The Velvet Web
(The Doctor, Princess, Susan and Ian are stood before a large metal door looking around. Ian looks down and picks something up of the ground.)
IAN: It's Barbara's travel dial.
(Ian examines the travel dial as the others gather around him.)
IAN: (Alarmed) Look, there's blood on it.
PRINCESS: (Looking around the ground) Is there blood anywhere else?
IAN: (Also looking around) No, I don't see any.
DOCTOR: I can't imagine why Barbara left of her own free will.
SUSAN: No, surely she'd wait for us.
IAN: Of course she would!
DOCTOR: It seems there's only one conclusion. (Turns to metal door) Whatever it is that lives behind that door must have taken her by force.
IAN: Let's get inside!
(Ian goes to open the large metal door.)
PRINCESS: Ian, wait–
DOCTOR: Now, wait just a moment young man–
(Ian slides the metal doors apart and stumbles inside. The Doctor, Princess and Susan follow him in, only to then be blinded by a bright flashing light. They all stumble through, shielding their eyes as a beeping sounds in time to the flashing light.)
PRINCESS: My…head…
DOCTOR: What…?
SUSAN: Make it…stop!
(The flashing light and beeping stop. The group now find themselves inside a beautifully decorated room, with dozens of gorgeous flowers, roman style statues and five beds forming a circle around the room. They all look around in amazement.)
IAN: I don't believe it.
BARBARA: Ian! Susan!
(The group look over and see Barbara on one of the beds, now wearing a roman style dress and looking relaxed. Two handmaidens are also stood beside her, holding trays of food.)
BARBARA: (Continuing) I'm glad you're here.
(Susan runs over to hug Barbara.)
SUSAN: Barbara! You're all right!
BARBARA: Of course I'm all right. In fact, I'm better than all right.
SUSAN: We saw your travel dial. There was blood on it.
BARBARA: I know, that was silly of me. I turned the dial and I seemed to be falling through space. I got frightened and tried to tear it off my wrist. It just scratched me, see. (Points to the scratch on her arm)
IAN: Well, I must say, quite a nice little place you've got here.
BARBARA: You haven't seen anything yet. (To the handmaidens) Will you get some food for my friends?
(The two handmaidens bow before exiting.)
BARBARA: (Dramatically) You may be seated.
PRINCESS: (Jokingly) Oh, you remind me of my mother.
(They all laugh. Susan sits herself down on the floor, while Ian and the Princess sit down on the end of Barbara's bed.)
IAN: (To Barbara) Perhaps if your majesty will stop hogging the grapes, we can all have some.
BARBARA: Help yourself.
(Barbara hands over a plate of grapes which Ian takes.)
IAN: Thanks.
SUSAN: This is great.
IAN: Well, what do you think about all this, Doctor?
DOCTOR: Oh, sensuous and decadent, but rather pleasant.
PRINCESS: I think it's wonderful. (Eats a grape) And these are the juiciest grapes I've ever had.
DOCTOR: (To Ian) I say, is that a pomegranate?
IAN: Yes, here you are.
(Ian hands the Doctor the pomegranate.)
DOCTOR: How extraordinary.
IAN: Well, whatever we expected, it certainly wasn't anything like this.
SUSAN: Oh, those silks. They're gorgeous, aren't they Princess?
(Susan gets up and moves over to a nearby table with various silks laid out on. Susan picks one up to show.)
SUSAN: I'd love a dress made from one of these.
BARBARA: Well, that's what they're here for. They asked me to choose the materials I wanted for my robe.
PRINCESS: Maybe we can ask for some to take back to the ship with us.
DOCTOR: It's all most remarkable.
(A gong sounds. Then four handmaidens walk in, each with a tray of fine food. One by one they lay them down before the travellers.)
BARBARA: Oh, it's magnificent.
IAN: It certainly is.
(The handmaidens then exit.)
SUSAN: Hey, I'm starving.
(Susan grabs some food to eat. Ian however, hesitates.)
