A Land of Fear
(Inside their ship, the Doctor has just finished landing. The glass column in the centre of the console has come to a stop, and the Princess, Susan, Ian and Barbara stand around as the Doctor finishes using the console.)
DOCTOR: There we are. Home.
BARBARA: Doctor, we–
DOCTOR: (To Barbara) It's all right. Chesterton made the position quite clear. Now, I have some rooms to prepare for my granddaughter's education.
SUSAN: Grandfather, please–
DOCTOR: Hush, child. Say your goodbyes and remember, we shall be leaving almost immediately.
IAN: (To Doctor) Do you have to be in such a hurry?
DOCTOR: Enough time has been wasted bringing you back, young man. I have the universe to explore.
(The Doctor walks around to the other side of the console and begins fiddling with the controls. The Princess follows him around while Susan says her goodbyes to Ian and Barbara.)
PRINCESS: Don't you think you're being a little harsh?
DOCTOR: They wanted to be brought home and I've done just that.
PRINCESS: Yes, I know, but–
DOCTOR: And now I'm preparing the rooms you requested for Susan's telepathic training.
PRINCESS: Yes, but after everything we've been through together. Doctor, you might at least give them a proper goodbye.
DOCTOR: If you wish to say goodbye then please do so now. But I have no desire to draw out our stay here any longer than must with unnecessary farewells.
(Across the room, Susan hugs Barbara tightly. She then does the same with Ian, before she runs from the room in tears.)
PRINCESS: (To Doctor) Well, if you're not going to say goodbye, the least you could do is console your granddaughter.
(The Doctor scowls as the Princess walks around the console to join Ian and Barbara.)
BARBARA: (To Princess) I don't think Susan was ready for this. Saying goodbye.
PRINCESS: Well, you've both become an important part of her life. Of all our lives in fact.
IAN: Well, that's nice of you to say.
BARBARA: You'll make sure Susan's okay?
PRINCESS: Of course. She's just not good at goodbyes. She takes after her grandfather in that regard.
IAN: (Chuckling) Why, is he getting teary eyed too?
PRINCESS: Oh, he's just being… Never mind. I just wanted to say goodbye. And thank you for everything.
BARBARA: Yes, it's been quite a journey.
PRINCESS: I'm sorry it started out the way it did. But I am glad it happened, all the same.
IAN: You know, I think we are too.
BARBARA: Yes.
(The Princess hugs Barbara.)
PRINCESS: Goodbye, Barbara.
BARBARA: Goodbye, Princess.
(The Princess then hugs Ian.)
PRINCESS: Goodbye, Ian.
IAN: Goodbye, Princess.
(As the Princess stops hugging Ian, the Doctor comes over with an open book in his hand. He pretends to notice that Ian and Barbara are there.)
DOCTOR: Hmm. Still here?
IAN: Yes, we're waiting for you to carry out the checks.
DOCTOR: Quite unnecessary.
IAN: Oh, is it? Are you so certain you know where we are?
DOCTOR: (Curtly shuts book) Certain? Of course I'm certain!
PRINCESS: Doctor, there's no need to snap. And it's not an unreasonable request.
DOCTOR: Very well, seeing as you all doubt me so, take a look for yourselves. (Throws book onto console) Perhaps this will satisfy you?
(The Doctor activates the scanner. It shows a forest covered in shadows as night begins to creep in.)
BARBARA: (Uncertain) Mmm. It could be, I suppose.
DOCTOR: Thank you. (To Ian) Obviously you're still in doubt. Let us take a longer look, through the trees, hmm?
(The Doctor turns a dial and the picture on the scanner changes. It now shows a field with trees around it, but it is getting darker as the sun finishes setting in the distance.)
BARBARA: Ian, look. Fields, crops, it's fully cultivated!
IAN: Yes… Pity it's so dark. I can't see a sign of any buildings.
BARBARA: You know, it reminds me of a holiday I once took in Somerset.
DOCTOR: Then I expect it is Somerset, my dear.
(The Doctor turns off the scanner. He then activates the door controls, opening up the wall to the outside world.)
DOCTOR: Well, if you're going, be off with you.
PRINCESS: Doctor, stop trying to rush them out the door.
DOCTOR: They're the ones who wanted to be brought home, my dear. And now that I've done so they're refusing to leave my ship!
IAN: Look, Doctor, maybe you have succeeded. Maybe we are where you say we are. But I remember an occasion when you took us home once before.
BARBARA: (Chuckling) Yes, and we met Marco Polo.
