SENTENCE OF DEATH
Written by
TERRY NATION
1: INT. EXHIBITION VAULT
(A man wearing a black uniform lies still at the foot of several glass cases. IAN, who is alone, crouches down by him. He looks in the nearest case and,
seeing something inside, desperately attempts to open it. The black gloved hand of an unseen assailant brings a club down on his head and he collapses. The
figure places the club in IAN'S hand before moving to the case. By opening a side panel it removes the object which is none other than the final key. An alarm
bell sounds. IAN lies on the floor, unconscious.)
2: INT. EXHIBITION VAULT (LATER)
(IAN comes to and rises, groaning and rubbing his head. The alarm has stopped now. He goes over to the cabinet only to find that the key is gone.)
TARRON: Do you want to tell me where you've hidden it?
(IAN whirls around to see that a dark-haired youngish man, wearing a similar black uniform to the man who was on the floor, is seated on the far side of the
room in front of a series of display cabinets containing regalia and other ornaments.)
IAN: Who are you?
TARRON: My name is Tarron. I'm an interrogator in the guardian division. Do you feel well enough to talk?
IAN: (Rubbing his neck and head.) Well my head's pretty sore. What happened here?
TARRON: I'm waiting for you to tell me.
IAN: Me? I don't know much. I just came through that door.
TARRON: It was unlocked?
IAN: It…was ajar. I saw the body on the floor, bent down to have a look and…someone hit me on the head from behind.
(TARRON stands up.)
TARRON: You could not've come through that door unless the guard on duty in here let you in.
IAN: It was open, I've already told you.
TARRON: This is a maximum security vault. No one is admitted until they have undergone a complete probity check. There's no record of you ever having
completed such a check.
IAN: Well of course there isn't, I've never been here before.
TARRON: However, you did get inside. I must assume that you either tricked the guard there or you were in league with him.
IAN: What...? What are you talking about? I told you how I got in.
TARRON: (Sceptically.) Yes. And I'm recording all your answers.
(He holds up before IAN a small electronic box that he wears on a strap over his shoulder.)
TARRON: Now do you feel well enough? Are you going to tell me the truth?
IAN: Yes well, as far as I can, but...
TARRON: Well let's be orderly about this. Name?
IAN: (Reluctantly.) Ian Chesterton.
TARRON: You are a visitor to this district?
IAN: Yes.
TARRON: Your work?
IAN: I'm a teacher, science.
TARRON: Hmm. You know the purpose of the micro-key?
(IAN just rubs his head and groans.)
TARRON: No reply. It would make my report complete if you would tell me how you got rid of the micro-key.
IAN: I didn't get rid of it. I never had it. I saw it in that glass case before someone hit me on the back of the head.
TARRON: While you were unconscious, my men searched the room. They searched you and the body of the guard. They didn't find it. Now, what did you do with
it?
IAN: (Frustrated.) I didn't do anything with it. I've told you all I know.
TARRON: (Sceptically.) All right.
(He goes over to the huge steel door to the vault and picks up a phone receiver.)
TARRON: Open your side, we're coming out.
(The door begins to swing open, revealing another guard dressed similarly to TARRON.)
IAN: Well, where are we going?
TARRON: To the Guardian Building. You will be charged formally.
IAN: Charged? With what?
TARRON: Murder.
IAN: (Shocked.) Just a minute - what's your name? Tarron?
TARRON: Yes.
IAN: This business is beginning to run away from me. I've told you the truth!
(TARRON closes the door again.)
TARRON: That isn't for me to decide.
IAN: Well there was another man in here, I've got a lump on the back of my head to prove it!
TARRON: The dead man could have hit you before he was killed.
IAN: And I suppose I killed him when I was unconscious?
TARRON: Well it does suggest you had an accomplice, I agree. So you had better produce him, that's my advice to you for what it's worth.
IAN: I don't have to produce him, Tarron, you do! This is circumstantial evidence. You must prove that I did the actual killing!
TARRON: That is contrary to our legal system.
IAN: What?