BARBARA: (To Ian) What's the matter? Don't you like it?
IAN: (Lightly) No, I've just realised nobody's shown me the menu.
SUSAN: They've got everything here.
(The Doctor leans in.)
DOCTOR: Truffles. I do believe they're truffles. Well, well.
(Barbara holds up the tray and the Doctor eagerly takes a truffle.)
PRINCESS: Your sweet tooth acting up again?
DOCTOR: Hmm. Oh, take them away before I have another.
(They laugh. Then Barbara holds out the tray to Ian.)
BARBARA: Go on, Ian. Have one.
IAN: No. You see, I don't know the price yet.
BARBARA: But we're guests here.
IAN: You've met the host, have you?
BARBARA: Yes, I have, and his manners are perfect.
DOCTOR: So is his kitchen. Delicious!
SUSAN: Hey, we've got a visitor.
(A man enters, wearing a toga and cloak. His name is Altos. He approaches the travellers.)
IAN: This is where we pay the bill.
BARBARA: Oh, relax, Ian.
(Ian goes to stand.)
ALTOS: (To Ian) No, no, don't get up.
(Ian hesitantly sits back down.)
ALTOS: I apologise for intruding, but I wondered if there was anything you wanted?
BARBARA: There is one thing you could do. Tell us about this place, about your people. Who do we have to thank for all this?
ALTOS: You are in the city of Morphoton. Our people are perhaps the most contented in the universe. Nothing they desire is denied them.
DOCTOR: (Whispers to Princess) It makes you wonder why they would need Arbitan's machine.
PRINCESS: (Whispering) Yes, they seem content enough without it.
SUSAN: (To Altos) Do you mean you could have anything you want?
ALTOS: Yes.
SUSAN: Well, could I have a dress made–
DOCTOR: Susan.
ALTOS: No, please, please, let her go on.
SUSAN: Well, I'd love a dress made from this silk here.
DOCTOR: Susan, I will not have you take advantage–!
ALTOS: She takes no advantage. Truly. Our one wish is to fulfil your every need. She shall have the dress.
SUSAN: Thank you.
ALTOS: (To Doctor & Princess) And you two? Have either of you a wish, no great desire?
PRINCESS: An introduction is always nice.
ALTOS: My apologises. I am Altos.
PRINCESS: It's lovely to meet you, Altos.
ALTOS: (To Doctor) And what of you?
DOCTOR: Well, er, yes, perhaps. But I'm afraid it's not quite as easy as giving Susan a dress out of that or giving us your name.
SUSAN: What is it, Grandfather?
DOCTOR: Well, perhaps, if I had to choose, a well-equipped laboratory with every conceivable instrument. Yes. Yes.
ALTOS: It will be arranged.
PRINCESS: (Shocked) Excuse me?
IAN: You mean he can have it?
ALTOS: Perhaps in the morning when you see the laboratory, you will find our way of life easier to understand, to believe. Now, as it is late, I suggest you sleep. In the morning, when you wake, you will learn everything about Morphoton.
DOCTOR: Hmm. Well, we shall look forward to that.
IAN: Yes, and even if you're not serious about the laboratory, we're very grateful–
ALTOS: But I am serious. Goodnight.
IAN & BARBARA: Goodnight.
(Altos exits.)
DOCTOR: Charming young man. Yes, charming. I think a study of this culture is going to prove very, very fascinating. (Yawns) Oh, dear me. I'm tired, you know.
BARBARA: I think the excitement's been too much for Susan, too.
(Susan is sat, head dipped forward and already asleep.)
PRINCESS: Let's lay her down.
(The Princess and Barbara move Susan onto one of the beds and lay her down.)
PRINCESS: There we go.
(The Princess smiles a granny like smile at Susan as she makes sure she's comfortable.)
PRINCESS: (Quietly) Sleep well.
