Episode 4
(Down below, in the church crypt, Cherub has just killed Kewper, by throwing a knife into his chest.)
DOCTOR: Look out!
(Cherub and the Squire go to shoot one another, but Cherub fires first. The Squire is hit in the shoulder and collapses, losing his pistol as Polly screams. The time travellers, to horrified to react, give Cherub the opportunity to retrieve the Squire's pistol, which he now aims at them. Then, keeping one eye on them, Cherub pulls his knife from Kewper, before wiping it clean on the corpse's clothes.)
POLLY: Ben, do something.
BEN: (To Cherub) You maniac!
PRINCESS: Ben, don't!
(Ben takes a step forward, but when Cherub rises and adjusts his aim, Ben stops.)
CHERUB: Watch it, lad. Or else you'll be getting a free trip to Davey Jones locker.
DOCTOR: (To Ben) Easy, my boy. See to the Squire, make sure he's still breathing.
(Ben stands still for a moment, but then gives in and goes to check on the Squire. The Squire is unconscious, with blood around the shoulder where he was shot, but alive.)
PRINCESS: (To Cherub) You had us at your mercy, there was no need to kill anyone.
CHERUB: I fancied better odds than six against one, princess.
DOCTOR: What is it you want of us, sir?
CHERUB: Why, the secret, of course. Where Avery's gold lies.
DOCTOR: And suppose we refuse to tell you?
CHERUB: Do you fancy these lads of yours meeting their maker so young, ay, sawbones?
PRINCESS: Don't you dare–!
(Cherub points the at the Princess.)
CHERUB: Or maybe I'll shut the old woman up?! Would that make you happy, sawbones?
DOCTOR: We're not going to barter with you, sir. Where is your captain?
CHERUB: Oh, you fancy you'll twist him round to your way, would you?
DOCTOR: He would at least listen.
CHERUB: Not here, matey. There's only one skipper here. Me!
BEN: You're alone, then?
CHERUB: That's right, matey. But I'm no fool, so (Ben stands up and Cherub switches his aim quickly to Ben) one false move and I'll split you in two.
DOCTOR: Leave this to me, Ben, my boy.
CHERUB: That's right. Let the old fellow do the talking cause he knows the answers.
POLLY: But what about the Squire? He's badly wounded. He needs help.
CHERUB: Let him rot, the blockhead.
PRINCESS: At least let us get him some water. Have some mercy, Cherub.
CHERUB: Mercy? (Chuckling) Why not? What's a moment's kindness? (To Polly) Here, you lad, go and fill this up. (Cherub kicks over a small empty metal cup that's sitting on the floor)
PRINCESS: Thank you. All right, on you go, Polly.
(Polly cautiously goes to pick up the cup, but the second her eyes are off Cherub he grabs her by the hair and pulls her towards him.)
PRINCESS: No!
BEN: Get your hands off her!
DOCTOR: Leave her alone!
(Cherub holds Polly close, the barrel of the gun pressed against her head. The other time travellers back off.)
CHERUB: That's better. Now, sawbones, talk or the young lad dies.
BEN: (To Doctor, quietly) What do we do?
DOCTOR: (Quietly) We must play for time.
BEN: But Polly's–
DOCTOR: Trust me.
CHERUB: Enough jabbering, sawbones. Where's it hid?
DOCTOR: Well, I must admit the Churchwarden did tell me something, but to be quite honest with you, I am baffled.
CHERUB: What's the puzzle?
(The time travellers all remain silent.)
CHERUB: I said what's the puzzle, damn you!
(Cherub presses the pistol further into Polly's head, making her squirm and shriek.)
PRINCESS: All right, we'll tell you! Just promise not to hurt Polly.
CHERUB: I'll make no such promise. Now, the puzzle or this one dies.
DOCTOR: We were told, 'This is Deadman's key–'
PRINCESS: No, it was, 'This is Deadman's secret key.'
DOCTOR: Are you sure, my dear?
PRINCESS: Yes, I'm sure!
DOCTOR: Really? I could have sworn–
CHERUB: Enough! You, Princess, tell me everything.
PRINCESS: It was, 'This is Deadman's secret key. Ringwood, Smallbeer, Gurney.'
