THE ROMANS
THE SLAVE TRADERS
Written by
DENNIS SPOONER
1: EXT. HILLSIDE
(The TARDIS materialises on a wooded cliffside. Against the sound of birdsong, it immediately begins to rock precariously on its base.)
2: INT. TARDIS. CONSOLE ROOM
(The DOCTOR switches off controls whilst IAN is the first to notice that not all is quite right with the TARDIS’s new landing site.)
DOCTOR: There we are! Safely down.
IAN: What’s that movement, Doctor?
DOCTOR: Mmm?
IAN: Well, surely you can feel it?
DOCTOR: What movement?
(BARBARA and VICKI rush to the console, as the rocking movement grows greater.)
BARBARA: Doctor! What’s happening?
DOCTOR: Oh!
IAN: Take off again Doctor!
DOCTOR: Hold on!
VICKI: We’re falling!
(The room suddenly lurches to one side.)
DOCTOR: Hold on, Hold on, Hold on!
(The companions are all thrown to one side and onto the floor.)
3: EXT. HILLSIDE
(The TARDIS falls off the cliffside and down into the valley.)
4: EXT. VALLEY
(The TARDIS lies at an angle at the bottom of the hill. Plants have grown over it...as if it has been there for some time.)
5: INT. VILLA
(IAN lies with his eyes closed...but suddenly puts a bunch of grapes to his mouth. He is lying on a Roman couch dressed in a toga. Nearby the DOCTOR, also
dressed in a toga, stops watering a pot plant to glance at the teacher.)
DOCTOR: (Laughs.) So, you’re awake at last, young man?
(IAN looks across at him but remains lying down.)
IAN: No need to say it like that Doctor. I thought the whole idea of us coming here was that we should all have a nice rest. (He sits up.)
DOCTOR: My dear boy, there’s a great deal of difference between resting and...being sort of, bone idle! (Laughs.)
(IAN gets up and walks over to the DOCTOR as he recommences his plant watering.)
IAN: Well, have a grape.
DOCTOR: No, thank you. I’ve had my breakfast.
IAN: Where are Barbara and Vicki. They gone down to the village?
(The DOCTOR seems to ignore his question.)
IAN: Don’t you think that plants had enough water, Doctor?
DOCTOR: The answer dear boy is pipes.
IAN: (Puzzled.) Pipes?
DOCTOR: Pipes, Chesterton, Pipes!
IAN: Oh!
DOCTOR: You see, the Romans, unfortunately, didn’t know how to transport water satisfactorily. That’s why they built their aqueducts. Now, if they’d
experimented with pipes!
IAN: Oh! I see what you’re getting at, yes.
DOCTOR: Good, good, yes, yes, they have!
(He starts to walk away.)
IAN: I beg your pardon?
DOCTOR: (Turning back.) Oh, my dear young man, why do you let your mind wander so? You asked me just now if Barbara and Vicki had gone down to the
village. I gave you a plain and simple answer: Yes - they have!
(IAN smiles ruefully.)
6: EXT. ROAD
(VICKI runs excitedly up a road, stopping to pick flowers. She looks back at BARBARA who follows behind at a much slower pace. Both wear long Roman dresses.)
VICKI: Come on, Barbara.
BARBARA: Oh, Vicki. There’s no need to be in such a hurry. The village isn’t going to run away. Oh, its so hot.
VICKI: It’s just that I want to get there before the market closes.
BARBARA: Alright, we’ll get there. But not so fast!
(BARBARA sits down to rest on a rock.)
VICKI: Oh, come on! Honestly, you’re getting as bad as Ian.
BARBARA: Oh, what’s that supposed to mean?
VICKI: Well...the way you spoke I thought we were going to have...adventures and see things. We’ve been here nearly a month and all everyone wants to
do is sit around and rest.
(She pulls BARBARA off her seat.)
BARBARA: Oh, Vicki! Look, the adventures come without us looking for them. And you’re finding out what it was like to live in Roman times.
VICKI: Oh, yes, in one little village miles away from Rome.
(In the bushes nearby, a man called ASCARIS sharpens a sword. He hears the women’s voices and rushes to the edge of the bushes to see.)
VICKI: (OOV.) How much longer do you think the Doctor will stay here, Barbara?