(The Princess then lies down on a bed of her own. She sleeps and soon the others do too. But as they sleep, one of the handmaidens enters through a secret door. She goes to the Doctor, asleep on his bed. The handmaiden places a device on the Doctor's forehead. Then, the handmaiden puts another similar device on Ian's forehead. Then Susan's, then Barbara's, and lastly the Princess'. Once done, the handmaiden leaves through the secret door. However, once gone, the Princess stirs in her sleep, head moving back and forth. She reaches up with her hand as if to swat something away and knocks the device off her forehead. The sound of the device dropping to the floor wakes the Princess. She looks around, disoriented for a moment. Then, the Princess is blinded by the same bright flashing light as before, again accompanied by the loud beeping. This time she squeezes her eyes shut and covers her ears to try and block out the noise and light. She is in pain. But everyone else remains peacefully asleep. Eventually the pain becomes too much for the Princess, and she falls back against the bed, knocked unconscious.)
(The next morning the Princess is awoken by Susan gently shaking her.)
SUSAN: Princess. Princess. Wake up.
(The Princess awakens and is immediately startled. Susan, the Doctor, Ian and Barbara all stand around her… But they are no longer in the beautifully decorated room they once were. Now, the room is a ruin, covered in dust and cobwebs with unattractive vines growing out of the walls and floor. Even the bed she's on is mere a large rock.)
PRINCESS: What's happened?
BARBARA: What do you mean, Princess?
(The Princess looks around uncomfortably while the others stare at her.)
PRINCESS: Look around. Can't you see?
(They all look around but none of them react to the change.)
IAN: I don't see anything different.
DOCTOR: I don't think she's properly awake. Susan, get me a glass of that fruit juice, will you?
SUSAN: Yes.
(Susan goes to the table – or rather a large flat rock – and then brings over an old chipped cup filled with muddy water. She hands it to the Doctor who then holds it out to the Princess.)
DOCTOR: (To Princess) Here, drink this.
(The Princess stares at the cup, then at the Doctor.)
DOCTOR: Well, go on, my dear. It's only fruit juice.
PRINCESS: No, it's not.
DOCTOR: Well, if you're going to split hairs about it, fine, it's–
PRINCESS: It's muddy water.
IAN: What?
DOCTOR: Don't be ridiculous!
PRINCESS: It is!
BARBARA: Princess…
IAN: We promise you, that isn't muddy water.
(The Princess grabs the Doctor's arm and looks him in the eye.)
PRINCESS: Look at it. Really look at it, Doctor.
(The Doctor looks at the cup for a moment, but then shakes off the Princess. He turns away and puts the cup down.)
DOCTOR: All I see is perfectly good juice going to waste.
(The Princess is shocked.)
PRINCESS: How can none of you see it?!
BARBARA: See what?
(The Princess looks to Barbara, seeing a tattered dress that's barely being held together.)
PRINCESS: What's happened to your dress, Barbara?
BARBARA: Nothing. It's the same as it was yesterday.
PRINCESS: No. No, it's all changed. The room, the furniture and everything they've given us. Something's happened, they've done something, warped our perception somehow.
SUSAN: What's happened to her, Grandfather?
DOCTOR: I'm not sure.
PRINCESS: (Continuing) But why hasn't it worked on me? What's changed between now and yesterday? (Grips her head for a moment and winces) And why does my head hurt?
IAN: It's just headache. Nothing to get excited over. Just have something to eat and drink and you'll feel–
PRINCESS: (Firmly) No!
(Susan cautiously goes closer to the Princess, a ruined and dirty dress held in her hands.)
SUSAN: Princess, it's all right. (She holds out the dress) Look, they brought me my dress. Remember, you said you liked the silks, that we should ask to take some with us.
(The Princess looks shocked at the dress, then up at Susan. The Princess then reaches out, gripping Susan's arms tightly.)
PRINCESS: Susan, please see. Look at the dress. It's not nice at all. It's dirty and ragged and not what we thought it was. Just look, please. See past whatever illusion they've put on you.
SUSAN: (Frightened) Princess… Princess, you're hurting me.
(Ian steps in and pulls Susan back from the Princess.)