PRINCESS: And there was that time with the Aztecs.
(Ian, Barbara and the Princess begin to laugh.)
DOCTOR: Entirely different circumstances! I'm rather tired of you all insinuating that I am not master of this craft. Oh, I admit, it did develop a fault, a minor fault on one occasion, perhaps twice, but nothing I couldn't control.
(Ian pats the Doctor on the shoulder.)
IAN: I know that. Of course you're in control. You're always in control. And I'm sure you could revisit us at any time.
(Barbara begins dusting and cleaning the Doctor's coat with her hand, as both she and Ian lean in towards the Doctor.)
DOCTOR: Quite simple.
IAN: Exactly, quite simple. But you have your important researches to complete. You may not find the time. There's a chance that we won't meet again. Don't you think it would be better if we parted under more friendly circumstances, say over a drink?
DOCTOR: Yes. Yes, well perhaps, since you put it that way, an hour or two won't come amiss. What do you think, Princess?
PRINCESS: I think I could go for a glass of wine, given the possible hour outside.
DOCTOR: You know, I was thinking something similar myself. (Calling) Susan, bring my stick, will you?
(Susan comes back into the room with the Doctor's walking stick, still looking sad.)
SUSAN: Here you are, Grandfather.
(Susan hands over the Doctor's walking stick to him.)
DOCTOR: Thank you, my child. Now, myself and the Princess are going to see Ian and Barbara back home safely. Would you care to join us?
(Susan immediately brightens up.)
SUSAN: Yes, please!
DOCTOR: Well, come along, come along.
(The Doctor exits the ship. The Princess follows with a smile, as does Susan who is overjoyed with news. Lastly, Ian and Barbara exit, and the time travellers find themselves in the forest first shown on the scanner, with the blue box they exited from partially hidden in a bush.)
DOCTOR: Well?
BARBARA: Well, those crops suggest a manor or farmhouse. It should be reasonably close.
SUSAN: It's very warm, isn't it? It must be summertime.
PRINCESS: I must say, this has all the makings of a lovely night to sit outside.
BARBARA: Maybe if we'd arrived an hour or two earlier perhaps. But I imagine by the time we find a place to get a drink it'll be dark.
PRINCESS: Oh, there's nothing wrong with sitting outside in the dark in the middle of summer.
IAN: Assuming it is summer. And we're even on Earth.
DOCTOR: Oh, of course we're on Earth, do stop questioning me, young man.
SUSAN: Grandfather, if we are on Earth, why aren't there any lights?
IAN: That's a point. It's dusk, and we've got a very good view from here.
BARBARA: Well, towns and villages can be well-spaced, even in England.
DOCTOR: Quite so. See, Miss Wright knows not to jump to conclusions.
PRINCESS: Well, if we want to find a place to get a drink, we'd better start looking now before they all shut–
(They hear movement in the bushes and a snapping twig beneath a foot.)
SUSAN: (Scared) What was that?
IAN: (Quietly) Keep talking. I'll check it out.
PRINCESS: (Quietly) Be careful, Ian.
(Ian heads deeper into the woods.)
BARBARA: (To Princess, quietly) Did you see what it was?
PRINCESS: No, I didn't.
SUSAN: No…
DOCTOR: Perhaps it was a rabbit. Do you know, Chesterton's getting quite jumpy these days. Young man like him shouldn't suffer from nerves.
PRINCESS: After everything we've been through, it'd be hardly surprising if he did.
DOCTOR: Nonsense–
(Ian shouts from deeper in the woods. A young voice shouts too, as the sound of a scuffle breaks out.)
BARBARA: Well, that rabbit of yours is putting up quite a fight.
(Ian emerges from the bushes, dragging a small boy by the back of his cloths.)
BARBARA: Ian, you're hurting him!
IAN: Oh, no, I'm not!
(Ian lets go of the boy as the time travellers surround him.)
DOCTOR: (To small boy) Come here, my boy. Where are we? Where do you live, hmm?
PRINCESS: Doctor, you're frightening him.
DOCTOR: What utter nonsense.
SUSAN: Let me try, Grandfather. (To small boy) Don't be afraid. We just want to know where we are, that's all. We're lost you see.
(The small boy still doesn't speak, looking in fright between all five time travellers.)
BARBARA: Look at him. He's absolutely terrified.
IAN: Yes. Of us, or of something else?
SUSAN: But what else is there for him to be afraid of?
DOCTOR: (To small boy) Come along, answer my questions, boy!
PRINCESS: Doctor, stop shouting at the poor boy!
