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THE
SEA
DEVILS

BY
MALCOLM HULKE

EPISODE ONE


1: INT. SS PEVENSEY CASTLE. RADIO ROOM (NIGHT)

(In the radio room of the SS Pevensey Castle, a RADIO OPERATOR grabs a chair and sits before his radio set. He wears an orange lifejacket. Outside the room, screams of terror and fear can be heard from his shipmates. He grabs the radio mike and switches on the set.)

RADIO OPERATOR: (Into radio.) Mayday. Mayday. SS...


2: INT. NAVAL BASE. RADIO ROOM (NIGHT)

(At the naval base, LDG. TELEGRAPHIST BOWMAN is on duty and picks up the signal from his set through his headphones.)

RADIO OPERATOR: (OOV: Over radio.) ...Pevensey Castle - we're being attacked!
LDG. TELEGRAPHIST BOWMAN: (Into radio.) Give your position, please! Give your position!

(Through the doorway in the room beyond, the commander of the base - CAPTAIN HART - enters coughing having been interrupted from his sleep. He switches on the light and walks through to the radio room. He wears his uniformed greatcoat. He walks through to the radio room and joins BOWMAN.)

CAPTAIN HART: What is it?
LDG. TELEGRAPHIST BOWMAN: It's a Mayday, sir. SS Pevensey Castle - they say they're being attacked!


3: INT. SS PEVENSEY CASTLE. RADIO ROOM (NIGHT)

RADIO OPERATOR: (Into radio.) We're abandoning ship! We're abandoning ship! Our position is...

(He stops as a scaly hand grabs the microphone. He jumps backwards from his chair in shock and raises his hands to his face and screams in terror...)


4: EXT. SEA

(A small boat crosses a calm sea heading towards a series of small islands. The DOCTOR and JO are at in the boat. The DOCTOR is protected from the breeze by his cloak while JO is open to the elements from the white trouser suit she wears. The owner of the boat, ROBBINS, points ahead.)

ROBBINS: That's it over there.

(The DOCTOR holds his hand up against the sun but the black duffel-coated ROBBINS hands him a pair of binoculars. The DOCTOR looks through them and sees a Victorian gothic folly castle ahead near the shoreline. It has several turrets and a round tower. The DOCTOR hands the binoculars to JO.)

DOCTOR: There you are, Jo. That's the Master's permanent residence from now on.
JO: Well let's hope he's still there.


5: EXT QUAYSIDE

(The little boat comes by the side of a jetty. The DOCTOR jumps out and grabs the rope which he ties to the side.)

DOCTOR: Okay.

(Having secured the boat, the DOCTOR and JO walk down the jetty followed by ROBBINS. At the end of the jetty a minimoke waits, driven by a man dressed in a uniform which includes a blue round necked jumper, a short black cloak and a beret.

ROBBINS: I'll be back in a couple of hours to take you over to the mainland.
DOCTOR: Right.

(ROBBINS collects a motorcycle while the DOCTOR and JO squeeze into the minimoke. The driver starts up the vehicle and they move off.)


6: EXT. CASTLE

(Within the gothic castle...)


7: INT. CASTLE. GOVERNOR'S OFFICE

(...a man, past middle age, picks up a telephone in his office in his slightly shaking hands. The room is a mixture of stone-lined ancient with modern office needs,)

TRENCHARD: (Into phone.) Yes?
CASTLE GUARD BARCLAY: (OOV: Over phone.) Main gate. Two visitors for the prisoner, sir, from UNIT. Passes all in order, sir.
TRENCHARD: (Into phone.) Right, send them up.


8: EXT. CASTLE

(Having passed through the main gate, the minimoke pulls up at the castle itself and is greeted by several armed guards. One of them escorts the DOCTOR and JO inside.)


9: INT. CASTLE. GOVERNOR'S OFFICE

(The slightly elderly man, TRENCHARD, is now sat at the desk, writing. The DOCTOR and JO are shown in through an arched doorway in the stone wall by the guard who waits in the room with them. JO coughs but TRENCHARD continues to write as if unaware of their presence. JO and the DOCTOR smile at each other and then he makes a pronouncement to the Governor...)