TARRON: I mean that you are already guilty of this crime. The burden of defence is entirely yours. You must prove without any shadow of doubt that you
are innocent. Otherwise...
IAN: Otherwise?
TARRON: You will die. If you will take my advice you will find someone to speak for you at the tribunal. Do you know anybody in the city?
IAN: Yes, I…I do know someone, if I can find him.
TARRON: Who is he?
IAN: Who? (He chuckles.) He's a doctor.
3: INT. COURTROOM RECEPTION
(BARBARA is seated at the reception desk opposite another of the black uniformed personnel called LARN.)
LARN: Permission has been granted for you to attend the court proceedings.
BARBARA: Thank you.
LARN: But I'm to tell you there must be no disturbances of any kind. The laws are very rigid. Offenders can be sent for one year to the glass factories
in the desert, instantly and without trial.
BARBARA: I understand.
LARN: Chief Enquirer Tarron has arranged for you to speak to your friend but you do understand that you mustn’t give him any... packets, or articles
not previously examined by me, yes?
(BARBARA smiles and nods.)
LARN: Good.
(BARBARA goes over to another wall and sits next to ALTOS. SUSAN and SABETHA come through an archway towards them.)
BARBARA: Any news?
(ALTOS stands.)
SUSAN: No, not a sign of him anywhere.
SABETHA: Several people saw him only two days ago.
ALTOS: Was that before or after Ian was arrested?
SUSAN: Well, after as far as we can work out.
ALTOS: (Sighs.) I haven't been able to find anything out about my friend Eprim, either.
BARBARA: Well we've got permission to see Ian anyway.
(SUSAN sits in ALTOS'S seat.)
SUSAN: Oh good. Can't we make a dash for it?
BARBARA: No, it's too dangerous.
(IAN is escorted into the room by TARRON. They rush over to him.)
BARBARA: Ian!
SABETHA: How are you?
(TARRON forces him to sit.)
IAN: Oh, they're treating me well enough. But have you found the Doctor yet?
BARBARA: No. There isn't a sight or sound of him anywhere.
IAN: We must find him Barbara, we must! The laws in this country are a mockery.
(A door on the far side of the room shuts. A familiar figure has entered the room.)
DOCTOR: I quite agree with you, my boy!
IAN: Doctor!
SUSAN: Grandfather!
(She runs over and hugs him. The others surround him, apart from IAN.)
BARBARA: How did you get here?
ALTOS: We've been looking everywhere for you!
SUSAN: I don't care. I’m just glad we're together again.
DOCTOR: Yes, so am I, dear child, so am I. However, we have some important work to attend to. Excuse me.
(He walks over to IAN.)
DOCTOR: Chesterton, you and I must have a talk.
IAN: (Slightly panicked.) We haven't got much time to talk, Doctor. In a moment I have to go in there and face an accusation of murder. I need a
man to defend me.
DOCTOR: I am that man!
(SUSAN looks up at her Grandfather with pride.)
4: INT. COURTROOM
(At one end of this large room, IAN stands alone at a small table. To his left is a larger table behind which is the prosecutor, EYESEN. At an identical
table to the right, the DOCTOR, SUSAN, BARBARA, ALTOS and SABETHA are gathered. Behind them sits a large crowd. Three bearded JUDGES wearing ornate black robes
and white headdresses emerge from a doorway and, after bowing to the court, seat themselves at a raised table opposite IAN. The SENIOR JUDGE in the middle
speaks.)
SENIOR JUDGE: Our decision upon the report of Chief Enquirer Tarron, is that the prisoner, Ian Chesterton, is guilty of murder and that his sentence
is death, the said sentence to be administered three days after the end of this hearing... Unless…unless the representative for the accused should show
positive proof why the execution should not be carried out. Will you stand up?
(The DOCTOR stands.)
SENIOR JUDGE: Representative for the defence, you have a grave duty. You have offered your services in this matter which complies with the laws of the
city of Millennius in that any person may speak on behalf of another. Are you acquainted with our laws?
DOCTOR: Er, yes. I have studied some, my lord.
SENIOR JUDGE: Every latitude will be allowed to you, and if you are at fault, I will give you directions.