DOCTOR: (To Princess) Now look what you've done, you've frightened the poor child!
PRINCESS: (Quietly) I'm sorry. I just… I have to figure this out.
DOCTOR: There's nothing to figure out! These people have been nothing but kind and generous to us, and now you're trying to make a scene.
PRINCESS: I am not!
DOCTOR: Yes, you are! I can't say I understand why, but I can only imagine it's to do with your spoilt upbringing!
PRINCESS: Doctor, please, we don't have time for these pointless squabbles. We have to find out what's going on or–
DOCTOR: Ah, here comes Altos! Perhaps he can help you.
(Altos joins them. He's no longer dressed in the fine cloths he had, but in rags.)
DOCTOR: (To Altos) Our friend here is suffering from something. I'm not quite sure what, might you be able to help her.
(Altos looks solely at the Princess, who backs up nervously.)
ALTOS: Of course. Let me take her to our physician.
PRINCESS: (Nervously) I'm fine, thank you.
ALTOS: Nonsense. You're clearly unwell, let me help you.
(As Altos goes to grab her, the Princess rolls off the rock, putting it between her and everyone else.)
IAN: Princess?
DOCTOR: Stop this at once and let Altos help you!
PRINCESS: I don't want his help.
(The Princess stares off against Altos. The Princess then fakes one way around the rock and Altos falls for it. She then dashes around the other side, pushing past her friends and runs from the room.)
SUSAN: Princess!
(The Princess keeps running, going through a series of ruins similar to the room they were in. She keeps running until he finds a door leading into an underground room. The Princess goes inside and down some steps into what could easily be a prison cell. She hides there for a moment, catching her breath. Then she hears footsteps coming. The Princess hides around the corner at the bottom of the stairs and holds her breath as the door opens. Altos walks in and looks around the empty room. He doesn't come in far enough to see the Princess in the corner however. Altos then leaves, closing the door behind him. The Princess sighs in relief. After a moment she tries to leave, but the door is now locked. The Princess is trapped.)
(After some time, the Princess is still trapped in the prison cell. She now sits on the steps, legs brought in and arms around them. She is thinking about something and is concerned. Then, when footsteps approach once more, the Princess gets up quickly and hides in the same spot as before. The door is unlocked, and one of the handmaidens from before is pushed inside. The handmaiden stumbles about, dazed as the door then closes. When the footsteps retreat, the Princess leaves the corner and approaches the handmaiden - Sabetha.)
PRINCESS: (To Sabetha) Hello?
(Sabetha turns to the Princess, a blank and dazed look on her face.)
PRINCESS: You…You were one of the girls who served us food, weren't you?
SABETHA: (Dazed) I made a mistake. I am to be punished.
PRINCESS: Mistake? What mistake?
SABETHA: I made a mistake. I am to be punished.
(The Princess frowns at Sabetha.)
PRINCESS: What's your name?
SABETHA: I made a mistake. I am to be punished.
(The Princess continues frowning for a moment. Then, the Princess realises something and smiles sympathetically at Sabetha.)
PRINCESS: I understand.
(The Princess places her hands on the side of Sabetha's face, and makes the handmaiden look her in the eye.)
PRINCESS: (Calmly) Just relax. I'm not going to hurt you. I just want to try something.
(The Princess then closes her eyes, head tilting back ever so slightly. After a moment she opens her eyes and let's go of Sabetha. The Princess stumbles a little but stays on her feet.)
PRINCESS: (A little exhausted) Sorry. It's been a while since I've done that. I'm a little out of practise I'm afraid.
(Sabetha still has a semi dazed look but tilts her head curiously as she stares at the Princess.)
SABETHA: (To Princess) Who are you?
PRINCESS: My name is… Well, people call me, the Princess. And what's your name?
(Sabetha has to think for a moment before answering.)
SABETHA: Sabetha.
(Subconsciously, Sabetha starts to stroke a medallion around her neck.)
PRINCESS: Sabetha, can you tell me what's going on here?