DOCTOR: Well, I suppose we could always come back later!

(TRENCHARD looks up.)

TRENCHARD: Oh, yes, of course. (Coughs.) You'll be the chappy from UNIT.

(JO walks forward and extends her hand.)

JO: My name's Josephine Grant. How do you do? And this is the Doctor.

(He shakes the DOCTOR'S hand.)

TRENCHARD: Colonel Trenchard. Delighted to meet you. Pleasant trip?
DOCTOR: Yes, thank you.
TRENCHARD: You're late, you know?
JO: Yes, we were held up.

(He gets up with a paper in his hand and walks across to the guard.)

TRENCHARD: Mmm, thought you might have sunk without trace.
JO: Sunk?
TRENCHARD: Happens all the time recently.
DOCTOR: What does?

(He hands the paper to the guard who leaves the room.)

TRENCHARD: Ship's vanishing. Makes you think, doesn't it?
DOCTOR: It does indeed.
TRENCHARD: Now then - passes?
DOCTOR: Er, well look, we've been through all that ___.
TRENCHARD: (Interrupts.) We don't take any chances here. Let's see them.

(JO passes them to him as he returns to his desk.)

TRENCHARD: Oh. Ah yes, from UNIT.
DOCTOR: That's right, yes.
TRENCHARD: Yes...

(He looks over them.)

TRENCHARD: Ah, jolly good. Well, you'll be wanting to see the prisoner?

(He stamps the passes.)

DOCTOR: That was the general idea.
TRENCHARD: He's an interesting chap, you know.

(TRENCHARD signs the passes.)

TRENCHARD: You'll enjoy talking to him.
DOCTOR: If ever I get the opportunity. Has he given you any trouble as yet?
TRENCHARD: Not a bit.
JO: You've got to be joking! He must have tried to escape?
TRENCHARD: You've seen our security precautions. Anyway, we're on an island.
DOCTOR: Has he tried to hypnotise any of the guards, by any chance?
TRENCHARD: Not at all. All our men are completely immune to hypnotism.
JO: How can you be so sure?
TRENCHARD: Prove it to you.

(He presses an intercom button on his desk and speaks into it.)

TRENCHARD: Trenchard here. Send that new man, er, Wilson, in to see the prisoner.

(He switches off the unit and gets up from his desk. He crosses the room behind the DOCTOR and JO.)

TRENCHARD: Now then, come over here and take a look into this screen.

(TRENCHARD switches on the screen and a venetian-blind effect monitor becomes a view on the MASTER'S room. He sits wearing a white top and trousers and wearing a cloak, He assiduously reads a book. The room is brick lined and although not luxuriously furnished, is comfortable enough.)

DOCTOR: (Smiles.) My word, he's putting on weight!

(JO laughs.)

TRENCHARD: Poor chap, he can't get the exercise. Now then, watch.


10: INT. CASTLE. MASTER'S ROOM

(One of the black-cloaked guards enters the MASTER'S room.)

CASTLE GUARD WILSON: Mr. Trenchard sent me, sir - to see if you wanted your book changed?
MASTER: Well, that's very kind of him, but, erm, I haven't quite finished yet.
CASTLE GUARD WILSON: Right you are, sir.

(WILSON heads for the green metal door.)

MASTER: Just a minute.

(The guard stops.)

MASTER: You're new here, aren't you?
CASTLE GUARD WILSON: Arrived yesterday, sir.

(He turns to leave again.)

MASTER: Wait...do you know who I am?
CASTLE GUARD WILSON: (Puzzled.) You're the prisoner.

(The MASTER fixes him with his hypnotic stare...)

MASTER: I am the Master...come here.

(WILSON walks over to the MASTER who stands and stares intently into his eyes.)

MASTER: I am the Master...you will obey me! You understand? You will obey me!

(WILSON is unaffected...)

CASTLE GUARD WILSON: You'll let us know when you've finished with the book, sir?

(He walks out leaving a furious and frustrated MASTER behind.)


11: INT. CASTLE. GOVERNOR'S OFFICE

TRENCHARD: You see?

(He switches off the monitor.)