DOCTOR: Thank you.
(He sits down.)
SENIOR JUDGE: The representative for the court, Eyesen, has spoken his facts. You may now reply.
(The DOCTOR stands again.)
DOCTOR: My lords, I cannot defend a man when I have not considered every aspect of the case. I must have time to examine witnesses, read statements
and to prepare my case.
EYESEN: I object most strongly.
(The crowd murmurs…)
SENIOR JUDGE: The demand is reasonable in itself. The crime of murder in Millennius is in itself unusual.
(As the crowd murmurs again, the SENIOR JUDGE confers with the other JUDGES, both of whom nod.)
SENIOR JUDGE: (To the DOCTOR.) Then I grant you two days.
DOCTOR: Thank you, my lord.
(The JUDGES retire and go back through the door. EYESEN goes over to the DOCTOR.)
EYESEN: (Coldly.) I congratulate you.
DOCTOR: Thank you.
(They shake hands without warmth.)
EYESEN: (Smoothly.) It will not alter the outcome.
DOCTOR: We shall see.
(EYESEN retreats as IAN approaches.)
IAN: Well done, Doctor!
DOCTOR: Er, I have been starting and studied the laws ever since I heard that Eprim had been murdered.
ALTOS: (Shocked.) Eprim?
IAN: He was your friend.
ALTOS: Yes. You found him, Doctor?
DOCTOR: Oh yes, I had met him and arranged to take the micro-key but something must have happened, that's why he tried to take the key earlier than we
had arranged.
SABETHA: And he was killed?
DOCTOR: Yes. He must have told his plans to someone else. And that someone else killed him and took the key.
IAN: Then all we have to do is find out who took the key and why!
ALTOS: In two days?
DOCTOR: Yes, we shall need every minute of that. Now, we must all take a task on. Murder, I gather, is very rare here. (To ALTOS and SABETHA.) Now
I want both of you to go to the library and find out all the case histories you can. Facts and figures.
ALTOS: And legal sentences!
SABETHA: And reasons for people being found not guilty.
DOCTOR: Yes. Yes, quite. Now off you go, both of you, and meet me back here in three hours.
ALTOS: Right.
(They head off.)
SUSAN: What can I do, grandfather?
DOCTOR: Well, you, my child, and er, Barbara can be my detectives. (To IAN.) And you my friend...
IAN: Yes, what can I do, Doctor?
DOCTOR: Trust me.
5: INT. LIBRARY
(SABETHA is watching ALTOS leaf through a book in front of some old bookshelves. He replaces it and starts reading another.)
6: INT. EXHIBITION VAULT
(The DOCTOR, SUSAN and BARBARA are interviewing TARRON at the scene of the crime.)
TARRON: There was a mace beside the body and there was blood on it. Chesterton was on the floor, unconscious. Either he slipped and bumped his head or
Eprim had got a blow in before he died.
BARBARA: And the key was gone, you say?
TARRON: Yes, and that's the only element of the case I don't understand. My men did a heat reflector search of this room. It is absolutely certain that
the micro-key is not here. It is equally certain that it has not been taken from here.
DOCTOR: Oh, come now Tarron, we're not dealing in magic. You know, it's obvious to me that the key must have left this room.
TARRON: No, every person that came in here was checked by the Orza ray scanner as they went out. If anyone had the key on them, the scanner would have
detected it.
SUSAN: Supposing the murderer hid the key on the body?
TARRON: The body was searched. It wasn't there.
DOCTOR: Then would you mind telling us what happened after the alarm bell went, please?
(TARRON goes over to the door.)
TARRON: Well, the relief guard was the first to reach the outside of the door. He was joined almost immediately by the, er, controller and a guardian
who was on patrol outside. Now when I reached the door it was opened and you know what we found inside.
SUSAN: (Perplexed.) That's fantastic, it couldn’t disappear into thin air!
DOCTOR: Precisely and I rather gather that when we discover its location we shall also discover the real identity of the murderer!
TARRON: (Smirking.) But we know the murderer. It was Chesterton.
