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THE
TIME MONSTER

BY
ROBERT SLOMAN

EPISODE FOUR


1: INT. NEWTON INSTITUTE. LABORATORY. FIRST ROOM

MASTER: Now...stand by to duck, for here comes the grand finale.

(He makes further adjustments to his wrist device and TOMTIT. The ominous image of a V1 rocket appears on his screen.)


2: INT. NEWTON INSTITUTE. STUART'S ROOM

(The drone of the machine reaches STUART'S room.)

DR. RUTH INGRAM: What's that?
STUART HYDE: Sounds like a motorbike.

(BENTON goes to the window.)

SERGEANT BENTON: Yeah, but...it's coming from the sky.


3: EXT. COUNTRY ROAD

(The DOCTOR brakes, as does the BRIGADIER next to them. The DOCTOR listens.)

DOCTOR: Oh no!

(The BRIGADIER gets out of his jeep.)

BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: What's up?
DOCTOR: Listen.

(They listen in silence.)

BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: That sounds like...no, it can't be!
JO: Look, there's the convoy.

(She points across the fields. The convoy of three vehicles can be seen moving again beyond some trees. The BRIGADIER speaks urgently into his TM45 radio.)

BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Greyhound three, greyhound three, can you hear me, Captain Yates? Over.

(CAPTAIN YATES' voice comes through but with a great deal of static.)

CAPTAIN MIKE YATES: Greyhound three, I can only just hear you, over.
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Yates, that thing is a bomb and its on its way to you - over!
CAPTAIN MIKE YATES: Say again, say again, I cannot read you, over.


4: INT. NEWTON INSTITUTE. LABORATORY. FIRST ROOM

(The MASTER flicks several switches.)


5: EXT. COUNTRY ROAD

(The drone of the V1 abruptly stops.)

DOCTOR: Jo, out of the car. Get down!

(They get out of the car quickly. The BRIGADIER yells into his radio.)

BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Yates, get out of it, man! It's a bomb, it's a bomb! Get out of it, Yates!

(The convoy has disappeared behind a copse of trees.)

CAPTAIN MIKE YATES: Alright, lads! It's a bomb! Dive!

(Beyond the copse there is a massive explosion.)


6: INT. NEWTON INSTITUTE. STUART'S ROOM

SERGEANT BENTON: Brigadier, come in, please?

(RUTH and STUART watch on.)

SERGEANT BENTON: Greyhound three, come in!

(There is no reply.)

SERGEANT BENTON: Captain Yates, can you hear me, sir? Over.

(BENTON lowers radio, looking desperately worried.)

SERGEANT BENTON: It's no good. I just can't raise them. They must have copped it!


7: EXT. COPSE

(The bomb has created a large crater in the ground and the wreckage of the convoy is strewn about. The TARDIS lies against the side of the crater as does the bloodied UNIT SERGEANT. A yokel FARMWORKER leans over him as the troops help their wounded.)

FARMWORKER: What happened then?
UNIT SERGEANT: I don't know. Some sort of explosion.

(He clambers to his feet.)

FARMWORKER: Ah, I 'eard it. Funny that. Huh, it was just about here where that doodlebug fell - back in 1944, that were.


8: INT. NEWTON INSTITUTE. LABORATORY. FIRST ROOM

(The MASTER snaps closed the screen on his wrist viewer.)

MASTER: You know, I thoroughly enjoyed that!

(He laughs as he switches off TOMTIT.)

KRASIS: You have...you have destroyed this...this TARDIS?
MASTER: No, it can't be destroyed. But people can.


9: EXT. COPSE

(The DOCTOR, JO and the BRIGADIER have reached the convoy. YATES is stood up next to his jeep, groggy and with blood on the side of his head as the BRIGADIER looks him over. JO and the DOCTOR run up.)

JO: Mike, you alright?
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Now, you take it easy, Mike. You've finished work for the day.
CAPTAIN MIKE YATES: Sir, I...
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: An ambulance is on its way.
DOCTOR: Jo, can you spare me a moment?
CAPTAIN MIKE YATES: Sorry about the TARDIS, Doctor.
DOCTOR: Oh, don't worry, Captain. We'll soon have her on her feet again.

(And nearby, the troops not wounded in the attack are attaching ropes to the TARDIS in an effort to pull it upright. The DOCTOR gets the time sensor out of Bessie and passes it to JO.)

DOCTOR: Right, Jo, I want you to keep a close eye on this. As soon as you see the slightest reaction, you let me know.
JO: Right.

(Meanwhile the ropes have been attached to the back of the FARMWORKER'S tractor.)

FARMWORKER: One, two, six, heave! One, two, six, heave!