DOCTOR: Yes, very impressive. Erm, perhaps we could see him now, yes?
TRENCHARD: Certainly, this way.

(He goes to the door and opens it. He gestures to JO.)

TRENCHARD: After you, my dear.

(As JO walks out, TRENCHARD pats her on the shoulder. The DOCTOR follows.)


12: INT. CASTLE. PASSAGE OUTSIDE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE

(In the passage, TRENCHARD leads the way past two waiting guards.)


13: INT. CASTLE. MASTER'S ROOM

(The MASTER is exercising on a rowing machine.)


14: INT. CASTLE. PASSAGE OUTSIDE MASTER'S ROOM

(TRENCHARD leads the way down a flight of steps and gestures to another guard for the door to the MASTER'S room to be unlocked. TRENCHARD walks in.)


15: INT. CASTLE. MASTER'S ROOM

(The MASTER stops rowing.)

TRENCHARD: Visitors for you.

(The MASTER seems genuinely pleased to see them.)

MASTER: Why, Doctor! And Miss Grant! What a very pleasant surprise!

(The DOCTOR smiles, slightly embarrassed.)

DOCTOR: Yes, well, er, how are you?
MASTER: Well, as you see, very well. Trying to keep fit.
TRENCHARD: Yes, well, I'll leave you all together. Er, give the guard a shout when you want to leave.
DOCTOR: Thank you, Colonel.

(TRENCHARD walks out. The MASTER gets up off his rowing machine and laughs gently as he towels himself.)

MASTER: He's quite a decent sort really. Used to be the Governor of a colony once, so he tells me.
DOCTOR: Very small colony, wasn't it? In fact, I believe they, er, they claimed independence soon after he arrived!

(The two men laugh.)

JO: He seems to be looking after you very well.
MASTER: Oh, yes, I've got everything I want - except of course my freedom.

(The DOCTOR grows serious...)

DOCTOR: You can consider yourself lucky. Quite a few people were in favour of having you executed.
MASTER: My dear Doctor, don't think I'm not grateful. I've had a chance to think about things while I've been in here.
DOCTOR: Have you now?
MASTER: I wish that something like this had happened a long time ago.
JO: Well, surely you don't like being locked up?
MASTER: No, but...it's given me a chance to reconsider my life.

(He goes into the next room.)

DOCTOR: Am I to take it that you're a changed man?


16: INT. CASTLE. BATHROOM

(The MASTER washes his hands watched by the DOCTOR and JO from the other room.)

MASTER: Is that so very incredible? After all, I do have a great deal with which to repent.
JO: You're telling us!
DOCTOR: In that case, perhaps you'd like to tell me the whereabouts of your TARDIS?

(The MASTER puts on blue dressing gown.)

MASTER: So that you could use it in order to escape from this planet, Doctor?


17: INT. CASTLE. MASTER'S ROOM

DOCTOR: No, so that I can make absolutely certain that you can't!

(The MASTER rejoins them.)

MASTER: No, I'm sorry. That is too much to ask.

(The atmosphere in the room sours.)

DOCTOR: Ask a silly question. Come on, Jo. I think we'd better be going.

(He shows JO to the door but the DOCTOR has one more question...)

DOCTOR: Er, is there anything that I can do for you at all?
MASTER: There is one thing - please come in now and then to have a chat. Oh, Trenchard's a very nice man, but, er, his conversation is somewhat limited.
JO: (Smiles.) Goodbye.
MASTER: Goodbye, Miss Grant.

(She walks out.)

MASTER: And goodbye, Doctor. I sincerely hope we meet again very soon.

(He holds out his hand. The DOCTOR goes to shake it but thinks better and holds up his hand in a wave which the MASTER reciprocates.)

DOCTOR: Goodbye.

(The MASTER laughs gently as the DOCTOR walks out and the door is locked after him. The MASTER divests himself of his dressing gown and gets back on the rowing machine. Before he takes the first stroke, he laughs again, but this is no gentle friendly laugh - it is one of triumph and cunning.)


18: INT. CASTLE. GOVERNOR'S OFFICE

(The DOCTOR and JO are back in the governor's office but without TRENCHARD. The DOCTOR looks pre-occupied.)

