The Dead Planet
(The Doctor has arrived back at the console room. The Princess is waiting for him. Both have showered and are wearing fresh cloths – the same outfits they normally wear. The Doctor in his Edwardian style, while the Princess wears her red and black patterned dress.)
DOCTOR: Well then, my dear, shall we take a peek outside.
PRINCESS: Once the others arrive.
DOCTOR: Oh, why should we wait for them. Come, come, we shan't go far.
(Doctor activates doors controls, but the Princess closes them again before the Doctor can exit. The Doctor stops turns and frowns curiously at the Princess.)
DOCTOR: Is something the matter, my dear?
PRINCESS: Doctor, these people still need rest.
DOCTOR: Well, let them rest, I have no quarrels with them waiting here while we go exploring.
PRINCESS: They won't be comfortable with that, that's why they're agreeing to come along with us.
DOCTOR: Splendid! So, why make that face?
(The Princess sighs.)
PRINCESS: (Sighing) Like I said, they need rest. They're still in shock from everything that's happened to them. Being hunted by cavemen, trapped in that cave… Being kidnapped from their own world and time.
DOCTOR: (Sharply) That was their own fault.
PRINCESS: I'm not saying it's your fault. What I am saying is we need to be considerate of those in our care. So, while I'm happy to allow you to explore for now, should they need to return–
DOCTOR: Allow? Allow?! You don't allow me to do anything. I decide what I do, and you shall have no say in the matter.
PRINCESS: (Trying to remain calm) Doctor, I think you're very much focusing on the wrong–
DOCTOR: We aren't on our home planet you know! You don't get to boss me around, imposing your will on me like some power mad tyrant!
PRINCESS: How dare you!
DOCTOR: Yes, that's got that royal blood of yours fired up, hasn't it!
(Susan, Ian and Barbara enter…and see the Doctor and Princess glaring heatedly at one another.)
SUSAN: Is everything all right, Grandfather? Princess?
(The Princess turns towards Susan.)
PRINCESS: Susan, what have I told you about–!
(The Princess cuts herself off, seeing as she's scaring Susan. Susan shrinks back against a confused Ian and Barbara. The Princess sighs, before regaining her composure.)
PRINCESS: (Tense) Sorry, Susan... Your grandfather and I were just heatedly discussing that we shouldn't stay out for too long. We could all still do with some serious rest after what we've all been through.
(The Doctor snorts, walking towards the console, while the Princess glares at him once more.)
IAN: (Cautiously) Well…I think that doesn't sound like such a bad idea. But maybe we should take a look outside first, before deciding when we should come back?
BARBARA: We could say we come back at sundown at the latest. That way we don't have to worry about getting lost in the dark.
IAN: Yes, that's a good idea. Wouldn't you agree, Doctor?
(The Doctor still looks irritated, but upon seeing a further glare for the Princess seems to brighten up at least a little.)
DOCTOR: Yes. That sounds like a good starting point for our little expedition. As you say, we'll go outside and then take it from there.
IAN: Right then, what are we waiting for?
(The Doctor goes to activate the door controls, before looking to the Princess.)
DOCTOR: With her majesty's permission?
(Still glaring at him, the Princess marches over and activates the door controls herself. They all then exit the ship. First the Princess, then Barbara, Susan, the Doctor and lastly Ian. They look around, taking in the strange new world.)
BARBARA: There's been a forest fire. Everything's sort of white and ashen.
IAN: Funny mist.
DOCTOR: The heat must have been indescribable. Look at this soil here. (He bends down and picks up a handful of soil) Look at it. It's all turned to sand and ashes. Extraordinary. How can shrubs or trees grow in soil like that, hmm?
IAN: Something else that's strange. There's quite a breeze blowing.
SUSAN: Well?
PRINCESS: Nothing's moving.
IAN: Yes. Not the trees. Not the branches. Nothing.
BARBARA: They're absolutely still.
(Ian touches a low branch and it breaks at his touch.)
IAN: Huh… Like stone, look. Very brittle stone. It crumbles when you touch it. Look.
(Ian shows them the dust in his hand.)