(He drives forward and the troops help to right the TARDIS.)

FARMWORKER: Pull!


10: INT. NEWTON INSTITUTE. STUART'S ROOM

(SERGEANT BENTON has managed to make contact with the BRIGADIER...)

SERGEANT BENTON: Sir, I'll stand by. And I'm glad you're all okay, sir. We'd really thought you'd copped it. Greyhound ___.

(On the other side of the room, RUTH and STUART are in the middle of an argument.)

STUART HYDE: It's a daft idea anyway. I've had one basinful and I don't feel much like walking into another. You heard what the Doctor said!
DR. RUTH INGRAM: You know, Stuart, for a so-called member of the dominant sex, you are being remarkable feeble!

(BENTON walks over.)

SERGEANT BENTON: Hey, hey! Is this a private fight or can anyone join in?
DR. RUTH INGRAM: Boudicea here only wants to creep over to the lab and knobble the Master!
SERGEANT BENTON: Hey, well supposing the time field's still working?
STUART HYDE: Exactly!
DR. RUTH INGRAM: Well we shan't know that till we try it, now shall we?
SERGEANT BENTON: Right then, then what are we waiting for?
DR. RUTH INGRAM: Right!
STUART HYDE: Oy, you're worse than she is!
SERGEANT BENTON: Oh, you're suggesting that we just sit here and let the Master treat us as a load of twits, I suppose?
STUART HYDE: Look mate, you're paid to play the James Bond games, I'm a scientist.
DR. RUTH INGRAM: Stuart, really!
STUART HYDE: Oh, don't you start! You'll be the first to clobber me if I muck things up!
DR. RUTH INGRAM: Well, you might at least have a go. Oh, why are you men so spineless?
STUART HYDE: Lovey, I'm not men - I'm Stuart Hyde, registered, card-carrying, paid-up coward!

(RUTH and BENTON stare at STUART.)

STUART HYDE: Oh, for pete's sake, what are you looking at me like that for?

(He gives in.)

STUART HYDE: Alright, I'll come.
SERGEANT BENTON: Thanks, Stuart.
DR. RUTH INGRAM: Jolly good, Stu, I knew you wouldn't let us down!
STUART HYDE: Just give me time, that's all.

(He picks up a large spanner.)

STUART HYDE: Well, come on then! What are we waiting for?

(He heads for the door.)

SERGEANT BENTON: Let's go.


11: INT. NEWTON INSTITUTE. LABORATORY. FIRST ROOM

(The MASTER picks up the unit with the crystal inside.)

MASTER: Come, Krasis. We have work to do.

(He walks into his computer-unit TARDIS and the puzzled high priest follows.)


12: INT. MASTER'S TARDIS

(The console of the MASTER'S TARDIS has changed and the central rotor is made up of a metallic tower with no glass cover. The roundels on the wall are now circular bowls, back lit with a soft light. The main doorway is an alcove rather than two double doors. The MASTER places the crystal unit on a glass table as KRASIS looks round the futuristic room in shock.)

KRASIS: Master, what is this place? Is it a temple?

(The MASTER starts to reconnect the crystal unit.)

MASTER: Do not let it concern you, Krasis.
KRASIS: So vast a space inside so small a box!
MASTER: My power is greater than your imagination can encompass - you just remember that. Your only interest at the moment is to realise that Atlantis awaits us.

(He crosses to the main console.)

MASTER: Now...test the power levels.

(A whine of power starts to build up.)

MASTER: Good. Just a few minutes re-cycling and we shall be ready to leave.

(He walks out of his TARDIS.)


13: EXT. COPSE

(As MIKE'S wound is treated, JO runs over to the DOCTOR with the time sensor.)

JO: I'm getting a reading.

(The DOCTOR looks at the device.)

DOCTOR: Oh, it's very low.
JO: Mmm, it's fading again.
DOCTOR: He must be testing before take-off. The power drain would have been enormous. Brigadier?
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Yes, Doctor?
DOCTOR: The Master seems to be on the move again.
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Right, Sergeant, get the Doctor's machine loaded up.
UNIT SERGANT: Right lads, let's load her up.
DOCTOR: No, there's no time for that now. I'll have to take the TARDIS up from down there. I'll use the time sensor as a homing device and put my TARDIS inside his. Then wherever he goes, I'll go with him.

(Followed by the BRIGADIER and JO, he climbs down into the smoking crater where the TARDIS is now upright, the soldiers having just removed the ropes.)

DOCTOR: Well, goodbye, Lethbridge Stewart.
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Bye.
DOCTOR: I'll make contact as soon as possible.
JO: We'll make contact as soon as possible.
DOCTOR: We?
JO: We.
DOCTOR: Nothing I can say to dissuade you?
JO: No.
DOCTOR: Oh...