SMALL BOY: Please, I've done nothing.
IAN: We're not going to hurt you.
BARBARA: No of course, we're not. Look, we've lost our way and we need your help. This is England, isn't it?
SMALL BOY: England…? No, France.
IAN: France?! Well, how far from Paris?
SMALL BOY: Not far. (Points) Twelve kilometres.
IAN: Oh, that's something, I suppose.
DOCTOR: (To himself) Paris, eh? A hundred miles or so either way is to be expected. After all, it's only a fraction of the distance we've covered. It's quite accurate, in fact.
IAN: Yes. Assuming the distance is our only error. You know, Doctor, I have a feeling you've been building up our hopes again.
DOCTOR: Oh, nonsense.
PRINCESS: Well, let's find out. (To small boy) What year is this?
(The small boy screws up his face.)
PRINCESS: It's all right, if answer this for us we'll–
(The boy kicks the Princess in the ankle and she goes down.)
PRINCESS: Ow!
SUSAN: Princess!
DOCTOR: I say!
(The boy then turns and runs, shoving Ian as he darts into the woods. Ian collapses next to the Princess who is rubbing her ankle in pain.)
IAN: (Sitting up) We lost him.
DOCTOR: You don't say.
BARBARA: Are you all right, Princess?
PRINCESS: I think so.
(The Doctor and Barbara help the Princess up to her feet.)
PRINCESS: Oh, that little… I'm going to be feeling that for a while.
DOCTOR: Once we find somewhere to sit, I'll take a proper look at it. Do you think you can walk?
PRINCESS: Yes, with some help. Susan?
SUSAN: Yes, Princess.
(Susan comes over to support the Princess.)
SUSAN: I wonder what made him so afraid he'd lash out like that.
PRINCESS: Well, if we find him again, you can ask him. I, myself, shall be staying far back and out of kicking range.
(Susan giggles as the time travellers set off through the woods, with Susan helping the Princess to walk.)
(After walking for a short while, the time travellers come to a stop, as the Doctor spots something through the tree line.)
DOCTOR: Chesterton, there's a house. Look, straight ahead of us.
(Through the trees, they all see a farmhouse, but there's no sign of any light from inside.)
IAN: Yes. What do you make of it, Barbara?
BARBARA: Well, it looks deserted. You know, I'm certain we're some time in the past.
IAN: Yes. Well, we were a hundred miles out. Perhaps we're a hundred years out.
DOCTOR: Oh, rubbish, rubbish.
BARBARA: Well, it's possible.
(The Princess winces, leaning more heavily on Susan.)
SUSAN: Are you all right, Princess?
PRINCESS: No, my ankle's acting up. I'm going to have to sit down.
IAN: In that case, I think we ought to get back to the ship and see to it.
PRINCESS: I don't know if I can make it that far.
BARBARA: And it's getting darker by the minute. The last thing she, or any of us needs is to be stumbling around this forest in complete darkness.
DOCTOR: Well, that farmhouse is right there.
IAN: But what if it's inhabited.
DOCTOR: Young man, I do think you're being rather cynical. I can't imagine why, if there are people in that house, why they'd turn away an injured traveller in need. Besides, if there are people, they'll be able to identify the time we're in. And then you shall see I'm right.
(The Doctor sets off towards the farmhouse. Susan follows, helping the Princess limp along. Ian and Barbara linger behind for a moment, talking to one another. Susan notices Ian and Barbara not following and stops along with the Princess.)
SUSAN: Ian! Barbara!
IAN: Don't worry, we're coming!
(Ian and Barbara start to follow them. Susan and the Princess also continuing on, crossing the small field and joining the Doctor who has entered the courtyard of the farmhouse.)
PRINCESS: (Struggling) Any sign of anyone, Doctor?
(The Princess is still wincing as she walks with Susan's aid.)
DOCTOR: It looks uninhabited. (Pointing) Susan, see if that bench is safe enough for her highness to sit on.
(Susan leads the Princess over to the wall of the courtyard. She lets go of the Princess, who balances against the wall as Susan checks that the bench is stable.)
SUSAN: It's a little dirty, but it'll hold.
(Susan then helps the Princess to sit down.)
PRINCESS: Thank you, Susan.
SUSAN: Grandfather?
(The Doctor is looking around the farmhouse's courtyard.)
DOCTOR: Hmm?
SUSAN: Can you come and look at the Princess' ankle, please?
PRINCESS: It's fine, Susan, I'm in no hurry.
(The Doctor joins them.)