SABETHA: No.
PRINCESS: Please, Sabetha, I need your help.
SABETHA: I am not allowed to tell you.
PRINCESS: Why not?
SABETHA: My masters forbid it.
PRINCESS: Yes, but I've loosened their hold on you. You don't have to obey them anymore. All you have to do is focus. Focus, Sabetha, please.
SABETHA: (Struggling) I…I…
(Sabetha falls silent. The Princess sighs. Then, the Princess notices Sabetha stroking her medallion.)
PRINCESS: (Looking at the medallion) Where did you get that.
(Sabetha steps back from the Princess and curls her hands around the medallion to protect it.)
SABETHA: It's mine.
PRINCESS: I'm sorry. I don't mean to frighten you. It's yours, of course.
(Sabetha relaxes.)
PRINCESS: Would you mind telling me where you got it?
SABETHA: They gave it to me. My masters. It was the thing I desired most. It's mine.
PRINCESS: And why did you desire it?
SABETHA: I…
(Sabetha struggles to speak again, this time she frowns, trying harder to speak.)
PRINCESS: Yes, come on, Sabetha. You can do it. Break their control.
SABETHA: I…
PRINCESS: Remember why you desired it. Why did you want it more than anything else?
SABETHA: I… (Looks at her medallion) The key…
PRINCESS: The key…? The key to the machine! Arbitan, he sent you, didn't he?
SABETHA: Yes. I was… I was…
(The Princess' eyes widen as she realises.)
PRINCESS: You were his daughter, weren't you?
SABETHA: He said… I was his last hope… I had to…retrieve… (Again, she looks at her medallion) I got the first…but then they…
PRINCESS: Who is, 'They,' Sabetha?
SABETHA: My masters… They gave me everything I wanted…
PRINCESS: Just like they did to us.
SABETHA: They… They took over…my mind…
PRINCESS: Who?
SABETHA: The Morpho.
PRINCESS: And they cause all the illusions?
SABETHA: No… They…they…
(Sabetha struggles to say anything more and sits herself down on a stone bench.)
PRINCESS: Sabetha? Are you all right?
(The Princess sits down next to Sabetha.)
SABETHA: I…I can't… I feel so…sleepy.
(The Princess smiles understandingly.)
PRINCESS: It's all right. You've done brilliantly. But you need your rest.
(The Princess once again places her hands on the side of Sabetha's head, and turns her so that they are looking each other in the eye.)
PRINCESS: (Calmly) You will rest now. And when you awaken, you will feel ten times stronger. You will be free of the Morpho's control and free to make your own choices again. But first you must sleep… Sleep… Sleep…
(Sabetha's eyes flutter a few times before then closing. Sabetha falls into the Princess' arms, and the old woman then lays the handmaiden down gently on the stone bench. The Princess smiles like a grandmother, brushing Sabetha's hair from her face.)
(A little while later, the Princess is sat on the edge of the bench with Sabetha still asleep. Then, hears footsteps approaching, the Princess carefully moves across the room to her hiding spot – the corner against the stairs. The door opens and Altos enters. Altos goes towards Sabetha, not noticing the Princess. He grabs Sabetha by the arm and pulls her up, waking her.)
ALTOS: (To Sabetha) You are to come with me.
(The Princess tries to sneak out of the room but the door creaks as she opens it. Altos turns and sees the Princess, before he runs at her. The Princess tries to get out, but Altos grabs her by the arm and pulls her back inside. They struggle for a bit, but Altos is too much for the Princess and he throws her to the ground.)
PRINCESS: Altos, you–you're being controlled. Just–Just think about–
(Before Altos can finish the Princess, Sabetha attacks him from behind. The handmaiden hits him clean on the back and Altos drops down unconscious. The Princess is shocked and looks up at a dazed Sabetha who then sits back down on the bench. Cautiously, the Princess gets up and goes to Sabetha, carefully stepping over Altos as she does.)
PRINCESS: (To Sabetha) Thank you for helping me.
