The Cave of Skulls

(In the ship's console room, the Princess looks around as if dazed, taking in everyone after landing. The Doctor and Susan are stood with her by the console. While Ian is sprawled out on the floor and Barbara slouched in the chair next to him. The Princess shakes off the dizziness to see the Doctor and Susan doing the same.)

PRINCESS: Is everyone all right?

DOCTOR: Yes, yes, fine, fine. Susan?

SUSAN: Yes, Grandfather. I'm all right. Just a little stiff.

(Susan does some stretching, then notices Barbara and Ian are unconscious.)

SUSAN: (Worried) What's happened to them?

DOCTOR: Seems to have been a bit too much for them. Then again, the ship hasn't moved in some time. Maybe that has something to do with it.

PRINCESS: Could that be the reason why it's had such a strain on us as well?

DOCTOR: I suppose so. Staying in one place for so long…

(Susan is checking on Ian and Barbara.)

DOCTOR: Oh, leave them my child, I need you over here.

SUSAN: But, Grandfather–

DOCTOR: Now, child.

PRINCESS: (To Susan) I'll check on them, you just help your grandfather, Susan. Remember, pay attention, you might need to know about all of this someday.

(Susan joins the Doctor at the console while the Princess goes to Barbara and Ian.)

DOCTOR: You should be paying attention too, my dear. What you've just said to Susan could also be said to you as well.

PRINCESS: Yes, but unlike Susan, I'm not related to you. Therefore, I can make the easy decision to ignore you.

DOCTOR: Perhaps, perhaps. But I am still just as responsible for you as I am for Susan.

PRINCESS: Oh, don't start that again. We're not at home anymore, so please stop treating me like I'm something special.

DOCTOR: Very well, if that's what you want.

(The Princess checks on Barbara who begins to wake up.)

PRINCESS: There you go. Are you all right?

BARBARA: (Dazed) Wha–What happened?

PRINCESS: You and your friend passed out while we were travelling through the space-time vortex. You seem to be fine otherwise, I can't see any sign of injuries.

BARBARA: (Seeing Ian on the floor) Ian? Ian.

(As Barbara checks on Ian, the Princess moves back over to the console.)

SUSAN: The base is steady.

DOCTOR: Layer of sand, rock formation. Good.

SUSAN: We've left 1963.

(Susan is sad, and the Princess comforts her.)

DOCTOR: Oh, yes, undoubtedly. I'll be able to tell you where presently.

PRINCESS: I'm sorry, Susan. But don't worry, I'm sure we'll go back there some day. And just think about all the new amazing places we can see on our way.

(Susan brightens up a little.)

DOCTOR: Zero? That's not right. I'm afraid this yearometer is not calculating properly. Hmm. Well, anyway, the journey's finished. (Sees Ian on the floor, now conscious) What are you doing down there?

PRINCESS: Stop being mean.

(The Doctor grins mischievously.)

BARBARA: (To Doctor) What have you done?

IAN: Barbara, you don't believe all this nonsense.

SUSAN: Well, look at the scanner screen.

(Barbara helps Ian up and they join everyone else at the console.)

DOCTOR: Yes, look up there. (To Susan) They don't understand, and I suspect they don't want to. (To Ian & Barbara) Well, there you are. A new world for you.

(They all look up at the scanner. It shows a picture of wasteland.)

IAN: Sand and rock?

DOCTOR: Yes, that's the immediate view outside the ship.

PRINCESS: It's definitely a change from a foggy junkyard in London.

BARBARA: But where are we?

IAN: You mean that's what we'll see when we go outside?

SUSAN: Yes, you'll see it for yourself.

IAN: I don't believe it.

DOCTOR: You really are a stubborn young man, aren't you?

IAN: All right, show me some proof. Give me some concrete evidence. (To Susan) I'm sorry, Susan, I don't want to hurt you, but it's time you were brought back to reality.

SUSAN: But you're wrong, Mister Chesterton.

DOCTOR: They are saying I'm a charlatan. (To Ian) What concrete evidence would satisfy you?

IAN: Just open the doors, Doctor Foreman.

(The Doctor steps away.)

DOCTOR: (Quietly) Eh? Doctor who? What's he talking about?

(The Princess joins the Doctor.)

PRINCESS: (Quietly) "Foreman," was the alias Susan was using while at their school. The presumption being that it's your last name also.

DOCTOR: Nonsense.

PRINCESS: I know, so should we tell them our names?

(The Princess goes to leave, but the Doctor grabs her by the arm.)

DOCTOR: We can't!

PRINCESS: They're just names.

DOCTOR: To you and I, maybe, but not to them. We'll need to come up with something else. Aliases of our own.

PRINCESS: That's ridicules! I like my name and I'm not changing it.

DOCTOR: Oh, this is just typical of someone of your position – Ah, that's it! Princess! That will be your name.

PRINCESS: That is a title, not a name. And besides, it's not like that particular title even applies to me anymore.

DOCTOR: Oh, do be reasonable, my dear!

PRINCESS: Reasonable?! I'll show you reasonable when–!

IAN: (To Doctor) Are you going to open the doors, or aren't you?

