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15: INT. ?????? 

 
-- and into the last thing she ever expected.
 
A stark white room, the size of a living room. The walls are covered with circular, plate-like indentions. A hexagonal-shaped control console with a cylindrical tube inset in center with machinery visible inside. Various antiques decorating the place. A monitor set into the upper wall. A shocked Susan.
 
All inside a box no bigger than a closet.
 
Ian runs in after Barbara and the Old Man calmly walks in behind him.
 
 
 
 
 
OLD MAN: These two people are known to you, I believe.
 
SUSAN: What are you doing here?? They're two of my schoolteachers.
 
 
 
OLD MAN: Is that your excuse for this unwarrantable intrusion? You had no right to invite them here! I blame you for this, Susan. You would insist on going to that ridiculous school! I warned you!
 
SUSAN: Grandfather --
 
BARBARA: Is this really where you live, Susan???
 
SUSAN: Yes.
 
OLD MAN: And what is wrong with it?
 
IAN: But it was just a box....
 
OLD MAN: Perhaps.
 
BARBARA: But, it can't be...
 
 
 
IAN: It was! You saw it!
 
 
 
OLD MAN: (To Susan) You see! I knew this sort of thing would happen. You stupid child!
 
BARBARA: Maybe we should leave now.
 
IAN: Just a minute. Now we are here, I'd just like to...I know this is absurd but - but, I walked all around it!
 
OLD MAN: Don't expect answers from me. You wouldn't understand anyway. ...... ...... ......
 
 
 
IAN: But, you saw me Barbara.... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ......
 
BARBARA: Yes!
 
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OLD MAN: (to Susan) You see! I warned you! You see what you've done?! ...... ...... ......
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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IAN: It's an illusion! It must be!
 
 
 
SUSAN: (To the teachers) You shouldn't have come here!
 
IAN: It's a trick!
 
OLD MAN: It is not a trick, young man! You both forced your way into the ship. I didn't invite you. I see no reason why I should explain anything!
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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IAN: Ship--?
 
OLD MAN: I use your own out-dated teminology for any craft which does not roll along on wheels.
 
BARBARA: You mean....it moves?
 
SUSAN: The TARDIS can go anywhere.
 
BARBARA: TARDIS? I don't don't know what you mean, Susan.
 
SUSAN: I made up TARDIS from the initials. Time And Relative Dimension In Space. I thought you'd both realize when you came in and saw the different dimensions from the outside. ...... ...... ...... ...... ......
 
IAN: Just, let me get this right, Susan. A thing that looks like a police box, standing in a junkyard....it can go anywhere in time and space?!?
 
SUSAN: Yes!
 
 
 
IAN: Oh, Susan. Don't be ridiculous!
 
OLD MAN: They'll never understand, my child.
 
SUSAN: (exasperated) Why won't you believe us?
 
BARBARA: We just want you to tell us the truth.
 
...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ......
 
 
 
...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ......
 
 
 
OLD MAN: (Removes his cloak and scarf and throws them onto a near by chair) You have heard the truth! We're not of this race! We're not of this Earth! We are wanderers in the fourth dimensions of space and time. Cut off from our own planet and our own people... (sits in the chair)... by eons and universes that are far beyond the reach of your most advanced sciences!
 
Susan's a little distraught as she turns to face the teachers.
 
SUSAN: It's true. Every word of it's true. You don't know what you've done coming here -- !!! (kneals in front of the old man) Don't you see. If they don't believe us, they can't do us any harm! I know these Earth people better than you....their minds reject things they don't understand..... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ......
 
The old man stands up. ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ......
 
OLD MAN: No.
 
 
 
IAN: You can't keep us here!
 
BARBARA: Susan, why do you insist upon lying to us? ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ......
 
 
 
 
 
SUSAN: I'm not lying! I loved your school. I loved England in the 20'th century. The last five months have been the happiest of my life....
 
BARBARA: But you are one of us! You look like us, you sound like us....
 
SUSAN: (tightly) I was born in the 49th century.
 
IAN: What?! Now, look, Susan.... (he finally gives up, grabs Barbara's arm) Oh come on. I've had enough of this. Let's get out of here.
 
They start toward the double doors....which won't open.
 
SUSAN: You can't get out!
 
They grab at the door, tugging. It won't budge. A whining (forcefield) squeals from the doors.
 
And at the other side of the room, the old man is laughing. Ian walks up to and stares at the Old Man. He then walks over to Susan.
 