(He opens the door and they enter.)


14: INT. TARDIS. CONSOLE ROOM

(Strangely, the walls of the DOCTOR'S TARDIS have also changed and now resemble the MASTER'S although the console remains unchanged.)

JO: Doctor?
DOCTOR: Yeah?
JO: The TARDIS looks different.
DOCTOR: Oh, just a spot of redecoration, that's all. Now, Jo, you realise that what I'm about to do is going to be appallingly dangerous?
JO: I've been in the TARDIS with you before.
DOCTOR: Alright, but you've been warned.

(She laughs. He puts the time sensor on the console and closes the doors. JO offers to take his cloak.)

JO: ___?
DOCTOR: Thank you.

(He takes it off and she hangs it over a lectern, together with her own "fun-fur" coat. The DOCTOR picks up the time sensor.)

DOCTOR: Right. Now then, come over here - look at this.
JO: Yeah, I'm coming.

(She joins him as the time sensor starts up again. The two needles on the dials of the device point exactly the same direction.)

DOCTOR: Now, the two TARDIS's are operating on the same frequency, you see? Now, here comes the tricky part - you see this?

(The DOCTOR adjusts controls on the console.)

JO: Yeah.
DOCTOR: Well this is the time setting. Now its critical to a billionth part of a nanosecond. You see?
JO: Yeah.

(He passes her the sensor.)

DOCTOR: Now hold this. If it's infinitesimally low, we'll miss it entirely and goes whistling off to heaven knows where. But if it's too high, even by a fraction of a moment...

(He claps his hands.)

DOCTOR: Woomph! Time-ram!
JO: Time-ram?
DOCTOR: Yes, you see the atoms making up this TARDIS would...occupy precisely the same space and time as the atoms making up the Master's TARDIS.
JO: But that's impossible!
DOCTOR: Yes, well of course it is. So what do you think would happen?
JO: Woomph!
DOCTOR: Yes, exactly - extinction. Utter annihilation. Now do you still want to come?
JO: It is my job - remember?

(He gives her a mock salute.)

DOCTOR: Glad to have you aboard, Miss Grant.

(She returns the salute...)

JO: Glad to be aboard, Doctor!

(...and grins.)


15: EXT. COPSE

(The TARDIS dematerialises. The FARMWORKER looks round to see where it has gone and then shakes his head.)

FARMWORKER: Londoners!

(He strolls off.)


16: EXT. NEWTON INSTITUTE

(Keeping low, SERGEANT BENTON, RUTH and STUART run out from the side of the main house and keep behind the shrubbery which skirts the edge of the drive and forecourt. They reach the edge of this cover and BENTON runs towards and behind a tree some yards away. Once there, RUTH and then STUART, with his spanner, follow. BENTON beckons them on again and they make for the bushes that grow at the base of the building next to the stable block which contains the director's office. BENTON looks out to make sure that they are not being watched from the stable block itself.)


17: INT. TARDIS. CONSOLE ROOM

(The DOCTOR looks over the readings on one panel of the console.)

DOCTOR: (Satisfied.) Ah ha.

(He moves to another panel...)

DOCTOR: Yes.

(...and a third.)

DOCTOR: Yes, so far, so good.
JO: How long's it going to take us to get there?
DOCTOR: Well, that's the curious thing - no time at all. We're outside time. Of course, it always seems to take a long time but that depends upon the mood, I suppose.
JO: What - your mood?
DOCTOR: No, no, no - hers.

(He nods at the console and JO bursts out laughing.)

DOCTOR: No, the TARDIS's.
JO: You talk as if she was alive!
DOCTOR: Well, it depends what you mean by alive, doesn't it? You take old Bessie, for instance.

(He looks a reading on the console.)

DOCTOR: Right, coming in to land now, Jo.

(He slowly pulls a lever on the console. The TARDIS materialisation sound fills the room, but it is at a slower speed and lower pitch than usual. The whole room shudders...)

DOCTOR: ___!

(...JO grabs the console and on the other side of the room, the MASTER'S TARDIS, still a computer unit, materialises.)

JO: Look!
DOCTOR: Oh, dear, oh, dear, oh, dear! (Sighs.) Still, that was always on the cards I suppose.
JO: His TARDIS is inside ours instead of, well, the other way round.
DOCTOR: Yes, quite. Very curious effect that. I wonder how it happened? Jo, er, switch on the monitor, will you? Let's see where we are.

(She presses a switch. In one of the roundels an image of a flickering red and orange vortex appears.)

DOCTOR: Well, that's strange.