DOCTOR: Nonsense, we should look while we still have some light. Take her shoe off, Susan.
(Susan takes the Princess' shoe off, to which the Princess winces as she does. Susan then holds the injured ankle as the Doctor leans down to look closer. He studies it and pokes it, which makes the Princess wince each time he does.)
DOCTOR: Yes, defiantly bruised, possibly strained, my dear. (Straightening up) You shall have to keep off of it for a while. If I can find some clean bandages around here then I'll apply those, help give you some support. But what you'll need most of all is rest. Once we're done here and back at the ship, we'll set you up in your room, get that leg elevated and put some ice on it. For now, though, try to move about as little as possible.
PRINCESS: Thank you, Doctor.
DOCTOR: Susan, stay with her and make sure she follows my instructions. I'm going to see if I can find a way inside.
(The Doctor walks off towards one of the windows looking into the farmhouse as Ian and Barbara enter the courtyard. Seeing the Princess sat on the bench, Ian and Barbara join her and Susan.)
IAN: (To Princess) How are you feeling now?
PRINCESS: Better now I'm off it, and the Doctor's given me my prescription.
IAN: (Chuckling) I bet he has. He won't miss a chance to boss you around, I'm sure.
BARBARA: Has he found anything yet?
SUSAN: No, not yet. He's seeing if he can get inside at the moment.
IAN: Oh, is he now?
(The Doctor is stood across the courtyard trying to see through a window inside. Ian goes over to join him.)
IAN: Doctor?
DOCTOR: I say, take a look through there, will you? I think your eyes are sharper than mine.
(The Doctor steps back and Ian leans forward to try and see inside through the window.)
IAN: Too dark to see anything, Doctor.
(The Doctor quietly walks away.)
IAN: (Continuing) No, I don't think anyone's lived here for years… (He turns around to find the Doctor gone) Doctor? Doctor?
DOCTOR: Over here.
(Ian follows the Doctor's voice around to a door.)
DOCTOR: We're in luck. The door's unlocked.
(The Doctor and Ian head inside the farmhouse. The Princess, Barbara and Susan remain outside. Then a moment later, Ian pokes his head out the door.)
IAN: The Doctor says to bring the Princess inside. There's some chairs in here for her to sit on.
BARBARA: All right.
(Barbara and Susan help the Princess up and support her between them as they all walk across the courtyard and into the house. Inside is a dusty, worn-down, kitchen with a few cobwebs scattered around. The only source of light is from a candle stick on the table, which Ian has now picked up to examine.)
BARBARA: (To Ian) Where's the Doctor?
IAN: He's gone upstairs.
(Barbara and Susan sit the Princess down on one of the chairs by the table.)
IAN: Barbara, come and have a look at this.
(Barbara goes over to join Ian. While she does this, Susan moves another chair closer to the Princess, then lifts her leg with the sore ankle and rests it on the additional chair.)
SUSAN: (To Princess) Grandfather said to keep it elevated.
PRINCESS: Thank you.
(With the Princess now comfortable, Susan begins exploring the room.)
BARBARA: (To Ian) What is it?
(Ian holds out the candlestick to Barbara, who takes it and looks it over.)
IAN: What do you think a candlestick like that's doing in a place like this?
BARBARA: I don't know.
(Ian begins looking around and notices a small box on the table the Princess is sat at.)
IAN: (Lifting up the box) Here's a tinderbox.
PRINCESS: A what?
IAN: It's a box containing tinder, flint, and other materials useful for making a fire.
(Ian hands over the box for the Princess to look at.)
BARBARA: You used to find one of these in every home and building, before friction matches were invented.
SUSAN: Look at this!
(Susan has opened a chest and inside is many sets of cloths. Barbara and Ian go over to join her, while the Princess watches from her seat. Ian crouches down to help Susan look, while Susan hands off one of the dresses she's pulled out to Barbara to have a look at.)
BARBARA: (Holding up the dress) Hey, this is eighteenth century.
(Susan has pulled out another dress.)
SUSAN: Look at this one!
(Barbara leans over to look in the chest.)
BARBARA: You know, there's a whole wardrobe here. And they're all different sizes too.
PRINCESS: I wonder what a chest full of cloths is doing here?
IAN: Not just cloths, there's more. Look at these bundles. (He pulls out various items wrapped in paper) Bottles of wine. Bread? A bit stale.
(Barbara pulls out some rolled up papers and unwraps them.)
BARBARA: Hey, look at all these maps.
SUSAN: And there's a whole bunch of daggers down here too.
