he'd follow using the time-switch.
DOCTOR: He should be back.
RADNOR: Well what's happened?
(Kelly checks the report.)
KELLY: I thought so! The time-switch is out of order.
DOCTOR: What? But... But he said he was going to repair it!
KELLY: He was lying.
RADNOR: But why?
KELLY: Well he's obviously working for them!
DOCTOR: Then why did he let us escape?
11, INT: MOON-CONTROL
(Fewsham stands alone in the control room when he hears a cold hissing breath. He slumps himself over the console as Slaar shambles into view. Laboriously the Ice-Lord makes his way over to the dais and walks across, turning the heating down as far as it will go.)
12, STOCK FOOTAGE: THERMOMETER
(The thermometer creeps down towards zero.)
13, INT: MOON-CONTROL
(Fewsham gets up and walks across the dais to the Ice-Lord. They stand silhouetted against the glowing screen.)
SLAAR: What has happened here?
FEWSHAM: The others, they got in through the grille and turned up the heating.
SLAAR: Where are they now?
FEWSHAM: They went back to Earth by T-Mat.
SLAAR: Why did you not go with them.
FEWSHAM: I refused. That's why they att*cked me.
SLAAR: Refused? Why?
FEWSHAM: What do you think would have happened to me back on Earth? I'd have been ex*cuted as a traitor!
SLAAR: So you hope to live longer by staying here. You value your life, that is good. You will live if you help us when the invasion fleet arrives.
FEWSHAM: You're going to land on Earth?
SLAAR: No, our warriors will land here on the moon. When the seed pods have done their work on Earth it will be time to commence the second stage of our plan.
14, INT: EARTH-CONTROL
(The Doctor orates the people in Earth-Control like a professional tactician.)
DOCTOR: But don't you see gentlemen? The invasion of Moonbase, the taking over of T-Mat, the seed pods, the arrival of an Ice-Warrior; it's all part of the same plan!
RADNOR: Plan? What plan?
GREGSON: But all the incidents are so unrelated, this fungus everywhere, what's that got to do with it?
DOCTOR: Well I'm not sure yet... Have your people been able to make anything of it?
RADNOR: Well it's indestructible. We've att*cked it in every possible way, but without success.
DOCTOR: Yes, but have you tried to understand it?
RADNOR: Are you suggesting we should psycho-analyse it Doctor?
DOCTOR: I'm only suggesting that instead of trying to destroy it you find out it's composition and purpose!
ELDRED: Well there's laboratory equipment in my workshop - you can use that.
DOCTOR: Good. Then we must find a sample.
RADNOR: Well no problem about that, the gardens are full of the stuff.
DOCTOR: Fine, then there's no time to be lost.
ELDRED: I'll get some equipment for you.
RADNOR: Uh, Doctor. Do be careful, those pod things are deadly.
DOCTOR: Don't worry I've already had experience. I'll be careful.
(The Doctor and Eldred wander off.)
15, INT: LOUNGE AREA
(In another section of the base Jamie, Zoe and Miss Kelly are sipping drinks from straw-pocked milkshake cartons.)
ZOE: But why did Fewsham stay on the moon?
KELLY: Pretty obvious. He was too scared to come back here and face an inquiry.
ZOE: But he wasn't afraid to stay up there with the Ice-Warriors. Well, given the choice I know which I'd rather face.
JAMIE: Aye.
KELLY: There's no time to worry about Fewsham, we must get T-Mat working.
ZOE: But I thought T-Mat was working again now?
KELLY: It is working - still controlled from the moon. I must find a way of controlling it from the Earth.
ZOE: But is that possible? Don't you need the moon as a relay?
KELLY: There might be a way... I must talk to Commander Radnor about it.
(Kelly exits.)
JAMIE: Zoe look, do you think that the Doctor knows what he's doing messing about with that foam stuff?
ZOE: Oh don't worry Jamie. He'll be alright.
JAMIE: Oh yes.
16, EXT: EARTH-CONTROL GROUNDS
(The Doctor scrapes some of the fungus away from the mass with a plastic spatula and deposit it into a glass beaker. Before him a large wobbly pustule expands and erupts gassily in his face causing him to jump back with his handkerchief over his mouth. Throwing caution to the wind he rushes back to the foam and scrapes the beaker along the surface filling it to overflowing in seconds. He surreptitiously rushes away from the deadly fungus.)
17, INT: EARTH-CONTROL
RADNOR: Do you really think it could work?
KELLY: It couldn't be as effective as the Moonbase of course, which handles up to two-million microwave channels simultaneously - the satellite would take just a few thousand.
GREGSON: But that would be enough for vital food supplies.
RADNOR: But surely we can't use the normal communications satellites, they're not programmed for T-Mat.
KELLY: No, we'd have to send up a specially programmed one.
ZOE: But that would mean using a rocket wouldn't it? I thought that no-one used them nowadays?
KELLY: Not manned rockets, but we do send up satellites for communications.
RADNOR: How soon can you get one up?
KELLY: Well I don't know. If it were given top priority...
18, STOCK sh*t: MICROSCOPE
(Under the microscope fungal fronds spread out.)
DOCTOR OOV: Yes i-it's organic.
19, INT: ELDRED'S LAB
(The Doctor looks up from the microscope. All around him is a tiny makeshift lab.)
DOCTOR: It's live. Definitely a fungus composition ah...
(The Doctor picks up a model of beads and wires that represent the molecular structure of the fungus.)
DOCTOR: You're sure that this is correct?
ELDRED: As far as I can make out it is.
DOCTOR: A molecule of five atoms absorbs oxygen. You know a complete blanket of this would reduce the oxygen content of the Earth's atmosphere quite drastically.
ELDRED: According to my calculations to one twentieth of normal.
DOCTOR: And make the Earth completely uninhabitable to the human race, but exactly like the atmosphere of Mars.
(He gazes in admiration as the sludgy foam struggles out of the neck of it's glass beaker.)
DOCTOR: Look at that, even without vegetation to feed on it's still active.
(Suddenly a pustule-like pod begins to grow amid the slime.)
DOCTOR: Ah!
ELDRED: Look out Doctor, if that thing explodes in here the fumes will k*ll us. Come on Doctor!
DOCTOR: Just a minute, there must be some way of...
(He rushes to a collection of glass vials and beakers and begins to snatch them at random. One by one each is tipped over the pustule, but none seem to slow it down in the slightest.)
DOCTOR: Sulphuric acid...hydrochloric acid...nitric acid...
(In desperation he snatches a nearby glass beaker and empties that over it, the results are instant. The pod shrinks and the foam begins to melt away.)
ELDRED: You've done it! Well what was it, w-what did you throw on it?
(The Doctor offers the beaker to Eldred.)
20, INT: EARTH-CONTROL
(Zoe is listening to a report by the computer, trying to trace the location of the warrior.)
COMPUTER: EXTENSIVE SEARCH BY SECURITY FORCES REVEALS NO TRACE OF ALIEN CREATURE. MESSAGE ENDS.
ZOE: So that warrior is still roaming around loose somewhere.
JAMIE: But why did they only send one of them?
ZOE: Well perhaps he's got to report back somehow.
(The Doctor's face appears on the video-link.)
DOCTOR: Is Commander Radnor there please? Uh...Aha, Zoe! Is Radnor there?
ZOE: Ah, no he's in conference with Miss Kelly and Sir James Gregson.
DOCTOR: Ah I see. Zoe it's the most wonderful news, we've found a way of destroying the fungus!
ZOE: Well what is it?
DOCTOR: Water. Ordinary water.
JAMIE: Mm?
ZOE: Oh but Doctor surely water would...
DOCTOR: There-there's no time to explain now. Ah, apparently there is a Weather-Control Bureau somewhere - I want you to get in touch with them.
ZOE: Well can't you reach them on the video-phone?
DOCTOR: Well, no. No-no, I've tried, but they're not answering or it's..or it's broken down or something.
ZOE: Well what do you want me to do?
DOCTOR: Well get in touch with Commander Radnor and ask him to get hold of the Weather-Control Bureau people and to make rain. As much rain as possible all over the entire country!
ZOE: Alright Doctor I'll tell him.
DOCTOR: Right. Professor and I are coming back now.
ZOE: Yes.
DOCTOR: Goodbye.
(The screen plips off.)
ZOE: Oh but Doctor, suppose that... Oh.!
JAMIE: Hey, er, how do we get hold of Commander Radnor.
ZOE: We'll ask the computer.
JAMIE: Do yo know how it works?
ZOE: Yes of course.
(She addresses the machine.)
ZOE: Put me in touch with Commander Radnor at once.
COMPUTER: COMMANDER RADNOR ENGAGED IN TOP LEVEL T-MAT CONFERENCE WITH CHIEF TECHNICIAN KELLY AND SIR JAMES GREGSON.
ZOE: But this is urgent, I must talk to him at once!
COMPUTER: COMMANDER RADNOR NOT AVAILABLE.
JAMIE: Oh now what do we do?
ZOE: Well we just have to go to the Weather Bureau ourselves!
JAMIE: But we don't know where it is!
ZOE: Well we'll have to try and find it. Come on!
JAMIE: Oh Zoe!
21, INT: MOON-CONTROL
(Two Ice-Warriors wheel in an oddly shaped piece of machinery resembling the huge twisted coil of an electromagnet, but with a screen and a set of controls built into the top.)
SLAAR: There.
FEWSHAM: What is it?
SLAAR: Communications unit from our ship. Connect it to the solar batteries.
(Fewsham examines the top of the apparatus.)
FEWSHAM: What's this section for?
SLAAR: That does not concern you.
FEWSHAM: I can't connect equipment if I don't know what it's purpose.
SLAAR: It transmits a directional beam signal.
FEWSHAM: A homing device. You'll use it to guide your Armada onto the moon?
SLAAR: You will not ask questions. You will do as you are told!
22, EXT: WEATHER-CONTROL GROUNDS
(Jamie and Zoe creep around the side of the building keeping out of the advancing foam and slip into the open doorway just in time.)
23, INT: CORRIDOR
(They enter a long corridor.)
JAMIE: Hadn't you better close that door?
ZOE: Why?
JAMIE: In case that warrior's still prowling around out there.
(Together they struggle the large metal door closed and Jamie twists a circular mechanism to lock it tightly.)
JAMIE: Now that should keep him out. Come on.
(They walk off down the corridor.)
24, INT: WEATHER-CONTROL
(They descend a set of steps.)
JAMIE: Well where is everybody?
ZOE: I don't know. Well let's try and find the main control room, come on.
JAMIE: Aye.
(Zoe notices the d*ad technician on the catwalk.)
ZOE: So that's why nobody answered the video-phone.
JAMIE: Hey and look at that!
(He rushes over to the weather-control apparatus and tugs at the levers with all his might but they are locked in position.)
JAMIE: No, it's no good. They're locked in position.
ZOE: Well don't you see, what the Doctor said. Water - Rain. Well it all makes sense now! They don't want it to rain on the fungus.
JAMIE: Well-ssh! It's a warrior, hide!
(They slip behind two lighting panels as the Ice-Warrior appears and looks around the room suspiciously.)
25, INT: MOON-CONTROL
(Slaar is the communications unit to talk to an older, senior ranking Ice-Warrior. On the screen of the unit is an image of the Grand Marshall, resplendent in his glittering jewelled helmet.)
GRAND-MARSHALL: Are all the preparations complete?
SLAAR: Yes Grand-Marshall, the seed pods have been dispatched to the major cities of the world and the Moonbase is in our hands.
GRAND-MARSHALL: Good. Our fleet is approaching the gravitational field of the moon. Is all prepared?
SLAAR: Everything is ready. I shall guide our ships in on the homing beam signal frequency.
GRAND-MARSHALL: Fuel supplies are at marginal level. There must be no misjudgments!
(Unseen, Fewsham's hand slips towards the switch of the video-link.)
26, EXT: ROCKET
(Another rocket stands on a pad waiting for the signal to take off.)
TECHNICIAN: Final checkout checkout routines under way.
27, INT: EARTH-CONTROL
(Kelly watches the rocket's progress.)
KELLY: I hope they know what they're doing. It's been years since we sent up a satellite.
RADNOR: Are you quite sure that the communications aspects will function?
KELLY: Yes, once that satellite's up T-Mat will be able to handle two...two thousand microwave channels.
(Eldred and the Doctor wander into the room.)
ELDRED: What's going on? Someone's sending up a rocket?
RADNOR: Look, look! What the devil's happening?
(The video-link monitor flicks on to show a picture of the control room on the moon.)
KELLY: I don't know it's... Yes, Moon-Control!
DOCTOR: The sound, can you turn it up?
(Sound pipes out of the monitor image of Moon-Control.)
FEWSHAM: Shouldn't we test the directional beam?
28, INT: MOON-CONTROL
SLAAR: It is not necessary!
FEWSHAM: But it is operating on Moonbase power, I can't guarantee the pulsing rate will be the same.
SLAAR: Very well - test it!
29, INT: EARTH-CONTROL
DOCTOR: Commander Radnor, can this be recorded?
RADNOR: Well yes...
DOCTOR: Well quickly man, it's vital!
RADNOR: The transmission coming in on the video machine is to be recorded
COMPUTER: INSTRUCTIONS UNDERSTOOD. TRANSMISSIONS WILL BE RECORDED.
(They watch what happens on the screen.)
SLAAR: The Device is operating?
FEWSHAM: Yes. Oh, wait a moment, um I must check the connections...
30, INT: MOON-CONTROL
SLAAR: Why?
FEWSHAM: If the er, power fails there'll be no signal to guide your fleet onto the moon.
SLAAR: There must be no failures.
FEWSHAM: I realise the importance of that. If your fleet sh**t the moon, nothing will stop them going into an orbit around the sun.
SLAAR: They will not sh**t!
FEWSHAM: Of course not, but since their fuel supply is at a marginal level, if anything did go wrong, they'd never be able to regain moon orbit.
(Slaar notices the camera and strides towards the console where Fewsham is sitting.)
SLAAR: This video device is operating. You have betrayed us!
FEWSHAM: Every word has bee heard on Earth!
SLAAR: k*ll him!
31, INT: EARTH-CONTROL
(The people in the control room can do nothing but watch as the drama unfolds before their eyes.)
32, INT: MOON-CONTROL
(Fewsham twists grotesquely and slumps over the Martian communications device. Slaar points to the video-link camera in the ceiling and the Ice-Warrior fires it's w*apon again.)
33, INT: EARTH-CONTROL
(The picture of Moon-Control on the video link fades into darkness.)
TECHNICIAN OOV: Countdown about to commence. Minus three minutes.
DOCTOR: Cancel the launch!
KELLY: Why, what do you mean?
DOCTOR: We can use that satellite to mislead the Martian invasion fleet.
RADNOR: What?
DOCTOR: Well don't you see? Poor Fewsham deliberately let us overhear their homing signal. We can imitate that signal with a homing device of our own in the satellite!
RADNOR: Commander Radnor. Top priority message to satellite launching site. Cancel launch, repeat - cancel launch!
COMPUTER: MESSAGE UNDERSTOOD.
DOCTOR: If we can deflect their Armada half our battle is be won!
RADNOR: But there's still all that fungus stuff everywhere.
ELDRED: Well we've solved that one. Plain ordinary H20, water!
RADNOR: Water?! Well all we need to do then, is to make it rain!
DOCTOR: Well haven't you already done that? haven't you been in touch with the Weather-Control Bureau?
RADNOR: You've only just told me!
DOCTOR: But I sent you a message over an hour ago! Didn't Zoe reach you?
RADNOR: No!
KELLY: An hour ago we were in conference.
DOCTOR: Oh I see. Well perhaps Zoe went to the Weather-Control people herself?
ELDRED: Doctor, the Weather-Control Bureau was the last place the warrior was sighted!
DOCTOR: What?!
(He runs towards the door.)
RADNOR: I'll have a squad of security guards over there right away, hadn't you better wait Doctor?
(But the Doctor is gone.)
RADNOR: Get me security!
34, EXT: WEATHER-CONTROL GROUNDS
(The Doctor sprints across the grounds, pokes his nose over a large metal perimeter wall and gazes out across a vast foamy living lake slooshing guard over it's new territory. A large pustule expands and erupts more sludge in the Doctor's direction as if mocking him. Pressing his handkerchief to his nose and mouth he strides through a gateway and waist-high into the alien mass. As he reaches the door of the Weather-Control Bureau a pustule behind him disgorges another torrent in his direction, as if it were trying to bury him. Another one sprays a jet of vapour into the air.)
DOCTOR: Zoe, Are you there? Zoe!
35, INT: WEATHER-CONTROL
(The warrior approaches the panels Zoe and Jamie are hiding behind, then stops as there is a pounding sound from down the corridor.)
DOCTOR OOV: Zoe! Jamie! Let me in!
(The creature strides away towards the source of the sound.)
36, EXT: WEATHER-CONTROL GROUNDS
DOCTOR: Zoe, Jamie Zoe! Ohh!
(He moves out of the doorway as another vapour pustule attempts to spray it's deadly load into his face, then fans the spores away with his handkerchief. He sees a wave of sludge gushing towards him.)
DOCTOR: Oh no!
(He tries to move back into the doorway, but loses his footing and falls head-first into the soup. The Martian fungus has won.) | {"type": "series", "show": "Doctor Who", "episode": "06x27 - The Seeds of Death - part 5"} | foreverdreaming |
The Seeds of Death
Episode Six
By Brian Hayles and Terrance Dicks
Original Air Date: 1 March, 1969
5:15pm - 5:40pm
1, INT: WEATHER-CONTROL
(The warrior approaches the panels Zoe and Jamie are hiding behind, then stops as there is a pounding sound from down the corridor.)
DOCTOR OOV: Zoe! Jamie! Let me in!
(The creature strides away towards the source of the sound.)
2, EXT: WEATHER-CONTROL GROUNDS
DOCTOR: Zoe, Jamie Zoe! Ohh!
(He moves out of the doorway as another vapour pustule attempts to spray it's deadly load into his face, then fans the spores away with his handkerchief. He sees a wave of sludge gushing towards him.)
DOCTOR: Oh no!
(He tries to move back into the doorway, but loses his footing and falls head-first into the soup. The Martian fungus has won. Moments later, the victory is snatched from the fungus as a figure resembling a curious parody of a snowman bursts through the surface of the clinging goo. Covered from head to toe in the slimy fungus the Doctor continues to desperately rap on the door.)
DOCTOR: Ohh! Zoe!
3, INT: CORRIDOR
(The Ice-Warrior strides down the corridor.)
DOCTOR OOV: Let me in! Zoe, Jamie!
4, EXT: WEATHER-CONTROL GROUNDS
DOCTOR: Are you in there.?! Jamie!
5, INT: CORRIDOR
(The warrior continues to lumber down the corridor.)
6, EXT: WEATHER-CONTROL GROUNDS
DOCTOR: Jamie open the door!
7, INT: CORRIDOR
(Jamie and Zoe have been following the warrior. As it moves towards the door Jamie motions to Zoe to open the door while he leads the warrior off. He edges close to it, then jumps out.)
JAMIE: Gahhh!
(He waves his arms at the warrior for a moment, then runs down the corridor. The warrior fires at the fleeing target, but it is too slow. It begins to pursue Jamie down the corridor. Zoe rushes up to the door)
8, EXT: WEATHER-CONTROL GROUNDS
(The fungus is still at neck-height and a blob seems to have attached itself to the top of his head.)
DOCTOR: Zoe, Jamie, if you're there let me in!
(He notices a mammoth pustule begin to expand right next to his face.)
DOCTOR: O-hoh no!
(He covers his mouth with his handkerchief and his eyes open wide in horror.)
9, INT: CORRIDOR
(Zoe rushes down the corridor.)
DOCTOR OOV: Jamie, Zoe open this door! Jamie? Zoe?
10, INT: WEATHER-CONTROL GROUNDS
(The Doctor presses the handkerchief firmly to his mouth and stares in horror at the expanding fungal mass.)
11, INT: CORRIDOR
(Zoe rushes down the corridor and tugs at the door, but it seems to have stuck.)
12, INT: WEATHER-CONTROL GROUNDS
(The Doctor is captivated by the advance of the horrifying vegetable and it's deadly pustule which is half the size of the Doctor and still growing...)
13, INT: CORRIDOR
(Zoe manages to wrestle the door open at last, and in gushes a tidal-wave of Martian fungus which spills down all over the floor like a giant congealing sneeze. In the middle of the gloop is a soggy, bedraggled, but alive Doctor. He springs to his feet and rushes to help Zoe slide the metal door closed again, stemming the tide of the battle for the moment.)
DOCTOR: Oh! Oh-oh! Oooh-oh! Oh my word!
(Zoe leads him away from the door.)
DOCTOR: Oh-what? Oh.
(They round a corner.)
DOCTOR: Oh my word, oh that was a dangerous situation! Oh-oh!
ZOE: Oh, it still is Doctor. There's an Ice-Warrior in the building!
DOCTOR: What, wha-what about Jamie?
ZOE: Oh well he drew the warrior off so that I could let you in!
DOCTOR: Oh no, we must help him!
ZOE: Oh no Doctor, this way!
DOCTOR: What?
14, INT: WEATHER-CONTROL
(Jamie skids back into the control room, the hissing breath alerting him to the fact that the warrior is still close behind. He looks for somewhere to hide, but the warrior was caught up with him. Jamie ducks forward to escape a sonic blast, then runs around a metal support girder, momentarily confusing the beast.
He rushes across the room and through a metal door, pulling it closed and locking it behind him. He runs across the catwalk just as the warrior fires it's w*apon at the door causing the metal to warp and wobble...)
15, INT: CORRIDOR
(Jamie skids to a halt as he almost collides with a still slimy Doctor and Zoe rushing towards the control room.)
JAMIE: Doctor!
DOCTOR: Jamie!
ZOE: Oh Jamie where's the Ice-Warrior?
JAMIE: Oh well, I-I locked him in the room that we were trapped in.
(They all listen for a moment, and they hear the whine of a sonic g*n nearby.)
DOCTOR: I don't think he's stayed in there Jamie, come on!
(They all begin to rush the way Jamie was heading, and rounding a corner they come across a door with a sign above reading "SOLAR ENERGY ROOM".
Jamie heads towards it.)
ZOE: Oh look, we could hide in here.
JAMIE: We'd just be trapped again!
(The Doctor reads the sign on the door with interest.)
DOCTOR: No Jamie, I think this is just the place, come on!
(They all enter, closing the door behind them.)
16, INT: SOLAR-ENERGY ROOM
(The Doctor looks around.)
DOCTOR: Solar energy room - that means that's a radiation door. Now if I can just find the control, it must be here somewhere...
ZOE: Oh Doctor hurry!
JAMIE: Oh what do you mean?
DOCTOR: Now just a minute...
(The Doctor moves to a panel and examines what he has to work with.)
17, INT: CORRIDOR
(The Ice-Warrior trudges down the corridor looking all around for it's elusive prey.)
18, INT: SOLAR-ENERGY ROOM
JAMIE: Aye, is that the one?
(Jamie throws a switch and the room plunges into darkness.)
DOCTOR: No Jamie!
(The Doctor turns the switch back illuminating the room again.)
19, INT: CORRIDOR
(The warrior continues it's march, and seeing light flick on and off, it moves towards the solar energy room...)
20, INT: SOLAR-ENERGY ROOM
DOCTOR: It must be one of these.
ZOE: Oh hurry Doctor!
DOCTOR: Ah, there we are, it's got "SHUT" on it!
(The Doctor thumps the switch and the door hums closed just as the warrior lopes into view.)
ZOE: Oh!
(The Doctor pulls Jamie and Zoe away from the door just in case the creature fires through the closing gap.)
DOCTOR: Get back!
(The door shuts.)
21, INT: CORRIDOR
(The Ice-Warrior aims it's sonic disruptor at the door and looses off a volley of deadly soundwaves.)
22, INT: SOLAR-ENERGY ROOM
(They watch from the other side of the metal door as it wobbles like jelly under the onslaught.)
JAMIE: It's trying to blast it's way in!
DOCTOR: Well it should hold for a little while Jamie.
ZOE: Well what do we do now?
DOCTOR: Well, Commander Radnor's sending some security guards...
JAMIE: Oh, a lot of good they'll do against an Ice-Warrior!
ZOE: Solar energy!
DOCTOR: What?
ZOE: When we were on the moon Phipps made a trap.
DOCTOR: Solar energy reflectors, of course! Well we ought to be able to rig something up here.
JAMIE: Aye, well you'd better be quick about it, look that shield-thing won't hold up much longer!
(The Doctor sets to work.)
23, INT: WEATHER-CONTROL GROUNDS
(A squad of oxygen-masked, armed security guards hose their way through the fungus with water t*nk.)
24, INT: CORRIDOR
(The Ice-Warrior stops f*ring for a moment, as if shocked that the door hasn't given way yet. There is a deep wound in the metal surface of the door, a crater scorched black from the intense sonic energy. With renewed determination the warrior begins to blast away at the warped door again.)
25, INT: WEATHER-CONTROL GROUNDS
(The guards manage to hose their way to the heavy metal door to the Weather-Control Bureau, and in moments they have it open and are through.)
26, INT: CORRIDOR
(The guards rush along the corridor, round a corner and come face to face with the hissing warrior. Several sh*ts are fired, but they rebound harmlessly off the toughened shell-like carapace. The Ice-Warrior calmly g*n two of the guards down, and as the other four run away, the creature gives chase.)
27, INT: SOLAR-ENERGY ROOM
(The Doctor has rigged up two round tin reflectors each with a solar lamp in the centre, and linked to a wire being fed straight from the solar-energy socket.)
DOCTOR: Is this the sort of thing that Phipps rigged up Zoe?
ZOE: Well, sort of. It's not quite the same - his was bigger.
DOCTOR: I think you'll find that this will be better for...
(There is a sound of conventional g*n from the other side of the door.)
JAMIE: They're still sh**ting out there, they don't stand a chance Doctor.
ZOE: Are you nearly ready Doctor?
DOCTOR: Yes, yes, open the door.
JAMIE: Are you sure that thing works now?
DOCTOR: Well the only way to find out is to try Jamie, now open the door!
(Jamie and Zoe stand either side of the door as Jamie presses the control to open it. The scarred door hums open and the Doctor holds up the lamps, then lowers them as he sees nothing there.)
DOCTOR: He's gone.
JAMIE: Must be chasing after those guards.
(The Doctor looks disappointed.)
DOCTOR: Another moment and we could have destroyed him!
(The Doctor casts a glance back into the room.)
DOCTOR: There's some more H-D cable there.
JAMIE: Eh?
DOCTOR: You reel it out and I'll make the connections.
JAMIE: What, this?
DOCTOR: Yes, yes that's it Jamie, now hurry up...
(Jamie and Zoe set to work unreeling the miles of cable stored in the room.)
28, INT: CORRIDOR
(Not too far away two guards stand f*ring as four more fall back to a position around a corner. The two guard that were f*ring seem to have learn their lesson, and as the hissing Martian approaches they also fall back. The guards rush out of the doorway into the gardens.)
29, INT: WEATHER-CONTROL GROUNDS
(The Ice-Warrior follows the guards as the move out through the path they cut in the sludge when they arrived. A single guard remains, he determinedly aims his g*n at the head of the inv*de and fires two sh*ts. Twice the warrior reels as the b*ll*ts ricochet from it's crusty helmet, then it raises it's own w*apon.
The guard swirls under the full force of a far superior w*apon to his own, falling lifelessly to the ground, the fungal mass swallowing him up greedily.)
30, INT: SOLAR-ENERGY ROOM
DOCTOR: Zoe, stand by to throw the switch. Jamie, you pull out the cable.
JAMIE: Right.
31, INT: CORRIDOR
(The Doctor exits the room, holding the solar energy reflectors out in front of him as if they were two crucifixes and as he walks Jamie feeds him extra cable. He gingerly turns a corner looking around all the while, back and front, and turning a corner he hears a hissing sound. The Ice-Warrior has decided not to pursue the retreating guards, and has returned to finish it's job on the people in the solar energy room. Turning a corner, it runs straight into the Doctor.)
DOCTOR: NOW Zoe!
32, INT: SOLAR-ENERGY ROOM
(Zoe throws the solar power switch.)
33, INT: CORRIDOR
(The lamps burst into a blaze of intense white ultraviolet radiation causing the unfortunate Martian to contort in agony as it dissolves into another sticky green puddle.)
DOCTOR: Alright Zoe!
(As the lamps blink off he breathes a heavy sigh of relief.)
34, INT: EARTH-CONTROL
COMPUTER: NO INFORMATION YET AVAILABLE FROM THE WEATHER-CONTROL BUREAU.
RADNOR: Oh no! I'd better get over there.
(There is a whistle from a nearby video-screen.)
DOCTOR: T-Mat control? Commander Radnor.
RADNOR: Doctor!
DOCTOR: Ah, this is the Doctor.
RADNOR: Doctor, are you alright? What's happening over there?
DOCTOR: Yes, well we've had quite a battle here, but ah, things are alright now. Er, there was a warrior here, but we've dealt with him.
RADNOR: Excellent! Is there much damage?
DOCTOR: Well yes, I'm afraid so. I'm going to see how much now. How are you getting along with the signal in the satellite?
RADNOR: Er, Professor Eldred and Miss Kelly are coping with it now.
DOCTOR: Oh good. I'll be back as soon as I can.
(The screen plips to black.)
RADNOR: How's it going?
(Kelly looks up from the pile of circuitry that makes up the guts of a complex space-aerial. Beside is an oscilloscope which is monitoring the signature of the pulse rate precisely.)
KELLY: We're ready to test.
RADNOR: Play back recording of homing beam.
(The computer plays a looped selection from the signal on the video of moon-control.)
KELLY: Now, that's the Ice-Warriors' homing beam. Let's see if I can produce that exactly.
(The satellite begins chirruping in a completely different to the Ice-Warrior signal.)
RADNOR: Oh can't you get any better than that?
KELLY: I shall, don't worry!
(She fiddles about within the space-aerial with a screwdriver.)
ELDRED: That's it.
KELLY: I'll lock it to that frequency.
ELDRED: Just one thing Miss Kelly. Now that you've perfected this thing, how do you propose getting it to the launching pad without T-Mat?
KELLY: It just so happens I found a petrol car in a motor museum.
ELDRED: Really, what make?
KELLY: I've no idea, but it's got four wheels and it goes. Get this to the vehicle immediately.
(A technician takes the space-aerial guts away.)
ELDRED: Will a car be able to get through the foam?
RADNOR: Yes, I've arranged for a route to be cleared by hosing the foam.
ELDRED: Good, good.
RADNOR: But the only way we'll ever get rid of it permanently is by rain - lots of rain!
35, INT: WEATHER-CONTROL
(The Doctor is crouched under the weather control console.)
JAMIE: It's hopeless Doctor, you'll never get that thing going again!
DOCTOR: I'm not so sure Jamie, after all it's only the controls that are damaged, the-the workings are alright - if we can bypass the controls. Oh...oh.
You got ya Kn*fe on you?
JAMIE: Eh? Aye...
DOCTOR: Oh, lend it me would you?
JAMIE: Be careful with this.
DOCTOR: That's it, thank you. There we are!
(He tugs a spaghetti-tangle of wires from the inner workings of the machine.)
DOCTOR: Now what've we got here? Oh yes!
(The Doctor sits on the floor, a drowning man amidst a sea of wires.)
DOCTOR: Yes-yes-yes! Yes, well it's just a...just a case of sorting this lot out that's all...
36, INT: MOON-CONTROL
(The Grand-Marshall's jewelled helmet stares out from the screen on the Martian communications device.)
GRAND-MARSHALL: You should not have k*lled him! Who will operate T-Mat?
SLAAR: I have studied the controls.
GRAND-MARSHALL: What if the apparatus breaks down?
SLAAR: I shall send warriors to Earth to bring back technicians.
GRAND-MARSHALL: Soon all the humans on Earth will be extinct!
SLAAR: It will take time for fungus to remove the oxygen from atmosphere.
GRAND-MARSHALL: You must use that time to obtain another human, and do not k*ll him!
SLAAR: No Grand-Marshall.
GRAND-MARSHALL: You will be prepared to activate the homing beam on our signal?
SLAAR: All is prepared Grand-Marshall.
(The screen fades to darkness and Slaar strides away, pausing beside a warrior for a moment.)
SLAAR: I shall return to our ship to finalise invasion plans.
(He leaves.)
37, INT: WEATHER-CONTROL
DOCTOR: Right, now then Zoe, lets see what happens when we try to connect these two together huh?
(He gingerly holds out two pieces of stripped, insulated wire and touches the ends together; as they meet there is a fiery crackle of solar energy and a puff of smoke.)
DOCTOR: Whup! No I don't think so somehow. Now what about these two?
(He touches two new wires together and there is no reaction. He pushes the exposed filaments into one-another and gives them a firm twist.)
DOCTOR: I...I think I've succeeded in...in-in re-establishing one of these rain circuits Jamie.
JAMIE: Not raining yet.
DOCTOR: Oh Jamie, weather control is a... is a very difficult technology, you can't expect immediate results!
ZOE: Are you sure that you are doing it right Doctor?
DOCTOR: Well I hope so Zoe. Just have to hope for the best that's all. Must get on because there's another little job that I want to do...
JAMIE: Have you not got enough to do already?
ZOE: Well what else is there?
DOCTOR: Well I want to make some alterations to my solar energy device.
(He glances at the two reflector tins with their solar lamps which are lying to one side.)
38, INT: EARTH-CONTROL
(Radnor, Kelly and Eldred watch a video-screen as a solitary rocket sits on a launchpad.)
TECHNICIAN OOV: Lift off in five seconds from now. Five... Four... Three... Two... One... Zero.
(The rocket on the screen rises into the air with a blast of booster fuel. The Doctor enters the room. He is accompanied by his two young companions Jamie and Zoe, and swathed head to toe in a cheeky little wire-tangle number with optional hand-held solar reflectors. A large square solar battery (with a dinky-rotating aerial) slung across his shoulder completes the ensemble making it one outfit for Martians to simply die for.)
DOCTOR: With luck Zoe, we shall be having some nice heavy rain before long.
(The Doctor glances at the screen.)
DOCTOR: Ah, there we are.
KELLY: Yes, the satellite.
ELDRED: Isn't that a beautiful sight?
KELLY: We've finished and installed the homing device, it's working perfectly.
DOCTOR: Well done.
KELLY: Doctor..?
DOCTOR: Yes Miss Kelly?
KELLY: I know we're sending up a false signal, but aren't some of the Martian ships bound to follow the right one?
DOCTOR: Well there isn't going to be a right one; there's only going to be ours - the wrong one. And that's going to lead the entire Martian fleet in an orbit around the sun.
ZOE: But what about Slaar's signal?
DOCTOR: Oh obviously that has to be stopped.
ELDRED: But how?
DOCTOR: Well as soon as the satellite has stopped I shall T-Mat myself to the moon and destroy their homing device.
KELLY: They'll k*ll you on sight!
DOCTOR: Oh I don't think so, I-I rigged up a-a rather interesting little device here.
(He brandishes the solar reflectors.)
KELLY: What's it for?
DOCTOR: Well it's a development of the solar energy device which you so successfully used on the moon. Only I've succeeded in rendering it portable. I've er, got a solar battery.
39, MODEL sh*t: SPACE
(The squat, angular, aerial-encrusted body of the satellite tumbles over and over in space in exactly the way a discarded tuna can doesn't.)
40, INT: EARTH-CONTROL
DOCTOR: There, Jamie.
RADNOR: Well there it is, it's in orbit.
KELLY: We're now picking up the alien's homing signal from the moon.
DOCTOR: Well that means that their-their invasion fleet is getting closer. There's not time to be lost. Now are you quite clear? As soon as I have finished destroying their signal we must activate our signal in the satellite.
RADNOR: Oh we'll be ready.
DOCTOR: Right, then I'll be off.
ZOE: Oh Doctor!
DOCTOR: Yes, what?
ZOE: You will be careful won't you?
DOCTOR: Don't worry Zoe, I will. Are you ready Miss Kelly?
KELLY: But Doctor, our control of T-Mat hasn't been tested!
DOCTOR: Then now is the time to test it!
(He enters a nearby cubicle and vanishes as Kelly operates the controls.)
41, INT: MOON-CONTROL
(The Doctor arrives in an identical cubicle on the moon, and steps out. He notices the communications device, and a warrior who is standing guard with it's back turned. Slowly the Martian turns and raises it's w*apon, but the Doctor is quicker, and bathes the warrior in a blast of solar power from his tin reflectors. The warrior falls to the ground and liquefies. The Doctor moves to the communications device and tinkers for a few minutes. Suddenly he hears a hissing breath, before he can move Slaar and an Ice-Warrior enter the room. The warrior raises it's w*apon.)
SLAAR: No!
(He turns to the Doctor.)
SLAAR: You, over there.
(The Doctor moves away from the communications device.)
SLAAR: I ordered you to be destroyed!
DOCTOR: Well you weren't very successful were you?
SLAAR: Destroy that w*apon.
(The warrior fires it's sonic disruptor at the solar reflectors.)
SLAAR: What is your purpose in coming here?
DOCTOR: Well you don't expect me to tell you that, do you?
(Slaar examines the communications device.)
SLAAR: The directional beam is still operative.
DOCTOR: Yes. I'm afraid you were a little too quick for me.
SLAAR: Are you capable of operating the T-Mat mechanism?
DOCTOR: Oh no, I don't think that I coul...
(Slaar gestures to the warrior who raises it's w*apon to cover the Doctor again.)
DOCTOR: Well...well, yes perhaps I could get the hang of it.
SLAAR: As long as you can be useful to us you can live, but this time there will be no escape! You will familiarise yourself with the T-Mat controls.
DOCTOR: Oh, thank you very much.
(The Doctor sits at the console and stretches like a piano player about to give a recital, then moves to tinker with the controls.)
SLAAR: You will not touch the controls until I give the order!
42, MODEL sh*t: SPACE
(The satellite continues to orbit the Earth broadcasting it's dummy signal.)
43, INT: EARTH-CONTROL
KELLY: It's operating perfectly.
RADNOR: Good!
ELDRED: But shouldn't we have waited 'til the Doctor got back?
RADNOR: The moon signal has disappeared hasn't it?
ELDRED: It may be purely atmospheric. For all we know they could be transmitting as strong as ever!
ZOE: The moon signal was strong enough before the Doctor left. He must have succeeded.
JAMIE: Then why hasn't he come back?
44, MODEL sh*t: SPACE
(The satellite continues to confound the Martians as it orbits.)
45, INT: MOON-CONTROL
(The Grand-Marshall address Slaar over the communications device.)
GRAND-MARSHALL: We are receiving your homing signal clearly, soon we shall be entering the gravitational field of the moon.
SLAAR: All is prepared Grand-Marshall. I have obtained the services of another human. He will T-Mat our warriors to Earth.
GRAND-MARSHALL: Good! I shall resume transmission when landing is imminent.
(He ends transmission, and Slaar turns to the Doctor.)
SLAAR: When our warriors arrive you will transmit them to Earth under my direction.
DOCTOR: Yes, but they haven't arrived yet have they? Something might still go wrong you know.
SLAAR: Nothing can go wrong now!
DOCTOR: Well there's many a slip 'twixt cup and the lip.
SLAAR: If anything does go wrong you will be the first to die!
46, INT: EARTH-CONTROL
(An image on a radar-scope shows the progress of the Martian as it approaches the moon.)
RADNOR: Scan closer!
KELLY: If they are going to divert if should happen any moment now.
(They all watch the screen in nervous anticipation.)
ZOE: Look, they're changing course!
RADNOR: I think you're right!
ELDRED: Yes, they're all following the satellite signal!
RADNOR: Then the Doctor must have succeeded, he must have turned off the Martian signal!
JAMIE: Oh, what's happening up there then? Why hasn't he come back?
RADNOR: Don't worry Jamie, a squad of security guards armed with flamethrowers is on their way now. As soon as they get here we'll be able to T-Mat them to the moon.
JAMIE: Oh they'll be too late!
RADNOR: You'll just have to be patient!
JAMIE: Oh och, I'm sick of being patient!
(Jamie takes Zoe to one side for a moment.)
JAMIE: Zoe, that er, T-Mat thing...do you know how it works?
ZOE: I think so, why?
JAMIE: Could you T-Mat me back to the moon?
ZOE: Oh now Jamie, surely...
JAMIE: Look, either the Doctor's all right in which case we have no need to worry, or he's in danger and he needs my help.
47, INT: MOON-CONTROL
GRAND-MARSHALL: Slaar! We are bouncing between the Earth and the moon! The signal has not led us into the moon's gravitational field!
(Slaar's hissing increases tempo as he becomes agitated.)
SLAAR: Have you lost my signal?
GRAND-MARSHALL: Your signal is being received clearly, but we are off course.
SLAAR: Are you sure your calculations are correct?
GRAND-MARSHALL: Our calculations have been checked, you have sent us into an orbit close to the sun!
SLAAR: Use your retro-active rockets to change course!
GRAND-MARSHALL: It is too late, there is insufficient fuel for manouevre. You have failed us Slaar! We shall all die! We are being drawn into the orbit of the sun!
SLAAR: This is impossible! The signal...
(He examines the communications device.)
SLAAR: There is no power.
(And turning to the only possible cause for the error...)
SLAAR: You did this!
DOCTOR: Yes.
(He stands up and stares the Ice-Lord calmly in the face.)
DOCTOR: That signal has been going no further than this control room.
SLAAR: But they were receiving my signal!
DOCTOR: Not your signal, ours.
SLAAR: You sent a signal? From Earth?
DOCTOR: We sent up a satellite. That signal has sent your fleet into a false orbit!
SLAAR: The heat of the sun will k*ll them! You have destroyed our entire fleet!
DOCTOR: You tried to destroy an entire world.
SLAAR: Earth will still die, the fungus will take the oxygen from your atmosphere!
(The Doctor smiles.)
DOCTOR: No, I'm afraid that you've failed there too. We can destroy the fungus.
(Slaar stumbles backwards, and reels against the communications device in shock.)
SLAAR: k*ll him!
(As the warrior moves to obey there is a voice from a cubicle in the corner.)
JAMIE: Doctor!
DOCTOR: Jamie, look out!
(The Doctor leaps into action like a turbocharged superhero. Climbing the chair, he is over the control console in two seconds flat, g*n himself into the warrior behind and tugging at it's w*apon. The sonic burst goes wide finding a quite different mark to the one intended. With a lethal bubbling of air the Ice-Lord Slaar is caught by his own warrior's w*apon, his insides liquefying even faster than his countless human victims. He slides to the floor like a wet sack. Jamie runs from his cubicle towards the Ice-Warrior yelling.)
JAMIE: Creag an tuire!
(The Doctor scurries up from behind the console and thrusts the end of a wire into Jamie's hand.)
DOCTOR: Jamie, a live terminal!
(Before the confused Ice-Warrior can react, both Jamie and the Doctor press a plug either side of the warrior causing the solar energy to lance through it's form steaming it in it's shell like a large green lobster.)
DOCTOR: Oh down Jamie!
(Jamie throws his plug away and leaps to one side as the warrior collapses.)
DOCTOR: Oh goodness me! Jamie, ah,
(Jamie nods at the Doctor.)
DOCTOR: Thank you very much. We must T-Mat ourselves back to Earth...
48, STOCK sh*t: RAINSTORM
(Lightning flashes and thunder rumbles as dark clouds loom overhead watering the landmasses of the world. As the rain falls the slime and sludge that has been overrunning the gardens and fields shrivels and dies, then dissolves down leaving no trace that it had ever been there.)
COMPUTER: WIDESPREAD RAINFALL THE COUNTRY, SOME FLOODING BUT NONE SERIOUS. FUNGUS RAPIDLY DISAPPEARING, OTHER WEATHER CONTROL BUREAU COMING INTO OPERATION. WORLD FOOD SHORTAGES BECOMING PARTIALLY RELIEVED...
(Peeking through a gap in the clouds for a moment, the sun refracts through the sheets of icy water in myriad dazzling colours.)
49, INT: EARTH-CONTROL
COMPUTER: ...NOW T-MAT BECOMING OPERATIONAL AGAIN. MESSAGE TO COMMANDER RADNOR FROM THE SECURITY COUNCIL OF THE UNITED NATIONS, CONGRATULATIONS.
RADNOR: Alright, discontinue report.
ZOE: So you really did know what you were doing at the weather control bureau?
DOCTOR: But Zoe, of course I did!
JAMIE: Aye, well at it took long enough to work, eh?
RADNOR: Well, the rain seems to have disposed of the fungus well enough. Now the next thing to do is to get T-Mat fully operational again.
KELLY: Yes, when moon relay's repaired we must check over the equipment and build in safeguards. From now on T-Mat must be entirely controlled from Earth.
ELDRED: Oh surely you've learned not to put all of your eggs in one basket in future?
KELLY: T-Mat in itself is perfectly effective!
ELDRED: You need a secondary transportation system, a fleet of rockets on permanent standby!
RADNOR: Yes, but professor Eldred we...
KELLY: There's no need to go to those lengths!
ELDRED: It's a question of common sense, and I'm sure the Doctor will agree with me. Doctor...
(They all look around, but the Doctor, Jamie and Zoe are gone.)
50, INT: SPACE MUSEUM
(Three soggy figures with coats on their heads scurry into the museum.)
JAMIE: Did you really have to make it rain as hard as all that?
DOCTOR: Oh Jamie, sometimes I think you're never satisfied!
ZOE: Oh, what did you rush us back here for?
DOCTOR: Well you know, questions, explanations - it's very difficult, come on.
(He skips into the TARDIS.)
ZOE: Oh where are going now?
JAMIE: Oh it's no use asking him, he's no more idea than the man in the moon!
(The Doctor pokes his nose through the doorway.)
DOCTOR: I heard that Jamie! Come on!
(Jamie and Zoe follow the Doctor back into the TARDIS and the door swings closed after them. There is an ethereal thuddering from within the square blue box, and with a trumpet blast of worn-out engines it fades into nothingness leaving no trace; save three sets of wet footprints that mysteriously and abruptly end before a table containing the tiny model of an obsolete ion-jet rocket.) | {"type": "series", "show": "Doctor Who", "episode": "06x28 - The Seeds of Death - part 6"} | foreverdreaming |
The Space Pirates
Written by Robert Holmes
Episode 1
Original Air Date: 8 March, 1969
5:15pm - 5:40pm
1: SPACE
(A huge beacon - a large decagonal structure made of eight pre-fabricated sections, a docking station and a power shield section - hangs in the blackness and silence of space. The words on the side of the structure designate it as "ALPHA 1". A smaller black, pointed ship moves up next to and docks with the beacon.)
2: INT. SPACE BEACON ALPHA ONE. AIRLOCK
(The pressure gauge in the airlock reaches normal and the doorway from the new ship buzzes opens to admit three men dressed in helmets and space armour. They carry various pieces of equipment. One of them is an older moustached man - DERVISH. He is dressed in a uniform and helmet of the same ilk. He watches as one of the other two men moves to the doorway which leads into the beacon itself and starts to open it.)
3: SPACE
(Soon, outside the beacon, two men in helmeted spacesuits traverse along the hull. As they do so, they attach a small magnetic devices to the outside of the beacon along with a propulsion unit.)
4: INT. SPACE BEACON ALPHA ONE. PASSAGEWAY
(CAVEN, the leader of the raiders, walks into the beacon from the airlock. He wears a ribbed and armoured uniform with a helmet which covers most of his head but leaves his nose, mouth and cold eyes exposed.)
CAVEN: Dervish... (Shouts.) Dervish!
(DERVISH walks up to him from within the beacon.)
DERVISH: We're nearly finished.
CAVEN: About time.
DERVISH: Our men are just coming. We'll detonate by radio beam.
CAVEN: Right, hurry it up.
(The other two men return and they all re-enter their ship. The door to the airlock buzzes closed behind them.)
5: SPACE
(The ship moves away from the beacon. A radio signal transmits from the ship and, seconds later, a huge expl*si*n takes place that breaks the beacon up into its component sections.)
6: SPACE
(A V-Ship, a large military cruiser with the registration number V41-LO, moves through space. It is flat with an small Eagle design on the front of the ship.)
7: INT. V-SHIP FLIGHT DECK
(Inside the ship, the flight deck is on two levels. The upper level, whose front panel is decorated also with an Eagle insignia, is the command area whilst the flight technicians sit on the lower level. A large monitor screen dominates one of the walls of the lower level. All the occupants of the ship wear space-age military uniforms consisting of silvery suits with metallic interlocked diamond collar insignia. MAJOR IAN WARNE, the young American second in command, walks into the room and past TECHNICIAN PENN, another young man with dark hair and a moustache, on the lower level.)
MAJOR IAN WARNE: Everything all right, Penn?
TECHNICIAN PENN: Fine, sir.
MAJOR IAN WARNE: Fine.
(WARNE makes his way up to the upper level by way of some steps at the back and approaches an older grey-haired man who sits in a command chair overlooking the flight deck. The dais in front of the chair is covered by a large astral grid-map. At the back of the command level is a small monitor screen.)
MAJOR IAN WARNE: You sent for me, sir?
(GENERAL HERMACK looks up and speaks in a rich clipped tone.)
GENERAL HERMACK: Ah yes. Ian, sit down.
(WARNE sits in the chair next to him.)
MAJOR IAN WARNE: Thank you.
GENERAL HERMACK: Any information on that beacon signal yet?
MAJOR IAN WARNE: No sir. There's been no response to the secondary emergency circuits either.
GENERAL HERMACK: No, there wouldn't be.
MAJOR IAN WARNE: Sir?
GENERAL HERMACK: What do you think has happened to that beacon?
MAJOR IAN WARNE: Well, it's difficult to say, sir. It could be a failure in the solar energy store.
GENERAL HERMACK: No, the emergency power would operate and we'd get a May-Day signal.
MAJOR IAN WARNE: Well?
(WARNE considers, then...)
MAJOR IAN WARNE: Oh, you don't think this is a mechanical failure, sir?
GENERAL HERMACK: No, no, I don't. These beacons are practically fool proof.
MAJOR IAN WARNE: You got any ideas?
GENERAL HERMACK: Yes, I have. And I must be right - Argonite! These beacons are almost entirely constructed of Argonite.
MAJOR IAN WARNE: Of course, sir! What are you going to do about it?
(HERMACK turns to the controls in front of his chair and switches on the ship wide communications. He picks up a microphone and speaks into it as all the personnel on the flight deck stop and listen to the echoing message...)
GENERAL HERMACK: (Into microphone.) Attention all personnel. This is General Hermack. Your V-Ship is now fifty days and many billions of miles out from Earth. You're entering the fourth sector of our galaxy. In this sector for some time now, Earth Government has been aware that a highly organised g*ng of criminals have been roaming the space ways, and preying upon defenceless cargo ships. The main target of these criminals is Argonite, the most valuable mineral known to man, and so far only found on the planets of the Fourth Sector. A government space beacon marking the approaches to the planet New Sarum has ceased transmitting its navigation signal. These beacons, as you know, are constructed of Argonite. It is my belief that the criminals are attacking the government navigation beacons and plundering the Argonite. There can be no other explanation for its failure. This being the case, I have decided to...abandon our present mission and to investigate the missing beacon in the New Sarum sector. I want all section commanders on the bridge at twenty hundred hours, sector four, solar time. Resume normal duties until then.
(He switches off and turns back to WARNE who gestures to the grid map.)
MAJOR IAN WARNE: There are eighteen space beacons cra...scattered across this sector, sir.
GENERAL HERMACK: Seventeen, Ian, until the one at New Sarum's replaced.
MAJOR IAN WARNE: Seventeen. And they're millions of miles apart.
GENERAL HERMACK: Mmm hmm.
MAJOR IAN WARNE: So how can we be sure which one the pirates are likely to att*ck next?
GENERAL HERMACK: (Smiles.) Ha ha! We can't.
MAJOR IAN WARNE: Well exactly. The odds are seventeen to one against us being in the right place at the right time.
GENERAL HERMACK: Ah! With our speed, I think we can cut those odds a bit.
(He also points to the map.)
GENERAL HERMACK: Now, there are four beacons in the Pliny Solar System here. That is where we'll start our patrol.
8: SPACE
(Beacon "ALPHA 7" is as seemingly as peaceful in the blackness of space as its recently destroyed counterpart. Again, the sleek, pointed ship docks with the structure.)
9: INT. SPACE BEACON ALPHA SEVEN. AIRLOCK
(Again the airlock gauge rises and the door to the newly arrived ship buzzes open. CAVEN and DERVISH both enter the airlock followed by the two space-suited pirates who again carry their equipment and start to ready it. CAVEN watches the two men impatiently.)
CAVEN: (Urgently.) Come on! Speed it up.
DERVISH: Caven, I don't like this.
CAVEN: Nobody's asking you to like it. Just get those scissor charges laid into position.
DERVISH: If we att*ck any more beacons we'll have the whole of the Interstella Space Corps in this sector.
CAVEN: Look. As of this moment, the Space Corps has its hands full of trouble. Brush f*re wars in three different sectors . There's never been a better time for getting rich.
(DERVISH opens the door to the beacon.)
DERVISH: Right lads. Now we'll lay four charges along the main axle, then we'll attach booster charges around the hull. Okay.
(The two pirates move into the beacon. DERVISH is about to follow but CAVEN stops him.)
CAVEN: You're a good engineer, Dervish. Just do your job and leave the Space Corps to me, eh?
DERVISH: Okay, but I worked ten years for Earth Government.
CAVEN: You should've stayed with them. They'd have given you a pension.
(CAVEN laughs.)
DERVISH: Attacking Government property is one crime they make sure never pays.
CAVEN: Sixteen hundred tons of pure Argonite pays all right, Dervish. To me this is like a floating bank.
(CAVEN laughs again and the two men step into the beacon.)
10: SPACE
(The two space-suited pirates float along the outside of Beacon Alpha Seven, again placing charges and a propulsion unit.)
11: INT. V-SHIP FLIGHT DECK
(WARNE is on the lower command deck and stops before the station of TECHNICIAN PENN.)
MAJOR IAN WARNE: What range are the forward scanners set for, Penn?
TECHNICIAN PENN: Fifteen hundred, sir.
MAJOR IAN WARNE: Well, reset them at, er, two thousand. Right?
TECHNICIAN PENN: Very good, sir.
MAJOR IAN WARNE: And keep a sharp eye on that screen. There are lots of rogue asteroids in the Pliny System.
TECHNICIAN PENN: Sir.
(WARNE steps up to the upper deck where HERMACK is giving instructions to another part of the V-Ship through the tannoy system.)
GENERAL HERMACK: (Into microphone.) Oh and one thing more. Make sure the Minnow ships are fully fuelled, and put the detonation heads on their m*ssile. Report back as soon as that is done.
(HERMACK finishes giving his instructions.)
MAJOR IAN WARNE: We're approaching the Pliny system now, sir. We've made scanner contact with the four beacons. They're functioning normally.
GENERAL HERMACK: Ah good.
(He looks over the astral chart and indicates one point on it.)
GENERAL HERMACK: Now this - the planet Ta here - is the main one in the system. We'll orbit here for a few weeks and see what happens.
MAJOR IAN WARNE: So that's Ta, huh?
GENERAL HERMACK: Ah, you've heard of it?
MAJOR IAN WARNE: Yeah, that's the headquarters of the Issigri Mining Corporation. The most productive planet in the entire galaxy.
GENERAL HERMACK: Hm hmm. Madeleine Issigri has built quite a place there. Which is one reason for basing ourselves in the Pliny system.
MAJOR IAN WARNE: Why's that a reason, sir?
GENERAL HERMACK: Well, if we're out here long, Ian, the men will need somewhere for rest and recreation. Deep space sickness is the one thing we can't chance.
(PENN calls up from his lower deck station.)
TECHNICIAN PENN: Major Warne?
MAJOR IAN WARNE: What is it Penn?
TECHNICIAN PENN: I've got a contact sir. At...
(He checks the radar scanner.)
TECHNICIAN PENN: Beacon Alpha Seven.
MAJOR IAN WARNE: Well hold on it. Any identification?
TECHNICIAN PENN: No sir. Too far away.
(HERMACK studies PENN'S screen from the upper level.)
GENERAL HERMACK: Ah, it's a space ship right enough. Check central flight information, Ian, and see if anyone should be out there.
MAJOR IAN WARNE: Right sir.
(WARNE walks off to check and HERMACK shouts our an order to his crew.)
GENERAL HERMACK: Change course for Beacon Alpha Seven.
(He then speaks through the ship's tannoy system.)
GENERAL HERMACK: (Into microphone.) Bridge to Power Room, I want ten seconds main boost.
(The rising sound of the engines echoes through the room. WARNE returns with his report.)
MAJOR IAN WARNE: According to flight information, sir, there should be no ships in the area within the next seventeen days.
GENERAL HERMACK: Ah, well whoever they are they've not yet reported to central flight information.
MAJOR IAN WARNE: Do you think it's the Pirates?
GENERAL HERMACK: It could be. Though some of these commercial flights don't always like to report their whereabouts, er, for reasons of their own. Anyway we shall soon know.
12: SPACE
(The pirate ship moves away from Beacon Alpha Seven and off into space.)
13: INT. V-SHIP FLIGHT DECK
(This movement shows on PENN'S radar screen.)
TECHNICIAN PENN: She's backing off, sir.
GENERAL HERMACK: Keep track of her.
(The blip on the screen gathers pace as they all watch.)
12: SPACE
(The pirate ship moves further off.)
14: INT. V-SHIP FLIGHT DECK
TECHNICIAN PENN: She's moving quite fast, sir.
MAJOR IAN WARNE: Got a good turn of speed for a commercial.
GENERAL HERMACK: Is Beacon Alpha Seven still functioning?
(WARNE checks a reading.)
TECHNICIAN PENN: Yes, sir. Very strong signal.
GENERAL HERMACK: Ah, well, that's something.
MAJOR IAN WARNE: Maybe they were just picking up emergency supplies, sir. Some of these beacons do carry reserve medical and oxygen equipment.
TECHNICIAN PENN: (Puzzled.) Sir, I've... got another signal coming in now. It's a UHF!
MAJOR IAN WARNE: UHF? Well that's reserved for demolition teams.
GENERAL HERMACK: Well, put it on audio.
TECHNICIAN PENN: Yes sir.
(PENN does as instructed and the warbling signal is heard across the flight deck issuing from a loudspeaker.)
15: SPACE
(Space Beacon Alpha Seven explodes, again not into fragments but into its component pre-fabricated sections.)
16: INT. V-SHIP FLIGHT DECK
TECHNICIAN PENN: Alpha Seven's broken up, sir!
GENERAL HERMACK: (Angrily.) Argh! Right under our noses. Main boost.
(Again the sound of the rising engines is heard.)
TECHNICIAN PENN: Lost the beacon, sir. No more signal.
MAJOR IAN WARNE: No there won't be. It's probably in a dozen separate bits by now.
GENERAL HERMACK: Penn, hold contact with that pirate ship!
TECHNICIAN PENN: Yes, sir.
GENERAL HERMACK: At least we can be sure they don't get away. Ian give me a projected arrival, time.
(WARNE checks a console.)
MAJOR IAN WARNE: Three hours, sir. Maybe I can get a visual on the main scanner.
(In place of the image of the radar signal, a picture of a pirate ship and the beacon fragments appears on the front view screen.)
MAJOR IAN WARNE: There she is, sir. And that's what's left of the beacon.
GENERAL HERMACK: (Pleased.) Oh we've got them cold, Ian! We'll be onto them long before they get rid of that salvaged scrap.
MAJOR IAN WARNE: Yeah, providing she doesn't see us approaching, sir.
GENERAL HERMACK: They don't know...
TECHNICIAN PENN: That ship looks fast...
GENERAL HERMACK: They don't know we're in the same area.
(Suddenly the image on the screen starts to become less distinct.)
GENERAL HERMACK: What's wrong with the scanner?
MAJOR IAN WARNE: Seem to be losing visual contact, sir.
TECHNICIAN PENN: The ship's moving away, sir.
GENERAL HERMACK: What?
TECHNICIAN PENN: Just started to go...and the beacon debris's going with her.
GENERAL HERMACK: Hold that contact, Penn!
TECHNICIAN PENN: It's no good, sir. She's going too fast.
GENERAL HERMACK: They must have twice our speed.
MAJOR IAN WARNE: Maybe the minnows can hold her?
GENERAL HERMACK: Not at this distance. They haven't the fuel.
TECHNICIAN PENN: Lost contact, sir.
GENERAL HERMACK: (Resigned.) Oh...hold the same course.
TECHNICIAN PENN: Sir.
GENERAL HERMACK: Keep searching.
MAJOR IAN WARNE: They must have attached rocket units to the beacon, sir, the way it moved off.
GENERAL HERMACK: Yes. They're very well organised. They cut the beacon into several manageable pieces by means of scissor charges, then sh**t the bits off to some pre-arranged collection point. Very clever.
MAJOR IAN WARNE: And quick. It cuts down the time they're at risk. And they just burn out the Argonite at their leisure.
GENERAL HERMACK: Ian, we shall have to rethink our tactics. We shall never catch them by normal patrol methods.
MAJOR IAN WARNE: What else can we do, sir?
GENERAL HERMACK: (Thinks.) Man the beacons.
MAJOR IAN WARNE: Man them?
GENERAL HERMACK: It's the only answer. We'll drop small parties of four or five men on each beacon, and give them rations and supplies for two months.
Well all these mark five beacons were designed as emergency survival centres.
MAJOR IAN WARNE: Yes sir, but I don't think anybody has ever tried living on them. Some of these beacons are pretty primitive.
GENERAL HERMACK: (Snaps.) I'm not interested in men's comfort, Major! Set course for the nearest beacon.
MAJOR IAN WARNE: Yes, sir.
17: SPACE
(Some time later, the V-Ship docks with another Space Beacon - Alpha Four, in order to carry out HERMACK'S strategy.)
18: INT. SPACE BEACON ALPHA FOUR. AIRLOCK
(The airlock pressure rises and the hatch from the V-Ship opens to admit the dark-skinned LT. SORBA and four other men who carry their g*n and rations for their protracted stay. WARNE follows them into the airlock and small box-shaped communicator with a round aerial on top of it.)
MAJOR IAN WARNE: Here's your radio, lieutenant. It's beamed automatically to main control. All you have to do in the event of trouble is press this button, right?
LT. SORBA: Don't worry, I'll press it.
MAJOR IAN WARNE: Remember your main job here is to give us the earliest possible warning in the event of the pirate ship approaching right?
LT. SORBA: And after that, we fight them.
MAJOR IAN WARNE: After that, I think you'll have to, Joe. Good Luck.
LT. SORBA: Thank you.
MAJOR IAN WARNE: See you in about six weeks.
LT. SORBA: I hope.
(WARNE goes through the airlock and back into the V-Ship. The door closes behind him.)
19: SPACE
(The V-Ship disconnects from the Beacon and moves off.)
20: INT. V-SHIP FLIGHT DECK
(WARNE walks back onto the flight deck through the opening door as HERMACK gives the order to go onto their next destination.)
GENERAL HERMACK: Set a course for Alpha Nine.
TECHNICIAN PENN: Very good, sir.
MAJOR IAN WARNE: I told Lieutenant Sorba we'd be back in about six weeks, sir.
GENERAL HERMACK: Or much earlier if the pirates raid Alpha Four. How's morale on the picket?
MAJOR IAN WARNE: Oh, it's pretty high sir. I think they're hoping for the chance of a party.
GENERAL HERMACK: They understand they have to sh**t on sight?
MAJOR IAN WARNE: Yes sir, I told them. No, anybody poking their nose aboard Alpha Four will find plenty of trouble waiting for 'em.
21: INT. SPACE BEACON ALPHA FOUR. COMPUTER BAY
(The TARDIS materialises in the middle of this potential b*ttlefield. Its arrival point is a cramped computer bay in one of the sections.)
22: INT. SPACE BEACON ALPHA FOUR. COMPANIONWAY
(Meanwhile, LT. SORBA is briefing three of his men in one of the narrow companionways of the beacon. As he does so, the fourth of his SPACE GUARDS climbs down a ladder into the companionway.)
LT. SORBA: Now we're going to be here for about six weeks. Settle down...
(The SPACE GUARD pushes through him comrades.)
SPACE GUARD: 'Scuse me.
LT. SORBA: ...and keep your eyes open. Take care about...
SPACE GUARD: (Interrupts.) Sir!
LT. SORBA: What? What are you doing here? Why aren't you in the observation tower?
SPACE GUARD: There's something in the computer bay, sir.
LT. SORBA: Something? Well what do you mean by that?
SPACE GUARD: I heard something in there, sir - a noise.
LT. SORBA: All right, we'd better check it out then. Come on.
(The men run off towards the computer bay with their g*n held.)
23: INT. SPACE BEACON ALPHA FOUR. COMPUTER BAY
(The DOCTOR steps out of the TARDIS and looks round his darkened surroundings. The TARDIS is at the back of the small compartment on a raised platform. In front of the platform is a square piece of machinery.)
DOCTOR: Oh dear.
(ZOE, dressed in light-coloured hotpants and matching top, steps out of the TARDIS behind him.)
ZOE: Well, what's wrong?
DOCTOR: Well, I...well, I don't think we're...we're quite where I expected.
(JAMIE mutters in no great surprise. The DOCTOR spots the piece of machinery and starts to look over it.)
DOCTOR: But never mind. This looks very interesting.
JAMIE: Interesting? A piece of old machinery?
DOCTOR: Yes. I...I've never seen a computer quite like this before, Jamie.
(ZOE starts to look round the compartment.)
ZOE: It looks like some sort of control room.
DOCTOR: Yes, but what does it control?
JAMIE: Ah, well I think we'd better get out of here before somebody catches us.
ZOE: Good idea.
(She indicates a door to her left.)
ZOE: There's a door here.
JAMIE: No, Zoe, I meant in the TARDIS.
DOCTOR: Jamie, stop worrying. There's obviously nobody here.
JAMIE: Well, how do you know that?
DOCTOR: Well, this machine is programmed to operate by itself.
JAMIE: Eh?
ZOE: Yes, but what does it do?
DOCTOR: Well, I'm not sure Zoe, but I...I think we're on an unmanned spacecraft in a...in a fixed orbit. We're...we're too far away from anywhere to be a...a weather satellite. Let's see what, er, what clues we can find through here, shall we?
(They are about to leave the computer bay through the hatchway indicated by ZOE into the corridor when JAMIE sees a floor panel opening in the upper level of the bay.)
JAMIE: What's that?
DOCTOR: What?
(Before JAMIE can answer, SORBA pops his head through and starts f*ring at the trio.)
JAMIE: Doctor!
ZOE: Oh Jamie, run!
(The DOCTOR, JAMIE and ZOE bolt into the corridor, but away from the computer bay and the TARDIS. JAMIE slams the hatch behind him.)
24: INT. SPACE BEACON ALPHA FOUR. CORRIDOR
JAMIE: Nobody here eh?
ZOE: Oh now what are we going to do? The TARDIS is in there.
DOCTOR: There's only one thing we can do.
ZOE: What?
DOCTOR: Run.
JAMIE: Well, maybe next time you'll listen to me.
ZOE: If there is a next time.
(They dash off as the hatch opens with SORBA and his men in pursuit. SORBA turns round to his men.)
LT. SORBA: All right there are only three of them and they can't get away. Hunt them down and don't forget - sh**t to k*ll.
(They carry on the chase.)
25: SPACE
(Meanwhile, the Pirates' beta dart ship docks with Beacon Alpha Four.)
26: INT. SPACE BEACON ALPHA FOUR. AIRLOCK
(The airlock buzzes open and CAVEN and DERVISH step through, looking round.)
CAVEN: Alpha Four. Another present from the home planet's tax payers.
DERVISH: Same procedure as last time?
CAVEN: Yes, Dervish, but now that you've had a little practice get those scissor charges laid a bit quicker eh?
(The sound of sh*ts from SORBA and his men reach them.)
DERVISH: Hey, what's that? Caven, those were blaster g*n!
CAVEN: Get the crew in here - at the double.
(DERVISH moves back through the airlock into the beta dart to get the crew.)
27: INT. SPACE BEACON ALPHA FOUR. ANOTHER CORRIDOR
(The TARDIS crew, somewhat out of breath, run into another corridor and lock the connecting door behind them.)
JAMIE: Are you all right, Zoe?
ZOE: Yes, I think so.
(The DOCTOR turns a locking bar on the hatch door.)
DOCTOR: That should hold them for a little while.
ZOE: Oh, why are they trying to k*ll us? We haven't done anything.
JAMIE: (Indignantly.) No!
DOCTOR: I don't know. But we're certainly not stopping to find out.
(A strange sound reaches them.)
JAMIE: What's that? (Points.) Look!
(The light of a thermic lance appears on the door as SORBA and his men start to cut their way through.)
DOCTOR: Come on. Let's find somewhere else to hide.
(They run down the corridor into another room.)
28: INT. SPACE BEACON ALPHA FOUR. CORRIDOR
(SORBA and his men continue cutting through the door.)
29: INT. SPACE BEACON ALPHA FOUR. COMPARTMENT
(The TARDIS crew find that they have reached a d*ad end. They are on another small platform which has a handrail running along it. On the right hand side of the lower level is a bank of machinery.)
JAMIE: Doctor, there's no way out of here.
DOCTOR: What?
JAMIE: Look!
ZOE: (Plaintively.) Oh Doctor, what can we do?
DOCTOR: Well, I don't know. If we go down there we'll bump straight into them. I'm afraid we're trapped!
30: INT. SPACE BEACON ALPHA FOUR. CORRIDOR
(The pirates catch up with the space corps and sh**t down SORBA'S men in front of the doorway they are still cutting through. As SORBA collapses, he uses the radio beam to send out a distress signal.)
31: INT. V-SHIP FLIGHT DECK
TECHNICIAN PENN: Thirty minutes from Beacon Alpha Three, sir
GENERAL HERMACK: Right, warn the picket to stand by on C deck, Ian.
MAJOR IAN WARNE: Right, sir.
(He is about to step away, but an alarm beep starts to be heard in the room.)
TECHNICIAN PENN: Emergency from Beacon Alpha Four, sir!
MAJOR IAN WARNE: Sorba's being att*cked!
GENERAL HERMACK: Set course for Alpha Four. Try and get me a visual on the scanner, Ian.
TECHNICIAN PENN: On course, sir.
(HERMACK speaks into the communicator.)
GENERAL HERMACK: (Into microphone.) Bridge to Power House: I want main boost for as long as you can hold it without vapourising the motors.
32: INT. SPACE BEACON ALPHA FOUR. CORRIDOR
(CAVEN and his men are standing over the bodies of the space corps guards. CAVEN notices SORBA is still moving.)
CAVEN: This one's still alive.
DERVISH: So the Space Corps were too busy to bother about us eh?
CAVEN: (Harshly.) Shut up! I'm thinking.
DERVISH: There's no time for thinking - we've got to get out of here!
CAVEN: Four space guards and an officer. What are they doing here?
DERVISH: There must be a cruiser in the area.
CAVEN: Not a big enough crew to defend the beacon, but they must have been put on board for a reason.
(He notices the radio beam device near SORBA'S hand. He picks it up to examine it.)
CAVEN: What's this?
DERVISH: It looks like a fixed beam transmitter. (Realises.) Why that's it! Well, they'll...they'll be on their way back here by now.
CAVEN: (Quietly.) Then you'd better get moving.
DERVISH: Well, you don't still want the beacon cutting up?
CAVEN: That's what we came here to do.
DERVISH: Well, you might...!
CAVEN: (Interrupts.) Don't waste time. Get on with it.
(As DERVISH walks off, CAVEN takes out his g*n and destroys the transmitter...)
33: INT. V-SHIP FLIGHT DECK
(...and the signal on the flight deck cuts out.)
MAJOR IAN WARNE: Could be their radio's packed up, sir?
GENERAL HERMACK: Yes. Can you give me a projected arrival time?
(WARNE checks his console.)
MAJOR IAN WARNE: Two hours, twenty minutes.
GENERAL HERMACK: I should have left a stronger picket.
MAJOR IAN WARNE: Oh no, sir. We haven't the man power. Besides, Sorba knew he could only hope to delay things.
GENERAL HERMACK: I am going to get that g*ng of m*rder thieves if I have to spend the next ten years out here!
34: INT. SPACE BEACON ALPHA FOUR. CORRIDOR
(LT. SORBA, weakened from his wound, lies in a heap on the floor, with CAVEN standing over him. SORBA looks over his fallen comrades.)
CAVEN: Yes, Lieutenant, you're the last of the toy soldiers.
LT. SORBA: sh*t in the back.
CAVEN: (Laughs.) You mean we're disqualified? You don't want to play any more?
LT. SORBA: You can laugh now. But you won't get away with this.
CAVEN: Who's going to stop me, Lieutenant?
LT. SORBA: How did you get those decoys aboard?
CAVEN: (Puzzled.) Decoys?
LT. SORBA: Those three that lead us into your ambush.
CAVEN: Concussion Lieutenant, or stalling for time - which?
LT. SORBA: You know who I'm talking about. They ran off into the aft-companion way.
CAVEN: None of my men down there. Must be some of yours.
LT. SORBA: (Sarcastically.) Sure, we were having a private training session with loaded Thermite g*n.
CAVEN: (Considers.) We did hear f*ring in the airlock. You mean there really is someone else in there?
LT. SORBA: I thought you'd planted them there.
CAVEN: Well, whoever they are, I've got no time to bother with them now.
(DERVISH runs up to CAVEN.)
DERVISH: I've laid the charges. Just fixing the rockets.
CAVEN: Good.
(He gestures to SORBA.)
CAVEN: Well, if he can walk get him out of here. If he can't leave him.
(CAVEN fires his g*n at the round lock on the hatch door to the compartment.)
DERVISH: What are you doing ?
(CAVEN fires again.)
CAVEN: Just sealing a coffin, Dervish.
35: INT. SPACE BEACON ALPHA FOUR. COMPARTMENT
(On the other side of the door, the three travellers strain to listen to the pirates' conversation.)
JAMIE: I wish we could hear what they're saying.
ZOE: I believe they're trying to burn through it.
DOCTOR: Just a minute. I think they've gone away.
ZOE: Well, I don't understand. Why didn't they come in here after us?
JAMIE: Aye, they must've known we were trapped.
DOCTOR: Well...
JAMIE: Why not finish us off?
DOCTOR: They didn't seem very friendly did they?
(The DOCTOR, who has been leaning against the door to listen, suddenly jumps back.)
DOCTOR: Oh!
JAMIE: What's the matter?
DOCTOR: Well it's hot. You try.
JAMIE: Er, ah, no thank you.
ZOE: I told you they were trying to burn through it.
JAMIE: Well, why haven't they?
(They hear a banging noise outside the compartment.)
ZOE: ...
JAMIE: Shh!
ZOE: What's that?
(They move to listen against the outer wall.)
DOCTOR: There's something moving out there.
ZOE: It sounds as though somebody's on the hull.
36: SPACE
(Once again, two space-suited pirates attach the charges and propulsion units to the hull.)
37: INT. SPACE BEACON ALPHA FOUR. COMPARTMENT
JAMIE: What are they doing?
DOCTOR: I don't know Jamie. Perhaps they're cleaning the windows?
JAMIE: Oh... (Realising.) Hey?
ZOE: Look, why don't we sneak back to the TARDIS and get out of here?
JAMIE: Aye, while we've still got the chance.
DOCTOR: Sensible idea, Zoe. Er, umm. You sure there's nobody out there?
ZOE: Well, I haven't heard anybody for ages. Come on.
(ZOE approaches the door.)
DOCTOR: Mind out, it's hot.
(She touches the door.)
ZOE: Well it's not hot any more.
DOCTOR: What?
(ZOE tries to open the door, but it won't budge.)
ZOE: Oh, I can't unlock it.
JAMIE: Oh, let me, Zoe. You'll have to eat more porridge.
(JAMIE gives it a try, but to no avail.)
DOCTOR: Jamie, I don't think it's any use. You know what I think they've done?
JAMIE: What?
DOCTOR: They've welded the lock. We're prisoners.
38: SPACE
(The Pirates' Beta Dart detaches from the beacon and moves off.)
39: INT. V-SHIP FLIGHT DECK
(PENN calls up to the commanding officers on the upper deck.)
TECHNICIAN PENN: They're leaving Beacon Alpha Four, sir.
40: SPACE
(The Beta Dart continues to speed off.)
41: INT. V-SHIP FLIGHT DECK
MAJOR IAN WARNE: It's exactly what happened before.
GENERAL HERMACK: What is our arrival time?
TECHNICIAN PENN: Still ninety minutes to go, sir.
GENERAL HERMACK: (Furiously.) We are going to be too late again!
(They suddenly hear the detonation radio signal.)
MAJOR IAN WARNE: The beacon should blow any second now.
42: SPACE
(Space Beacon Alpha Four explodes.)
43: INT. SPACE BEACON ALPHA FOUR. COMPARTMENT
(The TARDIS crew is thrown to the floor screaming, as smoke fills the exploding beacon.) | {"type": "series", "show": "Doctor Who", "episode": "06x29 - The Space Pirates - part 1"} | foreverdreaming |
The Space Pirates
Written by Robert Holmes
Episode 2
Original Air Date: 15 March, 1969
5:15pm - 5:40pm
1: SPACE
(The Pirates' Beta Dart detaches from the beacon and moves off.)
2: INT. V-SHIP FLIGHT DECK
(PENN calls up to the commanding officers on the upper deck.)
TECHNICIAN PENN: They're leaving Beacon Alpha Four, sir.
3: SPACE
(The Beta Dart continues to speed off.)
4: INT. V-SHIP FLIGHT DECK
MAJOR IAN WARNE: It's exactly what happened before.
GENERAL HERMACK: What is our arrival time?
TECHNICIAN PENN: Still ninety minutes to go, sir.
GENERAL HERMACK: (Furiously.) We are going to be too late again!
(They suddenly hear the detonation radio signal.)
MAJOR IAN WARNE: The beacon should blow any second now.
5: SPACE
(Space Beacon Alpha Four explodes.)
6: INT. SPACE BEACON ALPHA FOUR. COMPARTMENT
(The TARDIS crew is thrown to the floor screaming, as smoke fills the exploding beacon.)
7: SPACE
(The huge V-Ship continues its journey.)
8: INT. V-SHIP FLIGHT DECK
(HERMACK and WARNE have come down to the lower deck where they walk over to PENN'S station where the soldier is furiously adjusting controls on his console.)
GENERAL HERMACK: Penn! Give me a bearing on that pirate ship.
TECHNICIAN PENN: I can't pick her up, sir.
GENERAL HERMACK: (Furiously.) What?
(No signal now shows on the radar sweep.)
TECHNICIAN PENN: The debris from that beacon's jammed the signals.
GENERAL HERMACK: Oh, Penn, you are an incompetent, useless...
(With a choked-off growl, HERMACK turns and strides away. MAJOR IAN WARNE gives PENN a reassuring tap on the shoulder.)
MAJOR IAN WARNE: Keep trying, Penn.
TECHNICIAN PENN: (Gratefully.) Yes, sir.
(WARNE moves to the upper level of the bridge to join HERMACK. The GENERAL is standing by a refreshment station, watching black coffee trickle into a plastic cup.)
GENERAL HERMACK: Ah, coffee?
MAJOR IAN WARNE: Yes please, sir.
(HERMACK passes a cup to WARNE.)
MAJOR IAN WARNE: Thank you.
(For a moment the two men stand sipping their coffee in silence. HERMACK sees the look on WARNE'S face.)
GENERAL HERMACK: All right, I know. The men are doing their best.
MAJOR IAN WARNE: General?
GENERAL HERMACK: Isn't that what you were going to say?
MAJOR IAN WARNE: Something like that, yah.
(HERMACK turns and looks at the upper deck monitor screen, which shows the eight disconnected sections of the beacon.)
GENERAL HERMACK: You see? They're moving out of range already.
MAJOR IAN WARNE: (Ruefully.) If only we could have sustained continual main boost, it might have been a different story. They must have a base somewhere in this system. We're more than fifty days out from home planet.
GENERAL HERMACK: Quite, they can have main boost the whole time. Our only chance is getting close enough to launch the minnows.
MAJOR IAN WARNE: Or locate their base. They must have dispatched pieces of that beacon to it. If we could just locate one of the pieces.
(HERMACK shakes his head.)
GENERAL HERMACK: Can't be done. If those auxiliary rockets cut out, we've nowhere to track on.
(He gestures towards the screen. Each piece of the beacon is disappearing.)
GENERAL HERMACK: You see - there's nothing left now.
MAJOR IAN WARNE: We've got the tactile scanner, sir.
GENERAL HERMACK: That would be like looking for a single speck of dust at the bottom of an Argonite mine.
(WARNE puts his coffee down and stares at the main screen on the lower deck.)
MAJOR IAN WARNE: Do you think there's any chance they're still alive out there?
GENERAL HERMACK: You mean Sorba's men?
MAJOR IAN WARNE: Yeah.
GENERAL HERMACK: I doubt it. I doubt if anyone's alive on that beacon now.
(He too stares over at the large lower deck monitor.)
9: SPACE
(The eight segments of the Beacon quietly drift in space.)
10: INT. SPACE BEACON ALPHA FOUR. COMPARTMENT
(Inside their segment, the TARDIS crew is still and lifeless. Smoke from the expl*si*n still hangs in the air.)
11: INT. V-SHIP FLIGHT DECK
(TECHNICIAN PENN spots a reading on his scanner and yells up to the upper deck.)
TECHNICIAN PENN: Major Warne!
(WARNE hurries over to the edge of the deck.)
MAJOR IAN WARNE: What is it, Penn?
TECHNICIAN PENN: Rocket ship, sir.
MAJOR IAN WARNE: Are you sure?
TECHNICIAN PENN: No doubt of it, sir, and she's right in the area where Beacon Alpha Four went up!
(WARNE hurries over to controls and starts turning them.)
MAJOR IAN WARNE: Right, can I get it on the TS?
TECHNICIAN PENN: We should be able to, sir, bearing starboard nineteen from SDC.
(WARNE adjusts his controls.)
MAJOR IAN WARNE: Nineteen SDC...
(GENERAL HERMACK comes over.)
GENERAL HERMACK: What is it, Ian?
MAJOR IAN WARNE: There's something on the radar, sir.
GENERAL HERMACK: The pirates?
MAJOR IAN WARNE: Well, if it is, there's something wrong with their ship. She's hardly moving.
GENERAL HERMACK: But they don't even know we're in the same area.
MAJOR IAN WARNE: Oh, I don't know, sir. They must be aware there's a V-Ship in the system. They ran into our picket on Alpha Four. Which is why, somehow, I don't think this can be their ship.
GENERAL HERMACK: But according to flight information, there should be nothing in this solar system for the next eighty hours.
(WARNE looks at the upper level monitor screen on which the shape of a rocket ship starts to become clear.)
MAJOR IAN WARNE: There she is, sir. And that isn't the ship we saw before.
GENERAL HERMACK: No, it isn't. Can you get a closer sh*t?
(WARNE adjusts controls, and the image on the screen grows larger. It now shows a battered, stubby, curiously old-fashioned rocket ship. Its battered hull is dented and pitted by numerous meteor scars, and it bears the insignia LIZ 79, painted in sprawling letters on the clumsy nosecone. WARNE stares at it in disbelief and starts to laugh.)
MAJOR IAN WARNE: That's one of the old C-class freighters, sir. I didn't know they were still flying.
12: INT. LIZ-79
(Inside the battered old spaceship that is causing the V-Ship so much concern, an equally battered old space pilot is about to start breakfast. An egg emerges seemingly from a side panel in a control console, as the owner of the ship comes into the room. MILO CLANCEY is a stocky, heavily-moustached man in his early sixties. He comes into the main room of the ship singing "Over the Rainbow" to himself and sits down in the pilot's chair. It is a stark metallic flight cabin, surrounded by old-fashioned patched-up controls. He's currently wearing the trousers to an old-fashioned heavy-duty space-suit, the tunic of which is draped over the back of his chair, together with a garish tartan shirt and a gaudy neck-scarf. Scooping up the egg, MILO pops it into the egg-cup which stands with a coffee pot and mug on a nearby tray together with various other bowls and cups. Drawing a formidable-looking Kn*fe from its belt-sheath, MILO lops off the top of the egg. He then stares expectantly at a smoking metal container on top of the console. He pulls the hinged lid of the back and takes out two blackened objects, that had once been slices of toast. MILO looks at them in disgust, and then, since the b*rned toast is still too hot, he drops them onto the floor. He speaks to himself in an American accent.)
MILO CLANCEY: The last of me nutty sliced bread! Rubbishy new-fangled solar toasters!
(He gets ready to eat again but a power drain causes the light in the room to flare and MILO hops on his chair over to a nearby control and presses a switch.
Getting no response, he hits the console, causing the power to come back on.)
MILO CLANCEY: Ah, that's better.
(Above his head, as he tries to eat his breakfast, an illuminated panel bearing the word "CALL" begins flash. MILO puts down his tray, puts his tray down and gets up. He flicks a switch and puts on a pair of headphones with an attached microphone. A speaker gives out a whine of static. He twiddles a knob and a familiar voice emerges through the crackle.)
GENERAL HERMACK: (OOV: Over communicator.) This is V-41. V-41 calling LIZ-79. LIZ 7-9, can you hear me?
MILO CLANCEY: (Into radio.) LIZ-79, LIZ-79, I can hear you V-41. Go away!
(MILO shoves a spoonful of egg in his mouth.)
GENERAL HERMACK: (OOV: Over communicator, angrily.) What?! Now listen - this is General Nikolai Hermack, Commander of the Space First Division.
Give me your identity registration.
MILO CLANCEY: (Into radio.) A general, a real general. Oh, General, why don't you...take yourself off? I'm trying to have mah breakfast!
(He eats another spoonful of egg.)
13: INT. V-SHIP FLIGHT DECK
GENERAL HERMACK: (Into radio.) LIZ 79, give me your identity registration. That is an order.
MILO CLANCEY: (OOV: Over communicator.) Oh come on, General, I lost that thing about thirty years ago. Now why don't you go about your business and leave me alone.
(WARNE has hurried up with a computer print out. He feeds it into the console and on the upper level scanner, screen data appears.)
MAJOR IAN WARNE: That's LIZ 79's registration, sir. She's a real old-timer - she's been afloat for about forty years.
(HERMACK looks at the information sheet and, his attitude transforming, starts laughing.)
GENERAL HERMACK: Milo Clancey! I might have known.
MAJOR IAN WARNE: You know him, sir?
GENERAL HERMACK: Of him. Out in Reja Magnum, where I did my first tour, he was something of a legend.
(HERMACK turns back to the communicator microphone.)
GENERAL HERMACK: (Into radio.) Milo Clancey! I have your identity registration here.
MILO CLANCEY: (OOV: Over communicator.) I'm very glad for you, General. That's great work. That's very good. Now...now, good day.
(HERMACK holds onto his temper...)
GENERAL HERMACK: Listen Clancey! Where are you from and where are you bound?
14: INT. LIZ-79
MILO CLANCEY: (Into radio.) Might I ask, General, what tarnation business that might be of yours?
(He eats more egg as HERMACK'S patience snaps.)
GENERAL HERMACK: (OOV: Over communicator.) Clancey, I'm coming alongside with a boarding party. I warn you - don't try and resist.
(MILO shrugs philosophically.)
MILO CLANCEY: (Into radio.) I won't tangle with you, General. You come on in, join the party. Oh, mind you don't scratch your nice shiny white paint.
15: SPACE
(Meanwhile, the Beacon segments continue to drift on their journey.)
16: INT. SPACE BEACON ALPHA FOUR. COMPARTMENT
(On board the detached segment of Beacon Alpha Four, the DOCTOR suddenly stirs and sits up, clutching his aching head. He looks at his two motionless companions and shakes JAMIE gently in an attempt to rouse him.)
DOCTOR: Jamie...Jamie...
(He doesn't move. Looking round the cramped cabin the DOCTOR sees an oxygen t*nk clamped to the wall. Struggling to his feet he unhooks it and starts to carry it over to his unconscious companions.)
17: INT. V-SHIP FLIGHT DECK
(WARNE comes onto the upper deck.)
MAJOR IAN WARNE: I've sent a guard aboard, sir, to pick up Clancey. I don't think he'll give us any trouble.
GENERAL HERMACK: Yes...well, he won't co-operate though. Ian, have you ever run across any of these old-timers?
MAJOR IAN WARNE: No, sir.
GENERAL HERMACK: Well, they think they're a law unto themselves. They don't like the Space Corps either.
MAJOR IAN WARNE: Why?
GENERAL HERMACK: Well these old mining prospectors - like Clancey - were the first men to go out into deep space. For a time they had the place to themselves. Roaming the space-ways, looking for planets, jumping each other's claims. They were a wild breed, Ian, and they learned to live without the law.
MAJOR IAN WARNE: And then the Space Corps came along and started to enforce law and order, right?
GENERAL HERMACK: Yes, much to their resentment. Clancey must be the last of the type.
(At that moment, MILO CLANCEY strolls onto the bridge, under the escort of a couple of troopers. MILO is still wearing his ancient space-suit trousers and tartan shirt. The only addition is an old, but still serviceable, blaster r*fle resting casually over one shoulder. He glances round the upper deck.)
MILO CLANCEY: My, my, my. Well they certainly do you slickers proud don't they? Aye, this is like a whole floating fun-palace up here!
GENERAL HERMACK: Clancey! I am General Hermack.
MILO CLANCEY: Howdy!
GENERAL HERMACK: And this is Major Warne, my ADC.
MILO CLANCEY: Major?
GENERAL HERMACK: What are you doing in this system and why you are not on feed-back to Central Flight Information?
MILO CLANCEY: (Feigning surprise.) Oh, er, am I not, General?
GENERAL HERMACK: No.
(CLANCEY steps down to the lower deck and also starts to "inspect" it as HERMACK and WARNE watch.)
MILO CLANCEY: Oh? No, you're right, no, you're right. I remember now. That old feed-back of mine, it just sort of fell to bits about, er, five year ago now.
GENERAL HERMACK: Five years?!
MILO CLANCEY: Or could it be ten? (Laughs.) Yep, certainly could be ten. I've been always meaning to get that thing fixed.
MAJOR IAN WARNE: You know it's an offence to operate without a feed-back to CFI?
MILO CLANCEY: An offence?
MAJOR IAN WARNE: Right.
MILO CLANCEY: Oh, I didn't realise that, sonny, no. Oh dear, oh dear, oh dear. There are so many offences these days.
GENERAL HERMACK: (Sternly.) Clancey, what are you doing in this system?
MILO CLANCEY: Well, I am the head of the Milo Clancey Space Mining Company.
(HERMACK glances at the data on the upper deck monitor.)
GENERAL HERMACK: Yes, we know all about that, we have your identity registration here.
MILO CLANCEY: Oh, that must be great for you, General, to have all of those facts at your fingertips like that!
GENERAL HERMACK: (Patiently.) Get to the point, Clancey.
(MILO'S voice hardens.)
MILO CLANCEY: You would know the point if you'd been reading my reports I've been sending to you the last two years.
MAJOR IAN WARNE: What do you mean?
MILO CLANCEY: Argonite pirates - that's what I mean, sonny.
GENERAL HERMACK: (Interested.) Go on, Clancey.
MILO CLANCEY: Over the last two years, I have lost five floaters, carrying Argonite ore back to home planet. They were hijacked, General, and they were brought into this system.
MAJOR IAN WARNE: You reported this, you say?
MILO CLANCEY: Ah, aye, I reported this, sonny, about a dozen times I reported it, but it didn't do me any good did it?
(CLANCEY steps back up to the upper level.)
MILO CLANCEY: Ah, so I said to myself, all right, all righty, I'll just have to do something about this meself!
GENERAL HERMACK: How much Argonite did you have on each floater?
MILO CLANCEY: I had a full load. Fifty thousand tons unrefined ore.
MAJOR IAN WARNE: What makes you so sure that your floaters were bought into this system?
MILO CLANCEY: Time, sonny, time. This system is the closest to where they left the space-way. And my old, er...floaters, they've got no propulsion units
- they're...they're unmanned. They don't move very fast, sonny.
MAJOR IAN WARNE: I know that!
MILO CLANCEY: (To HERMACK.) Oh, he's a good lad. He's a bright lad, this boy of yours! (Laughs.) That's good thinking. Hey, is it all right if I, er, blow my nose, or is that another offence?
(Without waiting for a reply, MILO produces a grubby handkerchief and blows a resounding blast, much to the soldier's disgust.)
MILO CLANCEY: My old nose. I can't get used to all your fancy air-conditioning.
GENERAL HERMACK: Yes, well, that's a pity, Clancey, but I'm afraid you'll have to put up with it a bit longer.
MILO CLANCEY: Ah?
GENERAL HERMACK: Now, how long have you been in the area of, er, Beacon Alpha Four?
MILO CLANCEY: Beacon Alpha Four?
GENERAL HERMACK: Yes.
MILO CLANCEY: Er, er, have you a chart, General?
(HERMACK jabs a finger at the star chart on a nearby table.)
GENERAL HERMACK: Here!
(MILO peers at the chart.)
MILO CLANCEY: Er...oh, that's where we are! Well, well, well. You see my charts don't pick up these new fanged beacons. I don't trust them.
MAJOR IAN WARNE: Ah, just an astral pointer and a piece of string, huh?
MILO CLANCEY: That is right, sonny.
(He looks at the map again.)
MILO CLANCEY: Hey listen, I can't see Beal...Beacon Alpha Four here either. That's what I'm telling you. They're unreliable. It's...they're a waste of public money!
GENERAL HERMACK: (Snaps.) Beacon Alpha Four is not registering because it's not there any more.
MAJOR IAN WARNE: The Argonite pirates blew it up three hours ago.
MILO CLANCEY: Oh, did they so? Well that'd be for salvage, I guess. Yeah, that would be it...
GENERAL HERMACK: (Coldly.) You don't seem very surprised, Clancey.
MILO CLANCEY: No, no, I'm not, General. This is clearing up a whole heap of things in mah head. I can lose every floater I've got and your fancy Space Corps won't do a thing about it. But the government loses one government beacon and that's a different matter - then you come running. That's what you're here now for.
GENERAL HERMACK: Well, if there is any truth in your story, Clancey, and we do catch up with the pirates, you'll be entitled to put in a claim for compensation.
MILO CLANCEY: Ho, ho! If I waited for you to catch these critters, I'd catch mah death of cold, waiting forever. I should think this old crate of yours has about half the speed of a Beta Dart, right?
(CLANCEY tries to look over WARNE'S shoulder at the deck controls but the MAJOR tries to block his view.)
MAJOR IAN WARNE: (Suspiciously.) Our speed is classified information.
MILO CLANCEY: Oh, that may be, sonny. But this marauding band of sharks, you know they're using Beta Darts - one of the latest. You're in the wrong league, boys. Why don't you just go home where you came from?!
MAJOR IAN WARNE: How do you know what ship they have?
MILO CLANCEY: (Angrily.) Because I crossed their thieving flight path a couple of times. And if my old LIZ had any speed about her, I'd have rammed 'em!
18: INT. SPACE BEACON ALPHA FOUR. COMPARTMENT
(The DOCTOR is standing on a ledge and peering through an observation port set high in the wall. JAMIE and ZOE support him.)
ZOE: Can you see anything, Doctor?
DOCTOR: I'm...I'm coming down, look out.
(He climbs down looking worried.)
JAMIE: Well what's on the other side? Could you see?
DOCTOR: Jamie, I'm a...I'm afraid that there's nothing on the other side - just space.
JAMIE: Hey?
DOCTOR: It appears that this machine we're on has been blown into about eight separate pieces.
ZOE: (Amazed.) Are you sure?
DOCTOR: Well, of course I'm sure. Get up and look for yourself if you don't believe me.
ZOE: Well then, that must have been the expl*si*n?
JAMIE: Doctor, does...does that mean the TARDIS has gone?
DOCTOR: Yes, Jamie.
JAMIE: Well that means we'll never get it back!
(JAMIE himself climbs up to look out.)
ZOE: (To the DOCTOR.) I don't understand. Why would anybody want to blow up a space machine?
DOCTOR: Sabotage perhaps.
ZOE: Well, what about those men that tried to k*lled us?
DOCTOR: Oh, I...I think they were here to defend the machine. That would explain why they were so unfriendly towards us.
(JAMIE climbs down.)
JAMIE: Well, what you're saying is that we've landed ourselves in the middle of some sort of w*r in space?
ZOE: And now we're just floating aimlessly on a bit of debris.
DOCTOR: No, Zoe, not aimlessly. There appear to be rockets attached to each part of the machine. And they're all moving along together.
JAMIE: Hey?
DOCTOR: Well, as you know, Jamie, when something explodes in space, all the pieces separate and go on separating indefinitely. But this machine has separated just so far, perhaps a mile and now, as I said, they're all moving along together at the same speed.
ZOE: Because of the rockets. Oh I see! So whoever broke up the machine, is sending all the pieces to the same place?
DOCTOR: It looks like it, Zoe.
JAMIE: Oh, so we can get back to the TARDIS then - if it's only a mile away.
DOCTOR: (Gently.) A mile in space, Jamie, with no oxygen or means of propulsion?
(The DOCTOR looks beyond JAMIE to a wall of the compartment. He has a look of interest on his face.)
ZOE: It might just as well be a thousand miles.
JAMIE: (Disgusted.) Oh, that's just fine then.
(The DOCTOR moves closer to the wall, listening intently.)
ZOE: Have you got an idea, Doctor?
DOCTOR: Shh, shh, just a minute.
(There is a faint buzzing.)
DOCTOR: Now what on earth is that?
19: INT. V-SHIP FLIGHT DECK
(MILO has finally lost patience.)
MILO CLANCEY: Oh, look here, General. If you've finished with all your fool questions, I've got work to do. I want to get back to my ship.
GENERAL HERMACK: (Smiling.) All right, Clancey, I'm sorry to have detained you.
(WARNE looks at his commander in puzzlement.)
MAJOR IAN WARNE: Sir?
MILO CLANCEY: (Cautiously.) What...what, you mean I can go?
GENERAL HERMACK: Of course.
MILO CLANCEY: Oh, that's great. That's very kind of you. I'll...I'll just say goodbye then, General...er. goodbye.
(CLANCEY goes watched by a disapproving WARNE. The MAJOR then stands to attention.)
MAJOR IAN WARNE: (Crisply.) The navigators are standing by for orders, sir.
GENERAL HERMACK: Obviously, you think I've done the wrong thing.
MAJOR IAN WARNE: It's not for me to say, General.
GENERAL HERMACK: You think I let Clancey go too easily.
MAJOR IAN WARNE: I would have put him through the mind probe, sir.
GENERAL HERMACK: That did occur to me. He does seem to be mixed up with these Argonite pirates.
MAJOR IAN WARNE: Too much.
GENERAL HERMACK: You think he's in league with them?
MAJOR IAN WARNE: It's possible, sir. You said he's no respecter of the law. That story about floaters and pirates could have just been a cover story.
GENERAL HERMACK: I quite agree.
MAJOR IAN WARNE: (Puzzled.) You agree sir?
GENERAL HERMACK: Oh yes, Ian. Not only do I think that Milo Clancey is in league with the Argonite pirates, I think he is the mastermind behind the whole organisation - which is precisely why I let him go!
20: INT. SPACE BEACON ALPHA FOUR. COMPARTMENT
(The DOCTOR has succeeded in removing an inspection panel and is examining the circuitry behind it. JAMIE and a weary looking ZOE watch him from the steps.)
JAMIE: Oh, what's he doing now?
ZOE: I've no idea - ask him.
JAMIE: Oh, what's the use? He's got his mysterious face on.
ZOE: Well I think he's just trying to keep our hopes up.
JAMIE: Hopes?
ZOE: By looking busy. There's nothing anyone can do now. I'd say we've got a few hours at the outside.
(JAMIE stares at her in alarm.)
JAMIE: What do you mean by a few hours?
ZOE: Well, haven't you noticed, Jamie? Haven't you noticed how difficult it is to breathe properly now?
(JAMIE looks worried and feels his throat.)
21: INT. V-SHIP FLIGHT DECK
(WARNE talks into the communicator microphone.)
MAJOR IAN WARNE: Bridge to armoury - this is Major Warne. I want a Minnow readied for immediate launching. Fit contact warheads to the Martian m*ssile.
22: SPACE
(The V-Ship continues on its journey. In the central part of the hull two a hatch falls back and a smaller pointed craft appears from the on a ramp. The small ship takes off with a great burst of speed, and flies off into space.)
23: INT. V-SHIP FLIGHT DECK
(HERMACK leans down over the ledge of the upper deck.)
GENERAL HERMACK: Navigator Penn.
TECHNICIAN PENN: Sir?
GENERAL HERMACK: Keep contact with Major Warne in the minnow, until he reports he's within visual range of LIZ-79.
TECHNICIAN PENN: Very good, sir.
(He turns to the main communicator. Meanwhile, HERMACK snatches up a communications microphone.)
GENERAL HERMACK: (Into microphone.) V-Master to XX-1. Come in, Ian.
24: INT. MINNOW FIGHTER
(WARNE, helmeted, sits in the cramped cockpit of the Minnow fighter.)
MAJOR IAN WARNE: (Into communicator.) Okay, General. I'm following Clancey without his knowing.
25: INT. V-SHIP FLIGHT DECK
GENERAL HERMACK: (Into microphone.) Yes, but remember he's no fool. If he suspects he's being followed, you'll be in trouble. Meanwhile I'm going in to land on Ta. Relay reports to the nearest beacon.
26: INT. SPACE BEACON ALPHA FOUR. COMPARTMENT
(The DOCTOR is mixing around some of the circuits and wires in the panel. All three are now finding it very difficult to breathe and JAMIE and ZOE are now sprawled on the steps of the compartment.)
ZOE: Oh Doctor, can we have some more oxygen?
DOCTOR: No, I'm afraid not, Zoe. We've got to conserve it.
JAMIE: Oh, what's the use? We'll never get out of this.
DOCTOR: Come here, both of you.
(ZOE and JAMIE heave themselves to their feet and slowly walk over to the DOCTOR.)
DOCTOR: Look...look at these.
(He points at several boxes in the panel.)
JAMIE: What are they?
DOCTOR: They're solar powered magnets. It's a force field!
JAMIE: Hey?
DOCTOR: Well, don't you see? The expl*sive charges that blew this machine apart didn't damage its structure. They simply divided it along the lines of its electromagnetic fields.
ZOE: Well, how do you know?
DOCTOR: Because there was no damage to the structure.
ZOE: Oh, you mean...the machine was built in separate sections and assembled in space by magnetism?
(The DOCTOR digs out two magnets from his pocket, one held on a piece of string.)
DOCTOR: Yes, you see, Jamie, opposite poles attract and...
(He shows JAMIE the opposite ends of the magnets locking together.)
DOCTOR: ...and...and the same poles repel.
(The other ends of the magnets push each other away.)
DOCTOR: You see, try it. There...
(He gives the magnets to JAMIE and, as the DOCTOR and ZOE talk, JAMIE plays with them.)
ZOE: Oh, so the expl*si*n was just strong enough to break the magnetic attraction, but between each section?
DOCTOR: Yes.
JAMIE: But that doesn't do us any good does it?
DOCTOR: Yeah, but it just might Jamie! Supposing I could step up the electromagnetic power enough to bridge the space between this section and the next...
ZOE: You mean draw it towards us?
DOCTOR: Yes, and then repeat the process with each section and so on until we reach the TARDIS!
JAMIE: Hey, well do you think you could do it?
DOCTOR: Well, I've got a screwdriver.
(He holds up a screwdriver. JAMIE groans.)
JAMIE: Oh.
DOCTOR: I've...I've got a slight knowledge of electromagnetism.
ZOE: (Nervously.) Yes, there's just one thing, Doctor...
(The DOCTOR indicates the oxygen cylinder at his feet.)
DOCTOR: Oh, er, Jamie, would you move this, er, cylinder out of the way?
(JAMIE does so.)
ZOE: How do you know the next section to this one is an opposite pole?
DOCTOR: Well, I don't, Zoe.
ZOE: Well then, if it's similar, your idea won't work, will it? We'll just sh**t off in the opposite direction!
DOCTOR: (Reproachfully.) Zoe, don't be such a pessimist.
27: SPACE
(The V-Ship flies towards the planet of Ta in the distance.)
28: INT. TA. MADELEINE'S OFFICE
(MADELEINE ISSIGRI, the president of the Issigri Mining Corporation, is as impressive as her plush metallic office. A tall, dark-haired, strikingly beautiful young woman, she the calm authority of someone accustomed to wealth and power. She wears a futuristic dress and a helmet type hat that totally fits the contours of her head. At the moment she is leaning back in her chair, a faint smile on her lips, watching as GENERAL HERMACK talks to WARNE whose image appears on a monitor built into a pillar. A female secretary, dressed in a similar fashion to MADELEINE, comes in with a big flask of liquid.)
MAJOR IAN WARNE: (On monitor.) Thirteen hundred: XX-1 to V-Master. I have made visual contact with LIZ-7-9. We're still orbiting in the same dimensional plain. Nothing further to report.
MADELEINE ISSIGRI: It must be very...uncomfortable after a few hours in one of those minnows, General.
GENERAL HERMACK: Ah, it is.
(MADELEINE pours a drink into the GENERAL'S thin metal goblet.)
GENERAL HERMACK: Thank you. But then after a week you get quite used to it.
(She calls up LIZ 79's information on the screen.)
MADELEINE ISSIGRI: I thought so! LIZ-79 is Milo Clancey's ship.
GENERAL HERMACK: (Laughs.) Your records are very comprehensive.
MADELEINE ISSIGRI: Why is he being followed?
GENERAL HERMACK: Well, I explained to you the purpose of this mission. I believe that Cal...Clancey has connection with the Argonite pirates.
MADELEINE ISSIGRI: That seems unlikely.
GENERAL HERMACK: Oh why?
MADELEINE ISSIGRI: He has Argonite mines on the planet Lobos.
GENERAL HERMACK: Which I hear are pretty well worked out.
MADELEINE ISSIGRI: (Proudly.) They used to say this planet was worked out. But I brought in new machinery and today it's the most productive in the galaxy.
GENERAL HERMACK: I must say I'm...surprised to find you of all people defending Clancey.
MADELEINE ISSIGRI: Why?
GENERAL HERMACK: Well, because of the rumours connecting him with the death of your father - Dom Issigri.
MADELEINE ISSIGRI: Well, I tried to prove that at the time but...but nobody knows what happened between them so...now I prefer to forget it.
GENERAL HERMACK: But you took over the Argonite holdings from your father and split away from Clancey?
MADELEINE ISSIGRI: Yes.
GENERAL HERMACK: And now you run the most successful Argonite mining business in the galaxy, while Clancey, because of your competition, must be pretty nearly bankrupt.
MADELEINE ISSIGRI: Is that why you think he's taken up with piracy?
GENERAL HERMACK: Well, jealousy of your great success would be a pretty strong motive - unless of course, you disagree.
MADELEINE ISSIGRI: Oh, you may be right. Well, I haven't seen him since the day the partnership was dissolved, so...well I don't know what he feels.
GENERAL HERMACK: Well, I can understand it. For a man like Clancey, to be defeated by an attractive woman like you at his own game - he'd take any risk to get his revenge.
(MADELEINE thinks about this.)
MADELEINE ISSIGRI: Well, I wouldn't like to think that that was true.
GENERAL HERMACK: Your concern does you credit. But I'm convinced I shall have the proof I need within a few hours.
MADELEINE ISSIGRI: Really? How?
GENERAL HERMACK: Warne has reported that Clancey is still on the same dimensional orbit as he was when we left him. Obviously he is expecting a rendezvous.
MADELEINE ISSIGRI: With the pirate ship?
GENERAL HERMACK: I think so.
29: INT. SPACE BEACON ALPHA FOUR. COMPARTMENT
(The DOCTOR, JAMIE and ZOE congregate round the cylinder of oxygen, breathing in the gas. The DOCTOR closes the valve.)
DOCTOR: (Softly.) I think that's all we can spare.
JAMIE: How much longer?
DOCTOR: I've nearly done it, Jamie. I've just got one more connection to make.
JAMIE: Well, I hope it works.
DOCTOR: Yes, of course it will work. The theory is perfectly sound.
(JAMIE looks at the wiring, as the DOCTOR starts to make the final connection.)
JAMIE: Aye, maybe. That wiring looks like a cat's cradle to me.
DOCTOR: Yes, yes, it's...a little bit of a mess, Jamie, but I assure you it's...it's thoroughly functional. Thoroughly functional. Here we are, now...you two had better hold on.
(Breathing with difficulty, JAMIE and ZOE grab the rail by the steps.)
DOCTOR: Are you ready?
JAMIE: Yes.
ZOE: Yes, ready Doctor.
DOCTOR: Hold tight. Here we go.
(The DOCTOR pulls a switch and a low humming noise fills the little cabin. All three start to lie back as the force pushes hard against their bodies. Rising steadily in frequency, the noise soon turns into an ear-splitting shriek.)
DOCTOR: Oh, oh, oh!
JAMIE: Oh, what's happened?!
ZOE: Oh Doctor, you've got it wrong! We're gathering speed!
DOCTOR: I know! I know! I... I... I...
(As JAMIE and ZOE desperately hold onto the rail, the DOCTOR tries to pull back the switch, but it won't budge.)
DOCTOR: I can't turn it off! Ah!
ZOE: (Appalled.) What?!
DOCTOR: Ah! Ah... ah no! I'm stuck! The power's too great!
JAMIE: Well, isn't it working?
ZOE: Oh yes, it's working all right, but the wrong way! We're being sh*t further into space!
30: SPACE
(The beacon segments float peacefully together but the far right segment flies off to the left and into space.)
31: INT. SPACE BEACON ALPHA FOUR. COMPARTMENT
ZOE: (Shouts.) Oh, Doctor, for goodness sake, do something!
DOCTOR: I'm trying to, Zoe. I...I'm trying to...
(The DOCTOR holds on with one hand and desperately struggles to shut down his magnetic lash-up with the other. The DOCTOR succeeds at last, the high-pitched howling dies away and the room becomes still. The three companions fall to the floor.)
ZOE: Oh, thank goodness!
JAMIE: Are we all right now?
(The DOCTOR remains silent but looks desperately concerned.)
ZOE: Doctor?
DOCTOR: No Zoe, I...I'm afraid we're not. Even if I could reverse the magnetic field, I'm afraid we're...too far away from the next section.
ZOE: Then we're worse off now - just floating hopelessly in space.
DOCTOR: Yes. Oh dear. What a silly idiot I am...
32: INT. TA. MADELEINE'S OFFICE
MADELEINE ISSIGRI: Well, naturally General, I'm prepared to give all the help I can.
(The communicator bleeps, MADELEINE presses a button on her desk and the monitor shows WARNE'S face in the minnow.)
MAJOR IAN WARNE: (On monitor.) 13:10. XX-1 to V-Master.
GENERAL HERMACK: (To MADELEINE.) Something must be happening. He's not due to report.
MAJOR IAN WARNE: (On monitor.) LIZ-7-9 is now on retro-drive. She's linking with a section of Alpha Four. Standing by for orders.
GENERAL HERMACK: (Triumphantly.) You see? Clancey's in the collection area. He's awaiting the beacon sections.
MADELEINE ISSIGRI: Well, it could be coincidence. He's seen the drifting wreckage and he's curious.
GENERAL HERMACK: Madam, you'll need a 90M computer to work that out. No, this is the proof I need!
MADELEINE ISSIGRI: What are you going to do? Arrest him?
GENERAL HERMACK: Could I use your audio-board?
MADELEINE ISSIGRI: Of course.
(HERMACK crosses to a console on which their is another monitor and picks up a microphone.)
GENERAL HERMACK: (Into microphone.) V-Master to XX-1. Can you hear me, Ian?
33: INT. MINNOW FIGHTER
MAJOR IAN WARNE: (Into communicator.) Yes sir. LIZ-7-9 is now completing the link-up. I'm standing by for orders.
34: INT. TA. MADELEINE'S OFFICE
GENERAL HERMACK: (Into microphone.) Good, that means he can't make a sudden move. I want you to go in and arrest him.
MADELEINE ISSIGRI: Oh, well your man to be careful, General. Clancey has a terrible temper - he's likely to explode like glycerol trinitrate.
GENERAL HERMACK: (Into microphone.) Ian, if he shows any sign of resistance, use your m*ssile. Otherwise, escort him back here.
MAJOR IAN WARNE: (On monitor.) I understand, sir.
GENERAL HERMACK: Report back when the arrest is made.
(Behind him, MADELEINE turns away and smiles to herself...)
35: INT. SPACE BEACON ALPHA FOUR. COMPARTMENT
(JAMIE and ZOE are slumped back, scarcely able to breathe. The DOCTOR divides the last bit of oxygen between them from the canister. He too is very weak.)
DOCTOR: Here you are.
(The two breathe in the air. JAMIE turns the wheel on the oxygen cylinder but nothing happens.)
JAMIE: Empty.
ZOE: Oh, Doctor, what about you?
DOCTOR: I...I don't need so much as you.
(Suddenly a loud, grinding thump comes from outside the compartment.)
JAMIE: What's that?
DOCTOR: Just a minute, Jamie, listen.
(Bolts begin dropping from the sealed door one by one.)
ZOE: They're cutting through the bolts in the hull.
(JAMIE staggers to his feet.)
JAMIE: We've been discovered!
(He starts to stagger to the newly-cut entrance.)
DOCTOR: Oh, wait a minute, Jamie!
(A panel bursts and a bulky space-suited figure, wearing a helmet appears, covering them with a blaster r*fle. JAMIE spots it.)
JAMIE: Oh no, you don't!
(He springs to the att*ck.)
DOCTOR: Jamie! No!
(There is a fierce crackle of energy from the blaster as it lights up and JAMIE falls to the ground. ZOE shrieks up at the new arrival.)
ZOE: You m*rder! | {"type": "series", "show": "Doctor Who", "episode": "06x30 - The Space Pirates - part 2"} | foreverdreaming |
The Space Pirates
Written by Robert Holmes
Episode 3
Original Air Date: 22 March, 1969
5:15pm - 5:40pm
1.BEACON SEGMENT
(Bolts begin dropping from the sealed door, one by one.)
ZOE: Someone's cutting through the bolts in the hull.
(JAMIE staggers to his feet.)
JAMIE: We've been discovered!
(He starts to stagger to the newly-cut entrance.)
DOCTOR: Wait a minute Jamie!
(A bulky space-suited figure appears, covering them with a blaster r*fle. JAMIE spots it.)
JAMIE: Oh no you don't!
(He springs to the att*ck.)
DOCTOR: Jamie! No!
(It is too late, as there is a fierce crackle of energy from the blaster and JAMIE falls to the ground.)
ZOE: (Shrieking.) You m*rder!
(The blaster r*fle swings round to cover her.)
MILO: Stay still, the pair of yer, unless you want to follow him!
2. MADELEINE'S OFFICE
(General HERMACK is talking to the flight deck of his V-ship via the communicator.)
HERMACK: Ah, Penn.
(PENN's face appears on the screen.)
PENN: (OOV.) Sir?
HERMACK: Major Warne needs some assistance. I want you to take the ship out and stand-off at twenty miles, just in case Clancey tries any tricks during the landing.
PENN: (OOV.) Very good, sir.
MADELEINE: Aren't you going with your ship, General?
HERMACK: Err no, I shall be in charge of ground reception.
(He turns back to the screen.)
HERMACK: Um, leave a section of guards, Penn, with short-ranged m*ssile.
PENN: (OOV.) Right, sir. How long shall I keep the ship in stand-off orbit, sir?
HERMACK: You can come in just as soon as Clancey hits the landing pad.
PENN: (OOV.) Sir!
(He disappears from the screen.)
MADELEINE: All this for one old man? You aren't taking any chances are you?
HERMACK: That is why I'm a general, madam.
MADELEINE: Well what will happen to him?
HERMACK: Well, he'll be taken back to home planet and tried.
MADELEINE: And end in a Nevan prison chamber.
HERMACK: Well, when Clancey turned pirate, he knew the penalties if he was caught.
MADELEINE: Oh yes I know, but I can't help feeling sorry for him. I offered to buy him out two years ago.
HERMACK: And he refused.
MADELEINE: I offered much more than his worked-out concessions are worth. He could have ended his days in luxury.
HERMACK: Why didn't he accept your offer, madam?
MADELEINE: Who knows? He's a foolish old man.
(Major WARNE abruptly comes through on the communicator.)
WARNE: (OOV.) 13:30... X-X 1 to V-Master. I'm receiving no audio response from LIZ 7-9.
(HERMACK moves back to the communicator.)
HERMACK: Is LIZ 79 on thrust or stationary.
WARNE: (OOV.) Stationary, sir. She's berthed against the section of the beacon.
HERMACK: Right, now listen Ian. If you get no reply within two minutes, you are to f*re your warning rockets. And then, if necessary, stand off and use the Martian m*ssile.
3. LIZ 79's CABIN
(The cabin is empty but over the communicator comes WARNE's voice.)
WARNE: (OOV.) This is Minnow fighter X-X 1 to LIZ 7-9. You have one minute to surrender. I repeat, you have one minute to surrender, Clancey.
Are you hearing me?
4. BEACON SEGMENT
(MILO is trying to get answers from the DOCTOR and ZOE, while the DOCTOR is examining JAMIE.)
MILO: Now, come on now! If you don't answer my questions, I'm going to have to start getting tough with you!
DOCTOR: Look, I think he's just stunned, Zoe.
(He rounds on MILO.)
DOCTOR: Now, look here my man, I will not be thr*at in this bullying manner. Do you understand?
MILO: Oh no! A boy, a girl and a nut-case! You can't be the pirates!
DOCTOR: Pirates?
(Understanding comes over his face.)
DOCTOR: Pirates! Oh I see!
(JAMIE starts to groan.)
ZOE: Oh Doctor, he's coming round.
DOCTOR: Oh, Jamie.
(He helps the Scot up.)
MILO: Yes, I think he is coming round girl. I only give him a quarter blast.
(He turns to the DOCTOR.)
MILO: Hey listen, you there! Listen, she calls you "Doctor". "Doctor" she call you, now why did she say that?
DOCTOR: Sheer politeness.
ZOE: Are you all right, Jamie?
(JAMIE groans in reply.)
DOCTOR: Come on.
JAMIE: (Struggling to stand.) Oh, help me!
(The other two help him over to one of the steps to rest.)
MILO: Now look, I'm not going to stand any more of this nonsense. Now, I want to know who you are and where you come from? Now come on!
(He waves the blaster r*fle thr*at.)
ZOE: (Severely.) It's very rude to point, you know. Especially with a g*n.
DOCTOR: (To MILO.) I told you she was polite.
MILO: (Exasperatedly.) How did you get here?
DOCTOR: Oh we just arrived.
MILO: Oh you mean you got some sort of ship you docked on the beacon?
DOCTOR: (Cautiously.) Not so much on it as um...
ZOE: ...In it.
MILO: Inside! Now how could you be doing that? Look, that is not possible!
(Painfully, JAMIE sits up.)
JAMIE: Anything's possible in the TARDIS, especially when he's (Pointing to the DOCTOR.) at the controls.
DOCTOR: Jamie, you're better.
MILO: You really expect me to swallow a story like that! Now look, if I don't get the truth out of you three comics in about ten seconds...
ZOE: But it is the truth!
MILO: One...
ZOE: Everything we've told you is true.
MILO: Two...
DOCTOR: (Counting with MILO.) Three...
MILO: Three...
5. SPACE
(WARNE, in his minnow-ship, fires the first of the warning sh*ts.)
6. BEACON SEGMENT
MILO: Nine... Ten! Now, come on, the truth - I want the whole truth!
(The whole beacon segment is rocked by a shattering expl*si*n from the first of the minnow-ship's warning sh*ts.)
DOCTOR: Oh what... what on Earth's that!?
MILO: Someone's f*ring at us. Come on, let's get out of here!
(He turns and dashes through the gap he earlier cut in the wall.)
DOCTOR: Hey, wait for me!
(He pushes JAMIE and ZOE out after MILO.)
7. LIZ 79.
(MILO leads the TARDIS crew on board the ship. He closes the airlock behind them, and the crew follow MILO as the pilot runs into the flight cabin.)
DOCTOR: Oh, there you are! Now who's f*ring at us?
(Everybody starts to speak, but MILO's voice is the loudest.)
MILO: (Shouting.) No, no! Now quiet, I want to hear this! Listen!
(From the communicator speaker WARNE's voice is crackling into the cabin.)
WARNE: (OOV.) That was a warning sh*t, Clancey. You've no hope of getting away.
(MILO laughs.)
WARNE: Surrender or I'll put the next m*ssile through your hull.
MILO: My, my, my! It's that soft-faced puppy from the Space Corps. (To the TARDIS crew.) Hang on to something everyone, while I gotta... try to do a trick or two on that boy.
(He heaves and thumps at the controls, and the ancient rocket motors roar into life and everybody, except MILO who is in his pilot seat, is thrown violently about.)
WARNE: (OOV.) I can see you moving, Clancey. I'll give you ten seconds to turn-about. Ten seconds then I'm sending a m*ssile in!
MILO: Ten seconds! The nerve of that green-horn, saying things like that to me!
WARNE: (OOV.) One... two... three...
DOCTOR: Well don't you think it would be wiser to parley with him?
MILO: Hold on now, Doctor. Milo Clancey don't take ultimatums from no body!
JAMIE: Well, you can at least do what he wants!
(ZOE looks at MILO in horror.)
ZOE: He's going to f*re a m*ssile onto us!
MILO: I got a trick here worth ten m*ssile.
(He heaves on a rusty lever.)
WARNE: (OOV.) Eight... Nine.. Ten... All right, Clancey, you had your chance!
(CLANCEY laughs.)
8. SPACE
(WARNE's thumb s*ab the f*ring button; the slender-finned m*ssile streaks away from his ship straight towards LIZ 79. It is point black range; there is no possibility of a miss. Suddenly, the astonished WARNE sees a dense cloud of needle-like particles streaming from under the tail of the fleeing vessel. He watches in amazement as the m*ssile enters the cloud and begins pitching and rolling uncontrollably, deviating from its course and streaking uselessly into space. He is even more amazed when his minnow-ship enters the cloud and begins behaving in the exactly the same way. He starts to wrestle furiously with the controls.)
9. LIZ 79
(MILO CLANCEY brings the rear scanner into focus and chuckles gleefully at the sight of the wildly-spinning minnow-ship.)
MILO: That should test young green-horn and his new-fangled toy. Ha, ha! Get yourself out of that one boy!
ZOE: What's happened? What did you do, Mr Clancey?
MILO: (Chuckles to himself.) My own invention, my little chicken-biddy. That's two tons of copper needles - I just lay out beside me when one of those new-fangled space ships gets too close for comfort!
ZOE: But how do copper needles stop a spaceship?
JAMIE: Aye, an... and a m*ssile?
(MILO sprawls back in his chair.)
MILO: Well you see, they've all got those err new-fangled computer guidance systems, you see? The argonite in the space ship - that attracts all the copper, then all those thousand little needles, they all jigger up all their computer scanners!
ZOE: (Puzzled.) What's argonite?
MILO: (Shocked.) What is argonite?! Don't they learn you nothing at school girl?
ZOE: They didn't teach me anything about argonite.
MILO: Oh!
ZOE: Have you ever heard of argonite, Doctor?
DOCTOR: Well, from what Mr Clancey was saying, I imagine it's a metal that's used in the construction of space craft.
(He turns to MILO.)
DOCTOR: Am I right?
MILO: Argonite is used for... well it's used for practically everything. It's ductile, it's tensile, it's heat-proof, it's practically indestructible.
DOCTOR: And magnetically polarised for copper!
MILO: Ah.
(MILO looks at ZOE.)
MILO: You mean to say that you have honestly never heard of argonite? It's the most expensive mineral in the galaxy!
DOCTOR: We told you already. We don't come from this civilisation. We are visitors.
JAMIE: (Low.) And I hope we're not stopping long.
MILO: (Very excited.) Well, if that doesn't b*at jumping grasshoppers. You mean to say you travel around in... in time as well as space?
DOCTOR: (Pleased.) Well, yes, yes. You've grasped the principal very well.
MILO: Hey, hey! That must be a mighty interesting thing to do.
JAMIE: Aye, it would be, if we knew where we were going to land up every time!
DOCTOR: It's just a minor fault in the system. I shall put it right in time.
ZOE: If we ever see the TARDIS again!
DOCTOR: (Remembering.) Oh yes, err... by the way. Um... Mr Clancey, err... would it be going out of your way to drop us off a... at... at... at the space station please?
MILO: I can't do that. It's all in bits, isn't it!
DOCTOR: Oh dear, oh my word! Do you know where we are?
MILO: No, no, no! Only the argonite pirates know that! They're taking them all off for salvage.
DOCTOR: Oh dear, well that will be difficult, won't it?
(MILO turns his mind back to the present problems.)
MILO: Hey, we... we shouldn't be sitting 'round here. We should be get... getting the heck out of here before that General Hermack starts to send some more minnows out, and I've used up all my copper needles!
JAMIE: (Puzzled.) Well who's General Hermack?
MILO: General Herm... He's the Space Corps. He's trailing those pirates - he thinks I'm one of them! That's why I say he's bone-headed, now look, let's move out of here... Excuse me.
(MILO starts pressing buttons and the others start to move out of the way.)
MILO: That's it, get over there. That's it, over there. Come on boy.
ZOE: Mr Clancey...
MILO: Look, you're a good girl and you promise not to cause me trouble, you can call me Milo.
ZOE: Oh, well Milo. There's one thing I don't understand.
MILO: Well you're very lucky girl. There's about a hundred thousand things I don't understand, but I don't stand around asking fool questions about them, I do something useful - why don't you do something useful - why don't you make us all a pot of tea or something?
JAMIE: I thought the pot was broken?
DOCTOR: (Speaking over JAMIE.) Oh yes, that would be lovely.
MILO: Well, ah there's a metal pot in that cupboard there, made of tillium.
DOCTOR: Tillium?
(MILO slams a fist down on the control console.)
MILO: Yeah, that's what this whole space-ship's made of, tillium. Lasted me a life-time round the galaxy. Makes a lousy cup of tea.
ZOE: Oh, that's what I couldn't understand. Why your space ship wasn't affected by the copper needles.
(Her scientific curiosity satisfied, ZOE heads off to look for the teapot.)
JAMIE: Err, what'll happen to us if one of those wee minnow things catches up with us?
MILO: Ah, don't worry lad, they won't. I'm going to go to the one place that General will never think of looking.
10. MADELEINE'S OFFICE
(WARNE is reporting back to HERMACK.)
WARNE: (OOV.) He used some kind of m*ssile device, sir. It jammed out my controls.
HERMACK: Major Warne, can you hear me? I repeat, can you hear me?
WARNE: (OOV.) Just about, sir?
HERMACK: (Furious.) You let Clancey make a complete fool of you! Are you still tracking his ship?
WARNE: (OOV.) No, sir. My radar and sonar screens are out of action.
HERMACK: WHAT?!
WARNE: (OOV.) I can't sit here with just... I request assistance immediately, sir.
HERMACK: (Coldly.) Your request is noted.
(The crest-fallen figure on the screen disappears. MADELEINE is handing a stack of cassettes to her secretary.)
MADELEINE: These are the shipping times. Send them out on clans printer to all branch stations. These are production figures and loading dates - code them and send them to head office right away. Priority clear.
(She turns to General HERMACK as the secretary leaves.)
MADELEINE: Anything wrong, General?
HERMACK: Yes. Clancey has escaped.
MADELEINE: How did that happen?
HERMACK: I don't know yet but I mean to find out. May I monopolise your video channel a while longer?
MADELEINE: Of course.
HERMACK: Thank you.
(HERMACK turns some knobs on the communicator.)
HERMACK: General Hermack to V-41.
(PENN's face is now on the screen.)
PENN: (OOV.) Yes, general?
HERMACK: Ah Penn. Did you pick up Major Warne's last report on your monitor?
PENN: (OOV.) Some of it, sir. There was lots of interference.
HERMACK: Right, now I want the rest of the minnow fleet launched and I want LIZ 79 found and destroyed! Is that understood?
PENN: (OOV.) Yes, sir.
HERMACK: Report back as soon as the minnow fleet is clear.
(The screen goes d*ad.)
HERMACK: I am not giving Milo Clancey any more chances!
11. V-41 SHIP
(We see the Space Corp Ship launch their minnow fleet.)
12. LIZ 79
(The old ship is roaring through space and, from the noise of the engines, it seems to be vibrating so fiercely that it seems in danger of shaking itself to pieces.)
JAMIE: Doctor.
DOCTOR: Yes, Jamie?
JAMIE: I think I'm going to be sick.
DOCTOR: Now, now now Jamie. Will power, will power.
ZOE: Any more tea anyone?
(MILO looks up from the controls.)
MILO: I'll have another cup if there's some there Zoe.
(ZOE gets a battered cup.)
MILO: There you are, that's as good as new.
(ZOE pours some tea into his battered mug, and the DOCTOR passes it to him.)
DOCTOR: Milo?
MILO: Hello.
DOCTOR: Err I've... I've been watching this pressure gauge. It is err, just a little bit high, isn't it?
MILO: Yeah, it is a bittie. That's the thermo-nuclear power you see.
(He taps the gauge.)
MILO: Yeah, it's wearing out a bit, nothing you can do about that.
DOCTOR: Well except slow down. I... I mean, there could be a nasty expl*si*n, couldn't there!
MILO: Ah, don't you worry, Doctor. It's a mighty strong little ship this. They don't make ships like this these days, you know!
JAMIE: (Muttering.) You can say that again!
MILO: Ah don't you worry, lad. We haven't got far to go.
ZOE: Where are we going? You haven't said.
MILO: Well now, I'll tell ya. We're going to the one place where they'll never think of looking for us.
(He punches a control and a mist-shrouded planet emerges on the scanner screen.)
MILO: There! That's the planet called Ta!
DOCTOR: (Peering at the screen.) Oh, oh yes! Is it ah... is it inhabited?
MILO: Yea it is these days. It's the headquarters of the Issigri Mining Corporation.
JAMIE: (Skeptically.) Why do you say they won't bother to look for us.
MILO: Well you see, Madeleine Issigri, who runs that show now, she's a... sworn enemy of mine. Well, so I've been told. Anyway, General Hermack err...
will think I'll go anywhere else rather than go there.
DOCTOR: (Puzzled.) Yes well, if she's a sworn enemy, won't she give you away.
MILO: (Laughing.) We won't be announcing our arrival, Doctor. We'll just lie low there until that old Space Corps gets tired of looking for us.
(ZOE studies the image of the planet on the scanner. It is much closer now, and she can make out more surface details.)
ZOE: It doesn't look as though there's anything there. This side is just desert.
MILO: Oh no, there's no surface life on Ta girl - there's too much ultra-violet ra... radiation. Don't you worry, don't you worry- we'll be all right.
We'll be a mile underground as long as I can fall into my old landing pad
DOCTOR: Oh, you've been there before, have you?
MILO: Certainly have, certainly have. Me and my old partner, Dom Issigri, god rest his poor tired old soul, we turned that whole planet into a piece of Gruyere cheese between us.
JAMIE: (Looking greener.) Gruyere cheese...
DOCTOR: (Passing his handkerchief so that JAMIE can cover his mouth.) Jamie, yes... (To MILO.) Err mining, I see. Umm of argonite err...
presumably .
MILO: Yeah that's right, arg... argonite - one of the richest strikes we ever found. Took us about ten years to drill that clean.
(MILO bends over the scanner, which shows the dusty, cratered surface of the planet.)
MILO: Well, I'd better try to find this old entry shaft then. Now you'd better brace yourselves, hang onto something. Landing pad's ain't as good as they used to be.
(The TARDIS crew again holds onto something.)
13. SPACE
(We see the LIZ close in on Ta.)
14. MADELEINE'S OFFICE
HERMACK: Bring the ship in on pad three. I'll join you there Penn.
PENN: (OOV.) Yes, sir.
MADELEINE: I'm sorry your stay was so short, General.
HERMACK: Well, I hope on my next visit, my duties will be less pressing.
MADELEINE: (Warmly.) So do I. Where do you go from now?
HERMACK: Well, first of all I must get young Warne out of that fix he's got himself into. Then I must collect my pickets from the beacons. And after that
- Lobos!
MADELEINE: Lobos!
HERMACK: (Nodding.) Hm hm.
MADELEINE: Milo Clancey's base?
HERMACK: The pirate's base. Those beacons they've been braking up will be heading there. With a little bit of luck we shall be able to wipe out the whole nest in one operation.
MADELEINE: Well I hope you do. Some of my crews are demanding arms in case they're att*cked.
(HERMACK's eye is caught by a beautifully made model of a spaceship mounted on a stand.)
HERMACK: Is that a... Is that a Beta Dart?
MADELEINE: Yes. Yes, our company's just bought two. They're our fastest freighters.
HERMACK: Ah. I must bear that in mind. The pirates have a Beta Dart. I should hate to knock out one of your ships by mistake.
(MADELEINE smiles, tapping the striped nose-cone of the Dart.)
MADELEINE: Well I don't think that's likely. All our freighters show the Issigri nose-cone when they're in commission, see?
(She points to the nose-cone on the model.)
MADELEINE: I designed it myself.
HERMACK: Ah, very distinctive. How much do they cost?
MADELEINE: Oh, a hundred million credits upwards - depends on the fittings. Why do you ask?
HERMACK: I was just wondering where Milo Clancey got a hundred million credits.
MADELEINE: I see, you think he got it by selling the stolen argonite.
HERMACK: Why not? It's logical. There's an illicit market for them on Rita Magnum, I hear.
MADELEINE: Yes, but I'm sure you're wrong about Milo Clancey.
HERMACK: Are you? I'm not. He's selling the stuff and professing poverty as a cover. If I find those beacons sections on line for Lobos, he'll not live to enjoy his money!
(HERMACK prepares to leave.)
MADELEINE: Goodbye, General.
HERMACK: Goodbye, Miss Issigri. Thank you for your hospitality.
15. LIZ 79
(LIZ 79 thumps to the bottom of the underground landing shaft with all the grace of a lead balloon, which means that the TARDIS crew meet up with the floor again.)
MILO: Nice smooth landing, after all!
(The DOCTOR and his companions pick themselves up.)
JAMIE: Smooth? What do you call a rough landing?
MILO: (Laughing.) What's the matter with you sonny? Are you getting soft or something?
(JAMIE glares furiously at him.)
JAMIE: Just let me get my feet back on the ground...
MILO: You stay right here where you're safe, boy.
JAMIE: Safe! Is that what you call this?
DOCTOR: You want us to stay here?
MILO: Yeah. I'm thinking of your own safety.
JAMIE: Why?
MILO: Well, we're a mile underground here. This is the old freighter dock. And there's nothing to see, there's nowhere to go, just a whole maze of argonite tunnels, and if you go in there well even I mayn't be able to find you again. You stay right here in this ship.
(Grabbing a tool-bag, MILO heads for the door.)
DOCTOR: Just a minute, where are you going?
MILO: I've got to go to the generator room. I think one of their rockets must have gone through my transmitter unit. The radio there's whistling like some sort of hysterical canary.
(He disappears through the doorway.)
JAMIE: Doctor, do you believe him?
DOCTOR: I don't know, Jamie. What do you think?
JAMIE: Well he never did explain how he turned up the way he did, did he? And that Space Corp ship was chasing him.
DOCTOR: True. I think we've got to trust him, Jamie. If we leave this ship, we'll never ever have a chance of finding the TARDIS again.
JAMIE: Well I don't see we've got much of a chance either way. Look, it's up there in space somewhere on a bit of that beacon, heading for I... I don't know where.
DOCTOR: A blast furnace, I imagine. I think... I think the pirates are probably going to take the pieces and melt them down for the... for the argonite.
The trouble is, we... we can't guess where their headquarters is.
(ZOE, who has been sitting quietly in a corner, working on a sheet of calculations, now looks up with an "I've done it" look on her face.)
ZOE: We don't need to guess, Doctor. It's easy enough to work out.
DOCTOR: What?
ZOE: Applied mathematics.
DOCTOR: Applied... oh, I see. You've been messing about again, haven't you.
ZOE: (Starting to crunch up the paper with her calculations.) Oh well, if you don't want to know what I discovered...
DOCTOR: (Stopping her.) Oh no, no, no, no. Come along, surprise us.
ZOE: (Showing him her calculations and a map.) This is the position of our bit of beacon when Milo first saw us, I got the figures from the computer.
DOCTOR: Hmm.
ZOE: And this is our position eight minutes later when he docked along side.
DOCTOR: (Muttering to himself as he double checks the figures.) Mmm... Yes, go on.
ZOE: Well, with this data, it was simple enough to work out our original position and course. D'you see?
DOCTOR: Yes, except that after my little experiment we veered rather violently off that course.
JAMIE: Ah yes...
ZOE: Yes, but I allowed for that. Look!
JAMIE & DOCTOR: Oh...
ZOE: Electro-magnetic waves are always at right-angles to the direction of propagation, and, as you know, travel at one hundred and eighty six thousand, two hundred and eighty two miles per second.
DOCTOR: (Looking proud of ZOE but also a little lost.) Oh really? How interesting. Well, what's the answer?
ZOE: Here!
DOCTOR: What?
ZOE: If we'd stayed on our original course, the TARDIS would have landed within ten miles from where we are now. Except of course, it would still be up there because it wasn't travelling quite so fast.
DOCTOR: (Excited.) Well, Bless my soul! Yes, of course. Yes as you say, a simple calculation. I should have thought of that myself!
ZOE: Yes. I wonder why you didn't.
(The DOCTOR gives her a grumpy look and walks off thinking, while JAMIE tries to work out what has been going on.)
JAMIE: Did all that talk mean that the TARDIS is going to land somewhere around here?
DOCTOR: Jamie, it's all here, written down. It's as plain as a pike-staff.
JAMIE: Aye, well in that case, the pirates are going to be round here too!
DOCTOR: Yes Jamie, you're right!
ZOE: Do you think Milo's one of them and that's why he landed here?
DOCTOR: Yes, I think it's possible.
JAMIE: Aye, he seemed to know all about them, didn't he. Look, I think we ought to get out of here before he comes back.
ZOE: Yes, so do I. We don't even know if he has gone to the Generator room. He might just have gone to get his g*ng.
JAMIE: Aye.
(The DOCTOR comes to a decision.)
DOCTOR: All right... All right, but if the TARDIS has landed here we... we have to find it anyway. Come on you two, but for heaven's sake don't make a noise on the ladder.
(JAMIE dashes for the door, trips over a chair and falls down with a crash.)
ZOE: Jamie!
JAMIE: (Defensively.) We're not on the ladder yet, are we!
(They creep out of the cabin.)
16. PIRATE CONTROL ROOM
(In an underground chamber filled with communications equipment, CAVEN sits watching a bank of monitor screens. He swings round in his chair as DERVISH hurries into the room.)
CAVEN: Wait here!
DERVISH: What's the panic, Caven?
CAVEN: No panic.
DERVISH: What, you know what I mean? I got a red emergency flash.
CAVEN: I wanted to talk to you Dervish.
DERVISH: Well?
CAVEN: What's the position at the plant?
DERVISH: Just started on the last section of Alpha Two.
CAVEN: Leave it.
DERVISH: Leave it?!
CAVEN: Suledin's capable of taking change down there, isn't he?
DERVISH: Well yes, but...
CAVEN: Right, when you've finished your flight service, I want you to take the ship out.
DERVISH: Me! Where?
CAVEN: The Alpha Four sections are being re-routed.
DERVISH: Re-rout...
CAVEN: To Lobos.
DERVISH: Lobos? But that's impossible!
CAVEN: When I give an order, nobody says it's impossible Dervish.
DERVISH: Well do you know how far Lobos is? I mean the beacons rockets will have to be re-fuelled.
CAVEN: That's right. That's exactly what I want you to do.
DERVISH: (Pleading.) Yeah, but the Space Corps have got a V-ship and a flight of minnows up there. It's too dangerous!
CAVEN: It has to be done. They've got to be drawn off.
DERVISH: (Shouting.) Well why can't you do it then? You're the master pilot! I'm only supposed to be the engineer.
CAVEN: I've got to do things down here.
DERVISH: Yes, so I've got to go and risk my life whi...
(CAVEN draws the holstered blaster that never leaves his side.)
CAVEN: You keep arguing Dervish, and Suledin will be having your job permanently. Now are you going to take that ship out or aren't you?
DERVISH: (Breaking down.) Well yes, yes. Of course Caven. I... I was only just trying to point out the dangers.
CAVEN: Well now you're in more danger here than you ever will be in space.
(Suddenly a light flashes and the sound of a warning siren comes from the speakers.)
DERVISH: It's a perimeter alarm!
VOICE: (OOV.) Intruders in perimeter tunnel nine. Perimeter tunnel nine.
(CAVEN flicks a switch.)
CAVEN: Alert the guards. I'm coming down.
DERVISH: Is it the Space Corps?
CAVEN: I don't know, but whoever it is, we can deal with them in the tunnel complex! Now get moving!
DERVISH: Right!
(They both rush out.)
17. TUNNEL
(The DOCTOR, JAMIE and ZOE are making their way along a dark, dank tunnel. The walls are rough-hewn, with many cracks and fissures. From somewhere in the distance comes the sound of dripping water.)
ZOE: I'm sure we should have turned right back there.
JAMIE: We DID turn right!
ZOE: I mean earlier. We seem to be getting deeper.
JAMIE: What do you think, Doctor? Should we go on or turn back?
DOCTOR: I think we should have done as Milo told us. He said we'd get lost.
ZOE: Tunnels probably run for hundreds of miles.
JAMIE: Well if they do, we'll never get ourselves out. Feels like I'm going to sneeze.
DOCTOR: Shh, just a minute Jamie.
(He stops when he hears a kind of buzzing noise.)
ZOE: What?
(All three can now hear the noise.)
JAMIE: I can hear something. There it is. A buzzing noise.
ZOE: Well where's it coming from?
DOCTOR: Seems to be up ahead there.
(They walk towards the noise.)
18. LIZ 79
(MILO comes back onto the bridge.)
MILO: Well that's all right again, right as rain.
(He sees that he is alone.)
MILO: Hey where are you? Ah...
(He calls down the corridor towards the kitchen.)
MILO: ZOE!? DOCTOR!?
(There is no answer.)
MILO: They ain't here. Oh, why can't some people do as they're told. I guess I'd better... better go out and try and find them.
(He stomps down the ladder.)
19. TUNNEL
(The TARDIS team arrives to find a crack from which light is pouring through.)
JAMIE: Hey Doctor! There's a wee light there, look! Just shining through a crack in the wall.
ZOE: You're right. It is a light!
DOCTOR: Yes, it's... it's reflected through from the other side. I... I wonder if we can...
JAMIE: (Trying to peer into the crack.) Too high to see in.
ZOE: I'm the lightest, if you can lift me up - perhaps I can see through.
DOCTOR: All right. You jump onto Jamie's back.
JAMIE: What?
(He bends down and the DOCTOR helps ZOE climb first onto JAMIE's back and then onto his shoulders. JAMIE slowly stands up. ZOE supports herself against the wall and puts an eye to the fissure.)
DOCTOR: Can you see anything?
ZOE: (Blinking in the light after being in the darkness for so long.) It hurts...
JAMIE: (Groaning.) Well hurry up!
(ZOE peers through and sees three men with machinery. One of the men is cutting up a big piece of metal. A moment later the DOCTOR helps her scramble down.)
DOCTOR: Well?
ZOE: There are three men in there and I think they're pirates.
JAMIE: How do you know?
DOCTOR: They could be miners?
ZOE: No, they're cutting up bits of scrap and it looks like part of a beacon!
DOCTOR: It looks as though we've stumbled on their headquarters. Yes, of course! That noise is an electrical furnace.
JAMIE: Did you see the TARDIS?
ZOE: No, just the three men.
JAMIE: Doctor, we've got to try and stop them before they start cutting it up.
DOCTOR: Yes. The first thing we'd better do is...
(A beam of light suddenly strikes them.)
DOCTOR: Hello? What's happening?!
(Screwing up his eyes, the DOCTOR sees that it is a portable searchlight carried by two men. There seem to be other men behind them - men with g*n. The little group instinctively back away.)
CAVEN: (Over the speakers.) Keep moving!
(The DOCTOR stops and stands his ground.)
DOCTOR: All right! There's no need for that!
(A blaster chips a chunk of rock from the wall by his feet. The DOCTOR skips back. Another bit of rock splinters from the rock wall by JAMIE's head.)
CAVEN: (OOV.) Back! Back! Back!
(ZOE turns and sees a small round hole in the wall behind her.)
ZOE: Quick! Down this passage!
DOCTOR: Run!
(All three start to run through the opening. ZOE gives a yell of alarm. JAMIE runs after her and then teeters on the edge of the opening - beyond it is a sheer drop into darkness. JAMIE tries to give a warning to the DOCTOR but it is too late. ZOE is going too fast to stop and with a scream, she dives into the pit. The DOCTOR is already on JAMIE's heels. He grabs JAMIE's hand just as the young Highlander loses his balance and falls, yelling. The DOCTOR is dragged after him. Struggling furiously and screaming, they drop down into the darkness...) | {"type": "series", "show": "Doctor Who", "episode": "06x31 - The Space Pirates - part 3"} | foreverdreaming |
The Space Pirates
Written by Robert Holmes
Episode 4
Original Air Date: 29 March, 1969
5:25pm - 5:50pm
1. TUNNEL
(Screwing up his eyes, the DOCTOR sees that the light is a portable searchlight carried by two men. There seem to be other men behind them - men with g*n.
The little group instinctively backs away.)
CAVEN: (Over the speakers.) Keep moving!
(The DOCTOR stops and stands his ground.)
DOCTOR: All right! There's no need for that!
(A blaster chips a chunk or rock from the wall by his feet. The DOCTOR skips back. Another bit of rock splinters from the rock wall by JAMIE's head.)
CAVEN: (OOV.) Back! Back! Back!
(ZOE turns and sees a small round hole in the wall behind her.)
ZOE: Quick! Down this passage!
DOCTOR: Run!
(All three start to run through the opening - and ZOE gives a yell of alarm. JAMIE runs after her and then teeters on the edge of the opening. Beyond it is a sheer drop into darkness. JAMIE tries to give a warning to the DOCTOR but it is too late. ZOE is going too fast to stop and with a scream, she dives into the pit. The DOCTOR is already on JAMIE's heels. He grabs JAMIE's hand just as the young Highlander loses his balance and falls yelling. The DOCTOR is dragged after him. Struggling furiously and screaming, they drop down into the darkness...)
2. PRISON SHAFT
(The DOCTOR, JAMIE and ZOE land one by one at the bottom of the shaft. ZOE instinctively rolls over as she hits the ground. JAMIE narrowly misses her, falling heavily close to one side. The DOCTOR, however, lands partly on top of JAMIE provoking a yell of protest. Gradually they sort themselves out.)
ZOE: Oh Doctor, are you all right?
DOCTOR: (Sadly.) No!
JAMIE: What's the matter?
DOCTOR: Just a minute.
(He fishes in the back pocket of his baggy chequered trousers and produces a broken cardboard box of drawing pins.)
ZOE: What are you counting drawing pins for?
DOCTOR: I like drawing pins - normally.
3. TOP OF THE SHAFT
(CAVEN stares down into the darkness of the pit.)
CAVEN: Right! They won't give us any more trouble.
4. PRISON SHAFT
DOCTOR: Oh...
(JAMIE tries to get up, and winces with pain.)
JAMIE: Oh, my leg!
ZOE: Are you all right?
JAMIE: I must have twisted it when I landed.
(The DOCTOR helps him up and JAMIE manages to limp a few paces backwards and forwards.)
JAMIE: Ah, now where are we?
(They are in semi-darkness. The pit seems to be lit by only the faint light from the tunnel above. They look round, trying to accustom their eyes to the gloom.)
ZOE: It looks like some sort of a prison cell.
DOCTOR: Yes.
(A low moan comes from somewhere in the dark recesses of the pit.)
JAMIE: What's that?
ZOE: Doctor, there's something over there.
(Raising a hand for silence, the DOCTOR moves cautiously forward, JAMIE close behind him. The DOCTOR sees a shadowy figure stretched out in the corner, and kneels beside it. As he comes closer, JAMIE sees that the figure is in uniform.)
DOCTOR: Oh dear.
JAMIE: What is it?
DOCTOR: Look!
JAMIE: Hey, it's that chap from the beacon - the one that was sh**ting at us.
ZOE: Yes, he's injured! Look!
(The DOCTOR finishes his examination.)
DOCTOR: I think it's his shoulder. I... I think it's only a bruise. It's not broken. (To JAMIE.) Lift him up - very gently.
(While JAMIE lifts SORBA up, the DOCTOR has a good look round.)
DOCTOR: What's this? Ah, wait a minute...
(Looking round, the DOCTOR sees an earthenware jug half full of water.)
DOCTOR: Yes, that's all right.
(He dips his handkerchief in it and uses the damp cloth to moisten the unconscious man's lips and forehead. The man moans and stirs, his eyelids fluttering open.)
JAMIE: Ah, he's coming around.
5. CONTROL ROOM
(From his hidden control room, CAVEN is talking to DERVISH, now reluctantly in space on the pirate's Beta Dart. The face on the vid-com screen is sweating with fear.)
CAVEN: Come in, Beta Buccaneer.
DERVISH: (OOV.) I want permission to return to base. Caven, do you hear me? I'm bringing the ship in.
CAVEN: Calm down man. Report your position.
DERVISH: (OOV.) We're forty-three thousand miles out, on course for the beacon sections.
CAVEN: You should be among them in twenty minutes. What's wrong? Why the panic?
DERVISH: (OOV.) We're running our heads into a trap, Caven. The Space Corp cruiser is less than three hours away, and on a convergent course!
CAVEN: Those beacon sections have got to be diverted to Lobos. How long will that take?
DERVISH: (OOV.) It will take at least, two hours! We just can't do it on time.
CAVEN: You'll have to, Dervish! Just find some way of cutting the time.
DERVISH: (Looking panicked, OOV.) Those minnow fighters will blast us to bits! I'm bringing the ship in!
(CAVEN holds up a simple hand control, plugged into the panel.)
CAVEN: Now wait, don't be so impulsive. Surely you recognise this, Dervish? You designed it.
DERVISH: (Stares at it, OOV.) Well, it's a UHF detonator! What are you playing at, Caven!
CAVEN: I'm not playing at all. It is a detonator, and it is keyed to a charge right under the atomic drive to the Buccaneer.
DERVISH: (Now shaking, OOV.) I... I... I don't believe it. Why you... you're bluffing.
CAVEN: If you think I'm bluffing, just you try turning back. You see Dervish, you've got a fair chance of escaping the V-ship and the minnows, but you've no chance at all of getting away from this.
(CAVEN puts his hand on the switch and DERVISH visually collapses on the screen.)
DERVISH: (Defeated, OOV.) All right, Caven.
CAVEN: I knew you wouldn't let me down. Report as soon as you reach Lobos!
(He cuts the link.)
6. V-SHIP
(HERMACK is now back on the flight deck.)
PENN: Major Warne's just come on abroad, sir. He's coming up to the bridge.
HERMACK: Good.
(He presses his communicator switch.)
HERMACK: Bridge to power room. We're under way again. Half-boost.
(The engines start to power up.)
HERMACK: (To PENN.) Set course for Lobos, Penn.
PENN: Very good, sir.
(WARNE comes onto the flight deck looking a little abashed.)
WARNE: Thanks for the rescue, sir.
HERMACK: Ah... What happened to you anyway?
(WARNE gives HERMACK one of the copper needles that entrapped him.)
HERMACK: Copper needles?
WARNE: Yes sir. I warned Clancey I was about to f*re with the Martian m*ssile. I pressed the button and the next thing I ran slap into a cloud of these.
The computer blew and the whole machine just stopped.
HERMACK: Copper! Of course! Attracted by the argonite hull of the minnow.
WARNE: Yes sir! It won't happen again, sir.
HERMACK: It had better not! When one old man in a worn out junk-heap like the LIZ, makes a complete fool of a highly trained fighter pilot in a sophisticated flight ship I...
WARNE: (Trying to stop the tirade.) Yes sir, well I'll h*t him with a deflection sh*t next time, sir. I worked out how to do it. You see...
HERMACK: Never mind the theories, Major. With a bit of luck, Clancey will not be able to exploit your limitations again, because, we shall take him on the ground.
WARNE: On the ground, sir?
HERMACK: Yes, we're on course for Lobos. The headquarters of the Clancey Mining Company.
WARNE: You think that's where he's gone?
HERMACK: I'm sure of it. Apart from Ta it's the next nearest planet. Yes, that's where Clancey will be and that's where we shall find our evidence - the sections of Beacon Alpha Four.
7. SPACE
(We see the V-Ship flying, and then DERVISH's ship carrying the beacon sections further on into space.)
8. PRISON SHAFT
(ZOE is checking over SORBA.)
ZOE: Are you feeling better?
(SORBA's eyes start to focus on ZOE.)
SORBA: (Dazzled.) You were on the beacon... What are you doing here?
JAMIE: Oh look, it's all right. We're friends.
SORBA: Friends? You led my men into a trap.
JAMIE: Aye we were in the same trap ourselves. The pirates left us for d*ad.
SORBA: I thought you were decoys.
ZOE: Oh look we wouldn't be here now if we were helping them.
SORBA: Then how did you get off the beacon?
DOCTOR: Well... well it's a long story, but the important thing is to ah... to escape from here now.
SORBA: You think I haven't tried? That shaft is the only way in. It's impossible to get out.
DOCTOR: Oh, there's another entrance here somewhere.
SORBA: I've searched every inch of this cell. Solid rock.
DOCTOR: There's a hidden door. The problem of course is going to be finding it.
SORBA: There's no door, believe me. You're only wasting your time.
DOCTOR: No, no, no. There's obviously a less painful way of getting in here - so there must be a way of getting out.
ZOE: What makes you so sure? I mean it could be a sort of tomb.
JAMIE: Aye, a burial pit.
DOCTOR: Look.
(The DOCTOR taps the earthenware jug.)
DOCTOR: Water, in a fragile bowl. Well that couldn't have been thrown down that chute, now could it?
(He starts tapping the walls.)
9. CONTROL ROOM
(DERVISH reports back to CAVEN on the vid-com link.)
DERVISH: (OOV.) Caven, I've got the crews out realigning the auxiliary rockets for Lobos, but one of the beacon sections is missing!
CAVEN: (Surprised.) That's not possible!
DERVISH: (OOV.) Look there's only seven sections here, there should be eight! I checked back right along the flight path, but there's not a sign of it. It's completely disappeared.
CAVEN: Nothing disappears in space. Even if the rocket exploded there would be debris along the flight-path.
DERVISH: (OOV.) There's no debris, there's nothing! It's completely disappeared! The scanner shows zero hind.
CAVEN: But that's crazy! There must be some explanation.
DERVISH: (OOV.) Oh yeah, there's an explanation all right, but you're not going to like it!
CAVEN: Well, come on, come on!
DERVISH: (OOV.) Somebody must have engineered the section out of its flight-path.
CAVEN: How could anybody manage that?
DERVISH: (OOV.) Well, I don't know...
CAVEN: Wait a minute.
(CAVEN thinks hard.)
CAVEN: That space guard - the one we took off the beacon.
DERVISH: (OOV.) Lieutenant Sorba?
CAVEN: Yes. He said something about seeing strangers on board. Perhaps he wasn't raving. Perhaps we've got competition, Dervish. Someone trying to cut themselves in, hey?
DERVISH: (OOV.) Just a minute.
(He looks away from the screen.)
DERVISH: Look I've got to go. Once of the spider team wants picking up.
CAVEN: Right. I'll question Sorba about these strangers he saw. Call in as soon as you get the sections on the new flight-path.
10. PRISON SHAFT
(SORBA watches unbelievingly, as JAMIE and the DOCTOR go round the pit, solemnly tapping every inch of wall.)
SORBA: You're mad, it's solid rock!
ZOE: When the Doctor gets an idea nobody can change his mind.
(By now JAMIE is beginning to get discouraged.)
JAMIE: Oh look Doctor, this is doing no good at all.
DOCTOR: Patience Jamie, patience!
(The DOCTOR produces a stethoscope and starts listening to the wall.)
JAMIE: We'll not find anything. We've been over it three times already!
DOCTOR: It's got to be here - look!
(The DOCTOR points to a crack in one of the walls.)
JAMIE: Aye I know, cracks in the wall.
DOCTOR: Yes, but see the way they run.
JAMIE: There are marks like that all over the place.
DOCTOR: Yes, well we're going to go on trying.
(The DOCTOR starts to bang the walls again. JAMIE sits down with ZOE and SORBA.)
ZOE: Now what's he doing?
JAMIE: Oh, search me.
DOCTOR: There's ah... there's got to be a control unit here somewhere. Just a question of locating it, that's all.
ZOE: What sort of control unit?
DOCTOR: Shh, Shh. Just a minute.
(He produces a piece of chalk and draws a little circle on the wall.)
DOCTOR: Yes, yes. It's under there.
JAMIE: (Puzzled.) What's under there?
DOCTOR: An audio lock.
ZOE: (Face clearing.) An audio lock!
JAMIE: (Still puzzled.) Oh now, wait a minute, what's an audio lock?
DOCTOR: Well ah... they were used in outer space, Jamie. Combination locks became a little too easy to open when burglars took to taking miniature computers with them on their expeditions.
(The DOCTOR is searching through his many pockets.)
DOCTOR: Now I... I have my tuning forks here somewhere.
ZOE: What are you going to do with a tuning fork?
DOCTOR: I usually carry them... Ah, yes! Here we are, now then... get these sorted out. Right.
(Delightedly, the DOCTOR holds up an old-fashioned tuning fork, and begins tapping it gently against the wall inside the chalked circle. JAMIE turns worriedly to ZOE and whispers: )
JAMIE: Which end did you land on when you fell down that shaft?
11. V-SHIP, FLIGHT DECK
(PENN looks up from his scanner screen.)
PENN: Contact ahead, sir!
HERMACK: What contact?
PENN: It could be the sections of Alpha Four, sir. There are seven objects moving quite slowly.
WARNE: If it's the beacon sir, there should be eight sections.
HERMACK: What's their course, Penn?
WARNE: Approximately the same as ours, sir. The convergence is less than half a degree.
HERMACK: Then the flight destination must be Lobos! Clancey's home planet. We've got him, Ian!
WARNE: We can't be sure it is the beacon, sir. Well we counted eight sections originally.
(HERMACK points at the scanner.)
HERMACK: Just a minute! What's that, on the edge of the scanner?
PENN: I'm trying to get a fix on it now, sir! It's just come into frame.
HERMACK: It must be the missing section.
PENN: No sir, it's too big and it's moving too fast. I think it's some kind of ship.
HERMACK: Out there! No, with any luck it's the pirates.
WARNE: He seems to be circling.
HERMACK: Can't you magnify that signal, Penn?
PENN: No sir, she's right out on the fringe.
HERMACK: Ian, get down to the minnow deck. I want you ready to go as soon as we've got an identification.
WARNE: Right, sir.
(As WARNE hurries away, HERMACK turns to the communicator.)
HERMACK: Power room! I want main boost for as long as we can hold it. (To PENN.) Don't worry about those beacon sections Penn - that ship is our target!
(We hear the power building up.)
PENN: Right sir. Shall I get those wreck simmers?
HERMACK: Not yet. Go to half-speed. (Into the communicator.) General Hermack. I want all crews at emergency stations. I repeat, all crews at emergency stations.
12. SPACE
(We see the V-Ship fly off in space at an increased speed.)
13. V-SHIP, FLIGHT DECK
(A few minutes later WARNE comes through from the minnow deck.)
WARNE: (OOV.) X-X 2 ready to go. Any news yet V-Master?
HERMACK: The range is down to forty minutes. Penn has just made a positive identification. It is a Beta Dart, so they can still outrun us.
WARNE: (OOV.) He won't outrun a minnow, sir.
PENN: Sir, she's boosting. She must have spotted us!
(HERMACK leans forward eagerly.)
HERMACK: Right! (Into communicator.) V-Master to X-X 2. Blast away!
WARNE: (OOV.) Right, sir. I'll bring back a chunk of her.
14. SPACE
(Seconds later, the sleek, deadly minnow blasts away from the mother ship into the blackness of deep space.)
15. CONTROL ROOM
(CAVEN summons a guard into the control room.)
CAVEN: There's a Space Corps lieutenant in the punishment cell under tunnel nine. He's injured. I want him brought here for questioning.
GUARD: Yes, sir.
CAVEN: Here's the audio-lock tuner key.
(The GUARD hurries away just as DERVISH's worried face comes up on the vid-com.)
DERVISH: (OOV.) This is Beta Buccaneer. Caven! There's a minnow-fighter on our tail.
CAVEN: Only one? What's his range.
DERVISH: (OOV.) Thirty minutes, but closing fast. And we're on maximum boost.
CAVEN: Can't you hold him off long enough to reach the camouflage cone?
DERVISH: (OOV.) That's just what I'm going to try and do.
16. V-SHIP, FLIGHT DECK
WARNE: (OOV.) X-X 2 to V-Master. I seem to have lost contact. Can you steer me in please?
HERMACK: Stand by.
(PENN looks at the scanner screen, where the two blips are slowly moving apart.)
HERMACK: (To PENN.) Major Warne's lost her.
PENN: I thought he would sir, she's doubled round.
HERMACK: I'll switch it through on audio. You get an RT track for him to track on.
PENN: Very good sir. (Into the communicator) This is Navigator Penn to X-X 2. Are you reading me?
WARNE: (OOV.) Yes, I just don't have a nice picture of that Beta Dart any more.
PENN: OK sir. Now, if you steer round seven under TDC. Now thirty-seven degrees up.
(As Penn reels off the string of co-ordinates, steering the minnow by remote control, the blips started to converge.)
17. SPACE
(A striped nose-cone hangs in space ahead of the frantically-twisting Beta Dart. The Beta Dart manoeuvres straight onto it, so that the nose-cone locks onto the front of the ship.)
18. V-SHIP, FLIGHT DECK
PENN: Should be in range now sir.
WARNE: (OOV.) Right. I can see her on the visual scanners.
HERMACK: (To PENN.) Switch video through Ian, we might as well all enjoy this.
WARNE: (OOV.) Cutting you in now, sir.
(Relayed from the minnow, the image of the Beta Dart comes up on the battle- cruiser's screen. HERMACK stares unbelieving at the striped nose-cone.)
HERMACK: That's an Issigri ship! Flash out! Flash out!
19. SPACE
(WARNE's ship pulls out and the contact is lost.)
20. V-SHIP, FLIGHT DECK
WARNE: (OOV.) Contact broken.
HERMACK: You didn't f*re at her?!
WARNE: (OOV.) No, sir. I was just in range when I got the flash out. What's gone wrong?
HERMACK: We nearly wiped out one of the Issigri Mining Company's new freighters!
WARNE: (OOV.) You mean to say that wasn't the pirate ship? Then where's it got to?
(HERMACK wearily shakes his head.)
HERMACK: I don't know. Anyway, we'll abort the mission. You'd better return.
(Turning away from the screen, HERMACK stares thoughtfully into space.)
21. PRISON SHAFT
(The steady "Ping! Ping! Ping!" of the DOCTOR's tuning fork is beginning to drive his fellow prisoners crazy.)
JAMIE: Oh Doctor, will you stop it!
ZOE: What's that noise? It's getting on everybody's nerves.
(The DOCTOR is indignant.)
DOCTOR: You want to get out of here, don't you?
JAMIE: Oh, that's not going to get us out!
DOCTOR: Yes Jamie it is! An audio-lock is a simple solenoid switch which is only activated by a particular sound. It's just a question of finding it, that's all.
(He gives a further succession of twangs.)
JAMIE: Oh look, I can't stand any more!
DOCTOR: Jamie! Jamie!
(Snatching the tuning fork from the DOCTOR's hand, he hurls it at the rock wall. The tuning fork gives out a particularly jarring twang, there is a heavy grating sound, and a section of wall slides back before their astonished eyes.)
DOCTOR: Jamie, you found the right note!
ZOE: (To SORBA.) Oh come on, we can get away now!
DOCTOR: Oh no we can't.
JAMIE: What?
(ZOE and JAMIE turn to see that there is an armed man on the other side of the door. The man steps forward. To their utter astonishment it is MILO CLANCEY.)
MILO: I've been trying to find my way in here for the last hour. Now come on now!
(Nobody moves, and MILO glares indignantly at them.)
JAMIE: Come on where?
MILO: What's the matter with you boy? You don't think I'm in cahoots with the pirates, do you?
DOCTOR: Well they're here, you know. We've seen them.
MILO: I know. They've got nothing to do with me.
DOCTOR: Well it might help if you didn't point that thing in our direction.
(MILO slings the blaster r*fle over his shoulder.)
MILO: Oh come on now! If I was in cahoots with the pirates, why would I be trying to rescue you.
ZOE: We don't know that you are trying to rescue us.
JAMIE: No.
(MILO laughs.)
MILO: That's a fine thing to say, isn't it. Didn't I get you off that beacon? You would have died if I hadn't helped you then.
JAMIE: Aye, you only got us off of there because you were curious to know who we were.
ZOE: And that Space Corp ship opened f*re on you.
JAMIE: Hmm.
MILO: If that don't b*at jumping grasshoppers! Now you listen to me, you three sourpusses. You're only in this pickle now because you did the very thing I told you not to do - you went wandering off into these mine workings. I've had a whale of a time trying to find you, and if you want to get out of here alive, Milo Clancey is the only person who can show you the way!
(The DOCTOR starts to speak.)
MILO: Now, you either come with me, or am I going to leave you here to rot?
DOCTOR: Well well, well yes, yes if you put it that way...
MILO: Right. Good thinking. It's about time one of you showed a bit of sense.
(MILO looks at SORBA.)
MILO: Who's this?
SORBA: My name is Sorba. Lieutenant Sorba.
JAMIE: The pirates took him prisoner when they att*cked the beacon.
MILO: Oh, there's no love lost between me and the Space Corp, Sonny Jim, but, well you'd better come with us I guess...
DOCTOR: Shh! Shh! Somebody's coming!
(They hear heavy footsteps coming towards them.)
MILO: Keep back there!
(He enters the cell and hides behind the open door.)
GUARD: (OOV.) The door's open!
(An armed guard appears out of the darkness. MILO swings the r*fle from his shoulder and sh**t him down.)
SORBA: (To JAMIE.) Take his g*n, it might come in useful.
JAMIE: Right.
(MILO fires at another guard and misses; the man turns and flees down the corridor. JAMIE picks up the g*n.)
MILO: ... ... ! A couple of years ago I'd have nailed him before he got ten yards.
DOCTOR: What, you mean he got away?
MILO: Aye he did. It means we're in real trouble. There... there'll be guards swarming round that tunnel now like a buzz of bees!
ZOE: Oh, we'd better get away. hadn't we?
MILO: We sure had, come on!
(They hear the distant wailing of a siren as they exit the cell.)
JAMIE: What's that?
MILO: I told you, that's the alarm signal! Now come on, let's get out of here.
22. CONTROL ROOM
(CAVEN is directing the hunt from his control room.)
CAVEN: Where are they now?
VOICE: (OOV.) They've gone through into the small bore workings on level eight. I've sent five men after them.
CAVEN: I thought I told you to cordon off those lower caverns.
VOICE: (OOV.) Yes, well they got through somehow. They must have used one of the old ventilators. They seem to know their way better than our own guards.
(CAVEN thinks, and then speaks in a low voice.)
CAVEN: Milo Clancey!
VOICE: (OOV.) What was that Chief?
CAVEN: There's only one man who can get through these tunnels like that. All right Jupiter, I'm coming down! I want these people either caught or k*lled, I don't care which, you understand?
VOICE: (OOV.) Just a minute Chief...
(Another voice can just be heard talking to the first voice.)
VOICE: They've just passed the perimeter eye on level six!
CAVEN: Level six already?! All right, listen! I want every man up to level three. Use the elevators. I want every inch of that level sealed off. And it had better done by the time I get there.
(CAVEN storms out of the room.)
23. SHAFT
(MILO is setting a cracking pace through the tunnels, up cramped iron ladders and along disused ventilator shafts. His followers are soon exhausted and SORBA, still weak from his wound, has to be almost carried.)
SORBA: Milo!
MILO: What?
JAMIE: Can we rest a moment?
MILO: Why?
(SORBA thinks that they are thinking of him.)
SORBA: Oh no, don't bother with me, I'm all right.
ZOE: Oh, well I want a rest anyway. It's this climate.
MILO: Well just for a minute then, but remember they're closing in on us all the time we stay here.
DOCTOR: Oh dear! Where are we... where are we heading for, Milo?
MILO: The... the Issigri Mining Company. We got to get to their headquarters. It's only a couple of levels from here now.
(Boxes of abandoned equipment provide seats, and they settle down to rest.)
ZOE: But didn't you say that Madeleine Issigri was your sworn enemy?
MILO: Yeah, well I ah... I thought she was. I thought it was her lot that was behind all this piracy - trying to do me out of business.
DOCTOR: You've changed your mind. Why?
MILO: Well, I... I thought Madeleine blamed me for her father's death. Poor old Dom. He just disappeared - years ago now - I wasn't even here at the time. Then all this piracy started and Madeleine started to find argonite in workings that Dom and I had abandoned years ago. Well it all seemed to fit together somehow.
ZOE: Yes, well it fits together a bit too well, if you ask me. Aren't we jumping out of the frying pan into the f*re?
MILO: No! No! When I found you down that shaft I recognised the leader of these pirates - he's a m*rder criminal called Maurice Caven!
(The DOCTOR frowns.)
DOCTOR: You know this man?
MILO: Yeah, I've seen his picture on home planet. He's notorious.
(JAMIE hears footsteps.)
JAMIE: Someone's coming.
MILO: Come on, let's get out of here.
(They all jump up and run.)
24. CORRIDOR, JUNCTION BOX
(He leads them down to a side tunnel, where an old electrical junction box hangs drunkenly from the wall. Its door is dangling from one hinge, revealing a jumble of rusty electronic circuits. SORBA collapses by the wall. He tries to struggle to his feet, but slumps back.)
MILO: Hey, come on there. Come on.
SORBA: It's no use.
MILO: Oh come on, we're almost there now!
SORBA: I'll never make it. You go on.
MILO: No, we've got you this far, we're not going to leave you here.
DOCTOR: We could carry him Milo.
(ZOE is listening to the sounds coming from down the tunnel.)
ZOE: Oh Doctor, they're not far behind us!
(JAMIE's face is full of the joy of battle.)
JAMIE: Aye, well they won't get much further, don't worry.
(Clutching the blaster r*fle he took from the guard, he runs back down the tunnel.)
DOCTOR: Oh Jamie, come back!
MILO: He won't hold them off for long. He got no recharge units for that g*n.
ZOE: Oh Doctor, can't you think of something.
DOCTOR: (Looking annoyed.) I'm not a magician Zoe, I...
(He spots the box on the wall and starts to study it.)
DOCTOR: What's this?
MILO: (Glances at it.) An old power distributor box, we got one on every level.
DOCTOR: Really, oh well I... I wonder if it's connected up.
(The DOCTOR jiggles some wires, producing a bang and a flash and a shower of blue sparks.)
DOCTOR: Oh! Oh, ooh, ooh!
(The DOCTOR waves his b*rned fingers.)
ZOE: (Trying not to laugh.) Yes, it's connected.
(The DOCTOR begins rummaging through the boxes of equipment. Meanwhile, JAMIE sets the power of his blaster to maximum, takes cover behind a convenient pile of rocks and waits for his foes to come within range. The first shadowy figure appears down the tunnel. JAMIE fires, and the man drops with a yell. The others fall back. JAMIE fires again. This time his f*re is returned and a chunk of rock explodes by his head. He ducks back into cover, then pops up and fires again.
Back at the junction box, the DOCTOR has found a coil of metal cable and is frantically connecting one end to the junction box while ZOE unwinds the rest of the wire across the tunnel.)
DOCTOR: Zoe, attach these (Pointing to her rope.) to that metal ring there. D'you see?
ZOE: Yes, all right, but hurry Doctor!
DOCTOR: I AM hurrying!
(MILO looks on in amazement.)
MILO: Wh... what's this contraption supposed to do Doctor - trip them up?
(Back at the battle, a guard tries to wriggle forwards; JAMIE stops him d*ad with a blaster-bolt. Another tries a charge, and JAMIE drops him on the run.
CAVEN rises to wave his men on. Jamie takes careful aim - and finds to his disgust that the g*n is d*ad. Tossing it aside, he runs back down the tunnel to rejoin the others. By the time he arrives, the DOCTOR has completed his work.)
DOCTOR: Right, step over the wire.
MILO: What? (To SORBA.) Come on. That's it.
(They both step over the wire so that it is between them and pirates.)
DOCTOR: Now I'm going to... I'm going to test this, so stand clear.
(He throws the switch and powerful roar can be heard.)
MILO: Is that all?
DOCTOR: Yes, I think it's working.
(He turns to MILO and ZOE.)
DOCTOR: Right now, you two, you carry along. I'll stay here and help Jamie.
MILO: Right now, come on.
(As MILO and ZOE help SORBA down the corridor, JAMIE comes hurtling down the tunnel towards him.)
JAMIE: Doctor!
DOCTOR: Now wait Jamie, wait!
JAMIE: What?
(The DOCTOR leaps for the switch, throwing it seconds before JAMIE hits the cat's-cradle of wire laced across the tunnel floor.)
DOCTOR: Right. Look! (Pointing at the wire.) Stand clear.
(The DOCTOR throws the switch again and retreats down the tunnel.)
DOCTOR: Here they come!
(They both run down the corridor. Realising that JAMIE's w*apon is exhausted, CAVEN's guards dash confidently down the tunnel. The guard in the lead suddenly twists and falls in mid-air, sparks playing about his body. Terrified by this new, unknown danger, the guards fall back.)
25. MADELEINE'S OFFICE
(MADELEINE rises from behind her ornate desk in amazement as MILO Clancey and his motley companions are shown into her office by one of her guards.)
MADELEINE: I thought it was some sort of joke, when my company guards told me that Milo Clancey was on his way up in the main elevator. Who are your friends?
(MILO strides masterfully forwards.)
MILO: No joke doll. Now look, will you do one thing for me before you start asking me any fool questions?
MADELEINE: What?
MILO: I want you to get onto General Hermack, and get him to get that V-ship here as soon as he can.
MADELEINE: Why?
MILO: There you go, asking questions! Because you're harbouring a nest of vipers down there in those mine workings, and they're on their way up here at this very moment.
(MADELEINE still looks baffled; the DOCTOR intervenes.)
DOCTOR: He... he means that the argonite pirates are using the old mine workings as a secret hideout.
MADELEINE: (Laughing.) Argonite pirates? Oh really...
MILO: (Upset.) Oh child, will you listen to me...
26. CORRIDOR, JUNCTION BOX
(A sh*t from CAVEN blows the force field and the way is clear again.)
CAVEN: Right, come on!
(They run on down the corridor.)
27. MADELEINE'S OFFICE
(MADELEINE has just been told the full story.)
MADELEINE: If what you say is true and I don't believe it for one moment...
MILO: (Looking very panicked.) Mean to say that you don't know of this fiend Caven? You don't know what kind of villain he is?
(MADELEINE seems to realise that he is serious.)
MADELEINE: Well if he is using the old mine workings as you say, then my company guards can perfectly easily take care of him.
MILO: Look child, he's got a whole army of thugs out there!
MADELEINE: I assure you there's no need to call in the Space Corps. I can deal with it.
MILO: Ah! You're an idiot girl! (To the others.) She's as stubborn as her old man! (To MADELEINE.) Now look here child! Your guards wouldn't last five minutes against that g*ng of thugs out there. Now look, I am going to contact General Hermack whether you want me to or not!
(MILO strides towards the vid-com console beside the desk. MADELEINE's guard pulls a g*n our and aims it at MILO. He and the others look on in shock.)
MADELEINE: Stop! Don't touch that call-button, Milo.
(CAVEN suddenly bursts in, flanked by two armed men. SORBA is the first to react. He snatches the blaster-rifle from MADELEINE's guard and swings it round to cover CAVEN, who promptly blasts SORBA down before he can f*re. CAVEN smiles coldly.)
CAVEN: Anybody else want to die like a hero?
(He walks over to MILO.)
CAVEN: You must have walked in here with your eyes wide open, Clancey. How very naive of you.
(And as his men aim their g*n at the DOCTOR and crew, CAVEN points his g*n squarely at MILO's head. If he fires it will be impossible for him to miss...) | {"type": "series", "show": "Doctor Who", "episode": "06x32 - The Space Pirates - part 4"} | foreverdreaming |
The Space Pirates
Written by Robert Holmes
Episode 5
Original Air Date: 5 April, 1969
5:15pm - 5:40pm
1. MADELEINE'S OFFICE
(MILO strides towards the vid-com console beside the desk. MADELEINE's guard pulls a g*n out and aims it at MILO. He and the others look on in shock.)
MADELEINE: Stop! Don't touch that call-button, Milo.
(CAVEN suddenly bursts in, flanked by two armed men. SORBA is the first to react. He snatches the blaster-rifle from MADELEINE's guard and swings it round to cover CAVEN, who promptly blasts SORBA down before he can f*re. CAVEN smiles coldly.)
CAVEN: Anybody else want to die like a hero?
2. MADELEINE'S OFFICE
(CAVEN walks over to MILO.)
CAVEN: You must have walked in here with your eyes wide open, Clancey. How very naive of you.
(As his men aim their g*n at the DOCTOR and crew, CAVEN points his g*n squarely at MILO's head. If he fires it will be impossible for him to miss.)
MADELEINE: Wait! I never agreed to anything like this.
CAVEN: If you don't like it, step outside for a moment.
MADELEINE: I don't want any more k*lling.
CAVEN: (Staring at MILO.) Too bad!
MADELEINE: I warn you Caven, don't over reach yourself.
CAVEN: I never do that.
MADELEINE: Well then just remember I'm still running this operation.
CAVEN: Are you? I do all the dirty work - the space piracy, the capital larceny...
MILO: And the first degree homicides!
CAVEN: Right, Clancey
(He turns back to MADELEINE.)
CAVEN: While all you do is sit there looking pretty and count the money. But that doesn't mean to say you're not guilty.
MADELEINE: Maybe, but I never agreed to m*rder.
CAVEN: Well you'd better agree to it. Because if we don't get rid of these snoops, we'll both end up in a nirvan chamber.
MADELEINE: (Firmly.) I don't want them k*lled! There must be some other solution.
DOCTOR: (Indignantly.) Yes, there's just got to be!
(There is a long pause while CAVEN considers.)
CAVEN: Dyce!
(MILO and ZOE can feel JAMIE tensing beside them, and realise that he is planning to jump the nearest guard. MILO grips JAMIE's arm.)
ZOE: (Hissing quietly.) Jamie!
JAMIE: Let go of me!
ZOE: With all those guards, you don't stand a chance!
(JAMIE tries to relax, but doesn't find it easy. CAVEN takes his head guard aside and mutters briefly into his ear. The guards start to shove the DOCTOR, JAMIE, ZOE and MILO out of the room.)
GUARD: Come on, hurry up! Out of line! MOVE YOURSELVES!
DOCTOR: Alright! You don't need to shout!
MADELEINE: What are you going to do with them?
CAVEN: Don't worry, they're not going to be sh*t.
MADELEINE: I don't trust you, Caven.
CAVEN: I told Fraze to lock them away under the dock complex. Ask him if you don't believe me.
MADELEINE: (Staring at him.) What made you change your mind all of a sudden?
CAVEN: I had a better idea, that's all.
MADELEINE: (Mocking.) Oh yes?
CAVEN: That Space Corps ship is becoming a nuisance. I've thought of a way of getting rid of it.
3. SPACE
(At this precise moment the V-ship is in orbit around the planet Lobos.)
4. V-SHIP, FLIGHT DECK
(Major WARNE has gone off on a reconnaissance flight, and is reporting via the vid-com link to General HERMACK on the flight-deck.)
WARNE: (OOV.) I tracked the sections of the beacon right into Lobos, sir.
HERMACK: Were they being collected?
WARNE: (OOV.) No sir. They were in orbit round the planet. I made a landing at Clancey's base but it looked pretty derelict to me.
HERMACK: No sign of Clancey himself?
WARNE: (OOV.) No sir. I talked to some of the mining crew. They said he took off several weeks ago - they haven't heard from him since.
HERMACK: Are you sure they're speaking the truth?
WARNE: (OOV.) I'm sure they are, sir. I made a pretty close reconnaissance of the area, and there's no pad installation big enough to take a Beta Dart the size the pirates use, sir.
HERMACK: If there is one, it's certain to be camouflaged.
WARNE: (OOV.) Well I checked for radiation traces, sir. No, I'd say that planet has not been used by a ship with atomic-drive.
HERMACK: But the section of Beacon Alpha Four are in collection orbit around Lobos? How do you explain that?
WARNE: (OOV.) Well, it's possibly been done to side-track us, sir, to put us off the pirates' real base.
HERMACK: All right, Ian. We'll move in and find them. Bring that minnow in.
WARNE: (OOV.) I'm on my way home, sir.
(As WARNE's face vanishes from the screen, HERMACK turns to PENN.)
HERMACK: Penn!
PENN: Sir?
HERMACK: I've called in X-X 2. Give Major Warne a beacon signal to home on.
PENN: Yes, sir.
HERMACK: Penn, Major Warne thinks those beacon sections were diverted to Lobos to mislead us. What was their course when our scanners first picked them up?
PENN: I've got the plots on the computer, sir.
(PENN punches co-ordinates into a keyboard, and studies a read-out screen.)
PENN: (Pointing at the screen.) That's their original course.
HERMACK: Hm. Can you project a destination from that data?
PENN: I'm just doing that sir.
(PENN punches more buttons and studies the answer.)
PENN: On that course, the beacon sections would eventually have been drawn into an elliptical orbit around the planet of Ta!
HERMACK: TA! I see. Thank you, Penn.
5. CORRIDOR
(CAVEN's guards march their prisoners along a steel corridor lined with heavy metal pipes and steel cables.)
ZOE: Where are you taking us?
GUARD: Shut up! Hey, don't speak!
(The party halts outside a heavy steel door. A guard unlocks it and swings it open, while the head guard motions them inside with his blaster.)
DOCTOR: Has anyone... Has anyone got a light? It's very dark in there.
MILO: We're right under the freighter dock.
GUARD: Hurry up! Inside!
(They are shoved through the door, which is slammed shut behind them.)
6. STUDY
(For a moment they stand in confusion in pitch darkness. The DOCTOR fishes an old-fashioned red-tipped match from his pocket and lights it on his thumbnail, holding the light high above his head. To their surprise, they find themselves not in the bare cell they'd been expecting, but in an elaborately furnished old-fashioned study. There is a desk, a sofa and armchairs, and the walls are lined with handsomely-bound books. A grandfather clock ticks loudly in the corner.
There is a massive table covered with a fringed velvet cloth, that hangs down to the ground. Above the antique fireplace is a framed portrait of a distinguished looking, grey-haired man.)
MILO: Grand sakes alive! It's Dom himself!
DOCTOR: What?
MILO: (Pointing to the picture.) The picture! It's Dom Issigri!
ZOE: Madeleine's father?
MILO: Yeah. Ah... Well, wait a moment now. This...
(MILO examines the room.)
MILO: Yeah. This is the old fellow's private study. Grand sakes! It's... It's years since I've been in here.
(The DOCTOR's match burns low and he blows it out.)
DOCTOR: You don't happen to remember where the light switch is, do you Milo?
MILO: You won't find a light switch Doctor. You might find some candles, or something.
JAMIE: Candles?!
MILO: Yeah.
JAMIE: In this day and age?!
MILO: Well, an oil lamp or something. (To JAMIE.) Hey boy, look in that cupboard, you might find something. Yeah. Yeah, he was an old-fashioned romantic old critter, was old Dom. He brought all this furniture, he brought all... all them books and everything from Earth, you know.
(ZOE brings out a box of candles from another cupboard.)
ZOE: Are these candles?
DOCTOR: Ah, well done Zoe. Yes, a whole box of them.
ZOE: Well how do they work?
JAMIE: How do they work?!
DOCTOR: (To ZOE.) You take them and I'll... I'll show you.
JAMIE: Hey, we need a flint box!
DOCTOR: Alright... alright Jamie, I've got some matches. Now... You just light the wick, you see Zoe, and the wax allows the wick to burn fairly slowly.
There we are.
(As soon as the candle is alight, they start to study their surroundings in more detail.)
DOCTOR: My word!
(MILO chuckles.)
DOCTOR: Good lord!
(MILO chuckles again.)
DOCTOR: This is very interesting.
MILO: Hey, Doctor. You know there's one thing... I can't quite understand... That's why Madeleine let Caven put us in here.
ZOE: Why?
MILO: Well, like I said, this used to be the old fellow's private study. And she had it all locked up, so I was told, when he disappeared. She swore that nobody would ever come in here again.
JAMIE: Nobody has. Look at the dust everywhere. Look!
(JAMIE runs a finger through the dust to show MILO.)
DOCTOR: I think somebody's been in here quite recently.
JAMIE: Hey?
MILO: Well, er... why do you say that, Doctor?
DOCTOR: (Standing by the big clock.) This clock.
JAMIE: Well what about it?
DOCTOR: It's an eight-day movement, Jamie.
(They all listen as the tick-tock noise of the clock fills the room.)
MILO: Well... well why would anyone come down here just to wind a clock?
DOCTOR: Yes, that's what I'm wondering.
(He suddenly becomes aware that Zoe is tugging at his sleeve.)
ZOE: Oh Doctor!
DOCTOR: What is it?
ZOE: Doctor, look!
(ZOE is looking downwards. The DOCTOR follows the direction of her gaze and sees a scrawny, bare foot sticking out from under the edge of the tablecloth.
Picking up one of the candles, the DOCTOR creeps towards the table and lifts up the cloth. Cowering under the table is a ragged unkempt old man. Strangely enough, the DOCTOR recognises him at once. It is the man in the portrait - DOM Issigri, MADELEINE's supposedly d*ad father.)
DOM: (Frightened at the new arrivals.) Don't... Don't don't don't... Don't do anything... Please... leave me. No!
7. MADELEINE'S OFFICE
(DERVISH appears on the communicator.)
DERVISH: (OOV.) Beta Buccaneer to Control. We are now in landing orbit. Give me clearance to pad.
CAVEN: (Into microphone.) Hello Dervish. Bring the ship down on Pad 3. Got that?
DERVISH: (OOV.) Pad 3. Right.
(The screen goes blank.)
CAVEN: The nose-cone worked by the way. It put the Space Corps right off the scent.
(MADELEINE is sitting behind her desk. CAVEN is perched on the edge, very much at ease.)
MADELEINE: Hermack's men'll be back though. I mean it's only a matter of time before he realises there's nothing on Lobos and the pirates must be based here.
CAVEN: Do you think I haven't anticipated that?
MADELEINE: Oughtn't we to put our emergency plan into operation?
CAVEN: Flood the workings, lose all our equipment?
(CAVEN shakes his head.)
MADELEINE: We've got no alternative! Hermack's men will find our argonite smelting plant, and we'll be ferried back to the home planet to face a capital charge.
CAVEN: I think we do have an alternative.
(He gets off the desk and starts to walk around again.)
CAVEN: And if it works we'll be in a position to re-start our operation. After a discreet interval, of course.
MADELEINE: What exactly did you have in mind?
CAVEN: Hermack thinks that Clancey is behind the space piracy. We found his old ship, the LIZ, in an abandoned freighter dock. I'm going to have it fitted with an overriding remote control. Then we'll put Clancey and his friends aboard, and boost them into orbit just when Hermack's V-ship comes into scanner range.
HERMACK: (Panicked.) So that they pick Clancey up - but that's crazy! He'll tell him everything, he'll...
CAVEN: Don't worry - the Space Corp won't get a word out of Clancey, or those friends of his.
(MADELEINE suddenly understands what he means and slams her fist down on the table.)
MADELEINE: NO! I will not be party to m*rder. When all this started it was going to be a salvage operation - space flotsam you said. But then piracy and now m*rder!?
CAVEN: You're taking a cut out of the profits.
MADELEINE: Yes, but because it's too late. I'm involved.
CAVEN: You wanted to get rid of Clancey. I'm proposing to do it permanently.
MADELEINE: By cold blooded, deliberate m*rder. No! I will not let you do it!
CAVEN: (Leaning over the table.) I don't think you've got much choice.
MADELEINE: Are you thr*at me?
CAVEN: You may be the head of the Issigri Mining Company and very important back on Earth, but on this planet I have twice as many men as you and mine are all armed. I don't have to make thr*at. I'm telling you, not to interfere!
(He turns round as DERVISH comes into the room.)
CAVEN: Ah Dervish, we're discussing a space accident.
(DERVISH looks baffled.)
DERVISH: Oh, where?
CAVEN: I haven't quite decided where it'll take place yet!
DERVISH: Oh sorry, I don't get it.
CAVEN: Don't worry. I want you to go down to the abandoned freighter dock, Dervish, you'll find an old C class ship there on the pad. Take some men with you and fit it out with a remote control guidance unit.
DERVISH: What now? But look Caven, I've only just got back...
CAVEN: (Sharp.) This is important, Dervish.
DERVISH: Alright, if you say so. What's it for?
CAVEN: Don't ask questions. Get on with it.
DERVISH: (Grudgingly.) Right.
CAVEN: Oh, and by the way...
DERVISH: Yes?
CAVEN: It's a very old ship, did I say that? Practically falling apart. I want their oxygen pump rigged so that it does full apart... say about five minutes after blast off.
(DERVISH leaves and MADELEINE looks at CAVEN, an expression of panic on her face.)
8. DOM'S STUDY
(DOM Issigri crouches in a corner of the room, hands over his face, cowering away from the candle flame. So far, all the DOCTOR's attempts to reassure him have met with no success. The old man just cringes back, wedging himself into his corner.)
MILO: Dom.
(DOM backs further away from him, whimpering.)
MILO: Dom, look at me. Don't... don't you know me, Dom? It... it's... it's me Milo Clancey, Dom, your old partner...
DOM: No! No, leave me! Leave me be! No! Don't hurt me! Not again! Please!
ZOE: (Looking at the poor wreck of a man.) Are you sure it's Dom Issigri?
MILO: Of course it's Dom Issigri! I was closer to that man than a brother for fifteen years. That's Dom alright.
DOCTOR: Jamie!
MILO: What in the world have they done to him?
DOCTOR: Jamie. Jamie, let him go.
JAMIE: What?
DOCTOR: Well he's obviously so frightened we can't make him worse. Look out.
(He approaches DOM.)
MILO: Dom... Dom... What in the world has happened to him?
DOCTOR: Well you can't expect him to behave normally. We don't know how long he's been down here.
MILO: But listen... Maddie wouldn't have done a thing like this to him.
JAMIE: Not her own father.
DOCTOR: Milo... Go... go... go and talk to him quietly.
MILO: Ah, well yeah... yeah... yeah all right, I'll do that. Err... Hey listen, what ah... what ah... what am I going to talk to him about?
DOCTOR: Talk to him about the things that he might remember.
MILO: Well, oh yeah. Yeah.
(He approaches DOM again.)
MILO: Now, ah Dom. Now now, it's... it's only Milo, Dom. It's just Milo, your old partner, Dom. All right. Hah! Hey listen... hey listen Dom. I've still got the LIZ, you know Dom. Remember the old LIZ, we used to thrash from here to home planet in? Remember that time we had to race those three ships in order to... to register our stake on Lobos? You remember that race, Dom!
(The old man glances up at him. Somehow MILO's voice seems to calm him.)
MILO: What... what about when little Madeleine was born?
DOM: Maddie?
MILO: Yeah. Remember that? We made that record return trip - it took them... it took them fifteen years to b*at the time we did then, Dom. I thought the old LIZ was going to split into two. Remember Dom?
(Suddenly DOM Issigri speaks, or rather croaks, in a voice rusty with disuse.)
DOM: Maddie... Madeleine...
(He tugs a tattered photograph of a little girl from the pocket of his shirt.)
MILO: That's her Dom. That... that's her. That's your daughter Dom. What, she... she must have been about six year old when that was...
DOM: No no no - f.. five... o.. only five. Ah, poor Madeleine...
DOCTOR: (Whispering to MILO.) Go on!
DOM: Madeleine...
MILO: Ah, w.. well Dom. What about that ah... that other picture you had? That... that coloured picture you had of her. You know, Madeleine in a... in a red dress. Have you still got that picture, Dom?
9. CORRIDOR
(Meanwhile, confused and upset, MADELEINE has come down to the tunnels to see the prisoners. She is astonished to see one of CAVEN's guards on duty outside the "permanently locked" door to her father's old study.)
MADELEINE: Where are those prisoners?
(The GUARD nods towards the door.)
GUARD: Safe and sound.
MADELEINE: In there? (Explodes.) WHAT ARE THEY DOING IN THERE?! THAT IS MY FATHER'S STUDY. I GAVE ORDERS FOR THAT DOOR TO BE KEPT LOCKED.
(The GUARD shrugs indifferently.)
GUARD: Chief said to put them in there.
MADELEINE: Caven! Give me the key!
GUARD: Chief says nobody's to enter.
MADELEINE: Look, you know who I am. I'm ordering you to give me that key.
GUARD: (Firmly.) I can't do that! (Sarcastically.) Sorry!
MADELEINE: (Firmly.) You will be.
(She turns and goes back the way she came. The GUARD calls to his colleague who is patrolling the junction.)
GUARD: Fraze! Here a minute. Go and tell the chief Miss Issigri's been down here trying to get in to see the prisoners. And tell him she's in a flaming temper about it!
(FRAZE dashes off.)
10. DOM'S STUDY
DOM: It is. Milo Clancey! It's Milo!
(MILO laughs.)
MILO: (Excited.) It is, Dom, it is. Old Milo, Dom. Hey... hey come on, come on old fellow, you... you sit down here where you'll be... where you'll be nice and comfortable. Now there you are, come on.
(DOM sits down.)
MILO: I'll tell you something, Dom. We're... we're all friends here.
(DOM clutches MILO's sleeve, staring up into his face.)
DOM: Friends? Then he's caught you too. He's caught us all of us.
DOCTOR: You mean Caven?
DOM: You'll never get out of here. Never. You'll all die down here, I tell you.
DOCTOR: I think we shall get out of here. How long have you been down here?
(The old man stares wildly at him.)
DOM: How long? I don't know how long - years! They came for me, by night, with g*n.
ZOE: Who did?
MILO: Not now, ah, was it Caven, Dom?
DOM: You know Caven?
MILO: Yeah.
DOM: He's evil. Ruthless. They brought me down here and kept me like a rat under ground.
MILO: That explains how he disappeared. Caven kidnapped him.
JAMIE: Well why do that?
MILO: Because he wanted to drive a wedge between Madeleine and me, he wanted to take over the company.
JAMIE: I know, but why keep him prisoner all this time?
(JAMIE lowers his voice.)
JAMIE: I mean, surely it would be easier for them to have k*lled him and be done with it.
DOCTOR: Well, from what we've seen of Caven, I... I think he always has a good reason for doing things, Jamie.
ZOE: You mean Mr Issigri is still of some value to Caven in some way?
DOCTOR: Yes, I... I think so, Zoe.
(He turns back to DOM.)
DOCTOR: Well, Dom, we shall just have to escape, won't we?
DOM: Escape? That door's the only way out of here.
DOCTOR: Are you quite sure?
MILO: What? Of course he's quite sure. Ah, old Dom he... he built this room.
JAMIE: Aye...
MILO: He hacked it out of living rock. That door's the only way out.
(The DOCTOR doesn't seem in the least discouraged.)
DOCTOR: Yes, but it's also the only way in.
11. MADELEINE'S OFFICE
(To MADELEINE's irritation, DERVISH is in the office instead of CAVEN. He is talking on her communicator.)
DERVISH: ...you'll find this ship out at the old freighter dock beyond the perimeter. Use one of the tractors to get the stuff out there and hurry. I need it quickly, and don't forget the thermic capacitators.
(The screen, with an unknown face on it, goes black.)
MADELEINE: Where's Caven?
DERVISH: Oh, ah... he's on level three, I think. One of the guards just came in asking for him.
MADELEINE: Guards... moronic brutes.
DERVISH: Well...
MADELEINE: Look Dervish, you're an intelligent man, a qualified astroengineer. How did you get mixed up with a criminal like Caven?
DERVISH: I made a mistake once. Just once. Caven found out about it.
MADELEINE: There must a way... there must be a way of fighting him. I didn't realise what I'd got involved with, until I saw him sh**t that man today.
DERVISH: Oh you can't fight Caven.
MADELEINE: Not alone, but if you help me we might...
DERVISH: No! Look, I don't want to talk about it.
(He sees the scornful look on her face and says angrily:)
DERVISH: I know Caven. I know what he's capable of. And believe me, he'd k*ll us both if he even suspected we were been talking like this.
(DERVISH turns to leave. MADELEINE throws herself on him.)
MADELEINE: YOU'VE GOT TO HELP ME! We're the only two who can stop him!
DERVISH: I'm sorry.
(He removes MADELEINE's hand from his coat.)
MADELEINE: (Panicking.) He's planning to k*ll those prisoners, Dervish! We can't let him m*rder four innocent people.
DERVISH: PLEASE LET ME GO! I've got work to do.
(He dodges past her and heads for the door.)
MADELEINE: (Shouts.) You'll be as guilty as he is!
(...but DERVISH is gone. MADELEINE looks after him for a moment and comes to a sudden decision. She whirls round and heads for his vid-com console.)
MADELEINE: (Into communicator.) This is Issigri Control to V-ship 41. Issigri Control to General Hermack. Hello Space Corps. If you hear me, please come in on band 396. This is Issigri Control...
12. V-SHIP, FLIGHT DECK
(We see the Space Corp ship and close in on the flight deck, as MADELEINE's voice crackles faintly through the speaker on the flight deck.)
PENN: Sir!
WARNE: What is it, Penn?
PENN: Radio call from Issigri Control.
HERMACK: What do they want?
PENN: It's a woman's voice, sir. Very faint, I'll put it through the amplifier.
(The voice becomes louder and clearer.)
MADELEINE: (OOV.) Issigri Control calling General Hermack. Please come in! Band 396!
(Even over the air-waves, HERMACK can hear the tone of desperation in her voice.)
MADELEINE: Issigri Control calling Space Corp.
(The signal starts to break up again.)
HERMACK: Did you get that band, Penn?
PENN: Coming up on the video, sir.
(MADELEINE's anguished face appears on the vid-com screen.)
HERMACK: (Into microphone.) V-Master to Issigri Control, receiving you now.
MADELEINE: (OOV.) Listen General. You must get...
(MADELEINE's voice cuts off and the screen goes blank.)
HERMACK: What the blue blazes! Open that connection again, Penn!
PENN: It's still open, sir. Somebody's pulled the plug at the other end!
13. MADELEINE'S OFFICE
CAVEN: Obviously I got here just in time.
(One of CAVEN's hands is still on the cut-out switch. The other holds MADELEINE's wrist in a painful grip. He moves her away from the vid-com console and releases her.)
CAVEN: And why did you try to see the prisoners?!
MADELEINE: (Rubbing her wrist.) Oh why do you think? To tell them what you're planning.
CAVEN: So, I can't rely on you any more.
MADELEINE: No, you better put me in with them.
CAVEN: (Slightly laughing.) Oh no. You've not yet outlived your usefulness!
MADELEINE: If you think... if you think for one moment that I'm going to help you in any wa...
CAVEN: You are going to do exactly as I tell you, Madeleine.
MADELEINE: You really are mad, aren't you.
CAVEN: (Very sharp.) Because if you don't, I'll have your father flogged. And I ought to tell you that he's not in the best of health.
MADELEINE: (Laughs.) Oh, but my father's d*ad!
CAVEN: He's alive.
(CAVEN takes a photograph from his pocket and gives it to MADELEINE. It's a picture of DOM in his present condition.)
CAVEN: As you can perhaps see from this photograph taken only a few weeks ago.
(MADELEINE stares unbelievingly at the unkempt figure cringing away from the camera.)
CAVEN: I thought I might need a lever to help you to co-operate.
MADELEINE: (Softly.) Where is he?
CAVEN: In his study, where else? When you ordered that room to be kept locked, I thought it'd be the safest place to put him.
MADELEINE: (Stares at CAVEN.) YOU!
(She tries to dash for the door but again CAVEN grabs her in a vice-like grip. She yells: )
MADELEINE: LET ME... WHAT HAVE YOU DONE WITH MY FATHER? Let me see him, let me...
(MADELEINE sobs hysterically.)
CAVEN: Before we get that far, let's talk about how you're going to help me, shall we? Because that's much more important.
14. V-SHIP, FLIGHT DECK
PENN: It's no use, sir. There's not a peep out of Issigri Control.
HERMACK: What do you think, Ian?
WARNE: I'd have given a lot to have held that contact for another ten seconds, sir. I wonder what she was gonna to say.
HERMACK: She looked worried.
WARNE: Sir, if those sections of the beacons were originally on course for Ta...
HERMACK: So they were, according to our computer readings.
WARNE: Well, suppose Clancey diverted them to Lobos? To get us out of the way so that his g*ng could raid the Issigri Headquarters.
HERMACK: That would be a big operation. Even for a crew as well disciplined as the pirates appear to be.
WARNE: Well, not if he had a base on another planet, sir.
HERMACK: (Musing it over.) I suppose it's possible. (To PENN) Penn, set course for Ta.
PENN: Right, sir.
HERMACK: (To WARNE.) We can swing back there and make sure that everything's in order anyway.
15. DOM'S STUDY
(The DOCTOR is staring broodingly at the heavy metal door.)
DOCTOR: Dom, the grille over the door...
DOM: Leads out to the passage outside. And that steel is three inches thick. I tell you it's hopeless: I spent my first year down here working on that -
here, you can see it's hardly marked.
DOCTOR: Yes, I wasn't thinking of brute strength. Well, well not much brute strength.
JAMIE: It's not an audio lock is it?
DOCTOR: No Jamie, it isn't.
JAMIE: (Looking relieved.) Well, that's a relief.
(The DOCTOR looks hurt.)
DOCTOR: Jamie, sometimes... sometimes I think you don't appreciate all I do for you. Milo?
MILO: Yeah?
DOCTOR: Supposing we could get out of this room, do you think you could find your way back to your spaceship?
MILO: Well yeah, if you want to get me out of this room...
DOCTOR: Sh, shh!
MILO: What?
(The DOCTOR points to the door.)
MILO: Ah, well that's what I was going to say, you see, apart from these guards there. If we get past those guards, well, they wouldn't track us down in those tunnels - I know those tunnels like the back of my hand.
DOCTOR: Splendid!
(The DOCTOR rubs his hands.)
DOCTOR: Right, Zoe, hand out those candles. Two at a time will do.
JAMIE: (Puzzled.) What for?
DOCTOR: Just a minute, Jamie, I'll tell you.
(The DOCTOR starts to search his pockets.)
DOCTOR: Now where did I put my bag of marbles...
16. MADELEINE'S OFFICE
MADELEINE: I'm sorry General, we had a technical failure.
(HERMACK's face is frowning at her from the vid-com screen.)
HERMACK: (OOV.) Ah, is that what happened. You went out in mid-message.
(MADELEINE is very conscious of CAVEN standing to one side, just out of HERMACK's sight.)
MADELEINE: Yes, I was just saying that you must get these pirates soon, General. One of my freighters has just landed, and the Captain said that his ship was att*cked.
HERMACK: (OOV.) Really? Where was this?
MADELEINE: Just on entering the sector, he tells me. But he was able to out-run them.
HERMACK: (OOV.) Ha, you had us worried. We're heading back to your planet now.
(MADELEINE's voice gets panicky.)
MADELEINE: Err, that's quite unnecessary, General. There's nothing wrong here.
HERMACK: (Dryly, OOV.) Oh, I'm glad to hear it. Well we've got some checking to do there anyway.
MADELEINE: I see. Well then I'll get a landing pad cleared for you.
HERMACK: (OOV.) Fine. And thank you for contacting us.
(As the screen goes blank, MADELEINE turns to CAVEN.)
MADELEINE: Satisfied?!