JO: Doctor?
DOCTOR: Mmm?
JO: You felt sorry for him, didn't you? You wanted to come down here and see that was all right?
DOCTOR: (Quietly.) Well, he used to be a friend of mine once. A very good friend. In fact, you might almost say we were at school together.
JO: How long's he going to be here?
DOCTOR: Forever, I should think.

(TRENCHARD comes back in.)

TRENCHARD: Ah, ready for off then? I'd better stamp your passes.
DOCTOR: What - again?

(JO hands them to him.)

TRENCHARD: Gotta be checked in and out, old man. It's the rule.

(TRENCHARD sits at his desk and starts to stamps the passes.)

TRENCHARD: Well, we don't look after him too badly, do we?
DOCTOR: No indeed. But I advise you to be careful. He's a very dangerous man.
TRENCHARD: Ah, don't worry. I keep my eye on him.

(TRENCHARD hands the passes back to JO.)

TRENCHARD: There you are, my dear. Come along, now then.
JO: Thank you.

(TRENCHARD heads for the door.)

TRENCHARD: I'll get one of my chaps to run you down to the quayside.
DOCTOR: Thank you.


19: EXT. CASTLE

(The DOCTOR and JO are escorted out of the castle by a guard. They climb into a waiting minimoke and are driven off. As they proceed down the drive, the DOCTOR gives a troubled look back at the castle. JO notices this and does the same.)


20: INT. CASTLE. MASTER'S ROOM

(TRENCHARD re-enters the MASTER'S room. The man himself is sat making notes.)

TRENCHARD: There we are then. Fooled them nicely, didn't we?
MASTER: I hope so.
TRENCHARD: What about that hypnotism wheeze, eh? That took 'em in!
MASTER: Don't underestimate the Doctor.

(He goes over to a metal bookcase and takes down a book.)

MASTER: Do you really believe that he came here to see me?
TRENCHARD: Why else?
MASTER: Vanishing ships, of course.
TRENCHARD: Oh. I don't think so. No, he didn't seem particularly interested when I mentioned it.

(The MASTER spins round furiously.)

MASTER: You did what?!
TRENCHARD: Oh, just chatting. No harm done, surely?
MASTER: (Sighs.) Let's hope not. By the way, what about those admiralty charts I asked for?
TRENCHARD: Er, they'll be here this afternoon.
MASTER: Ah, splendid. Er, there is one more thing...
TRENCHARD: Yes?
MASTER: I wonder, do you think I could have another television set - for the bedroom?
TRENCHARD: Yes, yes, I'm sure that's possible.
MASTER: Er, colour, of course.
TRENCHARD: Of course! Well, if you'll excuse me?

(He walks out.)


21: EXT. QUAYSIDE

(The DOCTOR and ROBBINS walk down the jetty.)

ROBBINS: Ah, it's true. Three ships vanished. Summit queer going on, for all they're tryin' to hush it up.
DOCTOR: Well, who's trying to hush it up?
ROBBINS: Well, them over at the naval base - the secret research establishment.
DOCTOR: You seem to know a great deal about all this.
ROBBINS: Well, I'm in the lifeboat crew, aren't I? We went out to look for survivors. Only found the one lifeboat - capsized. One that was all charred in a sort of pattern.
DOCTOR: Well, where's this boat now?
ROBBINS: Ah, the navy took it. Told us to keep our mouths shut.
DOCTOR: Well, where's this naval base, then?

(ROBBINS points to the right.)

ROBBINS: Over beyond the headland.
DOCTOR: Right, well perhaps you'd like to take me there straight away?
ROBBINS: Mr. Trenchard paid me to bring you out here and take you back. You want to go over to the naval base, then you make your own arrangements.

(They reach the end of the jetty.)

DOCTOR: Yes, well you're...probably perfectly right.

(The DOCTOR takes a note out of his pocket and holds it up.)

