Saturday, March 10, 2007

The Attack of the Cybermen III

35. EXT. TOTTER'S LANE (DAY)

The Doctor and Peri head up the lane. The detector is beeping more and more persistently.

DOCTOR
Warm, Peri, very very warm!

PERI
Really?

DOCTOR
Yes, scalding! BOILING! We are RIGHT on top of it!

Peri sighs as the Doctor comes to a halt at the end of the lane.

PERI
Doctor?

DOCTOR
Yes?

Peri wordlessly points to the gates to Foreman's junkyard, which they now stand before.

DOCTOR
Ah...

PERI
We've been going around in circles.

DOCTOR
A circle. Signular, Peri. Makes all the difference. Besides, this is where we should be - with the TARDIS I can boost the range, get a more accurate reading.

PERI
If that gizmo even works.

DOCTOR
Of course it does! It was programmed to find a time ship and it did - just got the wrong one. Machines make those kind of silly mistakes.

The Doctor pockets the device, delves into his pocket and takes out the key. Peri mutters under her breath.

PERI
They're not the only ones.

The Doctor hears.

DOCTOR
Hmmm?

Peri quickly covers up.

PERI
Uh, are you ever going to let me have a key of my own? It'd save time, wouldn't it?

DOCTOR
I suppose. Here, take this one for a test-drive. See if you can open the door.

He hands her the key.

PERI
I managed last time, didn't I?

Peri sticks her tongue out and then strides into the junkyard. The Doctor, however, does not follow her as he double-takes when he sees the van parked across the street.

DOCTOR
They've been parked there a long time...


35. EXT. FOREMAN'S JUNKYARD (DAY)

Peri walks towards the TARDIS doors, but stops right in front of it and looks around her when she hears a clattering noise somewhere in the yard. A few tarps flap in the breeze. It is now ominously quiet.


36. EXT. TOTTER'S LANE (DAY)

The Doctor is now by the van. He gingerly slides open the back of the van, and peers in. He pulls out Bill's clipboard and reads through it very quickly, before putting it back in the van. He then opens the thermos and feels the fluid inside. He looks troubled.


37. EXT. FOREMAN'S JUNKYARD (DAY)

We see Peri from someone else's POV, behind a sheet of iron. Peri turns around to face them but as she does so the person ducks out of sight.

PERI (VO)
Hey! I saw you! Doctor! There's someone here!


38. EXT. TOTTER'S LANE (DAY)

The Doctor hears Peri's call and drops the thermos before running into the yard. He fails to notice the black car with tinted windows pulling up in clear view behind him.


39. EXT. FOREMAN’S JUNKYARD (DAY)

The Doctor runs up to Peri.

DOCTOR
What is it?

PERI
Someone's hiding in here. Over there!

She points to a stack of junk. The Doctor calls out to the point Peri indicated.

DOCTOR
Come on out! I don’t care if you’re alien, robot or in between, I’ve seen them all, but I hate to talk over distances like this.

One of the policeman emerges. The Doctor unsurprisingly, does not recognize the policeman.

DOCTOR
Hullo, Officer. Strange hiding spot but I can assure you I have no interest at all in what you may have been doing there. Nice day, isn't it?

The policeman does not speak.

DOCTOR
Very well, I'll avoid the niceties. Have you noticed anything unusual on your rounds?

The policeman stares blankly ahead, as if they are not there.

PERI
Doctor… I don’t think he’s really a policeman…

Suddenly, the policeman steps a step towards them. Then another.

DOCTOR
You're quite close enough, thank you.

The sinister silence is starting to get to Peri. The policeman moves closer, and they back away.

PERI
Doctor, who is this freak?

DOCTOR
I don't know. Who are you, you freak?

They are now backing up against a heap of ruined cars. The second policeman steps from behind it as Peri backs into range, then grabs her neck from behind. Peri cries out as she hauled away from the Doctor, who double takes as the remaining policeman closes in on him.

DOCTOR
Oh, I see how it works. Two on one. You're not very brave are you? Whatever you are. Well, luckily I am.


40. INT. LYTTON’S ROOM (DAY)

The screen shows the Doctor's face. Lytton rubs his eyes, tired.

LYTTON
Unmistakenly the Doctor. I'd know that arrogance anywhere. As I can see no value in the... Doctor....

Lytton begins to phase out, struggling to focus his gaze. The computer blurs before his eyes, becoming a seething blue light. Crystalline aliens swim into his vision, their voices distant and echoing.

CRYONS
Peace! Peace! We want to live in peace!!

Lytton is in pain, but clearly recomposes himself. The voices fade into the distance, and the vision fades.


41. EXT. FOREMAN’S JUNKYARD (DAY)

The two policemen look around, as if confused. The Doctor nimbly reaches in and pulls Peri free from her captor. They back away.

PERI
Fat lot of good your granstanding did, Doctor.

DOCTOR
It seems to have worked. They're trying to communicate with someone. Or something...