BARBARA: (OOV.) Oh, I’ve no idea. You can never tell with the Doctor. You just have to wait and see.
VICKI: (OOV.) What are you going to buy at the market?
(ASCARIS, seeing that they are no threat, melts back into the foliage.)
7: EXT. VILLAGE MARKET PLACE
(A bustling Roman market. A few feet away from the stalls, several people have gathered to listen to a Lyre player, MAXIMUS PETTULIAN, who somewhat resembles
the DOCTOR. Two men however, pay no attention to his tunes but look eagerly at the people around them as they walk between the stalls. These are SEVCHERIA and
DIDIUS his smaller, bearded companion. They are slave traders.)
DIDIUS: This is too small a place, Sevcheria. I can’t see us finding what we want here.
SEVCHERIA: It’s our last chance before Rome.
DIDIUS: Why? We pass through much bigger towns.
SEVCHERIA: Yes, and with legal representation. If we raid them, the repercussions will put us out of business.
DIDIUS: Then lets go back.
SEVCHERIA: Didius! The, slaves we’ve already brought from Gaul are in no condition for further travel and the quality as such, we shall have to take
far below the market price as it is.
(He suddenly spots BARBARA and VICKI who are looking round the market stalls and points them out to DIDIUS.)
DIDIUS: The two women, yes, very suitable, I agree. I doubt even the possibility.
SEVCHERIA: It will do no harm to make enquiries, Didius.
(DIDIUS steps forward to enquire but SEVCHERIA holds him back to observe. At one stall, VICKI, the flowers still in her hands, examines a roll of silken
cloth.)
VICKI: This will make a nice dress, don’t you think so, Barbara?
BARBARA: Mmm. Are you any good at dressmaking?
VICKI: No, but I thought you might be!
BARBARA: Oh, I see! Well, what sort of style would you like?
VICKI: I don’t know. What were the fashions like when you left London?
BARBARA: London? Never heard of it.
VICKI: But you told me that’s where you came from!
BARBARA: Ahh! You mean Londinium. “When in Rome...!”
(A woman STALL HOLDER interrupts.)
STALL HOLDER: Can I help you?
VICKI: (Laughing.) Yes, how much is this, please?
STALL HOLDER: Well now, what would you consider to be a fair price? Bearing in mind it’s the only length of its kind and the finest quality available.
VICKI: Yes, I know but how much are you asking?
STALL HOLDER: Well, its very difficult to put a price on something like this. It’s very hard to come by.
BARBARA: (Interrupting.) Yes, I’m sure it is. We’ll think about it and come back later.
(She walks away pulling VICKI after her.)
STALL HOLDER: (Calling after them.) Hey, one moment, please!
VICKI: Barbara, please? Can’t we buy it?
BARBARA: You should have learned by now that the price is much fairer when you’re not so eager to buy.
VICKI: What? Can we go back and buy it now?
(She starts to run back but BARBARA pulls her away.)
BARBARA: No! Not just yet!
(The two women walk away. SEVCHERIA and DIDIUS, seeing that the two women have gone, go up to the STALL HOLDER.)
SEVCHERIA: Good day to you. A fine selection.
STALL HOLDER: None finer this side of Rome.
SEVCHERIA: No thank you. My friend and I are not interested in buying cloth today. We are buying information.
(SEVCHERIA shows her some coins. Much to his disgust, the eager DIDIUS jumps straight in with his question.)
DIDIUS: The two who were just here....do you know them?
STALL HOLDER: (To SEVCHERIA.) By sight, not the name.
DIDIUS: But they do live here?
STALL HOLDER: Yes...
(SEVCHERIA gives her the coins.)
STALL HOLDER: They moved into a Villa just north of the town about a month ago. The owner, Flavius Guiscard is away campaigning in Gaul. We reckon
they’re friends of his looking after the house.
SEVCHERIA: How many of them are there?
(The STALL HOLDER holds out her hand. SEVCHERIA gives her some more coins.)
STALL HOLDER: Four. There are two men with them.
DIDIUS: Young?
(The STALL HOLDER again holds out her hand. SEVCHERIA puts another coin in it.)
STALL HOLDER: One of them is. They sell the produce of the gardens to the townsfolk here. Very cheaply too, they must be fools.