DOCTOR: Look, erm, I wonder whether you'd like to go and see what's happening to my young friend? Erm, she said she was going to buy some picture postcards.
ROBBINS: I don't mind.
DOCTOR: I'd go myself, only, er...my bad leg's playing me up a bit - the Crimea, you know?
ROBBINS: I see. (Puzzled.) Crimea?
DOCTOR: Oh, Gallipoli? El Alamein?
(He holds up the note again.)
DOCTOR: Does it really matter?
ROBBINS: I reckon not.

(He takes the note and walks off. As soon as he has gone, the DOCTOR lets the rope of the boat go, climbs aboard, starts the motor up and sails off. ROBBINS, money in hand, watches him go.)


22: EXT. NAVAL BASE. ENTRANCE

(Two ratings stand guard on the entrance. The sign on the barrier reads "HMS SEASPITE. NAVAL RESEARCH ESTABLISHMENT". In an office overlooking the entrance, CAPTAIN HART stands at the window dictating a letter to his secretary, 3RD OFFICER JANE BLYTHE.)

CAPTAIN HART: And I regret to inform your Lordships...


23: INT. NAVAL BASE. CAPTAIN HART'S OFFICE

(He steps away from the window.)

CAPTAIN HART: ...that our investigations have failed to reveal any clue as to the cause of the sinkings, full stop. The charred ship's lifeboat will be sent to our laboratory at HMS Vernon, Portsmouth, for investigation and analysis.

(He paces back to the window.)

CAPTAIN HART: Meanwhile, we are keeping careful watch...

(He stops.)

3RD OFFICER JANE BLYTHE: Yes, sir?
CAPTAIN HART: Come and look at this!

(She joins him at the window.)


24: EXT. NAVAL BASE

CAPTAIN HART: What on Earth...?

(Through the window they see the DOCTOR in his boat getting near the beach.)

3RD OFFICER JANE BLYTHE: Perhaps he's lost, sir?
CAPTAIN HART: This place is supposed to be top secret!


25: INT. NAVAL BASE. CAPTAIN HART'S OFFICE

(He goes to a phone on his desk.)

CAPTAIN HART: People treating it like Brighton beach! (Into phone.) Get me the Master-at-arms. (He waits, then...) Captain Hart here. I don't know whether you've noticed but there happens to be a stray civilian chugging into the base! Get on to it, will you?!
3RD OFFICER JANE BLYTHE: Sir, he's making straight for the lifeboat!


 

26: EXT. NAVAL BASE

(The DOCTOR has made his way through a wire fence and is approaching the upturned burnt lifeboat. He takes out a magnifying glass and starts to look at the hull. He hears a cry behind him.)

NAVAL OFFICER: Oy! You!

(He turns and sees the Master-at-arms and five armed ratings running up to him. He is unfazed.)

DOCTOR: Good afternoon! I wonder whether I could see your commanding officer?

(The sailors look down on him in puzzlement.)


27: EXT. QUAYSIDE

(JO hands ROBBINS a ten pound note.)

ROBBINS: Thank you, Miss.

(He takes off his motorcycle helmet and hands it to JO.)

ROBBINS: Look after it for me, won't you?
JO: Don't worry. I'll bring it back just as soon as I've found the Doctor.

(JO puts the helmet on and climbs on the bike. She starts it up and rides up the jetty and off towards the base.)


28: INT. CASTLE. MASTER'S ROOM

(The MASTER switches on a screen on the wall of his room. It is a venetian-blind type like that in the governor's office. On it is an episode of "The Clangers". The MASTER sits back and smiles as he watches. After a moment, he starts to imitate the creature's whistles. TRENCHARD walks in with a rolled up chart under his arm.)

TRENCHARD: What are you watching?
MASTER: It seems to be a rather interesting extra-terrestrial life form!

(TRENCHARD looks from the television to the MASTER in puzzlement.)

TRENCHARD: Only puppets, you know? For children.
MASTER: Oh.

(The MASTER walks over and switches the set off with a sigh at TRENCHARD'S lack of humour.)

TRENCHARD: Yes, well, here's the chart you wanted.
MASTER: Oh, good!

(He eagerly takes it from TRENCHARD and spreads it on the table. TRENCHARD hands him some plotting tools.)

MASTER: That's right. Thank you. Now...

(The MASTER starts to plot points on the chart.)