PRINCESS: Susan, be careful with those. They might be rusty.
SUSAN: They don't seem rusty.
PRINCESS: In which case they might be very sharp. In either case, leave them alone.
SUSAN: Yes, Princess.
(Susan goes back to looking through the different cloths, while Ian has pulled out more pieces of paper. He reads them as he stands up.)
IAN: These are documents – Official documents. Undated and the name is left blank… They're passes.
BARBARA: Yes, but nobody lives here.
PRINCESS: Barbara's right. Just look at all the dust and cobwebs in here alone, never mind the rest of the house – which would imply vacancy.
(Ian thinks for a moment. Then realises…)
IAN: This is a stopping-off place. A link in some escape chain. Here, look at these.
(Ian hands off a piece of paper to Barbara and then the Princess who both read it over.)
BARBARA: Ian, this is signed by Robespierre!
PRINCESS: So, it is.
IAN: Robespierre? Must be a… Oh, wait a minute. The Doctor's put us down right in the middle of the French Revolution.
BARBARA: Yes… That'd put us around…
PRINCESS: 1794.
BARBARA: Yes. The Reign of Terror.
(Ian and Barbara look to each other in concern. Then the Princess notices Susan putting on one of the dresses.)
PRINCESS: Susan, what are you doing?
SUSAN: I just wanted to try it on.
PRINCESS: It's not yours to–
IAN: Actually, that might be a good idea. If we all get changed into something, we won't look so conspicuous when we go back to the ship.
PRINCESS: But there not ours, nor have they been offered to us.
IAN: They're for travellers, and that's what we are. We can leave them behind in the forest if that's what you want?
(Ian goes over and starts to get changed.)
BARBARA: It would be fun to try it on.
PRINCESS: Barbara!
IAN: It's not like they're short on cloths anyway.
(Ian tosses Barbara a dress which she begins to change into.)
IAN: Would you like one, Princess?
PRINCESS: Certainly not…and not just because of the effort it would take to change with my ankle in this state.
IAN: Suit yourself. But we can rip up one of these dresses to use as bandage.
SUSAN: That's a good idea.
PRINCESS: Now, wait just as…
(Ian has already begun tear up a dress.)
PRINCESS: (Sighing) Oh, never mind…
(After a few minutes, Ian, Barbara and Susan have finished changing into their period appropriate clothing, while the Princess has remained in her red and black dress. However, the Princess does now have the remains of a torn-up dress wrapped around her sore ankle. As Barbara and Susan make sure they've done everything right, Ian is stood by the door leading further into the house, adjusting his cuffs.)
IAN: Doctor? Doctor?!
BARBARA: How do I look?
IAN: Very pretty, mademoiselle. Hairstyle's a bit modern, but it's all right. The real problem is the Princess.
PRINCESS: I'll have you know, Ian, that this dress works in every setting.
IAN: (Chuckling) If you say so.
SUSAN: I wonder what's keeping grandfather.
IAN: Yes, I was beginning to wonder that myself. Come on. Let's go and find him. (He picks up the candle stick) Barbara, you–
(Barbara gasps and they all turn to see the door leading further into the house is open…and two men stand with flintlock pistols, each aimed at the time travellers. The taller and older of the two, Rouvray, stands at the front, with the more nerves and younger D'Argenson behind him.)
ROUVRAY: Don't move. (To Ian) Please put that on the table.
(Slowly, Ian does as instructed. He passes the candle stick to Barbara who puts it back down on the table behind them.)
ROUVRAY: Thank you. (To Princess) Can you stand?
SUSAN: Her ankle's hurt.
D'ARGENSON: She should stand anyway!
ROUVRAY: No. I won't force an injured woman to stand when it will bring her pain.
PRINCESS: Thank you.
ROUVRAY: Cover her, D'Argenson and you three, move away from the table.
(Susan is worried and the Princess notices.)
PRINCESS: It's all right, Susan, just do as the gentleman says.
(Slowly, Ian, Barbara and Susan move away from the table, leaving the Princess alone.)
ROUVRAY: All right, what are you doing here?
D'ARGENSON: Don't waste time, Rouvray! Kill them, they're after us!
ROUVRAY: I think not, but I would advise you to answer the question.
BARBARA: We're travellers.
SUSAN: We only stopped here until we could find our way.
ROUVRAY: At a deserted house?
BARBARA: This was the first building we came across. And as we've explained our friend is hurt.
D'ARGENSON: (To Rouvray) You'll gain nothing by this questioning, we should be moving on!