CAVEN: Yes, but you shouldn't have tried to divert them. I'm counting on that ship returning.
(He flicks a switch on the intercom.)
CAVEN: Dervish, how are things coming along?
(DERVISH's voice crackles back.)
DERVISH: (OOV.) I've completed the installation. I'm running a test on it now.
CAVEN: Good, let me know as soon as you're ready.
17. DOM'S STUDY
(Under the DOCTOR's direction, he and his fellow prisoners are rubbing candle- wax into the floor. They've worn down several candles between them, and by now the whole area around the door is covered with a thin layer of wax.)
DOCTOR: Right, there we are. I think that should be enough wax.
ZOE: Are you sure it'll work?
DOCTOR: Well, it usually does. Jamie, Jamie, pass me that marble will you?
JAMIE: (Picking up a marble.) This one?
DOCTOR: The green one.
(JAMIE passes the green marble to the DOCTOR.)
DOCTOR: Thank you very much. It's ah... one of my favourites!
(The DOCTOR tucks the marble into his pocket.)
DOCTOR: Now, what have you got, Dom?
(DOM comes forward with a metal tray on which there is a pile of paper and cloth.)
DOM: An old shirt and an aeronautical journal.
DOCTOR: (Laughs.) Ha ha! That should make plenty of smoke. Right then, is everybody ready?
(MILO has broken up an old Victorian dining-chair. JAMIE, ZOE, DOM and MILO clutch one leg each. The DOCTOR sets f*re to the pile of paper and rags on the tray.)
DOCTOR: That's the stuff.
(They all join in, fanning and bl*wing on the pile of smouldering rags, until it is burning strongly and sending up a plume of black smoke.)
DOCTOR: You all know what you have to do?
MILO: Yeah.
JAMIE: Ready.
(The DOCTOR holds the tray up towards the grille over the door.)
18. CORRIDOR
(It doesn't take long before the GUARD outside the door starts sniffing suspiciously. He looks up to see smoke streaming from the grille over the door.)
GUARD: (Into the intercom.) Quince! Here quick!
(Muffled shouts of "Help! f*re, f*re, f*re!" start coming from the other side of the door. The GUARD fumbles with the keys at his belt.)
19. DOM'S STUDY
(The DOCTOR and his companions wait tensely. Suddenly the door is opened. Two guards rush in, h*t the grease and the marbles, and go down in a flailing pile of arms and legs. They struggle to get up, but are promptly flattened by a g*ng of what look like yelling demons with clubs. Clambering over the dazed and battered guards, the DOCTOR and his little party disappear down the corridor.)
20. MADELEINE'S OFFICE
(A few minutes later, CAVEN is screaming at the unfortunate guard, whose bruised and battered face fills the vid-com screen in MADELEINE's office.)
CAVEN: (Screaming.) Useless fools - you'll be punished for this!
GUARD: (OOV.) It wasn't our fault, Chief.
CAVEN: Go on! Get moving! Get after those prisoners! With any luck you'll be sh*t! Incompetents! Idiots!
(The screen goes blank and CAVEN slams his fist on the table. He turns to MADELEINE and snarls: )
CAVEN: Don't imagine they can get away. There's nowhere for them to go!
MADELEINE: (Laughing at him.) If you haven't caught them by the time the Space Corps get here... Ha, ha, ha! Then you really are in trouble, aren't you!
(A voice comes from the intercom.)
VOICE: (OOV.) Hello Chief. Muller here. The prisoners have just been spotted on level three.
CAVEN: (Into the microphone.) Which way are they heading?
VOICE: (OOV.) Towards the old freighter dock.
CAVEN: Clancey's old space-ship, of course. (Into the microphone.) Listen Muller, don't try and stop them, you understand? Let them reach the freighter dock.
VOICE: (OOV.) OK Chief, I'll call the patrols in.
(CAVEN smiles coldly at MADELEINE.)
CAVEN: I think your friends intend to save me a lot of trouble. Once they get that old crate up into space, I can cut in the remote control any time I like. Stop their oxygen and deliver a cargo of d*ad pirates to General Hermack.
(MADELEINE looks at him in anguish.)
MADELEINE: Caven, you can't do that! My father's with them!
CAVEN: (Heartlessly.) Yes, he'd have been better off staying where he was, wouldn't he?
21. LIZ 79
(MILO dashes into LIZ 79's cabin, and throws himself into the pilot's seat. He begins a frantic instrument check.)
MILO: Come on, Dom. Come on, Doctor. Come on Dom, in you go.
(The DOCTOR and then DOM throw themselves into the control room. Seconds later the DOCTOR appears, looking worriedly behind him.)
DOCTOR: What's happened to Jamie and Zoe? I... I think I ought to go back for them...
MILO: Don't you worry about them. They're probably just checking up we haven't been followed.
(The DOCTOR notices MILO pressing buttons and turning switches.)
DOCTOR: What are you doing?
MILO: Just getting ready for take-off.
DOCTOR: But...
MILO: But don't worry, come on, I won't go without 'em.
22. MADELEINE'S OFFICE
(DERVISH's face appears on MADELEINE's vid-com screen.)
DERVISH: (OOV.) Control reports that the V-Ship's on an approach path.
CAVEN: Already?
23. SPACE
(The V-Ship flies towards Ta in the distance.)
24. MADELEINE'S OFFICE
CAVEN: (Into communicator.) All right, listen! We can't afford to wait for Clancey to take that ship up. Activate the overriding unit now!
MADELEINE: NO!
(She runs at CAVEN, but he throws her brutally aside.)
CAVEN: You understand, Dervish! Boost that crate into orbit! Immediately!
25. LIZ 79
DOCTOR: I can't understand what's happened to them. I'm going back.
MILO: Oh? Well, ah... Don't be long now, tell them to hurry!
(As soon as the door closes behind the DOCTOR, the cabin begins vibrating with a low rumble of power.)
MILO: Well, hey...
DOM: Listen... Listen...
(MILO wrestles with the controls, but they are locked and refuse to respond.)
MILO: (Shocked.) That's the rocket drive - hey hey! We're taking off! The Doctor will be b*rned to a frazzle in the blast!
26. FREIGHTER DOCK
(The DOCTOR is tearing down the access tunnel from the launch pad. A shattering roar comes from the launch-pad just behind him, and a blast of smoke, flames and chemical fumes rips through the tunnel. The DOCTOR is hurled to the ground.)
DOCTOR: Oh no! No! No! No! No!
(He lies motionless amid the drifting, poisonous smoke and the oncoming flames...) | {"type": "series", "show": "Doctor Who", "episode": "06x33 - The Space Pirates - part 5"} | foreverdreaming |
The Space Pirates
Written by Robert Holmes
Episode 6
Original Air Date: 12 April, 1969
6:00pm - 6:25pm
1. FREIGHTER DOCK
(The DOCTOR is tearing down the access tunnel from the launch pad. He started running the moment the ship started to vibrate. A shattering roar comes from the launch-pad just behind him, and a blast of smoke, flames and chemical fumes rips through the tunnel. The DOCTOR is hurled to the ground.)
DOCTOR: Oh! Ah! No! No, no, no...
(He lies motionless amid the drifting, poisonous smoke and the oncoming flames...)
2. CORRIDOR, NEAR FREIGHTER DOCK
(JAMIE and ZOE have been trapped at an intersection by two guards. The patrol suddenly appeared in front of them, cutting them off from the others. They reached cover unseen, and there they have been forced to wait. Fortunately for JAMIE and ZOE, the guards get new orders over their intercoms and hurry away.
JAMIE and ZOE have scarcely resumed their journey when they feel the ground shake and hear a distant roar.)
JAMIE: What's that?
(ZOE listens and her expression turns to one of shock when she realises what the noise is.)
ZOE: The rockets! The Doctor's going without us!
JAMIE: He wouldn't do!
ZOE: Oh, come on!
(They start running in the direction of the sound.)
3. LIZ 79
(In LIZ 79's cabin, MILO wrestles with the controls.)
MILO: It's no good, Dom! Damn thing won't respond at all!
DOM: Wha... uh... what is it, Milo? What's happened?
MILO: We've walked right into Caven's trap.
DOM: Caven! Of course.
MILO: The LIZ is being operated by remote control. Must have installed an override unit in here somewhere.
4. FREIGHTER DOCK
(Gasping in the still-drifting smoke, JAMIE and ZOE run down the tunnel. They literally stumble over the DOCTOR's unconscious body.)
JAMIE: DOCTOR!
(They crouch down beside him.)
ZOE: Oh, don't touch him, Jamie. Oh, don't touch him at all.
JAMIE: Is he all right?
(ZOE is feeling the DOCTOR's wrist.)
JAMIE: Zoe, is he all right?
ZOE: His pulse is weak. (Pauses.) He must have been caught in the blast of those rocket boosters.
(They both start to cough, as more of the fumes come down the tunnel.)
ZOE: Oh, these fumes! Come on, let's get him out of here.
(JAMIE heaves the DOCTOR over his shoulder and carries him back down the tunnels.)
5. MADELEINE'S OFFICE
(DERVISH has finished linking the master control box of his remote control unit to MADELEINE's communications unit. He adjusts the controls and a view of LIZ
79's flight cabin comes up on the monitor. DOM is slumped in a chair; MILO is busy removing a panel from the computer console. MADELEINE stares at the exhausted figure of her father, scarcely able to believe he is still alive.)
CAVEN: Cut their oxygen supply.
MADELEINE: (In pure anguish.) Caven, NO!
CAVEN: (To DERVISH.) You heard me, Dervish, cut the oxygen. k*ll them!
DERVISH: (Throwing a switch.) Oxygen cut.
MADELEINE: (Weeping.) Please, please, I'll help you! I'll do anything.
(She tries to pull DERVISH from the controls. CAVEN brutally shoves her away.)
6. LIZ 79
(MILO is working at the computer console with frantic speed. DOM, meanwhile, is starting to breathe heavily in his chair.)
MILO: Hey, Dom. This must be it. These screw heads have been loosened recently. Let's get this off.
DOM: Milo! I can hardly breathe!
(MILO looks hard at the old man, then gets up and goes over to the air-conditioning grille. Faded ribbons are tied to it - ribbons that should be fluttering feebly in the breeze of the air-conditioning. They are limp and motionless.)
MILO: The airflow...
DOM: Huh?
MILO: It's been cut!
7. MADELEINE'S OFFICE
MADELEINE: (Pleading.) Connect the flow - please, please, I'll do anything.
(But CAVEN has had enough of it.)
CAVEN: Sit down! Stop that yapping!
DERVISH: All set, boss.
(They look at the screen and see MILO go back to his labours.)
DERVISH: He's wasting his time, it's well hidden.
(They see old Dom Issigri suddenly slip from his chair.)
CAVEN: (Gleefully.) One down, one to go.
MADELEINE: (Gasping.) Father!
(CAVEN, however, spots that the LIZ has just the two passengers.)
CAVEN: Where's the Doctor and his friends?
DERVISH: They're not there!
CAVEN: (Screaming.) WHERE ARE THEY?
8. TUNNELS
(JAMIE has carried the DOCTOR to one of the bigger tunnels, where the air seems to be flowing more freely. However, JAMIE and ZOE are still coughing.)
JAMIE: (As he gently lays the DOCTOR onto the rock floor.) Easy now.
ZOE: That's better, the air's clearer here. Doctor. Doctor!
(The DOCTOR starts to respond to ZOE's voice. He abruptly sits up - and then immediately collapses in a fit of coughing.)
ZOE: (Helping him up.) And again, come on.
DOCTOR: (Coughing.) Oh dear.
JAMIE: Thank goodness for that, we thought you'd gone and had it!
DOCTOR: It's alright Jamie, I'm perfectly all right.
ZOE: Why did Milo take off without us?
DOCTOR: I don... I don't think he intended to, Zoe.
ZOE: Oh but he must have.
(The DOCTOR coughs loudly.)
ZOE: How could the LIZ take off otherwise?
DOCTOR: Milo wasn't anywhere near the controls when it all happened.
ZOE: But surely... Of course - remote control!
(The DOCTOR gets to his feet.)
DOCTOR: Yes, I think it's the only answer.
JAMIE: What good would it do Caven, sh**ting you up into space in a rocket?
DOCTOR: I'm not sure Jamie, but we've got to find that remote control unit and save Milo and Dom. Come on! Oh!
(He staggers a little and catches JAMIE's arm for support.)
ZOE: Oh now steady, Doctor.
DOCTOR: It's alright, Zoe. I'll be all right if you don't fuss me. Come along.
(They begin moving back towards Issigri HQ. The DOCTOR continues to cough loudly.)
9. MADELEINE'S OFFICE
(On the screen, gasping for breath and near to collapse, MILO is still working doggedly at the console.)
CAVEN: (Callously.) They'll be unconscious in five minutes, and d*ad in fifteen. The V-Ship should drop alongside some ten minutes after that.
Nice timing, Dervish.
MADELEINE: Why don't you just k*ll them off now? Explode the rocket and have done with it.
CAVEN: Wouldn't suit my purpose.
(DERVISH looks at MADELEINE's anguished face.)
DERVISH: Caven, do we have to go through with this?
CAVEN: What's the matter, cold feet suddenly?
DERVISH: Why can't we get away now while we've still got the chance?
CAVEN: Hermack thinks Clancey's the man he wants. We're giving him Clancey - d*ad so that he can't talk and with a load of stolen argonite in his cargo bay.
MADELEINE: Oh you've got it all worked out, haven't you.
CAVEN: (Proudly.) Down to the last detail.
DERVISH: Yeah but what about the Doctor and his friends? Suppose they get in touch with the Space Corps?
(CAVEN rises.)
CAVEN: They won't. I'll find them now and take care of them. (Pointing at MADELEINE.) Now don't take any lick from her. If she gives you any trouble, k*ll her!
(As soon as he is out of the room, MADELEINE heads for the remote control unit. Drawing his hand-blaster, DERVISH bars her way.)
DERVISH: I... I don't want to, but if I have to, I'll k*ll you!
(Realising that DERVISH's fear of CAVEN is strong enough to make him k*ll her, MADELEINE backs away. She looks at the screen and sees MILO slump to the floor beside her father.)
DERVISH: I'm sorry. I'm truly sorry.
MADELEINE: They don't stand a chance, do they? By the time the Space Corps get here they'll be d*ad.
10. V-SHIP
(We see the V-Ship flying in space.)
11. V-SHIP, FLIGHT-DECK
(HERMACK and WARNE are looking thoughtfully at the scanner screen. On the edge of it, can be seen a faint signal.)
HERMACK: Well, what is it?
WARNE: Could be one of the pirate ships - a beta dart.
PENN: Can't make it out yet, sir. It's too far away.
HERMACK: Right. Full boost. We'll get in closer and have a look.
(The engines speed up as HERMACK retakes his seat.)
12. MADELEINE'S OFFICE
(DERVISH backs away before MADELEINE's reproachful eyes.)
DERVISH: Don't you understand? There's nothing I can do - nothing!
MADELEINE: This is your one chance to get free of Caven. Help me! We can get the Space Corps out so that...
DERVISH: No!
(She moves towards him again and he raises the blaster.)
DERVISH: I daren't!
(MADELEINE sees a sudden flicker of movement in the doorway. She circles slowly round DERVISH; he moves to keep her in front of him.)
DERVISH: Don't move.
MADELEINE: (Sighing.) All right. I can see it's pointless arguing with a gutless fool like you. You don't care about anything except your own skin!
DERVISH: (Shrieking.) Shut up! SHUT UP!
(He raises the blaster, his face twisted with hate. For a moment MADELEINE thinks she has goaded him too far, but now DERVISH's back is to the door. JAMIE bounds into the room and grapples with him. DERVISH swings round, but JAMIE knocks up his g*n and the energy-bolt from the blaster slams into the remote control console. Its screen goes blank. JAMIE draws back a knobbly fist and knocks DERVISH cold. The DOCTOR and ZOE come into the room. MADELEINE runs up to them.)
MADELEINE: Quickly! We must do something. They've cut off the air in the LIZ and my father's in there - he's dying. This is the remote contraption.
(The DOCTOR hurries to the remote control unit, which is giving off wisps of smoke.)
DOCTOR: Oh my word! I'm afraid the blast from the g*n has fused the wires together.
MADELEINE: Can't you do something?
(Producing his sonic screwdriver, the DOCTOR sets to work. However, no one has noticed that DERVISH has recovered and is crawling inch-by-inch towards the door.)
13. CORRIDOR
(CAVEN is talking to a guard.)
CAVEN: Well?
GUARD: There's no sign of them on this level, sir.
CAVEN: Right, spread down on the next level by the old workings.
GUARD: Right, sir
CAVEN: And if you see any sign of that Doctor and his friends, you sh**t to k*ll.
GUARD: Right, sir.
CAVEN: I'll be back in the Issigri HQ.
14. MADELEINE'S OFFICE
(The DOCTOR tries connecting two wires together.)
MADELEINE: Come on! Come on, please!
(The DOCTOR gives a quick run-through of his work.)
DOCTOR: I think... I think that's the air-conditioning circuit reconnected. Now then, the radio link.
(He gets back to work.)
15. LIZ 79
(Soon the DOCTOR's voice comes over the speaker.)
DOCTOR: (OOV.) Hello LIZ 79. Can you hear me? Can you hear me, Dom? Dom Issigri?
(MADELEINE takes over, and her voice comes over the radio.)
MADELEINE: Father! Father, this is Madeleine. Can you hear me?
(There is no movement from MILO and DOM.)
16. MADELEINE'S OFFICE
(MADELEINE is worried about the lack of picture on the monitor.)
MADELEINE: (To the DOCTOR.) Are you sure the radio link's working?
DOCTOR: Well, I think so.
MADELEINE: What about the video?
DOCTOR: No, this is much more difficult, I'm afraid.
MADELEINE: How can we tell whether they're all right or not?
DOCTOR: Well...
(Absorbed in the problem presented by the mass of charred circuits, the DOCTOR only gradually becomes aware of JAMIE's voice.)
JAMIE: Hey, Doctor!
DOCTOR: What is it Jamie? I'm busy.
JAMIE: It's Dervish - he's gone!
DOCTOR: What?
ZOE: Well he's bound to bring Caven and the guards back.
JAMIE: Aye.
MADELEINE: I'll close the main doors, then we'll be safe.
(She pulls a lever on her desk and they hear the whisper of hydraulics.)
MADELEINE: Let's try and contact the LIZ again, please.
(The DOCTOR sees the frantic look on her face and nods.)
17. LIZ 79
(The ribbons tied to the air-vent in the flight cabin of LIZ 79 are fluttering feebly again. MILO shakes his head. He feels terrible - as if he has the worse hangover in the world. To make matters worse, some woman is shouting at him.)
MADELEINE: (OOV.) Father, Milo, can you hear me? Milo, Father, please answer if you can hear me!
(MILO feebly reaches out and flicks a switch.)
MILO: Hey girl! Stop screeching like a banshee, will you?
MADELEINE: (Joyfully, OOV.) Milo! Milo, is that you?
MILO: Ah... I'll tell ya... Just let me clear the fog from me ears and I'll tell ya!
MADELEINE: (OOV.) Is my father all right?
(MILO rises and kneels by the body of his old friend. His scrawny chest is rising and falling, and his heartbeat is strong. Milo goes back to the controls.)
MILO: Yeah, I think he's all right Maddie.
(A familiar voice booms through the cabin.)
HERMACK: (OOV.) LIZ 79, this is General Hermack.
(MILO clutches his temples.)
MILO: Ah! Not another banshee! Take your volume down, will you General - you're blasting me ears off!
HERMACK: (OOV.) Clancey, cut your motors. We're coming alongside.
MILO: (Furious.) Look General, will you just shut up, and let me get a word in edgeways? I've got something to tell you that'll make your hair curl. Now just for once in your life, will you listen to me?!
18. CORRIDOR
(Returning from his unsuccessful attempt to track down the DOCTOR and his friends, CAVEN heads towards MADELEINE's office. He is just about to enter the HQ area when he runs into DERVISH, who is scurrying frantically in the opposite direction.)
CAVEN: (Grabbing him.) Dervish, I thought I told you to...
DERVISH: Caven! The Doctor and his friends... well they att*cked me. I was lucky to get away with my life.
CAVEN: (Furiously.) YOU FOOL! They'll bring the Space Corps down on us. Oh you!
(He is ready to h*t him.)
CAVEN: Come on!
(Dragging DERVISH with him, he sets off for MADELEINE's office.)
19. V-SHIP, FLIGHT DECK
(By now, General HERMACK has interrogated MILO and got most of the story.)
HERMACK: Is this true, Clancey?
(Instead DOM's voice comes over the radio.)
DOM: (OOV.) General Hermack, this is Dom Issigri. What Milo has told you is true. Caven has engineered this whole thing.
(MILO then takes the microphone.)
MILO: (OOV.) And if you don't stop yabbing General, he's going to get clean away with it.
HERMACK: (Slightly annoyed.) All right Clancey, that's quite enough of that. (To PENN.) Give me Issigri Headquarters on the video.
PENN: Yes sir.
(Almost immediately, MADELEINE's face appears on the viewer.)
HERMACK: Miss Issigri, we are coming to your assistance. We're going to launch a full scale att*ck in approximately...
(He looks at PENN.)
PENN: Fifty-five minutes.
HERMACK: Fifty-five minutes.
20. LIZ 79
(The radio conversation continues.)
MADELEINE: (Sounding very happy.) All right, General. Thank you.
MILO: Hey! Hey! Hey wait on, Maddie! Hey General! What about... What about us?! You can't leave us here like flies on fly-paper.
(The DOCTOR's voice comes over the radio.)
DOCTOR: (OOV.) Hello Milo. Now listen.
MILO: (Happy.) The Doctor!
DOCTOR: (OOV.) I think I can help you dismantle the remote control device and regain control of the LIZ.
MILO: Control of the LIZ. That would be something.
DOCTOR: I think the remote control unit will be probably situated somewhere in the computer preselector. Now do you know where that is?
MILO: Well, of course I know where it is. I know the LIZ like the back of my hand. Now that computer thingummy, that should be err... well ah... (Looking about.) somewhere about HERE, I guess. (Marching towards another control panel.) AH HA!
DOCTOR: (OOV.) What's happened? Have you found it?
(MILO keeps shouting "Ah!", for some reason.)
MILO: Oh it must be! Oh it must be!
(MILO stares at a small box by the control panel.)
MILO: Hey, you know... Maybe... maybe it'll be somewhere behind here, Dom.
(DOM and MILO start to pull the box away from the wall.)
21. ENTRANCE TO ISSIGRI HQ
(CAVEN stares grimly at the heavy metal door to Issigri HQ.)
CAVEN: It's locked from the inside.
(He turns to the vid-com unit by the door.)
CAVEN: Madeleine...
22. MADELEINE'S OFFICE
(CAVEN's picture appears on the monitor.)
CAVEN: (OOV.) ...can you hear me? This is Caven.
(MADELEINE turns from the hated features on the screen to the DOCTOR.)
MADELEINE: He's probably outside the main door. That's where the internal video is.
(She turns back to the screen and throws the microphone switch.)
MADELEINE: You can't get in, Caven. By the time you cut through that door, the Space Corps will be swarming all over Ta.
23. ENTRANCE TO ISSIGRI HQ
CAVEN: Oh dear Madeleine, you've disappointed me. We could have made a fortune together, instead of which I have to leave and you have to die.
MADELEINE: (OOV.) Empty thr*at, Caven?
(CAVEN drags DERVISH into the vid-com's field of view.)
CAVEN: Oh no. (To DERVISH.) Dervish, you'll need eighteen to twenty demolition charges.
DERVISH: What for?
CAVEN: Connect them in series to the atomic fuel store.
DERVISH: But that's madness, Caven. There isn't time, the... the Space Corps will here before we're finished.
CAVEN: We will, don't worry...
DERVISH: Yeah, but...
CAVEN: DO AS I SAY!
(Shoving DERVISH away, CAVEN turns back to MADELEINE.)
CAVEN: Should be quite a bang. The equivalent of about eighty old-fashioned hydrogen b*mb.
MADELEINE: (OOV, shocked.) You'd never do that. You'd blow yourself sky-high as well!
CAVEN: Oh no. We shall explode it when we're a safe distance away, and the V-Ship is right in the flash zone. You have about forty minutes.
(CAVEN raises his hand in farewell.)
CAVEN: Oh, don't try to leave. I'm turning the manual lock from this side. Enjoy the big bang!
(He turns away, and the screen goes blank.)
24. MADELEINE'S OFFICE
(MADELEINE looks up from her control console.)
MADELEINE: That's it. I don't think he's bluffing. And if he sets off an expl*si*n in the atomic fuel store...
DOCTOR: Then we must see to it that he doesn't.
JAMIE: (Scowls.) But how? We can't stop him if we're locked in here.
ZOE: What about the Space Corps? Can they get here in time.
(The DOCTOR shakes his head.)
MADELEINE: No, V-ships require a complicated landing technique - they're so large.
DOCTOR: Besides, we shall have to warn them of Caven's intended escape.
JAMIE: Then who's going to get us out of here?
DOCTOR: There's only one man that can, Jamie. Milo!
ZOE: But the LIZ is still jammed in remote control.
DOCTOR: I know, I know, but we shall free it!
JAMIE: (Gloomy.) You hope.
(The DOCTOR stares at JAMIE, then turns to MADELEINE.)
DOCTOR: Get hold of the space patrol and tell them what's happened. I'd better see how Milo's getting on with that bird's nest.
25. ATOMIC STORE-ROOM
(At the core of the atomic store-room is a circular chamber with massive lead shielded doors. Lining its wall in racks are the giant atomic fuel storage cylinders. DERVISH, in radiation suit, helmet and gauntlets, is clamping down small atomic detonator canisters to selected cylinders. The idea is to set off a chain-reaction of atomic expl*si*n. CAVEN is watching DERVISH, and is now rapping impatiently on the thick glass inspection hatch set into the door. DERVISH connects the last canister and moves awkwardly to the door. CAVEN opens it and DERVISH emerges into the stark concrete corridor outside. When the door is closed he removes his gloves and helmet, and wipes his forehead.)
CAVEN: (Hissing.) You're taking your time.
DERVISH: Only the detonator to connect up now.
(DERVISH opens a metal box standing outside the door. Inside is a contraption like a complicated electronic alarm clock, which rests on a hammock of plastic webbing. Dervish carefully lifts it out.)
CAVEN: GET A MOVE ON!
(For the first time DERVISH turns an angry face to CAVEN.)
DERVISH: Do you mind?!
CAVEN: (Temporally thrown.) What?
DERVISH: This is something that can't be rushed.
(CAVEN looks at the clock over the door: it reads 11:25. He grabs DERVISH's arm. DERVISH freezes, cradling the detonator.)
DERVISH: Knock that again, and we won't have half a second left. I've known one of these things go up if somebody so much as coughed!
CAVEN: We've got half an hour before that space ship drops on us.
(DERVISH carefully hands the detonator to CAVEN, then puts on his helmet and gloves. He takes back the detonator, CAVEN opens the door, and DERVISH goes back to complete his terrifying task.)
26. V-SHIP, FLIGHT DECK
(MADELEINE is just finishing her report to HERMACK.)
MADELEINE: (OOV.) He's planting some sort of expl*sive device in the atomic fuel store. With a radio controlled detonator.
HERMACK: (To WARNE.) He intends to retire the Beta Dart and explode out of range.
MADELEINE: (OOV.) Yes.
HERMACK: Then we must try and intercept him before he has the chance to transmit the triggering pulse. We'll let you know, Miss Issigri, don't worry.
27. LIZ 79
(MILO, meanwhile, is trying to carry out an equally complicated task. Guided by the DOCTOR's voice over the space radio link, he is trying to find and disconnect the device that is controlling the ship.)
DOCTOR: (OOV.) Milo? Have you found that little red wire leading into the neuristor bank?
(MILO roots around inside the computer console.)
MILO: Ha! Little red wire, he says! There's about a thousand little red wires here. You hold that bunch, will you Dom?
(He hands a tangle of connections to the patiently waiting DOM. MILO peers into the interior of the console.)
MILO: Now, neuristor bank? Ah, well that might be this one here. I'll give that a go there.
(He pokes a finger into the console. There is a loud cracking and MILO snatches his hand away with a yell.)
DOCTOR: (Cheerful, OOV.) It sounded as if you've found it.
(MILO sucks his fingers.)
MILO: Jumping galactic gob-stoppers, why didn't you tell me it was alive! My fingers.
DOCTOR: (OOV.) Now, somewhere near that neuristor bank, there should be the implanted overriding unit. It's probably transistorised - very small.
(DOM peers over MILO's shoulder and points.)
DOM: Is that it?
MILO: Yeah?
DOM: Is that it?
MILO: (Staring at a small transistor unit connected by some wires.) Could be, Dom. We'll try that one shall we?
(He grabs the unit by its attaching wires and yanks it bodily from the console. Immediately the LIZ gives a tremendous lurch. With a yell of both triumph and alarm, MILO leaps for the pilot's chair.)
DOCTOR: (OOV.) What's happening?
(MILO is busy checking the response of the controls.)
MILO: I found it!
DOCTOR: (OOV.) Right. Now, dismantle it carefully.
(MILO grins at DOM.)
MILO: I just have. Hold on a second, Dom. We're on our way!
28. ATOMIC FUEL STORE
(CAVEN paces up and down the corridor. He looks up at the clock. It is 11:37. At 11:39 the door opens and DERVISH emerges and pulls off his helmet.)
DERVISH: All fixed.
CAVEN: Good! By twelve hundred hours we'll be far enough away to escape the blast.
DERVISH: Is the ship ready?
CAVEN: On the pad. Come on, let's go.
(He helps DERVISH out of the radiation suit, dropping it by the door, and they hurry away. The digital display on the clock above the atomic store-room clicks from 11:39 to 11:40.)
29. V-SHIP, FLIGHT DECK
(On the scanner screen a small light is rising from a big blob, which is Ta.)
WARNE: That's a Beta Dart on the scope now, isn't it Penn?
PENN: Must be, sir. She's boosting off fast!
HERMACK: Get a minnow Ian, and get after them.
WARNE: Right, sir.
(WARNE hurries eagerly from the flight-deck.)
HERMACK: Lock on intercepting course.
PENN: Yes sir.
30. SPACE
(The V-Ship turns and starts to follow the Beta Dart. Meanwhile, WARNE's minnow rises from the centre of the V-Ship and blasts off into space.)
31. LIZ 79
(MILO beams at DOM, who lies slumped back in the co-pilot's seat.)
MILO: Ha ha, this is just like old times, hey Dom? You and me scuffling along in the old LIZ.
(DOM smiles feebly.)
DOM: (Mumbling.) I wish it was the old days...
(He shakes his head, trying to clear a sudden dizziness. MILO sh**t him a worried look.)
MILO: Hold on, Dom. You'll be all right. In a minute or two, we're going to land on Ta, and you'll see little... little Maddy again, Dom.
DOM: Little Maddy?
MILO: Maddy.
DOM: Yes... Yes... Mad... Maddy! Maddy!
(DOM looks as though hearing the name has given him strength.)
MILO: Hold onto something Dom. Hold on, I'm going to try and approach to orbit! (To the LIZ.) Come on, old girl. Don't let me down, now.
32. V-SHIP, FLIGHT DECK
WARNE: (OOV.) I shall be in striking range in about thirty seconds sir.
HERMACK: Right! Don't f*re until I give the word.
(A light starts to flash on the console in front of him.)
HERMACK: Oh wait a minute, there's an audio contract.
(A familiar voice cuts through on the communicator channel.)
CAVEN: (OOV.) Beta Dart to V-41! Call that Minnow off our tail, Hermack. I'm warning you if he comes any closer, I'll pull this switch. And we'll all die together.
(There is a click as CAVEN brakes off communication.)
HERMACK: You'd better pull back, Ian.
WARNE: (OOV.) OK sir, if you say so.
(HERMACK looks up at the flight deck clock. It reads 11:48.)
HERMACK: Twelve minutes. (To PENN.) Get me Issigri Headquarters. I'd better break the news to them.
33. LIZ 79
(DOM and MILO shake a little in their chairs as the LIZ touches down.)
MILO: Ah! Ah! We did it! Ho ho! We did it Dom. We're alright. We're down Dom.
(MADELEINE's voice comes through on the speaker.)
MADELEINE: (OOV.) Hello LIZ 79. Milo, can you hear me?
MILO: Yeah, loud and clear. We'll be seeing you in a minute, Maddy girl, because we've landed.
(He can hear the tension in MADELEINE's voice.)
MADELEINE: (OOV.) Thank goodness for that! Now listen Milo, there isn't much time. You've got to get over to Headquarters and release us quickly.
MILO: But why? What's going on?
MADELEINE: There's no time for questions! Hurry!
MILO: Right-o!
(MILO heaves himself out of the pilot's seat and looks dubiously at his old friend.)
MILO: You'd better stay down there, old timer. I've got some running to do, and I don't think that you're really up to it!
(MILO hurtles from the cabin. Seconds later DOM hears him clattering down the ladder.)
34. V-SHIP, FLIGHT DECK
(MADELEINE is talking to General HERMACK on the vid-com.)
MADELEINE: (OOV.) The Doctor thinks that he might be able to defuse this expl*sive.
HERMACK: (With a grave expression.) You haven't much more time. Eight... perhaps ten minutes. I've got to launch that Beta Dart at twelve hundred.
MADELEINE: (OOV.) All right, but give us as long as you can.
HERMACK: Good luck. (Under his breath.) You'll need it.
35. MADELEINE'S OFFICE
(MILO throws open the doors to MADELEINE's office and leans panting by the door.)
MADELEINE: Milo!
MILO: I haven't run so far since I was knee high to a grasshop...
(He breaks off because the DOCTOR, MADELEINE, ZOE and JAMIE are all sprinting past him out of the door.)
MILO: Hey, what going on here? Where are you all going?
JAMIE: (Over his shoulder.) To turn off a b*mb.
MILO: Oh my... A b*mb?! Hey, wait for me!
(MILO draws a deep breath and pounds wearily after the others.)
36. V-SHIP, FLIGHT DECK
(Major WARNE is speaking quietly over the vid-com.)
WARNE: (OOV.) I could creep the minnow in sir, and get a salvo in before they knew what'd happened.
HERMACK: No wait, they've got seven more minutes.
37. ATOMIC FUEL STORE
(MILO and MADELEINE are bundling the DOCTOR into DERVISH's discarded anti-radiation suit. MADELEINE looks up at the clock.)
MADELEINE: You've got about... six minutes.
(They lower the helmet over the DOCTOR's head. His voice is muffled by the helmet.)
DOCTOR: Right, open the doors.
(JAMIE opens the door to the atomic storage area, and the DOCTOR goes inside. The detonator looks like a great metal spider, its metal body crouching in the centre of the room, power cables stretching out from it like long silvery legs. The DOCTOR studies it for a moment. The leads are firmly fastened at either end.
The DOCTOR looks at them and then at the clock - 11:55 - five minutes to go. Producing his sonic screwdriver, the DOCTOR begins unscrewing the top of the detonator unit. JAMIE, ZOE, MADELEINE and MILO jostle round the inspection window to see what the DOCTOR is doing. He has got the lid off the detonator and is staring inside. A clock inside the detonator is ticking away. He pauses, wondering which one of the wires to cut first. Outside, the others see him pause.)
JAMIE: Look, he's not doing anything.
ZOE: Oh Doctor, hurry!
(MILO explains what the matter is.)
MILO: Grand sakes alive girl, he's got to find the right one. He'll blow us all to bits if he moves the wrong wire.
(They see the DOCTOR reach inside the detonator unit.)
38. V-SHIP, FLIGHT DECK
(HERMACK looks at the clock. It now reads 11:57.)
39. SPACE
(WARNE, in his minnow-ship, speeds forwards on a convergent course with the sleek black Beta Dart.)
40. ATOMIC FUEL STORE
(The DOCTOR is gingerly lifting a thin metal cylinder from the middle of a nest of circuits inside the detonator. The cylinder is connected by two thin wires: one green, one red. They have to be severed - in the right order.)
41. V-SHIP, FLIGHT DECK
PENN: One hundred and fifty seconds, sir.
(HERMACK thinks about it.)
HERMACK: We've got to take the risk.
(Raising his voice he shouts: )
HERMACK: att*ck, Ian, att*ck!
42. SPACE
(11:58. WARNE moves behind the Beta Dart - ready to f*re at point-blank range.)
43. V-SHIP, FLIGHT DECK
(Time goes by, until 11:59.)
HERMACK: f*re!
44. SPACE
(Twin torpedoes streak from the nose cone of the minnow-ship, converging upon the Beta Dart.)
45. V-SHIP, FLIGHT DECK
(On the communicator, CAVEN appears.)
CAVEN: (Hissing/yelling, OOV.) I WARNED YOU HERMACK!
(CAVEN reaches for the detonator switch in front of him.)
DERVISH: (OOV.) No, Caven, no! We're still in the blast area!
CAVEN: THEN WE ALL DIE TOGETHER! NOW!
(DERVISH appears and throws himself on CAVEN, trying to drag him away from the switch.)
46. ATOMIC FUEL STORE
(The DOCTOR comes to a decision and snaps the green wire, then the red.)
47. V-SHIP, FLIGHT DECK
(We see a close-up of the communicator screen. CAVEN throws DERVISH aside and then throws the detonator switch.)
48. ATOMIC FUEL STORE
(The clock changes to 12:00. Everybody closes their eyes... Nothing happens. They all start to re-open their eyes.)
49. SPACE
(WARNE's Martian m*ssile strike the Beta Dart, bl*wing DERVISH, CAVEN & the rest of the pirates into flaming fragments.)
50. MADELEINE'S OFFICE
(Soon after, they are all back in MADELEINE's luxurious office, except for DOM. They are celebrating their victory with the finest champagne.)
MADELEINE: (Turning from the audio communicator.) I've just heard that the Space Corps has destroyed the Beta Dart.
(Everybody starts cheering.)
MILO: Well, at least those varmits have done something right for a change. Yeah?
MADELEINE: General Hermack is coming back here to pick me up. I have to go back to home planet.
ZOE: What for?
MADELEINE: To stand trial.
MILO: Wh... To stand trial? Now... now listen, don't you worry about that, little Maddy girl. I'll have a few words with those danglers about that.
(MADELEINE smiles at him.)
MADELEINE: Don't worry. The General doesn't seem to think that the outcome will be disastrous, and my father's evidence will help.
MILO: Yeah, damn certain it will!
(He remembers DOM.)
MILO: Poor old critter. Hey, would you like to go and have a... have a word with him old Maddy girl? He's only out there on the LIZ.
MADELEINE: (Softly.) Yes, yes. It'll be strange seeing him after all these years.
MILO: Go on. You... you go by yourself. Go on.
(MADELEINE walks over to the door. She passes the DOCTOR and turns to him.)
MADELEINE: I don't know how to thank you.
(She kisses him on the cheek. The DOCTOR looks shocked and embarrassed. JAMIE looks gleefully at the DOCTOR. MADELEINE hurries out.)
ZOE: Doctor?
(The DOCTOR looks into space, rubbing his cheek.)
ZOE: Doctor, what about the TARDIS?
JAMIE: Hey, that's a point. Where is it?
(The DOCTOR pulls himself together.)
DOCTOR: Oh... oh the TARDIS, that's no problem. It's ah... orbiting Lobos, Milo's home planet, in one of the beacon sections.
ZOE: Oh no problem, hey? Well how are we going to get to it?
DOCTOR: Well Milo's very kindly offered us a lift in the LIZ.
JAMIE: Oh no, not the LIZ again! Frankly I'd rather walk.
MILO: (Half hearing this.) You what?
DOCTOR: You never know you might have to...
(JAMIE, ZOE, MILO and The DOCTOR laugh as they leave the room to return to the LIZ and the TARDIS.) | {"type": "series", "show": "Doctor Who", "episode": "06x34 - The Space Pirates - part 6"} | foreverdreaming |
The w*r Games
Episode One
By Malcolm Hulke and Terrance Dicks
Original Air Date: 19 April, 1969
5:15pm - 5:40pm
1, EXT: NO-MAN'S LAND
(All around the field is a scene of mess. An old rusting barrels pockmarked with b*llet holes compete for space in the middle of a muddy quagmire amongst rotting wooden piles, old discarded barbed wire and strips of filthy cloth and shredded tyres. In the air is the distant tang of woodsmoke and cordite. In the centre of a particularly nasty puddle a large blue shape appears with a strangled trumpeting of exhausted engines. The door of the Police-box opens and three distinctly odd passengers disembark. The first a young lad in a kilt, and following on a small dark-haired man in a frock coat and a young girl in a long raincoat. Jamie steps down from the TARDIS and immediately his shoes begin to get sucked down into the thick, unforgiving mud. The others laugh at him.)
JAMIE: Oh! What is this place?
ZOE: Doctor, where are we - Earth?
DOCTOR: Well it looks like it Zoe. Come on!
(Carefully they try to pick their way across the field without getting too dirty, and up a scrubby incline, the Doctor jauntily whistling "A hunting we will go" happily to himself. Zoe stops by a metal pile with rusting barbed wire coiled around it.)
ZOE: What's this stuff?
JAMIE: Ah, wee spikes! Oh!
(He reaches out to touch one, accidentally pricks himself and recoils sucking his finger)
DOCTOR: It's barbed wire Jamie, filthy stuff.
(He stoops to pick up a discarded tin helmet from under a soaking wooden board.)
DOCTOR: I thought so!
JAMIE: Eh? Where are we Doctor?
DOCTOR: We're back in history Jamie, one of the most terrible times on the planet Earth.
(The travellers all h*t the ground as they hear several approaching whistles of falling shells which explode nearby in vast blossoms smoke and flame making the ground shake. A vicious chatter of g*n f*re shatters the air.)
DOCTOR: QUICK! Down there!
(They scramble into a small b*mb in the ground. Jamie peers over the top, but the Doctor pulls him down.)
DOCTOR: JAMIE!
(They all flatten themselves against the ground as the creeping barrage tears the dirt to shreds showering them with earth and stones. Above where they are lying a worn and weary-looking first world-war ambulance judders into view like an old lame horse, and stops just before the barrage does. A dark-haired woman, the Lady Jennifer Buckingham, gets out of the ambulance, removes her driving goggles and looks down at the three travellers.)
BUCKINGHAM: I say! Are you alright?
DOCTOR: W..well yes, I-I think so.
BUCKINGHAM: I shouldn't stay around here if I were you, that was just the softening-up barrage!
DOCTOR: What?!
JAMIE: Eh?!
DOCTOR: Oh...oh my... Oh!
(They scramble up the side of the crater.)
DOCTOR: Well where are we?
BUCKINGHAM: Behind the lines I think. Not...too sure myself. I'm heading due-East, but I seem to have got...
(They all look around as they see two gas-masked German soldiers pointing r*fles at them. The lead solder pulls off his mask.)
GERMAN SOLDIER: Hände rauf! Rücken schnell!
(He ushers them into the ambulance and it drives off across the muddy landscape, but they don't get far. A group of men rush the ambulance, and a dashing young officer, Carstairs, pulls away the German's r*fle pointing a heavy service-revolver at his head.)
CARSTAIRS: Out you come!
BUCKINGHAM: There's another in the back.
(Carstairs motions to his man.)
CARSTAIRS: Take care of him.
(He edges around the back of the ambulance with another man, g*n raised, but Jamie has already subdued both men, and is casually lying on top of them, their g*n pressed up against the back of their necks. Carstairs looks astonished.)
CARSTAIRS: Well done.
(He motions to the German soldiers.)
CARSTAIRS: Get inside.
(He gets into the ambulance next to Lady Jennifer.)
CARSTAIRS: Who are those people?
BUCKINGHAM: No idea. Picked 'em up in no-man's land.
CARSTAIRS: Well I suppose we'd better get them back to base.
(The ambulance drives off.)
2, INT: TRENCH
(Major Barrington, a tidy officer with a trimmed moustache is sitting behind his desk speaking into a black field telephone by the light of a sturdy brass hurricane lamp looking every bit the Edmund Blackadder. All around shakes, debris falling from the ceiling, as the entire area is repeatedly shelled.)
BARRINGTON: They've laid down a heavy barrage all along the line, I think that they're after that ammo-dump. Don't worry sir, we'll hold out!
(He looks down at his map desperately as if his head were aching and picks up a small pencil. Instantly he regains a detached, professional composure as a young, thick Yorkshire-accented Sergeant rushes in and snaps to attention.)
SERGEANT: Sir?
BARRINGTON: What is it?
SERGEANT: Ambulance approaching sir.
BARRINGTON: Give it protective f*re.
(The soldier remains erect.)
BARRINGTON: Jump to it man!
SERGEANT: Sir!
(The Sergeant rushes out again.)
3, EXT: TRENCH
(The trench is a muddy unpleasant waterlogged hole in the ground. It is constructed of dirty sandbags and soaking wooden beams. To one side a Private is f*ring away repeatedly with a machine g*n, as the trench itself is b*mb from far away. The Sergeant ushers the people down a ladder into the trench.)
SERGEANT: Come on! Get down, get down!
CARSTAIRS: A couple of prisoners Sergeant, my men are bringing them in.
SERGEANT: Very good sir.
(The travellers wander a little way along the trench.)
JAMIE: How are we going to get back to the TARDIS?
DOCTOR: Now just be quiet Jamie, and let me do the talking.
4, INT: TRENCH
(The Sergeant returns to the room.)
SERGEANT: Sir?
(Barrington looks exasperated.)
BARRINGTON: Well, what is it now?
SERGEANT: With the ambulance sir, there was a Lieutenant.
BARRINGTON: Well bring 'im in!
SERGEANT: Sir.
(He exits, and Carstairs enters snapping a formal salute.)
CARSTAIRS: Lieutenant Carstairs sir.
BARRINGTON: Well what are you doing here? Don't belong to this battalion do you?
CARSTAIRS: No, patrolling in no-mans land sir. I got cut off from my own lot.
BARRINGTON: Well, what were you doing traipsing about in ambulances?
CARSTAIRS: Recaptured it from the Hun, sir. Lucky we arrived really. There's a WVR driving it, and three, ah, civilians inside.
BARRINGTON: Civilians? In no-man's land?
CARSTAIRS: Your sergeant's taking care of them, sir.
BARRINGTON: Good grief, civilians.
(He puts his head in his hands as his head begins to throb again, having the feeling that it really is going to be one of those days.)
5, EXT: TRENCH
(The Sergeant walks by and gives the Doctor Jamie and Zoe each a chipped enamel mug of thick, sugarless tea, then departs.)
JAMIE: The thing is where are we?
ZOE: Early twentieth century isn't it, Doctor?
DOCTOR: Yes. I'm afraid that we've landed up in the middle of one of the worst wars in human history!
JAMIE: Why are they fighting stuck into the ground like this for?
DOCTOR: Well it's trench warfare you see, Jamie. These trenches stretch right the way across the continent of Europe.
JAMIE: Well what are they fighting for?
DOCTOR: Well I-well I believe that they call it "The w*r to End all Wars."
SERGEANT: The Major will see you now.
ZOE: Do-do you think they'll let us go?
DOCTOR: Well they've got no reason to keep us.
(The Doctor listens as the g*n go silent. He places down his mug and approaches the incline of the trench.)
DOCTOR: Things seem to have quietened down now, let's try to get away.
(He gingerly attempts to climb up and poke his nose over the edge, but as soon as he does the machine g*n begin their barrage again.)
DOCTOR: Oh-oh!
(An arm attached to the Sergeant pulls him bodily down again before he gets k*lled.)
DOCTOR: Argh!
SERGEANT: What do you think you're doing?!
DOCTOR: Well you see our transportation is over there, you see. We were trying to get to it.
SERGEANT: Over there? There's nothing over there but Huns! Anyway, the Major wants to see you.
DOCTOR: Oh-oh we want to bother him, I'm sure he's very busy...
SERGEANT: Come on!
(He turns to Jamie, Zoe and Lady Jennifer.)
SERGEANT: You too! Ma-ams, if you don't mind?
(They all enter the HQ.)
6, INT: TRENCH
(Barrinton is on the phone again while Carstairs sits by the wall of the trench.)
BARRINGTON: Right sir, we'll go over the top at 0400 hours. ...Sir?
(He looks decidedly sick, but remains polite.)
BARRINGTON: As you say sir.
(He replaces the receiver.)
BARRINGTON: Well that was General Smythe, big-push tomorrow...How long have you been out here?
CARSTAIRS: Well sir, it's odd, but I can't quite remember.
BARRINGTON: I know, seems like forever doesn't it?
(The Sergeant walks in.)
SERGEANT: Civilian party sir.
BARRINGTON: Oh!
(The Sergeant shows them all in, and Barrington walks to behind his desk. The Doctor struggles to flatten his frock coat and straighten his bow tie to little avail.)
SERGEANT: Major Barrington, Ma-am.
BARRINGTON: Oh, how do you do Miss, er?
BUCKINGHAM: Jennifer Buckingham.
BARRINGTON: Ah. I understand that you picked these people up in no-man's land?
BUCKINGHAM: Yes, found them hiding in a b*mb crater.
BARRINGTON: Excuse me, may I ask you what you were doing there?
DOCTOR: Trying not to get k*lled.
(He attempts his most winning smile, but the Major is unimpressed by his flippant attitude.)
BARRINGTON: I see.
(He sits down and glances at his book for a second.)
BARRINGTON: You're a highlander aren't you? Why aren't you with your regiment?
JAMIE: Regiment? I'm not in your army!
BARRINGTON: Are you a deserter?
JAMIE: No, of course not! I...
(Barrington put up a hand to silence Jamie, and moves to Zoe.)
BARRINGTON: All right, all right, all right. You, what are you doing here? This is the front line, no place for young ladies.
ZOE: But what about her?
(She motions to Lady Jennifer.)
BARRINGTON: This lady is a WVR, she's here on duty.
DOCTOR: Er, look Major, we er, we don't want to trouble you. If you'd just let us go on our way...
BARRINGTON: And which way is that?
SERGEANT: He tried to make off towards the German line, sir.
BARRINGTON: Did he by jove?
(There is the whistle of a falling shell close to the HQ, an the entire trench shakes knocking everyone about as if they had just been struck by an earthquake. Without dusting himself down Barrington picks up the telephone in a civilised manner as if nothing had happened.)
BARRINGTON: I think General Smythe would like to have a word with you. Hello? Get me General Smythe at base.
7, INT: DRAWING ROOM
(The Chateaux of a picture of decaying splendour. All around the bare walls are written on and stripped of paper, and underfoot, bare floorboards. As the constant noise of shelling rumbles on in the distance, a stern, hawk-faced man with silver hair wearing a general's uniform sits behind a wooden table holding a field telephone to his ear. Behind him, a set of ratty, ragged curtains partially conceal a set of French windows overlooking a palatially sized garden)
SMYTHE: Civilians? In no-man's land? Yes, send them back here at once. I'll question them myself.
(A lavish, yet peeling internal door opens and Captain Ransom enters.)
SMYTHE: Three civilians found in no-man's land.
RANSOM: Good lord sir. Whereabouts?
SMYTHE: Barrington's sector. He's sending them back here. I'll turn in for half an hour.
(He gets up and walks towards his private room.)
SMYTHE: Let me know when these civilians arrive will you?
RANSOM: Yes sir.
(Sergeant-Major Burns is short, stocky with a moustache waxed like a comedy villain. He walks in with two more sturdy enamel mugs of tea. He deposits one in Ransom's hand, and turns around to offer the other but the General has gone.)
RANSOM: Thank you Sergeant-Major.
(Ransom walks off.)
8, INT: SMYTHE'S ROOM
(Smythe's room is neat and orderly, if tiny. An unslept in bed sits opposite the door and the windows are taped up. To one side of the door and there is a table accommodating an old fashioned pitcher full of water and a bowl; to the other, a chest of draws with a series of ornaments and picture frames. On the wall above is a large picture of King George V. He moves to the picture and presses a concealed switch, and it swings open on a set of hidden hinges. Just at that moment Sergeant-Major opens the door and walks into the room with a mug of tea. Smythe spins around and glares evilly at the poor Sergeant-Major.)
SMYTHE: Don't ever come through that door without knocking! GET OUT!
(The Sergeant-Major jumps spilling the tea all over the floor.)
SERGEANT-MAJOR: Right sir!
(He hastily leaves, and Smythe turns back to the picture, opening it up. Behind it is the last thing that would be expected of an early 20 century General's room - a circular monitor screen with a large white dial and a series of smaller ones. He twists a dial on the top and the monitor begins to glow.)
SMYTHE: Smythe, nineteen-seventeen zone, British sector. Reinforcements urgently required. At least five-thousand specimens...
9, INT: TRENCH
(The Doctor is attempting to convince Major Barrington to release him.)
DOCTOR: But Major Barrington, if only you'd let us get out of here and back to our transport we'd be no further nuisance to you.
BARRINGTON: I'm afraid you'll have to go to the Chateaux and give a proper account of yourselves. For all I know you could be spies!
JAMIE: Now look, we keep trying to tell you ye daft sassanach!
BARRINGTON: Hold your tongue man!
JAMIE: No I won't!
DOCTOR: Now please, don't let us lose our tempers.
SERGEANT: The Flyer's just leaving for base now sir.
BARRINGTON: Good! Get them onto it, off you go.
JAMIE: Now just a moment, we're not going back to any base! Now come on!
(Jamie moves to leave.)
BARRINGTON: Sentry!
(A Private walks into the trench with his r*fle raised.)
DOCTOR: Jamie, I think perhaps we'd better do as they say.
BARRINGTON: Well I'm glad one of you is showing some sense. Alright sergeant, take them away.
SERGEANT: Yes sir.
BUCKINGHAM: I'm sure you'll be alright, anyway, good luck.
(She shakes the Doctor by the hand.)
DOCTOR: Oh thank you very much. Ah.
(The travellers leave, and Barrington walks over to Lady Jennifer and Carstairs.)
BARRINGTON: Now then, what are we going to do about you two?
BUCKINGHAM: Could your men do something about my ambulance, it's bogged down just over the hill.
BARRINGTON: Yes, soon get that out for you.
(Barrington leaves and Lady Jennifer waits 'til she's sure he's gone.)
BUCKINGHAM: Funny about those people. They didn't look like spies.
CARSTAIRS: Spies never do. I don't envy them if they are, General Smythe can be pretty ruthless. Do you know what my chaps call him?
BUCKINGHAM: What?
CARSTAIRS: The butcher.
(He grins at her.)
10, INT: DRAWING ROOM
(The Doctor, Jamie and Zoe are escorted down a corridor.)
SERGEANT-MAJOR: Left-right left-right left-right. Prisoners and escort, halllf-time! Halt! Riiight-turn!
(The Sergeant-Major stops in front of a desk and snaps a salute off at Ransom who is sitting behind a desk on the opposite side of the room.)
SERGEANT-MAJOR: Civilian prisoners from Major Barrington sir.
RANSOM: Alright stand at ease.
SERGEANT-MAJOR: Stand-at ease!
(Jamie snaps to attention accidentally stamping on the Doctor's foot, who clutches at it lovingly.)
DOCTOR: Oh!
(The Sergeant-Major rolls his eyes.)
SERGEANT-MAJOR: At ease!
RANSOM: The General wants to question you in person.
(Ransom leaves the group.)
DOCTOR: Oh good, I'm sure we'll be able to explain everything to his satisfaction.
(The Sergeant-Major grimly half-smiles to himself. Ransom walks in through the door to the General's room past where someone has chalked in:
ROLL ON DEATH
DEMOBS
FLY FAR
AWAY.
JAMIE OOV: Look, how long are we going to be kept here?
RANSOM: Sir?
(He looks around the General's room, but he is nowhere to be seen. For a moment he pauses, then he walks back out again.)
RANSOM: Take them to the cells Sergeant-Major.
DOCTOR: But I thought you said we were going to see the General?
(Ransom looks a little confused as if he's forgotten something important which is just beyond the tip of his mind.)
RANSOM: The General is... Not available.
SERGEANT-MAJOR: Prisoners and escort attention! Riiight-turn!
(Jamie turns to the left for a second, then to the right with all the others.)
SERGEANT-MAJOR: By the front, quiiick-march. Left-right left-right...
ZOE: Oh there's no need to keep shouting at us you know!
SERGEANT-MAJOR: Left-right left-right left...
(Sergeant-Major and his prisoners vanish down the corridor again. Ransom stands silently for a moment, then glances towards the door of the General's room.)
11, INT: TRENCH
(Carstairs is pouring tea from an enamel can into his mug, and then stops, remembering his manners.)
CARSTAIRS: Oh I am sorry, do you want some more?
BUCKINGHAM: Thanks.
(He pours the remainder into her mug.)
CARSTAIRS: Where is your hospital?
BUCKINGHAM: Oh, it's...not far?
CARSTAIRS: Where abouts?
BUCKINGHAM: Well, you're going to think me awfully silly, but er, I can't quite remember.
CARSTAIRS: Don't worry, it'll come back to you. Memory's a funny thing out here. Can't always remember things myself.
BUCKINGHAM: What kinds of things?
CARSTAIRS: Oh, silly things. Names, dates...how long I've been here. Sometimes wonder if I've got a touch of the old shell-shock.
Have you talked to anybody else about it?
BUCKINGHAM: I don't like to. One feels so stupid.
CARSTAIRS: Yes. Still, it is rather worrying not being able to remember things.
(The telephone begins to ring.)
CARSTAIRS: Ah, I suppose I'd better answer that.
(He gets up to answer the telephone, but as he has the receiver in his hand Barrington rushes in and takes it from him.)
BARRINGTON: Ah, thanks old man. Major Barrington. Yes. Right sir.
(He puts the phone down again.)
BARRINGTON: Well we're wanted at HQ, some sort of enquiry about those civilians we brought in here.
BUCKINGHAM: How long are we going to be? I'm bound to be needed back at the hospital.
BARRINGTON: We just got your ambulance out of the mud. We can all go in that, and then you can go straight on from HQ. Alright everybody ready?
12, INT: CELL
(The Doctor is sitting down waiting to meet the General as Jamie and Zoe restlessly try to plot their way out of the cell.)
JAMIE: And you'll not pick that lock with a hairclip either.
ZOE: And these walls are solid stone, there's just no way out!
JAMIE: Ah now what do we do then?
DOCTOR: It's only a temporary misunderstanding, Jamie. We'll get it cleared up when we see the General.
ZOE: What makes you think that he'll listen to us? Nobody else has.
DOCTOR: Ah, they were all obeying orders, that's the-the military mind.
ZOE: We must have looked a bit suspicious - three civilians in the middle of a w*r?
JAMIE: Aye, well I just hope that General does listen to us.
DOCTOR: Oh yes, I should expect he's a very nice chap.
(The Doctor smiles optimistically.)
13, INT: DRAWING ROOM
(General Smythe leaves his room and approaches Ransom.)
SMYTHE: Got those reports yet?
RANSOM: I've just finished them now sir.
SMYTHE: Good.
RANSOM: By the way sir, those er, three civilians have turned up. I've er, got them in a cell.
SMYTHE: Oh, what of it?
RANSOM: As a matter of fact, I er..went into your room to tell you but, er...
(Smythe puts on his spectacles and turns to face Ransom gazing right into his eyes.)
SMYTHE: I was asleep captain Ransom. You did not want to disturb me.
(Ransom appears transfixed.)
RANSOM: Yes sir, you were asleep. I did not wish to disturb you.
SMYTHE: That's right.
(He takes off his spectacles again and Ransom snaps back to normal.)
SMYTHE: Now what do you make of these civilians?
RANSOM: Oh, two men and a young lady. According to Major Barrington they can't account for themselves. He seemed to think that the younger lad was a deserter, and apparently the older man tried to make off for the enemy lines.
(Sergeant-Major marches into the drawing room.)
SERGEANT-MAJOR: Sir! Major Barrington sir.
SMYTHE: Thanks.
SERGEANT-MAJOR: Sir, this is Lieutenant Carstairs and Lady Buckingham, sir.
SMYTHE: How do you do. Do sit down. Barrington, you know the adjutant, Ransom don't you?
BARRINGTON: Yes sir, we er... Er, Ransom and I were, er...
(He stops as if he has forgotten something. Smythe puts on his spectacles again, and stares at Barrington.)
SMYTHE: You were at school together. You were at school together!
BARRINGTON: Yes, that's right, we were at school together. How are you Ransom?
(He smiles politely. Smythe removes his spectacles.)
SMYTHE: Now tell me, where did you find these civilians?
14, INT: DRAWING ROOM (Later in the day)
(Smythe opens a book labelled:
KING'S REGULATONS
THE ARMY
1912
Smythe is sitting at a long table with Ransom on his right and Barrington on his left. From the corridor Sergeant-Major marches the Doctor, Jamie and Zoe into the Drawing room and lines them up before the table.)
SERGEANT-MAJOR: Left-right left-right, prisoners escort-accused half-time. Halt, left-turn.
(The Doctor sees a familiar face and wanders forward, and Barrington looks shocked at the breach of protocol.)
DOCTOR: Major Barrington, pleased to see you!
SERGEANT-MAJOR: Accused! Back in line!
SMYTHE: If you are ready gentlemen? March the prisoners forward Sergeant-Major.
SERGEANT-MAJOR: Sir! Accused, one pace forward march!
JAMIE: Now look, what's going on here?
SMYTHE: The Court Martial is now in session.
DOCTOR: Court Martial? But we're civilians!
SMYTHE: This whole area is under Martial law.
DOCTOR: Yes well, that may be, but if you'll-you'll allow me to explain, we were...
SMYTHE: You will have the opportunity of addressing the Court at the proper time.
DOCTOR: Oh, thank you.
SMYTHE: Now, the statements of Carstairs and Lady Jennifer have been taken into evidence. The prisoners waylaid an ambulance in no-man's land...
DOCTOR: Waylaid?! The ambulance found us!
SMYTHE: The vehicle was later commandeered by a waiting enemy patrol. Recaptured by Lieutenant Carstairs, the prisoners insinuated themselves into a forward command post, where at the earliest opportunity the leader made a break for the enemy lines with whatever information he had gathered.
ZOE: Oh but that's just not true! You've twisted the whole thing!
DOCTOR: This is a travesty of justice! What are we charged with?
SMYTHE: In the case of this man, desertion from a highland regiment, in the case of yourself and the girl the charge is one of espionage.
The penalty For all these crimes is death!
DOCTOR: But this is monstrous!
SMYTHE: We shall now hear the case for the defence. Have you anything to say?
DOCTOR: Yes I-I most certainly have! I-I... Am I allowed to question the witnesses?
SMYTHE: Certainly, we wish to give you every opportunity to explain yourselves.
DOCTOR: Oh, good.
(He turns to Jennifer.)
DOCTOR: Lady Jennifer, er will you please explain to these gentlemen the circumstances of our meeting.
(She opens her mouth to speak.)
SMYTHE: There' no need for that, it's in the statement. Next question.
DOCTOR: What? W-well...
(The Doctor turns to Carstairs.)
DOCTOR: Lieutenant Carstairs, when your men recaptured the ambulance, wasn't it clear to you that we were prisoners of the Germans?
SMYTHE: Has the defence finished with this witness?
DOCTOR: Well if you're not going to allow them to answer, what is the use?
SMYTHE: Very well. Have you any explanation to offer before the Court passes sentence?
ZOE: But you haven't heard anything yet! You don't really call this a trial do you?
SMYTHE: The Court will now consider it's verdict.
JAMIE: Hey you haven't even asked me anything!
SMYTHE: There is nothing to ask you. You are a deserter! March him away Sergeant-Major!
SERGEANT-MAJOR: Escort, accused left-turn. Left wheel, by the left quick-march! Left-right left-right... Halt!
(The party stops at the far side of the room while the adjudicators deliberate.)
JAMIE: I thought you were going to explain everything?
DOCTOR: Well he didn't give me a chance did he? There's something very strangely wrong here.
ZOE: Why has the General got it in for us? He seems determined to find us guilty!
DOCTOR: Yes, but why?
(Over at the table.)
RANSOM: I dunno, they-they seem pretty harmless to me.
BARRINGTON: Yes, there's no actual evidence of them actually spying on anything.
(Smythe places his spectacles upon his nose and stares at Ransom.)
SMYTHE: It is quite clear that they are all guilty!
(He turns to Barrington.)
SMYTHE: ...All guilty!
BARRINGTON: Yes, they're guilty. Knew it as soon as I looked at them.
RANSOM: There's clear evidence that they were spying.
SMYTHE: Thank you gentlemen, well now, I think we can resume. Sergeant Major, bring the prisoners back.
SERGEANT-MAJOR: Escort accused, left wheel! By the front quiiick-march. Left-right left-right, left wheel halllf-time. Halt!
Riiight turn!
SMYTHE: The Court has carefully considered all of the evidence and finds you all guilty as charged. Desertion from a highland regiment in a time of w*r is a most heinous military crime.
JAMIE: Now look, I've deserted from nowhere! I was never in your rotten army!
SMYTHE: You will be confined to a military barracks awaiting a regimental Court Martial
JAMIE: Now look, I'm not being confined anywhere!
SMYTHE: You young lady have betrayed your King and country. You are sentenced to ten years penal servitude in a civilian prison.
ZOE: Oh but I haven't done anything!
SMYTHE: The court finds you guilty of espionage. For a crime of this magnitude there is only one penalty.
DOCTOR: But this is ridiculous!
(He turns to Jennifer and Carstairs.)
DOCTOR: YOU know all the evidence has been twisted against us! TELL THEM!
SMYTHE: The witnesses have given their evidence, the court has reached it's verdict. Now if you have nothing further to say, sentence will be passed!
DOCTOR: I most certainly have something further to say! This is all just a mockery! I demand the right to appeal to a higher authority!
SMYTHE: There is no right of appeal! You will be ex*cuted at dawn tomorrow!
(The Doctor puts his hand to his neck in dread.)
SMYTHE: Take him away Sergeant-Major!
SERGEANT-MAJOR: Prisoners and escort, left-turn!
JAMIE: Now just a moment, you can't do this to us!
(Jamie tries to run after the General.)
SERGEANT-MAJOR: Hold him!
(Two guards grab Jamie.)
JAMIE: Let go of me!
SERGEANT-MAJOR: Bang 'im over the 'ead please. Then take him to the military prison!
(They lead Jamie out.)
SERGEANT-MAJOR: I'll take these two back to the cell sir.
BUCKINGHAM: Just a minute. Captain Ransom, surely you're not going to keep this poor girl in the cells all night?
RANSOM: Well there's nowhere else to leave her.
BUCKINGHAM: Well why not leave her here? I could look after her.
RANSOM: Yeah, I don't see why not.
BUCKINGHAM: Thank you.
RANSOM: Put a guard on the door Sergeant-Major. And take him away.
SERGEANT-MAJOR: Sir!
ZOE: Oh I don't want to leave you Doctor!
DOCTOR: Now you stay here Zoe.
(He kisses her on the forehead.)
DOCTOR: Goodbye my dear.
(Zoe turns to Carstairs.)
ZOE: Oh can't you help us Lieutenant Carstairs?
CARSTAIRS: Nothing I can do I'm afraid.
BARRINGTON: Well, nice to have met you both, must be getting back. Goodbye m'dear. Chin up.
(Barrington leaves.)
ZOE: But you can't let them execute the Doctor! He hasn't done anything!
RANSOM: You heard the evidence m'dear, it's all proved. I'm afraid he is a spy.
15, INT: CELL
(The Sergeant-Major and the guard march the Doctor back to the cell.)
SERGEANT-MAJOR: Left-right left-right left-right left-right left-right...
(The guard opens the door and leaves.)
GUARD: There we are.
SERGEANT-MAJOR: I'll er, see that they bring you something to eat.
DOCTOR: Oh thank you. Er, Sergeant-Major?
SERGEANT-MAJOR: What?
DOCTOR: Have-y have you been at the front long?
SERGEANT-MAJOR: Oh quite a while. I've been out here since...
(He pauses while he tries to remember.)
DOCTOR: What's the matter?
SERGEANT-MAJOR: Can't remember...
(He snaps out of his train of thought.)
SERGEANT-MAJOR: 'Ere, what are you asking me all these questions for?! Baah!
(He exits the cell closing the door behind him.)
16, INT: SMYTHE'S ROOM
(Ransom approaches Smythe who is sitting on the end of his bed.)
RANSOM: Sir?
SMYTHE: Yes, what is it?
RANSOM: You wanted the keys to the prison cell?
(Ransom hands Smythe a ring of large iron keys, a precaution against them executing the Doctor without him present.)
SMYTHE: Oh yes. Is everything arranged for the execution?
RANSOM: Yes.
SMYTHE: Very well.
(Smythe waits until Ransom has left closing the door behind them. He hides the keys under his pillow then lies down with his hands under his head.)
17, INT: DRAWING ROOM
(As the sentry marches up and down outside the door Lady Jennifer sleeps, but Zoe is very much awake. She gets up, checks that the coast is clear then gingerly tiptoes across the room. She silently opens the door of The General's room.)
18, INT: SMYTHE'S ROOM
(Zoe cautiously enters the room, but to her surprise it is completely empty. She looks around and spots the picture which doesn't appear to have been closed properly and opens it. She ponders the televiewer screen beneath for a moment, then moves to the other side of the room to search. Picking up the pillow she finds the General's keys, and rushes out.)
19, INT: CELL
(The Doctor is pacing his cell when he hears the rattle of keys in the lock. He hides behind the door and prepares to pounce. As Zoe walks in the Doctor jumps out and clasps her hands.)
DOCTOR: Zoe!
ZOE: Oh Doctor!
DOCTOR: How on Earth?
ZOE: Well I couldn't leave you to be sh*t could I, it's dawn!
DOCTOR: What a nice and clever girl you are. Now come on, we must find Jamie, they said something about a military prison didn't they?
(They rush to the door only to bump straight into Captain Ransom and two guards who are standing there.)
RANSOM: Quite right Doctor, it is time to go.
20, EXT: BEHIND THE CHATEAUX
(Zoe can do nothing but watch helplessly as the Doctor is led out to a wall around the back of the Chateaux, and tied to a stake. Before him is a line of soldiers with r*fles standing at ease. Ransom marches forward.)
RANSOM: Squad, Attention!
(The soldiers stand to attention.)
RANSOM: Present!
(They raise their r*fles.)
RANSOM: Take aim!
(Ransom draws in a breath to issue his final order. There is the sound of g*n and the helpless form of the Doctor convulses horribly...) | {"type": "series", "show": "Doctor Who", "episode": "06x35 - The w*r Games - part 1"} | foreverdreaming |
The w*r Games
Episode Two
By Malcolm Hulke and Terrance Dicks
Original Air Date: 26 April, 1969
5:15pm - 5:40pm
1, EXT: BEHIND THE CHATEAUX
(Against a wall the Doctor is trussed up like a prize guinea-fowl waiting for the oven. Before him a line of soldiers stands with their r*fles raised.)
RANSOM: Aim!
(Ransom draws in a breath to issue his final order. There is the sound of g*n and the Doctor tenses himself, and then relaxes for a moment opening his eyes.
He is still very much intact, but one of the soldiers is not so lucky. Ransom rushes over to him as he falls to the ground blood seeping from a hole in his shoulder. Ransom pulls out his service revolver and looks around, keeping low. A strangely dressed sn*per at a high window adjusts his aim. Another r*fle sh*t explodes singing past the Captain, he turns to a soldier.)
RANSOM: Run back!
(Ransom and the others rush forwards and engage the man in a firefight. Another man drops, and Zoe rushes over to him, but he is d*ad. She swiftly moves over to the Doctor and attempt to untie him.)
DOCTOR: Phew! Well done Zoe! Can you undo it?
ZOE: Oh Doctor!
(She struggles a little.)
ZOE: Oooh! ...Come on!
(The Doctor and Zoe run off while Ransom and his men are engaged.)
2, INT: SMYTHE'S ROOM
(General Smythe faces his video link.)
SMYTHE: I am leaving for the conference now.
(He turns the link off and closes the hinged picture of the King. There is a faint breeze as dimensions blur and air is displaced with a rich sparkling sound.
In the corner of the room is a tall featureless green box the size of a wardrobe which wasn't there before. With a dry mechanical scraping the front section of the box extends outwards like a vertical drawer revealing a dark interior. The door to the General's room is thrown open as Ransom blusters in.)
RANSOM: General Smythe, the prisoners 'ave...
(He stops and stares at the box a little vaguely as if his mind were trying to decide whether he has seen it or not.)
SMYTHE: Ransom, get out!
RANSOM: Oh, what..?
(The General places his spectacles upon his nose.)
SMYTHE: There is nothing there. You can see nothing!
RANSOM: No sir, there's nothing there.
SMYTHE: You have not seen me. I have been called away to an important meeting.
RANSOM: Important meeting... Yeah.
(The General removes his spectacles and smiles thinly at Ransom who is still trance-like, then he walks into the box, the door sliding closed noisily behind him.
With a sparkling sound it vanishes into thin air leaving nothing but wooden panelled wall. Ransom snaps out of his haze, and looks around the room.)
RANSOM: General Smythe?! Oh... 'Course, he's gone to that meeting!
(He leaves the room closing the door behind him.)
3, INT: CELL
(Jamie holds the barbed wire entwined bars of the external door on the military prison.)
JAMIE: Hey do I not get any breakfast?
(Two guards approach and open the door. They roughly thrust a prisoner into the cell who trips and falls to the floor. As the guards are leaving Jamie tries to creep out, but a guard grabs him and shoves him back into the cell, then departs closing to door behind him. Jamie looks at his cellmate incredulously. He is a confused looking young English redcoat from his own time - silly wig and all, here in 1917!.)
JAMIE: Redcoat?! What are you doing here?
REDCOAT: Highlander!
(Upon seeing Jamie he jumps up and scampers into a corner looking like a frightened bedraggled rabbit.)
REDCOAT: Keep away from me, you!
JAMIE: Hey, e-easy now! I-I I'm a prisoner too you know! How'd you get here? Well come on how did you get here?!
REDCOAT: I don't know, I can't remember! I got lost I think.
JAMIE: What year d'you think it is?
REDCOAT: Year? Well, it's seventeen forty five!
JAMIE: Sss?!
4, EXT: FOREST
(High up, from a hiding place in a forest on the edge of the perimeter the Doctor views the cluster of buildings that make up the military prison through a battered brass telescope.)
DOCTOR: Oh yes...yes. Yes that's it. That's the military prison all right. That's where Jamie'll be. Take a look.
(He hands the telescope to Zoe who looks.)
DOCTOR: Trouble is those sentries.
(He taps the telescope case with a finger as he considers the problem.)
ZOE: What are we going to do?
DOCTOR: Dunno... We shall have to think of something. Come on.
(Along the road that runs next to the forest, a wonderful old staff car chugs. Zoe and the Doctor scramble and slide down the side of a steep verge until they are in the road before the car, which he stops by holding up to arms at the bewildered looking driver.)
DOCTOR: STOP!
DRIVER: Wha?
DOCTOR: And about time too!
DRIVER: Eh?
DOCTOR: You were sent to meet us!
DRIVER: Meet who?
DOCTOR: Now don't argue! Take us to the prison! Hah, in you get Miss Herriot.
(He helps Zoe into the back of the car.)
DOCTOR: Well drive on!
(The driver thinks for a moment, but then shrugs and continues driving.)
5, INT: CELL
(Jamie is attempting to coax more information from his cellmate, but isn't having much luck. He brandishes a leg that he pulled from a chair about at no-one in particular.)
JAMIE: Look, you must try and remember!
REDCOAT: I told ya! I was fighting in the Highlands, I got lost and I don't...
(A neuron in the Redcoat's brain fires.)
REDCOAT: There was this mist...
JAMIE: Aha?
REDCOAT: It came down all round me. The next thing I knew everything was different.
JAMIE: Well, how d'you mean different?
REDCOAT: Well th-there were these great big g*n, bigger than I'd ever seen before, and carts moving along without 'orses!
JAMIE: Aye, I-I I've seen those too. Now go-on go-on...
REDCOAT: Well, then-then these fellows in the funny uniforms came along, and they caught me and brought me 'ere. Where are we?
JAMIE: I don't know. But I've gotta get to the Doctor. Look, and you're gonna help me.
REDCOAT: Oh no! I don't trust you, your one of them rebels!
JAMIE: Now look, just you listen to me a moment!
(He advances on the Redcoat menacingly, the chair leg in his hand...)
6, INT: COMMANDANT'S OFFICE
(A chubby mustachioed Commandant speaks into a black phone.)
GORTON: Who? Civilians?! Well tell them to wait, I'm having my tea!
(He delicately stirs his tea and taps the spoon on the side of his cup three times before placing it on the desk. He regally picks it up with a finger and thumb and takes a sip. The door bursts open and the Doctor storms in.)
DOCTOR: How DARE YOU treat me like THIS Sir!
(A torrent of tea explodes over Gorton's neat uniform as he is caught in mid-gurgle, unsure of whether to spit or swallow.)
GORTON: What?! Who the blazes are you?!
DOCTOR: Don't you address me like that sir! This is DISGRACEFUL! I shall make a complaint directly to the
MINISTER himself!
GORTON: Minister? Oh, I don't understand... Who are you?
DOCTOR: I-I I'm the examiner from the w*r office, I-I'm here to inspect the military prisons! This young lady is my secretary.
Wha..Well-ah well you were expecting us surely?!
GORTON: Well ah, there must be some mistake, I mean... Can I see your identification papers?
DOCTOR: HOW DARE YOU! You send no car to meet us on our arrival, and now you add insult to injury by doubting my credentials!
DO YOU KNOW WHO I AM SIR?!
GORTON: Well I'm-I'm terribly sorry and all that. It-it's probably our adjutant's fault. Would you care for some tea?
DOCTOR: We are here to inspect the security arrangements of the prison. Now I suggest we stop wasting time and get on with it!
7, INT: DRAWING ROOM
(Ransom, Carstairs and Jennifer pore over a map.)
RANSOM: Not a trace of them. General Smythe will be furious. We must get those people back.
CARSTAIRS: Yes of course sir.
RANSOM: Now you're got to help me, both of you. Get a party from my sergeant and search this building.
CARSTAIRS: Yes sir.
RANSOM: I'll take a patrol towards the German lines.
BUCKINGHAM: What shall I do?
RANSOM: I'd like you to stay here and man the telephone. I've put out an alert and someone might phone in some information. Alright Carstairs?
CARSTAIRS: Yes sir!
RANSOM: Er, Lady Jennifer...if the General returns perhaps you'd explain what has happened?
BUCKINGHAM: Certainly. Where's he gone?
RANSOM: He's... Been called away to an urgent meeting.
(Ransom marches off, and Carstairs returns to the table for his hat.)
BUCKINGHAM: I know it's an awful thing to say but I can't help hoping that they get away.
CARSTAIRS: I know just how you feel. Still...
(He places his hat on his head and grins.)
RANSOM OOV: CARSTAIRS!
CARSTAIRS: Excuse me.
(He leaves.)
8, INT: CELL
(The redcoat is attempting to pin Jamie to the floor who is struggling wildly.)
JAMIE: Help me, guard!
REDCOAT: Yerright...I'll k*ll you!
JAMIE: He's trying to k*ll me! Stop it!
GUARD: Get off 'im!
(The guards pull the redcoat and Jamie up from the floor.)
JAMIE: Now!
(They both swing into action thumping the guards who fall surprisingly easily.)
JAMIE: You fight very well - for a redcoat.
(They rush out of the cell.)
9, INT: DRAWING ROOM
(Carstairs walks through the door which has been marked "SALOON BAR" by some graffiti artist, and over to Lady Jennifer who is finishing a telephone call.)
BUCKINGHAM: All right Corporal, I'll tell the Captain.
(She replaces the receiver.)
BUCKINGHAM: Any luck?
CARSTAIRS: Not a sign.
BUCKINGHAM: Command and Control post, nothing to report.
CARSTAIRS: Poor old Ransom! He's in for a sticky time when the General gets back.
BUCKINGHAM: Didn't you think that there was something rather strange about that court-martial?
CARSTAIRS: Ah well, military justice you know - s'not like The Old Bailey.
BUCKINGHAM: No but, you remember we were talking about not remembering things?
CARSTAIRS: Yes?
BUCKINGHAM: Well things are starting to come back to me.
CARSTAIRS: What sort of things?
BUCKINGHAM: Well I was on the way to the hospital, well behind the lines; I was driving through a forest and all of a sudden there was a strange sort of... Mist... Fog. And then I was in the field dressing station looking after some wounded soldiers.
CARSTAIRS: Hmm. Loss of memory...
BUCKINGHAM: No, but isn't it strange that you should to be suffering from it too?
(Carstairs clicks his fingers as if he had just had a sudden revelation.)
CARSTAIRS: Mist!
BUCKINGHAM: What about it?
CARSTAIRS: I wonder, could it be some kind of new gas? If perhaps the Germans have invented a new type of poison gas - one that affects our mind.
Minds...
10, INT: COMMANDANT'S OFFICE
(Gorton is showing the Doctor and Zoe a map of the prison and it's defences.)
GORTON: And finally on the outer perimeter there are the concealed tripwires and the patrols.
DOCTOR: Aah.
ZOE: Certainly does look escape proof!
DOCTOR: I'd like to see the records.
GORTON: What? Oh yes, they're over here. You won't find anything wrong there.
DOCTOR: I sincerely hope not!
GORTON: There you are!
DOCTOR: Oh yes!
GORTON: Arrivals...
DOCTOR: ...Yes
GORTON: Lengths of sentences! Discharges.
(The Doctor reads the record book.)
DOCTOR: Yes, arrivals... Latest arrival Scottish deserter awaiting return to his regiment. Possible to talk to a prisoner?
GORTON: Well, er, it's very irregular...
(The Doctor sh**t him a steely look.)
GORTON: Ah-hah, however, er for you I'm sure I can arrange...
(The telephone rings and Gorton answers it.)
GORTON: Excuse me. Gorton here. What? Escaped?! Well get onto it right away man! Let me know as soon as you've got them!
(He slams the phone down then looks up, as if he'd momentarily forgotten the Doctor was there.)
DOCTOR: Is something the matter Commandant?
GORTON: Er, nothing important.
DOCTOR: Did I hear you say that someone had escaped?
GORTON: Oh well-eeh, as a matter of fact, yes. Two chaps. Ah, one of them was the Scotsman that you were talking about...
11, EXT: MILITARY PRISON
(Jamie and the redcoat move along beside a wall. Jamie puts up a hand to stop the redcoat, then motions him forward. As they approach a gate a squad of guards jump up from behind the cover of a stone wall and level their revolvers.)
GUARD: Halt or we f*re!
JAMIE: Come on!
(Jamie and the redcoat run back the way they came as sh*ts begin to ring out.)
12, INT: COMMANDANT'S OFFICE
(Gorton is talking on the telephone.)
GORTON: sh*t? Both of them? I see, right. Keep me informed.
(He replaces the receiver.)
GORTON: That's one of 'em! sh*t while trying to escape!
ZOE: sh*t?! Well which one was it, the Highlander?
GORTON: No, but does it matter?
DOCTOR: MATTER? Why, eeh...of COURSE it matters! sh**ting down prisoners, why it's barbaric!
GORTON: But they were trying to escape!
DOCTOR: Well that's no excuse for m*rder! I-I want the other man brought here.
GORTON: Well what for?
DOCTOR: I'm not satisfied, I want to hear the prisoner's side of the story.
(Gorton looks extremely annoyed but his military mind still remains obedient to his apparent superior.)
GORTON: Aaah!
13, EXT: MILITARY PRISON
(Jamie is dragged along to the Commandant's office by two guards.)
14, INT: COMMANDANT'S OFFICE
(The guards deposit Jamie who looks around and greets the Doctor enthusiastically.)
JAMIE: Doctor!
DOCTOR: We'll see you get a Doctor if you need one, my man! Right let him go ...Uh-uh, Commandant, dismiss your man!
GORTON: Uh, carry on.
(To Jamie's astonishment the Guards release him and leave. As Jamie attempts to talk the Doctor talks over him.)
JAMIE: Ehwhatareyoudoing?!
DOCTOR: SPEAK when you're SPOKEN to! Now then what's all this about trying to escape?
JAMIE: Whatareyouupto?!
DOCTOR: I'm NOT concerned with that! What about the-the other man you were with?
JAMIE: Oh, he was sh*t in the leg, a-and they were going to sh**t me too!
DOCTOR: I see. This is very serious, I shall have to make a full report.
GORTON: But they were trying to escape! My men had no alternative but to sh**t!
DOCTOR: We'll see what General Smythe has to say about that! Hahaha.
(Gorton has had enough.)
GORTON: Indeed we will!
DOCTOR: Ah, what are you doing?
GORTON: I'm going to telephone General Smythe. I've had about all I can take from you sir!
(He picks up the telephone receiver.)
GORTON: Er, General Smythe.
DOCTOR: Ah, you'll regret this, er, the Minister...
GORTON: I don't care two hoots about the Minister! Hah! Besides, I'm not even sure you're from the w*r Office! Yes,
where are your identity papers?
DOCTOR: My identity papers?
(The Doctor makes to search his pockets.)
GORTON: I thought so! I thought there was a fishy story all along! Hello, is that...aiiigh!
(Gorton is swiftly cut off by Zoe as she obliterates a vase of flowers on his head.)
ZOE: I'm sorry Doctor but it seemed the only way.
DOCTOR: Oh well done Zoe!
(He examines Gorton.)
DOCTOR: Yes I, I think he'll survive. Right, come on. Let's see if we can bluff our way out of here!
(The Doctor rushes over to the door, Jamie and Zoe following.)
JAMIE: W-yeah, but why were you kidding wh...
(As the Doctor opens the door his face falls at the sight of a bemused Captain Ransom and guards standing in the doorway.)
RANSOM: Going somewhere? Perhaps I can give you a lift?
15, INT: DRAWING ROOM
(Carstairs is still chatting to Jennifer.)
BUCKINGHAM: General Smythe had made up his mind that those men were guilty, he wanted that man to be sh*t!
CARSTAIRS: But perhaps he knew that they were guilty?
BUCKINGHAM: Oh you don't really believe that?!
(Carstairs shrugs.)
CARSTAIRS: No I don't.
(Ransom swaggers in grinning happily.)
RANSOM: Well we've got them! You'll never believe where we found them.
CARSTAIRS: Hah, where were they?
RANSOM: Well I was on the way back here, I'd given up the search. Suddenly occurred to me I'd better go and tell old Gorton about it.
BUCKINGHAM: Well who's Gorton?
RANSOM: He's the Commandant at the prison. Popped into his office and there they were!
CARSTAIRS: What were they doing there?
RANSOM: Hahaha! Well, you know that chap, he'd convinced old Gorton that he was the Minister from Whitehall! And he'd nearly bluffed him into letting that Scots lad go! Hahaha! I don't know... I must say I admire his er... Gore. It seems a pity really... Have to sh**t him.
(He places a pipe into his mouth and contemplates silently to himself as he strikes a match. Carstairs approaches him.)
CARSTAIRS: Sir, I'd like to speak to you sir; the court martial, it wasn't in accordance with King's regulations.
RANSOM: Wha?
CARSTAIRS: Ah, I'm not satisfied.
RANSOM: Oh don't be ridiculous man it's perfectly fair! General's a great stickler for that kind of thing. Sentence will be carried out as soon as he returns. Lady Jennifer, notify Command Posts will you? Let them know the hunt's over.
BUCKINGHAM: Ah, yes, certainly.
(He walks out puffing on his pipe.)
BUCKINGHAM: D'you see, he didn't remember what happened at the court martial!
CARSTAIRS: He really seems to believe they had a fair trial!
BUCKINGHAM: The General wanted that man to be sh*t - why?
CARSTAIRS: I don't know... I think I'd better have a word with those civilians and try and find out. If Ransom comes back, try and keep him occupied will you?
BUCKINGHAM: Right!
(Carstairs leaves.)
16, INT: CELL
(The Doctor is pacing the cell trying to fit all the pieces together to come up with a vaguely recognisable picture.)
DOCTOR: A redcoat Jamie?!
JAMIE: Aye, and he thinks he's in 1745!
DOCTOR: But that's a complete anachronism!
JAMIE: Aye... Eh, it's a what?
DOCTOR: It's something out of it's own time.
ZOE: Yes, like the telecommunications unit in the General's room that I told you about.
DOCTOR: Yeah.
JAMIE: Eh?
ZOE: I found it when I was looking for the key.
DOCTOR: Both these things are in the wrong time! But what are they doing here in 1917?
(The door opens and a stern Carstairs, his revolver held up walks into the cell.)
CARSTAIRS: Close the door!
(The door shuts and locks behind him.)
17, INT: DRAWING ROOM
(Lady Jennifer is talking on the telephone.)
BUCKINGHAM: Yes Major, they were recaptured half an hour ago. Captain Ransom wanted me to let you know. Goodbye.
(She replaces the receiver.)
BUCKINGHAM: I've notified all the command posts.
RANSOM: That's awfully kind of you. Has the General not returned yet.
BUCKINGHAM: No. Er, does he often disappear like this? I mean, surely he ought to keep you informed?
RANSOM: Well, he's a very busy man you know. Where's young Carstairs?
BUCKINGHAM: Oh er, he's-he's gone to look for some transport.
RANSOM: Oh good! I think I'd better go and make certain those prisoners are safely under lock and key.
(Ransom gets up.)
BUCKINGHAM: ...Ooh it-it, um... It must be very difficult working for someone like General Smythe...
RANSOM: Yes, I suppose he is a bit of a martinet, he has a great deal of responsibility you know.
BUCKINGHAM: Oh yes, but a great deal falls upon your shoulders, Captain.
RANSOM: Yes I suppose it is a job, running a place like this you know. Quite a problem. People don't understand it's the paperwork you see! It's quite fantastic how many forms we have to fill in. Just look at that!
(Ransom hands Lady Jennifer a wad of papers and sits down again as he begins to talk.)
18, INT: CELL
(Carstairs is struggling to understand.)
CARSTAIRS: But what is a video screen? Is it some kind of cinematograph?
ZOE: Oh well it's a bit more complicated than that. If only I could show it to you.
DOCTOR: If you'll take us to the General's room, we'll prove this thing exists!
CARSTAIRS: Alright, you show it to me and I'll believe you!
(He knocks twice on the door with his revolver.)
CARSTAIRS: But you'd better be right!
(The door opens.)
19, INT: DRAWING ROOM
(Lady Jennifer smiles at Captain Ransom.)
BUCKINGHAM: I see! But how do you keep a track of all the equipment?
RANSOM: Ah well, now that's the problem. I keep sending the Sublieutenants the forms, and they... They just don't fill them in!
BUCKINGHAM: But if they're at the front fighting...
RANSOM: There's no excuse for mislaying valuable military equipment. Do you know...in the...last push we lost over one hundred shovels?
(The telephone rings and Lady Jennifer swiftly picks it up just as Ransom makes a grab for it.)
20, INT: CELL
CARSTAIRS: Hello, la-lady Jennifer? Carstairs. Look, I... What there with you now? Well get rid of him, quickly!
21, INT: DRAWING ROOM
BUCKINGHAM: Y-yes, all right. I will.
RANSOM: That for me?
BUCKINGHAM: Yes alright.
(She replaces the receiver.)
RANSOM: Who was there?
BUCKINGHAM: The General.
(Ransom jumps up.)
RANSOM: The General?!
(Lady Jennifer nods.)
BUCKINGHAM: He's at um, number seventeen command post and he'd like you to join him there immediately.
RANSOM: Oh right. Well what's he doing there? That's the farthest point in the sector! Mm, I better join him I suppose. Jolly nice talking to you!
You know... Not many women take an interest in the problems of supply. Goodbye.
(Taking his hat from the table, he leaves. Moments later the phone rings and she picks up.)
BUCKINGHAM: Yes, yes he's just gone. Oh. Oh alright.
(She replaces the receiver, then moves over to the window to check that Ransom has left in his car. She turns to see Carstairs and the prisoners walking about free.)
BUCKINGHAM: What on Earth are you doing?!
DOCTOR: There's no time to explain now. Now where is this thing Zoe?
ZOE: It's over there.
(She leads the Doctor towards the General's room.)
BUCKINGHAM: But that's the General's private room!
22, INT: SMYTHE'S ROOM
(Carstairs opens the door to the General's room and they all pile inside. Zoe goes straight for the picture of the King and opens it, beneath, the video screen glows to itself.)
ZOE: There it is!
CARSTAIRS: There's nothing there, only wall.
DOCTOR: What, d'you mean you can't see that screen?
(The screen appears as a section of blank wooden wall to them.)
BUCKINGHAM: What are we supposed to be looking at?
CARSTAIRS: Well I still can't see anything.
DOCTOR: Look at the wall! Concentrate!
(Slowly the blank wall melts away.)
BUCKINGHAM: It is there, I can see it!
DOCTOR: Can you see it yet?
CARSTAIRS: Yes, but... What's it for?
ZOE: Well it's like a telephone, only you can see people as well as hear them.
BUCKINGHAM: What's on the other end?
23, INT: THE w*r ROOM
(General Smythe and a subordinate wearing a pair of strange futuristic glasses peer down at a transparent map which is divided into sections as if it were the board of a game. In the centre of the board everything that is going on in the room is being observed in an integrated screen. The tiny image of the Doctor looks up out of the game board.)
DOCTOR: Good heavens this thing is switched on!
(The image of the Doctor reaches forwards, towards the screen and vanishes.)
24, INT: SMYTHE'S ROOM
ZOE: But we didn't see anything on the screen.
DOCTOR: No, but somebody may have seen us! We've got to get away from here, all of us.
CARSTAIRS: Get away, where d'you hope to get to?
DOCTOR: Well anywhere so long as it's away from here.
CARSTAIRS: I-I-I just can't let you go - just like that!
(He turns to Carstairs and Lady Jennifer.)
DOCTOR: Yes you can! And you've gotta come too, your lives will be in danger now, both of you!
BUCKINGHAM: I think he's right.
(Carstairs raises his revolver.)
DOCTOR: Now look, my friends and I are leaving here - are you going to sh**t us down?!
(Carstairs lowers the g*n.)
CARSTAIRS: Alright. I'll believe you.
(He closes the picture and replaces his g*n in his shoulder holster. They all exit the room.)
25, INT: DRAWING ROOM
BUCKINGHAM: I'll get the ambulance.
CARSTAIRS: Ah yes, ah meet you by the front entrance.
DOCTOR: What do you want us to do?
CARSTAIRS: Ah, just clamber into the ambulance and keep quiet, I'm going to have to bluff our way past the sentries.
Now just wait here, I'll get some maps.
(He leaves.)
JAMIE: Are we going back to the TARDIS now?
DOCTOR: No-no-no-no, we must stay here, er...and see what is happening!
ZOE: We can't leave these people now anyway!
JAMIE: No I suppose not.
DOCTOR: Right, are you ready? Come on!
(As the are leaving Ransom walks in and is surprised to see the prisoners.)
RANSOM: Carstairs, what's going on?
CARSTAIRS: Orders from the General sir. He wants the prisoners taken to HQ immediately!
RANSOM: Are you sure your message is genuine?
CARSTAIRS: Well yes sir, I spoke to the General personally!
RANSOM: Well I dunno, I had a message to meet him at command post seventeen, that was a fake!
CARSTAIRS: Well the General was most insistent sir, but of course it uh, it is up to you, sir.
RANSOM: Oh you, you'd b-better carry on.
CARSTAIRS: Very good sir.
(He levels his g*n at the prisoners.)
CARSTAIRS: Alright, move off. Any trouble mind, I won't hesitate to f*re!
RANSOM: Just a minute Carstairs...
CARSTAIRS: Sir?
RANSOM: Where's Lady Jennifer?
CARSTAIRS: She's somewhere around sir.
RANSOM: Right.
(Carstairs and the others leave.)
RANSOM: I want a word with her!
26, EXT: ROAD
(The ambulance draws up and stops with it's engine running.)
DOCTOR: Right Zoe, up you go
(They pile into the back and Carstairs walks around the front.)
JAMIE: Okay, right.
(Jamie grabs a dangling strap and hoists himself onto the back of the ambulance as it drives off.)
27, INT: SMYTHE'S ROOM
(With a sparkling sound the green box materialises. The door scrapes open and General Smythe strides out looking around. He moves to the picture which hasn't be closed properly, and snaps it shut.)
28, INT: DRAWING ROOM
(With a thunderous look the General leaves his room approaches Ransom, who stands to greet him.)
SMYTHE: Where are the prisoners?
RANSOM: Everything's alright sir, they're on their way to HQ just as you ordered!
SMYTHE: I gave no such order!
RANSOM: Well... They've just left with Lieutenant Carstairs sir.
SMYTHE: Ransom you're a fool! Where's Lady Jennifer?
RANSOM: I don't know sir. She gave me a message to meet you at command post seventeen.
(He moves to the window.)
RANSOM: The ambulance sir, it's gone!
SMYTHE: Now we know what to look for! Well issue a general order at once!
RANSOM: Yes sir.
29, EXT: ROAD
(The old ambulance judders along the rough dirt track.)
30, INT: DRAWING ROOM
(Ransom is speaking into a telephone.)
RANSOM: Good, thank you.
(He replaces the receiver.)
RANSOM: Ambulance spotted sir!
SMYTHE: Where?
RANSOM: Sector four, heading east, travelling very fast! I'll send out a motorcycle patrol.
SMYTHE: No need for that.
RANSOM: Well sector four could cut them off.
SMYTHE: Mmm. Concentration of a*tillery there. Yes, that should reach 'em.
RANSOM: Well, use a*tillery on an ambulance sir?
SMYTHE: That ambulance is in enemy hands Ransom!
RANSOM: But there are two women on board!
(Smythe places his spectacles upon his nose.)
SMYTHE: I want a creeping barrage laid along that road. Do you understand? Do you understand?!
RANSOM: Yes, I understand.
SMYTHE: Good.
(He removes his spectacles.)
SMYTHE: Well order the a*tillery to f*re then.
RANSOM: A very good idea sir! Creeping barrage! Stop 'em d*ad!
SMYTHE: That's just how we want them. d*ad.
(The General scowls sadistically.)
31, EXT: ROAD
(The ambulance begins to get shelled, the a*tillery gradually getting closer. The ambulance stops and Carstairs runs around into the back.)
CARSTAIRS: Back!
(They all flatten themselves down and study the map.)
CARSTAIRS: a*tillery barrage, and we're still eleven miles from the German lines!
DOCTOR: Well perhaps it's not, perhaps it's not German a*tillery!
CARSTAIRS: Well our chaps wouldn't f*re at us!
DOCTOR: No, but General Smythe might!
JAMIE: Whoever it is it ain't getting better!
CARSTAIRS: Let's get out of here! Bring the rest of the maps.
DOCTOR: Righto! Stay here, keep under cover.
(The Doctor and Carstairs exit and walk around to the front.)
DOCTOR: Oh a-ah.
CARSTAIRS: Right!
(The ambulance drives along the road and as it is driving slowly fades away into thin air.)
32, EXT: BARRIER
(The ambulance appears to have driven into a void, all around is brilliant featureless white mist, but oddest of all it seems to be having a curious effect on Carstairs and Lady Jennifer. They start to become woozy and unable to focus or move properly.)
BUCKINGHAM: Aaargh!
DOCTOR: What is it?
CARSTAIRS: Fog...can't see...
BUCKINGHAM: The mist...th-the gas!
DOCTOR: Gas?
BUCKINGHAM: I can't go on, there's something stopping me!
DOCTOR: It's not gas, go on.
BUCKINGHAM: I can't!
DOCTOR: Well move over let me, come on.
(Lady Jennifer moves aside and the Doctor drives.)
33, EXT: HILLSIDE ROAD
(The ambulance fades into existence on a neat winding road which is quite different to the muddy dirt track they were on before, then stops. The air is still, fresh and warm - nothing like the damp litter-strewn mudhole smelling of rot and burning cordite they have come from.)
JAMIE: That's more like it!
ZOE: That mist Doctor, what was it?
DOCTOR: I don't know Zoe, some sort of force field.
ZOE: Where are we? No sign of the w*r here!
JAMIE: Yes, and the g*n have stopped too.
DOCTOR: Yes it's odd Jamie.
(He wanders to the side of the road and up the hill, Jamie and Zoe follow. Carstairs and Lady Jennifer disembark from the ambulance.)
CARSTAIRS: Feeling better?
BUCKINGHAM: Ah, yes. Thank you.
(The Doctor and his companions have reached the brow of the hill. Jamie stretches and takes a deep breath.)
JAMIE: Oh-ah, that's better!
(Zoe looks over into the distance.)
ZOE: What's that?
DOCTOR: Mm?
(A large group of men rushes towards them from the distance, yelling loudly. They are clad in metal and leather tunics and have shiny metal helmets, all have long shields and swords drawn. To the front, a wooden chariot pulled by two galloping horses carries a rider, and the soldier at the lead bears a large gold banner bearing the emblem of an eagle and a laurel wreath with the word SPQR emblazoned on it.)
ZOE: Oh come on!
(They scramble back down the hill towards the ambulance as fast as their legs will carry them.)
DOCTOR: Start the engine!
ZOE: Quick!
JAMIE: Look!
(They all climb into the back of the ambulance as Carstairs rushes to the engine and desperately cranks the handle. The Roman garrison rushes down the hill towards the defenceless, immobile ambulance...) | {"type": "series", "show": "Doctor Who", "episode": "06x36 - The w*r Games - part 2"} | foreverdreaming |
The w*r Games
Episode Three
By Malcolm Hulke and Terrance Dicks
Original Air Date: 3 May, 1969
5:15pm - 5:40pm
1, EXT: HILLSIDE ROAD
(A large group of men rushes towards the Doctor Jamie and Zoe from the distance, yelling loudly. They are clad in metal and leather tunics and have shiny metal helmets, all have long shields and swords drawn. To the front, a wooden chariot pulled by two galloping horses carries a rider, and the soldier at the lead bears a large gold banner bearing the emblem of an eagle and a laurel wreath with the word SPQR emblazoned on it.)
ZOE: Oh come on!
(They scramble back down the hill towards the Carstairs, Lady Jennifer and waiting ambulance as fast as their legs will carry them.)
DOCTOR: Start the engine!
ZOE: Quick!
JAMIE: Look!
(Carstairs turns to Lady Jennifer.)
CARSTAIRS: Switch on!
(She rushes into the cab and the others climb into the back of the ambulance. Carstairs rushes to the engine and desperately cranks the handle. The Roman garrison rush inexorably down the hill towards them. Carstairs cranks again and again and suddenly the tired old engine splutters into life and Carstairs jumps in. Lady Jennifer throws the ambulance into reverse and slowly backs the ambulance up causing it to fade away again. As the Romans reach the point where the ambulance vanished they all freeze with their mouths open. At first it appears as if they have stopped in astonishment, but they are standing completely still; frozen in mid-scream as if by going near the barrier they had suddenly switched themselves off.)
2, EXT: 1917 ROAD
(The ambulance reappears on the dirt track and then stops.)
3, INT: AMBULANCE
ZOE: That was a close shave! Oh where are we Doctor?
JAMIE: Oh no, we're not back here again!
(The Doctor turns to Carstairs.)
DOCTOR: Ah, Lieutenant Carstairs, is this the only map you're supplied with?
CARSTAIRS: Yes, that's the one.
DOCTOR: It's a bit inadequate isn't it?
BUCKINGHAM: Doctor, who were those people who att*cked us just now?
DOCTOR: Oh they were Romans.
CARSTAIRS: Oh but that's impossible!
DOCTOR: Oh, lots of impossible things happen when you pass through time.
BUCKINGHAM: Time? But no-one can alter time!
DOCTOR: Look, it is nineteen-seventeen where we are now on this map. Where we were att*cked by the Romans it is two-thousand years ago.
CARSTAIRS: But surely Doctor...
DOCTOR: Surely before we met the Romans we passed through a, through a mist didn't we? A gas you called it. Now supposing this mist is a barrier between different time-zones?
ZOE: I see! So we went off the edge of this map and into a different time-zone!
DOCTOR: Yes...what we need is a map which covers all the time zones! I'm afraid we shall have to get back to General Smythe's headquarters, to the Chateaux.
JAMIE: Well how are we gonna get back there?
(The Doctor turns to an astonished Carstairs.)
DOCTOR: You will take us!
4, INT: RANSOM'S OFFICE
(Captain Ransom is on the telephone.)
RANSOM: Not trace of them? Well keep searching!
(He wearily slams down the receiver. The large "SALOON BAR" doors the Ransom's office open and the Doctor and group walk into the room with Carstairs pointing a g*n at them.)
CARSTAIRS: Lieutenant Carstairs reporting, sir. I brought back the prisoners.
(Angrily, Ransom jumps up and unseen by him Jamie slips quietly behind.)
RANSOM: Carstairs what on Earth are you up to?! And what do you mean by giving me that fake report from the General?! I warn you Carstairs, you're in very serious trouble! You're i...
(Carstairs gets bored with his blustering and does something he's been wanting to do for a long time. He swings the revolver to cover Ransom, but in deference to his rank he still loath to be uncivil to his superior.)
RANSOM: Have you gone mad?!
CARSTAIRS: I'm sorry about this, sir.
RANSOM: You'll be sh*t for this Carstairs!
CARSTAIRS: Yes sir.
(Ransom reaches for his g*n, but Jamie is on it. He grabs it from Ransom's holster before he can get it. Carstairs levels the g*n closer and more fiercely.)
CARSTAIRS: Don't do anything foolish sir. I think it might be better if you raised your hands.
(Ransom does as he is told. Seeing everything going well, the Doctor moves over to the other side of the room where he searches for maps.)
CARSTAIRS: Bandages Doctor!
DOCTOR: What? Oh yes... I'm afraid that there's nothing here, only local maps. Here we are. Perhaps there's something in the General's room. I'll go and see.
RANSOM: This is mutiny, I order you..!
(Jamie gleefully stuffs a handkerchief into English officer's mouth and ties the bandages around to keep it in.)
5, INT: SMYTHE'S ROOM
(The Doctor walks through and looks around, he moves the pillow in a cursory examination, but as he thought it would no be something which the General would leave in plain sight. He moves to the large iron safe in the corner of the room and examines the lock. Carstairs Joins the Doctor.)
CARSTAIRS: Did you find anything?
DOCTOR: Well only this safe.
(Carstairs looks at the Doctor with a touch of sarcasm.)
CARSTAIRS: No, we'd never get inside that. We'd have to blow it up.
DOCTOR: Oh what a good idea!
CARSTAIRS: You serious?
DOCTOR: Well this is a military establishment, there must be some expl*sives around here.
CARSTAIRS: Right, I'll see what I can find.
(Carstairs leaves and Jamie joins the Doctor.)
DOCTOR: Jamie, I wonder whether perhaps I can pick this lock.
JAMIE: Aye, with a tuning fork?
(The Doctor sh**t Jamie a look.)
6, INT: RANSOM'S OFFICE
(Carstairs looks around for anything he can use. He pulls the top off an amm*nit*on crate with a loud clatter and peers inside. On the floor behind a sofa a bandage wrapped Ransom wriggles about looking like a badly wrapped human mummy. He desperately struggles to free himself from his bonds.)
7, INT: SMYTHE'S ROOM
(The Doctor is trying to pick the lock of the safe with a bent pin.)
JAMIE: Oh come on Doctor, we haven't got all night! Someone's bound to turn up!
DOCTOR: Yes I know Jamie! Oh dear this is useless.
(Carstairs strolls briskly into the room carrying a metal pineapple-shaped grenade with a green band around it.)
JAMIE: What's that thing?
CARSTAIRS: It's a Mills b*mb, it's all I could find. I thought that we might hang it on the front of the safe and let it off.
(He hands it to the Doctor who examines it.)
DOCTOR: Oh well yes, that might blow the room up very nicely, but I don't think it would affect the safe much.
(The Doctor continues to chat matter-of-factly as he dismantles the grenade. He unscrews the top.)
DOCTOR: Ah, you see we have to concentrate the...
CARSTAIRS: Look out!
DOCTOR: ...whole expl*si*n in, ah, into the lock there.
(He removes an inner portion and pokes his fingers inside as if he were doing nothing more dangerous than unblocking a sink.)
CARSTAIRS: ...Blow us all up!
DOCTOR: Now then, if I can, if I can pack the expl*sive into the lock and then detonate it. Ah...we are! There! Now then, ah yes I see...
(The Doctor pulls out a mini-component, and pulls out the pin. The springloaded lever on the grenade pops open and the Doctor accidently drops it.
Jamie and Carstairs recoil.)
CARSTAIRS: Agh! For goodness sake be careful, that's Amatol in there!
DOCTOR: It's alright, I do have the detonator you know!
(He holds up a miniature fuse-like component.)
DOCTOR: Now then, press to release this...there we are...now what have we got? Oh yeh...
(He tips the grenade's contents onto a grubby paper bag and holds up the fuse.)
DOCTOR: This, er, this fuse - how long does it last?
CARSTAIRS: About four seconds.
DOCTOR: Oh, that's not very good is it?
(He fingers one of the tassels on Jamie's sporran, then decides against it. Reaching up he lifts down a silver candle holder, removes the candle and snaps it in two then tugs the wax from the wick.)
8, INT: RANSOM'S OFFICE
(Ransom struggles desperately against his bonds.)
9, INT: SMYTHE'S ROOM
(Having tipped the powder into the lock and packed it in tightly, the Doctor very delicately pushes the wick of the candle into the centre. He dusts off his hands and sighs.)
DOCTOR: There we are!
RANSOM OOV: HELP! HELP!
(Carstairs rushes out.)
10, INT: RANSOM'S OFFICE
(Ransom is screaming at the top of his voice.)
RANSOM: SERGEANT-MAJOR! HELP!
(Carstairs replaces the gag which has fallen from his mouth.)
CARSTAIRS: Sorry about this sir, can't have you making a row!
(He gets up from behind the sofa and looks straight into the face of the young Lieutenant Crane.)
CRANE: Hello.
CARSTAIRS: Hah...dropped my pen.
CRANE: Ah. Captain Ransom about?
CARSTAIRS: No, I'm looking after things. Can I help?
CRANE: Well it's a bit tricky actually. The sentry found these two ladies hiding in an ambulance.
CARSTAIRS: Well? What about it?
CRANE: Well you remember there was this spy flap earlier today. Something about them getting away in an ambulance and one of them was a woman.
(He looks at Carstairs again.)
CRANE: I don't think we've met before have we?
11, INT: SMYTHE'S ROOM
(The Doctor strikes a match and holds it to the wick which is sticking out of the lock of the safe.)
DOCTOR: Now we light the blue touch paper and retire immediately!
(He and Jamie run to one side and crouch down by the bed. Jamie wraps his head in the pillow and the Doctor sticks his fingers in his ears looking for all the world like as if they are in a 30s gangster movie.)
12, INT: RANSOM'S OFFICE
(Lady Jennifer steps forward.)
BUCKINGHAM: This is all completely ridiculous!
(Carstairs ignores her.)
CARSTAIRS: You know old chap you can leave them to me. I can sort it out.
(Crane looks reluctant to go back out into the cold again.)
CRANE: But don't you think I'd better wait for Captain Ransom?
CARSTAIRS: He may be quite some time.
CRANE: I can wait. How long d'you say you've been on attachment here?
13, INT: SMYTHE'S ROOM
(Jamie looks up, listens to the voices coming from the other room and whispers to the Doctor.)
JAMIE: Someone's out there with Carstairs!
(Cautiously he and the Doctor move to the door to listen.)
14, INT: RANSOM'S OFFICE
CARSTAIRS: You may...leave them to me old chap, it's quite under control.
CRANE: Oh well...right you are! Sorry about this, do hope you understand. Can't afford to take chances you see.
ZOE: We quite understand.
15, INT: SMYTHE'S ROOM
(The voices from the other room continue.)
DOCTOR: We shall have to put the fuse out!
(He rushes towards the safe, but the flame has crept up the naked wick and is almost to the lock.)
DOCTOR: It's too late! Duck!
(They both throw themselves to the side.)
16, INT: RANSOM'S OFFICE
CRANE: Cheerio!
(The door closes.)
17, INT: SMYTHE'S ROOM
(With a titanic boom the door of the safe pops open in a cloud of smoke.)
18, INT: RANSOM'S OFFICE
(The Corporal races back into the room.)
CORPORAL: What the blazes?!
(He rushes towards the General's room.)
19, INT: SMYTHE'S ROOM
(Crane rushes in to find the Doctor and Jamie hacking and coughing with a cloud of smoke issuing from the inside of the safe and it's shattered door.
He hears a click of a g*n being cocked and turns to see Carstairs pointing a revolver at him. Slowly raises his hands. Carstairs removes Crane's w*apon.)
CARSTAIRS: Now don't do anything foolish old boy! Doc, have you got any more bandages?
(The Doctor fishes out the map delightedly and reads.)
DOCTOR: Ah. Yes...here we are Jamie.
(He hands over a bundle of bandages.)
CRANE: You're Carstairs, the one who went off with the spies!
(Jamie begins to wrap the bandages around the Corporal's hands. Carstairs motions with his g*n.)
CARSTAIRS: Come on!
(They move through. The Doctor wastes no time in finding his map, and spreads it out on the ground. To say that the map is unusual would be an understatement.
It is divided into twelve triangular segments each tessellating to form a pattern over the landscape. Each segment is marked with a different w*r in a different time and place, but all are from the planet Earth, 1917 being the most advanced time of them all.
<img src="../http://dwtpscripts.tripod.com/2nddoc/zz/zz03.jpeg">
The Doctor points to each segment in turn.)
DOCTOR: Ah, look Zoe! Nineteen-seventeen Zone, Roman Zone, American Civil-War Zone! This whole place is divided into time-zones!
ZOE: But there's a blank space in the middle there's nothing marked at all!
DOCTOR: Yes. Yes, and I think that that's where we've got to get to!
20, EXT: ROAD
(The ambulance judders over the muddy ground. It beeps it's horn three times, twice more, then grinds to a halt as four German troops rush up and level large, ugly-looking r*fles. The Doctor wearily raises his hands.)
DOCTOR: This is an ambulance! Ah, we have a seriously wounded officer in the back!
(Skeptically the officer in charge moves around to the back of the ambulance. Having heard the dialogue Carstairs lies down and Lady Jennifer and Zoe make a show of tending to him. The German soldier moves to the front again and addresses the Doctor.)
GERMAN OFFICER: Sie müssen mit uns kommen!
DOCTOR: Ah. You want me to come with you. Ah well, if you put it like that, yes. Here we go...
21, EXT GERMAN TRENCH
(Jamie and Zoe sit on a pile of sandbags as they wait as above them an ignorant soldier blasts noisily away with a r*fle.)
ZOE: Well what's going to happen to us?!
JAMIE: Ah, foreigners! Look, what's the use of pretending that Carstairs is injured? They're bound to find out sooner or later.
ZOE: Well at least it stopped them from taking him to a prison camp, besides it's safe in the ambulance with Jennifer.
JAMIE: Aye, for how long though?
ZOE: Well perhaps the Doctor will be able to talk them into letting us go!
JAMIE: Aye!
22, INT: GERMAN TRENCH
(Inside the trenches, the cold and muddy rathole has been converted into as neat a military post as possible just as the English lines had been.
The precise neatly-bearded Leutnant Lücke stands before the Doctor looking every bit as if he were Barrington's opposite number.)
LÜCKE: For ze last time what is your name?
DOCTOR: Why don't you just call me Doctor?
LÜCKE: That is not a name! I want your full name!
DOCTOR: Oh very well, er, Doctor John Smith.
(Lücke smiles coldly.)
LÜCKE: Good! Now we are getting somewhere.
(He walks over to the desk and writes in his report book.)
LÜCKE: What are you doing behind our lines?
DOCTOR: Well we were lost you see.
LÜCKE: So, you are lost! And very conveniently you find your way through our lines.
DOCTOR: Wh-I realise this must seem rather strange.
LÜCKE: I find it both strange and suspicious.
DOCTOR: But I can assure you we're quite harmless!
LÜCKE: Three people dressed in civilian clothes trying to infiltrate through our lines. Admit it, you're spies!
DOCTOR: No-no-no, we are not spies!
LÜCKE: Then tell me where you came from before you were picked up by zat ambulance.
DOCTOR: Well you see that's rather difficult to explain.
LÜCKE: Everything seems to be difficult for you to explain.
(He slowly points an ugly looking Luger at the Doctor.)
LÜCKE: I advise you to tell me the truth. Now!
DOCTOR: Alright, if you insist.
23, EXT: GERMAN TRENCH
(Jamie and Zoe are still sitting in the dug out waiting as the battle still rages a few metres away. A sympathetic German soldier approaches them with two spiked tin helmets, then walks away without a word. They place the helmets upon their heads.)
JAMIE: Oh! I don't know how they stick it out here!
ZOE: It's the same with the British remember.
JAMIE: Aye. What a way to fight though, hiding in wee holes and blasting each other with big g*n!
ZOE: Oh!
(Zoe jumps at a particularly large expl*si*n and swings her legs over Jamie.)
ZOE: Oh I wish we could get out of here Jamie!
24, INT: GERMAN TRENCH
LÜCKE: Ozer planets? A time-machine? Ze girl is from ze future and the boy is from ze past?
DOCTOR: Well you told me to tell you the truth!
LÜCKE: I think you must be mad!
DOCTOR: Why don't you ask my companions if you don't believe me?
(Lücke moves to the Doorway.)
LÜCKE: Bringen Sie die anderen Engländer herein! Sofort! We shall soon see if your stories are the same.
(He addresses Zoe.)
LÜCKE: Young woman, where did you meet this man?
DOCTOR: Tell him the truth, both of you!
LÜCKE: Silence! Well?
ZOE: We met at a space-station.
LÜCKE: A space-station!
(He turns to Jamie.)
LÜCKE: And you, where did you meet zis man?
JAMIE: Ah, in Scotland.
LÜCKE: Ah, so. Now tell me, when?
JAMIE: Ah, in seventeen forty-five. I-I was fighting the Redcoats.
LÜCKE: you were fighting the Redcoats...in seventeen forty-five?! Zat ambulance, was it going to a hospital or to a lunatic asylum?!
DOCTOR: Oh dear. Look-look, I can prove to you that we come from another time. This is a sonic screwdriver.
(He holds up a small device resembling a pencil-torch.)
DOCTOR: Now where can I demonstrate... Ah, that revolver will do.
(Lücke looks at him suspiciously.)
DOCTOR: It's alright.
(Slowly and cautiously the Leutnant places his w*apon on the table, but keeps his hand upon it. The Doctor points his slim black device and pressed a concealed button. A buzzing sound and a strange glow comes from the tool and a screw in the handle begins to revolve until it is standing proud of the g*n.)
DOCTOR: There we are!
(The Doctor waits a few moments before screwing Lücke's w*apon back together again.)
DOCTOR: And back it goes.
LÜCKE: Phantastisch!
DOCTOR: Do you believe me now?!
LÜCKE: But it's impossible. You did not touch the screw it just...moved. Is it possible you are telling ze truth?
(The small, pallid, bullet-bald form of Von-Weich creeps through a doorway. His uniform makes him out to be a German Kapitän and across one side of his pudgy, moist face a deep livid scar runs from eyebrow to jaw. His beady eyes glare across the room like two malevolent coals.)
VON-WEICH: Leutnant Lücke!
(Lücke snaps to attention.)
LÜCKE: Jawohl mein herr!
VON-WEICH: Wer sind diese Leute?
LÜCKE: Wir haben hier...
VON-WEICH: Was ist hier los?
LÜCKE: Wir haben hier drei Englische zivilisten herr Kapitän!
(Von-Weich approaches the Doctor and gazes at him.)
VON-WEICH: What are you doing here? Where do you come from?
LÜCKE: Er hat mir gesagt, dass er aus einem anderen Zeitalter in etwas namen TARDIS!
VON-WEICH: Time-travellers?
DOCTOR: Well it is a bit difficult to understand, but...
VON-WEICH: Leutnant Lücke! Kommen sie mit mir.
(Von-Weich leads Lücke though a curtained partition.)
25, INT: TRENCH BACK ROOM
(Von-Weich places a monocle in his eye and fixes the Leutnant with a terrifying hypno-stare.)
VON-WEICH: Es sind Englische spione! Wir müssen sie festhalten! Ich werde mit dem General darüber sprechen.
LÜCKE: Jawohl herr Kapitän Von-Weich.
(Von-Weich nods to Lücke.)
26, INT: GERMAN TRENCH
(Lücke walks stiffly into the main room.)
LÜCKE: You are dangerous English spies.
DOCTOR: But this is ridiculous!
LÜCKE: You are spies! And you are going to be sh*t!
(The Doctor looks exhausted.)
27, INT: VON-WEICH'S ROOM
(In his room Von-Weich opens up a portrait of Kaiser Wilhelm II. Within is a communications device exactly the same as the one in Smythe's room.
He looks around and then operates the machine.)
VON-WEICH: Von-Weich, nineteen-Seventeen German front line to central control. We have captured three people who escaped from the British sector.
They claim to be time-travellers.
28, INT: GERMAN TRENCH
DOCTOR: NO-no-no! We are NOT SPIES! Er, the sonic screwdriver. We've just shown you... With the g*n!
(Lücke looks confused.)
LÜCKE: Yes... You did something with ze g*n...
JAMIE: Ah, let the Doctor show you again.
DOCTOR: Yes Jamie, now-now it's very simple. Put the g*n on the table.
(The Leutnant hesitates.)
DOCTOR: You can keep your hand on it again if you like! Now, watch.
(The g*n is placed upon the table and the Doctor repeats his earlier unscrewing action.)
LÜCKE: Yes! And zen you put it back again!
DOCTOR: That's right!
(The Doctor reverses his screwing action. Lücke stands up and puts his hand to his head looking quite confused.)
LÜCKE: Is it possible?!
DOCTOR: Oh we've got lots of tricks like that! Let me show you...catch Jamie
(He snatches up the Luger and throws it to Jamie who neatly catches it and points it at the Leutnant.)
DOCTOR: Now Lieutenant, I'm sorry about this, but perhaps you'd be good enough to take us back to our ambulance?!
29, INT: w*r ROOM
(The w*r Room is revealed properly for the first time. It is extremely large, stark and futuristic with walls lined with rows of computer banks with lights winking on and off, and desks lit by strange curving lamps. In the centre of the room is a large clear perspex game map showing in detail all of the time zones with communication devices set into each. Placed upon the map at strategic points are several toy soldiers encapsulated inside transparent oblong blocks representing the human forces on the ground. All around the room are technicians wearing funny white visors over their eyes and General Smythe stands before the map. Towards the back of the room is a desk with another visored technician sitting behind. A screeching alarm echoes though the w*r Room and three guards dressed in rubber S&M type outfits and visors, carrying electronic cattle-prod like g*n rush through the door and stand to attention, as do the technicians. The tall, dark, imposing figure of the War-Chief strides into the w*r Room. He is dressed in a neat black outfit, has piercing blue eyes and a long moustache that is almost, but not quite a short stubby beard. Around his neck he wears a long gold chain and pendant shaped in the square and crossing elipses that represent the Arcalian seal of Omega. He nods to Smythe. Smythe turns to the technicians and ushers them away before facing the War-Chief again.)
SMYTHE: Did you have a comfortable trip sir?
(The War-Chief regards the General in the manner of a hungry serpent would a rather small mouse.)
WAR-CHIEF: Excellent. The War-Lord is pleased with our work. But the rate of progress must be accelerated.
SMYTHE: A report I might add sir, the prisoners that escaped from the Chateaux been recaptured in the German lines. I have advised they be sh*t immediately.
They gave some ridiculous story about being time-travellers!
WAR-CHIEF: Time travellers..?
(He thinks for a moment.)
WAR-CHIEF: And you ordered them to be sh*t? I want them brought here for re-interrogation.
(The wailing alarm sounds through the chamber again. The War-Chief and Smythe turn to a nearby communicator and as it blinks on they see the face of Von-Weich.)
VON-WEICH: Those prisoners have escaped. They will probably go back to your line.
SMYTHE: How did that happen?
VON-WEICH: They tricked my human Lieutenant.
SMYTHE: Oh that's sheer incompetence!
WAR-CHIEF: They also escaped from you General Smythe.
(He addresses Von-Weich.)
WAR-CHIEF: Organise pursuit and report back here.
VON-WEICH: Sir.
(The screen goes blank.)
WAR-CHIEF: Issue a general alert.
(The general moves eagerly forward, but the War-Chief puts up a hand to stop him and whispers menacingly.)
WAR-CHIEF: But I want these people captured alive.
(He allows the General past again.)
SMYTHE: General alert to all time zones. Five escaped prisoners travelling in a nineteen-seventeen British Army ambulance clearly marked with a red cross.
These prisoners may be capable of crossing the time-zone barriers. Officers are to describe the ambulance to their human troops as a hostile vehicle which much be d-destroyed at all costs!
(Across the room the War-Chief ponders to himself. For a moment his inner thoughts are revealed.)
WAR-CHIEF VO: Time travellers? I wonder...
SMYTHE OOV: The description of the prisoners is as follows...
30, EXT: ROAD
(The ambulance drives down a country road, beside a tree a concealed soldier pulls out a g*n. The vehicle stops and Carstairs gets out and walks over to the back of the ambulance.)
31, INT: AMBULANCE
(Carstairs enters the ambulance and moves over to the Doctor.)
CARSTAIRS: Can I have a look at that map Doctor?
DOCTOR: Yeah yeah.
CARSTAIRS: We've just gone through another one of those mists and we've gone off the edge of my map.
ZOE: Well where do you think we are Doctor?
DOCTOR: I think we're right about there.
ZOE: America 1862. That was the American Civil-War wasn't it? Another w*r?!
(They hear then sound of two sh*ts.)
CARSTAIRS: Get down!
(Carstairs Scrambles out.)
32, EXT: ROAD
(Carstairs moves out keeping low, and fires at his opponent who sh**t back again.)
CARSTAIRS: Get MOVING!
(Slowly the ambulance pulls away and leaves, Carstairs stays with it for cover as it drives. The back flap of the ambulance opens and the Doctor peers out at their attacker.)
33, INT: AMBULANCE
ZOE: Oh Doctor be careful!
DOCTOR: Zoe we're right that was an American Civil-War soldier.
JAMIE: You mean we're mixed up in another w*r now?!
DOCTOR: Yes. Well it-it means we're on the right road, and we're still making for that blank space in the middle of the map.
34, EXT: ROAD
(The Ambulance drives down the road. Suddenly a tree falls across the road blocking their way. Carstairs disembarks and looks around suspiciously, his g*n raised.)
CARSTAIRS: JAMIE
(Jamie, the Doctor and Zoe Join him. There is the sound of a sh*t as a Confederate soldier fires his r*fle from the cover of some bracken and everyone hits the ground. On a hillside two more soldiers begin to sh**t at them with g*n. Carstairs aims and picks off the nearest hillside soldier.)
CARSTAIRS: GET THAT TREE MOVED!
DOCTOR: What?
(Carstairs moves along the length of the ambulance with his back pressed up against it, then he picks off the second hillside soldier. A third comes running over and Carstairs grabs his r*fle and wrestles with him. On the other side another Confederate rushes over and aims his g*n at the Doctor, Jamie and Zoe. Suddenly Jamie grabs the g*n and wrestles with the soldier. Yet another soldier gallops over on a white horse. He dismounts and sh**t and Carstairs returns f*re. Jamie punches his soldier into unconsciousness and joins the Doctor and Zoe who have just finished struggling the tree off the road. The Doctor looks at Jamie accusingly.)
DOCTOR: Where have you been? We've done it without you!
(They pile into the ambulance again. Across the hillside sweep three more horsemen, one carrying a fluttering flag. Two dismount and rush down the hill towards Carstairs.)
CARSTAIRS: LADY JENNIFER! DRIVE ON!
(Carstairs remains behind sh**ting with the Confederates who are steadily gaining in numbers. The ambulance drives off without him.)
35, EXT: ROAD
(The ambulance drives along the road for a long way, but eventually it stops by some dense undergrowth and Lady Jennifer gets out. She watches as some soldiers on horseback a short distance away gallop across the hill, then turns to the ambulance and lifts the bonnet looking underneath.)
DOCTOR: What's wrong?
BUCKINGHAM: 'Fraid we've run out of petrol.
DOCTOR: Oh no!
BUCKINGHAM: Where is Lieutenant Carstairs?
JAMIE: Eh? He held them off while we got away.
BUCKINGHAM: Oh dear.
(She looks aggrieved.)
ZOE: Oh well now what do we do?
DOCTOR: There's only one thing for it, we shall have to go on by foot. Come along...
(They all abandon the ambulance and walk off towards a wood.)
36, INT: w*r ROOM
(Smythe and Von-Weich are standing over the translucent game board playing with their toy soldiers.
Smythe moves an oblong encapsulated solder along the map face.)
SMYTHE: If my troops make a push here, what resistance can you put up?
VON-WEICH: Along here we shall have pill boxes, g*n nests, landmines.
(He adds an appropriate game piece as he speaks.)
VON-WEICH: You'll have no chance, but it will be an excellent test of the morale of your humans! Your entire force will be wiped out.
SMYTHE: Ah, but I will use my reinforcements to turn your flank. There!
(He adds a new piece to the game.)
VON-WEICH: Then it will not be a fair battle!
SMYTHE: Hm, perhaps not, but it will be an excellent test of your morale!
WAR-CHIEF: Those specimens we were discussing. An ambush was laid but only one was captured.
SMYTHE: Which one?
WAR-CHIEF: A young Lieutenant - one of yours. He could have got away, but he stayed behind to help the others escape.
VON-WEICH: These humans are very loyal to one another in stress situations.
WAR-CHIEF: One of their finest qualities. He's being brought back here for re-processing!
37, INT: BARN
(The barn is large, warm and relatively clean, and while there are no animals inside, the old cart wheels, saddles and horse-related paraphernalia that is strewn around show that it is still very much in use. In one corner are a number of piled farm tools, and there is a ladder leading to a second level.
Outside crickets chirrup noisily in the balmy night air.)
JAMIE: It's alright. This'll do for the night, eh?
DOCTOR: Oh yes Jamie, this looks alright.
ZOE: I wish we knew where Lieutenant Carstairs was.
JAMIE: Aye, we shouldn't have left him you know.
DOCTOR: It was the way he wanted it.
ZOE: Well now what do we do? We've lost Lieutenant Carstairs, the ambulance has broken down and we're miles from the TARDIS!
DOCTOR: We carry on of course, we've got no alternative.
JAMIE: Are we still heading for the blank space in that map of yours?
DOCTOR: Yes. That is where we'll find the answer, now we'd better get some rest, We'll have to start early in the morning.
(There is a warm sparkling sound and a square shape begins to fade into existence.)
DOCTOR: Quick, hide!
(The green form of a SIDRAT solidifies, then the door pushes it's way outwards with a dry rasping of machinery. Suddenly from within a stream of occupants disembark from the tiny box, all dressed in the uniforms of Union Army.)
ZOE: So many of them! That thing must be bigger on the inside than the outside just like the TARDIS!
DOCTOR: I must have a look inside...
(The Doctor wanders through the dark doorway of the SIDRAT.)
JAMIE: Ah, now be careful now Doctor!
BUCKINGHAM: What on Earth is it?
ZOE: Some kind of space-time machine I think.
BUCKINGHAM: But it just appeared from nowhere!
(From outside the barn the sound of g*n is heard. Zoe stands at the doorway of the SIDRAT calling in.)
ZOE: Doctor! Doctor!
(Lady Jennifer wanders over to the door of the barn to see what the sh**ting is all about and Jamie calls to her from near the SIDRAT.)
ZOE: Oh Doctor come back!
(Zoe rushes into the machine after the Doctor.)
JAMIE: Oh now Zoe, don't! ...Lady Jennifer!
(Jamie runs to pull Lady Jennifer away from the door of the barn just as behind him the door to the SIDRAT scrapes closed.)
JAMIE: Lady Jennifer! Keep away from the door!
(He sees the closed door of the SIDRAT, and runs towards it as fast as he can, but the sparkling sound has already started up again.)
JAMIE: Doctor, nngh..Zoe, no!
(He arrives at the machine too late. As the box becomes translucent Jamie finds himself grappling with thin air.)
JAMIE: Oh no! | {"type": "series", "show": "Doctor Who", "episode": "06x37 - The w*r Games - part 3"} | foreverdreaming |
The w*r Games
Episode Four
By Malcolm Hulke and Terrance Dicks
Original Air Date: 10 May, 1969
5:15pm - 5:40pm
1, INT: BARN
(The Doctor, Zoe, Lady Jennifer and Jamie get up from their hiding place and look at the large green box.)
DOCTOR: I must have a look inside...
(The Doctor wanders through the open doorway of the SIDRAT.)
JAMIE: Be careful now Doctor!
BUCKINGHAM: What on Earth is it?
ZOE: Some kind of space-time machine I think.
BUCKINGHAM: But it suddenly appeared from nowhere!
(From outside the barn the sound of g*n is heard. Zoe stands at the doorway of the SIDRAT calling in.)
ZOE: Doctor! Doctor!
JAMIE: Getting closer!
(Lady Jennifer wanders over to the door of the barn to see what the sh**ting is all about and Jamie calls to her from near the SIDRAT.)
ZOE: Oh Doctor come back!
(Zoe rushes into the machine after the Doctor.)
JAMIE: Oh Zoe, there's a-! ...Lady Jennifer!
(Jamie runs to pull Lady Jennifer away from the door of the barn just as behind him the door to the SIDRAT scrapes closed.)
JAMIE: Come away from the door!
(He sees the closed door of the SIDRAT, and runs towards it as fast as he can, but the warm sparkling sound has already started up again.)
JAMIE: Zoe...n-Doctor!
(He arrives at the machine too late. As the box becomes translucent Jamie finds himself grappling with thin air.)
JAMIE: Oh no!
(But that is the least of their worries as a group of soldiers rush into the barn, w*apon raised, and surround them.
A battle-weary Sergeant Thomson of the Union army surveys them suspiciously.)
THOMSON: And just who might you be?
2, INT: SIDRAT
(Inside the steadily humming SIDRAT is a massive softly lit space. It is impossible to tell how large the craft is as a small way from a metal wall, membrane partitions of PVC inlaid with a regular hexagonal pattern gently flutter as if the craft were breathing. Beside the doorway is a panel with a variety of flat, oddly shaped controls and a set of shelves containing rows of goggle-like visors.)
ZOE: Doctor look, it is like the TARDIS - bigger inside than out.
DOCTOR: Yes Zoe, you're right.
ZOE: But who else would have space-time machines like the TARDIS?
DOCTOR: Well there is an answer to that, but I hope... I just hope...
(He wanders off apparently lost in his own thoughts.)
ZOE: What?
(Zoe looks around and picks up a pair of plastic visors.)
ZOE: Doctor, what are these?
(A small way away the Doctor is exploring the ship. He walks past another membrane wall and gazes into the distance and stops before whispering back.)
DOCTOR: Zoe, come and see.
(Zoe walks over to him and stops in astonishment. Before her are rows and rows of immobile Boer w*r soldiers, each living breathing and perfectly uniformed for the period. They resemble a kind of ghastly living terracotta army.)
ZOE: Why are they just standing there like that?
DOCTOR: They seem to be in some sort of hypnotic trance.
(The Doctor moves a little way along and peers into another part of the SIDRAT. He looks unsurprised when he sees legions of Roman soldiers staring forwards as blankly as the others.)
ZOE: Romans. Like the ones that att*cked us. But these soldiers, what are they here for?
DOCTOR: They're going to fight Zoe, that's what soldiers are for.
ZOE: But they're all from different times.
(The sound of rematerialisation echoes through the craft.)
ZOE: We're landing!
(The Doctor leads Zoe a little deeper into the infinity of 'branes.)
DOCTOR: Uh-uh-uh...here. Quick, in here!
(As they remain still in their hiding place a stream of fully kitted Roman soldiers clatter past them and out of the doorway.)
ZOE: We could get away.
DOCTOR: No, we'd only land up right in the middle of another w*r.
ZOE: Well then, what are we going to do?
DOCTOR: Well this thing must eventually go back to its base - that's where we've got to get to.
ZOE: Oh but Doctor surely...
(There is a sound of scraping door, then a sparkling of dematerialisation.)
DOCTOR: It's taking off again. That settles it.
3, INT: BARN
(Jamie and Lady Jennifer are being interrogated by the haggard looking Sergeant Thomson and a weasley-looking Corporal Riley with a fanatical gleam in his eyes.)
THOMSON: Where do you come from, what are you doing here?
JAMIE: Um...
BUCKINGHAM: Well that's um, rather difficult to explain actually.
RILEY: But...you're English.
JAMIE: Oh I'm not, I'm a Scot.
RILEY: You're English!
(He turns to Sergeant Thomson.)
RILEY: Spies for the South!
JAMIE: Oh not again! Look we're not spies, we're-we're nothing to do with your w*r!
BUCKINGHAM: We're neutral.
THOMSON: In a civil w*r ma'am, no-one's neutral. Now who to you support the North, or the Confederates in the South?
JAMIE: What are they talking about?
BUCKINGHAM: American Civil w*r Jamie, remember?
JAMIE: Oh aye.
RILEY: Ah, they're reb spies sure enough.
(He turns to a nearby soldier.)
RILEY: Tie 'em up.
BUCKINGHAM: What are you going to do to us?
THOMSON: Now that's up to the General. But when we leave here you're coming with us.
RILEY: And the General, he doesn't take kindly to Spies. He sh**t 'em!
BUCKINGHAM: This is disgraceful, we are neutral civilians!
RILEY: Okay, over there!
THOMSON: Alright you guys, ten minutes rest.
(A bearded soldier near the door moves to sit down, but the Captain stops him.)
THOMSON: Not you! Out on sentry duty.
(Wearily the soldier walks out of the barn, as he moves out of the doorway, there are a series of sh*ts and the beardy falls to the floor d*ad.)
THOMSON: REBS!
(He pulls out his g*n, drops low and begins to f*re out of the door, the corporal joins in with his r*fle. Further back in the barn the tied Jamie and Lady Jennifer can do little but watch. Jamie speaks in a low whisper.)
JAMIE: Can you get my Kn*fe?
RILEY: Sarge, there's too many of them!
THOMSON: Gimme your r*fle! Okay make a break for the woods, I'll stay behind and give you covering f*re.
(The Corporal looks uncertain for a moment.)
THOMSON: MOVE!
RILEY: Alright Sarge.
(The Union soldiers all rush out through the back of the barn. The Sergeant stays to exchange f*re until the last possible moment before fleeing himself.)
BUCKINGHAM: They've forgotten all about us.
JAMIE: Aye, just as well. How're we doing?
(Lady Jennifer look up and her face falls at the sight of Confederate soldiers.)
BUCKINGHAM: Oh. No good Jamie, too late.
(A soldier called Leroy walks up to them, holsters his g*n and attempts a smile. He immediately sets to untying them.)
LEROY: Now don't you worry ma'am, you're safe now. Ooh...just like those Yankees to treat a...
(He looks at her style of clothes curiously.)
LEROY: ...A lady like this.
BUCKINGHAM: Thank you.
LEROY: Oh that's my pleasure ma'am.
(He touches his hat.)
LEROY: Happens all the time ma'am. Yankees, they take over your house, tie ya up, steal your food... Oh, will you excuse me ma'am?
(Leroy moves off to talk to his superior, a bald-headed man.)
LEROY: The Yankees had some civilian prisoners sir.
CAPTAIN: These people are enemies of the South.
LEROY: But Captain...
CAPTAIN: The boy is a Yankee soldier, the woman is a spy. You tie 'em up.
(The Leroy stiffens.)
LEROY: Yes Captain.
(The General removes his hypno-monocle. As he turns he reveals himself to be none other than the scarfaced General Von-Weich from the 1917 German Zone.)
4, INT: w*r ROOM
(In a far corner of the room, away from the bustle of normal operations a plastic-visored scientist is arguing with the War-Chief. As he does so he fiddles with a strange piece of apparatus which resembles a metal clamp fixed to a tall stand, one side of the machine has a control panel resembling the technology of the SIDRAT.)
SCIENTIST: But the difficulties of this form of mental processing are considerable.
WAR-CHIEF: I'm not interested in excuses. The process should be universally effective.
SCIENTIST: We only have a five percent failure rate.
WAR-CHIEF: That five percent is causing us endless trouble!
SCIENTIST: What harm can they do?
WAR-CHIEF: Sabotage, m*rder and subversion. Pockets of resistance building up everywhere.
(The scientist seems unconcerned with the politics of the games.)
SCIENTIST: But five percent? So few of them cause you trouble?
WAR-CHIEF: Their numbers are growing all the time. If ever they band themselves together in an organised group they could cause enough trouble to upset the Major Plan! The process must be improved.
SCIENTIST: It already has been. I am hoping to give a first demonstration to the students very shortly.
WAR-CHIEF: I hope for your own sake that the experiment will be successful.
(A hideous wailing alert echoes through the Central Control, and a malevolent face appears at a monitor, eyes shining sadistically.)
VON-WEICH: Von-Weich, American Civil w*r Zone to Central Control.
(The War-Chief walks over to the monitor.)
VON-WEICH: Two more of the escapees from the nineteen-seventeen zone have been recaptured. The woman and the boy. The older man and the girl are still free. Soldiers are now hunting them down.
WAR-CHIEF: Excellent. When you have captured the other two send them all here.
VON-WEICH: Sir.
(The screen goes blank.)
WAR-CHIEF: They will make excellent specimens for your reprocessing experiment.
5, INT: SIDRAT
(The bubbling-sparkling sound echoes around as a light above the door blinks on and off.)
ZOE: We're landing again.
DOCTOR: Yes, all the soldiers have been delivered so this must be its base.
ZOE: Oh Doctor, how do we get back to Jennifer and Jamie? It's working on remote control!
(The Doctor moves to the control panel beside the door with it's multi-shaped, two dimensional buttons.)
DOCTOR: Yes, well there-there are some controls here. I daresay I could get the hang of them...
6, INT: LANDING BAY
(The landing bay is a large empty area reserved for the incoming and outgoing vehicles for transporting personnel and materials (mainly human soldiers) to the various time zones. At the front is a control panel which resembles the one in the SIDRAT, only this one is far larger and is illuminated. Upon its face are myriad patterns all formed by the arrangement of the small two dimensional shapes. At the far wall a visored technician sits at the controls with his back to the bay. He adds a few more shapes to the overall pattern, sticking them to the face of the panel like fridge magnets. To the technician's right side is a ramp which winds its way around the wall and through a doorway several feet up, and to his left is a archway out of the bay. There is a curious bubbling-sparkling sound and a SIDRAT appears in the corner, the door automatically scrapes open and the Doctor and Zoe cautiously poke their noses out. The Doctor spots the technician and whispers to Zoe.)
DOCTOR: He must be the person who's controlling this thing.
(Zoe shushs the Doctor for a moment as she spots movement. A plastic-visored officer from the Crimean w*r strides past them without a trace of curiosity about their being there. Zoe looks at the pair of visors in her hands.)
ZOE: These glasses... They're both wearing them.
DOCTOR: Yes you're right. I think we'd better put them on.
(They slip on the visors and the Doctor relaxes a little breathing a sigh of relief.)
DOCTOR: Well...come on, let's explore.
(Like a pair of bizarre futuristic highwaymen, the Doctor and Zoe move off the way the soldier went)
7, INT: BARN
(Jamie and Lady Jennifer are tied up again in a corner. Leroy and a subordinate are sat on some wooden pails playing cards. Somewhere outside a cock crows.)
JAMIE: How long are we gonna be kept here?
(The soldiers ignore him, so Jamie speaks addresses Leroy in a louder voice.)
JAMIE: Hey, you with the blonde hair, I'm talkin' to you!
(Wearily Leroy gets up, taking his g*n with him.)
LEROY: You're stayin' here until the Captain finds those friends of yours. And then we're gonna sh**t all four of ya together. Yankee spies!
BUCKINGHAM: But we're not Yankees, we were their prisoners - don't you remember?
JAMIE: Aye, you found us. Look you were gonna let us go!
LEROY: Me let you go? You must be crazy! You're dangerous Yankee spies.
(Leroy and his officer go back to playing cards. Jamie finds a sharp nail in the beam they are tied to and proceeds to try and use it to cut his bonds.)
BUCKINGHAM: It's no good Jamie, you can't possibly get it undone, it...
(Lady Jennifer falls silent as a hand moves across her mouth from behind. Jamie looks up to see a black American civil w*r soldier crouching in the shadows.)
HARPER: Not a sound Mister - one sound.
(The soldier proceeds to untie them.)
HARPER: There's a hole in the planks over there. Quick, get a move on.
(The soldier draws his g*n and watches the officers.)
LEROY: Heheh! How 'bout that? I'll get some water.
(Leroy notices too late that the prisoners are gone.)
LEROY: Hey look!
(A firefight ensues between the Harper and the Confederates as Jamie and Lady Jennifer get away. Jamie pauses half out.)
HARPER: Run for it!
JAMIE: Come on!
HARPER: No, run on! I'll hold them off.
JAMIE: Where to?
HARPER: Trail, due North. Old camp.
JAMIE: Right.
(Jamie disappears through the hole and Harper moves to follow, but isn't quick enough. Von-Weich runs over and cover him with a w*apon.)
VON-WEICH: What happened?
LEROY: They got away, he turned them loose.
(He gestures towards the soldier.)
LEROY: They can't have got far.
VON-WEICH: Get a cavalry patrol, get after 'em. Hunt them down!
(He turns to the Harper.)
VON-WEICH: So you turned them loose? Now where're they makin' for boy?
HARPER: Look, I ain't gonna tell you nothin'!
(Von-Weich places his monocle into his eye and fixes the soldier with a terrifying hypno-stare.)
VON-WEICH: You're gonna tell me where they're makin' for!
(The soldier looks back with an expression of unaffected contempt.)
HARPER: Sorry Captain, but that stuff doesn't work on me!
VON-WEICH: You're with the resistance!
HARPER: That's right, and I'm not one of your...
(He turns to the human soldiers.)
HARPER: Listen you all; you're not fighting the w*r between the States you know, he's just usin' you!
(The soldiers just stare blankly.)
VON-WEICH: It's no use, you'll never get them to understand. They're under my control...
8, EXT: HILLSIDE
(Jamie rushes across the hillside, but loses sight of Lady Jennifer.)
JAMIE: Lady Jennifer? Lady Jennifer?
(He turns at the sound of hoofbeats and sees a civil w*r soldier galloping towards him, sword drawn. Jamie throws himself to the ground and the soldier rushes by.
Jamie finds a thick branch on the ground, and picks it up as the rider comes around for another pass. He jumps up and knocks the rider off the horse in one movement, pulling himself up and riding off. The Soldier pick himself up off the ground and fires his g*n twice at the receding figure, but he is out of range.)
9, INT: CENTRAL QUADRANT
(Through another keyhole-shaped archway, the Doctor and Zoe find themselves in a strange metal walled central square decorated with translucent panels making it look more like a kind of futuristic cloak room. All around are keyhole archways similar to the one that lead out of the landing bay.)
ZOE: Passed a reception area, living quarters, lecture rooms - it's just like a university.
DOCTOR: Yes, a sort of training school, but for what?
ZOE: Ssh!
(They both stand still as three officers pass by, one looking directly their way, but they don't seem to see them as anything out of the ordinary and don't stop.)
ZOE: Why didn't they take any notice of us?
(The Doctor touches his visor.)
ZOE: Because of the glasses?
DOCTOR: Yes I think so. Come on, let's see what else we can find.
(They wander a short way before a guard beside a doorway, clad head to toe in black rubber fetish-type outfit and visor notices them. He gestures with a lethal looking g*n, a ridged, black w*apon.)
GUARD: You two, in!
DOCTOR: Well we were just...
GUARD: In here! You're late.
DOCTOR: Oh, well if you insist.
GUARD: The lecture's already started.
DOCTOR: Lecture...
10, INT: LECTURE ROOM:
(Inside the lecture room the scientist who was working upon the processing machine is toying with a long stick whist talking to an audience of various differently clothed, visored officers sitting all around. To one side is a processing machine.)
SCIENTIST: Should you arrive on another planet, you may not be aware that the problem is to retain the specimen's personality as a fighting man while at the same time putting him under our control. As you know, we remove the human specimens from their own world and time and place them in a context which seems to them to be the same. It is vital that they continue to believe that they are living their own lives on the planet Earth and fighting the wars from which they were taken.
(Zoe turns to whisper to the Doctor.)
ZOE: So this isn't Earth!
DOCTOR: Quite right Zoe, quite right.
(The Doctor makes an attempt to listen again.)
SCIENTIST: With the majority of human specimens used the process used is both lasting and effective. However, in the case of certain humans of particularly strong character and individuality, the effects of the process have not been permanent. Gradually the processing tended to fade and the specimens developed the ability to pass through the Time Zone Barriers. Some formed themselves into resistance groups which have considerably hampered the progress of our plan. It is to overcome this problem that I have further refined our processing technique. To demonstrate the process I chosen a particularly difficult specimen, a man who finally shook off the effects of the process completely, and allied himself to resistance elements in order to fight us.
(Two guards move to a small mortuary-like cupboard and wheel out and sit up a nervous looking Carstairs tied to trolley. The scientist taps him on the chest with a stick.)
SCIENTIST: This Lieutenant Carstairs is a nineteen hundred and seventeen British army officer who for some time after his initial processing believed himself to be fighting for his country. However as I shall now demonstrate, the process has completely lapsed and he is now fully conscious of his surroundings.
Where are you?
CARSTAIRS: I don't know.
SCIENTIST: Describe what you can see.
(He struggles to free himself then lies back.)
CARSTAIRS: Oh... A room. Filled with a lot of scientific mumbo-jumbo. Funny people, strange clothes and those sort of...glasses that you're wearing.
(He tails off as he notices the Doctor sitting in the audience who cautiously places a finger to his lips.)
SCIENTIST: As you can see he is now fully aware of his surroundings and very hostile. After my new technique has been applied he will not only be completely docile, but he will be fully convinced that whatever I tell him will be the truth.
(The scientist wheels over the processing machine over to Carstairs, opens up the metal pincer-like clamp setting his head between its jaws and turns the power on. Carstairs begins to struggle but he is firmly tied down. Zoe looks horrified as a rising whine of power comes from the machine.)
ZOE: Oh can't we help him?
DOCTOR: Nonono, not yet. later.
SCIENTIST: This machine is of course only a prototype. In due course other machines will be built which will of course be capable of processing large groups of specimens simultaneously.
(The whine reaches a peak then tails off until all is silent again.)
SCIENTIST: Release him.
(He opens the jaws of the machine as two rubber guards move to release him from bondage.)
SCIENTIST: What is your name?
CARSTAIRS: Carstairs.
SCIENTIST: I am your superior officer you know.
(Guiltily Carstairs snaps to attention.)
CARSTAIRS: Sorry sir.
SCIENTIST: Where are you Carstairs?
CARSTAIRS: Well sir, I'm-I'm...
SCIENTIST: You are in my office at headquarters. I am your commanding General.
CARSTAIRS: Yes sir, I'm in the General's office.
SCIENTIST: As you see, whatever he sees he transforms into something he can understand. Now then, what is this?
(He taps the processing machine with his stick.)
CARSTAIRS: What sir?
SCIENTIST: This.
(He repeats his action.)
CARSTAIRS: I'm sorry sir, there's nothing there.
SCIENTIST: Objects which are beyond his comprehension he will not see at all. Now, who are these people?
(He points to the bizarre students.)
CARSTAIRS: They're my brother officers sir.
(He scrutinises the people carefully.)
CARSTAIRS: Except those two people...those are German spies!
11, EXT: HILLSIDE
(Lady Jennifer is on the point of exhaustion. She runs along a hillside from a soldier on a horse, then collapses to the ground. The man sheathes his sword and dismounts, grabbing her by the arm, just as Jamie comes riding up. With a cry, Jamie jumps off the horse and knocks into the man, sending Lady Jennifer flying.
He sucker-punches the man squarely on the chin, who falls to the ground unconscious. Jamie helps Lady Jennifer up.)
JAMIE: Come on! There'll be more of them after us!
(He looks around to see it is too late, a crowd of soldiers with r*fles are standing on the hill. Their leader is sitting in front of them casually swigging from a canteen. Finishing his drink, he advances and his officers follow with their w*apon raised.)
12, INT: LECTURE ROOM
(The Guards have g*n to tie Carstairs down again as he has become hysterical.)
CARSTAIRS: But they're GERMAN SPIES! I was at the court martial! You've GOT to believe me!
(Finishing their work they lead him away.)
SCIENTIST: I'll examine him later.
(The Doctor wanders over to the scientist.)
DOCTOR: Wha...well I-I don't think very much of that as a demonstration!
(The scientist regards him with disdain.)
SCIENTIST: Will you kindly return to your place?!
DOCTOR: Well the man was obviously unhinged as a result of your experiment!
SCIENTIST: The experiment was successful.
DOCTOR: Then why did he call me a German spy? It's obviously ridiculous isn't it?
SCIENTIST: The aberration is only temporary. He was probably involved with tracking down some German spies before he came here. It has obviously become a fixation.
(The Doctor begins to fiddle with the apparatus absent mindedly.)
DOCTOR: Wha...then he's obviously no use for our purposes is he? Oh yes, just as I thought. This is your trouble you know...
SCIENTIST: Will you leave this apparatus alone?
(The Doctor presents a magnetic shape that he has picked off the control panel.)
DOCTOR: Yes, this circuit is overloading the neural paths.
SCIENTIST: You are here in the capacity of a student!
(The Doctor ignores him as he pretends to come to a conclusion.)
DOCTOR: You didn't de-process that man first, did you?
SCIENTIST: There was no need, his processing had completely lapsed - you saw that for yourself.
DOCTOR: I saw a man whose processing had partly lapsed. You should have completely de-processed him first! But I-I don't suppose you can do that on a machine like this.
SCIENTIST: Of course you can!
(The scientist moves to the machine and points at the panel.)
SCIENTIST: It is simply a case of reprogramming these circuits here...
DOCTOR: What there?
SCIENTIST: And here...
DOCTOR: Yeah...
SCIENTIST: And here...
(The Doctor does his best impression of a dewy eyed novice.)
DOCTOR: Oh!
13, INT: BARN
(Jamie, Lady Jennifer and the Soldier are tied up and sat down against a short wooden partition.)
BUCKINGHAM: Who are you, why did you help us?
HARPER: You came from one of those other wars. You know what's going on then? You see those guys there? They think they're fightin' the w*r between the states. This isn't even America.
BUCKINGHAM: Where do you think it is then?
HARPER: Look, you c-came through one of those other mists to get here, right?
JAMIE: Right.
HARPER: Well every time you go through one of those mists you're in some other w*r, some other place.
BUCKINGHAM: How long have you realised this?
HARPER: I started noticing things quite a while back. Then I found some other guys are the same.
JAMIE: Y-you mean there's more like you?
HARPER: Oh, there are gangs of us hiding in the woods, we are trying to fight...
(Von-Weich leans lazily on the partition above them.)
VON-WEICH: Now we have combed the entire area and we still haven't found your friends.
JAMIE: Just a moment!
VON-WEICH: Now you are gonna tell me where they are!
JAMIE: I've told you before...
(A number of sh*ts are heard and Leroy rushes into the barn, g*n in hand.)
LEROY: att*ck coming from the direction of the woods sir.
VON-WEICH: Get a patrol out there! Keep 'em back.
(It is to late though as soldiers in a variety of uniforms pour into the barn and begin to fight with the Confederates. After a while the motley assortment of officers manage to defeat their processed opponents and set free Jamie, Lady Jennifer and the soldier. They have managed to capture Von-Weich alive, but Harper seems to want to rectify the mistake. He begins to aim his g*n at Von-Weich but Jamie stands in the way.)
JAMIE: W-what are you gonna do to him?
HARPER: k*ll 'im of course, he's one of the guys running things around here.
JAMIE: No you mustn't, we need 'im.
(Harper glares dangerously at Jamie.)
HARPER: Get out of the way boy or I'll have to k*ll you too!
14, INT: LECTURE ROOM
(The scientist has rearranged the pattern of magnetic shapes on the processing machines control panel.)
SCIENTIST: You see it's perfectly simple. With the circuits arranged in this manner the machine removes all traces any previous processing.
DOCTOR: Oh yes, I see. Yes that's fascinating!
SCIENTIST: And since we have now exceeded the time allotted for this demonstration I suggest you all continue to your next assignment.
DOCTOR: Oh thank you, hah. Come along Zoe.
(There is a sound of an alert, and guards rush into the room. The Doctor stands back and moves his visor up, so that it sits on top of his head like a pair of sunglasses. The War-Chief enters the room behind the guards and glances around.)
WAR-CHIEF: Was the experiment successful?
SCIENTIST: Partly, partly. But the specimen showed signs of mental unbalance after the process.
WAR-CHIEF: Then the modifications were not successful?
SCIENTIST: But I think we've found the cause. One of the students has been extremely helpful to me, er, that one over there.
(The scientist points. The Doctor, who still has his visor perched upon his head, grins modestly. The War-Chief glares coldly at him as if he almost recognises him. The Doctor takes this as a bad sign.)
DOCTOR: RUN ZOE, RUN!
(The Doctor pushes his way through the surprised students, and rushes away, Zoe following him.)
WAR-CHIEF: STOP THEMMM!
(The squad of guards fight through a g*ng of confused students in hot pursuit.)
15, INT: CENTRAL QUADRANT
WAR-CHIEF: STOP THEEEM!
(In the melee of guards and students rushing about in all directions Carstairs has been left alone. Slowly he works at his bindings until he is free, he winces at the awful noise of the alert siren - probably hearing it as a f*re alarm or something. He staggers away.)
16, INT: w*r ROOM
(The War-Chief speaks into an intercom.)
WAR-CHIEF: Emergency alert, emergency alert. This is the War-Chief to all guard posts. Close section areas detain two resistance members.
17, INT: LANDING BAY
(Zoe has found her way back to the landing bay without any apparent pursuers, but has become cut off from the Doctor. She looks around the bay for inspiration and feels a hand clamp over her mouth from behind. Twisting from the grip she turns to see Lieutenant Carstairs facing her with an impassive, sightless look on his face.)
ZOE: Oh, Lieutenant Carstairs, thank goodness! We thought that...
(She notices that he has unholstered his g*n and is pointing it squarely at her chest.)
ZOE: Well what are you doing, it's me, Zoe!
CARSTAIRS: You're a German spy...a German...spy. It's my duty to sh**t you.
(Carstairs grips the sensitive trigger of his revolver and with a metallic clicking the barrel moves towards a fresh b*llet, the hammer beginning to draw back...) | {"type": "series", "show": "Doctor Who", "episode": "06x38 - The w*r Games - part 4"} | foreverdreaming |
The w*r Games
Episode Five
By Malcolm Hulke and Terrance Dicks
Original Air Date: 17 May, 1969
5:15pm - 5:40pm
1, INT: LANDING BAY
(Lieutenant Carstairs is pointing his g*n squarely at Zoe's chest with an impassive, sightless look on his face.)
ZOE: Well what are you doing? It's me, Zoe!
CARSTAIRS: You're a spy...German...spy. It's my duty to sh**t you.
(Carstairs grips the sensitive trigger of his revolver and with a metallic clicking the barrel moves towards a fresh b*llet, the hammer beginning to draw back...)
SCIENTIST: Carstairs!
(The Scientist has appeared behind Carstairs with a squad of guards, evil-looking g*n slung over their shoulders.)
SCIENTIST: Well done Lieutenant you've captured a dangerous spy!
CARSTAIRS: Yes...and this time she won't escape.
SCIENTIST: Lieutenant we mustn't k*ll her.
CARSTAIRS: She's a spy, she must die. She...must...
(Carstairs relaxes his grip on his w*apon.)
SCIENTIST: Lieutenant Carstairs, I am your superior officer, you will obey my commands.
(Carstairs lowers his w*apon and stands to attention.)
CARSTAIRS: Yes sir. Prisoner delivered sir.
SCIENTIST: Take her away - security section.
(The guards take Zoe and march her away.)
SCIENTIST: Now Lieutenant, we have work to do. Come with me.
(He leads Carstairs away in the opposite direction)
2, INT: BARN
(Von-Weich is standing in the barn with a g*n at his chest held by a member of the resistance. Jamie and Lady Jennifer turn from where they are sitting on two bales of hay.)
JAMIE: You realise we have saved your life?
(Von-Weich remains stoically silent.)
BUCKINGHAM: I don't think he's going to be grateful. We're lucky they didn't k*ll all three of us.
(Jamie sees Harper walk by and calls out to him.)
JAMIE: Look, how long are we gonna be kept here?
HARPER: Until Russell arrives - he'll decide what to do with you!
JAMIE: Well who's Russell?
HARPER: He's our Captain, he'll be along.
(Harper walks over to Von-Weich.)
HARPER: Where is it?
(He grabs the officer by the scruff of his neck.)
HARPER: Are you gonna tell me where that tunnel is?!
BUCKINGHAM: What tunnel?
HARPER: Look we've been watching this place, it's where the recruits keep coming from.
BUCKINGHAM: But what makes you think there's a tunnel?
HARPER: Come on we've seen the recruits come out of here.
JAMIE: Look, there's no tunnel! They come out of a big green box, a-a sort of machine!
HARPER: A what? Machine?
(He glances at Jennifer.)
HARPER: Look is he crazy or somethin'?
BUCKINGHAM: I know it's difficult to believe, but it is true - I've seen it myself.
HARPER: Oh come on, quit kidding about huh? We've got to find that tunnel.
JAMIE: But even if you do find out how the troops get here, what good is it going to do you?
HARPER: Maybe we can get out of here back to where we came from!
BUCKINGHAM: Where do you think you are?
HARPER: Look I don't know, all I know is I was brought here and I wanna find my way out, right?!
(Spencer, an old weasly-looking redcoat with a beard and a Yorkshire accent strolls in and fiddles with his r*fle for a moment. He looks spitefully at Harper.)
SPENCER: You found your tunnel yet?
HARPER: Oh we're still lookin'.
SPENCER: The supplies are loaded, let's get out of here.
HARPER: Not until we find that tunnel!
SPENCER: There's no tunnel! We've got the supplies, let's go.
(Spencer turns and aims his r*fle at Von-Weich.)
HARPER: Hey do you think you are doing?
SPENCER: We can't afford to take prisoners!
(Not wanting to let Spencer get the upper hand, Harper grabs the r*fle and struggles with him.)
HARPER: Oh no you don't!
(Harper forces the redcoat down to the floor, the r*fle clattering away. Spencer tries to pick up the r*fle, but Harper steps on his hand. Spencer counters by butting him in the stomach and punching Harper. While they are fighting there is a moment where Spencer gets the r*fle back and almost sh**t Harper, but a member of the resistance who are watching the fight in amusement, pulls it away. While the resistance fighters are watching the tussle on the floor, Jamie silently mouths
"Now! Come on!..." to Lady Jennifer, and they tiptoe out towards the door... Before they can escape a stocky Boer w*r soldier strides in cutting off the escape. The soldier withdraws a revolver from his holster and fires two sh*ts into the air causing everyone on the barn to stop what they are doing and look.
With a stern expression he rushes towards Harper and Spencer who are kneeling on the floor glaring at each other.)
RUSSELL: Get up.
(They don't move, so the soldier yanks them up by their collars.)
RUSSELL: UP! You're just like a couple of kids aren't ya? I leave you alone and you start fighting amongst yourselves!
SPENCER: He started it, you ask any of 'em!
HARPER: We were taking prisoners, he wanted to sh**t 'em!
(Spencer rushes at Harper with a growl, but Russell yanks him back again and holds him by the scruff of his neck.)
RUSSELL: Alright Alright! Spencer, take those stores over to our HQ.
(Knowing when his is beaten Spencer grumpily obeys and leaves, Russell prods at Harper.)
RUSSELL: You ought to know better Harper.
HARPER: He wanted to sh**t him, I couldn't let him!
(Jamie creeps up behind Von-Weich who has silently wandered towards the back of the barn and grabs him.)
JAMIE: Look at that! Now do you believe us?
(As Jamie pulls Von-Weich back, a secret panel in the wooden wall of the barn falls open. Within the space are the controls and screen of a video link...)
3, INT: SECURITY ROOM
(A guard leads Zoe through a door into the Security Room, the two sections of the door gliding down and sliding left to close. She is pushed into a white formica bucket seat. The room is weird sixties pulp-sci-fi decor to the very extreme, with more than a touch of Wonkaland to it. The wall and door Zoe was led through floor is decorated in a mass of concentric circles spilling out over the floor. To the sides of the room, the edges of the ceiling and floor have curious diagonal panels which are studded with rows of curious metallic bristles. Towards the back is a railed-off, raised upper level in which there are more bristling panels, and a large black chair, upon which is sat an odd piece of apparatus.)
ZOE: Oh what's gonna happen? What are you gonna to do to me?
(The guard remains silent.)
ZOE: Well you might answer me!
(The Security Chief strides towards the rail and looks down. He is a sinister man with round glasses and a nasal voice.)
SECURITY-CHIEF: You are the one who will answer the questions.
ZOE: Who are you? I won't tell you anything!
(The Security Chief picks up the apparatus, a truth-machine which is shaped like a strange kind of helmet, from the chair and descends a set of steps. He places the machine on his head and pulls down the a hinged visor in front of his eyes. He adjusts the power with a knob at the side and a light beams from the end transfixing Zoe.)
SECURITY-CHIEF: What is you name? My name is...
ZOE: Zoe Herriot.
SECURITY-CHIEF: To which resistance group do you belong? When did you join the resistance?
ZOE: I did not join the resistance
SECURITY-CHIEF: I joined the resistance
(Zoe looks confused.)
SECURITY-CHIEF: What time do you come from?
ZOE: The twenty-first century.
SECURITY-CHIEF: Impossible, there is no twenty-first century Time Zone. I was born in...
ZOE: I was born in the twenty-first century.
SECURITY-CHIEF: Try again.
(He turns up power and Zoe begins to show signs of strain.)
ZOE: Ooh!
SECURITY-CHIEF: I was born in...
ZOE: I was born in the twenty-first century.
SECURITY-CHIEF: You were first reported in the nineteen-seventeen Time Zone.
ZOE: Yes.
SECURITY-CHIEF: How did you get there?
ZOE: I arrived in the TARDIS.
SECURITY-CHIEF: TARDIS? What does that mean?
ZOE: Time and relative dimensions in space. It's a space ship.
SECURITY-CHIEF: You have a space ship?
ZOE: The ship belongs to the Doctor.
SECURITY-CHIEF: I'm going to show you some photographs. You will identify anyone know to you, particularly this doctor!
(A series of images is superimposed over Zoe's face.)
4, INT: PROCESSING ROOM
(The Doctor bumbles into the room from the central quadrant without looking where he is going. The processing room is small and doorless. One wall seems to be decorated by some kind of slides, the other wall is made from panels each with a filigree metal pattern. To the rear is a collection of large inflated balls.)
SCIENTIST: What are you doing in here?
(The Doctor turns to see the Scientist.)
DOCTOR: Ah hah-ha yes, I was so interested in your demonstration I-I felt I had to come along and see how you were getting along.
SCIENTIST: But you... There's a security alarm out for you!
DOCTOR: Really...why?
SCIENTIST: The War-Chief, he pointed you out.
DOCTOR: Oh no-no-no. Not me, the girl!
SCIENTIST: Then why did you run?
DOCTOR: Ehm...Well I was, I was trying to catch her of course! Has she been caught?
SCIENTIST: Yes. I sent her to the security section for questioning.
DOCTOR: Oh good. How're you getting on with him?
SCIENTIST: I was just about to reprocess him.
DOCTOR: Oh yes, this is interesting. I think you'll find that bit goes just there.
(He places a magnetic block onto the control panel.)
DOCTOR: Erm, will there be enough of these advanced models ready for our major plan?
SCIENTIST: If I knew the precise timing of the plan that would be easier to answer.
DOCTOR: Oh but surely you must know, in your position...
SCIENTIST: Yes of course, just as you do. But only the War-Chief knows the timing. Now really, I am very busy...
DOCTOR: Oh I...I would consider it a great honour if I could simply stand and watch.
SCIENTIST: Oh very well.
DOCTOR: Thank you. Haha! What are we doing now?
SCIENTIST: I am about to de-process him just as you suggested at my lecture.
DOCTOR: Oh I see yes, this is intriguing... Ah-ah... Will he remember everything when he wakes up?
SCIENTIST: Yes, he'll remember everything. Uh, would you strap him down please? As soon as the de-processing has completed everything will return to normal.
DOCTOR: Oh...oh, yes. Certainly.
(He pretends to tie Carstairs down. The bleeping of the machine reaches a peak then dies away as the Scientist turns off the machine.)
DOCTOR: There we are! Is the de-processing complete?
SCIENTIST: Yes.
CARSTAIRS: Oh where am I?
(Looks around and then sighs reassuredly.)
CARSTAIRS: Oh, Doctor!
SCIENTIST: You, he recognises you! You're one of...
(He chases the Doctor around the couch that Carstairs is lying on.)
DOCTOR: Oh no, please argh...hurt him...get it off...
(Carstairs springs up and grabs the Scientist.)
DOCTOR: No, don't hurt him...put him on there. In the machine quick!
(As Carstairs holds the Scientist onto the chair, the Doctor clamps the processing-machine around his head and turns on the power. The Scientist convulses under the power of the machine.)
SCIENTIST: Bph!
DOCTOR: Haha! Hoist with his own petard! Come along Lieutenant!
(Carstairs stands by the machine looking a little dazed.)
DOCTOR: Lieutenant?
CARSTAIRS: Doctor where are we?
DOCTOR: What? Well what do you remember?
CARSTAIRS: Well I remember you and Lady Jennifer... And I was captured wasn't I?
DOCTOR: Yes that's right, unfortunately. And brought here, to the aliens w*r centre and brainwashed again, but you're alright now.
CARSTAIRS: Oh I see!
DOCTOR: I'll explain as we go along, we must find Zoe.
(They both leave, then the Doctor slinks back to where the machine is still busily processing the Scientist. He turns down the power a bit and feels the Scientist's forehead.)
DOCTOR: Oh...oh. Better leave him on simmer.
(He dashes out after Carstairs.)
5, INT: BARN
(Russell glances at the video link.)
RUSSELL: You expect me to believe all this?
JAMIE: Yes! They use that thing to talk to each other!
(Russell reaches towards the video link.)
JAMIE: Ah d-don't touch it!
BUCKINGHAM: It works like a telephone.
RUSSELL: And you say that something appears in the middle of the barn and hundreds of men get out of it; a box?
JAMIE: Aye, we've both seen it!
(Von-Weich breaks free from Jamie's grasp and presses a control, Jamie rushes up and grabs him again.)
RUSSELL: What's that noise?
JAMIE: Don't know.
(Von-Weich leers.)
VON-WEICH: You'll find out soon enough!
6, INT: CENTRAL-CONTROL
(A technician sits at a control panel.)
TECHNICIAN: This is Central Control, what is your emergency? This is Central Control, what is your emergency?
7, INT: SECURITY ROOM
(The War-Chief glares coldly at the Security-Chief.)
WAR-CHIEF: Did she identify her friends?
SECURITY-CHIEF: No, they are not on our files of resistance people.
WAR-CHIEF: Then they must be a small independent group.
SECURITY-CHIEF: Yes, five of them. First reported in the nineteen-seventeen Time Zone. One has been caught and is being reprocessed, two believed to be still at large in the American Civil w*r Zone.
WAR-CHIEF: And one still at large in this control.
SECURITY-CHIEF: He will be caught!
WAR-CHIEF: He's evaded your security guards so far, perhaps he will continue to do so?
(He grabs Zoe's head in his hands and snaps it up so he can see her face clearly.)
SECURITY-CHIEF: From which time does she originate?
WAR-CHIEF: She was a nurse like the other girl. Nineteen-Seventeen.
SECURITY-CHIEF: And the man?
WAR-CHIEF: The same, nineteen-Seventeen.
SECURITY-CHIEF: Why did they come here?
WAR-CHIEF: They had some confused idea they were getting home.
SECURITY-CHIEF: She told you nothing else? Everything quite straightforward?
WAR-CHIEF: Yes. The normal pattern of resistance activity - did you expect something else?
(The Technician dashes into the room and stands to attention.)
TECHNICIAN: Emergency call from the American Civil w*r Zone sir.
WAR-CHIEF: What's wrong?
TECHNICIAN: The signal was activated, but there was no message, no contact at all.
WAR-CHIEF: Alright, I'll deal with it.
(Turns to the Security Chief.)
WAR-CHIEF: Come with me.
SECURITY-CHIEF: But the girl!
WAR-CHIEF: She can wait.
8, INT: CENTRAL QUADRANT
(The War-Chief strides out of the Security Room and away. The Doctor cautiously moves through a keyhole-shaped arch into the area, Carstairs beside him, and points.)
DOCTOR: That must be the Security Room.
(They flatten themselves against the wall as the Security-Chief follows the War-Chief, starchily looking forwards.)
9, INT: SECURITY ROOM
(The Doctor creeps into the room, past a guard and over to Zoe.)
DOCTOR: Zoe, what have they done to you?
(The guard covers the Doctor with his w*apon.)
DOCTOR: Don't you point that thing at me!
(He walks to the side of the room, the guard turning to keep him covered with the w*apon.)
DOCTOR: You ought to be ashamed of yourself treating a poor girl like...
(Carstairs pulls out his g*n and p*stol whips the guard into unconsciousness from behind.)
DOCTOR: Oh well Done.
(The Doctor pulls out a phial of smelling salts and wafts it under Zoe's nose. Gradually she comes to.)
DOCTOR: There we are, now are you feeling better?
ZOE: Oh my head! What happened?
DOCTOR: That's was just the question I was going to ask you - what did happen?
ZOE: They questioned me. Someone came in, put on that strange headset and questioned me.
DOCTOR: Well let's have a look.
(He fetches the truth-machine.)
DOCTOR: Oh yes, it's a very interesting little gadget.
ZOE: I saw pictures of people.
DOCTOR: Really? Oh, well let's try it shall we?
(He places the machine on his head.)
DOCTOR: Now then... Where does this switch...oh yeah, oh...with a slight a adjustment...
(With a twiddling of the knob an image is superimposed that alternates from Russell to Harper.)
DOCTOR: There we are, yes. What questions did they ask you about these people, Zoe?
ZOE: He was talking about the resistance. At first he seemed to think I was one of them.
DOCTOR: Ah yes, the resistance, of course. Yes...
(He adjusts the machine a bit more and different images spring forth.)
DOCTOR: That's the American Civil w*r...the nineteen-fourteen/eighteen w*r, yes it's all recorded here. Scattered groups of resistance. Now if we could organise...
(The Doctor replaces the truth-machine where he found it.)
DOCTOR: Zoe, could you remember all the details of the resistance members from that thing? Names, faces, Time Zones and so on?
ZOE: Yes, of course I can.
DOCTOR: Good. Then we can return to the Time Zones and organise the resistance groups into one big army! That way they'd have a better chance.
CARSTAIRS: But how do we get back?
DOCTOR: Well that's simple - the way we came! Come on.
ZOE: Oh Doctor, are you sure?
(They all exit.)
10, INT: CENTRAL-CONTROL
(The War-Chief and the Security-Chief have returned with the technician to his post.)
TECHNICIAN: Still no message sir, just the emergency signal.
WAR-CHIEF: Well? This is your sphere of responsibility.
(He walks away.)
SECURITY-CHIEF: Arrange transportation for guards.
TECHNICIAN: Central control to Landing Bay, transportation required for security guards.
SECURITY-CHIEF: Security squad to report to the Landing Bay immediately. Proceed to American Civil w*r Zone to investigate the reported emergency.
11, INT: CENTRAL QUADRANT
(The Doctor, Zoe and Carstairs are walking from the Security room when the squalling alert siren sounds, they rush towards the Landing Bay at an increased pace.
Behind them marches a squad of guards, but they turn towards the right and walk away. The Doctor and co. creep back, and he peeks after the guards.)
ZOE: What was all that about?
DOCTOR: I dunno, but they're going to the Landing Bay. Come on.
12, INT: LANDING BAY
(The Guards walk down the ramp and arrange themselves in a line. The Doctor, Zoe and Carstairs watch from the shadows as a SIDRAT appears.)
13, INT: BARN
(Harper walks through the doorway and over to Russell.)
HARPER: I've posted sentries all around. If they should send in any troops our outposts will warn us.
RUSSELL: Good.
BUCKINGHAM: What if they come in one of those things the Doctor went off in?
JAMIE: Aye, that's what they'll do! That way they can att*ck us from inside!
RUSSELL: They've got to get inside first!
JAMIE: No you don't understand...
(There is a sound of materialisation.)
JAMIE: Quick, hide! In here Lady Jennifer.
(They all scramble for cover as a SIDRAT fades into view. The door scrapes open and two black rubber guards step out, w*apon held high, and make for the door.
Harper runs from cover and tries to att*ck them, but they swing around f*re their g*n at him in unison. Harper is momentarily held up by the terrific rippling force of energy swirling around his body, then as the guards cease f*ring he slumps to the floor, d*ad. The rest of the resistance fighters descend on the guards and hold them, removing their w*apon.)
RUSSELL: Well er...
(One of the guards is still struggling.)
SOLDIER: Grr..'old it there!
JAMIE: Well we dealt with those alright didn't we?
(Grabbing one of the guards g*n, Russell rushes to Harper's body and examines it.)
RUSSELL: There's not a mark on 'im! But he's d*ad.
(He tinkers with the w*apon.)
RUSSELL: But what are these things, how do they work?
(The end of the g*n swings round in Jamie's direction as Russell absent-mindedly plays with it.)
JAMIE: Hey, careful!
RUSSELL: They don't work.
JAMIE: Aye, well you probably have to do something very special with them.
(Russell stands up, his revolver in his right hand and touches the side of the SIDRAT with the other.)
RUSSELL: Your green box machine.
JAMIE: Aye! this is just what we need.
14, INT: w*r ROOM
SECURITY-CHIEF: This emergency call could be resistance activity. There is a large group operating in the American Civil w*r Zone.
WAR-CHIEF: There seem to be large groups operating in most Zones, and now they're even infiltrating here.
SECURITY-CHIEF: Only two of them and one of those has already been caught.
WAR-CHIEF: Had I not pointed them out you wouldn't have even known they were here!
SECURITY-CHIEF: Yes, that has been puzzling me. Just how did you recognise them?
WAR-CHIEF: You dare cross-question me?! The security of this entire venture is being thr*at by your incompetence, you will find this intruder!
SECURITY-CHIEF: The whole base is being searched, it is only a matter of time. If the mental processing were fully effective...
(The War-Chief smiles coldly.)
WAR-CHIEF: There would be no need for security. When I came to your people I was promised efficiency and cooperation. Without the knowledge I have, this complete venture would have been impossible!
SECURITY-CHIEF: We have given you every facility. If you have complaints I suggest you take them to the War-Lord!
WAR-CHIEF: I intend to do so! And now I suggest you finish the interrogation of that girl before she escapes as well!
(The War-Chief strides out of the room leaving the Security-Chief standing on his own. Silently he crushes one of the tiny model soldiers in his hand)
15, INT: SECURITY ROOM
(The Security-Chief returns to the Security Room to find the guard unconscious and the prisoner missing. He rushes over to the guard and attempts to shake him into consciousness.)
SECURITY-CHIEF: Where is the girl? You fool, where is she?!
16, INT: BARN
(Jamie is still trying to cajole Russell into taking a trip in a SIDRAT.)
JAMIE: Do you not see though? This thing could take us all back to the place where it's controlled from!
RUSSELL: How do you know?
JAMIE: Oh, where do you think those two came from?!
RUSSELL: Well is it true? Answer me!
VON-WEICH: Do you think I'd help you?
RUSSELL: You'll do as you're told! Take those two away!
JAMIE: Now look, you want to find out what's going on don't you?
(Russell looks hesitant.)
JAMIE: Och, I can't wait for you to make up your mind!
(He walks to the open SIDRAT door.)
BUCKINGHAM: Oh, wait for me!
JAMIE: Ah, now Lady Jennifer, I don't think you should come.
BUCKINGHAM: Because I'm a woman?
JAMIE: Er, well no...er, well in a way, yes.
BUCKINGHAM: That settles it then. I'm certainly coming. You can't go alone!
(Lady Jennifer's instant volunteering has shamed Russell.)
RUSSELL: No, you're right miss, he can't. I'm going with 'im. But you're staying here.
BUCKINGHAM: Oh now look here!
RUSSELL: You're a nurse you said?
BUCKINGHAM: Yes, but what's that got to do with it?
RUSSELL: I've got hundreds of injured men back at my headquarters. They need the help of someone like you.
(She sighs.)
BUCKINGHAM: Yes I suppose you're right. Tell Lieutenant Carstairs that... Well tell him I'll see him when we all get back.
JAMIE: Right.
BUCKINGHAM: Well, good luck.
(Lady Jennifer offers Jamie her hand and he shakes it.)
JAMIE: Oh...thank you.
RUSSELL: Take her back to our headquarters.
(He salutes Lady Jennifer.)
RUSSELL: Thank you Miss.
(Pulling out his revolver again he gestures at the guard beside Von-Weich.)
RUSSELL: You. Guard him. If he gives you any trouble, sh**t 'im! You two, you're coming with me. Come on move!
JAMIE OOV: Door's closing!
(Russell and his soldiers walk into the machine and with a warm sparkling it vanishes. Von-Weich leers and nods.)
17, INT: PROCESSING ROOM
(The Security-Chief walks in with two guards to find the Scientist still simmering in the processing-machine. He opens the clamp to release him.)
SECURITY-CHIEF: What happened?
(The Scientist groggily looks at the Security-Chief.)
SCIENTIST: Wha...that young officer got away.
SECURITY-CHIEF: How?
SCIENTIST: Oh the one in the lecture who asked all the questions he tricked me. I must report this to the War-Chief.
SECURITY-CHIEF: No!
(He glances at the guards.)
SECURITY-CHIEF: You two, wait outside.
(They leave.)
SCIENTIST: But he must be informed.
SECURITY-CHIEF: These people are no ordinary resistance group.
SCIENTIST: The girl said they have the secret of space/time travel.
SECURITY-CHIEF: That's impossible.
SCIENTIST: She was under the truth-machine.
SECURITY-CHIEF: But the War-Chief... He's the only one who understands space/time travel.
SCIENTIST: And his people.
SECURITY-CHIEF: What are you suggesting?
SCIENTIST: He is not one of our race; who knows where his true loyalties lie?
SECURITY-CHIEF: But he came to us of his own accord.
SCIENTIST: He is a traitor to his own people. How can we be sure he is not a traitor to us?
(The Scientist slowly nods)
18, INT: w*r ROOM
(The technician sits monitoring the communications.)
TECHNICIAN: Transportation returning from the American Civil w*r Zone sir.
WAR-CHIEF: Good.
TECHNICIAN: But they're not following the routine sir, they haven't called in.
WAR-CHIEF: Have you tried to make contact?
TECHNICIAN: Yes sir.
WAR-CHIEF: Alright inform the Security-Chief...
(He thinks for a moment then puts an arm out to stop the technician.)
WAR-CHIEF: No! No, I'll handle this myself.
(He moves to a station and activates the communicator.)
WAR-CHIEF: This is the w*r Chief to security section. All guards to Landing Bay, the following procedure to be carried out...
19, INT: LANDING BAY
(The Doctor, Zoe and Carstairs crouch in a dark corner and watch as a technician adjusts a complex set of magnetic blocks and bars on the main control panel.)
ZOE: How long have we got to wait here Doctor?
DOCTOR: Until one of those things arrives. If I can get inside I'm-I'm sure I can control it.
(The alarm squawks through the Landing Bay.)
CARSTAIRS: The alarm signal, they've probably found that guard.
DOCTOR: The light's flashing, that means an arrival.
(A line of guards file down and take up positions on the ramp, their g*n raised.)
ZOE: It looks as though somebody important's coming.
(As the sound of an arriving SIDRAT echoes through the Landing Bay the guards drop their w*apon from the raised position. The door to the green box scrapes open and Jamie, Russell and the resistance soldiers cautiously wander out into the Landing Bay not seeing the guards on the ramp. Zoe turns to the Doctor and whispers.)
ZOE: It's an ambush!
(But they can do nothing but watch as the guards discharge their g*n with deadly accuracy into the unsuspecting crowd of resistance fighters. One by one they all drop, and the last to fall under the lethal onslaught is Jamie.) | {"type": "series", "show": "Doctor Who", "episode": "06x39 - The w*r Games - part 5"} | foreverdreaming |
The w*r Games
Episode Six
By Malcolm Hulke and Terrance Dicks
Original Air Date: 24 May, 1969
5:15pm - 5:40pm
1, INT: LANDING BAY
(The Doctor, Zoe and Carstairs crouch in a dark corner and watch as a SIDRAT appears. On the ramp above the Landing Bay a squad of guards also watch, their w*apon in their hands. The door to the green box scrapes open and Jamie, Russell and the resistance soldiers cautiously wander out into the Landing Bay not seeing the guards. Zoe turns to the Doctor and whispers.)
ZOE: It's an ambush!
(But they can do nothing but watch as the guards discharge their g*n with deadly accuracy into the unsuspecting crowd of resistance fighters. One by one they all drop, and the last to fall under the lethal onslaught is Jamie. The guards rush down the ramp.)
ZOE: Oh Jamie... Doctor we've got to help them!
DOCTOR: No there's nothing we can do!
CARSTAIRS: We must get away from here.
ZOE: But we can't. Jamie... We...
CARSTAIRS: D-do you want us all to get k*lled? Now go on!
(The Doctor, Zoe and Carstairs scramble off as the guards drag the prisoners away.)
2, INT: CENTRAL QUADRANT
ZOE: Oh Doctor, what about Jamie? Have they k*lled him?
DOCTOR: I don't know!
CARSTAIRS: Let's go this way.
DOCTOR: No-no, this way to the processing room.
CARSTAIRS: Why do you wanna go to the processing room?
DOCTOR: Please don't ask questions, just follow me.
ZOE: Oh!
3, INT: SECURITY ROOM
SECURITY-CHIEF: I believe that amongst this resistance group that att*cked this base are people who have arrived on this planet without being brought here by us.
SCIENTIST: That's impossible!
SECURITY-CHIEF: Is it? What about that girl, Zoe. And this man the Doctor she spoke of. She said he had a space/time-travel machine.
SCIENTIST: Yes I know, but...
SECURITY-CHIEF: Have we taken humans from later than the Earth year nineteen-seventeen?
SCIENTIST: Of course not, greater technological knowledge would be dangerous.
SECURITY-CHIEF: Yet this man who tricked you had sufficient technological knowledge to understand the mental processing machinery.
SCIENTIST: Yes that's true, but how could these people get here?
SECURITY-CHIEF: The War-Chief. His people have the secret of time-travel.
SCIENTIST: Are you suggesting he's bringing in his own people - the Time Lords?
SECURITY-CHIEF: He came to us because he wanted power, perhaps there are others of his people who feel the same.
SCIENTIST: Can you prove this? If so you must tell the War-Lord immediately.
SECURITY-CHIEF: Unfortunately I have no proof. You must help me find proof. I insist.
(The scientist sighs.)
SECURITY-CHIEF: This is a matter of security.
SCIENTIST: Alright, what do you want me to do?
SECURITY-CHIEF: These resistance people. Before you reprocess them study them carefully, if you find anything unusual send the prisoner concerned to me for questioning.
4, INT: CENTRAL QUADRANT
(The Doctor eyes a group of guards covering the entrance to the processing room.)
DOCTOR: We've got to get in there.
CARSTAIRS: Why?
(The Doctor eyes the doorway, deep in thought.)
DOCTOR: Not that room, the other side. That must've been next door... yes, come on.
(He heads off towards another room.)
CARSTAIRS: Now what's he up to?
ZOE: I've no idea, but we'd better follow. Come on.
(They move after the Doctor.)
5, INT: WARDROBE ROOM
(They enter a room containing racks and racks of uniforms. Walking through a mass of nineteen-seventeen trenchcoats, the Doctor comes to a wall and touches it delicately.)
DOCTOR: Some sort of preformed plastic wouldn't you say Zoe?
ZOE: Yes, but why are you so interested in it Doctor?
DOCTOR: Little bits of metal imbedded in it... Yes, I think these, these panels must be held together by some kind of magnetic forcefield.
Now if I could, if I could reverse that field...
(He pulls out a reel of masking tape and some fine silver wire, handing the tape to Zoe.)
DOCTOR: Uh-uh... Cut me off some pieces of tape will you please, Zoe?
ZOE: Oh yes.
(Zoe and Carstairs deliver the Doctor pieces of tape, and he begins to stick the wire to the wall panel.)
DOCTOR: One there, that's good. And one just there.
6, INT: PROCESSING ROOM
(All around the room the resistance fighters are still unconscious. The Scientist probes the mind of the nearest one with the truth machine. He sees through the mans head to a whirling mass of brain tissue, satisfied the Scientist turns off the machine.)
SCIENTIST: Alright, take him away.
(Guards move the resistance member.)
7, INT: WARDROBE ROOM
(The Doctor has taped an intricate pattern of wires all along the face of the wall panel.)
CARSTAIRS: Doctor what on Earth are you doing?
DOCTOR: Well there's no secret boy, it's simply a case of reversing the magnetic field. Uh...
(He looks around.)
ZOE: Doctor, why don't you use your sonic screwdriver as a power source?
DOCTOR: What a good idea, yes.
(He pulls his screwdriver out of his pocket.)
ZOE: There's just one thing though...
DOCTOR: Yes?
ZOE: All these panels are interlinked.
DOCTOR: Yes, well?
ZOE: Well if you take one away what's to stop all the others falling down like a pack of cards?
DOCTOR: Well we'll just have to take that risk won't we? Now then, stand well clear...
(They all stand back and the Doctor activates the screwdriver linked to the wire lash-up. The panel begins to glow for a moment, then the Doctor turns off the power and pockets his screwdriver. Cautiously they approach the panel.)
CARSTAIRS: Nothing's happened.
DOCTOR: Watch.
(The Doctor pulls the panel and it comes away in his hand. They peer through a slim gap into the processing room.)
8, INT: PROCESSING ROOM
(Jamie is being examined by the Scientist.)
9, INT: WARDROBE ROOM
ZOE: It's Jamie! He's alive!
DOCTOR: I hoped he would be.
ZOE: Oh but how? They sh*t him down!
DOCTOR: Well the g*n they use can be adjusted, I think he was just stunned.
10, INT: PROCESSING ROOM
(The Scientist examines Jamie's head with the truth-machine and notices that his brain patterns are orderly block-like instead of all scrambled like the other resistance member.)
SCIENTIST: He was right! Take this prisoner to the Security-Chief for questioning.
(The guards take Jamie away.)
11, INT: WARDROBE ROOM
ZOE: Doctor, why are they taking him away?
DOCTOR: I think they've possibly discovered that he was never processed.
CARSTAIRS: We'd better get him out of there then.
DOCTOR: No-no, wait...
12, INT: PROCESSING ROOM
(There is a short bleep and the War-Chief appears in the doorway.)
WAR-CHIEF: Have you started the reprocessing yet?
SCIENTIST: No, I've just been carrying out the preliminary examinations.
WAR-CHIEF: Why? Why not just reprocess them?
SCIENTIST: I... Well, these people have shown considerable courage and enterprise, they may make future leaders.
WAR-CHIEF: Where is this prisoner being taken?
SCIENTIST: Oh, the Security-Chief, he wants to question one of them before reprocessing.
WAR-CHIEF: Really? Why this one in particular?
SCIENTIST: Oh, he just seemed the most suitable.
WAR-CHIEF: For what reason?
SCIENTIST: Er...
WAR-CHIEF: For what reason?!
SCIENTIST: His er, brain patterns are different.
WAR-CHIEF: Different how?
SCIENTIST: Well, he appears not to have been processed before...
WAR-CHIEF: Really? How interesting. Alright carry on.
(The guards remove Jamie.)
WAR-CHIEF: But in future inform me of all such unusual developments.
(The War-Chief leaves and the Scientist sighs to himself.)
SCIENTIST: Prepare the reprocessing machine, we shall begin with this one.
(He moves over to Russell.)
13, INT: WARDROBE ROOM
ZOE: Oh Doctor we're too late, where've they taken him?
DOCTOR: I don't know...but don't worry, at least we know that he's alive. We've got to get in there. Uh, Lieutenant.
(The Doctor gestures to the Carstairs.)
CARSTAIRS: Right sir.
14, INT: PROCESSING ROOM
(Carstairs nips out and grabs the scientist's assistant, dragging him soundlessly back through the hole in the wall. The Doctor creeps up behind the Scientist who is absorbed in his work on the machine.)
DOCTOR: I think you'll find that bit goes there.
(He plucks a block from the man's hand and adds it to the board.)
SCIENTIST: Ah thank you!
(The Scientist turns to see the Doctor smiling at him.)
15, INT: BARN
(The nervous young figure of Private Moor stands on guard over Von-Weich whose hands are tied.)
VON-WEICH: How long do you intend keeping me here?
MOOR: Until...they come back.
VON-WEICH: And supposing they don't come back?
(As Moor looks around nervously Von-Weich gets up, but before he can get anywhere Moor's r*fle is pointed at his chest again.)
VON-WEICH: I'd like some water.
MOOR: Alright, si'down.
(Von-Weich sits again and Moor moves over to a canteen and turns to pick it up, then spins around with his r*fle catching Von-Weich trying to escape.)
MOOR: Stop!
(He motions Von-Weich down again with his r*fle.)
MOOR: Try that again and I'll k*ll you!
(He tosses the canteen to Von-Weich.)
16, INT: SECURITY ROOM
(The Security-Chief is interrogating Jamie with the truth-machine.)
SECURITY-CHIEF: But who sent you here?
JAMIE: Nobody sent us, I came with the Doctor.
SECURITY-CHIEF: Why did he decide to come to this planet?
JAMIE: He didn't i-it was an accident.
SECURITY-CHIEF: Accident? Explain.
JAMIE: It's the TARDIS you see, he can't control it. We just arrived here.
SECURITY-CHIEF: Was the Doctor summoned here by one of us?
JAMIE: No, we just arrived.
(The door to the Security room glides open and the War-Chief strides in with a guard.)
WAR-CHIEF: Don't let me interrupt you.
(The Security-Chief takes off the truth-machine.)
SECURITY-CHIEF: The questioning is over.
WAR-CHIEF: What have you learnt?
SECURITY-CHIEF: Nothing of importance.
WAR-CHIEF: Really? Will you be questioning the others?
SECURITY-CHIEF: They are all from the same resistance group, they will all tell the same story.
WAR-CHIEF: But this one is different, surely.
SECURITY-CHIEF: Why should he be?
WAR-CHIEF: This one hasn't been processed before has he?
SECURITY-CHIEF: It's possible.
WAR-CHIEF: It's a fact! Why was I not informed?
SECURITY-CHIEF: This is a matter of security. Security is my responsibility as you often remind me!
WAR-CHIEF: Your first responsibility is to me!
SECURITY-CHIEF: No! My first responsibility is to the War-Lord and to my people!
WAR-CHIEF: You don't trust me. But if you question my loyalty tell the War-Lord, but I warn you be absolutely sure of your suspicions because if you accuse me without proof, I shall crush you!
17, INT: PROCESSING ROOM
(The Doctor is attempting to revive the resistance members with a phial of smelling salts.)
CARSTAIRS: Can't you hurry it up?
RUSSELL: What happened, where am I?
DOCTOR: It's alright you're quite safe.
CARSTAIRS: Who are you?
DOCTOR: We're your friends.
CARSTAIRS: You'll have to hurry it up Doctor.
RUSSELL: Doctor? You must be the one that Jamie was talking about. Where is he?
DOCTOR: Well I'm-I'm afraid that they've taken him away, now up you get.
(He helps Russell to his feet.)
CARSTAIRS: Doctor we're wasting time.
(A guard walks around the corner with his w*apon raised and Carstairs is forced to sh**t him.)
CARSTAIRS: Come on Doctor let's get out of here!
DOCTOR: Quickly through the gap in the wall here, Zoe help him.
(He rushes to the processing machine and attempts to remove it from its stand.)
CARSTAIRS: Come on Doctor.
DOCTOR: I'll be a minute.
(Another guard rushes over to his fallen comrade, and ducks away as Carstairs fires a warning sh*t. The Doctor is still struggling to unscrew the processing machine.)
CARSTAIRS: Come on Doctor!
DOCTOR: Just a minute!
CARSTAIRS: No now! We'll all..or we'll all be caught! Come on.
(They get through the panel and replaces just as the guards begin to mass outside the processing room.)
18, INT: WARDROBE ROOM
RUSSELL: What is this place?
DOCTOR: Ah, well it's the headquarters of the people who are running this whole disgraceful business.
(Russell fills his g*n with b*ll*ts.)
RUSSELL: Just the people I want to get my hands on!
DOCTOR: Yes, it's not quite as simple as that, there are rather a lot of them.
RUSSELL: I don't care how many of them there are!
DOCTOR: They have rather sophisticated w*apon, you wouldn't stand a chance.
RUSSELL: Oh. So what do we do now?
DOCTOR: We've got to return to the time-zones and organise the resistance into one big army!
RUSSELL: If you can find them, they're spread all over the place. I've been trying to link them up myself, but it's finding them and you don't know who you can trust.
DOCTOR: Ah yes, we do now. My friend Zoe has ah, memorised an entire list of the resistance, ah, and their whereabouts.
ZOE: Yes, I memorised the files when I was in the security room.
DOCTOR: Now I must get you back to the landing bay.
CARSTAIRS: Those guards'll be all over the place.
DOCTOR: Yes...yes, what we need is some kind of disguise...
(He looks around.)
19, INT: BARN
(Moor is still suspiciously covering Von-Weich.)
VON-WEICH: British Private aren't you? Nineteenth century.
MOOR: You can see that can't you!
(Von-Weich stands.)
VON-WEICH: Oh would you mind reaching my monocle for me? It's in my pocket there.
(Moor obliges him, and Von-Weich places it in his eye and engages Moor with a terrifying hypno-stare.)
VON-WEICH: Thank you.
MOOR: Now sit down again.
VON-WEICH: Don't you talk to me like that I'm a British Officer!
MOOR: No you're not, you're my prisoner!
VON-WEICH: I'm not your prisoner Moor, I'm your commanding Officer.
MOOR: I'm not, I'm not in the army. The resistance I'm in!
VON-WEICH: You're in the British army Private Moor, the year is eighteen seventy-one.
(As Von-Weich's words echo in his brain Moor begins to gape, as if he's not sure what to believe.)
VON-WEICH: You're in the British army Moor, and I am your commanding Officer. Now untie me!
20, INT: CENTRAL QUADRANT
(Guards cover the entrance to the processing room as The War-Chief joins the Security-Chief.)
SECURITY-CHIEF: They are in here, trapped.
(He nods to the guards.)
SECURITY-CHIEF: Right in!
(The guards rush in, w*apon raised.)
21, INT: PROCESSING ROOM
(The Security-Chief and the War-Chief follow and find the room curiously empty.)
SECURITY-CHIEF: They were seen in here by my men.
WAR-CHIEF: Where are they now, vanished into thin air?
SECURITY-CHIEF: There is only one way they could have escaped - by use of a space/time machine!
(The War-Chief moves across the room and examines the walls.)
WAR-CHIEF: I'm sorry to crush your wild theories.
(He pushes the panel and it falls with a clatter.)
WAR-CHIEF: There's your space/time machine!
(The Security-Chief turns to the guards.)
SECURITY-CHIEF: After them!
WAR-CHIEF: You're too late for that! By now they will be on their way to the landing bay now I should imagine. Try and get there before them.
(The guards file out.)
22, INT: SECURITY ROOM
(Jamie looks up and sees a gas masked figure in a trenchcoat looming over him. He is still a little muzzy from the truth machine.)
JAMIE: Aah!
(The figure pulls off the mask.)
DOCTOR: It's alright Jamie, it's me.
JAMIE: Oh...oh.
DOCTOR: Now come on, we're going to put on this great-coat.
JAMIE: W-w-where's Zoe, what-what's happened?
DOCTOR: She's waiting outside, now come along.
(Jamie doesn't resist as he is helped into a trenchcoat, and they rush out of the room.)
23, INT: CENTRAL QUADRANT
DOCTOR: All in by twos. Come along, there's no time to be lost. Right is everybody ready? Quick march!
(They all march towards the landing bay.)
24, INT: LANDING BAY
(A technician is sitting working at the main board when he is grabbed from behind. The Doctor moves to the control board.)
ZOE: Are you sure you can work the controls Doctor?
DOCTOR: Yes, I-I think I can. Now let me see...
ZOE: More guards!
DOCTOR: Oh my goodness!
(As a number of guards rush towards them the Doctor manipulates the controls. A pulsing forcefield sets up, but it is not quick enough to prevent two of the guards from getting through.)
DOCTOR: There that should stop them!
(He looks a little worried as the two guards that got through run towards them, but Jamie, Russell and Carstairs begin to tussle with them before they can use their w*apon. The Doctor claps excitedly and returns his attention to the control board.)
DOCTOR: Now we preset it for the nineteen-seventeen zone, and off we go!
ZOE: Doctor, how did you do it so easily?
DOCTOR: It's not very difficult Zoe, now the doors...
(He manipulates the controls and the door to the nearest SIDRAT scrapes open.)
DOCTOR: Come along, don't be afraid, you've gone before.
CARSTAIRS: After you Doctor?
DOCTOR: No-no, I-I-I-I shall follow on in a moment.
ZOE: D'you mean you're staying here?
DOCTOR: No, but I must get the processing machine!
JAMIE: Aye, if you're staying, I'd better stay too!
CARSTAIRS: Ah, you can count on me then, Doctor.
DOCTOR: Oh very well. Go on Zoe, off you you go. We'll follow on in a few minutes, good luck.
(He manipulates the controls and the SIDRAT vanishes with a warm sparkling sound.)
CARSTAIRS: What are you going to do about those guards Doctor?
DOCTOR: We're going to let them in.
(He moves the controls again and the forcefields vanish. The guards rush into the landing bay, but looking round they find it empty. Reasoning that the quarry has left in the SIDRAT, they move off up the ramp. When they are gone, the Doctor, Jamie and Carstairs peep out from behind the main panel.)
25, INT: BARN
VON-WEICH: You understand now Moor? I am your commanding Officer.
MOOR: You... You are my commanding Officer, yes sir.
VON-WEICH: Good. Now Moor, give me your g*n.
(Moor looks a little uncertain. With a sparkling of materialisation the SIDRAT appears, the door scrapes open and Russell, Zoe and a soldier disembark.)
VON-WEICH: Moor sh**t them, that's an order!
(Moor raises his r*fle and aims, but doesn't f*re. The Soldier bundles Zoe back into the SIDRAT.)
SOLDIER: Back in 'ere quick.
(Russell walks forward.)
RUSSELL: Moor? Moor it's me, Russell.
VON-WEICH: Private Moor, sh**t him!
RUSSELL: Don't take any notice of him, you're one of us, one of the resistance, remember?
MOOR: Resistance? No, I'm in the army. Oh-oh-two-three-nine Moor! Private Moor!
VON-WEICH: sh**t him!
(Having reached a close enough distance, Russell takes advantage of Moor's confusions and pulls the r*fle away from him. They fight amongst themselves, but Russell is far the superior and it isn't long before he has knocked the Private out, throwing the Moor across the barn, his head colliding with a beam.)
VON-WEICH: Stay!
(Von-Weich has picked up a revolver dropped by Moor in the struggle and is pointing it at Russell.)
VON-WEICH: You come one step nearer you'll die!
(He does as he is told.)
VON-WEICH: Good! Now you're both coming back with me. Get inside the machine.
RUSSELL: No, you'll have to sh**t me first.
VON-WEICH: Very well, if you prefer to die that's your affair!
(He raises the g*n and aims it at Russell. There is a sh*t. Von-Weich doubles up, then collapses. Moor has recovered and sh*t Von-Weich with his r*fle. Moor stares at the corpse and Russell walks over to him.)
MOOR: I-I had to sh**t him didn't I?
RUSSELL: Thank goodness you did lad.
MOOR: I'm not sure what happened.
RUSSELL: You've just saved our lives, that's what 'appened.
26, INT: PROCESSING ROOM
(With Carstairs on guard at the doorway, the Doctor hurries to remove the processing machine from the stand with Jamie by his side.)
27, INT: SECURITY ROOM
WAR-CHIEF: So you have lost them. They have got away.