(He realises and snaps his fingers.)

DOCTOR: No, of course! We're seeing through the TOMTIT gap into the time vortex.

(He opens the doors.)

DOCTOR: Jo, you wait right here.

(Leaving a scared looking JO behind, he walks out...)


18: INT. MASTER'S TARDIS

(...and into the MASTER'S TARDIS. The police box looks as incongruous here as the computer unit did in the DOCTOR'S.)

DOCTOR: Good grief! Jo, come out here a moment, will you?

(Jo steps out.)

JO: I don't get it!
DOCTOR: No. Follow me.

(He flicks a switch on the MASTER'S console and walks out of the doors...)


19: INT. TARDIS. CONSOLE ROOM

(...back into his own TARDIS. The image of the inside of the MASTER'S TARDIS now appears on the scanner.)

JO: I still don't get it!
DOCTOR: Well, it's perfectly simple, Jo. My TARDIS is inside the Master's.
JO: Yes, but his is inside yours.
DOCTOR: Exactly - they're both inside each other. Yeah, I should have suspected that.
JO: Well, what are we going to do now?
DOCTOR: Three guesses?

(JO puts a finger to her lips in a mock pose of deep thought.)

JO: Erm, I wonder? Wait?

(He snaps his fingers.)

DOCTOR: Right first time!


20: INT. NEWTON INSTITUTE. LABORATORY. FIRST ROOM

(The MASTER makes notes on a clipboard of readings from TOMTIT as KRASIS paces the room. His constant walking back and forth takes him to the window. He glances out.)

KRASIS: Master!


21: EXT. NEWTON INSTITUTE

(The UNIT convoy, minus the truck which carried the TARDIS, has reached the institute and turns from the drive into the forecourt.)


22: INT. NEWTON INSTITUTE. LABORATORY. FIRST ROOM

KRASIS: Alien warriors!

(The MASTER runs to the window, glances out and runs back to TOMTIT.)

MASTER: I'll soon fix them!

(He starts stabbing at buttons. The hum of the machinery builds up...)


23: EXT. NEWTON INSTITUTE

(The convoy stops. The soldiers start to climb out of the troop carrier as the BRIGADIER draws his pistol.)

BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Right, D squad round the block.

(They all start to move off.)

BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Keep your eyeeeess ooopppppeeeeeennnnnn......

(...and come to a complete halt, frozen in time.)


24: INT. NEWTON INSTITUTE. LABORATORY. FIRST ROOM

MASTER: There.

(He joins KRASIS at the window.)

MASTER: That'll keep them nicely unoccupied for the time being.

(Satisfied, he goes back to TOMTIT, operating final controls.)

MASTER: Right, Krasis, in you go.
KRASIS: Where?
MASTER: Into the TARDIS, man, and hurry up!

(KRASIS looks terrified at the prospect but reluctantly makes his way over. The door opens and RUTH and STUART come in unseen.)

MASTER: Right, they won't stop me now.
DR. RUTH INGRAM: Sorry, professor, but that's where you're wrong.

(The MASTER looks up in surprise. Walking towards the two of them, he fails to see that BENTON has repeated his trick and has entered by the back window. He is drawing and aiming his pistol.)

MASTER: Well, well, my devoted assistants. And are you going to stop me?
DR. RUTH INGRAM: Not by ourselves, no. Take a look behind you.
MASTER: Oh, come on, really!
SERGEANT BENTON: You suit yourself, mate, but let's just have those hands up in the air, shall we?

(The MASTER spins round and raises his hands.)

MASTER: I should have disposed of you while I had the chance!
SERGEANT BENTON: Yes, well, you'll never have a better one. Stu, see if he's got a gun.

(STUART puts his spanner down and turns to search the MASTER, but makes the mistake of standing between their prisoner and BENTON.)

SERGEANT BENTON: Stuart, look out!

(The MASTER pushes STUART at BENTON...)

STUART HYDE: ___!

(...and runs into his TARDIS.)


25: INT. MASTER'S TARDIS

(KRASIS is waiting and immediately points out the addition to the room.)

KRASIS: Master! The other one...is here! Your enemy is here!
MASTER: Good! (Laughs.) Now I've got him really trapped!

(He stabs at the console...)


26: INT. NEWTON INSTITUTE. LABORATORY. FIRST ROOM

(...and the MASTER'S TARDIS dematerialises.)

STUART HYDE: What the...!

(Even STUART is stunned into silence.)


27: INT. TARDIS. CONSOLE ROOM

(The DOCTOR'S TARDIS rocks and shakes and JO has to hold onto the console to keep on her feet.)

JO: What's happening, Doctor?
DOCTOR: We're on way, Jo. The Master's taken off for Atlantis!

