THE
GREEN DEATHBY
ROBERT SLOMANEPISODE TWO
1: INT. LLANFAIRFACH COLLIERY. LIFT AREA
(The cage descends into the ground.)
2: EXT. LLANFAIRFACH COLLIERY
(As it does so, the wheels of the lifting gear at the top of the shaft turn. The occupants of Bessie see this as they draw up.)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Someone's going down!
(The DOCTOR brakes the car.)
DOCTOR: We must stop them!
(They run into the pit head.)
3: INT. LLANFAIRFACH COLLIERY. ENGINE ROOM
(They see DAVE at the gear levers in the engine room and run up to him.)
DOCTOR: (Urgently.) Who's in the cage?
DAVE: Oh...it...it's Bert Pritchard and the young lady from UNIT.
DOCTOR: Well, stop winding!
DAVE: No, I can't do that. They've gone down below to help Dai Evans.
DOCTOR: Stop winding, I said!(DAVE looks at the DOCTOR and pulls the brake lever. There is no response except a scraping noise from the machinery.)
DOCTOR: Quickly, man, quickly!
DAVE: (Horrified.) I can't! The brake won't work!
4: INT. LLANFAIRFACH COLLIERY. LIFT SHAFT
(BERT and JO are thrown across the cage as it drops like a stone down the shaft.)
BERT: (Shouts.) ___! Hang on! Try and hang on!
(BERT grabs JO and they fall to the floor of the cage.)
5: INT. LLANFAIRFACH COLLIERY. ENGINE ROOM
(A huge flywheel on one side of the engine room spins round as DAVE still desperately pulls at the levers.)
DAVE: The clutch and brake are both gone!
DOCTOR: What?! Well, there's only one thing to do!(He quickly looks over the room and spots a huge metal bar on the gantry near the turning flywheel. He runs over, picks it up and jams into the edge of the turning wheel. A tearing, scraping noise fills the room as the DOCTOR strains to keep the bar in place.)
DOCTOR: (Shouts.) Right - reverse the motor!
DAVE: (Shouts.) That won't work! They'll be a cable break!
DOCTOR: (Shouts.) Don't argue man! Do as I say! Brigadier!
DAVE: Okay.(DAVE pulls at the levers again as the BRIGADIER runs and joins the DOCTOR in trying to keep the metal bar jammed in the flywheel.)
6: INT. LLANFAIRFACH COLLIERY. MACHINERY
(Weights drop and a drum of cable turns as the machinery starts to slow down.)
7: INT. LLANFAIRFACH COLLIERY. ENGINE ROOM
(The DOCTOR and BRIGADIER continue to strain at the lever...)
8: INT. LLANFAIRFACH COLLIERY. MACHINERY
(...as part of the machinery breaks apart. The cable drum slows.)
9: INT. LLANFAIRFACH COLLIERY. ENGINE ROOM
DAVE: (Shouts.) It's slowing!
(A small explosion occurs in the flywheel and the din in the room grows quieter.)
DAVE: Though...don't know how long the cable holds?
10: INT. LLANFAIRFACH COLLIERY. MACHINERY
(The cable drum stops turning.)
11: INT. LLANFAIRFACH COLLIERY. ENGINE ROOM
(A larger explosion rocks the flywheel.)
12: INT. LLANFAIRFACH COLLIERY. LIFT SHAFT
(The plummeting lift suddenly halts, knocking JO and BERT unconscious.)
13: INT. LLANFAIRFACH COLLIERY. ENGINE ROOM
(The engine room is falling silent but smoke pours from the flywheel.)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: It seems to have seized up.
DOCTOR: Yes. (Coughs.)(At the levers, DAVE mops his brow.)
DAVE: You know, I...I hand it to you, boyo. A few moments and they'd have had it.
DOCTOR: How deep are they?(DAVE looks over at an indicator on the wall.)
DAVE: Nearly six hundred yards.
DOCTOR: How deep is the shaft?
DAVE: (Quietly.) Six hundred yards.
14: INT. LLANFAIRFACH COLLIERY. LIFT SHAFT
(JO comes to. The cable can constantly be heard straining.)
JO: Bert?
(BERT comes to and sits up, rubbing his neck.)
JO: Bert?
BERT: Blodwyn?
JO: You alright?
BERT: Oh, I think so.
JO: What happened?
BERT: Felt like brake failure. Can't happen in theory.(He helps JO to her feet.)
BERT: Ah, steady now.
JO: How are we gonna get out of here?
BERT: Eh? Oh, not up, that's for sure.(He opens a hatch on the side of the lift. JO walks forward to look down but BERT stops her from going too far.)
BERT: Steady now ___.
(He takes a screwdriver out of his pocket and drops it down the shaft. They listen for the noise of it hitting the ground which it does after a moment.)