MASTER: You know, Trenchard, a man of your efficiency is really wasted in a job like this.
TRENCHARD: Huh, bit of a comedown in a way, I suppose, but, er...
MASTER: Never mind. Once our plan succeeds...people will really begin to realise your true worth.
TRENCHARD: Ah.

(He laughs appreciatively at the MASTER'S flattery.)

TRENCHARD: Er, what are you doing?
MASTER: I've just been plotting the sightings of the three sinkings.

(He draws three spots on the chart...)

MASTER: There, there and there.

(He then draws three lines between them forming a triangle.)

MASTER: And it's interesting that...right in the middle of them, there's this abandoned sea fort.

(He circles the fort on the map.)

TRENCHARD: Not abandoned any more, old chap.
MASTER: Really?
TRENCHARD: Hart's people are going to use it as a sonar testing station. Contractors are working on the place now.
MASTER: Mmm...


29: EXT. SEA FORT

(The large round Napoleonic sea fort sits in the middle of the water. Its blackened walls lapped by the waves.)


30: INT. SEA FORT. CREW ROOM

(Within its walls, two men sit at a table in a crew room drinking out of cans and playing cards.)

HICKMAN: How much to see you?
CLARK: A fiver.

(HICKMAN looks dubious, but...)

HICKMAN: Right.
CLARK: Full house. Kings on two's.

(HICKMAN looks despondent at CLARK'S hand.)

HICKMAN: Oh, that's marvellous, innit? Just marvellous!
CLARK: Come on, it's not your life savings, it's only a couple of quid. I'll give you a chance to get your own back.
HICKMAN: Ah, forget it.
CLARK: What's the matter with you?
HICKMAN: I don't know. Being stuck out here, I suppose.

(He gets up and goes over to a shelf.)

CLARK: It's not so bad. Are you sure you don't want another game?

(HICKMAN opens another can.)

HICKMAN: Do you know, there's something funny about this place.
CLARK: (Sarcastically.) Share the joke.
HICKMAN: Well, the place is deserted, right?
CLARK: So?
HICKMAN: Just the two of us on maintenance?
CLARK: Right.
HICKMAN: Yet I keep getting the feeling I'm being watched...


31: INT. SEA FORT. PASSAGEWAY

(A scaly hand appears over a window ledge...)


32: INT. NAVAL BASE. CORRIDOR

(CAPTAIN HART leads the DOCTOR down a corridor to his office.)

CAPTAIN HART: If you are from UNIT, then where are your credentials?
DOCTOR: I never carry the things. Bureaucratic nonsense. If you wish to see my pass, then ask Miss Grant.

(He enters the office uninvited.)


33: INT. NAVAL BASE. CAPTAIN HART'S OFFICE

(HART follows and JANE BLYTHE closes the door.)

CAPTAIN HART: Why didn't you arrange for an official visit through normal channels?
DOCTOR: Well, I just dropped in purely on impulse, old chap. As soon as I heard about that charred lifeboat, I had to see it.
CAPTAIN HART: Oh, why?
DOCTOR: You've inspected the boat yourself?
CAPTAIN HART: Well, of course I have.
DOCTOR: Then you must have noticed the linear nature of those scorch marks.

(JANE is holding a pen and notepad.)

DOCTOR: Excuse me, my dear, may I?

(He takes them from her and sits on the edge of the desk.)

DOCTOR: (To HART.) Now then, sit down!

(With a look at the DOCTOR, HART sits at his desk. The DOCTOR draws a series of wavy lines on the pad like a line of concentric 'S's.)

DOCTOR: Now, the marks are a very definite shape...a linear shape, like this. Now, how do you account for that?
CAPTAIN HART: A freak affect if the ship caught fire.
DOCTOR: Yes, but it didn't catch fire. If it had, the smoke and flames would have been seen, wouldn't they?
CAPTAIN HART: All right then, how do you account for them?
DOCTOR: A concentrated beam of heat, applied from underneath the boat whilst it was still in the water.

(HART smiles in disbelief.)

CAPTAIN HART: Deliberately to sink a lifeboat?
DOCTOR: Yes...to make sure there were no survivors.