SECURITY-CHIEF: One of them knew how to operate our space/time machines.
WAR-CHIEF: Are you blaming me for that?
SECURITY-CHIEF: You knew they would head for the landing bay. You knew one of them could operate our machines.
WAR-CHIEF: Well of course, that is after all how they got here. Logic seems to be your weakpoint. Do something about this resistance group before the War-Lord arrives.
SECURITY-CHIEF: Wherever they are I shall find them.
28, INT: PROCESSING ROOM
(Jamie places a knapsack large enough for the processing machine before the Doctor.)
JAMIE: Is this alright Doctor.
DOCTOR: Yes Jamie, that's splendid.
(He slips the machine off the stand and into the bag.)
DOCTOR: There we are. That's it, right off we go.
(He spots something and pauses, handing the bag to Jamie he picks up a handful of glass objects.)
DOCTOR: Just a minute... Hold that.
JAMIE: Now what?
CARSTAIRS: What are those Doctor?
DOCTOR: They're gas-filled valves. Come on!
(They exit the processing room without looking back. In the shadows behind them the scientist lurks, and as they move off he slips into the processing room looking around.)
29, INT: CENTRAL QUADRANT
(The Doctor, Jamie and Carstairs rush along towards the landing bay.)
30, INT: LANDING BAY
(They arrive to a bay full of guards. The Doctor throws one of his gas filled valves to the floor, filling the chamber with smoke. While the scientists are incapacitated, the Doctor moves the controls on the board. The gas-masked trio slip through the fuggy air and inside a SIDRAT.)
31, INT: SIDRAT
JAMIE: Will we get away alright?
DOCTOR: Yes I hope so Jamie.
(The Doctor smiles at the sound of materialisation.)
DOCTOR: There we go.
(But as he listens the sound cuts out.)
DOCTOR: But... They must have stopped it from the outside!
JAMIE: W-well can they get in the doors?
(The Doctor moves a few shapes in the miniature control board.)
DOCTOR: No, not now I've set the emergency lock.
JAMIE: W-w-will we get away alright?
DOCTOR: Yes, it's only a question of overriding the master control, now it's a slightly different design to the TARDIS...
(A familiar voice pipes through the SIDRAT's communication systems.)
SECURITY-CHIEF OOV: Open the doors and surrender, you are trapped!
32, INT: LANDING BAY
SECURITY-CHIEF: There is no chance of escape! Surrender and we will spare your lives!
(Outside the SIDRAT two guards have their w*apon aimed at the door.)
33, INT: SIDRAT
CARSTAIRS: What are you going to do Doctor?
DOCTOR: Now don't worry, these things are impregnable against outside att*ck.
JAMIE: Ah, you mean like the TARDIS?
SECURITY-CHIEF OOV: This is your last chance, surrender now!
34, INT: LANDING BAY
WAR-CHIEF: How do you propose to get them out?
SECURITY-CHIEF: We will wait, they will come out.
WAR-CHIEF: No, we won't wait. We'll force them out!
(He moves to the control panel and shoves the technician sitting the aside.)
SECURITY-CHIEF: What do you intend to do?
WAR-CHIEF: Activate the dimensional control.
(He moves a shape on the board downwards.)
35, INT: SIDRAT
(There is a curious sound in the SIDRAT, but no-one notices it at first.)
JAMIE: Are we doing alright Doctor?
DOCTOR: Very nicely Jamie. Now don't worry, nothing can happen to us in here!
CARSTAIRS: Am I seeing things? The walls! Look!
JAMIE: And the ceiling too!
DOCTOR: Oh no! Argh! Everybody get down! Argh! Oh oh argh!
(They are all forced to the ground as the SIDRAT interior shrinks down further and further.)
36, INT: LANDING BAY
WAR-CHIEF: You must surrender Doctor, or you will all be crushed to death! You have thirty seconds to decide.
(He moves the shape on the board down a little more.)
37, INT: SIDRAT
WAR-CHIEF OOV: Thirty seconds...
(The Doctor, Jamie and Carstairs can do nothing as the ceiling and walls continue to push in on them.) | {"type": "series", "show": "Doctor Who", "episode": "06x40 - The w*r Games - part 6"} | foreverdreaming |
The w*r Games
Episode Seven
By Malcolm Hulke and Terrance Dicks
Original Air Date: 31 May, 1969
5:15pm - 5:40pm
1, INT: SIDRAT
(The Doctor, Jamie and Carstairs are laying on the floor almost pancaked by the ceiling and walls which are now the size of a large doll's house.)
DOCTOR: Oh-oho-oh-oh!
CARSTAIRS: Arghughah
JAMIE: Urgh! Urgh!
WAR-CHIEF OOV: Thirty seconds before you are crushed to death!
CARSTAIRS: What are we gonna do Doctor?
DOCTOR: We've got no choice we, we have to do what they say!
(They all continue gasp frantically, looking for somewhere safe to crawl away to.)
WAR-CHIEF OOV: Twenty seconds!
DOCTOR: Ooh!
CARSTAIRS: Argh!
2, INT: LANDING BAY
SECURITY-CHIEF: What are you doing now?
WAR-CHIEF: Reducing the dimensions further.
SECURITY-CHIEF: Wait!
(The door to the SIDRAT scrapes open and the Doctor crawls out on his front carrying a white handkerchief.)
DOCTOR: Oh oh, ooh oh.
(He gets up looking utterly defeated and wanders into the middle of the floor in full range of the g*n from all the assembled guards.)
WAR-CHIEF: Bring out the others.
DOCTOR: What are you going to do with us?
WAR-CHIEF: Bring out the others!
DOCTOR: I-I won't have my friends ill-treated you know!
SECURITY-CHIEF: You are in no position to make terms!
DOCTOR: I am here under a flag of truce! I demand to know what you are going to do with us!
WAR-CHIEF: For the last time, tell your friends to come out. Or would you sooner they were crushed to death?
DOCTOR: Oh I think that that's a perfectly horrid idea!
(He raises the last gas-filled valve which he had concealed beneath the handkerchief and dashes it to the floor, in an instant it fills the room with smoke. As everyone is reeling from the noxious fumes, he rushes towards the main control panel.
SECURITY-CHIEF: Guards, stop him! k*ll him!
(But it is no use. Handkerchief to mouth, the Doctor snatches a handful tiny magnetic shapes that control the SIDRATs, and in an instant he deftly skips back into the safety of the capsule again the door closing behind.)
3, INT: SIDRAT
(Jamie and Carstairs are recovering from their ordeal when he Doctor rushes in. He holds the precious circuits aloft as if they were some kind of holy relic.)
JAMIE: Oh well done Doctor! Oh!
(He breathes a sigh of relief.)
4, INT: LANDING BAY
(As the noxious gas clears the War-Chief and the Security Chief struggle up, but are too late as a warm sparkling indicates that the Doctor and friends are away. The War-Chief rushes to the console.)
SECURITY-CHIEF: Can't you stop them?
(The War-Chief looks dour.)
WAR-CHIEF: Locked off the controls and taken the master circuit rods. What an ingenious fellow he is.
SECURITY-CHIEF: His ingenuity could ruin everything!
(He turns to a guard.)
SECURITY-CHIEF: Alert all time zones!
WAR-CHIEF: I suggest we pay particular attention to the nineteen-seventeen zone.
SECURITY-CHIEF: Is that where they are going?
WAR-CHIEF: I can't tell for sure, these master circuit rods could guide the machine to any one of the time zones.
5, INT: SIDRAT
JAMIE: Well where are we going Doctor?
DOCTOR: Anywhere but the nineteen-seventeen zone Jamie.
JAMIE: A-are we not going back to Zoe and the TARDIS?
DOCTOR: Yes eventually, but not just now. That's where-d they'll be looking for us.
CARSTAIRS: What are we going to do then Doctor?
DOCTOR: Well we'll go into one of the nearby zones and cross the time-zone barrier on foot. Oh!
(He rummages in the pocket of his jacket.)
DOCTOR: Hah. Ah...yes! Here we are.
(He sticks a magnetic circuit to the control board.)
6, INT: w*r ROOM
(The Security-Chief wanders over to the War-Chief.)
SECURITY-CHIEF: Haven't you traced them yet?
WAR-CHIEF: It's impossible to pick them up when the SIDRAT is still moving. I'll pinpoint their position the moment it lands.
SECURITY-CHIEF: All time-zones are ready to hunt them down as soon as you provide the necessary information.
(A new alarm begins to echo throughout the chamber.)
SECURITY-CHIEF: The War-Lord is arriving from the home planet.
WAR-CHIEF: He's chosen rather an inconvenient time.
SECURITY-CHIEF: I shall go and receive him.
WAR-CHIEF: No, I'll receive him. You stay here and supervise the capture of that resistance group.
SECURITY-CHIEF: The w*r Lord will expect me! He-!
WAR-CHIEF: The War-Lord will expect everything to be running smoothly and under control, which at the moment it isn't.
(The War-Chief walks out of the room. The Security-Chief notices a few of the technicians have been watching the conversation.)
SECURITY-CHIEF: Keep your eyes on the operations maps! I want to know the moment that capsule arrives in time zone!
(The technicians follow their orders.)
7, INT: SIDRAT
(The Doctor, Jamie and Carstairs sit on the floor of the SIDRAT having a short picnic out of one of their bags. Jamie talks through a mouthful of apple.)
JAMIE: Its takin' its time isn't it?
DOCTOR: Yes Jamie, I-I probably confused the controls readjusting them in space, in...
(He draws an apple out for himself while Carstairs scrutinises the map.)
CARSTAIRS: Mn, you've no idea which zone we're going to land in Doctor?
DOCTOR: Well, no, not really, no.
JAMIE: Oh, Just like the TARDIS eh?
DOCTOR: Hah-ha.
(The Doctor continues to quietly buff an apple against his lapel. The sound of rematerialisation is heard through the SIDRAT and they all stand.)
DOCTOR: Come on, here we go. Help me on with the processing machine.
(Carstairs lifts the knapsack onto the Doctor's back.)
DOCTOR: Now remember, as soon as we land we must make ourselves scarce.
JAMIE: Eh?
DOCTOR: Well they're bound to be on the alert for us.
JAMIE: Oh.
8, INT: w*r ROOM
(The Security-Chief addresses a technician.)
SECURITY-CHIEF: Alert the Roman zone commanders in sector five! Transmit map references and order troops to surround the area. These resistance people must be captured or destroyed!
(The technician leaves as the alert sounds through the chamber. War-Lord and War-Chief arrive flanked by guards. The w*r chief is a small bespectacled figure; his hair and elegantly sculpted beard are both styled excessively close, and he wears in a neat black suit.)
WAR-LORD: Can my information is correct? I've heard disquieting rumours of serious trouble here - are they true?
SECURITY-CHIEF: There have been temporary difficulties.
WAR-LORD: But they have been overcome.
(He smiles coldly.)
SECURITY-CHIEF: Almost!
WAR-LORD: War-Chief. The defective processing machinery, has it been rectified?
WAR-CHIEF: Your scientists did get effective machines, but...
WAR-LORD: But what?
WAR-CHIEF: Unfortunately it was removed by an intruding party of resistance men.
(The War-Lord's icy calm begins to crack.)
WAR-LORD: They penetrated the control area? They just walked in, how?
SECURITY-CHIEF: I have the situation under control War-Lord. It is only a matter of time before they are recaptured.
WAR-LORD: Then I hope that time is on your side.
(A technician moves to the side of the Security-Chief and gestures.)
SECURITY-CHIEF: Report from the Roman zone.
9, EXT: HILLSIDE
CARSTAIRS: Are you sure this is the right way sir?
(They pause to pore over a map.)
DOCTOR: Well I don't know, it is rather difficult to tell isn't it?
JAMIE: I think it is Doctor, I-I seem to remember that hill.
CARSTAIRS: Isn't this where we were att*cked by the Romans?
DOCTOR: Uh?
(As soon as he says this, as if on cue the angry Romans sweep over the hill again towards them.)
DOCTOR: Come on! Back to the time zone barrier!
(They run down the road that they had driven down in the ambulance the previous day.)
10, INT: w*r ROOM
WAR-CHIEF: They're escaping again! Moving back to the time zone barrier. Our processed Roman legions won't be able to follow them there.
SECURITY-CHIEF: Then we will send in my security guards from the control centre.
WAR-CHIEF: No, not again. We are carrying out a delicately controlled operation. The presence of guards in the time zones could stretch he credulity of the processed humans - it would be most dangerous!
SECURITY-CHIEF: It would be even more dangerous if we allow this Doctor to remain alive.
WAR-CHIEF: Have you looked for this space-time machine of theirs?
SECURITY-CHIEF: What use is that to us?
WAR-CHIEF: They will no doubt try to return to it, that's where we should be looking for them. It's a simple enough conclusion, you might even have reached it yourself!
SECURITY-CHIEF: I have reached a number of conclusions about you and about this man the Doctor!
WAR-CHIEF: Indeed? Perhaps you'd like to share them with us?
SECURITY-CHIEF: This Doctor arrived here on this planet we have chosen for the w*r games; he brought with him companions who have not been subjected to our mental processing.
WAR-CHIEF: A fact you tried to conceal.
SECURITY-CHIEF: They came in a space-time machine, the secret of space-time travel is known only to you and to your people.
WAR-CHIEF: And I brought that secret here.
SECURITY-CHIEF: You have shown us how to operate these machines, but not how to construct them. These people were summoned by one who is in league with his own kind - plotting to betray us!
WAR-CHIEF: You cannot produce one single atom of proof!
SECURITY-CHIEF: The accumulation of evidence is overwhelming!
WAR-LORD: That's enough! That's enough from both of you. Now I am tired of this eternal bickering. Your inability to work together is endangering our whole plan. You have a choice: co-operate or be replaced.
(The War-Chief and the Security-Chief glare at each other.)
11, EXT: TIME ZONE BARRIER
(All is misty, opaque white within as before. The Doctor coughs a little on the curious quality of the air within the time zone barrier. Whenever they talk it has a curious echoing quality as if the barrier were attempting to swallow up their words.)
JAMIE: Aye. Are we safe in here Doctor?
DOCTOR: Yes-yes they can't follow us into a, into a-a time zone barrier. Oh. Lieutenant Carstairs, do you feel alright?
CARSTAIRS: Perfectly, why?
DOCTOR: Oh good! That means that the processing machine is working alright.
JAMIE: Oh look, where do we go from now, Doctor?
DOCTOR: Just follow me Jamie.
(They move away.)
12, EXT: 1917 ROAD
(The three strange figures fade into existence on the road amid the muffled sound of constant shelling. The Doctor points and they all rush off;
not however, before a soldier positioned deliberately beside the barrier spots them, and makes a call on his field telephone.)
13, INT: DRAWING ROOM
(Back in the familiar surroundings of the chateaux, the Sergeant-Major Burns answers the telephone.)
BURNS: I'll tell General Smythe immediately sir.
(He replaces the phone and scurries to the large desk.)
BURNS: S'cuse me sir.
(The tall, sadistic form of General Smythe turns his swivel-chair to face the front of the desk.)
SMYTHE: What is it?
BURNS: Report from number three observation point sir. Three persons spotted answering to the descriptions of the two spies and the officer wanted for desertion, sir.
SMYTHE: Map?
(The Sergeant-Major unfurls a map.)
BURNS: They'd be just about, er...here sir.
(He points.)
SMYTHE: How very convenient. Right next to a g*n emplacement.
(The Sergeant-Major looks at him uncomfortably, wondering if he heard right.)
14, EXT: NO-MAN'S LAND
(The Doctor, Jamie and Carstairs scramble down one side of a muddy bank. The Doctor slipping for a moment. As they move a machine g*n silently tracks them, then without warning the w*apon begins spraying b*ll*ts at them with a dull chattering.)
CARSTAIRS: Take cover!
(They all drop to the ground.)
CARSTAIRS: They got us pinned down.
(Behind the g*n, out of the sight of the Doctor and co. Zoe and a group of resistance fighters arrive. A Crimean soldier knocks the g*n out with the butt of a r*fle, but by the time they have done this the Doctor's party are surrounded by Smythe's troops, all pointing r*fles.
The soldier aims his r*fle, but Zoe holds him back.)
ZOE: No don't sh**t, you'll h*t my friends! We'll follow them.
15, INT: DRAWING ROOM
(Smythe turns from the window to his three prisoners.)
SMYTHE: You've caused me a great deal of trouble.
DOCTOR: Good, I'm very glad to hear it! I suppose you're going to subject us to another one of your farcical court-martials?
SMYTHE: In your case that won't be necessary. You have already been condemned to death.
DOCTOR: What about my friends?
SMYTHE: They will be given the chance to redeem themselves - in the most dangerous sector of the front line.
DOCTOR: After some more of your mental processing I suppose?
SMYTHE: They will have the opportunity of making the supreme sacrifice for their King and country!
CARSTAIRS: You can drop all that nonsense, we know what's going on.
SMYTHE: Do you Carstairs?
CARSTAIRS: Yes. This isn't the w*r, we're not even on our own planet - do you realise that Sergeant-Major?
(He glances over.)
CARSTAIRS: This General of yours isn't even a human being!
(Smythe places his glasses on his nose and fixes the Sergeant-Major with a piercing hypno-stare.)
SMYTHE: The prisoner is delirious Sergeant-Major, he's talking nonsense.
BURNS: Yes sir, delirious sir. Talking nonsense sir.
CARSTAIRS: Listen to me Sergeant-Major!
SMYTHE: It's no use Carstairs, nothing you say will have any effect. Sergeant-Major, prepare a f*ring squad!
BURNS: Sir!
(He snaps to attention, turns and leaves.)
DOCTOR: Do you have the authority to have me k*lled?
SMYTHE: I don't need any authority.
DOCTOR: Your alien superiors will want to question me!
SMYTHE: You've caused me a great deal of trouble and embarrassment, now I'm afraid you're going to pay for it. With your life!
DOCTOR: So you're simply being malicious!
SMYTHE: Revenge can be very satisfying.
BURNS: f*ring party ready sir!
SMYTHE: Take him away!
(The soldiers march the Doctor out of the room.)
DOCTOR: Oh..oh..oh!
JAMIE: Look, leave him alone!
(Jamie is held back.)
SOLDIER: Come along!
SMYTHE: Keep these other two here.
(Smythe goes to his room.)
16, INT: SMYTHE'S ROOM
(Smythe moves to activate the video screen behind the portrait.)
SMYTHE: Smythe, nineteen-seventeen zone. I have recaptured three of the escaped prisoners.
17, INT: w*r ROOM
(Smythe's face peers out of the gaming map.)
WAR-CHIEF: Excellent! I want them sent here immediately!
SMYTHE: Unfortunately one of them is already d*ad.
WAR-CHIEF: Which one?
SMYTHE: The one that calls himself the Doctor. He was sh*t...trying to escape.
WAR-CHIEF: Did you recover the machine?
SMYTHE: Machine?
WAR-CHIEF: Didn't you receive your instructions? They took with them the new processing machine - it must be recovered!
SMYTHE: Yes, of course I will.
WAR-CHIEF: Don't fail us Smythe, the War-Lord is here and he doesn't like failures.
18, INT: DRAWING ROOM
JAMIE: Gonna try and save the Doctor?
CARSTAIRS: I wouldn't get anywhere near him.
(He eyes the guard; alert, with r*fle outstretched.)
JAMIE: How about if I...
(Smythe appears behind them in a fury.)
SMYTHE: That machine you took - where is it? Where is it?!
CARSTAIRS: The Doctor's got it.
(Smythe moves to the window, torn between appeasing his superiors and his thirst for revenge.)
SERGEANT-MAJOR OOV: f*ring squad attention! Load!
CARSTAIRS: Only the Doctor knows where it is. You k*ll him you'll never get it back.
BURNS: Squad, aim. Squad...
(There is the sound of g*n.)
SMYTHE: Stop! ...sh*t!
(Smythe pulls out his revolver and fires off a sh*t as the doors to one side of the drawing room burst open. He retreats to his room.)
SMYTHE: SH*T!
(As Jamie and Carstairs attempt to wrest the g*n from the soldiers, the doors on the other side of the room take a heavy pounding and finally give way.
Resistance lead by Russell men flood into the room and grab the two guards.)
JAMIE: Russell! The Doctor, what happened to him?
RUSSELL: I don't know we've just att*cked the front of the building.
(Another two familiar figures appear in the doorway.)
JAMIE: Doctor! I thought they'd sh*t you!
DOCTOR: Fortunately Zoe arrived in time. Where's General Smythe?
RUSSELL: He's in there.
(Russell points to the room.)
DOCTOR: What? Well he'll be calling for help, we've got to stop him!
RUSSELL: Quick lads, over here!
19, INT: SMYTHE'S ROOM
(The w*r Chief gazes from the screen.)
SMYTHE: It's the resistance, they're attacking in force! You must send help!
WAR-CHIEF: Did you recover the machine?
SMYTHE: I haven't had the chance! You must send help!
WAR-CHIEF: New master circuit rods for the travel machines are being prepared.
SMYTHE: You must send help now!
WAR-CHIEF: Smythe, de-activate the area control.
20, INT: DRAWING ROOM
RUSSELL: Right lads, stand back.
(Russell sets to work on busting in the door.)
21, INT: SMYTHE'S ROOM
WAR-CHIEF: Deactivate the area control, deactivate the area control, deactivate the area control!
(Smythe moves below the video screen; and pulling the fake cover from the fireplace, reveals a complex mass of boxy white circuit packs. As he tries to tug one of the fuse-like objects from its slot the door bursts open. Smythe fires a sh*t, but Russell has used his own momentum to slide safely to the floor f*ring a single sh*t in response.)
RUSSELL: Quick Doctor, in here.
(The Doctor peers cautiously into the room, then moves to examine the d*ad body of Smythe.)
RUSSELL: Look. I think he was trying to destroy it.
DOCTOR: Why would he want to do that?
(He gazes at the fireplace cavity.)
22, INT: w*r ROOM
(Zoe places her hand over the viewscreen and the scanner in the gaming table fades to darkness.)
SECURITY-CHIEF: They have taken over the Chateaux.
WAR-CHIEF: And the Doctor is still alive. Smythe was a fool he deserved to die!
WAR-LORD: The Doctor has the processing machine - does he have the knowledge and the ability to use it?
WAR-CHIEF: Yes. I think he has.
WAR-LORD: Then the situation's urgent, isn't it? Fortunately they're in a very vulnerable position now. If they've made a mass att*ck than all their forces are concentrated in one position - the chateaux.
SECURITY-CHIEF: This time we must use the guards.
WAR-CHIEF: No, we will invalidate the experiment. If they are concentrated in one place it would be simple enough to wipe them out with an a*tillery barrage.
WAR-LORD: Simple, but just as foolish as using the security guards. A violent att*ck on the Chateaux would almost certainly destroy the control units there. The time zone barriers would disappear. No, use the conventional forces; could be quite amusing.
(For a moment a malicious smile flickers upon his face as moves to the map table.)
WAR-LORD: A mass att*ck on the chateaux. A pincer movement with our little band of heroes caught in it's jaws.
(He converges two of the perspex blocks upon a third until they collide.)
23, INT: SMYTHE'S ROOM
(The Doctor is examining the equipment in the fireplace.)
ZOE: What do you make of it Doctor?
DOCTOR: I'm not quite sure Zoe, I think they've got something to do with the time zone barriers.
JAMIE: Doctor.
DOCTOR: Huh?
JAMIE: There's troops moving in from all sides.
DOCTOR: Oh no! Oh my word... How many resistance did you bring?
ZOE: Well not enough to stand up against an army. Hadn't we better try and get away?
JAMIE: Look it's too late for that, we're surrounded!
24, INT: DRAWING ROOM
(The constant sound of f*ring is ever-present as Carstairs gestures with a b*llet to the map which is spread across the table.)
CARSTAIRS: We could try to make a break for it down here, some of us might get away.
(He resumes refilling his revolver with amm*nit*on.)
RUSSELL: Not a chance, we'd be caught between two armies!
CARSTAIRS: Yeah.
DOCTOR: Mr Russell, how long can you hold on here?
RUSSELL: Well not long Doctor and our forward position is about to crawl back already.
DOCTOR: Well you must hold on for as long as you can, I-I think I've got the answer! I...you see we've got to have a safe base from which to fight these people, I... I I-I must go and get on with my work, er...
(He rushes back to the General's room.)
RUSSELL: What does he mean? What's he up to?
CARSTAIRS: I dunno. But we'll do as he says and stick it out here for as long as we can.
RUSSELL: Well that won't be long sir, listen to that lot.
CARSTAIRS: Yeah.
(He holsters his g*n.)
25, INT: SMYTHE'S ROOM
(Jamie and Zoe are whispering as the Doctor moves towards the fireplace and it's rows of circuitry.)
DOCTOR: Give some help Zoe, I want to dismantle this.
ZOE: What for?
DOCTOR: To find out how it works of course. Ah...don't ask questions, just do as I say.
JAMIE: Well what can I do?
DOCTOR: Ah, you go and ask, Uh... You go and help Mr Russell.
JAMIE: Right.
(Jamie leaves.)
DOCTOR: Now then.
(He removes a circuit pack from the slot and sets to work upon it with his sonic screwdriver.)
26, INT: w*r ROOM
(The War-Chief pores over the map table.)
WAR-CHIEF: British troops are advancing from here and here, converging with French troops advancing from here. Germans are advancing from this side together with the Austro-Hungarians.
SECURITY-CHIEF: It is taking longer than it should, these resistance people are putting up a good fight.
WAR-CHIEF: They will be crushed.
SECURITY-CHIEF: They have escaped before, they could do it again.
WAR-CHIEF: Not this time, I am in control.
SECURITY-CHIEF: And the Doctor? Will he die with the rest?
WAR-CHIEF: Why shouldn't he?
SECURITY-CHIEF: He seems to have a charmed life.
WAR-CHIEF: Only when you have a hand in his fate. This Doctor will die.
27, INT: DRAWING ROOM
(The pitch battle has reached the drawing room. Jamie, Russell, Carstairs and the resistance fighters are all stooped; exchanging f*re with the people outside the window.)
JAMIE: It's no good.
RUSSELL: And this is just the vanguard, we know there's more to come.
(A French soldier who has climbed the balcony tosses a grenade into the room through the French windows.)
RUSSELL: Grenade!
(Russell rushes up to the French soldier, pulls him through and knocks him to the ground.)
JAMIE: Look out!
(Jamie rushes forward, scoops up the grenade and throws it out the window.
JAMIE: Duck!
(Everyone recoils at the expl*si*n. A plume of smoke drifts into the room.)
CARSTAIRS: It's no good Russell, we must get away from here.
28, INT: SMYTHE'S ROOM
(Carstairs rushes in.)
CARSTAIRS: Hah, Doctor. You and Zoe must try and get away from here.
DOCTOR: No I don't think that will be necessary.
CARSTAIRS: But Doctor...
DOCTOR: Um, shall we try it? Zoe? Right here we go.
(He adds a final component to the electronic lash-up in the fireplace. A steady, curious humming-pulsing sound emanates from all around.)
CARSTAIRS: Doctor now what...
DOCTOR: Sh-sh-shh! Listen.
(He stands up and holds a finger in the air as if he were a magician emphasising a latest trick. The still air is silent and crisp, the backdrop of constant f*ring has ceased.)
CARSTAIRS: Stopped... Stopped.
(Carstairs walks a little uncertainly through to the drawing room again followed by the Doctor who is looking smug.)
29, INT: DRAWING ROOM
(Everyone is standing around looking equally baffled.)
CARSTAIRS: Not a sound.
RUSSELL: Some sort of trick.
DOCTOR: No Mr Russell, look out of the window.
JAMIE: Aye, a mist.
DOCTOR: Yes! I've set up a time zone barrier all around the chateaux.
RUSSELL: So none of the processed people will be able to get at us.
DOCTOR: Exactly, but your people can come and go as you please. At last we've got a safe base from which to fight them! We can carry out the next step in complete safety.
RUSSELL: What next step Doctor?
DOCTOR: Is this one of yours Mr Russell?
RUSSELL: Er, no Doctor. I pulled 'im through the window.
DOCTOR: He's just the man we need.
(The Frenchman rubs his neck and looks suspiciously around.)
30, INT: w*r ROOM
(The w*r Lord toys with the perspex game pieces in a bored manner, idly listening to the War-Chief and Security-Chief bicker.)
SECURITY-CHIEF: So much for your armies of processed humans!
WAR-CHIEF: Smythe should have destroyed the machine.
SECURITY-CHIEF: We should have sent in my security guards.
WAR-CHIEF: And ruin the entire experiment?
WAR-LORD: The Security-Chief is right, you have failed.
(He looks from War-Chief to Security Chief.)
WAR-LORD: And your leadership of the security forces has hardly been spectacularly successful! I will take charge of the whole situation. Now listen carefully, this is what I plan to do...
31, INT: DRAWING ROOM
(The French soldier has his head in the jaws of the machine as he is slowly de-processed.)
DOCTOR: I think that will do Jamie. Aah.
(The whining dies away from the machine and it is taken away. The man looks around nervously as if he is seeing the room for the first time.)
DU PONT: Que ... ? Qu’ est-ce qui se passe?
DOCTOR: I think it’s worked.
CARSTAIRS: He seems pretty confused. (To DU PONT, haltingly.) Erm, er, est-ce que vous voyez ca?
(He points at the processing machine.)
DU PONT: Oui, je me vois bien, mais...
(He looks at the assembled people.)
DU PONT: Vous ne pas les bosch?
CARSTAIRS: I think it has worked, Doctor! At least he can see we’re not Germans.
DOCTOR: Oh dear. I wonder whether he’s completely back to normal?
DU PONT: Je comprends bien. Que ... ? Qu’ est-ce que vous faites ici dans le Chateaux?
CARSTAIRS: I think he’s alright. He just wants to know what we’re doing here. (To DU PONT.) Er, Nous sommes le...le...le, rer...resistance.
(DU PONT still looks puzzled.)
CARSTAIRS: Er, resistance? Do you speak English?
DU PONT: (Haltingly.) English? You...English?
RUSSELL: We’re all sorts here, lad!
DU PONT: (Puzzled.) Comprends pas?
CARSTAIRS: Er, er, nous combatons le, erm, sorry, my French isn’t up to it.
DOCTOR: Look, try, er, er, try to explain to him what’s been happening.
CARSTAIRS: Venez ici, monsieur.
(He takes DU PONT away as RUSSELL looks down at the processing machine.)
RUSSELL: So... So you bring people back to normal with that thing?
DOCTOR: Yes-yes-yes yea. Everyone we capture we can convert to our side, you'll soon have all the men you need.
RUSSELL: Yes, but if you're going to do them all one by one, it'll take until doomsday!
DOCTOR: No Mr Russl..Mr Russell I'm doing my best! If you can capture some more equipment I might be able to rig up something that would do dozens at a time! I...
(The Doctor looks up nervously as a warm sparkling comes from the direction of Smythe's room.)
RUSSELL: Well now you're talking, and... One of those machines. Quick lads, in here!
32, INT: SMYTHE'S ROOM
(A SIDRAT appears in the corner and two guards disembark. The two resistance men who had rushed to block the door are mercilessly g*n down at the highest setting.)
33, INT: DRAWING ROOM
(Security-Chief moves in behind the guards and takes the processing machine. The Doctor tries to stop them.)
SECURITY-CHIEF: Stop, take him!
(The Doctor is roughly grabbed and manhandled back into Smythe's room.)
DOCTOR: Oh-oh argh! Oh-oh!
(Carstairs raises his w*apon, but Jamie places a hand on it.)
JAMIE: Don't sh**t, you might h*t the Doctor!
34, INT: SMYTHE'S ROOM
(The Doctor is bundled into the SIDRAT which vanishes. Cautiously the members of the resistance follow, but are too late. They all stand looking at helplessly the empty space where a tall green SIDRAT had once stood.) | {"type": "series", "show": "Doctor Who", "episode": "06x41 - The w*r Games - part 7"} | foreverdreaming |
The w*r Games
Episode Eight
By Malcolm Hulke and Terrance Dicks
Original Air Date: 7 June, 1969
5:15pm - 5:40pm
1, INT: SMYTHE'S ROOM
(A SIDRAT Appears and a couple of guards exit. Two men rush to block the door, but are g*n down.)
2, INT: DRAWING ROOM
(From down behind a table Jamie and Russell f*re a few sh*ts. The guards move into the room and spray their lethal g*n f*re around.
As the Security-Chief makes for the processing machine, the Doctor tries to stop him.)
SECURITY-CHIEF: Stop! Take him!
(The Doctor gets roughly grabbed by the guards as the Security Chief scoops up the machine.)
DOCTOR: Oh-argh! Oh-oh! No! Oh-oh!
(Carstairs raises his w*apon, but Jamie places a hand on it.)
JAMIE: Don't sh**t you'll hi..you might h*t the Doctor!
3, INT: SMYTHE'S ROOM
(The Doctor is bundled into the SIDRAT which vanishes. They all stand looking at the space where the SIDRAT once was.)
CARSTAIRS: Gad!
4, INT: LANDING BAY
(SIDRAT appears and the door opens, four guards surround the Doctor and aim their w*apon.)
DOCTOR: Oh, don't worry, I'm not going to hurt you.
(They lead him away and the Security Chief emerges with the processing machine.)
5, INT: SMYTHE'S ROOM
CARSTAIRS: Should have been prepared for it!
JAMIE: It's no good talking about what we should have done! Zoe, can you work that stuff to get another one of those things to arrive here?
RUSSELL: Not on your life! You call one of those things it'll be full of guards! They may have taken one anyway.
CARSTAIRS: Sergeant? Do you have any expl*sives?
RUSSELL: Got some dynamite, sir.
CARSTAIRS: Right, we'll put some here, where the thing lands.
ZOE: But if you blow this place up you'll destroy the time-barrier equipment, and then their troops will be able to get in.
RUSSELL: Yes, she's right. But we can keep the place guarded. You, get a machine g*n and get it set up in here.
(The soldier doesn't move.)
RUSSELL: Right come on!
(Both Russell and the soldier move out.)
JAMIE: That's all very well, but it's not going to get the Doctor back is it?
6, INT: w*r ROOM
(The w*r Lord is examining the processing machine for signs of damage.)
SECURITY-CHIEF: The prisoner is in the security room awaiting interrogation.
WAR-LORD: Good, a very successful venture. Congratulations.
SECURITY-CHIEF: Thank you.
WAR-LORD: Give it to the scientist, he will return to the home planet and have it mass produced.
SECURITY-CHIEF: Very well.
WAR-CHIEF: The interrogation of that resistance leader might prove difficult.
WAR-LORD: Why?
WAR-CHIEF: He is obviously a man of substantial intellect, he will need special treatment.
WAR-LORD: Then you must see he gets it, mustn't you?
WAR-CHIEF: I will!
7, INT: SECURITY ROOM
(The Doctor is sitting calmly in the chair with his eyes closed as the Security Chief uses the interrogation machine on him.)
SECURITY-CHIEF: Answer me! You must answer. Admit that the w*r Chief sent you here. You are both of the same race. Your arrival here is part of a plot to betray us to the Time Lords. Answer!
(The Doctor remains steadfast, so the Security Chief twists the knob on the side of the interrogator a little more.)
SECURITY-CHIEF: You will answer me now, or I will destroy your mind totally!
8, INT: SMYTHE'S ROOM
(Russell watches two Confederates as they struggle with a machine g*n placed upon a stack of munitions boxes.)
RUSSELL: Right lads, now see that this place is guarded at all times.
(He strides out.)
9, INT: DRAWING ROOM
(Carstairs sits at a table poring over a map as Russell joins him, stomping to attention.)
RUSSELL: Machine g*n set up.
(Carstairs doesn't look up.)
CARSTAIRS: Fine.
(Jamie walks over.)
JAMIE: Aye, maybe now you'll do something about getting the Doctor back?
RUSSELL: I've got more than your friend the Doctor to worry about, lad!
JAMIE: Now look, we can't just leave him you know!
RUSSELL: If there was any way of helping him I would!
ZOE: We must carry out the Doctor's plan, that's the best way we can help him.
CARSTAIRS: How far did you two get with contacting the other resistance groups?
RUSSELL: Not very far sir, the att*ck on this place got in the way.
CARSTAIRS: Yeah.
ZOE: We sent out guards to contact the other resistance groups, the ones we couldn't reach.
RUSSELL: Can you remember their names?
ZOE: There's Marcus Octavius from the Roman Zone, Arturo Villar from the Mexican Civil w*r Zone, Ivan Petrov from the Crimean w*r Zone...
RUSSELL: Yes alright, alright, I believe you.
ZOE: And I can remember the locations of all their camps too.
RUSSELL: Arturo Villar... Now he's the one we've got to convince.
JAMIE: Arturo Villar? Well what's so special about him?
RUSSELL: He's got one of the biggest resistance groups I know about. Bandits most of 'em.
(The sound of a SIDRAT materialising galvanises them into action, Russell rushes into the other room.)
10, INT: SMYTHES'S ROOM
RUSSELL: Right lads, now don't f*re until the door opens.
(The door of the box scrapes opens and a guard exits the machine.)
RUSSELL: f*re!
(The machine g*n chatters away and the guard drops. The door to the machine closes.)
RUSSELL: Hold it!
(A few quiet seconds pass and the door opens again. A sneaky g*n pokes out the gap, f*ring a burst at the resistance men. Russell manages to dodge to the side, but the soldiers fall down d*ad. Incensed, Russell grabs the machine g*n from where it is placed, and rushes to protect the doorway to the drawing room.
Carstairs joins him.)
RUSSELL: Get back!
(Ignoring him, Carstairs skips up to the door, and in a sneakier move, he pulls a grenade from his belt and tosses through the doorway of the machine. Carstairs and Russell jump back as a boom and a wisp of smoke come from inside the SIDRAT. The door lamely closes and it vanishes into the ether.)
RUSSELL: Well they won't try that again in a hurry.
CARSTAIRS: Phwoar. Soldier get him out of here. Sergeant, get another g*n in here.
11, INT: DRAWING ROOM
(Jamie has a r*fle raised in anticipation of another pitch battle.)
JAMIE: What happened?
RUSSELL: It's alright, panic's over.
(Jamie lowers the w*apon.)
RUSSELL: Zoe, you'd better...better hurry with those resistance names, if you would.
ZOE: Alright.
JAMIE: What're...what're you gonna do then?
RUSSELL: We've gotta round 'em all up. Get 'em here for a meeting.
JAMIE: Oh, let's go then.
RUSSELL: Not you, Jamie.
JAMIE: Eh?
RUSSELL: Someone's gotta be in charge here.
JAMIE: Me?
RUSSELL: Yes lad, you.
(As he walks away Jamie begins to grin.)
12, INT: SECURITY ROOM
(The Doctor is still being probed by the Security Chief.)
SECURITY-CHIEF: Admit it, the w*r Chief sent for you.
(He twiddles the knob on the interrogator a little more.)
SECURITY-CHIEF: At this volume your mind will only last for fifteen minutes; thirty if you are lucky! Now admit that the w*r Chief sent for you!
WAR-CHIEF: Are you trying to k*ll him?
(The Security Chief removes the helmet.)
SECURITY-CHIEF: I am trying to get the truth out of him.
WAR-CHIEF: You'll never make him talk that way.
SECURITY-CHIEF: You are very sure.
WAR-CHIEF: He is one of my own race, your truth machine cannot work on us if we choose to resist.
SECURITY-CHIEF: You admit it then, you do know him?
WAR-CHIEF: Of course I do. And only I can deal with him - release him!
SECURITY-CHIEF: He is my prisoner!
WAR-CHIEF: But I am your superior.
(The Security Chief undoes the clamps and stands back.)
WAR-CHIEF: You and I are going to talk alone.
DOCTOR: I have nothing to say to you.
WAR-CHIEF: We shall see. Guards take this prisoner to the w*r room.
SECURITY-CHIEF: You have no right to interrupt my interrogation!
WAR-CHIEF: Your interrogation had been completely unsuccessful! I have methods of my own.
(He strides out of the room. The Security Chief waits for a moment, then ascends the second level and taps an intercom.)
SECURITY-CHIEF: I want to speak to the w*r Lord on the top security channel.
13, INT: w*r ROOM
(The w*r Chief glares at a technician.)
WAR-CHIEF: See I am not interrupted.
(The Technician and two guards exit, but one technician stays at his post.)
WAR-CHIEF: You also, outside!
(He waits until the room is empty.)
WAR-CHIEF: You may have changed your appearance, but I know who you are.
DOCTOR: Oh do you?
WAR-CHIEF: Your machine is a TARDIS. You're too familiar with it's controls to be a stranger.
DOCTOR: I had every right to leave.
WAR-CHIEF: Stealing a TARDIS? Oh I'm not criticising you, we are two of a kind.
DOCTOR: We most certainly are not!
WAR-CHIEF: We were both Time Lords and we both decided to leave our race.
DOCTOR: I had reasons of my own.
WAR-CHIEF: Just as I had.
DOCTOR: Your reasons are only too obvious - power!
WAR-CHIEF: How much have you learnt of our plans?
DOCTOR: I know you've been kidnapping soldiers from the Earth from various times in it's history and bringing them here to k*ll one another.
WAR-CHIEF: But do you realise our ultimate objectives?
DOCTOR: No objective can justify such slaughter!
WAR-CHIEF: The w*r games on this planet are simply a means to an end. The aliens intend to conquer the entire galaxy. A thousand inhabited worlds.
DOCTOR: Yes, but why choose the people of the Earth?
WAR-CHIEF: They are the most suitable recruits for our armies. Man is the most vicious species of all.
DOCTOR: Well that simply isn't true!
WAR-CHIEF: Hmph. Consider their history; for a half a million years they have been systematically k*lling each other. Now we can turn this savagery to some purpose. We can bring peace to the galaxy - and you can help. You see, I'm not the cold-hearted villain you suppose me to be. My motives are purely peaceful.
14, INT: DRAWING ROOM
(Jamie places a jacket around Zoe as she lies dozing over a table. A great w*r soldier on guard yawns in his seat, his r*fle on his lap. Another guard droops in his seat, when out of nowhere he is clubbed unconscious. The yawner looks around, then closes his eyes, only to snap awake to the feeling of a r*fle jammed up against his chest. A chubby man in scruffy clothing, a rough beard and a large round sombrero walks through the French windows with a revolver held in front of him. He walks over to where Zoe is sleeping.)
ZOE: Jamie...
(She raises her head and looks at the stranger curiously.)
ZOE: Wha?
(The Mexican claps a hand over her mouth.)
VILLAR: You don't speak. Make no noise, y'understand?
(He removes his hand.)
VILLAR: This man Russell, where is he?
ZOE: Who are you?
VILLAR: Arturo Villar!
ZOE: Well why didn't you tell us you were coming?
VILLAR: Traps are for animals to fall into. Hey get these men rations - and no tricks! My men surround this place.
ZOE: Well I think you might as well have a...
VILLAR: Women should never think! For such a little woman your mouth is too big! Get rations.
(He motions with his g*n.)
15, INT: SMYTHE'S ROOM
(Zoe tiptoes into the room where Jamie is sleeping.)
ZOE: Jamie?
JAMIE: Mm? Something happened?
ZOE: I'll say it has! Arturo Villar has arrived with all his bandits, and he's surrounded the Headquarters.
JAMIE: Has he now? Soon sort him out!
ZOE: Oh Jamie, no! They'd sh**t you as soon as look at you!
JAMIE: Eh, I-I thought they were supposed to be on our side?
ZOE: Well he is; well he will be if we can persuade him to join us.
JAMIE: Well didn't you explain to him?
ZOE: Well yes I tried, but he wouldn't listen. Got rather primitive ideas about women knowing their place.
JAMIE: Has he now? Oh, sounds like a nice chap.
(He chuckles.)
ZOE: Jamie this is no laughing matter. We've got to persuade him to stay here until Russell gets back.
JAMIE: Well look if he won't listen to you, he's not going to...
ZOE: No, not to me, but... Quickly over here, I've got an idea.
JAMIE: Zoe, what are you doing?
ZOE: Jamie come on!
16, INT: DRAWING ROOM
(Villar is slouching on a desk, eating some food from a tin pot with his fingers. Zoe enters and clears her throat, but he doesn't look up from his meal.)
VILLAR: Well? Where is this Russell?
ZOE: He's not here.
VILLAR: Then I go!
(He jumps up, casually tossing the pot to the floor with a clatter.)
ZOE: Erm...wait! I think perhaps you'd better meet our other leader.
VILLAR: Ah? Who is this?
(She peers into the room.)
ZOE: Jamie!
(She gives Villar a winning smile.)
ZOE: Our leader, James Robert McCrimmon!
(A curiously different Jamie stumbles out of the room, weighed down by belts of b*ll*ts from which hang suspended grenades. On his head he has jammed a peaked cap that was probably stolen from Smythe's top drawer. He stands and faces Villar trying to look menacing. Villar takes one look and bursts out laughing, then grabs Jamie by the hand pumping it vigorously.)
VILLAR: Salut!
JAMIE: Oh, how do you do... Ooh-ow-ow-ooh!
(Villar releases his hand and Jamie rubs his shoulder.)
VILLAR: So, you call everyone huh? Why? Maybe you plan to take over my territory, huh?
JAMIE: Oh no-no. No, it's nothing like that, no. Uh...
(Zoe whispers to him.)
ZOE: Unity is strength.
JAMIE: Yeah right, er, unity is strength.
VILLAR: And when you have this strength, what do you do with it?
JAMIE: Ah, do with it...aye...
ZOE: We att*ck the aliens that brought everybody here.
JAMIE: Aye, we att*ck them all together- in force!
(He strikes a fist into his palm.)
VILLAR: Ah, you bring all the resistance together in one place, you know what happens? We rob and k*ll each other!
ZOE: You'll never win unless you work together. It's the only way.
VILLAR: Why do you let a woman speak for you?
JAMIE: Well why not? O-only if she's right of course.
ZOE: And I am.
VILLAR: We always fight in small groups, far apart. That's why they don't catch us.
(He punctuates this by jabbing Jamie in the chest with a finger.)
JAMIE: Aye, and that's why getting nowhere!
(Jamie jabs him back in a similar manner, to an evil look from Villar.)
VILLAR: We are free men. We do anything we want to.
ZOE: You are hunted fugitives and they'll pick you off one by one unless you join with us. It's the only way you'll ever get home!
VILLAR: Home! No-one can get away from this place!
ZOE: Oh but you can!
VILLAR: How?
ZOE: The same way you all came here. But first we've got to defeat the people who run everything. They have a stronghold...
VILLAR: I have heard! It is impossible to get in there!
ZOE: Well we have been there, and if we can get a big enough army together I can take you all there.
VILLAR: Alright, I stay for a little bit eh? But then we see.
17, INT: w*r ROOM
WAR-CHIEF: We have soldiers from most of the major wars in the planet Earth. The first world w*r, the w*r between Russia and Japan of nineteen hundred and five, thirty years w*r...
DOCTOR: But why make them k*ll each other?
WAR-CHIEF: How else can we find the most disciplined and courageous fighters?
DOCTOR: You have given these aliens our science and our knowledge to carry out this disgusting plan!
WAR-CHIEF: We are going to bring a new order to the galaxy; one United Galactic Empire!
DOCTOR: An Empire of slaves! With you as one of it's rulers!
WAR-CHIEF: Doctor, this is also a matter of your own survival. Unless I can convince the w*r Lord that you will help us...
(The chiming alarm is heard through the room, and the w*r Lord, Security Chief and guards walk in.)
WAR-LORD: What is the prisoner doing here?
WAR-CHIEF: I am interrogating him.
WAR-LORD: You interrogate without guards?
WAR-CHIEF: I know this man, he is a fugitive from the Time Lords.
SECURITY-CHIEF: As you are.
WAR-CHIEF: That's right, as I am.
WAR-LORD: Did you bring him here?
WAR-CHIEF: No, he arrived by chance.
(The w*r Lord turns to the Doctor.)
WAR-LORD: Did the Time Lords send you.
DOCTOR: No.
WAR-LORD: Have you informed them?
WAR-CHIEF: He dare not, that would betray him.
SECURITY-CHIEF: He has allied himself with the resistance and has organised them against us. He must die!
WAR-CHIEF: No! He has agreed to help us destroy the resistance, he will cooperate, he has no alternative.
SECURITY-CHIEF: He should be k*lled now, we cannot trust him!
WAR-LORD: If he helps us destroy the resistance, if. His life will be spared.
SECURITY-CHIEF: w*r...
WAR-CHIEF: I have decided!
(He turns to the w*r Chief.)
WAR-CHIEF: I hold you responsible for the success of the plan. Failure will mean death - to both of you.
(The w*r Lord sweeps away with the Security Chief in tow like a pet poodle. The Doctor checks they are gone for a moment.)
DOCTOR: I never promised to help you!
WAR-CHIEF: But you will, you have no alternative!
DOCTOR: But to help people like that conquer the galaxy?
WAR-CHIEF: Not people like that, people like us!
(He grasps his pendant.)
WAR-CHIEF: I intend to take over as Supreme Galactic Ruler. You can help me to rule - if you will cooperate.
18, INT: DRAWING ROOM
VILLAR: I tell you it's crazy, it'll never work!
RUSSELL: We don't know 'til we've tried it. We've never had all the resistance groups together before.
VILLAR: You bring everyone together in one place, you know what happens? The enemy will go pow! We are all k*lled!
PETROV: What he says makes sense. Alone we annoy them a little, together we wipe them out.
JAMIE: That's exactly what the Doctor says!
CARSTAIRS: Look, we should get together a large body of men. Armed, disciplined. And then, and only then can we strike at their headquarters.
VILLAR: How do we get there?
CARSTAIRS: Well...
ZOE: We use one of their own space-time machines!
VILLAR: Ah, these little boxes you talk about, holding thousands of men! Fairy stories!
PETROV: I have seen one. I have seen soldiers come out of them, whole regiments!
CARSTAIRS: You see Señor Villar? We're not talking nonsense.
VILLAR: These... Magic boxes. Where do we get one?
ZOE: They have certain landing points in each time zone. That room over there, that's one of them.
VILLAR: How do you get the whole army in here? The place is surrounded! It's hard enough for one man at a time to get in.
CARSTAIRS: Yes...quite right. We must uh, use one of the other places.
JAMIE: Well, what about that American barn where we met Mr Russell?
CARSTAIRS: Yes, that's er, that's here.
(He points at the map.)
CARSTAIRS: Is that alright for everybody?
PETROV: Carasha! I know that place. Much forest, easy to hide men.
CARSTAIRS: Well we're all agreed then. We all gather our troops here, and we make a concerted att*ck on the enemy.
VILLAR: And what if he make a concerted att*ck on us?
CARSTAIRS: Oh, he's going to be far too busy to do that...
19, EXT: HILLSIDE
(Two resistance fighters stealthily make their way through the undergrowth towards an encampment.)
20, INT: PAVILION
(The soldiers sneak into a large canvass pavilion one grabs a Roman Centurion from behind, with a hand over his mouth, and the other takes a r*fle and smashes the video-screen concealed in a chest.)
21, INT: w*r ROOM
(A an alarm sounds as a light flickers in Zone One on the illuminated game map. He glares at a nearby technician.)
SECURITY-CHIEF: Failure of communications unit in Roman Zone. Send a technicians to repair. And send a guard!
22, INT: DRAWING ROOM
CARSTAIRS: Right. Good! Right, carry on.
(He replaces the phone.)
CARSTAIRS: Well that's the first one, Roman Zone. Control unit's been completely destroyed.
ZOE: I wonder if it'll work?
CARSTAIRS: Oh it'll work alright. Next one's due in the Crimean w*r Zone.
(He glances casually at his fob watch.)
CARSTAIRS: It's due about now.
23, EXT: CRIMEAN STOREHOUSE
(A redcoat paces up and down outside a rough brick storehouse. Out of nowhere two resistance fighters grab him from behind and club him to the ground. One pulls out a bundle of dynamite sticks and a reel of wire. Placing the expl*sives in the building he reels out the wire and attaches it to a detonator box, then nods at his companion who raises, then depresses the lever. There is a bright flash and a roar of an expl*si*n from within the building.)
24, INT: w*r ROOM
(More alarms blare from the console as the light for Zone Three flickers.)
SECURITY-CHIEF: Another communications failure. Crimean w*r Zone. Send a squad of guards!
25, INT: DRAWING ROOM
(The Time Zone map has been placed over a notice board, and both Russell and Carstairs are sat answering calls.)
RUSSELL: Hello. Russell. Good!
CARSTAIRS: Excellent. Yes, thank you very much.
(He replaces the receiver.)
RUSSELL: I see.
CARSTAIRS: Roman Zone, a technician and guard have arrived.
ZOE: So that's the Roman Zone then.
(She sticks a single flag into Roman Zone area of the map.)
JAMIE: Technician and guard? That's only two men!
CARSTAIRS: They're not really worried yet.
(Russell ends his telephone conversation.)
RUSSELL: They are now, they've just sent a squad of guards to the Crimean w*r Zone!
ZOE: Oh good! That's a bit more like it!
(Jamie sticks a flag into the Crimean Zone as Zoe pulls out another.)
CARSTAIRS: By the time we've finished with them there won't be a guard left in the place!
(Many sh*ts of the group sticking flag after flag into the board are mixed with the people answering calls.)
ZOE: Good!
(She replaces the receiver.)
ZOE: Jamie, Boer w*r Zone.
CARSTAIRS: English Civil w*r Zone.
RUSSELL: Yes, fine.
(He puts the phone down.)
RUSSELL: Peninsular w*r Zone, they've sent ten guards there. Right, well that seem to be about it.
CARSTAIRS: Right, time for phase two. Villar should be at the barn by now. Carry on Sergeant.
RUSSELL: Yes sir. Okay, we'll leave one by one and display our arms.
26, INT: BARN
(An alien Confederate rushes towards the barn, skidding to a halt and pulling open the secret hatch. He barely has time to operate the video-screen before he is sh*t d*ad. Two Mexican resistance bandits and Villar approach. One of the soldiers aims his g*n at the device, but Villar grabs his arm.)
VILLAR: No, not yet! Now we wait.
27, INT: w*r ROOM
SECURITY-CHIEF: It is a clear pattern, simultaneous att*cks in all time zones.
WAR-CHIEF: And you've sent guards to every att*ck?
SECURITY-CHIEF: There are now very few left to send.
WAR-CHIEF: That's exactly what they wanted. Have any of the guards returned?
SECURITY-CHIEF: No.
SECURITY-CHIEF: So you've left the base weakened for a possible mass-attack.
(The w*r Lord appears.)
WAR-LORD: Is that true?
SECURITY-CHIEF: I know where their att*ck is coming from. A communications unit was activated in the American Civil w*r Zone.
WAR-LORD: And how do you propose to deal with them, with your guards scattered all over the w*r Zones?
SECURITY-CHIEF: The neutron b*mb.
WAR-CHIEF: That would wipe out the processed humans. We would have to evacuate the planet.
WAR-LORD: Well the resistance must be crushed once and for all.
SECURITY-CHIEF: So we shall use the neutron b*mb?
WAR-LORD: No. We shall attempt to be rather more subtle than that.
(He glances at the Doctor.)
WAR-LORD: We shall give you an ideal opportunity to prove your loyalty - and save your life.
28, INT: BARN
(Carstairs rushes into the barn and salutes.)
CARSTAIRS: All the resistance groups here Sergeant?
RUSSELL: Yes sir.
VILLAR: They are hidden in the woods. So here we all are, a nice big target.
RUSSELL: Don't worry it won't be for long. Soon as we smash that thing they'll send one of their machines and we'll take it.
(He pulls out his g*n.)
RUSSELL: Right stand back.
(The Doctor's face appears on the video screen.)
JAMIE: Wait a minute!
DOCTOR: Zoe?
ZOE: Oh Doctor, where are you, are you alright?
DOCTOR: Yeah. Is Mr Russell there?
JAMIE: Aye, all the resistance leaders are with us.
DOCTOR: Oh good, er, now there's no time to be lost. I think I can send you one of their space-time machines. I've-I've managed to take control of their transportation system.
JAMIE: Oh well we've got a whole army here Doctor, we could take over the entire base!
DOCTOR: Oh no-no, all I need is a-a party of picked men. There's got quite a lot to organise, I need to talk to the leaders.
JAMIE: But Doctor, would it not be better if you brought a g*ng with you?
DOCTOR: Jamie, please don't argue! I will send the transportation now.
(The Doctor's images fades from the screen.)
VILLAR: I don't like this, it could be a trap.
(There is a noise of an incoming SIDRAT and Petrov draws both his g*n in a panic.)
PETROV: Out of the way!
CARSTAIRS: Don't panic! Now, there's nothing to worry about! Everybody take cover just in case there are some guards.
(The door scrapes open. Cautiously, the group moves to examine the craft. Carstairs peeks inside, then holsters his g*n.)
CARSTAIRS: It's alright, it's empty.
RUSSELL: Right, now one of us had better stay here to look after those men. Petrov, it better be you.
PETROV: Alright, you are the boss.
VILLAR: Mine is the biggest group, I should stay here in charge!
RUSSELL: Why? You scared of getting into that thing?
VILLAR: Arturo Villar is afraid of nothing!
RUSSELL: Right. In you go then.
VILLAR: I shall lead the way!
(He Carstairs and Villar disappear into the SIDRAT; followed by Zoe, Jamie, Russell and a couple of resistance men. The door closes and the capsule fades away. Petrov and his men jump back, still shocked when faced with a dematerialisation before their eyes.)
29, INT: LANDING BAY
(The SIDRAT arrives with it's usual sparkling, the door opens and the passengers disembark one by one.)
DOCTOR: Aha Carstairs.
CARSTAIRS: Doctor.
DOCTOR: Zoe.
ZOE: Oh Doctor!
DOCTOR: Jamie.
JAMIE: Are you alright.
DOCTOR: Yes-yes, everything is under control. Now-now listen everyone, just follow me. We're going to take over the w*r room!
(The Doctor turns to ascend the ramp, when a squad of guards appears at the top cutting off the escape route.)
DOCTOR: Stand still, don't move! You are completely surrounded!
ZOE: Doctor!
(The Security Chief strolls up to the Doctor followed by the w*r Chief, his eyes glittering malevolently.)
WAR-CHIEF: Thank you Doctor. A nice, neat little package for us to dispose of.
(The Doctor looks desperately around at the faces of his friends.) | {"type": "series", "show": "Doctor Who", "episode": "06x42 - The w*r Games - part 8"} | foreverdreaming |
The w*r Games
Episode Nine
By Malcolm Hulke and Terrance Dicks
Original Air Date: 14 June, 1969
5:15pm - 5:40pm
1, INT: LANDING BAY
(The Doctor turns to ascend the ramp, when a squad of guards appears at the top cutting off the escape route.)
DOCTOR: Stand still, don't move! You are completely surrounded!
ZOE: Doctor!
(The Security Chief strolls up to the Doctor followed by the w*r Chief, his eyes glittering malevolently.)
WAR-CHIEF: Thank you Doctor. A nice, neat little package for us to dispose of.
(The Doctor looks desperately around at the faces of his friends.)
JAMIE: What's happened?
RUSSELL: We were idiots to trust you. I'll k*ll you for this!
WAR-CHIEF: Idle thr*at Doctor, have no fear. Guards, disarm them and take them away.
SECURITY-CHIEF: Take him too.
WAR-CHIEF: No! He is working for us.
SECURITY-CHIEF: What further use is he?
WAR-CHIEF: He has proved his loyalty by helping us. And he has great knowledge of time travel mechanics.
SECURITY-CHIEF: The w*r Lord shall decide. Take these prisoners to the processing room, hold them there under strict guard until further orders. I shall be with the w*r Lord.
(He exits as the prisoners are lead away.)
WAR-CHIEF: Don't worry Doctor, the w*r Lord will welcome your loyalty and assistance.
DOCTOR: Well I hope so. But you know, I find it hard to understand why you need me.
WAR-CHIEF: We need each other.
DOCTOR: It's something to do with the TARDIS travel machines isn't it?
WAR-CHIEF: Shall we join the w*r Lord? It doesn't do to keep him waiting.
DOCTOR: I-I must congratulate you on them, you know. You're achieved a remarkable degree of control.
WAR-CHIEF: Simply a variation on the old models.
DOCTOR: Oh my dear fellow, you're too modest. Dimensional flexibility? Remote control? In my day these things were impossible to achieve without shortening the life of the time control units.
WAR-CHIEF: There have been many advances made in space-time technology.
DOCTOR: Yes, there must have been. That particular problem is impossible to solve! ...How did you solve it?
WAR-CHIEF: It's not a thing one can explain in a few words. We'll discuss it later, now we really should join the w*r Lord.
DOCTOR: You haven't solved it, have you? Your machines have a limited life span! Sooner or later they're going to be useless!
WAR-CHIEF: Very well. Yes, you're right.
DOCTOR: Now I understand - it's my TARDIS that you're after isn't it?!
WAR-CHIEF: Exactly! When we are in control all of the machines I have brought here will have expired.
(He places a comradely arm around the Doctor's shoulder.)
WAR-CHIEF: If we hold the only space-time travel machine, we can rule our galaxy without fear of opposition.
DOCTOR: Yes, but without me and my TARDIS your ambitions are going to be rather hard to realise, aren't they?
WAR-CHIEF: That's right. And without my influence these aliens will surely k*ll you.
2, INT: PROCESSING ROOM
(The guards roughly herd the prisoners into the room, then stand with their w*apon raised.)
RUSSELL: Alright!
JAMIE: Alright!
CARSTAIRS: Easy!
ZOE: Oh!
RUSSELL: Well, a fine mess your friend the Doctor got us in, eh? I'll break 'is neck when I get hold of him.
CARSTAIRS: Oh I don't believe it!
JAMIE: Look, he must have had a good reason!
VILLAR: Ah, to have us k*lled perhaps, to save his own skin! When I get my hands on him I k*ll him too!
JAMIE: Now look, the Doctor wouldn't betray us!
ZOE: No of course he wouldn't! Why did he get us to come here?
3, INT: w*r ROOM
(The chiming note echoes briefly through the w*r room.)
WAR-LORD: He seems to have done very well. We have the leaders of the resistance, and the immediate thr*at to the w*r games is over. But your sudden decision to join us worries me.
(He glances at the Doctor.)
DOCTOR: Well, I like to be on the winning side.
WAR-LORD: Previously you thought the resistance to be the winning side; what made you change your mind?
DOCTOR: Well I hadn't realised how-how small and weak their groups were compared to your might and power.
(He chuckles to himself and walks around the map table.)
WAR-LORD: You have a silver tongue just like your friend the w*r Chief.
(He sits in one of the chairs.)
WAR-LORD: What contribution can you make to our plan?
DOCTOR: Well your processing machines. I can make them work more effectively.
WAR-LORD: Our scientist is at this moment producing new machines on the home planet.
DOCTOR: Ah yes, but that will take time. I can make the old ones work just as well - probably better.
WAR-LORD: Very well, you shall have the opportunity to prove your ability. You will adjust the machines, and reprocess your resistance friends.
DOCTOR: They are no longer my friends; they are our enemies!
WAR-LORD: Of course they are. Take him to the processing room, see he has every facility.
(The Doctor leaves followed by two guards and the Security Chief.)
WAR-LORD: The resistance groups, where are they?
WAR-CHIEF: They are all now concentrated in this one area. I have ordered the conventional troops to move in on them.
WAR-LORD: Good, when the situation returns to normal order all the security guards to return to the control centre. All control points on the planet are to be repaired, and the w*r games recommenced.
WAR-CHIEF: Will you be returning to the home planet?
WAR-LORD: No. I'm waiting until the emergency is over. You will inform me immediately if there's any change in the situation.
(The w*r Lord exits and a chair groans as the w*r Chief slouches in it, deep in thought.)
4, INT: PROCESSING ROOM
ZOE: ...They making us wait here for?
CARSTAIRS: Probably going to reprocess us again.
JAMIE: Eh?
CARSTAIRS: Brainwash us, send us back to fight.
RUSSELL: No I doubt it, they know their processing machines don't work on us.
VILLAR: They will sh**t us, what else do you do with prisoners?
SECURITY-CHIEF: Your friend the Doctor has a better idea.
(They all look around to see the Security Chief, the Doctor and two guards with deliberately aimed w*apon.)
SECURITY-CHIEF: He is going to adjust the machines and re-process you himself.
JAMIE: He wouldn't do that!
ZOE: Doctor you can't!
(Russell valiantly pushes himself to the front of the group.)
RUSSELL: You just try it!
(Russell stops short of the guards.)
SECURITY-CHIEF: I don't think they like you. Unfortunately I cannot spare any of my guards to protect you, so you will have to fend for yourself.
(The Security Chief leaves with the guards.)
DOCTOR: What?! But...y-you..!
(The Doctor glances at the door, but the resistance fighters have moved to cover it.)
RUSSELL: Well, well, well, it seems your new friends don't like you either.
(Arturo Villar advances on the Doctor.)
VILLAR: Leave him to me, I k*ll him first!
DOCTOR: No...no, don't come any closer, no!
5, INT: w*r ROOM
(Then Security Chief Joins the w*r Chief at the far side the map table.)
SECURITY-CHIEF: How is the battle progressing?
WAR-CHIEF: The resistance group were all concentrated in this one area. We have them completely encircled.
SECURITY-CHIEF: And now you will destroy them?
WAR-CHIEF: Of course. They are falling into disorder, naturally enough since we have their leaders here. Has the Doctor started processing them?
(The Security Chief glances across the room.)
SECURITY-CHIEF: Not yet.
(A visored technician hands him a report which he reads.)
SECURITY-CHIEF: Where is the w*r Lord?
WAR-CHIEF: You did take the Doctor to the processing room?
SECURITY-CHIEF: Of course!
WAR-CHIEF: I don't trust you.
SECURITY-CHIEF: The feeling is mutual.
(The w*r Chief moves away. As soon as the Security Chief is sure he is out of sight, he walks over to the control console where the technician is sat.)
SECURITY-CHIEF: Play back the recordings.
(The technician presses a control and the tape winds back with a mickey-mouse-on-amphetamine-sulphate gabble.)
6, INT: PROCESSING ROOM
(The Doctor is in the middle of a mass of heaving bodies.)
DOCTOR: Oh no...leave me alone!
(Jamie and Carstairs rush into the middle of the group and break it up.)
CARSTAIRS: Leave him be!
JAMIE: Now look! Just give him a chance to speak!
(The Doctor jumps to his feet.)
RUSSELL: Yes, we listened to him once before and look where it got us! He led us into a trap!
DOCTOR: They were going to drop the b*mb! You'd all be d*ad now, and all of your resistance friends with you if it wasn't for me!
VILLAR: He's lying!
RUSSELL: You did a deal to save your own neck!
VILLAR: But your deal didn't do you no good, they turn you over to us and now we k*ll you!
(Carstairs grabs Villar from behind.)
CARSTAIRS: No, you can't just m*rder him!
VILLAR: Is not m*rder, is execution!
CARSTAIRS: Have you got any explanation for your conduct?
DOCTOR: Yes, I am trying to save your lives! If you do exactly as I tell you'll be alright!
VILLAR: We don't listen to your lies no more!
(Villar tears away from Carstairs and jumps on the Doctor throttling him wildly just as a pair of security guards rush in and break it up.)
WAR-CHIEF: I'm sorry Doctor, there seems to have been some kind of misunderstanding.
(The Doctor rubs his bruised neck, still trying to ease his breathing.)
DOCTOR: Yes, and it was very nearly fatal!
7, INT: w*r ROOM
(The technician presses a control on the board and the w*r Chief's voice pipes out of the speaker.)
WAR-CHIEF VO: Doctor, this is also a matter of your own survival. Unless I can convince the w*r Lord that you will help us...
SECURITY-CHIEF: Stop! Wind further on.
(The technician does as he is told.)
SECURITY-CHIEF: Now! Try there.
(This time the w*r Lord's voice is heard on the tape.)
WAR-LORD VO: ...Responsible for the success of the plan. Failure will mean death - for both of you.
(There is a pause on the tape for a moment as the sound of receding footsteps is heard.)
DOCTOR VO: I never promised to help you!
WAR-CHIEF VO: But you will, you have no alternative!
DOCTOR VO: To help people like that gain control of the galaxy?
WAR-CHIEF VO: Not people like that, people like us! I will take over as Supreme Galactic Ruler. You can help me rule - if you will cooperate.
SECURITY-CHIEF: Enough!
(The technician switches off the tape.)
SECURITY-CHIEF: I knew it!
8, INT: PROCESSING ROOM
(The resistance leaders are all under guard in a corner nervously watching. Jamie is lying on the couch, his head in the jaws of the clamp as the Doctor makes a show of processing for the w*r Chief.)
WAR-CHIEF: Are you sure that this new process will be completely effective?
DOCTOR: Oh yes, quite sure. I think that will do.
(The whine of power dies away as he turns off the machine and opens the jaws.)
DOCTOR: There we are. Now then, when this man comes to he will believe himself to be fighting the English Redcoats in seventeen forty-five.
(The Doctor claps his hands.)
DOCTOR: Now get up!
(Jamie blearily gets to his feet.)
JAMIE: Eh, oh...oh.
DOCTOR: What is your name?
JAMIE: What?
DOCTOR: Your name.
JAMIE: Ah, J-James Robert McCrimmon.
DOCTOR: Do you know where you are?
JAMIE: Oh well...
DOCTOR: You are in my castle, I am the McCrimmon McCrimmon, your hereditary Chieftain!
JAMIE: Y-ah yes of course...you're the Chieftain!
(He glances at the w*r Chief.)
JAMIE: Oh, er, who's that?
DOCTOR: Well th-that is a, that is a friendly Chieftain; you will obey his orders as you will mine.
JAMIE: Oh oh-oh aye, I'll obey you!
DOCTOR: There you are, you see, complete loyalty and devotion. I can do the same with all the other resistance people that you capture.
WAR-CHIEF: Excellent! Continue with the others. If you can successfully process characters like these, you will have made an immense contribution.
DOCTOR: Thank you. Bring the girl!
ZOE: Oh leave me alone, don't! Oh!
(The guards drag Zoe over to the couch and thrust her into it. The Doctor adjusts the equipment.)
JAMIE: Look, do as you're told!
DOCTOR: You will obey us.
(Then whispers.)
DOCTOR: It is for your own good.
(And gives her a clandestine wink.)
9, INT: w*r ROOM
WAR-CHIEF: What a stupid fool you are! You deliberately disobeyed the w*r Lord's orders. Arrest him!
(The guards stand immobile.)
WAR-CHIEF: Arrest him!
SECURITY-CHIEF: You are no longer in command.
(He nods to the technician who plays back the recording to the w*r Chief's chagrin.)
WAR-CHIEF VO: I will take over as Supreme Galactic Ruler. You can help me rule - if you will cooperate.
SECURITY-CHIEF: I had all discussion that took place between you and the Doctor recorded. What a stupid fool you are. Guards, take him to the security area!
(The w*r Chief struggles wildly as the guards grab him by the arms.)
SECURITY-CHIEF: On your way pick up his accomplice the Doctor. If they offer any resistance sh**t them both!
(They lead him away still fighting to get free.)
10, INT: LANDING BAY
(The Doctor has Villar's head in the processing machine.)
DOCTOR: There we are. Now then, sit up, sit up!
(Villar does so.)
DOCTOR: Now then... You are in la Castille de la Cruz de San Antonio de la Frada Forma, in Mexico.
VILLAR: Uh? Are you crazy? You machine is no good! Villar is too strong for you!
(He leaps up eager to resume throttling the Doctor.)
DOCTOR: Oh! Oh no, stop! Get him off me! Oh oh-oh!
(There is a struggle in which the single guard leaps to the defence, but gets mobbed by the unprocessed resistance fighters. Finally Jamie manages to tear Villar away from the Doctor.)
JAMIE: Can you not pretend like the rest of us ya great loon?!
VILLAR: Uh? Is all a trick?
JAMIE: Aye.
VILLAR: You fix the machine so she don't work?
DOCTOR: Yes. I fixed her, and you nearly fixed me.
VILLAR: Hahaha! And you only pretend to be loco?
JAMIE: Exactly!
RUSSELL: But Doctor, why did you get us here at all?
DOCTOR: They were going to drop the neutron b*mb. You were better alive here, than d*ad out there!
CARSTAIRS: Zoe watch the door will you?
ZOE: Right.
(She skips out.)
CARSTAIRS: Sergeant, now we're here, surely we can take over?
RUSSELL: W-it depends upon how many of those guards they've got.
CARSTAIRS: Ah, but we've been drawing them out to the Time Zones!
DOCTOR: Yes, very successfully from what I hear.
(Zoe rushes in.)
ZOE: Doctor, somebody's coming! Three of them are heading this way.
12, INT: CENTRAL QUADRANT
(The guards march the w*r Chief along at the point of their g*n. They usher him into the processing room.)
12, INT: PROCESSING ROOM
(As the guards enter they are mobbed from the sides and incapacitated.)
DOCTOR: Uh, don't harm him. We may need him.
WAR-CHIEF: It seems my trust in you was a little misplaced.
DOCTOR: Did you really think I'd take part in your disgusting steam...scheme?
WAR-CHIEF: Why not? You must have been a little tempted by the thought of becoming the ruler of an entire galaxy.
VILLAR: All this talk! When we fight?
RUSSELL: We haven't got anything to fight with! We've no g*n.
CARSTAIRS: We've got those alien g*n if we can work out how to use them.
VILLAR: I no trust those things! I need my g*n, they good g*n, never miss!
RUSSELL: I'm sure he knows where they're stored.
WAR-CHIEF: I might.
RUSSELL: You'd better, because I've got...
DOCTOR: I'm sure that the w*r Chief is going to cooperate. He's going to help us gain control of the w*r room.
WAR-CHIEF: That may not be so easy. You see, our little arrangement had been discovered, I was under arrest.
RUSSELL: Oh yes? Yes, that could be right, he did come in here under g*n!
WAR-CHIEF: But the personnel in the landing bay are not aware of my arrest. When the security guards return from the Time Zones you won't stand a chance. I can stop the arrival of the time-machines.
DOCTOR: I see. Very well, but first you'll take us to the w*r room, you're the only one who can stop the fighting in the Zones.
VILLAR: Hey, wait a minute! First we get our g*n, no?
DOCTOR: No...I mean, yes. Come on Jamie, Zoe.
13, INT: w*r ROOM
SECURITY-CHIEF: I want a blanket broadcast to all security guards in the w*r Zones: This is the Security Chief, the resistance groups are scattered over the Civil w*r Zone, they will be dealt with later. All security guards will now proceed to the nearest control point, there are...
(The resistance leaders rush in and grab the two guards stationed in the room.)
SECURITY-CHIEF: Guards!
(Two more guards rush forward, but each collapse from a single flash from each of Villar's g*n in turn.)
VILLAR: I told you, my g*n best!
(The Security Chief is cowering beneath a control panel with the technician.)
SECURITY-CHIEF: Emergency alarm!
(The technician reaches up and touches a control causing the wailing alert to start up again, but collapses immediately as another sh*t is fired.
Keeping down, the Security Chief moves across the floor towards a rack of g*n, but he is too late. The last thing he sees is the triumphant face of the w*r Chief, w*apon in hand. Clutching his face in agony, the Security Chief dies in a swirl of energy. The w*r Chief swings around to see how the skirmish is going, and notices that the resistance has won. facing the muzzle Carstairs' revolver, he lowers his w*apon.)
WAR-CHIEF: It's alright, it was a personal debt I had to settle.
DOCTOR: Will somebody turn off that hideous noise, I cannot think!
(Russell moves to the control console and s*ab a number of buttons at random, finally the noise cuts out.)
ZOE: One thing I don't understand Doctor, is how are you going to get all these people back to their own time?
DOCTOR: Yes, I... Yes I've been thinking about that.
(He walks over to the w*r Chief.)
WAR-CHIEF: You realise that we have very little time now that the alarm has been sounded?
DOCTOR: Yes. Call off the fighting at once!
WAR-CHIEF: We could just go to the landing bay, order a machine and leave.
DOCTOR: You could, we can't. The fighting has to be stopped and everyone sent back to their own times!
WAR-CHIEF: Sent back, how?
DOCTOR: Well your TARDIS travel machines of course!
WAR-CHIEF: There are only two machines left with enough life in them.
DOCTOR: What? But...oh my word, well that's happened rather sooner than I expected.
RUSSELL: Doctor, does that mean that you can't do as you promised and get us all home?
DOCTOR: Oh, Well er, yes.
(He looks rather vague for a moment.)
WAR-CHIEF: You can't!
DOCTOR: I-I can still do that.
WAR-CHIEF: You can't unless...
(For the first time the w*r Chief's icy control begins to crack and the colour begins to drain from his face.)
WAR-CHIEF: Doctor, you mustn't call them in or it will be the end of us. They'll show no mercy!
DOCTOR: You stop the fighting!
(Russell moves in thrusting his revolver in the villains face.)
RUSSELL: Do as you're told!
(The w*r Chief moves down, and under the harsh gaze of Villar and the other resistance leaders, operates a control on the main console. A blanket communiqué is sent to all the leaders in the Zones.)
WAR-CHIEF: This is the w*r Chief to all w*r Zones, this is a command direct from the w*r Lord. All fighting will cease. I repeat, all fighting in the w*r Zones will cease. You will stand by for further orders.
ZOE: What did he mean Doctor? Who mustn't you call?
DOCTOR: The only people who can put an end to this whole ghastly business and send everyone back to their own times. The Time Lords.
JAMIE: Wha, who are they?
DOCTOR: They're my own people Jamie.
JAMIE: Oh, well that's alright then.
ZOE: But it isn't alright is it Doctor?
DOCTOR: No it's not Zoe, but I'm afraid that there's no alternative.
(The Doctor pulls out six yellow plastic squares from his pocket and arranges them in a pile on the floor. Then he sits down in the lotus position and meditates patiently.)
JAMIE: What's he doing?
(The w*r Chief struggles wildly to free himself, but his arms are pinned either side by Russell and Villar.)
WAR-CHIEF: Don't do it Doctor, you can't! You know what will happen!
(Gradually, as the Doctor concentrates on the squares, each rises up, edges moving towards edges; and as the corners seal together the squares lock themselves into the shape of a cube.)
JAMIE: Look at that!
(They all stare at the trick.)
CARSTAIRS: That's fantastic!
VILLAR: Magic!
ZOE: Doctor are you alright?
DOCTOR: Yes Zoe, I'm alright.
JAMIE: Doctor, what's that?
DOCTOR: It's a box Jamie.
JAMIE: I know, I can see that!
DOCTOR: It's a very special sort of box. It now contains all the information about what's been going on here, and an appeal for help.
JAMIE: Help? Er, who from?
ZOE: The Time Lords?
(The Doctor looks downcast.)
DOCTOR: Yes Zoe.
JAMIE: Well why haven't you ever asked them for help before?
DOCTOR: I've never needed it before Jamie, but this business of sending everyone back to their own times...well, it's too difficult for me.
(He slips the cube into his coat pocket and looks around.)
DOCTOR: Now, now come along... The w*r Chief!
CARSTAIRS: What?
DOCTOR: He's gone!
RUSSELL: What?
DOCTOR: He must be trying to get away before the Time Lords get here!
CARSTAIRS: Well what are we gonna do Doctor?
DOCTOR: We must go to the landing bay and stop him!
(They rush out of the room.)
14, INT: LANDING BAY
(The w*r Chief rushes down the ramp and moves to the control panel. Moving a few circuit rods into position, he summons a SIDRAT which obediently sparkles into existence behind him, the door sliding invitingly open. The w*r Chief is cut off by a pair of guards as he rushes towards the machine.
Spinning around, he finds himself face to face with the w*r Lord and another two guards.)
WAR-CHIEF: I thought...
WAR-LORD: Yes?
WAR-CHIEF: You have arrived just in time. There has been a revolt, the prisoners have escaped. How many guards do you have?
WAR-LORD: Only the ones you see here.
WAR-CHIEF: Then we must return to the home planet to bring reinforcements.
(He moves to enter the SIDRAT, but the w*r Lord holds him back.)
WAR-LORD: Where is the Security Chief?
WAR-CHIEF: Prisoners have taken over the w*r Room, they've k*lled him.
(The w*r Lord smiles.)
WAR-LORD: No...no. You k*lled him, but a little too late. I heard the recording.
(The w*r Chief backs away towards the guards.)
WAR-CHIEF: He wanted to stop the w*r Games. He was a incompetent fool, jealous of my position, surely you realise that? He forged that recording you heard.
(In a single movement the w*r Chief leaps onto the ramp and runs up, but is cut off by another two guards who appear from the doorway.)
WAR-CHIEF: He wanted to stop the w*r games! He tried...
WAR-LORD: k*ll him!
(The guards simultaneously open f*re on the w*r Chief and he is consumed in the combined energy bursts, slumping and rolling down the ramp.)
15, INT: CENTRAL QUADRANT
(The w*r Chief's dying scream echoes across the corridor to the landing bay.)
CARSTAIRS: Doctor! Doctor, that came from the landing bay!
DOCTOR: Yes, but they won't be expecting us, come on!
(They rush on towards the landing bay.)
16, INT: LANDING BAY
(The w*r Lord and the guards stand over the body.)
WAR-LORD: Remove the traitor's carcass.
(The guards obey.)
WAR-LORD: We will return to the home planet and bring back an army to quell this revolt once and for all.
(The resistance creep up stealthily from the direction of the central quadrant, remaining concealed. The element of surprise swiftly vanishes as Villar appears the top of the ramp, having gone around the back.)
VILLAR: Viva el Villar!
(He fires his g*n, and the other resistance fighters leap out and begin to brawl with the guards before any of them have the chance to use their g*n.
Jamie sh**t a guard with his r*fle, and knocks the g*n from the hands of the next one grappling with him. Villar calls down from the ramp.)
VILLAR: Out of the way, I sh**t the dog!
(As another guard makes for the fallen w*apon Carstairs steps on his hand, yanks him to his feet and gives him a swift right hook. Jamie's guard forces him to the floor, and is about to bash him with the butt of his own r*fle when Russell grabs him from behind. Jamie leaps up and he and Russell take it in turns to slug the poor guard. Carstairs thumps another guard and throws him across the room to Russell and Jamie who each contribute a punch along the way. As Villar holds the w*r Lord at g*n, the Doctor rushes over.)
VILLAR: Leave me be, I k*ll him too!
DOCTOR: No-no, that won't be necessary. We'll leave him for the Time Lords to dispose of.
RUSSELL: When will they be here Doctor?
DOCTOR: I'm going to send for them now. And I want you all to stay here and wait until they come.
RUSSELL: And what are you going to do?
(The Doctor wrings his hands looking nervous.)
DOCTOR: Well I-I cannot stay here. Jamie, Zoe, this is where we say goodbye.
JAMIE: W-what are you talking about?
DOCTOR: Well the Time Lords will return you home.
ZOE: Well why can't we stay with you?
DOCTOR: Because when I send this box the Time Lords will know where I am.
JAMIE: But I thought they were your people, your-your friends..?
DOCTOR: Well yes Jamie, they-they are my people, but... Oh, it'd take too long to explain. I-I have to go!
JAMIE: Now look, if you're gonna be in trouble you'll need me to look after you!
ZOE: Me too!
JAMIE: Aye!
DOCTOR: But you don't understand! Oh very well, but don't say I didn't warn you! Right then, we must return to the Nineteen-seventeen Zone and find the TARDIS, and make good our escape.
CARSTAIRS: Doctor, can I come back there with you? I'd... I'd rather like to try and find Lady Jennifer.
DOCTOR: Oh yes, very well.
(He sits on the floor in the lotus position again, places the cube before him and in moments it fades away. Getting up, the Doctor glances around the faces of the resistance members for the last time.)
DOCTOR: Well goodbye gentlemen, I'm sorry but I must rush.
VILLAR: You leave us?
RUSSELL: Yes, what about us?
DOCTOR: The Time Lords will return you home! Now come along.
(Arturo Villar raises his w*apon again.)
VILLAR: No! No-one is going anywhere. This Doctor, he cheat us! He resc, er, we rescue him and now he leaves us here to die!
RUSSELL: Yes, it's only fair Doctor! If these Time Lords are friends of yours why don't you wait for them to arrive?
DOCTOR: But you don't understand Mr Russell! I must go, please!
VILLAR: You stay here with us, my friend.
DOCTOR: Look, I am not going to argue. Jamie, Zoe, Carstairs. Into the machine.
JAMIE: Ah but-but-but Doctor, look he's not joking you know!
DOCTOR: For once Jamie, do as you are told!
VILLAR: You move and I k*ll you!
DOCTOR: Then you will just have to k*ll me Mr Villar!
VILLAR: Well Mister Doctor, that is just what I will do!
(As the Doctor departs Russell and Carstairs grab Villar from behind to prevent him from sh**ting.)
VILLAR: Let me go, I k*ll him!
(Carstairs slips away leaving Villar to Russell, and enters the SIDRAT.)
RUSSELL: You can't sh**t him in the back, he's done too much for us.
VILLAR: Ah the back, the front - what's the difference?!
(The door scrapes close and with a blasting of finely tuned temporal engines the SIDRAT vanishes.)
RUSSELL: It's too late now anyway.
(The w*r Lord looks over from where he is being guarded.)
WAR-LORD: Don't worry, when the Time Lords get him he'll wish you had k*lled him.
(All around the air has become thicker and a little more distorted as the sound of an ethereal howling begins to echo around the landing bay. The w*r Lord looks up.)
WAR-LORD: They're coming.
17, EXT: NO-MAN'S LAND
(All around the air of the Nineteen-seventeen Zone is still and perfectly silent. Carstairs, and the trio stumble down a slaggy slope.)
CARSTAIRS: Fighting's stopped.
DOCTOR: Yes, well goodbye Lieutenant.
JAMIE: Eh?
DOCTOR: There's the TARDIS there. We-we've got to get on.
(He shakes Carstairs by the hand and rushes off.)
CARSTAIRS: Goodbye Doctor.
ZOE: Oh but Doctor, wait!
(She turns to Carstairs.)
ZOE: Goodbye!
(And scrambles after the Doctor.)
JAMIE: Oh, bye Lieutenant.
(Jamie shakes his hand and follows the others.)
CARSTAIRS: Bye...
JAMIE: Er...
(Jamie scrambles after the Doctor and Zoe. Carstairs waves at them with a curious expression on his face, and then fades into nothingness. Jamie, who has looked back for a moment, resumes his flight to the TARDIS with the others.)
JAMIE: Hey he-he's...
(The air has suddenly turned to treacle. Every step and word seems to string out into eternity. Their voices slur as they talk, as if they were a record being played at the wrong speed.)
DOCTOR: Come..on!
(A few yards from the TARDIS the howling force of relative time dilation descends upon them like an invisible predator. They desperately fight the turgid haze for each step closer to the sanctuary of the tall, blue box.)
DOCTOR: Come...on!
ZOE: What...is...it?
DOCTOR: Time...Lords! Try...harder! We...must...get...away!
(They stumble before the TARDIS.)
DOCTOR: We...must...get...away!
(They are all feeling a greater effect from the Time Lord's power now, steadily pressing them ever increasing strength. On his hands and knees the Doctor manages to push the key into the lock of the Police Box, but even this small effort seems to have taken every ounce of strength he has. His hand slowly slips down the face of the TARDIS, his many travels ending face-down in the primitive mud-churned b*ttlefield of an alien world.) | {"type": "series", "show": "Doctor Who", "episode": "06x43 - The w*r Games - part 9"} | foreverdreaming |
The w*r Games
Episode Ten
By Malcolm Hulke and Terrance Dicks
Original Air Date: 21 June, 1969
5:15pm - 5:40pm
1, EXT: TARDIS
(Across a mud-churned b*ttlefield. The figures of Jamie and Zoe and the Doctor are struggling to move. There is a sound of a great rushing wind, and when they speak, their voices sound slurred as if they are record being played at the wrong speed. Every step seems to be taking a greater effort than the last. They collapse at the door to the TARDIS an the Doctor manages to get the key into the lock, but at the last moment he stumbles and falls back, the fingers of his outstretched hand brushing the key, desperately trying to summon up enough strength to turn it.)
ZOE: What’s happening Doctor? I can hardly move!
DOCTOR: It’s a force-field. Concentrate, we may be able to break through it. Help me with the key. Concentrate!
(Just as it seems all is lost, Jamie grabs the Doctor’s arm and thrusts it towards the lock, and the Doctor turns the key. The trio struggle through the door on their hands and knees.)
2, INT: TARDIS CONSOLE ROOM
(The TARDIS crew groan as they struggle though the vast double doors. The Doctor manages to totter to his feet, stumbles in slow motion towards the console, and begins to tug at a set of controls.)
ZOE: It’s in here too.
JAMIE: Will we get away all right Doctor?
DOCTOR: Yes, I hope so Jamie. If I can boost the power enough, the TARDIS may be able to break through the force-field.
3, EXT: TARDIS
(Mid sh*t of TARDIS dematerialising against the skyline.)
4, INT: TARDIS CONSOLE ROOM
JAMIE: Well what was happening, why was it so difficult to move?
DOCTOR: It was the Time-Lords!
ZOE: But they’re your own people aren’t they Doctor?
DOCTOR: Yes, that’s right.
JAMIE: Why did you run away from them in the first place?
DOCTOR: Wha? ...Well... I was bored!
ZOE: What do you mean you were bored!
DOCTOR: The Time Lords are an immensely civillised race. We can control our own environment, we can live forever barring accidents, and we have the secret of space time travel.
JAMIE: Well what's so wrong in all that?
DOCTOR: Well we hardly ever use our great powers! We consent simply to observe and to gather knowledge.
ZOE: And that wasn’t enough for you?
DOCTOR: No! Of course not! With a whole galaxy to explore? Millions of planets? Aeons of time, countless civilisations to meet?!
JAMIE: Well why do they object to you doing all that?
DOCTOR: Well... It is a fact, Jamie, that I do tend to get involved with things.
JAMIE: Aye, you can say that again! Whenever there’s any trouble he’s in it right up to his neck!
ZOE: But you’ve helped people, Doctor.
DOCTOR: Yes, yes, but that’s no excuse in their eyes.
JAMIE: Well then what are you going to do?
DOCTOR: We’re going to run away! I... I’ve set the controls to take us to a planet on the outermost fringes of the galaxy...
JAMIE: Oh, in that case, we’ll probably land up right in their laps!
(The Doctor smiles and nods, then realising what Jamie has just said, scowls at him and as he opens his mouth to make a riposte, the TARDIS begins to echo with a pained sound of dematerialisation. Zoe runs to the console, and the Doctor Joins her.)
ZOE: We can’t be landing already...
DOCTOR: Well that is impossible!
5, MODEL sh*t
(TARDIS materialising in the air, then falling steadily downwards until it touches down on some alien sea with a watery plop.)
6, INT: TARDIS CONSOLE ROOM
JAMIE: Oh it’s the sea.
ZOE: Well don’t worry Jamie, we know the TARDIS can’t sink.
JAMIE: Oh can’t it? Look!
(They look at the monitor screen aghast as fish swim backwards and forwards around what appears to be a picturesque coral reef.)
ZOE: Oh now what can we do?
(On the screen, above a tuna swims ferociously by.)
JAMIE: Look out!
DOCTOR: It’s all right it can’t possibly harm us!
(A strained parody of the materialisation noise echoes around the console room.)
JAMIE: I’m not so sure!
DOCTOR: We’re perfectly safe in the TARDIS!
(Zoe notices a drip of water as it begins to splash onto the console from somewhere in the ceiling.)
ZOE: Oh Doctor!
DOCTOR: Oh my word! It’s the Time Lords! They’re... They’re breaking down the defensive mechanism! We’ve got to get out of here!
ZOE: Where can we go?
DOCTOR: Well, I know one place where where we’ll be safe if I can get us there...
(The Doctor prods a few controls, and the dematerialisation sound echoes around the Console Room again, then mutates into a slightly different sound.)
7, MODEL sh*t
(TARDIS in space, beacon flashing wildly, gradually becoming ensnared by a fibrous substance.)
8, TARDIS CONSOLE ROOM
JAMIE: Where are we?
DOCTOR: We’re in outer space. We’ll just stop here for a while. I... There’s a chance we may have given them the slip...
FIRST TIME LORD VO: THERE IS NO ESCAPE DOCTOR. RETURN THE TARDIS IMMEDIATELY TO OUR HOME PLANET.
(The Doctor addresses the ceiling.)
DOCTOR: WHY CAN’T YOU LEAVE ME ALONE?!! I HAVEN’T DONE ANY HARM!!
FIRST TIME LORD VO: YOU HAVE BROKEN OUR LAWS. YOU MUST FACE YOUR TRIAL.
JAMIE: Trial?
FIRST TIME LORD VO: YOU WILL DO BETTER TO RETURN OF YOUR OWN ACCORD.
DOCTOR: Oh..oh... Oh very well, if I must...
(The Doctor dashes to the console and runs around it apparently pulling switches at random on every panel he passes one after the other. The sound of the TARDIS dematerialising is heard again.)
ZOE: Doctor, what on Earth are you doing?
DOCTOR: I’m trying to make a quick transference jump! We’ve got to get away from here to somewhere safe. We..we’re landing...
(Jamie Zoe and the Doctor look up at the monitor in horror as two alligators that slither through the mud towards the TARDIS.)
DOCTOR: Oh no!
JAMIE: Is that what you call somewhere safe?!
(The console room begins to shake. There is a rising power noise of strained materialisation starts up again and the TARDIS crew are thrown about the room.)
JAMIE: Oh!
ZOE: Oh! It’s shaking itself to pieces!
JAMIE: Yeah, we could all be k*lled!
(The TARDIS crew are thrown to the floor.)
ZOE: Oh Doctor, can’t you induce a power drive?
DOCTOR: I’ll try...
(He tugs a switch down, and it springs up again. He tries again, but with similar results.)
DOCTOR: Oh..oh. Oh the controls, they’re moving by themselves!
(The TARDIS floor settles down again, and all is silent apart from the TARDIS hum.)
JAMIE: Now where are we?
ZOE: Oh let’s see on the scanner
(The scanner reveals nothing but frame after frame of featureless white.)
JAMIE: Oh it’s broken
ZOE: Oh I don’t think so.
(Gradually the scanner pulls itself into focus adjusting to the new locale. What they see before them is a space aged corridor lined with row after row of green SIDRATs identical to the ones the w*r Chief used, their doors all open.)
FIRST TIME LORD VO: YOU HAVE RETURNED TO US DOCTOR. YOUR TRAVELS ARE OVER.
DOCTOR: It’s my own planet they have brought us here.
JAMIE: Can’t we get away again?
DOCTOR: No, not this time. Come along.
9, INT: CORRIDOR
SECOND TIME LORD: Come with me.
JAMIE: Now just a moment - what’s going on around here?
DOCTOR: Jamie, just do as he says.
10, INT: TRIAL CHAMBER
SECOND TIME LORD: The witnesses have arrived.
FIRST TIME LORD: Let them stand aside until they are needed. Continue with the trial.
THIRD TIME LORD: In every one of these time zones thousands of human beings fought and died in the belief that they were on their own planet. The survivors have now all been returned to their own times on the planet Earth, but the death roll is beyond counting. These lives were squandered in the course of a vicious and diabolical scheme to gain control of the entire galaxy. A scheme originated and devised by a race of which the accused is the leader. It was a was a highly organised scheme with an utterly callous disregard for the lives of the humans involved and for the liberties of all the other species in the galaxy which the accused would have dominated with his tyranny. In the pursuit of this scheme, brutal methods of mental processing were used which entirely contravened all the galactic laws.
I will now call upon a member of our own race to sort this evil matter out. There will commence a reading of the witness’ report. The witness is called.
(The Doctor Whispers to Jamie and Zoe while the Time-Lord is talking.)
DOCTOR: The Time Lords holding a trial is a very rare event.
ZOE: Why?
DOCTOR: Well normally they don’t interfere with the affairs of other planets, but they had to when I called for help.
JAMIE: Well look, can’t we get away?
DOCTOR: Well, you and Zoe might but I don’t think I will.
THIRD TIME LORD: Will you step forward please?
DOCTOR: Oh, oh I beg your pardon.
THIRD TIME LORD: We have received your statement, do you swear to the truth of your report?
DOCTOR: Everything in that report is the result of my direct personal observation.
THIRD TIME LORD: Who is that person?
DOCTOR: That is the War-Lord.
THIRD TIME LORD: Does the accused have anything to say?
FIRST TIME LORD: You must speak in your defence.
SECOND TIME LORD: The trial cannot proceed unless you do!
THIRD TIME LORD: You must speak...
DOCTOR: Can’t you see that he’s just playing for time?
THIRD TIME LORD: Do not make us force you to speak we would not want to cause you unnecessary... Pain.
(The w*r Lord remains silent.)
THIRD TIME LORD: Very well.
(The Time Lord opens his eyes wide, and with a rising whine of power the lighting in the area where the w*r Lord is standing increases. He claws at his face and falls to the ground.)
w*r LORD: ARRRGGH! STOP IT! STOP THE LIGHT!
(The lights dim.)
THIRD TIME LORD: You must speak.
(The w*r Lord stands again, and replaces his glasses.)
w*r LORD: Yes.
THIRD TIME LORD: Do you admit the charges of which you have been accused?
w*r LORD: I do not even admit the authority of this court!
FIRST TIME LORD: Have you anything to say in your defence?
w*r LORD: The humans who died in our w*r games would have k*lled each other anyway!
SECOND TIME LORD: Is your plea that that ends justifies the means?
w*r LORD: Yes it is! And members of your own race agreed with me! My w*r Chief was himself was a Time Lord, and the knowledge he brought me made the whole scheme possible! And another of your Time Lords gave me his support!
(He motions towards the Doctor.)
DOCTOR: I never supported your scheme for one moment!
w*r LORD: You collaborated with my w*r Chief, if I am guilty then you are guilty too!
11, INT: TARDIS CONSOLE ROOM
(Two Time Lord technicians work on the console of the Doctor’s TARDIS, one is working on the telepathic circuits, and the other under the console. There is a sound of a materialising SIDRAT and the Time Lord working on the telepathic circuits moves to investigate the arrival. The other looks up.)
12, INT: CORRIDOR
(The Time Lord moves to a newly arrived SIDRAT. The door opens and a squad six of the w*r Lord’s guards exit and mercilessly g*n him down. The other Time Lord goes to see what all the noise is about and the guards swing round and k*ll him too. They check that the technicians are d*ad, then move off.)
13, INT: TRIAL CHAMBER
FIRST TIME LORD: We find you guilty of all charges against you, your attempt to incriminate others is an obvious fraud
DOCTOR: Oh good, I’m glad to see that your sense of justice still prevails! (Whispering to Jamie and Zoe.) Even though they have lost their sense of humour.
w*r LORD: You have no authority over me... And no power any longer to pass any sentence! Take these people! And if any attempt is made to stop us then I shall k*ll them instantly!
FIRST TIME LORD: Let them go we shall not endanger innocent lives.
14, INT: CORRIDOR
DOCTOR: You’ll never get away, the Time Lords are too strong for you. You didn’t think I was going to help you!
w*r LORD: Oh yes you will help us Doctor, if you want to save the lives of your two friends. Now into the machine.
JAMIE: Look the TARDIS is no good to you – he can’t even steer it properly!
w*r LORD: Don’t talk rubbish, of course he can steer it, now into the machine!
15, INT: TARDIS CONSOLE ROOM
w*r LORD: Yes... you shall make us many of these machines, now get to the control panel and take us back to the home planet!
DOCTOR: I can’t I tell you! The directional mechanism is faulty!
w*r LORD: You will do as I say or we shall k*ll the girl.
DOCTOR: But I don’t even know where your home planet is!
w*r LORD: Galactic sector nine seven three, then we will get the homing signal – Now operate the machine!
DOCTOR: Oh I’ll do my best but I can’t promise anything I... Jamie, Zoe hide your eyes...
(The Doctor throws a switch on the console and the lights flare up brightly.)
DOCTOR: RUN!
(The TARDIS crew exit.)
w*r LORD: GGGNNNN! GET AFTER THEM, k*ll THEM! QUICKLY!
(The w*r Lord and Guard stumble after them.)
16, INT: CORRIDOR
w*r LORD: k*ll THEM!
(As the w*r Lord and his guards attempt to pursue, a forcefield switches on preventing them from going any further.)
THIRD TIME LORD: A force-field has been placed around you and around your planet so that your warlike people will remain prisoners forever. You have been found guilty of all charges, and you and your m*rder associates will be dematerialised. It will be as though you had never existed.
w*r LORD: N-no...no...no...no..!
(The w*r Lord and his guards vanish.)
JAMIE: Ah, well that’s put an end to them, well we’ll be on our way. Come on Doctor. Cheerio...
(He bumps into a force field as the Time Lords switch it back on.)
JAMIE: Aw, switch this thing off!
DOCTOR: Jamie they are not going to let us go.
JAMIE: What, after all you’ve done for them?
(The Doctor is lead away.)
ZOE: What are you going to do to him?
SECOND TIME LORD: He must stand his trial. You will wait here
ZOE: Well we want to go with the Doctor! Oh let us out!
JAMIE: Come on, let us out of this thing!
17, INT: TRIAL CHAMBER
FIRST TIME LORD: You have heard the charge against you that you have repeatedly broken our most important law of non-interference in the affairs of other planets, what have you to say – do you admit these actions?
DOCTOR: I not only admit them, I am proud of them! While you have been content merely to observe the evil in the galaxy I have been fighting against it!
THIRD TIME LORD: It is not we who is on trial here, Doctor, it is you.
DOCTOR: No no, of course your above criticism aren’t you?
FIRST TIME LORD: Do you admit that these actions were justified?
DOCTOR: Yes of course I do! Give me a thought channel and I’ll show you some of the evils I’ve been fighting against.
(The screen activates, and as the Doctor describes something it appears on the screen.)
DOCTOR: The Quarks, deadly robot servants of the cruel Dominators, they tried to enslave a peace loving race. Then there were the Yeti, more robot K*llers, instruments of an alien intelligence trying to take over the planet Earth.
THIRD TIME LORD: All this is entirely irrelevant.
DOCTOR: You asked me to justify my actions, I am doing so. Let me show you the Ice Warriors, cruel Martian inv*de, they tried to conquer the Earth too.
So did the Cybermen, half creature, half machine...but, worst of all were the Daleks, a pitiless race of conquerors exterminating all who came up against them!
All these evils I have fought while you have done nothing but observe. True, I am guilty of interference, just as you are guilty of failing to use your great powers to help those in need!
FIRST TIME LORD: Is that all you have to say?
DOCTOR: Well isn’t it enough?
FIRST TIME LORD: Your defence has been heard and will be carefully considered, but you have raised difficult issues, we require time to think about them. You will be recalled when we have made our decision.
(The Doctor rolls his eyes and pulls a face.)
18, INT: CORRIDOR
(Jamie and Zoe are banging at the forcefield with their fists.)
JAMIE: Let us out!
ZOE: We want to see the Doctor, let us out of here!
(The second Time Lord turns off the force-field and Jamie falls through it.)
JAMIE: Uh.
SECOND TIME LORD: Follow me.
ZOE: Where are we going?
SECOND TIME LORD: We’re going to send you home. Back you your own world and your own time.
JAMIE: Oh no, not without the Doctor!
SECOND TIME LORD: This is his world, he must stay here.
ZOE: Well what’s going to happen to him?
SECOND TIME LORD: He is awaiting the result of his trial.
JAMIE: Aye, Well I’m not going till I see him!
ZOE: Oh please, can’t we see the Doctor?
SECOND TIME LORD: You, er, you have become attached to him?
JAMIE: Ah, we’ve been through a lot you know...
ZOE: Please let us see him.
SECOND TIME LORD: Come with me.
JAMIE: Uh.
19, INT: TRIAL CHAMBER
DOCTOR: Jamie! Zoe!
ZOE: Doctor!
SECOND TIME LORD: I’ve brought your friends to say goodbye.
(He activates the forcefield.)
JAMIE: Oh switch this thing off!
ZOE: Oh we can’t say goodbye through a forcefield!
(The second Time Lord turns off the force-field.)
SECOND TIME LORD: Very well. I shall leave you together - for a little while...
DOCTOR: Oh thank you. Jamie! Zoe!
ZOE: Doctor!
JAMIE: What are they going to do to you?
DOCTOR: Oh nothing much. I expect they’ll to make me listen to a long boring speech about being a good boy, they like making speeches...
ZOE: Well I think it’s time that you left them again
DOCTOR: Well that’s easier said than done.
JAMIE: Oh come on we’ve got out of tighter situations than this!
DOCTOR: Oh, well you don’t know those Time Lords Jamie, I do.
ZOE: Oh you’re not just going to give up are you Doctor?
JAMIE: Of course he’s not are you Doctor – eh?
DOCTOR: Well... Oh alright but, we may find it a bit difficult getting out of here.
JAMIE: Hey they’ve forgotten to switch that thing back on again!
DOCTOR: Forgotten..?
ZOE: Well that’s all we need, isn’t it? Now we can get away!
DOCTOR: Yes yes, of course.
JAMIE: Come on!
20, INT: PLATFORM CHAMBER
(The Doctor, Jamie and Zoe enter a strange chamber. The floor is a series of platforms around which a swirling mist hovers. From the ceiling long strips of some kind of translucent membrane dangle in a slight breeze. They all hop from one platform to another towards a nearby exit.)
21, INT: CORRIDOR
THIRD TIME LORD: There is no escape Doctor.
(Jamie tries to make a break for it, but the force-field turns on, blocking the way back.)
THIRD TIME LORD: It is time to say goodbye to your friends.
ZOE: There must be something we can do?
DOCTOR: No Zoe, not this time.
(He sighs and shakes Jamie’s hand.)
DOCTOR: Well, goodbye Jamie.
JAMIE: But Doctor surely we could...
(The Doctor shakes his head.)
DOCTOR: Goodbye Jamie.
JAMIE: I-I won’t forget you you know.
DOCTOR: I won’t forget you. Don’t go blundering into too much trouble will you!
JAMIE: Oh, you’re a fine one to talk.
DOCTOR: Goodbye Zoe.
ZOE: Goodbye Doctor. Will we ever meet again?
DOCTOR: Again? Now Zoe, you and I know - time is relative isn’t it mm?
(He watches as they both disappear into a SIDRAT and the door closes after them.)
DOCTOR: They’ll forget me won’t they?
SECOND TIME LORD: Not entirely. They will be returned to a time just before they went away. They will remember their first adventure with you, but nothing more. But come along, your fate has been decided.
22, MODEL sh*t
(A futuristic looking space station spinning in space.)
23, INT: TRIAL CHAMBER
(The Doctor watches on the screen.)
24, INT: WHEEL CORRIDOR
(Zoe walks down the corridor and meets her old friend Tanya Lernov.)
TANYA: Oh Zoe. Zoe are you alright?
ZOE: Oh yes.
TANYA: Are the Doctor and Jamie gone?
ZOE: Yes, I’ve just seen them off.
TANYA: Well we’d better get back to work you know, there’s a lot to be done if we’re going to get the Wheel back to normal. Are you sure you’re alright, hah?
ZOE: Oh yes, I just thought I’d forgotten something important, but it’s nothing.
TANYA: Right come along then.
ZOE: All right, I’m coming.
25, INT: TRIAL CHAMBER
(The Doctor watches Zoe on the monitor screen. She looks back for a moment as if there was something she’s forgotten, then she turns and walks up a flight of steps and the screen goes blank.)
DOCTOR: She’ll be alright won’t she?
FIRST TIME LORD: Of course.
DOCTOR: What about Jamie?
THIRD TIME LORD: Look.
(The Doctor turns back to the screen.)
26, EXT: SCOTTISH MOOR
(Jamie wakes up to the sound of bagpipes playing loudly. He is wearing his old costume again, complete with sword. He makes to stand up, and ducks down again as he hears a r*fle sh*t. He looks up and sees a redcoat peering over at him.)
JAMIE: Try to m*rder a McCrimmon would you?! Well I’ll show you! CREAG AN TUIRE!
(He jumps up and charges at the redcoat swinging the sword around his head wildly.)
JAMIE: YEEEEEEEAAAAAHHHH! YEEEEEEAAAAAAARRRRRGGGGGHHH!!
27, INT: TRIAL CHAMBER
(The Doctor laughs and the monitor screen goes blank again.)
FIRST TIME LORD: They will both continue their lives as if nothing had happened.
DOCTOR: Ah yes, very efficient. Now then, what about me?
FIRST TIME LORD: We have accepted your plea that there is evil in the universe that must be fought and that you still have a part to play in that battle.
DOCTOR: What what, you mean...that you’re going to let me go free?
FIRST TIME LORD: Not entirely. We have noted your particular interest in the planet Earth. The frequency of you visits must have given you special knowledge of that world and it’s problems
DOCTOR: Yes, I suppose that’s true... Earth seems more vulnerable than others, yes.
FIRST TIME LORD: For that reason you will be sent back to that planet.
(The Doctor sighs, relieved.)
DOCTOR: Oh good.
FIRST TIME LORD: In exile.
DOCTOR: In exile!
FIRST TIME LORD: You will be sent to Earth in the twentieth century and will remain there for as long as we deem proper, and for that period the secret of the TARDIS will be taken from you.
DOCTOR: But you, you can’t condemn me to exile on one primitive planet in one century in time! Besides, I’m known on the Earth. It might be very awkward for me!
FIRST TIME LORD: Your appearance has changed before, it will change again that is part of the sentence.
DOCTOR: You can’t just change what I look like without consulting me!
FIRST TIME LORD: You will be given the opportunity to choose your appearance.
DOCTOR: Oh well that’s not so bad – but I warn you, I’m very particular!
FIRST TIME LORD: Here is your first choice.
(The Doctor is shown various drawings on the monitor screen of possible forms that he could take on after his new regeneration.)
DOCTOR: Oh he’s too old! Well he’s too fat isn’t he! No! He’s too thin! That one’s too young! Oh now that won’t do at all! This is ridiculous!
FIRST TIME LORD: You’re wasting time Doctor.
DOCTOR: It’s not my fault is it?! Is this the best you can do? I’ve never seen such an incredible bunch!
FIRST TIME LORD: Since you refuse to take the decision, the decision will be taken for you.
DOCTOR: No no no, I never said that! But I maintain I have a right to decide what I look like! It could be very important on the Earth the people on Earth (The Doctor’s words begin to slur) attach a very great deal of importance...
(The Doctor’s face appears in a dark void..)
DOCTOR: Aaaarrgh what’s happening? What’s hap... What’s happened?!
(Faces of the Doctor’s begin to kaleidoscope, and spin around his actual face..)
FIRST TIME LORD VO: The time has come for you to change your appearance Doctor, and begin your exile.
DOCTOR: Is this some sort of joke? No I refuse to be treated in... What are you doing?!
(The Doctor begins to spin around and around getting smaller and smaller.)
DOCTOR: Nnnooo! Stop, you’re making me giddy! No, you can’t do this to me! No no no no no no no no no no no no no..!
(The Doctor vanishes.) | {"type": "series", "show": "Doctor Who", "episode": "06x44 - The w*r Games - part 10"} | foreverdreaming |
SPEARHEAD FROM SPACE
BY: ROBERT HOLMES
EPISODE 1
Original Air Date: 3 January, 1970
5:15pm - 5:40pm
1: SPACE
(The place: Earth, which hangs peacefully in its appointed place in the blackness of the solar system. Far off stars and dust clouds are the only other objects to be seen. But something is approaching the planet - something which gives out a trilling, signalling sound...)
2: EXT. RADAR STATION
(Down on one small part of the planet, a radar dish on top of a tower circles quickly round.)
3: INT. UNIT TRACKING STATION
(The results are relayed to a bored young TECHNICIAN from UNIT who sits at the radar screen in a small room filled with electronic tracking equipment. He is covered in a film of sweat as he yawns but suddenly, he becomes more alert. On the top left-hand corner of the circular orange screen, the sweep of the radar is picking up a thin white arrowed line as a series of objects approach Earth. The TECHNICIAN picks up a trimphone attached to the side of his radar console.)
TECHNICIAN: Duty Officer, please - urgent!
(He slams the phone back down.)
4: EXT. RADAR STATION
(The radar dish continues to turn.)
5: INT. UNIT TRACKING STATION
(A UNIT OFFICER enters the room. A brisk young woman, smartly dressed in a uniform with the UNIT badge affixed to her green tie.)
UNIT OFFICER: What is it?
TECHNICIAN: I’ve got something on the air, ma’am. Something strange.
(She joins him at the console.)
UNIT OFFICER: Are you sure it’s not just interference? Something to do with the heatwave?
TECHNICIAN: No, ma’am. There’s something on there.
(She sees the thin white line.)
UNIT OFFICER: Scan closer.
(The TECHNICIAN complies and the line is now divided into a series of white dots in an arrow formation.)
UNIT OFFICER: Still very high
TECHNICIAN: Coming down fast though, ma’am, and heading this way.
(The OFFICER reaches a conclusion.)
UNIT OFFICER: They must be meteorites.
(The TECHNICIAN looks at her, unconvinced.)
TECHNICIAN: But they’re flying in formation.
6: EXT. OXLEY WOOD
(The objects leave a vapour trail as they approach closer. Down in the woods, a poacher, Sam SEELEY, wipes his cloth capped covered brow against the heatwave as he prepares a snare-trap. The trilling and wooshing sound of the approaching objects do not seem to register at first until they a whistling sound, like that of a dropping b*mb, causes him to look into the sky. His mouth drops open in alarm as he sees several oddly shaped objects falling towards the ground. They are not smoothly round but pock-marked at various points with flat indentations. SEELEY dives for the cover of some bushes. One of the objects lands close by with a loud expl*si*n and SEELEY looks out of his hiding place, wide-eyed, at the smoking ground.)
7: INT. UNIT TRACKING STATION
(The objects disappear off the tracking screen.)
TECHNICIAN: They’ve come down.
UNIT OFFICER: Where?
(The TECHNICIAN reaches for a pad of paper and starts scribbling.)
TECHNICIAN: Sector five - Epping.
UNIT OFFICER: Bearing?
TECHNICIAN: Just working it out.
(He finishes his calculation and hands it to the OFFICER.)
TECHNICIAN: You know, I still think it was a formation, ma’am. There was a...shape.
8: EXT. OXLEY WOOD
(In the woods, the poacher is knelt next to where he saw one of the objects land. He picks up a stick and gingerly pushes the burnt and smoking soil away. He reveals a plastic-like globe, translucent and glowing with a red pulsing light in time to the ever-present signalling trilling. SEELEY looks down in amazement.
He reaches down towards it but snatches his hand back from the red-hot heat that the object generates. He wipes his brow, looks round to make sure that he is unobserved and pushes the soil back into place.)
9: INT. UNIT TRACKING STATION
(The OFFICER puts a phone down.)
UNIT OFFICER: Controller reported that meteorite storm to UNIT HQ.
TECHNICIAN: So Control didn’t think they were meteorites either?
UNIT OFFICER: What else could they be? Don’t let your imagination run away with you.
(She heads for the door.)
TECHNICIAN: I suppose they must have been meteorites.
(He looks at her in puzzlement as she departs.)
TECHNICIAN: Mustn’t they?
10: EXT. OXLEY WOOD
(The TARDIS materialises in a clearing in the woods. The door is almost snatched open and a figure emerges. He is wearing a familiar pair of checked trousers and a scruffy black frock coat but it does not seem as oversized on his frame as it did previously. His hair is also grey in colour. He holds onto the doorframe of the TARDIS and then falls headlong into the surrounding heather.)
11: EXT. LONDON
(A young woman sits in the back of a UNIT staff car as it is driven through the quiet London streets. She has red-hair, tied back in a severe bun and wears a brown jacket with a strange plastic moulding design on the sides. She looks somewhat disdainfully, yet at the same time with interest, at the route she is taking. The car pulls into the entrance of a large brick Victorian-type warehouse...)
12: INT. UNIT HQ. GARAGE
(...and the young woman sees that she is in an underground garage. The car turns carefully round some slim cast-iron pillars and approaches a large pair of wooden doors staffed by a blue-uniformed commissionaire. He steps forward and checks the UNIT driver’s pass. Satisfied, he opens the doorway to the driver and the car edges in.)
13: UNIT HQ. BRIGADIER’S OFFICE
(BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE-STEWART sits at the desk of his office, his finger on the intercom switch.)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE-STEWART: (Into intercom.) Yes, ask her to come in.
(With a satisfied look on his face, the BRIGADIER gets up and stands in the doorway of his somewhat spartan office, looking down a long brick-built corridor where he sees the young woman approaching, being escorted by a UNIT soldier. As she reaches him, he shakes her hand.)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE-STEWART: Ah, good. Miss Shaw, I’m Lethbridge-Stewart. Do come in and sit down, will you?
(She takes up his offer and heads for a chair at the front of the desk but LIZ SHAW is not in a good frame of mind...)
LIZ: Was all that nonsense out there really necessary? Identity passes? Guards?
(The BRIGADIER closes the door.)
LIZ: I was even searched.
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE-STEWART: Security.
(He takes his own seat on the other side of the desk.)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE-STEWART: Rather amusing, don’t you think?
(LIZ looks very coldly at him.)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE-STEWART: No, you don’t.
LIZ: I have an important research programme going ahead at Cambridge.
(The BRIGADIER reaches for a file, opens it and reads its contents.)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE-STEWART: Yes, I know. An expert in meteorites, degrees in medicine, physics and a dozen other subjects. Just the sort of all-rounder I’ve been looking for.
LIZ: How I feel doesn’t matter?
(The BRIGADIER puts on his most charming smile.)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE-STEWART: We need your help, Miss Shaw.
LIZ: I’m just not interested in security work.
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE-STEWART: Security?
LIZ: Producing invisible ink - that sort of thing.
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE-STEWART: We’re not exactly spies here at UNIT.
LIZ: Then what do you do - exactly?
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE-STEWART: We deal with the odd, the unexplained, anything on Earth...or even beyond.
(LIZ’S eyes open wide and an amused yet condescending smile appears on her face.)
LIZ: Alien inv*de? (Sarcastically.) Little blue men with three heads?
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE-STEWART: Ten tons of alien material drift through space and land on this planet every day.
LIZ: And do no harm to anyone.
(It is the BRIGADIER’S turn to look cold.)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE-STEWART: Early this morning a shower of about fifty meteorites landed in Essex.
(LIZ’S curiosity is aroused but the smile remains on her face.)
LIZ: Landed? Most meteorites don’t even reach the Earth’s surface. They usually burn up in the atmosphere.
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE-STEWART: These didn’t.
(He leans forward.)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE-STEWART: These particular meteorites came down in a funnel of thin, super-heated air about twenty miles in diameter - for which no one has an explanation.
LIZ: There must be an explanation - a natural one.
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE-STEWART: I hope so - we didn’t find one last time.
LIZ: Last time?
(The BRIGADIER allows himself a small smile as he sees that LIZ’S scientific curiosity has taken the bait...)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE-STEWART: Six months ago, a smaller shower of meteorites, about five or six, landed in the same area.
LIZ: (Laughs.) That’s impossible. The odds against two lots of meteorites landing in exactly the same place...must be incredible.
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE-STEWART: (Quietly.) They are, Miss Shaw, they are.
(LIZ stares at him intently.)
14: INT. ASHBRIDGE COTTAGE HOSPITAL. FOYER
(A UNIT officer - CAPTAIN MUNRO - stands in the wood panelled foyer of the Ashbridge Cottage Hospital next to the white-coated DR. HENDERSON who scribbles in a notebook. A nurse leads two porters through the foyer who carry the figure from outside the TARDIS through on a stretcher.)
DR. HENDERSON: And you’ve no idea who he is?
CAPTAIN MUNRO: Not a clue. We found him unconscious...beside a police box, of all things.
DR. HENDERSON: In the middle of the woods?
CAPTAIN MUNRO: Yes, we thought he was d*ad at first.
DR. HENDERSON: I see. Well, I’d better go and have a look at him.
15: UNIT HQ. BRIGADIER’S OFFICE
(The BRIGADIER hands LIZ a file.)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE-STEWART: Figures from the Institute of Space Studies, Baltimore. Do you realise that in our section of the galaxy, there are over five hundred planets capable of supporting life?
(LIZ smiles and hands the file back.)
LIZ: Why is Earth any more likely to be att*cked now than during the last fifty-thousand years?
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE-STEWART: In the last decade, we’ve been sending probes deeper and deeper into space. We’ve drawn attention to ourselves, Miss Shaw.
LIZ: (Smiles.) Aren’t you being a bit alarmist?
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE-STEWART: Since UNIT was formed, there’ve been two attempts to inv*de this planet.
LIZ: (Surprised.) Really?
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE-STEWART: We were lucky enough to be able to stop them. There was a policy decision not to inform the public.
(LIZ bursts out laughing...)
LIZ: Do you seriously expect me to believe that?
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE-STEWART: (Coldly.) It’s not my habit to tell lies, Miss Shaw.
LIZ: (Smiling.) I’m sorry, but it is a fantastic story!
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE-STEWART: We were very lucky on both occasions. We had help from a...scientist with a great experience of other life forms.
LIZ: Really? Who was this genius?
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE-STEWART: Well, it’s all rather difficult to explain. We used to call him...the Doctor.
(One of the two phones on the desk buzzes and the BRIGADIER answers it.)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE-STEWART: (Into phone.) Yes?
16: INT. ASHBRIDGE COTTAGE HOSPITAL. FOYER
(CAPTAIN MUNRO stands in a wood-panelled phone booth in the hospital foyer.)
CAPTAIN MUNRO: (Into phone.) Munro here, sir. I’m in the Ashbridge Cottage Hospital.)
17: UNIT HQ. BRIGADIER’S OFFICE
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE-STEWART: (Into phone.) What the dickens are you doing there? Have you found any of those meteorites?
18: INT. ASHBRIDGE COTTAGE HOSPITAL. FOYER
CAPTAIN MUNRO: (Into phone.) No, sir. All we’ve found is an unconscious civvy.
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE-STEWART: (OOV: Over phone.) Well?
CAPTAIN MUNRO: (Into phone.) He was lying beside a police box, sir. Abandoned by the look of it, right in the middle of Oxley Wood.
19: UNIT HQ. BRIGADIER’S OFFICE
(The BRIGADIER is suddenly alert at this statement...)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE-STEWART: (Into phone.) A police box...?
(LIZ sighs at hearing one side of this strange conversation.)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE-STEWART: (Into phone.) Munro, this man you found...?
CAPTAIN MUNRO: (OOV: Over phone.) He’s here at the hospital, sir - undergoing treatment.
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE-STEWART: (Into phone.) Has he said anything?
CAPTAIN MUNRO: (OOV: Over phone.) No, sir - not a syllable. He’s out to the wide.
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE-STEWART: (Into phone.) Listen, Munro, I want an armed guard put on that police box at once.
(LIZ looks up, extremely puzzled.)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE-STEWART: (Into phone.) Nobody is to be allowed near it, do you understand? Nobody.
20: INT. ASHBRIDGE COTTAGE HOSPITAL. FOYER
CAPTAIN MUNRO: (Into phone, surprised.) A guard, sir? Very well, sir. Oh, er, do you want the police told, sir, about the police box? They may want it back.
21: UNIT HQ. BRIGADIER’S OFFICE
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE-STEWART: (Into phone.) On no account. I’m coming down there immediately. In the meantime, carry on with the search.
22: INT. ASHBRIDGE COTTAGE HOSPITAL. WARD
(In a nearly empty ward, a NURSE attaches an x-ray slide to a projector and turns up the light.)
NURSE: Ready, sir.
DR. HENDERSON: Ahh...
(DR. HENDERSON walks forward and looks at the x-ray. After a quick glance, his face darkens.)
DR. HENDERSON: Is this somebody’s idea of a joke?
NURSE: (Puzzled.) Sir?
(He points at the x-ray.)
DR. HENDERSON: Look at that.
NURSE: His heart, sir.
DR. HENDERSON: If that is his heart, nurse, what is this.
(He points at a similar dark shape on the other side of the rib cage. The NURSE looks as the sound of a vacuum cleaner reaches them from the corridor.)
NURSE: I...I don’t know, sir.
DR. HENDERSON: Someone in the x-ray department having a game. You stay with the patient. I’ll find out who the fool is.
(An angry DR. HENDERSON leaves the ward.)
23: INT. ASHBRIDGE COTTAGE HOSPITAL. PASSAGE
(In the passageway immediately outside the ward, MULLINS, the porter, moves a vacuum cleaner over the carpet. DR. HENDERSON pushes past him but only gets a few yards when his bleeper goes off. He switches it off and dials a wallphone next to him.)
DR. HENDERSON: (Into phone.) Henderson here.
(Unable to hear over the sound of the vacuum, he snaps his fingers and waves at MULLINS impatiently. The little welsh porter switches the machine off and HENDERSON resumes his conversation.)
DR. HENDERSON: (Into phone.) Dr. Henderson here, you’re calling me?
(An angry Scottish voice replies...)
DR. LOMAX: (OOV: Over phone.) Look here, Henderson, what’s the idea of playing stupid tricks?
DR. HENDERSON: (Into phone.) Me playing tricks? Who is that?
DR. LOMAX: (OOV: Over phone.) Dr. Lomax - path lab. You just sent up a blood sample for cross matching.
DR. HENDERSON: (Into phone.) Yes, that’s right - just routine.
DR. LOMAX: (OOV: Over phone.) Listen, Henderson! I will not tolerate stupid practical jokes. It wasn’t human blood and you know it!
DR. HENDERSON: (Into phone.) What do you mean not human blood?
(Behind HENDERSON, MULLINS stops to listen...)
DR. HENDERSON: (Into phone.) I took it from the patient myself.
DR. LOMAX: (OOV: Over phone.) It is not a human blood type! The platelet stickiness shows that.
(DR. HENDERSON is stuck for words and remains silent a moment...)
DR. LOMAX: (OOV: Over phone.) Henderson, are you there? Hello?
DR. HENDERSON: (Into phone.) Dr. Lomax, I took that blood sample from an adult male patient. Now you tell me it’s not human blood.
(MULLINS carries on listening...)
DR. HENDERSON: (Into phone.) I don’t know if that makes me a doctor or a vet, but it’s still my job to look after him!
(He slams the phone down, thinks for a moment and then walks off. MULLINS watches him go, puts his vacuum cleaner to one side and then walks off himself.)
24: INT. ASHBRIDGE COTTAGE HOSPITAL. FOYER
(MULLINS walks into the foyer past various patients and to the phone booth. He sees a commissionaire show a patient out of the room and then dials a number on the phone. He closes the doors to the booth for privacy. The number is answered and MULLINS speaks in a broad welsh accent...)
MULLINS: Oh, hello. Is that the “Daily Chronicle”? (He listens.) It is. Well, look, er, my name’s Mullins. I’m a porter at the Cottage Hospital, Ashbridge. I...I understand you pay for stories (Listens.) You do? Well look, there’s something very funny happening up here.
25: EXT. OXLEY WOOD
(SEELEY, the poacher, has returned with a spade and a sack to the place in the woods where he found the buried meteorite. He shovels away the earth, uncovering the still signalling sphere. He opens the sack and lifts the pulsing alien object out of the ground and place it into the sack. He then hears voices through the trees and goes over to some bushes...)
CORPORAL FORBES: (OOV.) ... Keep on your track.
(...where he parts the branches and observes two UNIT soldiers under the command of CORPORAL FORBES running detectors over the ground.)
CORPORAL FORBES: ... Keep in a straight line. ...
(SEELEY watches with suspicion and then returns to his sack...)
CORPORAL FORBES: (OOV.) Have you got something there?
(...which he slings over his shoulder and starts to slip quietly away.)
26: INT. ASHBRIDGE COTTAGE HOSPITAL. WARD
(The NURSE works with some sterilised instruments whilst behind her, the stranger in the bed starts to stir. The NURSE walks away, not seeing the stranger somewhat disorientated but attempting to look under his bed. He mumbles and, hearing him, she rushes back.)
NURSE: What are you doing?
DOCTOR: Shoes...must find my shoes.
(She starts to push him back onto the bed.)
NURSE: Oh no you don’t, come on.
DOCTOR: (Vaguely.) Unhand me, madam!
(DR. HENDERSON walks into the ward as the NURSE pushes the stranger back.)
DR. HENDERSON: What’s happening?
NURSE: He tried to get out of bed.
DR. HENDERSON: What?
(The NURSE sees that the stranger is not moving and bends over his grey head to look at him.)
NURSE: He’s unconscious again now.
27: EXT. ASHBRIDGE COTTAGE HOSPITAL
(The BRIGADIER’S staff car pulls up outside the main entrance to the hospital, next to a couple of ambulances. A soldier salutes and the BRIGADIER and LIZ get out.)
28: INT. ASHBRIDGE COTTAGE HOSPITAL. FOYER
(Inside the hospital, a large contingent of television and press have gathered and are pressing a cool CAPTAIN MUNRO with questions.)
WAGSTAFFE: Why can’t we see him?
CAPTAIN MUNRO: He’s under medical care.
WAGSTAFFE: Is that the real reason?
(The television film camera focuses on MUNRO’S face...)
WAGSTAFFE: Well, what are you chaps doing here?
CAPTAIN MUNRO: I’m sorry. I can’t answer questions.
2 REPORTER: Why not? Is it a security order?
(At the back of the group of reporters. A man with an intense yet unemotional face watches the proceedings. He seems curiously aloof from what is going on.)
WAGSTAFFE: Has it anything to do with those, er, meteorites?
CAPTAIN MUNRO: I’m sorry. There’s simply nothing I can tell you.
(MULLINS steps forward and covers his own activities by trying to push the reporters away.)
MULLINS: Look, stand back there now. Stand back!
(The reporters turn as they are being pushed back at the same moment that the BRIGADIER and LIZ walk in. The reporters pounce on the BRIGADIER and chaos breaks out. MULLINS dashes forward...)
MULLINS: Let him through!
(The BRIGADIER quickly recovers his composure as he is surrounded. The television camera points at him now. The intense watcher stands behind the BRIGADIER.)
WAGSTAFFE: Michael Wagstaffe, defence correspondent on the “Daily Post”...
2 REPORTER: Can you tell us anything, sir?
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE-STEWART: What about?
WAGSTAFFE: Er, what’s UNIT doing here, sir? Is it true there’s a man from space in there?
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE-STEWART: Nonsense. I don’t know where you get these stories.
2 REPORTER: We heard there’s something odd about him.
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE-STEWART: I know nothing about a man from space.
WAGSTAFFE: Then why are you here, sir?
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE-STEWART: Training exercise.
(There is a short laugh from the reporters but the BRIGADIER takes advantage of the gap in questions to grab LIZ and push her through the melee.)
MULLINS: Stand back now! Let him through! Stand back now!
(The two only manage to make it to the other side of the small foyer before they are accosted again.)
2 REPORTER: Has your visit any connection with the meteorites that fell last night? Is that why you’ve cordoned off the wood?
WAGSTAFFE: Did the man who was brought in here find one of the meteorites?
(The intense man shows interest at this question.)
2 REPORTER: Was he injured by them?
WAGSTAFFE: Are these meteorites dangerous?
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE-STEWART: I’m sorry. I’ll talk to you later when...
WAGSTAFFE: (Interrupting.) Has he found it and hidden it away, perhaps?
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE-STEWART: (Angrily.) If there’s a story, you’ll be given it later. At the moment, I have no comment to make!
(And with that, he pushes LIZ through the doorway and follows. The reporters try to follow.)
MULLINS: All right, ... , stand back now, boys. I can’t let you go in there. It’s more than my job’s worth. Right now, clear away now.
WAGSTAFFE: (To the 2 REPORTER.) You know, I think I’ve put my finger on it - that chap’s found one of those meteorites and won’t tell them where it is.
(Again, the intense man at the back of the room listens to the statement with interest...)
29: INT. ASHBRIDGE COTTAGE HOSPITAL. CORRIDOR
(A livid BRIGADIER turns a corner and stalks down a long wood panelled corridor followed by MUNRO and LIZ.)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE-STEWART: How did that lot get onto this?
CAPTAIN MUNRO: No idea, sir. They just appeared like swallows in the spring.
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE-STEWART: Have you put a guard on that police box?
CAPTAIN MUNRO: Yes sir. Two men with orders to keep strangers well away.
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE-STEWART: Oh, Munro, see that they’re issued with live amm*nit*on, will you?
CAPTAIN MUNRO: (Shocked.) Live amm*nit*on? But sir...
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE-STEWART: (Interrupting.) That’s an order, Captain.
CAPTAIN MUNRO: I’ll see to it, sir.
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE-STEWART: Good.
(They reach the end of the corridor...)
CAPTAIN MUNRO: Along here, sir.
(...and MUNRO shows the BRIGADIER to the one side.)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE-STEWART: Thank you.
30: INT. ASHBRIDGE COTTAGE HOSPITAL. WARD
(They enter the ward with its sole patient and DR. HENDERSON.)
CAPTAIN MUNRO: Oh, Dr. Henderson, this is Brigadier Lethbridge-Stewart and, er...?
(He looks at LIZ who introduces herself...)
LIZ: Elizabeth Shaw.
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE-STEWART: (To HENDERSON.) Well, how’s your patient, doctor? Can we see him?
DR. HENDERSON: Well, you can see him, certainly.
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE-STEWART: Ah...
DR. HENDERSON: He’s not making much sense yet.
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE-STEWART: What, still unconscious, eh?
DR. HENDERSON: Most of the time. He has brief moments of consciousness and then slips back again.
LIZ: Well, what’s actually wrong with him?
DR. HENDERSON: I can’t say. Never had a patient quite like him before.
LIZ: How do you mean?
DR. HENDERSON: Well, his whole cardiovascular system is quite unlike anything I’ve ever seen.
(HENDERSON walks over to a table and sits at his notes.)
DR. HENDERSON: And I’m told his blood can’t be identified.
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE-STEWART: Splendid. That sounds like the Doctor!
(HENDERSON turns in surprise at this statement as the BRIGADIER strides over to the bed and turns the patient to face him. Instead of a dark haired little man he was expecting, a stranger lies there. Tall and gangly, he has shorter greying hair and an imperious, almost aristocratic face with a pointed and haughty nose. LIZ sees that the BRIGADIER seems disappointed.)
LIZ: Do you know him?
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE-STEWART: What? No, I thought I might do, but...he’s a complete stranger. I’ve never seen him before in my life.
(The man in the bed comes round at the sound of the BRIGADIER’S voice, mumbles and opens his eyes. He stares at the BRIGADIER and then speaks in a clipped and precise, but at the moment weak, voice...)
DOCTOR: Lethbridge-Stewart?
(HENDERSON looks over at the sound of his voice.)
DOCTOR: My dear fellow, how nice to see you again.
CAPTAIN MUNRO: He knows you, sir.
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE-STEWART: But he can’t do!
(The BRIGADIER bends over the man.)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE-STEWART: Look here - can you hear me? Who are you?
DOCTOR: Don’t you recognise me?
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE-STEWART: I’m positive we’ve never met before.
(The man in the bed looks shocked.)
DOCTOR: Oh, dear. Oh, I...I can’t have changed that much, surely? Oh, I must see what they’ve done to me. Can I borrow...can I borrow a mirror, please?
(LIZ reaches into her handbag and extracts a small mirror which she passes to the BRIGADIER who in turn passes it to the man in the bed.)
DOCTOR: Thank you.
(He looks in the mirror and is shocked by what he sees.)
DOCTOR: Oh, no!
(He lowers the mirror as if in pain.)
DOCTOR: Oh, no.
(He looks in it again.)
DOCTOR: Well, that’s not me at all!
(The BRIGADIER looks coldly down at him.)
DOCTOR: Huh! No wonder you didn’t recognise me. Huh! Mm, that face, mmm, that hair! Huh!
(The DOCTOR frowns angrily at his new appearance but suddenly, he seems struck in a different way. He purses his lips in thought as he takes another look at his recently acquired features.)
DOCTOR: Oh, I don’t know, though.
(He smiles at the BRIGADIER.)
DOCTOR: I think it’s rather distinctive, actually. Hmm! Don’t you think? Hmm? Mmm.
(The BRIGADIER continues to stare impassively at him.)
DOCTOR: No, you don’t.
(The DOCTOR takes one last look and then closes his eyes.)
DOCTOR: Oh, anyway, I’m...I’m tired. All this exercise and exertion...it’s been too much...have to get some sleep.
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE-STEWART: Now, just a minute. Wake up, man! Listen to me!
(DR. HENDERSON walks forward.)
DR. HENDERSON: I think that’s quite enough for the moment. His mind’s obviously disturbed...
(He looks the DOCTOR over.)
DR. HENDERSON: And, er, anyway, I’m afraid he’s out again.
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE-STEWART: Extraordinary business. Munro, I want this man brought to London HQ. (To HENDERSON.) When will he be fit to travel?
DR. HENDERSON: Difficult to say.
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE-STEWART: I see. (To MUNRO.) Well, as soon as possible, Munro. In the meantime, carry on the search for the meteorites.
CAPTAIN MUNRO: Very good, sir.
(LIZ has collected her mirror back.)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE-STEWART: (To HENDERSON.) Is there another way out of here? I want to avoid the press if possible.
DR. HENDERSON: This way.
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE-STEWART: Thank you.
(They follow HENDERSON out by another door from the ward. As they walk out, the DOCTOR opens his eyes and watches them go, carefully making sure he is alone...)
31: INT. ASHBRIDGE COTTAGE HOSPITAL. FOYER
(WAGSTAFFE is looking through the window of the foyer as he hears a car drive off. He goes over to the 2 REPORTER.)
WAGSTAFFE: Lethbridge-Stewart. He must have nipped out the back way.
2 REPORTER: So, he’s not going to tell us anything.
(WAGSTAFFE thinks.)
WAGSTAFFE: You know, there’s a story here, Jimmy. They’re trying to cover something.
2 REPORTER: (To MULLINS.) Porter, when can we see Dr. Henderson?
MULLINS: Eh, look now - it’s no good asking me. You’ll just have to wait so there.
WAGSTAFFE: I’m gonna ring the office.
(He goes over to the closed phone booth. The intense looking man is stood inside.)
WAGSTAFFE: (To the 2 REPORTER.) Hold on, who is this chap anyway? He’s been hanging around for ages.
2 REPORTER: Don’t know. I’ve never seen him before.
(WAGSTAFFE calls over to MULLINS.)
WAGSTAFFE: Did he tell you which paper he was on?
(MULLINS comes over and looks at the booth.)
MULLINS: Oh him? No, he didn’t tell me anything. He came in with the rest of you. I thought he was one of you lot.
(WAGSTAFFE opens the door and leans in the booth.)
WAGSTAFFE: Excuse me, sir. Are you going to be much longer? You see, we’ve got some stories to phone through and we’d like to use the phone if possible.
(The man in the box, whose eyes have been half-closed, suddenly is wide-eyed and alert. WAGSTAFFE sees that the phone handpiece is still on its cradle but before he can say anything, the man turns and pushes his way out of the box, past the startled reporter.)
32: EXT. OXLEY WOOD
(SEELEY has been caught in the woods by the two soldiers guarding the TARDIS. They both have their r*fles pointed at the poacher.)
SEELEY: Don’t point that thing at me, mister.
CORPORAL FORBES: Where do you think you’re going?
SEELEY: Home - along these parts.
CORPORAL FORBES: How did you get into this wood? It’s restricted.
(SEELEY comes over to him and starts to open his sack.)
SEELEY: Do you fancy buying a rabbit or two?
CORPORAL FORBES: Oh, you’re a poacher, are you?
(SEELEY gives a sly grin as he takes pokes a rabbit out of his sack.)
SEELEY: Ain’t nothing so tasty as a fresh rabbit. A bit of salt and a few onions.
CORPORAL FORBES: Didn’t you see the patrols on the road?
SEELEY: Ah, but I reckon they never seen me.
CORPORAL FORBES: All right, dad, get on your way, and don’t come back until this wood it’s de-restricted. You understand?
(SEELEY starts to walk off but stops for one last word with a smirk on his face.)
SEELEY: You soldiers looking for them thunderballs, eh?
CORPORAL FORBES: That’s our business.
SEELEY: Reckon if I know where to find one of them things, it’d be worth a tidy old bit, eh?
CORPORAL FORBES: You know where one landed?!
SEELEY: (Quietly.) I didn’t say that, did I, son? I’m just asking.
CORPORAL FORBES: Yeah, well don’t ask. Go on, push off.
(SEELEY, still smiling, walks off.)
33: INT. ASHBRIDGE COTTAGE HOSPITAL. WARD
(The DOCTOR, still groggy, leans under his bed.)
DOCTOR: Where...shoes? Where are my shoes? I must find my shoes...
(His left hand is held by the NURSE, absorbed with her watch as she takes his pulse. She turns and sees him almost falling out of the bed in an effort to find his shoes.)
DOCTOR: I must find my...
(She pulls him back on the bed.)
NURSE: Why? You don’t need them. You’re not going anywhere.
DOCTOR: You don’t understand, madam. It’s most important.
(HENDERSON walks in.)
DR. HENDERSON: How is he, nurse?
NURSE: His pulse seems to have settled down, sir.
DR. HENDERSON: (Satisfied.) Ah...
(She hands him a chart.)
NURSE: Ten a minute!
(He looks at her and the chart.)
DR. HENDERSON: Yes...well...the trouble is, we don’t know what’s normal for him, do we?
(He sees that the DOCTOR’S eyes are open and goes over to him with a cheery manner.)
DR. HENDERSON: Hello! How are you feeling?
(The DOCTOR stares at him.)
DOCTOR: Shoes!
DR. HENDERSON: I beg your pardon?
DOCTOR: Shoes...
(DR. HENDERSON looks at the NURSE for an explanation.)
NURSE: They seem to be worrying him, sir. I think he believes they’ve been stolen.
DR. HENDERSON: Well, if he wants them, he might as well...where are they, nurse?
NURSE: In his locker.
(HENDERSON opens the locker...)
DR. HENDERSON: Ah!
(..takes them out and shows them to the DOCTOR.)
DR. HENDERSON: Are these what you’re looking for?
(The DOCTOR stares at them for a moment, then in one swift movement, grabs them and turns over in his bed, hugging them to his chest with his eyes closed.)
DR. HENDERSON: (To the NURSE.) I wonder if the brain’s damaged?
NURSE: He does seem to be behaving very erratically.
DR. HENDERSON: Fetch the sphyg, would you, nurse? I’ll take his blood pressure again while I’m here.
(The NURSE goes off to comply with the request and HENDERSON sits at the table to make a note. Behind him, the DOCTOR looks up and, seeing that he is unobserved, sits up and looks in the right shoe. Finding nothing, even after shaking it, he tries to left shoe and is rewarded when the TARDIS key drops out.
Satisfied, he puts the shoes under his pillow and goes back to sleep, the key grasped securely in his hand. HENDERSON, sat at the table, hears approaching footsteps.)
DR. HENDERSON: Thank you, nurse.
(But behind him are tow men, dressed in white orderly coats, and with strange shiny faces. One of them karate-chops HENDERSON on the back of the neck and he falls to the ground unconscious. The two men then go over to the DOCTOR’S bed. One of them holds a large piece of sticking plaster and he sticks this over a startled DOCTOR’S mouth. They throw the bedclothes back.)
34: INT. ASHBRIDGE COTTAGE HOSPITAL. PASSAGE
(The DOCTOR is seemingly unconscious in a wheelchair and pushed down the passage by one of them men while the other goes ahead and checks that the coast is clear.)
35: INT. ASHBRIDGE COTTAGE HOSPITAL. WARD
(HENDERSON comes round and stares groggily at the empty bed. He gets unsteadily to his feet and, dropping his glasses, stumbles off in pursuit.)
36: INT. ASHBRIDGE COTTAGE HOSPITAL. PASSAGE
(HENDERSON makes an uncertain course down the passage outside the ward. MUNRO comes from the other direction and runs to help him.)
CAPTAIN MUNRO: Doctor? What’s wrong? What’s happened?
37: EXT. ASHBRIDGE COTTAGE HOSPITAL
(Outside the hospital, the strange man who was with the press waits with an ambulance. His two “colleagues” wheel the DOCTOR to the back of it. They are reversing the chair up a ramp when the DOCTOR springs to life and starts to furiously wheel the chair away from his kidnappers. One of the men in the white coats is about to pursue but his leader pushes him back to get into the ambulance.)
38: EXT. ROAD OUTSIDE ASHBRIDGE COTTAGE HOSPITAL
(The DOCTOR wheels himself into the road outside and down the hill.)
39: EXT. ASHBRIDGE COTTAGE HOSPITAL
(MUNRO and another UNIT soldier run out of the hospital as the ambulance sh**t past them round the circular driveway, the man driving looking with concern as he goes.)
CAPTAIN MUNRO: (To the soldier.) ... sh**t the tyres!
(The soldier goes on bended knee and aims. He fires several sh*ts, causing the watching nurses to jump at the noise and the man in the ambulance to register some emotion on his otherwise impassive face. The ambulance makes it out of the drive.)
40: EXT. OXLEY WOOD
(FORBES and the other soldier are still guarding the TARDIS when they hear the sh*ts. They hold their r*fles warily.)
CORPORAL FORBES: Here, something’s happening.
41: EXT. ASHBRIDGE COTTAGE HOSPITAL
CAPTAIN MUNRO: (To the soldier.) Come on! This way.
(They run off in pursuit.)
42: EXT. ROAD OUTSIDE ASHBRIDGE COTTAGE HOSPITAL
(Meanwhile, a still gagged DOCTOR wheels furiously down the road. He hears MUNRO calling behind him as he runs along.)
CAPTAIN MUNRO: Sergeant Harris! Cut across to the main gate. Stop the ambulance! sh**t at the tyres! The rest of you go round the back!
(The soldiers run in pursuit as the DOCTOR continues his escape.)
43: EXT. OXLEY WOOD
(FORBES and the other soldier are now very wary and they ready their r*fles.)
44: EXT. PATH IN WOODS
(The empty wheelchair lies on the ground, the blanket next to it. MUNRO and a soldier come into view.)
CAPTAIN MUNRO: There he is!
(He runs over to the chair and pulls the blanket back. Under it is a pillow.)
CAPTAIN MUNRO: He got away. Start searching.
(They run off.)
45: EXT. OXLEY WOOD
(The white-smocked DOCTOR starts trashing through the bushes to get to the TARDIS.)
CORPORAL FORBES: Who’s there!
(As the DOCTOR comes into view, the second soldier with FORBES cocks his r*fle again and fires in a panic. The DOCTOR clutches his head...)
CORPORAL FORBES: Who told you to f*re, you stupid...!
(...and falls to the ground.) | {"type": "series", "show": "Doctor Who", "episode": "07x01 - Spearhead from Space - part 1"} | foreverdreaming |
SPEARHEAD FROM SPACE
BY: ROBERT HOLMES
EPISODE 2
Original Air Date: 10 January, 1970
5:15pm - 5:40pm
1: EXT. OXLEY WOOD
(As the DOCTOR comes into view, a single sh*t fires and the DOCTOR clutches his head...)
CAPTAIN MUNRO: Stop! Stop f*ring, you fool!
(...and falls to the ground.)
(CAPTAIN MUNRO pushes his way through the bushes and comes across the two nervous soldiers over the still body of the DOCTOR. He runs to examine him, turning him over to feel his heart.)
CAPTAIN MUNRO: What happened?
CORPORAL FORBES: Gave us no warning, sir.
CAPTAIN MUNRO: How could he with his mouth taped?
CORPORAL FORBES: Is he d*ad, sir?
2: INT. ASHBRIDGE COTTAGE HOSPITAL. WARD
(The same question is asked later by the BRIGADIER and answered by DR. HENDERSON when the DOCTOR is back in the ward, connected to an EEG machine. CAPTAIN MUNRO is also there.)
DR. HENDERSON: No...
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE-STEWART: Unconscious?
(HENDERSON is looking over the EEG printout.)
DR. HENDERSON: Yes, he’s more unconscious than anyone I’ve ever seen. Have a look at this EEG.
(The BRIGADIER comes round the bed to join HENDERSON.)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE-STEWART: EEG?
DR. HENDERSON: This machine registers the electrical activity of the brain.
(He passes the print out to the BRIGADIER.)
DR. HENDERSON: Normally the line fluctuates considerably...even when the patient is unconscious.
(The BRIGADIER passes the printout to MUNRO.)
CAPTAIN MUNRO: Not a lot going on, is there?
DR. HENDERSON: Nothing whatsoever. Completely passive.
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE-STEWART: Perhaps that b*llet did more damage than you suspected?
DR. HENDERSON: No, it only caused a slight burn on the scalp. It couldn’t possibly account for this condition.
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE-STEWART: Then what is the cause? Could it be shock?
DR. HENDERSON: Could be, but I doubt it. No, he’s is such a deep coma that I’d say it was...
(DR. HENDERSON pauses as though embarrassed.)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE-STEWART: Is what?
DR. HENDERSON: Self-induced.
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE-STEWART: Is that possible?
DR. HENDERSON: For you or for me, no.
(HENDERSON takes the print out from MUNRO and sits at the table.)
DR. HENDERSON: But we’re dealing here with a completely alien physiology. All I can do is guess.
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE-STEWART: Well, is it safe to move him?
DR. HENDERSON: I honestly don’t know, but I’d advise against it.
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE-STEWART: Hmm. Oh, very well. You’ll keep me informed of any change in his condition?
DR. HENDERSON: Yes, of course.
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE-STEWART: Thank you.
(The BRIGADIER and MUNRO start to leave.)
DR. HENDERSON: Oh, by the way...
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE-STEWART: Yes?
(HENDERSON holds up the TARDIS key.)
DR. HENDERSON: We found this in his hand when he was brought in. We had to prise his fingers open. He was really hanging on to it.
3: EXT. ASHBRIDGE COTTAGE HOSPITAL. TERRACE
(The BRIGADIER and MUNRO walk in the sunshine along a balustrade terrace outside the hospital.)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE-STEWART: The police box is on its way back to headquarters, so you can double the guard here.
CAPTAIN MUNRO: Very good, sir.
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE-STEWART: Where’s this meteorite your chaps found?
CAPTAIN MUNRO: Here we are, sir.
(They have reached a point where a UNIT soldier stands guard over an amm*nit*on box. MUNRO picks it up and places it on top of the balustrade and opens it up. He takes out a shard of a plastic looking material.)
CAPTAIN MUNRO: It’s all we could find, sir. It must have broken up when it h*t the ground.
(He passes the piece to the BRIGADIER who weighs it in his hand.)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE-STEWART: It’s light, very light.
CAPTAIN MUNRO: Mmm. Is it some sort of plastic, sir?
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE-STEWART: Yes, possibly. I’ll take it back with me. Have it taken to my car, will you?
CAPTAIN MUNRO: Yes, sir. (To the soldier.) Hawkins.
(He looks at the soldier to carry out the order and they carry on their walk.)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE-STEWART: Keep a twenty-four hour guard. It’s possible these people might try again.
CAPTAIN MUNRO: Right, sir.
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE-STEWART: What puzzle me is why they should want to abduct the Doctor.
CAPTAIN MUNRO: Could he be tied up with them in any way, sir?
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE-STEWART: Yes, it’s possible. Anyone get a good look at them?
CAPTAIN MUNRO: I have a picture of one of them, sir.
(MUNRO reaches into his uniform jacket pocket and pulls out a black and white photograph.)
CAPTAIN MUNRO: He was here earlier posing as a reporter.
(MUNRO shows him the photograph. It was taken when the press ambushed the BRIGADIER in the hospital foyer and shows the intense-looking man stood behind the BRIGADIER’S shoulder.)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE-STEWART: How did you get this?
CAPTAIN MUNRO: I made a check on all the pressmen, sir. One of the photographers took this sh*t when you arrived with Miss Shaw - and two of the nurses saw this man leading the raiding party.
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE-STEWART: What about the others?
CAPTAIN MUNRO: I only got a glimpse of them, sir. There was something...something odd about their faces...
4: INT. AUTO PLASTICS. FACTORY FLOOR
(A steel frame of hideous, freshly moulded dolls heads move along the factory floor. Liquid plastic is squirted into moulds for more of the heads and factory workers pull out an assortment of limbs ready to assemble the finished toys. A suited man - RANSOME - is escorted across the factory floor by a silent young blond-haired secretary. He observes with interest as female factory workers sit as their tables and insert eyes into the heads and sew hair onto them. Eyelashes are added to each doll and so the process goes on. The man continues behind his escort as a radio blares out across the factory floor playing Fleetwood Macs “Oh Well, Part 1”. The man then walks past a conveyor belt of finished but undressed dolls.
5: INT. AUTO PLASTICS. MACHINE ROOM
(The secretary leads him through a room filled with pipes and boilers. The secretary remains quiet and cold and she has a strange shine to her face. RANSOM looks round.)
RANSOME: There are a lot of changes. And you’re new, aren’t new?
(The secretary doesn’t answer but turns and walks on. RANSOM pulls a rueful face and follows.)
6: INT. AUTO PLASTICS. OFFICE LANDING
(The secretary leads RANSOM up a flight of steps into a green painted corridor. At the top of the steps is a door with two red lettered signs, one of which reads “OUT OF BOUNDS” and the other which states “SECURITY SECTOR”. The silent secretary walks past it but RANSOM stops.)
RANSOME: That’s my workshop - or rather, it was. What the devil’s been going on here?
(The shiny-faced secretary again doesn’t answer but walks on towards the office area. RANSOM follows. As he goes, another figure walks quietly up the stairs and watches him go - the intense man from the hospital.)
7: INT. AUTO PLASTICS. MANAGING DIRECTOR’S OFFICE
(The MD of the factory - HIBBERT - sits at his desk. The shelves of the office contain a variety of finished box dolls as well as the usual assortment of box files and other office paraphernalia. HIBBERT is on the phone.)
HIBBERT: (Into phone.) Yes, send him in.
(He puts the phone down and an angry RANSOM walks in. HIBBERT is warm and friendly.)
HIBBERT: John, come in! We weren’t expecting you.
RANSOME: Weren’t you?
(He pulls a letter out of his jacket pocket and throws it on the desk.)
RANSOME: What’s all this about?
HIBBERT: The letter explains everything.
RANSOME: It explains nothing! Look...
(He pulls a doll from one of the shelves.)
RANSOME: When I invented this doll, you promised me full backing. You sent me to the States to interest the Americans in joint production. You said, that if it all worked out, then you’d make me a partner.
(He pulls a sheaf of papers out of his briefcase.)
RANSOME: Well, here it all is. Agreements ready to sign, advance orders, the lot. And what do I find on the mat when I get home? A letter giving me the push! Look, we worked on this project together. Well, you helped me finish the designs. Now you’ve put the chop on it just like that! For heaven’s sake, George, you owe me some sort of an explanation.
(An uncomfortable HIBBERT stands up and walks round the desk.)
HIBBERT: It’s a...i...i...it’s the new policy. We’ve, er, got a new policy.
RANSOME: What’s happened to this place? Most of the staff gone, security notices everywhere...
HIBBERT: We’re developing a new process. It’s all...very secret. We’ve, er, changed everything.
(He looks at the office door with an element of fear on his face...)
RANSOME: I’ll say you have! The whole layout of the factory floor is different. Yeah, and my workshop, what’s in there now?
(HIBBERT turns and looks at RANSOME, this time with real fear on his face.)
HIBBERT: Stay away from there, John.
RANSOME: But what about my equipment?
HIBBERT: We’ll...we’ll send it to you.
RANSOME: Just like that?
HIBBERT: I don’t think you should’ve come here, John. You must go away...at once. It’s not safe.
RANSOME: What’s the matter? You keeping saying “we”.
(HIBBERT puts a hand to the back of his neck.)
RANSOME: “We’ve got a new policy” Well, who is “we”?
(The man from the hospital enters the room, staring at the back of HIBBERT’S neck. The MD himself adopts a colder, more robotic tone to his voice.)
HIBBERT: There’s no point in going on with this, Mr. Ransome. Goodbye.
(Like an automaton, he goes back to his desk and sits down. The other man turns his gaze to RANSOME but he is not put off and turns back to HIBBERT.)
RANSOME: Look, if there’s anything wrong, perhaps I can help you?
HIBBERT: There’s nothing wrong. My letter explained everything. Goodbye.
(RANSOME picks up his papers, puts them in his briefcase and leaves, with him and the intense man giving each other one last look. After RANSOME has gone, he transfers his gaze back to HIBBERT who sits at his desk, staring into space.)
8: INT. AUTO PLASTICS. OFFICE LANDING
(RANSOME stalks down the landing. As he reaches the door to his old workshop, he looks round and then tries the handle. Further down the landing, the door to HIBBERT’S office opens and the intense man looks out. RANSOME sees that he is being watched and walks down the stairs.)
9: INT. UNIT HEADQUARTERS. LABORATORY
(A laboratory has been hastily cobbled together in a large spare room in UNIT HQ; nevertheless, it is full of equipment, including a series of chemical equipment which LIZ, dressed in a white lab coat, is assembling. The BRIGADIER is also there, but somewhat unwelcome.)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE-STEWART: Am I interrupting?
LIZ: Yes.
(The BRIGADIER gives her a look.)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE-STEWART: Getting on all right?
LIZ: (Disinterested.) Fine, just fine.
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE-STEWART: Sorry about the makeshift conditions here, but we had to set this lab up for you in rather a hurry.
(LIZ is not really listening as she goes about her work.)
LIZ: Fine, just fine.
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE-STEWART: Found out what it’s made of?
LIZ: No, but it isn’t a meteorite.
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE-STEWART: You’ve established that much?
LIZ: Meteorites are the debris from comets.
(LIZ holds up the shard of material that MUNRO and his men found.)
LIZ: This has been manufactured.
(She places it in a chemical solution.)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE-STEWART: And it comes from space?
LIZ: Er, there are some faint traces of heat fusion. Well, it’s possible.
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE-STEWART: Still sceptical?
LIZ: (Archly.) Of course. I deal with facts, not science fiction ideas.
(She walks round the lab table and stirs another solution as a slightly annoyed BRIGADIER follows.)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE-STEWART: Miss Shaw, I’m not a fool, I don’t chase shadows. What you don’t understand is that there might...there is a remote possibility that outside your cosy little world other things could exist.
LIZ: No need to get tetchy.
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE-STEWART: Well, sometimes you can be very aggravating.
(He moves off.)
LIZ: Me? What about you?
(She smiles as she mercilessly lampoons the BRIGADIER.)
LIZ: You really believe in a man who’s helped to save the world twice? With the power to transform his physical appearance?
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE-STEWART: (Defensively.) I’m not sure yet. It may not be the same man.
LIZ: An alien who travels through time and space in a police box?
10: INT. AUTO PLASTICS. MANAGING DIRECTOR’S OFFICE
(At the plastics factory, HIBBERT is starting to lose his nerve...)
HIBBERT: It’s all becoming difficult!
(He looks at the intense man - CHANNING.)
CHANNING: All you have to do is to continue running the factory as though nothing had changed. That is your sole concern, Hibbert. Do you understand.
(He stares closely at HIBBERT who again assumes a controlled manner.)
HIBBERT: I understand.
CHANNING: Good. Two energy units are still missing.
HIBBERT: Do you think the stranger at the hospital has found one of them?
CHANNING: It’s possible but it is dangerous to go near him again.
HIBBERT: Then what can you do?
CHANNING: The units may have embedded themselves in soft ground. That would account for the fact that their signals are no longer being received.
HIBBERT: How will you locate them then?
CHANNING: They will increase their pulsation signals.
HIBBERT: (Nervously.) You...talk about these energy units a...a...as though they were living things.
CHANNING: All energy is a form of life.
11: EXT. SEELEY’S COTTAGE
(SEELEY, the poacher, is at the back of his little thatched cottage. He pulls a large metal trunk out of a small brick out-house. He unfastens it and opens the lid. Immediately, the pulsing signal of the meteorite he found is heard. He pulls back a blanket and the pulsing red globe is revealed.)
12: EXT. OXLEY WOOD
(In the woods, a strange figure comes to life. Dressed in a blue boiler suit and scarf, its face is cold and plastic, the head is hairless and its movements are stiff and formal. It turns to face the signal from the globe and moves off.)
13: EXT. SEELEY’S COTTAGE
(SEELEY is looking at his treasured “thunderball” when he hears a woman’s voice coming from inside the cottage...)
MEG: (OOV: Inside cottage.) Sam, are you in yet?
(SEELEY jumps in alarm, knocking down the lid of the trunk in a panic. With no time to do anything else, he hastily puts the globe in the out-house and pulls the door shut as his wife - MEG - comes out of the cottage. She is a large middle-aged woman dressed in a coat and scarf.)
MEG: What are you doing out there?
(She walks up to her husband.)
MEG: Why didn’t you answer me?
SEELEY: Never heard you come in.
MEG: What you doing with that old box?
SEELEY: Nothing.
MEG: Sam Seeley, you’ve not been thieving again, have yer? ‘Cause if you have...
SEELEY: Oh, that’s nice, innit eh? Accusing your own husband!
(MEG gives a snort and opens the trunk. She sees that it is empty of all but the old blanket.)
SEELEY: Satisfied?
(MEG sniffs.)
SEELEY: Now go and get me some grub, woman. I’m hungry!
MEG: You watch your tongue! And don’t think I’m gonna have that dirty old box in my house.
(SEELEY watches her walk back to the cottage and shut the door. Immediately, he opens the out-house and then pulls back the blanket in the trunk, ready to put the globe back. Behind him, MEG comes back out of the cottage. SEELEY turns and barks...)
SEELEY: What are you staring at, woman?
(She goes back in and SEELEY quickly puts the globe back in the trunk, slamming the heavy lid shut.)
14: EXT. OXLEY WOOD
(The walking figure in the woods comes to a halt, looking round for the lost signal.)
15: INT. UNIT HEADQUARTERS. LABORATORY
(The TARDIS has been placed in the laboratory. The BRIGADIER stares at it as LIZ continues her own work whilst riling him.)
LIZ: Now, all you have to do is to borrow a key from the Police.
(The BRIGADIER holds up a yale key.)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE-STEWART: I’ve got the key here. Henderson found it in the Doctor’s hand.
(A tannoy on a nearby bench buzzes. The BRIGADIER goes over and presses the button.)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE-STEWART: (Into tannoy.) Yes?
UNIT SOLDIER: (OOV: Over tannoy.) Major General Scobie to see you, sir.
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE-STEWART: (To himself.) Scobie? Well, what on Earth...? (Into tannoy.) All right, show him up.
(The BRIGADIER goes over to LIZ.)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE-STEWART: He’s our liaison with the regular army. Got to keep in with him.
(The BRIGADIER walks over to the doorway.)
LIZ: You don’t expect me to salute him, I hope?
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE-STEWART: You could bring yourself to be a little less astringent, Miss Shaw.
LIZ: I didn’t ask to come here, remember?
(A soldier escorts MAJOR GENERAL SCOBIE, a slim gruff elderly moustached soldier, into the laboratory.)
MAJOR GENERAL SCOBIE: (To the soldier.) Ah, thank you, thank you.
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE-STEWART: Ah, sir.
(The soldier leaves.)
MAJOR GENERAL SCOBIE: Oh, sorry to interrupt, Stewart.
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE-STEWART: Worry not, sir. Always a pleasure to see you.
MAJOR GENERAL SCOBIE: Oh, this, er, meteorite operation - any further?
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE-STEWART: Not much, I’m afraid. We found the fragments of one though, sir. Miss Shaw is studying them.
(He gestures to LIZ and they walk over to her as the BRIGADIER introduces them.)
MAJOR GENERAL SCOBIE: Ah.
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE-STEWART: Oh, Miss Shaw, General Scobie.
(LIZ shakes hands warmly.)
LIZ: How do you do.
MAJOR GENERAL SCOBIE: Ah, how do you do. (To the BRIGADIER.) Lucky fellow, Stewart, having a pretty face, er, around the place.
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE-STEWART: She’s not just a pretty face, sir.
(LIZ is not pleased at the comment...)
MAJOR GENERAL SCOBIE: Oh, no, no. Newspapers seem to have gone wild over this business.
(He suddenly spots the TARDIS.)
MAJOR GENERAL SCOBIE: Dear chap, (Laughs.) What are you doing with a police box?
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE-STEWART: Well, sir...
LIZ: (Interrupts.) Camouflage, General. It’s not really a police box. It’s a spaceship.
(SCOBIE’S smile vanishes...)
16: EXT. ASHBRIDGE COTTAGE HOSPITAL
(In the car park of the hospital, CORPORAL FORBES is looking over a red 1920’s Vauxhall 30/98 classic car when CAPTAIN MUNRO drives up in a jeep.)
CAPTAIN MUNRO: Where did that old crate come from?
CORPORAL FORBES: It belongs to some hospital bigwig, sir. Just arrived. Made me promise to keep an eye on it.
CAPTAIN MUNRO: Never mind that. Hop in, Corporal.
CORPORAL FORBES: Yes, sir.
CAPTAIN MUNRO: Hurry man! Section three have turned up one of these meteorites.
(FORBES runs to climb into the jeep.)
17: INT. ASHBRIDGE COTTAGE HOSPITAL. PASSAGE
(A white smocked figure peeps round the corner of the passage and seeing that the way is clear starts to make his way down it. It is the DOCTOR, still with a plaster on his forehead, who stops d*ad when he hears the voices of two men approaching.)
DR. HENDERSON: (OOV.) Good journey down, sir?
(The DOCTOR looks round. He is outside a door marked “DOCTORS ONLY”.)
DR. BEAVIS: (OOV.) Terrible! You know, there’s no room for a decent car on the roads these days.
(Deciding that the sign on the door applies to him, he sh**t in the room.)
18: INT. ASHBRIDGE COTTAGE HOSPITAL. DOCTOR’S CHANGING ROOM
(He is in a changing room full of clothes on hangers and a locker. He looks inside but sees that it is too small to conceal him. He moves on to the next room.)
19: INT. ASHBRIDGE COTTAGE HOSPITAL. DOCTOR’S BATHROOM
(It is a bathroom. He looks round and sees an ornate Victorian shower with a pipe arrangement that almost surrounds the bather topped by a crown affair from which the water comes. The DOCTOR grins in delight.)
20: INT. ASHBRIDGE COTTAGE HOSPITAL. PASSAGE
(HENDERSON and his guest reach the door marked “DOCTORS ONLY”. The man with HENDERSON is the consultant, DR. BEAVIS. Over his suit, he wears a red-silk lined cloak and hat.)
DR. BEAVIS: What are all those toy soldiers playing at?
DR. HENDERSON: They found the patient, sir.
(He opens the door for BEAVIS and they walk through.)
DR. BEAVIS: sh*t him, eh?
DR. HENDERSON: (Uncomfortably.) Yes.
(HENDERSON shuts the door.)
21: INT. ASHBRIDGE COTTAGE HOSPITAL. DOCTOR’S BATHROOM
(The two doctors enter the bathroom.)
DR. HENDERSON: Yes, it was rather unfortunate.
(BEAVIS hands him his hat and starts to take his cloak off. From the shower comes some extemporised and off-key singing. The man in the shower, wearing a blue shower cap, glances round and hastily turns back - it is the DOCTOR.)
DR. BEAVIS: I left my car down at the main entrance. They won’t go...crashing about with g*n or anything like that, will they?
(As the DOCTOR continues to “sing” and sh**t them careful glances, BEAVIS starts to wash his hands in the sink.)
DR. HENDERSON: No, sir, I’m sure it’ll be all right.
(BEAVIS dries his hands. HENDERSON looks briefly over at the DOCTOR but doesn’t recognise him.)
DR. HENDERSON: Perhaps you’d care to come to my office and have a look at the patient’s records before you examine him.
DR. BEAVIS: Mmm, good idea. I could do with a cup of tea, too.
DR. HENDERSON: Yes.
(The two doctors glance briefly at the third in the shower, who is still making a cacophony of noise, and leave the room. Immediately they have gone, the DOCTOR switches off the shower, wraps a towel round himself and heads for the door. He grabs a white frilly shirt off a hanger on the back of the door and throws off the shower cap. He leaves the room having checked the coast is clear.)
22: INT. ASHBRIDGE COTTAGE HOSPITAL. DOCTOR’S CHANGING ROOM
(He finds a second towel and rubs himself down and then pulls some black trousers off a wooden hanger.)
23: EXT. OXLEY WOOD
(Watched by FORBES, two UNIT soldiers dig into the wet soil of the woods. After a moment, they unearth a complete flashing and signalling sphere. One of the soldiers starts to push away the clinging soil.)
24: EXT. ANOTHER PART OF OXLEY WOOD
(The boiler-suited figure in the woods comes to life again and starts to clump through the ferns and bracken, following the signal.)
25: INT. ASHBRIDGE COTTAGE HOSPITAL. DOCTOR’S BATHROOM
(Back in the bathroom, the DOCTOR has changed into a collection of clothes from the changing room. He wears the trousers, frilly shirt and elaborate silk tie. He puts on DR. BEAVIS’S red-silk lined cloak and is about to leave the room when he spots a flat cap on the back of the door. He tries this on but doesn’t like the result in the mirror. He swaps it for BEAVIS’S rakish hat and, far happier with the result, heads out.)
26: INT. ASHBRIDGE COTTAGE HOSPITAL. DOCTOR’S CHANGING ROOM
(He goes through the changing room, momentarily divesting himself of the hat.)
27: INT. ASHBRIDGE COTTAGE HOSPITAL. PASSAGE
(...but stops d*ad in the doorway out of the changing room as he hears HENDERSON and his guest approaching.)
DR. HENDERSON: ...be an error in that report.
(The DOCTOR sh**t back into the changing room and the two doctors walk past.)
DR. HENDERSON: These anomalies are completely inexplicable.
(They head up the passage to the DOCTOR’S ward.)
DR. BEAVIS: Well, let’s go and see this, er, this freak. I shan’t believe it until I see it with me own eyes.
(As they head round the corner, the DOCTOR comes out of hiding and watches to make sure they have gone.)
DR. HENDERSON: (OOV.) I assure you, sir, that everything I’ve told you...
DR. BEAVIS: (OOV: Interrupting.) All right, all right. Where is he? Where is he?
DR. HENDERSON: (OOV.) Through here.
(The DOCTOR checks in the other direction and, putting the hat back on low over his eyes, leaves. From further round the passage...)
DR. HENDERSON: (OOV.) Nurse!
(HENDERSON comes running back round, with BEAVIS close behind him.)
DR. BEAVIS: Is this some sort of prank?! Where is this patient?
DR. HENDERSON: That’s what I’d like to know, sir. Nurse!
(BEAVIS, shaking his head, follows HENDERSON.)
28: EXT. ASHBRIDGE COTTAGE HOSPITAL
(The DOCTOR walks out of the hospital but keeps his nerve as a nurse walks past and deliberately looks the other way. Once she has gone, the DOCTOR runs towards a set of parked cars. He tries the door of a red MG but, finding it locked, moves over to BEAVIS’ red Vauxhall. He climbs in and desperately tries to find the 1920’s starter switch. He thinks he finds it but it is the horn. Grimacing, he tries again. This time he manages to start to car, adjusts the gears for reverse and sh**t forward! He tries again and this time is successful. Finding his way round the cars ancient controls, he drives out of the hospital grounds as fast as the ancient vehicle will take him.)
29: INT. UNIT HEADQUARTERS. LABORATORY
(News of the DOCTOR’S escape has reached the BRIGADIER who is back with LIZ in the UNIT lab. SCOBIE has left.)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE-STEWART: Oh well, at least he won’t get very far.
LIZ: You mean, before your men sh**t him again?
(Having delivered this sh*t, she moves away from the BRIGADIER.)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE-STEWART: I don’t find that funny!
(He walks over to the TARDIS.)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE-STEWART: Without this machine, the Doctor’s stuck. He can’t leave Earth.
LIZ: You were about to open it?
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE-STEWART: Yes.
(He takes the key out of his pocket as LIZ delivers another sarcastic comment...)
LIZ: I think you should. There might be a policeman locked inside.
(He tries the lock but the key won’t turn. He takes it out and looks at it.)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE-STEWART: That’s odd.
LIZ: (Smiling.) Wrong key.
30: EXT. OXLEY WOOD
(FORBES and another soldier, carrying an amm*nit*on box, approach CAPTAIN MUNRO at the jeep. From inside the box, the sphere’s signal can be heard.)
CAPTAIN MUNRO: Ah ...
(MUNRO opens the box and looks at the flashing sphere.)
CAPTAIN MUNRO: Weird looking thing.
CORPORAL FORBES: Yes, sir.
CAPTAIN MUNRO: Get it into the vehicle and back to the UNIT labs right away.)
31: EXT. ROAD THROUGH OXLEY WOOD
(FORBES drives at speed along a lonely road through the wood. Suddenly, the boiler-suited figure steps out and in the path of the incoming vehicle.)
CORPORAL FORBES: Watch out!
(He slams his hand down on the horn and swerves off the road but hits a tree. The vehicle spins over. As a dog barks nearby, the plastic-faced figure calmly walks over to the jeep and looks in the driver’s seat. Through the smashed and bloodied window, it sees FORBES lying inside. It then moves to the back of the jeep and takes the amm*nit*on box away.)
32: INT. AUTO PLASTICS. FACTORY CENTRE
(CHANNING stands in a most mysterious room in the restricted area of the factory. Various pieces of almost alien machinery stands in the room, one of which resembles a large t*nk with a window at one end. Through this can be seen an eye in a mass of red alien flesh. A buzzer sounds and CHANNING crosses the room.
Arranged across the back on a small ledge are a number of the boiler-suited figures, all perfectly still. CHANNING walks up to a communications unit, part of which seems to house what looks like a round radar-like scanner. He presses a button.)
CHANNING: (Into tannoy.) Yes?
HIBBERT: (Over tannoy.) Hibbert.
(CHANNING presses a button to open the door to the room and HIBBERT nervously enters, walking down a red metal gangway and down some steps.)
HIBBERT: General Scobie will be here soon.
CHANNING: I know. I’m almost finished.
33: INT. UNIT HQ. GARAGE
(The DOCTOR and his stolen vehicle drive into the UNIT garage. The commissionaire sees the strange car and its driver approaching and puts up a hand to stop him. He goes over to the DOCTOR but before he can open his mouth, the DOCTOR says his piece first and angrily...)
DOCTOR: All right, all right, I suppose you want to see my pass? Yes, well, I haven’t got one.
(The commissionaire is about to reply, but...)
DOCTOR: And I’m not going to tell you my name, either.
(Again the commissionaire tries.)
DOCTOR: Now you just tell Brigadier Lethbridge-Stewart that I want to see him. (Shouts.) Well, don’t just stand there arguing with me, man!
Get on with it!
(The commissionaire gives up...)
34: INT. UNIT HEADQUARTERS. LABORATORY
(The BRIGADIER receives the message...)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE-STEWART: (Into tannoy, puzzled.) The Doctor?
UNIT SOLDIER: (OOV: Over tannoy.) Yes, sir. He says you know him.
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE-STEWART: (Into tannoy.) Show him up at once.
(He switches off the tannoy and turns to LIZ who is still busy at the lab bench.)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE-STEWART: How the devil did he find this place?
LIZ: Your mystery man with the police box?
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE-STEWART: Yes.
(The DOCTOR enters the lab and the BRIGADIER goes over to him.)
DOCTOR: Ah, there you are, my dear fellow. I expect you’re wondering how I found you here?
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE-STEWART: (Suspiciously.) Yes...
(The DOCTOR pulls his sleeve back and reveals a watch-like device on his wrist. It gives off a signalling sound.)
DOCTOR: Fortunately I had this with me, you see. It homes on the TARDIS.
(He turns and smiles as he sees his ship.)
DOCTOR: Oh, there she is.
(He goes over and pats it on the side.)
DOCTOR: How nice of you to look after her for me. Do you happen to have got the key, by the way?
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE-STEWART: I do, but it won’t work.
DOCTOR: Hah-hah! But it will for me?
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE-STEWART: Not so fast. I have a lot of questions to ask you.
DOCTOR: My dear Brigadier, it’s no earthly good asking me a lot of questions. I’ve lost my memory, you see?
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE-STEWART: How do I know that you’re not am imposter?
DOCTOR: Ah, but you don’t, you don’t. Only I know that.
(The DOCTOR walks across the lab.)
DOCTOR: What do you think of my new face, by the way? Mmm?
(He sees a mirror inside a box-stand and pulls it up.)
DOCTOR: Well, I wasn’t too sure about it meself to begin with. But it sort of grows on you.
(He starts to pull faces in the mirror.)
DOCTOR: Very flexible, you know. Could be useful on the planet Delphon, where they communicate with their eyebrows.
(He furiously waggles his eyebrows in the mirror and then turns to the BRIGADIER.)
DOCTOR: Well, that’s strange - how on earth did I remember that?
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE-STEWART: All right, all right, if I accept that you are the Doctor, there are still a lot of things...oh, by the way, this is Miss Shaw.
(He gestures to LIZ and the DOCTOR waggles his eyebrows at her and then smiles.)
DOCTOR: That’s Delphon for “how do you do”!
(LIZ laughs and the DOCTOR goes over and shakes hands.)
DOCTOR: Delighted, Miss Shaw, delighted.
LIZ: What are you a doctor of, by the way?
DOCTOR: Practically everything, my dear.
(LIZ smiles again as the DOCTOR starts to look over the lab bench.)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE-STEWART: From what we can gather, you arrived last night in the middle of a shower of meteorites.
DOCTOR: Did I really? How terribly exciting.
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE-STEWART: Well, objects from space at any rate. You must realise that I can’t let you go until I’m sure there’s no connection...
DOCTOR: (Interrupts.) Look, I’ve no recollection of last night. That’s most unfair. How could I...
(He suddenly spots the shards of the sphere that LIZ is examining.)
DOCTOR: What on earth are these?
LIZ: Those are bits of what the Brigadier thought might be a meteorite.
(The DOCTOR picks one up and starts to examine it.)
DOCTOR: Plastic?
LIZ: It’s not thermo-plastic and neither is it thermo-setting...and there are no polymer chains.
DOCTOR: That’s interesting. I wonder what was inside.
LIZ: Inside?
DOCTOR: Yes, well you can tell from the shape this was a hollow sphere. I should think the space inside was about three thousand cubic centimetres, wouldn’t you?
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE-STEWART: Do I gather you’re going to help us, Doctor?
DOCTOR: If I do, will you give me the key to the TARDIS?
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE-STEWART: Possibly.
DOCTOR: Then go away and let Miss Shaw and I get on with our work, there’s a good fellow.
(LIZ tries to hide a smile. The DOCTOR turns to her.)
DOCTOR: Look, do I really have to call you Miss Shaw?
LIZ: (Laughs.) No, Liz, just Liz.
DOCTOR: Liz - that’s much better.
(He turns back to the fragments.)
DOCTOR: How many of these things actually came down?
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE-STEWART: About fifty, as near as we can estimate.
DOCTOR: And you found only fragments - no whole ones?
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE-STEWART: One, yes. But there was an accident. It disappeared.
DOCTOR: Then the answer to your question’s obvious, isn’t it? By the time your search party arrived, the rest of these things had been collected.
Collected and taken somewhere. The question is, where?
35: EXT. AUTO PLASTICS. BACK WALL
(RANSOME has returned to the factory but, instead of entering by the front, he is climbing over the back wall. He navigates his way over some barbed wire and drops down on the other side.)
36: INT. AUTO PLASTICS. MANAGING DIRECTOR’S OFFICE
(MAJOR GENERAL SCOBIE stands in HIBBERT’S office, next to a crude plastic dummy whose facial shape closely resembles his. SCOBIE looks disappointed.)
HIBBERT: I must explain this is only a rough approximation, General.
(CHANNING is with the two men.)
MAJOR GENERAL SCOBIE: Yes, it does seem to need a few, er, finishing touches.
CHANNING: That is why we asked you here, General. Our measuring techniques are very accurate but the equipment isn’t transportable.
MAJOR GENERAL SCOBIE: I see. Well, er, I hope it, er, turns out all right.
CHANNING: It will, I assure you, General. If you’ll come this way.
(CHANNING heads for the door.)
37: EXT. AUTO PLASTICS. YARD
(RANSOME runs through the deserted factory yard. He tries a set of double doors but they seem to be locked. He notices a piece of wood on the ground and uses this to lever the doors open. Checking that he has not been spotted, he enters.)
38: INT. AUTO PLASTICS. MACHINE ROOM
(He goes through the pipe-filled machine room that the secretary took him through before. He checks that he is not being watched, he sees and picks up a metal crowbar and heads up a metal staircase.)
39: INT. AUTO PLASTICS. OFFICE LANDING
(It brings him to the office landing. Again he checks that he has not been seen and then tries the door to his old workshop. Finding it is locked, he starts to work on it with the crowbar.)
40: INT. AUTO PLASTICS. FACTORY CENTRE
(The factory centre is deserted. The silent still boiler-suited figures stand against the back wall. RANSOME levers the door open and enters the strange room. He silently creeps round, looking over the alien machinery. He puts the crowbar down and walks over to the set of figures on their ledge, looking at them in puzzlement. He then turns and walks over to another piece of alien machinery. Behind him, one of the figures moves and quietly steps down off the ledge. It raises its right hand and, with a buzzing sound, starts to move towards the man. RANSOME alerted, slowly turns round. His mouth drops and he looks terrified when he sees the stalking mannequin before him...) | {"type": "series", "show": "Doctor Who", "episode": "07x02 - Spearhead from Space - part 2"} | foreverdreaming |
SPEARHEAD FROM SPACE
BY: ROBERT HOLMES
EPISODE 3
Original Air Date: 17 January, 1970
5:15pm - 5:40pm
1: INT. AUTO PLASTICS. FACTORY CENTRE
(RANSOME walks over to the set of figures on their ledge, looking at them in puzzlement. He then turns and walks over to another piece of alien machinery.
Behind him, one of the figures moves and quietly steps down off the ledge. It raises its right hand and, with a buzzing sound, starts to move towards the man.
As it does so, the fingers of its right hand drop down on a hinge. RANSOME alerted, slowly turns round. His mouth drops and he looks terrified when he sees the stalking mannequin before him. From a cavity within the exposed right hand a small w*apon emerges. RANSOME gives a cry and runs across the room. The creature aims and a spark sh**t out of the g*n. The energy bolt hits the wall past which RANSOME has just run and it explodes in a puff of smoke. RANSOME pauses just long enough to look at the effects of the w*apon and then he dives out of the room. The mannequin runs after him with surprising agility.)
2: INT. AUTO PLASTICS. OFFICE LANDING
(RANSOME runs along the landing to the exit door, crying out in panic as he goes. The creature is hot on his heels.)
3: EXT. AUTO PLASTICS. YARD
(RANSOME reaches the outside staircase to the yard and starts to run down as fast as he can. He pauses near the bottom and looks up to see the mannequin emerge onto the upper landing. The creature aims at RANSOME as he jumps onto a ledge and behind a concrete buttress. However both RANSOME and his pursuer hears voices approaching.)
HIBBERT: (OOV.) ... all those people.
(It is HIBBERT and SCOBIE with CHANNING following behind them who all walk past RANSOMES hiding place.)
MAJOR GENERAL SCOBIE: It seems awfully deserted.
(HIBBERT feels the back of his neck as he walks.)
HIBBERT: We’re...turning over to automation, General. It means we can keep staff down to a minimum.
MAJOR GENERAL SCOBIE: Splendid. Don’t get machines going on strike, eh? (Laughs.)
(As they move off, RANSOME takes the opportunity to run from his hiding place and in the opposite direction. CHANNING stops and looks up at the waiting creature on the top of the staircase. A telepathic message seems to be received by it and it lowers its head and arm. CHANNING moves on and the creature walks backwards into the factory. RANSOME, badly shaken, checks that he is safe and moves off as fast as he can.)
4: EXT. AUTO PLASTICS. FRONT ENTRANCE
(A security guard salutes SCOBIE and his two hosts at the factory entrance.)
HIBBERT: Your car is waiting for you, General.
MAJOR GENERAL SCOBIE: Well, goodbye, Mr. Channing. I hope the replica turns out well. It’s been a most interesting afternoon.
(He holds his hand out for CHANNING to shake but he places his hands behind his back.)
CHANNING: Goodbye, sir.
(HIBBERT takes the GENERAL’S hand instead.)
HIBBERT: It was very good of you to come down here, General. I know how busy you must be.
MAJOR GENERAL SCOBIE: My pleasure, gentlemen.
(He walks towards his car.)
MAJOR GENERAL SCOBIE: Oh, er, by the way, any chance of seeing the model you’re making of me, before it’s, er, sent to Madame Tussaud’s?
CHANNING: Yes, we’ll arrange that.
5: EXT. AUTO PLASTICS. BACK WALL
(RANSOME climbs over the back wall and drops to safety on some grass. Gasping with shock, he takes the briefest of looks back and runs off.)
6: INT. AUTO PLASTICS. FACTORY CENTRE
(Their visitor gone, CHANNING and HIBBERT are back in the factory centre. CHANNING is at the communications unit with HIBBERT at his side.)
HIBBERT: How did you know it was Ransome?
CHANNING: I saw him. And he was detected.
(CHANNING activates a control and on the radar-type screen, a red cellular pattern appears.)
CHANNING: That is his brain print.
HIBBERT: What will you do?
CHANNING: Send an Auton.
HIBBERT: (Pained.) But it will k*ll him!
(CHANNING turns and looks intensely at HIBBERT.)
CHANNING: It is necessary, Hibbert. He saw the security area and all this. Think! Think. Then you see that it is necessary.
(HIBBERT stares back and his words become emotionless as he comes once again under CHANNING’S hypnotic control.)
HIBBERT: Yes...necessary. How will it find him?
(CHANNING looks over at the ledge of still figures - the Autons. One of them steps down with a buzzing sound, ready to begin its task.)
7: EXT. OXLEY WOOD
(A UNIT soldier is on patrol next to one of the jeeps. He suddenly hears a strangled cry and looks round to see RANSOME, almost mad with fear, stumbling out of the trees.)
RANSOME: Ah! Ah! Please...please...please, help me, ah!
(He falls into a d*ad faint on the ground.)
8: EXT. SEELEY’S COTTAGE
(SEELEY is chopping wood outside his cottage when MEG returns, wearing a coat and carrying a handbag from a trip out.)
MEG: Just seen more of them soldiers coming through the village.
SEELEY: Still looking for them thunderbolts, I bet.
MEG: They’re saying they found one. That’s how that poor fellow got k*lled.
SEELEY: k*lled? Who got k*lled?
MEG: The soldier who was driving.
(She speaks with lurid relish...)
MEG: They reckon his neck was broke clean through!
SEELEY: Accident or something?
MEG: Hmm! According to the army.
SEELEY: Well then.
MEG: (Unconvinced.) Well, drove right off the road, he did. Something must’ve made him do that.
SEELEY: I’ve never known a woman as fanciful as you, Meg.
MEG: Then why are the soldiers still here, then? Constable Wilkes said that poor boy’s face was terrible to look at. Something must have frightened him dreadful afore he died.
(She goes into the cottage leaving a thoughtful SEELEY behind, lighting his pipe.)
9: INT. UNIT TENT
(RANSOME sits dazed and traumatised in a UNIT tent. CAPTAIN MUNRO and a SERGEANT watch over him. MUNRO tries to force some tea down him.)
CAPTAIN MUNRO: Come on, come on. Try and drink some.
(RANSOME forces the cup into his mouth but RANSOME merely chokes and dribbles on the brew and then stares ahead and rambles...)
RANSOME: No eyes...hair...the stairs...
CAPTAIN MUNRO: What?
RANSOME: Men...creatures!
(His eyes open wide in horror.)
RANSOME: Made in the factory!
CAPTAIN MUNRO: Sergeant, I want this man sent to HQ - right away.
10: INT. UNIT HEADQUARTERS. LABORATORY
(The DOCTOR and LIZ have g*n their examination on the fragments of the sphere. Various pieces of equipment have been cobbled together on one of the lab benches and the DOCTOR, pencil in mouth, sits at one lab unit while LIZ stands over another.)
LIZ: Are you getting a reading?
DOCTOR: No.
(LIZ adjusts a control in temper.)
LIZ: Oh, well that’s it. I can’t think of anything else we can try!
DOCTOR: Well, don’t worry, my dear. We’ve done our best.
(LIZ starts to pace.)
LIZ: I can’t understand it. We’ve tried a dozen different methods of analysis and haven’t identified a single element.
DOCTOR: Yes, what results can you expect with this primitive equipment?
(LIZ is shocked and a little angry at his comment.)
LIZ: Primitive? We’ve got lasers, spectographs, micron probes...
DOCTOR: Yes, yes, yes, yes, I know all that. But what we really need is a...is a lateral molecular rectifier.
LIZ: What on earth’s that?
DOCTOR: Not on Earth unfortunately. But I think I have one in the TARDIS.
(LIZ raises her eyebrows and looks over at the police box in the corner, cocking a thumb at it.)
LIZ: In there?
DOCTOR: Yes. Well, I’m sure I have one somewhere. But I...I’m sure I used one some time in the past - or was it the future?
LIZ: Doctor, you really do have scientific equipment in there?
DOCTOR: My dear Liz, I have an entire laboratory.
(LIZ starts to laugh.)
LIZ: Yes, yes, I’m sure you have!
DOCTOR: No, no, no, it’s true. Well, you think that the TARDIS isn’t big enough, don’t you? That’s because you keep looking at it simply as a police box.
(LIZ laughs again.)
LIZ: Well, it is only a police box!
DOCTOR: Oh no, not once you get inside it, it isn’t. You see, Liz, the TARDIS is dimensionally transcendental.
(LIZ tries to keep a straight face...)
LIZ: Oh...
(...but fails and she grins.)
LIZ: I see.
DOCTOR: Yes, well it would take far too long to try and explain that to you.
(He walks over to the TARDIS.)
DOCTOR: The important thing is that we’ve got to get this material analysed.
LIZ: And you could do that with your equipment?
DOCTOR: Mmm, child’s play. The only trouble is Lethbridge-Stewart has taken away the key and I can’t get inside.
LIZ: Well, I suppose it is your property.
DOCTOR: Yes. Of course, er, there is always the possibility that, er, you might be able to persuade him to part with it.
11: INT. UNIT TENT
(MUNRO is alone in the UNIT tent and speaking on a field telephone to the BRIGADIER.)
CAPTAIN MUNRO: (Into phone.) We’ve drawn a very tight cordon round the area, sir, so if anybody has taken it, they’re not going to get far.
(He listens.) Right, sir, I will.
(He puts the phone down as SEELEY is thrust into the tent by the UNIT SERGEANT.)
SEELEY: Here, what are you doing?
(SEELEY stands uneasily before MUNRO.)
SERGEANT: Civilian here, sir. Wants to know how much reward for finding a “thunderball”.
CAPTAIN MUNRO: (To SEELEY.) What’s your name?
SEELEY: Seeley, sir, Sam Seeley.
(MUNRO sits behind a trestle table and starts to take notes as SEELEY takes his cap off.)
CAPTAIN MUNRO: And where do you live, Mr. Seeley?
SEELEY: Local, sir. Brook cottage.
(MUNRO notes this down.)
CAPTAIN MUNRO: All right, so, you’ve got something to tell us about these meteorites?
SEELEY: (Innocently.) Me, sir?
CAPTAIN MUNRO: You asked if there was a reward for finding one.
SEELEY: Ah, that’s right.
CAPTAIN MUNRO: So you know where to find one?
SEELEY: I never said that, sir.
CAPTAIN MUNRO: Then why are you interested in a reward?
SEELEY: Well...well, in case I might happen come...across one like.
CAPTAIN MUNRO: Where you out the day those meteorites landed?
SEELEY: M’rites? Don’t know about that. Thunderballs I calls them.
CAPTAIN MUNRO: So you were out?
SEELEY: Well, I...might have been. Then again, I might not.
(MUNRO starts to get impatient.)
CAPTAIN MUNRO: Did you see any of them land?
(SEELEY remains quiet. MUNRO gets up and stands behind him.)
CAPTAIN MUNRO: Mr. Seeley, I want the truth!
12: INT. AUTO PLASTICS. FACTORY CENTRE
(CHANNING adjusts a control on the communications unit. He stares into space and frowns, again as if in telepathic communication.)
CHANNING: The Autons have lost Ransome. He is beyond their range.
HIBBERT: Suppose he goes to UNIT?
CHANNING: Do you think they will believe him?
HIBBERT: They might come here.
(CHANNING thinks.)
CHANNING: Then you will deal with them.
(CHANNING walks over to the t*nk machine.)
CHANNING: Soon it will be the final phase of the plan.
HIBBERT: But there’s still one energy unit missing.
CHANNING: The swarm leader. We will find it.
HIBBERT: Well, what about Ransome? Is he safe now?
CHANNING: Unless he returns to the area. If he does, the Autons will track him down and destroy him.
13: INT. UNIT HEADQUARTERS. BRIGADIER’S OFFICE
(RANSOME sits with the BRIGADIER in his office. He has recovered some but not all of his composure as he relates his story.)
RANSOME: Well, the face was smooth, shiny...it was plastic! Made in the factory...
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE-STEWART: Why do you say that?
RANSOME: Well, just before this...this thing came after me, I...I passed a whole line of them. They were all exactly the same.
(The BRIGADIER gets up from behind his desk.)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE-STEWART: It’s quite a story, Mr. Ransome.
(There is a knock on his door and opening it, LIZ steps in.)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE-STEWART: Yes?
LIZ: Can I have a word with you, Brigadier?
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE-STEWART: Not now, I’m busy.
LIZ: This is rather important. You see, the Doctor thinks th...
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE-STEWART: (Interrupts, curtly.) Miss Shaw, your work in this laboratory is part of one big exercise. You’ll have to be patient.
(He goes over to RANSOME. A fuming LIZ goes to follow but gives up and stands behind the BRIGADIER as he sits on the edge of the desk in front of RANSOME.)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE-STEWART: You say this, er, creature was armed?
RANSOME: It...it took off its hand...
(LIZ glances down at the desk and sees the TARDIS key lying there.)
RANSOME: ...a...a...and there was a sort of tube and...the whole of the arm appeared to be hollow.
(LIZ makes sure that she isn’t observed and picks up the key. With a knowing look, she leaves the office as RANSOME continues his story.)
RANSOME: Well, you should see the hole it blasted in the wall!
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE-STEWART: Then there was an expl*si*n?
RANSOME: Yes, yes, I...I suppose so. Not loud - but it...it was more like a sort of “woosh” that a rocket makes.
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE-STEWART: And this didn’t attract anybody’s attention?
RANSOME: Well, I didn’t see a living soul in that part of the factory. They seem to have sacked all the workers. It’s completely automated now.
(The BRIGADIER gets up and walks behind the frightened man.)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE-STEWART: How long have you been away in America, Mr. Ransome?
RANSOME: Er, six months.
(The BRIGADIER re-takes his chair.)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE-STEWART: None of this was in evidence before you left? New production lines, changing over to automation? Not steps that occur overnight, are they?
RANSOME: (Impatiently.) I agree with you, sir, but it’s happened!
(The BRIGADIER glances over his desk top and sees that something is missing...)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE-STEWART: The key...
14: INT. UNIT HEADQUARTERS. LABORATORY
(Back in the lab, LIZ hands over the key to the DOCTOR. He takes it with a smile.)
DOCTOR: I’m afraid he’s going to be awfully cross with you.
LIZ: Well, if you’re quick, he mightn’t even miss it.
(The DOCTOR smiles and turns to the TARDIS. He inserts the key and the door opens.)
LIZ: Hey, it didn’t turn when the Brigadier tried to open it.
DOCTOR: Well, that’s because the lock has a metabolism detector.
(He walks into the TARDIS and slams the door shut. At that moment, the BRIGADIER runs into the lab. LIZ turns round, somewhat guiltily and nonchalantly leans against the TARDIS.)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE-STEWART: Miss Shaw, where’s that key?
(LIZ smiles slightly but doesn’t answer.)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE-STEWART: You’ve given it to him.
LIZ: He needed some equipment.
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE-STEWART: Equipment? I had no idea you could be so gullible. That’s an excuse. We shan’t see him again.
LIZ: (Dismissive.) Oh, what do you mean?
(The TARDIS dematerialisation sound begins, but it is staggered and hesitant compared to its usual tone.)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE-STEWART: Listen!
(LIZ backs hastily away from the TARDIS and they both look up at the flashing roof light.)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE-STEWART: He’s going.
(However the sounds from the TARDIS continue to sound slower and more tortured and it is clear that all is not well. Eventually, there is the sound of a muffled expl*si*n and smoke starts to pour out of the cracks in the closed door. The BRIGADIER and a severe looking LIZ stare at the TARDIS as the door opens and a sheepish and coughing DOCTOR emerges from the smoke.)
DOCTOR: Just...testing. I... (Coughs.) ...wanted to see if the controls...
LIZ: Doctor - you tricked me.
(The DOCTOR coughs again and pulls the door to.)
DOCTOR: Yes...the temptation was too strong, my dear.
(He walks over to a lab stool and sits down forlornly.)
DOCTOR: It’s just that I couldn’t bear the thought of being tied to one planet and one time. (Sighs.) I’m sorry. (Quietly.) It won’t happen again.
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE-STEWART: It won’t? Give me the key, Doctor.
(He holds out his hand. The DOCTOR looks up at him like a naughty schoolboy.)
DOCTOR: Must I? Well, the TARDIS no longer works, as you saw.
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE-STEWART: Well, will you give me your word not to try to escape again?
DOCTOR: I couldn’t escape now if I wanted to. (Angrily.) They’ve trapped me here!
LIZ: Who have?
(The DOCTOR doesn’t answer the question directly but gets up and starts to walk across to a lab bench.)
DOCTOR: That mean, despicable, underhanded lot! They've changed the dematerialisation code.
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE-STEWART: The what?
DOCTOR: The demater...
(He gives up.)
DOCTOR: It doesn’t matter, you wouldn’t understand anyway.
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE-STEWART: Well, there’s a great deal that I don’t understand. But one thing I did understand, Doctor, was that you promised your help.
DOCTOR: Yes, well, I’ve tried to help you the best way I can, but I need more evidence, more to go on.
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE-STEWART: Well, I think I might be able to help you.
15: EXT. SEELEY’S COTTAGE
(MEG walks out of the cottage and looks round.)
MEG: Sam?
(Seeing no one is about, she creeps towards the out-house, and pushing the door open, pulls the trunk out.)
16: INT. UNIT HEADQUARTERS. BRIGADIER’S OFFICE
(The DOCTOR and LIZ have joined the BRIGADIER in his office as he continues his questioning of RANSOME.)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE-STEWART: What made you go back to the factory?
RANSOME: Well, I wanted to try to talk to George on his own. And I wanted to get a look at that security area.
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE-STEWART: You think he’s afraid of somebody?
RANSOME: I don’t know, but...but this other man who came in...
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE-STEWART: (Interrupts.) Did you find out who the other man was?
RANSOME: Yes, his name’s Channing. Now, he seemed to have some sort of...mental hold over George, almost as if he was hypnotised.
DOCTOR: Do you know, Brigadier, a think perhaps a visit to that plastics factory would be in order, don’t you?
17: INT. UNIT TENT
(As SEELEY’S interrogation continues, he starts to get agitated...)
SEELEY: If I don’t get home soon, I’m gonna be in terrible trouble wi’missus! Let me go, sir.
(He starts to get up off his chair but MUNRO pushes him back down.)
CAPTAIN MUNRO: Don’t worry, Mr. Seeley, we’ll let your wife know where you are. Now, about the meteorites?
SEELEY: Look, sir, it’s a mistake. I haven’t seen nothing.
CAPTAIN MUNRO: If you tell us where it is, you can go home.
(SEELEY considers this.)
SEELEY: Worth a bit of money, I reckon.
CAPTAIN MUNRO: So you do know where there is one?
SEELEY: I might.
CAPTAIN MUNRO: Seeley, I’m not going to bargain with you. You tell me everything you know, and tell me quick!
18: EXT. SEELEY’S COTTAGE
(MEG inserts a key into the lock of the trunk. After a struggle, she opens it and hears the muffled signal. She pulls the blanket back and sees the red flashing sphere. She puts her hand to her mouth in shock.)
19: INT. AUTO PLASTICS. FACTORY CENTRE
(At the factory, CHANNING and HIBBERT look at the flashing radar-type scanner on the communications unit. CHANNING in particular is staring at the screen in intense concentration...)
CHANNING: It’s less than two miles away.
HIBBERT: Aren’t you going to arrange to collect it?
CHANNING: That is being done...
20: EXT. OXLEY WOOD
(In the woods, an Auton turns slightly as it receives the signal and starts to scan for its exact source. Located, it starts to move through the ferns and bracken.)
21: INT. AUTO PLASTICS. FACTORY CENTRE
(CHANNING and HIBBERT continue to look at the monitor.)
HIBBERT: Suppose it stops signalling again?
(CHANNING seems to be able to see beyond the screen and through the Auton’s eyes.)
CHANNING: We’re nearly there. Through the trees...across the road...the swarm leader is held in that small building!
22: EXT. SEELEY’S COTTAGE
(In the trees at the back of SEELEY’S cottage, the bushes part. The Auton has arrived...)
23: INT. UNIT TENT
(In the tent, SEELEY has finally confessed to an incredulous MUNRO...)
CAPTAIN MUNRO: In a trunk?!
SEELEY: Couldn’t think of no other place to hide it.
CAPTAIN MUNRO: Don't you realise these things might be dangerous?
(MUNRO hears movement outside the tent and he, SEELEY and the SERGEANT watch as the BRIGADIER, the DOCTOR, LIZ and RANSOME enter. MUNRO stands to attention.)
CAPTAIN MUNRO: This man, sir. He’s found one of the meteorites.
(The BRIGADIER gives SEELEY the briefest of looks.)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE-STEWART: (To MUNRO.) Where is it?
CAPTAIN MUNRO: At his house, sir. I was about to take a party and collect it.
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE-STEWART: Right. We’ll go in my car. You know the way, Munro?
CAPTAIN MUNRO: Yes, sir.
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE-STEWART: (To RANSOME.) Oh, Mr. Ransome, would you mind staying here?
(RANSOME nods his agreement and moves to sit down. The BRIGADIER starts to leave.)
DOCTOR: Brigadier, I think we’ll come with you, if you don’t mind.
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE-STEWART: Good, might be as well.
(The DOCTOR, LIZ and the BRIGADIER leave. MUNRO gives a last order.)
CAPTAIN MUNRO: Sergeant, put Seeley in the truck and keep an eye on him.
(MUNRO follows the other three.)
24: EXT. SEELEY’S COTTAGE
(In something of a panic, MEG recovers the sphere and closes the trunk. As she does so, their dog starts to bark incessantly nearby...)
MEG: Oh, be quiet, Barney.
(She pushes the trunk back into the out-house as the dog continues to bark.)
MEG: Stop that row!
(She closes the out-house door as the dog suddenly yelps and goes quiet. A look of fear appears on MEG’S face. Suddenly there is an almighty sound of glass breaking from inside the house followed by similar crashes and bangs. Now MEG looks really concerned...)
MEG: Barney, what are y’at?
(Gathering her courage, MEG moves towards the cottage and steps inside.)
25: INT. SEELEY’S COTTAGE
(MEG enters a little parlour, looking round in fear. The sound of a ransack continues to come from the next room.)
MEG: Sam, is that you?
(The noise continues. She goes to the doorway to the next room.)
MEG: Sam, what do you reckon you’re playing at?
(MEG sees the blue boiler-suited figure stood with its back to her in the room.)
MEG: (Scared.) Who are you? What do you want?
(The Auton turns to reveal its blank plastic face. MEG lets out a terrified scream.)
MEG: You get away! My husband’s about, you know!
(She flees from the cottage, crying and screaming all the way. The Auton follows her.)
26: EXT. SEELEY’S COTTAGE
(MEG runs towards the out-house. She reaches through the door and pulls out a g*n. She opens it and inserts two cartridges into the barrel as fast as she can. All the time, the buzz of the approaching Auton gets louder. MEG finishes loading the g*n and starts as she sees the Auton walking out of the cottage and approaching her. She raises the g*n.)
MEG: You saw me load it. Get out of here or I’ll blow a hole in you.
(The Auton continues to approach...)
MEG: Get back! I’m not joking! Get back!
(She fires the two sh*ts. They h*t the Auton square in the chest but they seem to have no impact on the creature. It doesn’t even stagger back under the force of the sh*t. With a burnt hole in the front of its suit, it continues to move forward.)
MEG: No, you get back. No...oh...