The policemen suddenly turn their attention to the time travelers. They begin to advance. Peri takes a deep breath and bunches her fists. The Doctor closes his eyes in embarassment.

PERI
Which one of you creeps wants to dance?!

DOCTOR
Peri, your venacular won't help anything! I'm sure there's been some misunderstanding...

The policemen draw their pistols fitted with silencers.

PERI
Or maybe not.

The Doctor's jaw drops.

DOCTOR
You shouldn't have those! You're very bad policemen!

The nearest policeman aims the gun between Peri's eyes. She's panicky.

PERI
Doctor!

DOCTOR
Now, wait a minute!

Suddenly, the policeman moves the pistol to aim at the TARDIS doors, keeping his eyes on the Doctor.

DOCTOR
You… want me to open the doors?

The policeman nods. The Doctor runs a hand through his curls.

DOCTOR
I’m getting a strange feeling of de-ja vu right now…

The policemen aim their pistols at his head again. The Doctor moves to the door while the second policeman covers Peri with his gun.

DOCTOR
All right! Be patient. I've got to find my key... I'm sure I put it somewhere...

He starts going through his pockets. Peri whispers to him.

PERI
What are they?

DOCTOR
If I had to guess, Peri, I’d say robots. Now just stay calm and…

A new voice sounds, and we see a gun barrel placed against the back of the policeman nearest the gate.

SCOTT (VO)
The game’s up, mate.

We see Scott and his friend in the black suit stand in the entrance, guns aimed at the heads of the policemen. The Doctor turns around and doesn’t know whether to be relieved or anxious. He settles for sarcasm.

DOCTOR
My my… so many guns in such a small place…

The policeman next to the Doctor spins round with surprising speed and knocks Scott's gun from his hand, only for Scott to grab the policeman's pistol and twist the barrel away from him as the Doctor shoulder-charges the android. The policeman crashed into a stack of iron railings and crashes lifeless to the ground. The second policeman uses this distraction, grabs Peri and shoves her into the black clad man. In the confusion, the second policeman runs and leaps over a pram and into the shadows. The black clad man shoves Peri aside, about to give chase.

SCOTT
Leave him!


42. INT. LYTTON’S ROOM (DAY)

The screen shows wavy black and white lines. The image changes to the POV of the policeman as he struggles to escape through a hole in the back fence. Lytton looks slightly drained and very annoyed.

LYTTON
So much for that.

COMPUTER
There is a high probability of success in attempting to gain access to the time craft -

LYTTON
I’m not going to try holding two operations together at once. We shall carry on as planned.


43. EXT. FOREMAN’S JUNKYARD (DAY)

Scott turns to regard the fallen policeman. Peri, gratefully, turns to the black suit man.

PERI
You saved our lives!

They ignore her. Scott delves into his jacket pocket and produces a long, black, pointed device.

SCOTT
Let’s have a look at our friend here.

DOCTOR
Is that a sonic lance?

Scott glances at the Doctor, noting his familiarity.

SCOTT
Yes.

He crouches down beside the body of the policeman. His companion steps closer, covering the policeman with his gun. Scott activates the device, and it makes a low whirring noise while buttons on the handle glow. He moves it around the ‘policeman’s face, which, after a short times warps and becomes a sleek, grey, and rather dull looking robot. Peri is stunned.

PERI
Kamelion?

The Doctor hastily makes a gesture to silence her, his eyes locked on the android. Scott, who doesn't notice the brief exchange, is unfazed by all this and pulls out a walke-talkie.

SCOTT
Sergeant Scott, reporting from target zone. Hostile android de-activated, proceeding with interview of Persons of Interest on the scene, over.

There is a crackled acknowledgement. Scott stands and faces the Doctor. The two size each other up wordlessly. Scott then reaches out and feels the Doctor’s neck, and his chest. The Doctor is miffed.

DOCTOR
Can I help you?

SCOTT
Erratic pulse. More than one heart. And that outfit... You’re an alien.

DOCTOR
And you’re human, ‘Sergeant Scott’. Congratulations.

SCOTT
You’re coming with us. Both of you.

The Doctor folds his arms, unimpressed.

DOCTOR
Really? And why, pray tell, would I do that?

Scott addresses the man in black, already sounding bored.

SCOTT
Private!

The man in the suit nods, and pulls out a taser. The Doctor raises his hands placatingly.

DOCTOR
Now, my man, there's no need for - -

Without a word, the private jabs the taser in the Doctor's chest. There is a crackle of sparks, the Doctor grimaces and collapses onto the ground. Peri steps forward angrilly.

PERI
Hey!

The private casually jabs her stomach. Her eyes widen as she is electrocuted and she falls unconscious into his arms. Scott shakes his heads and tuts.

SCOTT
Why do you always get the cute ones who swoon?

The private speaks in a ridiculously deep, macho voice that is totally deadpan.

PRIVATE
It's a knack.