SEVCHERIA: But you’ve no idea where they come from?
STALL HOLDER: None...at least not until today...
(She holds out her hand and receives another coin.)
STALL HOLDER: One of the women mentioned a town, Londinium, I think she said. (SEVCHERIA nods.) Do you know it?
(DIDIUS coughs as some other people approach the stall.)
SEVCHERIA: (To the STALL HOLDER.) Thank you. You have been most helpful.
(SEVCHERIA and DIDIUS step aside.)
DIDIUS: The town they spoke of is in a place called Britannia. They are...
SEVCHERIA: (Interrupting.) ..are Britons.
DIDIUS: Yes!
SEVCHERIA: Perfect!
(The walk away. They pass MAXIMUS PETTULIAN who finishes playing. The people gathered round him applaud as he nods in greeting to them, picks up his Lyre and
walks away.)
8: EXT. ROAD
(On the road, ASCARIS watches unwitting passers-by...and waits. Shortly, MAXIMUS PETTULIAN walks by. ASCARIS grabs him from behind and drags him into the
bushes. His work is over in seconds. He re-sheathes his sword and walks away leaving the dead body of the Lyre player behind him.)
9: INT. VILLA
(The TARDIS crew has finished a sumptuous meal.)
DOCTOR: Mmm! Oh! Wonderful feast, my dear! I don’t know when I’ve enjoyed a meal more! Oh! What was it?
BARBARA: Well, the main course was breast of peacock.
(The DOCTOR chuckles in appreciation.)
IAN: Delicious!
BARBARA: With an orange and juniper sauce.
DOCTOR: Oh, exquisite!
BARBARA: Garnished with Larks tongues and baked Pomegranates...
DOCTOR: Oh fabulous, my dear, absolutely fabulous! What was it we had before, the sort of, “Hors d’oeuvres”, so to speak?
VICKI: That isn’t its name - French isn’t invented yet.
DOCTOR: Cha cha cha child! Barbara, what was it? Hmm?
BARBARA: Ant’s eggs in herbiscous honey.
DOCTOR: Oh, absolutely st....what did you say?
IAN: Ant’s eggs, Doctor.
DOCTOR: Yes, that’s what I thought she said - Ant’s eggs! What do you think I am - a Goldfish! Hmm?
(They all laugh.)
IAN: Oh, Doctor, there’s one thing I wanted to ask you.
DOCTOR: Well, go ahead my boy.
IAN: Now, er, what about the TARDIS?
DOCTOR: Well, what about it? Hmm?
IAN: Well, don’t you think we ought to go and have a look at it?
DOCTOR: Oh, so you want to move on, do you?
IAN: Move on? Certainly not! I’d like to stay here as long as possible.
DOCTOR: Good, that’s settled, settled, fine.
BARBARA: All the same, Doctor…
DOCTOR: Hmm?
BARBARA: I know what Ian means. It’s been three or four weeks since we left the TARDIS.
IAN: Yes, its not even the right way up.
DOCTOR: (Impatient.) How many times do I have to tell you that the TARDIS is quite safe where it is? It can take off from any angle. I’ve never
known such a pair of worriers! (He stands up.) Really! Good Heavens, I can’t wait to get away for a couple of days from you. You keep on and on and on
and on and on, Oh! Good gracious me! Really!
(He walks out of the room muttering to himself.)
IAN: Going away? (To BARBARA.) Do you know anything about this?
BARBARA: No. Not a thing.
IAN: Vicki?
VICKI: No, he hasn’t said anything to me. Can’t say I blame him though.
BARBARA: Blame him for what?
VICKI: Well, its alright living here but, its boring! No wonder he gets irritable.
IAN: Huh! That’s got nothing to do with living here, believe me!
(He walks over to the doorway through which the DOCTOR has just stepped.)
IAN: Doctor! You there?
(The DOCTOR walks out of another doorway with a bag in his hand. He steps up to the dining table and starts to fill the bag with food.)
DOCTOR: Well, I think these should last me two or three days, hmm?
IAN: You never told us you were going away?
(BARBARA walks away, clearing the items off the table.)
DOCTOR: Oh, Well I don’t know that I was under any obligation to report my movements to you, Chesterfield.