DOCTOR: Do those names mean something to you, sir? They do, don't they, I can tell by your expression, sir.
CHERUB: So, what if they do?
DOCTOR: Well, my dear, fellow, we're only trying to help. If we solve the puzzle, you get the treasure and then we'll be on our way.
(Cherub considers this for a moment, before then saying…)
CHERUB: Aye, I do know those names. Old Jack Ringwood. He had a wooden leg. He was the finest master gunner that never served his king.
DOCTOR: And Gurney, what of he?
CHERUB: Old Zeb, the ship's chandler. A fellow that sewed many a merchant into a sailcloth nightgown.
POLLY: What?
CHERUB: A sailor's shroud to you, boy. And Daniel Smallbeer, there was a man. Fight along the side of him and he was like a killer whale.
DOCTOR: Good men, I take it?
CHERUB: All four of them, aye.
PRINCESS: (Dryly) Yes, they sound like wonderful individuals.
BEN: Four?
CHERUB: Four. Tim Desmond, he were Avery's galley boy. (To Princess) Now what else did he tell ye?
PRINCESS: Nothing. That was word for word what he told us.
CHERUB: Nothing? Did you say nothing?
DOCTOR: (Quickly) Now don't be hasty, please. I said I would help you but only while my friends live.
CHERUB: And that's all he told ye? Four names? Four names to Avery's gold?
PRINCESS: Yes.
CHERUB: Then you've out lived ye use.
(Cherub gets ready to pull the trigger of the pistol pointed at Polly.)
PRINCESS: Don't–!
BEN: No!
DOCTOR: We know how to find the treasure!
CHERUB: Eh? What you say?
DOCTOR: I said, we know how to find the treasure, using the four names.
PRINCESS: But if you harm any of us, we'll never tell you.
CHERUB: Is that right?
(From the ground, the Squire lifts his head. He's in terrible pain from his shoulder.)
SQUIRE: (To Cherub, strained) Avery's curse, what of that, ay?
CHERUB: Avery's curse. You can have that for the sharks.
SQUIRE: It's a curse men fear. Remember Avery's end? Did he not die a pauper?
CHERUB: So they say. Rotten with rum and madness in his tongue.
SQUIRE: They also say he bargained for his life. His soul in return for the souls of those who come after, seeking and finding the cursed treasure.
CHERUB: And if you so believed it, why did you seek the gold, ay sir Squire?
SQUIRE: Because I was a fool and ill led. Answer enough lies there, surely.
CHERUB: Enough of this!
(Cherub adjusts his hold on his pistol and Polly.)
CHERUB: (To Doctor & Princess) Ye said you know how to find the treasure, sawbones. Tell us now, or else I'll be sending this one to Davey Jones locker.
(The Doctor doesn't say anything for a moment.)
CHERUB: Speak!
(But before the Doctor can, someone else speaks from behind Cherub.)
PIKE: What would you have him say, Cherub boy?
(Cherub looks back, keeping the pistol to Polly's head. Behind him, by the stairs leading out of the crypt, is Pike, sword in hand. Cherub is surprised to see Pike, but quickly recovers.)
CHERUB: (Nervous) Oh, here at last, Captain. I've got 'em for ye.
PIKE: For me, you say?
CHERUB: Of course, Captain.
(Pike comes over to stand by Cherub.)
PIKE: Cherub, you deserted the ship.
CHERUB: Nay, Captain. I knew there was some trickery afoot. Didn't I say so, time and again?
PIKE: I never did trust that tongue of yours, Cherub. It was a might too like the archangel's.
CHERUB: But I found the sawbones and the princess, didn't I?
PIKE: Aye, and you'd have found the gold too, eh?
CHERUB: But I was making 'em talk, Captain, see? They spoke of Holy Joe's riddle. They was going to spill the whole cargo. I wasn't going to let no one do you down, Captain.
PIKE: No, Cherub?
CHERUB: Well, they'd have nabbed it all for themselves, see? They'd have done for us both.
PIKE: Would he now? Do for Pike, would he? So that's the game, ay, sawbones, Princess?
BEN: The Doctor and Princess wouldn't cheat no one.