SUSAN: He won't let you go.
 
IAN: You...pushed something when we came in here. It was over here! (he walks over to the console) Now, which is it?! Which is the control that opens the door?! ...... ...... ......
 
The old man saunters up to him. ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ......
 
OLD MAN: You still thinks this is a trick?
 
IAN: (hotly) I know that free movement in the fouth dimension of space and time is a scientific dream I didn't expect to find solved in a junkyard!!
 
OLD MAN: For your science, school master! Not for ours. I tell you, before your ancestors turned the first wheel, the people of my world had reduced movement through the fartheset reaches of space to a game for children!!
 
IAN: Unless you open that door, let me take Susan and Mrs Wright out of here, I'll....(he raises his fist)
 
OLD MAN: Don't threaten me, young man.
 
SUSAN: Grandfather! He doesn't understand! Let them go now!
 
BARBARA: What if it is true?
 
IAN: (to Barabara) But, it can't be, I tell you! (To the Old Man) Are you going to open that door?! (pause) Alright! I'll have to take a chance myself!
 
OLD MAN: Very well, I can't stop you.....
 
The old man's hand brushes a knob just as Ian's comes down on a button --
 
SUSAN: OH DON'T TOUCH IT!!! IT'S LIVE --
 
The shock flings Ian to the floor.
 
BARBARA: (helps him up) Ian. Are you alright? What do you think you're doing?!? How dare you behave like this!
 
SUSAN: (hysterical) Oh, Grandfather, let them go now!! PLEASE!!!
 
The Old Man just shakes his head. ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ......
 
BARBARA: But you must! You can't keep us here!
 
 
 
SUSAN: But, Grandfather. Let them go. Let's go somewhere else. Some other time. (near to tears) I won't object. I promise I wan't object.
 
The Old Man pulls Susan off to the side.
 
OLD MAN: (soothingly) My dear child, you know very well we can not let them possess even one idea that such a ship as the TARDIS might be possible. ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ......
 
SUSAN: But, Grandfather. Don't you see. If we let them go now, they can't....
 
OLD MAN: Look. See how they watch and listen as we talk? If they leave the ship now, they might come to believe at last that all of this is possible. Think what would happened to the ancient Romans if they possessed the power of gunpowder. If Napolean...had been given the secret of the airplane. No, my child. We both know we can not let our secret loose into the world of the 20th century!
 
SUSAN: But, you can't keep them prisoners here! ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ......
 
IAN: You can't keep us prisoners anywhere!
 
OLD MAN: I can not let you go school teacher! Weather you believe what you have been told is of no importance! You and your companion would be foot prints in a time where you are not supposed to have wandered.
 
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IAN: If I have to use force to get out of here, I will you know!
 
BARBARA: Maybe we've stumbled on something beyond our understanding?
 
 
 
OLD MAN: (to Susan) You see. The first faint glimmerings.... ...... ...... ......
 
 
 
 
 
SUSAN: (to the teachers) Oh, why did you come here?!! Why?!!
 
The old man starts to the console... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ......
 
SUSAN: GRANDFATHER, NO!!!!
 
...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ......
 
Ian grabs the Old Man.
 
IAN: No you don't!
 
The Old Man hits a switch in the struggle.
 
SUSAN: Stop it!
 
OLD MAN: Let go of me sir! ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ......
 
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The ship starts to shake. The central colume of the console begins to move up and down....
 
SUSAN: Let him go!
 
OLD MAN: Let go of me, will you!
 
SUSAN: Let him go! Stop it!
 
OLD MAN: Let go of me! Let go of me!
 
The Old Man breaks free and returns to the console, as does Susan. The Old Man flips a few switches then stops. He and Susan both look up to the monitor.
 
On the monitor, an overhead view of London -- that shrinks, fades.....and is replaced by a blinding vortex of light and energy....a groaning, wheezing noise fills the air, building....
 

 

-- and into the last thing they ever expected. 
 
A stark white room, the size of a living room. The walls are covered with circular, plate-like indentions. A hexagonal-shaped control console with a cylindrical tube inset in center with machinery visible inside. Various antiques decorating the place. A monitor set into the upper wall. A shocked Susan. 
 
All inside a box no bigger than a closet.
 
The old man calmly walks inside.
 
OLD MAN: Close the door, Susan.
 
Susan hits a switch on the console, and the double doors behind the group closes.
 
OLD MAN: I believe these two people are known to you.
 
SUSAN: They're two of my schoolteachers! What are you doing here??
 