BERT: About twenty feet? That was really close. Ah, let's try to get down there.
(He starts to pick up a length of rope in the cage.)
JO: Well, can't they haul us up in a cage?
BERT: Oh, doubt it. Anyway, we'll have to get out of here. Listen to that cable - could go at any second that.(He drops the rope over the edge and passes it to JO.)
BERT: Right, there you go, Blodwyn.
JO: Right.(JO takes the rope and steps to the edge.)
JO: Bert?
BERT: Huh?
JO: Do you mind going down first?
BERT: Alright, love. Here goes.(He climbs over the edge and steps out.)
JO: Careful.
(He starts to descend.)
JO: Okay.
15: INT. LLANFAIRFACH COLLIERY. ENGINE ROOM
(DAVE examines the seized flywheel.)
DAVE: Er, it's hopeless, man. The friction has welded it together. It...it's just scrap metal.
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: What about the other shaft?
DAVE: No, it's a counterweight lift system, see? As one goes down, the other one comes up. So if one is jammed, so is the other.
DOCTOR: Well, can you rig a donkey-engine and a pulley system? If we can free the other cage, we could use that.
DAVE: I suppose so but it would be dangerous.
DOCTOR: We'll just have to risk that. Mind you, it'd mean cutting the cable.
DAVE: Yes, well, we haven't got any cutting equipment, you see? I mean, the mine's been out of action a year. But I know where we can get some.
DOCTOR: Oh, where?
DAVE: Global Chemicals.
16: INT. LLANFAIRFACH COLLIERY. LIFT GALLERY
(JO and BERT reach the bottom of the rope and the floor of the gallery.)
BERT: Okay?
JO: Yes?
BERT: Watch your feet now.
JO: Right.(They walk through the gloom to the phone on the wall. BERT tries it.)
BERT: Ah, useless!
(He taps the cradle again.)
BERT: Oh, the wire must have broken when the cage fell.
(JO tries it.)
JO: Oh, come on!
(They hear a low moaning behind them and look round.)
BERT: Hey, it's Dai!
(DAI lies on the floor of the gallery. His hand and chin are glowing green.)
JO: He's in a bad way.
BERT: It's the same as poor dead Hughes - look!(He points at the green skin.)
17: INT. GLOBAL CHEMICALS. ELGIN'S OFFICE
(ELGIN sits in his spartan office at Global Chemicals on the phone.)
ELGIN: (Into phone.) Good heavens - is anyone hurt? (He listens.) I see. You think you can get down to them? (Listens.) Cutting equipment? Why yes, we...
(Suddenly the line cuts out. ELGIN looks at the phone in puzzlement.)
18: INT. LLANFAIRFACH COLLIERY. PITHEAD OFFICE
(The caller is the BRIGADIER.)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Cut off!
(He starts to dial again.)
19: INT. GLOBAL CHEMICALS. STEVENS' OFFICE
(STEVEN'S flicks all the switches on the telephone to the 'on' position.)
20: INT. LLANFAIRFACH COLLIERY. PITHEAD OFFICE
(The BRIGADIER finishes dialling and hears the bleeping of the engaged tone.)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Well now it's engaged!
DAVE: Look, try the Wholeweal people - Jones the nutcake. They might have equipment for cutting cables - see?
21: INT. WHOLEWEAL COMMUNITY. HALL PASSAGE
(In the hallway of Wholeweal, CLIFF JONES takes the call on a wall phone.)
CLIFFORD JONES: (Into phone.) Cutting a cable? What cable? (He listens.) Why? (Listens.) What - Miss Grant?! (Listens.) But why was she...look, I'll come right over. (Listens.) No, no, we haven't - but Global Chemicals have. (Listens.) Well, yes, definitely. We tried to borrow it a few weeks back. (Listens.) Aye.
22: INT. GLOBAL CHEMICALS. STEVENS' OFFICE
(STEVENS and another man walk into his office. The little balding man, FELL, looks perturbed.)
FELL: But why me?
STEVENS: You're my senior man - they'll believe you.
FELL: I'm sorry, Mr. Stevens, but I can't do it.
STEVENS: (Quietly.) Of course you can, Fell. You must.
FELL: It was too late to save the miner. He was already dead, but this! Well, to leave them trapped down there - it's...well, it's murder!
STEVENS: Don't be ridiculous man. They'll never have survived a fall like that. I just need a little more time, that's all. (Coldly.) That mine must not be investigated. You know that as well as I do.
FELL: One death is enough!(He turns to the door but HINKS is there and blocks the little man from leaving.)
FELL: Will you please get out of my way!
(HINKS looks impassively at him. Before anything else can be said, a deep sonorous VOICE booms out of the wall monitor screen on which is displayed a constantly twitching and undulating line like a oscilloscope that is in time to the VOICE. It is vaguely electronic and yet has a human tone...)