44. INT. LYTTON’S LOCK-UP - CORRIDOR (DAY)

Griffiths knocks on Lytton's door, but it opens immediately before he's managed his second knock, visibly catching him off-guard.

LYTTON
Yes?

GRIFFITHS
Er... you're not busy?

LYTTON
I am. Very. But I gather there's something you want to talk about?

GRIFFITHS
Yeah, I...

Griffiths trails off. He's having trouble looking at Lytton face-to-face.

GRIFFITHS
Do you know about what happened with Joe?

LYTTON
That he was sighted? Of course.

GRIFFITHS
Oh.

LYTTON
It's my business to know these things, Mr Griffiths. And, rest assured, it does concern me. Between you and I, I have decided that this shall be our final job.

GRIFFITHS
Really?

LYTTON
I would be grateful if you did not mention it to Mr Payne, however.

GRIFFITHS
How can I not? Our last job... it's major stuff.

LYTTON
That it is. But he'll know it's the end soon enough.

GRIFFITHS
I don't know how Joe will take it...

LYTTON
He will be changed man, Mr Griffiths. It will mean nothing to him.

Griffiths gives Lytton an uncertain look.

GRIFFITHS
Right...

LYTTON
Now, if that is all I have work to do.

GRIFFITHS
Well...

Lytton shuts the door in his face. Griffiths sighs, blows out his cheeks and moves off.


45. INT. LYTTON’S ROOM (DAY)

Lytton sits back down in front of the computer.

LYTTON
Have you been able to establish a more stable com-link with my target?

COMPUTER
Negative.

Lytton ponders this.

LYTTON
Will you be able to send a data-link record to them?

COMPUTER
That would have a high probability of success.

LYTTON
Good.

Lytton checks his watch.

LYTTON
Broadcast continuously until halted precisely half-an-hour from now. It’s vital contact is made above all else.

COMPUTER
Confirmed.


46. EXT. TELOS SURFACE (DAY)

A rocky slope. Bates, Stratton and Proser are all present – they are still wearing their blue uniforms, but by now they are grimy and torn. Clearly they’ve been here some time. All three are crouched low, clearly worried about being seen.

BATES
What're they using it for?

PROSER
If I had to guess, I'd say an invasion.

STRATTON
Why?

PROSER
Lots of troops, and they don't seem to be expending them.

BATES
Doesn't seem like much to go on...

PROSER
That's not all. They took me through their dock. Hundreds of shuttles, hundreds of the damn things. Most looked to be empty and unfuelled.

STRATTON
So you're saying they've been calling everyone back here?

PROSER
Looks that way.

BATES
A time invasion? Could stress the rift badly.

Proser shrugs.

PROSER
They reckon they got it anchored with some mystery program of theirs. Don't ask me how - I don't think they even know what they're doing. Bunch of amateurs.

BATES
So... what's the plan then? We bust up their machinery and the Capsule, then find ourselves a shuttle?

Stratton and Proser turn to look at him, baffled.

STRATTON
Why would we do that?

Bates rolls his eyes.

BATES
Don't you remember the lectures on the Ethics of Time Travel? A temporal invasion breaks the whole lot! We can't leave this lot with ANY time-sensitive technology.

Proser nods, uneasy. Stratton looks at them both, incredulous at their stupidity.

PROSER
Well... yeah, but... this is a matter of life and death, Bates. We don't have an army on our side here. We've got no weapons, no resources, no chance. Our lives come before heroics, as far as I'm concerned.

STRATTON
Too right they do! Bates, screw your head on. This invasion's the best thing that could happen to us. If they're going somewhere else, the base will soon be nearly empty, and with that rift opened up and getting traffic the Time Lords won't notice us slipping back out in the capsule - we're home and dry.

BATES
If there's a home to go back to! How do we even know what Hatre Sedtry will be like with these idiots messing around with time travel? The whole planet could be nothing but ash!

Stratton grabs onto Bates and stands over him.

STRATTON
LISTEN, Bates - what are you?

Bates has clearly been through this before. A lot.

BATES
First technician.

STRATTON
Correct. You are the First Technician. And what am I, Bates? Hmm?

Bates sighs.

BATES
Flight Leader.

STRATTON
Correct again. I am the Flight Leader. I am your commanding officer. And I am Proser's commanding officer. And I say we follow our mission to the letter. And what is our mission, Bates?

BATES
To issue a full technical report to the Research Commission after a successful navigation of the Temporal Slipstream Capsule.

Stratton looks at him expectantly.

BATES
At whatever cost.

It's an uneasy moment. Proser breaks it after a look at his watch, which is located near his elbow.

PROSER
All right you two, our five-minute window's over. We gotta get back to the work party before the patrolling scout comes back.

Stratton nods and moves off straight away, while Proser moves back to watch over the ridge to see if it's clear. Bates sullenly gets up to follow. Proser calls out to him as he leaves.

PROSER
Hey, Eregous!

Bates turns around.