(BARBARA steps back at hearing this error.)
BARBARA: Chesterton
DOCTOR: (To IAN.) Oh, Barbara’s calling you!
(IAN looks at BARBARA in puzzlement as she walks out of the room but then realises the DOCTOR’S error. VICKI quietly laughs.)
VICKI: Where are you going Doctor?
DOCTOR: To Rome, my child.
VICKI: (Excited.) Oh can I come with you? I won’t be any trouble, I promise. Can I?
DOCTOR: Well, I, er...
VICKI: Please?
DOCTOR: Mmm. Very well then, very well,
(VICKI cries out in delight as BARBARA returns.)
IAN: Well, er, perhaps we’d all better come with you to Rome.
DOCTOR: But my dear chap, you...you just turned down my invitation.
IAN: I did?
DOCTOR: Yes, you said how glad you would be to stay here as long as possible.
BARBARA: Oh no, Doctor. That was before we knew your plans. Don’t you think it would be safer if Ian and I...
DOCTOR: (Interrupting.) What is this, what is this now? I know what you’re insinuating. Yes, that I’m not capable of taking care of myself,
eh? Huh! Safer indeed! Afraid to let me out of your sight, are you? Want to be my nursemaids? Well now, let me tell me something: I won’t stand for it.
Indeed, I will not stand for it. You want to go to Rome? Go! Go yourselves!
VICKI: Doctor, if you feel that...
DOCTOR: Yes, of course, my dear, come along, let’s set about our packing shall we? Come on, then. (They walk out of the room.) Yes, you know,
this is going to be your first exploration. You know, I think you’ll like Rome. Rome is fascinating, most interesting. I remember once when I was there and I
spoke to...
BARBARA: (Sitting down.) Well, I certainly said the wrong thing.
IAN: Oh, don’t worry, Barbara. Anything you’d said would have been wrong.
BARBARA: I suppose we’re lucky really: to have kept him inactive as long as we have.
IAN: True, true. Still, he can say what he likes. He’s enjoyed this rest as much as any of us.
(IAN adjusts his toga and sees that BARBARA is staring at him.)
IAN: What’s the matter? My slip showing?
BARBARA: No. I was just thinking what a splendid looking Roman you make.
IAN: Oh! (Laughs.) Well er, yes, if I wasn’t so modest, I’d agree with you!
BARBARA: It’s a pity there’s just one thing out of place.
IAN: Oh, where?
BARBARA: (Walking towards him.) That hair.
IAN: Hmm?
BARBARA: It just doesn’t go with those clothes.
IAN: Oh, yes, I know that but I...
BARBARA: (Takes his hand and pulls him towards a couch.) Come and sit down.
IAN: Eh?
BARBARA: Come and sit down!
IAN: Oh!
(She picks up an ornate comb.)
IAN: Now, just a minute, Barbara!
BARBARA: It won’t hurt, I got it in the market specially.
IAN: Yes, well, which market? (He jumps back and falls to the floor.) Oh!
BARBARA: Oh, don’t be such a baby. Come here.
(She starts combing out his 1963 side parting and adjusts his hair into a forward Roman style.)
IAN: How long do you think the Doctor will be away?
BARBARA: No idea. Why?
IAN: Well, the owner of this house could come back before he does. I... (He draws his breath in sharply as the teeth of the comb pull at his hair.)
That hurts, you know!
BARBARA: Sorry. Well, if he does come back, we can always go back to the TARDIS. (She finishes combing.) There. How’s that?
IAN: Feels awful.
BARBARA: Well, why don't you go and look in the spring?
(IAN gets up off the floor and goes over to a small fountain in the middle of the room where he examines his reflection in the water.)
IAN: Hey! Hey, that’s not too bad!
BARBARA: Well, it’s all part of the service. I take in washing too!
IAN: (Laughs.) Not bad at all.
(IAN coughs for attention, raises an arm dramatically, walks round the room and declaims from Act 3, Scene 2 of “Julius Caesar”)
IAN: “Friends, Romans, Countrymen! Lend me your ears. I come to bury Caesar, not to praise him!”
BARBARA: (To herself.) Oh boy, that was a mistake.
10: EXT. ROADSIDE (NIGHT)
DIDIUS: I’ve finished feeding them, Sevcheria.