BARBARA: (looking around) Where are we?
 
OLD MAN: They must have followed you. That ridiculous school -- I knew something like this would happen if we stayed in one place too long -- ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ......
 
SUSAN: But why should they follow me --
 
BARBARA: Is this really where you live, Susan???
 
SUSAN: Yes.
 
OLD MAN: And what's wrong with it?
 
IAN: But it was just a telephone box....
 
OLD MAN: Perhaps.
 
BARBARA: And this is your grandfather...?
 
SUSAN: Yes.
 
 
 
BARBARA: Well, why didn't you tell us that?
 
OLD MAN: I don't discuss my private life with strangers. ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ......
 
 
 
IAN: But it was a police telephone box!!! I walked all around it!!! Barbara, you saw me --
 
OLD MAN: You don't deserve any explanations. You pushed your way in, uninvited and unwelcome.
 
BARBARA: I think we ought to leave....
 
IAN: Just a minute. I know this is absurd, but I feel.....I walked all around it!
 
 
 
The old man's attention is again distracted -- this time to an antique clock.
 
OLD MAN: It's stopped again, you know, and I've tried.....(notices Ian) Hmm? Oh, you wouldn't understand.
 
He walks back to the console. Ian follows him.
 
IAN: But I WANT to understand!!!
 
OLD MAN: Yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes.
 
The old man sheds his coat, scarf and hat at a coat rack.
 
OLD MAN: Oh by the way Susan, I've found a replacement for that faulty filament. Bit of an amateur job, but I think it'll serve nicely.
 
The old man fishes something out of his pocket and starts working it into the console.
 
IAN: It's an illusion. It must be.....
 
OLD MAN: What is he talking about now?
 
SUSAN: (growing panicked) What are you doing here???
 
 
 
OLD MAN: You don't understand, so you find excuses. Illusions, indeed? Let's say you've fit one of your largest buildings into one of your smaller sitting rooms?
 
IAN: No!
 
OLD MAN: But you've discovered television, haven't you?
 
IAN: Yes.....
 
OLD MAN: Then by showing one of your enormous buildings on your television screen, you can....do what seemed impossible, can't you?
 
IAN: Well.....yes, but I still don't know --
 
OLD MAN: No, no, no. Not quite clear, is it? I can see by your face that you're not quite certain. You don't understand. (laughs) I knew you wouldn't. Never mind. (he turns back to the console) Now let's see, which switch was it....? No, no, no....Ah yes, that is it! (flips the switch) The point is not whether you understand.....(turns back to Ian) What is going to happen to you, hmm? (to Susan) They'll tell everybody about the ship, I bet --
 
IAN: The ship....?
 
OLD MAN: Yes, yes, ship! This doesn't roll along on wheels, you know. ...... ...... ...... ...... ......
 
BARBARA: You mean....it moves?
 
SUSAN: The TARDIS can go anywhere.
 
BARBARA: TARDIS? I don't understand you, Susan.
 
SUSAN: Well, I made up the name TARDIS from the initials. Time And Relative Dimension In Space. I had thought you both would understand when you saw the different dimensions inside from those outside.
 
IAN: Let me get this straight. A thing that looks like a police box, standing in a junkyard....it can move anywhere in time and space?!? ...... ......
 
SUSAN: Yes!
 
OLD MAN: Quite so.
 
IAN: But that's ridiculous!
 
 
 
SUSAN: (exasperated) Oh, why won't they believe us?
 
BARBARA: Well, how can we?
 
OLD MAN: (puts his hands on Susan's shoulders) Now, now, don't get exasperated, Susan. Remember the Red Indian. When he saw the first steam train, his savage mind thought it was an illusion too.
 
IAN: (stung at the comparision) You're treating us like children!!
 
OLD MAN: Is that so? The children of my civilization would be insulted.
 
IAN: Your civilization?!?
 
OLD MAN: Yes, my civilization. I tolerate this century, but I don't enjoy it. Have you thought about what it's like to be wanderers in the fourth dimension? Have you? To be exiles? (motions to himself and Susan) Susan and I are cut off from our own planet, without friends or protection. But one day.... (he gazes off)... we shall get back. Yes, one day..... one day....
 
Susan's a little distraught as she turns to face the teachers.
 
SUSAN: It's true. Every word of it's true. You don't know what you've done coming here -- !!! (turns the old man around, begging, nearly crying) Grandfather, let them go now, please!! Look, if they don't understand, they can't....they can't hurt us at all! I understand these people better than you do....their minds reject things they don't understand.....
 