ROUVRAY: Patience, D'Argenson. Even in these troubled times our visitors have the right of an explanation, even if our enemies do not accord such privileges.
IAN: We're not your enemies. We are what we say we are, travellers.
ROUVRAY: When you entered our hideout, you entered our lives. Do you travel alone?
(The time travellers all hesitate.)
PRINCESS: Before we answer, would you kindly lower those weapons?
ROUVRAY: I think not, madam.
PRINCESS: You said we had the right to an explanation.
D'ARGENSON: (To Rouvray) We must be leaving now. The soldiers will have followed!
ROUVRAY: (To Princess) Yes, but I'm not a fool.
PRINCESS: I would never imply such a thing.
ROUVRAY: Then answer the question.
PRINCESS: Very well, but once I have, would you comply with my request?
ROUVRAY: (Hesitant) If you tell the truth.
PRINCESS: (Hesitant) No, we don't travel alone.
IAN & SUSAN: Princess!
(Rouvray lowers his pistol.)
PRINCESS: Thank you, Rouvray, was it?
ROUVRAY: Yes.
D'ARGENSON: (To Rouvray) We cannot trust them!
(Rouvray pushes down D'Argenson's hand with the pistol, lowering the weapon. The time travellers relax.)
PRINCESS: (To Rouvray) We have one other companion.
SUSAN: Yes. My grandfather, where is he?
ROUVRAY: He's upstairs, safe, but unconscious.
SUSAN: What did you do to him?!
(Ian holds Susan, preventing her from advancing towards the two Frenchmen.)
ROUVRAY: I apologise. D'Argenson knocked him out. But I assure you, he's alive and will recover.
IAN: Yes, well, we'd like to see this for ourselves before this goes any further.
ROUVRAY: Of course. Follow us and we'll–
BARBARA: Shh!
(They all go quiet…and hear a rabble of voices from outside getting louder and closer.)
D'ARGENSON: The soldiers! They've found us!
ROUVRAY: (To D'Argenson) Quiet!
(Ian and Rouvray approach the window. From outside the courtyard they can see the dim flickering light of fire.)
IAN: Put the candle out.
(Barbara blows the candle out as she and Susan stand near the Princess.)
D'ARGENSON: But they'll take us to Paris, to the guillotine! Rouvray, I can't, I can't let that happen! (Drops to his knees in tears) My whole family were executed, even my younger sister. They came to the house while I was out and they dragged them away. Rouvray, we must go while we have the chance!
(Rouvray grabs D'Argenson and pulls him up to his feet by his collar.)
ROUVRAY: (Quietly) They will see us! Our only hope is to stay here and hide. They may pass.
IAN: They're coming in.
D'ARGENSON: It will be the guillotine for all of us!
ROUVRAY: (Hissing) D'Argenson! D'Argenson, quiet!
(Rouvray let's go of the still whimpering D'Argenson and returns to the window. There, he takes out another flintlock pistol.)
ROUVRAY: (To Ian) Here, you may need this.
IAN: Thanks.
(Ian takes the second pistol from Rouvray. They all stand or sit quietly as they watch the window. The light outside gets brighter, and the chatter of the soldiers gets louder, as they enter the courtyard. One of the soldiers look pristine, leading the way. The others all look scruffy and ruffled in their uniforms, and some are downright dirty, and one even has an eyepatch. Some carry torches, and all carry muskets over their shoulders.)
SERGEANT: (To soldiers) Wait here!
(The soldiers stop and go silent, as the sergeant approaches the lieutenant – the one in the only clean and perfect uniform.)
SERGEANT: (To Lieutenant) The pigs will still be running. They won't have stopped yet.
LIEUTENANT: This is their route according to our information, sergeant. They could be hiding in this house.
SERGEANT: I'll have the men search the place.
LIEUTENANT: No. No, let's let them rest. They've had a long march. We'll cover the back.
SERGEANT: We'll block their escape!
LIEUTENANT: If they are in there, we can let them suffer the waiting.
SERGEANT: (Chuckling) Aye.
(The sergeant returns to the soldiers.)
SERGEANT: (To eyepatch solider) You, round the back.
EYEPATCH SOLDIER: Go yourself…citizen!
(The soldiers all laugh.)
SERGEANT: And if they run, you'll have the chance of stopping them.
(The soldiers all acknowledge this point in agreement.)
EYEPATCH SOLDIER: Yes. It's a long time since I had a royalist to myself!
(The soldiers laugh again.)