DOCTOR: Mr. Tarron, I wonder if you'd mind leaving us alone for a few moments, we'd like to discuss the aspects of this case, mm?
TARRON: Very well.
DOCTOR: Thank you.
(TARRON goes through the door and shuts it behind him. The DOCTOR begins pacing around in concentration.)
DOCTOR: Yes, mm, mm…
BARBARA: Any ideas? Well?
DOCTOR: Mmm? What?
BARBARA: Have you any idea how the key got out of here?
DOCTOR: (Dismissively.) Oh, elementary, elementary.
SUSAN: Grandfather! Do you mean you know? I mean, how? Where?
DOCTOR: All in good time, my child. The important thing is I believe I know who did the killing.
BARBARA: But how? Tarron's been working on it all day, you've only been here a few minutes.
DOCTOR: Mmm, you see Tarron never doubted that Chesteron was guilty. A grave error, yes, a very grave error! (Laughs.)
SUSAN: Yes, whereas we know he's innocent.
DOCTOR: Precisely, but someone did it and we also know there was a third man in the room. How he got in here, we shall know in a moment. Now, let us
assume he was hiding, yes, yes, behind this door. Mmm.
(He stands behind the door.)
DOCTOR: Now Barbara, you imagine that you are Chesterton for a moment. Come here.
(He points to the doorway and BARBARA stands in it.)
DOCTOR: You, please, you look into the room, you see a body on the floor. What do you do? Mmm?
BARBARA: Erm, I'd see if I could help.
SUSAN: I'll be the body.
(She lies down on the floor.)
DOCTOR: Good. (To BARBARA.) Now let me see you do it.
(BARBARA crouches down beside SUSAN.)
DOCTOR: There's a weapon beside the body. Do you examine it?
BARBARA: Yes. Yes, I think I would.
DOCTOR: Good. Then you look up in front of you. And you see exactly what you came here for - the micro-key!
(BARBARA stands and approaches the case just as IAN did before.)
DOCTOR: Unbeknown to you, the third man comes out of hiding, creeps up behind you...
(He comes up behind her and manoeuvres her somewhat brusquely to the floor.)
DOCTOR: ...And you are smacked down so. Now he can take what he came here for. He opens the case, lifts the key, the alarm bell sounds. Now, he only
has a few seconds so he conceals the key, runs to the door, opens it, gets out and then closes it. But, he can't go any further because, already, the security
guards and officials are on their way. So, (Chuckles.) he decides to pretend that he is first on the scene.
SUSAN: The relief guard!
DOCTOR: Yes!
BARBARA: Yes, of course! That's why the guard inside let him in the first place, he knew him, even expected him!
DOCTOR: Yes, he went in, killed his colleague, heared Chesterton into…in the hall, hid behind the door and the rest we know!
SUSAN: That must be how it happened, I'll go and tell Tarron.
(She makes for the door but the DOCTOR stops her.)
DOCTOR: Ah! My dear child, this is only a theory. We must have proof.
BARBARA: But surely if you know where the key is, that's proof?
DOCTOR: If Tarron were to know that now, his case against Chesterton would be complete. I can't improve at this very moment... I can't prove at this very
moment that Chesterton didn't hide it in its present location.
BARBARA: Oh, what do we do then?
DOCTOR: I have a little errand for you and I think you will find it very interesting. Mmm?
(He laughs as they look at each other perplexed.)
6: INT. AYDAN AND KALA'S APARTMENT
(An elegant woman, KALA, attired in a long white dress, is standing in the living room of her home when a buzzer sounds. It sounds again and she goes to open
a door, revealing SUSAN and BARBARA.)
KALA: Oh. Please come in.
BARBARA: Thank you.
KALA: I'm afraid my husband isn't here at the moment. Do sit down.
(They sit on a couch.)
BARBARA: I did want to talk to your husband. I thought there might be some facts he'd overlooked.
KALA: I'm sure he'd want to help but he's already told you everything he knows.
BARBARA: Well there might be some small thing, something he thought unimportant.
KALA: The guardians are very thorough, you know. Anyway, he'd want the murderer to be caught. Eprim was a good friend of his. He wouldn't conceal
anything.