DOCTOR: It's petrified. How fascinating, a petrified jungle. Hmm. Extraordinary. Yes, I must really investigate that. Couldn't have been heat, then, and age would merely decay.
SUSAN: What could have caused it, Grandfather?
DOCTOR: I don't know, I don't know, but I intend to find out.
SUSAN: Well I'm coming too.
(The Princess goes to follow them both, before noticing Barbara and Ian aren't following.)
PRINCESS: If you need us, just shout.
(She smiles at them, but she still seems tense. She then follows the Doctor and Susan as they explore. They walk through the forest, the Doctor ahead with the Princess and Susan behind him. The Princess stares coldly at the Doctor's back.)
SUSAN: Is everything all right? Between you and Grandfather?
PRINCESS: Yes, Susan… He just has a habit of annoying me when he doesn't think he's getting his way.
(They continue on for a moment in silence.)
SUSAN: (Hesitantly) I'm…I'm sorry about calling you, "Princess," earlier. But Grandfather said that's what I should call you from now on. Much like how he's letting Mr. Chesterton and Ms. Wright call him, "Doctor," even though that's not his name.
PRINCESS: It's all right, Susan. And I'm sorry for shouting at you. It's just…that title isn't something I'm fond off.
SUSAN: Well, maybe you could see this as your chance to take control of it. You could redefine it however you wanted to if it was your name, rather than your title.
PRINCESS: But that's just it, Susan. It already was my name. Everywhere I went back home, it was, "Princess, Princess, Princess." So few people even bothered to say the name that followed that title. My name. I began to wonder why I was even given a name, if I was only ever going to be called by a title – even by my only family. That title was just one of the reasons I decided to leave our home.
SUSAN: I'm sorry, I didn't know.
PRINCESS: So few do. But it appears regardless, I'm once again stuck with it. At least for as long as Ian and Barbara are with us.
SUSAN: But what should I do?
(The Princess thinks, the smiles softly as she wraps an arm around Susan and holds her close.)
PRINCESS: Just do as your grandfather says for now. With any luck, it won't be long before we get your teachers home.
(Susan smiles softly back at her, as they continue on. Shortly after, Susan sees a preserved flower on the ground.)
SUSAN: Oh Grandfather, look!
(Susan hurries forward and drops down on her knees before the flower. The Princess crouches down next to her to see it, while the Doctor continues to look around, uninterested by Susan's discovery.)
SUSAN: It's a flower. A perfect flower. Well, it's even kept some of its colour.
DOCTOR: (Without looking) Yes, very pretty, very pretty. Hmm...
SUSAN: What do you think, Princess…
(Susan trails off nervously, realising her repeated mistake. The Princess only smiles at her as Ian and Barbara catch up.)
PRINCESS: I think it's beautiful, Susan.
(Susan smiles happily, before then noticing Ian.)
SUSAN: (To Ian) Hey, look. Look at what I've found.
(Ian crouches down next to Susan and the Princess, while Barbara wonders off to explore on her own.)
IAN: Oh, that's beautiful.
SUSAN: Isn't it? I'm going to try and pick it and keep it all in one piece.
(Susan goes to pick up the flower, but Ian stops her.)
IAN: Oh, be careful. It'll be very fragile. (He carefully removes the flower from the ground) There we are.
SUSAN: Beautiful. When I get it back to the ship I'm–
BARBARA: (Panicked) Ian!
SUSAN: (Continuing) –going to put it into a glass and–
BARBARA: Ian!
IAN: Coming, coming!
(Before rushing off to check on Barbara, Ian passes the flower to Susan – but he does so too quickly and roughly, and the flower ends up breaking apart in Susan's hands. As Ian rushes off, Susan is left sad, with the Princess next to her. The Princess then rubs Susan's shoulders comfortingly.)
PRINCESS: I'm sorry, Susan. Come on, let's see what's going on and then we'll try and find another.
(Susan nods before they get up and follow Ian. They find Barbara a few feet away staring at something.)
IAN: What is it? What's the matter?
(Barbara points to a strange looking lizard. They all stare at it cautiously and it stares unblinkingly back at them. Ian slowly begins to approach it when Barbara grabs his arm.)