DOCTOR: No.

IAN: (To Barbara) You see?

(The Doctor returns to the console.)

DOCTOR: Not until I'm quite sure it's safe to do so. (Looks to the console) Well, the air's good. Yes, it is, it's good. Excellent, excellent. (To Susan) You've got the radiation counter there. What's it read?

SUSAN: It's reading normal, Grandfather.

DOCTOR: Splendid, splendid. Well, I think I'll take my Geiger counter with me in any case. (To Ian) So, you still challenge me, young man?

IAN: Well, just open the doors and prove your point.

DOCTOR: You're so narrow-minded, aren't you? Don't be so insular.

SUSAN: Grandfather, do you know where we are?

DOCTOR: Yes, we've gone back in time, all right. One or two samples and I shall be able to make an estimate. With rock pieces and a few plants.

PRINCESS: So, you don't know where we are then?

DOCTOR: Well, that's hardly my fault. It's this machine's acting up again.

PRINCESS: Yes, of course, it's the machine.

DOCTOR: I do wish it wouldn't keep letting me down. However, we can go out now.

IAN: Just a minute. You say we've gone back in time?

DOCTOR: Yes, quite so.

IAN: So that when we go out of that door, we won't be in a junkyard, in London, in England, in the year 1963?

DOCTOR: That is quite correct. But your tone suggests ridicule.

IAN: But it is ridiculous. Time doesn't go round and round in circles. You can't get on and off whenever you like in the past or the future.

DOCTOR: Really? Where does time go, then?

IAN: It doesn't go anywhere. It just happens and then it's finished.

DOCTOR: (To Barbara) You're not as doubtful as your friend, I hope?

BARBARA: No.

IAN: Barbara, you can't–

BARBARA: I can't help it. I just believe them, that's all.

DOCTOR: (To Ian) If you could touch the alien sand and hear the cries of strange birds and watch them wheel in another sky, would that satisfy you?

IAN: Yes.

(The Doctor activates the door controls and they open.)

DOCTOR: Now, see for yourself.

(They look out the open doors and see the wasteland the ship has landed in.)

IAN: (Shocked) It's not true… It can't be…

SUSAN: That's not on the screen.

DOCTOR: Well, I've no more time to argue with you. I must get some samples.

SUSAN: Be careful, Grandfather.

(The Doctor exits the ship.)

PRINCESS: Try not to hurt yourself this time.

DOCTOR: (Muttering) That was one time, and now I never hear the end of it…

(Barbara leaves the ship with the Princess following the Doctor. Now standing outside, the Princess shivers.)

PRINCESS: Oh, it's surprisingly nippy. (Calling back to Susan) Bring your jacket, Susan.

(Ian and Susan step outside, and the doors close behind them.)

SUSAN: (To Ian) Well?

IAN: But…there must be some explanation.

PRINCESS: There is, we've been telling you. We've travelled through time and space.

IAN: But…how?!

PRINCESS: I doubt you'd be able to comprehend it. In fact, I don't entirely understand it myself.

(Princess walks over to the Doctor. He is stood a few paces away, staring at the ship.)

DOCTOR: It's still a police box. Why hasn't it changed? Dear, dear, how very disturbing.

PRINCESS: I think I like it.

DOCTOR: "Liking it," has nothing to do with it. It's supposed to blend in and now it sticks out like a sore thumb.

PRINCESS: And the name, "Princess," won't?

(The Doctor grumbles as he walks off, the Princess follows him. Stopping at the base of a nearby hill, the Doctor bends to collect his samples. The Princess stands over him, watching. Neither are aware that they are being watched by man, crouched on top of the hill – with a club in his hand. After collecting his samples, the Doctor takes out his pipe and matches and stands up.)

DOCTOR: Well, my dear, what do you think?

(Rather than look at the samples, the Princess looks around uneasily.)

PRINCESS: I'm thinking I wouldn't like to stay here for long. This place doesn't exactly seem hospitable.

DOCTOR: Yes, yes, a very primitive time. From what I've gathered, I'd guess humanity should be out there somewhere. In its cardinal and primal form.

PRINCESS: Something which I have no desire to meet.

(The Doctor lights a match and uses it to light his pipe.)

DOCTOR: Agreed. We should return to the – Look out!

(The man from atop the hill pounces on them and attacks. The Princess cries out, before being knocked unconscious by the man's club.)

(The Princess begins to wake. She and the Doctor are now sprawled out on a large stone. They are in a cave. Around them are a tribe of cavemen! Two of them are arguing. Kal – the one who attacked them, and Za.)

ZA: I say what is to be done here, not old men and women!

KAL: Za tries to talk like his father, the Firemaker. Za does not want to see fire made. But I, Kal, am not afraid of fire. I will make my creatures make fire.

(The Doctor and Princess sit up, rubbing their sore parts as they take in the situation.)

ZA: I will take them to the Cave of Skulls and they will tell me the secret!

(Suddenly, the Doctor jumps up to his feet, capturing everyone's attention.)