27: INT. AUTO PLASTICS. FACTORY CENTRE
(In the factory, CHANNING continues to see events...)
CHANNING: The signal is muffled. Search! We must find it! We must find it.
(HIBBERT stares at him...)
28: EXT. SEELEY’S COTTAGE
(MEG lies on the ground. The Auton has returned to the cottage from wherein the sound of the ransack continues. Giving up in the house, it comes out back towards the out-house. It turns to scan and then slams open the door and enters.)
29: INT. SEELEY’S COTTAGE
(The contents of the cottage lie in broken ruins. There is a knock at the front door followed by a second when there is no answer.)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE-STEWART: (OOV.) Mrs. Seeley? Mrs. Seeley?
(The BRIGADIER and his party enter the cottage through the back room and clamber over the devastation.)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE-STEWART: (To MUNRO.) Check the...
(He stops as they all hear noise from the out house. The BRIGADIER and MUNRO run out of the back of the cottage.)
30: EXT. SEELEY’S COTTAGE
(Outside the Auton has retrieved the trunk from the out-house and opened it. The BRIGADIER and MUNRO stop in their tracks and instantly go for their g*n.
The Auton turns and looks at them as the two soldiers open f*re. It advances on them with the b*ll*ts spraying off its chest.)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE-STEWART: Get a platoon out here - fast!
31: INT. AUTO PLASTICS. FACTORY CENTRE
CHANNING: Recall! Recall!
HIBBERT: What’s happening? Channing?
(CHANNING almost looks pained.)
CHANNING: UNIT...too many.
(His eyes suddenly blaze.)
CHANNING: Recall!
32: EXT. SEELEY’S COTTAGE
(The DOCTOR and LIZ run out of the cottage as the Auton turns and flees, running at a sprint into the woods.
33: INT. AUTO PLASTICS. FACTORY CENTRE
CHANNING: Recall!
(CHANNING suddenly slumps slightly, as if exhausted.)
HIBBERT: Channing?
(CHANNING seems to gather his strength.)
CHANNING: There were too many.
HIBBERT: What?
CHANNING: The swarm leader has been taken by UNIT soldiers.
HIBBERT: How do you know that?
CHANNING: I know.
HIBBERT: Why didn’t the Auton destroy them?
CHANNING: Because I recalled it. It is too soon for a major battle. We must delay UNIT.
(Another signal comes from the communications unit.)
CHANNING: Ransome has returned to the area. We shall also deal with him.
34: EXT. SEELEY’S COTTAGE
(A blanket has been placed over MEG to keep her warm as LIZ tends to her with the BRIGADIER watching. The DOCTOR examines the sphere.)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE-STEWART: How is she?
LIZ: All right as far as I can tell. I think we ought to get her to hospital though.
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE-STEWART: Right. I’ll lay on an ambulance.
(He leaves to carry out his task. The DOCTOR continues to look at the sphere in fascination.)
DOCTOR: You know, this really is most interesting. We must examine it in the laboratory.
LIZ: What do you make of it?
DOCTOR: Well, I was right about the shape, wasn’t I? The signal must have been muffled by the metal of that trunk. It’s most interesting.
LIZ: Suppose it explodes - like the other one?
DOCTOR: There’s no reason why it should as long as we treat it gently. Unless, of course...
LIZ: Unless what?
DOCTOR: It has a built-in destruct impulse. In that case, we’ll just have to risk it.
LIZ: (Fearfully.) Doctor, suppose that...thing comes back for it?
35: EXT. UNIT TENT
(Outside the UNIT tent, a plastic hand s*ab at the canvas and slices a long hole downwards.)
36: INT. UNIT TENT
(Inside, RANSOME, lying on a bench stares up in horror as the gap widens and one of his plastic tormentors steps through. Its fingers drop down to reveal its hand g*n.)
37: INT. AUTO PLASTICS. FACTORY CENTRE
(CHANNING also “sees” these events.)
CHANNING: Destroy!
38: INT. UNIT TENT
(The Auton receives the command.)
39: INT. AUTO PLASTICS. FACTORY CENTRE
CHANNING: Total destruction!
40: INT. UNIT TENT
(The Auton fires and an expl*si*n erupts from RANSOME. He and the bench fall over. The Auton fires again and this time, the expl*si*n seems to retract on itself. When it has disappeared, there is no trace of the body. The Auton turns and walks out of the hole in the back of the tent.)
41: EXT. SEELEY’S COTTAGE
(MUNRO returns to the cottage where the BRIGADIER has rejoined LIZ and the DOCTOR who are re-packing the sphere in the trunk.)
CAPTAIN MUNRO: The creature got away into the woods, sir.
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE-STEWART: Munro, I want a cordon round that plastics factory.
CAPTAIN MUNRO: Very good, sir.
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE-STEWART: That creature, robot or whatever it was, obviously came from there. Mr. Ransome described something very like it.
(MUNRO runs off to carry out the order.)
DOCTOR: Yes, and until we know a bit more about these things, I think we should move very cautiously.
42: INT. UNIT TENT
(Later, the party have returned to the tent and found out that RANSOME is missing. The DOCTOR and MUNRO examine the rip in the tent wall while the SERGEANT makes his impassioned excuses to the BRIGADIER.)
SERGEANT: But he couldn’t just have walked out, sir. I’ve had a guard on the front of the tent all the time!
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE-STEWART: (Angrily.) Never mind about the front! What about the back? That’s how he got away.
CAPTAIN MUNRO: He must have cut his way out.
DOCTOR: No, he didn’t cut his way out, but somebody cut their way in. This canvas has been ripped from the outside.
(The BRIGADIER looks accusingly at the SERGEANT.)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE-STEWART: So they took him from under our very noses?
DOCTOR: If Mr. Ransome is anywhere, he’ll be at that plastics factory. So I suggest that we go there immediately.
43: INT. AUTO PLASTICS. MACHINE ROOM
(The shiny-faced secretary leads the BRIGADIER, LIZ and the DOCTOR through the machine room of the factory. They all take an interest in their surroundings as they go. The area is still empty of people.)
44: INT. AUTO PLASTICS. OFFICE LANDING
(The secretary goes into HIBBERT’S office ahead of the others and they wait on the landing for their appointment. Behind the BRIGADIER is a piece of ridge-frosted glass and behind this stands CHANNING. The BRIGADIER senses he is being watched and turns to look. He stares for a moment in recognition at CHANNING who steps away from the glass. The effect is of his face splitting up into myriad strands.)
45: INT. AUTO PLASTICS. MANAGING DIRECTOR’S OFFICE
(The three visitors have been shown into HIBBERT’S office. LIZ and the BRIGADIER sit on the other side of the man’s desk while the DOCTOR stands at the back. HIBBERT is jovial and laughing.)
HIBBERT: What an extraordinary story! What made him say such a thing?
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE-STEWART: We have to check on it, Mr. Hibbert. However extraordinary it may be.
HIBBERT: I’d like to hear him tell this story in front of me.
LIZ: He was coming with us but, unfortunately, he disappeared.
HIBBERT: (Sighs.) Ah, he was a brilliant young man - in many ways.
LIZ: Then why did you dismiss him?
HIBBERT: Oh, he had some...wild scheme for making electronic dolls. The design was quite impractical. He was very unpleasant when I turned him down.
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE-STEWART: So you feel he told this story just to cause you trouble?
HIBBERT: I’m afraid so. It must have been praying on his mind.
DOCTOR: What exactly are you making here?
HIBBERT: Er, plastic dolls of course. Er, but our new line is display mannequins for shops. We send them all over the country.
DOCTOR: And can these...”mannequins” actually move?
HIBBERT: Well, they’re flexible, of course. That’s why we’ve captured the market. (Laughs.) But I can assure you, they can’t move on their own!
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE-STEWART: So Ransome may have been simply making trouble?
HIBBERT: I can’t think of another explanation.
(There is an uncomfortable silence, then the DOCTOR steps forward.)
DOCTOR: Yes, well, I’ve...think we’ve seen all we can possibly see here. I’m sorry if we’ve been a nuisance.
(HIBBERT stands.)
HIBBERT: Er, not at all. I’ll see you out.
46: INT. UNIT HEADQUARTERS. LABORATORY
(Back at UNIT HQ, the sphere has been connected to a series of sensors. It flashes away as the DOCTOR looks over the equipment as the BRIGADIER tells LIZ what he saw at the factory.)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE-STEWART: It was the man who led the raid on the hospital. I recognised him from his photograph.
LIZ: And what will you do now?
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE-STEWART: I’ve put a call through to General Scobie. If I can get his authority, I’ll surround the place and raid it.
(A print-out starts to emerge from the machine the DOCTOR is looking at.)
DOCTOR: Here, come over here, you two. Look at this.
(They do so.)
LIZ: Have you got something?
DOCTOR: Mmm.
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE-STEWART: And what does that thing do?
DOCTOR: It measures mental activity. It’s fascinating, isn’t it?
LIZ: You mean...there’s some form of intelligence inside that globe?
DOCTOR: Yes. You know, it’s as I suspected. This globe is only a container. I wonder whether we can communicate with it?
(A nearby tannoy buzzes and the BRIGADIER goes over to answer it.)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE-STEWART: (Into tannoy.) Yes?
UNIT SOLDIER: (OOV: Over tannoy.) Your call to General Scobie, sir.
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE-STEWART: (Into tannoy.) Good.
(He picks up a phone.)
47: INT. SCOBIE’S HOUSE
(GENERAL SCOBIE stands in the hallway of his elegant Georgian house.)
MAJOR GENERAL SCOBIE: (Into phone.) What’s that, Stewart? (He listens.) Auto Plastics? Yes, I was there about two hours - why?
48: INT. UNIT HEADQUARTERS. LABORATORY
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE-STEWART: (Into phone.) I wondered if you’d noticed anything irregular, sir? We’ve had some rather strange reports about that factory.
49: INT. SCOBIE’S HOUSE
MAJOR GENERAL SCOBIE: (Into phone.) Nothing at all. (He listens.) No, perfectly normal. Yes, pleasant couple of fellows, I thought. (Listens.)
Right. (Listens.) I see. Well, that sounds pretty serious. (Listens.) Yes, I’ll come and see you straight away. (Listens.) I’ll give you all the support you need.
(There is a knock at his front door and he briefly glances out of his window and then...)
MAJOR GENERAL SCOBIE: (Into phone.) Well, goodbye, Stewart.
(He puts the phone down and walks to his front door. He opens it and stands in shock - outside is himself. Shiny-faced and expressionless but nevertheless a perfect facsimile of SCOBIE. It starts to enter the house and the real GENERAL backs off. The facsimile continues to walk towards its original...)
MAJOR GENERAL SCOBIE: No...no! | {"type": "series", "show": "Doctor Who", "episode": "07x03 - Spearhead from Space - part 3"} | foreverdreaming |
SPEARHEAD FROM SPACE
BY: ROBERT HOLMES
EPISODE 4
Original Air Date: 24 January, 1970
5:15pm - 5:40pm
1: INT. SCOBIE’S HOUSE
(MAJOR GENERAL SCOBIE looks in shock through his open front door. Outside is himself, shiny-faced and expressionless but nevertheless a perfect facsimile of SCOBIE. It starts to enter the house and the real GENERAL backs off. The facsimile continues to walk towards its original...)
MAJOR GENERAL SCOBIE: No...no!
2: INT. UNIT HEADQUARTERS. LABORATORY
(At UNIT HQ, the sphere is still connected to the series of sensors, monitored by the DOCTOR and LIZ.)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE-STEWART: What are you actually trying to do, Doctor?
(The DOCTOR points at the sphere.)
DOCTOR: Well, it appears that in there we have what one might loosely call a brain. (To LIZ.) Fifty megacycles, Liz.
(LIZ turns a dial on the machine that she is stood over.)
DOCTOR: If we can establish the frequency on which it operates...
(He is interrupted by a small flash which emanates from LIZ’S machine.)
DOCTOR: Oh, dear.
LIZ: We overloaded the circuit, I think.
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE-STEWART: Doctor, you were saying that this is some kind of brain.
DOCTOR: Yeah, or part of a brain. (Thoughtfully.) An intelligence...yes, that’s probably nearer the mark.
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE-STEWART: Sending signals somewhere. Where to?
DOCTOR: Well, the rest of itself, surely?
LIZ: The other globes that came down?
DOCTOR: (Nods.) Mmm hmm.
LIZ: They’re all part of one entity? Let’s say a collective intelligence.
(The BRIGADIER stares nervously at the sphere.)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE-STEWART: Can it see us?
(The DOCTOR gives a short laugh.)
DOCTOR: My dear fellow, it’s not sentient.
LIZ: No, our measurements prove there’s no physical substance inside it.
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE-STEWART: But, if it is has no physical form...
DOCTOR: (Interrupts.) No, once here it can presumably create a...suitable shell for itself. Otherwise, there’d be no point in coming.
LIZ: (Realising.) The plastics factory.
DOCTOR: Yes.
(The desk tannoy buzzes and the BRIGADIER answers it.)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE-STEWART: (Into tannoy.) Yes?
UNIT SOLDIER: (OOV: Over tannoy.) General Scobie calling, sir.
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE-STEWART: (Into tannoy.) Put him on.
(He picks up the phone.)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE-STEWART: (To the DOCTOR.) As soon as I get his authority, we’ll move in.
3: INT. AUTO PLASTICS. MANAGING DIRECTOR’S OFFICE
(The replica SCOBIE is on the phone back in HIBBERT’S office...)
MAJOR GENERAL SCOBIE: (Into phone.) Stewart? About that Auto Plastic Factory. (He listens.) Yes, but it’s off limits, I’m afraid.
They’ve got some important work on hand - it mustn’t be interfered with.
4: INT. UNIT HEADQUARTERS. LABORATORY
(The BRIGADIER is astounded...)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE-STEWART: (Into phone.) Sir, if you’ll just...
(There is a click on the line.)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE-STEWART: (Angrily.) Oh, he’s hung up.
(He slams the phone down.)
LIZ: What are you going to do now?
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE-STEWART: There’s not much I can do - except go over his head. Yes, I’ll get on to the Home Secretary and if I don’t get him to revoke that order, I’ll go to UNIT headquarters in Geneva.
DOCTOR: That’s gonna take time.
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE-STEWART: The old fool! Just because he feels flattered they made a facsimile of him.
(The DOCTOR looks up from his bench...)
DOCTOR: Facsimile? Of General Scobie?
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE-STEWART: A plastic replica, yes. Apparently, they make these things for Madame Tussaud’s. It’s one of their sidelines.
DOCTOR: Oh my goodness...
5: INT. MADAME TUSSAUD’S. DISPLAY ROOM
DOCTOR: (OOV.) The waxworks...?
(The famous waxworks is coming to the end of its day. On one side of the room, in front of heavy blue velvet curtains is a display of American Presidents.
Washington looks down on Kennedy and Nixon. Hoover and Johnson are nearby with others. Two tourists look through their guide and then at the display. Behind them stand the DOCTOR and LIZ.)
DOCTOR: Well, I think this is the right room.
(He walks away from the Presidential display and towards another.)
DOCTOR: Liz?
LIZ: What?
DOCTOR: Do you recognise any of these people?
LIZ: Yes, of course.
(She looks towards a display which is a mixture of uniformed and civilian figures.)
LIZ: I think all that group are top civil servants. Hey, that’s odd.
DOCTOR: Mmm?
LIZ: They’re all Government types. There are no astronauts, famous personalities, you know - people like that.
DOCTOR: Yes...
(He spots an elderly uniformed Museum ATTENDANT.)
DOCTOR: Oh, excuse me?
ATTENDANT: Yes, sir?
(The ATTENDANT walks over.)
DOCTOR: I understand these figures aren’t made of wax, is that right?
ATTENDANT: Yes, that’s right, sir. These are plastic. It’s an entirely new process.
DOCTOR: Are they supplying any more or is the tableau complete now?
ATTENDANT: Oh, they’re coming in with them all the time, sir. Er, they brought that fellow in just this morning.
(He points over to a still but very familiar figure.)
LIZ: General Scobie!
DOCTOR: Well that was quick. When did he visit the factory?
LIZ: Yesterday afternoon.
(The DOCTOR and LIZ leave the ATTENDANT and walk up to the display. The DOCTOR goes round the back of the new arrival and starts to examine it closely.)
LIZ: What are you doing, Doctor?
(LIZ looks round and smiles nervously at the puzzled tourists. The DOCTOR carries on his examination, paying particular attention to the left arm. LIZ, embarrassed, speaks through gritted teeth.)
LIZ: Doctor, what are you doing?!
(The DOCTOR shushes her and looks at the watch on the model’s arm. He then rejoins a wide-eyed LIZ.)
DOCTOR: Liz, if you were making a model of someone, would you put a wristwatch on it.
LIZ: Well, I might do - if it had to look really authentic.
DOCTOR: Yes, would you go to the trouble of winding it up and keeping it at the correct time? I think you and I had better have a word with Lethbridge-Stewart.
6: INT. UNIT HEADQUARTERS. BRIGADIER’S OFFICE
(CAPTAIN MUNRO takes the DOCTOR’S call...)
CAPTAIN MUNRO: (Into phone.) I’m afraid not. He’s been out all day. Trying to see the Home Secretary, I gather.
7: INT. MADAME TUSSAUD’S. SIDE ROOM
(The DOCTOR and LIZ are on a public pay phone...)
DOCTOR: (Into phone.) Well, when he comes in, tell him that I’ll call again later, will you? Goodbye.
(He puts the phone down.)
LIZ: Now what will we do?
DOCTOR: Well, there’s only one thing we can do - wait.
LIZ: Wait for what?
DOCTOR: Closing time.
8: INT. AUTO PLASTICS. FACTORY CENTRE
(CHANNING is stood next to the t*nk machine, making adjustments. Through an observation window at the end of the machine, a creature can be seen inside.
It has a large staring eye and many pink tendon-like strands which emanate outwards. HIBBERT stares at it.)
HIBBERT: What will it look like when it’s ready?
CHANNING: I cannot tell you - yet.
HIBBERT: But you must know what it looks like - you made it.
CHANNING: I made nothing. I merely provided an environment t*nk in which the energy units can create the perfect life form.
HIBBERT: I don’t understand.
CHANNING: (Quietly.) Of course you don’t. How can you?
(He steps towards HIBBERT.)
HIBBERT: (Afraid.) You talk as though you were not...
CHANNING: (Interrupts.) Don’t struggle against me, Hibbert.
(As he stares at him, HIBBERT’S hand moves to the back of his neck.)
CHANNING: Trust me. We must work together.
HIBBERT: Yes, of course.
CHANNING: Good. The swarm leader has to be brought here.
HIBBERT: But UNIT have taken it. How can we...?
CHANNING: (Interrupts.) You forget we have General Scobie.
HIBBERT: He’s just a copy, Channing. If he’s detected...
CHANNING: (Interrupts.) You have only seen the Autons. Crude w*apon with a single offensive function.
(He stares at HIBBERT.)
CHANNING: But the facsimiles like Scobie’s are perfect reproductions, even down to brain cells and memory traces. We shall activate them all tonight. You will see then how effective they are.
9: INT. UNIT HEADQUARTERS. LABORATORY
(The replica SCOBIE is in the UNIT lab with a regular Army officer. MUNRO, very uneasy in his manner, is escorting them. The replica SCOBIE, his face slightly shiny, looks down at the signalling globe.)
MAJOR GENERAL SCOBIE: Odd looking object.
CAPTAIN MUNRO: May I ask, sir, what you intend doing with it?
MAJOR GENERAL SCOBIE: The government are sending it to the Royal Geophysical Laboratory.
(The army officer stands menacingly behind MUNRO.)
CAPTAIN MUNRO: With respect, sir, I think the Brigadier ought to be informed first. I have no authority to part with it.
MAJOR GENERAL SCOBIE: (Curtly.) You can tell Brigadier Stewart I ordered you to hand it over.
CAPTAIN MUNRO: My orders must come through UNIT, sir.
MAJOR GENERAL SCOBIE: Captain Munro, you may be attached to UNIT but you’re still in the army.
(MUNRO hesitates.)
MAJOR GENERAL SCOBIE: Will you give me the globe? Or shall I take it...
(He smiles.)
MAJOR GENERAL SCOBIE: ...and arrest you for mutiny?
(MUNRO considers...)
CAPTAIN MUNRO: You leave me no alternative, sir.
(MUNRO closes the lid of a box that the globe has been placed in - a plastic box.)
10: INT. MADAME TUSSAUD’S. DISPLAY ROOM (NIGHT)
(The waxworks is closing for the day. The display room is empty apart from the ATTENDANT who stands at a board of light switches hidden behind the curtains which he flicks off one by one. The room is plunged into darkness. His task done, the ATTENDANT picks up his bell and leaves the room. A moment later, the curtain behind the waxwork of Ghandi parts and the DOCTOR emerges, torch in hand, followed by LIZ. The cross over to the nearby tableau of plastic figures. LIZ is nervous in the mannequin-filled hall.)
LIZ: I don’t like this.
DOCTOR: Well, there’s nothing to be afraid of. They’re only dummies...I think.
(He slowly moves across the display.)
DOCTOR: It’s funny how their eyes seem to follow you, isn’t it?
LIZ: Very.
(The DOCTOR moves off from her and stands still looking closely at one of the figures. LIZ sees that she cannot see him in the gloom.)
LIZ: Doctor?
(She moves next to him but he is so still that she cannot see him in the darkness.)
LIZ: Doctor? (Panicked.) Doctor?
(He moves...)
DOCTOR: Mmm?
(...and LIZ jumps out of her skin.)
LIZ: I thought I heard something.
DOCTOR: No, it’s only your imagination.
LIZ: A...are they plastic?
DOCTOR: Yes...yes, I’m sure they are.
LIZ: But when you talked about the watch, you meant that this is the real General Scobie?
DOCTOR: Yes, and his plastic facsimile is walking around somewhere. Now just...
(LIZ hears footsteps outside the hall.)
LIZ: Someone’s coming.
DOCTOR: Quick! Back behind the curtain.
(They rush over and regain their former hiding place. As soon as they do so, the door to the corridor opens and CHANNING and HIBBERT walk in. CHANNING looks round, a look of concern on his face.)
HIBBERT: What’s wrong?
CHANNING: There is an alien life form somewhere near. I can sense it.
HIBBERT: There’s only you and me here, and the facsimiles...and Scobie.
(CHANNING relaxes.)
CHANNING: Scobie, yes. Open the door.
(He moves towards the display of civil servants. HIBBERT watches him go and then does as instructed. Behind the curtain, the DOCTOR and LIZ listen intently.)
HIBBERT: (OOV.) What do you have to do to activate them?
(On the other side of the curtain, CHANNING answers the question...)
CHANNING: Nothing. They know it is time.
(Suddenly, various figures in the display come to life. With smooth movements, their rigid stances relax and they walk off the podium and over to the door.
The DOCTOR and LIZ listen to this movement as the Autons walk between CHANNING and HIBBERT and out of the door.)
HIBBERT: Where are they going?
CHANNING: To take their places. It is time for them to begin work.
(CHANNING follows them out. HIBBERT hesitates a moment and then follows, closing the door behind him. Once again, the DOCTOR and LIZ come out of hiding and look at the display, now empty of all the non-historical figures bar SCOBIE. Suddenly they hear a scared voice behind them...)
HIBBERT: What are you doing here?!
(They spin round and see HIBBERT nervously looking at them.)
HIBBERT: You shouldn’t...
DOCTOR: Shh!
(The DOCTOR walks over to him.)
HIBBERT: Channing will...
DOCTOR: Shh, shh, shh! If you tell Channing that we’re here, the Autons will k*ll us, as I think they k*lled your friend Ransom.
(HIBBERT puts his hand to the back of his neck. He looks pained.)
HIBBERT: Ransom? I... had to dismiss him, because... Channing said...
(The DOCTOR interrupts, speaking intently to the confused and scared man...)
DOCTOR: Channing is controlling your mind. You must resist him. Channing is your enemy. The enemy of the entire human race!
HIBBERT: Channing is...is my partner. New policy...
DOCTOR: Now listen to me, Hibbert. You’ve got to get away from Channing. Get away and think. Now come to UNIT. I can help you.
CHANNING: (OOV: In corridor.) Hibbert!
(The DOCTOR and LIZ jump back into a natural alcove in the curtains, out of sight. CHANNING enters the room and speaks to HIBBERT.)
CHANNING: What are you doing?
HIBBERT: I was just checking.
CHANNING: There is nothing to check. We are finished here.
(He moves out. HIBBERT looks briefly at the DOCTOR and LIZ and then follows. They relax and breathe a sigh of relief.)
11: INT. UNIT HEADQUARTERS. BRIGADIER’S OFFICE (NIGHT)
(The DOCTOR and LIZ are back at UNIT HQ. The BRIGADIER has also returned from Geneva and the DOCTOR is urgently advising him of developments as CAPTAIN MUNRO looks on...)
DOCTOR: It’s the facsimiles, Brigadier. They’re moving. They’ve just left the waxworks.
LIZ: You’ve got to act quickly, Brigadier, or else it’ll be too late. By tomorrow...
DOCTOR: (Interrupts.) By tomorrow, they will have taken over the key positions in the entire country. You’ve got to move against that factory now!
12: INT. AUTO PLASTICS. FACTORY CENTRE (NIGHT)
(The replica SCOBIE has arrived back at the plastics factory. He holds the sphere in its plastic box to CHANNING.)
MAJOR GENERAL SCOBIE: If they move against you, I shall be ready for them.
CHANNING: Humans are not predictable. It is growing difficult to maintain control over Hibbert.
MAJOR GENERAL SCOBIE: Hibbert is no longer necessary.
CHANNING: No. We need no one now.
(He reaches into the plastic box and takes out to glowing sphere. He then carries it over to one of the pieces of machinery in the room - a large tray-like holder, over which there is a square metal pipe leading off towards other machinery in the room. He places the sphere in the tray. Immediately, the creature in the t*nk starts to pulse with extra energy as CHANNING makes adjustments on the tray-like machine. The eye of the creature starts to twitch with life.)
CHANNING: At dawn, we will activate the Autons.
MAJOR GENERAL SCOBIE: Good.
CHANNING: Just a few more hours. Just a few more hours.
13: INT. UNIT HEADQUARTERS. LABORATORY (DAWN)
(LIZ and the DOCTOR are hard at work in the lab over a pile of wires which lead into a small portable machine. LIZ, tired after working through the night, holds two of the wires up. The DOCTOR seems un-fatigued by his labours. He has a few of the wires round his neck and a couple in his mouth as he makes adjustments to the machine. LIZ checks her watch.)
LIZ: It’s nearly half-past five. Can’t we take a break? I can hardly keep me eyes open.
DOCTOR: And a red...
(He picks up a red wire...)
DOCTOR: Here it is.
(...and adds them to the collection in his hand.)
DOCTOR: Hold onto those for a moment, will you?
(LIZ takes them.)
LIZ: Just think: the rest of the world is fast asleep.
(She yawns.)
14: EXT. LONDON HIGH STREET
(Being so early in the morning, the high street is nearly deserted. The rattle of milk bottles in the float is the only sound that pervades the quiet at the start of the day. One or two cars are reflected in the glass of the shop windows as they pass by. Within the window itself, various display mannequins are adorned in the latest smart coats and fashions. Suddenly, one of the figures twitches into life. Others follow. They sway on their feet and slowly start to flex their limbs. One of them has its hand raised. The fingers fall away and reveal an Auton g*n...)
15: EXT. LONDON SIDE STREET
(Nearby a policeman is talking to a night-watchman. The sound of breaking glass reaches them. The policeman runs from the watchman’s hut towards the sound.)
16: EXT. LONDON HIGH STREET
(The window dummies are stepping through the glass and into the street as cars and a bus pass. They all have their hand g*n ready and primed. The policeman runs round the corner and sees the figures. His jaw drops but before he can react, an Auton fires at him and his stomach explodes in a cloud of red smoke. A nearby woman screams as the policeman falls. In another window, more dummies come to life. As they break out of their window, a passing cyclist looks up and is soon blasted off his bike. The Autons continue down the street and up behind a group of people standing patiently at a bus stop. They raise their hands and f*re into the backs of the people. The ones at the front of the queue run in shock as those at the rear fall to the ground. Another woman screams and manages to duck out of the way before another sh*t hits the wall behind her. The Autons walk through the pile of corpses at the bus stop as people all down the high street start to run in terror, being blasted as they go...)
17: INT. UNIT HEADQUARTERS. LABORATORY
(Back at UNIT, the news of the att*ck and invasion reaches a horrified BRIGADIER in the lab.)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE-STEWART: (Into phone.) Are you sure? (He listens.) Well, get on to the police man! (Listens.) Try the army! (Listens.)
Well, keep trying!
(He slams the phone down. The DOCTOR, sat at the lab bench, watches him.)
DOCTOR: It’s started, hasn’t it?
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE-STEWART: Yes, all over the country. Window dummies coming alive, attacking police stations, barracks, communication centres.
(LIZ bangs a nearby radio.)
LIZ: The radio is d*ad as well.
DOCTOR: Now look, you two, we haven’t got much time.
(He turns back to his machine.)
LIZ: Well now the globe has gone, we can’t be sure if this is really going to work.
DOCTOR: Well, of course it’ll work.
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE-STEWART: What will work?
DOCTOR: Well, I’m trying to devise a w*apon that we can use against them. Well it’s not very efficient, I know, but it’s the best that I can do.
And then you’ve got to take me to the security area of that factory.
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE-STEWART: Well, how can I? I can’t even contact my support platoons.
DOCTOR: Well, how many men can you raise?
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE-STEWART: Just my headquarters staff.
DOCTOR: Well then, that’ll have to do, won’t it?
18: INT. AUTO PLASTICS. FACTORY CENTRE
(HIBBERT, a metal bar in his hand, skirts the edge of the t*nk device. The DOCTOR’S words echo in his mind...)
DOCTOR: (OOV.) Channing is controlling your mind. You must resist him.
(HIBBERT tries to force the edge of the machine top with the metal bar.)
DOCTOR: (OOV.) Channing is your enemy...enemy...enemy...enemy...enemy...
(The DOCTOR’S words repeat in HIBBERT’S mind as he tries to control himself. Doing so, he starts to h*t the machine with the bar. One of the electronic panels on the side explodes and an orange and green puss spurts out.)
CHANNING: Stop!
(CHANNING has entered the room. He stalks towards HIBBERT who runs round the other side of the machine.)
HIBBERT: No Channing! You can’t stop me now!
(HIBBERT deliberately stands with his back to CHANNING to prevent his hypnotic control taking a hold again. The Auton controller stands on the machine over the little man.)
CHANNING: You should not have left the factory, Hibbert.
(HIBBERT cautiously looks round and sees CHANNING looming over him. He spins back round before he loses his self-control again. He keeps his eyes tightly closed as he garbles away...)
HIBBERT: Channing! I could think when I’m away from you. I know what’s been happening. I know what I’ve done. You’ve been controlling my mind!
The Doctor was right!
CHANNING: (Puzzled.) You’ve spoken to him?
(HIBBERT turns and faces CHANNING.)
HIBBERT: Who are you? What are you?
CHANNING: We are the Nestenes.
HIBBERT: Nestenes?
CHANNING: We have been colonising other planets for a thousand million years. Now we have come to colonise Earth.
HIBBERT: (Nervously.) Colonise? Then, what is going to happen to man? You’ll destroy us.
CHANNING: You will be spared, Hibbert. You have helped us.
HIBBERT: I...helped you?
19: INT. UNIT HQ. GARAGE
(A convoy moves out of the doorway within the underground garage and past the commissionaire. It consists of a UNIT jeep and the DOCTOR’S “borrowed”
car with himself and LIZ on board.)
20: INT. AUTO PLASTICS. FACTORY CENTRE
CHANNING: There is nothing you can do, Hibbert.
(HIBBERT moves round the t*nk and raises the metal bar. He fails to spot an Auton stood on the stairwell, g*n raised.)
HIBBERT: (Shouts.) If I destroy this, I destroy all of you!
(He brings the metal bar crashing down on the t*nk. CHANNING looks at the Auton who extends the g*n out of its arm and fires at HIBBERT. The sh*t hits the little man in the back. He drops the bar, staggers against the t*nk and then falls back. CHANNING looks down at him dispassionately.)
CHANNING: Destroy. Total destruction!
(The Auton aims and fires again. The same imploded effect that vaporised Ransome has the same effect on HIBBERT.)
21: EXT. AUTO PLASTICS. BACK GATE
(The UNIT group stand at the back wooden door-gate to the factory. The DOCTOR has put a small fuse into the lock as the BRIGADIER, MUNRO and LIZ, carrying the DOCTOR’S machine, watch.)
DOCTOR: Will you stand well back, please?
(They do so and the DOCTOR lights the fuse. The flame sh**t upwards quickly and the lock is blown out. The door sh**t open and the DOCTOR gestures dramatically at the BRIGADIER and his small number of troops who rush through the gate. He and LIZ follow.)
22: INT. AUTO PLASTICS. FACTORY CENTRE
(An automated tannoy alarm comes through the communications unit in the factory centre. CHANNING goes over to listen to it.)
TANNOY VOICE: ...Section D. Attention! Attention! Intruders in Section D!
(CHANNING looks over the unit and its screen.)
23: EXT. AUTO PLASTICS. YARD
(The UNIT troops are on the metal staircase which leads up into the factory. Half way down, the BRIGADIER, LIZ and the DOCTOR watch their efforts to break in. LIZ looks behind them.)
LIZ: Someone sent out support troops after all.
(The DOCTOR, the BRIGADIER and MUNRO look round to see “SCOBIE” and a platoon of regular army troops in their green uniforms approaching. The troops are all armed.)
MAJOR GENERAL SCOBIE: Brigadier Stewart!
24: INT. AUTO PLASTICS. FACTORY CENTRE
(CHANNING watches the scene on his monitor...)
MAJOR GENERAL SCOBIE: (On monitor.) You and your men are under arrest!
25: EXT. AUTO PLASTICS. YARD
(The BRIGADIER shouts over “SCOBIE’S” head to his troops...)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE-STEWART: This isn’t General Scobie! Now, listen to me...
MAJOR GENERAL SCOBIE: Order your men to lay down their arms, Brigadier, or they will be made...
26: INT. AUTO PLASTICS. FACTORY CENTRE
MAJOR GENERAL SCOBIE: (On monitor.) ...to do so.
(Satisfied with events outside, CHANNING turns away from the communications unit.)
27: EXT. AUTO PLASTICS. YARD
DOCTOR: Perhaps I can settle this argument? I mean, as to whether this really is General Scobie.
(The DOCTOR is holding a small device in his hand which resembles a miniature radar dish. This is connected to a long lead of wire which the DOCTOR plugs into the machine that LIZ is carrying. He then walks down the stairs towards the waiting Auton replica, playing out the wire as he descends.)
DOCTOR: General Scobie. Would you be kind enough to say a few words into the microphone?
(The DOCTOR points the radar device at him.)
MAJOR GENERAL SCOBIE: What sort of foolery is this?
DOCTOR: Switch on, Liz!
(LIZ presses a switch. The machine emits a high-pitched sound and “SCOBIE” falls to the ground with a cry of pain.)
CAPTAIN MUNRO: You’ve k*lled him!
DOCTOR: I don’t think so. You see, he was never really alive.
(The DOCTOR kneels down and turns the body over. The face of “SCOBIE” has reverted back to the features of a standard Auton, unfinished and without hair.)
28: INT. MADAME TUSSAUD’S. DISPLAY ROOM
(The real SCOBIE comes to life on the stand in the waxworks, to gasps of consternation from those within. He rocks on his heels as he tries to gather his thoughts and make out where he is.)
29: EXT. AUTO PLASTICS. YARD
(The BRIGADIER is taking charge of the regular troops...)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE-STEWART: It may be difficult to grasp but that’s the situation we’ve got to deal with.
(LIZ looks at the DOCTOR who nods for her to slip away. She does so, still holding the machine, and he follows.)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE-STEWART: You’ll place your men under my orders. Is that clear.
(As the DOCTOR and LIZ hurry away...)
LIZ: Doctor, where are we going?
DOCTOR: If we’re quick, my dear, we can save everybody a lot of trouble.
(He gestures to her to proceed.)
30: INT. AUTO PLASTICS. MACHINE ROOM
(They enter the machine room and, at a sign from the DOCTOR, hide beneath a metal staircase. Seconds later, to its normal buzzing sound, an armed Auton walks along. As it passes the staircase, the DOCTOR aims the radar device...)
DOCTOR: Now!
(...and LIZ switches on again. The Auton collapses as the buzzing dies down.)
DOCTOR: Well, there we are, my dear Liz. Who said we got the wrong frequency?
31: EXT. AUTO PLASTICS. YARD
(In the yard, a group of Autons burst out of two double doors and into the open.)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE-STEWART: Take cover!
(The soldiers all jump into cover of protection behind packing cases, oil-drums and the stairwell.)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE-STEWART: f*re!
(A furious battle starts between the troops and the plastic soldiers. The b*ll*ts rip into the Autons but they advance with no discernable effect. The soldiers are stunned but continue f*ring. Then the lead Auton fires the first of its deadly bolts.)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE-STEWART: Fall back!
(The soldiers start to retreat but one is sh*t in the back as he runs and another in the stomach.)
32: INT. AUTO PLASTICS. FACTORY CENTRE
(The DOCTOR and LIZ have made it safely to the factory centre. The DOCTOR gestures to LIZ to stay hidden and she crouches down behind the machine they are walking past together with the machine. The DOCTOR moves on to where CHANNING is stood watching the creature behind the observation window. Sensing someone behind him, CHANNING slowly looks round but registers no surprise at his visitor.)
CHANNING: You’re too late.
DOCTOR: On this planet, there is a saying, that it is never too late.
(The DOCTOR spots the creature inside the t*nk and walks round to look at it.)
DOCTOR: Good gracious! What on earth is this thing?
CHANNING: A lifeform perfectly adapted for survival and conquest on this planet.
DOCTOR: Is that what you look like on your own planet?
CHANNING: No, we have no individual identity.
DOCTOR: So this...
(The DOCTOR gestures at the creature as he tries to find the right description.)
DOCTOR: ...“thing” is a sort of...collective brain, a nervous system?
CHANNING: Humanly speaking, yes.
DOCTOR: Oh, but I’m not human. So, if you live as a group, you can be destroyed as a group, surely?
CHANNING: You cannot destroy us.
DOCTOR: I destroyed your facsimile of Scobie...
(CHANNING blanches at this news.)
DOCTOR: Therefore, I can destroy all of you.
CHANNING: No one has the power to destroy us, not even you. We are indestructible.
33: EXT. AUTO PLASTICS. YARD
(As if to prove his words, outside the Autons are advancing relentlessly on the soldiers. b*llet after b*llet has no affect on the creatures whereas their sh*ts are deadly accurate and only a quick dive for cover saves the BRIGADIER and his troops. One of the soldiers has taken refuge behind a large t*nk marked
“DANGER” which is leaking badly. An Auton turns and fires at the t*nk which explodes in huge fireball.)
34: INT. AUTO PLASTICS. FACTORY CENTRE
(As the sounds of the battle reach them, the DOCTOR points his radar-like device at CHANNING.)
DOCTOR: So you see, Mr. Channing, with this device, I can eliminate you!
CHANNING: No one can destroy the Nestenes!
(He turns and twists a dial on the t*nk machine and then runs off. The DOCTOR watches him go but he is more absorbed by the roaring cry of the creature within the t*nk which suddenly fills the room.)
DOCTOR: Oh no!
(He points his device at the t*nk.)
DOCTOR: Switch on, Liz!
(She does so but there is no result.)
DOCTOR: Liz, switch on!
LIZ: I have!
(She presses and re-presses the switch.)
DOCTOR: It’s not working!
(He rushes over to the t*nk and frantically starts to manipulate the controls.)
DOCTOR: Liz, come on!
(Above him, a large tentacle emerges from smoke pouring from the top of the t*nk...)
DOCTOR: Liz, come on, quick! Well, what’s wrong with it?
(The tentacle reaches down towards his neck whilst LIZ desperately tries to find out what’s wrong with the machine.)
LIZ: Doctor, I’m trying!
(The tentacle wraps itself round the DOCTOR’S neck as LIZ continues to look over the machine. She looks round the corner and sees the DOCTOR’S struggles and watches in horror as more tentacles emerge and grab him round the leg and head. She rushes back to the machine. One tentacle cover the DOCTOR’S mouth, cutting off his cries. By now, a mass of tentacles have grabbed him. For a moment, his mouth is free and he makes a guttural cry before he is gagged again. LIZ looks over the machine again and sees that the only fault is that the lead to the DOCTOR’S device has come out. She plugs it back in.)
LIZ: Now!
(The DOCTOR’S device buzzes. For a moment, there is no effect but then suddenly, the control panels on the side of the t*nk start to explode. The creature within the t*nk seems to cry out in pain and then the eye behind the observation window also explodes, shattering the glass.)
35: EXT. AUTO PLASTICS. YARD
(At that same instant, the Autons in the yard fall to the ground beside the bodies of their victims. The soldiers look on in amazement at their deliverance.)
36: INT. AUTO PLASTICS. FACTORY CENTRE
(More expl*si*n occur on the side of the t*nk as the tentacles of the creature thresh about. They then go limp and the DOCTOR is able to uncurl them from around his neck and arms. He gives a sigh.)
DOCTOR: You can switch off, I think now, Liz.
(LIZ looks round the corner of the machine and smiles in delight at a grinning DOCTOR. Her smile disappears when she sees a figure on the floor.)
LIZ: Channing...
(The controller’s features have also reverted to that of a standard Auton. Green puss has erupted from his mouth and covers his business suit.)
37: INT. UNIT HEADQUARTERS. LABORATORY
(Later, LIZ and the BRIGADIER drink mugs of tea as they and the DOCTOR look over the machine...)
LIZ: Basically, it’s the same as an ECT machine - Electric Convulsion Therapy.
DOCTOR: Only much more powerful, of course.
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE-STEWART: Well, it worked. Doctor?
DOCTOR: Mmm?
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE-STEWART: These Nestenes - will they try again?
DOCTOR: Possibly. They’re telepathic, so they certainly know what happened.
(Flicking a switch on a machine next to LIZ, he goes and looks over the TARDIS. The BRIGADIER follows.)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE-STEWART: If they do decide to launch a second att*ck, I hope we can count on your help again?
DOCTOR: Yes, well, before we go into all that, Brigadier, I think we must discuss terms.
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE-STEWART: Terms?
DOCTOR: Yes, after all, you do want to take advantage of my services again, don’t you?
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE-STEWART: I think you’ll find the salary is quite adequate.
DOCTOR: (Dismissive.) Money?
(LIZ joins them.)
DOCTOR: My dear chap, I don’t want money. I’ve got no use for the stuff.
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE-STEWART: Then what do you want?
DOCTOR: Well, facilities to repair the TARDIS, laboratory, equipment, help from Miss Shaw here.
(He grins at her.)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE-STEWART: Very well. Anything you need - within reason, of course. Is that all?
DOCTOR: My goodness, no. Don’t you realise that when I was stranded on this little planet of yours, I had nothing but these clothes that ... oh, my goodness!
(He stops and puts his hand to his head.)
LIZ: What is it, Doctor?
(He grabs his jacket.)
DOCTOR: Well, I’ve just realised - I don’t even own these. I’ve borrowed them from the hospital. (To the BRIGADIER.) And there’s that car, too. Yes, you know, I took to that car. It had character.
(He smiles.)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE-STEWART: No, Doctor. That car must be returned to its owner.
DOCTOR: Must it? Yes, yes, I suppose it must. Still, there’s no reason why you couldn’t find me something similar, is there?
(The BRIGADIER opens his mouth to reply.)
DOCTOR: I...I mean, it could persuade me to stay, you know.
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE-STEWART: Oh, very well.
DOCTOR: Good. When can we go and choose it?
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE-STEWART: Not yet. I must arrange for a full set of papers first.
(He turns to go but stops.)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE-STEWART: By the way, I’ve just realised. I don’t even know your name.
(The DOCTOR briefly considers, then...)
DOCTOR: Er, Smith. Doctor John Smith.
(He smiles.) | {"type": "series", "show": "Doctor Who", "episode": "07x04 - Spearhead from Space - part 4"} | foreverdreaming |
DOCTOR WHO AND THE SILURIANS
BY: MALCOLM HULKE
EPISODE 1
Original Air Date: 31 January, 1970
5:15pm - 5:40pm
1. INT. CAVES
(Two men wearing potholing gear are exploring a large subterranean cave. DAVIS holds a thin wire ladder steady whilst SPENCER climbs down.)
SPENCER: Well this is fantastic!
(They look about examining their surroundings, when there is a faint, far-off noise sounding like an animal roaring.)
SPENCER: What was that?
DAVIS: Nothing.
(However DAVIS isn't quite sure of his own conclusion, and starts moving through the cave.)
DAVIS: Wait.
(DAVIS moves in the direction of the noise. After some time he finds a somewhat concealed opening to a larger space. Again the noise is heard much closer, and since SPENCER has followed directly in his footsteps, DAVIS beckons him to stay back. He then moves through the narrow opening which seems to be the source of the sound. He looks around, momentarily disoriented by the change in scale of the cave. Then there is a huge roar, and DAVIS wheels round, looking upwards at something indescribably terrifying.)
DAVIS: Spencer! Spencer!
(Accompanied by the same loud roar, a giant claw rakes across DAVIS and he falls backwards onto the floor of the cave. SPENCER rushes through the opening to reach DAVIS, who is clearly unconscious or d*ad. SPENCER looks up at something towering above him, and jumps back in sheer terror.)
SPENCER: Ah! Ah! Ah!
(SPENCER retreats from the opening and stumbles back through the cave, completely dazed.)
2. INT. DOCTOR'S WORKSHOP, UNIT H.Q. DAY
(The DOCTOR lies on the floor underneath an old, but well-looked-after, shiny yellow car, the engine of which he is busily working on. He is cheerfully humming and singing Lewis Carroll's poem Jabberwocky to himself, totally absorbed in his activity.)
DOCTOR: (Singing.) "'Twas brillig, and the slithy toves / Did gyre and gimble in the wabe..."
LIZ: (Off-stage.) Doctor!
(A number plate marked WHO 1 lies at the DOCTOR's feet.)
DOCTOR: Come on Bessie, be more co-operative. (Singing.) "All mimsy were the borogroves, And the mome raths..."
LIZ: (Entering holding a note.) Doctor!
DOCTOR: Oh?
(As the DOCTOR slides out from underneath Bessie we see he is lying on a low cart and wearing a grey mechanics' coat rather than his usual frock coat.)
DOCTOR: Oh hello Liz!
LIZ: You'll never get that thing running.
DOCTOR: (Sitting up.) Oh don't you be so disrespectful. I'll have you know this is a car of great character.
(He rises, and as he does, a small circular loop falls from his shoulder into his hands.)
DOCTOR: I was very lucky to get her.
LIZ: Are you really going to drive about in it?
DOCTOR: Yes, certainly. I've nearly finished my modifications. I thought we'd take her out for a trial run, in a minute.
(He examines the loop.)
DOCTOR: Now I wonder what that's for. Oh well.
(Not knowing what he intended to do with the loop, he throws it aside. He potters across to his work bench, followed by LIZ.)
LIZ: Urgent message from the Brigadier.
DOCTOR: Oh he's away, isn't he? Investigating some scientists.
LIZ: Yes, well he wants us to join him. (Reading the BRIGADIER's note.) "Miss Shaw and the Doctor will report themselves forthwith to Wenley Moor, attend a briefing meeting at precisely..."
DOCTOR: (Interrupting.) My dear Miss Shaw, I never report myself anywhere. Particularly not forthwith.
LIZ: Oh, it's just his way of putting things.
(Taking a wrench he gets back on his cart and slides himself back underneath Bessie.)
DOCTOR: I'm sorry Liz, I won't go. I'm far too busy.
LIZ: Come on Doctor.
DOCTOR: "'Twee..."
(He starts singing too low, and has to jump into a higher key.)
DOCTOR: "'Twas brillig, and the slithy toves..."
(LIZ is obliged to get down on hands and knees beside the car in an effort to engage the DOCTOR's attention.)
LIZ: It would make a nitce... a nice trip for us. We could visit the caves.
DOCTOR: (Suddenly alert.) Caves? What caves?
LIZ: Well, that part of the country's famous for them.
DOCTOR: Oh.
LIZ: Mmm.
DOCTOR: Is it?
LIZ: It is.
DOCTOR: Oh, alright then.
(The DOCTOR once again slides out from underneath the car.)
DOCTOR: I'll drive you up there in Bessie.
(LIZ stares blankly at the DOCTOR, until he points in the direction of the car.)
LIZ: Bessie?
DOCTOR: Yes, Bessie.
LIZ: I see.
DOCTOR: Ah, ha ha!
(The DOCTOR kisses his hand and touches it to the bonnet, whereupon the engine springs to life and begins sputtering away. He retrieves his frock coat from the peg on the wall and prepares to change from his mechanics' coat.)
DOCTOR: (Handing the frock-coat to LIZ.) Alright my dear, hold that please...
3. EXT. LONDON STREET; RESEARCH CENTRE; COUNTRY ROAD. DAY
(Threading it's way through the streets of London can be seen a "bright yellow banger" driven by the DOCTOR, with LIZ in the passenger seat. The sh*t pulls back as Bessie approaches. A cut to a series of concealed country buildings, revealed only by the large antennas standing above the ground. Finally, the DOCTOR and LIZ reach the country, with the DOCTOR rounding the corner of an unsealed road at dangerous speed; LIZ must hang on to her seat for safety.)
4. INT. WENLEY MOOR RESEARCH CENTRE, CONFERENCE ROOM
(Doctor Charles LAWRENCE is giving a briefing to his staff who are seated in rows in front of him, whilst BRIGADIER Alastair Lethbridge-Stewart is sitting to one side, listening to him droning on.)
LAWRENCE: I trust that point is clear. And I would emphasise again – that despite the presence of our friends from UNIT...
(LAWRENCE leans slightly in the direction of the BRIGADIER, who returns an alert look at LAWRENCE.)
LAWRENCE: ...to whom we shall give every possible co-operation – this problem is, I am sure, a scientific one.
(A UNIT soldier enters from the double doors at the left, goes up to the BRIGADIER and whispers a message in his ear, who nods and then stands and leaves with him.)
LAWRENCE: It is our duty as scientists to deal with it ourselves. Only by exercising redoubled vigilance in all our duties can we track down the errors that are holding back the work of this research centre.
5. INT. CORRIDOR
(As the BRIGADIER and the UNIT soldier leave the conference room we can hear the dying strains of Doctor LAWRENCE's lecture.)
LAWRENCE: (OOV.) The work of this research centre is vital...
(The BRIGADIER heads for the lift.)
6. INT. RECEPTION FOYER
(The BRIGADIER walks past the reception desk followed by the UNIT soldier, and finds the DOCTOR and LIZ standing in front of the doors of the lift, with their passes being inspected by a black-capped security officer.)
BRIGADIER: Ah, there you are at last.
DOCTOR: There you are at last.
BRIGADIER: (Turns to the UNIT soldier and dismisses him.) Right.
(The security officer meanwhile finishes with the DOCTOR and LIZ, hands LIZ's pass back to her, and leaves also.)
DOCTOR: And just where are we?
BRIGADIER: In a cave.
LIZ: We can see that.
BRIGADIER: Or rather in an atomic research centre which has been built into these caves.
DOCTOR: Why? More security?
BRIGADIER: (Smiling to himself.) Exactly.
DOCTOR: Look, may I ask you, why am I here?
BRIGADIER: Come this way – the meeting's waiting.
(The BRIGADIER turns in the direction of the conference room.)
7. INT. CONFERENCE ROOM
(Dr LAWRENCE is still haranguing his staff.)
LAWRENCE: We are already very considerably behind in our research program, and I am deter...
(The entry of the BRIGADIER, the frock-coated DOCTOR, and the mini-skirted LIZ completely distracts LAWRENCE's train of thought for a moment. He regains his composure and continues:)
LAWRENCE: And I am determined we will recover our lost ground, and go on to make the new and important discoveries that lie ahead. Alright, that will be all.
(The meeting breaks up. Dr LAWRENCE's senior staff, consisting of Dr John QUINN, and Major BAKER, gather in the middle of the conference room as the remainder of the staff file out through the double doors. QUINN accidentally bumps into Miss DAWSON as she goes to leave.)
QUINN: Oh, I'm sorry.
BRIGADIER: (Performing introductions.) Gentlemen, my colleagues, Miss Elizabeth Shaw, and the Doctor. Doctor Lawrence, director of this establishment.
LAWRENCE: How do you do.
BRIGADIER: Doctor Quinn, his number two.
QUINN: (Exchanging a handshake with the DOCTOR.) Hello.
BRIGADIER: Major Baker, station security officer. Doctor Lawrence, perhaps you would be kind enough to put my colleagues in the picture.
(QUINN, BAKER and LIZ sit in the front row of seats whilst the BRIGADIER takes his seat in the corner. The DOCTOR remains standing. Dr LAWRENCE leans back on his desk to begin his briefing.)
LAWRENCE: This establishment consists basically of a device for research into the nature of the atom – cyclotron – otherwise known as a proton accelerator. It, ah...
(The DOCTOR turns his back on LAWRENCE and starts wandering down the conference room to look at the documents and illustrations on the wall, clearly to the annoyance of LAWRENCE.)
LAWRENCE: It b*mb atoms with subatomic particles.
DOCTOR: (Without turning back to face LAWRENCE.) Why?
LAWRENCE: We are on the verge of discovering a way to provide cheap, safe, atomic energy for virtually every kind of use.
QUINN: (Turning around to LIZ and the DOCTOR.) We're developing a new kind of nuclear reactor, one which converts nuclear energy directly to electrical power.
DOCTOR: (Leans on a desk and turns back to face the group.) Well that's all very well. But what is going wrong?
BRIGADIER: (Leaning forward.) Two things. First, an abnormally high rate of personnel trouble. Nervous breakdowns. Absenteeism. Accidents. But the really serious problem, is the power losses.
LAWRENCE: There have been a certain number of unexplained leakages in the power supplied by the nuclear generator. I am confident we shall find an explanation.
BRIGADIER: You haven't found one yet, Doctor Lawrence, that's why I'm here.
QUINN: Well it's a highly complex piece of machinery, naturally there are problems.
DOCTOR: Naturally.
BRIGADIER: (Standing.) Now there are three possible approaches to this problem. Security.
BAKER: Everything has been double-checked.
BRIGADIER: Then you will triple-check it, Major Baker, under my supervision, thank you.
BAKER: Sir.
BRIGADIER: Personnel, this will be dealt with by Miss Shaw.
LIZ: (Bemused.) Oh yes?
BRIGADIER: (Returning LIZ's smile.) Yes. Finally the purely scientific angle, now the Doctor here...
(He sees the DOCTOR is not paying attention.)
BRIGADIER: What is it Doctor?
DOCTOR: (Searching his pockets.) It's the most extraordinary thing. I can't seem to find my sonic screwdriver anywhere.
(QUINN chuckles to himself, whilst the humourless LAWRENCE can only imagine the worst.)
LAWRENCE: (Incredulous.) You're not proposing to dismantle a piece of equipment worth fifteen million pounds with a screwdriver?
DOCTOR: Well it's not worth fifteen million pins if it doesn't work, is it?
BRIGADIER: Oh Doctor, I suggest you start by just looking round.
QUINN: Yes, let me take you both over the installation.
(QUINN stands and opens the door for LIZ and the DOCTOR.)
DOCTOR: Splendid, come on Liz. Doctor Quinn, which way do we go?
QUINN: To the left.
DOCTOR: To the left.
(LIZ, the DOCTOR, and QUINN file out to the left.)
LAWRENCE: Brigadier, I shall expect to hear from you as soon as you have anything to report. You'll see that our work is disrupted as little as possible.
BRIGADIER: Of course sir. I'll use this room as my HQ if I may.
LAWRENCE: Very well.
(LAWRENCE gives BAKER a dismissive glance as he stalks to the door. He turns back to the BRIGADIER.)
LAWRENCE: And eh... I should be grateful if you could hurry things up, Brigadier. I want this place working normally again.
BRIGADIER: We all do sir.
(LAWRENCE leaves to the right. After he has gone, BAKER crosses to the door, melodramatically opens it to check that no one is listening outside the door, and rejoins the BRIGADIER.)
BAKER: I must say sir, that I fail to see the necessity for the involvement of UNIT.
BRIGADIER: How long have these disturbances been going on?
BAKER: Three months.
BRIGADIER: Then there's your answer.
BAKER: Sir?
BRIGADIER: Something's been happening here which is outside the normal security pattern, and that is precisely the business of UNIT.
(He turns to leave.)
BAKER: Sir. I think I have the solution.
BRIGADIER: Have you?
(The BRIGADIER stops by the door and BAKER steps up close to him.)
BAKER: Someone has been carrying out a planned, deliberate program of sabotage... from the inside.
8. INT. CYCLOTRON ROOM
(The cyclotron room is a large square room divided into a large lower floor and a smaller, raised upper control room separated by a glass partition. In the centre of the lower area of the room, embedded in the wall, is the huge drum of the cyclotron, which glows with a bright red light, fluctuating slowly; in the very centre there is a spherical, mirror-like surface emanating a rather golden light.)
DAWSON: Electron voltage readings...
(As the DOCTOR and LIZ follow QUINN through the outer door of the cyclotron room he asks a technician to hold the door:)
QUINN: Can you manage?
(The DOCTOR and LIZ stand beside Miss DAWSON at the control desk whilst QUINN indicates the cyclotron behind him.)
DAWSON: Right. Initiate circuit check.
QUINN: Now this is the very heart of the cyclotron. Literally so in fact, we're actually inside the machine itself.
DOCTOR: You have your own nuclear reactor, do you?
QUINN: Oh yes. Oh yes. The cyclotron uses power in enormous quantities.
(QUINN pulls open the inner glass door.)
QUINN: Would you care to ah, step down?
(As they step down from the control chamber to the main floor of the cyclotron room QUINN and Miss DAWSON quickly exchange a glance.)
DOCTOR: What happens when one of these power losses occurs at a particularly crucial time?
QUINN: So far, we've always managed to s*ab.
LIZ: If you didn't?
QUINN: Well, theoretically...
DOCTOR: Your nuclear reactor could turn into a massive atomic b*mb.
LIZ: You ought to shut down the place at once.
QUINN: That would be a decision for the Director.
DOCTOR: A decision he might be reluctant to make, hmm?
QUINN: Doctor Lawrence has the research program very much at heart.
(Suddenly feeling ill, LIZ holds her hand to her head.)
LIZ: I think I'd better make a start on... on the personnel files. I wonder if someone could show me where to go.
QUINN: Oh yes, of course.
(He turns to one of the technicians.)
QUINN: Mister Roberts, take this young lady across to Doctor Meredith in the medical wing.
(The DOCTOR notices LIZ's sudden turn for the worse.)
DOCTOR: Liz, are you all right?
LIZ: Yes... I'm fine.
(ROBERTS, a bearded young man in a white lab coat, leads the way out of the main cyclotron room.)
ROBERTS: Come this way, please.
DOCTOR: I'll join you later, Liz.
LIZ: Bye.
(ROBERTS and LIZ go out.)
QUINN: You don't mind if I ah, carry on?
DOCTOR: No, no, please do.
(QUINN takes ROBERTS' place, puts on his glasses and pores over the secondary power controls. After a moment the DOCTOR picks up the conversation again:)
DOCTOR: Quite an achievement, building this centre in these caves.
QUINN: Yes, there are miles of them still in their natural state. Breathtaking. Ever been potholing?
DOCTOR: No, not for a very long time.
QUINN: No, well I'm very keen on it. At least I was, until...
DOCTOR: Until what?
QUINN: A couple of our junior technicians went exploring on their day off. There was an accident, one of them was k*lled. The other is still in the sick bay.
DOCTOR: You have your own doctor?
QUINN: No, Doctor Meredith comes in from the local hospital.
DOCTOR: This technician. Was he badly hurt?
QUINN: (Nervously.) Well now I'm not sure, they seem to be hushing it up, ha, ha.
DOCTOR: I wonder why.
QUINN: I beg your pardon?
DOCTOR: I said I wonder why.
QUINN: (Cheerfully dismissive.) Oh well.
DOCTOR: Now Doctor Quinn, these power losses. Do they take any particular pattern?
QUINN: As far as we can see, completely random.
DOCTOR: I see. Well I wonder whether I could possibly check. A fresh eye, you know.
QUINN: Oh yes, of course. Here's the log.
(The desk intercom phone rings.)
QUINN: (To the DOCTOR.) Excuse me. (Picking up the phone.) Quinn here. No, no, no, two-three-six today, now get that right.
Two-three-six. Yes indeed.
DOCTOR: Doctor Quinn?
QUINN: (Into the phone.) Excuse me. (To the DOCTOR.) Yes?
DOCTOR: This log seems to be incomplete.
QUINN: (Finishing the phone call.) Look, I'll ring you back. (Puts the handpiece down.) That log should be kept every day.
(QUINN picks up the microphone to communicate with the upper cyclotron control room.)
QUINN: Miss Dawson?
DAWSON: Yes, Doctor Quinn?
QUINN: Come down here a moment will you?
(He puts the microphone down whilst Miss DAWSON comes down.)
QUINN: What an extraordinary thing.
DOCTOR: Hmm.
QUINN: (As Miss DAWSON enters.) Miss Dawson, there's a query here, perhaps you can help. Do you know who usually keeps this log?
DAWSON: Oh, it used to be Spencer.
QUINN: Ah, well that explains it. Spencer's the chap who got hurt in the caves.
(The DOCTOR shakes his head.)
DOCTOR: No, Doctor Quinn. I don't think it does explain it.
(He hands the log back to QUINN.)
DOCTOR: Look.
QUINN: At what?
DOCTOR: There at the bottom of the page, by the string, the binding? You'll see a tiny shred of paper. Some of those pages have been torn out.
(The speechless Doctor QUINN and Miss DAWSON look uncomfortably at the DOCTOR.)
9. INT. RECORDS OFFICE
(Doctor MEREDITH, the medical doctor for the centre, stands in front of a planning chart whilst LIZ inspects the records kept in a series of filing cabinets against the opposite wall.)
MEREDITH: I might be able to help you, if you could only tell me what you were looking for.
LIZ: I don't know myself yet, Doctor Meredith.
MEREDITH: We've had a lot of trouble of course. Mild neuroses, imaginative ailments, one nervous breakdown.
LIZ: Yes, so I see.
MEREDITH: But of course these things are quite unavoidable.
LIZ: This isn't the only atomic research establishment in the country, you know.
MEREDITH: The others haven't quite the same problem. Working continuously underground you hardly know n... day from night down here.
(As he had promised, the DOCTOR arrives to check up with LIZ.)
DOCTOR: Ah Liz, any luck with those records?
MEREDITH: I take it you're yet another member of the UNIT team?
DOCTOR: Yes. Depressing, isn't it!
LIZ: This is Doctor Meredith.
DOCTOR: Oh splendid, just the chap I wanted to see. Now look, this ah, this patient of yours, Spencer, the one who was injured in the caves, may I see him?
MEREDITH: I'm sorry, that's quite out of the question.
DOCTOR: Oh really? Why's that?
MEREDITH: Because I won't allow it, that's why. I'm about to have him moved into hospital. Besides, you have no authority.
DOCTOR: Doctor Meredith. As an associate of UNIT, I think you will find that I have the authority to do precisely as I please. May I now see your patient?
MEREDITH: Oh, it seems I have no choice. Alright, but I warn you, it is at your own risk.
DOCTOR: Thank you.
(The DOCTOR holds the door open and smiles in victory at the sighing MEREDITH and LIZ as they exit the office.)
10. INT. SICK BAY
(MEREDITH, LIZ, and the DOCTOR enter into the confined sick bay ward to see SPENCER, who is discovered to be drawing a series of animal figures onto the wall beside his bed. A technician standing guard leaves the room.)
DOCTOR: How long has he been behaving like this?
MEREDITH: Since he came out of his coma, with occasional spells of trying to throttle me.
DOCTOR: Astonishing, it's quite astonishing.
MEREDITH: It's the only thing that keeps him quiet.
DOCTOR: Was he much of an artist before the accident?
MEREDITH: Not that I know of.
DOCTOR: Excuse me.
(The DOCTOR moves past LIZ to get around to the side of the bed where SPENCER is crouched. He now sees the full extent of the drawings.)
DOCTOR: It's absolutely amazing.
LIZ: Careful Doctor.
DOCTOR: Yes, alright.
(The DOCTOR comes up and leans down behind the oblivious SPENCER.)
DOCTOR: What's this one, old chap?
(The DOCTOR taps SPENCER on the back and points to the shape of a biped. SPENCER reacts in fear and turns, screaming wildly at the DOCTOR.)
DOCTOR: It's alright, old chap, it's alright.
(SPENCER after a moment att*cks the DOCTOR and tries to throttle him. The DOCTOR evades backwards onto the bed, and SPENCER leaps on top of him. MEREDITH and LIZ reach out to help.)
DOCTOR: (To MEREDITH.) Keep away Doctor, get out, leave this to me.
(The DOCTOR removes SPENCER's hands from his throat and gradually talks SPENCER back down into a calm state:)
DOCTOR: It's alright, old chap. Now calm down. Settle down now. Calm down. That's it. Steady down now. That's it. Calm down. Nobody's going to hurt you.
(SPENCER returns to his wall and his sketching.)
MEREDITH: Are you alright? I did warn you.
DOCTOR: Yes, I'm alright. He's just frightened, that's all.
LIZ: So was I. What's made him like this?
DOCTOR: Some kind of fear. It's absolutely incredible. It's thrown his mind back millions of years!
11. INT. CYCLOTRON ROOM
(In the upper control room of the cyclotron, Dr QUINN, Miss DAWSON, and ROBERTS make final checks for the planned cyclotron run.)
QUINN: Twenty-four thirty-five.
ROBERTS: Check.
QUINN: Twenty-eight over two.
ROBERTS: Check.
QUINN: Forty-seven... hello, something wrong there isn't it. Ah no wonder, the T one-four's not working. Have you tested it today?
DAWSON: Doctor Quinn, the secondary readings.
(She hands QUINN a clipboard.)
QUINN: Roberts, would you mind testing the T one-four?
ROBERTS: Yes.
(Under the watchful gaze of a UNIT corporal, Miss DAWSON goes up to QUINN.)
DAWSON: I'm frightened. What's going to happen?
QUINN: You mustn't panic. Just behave... normally.
DAWSON: This UNIT investigation, they're bound to discover something.
QUINN: I know, it's a risk.
(QUINN stands and moves forward to the glass partition.)
ROBERTS: (Distantly from the main cyclotron room.) Twenty-four, power normal.
QUINN: Good.
(Miss DAWSON joins him at the glass.)
DAWSON: John, you've got to tell them to stop. At least while these people are here.
QUINN: Do you think I haven't? Either they don't listen, or they don't understand.
DAWSON: (Intensely.) They've got to stop!
QUINN: Shh!
ROBERTS: (Using the downstairs comms microphone.) T one-four, S K.
QUINN: (Picks up the microphone to reply.) Thank you, Roberts.
DAWSON: Tell the Brigadier, or Baker – they'll help.
(QUINN doesn't answer and is about to move back around the desk when Miss DAWSON grabs hold of him.)
DAWSON: Before someone else gets k*lled.
QUINN: They wouldn't believe me, and anyway there's far too much at stake. Now take your hand off.
(Miss DAWSON lets QUINN go, and he goes back around to his place at the upper control desk.)
DAWSON: It's not worth the risk.
QUINN: (Looking up at DAWSON from his chair.) The knowledge I shall gain is worth any risk.
12. INT. CONFERENCE ROOM
(Major BAKER stands staring at the BRIGADIER leafing through a file, which he closes. The phone rings, and the BRIGADIER hands the file back to Major BAKER.)
BRIGADIER: It's very comprehensive, Major Baker.
BAKER: Not quite, sir, there's you and your team.
BRIGADIER: (Smiling.) No doubt you'll see to that.
BAKER: Yes sir. I checked on your security clearance as soon as you arrived, Miss Shaw's clearance has just come through.
BRIGADIER: Very thorough.
BAKER: This man you call the Doctor, sir, there is nothing on file at central intelligence records about him.
BRIGADIER: No, there wouldn't be.
BAKER: Well then may I ask sir...
BRIGADIER: No, Major Baker, you may not. The Doctor is my personal responsibility.
(At this moment the DOCTOR strides in, when BAKER clearly doesn't want him there. The DOCTOR exchanges glances with the UNIT corporal by the door and the BRIGADIER.)
DOCTOR: Oh yes, very homely.
(There is an uncomfortable silence which even the DOCTOR can detect. In the end he turns away and waits for BAKER to finish.)
BRIGADIER: Right, thank you Major Baker, we'll have another go at those files later.
BAKER: Sir.
(BAKER stuffs his files into his briefcase.)
BAKER: I shall be in my office, sir.
(He picks up his briefcase and walks out. The DOCTOR holds open the door for BAKER, who glares back at him as he leaves. The DOCTOR watches him disappear up the corridor through the glass windows set into the doors.)
DOCTOR: Where exactly is his office?
BRIGADIER: Down the other end of the corridor.
DOCTOR: He's very conscientious, isn't he?
BRIGADIER: Well he slipped up badly once some years ago, he's been trying to make up for it ever since. You'd better look out Doctor, he wants to run a security check on you.
DOCTOR: I wish him joy of it.
BRIGADIER: I don't suppose you've found anything?
DOCTOR: On the contrary. I've found enough to make me very, very worried.
13. INT. CYCLOTRON ROOM
(With the latest test about to get underway, Doctor QUINN is seated in the upper control room. As he gives instructions into the comms microphone, Doctor LAWRENCE quietly enters from the outer door.)
QUINN: Stand by, stand by.
LAWRENCE: Everything normal, Doctor Quinn?
QUINN: Everything is perfectly normal, thank you Director, we've just completed final checks.
LAWRENCE: Oh good.
(LAWRENCE is about to leave again, when QUINN pulls a clipboard from a nearby desk.)
QUINN: Hey, I'd like to include some of these supplementary tests.
LAWRENCE: And have our schedule fall even further behind? With UNIT looking over our shoulder? No, I don't think so.
(Dr LAWRENCE leaves without any further debate. Dr QUINN picks up the comms microphone and continues from where he left off.)
QUINN: Stand by. Prepare to initiate program two-three-six.
(In the lower half of the cyclotron room Miss DAWSON is seated at the secondary bank of instruments in the middle of the room. The technician ROBERTS is standing directly in front of the cyclotron, which is glowing dully.)
DAWSON: Two-three-six. Check.
QUINN: (Out of view.) Proton acceleration, phase three.
DAWSON: Phase three. Check.
(In the background ROBERTS seems to be wandering around without knowing where he is. Behind him the central sphere of the cyclotron begins oscillating quicker.)
QUINN: Roberts, electron voltage reading please.
(ROBERTS has drifted into a world of his own, somehow mesmerised by the cyclotron. He wanders over to stand in front of Miss DAWSON's desk. After ROBERTS fails to respond for some time, Miss DAWSON shrilly asks:)
DAWSON: Roberts! Electron voltage readings!
(ROBERTS suddenly snaps out of his reverie and looks up at QUINN and DAWSON.)
ROBERTS: Sorry sir.
(He rushes to his post and picks up the microphone.)
ROBERTS: Electron voltage reading, two thousand million, power rising.
QUINN: Thank you.
14. INT. CONFERENCE ROOM
(The BRIGADIER is skeptically and amusedly listening to the DOCTOR's evidence, which is only serving to irritate him.)
BRIGADIER: Cave drawings on the walls? My dear Doctor, if that's what you call evidence!...
DOCTOR: Of course it's evidence.
(He agitatedly taps a pencil on the BRIGADIER's desk twice.)
BRIGADIER: Look. This poor devil sees his friend k*lled in an accident, he wanders around those caves for hours before they get him out, well quite naturally he has some kind of breakdown.
DOCTOR: Which turns him into a brilliant Paleolithic cave artist?
(The BRIGADIER doesn't rise to the bait – he has no explanation.)
DOCTOR: Well what about the logs then? Those torn out pages?
BRIGADIER: Now there you may have something. Could be sabotage, I suppose...
DOCTOR: Ah!
(The DOCTOR shows the BRIGADIER the pointy end of his pencil.)
BRIGADIER: ...or someone trying to cover up simple incompetence.
(The DOCTOR slams the pencil down in vexation and it clatters on the ground.)
DOCTOR: Lethbridge-Stewart, what on earth is the point of my trying to discover things for you if you keep turning them down all the time!
BRIGADIER: Then I suggest you discover something I can't dismiss.
DOCTOR: You're not exactly a little Sherlock Holmes yourself, are you?
(The BRIGADIER is so taken aback by the DOCTOR's spite that he raises his eyebrows. At that moment, the whir of the air conditioning dies away and the lights fade down.)
DOCTOR: What the devil's that?
BRIGADIER: It's another power failure.
(The BRIGADIER returns the DOCTOR's jibe.)
BRIGADIER: Come on, Doctor Watson!
(They leap to their feet and head for the cyclotron room.)
15. INT. CYCLOTRON ROOM
(A full emergency is in progress in the cyclotron room, with the lights in the room fluctuating wildly. An alarm klaxon is sounding on some of the instruments. ROBERTS and another technician are standing watching the electron voltage readings.)
ROBERTS: Power very erratic sir. It keeps dropping off, and then suddenly there's a boost.
(The full staff of the research centre race through the doors to their posts, followed last of all by Doctor LAWRENCE, who heads straight to Doctor QUINN's desk in the upper control room. QUINN appears to be assured and in command of the situation.)
LAWRENCE: Get that reaction back under control, Doctor Quinn. Shall I take over?
QUINN: (Coolly.) That won't be necessary, thank you.
(QUINN picks up the comms microphone and starts the shutdown process.)
QUINN: Stand by. We are going to close down in carefully measured stages. There is no need for panic, just follow normal routine.
(DAWSON is still at the secondary control desk in the lower half of the room, watching the cyclotron.)
DAWSON: Proton acceleration very irregular.
(The cyclotron is wildly flashing with energy.)
QUINN: Close down sector one.
(There is a hum of electrical equipment as the section is closed down, and the DOCTOR and the BRIGADIER arrive in the cyclotron room.)
QUINN: Electron voltage readings please.
DAWSON: Six thousand million, still rising.
1 TECHNICIAN: (Out of view.) Sector one closed down sir.
(The BRIGADIER leans over QUINN and interrupts, but QUINN carries on regardless.)
BRIGADIER: What's going on?
QUINN: Close down sector two.
(There is another loud hum of electrical equipment as the next section is closed down, and the DOCTOR pulls the BRIGADIER aside to answer his question.)
DOCTOR: They're trying to close down the cyclotron without the nuclear reactions getting out of control.
2 TECHNICIAN: (Out of view.) Sector two closed down sir.
BRIGADIER: I see. Anything we can do?
DOCTOR: Yes – keep out of the way, I should think.
(The DOCTOR and the BRIGADIER descend to the lower floor of the cyclotron room.)
QUINN: (Out of view.) Close down sector three.
DAWSON: Power still fluctuating.
QUINN: Roberts, close down sector three.
ROBERTS: No, it's no good, I can't!
(ROBERTS is again in the grip of some influence and stands away from his post, looking upwards at the instruments.)
DAWSON: The power is back on full. Proton acceleration seven thousand million, still rising...
(Miss DAWSON gets up from the control desk to see what's holding back ROBERTS.)
DAWSON: Roberts! Roberts! ROBERTS!
(Miss DAWSON runs forward to shut down the sector three control bank herself. As she runs past ROBERTS he lunges out at her and begins to att*ck her. She screams and falls over. The DOCTOR and the BRIGADIER jump to Miss DAWSON's aid and pull off ROBERTS; the BRIGADIER knocks ROBERTS out with a chopping blow to the back of the neck.)
QUINN: Shut down sector three, someone take over, shut down sector three.
(The DOCTOR steps up and operates the controls. There is a reassuring hum as the equipment is closed down.)
DOCTOR: Sector three shut down.
QUINN: (Out of view.) Thank you, Doctor. Close down sector four.
16. INT. RECORDS OFFICE
(The emergency over, LIZ leads the DOCTOR into the records office.)
DOCTOR: Now what about those records Liz.
LIZ: Well there's a terrifically high rate of minor neuroses – two hundred percent above the normal, even for a place like this.
DOCTOR: Any pattern.
LIZ: Everyone who was affected worked at one time or another in the cyclotron room. Even I felt odd while I was there.
DOCTOR: Really? In what way?
LIZ: Feeling of oppression, almost terror.
(The DOCTOR sits down at the side desk below the wall chart.)
DOCTOR: You know, it's obviously something that only affects some humans. Otherwise they'd all crack up.
LIZ: So you too think it's something to do with the cyclotron room?
DOCTOR: No, well not really, but... it is the deepest part of the centre. And it's the nearest to those caves.
LIZ: So?
(The DOCTOR agitatedly thumps the desk.)
DOCTOR: Everything leads back to those caves, Liz. Davis was k*lled there, Spencer was frightened into becoming a cave man.
LIZ: That reminds me, there's a report here on Davis.
(LIZ goes and extracts the file from the top draw of the filing cabinet on the other side of the room.)
DOCTOR: Oh yes.
LIZ: The police forwarded a copy.
DOCTOR: Let's have a look.
LIZ: Even a map showing where they found him.
DOCTOR: Oh good.
(LIZ deposits the report, map and other documents from the folder onto the desk. The DOCTOR skims through the report and picks out some salient remarks:)
DOCTOR: (Reading aloud.) "Immediate cause of death, fracture of the cranium. Further observations: unusual abrasions on the body, strangely resembling scratches or claw marks. Presumably caused during fall."
(The DOCTOR looks up in puzzlement.)
DOCTOR: Claw marks!
17. INT. CAVES
(His curiosity having gotten the better of him, the DOCTOR has equipped himself with potholing gear, and with the aid of the map from the police report, has made his way to the very same caves where Davis and Spencer had ventured forth.)
(He climbs down a thin ladder into the space, and looks about the surrounding rocks and sand. As he looks, he hears a faint, far-off noise, possibly like an animal roaring.)
(Not in the slightest bit unnerved, the DOCTOR steps forward and after some brief reconnoitering, discovers a discarded hammer. Encouraged, he continues in much the same direction, between a narrow crevice and upwards into a small cranny, where he again is rewarded, this time with the discovery of several large loops of climbing rope. Again there is a faint roar from somewhere nearby.)
(The DOCTOR looks around and notices a small opening, which, although quite narrow, appears to lead to a much larger space. He puts aside the rope and cautiously climbs through the opening into a much larger chamber. He looks around the space, seeing nothing. After several moments he turns back to retreat through the opening, when there is a colossal roar behind him.)
(The DOCTOR turns to stare upwards at a carnivorous dinosaur of the same mould as the Allosaurus or Tyrannosaurus rex. It reaches down at him with it's sharp fore-claws, and trapped in the opening all the DOCTOR can do is raise an arm over his face in self-defence...) | {"type": "series", "show": "Doctor Who", "episode": "07x05 - Doctor Who and the Silurians - part 1"} | foreverdreaming |
DOCTOR WHO AND THE SILURIANS
BY: MALCOLM HULKE
EPISODE 2
Original Air Date: 7 February, 1970
5:15pm - 5:40pm
1. INT. CAVES
(Searching for the spot where Davis and Spencer had their fateful accident, the DOCTOR climbs between a narrow crevice and upwards into a small cranny, where he discovers several large loops of climbing rope. There is a faint roar from somewhere nearby.
(The DOCTOR looks around and notices a small opening, which although quite narrow, appears to lead to a much larger space. He puts aside the rope and cautiously climbs through the opening into a much larger chamber. He looks around the space, seeing nothing. After several moments he turns back to retreat through the opening, when there is a colossal roar behind him.
(The DOCTOR turns to stare upwards at a carnivorous dinosaur of the same mould as the Allosaurus or Tyrannosaurus rex. It reaches down at him with it's sharp fore-claws, and trapped in the opening all the DOCTOR can do is raise an arm over his face in self-defence...
(As the claw comes down to strike him, there is a signal of three descending notes, and instead of striking him, the claw merely hovers over the DOCTOR. The dinosaur is in a ferocious mood, but the three note signal is repeated over and over again until it leaves the Doctor alone.
(The DOCTOR cautiously follows the dinosaur several steps in the direction it had gone, where he finds a giant footprint, easily several hand spans in length.)
2. INT. CONFERENCE ROOM
(LIZ and the BRIGADIER stand before an board with a caving map pinned to it; the BRIGADIER indicates a gallery of the caves with his swagger stick.)
BRIGADIER: You're sure this is where he's making for?
LIZ: Pretty sure. He wanted to see the exact place where the accident happened.
BRIGADIER: I must say Miss Shaw, if only you'd come to me earlier.
LIZ: I'm sorry but he asked me not to tell you.
BRIGADIER: I could have sent down a search party immediately.
LIZ: That's just what he didn't want.
BRIGADIER: He deserves all he gets, no sense at all.
(Major BAKER enters carrying some ropes, lights and other gear.)
BAKER: I've collected all the equipment I can lay my hands on, and I've alerted the local rescue team. They'll mount a follow-up search as soon as they can.
LIZ: This is very good of you Major Baker.
BRIGADIER: I'm only sorry that a member of my staff should be causing so much trouble, we're supposed to be helping you.
BAKER: The main thing is to get your Doctor out of those caves as soon as possible. How many men have you sir?
BRIGADIER: Five or six, and Captain Hawkins. More on the way from HQ.
BAKER: Well I suggest we start a preliminary search just as soon as we can.
BRIGADIER: Right we've arranged to go in five minutes.
BAKER: Right sir.
(With typically quirky timing, a tall figure wearing potholing gear and a red cravat appears in the doorway.)
DOCTOR: Well this all looks very exciting. May I come too?
3. INT. CYCLOTRON ROOM
(LAWRENCE and QUINN are standing right in front of the drum of the cyclotron which is giving off a dull red glow.)
LAWRENCE: Surely you must have found some explanation.
QUINN: Both generator and cyclotron are functioning perfectly. Excuse me.
(He crosses to the secondary control desk and picks up the microphone.)
QUINN: Miss Dawson, electron voltage readings please.
DAWSON: (Out of view.) Two thousand million, power steady, all systems at normal.
LAWRENCE: Everything's in perfect order, except for the fact that these power losses still keep on recurring.
QUINN: We are trying everything possible.
LAWRENCE: Yes, I know, I'm sorry.
(They go up to the upper control room where QUINN takes over from Miss DAWSON at the main controls.)
QUINN: Thank you, Miss Dawson.
(LAWRENCE looks out through the glass partition at the cyclotron drum.)
LAWRENCE: This project started off so well. Still, we're not the only ones with problems.
QUINN: Oh?
LAWRENCE: UNIT. That ridiculous Doctor of theirs got himself lost in the caves.
QUINN: Are they searching for him?
LAWRENCE: They were, but the, the fellow turned up again.
QUINN: That's very fortunate.
LAWRENCE: Let me know if you find anything wrong, won't you.
QUINN: Yes of course.
(LAWRENCE leaves through the outer door and QUINN settles back in the control chair.)
DAWSON: If they had started searching those caves...
QUINN: Well they're not going to, are they, so we needn't worry.
4. INT. CONFERENCE ROOM
(The DOCTOR, Major BAKER, LIZ, the BRIGADIER and Captain HAWKINS are drinking coffee whilst holding a review of the DOCTOR's expedition to the caves. BAKER takes a cup for himself and for LIZ across on the far side of the room and sits down.)
DOCTOR: Anybody would think you were disappointed that I didn't get lost.
LIZ: Come on Doctor, you get everyone worried, then turn up safe and sound.
BAKER: You shouldn't have gone sir.
DOCTOR: Well it produced results, didn't it?
BRIGADIER: Subterranean Loch Ness Monster? Very helpful.
DOCTOR: Oh, so you don't believe me?
BRIGADIER: Oh I believe you saw something. The question is what.
LIZ: You weren't very specific.
DOCTOR: Well I hardly had time to draw its picture, did I. All I can tell you is that it was something very, very large, and something very, very alive.
LIZ: Could it have been prehistoric?
DOCTOR: Well it was certainly some kind of dinosaur, certainly nothing that I've ever seen before though.
BAKER: In museums you mean?
DOCTOR: No I do not mean in museums! (Mulls the idea over.) Well, on second thoughts, perhaps... perhaps I do, yes.
BAKER: (Crossing to the BRIGADIER's desk.) Look sir. Suppose there is sabotage going on, and a large group hiding in the caves have faked up some kind of monster.
LIZ: To scare people away.
BAKER: And to account for the unexplained deaths. The noise the Doctor heard, could have been machinery.
BRIGADIER: What do you think Doctor?
DOCTOR: Well it's a possibility. I suppose.
BRIGADIER: (Standing.) Well whatever it is, we must check up on it.
BAKER: (Standing.) I'll be glad to go with you sir.
BRIGADIER: We'll all go. Except Miss Shaw.
LIZ: Oh just a minute. I'm not going to miss all the fun...
BRIGADIER: No Miss Shaw.
LIZ: Have you never heard of female emancipation?
DOCTOR: Liz, this time, I think he's right.
BAKER: Your men will be armed sir?
BRIGADIER: Small arms, grenades, nothing very substantial.
BAKER: Hmm, we'll be a bit short on firepower.
DOCTOR: That's typical of the military mind, isn't it. Present them with a new problem, and they start sh**ting at it!
BRIGADIER: Yes, well I'll inform the Director of my decision.
(The BRIGADIER marches out of the conference room.)
DOCTOR: (Shouting after him.) It's not the only way you know, just blasting away at things!
BAKER: Oh don't worry Doctor, we'll make sure your prehistoric friend gets a sporting chance. We won't sh**t until we see the whites of its eyes, huh?
(He pats the DOCTOR on the back.)
5. INT. CAVES
(The DOCTOR leads the party of UNIT soldiers and Major BAKER through the cave gallery where he was att*cked by the dinosaur, and subsequently found its footprint.)
DOCTOR: I found the footprint over here sir.
BRIGADIER: Well, Doctor?
DOCTOR: Well it was here.
(However there is simply no trace of the footprint - it has been filled in with the same desiccated sand and gravel found in the rest of the cave.)
DOCTOR: (Frustrated.) Well it's dried up isn't it, anyone can see that.
BRIGADIER: I'm afraid I can't see anything at all.
(There is a faint noise in the distance.)
BAKER: Listen! Shall I take a look sir?
(He goes racing off, almost without waiting for the BRIGADIER's order.)
BRIGADIER: Yes alright. Captain Hawkins, take a couple of men and go with Major Baker.
(HAWKINS turns to the nearest soldiers.)
HAWKINS: Very good sir. You two come with me.
(Major BAKER has already raced out of sight through the cave.)
HAWKINS: Major Baker! (Urgently.) Come on you two!
(He is still waiting for the other UNIT soldiers who haven't been as alert as either BAKER or HAWKINS.)
HAWKINS: (Calling ahead.) Wait for us sir!
6. INT. ANOTHER PART OF THE CAVES
(Racing through the caves, BAKER comes across a man-like figure standing at the other end of a narrow space. He raises his r*fle.)
BAKER: Hey you there! Halt! Or I f*re!
(The shadowy figure doesn't seem to pay the least attention to BAKER, who indeed sh**t a couple of rounds at it. Clearly one of the sh*ts strikes its target, and the shape flees away to one side. Suddenly there is a mammoth roar, and BAKER is aware of a large object looming close by to him on one side. He turns around, looks up, and sees... something prehistoric and huge! Whatever it is, he begins sh**ting at it with little or no effect. A huge claw lashes out at his arm and swipes him to the ground.)
BAKER: Ahh!
(Nearby, the BRIGADIER, DOCTOR and the other UNIT soldiers hear BAKER's scream of pain and the loud roaring. Again there is a distant sound of a descending three note signal.)
DOCTOR: Come on!
(He leads the party towards the noise. They race into a large cavern where they find Major BAKER lying prone on the ground. The roaring sound gradually fades away in the distance.)
BRIGADIER: What happened [Captain] Hawkins?
HAWKINS: No idea, we found him like this when we got here.
(The DOCTOR and a UNIT soldier carefully prop BAKER up and comfort him. BAKER is clearly delirious from the att*ck.)
DOCTOR: That's alright old chap. Take it easy. Take it easy.
BAKER: I saw some... someone down there. I fired over his head. I think I h*t him... Ricochet.
BRIGADIER: Did he att*ck you?
(Suddenly BAKER remembers the rest of the encounter.)
BAKER: No, something else. b*ll*ts... b*ll*ts wouldn't stop!
(BAKER begins thrashing around in terror at the recollection.)
DOCTOR: Take it easy! Stop! (To the soldier also supporting BAKER.) Hold that!
(Together, the DOCTOR and the soldier prevent BAKER from injuring himself any further by lashing out. The BRIGADIER turns to the next nearest soldier.)
BRIGADIER: Get the first aid kit, man, and some morphine. (To HAWKINS.) We'd better get him back to the centre.
HAWKINS: Very good sir.
BRIGADIER: Oh, Captain Hawkins?
HAWKINS: Yes sir?
BRIGADIER: Before you do that, take a look up there and be careful.
(The BRIGADIER points in the direction BAKER indicated he was sh**ting. HAWKINS draws his p*stol and heads towards the end of the cave.)
HAWKINS: Sir.
(The BRIGADIER turns to the DOCTOR who has picked up and is examining BAKER's r*fle, the end of which has been bent as though it were a plastic straw.)
BRIGADIER: What do you make of it, Doctor?
DOCTOR: Well, obviously, Baker sh*t at something he thought was a man. Then something else att*cked Baker.
BRIGADIER: The prehistoric creature that att*cked you?
DOCTOR: Oh, it seems very likely, doesn't it.
HAWKINS: (Out of view.) Sir! Something over here sir.
(The BRIGADIER and the DOCTOR go across into a new cavern, followed by the rest of the soldiers.)
HAWKINS: Ricochet marks on the rocks sir. And look over here; traces of blood, spots leading this way.
BRIGADIER: We'd better follow them. Doctor?
(The DOCTOR is crouching to obtain a blood sample from the traces on the ground.)
DOCTOR: No. I'll get back to the hospital with these blood samples. In any case I can give a hand to carry Baker.
BRIGADIER: Right Morton, give the Doctor a hand, the rest, follow me.
(The BRIGADIER sets off to be stopped by the DOCTOR's warning.)
DOCTOR: Brigadier! You'll be careful, won't you. After all, you don't really know what you're following, you know.
(The BRIGADIER nods in acknowledgement, and leads him men onwards. The DOCTOR continues to collect blood from the scene of the sh**ting.)
7. EXT. CAVE OPENING. MOORLAND. DAY
(We see a scaly green hand grasp a rock, and then following it a man-like shape emerges into the fading daylight, breathing heavily. It takes in and considers its surroundings with the aid of trinocular vision, and selecting a dense clump of bushes to take refuge in, begins bashing through the countryside.)
8. INT. LABORATORY WITHIN THE RESEARCH CENTRE
(The DOCTOR peers into a microscope, under which is the blood sample from the cave.)
LIZ: Well Doctor?
DOCTOR: (Displeased.) Well see for yourself.
(The DOCTOR gives up his seat to LIZ, who takes his place and adjusts the microscope to her eye. After a moment, she ventures a nervous opinion.)
LIZ: Oh... I know this may seem a little far-fetched, but there are resemblances to...
DOCTOR: ...certain of the larger reptiles?
LIZ: Yes.
DOCTOR: Precisely.
(A technician ushers the BRIGADIER into the room.)
BRIGADIER: Bad news Doctor, we lost it.
DOCTOR: Oh no.
BRIGADIER: Well there's a lot of moorland out there. Anyway it was getting dark.
DOCTOR: Yes I suppose so.
(The DOCTOR heads over to the sink to wash out the test tubes from his tests.)
LIZ: What are you going to do now?
BRIGADIER: I've sent to HQ for some more men, we'll mount a full-scale search in the morning. Doctor, have you got any idea what we're looking for?
DOCTOR: No, not yet. So far our tests have proved a bit inconclusive.
BRIGADIER: There'll be the devil to pay if Baker sh*t some innocent potholer. Oh how is he by the way?
LIZ: Well there was some bruising, and one arm was clawed, and there's a possibility of mild concussion.
DOCTOR: Poor chap. Mind you, he was behaving very irresponsibly, blazing away like that.
BRIGADIER: He was att*cked, Doctor, just as you were.
DOCTOR: Yes. But not by the thing that he sh*t at. Seems to me Brigadier, that you're missing the most important point.
BRIGADIER: Which is?
DOCTOR: That when Baker was att*cked, and when I was att*cked, the thing was called off before it could do any real harm.
LIZ: Davis was k*lled though.
DOCTOR: Yes I know. But in my opinion, there are two kinds of creature down in that cave. A large and ferocious one, and a smaller, much more intelligent kind that controls the first, and may not be hostile.
BRIGADIER: It's a bit hard to accept one monster, let alone two. Still whatever it is, we'll know in the morning.
DOCTOR: Yes and by that time it might be a little too late.
(The BRIGADIER and LIZ share a worried glance.)
9. EXT. FARM. NIGHT
(Again we see the world from the trinocular viewpoint of the injured creature from the cave, as it heads towards the bright windows of a farm after night has fallen. It comes to a squeaking gate which it manipulates open with its scaly, three-clawed hand, and then walks through into the yard. It looks around and sees a s*ab and a barn, and selecting the barn as the more secluded building, rushes across to it, inside through the unlocked wooden door, and seeing stacked bales of hay it decides to bury itself amidst them...)
10. INT. CYCLOTRON ROOM
(Though clearly late in the evening, Dr LAWRENCE is interrogating Miss DAWSON about the disappearance of his number two.)
LAWRENCE: Simply to disappear at a time like this!
DAWSON: Doctor Quinn has been working very long hours under a considerable strain.
LAWRENCE: So have we all.
(The DOCTOR enters from the outer door of the cyclotron room.)
DOCTOR: Oh I'm so sorry, I was looking for Doctor Quinn.
LAWRENCE: You're not the only one.
DAWSON: He completed as many of the tests as he could, and then... then he simply had to go and rest.
DOCTOR: Is he in his quarters?
(Miss DAWSON tries unsuccessfully to dissemble.)
DAWSON: Well no...
LAWRENCE: Gone off to that cottage of his, has he? If he spent more time doing his job and less writing that book of his...
(LAWRENCE leaves the accusation hanging in the air whilst he stalks off. He pauses at the door.)
LAWRENCE: When he gets back, tell him I'd like to see him, would you? If he can spare a moment...
(LAWRENCE exits, leaving Miss DAWSON clearly upset. As she sits down at her post the DOCTOR comes across and pats her shoulder.)
DOCTOR: Don't worry my dear, we're all under a bit of a strain at the moment.
DAWSON: Doctor Quinn works harder than anyone at this centre.
DOCTOR: Yes, yes, yes. Yes I'm sure he does. It's just that I'd... I'd rather like another word with him myself. It's about those power losses.
(Miss DAWSON looks around at the DOCTOR in high suspicion.)
11. INT. CAVES
(We discover Dr QUINN has not retired to his cottage at all, but has gone potholing. He has taken a detailed map and is following a particular course to his destination; he stops for a moment to consult the map.
(When he starts moving again, he is not quick enough to notice something scaly and equipped with powerful claws stepping aside so that it is out of view.
QUINN draws near to what appears to be a black slab embedded in the rock, something which cannot possibly be a natural formation. He turns around and looks up, and is bathed in a red light accompanied by a high-pitched whirring sound. He is trapped in a force field, and his motions become jerky like a puppet. He raises his hands involuntarily and wheels around to where the black slab is retracting, revealing a passageway.
(The interior of the passageway and connected rooms are lit in an eerie, subdued green light. Another scaly figure in the passageway moves quickly out of sight as QUINN, under the control of the force field, is brought into the secret hiding place like a marionette. He is quickly brought into a vacant room on one side of the corridor, which has a curious upright stand with two arms attached. QUINN is brought to lean up against this, and released from the force field he can lower his arms to rest.
(QUINN looks around but the room is empty; directly ahead of him there is a white screen marked with curious indentations. A thick and reedy sounding voice, rich in inhuman-sounding overtones, urgently speaks to QUINN from behind the screen, but its owner is shielded from view.)
VOICE: Why have you come?
QUINN: I have come to warn you. There are men searching the caves, soldiers with w*apon.
VOICE: Your warning is too late. They have already att*cked us.
QUINN: What happened?
VOICE: One of us was wounded. He was forced onto the surface.
QUINN: Were any humans hurt?
VOICE: That does not concern us.
QUINN: You must stop taking power from the cyclotron.
VOICE: We still need the power. We are not yet ready to make our own.
QUINN: It's causing endless trouble, that's what brought the soldiers here.
VOICE: One us of was wounded. We need your help to recover him.
QUINN: How do you expect me to do that. The soldiers will be hunting for him, they will see me. I tell you it's impossible, I won't do it.
VOICE: You refuse to help us, yet you expect our scientists to give you their secrets?
QUINN: All you've given me so far are scraps of knowledge, hints. I must know.
VOICE: You will be given the information when the wounded one is returned to us.
(QUINN seems satisfied with this deal.)
QUINN: Very well. What shall I do, how can I find him.
VOICE: We will give you a summoning device. He will hear it, and come to you.
(The interview is over. QUINN looks around to one side, where bathed in a green light is a small, triangular device with a large button on top, and a couple of small emitters on one side. QUINN picks up the summoning device, whereupon the force field springs on; bathed in red light his arms are pulled up and he is frog marched out the way he came...)
12. EXT. SQUIRE'S FARM. DAY
(It is early morning at SQUIRE's farm, and SQUIRE and his wife DORIS are going about their chores, which for SQUIRE means obtaining hay for his animals. He crosses the small courtyard between his house, s*ab and barn, carrying a pitchfork.
(As luck would have it, the nearest pile of hay bales which SQUIRE selects is exactly that which the creature had buried itself within the previous night.
Sticking his pitchfork into the bale and pulling it away, SQUIRE reveals a green, scaly hand with three claws. SQUIRE looks at the arm in utter disbelief.)
SQUIRE: Doris!
(SQUIRE runs back to the door of the barn, and thus turns his back on the creature.)
SQUIRE: Doris!
DORIS: What do you want?
SQUIRE: Get on to the police! Tell them there's something in my barn!
DORIS: What sort of something?
SQUIRE: Some sort of freak! I saw it move in the hay!
(We see from the trinocular vision of the creature that it is clearly somewhat taller than SQUIRE and bearing down on him.)
SQUIRE: Well get on with it woman!
(The creature is virtually on top of SQUIRE, who must be able to hear its laboured breathing. He turns around, in self-defence wielding the pitchfork, but then driving the creature back into the barn. In doing so he comes too close, and the creature is able to lash out with a claw across SQUIRE's face.)
SQUIRE: Ahh!
(SQUIRE yells and falls to the ground. His cry brings his wife to the barn, and looking from the door of the barn she screams in terror, covering her face.)
13. INT. CONFERENCE ROOM
(The conference room, temporarily converted into UNIT headquarters, is a scene of busy activity as the BRIGADIER plans the morning's search.)
HAWKINS: Everything's organised sir, the choppers are already up and there are two platoons in support.
BRIGADIER: Good, ask Major Peters to keep the men on standby. I'll be with him as soon as I can.
HAWKINS: Very good sir.
(As HAWKINS rushes to his desk we can see the surly figure of Dr LAWRENCE entering.)
BRIGADIER: Oh good morning Director, I was about to come and see you.
LAWRENCE: I realise you must be busy, particularly since you seem to be engaged in a full-scale military operation, with my research centre as it's HQ.
(HAWKINS comes over and whispers in the BRIGADIER's ear whilst he is listening to LAWRENCE's blathering.)
BRIGADIER: (Briskly.) Yes, I apologise for the inconvenience Director.
(The BRIGADIER returns to studying the reports on his desk.)
LAWRENCE: When you and your associates descended upon us, not I might add at any request of mine, I understood that your purpose was to put an end to the setbacks that have been plaguing us here.
BRIGADIER: That is true sir.
LAWRENCE: And what have you achieved?
(The BRIGADIER sits down to argue his case with LAWRENCE.)
BRIGADIER: To begin with, Miss Shaw has discovered an abnormally high rate of stress symptoms amongst your staff.
LAWRENCE: There's bound to be a few weaklings. What about these power losses?
BRIGADIER: The Doctor has spent most of the night examining the equipment here.
LAWRENCE: Ah yes, your mysterious Doctor. With his sonic screwdriver. Is he qualified to make such an investigation?
(At this opportune moment, the DOCTOR walks in with his typical elegant style. The BRIGADIER smiles beatifically at LAWRENCE as he pronounces:)
BRIGADIER: The Doctor's qualified to do almost everything.
DOCTOR: Well that's it then - nothing wrong with it.
BRIGADIER: Nothing wrong with what?
DOCTOR: With any of it. Cyclotron, remote control mechanisms, all of them - functioning perfectly.
LAWRENCE: You can't possibly be sure.
DOCTOR: My dear man, it's a perfectly simple piece of machinery.
LAWRENCE: Oh! Then what is the explanation of these power losses? Magic?
DOCTOR: The power from your reactor, like the mental state of your staff, has been affected by some outside influence.
LAWRENCE: Indeed. And what do you propose to do about it.
DOCTOR: It's more a question of what you propose to do about it. Until this influence has been discovered and dealt with, this establishment should be closed down completely.
LAWRENCE: Out of the question. It would mean a tremendous setback to our research program.
DOCTOR: (Incisively.) And to your career?
(This comment only serves to rile LAWRENCE, who spins around with an icy glare.)
LAWRENCE: I'm extremely dissatisfied Brigadier, with your conduct of this investigation, and with the behaviour of your ah, “associate”. I intend to write to the Permanent Under-Secretary, and demand your recall.
(The BRIGADIER tries to be unobjectionable in his mild reply.)
BRIGADIER: That is your privilege Director, but whilst we are here perhaps you would let us carry on with our investigations.
(LAWRENCE, having nothing more to say to either the BRIGADIER or the DOCTOR, sullenly leaves the conference room.)
DOCTOR: Pompous idiot! Hmmph. Never could stand that man.
(The DOCTOR goes round to the other side of the desk and sits jauntily in the chair opposite the BRIGADIER.)
DOCTOR: Well Brigadier, all set to start playing soldiers, are we?
(The BRIGADIER gives the DOCTOR a curiously uncomprehending look, but since the phone on his desk rings immediately he is spared giving reply to the DOCTOR's taunt. The half of the conversation that we can hear proceeds as follows:)
BRIGADIER: Lethbridge-Stewart... Yes... yes... I see. Thank you very much. I'll be there as soon as I can.
(The BRIGADIER puts down the phone.)
BRIGADIER: Police. I asked them to let me know of any unusual occurrences.
DOCTOR: And?
BRIGADIER: Local farmer named Squire. Found d*ad in his barn. There were claw marks on his body.
(This instantly has the DOCTOR's full attention.)
14. EXT. SQUIRE'S FARM, BARN. DAY
(Having examined SQUIRE's body, the DOCTOR pulls the blanket back over as the ambulance officers prepare to remove the corpse. There are vivid gashes across the left side of SQUIRE's face.)
DOCTOR: Poor chap.
LIZ: Are they the same marks as you found on Davis in the caves?
DOCTOR: No, these were made by something quite different. Smaller perhaps, but very powerful.
BRIGADIER: I thought you said the thing wasn't hostile.
DOCTOR: Yes, (Picking up the pitchfork.) but I imagine that Squire att*cked him with this. May have been cornered.
(LIZ and the BRIGADIER look at one another, each clearly believing this to be an unpromising idea.)
DOCTOR: What about the man's wife?
BRIGADIER: She's at the local hospital, suffering from shock.
DOCTOR: Yes, well I'd like a word with her. Perhaps you'd like to stay and do some forensic tests, Liz.
LIZ: Yes of course.
DOCTOR: Those claw marks - they weren't the cause of death, you know.
BRIGADIER: Then what was?
DOCTOR: Heart failure. You might say he died of fear.
15. INT. HOSPITAL WARD. DAY
(The DOCTOR leans close to the hospital bed where DORIS Squire lies.)
DOCTOR: Now please. I want you tell me. What happened to your husband? Can you remember what happened to him?
(DORIS is incoherent from shock. She uncomfortably writhes in the bed, avoiding looking at the DOCTOR, and as she remembers the encounter she turns away from him, nervously whimpering in recollected fear. The DOCTOR turns to the BRIGADIER who is standing behind him.)
DOCTOR: She was found in the barn, paralysed with fear. She may have seen something. Have you got a pen?
(The BRIGADIER mutely pulls his pen from his pocket and hands it to the DOCTOR.)
DOCTOR: And the chart please.
(The BRIGADIER doesn't react, so the DOCTOR rudely points to the end of the bed.)
DOCTOR: Chart!
(The BRIGADIER retrieves the chart for the DOCTOR, who begins sketching out a rapid likeness across the paper. After a very brief time the DOCTOR shows his work to the BRIGADIER, hands back his pen, and moves back to DORIS.)
DOCTOR: Now I want you to take a look at this. Have you ever seen anything like this before.
(It is a fair likeness of the head, taken from the bipedal form drawn by Spencer on the wall of the sick bay at the research centre. DORIS instantly reacts to seeing it, and struggles to command her fear before eventually stammering out a reply.)
DOCTOR: Yes? What?
DORIS: K... k*lled him!
DOCTOR: Yes?
DORIS: K... k*lled him!
DOCTOR: What happened then? Where did he go?
DORIS: It... stayed...
DOCTOR: Where?
DORIS: In the barn.
DOCTOR: In the barn?
DORIS: In the barn!
(The DOCTOR turns back to the BRIGADIER.)
DOCTOR: Still there!
BRIGADIER: Miss Shaw!
(Realising the danger LIZ is in, they race from the hospital ward.)
16. EXT. SQUIRE'S FARM, BARN. DAY
(LIZ is kneeling, intent on collecting forensic evidence from the scene of Squire's death. She is facing towards the door, away from the main part of the barn. Once again, we see a scaly green hand appear, in one of the doorways. We hear the creature's laboured breathing, and see through its trinocular vision the shape of LIZ on the other side of the barn, bent over and facing away. The creature moves sideways, and we catch a glimpse of spinal fins down the middle of the creature's back.
(LIZ continues to work with her bottles, swabs and other paraphernalia, completely unaware of the creature's presence. The creature re-emerges closer to LIZ, from behind the stack of hay bales a couple of yards behind LIZ. There is no mistaking that its target is to neutralise LIZ as it stalks towards her.
(Perhaps hearing the creature's heavy breathing or the scuffing of its feet through the hay, at the last moment she looks around. Through the creature's eyes we see it rush at LIZ, swipe a scaly hand across her face... LIZ screams... she is hurled to the ground on the hay...) | {"type": "series", "show": "Doctor Who", "episode": "07x06 - Doctor Who and the Silurians - part 2"} | foreverdreaming |
DOCTOR WHO AND THE SILURIANS
BY: MALCOLM HULKE
EPISODE 3
Original Air Date: 14 February, 1970
5:15pm - 5:40pm
1. EXT. SQUIRE'S FARM, BARN. DAY
(LIZ is kneeling, intent on collecting forensic evidence from the scene of Squire's death. She is facing towards the door, away from the main part of the barn. Once again, we see a scaly green hand appear, in one of the doorways. We hear the Silurian's laboured breathing, and see through its trinocular vision the shape of LIZ on the other side of the barn, bent over and facing away. The Silurian moves sideways, and we catch a glimpse of spinal fins down the middle of the Silurian's back.
(LIZ continues to work with her bottles, swabs and other paraphernalia, completely unaware of the Silurian's presence. The creature re-emerges closer to LIZ, from behind the stack of hay bales a couple of yards behind LIZ. There is no mistaking that its target is to neutralise LIZ as it stalks towards her.
(Perhaps hearing the Silurian's heavy breathing or the scuffing of its feet through the hay, at the last moment she looks around. Through the Silurian's eyes we see it rush at LIZ, swipe a scaly hand across her face... LIZ screams... she is knocked to the ground on the hay and lies still.
(The Silurian moves to the door of the barn and looks through a hole in the door at the scene outside. A police car and some officers are still present, so the Silurian bolts the door shut.)
2. INT. QUINN'S COTTAGE. DAY
(QUINN stands in his living room in front of his bookshelf examining and sorting its contents when Miss DAWSON walks in from the front porch of the cottage.)
QUINN: Oh it's you?
DAWSON: Front door was open.
QUINN: What do you want?
DAWSON: I wanted to know if you're alright. Doctor Lawrence has been asking where you are.
QUINN: There are more important things than Doctor Lawrence...
(QUINN carries a bundle of papers over to a table, and then finds a map.)
QUINN: ...ah, here we are.
(He unfolds the map.)
DAWSON: What are you doing?
(QUINN discovers the summoning device from where he had concealed it.)
QUINN: Ah yes. Look.
(He places the summoning device down on the table.)
QUINN: They gave it to me!
DAWSON: What on earth is it?
QUINN: The product of another civilisation. It's a communications device.
DAWSON: You've seen them?
QUINN: No, but they trust me and they want me to help them.
DAWSON: How?
QUINN: That fool Baker wounded one of them. I have to get it back to the caves, it will respond to this.
DAWSON: That must have been what the soldiers were searching for.
QUINN: What?
DAWSON: The Doctor and the Brigadier rushed down... to that farm by the research centre.
QUINN: Why, do you know why?
DAWSON: Something happened there, someone was hurt.
QUINN: Squire's Farm? (Thinking.) There's a cave opening near there, it... perhaps it... Yes, it must have come up from the cave opening and made it's way straight to the farm. Yes, that's it... that must be it!
(QUINN puts on his hat, takes and folds up his map and prepares to leave.)
DAWSON: What do I tell Doctor Lawrence?
QUINN: Tell him what you like!
3. EXT. SQUIRE'S FARM, BARN. DAY
(A UNIT soldier begins prising the barn door open with a crowbar. The BRIGADIER moves him aside to peer through the gap – he can see LIZ lying prone amidst the hay bales. He backs away and lets the soldier finish breaking open the barn. The DOCTOR looks on worriedly.
(The door opened, the BRIGADIER advances inwards with p*stol at the ready. The DOCTOR races past him to where LIZ lies unconscious.)
BRIGADIER: Captain Hawkins!
(He points for HAWKINS to head in the direction of the loft. Soldiers teem through into the barn, searching all corners.)
HAWKINS: Sir!
BRIGADIER: Alright, search the place.
(Captain HAWKINS and another soldier cautiously advance up into the loft, HAWKINS shining a torch into the dark, p*stol poised in his other hand. He turns the light towards a source of noise, and a chicken squawks and runs from the light. Downstairs, the BRIGADIER tenses. HAWKINS breathes a sigh of relief and indicates to the soldier to go.)
BRIGADIER: (Seeing HAWKINS descending.) Alright, panic over, there's nothing there.
HAWKINS: It must be somewhere sir, the door was bolted on the inside.
DOCTOR: Alright officer, we can manage.
(An ambulance officer leaves.)
BRIGADIER: What happened?
DOCTOR: Well, give her a moment, she's just coming round!
(LIZ gradually draws herself off the floor, revealing two large scratches high on her right cheek. She looks up in the DOCTOR in some trepidation.)
LIZ: I saw it.
HAWKINS: Sir! Over here, look.
(HAWKINS leads the BRIGADIER and the other soldiers to the side of the barn away from the courtyard, where there is a large hole smashed in the wall.)
BRIGADIER: I want the whole area searched. The fields, out buildings, everywhere.
HAWKINS: Right sir.
(Back near the hay bales LIZ is still shaky after the att*ck, but she doesn't seem to have succumbed to shock to the same extent as Spencer or Doris Squire.)
DOCTOR: Now Liz, this thing. What did it look like?
LIZ: It was like a reptile, but it walked upright, like... like a man.
(As the UNIT soldiers begin their search outside, Dr QUINN's car arrives in the rain. Inside, the DOCTOR throws down a few hay bales for LIZ to sit down upon.)
DOCTOR: Here you are Liz, come and sit on this.
(He helps LIZ to her feet, and sits down with her on the bales.)
DOCTOR: There we are. How are you feeling now?
LIZ: Better, thanks... Headache's a bit bad.
DOCTOR: Well, I'm not surprised.
(Dr QUINN comes through the barn door, sweeps off the rain from his hat and crosses to the DOCTOR and LIZ.)
QUINN: Ah – what's happening?
(The DOCTOR stands to meet QUINN. Something odd about QUINN's presence here has instantly alerted him and aroused his suspicion.)
DOCTOR: Doctor Quinn. How did you get here?
QUINN: I was on my way back to the research centre, I saw all the police and soldiers outside.
DOCTOR: Ah, so you're feeling better then?
QUINN: Better?
DOCTOR: I understood you didn't feel too well.
QUINN: Oh yes, yes... no I went back to my cottage, I'm alright now.
(The DOCTOR now smells a rat.)
DOCTOR: Whereabouts is your cottage?
QUINN: By the lake, just north of the centre. What's happened to you? Are you alright?
LIZ: Something att*cked me.
QUINN: What sort of thing?
LIZ: Like a...
(The DOCTOR cuts off LIZ's reply, initially to her puzzlement.)
DOCTOR: Well we don't know... yet.
BRIGADIER: Everything's organised, the chopper's already up.
QUINN: Well I'd better get out of the way, clearly you're all very busy.
BRIGADIER: Oh, one moment Doctor Quinn.
QUINN: Yes.
BRIGADIER: Just a thought, perhaps you could help us. You know this district, if you wanted to hide – where would you go?
(QUINN looks slightly uncomfortable.)
4. EXT. MOORLAND. DAY
(A UNIT helicopter buzzes across the moorland. Police with sniffer dogs and UNIT soldiers are commencing ground searches. Captain HAWKINS lets off a signal flare across the area and then watches through binoculars as the lines of men sweep through the countryside nearby. After several moments he crosses to his Land Rover and produces a walkie-talkie.)
HAWKINS: Watchdog to Windmill One Two Three. How do you read me? Over.
HELICOPTER PILOT: (Voice over.) Loud and clear Watchdog. Have searched area one. No sign of anything. Commencing search of area two. Over.
HAWKINS: Watchdog to Windmill One Two Three. Message understood, over and out.
5. EXT. SQUIRE'S FARM, BARN. DAY
(Dr QUINN, the BRIGADIER, the DOCTOR and LIZ stand around a map of the local area.)
QUINN: I'm sorry I can't be more help. There's a lot of wild country around here.
(QUINN indicates the particular region on the map.)
BRIGADIER: Oh thanks anyway, we'll cover the whole area.
QUINN: Well I really must be getting back to the centre.
(The DOCTOR decides to test out his suspicion.)
DOCTOR: Doctor Quinn. I wonder if you would mind giving Miss Shaw a lift.
QUINN: I'm sorry I can't.
DOCTOR: But I thought you were going straight back.
QUINN: (Defensively.) I'm going to the garage in the village first. There's something wrong with my car, it might take some time.
BRIGADIER: Not to worry, I'll send her back in a police car.
QUINN: Oh, I'll get along then. Excuse me.
(The BRIGADIER is slightly puzzled by QUINN's parting words.)
BRIGADIER: Yes, well I'll get that laid on.
(The BRIGADIER leaves. LIZ is studying the map quite intensely.)
LIZ: Doctor, look at the map.
DOCTOR: Hmm?
LIZ: Doctor Quinn's cottage is here, and the village is here.
DOCTOR: Well?
LIZ: This farm is miles out of his way.
(The DOCTOR looks up at LIZ, thinking.)
6. EXT. COUNTRY ROAD, MOORLAND. DAY
(The UNIT helicopter continues the fruitless search. QUINN drives his car down several dilapidated country roads, into the middle of nowhere – surrounded by sparsely vegetated moorland. He brings the car to a stop on the crest of a small hill and steps out of his car, takes a few steps about, and removes the Silurian summoning device from his pocket. He holds it level in both hands and sets off the device. The characteristic signal of three descending tones begins pealing forth across the countryside.
(Nearby in the moorland, a police dog in one of the search lines hears the high pitched signal very keenly, stops in its tracks, and barks loudly.
(QUINN notices the UNIT helicopter approaching in front of him. He puts away the summoning device in his pocket as the chopper flies overhead, and waves to it. From the helicopter the diminutive figure of QUINN can be seen on the crest of the hill standing a few metres aside from his blue car.)
HELICOPTER PILOT: (Voice over.) Windmill One Two Three to Watchdog.
(QUINN gets back in his car and drives off.)
7. EXT. ANOTHER ROAD, MOORLAND. DAY
(Nearby, Captain HAWKINS stands beside his Land Rover, as it was parked before, receiving the message from the helicopter on the walkie-talkie.)
HAWKINS: Watchdog to Windmill One Two Three. Message understood. Over and out.
(The DOCTOR and the BRIGADIER drive up in Bessie and Captain HAWKINS steps across to the road to speak with them.)
BRIGADIER: Any luck Captain?
HAWKINS: Oh not quite sure sir. The helicopter reports seeing a man standing by his car in the north-west sector of area two, sir.
BRIGADIER: Well?
HAWKINS: Well apparently he just waved, and drove off.
BRIGADIER: Probably another potholer.
HAWKINS: Yes sir. But there is something else.
BRIGADIER: Yes?
HAWKINS: A moment ago I thought I heard a funny kind of a noise, sir.
BRIGADIER: What kind of noise.
HAWKINS: Rather like that sound we heard in the cave, sir.
DOCTOR: Mmm. What direction did it come from?
HAWKINS: Well that also came from the north-west sector of area two, sir.
(The BRIGADIER nods to the DOCTOR, who drives off at speed.)
8. EXT. ANOTHER COUNTRY ROAD, MOORLAND. DAY
(QUINN prepares to stop again, in a yet more isolated spot, which is surrounded by some thick bushes. He switches the summoning device even before bringing his car to a complete halt. The Silurian sees the car and begins bearing down on him from behind the clump of bushes. The triadic bleeping of the communication device becomes more rapid and higher in pitch as it draws near. The creature regards QUINN through it's trinocular vision; at the very last minute QUINN turns around to see it.)
9. EXT. A NEARBY ROAD, MOORLAND. DAY
(The signal from the summoning device suddenly stops completely. The DOCTOR slams on the brakes and brings Bessie to an abrupt halt.)
BRIGADIER: That noise. It stopped.
DOCTOR: Yes. I'm sure it came from over there, let's go and have a look.
(The DOCTOR and the BRIGADIER speed off.)
10. EXT. THE COUNTRY ROAD DEPARTED BY QUINN. DAY
(The helicopter, UNIT soldiers, and police with dogs fruitlessly continue their search. The DOCTOR drives past one of the search lines of UNIT soldiers as they cross the unsealed road surrounded by some bushes where QUINN had stopped a few moments before. Alert to the surroundings the BRIGADIER spots and points to the tracks left by the Silurian.)
BRIGADIER: Doctor, stop!
(The BRIGADIER alights from Bessie as the DOCTOR stops her, and runs over to look at tracks in the road.)
BRIGADIER: Look at these.
(They crouch by the tracks.)
BRIGADIER: Are these the same as the footprints as you saw in the cave?
DOCTOR: No, this is smaller, these are the footprints of a biped.
(The “footprints” however have three equally large clawed toes, spread out like a fan... The BRIGADIER stands and looks around into the distance.)
BRIGADIER: Then the thing can't be far from here.
(The DOCTOR turns around, looking down the road a little.)
DOCTOR: Here, look at these.
BRIGADIER: Car tracks.
DOCTOR: Anyone bringing a car here would be miles out of his way.
BRIGADIER: What's that?
DOCTOR: Oh nothing. Just a thought.
BRIGADIER: I'll get the men.
(The BRIGADIER pulls out his TM45 pocket radio transceiver, a device which proved to be of crucial use during the recent invasion by the Cybermen.)
BRIGADIER: UNIT commander to all sections. All parties to converge on south-east sector area three. I repeat, all parties to converge on south-east sector area three.
11. INT. RESEARCH CENTRE, SICK BAY
(An orderly sees to Major BAKER in the sickbay, who is lying in bed wearing pyjamas, and has his arm in a sling. LIZ enters through the door and indicates to the orderly that she is there to see BAKER.)
LIZ: Major Baker! (To orderly.) It's alright. (To BAKER.) How are you?
(BAKER sees LIZ's plastered-over gash.)
BAKER: How are you?
LIZ: Oh, alright.
(Slightly embarrased, she puts he hand over the gash and sits down on BAKER's bed.)
BAKER: Did the Brigadier get my message?
LIZ: Yes, he asked me to come and see you. You're to stay here till you're better. How's the arm?
BAKER: Oh it's perfectly alright!
(BAKER indignantly begins removing his arm from the sling, and LIZ fussily puts it back.)
BAKER: Look, I have got to get out of here!
LIZ: Just as soon as Doctor Meredith says so! There's still a chance you may have concussion.
BAKER: Oh rubbish!
LIZ: How much do you remember of what happened to you.
BAKER: Everything! I saw this man – he must have been a saboteur – I took a sh*t at him, and then...
(BAKER suddenly comes to a halt. LIZ looks at him to continue, but he can't.)
BAKER: And then I... eh... everything went black.
(After a brief pause:)
BAKER: Look isn't the Brigadier taking any action?
LIZ: I'm sure he is. Just leave it to him. Look I must go.
BAKER: Miss Shaw. Please. I have got to see the Brigadier.
LIZ: No! (Softer.) I'm sorry.
(Sullenly BAKER throws off his sling as soon as LIZ goes and begins taking off his pyjamas and prepares to put on his proper clothes.)
12. INT. QUINN'S COTTAGE. DAY
(QUINN has returned home to his cottage rather than the research centre, when he hears a car pulling up. He checks the Silurian is locked in the room near the front door. The door bell rings twice, and after a moment QUINN feels obliged to open the door. The DOCTOR stands there, leaning comfortably on one arm against the door frame.)
QUINN: Yes?
DOCTOR: I thought you were going straight back to the research centre.
QUINN: Yes, yes I am.
DOCTOR: Only I saw your car was still parked outside, I thought perhaps you might have been taken ill again.
QUINN: No, no, I'm perfectly alright thank you, I just had to come back for something, that's all...
(QUINN has been hoist by his own petard, since this unexpected return visit is just as likely as his own arrival at Squire's farm earlier in the day. As he says this he tries to close the door on the DOCTOR, who puts his foot firmly in it, and then invites himself in.)
DOCTOR: (Nosing around with a smile on his face.) What a charming place. Mmm, charming.
(QUINN closes the door trying to keep a cool temper.)
DOCTOR: Lovely old grandfather clock. Is this the living room? Oh yes, very nice. Very nice. Had the place long, have you?
QUINN: Oh no, I bought it a few months after I got the job here.
DOCTOR: Mmhmm.
QUINN: (Looking at his watch.) Look Doctor, I'm sorry but I really have to be...
DOCTOR: (Inspecting a thermostat on the wall.) Central heated too, hey?
QUINN: It gets very cold up here.
DOCTOR: Yes. (Looks again at the control.) Still you do keep it very warm though, don't you.
QUINN: Yes, well the thermostat's jammed, you see I've ah... I'm having it fixed.
DOCTOR: Perhaps you'd like me to look at it for you, I like tinkering with these things.
QUINN: That's very kind of you but I've already sent for the people who installed it.
DOCTOR: Good, good. Only it is rather like the reptile house in the zoo, isn't it.
QUINN: (Distinctly annoyed.) What do you mean. Hey? What do you mean.
DOCTOR: Nothing, I was just referring to the temperature of the room.
(It seems QUINN has reached the end of his tether for inventing excuses. The DOCTOR has simply been playing with him.)
QUINN: Doctor I'm sorry, but I really must ask you to leave. There's something very urgent I have to do before I go back to the centre.
DOCTOR: Oh?
(The DOCTOR waits for QUINN to explain himself, but this time QUINN doesn't rise to the bait.)
DOCTOR: Yes, yes of course. I'm so sorry to have taken up so much of your time.
(The DOCTOR heads out of the living room to leave by the front door.)
QUINN: Not at all. I'm only sorry that I seem to have been...
DOCTOR: My word, it's just as hot out here, isn't it. You really must get that thermostat fixed you know.
(The DOCTOR suddenly turns on QUINN and asks sharply:)
DOCTOR: Anything wrong?
(QUINN is rattled and unintentionally his voice slips upwards in pitch.)
QUINN: (Nervously.) Ah no!
DOCTOR: (Angrily.) You'd save yourself a lot of trouble if you'd let me help you!
(QUINN shows the DOCTOR the door. The DOCTOR stops in the door before QUINN can close it completely.)
DOCTOR: They didn't catch it, you know.
(He turns and leaves and QUINN is happy to finally have him out of the cottage. QUINN looks across at the room he has locked the Silurian in, and starts to move across when he realises the DOCTOR is peering in through the window beside the door, gazing in the same direction. Seeing QUINN he waves cheerily, and leaves. After he has gone QUINN goes across and checks the door is firmly shut.)
13. INT. RESEARCH CENTRE, QUINN'S OFFICE
(The DOCTOR has broken into Quinn's office and sits at his desk reading through his papers, LIZ standing and looking through the papers in his filing trays.)
LIZ: Look, what exactly are we looking for?
(After a moment cogitating, the DOCTOR puts down the papers on the desk.)
DOCTOR: Anything. I must know more about Doctor Quinn.
(He stands and looks around to the filing cabinet and a wooden cupboard.)
DOCTOR: Hand me that paper Kn*fe Liz will you?
(LIZ looks over the desk and passes it to him without thinking.)
LIZ: Here.
DOCTOR: Thank you.
(Shortly afterwards she hears noises of a lock being tampered with, and turns around.)
LIZ: What do you think you're doing?
DOCTOR: Breaking open the cabinet, me dear.
(LIZ nervously looks at the door.)
DOCTOR: He's not likely to leave anything important just lying around, is he?
(The lock gives way and the DOCTOR opens the wooden cupboard.)
DOCTOR: Ah there we are! Now then, what have we got here?
(He begins rummaging around.)
DOCTOR: Pitons... Notes... What's this...
(He selects the notes and a blue-green globe.)
DOCTOR: Let's have a look at these.
LIZ: What's that?
DOCTOR: Some kind of a ball? Got some markings on it, have a look.
(After a moment turning the ball over in her hands, LIZ remarks:)
LIZ: It's a globe!
DOCTOR: (Absorbed in reading his notes.) Hmm.
LIZ: Surely that's the shape of the west coast of America. No... No, the land mass is all bunched together...
DOCTOR: What's that? Let me have a look at that...
(LIZ hands the globe to the DOCTOR, who examines it.)
DOCTOR: Of course, this is the world as it was before the great continental drift – two hundred million years ago. And these notes, why they're calculations on the age of the earth, with particular reference to the Silurian era.
(Suddenly Miss DAWSON enters through the door.)
DAWSON: What are you doing in here? This is Doctor Quinn's private office! I shall have to inform the Director about this.
(She shuts the door and picks up the phone to call Dr Lawrence.)
DOCTOR: That won't help Doctor Quinn, will it.
DAWSON: What are you talking about?
DOCTOR: I'm talking about the caves, Miss Dawson.
DAWSON: What about them?
DOCTOR: There's something down there, and I think Doctor Quinn knows what it is.
(Slowly Miss DAWSON puts down the phone.)
DOCTOR: Now look, you must tell me what you know Miss Dawson. Before anybody else gets k*lled. Maybe even Doctor Quinn.
DAWSON: Oh I warned him...
DOCTOR: Warned him? Warned him about what?
DAWSON: Ah... I... I promised not to tell anyone, but if Doctor Quinn is in danger, I...
(Miss DAWSON is about to elaborate, when the BRIGADIER barges in. The DOCTOR furiously waves him back, but it is no good.)
BRIGADIER: Ah Doctor, we're due for a meeting with...
DOCTOR: Yes Miss Dawson?
DAWSON: I'm sorry Doctor, I can't help you. If you'll excuse me.
(Miss DAWSON turns and leaves. The DOCTOR looks back ruefully at LIZ. After she has gone the BRIGADIER closes the door and asks:)
BRIGADIER: What was all that about?
(The DOCTOR irritatedly taps a pencil on the desk.)
DOCTOR: Never mind Lethbridge-Stewart, it's too late now!
(The DOCTOR sits down at Quinn's desk and puts his face in his hands.)
14. INT. QUINN'S COTTAGE. NIGHT
(QUINN is bringing wood in for the fireplace which is blazing when the front door bell rings. All of the rooms are in darkness. QUINN puts down the bucket and stands in front of the fireplace in hesitation, wondering who is there. The doorbell rings three times more in a row, and then the sound of the front door being unlocked can be heard. QUINN sidles across to the frame of the door where the light and light switch are and stands alongside the wall.
(We hear soft footsteps approach the living room, and then a hand reaches round for the light switch. At this moment QUINN snaps the lights on, and the intruder backs away in fright. It is Miss DAWSON.)
DAWSON: Oh!
QUINN: (Angrily.) What do you want?
DAWSON: That Doctor – the one with UNIT – I caught him searching your office!
QUINN: He had no right.
(QUINN goes about stoking up the fireplace.)
DAWSON: You... you can't go on like this! Don't you realise? People are being k*lled, and it's your fault, you've got to tell someone.
QUINN: No. Not until I'm ready.
(Next QUINN checks the thermostat to ensure it is at maximum.)
DAWSON: Oh John, please. Please, let me tell this Doctor, he'll believe you, he wants to help you.
QUINN: He is a scientist too, he only wants to steal the credit for my discoveries!
DAWSON: What discoveries? You... they haven't told you anything yet.
QUINN: They will now. I can make them.
DAWSON: You can't make them do anything.
QUINN: I've got one of them here. The one they were hunting. I've got it locked up.
DAWSON: But it... it might k*ll you. It's already k*lled that farmer...
QUINN: That creature in there is a scientist, with the knowledge it can give me I can prove...
DAWSON: It won't give you anything!
QUINN: Unless I get it back to the caves it will die. And I won't take it back until it tells me what I want to know!
(Miss DAWSON looks down in worry at QUINN's obsession, bordering on madness.)
15. INT. RESEARCH CENTRE, CONFERENCE ROOM
(In the meeting at the research centre, the DOCTOR slams a pencil down on the desk in frustration.)
DOCTOR: Look I tell you gentlemen, that the interference is definitely coming from those caves!
(Around the table are gathered the DOCTOR, LIZ, Dr LAWRENCE, the BRIGADIER, and Captain HAWKINS. Major BAKER however enters from the corridor, dressed in his suit, behind Dr LAWRENCE.)
BAKER: Exactly Doctor! This centre is being sabotaged.
(He comes to stand between Dr LAWRENCE and LIZ, facing the BRIGADIER down over the table.)
BRIGADIER: Major Baker, you are supposed to be in the sick bay.
BAKER: I am perfectly alright thank you. I propose that we move down there in force sir.
DOCTOR: That, Major Baker, is precisely what we must not do at this present time.
BAKER: I insist that you take some positive action!
BRIGADIER: I shall decide what action I shall take, and you, Major Baker, will return to the sick bay and remain there till I send for you.
BAKER: Oh, this is ridiculous!...
BRIGADIER: (Standing.) And that will be all, Major Baker! Captain Hawkins, you will accompany Major Baker to the sick bay, and see that he remains there.
HAWKINS: Sir!
(HAWKINS stands, and follows Major BAKER out of the room, back towards the sick bay.)
LAWRENCE: Do I now take it you have arrested my security officer?
BRIGADIER: Major Baker isn't himself.
DOCTOR: I must say Brigadier, that I'm delighted that you ah... didn't agree with him.
BRIGADIER: Oh but I do. I intend to send for more men and mount a full-scale search of those caves.
DOCTOR: Now look if you'd just give me a little more time...
BRIGADIER: I'm sorry Doctor, my mind is made up.
LAWRENCE: I advise you to do your best to try to achieve some kind of results in the time available to you.
BRIGADIER: Sir?
LAWRENCE: Masters, the Permanent Under-Secretary, is coming down here to conduct a personal investigation. Unless you can impress him more than you impress me, you may well find yourself transferred – to some simpler duties... more within your scope.
(LAWRENCE's patience is clearly at an end, as he rises and strolls out of the meeting. The BRIGADIER is obliged to follow out of the conference room.)
BRIGADIER: Doctor Lawrence, as I believe I have told you before, ...
DOCTOR: Stupid bumbling idiots, the pair of them.
(The DOCTOR picks up his pencil so he can deliberately throw it down on the desk and clatter to the floor. Then he stands and makes his way to the door.)
LIZ: Now where are you going?
DOCTOR: To see Doctor Quinn. I must persuade him to trust me before it's too late.
(The DOCTOR leaves, and LIZ slumps back in her chair.)
16. INT. QUINN'S COTTAGE. NIGHT
(It is dark within Dr QUINN's cottage. The bell rings once... twice... a third time, and then a torch shines in from the window beside the front door. The DOCTOR peers in and sees nothing. He returns to the door and after a moment it is wedged open. The DOCTOR opens the door a little, puts his head through and calls out:)
DOCTOR: Doctor Quinn?
(There is no answer, so he steps through the door into the hallway, and calls out again:)
DOCTOR: Doctor Quinn?
(Still no answer, so the DOCTOR heads into the living room. As he goes, a scaly hand appears from the door of the side room behind him. As the DOCTOR moves into the living room he sees QUINN lying still in his chair.)
DOCTOR: Doctor Quinn? Quinn!
(The DOCTOR waves his hand directly in front of QUINN's eyes. There is no reaction. The DOCTOR leans over QUINN's chest to listen for a pulse which evidently is not there. QUINN is clearly d*ad. The DOCTOR closes QUINN's sightless eyes, and discovers his hand is clutching something. He gently prises the small metallic device from his hand, and holds it up for inspection. He triggers the device, and to his little surprise it begins emitting the descending three note call to attention.
(In the next room, the Silurian hears the signal and instinctively flexes its three-clawed hand. After a moment the DOCTOR notices something moving in his peripheral vision, and spins around to see the reptilian biped slowly marching into the living room towards him. The DOCTOR is quite taken aback and stares in surprise at the Silurian's headcrest with its three eyes...) | {"type": "series", "show": "Doctor Who", "episode": "07x07 - Doctor Who and the Silurians - part 3"} | foreverdreaming |
DOCTOR WHO AND THE SILURIANS
BY: MALCOLM HULKE
EPISODE 4
Original Air Date: 21 February 1970
5:15pm - 5:40pm
1. INT. QUINN'S COTTAGE. NIGHT
(The DOCTOR waves his hand directly in front of QUINN's eyes. There is no reaction. The DOCTOR leans over QUINN's chest to listen for a pulse which evidently is not there. QUINN is clearly d*ad. The DOCTOR closes QUINN's sightless eyes, and discovers his hand is clutching something. He gently prises the small metallic device from his hand, and holds it up for inspection. He triggers the device, and to his little surprise it begins emitting the descending three note call to attention.
(In the next room, the Silurian hears the signal and instinctively flexes his three-clawed hand. After a moment the DOCTOR notices something moving in his peripheral vision, and spins around to see the reptilian biped slowly marching into the living room towards him. The DOCTOR is quite taken aback and stares in surprise at the Silurian's headcrest, and the prominent three eyes...)
DOCTOR: Hello! Are you a Silurian?
(The DOCTOR offers the Silurian a friendly hand shake, confronting him with an immediate problem of whether to engage in this custom with either of his claws.)
DOCTOR: Look. Do you understand me?
(The Silurian nods in assent.)
DOCTOR: Well what do your people want? How can we help you. How many are there of you? Tell us what we can do!
(The Silurian hears the sound of a car passing by, and immediately suspicious, thrusts the DOCTOR aside, escape at the fore of his mind. The Silurian flees the cottage with a smashing of timber and glass and the DOCTOR is forced to shout after him:)
DOCTOR: No wait! Wait! Wait! Unless you Silurians tell us what you want, the humans will destroy you!
2. INT. RESEARCH CENTRE, SICK BAY
(Major BAKER is sitting on his sick bed, dressed in shirt and trousers, and is secretively tracing a route through the Wenley Moor caves in a notebook. Then hearing movement outside, and deciding to call in the gullible Sergeant HART, he hides the map under his pillow.)
BAKER: Sergeant!
HART: Sir.
BAKER: Ah, are you ah, still standing guard over me?
HART: Sorry sir, Brigadier's orders.
BAKER: I see, well ah, as long as you're here, you may as well give me a hand – I, would you help me off with my jacket – my arm's still a bit stiff.
(BAKER feigns some pain and stiffness trying to put on his jacket, and in the end HART gives in and assists him.)
HART: Certainly sir.
BAKER: Oh steady now – steady sir. Ha! Still a bit painful.
HART: Yes of course sir.
BAKER: Thank you.
(The moment HART turns his back on BAKER to leave the Sick Bay, BAKER chops him viciously across the back of the neck. HART collapses in pain on the ground while BAKER makes his escape.)
3. INT. RESEARCH CENTRE, CONFERENCE ROOM
(Sergeant HART is on the carpet in front of the BRIGADIER attempting to defend the indefensible.)
BRIGADIER: And you just let him walk away?
HART: Yes, but...
BRIGADIER: Sergeant Hart, you were told to make sure Major Baker remained in the sick bay.
HART: I know, sir, but he jumped me.
BRIGADIER: You should have been prepared for that.
HART: But I thought he was ill, sir. He said he couldn't use his arm.
BRIGADIER: He seems to have used it on you alright.
HART: Yes sir. Do you want me to set up a search party sir?
BRIGADIER: No. Dismissed.
HART: Sir!
(HART salutes, turns, and marches himself off at the double. LIZ, who has been observing the whole exchange silently, registers her concern.)
LIZ: Surely you're going to look for Major Baker?
BRIGADIER: He'll be in those caves, looking for those saboteurs of his. We'll find him when we move in.
4. INT. CAVES
(Major BAKER is now fully apparelled in potholing gear, and follows the route he marked into his notebook for some time, but then abandons it as he reaches a fork where he can follow one direction or another. Pocketing the notebook, he starts down the left-hand fork where there is a murky pool a few steps down through two large columns of rock. As he puts both feet into the pool the water begins frothing and bubbling violently, and he finds he cannot move his feet at all.
(Silurians converge from every direction, and BAKER begins taking pot sh*ts at them. The Silurians jump out of the way of ricochets. He quickly runs out of rounds, and a Silurian marches right up to the pool, it's third eye exerting some force on BAKER. He throws his r*fle at the Silurian but is powerless to avoid being forced to the ground by the mental power of the Silurian.)
5. INT. RESEARCH CENTRE, CONFERENCE ROOM
(LIZ and the BRIGADIER have not moved from before.)
LIZ: You're still going ahead with your plans to inv*de the caves? Whatever the Doctor says?
BRIGADIER: I've sent to HQ for reinforcements, they should be here by dawn. Look where is the Doctor?
LIZ: (Attempting to dissemble.) I'm not quite sure. I... I believe he mentioned visiting Doctor Quinn.
BRIGADIER: I didn't bring him down here to visit the sick!
(The DOCTOR enters quietly in a very abject mood.)
LIZ: (Brightly.) Hello!
DOCTOR: (Downcast.) Hello.
LIZ: Was Quinn any help?
DOCTOR: No. No I'm afraid not.
BRIGADIER: What's Doctor Quinn got to do with it?
DOCTOR: Well he was... well... is very interested in potholing, I thought his experience with the caves might have been useful.
BRIGADIER: May I remind you Doctor, that your business here is to investigate these power failures. Now do you have any suggestions to make?
DOCTOR: Oh yes. That this establishment should be closed down completely.
BRIGADIER: Not much chance of Doctor Lawrence agreeing to that.
DOCTOR: And a planned, cautious, scientific investigation of those caves. Not an invasion by a lot of big-booted soldiers!
BRIGADIER: There are times, Doctor, when you sorely try my patience.
(The BRIGADIER signals with his swagger stick for the other soldiers to follow him, and blusters out of the conference room.)
LIZ: What's wrong Doctor? What happened when you saw Quinn?
DOCTOR: Sit down Liz.
(For a moment the DOCTOR sits down and holds his head in his hands, then suddenly composes himself.)
DOCTOR: Quinn's d*ad, he's been k*lled.
LIZ: Oh no.
DOCTOR: By a Silurian.
LIZ: A Silurian?
DOCTOR: Probably the same creature that att*cked you.
LIZ: You saw it?
DOCTOR: I spoke to it. And it understood me.
LIZ: What was it like?
DOCTOR: Reptilian. Biped, a completely alien species.
LIZ: And it didn't att*ck you?
DOCTOR: Liz! These creatures aren't just animals! They're an alien life form, as intelligent as we are.
LIZ: Why... why didn't you tell the Brigadier?
DOCTOR: Because I want to find out more about these creatures. They're not necessarily hostile.
LIZ: Doctor, it att*cked me.
DOCTOR: Yes, but only to escape – it didn't k*ll you. It didn't att*ck me when I was in Quinn's cottage – well don't you see, they only att*ck for survival. Well human beings behave in very much the same way.
LIZ: What are we going to do now?
DOCTOR: Well I'm going back down into those caves. See what I can find out.
LIZ: Then I'm coming with you.
DOCTOR: No, Liz.
LIZ: Either I come with you, or I go straight to the Brigadier.
DOCTOR: Alright. Have it your own way. (He waves a warning finger at LIZ.) But the fate be on your own head.
(LIZ smiles and crosses her arms as the DOCTOR's mood relents, and he pulls out a map.)
DOCTOR: Here, you take a look at this.
LIZ: What is it?
DOCTOR: Well it's a map of the caves that I found in Quinn's office.
(The DOCTOR unfolds it and points out a series of markings.)
DOCTOR: And look here, he's marked a special route to somewhere.
6. INT. CAVES
(LIZ and the DOCTOR have put on their potholing overalls and helmets, like Baker and Quinn before them, and are advancing towards the area of the caves where Baker ran into trouble.)
DOCTOR: I think this is right.
(He steps forward some metres and then checks himself.)
DOCTOR: Hang on a minute, I'm not so sure.
LIZ: Well what about this way then?
DOCTOR: No, Quinn's marked a completely different route, look.
LIZ: Yes, but look – that's far more direct.
DOCTOR: Yes, alright.
(They begin taking the route taken by Baker.)
DOCTOR: Here, wait a minute.
(The DOCTOR points to a section of ground in front of a dark pool. He picks up a b*llet casing.)
DOCTOR: Look at that. A cartridge.
(Examining the cartridge, he holds it to his nose and sniffs it.)
DOCTOR: Just been fired, too.
LIZ: Yes. Look.
(LIZ retrieves Baker's notebook. The DOCTOR flips it open and begins reading.
DOCTOR: Well, that's Baker's.
LIZ: We've got to find him...
(LIZ is about to rush off but the DOCTOR restrains her.)
DOCTOR: Liz, wait a minute.
(He holds her back by the arm in caution. Looking at the pool, he gets a large rock and dumps it in. The pool becomes agitated as the trap is sprung, and then it settles down again quickly.)
LIZ: Oh no.
DOCTOR: Yes, well from now on, I think we'd better stick rigidly to Quinn's route.
LIZ: Yes.
DOCTOR: Come on.
(They retrace their steps and go back on to Quinn's route. After a while LIZ stops in exhaustion.)
DOCTOR: What's the matter?
LIZ: It's this heat.
DOCTOR: Yes, I know. It's really odd.
(They continue on through a large gallery. Suddenly LIZ sees a black slab embedded in the rock.)
LIZ: Doctor, look!
DOCTOR: Well, well, well!
LIZ: It's a doorway!
DOCTOR: Yes. Well, anyone can see that. The question is, how do you open it?
(LIZ is looking back in the direction they came from, and she suddenly detects motion.)
LIZ: Doctor – a Silurian.
(They race quickly out of sight as the Silurian draws near to the door. Somehow, it failed to notice the DOCTOR and LIZ. It stands in front of the door and with it's third eye pulsing, emits the distinctive descending three note signal until the door begins sliding open. It steps through into the corridor beyond and the door closes automatically behind it. The DOCTOR and LIZ return to the door.)
DOCTOR: I can't understand why it didn't see us.
(LIZ accidentally touches the door and quickly pulls her fingers away.)
LIZ: Ooh!
DOCTOR: What's the matter?
LIZ: Why is it so hot?
DOCTOR: Well the Silurians are reptilian you see, they've – presumably created an environment inside there that suits them.
LIZ: I wonder how many of them there are.
DOCTOR: Well I wish I knew, there's only one way of finding out, that's to get in there and see.
LIZ: Well we can't without one of those things it was carrying.
DOCTOR: Yes, of course...
LIZ: I suppose you just happen to have one in your pocket?
DOCTOR: Yes as a matter of fact I have, Quinn's!
(The DOCTOR produces the Silurian communicator from his pocket and points it at the door. It emits the three note signal extremely rapidly, and the door slides open. The DOCTOR and LIZ cautiously enter a corridor.)
7. INT. SILURIAN BASE
(Immediately inside the Silurian base the DOCTOR and LIZ see an opening from the corridor. They glance inside, seeing at least one Silurian in what appears to be a control room, and step back, flattening themselves against the wall. Seeing that they are unobserved, they pass by the door and continue further into the base.
(Soon they come across a larger opening with a square holding pen in its centre, which is barred like a cage at the front and sides but more solidly built at the rear and offering concealment. The DOCTOR and LIZ move behind the cage and cautiously move to the far side of the space. Major BAKER is confined inside one of the spaces within the cage, shouting out to the Silurians opposite him, who seem to be taking no notice whatsoever.)
BAKER: How long are you leaving me in here? They'll be coming after me you know.
(With extreme caution the DOCTOR and LIZ sidle up to the back of the pen.)
DOCTOR: (Whispering.) Baker!
(BAKER turns and crosses to the back of the cage opposite the DOCTOR and LIZ, and whispers back to them.)
BAKER: How did you get in here? Where are the troops?
DOCTOR: I'm sorry but we're alone.
BAKER: Well you've got to get back. Tell the Brigadier.
LIZ: Can't we get you out of here?
BAKER: No, there's not a chance, there's... there's some sort of electronic lock.
DOCTOR: Have they harmed you at all?
BAKER: No, they just keep asking a lot of questions.
DOCTOR: They can talk to you?
BAKER: Yes.
DOCTOR: What do they ask?
BAKER: The population of the earth, what w*apon we use, what food we eat. Don't you see – they are trying to gather information for an invasion!
DOCTOR: Look – if they speak to you again, co-operate with them a little, find out all you can about them.
(A new loud humming noise emanates from where the Silurians are busying themselves.)
LIZ: What's that?
(A Silurian lying in a casket gradually awakens, and the DOCTOR and LIZ move slightly closer to take a better look.)
LIZ: What are they doing?
DOCTOR: They're trying to revive a Silurian from some sort of deep hibernation. Maybe that explains the power losses in the research centre.
BAKER: (Hissing to regain attention.) Doctor!
(The DOCTOR and LIZ return to where Major BAKER is caged.)
BAKER: Look – this is your chance. Get moving.
LIZ: We can't just leave you here.
BAKER: Go on, get out of here, will you, or we'll all be their prisoners.
DOCTOR: Alright, we'll get back for you as soon as we possibly can.
BAKER: Fine.
DOCTOR: Good luck.
(The DOCTOR and LIZ take their leave and wander back down the corridor to the entrance. The room they passed before now contains at least three Silurians.)
LIZ: Three of them in there now. One of them's bound to see us.
(They turn back and retrace their steps back towards BAKER's cage. Seeing them return, he whispers and points through to another corridor leading off towards the caves.)
BAKER: (Whispering.) Try.
DOCTOR: Let's try this way.
(The alternative corridor seems to be an improvement, with no Silurians around. Passing an aperture that opens out into a gallery of the caves, a huge prehistoric dinosaur suddenly rears up before them. LIZ shrieks and falls back as the dinosaur snarls at the pair.)
DOCTOR: That's the creature that att*cked me in the caves! They must turn it loose sometimes and use it as some kind of a watchdog.
LIZ: Those creatures died out millions of years ago!
DOCTOR: Apparently not, Liz!
8. INT. RESEARCH CENTRE, CYCLOTRON ROOM
(A power failure is in progress in the cyclotron, which is being brought back under control by stages as before. A young technician named TRAVIS is at QUINN's normal post at the control console in the upper half of the room.)
TRAVIS: Close down sector three.
1 TECHNICIAN: (Out of view.) Sector three closed down.
TRAVIS: Electron voltage reading.
1 TECHNICIAN: (Out of view.) Two thousand million. Falling.
TRAVIS: Close down sector four.
2 TECHNICIAN: (Also out of view.) Sector four closed down.
TRAVIS: Be advised all sectors should maintain close down.
3 TECHNICIAN: (Also out of view.) All sectors s*ab.
(Dr LAWRENCE arrives on the scene and addresses himself to TRAVIS at the control console.)
LAWRENCE: What is it Travis?
TRAVIS: Another power loss sir. We were making the hourly circuit check when it registered.
LAWRENCE: Have you s*ab the nuclear reaction?
TRAVIS: Yes sir. We shut down at once.
(Dr LAWRENCE picks up the internal phone on the console and speaks to the operator.)
LAWRENCE: Lawrence here. Get me the generating area.
TRAVIS: I've already checked, sir. Nothing wrong there.
LAWRENCE: I see. Alright, forget it, get me ah, Doctor Quinn at his home.
TRAVIS: I've tried that sir. There's no reply.
LAWRENCE: Cancel the call.
(He puts down the phone.)
LAWRENCE: Where's Miss Dawson? Isn't this her shift?
TRAVIS: She didn't report in, sir.
(Dr LAWRENCE again picks up the phone, and TRAVIS again pre-empts him.)
TRAVIS: And there's no reply from her quarters.
LAWRENCE: Oh this is absurd!
(Dr LAWRENCE slams the phone down, and it immediately rings. LAWRENCE goes to pick it up but TRAVIS takes it instead.)
TRAVIS: Excuse me, sir. (TRAVIS listens.) Travis. (Pause.) Yes, he's here. (Pause.) Alright, I'll tell him.
(TRAVIS turns to Dr LAWRENCE.)
TRAVIS: The Permanent Under-Secretary, sir.
LAWRENCE: (About to grab the phone.) What are you doing man, let me speak to him!
TRAVIS: There's no need, sir.
(TRAVIS firmly puts down the phone.)
TRAVIS: I meant he's actually here in the centre. He's on his way down in the lift now.
LAWRENCE: (Gloomily.) That's all I need.
(Dr LAWRENCE moves towards the door.)
TRAVIS: What's he come here for, sir?
LAWRENCE: (Snarls at TRAVIS.) I sent for him!
(TRAVIS shakes his head as LAWRENCE looks away. The door of the Cyclotron Room opens, and the Permanent Under-Secretary of the Ministry of Science, Mr Edward Masters enters, duly presented by an usher.)
MASTERS: Hello Charles.
LAWRENCE: Oh, Edward.
MASTERS: (Matter-of-factly.) What's all this about?
LAWRENCE: I, I didn't expect to see you till much later.
MASTERS: I've got to report to a meeting in London tomorrow. Any chance of some coffee?
LAWRENCE: (Regarding MASTER's question with incomprehension.) Coffee?
MASTERS: I have been travelling most of the night.
LAWRENCE: Oh yes, of course, I'm sorry. Ah, let's go to my conference room, it's this way.
(As LAWRENCE ushers MASTERS from the Cyclotron Room, he gives another icy stare in the direction of the capable TRAVIS, who waits for them to go and then again shakes his head.)
9. INT. RESEARCH CENTRE, CONFERENCE ROOM
(MASTERS and LAWRENCE enter the conference room, which has been recently and rapidly converted into a make-shift military headquarters.)
MASTERS: UNIT?
LAWRENCE: As you can see, they're well established.
(MASTERS espies the drip-filter coffee machine and plastic cups behind the Brigadier's desk and crosses over to help himself.)
MASTERS: (Pouring himself a sugarless, black coffee.) Lethbridge-Stewart is asking for more troops.
LAWRENCE: Yeah, to go chasing about on some sort of man hunt. (Derisively.) Nothing's been done about the power failures.
MASTERS: We've got to get this sorted out, you know. I'm under very heavy pressure from the Minister. (Pauses contemplatively.) The future of this centre is very much in question.
LAWRENCE: Ah, but surely...
MASTERS: (Interrupting.) You've made great promises for this project, Charles. Nuclear power into electricity, limitless supplies of cheap, safe energy.
LAWRENCE: And we can do it, too.
MASTERS: Millions of pounds have been poured into this place. With no results to show for it.
LAWRENCE: But if this research centre is abandoned, all of that money would be wasted.
MASTERS: It would mean the end of your career, Charles. That's why I'm doing my best for you.
(LAWRENCE is sobered by this admission.)
MASTERS: What does your security man have to say about all of this?
LAWRENCE: Major Baker is convinced there are saboteurs in the caves.
MASTERS: And are there?
LAWRENCE: Well of course not.
MASTERS: How can you be so sure?
(LAWRENCE again fails to conceal his derision for Major Baker and UNIT.)
LAWRENCE: Well the whole thing's ridiculous! The Brigadier and Baker talk of saboteurs, and that Doctor believes there are monsters down there!
MASTERS: I beg your pardon.
LAWRENCE: Well didn't the Brigadier put that in his report?
MASTERS: He was a little vague about the precise nature of the menace.
LAWRENCE: That's scarcely surprising. Look Edward, I admit we've had a number of technical setbacks. Mine is not an easy job, you know.
MASTERS: I realise that.
LAWRENCE: Our problems can only be solved by scientists. Not by security men.
MASTERS: What do you want me to do.
LAWRENCE: Get all these UNIT people out of my way. Let me get on with my job.
MASTERS: The Brigadier is only trying to help you.
LAWRENCE: Help me? He's exaggerating this whole business out of all proportion! Merely to magnify his own importance.
MASTERS: I hardly think that's justified.
LAWRENCE: Well you don't know him as well as I do...
MASTERS: (Interrupting again.) I'm not arguing with you man, I'm simply trying to find a solution to the problem. The Brigadier, and his team, have come down here with...
LAWRENCE: (Incredulously.) His team? What, that girl and that crazy Doctor?
MASTERS: The Doctor is supposed to be brilliant... in his own way, he may be a little eccentric.
LAWRENCE: The man's a raving lunatic! He's insolent, he's impertinent! He shows no respect for my authority.
(With his usual flair for timing, good or otherwise, the DOCTOR enters followed closely by LIZ.)
DOCTOR: Ah, Doctor Lawrence. Just the man I wanted to see. Now tell me, have you just had a power failure?
LAWRENCE: Yes. How did you know?
DOCTOR: I see, thank you.
(Hearing this, the DOCTOR turns to leave again immediately.)
LAWRENCE: Now just a minute. This is the Permanent Under-Secretary.
DOCTOR: Yes well I've got no time to chat to under-secretaries, permanent or otherwise. I must find the Brigadier.
MASTERS: May I ask who you are?
DOCTOR: (With a cold degree of arrogance.) You may ask!
(In the silence following this retort the BRIGADIER enters the conference room.)
DOCTOR: Ah, there you are.
BRIGADIER: (Addressing MASTERS.) I've only just heard that you were here. I've been trying to get in touch with you. Look sir, what's happening about my reinforcements?
MASTERS: That's one of the reasons [why] I am here. I'm afraid you're not going to get any reinforcements.
BRIGADIER: (Clipped.) May I ask why not?
MASTERS: I can't go to the Minister of Defence and request regular Army support for you on the basis of a wild tale about monsters in caves.
BRIGADIER: (Urgently.) Sir, we have overwhelming evidence that there is something in those caves.
MASTERS: Do you mean saboteurs?
BRIGADIER: I don't know, but the caves are vast. To cover them properly I must have more men!
MASTERS: I'm sorry, that's out of the question.
BRIGADIER: Then I'll have to go in with the troops I have.
DOCTOR: (Chiming in.) Brigadier. You are not to take your men into those caves. I've been down there and I know what's happening.
MASTERS: Well if you do, perhaps you'd be good enough to tell us.
BRIGADIER: Yes Doctor. I think you'd better.
10. INT. SILURIAN BASE, AT MAJOR BAKER'S CAGE
(Major BAKER is still held prisoner in the cage, and is being interrogated by two Silurians, one of whom has an older-sounding voice, the other a younger and more arrogant tone.)
OLD SILURIAN: You must answer our questions.
BAKER: I am not refusing, am I?
OLD SILURIAN: Is your species the only intelligent life-form?
BAKER: Only intelligent life-form? Oh I see what you mean. Yes, of course we are!
YOUNG SILURIAN: You were carrying a simple projectile w*apon. Do all your species carry these w*apon?
BAKER: Of course not, only soldiers.
YOUNG SILURIAN: What other w*apon do your soldiers carry?
BAKER: I refuse to answer that sort of question!
OLD SILURIAN: You must answer.
BAKER: You can do what you like, I will not tell you anything. (More defiantly.) I will not tell you anything!
OLD SILURIAN: The creature is becoming aggressive again.
YOUNG SILURIAN: I will force it to answer.
(The younger Silurian moves to force BAKER to answer, but the older Silurian stays its claw.)
OLD SILURIAN: I do not wish it to be damaged. This creature is less intelligent. Quinn should not have been k*lled.
YOUNG SILURIAN: But he tried to keep one of us prisoner.
OLD SILURIAN: This strange species has developed some kind of civilisation. We need to study it.
YOUNG SILURIAN: The species is dangerous and hostile. We should k*ll them all!
11. INT. RESEARCH CENTRE, CONFERENCE ROOM
(The DOCTOR having made some revelations, debate continues in the research centre conference room.)
LAWRENCE: And are you suggesting that these Silurians are responsible for the power losses?
LIZ: Some of them are still in hibernation. The others use the power to bring them back to life.
BRIGADIER: What w*apon do they have?
DOCTOR: Ah. Spoken like a true soldier.
BRIGADIER: It is my job, Doctor. How many are there?
DOCTOR: Well, we don't know. Maybe there are thousands!
LAWRENCE: Then you must deal with them promptly Brigadier. If they exist.
DOCTOR: Look, Mister Under-Secretary, surely this is a government matter. It cannot be decided at this level.
MASTERS: Doctor, whether I believe you or not, I can't go back to the Minister with a story like this. There's no proof, except your word.
BRIGADIER: I'll find all the proof you need. Look Doctor, I'm not going down there to start a w*r, but I must know what's going on.
DOCTOR: If you go down there with a party of armed men there's bound to be fighting.
LAWRENCE: What is your alternative, Doctor?
DOCTOR: Well, leave them alone. Let me try and make contact with them.
MASTERS: Are you really convinced these Silurians aren't savage?
DOCTOR: Well, so far they've only att*cked in self-defence. At least let's give them the benefit of the doubt.
(Miss DAWSON gravely enters the conference room and all turn to face her.)
LAWRENCE: Miss Dawson, where on earth have you been?
(Miss DAWSON advances.)
LAWRENCE: What's the matter?
DAWSON: Doctor Quinn... is d*ad.
LAWRENCE: d*ad?
(The DOCTOR gives LIZ a rueful look at how this news will undermine his argument.)
DAWSON: He didn't answer his phone, I. I went there, and found him... The Silurians k*lled him.
BRIGADIER: What do you know about these creatures?
DAWSON: Doctor Quinn found out about them when he was potholing. He said... they had great scientific knowledge. He... he co-operated with them and...
they k*lled him.
BRIGADIER: Now Doctor, do you still maintain these creatures aren't hostile?
(The DOCTOR doesn't answer.)
BRIGADIER: I'll continue as planned.
MASTERS: I think you're right.
BRIGADIER: We'll move in first thing in the morning. Oh, Miss Dawson. I'd like a full statement from you, everything you know about this business.
Will you come with me please.
(Miss DAWSON turns to accompany the BRIGADIER from the room. The DOCTOR tiredly asks her a parting question without facing her.)
DOCTOR: Miss Dawson. Did these Silurians tell Doctor Quinn anything about their intentions?
DAWSON: Intentions?
(The DOCTOR nods.)
DAWSON: Well that's obvious isn't it? We must destroy them, before they destroy us.
(MASTERS noticeably reacts to this final statement from Miss DAWSON before she and the BRIGADIER leave.)
MASTERS: Charles, we'd better have a word.
(MASTERS and LAWRENCE step to one side of the conference room and continue talking quietly. Left alone with LIZ, the DOCTOR picks up a pencil and raps out his frustration.)
LIZ: Now what are you going to do?
DOCTOR: Well there's only one thing I can do. I've got to get down into those caves and warn the Silurians.
LIZ: What?
DOCTOR: If the Brigadier... Oh well, listen to reason Liz. Perhaps the Silurians will.
(The DOCTOR heads for the door. As LIZ calls after him, MASTERS and LAWRENCE turn to look at her.)
LIZ: Please be careful!
12. INT. CONTROL ROOM IN THE SILURIAN BASE, THEN THE CAGES
(The DOCTOR suddenly appears in the anteroom of the Silurian base, puts down his potholing helmet on a bench, steps up behind three or so who are gathered there, clears his throat and immediately attempts to introduce himself.)
DOCTOR: Ahem. I'm sorry to burst in on you like this.
YOUNG SILURIAN: How did you enter our base?
OLD SILURIAN: Why have you come here?
DOCTOR: I came here to warn you that humans are about to enter your caves.
YOUNG SILURIAN: Shall I destroy him?
(To the DOCTOR's alarm the OLD SILURIAN has to physically restrain the YOUNG SILURIAN from immediately attacking him.)
OLD SILURIAN: No. Take him to the cages.
(The DOCTOR is dismayed that his plan has misfired, as the Silurians drag him away without listening to him any further.)
DOCTOR: No. You don't understand. No, I've come here to... I've come here to warn you.
(The Silurians bring the DOCTOR to the cages where Major BAKER is imprisoned. Using the mental power of the third eye the gate is unlocked, the DOCTOR is shoved into a separate section of the cage alongside BAKER, and the gate is locked up again. Major BAKER regards him angrily.)
BAKER: What happened, I thought you were going to get help.
DOCTOR: Don't worry, help's on the way. I only wish it weren't.
(The OLD SILURIAN leader arrives at the cages and addresses the DOCTOR.)
OLD SILURIAN: I repeat. Why have you come here?
DOCTOR: I came here because I want to help you.
BAKER: Just a minute, what do you think you're doing?
YOUNG SILURIAN: Quiet!
OLD SILURIAN: How can you help us?
DOCTOR: Look. People are coming, many people are coming here. I want you to meet them in peace.
OLD SILURIAN: Who are these people?
DOCTOR: Well, they're soldiers but... they won't att*ck you unless you att*ck them first.
OLD SILURIAN: Why do you want to help us?
DOCTOR: Because... because I want there to be peace between you and the humans. This is their planet now!
OLD SILURIAN: This planet is ours. It always has been.
13. INT. CAVES
(The BRIGADIER is leading his small party of UNIT troops through the caves, and has run into a d*ad end. He makes a halt and issues an order.)
BRIGADIER: Map.
(The map is promptly provided by Captain HAWKINS, and the pair examine their current location.)
BRIGADIER: Well there should be a way through here.
HAWKINS: Well either this map's wrong, sir, or... we're lost.
BRIGADIER: We'd better go back.
(The party turns around and start to retrace their steps. After a moment, the path they had previously followed ends in another d*ad end.)
HAWKINS: We've just come through this way. This wall... it wasn't there!
(The BRIGADIER, HAWKINS and the rest of the party are trapped.)
14. INT. SILURIAN BASE, AT THE CAGES
(Major BAKER is still questioning the wisdom of the DOCTOR's peace-making attempts, as the two of them are still contained in their separate parts of the cage.)
BAKER: You had no right to tell them about the Brigadier's plans.
DOCTOR: I was simply trying to prevent a m*ssacre.
BAKER: What guarantee have you got that these creatures aren't going to set an ambush?
DOCTOR: I had to take that risk. At least there's a chance they won't start k*lling each other.
(The YOUNG SILURIAN leader comes across to the cages.)
DOCTOR: Have you seen the humans yet? Have you spoken to them?
YOUNG SILURIAN: I have destroyed them – and now I shall destroy you.
(The YOUNG SILURIAN's third eye glows crimson red as he attempts to k*ll the DOCTOR.) | {"type": "series", "show": "Doctor Who", "episode": "07x08 - Doctor Who and the Silurians - part 4"} | foreverdreaming |
DOCTOR WHO AND THE SILURIANS
BY: MALCOLM HULKE
EPISODE 5
Original Air Date: 28 February, 1970
5:15pm - 5:40pm
1. INT. SILURIAN BASE, AT THE CAGES
(Major BAKER is questioning the wisdom of the DOCTOR's peace-making attempts, as the two of them are still contained in their separate parts of the cage.)
BAKER: You had no right to tell them about the Brigadier's plans.
DOCTOR: I was simply trying to prevent a m*ssacre.
BAKER: What guarantee have you got that these creatures aren't going to set an ambush?
DOCTOR: I had to take that risk. At least there's a chance they won't start k*lling each other.
(The YOUNG SILURIAN leader comes across to the cages.)
DOCTOR: Have you seen the humans yet? Have you spoken to them?
YOUNG SILURIAN: I have destroyed them – and now I shall destroy you.
(The YOUNG SILURIAN's third eye glows crimson red as he attempts to k*ll the DOCTOR. The DOCTOR begins to collapse, when the OLD SILURIAN comes over to the cage.)
OLD SILURIAN: Stop. Do not k*ll it. It may be useful. Why were you k*lling it?
(The DOCTOR slumps as the YOUNG SILURIAN is prevented from finishing him off.)
YOUNG SILURIAN: We have no need for it. Or those soldiers sent to att*ck us. I have dealt with them.
(In the background, BAKER tries to assist the DOCTOR.)
BAKER: Doctor!
OLD SILURIAN: I gave you no orders to do this.
YOUNG SILURIAN: But they were carrying w*apon, like this one. They can no longer harm us.
OLD SILURIAN: But now they will send others. You forget there are now millions of these men.
YOUNG SILURIAN: Then we shall destroy them all.
2. INT. CAVES
(The BRIGADIER, HAWKINS, and UNIT troops are hopelessly trapped in the caves. The soldiers are trying to break through the rock while Private ROBINS tries to call for help.)
ROBINS: (Attempting to use portable phone.) UNIT leader to base. UNIT leader to base.
(There is no response.)
ROBINS: It's no good sir.
BRIGADIER: Try once more.
ROBINS: (Again attempting to use portable phone.) UNIT leader to base. It's d*ad sir.
(The BRIGADIER turns away.)
HAWKINS: Alright. It's solid rock as well, sir, we'd need expl*sives to shift it.
BRIGADIER: Yes.
HAWKINS: How can it just appear like that? We were able to walk through there a moment ago, and... (Resignedly.) and what are we going to do, sir.
BRIGADIER: Afraid there's not much we can do. We're trapped.
HAWKINS: (Quietly.) I suppose we'll just have to sit and wait until someone gets us out.
BRIGADIER: We can't afford to wait too long.
HAWKINS: At least we've got food and water.
BRIGADIER: Yes but we have a limited supply of air, and we're using it up all the time.
HAWKINS: How long do you reckon we've got, sir?
BRIGADIER: Two or three hours, at the most.
3. INT. RESEARCH CENTRE, CONFERENCE ROOM
(LIZ is reporting the DOCTOR's investigations to MASTERS.)
LIZ: So you see we haven't been exactly idle down here. Whatever the impression Doctor Lawrence may have given to you.
LAWRENCE: Really Miss Shaw.
MASTERS: It's a remarkable accumulation of evidence.
LAWRENCE: It's a lot of nonsense! The power losses are a technical problem. All I need is more reliable staff, and more facilities. Not a lot of cloak and dagger people cluttering up the place.
(The phone rings and MASTERS answers.)
MASTERS: Masters. (Pauses.) Yes. (Pauses.) Right. Thank you.
(He hangs up.)
MASTERS: That's the UNIT people at the cave mouth. They've completely lost contact with the Brigadier.
4. INT. SILURIAN BASE, AT THE CAGES
(The DOCTOR is desperately trying to get the attention of the Silurians.)
DOCTOR: Please, you must listen to me, I want to talk to you.
BAKER: What do you think you're doing, haven't you done enough damage?
DOCTOR: You're making a terrible mistake. I can stop you from being destroyed.
(The OLD SILURIAN leader comes over to the DOCTOR.)
OLD SILURIAN: We have studied your w*apon. They are primitive.
DOCTOR: Look, you've got no idea of the fighting power of the humans.
BAKER: Be quiet!
DOCTOR: They have b*mb that can wipe out whole continents...
BAKER: Shut up!
(BAKER tries to reach through the bars of his cage into the DOCTOR's enclosure and throttle him. The OLD SILURIAN stuns BAKER into passivity, much as the YOUNG SILURIAN had tried to k*ll the DOCTOR. BAKER falls, choking, to the floor of the cage. The DOCTOR, exhausted, tries to appeal to reason.)
DOCTOR: Please. Please, let me out of here, let me out of here. Can't you see I can do you no possible harm.
(After a moment, the OLD SILURIAN uses his third eye to unlock the cage and swing open the door.)
OLD SILURIAN: Come with me.
(The DOCTOR looks back at BAKER, who is still lying on the floor of the cage, breathing heavily.)
5. INT. CAVES
(The UNIT troops trapped in the caves are beginning to tire from the heat and the greater concentration of carbon dioxide.)
HAWKINS: Shouldn't we try and break out again, sir. I know it seems to be hopeless, but it... but at least we'd be doing something.
BRIGADIER: The more we move... the quicker we use up the air. We'll wait. It's our only chance.
(HAWKINS notices one of the men acting strangely.)
HAWKINS: Sir. Look.
(Private ROBINS is shaking with fear and breathing unevenly. The BRIGADIER and HAWKINS move up behind him.)
BRIGADIER: You alright Robins? Robins?
(Private ROBINS turns to the BRIGADIER, still quaking terribly.)
ROBINS: Sir?
6. INT. RESEARCH CENTRE, CONFERENCE ROOM
(The phone once again rings and MASTERS answers. LIZ hangs on MASTER's words.)
MASTERS: Masters.
(Miss DAWSON enters the conference room and is about to speak, when Dr LAWRENCE motions her to be quiet.)
LAWRENCE: One minute please.
MASTERS: I see. (Pauses.) Well continue the search. Let me know if there's any further news.
(He hangs up.)
MASTERS: Search party can't find any trace of the Brigadier.
DAWSON: Search party? Good heavens, if they can't find them they'll be d*ad by now.
MASTERS: Why do you say that?
DAWSON: I found Doctor Quinn's body, I've seen what these Silurians do.
LAWRENCE: They obviously got lost.
DAWSON: Well then, that's all the more reason to get more men and equipment. You could mount an all-out att*ck, you could send troops into every one of those caves.
MASTERS: The caves are vast. We'd need hundreds of men.
DAWSON: But there may be hundreds of Silurians down there.
LAWRENCE: Now you don't really believe that.
DAWSON: Yes! (Looking to LIZ.) You've seen them.
LIZ: Yes, so has the Doctor.
DAWSON: Right. (Looking to LIZ.) Three people have seen them. They do exist. And we've got to att*ck them first.
LIZ: Just because they're an alien species, that doesn't mean we have to k*ll them.
DAWSON: But...
LIZ: The Doctor thinks that we should...
(LIZ breaks off as she realises where this line of conversation will lead to.)
MASTERS: What, Miss Shaw?
LIZ: Never mind.
(LIZ turns away from MASTERS and Miss DAWSON.)
MASTERS: Where is the Doctor?
(LIZ doesn't answer, and MASTERS stands, clearly agitated.)
MASTERS: Where did he go?
LAWRENCE: Well, Miss Shaw? Where is he?
(LIZ still doesn't answer, but turns towards MASTERS guiltily.)
7. INT. SILURIAN BASE, LABORATORY
(In a laboratory one of the chief Silurian scientists examines Major BAKER's r*fle. The YOUNG SILURIAN comes across to the scientist's bench and immediately asks for a report on the w*apon.)
YOUNG SILURIAN: As a scientist, what have you discovered about this w*apon?
SILURIAN SCIENTIST: It projects a small piece of metal at high speed.
(The YOUNG SILURIAN picks up the r*fle, and after examining it drops it on the bench.)
YOUNG SILURIAN: Crude. It is a fitting w*apon for apes.
SILURIAN SCIENTIST: The device has a certain ingenuity. Remember, one of us was wounded by such a w*apon.
YOUNG SILURIAN: The apes have become dangerous. They must be destroyed.
SILURIAN SCIENTIST: Our leader seems to have different views.
YOUNG SILURIAN: I know. He has taken one of these creatures into our control room. He is talking to it.
SILURIAN SCIENTIST: Perhaps it may give him useful information.
YOUNG SILURIAN: What information can we gain from apes? His concern for them may be dangerous!
(The YOUNG SILURIAN waggles a claw in the other Silurian's face to emphasise his point.)
8. INT. RESEARCH CENTRE, CONFERENCE ROOM
(LIZ is still refusing to answer, and MASTERS is determined to get an answer.)
MASTERS: Then let me ask you again. Where is the Doctor?
LIZ: He went down into the caves, ...
LAWRENCE: What?
LIZ: ... ahead of the Brigadier. He wanted to make contact with the Silurians.
DAWSON: Make contact!
MASTERS: What was he going to say to them?
LIZ: He thought if he could warn the Silurians first...
DAWSON: He warned them! Why, the Brigadier has probably walked straight into a trap!
LIZ: He wanted to prevent bloodshed. He has gone down into those caves to try and help. He is risking his own life.
MASTERS: So now you expect us to send troops down there?
LIZ: No, no, no, that's the last thing he'd want.
DAWSON: Oh, never mind what your Doctor wants, he's done enough damage! Mister Masters, can't you see, you've got to get more troops and destroy these monsters.
MASTERS: (Neutrally.) The search is still going on. I shall wait until I get another report.
DAWSON: Aren't you going to do anything?
MASTERS: Not for the moment.
DAWSON: But if you don't do something now...
MASTERS: I have made my decision, Miss Dawson.
9. INT. SILURIAN BASE, CONTROL ROOM
(The DOCTOR is deep in discussion with the OLD SILURIAN in the Silurians' control room.)
DOCTOR: But you must see, this is a highly-developed and overcrowded planet which now belongs to man.
OLD SILURIAN: This is our planet. We were here before man. We ruled this world millions of years ago.
DOCTOR: Then why did you stay down here?
OLD SILURIAN: A small planet was approaching the world. We calculated that it would draw off our atmosphere, destroying all life. We built this place, and suspended our lives till the atmosphere should return.
DOCTOR: A small planet... yes, of course. But don't you see that small planet was drawn into the earth's orbit and became the moon? Your catastrophe never happened!
10. INT. SILURIAN BASE, AT THE CAGES
(Major BAKER gradually recovers from having been stunned and climbs to his feet. He tries to attract the attention of one of the Silurians passing by his cage.)
BAKER: Hey you! Where's the Doctor, what's going on?
(The Silurian ignores BAKER.)
BAKER: Well where is he? What's he telling you?
(Ignored again as the Silurian returns past the cage, BAKER shouts out aloud.)
BAKER: Where are you Doctor? Telling them everything they want to know? You're nothing but a traitor.
11. INT. SILURIAN BASE, CONTROL ROOM
(BAKER is loud enough to be overheard in the control room. The DOCTOR looks uncomfortable for a minute, then continues his conversation with the OLD SILURIAN.)
BAKER: (Out of view.) You hear me, Doctor? A traitor!
DOCTOR: But I still don't understand why you stayed down here.
OLD SILURIAN: The hibernation mechanism was faulty. It did not function until a new energy source appeared.
DOCTOR: The power station at the research centre.
OLD SILURIAN: Yes. We are now able to drain off its energy. But soon we shall revive our civilisation, and reclaim the earth for ourselves.
DOCTOR: No, you mustn't. Otherwise there'll be the most terrible w*r. But if you trust me, I think I can persuade the humans that you are prepared to live with them on this planet in peace.
OLD SILURIAN: There is not room for both civilisations.
DOCTOR: Oh yes, I think there is. You see, your people are used to living in extreme heat, whereas these areas on earth are of little interest to man. I believe with your advanced technology that you could build cities in parts of the world that man has hitherto, completely ignored.
OLD SILURIAN: Would your people agree to this?
DOCTOR: Well, they're not my people, but I think I could convince them, on the condition that you release those trapped men first.
OLD SILURIAN: Those apes have only shown hostility to us.
DOCTOR: And you to them. Someone has to make a move, otherwise this whole thing will end up in complete catastrophe.
12. INT. CAVES
(The UNIT troops trapped in the caves have nearly exhausted the air in the small cavern. HAWKINS notices ROBINS scraping madly on the far wall.)
HAWKINS: Sir.
(HAWKINS and the BRIGADIER move across to the other side of the cave where ROBINS is frantically drawing silurian-like figures onto the wall with a chalky stone.)
HAWKINS: You alright Robins? (Louder.) Robins?
(HAWKINS taps ROBINS on the back, who suddenly turns and att*cks HAWKINS. HAWKINS backs off and the BRIGADIER and another soldier restrain ROBINS from continuing the as*ault. After a moment ROBINS returns to his cave drawings.)
HAWKINS: What's the matter with him?
BRIGADIER: Same thing happened to one of the scientists at the research centre. Safe to leave him alone.
13. INT. SILURIAN BASE, CONTROL ROOM
(The OLD SILURIAN's headcrest and his third eye light up as he faces one of the control panels and ment*lly invokes the release of the soldiers from the cavern.)
14. INT. CAVES
(The BRIGADIER, HAWKINS, and the other UNIT soldiers are suddenly bathed in an un-natural light.)
HAWKINS: Sir, look, it's opening again.
15. INT. SILURIAN BASE, CONTROL ROOM
(The OLD SILURIAN's third eye finishes pulsing, and he turns to the DOCTOR.)
OLD SILURIAN: The humans have been released.
DOCTOR: Thank you for your trust in me. I only hope it will not be in vain.
(The YOUNG SILURIAN barges in and confronts the OLD SILURIAN.)
YOUNG SILURIAN: Why have you released the apes?
OLD SILURIAN: I have decided that it is possible for the two species to live together on this planet.
YOUNG SILURIAN: This planet is ours!
OLD SILURIAN: This other species has developed its own civilisation. We must accept them, as equals.
YOUNG SILURIAN: I disagree!
(The YOUNG SILURIAN prepares to storm off, and turns back to utter a parting sh*t.)
YOUNG SILURIAN: We must destroy them!
16. INT. SILURIAN BASE, LABORATORY
(The SILURIAN SCIENTIST is viewing a flat vision panel to compare the face of Major BAKER to that of his simian ancestors from millions of years ago. The comparison isn't all that flattering. The YOUNG SILURIAN again stalks into the laboratory.)
YOUNG SILURIAN: He talks of sharing our planet with apes! I shall wipe them out!
SILURIAN SCIENTIST: You have no right to disobey him. He is our leader!
YOUNG SILURIAN: Perhaps he is no longer fit to lead us. Soon I shall be the leader! Help me! Or must I destroy you too?
(The YOUNG SILURIAN points to his third eye with a claw.)
SILURIAN SCIENTIST: Very well. I will help you. When the apes used to raid our crops we used this.
(The SILURIAN SCIENTIST indicates a vial containing some murky liquid.)
SILURIAN SCIENTIST: Millions were wiped out. Now, we could conduct an experiment on this ape.
YOUNG SILURIAN: Yes.
(The two Silurians cross to BAKER's cage, and the YOUNG SILURIAN uses his third eye to release the electronic lock. The door of the cage slowly swings open.)
YOUNG SILURIAN: Leave the cage.
BAKER: Why? Where are you taking me?
YOUNG SILURIAN: Leave the cage!
(BAKER leaves the cage, then suddenly shoves the YOUNG SILURIAN away and jumps out of the grasp of the others. Alerted, Silurians converge from the surrounding area in pursuit of BAKER.)
YOUNG SILURIAN: Do not k*ll it. Do not k*ll it! We need this creature alive!
(BAKER is chased around the central compound by the Silurians and after being intercepted by one Silurian, savagely knocks it down to the ground. BAKER appears to tire quickly.)
BAKER: Oh. Alright, alright. You win.
(As the Silurians close in on him again, he dashes through their outstretched arms and rushes down a corridor leading to the dinosaur, which rears up at him.
BAKER shrinks back in horror, and another Silurian closes in on him from the other end of the corridor. He is driven back down the corridor to where two more Silurians are waiting for him. One of them clubs his back and both claw him to the ground.)
SILURIAN SCIENTIST: Take him to my laboratory. We shall use this creature to destroy all its kind.
(BAKER is left prostrate on the ground.)
17. INT. RESEARCH CENTRE, CONFERENCE ROOM
(MASTERS, LAWRENCE, Miss DAWSON, and LIZ are silently awaiting further news, LIZ pointedly staring at one of the two phones on the desk.)
DAWSON: How much longer are we going to wait?
MASTERS: Search party hasn't reported back yet.
LAWRENCE: (Sarcastically.) Perhaps we should send another search party to look for them?
MASTERS: Charles, please.
LAWRENCE: Well it's so ridiculous all these people chasing about the caves! How is it supposed to solve my problems?
LIZ: The Brigadier and the Doctor are risking their lives trying to solve your problems.
LAWRENCE: That's a matter of opinion.
DAWSON: Well it's obvious what we should be doing, we should be attacking in force!
LIZ: Oh don't be ridiculous.
MASTERS: We'll get nowhere by bickering amongst ourselves.
LAWRENCE: You don't under...
(The BRIGADIER, fatigued and strain showing on his face, staggers into the conference room.)
LIZ: Brigadier! Thank goodness! Come, sit down.
BRIGADIER: It's alright, Miss Shaw.
LIZ: What's happened? Come on, sit down, please.
(LIZ directs him to the nearest seat and offers him a glass of water.)
MASTERS: What's happened?
BRIGADIER: We were trapped in those caves.
DAWSON: Were the Silurians waiting for you?
BRIGADIER: Er. Not exactly. A rock wall appeared in front of us, and then it vanished again.
LAWRENCE: (Derisively.) Vanished? More fairy stories, Brigadier?
BRIGADIER: I lost a lot of men in those caves, Doctor Lawrence.
MASTERS: Have you brought the Doctor back?
BRIGADIER: Well isn't he here?
MASTERS: He appears to have gone down the caves ahead of you.
BRIGADIER: What ever for?
LAWRENCE: (Sarcastically.) I shouldn't worry about him, Brigadier. He's probably chatting quite happily to his monster friends.
18. INT. SILURIAN BASE, CONTROL ROOM
(The DOCTOR is finishing negotiations with the OLD SILURIAN in the control room.)
OLD SILURIAN: Do I have your assurance that the humans will agree to our sharing the planet?
DOCTOR: You have my assurance that I shall tell them of your desire for peace, yes.
OLD SILURIAN: Very well. I shall explain to the others, so that you may return in safety.
DOCTOR: Thank you.
OLD SILURIAN: You will wait here.
(The OLD SILURIAN activates a force field across the door of the control room, which the ever-curious DOCTOR soon discovers he is unable to cross by bumping into it with his nose. He extends his hands to trace its outline but can go no further.)
19. INT. CAVES OUTSIDE SILURIAN BASE
(BAKER is left unconscious on rocks outside the Silurian base. Waiting out of his direct sight behind a rock, the Silurian scientist rouses BAKER with his third eye, and the lamp on his helmet momentarily springs to life. BAKER recollects his surroundings and gathering himself together, soon flees the caves.)
20. INT. SILURIAN BASE, AT THE CAGES
(Upon finding Major BAKER's cage empty, the OLD SILURIAN has discovered his subordinates' plan to use the bacterial plague to wipe out the humans.)
OLD SILURIAN: You had no right to do this without my authority.
YOUNG SILURIAN: This is the method we used against them before.
OLD SILURIAN: They were animals then. They are civilised now.
YOUNG SILURIAN: That makes them all the more dangerous to us.
OLD SILURIAN: I do not believe so.
YOUNG SILURIAN: You are no longer fit to lead us.
OLD SILURIAN: I shall destroy you if you defy me again. Now go.
21. INT. SILURIAN BASE, CONTROL ROOM
(The DOCTOR has discovered a vision panel in the control room displaying the earth as it was in the Silurian era, and is interestedly looking over the achievements of the vanished Silurian civilisation. The OLD SILURIAN disables the force field and enters.)
DOCTOR: You once had a great civilisation. I didn't realise how advanced.
OLD SILURIAN: (Urgently.) The other prisoner has been released.
DOCTOR: Baker? Why, that's splendid.
OLD SILURIAN: Doctor, listen to me. He has been infected with a deadly disease which may destroy millions of his species.
DOCTOR: But this is diabolical.
OLD SILURIAN: It is not my doing. There are those of us unwilling to share this planet.
DOCTOR: Oh, is... is there any cure for this disease?
OLD SILURIAN: No. But I have brought the bacteria. Perhaps your scientists can find a cure.
DOCTOR: Yes. Yes, of course, but you must release me at once.
OLD SILURIAN: Come with me.
22. INT. RESEARCH CENTRE, CONFERENCE ROOM
(The BRIGADIER is already planning another excursion to the caves, this time to rescue the DOCTOR.)
BRIGADIER: The men have had a chance to rest now, we'll be setting off in a few minutes. Don't worry Miss Shaw, we'll find the Doctor.
(Major BAKER arrives through the door of the conference room.)
LIZ: Major Baker! How did you get out? Have you seen the Doctor?
BAKER: Oh yes, I saw him alright, with his Silurian friends!
BRIGADIER: Major Baker, just exactly what are you implying?
BAKER: Huh! They didn't keep him caged up like an animal for very long. He warned them that you were coming, so that they could set up an ambush!
LIZ: No, that's not...
BAKER: He's gone over to their side!
BRIGADIER: I don't believe that.
MASTERS: Now, wait a minute! They had you caged up, how did you escape?
BAKER: Ah, I got away when they weren't looking. Look it doesn't matter about me – we must blow up every entrance to those caves before the Silurians overrun us!
DOCTOR: That is precisely what we must not do.
BAKER: You!
(Major BAKER wheels round to where the DOCTOR has just arrived.)
DOCTOR: Now everyone move well away from Major Baker. Now keep right back from him. Right back.
BAKER: Wh... what are you talking about?
DOCTOR: (Slowly.) Major Baker. You are ill. You are very, very ill.
BAKER: Oh, you don't get out of it like that! I'm placing you under arrest.
BRIGADIER: Wait...
(As Major BAKER moves to apprehend the DOCTOR and the BRIGADIER moves to intercept him, the DOCTOR leaps up on the desk, yelling:)
DOCTOR: Keep back from him! Look at your wrist. Look at it!
(The BRIGADIER falls back from Major BAKER, the gruesome disease clearly apparent all over the skin of his wrist and forearm. Suddenly seeing this, BAKER slowly sinks to the floor, his eyes rolling back in their sockets.)
23. INT. SILURIAN BASE, CONTROL ROOM
(The YOUNG SILURIAN, the SILURIAN SCIENTIST at his side, confronts the OLD SILURIAN in the control room when he realises the Doctor has been set free.)
YOUNG SILURIAN: Why did you give him the bacteria? Do you want this species to destroy us?
OLD SILURIAN: They will not destroy us, and we need not destroy them. Both species can live together.
YOUNG SILURIAN: That is impossible!
OLD SILURIAN: I am the leader! I have decided!
(The OLD SILURIAN turns away, believing he has had the last word.)
YOUNG SILURIAN: Not any more!
(The third eye of the YOUNG SILURIAN turns cherry red as he kills the OLD SILURIAN. The OLD SILURIAN turns around and futilely attempts to claw his attackers, and then falls to the ground d*ad. The YOUNG SILURIAN turns to the SCIENTIST, and then leaves the control room.)
YOUNG SILURIAN: He was no longer fit to lead us.
(The OLD SILURIAN's corpse is left on the ground.)
24. INT. RESEARCH CENTRE, CONFERENCE ROOM
(The DOCTOR is urgently discussing the situation with MASTERS and Dr LAWRENCE.)
DOCTOR: This whole place should be closed down and put in strict quarantine immediately.
LAWRENCE: It would bring the centre to a standstill.
DOCTOR: Yes and about time too. Well I must get down to the research centre and try to find an antidote.
LAWRENCE: I refuse to permit this. Look Edward, can't you stop him, this whole story is absurd.
DOCTOR: You just don't understand, do you Doctor Lawrence?
MASTERS: I'm afraid I don't either. You say these creatures have infected us with a plague, but do you still want us to negotiate with them?
DOCTOR: That is precisely what I want. But if this bacteria isn't contained there won't be anybody left to negotiate.
(LIZ rushes in with bad news.)
LIZ: Baker's gone, Doctor Meredith's just taken him to the hospital.
DOCTOR: Well that's the worst thing that could have happened! Why didn't you stop him?
LIZ: I tried, he wouldn't listen.
DOCTOR: Brigadier, we've got to go down to the hospital straight away before Baker spreads that infection.
BRIGADIER: But surely hospital's the right place for Baker?
DOCTOR: Meredith doesn't know what he's dealing with – nobody does! Now please do as I say.
(The DOCTOR turns to leave with LIZ.)
BRIGADIER: Alright. You'll have to excuse me sir.
(The BRIGADIER follows the DOCTOR and LIZ out of the conference room. LAWRENCE looks on powerlessly as MASTERS pulls together his papers into his briefcase.)
LAWRENCE: What do you want me to do?
MASTERS: This could be a national disaster, I must get back to London.
LAWRENCE: What about the research centre?
MASTERS: I'm sorry Charles, but I intend to recommend that this centre be closed immediately.
LAWRENCE: But all my work! The delay will be crippling!
MASTERS: My report will of course exonerate you completely. I'm sure you've done everything in your power. Well I must be going.
(MASTERS rises to his feet, but suddenly feels unwell. LAWRENCE notices his pained expression.)
LAWRENCE: Are you feeling alright?
MASTERS: I didn't get any sleep last night. I'll send you a copy of my report.
(MASTERS collects himself and leaves the conference room. LAWRENCE ruefully speaks to himself.)
LAWRENCE: Thank you Edward.
25. EXT. HOSPITAL DRIVEWAY. DAY
(The DOCTOR and the BRIGADIER are driving at top speed in Bessie down the road and then the driveway of the nearby hospital. As they approach, the BRIGADIER points out a figure in a dressing gown stumbling out from the hospital near the circular termination to the driveway. As the car pulls up by him they recognise a haggard-looking Major BAKER, who collapses onto the gravel. The DOCTOR and BRIGADIER jump out of Bessie and rush to examine him.)
BRIGADIER: Is he d*ad?
(The DOCTOR looks up.)
DOCTOR: Yes... the first one. | {"type": "series", "show": "Doctor Who", "episode": "07x09 - Doctor Who and the Silurians - part 5"} | foreverdreaming |
DOCTOR WHO AND THE SILURIANS
BY: MALCOLM HULKE
EPISODE 6
Original Air Date: 7 March, 1970
5:15pm - 5:40pm
1: EXT. HOSPITAL DRIVEWAY
(The DOCTOR and the BRIGADIER are driving at top speed in Bessie down the road and then the driveway of the nearby hospital. As they approach, the BRIGADIER points out a figure in a dressing gown stumbling out from the hospital near the circular termination to the driveway. As the car pulls up by him they recognise a haggard-looking Major Baker, who collapses onto the gravel. The DOCTOR and BRIGADIER jump out of Bessie and rush to examine him. His face is now entirely covered with scabs and boils.)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE-STEWART: Is he d*ad?
(The DOCTOR looks up.)
DOCTOR: Yes...the first one.
(A HOSPITAL DOCTOR and a nurse rush out of the hospital and round a rose bed which marks the middle of the circle in the drive.
They briefly look round and then spot the DOCTOR and the BRIGADIER.)
HOSPITAL DOCTOR: What's going on here?
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Keep back.
(He stands between the HOSPITAL DOCTOR and the d*ad Major.)
HOSPITAL DOCTOR: What do you mean, "keep back"? This man is ill.
DOCTOR: This man is d*ad. He was k*lled by an alien disease.
HOSPITAL DOCTOR: (Surprised.) Alien?
(The HOSPITAL DOCTOR thrusts past the BRIGADIER and kneels down to examine the Major. The BRIGADIER draws his service p*stol from its holster and trains it in the direction of the HOSPITAL DOCTOR.)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Inside.
(The HOSPITAL DOCTOR looks up into the barrel of the revolver. He stands and draws the nurse aside.)
HOSPITAL DOCTOR: Come on.
(The HOSPITAL DOCTOR and the Nurse start to return to the hospital, stopping another nurse who has run out from getting any nearer on the way.)
DOCTOR: (To the BRIGADIER.) Right, you'd better get this place quarantined. I'm going back to the laboratory.
(He runs back to his car.)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Right. I'll stay here.
(The DOCTOR drives off rapidly in Bessie, while the BRIGADIER produces his TM45 pocket radio and extends its antenna.)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: (Into radio.) UNIT leader to base. UNIT leader to base.
2: INT. WENLEY MOOR ATOMIC RESEARCH STATION. LABORATORY
(Back at Wenley Moor, the DOCTOR has requisitioned the small laboratory. Wearing a lab coat, he is writing labels on slides. He moves to another bench and looks up when the door opens and LIZ - also wearing a lab coat - walks in with a tray of medical equipment.)
DOCTOR: Have you finished with those prophylactic injections yet?
LIZ: Yes, nearly. Do you think pumping broad-spectrum antibiotics into everyone is going to do any good?
DOCTOR: Hmm, it's all we can do at the moment.
(He moves back to the first bench as LIZ takes up a syringe and a swab from the tray.)
LIZ: Will you roll up your sleeve please, Doctor?
(The DOCTOR hastily turns to her.)
DOCTOR: Well, now wait a minute, Liz...
LIZ: Now you have been exposed to the infection just as much as everyone else.
DOCTOR: Liz...
LIZ: (Interrupts.) I know all about your different biochemistry but we don't know if it makes you immune. Now roll up your sleeve. Come on.
DOCTOR: (Sighs.) Alright, alright, have it your own way.
(The DOCTOR rolls up his sleeve and turns his head away while LIZ administers the injection. He appears not to notice the jab as he looks back impatiently at his own bench after wiping a bead of sweat off his brow.)
LIZ: Did it hurt?
(He looks at her in genuine bafflement for a moment.)
DOCTOR: Did what hurt? Oh yes, it was agony.
(LIZ suppresses a laugh as she turns back to her tray and the DOCTOR to his bench.)
LIZ: Have you managed to identify the bacterium?
DOCTOR: No not yet, I'm still waiting for that scanning microscope.
(The BRIGADIER enters the lab in time to hear the DOCTOR'S next statement...)
DOCTOR: It's supposed to be on its way.
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: It'll be here, Doctor.
DOCTOR: Well, I'm glad to hear it. Now then, how about that hospital?
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: I've got the entire place cordoned off.
DOCTOR: Good, and your own men?
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: They've all been treated. We've sent in a medical team to help Dr. Meredith in the hospital.
DOCTOR: Splendid. Has anybody else gone down with the infection?
LIZ: Yes - Miss Dawson. She collapsed half an hour ago.
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Yes, and the doctor and the nurse we saw at the hospital, and the ambulance man who took Baker there. Now has everyone here been inoculated?
LIZ: Yes, they've all been taken care of, except Doctor Lawrence. I can't find him anywhere.
DOCTOR: Yes, well I'd be very happy to lose him. What about that chap from London - Masters?
LIZ: Haven't seen him either. Better go and find both of them.
(LIZ leaves with her tray of antibiotics.)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Do you think we'll be able to contain this disease, Doctor?
DOCTOR: We may be able to contain it. The question is - can we cure it? Excuse me.
(He crosses to the second table to pick up some label cards and returns to his own bench with them.)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: We were in contact with Baker. Does that mean that we're infected too?
DOCTOR: Can't be sure, Brigadier. Can't be sure of anything.
(He notices that the BRIGADIER is staring intently at his work. He looks at the soldier meaningfully until he takes the hint.)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Oh...I'd better let you get on with it.
DOCTOR: Thank you.
(LIZ enters again in a concerned hurry before he can leave.)
LIZ: Masters is gone.
DOCTOR: Gone where?
LIZ: He caught the London train. He must be nearly there by now.
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Right, I'll get onto it. Maybe we can get him at the station. Will you come with me, Miss Shaw?
LIZ: Oh, I'm helping the Doctor.
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: I'll need help manning the phones.
LIZ: I am a scientist, not an office boy!
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: You're a member of UNIT, Miss Shaw, and you'll do as you're told!
LIZ: (Shouts.) I will not be spoken to in that way!
DOCTOR: (Placating.) Liz ...?
LIZ: Doctor!
DOCTOR: Go with him, please. Anyone who's been in contact with Masters has got to be quarantined. He may spread that disease all over the country.
LIZ: Fair enough.
(Convinced, she follows the BRIGADIER out.)
3: INT. MARYLEBONE RAILWAY STATION
(MASTERS leaves the train at Marylebone Station, announcements sounding on the tannoy public address system. He stands somewhat dazed on the platform as the other passengers walk past him. He puts a hand to his forehead, blinks, shrugs his overcoat on his shoulders and sets off at a pace down the platform. Halfway down, he stops again as if slightly overcome. Overtaking passengers look at him in puzzlement and move on. MASTERS follows them pas the front of the train and towards the ticket barrier and the uniformed guard there. MASTERS is the only passenger not ready with his ticket. He delves into his overcoat pocket searching for the stub. He finds it but almost immediately drops it on the floor. He picks it up, hands it over and walks somewhat unsteadily onto the main concourse past a news stand and various parked vehicles. There, he is overcome by dizziness once more and momentarily leans on one of the cast iron pillars for support. He has a slight look of stupefaction on his face. Recovering, he moves on.)
4: EXT. MARYLEBONE RAILWAY STATION
(He walks out of the station. His walk is more stumbling and erratic as he makes his way over to the taxi rank. He waves to one of the waiting vehicles and walks up to it.)
TAXI DRIVER: Where to, sir?
MASTERS: Ministry of Science, please.
(He gets into the back of the black cab. As the taxi pulls away, a Police Jaguar with its siren blaring arrives and drives straight through an arch and onto the station concourse.)
5: INT. WENLEY MOOR ATOMIC RESEARCH CENTRE. LABORATORY
(The DOCTOR looks on impatiently while the scanning microscope is set up by a couple of white-coated technicians.)
DOCTOR: Look, er...er, please hurry, this is very important, you know.
(The BRIGADIER enters.)
FIRST TECHNICIAN: (To the DOCTOR.) I'm being as quick as I can, sir.
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Everything alright, Doctor?
DOCTOR: Yes, I think so. Now then, have they found Masters?
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Not yet, they've sent a police car to the station.
DOCTOR: Yes, well, he's gotta be found and put into quarantine at once.
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Doctor, suppose I'm a carrier?
DOCTOR: No, I don't think you are. So far the antibiotics have kept the disease in check. (To the technicians.) Have you finished?
(The second technician nods and looks to his companion who is checking the monitor of the scanning microscope.)
DOCTOR: Good, splendid.
(The first technician is satisfied with his findings.)
FIRST TECHNICIAN: Yes.
DOCTOR: Thank you.
(They leave the laboratory as the DOCTOR pulls up a stool and sits before the main part of the microscope, adjusting the device.)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: What do you think the Silurians will do now, Doctor?
DOCTOR: Well it's hard to say really. I think they'll lie low for a while, and let the disease really get to work.
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Well I've got men at all the cave mouths, and I've sent for reinforcements so we'll be ready for them if they do try anything.
(The DOCTOR turns to him.)
DOCTOR: Brigadier, at all costs we must avoid a pitched battle!
(He turns back to the equipment.)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: You don't still think we can co-exist with the Silurians, do you?
DOCTOR: Well don't forget that one of them released me, which is giving us our only chance of defeating this disease.
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Maybe one of the Silurians is friendly but the rest seem determined to wipe us out.
DOCTOR: Yes.
(He snaps at the soldier.)
DOCTOR: Look, Brigadier, I've got a great deal of work to do!
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Yes, of course.
(The BRIGADIER leaves him and he returns once more to his newly-delivered equipment.)
6: INT. SILURIAN BASE. CONTROL ROOM
(The still corpse of the Old Silurian lies on the floor of the control room. The YOUNG SILURIAN enters and looks down at his predecessor as two other SILURIANS exchange shocked looks. The YOUNG SILURIAN looks towards them.)
YOUNG SILURIAN: Remove the body.
(The two SILURIANS hesitate.)
YOUNG SILURIAN: (Fiercely.) I am the leader now!
(The two SILURIANS step forward and drag the corpse of the Old Silurian leader from the control room. When they have gone, the YOUNG SILURIAN whispers fiercely to himself...)
YOUNG SILURIAN: I...am the leader now!
(He sees the SILURIAN SCIENTIST in the entrance passageway watching the body being carried away. He barks at him...)
YOUNG SILURIAN: Has the disease reduced the numbers of these apes?
SILURIAN SCIENTIST: Their resistance may be stronger. They may even develop a cure.
YOUNG SILURIAN: The disease will be beyond the understanding of their science.
SILURIAN SCIENTIST: We cannot be sure.
(He switches on the vision panel. On it appears an image of the DOCTOR in the laboratory.)
SILURIAN SCIENTIST: That Doctor - the one who took the sample of bacteria - was a highly intelligent specimen.
YOUNG SILURIAN: (Dismissive.) They're only apes! They will not develop a cure.
7: INT. WENLEY MOOR ATOMIC RESEARCH STATION. CONFERENCE ROOM
(LIZ is working on some papers at the main table. Overcome somewhat, she drops her pens and puts her head in her hand. She hears the Conference Room door opening and looks up. The eternally dour and sneering figure of DR. LAWRENCE enters. He looks sardonically at LIZ, closes the door and walks in.)
DR. LAWRENCE: Time hanging heavy on your hands, Miss Shaw?
LIZ: We're waiting to hear from London.
DR. LAWRENCE: (Sarcastically.) Oh, a matter of life and death, no doubt.
LIZ: Exactly that.
DR. LAWRENCE: Where's the Brigadier?
LIZ: He's with the Doctor. The scanning microscope has arrived.
DR. LAWRENCE: Oh, how pleasant to be able to obtain, er, expensive pieces of scientific equipment so easily.
LIZ: (Unfazed.) Can I help you at all, Dr. Lawrence?
DR. LAWRENCE: I doubt it. I have a complaint to bring to the Brigadier.
LIZ: A complaint?
DR. LAWRENCE: Yes. My establishment has been brought to a complete standstill. My staff are suffering the ill-effects of a series of compulsory injections, and...
LIZ: (Interrupts.) You haven't had your own injections yet, have you?
DR. LAWRENCE: No, nor do I intend to.
LIZ: But you've got to have them. It's for your own good.
DR. LAWRENCE: Rubbish. Why should I waste my time having useless injections against an imaginary epidemic?
(LIZ'S tried patience starts to fray...)
LIZ: Dr. Lawrence, it is quite clear that the disease exists. Major Baker is d*ad.
DR. LAWRENCE: (Coldly.) He may have been ill for some time. I should be interested to see the results of the post-mortem.
(LIZ is almost amused...)
LIZ: Dr. Lawrence, you must admit there are...
DR. LAWRENCE: (Interrupts.) I will admit nothing.
(He heads for the door.)
DR. LAWRENCE: There is no epidemic.
LIZ: Dr. Lawrence, please listen to me!
DR. LAWRENCE: (Interrupts.) You will excuse me, Miss Shaw.
(DR. LAWRENCE turns to stalk out of the conference room, and as he goes through one of the double-doors the BRIGADIER enters through the other. LAWRENCE goes on his way as though he hasn't seen the BRIGADIER, his complaint forgotten. The BRIGADIER looks to LIZ who raises her hands in despair.)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Now what's the matter with him?
(One of the phones on the desk rings, and LIZ reaches to pick it up. She hands the phone to the BRIGADIER who pulls up a seat on the other side of the table. She suddenly looks weary as if the effects of the plague are starting to get to her.)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: (Into phone.) Lethbridge-Stewart? (He listens.) Yes. (Listens.) When?
(Listens.) I see. (Listens.) Alright, alright, I suggest you get on with it. (Listens.) Yes, I know London's a big place!
(The BRIGADIER puts the phone down and pulls his chair closer to the desk as he sits down.)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Police just missed Masters at the station.