SERGEANT: (Mockingly) Keep your eyes open!
(The Sergeant laughs alone.)
EYEPATCH SOLDIER: Don't worry. They won't get past me.
(The solider with the eyepatch leaves, but the rest of the soldiers remain in the courtyard. Back inside the house, Ian and Rouvray continue to watch from the window.)
IAN: (Quietly, to Rouvray) They're not coming in.
ROUVRAY: No. The intention is to break our nerve.
IAN: But they suspect we're in here.
ROUVRAY: Obviously.
IAN: So, they'll come in eventually, if just to be certain.
ROUVRAY: More than likely, yes.
BARBARA: Is there another way out.
ROUVRAY: Only the back door and they'll have that covered by now.
IAN: So, what's the plan.
ROUVRAY: (Chuckling hollowly) Plan? All we can do is wait for them to come in and do what they will with us.
IAN: What if we surrender?
ROUVRAY: It won't change anything.
SUSAN: Ian. Grandfather.
ROUVRAY: The old man? He's upstairs.
PRINCESS: Well, if we're all just going to wait for them to come in, then we should at least do so together. Unless you're planning to hide?
ROUVRAY: Hiding won't help. Even if we did manage to outwit them, they'll burn the house down and watch to be sure we can't escape. D'Argenson, bring the old man down.
(D'Argenson is trembling and paralysed with fear.)
IAN: Never mind. I'll find him.
BARBARA: Be careful.
(Ian heads up the stairs quietly. With him gone, Rouvray goes back to watching the window, while Barbara and Susan remain with the Princess at the table. D'Argenson however, is having a breakdown. Then suddenly, D'Argenson runs for the door leading into the courtyard.)
ROUVRAY: (Hissing) D'Argenson!
(D'Argenson opens the door and runs outside.)
ROUVRAY: Come back! You fool!
(Rouvray runs out after him. Now alone, Susan cowers in between the Princess and Barbara.)
SUSAN: (Quietly) Why did he do that?
PRINCESS: Because he was frightened, Susan. Now, stay quiet and close your eyes.
SUSAN: But, Princess–
PRINCESS: Come here.
(The Princess holds Susan against her. And while Susan hides against her, the Princess and Barbara share worried looks. Outside, they hear the soldiers noticing D'Argenson.)
SERGEANT: Ah ha!
(The sergeant and other soldiers in the courtyard take their muskets from their shoulder and aim them at D'Argenson who is stood in the courtyard with everyone looking at him. Then Rouvray steps out in front of D'Argenson, and everyone now sees him.)
LIEUTENANT: Rouvray… Sergeant!
ROUVRAY: Don't move! Stay back!
LIEUTENANT: Take him!
ROUVRAY: You will listen to me!
(The soldiers continue to aim their muskets…but make no move to grab Rouvray or D'Argenson. The lieutenant looks around at his soldiers, who are all hesitant to act.)
LIEUTENANT: So Rouvray, your voice still carries authority. Even to my soldiers!
ROUVRAY: (To a soldier) You, come here. (The soldier approaches him) Give it to me.
(Rouvray takes the musket from the soldier beside him and then throws it on the ground before the lieutenant.)
ROUVRAY: (To Lieutenant) You can give them uniforms, Lieutenant, but they remain peasants underneath.
(The sergeant shoots Rouvray. Rouvray collapses into D'Argenson's arms, but the young man is unable to hold him, and drops the dying man to the ground.)
SOLDIER: Let's get the other one!
(D'Argenson tries to run, but with Rouvray dead, the soldiers no longer hesitate to grab him.)
SOLDIER: Hold him! Hold him!
(D'Argenson tries to pull away, but with three soldiers now firmly holding him down, he is trapped. The soldiers laugh at D'Argenson, who is in tears as he is pushed up against the wall. Meanwhile, the lieutenant stands over the dead Rouvray's body.)
LIEUTENANT: A desperate attempt, and it very nearly worked.
(The soldiers then shoot D'Argenson. Following this, they laugh. Inside the farmhouse, Susan holds back a scream as the Princess holds her close with Barbara huddled close by as well.)
LIEUTENANT: Well done, gentlemen. You should all be very proud of yourselves.
(The soldiers cheer while the sergeant approaches the lieutenant.)
SERGEANT: Sir, should we check the house for more.
LIEUTENANT: There's little point, Sergeant. These were the only two we were expecting to find.
SERGEANT: Aye, sir, but you never know. Perhaps we'll get lucky.
LIEUTENANT: I very much doubt it, Sergeant. But by all means, send one of your men in.