SEVCHERIA: Good. They need all the fattening they can get.
(SEVCHERIA looks over at a nearby cart to which are chained several slaves eating a meal. One of them, a young girl, cries next to an older woman.)
SEVCHERIA: Not many in the consignment is there?
DIDIUS: They’re a poor looking bunch.
SEVCHERIA: Ah well, if we’re to get the four from the villa, we’d better get moving, Didius.
(They walk into a nearby tent.)
11: INT. TENT
(They pick up some swords from a table.)
SEVCHERIA: As soon as we get back, we’ll break camp. We shall be away from here tonight.
DIDIUS: Before any local enquiries arise, is that the idea?
SEVCHERIA: (Laughs.) We’ll make a slave trader of you yet, Didius! Come on, lets get them.
12: INT. VILLA
(BARBARA relaxes on a couch as IAN lies on the floor at her feet. They both hold goblets.)
BARBARA: You know Ian, I could get used to this sort of life.
IAN: Mmm. I already have.
(IAN drinks his goblet dry.)
IAN: Oh...what about another drink?
BARBARA: Oh, yes, I’d love one.
(They each go to pass their goblets to each other. IAN is the one to give in and takes BARBARA’S goblet off her.)
BARBARA: Thank you.
(IAN pours some more drinks from a jug.)
IAN: No ice, I’m afraid.
BARBARA: There’s some in the fridge.
IAN: Ah.
(He starts to walk out of the room but stops when he realises he has been taken in. BARBARA, who has been watching him, bursts into laughter.)
IAN: Very funny, very funny!
BARBARA: (Laughing.) You went!
(He passes BARBARA her goblet, sits and raises his drink.)
IAN: Well here’s to the first fridge!
BARBARA: Cheers!
IAN: (Drinks, then...) Ahh...Oh..Tempera, Oh Morese!
(The smile disappears from his face as he suddenly hears a sound.)
IAN: Did you hear something, Barbara?
BARBARA: No. Like what?
IAN: (Getting up and listening.) There’s someone out there.
BARBARA: (Joining him.) No, you must be imagining things.
IAN: No, no, I’m not. Who’s there?
(He walks across the room to a doorway and calls out again.)
IAN: What do you want?
(DIDIUS enters by another door, his sword raised.)
IAN: Who are you?
BARBARA: (Swivels round as SEVCHERIA approaches her from the other side with his sword.) Ian!?
SEVCHERIA: Where are the others?
BARBARA: (Nervous.) They’re not here, they’ve gone away.
IAN: We can explain, if you put up your swords.
SEVCHERIA: Did you hear that, Didius, they can explain.
(DIDIUS laughs. IAN grabs him and throws him into the fountain.)
IAN: Run Barbara!
(SEVCHERIA runs at IAN and starts to struggle with him. BARBARA rushes forward, picks up a vase and smashes it down - but onto IAN’S head in error! He
collapses to the ground.)
BARBARA: Oh, Ian! Ian!
(SEVCHERIA hoists BARBARA over his shoulder.)
SEVCHERIA: Lets get them back to the camp.
BARBARA: Ian, wake up!
(She screams as SEVCHERIA carries her from the room. DIDIUS holds his sword up to a semi-conscious IAN.)
13: EXT. ROAD (NIGHT)
(The DOCTOR and VICKI walk down a road on their way to Rome and approach a statue.)
DOCTOR: Well, what have we here?
VICKI: Just another dreary old statue.
DOCTOR: Oh, it might be somebody famous, my child.
(He looks for an inscription but notes something in the bushes.)
DOCTOR: What’s this...wait there dear.
(The DOCTOR walks into the shrubbery and, despite his instruction to the contrary, VICKI follows. They find the body of MAXIMUS PETTULIAN.)
VICKI: Oh, the poor man!
DOCTOR: Yes, he’s dead, and it doesn’t look a natural death to me.
VICKI: It’s a lonely stretch of road. Maybe he was set upon by robbers? They did happen in this time, didn’t they?
DOCTOR: They did, my dear, yes, but that isn’t the answer here. (He picks up the Lyre.) They’ve left his belongings too.
VICKI: Maybe they didn’t have time.
DOCTOR: Oh they had plenty of time to drag him off the road.