(JO is thrown to the floor, but is unhurt.)

JO: She's never behaved like this before!
DOCTOR: Because the TARDIS's are operating out of phase - that's why.

(The room steadies.)

DOCTOR: Well, that's calmed her down a bit. She's very temperamental when she's roused, isn't she?
JO: You know, I never know whether you're joking or not, I...

(JO rubs her backside.)

JO: Oh, oh, I think I've bruised my tailbone!
DOCTOR: Sorry about your coccyx, Jo, but these little things are sent to try us.
JO: My what?
DOCTOR: Coccyx - your tailbone.

(They fail to spot that the MASTER has appeared on the scanner and is watching and listening, until...)

MASTER: (On scanner.) I'm sorry about your coccyx too, Miss Grant. How very sociable of you both to drop in.

(He sniggers.)


28: INT. NEWTON INSTITUTE. LABORATORY. FIRST ROOM

(TOMTIT is still running as RUTH and STUART try to find a way to switch it off.)

SERGEANT BENTON: Well, I don't think we should touch it.
DR. RUTH INGRAM: Why ever not?
SERGEANT BENTON: Well, the Doctor was going after his TARDIS, right?
DR. RUTH INGRAM: Right.

(BENTON points at TOMTIT.)

SERGEANT BENTON: Well, that thing there is a sort of time machine, isn't it?
DR. RUTH INGRAM: So what?
SERGEANT BENTON: So we'd better leave well alone.
DR. RUTH INGRAM: You're in command, Sergeant Benton.
SERGEANT BENTON: Yes.
STUART HYDE: And a right foul-up you've made of it too!
DR. RUTH INGRAM: Well not exactly his fault.
STUART HYDE: Well, don't look at me. You can't say I didn't warn you, now can you?
SERGEANT BENTON: (Snaps.) Oh, well I'll listen to you next time. That was the closest I'll ever come to catching the Master, that was.
STUART HYDE: Oh, come on now, it's not the end of the world, now is it?
SERGEANT BENTON: Isn't it? Well, the Doctor seems to think it might be. And the Master - well, there's no telling where he is by now, is there? Or when he is, for that matter.
DR. RUTH INGRAM: Oh, for pity's sake, look, you two make me sick! Standing about moaning like a couple of old women!
STUART HYDE: Old women?
DR. RUTH INGRAM: Look, I mean it, Stu. Well okay, he's gone off somewhere, so he's gone off. Whether he's gone into the past or the future...
SERGEANT BENTON: All I know is...
DR. RUTH INGRAM: ...I don't know and, frankly, I don't care.

(Tired of another argument, STUART wanders over to the window.)

DR. RUTH INGRAM: The point is that we are here and now. Now, what we've got to do is to define the problem
SERGEANT BENTON: That's all very well, Dr. Ingram, but I...

(STUART calls over from the window...)

STUART HYDE: Stop right there, "professor"! The problem's defined. Come and have a look.

(They join him.)


29: EXT. NEWTON INSTITUTE

(...and see the UNIT troops as still as statues.)

SERGEANT BENTON: (OOV.) It's the Brigadier!
DR. RUTH INGRAM: (OOV.) Exactly the same as before.
STUART HYDE: (OOV.) How can it be the same as before...


30: INT. NEWTON INSTITUTE. LABORATORY. FIRST ROOM

STUART HYDE: ...now that the crystal's gone?

(RUTH goes back to TOMTIT.)

DR. RUTH INGRAM: I think I remember the Doctor said it works independently, even without the crystal.
SERGEANT BENTON: Yes, but do you realise we're still trapped - inside?
DR. RUTH INGRAM: Now will you let me turn off the transmitter?
SERGEANT BENTON: Well, I don't think we ought to.
STUART HYDE: Well, perhaps we could get out through the back. It may not work all the way round.
DR. RUTH INGRAM: I'll bet it does. How do you propose finding out? I mean, once we're stuck, we're stuck!
SERGEANT BENTON: Yes, and only the Doctor can get you out.
DR. RUTH INGRAM: Well?
SERGEANT BENTON: Alright, Dr. Ingram - switch it off.
DR. RUTH INGRAM: Ah ha! A man of decision.

(She flicks several switches as BENTON and STUART look out of the window again. The power of the machine runs down.)

SERGEANT BENTON: Go on then, switch off.
DR. RUTH INGRAM: But I have.
STUART HYDE: They're still stuck!


31: EXT. NEWTON INSTITUTE

(And indeed, the men outside have not changed position.)