PROSER
I just wanted you to know that I'm on your side, for what it's worth... it's just there's nothing we can do.

Bates nods.

BATES
Right. Well, thanks for that, Raltus.

PROSER
Any time.


46. EXT. LONDON – DELTECH BUILDING (DAY)

The black car drives towards an impressive building in an upmarket block that is slightly secluded - it has walls and an internal roundabout for cars. There is clearly visible a sign that identifies it as "DELTECH" When the black car drives in, however, it doesn't stop anywhere near the official-looking entrance, but instead drives around the side of the building to what looks like an entrance for the warehouse, with a sliding metal door in the side of the building. There are a couple of jeeps and trucks already there with the familiar UNIT insignia. As Scott and the plain-clothes soldier get out of the car several uniformed soldiers come out from the warehouse entrance and, after recieving inaudible instructions from Scott, open up the car and carry the Doctor and Peri, who are unconscious and limp, in with them. With an approving look, Scott follows them through the entrance.


47. EXT. DELTECH WAREHOUSE (DAY)

The soldiers lay down the Doctor and Peri amidst some non-descript packing crates. Scott enters closely behind them and is welcomed by a female corporal named CARVER. Scott undoes his tie and takes off his sunglasses straight away.

CARVER
Who are this lot, sir?

SCOTT
No idea, but they were they shouldn't have been. Plus the bloke's an alien.

Scott takes off jacket - he's clearly uncomfortable in plain clothes and eager to get back into uniform.

CARVER
Would explain the clothes. Shall I pass the word to the Captain?

SCOTT
I'll take care of that. These two need to go into custody.

CARVER
Where? We don't exactly have cells here...

SCOTT
There'll be doors with locks around here somewhere, Corporal.

CARVER
Sir. May I ask if there's been any word from the Lieutenant?

SCOTT
You may, and there hasn't, corporal.

Carver looks worried, but is distracted as Peri starts groaning.

CARVER
She's coming to, sir.

SCOTT
I can see that. I'd best handle this, Corporal.

CARVER
Sir.

Peri groans and opens her eyes.

PERI
Oh, my stomach... What did I eat last night?

SCOTT
Don't worry, it'll be fine in a few hours.

Peri looks around her, groggy.

PERI
Who...? Wait. We're not on Lanzarote are we?

CARVER
Lanzarote? Is that another planet?

Scott smiles and shakes his head.

PERI
Wait. I remember. You're the jerks that electrocuted my belly button!

SCOTT
Guilty as charged, but you shouldn't have tried to attack my colleague.

PERI
Your colleague was attacking my friend, you gung-ho idiot!

SCOTT
Your friend wasn't cooperating.

PERI
Cooperating with what? What's going on here?

SCOTT
We're putting you into a temporary protective custody. Nothing to be worried about.

PERI
You zapped us with five thousand volts! That's your idea of 'protection'?

SCOTT
You refused to come quietly so we took precautions.

Peri shakes her head in disbelief at his casual manner.

PERI
Who are you people?

SCOTT
UNIT.

PERI
Unit of what?

DOCTOR (VO)
No, UNIT as in the United Nations Intelligence Taskforce?

They turn to see the Doctor sitting up, fully recovered. He looks around, distastefully.

DOCTOR
So you're the new face of UNIT, eh? Like I said, Peri, it all goes downhill in the 80s. Well, 'Sergeant Scott', do you kidnap people on the streets often, or is it some kind of perk?

SCOTT
Only aliens.

DOCTOR
Aliens are people too!

Peri is lost.

PERI
Wait. You guys know about aliens too? That they're real?

SCOTT
Yes, miss. Aliens are our field of expertise.

DOCTOR
In what way, precisely? Killing them?

SCOTT
When necessary, yes.

DOCTOR
"Necessary" is a matter of opinion. May we know just where you've brought us?

SCOTT
Need to know.

DOCTOR
We need to know.

SCOTT
No you don't.

PERI
You don't know that we don't need to know, so we might know we need to know. You know?

DOCTOR
Your torture of the English language often disturbs me, Peri.

Scott rolls his eyes.

SCOTT
Carver, take him to an interrogation room, I'll be with him shortly.

CARVER
Sir.

Carver pulls the Doctor up and leads him along the corridor. He keeps talking as he leaves, having to raise his voice as he moves out of view.

DOCTOR
Remember Peri, take the fifth! Say nothing without a social worker present! REMEMBER THE ALAMO!

PERI
Hey! Please, he's my friend! Don't hurt him!

SCOTT
If he's innocent he has nothing to fear.

Peri scowls and rubs her neck. It's still slightly bruised.

PERI
Yeah. When has anything bad ever happened to someone who's innocent?

Scott turns to the private, who is still dressed in black.

SCOTT
Keep an eye on her until Carver can deal with her. I’ve got to report to the Captain.

PRIVATE
Sir.