BOSS'S VOICE: Stevens...?
(STEVENS turns and looks up at the monitor.)
STEVENS: Yes?
BOSS'S VOICE: Process him.
STEVENS: Is that wise?
BOSS'S VOICE: It is necessary. Do as I say - process.
STEVENS: Very well.
FELL: (Nervously.) Er...who was that?
STEVENS: Our boss - yours and mine.(FELL glances at the calm HINKS who smokes a cigarette.)
FELL: I don't understand?
(STEVENS stares at FELL.)
STEVENS: You will, Fell - very soon.
23: INT. LLANFAIRFACH COLLIERY. LIFT GALLERY
(Avoiding the glowing right hand, JO feels DAI'S left wrist.)
JO: I can hardly feel his pulse. Have you ever seen anything like it before?
BERT: No, never.
JO: What could have caused it?
BERT: Dunno. I tell you what though...
JO: What?
BERT: Whatever it was, it's still down here with us.
24: INT. GLOBAL CHEMICALS. STEVENS' OFFICE
(The BRIGADIER is back in STEVENS' office with the Director and ELGIN. The door opens and FELL walks in. His manner has changed and he seems stiff and wooden.)
STEVENS: Ah, Mr. Fell. Our friend, the Brigadier, needs our help. I'm afraid there's been another accident.
FELL: (Flatly.) Yes, sir. I heard.
STEVENS: Good, good, now, erm...(An impatient BRIGADIER interrupts and turns to FELL.)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Look, we need some cutting equipment - oxy-acetylene, that sort of thing and we need it fast.
FELL: I'm very sorry, Brigadier, but we have nothing of that kind.(The BRIGADIER is amazed. Behind his back, ELGIN looks in astonishment at STEVENS.)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: What - in a place of this size?
FELL: The emergency equipment was withdrawn some time ago, to be replaced by thermic lances. They have not yet arrived.(STEVENS looks almost amused.)
STEVENS: Oh dear, oh dear, you'll think we're woefully ill-equipped.
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: I find it very hard to believe.(STEVENS steps forward, looking the BRIGADIER straight in the eye.)
STEVENS: You're not accusing him of being deliberately obstructive, I hope?
(The BRIGADIER considers.)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: No, of course not.
STEVENS: Of course not. But you still have this problem, haven't you?(He heads for the door...)
STEVENS: Oh, have you tried Professor Jones.
(...and opens it for the BRIGADIER making it clear that the meeting is over.)
STEVENS: Oh no, now I come to think of it...
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: (To FELL.) 'Scuse me.(The BRIGADIER follows STEVENS out and their conversation reaches ELGIN and FELL from the corridor.)
STEVENS: ..., they tried to borrow ours yesterday, so presumably they can't have any now I come to think about it...
(A still amazed ELGIN approaches the still FELL.)
ELGIN: What on earth's going on, Ralph? We must have some cutting tools here - dammit, people's lives are at stake!
(FELL speaks coldly and without emotion, like an automaton.)
FELL: I have given an exact account of the position.
ELGIN: You feeling quite well?
FELL: Perfectly. I must go.(He turns to leave but ELGIN holds him gently by the arm.)
ELGIN: No, hang about, old son - no panic. I've been wanting to have a word with you.
FELL: About what?
ELGIN: Oh, our revered lord and master - friend Stevens.(FELL turns and faces ELGIN like a robot swiveling round.)
FELL: Well?
ELGIN: (Sighs.) It strikes me he's a bit too keen to hush up the green man bit. Is there something I don't know?
FELL: I cannot discuss our Director with you, Elgin.
ELGIN: (Amused.) Elgin?
FELL: Your attitude will be reported.
ELGIN: Reported? You sound like a head prefect.
FELL: Disloyalty cannot be tolerated.
ELGIN: Oh, we're not in the army now, you know.
FELL: The Director shall hear of this.(FELL turns and leaves, watched by a perturbed ELGIN.)
25: EXT. GLOBAL CHEMICALS
(The BRIGADIER approaches his white sports car and gets in. He takes his TM45 radio off the seat and extends the aerial.)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: (Into radio.) Greyhound to trap one - over?
UNIT RADIO OPERATOR: (OOV: Over radio.) Trap one. Go ahead, Greyhound. Over.
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: (Into radio.) Let me talk to Captain Yates...
26: INT. LLANFAIRFACH COLLIERY. LIFT GALLERY
(JO and BERT are still crouched down by DAI EVANS. JO looks nervous. BERT tries to be comforting.)
BERT: Scared?
JO: Bit.(They suddenly hear a crashing sound from a distant gallery.)
JO: What was that?
BERT: Oh, it's only a touch of settling, love. The old mine's snoring a bit, isn't she?
JO: Oh, what are they doing up there, Bert?
BERT: Oh ho! It takes time, girl, takes time.(He hugs her.)