32: INT. NEWTON INSTITUTE. LABORATORY. FIRST ROOM

DR. RUTH INGRAM: But that's impossible!
STUART HYDE: Well, you'd better explain to them, lovey. They still think they're stuck, apparently.
SERGEANT BENTON: Yes, and we're still trapped - in here.


33: INT. TARDIS. CONSOLE ROOM

MASTER: (On scanner.) Er, what can I do for you, Doctor? Or, erm, is your visit purely social?
DOCTOR: Well, I thought we might have a little chat.
MASTER: (On scanner.) What an excellent idea. Er, why not join me out here?


34: INT. MASTER'S TARDIS

DOCTOR: (On scanner.) One step outside my TARDIS and that would be the end of me, wouldn't it?
MASTER: Oh, you have a very poor opinion of me, don't you, Doctor?
DOCTOR: (On scanner.) You've noticed! Well, well, well.
MASTER: It might be of interest for you to know that, erm, I've put a time-lock on your TARDIS. You cannot leave - unless I lift it, of course.
DOCTOR: (On scanner.) Do you think that I haven't thought of that too? You're as trapped as I am. You couldn't even open that door of yours unless I wish it.
MASTER: Alternatively, I could fling you out into the time vortex now. I doubt whether you could do that to me, so be very, very careful, Doctor.
DOCTOR: (On scanner.) Do you really think I care what happens to me at the moment? Don't you realise that your plans could ru...

(The MASTER flicks a switch and the sound cuts out although the DOCTOR is seen to carry on talking. The MASTER gives a snort of laughter.)

MASTER: You know, he has an excellent brain, that man, though a little pedestrian. But, oh dear, what a bore the fellow is!
KRASIS: But is he dangerous?
MASTER: He's dangerous enough. But don't worry. I can handle him.

(KRASIS points at the police box.)

KRASIS: But you said he was in there! You told me he was safe in there!
MASTER: Once he realises that he's talking to himself, he'll be out here like a shot!

(He sees that the DOCTOR has stopped talking.)

MASTER: Ah! He's realised it at last. That took a long time, the slow witted fool. Now you watch - he cannot bear not to have the last word.


35: INT. TARDIS. CONSOLE ROOM

DOCTOR: He's not even listening. He's turned the sound off!
JO: Well, that's not very nice, is it?
DOCTOR: We've got to make him listen - it's our only chance of stopping him.
JO: You're not thinking of going out there, are you?
DOCTOR: No, not if I can help it.

(The DOCTOR ducks under the console and returns with a unit in his hand.)

JO: Well, what are you going to do then?
DOCTOR: If he's turned his sound receiver off, I must make myself heard without it.

(He starts to swap round components in the unit.)

DOCTOR: "If the Thraskin puts his fingers in his ears, it is polite to shout!" That's an old venusian proverb.
JO: Well, what's Thraskin?
DOCTOR: Thraskin? Oh, it's an archaic word, seldom used since the twenty-fifth dynasty, the modern equivalent is "plinge".
JO: What does plinge mean?
DOCTOR: Oh, for heaven's sake, Jo. I've just told you - it means Thraskin.

(He ducks back under the console with the changed unit.)

JO: Oh, of course!


36: INT. NEWTON INSTITUTE. LABORATORY. FIRST ROOM

(RUTH is also swapping round circuits from a unit in TOMTIT.)

SERGEANT BENTON: But why? I mean, if you turned it on, the Brig. and company should have speeded up again - why didn't they?
DR. RUTH INGRAM: Well, I don't know but it looks as if TOMTIT has made a permanent gap in the structure of time. Our only hope is to close the gap up.
STUART HYDE: So what are you doing?
DR. RUTH INGRAM: Well, I'm turning the circuits upside down, so to speak. Well, it's empirical, but you never know.
SERGEANT BENTON: Empirical, I...
DR. RUTH INGRAM: That, Sergeant Benton, means that I haven't got a clue what I'm doing.

(She puts the unit back.)

STUART HYDE: Join the club.
SERGEANT BENTON: So, it's just trial and error? Have a go and see what happens?
DR. RUTH INGRAM: Yeah, more or less. Right, Stu, you monitor the interstitial activity...
STUART HYDE: Okay.

(She goes to the unit with the power levers while he stands at another.)

DR. RUTH INGRAM: If you get a reading over six-o give us a shout.
STUART HYDE: What's the upper limit?
DR. RUTH INGRAM: If it gets to seven-o, say a quick prayer and duck.
SERGEANT BENTON: Well, what about me?
DR. RUTH INGRAM: You just stand there and look pretty. Right, Stu, are you happy?
SERGEANT BENTON: Ecstatic.
DR. RUTH INGRAM: Okay then, let's have a stab at it.

(STUART switches on.)