48. INT. MORTIMER'S OFFICE (DAY)

The light and airy office of Professor RUPERT MORTIMER, the owner of Deltech and clearly quite a well-off man. The room is predominantly white and is decorated with various abstract sculptures and paintings. Mortimer himself sits behind a glass curved desk in a large chair, right next to his prized personal computer. Sitting opposite him is CAPTAIN LARKHILL, the commanding officer of the present UNIT troops.

LARKHILL
On behalf of UNIT, Professor, I'd like to thank you for your support of this operation.

MORTIMER
Well, I wasn't exactly under the impression that I had a choice in the matter.

LARKHILL
Not really, no. But we're generally used to more resistance.

MORTIMER
Oh. You assume control of research facilities often?

LARKHILL
We do.

Mortimer steeples his fingers, his tone dry.

MORTIMER
Charming. But at any rate myself and all other members of the scientific community are quite eager to see this Lytton fellow locked up.

LARKHILL
As are we.

MORTIMER
An unthinkable state of affairs, when a common criminal can bring the scientific interests of a nation nearly to stand still with petty vandalism! What amazes me more is the police seem powerless to stop him!

LARKHILL
We suspect he has contacts within the police force.

MORTIMER
Nothing would surprise me. But how does this man interest the United Nations? Is he... a war criminal or something? A foreign fugitive?

LARKHILL
Possibly both.

Mortimer looks disgusted.

MORTIMER
He sounds monstrous.

Scott enters, and quickly salutes.

SCOTT
Ma'am.

LARKHILL
At ease, sergeant.

SCOTT
Erm, sorry ma'am but is he...

LARKHILL
Cleared? More or less.

SCOTT
Checked the target area as suggested, Captain.

MORTIMER
"Target area"?

LARKHILL
We detected some… foreign technology in the vacinity. And?

SCOTT
Well…

Scott uncertainly indicates Mortimer. Larkhill fobs it off.

LARKHILL
Continue, Sergeant.

SCOTT
We disabled a camoflagued android, but another unit escaped.

MORTIMER
Sorry, did you say ‘android’ just then?!

SCOTT
And we’ve arrested an alien we found on the scene.

MORTIMER
An alien?!

LARKHILL
What sort of alien?

MORTIMER
As in a foreigner?

SCOTT
Humanoid, ma’am.

MORTIMER
Humanoid?!!?

LARKHILL
I'd appreciate it if you didn't interrupt, Professor.

SCOTT
He’s got two hearts. Other than that he appears almost indiscernible to a human, ma'am. Only his clothing suggests otherwise.

Larkhill smiles and looks out the window, arms folded.

LARKHILL
You been to Carnaby Street recently, sergeant?

Mortimer cradles his head in his hands, mumbling to himself in worry.

MORTIMER
You're actually talking about extraterrestrial beings? My god, a bunch of madmen with guns have taken over my offices!

Both madmen with guns ignore him.

LARKHILL
Any witnesses?

SCOTT
Pretty quiet. There had been workmen in the area but they seemed to have cleared off – but there was a young girl with him.

Larkhill frowns.

LARKHILL
Abducted?

SCOTT
She didn’t seem to think so.

LARKHILL
Keep her in protective custody, we need to find out her story somehow. Get Carver to talk to her, she’s friendly, bound to wring something out.

SCOTT
Ma’am.

LARKHILL
Luckily with our alien friend we can take a much more direct approach. I want you to give him the tenth degree, and I’ll be with you shortly.

SCOTT
Right you are, ma'am.

He salutes Larkhill, and turns to go. As an afterthought he nods to Mortimer.

SCOTT
We'll try to keep out of your way, Professor.

Scott exits. Mortimer nods distantly.

MORTIMER
Yes, I would appreciate that... Aliens?!

LARKHILL
Don't spread it around. Need to know basis. Besides, everyone will think you're mad. Now, what were we talking about before the Sergeant interrupted us?

MORTIMER
I... erm... I don't remember.

LARKHILL
Really? Then I suggest you get on with your vital work, Professor.

MORTIMER
Indeed.

Larkhill looks out the window as Mortimer feverishly opens a drawer in his desk and takes out a bottle of port and a shot glass, thinks twice and just sculls from the bottle.


49. INT. LYTTON'S LOCK-UP (DAY)

There is a knock on the door. Griffiths opens it to reveal VINCE RUSSELL, a man in his thirties who is dressed all in black. He looks eager and is gripping a camo backpack.

RUSSELL
Charlie, mate, good to see ya!

GRIFFITHS
Get in off the street, you pillock!

Griffiths all but pulls him through the doorway. Russell is taken aback. Griffiths slams the door.

GRIFFITHS
You always try to make a discreet entrance. Joe, go tell the Boss.

Payne walks into the corridor leading to Lytton's office, but as soon as he does so Lytton barges past him. Once Lytton has entered the room the mood changes - Payne instantly discards and stubs out his cigarette, and seemingly stands to attention. Griffiths also straightens up. Russell seems slightly more nervous. Lytton surveys them all for a moment, letting the silence hang in the air.