BARBARA: No!
(Ian continues on regardless. Once he's close enough, he swipes his hand in front of the lizard, but it doesn't react. Ian chuckles in relief.)
IAN: It's all right. Like everything else in this place, solid stone.
(Ian taps the solid creature as the others gather around.)
BARBARA: It's hideous.
IAN: Yes, it is. It's also significant. Nothing on Earth could look like this.
BARBARA: It looks like some sculptor's nightmare.
DOCTOR: Yes, it's certainly alien to anything on your planet. But you're wrong about one thing, Chesterfield. This isn't like everything else. The animal is solidified, certainly, but it's not crumbly stone. It's metal. (The Doctor taps the creature) Yes, it always was.
IAN: What, even when it was alive? But that's impossible.
DOCTOR: Why? Can't you imagine an animal unless it's flesh, blood and bone, hmm? No, I tell you this is an entirely different formation. I should say originally it was some pliable metal held together by a magnetic field, or an inner magnetic field, rather, and it may have had the ability to attract its victims towards it, if they were metal too.
BARBARA: (Sadly) We're not on Earth, then.
DOCTOR: No, certainly not.
(Ian sees how upset Barbara.)
IAN: (To Doctor) Are you sure?
DOCTOR: I'm certain off it.
PRINCESS: I'm sorry to disappoint you both. But just remember, we are alive. And you have each other – as well as us. At least until we get you back home.
(Susan wonders off to the side.)
Barbara: (Half-heartedly) Thank you.
SUSAN: Hey, Grandfather, look. The jungle ends over there.
(The Doctor, joins Susan, as the pair look towards a clearing up ahead.)
DOCTOR: You know, from there I might be able to map out our position by the stars.
(The Doctor begins to wander out into the clearing. The Princess joins Susan.)
PRINCESS: Susan, could you keep an eye on Ian and Barbara. I'll watch your grandfather.
SUSAN: Of course.
(Susan goes back to Ian and Barbara while the Princess follows the Doctor. She joins him in the clearing, where he's looking up at the sky. But it's far to misty to see anything above.)
DOCTOR: If I can just spot a constellation or two, then I should be able to pinpoint our position.
PRINCESS: The sun's still up though, and you won't be seeing far in this mist.
DOCTOR: (Snapping) Would you stop complaining. It feels like that's all you've done since we got here. Complaining about people needing rest and now this.
PRINCESS: You're getting your way, there's no need to be rude.
(The Doctor goes back to trying to see the stars, but quickly gives up in a huff.)
DOCTOR: Oh, I can't see a blasted thing in this mist – or while the sun's still up! Come on, let's re-join the others.
(Smiling to herself, the Princess follows the Doctor back to where Susan and Barbara are waiting.)
DOCTOR: Well now, are we ready?
BARBARA: Oh, Doctor, have you worked out yet how all this happened?
DOCTOR: No, not really, not really. Whatever it was destroyed everything that was living. But the planet is dead, totally dead.
IAN: (From nearby) Barbara, Doctor! Over here!
(They all move to join Ian who is overlooking the edge of a cliff.)
DOCTOR: What is it, Chesterton? We really must get back to…
(From the cliff edge they can see a city in the distance.)
PRINCESS: Oh, my goodness…
DOCTOR: Most fascinating.
BARBARA: A city, a huge city.
(The Doctor puts on a pair of binocular glasses.)
IAN: Well, Doctor? Can you see anything? Any sign of life?
DOCTOR: No, no, no sign of life. No, just buildings. Magnificent buildings, I–
SUSAN: Oh, let me have a look! (The Doctor hands her the glasses. Susan looks through them and at the city) It's fabulous! (To Barbara) Here, you have a look.
(Susan hands the glasses to Barbara who now takes a look.)
IAN: What do you think, Doctor?
DOCTOR: I don't know, I don't know. Whatever it was destroyed the vegetation here certainly hasn't damaged the city.
(Barbara hands Ian the glasses so he can now take a look.)
DOCTOR: (Continuing) But there's no sign of life. No movement, no light.