27: INT. LLANFAIRFACH COLLIERY. PITHEAD OFFICE
(CLIFF has reached the pit and watches as DAVE speaks to the National Coal Board on the phone.)
DAVE: (Into phone.) Hello, NCB? Llanfairfach here. Look, there's been more trouble.
(The DOCTOR bustles in.)
DAVE: (Into phone.) Yes, another accident.
DOCTOR: Well, that's where you're wrong!
DAVE: (Into phone.) Hang on a minute, will you? (To the DOCTOR.) What is that you say?(The DOCTOR places a small metal bolt on the desk in front of the little Welshman.)
DOCTOR: Recognise that?
DAVE: Yes, it's...it's...it's a cotter pin.
DOCTOR: Yeah, precisely. I found it on the floor. It had been removed from the brake linkage. This was no accident, Mr. Davies. This was deliberate sabotage!
28: INT. LLANFAIRFACH COLLIERY. LIFT GALLERY
(JO feels DAI'S brow.)
JO: He's much worse. We can't just stay here.
BERT: What else can we do?
JO: But he might die.(BERT thinks.)
BERT: Hang on...I've just thought of something.
JO: What?
BERT: Well, the last time I got trapped, it was over in the west seam. There was an emergency shaft sunk there.
JO: Well, can we get to it?
BERT: Well, the whole seam was filled up right after. Too dangerous to work any more, they said. But the shaft might still be open.
JO: Well, it's better than staying here.
BERT: Aye, I wonder if I can remember the way though? D...got a bit of paper?
JO: Erm...(She searches the pocket of her overalls.)
JO: Yes.
29: INT. LLANFAIRFACH COLLIERY. ENGINE ROOM
(The BRIGADIER walks through the pit office and into the engine room as the DOCTOR and DAVE, watched by CLIFF look over a wall plan of the mine.)
DOCTOR: What about the west seam here - can we reach them through there?
DAVE: No, that's closed after a bad fall. Fourteen killed...
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: No luck, Doctor, they haven't got any.
DOCTOR: That's ridiculous!
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Thought it a bit funny myself.
DAVE: Well, that's nonsense, man. We had the equipment up here a fortnight ago. I took it back myself. It's in the storage shed behind the power house.
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Well, I've only quoted what the technical fellow told me.
CLIFFORD JONES: You should have insisted!(The BRIGADIER looks in puzzlement at the long-haired young man.)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Erm, who...who's...?
DAVE: Oh, this is, er, Professor Jones.(The DOCTOR, absorbed until now with the immediate problems facing them, turns round and looks at CLIFF.)
DOCTOR: Is it indeed? I hadn't realised.
(He walks up to CLIFF and shakes his hand.)
DOCTOR: I've been wanting to meet you for a long time. Your paper on DNA synthesis was quite remarkable for your age.
CLIFFORD JONES: A promising youngster, huh?
DOCTOR: No, no, no, I mean for the age that you live in. Now, you were about to make a suggestion, I believe, Professor?
CLIFFORD JONES: Why don't we just go back to Global Chemicals and take the equipment, by force if necessary?
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Out of the question. Now then, let's talk sense, shall we? Now, where's the nearest town where we can get some cutting equipment - Newport?
DAVE: Well, that's the nearest - yes. But it's quite a way from here.
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Well, we'd better get started then.
DAVE: I'll come with you. I know the place fairly well. It's near the gasworks...(They leave the office. The DOCTOR smiles and puts a friendly arm across CLIFF'S shoulder.)
DOCTOR: You know, Global Chemicals is beginning to interest me. Tell me, Professor, do you know the layout?
CLIFFORD JONES: Aye, very well. Are you thinking what I'm thinking?(The DOCTOR smiles at him.)
30: EXT. GLOBAL CHEMICALS. MAIN GATE
(One of the Guards on duty at the main gate of Global Chemicals hears a strange commotion made up of drums and cymbals and walks forward to investigate. Coming down the road which runs next to the chain-link fence at the side of the complex is a strange procession made up of people from Wholeweal. The guard runs into the small booth next to the barrier and picks up a radio microphone.)
GUARD: (Into microphone.) All security units to front section.
(The procession comes nearer. CLIFF leads it banging a huge drum while the others play a motley collection of cymbals, accordions or pipes and carrying an assortment of banners which read "STEVENS MUST GO", "STEVENS OUT!", GC = GLOBAL CORRUPTION", "KEEP LLANFAIRFACH CLEAN" and "SAVE OUR VALLEY FROM POLLUTION". They repeatedly chant "Stevens out!" as they near the gate.)
31: EXT. GLOBAL CHEMICALS. COMPLEX
(All over the complex and grounds of the site, guards pick up the message on their radios...)
GUARD: (OOV: Over radio.) Demonstration at main gate.
(...and come running.)