(VICKI looks closer at PETTULIAN.)
VICKI: Doctor! I’ve seen him before. He was playing in the square when Barbara and I went to the market.
DOCTOR: Yes, well, there is nothing we can do for him now, my dear, no, nothing at a...
(He suddenly sees a CENTURION on the other side of the road probing the bushes with his sword.)
DOCTOR: (To VICKI.) Stay here!
VICKI: Yeah!
(The DOCTOR approaches the CENTURION, still holding the Lyre.)
DOCTOR: Good evening. Are you looking for somebody, something, er?
CENTURION: Why, yes, I am.
DOCTOR: Er, tell me, er do you always wave that sword about like that?
CENTURION: Well what do you mean?
DOCTOR: Well, you can easily kill someone. Swords are dangerous, you know.
(The CENTURION sheathes his sword.)
DOCTOR: (Laughs.) Yes, thank you, that’s better. Now tell me, er, whom or what, er, you, er, were you looking for?
CENTURION: Is that your Lyre?
DOCTOR: W...why? Have you lost one?
CENTURION: No, no, only if it is yours....
DOCTOR: And what if it is? Hmm?
CENTURION: Why, it’s you I’m looking for.
DOCTOR: Oh... (Nervous.) oh, I see, yes...
CENTURION: You must be Maximus Pettulian from Corinth whose skill as a musician is talked of even in Rome.
DOCTOR: Really? (Laughs.) Most interesting.
CENTURION: We expected you in Assessium yesterday. When you failed to arrive, I sent my men out to search for you. I count it my good fortune that I’ve
personally found you unharmed.
DOCTOR: If I am the man you’re looking for, tell me why should I be harmed? Hmm?
CENTURION: All roads to Rome are dangerous for travellers. When you sent word that you intended to make your way on foot, playing your Lyre for the
people, it caused great concern at court.
DOCTOR: (Immediately interested.) At court?
CENTURION: (As VICKI steps forward.) Caesar Nero’s court. The Emperor of all Rome is very concerned for your safe arrival. He looks forward to
discussing your music with you.
DOCTOR: The Emperor! Nero eh! Ah ha! Yes, of course, I, er, I have heard that he that he plucks a string or two! Yes...es. Oh, the child, she travels
with me. She keeps her eye on all the Lyres!!
(VICKI smiles aside.)
CENTURION: And if you're ready, we’ll travel to Assessium and then my men will escort you the rest of the way.
DOCTOR: Very well, we’ll just attend to our...er...imperimetre. (They walk a few feet away.)
VICKI: (Whispers.) Doctor, I know this...
DOCTOR: (Interrupting.) At court, I must be very important!
VICKI: Listen, I know he’s mistaken you for that man but we can’t go with him!
DOCTOR: But why not, my child? I’m sure he knows more about this business than he admits. And we shall never get a better chance of meeting Nero.
VICKI: But Doctor, you don’t even know your own name!
DOCTOR: Oh, of course I do, my dear. It...it...it...it’s... (He struggles to answer.)
CENTURION: (Calling out.) Maximus Pettulian? If you’re ready?
DOCTOR: Oh, yes, yes, quite, quite, er, my child, yes.
(The DOCTOR and VICKI walk off down the road. The CENTURION watches with a slight shake of the head and an expression that is anything but friendly.)
14: INT. TENT
(A SLAVE BUYER is negotiating with SEVCHERIA and DIDIUS in their tent.)
SLAVE BUYER: Quite a stroke of luck meeting your train here, it’ll save me a trip into Rome.
SEVCHERIA: Always assuming we can reach a satisfactory agreement.
SLAVE BUYER: I’ll give you a fair price. We need the replacements urgently.
SEVCHERIA: Three you say?
SLAVE BUYER: Yes...
SLAVE BUYER: How much for the British woman?
DIDIUS: More than you can afford, friend.
SLAVE BUYER: The woman goes with us to Rome. You can follow and bid if you like.
SLAVE BUYER: (Laughs.) No harm in asking I say! Alright, three men. (He holds up a bag of coins.) Seven hundred.
SEVCHERIA: Each?
(The SLAVE BUYER laughs again.)