(The DOCTOR crosses to a transparent chart which stands on one side of the room. Three points have been placed on it.)

DOCTOR: What are these markers here?
CAPTAIN HART: Those are the last known positions of the missing vessels so far as we can estimate.

(The phone rings and JANE BLYTHE answers it.)

3RD OFFICER JANE BLYTHE: Captain Hart's office? (She listens.) Yes, yes I see. Hold on. (To HART.) There's a young lady here with two UNIT passes. She wants to know if there's anyone here called the Doctor?

(The DOCTOR smiles.)


34: INT. SEA FORT. CREW ROOM

(CLARK carries a draughts board over to the table.)

CLARK: Come on, you can't lose anything at draughts.
HICKMAN: There's a jinx on this place. Nothing but trouble since we started repairing the foundations.
CLARK: Forget it, it's not your problem. Black or white?

(HICKMAN suddenly sits up.)

HICKMAN: What's that noise?
CLARK: It's the mermaid - she can't resist us!
HICKMAN: Shut up!

(HICKMAN runs to the door.)

HICKMAN: There's someone moving about upstairs.
CLARK: It's the wind.
HICKMAN: Fat load of use you are.

(HICKMAN takes a flare gun off a shelf and loads it.)

CLARK: What are you doing now? Going to send up a distress signal?
HICKMAN: You never know.

(Carrying the gun, he leaves the room.)


35: INT. SEA FORT. PASSAGE

(HICKMAN reaches a vertical ladder and starts to ascend it to a higher level. Reaching it, he moves off to investigate.)


36: INT. SEA FORT. CREW ROOM

(CLARK is setting up the drafts board when he hears a scream of terror from HICKMAN.)

CLARK: Hickman!

(He runs to the door and out into the passage.)

CLARK: Hickman?


37: INT. SEA FORT. PASSAGES

(He makes his way through the deserted passages of the fort. The only sound is that of the sea outside. He reaches the ladder that HICKMAN climbed earlier and follows the same way. On the upper level, he looks round.)

CLARK: Hickman? Where are you?

(Round a corner, he finds HICKMAN lying on a concrete buttress. He is dead, his eyes wide open. CLARK looks at him in shock, then he sees movement across the room. A turtle-faced creature turns and looks at him...)


38: INT. NAVAL BASE. CAPTAIN HART'S OFFICE

(The DOCTOR, deep in thought, sits on a sofa in the corner of HART'S office while JO shows the CAPTAIN their passes.)

CAPTAIN HART: Yes, well, these passes appear to be in order. You may go.

(The DOCTOR comes out his reverie and gets up.)

DOCTOR: Go? My dear chap, I don't want to go. I want to visit this fort here.

(He points at the chart.)

CAPTAIN HART: That fort is being converted for use as a testing station. There's nobody there but a couple of maintenance workmen.
DOCTOR: Nevertheless, it is right in the centre of all the trouble, isn't it? Now if some of your naval bods could get me out there, Captain?
CAPTAIN HART: Doctor, I have no authority to provide naval vessels for your pleasure jaunts!
DOCTOR: Look, don't you realise how important this is?
CAPTAIN HART: I realise only too well. Three ships have been sunk and may lives have been lost. Now, if you don't mind?
JO: Doctor, I think he wants us to go!
CAPTAIN HART: I suggest that you take your theories along to your own people at UNIT and put the whole thing on an official level!
DOCTOR: If Horatio Nelson had been in charge of this operation, I hardly think that he would have waited for official instructions.

(He goes and meaningfully opens his door for the DOCTOR and JO.)

CAPTAIN HART: Yes, a pretty impulsive fellow, if one can believe the history books.


39: INT. NAVAL BASE. CORRIDOR

(The DOCTOR walks to the doorway.)

DOCTOR: History books? Captain Hart, Horatio Nelson was a personal friend of mine. Come on, Jo.

(JO, smiling, follows him along the corridor. HART, a look of astonishment on his face, watches them go.)

CAPTAIN HART: Good grief. Poor chap's as mad as a hatter.


40: EXT. SEA FORT

(In ROBBIN'S boat, the DOCTOR and JO approach the sea fort.)