DOCTOR: I can make fire for you! (Gestures to Princess) We can both make you fire! Let us go and we'll make all the fire you want. You don't have to be afraid of us.

(The Princess straightens up.)

PRINCESS: We're just an old man and woman!

DOCTOR: Exactly! How can an old man and woman, like us, harm any of you?

(The tribe stare back at the Doctor.)

ZA: What does he say?

(An elder of the tribe, Horg, steps forward with excitement.)

HORG: Fire! He says they can make fire for us!

KAL: They will make it for me! And I give you fire. I am Firemaker!

ZA: They will make it for me!

DOCTOR: (Searching his pockets) My matches. Where are they?

(The Princess hurries to the Doctor's side and grips his arm tightly.)

PRINCESS: (Hushed) Please, don't tell me you lost them!

DOCTOR: We must get back. Must get back to the ship.

KAL: (To Za) Kal's creatures. They make fire, only for Kal.

DOCTOR: Take us back to my ship, and we will make fire for you! All the fire you want!

ZA: (To Kal) This is more of your lies. The old man and woman cannot make fire.

PRINCESS: (Scared) They don't understand.

KAL: (Nervously) There was a tree and the creatures came from in it. And the fire, it came off the woman's hair, it came out of his fingers.

ZA: You want to be strong like Za, son of the great Firemaker. (He climbs atop the large stone, to speak to the tribe) You all heard him say that there would be fire. There is no fire. Za does not tell you lies. He does not say, I will do this thing, and then not do it. He does not say, I will make you warm, and then leave you to the dark. He does not say, I will fight away the tiger with fire, and then let him come to you in the dark. Do you want a liar for your chief?

ALL: No!

(Kal, panicking, turns on the Doctor and the Pirncess and grabs them both.)

KAL: (To Doctor & Princess) Make fire. Make fire!

(A cavewoman, Hur, approaches Kal with a taunting grin.)

HUR: You are trapped in your own lies, Kal!

ZA: (Mockingly) Great chief who is afraid of nothing. Oh, great Kal, save us from the cold. Save us from the tiger!

(The tribe laugh at Kal, making him more anxious.)

KAL: (To Doctor & Princess) Make fire. Make fire come from your fingers as I saw it!

DOCTOR: I have no matches! I cannot make fire. I cannot make fire!

ZA: Let the old man and woman die. And we'll watch the great Kal as he kills his strong enemies.

(Suddenly, Kal shoves aside the Doctor and points a knife at the Princess's throat.)

KAL: (To Princess) Make fire! Make fire!

DOCTOR: No! Don't you touch her!

(Another caveman grabs the Doctor from behind.)

KAL: (Continuing) Make fire! Make it come from your hair like I saw, or I kill you now!

PRINCESS: (Panicked) I-I can't…please…

ZA: (Continuing) Or we'll keep them and make them hunt for us. It's good to have someone to laugh at!

(Again the tribe laugh.)

SUSAN: Grandfather!

(Susan, Ian and Barbara come running into the cave. Susan and Barbara are captured almost instantly. Ian puts up a bit of a fight but is quickly overpowered by Za and his club. Za then holds his club up above Ian, ready to deliver the final blow.)

DOCTOR: If he dies, there will be no fire!

(Za hesitates. Then lowers his club. He hands Ian off to another cavemen who restrains him.)

ZA: When Orb gives fire back to the sky, we shall offer him up our enemies here. That is when they die, and Orb will give us fire again. Take them to the Cave of Skulls!

KAL: No! The fire woman stays with me!

(Kal pulls the Princess close, still holding a knife to her throat.)

ZA: She goes with the rest! She will be the final offering to Orb.

KAL: No!

ZA: Giver her to me. Or I shall take her.

KAL: No! She is mine. I shall offer her now!

ZA: Do that, and you will go against Orb's will.

(Kal hesitates. But then shoves the Princess away. Two other cavemen quick restrain her.)

ZA: Take them to the Cave of Skulls!

(The time travellers are taken further into the cave.)

(Later, in another part of the cave, the five time travellers have been left alone. Their hands and feet tied together, as they sit on the floor.)

IAN: (To Barbara) Are you all right? Did they hurt you?

BARBARA: No… Ian, I'm frightened.

IAN: Try and hang on.

BARBARA: But how are we going to get out of this?

DOCTOR: We should use our cunning. (He tries and fails to free himself) I hope you can get yourself free, Chesterton. I can't. The stench in here. The stench. (Sighs) I'm sorry. It's all my fault. I'm desperately sorry.

SUSAN: Don't blame yourself, Grandfather.

DOCTOR: No, no, it was foolish of me to get caught so easily. I should have been more careful. (To Princess) Or better yet, I should have left you in the ship until I absolutely knew it was safe.

PRINCESS: Oh, don't start all that nonsense again. Everywhere in the universe is dangerous, remember. And there's no reward without risk.

DOCTOR: (Notices something across the cave) Yes, well, this time I fear I risked too much. Look at that. Look at it.

(They all look to where the Doctor is pointing. In the corner of the cave is a collection of smashes and broken skulls.)

IAN: They're all the same. They've been split open.

Next Episode – The Forest of Fear