GUARD: (OOV: Over radio.) I repeat: all security units to front section.
32: EXT. GLOBAL CHEMICALS. MAIN GATE
(The demonstration comes nearer.)
33: EXT. GLOBAL CHEMICALS. COMPLEX
(Another guard runs out of the building.)
GUARD: (OOV: Over radio.) Demonstration at main gate.
34: EXT. GLOBAL CHEMICALS. MAIN GATE
GUARD: (Into microphone.) assist.
(CLIFF vigorously bangs his drum.)
CLIFFORD JONES: Stevens out!
35: EXT. GLOBAL CHEMICALS. COMPLEX
(Another guard opens an inner gate to make his way towards his colleagues.)
36: EXT. GLOBAL CHEMICALS. MAIN GATE
(The procession reaches the gate.)
CLIFFORD JONES: Stevens out!
37: EXT. GLOBAL CHEMICALS. BACK OF THE COMPLEX
(Another guard reacts to the radio message, running past a sign which reads:
DANGER
ELECTRIFIED FENCEA Land Rover pulls up to the fence along a perimeter road. It has the logo on the side of the South Wales Electricity Board and has a Hy-Mac hoist crane fitted in the back. The DOCTOR gets out and climbs into the cradle of the crane. He pulls the operating levers and the cradle starts to rise. He manoeuvres it over the edge of the electrified fence, climbs over the edge and drops to the ground. He takes a hand-drawn map of the complex out of his pocket, consults it and moves off towards the buildings. He doesn't see that he has run straight past a red sensor fixed into a metal plate in the ground.)
38: INT. GLOBAL CHEMICALS. STEVENS' OFFICE
(An electronic voice is heard in STEVENS' office. The Director listens intently.)
VOICE: Ground sensors picking up unauthorised footsteps - power house section. Cameras alerted.
39: EXT. GLOBAL CHEMICALS. COMPLEX
(The DOCTOR, reading the map, walks past a series of pipes and stop-wheels. As he moves off, a security camera follows his progress.)
40: INT. GLOBAL CHEMICALS. STEVENS' OFFICE
VOICE: Picture available.
(The DOCTOR appears on the wall monitor in STEVEN'S office. Over it, the undulating line of the oscilloscope is superimposed as the sonorous and mysterious VOICE booms out at STEVENS...)
BOSS'S VOICE: Who is this?
STEVENS: One of the UNIT personnel. I saw him talking to the Brigadier earlier. What instructions?
BOSS'S VOICE: No action...yet.
41: EXT. GLOBAL CHEMICALS. COMPLEX
(The DOCTOR walks down a narrow section between a brick wall and a storage tank. Reaching the end, he checks carefully round the corner and moves on.)
42: INT. GLOBAL CHEMICALS. STEVENS' OFFICE
VOICE: Entering number six sector into main storage area.
(STEVENS continues to watch the wall monitor intently.)
STEVENS: Shall I terminate him?
BOSS'S VOICE: Negative. Apprehend him. Find out his function and purpose.
43: EXT. GLOBAL CHEMICALS. COMPLEX. YARD
(The DOCTOR runs by the side of some more pipes and reaches the end of a ledge bordered by a barrier. He looks out across a yard on the other side of which are some corrugated metal storage sheds. He consults the map once more, jumps over the barrier and starts to run across the yard. Suddenly, a guard's voice booms through a fixed wall megaphone-speaker.)
GUARD: (OOV: Through speaker.) Stop!
(The DOCTOR halts and looks round with a rueful look on his face.)
GUARD: (OOV: Through speaker.) Stand still! Perfectly still! Put your hands above your head!
(The DOCTOR wearily does as instructed. A metal hatchway in the side of one of the buildings rises and HINKS and two guards step out of a storage bay.)
44: INT. LLANFAIRFACH COLLIERY. GALLERY
(BERT in front and a nervous JO make their way down a gallery towards the west seam. BERT is carrying the lamp off his helmet in his hand like a torch. JO stops.)
JO: Bert?
(He comes back to her.)
JO: Bert, I...
BERT: Oh, never fear, Blodwyn, Bert is here! Come on.(He helps her on.)
45: EXT. GLOBAL CHEMICALS. COMPLEX. YARD
(HINKS and the guards jump down from the storage bay and walk up to the DOCTOR. HINKS carries a small pistol and indicates to the guards to stand back slightly.)
HINKS: Well, well, well, bit old to play games, ain't we?
DOCTOR: I'm quite spry for my age actually.
HINKS: Oh, gonna have a go? Terrific!(The DOCTOR cries out and knocks HINKS to the ground unconscious with a karate chop. Another guard runs forward with his truncheon raised but the DOCTOR easily flips him over his back. The next guards arm is grabbed and he too is flipped over. The first guard gets up, raises his truncheon again and receives a jab to the stomach and a throw for his pains. The second guard tries again and grabs the DOCTOR round the back of the neck. The DOCTOR retaliates with a arm jab to the man's stomach and throws him into his recovering colleague. All three attackers now lie still on the ground.)