LYTTON
You're late.

Russell holds up the backpack.

RUSSELL
I got the stuff.

LYTTON
So I should hope. Mr Russell you have already met Mr Griffiths. This is Mr Payne. And you know who I am, don't you?

RUSSELL
Yes. Yes I do.

LYTTON
Then let's not waste any time.


50. INT. KITCHEN (DAY)

A decidedly non-descript canteen kitchen. Pots and pans and cups and other items of culinary flotsam abound - a lot of untidy soldiers have been using it. Carver and Peri enter through a pair of double doors. Carver leans up against the wall and rest her rifle alongisde herself. Peri looks at a loss.

PERI
What are we doing in here?

CARVER
Keeping out of the way. Officially it's called 'protective custody', but you don't want to pay attention to anything official. You should get yourself a chair, could be here a while.

Peri looks around for something to sit on, and finds herself a milk crate.

PERI
What is this place anyway?

CARVER
A kitchen.

Peri rolls her eyes.

PERI
No, the-

Carver giggles.

CARVER
I know. This place is DelTech. Freelance research facility.

PERI
Right. And what are you people doing here?

CARVER
Guard duty, mostly.

PERI
Guarding from what?

CARVER
Need-to-know basis again, I'm afraid. Almost everything is in this job.

PERI
But something to do with aliens, isn't it?

Carver doesn't react. Peri takes a deep breath.

PERI
OK. Look, when the Doctor and me, when we... arrived here, we found some... evidence. That a ship was somewhere in London. A time ship.

CARVER
Really?

PERI
Yeah. A real fist through the wedding cake deal.

CARVER
"Fist... through... the wedding cake"?

PERI
Need to know, Corporal, need to know.

CARVER
I can tell you there haven't been any UFOs. Well, actually there's been plenty, but none that could be connected. Not unless your aliens hitchhiked from Staffordshire.

PERI
Is that in England? Never mind. What are you actually guarding here?

CARVER
This is a research facility.

Peri tries not to lose her temper.

PERI
Yeah, I heard what you said, but aliens who can travel through time and space will hardly be interested in anything humans develop. Trust me, I've met a few. So, whatever is being guarded here isn't some new experimental thingamagig.

Carver nods admiringly.

CARVER
You are good.

PERI
Maybe. But I still asked you a question.

CARVER
It's like I said before - need to know.

PERI
And are you on the need to know list?

CARVER
Nowhere near it.


51. INT. DEL-TECH - BREAK ROOM (DAY)

A small room of the various sort that exist in work environments, often for temporary offices, but right now it has been consciously dimmed in its lighting in an attempt to convert into an interrogation room. The Doctor looks suitably unimpressed, sitting with his arms folded, larger than life, at the end of a long table. Scott enters, now in his UNIT fatigues.

DOCTOR
Ah, Scott. Lost the suit, I see. A small but significant triumph for your personal dignity.

SCOTT
It was nothing but a security precaution. We wouldn't want to alarm the public.

DOCTOR
I think you'd have alarmed plenty of people with that plaid monstrosity!

Scott stares at the Doctor for a moment.

SCOTT
I don't really think you're one to talk...

DOCTOR
Oh, but I am, Scott, I am. Once you get to know me you'll find out just how much I do love to talk!

Scott's patience snaps.

SCOTT
Yeah, well, now's the time to stop!

THE DOCTOR
In an interrogation?! I knew I had the RIGHT to remain silent but I had no idea it was a preference!

Scott looks confused for a moment but soon turns stern again.

SCOTT
You know what I mean!

DOCTOR
Of course I do, Scott. You mean only to do your job. And do it well. That's why I've decided to help you. To make it nice and easy. What would you like to know?

Scott is about to speak but the Doctor cuts him off.

DOCTOR
No! Don't tell me - that'd spoil all the fun! Okay, you want to know about the girl I 'abducted'. I didn't, simple as that. She wanted to come travel with me so I let her - time travel, I should add, just in case you've checked the records and found her on any old missing persons reports. And yes, I confess, I am an alien. Called the Doctor. JUST "the Doctor". No name, thank you, I get by fine without one. Surprised you don't remember me, in fact, I happened to be around during all that business with the Daleks in Wapping 84 - sorry for how that worked out, by the way. Poor Colonel Archer. Anyway, if you'd care to dig around a bit I should be on your files I was your scientific advisor back in...

The Doctor trails off in thought. Scott opens his mouth to speak.

DOCTOR
Well, I can't keep track of the dates myself but it wasn't THAT long ago. Look under the files of Lethbridge-Stewart - that's S-T-E-W-A-R-T. Brigadier, had a funny-looking moustache, uppity voice. He was teaching schoolboys mathematics last time I saw him and that was, ooh, 1983? Or was it 1976? What am I doing here? Investigating a space-time anomaly, could be very important, and by "very important" I mean "could destroy the entire planet in the wrong hands", so I'd be grateful if you let me get back onto it as soon as possible. Did that cover everything?