BARBARA: No, of course not. Er, tell me, er, why would anyone want to steal the micro-key?
KALA: Because there are only five of them in the entire universe. It was brought to the city years ago by a man called Arbitan. It was the sworn duty of
the elders to protect it.
SUSAN: So they'd pay highly to recover it.
KALA: Yes. But you know all this. Why else would your friend steal it?
SUSAN: But he didn't...
(The door opens and a man bursts in. It is AYDAN, KALA’S husband.)
AYDAN: I had to go to the Guardian Building again. They're asking questions about...
(He stops as he sees SUSAN and BARBARA.)
AYDAN: (Coldly.) You're one of the people with Chesterton. What are you doing here?
BARBARA: (Rising.) I want to talk to you.
AYDAN: I have nothing to say to you. Get out!
KALA: (Warningly.) Aydan?
AYDAN: I don't want people prying into my affairs. Has she been asking questions about me?
SUSAN: Not as many as my grandfather will ask when he calls you as witness.
(AYDAN rounds on SUSAN and she backs away to BARBARA'S arms.)
AYDAN: Get out! You heard me. Get out!
SUSAN: I thought you might like to know that we know where the key is hidden!
BARBARA: Susan!
AYDAN: (Alarmed.) But you couldn't know where it is! I...
(He breaks off, realising that he has said too much.)
AYDAN: Yes. Yes, you know where it's hidden because Chesterton told you where he hid it. And now you're trying to throw suspicion on me. Well it won't
work. Now get out before I...
BARBARA: ...Before you what?
SUSAN: Kill us like you killed Eprim?
(He raises his arm to strike SUSAN but KALA gently forces it down. He walks off in disgust.)
KALA: You'd better go.
(Without a word they go out.)
7: INT. CORRIDOR OUTSIDE THE APARTMENT
(BARBARA and SUSAN pause and listen at the door.)
AYDAN: (OOV.) What were they doing here?
KALA: (OOV.) Just asking a few questions, nothing more.
AYDAN: (OOV.) What did she mean about the m…the key?
KALA: (OOV.) I don't know what she meant but you shouldn't have lost your temper like that, it was very foolish of you.
AYDAN: (OOV: Furious.) Don't you talk to me like that!
(There is a muffled thump and KALA screams. SUSAN and BARBARA look at each other. BARBARA peers through the keyhole…)
8: INT. AYDAN AND KALA'S APARTMENT
(…and sees a hand press some buttons on a keypad of a communications device.)
9: INT. CORRIDOR OUTSIDE THE APARTMENT
(They hear someone coming and are forced away.)
10: INT. AYDAN AND KALA'S APARTMENT
(The call from the communications device is answered….)
EYESEN: (OOV.) Eyesen here.
11: INT. EYESEN'S OFFICE
(EYESEN picks up a rod-like device attached to the phone and speaks into it.)
EYESEN: Don't say any more. There are people here. I'll take it on the personal.
(He presses a button and listens to the rod-like device.)
EYESEN: All right, go ahead. (Pause.) You really think she knows something? (Pause.) You mean that our young friend may not be able to
go through with it? (Pause.) Well listen carefully. And I'll tell you…what you may have to do...
12: INT. COURTROOM
(The court is assembled in the same way as before, except for EYESEN who is standing in the middle, holding the mace. Within the seated crowd watching the
proceedings are AYDAN and KALA.)
EYESEN: This mace, a weapon used in primitive times by vicious savage war-makers. The same savagery that wielded it then lives on, in men like the
accused!
(IAN remains silent.)
EYESEN: Members of the tribunal, the evidence already offered is more than enough to ensure the conviction of this man but add to it, the fact that
under psychometric examination, this mace was found to have been held in the right-hand of the prisoner.
(The audience mutter amongst themselves.)
EYESEN: I need say no more. That concludes the evidence for the prosecution.
(Again the audience mutter. SUSAN and BARBARA are sat next to AYDAN and KALA.)
SENIOR JUDGE: We will now hear a statement from the representative of the accused and convicted.