DOCTOR: Venusian akido, gentlemen. I do hope I haven't hurt you?
(He hears footsteps and looks up to see four more guards, armed with rifles, run round a corner and in his direction. He runs off and round a corner.)
46: EXT. GLOBAL CHEMICALS. COMPLEX
(He makes his way into a small semi-open pipe house but finds it is a trap. A barred gate shuts across one door and another through the door by which he entered. He is looking round for another exit when STEVENS and a recovering HINKS appear at one set of the bars.)
STEVENS: Who are you? What do you want?
(The DOCTOR looks through the bars at his captor.)
DOCTOR: I'm afraid you have me under several disadvantages, sir. Er, whom am I addressing?
STEVENS: Forgive me. My name is Stevens. I'm the Director of this project.
DOCTOR: Yes, and very efficient it is too, if I may say so.
STEVENS: (Coldly.) Thank you. You were about to explain your purpose.
DOCTOR: It's really quite simple. I'm attached to UNIT as a scientific advisor.
STEVENS: Ah, the errant Doctor.
DOCTOR: We urgently need cutting equipment at the mine. You have refused to give it. Now my information is that it is stored in that shed over there.(He nods in the direction of the shed.)
STEVENS: My dear Doctor, you could have saved yourself all this bother. Why didn't you ask to see me? Please...help yourself.
(STEVENS looks at HINKS who presses a button on the wall of the corrugated metal shed behind him. The bars slide back. STEVENS and HINKS stride off and the DOCTOR follows. Across the yard, two guards slide back the metal door of the shed, revealing nothing beyond bar the breeze block walls.)
STEVENS: You see?
DOCTOR: (Unconvinced.) Mmm.
HINKS: Come on, Doctor.(He gestures to the DOCTOR to follow him and they set off. Across the yard, ELGIN walks through a gate having witnessed everything.)
47: INT. LLANFAIRFACH COLLIERY. GALLERY
(JO and BERT crouch down as they move along another gallery. JO is having difficulty in breathing.)
JO: It's getting very stuffy in here.
BERT: Oh, take deeper breaths now. It's better for you.(JO does so and they move on.)
48: EXT. LLANFAIRFACH COLLIERY
(The BRIGADIER and BERT come to a halt in the soldier's car outside the mine. On the back seat are two large gas cylinders of a cutting and welding set. DAVE calls out to two waiting maintenance miners.)
DAVE: Come on, lads, look sharp.
(As the two men get out of the car, the two miners start to lift out the cylinders.)
49: INT. LLANFAIRFACH COLLIERY. PITHEAD OFFICE
(The DOCTOR is sat in the pit office going through a sheet of diagrams and calculations with CLIFF.)
DOCTOR: The breaking strength at this point should be in the region of a hundred and twenty three, point thirty-six pounds.
CLIFFORD JONES: Aye, that's right.(The DOCTOR shoots the young man a look but at that moment the BRIGADIER walks in.)
DOCTOR: Well, you're back quickly, Brigadier?
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Oh, sheer luck actually, Doctor.(Behind him, DAVE and a miner start to carry the equipment through to the winding room.)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Stopped for petrol and there was a fellow in the corner of the garage cutting up an old banger. Everything under control here?
DOCTOR: Thank you, yes.
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Good.(He goes through to the engine room...)
50: INT. LLANFAIRFACH COLLIERY. ENGINE ROOM
(...where DAVE is starting to assemble the cutting gear.)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Right, will it take you long to set it up?
DAVE: No, not long once we get started, see?
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Good, right, well I'll find some gear.
DAVE: Oh no, it's my job to go down, isn't it? I mean, it's my responsibility, isn't it?
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: As the one in charge...
DAVE: Look here, you're not in charge of me, mate!(CLIFF and the DOCTOR come through from the office having heard this exchange.)
CLIFFORD JONES: If you want a volunteer...?
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: (Interrupts.) Look, there's no question of a volunteer...
DOCTOR: (Interrupts.) Indeed there isn't, Brigadier. Jo and the others need my help now. So, if Mr. Davies and some of his colleagues would come with me?
DAVE: Oh, you couldn't stop me, man!
51: INT. LLANFAIRFACH COLLIERY. GALLERY
(BERT forges ahead but JO is still finding breathing a bit difficult.)
JO: Can we stop for a bit, Bert?
BERT: Oh no. Once you start, you've got to keep going.
JO: Is it much further?
BERT: Oh, we'll take a breather when we get there.
JO: Okay.
BERT: Come on now.
52: EXT. LLANFAIRFACH COLLIERY
(A miner lights a huge cutting torch and puts the flame to a steel cable.)