LIZ: Well, did anyone see him?
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: A ticket collector remembers someone who might have been Masters. Said he looked very ill.
Anyway, he got a taxi and drove off.
LIZ: Well, then they're sure to find him.
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Do you know how many taxis there are in London? And how many men who look more or less like Masters?
8: EXT. LONDON STREET
(A police car speeds along a London street, its siren blaring. It sh**t past MASTERS' taxi as it pulls up near the Ministry of Science. MASTERS gets out and looks distant as the Taxi Driver asks him for the fare.)
TAXI DRIVER: Seven and six, please, sir.
(MASTERS begins fumbling in his coat for a wallet.)
TAXI DRIVER: Are you alright, sir?
(MASTERS doesn't answer. He finds his wallet and extracts a note, passing it to the Driver.)
TAXI DRIVER: Are you sure you're alright, sir?
(MASTERS walks off.)
TAXI DRIVER: Wait a minute, sir! You've forgotten your change, sir!
(MASTERS unsteadily lurches away from the taxi, not hearing the Taxi Driver.)
9: INT. MARYLEBONE RAILWAY STATION
(Back at the station, the ticket collector suddenly collapses within his small booth as confused passengers stream past. One woman, about to hand her ticket in, watches with concern but is helpless. The collector manages to grab onto the side of his booth and pulls himself to his feet but he looks the worse for wear.)
10: INT. CAVES
(In one of the vast galleries of the Wenley Moor caves, PRIVATE WRIGHT sits against a rock, bored with his duty and chewing gum.
After a moment he hears a noise and stands up. He looks into the darkness.)
PRIVATE WRIGHT: Who's that?
(There is no answer nor any movement. WRIGHT watches for a moment and then resumes his sit on the ground. Suddenly there is another noise. He leaps back to his feet, g*n raised.)
PRIVATE WRIGHT: Who's that?
(PRIVATE WRIGHT loses his nerve and returns to his portable phone connecting him to the other UNIT troops.)
PRIVATE WRIGHT: (Into radio.) Wright, gallery five, over!
(A SILURIAN steps out of concealment a few steps away from WRIGHT and kills him with a lethal blast from the third eye. WRIGHT dies with a scream...)
11: INT. ANOTHER PART OF THE CAVES
(SERGEANT HART had received PRIVATE WRIGHT'S call, and is shouting into the receiver as CAPTAIN HAWKINS and another soldier run up...)
SERGEANT HART: (Into radio.) Come in, gallery five! Come in, gallery five! (To HAWKINS.) No good, sir. The line's gone d*ad.
(He hangs up the phone as other soldiers descend by a pot-holing ladder into the cave.)
CAPTAIN HAWKINS: Well, what did he say?
SERGEANT HART: Just gave his name and the gallery number, sir.
CAPTAIN HAWKINS: Then we'd better go in after him.
(HAWKINS is about to depart for gallery five. HART grabs him gently and speaks softly out of earshot of the other soldiers...)
SERGEANT HART: Brigadier's orders were to stay here, sir.
CAPTAIN HAWKINS: I want to know what happened to that man.
(He runs back to the other soldiers.)
CAPTAIN HAWKINS: Corporal!
CORPORAL NUTTING: Sir!
CAPTAIN HAWKINS: Take over here. Come on, Sergeant!
12: INT. CAVES
(The SILURIAN that k*lled PRIVATE WRIGHT hears the approach of SERGEANT HART, who is shouting out at the top of his voice, and hides behind a rock.)
SERGEANT HART: (OOV: Shouts.) Wright! Wright!
(Announcing his presence thus, SERGEANT HART, followed by CAPTAIN HAWKINS, emerges into the gallery.
SERGEANT HART: Wright!
(They see the body of PRIVATE WRIGHT sprawled on a rock. The SILURIAN jumps out at HART and HAWKINS, again blasting with the third eye. HART is trapped directly in the field of the SILURIAN'S eye, while HAWKINS dodges to one side and is saved by taking cover. As HART collapses with a scream, HAWKINS lets off a round from his p*stol, but the SILURIAN steps back and the sh*t ricochets harmlessly. The SILURIAN retreats from the gallery and HAWKINS looks into the darkness with his p*stol raised.)
13: INT. SILURIAN BASE. CONTROL ROOM
(The SILURIAN operates the vision panel in the control room. An image appears of HAWKINS and the soldiers in the caves.)
YOUNG SILURIAN: Look! Soldiers are guarding the exits from the caves!
SILURIAN SCIENTIST: Perhaps the humans can resist the bacteria.
YOUNG SILURIAN: We must recapture the one that took the sample. Without him the others will die from the disease.
SILURIAN SCIENTIST: Come with me.
(They walk out of the control room...)
14: INT. SILURIAN BASE. ENTRANCE PASSAGEWAY
(...and down the entrance passageway.)
15: INT. WENLEY MOOR ATOMIC RESEARCH STATION. LABORATORY
(Three technicians bring in many trays filled with small drug sample bottles while the DOCTOR sits on a small table and watches. LIZ comes in.)
DOCTOR: That's excellent, thank you.
(The technicians nod and leave. LIZ shuts the door after them.)
LIZ: That's quite a collection.
(The DOCTOR stares at the trays.)
DOCTOR: One of those drugs...maybe a combination of them, will probably cure this disease. The question is - which?
LIZ: Where are you going to start?
DOCTOR: By finding out more about that bacterium.
(Wearily, he crosses to the scanning microscope.)
DOCTOR: I've already analysed it. I need to know more about its effect. Can you get me a blood specimen from someone who's been infected?
LIZ: Yes, of course.
(She leaves.)
DOCTOR: (To himself.) I only hope I shan't be too late.
16: INT. MARYLEBONE STATION
(The disease is spreading virulently at the station. A young woman falls against a timetable board, her eyes sightless and her face covered with scabs and boils. The ticket collector, now similarly covered, staggers across the concourse and falls to the ground.)
17: EXT. MARYLEBONE RAILWAY STATION
(A blaring ambulance tears into the station through the entrance arch.)
18: INT. MARYLEBONE STATION
(An unbelievable sight greets it - people fallen and others dropping like flies. An announcement is made over the tannoy in a futile attempt to maintain calm as the ambulance men leave their vehicle and try to assist those not yet affected in tending to those on the ground.)
TANNOY: Attention please! Attention please! This is a police message.
(A police car arrives.)
TANNOY: Stay where you are. Do not attempt to leave the station.
(Other people start to fall...)
TANNOY: If you feel ill, assistance will be brought to you.
(...their faces also covered with the tell-tale scabs and boils.)
TANNOY: Attention please! Attention please! This is a police message.
(As the ambulance men put people onto the inadequate number of stretchers, others fall to the floor.)
TANNOY: Stay where you are. Do not attempt to leave the station. If you feel ill, assistance will be brought to you.
(The situation worsens as...)
19: INT. WENLEY MOOR ATOMIC RESEARCH STATION. CONFERENCE ROOM
(...the BRIGADIER finishes an urgent phone call and starts another...)
20: INT. WENLEY MOOR ATOMIC RESEARCH STATION. LABORATORY
(...the DOCTOR continues to work on the drugs...)
21: INT. WENLEY MOOR ATOMIC RESEARCH STATION. SICK BAY
(...and LIZ takes the requested blood specimen from the sick ambulance man.)
23: INT. MARYLEBONE STATION
(The futile efforts of the emergency services continue...)
24: EXT. LONDON STREET. WALKWAY
(MASTERS is holding out longer than most against the plague but his end is near. His eyes blank, his legs stumbling, he staggers up a passenger walkway, oblivious to the looks of concern from a man and a woman who pass by at the sight of his boil-covered face.
The sound of a police siren is heard over that of the traffic as MASTERS drops his briefcase and falls against some railings, grabbing onto the bars for support. He stares upwards, desperately trying to focus on a nearby tower block. He moves off again as two policemen run up the ramp after him. The man and woman follow them. At the top of the ramp, MASTERS cannot continue and falls down against another set of railings, this time d*ad. The policemen stop the man and woman from coming any nearer.)
25: INT. WENLEY MOOR ATOMIC RESEARCH STATION. LABORATORY
(LIZ comes into the laboratory.)
LIZ: Here's the blood specimen.
DOCTOR: Good, splendid.
(She passes him a small tube filled with the dark red liquid. The DOCTOR holds it up to the light.)
DOCTOR: Who did you take it from?
LIZ: That ambulance man you had brought back to the sick bay.
DOCTOR: Oh?
(He crosses to his bench.)
DOCTOR: How is he?
LIZ: Getting worse. How are you getting on?
DOCTOR: Ah, no idea. We may be getting somewhere now, though.
(The DOCTOR prepares several slides of the sample and adds solutions of the drugs to them. LIZ examines one of the drug sample bottles.)
LIZ: They've sent you just about every drug in existence. Surely there must be something?
DOCTOR: My dear girl, some of these drugs are so new they don't even know their properties yet.
(The DOCTOR finishes the first slide as LIZ watches with professional interest.)
DOCTOR: Right. Here goes.
(The DOCTOR puts the slide under the scanning microscope, changes and lowers the lens and then the two watch the reaction of the two substances on the monitor.)
DOCTOR: (Sighs.) Nope, that's no good, let's try the next one.
26: INT. WENLEY MOOR ATOMIC RESEARCH STATION. CONFERENCE ROOM
(Without the help of LIZ, the BRIGADIER is having to fend for himself as the phone lines to the research centre are swamped.)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: (Into phone.) The Doctor and Miss Shaw have been working flat out for a very long time. They're tackling an immensely difficult task, under conditions of great pressure...
(The other phone begins ringing...)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: (Into phone.) ... and I do not propose to make it worse for them by breathing down their necks. Excuse me, will you?
(The BRIGADIER takes the other call.)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: (Into phone.) Will you hold on please?
(The BRIGADIER puts down the other phone and returns to his first caller.)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: (Into phone.) Yes, of course I'll let you know as soon as I get any result that's at all positive - goodbye.
(He puts the first phone down.)
27: INT. WENLEY MOOR ATOMIC RESEARCH STATION. LABORATORY
(The DOCTOR makes notes on his pad. LIZ is also making notes on the clipboard she carries. She is starting to look tired. The DOCTOR takes another slide across to the microscope and frowns as the sight of the solution on the monitor demonstrates that another combination of drugs has failed to evince a positive effect on the bacterium.)
DOCTOR: No, that's no good. You know, I'm beginning to lose confidence for the first time in my life. And that covers several thousand years.
LIZ: (Ruefully.) Well, at least you've narrowed it down to forty possible drugs. Have you considered the... addition of A-thirty-seven in the presence of Z-nineteen might well be effective?
DOCTOR: Yes, that's a possibility, let's try.
(LIZ brings the stated items. The DOCTOR prepares another test and puts it under microscope. Suddenly, LIZ nearly falls asleep on her feet and moaning softly, slumps against the DOCTOR.)
DOCTOR: Liz, watch what...
(He realises that something is wrong.)
DOCTOR: You all right?
LIZ: Sorry. I feel dizzy.
DOCTOR: Yes, well I expect those antibiotics are wearing off. You'd better get down to the sick bay and have another...another jab.
LIZ: What about you?
DOCTOR: I'm all right.
LIZ: Oh, come on, Doctor, I think...
DOCTOR: (Interrupts forcefully.) Liz, I am all right!
28: EXT. LONDON STREET. WALKWAY
(MASTERS' corpse is put onto an ambulance stretcher as a crowd of people watch.)
29: INT. WENLEY MOOR ATOMIC RESEARCH STATION. CONFERENCE ROOM
(Another conference call of the BRIGADIER'S drags on as no progress is apparent...)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: (Into phone.) Yes. Could hardly be worse, could it? (He listens.) Right.
(LIZ enters as the BRIGADIER finishes his call and puts down the phone.)
LIZ: Who was that?
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: The Ministry.
(LIZ'S face lights up with hope for a moment.)
LIZ: Masters?
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: He's d*ad.
(LIZ sinks into a chair.)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Outbreaks of the disease are being reported all over London.
30: INT. WENLEY MOOR ATOMIC RESEARCH STATION. LABORATORY
(The DOCTOR gets up off his lab stool. He suddenly stops. Frowning, he wipes his forehead as even he starts to feel the effects of the plague.)
31: INT. WENLEY MOOR ATOMIC RESEARCH STATION. CONFERENCE ROOM
(LIZ is about to walk out of the Conference Room when the dishevelled figure of DR. LAWRENCE bursts in. He is horribly disfigured by the SILURIAN disease. His tie askew, he stares m*rder at the BRIGADIER.)
LIZ: Dr. Lawrence! (To the BRIGADIER.) His face!
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: (Sharply.) Dr. Lawrence, you really must report to the isolation ward at once.
(DR. LAWRENCE has manifestly lost all reason. His voice is quiet and menacing...)
DR. LAWRENCE: I've had enough of you.
(The BRIGADIER stands.)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: I really must insist, sir! You're endangering all of us!
DR. LAWRENCE: (Hisses.) You insist! Oh, you do insist?
(LAWRENCE maniacally runs up to the other side of the table as LIZ nervously watches.)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Now listen...
DR. LAWRENCE: (Interrupts.) Before you people came, I was director of an important research establishment. Now the place is shut down, my career's in ruins - and you are to blame!
(The madness of DR. LAWRENCE is blatantly obvious as he shouts the last phrase, pointing a finger at the BRIGADIER.)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Oh you're talking absolute nonsense.
LIZ: Don't argue with him, I'll go and get one of the medical orderlies.
(As LIZ prepares to leave the room behind him, DR. LAWRENCE jumps in her way to prevent her going.)
DR. LAWRENCE: You think I don't know what's going on, don't you?! This whole business has been a plot to get rid of me!
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Oh really, Dr. Lawrence...!
DR. LAWRENCE: You think?
(He jumps back to the other side of the table.)
DR. LAWRENCE: I know I've got enemies in the Ministry! Even Masters!
LIZ: All right, Dr. Lawrence. We want to help you.
DR. LAWRENCE: Well you can clear out of here - all of you! And take that crazy Doctor with you! And all of your military rubbish!
(With this, LAWRENCE sweeps all of the BRIGADIER'S files off the desk and on to the floor, all remaining sense of restraint is broken.)
DR. LAWRENCE: (Screams.) I'm in charge of this place!
(The BRIGADIER does not react.)
DR. LAWRENCE: (Screams.) Well are you going!?
(LAWRENCE hurls himself onto the desk, lunging at the BRIGADIER'S neck.)
DR. LAWRENCE: (Screams.) Or do I have to throw you out myself!
(The BRIGADIER attempts to block DR. LAWRENCE from throttling him. He thrusts him off and the director convulses and clutches his chest, trying frantically to draw breath. After another violent shudder DR. LAWRENCE falls to the ground, his body contorted and eyes staring in death. The BRIGADIER and LIZ approach. She feels his wrist.)
LIZ: He's d*ad.
32: INT. WENLEY MOOR ATOMIC RESEARCH STATION. LABORATORY
(The DOCTOR puts another slide under the microscope and looks at the monitor. The solution convulses and the DOCTOR looks up wide-eyed.)
DOCTOR: Eureka!
33: INT. WENLEY MOOR ATOMIC RESEARCH STATION. CONFERENCE ROOM
(The BRIGADIER finishes another call...)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: (Into phone.) All right, thank you.
(The BRIGADIER puts down the phone and turns to LIZ.)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Bad news, Miss Shaw.
(LIZ comes over from where she has been working with a soldier on a map which plots the plague outbreak.)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: The first one abroad - Paris.
LIZ: If we can't contain it in Britain - what chance has the world got?
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: If only we'd prevented Masters from leaving here!
(The DOCTOR urgently bursts in.)
DOCTOR: I think I've found it.
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: (Excitedly.) You've found the antidote?
DOCTOR: Well it works in the laboratory, now let's see whether it works in practice.
(LIZ gives a sigh of relief and she and the DOCTOR run out as the BRIGADIER picks up the phone.)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: (Into phone.) Hello? Get me Dr. Crawford.
34: INT. SILURIAN BASE. PASSAGEWAY
(The YOUNG SILURIAN and the SILURIAN SCIENTIST walk down a passageway and stop half-way down. The SCIENTIST points at the smoothed rock wall.)
SILURIAN SCIENTIST: This is the closest point to the human's base.
YOUNG SILURIAN: Then we will penetrate from here.
(The SILURIANS both face the wall and operate their third eyes. The rock starts to smoke and blister and an opening is created with massive speed. Walking into the newly constructed tunnel, the two reptiles continue to blast at the rock that confronts their progress.)
35: INT. WENLEY MOOR ATOMIC RESEARCH STATION. SICK BAY
(A nurse leads the DOCTOR and the BRIGADIER into the sick bay where a smiling LIZ waits with the plague-infected ambulance man.)
DOCTOR: You wanted to see us, Liz?
LIZ: Yes, his temperature's dropped, and his pulse is normal.
DOCTOR: That's excellent, excellent!
(The ambulance driver seems to be come to and murmurs quietly. His face is still covered with the effects of the plague.)
DOCTOR: Yeah, there's a good chap. That's it. (To LIZ.) Now you'll want to telephone that formula to London. I'll go and write it out for you straight away.
LIZ: Thank you.
(The DOCTOR hurries back to the laboratory.)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: (To LIZ.) Will the medical team be able to mass produce enough in time?
LIZ: Well, they've been standing by for hours. All they need is the formula.
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: I'll get a line open to them.
(CAPTAIN HAWKINS rushes in before the BRIGADIER can leave.)
CAPTAIN HAWKINS: Sir - the Silurians have k*lled Sergeant Hart.
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Any sign of a major att*ck?
CAPTAIN HAWKINS: Yes, they've broken out of their base and are advancing everywhere.
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Right.
36: INT. WENLEY MOOR ATOMIC RESEARCH STATION. CONFERENCE ROOM
(The phone rings loudly as the BRIGADIER and LIZ come back to the Conference Room. The BRIGADIER crosses over to answer it.)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: (Into phone.) Lethbridge Stewart? (He listens.) The Daily what? (Listens.)
How did you get hold of this number? (Listens.) Look, I have no comment to make, now will you please get off this line.
(The BRIGADIER slams down the phone.)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: What's keeping the Doctor?
LIZ: You leave him alone. He's got a complicated formula to transcribe.
37: INT. WENLEY MOOR ATOMIC RESEARCH STATION. LABORATORY
(The DOCTOR sits in the laboratory making out the formula on a pad. The door to the corridor is open behind him. He hears a humming noise and stops writing, listening intently with a frown. He continues to write as, behind him, the wall in the corridor starts to glow an orange colour. The DOCTOR is oblivious as smoke pours from the wall and, from its billowing clouds, the YOUNG SILURIAN and SILURIAN SCIENTIST burst through. They stride into the laboratory and immediately blast the DOCTOR with their third eyes. Staring upwards, he sinks to the floor...) | {"type": "series", "show": "Doctor Who", "episode": "07x10 - Doctor Who and the Silurians - part 6"} | foreverdreaming |
DOCTOR WHO AND THE SILURIANS
BY: MALCOLM HULKE
EPISODE 7
Original Air Date: 14 March, 1970
5:15pm - 5:40pm
1: INT. WENLEY MOOR ATOMIC RESEARCH STATION. LABORATORY
(The DOCTOR sits in the laboratory making out the formula on a pad. The door to the corridor is open behind him. He hears a humming noise and stops writing, listening intently with a frown. He continues to write as, behind him, the wall in the corridor starts to glow an orange colour. The DOCTOR is oblivious as smoke pours from the wall and, from its billowing clouds, the YOUNG SILURIAN and SILURIAN SCIENTIST burst through. They stride into the laboratory and immediately blast the DOCTOR with their third eyes. Staring upwards, he sinks to the floor...)
2: INT. WENLEY MOOR ATOMIC RESEARCH STATION. CONFERENCE ROOM
(Private Upton stands before the BRIGADIER'S desk.)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: And there's no news from cave mouth two?
PRIVATE UPTON: We've lost contact with cave mouth two, sir.
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Well, I want reports from all sectors as they come in - and get me Captain Hawkins.
PRIVATE UPTON: Sir!
(He leaves as LIZ walks in. She smiles.)
LIZ: I've checked on the ambulance man in the sick bay. The discolouration of the skin is fading rapidly.
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: So the Doctor's antidote seems totally effective?
LIZ: So far, yes.
(The BRIGADIER bangs the desk in frustration.)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: I wish he'd get a move on with that formula!
3: INT. WENLEY MOOR ATOMIC RESEARCH STATION. LABORATORY
(The unconscious DOCTOR is dragged backwards from the laboratory in the arms of the SILURIAN SCIENTIST.)
4: INT. WENLEY MOOR ATOMIC RESEARCH CENTRE. RECEPTION FOYER
(The YOUNG SILURIAN follows them. Private Upton walks into the reception foyer and sees what is happening in the side corridor.)
PRIVATE UPTON: (Shouts.) Sergeant!
(The YOUNG SILURIAN spins round and blasts the soldier to the ground with his third eye.)
YOUNG SILURIAN: Quickly! There may be others.
(Leaving the body of the soldier behind, the SCIENTIST drags the DOCTOR into the recently created hole in the wall. The YOUNG SILURIAN follows, turns and fires its third eye at the gap. There is the humming sound again, along with the smoke and the tunnel is sealed.
Smoke drifts across the area as NUTTING'S corpse lies unattended...)
5: INT. WENLEY MOOR ATOMIC RESEARCH STATION. CONFERENCE ROOM
(LIZ holds one phone call while the BRIGADIER speaks into a UNIT R/T phone at the back of the room.)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: (Into phone.) Hold them long as you can. I'm doing my level best to get you the support you need.
(A third phone rings and LIZ picks it up.)
LIZ: (Into phone.) UNIT control?
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: (Into phone.) Over and out.
LIZ: (Into phone.) Yes, Doctor...Crawford.
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: (To A UNIT soldier.) Wilcox, bring them down here.
(The BRIGADIER rushes to his desk and takes the second phone from LIZ.)
LIZ: (Into phone.) I...I know. Look, I'm terribly sorry.
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: (Into phone.) Look, what's happening about my call to the Ministry of Defence?
LIZ: (Into phone.) I'm sure the Doctor won't be much longer.
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: (Into phone.) Well, look, hurry it up, man - this is top priority!
(He puts his phone down...)
LIZ: (Into phone.) Yeah, I do realise, all right. Goodbye.
(...as does LIZ.)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Trouble?
LIZ: Dr. Meredith is getting very impatient.
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: I can't say I blame him.
LIZ: Give the Doctor a couple more moments. I...I mean he may have run into some kind of problem.
6: INT. WENLEY MOOR ATOMIC RESEARCH CENTRE. RECEPTION FOYER
(The lift from the surface finishes its descent and the door opens. CAPTAIN HAWKINS walks out and immediately sees the body of Private Upton on the floor. He unholsters his p*stol and looks warily round. Seeing no one, he checks NUTTING, looks up and sees an arch-shaped scorch mark on the corridor wall where the tunnel was sealed up. He walks over to examine it. At that moment, a white suited technician walks into the foyer and stops d*ad when he sees the corpse.)
CAPTAIN HAWKINS: Here you! Give me a hand.
(The technician hesitates.)
CAPTAIN HAWKINS: Well don't stand there gawping, man! Come on, give me a hand!
(The technician overcomes his shock and helps HAWKINS with the body.)
7: INT. WENLEY MOOR ATOMIC RESEARCH STATION. CONFERENCE ROOM
(The BRIGADIER is on the phone again.)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: (Into phone.) Yes, all right, Major Walton. Pull back from gallery four...
(A second phone rings...)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: (Into phone.) ...and try and hold them at cave mouth three.
(...and LIZ answers it.)
LIZ: (Into phone.) UNIT control?
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: (Into phone.) Over and out.
(The BRIGADIER puts his phone down.)
LIZ: (Into phone.) Oh, yes sir. He's here - hold the line.
(She hands him the second phone.)
LIZ: The Ministry of Defence.
(He takes it but speaks urgently to LIZ.)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Miss Shaw, I must have that formula.
LIZ: All right, I'll go and see what's holding the Doctor up.
(She gets up and runs out as the BRIGADIER speaks to his caller.)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: (Into phone.) Lethbridge Stewart here, sir. You got my message? (He listens.)
With respect, sir, I don't think you appreciate the gravity of the situation. (Listens.) But there's no time to refer it to the Defence Committee.
8: INT. WENLEY MOOR ATOMIC RESEARCH STATION. LABORATORY
(LIZ runs into the laboratory, casting a surprised glance at the scorch mark on the opposite wall in the corridor.)
LIZ: Doctor, the Brig...
(She sees that the laboratory is empty. She steps forward and onto a smashed test tube on the floor. She picks up the glass in puzzlement together with a screwed up piece of paper. She also picks that up and then looks over the bench. There is an untidy mass of papers there.
She grabs them, thinks for a moment and then rushes from the room with the papers in her hand.)
9: INT. WENLEY MOOR ATOMIC RESEARCH STATION. CONFERENCE ROOM
(Having returned to the Conference Room, she has told the BRIGADIER, holding yet another phone call, of what she has found.)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: But where is he?!
LIZ: I've told you - I've no idea.
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: You'll read the formula to Dr. Crawford - he's been hanging on long enough.
LIZ: Don't you understand? I don't know which is the formula.
(The BRIGADIER sighs and returns to his phone call.)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: (Into phone.) Hello, Dr. Crawford? Look, I'm afraid I'll have to ring you back. There's been yet another delay. (He listens.) Yes, yes, yes, as soon as I can.
(He puts the phone down. LIZ frowns.)
LIZ: Brigadier, there was some glass in the lab. I...I don't know if there's...
(The doors to the room burst open and CAPTAIN HAWKINS runs in.)
CAPTAIN HAWKINS: Sir! Sir, there's been some kind of a raid. Private Upton's d*ad.
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: In the caves?
CAPTAIN HAWKINS: No, sir - here. Just down the corridor - and there's a kind of scorch mark on the wall.
(The BRIGADIER looks stupefied for a moment. Then he jumps up and grabs his g*n belt as LIZ starts to search through the papers she has brought with her from the laboratory.)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Stay here, Miss Shaw.
LIZ: What?
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Stay here!
LIZ: Yes, of course!
(The BRIGADIER runs out, closely followed by CAPTAIN HAWKINS. LIZ continues to read through the papers. She stops on one, glances at the rest, unscrews the paper that she picked up from the floor of the laboratory. Reading it, she smiles and then picks up one of the phones.)
LIZ: (Into phone.) Get me Dr. Crawford, please.
10: INT. SILURIAN BASE. LABORATORY
(The DOCTOR, still in his white lab coat, has been placed back inside the cage in the SILURIAN laboratory. He looks through the horizontal bars at his captors.)
SILURIAN SCIENTIST: How many humans have survived the epidemic?
DOCTOR: They will all survive.
YOUNG SILURIAN: That is impossible!
SILURIAN SCIENTIST: You have discovered a cure?
DOCTOR: Yes, and soon all the humans will be immune to your epidemic. Your plan has failed, as your leader wanted it to fail.
YOUNG SILURIAN: Our leader is d*ad - I k*lled him. I am the leader now.
(The DOCTOR looks stunned at this development...)
11: INT. WENLEY MOOR ATOMIC RESEARCH STATION. CONFERENCE ROOM
(This time it is LIZ who is on the phone...)
LIZ: (Into phone.) Thank you, Dr. Crawford.
(She puts the phone down as the BRIGADIER walks in with CAPTAIN HAWKINS.)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: (To LIZ.) The Silurians have broken in.
LIZ: Well, what about the Doctor?
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Well, I imagine they've taken him to their base. Captain Hawkins, send every man we've got into the caves, and I want all civilian personnel evacuated from here immediately.
CAPTAIN HAWKINS: Sir.
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: And organise a thorough search of that laboratory.
CAPTAIN HAWKINS: I'll see to it myself, sir.
(He shouts to the two UNIT soldiers in the room.)
CAPTAIN HAWKINS: You two - come with me.
(They leave.)
LIZ: I've given the formula to Dr. Crawford. They're going to make their own tests and then go into mass production of the antidote.
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Well done, Miss Shaw.
LIZ: What are you going to do about the Doctor?
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: (Sadly.) What can I do?
LIZ: Try to rescue him! You'll have to att*ck their base.
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: At the moment, they seem to be attacking us.
12: INT. CAVES
(A full scale battle is in order in the caves. A UNIT soldier blasts away at his attackers.)
13: INT. SILURIAN BASE. LABORATORY
(The sound of the g*n reaches the base. As the DOCTOR listens, the YOUNG SILURIAN and the SCIENTIST confer...)
YOUNG SILURIAN: Since the epidemic has failed, we must use other means. We intend to make this planet uninhabitable for humans beings.
DOCTOR: But you can't do that! You can exterminate a whole species!
YOUNG SILURIAN: (To the SCIENTIST.) Is the disperser ready for activation?
SILURIAN SCIENTIST: All we need now is the power.
YOUNG SILURIAN: We shall continue to use the electricity of the humans.
DOCTOR: I think you won't be able to do that. Thanks to you, the humans are no longer making power. Their generator has been switched off.
SILURIAN SCIENTIST: Then you will help us.
YOUNG SILURIAN: We shall force you to reactivate it. We shall take the centre!
14: INT. WENLEY MOOR ATOMIC RESEARCH STATION. CONFERENCE ROOM
(The BRIGADIER, sat at his table, taps the phone cradle.)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: (Into phone.) Hello?
(There is no response.)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: (Into phone.) Hello? Hello? Switchboard? (To LIZ.) What's the matter with this thing?
(Suddenly, the lights in the room dim and the hum of the air conditioning dies down.)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: What the devil...?
LIZ: We seem to have switched to an emergency lighting system.
(LIZ picks up another phone.)
LIZ: (Into phone.) Hello? (To the BRIGADIER.) It's d*ad.
(The BRIGADIER picks up the R/T phone which has now been placed on his desk. LIZ winds up the call handle. Not receiving any response, she winds it up again.)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: This one's d*ad too. And I've just sent the last of my men into those caves.
LIZ: What do you mean?
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Because of the att*ck, I sent every man I've got down to the caves and now the Silurians are cutting our communications.
LIZ: What about your pocket radio?
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: No, useless at this depth.
LIZ: If they could break in once to get the Doctor...they could break in again.
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Exactly.
(He stands up.)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Only this time it'll be in force.
15: INT. SILURIAN BASE. REVIVIFICATION AREA
(The SILURIAN SCIENTIST is in the revivification area. He stands over one of the large caskets and uses his third eye to try and resuscitate one of the individuals contained within. There is no response. The large hatchway rises into the ceiling and the YOUNG SILURIAN strides in.)
YOUNG SILURIAN: Is the machinery prepared?
SILURIAN SCIENTIST: I could do nothing without power from the human's generator. It has ceased to function.
YOUNG SILURIAN: We shall force them to reactivate it. When your instruments register the power, you will revive all
our people. Now, I shall take the one called “the Doctor” to the research centre.
(He turns and walks out as the SCIENTIST starts to examine the machinery.)
16: INT. WENLEY MOOR ATOMIC RESEARCH CENTRE. RECEPTION FOYER
(As a soldier crosses the foyer, the BRIGADIER and LIZ enter.)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: I'll go to the Ministry myself. We need a division down here and I'll see we get it.
(He crosses to the lift and presses the button. There is no response.)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: What's the matter with this thing?
LIZ: The telephone's stopped working.
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Now the lift as well.
(Suddenly, the scorch-marked wall begins to glow.)
LIZ: Brigadier - look!
(LIZ and the BRIGADIER glance at each other in astonishment and then look back at the wall that begins to smoke and open, revealing the reptile-made passage beyond. A familiar white-coated figure walks out and through the smoke.)
LIZ: Doctor!
(The DOCTOR stops. Behind him, the SILURIANS start to emerge. The BRIGADIER reaches for his p*stol.)
YOUNG SILURIAN: Put down that w*apon!
17: INT. WENLEY MOOR ATOMIC RESEARCH STATION. LABORATORY
(Across the corridor, in the darkened laboratory, CAPTAIN HAWKINS hears the exchange and moves behind the open door, drawing his p*stol as he goes.)
DOCTOR: Do as he says, Brigadier...or they'll k*ll us all.
18: INT. WENLEY MOOR ATOMIC RESEARCH CENTRE. RECEPTION FOYER
(The BRIGADIER reluctantly drops his own g*n.)
SILURIAN SCIENTIST: We do not need these humans.
DOCTOR: Miss Shaw is a scientist. If I am to do what you want, I shall need her help.
YOUNG SILURIAN: The other one is a soldier - he is dangerous. k*ll him!
(A SILURIAN steps forward and activates its third eye. At the same time, CAPTAIN HAWKINS comes out of the laboratory and starts f*ring his p*stol at the group of reptiles. The SILURIAN turns its aim at HAWKINS as the DOCTOR struggles in another SILURIAN'S grasp.)
DOCTOR: (Shouts.) Stop!
LIZ: (Shouts.) Brigadier!
DOCTOR: (Shouts.) Stop!
(HAWKINS falls to the ground and the SILURIAN stops f*ring.)
DOCTOR: (Shouts.) There'll be no more k*lling or I shall refuse to help you! You'll have to k*ll me too!
YOUNG SILURIAN: You will take us to the nuclear generator - or we will k*ll you all!
(The DOCTOR considers, then thrusts off the holding SILURIAN'S arm.)
DOCTOR: Very well. I'll do as you want.
(He is pushed across the foyer towards the Cyclotron Room.)
19: INT. WENLEY MOOR ATOMIC RESEARCH CENTRE. CYCLOTRON ROOM
(There, the remaining technicians work peacefully in the semi-darkened room. Suddenly, a pair of double doors in the lower level burst open and the two lead SILURIANS enter. The amazed and frightened technicians scramble to the back of the room. Despite the DOCTOR'S injunction, the two SILURIANS immediately start f*ring at the helpless humans. The women in the room scream as two technicians fall to the ground. The DOCTOR runs in behind the two SILURIANS...)
DOCTOR: (Shouts.) Stop! Stop!
(...and pulls them away from f*ring again.)
DOCTOR: I said there was to be no more k*lling!
(The technicians make a break en masse for the upper level and the other door.)
DOCTOR: (Shouts.) Right, stay where you are!
(They all stop and listen.)
DOCTOR: This centre is now in the hands of the Silurians. They need the use of the generator. Now if you follow carefully the instructions I shall give you, your lives may be spared.
YOUNG SILURIAN: Remove the bodies.
(As the SILURIANS move away from the DOCTOR, the BRIGADIER sidles up to him.)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Doctor, what do you think you're doing?
DOCTOR: (Urgently.) Trying to save your lives. Now keep out of the way and keep quiet.
(The SILURIAN SCIENTIST moves forward.)
SILURIAN SCIENTIST: You will now connect this device to the nuclear generator.
(He points back through the double doors.)
DOCTOR: The power source is over here.
(The DOCTOR points across the room and leads the SCIENTIST to the drum of the cyclotron. Behind them, two SILURIANS wheel their device into the room. It resembles a stubby cannon with a radar-type dish and prong atop it.)
DOCTOR: What is the purpose of this machine?
YOUNG SILURIAN: That is no concern of yours.
DOCTOR: If I'm to help you, I must know.
(The YOUNG SILURIAN nods his permission to the SCIENTIST to reveal the purpose of the device.)
SILURIAN SCIENTIST: This...is the molecular disperser. It will convert the energy of the nuclear reactor into microwaves.
DOCTOR: Oh, for what purpose?
SILURIAN SCIENTIST: The microwaves will disperse the molecules of the filter belt which has enveloped this planet since our time.
(LIZ, listening carefully to this explanation, frowns in concern.)
DOCTOR: But if this process gets out of hand, it will destroy all life on the planet?
SILURIAN SCIENTIST: We can control the process. Commence work!
(With reluctance, the DOCTOR picks up a cable from the cyclotron and moves towards the SILURIAN device.)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: (To LIZ, quietly.) What are they gonna do?
LIZ: (Quietly.) Destroy the Van Allen belt.
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: (Quietly.) What?
LIZ: (Quietly.) The Van Allen belt. It surrounds the planet and filters out some of the sun's radiation.
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: (Quietly.) What happens when it's gone?
LIZ: (Quietly.) It gets so hot, we will all die of sunburn on a cloudy day.
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: (Quietly.) What good will that do them?
LIZ: (Quietly.) They're reptile - cold blooded. They'll thrive in heat - we shall die. It'll mean the end of the human race.
(The DOCTOR continues his work...)
20: INT. SILURIAN BASE. REVIVIFICATION AREA
(Back in the SILURIAN base, three of the reptiles look over one of the resuscitation coffin-like units. The door hatchway opens and a fourth SILURIAN walks in.)
SILURIAN: The generator of the humans is producing power. Commence the revival process.
(This newly arrived SILURIAN and another turn their third eyes on the unit. After a moment, the lid rises upwards as within an awakening SILURIAN pushes it upwards. The revived reptile suddenly shudders in spasms, groans and falls back. The lid of the unit also falls back down.)
SILURIAN: The power is still too low.
21: INT. WENLEY MOOR ATOMIC RESEARCH CENTRE. CYCLOTRON ROOM
(The DOCTOR has stripped off his lab coat to engineer the link between the cyclotron and the SILURIAN device. In a white T-shirt and trousers, he awaits further instructions from the SILURIAN SCIENTIST as he inspects the DOCTOR'S work.)
SILURIAN SCIENTIST: You will now provide power to operate the re-hibernation machinery and activate the disperser.
DOCTOR: Yes, well, we'll...need to stoke up the reactor. (To LIZ.) Miss Shaw, I'll need your help, please.
(He moves towards the upper level control room as the BRIGADIER whispers urgently to LIZ.)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: You mustn't help him!
LIZ: The Doctor knows what he's doing - trust him.
(LIZ also goes into the upper level. The DOCTOR is sat at the control desk with the YOUNG SILURIAN hovering over him.)
DOCTOR: Miss Shaw, I want you to feed uranium into the reactor – all right?
(LIZ nods and the YOUNG SILURIAN moves off. The DOCTOR uses the chance.)
DOCTOR: (Quietly.) When I tell you, lower all the rods in at once.
LIZ: (Shocked.) Doctor, !
DOCTOR: (Interrupts.) Liz, I know what I'm doing. Please do as I say.
(LIZ moves back down to the lower level and sits at the control desk there.)
DOCTOR: (Into microphone.) Er, all technicians to your usual sectors, please. To your usual sectors, please.
(The DOCTOR watches as the technicians move reluctantly back to their posts.)
DOCTOR: (Into microphone.) Alright, Liz?
LIZ: (Into microphone.) Yes.
DOCTOR: (Into microphone.) Er, lower in number one rod.
(There is a hum as LIZ carries out the instruction.)
LIZ: (Into microphone.) Number one rod - check.
(The whirr of increased power starts to build up.)
DOCTOR: (Into microphone.) Lower in number two rod.
(There is another hum, then...)
LIZ: (Into microphone.) Number two rod - check.
(The power of the cyclotron builds up further and its drum glows brighter. The SILURIAN SCIENTIST and another of the reptiles check over the disperser.)
DOCTOR: (Into microphone.) Er, sector one, increase your power level. Lower in number three rod.
(Again a hum and the increase of power as the BRIGADIER watches on disapprovingly.)
LIZ: (Into microphone.) Number three rod - check.
DOCTOR: (Into microphone.) Now you should be getting enough power now to get your disperser unit into operation.
(The SCIENTIST looks over the machine. The probe on top of it starts to glow with a series of alternating lights. The impatient YOUNG SILURIAN steps forward to the DOCTOR.)
YOUNG SILURIAN: Continue to increase the power.
DOCTOR: Very well. (Into microphone.) Liz... (Shouts.) Now!
(LIZ urgently turns several dials. The whirr of power in the room starts to run away and a huge expl*si*n suddenly rends the SILURIAN disperser. At the same time, the alarms in the room start to blare out and the technicians run in a panic at the oncoming nuclear overload.)
YOUNG SILURIAN: (To the DOCTOR.) You have ..... the disperser!
DOCTOR: Yes, I know.
(The YOUNG SILURIAN runs down into the lower room.)
YOUNG SILURIAN: (To LIZ.) Turn off the reactor!
SILURIAN SCIENTIST: (To LIZ.) Remove the uranium from the reactor.
(LIZ gets up and moves across slowly to a panel. The SILURIAN SCIENTIST roughly pushes her towards it faster.)
DOCTOR: (Into microphone.) Liz, keep away from those controls - get back!
(LIZ steps back as the control panel itself explodes. She runs back to her control desk as the SILURIANS hover over her, uncertain what to do next. The DOCTOR loudly but calmly shouts through the intercom system over the noise of the reactor and the alarm.)
DOCTOR: (Into microphone.) The reactor is now permanently overloaded. There's going to be a massive expl*si*n, and a colossal radiation leakage.
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: (To the SILURIANS.) The whole area will become deadly.
YOUNG SILURIAN: For how long?
LIZ: A quarter of a century - possibly more.
SILURIAN SCIENTIST: (To the YOUNG SILURIAN.) This means nothing to us. We shall return to our base and wait in hibernation until the radiation has faded. k*ll these humans!
YOUNG SILURIAN: No! They will all stay here to die...from the radiation.
(There is an anxious moment as the SILURIANS hover over the lower control desk and LIZ. Then, slowly they start to back out of the room. As soon as they have gone, the BRIGADIER runs to the upper level where the DOCTOR is sat with his chin in his hands. LIZ joins them.)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: (Warmly.) Well done, Doctor.
DOCTOR: Well done, Brigadier.
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Well hadn't you better close down the reactor?
DOCTOR: I can't.
(The smiles disappear from the faces of the BRIGADIER and LIZ.)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: You were surely bluffing?
DOCTOR: Well, I exaggerated a bit...but I had to push the reactor past the critical stage or they'd never have believed me.
We'd better get out of here at once.
(The DOCTOR stands.)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: We can't.
DOCTOR: Why not?
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: They've jammed the lift - there's no way out.
(The DOCTOR looks at him in stunned silence.)
22: INT. SILURIAN BASE. REVIVIFICATION AREA
(The reptiles have made it back to their base. The SILURIAN SCIENTIST stands over one of the revivification units, training his third eye on it. The unit glides across the room and under an overhanging panel. The wall hatch slides upwards and the YOUNG SILURIAN enters.)
SILURIAN SCIENTIST: The re-hibernation mechanism is defective. One of us must remain.
YOUNG SILURIAN: I am the leader - the responsibility is mine.
SILURIAN SCIENTIST: The one who remains here will die.
YOUNG SILURIAN: Is sufficient power stored in the hibernation unit?
SILURIAN SCIENTIST: Yes, I have set the controls to revive us in fifty years from now.
YOUNG SILURIAN: When our people revive, you will be the leader. See that the apes are destroyed.
23: INT. WENLEY MOOR ATOMIC RESEARCH CENTRE. CYCLOTRON ROOM
(The alarm continues to blare across the cyclotron room and two meters showing the wattage are still at a critical level. The DOCTOR lies face upwards under the upper level control desk, manipulating the wires underneath. LIZ looks at the dials and meters on the desk.)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Any good now?
LIZ: No, it's still not working.
DOCTOR: (Calmly.) Give me time, Liz, give me time.
(He cross-wires more of the machinery and plugs them together.)
DOCTOR: There we are - try that now.
LIZ: The mega-wattage is still rising.
(The DOCTOR gets up and looks over the controls, thinking furiously. Suddenly, he snaps his fingers.)
DOCTOR: Yes, I know. I'll try fusing the control of the neutron flow. Now stand well back and cover your eyes.
(The BRIGADIER and LIZ move to the back of the room and face the wall with their arms up in protection. The DOCTOR presses several controls and joins them. There is a tremendous expl*si*n from within the control desk and, simultaneously, the whirr of the reactor decreases and the alarm ceases.)
DOCTOR: Ha ha! Well, that seems to have done it.
(LIZ laughs.)
24: INT. SILURIAN BASE. LABORATORY
(The DOCTOR is back in his pot-holing gear and has re-entered the SILURIAN base. He cautiously enters the silent and deserted laboratory.
He makes his way through it...)
25: INT. SILURIAN BASE. REVIVIFICATION AREA
(...and into the equally silent and seemingly deserted revivification area. He starts to look over the machinery with interest when he hears a voice behind him.)
YOUNG SILURIAN: You are still alive?
(The YOUNG SILURIAN enters the area from the laboratory.)
YOUNG SILURIAN: You tricked us!
DOCTOR: I managed to close down the reactor.
YOUNG SILURIAN: Then the others must be revived at once. But first, I shall k*ll you!
(The YOUNG SILURIAN starts f*ring his third eye.)
26: INT. SILURIAN BASE. LABORATORY
(At the same time, the BRIGADIER who has surreptitiously followed the DOCTOR down to the base, runs forward...)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Doctor!
(...and starts f*ring his p*stol through the open doorway at the YOUNG SILURIAN...)
27: INT. SILURIAN BASE. REVIVIFICATION AREA
(...who staggers under the impact. The DOCTOR runs for cover behind the machinery...)
28: INT. SILURIAN BASE. LABORATORY
(...as the BRIGADIER fires b*llet after b*llet.)
29: INT. SILURIAN BASE. REVIVIFICATION AREA
(The YOUNG SILURIAN'S cries turn to groans as it sinks to the ground and then lies still. The DOCTOR comes out of hiding as the BRIGADIER walks forward, holstering his g*n.)
DOCTOR: Well done, Brigadier. Now then...
(He turns back to the machinery.)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: And just what do you think you're doing down here?
DOCTOR: I'm trying to find out how this hibernation unit works. I must know if we're gonna revive them again.
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: (Amazed.) Revive them?!
DOCTOR: Yes, not all at once you understand. Er, one at a time, so that we can reason with them. There's a wealth of scientific knowledge down here, Brigadier, and I can't wait to get started on it.
(He continues to look over the machinery as the BRIGADIER looks down at him through narrowed eyes.)
30: INT. WENLEY MOOR ATOMIC RESEARCH CENTRE. CYCLOTRON ROOM
(The Cyclotron Room seems to have undergone its repairs and is back to normal with all the technicians back at their posts. The DOCTOR is back in his normal clothes – including cloak – and he steps up into the upper level control room. LIZ, with her coat on, follows him. The BRIGADIER waits in the control room along with CORPORAL NUTTING and another UNIT soldier.)
DOCTOR: Yes, well everything seems to be working quite smoothly. I don't think they'll be any more trouble.
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Splendid.
DOCTOR: Now don't forget, Brigadier, nobody is to go into that Silurian base.
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Yes, Doctor.
DOCTOR: Miss Shaw and I will be back as soon as possible with some testing equipment and probably some other scientists.
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: (Hastily.) Good, good, well, have a good journey.
(The DOCTOR looks at him with some suspicion.)
DOCTOR: Yes... Don't forget, Brigadier - nobody is to go into that base - all right?
(He smiles.)
DOCTOR: I'll see you tomorrow.
LIZ: Goodbye.
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Goodbye, Miss Shaw.
(They head for the door which the UNIT soldier holds open for LIZ.)
LIZ: Thank you.
(After they have gone, there is a moment's silence.)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Corporal Nutting?
CORPORAL NUTTING: Sir?
(The CORPORAL steps forward.)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Everything set up?
CORPORAL NUTTING: Yes, sir.
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Give them time to get clear, and then set off those expl*sive charges. I want that Silurian base sealed permanently.
31: INT. SILURIAN BASE. REVIVIFICATION AREA
(Within the base, the YOUNG SILURIAN is not d*ad. It breathes heavily and stirs on the floor. Weakly, it crawls across to a resuscitation unit and, grasping to the unit for support, heaves itself to its feet. It fires its third eye at the unit but its own power is weak.)
32: EXT. WENLEY MOOR
(The DOCTOR'S new car has broken down. At an isolated spot on the lonely moor, he stands with the detachable bonnet in his hands and ponders the cause as LIZ looks on somewhat sardonically from the passenger seat.)
LIZ: Shall I walk back and get some help?
DOCTOR: No, no. No, it's just a minor technical fault. We'll soon put that right.
(He puts the bonnet back into place and unscrews the radiator cap. Whistling, he reaches into his pocket and pulls out a stoppered test tube containing a green liquid. He takes the top off and pours the liquid into the open cap. Smoke starts to come out. He puts the cap back on, checks his watch and listens as a bubbling noise comes from the car. Still checking the timings on his watch, he walks slowly down the length of the car, tracing out the progress of the liquid, up down and along with his right finger against where it should be within the machinery of the vehicle. LIZ watches with interest. He reaches the back of the car and, right on cue, the liquid comes out of the exhaust pipe and the car starts up.)
DOCTOR: There you are - that's fixed it.
(LIZ smiles as the DOCTOR returns to his seat. The peace of the moor is suddenly shattered by a huge expl*si*n.)
LIZ: What's that?
(She looks across the moorland as a massive fireball erupts from a cave mouth.)
33: INT. SILURIAN BASE. REVIVIFICATION AREA
(Inside the base, the YOUNG SILURIAN screams out as the expl*si*n tear into the infrastructure. It falls to the ground as smoke and flame fill the base.)
34: EXT. WENLEY MOOR
(More expl*si*n pour out of the cave mouth. The DOCTOR looks horrified.)
DOCTOR: The Brigadier - he's blown up the Silurian base.
LIZ: He must have had orders from the Ministry.
(The DOCTOR looks at her.)
DOCTOR: And you knew?
LIZ: (Sharply.) No! The government were frightened. They just couldn't take the risk.
DOCTOR: But that's m*rder. They were an intelligent alien beings. A whole race of them. He's just wiped them out.
(There is another expl*si*n.)
LIZ: (Sadly.) I know.
(The DOCTOR puts the car into gear. Another expl*si*n tears across the moorland and the DOCTOR looks up with anger on his face. In silence, he moves the car off as the fireball from the expl*si*n rises into the moorland sky...) | {"type": "series", "show": "Doctor Who", "episode": "07x11 - Doctor Who and the Silurians - part 7"} | foreverdreaming |
The Ambassadors of Death
Written by David Whitaker, Trevor Rayl and Malcolm Hulke
Episode 1
Original Air Date: 21 March, 1970
5:15pm - 5:40pm
1: INT. SPACE CONTROL. MAIN CONTROL ROOM
(An astronaut - Charles VAN LYDEN - appears on a large monitor screen. Wearing a ribbed beige space-suit, he is shown within a cramped space capsule. A man speaks to him in a strong French accent.)
TALTALIAN: And one degree. Are you reading?
VAN LYDEN: (On monitor.) I'm reading okay. One degree - now.
(VAN LYDEN is seen to flick a switch. There is a noise of course adjustment from the capsule which quickly dies down.)
VAN LYDEN: (On monitor.) Manoeuvre completed.
(VAL LYDEN is being closely watched by Professor RALPH CORNISH - a dark haired good-looking gently spoken man.)
RALPH CORNISH: You overshot, Charlie. Make a two second correction to port.
VAN LYDEN: (On monitor.) Two second correction to port - now.
(Once again, there is a noise of movement from the capsule.)
VAN LYDEN: (On monitor.) Error rectified.
RALPH CORNISH: You're doing fine, Charlie.
VAN LYDEN: (On monitor.) What is my distance from Mars Probe 7?
(CORNISH passes on the request to TALTALIAN...)
RALPH CORNISH: Distance computation, please?
TALTALIAN: Distance - five-eight-zero miles. Seven minutes, three seconds to objective.
VAN LYDEN: (On monitor.) Confirmed.
RALPH CORNISH: Charlie, how's it going?
VAN LYDEN: (On monitor.) No problem, everything's fine. No contact yet?
RALPH CORNISH: There's been no contact for seven months.
VAN LYDEN: (On monitor.) How do we know they're still alive?
RALPH CORNISH: They took off from Mars manually - they must have been alive then.
VAN LYDEN: (On monitor.) Something...took off from Mars.
2: INT. SPACE CONTROL. MAIN CONTROL ROOM
(The brightly-lit main control room, where RALPH CORNISH sits, is a large metallic structure with a geodesic roof design. The room is on two levels with various computer stations along the walls of the upper level manned by technicians. Part of the back wall is taken up by an elliptic radar screen. In the well of the room is CORNISH'S desk which faces the large monitor on which VAN LYDEN appears. Another desk sits at right angles to his and this is manned by MISS RUTHERFORD - a dark haired young lady in a white lab coat. BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART stands nearby observing operations as the Frenchman - Bruno TALTALIAN -
approaches CORNISH'S desk. TALTALIAN also wears a white lab coat, has glasses and sports a beard.)
TALTALIAN: How is it going?
(He looks towards the radar screen that shows two spots of light converging.)
RALPH CORNISH: They're closing. Charlie's a bit edgy.
TALTALIAN: Can you blame him? It is possible he has gone up to a rendezvous with a flying coffin.
(CORNISH gives him a hard look.)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: (To CORNISH.) Do you think they're d*ad?
RALPH CORNISH: In seven months space time, they could've fixed a defective radio.
TALTALIAN: If they are d*ad, it is going to turn public opinion against our space programme.
RALPH CORNISH: (Quietly sarcastic.) Frightened your computer grant might be cut, Bruno?
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: What are you going to tell the public?
RALPH CORNISH: That's...not my job.
(The man whose job it is, sits in a chair behind a glass screen which faces the control room. This part of the control room is a television studio and JOHN WAKEFIELD is presenting a live broadcast. A quietly but professionally spoken man, he presents a calm resume of events...)
JOHN WAKEFIELD: (To camera.) In a few minutes we shall know the answer to the question that has been occupying the minds of everyone here at Space control since Mars Probe 7 took off on its return journey from the red planet nearly eight months ago. What has happened to astronauts Frank Michaels and Joe Lefee? Communications remained perfect on the long outward journey to the red planet and throughout the difficult landing. For a full twelve hours they sent back pictures and reports from the surface of Mars. Both then seemed in perfect health...then silence.
3: INT. UNIT HQ. LABORATORY
(The broadcast is being picked up on a colour television in the DOCTOR'S new laboratory in UNIT HQ.)
JOHN WAKEFIELD: (On television.) The world assumed that disaster had overtaken the mission. But when all hope was gone, radio astronomers at Cambridge reported that Mars Probe 7 had blasted off and was heading back to Earth.
(The DOCTOR leans over and turns the sound down. He walks back into the centre of the room which is green in colour and seemingly part of an ornate building.
Racks and shelves of equipment line the walls and in the centre of the room, the console from the TARDIS sits incongruously. The DOCTOR walks round the console flicking switches and fails to see that LIZ is stood in the doorway.)
LIZ: (Amused.) What are you doing?
DOCTOR: Well, I'm trying to reactivate the TARDIS's Time Vector Generator.
(LIZ walks up to the console.)
LIZ: What's that supposed to do?
DOCTOR: Well, it could sent you into the future if it starts working again. Particularly if you're standing there.
(He indicates where LIZ is standing.)
LIZ: (Laughs.) Come on now Doctor...
(There is a brief burst of the TARDIS dematerialisation noise and LIZ suddenly vanishes.)
DOCTOR: Liz! Good grief!
(He rushes to where she was standing and flicks switches. There is another brief burst of the TARDIS dematerialisation noise and the DOCTOR vanishes. Almost immediately LIZ reappears. She reacts as if she was never the one who vanished, but the DOCTOR was.)
LIZ: Doctor? W...w...where are you? Doctor?
(She crosses to the original spot on which the DOCTOR was stood and almost immediately vanishes. The DOCTOR then reappears, looks quickly round, presses more switches and causes LIZ to reappear.)
DOCTOR: Oh there you are!
LIZ: Well, w...w...what happened?
DOCTOR: Well, we both got caught in the time warp field and were projected into the future.
LIZ: (Amazed.) Into the future?
DOCTOR: Yes...
(He checks his wristwatch.)
DOCTOR: But, er, only about fifteen seconds.
LIZ: But I haven't been anywhere - you vanished.
DOCTOR: No, no, no - you vanished first - I only seemed to have vanished because you went into the future - and I wasn't there yet.
LIZ: (Quietly unconvinced.) Yes...
DOCTOR: Yes...
(The DOCTOR flicks a switch and LIZ anxiously grabs at the console.)
DOCTOR: Mmm, wretched thing seems to have packed up again. Still, we're on the right lines.
LIZ: Doctor, I still don't understand!
DOCTOR: Look...good gracious!
(He suddenly notices something on the TV screen and crosses over to it. LIZ follows.)
DOCTOR: Lethbridge Stewart! - What on earth's he doing at Space Control?
LIZ: Well, something's happened to the Mars Probe.
(The television shows CORNISH and MISS RUTHERFORD sat at their desks with the BRIGADIER stood over them.)
DOCTOR: Oh, and the Brigadier thinks it's his business? Oh well, I suppose he's got to do something to occupy his mind now that he's blown up the Silurians.
(LIZ gives him an impatient look and turns up the sound.)
JOHN WAKEFIELD: (OOV: Television commentary.) You can see from the radar screen - er, that's the screen just to the left of Professor Cornish there - that Mars Probe 7 and Recovery 7 are on convergence. This is a tricky moment for controller Ralph Cornish and his team.
(The picture changes to that of WAKEFIELD.)
JOHN WAKEFIELD: (On television.) The two craft will be linking up in a moment or two...
4: INT. SPACE CONTROL. MAIN CONTROL ROOM
JOHN WAKEFIELD: (To camera.) ...and then we shall know the answer to the mystery that has baffled the world's scientists for seven months.
(In the main body of the control room, CORNISH operates a control and VAN LYDEN appears on the main monitor screen.)
RALPH CORNISH: Charlie, do you have visual contact with the capsule yet?
VAN LYDEN: (On monitor.) Not yet. Erm, I'm changing attitude of capsule.
(The image swings round until it is almost upside down.)
VAN LYDEN: (On monitor.) I can see it, I'm up alongside.
RALPH CORNISH: Well done, Charlie. Everything looks good.
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Ask him if it's definitely Mars Probe 7.
RALPH CORNISH: (Scoffs.) What?!
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: (Insistent.) Ask him.
RALPH CORNISH: Charlie, can you give us definite identification...it is Mars Probe 7?
VAN LYDEN: (On monitor.) No doubt about it - I can see the markings.
RALPH CORNISH: Fine. Do you hear anything from them?
VAN LYDEN: (On monitor.) Still nothing.
RALPH CORNISH: Try to contact once more before link-up.
VAN LYDEN: (On monitor.) Okay.
RALPH CORNISH: (To the BRIGADIER.) Maybe their...transmitter's too weak to reach us down here.
VAN LYDEN: (On monitor.) Recovery 7 to Mars Probe. Do you read me? I'm about to initiate Link-up. Do you read me? (To CORNISH.) Nothing Ralph. I'm going to rotate for link up - now.
RALPH CORNISH: All right, Charlie - go ahead.
5: SPACE
(The red cone of Recovery 7 moves closer to the white colour Mars Probe 7.)
6: INT. RECOVERY 7
(VAN LYDEN speaks into his microphone.)
VAN LYDEN: Buffeting slightly. f*ring port retro jets to compensate.
(He presses a switch and there is a hissing sound as the jet's f*re.)
VAN LYDEN: Moving in for link-up - now.
7: SPACE
(Recovery 7 bears down on Mars Probe 7. The two nose cones come closer and closer and then the two craft link.)
8: INT. RECOVERY 7
VAN LYDEN: I have link-up.
RALPH CORNISH: (Over communicator.) Well done, Charlie. Everything looks fine.
VAN LYDEN: Activating locking clamps - now.
9: INT. UNIT HQ. LABORATORY
(The DOCTOR is sitting intently watching the screen. LIZ walks over with a mug of coffee.)
JOHN WAKEFIELD: (OOV: Television commentary.) Well, as you've just heard Van Lyden has succeeded in achieving link-up. A beautifully smooth...
(LIZ has to taps the DOCTOR'S shoulder for him to realise she is holding out the coffee. He takes it.)
LIZ: I thought you weren't interested?
JOHN WAKEFIELD: (OOV: Television commentary.) ...controlled operation in rather difficult circumstances.
DOCTOR: Well, they've just linked up.
LIZ: Anything from the Mars Probe?
JOHN WAKEFIELD: (OOV: Television commentary.) The capsules were buffeting slightly just beforehand...
DOCTOR: No - not a sound.
JOHN WAKEFIELD: (OOV: Television commentary.) ...however Van Lyden made it safely.
(The DOCTOR, not thinking, hands the coffee back, untouched. LIZ is now herself engrossed in the television broadcast.)
LIZ: Thanks.
JOHN WAKEFIELD: (OOV: Television commentary.) This must be a moment...
10: SPACE
(The two craft remain locked.)
11: INT. SPACE CONTROL. MAIN CONTROL ROOM
RALPH CORNISH: All right Charlie, talk us through.
VAN LYDEN: (On monitor.) Injecting air into tunnel - now.
12: INT. RECOVERY 7
(VAN LYDEN stands before a control panel.)
VAN LYDEN: Air injected into tunnel.
RALPH CORNISH: (Over communicator.) Is air holding?
VAN LYDEN: Air pressure in tunnel okay - am moving to locking clamps.
(VAN LYDEN ducks down and - upside down - floats towards the exit port. This is circular with four clamps.)
VAN LYDEN: Releasing...first clamp.
(He turns a handle.)
VAN LYDEN: First clamp away. Second clamp...
(He starts turning it.)
VAN LYDEN: I can hear something...
13: INT. SPACE CONTROL. MAIN CONTROL ROOM
RALPH CORNISH: (Calmly.) What is it Charlie? What do you hear?
14: INT. RECOVERY 7
VAN LYDEN: I think they're opening their hatch. Yes, it's them!
15: INT. SPACE CONTROL. MAIN CONTROL ROOM
(The BRIGADIER and TALTALIAN look at each other in suppressed excitement. CORNISH remains absolutely calm.)
VAN LYDEN: (On monitor.) Second clamp away.
16: INT. RECOVERY 7
(VAN LYDEN completes the opening manoeuvres.)
VAN LYDEN: Third clamp... fourth...opening hatch.
(He turns a central locking wheel and pushes the hatch open. He floats through the door. Immediately there is an oscillating sound reverberating throughout the tunnel. VAN LYDEN'S face contorts with pain...)
17: INT. SPACE CONTROL. MAIN CONTROL ROOM
(...as do the people in Space Control who clamp their hands to their ears. The sound stops. CORNISH recovers...)
RALPH CORNISH: (Into microphone.) Charlie what's happened?
(The "over" beep sounds but there is no reply.)
RALPH CORNISH: (Into microphone.) Control to Recovery 7 - do you read me?
(Another beep...)
RALPH CORNISH: (Into microphone.) Control to Recovery 7 - do you read me?
(and another...)
18: INT. UNIT HQ. LABORATORY
(The DOCTOR is staring transfixed at the television.)
LIZ: Doctor, what's the matter? What is it?
DOCTOR: That sound - I've heard it somewhere before.
LIZ: When?
(The DOCTOR thinks and slaps his knee in angry frustration.)
DOCTOR: That's just it - I can't remember!
(He gets to his feet and starts pacing the lab.)
LIZ: What do you mean - can't remember?
DOCTOR: Don't you understand? It's all up here in my mind. The information's here, but I can't reach it! We'd better go there.
(He starts heading for the door.)
LIZ: Where?
DOCTOR: The Space Centre - it's not far.
(He walks out. LIZ runs after him.)
19: INT. SPACE CONTROL. MAIN CONTROL ROOM
(MISS RUTHERFORD walks up to CORNISH'S desk with a clipboard. The controller is still at the microphone.)
RALPH CORNISH: (Into microphone.) Control to Recovery 7 - do you read me?
(The "over" beep sounds again but still there is no reply.)
MISS RUTHERFORD: They've run a complete check on all our circuits. There's no trouble this end.
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Can you send up another recovery capsule to investigate?
RALPH CORNISH: Not immediately. (Into microphone.) Control to Recovery 7, do you read me?
(At the back of the room, an impatient TALTALIAN is being interviewed by WAKEFIELD on television.)
JOHN WAKEFIELD: Doctor Taltalian, do you have any explanation for that sound we just heard?
TALTALIAN: At the moment - no. There is a possibility that it was some kind of static.
JOHN WAKEFIELD: Have you ever heard static like that before?
TALTALIAN: In space research, one is constantly encountering new and unexpected factors.
(He tries to walk away but WAKEFIELD is quietly persistent.)
JOHN WAKEFIELD: But will you confirm that all radio contact has been lost with the recovery capsule?
TALTALIAN: For the time being yes, but temporary loss of communication is not unusual - for instance when the capsules go behind the moon...
JOHN WAKEFIELD: (Interrupts.) But those two capsules are not behind the moon?
TALTALIAN: (Angrily.) You can rest assured that everything possible is being done! Now, if you will excuse me...
(He storms off. WAKEFIELD turns to the camera.)
JOHN WAKEFIELD: (To camera.) Well, as you see, there appears to be no apparent explanation for the sudden breakdown in communication and until the situation becomes clearer, the world must wait and hope...
20: EXT. SPACE CENTRE ENTRANCE
(The entrance to the Space Centre is a large concrete tunnel leading into a chalk hillside. Signs state that is a restricted area. A VIP's staff car pulls up to the checkpoint and is cleared through the barrier arm. Just before the arm comes down, Bessie zips underneath to the consternation of a security guard.)
21: INT. SPACE CONTROL. MAIN CONTROL ROOM
RALPH CORNISH: (Into microphone.) Control to Recovery 7, do you read me?
(The BRIGADIER looks at the radar screen.)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Are they still holding the same position?
MISS RUTHERFORD: Yes, they've kept on orbit.
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Have you any idea what might have happened to Recovery 7?
RALPH CORNISH: (Into microphone.) Control to Recovery 7, do you read me?
(MISS RUTHERFORD walks round and talks to the BRIGADIER.)
MISS RUTHERFORD: It could have been an excess of electricity in the Mars Probe solar batteries. If Lefee and Michaels died on takeoff from Mars, there's have been no-one to control the power build-up in the solar batteries.
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: And that would've affected Recovery...on link-up?
MISS RUTHERFORD: When the Capsules were joined the electric circuits linked automatically. Excess electricity in one could have blown all the circuits of the other.
(In the background, CORNISH continues his quiet efforts to contact the capsule.)
RALPH CORNISH: (Into microphone.) Control to Recovery 7, do you read me?
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Would that have k*lled the man in the Recovery capsule?
MISS RUTHERFORD: Not necessarily - he might still be able to unlink and bring himself back, but without communications.
(She walks off. At the back of the room next to the radar screen, a lift platform comes up. It carries the DOCTOR and LIZ. The DOCTOR shouts down the lift shaft.)
DOCTOR: My dear fellow, I simply don't happen to have a pass! (He listens.) Because I don't believe in them that's why!
(Two soldiers run forward and one grabs him. CORNISH looks round at the intrusion.)
DOCTOR: Take your hands off me, sir!
(He sees the BRIGADIER.)
DOCTOR: Ah, there you are.
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: (To the soldier.) It's all right. I can vouch for these people.
(The DOCTOR and LIZ start to walk down into the well of the room.)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Doctor, what are you doing here?
DOCTOR: That sound - have you heard it again?
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: No.
DOCTOR: You will.
LIZ: He says it's some kind of a message.
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Well, who from?
(The DOCTOR walks up to CORNISH'S desk.)
DOCTOR: Have you got a recording of that message?
RALPH CORNISH: I've no time to talk to the Press.
DOCTOR: Quite right, neither have I. Now that sound - have you got a recording of it?
RALPH CORNISH: Everything here is recorded.
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Now, Doctor, everyone here's got a great deal to do.
DOCTOR: No, they haven't - there's nothing anybody can do for the time being.
RALPH CORNISH: Brigadier, who is this?
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: He's one of my associates.
RALPH CORNISH: Will you kindly get "one of your associates" out of here?
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Come along Doctor...
(He tries to pull him away but the DOCTOR shakes him off.)
DOCTOR: (To CORNISH.) Now you listen to me - that sound was some kind of a message - and it's going to be repeated.
RALPH CORNISH: (To the BRIGADIER: Calmly.) Will you please get this man out of here? We're trying to save the lives of three astronauts.
DOCTOR: Nonsense man, you're doing nothing of the sort! There's nothing you can possibly do...
(Suddenly the oscillating "message" is repeated. Again, everyone in the room clutches their ears in agony except for the DOCTOR who closes his eyes and frowns in concentration. The sound quickly stops.)
DOCTOR: (To himself.) High frequency accelerated impulses... (To CORNISH.) Now then, I shall need multi copies of that recording, unlimited computer time and somewhere to work. (To LIZ.) Miss Shaw I shall need your help...
RALPH CORNISH: How did you know that sound was going to be repeated?
DOCTOR: By exercising my intelligence. Now, since we didn't reply, the message would obviously be repeated. Now, we've got to break down that code and answer them.
RALPH CORNISH: Answer who?
(The DOCTOR turns to the BRIGADIER.)
DOCTOR: The man's a fool! (To CORNISH.) How can I possibly tell who the message is from until I know what it says? Let me explain this in very simple terms...
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: (To CORNISH.) Er, he is trying to help you know - you might find him quite useful.
DOCTOR: "Might" find me useful?
(The BRIGADIER pulls the DOCTOR out of earshot.)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: I mean you could help Professor Cornish. He is in charge here.
DOCTOR: (Mollified.) Yes...yes, of course.
(He goes back to CORNISH.)
DOCTOR: Erm, look, my dear fella, do please forgive this intrusion. But you really must let me decode those messages - it could prove of vital importance to the safety of your astronauts.
RALPH CORNISH: I suppose we must try everything...but how you can be so sure?
(Another high frequency impulses rip through the Centre but this one is slightly different in tone to the previous two. Again, all but the DOCTOR cover their ears in pain. The sound stops.)
RALPH CORNISH: (To the DOCTOR.) It seems you're right. I'll see about that computer.
DOCTOR: (Quietly.) No, not now...
RALPH CORNISH: Do you want to crack the code - send a reply?
DOCTOR: That was the reply. (To the BRIGADIER.) Brigadier, I shall need worldwide triangulation immediately.
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: But we know where the transmissions were coming from - the capsule in orbit.
DOCTOR: The first one's - yes, but not that last one. That was completely different. Now we've got to find out where that was coming from.
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: I'll get on to it.
(He walks off.)
RALPH CORNISH: But aren't we too late now?
DOCTOR: The message was repeated - perhaps the reply will be.
(The DOCTOR sits in MISS RUTHERFORD'S vacant chair.)
DOCTOR: All we can do now...is wait.
22: SPACE
(The two joined capsules hang in space...)
JOHN WAKEFIELD: (OOV: Television commentary) The mystery of Mars Probe 7 has deepened. Seven and a half months of total silence and now these strange transmissions for which scientists here have no explanation...
23: INT. SPACE CONTROL. MAIN CONTROL ROOM
JOHN WAKEFIELD: (To camera.) One theory is that it may be some kind of distress signal.
(LIZ walks up to where the DOCTOR and the BRIGADIER stand before an illuminated wall map of the world that is projected onto the back wall to the right of the lift platform.)
JOHN WAKEFIELD: (OOV: Television commentary) As it is now some hours since the last signal, it's difficult to see what can be done, short of sending up another recovery craft.
(The BRIGADIER marks off points on the map...)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: That's...Haystack...
(...as the DOCTOR reads off the places from a clipboard.)
DOCTOR: And Algonquin.
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Algonquin.
DOCTOR: Arapheba.
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Arapheba.
DOCTOR: Cambridge.
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Cambridge.
(In the well of the room, TALTALIAN approaches CORNISH at his desk.)
TALTALIAN: I have computerised the factors involved in sending up a second recovery capsule.
RALPH CORNISH: What's the minimum time for blast off?
TALTALIAN: Ten days.
RALPH CORNISH: That's impossible.
(Up by the map.)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Vorograd.
(He marks the spot as LIZ passes the DOCTOR a memo.)
LIZ: Tokyo's just promised full co-operation.
DOCTOR: Oh, that's good.
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Tokyo. Right, that about covers the lot.
DOCTOR: Well, if it's from Earth, this could give us the country, but that's not accurate enough - we must pinpoint the exact location.
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Well, we've got every national radio service standing by with monitors. Wherever that signal's coming from, we'll find it.
(Back at CORNISH'S desk, TALTALIAN is getting angry...)
TALTALIAN: Recovery 8 was not scheduled for lift off until three months from now!
RALPH CORNISH: They'll have to speed it up.
TALTALIAN: You know they've got problems with the new fuel injection system.
(Before he can say anything else, the reply is repeated. Again, they hold their ears in agony.)
24: EXT. TRACKING STATIONS
(Around the world, satellite tracking dishes swing into action.)
25: INT. SPACE CONTROL. MAIN CONTROL ROOM
(LIZ is on the phone...)
LIZ: (Into phone.) From where? Nancy!...oui...
DOCTOR: (To the BRIGADIER.) Something coming through.
LIZ: (Into phone.) Oui...merci.
(She hangs up, makes a note and hands it to the BRIGADIER.)
LIZ: From France.
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Right.
(He marks the map. From several points across the world, illuminated lines converge on Britain.)
DOCTOR: Yes - London.
(Meanwhile CORNISH continues his conversation with TALTALIAN.)
RALPH CORNISH: Can't the Americans do something?
TALTALIAN: I have checked. I have no capsule in go condition anywhere.
(The BRIGADIER makes a phone call behind them. Back on the upper level, the DOCTOR fiddles with the equipment that projects the wall map. The map of the world is replaced by several star and moon maps. He shouts down to CORNISH.)
DOCTOR: Can I get a map of London on this thing?
RALPH CORNISH: A what?
DOCTOR: A map of London - it's very important.
RALPH CORNISH: (With patience.) That machine will give you surface maps of every surveyed planet...but a map of London - no.
DOCTOR: Useless gadgets.
(He starts to walk off. The BRIGADIER shouts out from his phone call.)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Doctor, never mind the map. (Into phone.) Yes...yes fine... yes, thank you, goodbye.
(He puts the phone down.)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: (To the DOCTOR.) My people have just done a local triangulation.
DOCTOR: What's the exact location?
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: An abandoned warehouse - seven miles from here.
26: EXT. FACTORY COMPLEX
(The warehouse - part of a disused factory complex - is not just abandoned but somewhat derelict...)
27: INT. WAREHOUSE. OFFICE
(In a nearly empty office, two men sit over a transmitter. Both wear smart suits. One of them - CARRINGTON - speaks to the other man - GREY - who wears a set of headphones.)
CARRINGTON: Run the message again - all the power you've got this time.
GREY: Full power, sir?
CARRINGTON: Have to risk it.
GREY: Right, sir.
(GREY gets up and walks over to a piece of machinery as CARRINGTON puts one of the headphones to his ear.)
28: EXT. FACTORY COMPLEX
(Outside, the peace and calm of the area is disturbed as a convoy of UNIT jeeps arrives. The BRIGADIER sits in the front passenger seat of the lead jeep. The convoy pulls up in front of the main building. The BRIGADIER gets out and starts shouting orders as the troops jump out of their jeeps.)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Out! A Section here, B section there, C section there!
(The armed soldiers obey orders and they start to enter the warehouse.)
29: INT. WAREHOUSE. OFFICE
(CARRINGTON is still listening through one of the headphones.)
CARRINGTON: That's enough.
(GREY switches the machinery off and sits back next to CARRINGTON, donning the headphones.)
GREY: Do you think anyone's monitoring us, sir?
CARRINGTON: Sure to be. Finding us is another matter.
(The door to the office opens and a third man enters.)
COLLINSON: Sir - UNIT's outside.
CARRINGTON: That's very efficient of them. Keep them off as long as you can.
COLLINSON: Yes sir.
CARRINGTON: Don't k*ll anyone unless absolutely necessary.
(COLLINSON takes a g*n out of his coat pocket and leaves the room.)
30: INT. WAREHOUSE
(COLLINSON and other men dressed in an assemblage of casual clothing run down an empty corridor and take up positions. They are all armed. They wait as the UNIT troops come into view running between empty packing cases and other abandoned articles. A sh*t rings out.)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Take cover!
(The UNIT troops dive for safety behind the packing cases.)
31: INT. WAREHOUSE. OFFICE
CARRINGTON: Send the final transmission.
GREY: Have we time, sir?
CARRINGTON: The sergeant will hold them off.
GREY: Right, sir.
(GREY turns a dial on the transmitter...)
32: INT. WAREHOUSE
(COLLINSON fires his p*stol and a UNIT soldier falls back with a cry. COLLINSON nods at some of his men to move forward and they do so. A few remain with him. A pitched battle breaks out between the opposing sides with the opponents rising up from places of concealment behind packing cases, f*ring and ducking for cover again. One UNIT soldier tries to break cover and head for the passageway leading to where the transmitter is but COLLINSON sh**t him. He falls back into a pile of wooden crates. One of COLLINSON'S men fires his p*stol and the hand of another UNIT soldier and blasts his r*fle away. The BRIGADIER is among those who rise up and f*re. COLLINSON runs to where a group of his men are behind a pile of cases. He then leads a charge against the UNIT troops. The BRIGADIER likewise leads a charge over the UNIT barricade. Hand-to-hand combat then breaks out with casualties on both sides. The BRIGADIER fires and then waves his men on...)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Follow!
(Further f*ring takes place from behind cases and a metal staircase. A sh*t narrowly misses the BRIGADIER and plows into the wall behind him. The BRIGADIER sh**t down a man on a walkway and continues to f*re at the defenders as further fights break out - one UNIT troop receiving several punches to the face until he falls to the floor. As there are further one-to-one fights, COLLINSON tries to make a run for it.)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: You can stop right there!
(COLLINSON does so. He turns round with his g*n pointed at the BRIGADIER who similarly aims at him. The two men stare each other out.)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Better put it down...
(Behind them, a wounded UNIT trooper starts to struggle up.)
COLLINSON: You're...probably right.
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: You k*ll me, my men k*ll you. Pointless really.
(The UNIT soldier gets up and grabs a lifting hoist suspended from the ceiling on a chain.)
COLLINSON: Since you put it...like that.
(The soldier pulls back the hoist.)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Right - now!
(COLLINSON turns, sees the hoist rushing towards him and runs for the BRIGADIER who he pushes out of the way. He falls to the ground, dropping his g*n in the process. COLLINSON runs up a flight of steps, stops and points his g*n at the BRIGADIER who gets back to his feet. COLLINSON smiles and tightens his finger on the trigger. Inexplicably, he then drops the g*n and holds up his hands in surrender.)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Take him.
(Two UNIT soldiers step forward with r*fles raised and lead him away. The BRIGADIER picks up his p*stol and UNIT troops lead the other surrender defendants and their wounded out of the warehouse.)
33: INT. WAREHOUSE. OFFICE
(CARRINGTON bolts the door which leads from the office into the passage.)
CARRINGTON: Trigger the self-destructor.
GREY: Right sir.
(GREY turns a dial marked "time set" on a small black, that sits on top of the radio, into the red zone.)
CARRINGTON: Out you go.
GREY: Yes sir...
(GREY goes to the window and pushes the sash up. He starts to climb out.)
GREY: Sir?
CARRINGTON: Coming...
(CARRINGTON gets a g*n out of his jacket pocket as footsteps are heard in the passageway.)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: (OOV: In passage.) All right, open up!
(CARRINGTON fires three sh*ts at the floor to keep the UNIT troops back, then climbs out of the window after GREY f*ring two more sh*ts as he goes. The BRIGADIER pushes the door open and enters with two troops. They fail to see the significance of the black box and as they look over the office, there is an expl*si*n which throws them to the floor.)
34: INT. SPACE CONTROL. MAIN CONTROL ROOM
(The DOCTOR storms into the control room with LIZ in tow. He goes up to CORNISH'S desk.)
DOCTOR: Look, if I'm to help you people, I need full co-operation.
(CORNISH is a calm as ever.)
RALPH CORNISH: What's the trouble?
DOCTOR: I specified the need for computer time. If I'm to decode those messages, I need a computer.
RALPH CORNISH: Go and see Doctor Taltalian - that's his department.
DOCTOR: Yes, so he's just informed me. But he's being totally non-co-operative.
RALPH CORNISH: I'll talk to him.
(CORNISH presses a button and a flat monitor screen rises up out of his desk. TALTALIAN appears on it.)
RALPH CORNISH: (To TALTALIAN.) I told you to give the Doctor full cooperation - see that he gets it.
TALTALIAN: (On monitor.) Yes, of course I will.
RALPH CORNISH: (To the DOCTOR.) Satisfied?
(The screen recedes back into the desk.)
RALPH CORNISH: Now...if you'll excuse me?
DOCTOR: Yes...
(The DOCTOR turns and leaves as MISS RUTHERFORD puts her phone down and speaks to CORNISH.)
MISS RUTHERFORD: Houston have just called in. They can't raise them either.
RALPH CORNISH: Well, that's the least of our worries now. Athens have reported a solar flare build-up - a big one.
MISS RUTHERFORD: Well, when do they expect it?
RALPH CORNISH: Anytime within the next twenty-four hours.
MISS RUTHERFORD: But, they'll never survive a solar flare radiation! You'll have to bring them down on remote control.
RALPH CORNISH: They're locked on manual, there's nothing we can do.
(He speaks into the microphone.)
RALPH CORNISH: Space control to Recovery 7, do you read me?
(There is a beep but no reply.)
RALPH CORNISH: Space Control to Recovery 7, do you read me?
(Another beep.)
RALPH CORNISH: Athens has reported a dangerous solar flare build-up. It is imperative you unlock manual control so that we can bring you down.
35: SPACE
(Aboard the craft...)
36: INT. RECOVERY 7
(...CORNISH'S voice comes over a speaker in the empty cabin.)
RALPH CORNISH: (OOV: Over tannoy.) I repeat: we have a message from Athens Observatory. There is a massive solar flare building up. The flare is expected any time within the next twenty-four hours.
(CORNISH speaks calmly and quietly...)
RALPH CORNISH: (OOV: Over tannoy.) Space Control to Recovery 7, do you read me?
(...then his voice gets more desperate...)
RALPH CORNISH: (OOV: Over tannoy.) Space Control to Recovery 7, do you read me?
37: INT. SPACE CONTROL. CORRIDOR
(The DOCTOR and LIZ round a corner in the corridor. The DOCTOR carries a computer tape.)
DOCTOR: Let's see what he's got to say for himself this time.
(They go through a door marked "COMPUTER ROOM".)
38: INT. SPACE CONTROL. COMPUTER ROOM
(They fail to see TALTALIAN stood behind the door. They walk into the body of the room and TALTALIAN slams the door shut. They spin round as the scientist pulls out a p*stol and aims it at them...) | {"type": "series", "show": "Doctor Who", "episode": "07x12 - The Ambassadors of Death - part 1"} | foreverdreaming |
The Ambassadors of Death
Written by David Whitaker, Trevor Rayl and Malcolm Hulke
Episode 2
Original Air Date: 28 March, 1970
5:15pm - 5:40pm
The Ambassadors of Death
Written by David Whitaker, Trevor Rayl and Malcolm Hulke
1: INT. SPACE CONTROL. CORRIDOR
(The DOCTOR and LIZ round a corner in the corridor. The DOCTOR carries a computer tape.)
DOCTOR: Let's see what he's got to say for himself this time.
(They go through a door marked "COMPUTER ROOM".)
2: INT. SPACE CONTROL. COMPUTER ROOM
(They fail to see TALTALIAN stood behind the door. They walk into the body of the room and TALTALIAN slams the door shut. They spin round as the scientist pulls out a p*stol and aims it at them...)
3: INT. SPACE CONTROL. COMPUTER ROOM
TALTALIAN: I want that tape.
(The DOCTOR doesn't answer immediately but walks a couple of paces, staring intently at TALTALIAN.)
DOCTOR: Do you realise the importance of it?
TALTALIAN: Rather more than you, Doctor.
DOCTOR: So, you understood the message?
TALTALIAN: Hand it over.
DOCTOR: What are you going to do with it?
TALTALIAN: Doctor! Give me that tape!
(The DOCTOR looks at LIZ, then.)
DOCTOR: Since you insist...
(He holds out the tape. TALTALIAN reaches out for it but before he can take it from the DOCTOR'S hand, it vanishes into thin air.)
TALTALIAN: This is no time for conjuring tricks. (Shouts.) Put up your hands - up!
(The DOCTOR does so and TALTALIAN goes over and searches through his pockets but with no success.)
TALTALIAN: Where is that tape?
LIZ: P...perhaps he sent it into the future?
TALTALIAN: Doctor, are you trying to force me to sh**t you?
(The door to the room suddenly opens and the BRIGADIER walks in.)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Doctor I think you...
(TALTALIAN jumps back and points the g*n at the BRIGADIER.)
DOCTOR: Careful Brigadier! He's frightened.
TALTALIAN: (To LIZ.) You! Over here! Come here!
(LIZ does as she is told. TALTALIAN grabs her arm and twists her round so that he is behind her.)
LIZ: No!
TALTALIAN: Be quiet!
LIZ: You're hurting...
(TALTALIAN backs up to the door with LIZ in front of him as a shield.)
TALTALIAN: Don't try to follow me...
(At the doorway, he pushes LIZ to the floor, runs through the door and slams it shut behind him. The DOCTOR bends down to help LIZ.)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: I'll go after him...
DOCTOR: Yes.
(The BRIGADIER runs out.)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Guards!
(The DOCTOR helps LIZ to her feet.)
DOCTOR: Are you all right?
LIZ: ... Taltalian?
DOCTOR: I think we can safely leave him to the Brigadier and his men.
LIZ: What did you do with the tape?
DOCTOR: What?
LIZ: The tape!
DOCTOR: Oh, the tape.
LIZ: Yeah.
DOCTOR: Well, here it is here
(He holds out his hand and the tape reappears as quickly as it vanished.)
LIZ: (Puzzled.) You...didn't send it into the future, did you?
DOCTOR: No, no, no. No, that was simply transmigration of object. There's a great deal of difference between that and pure science, you know!
(They laugh.)
DOCTOR: Now then, what about decoding this tape? Let me see now.
(He looks round at the equipment. LIZ looks over to one particular unit.)
LIZ: Well, that'll be the Analogue digital converter.
DOCTOR: Yes, yeah, that's just what I was looking for.
(They go over to it. LIZ pulls back the glass hood on the machine.)
LIZ: Let me.
DOCTOR: Oh, thank you.
(He passes her the tape. The BRIGADIER walks in and puts his g*n away.)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Got away. This place is like a rabbit warren - I've set up a search.
DOCTOR: Er, Brigadier, what did you find at the warehouse?
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: A transmitter.
DOCTOR: And?
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: We took several prisoners. One of them knows a great deal more than he's saying.
DOCTOR: Well, I'd like to have a talk with him.
4: INT. UNIT HQ. CELL
(COLLINSON lies back on a bunk in the cell. The door opens and CORPORAL CHAMPION lets the DOCTOR and BRIGADIER in.)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: All right, Corporal.
CORPORAL CHAMPION: Sir.
(The CORPORAL closes the door.)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: (To COLLINSON.) Well, have you decided to talk yet?
(COLLINSON shrugs but remains silent.)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Why didn't you sh**t me when you had the chance?
DOCTOR: (Gently.) Why don't you sit down, old chap?
(COLLINSON frowns but takes up the offer and sits at the table.)
DOCTOR: Now, you were under orders not to harm the Brigadier, weren't you? Who gave you those orders?
COLLINSON: I can't answer any questions.
DOCTOR: (To the BRIGADIER.) Anything found on him?
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: No, his pockets were empty.
DOCTOR: Clothes?
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: The sort of thing you can buy anywhere - but all the labels were cut out.
DOCTOR: (To COLLINSON.) Mmm, you've been very thorough, haven't you?
(COLLINSON smiles.)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: You're in very serious trouble, you know? I can hold you here on security charges for a very long time.
DOCTOR: Don't you realise that the men you are working with were seriously interfering with our space project, and thereby endangering the lives of three astronauts.
(COLLINSON remains silent. The BRIGADIER loses his temper.)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Look, I want answers from you, and I'm going to get them!
DOCTOR: (Gently.) Brigadier, you're wasting your time.
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: This man knows something.
DOCTOR: Yes, I know, but he's not going to tell us - and I think we've got more important things to do, mm?
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: (Reluctantly.) All right.
(He goes to the door.)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Corporal?
(CORPORAL CHAMPION opens the door. They start to walk out, but on the threshold, the DOCTOR turns back into the cell. The BRIGADIER follows.)
DOCTOR: Looking after you all right, are they? Had a cup of tea?
COLLINSON: (Smiles.) Yes, thanks.
DOCTOR: That's good...
(He smiles but suddenly barks out an order in the manner of a military man.)
DOCTOR: Stand to attention when you're talking to me and call me sir!
(COLLINSON leaps to his feet and stands ramrod straight.)
COLLINSON: Sir!
DOCTOR: Mmm, just as I thought - Sergeant aren't you?
(COLLINSON sits down, somewhat dejected. An amazed BRIGADIER walks forward.)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: A soldier! Are you a deserter?
DOCTOR: No, no, he's acting under orders.
(CHAMPION enters the cell.)
CORPORAL CHAMPION: Sir, this just came.
(He hands a note to the BRIGADIER.)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Oh, thank you.
(He reads the note.)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Doctor!
5: INT. SPACE CONTROL. MAIN CONTROL ROOM
(JOHN WAKEFIELD makes another television report...)
JOHN WAKEFIELD: There has been another extraordinary development in the mystery of Mars Probe 7. The two space capsules, Mars Probe 7 and Recovery 7, which have been locked together in radio silence, have now separated. But there is still no communication from Charles Van Lyden nor from astronauts Michaels and Lefee.
(Meanwhile, the DOCTOR and the BRIGADIER walk back into the control room and up to CORNISH.)
DOCTOR: Still no word from them?
RALPH CORNISH: Nothing. (Into microphone.) Space control to Recovery 7, do you read me?
(There is a beep but, as always, no reply.)
CONTROL ROOM ASSISTANT: (Over tannoy.) Tracking report: Capsules now approximately seven miles apart.
MISS RUTHERFORD: Eleven minutes from scheduled re-entry burn.
RALPH CORNISH: I wish I had your confidence.
CONTROL ROOM ASSISTANT: (Over tannoy.) Tracking report: Distance between capsule widening - nine miles...thirteen miles...twenty-five miles.
MISS RUTHERFORD: It's started!
(CORNISH shows some emotion for once and rushes over to the read-outs on MISS RUTHERFORD'S desk.)
RALPH CORNISH: Ten minutes too soon. What's he think he's doing?
DOCTOR: (To the BRIGADIER.) Well, that's it for an hour. I'd better go and see how Liz is getting on with the decoding.
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Don't you want to see what happens?
DOCTOR: No, no. No if they're going to attempt a re-entry they must make at least one Earth's orbit. I'll be back in time for re-entry. Are you coming?
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: No, I'll run a security trace on our prisoner.
(The radar screen shows the two points of light diverging.)
CONTROL ROOM ASSISTANT: (Over tannoy.) Tracking report: Recovery 7 speed now eighteen thousand miles per hour and increasing. Capsule will leave our radar range within three minutes. Closing to two-point-nine five.
RALPH CORNISH: Notify global tracking stations, fix an open communications circuit. I want that capsule tracked every second.
6: INT. UNIT HQ. CELL
(COLLINSON lies on his bunk.)
7: INT. UNIT HQ. CORRIDOR OUTSIDE CELL
(CORPORAL CHAMPION approaches the cell with a cup of tea in one hand. He unlocks the door with the other. From behind him a gloved hand points a g*n into his back. As CHAMPION turns, the armed hand flicks the scalding tea into his face. CHAMPION cries out in pain.)
8: INT. UNIT HQ. CELL
(COLLINSON hears the noise. The cell door opens. He smiles at his rescuer and walks out of the cell. The gloved hand pulls the cell door shut.)
9: INT. SPACE CONTROL. COMPUTER ROOM
(The DOCTOR and LIZ have run the tape and produced a print out. The results are spread out over and table and they examine them with a young scientist called DOBSON.)
DOCTOR: Yes...there's no pattern to it at all - it's nonsense!
DOBSON: Perhaps because we're feeding it nonsense. Maybe that sound from the capsule was just...freak static.
DOCTOR: Yes...
LIZ: I wonder...
DOCTOR: Wonder what?
LIZ: Maybe there's a computer malfunction.
DOBSON: That's impossible - there's a self-checking mechanism.
LIZ: Well even that could go wrong. I'll feed it a standard test programme.
(She heads for the computer.)
DOCTOR: Never mind all that - ask it what two and two make.
LIZ: What?
DOCTOR: (Curtly.) Liz, ask it.
LIZ: Oh, all right.
DOBSON: This is ridiculous - I checked that machine this morning.
DOCTOR: How long have you known Doctor Taltalian?
(DOBSON seems taken aback.)
DOBSON: Well, I've been his chief assistant for two years. I still can't believe all this.
(LIZ returns.)
LIZ: It says two and two make five.
DOCTOR: Oh, it's typical - I never did trust those stupid things.
LIZ: No, no, this isn't just malfunction. Taltalian must have sabotaged it.
(LIZ looks at DOBSON.)
10: INT. SPACE CONTROL. MAIN CONTROL ROOM
MISS RUTHERFORD: Reappearance time this hemisphere - ten seconds.
CONTROL ROOM ASSISTANT: Tracking report from Massachusetts...
(His report carries over the tannoy system. CORNISH, the DOCTOR and the BRIGADIER listen intently.)
CONTROL ROOM ASSISTANT: (Over tannoy.) Height - one hundred miles. Speed twenty thousand and reducing. Eight...seven...six...five...
four... three... two... one ...zero. Capsule now in our tracking range and control range.
RALPH CORNISH: Main control, start transmitting - now.
CONTROL ROOM ASSISTANT: We have contact, we have contact.
MISS RUTHERFORD: Transmitters on now.
(A signal goes out.)
RALPH CORNISH: It's not responding. Repeat transmission - boost power.
CONTROL ROOM ASSISTANT: Repeat transmission - now.
(The signal goes out again.)
RALPH CORNISH: It's no good...
CONTROL ROOM ASSISTANT: Tracking report: Height - ninety miles and reducing. Speed - twenty thousand and holding.
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: (To the DOCTOR.) It'll burn up.
(The return signal is suddenly received.)
MISS RUTHERFORD: It's responding!
RALPH CORNISH: Recommence transmission...and maintain.
CONTROL ROOM ASSISTANT: (Over tannoy.) Recommencing transmission -now.
(The signal goes out.)
RALPH CORNISH: f*re retro jets...five seconds.
CONTROL ROOM ASSISTANT: Retro jets, five seconds - now.
MISS RUTHERFORD: We have radar contact on screen now.
(On the radar screen, a small white light has appeared.)
CONTROL ROOM ASSISTANT: (Over tannoy.) Tracking report: Height - Eighty-five miles, still reducing.
(At his desk...)
CONTROL ROOM ASSISTANT: Speed - eighteen thousand reducing to...seventeen thousand...
(The DOCTOR and the others in the room listen to his report.)
CONTROL ROOM ASSISTANT: (Over tannoy.) Sixteen thousand...
11: EXT. TRACKING STATIONS
(Several satellite dishes around the world track the craft as JOHN WAKEFIELD makes his latest report...)
JOHN WAKEFIELD: (OOV: Television commentary.) Well, after what was a pretty rough re-entry by present day standards, astronauts Van Lyden, Michaels and Lefee will soon be experiencing the buffeting of Earth's atmosphere...when their huge parachutes lower them on the last few miles of their descent.
12: INT. SPACE CONTROL. MAIN CONTROL ROOM
JOHN WAKEFIELD: (To camera.) Under normal circumstances with two or three Earth orbits as a run up, Controller Cornish could bring them to within one hundred yards of their scheduled landing place. As it is, all we know is that the space capsule is about to land somewhere in the south of England.
(The huge monitor screen shows the Atlantic Ocean and the edge of the British Isles to the right. Approaching it is a flashing light representing the capsule. The screen is watched by the DOCTOR and the BRIGADIER among others.)
CONTROL ROOM ASSISTANT: (Over tannoy.) Drop speed now thirty miles and reducing.
MISS RUTHERFORD: (Over tannoy.) Capsule drifting sou-sou-west two degrees. Rate of drift - three knots.
(The light approaches the west coast of Ireland.)
RALPH CORNISH: (To the BRIGADIER.) Ground level preparations completed?
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: The area will be cordoned off as soon as it lands.
RALPH CORNISH: (To MISS RUTHERFORD.) Civil air routes warned? Airlines cleared?
MISS RUTHERFORD: All planes have been diverted.
(The light has now crossed Ireland and is over the Irish Sea.)
CONTROL ROOM ASSISTANT: (Over tannoy.) Drop speed now twenty-two miles per hour...reducing to eighteen. Height - one mile. Drift rate - three knots. Contact lost...contact lost.
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: (To the DOCTOR.) Something wrong?
DOCTOR: (Calmly.) No, no. No, they always lose radar contact in the last few seconds.
(The signal from the capsule cuts out. MISS RUTHERFORD checks her instruments and looks up with a grin on her face.)
MISS RUTHERFORD: We've made it!
(CORNISH sits back with a sigh of relief. The DOCTOR approaches him.)
DOCTOR: Well done, old chap, well done.
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Yes congratulations controller, Wonderful job.
RALPH CORNISH: If they're alive.
13: EXT. LANDING SITE
(The capsule sits upright in a deserted spot in a rugged part of the English countryside, a light flashing on its top. Various army vehicles surround it. A jeep draws up and the DOCTOR, the BRIGADIER and CORNISH run up to it. CORNISH takes a quick look round the capsule, then takes a microphone out of his pocket and plugs it into the side of the capsule.)
RALPH CORNISH: (Into microphone.) Hello, Recovery 7, do you read me? This is Cornish. You are safe...and landed. Open the hatch.
(On a nearby hillside, the operation is being observed by two men through binoculars - CARRINGTON and GREY.)
RALPH CORNISH: (Into microphone.) Hello, Recovery 7, do you read me? (To the DOCTOR.) It's no use. Must be unconscious.
(CARRINGTON continues to observe.)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Better try opening it ourselves.
RALPH CORNISH: It's impossible. Either the mechanisms jammed or...
DOCTOR: (Interrupts.) They've locked it from the inside.
(CORNISH and the BRIGADIER look at him sharply.)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Then we'll have to cut it open.
RALPH CORNISH: It's too dangerous for the astronauts.
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Then what are we going to do.
DOCTOR: Take it back to the space centre?
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Right.
(He and CORNISH move back to the jeep. The DOCTOR looks at the capsule for a moment and then follows. On the hillside, CARRINGTON turns to GREY.)
CARRINGTON: Quick, the RT - UNIT's Frequency.
(GREY reaches into his pocket. Meanwhile, the BRIGADIER has taken his own radio out of the jeep.)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: (Into radio.) Brigadier to UNIT control, Brigadier to UNIT Control. UNIT Control, I want a route cleared from here to the Space Centre. Outriders- top priority.
(GREY has on a set of headphones and writes down the message on a pad. He tears off the sheet and hands it to CARRINGTON.)
GREY: Sir.
(CARRINGTON takes the note and reads it.)
CARRINGTON: Excellent - couldn't be better.
(Meanwhile CORNISH approaches the BRIGADIER.)
RALPH CORNISH: By the time you get the capsule back to the space centre, I'll have everything ready.
(He goes off. The BRIGADIER speaks to the driver of the jeep.)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: I'll go with the capsule.
(He bangs on the door with his swagger stick and it drives off. CORNISH gets in another jeep and it too leaves. Recovery 7 is loaded by crane onto the back of a low loader by the UNIT troops and covered with a tarpaulin. The BRIGADIER shouts to the DOCTOR, nearby, who has Bessie's bonnet open making repairs.)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: See you at the space centre.
DOCTOR: All right.
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: If you make it.
(The DOCTOR looks up indignantly. The BRIGADIER goes to the passenger door of the low-loader and opens it.)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: (To the driver.) I'll go with you. (To the outriders.) Keep to the prepared route and clear the away ahead of us.
(He speaks to the soldiers at the back of the truck.)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: You bring up the rear.
(He gets in the low-loader. Meanwhile, the DOCTOR climbs into Bessie - which has the hood up against the rain - and starts the engine. The noise it emits is not hopeful. He starts off, as does the rest of the convoy. Bessie attempts a three-point turn to follow and almost immediately breaks down.)
14. EXT. ROAD
(The convoy - motorcycle outriders, low-loader and jeeps continues its journey. It drives over a bridge, and away down the road.)
15: EXT. LANDING SITE
(Left behind, the DOCTOR eventually gets Bessie re-started and begins to follow.)
16. EXT. ROAD
(The Convoy travels along a road making an uneventful journey. However, after a few minutes the BRIGADIER hears the sound of a helicopter. He looks out of the window and sees one flying in low towards them. It swoops down, almost on top of the convoy. The BRIGADIER looks on in alarm. The helicopter turns round and approaches the convoy again. Its occupants wear dark glasses and gas masks. After another low swoop, one of the occupants of the helicopter nods to the second who opens the door in mid-air and drops several objects down in front of the convoy. They are smoke b*mb which explode in front of the outriders causing them to swerve. Several more similar b*mb are dropped obscuring the view of the driver of the low-loader. An alarm rings out over the convoy. The helicopter lands and the two masked men get out. At the same time, the BRIGADIER gets out of the low-loader, p*stol drawn. sh*ts ring out as the masked ambushers run towards the convoy. An outrider approaches them and the masked man fires his w*apon. It is some sort of gas stun g*n and the outrider falls to the ground with his bike. The helicopter takes off The BRIGADIER gets nearer the ambushers and they f*re at him and strike him down. Next to fall is a second outrider who is sent backwards off his bike. As the ambushers make for the cab of the low-loader, the last two outriders approach on their bikes but are quickly dealt with by the stun g*n.
The two men then pull the driver out of the cab of the low-loader. Meanwhile, a UNIT soldier fires several sh*ts at the helicopter which hovers a few feet off the ground. Using up all his b*ll*ts, the soldier discards his g*n and runs for the helicopter, jumping on the side and trying to pull the door open as the two masked men get in the cab of the low-loader and drive off. The soldier on the skids of the helicopter attempts to pull the door open and finds himself in a tussle with the pilot inside. However, the pilot then uses the door as a battering ram and knocks the soldier into mid-air. He lands a few feet below on the ground. The att*ck successful, the helicopter and the low-loader make off, the latter watched by a forlorn BRIGADIER who clambers unsteadily to his feet.)
17. EXT. ANOTHER ROAD
(The DOCTOR is driving along in pursuit of the convoy. In the low-loader, the driver takes his glasses off - it is GREY. CARRINGTON is the other man, sat in the cab next to him. The DOCTOR sees them ahead coming towards him and surmises that something is wrong. He thinks, snaps his fingers and turns the car across the middle of the road. CARRINGTON and GREY see the obstruction ahead of them and come to a halt. The DOCTOR approaches the cab.)
GREY: Get out of the way, please.
(The DOCTOR replies in a quavery old voice.)
DOCTOR: I...I'm...I'm afraid I can't.
GREY: Will you please get out of the way, sir? We're carrying a very important cargo.
DOCTOR: Yes, well...if you want me to get out of the way, I'm afraid you'll have to help me.
(GREY and CARRINGTON get out of the cab and walk towards Bessie.)
DOCTOR: Er, old Bessie seems to have stopped.
(GREY and CARRINGTON get behind the car to push it. The DOCTOR gets in the driver's seat.)
DOCTOR: Ready? I'll let the brake off. Right, push.
(GREY and CARRINGTON push Bessie to the side of the road. As the DOCTOR is about to get out, he flicks a switch marked "ANTI THIEF DEVICE".
Instantly, a buzzing fills the air and the two men find that their hands are stuck to the car. They tug and pull but to no avail. The DOCTOR saunters past, speaking in his normal voice.)
DOCTOR: Thank you very much! Don't worry, it'll switch itself off...eventually.
(He gets in the cab and drives the capsule off, watched by a still struggling CARRINGTON and GREY.)
18: INT. SPACE CONTROL. CORRIDOR
(The BRIGADIER has made it back to Space Control and is outlining what has happened to CORNISH as they walk along a corridor.)
RALPH CORNISH: Helicopter and smoke b*mb!
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Yes they were very well organised. We lost the capsule and the Doctor's vanished...
(CORNISH walks into the room at the end of the corridor, the BRIGADIER follows...)
19: INT. SPACE CONTROL. CAPSULE HANGER
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: How on earth?!
(The room is a large enclosed hanger, with the capsule sat in the middle of it being worked on by a group of technicians. The DOCTOR walks around from the back of it.)
DOCTOR: I brought it here!
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: (Smiles.) Doctor! Thank heavens you're all right. We found the car - thought they'd got you.
DOCTOR: Didn't you find two angry men stuck to my car?
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: No - just the car.
DOCTOR: Mmm, can't have got that force field strong enough yet...
(CORNISH is at a console to the side of the capsule. A trim-phone rings on it.)
RALPH CORNISH: (Into phone.) Cornish? Yes... (To the DOCTOR.) Doctor, it's for you.
DOCTOR: Thank you.
(He takes the phone.)
DOCTOR: (Into phone.) Hello? (Listens.) Yes, Liz. (Listens.) Yes, right. I'll be down straight away.
(He puts the phone down.)
DOCTOR: (To the BRIGADIER.) I'll tell you all about it later. Liz thinks she's on to something.
(He hurriedly leaves. The BRIGADIER looks the capsule over.)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: (To CORNISH.) Will you be able to make contact?
RALPH CORNISH: I'm not sure. The equipment's being connected now.
20: INT. SPACE CONTROL. COMPUTER ROOM
(The DOCTOR looks over a computer printout.)
DOCTOR: You're right Liz. This is a definite attempt at pictographic communication.
DOBSON: Could be just random patterns?
(The DOCTOR points to points on the printout.)
DOCTOR: What with this symbol repeated twice? And this one repeated four times? Oh no.
LIZ: Who in the world would want to send a message in this form?
DOCTOR: No one on this world...but an alien intelligence so different...this is the only way they can communicate.
LIZ: Doctor, you don't think ...
DOCTOR: (Interrupts.) I think that it's high time the Brigadier and I had a talk to the top man.
(He gets up and leaves quickly, LIZ following. DOBSON watches them go with a worried look on his face. He goes to a wall phone and punches in a number.)
DOBSON: Dobson here. They've started to crack the code...
21: INT. SIR JAMES QUINLAN'S OFFICE
(The DOCTOR and the BRIGADIER sit in the office of a senior civil servant - Sir James QUINLAN.)
QUINLAN: Exactly what are you suggesting?
DOCTOR: I should have thought that was obvious. Every step we take, someone's ahead of us.
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Yes, Doctor Taltalian for instance, I've got his file here.
(He places it in front of QUINLAN.)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Checked and double checked like everyone else working on this project. And yet, he sabotages his own computer, draws a g*n on the Doctor and then runs away like a criminal.
(QUINLAN looks over the file.)
QUINLAN: Well, it's extraordinary. I've known Bruno Taltalian for years.
DOCTOR: Look, that is quite beside the point. The question is - who else is involved?
QUINLAN: I can see your reasons for concern but you have got the capsule back now.
DOCTOR: Oh, yes, we've got the capsule back all right, and it's safely installed at the Space Centre. But the astronauts still refuse to come out.
QUINLAN: Well, I shall initiate a top-level investigation immediately, Brigadier.
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: With respect...
(QUINLAN interrupts and stands to show that the meeting is over.)
QUINLAN: Now, I'm sure you'll want to get back to the Space Centre.
DOCTOR: Is that all you've got to say, Sir James? Sweep it all under the carpet, eh?
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: (Quietly.) Come on, Doctor.
(He picks up the file and they make for the door.)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: I'll keep you informed sir.
QUINLAN: I should be most grateful, Brigadier.
(At the door, the DOCTOR is about to say something but QUINLAN quickly interrupts...)
QUINLAN: Thank you, gentlemen.
(The BRIGADIER shakes his head in warning at the DOCTOR and they leave. Immediately that they have gone, QUINLAN goes to a door at the rear of his office and opens it.)
QUINLAN: All right.
(A figure walks through.)
QUINLAN: Won't you sit down?
(The visitor does. It is TALTALIAN.)
22: INT. SPACE CONTROL. CAPSULE HANGER
(LIZ and CORNISH are still trying to get a response from the capsule.)
LIZ: (Into microphone.) Recovery 7, do you read me?
(The DOCTOR and the BRIGADIER return.)
DOCTOR: Any response yet?
RALPH CORNISH: Nothing.
LIZ: (Into microphone.) Recovery 7, do you read me?
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Well, I suggest we cut it open.
RALPH CORNISH: I've got men with thermal lances standing by.
(CORNISH starts to walk off but suddenly static comes over the intercom from the capsule.)
LIZ: I think I'm getting something!
23: INT. SIR JAMES QUINLAN'S OFFICE
TALTALIAN: They have got the capsule - what went wrong?
QUINLAN: I don't know yet. They've started to crack the code too.
TALTALIAN: What are you going to do about UNIT?
QUINLAN: It's already been dealt with - they've got quite a surprise coming.
24: INT. SPACE CONTROL. CAPSULE HANGER
(LIZ stands at the console with the microphone, watched by the DOCTOR, the BRIGADIER and CORNISH.)
LIZ: (Into microphone.) Hello Recovery 7, do you read me?
(The static continues...)
LIZ: (Into microphone: urgently.) Hello Recovery 7, do you read me?
(VAN LYDEN'S voice suddenly comes from the speaker.)
VAN LYDEN: (OOV: Over tannoy.) Hello, Space Control. This is Recovery 7. Will you clear us for re-entry?
(The four look at each other in delight. LIZ hands the microphone to CORNISH and they all go over to the capsule. CORNISH, smiling with relief, speaks to VAN LYDEN.)
RALPH CORNISH: (Into microphone.) Charlie! This is Ralph Cornish. You are back at Space Control. Open the capsule.
VAN LYDEN: LIZ: (OOV: Over tannoy.) We are not cleared for re-entry.
(They four start to look puzzled.)
RALPH CORNISH: (Into microphone.) Charlie? You are back at Space Control. What's wrong? Open the hatch.
VAN LYDEN: (OOV: Over tannoy.) Hello, Space Control. This is Recovery 7. Will you clear us for re-entry?
DOCTOR: Let me try...
(He takes the microphone from CORNISH.)
DOCTOR: (Into microphone.) Hello, Van Lyden? What is the capital of Australia?
VAN LYDEN: (OOV: Over tannoy.) We are not cleared for re-entry.
DOCTOR: (Into microphone.) How many beans make five?
VAN LYDEN: (OOV: Over tannoy.) Hello, Space control. This is Recovery 7. Will you clear us for re-entry?
DOCTOR: (Into microphone.) Van Lyden!
VAN LYDEN: (OOV: Over tannoy.) We are not cleared for re-entry.
DOCTOR: (To CORNISH.) Right - cut it open! | {"type": "series", "show": "Doctor Who", "episode": "07x13 - The Ambassadors of Death - part 2"} | foreverdreaming |
The Ambassadors of Death
Written by David Whitaker, Trevor Rayl and Malcolm Hulke
Episode 3
Original Air Date: 4 April, 1970
5:20pm - 5:45pm
1: INT. SPACE CONTROL. CAPSULE HANGER
(LIZ stands at the console with the microphone, watched by the DOCTOR, the BRIGADIER and CORNISH.)
LIZ: (Into microphone.) Hello recovery 7, do you read me?
(The static continues...)
LIZ: (Into microphone: urgently.) Hello Recovery 7, do you read me?
(VAN LYDEN'S voice suddenly comes from the speaker.)
VAN LYDEN: (OOV: Over tannoy.) Hello, Space Control. This is Recovery 7. Will you clear us for re-entry?
(The four look at each other in delight. LIZ hands the microphone to CORNISH and they all go over to the capsule. CORNISH, smiling with relief, speaks to VAN LYDEN.)
RALPH CORNISH: (Into microphone.) Charlie! This is Ralph Cornish. You are back at Space Control. Open the capsule.
VAN LYDEN: LIZ: (OOV: Over tannoy.) We are not cleared for re-entry.
(They four start to look puzzled.)
RALPH CORNISH: (Into microphone.) Charlie? You are back at Space Control. What's wrong? Open the hatch.
VAN LYDEN: (OOV: Over tannoy.) Hello, Space Control. This is Recovery 7. Will you clear us for re-entry?
DOCTOR: Let me try.
(He takes the microphone from CORNISH.)
DOCTOR: (Into microphone.) Hello, Van Lyden? What is the capital of Australia?
VAN LYDEN: (OOV: Over tannoy.) We are not cleared for re-entry.
DOCTOR: (Into microphone.) How many beans make five?
VAN LYDEN: (OOV: Over tannoy.) Hello, Space control. This is Recovery 7. Will you clear us for re-entry?
DOCTOR: (Into microphone.) Van Lyden!
VAN LYDEN: (OOV: Over tannoy.) We are not cleared for re-entry.
DOCTOR: (To CORNISH.) Right - cut it open!
2: INT. SPACE CONTROL. CAPSULE HANGER
(Two men with masks and thermal lances are standing on ladders leant either side of the hatch cutting through the hatch into the capsule. They finish their task and carry the hatch away. RALPH CORNISH dashes up the ladder and looks into the capsule.)
3: INT. RECOVERY 7
(He sees that there is no one in the capsule.)
4: INT. SPACE CONTROL. CAPSULE HANGER
RALPH CORNISH: It's empty!
DOCTOR: What? Let me see?
(He leaps up the other ladder...)
5: INT. RECOVERY 7
(...and peers into the empty chamber.)
6: INT. SPACE CONTROL. CAPSULE HANGER
RALPH CORNISH: But we were talking to Van Lyden!
7: INT. RECOVERY 7
DOCTOR: Liz...
8: INT. SPACE CONTROL. CAPSULE HANGER
DOCTOR: ...try them again.
LIZ: (Into microphone.) Hello, recovery 7. Do you read me?
9: INT. RECOVERY 7
VAN LYDEN: (OOV.) Hello, Space control.
(The DOCTOR snaps his fingers at CORNISH who pokes his head round the hatch doorway and looks towards what the DOCTOR is pointing at - a tape recorder.)
VAN LYDEN: (OOV: On tape.) This is Recovery 7. Will you clear us for re-entry?
DOCTOR: Well, well, well - a tape recording.
RALPH CORNISH: Triggered off by our speech.
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Then where are the astronauts?
10: INT. SPACE CONTROL. CAPSULE HANGER
(CORNISH climbs down from the his ladder.)
DOCTOR: Well, someone wanted us to believe they were still inside there. (To CORNISH.) That tape recorder's not a standard part of their equipment is it?
RALPH CORNISH: No, of course not.
DOCTOR: Then somebody put it there, didn't they?
LIZ: Why?
RALPH CORNISH: To delay us opening the capsule.
LIZ: Why should they want to do that?
(The DOCTOR climbs down from his ladder.)
DOCTOR: Well, to gain time. Now, suppose the astronauts were still in there when it landed, and later they were removed.
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: No, that's impossible - this capsule's been guarded all the time...
(He nods at LIZ and CORNISH.)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: ...and you two were here.
RALPH CORNISH: Except when your men turned us out for that security check.
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: What!
LIZ: They sent us back to the control room while they searched the area.
DOCTOR: (To the BRIGADIER.) I take it you didn't order this?
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: No, I didn't.
DOCTOR: Well, there you are then - a bogus patrol turns up, clears the area, and removes the astronauts at their leisure.
(LIZ goes to look inside the capsule.)
RALPH CORNISH: Who would want to kidnap three astronauts?
DOCTOR: Yes, perhaps the same people who replied to that message.
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: I think I'll have a word with my guard commander.
DOCTOR: Yes, I'll come with you.
(They are about to head off when LIZ calls from the capsule hatch.)
LIZ: Doctor!
DOCTOR: Yes? What is it?
LIZ: The Geiger counter - it's on maximum - the interior's radioactive. If anyone was in there, they're as good as d*ad!
11: INT. HELDORF'S LABORATORY
(The needles on another Geiger counter fluctuate wildly. The three fully suited and helmeted ASTRONAUTS, as seen through a large observation window, lie on a slab in an enclosed room. One of them moves slightly. On the other side of the window, CARRINGTON looks at them. He is now dressed in a General's uniform. He walks away from the window to a control console where a lab-coated scientist - HELDORF - and an assistant monitor the counter and take readings. HELDORF speaks in a Germanic accent.)
HELDORF: Two million rads! Scientifically, they should be d*ad.
CARRINGTON: But they're not.
HELDORF: When we tried to remove their helmets, they resisted violently.
CARRINGTON: (Snaps.) I told you not to remove their protective clothing!
HELDORF: General Carrington, these men have received massive doses of radiation.
(HELDORF walks round to the observation window.)
HELDORF: They need total blood transfusions immediately, they need antibiotics, cortisone injections - you don't understand the situation. We must reduce the radiation...
CARRINGTON: (Interrupts.) Just increase it!
HELDORF: Are you mad? That would be m*rder!
CARRINGTON: The radiation which affects these men is something totally new to us. To survive it, they have become dependent on it.
HELDORF: What you're saying is contrary to everything that's understood about radioactivity.
CARRINGTON: You must feed them radiation - otherwise they will die.
(HELDORF walks away.)
HELDORF: No, no, no, you can't ask me to do that.
CARRINGTON: (Snaps.) I'm not asking you!
(HELDORF turns round and looks at him.)
12: INT. SIR JAMES QUINLAN'S OFFICE
(The DOCTOR, LIZ and the BRIGADIER are back with QUINLAN in his office.)
DOCTOR: I don't think you can sweep all this under the Ministry carpet, Sir James. Someone in authority has done this.
QUINLAN: (To the BRIGADIER.) The astronauts were in your charge, Brigadier.
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: They were taken from the Space Centre by two army officers.
QUINLAN: Obviously impostors.
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: The papers of authorisation were genuine. Their passes were made out in the names of two non-existent officers. They had a platoon and an army vehicle of the latest design -not the sort of thing you'd buy from an army surplus store.
QUINLAN: You've been very thorough, Brigadier. It's a pity you've no explanation to offer for these strange occurrences.
DOCTOR: We haven't come here to offer explanations, Sir James. We've come to demand them - from you.
QUINLAN: All right.
DOCTOR: (Puzzled.) You mean you're going to tell us the truth?
QUINLAN: No.
DOCTOR: Oh...
QUINLAN: But I'm going to introduce you to the man who can.
(He speaks into an intercom.)
QUINLAN: Will you come in please?
(The rear door opens and CARRINGTON walks in. The BRIGADIER stands up.)
QUINLAN: General Carrington - head of the newly formed Space Security department.
LIZ: Space Security? Weren't you an astronaut on Mars Probe 6?
CARRINGTON: (Smiles.) Yes I was. Please sit down Brigadier.
(Nevertheless, the BRIGADIER waits until the senior officer sits himself before he takes up the offer.)
CARRINGTON: I...realise I owe you all an apology. I can only ask you to believe that everything I have done has been for the good of us all.
DOCTOR: Does that include sending coded messages to Mars Probe 7? And kidnapping three astronauts?
LIZ: And Doctor Bruno Taltalian holding a g*n on us in the computer room?
CARRINGTON: Taltalian was under strict orders to make sure you didn't have access to the computer. You see...every astronaut is issued with an emergency code - only to be used in the ultimate emergency - the code you've been trying to crack. The message we received from Mars probe 7 told us that the deep-space capsule had passed through a hitherto unsuspected high density radiation belt on its way back to Earth orbit.
LIZ: Why didn't you inform Space Control at once?
CARRINGTON: Security.
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Then why wasn't I informed...sir?
CARRINGTON: UNIT is an international organisation and the government wanted to keep it in its own hands.
DOCTOR: Yes, but why all this extraordinary behaviour? Well, surely radiation is a normal hazard of space travel?
CARRINGTON: We believe this radiation to be a different kind. We believe it to be self-sustaining and highly contagious...and that it could spread like a plague, contaminating the entire planet.
QUINLAN: (Smiles.) Well, we don't want the public to become panic-stricken.
DOCTOR: (Amiably.) Well...seems to have been a question of the right hand fighting the left, doesn't it, Brigadier?
(There is some quiet laughter. CARRINGTON gets to his feet to leave, followed by QUINLAN and the BRIGADIER.)
CARRINGTON: Good! Well, I hope this explanation has eased your minds, gentlemen.
DOCTOR: (Sharply.) Well, it hasn't eased mine.
(CARRINGTON turns and looks at him.)
CARRINGTON: I'm sorry?
DOCTOR: I should like to take a look at these mysteriously irradiated astronauts for myself, if I may.
CARRINGTON: There's no need for that - they're in expert hands.
DOCTOR: (Firmly.) Nevertheless, I would still like to see them.
(After a moments pause, QUINLAN looks at CARRINGTON.)
QUINLAN: Well, I don't see it can do any harm.
CARRINGTON: Oh, very well then, I'll take you there now, but I can assure you, they're perfectly safe.
(The DOCTOR stares but does not reply.)
13: INT. HELDORF'S LABORATORY
(The three ASTRONAUTS walk out of their enclosed room. Their breathing resembles the sound of a stream of gas escaping from a pipe. HELDORF and his assistant stand with their hands raised before three men with hand g*n - two thugs and their boss - REEGAN, a sardonically intense man.)
HELDORF: Who are you people?
REEGAN: I've told you before to be quiet.
(The ASTRONAUTS walk in line past HELDORF and through the door out of the lab.)
HELDORF: (To the ASTRONAUTS.) Where are you going? (To REEGAN.) Where are you taking them?
REEGAN: Shut up!
(REEGAN follows the ASTRONAUTS out. His thugs continue to hold HELDORD and his assistant at g*n.)
HELDORF: But if you take them out of here, they will die. You must stop!
REEGAN: (To his henchmen.) I'll take them out to the others. You two go back by the direct route... when you've finished here.
(He leaves. HELDORF goes to follow but is punched back by one of the thugs. HELDORF tries again, receives another punch and is then sh*t. His assistant picks up a chair and throws it at one of the thugs but he too is sh*t down by the other thug.)
14: EXT. HELDORF'S LABORATORY
(REEGAN locks the door to the lab as the ASTRONAUTS climb into the back of a van. REEGAN padlocks the door to the lab and turns to his two thugs.)
REEGAN: You two ride with them.
(The two thugs look at him nervously.)
REEGAN: They won't hurt you. You've got g*n haven't you?
(The two thugs get in the back. REEGAN climbs into the drivers seat and the van, emblazoned with the sign "HAYHOE LAUNDERERS LTD.", speeds off down the road through what appears to be a deserted army camp. A minute later Bessie, with the DOCTOR is driving, CARRINGTON in the passenger seat and the BRIGADIER and LIZ in the rear roars round a corner and pulls up in front of the lab. The DOCTOR and CARRINGTON look at each other and then they all get out. CARRINGTON goes to the door of the lab and unlocks it. The DOCTOR enters followed by LIZ. The BRIGADIER motions for CARRINGTON to enter, then follows him in.)
15: INT. HELDORF'S LABORATORY
(Having found the two d*ad men, the DOCTOR closes HELDORF'S eyes.)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Do you know where the phone is, sir?
CARRINGTON: Oh yes, it's over there.
(He points to a wall phone behind him. The BRIGADIER starts to dial as the DOCTOR looks round.)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: (Into phone.) Hello UNIT control? This is the Brigadier.
DOCTOR: (To CARRINGTON: Sharply.) Perfectly safe were they?
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: (Into phone.) This is a yellow alert.
CARRINGTON: (To the DOCTOR.) I don't understand it. Who would have done this?
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: (Into phone.) I want ...
(LIZ is on one side of the lab with a mass of paperwork.)
LIZ: Doctor, look at this.
(The DOCTOR joins her and looks to where LIZ is pointing on the sheets of paper.)
LIZ: These seem to be the radiation records of the missing astronauts
DOCTOR: Mmm hmm?
LIZ: Over two million rads. They couldn't possibly have survived that amount.
16: EXT. GRAVEL PIT
(REEGAN'S van drives into a gravel pit works. It passes the main buildings and continues to the out fringes of the pit where huge mechanical diggers move the gravel around. The van stops. A digger moves along on its rails while REEGAN changes into a radiation suit. He goes to the back of the van and pulls the lifeless body of one of the thugs out, depositing it on a gravel heap. He then does the same thing with the other d*ad thug. As the diggers and movers continue their work, REEGAN drops the d*ad men's g*n next to their bodies, plants some papers on them then scrambles further up the pile, kicking sufficient gravel over the bodies to cover them. He shuts the back of the van up and, divested of his radiation suit, drives off.)
17: EXT. ROADSIDE
(REEGAN pulls to the side of the road, checks for other traffic, then flicks a switch. The van's front and rear number plates rotate, changing from
"KBF979H" to "YLD259H". Another switch is activated and the signage on the side of the van flips over from "HAYHOE LAUNDERERS LTD." to "SILCOCK BAKERIES". He drives off.)
18: INT. HELDORF'S LABORATORY
(A UNIT team have reached the lab and one soldier runs a Geiger counter over the room whilst others take photographs all supervised by the BRIGADIER.
CARRINGTON watches as the DOCTOR and LIZ go over HELDORF'S paperwork.)
DOCTOR: Liz what were those exact radiation figures, again?
LIZ: Mmm? Ah...
(She finds the paper with the numbers and reads them out to the DOCTOR who writes them down.)
LIZ: Two million, one-o-two, four-six-two.
DOCTOR: Thank you.
CARRINGTON: Are you getting anywhere?
DOCTOR: Possibly.
CARRINGTON: Do you realise the importance of this...
DOCTOR: (Interrupts.) I realise the importance very well, General Carrington. That is why I must be allowed to continue my work undisturbed.
CARRINGTON: I'm so sorry.
(The DOCTOR walks away. LIZ joins him with a print out.)
LIZ: These are the complete readings.
DOCTOR: Mmm thanks, You know, it's the most extraordinary thing. Those astronauts were emitting radiation like walking reactors.
LIZ: But radiation destroys human tissue.
DOCTOR: Yes. I know.
(The BRIGADIER comes from outside the lab and reports to CARRINGTON.)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: The radioactive trace goes to just outside the building, sir. Then it vanishes.
CARRINGTON: Obviously they were taken away in a vehicle.
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Why should anyone kidnap them?
CARRINGTON: Contagious radiation - could be a terrible w*apon in the hands of a foreign power.
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Who else knew of the location of this laboratory, sir?
CARRINGTON: Only my immediate staff.
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: And Sir James Quinlan...and his immediate staff.
(CARRINGTON looks at the BRIGADIER meaningfully. A thoughtful DOCTOR joins them.)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Well Doctor, any luck?
DOCTOR: Well, I can tell you where your three astronauts are.
CARRINGTON: Well?
DOCTOR: They're still in orbit.
CARRINGTON: But they came down in the capsule. They were here - I saw them.
DOCTOR: No, you saw three spacesuits. I don't know what came down in Recovery 7, but it certainly wasn't human.
19: INT. UNDERGROUND LABORATORY
(The helmeted ASTRONAUTS are again lying on a slab in a booth behind a glass window in a laboratory similar to HELDORF'S although this one is underground with steps to the left of the booth leading to the surface. A balding middle-aged scientist, LENNOX, is studying readings on monitoring equipment. REEGAN, dressed in a radiation suit, without the headpiece sits at a table nearby on which there is a telephone.)
LENNOX: They must be dying.
REEGAN: (Slightly smiles.) I don't think so.
(LENNOX gets up and goes over to him as REEGAN starts dialling a number on the phone.)
LENNOX: Well, I can't deal with them here. They should be the intensive care unit...in a hospital.
REEGAN: You've got your instructions, Lennox.
LENNOX: Doctor Lennox, if you don't mind.
REEGAN: I thought they took that away from you.
(Almost bored with the conversation, REEGAN turns to the phone. An exasperated LENNOX goes back to his equipment.)
REEGAN: (Into phone.) Hello? This is Reegan. Everything went fine. Lennox is looking after them here. (He listens.) No, no trouble at all. (Listens then smiles.) I just dropped those two off on the way. (Listens.) Right.
(He hangs up the phone.)
20: INT. SPACE CONTROL. CAPSULE HANGER
(The DOCTOR and CORNISH are walking into the capsule hanger.)
RALPH CORNISH: And you really think that they're still in orbit in the Mars Probe?
DOCTOR: I do.
RALPH CORNISH: Their life support systems will be running down. We've got to send up another recovery capsule.
DOCTOR: I should do that as quickly as possible if I were you.
(CORNISH walks over to the console and picks up a phone.)
RALPH CORNISH: I'll get onto Quinlan.
DOCTOR: Must you?
RALPH CORNISH: I'll need his authority.
(He dials a number.)
RALPH CORNISH: (Into phone.) Get me Sir James Quinlan - top priority.
21: INT. SIR JAMES QUINLAN'S OFFICE
(QUINLAN takes the call...)
QUINLAN: (Into phone.) Yes? (He listens.) Yes! (Listens.) But we don't really know if the astronauts are up there.
22: INT. SPACE CONTROL. CAPSULE HANGER
RALPH CORNISH: (Into phone: Puzzled.) Well, if there's any possibility they're alive up there, we've got to go and get them.
23: INT. SIR JAMES QUINLAN'S OFFICE
QUINLAN: (Into phone.) Yes, of course, but the government simply will not authorise the expenditure on so little evidence.
24: INT. SPACE CONTROL. CAPSULE HANGER
RALPH CORNISH: (Into phone.) We're not talking about money, we're talking about human life.
25: INT. SIR JAMES QUINLAN'S OFFICE
QUINLAN: (Into phone.) Oh yes, indeed...
26: INT. SPACE CONTROL. CAPSULE HANGER
RALPH CORNISH: (Into phone: Interrupts.) Sir James, I'm going to start preparations now. Unless I get your full backing, I'll call a press conference and tell them the entire story.
27: INT. SIR JAMES QUINLAN'S OFFICE
QUINLAN: (Into phone: Coldly.) I would advise you not to do that.
28: INT. SPACE CONTROL. CAPSULE HANGER
RALPH CORNISH: (Into phone.) Then you'll have to make sure that I don't have to.
29: INT. SIR JAMES QUINLAN'S OFFICE
(QUINLAN hears the buzzing tone as CORNISH hangs up. CARRINGTON is also in the office and has been listening in on another phone.)
QUINLAN: What are we going to do?
CARRINGTON: They mustn't send up a second recovery capsule.
QUINLAN: I know that, but how are we going to stop them?
30: INT. UNDERGROUND LABORATORY
(One of the ASTRONAUTS clambers up off the slab and goes over the window. LENNOX looks up to see the ASTRONAUT weakly leaning against the window, then falling to one side. is groggily knocking on the booth window. LENNOX goes to unbolt the booth door, just as REEGAN, now dressed in a business suit walks down the stairs and enters the lab, carrying a file.)
REEGAN: And just what do you think you're doing?
LENNOX: You've got to let me examine those men.
REEGAN: It's against orders.
LENNOX: The radiation count has dropped drastically- they should be recovering.
REEGAN: That's good then.
LENNOX: But one of them's collapsed!
(REEGAN goes and looks through the window into the booth.)
REEGAN: Well, I was, er, I was hired to get them here - that's all.
LENNOX: You weren't hired to let them die.
REEGAN: We don't know they're dying.
LENNOX: Reegan, do you think you'll...get your money if they're d*ad?
(REEGAN considers then starts unbolting the booth door, pulls on a pair of radiation gloves.)
LENNOX: Well, what about protective clothes?
REEGAN: You said the radiation had dropped. Right, I won't hang about in there.
(REEGAN enters the booth and, watched by LENNOX starts to lift the ASTRONAUT to his feet. However, the previously groggy form suddenly slams him against the wall and then punches him out of the way as REEGAN tries to get to his feet. The ASTRONAUT then exits the booth bearing down on a frightened LENNOX.)
LENNOX: It's all right. I...I want to help you.
(The ASTRONAUT comes nearer.)
LENNOX: Can't you understand? I want to help you.
(He runs up the stairs, followed by the ASTRONAUT. The top door is locked. LENNOX slams his hands against it and turns to see the ASTRONAUT reaching out to him.)
LENNOX: (Screams.) No! No!
(The ASTRONAUT suddenly becomes groggy again, falls against the wall and slumps down on the stairs. REEGAN, now somewhat recovered, appears.)
LENNOX: You shouldn't have locked this door. I might have been k*lled!
REEGAN: Shut up. Help me get him back in there.
(The phone rings. REEGAN, still shaken, goes to answer it.)
REEGAN: (Into phone.) Hello. (He listens.) All right, I'll take care of them. Listen, about those astronauts... (Listens.)
Isotopes? (Listens.) Well you'd better get them over here.
(He hangs up the phone.)
REEGAN: I found out what's wrong with these fellows. They don't need less radiation - they need more!
31: EXT. GRAVEL PIT
(Back at the gravel pit, the digger continues to work on the piles of stones. Suddenly the driver of one of the machines notices something...)
32: INT. UNDERGROUND LABORATORY
(LENNOX, clad in radiation gear, is extracting an Isotope in the booth containing the three ASTRONAUTS, all lying on the slab. A Geiger counter starts clicking away furiously as the Isotope is put into a container on the slab. His task completed, he exits the booth.)
33: INT. SPACE CONTROL. CAPSULE HANGER
(CORNISH is on the phone.)
RALPH CORNISH: (Into phone.) I must have all stages in go condition as soon as possible, so get on with it!
(He puts the phone down and joins the DOCTOR and the BRIGADIER who are next to the capsule.)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Having trouble?
RALPH CORNISH: (Exasperated.) Everything's taking just that little bit longer than it should.
DOCTOR: And why do you think that is?
RALPH CORNISH: I think it's got something to do with Sir James Quinlan.
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Could you prove it?
RALPH CORNISH: No.
34: INT. UNDERGROUND LABORATORY
LENNOX: I feel as if I've just m*rder them
REEGAN: You just keep doing what you're told - they'll be all right.
(The phone rings. REEGAN answers it.)
REEGAN: (Into phone.) Who is it? (He listens.) All right. I'll open the front door.
(He puts the phone down and is about to go to the door when LENNOX calls out from the observation window.)
LENNOX: Look!
REEGAN: What is it?
LENNOX: It's working!
(The ASTRONAUTS are stirring on the slab.)
REEGAN: I told you they'd be all right, they thrive on the stuff.
(He runs upstairs.)
35: INT. SPACE CONTROL. CAPSULE HANGER
(The BRIGADIER is now on the phone.)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: (Into phone.) What? (He listens.) Yes, I see. Right, I'll get right down there.
(He hangs up and turns to the DOCTOR.)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Two bodies have been found in a gravel pit in Hertfordshire. They died from Radiation.
36: INT. UNDERGROUND LABORATORY
(REEGAN comes down the stairs studying some photographs.)
REEGAN: Hey Lennox, you're a kind of a scientist - do you know these two?
(He hands photos of LIZ and the DOCTOR to him. The picture of LIZ appears to have been taken by a hidden camera in the computer room at Space Control.)
LENNOX: Yes, I...I think I met the girl once. She was doing research at Cambridge- why?
REEGAN: Seems like they're getting in the way. I'll need to deal with them.
37: INT. RECOVERY 7
(The DOCTOR lies half-way in the capsule with a Geiger counter wearing a radiation suit.)
38: INT. SPACE CONTROL. CAPSULE HANGER
(He emerges from the capsule, handing the counter to a girl technician. LIZ and CORNISH are waiting. The DOCTOR takes off his hood)
DOCTOR: Well, it's the most extraordinary thing - the radioactive contamination has almost vanished. If you can't get Recovery 8 ready in time, you can use this capsule.
RALPH CORNISH: Provided we can get the three thousand tonnes of rocket to go underneath it.
(A UNIT soldier enters and hands a message to LIZ.)
DOCTOR: Who's it from?
LIZ: The Brigadier.
(She reads it.)
LIZ: He wants us to go down to Hertfordshire to look at those bodies.
DOCTOR: How very morbid.
LIZ: Well, are you coming?
DOCTOR: No, I'm going to stay and get this capsule fully operational.
39: EXT. SPACE CENTRE ENTRANCE
(LIZ drives through the checkpoint at the tunnel like entrance to the Centre in Bessie.)
40: EXT. ROAD
(Further down the road, a Ford Capri pulls out of a side road in pursuit.)
41: INT. SPACE CONTROL. CAPSULE HANGER
(The DOCTOR is back leaning into the capsule working.)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Doctor?
(The BRIGADIER gets no answer and taps him with his swagger stick. The DOCTOR looks up.)
DOCTOR: You're back soon.
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Well, I started back an hour ago.
DOCTOR: But Liz has just gone to meet you. We received a message asking us to join you.
(The DOCTOR sees the look on his face.)
DOCTOR: You didn't send it?
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: I'll get after her.
(He runs out.)
42: EXT. ROADS
(LIZ has realised that she is being followed and desperately tries to pull ahead of the roaring Capri. The two cars swerve as LIZ tries to avoid her pursuers. Realising that the Capri is trying to pull ahead of her, she swerves from one side of the road to the other to try and keep ahead. The Capri - and the two men in it - keep pace with her.)
43: EXT. ROADSIDE
(Finally, the Capri pulls ahead of Bessie and forces LIZ to stop. LIZ jumps out and runs. The two men from the Capri give chase...)
44: EXT. FIELD
(...across a football field...)
45: EXT. WEIR
(...and onto a weir. LIZ is out of breath from the chase and despite the fact that she can see no obvious way of escape, continues to run carefully along the narrow ledge. Halfway across they catch up. LIZ struggles with one of the men who she one flips over the side. He manages to hang on. She runs on a few paces but the other man catches her and knocks her over towards the torrent of water...) | {"type": "series", "show": "Doctor Who", "episode": "07x14 - The Ambassadors of Death - part 3"} | foreverdreaming |
The Ambassadors of Death
Written by David Whitaker, Trevor Rayl and Malcolm Hulke
Episode 4
Original Air Date: 11 April, 1970
5:45pm - 6:10pm
1: EXT. WEIR
(LIZ is out of breath from the chase and despite the fact that she can see no obvious way of escape, continues to run carefully along the narrow ledge.
Halfway across they catch up. LIZ struggles with one of the men who she one flips over the side. He manages to hang on. She runs on a few paces but the other man catches her and knocks her over towards the torrent of water. She manages to hang onto the rail and the second man reaches down to her.)
2: EXT. WEIR
(The first man scrambles back onto the weir and comes to help the second man pull the dangling LIZ back to safety.)
3: INT. UNDERGROUND LABORATORY
(REEGAN, wearing a smart raincoat, enters the lab, holding onto LIZ'S arm and pushing her down the stairs ahead of him.)
LIZ: Will you let go of my arm, you're hurting me, ow!
(He pushes her off the final few steps.)
LIZ: Oh!
(LENNOX and a thug - MASTERS - are waiting in the lab.)
REEGAN: (To LENNOX.) I've brought you some company
LENNOX: I thought they told you to get both of them.
REEGAN: Oh, he wouldn't keep the appointment. She's a scientist. She can give you a hand.
(A shocked LIZ recognises the scientist.)
LIZ: Doctor Lennox!
REEGAN: (Sarcastically.) Somebody remembers you!
(He looks through the observation window.)
REEGAN: How are our zombie friends?
LENNOX: Surviving, but only just.
REEGAN: I didn't expect them to be dancing a jig. (To LIZ.) Start making yourself useful.
LIZ: What if I don't?
(REEGAN points through the window.)
REEGAN: I might just lock you in there with them!
4: INT. UNIT HQ. BRIGADIER'S OFFICE
(The BRIGADIER enters his office. The DOCTOR is there, writing at a side desk. CARRINGTON paces the room.)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: I've issued Miss Shaw's description to every police force in the country.
GENERAL CARRINGTON: Why? Do you expect her to be wandering the streets?
(The BRIGADIER sits at his desk and gives the GENERAL a look.)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: No sir, just a formality.
GENERAL CARRINGTON: I took the liberty of examining the things found on the bodies of those two men.
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: They should have gone to Forensics, sir - untouched!
GENERAL CARRINGTON: No need for that, Forensics can't tell us anything we can't see for ourselves.
(He holds a scrap of paper.)
GENERAL CARRINGTON: Look - a newspaper cutting in a foreign language.
(The DOCTOR doesn't look up.)
DOCTOR: Anyone can buy a foreign newspaper, General.
GENERAL CARRINGTON: What about this comb then, with the makers imprint on it in the same language?
(The DOCTOR gets up.)
DOCTOR: Let me look.
(He takes the comb and tries to read the markings. He then takes a jeweller's eyeglass out of his pocket and puts it into his right eye to read closer. He tuts several times and looks at CARRINGTON.)
DOCTOR: Very remiss of them - keeping this.
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: They could have been planted, sir.
GENERAL CARRINGTON: No, the only people who could set up an organisation of this size would be foreign agents with enormous resources behind them...
(The DOCTOR waves the comb at him.)
DOCTOR: And hair combs!
(He goes back to his desk.)
GENERAL CARRINGTON: They want to use the radiated astronauts as a w*apon.
DOCTOR: I've told you where your astronauts are, General. They're still in orbit.
GENERAL CARRINGTON: That's ridiculous.
DOCTOR: Is it? When your Professor Heldorf had the aliens in his care, he started to record some sort of radio communication impulses.
GENERAL CARRINGTON: Astronauts do have walky-talkies in their helmets, you know.
DOCTOR: Then why didn't Heldorf talk to them?
GENERAL CARRINGTON: Yes, well perhaps he was recording the level of radioactivity in their bodies?
DOCTOR: Yes, well I don't think so. Well, I'm going down to the Space Centre, use the computer. I trust your man Taltalian won't hold a g*n on me this time?
(He gets up with Heldorf's papers and heads for the door.)
GENERAL CARRINGTON: Doctor, nothing is to be gained by deciphering these impulses! Our objective should be to find the missing astronauts.
DOCTOR: General, how many times must I tell you, your astronauts are still in orbit. My objective is to find out what these aliens are trying to say to us.
(He goes, leaving an unhappy CARRINGTON behind him.)
5: INT. SPACE CONTROL. COMPUTER ROOM
(TALTALIAN and CORNISH are talking, CORNISH writing on a clipboard as TALTALIAN looks through notes.)
RALPH CORNISH: What's the K factor?
TALTALIAN: Fuel - one thousand two hundred, ninety-seven tons.
RALPH CORNISH: No other available source?
TALTALIAN: Liquid fuel in production - two thousand tons.
RALPH CORNISH: Well, that can be speeded up.
TALTALIAN: The new M3 Variant's highly volatile. It was not intended for manned spaceflight.
RALPH CORNISH: We'll have to use it.
TALTALIAN: The lift-off rate would crush the astronaut.
RALPH CORNISH: What about reducing the Gs by mixing K and M3?
TALTALIAN: I will compute that. But you will still have to get your rocket built.
RALPH CORNISH: Well, the minister is putting up every possible objection.
TALTALIAN: What do you expect? This Doctor's theory is ridiculous.
RALPH CORNISH: I thought you were supposed to be helping me...or do you intend to commit more sabotage?
TALTALIAN: I was ordered to do that by General Carrington.
(Unseen, the DOCTOR enters the room behind TALTALIAN, carrying Heldorf's papers.)
TALTALIAN: I have computed the assembly of the rescue rocket as you asked me.
(The DOCTOR pulls a pen out of his jacket pocket and comes up behind TALTALIAN. He sticks the pen into his back like a g*n barrel. TALTALIAN gasps and flinches.)
DOCTOR: You're not armed I hope?
TALTALIAN: I would not have used that g*n - not on a fellow scientist.
DOCTOR: Thank you. I'm much relieved.
(He walks into TALTALIAN'S view who looks furious when he sees the pen in the DOCTOR'S hand.)
RALPH CORNISH: Have they found your assistant?
DOCTOR: No, not yet. May I have the use of your computer?
RALPH CORNISH: Yes, certainly and I'm sure Doctor Taltalian will be only too pleased to help you.
(He smiles at TALTALIAN who looks anything but pleased.)
RALPH CORNISH: (To the DOCTOR.) Er, when you have a moment, I'd like to see you in the control room about the Recovery Capsule.
(He leaves the room.)
DOCTOR: I'd like to programme these impulse records, if I may.
TALTALIAN: What do you hope to learn from them?
DOCTOR: Well if I knew, I wouldn't need a computer would I?
TALTALIAN: To make a start, we must have some idea.
DOCTOR: Well, I suspect some sort of pattern.
TALTALIAN: This could take a long time...
DOCTOR: Well, it mustn't Taltalian, it mustn't!
TALTALIAN: Doctor, I am not trying to obstruct you!
(The wall phone rings.)
TALTALIAN: Excuse me.
(He goes to the phone and picks it up.)
TALTALIAN: (Into phone.) Hello, Taltalian here? (He listens.) Yes. (Listens.) Who is that? (Listens.) A moment please. (To the DOCTOR.) It is for you.
(The DOCTOR comes and takes the phone from him.)
DOCTOR: (Into phone.) Hello, yes? (He listens.) Yes, it is. (Listens.) Who is this?
(He receives no answer and replaces the phone on the wall. He turns to TALTALIAN with suspicion.)
DOCTOR: My assistant, Liz Shaw.
TALTALIAN: They have found her?
DOCTOR: No...someone thr*at to k*ll her if I don't stop interfering.
(He walks over to TALTALIAN, glaring intently at the wary scientist, then speaks in a matter-of-fact voice as if nothing had happened.)
DOCTOR: Well, let's get back to work shall we?
(He walks off towards the computer, TALTALIAN watching him go.)
6: INT. UNDERGROUND LABORATORY
(LIZ, sat at the console, and LENNOX with a clipboard, are working. They are carefully watched by MASTERS.)
LIZ: Two million rads...
(She checks a control.)
LIZ: (Worried.) ...dropping to two million, minus fifty thousand.
LENNOX: (Also worried.) Minus five-o thousand.
(He looks into the windowed room where the ASTRONAUTS stand slumped against the walls. He turns to MASTERS.)
LENNOX: You'd better tell Reegan we've only got one more canister left...
(MASTERS doesn't move but looks at him with suspicion. LENNOX gets angry.)
LENNOX: Well? Do you want them to die?
MASTERS: You'd better be right.
(He leaves through a door next to the bottom of the stairs. LIZ watches him go carefully, throws on her coat and darts up the stairs. She tries the door at the top of the stairs but it won't budge and she comes back down forlornly.)
LENNOX: It's no use - they lock it.
LIZ: Are you a prisoner?
LENNOX: That's a matter of opinion.
LIZ: (Angrily.) Are you or aren't you?
LENNOX: I can come and go as I please. But I...haven't got anywhere to go.
LIZ: You were a respected scientist, once!
LENNOX: Grossly underpaid!
(He goes over to her with the radiation gloves and hood.)
LENNOX: Can you help me?
(LIZ starts to sort them out. LENNOX suddenly puts a key on the table. LIZ looks at him in shock.)
LENNOX: I, er, I...I lost my key somewhere, er, for that door up there.
(LIZ picks it up. LENNOX grabs her arm.)
LENNOX: (Whispers.) They'll find me in the cubicle - locked and bolted from the outside - do you understand?
LIZ: (Whispers.) Yes, of course. Why don't you come with me?
LENNOX: (In despair.) Where would I go?
(LIZ helps him on with radiation helmet and takes the key. She opens the door to the booth and LENNOX goes inside. LIZ locks the door, and heads up the stairs.)
7: INT. SPACE CONTROL. COMPUTER ROOM
(The DOCTOR studies a print-out.)
DOCTOR: These impulses are mathematical formulae for building an electronic device.
TALTALIAN: What sort of a electronic device?
DOCTOR: Well, I'll have to build it to find out, won't I?
TALTALIAN: In defiance of the message thr*at Miss Shaw's life?
DOCTOR: Well, how are these people going to know what I'm doing unless somebody tells them?
TALTALIAN: (Laughs.) Who would do that?
(The DOCTOR turns and looks at him.)
DOCTOR: You for instance?
8: EXT UNDERGROUND LABORATORY
(LIZ comes out of the laboratory - a small blockhouse in woodland. She looks round carefully, shuts the door, checks that the coast is clear and starts running away.)
9: INT. SPACE CONTROL. COMPUTER ROOM
(The working relationship between TALTALIAN and the DOCTOR is not getting any warmer...)
TALTALIAN: You are being most insulting!
(The DOCTOR gets up and stares him down.)
DOCTOR: And you are being continually obstructive!
TALTALIAN: I acted under the orders of General Carrington.
DOCTOR: Did you? Or are you involved with the people who are really behind this?
TALTALIAN: What people are you talking about?
DOCTOR: The people who kidnapped Miss Shaw, who kidnapped the three astronauts?
TALTALIAN: Have you told the Brigadier about your suspicions?
DOCTOR: No, not yet.
TALTALIAN: Why not, if you are so sure of your facts?
DOCTOR: (Quietly.) Well, I thought I'd offer you some sort of alternative - a ruthless investigation by the Brigadier...or a few quiet words with me, and your name kept out of things.
TALTALIAN: I don't know what you are talking about.
DOCTOR: I think you do, Taltalian...and I'm going to give you a little time to think it over. Mmm?
(TALTALIAN stares at him. The DOCTOR collects his papers.)
DOCTOR: Right, well, if you'll excuse me, I must see what can be done about building this machine.
(He heads for the door.)
DOCTOR: Think over what I've said. I shall expect to hear from you very soon.
(He leaves. TALTALIAN stares angrily after him. He goes to a locker , opens it and takes out a small device about the size of a cigarette packet with a small speaker and a dial. He puts it in his pocket.)
10: EXT. ROADSIDE
(LIZ runs through a field, through a gate and to a roadside in woodland. She tries to flag down a passing MG but is unsuccessful. She sees a Mercedes Benz approaching. She flags it down and it stops. She smiles in relief and goes to the passenger door and opens it. TALTALIAN is inside.)
LIZ: Doctor Talt...
(He pulls a g*n out of his pocket and aims it at her.)
LIZ: ...alian.
TALTALIAN: Get in, Miss Shaw.
(Warily, LIZ does so and the car drives off, back through the gate, towards the laboratory.)
11: INT. UNDERGROUND LABORATORY
(LIZ has been returned and stands before REEGAN, TALTALIAN and MASTERS.)
LIZ: I tell you, nobody helped me - that door was left open.
REEGAN: You might have k*lled poor Lennox, locking him in with those things.
LIZ: (Laughs.) He should have thought of that before he joined you.
REEGAN: (Menacingly.) Get over there and help him.
(MASTERS pushes her towards where LENNOX nervously stands next to the console.)
MASTERS: Go on!
LIZ: Don't touch me you!
REEGAN: And Will? Make sure that door is kept locked! (To TALTALIAN.) Did you bring it?
(TALTALIAN takes the small device out his pocket and hands it to REEGAN. He then passes him two sets of papers.)
TALTALIAN: These are the operating instructions. This is the communication code. It's quite simple.
REEGAN: A little too simple.
TALTALIAN: What does that mean?
REEGAN: I need to talk to those things.
TALTALIAN: You have a list of simple signals and commands - transmit and they will obey.
REEGAN: And if they don't?
TALTALIAN: You thr*at to cut off their supply of radiation - there is a signal for that too.
REEGAN: And translating their replies? There's a machine for that?
TALTALIAN: Yes, in my computer room, you don't need it.
REEGAN: I'm the one dealing with these creatures.
TALTALIAN: You will use these creatures to carry out a series of raids on carefully chosen targets. You know enough to do your job, but I have further instructions for you
REEGAN: Have you now?
TALTALIAN: Your call to the Doctor thr*at the girl's life was stupid!
REEGAN: It might have slowed him down a little.
TALTALIAN: On the contrary, it merely made him more determined and suspicious - suspicious of me!
REEGAN: Too bad.
TALTALIAN: He has got to be put out of the way - permanently!
REEGAN: To save your neck?
TALTALIAN: He is about to discover how to construct one of those machines.
REEGAN: (Admiringly.) Clever.
TALTALIAN: And he has got to be stopped.
(REEGAN examines the machine, thinking over the problem.)
REEGAN: All right, I'll deal with him. And since your own skin's in danger, you can help me.
12: INT. UNIT HQ. BRIGADIER'S OFFICE
(The DOCTOR sits in the BRIGADIER'S office, drinking a cup of tea. The BRIGADIER is at his desk, writing.)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Taltalian? Do you have you any proof?
DOCTOR: No, not a scrap.
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Then why accuse him?
DOCTOR: Something even his computers don't have - intuition. I think I rattled him.
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Taltalian was acting under Carrington's orders, Quinlan explained that.
DOCTOR: Yes, I know, I heard him. And I didn't believe a word of it.
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Why not?
DOCTOR: Well, first they try keeping us in the dark altogether and when that didn't work, they fall back on some prepared cover story - contagious radiation indeed!
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Then what is happening, Doctor?
DOCTOR: I don't know. Perhaps I'll know better when I've built this device.
(He gets up and hands the BRIGADIER a list.)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: What's this?
DOCTOR: Advanced electronic equipment. I need it at once.
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Right, I'll see to it.
DOCTOR: Good - I'll be in my laboratory.
(He walks to the door.)
DOCTOR: I suppose there's no news?
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Miss Shaw?
DOCTOR: Mmm.
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: No, nothing. We're doing all we can.
DOCTOR: Yes, of course.
13: INT. UNDERGROUND LABORATORY
(LENNOX and LIZ continue working. MASTERS stands on the other side of the room on watch. LENNOX approaches LIZ who sits at the console making notes.)
LENNOX: (Whispers.) Thanks for keeping quiet.
LIZ: (Whispers.) Do you think he suspects you helped me?
LENNOX: (Whispers.) He suspects everyone.
LIZ: (Whispers.) If at first you don't succeed?
LENNOX: (Whispers.) You won't get another chance.
LIZ: (Whispers.) We'll see
LENNOX: (Whispers.) How did they get you back?
LIZ: (Whispers.) I ran into an old friend.
(REEGAN enters through the door to the left of the stairs, a briefcase in his hands. TALTALIAN is pacing about, impatiently.)
TALTALIAN: I have got to get back!
REEGAN: It's a delicate operation.
(He smiles and puts the brief case on the desk.)
REEGAN: It's quite simple.
(He opens the case. It is a b*mb, filled with high expl*sives, wires and a timer.)
REEGAN: All you have to do is set the dial to the time you require. How long do you need to get clear of the building?
TALTALIAN: Ten minutes, maybe more
REEGAN: Let's say quarter of an hour. We can't have you taking risks.
(He sets the dials.)
REEGAN: Now, you leave the case as near to the Doctor as you possibly can.
(He closes the cases and pushes back the locking catches.)
REEGAN: You slide these catches together and that starts the mechanism. Fifteen minutes later - no more Doctor.
TALTALIAN: But what if he should try to open the case while I am still away?
REEGAN: The same result, a little earlier.
TALTALIAN: It's too risky.
REEGAN: It's you he's after.
TALTALIAN: Very well.
(MASTERS helps TALTALIAN on with his coat. While he is distracted, REEGAN snaps open the briefcase, re-sets the timer dials, and then closes it again. He gives the case to TALTALIAN who heads for the stairs.)
REEGAN: Doctor Taltalian? Do as you're told and your troubles will be over.
14: INT. SPACE CONTROL. COMPUTER ROOM
(The DOCTOR is back at Space Control and is talking to CORNISH in the computer room.)
RALPH CORNISH: (Bitterly.) Every available astronaut is suddenly not available, not fit, transferred to other duties, waiting for security clearance.
DOCTOR: Is that all?
RALPH CORNISH: All? Well, what good's a rocket without a pilot?
DOCTOR: I'll take the rocket up for you myself.
RALPH CORNISH: Thank you, Doctor, but I don't think you realise just what's necessary.
DOCTOR: My dear man, I've spent more time in space than any astronaut on your staff! Not I'll admit in the rather primitive contraptions that you use, but...I'll manage.
(CORNISH looks at him with something approaching amusement.)
RALPH CORNISH: Doctor, I don't think you realise what's...
DOCTOR: (Interrupting.) I can also withstand considerably more G-force than most people - even though I do say so myself.
RALPH CORNISH: Well if you insist. You can take the tests.
DOCTOR: Tests, simulations, anything you like. When that recovery capsule is ready, I'll take it up.
(TALTALIAN enters with the briefcase.)
TALTALIAN: Hello, Doctor, I was just coming over to see you.
DOCTOR: Well I've saved you a journey haven't I?
(TALTALIAN puts the briefcase on a table next to the DOCTOR.)
RALPH CORNISH: Do you have the computations for lift-off?
TALTALIAN: All but the final phase.
RALPH CORNISH: Well, let me have them as soon as possible will you? (To the DOCTOR.) I'll see about those tests, Doctor.
(He leaves watched carefully by TALTALIAN who then goes over to his locker. The DOCTOR walks over a leans on a piece of computer equipment.)
DOCTOR: Have you, er, thought over what I spoke to you about?
TALTALIAN: Yes.
DOCTOR: And?
TALTALIAN: I will tell you everything, if you will give me a chance to get away.
DOCTOR: Very well.
(TALTALIAN goes back to his case.)
TALTALIAN: The information I need is in my car, I will go and fetch it. You will wait for me here?
DOCTOR: Yes, all right.
(TALTALIAN pushes the clasps together. There is a flash and he screams...)
15: INT. UNDERGROUND LABORATORY
(LIZ is looking over the device that TALTALIAN brought with him.)
LIZ: I think I've got it now
REEGAN: Send "stand up"
(LIZ twists a dial on the machine and pushes it. The device transmits an electronic signal. In the booth, the ASTRONAUTS get off the floor and stand watched by LIZ, REEGAN, LENNOX and MASTERS.)
REEGAN: Forward.
(LIZ twists the dial and sends. The ASTRONAUTS move forward, one heading for the back of the room and the other two towards the window.)
REEGAN: Send "stop".
(LIZ twists the dial and sends. The ASTRONAUTS stop.)
REEGAN: There can be no problems with that thing?
LIZ: (Smiles.) It's simple enough - even you might be able to manage it.
REEGAN: We can do without the back-chat, let me have it.
LIZ: Taltalian gave you this thing didn't he?
REEGAN: Never you mind.
(He snatches the device from her and picks up his jacket.)
LIZ: That case you gave him. What was it?
REEGAN: Well, you could say it was a way of k*lling two birds...with one stone.
16: INT. SPACE CONTROL. COMPUTER ROOM
(UNIT soldiers are clearing up in the smoke filled room. The DOCTOR has a plaster on his face but is otherwise uninjured. He is examining debris from the briefcase)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: You seem to have been right about Taltalian.
DOCTOR: A lot of good it did me - and him.
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: He was obviously trying to plant a time b*mb on you - lucky for you the mechanism was faulty.
DOCTOR: I'm not sure that it was - look at this
(He shows him the remains of the detonator.)
DOCTOR: See this is set to Zero. Taltalian must have thought he had plenty of time to get away, when in fact this b*mb was set to go off instantaneously.
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: So whoever gave it to him wanted to get rid of both of you?
DOCTOR: Yes.
(He starts to pace the room, thinking.)
DOCTOR: Taltalian was a weak link, you know. I think his employers wanted him out of the way.
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Another dead-end then?
DOCTOR: Yeah, I'm afraid so.
(He finds himself before TALTALIAN'S locker. He frowns and reaches inside, pulling out an identical device to the one that TALTALIAN gave REEGAN.)
DOCTOR: Brigadier, look at this!
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: What's that?
DOCTOR: Well, it's something very similar to the machine I'm trying to build - and Taltalian had one all the time.
17: INT. SIR JAMES QUINLAN'S OFFICE
(GENERAL CARRINGTON is again visiting QUINLAN.)
QUINLAN: Well, time's running out. Cornish is almost ready to put up that recovery rocket.
GENERAL CARRINGTON: You were supposed to stop him, sir.
QUINLAN: Don't you think I've tried? I've tried every possible delay.
GENERAL CARRINGTON: You must keep on trying, Sir James.
QUINLAN: That Doctor's even volunteered to pilot the recovery rocket.
GENERAL CARRINGTON: He must be stopped.
QUINLAN: We could tell him the truth?
GENERAL CARRINGTON: No. We know too little about him.
QUINLAN: There may be not alternative.
GENERAL CARRINGTON: There's got to be. If that rocket goes up, it means disaster for the entire world.
18: INT. UNDERGROUND LABORATORY
(REEGAN, his feet on the table, is talking on the phone...)
REEGAN: (Into phone.) Now don't you worry sir, everything's going fine. (He listens.) Yes, it's a pity about that. This Doctor fellow must have nine lives. (Listens.) Tonight? Well it's a bit soon. (Listens.) All right, if I must I must. (Listens.) I'll see to it. (Listens.)
Right.
(He puts the phone down and turns to MASTERS.)
REEGAN: Will, go and get the van. there's a good fellow
MASTERS: Okay, Mr. Reegan.
LENNOX: You're taking them away?
REEGAN: No, Just a little excursion. Open the door.
(LENNOX hesitates, then unbolts the booth door. REEGAN takes the device over to LIZ.)
REEGAN: This thing - can it work the other way round, so they can talk to us?
LIZ: No, just sends impulses they seem to understand.
REEGAN: But there could be a machine?
LIZ: I imagine so.
REEGAN: I think I'll be paying two visits tonight...
(He twists the dial and transmits. An ASTRONAUT, breathing heavily, exits the booth.)
19: EXT. SPACE CENTRE ENTRANCE
(A UNIT SOLDIER stands on guard at the barrier to the Space Centre entrance. He looks down the road and sees a figure walking towards him, illuminated from behind the rays of the sun - it is one of the ASTRONAUTS.)
UNIT SOLDIER: Halt!
(The figure carries on walking. The SOLDIER takes out a g*n from his holster.)
UNIT SOLDIER: Halt or I'll f*re!
(He fires several times but the b*ll*ts have no effect. The ASTRONAUT moves relentlessly forward and places his hands on the barrier arm. There is a flash which moves down the barrier and "electrifies" the UNIT SOLDIER flinging him backwards into the side of his booth and onto the ground. The ASTRONAUT pushes up the barrier and moves into the Centre.)
20: INT. SPACE CONTROL. COMPUTER ROOM
(Two technicians are in the computer room. The ASTRONAUT enters. One of the technicians moves forward and the ASTRONAUT merely touches him - k*lling him with a red flash. He moves towards TALTALIAN'S locker. Another technician tries to stop him and is k*lled in a similar fashion. The ASTRONAUT rummages in the locker.
A UNIT guard enters and starts sh**ting. The b*ll*ts have no effect. The ASTRONAUT walks towards him, touches the guard and k*lling him with another red flash...)
21: INT. SPACE CONTROL. CORRIDOR OUTSIDE COMPUTER ROOM
(...flinging him into the corridor.)
22: INT. UNIT HQ. BRIGADIER'S OFFICE
(The DOCTOR holds TALTALIAN'S device.)
DOCTOR: I tell you, it converts radio impulses into human speech. The aliens in Heldorf's Laboratory were trying to communicate with him.
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: So you were right, they aren't human.
DOCTOR: I never believed they were. Now, if I could only build the other half of this thing.
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: We could contact the astronauts - or whatever they are.
DOCTOR: Yes, probably- if you were to hurry up with those parts that I've ordered.
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Most of them are coming from Japan, Doctor.
(The phone rings and the BRIGADIER answers it.)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: (Into phone.) Yes? (He listens.) Yes he's here.
(He passes the phone to the DOCTOR.)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Sir James Quinlan.
(The DOCTOR takes the phone with a mutter.)
DOCTOR: (Into phone.) Hello, yes, Sir James?
23: INT. SIR JAMES QUINLAN'S OFFICE
QUINLAN: (Into phone.) Doctor, I'd like to know if it's still your intention to pilot the recovery rocket.
24: INT. UNIT HQ. BRIGADIER'S OFFICE
DOCTOR: (Into phone.) Most certainly!
25: INT. SIR JAMES QUINLAN'S OFFICE
QUINLAN: (Into phone.) I can't persuade you that you're action would be disastrous?
26: INT. UNIT HQ. BRIGADIER'S OFFICE
DOCTOR: (Into phone.) You might. If you were to tell me the truth, Sir James - the whole truth.
27: INT. SIR JAMES QUINLAN'S OFFICE
QUINLAN: (Into phone.) Then you leave me no choice. Will you come and see me please me - at once?
28: INT. UNIT HQ. BRIGADIER'S OFFICE
DOCTOR: (Into phone.) Very well, Sir James. Thank you.
(He puts down the phone and turns to the BRIGADIER.)
DOCTOR: He wants me to come and see him. He says he's going to tell me the whole truth.
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Well, I'm coming with you.
(The BRIGADIER gets up.)
29: INT. SIR JAMES QUINLAN'S OFFICE
(QUINLAN is working at his desk as the rear door behind him opens and a booted figure enters - it is an ASTRONAUT. QUINLAN turns and a look of terror appears on his face when he sees who his visitor is. He gets up and starts to back round the desk but the ASTRONAUT reaches up and kills the civil servant with a touch on the chest and a red flash of power. QUINLAN falls back across his desk. The ASTRONAUT moves to a safe in the corner by the door. It touches the safe, there is an expl*si*n and the door opens. It touches the top shelf and there is a flash. It then touches the lower shelf and there is a similar flash as the contents are destroyed. Suddenly the door opens and the DOCTOR enters, noticing QUINLAN, but not the ASTRONAUT behind the door.)
DOCTOR: Sir James!
(He rushes to the body and checks the eyes for movement. He then listens to the d*ad man's chest. The ASTRONAUT comes up behind the DOCTOR, reaching for him...) | {"type": "series", "show": "Doctor Who", "episode": "07x15 - The Ambassadors of Death - part 4"} | foreverdreaming |
The Ambassadors of Death
Written by David Whitaker, Trevor Rayl and Malcolm Hulke
Episode 5
Original Air Date: 18 April, 1970
5:15pm - 5:40pm
1: INT. SIR JAMES QUINLAN'S OFFICE
(QUINLAN gets up and starts to back round the desk but the ASTRONAUT reaches up and kills the civil servant with a touch on the chest and a red flash of power. QUINLAN falls back across his desk.. The ASTRONAUT moves to a safe in the corner by the door. It touches the safe, there is an expl*si*n and the door opens. It touches the top shelf and there is a flash. It then touches the lower shelf and there is a similar flash as the contents are destroyed. Suddenly the door opens and the DOCTOR enters, noticing QUINLAN, but not the ASTRONAUT behind the door.)
DOCTOR: Sir James!
2: INT. SIR JAMES QUINLAN'S OFFICE
(The ASTRONAUT comes up behind the DOCTOR, reaching for him. The DOCTOR sees the ASTRONAUT but its hand is too close for him to move. He cringes as its fingers come closer. The BRIGADIER enters the office, sees what is happening and pulls out his g*n, f*ring several sh*ts.)
DOCTOR: No, don't!
(The unharmed ASTRONAUT turns and heads for the BRIGADIER.)
DOCTOR: Brigadier, don't try and stop him!
(An armed soldier runs into the room.)
DOCTOR: Keep back, man, keep back!
(The warning is too late. The ASTRONAUT touches the soldier who is blasted to the wall by a touch and a red flare. The ASTRONAUT calmly leaves, closing the door behind him as the DOCTOR bends down to help the soldier. There is an expl*si*n in the door handle. The BRIGADIER carefully tries the door but it has been welded shut.)
DOCTOR: No, there's no point in trying to follow him, there's nothing we can do.
3: INT. UNDERGROUND LABORATORY
LENNOX: Do you really think they're not human?
LIZ: Well, I intend to find out! Do you know where Reegan's taken the third one?
LENNOX: No. Don't ask so many questions...
LIZ: (Interrupting.) Is Reegan in charge?
LENNOX: No, he...he works for someone...someone high up.
LIZ: He's got to be stopped.
LENNOX: You won't get away again.
LIZ: But you might.
(LENNOX looks at her.)
4: INT. SIR JAMES QUINLAN'S OFFICE
(The door to the office has been opened and two UNIT soldiers stand on guard as the DOCTOR examines the safe. The BRIGADIER empties the contents of a small metal dish into his hand.)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Doctor?
DOCTOR: Mmm?
(As the DOCTOR gets up, the BRIGADIER takes the objects over to him.)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Look at these b*ll*ts - flattened.
(The DOCTOR takes them and holds one up for examination.)
DOCTOR: Yes...deflected by some sort of force field, I should think.
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: So there's no way of stopping them?
DOCTOR: Not with b*ll*ts.
(The door opens and SERGEANT BENTON enters and salutes.)
SERGEANT BENTON: Strong radioactive trace as far as the road outside sir and then nothing.
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Thank you Benton.
(BENTON leaves.)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: So, they were taken away in a vehicle.
DOCTOR: Somebody's using these creatures, Brigadier. They're not free agents.
(The DOCTOR places the b*ll*ts back in the metal dish.)
DOCTOR: They were brought to Earth for some purpose.
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Conquest?
DOCTOR: Possibly...or is that we are supposed to think?
5: INT. UNDERGROUND LABORATORY
(The returning ASTRONAUT walks down the stairs back into the laboratory watched by REEGAN who operates the control device, transmitting instructions. The AMBASSADOR turns to face the booth where its fellows wait.)
6: INT. SPACE CONTROL. MAIN CONTROL ROOM
(The DOCTOR is in the semi-deserted control room at Space Control with RALPH CORNISH, studying plans for the rocket launch.)
DOCTOR: What's the rate of fuel consumption?
RALPH CORNISH: For the first two and a half minutes - fifteen tons per second. We, er, have to use a mixture of standard fuel and the new M3 variant.
DOCTOR: Has that ever been done before?
RALPH CORNISH: No...we can't get enough of the standard fuel in time.
DOCTOR: Hasn't the death of Sir James Quinlan made things any easier for you?
RALPH CORNISH: Harder.
(A female CONTROL ROOM ASSISTANT passes him a paper.)
RALPH CORNISH: Thank you.
(She walks off and CORNISH goes over to his desk.)
RALPH CORNISH: Everything's wrapped up in red tape until they appoint a successor.
(CORNISH looks over the paper.)
RALPH CORNISH: Oh, this is your medical report, Doctor.
(The DOCTOR looks slightly panicked.)
DOCTOR: Yes, well, don't let's bother about that for the time being.
RALPH CORNISH: Oh, this is incredible. According to this, you...
DOCTOR: (Interrupting and embarrassed.) Yes... (Coughs.) Yes, I know, I...I told you everything would be all right.
(CORNISH looks at him in puzzlement.)
7: INT. UNDERGROUND LABORATORY
(Within the booth, one of the ASTRONAUT'S collapses onto the floor. LENNOX enters in a radiation suit, unpacks another isotope and places it in its holder.
He leaves the booth as another of REEGAN'S heavies - FLYNN - closes the door behind him. LIZ turns accusingly to REEGAN who wears his own radiation suit.)
LIZ: What've you done to it?
REEGAN: It's had a busy time.
(LENNOX takes the hood of his suit off.)
LENNOX: Busy? Doing what?
REEGAN: k*lling.
(He sits as LIZ stands over him.)
LIZ: Who's been k*lled?
REEGAN: Some of your friends from UNIT.
LIZ: (Panicked.) The Brigadier?
REEGAN: No, I'm afraid not. Just some of the other ranks.
LENNOX: What happened?
(An excited REEGAN points to the booth.)
REEGAN: One touch from him and down they go!
LIZ: And no one resisted?
REEGAN: They tried. b*ll*ts just bounce off them. With these three you could do anything - walk into Fort Knox and help yourself.
LIZ: Well, that's what you're going to do with them is it?
REEGAN: I might!
(He gets up.)
REEGAN: Keep feeding them radiation - I've got a lot more work for him to do. (To FLYNN.) Tony?
(FLYNN comes over to him.)
REEGAN: Lock that main door then come through and see me.
(REEGAN goes through the lower door and FLYNN goes up the stairs to the outside. LIZ turns to LENNOX.)
LIZ: Well, you're working for a m*rder.
LENNOX: (Dismissive.) Doh, Reegan was just boasting.
LIZ: You don't believe that.
LENNOX: Look, it's got nothing to do with me, Miss Shaw. I'm paid to look after them!
LIZ: You are just as guilty as if you k*lled those people yourself.
(LENNOX tries to turn away from her but she just walks round to stare him in the face.)
LIZ: Well? What are you going to do about it?
LENNOX: What can I do? I'm too much involved!
LIZ: You could go to UNIT and tell them where we are.
LENNOX: Reegan would k*ll me!
LIZ: Go to Brigadier Lethbridge Stewart, he'll give you protective custody- you'll be safe.
LENNOX: Anyway, I can't leave here now. Reegan's taken away my key to that door.
LIZ: Then you'll just have to talk your way out.
8: INT. SPACE CONTROL. MAIN CONTROL ROOM
(GENERAL CARRINGTON appears on the upper level of the control room at Space Control. The DOCTOR and CORNISH are still at the latter's desk.)
GENERAL CARRINGTON: I understand you're going ahead with launching this rocket.
RALPH CORNISH: Yes.
GENERAL CARRINGTON: I absolutely forbid it!
RALPH CORNISH: You haven't the authority to forbid it, General.
DOCTOR: What have you got against it?
(CARRINGTON walks down to the lower level.)
GENERAL CARRINGTON: Sir James Quinlan m*rder, alien creatures attacking the Space Centre, the sudden death of Doctor Taltalian - this is obviously just the beginning.
RALPH CORNISH: The beginning of what?
GENERAL CARRINGTON: An alien invasion with the collaboration of a foreign power.
DOCTOR: All the more reason for me to go up in that rocket and find out what's happened up there.
GENERAL CARRINGTON: Are you a trained astronaut, sir?
RALPH CORNISH: He's perfectly capable of making the trip. I have his medical report here.
(CORNISH lays the report before CARRINGTON.)
GENERAL CARRINGTON: You haven't answered my question, Doctor.
DOCTOR: You haven't answered mine: why are you opposed to this launch?
GENERAL CARRINGTON: Could this rocket carry a nuclear warhead?
RALPH CORNISH: Yes.
GENERAL CARRINGTON: Then that's what it should be used for.
DOCTOR: Since we don't know what's up there, wouldn't it be more intelligent to carry a man rather than a b*mb?
GENERAL CARRINGTON: I might remind you gentlemen that I am responsible for Space Security.
RALPH CORNISH: And I am responsible for this Space Centre.
GENERAL CARRINGTON: (Angrily.) This launch was against the expressed wishes of Sir James Quinlan.
DOCTOR: Then I suggest you take the matter up with his successor - when he's been appointed.
(He walks off. CARRINGTON turns to CORNISH.)
GENERAL CARRINGTON: I shall go to the highest authority to have you stopped.
RALPH CORNISH: Then you'd better get on with it, General. We blast off in two hours time.
9: INT. UNDERGROUND LABORATORY
(The collapsed ASTRONAUT starts to get to its feet. LIZ and LENNOX are watching through the booth window.)
LENNOX: It's recovering.
LIZ: So Reegan can commit more m*rder?
(LENNOX turns guiltily away.)
LIZ: You're the only one who can stop it. You'll have to get a message out.
LENNOX: You know that's impossible.
LIZ: There's the telephone - you're allowed to use it.
LENNOX: All calls are monitored.
LIZ: Then you'll have to go yourself.
(At that moment, FLYNN comes in the upper door and starts to come down the stairs. He looks with suspicion at LIZ and LENNOX who are back at the console.)
LIZ: (To LENNOX: Quietly.) You want to see Reegan. Tell him the isotopes are running low and we've got to get some more.
LENNOX: He won't believe me...
LIZ: (Harshly.) Try!
(LENNOX collects himself and goes over to where FLYNN is sitting at the desk, reading a newspaper.)
LENNOX: I...I want to see Mr. Reegan. It's urgent.
FLYNN: It'll have to wait.
REEGAN: I said it's urgent!
FLYNN: He's in London. Meeting with the Boss.
LIZ: These creatures are dying!
(FLYNN gets up peers through the booth window. The ASTRONAUTS are walking slowly round the room.)
FLYNN: How can you tell?
LIZ: Look at the readings, you can see for yourself...
(FLYNN walks round to the console and looks over it uncomprehendingly.)
LENNOX: Er, This dial here...
(He points to a lifeless dial.)
LENNOX: ...it should be at maximum.
FLYNN: Why didn't you tell Reegan this before?
LIZ: It's only just happened - we don't understand it.
LENNOX: We're running out of Isotopes. I've got to go and get more.
FLYNN: No-one is to leave here!
LIZ: Then you'll be responsible if they die.
(FLYNN hesitates, then makes up his mind crossing back to the table with the phone.)
FLYNN: I'll call Reegan on the phone.
LIZ: There isn't time for that.
LENNOX: I've got to go now or it'll be too late. Look here, I'm not a prisoner here!
FLYNN: Reegan took your key away.
LENNOX: Yes, but that was because the girl tried to escape. You're supposed to be guarding her not me! (Angrily.) Now, open that door!
(FLYNN looks at the two of them, then moves towards the stairs. LENNOX follows. FLYNN unlocks the door and LENNOX goes through.)
LENNOX: I'll be back as soon as I can - keep an eye on that girl.
(Back in the lab, LIZ smiles as LENNOX leaves.)
10: INT. SPACE CONTROL. MAIN CONTROL ROOM
FEMALE CONTROL ROOM ASSISTANT: Fuel injection report: forty percent now loaded.
(The report carries across the room from a speaker.)
FEMALE CONTROL ROOM ASSISTANT: (OOV: Over tannoy.) Will switch to M3 variant at sixty-five percent.
RALPH CORNISH: Fuel injection report acknowledged.
MALE CONTROL ROOM ASSISTANT: (OOV: Over tannoy.) Communications circuit check, now underway - everything go condition.
(The DOCTOR and the BRIGADIER stand before CORNISH'S desk.)
RALPH CORNISH: Time you were in the preparation room, Doctor.
DOCTOR: Right.
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Why've you advanced lift-off time?
DOCTOR: Well, there seems to be some sort of official opposition to my going. General Carrington's trying to stop the launch.
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Is he?
FEMALE CONTROL ROOM ASSISTANT: (OOV: Over tannoy.) Astronaut now due in preparation chamber.
DOCTOR: Right, I must be off.
(The male CONTROL ROOM ASSISTANT walks over.)
MALE CONTROL ROOM ASSISTANT: There's a call for you, Brigadier.
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Oh, thank you
(The BRIGADIER picks up a wall phone.)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: (Into phone.) Lethbridge Stewart?
11: INT. UNIT HQ. ROOM
SERGEANT BENTON: (Into phone.) It's Sergeant Benton here, sir.
12: INT. SPACE CONTROL. MAIN CONTROL ROOM
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: (Into phone.) Yes, Benton?
13: INT. UNIT HQ. ROOM
SERGEANT BENTON: (Into phone.) A man called Lennox has just turned up out of the blue - very agitated. Says he knows something about the missing astronauts.
14: INT. SPACE CONTROL. MAIN CONTROL ROOM
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: (Into phone.) What did he tell you?
15: INT. UNIT HQ. ROOM
SERGEANT BENTON: (Into phone.) Nothing sir. Said he'll only talk to you in person.
16: INT. SPACE CONTROL. MAIN CONTROL ROOM
(The BRIGADIER considers this...)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: (Into phone.) What do you make of him, Benton?
17: INT. UNIT HQ. ROOM
SERGEANT BENTON: (Into phone.) He seems frightened. Scared out of his wits. He wants us to put him into protective custody.
18: INT. SPACE CONTROL. MAIN CONTROL ROOM
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: (Into phone.) Put him into one of the cells.
19: INT. UNIT HQ. ROOM
SERGEANT BENTON: (Into phone.) Shall I tell him you're coming back to see him, sir?
20: INT. SPACE CONTROL. MAIN CONTROL ROOM
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: (Into phone.) Yes, but I've got to finish my security checks here. I'll be back as soon as possible.
21: INT. UNIT HQ. CORRIDOR
(BENTON escorts LENNOX down a corridor to a door which he unlocks and opens. LENNOX walks in.)
22: INT. UNIT HQ. CELL
(LENNOX looks round in dismay.)
LENNOX: You're putting me in here?
SERGEANT BENTON: Look sir, you wanted protective custody. You can't be safer than in a cell.
(LENNOX looks towards the barred window.)
LENNOX: What's out there?
SERGEANT BENTON: It's just the yard, sir. What are you so frightened of?
LENNOX: I...I can only tell the Brigadier - how long will he be?
SERGEANT BENTON: He'll be back as soon as he can, sir. I'll get you a cup of tea and something to read.
LENNOX: No...no thank you.
(BENTON goes to leave.)
LENNOX: Er, Lock the door, won't you?
(BENTON smiles as if humouring the little man.)
SERGEANT BENTON: Yes sir, I'll lock the door.
(He leaves, locking the door as promised.)
23: INT. SPACE CONTROL. MAIN CONTROL ROOM
RALPH CORNISH: Report on Astronaut readiness please.
FEMALE CONTROL ROOM ASSISTANT: Astronaut ready. Now proceeding through quarantine area to capsule.
24: INT. SPACE CONTROL. QUARANTINE WAITING ROOM
(The BRIGADIER is pacing about a room which is stylish and modern with a couple of couches around the walls. Venetian blind cover a large picture window. A set of double doors open and the DOCTOR enters, wearing a spacesuit.)
DOCTOR: Hello, Brigadier, what are you doing here?
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: I thought I'd see you off. They told me to wait here.
DOCTOR: What is this place?
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Some sort of waiting room I imagine - in case there's any hold-up for the astronauts.
DOCTOR: Not very impressive for one's last sight of Earth, is it?
FEMALE CONTROL ROOM ASSISTANT: (OOV: Over tannoy.) Astronaut to proceed now to capsule.
(The BRIGADIER holds out his hand.)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Well goodbye, Doctor - good luck.
(They shake hands.)
DOCTOR: Goodbye Brigadier - and thank you.
(Two silver doors slide open. The DOCTOR walks through and they close behind him.)
25: INT. UNDERGROUND LABORATORY
(An angry REEGAN has returned to the lab.)
REEGAN: I told you no one was to leave here.
FLYNN: But he said they were dying.
REEGAN: How would you know?
FLYNN: Well, she said so too.
(FLYNN nods towards LIZ. REEGAN crosses over to her.)
REEGAN: So, you put him up to this.
(He grabs her by the arm and twists her round.)
REEGAN: There's nothing wrong with them!
LIZ: We thought they were dying.
REEGAN: The readings haven't changed since I left. Where's he gone?
LIZ: He's gone to get more Isotopes.
REEGAN: You're lying!
(He takes a g*n out of his suit pocket.)
REEGAN: Did you send him to see your friends at UNIT?
(He jams g*n up under LIZ'S chin.)
REEGAN: (Shouts.) Answer me!
LIZ: All right. He's gone to see Lethbridge Stewart. You're too late.
REEGAN: Don't you believe it.
(He thrusts LIZ over to FLYNN.)
REEGAN: (To FLYNN.) Watch her!
FLYNN: (To LIZ.) Don't try anything.
LIZ: (Calmly.) It's all right. I won't hurt you.
(REEGAN is on the phone.)
REEGAN: (Into phone.) Give me the direct line. (He pauses.) This is Reegan, listen we're in trouble! Lennox has gone to UNIT. (He listens.) All right, you take care of Lennox, I'll take care of the Doctor.
26: INT. SPACE CONTROL. MAIN CONTROL ROOM
FEMALE CONTROL ROOM ASSISTANT: Fuel injection report - fifty percent loaded.
RALPH CORNISH: Fuel injection report acknowledged. (Into microphone.) Control to capsule, have you completed your instrument check?
27: INT. RECOVERY 7
(The DOCTOR is strapped into his seat, hands behind his head and bored. The capsule is at an angle.)
DOCTOR: Yes. Yes, everything seems to be working all right.
RALPH CORNISH: (OOV: Over tannoy.) Capsule reports...is from systems at go.
(The DOCTOR sighs.)
DOCTOR: How much longer have I got to wait in here?
RALPH CORNISH: (OOV: Over tannoy, portentously.) We are now zero minus thirty - three-zero minutes.
DOCTOR: I take it you mean half an hour. How's the fuel situation?
RALPH CORNISH: (OOV: Over tannoy.) We now have fifty - five-o percent inboard switch to the M3 variant at sixty-five percent.
DOCTOR: Well, can't you hurry it up?
28: INT. SPACE CONTROL. MAIN CONTROL ROOM
RALPH CORNISH: We can't hurry the M3 variant.
29: INT. RECOVERY 7
RALPH CORNISH: (OOV: Over tannoy.) It's highly volatile.
DOCTOR: Well, I still think you could add a higher proportion of M3. And remember the extra G-force wouldn't worry me.
30: INT. SPACE CONTROL. MAIN CONTROL ROOM
RALPH CORNISH: It would worry you if the rocket blew up on lift off.
31: INT. RECOVERY 7
(The DOCTOR nods in agreement.)
DOCTOR: Ahh.
32: INT. SPACE CONTROL. MAIN CONTROL ROOM
RALPH CORNISH: I'm not taking the risk.
33: EXT. SPACE CENTRE. FUEL BAY
(The sign reads "SPACE CONTROL CENTRE, FUEL BAY, NO SMOKING, NO NAKED LIGHTS, DANGER". Two guards pass by and a UNIT soldier - PRIVATE PARKER watches them go. He turns and sees REEGAN, dressed in cap and overalls and carrying a bag, approaching towards him past the myriad number of pipes and containers.)
PRIVATE PARKER: (To REEGAN.) And where do you think you're going?
REEGAN: They want me at fuel control; there's a breakdown.
PRIVATE PARKER: That's news to me. Where's your pass
(REEGAN reaches in his pocket and hands over a piece of paper. As PARKER looks at it, REEGAN jabs him in the stomach and then thumps him on the head. He picks up the unconscious body and carries it around the corner, out of sight. He returns, checks that the coast is clear and then clambers up a ladder. Along the walkway, he sees a TECHNICIAN in a radiation suit on a slightly lower level. REEGAN quietly climbs down a short wooden ladder to the lower level. The TECHNICIAN sees him and goes for REEGAN who, from the ladder, kicks him over a railing. The TECHNICIAN hits the ground with a thump. REEGAN goes back up the higher walkway. Some way along, he checks that that coast is clear, runs, then climbs several stairwells to an even higher level. Near the top, he starts turning a control wheel. His task done, he leaves the immediate area.)
34: INT. SPACE CONTROL. MAIN CONTROL ROOM
MALE CONTROL ROOM ASSISTANT: Life support systems check - all at go.
RALPH CORNISH: Life support systems at go - acknowledged
FEMALE CONTROL ROOM ASSISTANT: (OOV: Over tannoy.) Attention: fuel injection malfunction.
RALPH CORNISH: Control to fuel bay!
(The dial on the monitor suddenly drops to "0%".)
RALPH CORNISH: Check all fuel injection circuits!
35: INT. RECOVERY 7
DOCTOR: Now what's the matter?
RALPH CORNISH: (OOV: Over tannoy, calmly.) Temporary fuel injection malfunction, we're...checking it out.
36: INT. SPACE CONTROL. MAIN CONTROL ROOM
FEMALE CONTROL ROOM ASSISTANT: Fuel injection systems now functioning normally.
RALPH CORNISH: All right, Doctor, it's self-rectified.
37: EXT. SPACE CENTRE. FUEL BAY
(REEGAN runs up more steps. A radiation-suited technician turns a corner. REEGAN holds on to a wall and rail for support and kicks the technician to the ground. He runs on. He gets to a storage t*nk labelled "M3 VARIANT" and turns more control wheels which lead into various t*nk and pipes.)
38: INT. UNIT HQ. CELL
(LENNOX is asleep on the bunk in his cell. A soldier enters with a covered tray.)
SOLDIER: I've brought you some food.
LENNOX: Oh, thank you.
(He gets off the bunk and goes to the table.)
LENNOX: Er, lock the door, won't you?
SOLDIER: Yes, I will.
(The soldier pulls the door to...)
39: INT. UNIT HQ. CORRIDOR
(...turning the key in the lock.)
40: INT. UNIT HQ. CELL
(LENNOX sits down to eat. He removes cover over the plate to reveal a radioactive isotope! LENNOX gasps, backs away in terror and runs for the alarm button just as...)
41: INT. UNIT HQ. CORRIDOR
(...the "soldier" cuts the wiring away from the alarm bell.)
42: INT. UNIT HQ. CELL
(LENNOX presses the button but to not avail.)
43: EXT. SPACE CENTRE
(The BRIGADIER is being driven around the Centre in a jeep. He comes to a barrier which raises and he passes on under the salutes of two UNIT soldiers. The jeep passes on down a road within the Centre which is surrounded by pipes. The BRIGADIER sits up as he sees PRIVATE PARKER holding his injured head. The jeep stops next to the soldier.)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: What happened?
PRIVATE PARKER: The mechanic h*t me. He's...he's gone to the fuel bay.
(The BRIGADIER jumps out of the jeep and rushes into the mass of pipe-works. He runs up some ladders and steps. He stops as he sees steam pouring from a pipe. He turns and runs back.)
44: INT. SPACE CONTROL. MAIN CONTROL ROOM
FEMALE CONTROL ROOM ASSISTANT: Final check completed, all systems now go.
RALPH CORNISH: You all set, Doctor? Lift-off - fifteen seconds.
45: INT. RECOVERY 7
DOCTOR: About time too.
46: INT. SPACE CONTROL. MAIN CONTROL ROOM
RALPH CORNISH: Right. Final countdown - now!
MALE CONTROL ROOM ASSISTANT: Ten...nine...eight...
47: EXT. SPACE CONTROL. LAUNCH PAD
(The rocket, with the capsule at the top, sits on the launch pad.)
MALE CONTROL ROOM ASSISTANT: (OOV: Over tannoy.) ...seven...
48: INT. RECOVERY 7
MALE CONTROL ROOM ASSISTANT: (OOV: Over tannoy.) ...six...five...
49: INT. SPACE CONTROL. MAIN CONTROL ROOM
MALE CONTROL ROOM ASSISTANT: (OOV: Over tannoy.) ...four...
(The BRIGADIER runs into the room.)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: (Shouts.) Stop the countdown!
MALE CONTROL ROOM ASSISTANT: (OOV: Over tannoy.) ...three...two...one...
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Controller you must stop lift-off!!
MALE CONTROL ROOM ASSISTANT: (OOV: Over tannoy.) ...Zero.
50: EXT. SPACE CONTROL. LAUNCH PAD
(The rocket starts to lift off the ground.)
51: INT. SPACE CONTROL. MAIN CONTROL ROOM
RALPH CORNISH: It's too late!
52: EXT. SPACE CONTROL. LAUNCH PAD
(The silver and orange rocket, decorated with the Union Jack and with the registration "GB.UK.R" continues its upward course.)
53: INT. SPACE CONTROL. MAIN CONTROL ROOM
MALE CONTROL ROOM ASSISTANT: (OOV: Over tannoy.) We have lift off. We have lift off.
54: EXT. UPPER ATMOSPHERE
(The rocket accelerates...)
55: INT. SPACE CONTROL. MAIN CONTROL ROOM
(The DOCTOR'S face on the screen is heavily distorted by g-force.)
FEMALE CONTROL ROOM ASSISTANT: Lift-off speed: twenty percent in excess and rising.
RALPH CORNISH: Reduce fuel burn rate.
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Sabotage in the fuel bay.
FEMALE CONTROL ROOM ASSISTANT: (OOV: Over tannoy.) Fuel burn rate will not reduce
MALE CONTROL ROOM ASSISTANT: Computer calculates fuel burn rate indicates forty-eight percent ...
RALPH CORNISH: (Horrified.) Forty-eight Percent!
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Why? What will happen?
RALPH CORNISH: Reduce flame apertures! (To the BRIGADIER.) In twenty percent in excess of planned lift-off speed, he'll blow himself out of Earth's orbit - go into the sun.
FEMALE CONTROL ROOM ASSISTANT: Apertures will not close on a*t*matic owing to excessive heat.
(CORNISH hears this report.)
FEMALE CONTROL ROOM ASSISTANT: (OOV: Over tannoy.) Lift-off speed now thirty percent in excess.
(The DOCTOR'S image is on the large monitor. CORNISH speaks to him.)
RALPH CORNISH: Can you operate manual control on flame aperture to reduce speed?
(There is a beep but the DOCTOR doesn't move.)
RALPH CORNISH: Doctor, do you read me?
DOCTOR: (On monitor, strained.) I can hear you...g-force...hard to break.
RALPH CORNISH: Can you operate manual control?
DOCTOR: (On monitor, strained.) I'll try.
FEMALE CONTROL ROOM ASSISTANT: Lift off speed now thirty-seven percent in excess
MALE CONTROL ROOM ASSISTANT: Computer calculates capsule will go into sun orbit in fifteen minutes.
RALPH CORNISH: Doctor, are the controls responding?
DOCTOR: (On monitor, strained.) No, there's no response. Must be an excess heat. Can you jettison stage one prematurely?
RALPH CORNISH: If we do that you may never get into orbit at all.
DOCTOR: (On monitor, strained.) If you jettison stage one, there's a chance the excess momentum will put me into orbit.
RALPH CORNISH: A very thin chance.
DOCTOR: (On monitor, strained.) Better than going into orbit round the sun. Please jettison stage one now.
RALPH CORNISH: Jettison stage one now!
FEMALE CONTROL ROOM ASSISTANT: Stage one now jettisoned.
MALE CONTROL ROOM ASSISTANT: (OOV: Over tannoy.) Radar check - stage one exploded immediately after separation.
56: INT. RECOVERY 7
(The DOCTOR'S face and voice have returned to normal.)
DOCTOR: Thank you Mr. Cornish, I'm very much obliged.
57: INT. SPACE CONTROL. MAIN CONTROL ROOM
FEMALE CONTROL ROOM ASSISTANT: (OOV: Over tannoy.) Speed now reducing to normal. Stage two: fifteen seconds to separation.
DOCTOR: (On monitor.) Well, that seems to have done it. What went wrong Mr. Cornish?
RALPH CORNISH: Sabotage, Doctor. Too much M3 variant in the fuel.
DOCTOR: (On monitor.) They're very persistent aren't they?
MALE CONTROL ROOM ASSISTANT: (OOV: Over tannoy.) Stage two jettisoned.
RALPH CORNISH: Thirty second burn on stage three rocket...and you'll be in orbit.
58: SPACE
(The capsule hangs in space.)
59: INT. RECOVERY 7
RALPH CORNISH: (OOV: Over tannoy.) Control to Capsule: do you have visual contact yet?
DOCTOR: If you mean, can I see it?
(He looks out of the capsule window.)
DOCTOR: Well, the answer is no.
60: INT. SPACE CONTROL. MAIN CONTROL ROOM
RALPH CORNISH: You are within half a mile of Mars Probe 7 and converging. Change attitude of capsule three degrees to starboard - now.
(There is no movement from the DOCTOR on the monitor.)
RALPH CORNISH: Change attitude of capsule three degrees to starboard now!
61: INT. RECOVERY 7
DOCTOR: (Calmly.) All right, all right - more haste less speed, Mr. Cornish.
(He makes the adjustment.)
62: INT. SPACE CONTROL. MAIN CONTROL ROOM
(The BRIGADIER and CORNISH watch.)
63: SPACE
(The capsules move together.)
64: INT. RECOVERY 7
(The DOCTOR looks up through one of the windows.)
DOCTOR: I see it. I see it! Manoeuvring for linkup now.
(He reaches for a control.)
65: SPACE
(Recovery 7 bears down on the Mars Probe. The two craft link.)
66: INT. SPACE CONTROL. MAIN CONTROL ROOM
(CORNISH observes.)
67: INT. RECOVERY 7
DOCTOR: Well, I've linked up all right. Moving through into Mars Probe 7 now.
(He starts to unbuckle himself from his seat.)
68: INT. SPACE CONTROL. MAIN CONTROL ROOM
RALPH CORNISH: Doctor, be careful. We don't really now what's in there.
69: INT. RECOVERY 7
(The DOCTOR floats towards the hatch.)
DOCTOR: Nonsense man! Your three astronauts are in there. Injecting air into the tunnel now
70: INT. SPACE CONTROL. MAIN CONTROL ROOM
(CORNISH is about to say something, but...)
FEMALE CONTROL ROOM ASSISTANT: (OOV: Over tannoy.) Large unidentified object converging with Mars Probe 7 on collision course..
(On the radar screen, a large light approaches the smaller light of the two linked craft.)
FEMALE CONTROL ROOM ASSISTANT: (OOV: Over tannoy.) Estimated speed: seven thousand miles per hour, but decreasing.
RALPH CORNISH: Doctor, a large unidentified object is approaching you on collision course!
71: INT. RECOVERY 7
RALPH CORNISH: (OOV: Over tannoy.) Take evasive action!
(The DOCTOR looks through the various windows but cannot see anything. Suddenly through one window, he sees the object - a large shining alien craft, shaped like an ellipse and organic in look, nears the two linked craft...) | {"type": "series", "show": "Doctor Who", "episode": "07x16 - The Ambassadors of Death - part 5"} | foreverdreaming |
The Ambassadors of Death
Written by David Whitaker, Trevor Rayl and Malcolm Hulke
Episode 6
Original Air Date: 25 April, 1970
5:25pm - 5:50pm
1: INT. SPACE CONTROL. MAIN CONTROL ROOM
FEMALE CONTROL ROOM ASSISTANT: Large unidentified object converging with Mars Probe 7 on collision course.
(Her report carries through the tannoy system.)
FEMALE CONTROL ROOM ASSISTANT: (OOV: Over tannoy.) Estimated speed: seven thousand miles per hour, but decreasing.
RALPH CORNISH: Doctor, a large unidentified object is approaching you on collision course!
2: INT. RECOVERY 7
RALPH CORNISH: (OOV: Over tannoy.) Take evasive action!
(The DOCTOR looks through the various windows but cannot see anything. Suddenly through one window, he sees the object - a large shining alien craft, shaped like an ellipse and organic in look, nears the two linked craft...)
3: INT. SPACE CONTROL. MAIN CONTROL ROOM
RALPH CORNISH: Doctor, can you see the object?! What is it?!
4: INT. RECOVERY 7
(Through the window, the craft approaches.)
DOCTOR: Some kind of space ship- it's enormous!
RALPH CORNISH: (OOV: Over tannoy.) Can you evade it?
DOCTOR: I'll try.
(He goes away from the window.)
5: SPACE
(The craft continues to approach.)
6: INT. SPACE CONTROL. MAIN CONTROL ROOM
(The two lights of the radar screen also draw closer.)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: He hasn't got the speed!
RALPH CORNISH: He's still linked to Mars Probe 7.
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: How much fuel has he got for manoeuvring?
RALPH CORNISH: Precious little - what he's got he'll need for re-entry.
7: SPACE
(The enormous craft moves in further...)
8: INT. SPACE CONTROL. MAIN CONTROL ROOM
DOCTOR: (OOV: Over tannoy.) It's closing in too fast! I can't...
(The line goes d*ad. On the radar screen, the two lights converge and the smaller of the two seems to disappear. The BRIGADIER turns to CORNISH.)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: They've collided.
RALPH CORNISH: If they had, the capsules would be smashed to fragments.
9: INT. RECOVERY 7
(Aboard Recovery 7, the DOCTOR sits patiently in his seat. A voice echoes throughout the small capsule. It is deep and has a slightly electronic tone to it -
as if it is being translated.)
ALIEN SPACE CAPTAIN: (OOV.) You are not in danger.
DOCTOR: Where am I?
ALIEN SPACE CAPTAIN: (OOV.) You are on board our spacecraft. Open your hatch and leave the capsule.
DOCTOR: What's happened to our three astronauts?
ALIEN SPACE CAPTAIN: (OOV.) They are unharmed. Open your hatch and leave the capsule.
DOCTOR: Very well
(He reaches for his helmet.)
ALIEN SPACE CAPTAIN: (OOV.) You will not need your life support systems. An environment has been prepared for you.
(He puts his helmet back down on the floor, swings his chair round to face the door and starts to unbuckle himself.)
10: INT. ALIEN SPACESHIP. PASSAGEWAY
(The tunnel is long and organic looking. A strong light at one end of the tunnel gives reddish hues to the ridged and textured walls. Recovery 7 fades into view. The hatch opens and the DOCTOR climbs out. He steps into thin air and floats gently to the floor.)
ALIEN SPACE CAPTAIN: (OOV.) Go to the light.
(The DOCTOR looks round and then makes his way down the long tunnel towards the light source.)
11: INT. ALIEN SPACESHIP. WAITING ROOM MOCK-UP
(The object of the DOCTOR'S mission - the three human astronauts - sit in a room that has a vague resemblance to a room that they would expect to see in the Space Centre. It is metallic with a pair of silver sliding doors and chairs for them to sit on. The room is suffused with various colours and the three men are watching a round monitor on which multi-coloured patterns are displayed. However, the men think they are seeing a football match and chatter excitedly through it.)
VAN LYDEN: Oh no!
MICHAELS: Oh no, another open goal!
LEFEE: Did you see it? I could have scored that!
VAN LYDEN: Oh rubbish, why aren't you playing then?
LEFEE: I don't need to we're a goal ahead.
MICHAELS: Yeah but there's still time for us.
VAN LYDEN: He had all the time in the world...
(The two silver doors open and the DOCTOR enters.)
VAN LYDEN: ...why didn't he sh**t?
MICHAELS: ... wings more.
LEFEE: Why indeed? That's what I want to know.
VAN LYDEN: We might as well get another team.
(VAN LYDEN notices the DOCTOR.)
VAN LYDEN: Oh, hello! Come on in.
LEFEE: Oh, do you happen to know how long we're gonna be kept here?
DOCTOR: What are you talking about?
LEFEE: Hey?
(LEFEE'S puzzlement is interrupted by MICHAELS as he tries to pull VAN LYDEN'S attention back to the "television set".)
MICHAELS: Hey did you see this? Look, look - you're missing the game.
(LEFEE is more interested in the DOCTOR.)
LEFEE: Never mind that. Turn it off.
VAN LYDEN: What do you mean turn it off?
LEFEE: We were losing anyway.
VAN LYDEN: Oh come on.
MICHAELS: Okay.
(MICHAELS gets up and turns an imaginary switch on the side of the monitor.)
MICHAELS: But we still might ...
LEFEE: You've got no chance.
(The three men give the DOCTOR their full attention.)
VAN LYDEN: I say there - any idea when we're going to see our families?
DOCTOR: Do you know where you are?
VAN LYDEN: Why, you ought to know.
DOCTOR: Please - do you know where you are?
VAN LYDEN: I brought these two fellows back from Mars Probe 7. They slapped us in extended quarantine.
DOCTOR: You think you're on Earth, at the Space Centre?
(The three men laugh. LEFEE stands and points through a window behind the monitor which seems to show part of the Space Centre.)
LEFEE: What...what do you think that is?
(MICHAELS also stands.)
MICHAELS: Just what do you want?
DOCTOR: I came to take you back to earth.
LEFEE: (Mocking.) Oh yes!
(VAN LYDEN stands.)
VAN LYDEN: Back to earth?!
MICHAELS: Who let him in here?
(LEFEE laughs.)
DOCTOR: Now, please listen to me. You're not on Earth nor are you at the Space Centre. You're prisoners in an alien spaceship.
(Again, the men laugh.)
VAN LYDEN: Oh come on!
DOCTOR: Now you came up here in Recovery 7 but you never made the journey back - something happened.
VAN LYDEN: Something happened?
DOCTOR: Yes.
(Suddenly, there is an unearthly pulsing sound. The three men's faces cloud over as if possessed and they sit down in unison. The DOCTOR goes over to MICHAELS and snaps his fingers in front of his face. He then moves round to VAN LYDEN and waves a hand in front of his face.)
DOCTOR: Van Lyden?
(The view changes outside the "window". Instead of mock-up of Space Centre, it is chamber as seen through a venetian blind type arrangement with the ALIEN SPACE CAPTAIN stood next to a piece of machinery. The CAPTAIN is completely enclosed in a tight fitting bluish suit with the exception of a slit for his eyes. Strands seem to extend from his head. His arms wave as the same translated voice echoes through the room.)
ALIEN SPACE CAPTAIN: They cannot hear you.
DOCTOR: You've conditioned their minds!
ALIEN SPACE CAPTAIN: It was necessary to for their health. They were deteriorating.
DOCTOR: Why have you taken them prisoner?
ALIEN SPACE CAPTAIN: Why have you not returned our ambassadors?
DOCTOR: Ambassadors?
ALIEN SPACE CAPTAIN: An agreement was made. You have betrayed us. Unless our ambassadors are returned, we shall destroy your world.