15: EXT. ROADSIDE
(The sound of the laughter reaches IAN as he tries to undo the chains that bind him and BARBARA to the wheel of the cart. The sound of the financial
negotiations can be heard from the tent.)
IAN: Arrr, no good, we’ll have to try something else.
BARBARA: Yes.
IAN: They say we’re going to move tonight, Barbara. We’ll escape then.
BARBARA: (Unconvinced.) Will we?
IAN: Barbara, I know it looks bad, but...
BARBARA: (Interrupting.) Bad? Have you any idea how the Roman’s treated their slaves? Or how many of them escaped? Besides, time is against us.
IAN: The Doctor!
BARBARA: I haven’t been able to think about anything else. When he and Vicki get back from Rome...
IAN: Well, they’ll wait for us. (Almost to himself.) They must wait for us.
BARBARA: Yes, they’ll wait for us. But for how long?
(IAN tries to undo the chains again. DIDIUS sees his struggles, checks the chains, then hits him across the face.)
16: INT. TENT
(An agreement has been reached. The SLAVE BUYER gives SEVCHERIA his bag of coins as DIDIUS rejoins them.)
SLAVE BUYER: A thousand it is and I have the choice.
SEVCHERIA: Thank you. You’ve done yourself a good nights work.
SLAVE BUYER: You’re robbing me and you know it.
(They both laugh)
SEVCHERIA: Come on, let’s inspect the goods.
(They walk out of the tent...)
17: EXT. ROADSIDE
(...and over to the prisoners. The SLAVE BUYER quickly looks BARBARA over, then examines two men next to her.)
SLAVE BUYER: I’ll have these two... (And then looks at IAN.) and that one.
SEVCHERIA: Didius?
(DIDIUS undoes IAN’S chain and thrusts him at the SLAVE BUYER.)
SEVCHERIA: Don’t forget, you can bid for the woman in Rome if you like.
IAN: (Quietly to BARBARA.) Rome - I’ll look for you in Rome. (BARBARA nods.)
SLAVE BUYER: (Laughs to SEVCHERIA.) Rome? I shan’t be going anywhere near Rome. Come on then, march!
(He pushes them away as BARBARA calls out in desperation.)
BARBARA: Ian! Ian! Ian!
18: INT. VILLA AT ASSESSIUM
(The CENTURION paces the room angrily. The mute assassin, ASCARIS, enters the room. The CENTURION grabs him.)
CENTURION: You fool! I went to where the body should have been and there he was alive.
(ASCARIS, frightened, attempts to answer but only guttural sounds come out.)
CENTURION: Nero pays well when better musicians than he are put out of the way and you failed, you fool!
(He throws ASCARIS to the floor.)
CENTURION: But you’re lucky this time. I brought him back here so you have another chance to earn your fee. (ASCARIS gets to his feet.) Take
it. Maximus Pettulian is in the room above. Fail me again and you’ll lose more than your tongue!
(ASCARIS makes more guttural sounds and runs away.)
19: INT. VILLA AT ASSESSIUM. OUTSIDE THE DOCTOR’S ROOM
(ASCARIS approaches a curtained doorway. The DOCTOR can be heard inside, strumming on the Lyre.)
DOCTOR: (OOV: Laughing.) I’m sure even Nero can play better than that!
(ASCARIS pulls out a sword, looks round and starts to pull aside the curtain...)
Next Episode
ALL ROADS LEAD TO ROME
Dr. Who
WILLIAM HARTNELL
Ian Chesterton
WILLIAM RUSSELL
Barbara Wright
JACQUELINE HILL
Vicki
MAUREEN O’BRIEN
Sevcheria
DEREK SYDNEY
Didius
NICOLAS EVANS
Centurion
DENNIS EDWARDS
Stall Holder
MARGOT THOMAS
Slave Buyer
EDWARD KELSEY
Maximus Pettulian
BART ALLISON
Ascaris
BARRY JACKSON
Title music by
RON GRAINER
with the BBC Radiophonic
Workshop
Incidental music
composed and
conducted by
RAYMOND JONES
Designer
RAYMOND P. CUSICK
Associate Producer
MERVYN PINFIELD
Producer
VERITY LAMBERT
Directed by
CHRISTOPHER BARRY
(c) BBC TV
Transcribed By
JOHN TOMLINSON