(Sabetha remains quiet and dazed.)
PRINCESS: You go back to resting. When you awaken, I'll have everything sorted, I promise.
(Sabetha's eyes close once more, and her head dips. The Princess lies the handmaiden back down on the bench, before then leaving the room.)
(The Princess carefully makes her way through the ruins of corridor. She reaches the end and looks around the corner. The door at the end opens and she ducks back around, hearing footsteps coming her way. The Princess chances another look and sees its Ian and Barbara coming towards her.)
PRINCESS: Oh, thank goodness!
(The Princess comes out of hiding and approaches Ian and Barbara who have stopped.)
PRINCESS: Ian, Barbara, are you all right? Where's the Doctor and Susan?
(Suddenly, Ian and Barbara each grab the Princess by the arm.)
PRINCESS: What are you–?
IAN: (Dazed) You must be the one who escaped.
BARBARA: (Dazed) The one they told us about.
(It's only now, the Princess notices the dazed look on Ian and Barbara's faces. The same kind of look Sabetha had before.)
PRINCESS: Oh, no. They already got to you both.
IAN: We must take you to them.
BARBARA: We must.
(Ian and Barbara begin dragging the Princess towards the door they just came through. Barbara opens the door and enters, pulling the Princess after her while Ian pushes. They enter a dark room. Inside is a table, on which sit four glass domes. Inside each dome is a brain, with two stalks that hold up eyeballs. All four sets of eyes look at the Princess now, as Ian and Barbara hold her before them.)
MORPHO: (To Ian & Barbara) So, she has been caught. You have both done well and proved your worth to us.
PRINCESS: Ian, Barbara, you are both strong willed people, I know this. You can fight them–
MORPHO: They cannot fight us. The process is to far along now.
PRINCESS: (To Morpho) What process, explain.
MORPHO: We do not answer to you. We are the masters of this place.
PRINCESS: Yes, I can see that. You use your physic powers to force your will on others. You tried to do the same to me, but it failed, why?
MORPHO: You were lucky, nothing more. A fault in the somnor disc that was placed on your head, one that has now been rectified.
PRINCESS: But why use the discs at all?
MORPHO: They help focus our powers. The untrained mind can be hard to break, the discs help us through this initial period. But after a few days they are no longer necessary. Like with you friends, we now have complete control over them. It requires little more than a thought on our part.
PRINCESS: So, is this what you're going to do to me? Break me down so you can control me like the others?
MORPHO: No. You've seen the truth. It is beyond our power to erase this from your memory, which would mean using more of our power to convert you. It'll be simpler to have you destroyed. (To Ian & Barbara) Kill her. Kill her.
(Ian takes both the Princess' arms and holds them behind her back. Barbara comes around in front of the Princess and raises her hands to strangle her.)
PRINCESS: Barbara, no. You can fight this. Don't let them…
(Barbara starts choking the Princess.)
MORPHO: Kill her. Kill her. Kill her.
(The Princess looks into Barbara's blank eyes.)
PRINCESS: Barbara…look into…my eyes… You can…break…their control…
(Barbara starts loosening her hold on the Princess.)
PRINCESS: That's right… You don't want to kill me…
MORPHO: Do not listen to her! Kill her! Kill her!
PRINCESS: Listen to me, Barbara. I'm pushing them out of your mind, but you have to help me. Help me, Barbara. Help me.
(Barbara shakes her head, rubs her eyes and steps back. When she opens her eyes, Barbara looks around in confusion.)
BARBARA: Where…? What…? Princess…?
MORPHO: No! You will obey us! Obey us and kill her!
PRINCESS: Barbara, they've been controlling you! Stop them! You have to stop them quick!
(Frantically Barbara searches for a weapon. From another table she grabs a piece of machinery and uses it to smash the glass domes around the brains. As she does the Morpho scream in anguish, their brains and eyestalks deflating as they die. Behind the Princess, Ian's hold falls away as he grabs his head and stumbles around. The Princess catches him before he can fall and holds Ian up.)