(The DOCTOR suddenly realises the truth...)
DOCTOR: Ambassadors!
12: INT. SPACE CONTROL. MAIN CONTROL ROOM
(GENERAL CARRINGTON has arrived at the Centre. The one large light is still displayed on the radar screen.)
FEMALE CONTROL ROOM ASSISTANT: (OOV: Over tannoy.) Radio telescope report from Jodrell Bank: computer analyses as discoid, half a mile in diameter.
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Half a mile wide! Must be a meteor.
RALPH CORNISH: Meteors don't stand still.
GENERAL CARRINGTON: It's quite obviously an alien spacecraft. We must att*ck and destroy it.
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: What about the Doctor? If that is a spacecraft, he may be on board!
GENERAL CARRINGTON: He must be d*ad by now. We could use m*ssile with atomic warheads.
RALPH CORNISH: Until we know for certain...
GENERAL CARRINGTON: (Interrupting.) We do know. I've got a plane to catch.
(He heads up to the upper level.)
GENERAL CARRINGTON: There's an emergency meeting of the Security Council in Geneva in an hours time.
RALPH CORNISH: The Security Council?
GENERAL CARRINGTON: Yes, this object has been spotted by observers all over the world.
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: What are you going to tell the council sir?
GENERAL CARRINGTON: I shall recommend an immediate all out att*ck! We must defend ourselves while there is still time.
(He walks out.)
RALPH CORNISH: The man's mad.
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Not necessarily.
(He points with his swagger stick at the radar screen.)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: We don't know what that thing is there.
RALPH CORNISH: Then surely we should find out.
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Perhaps someone's found out already.
RALPH CORNISH: What do you mean?
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: I have a feeling that General Carrington knows a good deal more than he's telling us. He went on a Mars probe himself, remember. Perhaps he discovered something.
RALPH CORNISH: Then why doesn't he tell us?
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: I don't know.
RALPH CORNISH: Are you supporting his plan...to att*ck blindly?
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: No! But I think we should wait. But there's only one hope left to us - that the Doctor is still alive.
13: INT. ALIEN SPACESHIP. WAITING ROOM MOCK-UP
DOCTOR: What you tell me is appalling. The authorities on earth had no knowledge of this.
ALIEN SPACE CAPTAIN: That is difficult to believe.
DOCTOR: Nevertheless, you must believe me. Now, let me go back to Earth and I'll give you my personal assurance that your ambassadors will be returned to you.
ALIEN SPACE CAPTAIN: But you do not even know where they are.
DOCTOR: From the information that you've given me, I'll find them. Now, please, you must let me try.
ALIEN SPACE CAPTAIN: Very well. But if our ambassadors are not returned, we shall use our w*apon to destroy your world.
DOCTOR: These three men - can I take them back with me?
ALIEN SPACE CAPTAIN: They will remain here until our ambassadors are returned. Now you can go back to your spaceship.
(The shutter comes down over the window. The unearthly pulsing is repeated from the monitor and the three men come back to life, standing up in their previous positions.)
VAN LYDEN: Something happened?
DOCTOR: Yes, look, I'll, er, I'll see what I can do about getting you out of quarantine as soon as I possibly can.
(The three men smile and the DOCTOR heads for the door.)
LEFEE: The sooner the better.
VAN LYDEN: Oh, good.
(The three men sit again.)
MICHAELS: Oh, er, send us something in to eat will you?
DOCTOR: Yes...yes, all right. Don't worry. I'll...I'll look after everything.
(He walks out.)
LEFEE: Thanks
VAN LYDEN: Thanks very much.
(MICHAELS adjusts the monitor.)
MICHAELS: We might just catch the end of this game.
MICHAELS: Should do...
VAN LYDEN: Ah, that's better - one all!
MICHAELS: ... doing?
14: INT. SPACE CONTROL. MAIN CONTROL ROOM
FEMALE CONTROL ROOM ASSISTANT: The American space agency are now preparing to launch an unmanned capsule to observe the unidentified object.
RALPH CORNISH: What's the estimated launch time?
FEMALE CONTROL ROOM ASSISTANT: (OOV: Over tannoy.) Will check.
MALE CONTROL ROOM ASSISTANT: Nancy Radio Telescope reports they have detected radio pulses being emitted by the object.
(His report also carries over the tannoy system.)
MALE CONTROL ROOM ASSISTANT: (OOV: Over tannoy.) Frequencies similar to those emitted by pulsars...
FEMALE CONTROL ROOM ASSISTANT: (OOV: Over tannoy.) Estimated launch time for American unmanned capsule - six hours.
(The BRIGADIER enters the room.)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Anything happening?
RALPH CORNISH: The Americans are sending up an unmanned satellite. This man Lennox tell you anything?
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: He's been m*rder.
(CORNISH is not pleased...)
RALPH CORNISH: In your own headquarters?
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Someone put an isotope in his cell.
RALPH CORNISH: You're not having a great deal of success are you, Brigadier?
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: (Quietly angry.) No.
RALPH CORNISH: The Astronauts are still missing, Miss Shaw kidnapped, Doctor Taltalian k*lled and now this man Lennox m*rder under your very nose.
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: We're following up every possible clue.
RALPH CORNISH: And what have you discovered?
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: We've identified the two radioactive bodies that were found in that gravel pit in Hertfordshire. They weren't foreign agents at all. They were petty London criminals. And the expl*sive that k*lled Doctor Taltalian was the new H37 compound - which hasn't even been issued to the Army yet.
RALPH CORNISH: Then our own people could be involved?
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: That was the Doctor's theory. Also forensics have analysed the mud that was found on the shoes Lennox was wearing.
RALPH CORNISH: And what does that tell you?
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: It could tell us where he'd been recently. You see, there were elements of insecticide in that mud. We're now checking all the areas where that insecticide is used.
RALPH CORNISH: This isotope that k*lled Lennox - have you checked on that?
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: It was part of a consignment sold some months ago.
RALPH CORNISH: Who was the buyer?
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: A bogus company with an address that doesn't even exist.
(CORNISH'S annoyance with the BRIGADIER has disappeared.)
RALPH CORNISH: You've been very thorough.
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Doesn't seem to have gotten me anywhere..
MALE CONTROL ROOM ASSISTANT: (OOV: Over tannoy.) Urgent message: pulses from unidentified object have ceased.
(After a moment, the DOCTOR'S voice comes over the radio.)
DOCTOR: (OOV: Over tannoy.) Hello, space control? Can you hear me?
(The DOCTOR appears on the monitor, sat back in the capsule of Recovery 7.)
RALPH CORNISH: Control to Recovery 7, we read you loud and clear.
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Doctor! Are you all right?
DOCTOR: (On monitor.) Yes thank you.
RALPH CORNISH: Doctor, have you found the Astronauts?
DOCTOR: (On monitor.) Yes they're safe and well - I'm not going to say any more at the moment, it's not safe.
RALPH CORNISH: Doctor...
DOCTOR: (On monitor: Interrupting.) I shall maintain radio silence...until the necessary landing instructions.
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Have you found out what's behind all this?
DOCTOR: Brigadier, put all your men on standby. I shall explain everything to you when I land.
RALPH CORNISH: Doctor, what happened to my astronauts?
(The DOCTOR doesn't answer.)
RALPH CORNISH: Control to Recovery 7 - do you read me?
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: It's no good, Cornish. He won't talk until he wants to. I must get on to my headquarters.
(The BRIGADIER walks off.)
RALPH CORNISH: This is control. Recovery 7 is now approaching re entry orbit. I repeat, Recovery 7 is now approaching re entry orbit.
15: INT. UNDERGROUND LABORATORY
(In the booth LIZ is extracting another isotope, watched by the standing aliens. She goes to leave but is blocked by an alien. She turns back. The others are gathering around her. One of the astronauts takes off his helmet. The face beneath is like a half- melted wax dummy. LIZ screams. She pushes past and bangs on the window. She stumbles out through the door and collapses gasping. She rips off her radiation helmet. REEGAN, dressed in a raincoat, come down the stairs.)
REEGAN: What's the matter with you?
LIZ: Look!
(She points at the booth. REEGAN calmly goes over and looks through the window.)
REEGAN: Ugly looking fellow, isn't he?
LIZ: You knew they weren't human!
REEGAN: I had a pretty good idea.
LIZ: What have you got them here for?
REEGAN: I was paid to.
LIZ: Who by?
REEGAN: That doesn't matter. I've got...a few ideas of my own.
(He takes off his raincoat.)
LIZ: Like robbing Fort Knox?
REEGAN: Or the Bank of England...or anywhere like.
LIZ: Is that what this boss of yours wants you to do?
REEGAN: It doesn't matter what he likes - we've got them.
(He points at the astronauts.)
LIZ: We?
REEGAN: There's a vacancy. Doctor Lennox met with an accident at headquarters.
LIZ: You k*lled him!
REEGAN: I never laid a finger on him. Well?
LIZ: (Astonished.) Are you offering me a job?
REEGAN: What about it?
LIZ: What's the alternative?
REEGAN: I k*ll you and buy myself another scientist.
(As LIZ stares at the man, the phone rings. REEGAN picks it up.)
REEGAN: (To LIZ.) Think about it. (Into phone.) Reegan? (He listens.) Oh it's you, sir. (Listens.) Doctor's on his way down is he? I did my best to stop him going up. (Listens.) You're sure you want him d*ad? He could be useful to us. (Listens.) All right, I'll see to him.
(He hangs up.)
REEGAN: Your friend the Doctor's on his way back from a little journey. I'm going to be his reception committee.
(LIZ stares at him.)
16: INT. SPACE CONTROL. MAIN CONTROL ROOM
(The DOCTOR is still on the large monitor screen.)
MALE CONTROL ROOM ASSISTANT: (OOV: Over tannoy.) Drop speed now thirty miles per hour and reducing.
FEMALE CONTROL ROOM ASSISTANT: (OOV: Over tannoy.) Capsule drifting on course. No rectification needed.
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: How long before he's down?
RALPH CORNISH: Four point five minutes. He's making a perfect descent...right on the touchdown pad.
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: I'll go and meet him.
(He turns to leave.)
RALPH CORNISH: He'll have to go through decontamination first.
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Well, how long's that going to take?
RALPH CORNISH: Under an hour.
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: An hour?
RALPH CORNISH: Think yourself lucky - it used to take two days.
MALE CONTROL ROOM ASSISTANT: (OOV: Over tannoy.) Drop speed now twenty-two miles per hour - reducing to eighteen.
FEMALE CONTROL ROOM ASSISTANT: Height one mile. Drift rate - three knots and still on course.
(Her voice carries through the tannoy system.)
FEMALE CONTROL ROOM ASSISTANT: (OOV: Over tannoy.) Radar contact lost. Radar contact lost.
MALE CONTROL ROOM ASSISTANT: Visual contact, capsule approaching touchdown pad.
17: EXT. SPACE CENTRE ENTRANCE
(REEGAN'S van, still disguised as "SILCOCK BAKERIES", approaches the entrance checkpoint. REEGAN hands over a pass to the UNIT Soldier on the gate who quickly reads it.)
UNIT SOLDIER: That's okay, carry on.
(The soldier waves to a colleague who raises the barrier. REEGAN drives in.)
18: INT. SPACE CONTROL. MAIN CONTROL ROOM
MALE CONTROL ROOM ASSISTANT: (OOV: Over tannoy.) We have touchdown. We have touchdown.
RALPH CORNISH: Disconnect parachutes.
FEMALE CONTROL ROOM ASSISTANT: (OOV: Over tannoy.) Parachutes disconnected.
19: EXT. SPACE CENTRE. DECONTAMINATION UNIT
(REEGAN'S van pulls up by a sign which reads "DECONTAMINATION UNIT. VENTILATION SYSTEM". REEGAN gets out and unfurls a large sheet of paper. He opens the back of the van and gets a long piece of plastic piping which is connected to a gas canister within the van. He quickly jumps over a number of pipes to a series of control wheels. He consults his paper and starts adjusting a pipe with a large spanner.)
20: INT. SPACE CONTROL. MAIN CONTROL ROOM
MALE CONTROL ROOM ASSISTANT: (OOV: Over tannoy.) Astronaut now entering decontamination.
(CORNISH sighs, sits back and smiles at the BRIGADIER.)
RALPH CORNISH: You can relax. It won't be long now.
21: INT. SPACE CONTROL. DECONTAMINATION ROOM
(The DOCTOR walks through a door of the cold metallic room wearing a striped bathrobe. He crosses to where his clothes are hanging on the wall and starts taking them down. Behind him on the wall is an outlet from the ventilation system.)
22: EXT. SPACE CENTRE. VENTILATION PLANT
(REEGAN gives a few more turns of his spanner and finishes bolting the hose from the back of the van to the plant. He runs back to the van and turns a tap on a gas canister.)
23: INT. SPACE CONTROL. DECONTAMINATION ROOM
(The DOCTOR is now dressed in his own clothes and hangs up the robe. He moves to a microphone.)
DOCTOR: (Into microphone.) Right I'm ready when you are.
RALPH CORNISH: (OOV: Over tannoy.) Just a few minutes more, Doctor. We're waiting for final test results.
DOCTOR: (Into microphone.) Anything you say, Mr. Cornish.
(He goes and sits on the bed and lies back. Gas starts seeping in through the ventilation duct. The DOCTOR starts coughing. He tries to get up off the bed but collapses to the floor.)
24: EXT. SPACE CENTRE. VENTILATION PLANT
(Waiting by his van, REEGAN checks his watch and turns off the tap.)
25: INT. SPACE CONTROL. DECONTAMINATION ROOM
(The DOCTOR lies still on the floor. REEGAN enters the room, wearing a gas mask. He rolls the unconscious DOCTOR over and starts to pick him up.)
26: INT. SPACE CONTROL. MAIN CONTROL ROOM
FEMALE CONTROL ROOM ASSISTANT: (OOV: Over tannoy.) Decontamination report: all tests negative.
RALPH CORNISH: Good.
(He flicks a switch on his desk.)
RALPH CORNISH: (Into microphone.) All right Doctor, you're cleared.
(There is no reply.)
RALPH CORNISH: (Into microphone.) Doctor, do you read me?
(Both CORNISH and the BRIGADIER start to look nervous.)
RALPH CORNISH: (Into microphone.) Doctor?
(The BRIGADIER leans across the console.)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: (Into microphone.) Doctor, are you all right? (To CORNISH.) I'm going over there.
(He hurries away.)
27: EXT. SPACE CENTRE
(The van drives through the complex.)
28: INT. SPACE CONTROL. DECONTAMINATION ROOM
(The BRIGADIER enters the gas-filled room and starts coughing, putting a handkerchief to his nose and mouth. He goes over to the microphone.)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: (Into microphone.) Cornish? He's gone.
RALPH CORNISH: (OOV: Over tannoy.) Maybe he's on his way back to Control.
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: (Into microphone.) No, look, there's gas in here - seal off all the gates!
29: EXT. SPACE CENTRE ENTRANCE
(A staff car enters the Space Centre to a salute from a UNIT soldier. The barrier arm comes down as REEGAN'S van reaches it. REEGAN waves to the soldier who let him into the Centre and the soldier lifts the arm back up. The van drives away as the guardhouse phone starts to ring. The soldier answers it.)
UNIT SOLDIER: (Into phone.) Main gate? (He listens.) ... !
(REEGAN drives on with a smile on his face.)
30: INT. SPACE CONTROL. MAIN CONTROL ROOM
(GENERAL CARRINGTON has returned to the Centre.)
GENERAL CARRINGTON: Are you sure he's been abducted? He could have left of his own accord.
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: There was a gas cylinder linked to the ventilation system.
GENERAL CARRINGTON: It could be a blind to make us think he'd been kidnapped.
RALPH CORNISH: (Annoyed.) Now why should he do that?
GENERAL CARRINGTON: Did it occur to you that all these troubles only started when this Doctor came on the scene?
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: With respect, sir, that is simply not true.
GENERAL CARRINGTON: He insists on going up in Recovery 7, makes contact with the alien vessel, then disappears as soon as he lands - can you explain that?
RALPH CORNISH: Do you really think that the Doctor is one of the people behind all this?
GENERAL CARRINGTON: What do you know about this Doctor, Mr. Cornish?
RALPH CORNISH: Oh, only that he's an associate of the Brigadier.
GENERAL CARRINGTON: Exactly. Well, Brigadier? Where does this man come from?
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: That's difficult to explain sir.
GENERAL CARRINGTON: How long have you known him?
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Several years on and off.
GENERAL CARRINGTON: On and off! - What's his job exactly?
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: He's given my organisation a great deal of help in the past.
GENERAL CARRINGTON: (Angrily.) You're being deliberately unhelpful, Brigadier! I intend to have this "Doctor" investigated.
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: (Patiently.) We shall have to find him first, sir.
GENERAL CARRINGTON: The sooner you do that the better! If he has any explanation to offer as to what that object is, we need to know it at once. Contact me as soon as you find him.
(He turns to leave.)
RALPH CORNISH: General? How did the Security Council meeting in Geneva go?
GENERAL CARRINGTON: Complete waste of time - they're still debating.
RALPH CORNISH: And what do you think they should do?
GENERAL CARRINGTON: (Shouts.) Arm every available m*ssile with atomic warheads and blast that thing out of our skies!
RALPH CORNISH: Isn't that a bit extreme?
(CARRINGTON stares at CORNISH.)
GENERAL CARRINGTON: It's our moral duty.
(He stalks out.)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: I think the General's a bit overwrought.
(CORNISH considers, then...)
RALPH CORNISH: I think he's insane.
31: INT. UNDERGROUND LABORATORY
(REEGAN is on the telephone.)
REEGAN: (Into phone.) No trouble at all. Your Doctor friend's as d*ad...as a doornail.
(LIZ is kneeling over the DOCTOR, who is lying on the floor. REEGAN puts the phone down.)
LIZ: (Puzzled.) Why do you say he's d*ad?
REEGAN: Because it suits me. How is he?
(He goes and stands over the DOCTOR who opens his eyes and looks up at REEGAN.)
DOCTOR: (Groggily.) I'm none the better for your attentions...
(He suddenly sees who is tending to him.)
DOCTOR: Liz?
LIZ: Doctor, are you all right?
DOCTOR: Yes, and getting better by the minute. How are you? Did they hurt you at all?
LIZ: No. I don't much care for the company, though.
DOCTOR: No, I don't blame you.
(Helped by LIZ, he gets to his feet and looks round. He spots the booth.)
DOCTOR: Ah, there they are.
(He goes over to the window.)
LIZ: Doctor they're a completely alien species.
DOCTOR: Yes I know, I've been aboard their spaceship. I've talked to their Captain.
REEGAN: How did you talk to them?
DOCTOR: They have some kind of translation machine.
REEGAN: Like this?
(He holds up the device that Taltalian gave him.)
DOCTOR: Oh no. No, that's a much simpler model.
(He tries to take it from REEGAN but the man holds it back.)
DOCTOR: That would only receive one-way signals.
REEGAN: Could you build me a better one so I could really talk to them?
DOCTOR: I daresay...if I had the proper equipment. I was gonna build one, but I didn't get a chance to get round to it.
REEGAN: you've got your chance now.
DOCTOR: You expect me to help you?
REEGAN: It would keep you both alive.
DOCTOR: Well, I shall need a lot of expensive equipment.
(REEGAN pulls out a chair behind the desk and gestures to the DOCTOR to sit down.)
REEGAN: Make a list.
DOCTOR: Very well.
(He sits and REEGAN pushes the chair in.)
DOCTOR: Thank you.
(He starts to write. REEGAN goes upstairs. The DOCTOR indicates the phone but LIZ shakes her head. The DOCTOR gets up and moves towards the stairs. REEGAN is standing at the top of the landing in the open door.)
REEGAN: Don't try it.
(He leaves, locking the door.)
DOCTOR: Is there a way out?
LIZ: I got out once, but they caught me. Now they've doubled the guards.
(The DOCTOR looks at the aliens for a moment, considering their options.)
DOCTOR: Right, let's get on with that list.
(He sits back at the table.)
LIZ: Are you really going to help them?
DOCTOR: Well, if we can't get out to the Brigadier, we must bring the Brigadier to us.
(The door at the top of the stairs opens again and a uniformed figure walks down, holding a g*n. He comes into view.)
LIZ: (Delighted.) General Carrington!
GENERAL CARRINGTON: Miss Shaw.
(The DOCTOR looks intently at LIZ.)
LIZ: How on earth did you...
(LIZ starts to realise the truth. Her voice tails off as she looks at the DOCTOR.)
LIZ: ...find us?
DOCTOR: I think the General knew all along.
GENERAL CARRINGTON: You're not surprised to see me?
DOCTOR: Not particularly, no.
GENERAL CARRINGTON: I'm surprised to see you Doctor. My instructions were that you were to be k*lled.
DOCTOR: Then somebody disobeyed your instructions, didn't they?
GENERAL CARRINGTON: I shall have to attend to the matter myself. I'm sorry Doctor.
(He cocks his g*n.)
GENERAL CARRINGTON: It's my moral duty.
(He points his g*n straight at the DOCTOR.) | {"type": "series", "show": "Doctor Who", "episode": "07x17 - The Ambassadors of Death - part 6"} | foreverdreaming |
The Ambassadors of Death
Written by David Whitaker, Trevor Rayl and Malcolm Hulke
Episode 7
Original Air Date: 2 May, 1970
5:15pm - 5:40pm
1: INT. UNDERGROUND LABORATORY
(The door at the top of the stairs opens again and a uniformed figure walks down, holding a g*n. He comes into view.)
LIZ: (Delighted.) General Carrington!
GENERAL CARRINGTON: Miss Shaw.
(The DOCTOR looks intently at LIZ.)
LIZ: How on earth did you...
(LIZ starts to realise the truth. Her voice tails off as she looks at the DOCTOR.)
LIZ: ...find us?
DOCTOR: I think the General knew all along.
GENERAL CARRINGTON: You're not surprised to see me?
DOCTOR: Not particularly, no.
GENERAL CARRINGTON: I'm surprised to see you Doctor. My instructions were that you were to be k*lled.
DOCTOR: Then somebody disobeyed your instructions, didn't they?
GENERAL CARRINGTON: I shall have to attend to the matter myself. I'm sorry Doctor.
(He cocks his g*n.)
GENERAL CARRINGTON: It's my moral duty.
(He points his g*n straight at the DOCTOR.)
2: INT. UNDERGROUND LABORATORY
(REEGAN comes back into the lab and down the stairs. He sees CARRINGTON pointing the g*n at the DOCTOR.)
REEGAN: What are you doing?
GENERAL CARRINGTON: You told me you k*lled this man
REEGAN: I was going to, but...
GENERAL CARRINGTON: (Interrupts.) You disobeyed an order!
REEGAN: I thought it was for the best.
GENERAL CARRINGTON: You're not paid to think, Reegan.
REEGAN: He can be useful.
GENERAL CARRINGTON: I make the decisions.
REEGAN: (Annoyed.) Yes sir, but he's the only one that can make a machine that will let us talk to these creatures.
GENERAL CARRINGTON: You've got a machine to do that.
REEGAN: This thing only sends limited one-way signals.
(He goes close to CARRINGTON.)
REEGAN: (Quieter.) Look, if I'm going to carry out your orders, I'll have to give them some pretty complicated information.
(He walks off.)
REEGAN: Still, suit yourself. You want to k*ll him - k*ll him.
(There is a long pause while CARRINGTON thinks over what REEGAN has said. Finally, he holsters his g*n.)
GENERAL CARRINGTON: (To the DOCTOR.) Could you make us a better machine?
DOCTOR: Given the necessary equipment, yes.
GENERAL CARRINGTON: And you're willing to help us?
DOCTOR: It depends on what you're trying to do.
LIZ: (Shocked.) Doctor!
DOCTOR: (Warningly.) Liz! (To CARRINGTON.) Well, General?
GENERAL CARRINGTON: We must alert the world to the menace of an alien invasion!
DOCTOR: When do you expect this invasion?
GENERAL CARRINGTON: At any time.
DOCTOR: They told me that their intentions were peaceful. That these three...beings here, were ambassadors.
GENERAL CARRINGTON: Ambassadors! That was just to put us off our guard!
DOCTOR: You're convinced their intentions are hostile then?
GENERAL CARRINGTON: Why else should they inv*de the galaxy? They were on Mars before we were.
DOCTOR: Ah! So that's when you met them - when you were on a previous Mars Probe.
GENERAL CARRINGTON: Yes, they k*lled Jim - Jim Daniels, fellow astronaut - simply by touching him.
DOCTOR: Yes, but they didn't know their touch would k*ll human beings.
GENERAL CARRINGTON: And now they've walked into my trap - I knew that once I got them here I'd make them reveal their true natures.
DOCTOR: So it was you who sent for those three ambassadors was it?
LIZ: And hired Reegan to kidnap them and use them as K*llers?
GENERAL CARRINGTON: It was the only way to arouse public opinion.
DOCTOR: Was Sir James Quinlan in on all this?
GENERAL CARRINGTON: No. He just wanted the political glory of being the first to arrange contact with an intelligent alien species. He didn't know of my plan to save the world - he wouldn't have understood.
LIZ: What about Van Lyden and the other astronauts - the human ones?
GENERAL CARRINGTON: They didn't know either - it was the only way.
DOCTOR: Well...I must say you've been very thorough General.
GENERAL CARRINGTON: It was the only way! You do understand that, don't you, Doctor?
DOCTOR: (Quietly.) Yes, yes I understand. You had to do what you had to do.
GENERAL CARRINGTON: Exactly. We must protect the world - it's our moral duty. Will you help us?
DOCTOR: Yes, yes I'll build your machine for you.
(He pats the DOCTOR on the arm.)
GENERAL CARRINGTON: Splendid!
(He goes over to REEGAN.)
GENERAL CARRINGTON: This man can be of use to us. Give him everything he needs.
REEGAN: Okay.
GENERAL CARRINGTON: I'm going to take one of those creatures with me. I've brought a shielded van. Kindly ask one of them to come out.
REEGAN: Open the door.
(REEGAN gestures to LIZ.)
3: INT. SPACE CONTROL. MAIN CONTROL ROOM
(The BRIGADIER and CORNISH look at the large monitor screen which just shows a blank blue image.)
FEMALE CONTROL ROOM ASSISTANT: (OOV: Over tannoy.) American space agency report their unmanned observation satellite is now within three miles of the UFO.
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: (To CORNISH.) Why can't they get a picture?
RALPH CORNISH: Well, I assume the radio signals that thing emits are affecting the cameras.
FEMALE CONTROL ROOM ASSISTANT: Space agency are now about to manoeuvre the satellite down to one mile from the UFO.
4: INT. UNDERGROUND LABORATORY
GENERAL CARRINGTON: I've got some instructions for you. You're to raid a number of Isotope stores.
REEGAN: Have I?
(CARRINGTON, angry at REEGAN'S attitude, passes him an envelope.)
GENERAL CARRINGTON: Everything you need's here - passes, maps. Just follow your orders!
REEGAN: (Smiles.) Yes, sir.
(CARRINGTON stalks off and up the stairs.)
5: INT. SPACE CONTROL. MAIN CONTROL ROOM
FEMALE CONTROL ROOM ASSISTANT: (OOV: Over tannoy.) Space agency report total cessation of all signals from observation satellite. It is believed satellite has disintegrated.
(The BRIGADIER is on the telephone.)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: (Into phone.) Right sir.
(He puts the phone down and speaks to CORNISH in a puzzled and dubious tone.)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: General Carrington's men have captured an alien astronaut - he's going to bring it here.
6: INT. UNDERGROUND LABORATORY
(LIZ and the DOCTOR are working on an electronic apparatus. REEGAN enters through the lower doorway with one of his thugs. REEGAN is dressed in a cap and coat for another trip out.)
REEGAN: How's it going? Got everything you need?
DOCTOR: Mm hmm.
REEGAN: How long's it going to take?
DOCTOR: Look, I'm not building a crystal set you know.
(The thug opens the door to the booth and REEGAN transmits an order with his signalling device. An ASTRONAUT steps out. LIZ draws the DOCTOR'S attention to this.)
LIZ: Doctor...
(The DOCTOR rushes to REEGAN.)
DOCTOR: Look, if you let them out, how am I going to test it?
(REEGAN ignores him. Two of the ASTRONAUTS have left the booth. REEGAN sends another signal.)
REEGAN: They'll be back.
DOCTOR: What, more k*lling?
REEGAN: Only if we have to. Get on with it - I want that machine finished by the time I get back
(He leaves with the ASTRONAUTS. The DOCTOR goes back to making his machine.)
LIZ: You're not just going to do as he tells you?
DOCTOR: Come on Liz, we haven't got much time, you know.
7: EXT. ISOTOPE STORE
(REEGAN'S van drives down a road in isolated spot and pulls up at the gates to the Isotope store which are marked with signs stating that it is
"GOVERNMENT PROPERTY" and that "PASSES TO BE SHOWN". The main store is in the grounds beyond the security barrier. As the guards within the premises watch, REEGAN gets out and pulls radiation helmet over his head to go with the suit he is wearing. He opens the rear door and the two ASTRONAUTS get out. The aliens approach the gates in unison. One of the guards warily approaches from other side. REEGAN twists the dial on his device and the ASTRONAUTS touch the gates, causing a red flare of power to surge through the gate and sending the guard flying backwards. The other guard panics and runs into gatehouse to phone for assistance. As a klaxon alarm starts to echo across the site, the ASTRONAUTS touch the lock of the gate, bl*wing it open. They hold the gates open for the van to drive through.)
8: INT. SPACE CONTROL. MAIN CONTROL ROOM
(A temporary TV studio has been set up with a couple of cameras and an opaque cylindrical screen behind which is a secured and struggling ASTRONAUT. JOHN WAKEFIELD is back in the Centre, organising arrangements with GENERAL CARRINGTON.)
JOHN WAKEFIELD: We'll be ready for your live telecast very soon, General.
GENERAL CARRINGTON: Splendid!
JOHN WAKEFIELD: Are you sure your men will be able to remove the helmet?
GENERAL CARRINGTON: Quite sure.
JOHN WAKEFIELD: Mmm. If there is some sort of alien creature inside that spacesuit...
GENERAL CARRINGTON: As I can assure you there is.
JOHN WAKEFIELD: Has it occurred to you, sir, that this may create world panic?
9: EXT. ISOTOPE STORE
(The klaxon is still blaring as REEGAN att*cks a radiation suited worker who is carrying a box marked "ISOTOPE - RADIOACTIVE". He clubs the worker to the ground and starts to carry the box away. A police car approaches the site, its siren blaring. REEGAN carries the box of isotopes on a small transporter to his van. He and his henchman then start to take the box off the transporter. As they are doing so, the police car pulls up in front of the ASTRONAUTS. REEGAN signals to the ASTRONAUTS who touch the policemen, throwing them back. The ASTRONAUTS climb into the van and the door is shut by REEGAN. The van drives off, towards a policeman who gets to his feet and dives out of the van's way.)
10: INT. SPACE CONTROL. MAIN CONTROL ROOM
(The BRIGADIER approaches CARRINGTON who is studying the television equipment.)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: May I have a word with you, sir?
GENERAL CARRINGTON: Yes, Brigadier?
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Aliens have raided an isotope factory- several deaths.
GENERAL CARRINGTON: You see? They've already landed. These creatures need radiation to live and they're prepared to rob and m*rder to get it.
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Sir!
GENERAL CARRINGTON: Yes!
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: There were men helping them!
GENERAL CARRINGTON: Traitors, collaborators, like your friend, the Doctor.
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: (Angrily.) That is an unjustified assumption, sir!
GENERAL CARRINGTON: Is it?
(WAKEFIELD interrupts the erupting argument...)
JOHN WAKEFIELD: General, what exactly do you intend to say in your telecast? It'll be on a world wide hook-up you know.
GENERAL CARRINGTON: I shall call on the nations of the world...to unite in an att*ck on the aliens and their spacecraft. It must be obliterated!
11: INT. UNDERGROUND LABORATORY
(The DOCTOR and LIZ, watched by another of REEGAN'S heavies, are still working on a complex piece of electronics. They have built a small portable console.)
DOCTOR: All right?
LIZ: Mm hmm.
DOCTOR: Right, switch on the power, Liz, will you?
LIZ: Okay.
(She does so.)
DOCTOR: All right?
(He flicks some switches.)
DOCTOR: Right, let's try and test this thing.
LIZ: (Whispers.) Do you think the signal will be strong enough?
DOCTOR: (Whispers.) Well, I've boosted it as much as I possibly can. (Louder.) Erm, just go over there will you Liz?
(He nods towards the booth.)
LIZ: Right.
DOCTOR: See if they react at all.
(He starts tapping on a electronic keypad.)
DOCTOR: Any reaction?
LIZ: No, not yet.
DOCTOR: Well, we'll just have to keep on trying won't we?
(He keeps tapping. He smiles at the thug and nods at booth. Interested, the thug peers at booth. The DOCTOR keeps tapping...a Morse code message.)
12: INT. UNIT HQ. COMMUNICATIONS ROOM
(At UNIT HQ, PRIVATE JOHNSON, sat at a radio set, takes off his headphones and passes them to SERGEANT BENTON.)
PRIVATE JOHNSON: There we are, sarge, Have a listen.
(BENTON listens to the beeping signal.)
SERGEANT BENTON: Well, it's SOS - we did away with that signal years ago.
PRIVATE JOHNSON: Everybody's picking it up, sarge - taxis, police cars, f*re engines. It's on a high-impulse blanket frequency
SERGEANT BENTON: See if you can get a triangulation on it. (Puzzled.) Save our souls?
13: INT. SPACE CONTROL. MAIN CONTROL ROOM
(WAKEFIELD stands before one of his cameras.)
JOHN WAKEFIELD: This is John Wakefield, talking to you live from the heart of Britain's Space Control headquarters. This telecast is being received in homes all over the world by communications satellite relay.
(He relaxes and speaks to his unseen crew.)
JOHN WAKEFIELD: Right, now after that, I shall introduce the General. When I've introduced him, I want you to pick him up over there. (Points.)
All right?
(A very perturbed CORNISH approaches.)
RALPH CORNISH: Mr Wakefield?
(WAKEFIELD passes his clipboard to an assistant.)
JOHN WAKEFIELD: Just a minute. (To CORNISH.) Yes professor?
RALPH CORNISH: Do you really think you should go ahead with this broadcast?
JOHN WAKEFIELD: What do you mean?
RALPH CORNISH: Well, do you realise what the General is going to say?
JOHN WAKEFIELD: He's going to talk about that unidentified flying object.
RALPH CORNISH: He is going to call on the nations of the world to att*ck it. Blast it out of the sky with m*ssile.
14: INT. UNDERGROUND LABORATORY
(REEGAN enters the room.)
REEGAN: Haven't you finished yet?
DOCTOR: Oh, we're just about to test it. Hmm? Liz, you stand by the controls will you?
LIZ: Right.
(The DOCTOR stands up and walks over to the booth, a microphone in his hand which connects back to the machine that he and LIZ have made. LIZ adjusts the power. There is a rising hum and the DOCTOR speaks into the microphone.)
DOCTOR: (Into microphone.) Now, we are attempting to convert our speech...into your radio impulses. Can you understand me?
(There is no response. The DOCTOR leans over to the machine and makes an adjustment. He then stands next to the booth again.)
DOCTOR: (Into microphone.) We are attempting to convert our human speech...into your radio impulses. Can you understand me?
REEGAN: (With quiet menace.) It doesn't work.
DOCTOR: (Into microphone.) Can you understand me? Please try to answer.
(Suddenly, as one, the ASTRONAUTS approach booth window. Through the machine, the semi-electronic voice of the aliens is heard.)
ASTRONAUT: (Through speaker.) Why are we kept prisoners? Why do you make us k*ll?
(REEGAN dashes forward and grabs the microphone.)
REEGAN: (Into microphone.) You'll obey my orders. If you don't, we'll let you die!
ASTRONAUT: (Through speaker.) We are ambassadors and came in peace
REEGAN: (Into microphone.) If you want to live, you'll do exactly what you're told.
(He steps away from the booth.)
REEGAN: Congratulations Doctor. Now, I can make a few plans.
(As REEGAN starts to walk away, LIZ and the DOCTOR go to adjust the machine. REEGAN spots them.)
REEGAN: Leave it alone.
15: INT. SPACE CONTROL. MAIN CONTROL ROOM
FEMALE CONTROL ROOM ASSISTANT: Unidentified object transmitting to us.
(CORNISH rushes across to his desk from the TV studio area.)
FEMALE CONTROL ROOM ASSISTANT: Picture coming through now.
(The ALIEN SPACE CAPTAIN appears on main screen. The view of him is still obscured behind a "venetian blind" effect. Near to the monitor are stood two military policemen from the regular army.)
ALIEN SPACE CAPTAIN: Only a little time remains to you. We have powers to destroy your planet totally, which we shall use if our ambassadors are not returned.
(The image disappears. CORNISH is about to try and get it back when a voice rings out across the room. It is GENERAL CARRINGTON who stands on the upper level of the room.)
GENERAL CARRINGTON: Now we know where we stand, Gentlemen! We must att*ck first!
16: INT. UNDERGROUND LABORATORY
(The DOCTOR and LIZ sit at the table facing the thug who guards them with a g*n in his hand. The DOCTOR sits back and folds his arms, glaring at their guard.)
17: INT. SPACE CONTROL. MAIN CONTROL ROOM
GENERAL CARRINGTON: I must make my broadcast at once!
JOHN WAKEFIELD: But that's impossible, General. The worldwide hook-up won't be ready for another hour yet.
GENERAL CARRINGTON: You must speed it up - get onto your people - this is an emergency.
(WAKEFIELD walks back towards his studio area. CORNISH follows.)
RALPH CORNISH: Wakefield - what are you going to do?
JOHN WAKEFIELD: See if I can speed up the broadcast of course.
(Meanwhile, the BRIGADIER hangs up a phone and approaches CARRINGTON.)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: I've had a message from my HQ, sir. They're picking up SOS radio signals.
GENERAL CARRINGTON: Well?
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: There's a chance it may be from the Doctor, sir. I'd like to follow it up, if you'll excuse me.
(He turns to leave.)
GENERAL CARRINGTON: Just a moment!
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Sir?
GENERAL CARRINGTON: You think I don't know what's going on, don't you?
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: I don't quite follow you?
GENERAL CARRINGTON: That Doctor of yours is in league with these creatures and you've been helping him. Security!
(The two military policemen jump forward.)
GENERAL CARRINGTON: Place this officer under close arrest.
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Sir, I must protest!
GENERAL CARRINGTON: Hand over your revolver, Brigadier.
(The BRIGADIER complies and hands his g*n to one of the policemen.)
GENERAL CARRINGTON: I've suspected you for some time. All your UNIT people have been locked up and replaced by men I can trust. (To the policemen.)
Take him away.
(The BRIGADIER is marched out of the room by the policemen. CARRINGTON turns and sees CORNISH dialling a telephone.)
GENERAL CARRINGTON: What are you doing?
RALPH CORNISH: I'm getting on to the Ministry.
GENERAL CARRINGTON: Too late, Mr. Cornish. All communications are under my control.
RALPH CORNISH: This Space Centre is under my control.
GENERAL CARRINGTON: Not any longer.
(CORNISH realises he has a d*ad line.)
18: INT. SPACE CENTRE. TUNNEL TO MAIN ENTRANCE
(The two military policemen are marching the BRIGADIER down a tunnel in the Centre. He puts up a pretence of going quietly but suddenly leaps into action and elbows one in the stomach, then punches the other and throws them to the ground together. He races to a staff car parked nearby and gets in as the downed policemen start sh**ting at him. He drives away as the policemen get to their feet.)
19: EXT. SPACE CENTRE ENTRANCE
(The BRIGADIER pulls up to the barrier. The arm is lifted and he drives through to salutes from the military policemen who now guard the Centre. The gate phone rings and a guard answers.)
20: INT. UNIT HQ. COMMUNICATIONS ROOM
(PRIVATE JOHNSON puts down his headphones.)
PRIVATE JOHNSON: It's no good, sarge, I can't raise them. Space HQ have cut themselves off.
SERGEANT BENTON: Well, keep trying.
(The BRIGADIER enters. BENTON jumps to attention.)
SERGEANT BENTON: Sir, we've been trying to reach you!
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Those SOS signals - did you get a fix on them?
SERGEANT BENTON: They cut out suddenly. We managed to pin them down.
(He points on a wall map.)
SERGEANT BENTON: Around here. It's funny sir, it's army land - disused f*ring range.
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: (Realising.) Carrington.
SERGEANT BENTON: It's quite near the Space Centre.
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: How many men have we got here, Sergeant?
SERGEANT BENTON: Just one or two, sir. Most of the lads are on duty at the Space Centre.
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: I'll take what men there are. Look, keep that radio manned and get me a revolver will you?
SERGEANT BENTON: Sir.
(The BRIGADIER starts to leave the room.)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: And lay on a jeep.
SERGEANT BENTON: We can't sir, all the transport's over at Space HQ.
(The BRIGADIER stops in his tracks.)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: What?
SERGEANT BENTON: Well, how did you get here, sir?
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: I borrowed a staff car
SERGEANT BENTON: Well, couldn't we use that?
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Sergeant, that engine stopped quite a few b*ll*ts. I barely made it here. Well, there must be some kind of transport.
SERGEANT BENTON: Sir, th...there is the Doctor's car...
(The BRIGADIER turns and gives him a hard look...)
21: EXT. ROADWAY BY UNDERGROUND LABORATORY
(Nevertheless, Bessie is soon driving along in the rain, hood up, bristling with r*fles sticking out. The car pulls over some distance from the lab. The BRIGADIER gets out and calls for binoculars. He surveys the scene, with REEGAN'S van outside the Laboratory. He gets back in and drives up to the lab just as the Laboratory door opens and two thugs come out who dive for cover behind the van. The soldiers disembark from Bessie as the thugs start sh**ting. The soldiers return the f*re. The thugs soon run out of amm*nit*on.)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Right get 'em!
(The two thugs hold their hands up in surrender and two UNIT soldiers approach them and get jumped. One of the thugs manages to grab a r*fle off one of the soldiers. A UNIT soldier sh**t the unarmed thug but the other starts sh**ting back. The BRIGADIER manages to tackle the man and the two start trading punches.
gets in a punch-up with a thug. Eventually the BRIGADIER delivers a strong uppercut which knocks the man off balance, then another punch which sends him rolling down a steep bank. The UNIT troops run for the lab.)
22: INT. UNDERGROUND LABORATORY
(REEGAN is pointing to a map on the table and explaining his plan to an uninterested DOCTOR and LIZ.)
REEGAN: Now, you see the main vault is there. And our friends there can blast it open.
DOCTOR: Look, how many times must I tell you? I am not joining you in a programme of bank robbery.
REEGAN: I'm offering you an equal share, Doctor.
(The sounds of g*n suddenly reach them. REEGAN turns to another of his heavies.)
REEGAN: See what's happening.
(The man runs upstairs into the BRIGADIER, coming through the door, who sh**t him. The man falls backwards down the stairs. REEGAN pulls out a g*n but the BRIGADIER neatly sh**t it out of his hand. As REEGAN holds his injured wrist, the UNIT troops pile into the room.)
REEGAN: Make yourselves at home.
DOCTOR: (Angrily.) What kept you?
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: I see you're all right, Doctor! Miss Shaw?
LIZ: Just get me out of here.
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Carrington's taken over the Space Centre.
DOCTOR: What for?
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: He's going to make a telecast urging the world to att*ck the alien spaceship.
DOCTOR: We've got to stop him at once.
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Not so easy. He's arrested all my men and moved in his own troops.
DOCTOR: We've got to get in there somehow.
(The DOCTOR runs for the stairs.)
REEGAN: Why don't you use them?
(He nods towards the ASTRONAUTS. The DOCTOR stops.)
DOCTOR: You know, I think he's right.
REEGAN: You won't forget I thought of it?
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: (To two soldiers.) Get him out of here.
(The soldiers push him out of the room as the DOCTOR goes to his machine and switches it on.)
DOCTOR: (Into microphone.) We're going to return you to your own people. But first we need your help to prevent a catastrophe.
23: EXT. SPACE CENTRE ENTRANCE
(The barrier arm is down and the huge main doors are closed. UNIT troops are being held by military policemen as Bessie pulls up, followed by REEGAN'S van.
The BRIGADIER gets out of Bessie with a megaphone. He speaks into it.)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: (Into megaphone.) Open the gates. Open these Gates!
(The military policemen stand with g*n raised but do not move. The BRIGADIER looks to the DOCTOR who nods, then the BRIGADIER nods to his UNIT troops who open the back of the van. The two alien ASTRONAUTS get out. The DOCTOR and LIZ get out of Bessie. A soldier carries the communications device for the DOCTOR who takes the microphone and switches on the machine.)
DOCTOR: (Into microphone.) Open the gates. Please try not to harm anyone.
(The ASTRONAUTS approach the military policemen who start sh**ting. The DOCTOR'S party all dive for cover behind Bessie. The DOCTOR grabs the megaphone.)
DOCTOR: (Into megaphone.) These aliens are invulnerable to your b*ll*ts.
(The policemen at the barrier continue f*ring but sensibly move out of the way of the ASTRONAUTS who raise the barrier and approach the main doors.)
DOCTOR: (Into megaphone.) They will not harm you but you will die if you touch them. ... keep back.
(Another policeman at the doors sees that the b*ll*ts have no effect and also runs out of the way. The DOCTOR'S party gets back into Bessie and the van. The ASTRONAUTS touch the lock on the doors and destroy it. The doors swing open and the two vehicles drive through. The UNIT troops rush to re-take control.)
24: INT. SPACE CONTROL. MAIN CONTROL ROOM
(CARRINGTON, his voice getting more desperate, gives further instructions to WAKEFIELD. He walks in between a camera and the screen hiding the ASTRONAUT.)
GENERAL CARRINGTON: When I move across to here, get your camera in close on this creature and my men will forcibly remove his helmet. I want the world to know what these monsters look like.
JOHN WAKEFIELD: All right, General, whatever you say.
GENERAL CARRINGTON: (Calmer.) Good man.
(CORNISH steps forward.)
RALPH CORNISH: General, you must see reason! You can't make this broadcast.
GENERAL CARRINGTON: Mr. Cornish, don't interfere in things you don't understand.
RALPH CORNISH: It could bring down total destruction on us!
GENERAL CARRINGTON: You have no concept of moral duty!
RALPH CORNISH: General, you must see...
GENERAL CARRINGTON: (Interrupts.) Security!
(Two military policemen run forward and pull CORNISH away. WAKEFIELD steps before the camera.)
JOHN WAKEFIELD: Five seconds to go, General.
(The two men ready themselves as the seconds tick down, then...)
JOHN WAKEFIELD: This is John Wakefield, speaking to you live from the heart of Britain's Space Control headquarters. This telecast is being received in homes all over the world by communications satellite relay.
(Suddenly, there is the sound of distant g*n. A look of concern appears on CARRINGTON'S face.)
JOHN WAKEFIELD: Owing to widespread rumours concerning an unidentified flying object hovering above this planet...
(The g*n gets louder and CARRINGTON starts to look round in obvious unease. WAKEFIELD continues...)
JOHN WAKEFIELD: ...General Carrington, head of Space security, himself an ex-astronaut and Mars probe veteran, is about to speak to you on a matter of tremendous importance...
(The female CONTROL ROOM ASSISTANT screams and runs as the ASTRONAUTS enter amid g*n.)
GENERAL CARRINGTON: They're here, we're being inv*de!
(He fires at the ASTRONAUTS who continue to pace towards him.)
GENERAL CARRINGTON: Security Patrol!
(He continues to sh**t at the ASTRONAUTS as they approach him. His g*n runs out of b*ll*ts as the DOCTOR, the BRIGADIER and UNIT soldiers enter in force. The BRIGADIER approaches the GENERAL, his own g*n raised.)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: It's no good, General. I've released my men. This place is in my hands.
GENERAL CARRINGTON: (Desperate.) I must make this broadcast. It's a matter of world survival!
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: I'm sorry, General. I must place you under arrest.
GENERAL CARRINGTON: (Amazed.) Arrest?
(SERGEANT BENTON steps forward to takes the g*n off the dazed GENERAL. However, CARRINGTON hands his w*apon over to the BRIGADIER, puts on his cap and picks up his swagger stick.)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: The Sergeant will look after you.
(CARRINGTON starts to march away, escorted by BENTON but the GENERAL stops in front of the DOCTOR.)
GENERAL CARRINGTON: I had to do what I did. It was my moral duty. You do understand, don't you?
DOCTOR: (Nods.) Yes, General. I understand.
(CARRINGTON is taken away. The DOCTOR crosses over to the TV studio area.)
DOCTOR: Er, please release that gentleman.
(The screen around the c*ptive ASTRONAUT starts to rise.)
DOCTOR: Right, Mr. Cornish, we've got to get a message up to that alien space ship and tell them that their ambassadors are safe and well.
RALPH CORNISH: Doctor, where are my three astronauts?
DOCTOR: My dear chap, they're still up there. But don't worry, they're all right. They're quite safe. Now we've got to make an exchange.
RALPH CORNISH: Exchange?
(The former c*ptive ASTRONAUT joins his two companions. The three face the humans in the room.)
DOCTOR: We'll send these three up in Recovery 7. They'll send down our three astronauts.
RALPH CORNISH: But what about the fuel problem?
DOCTOR: Well, simple. We'll use pure M3 Variant - and don't forget they're not susceptible to g-force.
(CORNISH crosses to his desk and presses a control.)
RALPH CORNISH: (Into microphone.) This is control. Get me the fuel bay.
(The DOCTOR crosses to him and holds his hand out.)
DOCTOR: Well goodbye, Mr. Cornish. I've got a lot of work to do in my own laboratory.
(CORNISH shakes hands.)
RALPH CORNISH: Doctor, I'll need your help to communicate with the...ambassadors.
(The DOCTOR indicates LIZ.)
DOCTOR: Well, here you are. Here's Miss Shaw. She's much more practical than I am. (To the BRIGADIER.) Good-bye Brigadier.
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Thank you, Doctor.
LIZ: Goodbye, Doctor.
(The DOCTOR smiles and crosses to the three ASTRONAUTS.)
DOCTOR: Goodbye, gentlemen.
(He goes to shake hands but suddenly thinks better of it. He smiles.)
DOCTOR: Have a nice trip!
(He walks out of the room as those left behind begin their task...) | {"type": "series", "show": "Doctor Who", "episode": "07x18 - The Ambassadors of Death - part 7"} | foreverdreaming |
INFERNO
by: DON HOUGHTON
EPISODE 1
Original Air Date: 9 May, 1970
5:15pm - 5:40pm
1: EXT. PERIMETER ROAD
(The DOCTOR, in the happiest of moods, drives Bessie along a perimeter road, "singing" Verdi's "La Donna e Mobile" at the top of his voice, although his grasp of the words in tenuous to say the least.)
DOCTOR: "Ra, ra, rum, rum, da, ra! Ra, ra, rum, rum, dum ,dum! La Donne e Mobile! Ra, ra , rum, rum da, ra! De, dah, da, rum, da, rah! Da ,de, da, dum, da, da, Da, da, da, rum, dum!"
(Still singing, he turns a corner and drives into a vast industrial complex, full of chimneys, cooling towers, railway lines, gantries and various other buildings. Waving to a gatehouse guard as he goes, he drives past a sign which reads "RESTRICTED AREA. KEEP OUT")
2: EXT. CENTRAL CONTROL
(Within the complex, someone else is whistling just as tunelessly as the DOCTOR as he rides his bike. Dressed in a set of white overalls, this is HARRY SLOCUM, a swarthy, moustached, maintenance man who brings his bike to a halt next to set of railway lines. Then, carrying a toolbox from the back of the bike, he walks towards the concrete blockhouse entrance to the central control complex building. As he does so, one of the technicians - BROMLEY - walks out.)
HARRY SLOCUM: Hello, John, how's it going on in there?
BROMLEY: Oh, still drilling away like mad.
HARRY SLOCUM: Sound's more like a blooming dentist!
BROMLEY: Yes!
(The two men part and SLOCUM enters the building.)
3: INT. CENTRAL CONTROL
(SLOCUM enters the quiet, efficient central control room. A large futuristic computer unit sits in the main part of the floor. The back of the room is on a higher level and has control consoles as a divide between the two sections and also on the back wall. To the right are steps leading to the upper level and also as an exit from the room. To the upper left is a passageway leading to the drill-head and to the left of that is a bunker-type door leading to an office. The area is mostly staffed with technicians in white lab coats but SLOCUM heads for one smartly suited, kindly-looking man in glasses and a bow tie who stands with a clipboard looking over the computer.)
HARRY SLOCUM: Excuse me, Sir Keith?
SIR KEITH GOLD: Yes?
HARRY SLOCUM: You called for someone from maintenance.
SIR KEITH GOLD: Ah yes. I'd like you to have a look a number two output pipe.
HARRY SLOCUM: Oh, on the blink again, is she?
SIR KEITH GOLD: Yes, I've had it take out of service. We've switched over to one and three.
HARRY SLOCUM: Okay, let's take a look at it.
(SIR KEITH leads SLOCUM down the passageway to the drill-head.)
4: INT. DRILL-HEAD
(Here, the quiet hum of computers is replaced by the roar of industrial machinery. In the centre of the room is a small platform with a large metal tube leading down into the bowels of the Earth. Around it are four slimmer tubes - the output pipes. SIR KEITH leads the way to No. 2 pipe and SLOCUM kneels to inspect it.)
HARRY SLOCUM: I see what you mean. Okay, I'll fix it up.
SIR KEITH GOLD: As quickly as possible, please. Professor Stahlman doesn't want any delays.
HARRY SLOCUM: (Smiles.) Don't worry about it. It doesn't look too serious.
SIR KEITH GOLD: Good, thank you.
(SIR KEITH leaves and SLOCUM begins work.)
5: INT. CENTRAL CONTROL
(A man and a woman enter the central control room. The man is suited, balding and with a neat pointed beard. He has a perpetual scowl on his face. The woman is younger, blond and attractive and wearing a blue flower patterned dress and carrying a clipboard. They are PROFESSOR STAHLMAN and his P.A. - PETRA WILLIAMS.
The PROFESSOR spots SIR KEITH returning from the drill-head and calls over to him.)
PROFESSOR STAHLMAN: Sir Keith?
(SIR KEITH comes over.)
PROFESSOR STAHLMAN: Why has the drilling rate been slowed down?
SIR KEITH GOLD: Oh, number two pipe is out of action. Naturally, we had to decelerate.
PROFESSOR STAHLMAN: Oh, I do understand the technical problems.
SIR KEITH GOLD: I didn't mean to imply otherwise...
PROFESSOR STAHLMAN: What I don't understand is why you took it upon yourself to interfere.
(SIR KEITH ignores the insult and smiles.)
SIR KEITH GOLD: Well, I saw the malfunction report on number two pipe several days ago. I saw no report of its repair. I assumed you must have overlooked it.
PROFESSOR STAHLMAN: I overlook nothing, Sir Keith. The malfunction on number two pipe's not sufficient to warrant a stoppage in the drilling...and you have no authority to order one.
SIR KEITH GOLD: Professor Stahlman, as Executive Director of this project, my concerns...
PROFESSOR STAHLMAN: (Interrupting.) Your concern is with such important matters as the...canteen facilities and the new roster for the cleaners.
Anything to do with the drilling is my concern and mine alone - and that includes minor maintenance problems.
SIR KEITH GOLD: Surely in a situation like this, there's no such thing as a minor problem?
PROFESSOR STAHLMAN: Sir Keith, I'll make a bargain with you - you stay away from my drilling...and I'll let you run your canteen!
(He strides off. An embarrassed PETRA raises her eyebrows to SIR KEITH and follows her boss. SIR KEITH, well used to the PROFESSOR'S manner, seems philosophical.)
6: INT. DRILL-HEAD
(SLOCUM continues his repair, pulling at some nuts with a huge wrench. Suddenly, from under the output pipe casing, a small amount of a green smoking slime starts to emerge. SLOCUM hesitantly touches the substance which spurts smoke as he does so. He snatches his fingers back in pain. Opening his shaking hand, he sees that his palm and fingers are now stained a dark green. A strange noise starts to penetrate his head as he stares at his hand in wide-eyed horror...)
7: INT. CENTRAL CONTROL
(SIR KEITH has managed to get PETRA on her own...)
SIR KEITH GOLD: Why is he so unreasonable? You'd think I was some sort of a rival.
PETRA WILLIAMS: He's been working on this project all his life. Naturally, he feels possessive about it.
SIR KEITH GOLD: Mmm. Well I've got another piece of news he won't altogether care for...
PETRA WILLIAMS: What's that?
SIR KEITH GOLD: I've sent for a drilling consultant - a chap called Greg Sutton. One of the most experienced oilmen in the world.
PETRA WILLIAMS: But this isn't an oil rig. We use a totally different method of drilling.
SIR KEITH GOLD: Yes, yes, I know, but...I'd feel happier if someone on this project knew a little more about the purely practical aspects of drilling -
and its dangers.
(Anticipating fireworks, PETRA looks worried.)
PETRA WILLIAMS: When does he arrive?
SIR KEITH GOLD: Oh, anytime now. He's flying in from Kuwait.
(Meanwhile, on the other side of the room, SLOCUM walks out of the drill-head. However his whole manner has changed - instead of his previous jaunty chipper self, he now strides slowly along, staring straight ahead. He passes the computer where STAHLMAN is at work. He gives the maintenance man the briefest of glances as he walks by.)
PROFESSOR STAHLMAN: Oh, have you finished?
(SLOCUM speaks in a totally emotionless voice...)
HARRY SLOCUM: Yes...
(..and walks out, leaving a satisfied STAHLMAN behind.)
PROFESSOR STAHLMAN: Good. (To a technician.) Put number two pipe back into service and accelerate drilling speed three-and-a-half percent.
TECHNICIAN: Yes.
PROFESSOR STAHLMAN: Perhaps we can now make up for lost time.
8: EXT. CENTRAL CONTROL
(Slightly unsteady on his feet, SLOCUM staggers out of the blockhouse entrance. Carrying his wrench, he makes his way over to the railway line, looking like a man in a daze. He reaches some metal steps leading up to a gantry and falls against them. In a brick blockhouse, a technician sees him and runs out to assist.
As he gets to SLOCUM, the maintenance man springs into life with a guttural roar. He pushes the man to the ground, raises the wrench and...)
9: INT. BRIGADIER'S OFFICE
(...SERGEANT BENTON hammers a nail into a wall. He then hands a framed photograph of a regiment on the nail. Behind him, BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART enters the room through a large bulkhead door which leads off the central control room. He looks over the room.)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Morning, Benton.
(BENTON stands to attention.)
SERGEANT BENTON: Morning, sir.
(He looks over the room.)
SERGEANT BENTON: It's the best they could do us on such short notice.
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: It'll do. Have you contacted the Doctor?
SERGEANT BENTON: He's on his way over, sir.
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Anything on Slocum?
SERGEANT BENTON: No sir. The lads are still looking.
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Still?
(The BRIGADIER sits at the desk.)
SERGEANT BENTON: It's a rambling place this, sir. Slocum knows it a lot better than we do. If we have more men, we could...
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: (Interrupting.) No, we don't want a panic.
(The door from central control opens and the DOCTOR walks in.)
DOCTOR: Hello, Brigadier. Making yourself at home.
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: (Warmly.) How are you, Doctor?
DOCTOR: Fine, thank you, fine.
(He spots another a pile of more regimental photographs on the desk and picks one up, looking over the posed rows of soldiers.)
DOCTOR: Good heavens! Which one's you?
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Well, don't you recognise the one?
DOCTOR: No, no, no, don't tell me - let me guess.
(He looks across the picture.)
DOCTOR: Not that one...not that one...well, none of them?
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Fifth from left - third row.
(The DOCTOR looks and bursts out laughing.)
DOCTOR: Yes, well if it's true, I can see why you grew that moustache!
(BENTON grins until the BRIGADIER gives him a cold stare.)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Trouble seems to follow you, doesn't it, Doctor?
DOCTOR: Mmm? What do you mean?
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: You persuade me to allow you and Miss Shaw to attend this project as observers...
DOCTOR: (Interrupts.) Allow? Look, Miss Shaw may have the misfortune to work for you, Brigadier, I am a free agent.
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: And within a few hours of your arrival, I have a motiveless m*rder on my hands.
DOCTOR: What?
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Late yesterday afternoon, one of the technicians was beaten to death with this.
(The BRIGADIER takes a folder off the top of a tray. SLOCUM'S wrench sits in it. The DOCTOR picks up the tray.)
DOCTOR: And do you know who did the k*lling?
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: The wrench was found near the body. It belongs to a drill-head rigger called Harry Slocum. We're still looking for him.
DOCTOR: Do you know anything about him?
SERGEANT BENTON: Seems to have been one of the most popular men on the complex, sir.
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Something else, Doctor. Try touching the wrench.
(The DOCTOR gingerly does so.)
DOCTOR: Ah, it's still warm.
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: When it was first found it was red hot - as though it had been in a furnace. Any theories?
(The DOCTOR leans over the tray.)
DOCTOR: Oh, if the wrench had been subjected to intense energy, it might have disturbed its atomic make-up.
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Chase up those patrols will you, Benton? I want that man Slocum found.
SERGEANT BENTON: Right away, sir.
(BENTON leaves.)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Doctor, why were you so keen to observe this project?
DOCTOR: Well, it's a matter of great scientific interest, my dear fellow. First penetration of the Earth's crust. Well, naturally I'm interested.
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: (Smiles.) Yes, of course.
DOCTOR: Yes, well I'd concentrate on finding that rigger if I was you. Well, excuse me, I must get back to work.
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: You're taking part in the project?
DOCTOR: Yes, in a way. Some related experiments, you know?
(He smiles and walks out.)
10: INT. DRILL-HEAD
(SIR KEITH is showing a stocky, casually dressed man around the control area. They are walking out of the control room.)
GREG SUTTON: ...Getting a respectable tan - bingo! I get snatched off a drill rig in Kuwait just when I'm sure we've made a strike, flown back so fast my stomach's still over the Med and I still haven't the faintest idea what I'm supposed to be doing here!
SIR KEITH GOLD: Well, I asked for a top oil rig man, Mr. Sutton and you're the one they sent me.
GREG SUTTON: Well, that's very flattering. Now look, this is a government project, right?
SIR KEITH GOLD: Right.
GREG SUTTON: So now I'm a sort of...temporary civil servant?
SIR KEITH GOLD: (Smiles.) Broadly speaking - yes. How do you like the idea?
GREG SUTTON: No comment!
(SUTTON sees the five pipes of the drill-head.)
GREG SUTTON: Well, what's this supposed to be?
SIR KEITH GOLD: That, Mr. Sutton, is the drill-head.
GREG SUTTON: That is a drill-head? You've got to be joking!
SIR KEITH GOLD: (Proudly.) No, that's a drill-head, I assure you. The only one of its kind in the world.
GREG SUTTON: Well, how deep are you?
SIR KEITH GOLD: Twenty miles.
GREG SUTTON: (Amazed.) Twenty miles! Oh, come on now! You'd get such a whip in the drill pipes, they'd fracture.
SIR KEITH GOLD: No pipes, Mr. Sutton. A robot drill with its built-in power source, fed by cables from our own nuclear reactor.
GREG SUTTON: Twenty miles! Well, you're liable to wake up Old Nick going that deep.
SIR KEITH GOLD: (Laughs.) Yes! As a matter of fact, some of the technicians have nicknamed this place "the Inferno". Come round here.
(SIR KEITH walks round the small room, pointing out various pieces to GREG.)
SIR KEITH GOLD: There's the monitoring system over there, you see? Then over here we have the alarm circuitry.
GREG SUTTON: What's it all in aid of?
SIR KEITH GOLD: Well, soon we shall penetrate the Earth's crust...and then we'll be able to tap the pockets of Stahlman's gas that lie beneath it.
GREG SUTTON: Pockets of what?
SIR KEITH GOLD: Stahlman's gas - so named in honour of the originator of the project.
GREG SUTTON: You mean like North Sea gas?
SIR KEITH GOLD: No, no, no, no - an infinitely more powerful energy source.
GREG SUTTON: What do you do with it once you've got it?
SIR KEITH GOLD: Well, according to Professor Stahlman, we shall have, quote, "a vast new storehouse of energy which has lain dormant since the beginning of time", unquote.
GREG SUTTON: You learn something new every day.
(He goes back to the pipes of the drill-head.)
GREG SUTTON: Now what did you say these pipes do?
SIR KEITH GOLD: They syphon the coolant chemical down to the bore.
GREG SUTTON: Okay, Sir Keith, well I get the picture, but I still don't see where I fit in.
SIR KEITH GOLD: Well, I want someone on the project who's got a good practical knowledge of drilling...and of coping with any emergencies that may arise.
GREG SUTTON: Are you having trouble here then?
SIR KEITH GOLD: Not yet.
GREG SUTTON: But you may have?
SIR KEITH GOLD: Well, it's my job to cover any eventuality, Mr. Sutton. Now it's time I introduced you to some of the senior staff.
(He shows him out of the drill-head.)
11: INT. CENTRAL CONTROL
(A countdown clock on the central computer reads 59:28:47 and clicks down a second at a time. PETRA is at the computer frowning with concealed worry as SIR KEITH and GREG walk out of the passage from the drill-head and towards her.)
SIR KEITH GOLD: Petra - this is Mr. Sutton, the oil man I told you about. Er, this is Miss Petra Williams who has been personal assistant to the Professor for some years now.
GREG SUTTON: Hi.
PETRA WILLIAMS: (Coldly.) How do you do?
GREG SUTTON: All the better for seeing you, Petra. Perhaps you could help me settle in the place?
PETRA WILLIAMS: How do you mean, Mr. Sutton?
GREG SUTTON: Well, you know, show me round, dash off a few letters. Perhaps I could borrow you for a bit.
(PETRA collects her thoughts...)
PETRA WILLIAMS: Mr. Sutton, I am Professor Stahlman's personal assistant - not a typist, and I'm not available for borrowing. (To SIR KEITH.) Will you excuse me?
(She strides off.)
GREG SUTTON: (To SIR KEITH.) I'd say I'd been snubbed. Wouldn't you?
SIR KEITH GOLD: Huh! Come and meet the boss.
(STAHLMAN is on the upper level at the back of the room, giving final instructions to a technician. SIR KEITH and SUTTON walk up to him.)
SIR KEITH GOLD: May I present Professor Eric Stahlman, the instigator of the entire project.
PROFESSOR STAHLMAN: (Snaps.) Instigator? You make it sound as if I'd perpetrated some crime against humanity.
SIR KEITH GOLD: Hardly that, Professor. Er, this is Mr. Sutton.
PROFESSOR STAHLMAN: So I gather. Another recruit to your cause, no doubt.
GREG SUTTON: What cause?
PROFESSOR STAHLMAN: Well, his crusade to bring this whole operation to a grinding halt, Mr. Sutton.
SIR KEITH GOLD: (Embarrassed.) Professor, please...
PROFESSOR STAHLMAN: Well, he's a dedicated man, you see, dedicated to stifling us with over-caution and an over-abundance of "experts" and advisors. We're drowning in them, Mr. Sutton.
GREG SUTTON: I didn't volunteer for this job, you know?
PROFESSOR STAHLMAN: (Smiles.) How you came here is of no importance to me. You're here. We see them everywhere, advisors on this, ha! Advisors on that...
(At the moment, the DOCTOR walks into central control. STAHLMAN gestures at him.)
PROFESSOR STAHLMAN: Look, there's another one!
(The DOCTOR is unconcerned at this "greeting".)
DOCTOR: Our liver playing us up again this morning, is it Professor?
(He smiles and walks off, leaving a furious PROFESSOR behind. GREG sidles up to SIR KEITH.)
GREG SUTTON: You have problems, Sir Keith.
SIR KEITH GOLD: Yes.
(GREG nods towards the DOCTOR.)
GREG SUTTON: Who's the, er, gentleman in the fancy dress?
SIR KEITH GOLD: Ah ha, that's the Doctor. A brilliant mind. We're very lucky to have him as advisor. Come, I'll introduce you.
(The DOCTOR is at the computer, looking over a print out when SIR KEITH and GREG approach.)
SIR KEITH GOLD: Doctor, may I introduce Mr. Sutton.
GREG SUTTON: Hello, Doc.
(They shake hands.)
DOCTOR: Welcome to the Inferno, Mr. Sutton.
GREG SUTTON: And what do you, er, think of this project, Doc?
DOCTOR: Well, I think that certain people ought to pay a lot more attention to the warnings of this computer.
(GREG looks over at STAHLMAN on the other side of the room.)
GREG SUTTON: Like him, you mean?
DOCTOR: Yes. Mind you, I'm not wild about computers myself but they are a tool. If you have a tool, it's stupid not to use it.
(The DOCTOR wanders over to a large power unit on one side of the room and flicks a switch. A red light comes on. He goes back to GREG and SIR KEITH, pointing back at the power unit.)
DOCTOR: Power for my own little project. Nice to have met you, Mr. Sutton.
(They shake hands again and the DOCTOR makes for the exit, but in doing so, he passes STAHLMAN who is loudly expressing his opinion to PETRA.)
PROFESSOR STAHLMAN: All those so-called experts! They're a waste of valuable time and money.
(The DOCTOR stops in his tracks and goes over to a technician stood near to STAHLMAN. He points a control out to the technician, loudly enough for STAHLMAN to hear.)
DOCTOR: Give that more lateral compensation, old chap, or you'll blow the main condenser banks. Cost thousands to put that right. Waste of valuable time and money! (To STAHLMAN.) Mmm?
(He strides out. STAHLMAN looks at the control indicated by the DOCTOR and sees that he is right - losing face in front of the technician by doing so. He mutters to himself...)
PROFESSOR STAHLMAN: I'm rapidly losing patience with that man!
12: EXT. DOCTOR'S GARAGE
(The DOCTOR drives in Bessie through the complex. He approaches a Nissan hut-style garage in front of which is passing an armed UNIT soldier - PRIVATE LATIMER. The DOCTOR brakes in front of the double doors to the garage and LATIMER walks up to him.)
PRIVATE LATIMER: Morning, sir.
DOCTOR: Good morning. Any sign of Slocum yet?
PRIVATE LATIMER: Er, no, we're still searching for him.
DOCTOR: Mmm, nasty business that.
(LATIMER nods at the garage.)
PRIVATE LATIMER: Yes, still you, er, should be safe in there. I'm sure this Harry Slocum character won't have one of your funny gadgets.
DOCTOR: Funny gadgets?
(He reaches into his pocket and pulls out his sonic screwdriver. He presses it and LATIMER smiles as the two doors slide open.)
DOCTOR: (Smiles.) It's only a door handle!
(The DOCTOR drives in.)
13: INT. DOCTOR'S GARAGE
(He brakes in the garage and stops the engine. He turns round and closes the doors with the screwdriver and then gets out of car. Whistling, he divests himself of his cloak and gloves. The wall of the garage is lined with shelves of untidily stacked books. At the back of the garage is the TARDIS console with LIZ working on it.)
DOCTOR: Any progress?
LIZ: I've isolated one of the faults.
DOCTOR: Good.
LIZ: Oh, did you get those figures from the computer?
DOCTOR: Yes, but I think you'll find they only confirm what we already know.
(He hands her his print out from the computer.)
LIZ: Well, I'll check them again anyway.
(LIZ goes over to a series of junction boxes and other equipment near the doors to the garage.)
LIZ: How are things at central control?
DOCTOR: Oh, the usual friction between Sir Keith and Stahlman.
LIZ: Oh, did you see the Brigadier?
DOCTOR: Mmm hmm.
(He grows serious.)
DOCTOR: There's been a m*rder, Liz.
LIZ: I know. One of the sentries was in earlier making a spot check. He told me about it.
DOCTOR: It's a dreadful business - a m*rder without a motive.
(He comes out of his reverie.)
DOCTOR: Right, let's get back to work, shall we?
(He starts to look over the console.)
LIZ: Doctor, you're not still thinking of making a run with the TARDIS console, are you?
DOCTOR: Indeed I am. That's why we came here.
LIZ: Now be sensible, it's too dangerous.
DOCTOR: Look Liz...
(He places his hands on her shoulders and speaks gently.)
DOCTOR: Look, without the TARDIS I feel rather lost. A stranger in a foreign land. A shipwrecked mariner!
(LIZ smiles and gives in.)
LIZ: When do you want to make this trial run?
DOCTOR: In a minute.
LIZ: (Worried.) Hey, you're not serious? Why the sudden rush?
(The DOCTOR ignores the question.)
DOCTOR: Right, we've been over this many times. You know exactly what to do, don't you?
LIZ: Yes.
DOCTOR: Well then, take up your position...and I'll switch the nuclear power through.
LIZ: I wish you'd think again.
DOCTOR: Liz! Please?
(LIZ goes back to the bank of controls and flicks over some switches. She then crosses over to a junction box on the wall and grasps a circuit handle.)
DOCTOR: All right?
LIZ: Right.
DOCTOR: Now at my signal, give me first stage power...and then full boost a fraction later.
LIZ: Supposing it doesn't work?
DOCTOR: I'll think of something - I hope!
14: EXT. COMPLEX
(A green hand covered in black fur edges round a chemical container. It belongs to SLOCUM, fast evolving into a primitive creature and acting like a hunted animal. His face is now the same green colour as his hands. He looks round and then runs to a sliding door marked "NUCLEAR REACTOR SWITCH ROOM". He pulls the door open and enters.)
15: INT. NUCLEAR REACTOR CONTROL ROOM
(Within the building, BROMLEY the technician stands speaking into a wall phone. Computer banks line the wall of the little room and there is a flat-table console in the middle of the floor space.)
BROMLEY: (Into phone.) Yes, yes, that's right. All readings normal - no peaks at all.
(He listens as SLOCUM'S hand edges round the door and he starts to enter the room.)
BROMLEY: (Into phone.) Yeah. Mmm hmm. Look, I've done a complete routine check.
(SLOCUM approaches BROMLEY from behind.)
BROMLEY: (Into phone.) No, everything's very quiet up here.
16: INT. DOCTOR'S GARAGE
(The DOCTOR flicks a couple of switches on the TARDIS console and checks a reading.)
DOCTOR: Right, stand by, Liz.
(LIZ is still at the circuit handle.)
LIZ: Standing by, Doctor.
DOCTOR: Switch to first stage power.
(LIZ pushes the handle up and a hum fills the room as the power comes through.)
DOCTOR: Full boost, Liz.
(LIZ pushes a second handle up and a dial on a voltmeter sh**t up towards, but not on, the red area.)
17: INT. NUCLEAR REACTOR CONTROL ROOM
(SLOCUM stands over the unconscious body of BROMLEY. Breathing heavily, he then staggers over to a console in the middle of the room. He looks down on it and suddenly puts his hands to his head and cries out in pain. He then pulls a handle on the power switch into the red area. The hum of the reactor rises.)
18: INT. DOCTOR'S GARAGE
(The effect on the DOCTOR'S experiment is instantaneous as the TARDIS console begins to shake. He grasps the edge and yells out...)
DOCTOR: Too much power, Liz! Too much power!
(LIZ is desperately pulling down on both the circuit handles.)
LIZ: I can't cut back! The circuits are locked and overloaded!
(She hears the speeded-up sound of the TARDIS dematerialising and sees the shaking console and the DOCTOR fade away.)
19: VOID
(The DOCTOR is in a darkened void. Flashes of light illuminate his distorted face as he gives out a silent scream. Still holding onto the console, he is buffeted about the void. His features seem to be pulled apart and then, he is wrenched from his grasp of the console and into limbo. His face shows agony as he seems to be torn in two...)
20: INT. DOCTOR'S GARAGE
(LIZ manages to pull one of the circuit handles down. The voltmeter reduces slightly.)
21: VOID
(There is no noticeable effect on the DOCTOR who is still torn within the maelstrom...)
22: INT. DOCTOR'S GARAGE
(LIZ is having no success with the second handle. She looks round and sees a small stick of woos on a nearby bench. She grabs it and puts it behind the stuck handle as a lever and pulls. She manages to yank it back. The voltmeter drops to zero.)
23: VOID
(The two torn images of the DOCTOR blend into one and disappear.)
24: INT. DOCTOR'S GARAGE
(The TARDIS console is already back in the garage. The DOCTOR appears on the floor, upside down with his feet on the console's edge. His feet fall and he lies on the floor, somewhat stunned. LIZ makes sure that the power is switched off and then rushes over to him. He is now sat up with his hand to his head.)
LIZ: Doctor! Are you all right?
DOCTOR: Yes.
(He lets out a gasp of breath.)
DOCTOR: I still feel dizzy. I seem to be in one piece anyway.
LIZ: What happened? Where did you go?
(The DOCTOR thinks...)
DOCTOR: I'm not sure...I seemed to be in some sort of limbo...there was a barrier I couldn't break through. We must make another trial run.
LIZ: (Shocked.) After all that?
DOCTOR: Because of all that. I wonder where I was exactly? Where I was going?
LIZ: Wherever you were, you very nearly didn't get back.
DOCTOR: Well, next time we must ensure that I do.
(Suddenly, a strident klaxon alarm echoes across the complex.)
LIZ: The drill-head!
(They rush to Bessie and climb in.)
25: INT. DRILL-HEAD
(Smoke is pouring out of the five pipes at the drill-head.)
26: INT. CENTRAL CONTROL
(A heat-proof metal blast door slides down over the entrance to the drill-head from the control room. PETRA is on the phone.)
PETRA WILLIAMS: (Into phone.) I must get through to the main switch-room - this is an emergency!
(STAHLMAN strides into the control room where technicians rush about trying to deal with the crisis. One technician follows him.)
PROFESSOR STAHLMAN: Sir Keith!
(SIR KEITH is with GREG.)
PROFESSOR STAHLMAN: Did you order those shield to be lowered?
SIR KEITH GOLD: Yes, I did.
PROFESSOR STAHLMAN: Why?
SIR KEITH GOLD: Well, this is a Red-One emergency, Professor.
PROFESSOR STAHLMAN: Is it? I haven't said so yet.
SIR KEITH GOLD: Surely it's quite obvious?
(STAHLMAN turns to his waiting technician.)
PROFESSOR STAHLMAN: Get those shields back up again now.
SIR KEITH GOLD: Professor Stahlman...
PROFESSOR STAHLMAN: (To SIR KEITH.) Anything that happens in this area is my responsibility.
SIR KEITH GOLD: Well at least order the power to be shut off.
PROFESSOR STAHLMAN: What and stop the drill?
(STAHLMAN spots PETRA on the phone.)
PROFESSOR STAHLMAN: Petra, have you contacted the reactor yet?
PETRA WILLIAMS: I still can't get an answer, Professor.
PROFESSOR STAHLMAN: Well, you must get an answer!
(STAHLMAN walks over to join her leaving GREG and SIR KEITH alone.)
GREG SUTTON: At that depth and that pressure...you'll never get it going again. The drill-bit would seize up immediately. You'd have to abandon the bore.
SIR KEITH GOLD: That mighten be a bad idea.
(STAHLMAN has taken the phone off PETRA.)
PROFESSOR STAHLMAN: (Into phone.) Look, try them again and keep on trying until you get 'em. (To PETRA.) Petra, see if they have the coolant flowing yet.
(PETRA runs across the room to the drill-head. GREG sees where she is going and runs after her.)
GREG SUTTON: Hey, wait a minute.
(He grabs her arm.)
GREG SUTTON: I wouldn't go in there if I was you.
PETRA WILLIAMS: Will you let go of my arm?!
GREG SUTTON: The pressure in there could blow the roof right off this building!
PETRA WILLIAMS: (Sharply.) Thank you, I know what can happen. But I have a job to do. Now just don't interfere!
(She runs off and GREG shouts after her over the sound of the klaxon alarm...)
GREG SUTTON: Are you some kind of idiot?!
(Meanwhile, the DOCTOR and LIZ run into the control room and join SIR KEITH who is at the computer looking at a print out tape.)
SIR KEITH GOLD: Ah, Doctor, can you make any sense of this data?
(As the DOCTOR studies the tape, the BRIGADIER walks in and joins them.)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: What's happened, Doctor?
DOCTOR: There's been a nuclear power surge. Actually, we experienced it ourselves earlier. It's gone quite mad...at the reactor.
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: There's been another m*rder. One of my soldiers.
DOCTOR: Where was the body found?
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: On the waste ground.
DOCTOR: Anywhere near the reactor?
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Not all that far from it.
(The DOCTOR goes over to STAHLMAN who is furiously scribbling on a notepad.)
DOCTOR: Professor? We think we know what's wrong.
PROFESSOR STAHLMAN: Doctor, stop wasting my time, will you?
DOCTOR: Well, I'm afraid I was wrong, Professor.
PROFESSOR STAHLMAN: (Surprised.) What?
DOCTOR: It's not so much your liver as your general disposition!
(He walks off leaving again a furious PROFESSOR.)
DOCTOR: Brigadier, come on.
(The BRIGADIER follows him out as PETRA runs out of the smoke that fills the passage to the drill-head. Her coughs are mixed in with the klaxon alarm. She goes to STAHLMAN and GREG joins them.)
PETRA WILLIAMS: Professor Stahlman...
PROFESSOR STAHLMAN: Yeah, what's happening in there?
PETRA WILLIAMS: The coolant controls are jammed with the heat.
(STAHLMAN himself runs towards the drill-head. PETRA grabs a clipboard and is about to follow but GREG stands in her way.)
GREG SUTTON: I wouldn't go back in there.
PETRA WILLIAMS: Rather nervous for an oil man aren't you, Mr. Sutton?
GREG SUTTON: I'm not nervous, darling, I'm terrified! I know what can happen in there!
PETRA WILLIAMS: And I don't?
GREG SUTTON: I doubt it - and you're not brave, you're just plain stupid!
PETRA WILLIAMS: Professor Stahlman knows what's happening. He can deal with it.
(PETRA runs off after the PROFESSOR.)
GREG SUTTON: Do you wanna bet?
(GREG follows her.)
27: INT. DRILL-HEAD
(Smoke continues to pour out of the drill-head and the klaxon blares away. PETRA and GREG run into the room as the PROFESSOR and a technician desperately try to turn a wheel on the coolant pipeline.)
GREG SUTTON: Okay, Professor, let me have a go at that.
(GREG takes the PROFESSOR'S place at the wheel.)
GREG SUTTON: Hold tight everyone, we'll soon have it under control!
28: INT. NUCLEAR REACTOR CONTROL ROOM
(The DOCTOR and the BRIGADIER rush into the switch room closely followed by SERGEANT BENTON and PRIVATE WYATT. The DOCTOR instantly spots BROMLEY on the floor.)
DOCTOR: Look.
(They bend down to examine him. On the other side of the room, another door is thrown open and the roaring, snarling SLOCUM bursts in...) | {"type": "series", "show": "Doctor Who", "episode": "07x19 - Inferno - part 1"} | foreverdreaming |
INFERNO
by: DON HOUGHTON
EPISODE 2
Original Air Date: 16 May, 1970
5:15pm - 5:40pm
1: INT. NUCLEAR REACTOR CONTROL ROOM
(The DOCTOR and the BRIGADIER rush into the switch room closely followed by SERGEANT BENTON and PRIVATE WYATT. The DOCTOR instantly spots BROMLEY on the floor.)
DOCTOR: Look.
(They bend down to examine him. On the other side of the room, another door is thrown open and the roaring, snarling SLOCUM bursts in. They all stand up and BENTON steps forward to tackle the half-human but the DOCTOR holds him back.)
DOCTOR: No, don't move! It'll only antagonise him.
2: INT. DRILL-HEAD
(The alarm continues to blare and smoke is still coming from the drill-head. GREG SUTTON and the technician manage to turn the wheel on the coolant pipe.
GREG turns a waiting PROFESSOR STAHLMAN.)
GREG SUTTON: ... don't worry. She'll calm down now the coolant's flowing.
(STAHLMAN'S tone is less than gracious.)
PROFESSOR STAHLMAN: Thank you, Mr. Sutton.
(He walks off leaving a smarting GREG behind.)
3: INT. CENTRAL CONTROL
(PETRA adjusts various switches on a wall unit. STAHLMAN walks up and looks at the dials with her.)
PROFESSOR STAHLMAN: Still too much power from the nuclear reactor.PETRA WILLIAMS: I think the Doctor went to deal with it.PROFESSOR STAHLMAN: (Irritated.) What? Well, check it please, Petra.
4: INT. NUCLEAR REACTOR CONTROL ROOM
(The stand-off between a wary SLOCUM and the others continues...)
DOCTOR: (Calmly.) There's nothing to be frightened of, old chap.
(At that moment, a wall phone starts ringing. SLOCUM looks round at it in alarm and PRIVATE WYATT uses the diversion to run behind a rack of computer units, out of sight. He readies his r*fle.)
5: INT. DRILL-HEAD
(The coolant is taking time to have an effect on the drill-head and the situation with the smoke pouring out of the pipes seems just as bad.)
6: INT. CENTRAL CONTROL
(PETRA is on the phone, trying to get a reply. STAHLMAN storms up to her.)
PROFESSOR STAHLMAN: Well?PETRA WILLIAMS: There's still no reply from the main switch room.
(He grabs the phone from her.)
PROFESSOR STAHLMAN: What do those fools think they're doing? (Into phone, crossly.) Hello? Hello?!
7: INT. NUCLEAR REACTOR CONTROL ROOM
(The phone continues to ring in the switch room but no one dares move to answer it and thus alarm SLOCUM. WYATT signals to his colleagues to move to one side and they do so slowly with SLOCUM breathing like a chased animal as he watches them. WYATT edges from behind the computer rack to get a sh*t at SLOCUM but the engineer sees the barrel of his r*fle and runs forward. WYATT gets a sh*t at SLOCUM which seems to get him square in the chest but after staggering back slightly, he goes on the att*ck again and grabs the UNIT soldier round the neck. After half-strangling him, the effect of the b*llet finally seems to have an effect on SLOCUM and, roaring like a bestial animal, he falls to the floor as the DOCTOR edges towards the power switch.)
8: INT. CENTRAL CONTROL
(STAHLMAN is still waiting to an answer to the phone call as SIR KEITH GOLD approaches him.)
SIR KEITH GOLD: There's still not a Red-One emergency.
PROFESSOR STAHLMAN: (Brusquely.) I know.
SIR KEITH GOLD: Shall I give the order?
PROFESSOR STAHLMAN: Not until I consider it necessary. Why does nobody answer this phone?
9: INT. NUCLEAR REACTOR CONTROL ROOM
(SLOCUM is slumped against a wall. He is weakened but still growling and watching the people in the room. The BRIGADIER and BENTON drag BROMLEY away and then the BRIGADIER, p*stol drawn, joins the DOCTOR who is keeping a wary eye on SLOCUM. The DOCTOR reaches out for the power switch and SLOCUM lets out a bellow of anger. Nevertheless, the DOCTOR tries again but quickly snatches his hand away from the red hot switch. He turns to the BRIGADIER.)
DOCTOR: p*stol?
(The BRIGADIER looks puzzled at this request.)
DOCTOR: p*stol!
(The DOCTOR grabs the cold metal p*stol off the BRIGADIER and uses it to push the power switch back. SLOCUM growls in anger and reaches out but this final effort seems to cost him his life and he slumps to one side. Behind him, the wall he was leaning against is badly scorched. The whine of the reactor power reducing can be heard. The BRIGADIER is about to go to SLOCUM but the DOCTOR stops him.)
DOCTOR: No, no! Don't touch him. Look at that wall - it's scorched.
(The DOCTOR then moves over the room to the incessantly ringing phone and answers it.)
DOCTOR: (Into phone.) Hello? (He listens.) Oh, it's you, Stahlman. (Listens.) Thank you, we've dealt with the matter ourselves.
(He slams the phone down.)
10: INT. DRILL-HEAD
(Slowly, the smoke stops to come out of the drill-head and the blaring alarm finally ceases.)
11: INT. CENTRAL CONTROL
(In the main control room, GREG is surrounded by a group of grinning and sweating, but nevertheless triumphant, technicians. They all dab at themselves with handkerchiefs.)
GREG SUTTON: Well done, everyone. I'll have a new medal struck - "The Order of the Turkish Bath"!
(The good atmosphere is ruined as STAHLMAN, with PETRA, steps up behinds them and barks out an order.)
PROFESSOR STAHLMAN: The emergency has been contained. Return to your normal duties everyone.
(The technicians move off but GREG rounds on the PROFESSOR.)
GREG SUTTON: (Angrily.) We contained it by the skin of our teeth. We may not be so lucky next time.
PROFESSOR STAHLMAN: The main operation was not at fault. Those idiots at the nuclear reactor boosted the power too high.
GREG SUTTON: All right, so it was some kind of accident. They happen, you know? You have to make allowances, take precautions.
PROFESSOR STAHLMAN: (Coldly.) I can make no allowances for incompetence, Mr. Sutton.
(He stalks off and PETRA moves to follow him.)
GREG SUTTON: Petra?
(She turns back.)
GREG SUTTON: Is that man a complete nut?
PETRA WILLIAMS: (Sharply.) I don't think so, Mr. Sutton.
(GREG tuts at her loyalty and turns away from her. PETRA assumes a warmer manner though.)
PETRA WILLIAMS: Thank you for helping with the emergency.
GREG SUTTON: Well, if you really want to show your gratitude, there are one or two things.
PETRA WILLIAMS: Like what?
GREG SUTTON: Like call me Greg, for instance. It's my name. All this "mister"ing makes me nervous.
PETRA WILLIAMS: (Smiles.) And second?
GREG SUTTON: Well, I've got one or two ideas.
PETRA WILLIAMS: What about?
GREG SUTTON: Safety precautions at the drill-head area. Now Stahlman listens to you. If you could convince him I'm talking sense, we might get somewhere.
12: INT. NUCLEAR REACTOR CONTROL ROOM
(Without touching him, the DOCTOR has made an examination of SLOCUM'S slumped body. The BRIGADIER has been watching him.)
DOCTOR: Both b*ll*ts right through the heart.
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: But he was alive and moving for several minutes.
DOCTOR: Abnormal resistance, abnormal strength, and that is not all.
(BENTON enters the room.)
SERGEANT BENTON: 'Scuse me, sir. The medics are on the way over.
DOCTOR: (To BENTON.) Look, they'd better not touch the body for a while. It's radiating a good deal of heat.
SERGEANT BENTON: Right, sir.
(He leaves.)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: (Puzzled.) The man's d*ad, Doctor?
DOCTOR: Heat, Brigadier. Like the wrench that k*lled that technician. Like that switch over there.
(The BRIGADIER nods at WYATT and BROMLEY who lie against the opposite wall to SLOCUM. They are pale in the face and BROMLEY would appear to be unconscious.
However, WYATT'S eyes are open but he just stares into space.)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: What about these two?
DOCTOR: Well, there don't seem to be any major injuries.
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Shock?
DOCTOR: Possibly, I don't know.
(The BRIGADIER stands over the soldier.)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Wyatt? Private Wyatt?
(WYATT'S lips twitch but, otherwise, he doesn't move.)
13: EXT. STORAGE t*nk AREA
(The BRIGADIER and the DOCTOR climb onto a high catwalk between that runs between several large round storage t*nk. From here, they have a panoramic view of the vast site with its buildings, towers, t*nk and chimney's.)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Doctor, I need some answers.
DOCTOR: Mmm?
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: What did happen to Slocum?
DOCTOR: Some sort of retrogression of the body cells, I think.
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: I don't understand.
DOCTOR: Neither do I - not fully, not yet.
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: It looked as if he was turning into some sort of...animal.
DOCTOR: Yes. But the process was relatively slow and it wasn't completed.
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: I'll have the devil of a job keeping this quiet.
DOCTOR: (To himself.) Why wasn't the metamorphosis completed?
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: That noise he was making - I've never heard anything like that before.
DOCTOR: I have.
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Where?
DOCTOR: Krakatoa, the Sundra Straits...during the volcanic eruption of 1883.
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Doctor, are you telling me that there's some link between Slocum and the volcanic eruption in Krakatoa?
DOCTOR: There could be.
(The clanging of boots on the metal staircase is heard and they look down to see SERGEANT BENTON climbing up. He joins them and salutes the BRIGADIER.)
SERGEANT BENTON: Sir, Wyatt and the technician - they've disappeared.
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: What?
SERGEANT BENTON: They cleared off before the medics could look at them.
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Come on.
(The two soldiers climb back down and the DOCTOR watches them go. He then idly looks round and up...and suddenly sees movement on an even higher catwalk above him.)
DOCTOR: Wyatt?
(The soldier, crouched like an animal, sees that he has been spotted and runs off.)
DOCTOR: Wait!
(The DOCTOR is about to go after the BRIGADIER and BENTON but thinks better of it and starts to climb a ladder on his own catwalk, following WYATT. He gets to the top level and starts to give chase after the soldier who runs on. The DOCTOR reaches the end of the walkway and another staircase back down to a slightly lower level which he takes at some speed, sliding down part of the way. When he gets to the bottom, he sees that round a corner, WYATT is crouched on a pipe waiting for him. r*fle in hand held like a club, his face is now green and he drools and hisses at his pursuer.)
DOCTOR: Now Wyatt, listen to me. You need help.
(WYATT jumps off the pipe and starts to stalk the DOCTOR. He backs off and WYATT swings at him with his r*fle. He misses as the DOCTOR lunges back. WYATT tries again and a third time. This time, his swing is too strong and he falls over the railing of the catwalk. With a strange animal-like cry, he plunges to the ground and falls with a clang upon another metal surface. The DOCTOR looks down and sees a UNIT soldier approach the body. The DOCTOR yells down...)
DOCTOR: Don't touch him! Whatever you do, don't touch him!
(He runs off to a stair-ladder that will take him down to the ground. At the top of the staircase that he came down previously, another green-faced shambling figure appears - BROMLEY.)
14: INT. DRILL-HEAD
(PETRA walks into the drill-head area. A pleased STAHLMAN is there with his notebook. He calls to her over the noise of the drilling.)
PROFESSOR STAHLMAN: According to my calculations, Petra, we can accelerate the drilling speed by twelve percent without any adverse effects.
PETRA WILLIAMS: Professor Stahlman, will you...
PROFESSOR STAHLMAN: (Interrupting.) This will advance the time of penetration of the Earth's crust by nearly five hours...
PETRA WILLIAMS: (Interrupting.) Professor Stahlman, would you please come to central control? Sir Keith wants you to look at something in there.
(STAHLMAN'S good humour disappears...)
PROFESSOR STAHLMAN: Well, what on Earth is it?
PETRA WILLIAMS: ...
(They walk through to the control room.)
15: INT. CENTRAL CONTROL
(A small metal box lies on a trolley in the control room, watched over by GREG, SIR KEITH and a white-coated lab technician.)
GREG SUTTON: Do you reckon he'll know what it is?
SIR KEITH GOLD: Well if he does, he's a darn sight cleverer than the rest of us.
(The DOCTOR walks in.)
DOCTOR: Hello? What have we got here?
(STAHLMAN and PETRA join them.)
PROFESSOR STAHLMAN: Well, what is it, Sir Keith.
SIR KEITH GOLD: (To the technician.) Open it please.
(The technician, wearing white heat-proof gloves undoes a clasp on the box. He takes out of it a thick glass, metal topped specimen jar. It is filled with the same green substance that was seeping from number two output pipe. He closes the lid of the box and places the jar on top of it.)
SIR KEITH GOLD: Now, we've been getting traces of this stuff from number two output pipe for some time now. Recently it's started coming out in greater quantities.
PROFESSOR STAHLMAN: Analysis report?
SIR KEITH GOLD: None - so far the substance has defied analysis.
PROFESSOR STAHLMAN: Ridiculous! If it exists, it can be analysed.
SIR KEITH GOLD: The labs say they can't get near enough to the stuff to carry out a proper examination. It took them all their time to syphon some off into that heat resistant jar.
PROFESSOR STAHLMAN: (Smiles.) Then we shall just have to wait till it cools down a bit, won't we?
DOCTOR: Well I doubt whether it will cool down.
(STAHLMAN rounds on him to everyone's embarrassment.)
PROFESSOR STAHLMAN: And who the devil asked you?!
DOCTOR: I was just venturing an opinion.
PROFESSOR STAHLMAN: Based on what?
DOCTOR: Krakatoa actually!
(STAHLMAN raises his eyebrows at the assembled group. The BRIGADIER has joined them.)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Professor, I have to speak to you and Sir Keith on a matter of great urgency.
PROFESSOR STAHLMAN: Oh, not just at this moment, if you don't mind.
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: I must insist, sir - this is vital!
PROFESSOR STAHLMAN: Well then, talk to our good friend, Sir Keith. He's, er, got time for talking, I haven't.
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: (Insistent.) Professor, in the last few hours, three men have died in this establishment. Died violently. I must talk to you...in my office, now.
PROFESSOR STAHLMAN: (With bad grace.) Oh, very well.
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Sir Keith?
(They walk off. GREG goes leaving just the DOCTOR. LIZ joins him and nods at the jar.)
LIZ: I examined that stuff in the labs. What do you think?
(The DOCTOR peers closely at the jar.)
DOCTOR: I wish I could hear it, Liz.
LIZ: Hear it?
DOCTOR: I wonder if it screeches?
LIZ: Doctor, I think you ought to come and look at the main computer.
DOCTOR: Why? Something interesting?
LIZ: Something downright frightening if you ask me.
16: INT. BRIGADIER'S OFFICE
(The conference is not going well...)
PROFESSOR STAHLMAN: Oh, but surely, Brigadier, this matter comes under the jurisdiction of the medical section or...security? It's a personnel problem. It's got nothing whatsoever to do with the technical side of this operation.
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Professor, three men have died.
PROFESSOR STAHLMAN: I'm sorry for that. But it's none of my responsibility.
SIR KEITH GOLD: How can you say that? These deaths concern all of us.
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: The Doctor believes there is some connection between the...
PROFESSOR STAHLMAN: (Interrupts angrily.) That Doctor has no authority in this establishment! How many times do I have to repeat that?
SIR KEITH GOLD: His calculations on initial stresses were invaluable to this project. Without them...
PROFESSOR STAHLMAN: (Interrupts.) I would have come to the same conclusion.
SIR KEITH GOLD: He came to his answers in ten minutes! You had a team of mathematicians working on it for a month.
PROFESSOR STAHLMAN: That's hardly the point, Sir Keith.
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Gentlemen, please. I am still waiting for some decision on my particular problems.
PROFESSOR STAHLMAN: Well, as you say, Brigadier, they are your problems. Please deal with them as you see fit.
(The DOCTOR enters and goes straight up to STAHLMAN.)
DOCTOR: A question?
SIR KEITH GOLD: (Irritated.) Yes?!
DOCTOR: Isn't anybody going to pay any attention to that computer out there?
SIR KEITH GOLD: That computer is over-sensitive. Its data is unreliable.
DOCTOR: You talk about the thing as though it was your maiden Aunt!
SIR KEITH GOLD: My own calculations are more specific.
DOCTOR: Yes, well I'll tell you something that should be of vital interest to you, Professor.
SIR KEITH GOLD: Well, what?
DOCTOR: That you, sir, are a nitwit!
(STAHLMAN seethes but before he can answer PETRA runs in.)
PETRA WILLIAMS: Professor! Come quickly!
(She runs out as STAHLMAN barks at the BRIGADIER.)
PROFESSOR STAHLMAN: That man ought to be locked up!
(He follows as the DOCTOR smiles and nods at LETHBRIDGE STEWART.)
17: INT. CENTRAL CONTROL
(The cause of the alarm is the glass specimen jar. Its contents are bubbling and the glass is cracked in several places. A group of interested technicians are gathered around the trolley.)
PETRA WILLIAMS: I think the jar's going to shatter!
PROFESSOR STAHLMAN: Stand back everybody!
(They all stand back as PETRA and STAHLMAN approach. They are followed by the group from the BRIGADIER'S office and LIZ. The PROFESSOR reaches out with ungloved hands for the jar.)
DOCTOR: No, Professor, don't.
(STAHLMAN looks angrily at him. He then clasps the jar in his left hand and opens the metal box. His hand shakes with the pain of the heat as he drops the jar into the box and shuts the lid.)
DOCTOR: Yes, well I wouldn't have done that if I was you.
(STAHLMAN wipes his hand with a handkerchief as he speaks to the technician from the lab.)
PROFESSOR STAHLMAN: Have that deep frozen at once.
(The trolley is wheeled away.)
PROFESSOR STAHLMAN: Right, return to work everybody. The entertainment's over.
(All leave but the BRIGADIER notices that STAHLMAN is still wiping his hand on his handkerchief, as if there were something there that he cannot get rid of.)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Are you all right?
PROFESSOR STAHLMAN: Yes, of course. The jar was hot. It's nothing.
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Then perhaps we can continue our discussion?
PROFESSOR STAHLMAN: I hardly think that's necessary. As far as I'm concerned, everything's been covered.
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: (Sarcastically.) Thank you for your co-operation!
(He walks off and STAHLMAN is joined by an agitated SIR KEITH and the DOCTOR.)
SIR KEITH GOLD: What about the computer?
PROFESSOR STAHLMAN: Well, what about it?
SIR KEITH GOLD: Well, you can't just ignore it.
PROFESSOR STAHLMAN: I prefer to rely on my own judgement. I've been concerned with this operation for eleven years and I know more about the details surrounding it than any machine.
DOCTOR: I hope so, because its message is perfectly clear.
PROFESSOR STAHLMAN: What message?
DOCTOR: Well, come and see for yourself.
(They walk over to the computer bank.)
DOCTOR: It warns that drilling should be stopped immediately.
(STAHLMAN doesn't concern himself with the readings but instead takes out his ubiquitous notebook.)
DOCTOR: Well, look at it man! Are you blind?!
PROFESSOR STAHLMAN: That computer, as I have said, is inaccurate.
(The DOCTOR has had enough.)
DOCTOR: (Curtly.) You please yourself, sir. I've done the best I can to convince you. I may as well get back to my own work.
(He starts to walk off.)
PROFESSOR STAHLMAN: You may find that rather difficult. We can't supply you with any more nuclear power.
DOCTOR: Oh, why not?
PROFESSOR STAHLMAN: We need all the energy we can get. I propose to accelerate the drilling by twelve percent.
(He goes over to the power unit where a technician stands.)
PROFESSOR STAHLMAN: Cut the power to the Doctor's hut. Not to be reconnected under any circumstances.
DOCTOR: That's an incredibly childish attitude to take!
PROFESSOR STAHLMAN: If you will excuse me.
(He storms off.)
SIR KEITH GOLD: I'm sorry, Doctor.
DOCTOR: So am I, Sir Keith.
18: INT. DRILL-HEAD
(PETRA is at the drill-head and has just finished speaking to a technician when STAHLMAN walks in.)
PROFESSOR STAHLMAN: Petra, listen carefully. Start the acceleration in exactly...
(He checks his watch.)
PROFESSOR STAHLMAN: ...twenty-five minutes time. That will make the time of penetration zero exactly in...forty-nine hours from now.
PETRA WILLIAMS: (Uneasily.) Professor Stahlman, shouldn't you at least consider what they're saying.
PROFESSOR STAHLMAN: If I'd listened to all the others, Petra, this project would never have g*n. If I listen to them now, it'll never be completed.
Have all systems modified to this new programming.
PETRA WILLIAMS: Yes, Professor.
(She leaves the drill-head. After she has gone, the PROFESSOR starts to look unwell. He takes out his handkerchief and again starts to wipe at his hand - but this is now green in colour. STAHLMAN'S eyes are wide open, not just in shock, but also as if he was struggling against an inner turmoil.)
19: INT. CENTRAL CONTROL
(PETRA speaks to two technicians and then crosses to the one at the power unit.)
PETRA WILLIAMS: Mr. Phillips? Professor Stahlman has decided to modify the drilling rate. Could you join us?
(The technician walks away. On the other side of the control room, the DOCTOR has seen this. He is with LIZ who is looking over some figures on a clipboard.)
DOCTOR: Liz? Go and check the trigamma circuits on the console again, will you?
LIZ: What do you want me to do that...
DOCTOR: (Interrupts.) Look, please. Don't ask any questions. There's a good girl.
LIZ: (Smiles.) All right.
(She leaves. The DOCTOR slowly crosses the room, making his way as unobtrusively as possible to the power unit. He makes sure that PETRA and Phillips are not watching him and quickly flips the switch for power to his garage. He then walks away from the unit. He is not the only one on a mission of stealth however.
STAHLMAN also walks into the room and, seemingly unseen, make his way to the computer. Bending down, he opens a small inspection hatch and takes out a small glass micro-circuit. He shuts the hatch, pockets the circuit and walks towards the BRIGADIER'S office.)
20: INT. BRIGADIER'S OFFICE
(Once inside, he looks over the contents of the BRIGADIER'S desk. His usual brisk manner is slightly different, more cat-like and possessed. He finds the BRIGADIER'S swagger stick in a drawer. He places the micro-circuit on the desk and raises the stick to bring it crashing down when...)
DOCTOR: Professor!
(The DOCTOR is in the doorway. He points an accusing finger.)
DOCTOR: What are you doing with that micro-circuit?
(STAHLMAN hastily pockets the circuit as the DOCTOR walks over.)
PROFESSOR STAHLMAN: You'd do well to mind your own business, Doctor!
DOCTOR: That computer is a thr*at to you, isn't it? It could prove you wrong. Now give me that micro-circuit.
(STAHLMAN raises the stick to club down the DOCTOR but he is too quick for him and, with an oriental-type cry, places a two fingered nerve hold on STAHLMAN'S neck. The paralysed PROFESSOR drops the stick as the BRIGADIER rushes in.)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Doctor! What on earth do you think you're doing?
DOCTOR: Venusian Karate. It's very effective. Hold it long enough. The subject remains permanently paralysed.
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Then I suggest you let him go.
DOCTOR: Oh, very well.
(He releases the hold and STAHLMAN staggers forward. The BRIGADIER catches him and helps him stand.)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Will someone please explain what's going on here?
DOCTOR: (To STAHLMAN.) Shall I tell him or will you?
PROFESSOR STAHLMAN: (Furiously.) Brigadier, have that man expelled from this establishment!
(He storms out of the room.)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Well, Doctor? Will you please tell me what's going on here?
DOCTOR: Look, don't you start asking me questions. Just keep your eyes open and follow me.
(They follow the PROFESSOR.)
21: INT. CENTRAL CONTROL
(STAHLMAN is stood near the computer, still trying to recover his self-control.)
DOCTOR: Professor, there are some questions that we would like to ask you.
PROFESSOR STAHLMAN: Brigadier, this man is trying to sabotage my project.
DOCTOR: Would you mind telling us what you have in your left-hand pocket?
(STAHLMAN hesitates.)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: (Quietly.) Professor?
PROFESSOR STAHLMAN: Oh, very well.
(He pats his waistcoat pockets.)
PROFESSOR STAHLMAN: Nothing.
(He takes his notebook out of his left-hand jacket pocket...)
PROFESSOR STAHLMAN: Left-hand...
(...and a bunch of keys out of the other.)
PROFESSOR STAHLMAN: Right-hand. Satisfied? Now get that man out of my sight!
(He storms off as the DOCTOR whispers urgently to the BRIGADIER.)
DOCTOR: I tell you - he had a micro-circuit in his pocket.
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Well, it isn't there now, and after all, he is in charge.
DOCTOR: Yes...well, I suppose I've got something better to do with my time anyway.
(He starts to walk out. The chatter of the computer's printout suddenly stops and two technicians run forward to attend to it.)
DOCTOR: (To the BRIGADIER.) You see, it's packing up already!
(He walks out. The BRIGADIER also goes. STAHLMAN sees that the coast is clear and near a wall, drops the circuit. He places his heel on it and grinds it to powder, kicking the debris away.)
22: INT. DOCTOR'S GARAGE
(The doors to the garage close as the DOCTOR pockets his sonic screwdriver and climbs out of Bessie. He joins LIZ who is working on a unit at the base of the console.)
DOCTOR: Did you find any damage to the main circuits?
LIZ: Two of the by-pass wires have burnt out. But apart from that, everything seems all right.
DOCTOR: Did you replace them?
LIZ: Yes.
DOCTOR: Good, good.
(He goes over to the junction boxes a flicks the switch for the power to reach his garage.)
LIZ: What was all that business at central control?
DOCTOR: Oh, just a little contretemps between myself and Stahlman. Nothing of any importance.
LIZ: Well, with the nuclear power cut off, we're just wasting our time, aren't we?
DOCTOR: Oh, I don't think so.
LIZ: At least you won't be able to make any trial runs.
DOCTOR: Liz, it wasn't the console that was to blame. It was that nuclear power surge.
LIZ: I'm afraid you'll never know for sure, Doctor.
DOCTOR: Yeah, would you do me a favour?
LIZ: Yes?
(He takes a notepad out his pocket.)
DOCTOR: Nip down to the control centre, will you? And feed these figures into the spare bank of the computer. They're some epsilon co-ordinates.
(He hands her a sheet of paper.)
LIZ: Epsilon co-ordinates? You usually work those out in your head?
DOCTOR: Yes, I know, but I'm a bit tired.
LIZ: Yes, all right.
(She puts on a white coat and picks up her handbag. She goes over to the closed door.)
LIZ: Doctor?
DOCTOR: Hmm?
(He sees that she is waiting for him to open the door.)
DOCTOR: Oh, I'm so sorry.
(He takes out his sonic screwdriver and buzzes the door open. LIZ smiles and bobs a curtsey.)
LIZ: Thank you.
(The DOCTOR closes the doors and, now that he is alone, starts to frantically adjust controls on the console.)
23: EXT. COMPLEX
(LIZ walks through the complex. She passes a small brick blockhouse. After she has gone, BROMLEY comes out of hiding in a small entranceway and watches her go.)
24: INT. CENTRAL CONTROL
(LIZ walks into the control room, note paper in her hand. She sees a couple of technicians working away at the computer watched over by a worried BRIGADIER.)
LIZ: What's happened to the computer?
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: It's broken down.
(LIZ looks at her slip of paper.)
LIZ: Oh well, the Doctor'll just have to work out these calculations in his head after all.
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: (Alerted.) The Doctor sent you?
LIZ: Yes, I've just come from the hut.
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: But he was here when the machine broke down.
LIZ: What?
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Didn't he tell you?
LIZ: No.
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Stahlman's demanding that I get rid of him. It looks as though he sent you on a wild goose chase.
LIZ: Just a minute.
(She pushes past him and goes over to the power unit. She sees that the red light is on.)
LIZ: Brigadier, come on!
(They run out of the control room.)
25: INT. DOCTOR'S GARAGE
(The console is literally shaking as power floods through. The DOCTOR holds onto it.)
26: INT. DRILL-HEAD
(STAHLMAN and PETRA stand at a console watching the progress of the drilling.)
PROFESSOR STAHLMAN: Twenty-four. Sixty-eight...
(Suddenly the lights in the room start to dim. STAHLMAN looks round in alarm.)
PROFESSOR STAHLMAN: Someone's using extra power! That...Doctor!
(They run off into the control room...)
27: INT. CENTRAL CONTROL
(...and straight over to the power unit. STAHLMAN flicks the switch off.)
28: INT. DOCTOR'S GARAGE
(The garage doors buzz open and LIZ and the BRIGADIER run in. The TARDIS dematerialisation noise starts up.)
LIZ: Doctor!
(They watch as Bessie, the console and the DOCTOR fade out of existence...) | {"type": "series", "show": "Doctor Who", "episode": "07x20 - Inferno - part 2"} | foreverdreaming |
INFERNO
by: DON HOUGHTON
EPISODE 3
Original Air Date: 23 May, 1970
5:15pm - 5:40pm
1: INT. DOCTOR'S GARAGE
(The garage doors buzz open and LIZ and the BRIGADIER run in. The TARDIS dematerialisation noise starts up.)
LIZ: Doctor!
(They watch as Bessie, the console and the DOCTOR fade out of existence. LIZ rushes over to the set of junction boxes and pulls down the handles several times but the entire unit is d*ad.)
LIZ: Nothing.
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Miss Shaw...?
LIZ: Stahlman's cut off the power. Wherever the Doctor is...he's trapped.
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: I think you'd better tell me what's been going on.
2: INT. CENTRAL CONTROL
(The countdown clock reads 49:18:33 and ticks away, second by second. LIZ and the BRIGADIER enter central control and go up to PROFESSOR STAHLMAN who is stood near to the computer with SIR KEITH GOLD.)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Professor Stahlman?
PROFESSOR STAHLMAN: No, not now, Brigadier.
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: I want you to reconnect the power to the Doctor's hut.
PROFESSOR STAHLMAN: Don't be ridiculous, my dear man.
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Professor Stahlman, the Doctor has disappeared.
PROFESSOR STAHLMAN: (Delighted.) Excellent! At last he's done what he was told!
LIZ: No, no, you don't understand, he was engaged in an experiment and you switched off the power at a critical moment. Now, you've got to restore it.
PROFESSOR STAHLMAN: Well, I denied the man a power source when he was under me feet, I'm certainly not going to reconnect it now he's gone.
SIR KEITH GOLD: Stahlman, do be reasonable.
PROFESSOR STAHLMAN: I've been more than reasonable. Up till now, I've tolerated these crackpot experts and advisors and only offered a...a, a token objection. But now that we've accelerated the drilling programme, I won't be obstructed any further.
SIR KEITH GOLD: (Angrily.) You had no right to accelerate the programme without proper consultation with the Ministry.
PROFESSOR STAHLMAN: (Coldly.) I have every right, Sir Keith.
SIR KEITH GOLD: Very well, I'm sorry, but I shall have to refer the matter to the Minister.
PROFESSOR STAHLMAN: Please do. I can tell you exactly what he'll say - that "this project is vital to our industrial future. The country needs the new power source and Stahlman is the only one who can give it to us!"
LIZ: (Pleading.) Please! We must have a nuclear power system reconnected at once.
PROFESSOR STAHLMAN: The matter is closed, Miss Shaw. Under no circumstances will any power, of any sort, be reconnected to the Doctor's hut.
(He storms off.)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Well, we tried.
SIR KEITH GOLD: What exactly has happened to the Doctor?
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: He's...vanished.
LIZ: And we're afraid he's in some kind of danger.
SIR KEITH GOLD: Yes, well, we're all likely to be in some kind of danger, Miss Shaw - unless we can persuade the Professor to slow down the drilling rate.
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Will you really go to London, sir?
SIR KEITH GOLD: Well, I have no alternative. Something must be done about that man.
LIZ: Do you think they'll listen to you?
SIR KEITH GOLD: Well, I very much doubt it. Stahlman was right. They believe he's the only one who can succeed with this project. I'm just a figurehead.
LIZ: When will you go?
SIR KEITH GOLD: As soon as I clear up my work here.
LIZ: Well, shouldn't you go at once, Sir Keith?
SIR KEITH GOLD: My dear young lady, this project is at a crucial stage. If Stahlman can find the slightest excuse to accuse me of inefficiency, who will listen to me then? Now, if you'll excuse me?
3: INT. DRILL-HEAD
(The entire palm of STAHLMAN'S shaking hand is still green. He desperately rubs at it and then gives up and pulls a pair of white gloves out of his pocket and starts to put them on. A troubled PETRA walks up to him, clipboard in hand and looks at his now gloved hand in concern.)
PETRA WILLIAMS: Are you all right, Professor Stahlman?
PROFESSOR STAHLMAN: Perfectly.
PETRA WILLIAMS: Hadn't you better get a Doctor to...
PROFESSOR STAHLMAN: I'm perfectly all right. I suggest we...continue with our work, Petra.
PETRA WILLIAMS: Very well, here are the latest acceleration reports.
4: INT. CENTRAL CONTROL
(Back in central control, a calm BRIGADIER is talking with LIZ.)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: I tell you; there's nothing more we can do - I'm sorry.
LIZ: (Accusingly.) You don't seem very worried.
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Professor Stahlman seems determined to blow us all to kingdom come, the Doctor has vanished into thin air and I have a number of unsolved m*rder on my hands - I promise you, Miss Shaw, I'm worried.
5: DIMENSION BARRIER
(Across the dimensions...)
6: INT. DOCTOR'S GARAGE
(...the DOCTOR comes to on the floor of his garage. He opens his eyes and sits up next to the TARDIS console. Somewhat still groggy, he clambers to his feet and looks at the silent and d*ad console. He turns to Bessie and stops when he realises that the car is facing the garage doors whereas he drove the vehicle the other way round into the building. He then looks round and sees that the packed wooden shelves of the garage have been replaced with a series of metal shelves on which are a number of neatly stored boxes. He puts on his driving gloves and walks over to where the junction box should be. However, that has gone and in its place is a noticeboard which is dominated by a large poster of a moustached man wearing a suit and the slogan "UNITY IS STRENGTH".)
DOCTOR: (Quietly puzzled.) "Unity is strength"?
(He looks round.)
DOCTOR: Who's been messing about with my equipment?
(He stands in front of the doors and pulls out his sonic screwdriver. But when he switches it on, the doors fail to slide open. He shakes the device, looks at it and tries again but once more the doors do not part. He gives up and puts a hand between the doors...)
7: EXT. DOCTOR'S GARAGE
(...and pushes one of them open. Still somewhat disorientated and rubbing his eyes, he looks at the area immediately outside his garage. All seems the same but when he turns to the other door, he seems that it now has two signs on it - one reads "TECHNICAL STORES" and the other is a symbol of a large black arrow pointing upwards and two smaller ones leading off sideways. Puzzled but unable to think of the answer, he pushes the second door open.)
8: INT. DOCTOR'S GARAGE
(Going back into the garage, he climbs into Bessie and starts the engine. He drives the vehicle out.)
9: EXT. DOCTOR'S GARAGE
(Leaving the engine running, he climbs out and goes back and shuts one of the doors. Before shutting the second door, he again pauses and puzzles over the strange symbol. He looks back into the changed garage and then shuts the second door. He walks back towards Bessie but suddenly a sh*t rings out and the b*llet ricochets off the ground next to him. He dives for cover next to the vehicle and looks over to see a soldier running towards him from the distance.)
DOCTOR: (Shouts.) What the blazes do you think you're doing?!
(The soldier aims again and fires. The DOCTOR jumps into Bessie and quickly revs away, dodging from side to side as more b*ll*ts are aimed in his direction.
The soldier who is f*ring is LATIMER. He wears a different uniform to the normal UNIT soldiers. A plain green instead of khaki, he has a black forage cap with the three arrowed symbol on it in place of the UNIT beret and wears jackboots. Another similarly dressed soldier clambers from underneath a waiting chemical t*nk train and runs up to his f*ring companion. It is BENTON.)
PRIVATE LATIMER: It's a saboteur. He was in the technical stores!
PLATOON UNDER LEADER BENTON: Well get after him!
(LATIMER runs off and BENTON pulls out a whistle and blows it to alter other soldiers.)
10: EXT. COMPLEX
(The DOCTOR drives as quickly as he can through the complex. In an area relatively free of buildings he sees soldiers in the road ahead of him. He drives straight at them and they are forced to jump out of the way. An alarm wails over the entire complex. Other soldiers come running, all f*ring at the DOCTOR when he is in sight. The DOCTOR drives into an area filled with oil drums. He drives straight into a few and then has to reverse when he sees that he is at a d*ad end. As he is doing so, a soldier runs up a pile of shoring timber and fires. He goes to f*re again, but he r*fle is empty and he jumps off the timber and runs towards the car as it finishes its turn and manages to jump on board before the DOCTOR can speed off again. The DOCTOR clubs him back into the rear seat and drives off again. As they speed along, the soldier gets to his feet and grabs the DOCTOR round the neck but he is thrown off again. Once more the soldier jumps forward and tries to grab the steering wheel but this time the DOCTOR pushes him back as he skids to one side and the soldier falls out of the vehicle.)
11: EXT. COMPLEX WASTEGROUND
(The danger is not over though as the DOCTOR carries on through the complex and a piece of derelict wasteland with soldier after soldier f*ring at him all the way.)
12: EXT. COMPLEX
(The DOCTOR then finds himself driving between a series of pre-fabricated huts and he screeches Bessie to a halt next to one of them. BENTON and another soldier come running round the corner and see the empty car.)
PLATOON UNDER LEADER BENTON: ...
(They towards the car and then past it. Nearby, a dustbin lid rises and the DOCTOR stands up from behind a number of bins with the lid on his head. He takes off his "disguise" and runs away from the area, ducking out of sight behind a fixed stepladder when he sees two soldiers nearby. They don't spot him and as they run off, he climbs the ladder and then another and finds himself on one of the high gantries. He ducks out of sight and looks below as he sees the soldiers running round trying to locate their quarry.)
PRIVATE LATIMER: Try round the other side!
(The soldiers run off in different directions.)
PRIVATE LATIMER: ... !
(The DOCTOR climbs up further onto another ladder and its catwalk. He lies on it and looks below as the soldiers continue their frantic search.)
PRIVATE LATIMER: Come on, come on, come on!
(The DOCTOR watches entirely puzzled by these strange events. Suddenly he hears animal-like noises behind him and turns to see BROMLEY on the other side of the catwalk. He is dressed in a white disaster suit type of outfit and the same transformation that affected WYATT has overcome him. BROMLEY clearly looks as if he is about to pounce on the DOCTOR who sees that the only available w*apon is a nearby f*re extinguisher. He picks this up and fires the contents at BROMLEY as the technician rushes him. The spray seems to have a debilitating effect upon him and the DOCTOR fires twice more. The man collapses stunned onto the gantry.
Down below, BENTON and the other soldiers spot the DOCTOR.)
PLATOON UNDER LEADER BENTON: There he is!
(They rush in his direction as the DOCTOR climbs a further ladder which brings him into the highest point - the top of a gasometer. He starts to run round the perimeter of the roof but he stops when, on the other side, the transformed figure of PRIVATE WYATT rises into view. The DOCTOR starts to back off but WYATT, snarling, pursues him, jumping over a rail to do so. The DOCTOR picks up a thin metal bar and throws it at WYATT in self-defence but the half-creature ducks back and it misses. The DOCTOR picks up another bar and holds it as a club, stepping towards WYATT who starts to pace backwards slowly. Down on the ground, BENTON and his soldiers run towards the base of the gasometer.)
PLATOON UNDER LEADER BENTON: When you see him - sh**t!
(They take aim upwards and a figure appears on the edge of the structure. One of the soldiers fires as orders. The figure desperately tries to balance as the b*ll*ts h*t it but then falls to the ground far below with an animal-like cry - it is WYATT. BENTON and the soldiers run up to where he falls and look down at the corpse. BENTON, unmoved, looks back up at the silent tower.)
13: EXT. ANOTHER PART OF THE COMPLEX
(A black-haired female in a brown uniform and black boots walks past the rows of pre-fabricated huts. Arm badges also denote that she is in the RSF. She walks past one of the RSF soldiers who stands to attention. She turns a corner and walks past a row of piled oil drums. As she comes to the end of these, she walks straight past where the DOCTOR is stood in hiding. He recognises the woman.)
DOCTOR: Liz?
(She turns. It is LIZ but her appearance is very changed. She stares at the DOCTOR in cold puzzlement.)
DOCTOR: Liz, it's me.
(LIZ continues to stare at him without uttering a word.)
DOCTOR: Don't you recognise me? What's happened to everyone round here? Have you all gone mad? What are you doing in that ridiculous get-up?
(LIZ reaches into a belt holster and pulls out a small a*t*matic. She points it straight at the DOCTOR.)
SECTION LEADER ELIZABETH SHAW: Put your hands up.
(The DOCTOR steps forward.)
DOCTOR: All right, Liz, a joke's a joke...
SECTION LEADER ELIZABETH SHAW: Get back!
(He halts and watches as she puts a police whistle to her lips and blows. BENTON comes running round the corner, calling the soldier on attention there to join him as he does so.)
PLATOON UNDER LEADER BENTON: You!
(They run up to where LIZ has the DOCTOR at g*n.)
SECTION LEADER ELIZABETH SHAW: Take him away.
PLATOON UNDER LEADER BENTON: Yes, leader.
(They roughly grab him.)
DOCTOR: Liz, this is ridiculous!
(They start pushing the DOCTOR along, LIZ following them.)
14: INT. CENTRAL CONTROL
(The prisoner and his strange escort enter central control. They walk straight up to LETHBRIDGE STEWART'S door and knock.)
BRIGADE LEADER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: (OOV: Inside office.) Come.
15: INT. BRIGADE LEADER'S OFFICE
(They enter the room.)
DOCTOR: (Indignantly.) Brigadier, will you kindly tell me what on...
(LETHBRIDGE STEWART is sat with his back to the entrants. He spins round. He has no moustache and wears an eye-patch over his left eye. Under this runs a livid scar from his forehead and down his cheek. He too wears a different uniform and this one also has "RSF" shoulder badges. He stares coldly at the DOCTOR who stops in amazement. LETHBRIDGE STEWART glances at LIZ.)
BRIGADE LEADER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Is this the man?
(His voice is harsh and emotionless. The DOCTOR is amazed.)
DOCTOR: What on earth are you doing in that get-up?
(BENTON jumps forward and rams his r*fle into the DOCTOR'S back.)
PLATOON UNDER LEADER BENTON: Be quiet!
BRIGADE LEADER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: You'll find it unwise to be insolent. How did you get inside this establishment?
DOCTOR: I beg your pardon?
BRIGADE LEADER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: How did you get in here?!
(The DOCTOR struggles to find the right words to say, then...)
DOCTOR: Look, your name is Lethbridge Stewart?
BRIGADE LEADER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Yes.
DOCTOR: Brigadier Lethbridge Stewart?
BRIGADE LEADER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Brigade Leader.
DOCTOR: All right, Brigade Leader - have it your own way.
(He turns to LIZ.)
DOCTOR: And you are Elizabeth Shaw?
SECTION LEADER ELIZABETH SHAW: (Shocked.) How did you know my name?
BRIGADE LEADER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: You've been spying on this establishment.
DOCTOR: What are you talking about?
BRIGADE LEADER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: (Shouts.) Your name!
DOCTOR: My name? You ask me my name after all the years that you and I...?
(He suddenly stops as realisation sinks in.)
DOCTOR: Well now, wait a minute. Yes, I think I'm beginning to see what's happened here. Erm, might I suggest you just call me Doctor?
BRIGADE LEADER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: (Quietly.) Doctor. Doctor what?
DOCTOR: Smith. Doctor John Smith.
BRIGADE LEADER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: (Cynically.) Smith, yes, of course. And where do you come from, "Doctor Smith"?
DOCTOR: Yes, well, this is where we come to the difficult bit.
BRIGADE LEADER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: (Harshly.) Well?!
DOCTOR: Er, I come from a parallel space-time continuum.
SECTION LEADER ELIZABETH SHAW: Obviously, he is trying to confuse us, Leader.
DOCTOR: Yes, well, let me put it this way; erm, I've been transported from another world. Er, one that is running...
(He waves his hands next to each other.)
DOCTOR: ...almost parallel to this one.
SECTION LEADER ELIZABETH SHAW: He's unbalanced.
BRIGADE LEADER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: No, I see what he's trying to do. He's trying to make us believe that he's mad.
(He leans forward across the desk.)
BRIGADE LEADER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: But it won't work, my friend.
DOCTOR: Now, now look, wait.
(He turns to LIZ.)
DOCTOR: Y...you are Elizabeth Shaw?
SECTION LEADER ELIZABETH SHAW: I am Section Leader Elizabeth Shaw - yes.
DOCTOR: Not a scientist?
SECTION LEADER ELIZABETH SHAW: No.
DOCTOR: (Disappointed.) Oh. Well, this is fascinating. So many similarities, yet so many differences.
(The BRIGADE LEADER stands up. Behind his desk, in place of the regimental pictures hang a single picture of the leader - the same man as appeared on the poster in the DOCTOR'S garage.)
BRIGADE LEADER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: (Shouts.) Enough!
(He places his swagger stick on the DOCTOR'S shoulder and speaks in a quiet menacing undertone.)
BRIGADE LEADER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Now, I want the truth.
(The DOCTOR pushes the stick away. He too is growing impatient.)
DOCTOR: Tell me, how far down is the shaft that you are drilling?
SECTION LEADER ELIZABETH SHAW: Leader, he is a spy!
DOCTOR: And Professor Stahlman? Is his liver still playing him up? And Sir Keith? How is Sir Keith? Yes, now there's a man who might understand.
BRIGADE LEADER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: What do you know about Sir Keith?
DOCTOR: Only that he's the Executive Director of this project. Yes, I should very much like to see him.
BRIGADE LEADER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Would you indeed?
DOCTOR: Indeed, I would! Failing that, Professor Stahlman. He's an opinionated oaf, I know, but at least he's a scientist.
BRIGADE LEADER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Very well.
(He heads for the door which is opened for him by the RSF soldier.)
SECTION LEADER ELIZABETH SHAW: Are you taking this man to see the Director?
BRIGADE LEADER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Why not? Whoever he is, he'll never leave here alive.
(He nods at BENTON and walks out. BENTON and the other soldier push him out of the door.)
16: INT. CENTRAL CONTROL
(The DOCTOR looks towards the computer.)
DOCTOR: Wait a minute.
(He quickly strides towards the countdown clock and looks down at it.)
DOCTOR: Three hours, twenty-two minutes? You're a lot more advanced with the drilling here.
(A furious BENTON walks over and grabs him.)
PLATOON UNDER LEADER BENTON: Come on!
(Across central control, the technicians are dressed in white suited uniforms. Armed RSF soldiers stand on guard. Two figures enter central control. STAHLMAN has no beard and wears a pair of dark glasses. He is dressed in a white collarless suit. His sonly similarity to his counterpart is that he wears a pair of white gloves. PETRA is also dressed in white, with a featureless dress and boots in contrast to the blue flower patterned dress worn by her counterpart. She wears her hair in a severe bun. They walk over to where the DOCTOR has been placed next to the BRIGADE LEADER who stands stiffly to attention.)
BRIGADE LEADER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: The intruder has been apprehended, Director.
DIRECTOR STAHLMAN: So I see.
BRIGADE LEADER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: I thought you might like to question him.
DIRECTOR STAHLMAN: I don't think so, no. You know what to do with spies.
BRIGADE LEADER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: He asked to speak to Sir Keith Gold.
DIRECTOR STAHLMAN: Did he? And did you tell him thayte...that might be rather difficult?
DOCTOR: Difficult - why?
DIRECTOR STAHLMAN: Sir Keith Gold was k*lled in a motor accident twenty-four hours ago. Rather unfortunate.
DOCTOR: Sir Keith - d*ad?
DIRECTOR STAHLMAN: He was on his way to the Ministry in London.
DOCTOR: Yes, to complain about you, no doubt.
(STAHLMAN takes off his glasses and stares at the DOCTOR.)
DIRECTOR STAHLMAN: Who is this man?
BRIGADE LEADER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: We have not yet established his correct identity, Director. He gave an obviously false name.
DIRECTOR STAHLMAN: Have you no idea where he came from?
BRIGADE LEADER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: He spoke of having come from some other dimension.
(STAHLMAN gives a short laugh.)
DIRECTOR STAHLMAN: I've no time to waste on maniacs, Brigade Leader.
BRIGADE LEADER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Quite so - my apologies.
DOCTOR: Er, excuse me, but, er, what about this computer?
DIRECTOR STAHLMAN: The computer?
DOCTOR: Yes, it doesn't seem to be working.
BRIGADE LEADER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: It's been sabotaged.
DOCTOR: Yeah, missing micro-circuit, do you think, Professor?
DIRECTOR STAHLMAN: Obviously this man is responsible for the damage. Take him away.
BRIGADE LEADER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Benton!
(BENTON pushes the DOCTOR back towards the BRIGADE LEADER'S office as STAHLMAN strides off.)
DIRECTOR STAHLMAN: Carry on, Doctor Williams.
DR. PETRA WILLIAMS: Yes, Director.
(PETRA starts to pull glass circuits out of the computer board as another figure steps up. It is GREG SUTTON, but in place of his open-necked shirt and jacket, he is now dressed in a somber suit and tie.)
GREG SUTTON: Will you tell the Director that we have no pressure in the coolant pipes, please.
DR. PETRA WILLIAMS: (Emotionless.) He's aware of that fact. He's had the pressure temporarily by-passed to the shaft itself.
GREG SUTTON: Well, if an emergency develops, there'll be no safeguard at the drill-head.
DR. PETRA WILLIAMS: There will be no emergency.
GREG SUTTON: Well, it's still my job to bring the situation to his notice. In my experience, when an oil shaft blows, there is no safeguard...
DR. PETRA WILLIAMS: (Interrupts.) This is not an oil shaft, Mr. Sutton.
GREG SUTTON: Now you listen to me, Petra!
(PETRA spins round angrily.)
DR. PETRA WILLIAMS: Must I remind you once again that I am Assistant Director of this project? You will address me in the correct manner.
(GREG looks down at the ground.)
GREG SUTTON: I'm, er, sorry, Doctor Williams.
DR. PETRA WILLIAMS: Unless you grant me the respect due to my position, I shall have no choice but to report you.
(She walks off. GREG bites his lip.)
17: INT. DRILL-HEAD
(STAHLMAN walks across the drill-head area and up to PETRA as she enters.)
DR. PETRA WILLIAMS: All safety factors have been exceeded, Director.
DIRECTOR STAHLMAN: (Intensely.) We are very near Penetration Zero. I will not decelerate at this crucial stage.
(A flicker of nervousness crosses PETRA'S face.)
DR. PETRA WILLIAMS: As you wish, Director.
(She walks off and STAHLMAN walks into the passage leading into central control.)
18: INT. CENTRAL CONTROL
(Here, he loses his composure and leans against a wall, a look of pain on his face. He stares down at his left hand and removes the glove. Like his counterpart, the hand is green, but this time it is sprouting thick black hairs. STAHLMAN gasps as he struggles against the noise in his head.)
19: INT. BRIGADE LEADER'S OFFICE
(The DOCTOR stands before the BRIGADE LEADER'S desk as he writes on a sheet of paper. BENTON stands on guard. The DOCTOR is being given the silent treatment as LETHBRIDGE STEWART continues to write without looking up. Bored, eventually the DOCTOR speaks up.)
DOCTOR: Look, er, may I ask what is going to happen to me?
(LETHBRIDGE STEWART continues writing.)
BRIGADE LEADER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: You'll be sh*t...eventually.
DOCTOR: Without a trial?
BRIGADE LEADER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: This is your trial.
DOCTOR: Well look, you can't possibly have the authority to do a thing like this...
BRIGADE LEADER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: I have full authority - Defence of the Republic Act, 1943.
DOCTOR: Republic?
BRIGADE LEADER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Yes.
DOCTOR: Then what's happened to the Royal...
(The BRIGADE LEADER finally looks up.)
BRIGADE LEADER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: ex*cuted - all of them.
DOCTOR: Pity. A charming family. I knew her great-grandfather in Paris.
(The DOCTOR crosses to a chair...)
DOCTOR: Do you know, I remember on one occasion...
(...and sits. An outraged BENTON jumps forward and hauls him up.)
PLATOON UNDER LEADER BENTON: On your feet!
DOCTOR: Look, I've been standing here for quite some time.
PLATOON UNDER LEADER BENTON: You'll be standing for a lot longer yet!
DOCTOR: Why is this place crawling with you oafs in uniform?!
(An angry BRIGADE LEADER stops writing.)
BRIGADE LEADER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: You are talking of the Republican Security Forces. And the reason we are here, is that this is a scientific labour camp.
DOCTOR: Staffed by sl*ve labour, I take it? Well, you're all in very grave danger.
BRIGADE LEADER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: (Amused.) We are in danger?
DOCTOR: Before that computer broke down, it was transmitting danger signals, was it not?
BRIGADE LEADER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: (Smiles.) You're very well informed.
DOCTOR: And what about Harry Slocum?
(The smile disappears.)
BRIGADE LEADER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: What do you know about him?
DOCTOR: Only that he went berserk and started k*lling people.
BRIGADE LEADER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: You condemn yourself. No one but a spy could know so much.
DOCTOR: Look, I am not a spy. I've seen it all before!
BRIGADE LEADER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: (Shouts.) Where?!
(The DOCTOR pauses, then...)
DOCTOR: In another world.
BRIGADE LEADER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Very well. I can wait.
DOCTOR: You're just wasting time!
BRIGADE LEADER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: We work to an orderly system. Your identity is being checked with Central Records. When we know who you are - the real interrogation will begin.
(He looks towards the waiting BENTON.)
DOCTOR: But I don't exist in your world!
BRIGADE LEADER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Then you won't feel the b*ll*ts when we sh**t you.
(A phone buzzes on his desk. He answers it.)
BRIGADE LEADER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: (Into phone.) Yes? (He listens.) Right, I'll be there.
(He puts the phone down and stands up.)
BRIGADE LEADER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: (To BENTON.) The prisoner will remain here.
PLATOON UNDER LEADER BENTON: Yes, leader.
(LETHBRIDGE STEWART walks out of a second bulkhead door on the other side of the room.)
20: INT. CENTRAL CONTROL
(He waits outside his door which is next to the unit which sent power to the DOCTOR'S garage in the other world. After a moment, ELIZABETH SHAW walks up to him.)
SECTION LEADER ELIZABETH SHAW: I've just been on the telephone to Central Records about our prisoner. I gave them a full description.
BRIGADE LEADER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Well? Who is he?
SECTION LEADER ELIZABETH SHAW: They've checked and re-checked. There is absolutely no one answering to his description on their files. The man does not exist.
BRIGADE LEADER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: That's impossible!
SECTION LEADER ELIZABETH SHAW: They'll going on checking. But they're certain that this man is not a known agent of any foreign government.
BRIGADE LEADER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Central Records have never been wrong before.
SECTION LEADER ELIZABETH SHAW: He seems to know so much about this whole project, leader - as though he'd been here for weeks. It just doesn't make sense.
21: INT. BRIGADE LEADER'S OFFICE
(A bored DOCTOR looks at an impassive BENTON. The door opens and the BRIGADE LEADER walks angrily back in, followed by LIZ.)
BRIGADE LEADER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: You are giving us a great deal of trouble.
DOCTOR: I'm delighted to hear that!
BRIGADE LEADER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: You'd make things much easier for yourself if you'll us who you are.
DOCTOR: Proper little bureaucrat, aren't you? Can't sh**t me unless you've filled in all the forms - is that it?
SECTION LEADER ELIZABETH SHAW: (Harshly.) Unless you co-operate, you'll soon be in front of a f*ring squad! You have very little time left.
DOCTOR: My dear young lady, if that computer was functioning, it would warn us that we all have very little time left!
22: INT. CENTRAL CONTROL
(Outside, PETRA is on the phone as GREG approaches from behind, listening to her conversation.)
DR. PETRA WILLIAMS: (Into phone.) Number two output pipe again. Is the leak bad? (She listens.) I see.
(She puts the phone down.)
GREG SUTTON: Trouble.
DR. PETRA WILLIAMS: A minor detail.
GREG SUTTON: At the drill-head?
DR. PETRA WILLIAMS: Yes.
GREG SUTTON: There's no such thing as a minor detail at the drill-head.
(STAHLMAN walks past.)
DR. PETRA WILLIAMS: Director?
(He turns.)
DR. PETRA WILLIAMS: They report a minor leak in number two output pipe.
DIRECTOR STAHLMAN: So?
GREG SUTTON: So something should have been done about it - immediately. We are approaching final countdown.
DIRECTOR STAHLMAN: Have one of the duty riggers see to it.
DR. PETRA WILLIAMS: Yes, Director.
(She walks off.)
GREG SUTTON: Well, I think you should for yourself, sir. It could be important.
DIRECTOR STAHLMAN: (Shouts.) Don't presume to tell me what I should or shouldn't do, Sutton!
(STAHLMAN storms away. GREG mutters illegal thoughts under his breath.)
GREG SUTTON: No, Director. Sorry, Director. Three bags full, Director!
(Suddenly a roaring sound is heard from the drill-head and a klaxon alarm starts to echo through the area. GREG runs towards the drill-head.)
23: INT. BRIGADE LEADER'S OFFICE
(The alarm is heard in the BRIGADE LEADER'S office. He glances at the DOCTOR and speaks to BENTON as he and LIZ rush out.)
BRIGADE LEADER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Watch him!
(The DOCTOR and BENTON stare at each other. The DOCTOR looks round and whistles to BENTON to approach him, as if he is about to spill a secret. BENTON walks closer. The DOCTOR makes a show of checking to make sure that they are not observed, then...)
DOCTOR: Tell me...have you ever seen anything like this before?
(He reaches into his pocket and pulls out his closed hand. He points forward two fingers and jabs them into the nerves of BENTON'S chest. The soldier cries out in pain and collapses. The DOCTOR runs out of the second door.)
24: INT. CENTRAL CONTROL
(A couple of technicians run past him but don't stop. He runs and hides round a corner and watches. After a second, BENTON runs past.)
25: INT. DRILL-HEAD
(Smoke pours out of the roaring drill-head. At the base of number two output pipe, the green substance starts to emerge.)
26: INT. CENTRAL CONTROL
(Back in central control, the BRIGADE LEADER speaks into a microphone, with his back to the DOCTOR'S hiding place. LETHBRIDGE STEWARTS voice echoes through the area and mixes with the klaxon alarm.)
BRIGADE LEADER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: All security units - alert. All units alert and take up emergency stations immediately.
(The DOCTOR judges the moment to be right and runs out of his hiding place.)
BRIGADE LEADER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: No technician will be allowed to leave his post. I say again: all security units alert. All units alert and take up emergency stations immediately.
(The DOCTOR crawls behind the computer and spots a toolbox on the floor.)
BRIGADE LEADER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: No technician will be allowed to leave his post.
(He pulls the box towards him. Meanwhile, GREG shouts at some technicians who are donning disaster suits.)
GREG SUTTON: Come on! Hurry up! Hurry up! Get those suits on!
(PETRA walks past.)
GREG SUTTON: Dr. Williams?! The coolant pipes - get me some extra power laid on for the reserve supply.
(PETRA runs off to carry out the request. GREG turns back to the technicians.)
GREG SUTTON: Come on!
(Meanwhile, PETRA runs up to the control desk at the back of the room and shouts to the technicians there over the sound of the alarm.)
DR. PETRA WILLIAMS: Prepare to alter your pressure readings!
(She runs up to one control bank.)
DR. PETRA WILLIAMS: Begin readings at twelve!
(She looks over the controls and starts to manipulate them.)
DR. PETRA WILLIAMS: Hold your pressure at...fifty...forty.
27: INT. DRILL-HEAD
(The green substance is now pouring over the edge of the drill-head central structure.)
28: INT. CENTRAL CONTROL
(As the situation gets worse, several technicians make a run for the door but the BRIGADE LEADER and an RSF guard run forward with g*n aimed.)
BRIGADE LEADER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Get back! Get back to your posts! If this place goes up, we'll all go up with it! Get back or we f*re!
(STAHLMAN himself runs up to where PETRA is working.)
DIRECTOR STAHLMAN: The emergency will be contained! Remain at your posts!
(He looks round and sees the DOCTOR rummaging in the toolbox at the base of the computer.)
DIRECTOR STAHLMAN: Benton!
(He points at the DOCTOR who crouches along to the computer inspection panel. He carries on desperately sorting through the toolbox.)
DOCTOR: Come on, where are you?
(Suddenly he feels the end of a r*fle prodding the back of his head. He looks up to see BENTON stood over him.)
PLATOON UNDER LEADER BENTON: What do you think you're doing?
DOCTOR: Trying to find a particular micro-circuit. I may be able to repair your computer for you.
PLATOON UNDER LEADER BENTON: Outside! We've got a f*ring squad waiting for you.
DOCTOR: You idiot! If I don't repair this computer, you all be...
PLATOON UNDER LEADER BENTON: (Interrupts.) Look! Are you coming with me quietly - or do I sh**t you, here and now?
(BENTON levels the r*fle at him.) | {"type": "series", "show": "Doctor Who", "episode": "07x21 - Inferno - part 3"} | foreverdreaming |
INFERNO
by: DON HOUGHTON
EPISODE 4
Original Air Date: 30 May, 1970
5:15pm - 5:40pm
1: INT. CENTRAL CONTROL
PLATOON UNDER LEADER BENTON: Are you coming with me quietly, or do I sh**t you here and now?
(BENTON levels the r*fle at him.)
SECTION LEADER ELIZABETH SHAW: Just a moment, Benton.
(SECTION LEADER SHAW is walking towards them from the drill head area, his p*stol drawn.)
SECTION LEADER ELIZABETH SHAW: What's going on?
PLATOON UNDER LEADER BENTON: I was about to take him out and sh**t him.
SECTION LEADER ELIZABETH SHAW: Not yet. I'll take charge of him.
DOCTOR: Thank you, Section Leader.
(He starts to rummage in the toolbox again.)
SECTION LEADER ELIZABETH SHAW: I am not concerned with saving your skin. Only in carrying out the correct procedure.
DOCTOR: Nevertheless, thank you, just the same. Oh, incidentally, I think I may be able to repair your computer for you.
SECTION LEADER ELIZABETH SHAW: Leave it alone, it's none of your concern.
DOCTOR: I should say it was everybody's concern.
SECTION LEADER ELIZABETH SHAW: (To BENTON.) Take him into the office.
(Before BENTON can move, the DOCTOR finds the component he was looking for.)
DOCTOR: Wait a minute! Wait a minute, wait a minute. I think this might be it.
(He holds up a small glass valve.)
PLATOON UNDER LEADER BENTON: Come on!
DOCTOR: Hang on, just a moment.
(He turns and opens the inspection panel on the computer.)
PLATOON UNDER LEADER BENTON: I said come on!
SECTION LEADER ELIZABETH SHAW: Let him try.
PLATOON UNDER LEADER BENTON: But Leader!
SECTION LEADER ELIZABETH SHAW: Let him try! We've got nothing to lose.
(The DOCTOR finishes fitting the component. He leans over the computer and switches it on. The ticker-tape print out starts to chatter as it spews out. LIZ, surprised looks suspiciously at him and then at BENTON.)
DOCTOR: You see?
(He goes round to the other side of the computer and starts to look at the ticker tape. SECTION LEADER SHAW and BENTON follow. A curious GREG joins them.)
DOCTOR: The computer's already aware of the situation...and is assessing its immediate problems.
(DIRECTOR STAHLMAN, followed by DR. WILLIAMS enters central control. He sees the DOCTOR and the others at the computer and walks over to them, speaking to SECTION LEADER SHAW.)
DIRECTOR STAHLMAN: What's this man still doing here?
SECTION LEADER ELIZABETH SHAW: He has repaired the computer, Director.
DIRECTOR STAHLMAN: He shouldn't have been allowed anywhere near it. He's a dangerous spy - he sabotaged the computer.
DOCTOR: I was not sabotaging it - I was repairing it.
SECTION LEADER ELIZABETH SHAW: The computer is working again, Director.
GREG SUTTON: Well, shouldn't we see what it's got to say?
DIRECTOR STAHLMAN: We're working to my calculations.
GREG SUTTON: Do your calculations tell you how to deal with this emergency?
DIRECTOR STAHLMAN: I have everything under control, yes.
GREG SUTTON: Well, it doesn't look that way to me.
DIRECTOR STAHLMAN: (Shouts.) Watch your tongue, Sutton!
(GREG ignores him.)
GREG SUTTON: (To the DOCTOR.) Can you transcribe what the computer's saying?
DOCTOR: Yes. The pressures and the heat are overwhelming the present velocity of the drill head.
DR. PETRA WILLIAMS: (Worried.) What can we do about it?
DOCTOR: Well, you can disperse the heat and the pressure.
GREG SUTTON: How?
DOCTOR: By creating a reverse vortex at the bottom of the shaft.
DIRECTOR STAHLMAN: And how do we do that?
DOCTOR: Reversing all the systems.
DIRECTOR STAHLMAN: And bring the whole programme to a stand-still.
GREG SUTTON: It's not such a crazy idea. It's been done before.
DIRECTOR STAHLMAN: With an oil-shaft, Sutton.
GREG SUTTON: Yes - but when everything else had failed, instead of closing down the whole shebang, someone took everything into reverse.
DIRECTOR STAHLMAN: No, it's out of the question.
GREG SUTTON: (Snaps.) At least it's worth a try! What have we got to lose?
DIRECTOR STAHLMAN: We could smash the whole system!
GREG SUTTON: It looks to me as if it's getting pretty well smashed up as it is now!
DOCTOR: Now look, you two are just wasting time. What I suggest is this: we push all the coolant down the output pipe and then draw up all the debris from the bottom of the shaft through the inlet pipe.
GREG SUTTON: (To STAHLMAN.) Well, what about it?
(In addition to the klaxon alarm, another bell type alarm starts to ring out from the drill head. STAHLMAN and PETRA look towards the sound with a look of concern. This escalation of the emergency seems to make up STAHLMAN'S mind for him but he gives the order with bad grace.)
DIRECTOR STAHLMAN: Oh, very well - reverse all systems! Bypass number two outlet pipe.
GREG SUTTON: Right! Come on, Dr. Williams.
(GREG and PETRA run off. STAHLMAN turns to SECTION LEADER SHAW and BENTON.)
DIRECTOR STAHLMAN: Get this man out of my control area now.
DOCTOR: Of all the ungrateful nitwits!
(The SECTION LEADER goes to open the door to the BRIGADE LEADER'S office while BENTON prods the DOCTOR towards it with the end of his r*fle. They leave a very disturbed STAHLMAN behind.)
2: INT. BRIGADE LEADER'S OFFICE
(The DOCTOR, BENTON and ELIZABETH SHAW enter the office. The SECTION LEADER shuts the door, nevertheless, they can still hear the klaxon alarm.)
SECTION LEADER ELIZABETH SHAW: You seem to know a great deal about this project.
DOCTOR: Enough.
SECTION LEADER ELIZABETH SHAW: (Quietly.) You're a scientist?
DOCTOR: Of sorts, yes.
SECTION LEADER ELIZABETH SHAW: Where do you come from?
(The DOCTOR sits on the edge of the BRIGADE LEADER'S desk.)
DOCTOR: I've already told you - I come from a parallel space/time continuum, a twin world of this.
(The SECTION LEADER'S voice grows harsher...)
SECTION LEADER ELIZABETH SHAW: If you told us the truth, there might be some hope for you.
DOCTOR: Your counterpart in the other world would tell you that I'm not in the habit of telling lies, Elizabeth.
SECTION LEADER ELIZABETH SHAW: This other woman, the one that looks like me...?
DOCTOR: It's not that she looks like you , she is you! I do wish I could make you understand this.
SECTION LEADER ELIZABETH SHAW: What does she do?
DOCTOR: Do? She's a scientist.
SECTION LEADER ELIZABETH SHAW: (Smiles.) I am a security officer - so there's no possible link, is there?
DOCTOR: Did you ever think of becoming a scientist?
(For a second, ELIZABETH looks troubled.)
DOCTOR: Yes. Yes, I can see that you did.
SECTION LEADER ELIZABETH SHAW: I read physics at university. What's that got to do with it?
DOCTOR: Well, simply that her mind process runs along a similar parallel to yours. Doesn't that strike you as significant?
SECTION LEADER ELIZABETH SHAW: Not particularly.
DOCTOR: Look, Elizabeth, please try and think. (Urgently.) Whatever they taught you in this bigoted world of yours, you've still got a mind of your own.
(He stands.)
DOCTOR: Now use it, before it's too late!
3: INT. CENTRAL CONTROL
(GREG is speaking to a female technician. He then crosses to PETRA who is looking over the notes on a clipboard. The alarm continues to sound...)
GREG SUTTON: Well, it seems to be working. Who was that man in the funny clothes?
DR. PETRA WILLIAMS: They said he was a saboteur.
GREG SUTTON: How comes he saves our skin?
(The alarm sound ends.)
DR. PETRA WILLIAMS: He's trying to save his own. Hadn't you better get number two output pipe working?
GREG SUTTON: It'll mean cutting down the drill to minimum revs.
(PETRA looks troubled.)
DR. PETRA WILLIAMS: The Director won't like that.
GREG SUTTON: Well then, he'll have to lump it, won't he? There's no alternative.
(GREG stalks off. PETRA calls after him.)
DR. PETRA WILLIAMS: Sutton, if you would only curb this insolent streak, you might have a great future as a servant of the state.
GREG SUTTON: What, become a nice well-behaved little zombie, you mean, like the rest of you? No, thank you!
DR. PETRA WILLIAMS: You've only survived so long because you have...certain usefulness - because of your technical skills. Once this project is over...
(Her voice tails off and she looks concerned. GREG reaches the conclusion for her..)
GREG SUTTON: Greg Sutton's for the high jump! A nasty little accident in the cells, or sh*t whilst trying to escape?
DR. PETRA WILLIAMS: It's been known to happen.
GREG SUTTON: Would you care?
(PETRA collects herself.)
DR. PETRA WILLIAMS: I'd regret the waste - that is all.
(She doesn't convince. GREG walks away.)
4: INT. BRIGADE LEADER'S OFFICE
(SECTION LEADER SHAW is sat at the BRIGADE LEADER'S desk, using his phone. The DOCTOR watches her. BENTON still guards him.)
SECTION LEADER ELIZABETH SHAW: (Into phone.) Yes, I see. Thank you.
(She puts the phone down.)
SECTION LEADER ELIZABETH SHAW: (Smiles.) The emergency is over.
DOCTOR: Good. I'm very glad to hear it.
SECTION LEADER ELIZABETH SHAW: Your idea worked.
DOCTOR: Maybe you'll give me a medal - posthumously.
SECTION LEADER ELIZABETH SHAW: (Frowns, puzzled.) You find the idea of death amusing?
DOCTOR: No, not particularly, do you?
SECTION LEADER ELIZABETH SHAW: If you told me the true facts about yourself, I may be able to help you.
DOCTOR: (Exasperated.) Elizabeth, I am trying to help you! You said the emergency was over - well, it isn't. As long as you people go on drilling, you're rushing into terrible danger!
5: INT. DRILL-HEAD
(GREG watches two technicians as they fix number two output pipe. STAHLMAN, his dark glasses on, walks into the drill-head area.)
DIRECTOR STAHLMAN: Sutton?
(GREG has a quick word with one of the technicians and then joins him.)
DIRECTOR STAHLMAN: How long?
GREG SUTTON: Almost finished.
DIRECTOR STAHLMAN: Good, then we can continue with the drilling.
GREG SUTTON: (Concerned.) At reduced revs?
DIRECTOR STAHLMAN: No, I intend to accelerate again as soon as possible.
GREG SUTTON: Well, I don't advise it!
DIRECTOR STAHLMAN: I don't need advice.
GREG SUTTON: (Angrily.) Except from that prisoner!
DIRECTOR STAHLMAN: I would have come to the same conclusions.
GREG SUTTON: You may have come to them a bit too late.
(STAHLMAN takes his glasses off and stares at the engineer.)
DIRECTOR STAHLMAN: I sometimes wonder why I tolerate you, Sutton.
GREG SUTTON: That's easy. On a project like this you don't just need a good party member, you need a good engineer.
(He turns away.)
DIRECTOR STAHLMAN: Oh, you are useful but you're not indispensable.
GREG SUTTON: It seems to be my day for getting warnings.
DIRECTOR STAHLMAN: You have a bad record, Sutton, a long history. It would be very easy to have you disposed of - remember that!
(STAHLMAN walks off into the corridor of central control.)
6: INT. CENTRAL CONTROL
(As he reaches a corner, he loses his composure. A look of pain appears on his face, he gasps and puts his fingers to his temples.)
7: INT. BRIGADE LEADER'S OFFICE
(The BRIGADE LEADER has returned to his office and the DOCTOR'S interrogation has resumed. Sat in a chair, his jacket off and his arms hanging limply by his sides, he is much the worse for wear after the preliminary stages. A harsh light shines in his face and his closed eyes as the BRIGADE LEADER and the SECTION LEADER shout questions at him.)
SECTION LEADER ELIZABETH SHAW: Name?
BRIGADE LEADER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Who sent you here?
SECTION LEADER ELIZABETH SHAW: Did you come to commit sabotage?
BRIGADE LEADER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Name?!
SECTION LEADER ELIZABETH SHAW: What organisation employs you?
BRIGADE LEADER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: When did you first become a traitor?!
SECTION LEADER ELIZABETH SHAW: How did you get into the complex?
BRIGADE LEADER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Who helped you? Was it Sutton?
SECTION LEADER ELIZABETH SHAW: Name? What is your name? Answer!
(The DOCTOR struggles to speak...)
DOCTOR: You're wasting your time, you know. I can stand a great deal of this childishness.
BRIGADE LEADER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: (Quietly thr*at.) This is only the beginning.
SECTION LEADER ELIZABETH SHAW: We have other methods.
DOCTOR: Yes, I'm sure you have. But it won't do you any good.
BRIGADE LEADER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: You'll talk - eventually.
SECTION LEADER ELIZABETH SHAW: Everybody talks.
DOCTOR: How can I give you information that doesn't exist?
BRIGADE LEADER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: (His voice rising.) The information must exist - and you will give it to us!
SECTION LEADER ELIZABETH SHAW: Name?
BRIGADE LEADER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: (Shouts.) Who sent you here?!
SECTION LEADER ELIZABETH SHAW: Which of our enemies are you working for?
BRIGADE LEADER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: (Shouts.) Who are your associates?!
DOCTOR: (Weakly.) I came here on my own. I came by acci...by accident. Ha...the TARDIS console slipped me sideways in time...slipped me sideways in time.
SECTION LEADER ELIZABETH SHAW: (To the BRIGADE LEADER, quietly.) Shall we proceed to stage two interrogation? He's just babbling.
BRIGADE LEADER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: No, he's a tough one. He might die before he talked.
SECTION LEADER ELIZABETH SHAW: Yes. We'd better let him get his strength back.
(The noise of machinery suddenly fills the room. The DOCTOR'S head rises and he listens through half-closed eyes and then raises his head. He struggles to stand.)
DOCTOR: Stahlman! He's accelerating the drilling!
(BENTON pulls him back into the chair.)
BRIGADE LEADER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: All right, we'll start again, shall we?
(He switches the lamp onto a brighter intensity. BENTON pulls his head back by his hair.)
SECTION LEADER ELIZABETH SHAW: Who sent you here?
BRIGADE LEADER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Why did you come?!
(The door opens and STAHLMAN enters. He switches the main light on.)
DIRECTOR STAHLMAN: Well, what progress have you made?
BRIGADE LEADER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: As you can see, Director, the prisoner is still being interrogated, proceeding according to plan!
DOCTOR: (Weakly.) I s...see you're wearing white cotton gloves, director. May we ask why?
DIRECTOR STAHLMAN: You're allowing the prisoner to be impertinent.
DOCTOR: (Weakly.) Brigade Leader, ask him to take off his left glove. I think you'll find it very interesting.
(The BRIGADE LEADER'S eyes sh**t towards STAHLMAN'S hand.)
BRIGADE LEADER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: (Quietly.) Director?
(STAHLMAN gives a short laugh.)
DIRECTOR STAHLMAN: Well, they say a madman should be humoured.
(He takes his glove off. His left hand is covered with bandages. The DOCTOR struggles to his feet.)
DOCTOR: Why the bandages, professor?
DIRECTOR STAHLMAN: I scorched my hands.
DOCTOR: You touched some of that green substance, from that cracked jar, didn't you? Just a little, but it's enough to infect you.
BRIGADE LEADER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Benton! Take him away, down to the security cells.
(BENTON grabs the DOCTOR and starts to pull him towards the door.)
DOCTOR: Listen to me, you're seriously ill. You've been infected.
DIRECTOR STAHLMAN: Take him away.
DOCTOR: Listen to me, Stahlman!
(BENTON pulls him out of the room and an RSF SENTRY follows. The BRIGADE LEADER turns to the SECTION LEADER.)
BRIGADE LEADER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: You will supervise the transfer of the prisoner to the security cells.
SECTION LEADER ELIZABETH SHAW: Very well, leader.
BRIGADE LEADER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: (Harshly.) At once, if you please!
SECTION LEADER ELIZABETH SHAW: (Salutes.) Yes, leader!
(The SECTION LEADER walks out. The BRIGADE LEADER looks towards STAHLMAN.)
BRIGADE LEADER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: You're taking a great deal of interest in this prisoner, director?
DIRECTOR STAHLMAN: For security...
BRIGADE LEADER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: (Shouts.) Security...! (Quieter.) ...is my responsibility.
DIRECTOR STAHLMAN: Since you allowed the man to enter the complex and roam about at will...
BRIGADE LEADER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: (Interrupts, shouting.) The man was caught! (Quieter.) He is no longer a danger to us. The people who sent him, how and why he came here, this information is vital.
DIRECTOR STAHLMAN: Then you'd better get him to talk and do it quick! Before the day's over, I want him liquidated.
(He walks out. The BRIGADE LEADER watches him go.)
8: INT. CENTRAL CONTROL
(PETRA is on the phone.)
DR. PETRA WILLIAMS: (Into phone.) If it decreases, let me know at once. Thank you.
(She puts the phone down. GREG walks up to her and speaks under his breath.)
GREG SUTTON: Dr. Williams, I think we should have checked the whole system from top to bottom while we had the drill at minimum revs.
DR. PETRA WILLIAMS: Director Stahlman knows what he's doing.
GREG SUTTON: You all make a little tin god of that Stahlman! Well I think he's a nut!
(PETRA looks round nervously.)
DR. PETRA WILLIAMS: That sort of remark's dangerous.
GREG SUTTON: I tell you, Stahlman's a nut! Well? Aren't you going to report me? Get me a week in the punishment cells?
(PETRA doesn't answer but looks ahead without speaking.)
GREG SUTTON: Things are looking up. A couple of days ago, you'd have reported me without a second's thought.
(He walks off. PETRA watches him go, her face a picture of indecision.)
9: INT. SECURITY CELLS
(The RSF SENTRY walks in front of the DOCTOR and BENTON follows him up as he is escorted into the cell area. Against a blank wall, the three cells are bounded on three sides by bars, thus the central cell has a cell on either side. The fourth wall is a walkway down which the DOCTOR and his guards walk. In the nearest cell to the doorway a huddled form lies under a blanket. The DOCTOR is pushed along at regular intervals by BENTON.)
DOCTOR: Please, don't push.
(They reach the open bars to the middle cell.)
DOCTOR: I'll have you know that your counterpart in the other world was a nice sociable sort of chap, sergeant.
PLATOON UNDER LEADER BENTON: My rank is Platoon Under Leader.
DOCTOR: That's a bit of a mouthful, isn't it?
PLATOON UNDER LEADER BENTON: Your trouble is you talk too much.
(The DOCTOR turns towards the cells and sees the form under the blanket.)
DOCTOR: Ah, I see I've got company. And what did he do - park in a restricted zone?
PLATOON UNDER LEADER BENTON: Stop asking stupid questions!
DOCTOR: Well at least he seems to be sleeping peacefully.
PLATOON UNDER LEADER BENTON: He's had a tranquiliser dart. They don't give us any trouble after that. We should have done the same to you.
(The RSF SENTRY unlocks and opens the middle cell.)
PLATOON UNDER LEADER BENTON: Now, get in.
(BENTON pushes him in and the RSF SENTRY closes the bars behind him.)
DOCTOR: What about some food?
(The RSF SENTRY re-locks the door and he and BENTON walks off.)
DOCTOR: A cup of tea? Some cocoa? A glass of water then?!
(The two RSF men have virtually stepped outside the room when they encounter someone walking in - the SECTION LEADER.)
PLATOON UNDER LEADER BENTON: This way, leader. Cell two.
(ELIZABETH SHAW and the two soldiers walk back toward the DOCTOR'S cell.)
DOCTOR: Ah, visiting time already, is it?
SECTION LEADER ELIZABETH SHAW: Your interrogation isn't over yet.
DOCTOR: Oh yes, it is.
(The DOCTOR walks over to his cell bed and lies on it. BENTON points his r*fle through the bars.)
PLATOON UNDER LEADER BENTON: Get on your feet when the Section Leader's talking to you!
DOCTOR: Ah, go away and give me some peace!
PLATOON UNDER LEADER BENTON: When I say get on your feet, prisoner, I mean get on your feet!
(The DOCTOR looks up and clambers to his feet.)
DOCTOR: Oh well, that's different.
(He walks over to the bars.)
DOCTOR: Anything for a quiet life.
SECTION LEADER ELIZABETH SHAW: Now we'll start again. Who are you? How did you get into the complex?
DOCTOR: Look, I'm sick and tired of answering all these idiot questions.
SECTION LEADER ELIZABETH SHAW: The questions will go on until you answer them.
DOCTOR: (Sharply.) I have answered them! More times than I care to remember.
SECTION LEADER ELIZABETH SHAW: You have told us nothing.
DOCTOR: (Sharply.) I've told you the truth. If your minds are too narrow to accept it, that's not my fault!
(BENTON jumps forward.)
PLATOON UNDER LEADER BENTON: Give us a few minutes with him, Leader.
SECTION LEADER ELIZABETH SHAW: No, wait outside, in the corridor - both of you.
(SECTION LEADER SHAW watches as BENTON and the RSF SENTRY walk out. She then speaks to the DOCTOR with a note of relief in her voice.)
SECTION LEADER ELIZABETH SHAW: Now, perhaps we can talk reasonably.
DOCTOR: (Cynically.) Trying a change of technique?
SECTION LEADER ELIZABETH SHAW: If you like.
DOCTOR: First you try to bully me and then you switch on the charm. Mmm, secret police routine 7/4.
SECTION LEADER ELIZABETH SHAW: Believe me, I really am trying to help you.
DOCTOR: Even though I'm a spy?
SECTION LEADER ELIZABETH SHAW: No, no, you're too conspicuous to be a spy. No, I've got a theory that you're from one of these crackpot free speech groups - trying to make some crazy demonstration.
(The DOCTOR turns away from the bars in exasperation.)
DOCTOR: Oh, no!
SECTION LEADER ELIZABETH SHAW: Look, if you'll give me a full confession, I may be able to convince them that you're some harmless lunatic. You'll get away with a few years in a labour camp.
(The DOCTOR turns back to the bars.)
DOCTOR: Look, I am not mad. I am not a spy and I'm certainly not a political demonstrator - you just won't listen, will you?!
(LIZ looks coldly at him through the bars.)
SECTION LEADER ELIZABETH SHAW: I can see I've been wasting my time. I'll leave you to the Brigade Leader.
(She gives a slight smile.)
SECTION LEADER ELIZABETH SHAW: He'll get the truth out of you.
(She starts to walk out.)
DOCTOR: Your counterpart had some intelligence. I wish I could say the same for you.
(Left by himself, the DOCTOR sighs and goes and sits on the bed in his cell. He looks round and over to the huddled form under the blanket in the next cell.)
DOCTOR: Hello, old chap. How are you doing?
(There is no reply.)
DOCTOR: Been down here long, have you?
(There is still no reply.)
DOCTOR: Mmm? Read any good police records lately?
(He gives up and lies down on his own bed.)
DOCTOR: The friendliness of this establishment overwhelms me!
(Behind him in the other cell, an arm drops down from underneath the blanket. It is partially green in colour and covered in long coarse hairs...)
10: DIMENSION BARRIER
(Back across the dimension barrier and in "our" world...)
11: INT. DOCTOR'S GARAGE
(A sad LIZ stands in the garage. The BRIGADIER is with her.)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: I'm sorry, Liz, but my men have searched the entire complex thoroughly. There's no sign of the Doctor.
LIZ SHAW: I didn't think there would be.
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Er, maybe that wretched machine of his has dumped him a few miles away.
LIZ SHAW: It's not as simple as that, Brigadier. He's somewhere in space or time.
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Well, wherever he is, or whenever he is, he can look after himself.
(LIZ turns to him.)
LIZ SHAW: He's not indestructible, you know.
12: INT. CENTRAL CONTROL
(Carrying a bowler hat, SIR KEITH GOLD walks into central control. The bearded PROFESSOR STAHLMAN is at the computer, wearing his white gloves and his small notebook in his hand. SIR KEITH walks up to him.)
SIR KEITH GOLD: Professor Stahlman, could you spare me a moment?
PROFESSOR STAHLMAN: Run out of paper work?
SIR KEITH GOLD: Please, this is important.
PROFESSOR STAHLMAN: Just a moment.
(STAHLMAN walks round the computer, looking over it.)
PROFESSOR STAHLMAN: Well?
SIR KEITH GOLD: Any problems with the accelerated drilling?
PROFESSOR STAHLMAN: No, none at all. I didn't expect any.
SIR KEITH GOLD: Well, I assume you'll be taking extra precautions as we approach penetration zero?
PROFESSOR STAHLMAN: I shall do what I think best.
(STAHLMAN looks back down at the computer and then back up - SIR KEITH is still waiting.)
PROFESSOR STAHLMAN: What is it you want?
SIR KEITH GOLD: I have a car outside, waiting to take me to London, and an appointment with the Minister later on today.
PROFESSOR STAHLMAN: Well, have a pleasant journey.
SIR KEITH GOLD: Unless you can give me certain reassurances, I shall feel bound to convey to the Minister the full extent of my anxieties.
PROFESSOR STAHLMAN: (Mocking.) What anxieties?
SIR KEITH GOLD: Oh, come now, Professor! You know what I mean.
PROFESSOR STAHLMAN: No, I don't. Perhaps you'd explain exactly what you do mean.
SIR KEITH GOLD: We must slow down drilling as we approach penetration. We need extra safety precautions and a failsafe mechanism to close down completely if necessary.
PROFESSOR STAHLMAN: Now, Sir Keith, if you'd had your way, we would never have started this project.
SIR KEITH GOLD: I am not saying...
PROFESSOR STAHLMAN: (Interrupts.) Now you want us to proceed at a snail's pace like a pack of cautious old women.
SIR KEITH GOLD: I want this project to succeed as much as you do, but we must act like responsible scientists.
(LIZ and the BRIGADIER walk in behind the two men. STAHLMAN'S voice lowers dangerously as they watch.)
PROFESSOR STAHLMAN: You accuse me of irresponsibility? (Angrily.) I conceived this project, I fought for Government backing and I shall carry it through to success in spite of all your efforts to stop me.
SIR KEITH GOLD: No one's trying to stop you.
PROFESSOR STAHLMAN: You've consistently obstructed my work, you've caused delay after delay an...and I won't put up with this interference any longer!
SIR KEITH GOLD: Oh, very well, Professor, you leave me no alternative.
PROFESSOR STAHLMAN: You can tell the Minister what you like. He at least is aware of the importance of my work.
(He storms off. The BRIGADIER and LIZ walk over to SIR KEITH.)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: He doesn't get any better tempered, does he?
SIR KEITH GOLD: Huh! The man's impossible.
LIZ SHAW: Do you think the Minister will listen to you?
SIR KEITH GOLD: Well, he's an old friend of mine, but...Stahlman's dazzled him with promises - limitless cheap power for the whole country.
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Will you be back in time for penetration zero?
SIR KEITH GOLD: Yes, of course. Though I can't say I'm looking forward to it very much.
LIZ SHAW: Why not?
SIR KEITH GOLD: (Worried.) Well, it sounds ridiculous, but...there's something ominous about the whole project. Your friend the Doctor felt it too.
(LIZ and the BRIGADIER exchange a look.)
SIR KEITH GOLD: By the way, where has he gone?
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Er, we're not quite sure.
SIR KEITH GOLD: Well, he's better off out of it, wherever he is.
13: DIMENSION BARRIER
(Back in the parallel world...)
14: INT. SECURITY CELLS
(...strange guttural breathing sounds come from the form under the blanket. The DOCTOR, asleep until now, opens his eyes and frowns. He gets up and looks through the bars into the next cell. The figure underneath is thrashing about. The DOCTOR runs to his own cell barred door and calls out.)
DOCTOR: Sergeant...Sergeant...Sergeant!
(The RSF SENTRY walks in.)
RSF SENTRY: What's the noise all about?
DOCTOR: This man is sick. He needs medical attention.
(The SENTRY looks down at the form under the blanket.)
RSF SENTRY: If you don't shut up, I'll shut you up!
(He walks round to the door to the first cell, unlocks it and enters. He crosses to the bed.)
RSF SENTRY: Listen...
(He pulls the blanket back and stops d*ad. It is BROMLEY, the technician, in the first cell but the transformation that the DOCTOR saw earlier has reached a further stage and his face is now dark green in colour and his eyes stare wildly. He grabs the RSF SENTRY and the two men grapple in a test of strength. As the DOCTOR jumps back, BROMLEY bodily picks up the SENTRY in the air and throws him onto the bed. Snarling, he then grabs him round the neck as the DOCTOR watches in horror. The SENTRY d*ad, BROMLEY then turns his attention to the DOCTOR. He crosses over to the cell bars and, in a show of superhuman strength, starts to pull them apart. The DOCTOR steps back onto his own bed and picks up the mattress as a form of flimsy protection. BROMLEY steps into his cell and starts to stalk the DOCTOR. Before he can pounce, the DOCTOR throws the mattress down onto his attacker and pushes him to the ground. He then rushes into the first cell where the d*ad SENTRY lies, through the open cell door and locks it behind him. Rushing out of the cell area, BROMLEY watches him go.)
15: EXT. COMPLEX
(The DOCTOR runs through the buildings of the complex, constantly on the alert for being spotted. He sees a parked jeep and runs towards it. As he reaches it, he dives into cover behind a dustbin as two patrolling RSF soldiers walk past. He watches them go and then looks carefully round a corner. A complex worker walks past and towards the jeep. The DOCTOR walks behind the vehicle to keep out of view as the man gets into the jeep behind the driver's wheel. Suddenly he hears a voice.)
RSF SOLDIER: By the right, right wheel!
(A patrol of RSF SENTRIES are marching round a nearby corner. The DOCTOR jumps into the back of the jeep which the driver starts up. The DOCTOR watches over the edge of the back of the jeep as it drives off with him in the vehicle.)
16: INT. CENTRAL CONTROL
(The countdown clock shows 0:35:42 seconds and continues to click downwards, DR. PETRA WILLIAMS looks over the computer as GREG joins her.)
GREG SUTTON: Is everything ready?
DR. PETRA WILLIAMS: All systems have been checked and are functional.
GREG SUTTON: We'd better cross our fingers.
(PETRA gives a slight smile.)
DR. PETRA WILLIAMS: We depend on science, Mr. Sutton, not superstition.
GREG SUTTON: We could do with some plain old fashioned luck as well. Where's the Director?
DR. PETRA WILLIAMS: He'll be here.
GREG SUTTON: Well, I wish I wasn't. Something's wrong, something's just not adding up.
DR. PETRA WILLIAMS: What can go wrong?
GREG SUTTON: Perhaps we should try asking the computer.
17: EXT. COMPLEX ROAD
(The jeep moves quickly along a road on a part of the complex that is fairly devoid of buildings. Sat in the back, the DOCTOR notices some heat-resistant disaster suits and hoods.)
18: INT. SECURITY CELLS
(PLATOON UNDER LEADER BENTON walks into the cell area and immediately spots the d*ad SENTRY.)
19: EXT. CENTRAL CONTROL
(The jeep reaches a point next to the railway line outside central control where a second jeep is parked behind a red f*re engine. A group of RSF sentries are with another group of men who are getting into disaster suits similar to the ones in the back of the DOCTOR'S jeep. The DOCTOR himself has changed into a suit and watches from the back of the jeep as two more sentries walk towards the group. He dons one of the hoods.)
20: INT. CENTRAL CONTROL
(Within central control, the project is reaching its climax and the atmosphere is tense. An echoing countdown voice marks ten-second intervals. While PETRA and GREG stand nearby, STAHLMAN watches the countdown clock intently.)
COUNTDOWN VOICE: Zero minus three minutes, zero seconds. Condition red-two now commencing.
(His face twitches in pain as the noise in his head increases in intensity.)
21: EXT. CENTRAL CONTROL
(The five man disaster crew finish suiting up.)
RSF SOLDIER: Right, you all ready? Let's go, at the double!
(They start to walk in line towards central control. The last two suited figures spot the DOCTOR in the back of the jeep and, mistaking him for one of their crew, pull down the door. The hooded DOCTOR clambers out, waves his thanks and follows them.)
22: INT. CENTRAL CONTROL
(PETRA at a console with a technician, gives a worried glance towards GREG.)
COUNTDOWN VOICE: Zero minus two minutes, ten seconds. Disaster crew at action stations.
(STAHLMAN continues to stare intently at the instrumentation panel.)
COUNTDOWN VOICE: Zero minus two minutes, zero seconds and counting. Condition red-three now commences.
(A trio of RSF sentries stands to attention. The BRIGADE LEADER paces before them, swagger stick in hand.)
COUNTDOWN VOICE: Zero minus one minute, fifty seconds. Final re-check - all monitoring circuits.
(The BRIGADE LEADER paces back, constantly watchful with his one good eye.)
COUNTDOWN VOICE: Zero minus one minute, forty seconds. Technical personnel at final stations.
(The disaster crew enter central control.)
COUNTDOWN VOICE: Zero minus one minute, thirty seconds. Final power build-up now completed.
(As they walk in, the DOCTOR lags slightly behind and steals a glance at the countdown clock. He then spots STAHLMAN writing furiously in his notebook. The disaster crew have lined up in the centre of the room - a group of two behind a group of three, all stood still to attention.)
COUNTDOWN VOICE: Zero minus one minute, twenty seconds. Non-technical staff to safety positions.
(The DOCTOR stands at the end of the front row, but unlike his "colleagues", he constantly looks around through his hood at the activities in the room. Seeing that he is not being watched...)
COUNTDOWN VOICE: Zero minus one minute, ten seconds. All systems check for final countdown.
(He moves away from the group and up to the higher level of consoles. The BRIGADE LEADER parades in front of the disaster crew and suddenly spots the disguised DOCTOR looking over one of the consoles.)
COUNTDOWN VOICE: Zero minus one minute, zero seconds and counting.
BRIGADE LEADER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: (To the DOCTOR.) You there!
COUNTDOWN VOICE: Final countdown commences now.
BRIGADE LEADER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Come down here.
(The DOCTOR ignores him. The BRIGADE LEADER walks over and stands below the raised console. Fearful technicians watch.)
COUNTDOWN VOICE: Zero minus fifty seconds. Stand by.
BRIGADE LEADER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: (thr*at.) Did you hear what I said? Come down here.
(The DOCTOR walks down to the lower level...)
COUNTDOWN VOICE: Zero minus forty seconds.
(...pulling off his hood and shouting to all in the room.)
DOCTOR: You must stop this countdown before it's too late!
(Seeing who it is, the BRIGADE LEADER reaches into his holster and pulls out his p*stol.)
COUNTDOWN VOICE: All personnel stand by.
DOCTOR: (Shouts.) Do you hear me?! You must stop it!
(STAHLMAN runs over to the BRIGADE LEADER.)
DIRECTOR STAHLMAN: Brigade Leader - sh**t that man now!
(GREG runs forward on the higher level.)
GREG SUTTON: You can't do that! It's just m*rder!
DOCTOR: (Shouts.) If you break through the Earth's crust now, you'll release forces you never dreamed could exist!
COUNTDOWN VOICE: Zero minus thirty seconds. Countdown moves to final phase.
(An alarm bell rings from the drill-head.)
23: INT. DRILL-HEAD
(Technicians run in panic as a screeching sound comes from the drill-head.)
24: INT. CENTRAL CONTROL
DOCTOR: (Shouts.) Listen to that!
COUNTDOWN VOICE: Zero minus twenty seconds.
DOCTOR: (Shouts.) That's the sound of this planet screaming out its rage!
COUNTDOWN VOICE: Countdown will now proceed by seconds.
DIRECTOR STAHLMAN: (Shouts, to the BRIGADE LEADER.) I order you to sh**t that man!
(The BRIGADE LEADER aims. GREG jumps down on him forcing him to drop the g*n.)
GREG SUTTON: (To the DOCTOR.) Go on, run for it, run!
(The DOCTOR runs somewhat awkwardly in his disaster suit towards the drill-head but armed RSF soldiers step into his way.)
COUNTDOWN VOICE: Zero minus ten seconds...
(He runs back another way but there is another soldier.)
COUNTDOWN VOICE: Nine...
(He pushes back the soldiers g*n and then runs into the main body of central control where STAHLMAN picks up the fallen g*n...)
COUNTDOWN VOICE: Eight...
(...and aims it at the DOCTOR.)
COUNTDOWN VOICE: Seven, six...
(The DOCTOR slowly backs off.)
COUNTDOWN VOICE: Five, four...
(as STAHLMAN'S finger is on the trigger.)
COUNTDOWN VOICE: Three, two, one... | {"type": "series", "show": "Doctor Who", "episode": "07x22 - Inferno - part 4"} | foreverdreaming |
INFERNO
by: DON HOUGHTON
EPISODE 5
Original Air Date: 6 June, 1970
5:15pm - 5:40pm
1: INT. CENTRAL CONTROL
COUNTDOWN VOICE: ...minus ten seconds...
(The DOCTOR runs back another way but there is another soldier.)
COUNTDOWN VOICE: Nine...
(He pushes back the soldiers g*n and then runs into the main body of central control where STAHLMAN picks up the fallen g*n...)
COUNTDOWN VOICE: Eight...
(...and aims it at the DOCTOR.)
COUNTDOWN VOICE: Seven, six...
(The DOCTOR slowly backs off.)
COUNTDOWN VOICE: Five, four...
(as STAHLMAN'S finger is on the trigger.)
COUNTDOWN VOICE: Three, two, one...zero. We have Penetration Zero!
(An enormous expl*si*n rocks the complex and everyone is thrown to the ground. As the crashing rumbling continues, screaming technicians get to their feet and run out of central control.)
DIRECTOR STAHLMAN: Don't panic! Get back to your posts!
(GREG gets up but so does BENTON and holds him against a console. He has his r*fle in his other hand. GREG calls over to the BRIGADE LEADER over the constant roar that now pervades the complex.)
GREG SUTTON: Look, I've got a job to do here!
BRIGADE LEADER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Never mind him! Stop those technicians!
(The BRIGADE LEADER and his men run out of the room after the fleeing technicians. STAHLMAN gets to his feet and steps up to the higher level where PETRA is at a console.)
DR. PETRA WILLIAMS: Are you all right, Director?
DIRECTOR STAHLMAN: Yes, yes. Check all the other systems.
DR. PETRA WILLIAMS: Yes.
(She runs off to carry out the order. The DOCTOR is the last to get up from the floor. Slightly dazed, he turns round and sees that GREG is getting into a disaster suit.)
DOCTOR: You're not thinking of going in there, are you?
GREG SUTTON: Don't worry, I've never seen a bore I couldn't cap yet.
DOCTOR: There's never been a bore like this one!
GREG SUTTON: The first thing we've gotta do is get in there and check the main valve and get the coolant reserve flowing.
(He suddenly sees the DIRECTOR running towards the drill-head area without a disaster suit on.)
GREG SUTTON: Stahlman!
(STAHLMAN turns and looks at him through the smoke that hangs in the air. He comes back over.)
GREG SUTTON: If you're thinking of going in there, you'd better put this suit on!
DOCTOR: Somehow, I don't think he feels the heat as we do.
(STAHLMAN gives the DOCTOR a hard, yet slightly crazed look. GREG hands the DIRECTOR a disaster suit and he walks off with it. The SECTION LEADER joins a worried PETRA at a console.)
SECTION LEADER ELIZABETH SHAW: Can they contain the emergency from here?
DR. PETRA WILLIAMS: No, they'll probably go for the actual drill-head.
2: EXT. COMPLEX
(Another enormous expl*si*n tears through the complex. A huge fireball sh**t into the air and debris is thrown everywhere.)
3: INT. DRILL-HEAD
(Smoke and the green slime are pouring out of the drill-head.)
4: INT. CENTRAL CONTROL
(GREG is now in a disaster suit with his surname on it. The DOCTOR is still wearing his.)
GREG SUTTON: Come on, Doctor.
(They walk towards the drill-head area and pause on the threshold.)
DOCTOR: Well, here goes.
(They don their hoods and walk in.)
5: INT. DRILL-HEAD
(Technicians lie unconscious on the ground. As the DOCTOR makes his way through the smoke to help them, GREG crosses over to a wheel valve and starts to try and turn it. Suddenly, STAHLMAN, now also in a disaster suit emerges from the smoke with an iron bar in his hand. He crosses behind GREG, raises the bar and brings it crashing down. GREG collapses. STAHLMAN pulls off his hood and starts to drag GREG towards the pipes where the green slime is emerging. Returning to the drill-head area from helping a technician to get out, the DOCTOR sees what is happening and rushes over. He grabs STAHLMAN from behind and receives an elbow in his stomach, making him collapse. The DOCTOR gets to his feet and the two men wrestle but STAHLMAN seems stronger than he should be and he easily throws the DOCTOR. When STAHLMAN pulls him to his feet, another tussle ends in the same way. STAHLMAN jumps on the DOCTOR but across the room, GREG comes round, grabs the discarded bar and pays STAHLMAN back in kind. GREG then falls, the effort having been too much. The DOCTOR gets up and helps him to his feet and then out of the area, GREG coughing in the smoky environment.)
6: INT. CENTRAL CONTROL
(SECTION LEADER SHAW and PETRA are helping the technician that the DOCTOR rescued. PETRA sees GREG'S condition and joins the DOCTOR as he sits GREG on the steps that lead out of central control. She examines the back of GREG'S head as the DOCTOR divests himself of his hood.)
GREG SUTTON: (Groans.) Ooh, what the devil h*t me?
DOCTOR: A piece of pipe held by Stahlman.
GREG SUTTON: Stahlman h*t me?
DR. PETRA WILLIAMS: Is the Director still in there?
DOCTOR: Yes.
SECTION LEADER ELIZABETH SHAW: Why didn't he come out with you?
DOCTOR: I think he likes it in there.
(GREG manages to get to his feet.)
GREG SUTTON: The main coolant valve's seized. I can't flood the drill-head area.
DR. PETRA WILLIAMS: We've got to get the Director out.
DOCTOR: Yes, not to mention those technicians.
GREG SUTTON: Right, let's have another go.
(GREG is about to get another hood when, above the ever-present rumbling, a buzzing sound is heard from the drill-head area.)
GREG SUTTON: (Shouts.) Oh, what the heck's going on?!
(GREG runs towards the source of the noise - it is a large metallic heat-shield which is coming down, thereby sealing off the drill-head from central control.)
GREG SUTTON: (Shouts.) Well that's crazy!
(PETRA looks at an instrument panel.)
DR. PETRA WILLIAMS: They've closed it from the inside. Bypassed the control and locked down on manuals!
7: INT. DRILL-HEAD
(Within the drill-head area, STAHLMAN pulls a concussed technician towards the output pipes. He then rubs the mans face in the green slime.)
8: INT. CENTRAL CONTROL
(Now out of his disaster suit, the DOCTOR is looking over a ticker-tape print out from the computer. His tie hangs loosely down and his collar is open against the heat which now fills the room. GREG is similar in his attire.)
SECTION LEADER ELIZABETH SHAW: What does it say?
DOCTOR: Very little now, I'm afraid. Tell me Mr. Sutton, how thick are those walls?
GREG SUTTON: Well thick enough - ferrous concrete, steel plating, asbestos sheeting - the lot. It could stand up to an atomic blast.
DOCTOR: Compared to the forces that you people have unleashed, an atomic blast would be like a summer breeze!
9: EXT. COMPLEX
(Further smoke, f*re and expl*si*n pour out of the buildings of the complex.)
10: INT. CENTRAL CONTROL
(The BRIGADE LEADER comes back into central control followed by SECTION LEADER SHAW.)
DOCTOR: What's going on out there?
BRIGADE LEADER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: The technicians and staff have got away. Most of my security guards have gone with them.
GREG SUTTON: Perhaps they're the sensible ones?
DOCTOR: Yes, well, they'll be no better off in the long run, wherever they go.
DR. PETRA WILLIAMS: Doctor, I'm afraid the computer's finally broken down.
(The DOCTOR goes to join her while the BRIGADE LEADER speaks to SECTION LEADER SHAW at the back of the room.)
BRIGADE LEADER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: ...
SECTION LEADER ELIZABETH SHAW: Correct.
DOCTOR: (To PETRA.) Well, the heat will have fused the main circuits. I'll have a look.
DR. PETRA WILLIAMS: Brigade Leader?
(The BRIGADE LEADER comes over.)
BRIGADE LEADER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Yes, Dr. Williams?
DR. PETRA WILLIAMS: Any news from London yet?
BRIGADE LEADER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Massive seismic disturbances reported throughout the country. Earth tremors reported in the midlands and as far north as Leeds.
GREG SUTTON: Just what are the authorities doing?
SECTION LEADER ELIZABETH SHAW: They've ordered an immediate evacuation of the area - except for essential personnel. The Brigade Leader is to assume executive control.
GREG SUTTON: Anything else?
SECTION LEADER ELIZABETH SHAW: No, after that the line went d*ad.
GREG SUTTON: So they're abandoning us. They're not even going to try and seal the shaft?
SECTION LEADER ELIZABETH SHAW: They believe that the emergency will eventually pass over.
(The SECTION LEADER'S attitude and tone imply that she doesn't share the same level of confidence.)
GREG SUTTON: Well, the Doctor doesn't seem to think so.
BRIGADE LEADER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Oh, who cares what he thinks?!
GREG SUTTON: I do - he talks a lot of good sense!
(He looks over the edge of the computer to where the DOCTOR is trying to effect repairs at floor level.)
GREG SUTTON: Doctor?
DOCTOR: Yes?
GREG SUTTON: Surely there must be some way of sealing the shaft? Why don't the government evacuate us all and...and blow up the whole area?
DOCTOR: Too late, Mr. Sutton. You've unleashed the energies of the Earth's core.
GREG SUTTON: All right, but we must cap the bore somehow?
DOCTOR: No substance of this Earth is strong enough to withstand those pressures.
GREG SUTTON: Okay, so what's gonna happen?
BRIGADE LEADER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Well Doctor, what is going to happen?
(The DOCTOR considers and then tells them the truth.)
DOCTOR: Well, the heat and the pressures'll continue to build up...until the Earth dissolves in a fury of expanding gasses, just as it was billions of years ago.
SECTION LEADER ELIZABETH SHAW: How long have we got?
DOCTOR: Maybe a few weeks, maybe only a few days.
(The group initially receive the news in a stunned silence. As if in confirmation, the continuing expl*si*n outside echo through the room.)
GREG SUTTON: So it's doomsday? We just sit back and wait for it?
(Before GREG can answer, BROMLEY, still undergoing his transformation, enters the room. He stands and snarls at the occupants. They dive for cover on the other side of the computer console. The BRIGADE LEADER unholsters his p*stol.)
DOCTOR: No, don't go near him, Brigadier! Don't go near him! He's probably more interested in getting to the drill-head than he is in us.
(BROMLEY slowly comes down the steps into central control, snarling and stalking the BRIGADE LEADER. Totally disregarding the DOCTOR'S advice, LETHBRIDGE STEWART stands between BROMLEY and the passage to the drill-head. As the effected technician comes nearer, the BRIGADE LEADER starts to pump b*ll*ts into him.
BROMLEY roars and staggers as each b*llet hits but, like the rest of his kind, there is no further effect on him. As he goes past, the DOCTOR steps out behind him with a f*re extinguisher in his hand. He fires it at BROMLEY'S back and the half-creature shudders and turns. He is about to go for the DOCTOR but he fires several more sh*ts of gas from the extinguisher and BROMLEY slowly but surely falls to the floor and is still.)
DOCTOR: Ah...he seems to be d*ad this time.
BRIGADE LEADER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Rather surprising.
DOCTOR: I wasn't just your b*ll*ts that k*lled him, you know?
BRIGADE LEADER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: The f*re extinguisher?
DOCTOR: Yes, the f*re extinguisher. They can't stand cold.
GREG SUTTON: Well, that's enough for me. There's no point in us hanging around any longer.
BRIGADE LEADER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: If you're thinking of deserting...
GREG SUTTON: (Interrupting.) Evacuating is the word! If I've only got a little time left to live, I'm going to spend it as far away from this place as I can get!
SECTION LEADER ELIZABETH SHAW: (Firmly.) We were ordered to remain here.
BRIGADE LEADER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: And that's exactly what we're going to do.
GREG SUTTON: (Shouts.) You speak for yourself!
BRIGADE LEADER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: (Shouts.) You still have a job to do here, Sutton!
GREG SUTTON: (Shouts.) You just don't listen, do you?
(He nods towards the DOCTOR.)
GREG SUTTON: You heard what he said - there's nothing we can do. Is that right, Doctor?
DOCTOR: Yes, I'm afraid so.
GREG SUTTON: (Shouts.) Well, I'm clearing out! Coming, Petra?
(He and PETRA turn and walk towards the exit. The other three follow.)
BRIGADE LEADER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: (Shouts.) You will stay here and do your duty!
GREG SUTTON: You're still loyal to your glorious republic. (Shouts.) I'd like to know what your precious dictator can do for you now!
BRIGADE LEADER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: (Shouts furiously.) I will not listen to treason!
DOCTOR: (Shouts.) Gentlemen, stop arguing! Just save your energy.
GREG SUTTON: (Shouts.) For what?! We're all under sentence of death! Oh, come on, Petra.
(He turns but PLATOON UNDER LEADER BENTON stands barring his way.)
PLATOON UNDER LEADER BENTON: I've managed to round up a few of the men, Leader.
BRIGADE LEADER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Good. Post them outside. No one is to leave this building without my permission! (Shouts.) No one, Benton!
(BENTON salutes and turns to leave to carry out the order. GREG sighs.)
PLATOON UNDER LEADER BENTON: Understood, Leader!
GREG SUTTON: You know it's marvellous, isn't it? (Shouts.) The world's going up in flame and they're still playing at toy soldiers!
(He mimics BENTON'S salute.)
11: EXT. COMPLEX
(BENTON comes out of the blockhouse type entrance and sees four RSF soldiers lounging on the ground.)
PLATOON UNDER LEADER BENTON: You lot! Fall in on the double!
(The four men jump to their feet and stand in line.)
12: INT. CENTRAL CONTROL
(GREG and PETRA are alone in central control. PETRA is still at the inspection hatch of the computer, trying to repair the machine.)
GREG SUTTON: Oh, pack it in - it's no good.
DR. PETRA WILLIAMS: We can't be sure of that.
GREG SUTTON: You heard what the Doctor said - the heat will have fused the main circuits.
DR. PETRA WILLIAMS: The Doctor has no control here.
GREG SUTTON: You could have fooled me!
DR. PETRA WILLIAMS: It's not his responsibility.
GREG SUTTON: Maybe not, but he's the only one who seems to know what's going on.
DR. PETRA WILLIAMS: Thank you, Mr. Sutton.
GREG SUTTON: Oh, I'm not getting at you, but if...if the Doctor's right, you're wasting your time.
DR. PETRA WILLIAMS: Look, if I can get this computer working again, it might give us the solution.
(She crosses to the power console.)
GREG SUTTON: Still hasn't sunk in, has it? There is no solution! The whole place is gonna blow up!
(PETRA flicks a switch but there is no response.)
DR. PETRA WILLIAMS: The whole system needs re-wiring.
GREG SUTTON: No one is being allowed in or out of this place - do you get the point now?
DR. PETRA WILLIAMS: (Sharply.) What point?
GREG SUTTON: Those blokes in London know it's no use. If they thought there was any chance, this place would be crawling with experts. You'd have as much equipment as you need!
DR. PETRA WILLIAMS: (Unconvincingly.) It might be on its way.
GREG SUTTON: Nothing's on its way! We've been left here to die.
DR. PETRA WILLIAMS: (Upset.) I don't believe that!
GREG SUTTON: Oh yes you do! 'Cos it's logical - they're scared to let us out of here because we'll increase the panic.
DR. PETRA WILLIAMS: They wouldn't just abandon us. They'll evacuate if things got too dangerous.
(GREG opens his mouth to reply, thinks and then calmly answers...)
GREG SUTTON: Maybe you're right. Let's hope so.
(PETRA looks at him, scared.)
DR. PETRA WILLIAMS: You really think this is the end, don't you?
GREG SUTTON: It could be.
(PETRA is stunned as realisation hits her.)
DR. PETRA WILLIAMS: We're just...going to die in here. I can't take it in.
(GREG embraces her.)
GREG SUTTON: Oh, look, I'm sorry but there are times when it's better to face the truth.
DR. PETRA WILLIAMS: Oh, Greg, I'm frightened!
(She hugs him back.)
DR. PETRA WILLIAMS: What can we do?
GREG SUTTON: Well, the question really is - what you're gonna do?
DR. PETRA WILLIAMS: What do you mean?
GREG SUTTON: Well, I'm gonna get out of here. I could do with some help from you.
DR. PETRA WILLIAMS: From me?
GREG SUTTON: Well, what about it? Are you going to be a nice well-behaved little zombie or are you going to join the rebels?
13: INT. BRIGADE LEADER'S OFFICE
Overseas Broadcast:
(The DOCTOR, SECTION LEADER SHAW and LETHBRIDGE STEWART are in the BRIGADE LEADER'S office. Next to a desk calendar that reads 23 July is a small red transistor radio. It is broadcasting a news announcement that is heavily filled with static.)
RADIO ANNOUNCER: In London today, the Minister of Energy and Resource has made a statement about the disaster at the drilling project at Eastchester.
The entire operation has now been abandoned, and the area is being evacuated. There can be no doubt that the wave of earth tremors and quakes are in some way connected with the penetration of the Earth's outer crust. The leader has called a cabinet meeting...
(The BRIGADE LEADER switches the radio off. SECTION LEADER SHAW paces the room.)
SECTION LEADER ELIZABETH SHAW: Sutton was right - we ought to leave here at once!
Original UK Broadcast:
(The DOCTOR, SECTION LEADER SHAW and LETHBRIDGE STEWART are in the BRIGADE LEADER'S office.)
SECTION LEADER ELIZABETH SHAW: Sutton was right - we ought to leave here at once!
BRIGADE LEADER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: I will decide that!
SECTION LEADER ELIZABETH SHAW: But there's nothing we can do - absolutely nothing!
DOCTOR: You could help me to save a world, you know?
SECTION LEADER ELIZABETH SHAW: You said we'd passed the point of no return.
DOCTOR: Not this one, Elizabeth. The other one.
BRIGADE LEADER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Even now, you stick to this absurd story!
DOCTOR: This other world exists, Brigade Leader. It's as true as the one you know yourselves!
SECTION LEADER ELIZABETH SHAW: And we're all somehow duplicated there?
DOCTOR: Yes, you, the Brigade Leader, Stahlman, Sutton, Petra, all of you - you could save your other selves!
SECTION LEADER ELIZABETH SHAW: Save them - how?
DOCTOR: With the aid of the TARDIS.
BRIGADE LEADER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: TARDIS?
SECTION LEADER ELIZABETH SHAW: You mean that odd-looking contraption we found in the hut?
DOCTOR: Yes.
SECTION LEADER ELIZABETH SHAW: Could it take you back?
DOCTOR: Yes, possibly. If I could use your nuclear reactor for power.
SECTION LEADER ELIZABETH SHAW: But if this other world is parallel, they'll be in same situation as us?
DOCTOR: Not necessarily. Work on their project is not so advanced as yours. I may be able to stop them before they penetrate the Earth's crust.
(The BRIGADE LEADER stands.)
BRIGADE LEADER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: (Quietly.) I think we'll take another look at this...wonderful machine of yours.
(They leave the office...)
14: INT. CENTRAL CONTROL
(...passing PETRA at the power console.)
DR. PETRA WILLIAMS: Brigade Leader, for your information, all systems are breaking down.
BRIGADE LEADER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Remain here. We shall return shortly.
(The BRIGADE LEADER, SECTION LEADER and the DOCTOR walk out. GREG, at the computer inspection hatch, watches them go. He joins PETRA.)
GREG SUTTON: I wonder where he's off to?
DR. PETRA WILLIAMS: Can't we try and get out now?
GREG SUTTON: Well, you heard what he said - all the exits are being guarded by a bunch of trigger-happy thugs.
DR. PETRA WILLIAMS: They might let us through.
GREG SUTTON: And they might sh**t us out of pure nervousness!
(PETRA looks despondent.)
GREG SUTTON: Just wait our chance. Don't worry, Petra. When the time comes, we'll get out of here...and it'll take more than a bunch of tin soldiers to stop us!
15: INT. DOCTOR'S GARAGE
(Having reached the hut, LETHBRIDGE STEWART and ELIZABETH SHAW look with contempt at the TARDIS console. The DOCTOR watches them. The sound of the expl*si*n continue to reach them from outside.)
BRIGADE LEADER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: You expect us to believe that you came here in this?
DOCTOR: That's right.
SECTION LEADER ELIZABETH SHAW: But this isn't a vehicle at all.
DOCTOR: No...
(He crosses to the console.)
DOCTOR: ...but she's a very important part of one.
BRIGADE LEADER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: And where's the rest of it?
DOCTOR: Back in the world where I came from. I, er, I removed the console to make some trial runs.
(The DOCTOR presses a button. The central column starts to rise and fall. Various hums and sounds emit from the console but nothing like the usual dematerialisation sound.)
BRIGADE LEADER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Well, what's happening?!
SECTION LEADER ELIZABETH SHAW: You said you needed a power source to make this thing work!
DOCTOR: There's always a small amount of energy left in the storage unit.
BRIGADE LEADER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: We've seen enough of this nonsense - come on.
DOCTOR: You said you were going to help me!
(The two RSF members head for the door.)
BRIGADE LEADER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: I said nothing of the kind! This contraption is obviously incapable of taking anyone anywhere. We shall return to central control.
(The DOCTOR goes after them.)
DOCTOR: If you'd only try and use the little intelligence you have...
BRIGADE LEADER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: I have no time for fairy stories!
SECTION LEADER ELIZABETH SHAW: If you could give us some proof, Doctor - a demonstration.
DOCTOR: Proof? Demonstration? What do you think I am - a conjuror? Have can I give you a demonstration when I haven't got...
(A thought strikes him and he looks at the console.)
DOCTOR: Well now, wait a minute...
BRIGADE LEADER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Well?
DOCTOR: If I'm to do it, I'll drain the storage unit completely.
(He goes back to the console.)
DOCTOR: Very well, you shall have your demonstration!
(He flicks several switches. This time, the normal dematerialisation sound is heard and the DOCTOR and the console fade away. The BRIGADE LEADER and the SECTION LEADER, shocked, look round the garage as if they expect to see the DOCTOR in a different corner. The former produces his usual solution to a problem and draws his g*n.)
BRIGADE LEADER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Doctor? Doctor?!
(Almost instantly, the console and its operator fade back. Stunned, the two observers step up to the console, SECTION LEADER SHAW even placing her hands on it to make sure it has a reality.)
DOCTOR: Well, satisfied? Or did you think it was all done with mirrors?
SECTION LEADER ELIZABETH SHAW: What happened? Where were you?
DOCTOR: Well, just a pitiful few seconds into the future. I only wish it could have been more.
(He reaches for a switch. The BRIGADE LEADER still has his g*n levelled.)
BRIGADE LEADER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Stay away from that!
DOCTOR: Don't be a fool, man! I can't possibly go anywhere - the storage unit is completely flat.
BRIGADE LEADER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: (Quietly.) If the power was connected, you could make the journey back?
DOCTOR: Perhaps.
BRIGADE LEADER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: And take others with you.
DOCTOR: (Sharply.) No! No, I couldn't possibly do that.
SECTION LEADER ELIZABETH SHAW: Why not?
DOCTOR: Well, it would create a dimensional paradox. It would shatter the space/time continuum of all universes!
BRIGADE LEADER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: (Quietly.) If you can save yourself - you can save us.
16: EXT. COMPLEX
(Although stood in line, the RSF squad are chatting to themselves against the background noise of the expl*si*n. BENTON walks past them and watches as he hears a particularly loud rumbling and expl*si*n. He then turns back to his troops.)
PLATOON UNDER LEADER BENTON: Squad! 'Shun!
(The soldiers jump to attention.)
PLATOON UNDER LEADER BENTON: As you were!
(They relax...)
PLATOON UNDER LEADER BENTON: 'Shun!
(...and stand to attention again.)
PLATOON UNDER LEADER BENTON: Stand at ease!
(They do so.)
PLATOON UNDER LEADER BENTON: (Mutters.) Don't move.
17: INT. CENTRAL CONTROL
(A familiar and yet strangely strangulated voice comes out of a loudspeaker.)
DIRECTOR STAHLMAN: (OOV: Over tannoy.) Doctor...Williams...the...