PRINCESS: Maybe whatever happened only killed off living matter. Like the trees and that lizard back there, or whatever lived in that city.
DOCTOR: Maybe, maybe. But I shall know more about it once I've been down there.
BARBARA: Down there? Oh, no. We're going back to the ship.
DOCTOR: Now, don't be ridiculous. That city down there is a magnificent subject for study, and I don't intend to leave here until I've thoroughly investigated it.
IAN: Well, it's too late to talk about it now. (Looks up) It's getting dark. We'll discuss it when we get back to the ship.
PRINCESS: Like we agreed upon.
SUSAN: Yes. Whatever you decide, it's too late to get down there now.
DOCTOR: Yes, yes, yes, all right then. But I assure you I'm determined to study that place.
IAN: You can do what you like, as long as you don't endanger the rest of us.
(Ian puts his arm around Barbara and leads her away, with the Princess and Susan following. But the Doctor remains by the cliff edge.)
DOCTOR: Very well then. I shall look at it myself, alone.
(The others stop and look back to the Doctor. Ian approaches him.)
IAN: You're the only one who can operate the ship. I'm afraid I can't let you do that, Doctor. Your glasses.
(Ian gives the Doctor back his glasses. He then walks over to join the others, who are all waiting for the Doctor to follow. The Doctor stubbornly refuses to move for a moment, but then sighs and joins them.)
(Ian leads the way back through the petrified forest. Behind him is Barbara, the Princess and the Doctor. Susan is further back, looking around the forest as she walks. She is falling further and further behind the group.)
IAN: I think this is the way we came.
(They continue on until they reach the ship.)
IAN: Here we are.
(Ian tries to open the door, but finds it locked.)
IAN: Eh… Doctor, could you…?
DOCTOR: Yes, yes, just move aside would you?
(Ian steps aside and the Doctor goes to unlock the door…when they then hear Susan scream. Ian and the Princess run back towards Susan.)
PRINCESS: Susan? Susan!
(Susan runs towards them, frightened. She throws herself at the Princess who quickly embraces her while Ian looks around for what frightened her. There's nothing in sight. The Princess continues to hold Susan close as the girl cries.)
PRINCESS: It's all right, Susan, it's all right. You're safe now. I've got you. You're safe now, I promise.
(Susan is sitting at a table in the ship with the Princess. Susan is drawing while the Princess watches her. Barbara joins them. Barbara smiles to the Princess who smiles back.)
BARBARA: (To Susan) Hello.
SUSAN: (Quietly) Hello.
BARBARA: What are you doing?
SUSAN: Just drawing.
BARBARA: Well, can I see?
(Susan puts down her pencil and looks away. Barbara turns the piece of paper around to look at it.)
SUSAN: It's the flower I saw in the jungle.
BARBARA: What happened out there?
SUSAN: (Hesitantly) Nothing…
PRINCESS: Susan.
BARBARA: It's all right, Susan. You can tell me whatever it was that frightened you.
SUSAN: It's not that so much. It's just that I'm…I'm fed up no one believes me.
PRINCESS: You know that's not true.
SUSAN: No, I don't.
(Susan gets up and turns towards the wall.)
BARBARA: Well, why don't you tell me what happened, and I can decide whether I believe it or not?
(Susan shakes her head as she leans against the wall.)
PRINCESS: (To Barbara) She believes there was someone out there and that they touched her shoulder.
SUSAN: There was someone out there!
PRINCESS: Sorry, that was my poor wording.
BARBARA: That doesn't sound so farfetched to me. Did you see who it was that touched you?
SUSAN: No.
(Susan leaves the wall and goes behind Barbara. While Barbara looks between the Princess and the drawing, Susan comes up behind her and lightly touches her on the shoulder.)
SUSAN: (Hurriedly) It was like that! A light touch on the shoulder. I couldn't have been mistaken.
BARBARA: Well, we both believe you, don't we, Princess?
PRINCESS: Of course we do.
SUSAN: But Grandfather says that it's impossible for anyone to live out there.