PRINCESS: It's all right, Ian, I've got you.
IAN: Princess…? Oh, what? Oh, where…where are we?
PRINCESS: It's all right, it's over now. (Looks over to Barbara, who is also holding her head) Barbara, are you all right?
BARBARA: Yes. I think… My head hurts.
PRINCESS: It will for a time. Come on, let's go and find the Doctor and Susan.
(The Princess takes Barbara by the arm, and guides her and Ian to the door, supporting them both as they leave.)
(There is screaming and shouting coming from the city below. Ahead of the Doctor and the Princess, Ian and Barbara dash back into the room where they'd originally slept. Only now they all see it for the ruin it truly is. Behind them, the Doctor and the Princess walk more calmly up the slope.)
DOCTOR: (To Princess) Thank you, my dear, for what you did.
(The Princess is taken aback.)
PRINCESS: I was expecting a lecture about controlling others against their will.
DOCTOR: Well, seeing as these, Morpho, were trying to control us, you weren't left with much of a choice, were you?
PRINCESS: No, I suppose not. But I've never enjoyed doing it you know. Going into someone else's head, hypnotising them.
DOCTOR: Nor myself, Princess. But sometimes, we have no other choice. Besides, you released everyone from their control, including me. Yes, I must say I'm embarrassed to have follow prey to their manipulation.
PRINCESS: You weren't to know. And it was pure luck that spared me from their power.
DOCTOR: (Quietly) Do you think, doing what you did will attract any attention? From our kind?
PRINCESS: (Quietly) It shouldn't. It was only telepathic in nature. I didn't use anything else, nothing like what I did when we were trapped inside the ship. None of my…gifts.
DOCTOR: Hmmm.
(The Doctor and Princess join Ian and Barbara inside the ruined room.)
BARBARA: They're burning the city!
IAN: Yes. I don't blame them. Trouble is, they'll be up here soon.
DOCTOR: Seeking their revenge, are they? Poor creatures.
PRINCESS: As Ian said, one can hardly blame them.
BARBARA: (To Doctor) Ian thinks we should get out of here as soon as possible.
IAN: Yes, I do.
BARBARA: Where's Susan?
DOCTOR: We're all meeting here. She's bringing Sabetha and that young man Altos. I questioned him and there's no doubt about it. He's one of Arbitan's couriers.
IAN: They're coming with us?
DOCTOR: Yes. He's going with you, certainly. (He pulls out two extra Travel Dials) By the way, I found these travel dials. Those repellent brain things didn't appreciate their significance, fortunately.
BARBARA: Doctor, what did you mean, 'Altos is going with you'?
DOCTOR: I will explain it all in good time. Ah, here are the others.
(Susan arrives with Sabetha and Altos.)
IAN: Good. Let's go, then.
(Ian is about to use his Travel Dial when the Doctor stops him.)
DOCTOR: No, wait. Now, we have one key and there are three more to find.
SUSAN: Yes. Sabetha wanted to continue the search with us.
ALTOS: I wish to join you, too.
DOCTOR: Good idea.
ALTOS: I was sent by Arbitan, I and a friend called Eprin. Our plan was as follows: He would go ahead in search of key four, and I would come here for the first.
IAN: Arbitan hadn't heard from either of you. Or anyone else, for that matter.
DOCTOR: (To Altos) Well, we must presume something has happened to your friend Eprin.
ALTOS: It may just be that he couldn't reach the key. It lies somewhere in the city of Millenius.
DOCTOR: Ah, yes, the place you mentioned, yes. The highly civilised society. Now then, I've decided to adopt his plan.
IAN: What? You mean go two jumps ahead and try and find the fourth key?
DOCTOR: (Nods) Yes, precisely. (To Altos) The Princess and I shall try and find out what's happened to your friend Eprin. If he's alive, make contact, and then we can all meet again.
SUSAN: Do you know how to adjust the dial, Grandfather?
DOCTOR: Yes, but you won't be coming with us, Susan.