(The voice tails off into a series of guttural gasps. PETRA, at a console, jumps up, a nervous look on her face. She runs over to the loudspeaker on the wall and listens but the sound has finished. She looks round.)
DR. PETRA WILLIAMS: Greg?
(There is no sign of SUTTON and PETRA is alone.)
DR. PETRA WILLIAMS: Greg?
(She walks over to the still-lowered heat shield. She then calls out as she loses her nerve...)
DR. PETRA WILLIAMS: Greg?!
GREG SUTTON: (OOV.) What's up?
(He comes running down a side passage.)
GREG SUTTON: I was disposing of that thing's body.
DR. PETRA WILLIAMS: I just heard something from the intercom.
GREG SUTTON: Not a chance - they're all done for in there!
DR. PETRA WILLIAMS: You come and listen.
(They run over to the loudspeaker but all they hear is a buzzing sound.)
DR. PETRA WILLIAMS: I did hear something!
(Suddenly, cries of pain from STAHLMAN come through the loudspeaker. A second later, the party returns from the hut.)
GREG SUTTON: We've just heard something from the drill-head.
SECTION LEADER ELIZABETH SHAW: That's impossible - they must all be d*ad in there.
DR. PETRA WILLIAMS: I tell you - we heard something!
(They listen for a moment. The only sound is the rumbling and the expl*si*n, then...)
DIRECTOR STAHLMAN: (OOV: Over tannoy.) Dr. Williams! Can you hear me? Raise the heat shield! Manual controls are...jammed with the heat...
(His voice again tails off into a guttural sound, almost a growl.)
DR. PETRA WILLIAMS: The Director!
DIRECTOR STAHLMAN: (OOV: Over tannoy.) Can you hear me, Dr. Williams? Let us...let us out...!
(Again his voice becomes a growl...)
DR. PETRA WILLIAMS: It is the Director! We've got to do what he says and let him out of there!
(She runs towards a console. The DOCTOR grabs her by the arm.)
DOCTOR: You mustn't!
DR. PETRA WILLIAMS: But he's alive!
(She shakes him off and runs to the console.)
DOCTOR: No!
(He runs after her and gently but forcefully pulls her away from the console by the hands. The BRIGADE LEADER comes round the other side and takes out his ubiquitous g*n.)
DOCTOR: Whatever you do, don't raise that heat shield!
BRIGADE LEADER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: If the Director's found a solution, then we need him out here. Now stand back, Doctor!
(He reluctantly does so and PETRA activates the controls. To her surprise, they work and the buzzing of the rising heat shield is heard.)
DR. PETRA WILLIAMS: He must have unlocked the manuals! The controls are working!
(The heat shield rises a few feet and then stops. The drill-head room beyond is suffused with an orange glow and smoke pours out from under the gap. The bottom of STAHLMAN, still clad in his disaster suit is revealed. PETRA manipulates more controls and STAHLMAN puts his hands under the shield and starts to push it upwards - but the hands are covered in a coarse black hair. The shield is fully pushed upwards and STAHLMAN is seen, but he is still covered by the full disaster suit - hood and all. He gasps and staggers into central control.)
DR. PETRA WILLIAMS: Director!
(She rushes down from the higher level console towards her employer but the DOCTOR, a look of concern on his face, again runs after her and tries to stop her.)
DOCTOR: No - don't go anywhere near him! Don't go near him!
DR. PETRA WILLIAMS: Please help!
(They stop and watch as STAHLMAN starts to slowly remove his hood. Beyond him, in the drill-head are glimpsed the moving figures of the technicians in the smoke. STAHLMAN finally wrenches his hood off. The being underneath is utterly transformed. His head and chin are covered in coarse hair, what remains of his face is green in colour with red-ringed eyes and his teeth are savage and canine like a wolf's. The people in central control are stunned with shock. What used to be STAHLMAN gestures behind him and the former technicians stagger out of the drill-head. The four of them are transformed in a similar manner and growl at their terrified observers.)
18: EXT. CENTRAL CONTROL
(PLATOON UNDER LEADER BENTON walks towards and into central control.)
19: INT. CENTRAL CONTROL
(STAHLMAN and the primordial technicians warily watch the survivors. STAHLMAN gestures to his cohorts to come further forward but they remain back.)
BRIGADE LEADER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Why don't they att*ck?
DOCTOR: They're acclimatising themselves. They don't want to get too far away from the heat.
GREG SUTTON: Let's get out of here!
(They make a dash for the main exit but at STAHLMAN'S gesture, one of the PRIMORDS scrambles forward and blocks the way.)
GREG SUTTON: The other way!
(They try to make a run for the exit near the power console but another PRIMORD runs forward with surprising speed.)
BRIGADE LEADER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Now they've covered both exits.
DOCTOR: We'll make a break for your office.
(Suddenly, the BRIGADE LEADER roars...)
BRIGADE LEADER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Benton, get out!
(As the PLATOON LEADER enters the room, three PRIMORDS run forward and set on him. One grabs his g*n whilst the other two grab the soldier himself and start to pull him across the room watched by the horrified survivors.)
PLATOON UNDER LEADER BENTON: Please, no! No, no!
(They pull him towards STAHLMAN who reaches out a hair-covered claw-like hand towards BENTON'S face.)
PLATOON UNDER LEADER BENTON: No...no...no...no..no...!
(He cries out in pain as STAHLMAN touches his face and then falls to the floor, crying out in agony. The DOCTOR uses the diversion. He pushes GREG out of the way, runs to an inspection hatch at the base of a console and wrenches out some wires within. He looks up as the heat shield to the drill-head starts to close.
STAHLMAN cries out in anger as he sees the source of their heat being cut off and he and the other PRIMORDS run to the fast closing doorway.)
DOCTOR: (Shouts.) Into the office!
(All do as instructed expect GREG who runs towards the writhing BENTON.)
DOCTOR: Leave him be! There's nothing you can do! Come on, hurry!
(GREG runs after them and the DOCTOR shuts the door. A PRIMORD attempts to run after them but the loss of heat causes it to sink to the floor, stunned into inactivity. The same cannot be said for BENTON who crawls across the floor, screaming in agony. He clutches at his face and, reaching a wall, almost crawls up it. His face is now green and his eyebrows are growing more bushier. His teeth are extending. Black coarse hair appears on his hands and his cries grow guttural. More coarse hair appears on his head and face. He falls to the ground, rolling in the smoke left behind from the drill-head opening. When he rises, his teeth are canine and he has undergone a full transformation...)
20: INT. BRIGADE LEADER'S OFFICE
GREG SUTTON: (Shouts, to the DOCTOR.) Well, we shouldn't have just left Benton! (To LETHBRIDGE STEWART.) You don't mind sacrificing your men, do you, Brigade Leader?
DOCTOR: Believe me, Mr. Sutton, there was nothing we could have done.
GREG SUTTON: Well not now, there isn't. He's probably been k*lled by those...things!
DOCTOR: Worse than that - he'll have become one of them...and the heat will accelerate the process.
GREG SUTTON: Well, why did you cut them off from the drill-head?
DOCTOR: To keep them away from the heat. The hotter it is, the stronger they grow.
GREG SUTTON: Well, if it gets any hotter in here, they won't have to att*ck. We'll just shrivel up.
BRIGADE LEADER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Well Doctor, it doesn't look as though your space craft is going to be much good to anybody now.
GREG SUTTON: Space craft?
DR. PETRA WILLIAMS: What are they talking about?
SECTION LEADER ELIZABETH SHAW: The Doctor has some sort of "device" that could get him out of here.
BRIGADE LEADER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Only the Doctor, of course - not the rest of us.
SECTION LEADER ELIZABETH SHAW: He says he comes from a...parallel world.
GREG SUTTON: Look, will somebody tell me what's going on?
21: DIMENSION BARRIER
(Back in that parallel world...)
22: INT. SIR KEITH GOLD'S CAR (NIGHT)
(SIR KEITH GOLD sits in the back of his chauffeur driven limousine reading a newspaper as the driver, PATTERSON, continues the journey through the night. SIR KEITH looks up from his paper.)
SIR KEITH GOLD: Where are we, Patterson? I don't recognise this.
PATTERSON: Different route, sir - trying to avoid the traffic.
(SIR KEITH puts down his paper and tries a car phone. He taps the bridge several times.)
SIR KEITH GOLD: What's the matter with this thing?
PATTERSON: No idea, sir. It was working on the way up.
(SIR KEITH gives up.)
SIR KEITH GOLD: It took me a day's hard talking to convince the Minister. Now I can't even get in touch with the complex.
PATTERSON: Are they going to slow down the drilling, sir?
SIR KEITH GOLD: They're going to suspend it, pending a full review of the project.
(He looks out of the window again.)
SIR KEITH GOLD: Where the devil are we? It looks like the middle of nowhere.
(PATTERSON doesn't reply. SIR KEITH looks at him with suspicion.)
SIR KEITH GOLD: All right, Patterson, what's going on?
PATTERSON: I'm sorry, sir. I don't understand.
SIR KEITH GOLD: (Sharply.) Answer me, please.
(PATTERSON looks troubled.)
PATTERSON: Orders, sir.
SIR KEITH GOLD: From whom?
(PATTERSON doesn't reply.)
SIR KEITH GOLD: Professor Stahlman, wasn't it?
PATTERSON: Yes sir.
SIR KEITH GOLD: Was I ever supposed to get back from the ministry?
PATTERSON: Not if you was successful, sir. I was to drive as far off the route as I could and stage a breakdown.
SIR KEITH GOLD: The man's raving mad!
PATTERSON: He thr*at to have me sacked, sir.
SIR KEITH GOLD: Well, you realise now that I have the Minister's full authority behind me.
PATTERSON: Yes sir.
SIR KEITH GOLD: All right. If you can break all records getting back to the complex, I might just forget about all this.
PATTERSON: Thank you, sir, I'll be very grateful.
SIR KEITH GOLD: So you should be - now put your foot down.
PATTERSON: Sir, I'd, er, I'd like you to know that I objected to the order, sir.
(PATTERSON looks behind him at his passenger.)
SIR KEITH GOLD: (Shouts.) Keep you eyes on the road! Look out!
(The headlights of an approaching car fill the interior. Tyres screech as PATTERSON wrenches the wheel and puts his arm across his face for protection...)
23: DIMENSION BARRIER
(Back in the dying parallel world...)
24: INT. CENTRAL CONTROL
(...the PRIMORDS come to life as the heat increases. Growling, they stagger towards the BRIGADE LEADER'S office. STAHLMAN growls.)
25: INT. BRIGADE LEADER'S OFFICE
BRIGADE LEADER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: (Angrily.) So, we're expected to sacrifice all our lives so as the Doctor can get back to his..."other world".
SECTION LEADER ELIZABETH SHAW: We haven't got any lives to sacrifice. It's only a question of time.
DR. PETRA WILLIAMS: What do you think, Greg?
GREG SUTTON: It's the weirdest story I've ever heard, but I'm prepared to believe the Doctor.
SECTION LEADER ELIZABETH SHAW: You're outvoted, Brigade Leader.
BRIGADE LEADER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: It makes very little difference as we're all trapped in here anyway.
DOCTOR: Not necessarily. I do have a plan for getting us out, but it all depends on those creatures out there.
(The DOCTOR looks towards one of the doors. However, the PRIMORDS have regained their strength and one of them suddenly crashes an arm through the window of the second door as they attempt to break in and att*ck...) | {"type": "series", "show": "Doctor Who", "episode": "07x23 - Inferno - part 5"} | foreverdreaming |
INFERNO
by: DON HOUGHTON
EPISODE 6
Original Air Date: 13 June, 1970
5:25pm - 5:50pm
1: INT. CENTRAL CONTROL
(STAHLMAN growls.)
2: INT. BRIGADE LEADER'S OFFICE
BRIGADE LEADER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: (Angrily.) So, we're expected to sacrifice all our lives so as the Doctor can get back to his..."other world".
SECTION LEADER ELIZABETH SHAW: We haven't got any lives to sacrifice. It's only a question of time.
DR. PETRA WILLIAMS: What do you think, Greg?
GREG SUTTON: It's the weirdest story I've ever heard, but I'm prepared to believe the Doctor.
SECTION LEADER ELIZABETH SHAW: You're outvoted, Brigade Leader.
BRIGADE LEADER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: It makes very little difference as we're all trapped in here anyway.
DOCTOR: Not necessarily. I do have a plan for getting us out, but it all depends on those creatures out there.
(The DOCTOR looks towards one of the doors. However, the PRIMORDS have regained their strength and one of them suddenly crashes an arm through the window of the second door as they attempt to break in and att*ck. As PETRA gasps out, GREG rushes forward in an attempt to push the arm back, but in turn, the DOCTOR pulls him back.)
DOCTOR: No, no! Don't touch it!
(The DOCTOR grabs a f*re extinguisher off the wall and fires it at the PRIMORD'S arm. As the jets of CO h*t the creature, it cries out and retreats.)
DOCTOR: I don't think they'll be back for a while. They'll wait till the temperature rises.
SECTION LEADER ELIZABETH SHAW: How long have we got?
DOCTOR: I should say all of ten minutes.
GREG SUTTON: You said you had a plan just now - what is it?
DOCTOR: Well, if we're going to get power to the...TARDIS console, we'll have to connect it up to the nuclear reactor.
DR. PETRA WILLIAMS: That's if there's any power left.
(The DOCTOR pulls out a pocket handkerchief and runs over to a wall grille. He holds up the handkerchief over the grille.)
SECTION LEADER ELIZABETH SHAW: What are you doing?
(The DOCTOR watches the cloth waving in the draft from the grille. He puts the handkerchief away and turns to PETRA.)
DOCTOR: Well, the air conditioning's still working, so power's still getting through.
DR. PETRA WILLIAMS: Only the bare minimum. The reactor must still be working off robot control.
DOCTOR: Can you boost the output?
DR. PETRA WILLIAMS: Well, in an emergency, the master switch...automatically shuts down the reactor banks.
DOCTOR: But it can be re-set?
DR. PETRA WILLIAMS: It would take time! And after that I'd still have to get to the main switch room at the reactor.
GREG SUTTON: The master switch is in central control!
(He points at the door with the broken window.)
GREG SUTTON: How do we get through that lot?
DOCTOR: Well, we've still got a w*apon to use against them.
SECTION LEADER ELIZABETH SHAW: You mean the p*stol?
DOCTOR: No, I don't - I mean the f*re extinguisher.
SECTION LEADER ELIZABETH SHAW: You can't hold them off with that thing for very long.
DR. PETRA WILLIAMS: If that master switch has been damaged, it...it'll be a long job resetting it.
DOCTOR: Well, there are other f*re extinguishers in central control.
GREG SUTTON: If we can get to them.
(A thought suddenly strikes him...)
GREG SUTTON: Wait a minute! I'm a fool! Of course! The coolant reserve - I've rigged up the emergency hose!
DR. PETRA WILLIAMS: That's it! Well, the coolant's under pressure! It's just as cold as the CO in the f*re extinguisher!
GREG SUTTON: Doctor, you've got a monster sized f*re extinguisher just waiting for you in there!
DOCTOR: Splendid. Well, we'll fight our way into central control using this...
(He points at the f*re extinguisher.)
DOCTOR: ...while Mr. Sutton holds them off with his coolant, I'll repair the master switch.
(Suddenly, the growling PRIMORDS appear at the broken window, one of them trying to reach in for the internal door handle. GREG runs to one side of the door and fires a blast at the arm while the DOCTOR crouches on the other side. He pulls at the door lock.)
DOCTOR: Right - now!
(He then pulls the door open and the PRIMORDS rush into the room but not for long as GREG starts to blast them with the spray from the extinguisher. They retreat from the office and back into central control, growling and waving their claw-like arms as they go.)
3: INT. CENTRAL CONTROL
(They move to one side of the doorway, enabling the trapped party inside to rush out and make for the coolant pipe. GREG passes the extinguisher to the BRIGADE LEADER and SECTION LEADER SHAW holds her p*stol up at the PRIMORDS as he joins the others in pulling out the coolant pipe. However, one of the creatures is missing as, unseen by all, the transformed STAHLMAN sneaks round a corner and back into central control.)
BRIGADE LEADER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Hurry up, Sutton!
GREG SUTTON: I'm going as fast as I can - everything's red hot!
(Still unseen, STAHLMAN catches sight of the BRIGADE LEADER'S back.)
BRIGADE LEADER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: I can't...breathe!
DOCTOR: Well, stop talking so much!
SECTION LEADER ELIZABETH SHAW: Look out!
(She has caught sight of STAHLMAN. The BRIGADE LEADER runs round the edge of a console as STAHLMAN starts to stalk the DOCTOR and the others at the coolant reserve pipe which lies under a platform at the back of the room. He fires at the creature who spins round and growls in fury. Several more blasts cause STAHLMAN to collapse to the ground, stunned, and the BRIGADE LEADER turns the device back on BENTON and the other PRIMORDS as they once more start to advance.
He fires blast after blast.)
DOCTOR: (Shouts.) That's enough - don't waste it!
(The BRIGADE LEADER ignores him and continues f*ring.)
DOCTOR: That's enough, I said!
(The BRIGADE LEADER finally stops. The DOCTOR runs over to the fallen creature and sees the name on the disaster suit.)
DOCTOR: It's Stahlman!
DR. PETRA WILLIAMS: Is he d*ad?!
(The DOCTOR looks STAHLMAN over while keeping a careful distance.)
DOCTOR: No, I think he's just paralysed. He'll probably come to again when the temperature rises.
GREG SUTTON: Petra, give me a hand here!
BRIGADE LEADER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Sutton, get that hose going!
GREG SUTTON: I can't - it's seized up!
BRIGADE LEADER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Well, what do we do now?!
(The DOCTOR sees a maintenance man's toolbox near to STAHLMAN and grabs a wrench out of it. As he runs back to GREG and the others, STAHLMAN tries to make a move to stop him but he is still semi-paralysed. The DOCTOR hands the wrench to GREG.)
DOCTOR: Right.
SECTION LEADER ELIZABETH SHAW: Brigade Leader!
(SECTION LEADER SHAW has spotted that the PRIMORDS are getting closer again. The BRIGADE LEADER starts to f*re his extinguisher at the growling creatures again but the canister soon runs out.)
GREG SUTTON: ... !
(GREG manages to get the long flexible coolant pipe free and he and PETRA hold it in front of the PRIMORDS. Almost immediately, a gas of icy air starts to pump from the pipe, holding the transformed humans properly at bay against a wall.)
DOCTOR: Right, off you go!
SECTION LEADER ELIZABETH SHAW: What about you?!
DOCTOR: Don't worry about me. I'll stay and repair the master switch.
DR. PETRA WILLIAMS: Greg!
GREG SUTTON: I'll stay with the Doctor.
BRIGADE LEADER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: ... doing!
GREG SUTTON: Go on - I'll cover you!
(All except GREG and the DOCTOR run from the room past the PRIMORDS.)
GREG SUTTON: Okay, Doctor, get on with it!
(The DOCTOR runs over to the master switch while GREG stands his ground.)
4: EXT. CENTRAL CONTROL
(The others exit the bunker like entrance to central control. They stop in their tracks as they see the transformation outside. The air is thick with heat and the entire area is suffused with an orange glow. They try to get their breath.)
BRIGADE LEADER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: It is hot out here.
DR. PETRA WILLIAMS: I still find it impossible to breathe.
BRIGADE LEADER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Well, no use hanging about.
(He starts to walk off.)
SECTION LEADER ELIZABETH SHAW: We've got to wait for them!
(The BRIGADE LEADER turns and faces them with a sneering look on his face.)
BRIGADE LEADER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: We must get right away from here.
SECTION LEADER ELIZABETH SHAW: Wait for them!
BRIGADE LEADER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: They'll find us.
DR. PETRA WILLIAMS: (Coldly.) You go if you want to, Brigade Leader.
(She and the BRIGADE LEADER stare at each other in a battle of wills.)
5: INT. CENTRAL CONTROL
(GREG continues to hold up the coolant pipe as the DOCTOR twists a screwdriver in part of the master switch device which rests within one of the upper consoles.)
DOCTOR: The heat's made a pretty good mess of this.
GREG SUTTON: It's making a mess of me too!
DOCTOR: You can always join the others outside, you know, Mr. Sutton.
GREG SUTTON: No, I think I'll hang around a bit longer.
(BENTON and the PRIMORDS start to gingerly step forward, constantly growling.)
GREG SUTTON: The natives are getting restless again.
DOCTOR: Are they now?
GREG SUTTON: How are you making out?
DOCTOR: Slow but sure, Mr. Sutton.
GREG SUTTON: Doctor...?
DOCTOR: Mmm, hmm?
GREG SUTTON: When you get back to that...other place...
DOCTOR: If I get back.
GREG SUTTON: How are you going to make sure they stop their drilling?
DOCTOR: I don't know. Maybe somebody will listen to me there. Sir Keith, for instance?
GREG SUTTON: But he's d*ad.
DOCTOR: Here, perhaps, in the other world, maybe not.
(The PRIMORDS continue to growl at their intended victims.)
6: DIMENSION BARRIER
(Back in the DOCTOR'S proper world...)
7: INT. BRIGADIER'S OFFICE
(...there are no expl*si*n and no constant rumblings of impending disaster. Within the quiet confines of the BRIGADIER'S office, the man himself is on the phone...)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: (Into phone.) That's absurd! There must be some trace. People don't just vanish! (He listens.) Well, keep looking. Let me know when you have any news.
(BENTON enters the room. Through the doorway can be seen technician's calming going about their tasks. The SERGEANT salutes.)
SERGEANT BENTON: Excuse me, sir.
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: (Snaps.) Well, where is he?!
SERGEANT BENTON: I'm sorry, sir, but he just won't come.
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Sergeant, I sent you to get Professor Stahlman.
SERGEANT BENTON: Well, that's just it, sir. Professor Stahlman won't come. He's says he's too busy to...
(He breaks off. The BRIGADIER stares intently at him.)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Too busy to what, sergeant?
(BENTON stands to attention.)
SERGEANT BENTON: He says he's too busy to waste time bandying words with a pompous military idiot, sir!
(The BRIGADIER sits up.)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Sergeant, I want to see Professor Stahlman and I want to see him now and I advise you not to come back without him.
SERGEANT BENTON: Sir, if you...
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: (Interrupts, shouting.) A chance to use your initiative, sergeant!
SERGEANT BENTON: Sir!
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: (Shouts.) Carry him in here if you have to, but get him!
SERGEANT BENTON: Sir!
(BENTON salutes, wheels round and marches out of the room. The BRIGADIER permits himself a small smile as he watches him go.)
8: INT. DOCTOR'S GARAGE
(LIZ is in the DOCTOR'S garage, looking forlornly down at the space previously occupied by the console. She crosses to the power unit and flicks a switch.
She looks over to where the console stood and sighs when there is no change. Suddenly, she hears a noise at the door and realises that someone is trying to break in. She reaches into her handbag and takes out the sonic screwdriver. She goes over to the doors, looks through the small gap to ensure that the potential intruder is not hostile and then activates the sonic screwdriver. The doors part to reveal a sheepish GREG.)
LIZ: Won't you come in, Mr. Sutton?
GREG SUTTON: Hello...yes. How did you do that?
LIZ: With this.
(She holds up the screwdriver and uses it to close the doors.)
GREG SUTTON: Well, a useful little gadget, huh?
LIZ: One of the Doctor's inventions. He used to call it the door handle.
GREG SUTTON: Nice bloke, the Doctor. I miss having him around the place.
LIZ: So do I.
(GREG starts to look round the garage. LIZ smiles.)
LIZ: Is there anything I can do for you, Mr. Sutton?
GREG SUTTON: Er, well, it's, erm, it's like this, I...
LIZ: (Interrupts.) Yes?
GREG SUTTON: Well, I found myself passing this place and...
LIZ: (Interrupts.) So you thought you'd just take a look?
GREG SUTTON: Well, yes, I thought I might get a look at that wonderful machine the Doctor was supposed to be working on.
(LIZ smiles.)
LIZ: Well, as you can see, there's nothing here.
GREG SUTTON: He took it away with him, did he?
LIZ: That's right.
GREG SUTTON: Do you know, it's a funny thing now...
LIZ: What is?
GREG SUTTON: Well, I've been asking round, and...nobody actually saw him go.
LIZ: (Innocently.) Didn't they?
GREG SUTTON: Well, that banger he uses - it's not exactly inconspicuous, and he didn't say goodbye to anyone.
LIZ: He didn't have very much time. He left in rather a hurry.
GREG SUTTON: Well, since there's nothing here now, what are you still hanging around for?
LIZ: I don't know, I...suppose I'm half-hoping he'll suddenly come back.
GREG SUTTON: Just like that?
LIZ: He's very unpredictable.
GREG SUTTON: I thought, possibly, the poor old Doctor had blown himself to smithereens and you were trying to hush it up.
(LIZ tries to find the right words.)
LIZ: Yes, well, there was a sort of an accident.
GREG SUTTON: Well, there's no sign of an expl*si*n.
LIZ: No, no, not an expl*si*n exactly, he...
(Her voice tails off.)
GREG SUTTON: Well, this is a great place for disappearances, isn't it?
LIZ: How do you mean?
GREG SUTTON: Haven't you heard? I gather Sir Keith Gold's vanished too.
9: INT. BRIGADIER'S OFFICE
(SERGEANT BENTON has carried out his orders and he and PROFESSOR STAHLMAN stand before the BRIGADIER'S desk.)
PROFESSOR STAHLMAN: This time, Brigadier, you've really gone too far. I'm literally dragged from my work by one of your...
(He gestures a glove-covered hand at BENTON.)
PROFESSOR STAHLMAN: ...ape-like minions!
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: (Snaps.) He was acting on my orders.
PROFESSOR STAHLMAN: By what possible right can you...
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: (Interrupts.) Professor Stahlman, I have made innumerable attempts to secure a few moments of your valuable time.
You've left me no choice.
PROFESSOR STAHLMAN: (Smiles.) Oh, very well. I suppose I'd better humour you. What is it you want?
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Sir Keith Gold has disappeared.
PROFESSOR STAHLMAN: Has he? I thought he was in London pouring out his petty complaints to the Minister.
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: He left the Minister yesterday evening. He should have been back here by last night.
PROFESSOR STAHLMAN: Well, an accident perhaps?
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: There's been no report of any accident on any possible route from here to London.
PROFESSOR STAHLMAN: Well then, I imagine he's had his complaints dismissed and has taken himself off in a fit of pique! It doesn't matter - we shall do very well without him!
(The BRIGADIER quickly stands and crosses round the desk to stand before STAHLMAN.)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: I've tried to contact the Minister but he isn't available. Therefore, in view of Sir Keith's anxieties about this...
PROFESSOR STAHLMAN: (Interrupts.) Sir Keith is an old woman!
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: (His voice rises.) I must formally request that you delay penetration zero until his return.
PROFESSOR STAHLMAN: On no account, Brigadier. This project will be carried through on schedule - my schedule. When that drill penetrates the Earth's crust, you'll see that my theories were correct!
10: DIMENSION BARRIER
(Back in the world where that theory has been proved disastrously wrong...)
11: INT. CENTRAL CONTROL
(The DOCTOR continues his repairs as GREG continues to hold the snarling PRIMORDS at bay.)
GREG SUTTON: Time's running out, Doc!
(The DOCTOR pushes home the circuit into the console.)
DOCTOR: That's it - I only hope it works. Shall we go, Mr. Sutton?
GREG SUTTON: I thought you'd never ask.
(GREG nears the rabid PRIMORDS with the coolant pipe. He drives them into a corridor which leads off the passage to the drill-head.)
GREG SUTTON: Right you are, Doctor!
(The DOCTOR dashes behind him and grabs two f*re extinguishers from the wall.)
DOCTOR: Hurry along, my dear fellah, hurry along!
(GREG places the coolant pipe on the floor and to hold the PRIMORDS at bay. Grabbing one of the extinguishers from the DOCTOR, the two men run out of central control. Behind them, the transformed STAHLMAN rises to his feet and starts to follow.)
12: EXT. CENTRAL CONTROL
(As the BRIGADE LEADER keeps watch on the surrounding area, PETRA herself keeps an eye on the door to central control.)
DR. PETRA WILLIAMS: There they are!
(The DOCTOR and GREG run out into the heat-drenched muggy atmosphere and they keep pace with the other three as they run as fast as they can away from central control.)
13: INT. CENTRAL CONTROL
(Within the building, STAHLMAN and the other PRIMORDS move cautiously towards the exit.)
14: EXT. COMPLEX
(Bessie, containing the five fugitives, screeches to a halt outside the Nuclear Reactor Switch Room. The passengers jump out and through the building door which the BRIGADE LEADER opens.)
15: INT. NUCLEAR REACTOR CONTROL ROOM
(The BRIGADE LEADER is also first into the control room which he pushes open, f*re extinguisher in hand. GREG, similarly armed, quickly follows. The room is empty.)
BRIGADE LEADER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: I'll check the inner corridor.
(He moves to the other side of the room and the second door. The other three enter and PETRA moves over to the flat-table console.)
DOCTOR: Now, Mr. Sutton, I'd better start work on the power connection. Will you be long, Dr. Williams?
DR. PETRA WILLIAMS: I have to re-route the entire electrical system before I can boost the power.
DOCTOR: Be as quick as you can.
SECTION LEADER ELIZABETH SHAW: What about the Brigade Leader and me?
DOCTOR: Well, you'd better wait here.
SECTION LEADER ELIZABETH SHAW: Isn't there anything we can do?
DOCTOR: No, I'm afraid not. (To GREG.) Now, I'll need some tools...and a length of heavy duty cable.
GREG SUTTON: We can pick that up at the Rigger's stores. You'll pass it on the way to the hut.
DOCTOR: Right, come on, let's get ...
(His words and movement out of the room are interrupted by a gigantic expl*si*n and the shaking of the room. The sweat-drenched survivors look round in panic.)
SECTION LEADER ELIZABETH SHAW: What's happening?!
GREG SUTTON: It's an earthquake!
DR. PETRA WILLIAMS: It's getting nearer!
GREG SUTTON: Yes, we're sitting on a powder keg!
DOCTOR: Right, come on!
(The two men run out. The BRIGADE LEADER, on watch on the other door, calls after them.)
BRIGADE LEADER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Get a move on!
16: EXT. COMPLEX
(The DOCTOR and GREG jump into Bessie and drive off.)
17: EXT. CENTRAL CONTROL
(A gasping, snarling PRIMORD comes out of the entrance to central control. It stands still for a moment, acclimatising to the temperature.)
18: INT. NUCLEAR REACTOR CONTROL ROOM
(The BRIGADE LEADER and the SECTION LEADER keep a watch on the main door as PETRA continues work on the wiring under the table.)
SECTION LEADER ELIZABETH SHAW: I wonder if those creatures are moving out yet?
BRIGADE LEADER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Quite possible.
DR. PETRA WILLIAMS: It's getting warm enough for them.
(The BRIGADE LEADER loses his nerve and stride round to her.)
BRIGADE LEADER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: (Impatiently.) How long is all this going to take?!
DR. PETRA WILLIAMS: I don't know.
BRIGADE LEADER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Well, can't you hurry it up, Dr. Williams?
DR. PETRA WILLIAMS: No, not if I'm to do the job properly.
BRIGADE LEADER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: You must! We've very little time!
(PETRA is almost tearful...)
DR. PETRA WILLIAMS: Brigade Leader, I'm trying very hard to carry out a complex scientific task under impossible conditions. You will not help matters by bullying me.
BRIGADE LEADER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: You are insolent, Dr. Williams!
(PETRA rounds on him.)
DR. PETRA WILLIAMS: Am I? Then it's about time that you learned that some problems just can't be solved by brute force and terror!
(The BRIGADE LEADER looks furious, barely controlling his temper.)
SECTION LEADER ELIZABETH SHAW: Better let her get on with it, Leader. We're in her hands.
BRIGADE LEADER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: We've got to the power through to the hut - it's our only chance.
SECTION LEADER ELIZABETH SHAW: But that Doctor said he can't take us with him.
BRIGADE LEADER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Do you think he wants to help us? He's only concerned with his own safety.
SECTION LEADER ELIZABETH SHAW: I think he's telling the truth. I think he has been all along.
BRIGADE LEADER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: When the time comes, he will take us.
(The SECTION LEADER looks at him.)
BRIGADE LEADER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: (Quietly.) He'll have no choice.
19: EXT. CENTRAL CONTROL
(The PRIMORD moves away from the entrance to central control. Another follows but stands still, breathing hard in an atmosphere that to it is cold and hostile.)
20: INT. DOCTOR'S GARAGE
(The DOCTOR drives Bessie into the garage. Behind the car is a length of cable which GREG is holding, having played it out on their short journey. The DOCTOR crosses to the console and GREG follows.)
GREG SUTTON: So that's the contraption is it?
DOCTOR: The console, Mr. Sutton , the console.
GREG SUTTON: Well, I thought it'd be a bit more impressive than that.
DOCTOR: What did you expect - some kind of space rocket with Batman at the controls?!
(The DOCTOR grins.)
GREG SUTTON: And this brought you all the way here, did it?
DOCTOR: Er, well, it wasn't exactly a journey in the accepted sense of the word. It sort of...slipped me sideways into your dimension.
GREG SUTTON: Will it take you back?
DOCTOR: Theoretically, yes.
GREG SUTTON: Well, is it all right?
DOCTOR: I hope so. Now fix the connector to the cable, will you?
GREG SUTTON: Right.
(GREG fetches a toolbox from the back seat of Bessie. He holds up the length of cable and a connector device.)
GREG SUTTON: I hate to tell you...but if we put the entire output of the nuclear reactor through this, it'll blow in the first few seconds.
DOCTOR: I few seconds are all I need, Mr. Sutton.
21: INT. NUCLEAR REACTOR CONTROL ROOM
(The BRIGADE LEADER stands over PETRA as she continues her work on the circuits and the earthquake rumbles continue outside.)
BRIGADE LEADER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Are you making any progress?
DR. PETRA WILLIAMS: I'm worried about the relay circuits. They're not functioning properly. I'm trying to rig up a bypass.
SECTION LEADER ELIZABETH SHAW: Could the reactor have packed up?
DR. PETRA WILLIAMS: No, it's still working, but it could go at any moment.
BRIGADE LEADER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: (Sarcastically.) Yes, we're well aware of that, Dr. Williams. You must hurry!
DR. PETRA WILLIAMS: As I've already told you, Brigade Leader, I'm hurrying as fast as I can.
(The SECTION LEADER gives her superior a look of contempt. At that moment, they are rocked by another huge quake. A look of fear appears on the BRIGADE LEADER'S face.)
SECTION LEADER ELIZABETH SHAW: (Mocking.) All right, Brigade Leader, we're still here!
BRIGADE LEADER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: (Sharply.) I don't like your tone!
(She stares him down.)
BRIGADE LEADER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Those expl*si*n are getting closer. I was thinking about the safety of all of us.
SECTION LEADER ELIZABETH SHAW: (Mocking.) Oh, yes, yes, of course you were!
(She smiles at him as they stagger under another quake.)
BRIGADE LEADER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: We've all got to get out of here!
DR. PETRA WILLIAMS: You go if you want to - I shall stay here and finish the work.
BRIGADE LEADER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: (Shouts.) You carry on with your work!
SECTION LEADER ELIZABETH SHAW: Where is there to go?
BRIGADE LEADER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: That spacecraft of the Doctor works - you've seen for yourself.
SECTION LEADER ELIZABETH SHAW: You don't really think you can force him to take us? He's not the sort of man you can frighten.
BRIGADE LEADER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Once that thing's working, we can take it over.
SECTION LEADER ELIZABETH SHAW: We don't know how to operate it.
(There is the sound of another huge expl*si*n.)
BRIGADE LEADER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Dr. Williams can learn how to operate it - she's a scientist!
SECTION LEADER ELIZABETH SHAW: That device is beyond all our comprehension.
(The BRIGADE LEADER starts to look slightly manic and unhinged.)
BRIGADE LEADER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Then I shall have to persuade him to operate it for us!
SECTION LEADER ELIZABETH SHAW: And if he tries to go by himself?
BRIGADE LEADER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: And leaves us to die? I shall make sure that he dies first.
(There is another deafening expl*si*n.)
22: INT. DOCTOR'S GARAGE
(The DOCTOR lies under the console, making adjustments.)
GREG SUTTON: If we get you back, Doctor, you'd better make darn sure they stop their drilling. I'd hate to think all this was for nothing.
(The DOCTOR gets to his feet.)
DOCTOR: Right. You can connect up the cable now.
GREG SUTTON: All right.
(GREG picks up the cable and the connector.)
GREG SUTTON: Cross our fingers and trust to luck.
DOCTOR: We're not relying on luck, Mr. Sutton - but skill.
23: INT. NUCLEAR REACTOR CONTROL ROOM
SECTION LEADER ELIZABETH SHAW: (To PETRA.) Finished?
DR. PETRA WILLIAMS: I think so. I just have to switch on and pre-set the power controls.
(She flicks a series of switches.)
SECTION LEADER ELIZABETH SHAW: How do we know the Doctor's ready for the power?
DR. PETRA WILLIAMS: Oh, it doesn't matter. The power won't flow until he switches on at his end.
BRIGADE LEADER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: And then we may all go up in smoke?!
DR. PETRA WILLIAMS: No, I've switched off all other circuits.
SECTION LEADER ELIZABETH SHAW: Good luck.
(PETRA pulls the handle of the power switch. There is no response and she looks devastated. The BRIGADE LEADER jumps forward.)
BRIGADE LEADER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Well? What's happened?
DR. PETRA WILLIAMS: Nothing.
SECTION LEADER ELIZABETH SHAW: There must still be a fault.
BRIGADE LEADER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: So, you've been wasting our time.
SECTION LEADER ELIZABETH SHAW: Try again.
(She tries again but the result is the same.)
DR. PETRA WILLIAMS: It's no use! I'll have to go through the whole wiring system all over again!
24: EXT. DOCTOR'S GARAGE
(GREG and the DOCTOR look out of the door of the garage. expl*si*n continue to be heard across the complex.)
GREG SUTTON: What's happened to them? They should be back here by now.
DOCTOR: You must try and be patient.
GREG SUTTON: If those expl*si*n reach the nuclear reactor...?
(He looks at the DOCTOR.)
DOCTOR: Yes, I know.
25: INT. NUCLEAR REACTOR CONTROL ROOM
(PETRA is once more making adjustments to the complex mass of wires under the console. They hear more expl*si*n and the room shakes again.)
BRIGADE LEADER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: That's coming from the drill-head!
SECTION LEADER ELIZABETH SHAW: The shaft must be splitting open!
BRIGADE LEADER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Well...
(The BRIGADE LEADER turns. STAHLMAN has come through the inner door and is stood behind SECTION LEADER SHAW.)
BRIGADE LEADER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Get out! Get out both of you!
(STAHLMAN dashes the extinguisher from the SECTION LEADER'S hands. She and PETRA run for the other door. After they have run through, the BRIGADE LEADER pumps three b*ll*ts into STAHLMAN. He screeches and falls slowly to the floor.)
26: EXT. COMPLEX
(The BRIGADE LEADER and the two women run out of the switch room building. Not far away, BENTON and another PRIMORD stagger round the side of a building, hunting for their prey. As the three fugitives make a run for the garage area, a quake shakes them to the ground. They get up and only manage a few more yards before a second quake has the same affect. A third quake once more stops their progress. The BRIGADE LEADER helps PETRA to her feet and they run off. Close behind them are BENTON and two PRIMORDS.)
27: EXT. DOCTOR'S GARAGE
(GREG is still keeping an eye out of the garage door.)
GREG SUTTON: No sign of them - nothing!
(The DOCTOR joins him.)
DOCTOR: Well, that appears to be that. I doubt whether they would have listened to me anyway.
(He goes back in.)
28: EXT. COMPLEX
(The two RSF officers and PETRA continue to run through the complex.)
29: EXT. DOCTOR'S GARAGE
(GREG sees them approaching.)
GREG SUTTON: They're coming! All three of them!
30: EXT. DOCTOR'S GARAGE
(GREG runs back into the garage.)
GREG SUTTON: Well done, Petra! Are you ready, Doc?
(The three run into the garage, all looking exhausted and despondent.)
DOCTOR: What's the matter?
DR. PETRA WILLIAMS: I'm sorry, I couldn't get the power through. I did all I could.
DOCTOR: Yes, of course you did, my dear.
GREG SUTTON: Well, we tried, eh Doctor?
DOCTOR: One can't do more than that, Mr. Sutton.
BRIGADE LEADER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: (Sarcastically.) Oh, very philosophical, Doctor. "Thank you very much, I knew you tried!" All very cosy!
DOCTOR: Hysteria won't help us, Brigade Leader.
(The BRIGADE LEADER can barely control his emotions. He sounds tearful.)
BRIGADE LEADER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Nothing will help us! That wall's gonna blast any minute and we'll all be roasted...alive.
GREG SUTTON: Look what's happening to our hard man! You were all very tough when you were backed up by a bunch of thugs! How do you like it on your own?!
BRIGADE LEADER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: I warn you...
GREG SUTTON: You warn me?! That's a laugh! You're finished, Brigade Leader - finished!
BRIGADE LEADER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: I can still deal with you, Sutton!
(He takes his p*stol out and jabs it in GREG'S ribs.)
GREG SUTTON: With that? Even if you had the guts, you'd only be doing me a favour.
(The BRIGADE LEADER fires but the magazine is empty. He fires several more times to useless effect and eventually throws the g*n to the floor. He shakes with anger.)
GREG SUTTON: What do you do now - slap my wrists?
BRIGADE LEADER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: I don't need a g*n to finish you!
(He makes a run for GREG and grabs him round the throat. GREG pushes his arms away, punches him in the stomach and then on the face. The BRIGADE LEADER staggers back against the shelves and then makes another run at GREG who easily pushes him onto the bonnet of the DOCTOR'S car. He pulls him back up and then punches him to the ground. He jumps on top of him and aims for another punch when...)
DOCTOR: (Shouts.) Listen to that! Do you want to end your lives fighting like animals?!
(GREG lowers his arm. He notices that someone is missing.)
GREG SUTTON: Where's Petra?
SECTION LEADER ELIZABETH SHAW: She's gone back to the main switch room to have another try at getting the power through.
GREG SUTTON: Oh, the idiot! I'd better get after her.
DOCTOR: I'll come with you.
GREG SUTTON: No, Doctor! You stay here. She might just manage it, and if she does, you need to be here.
(GREG runs out.)
31: INT. NUCLEAR REACTOR CONTROL ROOM
(Against the continuing sound of expl*si*n, STAHLMAN stirs on the floor but then falls back. PETRA, again making adjustments at the console fails to notice.
She turns back to the wires under the table and gasps with shock as the door bursts open. It is GREG.)
GREG SUTTON: (Shouts.) What do you think you're doing?!
DR. PETRA WILLIAMS: I'd nearly finished the rewiring when we had to run out of here. I only need a few more minutes.
GREG SUTTON: It was crazy to come back in here!
DR. PETRA WILLIAMS: It doesn't matter - he's d*ad.
GREG SUTTON: Well, he may not have been. What are you trying to do - commit su1c1de?
DR. PETRA WILLIAMS: What does it matter? We're nearly finished anyway.
(She dives back beneath the console.)
GREG SUTTON: All right - but get a move on!
(GREG moves back to keep an eye on the door. Behind him, STAHLMAN rises to his feet and makes a dive for PETRA. GREG is equally quick to run across the room and grab the fallen f*re extinguisher which he fires several times at point blank range at STAHLMAN. The transformed human falls slowly back to the ground.
PETRA is already back at the wiring.)
GREG SUTTON: Are you all right?
DR. PETRA WILLIAMS: I think so.
(She makes a final connection.)
DR. PETRA WILLIAMS: That should do it.
(She pulls the switch and a hum builds up. A series of four red lights flash on the front of the console.)
DR. PETRA WILLIAMS: It's working!
GREG SUTTON: All right, let's get back to the hut.
(They run out.)
32: INT. DOCTOR'S GARAGE
(As power reaches the garage, the column on the console starts to rise and fall and it too starts to hum. The three people react with surprise.)
SECTION LEADER ELIZABETH SHAW: The power's coming through!
(The DOCTOR runs to the console and starts to look over the readings and manipulate the controls.)
DOCTOR: It's coming through all right, and it's gaining rapidly.
SECTION LEADER ELIZABETH SHAW: Hurry, Doctor!
(PETRA and GREG run back in.)
DOCTOR: Well done, Dr. Williams!
DR. PETRA WILLIAMS: Quickly, Doctor. The power won't last for long.
BRIGADE LEADER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Long enough!
(PETRA and the SECTION LEADER turn. The BRIGADE LEADER is holding up his p*stol at the DOCTOR.)
BRIGADE LEADER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: You're going to take us with you, Doctor.
DOCTOR: I can't - that's impossible.
BRIGADE LEADER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: I advise you to try.
DOCTOR: I can't - I literally can't! It'd create a cosmic disaster.
BRIGADE LEADER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: You're not going to leave us here!
DOCTOR: Do you think I want to? I'd give anything to save you all.
GREG SUTTON: It's not loaded!
(The BRIGADE LEADER aims his g*n at the wall and fires a single sh*t. He has re-loaded his p*stol.)
SECTION LEADER ELIZABETH SHAW: (Warning.) Let him go, Brigade Leader.
BRIGADE LEADER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: We helped him - we've every right to go. I'll give you until three, Doctor. One...
DOCTOR: You'll have to sh**t me, Brigade Leader. I have no intention of taking you.
BRIGADE LEADER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Two...three...
(He jerks as a b*llet hits him and he falls. SECTION LEADER SHAW puts away her own g*n.)
SECTION LEADER ELIZABETH SHAW: Now's your chance, Doctor!
(GREG pulls the BRIGADE LEADER'S body out of the way.)
GREG SUTTON: Go on, Doctor! Get on with it!
33: EXT. COMPLEX
(Events reach their climax as the final expl*si*n rip through the buildings of the complex. Even BENTON and the PRIMORDS look up in surprise and fear at the apocalypse. A titanic expl*si*n tears the ground to pieces and the few complex workers who remain either stand in stunned silence at their impending doom or run and panic. Moans of grief are heard over the rumbles of disaster and streams of lava pour from the ground. A tattered RSF soldier tries to make a run for it but is stopped in his tracks as he sees spurts of lava ahead of him.)
34: INT. DOCTOR'S GARAGE
SECTION LEADER ELIZABETH SHAW: (Shouts.) Go on, Doctor! Go now!
DOCTOR: (Shouts.) I can't! It's still too erratic!
(A red glow comes through the open door. PETRA turns to look.)
DR. PETRA WILLIAMS: (Screams.) Greg!
(GREG and the SECTION LEADER turn. Through the open doors, a wall of lava is pouring towards the garage, engulfing everything in its path. The survivors within watch helplessly as death flows straight at them...) | {"type": "series", "show": "Doctor Who", "episode": "07x24 - Inferno - part 6"} | foreverdreaming |
INFERNO
by: DON HOUGHTON
EPISODE 7
Original Air Date: 20 June, 1970
5:15pm - 5:40pm
1: INT. DOCTOR'S GARAGE
SECTION LEADER ELIZABETH SHAW: (Shouts.) Go on, Doctor! Go now!
DOCTOR: (Shouts.) I can't! It's still too erratic!
(A red glow comes through the open door. PETRA turns to look.)
DR. PETRA WILLIAMS: (Screams.) Greg!
(GREG and the SECTION LEADER turn. Through the open doors, a wall of lava is pouring towards the garage, engulfing everything in its path. The survivors within watch helplessly as death flows straight at them...)
2: INT. DOCTOR'S GARAGE
(The DOCTOR lies unconscious on the floor of the garage. All is quiet. In place of the neat storage shelves of the fascist world, the garage is lined with the packed wooden shelves. The TARDIS console and Bessie have also made it back. He has made it back to his world. A buzzing is heard from the doors and they open. LIZ is stood outside holding the sonic screwdriver. At a glance she takes in the scene presented to her.)
LIZ: Doctor!
(She runs over to him and quickly feels his neck and forehead. She then runs back to the doors.)
3: EXT. DOCTOR'S GARAGE
(She yells across the area.)
LIZ: (Shouts.) Sergeant! Over here! Quickly!
4: INT. DOCTOR'S GARAGE
(She runs back inside and starts to examine the DOCTOR again. SERGEANT BENTON quickly follows.)
SERGEANT BENTON: What's the matter?
(He sees who is back.)
SERGEANT BENTON: It's the Doctor!
LIZ: (Sharply.) I can see that. Tell the Brigadier.
SERGEANT BENTON: Right, Miss Shaw.
(He runs off as LIZ starts to undo the DOCTOR'S collar and tie.)
5: INT. CENTRAL CONTROL
(The countdown clock reads 3:22:38. In a quiet calm central control that presents a stark contrast to the chaos of the "other" world, STAHLMAN, still wearing his white gloves, is giving new instructions to an increasing doubtful PETRA.)
PROFESSOR STAHLMAN: It's perfectly straightforward, Petra - we boost all power circuits to maximum and that'll give us a further acceleration of...
(He checks a clipboard which rests on top of the defunct computer.)
PROFESSOR STAHLMAN: ...three point six percent.
(He looks at PETRA and sees the indecision on her face.)
PROFESSOR STAHLMAN: Well, do you find some fault in my calculations?
PETRA WILLIAMS: Of course not, Professor Stahlman.
PROFESSOR STAHLMAN: Well then, what's the matter?
PETRA WILLIAMS: We're already twelve percent over the planned acceleration. Well, another three percent'll take us well over the safety margin.
PROFESSOR STAHLMAN: Oh, safety margins are for cautious old women like Sir Keith. I know perfectly well what I'm doing. Pass on my instructions please.
(He walks off towards the drill-head. GREG steps down from the upper level of consoles and, walking past PETRA, sees the troubled look on her face as she stares at the clipboard.)
GREG SUTTON: You look worried.
PETRA WILLIAMS: He's ordered a further acceleration - three point six percent.
GREG SUTTON: (Shocked.) But he can't do that!
PETRA WILLIAMS: I'm afraid he can.
GREG SUTTON: We're pushing the safety limits now.
PETRA WILLIAMS: Yes, I know.
GREG SUTTON: I'm gonna have a word with him.
(GREG moves towards the drill-head. PETRA runs after him and stops him.)
PETRA WILLIAMS: Greg! It's no use! He usually listens to me, but this time...
GREG SUTTON: But not any more, eh? Let's face it, Petra, he's losing his grip.
PETRA WILLIAMS: Professor Stahlman's been working on this project for years. He must know what's going on.
GREG SUTTON: But he can still make mistakes, can't he? If he makes one at this stage, it could be a lulu!
(GREG is about to set off once more but PETRA again stops him.)
PETRA WILLIAMS: Greg, let me talk to him first.
GREG SUTTON: All right. You go and soften him up and I'll close in for the k*ll.
(They smile at each other and PETRA goes after STAHLMAN. Meanwhile, the BRIGADIER enters central control, heading towards his office. SERGEANT BENTON comes running after him.)
SERGEANT BENTON: Sir?
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Well, Benton?
SERGEANT BENTON: 'Scuse me, sir, but it's the Doctor - he's...well, he's back.
(Stood nearby, GREG overhears this.)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Well, where is he?
SERGEANT BENTON: Well, he's in the hut, sir. Miss Shaw's with him.
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Right, I'll come back with you now.
SERGEANT BENTON: Right, sir.
(The two men leave.)
6: INT. DRILL-HEAD
(A technician helps STAHLMAN on with a white lab coat. The PROFESSOR walks over to a waiting PETRA.)
PROFESSOR STAHLMAN: My dear Miss Williams, much as I value your services, I must remind you that you're not in con...
(He is struck by another att*ck from the effect of the slime on his hand. He hears a sharp whistling tone in his head and he stares upwards in pain...)
PROFESSOR STAHLMAN: ...trol of the...
(His voice tails off. After a moment, he hears PETRA'S words echoing in his mind...)
PETRA WILLIAMS: Professor! Professor Stahlman!
(He screws his eyes up to clear his head. He then looks at a concerned PETRA.)
PETRA WILLIAMS: Are you all right? You look ill.
PROFESSOR STAHLMAN: Yes, I...I have a headache, that's all.
PETRA WILLIAMS: You really ought to go to the sickbay.
PROFESSOR STAHLMAN: I'm perfectly all right.
(He walks off. GREG enters the drill-head area and goes up to PETRA. She shakes her head but he carries straight on to the PROFESSOR.)
GREG SUTTON: Look, Professor Stahlman - this accelerated drilling - it just isn't on, you know.
PROFESSOR STAHLMAN: Someone else is about to tell me how to run my own project.
GREG SUTTON: Well, we should be slowing down at this stage, not forcing the pace.
PROFESSOR STAHLMAN: The drilling will continue at the pace I decide.
GREG SUTTON: Professor, you've been working on this project for years, right? What's the mad rush in the last few hours?
PROFESSOR STAHLMAN: We must reach penetration zero at the earliest possible moment.
(Again, he is ment*lly att*cked by the force from the Earth's depths.)
PROFESSOR STAHLMAN: Every...second...
(His eyes widen and he reels. GREG'S words echo at him...)
GREG SUTTON: Professor? Professor?!
(The PROFESSOR regains control of himself again. He looks sharply at GREG.)
GREG SUTTON: You need a rest.
PROFESSOR STAHLMAN: I don't want to discuss the matter any further. Please carry out my instructions at once.
(He stalks out of the drill-head area watched by an intensely concerned PETRA.)
GREG SUTTON: (To PETRA.) I thought you were supposed to soften him up?
PETRA WILLIAMS: He just wasn't listening! Greg, he's ill! He had some sort of att*ck!
GREG SUTTON: Yes, I saw it. Let's face it - this whole thing's getting too much for him, he's cracking up.
7: INT. DOCTOR'S GARAGE
(A camp bed has been brought into the DOCTOR'S garage and he lies on it unconscious. As the BRIGADIER watches, LIZ listens to his chest.)
LIZ: Hearts beating steadily.
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Both of them?
LIZ: Yes.
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Well, what's the matter with him?
LIZ: Some sort of coma.
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: How long before he comes out of it?
LIZ: Difficult to say. Could be a few hours...a few months.
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: (Concerned.) Months?
LIZ: Some people never recover.
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: I'll send for a doctor.
LIZ: I happen to be a doctor, Brigadier - remember?
(She feels the DOCTOR'S brow. The BRIGADIER is impatient...)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Well, shouldn't he be in hospital?
LIZ: I think it'd be very dangerous to move him at all.
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: What, leave him here?
LIZ: Why not? It's quiet. We can keep him warm.
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Miss Shaw, I really think he needs medical attention.
LIZ: (Insistent.) Brigadier, I will look after him.
8: INT. CENTRAL CONTROL
(GREG, undaunted, again approaches the PROFESSOR who is stood at the upper level consoles, checking readings against his notebook.)
GREG SUTTON: If you could spare me a moment, Professor? I've been checking an emergency flange on number two output pipe.
PROFESSOR STAHLMAN: It was repaired some time ago.
GREG SUTTON: Yes, well the man didn't do a very good job and at the rate we're drilling, that flange could blow at any moment.
PROFESSOR STAHLMAN: (Curtly.) Then what do you suggest?
GREG SUTTON: Well, if you could slow down the drilling rate, I can get a proper job done.
PROFESSOR STAHLMAN: Another transparent excuse for delay!
GREG SUTTON: (Angrily.) Excuse, nothing! At the speed we're drilling, we could blow this place sky high before you ever reach penetration zero.
PROFESSOR STAHLMAN: Mr. Sutton, you're here on sufferance. That being the case, I suggest...
GREG SUTTON: (Shouts.) I'm here because I was sent for by Sir Keith! And believe me, working with you is no pleasure!
PROFESSOR STAHLMAN: Then I suggest you stop interfering in matters beyond your understanding.
(GREG lets out a huge sigh of frustration.)
GREG SUTTON: I'm trying to help! I am supposed to be an advisor!
PROFESSOR STAHLMAN: Yes, one of Sir Keith's little army of experts. Well, we don't need your advice, Mr. Sutton. Now that ridiculous Doctor has gone, Sir Keith himself has gone, why don't you follow their example? And then we might make some progress.
(He walks off back towards the drill-head. GREG shouts after him.)
GREG SUTTON: Don't worry, I'll do just that! As far as I'm concerned you can blow yourself to kingdom come!
(The various technicians look up. GREG starts to walk out but PETRA runs after him.)
PETRA WILLIAMS: Greg?! You're not serious, are you?
GREG SUTTON: Of course I'm serious. If I can't do anything else, at least I can save my own neck.
(He goes back to her.)
GREG SUTTON: Why don't you come with me?
PETRA WILLIAMS: You're convinced there'll be a blow up!
GREG SUTTON: I'd take odds on it - well?
PETRA WILLIAMS: I can't leave, you know that.
GREG SUTTON: Loyal to the last, eh?
PETRA WILLIAMS: I wish you'd change your mind about leaving.
GREG SUTTON: Why?
PETRA WILLIAMS: Well, if anything were to happen, I...I'd like to think you were here.
GREG SUTTON: (Bitterly.) Just for the good of the project?
PETRA WILLIAMS: (Shouts.) No!
(She collects herself.)
PETRA WILLIAMS: Not entirely. (Smiles.) I've just got used to your being around.
GREG SUTTON: (Smiles.) Maybe I haven't been wasting my time down here after all?
(Their new understanding is rudely interrupted by the blare of the alarm klaxon...)
9: INT. DRILL-HEAD
(Smoke pours out of the roaring drill-head. At the base of number two output pipe, the green substance starts to emerge.)
10: INT. DOCTOR'S GARAGE
(The alarm noise have reached the DOCTOR'S hut, the BRIGADIER is on the phone...)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: (Into phone.) Hello. Get me control. (He listens, then angrily.) Yes, I can hear the alarms. Now this is Brigadier Lethbridge Stewart, now get me control!
(On the camp bed, the DOCTOR'S face spasms as the noise of the alarm reaches through to him.)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: (Into phone.) Hello, control? Lethbridge Stewart here. Now, what's happening? (He listens.) Yes. (Listens.)
Yes, yes, yes, go on! (Listens.) How serious?
(The DOCTOR, still hearing the klaxon, suddenly groans. LIZ is instantly by his side.)
LIZ: Doctor!
(His eyes still closed, the DOCTOR struggles to speak...)
DOCTOR: Number two...number two output pipe blown...
LIZ: Doctor, can you hear me?
DOCTOR: Number two output...output pipe...
(The BRIGADIER, now off the phone, looks down at the DOCTOR in amazement.)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: What did he say?
DOCTOR: Very dangerous...very dangerous...number two...output pipe blown.
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: How on earth did he know?
LIZ: What?
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: The emergency flange on number two output pipe has blown. It's just this minute happened!
DOCTOR: (Groans.) ...
LIZ: (To the BRIGADIER.) Listen...
DOCTOR: (Feverishly.) There's only...only one thing...one thing to do...reverse, huh...reverse all systems...reverse all systems immediately.
LIZ: Reverse all systems.
DOCTOR: Reverse all systems...!
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Delirious...
DOCTOR: Yes...
LIZ: He knew about the leak, almost as though he expected it.
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: But how could he? Look at him - he's still in a coma.
LIZ: Doctor, can you hear me?
(But the DOCTOR is again still.)
LIZ: Doctor? Doctor?
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: It's no good.
LIZ: Keep an eye on him, Brigadier. I think central control ought to know about this.
(She walks towards the doors of the garage.)
11: INT. CENTRAL CONTROL
(Technicians are running across central control in a panic. STAHLMAN runs out of the smoke-filled drill-head, shouting as he goes.)
PROFESSOR STAHLMAN: (Shouts.) ... This is only a minor emergency! It can be contained!
(PETRA and GREG are at the upper level consoles.)
PETRA WILLIAMS: Professor, stop the drill!
PROFESSOR STAHLMAN: No, positively not.
GREG SUTTON: Then you'd better do something and quick, Professor, otherwise you'll bust this place wide open!
PROFESSOR STAHLMAN: Have those riggers arrived yet?
GREG SUTTON: Look, an army of riggers are not going to get you out of this one!
(STAHLMAN sees technicians coming out of the drill-head and goes over to them, haranguing them back into the smoky interior.)
PROFESSOR STAHLMAN: (Shouts.) Oh, get back there - go on! Get back to your posts all of you! Back to the drill-head ...
(GREG, furious, watches him go.)
GREG SUTTON: Look at him - he's out of his mind! He's not even trying to think of a solution!
(LIZ has entered central control.)
PETRA WILLIAMS: Is there one?!
LIZ: What would happen if you reversed all the systems?
GREG SUTTON: What?
LIZ: Reversed everything.
GREG SUTTON: Well it's not such a crazy idea. It's been done before.
PETRA WILLIAMS: With an oil shaft?
GREG SUTTON: Yes, in Arabia. You push all the coolant down the output pipes and draw up the debris from the bottom of the shaft in the input pipes.
LIZ: Reverse the vortex?
GREG SUTTON: Yes.
LIZ: It's a possibility - theoretically.
(PETRA considers...)
PETRA WILLIAMS: Professor Stahlman would never permit it!
LIZ: Just do it.
GREG SUTTON: Why not? What about it, Petra?
(PETRA, for once, acts independently.)
PETRA WILLIAMS: Come on!
(They run off.)
12: INT. DOCTOR'S GARAGE
(The DOCTOR still lies with his eyes closed but his face is creased in pain as hears the continuing klaxon. Suddenly the alarm stops and the DOCTOR'S features relax...)
13: INT. CENTRAL CONTROL
(GREG is at one console with PETRA. He crosses to LIZ.)
GREG SUTTON: Well, I reckon it's working.
LIZ: Seems to be.
GREG SUTTON: That was a brilliant idea of yours.
LIZ: Oh, it wasn't my idea.
GREG SUTTON: Then who? No, don't tell me - the Doctor. I heard he was back.
LIZ: That's right - the Doctor.
14: INT. DRILL-HEAD
(There is still a small amount of smoke coming from the drill-head.)
15: INT. CENTRAL CONTROL
(GREG watches as STAHLMAN confronts PETRA.)
PROFESSOR STAHLMAN: I gave no such orders.
(She stands her ground.)
PETRA WILLIAMS: No, Professor Stahlman, I did.
PROFESSOR STAHLMAN: Even you, Petra.
(Frowning, he walks off.)
16: INT. DOCTOR'S GARAGE
(The DOCTOR starts to stir. LIZ'S words echo through to him.)
LIZ: Doctor, are you all right?
(He slowly opens his eyes.)
DOCTOR: (Quietly.) Liz? It is Liz?
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: How are you, Doctor?
DOCTOR: Fine, Brigadier.
(He stares at the BRIGADIER.)
DOCTOR: You know, you really do look better with that moustache.
(LIZ and the BRIGADIER look at each other in puzzlement.)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Delirious, poor chap.
(The DOCTOR tries to sit up. LIZ helps him.)
LIZ: Doctor, you really ought to...rest. You...you've been unconscious.
DOCTOR: Yes, I'm very well aware of that.
(He feels his wrist.)
DOCTOR: Oh...oh, the pulse seems to be more or less normal...at a hundred and seventy.
(LIZ smiles. The DOCTOR feels his chest.)
DOCTOR: Yeah, yes, both ticking away quite nicely. Although the right one seems a fraction faster. Still that's only to be expected, isn't it?
LIZ: Doctor, where did you go? Where did the TARDIS console take you?
(The DOCTOR becomes somewhat fearful and nervous as he starts to think of his recent experiences...)
DOCTOR: Same time, same place...only a different dimension. It was a parallel world, Liz. Terrible things are happening there - terrible things. It wasn't this Earth, and...yet it was. I didn't go...backwards into the past, or forwards into the future. I slipped sideways.
(He swings his legs off the camp bed as if he is about to get up.)
LIZ: (Gently.) You must lie down.
DOCTOR: Brigade Leader...?
(The BRIGADIER and LIZ look at each other at the use of this unfamiliar title.)
DOCTOR: That technician, the one who went berserk and started k*lling people, have you found him yet?
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: No.
DOCTOR: And Stahlman, how's he?
LIZ: Still as difficult as ever.
DOCTOR: But no worse?
LIZ: Well, I haven't noticed.
DOCTOR: How's the drilling?
(Suddenly, there is a knock at the garage door. Watched by the DOCTOR, LIZ goes and opens it up with the sonic screwdriver. SIR KEITH GOLD, his left arm in a sling, walks in. The DOCTOR is both amazed and delighted.)
DOCTOR: Sir Keith!
SIR KEITH GOLD: My dear fellow, so you've come back to us after all.
DOCTOR: So you're not d*ad?!
(LIZ closes the doors.)
SIR KEITH GOLD: Well, no, I came very close to it though.
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Why, what happened?
SIR KEITH GOLD: Car crash.
DOCTOR: But you're not d*ad?
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: (Slightly embarrassed.) You can see he's not d*ad.
(He moves closer to SIR KEITH and speaks quietly.)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: The Doctor's been ill, sir.
(The DOCTOR starts to mutter excitedly to himself...)
DOCTOR: That's excellent! Excellent!
SIR KEITH GOLD: Well, yes, yes, I think so too! Brigadier, I shall have to lay very serious charges against Professor Stahlman. He ordered my chauffeur to delay my return.
(The DOCTOR thinks furiously and once more mutters aloud to himself...)
DOCTOR: So not everything runs parallel.
SIR KEITH GOLD: (To the BRIGADIER.) He's been ill, you say?
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Yes, a coma.
DOCTOR: (To himself.) Yes, of course, of course, an infinity of universes! Ergo - an infinite number of choices. So free will is not an illusion after all! The pattern can be changed!
(Behind him, the BRIGADIER crosses to the phone.)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: (Into phone.) Hello, get me the medical section will you? (He listens.) Thank you.
(The DOCTOR jumps up and strides over to him.)
DOCTOR: Now look...
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: (Into phone.) Yes, very well.
(The DOCTOR snatches the phone from him.)
DOCTOR: Now, wait a minute. I'm not sick, I'm not in need of a doctor and I'm not a raving idiot!
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: (Reassuringly.) No, no, no, of course not. Perhaps you've...had some sort of nightmare.
LIZ: He did disappear - we saw him!
(The DOCTOR, as intense as he's ever been, goes back to SIR KEITH.)
DOCTOR: Sir Keith, unless we do something very, very quickly indeed, there's going to be a disaster.
SIR KEITH GOLD: Well, how do you know, Doctor?
DOCTOR: Because I've already seen it!
17: INT. CENTRAL CONTROL
(Followed by LIZ, the BRIGADIER and SIR KEITH, the DOCTOR runs into central control and straight up to STAHLMAN.)
DOCTOR: Professor Stahlman?! You must stop this drilling immediately!
PROFESSOR STAHLMAN: (Furious.) Who let this maniac back in here?!
DOCTOR: (Shouts.) Do you hear me? Close down this operation now!
PROFESSOR STAHLMAN: (Shouts.) Brigadier - arrest this man!
(The DOCTOR yells at all in the room...)
DOCTOR: (Shouts.) Now listen to me - all of you! You are not to attempt to penetrate the Earth's crust!
PROFESSOR STAHLMAN: (Shouts.) Brigadier, you hear what I say?
(The BRIGADIER steps forward.)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Doctor, please?
DOCTOR: (Shouts.) Now you get out of my light!
(The DOCTOR runs to a console, picks up a spanner and starts to hammer at one of the consoles. Sparks and smoke erupt from it.)
DOCTOR: (Shouts.) Now stop this drilling!
(The BRIGADIER runs up and tries to restrain him.)
LIZ: (Shouts.) Doctor!
DOCTOR: (Shouts.) Stop this drilling! You don't understand, do you?!
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: (Shouts.) Benton, get some help - quickly!
DOCTOR: (Shouts.) You've got stop this drilling!
GREG SUTTON: (Shouts.) Now Doctor, calm down!
PROFESSOR STAHLMAN: You see? Completely demented!
DOCTOR: (Shouts.) Stop this drilling!
(BENTON and two soldiers run up. As the DOCTOR protests incoherently, the two soldiers start to drag him away.)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: (Shouts.) All right, Benton, go on! Take him to the sick bay and be careful - I don't want him hurt!
LIZ: (Shouts.) No, you can't!
(The DOCTOR struggles to get a last word with LIZ before he is dragged away.)
DOCTOR: (Shouts.) Now Liz, listen to me - computer - there's a micro circuit missing!
LIZ: I'll look. Will you treat him carefully?!
(The DOCTOR is pulled out, still protesting.)
DOCTOR: Stop it! Stop this drilling!
PROFESSOR STAHLMAN: Brigadier, I hold you responsible.
SIR KEITH GOLD: Professor Stahlman, I'd like to speak to you please.
PROFESSOR STAHLMAN: Ah, Sir Keith. I thought you were supposed to be in London.
(He notices the sling.)
PROFESSOR STAHLMAN: An accident?
SIR KEITH GOLD: (Angrily.) This is a direct consequence of your orders to my chauffeur.
PROFESSOR STAHLMAN: Mmm? Huh! Ridiculous!
SIR KEITH GOLD: Professor, the Minister would like you to report to him immediately .....
PROFESSOR STAHLMAN: (Interrupts.) Oh, he would, would he?
SIR KEITH GOLD: There's to be an inquiry into this project and, if I may say so, into your conduct.
PROFESSOR STAHLMAN: You can make as many inquiries as you like, my dear Gold, after we've penetrated the Earth's crust.
(He leaves SIR KEITH stuck for words.)
18: INT. DRILL-HEAD
(PETRA speaks to one of the technicians at the back of the drill-head area and then crosses the room to the PROFESSOR, absorbed as usual in collecting data in his notebook.)
PETRA WILLIAMS: Professor Stahlman, I'll be switching to robot controls in forty-nine minutes.
PROFESSOR STAHLMAN: Thank you.
(She is about to move off but notices that STAHLMAN seems to sniff the air and crick his neck.)
PETRA WILLIAMS: Any wrong, Professor?
PROFESSOR STAHLMAN: I feel...very cold in here.
PETRA WILLIAMS: Cold?
PROFESSOR STAHLMAN: Yeah, have the maintenance people raise the temperature.
PETRA WILLIAMS: But it's running normally.
PROFESSOR STAHLMAN: Do as I say.
(She moves off. As soon as she has gone, STAHLMAN suffers another att*ck. The technicians mutter to each other as they watch him stare wide-eyed across the room. Suddenly, he calls out to them.)
PROFESSOR STAHLMAN: All of you leave this area immediately! Go on!
(They move to the doorway and watch him.)
PROFESSOR STAHLMAN: I shall control...the last phase of this operation alone. Stand by in the drill-head there.
(He moves towards them to urge them out of the room, which they do.)
PROFESSOR STAHLMAN: Now, go on! Get out, all of you, go on! Do as I say!
(As soon as they have gone, he clutches his head.)
19: INT. CENTRAL CONTROL
(GREG speaks to this displaced technicians and then tells PETRA what has happened...)
GREG SUTTON: Well, he's just ordered them all out of there. Now do you believe he's cracked up?
PETRA WILLIAMS: Greg, the heat shield!
(They look across to the drill-head area where the heat shield hums down into place.)
20: EXT. COMPLEX
(Holding him by the arm, the two soldiers lead the DOCTOR out of one of the buildings and across the complex. The DOCTOR stops...)
DOCTOR: Well, I'm sorry about this, gentlemen.
(...and grabs the soldiers in a nerve hold. They groan and fall to the ground. He runs off as fast as he can. Clutching their necks, the soldiers recover as they watch him go. Meanwhile, the DOCTOR runs beneath some of the machine-like structures and starts to climb a vertical fixed ladder within. The soldiers recover fully and start to give chase. The DOCTOR'S climb brings him out on one of the lower level gasometer structures. Well practised by now, he ducks down below the eye level of anyone below and watches as the soldiers run by. Rising into place once they have gone, he hears animal noises behind him and turns to see the transforming BROMLEY on the other side of the circular catwalk. The DOCTOR backs off round the catwalk to where a f*re extinguisher hangs. He takes it up and manages to have it pointed at BROMLEY before he lunges at him. Several jets of the spray send the creature to the ground.)
21: INT. DRILL-HEAD
(The green slime is seeping freely out of the grill at the base of number two output pipe. STAHLMAN, his gloves off, stares at the substances and then runs his hair covered hands through it before wiping it on his face. He cries out in a primordial type scream...)
PROFESSOR STAHLMAN: No!
(He falls to the ground, screaming and roaring.)
22: INT. CENTRAL CONTROL
(His calls are carried through the tannoy. A distraught PETRA shouts at the loudspeaker...)
PETRA WILLIAMS: Professor Stahlman! Please! What's happening! What's going on in there?!
SIR KEITH GOLD: Why don't you raise the heat shield?
GREG SUTTON: Because he's locked it down on manuals from the inside!
23: INT. DRILL-HEAD
(STAHLMAN, like his counterpart in the other world, has transformed into a full Primord. He stands and looks towards the heat shield.)
24: INT. CENTRAL CONTROL
(As per the DOCTOR'S advice, LIZ has fixed the computer and looks over the ticker-tape print out it churns out. The final countdown to penetration zero has started.)
GREG SUTTON: What does the thing say now?
COUNTDOWN VOICE: Zero minus two minutes, fifty seconds...
LIZ: The Doctor's right! It advises us to stop the drilling at once!
(LIZ, PETRA, the BRIGADIER and PETRA all look at SIR KEITH for guidance.)
COUNTDOWN VOICE: ...robot ... now operational.
GREG SUTTON: Why don't you give the order, Sir Keith?
SIR KEITH GOLD: Oh, I can't. The order to close down must come from the Professor. I have no authority to intervene.
COUNTDOWN VOICE: Zero minus two minutes, forty seconds...
(The DOCTOR has made his way back to central control. He calls out to the group from the entrance.)
DOCTOR: Where's Stahlman?
LIZ: He's locked himself in there!
COUNTDOWN VOICE: ... now to final build up.
DOCTOR: Good, then stop this infernal drilling.
(They don't move.)
DOCTOR: Well, what are you waiting for?!
COUNTDOWN VOICE: Zero minus two minutes, thirty seconds...
DOCTOR: Stop this drilling and start filling up that shaft!
COUNTDOWN VOICE: ... final ...
SIR KEITH GOLD: The data from the computer isn't conclusive, Doctor, nor is Stahlman's behaviour. We have no proof of an emergency situation.
(The heat shield starts to rise. They all turn to look at it.)
COUNTDOWN VOICE: Zero minus two minutes, twenty seconds. Heat control shields now on stand-by.
(STAHLMAN'S legs are revealed as the heat shield rises further. The hairy clenching hands are observed next and finally all the proof SIR KEITH needs is provided when the animal that once was STAHLMAN lunges growling into the room. PETRA screams and all including the technicians fall back. The BRIGADIER pulls out his p*stol.
COUNTDOWN VOICE: Zero minus two minutes...
DOCTOR: Stahlman, get back!
COUNTDOWN VOICE: ...ten seconds.
(The DOCTOR reaches for a f*re extinguisher.)
DOCTOR: Sutton, the f*re extinguishers!
(STAHLMAN brings a chair crashing down on the DOCTOR'S back as the BRIGADIER fires. The DOCTOR is unharmed.)
DOCTOR: f*re!
(The two men both f*re at STAHLMAN. He writhes under the combined f*re of the jets and falls to the floor.)
COUNTDOWN VOICE: Zero minus two minutes, zero seconds and counting. Condition red-three now commences.
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: That's Stahlman?
SIR KEITH GOLD: What's happened to him?
DOCTOR: Petra, the drill - close it down.
COUNTDOWN VOICE: Zero minus one minute...
(PETRA runs for a console, followed by the DOCTOR, SIR KEITH and GREG.)
SIR KEITH GOLD: Cut off the nuclear power!
COUNTDOWN VOICE: ...fifty seconds.
PETRA WILLIAMS: But the drill will disintegrate!
COUNTDOWN VOICE: Final re-check - all monitoring circuits.
GREG SUTTON: All the better!
(PETRA reaches her console and shouts out instructions...)
PETRA WILLIAMS: Prepare for emergency shutdown!
(A series of countdown voices report in from other sections over the tannoy system...)
FIRST SHUTDOWN VOICE: Section one standing by.
COUNTDOWN VOICE: Zero minus one minute...
SECOND SHUTDOWN VOICE: Section two standing by.
COUNTDOWN VOICE: ...forty seconds.
THIRD SHUTDOWN VOICE: Section three standing by.
COUNTDOWN VOICE: Technical personnel at final stations.
DOCTOR: Hurry, hurry!
PETRA WILLIAMS: Shutdown...now!
(She flicks a switch.)
FIRST SHUTDOWN VOICE: Section one - shutdown.
COUNTDOWN VOICE: Zero minus one minute, thirty seconds.
SECOND SHUTDOWN VOICE: Section two - shutdown.
COUNTDOWN VOICE: Final power build-up now completed.
THIRD SHUTDOWN VOICE: Section three - shutdown. Shutdown completed.
(The noise from the drill continues to reach them.)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: But it's still going on!
COUNTDOWN VOICE: Zero minus one minute, twenty seconds.
DOCTOR: (To GREG.) That's the buffer controls at the drill-head - come on!
COUNTDOWN VOICE: Non-technical staff to safety positions.
(The DOCTOR and GREG run into the drill-head.)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Buffer controls?
SIR KEITH GOLD: Oh, they it slow down by stages. It'll keep going for at least five minutes.
25: INT. DRILL-HEAD
(Within the drill-head area, one of the wall units has been ripped out and the wires hang loosely.)
COUNTDOWN VOICE: Zero minus one minute, ten seconds.
GREG SUTTON: The server switches are smashed!
COUNTDOWN VOICE: All systems check for final countdown.
GREG SUTTON: Is there anything you can do?
DOCTOR: I can only try.
(The DOCTOR takes a screwdriver out of his pocket and starts to work on the unit.)
26: INT. CENTRAL CONTROL
(Within central control, the BRIGADIER, LIZ, PETRA and SIR KEITH look tensely towards the drill-head area.)
COUNTDOWN VOICE: Zero minus one minute, zero seconds and counting. Final countdown commences now.
27: INT. DRILL-HEAD
(The DOCTOR frantically rewires the unit.)
COUNTDOWN VOICE: Zero minus...
28: INT. CENTRAL CONTROL
COUNTDOWN VOICE: ...fifty seconds. Stand by.
(The two men walk out of the drill-head.)
COUNTDOWN VOICE: Attention...attention...countdown drilling stopped at minus thirty-five seconds. All systems are ...
(The rest of the announcement is drowned out by cries of relief from all in the room. The DOCTOR and GREG smile at each other as LIZ runs over and hugs the DOCTOR and GREG and PETRA do the same.)
DOCTOR: Sir Keith, I think you'd better give orders...for that shaft to be filled in straight away.
SIR KEITH GOLD: Indeed, I will.
(He moves off. The DOCTOR, LIZ and the BRIGADIER look down at the d*ad STAHLMAN.)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: I'll send for a stretcher party.
29: INT. DOCTOR'S GARAGE
(The emergency over, the DOCTOR and LIZ both work at the TARDIS console.)
DOCTOR: "Shine on, Martian moons, up in the sky!" Join in. Liz, come on.
(LIZ has been quietly singing herself but she stops when there is a hammering on the door in order to open it with the sonic screwdriver.)
DOCTOR: "Shine on, shine on, Martian moon..."
(The BRIGADIER and SIR KEITH enter.)
SIR KEITH GOLD: Sorry to disturb you, Doctor. I just popped in to say goodbye.
DOCTOR: Oh, are you leaving, Sir Keith?
SIR KEITH GOLD: Everyone is.
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Word came through this morning. This project is being officially abandoned.
DOCTOR: Well, I'm not sorry to hear that. Well, what about the nuclear reactor?
SIR KEITH GOLD: They're dismantling it tomorrow.
DOCTOR: Oh, but there's time for me to use it just once more, I hope?
SIR KEITH GOLD: Oh, yes, of course, with pleasure. It's the least we can do.
DOCTOR: Thank you, Sir Keith. By the way, how's Sutton and Miss Williams?
SIR KEITH GOLD: Oh, they've left already.
LIZ: Together?
SIR KEITH GOLD: Well, I believe he is driving her to London in his car.
(They laugh gently.)
DOCTOR: Nothing like a nice happy ending, is there?
SIR KEITH GOLD: No. Well, er, goodbye, Doctor.
DOCTOR: Goodbye, Sir Keith.
(They shake hands.)
SIR KEITH GOLD: Goodbye, Miss Shaw.
LIZ: Bye bye, Sir Keith.
(They too shake hands and LIZ re-opens the door for SIR KEITH. The BRIGADIER shows him out but the DOCTOR thinks he is going too.)
DOCTOR: Goodbye, Brigadier.
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Oh, there's quite a lot of mopping up to do. I shall be around for quite a while yet.
DOCTOR: Oh ho, pity! Well, come on, Liz. If we've got to link up to that nuclear reactor, we'd better get a move on.
LIZ: Now, just a moment, Doctor...
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Doctor, you're not still tinkering with this machine after all the trouble it's caused us?
DOCTOR: (Angrily.) The trouble it's caused you?!
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Doctor, if you hadn't chosen such a crucial moment to disappear, this whole business might have been cleared up a great deal sooner!
LIZ: Well, he did try to warn everybody, Brigadier.
DOCTOR: And a fat lot of notice you all took!
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: So, you went gallivanting off in a fit of pique!
DOCTOR: Brigadier, there are times when you strongly remind me of your other self! I shall leave at once.
(He crosses to the power unit and starts to switch it on.)
LIZ: In the TARDIS console?
DOCTOR: Naturally.
LIZ: Oh, but Doctor, you can't!
(The DOCTOR crosses back to the console and starts to switch that on.)
DOCTOR: With the work that we did today, the TARDIS console is now fully operational.
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: We seem to have heard that before.
(The DOCTOR poises before operating the console.)
DOCTOR: Goodbye, Liz. I shall miss you, my dear. But I've had about all I can stand of this pompous self-opinionated idiot here!
(The BRIGADIER'S mouth drops but before he can say anything, the DOCTOR and the console disappear. LIZ turns on the BRIGADIER.)
LIZ: Now see what you've done!
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Well, I didn't know he'd go off like that. The man's so infernally touchy.
LIZ: Well, I shall be most interested to see how you get on without him, Brigadier.
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: May I remind you, Miss Shaw, that you're still a serving member of UNIT? I don't entirely care for your tone.
LIZ: I don't much care for yours either! No wonder the Doctor cleared off.
(There is an embarrassed cough from the doorway. The DOCTOR is stood there, his immaculate coat and trousers covered in stains.)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Welcome back!
LIZ: Where did you go?
DOCTOR: A few seconds forward in time...and a few hundred yards due east in space.
(LIZ thinks...)
LIZ: The rubbish tip?
DOCTOR: (Ruefully.) The rubbish tip.
LIZ: (Laughs.) Oh, dear!
(The DOCTOR goes up to the BRIGADIER with a sheepish look on his face.)
DOCTOR: Erm, Brigadier, my dear fellah, I wonder whether I could borrow a couple of your stalwart chaps to give me a hand in bringing the TARDIS back?
It's landed in rather an inaccessible position.
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: "Pompous, self-opinionated idiot" I believe you said, Doctor?
DOCTOR: Yes, well we...we don't want to bear a grudge for a few hasty words, do we?
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Mmm.
(The DOCTOR pats him on the back and leads him to the door.)
DOCTOR: No, not after all the years that we've worked together. Now come long, my dear fellah, put on a smile! Just remember...
(LIZ bursts into laughter as they go.) | {"type": "series", "show": "Doctor Who", "episode": "07x25 - Inferno - part 7"} | foreverdreaming |
TERROR OF THE AUTONS
BY: ROBERT HOLMES
EPISODE ONE
Original Air Date: 2 January, 1971
5:15pm - 5:40pm
1: EXT. CIRCUS
(The colourful tent of the "International Circus" is filling with people. The owner, Luigi ROSSINI, a small rotund man in a check suit and a bowler hat stands outside and watches everybody enter with a nod of satisfaction. He walks round the tent, past the tiger cage and to a quiet spot where he stops to light his cigar. The quiet of the spot is disturbed by the sound of a TARDIS materialising and a brand new looking, blue horse box appears a little way off.
ROSSINI looks amazed and frowns, then he goes over and tries to open one of the doors on the rear left-hand side of the box. Failing, he goes round to the other side. Immediately that he has gone the door opens and a smartly dressed black clothed figure jumps out. He has a moustache and beard and dark hair with streaks of grey. He has a compact though powerful demeanour. His movements and manner are precise and controlled. He swings round when he hears ROSSINI'S Italian accent.)
ROSSINI: Who the heck are you? Well?
(The new arrival looks impassively at the circus owner who has just walked back from the other side of the horsebox. He answers in rich, precise tones.)
MASTER: I am usually referred to as the Master.
ROSSINI: Oh? Is that so?
MASTER: Universally.
ROSSINI: Mmm, well I am Luigi Rossini, internationally, and conjurers I don't need. Okay?
MASTER: Unfortunately I need you, Lew Russell.
(ROSSINI is amazed at this comment and he suddenly drops the Italian accent and speaks in his natural cockney tones.)
ROSSINI: What did you call me?
MASTER: Lew Russell - it happens to be your real name.
ROSSINI: Now listen Mister - get orf my pitch while you're still safe!
MASTER: (Menacingly.) Why, you insolent primitive!
ROSSINI: Oh, so you it want the 'ard way do you? Right!
(ROSSINI reaches out to grab the MASTER but he easily holds his arm him and forces him down. The MASTER stares at him with a hypnotic look, which overcomes the circus owner. The MASTER then lets him go and walks off leaving ROSSINI kneeling on the ground. After he has gone a short distance, the MASTER stops and snaps his fingers. ROSSINI jumps up and follows him.)
2: INT. NATIONAL SPACE MUSEUM
(The clear, plastic like Nestene energy unit sits in an amm*nit*on box. This in turn resides in a glass case in a museum. The black gloved hand of the MASTER smashes the display case. A nearby uniformed ATTENDANT hears the noise.)
MUSEUM ATTENDANT: Hey you! What do you think you're doing?
(ROSSINI clubs the ATTENDANT down from behind, allowing the MASTER to steal the sphere.)
3: INT. UNIT HQ. LABORATORY
(The DOCTOR is in a new laboratory at UNIT HQ. Brick walled painted white; it has an upper level reached by a metal spiral staircase and a window overlooking a canal. The TARDIS sits in the corner of the lab. From inside comes the sound of the DOCTOR singing...)
DOCTOR: (OOV: Singing) "I don't want to set the world on f*re!"
(There is a loud expl*si*n and the DOCTOR stumbles out of the TARDIS followed by a cloud of smoke. He coughs and continues to sing quietly to himself as he carries a small multi-pronged circuit over to a lab bench. He sits down and places the circuit with a larger device, which has three aerial like devices radiating back in to a central point. As he continues to work, there is a knock on the green arched metal door to the lab.)
DOCTOR: Not today, thank you!
(The door opens and JO Grant - a young fair-haired girl, trendily dressed with a collection of rings on all her fingers - nervously steps into the room, carrying a paper file.)
JO: Doctor? I er...
DOCTOR: (Without looking up.) I said not today, thank you.
(The DOCTOR presses a switch on the machine. There is a whirring noise followed by a small expl*si*n within its workings.)
DOCTOR: Oh no!
(The girl quickly runs over to a nearby f*re extinguisher, grabs it and sprays the bench. The DOCTOR jumps back in alarm.)
DOCTOR: Oh no!
JO: It's all right. I've dealt with it.
DOCTOR: Dealt with it? You've ruined it!
JO: But your bench was on f*re!
DOCTOR: (Furiously.) Three months delicate work and now look at it, you ham fisted bung-vender!
JO: But this whole place might have gone up in flames!
DOCTOR: My dear young lady. Steady state micro welding always creates more smoke than f*re.
JO: (Puzzled.) Steady state micro welding?
DOCTOR: Yes. An advanced engineering technique pioneered by the Lammerdenes. A remarkably gifted race - they have nine opposable digits.
JO: Nine what?
DOCTOR: Nine opposable digits.
(He realises that the girl does not understand.)
DOCTOR: Yes, well never mind.
(He returns back to the machine but soon realises that JO hasn't gone but is standing watching him.)
DOCTOR: Look, I said I don't want any tea today, thank you.
JO: I'm not the tea lady.
DOCTOR: Then what the blazes are you doing in here?
JO: I've come...
DOCTOR: (Interrupting.) Don't you know this area is strictly out of bounds to everybody except the tea lady and the Brigadier's personal staff?
JO: I'm your new assistant!
DOCTOR: (Appalled.) Oh no!
JO: The Brigadier sent me along to introduce myself, Doctor. Josephine Grant.
(JO holds out her hand and the DOCTOR reluctantly shakes it.)
DOCTOR: How do you do Miss Grant? (Gently.) But I...I really don't think you're suitable.
JO: (Enthusiastically.) I'm a fully qualified agent, you know - cryptology, safe breaking, expl*sives...
DOCTOR: (Interrupts.) f*re fighting?
(JO'S face falls.)
DOCTOR: Yes well, I'm sorry my dear but what I really need is a scientist.
JO: I took general science at A-Level!
DOCTOR: Yes, I'm sure you did, but, even so...
JO: I'm sorry I ruined your experiments.
DOCTOR: That's all right.
(The DOCTOR returns to his work. JO picks up her paper file from a nearby table and takes it over to the lab bench. The DOCTOR looks up and sees that she has returned.)
DOCTOR: Look Miss Grant, I've got a great deal of work to do. You must excuse me.
(JO, with dogged persistence, opens up her file as the DOCTOR continues to work.)
JO: The Brigadier wanted me to show you this report.
DOCTOR: (Not looking.) Mmm?
JO: Something was stolen for the Natural Space Museum. It was on loan from this H.Q.
DOCTOR: (Still not looking.) Oh, what was?
JO: (Reading.) "A translucent polyhedron, eight and a half inches in diameter."
(The DOCTOR suddenly stands up and grabs the file JO is reading from.)
DOCTOR: Well that's the Nestene energy unit! It should never have left this building!
JO: Apparently they wanted it for a special display. The Brigadier signed the authorisation.
DOCTOR: The Brigadier's an idiot! I knew I should have destroyed that thing but somehow it would have felt like m*rder.
JO: You mean it was alive?
DOCTOR: Yes, in a way. Yes, that container held a form of alien intelligence.
JO: But you've just got to be joking!
DOCTOR: There's precious little to joke about, Miss Grant. That thing is appallingly dangerous.
JO: But who would want to steal it?
DOCTOR: Exactly. Who and why?
4: EXT. BEACON HILL RESEARCH ESTABLISHMENT
(Two radio telescopes point to the sky in the English countryside. A sign outside some buildings on the ground reads "MINISTRY OF TECHNOLOGY: BEACON HILL RESEARCH ESTABLISHMENT". A suited man wearing glasses walks towards a large pylon like structure and starts climbing up a metal stairway near to another sign, which reads "DANGER. KEEP CLEAR OF RADIO TELESCOPES".)
5: INT. BEACON HILL RESEARCH ESTABLISHMENT. CONTROL CABIN
(At the stop of the stairway, high above the ground, is a control cabin, which overlooks the telescopes. Inside the cabin, a balding bearded man - GOODGE -
works at a console. He wears a white lab coat.)
6: EXT. BEACON HILL RESEARCH ESTABLISHMENT. CONTROL CABIN GANTRY
(The suited man PROFESSOR PHILIPS reaches the doorway and enters.)
7: INT. BEACON HILL RESEARCH ESTABLISHMENT. CONTROL CABIN
(GOODGE immediately starts complaining to PHILIPS.)
GOODGE: I told her again last night.
PROFESSOR PHILIPS: Hmm?
GOODGE: Elsie. "Cut out the hard-boiled eggs" I said. Quite apart from their effects on my digestion, they're aesthetically boring.
PROFESSOR PHILIPS: (Not interested.) Uh huh.
8: EXT. BEACON HILL RESEARCH ESTABLISHMENT. CONTROL CABIN GANTRY
(Outside the cabin, the MASTER steps forward and peers into the room.)
9: INT. BEACON HILL RESEARCH ESTABLISHMENT. CONTROL CABIN
(GOODGE hands PHILIPS a print out from a computer.)
GOODGE: Here you are.
PROFESSOR PHILIPS: Oh, thank you Goodge.
GOODGE: Be anything else?
PROFESSOR PHILIPS: No, not for the moment. Oh by the way, talking of eggs, I want a four-hour scan below the hydrogen line tomorrow.
GOODGE: All right.
PROFESSOR PHILIPS: I'll give you the precise wavelength later.
(He leaves the room...)
10: EXT. BEACON HILL RESEARCH ESTABLISHMENT. CONTROL CABIN GANTRY
(...and turns the corner of the cabin towards the stairs. The MASTER steps toward the door.)
11: INT. BEACON HILL RESEARCH ESTABLISHMENT. CONTROL CABIN
(GOODGE puts a lunchbox and a multicoloured vacuum flask on the table. He opens the lunchbox and takes out a couple of eggs. He starts eating. Behind him the MASTER enters and holds up a small black tube-like device. He points it in GOODGE'S direction. The end of the device glows bright red...)
12: INT. BEACON HILL RESEARCH ESTABLISHMENT. MAIN CONTROL ROOM
(PHILLIPS enters and sits down at another console in the red-brick lined room.)
13: INT. BEACON HILL RESEARCH ESTABLISHMENT. CONTROL CABIN
(The MASTER re-enters the cabin carrying the amm*nit*on box with has the word "UNIT" written on the side. He puts it down on a control console, opens it up and takes out the plastic sphere which now has wires attached to it. The MASTER plugs these wires into the console and then turns some wheel controls. He looks out of the window.)
14: EXT. BEACON HILL RESEARCH ESTABLISHMENT
(The radio telescopes slowly turn into alignment.)
15: INT. BEACON HILL RESEARCH ESTABLISHMENT. MAIN CONTROL ROOM
(PHILLIPS notices some unusual patterns coming up on a screen. He flicks a communications switch.)
PROFESSOR PHILIPS: Goodge! What the blazes is happening?
16: INT. BEACON HILL RESEARCH ESTABLISHMENT. CONTROL CABIN
(The MASTER turns more controls. The sphere starts flashing from within its depths and gives out its familiar signalling sound.)
PROFESSOR PHILIPS: (OOV: Over tannoy) Goodge, do you hear me?
17: INT. BEACON HILL RESEARCH ESTABLISHMENT. MAIN CONTROL ROOM
PROFESSOR PHILIPS: The shaft angling has gone crazy! Are you there, man? Check the feed back control!
(Receiving no answer, he runs from the room.)
18: INT. BEACON HILL RESEARCH ESTABLISHMENT. CONTROL CABIN
(The sphere continues to flash. The MASTER turns the wheel control more. The signalling sound reaches a peak, then the MASTER shuts down the system as he hears PHILIPS approaching the cabin from outside.)
PROFESSOR PHILIPS: (OOV: Outside the cabin.) Goodge! What the devil do you think you're playing at?
(The MASTER goes to a corner of the room to wait his arrival. PHILLIPS comes in and sees the MASTER. He stops suddenly and looks at the stranger who returns his hypnotic stare...)
19: INT. UNIT HQ. LABORATORY
(The DOCTOR and the BRIGADIER discuss the latest recruit to UNIT.)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: You've been agitating for a new assistant ever since Miss Shaw went back to Cambridge.
DOCTOR: Liz was a highly qualified scientist. I want someone with the same qualifications.
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Nonsense. What you need, Doctor, as Miss Shaw so often remarked is someone to pass you your test tubes and to tell you how brilliant you are! Miss Grant will fulfil that function admirably.
DOCTOR: (Mollified.) Oh...Well, what's that girl doing here anyway? UNIT's no place for trainees.
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: No, I couldn't agree more Doctor, but Miss Grant was very keen to join us...and she happens to have relatives in high places.
DOCTOR: So you tried to palm her off onto me? Well it won't work Brigadier. I'll have a properly qualified assistant or none at all.
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Very well Doctor. I'll reassign her.
DOCTOR: Good.
(He goes back to his bench as the BRIGADIER starts to walk out of the room but the soldier stops at the doorway.)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: But I think you should break the news to her yourself.
DOCTOR: Well now, wait a minute...
(The door opens. JO comes inside.)
JO: Hi Doc, I...
(She sees the BRIGADIER.)
JO: Morning Sir.
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Good morning Miss Grant
JO: I've checked all incoming reports. Still nothing on the stolen meteorite.
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Thank you.
(JO turns to the DOCTOR.)
JO: And I've chased those electronic spares you wanted. They promised delivery tomorrow, without fail.
DOCTOR: (Embarrassed.) Er, Miss Grant. I, erm, I er...
(JO looks at the BRIGADIER in puzzlement.)
DOCTOR: (Coughs.) Well I don't...this is, er, a bit difficult for me to say but...
(He throws the BRIGADIER a look.)
DOCTOR: Thank you Jo. I can see you're going to be of great help to me.
(He glares at the BRIGADIER.)
JO: (Delighted.) Thank you, Doctor.
(She turns to the BRIGADIER with a sheet of paper.)
JO: Report from one of the field sections, Sir - Captain Yates. Some kind of sabotage at a Radio Telescope.
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Oh?
JO: Two of the scientists have disappeared.
DOCTOR: Let me see that.
(He snatches the paper and starts to read it.)
DOCTOR: We'd better get down there right away.
20: EXT. BEACON HILL RESEARCH ESTABLISHMENT
(The DOCTOR'S car, Bessie drives quickly round perimeter of the Research establishment. The DOCTOR and the BRIGADIER sit up front while JO sits in the back.
The car pulls up outside the main one-storey building of the centre where CAPTAIN MIKE YATES, a young staff officer waits for them. He salutes the BRIGADIER and points to a doorway.)
CAPTAIN MIKE YATES: The director's expecting you, Sir.
DOCTOR: Is that where the sabotage took place?
(YATES points at the pylon.)
CAPTAIN MIKE YATES: No sir. It seems to have happened in the control cabin in the top of that tower.
DOCTOR: Well that's where you'll find me then.
(He gets out of the car and JO stands up to follow him.)
DOCTOR: No, Miss Grant. You stay here with the Brigadier.
(He walks off.)
21: INT. BEACON HILL RESEARCH ESTABLISHMENT. MAIN CONTROL ROOM
(CAPTAIN YATES leads the BRIGADIER and JO into the main room where the DIRECTOR of the establishment is reading some papers.)
CAPTAIN MIKE YATES: Director? Miss Josephine Grant and Brigadier Lethbridge Stewart of UNIT.
JO: Good morning.
(The DIRECTOR rudely ignores them.)
22: EXT. BEACON HILL RESEARCH ESTABLISHMENT. CONTROL CABIN GANTRY
(The DOCTOR reaches the entrance to the control cabin and is about to open the door when he hears a TARDIS-like materialisation sound. He looks round and sees a man wearing a bowler hat and dressed in smart city clothes, carrying a furled umbrella, materialise - but in mid-air, many feet above the ground!)
TIME LORD: Oh dear. Er, don't go away Doctor.
(The man starts to glide through mid-air towards the gantry platform.)
TIME LORD: My co-ordinates seem to have slipped a little. Still, not bad after 29,000 light years. I do hope you can, er... (Laughs.) ...spare a moment or two Doctor?
DOCTOR: Sarcasm always was a weak point with you wasn't it. May I say that I think you look quite ridiculous in those clothes?
TIME LORD: I am travelling incognito.
DOCTOR: Oh, why?
TIME LORD: We Time Lords don't care to be conspicuous.
(He looks at the DOCTOR'S red velvet smoking jacket, white frilled shirt and black cloak.)
TIME LORD: Some of us, that is...
DOCTOR: Now look, if you've come down merely to be rude...
TIME LORD: I came to warn you. An old acquaintance has arrived on this planet.
DOCTOR: Oh, one of our people?
TIME LORD: The Master.
DOCTOR: That Jackanapes! All he ever does is cause trouble.
TIME LORD: He'll certainly try to k*ll you, Doctor. The tribunal thought that you ought to be made aware of your danger.
DOCTOR: (Sarcastically.) How very kind of them!
TIME LORD: (With patience.) You are incorrigibly meddlesome Doctor. But we've always felt that your hearts are in the right places. But be careful. The Master has learnt a great deal since you last met him.
DOCTOR: I refuse to be worried by a renegade like the Master. He's a...(Struggles to think.) He's an unimaginative plodder.
TIME LORD: His degree in cosmic science was of a higher class than yours.
DOCTOR: (Abashed.) Yes, well, er, yes, well I...I was a late developer.
TIME LORD: Would you call that little "surprise" unimaginative?
DOCTOR: What?
TIME LORD: Look through the door...but be careful.
(The DOCTOR goes to the door to the control cabin. He is about to open it but the TIME LORD pulls his arm back with his umbrella. The DOCTOR shakes it off and opens the door a fraction.)
23: INT. BEACON HILL RESEARCH ESTABLISHMENT. CONTROL CABIN
(Attached from the top of the door is a taut string running down onto a small cylindrical black object on the control console.)
24: EXT. BEACON HILL RESEARCH ESTABLISHMENT. CONTROL CABIN GANTRY
DOCTOR: That' a volatiser. If that thing should fall...
TIME LORD: It will explode...and will probably destroy this Research Centre completely. (He smiles.) You see, he's rigged it up so it opening the door will make it fall. Ha! Such an amusing idea.
DOCTOR: Then you'd better think of a witty way of dealing with it.
(The TARDIS sound starts up again.)
DOCTOR: Now wait!
(The TIME LORD shakes his head politely and disappears with a popping sound. In a second he reappears and raises his bowler hat.)
TIME LORD: Oh, good luck!
(He vanishes again with a pop. The DOCTOR looks at the door, opens it gently...)
25: INT. BEACON HILL RESEARCH ESTABLISHMENT. CONTROL CABIN
(...and feels where the string begins at the top of it.)
26: EXT. BEACON HILL RESEARCH ESTABLISHMENT. CONTROL CABIN GANTRY
(He stands back and takes a run up at the door...)
27: INT. BEACON HILL RESEARCH ESTABLISHMENT. CONTROL CABIN
(It flies inwards and the DOCTOR falls down catching the volatiser in his hands. With a sigh of relief, he sits on the floor and slowly unscrews the device.
There is the sound of footsteps from outside the cabin as CAPTAIN YATES walks up the stairs and into the room.)
CAPTAIN MIKE YATES: Any luck?
DOCTOR: Keep back.
CAPTAIN MIKE YATES: What's that?
DOCTOR: A b*mb.
CAPTAIN MIKE YATES: A b*mb! Is it defused?
(The DOCTOR finishes unscrewing the b*mb and carefully takes it apart.)
DOCTOR: It is now.
CAPTAIN MIKE YATES: Where on earth did you find it?
(There is a coughing from behind. The DIRECTOR stands in the doorway.)
CAPTAIN MIKE YATES: Oh I'm so sorry. (To the DOCTOR) Er, this is the Director.
RADIO TELESCOPE DIRECTOR: How do you do? I hope you realise that the police have already investigated this matter.
DOCTOR: (Interrupts.) Where's Lethbridge Stewart?
CAPTAIN MIKE YATES: He and Miss Grant are questioning the staff.
DOCTOR: Oh, a fat lot of use that'll do.
(The DOCTOR starts to look round the cabin.)
RADIO TELESCOPE DIRECTOR: After all, it's hardly an international matter, is it?
DOCTOR: I understand you've lost a couple of scientists.
RADIO TELESCOPE DIRECTOR: Yes - Professor Philips and his assistant Goodge.
(There is a pause as the DOCTOR sees the broken eggs and lunch box on the bench.)
RADIO TELESCOPE DIRECTOR: Goodge must have left in quite a hurry.
DOCTOR: Yes. Yes he must.
(The DOCTOR opens the lid of GOODGE'S lunch box and looks inside.)
DOCTOR: (Shocked.) Oh no!
CAPTAIN MIKE YATES: What's wrong?
DOCTOR: Look for yourself.
(YATES and the DIRECTOR step forward and looks in the lunchbox.)
RADIO TELESCOPE DIRECTOR: It's Goodge!
(Inside the box is the d*ad, miniaturised form of GOODGE.)
28: INT. PLASTICS FACTORY. OFFICE
(The MASTER, dressed in a smart business suit, speaks with the Manager of a Plastics Factory in his office. REX FARREL is a thin middle-aged dark haired nervous individual.)
MASTER: I'm very glad that you could see me at a short notice, Mr. Farrel.
REX FARREL: well, your telephone call was pretty intriguing, Colonel. Er, do sit down.
MASTER: Oh thank you.
(The MASTER sits down.)
REX FARREL: Er, we, er, do have a little spare capacity at the moment.
MASTER: I would say more than a little considering that your plant has been working at less than half volume for over a year.
REX FARREL: Er, I see you've done you homework Colonel. Well, I, er, admit I was interested when you mentioned a steady repeat order.
MASTER: The people I represent, Mr. Farrel, can never have too much plastic.
29: INT. UNIT HQ. LABORATORY
(The DOCTOR examines the volatiser with the aid of a jeweller's glass.)
JO: What is a Nestene?
DOCTOR: Ask Captain Yates. He had the job of clearing up the mess last time.
JO: (To YATES.) Well, what is a Nestene?
CAPTAIN MIKE YATES: (Unsure.) Oh, a Nestene? Erm, a, er, huh, well it's a bit difficult to describe exactly...
DOCTOR: A Nestene is a ruthlessly aggressive intelligent alien life form.
JO: Well, what do they look like?
DOCTOR: Well I expect myself their basic form is analogous to a Kethlapod.
JO: What's a Kethlapod?
DOCTOR: An Octopus. I thought you took an A-Level in science.
JO: I didn't say I passed! Ergh! An octopus!
(The DOCTOR goes over to a coat-stand and starts to don a silver heat-resistance apron and gloves.)
DOCTOR: They manifest themselves as a disembodied, mutually telepathic intelligence.
JO: But if they're disembodied, how can they hurt us?
CAPTAIN MIKE YATES: They make themselves bodies when they need them.
JO: (Shocked.) You mean like Frankenstein?
DOCTOR: No. They have a natural affinity for plastic. Now if you've quite finished asking questions?
JO: (Hurt.) Sorry. Just forget I'm here.
CAPTAIN MIKE YATES: At least we should be ready for them this time.
DOCTOR: Too late, Captain. They're here already.
JO: What?
DOCTOR: The Radio Telescope is their bridgehead. They used that to contain energy into that surviving Nestene unit.
(The BRIGADIER enters the room.)
DOCTOR: Brigadier, look, that unit must be discovered within the next hour.
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Yes, I'm well aware of the urgency of the situation, Doctor. If we had some idea where its been taken.
DOCTOR: Well try the plastics factories man!
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: (Realising the suggestion is a good one.) Yes...I'll set up a search straight away. Yates!
CAPTAIN MIKE YATES: Right sir.
(CAPTAIN YATES starts to follow him out.)
JO: Can I help sir, please?
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Very well Miss Grant.
JO: I'll start by making out some lists.
30: INT. PLASTICS FACTORY. OFFICE
(The MASTER'S hypnotism skills have found a new victim in REX FARREL...)
MASTER: You will obey me and no one else. Do you understand?
(FARREL falls under the Time Lords influence...)
REX FARREL: I shall obey...I shall obey...I shall obey.
31: INT. UNIT HQ. LABORATORY
(The DOCTOR works on a kiln-like machine whilst advising the BRIGADIER of the arrival of his adversary. As they speak the machine produces a great deal of heat and smoke.)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: And you're convinced this man is working with the Nestenes?
DOCTOR: Oh I should think by now he's calling himself their commander in chief. Vanity's his weakness.
(He turns a wheel on the machine and opens up the side.)
DOCTOR: Ah. There you are.
(He takes out the b*mb.)
DOCTOR: It should be cooked by now.
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: This, er, this device of his. Is it very powerful?
DOCTOR: Oh I should say roughly equal to a fifteen megaton b*mb.
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Really? Well the research boys will be glad to get their hands on this.
DOCTOR: Too late Brigadier. I've boiled out the contents.
(The BRIGADIER looks on open-mouthed.)
DOCTOR: The w*apon that you have on earth are quite nasty enough as it is.
32: INT. PLASTICS FACTORY. WORKSHOP
(The MASTER plugs the glowing Nestene unit into a large piece of machinery. REX FARREL watches. They walk off.)
33: EXT. PLASTICS FACTORY. PERIMETER
(JO scrambles down a grass bank on the perimeter of the factory.)
34: EXT. PLASTICS FACTORY
(The MASTER and FARREL walk out of the workshop.)
MASTER: (To FARREL) Now the computer.
REX FARREL: This way.
(FARREL gestures to one side. The MASTER walks off, followed by his servant.)
35: EXT. PLASTICS FACTORY. STOREYARD
(JO hides behind some plastic boxes as she hears voices. It is the MASTER and REX who walk towards her hiding place.)
REX FARREL: What are you going to do?
MASTER: I wish to alter the masterplan.
REX FARREL: But that would change our whole production lines!
MASTER: Naturally.
REX FARREL: My father would never dream of...
MASTER: (Interrupting.) Mr. Farrel, don't worry about him. You are under a new firm now.
(They walk off past JO without seeing her. She stands up to see where they have gone and knocks over some plastic crates. She quickly ducks down, waits a moment and then cautiously stands up. REX and the MASTER are still there and watching her.)
JO: Oh, hello!
(The MASTER stares impassively at her.)
36: INT. PLASTICS FACTORY. OFFICE
(JO stands hypnotised in the middle of the room whilst being questioned by the MASTER.)
MASTER: Who went to the Radio Telescope Station?
(JO answers in a dull, expressionless voice...)
JO: Myself, the Brigadier and The Doctor.
MASTER: Ah - as I thought. Curiosity is his weakness. Well, I should have to see that it is satisfied. You will return to UNIT with a negative report.
You found nothing suspicious. Everything was in order.
JO: Yes. Everything is in order.
MASTER: When you leave this room you will have no memory of meeting me, only Mr. Farrel.
JO: Only Mr. Farrel.
MASTER: Your instructions are already implanted. You will obey them without a further word from me.
JO: I shall obey.
MASTER: Good.
37: INT. UNIT HQ. LABORATORY
(SERGEANT BENTON enters the laboratory.)
CAPTAIN MIKE YATES: Yes, what is it Sergeant?
SERGEANT BENTON: Excuse me sir, I just had a call from the civil police. They found Philip's car abandoned.
CAPTAIN MIKE YATES: Where?
SERGEANT BENTON: In a field about nine miles away from the research station, and they say there's a zinc box in the boot...with UNIT markings.
CAPTAIN MIKE YATES: The energy unit?
(BENTON turns to the DOCTOR, who stands some feet away, deep in thought.)
SERGEANT BENTON: I've told them not to touch it, Doctor.
CAPTAIN MIKE YATES: What do you think, Doctor?
DOCTOR: I still am.
CAPTAIN MIKE YATES: Huh?
DOCTOR: Thinking.
38: INT. PLASTICS FACTORY. OFFICE
(REX has received a visit from the outraged production manager of the factory - an Irish man named McDERMOTT. Taller and slightly older than REX, he has a paternalistic attitude towards him...)
McDERMOTT: I think you'd better go home. Look, I know all our customers and there isn't a, er, Colonel Masters amongst them.
REX FARREL: You're quite wrong, James. He's taking over our entire production at the moment.
McDERMOTT: Entire? Here look, I'll tell you what, Rex. You look through those orders, yes, and you show me this chap. Go on.
REX FARREL: (Snaps.) All right.
(He goes over to a filing cabinet, opens it and looks through some files. He holds his head, seemingly in pain.)
REX FARREL: I don't understand! There should be a card for him!
McDERMOTT: Look Rex, I think you ought to take a couple of days off. I'll ring your father and he can come...
(REX slams the drawer shut.)
REX FARREL: May I remind you, Mr. McDermott, that my father is retired. I'm running this place now.
McDERMOTT: Your father built this place up from nothing. Sure I remember when I was a wee lad, he...
REX FARREL: All right, all right, all right! Let's not go over all that again.
McDERMOTT: Look, I'm sorry Rex, but I especially promised your father...
REX FARREL: There's no need to bring father into it!
(He opens the office door to leave.)
REX FARREL: Look. I'll go and fetch him. He's only down in the lab.
McDERMOTT: Who?
REX FARREL: Colonel Masters of course. He'll explain everything.
(REX leaves. McDERMOTT walks over to the desk and picks up a telephone. He starts drumming his fingers in impatience.)
McDERMOTT: (Into telephone.) Sylvia? Get me Mr. Farrel Senior, please.
39: INT. PLASTICS FACTORY. LABORATORY
(In a laboratory, lined with computer units, the MASTER stands over three motionless, featureless figures lying on a table. They are Autons. He disconnects one of them from the pulsating sphere. He motions to it and it sits up.)
40: INT. PLASTICS FACTORY. CORRIDOR
(REX FARREL approaches the door to the laboratory. He stops when he sees a sign on the door which reads "RESEARCH LABORATORY - NO UNAUTHORISED ENTRANCE". He opens the door to the room.)
41: INT. PLASTICS FACTORY. LABORATORY
(An Auton stood on guard behind the door starts to swing down its arm on FARREL but the MASTER shouts out a command to stop.)
MASTER: No! Don't be frightened Farrel. The Autons are my servants. Why do you come here?
(REX cringes in fear and looks at the MASTER...)
42: INT. UNIT HQ. LABORATORY
(YATES and BENTON stare at the amm*nit*on box which had contained the Nestene control unit. JO stands a few feet behind them, staring intently.)
CAPTAIN MIKE YATES: Hmm, that's not an issue padlock, is it?
SERGEANT BENTON: No. I'll try and find some keys.
(JO steps forward.)
JO: I can open it.
(She takes a huge bunch of skeleton keys out of her pocket and starts to try them one by one on the padlock.)
CAPTAIN MIKE YATES: Keys for every occasion, eh!
(He walks over to the metal spiral staircase and shouts up it.)
CAPTAIN MIKE YATES: Doctor! We've got the box down here!
DOCTOR: (OOV.) Good. I'll be right down.
(JO succeeds in opening the padlock. She starts to prise the lid apart and smoke begins to pour out as the DOCTOR reaches the bottom of the stairs and sees what's happening.)
DOCTOR: Stop her! That's a b*mb!
(YATES runs forward but the possessed JO punches him sharply in the stomach and the winded officer falls to the ground. JO turns back to the amm*nit*on box.)
JO: I've got to open it! I've got to!
(Smoke continues to pour out...) | {"type": "series", "show": "Doctor Who", "episode": "08x01 - Terror of the Autons - part 1"} | foreverdreaming |
TERROR OF THE AUTONS
BY: ROBERT HOLMES
EPISODE TWO
Original Air Date: 9 January, 1971
5:15pm - 5:40pm
1: INT. UNIT HEADQUARTERS. LABORATORY
(JO starts to prise the lid apart and smoke begins to pour out as the DOCTOR reaches the bottom of the stairs and sees what's happening.)
DOCTOR: Stop her! That's a b*mb!
(YATES runs forward but the possessed JO punches him sharply in the stomach and the winded officer falls to the ground. JO turns back to the amm*nit*on box.)
JO: I've got to open it! I've got to!
(Smoke continues to pour out as SERGEANT BENTON runs forward and grabs JO to one side...)
JO: Got to open it! Got to...got to open it!
(...leaving the DOCTOR to grab the smoking box and throw it through the window...)
2: EXT. UNIT HEADQUARTERS
(...where it falls into the canal at the back of the building.)
3: INT. UNIT HEADQUARTERS. LABORATORY
(The DOCTOR and BENTON brace themselves as...)
4: EXT. UNIT HEADQUARTERS
(...the b*mb explodes, sending gulls crying up into the sky.)
5: INT. UNIT HEADQUARTERS. LABORATORY
SERGEANT BENTON: Strewth! There's gonna be some complaints about that you know, Doctor.
DOCTOR: (Snaps.) My dear Sergeant, if that box hadn't been tied, we wouldn't be here to receive any complaints.
SERGEANT BENTON: Yes sir...
(The DOCTOR looks sharply at him.)
SERGEANT BENTON: I mean no sir!
(YATES gets up off the floor, still holding his stomach.)
CAPTAIN MIKE YATES: What gave you the idea it was a booby trap, Doctor?
DOCTOR: She did.
(JO stands almost to attention in the middle of the lab - her face an immobile mask and her eyes wide open.)
CAPTAIN MIKE YATES: What's wrong with her?
DOCTOR: Almost certainly post-hypnotic alienation.
CAPTAIN MIKE YATES: She's been hypnotised?
DOCTOR: Well of course, why else do you think she tried to blow us all to pieces?
(He steps forward towards the young girl.)
DOCTOR: Come on, my dear, come and sit down over here. Get a chair, Captain Yates.
(The DOCTOR leads her to an ornate chair the CAPTAIN YATES fetches from one side of the room.)
DOCTOR: Come on, come and sit down here.
(JO, still in a trance, sits in the chair.)
CAPTAIN MIKE YATES: Well, I understood that under hypnosis it was impossible for...
DOCTOR: (Interrupts.) You thought that under hypnosis...it was impossible for a subject to be...persuaded to do anything that was against his nature?
CAPTAIN MIKE YATES: That's right.
DOCTOR: Well, it's a fallacy, Captain. The Master can completely control the human mind.
SERGEANT BENTON: So he can just take over anyone he likes?
DOCTOR: No not quite. No, some minds are stubborn enough to resist hypnosis. In any case, it doesn't last. Away from the Master's influence, the mind struggles constantly to free itself.
(YATES kneels next to JO.)
CAPTAIN MIKE YATES: Is she in some sort of a...trance?
DOCTOR: I think the current jargon is schizoid dissociation. It's because she was forced to do something against her will and her conscious mind refuses to accept the fact. The result is a deep trauma.
CAPTAIN MIKE YATES: Jo? Where's the Master?
DOCTOR: She won't remember that.
CAPTAIN MIKE YATES: But she might. (With emphasis.) Jo! Where is the Master?
(JO continues to stare straight ahead.)
7: INT. PLASTICS FACTORY. MAIN OFFICE
(The MASTER has joined REX FARRELL in his office where an angry McDERMOTT questions him.)
McDERMOTT: Mr. Farrel tells me you changed the mix. What right have you got to interfere? Do you know you've ruined a whole day's production?
(The MASTER steps forward to REX'S desk and picks up a shapeless black blob of plastic.)
MASTER: You call this ruined?
McDERMOTT: Well it's the wrong colour and the wrong texture. Of course it's ruined!
MASTER: You don't appreciate its full potential, do you?
McDERMOTT: Look and I don't want to. It doesn't meet our specification.
MASTER: This plastic has got unique properties Mr McDermott. Allow me to demonstrate.
(The MASTER throws the plastic onto the floor and snaps his fingers. Under REX'S passive gaze and to looks of puzzlement from McDERMOTT, the plastic slowly forms into to shape of a black armchair. McDERMOTT turns nervously to the MASTER. )
McDERMOTT: It's, er, unique right enough! So, er, you're...you're a magician as well as a Colonel, eh?
MASTER: (Quietly.) I am many things.
McDERMOTT: Aye well, that's as maybe, but...but... (He regains his nerve.) ...but you're not a director of this company, Colonel Masters. I am in charge of production here and I answer only to Mr. Farrel and his father.
(The MASTER steps behind the chair swings it round towards McDERMOTT.)
MASTER: Look, why don't you try it?
McDERMOTT: Well, you'll never sell that. I'll tell you that for nothing! Sure, it looks like...like a...black pudding!
MASTER: Try sitting in it.
(McDERMOTT reluctantly steps forward. He puts his hand on the arm of the chair but recoils.)
McDERMOTT: It's got a cold clammy feel to it - now plastic should be warm and dry with a...
MASTER: (Interrupts sharply.) Sit down!
(McDERMOTT puts his hand to his head as the hypnotic force of the MASTER overcomes him. He sits down in the chair. As he adjusts his position, a look of fear appears on his face.)
McDERMOTT: It's moving!
(REX watches in horror as the chair starts to move and surge. He steps forward to help McDERMOTT but the MASTER holds up his arm and bars his way.)
MASTER: No, I will not tolerate dissidence.
(McDERMOTT starts to cry out as he sinks within the chair. As he falls deeper into the plunging seat, the back of the chair falls forward and covers his face, choking off his cries. McDERMOTT'S upraised arm falls as he suffocates. REX steps over to his office intercom and presses a button.)
REX FARREL: Sylvia, will you check Mr. McDermott's entitlement on termination of employment, please?
MASTER: Oh, it's a very clumsy operation this. You can see now why this product's got to be changed.
REX FARREL: Oh, I don't know. Seems very effective to me.
MASTER: What? Yards of plastic to accomplish that which can be done by just a few inches?
REX FARREL: A few inches?
MASTER: Yes, Farrel. The human body has a basic weakness - one that I which I shall exploit...to assist in the destruction of humanity.
8: INT. UNIT HEADQUARTERS. LABORATORY
(JO still sits in her trance. The DOCTOR kneels by her side.)
DOCTOR: Jo, wake up.
(There is no response.)
DOCTOR: Wake up Jo. This is the Doctor. You're amongst friends.
CAPTAIN MIKE YATES: Oh, it's no good. I think we're just wasting...
DOCTOR: (Sharply.) Captain please! Be quiet!
(A frown appears on JO'S face.)
JO: Doctor?
DOCTOR: Yes?
JO: Doctor?
(The frown turns into a look of fear and then panic...)
JO: Doctor!
DOCTOR: All right, all right,
JO: Doc...!
DOCTOR: Calm down Jo. Calm down, we're quite safe.
JO: (Still panicking.) No, there was an expl*si*n!
DOCTOR: That was a long way away. Believe me, that was a long way away! Now we're all quite safe. Look around you, see for yourself, look around, look.
Look, we're all here.
(JO looks round in confusion at the two soldiers, then her gaze falls on the lab bench where the box had stood.)
JO: The box! I had to open it! There was a voice!
DOCTOR: Yes well, that voice - where were you when you heard that voice?
JO: A room...
DOCTOR: Mmm mm.
JO: I...I don't know where.
DOCTOR: Yes, what sort of a room?
JO: There was a desk...
DOCTOR: Yes.
JO: A...a telephone...
DOCTOR: An office? Was it a factory office?
JO: Yes! Yes, an office!
DOCTOR: Yes, well, where was that factory? Do you know the name of the factory?
JO: No.
DOCTOR: Well, try and remember.
JO: I can't remember. I...I can't remember!
(JO raises her hands to her head in hysteria.)
9: INT. PLASTICS FACTORY. OFFICE
(FARREL and the MASTER have received a visitor - REX'S father. FARREL SENIOR is a gruff, thin, white haired man. He is shocked to hear of McDERMOTT'S death.)
FARREL SENIOR: d*ad! He can't be.
REX FARREL: I'm afraid so, father.
(The MASTER walks over to the plastic chair - now empty of its victim.)
MASTER: Yes...he sat down in this chair here, and...just slipped away.
FARREL SENIOR: I...can't take it in.
REX FARREL: Yes, it's very sad.
FARREL SENIOR: Well, what did the doctor say?
REX FARREL: I...
(REX stops. Within his hypnotised state he cannot think of the answer to the question.)
REX FARREL: I'm not sure...it all happened so suddenly. You see...
(REX turns to the MASTER but FARREL SENIOR waves his question to one side as he walks behind the desk and sits in REX'S office chair.)
FARREL SENIOR: Oh, well anyway, I suppose it's hardly decent in the circumstances but...I've driven a long way to talk to you, Rex.
REX FARREL: Er, yes father? What about?
FARREL SENIOR: About the way you seem determined to throw away the years of work I've put into this factory. Now just what is going on here?
REX FARREL: We're changing our policy, father, introducing new methods, new products...
FARREL SENIOR: You're doing nothing of the sort! You'll carry on on the lines I laid down - or I'll come out of retirement and do the job myself. I'm not past it, you know.
(The MASTER steps forward from where he has been standing at the window.)
MASTER: Allow me to explain, Mr. Farrel.
FARREL SENIOR: I'd be very much obliged if you would.
MASTER: The changes that I have suggested are for the good of the factory. Now you must trust me, there's nothing to worry about...
(He fixes FARREL SENIOR with his hypnotic stare...)
MASTER: Nothing to worry about...
(FARREL SENIOR stares into the MASTER'S eyes.)
FARREL SENIOR: To...trust you...nothing to worry about...
(The old man recovers himself, passes his hand over his eyes and barks out...)
FARREL SENIOR: There's a great deal to worry about, sir! And frankly, the thing that worries me most is your presence here!
MASTER: Why!?
(The MASTER raises a hand to strike FARREL SENIOR but his son runs forward and restrains him.)
REX FARREL: No!
(The MASTER recovers his temper and laughs gently.)
MASTER: Congratulations, Mr. Farrel. Usually I can overcome opposition but your will is exceptionally strong - one might say "dangerously"
strong.
(The MASTER smiles and walks out of the office, watched by a worried REX.)
FARREL SENIOR: Damned impertinence! Rex...
(He sees that his son has his eyes closed, almost in pain. FARREL SENIOR walks over and puts his hand on his shoulder.)
FARREL SENIOR: Rex, hadn't you better go home? I'll see after things here.
REX FARREL: No...please...I can manage.
FARREL SENIOR: All right. I'll give you till tomorrow.
(The old man walks towards the door.)
FARREL SENIOR: And by then I want this Masters fellow out of here and production back to normal.
(He walks out of the door as his son's face twists in pain.)
10: EXT. PLASTICS FACTORY. FRONT ENTRANCE
(At the front of the building, the MASTER checks round and then walks up to FARREL SENIOR'S car. He opens the front passenger door and switches the vehicles heating system onto full. He closes the door and steps out of sight as FARREL SENIOR walks out of the building.)
MASTER: Oh, Mr. Farrel?
(FARREL turns round as the MASTER walks forward, his hands behind his back.)
FARREL SENIOR: I've nothing to say to you, Sir.
MASTER: Well, I thought if you actually saw one of our new lines.
(The MASTER produces a doll from behind his back. A foot high and orange in colour, it is almost featureless except for three buttons down its chest, a short dark beard and an evil face, complete with sharp pointed teeth.)
FARREL SENIOR: Disgusting object. No demand for a thing like that.
MASTER: I think you're wrong, Mr. Farrel.
FARREL SENIOR: Well, since you won't be making any more of them, we shan't have a chance to find out.
(He walks round to the drivers side. The MASTER opens the passenger door.)
MASTER: Why don't you keep this for a while? Think it over?
FARREL SENIOR: I don't want the thing!
MASTER: Ah, but I insist!
(He throws the doll onto the back seat of the car.)
FARREL SENIOR: (Starting the car.) You're wasting your time.
MASTER: Not at all - I'm simply trying out a new product.
(The car drives off...watched by the MASTER with a knowing look on his face.)
11: INT. UNIT HEADQUARTERS. LABORATORY
(The door to the lab opens and JO cautiously walks in. The DOCTOR is back at his bench, complete with eyeglass, again working on the circuit that was damaged by the f*re extinguisher.)
DOCTOR: Hello Jo. Are you feeling better?
JO: Yes, I'm fine, thank you.
DOCTOR: That's good.
JO: I just wanted to say how sorry I am.
DOCTOR: What on earth for?
JO: The b*mb! I might have k*lled you all!
DOCTOR: Ah, that was nothing to do with you, my dear, that was the Master.
(He smiles at her and resumes his work as the BRIGADIER walks into the lab.)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: You're supposed to be on sick leave, Miss Grant.
JO: I'm okay now again, Sir.
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Oh, so you've recovered your memory then?
JO: No, I'm afraid I haven't. I've tried and tried to remember.
DOCTOR: (Still working.) Yes, well don't. It'll only make things worse. Leave your mind alone. Something may pop up of its own accord.
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Yes, well, we can't just sit about waiting for something to pop up from Miss Grant's mind. If my agents don't turn up something soon, I'm going to surround and search every factory on that list.
(The DOCTOR suspends his work momentarily to retort...)
DOCTOR: You know Brigadier, your methods have all the refined subtlety of a bull in a china shop!
(CAPTAIN YATES walks in.)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Any news?
CAPTAIN MIKE YATES: Well, it's a bit tenuous Sir.
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Well, out with it.
CAPTAIN MIKE YATES: You know the field where we found Professor Philips car?
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Yeah...
CAPTAIN MIKE YATES: Well Sergeant Benton noticed that the turf was all churned up. So he did a bit of checking...and he found that a circus had just left.
DOCTOR: Uh? Where's the circus now?
CAPTAIN MIKE YATES: Tarminster.
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: I'll get some of my men down there with photographs of Philips. Someone at the circus may have seen him.
DOCTOR: I haven't been to a circus for years. I think I'll go myself.
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: All right Doctor, I'll get you an escort.
DOCTOR: No thank you, Brigadier. I'll go on my own if you don't mind. Don't want a lot of soldiers crashing about, do we?
JO: Can I come?
DOCTOR: Er, no Miss Grant, I don't think so. Not just yet.
JO: But I'm fine now.
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: (Warningly.) Miss Grant...
(The DOCTOR walks towards the lab door.)
DOCTOR: I'll need some photographs of that man Philips.
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Oh, they're in my office, but I still don't see why you don't want men...
(The BRIGADIER follows the DOCTOR out, his voice tailing off. CAPTAIN YATES notices a despondent looking JO.)
CAPTAIN MIKE YATES: What's up now?
JO: Oh nothing! Life's just wonderful!
CAPTAIN MIKE YATES: Easy love.
JO: I've really got off to a terrific start, haven't I? I find the man everybody's looking for, I forget where he is and I end up by trying to blow you all sky high!
CAPTAIN MIKE YATES: No-one's blaming you...
JO: Oh no! You all just tell me to keep out of the way! I'm not a child you know!
CAPTAIN MIKE YATES: Well, you're acting like one.
(JO is about to react but realises that MIKE YATES is right.)
JO: Sorry...but if only I could show them.
CAPTAIN MIKE YATES: Don't try. Just do as the Brigadier says.
(JO turns to him.)
JO: Yes of course, you're quite right.
(She smiles...)
12: INT. FARREL'S CAR
(The troll doll lies on the back seat of FARREL SENIOR'S car as he continues its journey. In the front seat, the old man takes a handkerchief out of his pocket and wipes his forehead and face. Unseen, in the rear of the car, the doll struggles up into a sitting position and stares at the back of the drivers head. FARREL notices the settings of the car's heating switches and adjusts them. He also opens the side window of the car, thereby causing a blast of cold air to enter the vehicle. The doll slumps back into a comatose position...)
13: INT. PLASTICS FACTORY. OFFICE
(The MASTER sits at the desk, going through paperwork. REX FARREL enters the office.)
REX FARREL: I've sent the staff home as you ordered, Colonel.
MASTER: Excellent. Begin maximum output of our new product.
REX FARREL: Without workers?
MASTER: The Nestene Autons will run the factory.
REX FARREL: Oh! Erm, I'm still afraid my father will make trouble. He, er, doesn't understand.
MASTER: Don't worry about your father. I've persuaded him to change his mind.
(REX smiles, then...)
REX FARREL: Er, why did you send Philips to the circus? The UNIT people may find him.
MASTER: But I sent him there to be found by UNIT- or better still - by the Doctor.
REX FARREL: I'm sorry, I don't understand.
MASTER: You see, the b*mb was by way of being a greetings card, a small little "gallantry" on the eve of battle. The car will lure the Doctor to the circus, and there, I shall destroy him.
(REX smiles as the MASTER laughs.)
14: INT. CIRCUS. BIG TOP
(In the ring, five Elephants conclude their act under the whip of their trainer.)
15: EXT. CIRCUS
(The DOCTOR drives up in Bessie and parks her in the area where the circus folk have parked their caravans. He gets out of the car and watches in delight as the Elephants are led out of the big top. The DOCTOR walks towards them and stops their trainer. Behind him, JO rises up in concealment from underneath a blanket in the back seat of Bessie. Meanwhile, the DOCTOR is showing the Elephant trainer a photograph of PROFESSOR PHILIPS.)
DOCTOR: Philips, Professor Philips.
ELEPHANT TRAINER: Sorry pal, never seen him.
(The little man leads his beasts one of his beasts off. Some distance away, a huge black STRONG MAN, dressed in the obligatory leopard skin leotard, watches the DOCTOR'S progress as he continues to question the circus workers. After he moment, he steps away. JO watches these actions from the back of Bessie...)
16: INT. FARREL SENIOR'S HOUSE. LIVING ROOM
(FARREL SENIOR has arrived home. His wife has also arrived home from a separate trip and, still dressed in her hat and coat, is hearings the news of McDERMOTT'S death.)
MRS. FARREL: Oh poor Mr. McDermott. It must have been a terrible shock for Rex.
FARREL SENIOR: On the contrary, when I walked in, he was just carrying on with his work as if nothing had happened.
MRS. FARREL: Oh John, no!
FARREL SENIOR: And this Colonel Masters was just as unconcerned. Frankly, they both seemed to me quite inhuman.
MRS. FARREL: You will make Rex get rid of that man.
FARREL SENIOR: I most certainly shall. Frankly, I didn't take to the chap really - or to his repulsive toy. Now just look at that!
(He picks up the troll doll and shows it to his wife.)
MRS. FARREL: Oh, it's a horrible looking thing! There's something...evil about it.
17: EXT. CIRCUS
(The DOCTOR continues to walk through the circus grounds. Looking round, some sixth sense leads him to notice the MASTER'S horsebox-disguised TARDIS. He walks towards it.)
18: EXT. ANOTHER PART OF THE CIRCUS
(Elsewhere, the STRONG MAN leads ROSSINI out of another caravan.)
19: EXT. CIRCUS
(Meanwhile, the DOCTOR has placed a small electronic box against the horsebox and is listening through an earplug. He reaches for the door handle and is about to open the door when the STRONG MAN reaches out and grabs him.)
ROSSINI: Into me wagon quick!
(The DOCTOR is pulled away. JO watches from around the corner of another caravan.)
20: INT. CIRCUS. ROSSINI'S CARAVAN
(Inside ROSSINI'S own caravan, the DOCTOR is tied into a chair by the STRONG MAN, watched by a cigar smoking ROSSINI.)
DOCTOR: This is outrageous! Let me go at once!
ROSSINI: You've got some hopes. All right Tony, he's no elephant.
(The STRONG MAN stops tying him.)
ROSSINI: What's your name?
DOCTOR: Smith.
ROSSINI: Smith! You've got no imagination. Try again, Mr. Smith.
DOCTOR: Doctor actually.
ROSSINI: Horse doctor maybe.
(ROSSINI gives a short laugh.)
DOCTOR: You're an insulting ruffian, aren't you?
(ROSSINI blows smoke into the DOCTOR'S face.)
ROSSINI: Why were you so interested in my friend's horsebox?
DOCTOR: What's your friend's name?
ROSSINI: His name's none of your business.
DOCTOR: Hmm, it's strange name! How long's the horse box been here ?
ROSSINI: Sharrup! I'm asking the questions! Tony...
(The STRONG MAN reaches behind the DOCTOR and starts twisting his arm. The DOCTOR'S face creases in pain.)
ROSSINI: He'll snap your arm like a twig Mister. Tony don't talk much but he's strong.
DOCTOR: All right my dear chap, there's no need to do that. I'm perfectly prepared to answer all your questions.
(The STRONG MAN lets go of him.)
DOCTOR: And, er, what was the question?
ROSSINI: Me friend's horsebox - why were you so interested?
DOCTOR: I was listening.
ROSSINI: What for?
DOCTOR: Certain vibrations.
ROSSINI: Mmm, I don't think my friends gonna like you.
(ROSSINI steps away and pours himself a glass of spirits.)
DOCTOR: I'm sure of it. Where is he?
ROSSINI: Away.
DOCTOR: How much are they paying you?
ROSSINI: (Laughs.) Come, come Doctor, gentlemen don't discuss money.
DOCTOR: Nonsense, gentlemen never talk about anything else. Now listen to me - if you're prepared to forget that you've ever seen me and let me go, I will reward you very handsomely.
ROSSINI: Is that so? Let's have a look, Tony.
(The STRONG MAN reaches into the DOCTOR'S pocket and pulls out a wallet. He passes it to ROSSINI who opens it - revealing that it is empty of cash.)
ROSSINI: Oh, pity.
DOCTOR: I can get money quite easily.
ROSSINI: Eccentric millionaire, eh?
(He opens another pocket of the wallet and pulls out a photograph of PROFESSOR PHILIPS.)
ROSSINI: 'Ello?
DOCTOR: Do you recognise that man?
ROSSINI: Maybe.
DOCTOR: That is a photo of a missing government scientist. If you've had anything to do with concealing him, you are in very serious trouble.
(ROSSINI has put the photograph back into the wallet and throws it onto a table.)
ROSSINI: Someone's in trouble all right, Doctor, but it isn't me.
21: EXT. PHONE BOX
(JO is making a phone call...)
JO: They're holding him prisoner in one of the caravans.
22: INT. UNIT HEADQUARTERS. BRIGADIER'S OFFICE
(...to the BRIGADIER.)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Just what do you think you're doing down there, Miss Grant?
23: EXT. PHONE BOX
JO: Sorry sir, no time to argue. I'll go and see if I can help the Doctor.
24: INT. UNIT HEADQUARTERS. BRIGADIER'S OFFICE
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: You'll do nothing of the sort. You'll stay in the background till I arrive - is that clear?
25: EXT. CIRCUS
(JO, ignoring the BRIGADIERS instructions, carefully makes her way round the circus again. She sees a suited man walk up to the MASTER'S horsebox. She pulls a photograph out of her trouser pocket and compares it.)
JO: It's Professor Philips!
(PROFESSOR PHILIPS, now inside, pulls the door of the box shut.)
26: INT. FARREL SENIOR'S HOUSE. LIVING ROOM
(FARREL SENIOR and his wife re-enter their living room.)
FARREL SENIOR: It must have been a heart att*ck I suppose.
MRS. FARREL: Well, try not to worry about it dear.
(She spots the troll doll lying on the floor near the radiator.)
MRS. FARREL: What's this thing doing over here?
(She picks it up and puts it on a shelf above the radiator as her husband sits down and starts reading the "Financial Times".)
FARREL SENIOR: The boy's attitude I can't understand.
MRS. FARREL: No, certainly doesn't sound like my Rex. Oh well, I'll go and make the coffee.
(She walks out of the room. The troll doll lies inert as FARREL SENIOR momentarily looks up from his paper.)
FARREL SENIOR: Ah, it's beyond me.
(Behind him, the doll struggles to its feet and looks towards the man. FARREL spots something out of the corner of his eye as the doll, now on the floor runs towards him. FARREL jumps up in shock...)
27: INT. FARREL SENIOR'S HOUSE. KITCHEN
(MRS. FARREL hears noises coming from the living room.)
28: INT. FARREL SENIOR'S HOUSE. LIVING ROOM
(The doll has grasped FARREL SENIOR round the neck and he falls to the floor. His legs kick out as he struggles for breath...then he lies still. His wife's voice comes from the other room.)
MRS. FARREL: (OOV) John, are you all right?
(The doll runs away from its victim. MRS. FARREL enters the room...)
MRS. FARREL: John?
(She screams at the sight in front of her.)
29: EXT. COUNTRY ROAD
(The BRIGADIER'S car turns a corner. He looks momentarily out of the window from his front passenger seat and the car then continues its journey.)
30: INT. CIRCUS. ROSSINI'S CARAVAN
(ROSSINI stands shouting over the DOCTOR...)
ROSSINI: You don't give very good answers, my friend!
DOCTOR: Maybe you're not asking the right questions.
(The STRONG MAN resumes his att*ck on the DOCTOR'S pinioned arms.)
ROSSINI: No Tony, don't break his arms - yet. I think I'll tell my friend you've arrived. He'll know what to do with you.
(In a mirror, the DOCTOR spots JO looking through a window behind him. He gently shakes his head and she ducks out of sight.)
ROSSINI: You know, Doctor, the cost of meat is exorbitant. Maybe my friend'll let me feed you to the tigers.
DOCTOR: You've got a very distorted sense of humour, haven't you?
ROSSINI: All right, Tony, watch him.
(ROSSINI puts on his bowler hat and leaves the caravan. As soon as he has gone, the STRONG MAN walks over to the drinks cabinet and starts to drink straight out of one of the bottles of spirits.)
DOCTOR: The strong silent man, eh?
(JO slowly pushes the door open.)
DOCTOR: You've got no right to keep me here, you know? I've got a good mind to call for help.
(He does so, but in a very subdued way so as not to attract attention...)
DOCTOR: Help! help! help! he...
(It is enough for the STRONG MAN who picks up a rag and starts to push it into the DOCTOR'S mouth. JO rushes in behind him and breaks a vase over his head.
The STRONG MAN falls to the ground.)
JO: Doctor!
(She pulls the cloth of out his mouth.)
DOCTOR: (Angrily.) What the blazes are you doing here? I told you to stay at headquarters.
(She starts to untie his bonds.)
JO: It's just as well for you I didn't, isn't it?
(His ropes come free.)
JO: Doctor, I've seen Professor Philips.
DOCTOR: Oh, where?
JO: He went into a horsebox, over there.
(She points out of the window.)
31: INT. PLASTICS FACTORY. OFFICE
(The MASTER sits at REX'S desk. PROFESSOR PHILIPS appears on a monitor screen on the desk. REX stands behind the MASTER.)
MASTER: This girl you say who's been following you - describe her?
PROFESSOR PHILIPS: (On monitor.) Small - blond - short hair.
MASTER: Sounds like the Doctor's little friend, I wonder? Switch on the scanners, Philips.
(The picture changes from that of PHILIP'S to that of a view of the caravans. It pans round until it lands on ROSSINI'S caravan - showing the DOCTOR and JO looking out of the door.)
MASTER: Very well, Philips, you what you have to do.
PROFESSOR PHILIPS: (On monitor.) Yes...Master.
32: INT. CIRCUS. ROSSINI'S CARAVAN
(The DOCTOR and JO walk back into the caravan.)
JO: What on earth is he doing inside a horsebox?
DOCTOR: It isn't exactly a horsebox. It just happens to look like one.
JO: You mean there isn't a horse inside.
DOCTOR: No more than there's a policeman inside my police box.
JO: So what do we do now?
DOCTOR: Well...
(At that moment, PHILIPS runs into the caravan, a rod-like metallic object in his left hand.)
DOCTOR: Wait! Philips, wait! (Whispers.) Don't move, Jo.
JO: What's he holding?
DOCTOR: Some sort of a grenade. Now Philips, you listen to me. You are about to commit m*rder.
PROFESSOR PHILIPS: I must! He said I must!
DOCTOR: (Quietly.) Now wait, you just listen - the Master is controlling your mind. You must resist him. You can resist him.
(PHILIPS face starts to look pained as his holds his finger over the grenade button.)
DOCTOR: You are Professor George Philips of the Radio Telescope research centre. You must resist him!
(PHILIPS cries out and runs out of the caravan - the grenade still in his hand.)
DOCTOR: You must resist him! Down Jo!
(He pushes her to the ground. There is an expl*si*n outside. The two jump up and run outside.)
33: EXT. CIRCUS
(PHILIPS lies on the ground, a pall of smoke drifts over his body. The DOCTOR runs up and turns him over. JO turns away in horror.)
JO: What happened?
(The DOCTOR unclenches PHILIPS bloodied hand and takes a key out of it.)
DOCTOR: He tried to get rid of it. Poor chap.
(He walks towards the horsebox and opens the rear door with the key.)
JO: What are you doing?
DOCTOR: Shan't be a moment.
(He climbs inside. JO turns as she hears a noise behind her.)
ROSSINI: Come on! Spread out! They can't have gone far!
(ROSSINI and the circus folk start to run towards them.)
JO: Hurry Doctor!
(The DOCTOR jumps out, carrying a similar circuit to that he was repairing in the lab.)
DOCTOR: Well, that didn't take long, did it?
JO: Long enough, I'm afraid.
(The DOCTOR sees what she is looking at. ROSSINI - carrying a baseball bat - and his thugs run up to them.)
DOCTOR: Now wait a minute, listen to me! Now listen to me all of you!
ROSSINI: Tried to rob my caravan! k*lled one of our men with a b*mb! Get 'em!
(ROSSINI clubs the DOCTOR to the ground. JO screams as the thugs jump forward. A police car, its sirens blaring drives up to them and screeches to a halt.
Two policeman jump out and try and pull the DOCTOR and JO away from the rabid crowd.)
JO: Let me go!
(They succeed and push the two into the back of the car as the BRIGADIER'S car pulls up, driven by a soldier with MIKE YATES in the back.)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Here wait!
CAPTAIN MIKE YATES: They're in the back, sir - the Doctor and Jo.
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Better go and bail them out.
(They drive off after the police car to gestures and shouts from the circus folk.)
34: INT. POLICE CAR
(The DOCTOR is semi-concussed in the back of the car. A concerned JO shouts at him...)
JO: Are you all right, Doctor? Doctor!
(The DOCTOR comes to, then in a panic digs into his pocket. He pulls the circuit from the MASTER'S TARDIS out and looks over it.)
DOCTOR: Thank heavens, nothing damaged.
JO: Speak for yourself, I'm bruised all over.
DOCTOR: (To the Policemen.) It's a good thing you chaps turned up when you did, otherwise we might have been lynched. (To JO.) Lethbridge Stewart must have sent them. Ah, it's nice to know he can use his head once in a while.
35: INT. UNIT HEADQUARTERS. COMMUNICATIONS ROOM
(SERGEANT BENTON sits at a radio set.)
SERGEANT BENTON: Yes sir, I've checked with County Headquarters. You were right.
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: (OOV: Over tannoy.) Then it's not a police car at all?
SERGEANT BENTON: No sir, definitely not.
36: INT. POLICE CAR
(As the journey continues, the DOCTOR continues to examine the circuit. JO rubs her bruises and then looks out of the window. She jogs the DOCTOR'S arm.)
JO: Doctor!
DOCTOR: Careful.
JO: Where are they taking us?
(He too looks out of the window.)
DOCTOR: Well it certainly isn't Tarminster.
JO: It's some sort of a quarry.
(He puts the circuit back into his pocket.)
DOCTOR: Excuse me officer, could I see your warrant card?
(One of the Policemen slowly turns round and looks at them in silence. The DOCTOR looks suspicious and leans forward. JO gasps out as the DOCTOR pulls the Policeman's "face" away. Behind it is the blank face of an Auton.) | {"type": "series", "show": "Doctor Who", "episode": "08x02 - Terror of the Autons - part 2"} | foreverdreaming |
TERROR OF THE AUTONS
BY: ROBERT HOLMES
EPISODE THREE
Original Air Date: 16 January, 1971
5:15pm - 5:40pm
1: INT. POLICE CAR
(As the journey continues, the DOCTOR continues to examine the circuit. JO rubs her bruises and then looks out of the window. She jogs the DOCTOR'S arm.)
JO: Doctor!
DOCTOR: Careful.
JO: Where are they taking us?
(He too looks out of the window.)
DOCTOR: Well it certainly isn't Tarminster.
JO: It's some sort of a quarry.
(He puts the circuit back into his pocket.)
DOCTOR: Excuse me officer, could I see your warrant card?
(One of the Policemen slowly turns round and looks at them in silence. The DOCTOR looks suspicious and leans forward. JO gasps out as the DOCTOR pulls the Policeman's "face" away. Behind it is the blank face of an AUTON. The DOCTOR lunges forward, chops the AUTON on the neck and grabs the steering wheel from the other "policeman".)
2: EXT. QUARRY
(The car swerves from side to side and finally crashes into some rocks. The DOCTOR dashes out of the car quickly followed by JO. The unmasked AUTON POLICEMAN tries to push open his door against the rocks as the other driver Auton gets out of his side of the car. The DOCTOR and JO run as fast as they can for cover, JO tripping over a rock at one point. The unmasked POLICEMAN'S fingers drop away and an AUTON g*n extends. A blast from it devastates some rocks near to the escapees. The two of them dive for cover in amongst some undergrowth in a ditch as the two pursuers, both with their g*n ready, walk into view. They scan the area and then go off in different directions. The Policeman whose human mask is still intact is the one who nears the hiding place of the DOCTOR and JO and it almost looks as if he is about to literally step on them when he turns and goes to look elsewhere. JO is about to say something to the DOCTOR but he quickly covers her mouth to enjoin silence. He hears a noise from the other side of the quarry and sees the BRIGADIER'S car as it comes into view and stops near the crashed police car. The BRIGADIER, CAPTAIN YATES and the UNIT driver, all armed, get out of the car.)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: (Shouts.) Spread out - they can't be far!
(The three take different directions and it is the BRIGADIER who nears the hiding place of the DOCTOR and JO. He stops and shouts out:)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Doctor? Miss Grant?
DOCTOR: (Shouts from his hiding place.) Get down man! Get down!
(A short distance away, the masked Auton swivels round and blasts the BRIGADIER who dives for the ground as the sh*t explodes next to him. The UNIT driver hears the blast and turns with his g*n aimed as the unmasked AUTON POLICEMAN steps into view. YATES sees him.)
CAPTAIN MIKE YATES: Look out!
(The warning is too late. The soldier is blasted and he rolls over a short incline. YATES dives for the cover of the UNIT car and starts f*ring his small a*t*matic at the AUTON, as does the BRIGADIER. The DOCTOR yells a warning from his place of concealment.)
DOCTOR: They're Autons! b*ll*ts can't stop them!
(YATES runs as fast as he can into the driver's seat of the car and starts the vehicle. The AUTON POLICEMAN fires a sh*t at it as YATES drives the car straight at the faceless enemy. He hits it full on and the AUTON falls over a cliff edge. The fall is spectacular and the AUTON POLICEMAN tumbles over and over, down the scree-slope to the bottom - where seemingly unharmed, it immediately starts to climb back up the slope. The other Auton walks behind the cover of some bushes giving the DOCTOR and JO the opportunity they need...)
DOCTOR: Right - now!
(The two of them jump out of their hiding place and, only slightly behind the BRIGADIER, run towards the UNIT car which screeches to a halt to let them in.
The unmasked Auton makes a final futile blast as the car drives away.)
3: INT. PLASTICS FACTORY. MAIN OFFICE
(The MASTER stands looking out of the window as REX enters.)
REX FARREL: Colonel? Colonel, the Autons that were sent to recover the bodies of the Doctor and the girl...
(The MASTER turns round and interrupts.)
MASTER: ...have returned without them - I know.
REX FARREL: And you're not angry?
MASTER: (Calmly.) Because the Doctor's escaped again? No...he's an interesting adversary. I admire him in many ways.
REX FARREL: But you still intend to destroy him?
MASTER: Of course...and the more he struggles to postpone the moment, the greater the ultimate satisfaction.
4: INT. UNIT HEADQUARTERS. LABORATORY
(The BRIGADIER is in the middle of a staff conference that he has called, attended by CAPTAIN YATES, JO and the DOCTOR - although the latter cannot disguise his lack of interest. The BRIGADIER looks over a map spread across the lab bench.)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Six - the Nestenes have landed a small bridgehead force.
(The DOCTOR turns away and picks up the circuit from the MASTER'S TARDIS.)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Seven - they're operating from somewhere from within this area. Eight - they're being led by an intelligent alien known as the Master.
(The DOCTOR walks towards his TARDIS...)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Nine - all their operations have, so far, been primarily directed at us here at UNIT.
(...and starts to enter.)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Ten...what are you doing, Doctor?
DOCTOR: Oh, I'm terribly sorry. Did you want me?
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: I should like your attention Doctor, until we've settled on a course of action. (Sarcastically.) That is, of course, unless you have something of greater importance to attend to?
DOCTOR: No, no, of course not.
(The DOCTOR walks back towards them and, smiling, leans nonchalantly against a pillar.)
DOCTOR: No, do carry on, it's most interesting.
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Thank you. Where was I?
CAPTAIN MIKE YATES: Ten, sir.
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Ten - the enemy intention...
DOCTOR: (Interrupting.) The enemy intention is to occupy your planet. I should have thought that was quite obvious.
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: To do that they will have to land additional forces. In other words, this is no more than a diversionary thrust. Do you agree, Doctor?
DOCTOR: Well, I should have thought that was pretty obvious too, isn't it?
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: (His temper starting to go.) We have, as you know, raided the circus and arrested Rossini and his thugs... (To YATES.) ...and what have we learned from them?
DOCTOR: (Interrupting again.) Nothing - Rossini is just a tool. The Master used him and then discarded him.
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: There was no sign of alien activity at the circus. This mysterious horsebox has vanished - so had the Autons.
DOCTOR: Naturally.
(He goes back to the TARDIS.)
DOCTOR: Oh, you have finished with me now, I hope?
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Not quite.
DOCTOR: Oh.
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: I therefore propose that we redouble our security here and concentrate on finding the Master's headquarters.
(After a moment's silence, the DOCTOR realises that the BRIGADIER is looking to him to respond. He does...)
DOCTOR: Oh, well having reached that brilliant conclusion, how about getting on with it? Oh, Captain Yates, is my car back yet?
CAPTAIN MIKE YATES: Safe and sound, Doctor.
DOCTOR: Oh good, that's something anyway.
(He steps into the TARDIS.)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Any further comments, Doctor?
DOCTOR: (OOV: Within the TARDIS.) I'll let you know, as soon as I think of any!
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: (Icily.) Captain Yates, we will continue this conference in my office.
(His anger ill-disguised, he storms out of the lab. YATES picks up the map, and with a grin at JO, follows him. After they have gone, the DOCTOR steps out of the TARDIS.)
DOCTOR: Do you know, Jo, I sometimes think that "military intelligence" is a contradiction in terms!
JO: You're not very grateful, are you?
DOCTOR: What? For having my time wasted?
JO: He did save our lives, you know.
(The DOCTOR picks up a jewellers eye-glass and starts to re-examine the circuit. He does not respond.)
JO: Well? Didn't he?
(The DOCTOR stops his examination for a moment.)
DOCTOR: You're quite right Jo, I'll apologise - if I have the time.
(JO gives up and looks at the circuit that the DOCTOR is examining and an identical one on the lab bench.)
JO: What are those things?
DOCTOR: Well, that is the discarded circuit from my TARDIS...and this is an identical circuit that I, er, "borrowed" from the Master's horsebox.
JO: What does it do?
DOCTOR: You wait there and I'll show you.
(He goes towards the TARDIS and waves to her before stepping inside.)
DOCTOR: Bye bye, Jo.
JO: Doctor, where are you going?
DOCTOR: (OOV: Within the TARDIS.) Just a proving flight.
(The door closes and JO turns away to examine the DOCTOR'S circuit. Suddenly the roar of the TARDIS engines shatters the quiet of the lab which starts to shake.)
JO: Doctor! What's happening?!
(The roar starts to wind down and there is a muffled expl*si*n from within the police box. The door opens and an icily angry DOCTOR steps out in a cloud of smoke and kicks the door of the TARDIS.)
DOCTOR: Of all the stupid useless ... !
JO: Doctor, stop being childish.
DOCTOR: What's wrong with being childish? I like being childish!
JO: What were you trying to do anyway?
DOCTOR: Well, my TARDIS uses a mark I dematerialisation circuit and I tried to replace it with a mark II.
(A thought strikes him and he suddenly starts to laugh to himself.)
JO: What's the joke?
DOCTOR: Well, I've just thought of something. My TARDIS might not work - but neither will his now. Wherever he is, he's trapped on Earth.
5: INT. PLASTICS FACTORY. MAIN OFFICE
(RAX FARREL holds up a small plastic daffodil for examination. He holds it close to his face...)
MASTER: Farrel - be careful! Careful. I don't want an accident.
REX FARREL: I was admiring the workmanship.
MASTER: Do you think people will be impressed?
REX FARREL: They're the finest plastic flowers I've ever seen.
MASTER: Yes, well, that's our object - to show the world the skill of the modern plastics industry.
6: EXT. HIGH STREET
(A brightly coloured silent figure stands in the middle of a typical high street. Dressed in a bright yellow blazer, it sports a large grinning carnival head and a straw boater. It carries a basket under its arm that is full of the plastic daffodils and hands them out to passing housewives. Nearby stands a small red coach decorated with drawings of daffodils on the side and a sign which reads "Plastic comes to town". REX FARREL stands near the coach and watches the carnival figures. The final daffodils are handed out and the carnival figures silently walk back across a car park to the coach where REX watches them board and then follows them on.)
7: INT COACH
(Inside, one of the carnival figures removes its head and reveals the blank features of an AUTON.)
AUTON LEADER: We're ready Farrel. We must drive to the next distribution centre.
REX FARREL: No! The Master must be obeyed! (His face creases in pain.) Must...be...obeyed.
AUTON LEADER: We will wait a little longer. If he's not then returned, we shall drive on.
(REX hears the voice of the MASTER in his head.)
MASTER: (OOV) You will obey me, Farrel. I am your Master.
(He nods.)
8: INT. UNIT HEADQUARTERS. LABORATORY
(The DOCTOR stands at the lab bench reading through a sheaf of reports while JO watches.)
DOCTOR: "From field section one: continuous watch maintained - nothing to report." (He turns the page.) "Business appears to be proceeding normally. No unusual activity." (Another turn.) "Everything checked and found in order. Report completely negative." (Another turn, his voice rises in anger.) "Nothing to report so far - will continue to search."
(He gives up and tears the reports into pieces, throwing them to the ground.)
DOCTOR: It's worthless - absolutely worthless!
JO: Now Doctor...
DOCTOR: (Shouts.) Days of exhaustive investigation by the Brigadier's band of bloodhounds and what have they discovered?! Nothing, absolutely nothing! The incompetent imbeciles!
JO: We're doing everything possible, Doctor.
DOCTOR: No news from any of those plastic factories?
JO: Well, there were those reports of a promotional tour.
DOCTOR: My dear girl, the Master is scarcely likely to advertise what he's doing.
JO: I suppose not.
DOCTOR: I will not give up. He's lying low somewhere and we've got to find him.
JO: Maybe he's given up.
DOCTOR: The Master? Never! He's too conceited.
(He turns away as JO gives a him a look. The BRIGADIER enters followed by a pudgy moustached man in a business suit and carrying a leather brown briefcase.
The DOCTOR stands at the window.)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Doctor, this is Mr. Brownrose from the Ministry. He's come to us with a rather alarming story.
DOCTOR: (Without turning.) Yes, well I'm not in the mood for stories.
BROWNROSE: Is this man a member of your staff?
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: The Doctor acts as our scientific consultant, yes. (He nods towards JO.) His assistant - Miss Grant.
BROWNROSE: Er, how do you do? I hope he's qualified to deal with a matter of this complexity.
DOCTOR: I think you'll find, sir, that I'm qualified to deal with practically everything! If I choose.
(BROWNROSE goes over to the bench and takes a file out of his briefcase.)
BROWNROSE: I must say, Brigadier, I'm far from satisfied that you've grasped the urgency of this matter.
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: I assure you I have.
BROWNROSE: It's not something to be shuffled off onto some stray boffin, you know!
(The DOCTOR steps forward.)
DOCTOR: Now just a moment, my good man! We at UNIT are very busy with a number of extremely urgent matters.
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: (Warning.) Doctor, please...
DOCTOR: (His voice rising.) The Brigadier has a great deal on his plate. You cannot expect his exclusive attention for your petty concerns!
BROWNROSE: Oh, can't I sir? Now, I'll have you know that my...
DOCTOR: (Interrupting angrily.) Who's in charge of you pen pushers these days? Old Tubby Rowlands isn't it?
BROWNROSE: (With condescending emphasis.) Lord Rowlands is head of our department, yes.
DOCTOR: Yes, I was saying to him in the club, only the other day: "Wrong sort of chap is creeping into your lot, Tubby" I said!
(He looks meaningfully at BROWNROSE whose demeanour immediately changes to one of obsequiousness.)
BROWNROSE: Oh, well, of course, I didn't mean to imply anything offensive...
DOCTOR: (Quietly.) No...no, of course not. Say no more about it. Right now, Brigadier, what's your problem?
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Pretty serious, Doctor - a wave of sudden deaths all over the Home Counties.
DOCTOR: Cause?
BROWNROSE: Asphyxiation, heart failure, shock.
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: In other words, no satisfactory explanation at all.
BROWNROSE: I'm afraid not.
JO: Some kind of virus?
BROWNROSE: There's no evidence of infection.
DOCTOR: Any connection between the victims?
BROWNROSE: None whatsoever - different ages, sexes and occupations - apart from the first two deaths, there's no connection at all.
DOCTOR: And what about the first two?
BROWNROSE: Well the first was a man called McDermott, the second - Farrel.
(The name induces a memory in JO..)
JO: Farrel?!
(...and her face turns to one of puzzlement as she tries to remember.)
BROWNROSE: Production Manager and owner of the same plastics factory.
(The BRIGADIER and the DOCTOR look at each other.)
9: INT. FARREL SENIOR'S HOUSE. LIVING ROOM
(MRS. FARREL, dressed in mourning black, sits in a chair as the DOCTOR and JO talk to her.)
DOCTOR: Mrs. Farrel, I do realise how distressing this must be for you...
MRS. FARREL: (Upset.) I've already been over it with the police.
DOCTOR: Yes, I know, but...believe me, it is terribly important you know. You could help us save hundreds of lives.
JO: (Gently.) Would you like us to come back another time?
MRS. FARREL: No dear, I'll be all right. Well, I'd gone to make the coffee after lunch, but I heard a noise. I came in and...and found him.
JO: Your husband seemed quite normal when you left him? I mean not ill or anything?
MRS. FARREL: Well, he was a little worried and depressed, I think, but he certainly wasn't ill.
JO: Did he say why he was depressed?
MRS. FARREL: Oh, the death of Mr. McDermott upset him, of course, and I do know he was very disturbed about...developments within the firm.
DOCTOR: Er, what sort of developments?
MRS. FARREL: Well, he seemed to think that Rex, er, our son, he seemed to think that he'd fallen too much under the influence of a new customer. My husband didn't like him at all.
DOCTOR: What was his name?
MRS. FARREL: Colonel Masters.
DOCTOR: (To himself.) I knew it!
10: INT. UNIT HEADQUARTERS. LABORATORY
(A TELEPHONE MECHANIC, dressed in overalls, makes final adjustments to the DOCTOR'S trimphone as YATES walks in.)
CAPTAIN MIKE YATES: Doctor, did .....
(He spots the MECHANIC.)
CAPTAIN MIKE YATES: Who are you?
TELEPHONE MECHANIC: Telephone engineer, sir, just finishing.
CAPTAIN MIKE YATES: Got your pass?
TELEPHONE MECHANIC: Blimey, not again! I've been checked more times...
CAPTAIN MIKE YATES: (Interrupting and insistent.) Pass.
(He takes it out of his pocket and puts it in YATES'S waiting hand.)
CAPTAIN MIKE YATES: Thank you. (He looks over it.) Okay, fine.
(He passes it back to the MECHANIC who turns back to his work.)
CAPTAIN MIKE YATES: Why such a long flex?
TELEPHONE MECHANIC: Specially ordered sir. Perhaps the gent likes to walk up and down while he's talking?
CAPTAIN MIKE YATES: (Laughs.) Sounds very like him!
TELEPHONE MECHANIC: Yeah...well, that's it then.
(The MECHANIC puts the phone back in place, picks up his toolbox and walks out of the lab with a nod to YATES who looks over his handiwork.)
11: INT. FARREL SENIOR'S HOUSE. LIVING ROOM
DOCTOR: Is there anything else you can tell us about this Colonel Masters?
MRS. FARREL: Well, er, I believe he's still working with Rex. I've been too upset to think about the business.
DOCTOR: Yes, of course, but can you remember anything that your husband said about him? Anything at all?
MRS. FARREL: Er, I don't think so...Oh! John did bring one of the new dolls home to examine.
DOCTOR: Er, what sort of dolls?
MRS. FARREL: Well, wasn't my idea of a doll at all.
DOCTOR: Er, could we see it, Mrs Farrel?
MRS. FARREL: Yes of course.
DOCTOR: Thank you.
(She walks over to a sideboard where the doll rests. She passes the hideous object to JO, who along with the DOCTOR, has followed her.)
JO: Yes, I see what you mean.
(She passes it to the DOCTOR.)
MRS. FARREL: It wasn't intended for children, naturally. Some sort of a...novelty for grown ups, I suppose.
(A thought strikes her...)
MRS. FARREL: It's odd you know.
DOCTOR: Er, what is?
MRS. FARREL: Well, when I went out of the room, that thing was on the radiator by the door.
DOCTOR: Yes?
MRS. FARREL: But...after they'd taken John away...I found it under the curtains. It was...
(She laughs as if embarrassed with what she is about to say.)
MRS. FARREL: ...as if it was trying to get out.
12: INT. UNIT HEADQUARTERS. LABORATORY
(The DOCTOR begins his examination of the doll watched over by JO, the BRIGADIER and YATES.)
DOCTOR: Right...now, lets take a look at this thing.
CAPTAIN MIKE YATES: Oh, charming little chap, isn't he? Where did you get it?
(YATES pokes the doll but the DOCTOR slaps his hand away.)
DOCTOR: Scalpel.
(JO passes him the instrument and, like an operation, he makes his first incision.)
DOCTOR: Forceps.
(He takes the requested instrument and starts to poke about in the dolls innards.)
JO: What are you doing?
DOCTOR: I'm just poking about.
(He stops.)
DOCTOR: Oh, it appears to be made of solid plastic.
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Why would they make a thing like that solid?
DOCTOR: Why indeed? Let's try the head.
(He again s*ab the doll with the scalpel and digs into it with the forceps.)
DOCTOR: Oh...that appears to be solid plastic too. Oh, it's no good. I'll have to make a full analysis.
(He walks over to a desk and starts to write on a sheet of paper.)
CAPTAIN MIKE YATES: (To JO.) Where did you pick it up?
JO: From the house of a man called Farrel.
CAPTAIN MIKE YATES: Why bring it here?
JO: Well, the Doctor thinks it might have k*lled him.
DOCTOR: Jo...get in touch with scientific supplies will you? Tell them I need these things straight away.
JO: Yes.
(She takes the paper off him and walks over to the trimphone.)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Doctor, how on earth could a thing like that k*ll anybody?
DOCTOR: That, Brigadier, is what I'm trying to find out.
JO: (On telephone.) Hello, scientific supplies section?
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: (To the DOCTOR.) Do you have the result of the post mortem?
JO: (On telephone.) I have a requisition for you - top priority.
DOCTOR: Yes, asphyxiation, cause unknown.
CAPTAIN MIKE YATES: It might have frightened him to death...
JO: (On telephone.) ... Scanning molecular structure analyser ...
CAPTAIN MIKE YATES: ...but asphyxiation? Well, it's not alive.
JO: (On telephone.) ... Electrode unit ...
DOCTOR: The Nestenes change the molecular structure of plastic, Captain Yates. They energise it in some way and turn it into quasi-organic matter. Almost like flesh and blood. Well, it's inert at the moment. Something must have activated it.
JO: (On telephone.) That's it. Thank you.
(She puts the phone down.)
JO: The equipment's on its way, Doctor.
DOCTOR: Good, how long will it be?
JO: Quite a while I'm afraid. They've had to send out for most of it.
DOCTOR: What? Do you mean that you haven't got a scanning molecular structure analyser in stock? Oh really Brigadier, you should keep this place better supplied, you know! I cannot work without proper equipment.
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: (With a hint of sarcasm.) I'm very sorry, Doctor.
DOCTOR: (Realising that his attitude is unreasonable.) Yes well, just as well. It will give me more time to look at Mr. Farrel's plastic factory.
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Er now, just a moment Doctor. I'm aware for your preference for acting as a one-man band but this does happen to be a UNIT operation.
DOCTOR: Lethbridge Stewart, I can assure you...
CAPTAIN MIKE YATES: (Interrupting.) He's right you know, Doctor. I'd better come with you.
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: No! I shall accompany the Doctor myself. I'm not entirely deskbound yet, you know...
CAPTAIN MIKE YATES: Sir...
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: (Interrupts sharply.) Now that will do, Captain Yates! May I remind you that you're duty officer today. If you're ready Doctor?
(The BRIGADIER walks out. The DOCTOR points at the doll.)
DOCTOR: Jo - nobody is to touch that thing until I've had the chance of examining it properly, all right?
JO: Don't worry, I won't go anywhere near it. (She pulls a face.) Wergh!
13: INT. COACH
(The AUTON LEADER puts his carnival head back on.)
AUTON LEADER: We will leave now.
REX FARREL: No, not until the Master returns.
AUTON LEADER: We shall leave without him. We must keep to schedule.
REX FARREL: (Shouts.) For the last time - no!
(The door to the coach opens and the TELEPHONE MECHANIC walks in.)
REX FARREL: (Shocked.) Who are you?
(The MECHANIC pulls his rubber "face" off - it is the MASTER.)
14: INT. UNIT HEADQUARTERS. LABORATORY
(CAPTAIN YATES lights up a Bunsen burner under a tripod on top of which rests an asbestos sheet. JO is on the phone again.)
CAPTAIN MIKE YATES: Until you've had a mug of army cocoa, you just haven't lived.
JO: You know, I don't think the Doctor would approve of that.
CAPTAIN MIKE YATES: What?
JO: Making free with his Bunsen burner. (Into telephone.) Hello? Scientific supplies section? I'd like to speak to Mr. Campbell please.
(YATES has now put a beaker full of water on top of the tripod.)
CAPTAIN MIKE YATES: Then he shouldn't go gallivanting off leaving me stuck here.
JO: What about me? I'm stuck here too, you know.
CAPTAIN MIKE YATES: Oh well, that's different, isn't it? I'll just go and fetch the gubbins.
(He walks out.)
JO: Thank you and good night, Captain Yates! (Into telephone.) Hello? Mr. Campbell? Oh, I see. No, no, I'll hang on. Will he be long?
(The Bunsen continues to burn...next to the doll.)
15: EXT. PLASTICS FACTORY
(The DOCTOR and the BRIGADIER walk round the outside of the plastics factory. They look through an open doorway into a deserted workshop.)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Is anybody there?
(There is silence. They walk on.)
16: INT. UNIT HEADQUARTERS. LABORATORY
JO: (Into telephone.) Yes, well the Doctor does need it rather urgently so I thought...
(Behind her the doll stirs. It rolls over and gets to its feet.)
JO: Yes, that's quite true, but if anybody could you could. You're d*ad right, we'd be in terrible trouble. Could you? Could you really? You're a dolly Scotsman Mr. Campbell. (Laughs.) Yes, of course!
(The doll looks at her.)
17: EXT. PLASTICS FACTORY
(The DOCTOR and the BRIGADIER walk up to the main office entrance at the front of the plastics factory. The DOCTOR tries the door.)
DOCTOR: It's open.
(They walk in.)
18: INT. UNIT HEADQUARTERS. LABORATORY
(The doll lunges at JO. She jumps back with a cry and the doll falls to the floor. She starts to throw objects at it and cries out...)
JO: Mike! Mike, come quickly!
(YATES bursts in with two cups and a jar of cocoa.)
CAPTAIN MIKE YATES: Jo! What's the matter?!
(He pulls out his service revolver and starts sh**ting away at the creature, blasting it into pieces.)
19: INT. PLASTICS FACTORY. MAIN OFFICE
(The DOCTOR and the BRIGADIER walk into the empty main office.)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Seems as though they've moved camp.
(The DOCTOR walks over to REX'S desk.)
DOCTOR: Yes...today.
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Oh, how do you know that?
DOCTOR: Desk calendar. (He looks down.) Hello?
(On the floor is one of the plastic daffodils which he picks up.)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: What have you got there?
DOCTOR: A daffodil, a plastic daffodil. Hang onto it for me will you?
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: (Taking it.) Well what do you want it for? They give these things away with soap.
DOCTOR: It's plastic, Brigadier - and any plastic artifact, anything at all, can - in the Nestenes sense of the word - be alive. (He thinks.)
First a doll, then a flower...
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: What are you getting at Doctor?
DOCTOR: I wish I knew.
(He walks over to a large walk-in wall safe and rubs his hands before listening carefully at the door as he starts to turn the combination dial.)
DOCTOR: Oh, have a look at that desk, old chap, will you?
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Yes.
(He does so.)
DOCTOR: You never know, there might be something there to give us a lead.
(The BRIGADIER opens drawers.)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Oh, nothing much here.
(He looks at papers on the desktop.)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Unless...this might be something.
DOCTOR: Mmm?
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Farrel's ordered a coach this week - a fifteen-seater.
DOCTOR: Well maybe he's going on a works outing.
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Yeah.
(The BRIGADIER walks to the other side of the office, shuts the door and starts looking through a row of filing cabinets. At the safe, the DOCTOR succeeds with the lock and swings opens the door. Inside is an Auton - g*n ready!)
DOCTOR: Look out! Auton!
(The Auton fires and the door next to the BRIGADIER explodes as he ducks down. The DOCTOR kicks the safe door shut and turns to the BRIGADIER with a look of relief on his face.)
DOCTOR: Remarkably persistent, aren't they!
20: INT. UNIT HEADQUARTERS. LABORATORY
(The DOCTOR and the BRIGADIER have returned to UNIT H.Q. where the remains of the shattered doll lie on the lab bench. YATES looks sheepish.)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: This thing actually att*cked you?
JO: It was going to - if Mike hadn't sh*t it. It was horrible!
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Seems as though you may be right, Doctor.
DOCTOR: I usually am!
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Well, it's d*ad enough now.
DOCTOR: Jo, where were you when this thing started moving?
JO: I was on the telephone.
DOCTOR: And what about you, Captain Yates?
CAPTAIN MIKE YATES: I wasn't here. I'd just gone out to, er... (His voice quietens.) ...fetch some cocoa.
DOCTOR: Yes, well something must have a...
(He realises what YATES has said.)
DOCTOR: Fetch a tin what?
CAPTAIN MIKE YATES: Cocoa.
DOCTOR: (Indignant.) Are you trying to tell me that you were going to cocoa in my lab?
CAPTAIN MIKE YATES: Er, that was the general idea. I'm sorry Doctor.
DOCTOR: Yes, well serg...
(A thought occurs to him...)
DOCTOR: Well, now wait a minute...you didn't by any chance use my Bunsen burner, did you?
CAPTAIN MIKE YATES: Well, yes.
DOCTOR: Well that's it then - heat! This thing was lying alongside my Bunsen. It must be triggered off by a pre-determined temperature.
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Yes, that may account for Farrel's death, Doctor, what about all the others?
(The DOCTOR picks up the daffodil.)
DOCTOR: If this thing is what I think it is, we may have the answer right here. Right, off you go, the whole lot of you.
(The BRIGADIER and YATES walk out. JO goes over to the DOCTOR.)
JO: Me too?
DOCTOR: Yes, you too. No...no, you go down to the stores and see if you can chase up that Mr. Campbell, all right?
JO: Okay.
(She walks out. The DOCTOR puts the daffodil down and takes off his cloak. He his hanging it up when the telephone rings. He walks over and picks it up.)
DOCTOR: Hello, yes, what is it?
21: EXT. PHONE BOX
MASTER: Hello Doctor, is that you?
22: INT. UNIT HEADQUARTERS. LABORATORY
(The DOCTOR sits down as he at last hears the voice of his nemesis.)
DOCTOR: Who is this? What do you want?
23: EXT. PHONE BOX
MASTER: Simply to say goodbye, Doctor.
(The MASTER smiles and holds up a small tube-like electronic device next to the mouthpiece. It starts to give out a signalling sound.)
24: INT. UNIT HEADQUARTERS. LABORATORY
(In the lab, the long flex comes to life, starting to wrap itself round the DOCTOR'S head and upper body and thr*at to strangle him...) | {"type": "series", "show": "Doctor Who", "episode": "08x03 - Terror of the Autons - part 3"} | foreverdreaming |
TERROR OF THE AUTONS
BY: ROBERT HOLMES
EPISODE FOUR
Original Air Date: 23 January, 1971
5:15pm - 5:40pm
1: EXT. PHONE BOX
MASTER: Hello Doctor, is that you?
2: INT. UNIT HEADQUARTERS. LABORATORY
(The DOCTOR sits down as he at last hears the voice of his nemesis.)
DOCTOR: Who is this? What do you want?
3: EXT. PHONE BOX
MASTER: Simply to say goodbye, Doctor.
(The MASTER smiles and holds up a small tube-like electronic device next to the mouthpiece. It starts to give out a signalling sound.)
4: INT. UNIT HEADQUARTERS. LABORATORY
(In the lab, the long flex comes to life, starting to wrap itself round the DOCTOR'S head and upper body and thr*at to strangle him...)
5: INT. UNIT HEADQUARTERS. CORRIDOR
(Walking along a corridor, the BRIGADIER hears the DOCTOR'S cries...)
DOCTOR: (OOV) Help Brigadier! Help!
(He turns and runs back towards the laboratory.)
6: INT. UNIT HEADQUARTERS. LABORATORY
(Pushing the door open, he sees the DOCTOR held in the cable's coiled grasp. The DOCTOR struggles the speak.)
DOCTOR: Cable...pull it out...pull it out!
(The BRIGADIER reaches down and yanks the cable sharply out of its socket. He starts to unwind the now slackened cable from around the DOCTOR.)
7: EXT. PHONE BOX
(The MASTER hears that the connection has been broken. His face dark with anger, he angrily switches the signalling device off and slams the phone down on its receiver.)
8: INT. UNIT HEADQUARTERS. LABORATORY
(The BRIGADIER finishes unloosening the DOCTOR who groans with relief, putting his hand to his forehead.)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: You all right, Doctor?
DOCTOR: Yes, more or less.
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: I'm afraid I cut your connection.
(The DOCTOR gives him a look.)
DOCTOR: (Dryly.) Oh, very amusing.
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: What happened?
DOCTOR: Well, remember what I told you, Brigadier? The Nestenes can put life into anything made of plastic...
(He holds up a length of the phone cable that the BRIGADIER is still holding.)
DOCTOR: ...anything at all.
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: (Grimly.) I see - and there's a lot of plastic around.
9: EXT. ROAD
(The coach continues its journey along a country road. It passes a motorcycle rider hidden in some bushes who starts his machine up and starts to follow.)
10: INT. UNIT HEADQUARTERS. LABORATORY
(In the lab, the DOCTOR plays his Bunsen burner near to the daffodil which is now secured in a clamp.)
CAPTAIN MIKE YATES: Doctor? Doctor?
(The DOCTOR tuts at the CAPTAIN and carries on for a moment with his experiment. Giving up with a sigh, he puts the Bunsen burner down.)
DOCTOR: (To himself.) Well I was wrong - it isn't heat. (To YATES.) Well?
CAPTAIN MIKE YATES: Message from the Brigadier.
DOCTOR: What is it this time?
CAPTAIN MIKE YATES: Oh, it's about these daffodils.
DOCTOR: What about them?
CAPTAIN MIKE YATES: You remember we had a report of a plastics promotion tour?
DOCTOR: Mmm mm.
CAPTAIN MIKE YATES: Well, er, they're handing out daffodils.
(CAPTAIN YATES has the DOCTOR'S attention. He turns from the daffodil.)
DOCTOR: Who are?
CAPTAIN MIKE YATES: Well, chaps in weird carnival masks, touring round in a coach.
DOCTOR: Mmm...did they say how many they'd given out?
CAPTAIN MIKE YATES: No they didn't. We've got no idea at all I'm afraid. We don't even know how long they've been doing it. (Embarrassed.) The thing is...ha...the Brigadier wants to know if the daffs are dangerous!
DOCTOR: That, Captain Yates, is what I'm trying to find out.
(He turns back to the immobilised daffodil.)
10: INT. UNIT HEADQUARTERS. BRIGADIER'S OFFICE
(The BRIGADIER is taking a phone call at his desk, a large map hangs on the wall behind him...)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: (Into phone.) Excellent, where was it? (He listens.) Well give me the grid reference. (He writes it down.) Yeah... (He listens.) No, just maintain contact. I want to tackle them in open country. (He listens.) Good, keep me informed.
(He puts the phone down and picks it up immediately.)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: (Into phone.) Lethbridge Stewart here, I want a call to the RAF please. Priority red-one strike command.
11: INT. UNIT HEADQUARTERS. LABORATORY
(JO is sat at one of the lab benches, looking over a piece of equipment as the DOCTOR walks up, a microscope slide in his hand.)
DOCTOR: 'Scuse me, Jo.
(JO moves out of the way and the DOCTOR sits at the bench. He puts the slide onto a small flat device and switches it on.)
JO: What are you doing?
DOCTOR: Well this is a section of that daffodil. I'm trying to find out its molecular structure.
(He adjusts the controls. A small black and white monitor sits on the bench. On its screen is a pattern resembling a poor television signal.)
DOCTOR: No...
(The DOCTOR continues to adjust controls and a picture emerges of various circular patterns.)
DOCTOR: Hello, what's this? A programme pattern.
JO: A programme pattern?
DOCTOR: Mmm. Yes, these daffodils have their instructions imprinted on every cell. It's a w*apon of some sort. but...what sort?
JO: Well, will those signs help you find out?
DOCTOR: They will if I can translate them.
(The door to the lab opens and the BRIGADIER and YATES walk in, dressed in combat fatigues.)
DOCTOR: My word! You look very fierce.
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: We've located that coach load of Nestene Autons distributing those daffodils, Doctor.
DOCTOR: Good.
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: They're hiding in that same quarry where they took you.
DOCTOR: Well that's curious. Was the Master with them?
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: I couldn't say. You might be able to identify him afterwards.
DOCTOR: Afterwards?
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: I've got the R.A.F. to lay on a rocket strike. In a few hours time, that coach will be a pile of scrap iron.
DOCTOR: (To JO) The military mind at its most scintillating! Faced with a problem they blast it off the face of the earth.
JO: What do you think we should do?
DOCTOR: Nothing. Keep them under observation for a while...and give me a chance to find out the purpose of these flowers.
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: I'm sorry, Doctor. I can't afford to take that risk. If that coach moves to a populated area, it'll be impossible to destroy it. The strike will go ahead as planned.
(The two soldiers turn and start to walk out.)
DOCTOR: Captain Yates?
(YATES turns back at the door as the BRIGADIER carries on.)
CAPTAIN MIKE YATES: Yes, Doctor?
DOCTOR: How long have we got?
CAPTAIN MIKE YATES: About an hour and a half. The RAF boys are setting things up now and we have established an observation point at the quarry.
(He turns to go again.)
JO: Mike, can we reach you there?
CAPTAIN MIKE YATES: Sure - we'll be in radio contact with HQ and with the RAF. You can get us on one of these.
(He reaches into his pocket and passes a small radio to JO.)
CAPTAIN MIKE YATES: See you, Doc. Bye Jo.
(He follows the BRIGADIER. The DOCTOR turns to JO.)
DOCTOR: An hour and a half.
(He nods and turns back to his work.)
12: EXT. QUARRY
(The coach stands in the quarry next to a run-down hut. REX stands in the doorway of the coach, anxiously looking out. He turns back inside...)
13: INT. COACH
(...to where the AUTON LEADER waits.)
REX FARREL: Everything seems quiet.
AUTON LEADER: The humans are watching us.
(Alarmed, REX looks out of the open door.)
REX FARREL: How do you know?
AUTON LEADER: We were followed to this place.
(Still alarmed, REX looks round...)
14: INT. UNIT HEADQUARTERS. LABORATORY
JO: But won't that profile pattern be a Nestene?
DOCTOR: (Pleased with her logical deduction.) Yes, well done. That's why I'm converting it to visual symbols.
(He manipulates more controls and the picture on the monitor resolves into a vague but nevertheless more coherent picture...)
DOCTOR: Ah, here it comes.
JO: That's a face! A part of one...
DOCTOR: Yes...yes, a nose and a mouth.
JO: What does that mean?
DOCTOR: I've no idea.
JO: So what next?
DOCTOR: Well, if it is a w*apon, we must find out what triggers it off. Jo, get in touch with the Brigadier, will you? See if he can hold up that air strike. I must have more time.
(JO switches on the radio that YATES gave her.)
JO: (Into radio.) Hello Greyhound, this is trap one. Do you read me? Over.
(All she receives is static.)
JO: There seems to be something wrong. (Into radio.) Hello Greyhound, this is trap one. Do you read me? Over.
(On the other lab bench, the clamped daffodil starts to turn of its own accord.)
DOCTOR: Jo look!
JO: It's alive!
DOCTOR: Short wave radio! You must have triggered it off with that walkie-talkie. Of course, they must be planning to set them all off at once with a gigantic radio signal.
(He snaps his fingers and wanders across the lab, muttering as he goes.)
DOCTOR: If I could only find out directional ...
(Left behind, JO moves closer to the still moving daffodil.)
JO: It seems to be looking for something.
DOCTOR: Jo, be careful.
(Jo moves nearer.)
DOCTOR: Jo!
(Suddenly, the daffodil sprays out a liquid from within onto JO'S face. She gasps and falls back, desperately clawing at her face. The DOCTOR rushes over to where she stands against a wall and tries to pull away a plastic film that covers her nose and mouth. Failing, he rushes over to the lab bench, picks up and aerosol can and sprays it over the plastic film. He manages to pull the 'mask' away. JO gasps for breath. The DOCTOR pulls her over to a chair.)
DOCTOR: It's all over. You all right?
JO: (Gasping.) Just a bit short of breath...what happened?
DOCTOR: Well, your nose and mouth were...sealed off with this.
(He holds up the plastic.)
JO: What's that?
DOCTOR: Plastic film - you would have been unconscious in two minutes, d*ad in under ten.
JO: So all those people were k*lled by the daffodils?
DOCTOR: Yes...
(He looks at the now inert daffodil and walks back towards it.)
DOCTOR: Yes, they must have triggered them off accidentally - just as you did. Jo, do something for me will you?
JO: Yes, of course.
DOCTOR: Get in touch with that idiot Brownrose. See if plastic daffodils were found at the scenes of any of those deaths - oh, and ask him if anybody was using short wave radios, will you?
JO: Okay.
(She starts to walk out.)
DOCTOR: You all right?
JO: Fine Doctor...and thank you.
15: EXT. QUARRY
(On a cliff-top at the edge of the quarry, SERGEANT BENTON, another soldier next to him, is speaking into an R/T unit...)
SERGEANT BENTON: Thank you Eagle, message confirmed. Over and out.
(He looks over to where a crouched and hidden BRIGADIER, binoculars in hand is observing the quarry next to CAPTAIN YATES.)
SERGEANT BENTON: That's it then sir. Air strike confirmed.
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Right.
(The BRIGADIER looks through his binoculars at the stationary coach.)
CAPTAIN MIKE YATES: (Quietly.) No word from the Doctor then sir?
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: No...the air strikes due to begin in... (He checks his watch.) ...thirty-seven minutes. If the Doctor's coming up with anything, he'd better be quick.
16: INT. UNIT HEADQUARTERS. LABORATORY
(Alone in the lab, the DOCTOR puzzles over the remains of the plastic face mask which he holds in his hand.)
DOCTOR: Now why wasn't this stuff found on the bodies?
(On an impulse, he breathes hard on the plastic and watches as it starts to shrivel in his upturned palm. Quickly it dissolves to nothing...)
DOCTOR: Yes of course! Dissolved by carbon dioxide from the lungs.
(He hears a familiar voice behind him...)
MASTER: Good afternoon, Doctor.
(He turns quickly. The MASTER is coming down the metal spiral staircase. He holds the same implosion device in his hand with which he k*lled Goodge - aimed at the DOCTOR.)
MASTER: I hope I'm not interrupting anything important?
DOCTOR: No, no, indeed not.
(The MASTER quickly looks round the lab to ensure that they are alone.)
DOCTOR: You've come here to k*ll me of course?
MASTER: But not without...considerable regret.
(He leans a nonchalant arm against one of the lab benches. The DOCTOR, smiling also rests against the other bench.)
DOCTOR: How very comforting.
MASTER: You see Doctor, you're my intellectual equal...almost. I have so few worth opponents. When they've gone, I always miss them.
DOCTOR: How did you get in here?
MASTER: Oh, don't be trivial, Doctor. I see you've been working on the Nestene Autojet. My own small contribution to their invasion plan.
DOCTOR: Mmm, viscous, complicated and inefficient - typical of your way of thinking.
MASTER: Now, come, come Doctor. Death is always more frightening when it strikes invisibly.
DOCTOR: Tell me, how do you intend to activate these flowers?
MASTER: (Matter-of-factly.) Oh, by a radio impulse which the Nestenes will send. I shall open the channel for them. We've distributed four hundred and fifty thousand of these daffodils, so when four hundred and fifty thousand people fall d*ad, the country will be disrupted.
DOCTOR: And in the confusion the Nestenes will land their invasion force?
MASTER: (His tone grows more menacing.) Exactly. It's a shame that you can't be here to enjoy the chaos and destruction with me. Goodbye Doctor.
(He aims the implosion device at the DOCTOR as the lab door opens and JO walks in...)
JO: You were quite right...
(Whilst the MASTER is distracted, the DOCTOR lunges for an object on the lab bench, then quickly stands back.)
DOCTOR: Wait! Don't sh**t!
MASTER: (Mocking.) Doctor, you do disappoint me. We Time Lords are expected to face death with dignity.
JO: (Horrified.) Oh no!
DOCTOR: (To JO.) Don't worry, he's not going to k*ll me.
MASTER: That is your last mistake.
(The MASTER aims again...)
DOCTOR: If you f*re that thing, you will never be able to leave this planet.
MASTER: You're bluffing on an empty hand, Doctor.
DOCTOR: I'm not bluffing and my hand, as you can see, is not empty. If you k*ll me, you will destroy the dematerialisation circuit from your own TARDIS.
(The DOCTOR'S sh*t fires home - the MASTER sang-froid disappears...)
DOCTOR: You recognise it, I feel sure.
MASTER: Where did you get that?
DOCTOR: The circus.
MASTER: You underestimate me, Doctor. Let me be quite plain - either you hand that unit over to me now... (He changes his aim.) ...or I k*ll Miss Grant.
(The DOCTOR considers watched by an agonised JO. After a moment, he accepts the inevitable.)
DOCTOR: Touché
(He is about to hand over the circuit but JO leaps forward pleadingly to him...)
JO: (Shouts.) Don't! He's beaten already! (To the MASTER.) They're going to b*mb the quarry!
(The DOCTOR yells an admonition as she gives the game away...)
DOCTOR: Jo!
(Jo hangs her head. The MASTER is plainly surprised at this revelation.)
MASTER: Oh...there's been a slight change of plan, Doctor. I've decided to let you live - for a little while.
17: EXT. QUARRY
(UNIT are still observing...)
CAPTAIN MIKE YATES: (To the BRIGADIER.) Not long now, sir.
18: INT. COACH
(REX is starting to panic...)
REX FARREL: What's happening out there?
AUTON LEADER: The human's are planning to att*ck us.
REX FARREL: We...we should try and leave.
AUTON LEADER: We shall leave soon. Our task is not yet completed.
REX FARREL: He's left us! He's deserted...!
(REX clutches his forehead in pain. His face then clears as his memory does the same...)
REX FARREL: How did I get here? I'm not part of this!
(He makes for the door but the AUTON LEADER chops his neck and he falls to the floor with a cry.)
19: EXT. QUARRY
(The BRIGADIER counts down on his watch as YATES continues to observe through his binoculars...)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: 29...28...
CAPTAIN MIKE YATES: Look sir!
(The BRIGADIER stops counting as he looks down into the quarry and sees Bessie drive up to the coach. The DOCTOR is in the driving seat with JO next to him.
The MASTER sits in the back, his g*n still aimed. The MASTER gets out and indicates that his prisoners should do the same. They do so as he waves them towards the coach. The BRIGADIER yells to BENTON behind him who is still next to the R/T unit.)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: (Shouts.) Benton, stop that air strike!
SERGEANT BENTON: It's too late sir!
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Well try man, try!
(BENTON picks up the microphone of the R/T unit and starts shouting into it...)
SERGEANT BENTON: Eagle, eagle, eagle, abort, abort, abort!
20: INT. COACH
(Inside the coach, the DOCTOR, JO and even the MASTER looks skywards as the roar of a jet comes closer...)
21: EXT. QUARRY
(The BRIGADIER watches as the jet screams over without striking. He and YATES breathe a sigh of relief.)
22: INT. COACH
(The immediate danger passed, the MASTER turns to the Autons and snaps his fingers.)
MASTER: Now tie these two up.
(The carnival masked figures grab the two.)
23: EXT. QUARRY
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Not a sign of life down there.
CAPTAIN MIKE YATES: What do we do if they try to move out?
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: I don't know.
24: INT. COACH
(As the DOCTOR and JO continue to be tied up, the MASTER spots the unconscious FARREL.)
MASTER: Farrel?
AUTON LEADER: Farrel became undependable.
MASTER: Did he? (Smiles.) His father would have been proud of him.
(He is distracted by the groans and cries of JO as she and the DOCTOR are left on the floor at the front of the coach - securely bound.)
JO: Ow! Ah!
MASTER: Yes Miss Grant, they are a little heavy handed. I apologise for your last moments on earth being so uncomfortable, Doctor.
(He delves into the DOCTOR'S pocket and pulls out the dematerialisation circuit.)
MASTER: Er, thank you. (To the Autons.) Right, you come with me.
(The MASTER walks over to another seat where the constantly pulsing Nestene sphere sits in a cardboard box.)
MASTER: Now, because of the change in circumstances, we're going to have to bring our schedule forward. What we're going to do is this: It's absolutely essential that we...
(The MASTER continues outlining his plan whilst, left on the floor, the DOCTOR quietly whispers to JO...)
DOCTOR: (Whispers.) Jo, you know where we are, don't you.
JO: (Whispers.) Roughly, why?
DOCTOR: (Whispers.) We're just three or four miles from the radio telescope.
JO: (Whispers.) So?
DOCTOR: (Whispers.) The Master will activate the daffodils from there.
JO: (Whispers.) Oh...what are you doing.
DOCTOR: (Whispers.) I'm going to warn UNIT. If I can just reach these brake pedals.
(He starts to reach out with his feet.)
JO: (Whispers.) Doctor, if you're going to drive, I want to get off!
DOCTOR: (Whispers.) No, only hope the Brigadier's keeping his eyes open.
(JO breathes a sigh of relief as the DOCTOR struggles to reach the pedal.)
DOCTOR: (Whispers.) Got it!
25: EXT. QUARRY
(Outside the coach, the brake lights start to flash in a Morse code signal. YATES spots this through his binoculars. He turns and whispers urgently to the BRIGADIER who joins him lying at the edge of the cliff-top.)
CAPTAIN MIKE YATES: Sir! Sir! The brake lights are flashing.
(The BRIGADIER looks through his own binoculars.)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Yes, you're right. Somebody's signalling.
CAPTAIN MIKE YATES: The Doctor!
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Benton?
SERGEANT BENTON: Yes sir?
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Get this down - E...S...T...
26: INT. COACH
(The DOCTOR continues to press the pedal whilst lying awkwardly bound.)
JO: (Whispers.) Do you think they're getting it?
DOCTOR: (Whispers.) If I can just keep trying...
(He does so whilst the MASTER can be heard in the background still giving his instructions to his plastic allies...)
27: EXT. QUARRY
(The BRIGADIER continues to dictate the signal...)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: ...I...O...N. That's it. Read that back, Benton.
SERGEANT BENTON: "Daffodils are lethal. Activated soon. Destroy immediately. Guard radio research station."
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Benton, send an alert to the civil police. I want radio and TV warnings, loudspeaker vans, house to house, the lot.
SERGEANT BENTON: Right away, sir.
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Captain Yates, rustle up every available man and put a guard on that radio research station.
SERGEANT BENTON: (Into R/T unit.) Hello, bluebottle three? This is greyhound, do you read me?
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: I'll stay here with the coach.
(YATES nods and moves away.)
SERGEANT BENTON: (Into R/T unit.) Do you read me? Over.
28: INT. COACH
DOCTOR: (Whispers.) You know, Jo, it's a pity escapology wasn't part of your curriculum.
JO: (Whispers.) Funny you should say that - look!
(She holds up a free hand.)
DOCTOR: (Whispers.) Well done!
JO: (Whispers.) Careful!
(The MASTER finishes his conference and turns back to his prisoners.)
MASTER: Well I hope that you two have enjoyed your little rest. Right, the time has come for our final move.
(He snaps his fingers. The Autons move forward and pick up the DOCTOR and JO from the floor and start to drag them towards the back of the coach. One of the Autons gets into the driving seat as REX starts to come round. The coach engine starts up.)
29: EXT. QUARRY
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: They're on the move. Come on, Benton.
SERGEANT BENTON: Right sir.
(The BRIGADIER gets up from his observation point.)
30: INT. COACH
(On a seat further back in the coach, the DOCTOR turns to JO.)
DOCTOR: (Whispers.) That's it, I'm free.
31: EXT. COUNTRY ROAD
(Driven by the carnival masked Auton, the coach continues onwards, driving through a large puddle of water as it goes. A moment later, the UNIT staff car follows.)
32: INT. COACH
DOCTOR: (Whispers.) If he slows down, we might be able to jump for it.
JO: (Whispers.) Right.
33: EXT. BEACON HILL RESEARCH ESTABLISHMENT
(The coach drives round the perimeter of the Research establishment, taking the same route as that used by Bessie on the DOCTOR'S first visit. At the entrance gate, YATES sees the coach approaching and yells to the UNIT troops.)
CAPTAIN MIKE YATES: Right, take your positions! Quick!
(The quickly do so, g*n aimed.)
34: INT. COACH
(On the front seat, FARRELL'S face clears as he remembers. He dives forward and starts to wrench the steering wheel round whilst it is still in the Auton's grasp.)
MASTER: Get back, Farrel!
35: EXT. BEACON HILL RESEARCH ESTABLISHMENT
(The coach swerves from side to side across the road as it approaches the entrance. The UNIT troops dive out of the way as the coach misses the front gate and, driving through the entrance sign, ploughs into a field that adjoins the Research Establishment. As it careers across the stubbled ground, the emergency exit door swings open and the DOCTOR falls out, rolling across the ground to break his fall. He sits up as JO also falls out. He runs over to her and helps her up.)
36: INT. COACH
(Within the coach, the MASTER gives up struggling to free FARREL'S grasp of the wheel and delivers him a vicious blow across the back of the neck. With a cry, FARREL falls to the floor.)
37: EXT. BEACON HILL RESEARCH ESTABLISHMENT
(The coach glides to a halt on the other side of the field. The DOCTOR helps JO to the perimeter fence of the Research Establishment. She sits on the ground, obviously in pain.)
DOCTOR: Are you all right?
JO: It's my ankle.
38: INT. COACH
(The MASTER opens the door of the coach in order to exit it.)
AUTON LEADER: The two humans have escaped.
MASTER: (Angrily.) Never mind about them! I must get to the radio telescope.
AUTON LEADER: The Autojets are being destroyed. It's too late.
MASTER: No!
(He points to the emergency door.)
MASTER: Get out there - all of you. Keep those soldiers back!
39: EXT. BEACON HILL RESEARCH ESTABLISHMENT
(The emergency door opens again and the carnival masked Autons jump out of the coach one by one. They hold their hands up in readiness. The lead Auton's fingers drop down and the g*n emerges. A UNIT soldier runs forward but is blasted to the ground - an orange flash and smoke erupting him his chest. YATES throws a grenade and an Auton is flung into the air by the detonation. The UNIT staff car carrying the BRIGADIER and BENTON with another soldier drives up as a furious g*n battle erupts. The DOCTOR runs over to it and shouts through the open window.)
DOCTOR: Brigadier, those daffodils...
(JO runs up, pointing at the pylon.)
JO: Doctor, look!
(The small figure of the MASTER can be seen ascending the metal stairway.)
DOCTOR: The radio telescope! We must stop him reaching the control - he'll open the channel for the Nestenes.
(He runs off as the MASTER continues his journey upwards. A white-jacketed technician coming down from the control cabin meets him half way. The MASTER hits out at him and the technician falls over the side and to the distant ground below. The DOCTOR, JO, the BRIGADIER and BENTON run up to the fallen man as they approach the pylon.)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Benton, get a stretcher party - and get some more men.
SERGEANT BENTON: Right sir.
(BENTON runs off. JO stays with the technician as the DOCTOR and the BRIGADIER start to ascend the stairway.)
40: INT. BEACON HILL RESEARCH ESTABLISHMENT. CONTROL CABIN
(In the control cabin, the MASTER frantically turns the wheel controls and then looks out of the window - a look of triumph on his face.)
41: EXT. BEACON HILL RESEARCH ESTABLISHMENT
(The two telescopes turn into alignment and this time face each other.)
42: INT. BEACON HILL RESEARCH ESTABLISHMENT. CONTROL CABIN
(Satisfied, the MASTER turns back to the controls.)
43: EXT. BEACON HILL RESEARCH ESTABLISHMENT. CONTROL CABIN GANTRY
(The DOCTOR and the BRIGADIER reach the door of the control cabin. An swirling alien noise starts to fill the air as the DOCTOR tries to open the door.)
DOCTOR: It's locked.
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Stand back, Doctor.
(He does so and the BRIGADIER sh**t the lock.)
44: INT. BEACON HILL RESEARCH ESTABLISHMENT. CONTROL CABIN
(They burst into the cabin to see the MASTER smiling and looking out of the window. He points and shouts above the alien cacophony.)
MASTER: Too late, Doctor! The Nestenes are here.
(The two new arrivals turn and follow his gaze.)
45: EXT. BEACON HILL RESEARCH ESTABLISHMENT
(A form is starting to materialise between the two aerials of the telescopes. White and shimmering, it shape vaguely resembles that of an octopus.)
46: INT. BEACON HILL RESEARCH ESTABLISHMENT. CONTROL CABIN
MASTER: Amateur landing of course, not the way I planned it.
DOCTOR: If only we can shut off the power.
MASTER: Impossible - they've taken control. No one can stop them now. Your precious little planet is finished!
DOCTOR: If we're finished, then you're finished too!
MASTER: (Indignant.) Nonsense! I helped them to come here.
DOCTOR: Do you really think that that thing will distinguish between you and us?
(The MASTER considers this unforeseen point...)
47: EXT. BEACON HILL RESEARCH ESTABLISHMENT
(YATES stops momentarily to observe the materialising creature but quickly returns to the battle with the Autons. UNIT troops have set up a machine g*n and start f*ring but the Autons quickly blast them. One by one, the soldiers are being massacred by the plastic robots. Lying on the ground and f*ring his p*stol, YATES is joined by BENTON who scrambles to his side.)
SERGEANT BENTON: It's no good sir, we just can't hold them!
(With no choice but to carry one, YATES continues to f*re as the shape of the Nestene continues to shimmer between the telescopes.)
47: INT. BEACON HILL RESEARCH ESTABLISHMENT. CONTROL CABIN
(The MASTER continues to ponder the DOCTOR'S observation as the BRIGADIER shouts above the sound of the alien noise...)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Can't you do anything, Doctor?!
DOCTOR: Not unless we change the polarity.
MASTER: Whilst the transfer shift is still open?
DOCTOR: It will fling them right out into space.
MASTER: (Realising.) You're right!
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Well, you'd better try it and quick!
DOCTOR: Get onto the transfer bank - I'll switch the power through.
(The MASTER runs over to one control console whilst the DOCTOR mans another.)
DOCTOR: Are you ready?
MASTER: Yes!
DOCTOR: Right, now!
(They each frantically start to manipulate the controls. There is a small expl*si*n on the console that the DOCTOR is working on and the whole room is suffused with a white flare as the occupants are thrown from side to side. At the same time the alien noise begins to diminish.)
48: EXT. BEACON HILL RESEARCH ESTABLISHMENT
(Outside the shimmering Nestene starts to float out of alignment from the telescopes and, as it does so, it fades away. YATES and BENTON see this from their point of cover on the ground. They then look over towards the Autons who start to stagger on their feet, as if intoxicated, then one by one they fall to the ground amongst the bodies of their soldier victims.)
49: INT. BEACON HILL RESEARCH ESTABLISHMENT. CONTROL CABIN
(The DOCTOR and the BRIGADIER picks themselves up off the floor.)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Well Doctor, it worked.
DOCTOR: Yes, but only just. Another minute and we'd have been too late.
(The BRIGADIER looks round and sees that they are alone in the cabin.)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: He's gone!
DOCTOR: After him, quick!
(They run out.)
50: EXT. BEACON HILL RESEARCH ESTABLISHMENT
(His p*stol carefully aimed, YATES reaches out to examine one of the disabled Autons on the ground when JO suddenly cries out.)