PRINCESS: Now, what have I told you about that stupid old man. (She gets up and hugs Susan) I know he's your grandfather, Susan, but he does have trouble listening to anyone other than himself. Especially when he's already made up his mind about something. (Susan nods in agreement.) But you have me and Barbara, and even Ian. We'll all listen to you. Okay?
SUSAN: (Sadly) Okay.
BARBARA: How about you try and forget about it for the moment?
SUSAN: For the moment…
(Barbara reached for her head in sudden pain and leans back against the table.)
PRINCESS: Barbara? What's the matter?
(The Princess let's go of Susan as they both go over to Barbara.)
BARBARA: Oh, I think…I think I'm coming down with a bit of a headache.
(Barbara looks in pain as she tenderly rubs her head.)
PRINCESS: Oh dear. Susan, why don't you get a glass of water for Barbara and I'll see if I can find some medication.
SUSAN: Yes, Princess.
(They leave, Susan getting the water while the Princess gets the medical drops to help with Barbara's headache. When the Princess returns, she takes the glass of water from Susan.)
PRINCESS: Thank you, Susan.
(The Princess then begins to put the drops in the water when the Doctor and Ian arrive.)
DOCTOR: (To Barbara) Oh, what's the matter?
BARBARA: Oh, I've suddenly got this terrible headache.
DOCTOR: Oh, dear, dear, how irksome for you. (Sees the Princess with the drops) Oh, this stuff is very good. This should cure it. (To Princess) Now, not too much, my dear, not too much.
PRINCESS: I know what I'm doing.
DOCTOR: Maybe, but they are human, and can't handle as big a dosage as we can.
(The Princess hesitates in putting more in, staring at the Doctor as he grins. She doesn't add any more.)
PRINCESS: Here you go, Barbara.
(Barbara takes the water and drinks.)
SUSAN: Grandfather. I'm sorry I was so silly just now.
(The Doctor nods as he makes his way over to the food machine.)
PRINCESS: Nonsense, Susan. It was him who was being silly.
DOCTOR: Yes, well, maybe I was a bit harsh. (He operates the food machine) But it's all settled now.
(Barbara having finished her medicine, hands the empty glass over to the Princess.)
BARBARA: Thank you. That was very nice.
(The Princess smiles, before setting aside the glass.)
IAN: Let's hope it does you some good.
(The Doctor is now nibbling at something he got from the machine. Ian and Barbara watch him eat. Susan nudges the Doctor and she and the Princess give him a pointed look – gesturing with their eyes towards their new companions.)
DOCTOR: Oh, did you want something to eat? What would you like?
BARBARA: I'd like some bacon and eggs.
IAN: All right, bacon and eggs.
DOCTOR: Bacon and eggs.
PRINCESS: I'll get it. (To Doctor) We all know first-hand what your luck with machines is like.
DOCTOR: Oh, really my dear, do you have to be so crass?
(The others laugh as the Princess moves to the food machine.)
PRINCESS: Apologises.
(The Princess begins to operate the machine.)
IAN: So you can really create an entire meal with that?
SUSAN: Oh, yes!
IAN: (Teasingly) I hope mine doesn't taste of engine grease.
DOCTOR: Now, now, now, don't be ridiculous.
PRINCESS: Calm down, Doctor, he's just teasing.
BARBARA: Shall I get plates and things?
SUSAN: No, there's no need to.
(After a beep from the machine, the Princess removes two bars wrapped in tinfoil from the dispenser. She hands one bar each to Barbara and Ian.)
PRINCESS: Bacon and eggs.
IAN: What, this?
SUSAN: Go on, try it.
(Ian and Barbara look at each other sceptically. They both then unwrap the bars and take a small bite.)
DOCTOR: Well?
IAN: Mmm. Not bad. What do you think, Barbara?
BARBARA: I think it's delicious.
IAN: My bacon's a bit salty.
DOCTOR: It shouldn't be. It's English.
(They all chuckle.)
IAN: No, seriously, Doctor, this is remarkable. I mean, one bite and I taste the bacon, another and I taste the egg. How do you do it?
DOCTOR: Food has component parts, dear boy. Flavours are rather like primary colours, you know, you blend two to achieve a third, a fourth, etc, etc.
IAN: Well, I think it's wonderful.