SUSAN: Why not?
DOCTOR: Well, I think it better if you travel with the main party, child.
SUSAN: But I want to go with you and the Princess.
(The Princess takes Susan aside.)
PRINCESS: Susan, I have to agree with your Grandfather this time. Now, I don't want to split up either, but it's the quickest way to find these keys. (Quietly) And although he won't say it out loud, he thinks you'll be safer with Ian and the others. Their younger and faster than we are, and more able to hand…physical confrontation.
SUSAN: But about you two?
PRINCESS: Oh, we'll look after each other. Which will be easier if we know you're safe and sound with the others. Not that he's anticipating trouble in Millenius, but… Well, you know your grandfather and trouble.
SUSAN: (Giggling) He does seem to find it a lot.
PRINCESS: Exactly. So, you be good for Ian and Barbara and we'll see you soon, all right?
SUSAN: All right. It won't be for long though, will it?
(Susan hugs the Princess and the old woman squeezes back.)
PRINCESS: Of course not. You know your grandfather and I couldn't possibly get by without you.
(The Princess and Susan re-join the others.)
BARBARA: (To Doctor) I was wondering if we should fix a time to meet.
DOCTOR: Ah, say five days.
IAN: Yes, that's not a bad idea. But you'd better give us another two just in case of possible delays.
BARBARA: I hope everything won't be as bad as this place.
DOCTOR: No, I hope not. (To Sabetha & Altos) Put these on, please.
(The Doctor hands Sabetha and Altos their travel dials which they put on.)
IAN: Well, goodbye Doctor, Princess. The pair of you look after each other.
DOCTOR: Oh, of course we will. And you see that you take good care of Susan.
BARBARA: Yes, we will.
ALTOS: Well, I'm ready.
SABETHA: So am I. I wish you well, Princess.
PRINCESS: Until we meet again, Sabetha.
DOCTOR: Now off you go!
SUSAN: Goodbye, Grandfather.
DOCTOR: Goodbye, my child.
(Susan activates her travel dial and disappears.)
BARBARA: Susan! She should have waited for us.
DOCTOR: Now, quickly! You must go and follow her.
(Ian, Barbara, Sabetha and Altos all activate their travel dials and disappear too.)
PRINCESS: (To Doctor) Well, there we have it.
DOCTOR: Right, now let me see your dial, Princess.
(The Princess holds out her wrist and the Doctor adjusts the dial to match his own.)
DOCTOR: There we go, that should do it. Ready?
PRINCESS: Ready.
DOCTOR: Right then, let's…
(The Doctor trails off as he hears something. A wheezing sound that grows louder and louder. A look of shock consumes the Doctor's face, as it does with the Princess. They run to the edge of the ruined room, looking out to the city below. And there, they see a broken pillar materialise.)
DOCTOR: (Hushed) I thought you said you didn't use any of your powers!
PRINCESS: (Hushed) I didn't!
DOCTOR: Then they still must be on our tail from when you rectified the ship.
PRINCESS: But to be this close?
DOCTOR: We haven't got time to fret, we must leave this place at once.
PRINCESS: But what if they already have the ship. Arbitan said he'd release it once we left.
DOCTOR: No, no, I don't think they haven the ship. If they had, they'd surely wait there for us there, rather than travel across the planet in a search for us. No, they must have just arrived. If we use the travel dials, we should be able to avoid them until we can get back to the ship and leave.
PRINCESS: And what if they find the others, or the ship, before then?
DOCTOR: It's a gamble we'll have to take I'm afraid. Unless you wish to hand yourself over now?
(The Princess thinks about it for a moment, as she looks down into the city and sees a figure exit from the broken pillar. They're too far away to make out, as the figure looks around at the riot and fire going on around them.)
PRINCESS: (To Doctor) Let's go.
(They both reach of their travel dials.)
PRINCESS: With any luck, the riot will scare whoever it is off.
(The Doctor and Princess activate their dials and disappear.)
Next Episode – The Screaming Jungle