STUART HYDE: Interstitial activity - nil.
DR. RUTH INGRAM: Molecular structure - stable, increasing power.
STUART HYDE: Two-five, three-o, three-five, four-o...
DR. RUTH INGRAM: How's the time reg?

(On the other side of the equipment, BENTON watches, totally non-plussed.)

STUART HYDE: Er, steady on zero, zero, four.
DR. RUTH INGRAM: Right, isolate matrix scanner.
STUART HYDE: Check. Four-five, five-o...
DR. RUTH INGRAM: Interstitial activity.
STUART HYDE: Shooting up! Five-five, six-o, six-five, seven-o...

(Unseen by RUTH or STUART, a black glow seems to spread through BENTON'S body. The soldier falls slowly down to the floor.)

DR. RUTH INGRAM: Can't hold! It's running away again! Stop increasing power!
STUART HYDE: Seven-five, seven-o, six-five, six-o, five-five, five-o, four-five, four-o, three-five, three-o.

(The hum of the racing power reduces.)

DR. RUTH INGRAM: Right, that should be enough. I think the level should be okay now.
STUART HYDE: Mmm, quite okay, I'd say.
DR. RUTH INGRAM: Right, now let's have a look at it.

(They run to the window.)


37: EXT. NEWTON INSTITUTE

(The soldiers are still stuck.)

DR. RUTH INGRAM: (OOV.) It's made no difference.


38: INT. NEWTON INSTITUTE. LABORATORY. FIRST ROOM

DR. RUTH INGRAM: They're still stuck.

(They walk away from the window, disappointed.)

STUART HYDE: There we were, the skin of a gnat's whisker from the big bang...
DR. RUTH INGRAM: And nothing happened at all.

(He suddenly hears a whimpering noise and looks down at the floor.)

STUART HYDE: Nothing?

(RUTH also looks down. To their shock, a baby sits on the floor. BENTON has been regressed back in his own personal time.)


39: INT. MASTER'S TARDIS

(The MASTER and KRASIS watch as the DOCTOR makes his adjustments to the TARDIS circuits.)

KRASIS: Master, what is he doing?
MASTER: The same as I would in his position.
KRASIS: And what is that?
MASTER: Wait and see, Krasis, wait and see.
KRASIS: And what are you going to do, Master?

(The DOCTOR stands. His voice comes over loud and clear.)

DOCTOR: (On scanner.) Testing, testing, testing. One, two, three, four, five, testing?
JO: (On scanner.) He can hear you.
MASTER: I thought as much!

(The MASTER starts to operate switches on his console.)

DOCTOR: (On scanner.) Yes, and he can't turn me off. Can you? You've got to listen to me now.
MASTER: Have I?

(He carries on making adjustments...)

DOCTOR: (On scanner.) Obviously, you've not as yet been able to bring Kronos through, otherwise you wouldn't be going to Atlantis, So perhaps there's still time to make you realise the folly of your...

(...and stabs a final button.)


40: INT. TARDIS. CONSOLE ROOM

(Immediately, the DOCTOR'S words turn into a stream of gibberish. JO looks at him in wide-eyed amazement.)

MASTER: (On scanner.) I...I'm sorry, Doctor, what was that again?

(The DOCTOR tries again but he makes a little sense this time as before. The MASTER bursts out laughing and the DOCTOR turns the microphone off.)

DOCTOR: Of all the low underhanded tricks!
JO: What language was that?
DOCTOR: English.
JO: English?
DOCTOR: Yes, but backwards.
JO: I just don't get it.
DOCTOR: Well, he's picking up my words even before I've spoken them and feeding them back to me through the TARDIS's telepathic circuits - making them come out backwards.
JO: The TARDIS's are telepathic?
DOCTOR: Yes, of course. How else do you think they communicate? Well, that decides it. I've got no option. Now listen to me, Jo - when I go out there, I want you to...
JO: (Firmly.) You're not going out there.
DOCTOR: Well, what else can I do?
JO: Doctor, you said yourself it would be suicide to go out there without the protection of the TARDIS!
DOCTOR: Well, I've got to risk it. He's got to be stopped, but that's no reason to put you into any danger. Now once I go out of that door, I want you to close it, alright?
JO: But that means you'll be locked out!
DOCTOR: Yes, and you'll be safely locked in. Now, you're not to open that door for anybody or anything until I say so.
JO: I won't do it. (Shouts.) I will not do it!
DOCTOR: Jo, you'll do as you're told! It's your job - remember?
JO: (Tearfully.) Doctor, if anything happens to you...
DOCTOR: Yes, I know, Jo, I know. Now go and open that door.

(She does as he says and watches him go.)