SUSAN: (To Barbara) How's your headache now?
BARBARA: Oh, it's much better. I don't usually get them at all.
PRINCESS: You're probably just tired. What you need is a goodnight's rest.
BARBARA: That does sound very appealing.
DOCTOR: Susan, would you like something to eat?
SUSAN: No thanks, I'm not hungry.
DOCTOR: (To Princess) You, my dear?
PRINCESS: I've already eaten, thank you. But I think it's time Susan went to bed. Barbara, if you'll come with us, I can show you where you and Ian can sleep if you like?
BARBARA: Oh, yes, that sounds–
(They hear a tapping sound.)
IAN: What's that?
(The tapping continues.)
DOCTOR: The scanner.
(The Doctor hurries through to the console room.)
SUSAN: There was somebody there.
(The others follow the Doctor into the console room. They join the Doctor at the console where he is activating the scanner. But all the scanner shows is the forest around the ship.)
IAN: Nothing. Not a thing.
SUSAN: But something must have made that noise.
BARBARA: Look, I've had enough of this. (To Doctor) Please, can't we get out of here?
DOCTOR: Ah, but the city. I must see the city.
BARBARA: But why?!
DOCTOR: I will not be questioned.
IAN: Why endanger the rest of us by staying here?
DOCTOR: The ship is perfectly safe. You can wait in here while I explore the city.
PRINCESS: We've already been over why that's a bad idea. If anything were to happen to you, we'd all be trapped here.
(The Doctor snorts, ignoring the Princess.)
SUSAN: (Scared) Grandfather, please.
PRINCESS: (Pleading) Doctor…
(The Doctor stands for a moment…and then reluctantly starts the ship. However, as everyone sighs in relief, the Doctor bends down beneath the console. He then opens up a panel and removes something before standing back up.)
BARBARA: Stone trees are all very well, but the next forest I walk through I want them all to be made of wood.
(Suddenly the ship makes a thudding noise and begins to shake and groan.)
PRINCESS: What's the matter?
DOCTOR: I don't know. The power take-up was rising normally and…
(The Doctor looks at console.)
IAN: What's wrong?
DOCTOR: Oh, don't distract me, please.
SUSAN: Shall I trace it on the fault locator, Grandfather?
DOCTOR: Yes, I think you'd better, child.
(Susan runs towards the back of the room and behind a glass wall where the computer banks are. She checks the readings.)
SUSAN: (To Doctor) K7!
DOCTOR: K7? Ah, yes, of course, the fluid link. Yes, yes, yes. Yes.
(The Doctor bends down beneath the console. As the others gather around him, he comes back up and holds the part he removed earlier.)
DOCTOR: Yes, there we are, you see. The end of its unscrewed itself and the fluid has run out.
IAN: Well have you got a spare?
DOCTOR: Oh, no, no need for that. This is easily repaired. All we have to do is refill it.
IAN: Oh, what liquid do you need?
DOCTOR: Mercury.
IAN: Mercury. Can I get it for you?
DOCTOR: No, I'm afraid you can't. We haven't any at all.
IAN: What?
DOCTOR: No.
IAN: Don't you carry a supply?
DOCTOR: No, it hasn't been necessary. This hasn't happened before.
IAN: But you must have some somewhere, surely.
DOCTOR: No, no. We shall have to get some from outside.
BARBARA: But where? There isn't anything outside except…
PRINCESS: (Looking to the Doctor knowingly) Except the city.
DOCTOR: (Innocently) Yes, the city, of course. Of course we're bound to get some mercury there. Yes, we're bound to.
(Everyone stares at the Doctor.)
DOCTOR: Well, I mean, what else can we do, hmm?
IAN: It seems we have no alternative. We have to go to the city.
DOCTOR: Yes, indeed. (Smiling) At first light, then?
PRINCESS: Susan, show our guests to their rooms. We're all going to need a good night's rest if we're to venture into the city tomorrow.
SUSAN: (To Barbara and Ian) This way.
(Susan leads Barbara and Ian out of the console room. Exit. Once alone, the Princess approaches the Doctor.)