JO: How do we get onto the fort?
DOCTOR: Up that ladder. Now hold tight, Jo. We're coming alongside now.

(The boat stops next to the fort and the two start to ascend the ladder, passing a sign which reads "MOD PROPERTY. NO LANDING".)


41: INT. SEA FORT. PASSAGE

(The two walk along a metal landing and descend a staircase.)

JO: I still say you should have taken Mr. Robbin's boat back.
DOCTOR: We will, Jo, we will. We'll take his motor bicycle back at the same time. Still, now we're here, let's take a look around, shall we?

(They move off, JO looking nervously around.)


42: EXT. SEA FORT

(Outside, a scaly hand comes over the edge of the boat...)


43: SEA FORT. CREW ROOM

(The DOCTOR and JO find the crew room. They look round at the bunk beds and table. The DOCTOR picks up the discarded drinks can on the table and smells the contents.)

DOCTOR: Well, somebody's here all right.
JO: Well, where? Where are they then?
DOCTOR: Well, this is a big fort, Jo. They must be in some other part of it. Come on, we'll find them.


44: EXT. SEA FORT

(Smoke is pouring out of the boat.)


45: INT. SEA FORT. PASSAGE

(The DOCTOR and JO continue to look round the fort. JO is getting nervous.)

DOCTOR: There's supposed to be two workmen. They can't just have vanished.
JO: Well, they have, haven't they? Look Doctor, it's getting dark. Let's get out of here.
DOCTOR: There's plenty of time.

(There is suddenly a huge explosion outside. They rush to the window...)


46: EXT. SEA FORT

(...where they see debris lying on the surface of the water.)

DOCTOR: It must have been the petrol tank!
JO: It couldn't just blown up by itself.


47: INT. SEA FORT. PASSAGE

JO: Doctor, do you realise - we're stranded here!
DOCTOR: Don't worry, Jo. There must be a radio on this fort somewhere. We'll just have to get a message back to shore. Come on.

(They move off. After they have gone, the turtle-faced creature appears out of the shadows and watches them go. The height of a tall man, fins cascade down the back of its neck and it wears a blue net-like robe.)


48: INT. SEA FORT. ANOTHER PASSAGE

(The DOCTOR and JO ascend the vertical ladder to the upper level. Their steps echo in the silence. As they look round, JO gasps...)

JO: Look!
DOCTOR: What is it?

(It is HICKMAN'S body, unmoved. The DOCTOR rushes over to examine him.)

DOCTOR: He's dead, poor chap.
JO: Doctor, let's get out of here, please?
DOCTOR: All right. Let's find that radio first.
JO: Shh, listen!

(They hear a ragged breathing. Round a corner in the passage, a shape stumbles towards them.)

JO: It's coming towards us!


Next Episode


Doctor Who
JON PERTWEE

Master
ROGER DELGADO

Jo Grant
KATY MANNING

Captain Hart
EDWIN RICHFIELD

Trenchard
CLIVE MORTON

Robbins
ROYSTON TICKNER

Radio Operator
NEIL SEILER

Clark
DECLAN MULHOLLAND

Hickman
HUGH FUTCHER

3rd Officer Jane Blythe
JUNE MURPHY

Ldg. Telegraphist Bowman
ALEC WALLIS

Castle Guard Wilson
BRIAN JUSTICE

Castle Guard Barclay
TERRY WALSH

Sea Devil
PAT GORMAN

The BBC wish to acknowledge
the help given to them by the
Royal Navy in the making
of this programme.

Title Music by
RON GRAINER
and BBC Radiophonic Workshop

Incidental Music by
MALCOLM CLARKE
BBC Radiophonic Workshop

Special Sounds by
BRIAN HODGSON

Film Cameraman
PETER SARGENT

Film Editor
MARTYN DAY

Visual Effects
PETER DAY

Costumes
MAGGIE FLETCHER

Make-up
SYLVIA JAMES

Studio Lighting
MIKE JEFFERIES

Sound
TONY MILLIER

Script Editor
TERRANCE DICKS

Designer
TONY SNOADEN

Producer
BARRY LETTS

Directed by
MICHAEL BRIANT

COLOUR

 

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