SERGEANT: Thank you, sir. (To soldier) You, go inside and check for more.
(The soldier heads into the house, and instantly spots the Princess, Barbara and Susan cowering by the table. The soldier smiles and Susan screams.)
SOLDIER: I've got three more in here!
(The lieutenant enters the house. He sees the time travellers.)
LIEUTENANT: Well, well, what have we hear.
PRINCESS: Please, we're just–
LIEUTENANT: Silence!
(They hear footsteps from the stairs. The lieutenant nods to the soldier who takes up his position behind the door. As Ian then comes through with his flintlock pistol in hand, the soldier by the door grabs it, pulls the pistol for Ian's grasp and shoves him over towards the table with the others.)
LIEUTENANT: Well, my sergeant was right. It did pay us to look in the house.
IAN: We are not–
LIEUTENANT: Silence! (To soldier) If any of them speak again without permission, shoot them.
(The sergeant enters the house.)
SERGEANT: The bodies have been removed, Lieutenant. (Looking to time travellers) What about these?
LIEUTENANT: Outside.
SERGEANT: Go on, you heard the Lieutenant, move!
(The time travellers hesitate. The Princess tries to get to her feet but falls back because of the pain.)
LIEUTENANT: What's the matter?
IAN: Do we have permission to speak?
(The soldier points his musket right in Ian's face.)
LIEUTENANT: Being smart won't get you anywhere. Now, woman, what's the problem?
PRINCESS: My ankle's hurt, I can't stand on my own. And since we're allowed to talk for the moment maybe you'd–
LIEUTENANT: (To time travellers) Help take her outside, now!
SERGEANT: Go on!
(Ian and Susan help the Princess up. Susan then supports the Princess as they all head outside into the courtyard. Once outside, they are lined up against the wall with the soldiers all aiming their rifles at them.)
SUSAN: (Quietly) Princess…
PRINCESS: Just stay close, Susan. And close your eyes.
(The Princess holds Susan close to her as both close their eyes. Beside them stand Ian and Barbara, who are both equally afraid. Ahead of them, the sergeant draws his sword and holds it up in the air.)
SERGEANT: (To soldiers) Load muskets.
SOLDIER: We already have. Get out the way.
LIEUTENANT: Stop!
(The Lieutenant steps in front of the time travellers.)
LIEUTENANT: We take them to Paris.
SOLDIER: No, we'll shoot them here.
LIEUTENANT: We've got the men we came for.
SOLDIER: Yes, and more. I say we kill them.
LIEUTENANT: Now listen, we also want credit for our additional prisoners. LeMaitre may not believe us if he doesn't see them for himself.
SERGEANT: That's true. And there may be a reward.
SOLDIER: The sergeant's right, perhaps there is a reward.
(The soldiers lower their rifles.)
LIEUTENANT: And besides, why should we do what Madame Guillotine can do so much better?
(The soldiers laugh.)
SOLDIER: Let's take them to Paris! To the guillotine!
(The soldiers crowd around the time travellers.)
SOLDIER: Hands out!
(The time travellers oblige, holding out their hands. They each then have their hands tied together in a roughly manner before they are shoved. In so doing, the Princess then falls over.)
SUSAN: Princess!
SOLDIER: Out of the way!
(The soldiers push Susan back and two of them lift the Princess to her feet.)
SOLDIER: We've got her. Now, move it!
(With Barbara in front, Susan follows with Ian behind while the Princess and her two escorts bring up the rear. The rest of the soldiers are all around them as they walk. They are led out of the courtyard and across the field towards the forest.)
PRINCESS: (Quietly) Ian, what happen to the Doctor?
IAN: (Quietly) I couldn't find him.
(Ian's eyes then widen as he looks back towards the farmhouse.)
IAN: The house!
(They all stop to look back. And the time travellers stare in horror, seeing…)
BARBARA: It's on fire!
(The soldiers all begin to laugh, as they watch the farmhouse across the field burn up in huge flames that have already consumed most of the building.)
SUSAN: What about Grandfather?!
BARBARA: I'm sure he got out, Susan.
IAN: I hope so, for all our sakes.
SOLDIER: Get moving!
(With a shove, the soldiers set off again, pushing the time travellers along through the woods as they leave the burning farmhouse – and the Doctor – behind. But as they go, the Princess looks back at the burning house, before then looking up to sky and closing her eyes.)
PRINCESS: (To herself) Please, don't let him be dead… Please…
Next Episode – Guests of Madame Guillotine