PRINCESS: Listen you stupid old man. I know you drained that fluid link on purpose, and I know you can fix it whenever you like. You're not so delusional as to destroy our own ship.
DOCTOR: How dare you imply such a thing–!
PRINCESS: (Firmly) Be quiet! Now, give me that fluid link so I can refuel it. (The Doctor grudgingly hands over the fluid link) I may not know an awful lot about this ship, but I know where to find the mercury. And even if you have managed to find a gap in Susan's knowledge and fool her, you haven't fooled me. Now, I'm going to refuel this. But since you're clearly determined to go to this city, I'm going to allow you to get your own way. However, if we don't find mercury within half an hour, I will say I've found some, and we will return to the ship and leave. Is that understood?
DOCTOR: Yes. Yes, that seems quite fair, my dear.
(The Princess turns to leave...)
DOCTOR: Princess–
PRINCESS: (Angrily) Don't you call me that! It's bad enough you've got everyone else doing it, but I won't have you calling me by that name! Not anymore.
(The Doctor is caught off guard by the outburst.)
DOCTOR: I…I just wanted to say, thank you. For allowing me to explore the city.
PRINCESS: Remember it the next time you decide to accuse me of, "Imposing my will like some power mad tyrant."
DOCTOR: That was unfair of me to say… I'm sorry.
PRINCESS: (Hurt) How about next time, you just don't say it.
(The Princess leaves, tears forming in her eyes, as the Doctor shamefully watches her exit.)
(The next morning, the five time travellers are all stood in the console room looking up at the scanner. It shows only the forest outside…)
IAN: Well, it's light enough and there doesn't seem to be anything out there. We might as well get started. Oh, and Doctor. Remember, we're going to this city to find mercury, and once we've found it we're coming straight back here. Is that clear?
DOCTOR: Oh, quite so, quite so.
PRINCESS: And there will be no arguments on the matter.
(The Princess stares at the Doctor with a raised brow.)
DOCTOR: Yes, yes, yes. I understand, now can we get a move on. You have the fluid link, my dear.
(The Princess grasps the strap of the satchel around her shoulder.)
PRINCESS: Don't you worry about the fluid link. Now come on, let's get this over with.
(The Doctor activates the door controls and they all step outside.)
IAN: (To Doctor) Well, shall I lead?
DOCTOR: Yes, by all means.
(Ian is about to start walking, when he notices something.)
IAN: (Pointing to the ground) Look.
(There's a metal box on the ground nearby.)
BARBARA: Don't touch it, it might go off.
(Ian carefully kneels down to examine the box.)
SUSAN: Be careful.
(The Doctor leans over for a look.)
DOCTOR: What is it, Chesterton?
IAN: I don't know. Stand back, all of you.
(Picking up a stick, Ian pokes the metal box. When nothing happens, he pokes it again, harder.)
IAN: I think it's all right. (He picks up the box and stands up.) A metal box. It's a box of glass phials. Look.
(Ian takes one of the phials out of the box to show them.)
DOCTOR: Let me see.
(Ian hands him the phial.)
SUSAN: Then there was somebody here last night. They must have dropped them. I knew I was right.
IAN: Yes. Sorry, Susan.
PRINCESS: Doctor?
(The Doctor hands the phial back to Ian and he puts it back in the box.)
DOCTOR: Hmm? (Notices the Princess indicating towards Susan with her eyes) Oh, yes, apologises my child. I shall take more notice of what you say in the future. Now, I'd like to run a few tests on those, so would you take these into the ship, please?
SUSAN: Yes.
(Ian passes Susan the box and she heads back into the ship.)
DOCTOR: Thank you. (To Princess) Oh, and by the way, did you remember the food supplies?
PRINCESS: I've got the food supplies.
DOCTOR: Good, well, as long as someone has them.
IAN: I trust we won't be more than a couple of hours.
PRINCESS: Better safe than sorry.
IAN: Fair point. You ready, Susan?
(Susan returns from the ship.)
SUSAN: Yes.
IAN: Come on, then. Off we go.
(They begin the trek towards the city.)
(Arriving in the strange city, the travellers walk along something resembling a street. The Doctor is leaning on Susan as they walk, and the Princess is rubbing her head as if in pain.)