53: INT. LLANFAIRFACH COLLIERY. GALLERY
(JO and BERT continue on.)
54: EXT. LLANFAIRFACH COLLIERY
(The flame cuts through the cable and the miner signals to another.)
55: INT. LLANFAIRFACH COLLIERY. LIFT AREA
(The DOCTOR, in mining overalls and helmet, with DAVE and two others miners who have kitted up with helmets, enter the cage. DAVE presses the lift button and puts the mesh door across the entrance.)
56: EXT. LLANFAIRFACH COLLIERY
(Up above, the two wheels on the lift tower start to turn in opposite directions.)
57: INT. LLANFAIRFACH COLLIERY. LIFT SHAFT
(The four men wait patiently as the lift descends.)
58: INT. LLANFAIRFACH COLLIERY. GALLERY
(JO and BERT are crouched down as they make their way through a narrow tunnel. JO is gasping with the effort.)
BERT: Alright...nearly there...
(BERT crawls out of the tunnel and is able to stand.)
BERT: Oh, here we are now.
(He helps JO out. The two are exhausted.)
BERT: Oh...good...we'll take a rest now. Yes...
JO: Oh, I could...I couldn't have gone another step.
BERT: Oh, we haven't got far now...a hundred feet or so...and then we start to go up. ___. Aye, the emergency shaft. Oh, it only goes up for about forty-five degrees. And it comes out on the hillside.
JO: Oh...
BERT: Let's us save the lamps, eh?(He switches JO'S helmet lamp off.)
JO: Okay...
(...and does the same to his own hand-held lamp. They are not plunged into darkness but BERT is too tired to notice the green illumination that reaches them. JO however does...)
JO: Bert?
BERT: Huh?
JO: How can light get down here?
BERT: Well, it can't.
JO: Then how can I see you?
BERT: (Puzzled.) Hey, some light somewhere?(They start to look round.)
JO: What's that smell? It...it's like something rotting.
BERT: Hey - look.(He points to where a thin green luminous trail is running down one of the walls. They walk over to look at it.)
JO: Oh, that smell! What is it?
BERT: I've never seen anything like that before.(He reaches out for it.)
JO: I wouldn't t...
(But it is too late as BERT dips his fingers in the slime. He cries out in pain.)
BERT: Ah! It burns!
59: INT. LLANFAIRFACH COLLIERY. LIFT GALLERY
(The lift comes to a halt. DAVE takes the mesh door off. He, the DOCTOR and the two miners step out and DAVE immediately sees DAI EVANS on the floor. The glowing green encrustation has spread further and now covers his whole face.)
DAVE: Here's Dai.
(He reaches out to help him.)
DOCTOR: Don't touch him.
(The DOCTOR kneels down and looks over the man without touching him.)
DOCTOR: He's dead. Come on, we'll find the others.
DAVE: Yes, but they might...(The DOCTOR ignores whatever the little man was about to say and yells down the gallery.)
DOCTOR: (Shouts.) Jo?!
DAVE: They might be dead too.
DOCTOR: (Shouts.) Jo?! Where are you?!(His voice carries down the dark passage. DAVE notices a sheet of paper jammed near the phone.)
DAVE: Look, Doctor.
(He passes the sheet to the DOCTOR who reads it...)
DOCTOR: "Couldn't wait any longer. Gone to find another way out. Jo." The idiots! Why didn't they wait?
(He turns the paper over. DAVE sees what is scrawled on the back.)
DAVE: That looks like a map of the mine.
DOCTOR: Yes, of course. That's the west seam. Come on. Let's go after them.(He starts to walk off.)
DAVE: Doctor? You can't go on your own. You don't know the mine. (To the miners.) Look, you two - take Dai Evans up and send the cage back for us. I'll come with you, Doctor.
60: INT. LLANFAIRFACH COLLIERY. WEST SEAM GALLERY
(JO is having to help BERT along with his arm slung across her shoulder.)
BERT: Hey, it's my turn to feel tired now. I must be getting on.
(He manages a grin at her.)
JO: Come on, Bert. Keep going. It's not far now.
61: INT. LLANFAIRFACH COLLIERY. GALLERY
(The DOCTOR and BERT make their way along a gallery previously taken by JO and BERT.)
DOCTOR: (Shouts.) Jo?!
DAVE: (Shouts.) Bert?!
DOCTOR: (Shouts.) Jo, can you hear me?!
DAVE: Bert?!(He calls out in Welsh. They listen for a reply and move on.)
62: INT. LLANFAIRFACH COLLIERY. WEST SEAM GALLERY
(BERT is getting weaker as JO helps him along. Neither of them notices the green glow on BERT'S fingers.)
JO: Hang on, Bert...that's it.
BERT: Oh, it's no use.(He sits down at the side of the gallery. JO sits with him.)