Scott is dutifully writing it all down in a notepad. He doesn't look up.

SCOTT
Just about. But there's one more very important question.

DOCTOR
Milk, no sugar thank you.

Scott raises his head and looks the Doctor in the eye.

SCOTT
What connection do you have with Lytton?

The Doctor's expression darkens. This is no longer a game.

DOCTOR
Lytton?

SCOTT
You admit to knowing him?

DOCTOR
Oh, we met once back in that business in 84. It wasn't pleasant. He killed a lot of people. I thought he was dead. Wishful thinking, it now appears.


52. INT. LYTTON’S LOCK-UP (DAY)

For a few seconds the screen is dark, but then the darkness folds away to reveal the calm form of Lytton who reaches towards the audience and pulls out a large automatic rifle. As the camera shifts we see he is reaching into one of the large lockers in the corner of the lock-up. He hands the rifle to Russell, who is standing beside him. Russell looks incredulously at the item, but Payne is grinning.

RUSSELL
What is THAT?

LYTTON
Your weapon.

PAYNE
Weapon and a 'alf that is. How long have you had those around, boss?

LYTTON
Since the beginning. I knew we'd need them some day.

He hands the next rifle to Payne.

RUSSELL
This is a bit much for a robbery, ain't it?

LYTTON
Armed robbery is armed robbery, Mr Russell. We'll be inside for a long time if we're caught. These are our insurance against that happening. Besides, high security, high firepower.

Lytton gives Griffiths the last rifle.

GRIFFITHS
Simple mathematics, really.

Payne is admiring his rifle proudly.

PAYNE
The Kalashinakov 47! Traditional Soviet design. Light-weight weapon with a nice, heavy payload. Firing rate - 600 rounds per minute, with a range of 328 yards.

LYTTON
Correct.

RUSSELL
You seem quite the expert.

PAYNE
Ah, it's all just a few things I've picked up from my magazines. Great weapons these are. Priviledge, it is, getting to fire one of these babies.

Russell weighs the rifle in his hand, looking a bit disconcerted.

RUSSELL
I'd rather take your word for it...

GRIFFITHS
What's the matter, boy? Afraid of a few fireworks?

LYTTON
Mr Griffiths, may I remind you who chose Mr Russell for this job?

GRIFFITHS
Right. Sorry boss.

Russell shifts uneasily.

RUSSELL
No, it's alright. I can handle myself. Just a few jitters, that's all. I get them before jobs like these.

Griffiths arches an eyebrow, then turns to Lytton.

GRIFFITHS
So when exactly is this job, anyway?

RUSSELL
Yeah, you've been a bit cagey about that...

LYTTON
Have I? Publicity isn't a good thing in this business, Mr Russell, you don't know who might hear things.

RUSSELL
Yeah, of course...

LYTTON
But to answer the question, the job's today.

Payne nods smugly.

PAYNE
Just like I thought.

RUSSELL
Today?

GRIFFITHS
No time like the present, that's our motto.

RUSSELL
Are we talking 'this evening'?

LYTTON
No. I'm talking 'in a couple of hours time'.

RUSSELL
You can't pull a job that quickly!

Payne and Griffiths are both looking very fed-up with the newcomer. Lytton steps closer to Russell, looking deadly-serious, forcing the smaller man to back away.

LYTTON
I can't, Mr Russell? Really? And why would that be? Do we have the explosives?

RUSSELL
Well, yeah...

LYTTON
Do we have the guns?

RUSSELL
Of course...

LYTTON
And I have the plan. So just what is the problem? Lunch dates? Hair-dressing appointments? I hired you for a very good reason, Mr Russell, and I was lead to believe you could do your job and do it well. I would hate for my trust in you to be misplaced.

All eyes are on Russell. He's not backing down.

RUSSELL
It isn't. I'll do the job.

LYTTON
And do it well.

Russell beams up at Lytton.

RUSSELL
That goes without saying.

GRIFFITHS
Not necessarily.

Lytton opens up a locker-chest on the floor and pulls out a sheaf of papers which he unfurls on a card table. Pointing to the uppermost diagram, he begins to speak in an authorative tone of voice.

LYTTON
Your usual ostentatious vehicle will not be required on this ocassion, Mr Payne. This is how we get to the job - through the sewers.

Russell mutters to himself in thought.

RUSSELL
I hadn't thought of that...

LYTTON
Nobody does, that's the beauty of it. Our entry point is here.

He points to part of the map.

LYTTON
Beneath this very lock-up - the access point is ready.

GRIFFITHS
Since when?

LYTTON
Occassionally I like to do work by myself, Mr Griffiths. A little digging is hardly beyond me.

He points to another point on the map.

LYTTON
Our entry point to the job is here.

GRIFFITHS
Through the wall?