(The DOCTOR is already standing.)
DOCTOR: My lords, let me begin by saying that the murderer is without any doubt, in this chamber!
(Both EYESEN and AYDAN look concerned as the crowd mutter their astonishment.)
DOCTOR: The trouble is he's not under arrest (He points dramatically and shouts.) but my young friend here is!
SENIOR JUDGE: But... can you substantiate this?
DOCTOR: I can, my lord. You will know his identity in a moment. I will now call my first witness. (To SABETHA who is sat next to him with ALTOS.)
Thank you…thank you.
(SABETHA stands and makes her way to the centre of the room. AYDAN and KALA make a short whispered exchange. The DOCTOR holds up a picture of the key.)
DOCTOR: This, my lords, is the reproduction of the stolen micro-key. (To SABETHA.) Do you recognise this, young lady?
SABETHA: Yes.
DOCTOR: And do you know where it is now?
SABETHA: Yes, I do.
DOCTOR: Then, please tell the tribunal where its present location is.
(She turns to the JUDGES and produces a micro-key.)
SABETHA: It is here.
(The crowd mutters very loudly. BARBARA and SUSAN smile at their reaction.)
DOCTOR: Where did you get it?
SABETHA: It was given to me by the man who killed the guard.
DOCTOR: Is he here?
SABETHA: Yes.
DOCTOR: Then please point him out to us.
(SABETHA looks and the audience then points to AYDAN.)
SABETHA: There, sitting in the front row.
(AYDAN stands up with a start.)
AYDAN: (Protesting.) But she can't have found it! I...
(He subsides as he realises what he has said. Several other people rise around him. He tries to make a dash for the door but SUSAN and BARBARA manage to hold
him as the crowd surrounds him.)
AYDAN: (Panicked.) All right. I'll tell you everything. I'm not in this alone. They made me do it! I…I'll tell you...
(There is a flash and with a cry he drops to the floor. The crowd gasps. After a tense silence, KALA falls onto the body and begins sobbing.)
13: INT. COURTROOM (LATER)
(The DOCTOR is explaining what he did to the SENIOR JUDGE and EYESEN.)
DOCTOR: And so you see my lords, when Sabetha was showing the court the micro-key, it wasn't in actual fact the one that was stolen from the vault.
SENIOR JUDGE: You say you have three of the micro-keys in your possession.
DOCTOR: Yes, my lord, and w…we've returned to find the last one. Then they would all be returned to Arbitan.
SENIOR JUDGE: The fact remains that the fourth key is missing.
EYESEN: Still in the place where it was hidden by the murderer, Chesterton.
DOCTOR: Oh, come now, surely you don't think that he's still guilty? I admit, I resorted to a subterfuge when Sabetha, er, accused Aydan of taking the
key, but I think the results justifies the means.
SENIOR JUDGE: There are a number of other points which we'd like to see cleared up.
DOCTOR: Yes, my lord.
SENIOR JUDGE: Now first of all...
(Meanwhile, TARRON is talking to IAN and BARBARA.)
TARRON: Yes, and I'm having psychometric tests made on the weapon that killed Aydan.
IAN: What exactly are these psychometric tests?
TARRON: It's the sign psychometry. Experts are able to define from an object the characteristics of the person who last had contact with that object.
BARBARA: Well that sounds an improvement on fingerprints.
TARRON: (Mystified.) Fingerprints?
BARBARA: Er, it's not important.
IAN: Well, whoever killed Aydan must have been implicated in the theft. If only he'd lived he might have told us everything.
BARBARA: Well it was his wife I felt sorry for.
TARRON: The doctors have given her oblivator drugs and sent her home to rest. She was hysterical.
(A dull chiming begins.)
TARRON: You'd better resume your places, the tribunal’s about to start again.
(They all take their places as before. ALTOS notices an empty place next to BARBARA.)
ALTOS: Where's Susan?
BARBARA: Oh, she's gone to get Ian's statement.
ALTOS: Oh.
SENIOR JUDGE: (To everyone.) It is clear that Aydan was involved in either the theft or the killing. It is also clear that he had an accomplice.