41: INT. MASTER'S TARDIS

(The MASTER is waiting by the crystal unit as the DOCTOR steps out.)

MASTER: There you are, Krasis. What did I tell you?

(The DOCTOR looks at the high priest.)

DOCTOR: Won't you introduce me?
KRASIS: I am Krasis - high priest of the temple of Poseidon.

(The DOCTOR bows.)

DOCTOR: Greetings to you, Krasis. Any friend of the Master's is an enemy of mine.
MASTER: Oh come, Doctor, must we play games? I take it you have something to say to me before I destroy you?
DOCTOR: Yes, I most certainly have.


42: INT. TARDIS. CONSOLE ROOM

(JO watches...)

MASTER: (On scanner.) Your usual song of death and disaster? I do wish you'd learn a new tune.


43: INT. MASTER'S TARDIS

DOCTOR: You're risking the total destruction of the entire cosmos.
MASTER: Of course I am. All or nothing - literally! What a glorious alternative!
DOCTOR: You're mad! Paranoid!
MASTER: Who isn't? The only difference is that I'm a little more honest than the rest.

(He flicks a switch on the crystal unit.)

MASTER: Goodbye, Doctor!
KRASIS: No, Master, no!

(From within the depths of the glowing crystal, a white flapping creature emerges and starts to grow larger.)

MASTER: Behold Kronos - a rare and delicate feast for you - A Time Lord! Devour him!

(The DOCTOR steps back as the flapping creature swoops down on him. KRONOS moves back and the DOCTOR is seen to have disappeared.)


44: INT. TARDIS. CONSOLE ROOM

JO: (Horrified.) Doctor!

(She faints with the shock.)


45: INT. MASTER'S TARDIS

(The MASTER holds up the seal.)

MASTER: Kronos, be at peace! I command you! Be at peace!

(The creature retreats back into the crystal.)

MASTER: Your work is nearly done...for now.

(The MASTER switches the unit off and laughs in triumph.)

MASTER: You see, Krasis? Kronos is my slave.

(He moves to the console and hears JO gasping as she recovers and stands up.)

MASTER: Miss Grant?
JO: (On scanner.) What happened to the Doctor? You must help him!
MASTER: Ah, he's beyond my help, my dear. He's beyond anybody's help.
JO: (On scanner.) You mean...that thing...that...that creature really swallowed him up?
MASTER: Ah, that's a nice point. Yes and no. Yes, it engulfed him - no, it didn't actually "eat him up". He's out there in the time vortex and there he's going to stay.
JO: (On scanner.) Then he is alive?
MASTER: Well, if you can call it that - alive for ever in an eternity of nothingness. (Laughs.) To coin a phrase: a living death!
JO: (On scanner.) That...that's the most cruel, the most wicked thing I ever heard!
MASTER: Thank you, my dear. Now, what are we going to do about you though? You're an embarrassment to me. As indeed is that antiquated piece of junk of the Doctor's. Now let me see...

(He looks down at the console.)

JO: (On scanner.) I don't really care anymore. Do what you like. But just get it over with.
MASTER: Your word is my command.

(He stabs a control on the console.)

MASTER: Goodbye, Miss Grant!

(The slowed down, tortured sound of materialisation fills the room.)


46: VORTEX

(In vortex, the two TARDIS's spin round, one superimposed over the other as they continue to occupy the same space.)


47: INT. MASTER'S TARDIS

(The MASTER bursts into laughter as the image of JO on his scanner starts to rock wildly out of control prior to the two ship's separating...)


Next Episode


Dr. Who
JON PERTWEE

Master
ROGER DELGADO

Jo Grant
KATY MANNING

Brigadier Lethbridge Stewart
NICHOLAS COURTNEY

Captain Mike Yates
RICHARD FRANKLIN

Sergeant Benton
JOHN LEVENE

Dr. Ruth Ingram
WANDA MOORE

Stuart Hyde
IAN COLLIER

Krasis
DONALD ECCLES

Kronos
MARC BOYLE

Farmworker
GEORGE LEE

Unit Sergeant
SIMON LEGREE

Written by
ROBERT SLOMAN

Title Music by
RON GRAINER
and BBC Radiophonic Workshop

Music
DUDLEY SIMPSON

Special Sound
BRIAN HODGSON

Visual Effects Designer
MICHAELJOHN HARRIS

Film Cameraman
PETER HAMILTON

Film Sound
DEREK MEDUS

Film Editor
MARTYN DAY

Script Editor
TERRANCE DICKS

Designer
TIM GLEESON

Producer
BARRY LETTS

Directed by
PAUL BERNARD

COLOUR

© BBC 1972

 

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