LYTTON
There's no other way. The building is very well guarded. A subterranean approach is the only certain way to both avoid detection and sucessfully infiltrate the building.

PAYNE
But we're using explosives. It not subtle, is it?

LYTTON
Astute as ever, Mr Payne. But I've already considered the point. That is why there shall be two explosive charges. One of which, obviously, will be used to blast the wall apart and give us our entry point. The other, however, shall be placed here on a corner stone bearing. Due to the strength of the bearing there will be no structural damage but it shuld set off every alarm in a four block radius, possibly even further. Complete chaos, the police won't know where to begin looking. In and out.

GRIFFITHS
That's brilliant.

Lytton is casual as ever in the face of such admiration.

LYTTON
Yes, it is. From this point on, however, I rely on you.

He unfolds another of the maps - this one is an architectural plan.

LYTTON
Floor plans for the building. The stairwell at the rear will be our target once we come out of the sub-basement... I have a diversion already arranged in the foyer.

PAYNE
This a big job, boss.

LYTTON
Did I ever say otherwise?

PAYNE
No, but... I gotta know: what's this all for?

to be continued...

4 comments:

Jared "No Nickname" Hansen said...

Hate to be pedantic, but you left in the part where Lytton calls Griffiths "Lytton" in their little talk.

And again, good bits of dialogue. I'd like to clarify that the reason a fair few of my scenes ended abruptly was that I was being conscious of the 25-minute running time... but sod it. You have the right approach. These are just for people to read online.

(Besides, if I'd been writing as a freelancer for the show, I never would have decided on such a convoluted story in the first place.)

Youth of Australia said...

Damnit!

I did edit the script you sent me, but it was on my work computer. The one I was torn from so cruelly.

I actually thought the abrupt ends to scenes were a deliberate attempt to capture the feel of the ep.

Mind you, I think your story would make a good audio... course you'd have to remove a hell of a lot... unless it was a fan audio...

I know what you mean about convoluted. I can't believe how intense my Twin Dilemma is. Even without the Doctor's regeneration, it has the basic plot for six stories
- The Regeneration Crisis
- Revenge of the Tractators
- Planet of the Zombies
- Sequel of Androzani
- The Evil Twin
- The Birth of a Renegade

Jared "No Nickname" Hansen said...

Damnit!

Hey, just one gaffe. Pretty good, considering.

I did edit the script you sent me, but it was on my work computer. The one I was torn from so cruelly.

Ah, sorry to hear about it.

I actually thought the abrupt ends to scenes were a deliberate attempt to capture the feel of the ep.

It's nice to think that you think I care so much for my source material. Even if you're mistaken.

Mind you, I think your story would make a good audio...

I have thought about that a bit. But at the same time I like my visuals and action.

course you'd have to remove a hell of a lot... unless it was a fan audio...

Such as the rather large and glaring "It's literally a story that's already been done" thing.

(Though unless Griffiths and Payne are in a scene I find it quite easy to forget the connection!)

I know what you mean about convoluted. I can't believe how intense my Twin Dilemma is. Even without the Doctor's regeneration, it has the basic plot for six stories
- The Regeneration Crisis
- Revenge of the Tractators
- Planet of the Zombies
- Sequel of Androzani
- The Evil Twin
- The Birth of a Renegade


That's part of the reason I thought it was so awesome. Though the 'six plots' kinda showed at the end of episode 4 when there's pretty much six different endings...

Youth of Australia said...

"Hey, just one gaffe. Pretty good, considering."
It was the one I had a go at you about, too...

"Ah, sorry to hear about it."
Oh well. I only really lost a few pages saved from OG and that.

"It's nice to think that you think I care so much for my source material. Even if you're mistaken."
Well, I just sort of assumed the care and attention you put to... well... everything was mirrored.

"I have thought about that a bit. But at the same time I like my visuals and action."
It's the price you pay.

The bit with Peri in the junkyard could be 100 times creepier... but the fight would be 100 times more pathetic... even if you have cool stuff like "DUCK, PERI! No, with your head!" or "Yeah, Doctor! You show the mysterious man in black... to completely beat the shit out of you..."

"Such as the rather large and glaring "It's literally a story that's already been done" thing."
Pah. Rename Lytton, give a different Doctor and companion combo, they won't notice.

"(Though unless Griffiths and Payne are in a scene I find it quite easy to forget the connection!)"
Yeah. It feels like that... shit I have no idea what it was called. It was a sitcom about three blokes, a spiv, a prude and the boss who were hiring out their services in a non sexual way. Damn it. It had Radcliffe from Rememberance of the Daleks as the boss in every episode. Was cool. And had a similar 'everyday joe' feel to the bits in the lock up.

"That's part of the reason I thought it was so awesome."
You thought it was awesome?

"Though the 'six plots' kinda showed at the end of episode 4 when there's pretty much six different endings..."
That *is* the plot of ep 4. One ending after another until the episode ends.

I think I was trying a bit too hard to get an apocalyptic season finale vibe...