The old man's icy look is his answer. The girl's words seize up in her throat.
 
OLD MAN: No.
 
He turns back to the console.
 
IAN: He can't keep us here.....
 
BARBARA: Susan, can't you see that all this is an illusion? It's a game you and your grandfather are playing, if you like. But you can't expect us to believe it!
 
SUSAN: But it's not a game --
 
BARBARA: Susan --
 
SUSAN: It's not!! Look, I love your school. I love England in the 20'th century. These five months have been the happiest in my life.... ......
 
BARBARA: But you're one of us! You look like us, you sound like us.... ......
 
SUSAN: (tightly) I was born in another time. Another world.
 
IAN: Susan, you can't expect us to.... (he finally gives up, grabs Barbara's arm) Oh come on, Barbara, let's get out of here. ...... ...... ......
 
They start toward the double doors....which won't open.
 
SUSAN: No, you can't get out. He won't let you go.
 
They grab at the door, tugging. It won't budge. A whining (forcefield) squeals from the doors.
 
And at the other side of the room, the old man is laughing. ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ......
 
 
 
IAN: (points at the console) He closed the doors from over there. (starts toward it) I saw it.... (looks over the console) Which is it .... ? Which is it? Which control operates the door?!?
 
The old man saunters up to him. A huge ring is noticeable on his right hand.
 
OLD MAN: Still thinks it's all an illusion....
 
IAN: (hotly) I know free movement in time and space is a scientific dream I don't expect to find solved in a junkyard!! ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ......
 
OLD MAN: Oh, your arrogance is nearly as great as your ignorance! (laughs) ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ......
 
IAN: Will you open the door!?! OPEN THE DOOR!!! (to Susan) Susan, will you help us?
 
 
 
SUSAN: I mustn't!!
 
 
 
IAN: (sighs, faces the console) Very well then. I'll have to risk it myself. ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ......
 
OLD MAN: (still chuckling) I can't stop you.....
 
The old man's hand brushes a knob just as Ian's comes down on a button --
 
SUSAN: OH DON'T TOUCH IT!!! IT'S LIVE --
 
The shock flings Ian to the floor.
 
BARBARA: (helps him up) What on earth do you think you're DOING?!? ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ......
 
SUSAN: (hysterical) Grandfather, let them go now!! PLEASE!!! ...... ......
 
OLD MAN: And by tomorrow we should be a public spectacle!! A subject of news and idle gossip!!
 
 
 
He resolutely turns to the console. Susan moves to stop him.
 
SUSAN: They won't say anything..... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ......
 
 
 
OLD MAN: (claps hands on the girl's shouders) My dear child, of course they will. Put yourself in their place. They're bound to make some kind of complaint to the authorities -- or at the very least talk to their friends. (wags his finger at her) If I do let them go, Susan, you realize of course we must go too.
 
SUSAN: No. Grandfather, we've been through all this -- ! ...... ...... ...... ......
 
OLD MAN: (gently) There's no alternative. ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ... ... . . . . . .
 
SUSAN: I want to stay!! Look, they're both kind people. Why won't you trust them!? Look, if you make them promise to keep our secret -- .......................
 
 
 
OLD MAN: It's out of the question. ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ......
 
SUSAN: I won't go, Grandfather. I won't leave the 20'th century. I'd rather leave the TARDIS and you!!
 
OLD MAN: Now you're being sentimental and childish.
 
SUSAN: No, I'm being serious!
 
 
 
...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ......
 
The old man looks at her and the teachers. A beat. Then:
 
OLD MAN: Very well. Then you must go with them. I will open the door.
 
He turns to the console, flips a switch --
 
BARBARA: Are you coming, Susan?
 
 
 
-- another switch, a knob, a button -- the machinery in the cylindrical column starts to turn, lights coming on --
 
SUSAN: OH NO!!! GRANDFATHER, NO!!!!
 
She grabs at him, clawing, trying to pull him away -- he keeps working controls -- the TARDIS begins to shake --
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
OLD MAN: No -- Let me go!!! What are you -- GET BACK FROM THE SHIP!!! Hold it.....
 
The shaking worsens, and the teachers and Susan are flung to the ground -- a groaning, wheezing noise fills the air, building --
 
The cylindrical column begins to rise and fall -- ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ......
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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And on the monitor, an overhead view of London -- that shrinks, fades.....and is replaced by a blinding vortex of light and energy.... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ......
 

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