BERT: I can't go on. Oh, I feel so...oh, so bad....
(He raises his hand to wipe his brow and the two notice with shock and horror the green glow on his fingers.)
BERT: (Terrified.) Fraid I've had it! Like Dai!
JO: No, it doesn't. Look, we'll find help.
BERT: It's no use! You...you must go on.
JO: (Appalled.) But I can't leave you too!
BERT: It's my only chance!
JO: But I can't!
BERT: You must! You must please go on!
JO: Alright then...I'll be as quick as I can.(Her face full of misgivings, she moves off.)
63: INT. LLANFAIRFACH COLLIERY. GALLERY
(The DOCTOR and BERT move along a low and narrow passage. The DOCTOR almost dislodges one of the pit props. They turn a corner and see that the gallery ahead is suffused with a green light.)
DOCTOR: What's that light?
DAVE: Where?
DOCTOR: Up ahead - there.
DAVE: (Shouts.) Bert?(He shouts again in Welsh.)
DOCTOR: The light's green.
BERT: Put our lights out then, Doctor.(The two men switch off their lights.)
DOCTOR: Come on.
(He takes a few paces but then stops and sniffs the stale air.)
DOCTOR: Extraordinary smell. Come on.
(They reach the place where the green slime trails down the wall.)
DOCTOR: What is this stuff?
(DAVE, like his colleague before him reaches out to touch but on this occasion is stopped in time.)
DOCTOR: No, don't touch it! Come on, let's get on.
64: INT. LLANFAIRFACH COLLIERY. ANOTHER PART OF THE WEST SEAM GALLERY
(JO makes her way along.)
65: INT. LLANFAIRFACH COLLIERY. WEST SEAM GALLERY
DAVE: Wha... Here's Bert!
DOCTOR: Where?(DAVE rushes forward to help the collapsed man.)
DAVE: Bert? Bert?
(BERT is gasping for breath and DAVE speaks to him in Welsh. BART raises his right infected hand.)
DOCTOR: Dave - look at his hand!
(DAVE jumps back. BERT is just lucid.)
DOCTOR: Where's the girl?
BERT: Gone on ahead...
DOCTOR: (To DAVE.) Take him up to the surface - quickly as you can. Let the professor take a look at him.
DAVE: What about you?
DOCTOR: I'm going on ahead to look for Jo. Tell the Brigadier that I'll find her and bring her back but don't let anybody come down looking after us. You understand?
DAVE: Yes, Doctor.
DOCTOR: It's far too dangerous.(He moves off.)
66: INT. LLANFAIRFACH COLLIERY. CAVERN GALLERY
(JO turns a corner in the gallery where the green glow is stronger. She walks past a series of hanging rusting chains and sees a horrifying sight in front of her. Filling a natural cavern in the rock is a lake of the green slime and swimming within it are hundreds of maggots. But these creatures are way beyond their normal size. Each is some two to three feet long as it swirms in the mire. She steps back in disgust. Some distance behind her in the tunnel, the DOCTOR gets nearer.)
DOCTOR: (Shouts.) Jo?! Jo - are you there?!
JO: (OOV: Ahead in the cavern.) Doctor - here quickly!(The DOCTOR moves on at speed and soon he and JO bump into each other in the green gloom.)
JO: Doctor! Doctor - it's horrible!
(She points back where she has come from.)
DOCTOR: What is it?
(He moves on to look. He reaches the cavern and sees the lake of giant maggots.)
DOCTOR: Good grief!
(He goes back to her.)
DOCTOR: Come on!
(They start to set off back the way they have come but all of a sudden there is a rumbling sound. The long-disused tunnel, disturbed by their movements, starts to collapse. Dust and rocks fall down, totally blocking their route back. To make matters worse, several maggots suddenly emerge from gaps in the debris. JO looks on in horror as the creatures start to shuffle towards them. One of them hisses at the pair with its small mouth filled with razor-sharp teeth...)
Dr. Who
JON PERTWEEJo Grant
KATY MANNINGBrigadier Lethbridge Stewart
NICHOLAS COURTNEYStevens
JEROME WILLISClifford Jones
STEWART BEVANElgin
TONY ADAMSFell
JOHN ROLFEBoss's Voice
JOHN DEARTHHinks
BEN HOWARDDai Evans
MOSTYN EVANSDave
TALFRYN THOMASBert
ROY EVANSFight Arranger
TERRY WALSHWritten by
ROBERT SLOMANTitle Music by
RON GRAINER
and
BBC Radiophonic WorkshopIncidental Music by
DUDLEY SIMPSONSpecial Sound
DICK MILLSScript Editor
TERRANCE DICKSDesigner
JOHN BURROWESProducer
BARRY LETTSDirected by
MICHAEL BRIANT
COLOUR
© BBC 1973