Bearing in mind that the accused came here with the express purpose of recovering the micro-key, and remembering the evidence against him, his guilt becomes
even more obvious. Will the prosecutor please summarise?
EYESEN: Despite the dramatics and hysterics of recent events, very little has changed. I submit that the accused, did by threat or coercion involve Aydan
in the murder and robbery. His last, dying words were, 'They made me do it.' They were the accused and his accomplices. They were standing near him when he was
killed.
(LARN enters and whispers something to BARBARA. She, ALTOS and SABETHA make a discreet exit.)
EYESEN: One of them is responsible for his death. I submit that the defence has offered no new evidence and the sentence of the tribunal should be
carried out.
SENIOR JUDGE: The tribunal concurs. Though it has deprived us of more detailed evidence, the unfortunate death of Guardian Aydan has surely not affected
the issue.
(He looks to the other two JUDGES who shake their heads in agreement.)
SENIOR JUDGE: We will now hear a statement... a closing statement from the defence.
(The DOCTOR stands.)
DOCTOR: I beg the indulgence of the tribunal and ask for time to produce new evidence.
SENIOR JUDGE: Denied. No purpose would be served in delaying these proceedings any longer. If you have nothing to add, the accused will be taken from
here and executed in the prescribed manner.
(An exited murmur arises from the audience. IAN looks at the DOCTOR who shakes his head.)
12: INT. COURTROOM RECEPTION
(LARN has brought BARBARA, ALTOS and SABETHA here.)
BARBARA: What is it?
LARN: A messenger brought this for you.
(He hands her a slip of paper.)
BARBARA: Oh, thank you.
LARN: I have to get back inside. Will you excuse me?
(BARBARA nods as she unfolds the paper and he departs.)
SABETHA: What is it?
BARBARA: It says, “There will be another death if you disclose where the key is hidden.”
(ALTOS snatches it.)
ALTOS: What! Barbara, do you realise what this means? It proves that someone else was involved! We must tell Tarron and the Doctor quickly.
BARBARA: Yes, but what does it mean “another death”? Who's death?
(A sound emits from a communications device on LARN'S desk. LARN returns, picks up the receiver rod and listens briefly. He offers it to BARBARA.)
LARN: Someone wishes to speak to you.
(BARBARA takes it.)
BARBARA: Hello?
(SUSAN'S voice can be heard at the other end.)
SUSAN: (OOV.) Aah…Yes, I want to speak to Barbara Wright.
BARBARA: Susan?
SUSAN: (OOV.) Barbara, they made me call you.
BARBARA: Who, Susan? Who?
SUSAN: (OOV: Terrified.) Barbara, listen there was...ah!
(The sound cuts out.)
BARBARA: Susan? Susan? Are you there, Susan?
SUSAN: (OOV: Quietly.) They're going to kill me.
(A look of alarm crosses BARBARA'S face.)
BARBARA: Susan...?
(The line is cut off…)
Next episode
THE KEYS OF MARINUS
Dr. Who
WILLIAM HARTNELL
Ian Chesterton
WILLIAM RUSSELL
Barbara Wright
JACQUELINE HILL
Susan Foreman
CAROLE ANN FORD
Altos
ROBIN PHILLIPS
Sabetha
KATHARINE SCHOFIELD
Tarron
HENLEY THOMAS
Larn
MICHAEL ALLABY
Senior Judge
RAF DE LA TORRE
First Judge
ALAN JAMES
Second Judge
PETER STENSON
Kala
FIONA WALKER
Aydan
MARTIN CORT
Eyesen
DONALD PICKERING
Title music by
RON GRAINER
with the BBC
Radiophonic Workshop
Incidental music
composed by
NORMAN KAY
Story Editor
DAVID WHITAKER
Designer
RAYMOND P. CUSICK
Associate Producer
MERVYN PINFIELD
Producer
VERITY LAMBERT
Directed by
JOHN GORRIE
(c) BBC tv
Transcribed by
JOSEPH OLDHAM
Updates / Corrections by
JOHN TOMLINSON