JO: Look!
(YATES looks up and sees the figure of the MASTER running behind the coach on the other side of the field. He fires several sh*ts as the DOCTOR and the BRIGADIER run up.)
CAPTAIN MIKE YATES: Sir! He's in the coach sir, we've got him now!
DOCTOR: Don't be too sure.
(The emergency door of the coach opens and the MASTER jumps out. Hands raised he starts to make his way across the field towards the UNIT group.)
DOCTOR: Don't trust him, Brigadier, it's a trick.
(The renegade walks nearer and nearer. As he gets close he whips out a g*n. YATES fires immediately and the MASTER staggers as the b*ll*ts catch him. One final b*llet finishes him off and he falls to the ground, face down. All except the DOCTOR run forward. He watches suspiciously, then follows. YATES turns the body over.)
CAPTAIN MIKE YATES: Well, that's the end of him.
(The DOCTOR reaches down...and tears the MASTER'S face away - it is FARREL. The DOCTOR holds the mask in his hands.)
DOCTOR: I told you not to be too sure.
(The coach engine suddenly starts up.)
JO: Look out!
(The group dive for safety as the coach, driven by the MASTER bears down on them. It swerves, aiming especially for the DOCTOR but he dodges to one side again, then watches as the coach mounts the road and drives off. The DOCTOR gives a slight smile.)
51: INT. UNIT HEADQUARTERS. LABORATORY
(Later, the BRIGADIER, still in his combat fatigues reports to the DOCTOR and JO.)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Well, we found the abandoned coach but the Master disappeared completely.
JO: He's probably left Earth by now.
DOCTOR: Oh no.
JO: What makes you so sure?
(The DOCTOR reaches into the tripod-like device that he was working on earlier and picks out a dematerialisation control.)
DOCTOR: Well his TARDIS can't go anywhere - not without this.
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: And what the dickens is that?
DOCTOR: Well that's a dematerialisation circuit. It's very complicated.
JO: (Realising.) So the one he took from you...
DOCTOR: ...belonged to my TARDIS, yes...yes, I've been trying to repair it for months.
JO: And now he's stuck here on Earth.
DOCTOR: (Smiles.) Yes, I'm afraid so.
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Think he'll turn up again, Doctor?
DOCTOR: Mmm, bound to.
JO: Well, you don't seem very worried about it.
DOCTOR: I'm not. As a matter of fact, Jo, I'm quite looking forward to it! | {"type": "series", "show": "Doctor Who", "episode": "08x04 - Terror of the Autons - part 4"} | foreverdreaming |
THE MIND OF EVIL
BY: DON HOUGHTON
EPISODE ONE
Original Air Date: 30 January, 1971
5:15pm - 5:40pm
1: EXT. STANGMOOR PRISON
(Bessie, carrying the DOCTOR and JO, drives along a road and approaches a thick-walled, grey stone gatehouse. The DOCTOR stops the car in front of the imposing closed wooden gates within the gatehouse and the two occupants look upwards at the imposing structure.)
JO: It looks like Dracula's castle.
DOCTOR: Well you're right about the castle bit. It used to be a fortress in the Middle Ages.
(The DOCTOR gets out of the car.)
JO: Doctor?
DOCTOR: Mmm?
JO: You'll need this.
(She passes him a small wallet like object.)
DOCTOR: (Smiles.) Thanks Jo.
(The DOCTOR walks up and presses a bell push in the wall next to a sign that identifies the castle-like structure as "H.M. PRISON STANGMOOR". He sees that JO is still looking anxiously at the building.)
DOCTOR: Smile Jo!
JO: (Startled.) What?
DOCTOR: You're on camera!
(The DOCTOR points upward to where a security camera hangs on the wall, its lens trained on the new arrivals. The DOCTOR grins at her, steps back and starts waving childishly at the camera. JO smiles at his antics.)
2: INT. STANGMOOR PRISON. DUTY ROOM
(Within the prison, SENIOR PRISON OFFICER GREEN and one of the PRISON OFFICERS stare in some disbelief at the image on their security monitor.)
3: EXT. STANGMOOR PRISON
(So intent is the DOCTOR on his performance that he fails to see the approach of another PRISON OFFICER. He stops in mid-wave when he suddenly becomes aware of the impassive official.)
DOCTOR: (Embarrassed.) Oh, good morning. Err...observers from UNIT. My admission pass.
(The DOCTOR holds up the small pass that JO handed him. The OFFICER checks the photographic pass over and then looks over to JO, still sat in Bessie, who shows him her pass. He then speaks into a small walkie-talkie.)
PRISON OFFICER: Right, passes checked and satisfactory. Right, open the gates.
(The OFFICER walks off without a word. The DOCTOR joins JO in Bessie muttering as he does so...)
DOCTOR: Abandon hope all ye who enter here!
(The two drive through the opened gates, underneath a raised barrier and into the prison. The gates slam shut behind them.)
4: INT. STANGMOOR PRISON. MAIN GALLERY
(Within the brick walled prison gallery there is near bedlam. Prisoners bang on the cell doors with any objects they can find. PRISON OFFICERS try to calm the situation. On the ground landing, CHIEF PRISON OFFICER POWERS approaches his subordinate as he runs out of one of the side rooms.)
CHIEF PRISON OFFICER POWERS: Green! ... settle down. The Governor's on his way.
(GREEN runs off to try and stop the racket. The PRISON GOVERNOR, plump dark haired Scot, walks out of a side door with another man - PROFESSOR KETTERING.
POWERS salutes the GOVERNOR.)
PRISON GOVERNOR: Morning Chief, everything all right?
CHIEF PRISON OFFICER POWERS: Will be, sir.
PRISON GOVERNOR: Good, good,...
(The GOVERNOR'S words are lost over the sound of the protest but he starts to ascend a metal staircase to the upper landing, followed by POWERS, KETTERING and a white-jacketed man - DR. SUMMERS.)
PRISON OFFICER: Keep that noise down!
(The row continues as the procession turns left on the upper landing and step through a barred gate that GREEN opens for them. As they are about to descend a staircase, KETTERING, a small graying man turns irritably to SUMMERS.)
PROFESSOR KETTERING: Why do they always have to make that stupid row?
PRISONER GOVERNOR: It always happens when sentences are being carried out.
5: INT. STANGMOOR PRISON. CELL
(CHIEF PRISON OFFICER POWERS opens an inspection hatch in a cell door and looks within. He opens the cell door and enters. Two OFFICERS within, playing drafts, stand up. The prisoner within the cell, BARNHAM, jumps up off his bed. Although a large and violent looking man, he has a look of fear on his face. The group enters the cell and the GOVERNOR addresses BARNHAM in an official tone.)
PRISONER GOVERNOR: George Patrick Barnham...
BARNHAM: (Shouts.) No, you're not going to take me anywhere!
PRISONER GOVERNOR: ... by a court of law.
BARNHAM: (Shouts.) Get away from me!
PRISONER GOVERNOR: The time has come for that sentence to be carried out.
BARNHAM: (Shouts.) Go on! Get out! All of yer!
DR. SUMMERS: I'll give him something to calm him.
(DR. SUMMERS places a medical briefcase on the bed but BARNHAM grabs it and throws it off.)
BARNHAM: You won't give me nothing, mate! Get out! All of yer!
CHIEF PRISON OFFICER POWERS: Pack it in, Barnham, you're just being stupid.
BARNHAM: You're not going to get me out there!
(POWERS looks over to the two OFFICERS.)
CHIEF PRISON OFFICER POWERS: Get him!
(The two OFFICERS spring forward. There is a loud tussle but the prisoner is soon overpowered, protesting loudly...)
PRISON GOVERNOR: All right ... !
BARNHAM: (Shouts.) ... , you'll break me arm!
(...and is dragged from the cell.)
6: INT. STANGMOOR PRISON. SIDE GALLERY
(BARNHAM is almost pulled up the staircase still shouting. GREEN opens the barred gate.)
7: INT. STANGMOOR PRISON. CELL
(POWERS hands SUMMERS his medical briefcase which he has picked up off the floor and the two leave the cell.)
8: INT. STANGMOOR PRISON. PROCESS THEATRE
(In a large white, clinical looking room off the main gallery a large group of suited people are gathered. Most sit on chairs, which are on all sides of the room. But some of the people are in the center of the room where there is another chair with straps built into it and a device like a dome hanging over it. This in turn is connected by wires to a machine, which rests next to the chair. It is has some controls and dials on the flat base and a perspex tube rising upwards out of the center, topped by a dome with a light on the front. The perspex tube would appear to be empty. SENIOR PRISON OFFICER GREEN opens one of the double doors to the room - the process theatre - and enters. The noise of the protest by the prisoners is reaching the people in the room and is making them noticeably nervous.)
SENIOR PRISON OFFICER GREEN: Sorry about the noise, ladies and gentlemen - just a temporary disturbance.
(JO walks over to where the DOCTOR is looking over a large bank of controls in one corner of the room.)
JO: Tell me about it...
SENIOR PRISON OFFICER GREEN: (To the people in the room.) Now if you'd like to take your seats.
JO: (To the DOCTOR.) It sounds like a full-scale riot.
(The DOCTOR looks over the observers as they take their seats.)
DOCTOR: Morbid lot of sensation seekers.
(He walks across the room…)
JO: Then why did you insist on coming here?
DOCTOR: Scientific curiosity, my dear.
JO: Oh yes!
(...and they take their seats on a front row of chairs. The DOCTOR throws his cloak back, inadvertently draping over the man sat next to him. He mutters an apology and turns to JO.)
DOCTOR: Something's been worrying me about this Keller process ever since I first heard about it.
(The door to the process theatre opens.)
DOCTOR: Oh, the curtain is about to go up.
(The GOVERNOR, KETTERING and POWERS enter. The latter goes up to GREEN and speaks quietly to him.)
CHIEF PRISON OFFICER POWERS: Mr. Green, ... wing, keep quiet.
SENIOR PRISON OFFICER GREEN: All right chief.
(He leaves the room as the GOVERNOR stands in front of the seated observers.)
PRISONER GOVERNOR: Ladies and gentlemen, good morning.
(All mutter a reply except for the DOCTOR who loudly proclaims:)
DOCTOR: Good morning!
(The GOVERNOR quickly looks at the oddly dressed individual, coughs and carries on...)
PRISONER GOVERNOR: May I introduce Professor Kettering, who will explain the process you're about to see demonstrated.
(KETTERING steps forward.)
PROFESSOR KETTERING: Well, as you're no doubt aware, we no longer execute our hardened criminals and K*llers. Modern society has progressed far beyond that primitive form of retribution. Today, science...
DOCTOR: (To JO.) It all depends what you mean by progress, doesn't it?
(KETTERING is somewhat thrown by the DOCTOR'S rather loud side comment. He gives him a cold look and continues.)
PROFESSOR KETTERING:...science has abolished the hangman's noose and substituted this infallible method. Professor Emil Keller...
DOCTOR: (To JO.) People who go on about infallibility are usually on very shaky ground, I think!
(Again, KETTERING is thrown. He goes and stands directly in front of the DOCTOR.)
PROFESSOR KETTERING: For the benefit of the less sophisticated members of my audience, I will explain in very simple terms!
(The DOCTOR gives JO a rueful look. KETTERING goes over to the machine in the center of the room.)
PROFESSOR KETTERING: Professor Emil Keller, the inventor of this process, discovered that anti-social behavior was governed by certain negative or "evil"
impulses. Now this machine - the Keller machine - extracts these impulses and leaves a rational, well-balanced individual. Because...
DOCTOR: (To JO.) It doesn't.
JO: What?
PROFESSOR KETTERING: (To the DOCTOR.) May I be permitted to continue?
DOCTOR: (Unfazed.) Oh yes...yes, please do!
PROFESSOR KETTERING: Thank you. The condemned man is placed here... (He indicates the chair.) ...after being tranquillized with his head under this dome. A series of probes are attached to his skull so as to connect with the neural circuits.
(He walks over to the bank of controls that the DOCTOR was looking over earlier.)
PROFESSOR KETTERING: The extraction process...is controlled here. The negative impulses are stored in that reservoir box there.
(He points to the upright perspex tube in the device next to the chair.)
DOCTOR: And where do they go after that?
PROFESSOR KETTERING: Nowhere sir. I repeat they are stored in the box.
DOCTOR: Which is now full of these negative or evil impulses.
PROFESSOR KETTERING: Not full. The indicator registers only sixty-five percent at this time.
(POWERS opens the door to the theatre and two white-coated orderlies wheel in BARNHAM on a trolley. SUMMERS follows.)
PROFESSOR KETTERING: The machine has been used very successfully in Switzerland. A hundred and twelve cases have been processed to date and today we shall witness the one hundred and thirteenth. Thank you, Doctor Summers.
DR. SUMMERS: Come on, old chap, up you get.
(The two orderlies assist the sedated BARNHAM off the trolley and into the chair. As SUMMERS connects a wired skullcap emanating from the dome to BARNHAM'S head, KETTERING continues his lecture.)
PROFESSOR KETTERING: Err, when the process is completed the negative impulses that made this man a criminal will have been removed. He will take his place as a useful - if lowly - member of society. Are you ready, Doctor summers?
DR. SUMMERS: Yes.
(KETTERING adjust a control on the Keller machine and then walks over to the control bank. The DOCTOR leans forward - a look of concern on his face.
KETTERING activates more controls, then nods at the GOVERNOR.)
PRISONER GOVERNOR: Let the sentence of the court been carried out.
(KELLER switches the device on. The lights in the room darken, lights in the Keller machine start flashing and a variable buzzing sound starts to fill the room. Suddenly BARNHAM screams in pain. Everybody in the room jumps.)
DOCTOR: (To JO.) I knew there was something evil about that machine!
DR. SUMMERS: Kettering! Look at the dial.
(KETTERING runs over to where SUMMERS is looking at a dial on the front of the Keller machine.)
PROFESSOR KETTERING: What of it?
DR. SUMMERS: It's never registered so high before.
(As KETTERING runs back over to the control bank and starts frantically to adjust controls, SUMMERS examines BARNHAM through his stethoscope.)
PRISONER GOVERNOR: Mr. Kettering, what's happening?
(KETTERING manages to reduce the power of the machine and the lights in the room return to normal.)
PRISONER GOVERNOR: Well?
PROFESSOR KETTERING: A minor malfunction. The machine compensated.
(SUMMERS nods to KETTERING.)
PROFESSOR KETTERING: The process is completed satisfactorily.
DOCTOR: (To JO.) Satisfactorily be blowed!
PROFESSOR KETTERING: The subject will be taken away to recuperate and within an hour or two he will be perfectly normal.
DOCTOR: I admire your confidence, sir.
PROFESSOR KETTERING: Thank you. That is all, gentlemen.
(The observers in the room get up and start to leave - except for the DOCTOR and JO who walk over and join the GOVERNOR and KETTERING.)
PRISONER GOVERNOR: I take it everything was all right, Mr. Kettering.
PROFESSOR KETTERING: Yes, of course, Governor.
DOCTOR: Then would you kindly explain, sir, that unfortunate man's reaction?
PROFESSOR KETTERING: (Without looking up.) An excess of negative particles. The machine overreacted.
DOCTOR: In other words - you don't know.
(KETTERING turns and faces the DOCTOR.)
PROFESSOR KETTERING: May I ask who you are, sir?
PRISONER GOVERNOR: The Doctor is scientific advisor to UNIT, Mr. Kettering.
PROFESSOR KETTERING: UNIT?
PRISONER GOVERNOR: United Nations Intelligence Taskforce.
PROFESSOR KETTERING: How interesting, though I fail to see what concern it is...
DOCTOR: (Interrupting.) UNIT, sir, was set up to deal with new and unusual menaces to mankind - and in my view, this machine of yours is just that!
(He gives KETTERING a hard look.)
DOCTOR: Jo.
(They walk out, leaving a worried looking KETTERING behind.)
9: INT. STANGMOOR PRISON. MEDICAL WING
(In the hospital, BARNHAM lies unconscious in bed, linked to a monitoring machine. SUMMERS takes a reading.)
DR. SUMMERS: Right.
(He picks up a clipboard and is making a note when KETTERING enters the room, looking concerned.)
PROFESSOR KETTERING: Well?
DR. SUMMERS: Nothing much wrong physically. Respiration normal, pulse rates a little high but that's usual after the process.
PROFESSOR KETTERING: (Relaxing.) Ah, exactly. A completely successful treatment.
DR. SUMMERS: (Looking in BARNHAM'S eyes.) The reaction was unusually violent.
PROFESSOR KETTERING: Really, my dear Summers, you're as bad as that interfering fool from UNIT.
(A phone rings.)
DR. SUMMERS: Excuse me.
(SUMMERS goes into a side room and picks up the phone.)
DR. SUMMERS: (Into phone.) Medical wing? (He listens.) Yes? (He listens again.) What? (He listens.) Have you told the Governor? (He listens.) I'll be right over.
(He walks out of the side-room, speaking to an orderly as he goes.)
DR. SUMMERS: Come with me.
(He makes for the door, speaking to another orderly who is with BARNHAM.)
DR. SUMMERS: You stay with the patient.
PROFESSOR KETTERING: Anything the matter?
DR. SUMMERS: There's been some kind of an accident in the process room. They think the man's d*ad.
(KETTERING rushes after SUMMERS.)
10: INT. STANGMOOR PRISON. PROCESS THEATRE
(In the process room, a young man lies d*ad on the floor. SENIOR PRISON OFFICER GREEN is examining him. He extracts his wallet and starts to look through it for identification. SUMMERS and his two companions enter the room.)
DR. SUMMERS: Who is he?
SENIOR PRISON OFFICER GREEN: I don't know, sir.
(SUMMERS starts to examine the man as the GOVERNOR, the DOCTOR and JO enter.)
PRISONER GOVERNOR: What happened?
SENIOR PRISON OFFICER GREEN: I don't know, sir. I was coming along the corridor and I heard him screaming.
DOCTOR: (To SUMMERS.) Is he d*ad?
DR. SUMMERS: (Sadly.) Yes...he's d*ad.
PROFESSOR KETTERING: Probably a heart att*ck - delayed shock from seeing the process.
DOCTOR: Perhaps...but I doubt it. (To SUMMERS.) Might I suggest an immediate investigation into his past medical history...and a post mortem.
DR. SUMMERS: Yes...yes, a good idea. I'll see to it right away. (To the orderly.) Get a stretcher, will you?
(He leaves the room.)
JO: (Upset.) Doctor? Did you see his face? He looks terrified - and those...marks, like...
DOCTOR: Bites and scratches? Yes, I know.
JO: Look, I think we'd better get onto the Brigadier.
DOCTOR: Yes, I agree, Jo, but not just yet. Now, let me get that post mortem first. It'll give me more to go on.
(He turns back to the body.)
JO: All right. Anyway, I don't think he'd thank us for disturbing him right now.
DOCTOR: (Not really listening.) Mmm?
JO: He did tell you all about it, Doctor.
DOCTOR: (Puzzled.) All about what?
JO: (With some exasperation.) Today's the first ever world peace conference. UNIT's handling all the security arrangements.
11: INT. UNIT LONDON HQ. BRIGADIER'S OFFICE
(The BRIGADIER is on the telephone...)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Yes, that's all very well, sir, but in my opinion...
(As he listens, there is a knock and CAPTAIN YATES enters, closing the double doors closed behind him.)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: (Into phone.) Yes, I see, sir... (He listens.) ...of course, sir... (He listens.) ...I take it that is your final decision?... (He listens again.) ...very well, sir, goodbye.
(He puts the phone down.)
CAPTAIN MIKE YATES: Trouble, sir?
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: That was the ministry. UNIT'll be responsible for the safe transport of the m*ssile. It's been cleared with Geneva.
CAPTAIN MIKE YATES: (Sighs.) Well, that's all we needed. What with the peace conference on our hands as well.
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Yes.
(He gets up and goes to a filing cabinet.)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: I want you to take charge of this escort detail, Captain Yates. I've got quite enough on my plate as it is.
CAPTAIN MIKE YATES: I'll get onto it right away.
(The BRIGADIER hands him a file and resumes his seat. YATES turns to leave.)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Oh, is the Doctor back from Stangmoor yet?
CAPTAIN MIKE YATES: No sir. Erm , what exactly is he doing down there?
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: (Skeptically.) Observing new development in the treatment of criminals, I believe. Oh well, I suppose it will keep him out of mischief. By the way, how are things at the conference?
(Slightly upraised voices can be heard in the outer office.)
CAPTAIN MIKE YATES: Oh, all running smoothly, sir.
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: I only hope it lasts.
(The doors burst open and a grim, unsmiling young Asiatic woman in the green uniform of the Chinese army enters the room, closely followed by a flustered CORPORAL BELL, the BRIGADIER'S secretary.)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: All right, Corporal Bell.
(BELL leaves the room as CAPTAIN YATES carries forward a chair for the visitor. She ignores it and stands before the BRIGADIER'S desk.)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Yes, Captain Chin Lee, what can I do for you?
CAPTAIN CHIN LEE: Brigadier, an outrage has been committed against the Chinese people's delegation. As you are in charge of security arrangements, we hold you directly responsible.
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: (Patiently.) What is it now, Captain?
CAPTAIN CHIN LEE: Important state documents have been stolen from General Cheng Teik's suite.
CAPTAIN MIKE YATES: That's impossible. There's a twenty-four hour guard on all the delegate's suites.
CAPTAIN CHIN LEE: Nevertheless, the theft has occurred. Your guards are inefficient. Perhaps they take bribes?
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: (Furious.) That is an insulting suggestion, Captain! I will not tolerate any...
(CHIN LEE stares impassively at him as he collects his temper...)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Very well, Captain, I'll investigate the matter immediately.
CAPTAIN CHIN LEE: I must warn you that this puts the success of the peace conference in grave jeopardy. We suspect the imperialist Americans of this crime.
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: (Dryly.) Naturally. I assure that every effort will be made to locate the missing papers and punish whoever is responsible.
CAPTAIN CHIN LEE: (thr*at.) Any further trouble and our delegation will withdraw from this conference.
(She storms out of the room.)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: More trouble!
CAPTAIN MIKE YATES: Mmm, pity, she's quite a dolly!
12: EXT. UNIT LONDON HQ
(CHIN LEE walks out of the town house which is serving as the London HQ but her whole demeanor has changed. Her thr*at icy tone has disappeared and she now walks in a trance, past the open door of her car held for her by a puzzled chauffeur and into a park across the street where children are playing. She walks up to a litter bin in the park and, seemingly struggling with her actions, pulls a roll of documents from out of her tunic. She sets f*re to them with a lighter and observes the gathering flame as a buzzing sound seems to fill her head. She throws the flaming paper into the bin, her facing slightly creasing with pain.
She feels behind her right ear...where there is concealed a small round metallic device. The trance seems to take over her again and she walks away from the litterbin and its burning contents.)
13: INT. STANGMOOR PRISON. PROCESS THEATRE
(The DOCTOR, KETTERING and the GOVERNOR enter the theatre. The body has been taken away.)
DOCTOR: But you are still convinced this Keller process is working normally?
PROFESSOR KETTERING: Yes, of course it is. I mean, you've just seen Barnham.
DOCTOR: Yes...yes, I've seen him.
PROFESSOR KETTERING: Look, Emil Keller himself installed it here. I worked closely with him. I know every facet of the process.
DOCTOR: Yes, I know...but I still don't like it.
PRISONER GOVERNOR: What?
DOCTOR: Interfering with the mind, Governor. It's a dangerous business.
PROFESSOR KETTERING: Well, it's hardly your concern, is it?
DOCTOR: (Angrily.) Professor Kettering, it is everyone's concern!
DR. SUMMERS: (OOV: Outside the room.) After you,...
(JO and SUMMERS enter the room, the latter carrying a file.)
PRISONER GOVERNOR: Ah, Doctor Summers, any news for us?
DR. SUMMERS: I've got the post mortem report.
PROFESSOR KETTERING:: Well?
DR. SUMMERS: The deceased's name was Arthur Linwood, a medical student in his final year...
DOCTOR: (Interrupting.) Yes, yes, yes, but what did he die of?
DR. SUMMERS: Heart failure.
PROFESSOR KETTERING: (Satisfied.) Watching the process was too much for him.
DR. SUMMERS: But he didn't have a weak heart, Mr. Kettering.
DOCTOR: Anything in his medical history?
DR. SUMMERS: Yes, I called his hospital. He suffered from a fear of certain animals.
DOCTOR: Oh, which ones?
DR. SUMMERS: Well, apparently in the laboratory. He was absolutely terrified of...
DOCTOR: (Guessing.) Rats!
DR. SUMMERS: Yes...
DOCTOR: Yeah...tell me, these, err, these marks on his face on his face and neck, these bites and scratches, could they have been caused by rats?
DR. SUMMERS: Certainly they could, yes.
PRISONER GOVERNOR: (Indignant but puzzled.) But there are no rats in this room. There's none in the entire prison.
DR. SUMMERS: Yet all the indications are that he was att*cked by a hoard of them and...and the shock k*lled him.
PROFESSOR KETTERING: You must be mistaken.
DOCTOR: But Linwood is d*ad.
PROFESSOR KETTERING: Because of heart failure!
DOCTOR: No, Professor Kettering, because of this machine.
PROFESSOR KETTERING: I tell you that man's death had nothing to do with this machine, and if you were a scientist you'd understand!
DOCTOR: (Shouts furiously.) If I were a scientist?! Let me tell you sir that I am a scientist...and I have been for several thousand...!
(He stops himself before he says something that he would regret. He storms out of the room.)
DOCTOR: Jo...
PROFESSOR KETTERING: The man's mad.
JO: On the contrary, sir, he happens to be a genius! (To the GOVERNOR.) I do wish you'd listen to him.
(She follows the DOCTOR.)
DR. SUMMERS: (To the GOVERNOR.) Victor?
PRISONER GOVERNOR: I think you'd better give this machine a thorough check, Professor Kettering.
PROFESSOR KETTERING: Yes, of course, Governor. But I assure you there's no reason for anxiety.
PRISONER GOVERNOR: (Not convinced.) All the same, better safe than sorry, hmm?
(They leave a slightly chastened KETTERING behind as they exit the room.)
14: INT. UNIT LONDON HQ. OUTER OFFICE
(CAPTAIN YATES is on one phone, sticking pins in a map as he speaks. CORPORAL BELL has just taken another call as the BRIGADIER enters.)
CAPTAIN MIKE YATES: (Into phone.) I'll give you the final security schedules just as soon as I've had a chance to clear them with the Brigadier.
CORPORAL BELL: (To the BRIGADIER.) A call for you on line one, sir.
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Oh, put it through, will you?
CAPTAIN MIKE YATES: (Into phone.) Right, right, I'll ring you back within twenty minutes.
(She transfers the call and answers another ringing phone as the BRIGADIER enters his office.)
CORPORAL BELL: (Into phone.) UNIT HQ? Oh, good morning, Captain...
15: INT. UNIT LONDON HQ. BRIGADIER'S OFFICE
CORPORAL BELL: (OOV: In outer office.) Yes, certainly Captain, I'm just ...
(The BRIGADIER answers his phone.)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Lethbridge Stewart? (He listens.) I see...you're sure?... (He listens.) ...very well, continue the search.
(He puts the phone down and speaks into an intercom.)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Captain Yates, will you come in for a moment please?
CAPTAIN MIKE YATES: (OOV: On intercom.) Yes sir.
(YATES enters the room.)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Oh, sit down.
(He shuts the door behind him and does so.)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Well, there's no trace of Chin Lee's missing papers. Our people have turned the place inside out. It wouldn't surprise me if she lost them herself.
(BELL enters the room.)
CORPORAL BELL: Excuse me, sir. Captain Chin Lee on the phone. Do you want to speak to her?
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: (With a tired note in his voice.) Yes, I'll speak to her.
(He reaches for a phone.)
CORPORAL BELL: Err, hotline, sir.
(He picks up another phone on his desk.)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Oh, I wonder what she's complaining of this time? (Into phone.) Yes, good afternoon, Captain Chin Lee, what can I do for you?
(A look of concern appears on his face and his manner becomes tense.)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: (Into phone.) Yes, I see... (He listens.) ...no, don't touch anything. I'll be over at once.
(He puts the phone down.)
CAPTAIN MIKE YATES: More stolen papers, sir?
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: (Into intercom.) Get my car ready at once.
CORPORAL BELL: (OOV: Over intercom.) Right away, sir.
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: (To YATES.) We've got real trouble this time, the Chinese delegate's d*ad.
16: INT. STANGMOOR PRISON. PROCESS THEATRE
(Alone in the process theatre, KETTERING takes an inspection hatch off the front of the control bank at the side of the room. As he starts to inspect the wiring, an undulating noise starts to fill the room. KETTERING puts his hands to his ears in pain. He turns round and sees that the Keller machine seems to have come to life of its own accord.)
17: INT. STANGMOOR PRISON. MAIN GALLERY
(SENIOR PRISON OFFICER GREEN is on patrol as noise and shouts from the locked-up prisoners starts to increase. The OFFICERS react...)
PRISON OFFICER: All right in there, keep the noise down.
(POWERS comes out of the duty room and shouts up to GREEN who is on the upper landing.)
CHIEF PRISON OFFICER POWERS: Starting up again, are they?
SENIOR PRISON OFFICER GREEN: Just like before, I don't what it is.
(The prisoners become more restless and starting banging on the cell doors.)
18: INT. STANGMOOR PRISON. PROCESS THEATRE
(The noise from the Keller machine now fills the room. KETTERING spins round, a look of panic on his face. The lights on and within the machine pulse on and off. KETTERING steps towards it, the look of panic on his face becoming more pronounced. He turns back to the control bank but his efforts to reach out towards it are paralyzed. He clutches his head in pain and turns back to the machine, trying to focus his eyes on it. Suddenly, the look of panic turns to one of sheer terror. As he waves his arms in a swimming motion, he seems to be surrounded by water. He gasps for breath within the mental sea that surrounds him and slowly starts to sink in its depths. As he falls to the ground, the sea of water disappears and the Keller machine falls silent...)
19: INT. STANGMOOR PRISON. PROCESS THEATRE (LATER)
(KETTERING lies on a stretcher. DR. SUMMERS pulls a sheet over his face and the two medical orderlies lift the stretcher up and carry it away as the DOCTOR, JO and the GOVERNOR enter the room.)
PRISONER GOVERNOR: d*ad...you know how it happened, Roland?
DR. SUMMERS: (Stunned.) I'm not sure...it's incredible...
DOCTOR: Well, come on man, come on!
DR. SUMMERS: From the position of the body, tint of the skin...
DOCTOR: Well?
DR. SUMMERS: All the symptoms are consistent with death by drowning.
PRISONER GOVERNOR: But that's ridiculous!
DOCTOR: Like the rats?
DR. SUMMERS: Shall I go and check on his medical record?
DOCTOR: Yes, it's a good idea.
(SUMMERS starts to leave the room.)
DOCTOR: How long would you say he'd been d*ad?
DR. SUMMERS: Oh, a matter of minutes, five at the outside.
(SUMMERS leaves.)
JO: That must have been about the time the riots started.
DOCTOR: Yes, exactly.
PRISONER GOVERNOR: Are you suggesting there's some connection?
(The DOCTOR walks, pondering, over to the Keller machine.)
DOCTOR: This machine has the power to affect men's minds, Governor...and it's growing stronger.
PRISONER GOVERNOR: Oh, come now, Doctor! It's only a machine.
DOCTOR: Yes, maybe...but nevertheless it's dangerous and it should be destroyed now!
PRISONER GOVERNOR: Well, huh! I've no authority to do that. I'll report your recommendations to the Home Office but they'll have to decide.
DOCTOR: And I wonder how many deaths it'll take to convince them?
20: INT. CHINESE DELEGATION'S SUITE
(Another sheet is draped over another body - that of the Chinese delegate. CHIN LEE is accusatory but somewhat nervous in tone...)
CAPTAIN CHIN LEE: First theft, Brigadier. Now m*rder - what are you going to do about it?
(The room would be modern and comfortable but an obvious struggle has taken place. Furniture, cushions and pictures lie askew. A UNIT photographer captures the scene of the crime.)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Who else knows about this?
CAPTAIN CHIN LEE: No one - I called you at once.
CAPTAIN MIKE YATES: Shall I call the police sir?
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Yes, just a courtesy call, but tell them we'll handle this ourselves. And I want a full check on all movements in and out of this suite before Cheng Teik's death...and no press - 'D' notice.
CAPTAIN MIKE YATES: Right, sir.
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: And get the Doctor back from Stangmoor, will you? I want him here.
CAPTAIN MIKE YATES: Yes sir.
(He leaves as the BRIGADIER approaches CHIN LEE.)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Now then, Captain, I'd like you to tell me exactly what happened please? In detail.
CAPTAIN CHIN LEE: My...appointment with the General was for twelve p.m. There was some details to discuss about the conference.
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: And you were punctual?
CAPTAIN CHIN LEE: I am always punctual. I showed my pass to your UNIT sentry...and entered as the clock was striking twelve.
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Go on.
CAPTAIN CHIN LEE: (Slightly nervous.) There is nothing more to tell. I saw the General's body...and phoned you.
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Immediately?
CAPTAIN CHIN LEE: Of course.
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: (After a pause.) Excuse me a moment, will you?
(He walks over to CORPORAL BELL.)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Oh, Corporal Bell? I'd like you to...
(He turns and sees CHIN LEE listening intently. He lowers his voice.)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: I want you to make an exact check on the time of Chin Lee's phone call.
CORPORAL BELL: Right sir.
21: INT. STANGMOOR PRISON. PROCESS THEATRE
(The GOVERNOR speaks with the DOCTOR and JO...)
PRISONER GOVERNOR: I am sorry, Doctor. That's my final word. I'll suspend further use of the Keller process. I'll put this room out of bounds -
but that's all I can do, without higher authority.
DOCTOR: (With reluctance.) Yes, erm...yes all right. Well, I'd better make this machine safe.
JO: Can I help?
DOCTOR: On my own.
PRISONER GOVERNOR: Is that wise?
DOCTOR: Err, perhaps not.
JO: Well then I...
DOCTOR: (Interrupting.) But I prefer to work that way! Tell me, how long has this machine been installed?
PRISONER GOVERNOR: Nearly a year, Emil Keller came over from Switzerland to supervise the installation.
DOCTOR: I see. Did he have an assistant?
PRISONER GOVERNOR: Mmm hmm. A rather attractive Chinese girl...
22: INT. CHINESE DELEGATION'S SUITE
(CORPORAL BELL is on the phone, watched by the BRIGADIER and a very nervous CHIN LEE.)
CORPORAL BELL: (Into phone.) Yes...mmm...yes right, thank you.
(She puts down the phone and passes the BRIGADIER a note.)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Thank you.
(He reads it and approaches CHIN LEE.)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: You telephone me...immediately?
CAPTAIN CHIN LEE: Yes...
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: No Captain, you didn't. You telephoned me at exactly twelve-twenty four.
CAPTAIN CHIN LEE: (Nervously.) You...you must be mistaken.
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: You called me on a security line. All security calls are logged. Well Captain? Why did you wait for nearly half an hour before reporting the crime?
(CHIN LEE looks evasive…)
23: INT. STANGMOOR PRISON. MEDICAL WING
(In the medical wing, BARNHAM comes round. The waiting orderly sees this and goes and knocks on the door of the side room where SUMMERS is sat at a desk. He gets up and comes over to BARNHAM'S bed. JO enters the room. SUMMERS takes BARNHAM'S wrist and starts to feel his pulse.)
DR. SUMMERS: How do you feel?
BARNHAM: (Somewhat weak.) Fine...fine. Why, have I been ill?
DR. SUMMERS: Yes, but you're all right now.
BARNHAM: Are you a Doctor?
DR. SUMMERS: Mmm hmm. Don't you remember? I'm Doctor Summers. (Smiles.) Just try and rest. You'll be all right.
BARNHAM: Anything you say, Doctor.
(JO and SUMMERS cross the room to where they can talk. SUMMERS starts to write on a clipboard.)
DR. SUMMERS: Well, he...seems fully recovered physically.
JO: And ment*lly?
DR. SUMMERS: Well, his memory's a bit hazy but it...it's only to be expected.
JO: And has the process harmed him?
DR. SUMMERS: (Thinks.) I...I don't know, Miss Grant.
JO: The Doctor was wondering about Mr. Kettering's medical history?
DR. SUMMERS: Mmm? Oh yes, I've got the, err, post mortem report through there.
JO: What's the verdict?
DR. SUMMERS: Kettering's lungs were full of water. He drowned...in the middle of a perfectly dry room.
24: INT. STANGMOOR PRISON. MAIN GALLERY
(Once again, the pattern starts to repeat itself. The prisoners start to create a racket from within their cells. The OFFICERS rush round trying to restore calm. GREEN and POWERS confer but their conversation is lost in the noise of the protest.)
25: INT. STANGMOOR PRISON. PROCESS THEATRE
(This time, it is the DOCTOR who is in the process theatre. As he works on the control bank, the Keller machine bursts into life. The DOCTOR puts his hand to his head and desperately tries to block out the mental confusion. He turns back to his work on the control bank.)
26: INT. STANGMOOR PRISON. MAIN GALLERY
(Outside, the PRISON OFFICERS attempts to quiet the prisoners are futile.)
27: INT. STANGMOOR PRISON. PROCESS THEATRE
(The DOCTOR is desperately pulling leads from the control bank but this seems to have no effect on the Keller machine itself. His face creasing with the mental effort of battling the machine, he staggers over to it but is halted in his tracks when he sees a wall of flame in front of him. Unusually, a look of terror appears on the DOCTOR'S face and he cries out in panic as he starts to try to ward off the ever-increasing inferno...) | {"type": "series", "show": "Doctor Who", "episode": "08x05 - The Mind of Evil - part 1"} | foreverdreaming |
THE MIND OF EVIL
BY: DON HOUGHTON
EPISODE TWO
Original Air Date: 6 February, 1971
5:15pm - 5:40pm
1: INT. STANGMOOR PRISON. MAIN GALLERY
(Once again, the pattern starts to repeat itself. The prisoners start to create a racket from within their cells. The OFFICERS rush round trying to restore calm. GREEN and POWERS confer but their conversation is lost in the noise of the protest.)
2: INT. STANGMOOR PRISON. PROCESS THEATRE
(This time, it is the DOCTOR who is in the process theatre. As he works on the control bank, the Keller machine bursts into life. The DOCTOR puts his hand to his head and desperately tries to block out the mental confusion. He turns back to his work on the control bank.)
3: INT. STANGMOOR PRISON. MAIN GALLERY
(Outside, the PRISON OFFICERS attempts to quiet the prisoners are futile.)
4: INT. STANGMOOR PRISON. PROCESS THEATRE
(The DOCTOR is desperately pulling leads from the control bank but this seems to have no effect on the Keller machine itself. His face creasing with the mental effort of battling the machine, he staggers over to it but is halted in his tracks when he sees a wall of flame in front of him. Unusually, a look of terror appears on the DOCTOR’S face and he cries out in panic as he starts to try to ward off the ever-increasing inferno. JO, the post mortem file under her arm, enters the room and sees the DOCTOR seemingly fighting off invisible demons.)
JO: (Shouts.) Doctor! What’s the matter?
(She rushes over to him. He is still in a terrified panic, staring at the Keller machine with wide-eyed fear and gasping out incoherently. She tries to calm him.)
JO: (In quiet, calming voice.) Let’s sit down - it’s all right. There’s nothing there.
(The machine has died down again. The DOCTOR continues to stare at it and mutters in shock as JO leads him to a chair.)
JO: No...there’s nothing there. Come and sit.
(He does so but is still acting totally unlike his usual self. JO crouches in front of him, totally concerned by this unusual behavior. Outside, the sounds of the prisoners’ shouts and the OFFICERS whistles can still be heard.)
JO: There’s nothing Doctor. It’s me - Jo.
(He stares at her, desperately trying to recover himself.)
JO: It’s all right.
(He starts to take a hold of himself but is still breathing heavily. He stares at JO, his face clearing.)
DOCTOR: Jo...now what are you doing here?
JO: Well, you wanted this report on Kettering. I got it from Doctor Summers.
DOCTOR: Look, I told you to take that directly to the Governor’s office.
JO: I thought it was important.
(He stares at the Keller machine - his strength and senses recovering all the time from the mental as*ault. Outside, the noise in the prison does down.)
DOCTOR: So are my instructions, Jo...so are my instructions, you...you might have been k*lled.
JO: (Puzzled.) Me k*lled? It seemed that you were the one in danger. You looked as if you were fighting something that...wasn’t there.
DOCTOR: Well it was there, Jo. At least it was until you distracted it.
(JO turns and stares at the now silent machine.)
DOCTOR: Your coming in broke its grip on my mind.
(He makes another attempt to recover himself, rubbing his eyes.)
DOCTOR: Let me see that report.
(He takes the file from her and starts to read it.)
JO: You were right about Kettering. He did have a morbid fear of water.
DOCTOR: So he drowned in a perfectly dry room.
JO: Doctor...
DOCTOR: Mmm?
JO: What did you see?
DOCTOR: f*re.
JO: But why should you?
DOCTOR: Well...well some time ago, Jo, I...I witnessed a terrible catastrophe. A whole world just...well, just disappeared in flames. Well this machine picked that memory out of my mind and used it to att*ck me.
JO: But this f*re you saw - it wasn’t real.
DOCTOR: Neither was the water...nor the rats, yet Linwood is d*ad and so is Professor Kettering. We believe what our minds tell us to, Jo.
(JO gets up and walks over to the Keller machine.)
JO: If this machine’s so dangerous, why not...just blow it up? Destroy it.
(The DOCTOR gets out of his seat and follows her - now fully himself.)
DOCTOR: Because those idiots in authority won’t let me - that’s why. I’m trying to find a way of controlling it. So, if you’ve...quite finished asking questions...
(JO continues to stare at the machine. She realizes that the DOCTOR is waiting.)
JO: All right, I’m going.
(She heads for the door but it opens before she gets there and CAPTAIN YATES enters the room.)
JO: Mike! What are you doing here?
CAPTAIN MIKE YATES: The Brigadier’s orders. I’m afraid, Doctor, you got to come back to London with me.
DOCTOR: Nonsense! I can’t possibly leave Stangmoor.
CAPTAIN MIKE YATES: You’ve got to, Doctor.
DOCTOR: I’m telling you - I’m not leaving.
CAPTAIN MIKE YATES: (Indignant.) I’m sorry, Doctor, you’re coming back with me, even if I have to use force.
(He reaches out and grabs the DOCTOR, who with a yell puts a nerve hold on YATES. The young man’s head slumps.)
DOCTOR: Venusian Karate - I think you’ll find it a lot harder than you’ll imagine, young man.
(He releases him YATES gasps, recovers himself and then pleads.)
CAPTAIN MIKE YATES: Ah! Look, Doctor, he really does need you! Things are going very badly at the peace conference. The Chinese delegate’s d*ad and we think he’s been m*rder.
DOCTOR: (Concerned.) m*rder? Yes, all right Captain Yates, I’ll come with you, thank you.
JO: Doctor?
(He starts for the door.)
DOCTOR: Eh?
JO: I’ll say here and look after things for you.
DOCTOR: Look, Jo, for once in your young life, do you think you could do exactly as I ask?
JO: Yes, of course.
DOCTOR: Now go and see the Governor. Tell him to lock and bar that door. No one is to enter this room - no one. Do you understand?
JO: (Smiles.) Just leave everything to me!
DOCTOR: Yes...yes, I’m rather afraid I’ll have to! Try and keep out of trouble, will you?
JO: Yes, Doctor.
(He walks quickly out of the room.)
DOCTOR: Come along, Captain Yates, what are you waiting for?
(JO realizes that she’s holding the DOCTOR’S cloak.)
JO: Doctor!
(But he has gone.)
JO: Mike!
(She hands the cloak to MIKE who follows the DOCTOR. Giving the machine one last look, JO pulls the doors to the theatre closed.)
5: EXT. LONDON. CORNWALL GARDENS
(CAPTAIN CHIN LEE is in a phone box, making a call and looking nervously outside to where, nearby, a very conspicuous SERGEANT BENTON, dressed in a raincoat and civvies, is on reconnaissance duty, pacing the street as he waits for her to make her next move. She puts the phone down and steps out of the box. She stands still and stares at BENTON. Even though he is in London, he starts to feel the mental effects of the Keller machine. He puts his hands to his head in pain and staggers back against a lamppost. As CHIN LEE continues to stare, an image of the Keller machine appears in her mind - and BENTON’S as he suffers the mental as*ault.)
SERGEANT BENTON: No! No!...No!
(The att*ck strengthens. He falls to his knees and collapses against a set of railings. A man passing by sees BENTON and rushes over to him. CHIN LEE watching from a short distance away decides to b*at a retreat and leaves. The man helps the near unconscious BENTON to his feet. The noise of the Keller machine still fills his head.)
PASSER-BY: Are you all right?
(BENTON tries to recover his control. Holding his head, he sees that CHIN LEE has gone.)
SERGEANT BENTON: Yes...yes, I’m all right, thank you.
(He tries to run after CHIN LEE. HE falls again to the ground and, watched by the anxious man, gets back up and somewhat shakily runs after CHIN LEE.)
6: INT. STANGMOOR PRISON. PROCESS THEATRE
(In the prison, the Keller machine falls dormant again, its work done...)
7: EXT. UNIT LONDON HQ
(In pursuit, BENTON runs down the road on which the UNIT London town house HQ stands, near to where a GPO engineer’s red and white striped tent is standing. BENTON stops when he sees that his quarry has disappeared. He crosses the road to the HQ. CHIN LEE steps out of hiding from behind the GPO tent and watches him enter the HQ. She then makes quickly down the road, past a telephone engineer in his cap and overalls, busy at work on a roadside telephone junction box.)
8: INT. UNIT LONDON HQ. BRIGADIER’S OFFICE
(Inside the HQ, BENTON stands to attention before a quietly furious BRIGADIER...)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: You lost her?!
SERGEANT BENTON: Yes, sir. She gave me the slip. One minute I had her well in sight and next she...
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: (Interrupting.) She vanished in a puff of smoke?
SERGEANT BENTON: No sir. I got this sort of throbbing in my head. I guess I fainted. When I came to, she’d gone.
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: (Caustically.) Throbbing in the head? Fainted? You’re too delicate for intelligence work, Benton. Better go and lie down.
SERGEANT BENTON: Right sir. Sorry sir.
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: (Shouts.) Dismissed Sergeant, just get out of my sight!
(BENTON leaves the room as the DOCTOR and MIKE enter. They witness this final exchange.)
DOCTOR: I see you’re in your usual sweet affable mood, Brigadier.
(He looks at MIKE who smiles.)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: (Shouts.) When you’ve quite finished grinning like a Cheshire cat, Captain Yates!
CAPTAIN MIKE YATES: Sir.
(He almost runs from the room. The DOCTOR steps towards the BRIGADIER, totally unperturbed.)
DOCTOR: Right now, Brigadier, would you kindly tell me what all this fuss is about?
9: EXT. UNIT LONDON HQ
(BENTON leaves the HQ. He crosses the street and walks past the GPO tent as the engineer comes out and walks towards the junction box. He makes some final adjustments to the machinery within the box, hanging an extra wire-like device from some of the circuits. He then picks up a small radio receiver and switches it on. There is a sound of static. He switches the radio off, closes the junction box, picks up his tools and goes back into the tent. Once inside, he takes the receiver back out of his bag and switches it on again...)
10: INT. UNIT LONDON HQ. OUTER OFFICE
(CAPTAIN YATES is on the telephone at that moment. He snatches the receiver away from his ear, looks at the phone in puzzlement and then speaks into it again...)
CAPTAIN MIKE YATES: Mr. Curry, are you still there? (He listens.) Oh good.. (He listens again.) No, no, for a moment I thought we’d been cut off.
11: EXT. UNIT LONDON HQ
(Within the tent, the engineer places the receiver down on a small table next to a kettle and two cups. He then reaches up and pulls his cap...and face off -
it is the MASTER. The voices of YATES and Mr. Curry come through easily on the receiver as the MASTER listens...)
CAPTAIN MIKE YATES: (OOV: Through receiver.) As I was saying, the escort will be under my command and will consist of myself, a Sergeant and four motorcycle outriders.
(As the MASTER continues to eavesdrop, he divests himself of his engineers scarf and overalls. Underneath is a smartly tailored suit.)
MR. CURRY: (OOV: Through receiver.) It’s a bit light, isn’t it Captain? I mean considering the importance of this w*apon.
CAPTAIN MIKE YATES: (OOV: Through receiver.) We’ll only make ourselves conspicuous if we surround it with a small army, won’t we?
MR. CURRY: (OOV: Through receiver.) Oh, all right. I suppose you people know best.
(The MASTER has adjusted his tie and smoothes his hair back.)
CAPTAIN MIKE YATES: (OOV: Through receiver.) Our ETA with you will be at 08:15 hours.
MR. CURRY: (OOV: Through receiver.) And you will let me know the route?
CAPTAIN MIKE YATES: (OOV: Through receiver.) Yes, I’ll ring you through with the route as soon as it’s finalized. Goodbye sir.
MR. CURRY: (OOV: Through receiver.) Goodbye.
(The MASTER adjusts his pocket-handkerchief, takes a thick overcoat off a hanger and switches off the receiver, taking it with him. Leaving the tent, he also has a smart briefcase in his hand. He checks to make sure that he is not being watched and then walks through a gate in the railings and across the park. On the other side of the square a large black limousine waits. A smartly dressed chauffeur gets out and holds open the door for the MASTER to get in. Once settled, the evil renegade again switches on the receiver to listen for any further calls...)
12: INT. UNIT LONDON HQ. BRIGADIER’S OFFICE
(Within the HQ, an exasperated BRIGADIER is coming to the end of a heated discussion with a tenacious DOCTOR...)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: All right, All right, all right, all right, Doctor! You win!
DOCTOR: And you’ll back up my report to the Home Office calling for a complete ban on the Keller process?
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Yes.
DOCTOR: And you’ll get in touch with the Home Secretary and make sure that he takes some action?
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Yes, Doctor, and if that doesn’t do any good, I personally will go down to Stangmoor and blow the blasted machine up myself! Now, are you or are you not going to help me with this case?
DOCTOR: (Smiles.) My dear Lethbridge Stewart, your word is my command. You know that you only have to ask!
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Thank you.
(The BRIGADIER gets up and picking up his briefcase, starts to leave the room.)
DOCTOR: Well, where on earth do you think you’re going?
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: We are going to see the new Chinese delegate - Mr. Fu Peng.
DOCTOR: Fu Peng - he must be Hokien.
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: No, no, no Doctor - he’s Chinese. Now, come along.
(With raised eyebrows, the DOCTOR follows...)
13: INT. UNIT LONDON HQ. OUTER OFFICE
(As the BRIGADIER walks through the outer office, YATES tries to show him a piece of paper.)
CAPTAIN MIKE YATES: Excuse me...
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Later!
(The BRIGADIER leaves. The DOCTOR speaks to YATES.)
DOCTOR: Yes...it’s going to be one of those days!
(YATES laughs.)
DOCTOR: (Admonishing.) Cheshire cat, Captain Yates, Cheshire cat!
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: (OOV: Waiting in corridor.) Doctor!
DOCTOR: Yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, I’m coming.
(He follows. YATES picks up the phone.)
CAPTAIN MIKE YATES: Get me transport, will you?
14: EXT. UNIT LONDON HQ
(Still sat in the limousine, the MASTER listens in as the bored voice of the transport section man comes through...)
TRANSPORT SECTION: (OOV: Through receiver.) Transport?
CAPTAIN MIKE YATES: (OOV: Through receiver.) Captain Yates here. I’d like you to lay on a motorcycle escort of four and a jeep for 0-seven hundred hours tomorrow.
(Nodding slightly with satisfaction, the MASTER suddenly sits up and looks out of the window. Across the square, the DOCTOR and the BRIGADIER can be seen walking away from UNIT HQ.)
TRANSPORT SECTION: (OOV: Through receiver.) Right-oh sir. Where’s your rendezvous, sir?
CAPTAIN MIKE YATES: (OOV: Through receiver.) Here at HQ. I’ll take the party down myself.
TRANSPORT SECTION: (OOV: Through receiver.) Right-oh sir.
(The MASTER switches the receiver off and sits back.)
15: INT. CHINESE DELEGATION QUARTERS
(FU PENG sits at a table reading a newspaper. He wears the bland uniform of the Chinese communists and reads a newspaper. His face is surly and unsmiling.
The door opens and an aide shows in the BRIGADIER and the DOCTOR.)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Oh, Mr. Fu Peng? I’m Brigadier Lethbridge Stewart of UNIT command. I’m in charge of all security arrangements.
(He holds out his hand but FU PENG ignores it and continues to read his newspaper.)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: (Embarrassed.) And, err, this is our scientific advisor.
(The DOCTOR bows and starts to speak in Hokien to FU PENG. His words are translated as
This unworthy person welcomes you
and delights in your safe arrival.
The BRIGADIER stares at him. FU PENG’S reaction is astonishing. He rises to his feet with a smile on his face, bows and also speaks in Hokien, his words meaning
Thank you for your courtesy
and welcome. It is I who am
delighted to meet such a charming
person in this barbaric country.
FU PENG then speaks in English...)
FU PENG: It is rare to meet a westerner who knows my language.
DOCTOR: Oh, thank you. Actually I fear my Hokien is somewhat rusty.
FU PENG: On the contrary, it is excellent.
(FU PENG gestures to his aide who brings forward a chair for the DOCTOR to sit on. The BRIGADIER’S needs are not attended to. The DOCTOR sits.)
DOCTOR: Well, it’s many years since I’ve had a chance to use it. I remember once having a conversation with Tse-Tung...
(FU PENG leaps to his feet, a look of anger on his face.)
FU PENG: Tse-Tung! But that is the personal name of our chairman - Mao Tse-Tung!
DOCTOR: He himself gave me leave to use it.
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Yes, if we could just discuss the immediate problem...
(But FU PENG ignores him, having been completely won over by the DOCTOR. He takes off his cap and bows smiling...)
FU PENG: You will take some tea?
(The DOCTOR bows his head and replies in Hokien. FU PENG speaks to his aide in their own language. The aide bows and leaves. The DOCTOR gets up, stares at the BRIGADIER until he moves out of his way and then follows FU PENG into another room, both of them conversing in Hokien as they go. Left behind and lost for words, the BRIGADIER ruefully sits down in the DOCTOR’S vacated chair.)
16: INT. STANGMOOR PRISON. MAIN GALLERY
(Back at the prison, things are getting back to normal but the PRISON OFFICERS are still on edge. They are escorting a prisoner - MAILER - from his cell on the upper level.)
PRISON OFFICER: Come on Mailer. Up you come, get behind me there.
(MAILER steps in line between two of the OFFICERS and starts to be escorted away. At the same time, SENIOR PRISON OFFICER GREEN is escorting VOSPER, another prisoner on cleaning duties up the staircase. A look of recognition passes between MAILER and VOSPER. GREEN opens the barred gate.)
SENIOR PRISON OFFICER GREEN: Right Vosper, come on.
(..and escorts VOSPER through, locking it behind him. VOSPER sneaks another look at MAILER as he is led towards the staircase.)
PRISON OFFICER: (To MAILER.) Down you go.
(MAILER goes down the main staircase. GREEN leads VOSPER with his brush and a hand box of cleaning items down another staircase...)
17: INT. STANGMOOR PRISON. CELL
(...and into a vacant cell.)
SENIOR PRISON OFFICER GREEN: Right Vosper, get busy. I want this place cleaned up properly.
18: INT. STANGMOOR PRISON. PROCESS THEATRE
(In the theatre, the unattended Keller machine has come back to life again...)
19: INT. STANGMOOR PRISON. MEDICAL WING
(In the hospital, BARNHAM in still in bed - awake and listening to the radio through headphones. DR. SUMMERS is taking notes when JO walks in with a box of chocolates. Outside, the sound of the prisoners shouting and the attempts to calm them can be heard again.)
DR. SUMMERS: Hello.
JO: How is he?
DR. SUMMERS: Fit as a fiddle, aren’t you Barnham?
(He shakes BARNHAM, who takes the headphone off.)
DR. SUMMERS: Barnham...visitor for you. (To JO.) Pull up a chair.
(JO does so and hands BARNHAM the chocolates.)
JO: Hello.
BARNHAM: (Puzzled.) Thank you. Do I know you?
JO: Well, we’ve sort of met...
BARNHAM: (Rubbing his forehead.) It’s just that...I can’t seem to remember anybody or anything very well.
JO: Don’t you remember being treated by the Keller machine?
BARNHAM: Ah...it’s all a bit of a blank, I’m afraid. Do you know, you wouldn’t believe this, but I couldn’t even remember me own name, huh...not
‘til the Doctor there told me.
JO: Well, I’m glad to see you looking so much better. Bye.
(She gets up.)
BARNHAM: Thanks very much for the chocolates, Miss.
(JO smiles at him and goes into the side office.)
JO: Well, everything seems all right.
DR. SUMMERS: (Sighs.) I’m not sure. I still think that in Barnham’s case the machine has overreacted - it’s extracted all the negative impulses from his brain.
JO: So what does that make him now?
DR. SUMMERS: It depends how you look at it - an idiot...or a saint.
20: INT. STANGMOOR PRISON. CELL
(VOSPER is sweeping the cell floor watched by SENIOR PRISON OFFICER GREEN. Outside, they can hear the other prisoners’ shouts.)
VOSPER: Getting a bit noisy, ain’t it, Mr. Green?
(GREEN steps outside. Immediately, VOSPER rummages through his hand box of cleaning items and pulls out a small g*n, which he secretes underneath the pillow on the cell bed.)
SENIOR PRISON OFFICER GREEN: (OOV) Right, let’s keep those prisoners quiet - all of you!. Keep quiet.
(VOSPER returns to his sweeping as GREEN re-enters.)
21: INT. STANGMOOR PRISON. MAIN GALLERY
(CHIEF PRISONER OFFICER POWERS, the GOVERNOR and three OFFICERS are moving MAILER. As they about to go through the barred gate, POWERS shouts out...)
CHIEF PRISONER OFFICER POWERS: All right! Keep that noise down!
PRISON OFFICER: (Shouts.) ... the Governor ...!
(The racket continues as MAILER is escorted down the stairs in the side gallery.)
22: INT. STANGMOOR PRISON. CELL
(The party enters the cell that VOSPER is cleaning.)
CHIEF PRISONER OFFICER POWERS: All right, Vosper, outside.
(VOSPER does so. MAILER looks round.)
MAILER: Proper little home from home, ain’t it?
PRISON GOVERNOR: You’ll be in this cell until sentence is carried out, Mailer.
MAILER: (Lying on the bed.) Oh, don’t put any money on it, Governor. No one’s turning me into a zombie and that includes you, mate.
CHIEF PRISONER OFFICER POWERS: That’s enough of that, Mailer.
(MAILER snores in derision...)
PRISON GOVERNOR: All right, Chief.
(He leaves.)
CHIEF PRISONER OFFICER POWERS: (To one of the PRISON OFFICERS.) Watch him.
FIRST PRISON OFFICER: Yes sir.
(The CHIEF leaves the cell closing the door behind him and two PRISON OFFICERS in the room with MAILER. One of the OFFICERS picks up a draft board.)
FIRST PRISON OFFICER: Fancy a game then, Harry, pass the time?
MAILER: Drop d*ad.
FIRST PRISON OFFICER: Suit yourself. (To the SECOND OFFICER.) Come on, let’s have a game.
(They set up the game.)
FIRST PRISON OFFICER: Right, you’re black.
SECOND PRISON OFFICER: Cup of tea?
FIRST PRISON OFFICER: No, you’re all right.
(As they chat, MAILER feels underneath the pillow to check that the g*n is there. Satisfied, he sits back.)
23: INT. CHINESE DELEGATION QUARTERS
(The DOCTOR sips his cup of Chinese tea. The BRIGADIER impatiently checks his watch. FU PENG smiles and speaks in Hokien to the DOCTOR who replies in the same language, then says in English...)
DOCTOR: I should be delighted to dine with you soon.
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Err, yes, well there are a few questions that I should like to ask, Mr. Fu Peng...
(FU PENG interrupts and speaks to the DOCTOR in Hokien again, nodding at the BRIGADIER.)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: (To the DOCTOR.) What did he say?
DOCTOR: Err, dried squid and stewed jellyfish, my dear fellow - for our dinner!
(The BRIGADIER looks rueful. The DOCTOR finishes his tea and gets up. FU PENG also gets up and they smile, bow and make statements of thanks in Hokien.)
FU PENG: ‘Til our next meeting then...my dear Sing-Sen.
(The DOCTOR walks towards the door, which the aide has opened for him.)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: (To FU PENG.) Ah, I really must insist on asking...
DOCTOR: Come along, my dear fellow, we’ve got a great deal of work to do, you know.
(He walks out.)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Err, could you perha...
(FU PENG, a hostile look on his face, curtly bows. Defeated, the BRIGADIER does the same and walks out.)
24: INT. STANGMOOR PRISON. CELL
(In the cell, the drafts game continues. MAILER watches from the bed, whistling...)
MAILER: Well where’s this grub then? You planning to starve me to death?
FIRST PRISON OFFICER: (Impatiently.) It’s coming, Mailer, it’s coming.
MAILER: Yeah, so is Christmas.
(The cell door opens and another OFFICER walks in with a tray of food. MAILER jumps up from the bed, grabs the OFFICER from behind...)
MAILER: Right!
(...and the points the g*n at the other two OFFICERS as they jump up.)
MAILER: Easy!
(He points the g*n at his hostage’s head.)
MAILER: Keys...come on. Now move it!
25: INT. UNIT LONDON HQ. BRIGADIER’S OFFICE
(The BRIGADIER sits at his desk while the DOCTOR looks out of the window.)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Are you’re seriously suggesting there’s a connection?
DOCTOR: (Turning round.) Another mysterious death with unexplained marks on the face and body? There’s got to be.
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: But this Keller machine of yours is miles away.
DOCTOR: Mmm.
(There is a knock at the door and YATES walks in with some papers, which he hands to the BRIGADIER.)
CAPTAIN MIKE YATES: Excuse me, sir. We’re about ready for off sir, if you’ll just okay the movement order onward plans.
DOCTOR: Off for another little trip, Captain Yates?
CAPTAIN MIKE YATES: Err, not exactly, Doctor. We’re moving the Thunderbolt.
DOCTOR: The what?
CAPTAIN MIKE YATES: The Thunderbolt. It’s a nuclear powered m*ssile with a warhead full of nerve gas.
DOCTOR: I thought they’d outlawed those things?
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Oh yes, they have. This one’s on its way to the naval dockyard - they’re going to dump it at the bottom of the ocean.
DOCTOR: With the peace conference going on...it’s not the most tactful time to be trundling rockets about, is it?
(He turns back to the window as the BRIGADIER looks over the papers.)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: I see you’re taking Benton?
CAPTAIN MIKE YATES: If it’s okay with you, sir?
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Oh, you’re welcome to him. Just make sure he doesn’t lose the m*ssile for you.
CAPTAIN MIKE YATES: Sir?
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Well he somehow managed to lose a Chinese girl in broad daylight.
(At the window, the DOCTOR is instantly alert...)
DOCTOR: Chinese girl - what Chinese girl?!
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: (Giving YATES the papers.) All right, Yates, carry on. Good luck.
CAPTAIN MIKE YATES: Oh, thank you sir.
(He leaves.)
DOCTOR: (Sternly.) Brigadier, what Chinese girl?!
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Well, Captain Chin Lee - the General’s aide. I thought she was implicated so I had her followed. Benton lost her.
DOCTOR: That’s it then - that’s the link...
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: What is?
DOCTOR: When Emil Keller installed his machine at Stangmoor prison, he had a Chinese girl with him as an assistant.
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: It could be coincidence?
DOCTOR: Coincidence, my foot! You’d better put out a general alert for that Chinese girl, Brigadier. She’s got to be found and quick!
26: EXT. UNIT LONDON HQ
(CHIN LEE is a stone’s throw from UNIT HQ - on the other side of the square. She walks towards the limousine. The Chauffeur holds open the door. The MASTER is sat within, smoking a large cigar.)
MASTER: You are late, Captain.
CAPTAIN CHIN LEE: My apologies, Master.
(He pats the seat and she nervously gets in beside him.)
MASTER: You did well at the conference. Now I have another little task for you.
CAPTAIN CHIN LEE: (Pleads.) No, no, please, no! Not...
(He grabs her chin and turns her face towards him. She is held by his hypnotic gaze.)
MASTER: You will obey me!
CAPTAIN CHIN LEE: (Succumbs.) I ... will...obey...you, Master.
MASTER: Tonight, you will k*ll the American delegate.
CAPTAIN CHIN LEE: Tonight, I...will...k*ll...the...American...delegate.
MASTER: Good, now you may go.
(He snaps his fingers. She blinks and gets out of the car.)
27: INT. STANGMOOR PRISON. MAIN GALLERY
(The prisoners’ take-over has spread. As the alarm bell rings incessantly, MAILER holds his g*n at GREEN’S chest and he and several other OFFICERS stand with their hands on their heads before their c*ptive...)
MAILER: (To GREEN.) Now just one peep out of you - that’s all!
(VOSPER runs up.)
VOSPER: I’ve done the ... , Harry.
MAILER: Good boy.
VOSPER: But they’ve got the wing surrounded.
SENIOR PRISON OFFICER GREEN: You’ve got no chance...
MAILER: Shut up! They won’t come in - not while we’ve got so many screws here.
VOSPER: Are you sure?
MAILER: They can’t get in...
VOSPER: We can’t get out!
MAILER: Oh, we’ll get out. Now shutup - let me think! (To a prisoner.) Here you, take over.
(The prisoner takes guard of GREEN whilst MAILER and VOSPER move to one side to confer.)
VOSPER:... , Harry, they’ll starve us out.
MAILER: What we want is hostages.
VOSPER: We’ve got ‘em!
MAILER: We need more. Now if we cut around the kitchen, get to the prison hospital, maybe we can grab a Doctor. All right? Now you lot stay here! (To VOSPER.) Come on...
(They run off...)
28: INT. STANGMOOR PRISON. MEDICAL WING
(JO tries a phone whilst SUMMERS locks a drugs cupboard.)
JO: It’s no good. The line’s d*ad.
DR. SUMMERS: You’d better go to the admin block, Miss Grant.
JO: What about you?
DR. SUMMERS: I’ll stay here. Someone’s bound to get hurt by the time they fin...
(The door bursts open and MAILER and VOSPER enter. MAILER nods at SUMMERS.)
MAILER: Him.
(VOSPER runs forward. JO stares at MAILER.)
MAILER: You’re not going to give me any trouble, are you, hmm?
29: INT. UNIT LONDON HQ. BRIGADIER’S OFFICE (NIGHT)
(Evening is falling. As CORPORAL BELL draws the curtains, both the BRIGADIER and the DOCTOR are making phone calls...)
DOCTOR: (Into phone.) Look operator, I’ve been waiting some considerable time now for my call to Stangmoor prison.
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: (Into phone.) All right, keep looking. Yes, let me know as soon as you hear anything.
(He puts his phone down.)
DOCTOR: Yes, all right, yes. I’ll hang on. (To the BRIGADIER.) There’s some trouble there with the lines.
(The BRIGADIERS phone rings.)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: (Into phone.) Lethbridge Stewart? (He listens.) What? (Listens.) No, don’t arrest her, I’ll deal with this myself.
(He puts the phone down.)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Message from one of my agents. Chin Lee’s turned up again.
(He makes for the door.)
DOCTOR: Chin Lee? Where?
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: She’s just been seen entering the Chinese delegate’s suite.
30: INT. CHINESE DELEGATION QUARTERS (NIGHT)
(In the deserted suite, CHIN LEE picks up a phone.)
CAPTAIN CHIN LEE: (Into phone.) Room four hundred and eleven. (Waits, then...) Hello, is the American delegate there please? This is Captain Chin Lee of the Chinese people’s delegation. I wish to speak to Senator Alcott urgently. (Listens.) Yes, thank you.
31: INT. AMERICAN DELEGATION QUARTERS (NIGHT)
(An aide shows SENATOR ALCOTT into a room. He holds a dinner napkin. The aide leaves. ALCOTT picks up a phone.)
SENATOR ALCOTT: (Into phone.) Hello, Senator Alcott speaking? (Listens.) Yes, Captain, what can I do for you?
32: INT. CHINESE DELEGATION QUARTERS (NIGHT)
CAPTAIN CHIN LEE: (Into phone.) Comrade Fu Peng wishes to see you immediately and wonders if you could come to our suite.
33: INT. AMERICAN DELEGATION QUARTERS (NIGHT)
SENATOR ALCOTT: (Into phone.) What? At this time of night?
34: INT. CHINESE DELEGATION QUARTERS (NIGHT)
CAPTAIN CHIN LEE: (Into phone.) It is a matter of vital importance. He wishes to assure you that it is to your country’s advantage.
35: INT. AMERICAN DELEGATION QUARTERS (NIGHT)
SENATOR ALCOTT: (Into phone.) But Captain, this is highly irregular.
36: INT. CHINESE DELEGATION QUARTERS (NIGHT)
CAPTAIN CHIN LEE: (Into phone.) He asks that you come alone - the subject is most secret.
37: INT. AMERICAN DELEGATION QUARTERS (NIGHT)
SENATOR ALCOTT: (Into phone - with reluctance.) All right, I’ll be right over.
38: INT. CHINESE DELEGATION QUARTERS (NIGHT)
CAPTAIN CHIN LEE: (Into phone.) Your time will not be wasted, Senator.
(As if a trance, she puts the phone down, goes to the main door of the suite and takes the chain lock off. She then hides round a corner of the corridor and waits. There is a knock at the door but CHIN LEE doesn’t move. There is another knock and then the door opens and ALCOTT enters.)
SENATOR ALCOTT: Hello? Anyone home? Mr. Fu Peng?
(ALCOTT enters the main room and CHIN LEE follows.)
SENATOR ALCOTT: Mr. Fu Peng?
(CHIN LEE shuts the door to the main suite behind her. ALCOTT spins round.)
SENATOR ALCOTT: Oh...may I ask what this is all about, Captain.
CAPTAIN CHIN LEE: Of course.
SENATOR ALCOTT: Well, where’s Mr. Fu Peng?
CAPTAIN CHIN LEE: He will be here soon. Sit down.
SENATOR ALCOTT: Now look, Captain, I’m in the middle of my dinner and I...
CAPTAIN CHIN LEE: Sit down...please.
SENATOR ALCOTT: All right, but make it short will you?
(He walks over to a chair and sits as CHIN LEE walks over to a light switch and turns the lights down in the room. ALCOTT jumps up.)
SENATOR ALCOTT: Wh...what are you doing?
(The room is filled with the noise of the Keller machine. ALCOTT puts his hands to his head and falls back into the chair.)
SENATOR ALCOTT: Oh...this noise...this noise in my head...
(CHIN LEE walks across the room towards him as he starts to feel intense pain, clutching at his tie.)
SENATOR ALCOTT: This terrible ... !
(He jumps to his feet again.)
SENATOR ALCOTT: What’s happening?!
(He points at CHIN LEE as she starts to shimmer. The image of her adjusts to that of a Chinese dragon, roaring and breathing f*re. ALCOTT starts to become hysterical...)
SENATOR ALCOTT: Get back! Get back, I tell you! Get back! Don’t come near me! What’s ha...
(The dragon gets nearer...) | {"type": "series", "show": "Doctor Who", "episode": "08x06 - The Mind of Evil - part 2"} | foreverdreaming |
THE MIND OF EVIL
BY: DON HOUGHTON
EPISODE THREE
Original Air Date: 13 February, 1971
5:15pm - 5:40pm
1: INT. CHINESE DELEGATION QUARTERS (NIGHT)
(CHIN LEE shuts the door to the main suite behind her. Alcott spins round.)
SENATOR ALCOTT: Oh...may I ask what this is all about, Captain.
CAPTAIN CHIN LEE: Of course.
SENATOR ALCOTT: Well, where’s Mr. Fu Peng?
CAPTAIN CHIN LEE: He will be here soon. Sit down.
SENATOR ALCOTT: Now look, Captain, I’m in the middle of my dinner and I...
CAPTAIN CHIN LEE: Sit down...please.
SENATOR ALCOTT: All right, but make it short will you?
(He walks over to a chair and sits and CHIN LEE turns and turns the lights down at the wall. Alcott jumps up.)
SENATOR ALCOTT: Hey! Wh...what are you doing?
(The room is filled with the noise of the Keller machine. Alcott puts his hands to his head and falls back into the chair.)
SENATOR ALCOTT: Oh...this noise...this noise in my head...
(CHIN LEE walks across the room towards him as he starts to feel intense pain, clutching at his tie.)
SENATOR ALCOTT: This terrible drowning!
(He jumps to his feet.)
SENATOR ALCOTT: What’s happening?!
(He points at CHIN LEE as she starts to shimmer. The image of her adjusts to that of a Chinese dragon, roaring and breathing f*re. Alcott starts to become hysterical...)
SENATOR ALCOTT: Get back! Get back, I tell you! Get back! Don’t come near me! What’s ha...
(The dragon gets nearer. The Senator starts to gasp for air and gabble incoherently. The door to the suite opens and the DOCTOR, the BRIGADIER and FU PENG walk in. They react instantly as they also see the dragon before them. The BRIGADIER withdraws his p*stol from his holster and fires but the DOCTOR knocks his arm to one side.)
DOCTOR: No Brigadier!
(The dragon spins round at the sound of the g*n.)
DOCTOR: Chin Lee!
(He shouts out a command in Chinese. The dragon shimmers and resumes the shape of CHIN LEE. She falls to the ground in a d*ad faint and the three men rush to her side.)
FU PENG: (In amazement.) That was one of the legendary monsters of my people.
DOCTOR: A collected hallucination, Gentlemen, nothing more.
(He sees the Senator on the floor across the room.)
DOCTOR: Who’s that?
(He crosses over to him and starts to examine him. The BRIGADIER follows as FU PENG remains with CHIN LEE.)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Senator Alcott! Is he d*ad?
DOCTOR: No. He’s suffering from acute shock.
FU PENG: Sin-sing!
DOCTOR: Yes?
FU PENG: What is this?
(The DOCTOR returns to FU PENG who has found the metallic device from behind CHIN LEE’S ear.)
DOCTOR: Well, it’s a telepathic amplifier?
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Is that what caused the hallucinations?
DOCTOR: No, not caused them. No, merely picks up the impulses and projects them through Chin Lee’s mind.
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Impulses? From where?
DOCTOR: Well, unless I’m very much mistaken, from the Keller machine at Stangmoor prison.
2: INT. STANGMOOR PRISON. PROCESS THEATRE (NIGHT)
(Its work completed, the Keller machine dies down...)
3: INT. STANGMOOR PRISON. MAIN GALLERY (NIGHT)
MAILER: Come on! Move it!
(MAILER and another prisoner push JO and SUMMERS up the staircase to the upper gallery.)
MAILER: That’s it - up you come!
DR. SUMMERS: You’ll break my arm!
(VOSPER runs from a side room and up the stairs after the group.)
VOSPER: Harry! Harry!
MAILER: Hello?!
VOSPER: The whole wing’s surrounded - there’s hundreds of them!
MAILER: So what?
DR: SUMMERS: Show some sense, Mailer. You’ll never get away with it.
(MAILER raises his g*n to thr*at SUMMERS.)
VOSPER: They’ll rush us any minute.
MAILER: Not while we’ve got these two. (To JO.) Will they? (To VOSPER.) Now listen, get back, fix that phone - I want to talk to the Governor.
(He points down another staircase as he speaks to the prisoner who holds SUMMERS.)
MAILER: Down!
VOSPER: Well, what are you going to do with them?
MAILER: Put them in the guest room. (To JO.) Come on, down!
(He pushes JO down the stairs.)
4: INT. CHINESE DELEGATION QUARTERS (NIGHT)
(CHIN LEE is unconscious on a sofa. The BRIGADIER and the Senator are gone.)
FU PENG: Doctor, I’ve understood very little of what you have been saying. Please, explain more clearly.
(The DOCTOR indicates that he will in Hoken.)
DOCTOR: Chin Lee was being used by someone...who was trying to drive this world into w*r.
FU PENG: You will find this person and punish him?
DOCTOR: Yes, I will if I can.
FU PENG: Then I leave matters to you. I must go to my Embassy.
(He bows. The DOCTOR returns the bow and speaks to him in his native language again. FU PENG returns the compliment.)
DOCTOR: May God go with you also.
(FU PENG walks out as CHIN LEE starts to come round.)
DOCTOR: Chin Lee? Chin Lee, listen to me. Can you hear me?
(She speaks in her Chinese dialect.)
DOCTOR: Hmm, Cantonese.
(The DOCTOR speaks to her in her language, then...)
DOCTOR: You must trust me!
(CHIN LEE struggles to sit up, rubbing her head. Her previously cold, austere front has disappeared.)
CAPTAIN CHIN LEE: Some...something happened. Something terrible!
DOCTOR: Yes, I know, but it was in your mind. It was only in your mind. Now I want to ask you some questions.
CAPTAIN CHIN LEE: Questions?
DOCTOR: Yes...about Emil Keller...and your visit to Stangmoor prison!
5: INT. STANGMOOR PRISON. STAIRCASE OUTSIDE CELL (NIGHT)
(MAILER stands guard outside the cell where JO and DR. SUMMERS are held. VOSPER comes down the stairs.)
MAILER: Hello, Len.
6: INT. STANGMOOR PRISON. CELL (NIGHT)
(Inside the cell, JO and SUMMERS hear the two outside.)
7: INT. STANGMOOR PRISON. STAIRCASE OUTSIDE CELL (NIGHT)
MAILER: I thought you’d fixed the phones.
VOSPER: Sorry, Harry, No luck.
MAILER: How am I going to make a deal with the Governor if I can’t even talk to him? (He indicates the cell door.) All right, open this up.
VOSPER: Yeah...
(VOSPER unlocks the cell.)
8: INT. STANGMOOR PRISON. CELL (NIGHT)
(The two men enter.)
VOSPER: All right, you two, on your feet.
(SUMMERS rushes VOSPER...)
JO: No don’t!
(...but MAILER clubs him down. He and VOSPER hold up SUMMERS between them.)
JO: Don’t!
MAILER: Come on! On your feet - you’re getting out of here.
JO: At last you’ve seen some sense.
MAILER: Not you, darling!
(He pushes JO back onto the cell bed and then holds his g*n to SUMMERS throat.)
MAILER: Now, you’re going to take a message to the Governor.
DR. SUMMERS: What message?
MAILER: I want safe conduct out of here for me and all the mob in ‘B’ wing.
DR. SUMMERS: I’m not leaving here without Miss Grant. (Coughs.)
MAILER: Oh yes you are!
JO: I’ll be all right.
MAILER: Come on, on your way - out.
(MAILER pushes SUMMERS and he and VOSPER leave the cell. MAILER turns to JO.)
MAILER: If you’ve got any sense, you’ll get some beddy-byes! Goodnight.
(He leaves and closes the cell door...)
9: EXT. UNIT LONDON HQ
(The next morning, a milkman makes his deliveries as the DOCTOR and CHIN LEE walk by. They pass the MASTER’S limousine. The chauffeur sees them go past and gets out of the car, walking towards another town house on the square.)
10: EXT. m*ssile BASE
(Quite a few miles away, the impressive Thunderbolt m*ssile points menacingly into the sky. Nearby SERGEANT BENTON shouts at two UNIT troops.)
SERGEANT BENTON: And don’t tell me your troubles mate! I want that m*ssile off the launching pad and on to the three tonner. Now get that crane in!
(The two troops run off as an angry CAPTAIN YATES storms up.)
CAPTAIN MIKE YATES: What’s going on, Sergeant? That m*ssile should have been off the pad ten minutes ago.
SERGEANT BENTON: I’m sorry sir, but we’re having trouble with the crane.
CAPTAIN MIKE YATES: No excuses, Sergeant. Just get on with it.
SERGEANT BENTON: Right sir. (To the troops.) Now come on, you men, wake your ideas up!
11: INT. UNIT LONDON HQ. BRIGADIER’S OFFICE
(The BRIGADIER is fast asleep at his desk as the DOCTOR and CHIN LEE enter. The DOCTOR smiles at his guest and walks over to open the curtains. CHIN LEE walks over and looks down with interest at the sleeping soldier.)
DOCTOR: Rise and shine, Brigadier. I’ve brought Captain Chin Lee here to see you.
(The BRIGADIER quickly stirs and half rises in greeting.)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Oh, er, morning Captain, er, won’t you sit down?
(He nods towards a chair which CHIN LEE takes.)
CAPTAIN CHIN LEE: Thank you.
DOCTOR: Now...
(But the BRIGADIER is speaking into his intercom on more urgent matters.)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Corporal Bell?
CORPORAL BELL: (OOV: Over intercom.) Yes sir?
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Lay on some coffee, will you?
CORPORAL BELL: (OOV: Over intercom.) Right sir.
DOCTOR: Right now, Brigadier. I think you’ll find that Captain Chin Lee can cast considerable light on what’s been happening.
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Well, I’m glad to hear that someone can.
DOCTOR: Well...
(To the DOCTOR’S exasperation, the BRIGADIER’S phone rings and interrupts their conversation.)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Yes? (He listens.) Oh, morning Yates. (Listens.) Oh, oh I see. (To the DOCTOR.) It’s Yates, he’s had a hold up with his...er... (Thinks for the right word to use.) ...”cargo”.
DOCTOR: Yes, well tell him to be careful with his, “er, cargo”!
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: (Into phone.) Er, sorry, Yates, what was that? Chin Lee? Well...
12: EXT. UNIT LONDON HQ
(The MASTER, alerted by his chauffeur, is back in the limousine and is reading the “Financial Times”. His radio receiver is picking up the BRIGADIER’S bugged telephone conversation...)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: (OOV: Through receiver.) ...as a matter of fact, there’s been some trouble.
CAPTAIN MIKE YATES: (OOV: Through receiver.) What happened, sir?
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: (OOV: Through receiver.) As far as I can gather, she tried to scare the American delegate to death.
(The MASTER frowns and picks up the receiver to listen more carefully.)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: (OOV: Through receiver.) The Doctor stopped her.
CAPTAIN MIKE YATES: (OOV: Through receiver.) I don’t quite follow, sir.
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: (OOV: Through receiver.) Quite frankly, Yates, neither do I. It’s something to do with the Keller machine at Stangmoor. Anyway, Chin Lee’s with me now.
(The MASTER has heard enough. He retracts the aerial on his radio receiver and snaps at the Chauffeur...)
MASTER: Stangmoor prison!
(The car moves away from the kerb and down the road to the junction.)
13: INT. UNIT LONDON HQ. BRIGADIER’S OFFICE
(The BRIGADIER’S discussion with CHIN LEE continues. The DOCTOR sits at the end of the desk, his chin in his hands as he ponders over what he is hearing.)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Yes, but where did you first meet this man, erm, Emil Keller?
CAPTAIN CHIN LEE: At an Embassy reception. He told me of the Keller process for reforming the habitual criminal, and invited me to visit Stangmoor prison with him.
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: And you agreed to go?
(For a moment, CHIN LEE’S old imperious nature returns as she stares down the BRIGADIER.)
CAPTAIN CHIN LEE: Prison reform is high on our list of priorities in Peking!
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Ahh...and, erm, can you tell us what happened at Stangmoor?
CAPTAIN CHIN LEE: (Struggles to remember.) I...I know that we went to the process room. I...cannot remember!
(The DOCTOR starts to sit up, alert at this statement.)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Well, did you see him again?
CAPTAIN CHIN LEE: Yes...many times...but...but whenever I think about it, my...my mind becomes so confused.
(The DOCTOR realises the true nature of their enemy...)
DOCTOR: (To himself.) Post-hypnotic block - his usual technique.
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Whose usual technique?
DOCTOR: Well think man! Who else would make a deliberate attempt to plunge this world into w*r, using equipment and techniques not even developed on Earth? Like this.
(He holds up the device that FU PENG found on CHIN LEE.)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: The Master?
DOCTOR: Otherwise known as Emil Keller!
14: INT. STANGMOOR PRISON. MAIN GALLERY
(VOSPER pulls a reluctant and struggling JO up the side-staircase and onto the top landing. There, she is taken down the main staircase together with all the captured OFFICERS. MAILER stands at the bottom of the stairs, g*n in hand, directing proceedings.)
PRISON OFFICER: (Shouts to a prisoner.) Okay! I’m going ... !
VOSPER: ... Harry!
(MAILER grabs JO from VOSPER.)
MAILER: (To JO.) Watch ...
(He pushes JO against a wall and points the g*n at her.)
MAILER: (thr*at.) No trouble...
15: INT. STANGMOOR PRISON. GOVERNOR’S OFFICE
(The GOVERNOR’S office is in keeping with the castle theme of the prison being panelled and beamed. There is even a medieval suit of armour in one corner.
As some of the PRISON OFFICERS pore over a wall plan of the complex, DR. SUMMERS rounds on the GOVERNOR.)
DR. SUMMERS: Look Governor, you’ve got to negotiate!
PRISON GOVERNOR: I’m sorry, Doctor, it’s out of the question.
DR. SUMMERS: But you’re risking innocent lives!
PRISON GOVERNOR: Oh look, supposing I do turn Mailer loose and those thugs of his with him? They’d k*ll anyone who came in their way. How many innocent lives do you think I’d be risking then?
CHIEF PRISON OFFICER POWERS: (Interrupting.) I’ve done everything I can, Doctor. ‘B’ wing’s sealed off. If they get the slightest chance, my men’ll rush the block.
DR. SUMMERS: And if they don’t?
PRISON GOVERNOR: We’ll wait it out. Mailer’s not stupid. He knows he can’t hold out forever. Once he realises he can’t bluff me.
DR. SUMMERS: But Mailer isn’t bluffing! Listen!
(He strides across the office and pulls open the panelled oak door. The sounds of the riot can clearly be heard.)
CHIEF PRISON OFFICER POWERS: (To the GOVERNOR.) If you’ll excuse me, sir, I’ll just...
PRISON GOVERNOR: All right, Chief.
(The CHIEF OFFICER walks out closing the door behind him. SUMMERS turns back to the GOVERNOR.)
DR. SUMMERS: And what about Jo Grant?
PRISON GOVERNOR: Miss Grant is a member of UNIT. She came here on duty...
DR. SUMMERS: But that makes no difference!
PRISON GOVERNOR: However I will inform her headquarters. Inspector...
(A Police Inspector steps forward.)
16: INT. UNIT LONDON HQ. BRIGADIER’S OFFICE
(CHIN LEE has left the office. The DOCTOR sits drinking his coffee as the BRIGADIER paces the room.)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Well, Doctor? What am I to do with her?
DOCTOR: Well let her go, of course. Well, she’s not a criminal. Anyway she can’t do any more harm now that I’ve got this.
(He holds up the telepathic device. The phone of the desk rings and the BRIGADIER answers it.)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: (Into phone.) Lethbridge Stewart? (Listens.) Yes, Inspector... (Listens, then worried...) What? (Listens.)
Yes, I see. (To the DOCTOR.) There’s been trouble at Stangmoor.
(The DOCTOR jumps up.)
DOCTOR: Is Jo all right?
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: (Into phone.) Yes... (Listens.) ...yes, I see. Thank you for letting me know.
(He puts the phone down.)
DOCTOR: Well?
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Miss Grant’s been captured. She’s being held hostage.
17: INT. STANGMOOR PRISON. MAIN GALLERY
(MAILER still holds his g*n at JO as VOSPER shouts through an open side door.)
VOSPER: This is your last chance, Governor. You don’t let us go - you’re going to get it!
MAILER: (Shouts.) And that includes the girl - don’t forget that!
18: INT. STANGMOOR PRISON. GOVERNOR’S OFFICE
(SUMMERS has calmed down. There is a knock on the GOVERNOR’S door and POWERS enters.)
CHIEF PRISON OFFICER POWERS: The prisoner’s are getting very noisy, sir. thr*at all the hostages.
DR. SUMMERS: (Pleading.) Victor, you must talk to them.
PRISON GOVERNOR: Aye, you’re right. This is a deadlock. Maybe I can make Mailer see some sense. Come on.
(He leads them all out of the office.)
19: INT. STANGMOOR PRISON. MAIN GALLERY
(The stalemate still exists in the main gallery. JO is still held at MAILER’S g*n.)
MAILER: (To JO.) ... running after you, darling.
JO: And for you.
(VOSPER runs to MAILER.)
VOSPER: Harry, here comes ... on his way over.
MAILER: Well, let him in.
VOSPER: Eh?
MAILER: Well, I’m not going out there now, am I? Anyway, it’s not his style.
VOSPER: He’s right. (To a prisoner.) Locke, open the door, let the Governor in.
(VOSPER turns back to MAILER and is muttering to him when he sees something over his shoulder.)
VOSPER: Look!
(MAILER turns. BARNHAM, still in his dressing gown and pyjamas is coming down a spiral staircase to one side of the gallery. He still has a confused look on his face and his transformed and gentle manner.)
MAILER: Barnham!
VOSPER: He’s come from the hospital.
BARNHAM: I...I...I’m looking for Dr. Summers. Has anybody seen Dr. Summers?
MAILER: (To VOSPER.) Here...
VOSPER: What?
MAILER: Get him out of here - he gives me the creeps.
VOSPER: Right. (To a prisoner.) Come on mate.
(VOSPER and the prisoner move forward. Whilst MAILER is distracted, JO grabs his arm. MAILER fires and the sh*t hits the prisoner with VOSPER. JO wrenches MAILERS arm, who drops the g*n. JO grabs it and runs to BARNHAM, pointing the g*n at VOSPER.)
JO: (To BARNHAM.) Quick! Hide!
(A fight breaks out between the prisoners and the OFFICERS, GREEN punches MAILER who falls at JO’S feet. She points the g*n at him.)
JO: All right you, come on, on your feet - up!
(The GOVERNOR’S party break into the wing and rush forward, joining in the various tussles. VOSPER helps MAILER to his feet. Both are covered by JO.)
CHIEF PRISON OFFICER POWERS: ... all right, here we go, lads.
(As the breaking up of the riot continues, the GOVERNOR rushes over to JO and her c*ptive.)
JO: Right then, Governor. He’s all yours!
(The GOVERNOR is more than a little taken aback...)
20: EXT. STANGMOOR PRISON
(Smoking another cigar and listening to a discordant tune on his radio receiver, the MASTER approaches the prison in his limousine. It turns into the main gate.)
21: INT. STANGMOOR PRISON. GOVERNOR’S OFFICE
(SENIOR PRISON OFFICER GREEN stands before the GOVERNOR’S desk.)
PRISON GOVERNOR: Now look...
(There is a knock on the door.)
PRISON GOVERNOR: Yes?
(POWERS walks in.)
CHIEF PRISON OFFICER POWERS: Professor Keller, sir.
PRISON GOVERNOR: All right, Mr. Green.
SENIOR PRISON OFFICER GREEN: Sir.
(GREEN walks out as the MASTER walks in, briefcase in hand, cheery in manner and his hand held out to the GOVERNOR.)
PRISON GOVERNOR: So, there you are, Professor.
MASTER: A pleasure to see you again, Governor.
PRISON GOVERNOR: Aye, well to tell the truth, I’m not at all sure I can return the compliment.
MASTER: I’m very sorry to hear that - why?
(POWERS holds out his hand for the MASTER coat.)
CHIEF PRISON OFFICER POWERS: Shall I, er?
MASTER: Oh, thank you.
(He hands his coat over.)
PRISON GOVERNOR: Ah, there’s been nothing but trouble ever since that machine of yours was installed.
MASTER: (Sitting down.) Well, there are bound to be teething troubles. I can soon take care of them.
PRISON GOVERNOR: Ahh? You really think you can get things back to normal.
MASTER: Yes Governor, I’m sure of it.
PRISON GOVERNOR: Well...
MASTER: It just needs an adjustment here and there - that’s all.
PRISON GOVERNOR: Aye, I hope you can. We’ve even got UNIT investigating.
MASTER: UNIT - really?
PRISON GOVERNOR: Yes - their scientific advisor is on his way down here now.
MASTER: I don’t think we need to trouble him. As a matter of fact, I’ve brought my equipment with me.
(He stands up and holds his briefcase.)
PRISON GOVERNOR: Well, let me take you to the process theatre.
MASTER: There is one thing before we go there - I understand that the man who led the riot was next in line for processing?
PRISON GOVERNOR: That’s right - Harry Mailer.
MASTER: Well first...I’d like to see him if I may?
22: INT. STANGMOOR PRISON. CELL
(MAILER is washing his face in a basin when the cell door opens and the MASTER, the GOVERNOR and POWERS walk in.)
CHIEF PRISON OFFICER POWERS: All right, Johnson, Samuels.
(The two PRISON OFFICERS in the cell with MAILER get up and walk out.)
PRISON OFFICER: Sir.
CHIEF PRISON OFFICER POWERS: We’ll be right outside, Mailer, so watch yourself.
PRISON GOVERNOR: Let us know when you’ve finished, Professor Keller.
MASTER: Right.
(The GOVERNOR and POWERS leave and close the door. MAILER walks over to the MASTER.)
MAILER: He said “Keller” - you’re the bloke who invented the machine. Pushing your luck, ain’t you?
MASTER: (Quietly.) Maybe I am.
MAILER: Now listen...
(MAILER holds his hand up to the MASTER who quickly grabs his arm in a nerve lock. MAILER gasps in pain as he sinks to the floor.)
MASTER: Shut up, Mailer! Keep your voice down. I’ve come here to help you.
MAILER: (Cynical.) Help me?
MASTER: You want to get out of here, don’t you?
MAILER: I’ve tried, mate.
MASTER: Yes, I heard about that pathetic little attempt. It was bound to fail - no proper plan and what’s more...
(He opens his briefcase. It contains p*stol and gas b*mb and gas masks.)
MASTER: ...no resources.
MAILER: (Suspicious.) What’s your game?
MASTER: You and I, Mailer, are going to create a great deal of havoc in this place.
(He hands him one of the g*n.)
MAILER: Oh yeah? You and me both?
MASTER: No, not exactly. We have a powerful ally...
23: INT. STANGMOOR PRISON. PROCESS THEATRE
(The “ally” has burst into life again. Its central perspex drum now seems filled to capacity with whatever it is that exists within the machine...)
24: INT. STANGMOOR PRISON. MAIN GALLERY
(Locked back into their cells, the prisoners are again shouting, all affected by the mental pulses from the Keller machine. POWERS walks across the upper landing.)
CHIEF PRISON OFFICER POWERS: Keep it quiet in here.
25: INT. STANGMOOR PRISON. STAIRCASE OUTSIDE CELL
(POWERS appears at the tope of the staircase. The GOVERNOR is at the bottom, outside MAILER’S cell waiting with the two OFFICERS.)
CHIEF PRISON OFFICER POWERS: It’s starting up again, sir.
PRISON GOVERNOR: They probably think we’re going to process Mailer. (To the OFFICERS.) Stay here, will you?
(They nod and the GOVERNOR ascends the staircase.)
CHIEF PRISON OFFICER POWERS: Keep it quiet, will you?
26: INT. STANGMOOR PRISON. CELL
(The MASTER hands more items from the briefcase to MAILER. His instructions are partially drowned out by the noise of the shouting prisoners.)
MASTER: Now, you’ll find more ... in the boot of my car, and remember - you are responsible for the main gate. Now, from the outside, I want this prison to appear to be running quite smoothly. I’m expecting a visitor. All right?
MAILER: Mmm.
(The MASTER points to the table and chairs on the other side of the cell.)
MASTER: Over there.
(MAILER walks over, gas mask and b*mb in his hand and sits on the table, items concealed out of sight. The MASTER walks over to the door and, his w*apon behind his back, knocks.)
27: INT. STANGMOOR PRISON. STAIRCASE OUTSIDE CELL
(One of the waiting OFFICERS opens the inspection hatch in the door.)
MASTER: I’ve finished in here, thank you. Would you open up?
(The OFFICER closes the hatch.)
28: INT. STANGMOOR PRISON. CELL
(The MASTER and MAILER don their gas masks. The OFFICER enters and the gas b*mb are thrown inside the cell and through the door. Both OFFICERS collapse coughing. MAILER and the MASTER rush out of the cell.)
29: INT. STANGMOOR PRISON. STAIRCASE OUTSIDE CELL
(At the top of the staircase, another OFFICER runs for the alarm bell. MAILER sh**t him from below but the OFFICER manages to press the alarm. MAILER runs up the stairs and sh**t two OFFICERS who are running to attend to the commotion.)
30: INT. STANGMOOR PRISON. MEDICAL WING
(In the hospital, JO is playing cards with SUMMERS and BARNHAM.)
BARNHAM: It’s your go.
(The ringing alarm interrupts their game...)
JO: Oh no, not again.
DR. SUMMERS: I’d better see what’s happening.
(SUMMERS gets up, as does BARNHAM with a look of panic on his face.)
BARNHAM: Well, what...?
JO: It’s all right, Barnham, sit down - everything’s okay.
(JO gently pushes him back down and follows DR. SUMMERS into the side office where he picks up s phone.)
31: INT. STANGMOOR PRISON. MAIN GALLERY
(The main gallery is filled with smoke. The MASTER throws several b*mb down to the lower level where the OFFICERS collapse under their effects. An armed prisoner sh**t GREEN at point blank range. Still protected by his mask, the MASTER shouts to the prisoners.)
MASTER: Now listen to me - all of you! Don’t try to come out until the gas is clear. Stay where you are! Get down on the floor!
(He goes to a wall phone and attaches a small device to it. Within its workings, there is a flashing light.)
32: INT. STANGMOOR PRISON. MEDICAL WING
(The device causes a massive feedback of sound through the phone in the prison. JO screams at the noise and SUMMERS drops the handset in pain.)
DR. SUMMERS: What the devil was that?!
JO: Look, I think we’d better get out of here.
(She runs for the door but VOSPER is there with a g*n and he grabs her.)
VOSPER: There’s no escape this time, darling. We’ve taken over the whole prison.
33: INT. STANGMOOR PRISON. MAIN GALLERY
(The smoke is clearing as the prisoners start to remove the bodies of the d*ad OFFICERS. The MASTER takes off his mask, checks his watch and walks over to a wall where he switches off the alarm. He closes the switch box with a flourish.)
MASTER: Right Doctor - now I’m ready for you.
34: EXT. STANGMOOR PRISON
(The DOCTOR is parked in Bessie outside the main gate and is getting increasingly impatient with the lack of response. He presses Bessie’s horn several times. Eventually a prisoner, dressed as an officer walks out and up to the car. He looks at the DOCTOR impassively.)
DOCTOR: Yes?
MAIN GATE PRISONER: Pass please.
(The DOCTOR hands it over.)
DOCTOR: (Contemptuously.) Passes! Television!
(The CCTV camera stares down at the scene...)
35: INT. STANGMOOR PRISON. GOVERNOR’S OFFICE
(...which appears on a monitor in the GOVERNOR’S office. On it can be seen the prisoner speaking into his radio.)
MAIN GATE PRISONER: (On monitor.) Pass checked and satisfactory.
(However, it is the MASTER who sits in the GOVERNOR’S chair. He leans towards the monitor and presses an intercom.)
MASTER: Show him in, please.
(He sits back with a satisfied smile.)
MAIN GATE PRISONER: (On monitor.) Open the gate - let him in.
36: EXT. STANGMOOR PRISON.
(The gate is opened and the DOCTOR drives in. MAILER jumps out in front of the car holding a pointed g*n.)
DOCTOR: (Shouts.) Don’t point that thing at me, man! It might go off! I’m here on official business. I understand there’s been some trouble here.
MAILER: That’s right, mate - and you’re in it.
(He walks round the car, sits in the back and places the barrel next to the DOCTOR’S head.)
MAILER: Now let’s get this heap inside.
(The DOCTOR brushes the g*n to one side.)
DOCTOR: (Coldly.) I was going there anyway.
(He drives on.)
37: INT. STANGMOOR PRISON. GOVERNOR’S OFFICE
(The MASTER sits with his chair back facing the door to the office. It is opened and VOSPER and MAILER escort the DOCTOR in. He waits as the MASTER swings his chair round.)
DOCTOR: (Quietly.) Yes...yes, I thought as much.
MASTER: Right Vosper, Mailer.
(He nods his head towards the door and the two men leave.)
MASTER: You don’t seem at all surprised?
DOCTOR: Hardly.
(He moves round to the visitor’s chair and after a wave of invitation from the MASTER, sits himself down.)
DOCTOR: How’s the riot going?
MASTER: Oh, long since over. I control the prison now.
DOCTOR: Do you? And, er, where is Miss Grant to be found?
MASTER: Reclining in one of our best cells.
DOCTOR: (His voice rising.) Is she indeed? Well, let me tell you this - that if you harm so much as one hair of her head, Ill...
(He sits forward thr*at but the MASTER pulls out a g*n.)
MASTER: You’ll do nothing - or I’ll put a b*llet through both your hearts!
(The DOCTOR puts up his hands up in mock surrender.)
DOCTOR: Why the delay? I take it that I’m to be k*lled eventually?
MASTER: Oh, eventually, yes. But unfortunately...I find I need your help.
DOCTOR: You want me to help you with that machine of yours. Professor Keller. You want to be careful of that thing, you know. One day it’s going to end up k*lling you.
MASTER: Oh, it won’t harm me - I created it.
DOCTOR: Hmm!
MASTER: But recently I must admit that it has developed a mind of its own. Hence my need for your assistance - while I’m engaged on other business.
DOCTOR: Oh? What other business?
MASTER: Your UNIT friends are transporting their nuclear m*ssile. I intend to take it away from them!
38: EXT. m*ssile BASE
(CAPTAIN YATES is on the telephone in a small office on the base. Outside, soldiers are preparing the convoy.)
CAPTAIN MIKE YATES: Yes sir - we do plan on driving through the night. Er, in that way, we should be back on schedule, er, according to my estimation by about...midday tomorrow.
39: INT. UNIT LONDON HQ. BRIGADIER’S OFFICE
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: (Into phone.) All right, Yates, good luck. Keep HQ informed of your movements. I’ll be in contact tomorrow morning.
(He puts the phone down and returns to his papers.)
40: INT. STANGMOOR PRISON. GOVERNOR’S OFFICE
(The discussion between the DOCTOR, drinking a glass of water, and the MASTER continues...)
DOCTOR: Well, it’s a lunatic scheme. Still that’s only to be expected.
MASTER: Oh, come, Doctor, how can I possibly fail? I launch the m*ssile, wipe out the peace conference - the world is at w*r.
DOCTOR: I see.
(He puts the glass on the table, knocking over a jug of water. The MASTER jumps back by impulse and the DOCTOR jumps to his feet and overturns the table. The MASTER runs for the g*n but slips on the watery floor. By the time he gets to his feet, the DOCTOR has draped his cloak over the suit of armour. The MASTER sh**t at it. The DOCTOR runs for the door, dodging more b*ll*ts. He manages to get out of the room in one piece. The MASTER doesn’t bother to pursue but instead goes and looks out of the window.)
41: EXT. STANGMOOR PRISON. COURT YARD
(Outside, the DOCTOR dashes behind the cover of parked cars as a prisoner sh**t at him from the top of the prison wall. Running from car to car and then into the open, he manages to make a run for safety.)
42: INT. STANGMOOR PRISON. GOVERNOR’S OFFICE
(The MASTER finishes watching the incident, makes up his mind and leaves the office.)
43: INT. STANGMOOR PRISON. CELL
(JO and SUMMERS listen at the door of the cell that they are locked in.)
JO: I’m sure I heard g*n.
DR. SUMMERS: Perhaps there are still some officers holding out.
JO: Or else the Doctor’s come down.
44: INT. STANGMOOR PRISON. SIDE ROOM
(The DOCTOR looks through a peep-hole into a side room. Seeing that it is empty he enters it. He carefully opens another door which leads onto the main gallery and enters it.)
45: INT. STANGMOOR PRISON. MAIN GALLERY
(It is strangely silent and empty.)
DOCTOR: (Calls.) Jo! Jo, where are you?
46: INT. STANGMOOR PRISON. CELL
(JO and SUMMERS bang on their cell door having heard his voice.)
JO: Doctor!
DR. SUMMERS: Doctor!
JO: Doctor, we’re in here!
DOCTOR: (OOV) Right, I’m coming!
47: INT. STANGMOOR PRISON. MAIN GALLERY
(The DOCTOR makes for the main staircase but MAILER bursts out onto the top landing and fires a blast from his g*n. The DOCTOR runs for cover into the process theatre.)
48: INT. STANGMOOR PRISON. PROCESS THEATRE
(He shuts the doors behind him and then hears a familiar voice...)
MASTER: I thought you’d make for here.
(The DOCTOR turns and sees the MASTER patiently waiting against a wall next to the doors - holding a pair of handcuffs. MAILER bursts into the room.)
MASTER: Hold it Mailer! Let me have that g*n.
(He takes the g*n off him.)
MASTER: I think you’d better show our patient into the chair, Mailer, and, er...handcuff him into it.
(MAILER takes the cuffs off the MASTER who points the g*n at the DOCTOR, forcing him to sit in the chair next to the silent Keller machine. MAILER pinions his hands behind his back and secures him with the handcuffs.)
DOCTOR: May I ask the purpose of this charade?
MASTER: Certainly. You’d better wait outside, Mailer.
(He hands the g*n to the convict who leaves the room. The MASTER walks over to the control bank.)
MASTER: As you see...I have affected the necessary repairs.
(He goes back to the DOCTOR and leans over him.)
MASTER: But, before I let you control this machine for me - which I fully intend that you shall - it’ll be very interesting to see exactly how long you can hold out against it. Now somewhere, you have, erm...
(He searches his pockets.)
MASTER: Ah-ha.
(The MASTER pulls out the telepathic device that was found on CHIN LEE.)
MASTER: Now this little device, as you know, transmits and amplifies the power of the machine. What you may not know...is that it can be adjusted to turn that power against the wearer - like this.
(He turns the small round piece of machinery and places it behind the DOCTOR’S left ear. He then flicks two switches on the Keller machine itself.)
DOCTOR: You know, this is all very tiresome.
MASTER: Is it?
(He laughs, crosses to the control bank and activates more controls. The lights in the room dim. The MASTER makes for the door but turns back quickly for a parting comment.)
MASTER: Oh, erm...I really would like to stop and watch your nightmares...
DOCTOR: Then why don’t you?
MASTER: I have other business as you know. Will you excuse me?
(He leaves closing the doors. The DOCTOR immediately starts to struggle against his imprisonment. Next to him, the machine starts to hum and bleep and burst into life. A look of pain crosses the DOCTOR’S face as he starts to feel the mental waves of fear. Flames appear before him again as he lets out a small cry of terror. Then he hears the all too familiar cry of his most feared enemy - the Daleks...)
DALEK: Destroy! Exterminate! Annihilate! Destroy! Exterminate!
(...and a succession of monsters float past his eyes - a Silurian, a Zarbi, Slaar - the Ice Lord, a w*r Machine and a Cyberman. The DOCTOR’S cries grow louder and his eyes bulge in terror...) | {"type": "series", "show": "Doctor Who", "episode": "08x07 - The Mind of Evil - part 3"} | foreverdreaming |
THE MIND OF EVIL
BY: DON HOUGHTON
EPISODE FOUR
Original Air Date: 20 February, 1971
5:15pm - 5:40pm
1: INT. STANGMOOR PRISON. PROCESS THEATRE
(Flames appear before the DOCTOR again as he lets out a small cry of terror. Then he hears the all too familiar cry of his most feared enemy - the Daleks...)
DALEK: Exterminate! Annihilate! Destroy! Exterminate! Annihilate! Destroy!
(...and a succession of monsters float past his eyes - a Silurian, a Zarbi, Slaar - the Ice Lord, a w*r Machine and a Cyberman. The DOCTOR’S cries grow louder and his eyes bulge in terror. The metal as*ault is too great and his heads suddenly drops forward.)
2: INT. STANGMOOR PRISON. MAIN GALLERY
(The “experiment” in the process theatre has had an incredible effect on the prisoners. They moan and writhe on the floor in mental pain - even MAILER.
The MASTER comes out of the side room. He to holds his fingers to his temples as he feels the effects of the machine. He struggles across the room to the doors of the process theatre where the door has been barred.)
PRISONER: (Moaning.) Stooppp!
(The MASTER takes the bar off.)
3: INT. STANGMOOR PRISON. PROCESS THEATRE
(Inside the darkened room, the machine is still pulsing away. The MASTER enters and stumbles across the room, almost holding on to the walls themselves. He reaches the control bank and starts deactivate the device. After several attempts, the pulsing noise from the Keller machine dies down and the lights in the room brighten. As the mental waves decrease, the MASTER rushes across to the DOCTOR. With a look of intent concern on his face, he takes the amplification device from behind the DOCTOR’S ear and briefly looks him over. Then, looking round the room, he spots a stethoscope which he puts on and listens to the DOCTOR’S hearts - only the right one is beating. The MASTER is about to begin resuscitation when MAILER virtually crawls into the room.)
MAILER: Is he d*ad?
MASTER: No, not quite. Wait outside.
(MAILER goes. The MASTER begins to b*at on the DOCTOR’S chest.)
4: INT. STANGMOOR PRISON. CELL
(JO and DR. SUMMERS are still in their cell. JO is deep in thought, then...)
JO: I know! We can...
(They hear a noise outside the door. They step towards it but then SUMMERS pulls her away.)
DR. SUMMERS: Get back!
(The door opens and VOSPER enters - g*n in hand. Another prisoner - CHARLIE - is with him.)
VOSPER: (To SUMMERS.) All right you. You’re being transferred.
DR. SUMMERS: What about Miss Grant?
VOSPER: Luxury suite - all to herself.
DR. SUMMERS: (His voice rising.) Look, if Miss Grant stays, so do I...
VOSPER: (To CHARLIE.) ... , take him.
DR. SUMMERS: (Shouts.) ...I’m not leaving here without her!
VOSPER: Take him out.
(CHARLIE pulls SUMMERS outside. He shouts all the way.)
DR. SUMMERS: Why don’t you take us both back to the medical wing? At least we could do some good there!
JO: (To VOSPER.) What’s so special about me?
VOSPER: We’re saving you for the machine, ain’t we?
(He leaves.)
5: INT. STANGMOOR PRISON. PROCESS THEATRE
(The MASTER slaps the DOCTOR’S face.)
MASTER: Wake up! Wake up!
(The DOCTOR is covered with sweat and is weak as he starts to come round.)
MASTER: Welcome back.
(The look of concern on his face disappears.)
MASTER: Would it surprise you to know that one of your hearts stopped completely? You were within an inch of dying.
DOCTOR: (Almost in a whisper.) You wanted...you wanted to know...how long I could hold out against that machine.
(The MASTER nods.)
DOCTOR: Well the answer is I can’t. Nobody can.
MASTER: Of course you can! If I can control it from that console then so can you - and you must while I’m not here.
DOCTOR: (Weakly.) No...no...
MASTER: Oh, come on, Doctor. We are both Time Lords.
DOCTOR: Be that as it may...I know...I know the secret of that machine. Inside it...is a creature that...that feeds on the evil of the mind...and very soon it’ll feed on yours.
MASTER: Nonsense! Mailer!
(MAILER enters, p*stol in hand.)
MASTER: Release him...and then put him in the cell with Miss Grant.
(As MAILER starts to un-cuff the DOCTOR, the MASTER leans over him thr*at.)
MASTER: Now listen, Doctor, if you don’t do what I ask of you, Miss Grant will be next in line for the process. You just remember that. (To MAILER.) Right, take him out.
(MAILER has to help the DOCTOR up and out of the chair.)
MAILER: Come on Doc. On your feet! Up!
6: INT. STANGMOOR PRISON. MAIN GALLERY
(The DOCTOR can barely stand as, with his arm round MAILER’S shoulders, he is carried towards the main staircase, the MASTER following.)
MAILER: Come on, up you come!
(The DOCTOR is almost dragged up the stairs.)
7: INT. STANGMOOR PRISON. CELL
(JO hears MAILER’S voice.)
MAILER: (OOV: Outside the cell.) Come on Doc, your feet are dragging! Now come on - help me!
(She rushes to the door.)
JO: Doctor! Doctor, is that you?!
8: INT. STANGMOOR PRISON. STAIRCASE OUTSIDE CELL
MAILER: Down!
(MAILER virtually carries the DOCTOR down the stairs where VOSPER stands guard.)
MAILER: Move! Move! Move!
(They reach the bottom of the stairs. The DOCTOR seems to revive and grabs MAILER, throwing him to the floor. He goes for VOSPER but his energy seems to fail him. VOSPER grabs him.)
VOSPER: No you don’t! Back!
(MAILER gets off the floor behind the DOCTOR and raises his p*stol to club him. The MASTER appears at the top of the staircase.)
MASTER: Mailer! I want the Doctor in one piece. Now put him in the cell as I told you.
MAILER: (To VOSPER.) Come on, open this door!
VOSPER: Yeah.
(VOSPER does so.)
MAILER: Now...
JO: (OOV: Within the cell.) Doctor!
(As MAILER pushes the DOCTOR into the cell, he ignores the MASTER’S previous instruction and clubs him on the back of the neck.)
MASTER: (To MAILER.) I told you...!
9: INT. STANGMOOR PRISON. CELL
(The DOCTOR falls to the ground. JO looks briefly over him then rushes to pour some water from a jug. Behind her, the MASTER enters the cell.)
MASTER: Good evening, Miss Grant. What a great pleasure it is to see you again.
(JO turns.)
JO: The Master! What are you doing here?
MASTER: Oh, the Doctor will tell you about it when he’s recovered.
JO: What have you been doing to him?!
MASTER: Nothing - just a little persuasion.
JO: No!
MASTER: Do try and make him see sense, my dear - for your sake. Goodnight.
(He leaves the cell and closes the door. JO runs back to the DOCTOR and starts to assist him.)
MAILER: (OOV: Outside the cell.) If you’ve got any sense, just hand him over to me and the boys for an hour, we’ll soften him up.
MASTER: (OOV: Outside the cell.) Mailer, all that you will do will k*ll him - I don’t want that.
10: INT. STANGMOOR PRISON. STAIRCASE OUTSIDE CELL
MASTER: (To VOSPER.) I want an armed man outside this cell the whole time.
VOSPER: Right, I’ll do it myself.
MASTER: Mailer, I want the whole ‘B’ wing cleared except for these two in here.
MAILER: What the hell for?
MASTER: Don’t argue, Mailer - do it. Then meet me in the Governor’s office when it’s finished.
MAILER: Yes...sir.
(The MASTER leaves them.)
11: INT. STANGMOOR PRISON. CELL
(JO listens to the DOCTOR’S chest and feels his forehead.)
MASTER: (OOV: Outside the cell.) You hang on here, Len, yeah?
VOSPER: (OOV: Outside the cell.) Yeah.
MAILER: (OOV: Outside the cell.) I’ll see you.
(MAILER can be heard climbing the staircase. JO goes to the cell door and shouts.)
JO: Hey! Hey you out there! Listen to me! We need help urgently.
(VOSPER opens the hatch on the door...)
VOSPER: Go to sleep darling.
(...and closes it again.)
JO: Look, open this door! Please, open this door!
(The cell door opens and VOSPER comes in.)
VOSPER: A proper little Miss Nightingale, in’t you?
JO: Look at him - he needs a Doctor.
VOSPER: Pity...
(The DOCTOR stirs slightly. JO runs back to him.)
JO: Help me! Well at least help me get him up onto the bed.
12: INT. STANGMOOR PRISON. PROCESS THEATRE
(The dial on the front of the Keller machine twitches in the “full” red section. The MASTER enters the room and looks warily at the machine. He straightens his shoulders and walks towards the machine. It starts to come to life, building up power...)
MASTER: You can’t harm me. I’m stronger than you are.
(The MASTER continues to stare at the machine but he flinches as he feels an extra strong pulse of energy. He puts his fingers to his temples at attempts to fight back. The pulsing from the machine grows stronger.)
MASTER: I brought you here...I gave you the minds you need to feed on!
(The MASTER rocks on his feet.)
MASTER: You are my servant!
(The MASTER staggers to the other side of the machine.)
MASTER: You are my servant! I...!
(It continues its relentless as*ault. He runs to the control bank and, his face creased in pain, tries to switch off the machine. He fails as the pulses from the machine reach a new pitch of intensity. He stares at it - a look of fear on his face. Suddenly, the MASTER’S greatest fear appears in front of him - a huge towering image of the DOCTOR laughing with contempt and derision.)
MASTER: No! No!
(The DOCTOR’S laughter grows fiercer and louder. The MASTER staggers to a chair and literally tries to hide his face from the image. The apparition of the DOCTOR reaches out and seems to grasp the MASTER in one of his huge hands.)
MASTER: You can’t destroy me! I am too strong for you! I am too strong for you!
(He runs for the door...)
13: INT. STANGMOOR PRISON. MAIN GALLERY
(...pulling the door to behind him and putting the bar back in place. The moans of the prisoners can be heard again. The MASTER gasps for breath.)
MASTER: No more minds for you to feed on. Let’s see how long starvation takes to...bring you to heel.
14: INT. STANGMOOR PRISON. CELL
(DR. SUMMERS has been brought to the cell. The unconscious DOCTOR has been placed on the cell bed and - at VOSPER’S g*n - is being examined by SUMMERS. He moves a stethoscope over the DOCTOR’S chest.)
DR. SUMMERS: It’s extraordinary. Quite extraordinary. His physical make-up, it...it’s just not human.
JO: But what’s the matter with him?
DR. SUMMERS: He’s been beaten up, of course - physically and ment*lly.
(He shines a light in the DOCTOR’S eyes.)
DR. SUMMERS: His whole...system’s suffered a tremendous shock. He’s in...some kind of a coma, but I...
JO: Can’t you do anything for him?
DR. SUMMERS: I very much doubt it. You could try giving him...
(He crosses to his medical bag and picks out a bottle of tablets which he hands to JO.)
DR. SUMMERS: ...one of these, if he recovers consciousness.
(He checks that VOSPER isn’t listening.)
DR. SUMMERS: Listen Jo, who organised this break?
VOSPER: (Overhearing.) Right Doc, times up. What’s the verdict? He done for?
DR. SUMMERS: Not quite. Though it’s no thanks to you.
(VOSPER laughs and turns to the door.)
VOSPER: Come on, Doc. Don’t forget to send in your bill! Charlie?
(He knocks on the door and the prisoner outside opens it.)
DR. SUMMERS: (To JO.) Take care, hmm?
JO: And you.
(He leaves and VOSPER locks JO back in. The DOCTOR murmurs. JO runs back to him and tries to place a tablet in his mouth.)
JO: Doctor?
DOCTOR: Mmm?
JO: Doctor, take one of these.
DOCTOR: Mmm...
JO: Come on...
DOCTOR: Ahh.
JO: Come on, just try...
DOCTOR: Ahh...
(The DOCTOR moves his head from side to side as JO tries to give him the tablet. He comes round briefly.)
DOCTOR: That’s wrong...wrong metabolism. It’d probably...probably k*ll me, Jo. I’m all right. I’m all right, Jo. Just...just let me rest...let me rest.
(His eyes close and he falls back unconscious.)
JO: Doctor! Please!
(She starts to cry but the DOCTOR remains unconscious.)
15: INT. STANGMOOR PRISON. GOVERNOR’S OFFICE
(The MASTER sits back in the Governor’s chair, sweating and mopping his brow. MAILER enters.)
MAILER: All right, fixed that...
(MAILER stops as he sees the MASTER’S condition.)
MAILER: Here, you all right?
(The MASTER quickly recovers his demeanour.)
MASTER: Yes, yes, of course, of course.
MAILER: You don’t look any too good to me.
MASTER: Mailer, I want a guard on that process room the whole time. No one’s to go near that machine - no one.
MAILER: I don’t think any of my lot are likely to.
MASTER: Yes, I know but morbid curiosity can be very strong. See to it, will you?
(MAILER starts to leave.)
MASTER: Mailer! (Warmly.) Mailer, you’ve done very well. I...I’m pleased with you.
MAILER: Good. Then, er, perhaps you’d like to do something for me?
MASTER: Why, certainly - anything.
(MAILER sits in the visitors chair.)
MAILER: Perhaps you’d like to tell me why the hell we don’t get out of here before it gets light.
MASTER: My dear Mailer, you are just not thinking. A great g*ng of armed convicts roaming round the countryside?
(The MASTER reaches down under a table, picks up a small slide projector and places it on the desk.)
MAILER: If we can get our civvies back, there’s cars outside.
MASTER: Yes, maybe.
(He pulls down on a cord on the wall behind the desk and drags down a projector screen.)
MASTER: But have you thought that as well as the police, you’d have the...army against you?
(He turns the lights in the room down, then crosses to the window and draws the curtains.)
MASTER: Dogs, troops, helicopters. Ha! By morning, you’d all be captured or k*lled.
MAILER: Yeah, all right. So, er, you’ve got a better idea?
MASTER: I think so, yes. How would you like a free pardon, unlimited money and a ticket to anywhere in the world?
MAILER: How would I like it? Do me a favour!
MASTER: Right, pay attention and I’ll show you how to get it.
(He switches on the slide projector. The image shown is that of a familiar shape.)
MASTER: Now, that is Thunderbolt. It’s a gas m*ssile, nuclear powered and British, of course!
MAILER: Of course...
MASTER: Now, the most important thing is that it’s illegal, because gas warfare’s been outlawed for many years. Therefore the British government are going to dump that in the sea. Now, tomorrow morning, that m*ssile, with a very small escort, will pass within a few miles of this prison.
MAILER: (Sarcastically.) I see, and, er, you’d like me to hijack it?
MASTER: Right first time!
MAILER: Eh?
MASTER: I’m going to aim that at the peace conference in London.
MAILER: You’ve gotta be joking!
MASTER: I am not joking. You look at this map.
(He changes to slide and projects a map of the local area. He points with a pencil to the prison.)
MASTER: Now, here’s the prison...and this...
(He points to spot on a road south of the prison.)
MASTER: ...is where you will ambush the convoy.
16: INT. STANGMOOR PRISON. CELL
(The next morning, the DOCTOR is still unconscious and JO has fallen asleep in a chair. A noise at the door awakens her and she goes over to the bed as VOSPER comes into the room, still with his p*stol.)
JO: Doctor? Doctor?
VOSPER: Morning.
(He looks down at the DOCTOR.)
VOSPER: Oh, he’s still with us then?
JO: Sorry, you’re disappointed.
VOSPER: You watch your tongue.
JO: How about some breakfast?
VOSPER: What do you think this is - a holiday camp?
JO: You weren’t told to starve us to death. (Shouts.) What good do you think he’s going to be to the Master is he doesn’t have any food inside him!
VOSPER: All right! All right!
(He goes to the door and bangs his g*n on it.)
VOSPER: Charlie!
CHARLIE: (OOV: Outside cell.) Yeah?
(CHARLIE comes in.)
VOSPER: Nip down the kitchens - get some grub for these two.
CHARLIE: Right.
(He leaves the cell.)
VOSPER: (To JO.) Though by the look of him...I don’t think he’s gonna need it.
(He smiles and walks out, pulling the door to. JO sits back forlornly in the chair. The DOCTOR’S eyes suddenly open and he sits up with remarkable speed.)
DOCTOR: Well done, my dear! Now perhaps we can do something about getting out of here.
(JO smiles in delight.)
17: EXT. STANGMOOR PRISON. COURTYARD
(The MASTER addresses a small group of armed convicts who are gathered next to a Black Mariah van.)
MASTER: Remember - if you’re successful, this will be your passport to freedom - anywhere!
(The prisoners exchange excited comments between themselves.)
MASTER: All right, good luck to you.
(The MASTER walks off.)
MAILER: Everybody got the picture? All right then, let’s go. Now come on, move!
(They start to enter the van.)
18: INT. STANGMOOR PRISON. CELL
(The DOCTOR lies back on the bed. He and JO exchange last minute whispered instructions as their is a noise heard outside the cell. The DOCTOR closes his eyes and feigns unconsciousness. VOSPER enters, g*n as ever in his hand. He is eating part of the prepared breakfast that CHARLIE carries.)
VOSPER: Here’s your grub then. I’ll watch the door, Charlie.
JO: I thought that was meant to be for us?
(VOSPER leaves the room. CHARLIE makes a comment to JO as he takes the tray of food over to the table but JO holds her hands out for it.)
JO: Thanks.
(JO throws he hands upwards, knocking the tray into CHARLIE’S face. He covers his face with his hands and JO chops the back of his neck. He falls to the floor as the DOCTOR jumps up off the bed. JO hands him the empty tray and he stands behind the door. JO stands immediately in front of the door.)
VOSPER: (OOV: Outside cell.) Charlie! What’s the matter?
(VOSPER comes into the room and shouts at JO.)
VOSPER: What the devil’s going on here?
(The DOCTOR crashes the tray down on to VOSPER’S head. He cries out and falls to the floor, helped by a kick from JO. She then picks up his dropped g*n and the two escapees rush out of the cell.)
19: INT. STANGMOOR PRISON. STAIRCASE OUTSIDE CELL
(The DOCTOR locks the cell after him.)
JO: Really, Doctor, for someone who was on death’s door!
DOCTOR: Yes, I do have remarkable powers of recovery, don’t I? Come on!
(They rush up the stairs.)
20: INT. STANGMOOR PRISON. GOVERNOR’S OFFICE
(They manage to reach the safety of the Governor’s office. It is still in darkness but empty. The DOCTOR cautiously looks round while JO goes and pulls back a curtain, looking out of the window.)
JO: They seem to be setting up some kind of search party.
(The DOCTOR joins her.)
DOCTOR: Yes, they’ll be expecting us to try and make a break for it.
JO: Well, aren’t we?
DOCTOR: No - not while they’re all chasing around. Let them cool off for a bit. We’ll try again later.
(He goes over to the desk and sits in the visitor’s chair. JO stops and thinks.)
JO: Telephone! There must be a telephone here somewhere.
DOCTOR: There is...
(He points to a closed wooden box on the Governor’s desk. JO runs across to it.)
DOCTOR: ...but it’s locked. In any case, it’ll be manned by convicts.
(JO sees the slide projector and switches it on. The slide of the m*ssile is displayed.)
JO: What’s that?
DOCTOR: That, my dear Jo, is the Thunderbolt. Captain Yates is escorting it...I hope.
JO: What’s it got to do with the Master?
DOCTOR: Everything. He’s hoping to steal it!
21: EXT. COUNTRY ROAD
(The Black Mariah has been parked in a side track off a country road. MAILER, armed, runs to the road and looks round. He sees something and shouts to his comrades.)
MAILER: Get down!
(All the armed convicts are posted at the side of the road behind bushes and fence posts, lying in wait. MAILER runs up to a group of them.)
MAILER: Right now, don’t forget - wait ‘til they get level before you let them have it.
PRISONER: Here they come!
(Down the road, the convoy appears through the trees. It comprises of four motorcycle outriders, a UNIT jeep and then the Thunderbolt itself on the back of a low-loader. MAILER runs off into hiding. The convoy nears. There is a series of expl*si*n and the motorcycles are thrown to the side of the road. At the same time, the convicts start f*ring on the other two vehicles. The jeep, driven by SERGEANT BENTON drives into a ditch and the SERGEANT falls out, wounded. As the low-loader continues onwards, the Black Mariah pulls out in front of it. MAILER reaches into the driver’s cab and pulls the soldier inside out of the vehicle.
All the time, the convicts are f*ring at the motorcyclists. CAPTAIN YATES runs to the roadside and into the cover of some bushes. He pulls out his radio and speaks into it.)
CAPTAIN MIKE YATES: Venus to Jupiter, Venus to Jupiter. Convoy under armed att*ck. Estimated position...
(Across the road, a convict runs up, sees him and fires. YATES falls to the ground with a cry of pain.)
22: INT. UNIT LONDON HQ. OUTER OFFICE
(The BRIGADIER is on the radio watched by CORPORAL BELL.)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: (Into radio.) Jupiter to Venus, Jupiter to Venus, give us your position. I say again, give us your position!
Over.
(But only static comes through the loudspeaker. The BRIGADIER grimly switches off the radio.)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Right!
(He crosses to join BELL and another soldier at a wall map.)
23: EXT. COUNTRY ROAD
(YATES lies unconscious, his left hand bleeding. There is still the sound of g*n. YATES comes round and, in some pain, picks up the radio which has a damaged aerial.)
CAPTAIN MIKE YATES: (Into radio.) Venus to Jupiter, do you read me? Over.
(YATES crawls along the ground to get a better view of the proceedings. He sees the prisoners moving the Black Mariah out of the way.
CAPTAIN MIKE YATES: Venus to Jupiter, do you read me? Over.
(Both the Mariah and the low-loader then drive off. YATES struggles to his feet and runs back to the att*cked UNIT convoy. BENTON lies on the ground, his head bleeding but he is moving. YATES runs over to one of the motorcycles whose engine is still running. He picks it up and drives off. BENTON comes round briefly and looks round before he falls down again.)
24: INT. UNIT LONDON HQ. OUTER OFFICE
(The BRIGADIER stands before the road map with CORPORAL BELL. He points at two places with his swagger stick.)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: The last time he checked in he was here. Now, given the average speed of the convoy and the time of the emergency call, the ambush should have taken place...about here. I want a chopper standing by to take me down there as soon as possible.
CORPORAL BELL: I’ll get on to it right away, sir.
(She crosses to a phone.)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: And I’ll need a mobile HQ and a full forensic team in the area.
CORPORAL BELL: (Into phone.) Extension 3-4. (To the BRIGADIER.) Shall I ask for police and army co-operation, sir?
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: No - UNIT personnel only. This m*ssile isn’t supposed to exist. Keep trying to get through to Captain Yates.
CORPORAL BELL: Right sir.
(The BRIGADIER leaves the office. BELL speaks into the radio.)
CORPORAL BELL: Jupiter to Venus, Jupiter to Venus, do you read me? Over.
23: EXT. ROAD
(YATES continues to follow the hi-jacked convoy on his motorcycle.)
24: EXT. HANGER
(The convoy itself proceeds into the grounds of a deserted aircraft hanger in a flat remote spot. The convicts get out of the Black Mariah and the low-loader.)
MAILER: All right, let’s get these doors open. Come on!
(The convicts, together with some men wearing army uniforms, open the hanger doors and detach the m*ssile and its launcher from the low-loader. Nearby YATES arrives on his motorcycle. The lack of suitable cover means that he has few hiding places for himself or his bike. He gets off the machine which he leaves next to a hut and takes the risk of getting as close to the hanger doors as he can. The only suitable spot he can find is to lie low on the ground behind tufts of tall grass. MAILER barks another command at some of the convicts.)
MAILER: Come on! In!
(Half of the group get into the Black Mariah and YATES watches as it drives off. Having seen that the m*ssile is to be stored at the hanger he makes a run back for his bike but his luck has run out. The remaining convicts spot him and start sh**ting at the retreating motorcycle. One of the b*ll*ts finds its mark and YATES falls to the ground as the bike ploughs into a pile of crates. The convicts run up, kick the dazed soldier over and haul him to his feet before leading him away.)
25: EXT. COUNTRY ROAD
(The UNIT team have reached the site of the convoy hijack. As various forensic members pore over the remaining motorcycles, SERGEANT BENTON, sat by the roadside, is bandaged by a first-aid officer while the BRIGADIER questions him.)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Is that all you can tell me?
SERGEANT BENTON: It happened so quickly, sir.
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Did you see what happened to Captain Yates?
SERGEANT BENTON: I thought they’d got him?
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Not unless they took the body with them. One of the bikes is missing.
SERGEANT BENTON: Well, maybe he followed them, sir?
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Yes, maybe. (To the first-aid officer.) Right, thanks.
SERGEANT BENTON: There’s just one thing, sir.
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Well?
SERGEANT BENTON: Well, just before I passed out, I could have sworn I saw a plain black van. The sort the police use - Black Mariah.
(The BRIGADIER turns to a nearby solder...)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Map!
(...who runs up with the document.)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Thank you.
(He unfolds the map, looks over it and realises the connection...)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Stangmoor prison...
SERGEANT BENTON: What sir?
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Well, where else would you get a Black Mariah?
26: INT. STANGMOOR PRISON. GOVERNOR’S OFFICE
(The DOCTOR and JO are still in the Governor’s office. The DOCTOR taps a pencil, deep in thought. JO walks away from the window.)
JO: Doctor, we can just go on sitting here.
DOCTOR: Why not? Well, it’s the safest place at the moment. They’ll never think of looking for us here.
(JO turns away with an exasperated sigh.)
DOCTOR: Besides, I need more time to think. I’ve got to find out a way of dealing with that alien creature out there.
JO: (Surprised.) What alien creature?
DOCTOR: The one inside the Keller machine.
JO: Do you really believe there’s something alive in there?
DOCTOR: I do.
JO: Well, what is it?
DOCTOR: It’s a sort of mind parasite that feeds on evil. The deadliest thr*at to mankind since the beginning of time.
(He snaps the pencil in concentration. JO goes back to the window.)
JO: Doctor!
DOCTOR: Mmm?
JO: The Master!
(The DOCTOR rushes over and joins her.)
JO: He seems to be leaving.
27: EXT. STANGMOOR PRISON. COURTYARD
(The MASTER gets into his chauffeur driven limousine...)
28: INT. STANGMOOR PRISON. GOVERNOR’S OFFICE
DOCTOR: Right! Now’s our chance.
(They head for the door.)
JO: We’ll slip out by the hospital and through the rear courtyard.
DOCTOR: I didn’t mean our chance to escape, Jo.
(He takes his cloak off the hanger.)
DOCTOR: I meant our chance to get into that process chamber and deal with that machine once and for all.
(Jo nods and hands him VOSPER’S p*stol.)
DOCTOR: No, thank you.
(He hands it back.)
DOCTOR: You were trained to use those things. They only make me nervous.
(He ushers her out of the room.)
29: INT. STANGMOOR PRISON. PROCESS THEATRE
(The Keller machine has come to life of its own accord once more. Its pulses build up, the very air seems to shimmer and then the machine fades away into thin air. The shimmering stops and the room is empty and silent...)
30: INT. STANGMOOR PRISON. MAIN GALLERY
(CHARLIE, r*fle in hand, makes his way down the lower level of the main gallery, kicking open cell doors in his search for the DOCTOR and JO. He stops in his progress as the air at his feet shimmers - and the Keller machine materialises. It immediately starts its mental att*ck on CHARLIE. Holding his head he falls to the ground. He gets up on his knees, retrieves the r*fle and starts f*ring at the machine. Suddenly, the air is filled with a bright flare and CHARLIE falls back with a terrified scream. Its victim dealt with, the Keller machine dematerialises in shimmer of air. The gallery falls silent with only the still body of CHARLIE as evidence of the incident. After a moment, the DOCTOR and JO descend a spiral staircase and run up to the body.)
JO: His face! He looks terrified - just like the others!
DOCTOR: Perhaps the creature’s learned to move. Come on.
(They run to the doors of the process theatre, take the bar off the door and enter.)
31: INT. STANGMOOR PRISON. PROCESS THEATRE
JO: You were right - it’s gone!
DOCTOR: Yes.
(MAILER and VOSPER walk into the room - g*n pointed.)
MAILER: All right, girl, drop it! You heard me - I said drop it.
(Jo drops the p*stol on the floor.)
MAILER: Clever girl. (To the DOCTOR.) Now, as for you, we’ve had enough of you...
DOCTOR: Yes, well, before you pull that trigger, I...
(The DOCTOR hears the build up of a familiar noise...)
MAILER: What’s the matter with you?
DOCTOR: (Horrified.) Look...look behind you.
MAILER: I’ve heard that one before.
DOCTOR: Look behind you!
(Immediately outside the doors of the theatre, the air can be seen to shimmer and the Keller machine materialises. VOSPER turns and starts to f*re at the machine. MAILER runs for cover behind one of the doors to the theatre whilst the DOCTOR pulls JO behind the control bank.)
32: INT. STANGMOOR PRISON. MAIN GALLERY
(VOSPER staggers out of the theatre, crying out in pain and f*ring at the machine. Again, there is a flare of light and the machine claims another victim.)
33: INT. STANGMOOR PRISON. PROCESS THEATRE
(The DOCTOR and JO remain in their hiding place. Through the doors of the theatre, the machine dematerialises. The DOCTOR whispers to JO. She nods and the two cautiously get up and slowly start to make for the door. Hardly have they gone a few steps when the DOCTOR holds her back - the machine is materialising on its stand next to the process chair. Holding his head in pain, MAILER runs out from his hiding place, fires a sh*t and runs out of the theatre. Left behind, the DOCTOR and JO feel the mental as*ault from the machine beginning on them...) | {"type": "series", "show": "Doctor Who", "episode": "08x08 - The Mind of Evil - part 4"} | foreverdreaming |
THE MIND OF EVIL
BY: DON HOUGHTON
EPISODE FIVE
Original Air Date: 27 February, 1971
5:15pm - 5:40pm
1: INT. STANGMOOR PRISON. MAIN GALLERY
(VOSPER staggers out of the theatre, crying out in pain and f*ring at the machine. Again, there is a flare of light and the machine claims another victim.)
2: INT. STANGMOOR PRISON. PROCESS THEATRE
(The DOCTOR and JO remain in their hiding place. Through the doors of the theatre, the machine dematerialises. The DOCTOR whispers to JO. She nods and the two cautiously get up and slowly start to make for the door. Hardly have they gone a few steps when the DOCTOR holds her back - the machine is materialising on its stand next to the process chair. Holding his head in pain, MAILER runs out from his hiding place, fires a sh*t and runs out of the theatre. Left behind, the DOCTOR and JO feel the mental as*ault from the machine beginning on them, however the att*ck ends as soon as it starts as once again the machine dematerialises from the room.)
JO: What happened! Why did it just...disappear?
DOCTOR: Well, we couldn’t have tempted its appetite.
JO: Why not?
DOCTOR: Well, I imagine it detected a higher concentration of evil in Mailer. There’s something to be said for a pure mind, after all, eh Jo?
JO: Look, I think we’d better get out of here before it gets back!
(She runs for the door.)
DOCTOR: Yes, all right, Jo! Jo! Wait a minute, wait!
(He more cautiously walks out of the room...)
3: INT. STANGMOOR PRISON. MAIN GALLERY
(...checking to make sure that they are alone but JO is the first to spot a familiar figure, still dressed in pyjamas and dressing gown and holding his head in pain.)
JO: Barnham! What are you doing here?
BARNHAM: Well, I was looking for you. I heard this noise and...
JO: It’s all right. We’re going to try and escape.
BARNHAM: I don’t understand?
DOCTOR: Look, we’ve got to stop the Master from launching that m*ssile. Now come on, Barnham, you come with us.
JO: Come on! Quickly! Come on!
(The three run off.)
4: EXT. STANGMOOR PRISON
(A UNIT helicopter flies over the prison. Next to the pilot, the BRIGADIER scans the ground carefully.)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: (Into radio.) Windmill 3-4-7 to Trap One.
5: INT. UNIT MOBILE HQ
(His call is received at UNIT’s mobile HQ. A large van fitted out with communications equipment and a curtained-off side office. Within the HQ are MAJOR COSWORTH, a moustached soldier with glasses and a UNIT sergeant. The BRIGADIER’S voice comes over the radio set whilst the two men are looking over a telex message.)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: (OOV: Over radio.) How do you read me? Over.
MAJOR COSWORTH: (Pointing to the telex.) Acknowledge that will you, Sergeant?
(COSWORTH goes over to the radio and switches it on.)
MAJOR COSWORTH: (Into radio.) Trap One to Windmill 3-4-7. Major Cosworth reading you loud and clear. Any results? Over.
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: (OOV: Over radio.) I’m over Stangmoor Prison now. No sign of the m*ssile. Everything seems quiet and normal. Over.
MAJOR COSWORTH: (Into radio.) Are you going to land? Over.
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: (OOV: Over radio.) No, I don’t think so. I know I said it seems normal but I’m quite sure it’s not. I’ll continuing reece-ing for the moment. Over and out.
6: INT. STANGMOOR PRISON. SIDE ROOM
(The DOCTOR, with JO and BARNHAM, looks through a peephole in a door to the outside.)
DOCTOR: Well, there doesn’t seem to be anybody about. Let’s take a look outside. (To BARNHAM.) You wait here for a minute.
(BARNHAM nods and the two step outside.)
7: EXT. STANGMOOR PRISON. COURTYARD
(The hear the noise from the helicopter and look upwards.)
JO: Hey look! It’s the UNIT helicopter!
(She starts waving.)
JO: Hey!
PRISONER: All right, you two - inside!
(They turn to see a prisoner pointing a g*n at them. With a sigh, they step inside.)
8: INT. STANGMOOR PRISON. SIDE ROOM
PRISONER: Move!
(The “reformed” BARNHAM is childishly concerned at this show of v*olence and gently steps in, trying to take hold of the g*n.)
BARNHAM: Don’t hurt them...
PRISONER: Leave off, Barnham! (To the DOCTOR and JO.) I said move!
BARNHAM: I said don’t hurt them!
(BARNHAM grabs hold of the g*n and gently but firmly starts to push the prisoner back. There is a brief and loud tussle which BARNHAM wins but the DOCTOR has to pull him back with an akido move. He pulls him back towards the exit door.)
BARNHAM: But they were trying...!
(He is interrupted as two more armed prisoners run into the prison.)
9: INT. STANGMOOR PRISON. GOVERNOR’S OFFICE
(An angry MAILER is on the telephone...)
MAILER: (Into phone.) What the hell do you mean “we loused things up”? You got your m*ssile, didn’t you?
10: INT. HANGER OFFICE
(...to his “employer” who is in a small run-down office at the aircraft hanger.)
MASTER: (Into phone.) You left one of the UNIT people alive and he followed you here.
(He looks over to where an unconscious CAPTAIN YATES is tied to a chair.)
MASTER: (Into phone.) Fortunately he was caught.
MAILER: (OOV: Over phone.) Look, I don’t care about him. I want you back here right away!
MASTER: (Into phone.) That’s quite impossible. I’m far too busy preparing the m*ssile for launching.
11: INT. STANGMOOR PRISON. GOVERNOR’S OFFICE
MAILER: (Into phone, his voice growing more impatient.) Look mate, I don’t care how busy you are - I want you back. That machine of yours has broken out. It’s wandering around the prison. It’s k*lled Lenny Vosper, it’s nearly k*lled me!
12: INT. HANGER OFFICE
MASTER: (Into phone.) That’s impossible, I can’t leave here now!
13: INT. STANGMOOR PRISON. GOVERNOR’S OFFICE
MAILER: (Into phone.) Now listen...my mob’s not staying on here while that thing’s on the loose. They’ll start running and I’ll be running with them.
14: INT. HANGER OFFICE
MASTER: (Into phone.) But you can’t! You’ll be caught!
MAILER: (OOV: Over phone.) Maybe...but just remember...
15: INT. STANGMOOR PRISON. GOVERNOR’S OFFICE
MAILER: (Into phone, thr*at.) If I get caught - so do you. They’ll want to know where that m*ssile is and I might just tell them. Now think about it!
16: INT. HANGER OFFICE
MASTER: (Into phone.) I see...all right, Mailer. I’ll come back.
MAILER: (OOV: Over phone.) That’s more like it.
(The MASTER slams the phone down and looks over to where CAPTAIN YATES still sits apparently comatose. He walks up behind him and spins the chair round.)
MASTER: All right, Captain, you can stop pretending to be unconscious now.
(YATES opens his eyes.)
CAPTAIN MIKE YATES: Why? Why...
MASTER: (Interrupting.) Why did I take the m*ssile? I intend to use it.
CAPTAIN MIKE YATES: You’ll never be able to. It’s too complex.
MASTER: Nonsense!
(He spins the chair round so that YATES can see a bank of controls that has been installed in the hanger office.)
MASTER: This is childishly simple. Anyhow, I have all the technical assistance I need.
CAPTAIN MIKE YATES: Yes, I was going to ask you: about those soldiers?
MASTER: Hired mercenaries in fake uniforms. Everything’s a question of money nowadays, my dear Captain. Will you excuse me?
(He smiles and makes for the door but turns round before he leaves.)
MASTER: Oh, by the way, you’re probably wondering why you’re still alive?
CAPTAIN MIKE YATES: It did cross my mind.
MASTER: Well, in the event - in the highly unlikely event of UNIT finding us before the m*ssile’s ready - you’d make a very useful hostage, remember that.
(The MASTER leaves and YATES immediately starts working at his bonds.)
17: INT. STANGMOOR PRISON. GOVERNOR’S OFFICE
(The DOCTOR and JO are led into the Governor’s office by FULLER and two other prisoners.)
FULLER: Right, come on...
(MAILER is still sat at the desk.)
MAILER: Where did you find ‘em?
FULLER: Outside “B” wing. Waving to a helicopter.
MAILER: They what? Did it see them?
FULLER: No. I don’t think so. Anyway, it’s cleared orf now.
(MAILER catches sight of BARNHAM.)
MAILER: Get that zombie out of here! Get rid of him!
(FULLER shows BARNHAM the door. MAILER turns his attention to the DOCTOR.)
MAILER: I don’t know what we’re going to do about you...
DOCTOR: Look, Mailer, what...
(As he steps towards him, MAILER raises an a*t*matic.)
MAILER: Back off!
(The DOCTOR stands still.)
DOCTOR: Mailer, why are you helping the Master?
MAILER: (Puzzled.) Helping who?
DOCTOR: The Ma...er, er, “Keller” or whatever he calls himself.
MAILER: Simple - I’m helping him because he’s helping me.
DOCTOR: Oh, what’s he promised you?
MAILER: Money...pardon...ticket to anywhere I like.
DOCTOR: You really think he’s going to keep those promises?
MAILER: Why not?
JO: He doesn’t care whether you live or die - he’s just using you!
MAILER: So he’s using me - I’m using him. You make me a better offer?
DOCTOR: (Thinks.) Oh, let us go and I’ll do the best I can for you.
(MAILER turns away momentarily, trying not to laugh.)
MAILER: Well, if that’s the best you can do, Doc, it really ain’t good enough. Now, wheel ‘em out.
FULLER: Right, come on.
(They are led out.)
18: INT. UNIT MOBILE HQ
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: I know exactly where that m*ssile is - here.
(He points with his swagger stick to a point on a map laid out across a table in the main room of the mobile HQ. MAJOR COSWORTH looks at the map.)
MAJOR COSWORTH: Stangmoor Prison, sir?
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: It all adds up. Benton saw a Black Mariah when the m*ssile was ambushed and I saw the Doctor and Miss Grant. I’m convinced the Master has taken over the prison to use as a hideout for that m*ssile.
(The BRIGADIER goes into his curtained-off office.)
MAJOR COSWORTH: And I assume we’ll be taking the place, sir? I’ll draw up an as*ault plan.
(He picks up another map.)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: (OOV: Within the inner office.) Major Cosworth?
(COSWORTH goes through.)
MAJOR COSWORTH: Sir?
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Have you seen Stangmoor Prison?
MAJOR COSWORTH: No, sir.
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Well, I’ve just been looking at it. It’s an old fortress - you’d need an army to get in there.
MAJOR COSWORTH: A fortress?
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: That’s right.
MAJOR COSWORTH: I suppose there couldn’t possible be a secret underground passage or something?
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: (Smiles.) Good, Major, good! Is that a map of the prison?
MAJOR COSWORTH: Yes sir.
(They open the map on the BRIGADIER’S desk and look over it.)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Yes, you’re right. It hasn’t been blocked off either. It probably leads to the old dungeons.
MAJOR COSWORTH: Huh, it’s rather like making a film, isn’t it, sir?
(The BRIGADIER looks sharply at him but before he can say anything, a radio message comes through in the other room.)
UNIT SOLDIER: (OOV: Over radio.) Greyhound seven to trap one. Greyhound seven to trap one.
MAJOR COSWORTH: Excuse me, sir.
(He goes into the other room and speaks to the soldier there.)
MAJOR COSWORTH: All right, I’ll take it.
(He picks up the microphone as the BRIGADIER joins him.)
MAJOR COSWORTH: (Into radio.) Go ahead, greyhound seven.
UNIT SOLDIER: (OOV: Over radio.) A black saloon car has just entered the prison gates, over.
MAJOR COSWORTH: (Into radio.) Thank you, greyhound seven. Maintain surveillance, over and out.
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: It must be the Master. They wouldn’t let anyone else inside. Right, that settles it! We’re going to take that prison.
MAJOR COSWORTH: By using the underground passage.
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Yes...and also by using the Trojan Horse!
19: INT. STANGMOOR PRISON. CELL
(The DOCTOR and JO are back in the cell, playing draughts. The hear voices outside the cell and JO looks up but the DOCTOR points her attention back down to the board.)
MASTER: (OOV: Outside cell.) I must say, you’re taking your time about this.
MAILER: (OOV: Outside cell.) Yes, well...
20: INT. STANGMOOR PRISON. STAIRCASE OUTSIDE CELL
MAILER: (To FULLER.) Any trouble?
FULLER: Not a squeak out of them.
MASTER: All right. Open up, Fuller.
(FULLER does so and the MASTER and MAILER enter the cell.)
21: INT. STANGMOOR PRISON. CELL
(The DOCTOR and JO continue to look down at the board as their “visitors” walk in.)
MASTER: Doctor, I...?
(The DOCTOR holds up a hand.)
DOCTOR: Ssh, ssh, ssh, ssh!
(He moves one of his black pieces over one of JO’S red pieces and takes it.)
DOCTOR: There!
MASTER: Doctor, I...
(Now it is JO’S turn to waves for silence.)
JO: Shh!
(The MASTER’S eyebrows rise in surprise at this second “command”. JO moves one of her pieces over the remaining six pieces of the DOCTOR’S, taking them all. The DOCTOR sighs.)
JO: There!
DOCTOR: Yes, well the trouble with this game is that it’s too simple. In any case, I’m...I’m more used to playing three dimensional chess.
(He gets up and goes over to the bed and lies down. The MASTER does his best to hide his impatience.)
MASTER: All right, I’ve allowed you your little gesture. Now perhaps we can talk seriously?
DOCTOR: I suppose you’re going to ask me to control that machine of yours again?
MASTER: I am.
DOCTOR: Yes, well, I can’t. I’ve told you before - nobody can.
MASTER: You underestimate yourself, Doctor. You are perfectly capable of controlling it - for a time, at least.
DOCTOR: Well, even if I could - why should I help you?
MASTER: To save lives. Several people have died already.
DOCTOR: Yeah, most of them hard cases that were helping you.
MASTER: Very well then...to save one life.
(The DOCTOR looks at him in slightly amused condescension.)
DOCTOR: My own?
(The MASTER turns and looks pointedly at JO. She understands his meaning and jumps to her feet.)
JO: Don’t listen to him, Doctor. He’s just bluffing.
MASTER: Am I? Unless the Doctor does what I ask, Miss Grant, Mailer will sh**t you - here and now.
(MAILER cocks his a*t*matic p*stol and aims it at her. The DOCTOR stands up, ready to take action, but realises that he has no choice. He thinks...)
DOCTOR: Well, it’s only a theory, but I think there may be one way to inhibit that machine’s power of movement.
MASTER: Well, now is your chance to put that theory to the test.
DOCTOR: Well where’s the thing now? Still wandering about?
MAILER: Gone back to the process chamber.
MASTER: Mmm, temporarily glutted, no doubt.
DOCTOR: Well, I shall need a lot of equipment, you know?
MASTER: Oh, Stangmoor Prison’s a very progressive place. The entire contents of the workshop’s at your disposal.
DOCTOR: All right, I’ll give it a try.
MASTER: Good.
(He goes to the door and knocks on it. The hatch opens.)
MASTER: All right, Fuller. Let us out, will you?
(The door opens and the DOCTOR and JO make for it but the MASTER holds JO back.)
MASTER: No, Miss Grant. You will stay here - as a guarantee of the Doctor’s good behaviour.
(He pushes JO towards the bed.)
MASTER: After you, Doctor.
(They leave the cell, the DOCTOR casting one look back at JO.)
MASTER: Satisfied, Mailer?
(MAILER is the last out. He blows JO a kiss as he leaves.)
22: INT. UNIT MOBILE HQ
(The BRIGADIER addresses two UNIT soldiers as COSWORTH stands behind him, ready to give his “valuable” input.)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Now we shall, as you realise, be very considerably outnumbered. However, not all of our opponents will be armed and none of them will be trained soldiers.
MAJOR COSWORTH: And, of course, we shall have surprise on our side.
(The BRIGADIER gives him a sideways look but COSWORTH is oblivious.)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Exactly...any questions?
MAJOR COSWORTH: No sir.
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Right. Carry on.
(The BRIGADIER and COSWORTH go into the inner office.)
MAJOR COSWORTH: An excellent plan, if I may say so, sir. A very good chance of success.
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: (With some sarcasm.) Thank you, Major Cosworth. I’m very relieved to hear that!
(There is a knock against the doorframe.)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Yes?
(A fully uniformed SERGEANT BENTON enters the room and salutes.)
SERGEANT BENTON: Excuse me, sir.
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Benton? What the devil are you doing here? You’re supposed to be in hospital.
SERGEANT BENTON: Well, yes sir, I...discharged myself. I’m all right now. I’ve just got a bit of a sore head.
MAJOR COSWORTH: Erm, I’ll just get on, sir.
(COSWORTH leaves the room.)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: At ease, sergeant. Well, what do you want?
SERGEANT BENTON: I’d like to come on the as*ault, sir.
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Benton, you’re supposed to be suffering from severe concussion.
SERGEANT BENTON: I know, sir, but it’s only a scratch, honest. And you said yourself, I’ve got a thick skull!
(The BRIGADIER smiles.)
SERGEANT BENTON: Anyway, I’d like a chance to get at the blokes who did it.
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: All right. If you feel fit, you can take charge of the underground as*ault party. Major Cosworth will put you in the picture.
SERGEANT BENTON: Thank you, sir.
(The BRIGADIER returns to his papers but BENTON doesn’t move.)
SERGEANT BENTON: Sir, I...?
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Yes?
SERGEANT BENTON: Well, I wondered if you’d had any news about Captain Yates, sir.
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: I’m sorry, Benton, there’s nothing. Nothing at all.
23: INT. HANGER OFFICE
(CAPTAIN YATES succeeds in breaking his bonds. He rubs his sore wrists as he stands but, hearing footsteps outside, instantly retakes his seat, putting his arms behind him in an imitation of still being bound. He also lets his head fall forward. Within seconds, the door opens and a prisoner carrying a p*stol enters. He goes up to YATES and bends down to examine him. YATES slams his foot down on the prisoners foot. He yells in pain and drops the p*stol. YATES grabs him by the neck and throws him over to the floor. YATES makes sure he is unconscious and, grabbing the p*stol, runs for the door. He looks both ways to make sure the way is clear and then runs off.)
24: INT. STANGMOOR PRISON. PROCESS THEATRE
(The Keller machine sits quietly in its usual place in the process theatre.)
25: INT. STANGMOOR PRISON. SIDE ROOM
(The DOCTOR, dressed in a white lab coat, fixes together a large coil of cable, some two feet in diameter. An impatient MASTER harangues him.)
MASTER: Look, Doctor, you must hurry! If that thing in there starts moving again...
DOCTOR: (Interrupts.) I’m well aware of the urgency of the situation, thank you.
(The MASTER sighs and goes to the door leading onto the main gallery. The DOCTOR picks up his handiwork.)
DOCTOR: Right.
(He turns to the door where the MASTER is still stood, his back to him.)
DOCTOR: Excuse me, will you?
MASTER: Oh.
(The MASTER moves out of the way. The coil is the end of a long piece of cable which trails across the floor. The DOCTOR turns and points to the floor.)
DOCTOR: Oh, would you mind bringing that plug with you, please?
MASTER: Oh, right.
(The MASTER bends down to pick up the object as per the polite request.)
DOCTOR: And the coil.
MASTER: Yep.
DOCTOR: Thank you
(The objects collected, they leave the room.)
26: INT. STANGMOOR PRISON. MAIN GALLERY
(They cross the gallery.)
MASTER: Look, tell me, what precisely do you intend to do?
DOCTOR: I’m going to try throwing this coil over that machine in there - if I can get close enough to it without being k*lled.
MASTER: Oh, I see. Well, what can I do to help.
DOCTOR: Well, I want you to operate these controls here and switch on to full power when I call out.
(The DOCTOR indicates a free-standing junction box device on table. The MASTER looks over it.)
MASTER: This is very ingenious.
DOCTOR: If all goes well, it...should set up an electric current in the coil alternating on much the same frequency as the Beta rhythms of the human brain.
(The MASTER plus the end of the cable into the box.)
MASTER: And you think that’ll deal with it?
DOCTOR: I don’t know. I think it’ll confuse the creature enough to, er, take away its power of movement anyway.
MASTER: Well, I hope you are right.
DOCTOR: So do I.
(The DOCTOR reaches for some heat-resistant gloves and starts putting them on.)
DOCTOR: Now switch it on now, will you? Bottom one.
MASTER: Right. Well...?
(The MASTER passes him a plastic face shield.)
MASTER: Good luck to you, Doctor.
DOCTOR: Thank you.
(The DOCTOR dons the shield and picks up the coil of cable.)
DOCTOR: Right, you know what to do?
MASTER: Yes.
(The DOCTOR carries the coil over to the doors of the process theatre. He looks at the MASTER to make sure he is ready and kicks the door of the process theatre open. As the MASTER turns his attention to the junction box, the DOCTOR enters the room.)
27: INT. STANGMOOR PRISON. PROCESS THEATRE
(He has barely gone a few yards when the machine springs into life. Small expl*si*n burst from the coil as the DOCTOR approaches his target. He feels the mental as*ault starting and sees images of past enemies as he again hears the Dalek battle cry. An Ice Warrior, Slaar, A Zarbi appear before him.)
DALEK: Exterminate! Annihilate! Destroy!
(His face creases in pain as he sees he sees a Silurian and a Cyberman.)
DALEK: Exterminate! Annihilate!
(He forces the coil nearer the machine as Koquillion and a w*r Machine appear, followed by an Ice Warrior, a Dalek, a Zarbi, a Silurian, Slaar and a w*r Machine.)
DALEK: Destroy! Exterminate!
(He manages to slam the coil into place as a Cyberman and an Ice Warrior make another appearance. He cries out, almost in pain...)
DOCTOR: Now!
DALEK: Annihilate!
DOCTOR: Now!
DALEK: Destroy!
28: INT. STANGMOOR PRISON. MAIN GALLERY
(Outside, the MASTER strains as he forces a switch on the junction box. With an effort he manages to move it across the groove on the front of the machine.)
29: INT. STANGMOOR PRISON. PROCESS THEATRE
(The energy in the coil starts to slowly overcome the machine. The DOCTOR however still seems to be held in its grip.)
30: INT. STANGMOOR PRISON. MAIN GALLERY
(The MASTER pushes the switch to its fullest extent...)
31: INT. STANGMOOR PRISON. PROCESS THEATRE
(...and the machine finally returns to its dormant state. The DOCTOR, somewhat exhausted, throws off his face shield and gloves and makes for the door.)
32: INT. STANGMOOR PRISON. MAIN GALLERY
(The MASTER too sighs at the effort but recovers his presence of mind to stand beneath the upstairs gallery and shout...)
MASTER: Mailer! Mailer!
(The DOCTOR, divested of his lab coat, comes out of the process theatre. He leans against the staircase rail.)
MASTER: Well, Doctor. Congratulations.
(The DOCTOR doesn’t notice a figure coming down the stairs behind him.)
DOCTOR: It won’t hold it for long, you know. That thing’s intelligent. Soon it’ll work out what happened and find a way to deal with it.
MASTER: Then you’ll have to work out something better, won’t you? Now, take the Doctor back to his cell, Mailer.
(The DOCTOR looks round in surprise but quickly feels the end of an a*t*matic placed against his neck.)
MAILER: Let’s go.
33: INT. STANGMOOR PRISON. STAIRCASE OUTSIDE CELL
(FULLER and another prisoner get up as they hear MAILER and his captor returning down the staircase. One of the prisoners points to the door that FULLER is opening. The DOCTOR is about to walk through, but remembering his earlier treatment, turns as MAILER again raises his g*n to club him down. The DOCTOR gently shakes his head in warning and enters the cell.)
34: INT. STANGMOOR PRISON. CELL
(JO is waiting. The DOCTOR sits on the bed as FULLER shuts the door.)
JO: You all right, Doctor?
DOCTOR: Yes, thank you, Jo, fine, fine.
JO: Did you fix the machine?
DOCTOR: Yes, temporarily.
JO: You look tired.
DOCTOR: I am...physically and ment*lly.
(He lies down on the bed. JO strokes his hair.)
JO: Hey, how about some food? Do you think they’ll let us have any?
DOCTOR: I doubt it. Not after what happened last time.
JO: I’ve had nothing to eat all day. I’m starving.
DOCTOR: Well, we shouldn’t have thrown our breakfast at them, should we?
(JO stands up at this reminder.)
JO: Breakfast! Hey, wait a minute.
(She finds some discarded food on the floor.)
JO: I knew they wouldn’t bother to clear up.
(She brings a piece over to the DOCTOR.)
JO: Here you are.
DOCTOR: Oh...no thanks, Jo, you have it. I...I’ll do without food for a while.
JO: No, we’ll share it...and there’s some water in the jug over here.
DOCTOR: Oh, all right.
(The DOCTOR takes the morsel of food as JO pours out two mugs of water. She hands one to the DOCTOR. He laughs gently.)
DOCTOR: Cheers.
JO: Cheers.
DOCTOR: Hmm!
(They drink and nibble at the food.)
DOCTOR: Did I ever tell you about the time I was in the Tower of London?
JO: No?
DOCTOR: No?
JO: No.
DOCTOR: Well, I shared a cell with a very strange chap called Raleigh.
JO: Raleigh?
DOCTOR: Yeah...Sir Walter Raleigh.
JO: Oh!
DOCTOR: Mm, he got into some trouble with Queen Elizabeth - Elizabeth the first, that is. He kept going on about this new vegetable of his he’d discovered, you see, called the potato. One day, he sat down, pointed a finger at me...
35: EXT. STANGMOOR PRISON
(A transit van approaches the main gate of the prison. The door opens and a delivery man dressed in brown overalls and a cloth cap gets out - it is a disguised BRIGADIER. He goes up to the gate and presses the bell. As he waits, nonchalantly whistling, the back door of the van opens and armed UNIT troops start to climb out. The BRIGADIER watches them out of the corner of his eye and presses the bell again. After a moment, a PRISONER - dressed as a warder - steps out of the gate house.)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Morning mate! Provisions.
MAIN GATE PRISONER: What?
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Provisions. Nosh, food.
MAIN GATE PRISONER: Back gate.
(One of the UNIT troops, hidden at the back of the van, is about to step forward but another signals for him to wait.)
MAIN GATE PRISONER: You leave it at the inner gate. You can’t come in ‘ere.
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Oh, it won’t go in there, mate, me van’s too big.
MAIN GATE PRISONER: You’ll have to clear off then.
(The PRISONER is about to walk away.)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: ‘Ere wait a minute - I ‘ve got a weeks supply of food in there - and booze for the Governor. Am I supposed to go back and tell them you don’t want it? They’ll think you’re barmy.
(The PRISONER considers.)
MAIN GATE PRISONER: Hang about.
(He speaks into his walkie-talkie.)
MAIN GATE PRISONER: (Into radio.) Main gate ‘ere. I’ve got a big provisions lorry. Do I let it in?
PRISONER: (OOV: Over radio.) Yeah, okay. But I want him out of here fast.
(The MAIN GATE PRISONER turns to the BRIGADIER.)
MAIN GATE PRISONER: Drive up the main courtyard - unload there. We’ll give you a hand. The, er, “chief” wants you out of here quick as possible.
(He walks away.)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Don’t worry. The less time I spend in there, the better.
(The BRIGADIER rubs his hand and walks back to the van.)
MAIN GATE PRISONER: Okay, open up.
(The BRIGADIER looks at the back of the van and climbs into the drivers seat. The van starts up and moves forward, the troops behind it crouched down and keeping pace. As it passes the MAIN GATE PRISONER and one of his compatriots, they are clubbed to the ground. Once inside the inner courtyard, the van speeds up and then comes to a halt. The BRIGADIER gets out, as do more troops from the back.)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Come on - out!
(Divested of more of his as*ault force who runs into position, he gets back into the van and drives on. Elsewhere in the prison wards, SERGEANT BENTON’S troop, having successfully gained entry by the secret passage, climb a steep series of steps to a gate tower. Unspotted, they go through the gate and through a doorway. Meanwhile, the BRIGADIER’S van stops in the inner part of the prison. He is met by two prisoners - one of them in a warder’s uniform. The BRIGADIER gets out.)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: The back’s open.
(The two prisoners walk round to the back of the van. The remaining troops in the van immediately rush out f*ring. At the front, the BRIGADIER gets out a megaphone and starts to speak...)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: This is Brigadier Lethbridge Stewart of UNIT. This prison is now in military hands. Th...
(The megaphone is sh*t out of his hands by a prisoner on the roof-top but he is no match for the professional soldier who whips out a hand-arm and sh**t the convict down.)
36: INT. STANGMOOR PRISON. CELL
(The noise of the as*ault reaches the DOCTOR and JO who listen at the cell door.)
JO: It seems to be right inside the prison.
DOCTOR: Yes, I only hope they gain complete control before Mailer starts k*lling the hostages.
JO: So do I!
DOCTOR: Mmm?
(He gets the real meaning of what he has said.)
DOCTOR: Oh, yes!
37: EXT. STANGMOOR PRISON
(Back outside, the BRIGADIER and his troops dodge round parked vehicles - including BESSIE - sh**ting down rooftop sn*pers as they go. The BRIGADIER spots another...)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: There!
(...who is dealt with by a UNIT soldier as the BRIGADIER fires in another direction. Using the cars as cover the UNIT troops join in an exchange of f*re with the prisoners. One of the UNIT troops on the battlements is h*t and falls to the ground. Elsewhere, BENTON and his troops make their stealthy way to the heart of the prison hearing the g*n battle taking place. He waves them on. There are casualties on both sides as the f*ring continues. As one set of troops throw grappling hooks over a wall, another prisoner in a gateway fails to see a UNIT soldier behind him. As he turns, he is sh*t and falls with a cry. The UNIT troops with the grappling hooks scale the walls. Despite the professionalism of the soldiers, the battle is by no means one-sided and men on either side are sh*t down.
Eventually, the BRIGADIER is the only one of his section left sheltering behind the parked vehicles and he sh**t down his only extant opponent. He runs to the gateway which leads to the outer ward.)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Come on!
(A UNIT jeep drives through.)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: I’m going to find the Doctor!
(He runs off as the jeep halts and more troops climb out.)
38: INT. STANGMOOR PRISON. CELL
(The DOCTOR and JO jump back as the cell door is opened. An armed MAILER enters.)
DOCTOR: Ah, come to give yourself up?
MAILER: Now shut up and listen - you want to stay alive? You’ll do exactly as I say.
DOCTOR: Well?
MAILER: You’re going to help me get out of here. Walk out of here and tell those friends of yours that either I get out or I’m going to chop you down. All right?
JO: They won’t listen.
MAILER: Too bad for you if they don’t, now come on, move!
(They walk out.)
39: INT. STANGMOOR PRISON. STAIRCASE OUTSIDE CELL
MAILER: And remember - no heroics. I can get out with either one of you - up!
(He waves them up the stairs and they start to climb, the DOCTOR in front, JO next and MAILER behind.)
40: INT. STANGMOOR PRISON. MAIN GALLERY
(They come out onto the upper gallery and start to descend to the ground floor. Suddenly JO throws herself backwards, pushing MAILER off his feet.)
JO: Now Doctor!
(But MAILER is too quick and grabs JO round the neck aiming his g*n at the DOCTOR.)
MAILER: That’s you ... I warned you! I only need one of you!
(MAILER cocks the trigger, aims...and a sh*t rings out.) | {"type": "series", "show": "Doctor Who", "episode": "08x09 - The Mind of Evil - part 5"} | foreverdreaming |
THE MIND OF EVIL
BY: DON HOUGHTON
EPISODE SIX
Original Air Date: 6 March, 1971
5:15pm - 5:40pm
1: EXT. STANGMOOR PRISON
(BENTON and his troops make their stealthy way to the heart of the prison hearing the g*n battle taking place. He waves them on. The battle continues as one set of troops throw grappling hooks over a wall and then scale it. Eventually, the BRIGADIER is the only one of his section left sheltering behind the parked vehicles and he sh**t down his only extant opponent. He runs to the gateway which leads to the outer ward.)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Come on!
(A UNIT jeep drives through.)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: I’m going to find the Doctor!
(He runs off as the jeep halts and more troops climb out. Elsewhere, the UNIT troops start to pick off the armed prisoners, one by one.)
2: INT. STANGMOOR PRISON. MAIN GALLERY
(The DOCTOR, JO and MAILER come out onto the upper gallery and start to descend to the ground floor. Suddenly JO throws herself backwards, pushing MAILER off his feet.)
JO: Now Doctor!
(But MAILER is too quick and grabs JO round the neck aiming his g*n at the DOCTOR.)
MAILER: That’s you ... I warned you! I only need one of you!
(MAILER cocks the trigger, aims and a sh*t rings out but it is MAILER, not the DOCTOR, who falls back d*ad. The BRIGADIER has entered the gallery unseen from a side door and taken care of the DOCTOR and JO’S captor. JO scrambles free of the corpse as the DOCTOR checks that he is d*ad. He shows little gratitude to his rescuer.)
DOCTOR: Well...thank you, Brigadier! But do you think that for once in your life you could manage to arrive before the nick of time?!
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: (Smiles.) I’m glad to see you too, Doctor! (To JO.) All right, Miss Grant?
JO: Yes, thanks.
(The DOCTOR looks down at the BRIGADIER’S deliveryman disguise.)
DOCTOR: I see you’ve changed your job.
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Yes, rather an effective disguise, don’t you think?
(SERGEANT BENTON enters directing two of his men to search the gallery.)
SERGEANT BENTON: Right, down there.
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: (To BENTON.) Well, did you get the Master?
SERGEANT BENTON: Sorry, sir, he seems to have got away.
DOCTOR: And what about the m*ssile?
SERGEANT BENTON: Well, we didn’t...
(The BRIGADIER turns to the DOCTOR with a look of horror.)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Isn’t it here?
DOCTOR: No.
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Oh...
DOCTOR: Yes, well, apart from losing the Master and the m*ssile, you’re doing very well, Brigadier!
3: EXT. HANGER
(The MASTER arrives at the hanger in his limousine. The chauffeur gets out, walks round the car and opens the door for the MASTER who gets out and looks at the primed m*ssile. He nods to his mercenaries and the m*ssile launcher platform rises until its payload points at the sky. The MASTER smiles in satisfaction.)
4: INT. STANGMOOR PRISON. GOVERNOR’S OFFICE
(The DOCTOR, JO and the BRIGADIER have retired to the Governor’s office. The BRIGADIER is back in uniform but the DOCTOR is still in a black mood...)
DOCTOR: Look, the Master has got to be found, Brigadier.
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: I’m rather more concerned with finding that m*ssile.
DOCTOR: Well, it comes to the same thing, surely?
(BENTON enters the room, followed by another soldier and BARNHAM.)
SERGEANT BENTON: Excuse me, sir?
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Yes?
SERGEANT BENTON: Everything’s secure, sir. The prisoners are back in their cells are we’re starting to move the wounded out.
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Right, Sergeant Benton.
(BENTON indicates BARNHAM.)
SERGEANT BENTON: Oh, and we found this chap sir, hiding in the medical block.
(BARNHAM, confused as ever, smiles as he recognises the DOCTOR.)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Lock him up with the others.
SERGEANT BENTON: Right, sir.
(BENTON is about to carry out his orders but JO leaps forward.)
JO: No, no, no, don’t!
(She takes BARNHAM away from the soldiers.)
JO: Come on, Barnham.
BENTON: (To the soldier.) Right, Davies.
(The soldier leaves as JO shows BARNHAM to a chair.)
JO: Come on, come and sit down.
BARNHAM: I heard...I heard the sh**ting and...I...I didn’t know what to do.
JO: It’s all right, it’s all over, we’ll take care of you. (To BENTON.) Has he been given anything to eat?
SERGEANT BENTON: Well, no Miss, we were going...
JO: (Interrupting.) Well, don’t just stand there, show me where I can find him something.
(JO makes for the door, BENTON following.)
SERGEANT BENTON: Yes, Miss, sorry.
(They leave the room. An imperious BRIGADIER gives BARNHAM a hard look. The prisoner gives him a nervous ghastly smile and then looks nervously away. The BRIGADIER speaks quietly to the DOCTOR.)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Who is this man?
(The DOCTOR sits on the edge of the desk and quietly replies...)
DOCTOR: His name is Barnham. He’s the last man to undergo the Keller process and you can see what it’s done to him. He’s got the mind of a child. Don’t worry about him. You leave him to Jo. He trusts her.
(He gets off the desk.)
DOCTOR: Right, let’s take a look of this map of yours.
(The DOCTOR pats BARNHAM on the shoulder as he passes to the map on the wall. Before they can say anything, a radio set that has been installed in the room, bursts into life.)
CAPTAIN MIKE YATES: (OOV: Over radio.) Trap one to Greyhound, trap one to Greyhound.
DOCTOR: It’s Captain Yates!
(The DOCTOR and the BRIGADIER cross the room to where the radio operator operates the set.)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: All right, I’ll take it.
(The BRIGADIER takes the microphone.)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: (Into radio.) Greyhound to trap one, is that you Yates? Where are you?
5: INT. UNIT MOBILE HQ
CAPTAIN MIKE YATES: (Into radio.) I’m at mobile HQ, sir.
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: (OOV: Over radio.) What happened?
CAPTAIN MIKE YATES: (Into radio.) Quite a lot. I know where he’s got Thunderbolt.
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: (OOV: Over radio.) Where?
(YATES joins MAJOR COSWORTH at a table where a map has been spread out.)
CAPTAIN MIKE YATES: (Into radio.) Outside a hanger on that deserted airfield at Stanham.
(He points at the map and COSWORTH pencils in the spot.)
CAPTAIN MIKE YATES: (Into radio.) He’s got a crane, launching pad, fake troops, the lot.
6: INT. STANGMOOR PRISON. GOVERNOR’S OFFICE
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: (Into radio.) Are you all right, Yates?
CAPTAIN MIKE YATES: (OOV: Over radio.) A bit bashed about, sir, but I might just survive.
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: (Into radio.) Right, stay where you are. I’m on my way. Over and out.
(The BRIGADIER puts the microphone down and turns to the DOCTOR.)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: No need to worry about the Master any more - this time, we’ve got him.
7: INT. HANGER OFFICE
(Smoking another cigar, the MASTER makes adjustments to the settings on the control bank in the hanger office. Satisfied, he pats the controls and smiles.)
8: INT. STANGMOOR PRISON. PROCESS THEATRE
(In the process theatre, the Keller machine bursts into life again. The coil placed by the DOCTOR starts to emit small expl*si*n and smoke rises from the cable...)
9: INT. STANGMOOR PRISON. GOVERNOR’S OFFICE
(BENTON stands before the BRIGADIER at the Governor’s desk.)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Right, Sergeant Benton. You’ll be in charge of the prison. You can consider yourself “Acting Governor”.
SERGEANT BENTON: Thank you, sir.
(BENTON gives a small smile of pride. The BRIGADIER stands back and allows BENTON to take the chair. The BRIGADIER makes for the door as BENTON starts to shuffle papers.)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Oh, Benton?
SERGEANT BENTON: Yes, sir?
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Don’t get any delusions of grandeur, will you?
SERGEANT BENTON: No, sir.
(The BRIGADIER is about to leave the room when he spots the DOCTOR sat deep in thought near the window.)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Well, that about wraps it up, Doctor.
DOCTOR: Mmm?
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: I said “that about wraps it up”.
DOCTOR: Does it?
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Major Cosworth’s throwing a cordon around that hanger now. I’ll join him in my mobile HQ and then we’ll move in and mop things up.
DOCTOR: You may not find the Master all that easy to “mop up”, Brigadier.
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: I don’t anticipate much trouble.
DOCTOR: Well, don’t forget - he’s got that rocket full of nerve gas - he can point it at any city in Europe.
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Don’t worry, Doctor. He won’t get the chance. You coming with me?
DOCTOR: No, not for the moment, no. I’ve got to work out a way of...destroying that machine of his. If I can step up the voltage in that coil...then...
(The DOCTOR starts to mutter his thoughts under his breath.)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Yes, well, er, I’ll leave the machine to you, and you can leave Master to me.
(The DOCTOR realises that he has been spoken to.)
DOCTOR: Yes? Yes, all right.
(The BRIGADIER leaves as the DOCTOR continues his muttered deliberations.)
9: INT. STANGMOOR PRISON. PROCESS THEATRE
(Inside the theatre, the enhanced energy levels emitted by the Keller machine are reaching a peak. Smoke pours from the coil and the air shimmers as the creature inside the machine desperately attempts to dematerialise. Further small expl*si*n take place within the coil and the very furniture in the room starts to be flung about as if a poltergeist were at work. The machine attempts an even higher build up of energy.)
10: INT. STANGMOOR PRISON. MAIN GALLERY
(Outside the junction box explodes...)
11: INT. STANGMOOR PRISON. PROCESS THEATRE
(...as inside the build-up of heat causes the coil to fracture and break - the machine is free. It dematerialises leaving behind the room in shambles.)
12: INT. STANGMOOR PRISON. MAIN GALLERY
(Two PRISON OFFICERS - back in charge - are on patrol and walk out of the side room and into the main gallery.)
FIRST PRISON OFFICER: You looked up here then, Bill?
SECOND PRISON OFFICER: Yes, Dave, I have.
(The air is filled with a familiar humming sound...)
FIRST PRISON OFFICER: Oh no!
(On the other side of the gallery, the machine starts to materialise. Instantly, the OFFICERS clutch at their faces in agony as the mental waives assail them...)
SECOND PRISON OFFICER: No!
FIRST PRISON OFFICER: No...please...... !
(They stumble in pain as the air flares and they fall to the ground with a cry.)
13: INT. STANGMOOR PRISON. GOVERNOR’S OFFICE
(The DOCTOR is working on a circuit diagram as JO enters the office with a bowl of soup for BARNHAM.)
JO: Here you are, Barnham. Drink this up while it’s hot.
BARNHAM: Thank you very much, Miss.
JO: Sergeant Benton will look after you.
(JO crosses to the desk where BENTON is up to his eyes in paperwork.)
JO: Won’t you, Sergeant?
(The DOCTOR finishes his design...)
DOCTOR: Right, that’s it. That should just about do it, I think.
(He gets up and makes for the door.)
JO: Wait for me!
(BARNHAM smiles at them as they go and then continues eating his soup. The phone rings.)
SERGEANT BENTON: (Into phone.) Sergeant...Acting Governor Benton here.
DR. SUMMERS: (OOV: Over phone.) It’s Dr. Summers, Sergeant. I wondered if those medical supplies had arrived yet.
SERGEANT BENTON: (Into phone.) Medical supplies? Oh, hang on, Dr. Summers, I’ll check.
(He puts the phone down and starts going through some papers in a drawer. BARNHAM smiles and picks up the phone. BENTON notices and snatches it from him.)
SERGEANT BENTON: What do you think you’re doing?
BARNHAM: Dr. Summers...
SERGEANT BENTON: You what?
BARNHAM: Well, I’d like to talk to Dr. Summers.
SERGEANT BENTON: Look, you go off and talk to who you like, okay?
(BARNHAM nods, puts down his bowl and leaves the room. BENTON finds the papers.)
SERGEANT BENTON: (Into phone.) Hello, Dr. Summers, yes. They seem to be here all right. They should be on their way over to you now.
14: INT. STANGMOOR PRISON. MAIN GALLERY
(The DOCTOR and JO enter the gallery and instantly see the bodies of the two d*ad PRISON OFFICERS.)
DOCTOR: Oh my...!
(They rush over to them.)
DOCTOR: The thing’s escaped again!
JO: How?
DOCTOR: Well, it must stored up its energy and blown all the circuits. Let’s have a look.
(He goes to the door to the process theatre.)
JO: Be careful.
15: INT. STANGMOOR PRISON. PROCESS THEATRE
(They walk in and see wrecked interior...)
JO: What happened?
DOCTOR: Well, it’s stronger than ever now. How on earth am I going to stop it?
16: INT. STANGMOOR PRISON. MAIN GALLERY
(Holding his head in pain, BARNHAM walks down a staircase into the main gallery. He sees the two d*ad OFFICERS.)
17: INT. STANGMOOR PRISON. PROCESS THEATRE
(The DOCTOR holds up the remains of the coil...)
JO: Will you be able to set the coils up again?
DOCTOR: No, that’d never work twice. The thing’s too intelligent. In any case, I doubt whether I’d get near enough to it without being k*lled.
(They suddenly hear the ominous noise of the machine materialising and spin round. The machine appears on its stand and seems to draw the DOCTOR and JO towards it. They stumble, step by step, their faces contorting in agony as the machine starts to att*ck them. BARNHAM stands in the doorway. He holds his hands to his ears to block out the noise but is otherwise unaffected.)
BARNHAM: (Shouts.) What’s wrong?!
DOCTOR: (Shouts.) Barnham! Get out of here! Get back!
BARNHAM: (Shouts.) ... !
DOCTOR: (Shouts.) Go on!
(BARNHAM walks into the room until he is stood in front of the machine.)
BARNHAM: I heard this noise! I was...
(At that moment the machine inexplicably dies down...)
JO: It’s stopped!
(BARNHAM looks closely at the machine and then the room. A memory comes back to him.)
BARNHAM: The machine. I remember this place. S...something happened here...
(He starts to back away from the machine towards the door. The machine starts up again.)
DOCTOR: Barnham, don’t...don’t go! Come here!
BARNHAM: Something terrible!
DOCTOR: Barnham, come back!
(The DOCTOR rushes across the room and pinions BARNHAM’S arms behind his back.)
DOCTOR: Come back! Come back!
(He pushes the struggling man towards the machine.)
DOCTOR: Over here!
BARNHAM: No!
(As they get near the machine, it dies down again...)
DOCTOR: ... Don’t be frightened by it! Don’t be frightened - that’s it...that’s it. As long as you...as long as you’re here, it won’t...it won’t hurt us. Right, stay there...stay there.
(BARNHAM seems to have calmed down. The DOCTOR lets go of him and picks up one of the fallen chairs.)
DOCTOR: Sit yourself down, that’s it.
(He pushes BARNHAM into the chair next to the machine.)
DOCTOR: Now, don’t worry.
JO: But I don’t understand?
DOCTOR: It’s the mind of evil, Jo! I should have realised...
(He points at the machine.)
DOCTOR: That creature feeds on the evil impulses of the brain!
JO: (Realises.) And Barnham hasn’t got any!
DOCTOR: No, the machine extracted them all. Something in his mind acts as a screen and neutralises it. So long as he’s here, we’re perfectly safe!
18: EXT. UNIT MOBILE HQ
(Two soldiers leave the green mobile UNIT HQ and salute the BRIGADIER as he walks up and enters it.)
19: INT. UNIT MOBILE HQ
(COSWORTH and YATES - his arm in a sling and eating a sandwich- stand as their superior officer enters.)
CAPTAIN MIKE YATES: Afternoon, sir.
MAJOR COSWORTH: Afternoon, sir.
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Afternoon. How are you, Yates?
CAPTAIN MIKE YATES: Recovering rapidly, sir.
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Good, sit down.
CAPTAIN MIKE YATES: Thank you, sir.
(He does so.)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Well, how’s it going, Major Cosworth?
MAJOR COSWORTH: Fine, sir. I’ve just been on to the Ministry of Defence.
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: And?
MAJOR COSWORTH: Thunderbolt is equipped with an abort mechanism. Once in “go” condition, it can be blown up at any time.
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: So, if the Master thr*at to launch the m*ssile, we simply blow it up on the ground - from here.
20: INT. STANGMOOR PRISON. PROCESS THEATRE
(The DOCTOR has taken advantage of the machine’s incapacity to take the lid off the perspex tube - revealing the creature inside. It resembles a glistening brain, contracting with movement and with one eye starting upwards.)
JO: (In disgust.) Can’t you k*ll it now, Doctor?
DOCTOR: No...no, these creatures are incredibly resilient, Jo. It’d take an atomic expl*si*n or an enormous charge of electricity to destroy that.
JO: So what are we going to do?
DOCTOR: Well, I’m going to see...I’m going to see Sergeant Benton. (To JO.) Will you wait here? (To BARNHAM.) Will you be all right until I get back?
BARNHAM: I’m scared...it’s evil.
DOCTOR: Yes, I know - I’ll be as quick as I possibly can, all right? Now, Jo will look after you.
(The DOCTOR pats him on the shoulder and runs out of the room. JO smiles, crosses to BARNHAM and tries to take his mind off the sight in front of him...)
JO: What’s your other name?
21: INT. STANGMOOR PRISON. GOVERNOR’S OFFICE
(The DOCTOR has given a list of instructions to BENTON.)
DOCTOR: Now, are you sure you’ve got all that?
SERGEANT BENTON: I think so, Doctor.
(He looks down the sheet of paper he is holding.)
SERGEANT BENTON: “Extra heavy duty cable, arrangements with the National Complex for a maximum power boost”. I’ll get onto it right away.
DOCTOR: Well, please do. It’s all extremely urgent.
SERGEANT BENTON: It’s going to take quite a bit of organising.
DOCTOR: Yes, I’m quite sure it is, but neverthe...
(The phone rings. The DOCTOR takes it out of its box and hands it to BENTON.)
SERGEANT BENTON: (Into phone.) Acting-Governor Benton, here.
22: INT. HANGER OFFICE
MASTER: (Into phone: Puzzled.) Who?
SERGEANT BENTON: (OOV: Over phone.) Stangmoor Prison - Acting Governor Sergeant Benton here.
MASTER: (Into phone.) I see. Erm, would the Doctor be there by any chance?
SERGEANT BENTON: (OOV: Over phone.) Well, I’ll see, sir. Who’s calling please?
MASTER: (Into phone.) Er, ju...just say it’s an old friend.
23: INT. STANGMOOR PRISON. GOVERNOR’S OFFICE
(BENTON passes the phone to the DOCTOR.)
SERGEANT BENTON: It’s for you, Doctor. Say’s he’s an old friend of yours.
(The DOCTOR takes the call.)
DOCTOR: (Into phone.) Hello, yes?
24: INT. HANGER OFFICE
MASTER: (Into phone.) Oh, Doctor, do I gather that, er, the tables have turned somewhat at Stangmoor?
25: INT. STANGMOOR PRISON. GOVERNOR’S OFFICE
DOCTOR: (Into phone.) You have gathered correctly.
26: INT. STANGMOOR PRISON. PROCESS THEATRE
(JO and BARNHAM continue their reluctant vigil over the machine. They suddenly hear a call from outside.)
DR. SUMMERS: (OOV.) Barnham!
(JO jumps up as an angry DR. SUMMERS enters the process theatre.)
DR. SUMMERS: Jo, what on earth do you think you’re doing? I told Barnham to stay in the medical wing!
JO: He can’t leave.
(She points at the Keller machine.)
JO: We’ve got to stay here with that thing.
DR. SUMMERS: But you’ll get yourselves k*lled!
JO: Dr. Summers, we have got to...
DR. SUMMERS: (Interrupts.) Look, Jo! Jo, you know he’s not well and that thing’s dangerous. I’ve got to get him back to the medical wing.
Now, come on!
(SUMMERS grabs BARNHAM and starts pulling him towards the door. JO tries pulling BARNHAM the other way.)
JO: No! No, you can’t!
(With BARNHAM out of immediate range, the machine starts to att*ck again. They all clutch at their heads and cry out in pain. JO tries to overcome the agony and pushes BARNHAM back to his chair.)
JO: Try...! ... !
(She manages to get him in place. The machine stops as SUMMERS looks on in shock.)
DR. SUMMERS: That thing - it’s alive!
JO: Yes, and if Barnham leaves here, that “thing” will k*ll all of us!
27: INT. STANGMOOR PRISON. GOVERNOR’S OFFICE
(The DOCTOR’S discussion with the MASTER continues...)
DOCTOR: (Into phone.) In spite of what I’ve said, do you still intend to f*re that rocket on London?
28: INT. HANGER OFFICE
MASTER: (Into phone.) I most certainly do!
DOCTOR: (OOV: Over phone.) Well, that would start a world w*r.
MASTER: (Into phone.) Exactly! And then later when this planet is in ruins, I shall take over.
29: INT. STANGMOOR PRISON. GOVERNOR’S OFFICE
DOCTOR: (Into phone.) I see. Aren’t you forgetting something?
MASTER: (OOV: Over phone.) Am I, Doctor? What?
DOCTOR: (Into phone.) The dematerialisation circuit from your own TARDIS.
30: INT. HANGER OFFICE
(The MASTER frowns...)
DOCTOR: (OOV: Over phone.) You can’t leave Earth without that, can you?
MASTER: (Into phone.) Are you offering me a deal?
31: INT. STANGMOOR PRISON. GOVERNOR’S OFFICE
DOCTOR: (Into phone.) I am. Hand me back that rocket...and I’ll return your circuit.
MASTER: (OOV: Over phone.) Mmm, that’s very generous of you.
DOCTOR: (Into phone.) Leave Earth - stop bothering us - go somewhere else and be a nuisance elsewhere. Well, what do you say?
32: INT. HANGER OFFICE
(The MASTER thinks over the deal.)
33: INT. STANGMOOR PRISON. GOVERNOR’S OFFICE
DOCTOR: (Into phone.) Well?
MASTER: (OOV: Over phone.) Right!
34: INT. HANGER OFFICE
MASTER: (Into phone.) But you will bring that circuit to me here at the hanger. You and you alone. At the first sign of treachery, the first sign of interference from your UNIT friends and I launch the m*ssile immediately.
(He slams the phone down.)
35: INT. STANGMOOR PRISON. GOVERNOR’S OFFICE
(The DOCTOR puts the phone down at his end.)
DOCTOR: Sergeant, can you contact the Brigadier for me?
SERGEANT BENTON: Well, I think so, Doctor. He should be back at mobile HQ by now.
DOCTOR: Get onto him at once. Tell him he’s got to cancel that att*ck!
36: INT. STANGMOOR PRISON. PROCESS THEATRE
(BARNHAM sits nervously by the machine and JO and SUMMERS talk)
DR. SUMMERS: You’re quite sure there’s nothing I can do?
JO: No, honestly.
DR. SUMMERS: All right. Well, I’ve got a mass of wounded to attend to. I’ll be in the medical wing if you need me.
DR. SUMMERS: Look after him, Jo - and yourself.
JO: Thank you.
(SUMMERS speaks to BARNHAM as he heads for the door.)
DR. SUMMERS: Now, you do exactly what Miss Grant tells you, all right?
(BARNHAM nods.)
DR. SUMMERS: Good lad.
(He goes.)
37: INT. STANGMOOR PRISON. GOVERNOR’S OFFICE
(The DOCTOR speaks into the radio set watched over by SERGEANT BENTON.)
DOCTOR: (Into radio.) But understand that you mustn’t go anywhere near him. If he catches sight of a uniform, he’ll f*re that rocket.
38: INT. UNIT MOBILE HQ
(COSWORTH is with the BRIGADIER.)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: (Into radio.) Don’t you worry, Doctor. Leave everything to us. I’ve cancelled the att*ck and we’ll send a dispatch rider to HQ to get your circuit - just in case.
39: INT. STANGMOOR PRISON. GOVERNOR’S OFFICE
(The DOCTOR is suspicious of this final statement.)
DOCTOR: (Into radio.) What do you mean “just in case”? It’s our only chance!
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: (OOV: Over radio.) Oh, I don’t know, Doctor. There are other ways of dealing with him.
DOCTOR: (Into radio.) Now look, don’t do anything stupid, Brigadier. He means what he says, you know.
40: INT. UNIT MOBILE HQ
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: (Into radio.) Don’t you worry, Doctor - over and out.
41: INT. STANGMOOR PRISON. GOVERNOR’S OFFICE
DOCTOR: (Into radio.) Lethbridge Stewart!
(Realising that the line is d*ad, the DOCTOR puts the microphone down.)
SERGEANT BENTON: The Brigadier knows what he’s doing, Doctor.
DOCTOR: I sincerely hope so. I’m going back to Miss Grant.
(He gets up to leave.)
42: INT. UNIT MOBILE HQ
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Right, Major Cosworth. I want you to get on to the m*ssile control people. They’re to maintain radio link with us and explode the m*ssile when I give the word.
MAJOR COSWORTH: Right away, sir.
(COSWORTH moves over to the radio set as the BRIGADIER turns to YATES.)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Captain Yates, you’ll be in charge of the evacuation. I want the area around that hanger completely clear within a ten mile radius.
CAPTAIN MIKE YATES: Right, sir.
(The BRIGADIER enters the inner office.)
MAJOR COSWORTH: (Into radio.) Trap one to m*ssile control, report my signals, over.
43: INT. STANGMOOR PRISON. PROCESS THEATRE
(The DOCTOR paces the process theatre in anger with JO struggling to keep up with him.)
JO: But I don’t see why you’re so upset. If you give him back the circuit and he hands over the m*ssile...
DOCTOR: You just don’t understand, do you, Jo? Once he gets that circuit back he’s free to roam through time and space. We’d never catch him.
JO: Then you’ll just have to give in. The Master’s got the m*ssile and all we’ve got is this wretched machine!
DOCTOR: (Shouts.) Look, Jo, will you stop stating the obvious!
(He suddenly stops...)
DOCTOR: What did you say?
JO: I said all we’ve got is this...machine.
DOCTOR: Well, that’s it! That’s the answer! We’ve got the machine and we’ve got our friend, Barnham.
JO: I don’t understand?
DOCTOR: (To BARNHAM.) With a little help from you, old chap, we can destroy this machine and the Master at the same time!
44: INT. HANGER OFFICE
(The MASTER reaches into the control panel and extracts part of the circuitry. He then uncovers a series of switches marked “ABORT” and starts flicking them backwards and forwards. He smiles.)
MASTER: Just in case somebody tries to be clever.
45: INT. STANGMOOR PRISON. PROCESS THEATRE
(The cover is back on the Keller machine. BARNHAM stands and nervously reaches out to pick it up. He flinches back.)
JO: (Quietly.) Don’t worry - it can’t hurt you.
DOCTOR: (Quietly.) Come on, old chap, come on.
JO: (Quietly.) It’s all right.
(BARNHAM places his hands on the machine.)
DOCTOR: That’s it - all right? Now don’t forget - whatever you do, don’t drop it. Now hang on to it tight - pick it up.
(BARNHAM starts to slowly lift the machine.)
DOCTOR: Come on - that’s it. Now, mind how you go.
(BARNHAM starts to walk towards the door, watched over by BENTON and encouraged by quiet words from the DOCTOR.)
DOCTOR: Mind how you go. All right? Not too heavy for you? Good, that’s it. (To BENTON.) Now close the doors after us, will you, Sergeant?
SERGEANT BENTON: Right, Doctor.
DOCTOR: Now mind his feet...
(They leave the room and BENTON pulls the doors closed.)
46: INT. UNIT MOBILE HQ
(The DOCTOR has reached UNIT’s mobile HQ. The BRIGADIER leads him and COSWORTH into the inner office.)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: We’ve tried to explode Thunderbolt on the ground, Doctor, but nothing happened.
DOCTOR: What did you expect? The Master may be a scoundrel but he is a scientist. He’ll have disconnected the abort mechanism.
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: There’s only one thing for it, Doctor. We’ll have to give him back that wretched circuit.
DOCTOR: Oh, has it arrived?
(COSWORTH hands him a small packet.)
MAJOR COSWORTH: Just arrived, sir.
(The DOCTOR undoes the packet and takes out the dematerialisation circuit. He speaks quietly and with regret.)
DOCTOR: Yes, that’s it.
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Believe me, Doctor, I hate to see the Master escape unpunished as much as you do.
DOCTOR: It’s where he’ll escape to that worries me. What right have we got to let his loose on some other planet?
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Unless you’ve got some better plan, I can see no alternative.
DOCTOR: My dear Brigadier - of course I have a better plan!
47: EXT. HANGER
(A Black Mariah from the prison approaches the hanger.)
48: INT. BLACK MARIAH
(JO and BARNHAM - holding the Keller machine - sit in the back.)
49: EXT. HANGER
(The MASTER, making final modifications to the m*ssile, looks up as the vehicle screeches to a halt. He takes out an a*t*matic p*stol from his jacket pocket as the DOCTOR gets out and approaches.)
MASTER: Very strange form of transport, Doctor - I hope you’re not going to try anything silly?
DOCTOR: No, of course not. No, it’s just that, er, Bessie had broken down.
MASTER: Bessie?
DOCTOR: You know - Bessie?
(He mimes a steering wheel turn with his hands.)
MASTER: Oh, yes!
(Unseen by the MASTER, the back of the van opens and JO and BARNHAM start to get out.)
MASTER: I think I should warn you that my, er...
(The MASTER mimics the mime.)
MASTER: ...is aimed and ready to f*re. I just have to press the requisite button.
DOCTOR: That’s very clever.
(Under the aim of the MASTER’S p*stol, the DOCTOR walks over to the m*ssile. The MASTER’S back is now to the van. JO and BARNHAM, the machine in his hands, start to edge round the van.)
DOCTOR: My word, you have done well!
MASTER: Shall we get on with it? Did you bring the circuit with you?
DOCTOR: Oh, yes.
(He takes it out of his pocket.)
DOCTOR: Here.
MASTER: May I examine it, please?
DOCTOR: How do I know that you won’t take the circuit and f*re the m*ssile anyway?
MASTER: I’m afraid you don’t. You’ll just have to trust me this once.
DOCTOR: No, I don’t think so.
(BARNHAM has placed the machine on the ground.)
JO: Now, Doctor!
(She and BARNHAM run out of the range of the machine. The MASTER spins round as the DOCTOR, with a cry, kicks the g*n out of his hand. He then pushes the MASTER to the floor next to the machine. As it starts to pulsate, the MASTER writhes on the ground in agony. The other three run into the hanger. The DOCTOR makes for the office whilst JO takes out a radio.)
JO: (Into radio.) Hello, Brigadier? Jo Grant here, over.
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: (OOV: Over radio.) Hello, Miss Grant, we read you, over.
50: INT. HANGER OFFICE
(The DOCTOR enters the hanger office and starts to look over the machinery. He can hear JO’S report and the BRIGADIER’S reply.)
JO: (OOV: Over radio.) Doctor working on m*ssile circuit. Stand by for abort instructions, over.
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: (OOV: Over radio.) Well done, Miss Grant.
(The DOCTOR opens the flap under which the abort circuit sat. He starts to look for the missing equipment.)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: (OOV: Over radio.) Greyhound to Windmill three-four-two, come in to land. I say again, come in to land.
HELICOPTER PILOT: (OOV: Over radio.) Wilco.
51: INT. UNIT MOBILE HQ
(The BRIGADIER and MAJOR COSWORTH wait by the radio for the next development...)
52: INT. HANGER OFFICE
(The DOCTOR finds the missing circuit and plugs it in.)
53: EXT. HANGER
(JO and BARNHAM watch as the helicopter comes in to land. The MASTER is still held in the grip of the machine.)
54: INT. HANGER OFFICE
(The DOCTOR completes the adjustments to the control bank. He runs out of the office.)
DOCTOR: Right, Jo!
55: EXT. HANGER
JO: (Into radio.) We’re on our way - over and out!
(The DOCTOR runs past JO and BARNHAM.)
DOCTOR: Come on!
(They run towards the helicopter but whilst the DOCTOR and JO pass the agonised MASTER, BARNHAM stops to help him. The DOCTOR and JO reach the roaring helicopter and start to climb in while the presence of BARNHAM reduces the machines effects on the MASTER. He clambers to his feet, pushes the helping BARNHAM out of the way and rushes into the Black Mariah. The DOCTOR waves to BARNHAM to follow but he makes the fatal mistake of trying to follow the MASTER who starts the van up and drives it straight at him. BARNHAM falls to the ground and the Mariah drives off whilst the DOCTOR and JO run back to help. A quick examination shows that they are too late.)
DOCTOR: He’s d*ad. Come on, Jo.
(A shocked JO doesn’t move.)
DOCTOR: Jo, come on.
(They run back to the helicopter, get back inside and it takes off.)
56: INT. UNIT MOBILE HQ
(COSWORTH sits at the radio with a stop-watch.)
MAJOR COSWORTH: (Into radio.) Twenty seconds, m*ssile control.
(The BRIGADIER takes the microphone and, looking at COSWORTH’S watch, starts to count down...)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Ten...nine...eight...seven...six...five...four...three... two... one...abort!
57: EXT. HANGER
(The m*ssile explodes destroying the entire hanger with it. The DOCTOR and JO watch from the circling helicopter. JO is in tears and the DOCTOR tries to comfort her...)
58: INT. STANGMOOR PRISON. GOVERNOR’S OFFICE
(Later, a UNIT soldier places a tray of cups in front of the BRIGADIER, the DOCTOR, JO and BENTON.)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Thank you.
(The soldier leaves.)
JO: We took Barnham there to help us.
DOCTOR: Yes, I know, Jo, I know.
JO: (Bitterly.) We should never have left him there.
DOCTOR: Well, how do you think I feel?
(JO looks at him.)
JO: Sorry.
DOCTOR: (Quietly.) Yes.
(He reaches for a cup and passes it to JO.)
DOCTOR: Here, have some coffee.
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Well, at least we’re rid of the Keller machine - and the Master.
DOCTOR: Yes, we’ve probably k*lled off that machine all right, but I’m not so sure about the Master.
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Well, even if he wasn’t k*lled, Doctor, he won’t get far if you’ve still got his circuit.
DOCTOR: Yes, that’s true.
(He reaches into his pocket - a look of alarm appears on his face.)
DOCTOR: The circuit! I must have lost it in my struggle with him!
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Probably destroyed in the expl*si*n.
DOCTOR: Yes, but what if it wasn’t? Supposing the Master found it?
(The phone rings and BENTON answers it.)
SERGEANT BENTON: (Into phone.) Hello, Governor’s office?
(The MASTER’S voice can faintly be heard at the other end.)
MASTER: (OOV: Over phone.) ... Put me onto the Doctor, will you?
SERGEANT BENTON: (Into phone.) Yes.
(He passes the phone to the DOCTOR.)
SERGEANT BENTON: It’s for you, Doctor.
DOCTOR: The Master?
(BENTON nods and the DOCTOR takes the phone.)
DOCTOR: (Into phone.) Yes?
59: INT. MASTER’S TARDIS
MASTER: (Into phone.) Ah, Doctor! I was afraid you’d be worried about me, so I thought I’d let you know that I’m alive and well.
60: INT. STANGMOOR PRISON. GOVERNOR’S OFFICE
DOCTOR: (Into phone.) I’m extremely sorry to hear that!
61: INT. MASTER’S TARDIS
MASTER: (Into phone.) I made the safety of my TARDIS which, thanks to your generosity, is in perfect working order.
62: INT. STANGMOOR PRISON. GOVERNOR’S OFFICE
DOCTOR: (Into phone.) So, we won’t be seeing you for quite some time?
MASTER: (OOV: Over phone.) Not for “quite some time”...
63: INT. MASTER’S TARDIS
MASTER: (Into phone.) ...but one day, I shall destroy this miserable planet - and you along with it. Goodbye, Doctor! Oh, by the way...enjoy your exile!
(He laughs.)
64: INT. STANGMOOR PRISON. GOVERNOR’S OFFICE
(An annoyed DOCTOR passes the phone to BENTON who puts it phone down.)
JO: What did he say?
DOCTOR: His usual thr*at.
JO: (Upbeat.) Never mind, Doctor. You’ve beaten him.
DOCTOR: Have I, Jo? He’s got his TARDIS back. He’s free to come and go where he pleases, while I’m stuck here on Earth...
(...the DOCTOR looks across the desk.)
DOCTOR: ...with you, Brigadier!
(The BRIGADIER is at first taken back, but then smiles...) | {"type": "series", "show": "Doctor Who", "episode": "08x10 - The Mind of Evil - part 6"} | foreverdreaming |
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