DOCTOR: Do you mind if I sit down for a minute? I feel a bit exhausted.
(Susan leads the Doctor over to a corner and sits him down.)
IAN: (To Doctor) You all right?
DOCTOR: Yes, I'm just a bit tired. It was a long journey and my legs are rather weak.
IAN: And you, Princess?
(The Princess is leaning against the wall, looking both exhausted and in pain.)
PRINCESS: Nasty headache. Hopefully I didn't catch anything off, Barbara.
BARBARA: (To Doctor & Princess) Why don't you both rest here? Ian and I will look around and see if we can–
DOCTOR: No, no, no, no, I want to look around too. We shall be all right, thank you.
(Ian suddenly looks tired and rubs at his forehead.)
IAN: I must say, I don't feel too good myself. Look, why don't we get this over with quickly. Look for instruments, gauges, anything like that. Ideally what we want is a laboratory.
(Barbara is examining part of the wall nearby. She waves her hand and suddenly the wall opens up revealing a doorway inside.)
BARBARA: Ian, look.
(Ian comes over to look inside. He then looks around and spots another few similar doors nearby.)
IAN: Why don't we separate and go different ways and meet back here in say, ten minutes. All right?
BARBARA: Fine. I'll go this way.
(Barbara goes through the doorway she found.)
DOCTOR: Would you lend me your arm, would you, Susan? Thank you.
(Susan helps the Doctor open, once again supporting him as he stands.)
SUSAN: Are you coming with us, Princess?
PRINCESS: Yes, yes. Just give me a second.
(The Princess tries to push away from the wall but then instantly feels a pain in her head.)
PRINCESS: Oh, my head. On, second thought, I think I'll wait here. Go on, I'll be fine waiting here.
SUSAN: Are you sure?
PRINCESS: Yes, go, go.
(Susan takes the Doctor with her along the street, while Ian waves his hand in front of the other nearby door. Once it opens, he heads inside. The Princess remains in the corner but sits down when standing proves to be too much. She continues to hold her head in pain.)
(A short while later, Ian returns through the same door he entered. He quickly spots the Princess sat in the corner, looking very unwell.)
IAN: You don't look so good.
PRINCESS: (Painfully) No. I feel awful. My head…
(The Princess again holds her sore head.)
IAN: Don't worry, hopefully we won't be here too much longer
PRINCESS: Just until everyone gets back. (She holds up the the fluid link) I found some mercury.
IAN: Well done, that's great!
PRINCESS: (Pointing) It was in that building over there. Not a lot, but enough to refill… (Holds head in pain) The sooner we get back to the ship, the better.
IAN: The others shouldn't be too much longer.
(Ian carefully places his hand on her shoulder before looking around to see if their companions were in sight.)
(Shortly after, Susan and the Doctor return.)
IAN: Ah, there you are. Good news, the Princess found some mercury.
SUSAN: Oh, well done!
DOCTOR: (Tiredly) Yes, yes, well–well done, my dear.
PRINCESS: Are you all right?
DOCTOR: No, no. Just a little…a little tired that's all. I'll…I'll be fine once we get back to the ship.
(Susan lowers the Doctor, letting him sit down along with the Princess.)
PRINCESS: Well, we're just waiting for Barbara now.
SUSAN: Where is she anyway?
IAN: Don't know. (Checks his watch) She should have been here by now. Barbara! Barbara! We'll give her a couple of minutes more, and then if she's not back we'll have to go and look for her. (To Doctor & Princess) Will you two be up for that?
DOCTOR: Don't you worry about us young man. You just keep your eyes peeled for Ms. Wright.
(After a few minutes of waiting...)
IAN: (Looking at his watch) We've waited long enough for her. We must go and find her.
(With effort, Ian and Susan help the Doctor and Princess stand up. At first the Doctor and Princess need to lean against the wall, both dazed from standing and looking as though they might collapse. While Susan watches them, Ian waves his hands in front of the door Barbara went through. After a few tries, it opens. Ian then leads the way inside, as the group begin their search for Barbara…)
Next Episode – The Survivors