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...)
THE
AMBASSADORS
OF DEATHBY
DAVID
WHITAKEREPISODE 6
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 dead. 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 shoot?
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 attack 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 dead by now. We could use missiles 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 attack! 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 attack 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 weapons 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 murdered.(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 killed and now this man Lennox murdered 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 explosive that killed 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 killed 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 killed 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 kill 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 dead? 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 missile 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 dead...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 dead?
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 gun. 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 killed.
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 gun.)
GENERAL CARRINGTON: It's my moral duty.
(He points his gun straight at the DOCTOR.)
Doctor Who
JON PERTWEELiz Shaw
CAROLINE JOHNBrigadier Lethbridge Stewart
NICHOLAS COURTNEYRalph Cornish
RONALD ALLENGeneral Carrington
JOHN ABINERIReegan
WILLIAM DYSARTAlien Space Captain
PETER NOEL COOKAlien's Voice
PETER HALLIDAYVan Lyden
RIC FELGATELefee
STEVE PETERSMichaels
NEVILLE SIMONSControl Room Assistants
JOANNA ROSS
CARL CONWAYTitle Music by
RON GRAINER AND
BBC RADIOPHONIC
WORKSHOPIncidental Music by
DUDLEY SIMPSONFilm Cameraman
A.A. ENGLANDER
TONY LEGGOFilm Editor
DON GODDENVisual Effects
PETER DAYScript Editor
TERRANCE DICKSDesigner
DAVID MYERSCOUGH-JONESProducer
BARRY LETTSDirected by
MICHAEL FERGUSON