(Pike steps forwards, as he does, Cherub removes the pistol from the side of Polly's head and takes aim at Pike. Polly screams, and Pike turns just in time to swing with his sword, knocking the pistol from Cherub's hand. Cherub quickly backs up, but slowed by Polly, let's her go, as he draws his sword and knife. With Polly now free, she scampers back to the Princess who holds her protectively, while the Doctor and Ben stand before them. Pike and Cherub face off.)
PIKE: By the Black Albatross. Ye met your doom now, my Cherub.
CHERUB: Not from such a black pig as ye.
(Cherub lungs at Pike and the two begin to clash swords. After a few clashes, their blades become locked as they press on one another.)
PIKE: I'll quarter ye, ye rat faced smiler.
(Pike and Cherub separate. Catching their breath, the two circle one another for a moment, while the time travellers watch from one of the alcoves.)
PIKE: (Holding up his pike) Only watch the hook, boy, for when it whistles, then it is the end of ye.
(Pike then swings his sword and Cherub blocks, before the two go back to fighting.)
POLLY: It's just like the Squire said. Avery's curse.
DOCTOR: I don't put much stock in curses, my dear. But the greed of men, that is very much real.
(The fight between Pike and Cherub continues on.)
PRINCESS: They don't seem to be paying us much attention, do they?
POLLY: You're right. They're too focused on killing each other.
BEN: Right then, now's our chance. Down the tunnel.
DOCTOR: Yes, get the Princess and Polly back to the ship, and I will follow immediately once Blake returns with the men.
POLLY: But we can't leave you here alone.
PRINCESS: Polly's right, I'm not leaving you–
DOCTOR: There's no other way, my dear. I need you to look after them and get them into the ship where they'll be safe. And think about if, with you all gone they won't have a hostage to force my hand.
PRINCESS: Yes, but that only mean they'll start hurting you to get the information.
BEN: She's right, Doctor.
DOCTOR: My dear, I will not yield to these thuggish types.
PRINCESS: That's what I'm afraid of. Doctor, these men won't stop until they get what they want… They might even kill you.
DOCTOR: I'll be all right, my dear.
PRINCESS: But, Doctor–
DOCTOR: I'm touched by your concern, my dear, but we're wasting time. Now, get going.
BEN: He's right, come on, Princess, while we have the chance.
(The Princess hesitates for a moment.)
PRINCESS: Once I get them inside the ship, I'm coming straight back.
DOCTOR: You needn't bother, by then it'll all be over.
PRINCESS: You'd had better be referring to them.
DOCTOR: But of course, I am.
(The Princess then follows, Ben and Polly, who are following the wall around to where the secret passageway is. Pike and Cherub don't notice, too consumed by their fight. As they reach the hidden passageway, Cherub manages to grab the pistol Pike knocked from his hand. He aims, and Pike quickly leans aside as Cherub fires and misses. The fighting doesn't pause however, as Cherub then throws the pistol at Pike, who deflects it with his sword. Cherub then charges at Pike, shouting as they clash swords once more. While they're further distracted, Ben presses the stone that opens up the secret passage.)
BEN: Right, come on, now's our chance.
(Ben waves Polly and the Princess through before heading through himself. Once Ben, is through, the passageway closes up behind them.)
POLLY: Will the Doctor be all right, do you think?
BEN: Course he will, tough old bloke like that. Right, Princess?
PRINCESS: Yes, but I'll feel better once Blake and his men arrive. In the meantime, let's get you two back to the ship. Lead the way, Ben.
BEN: Right, this way.
(Ben leads on through the passageway, with Polly right behind him.)
PRINCESS: (Upward, quietly) Please, don't let today be the day. Just keep him alive until I get back.
(The Princess then proceeds on after Ben and Polly.)
(A short while later, Ben is leading Polly and the Princess through the rocky tunnel, with little light to guide them.)
POLLY: Is it much further, Ben?
BEN: We're nearly there, Duchess.
POLLY: All right. It's just so hard to–
(Polly yelps suddenly, rocks giving way beneath her foot as she falls over.)
BEN: Polly?
PRINCESS: Polly, are you, all right?
(The Princess goes to Polly and crouches down as Ben comes back to them.)
POLLY: I think I've twisted my ankle.
PRINCESS: How much further is it, Ben?
BEN: Only about another hundred yards.
PRINCESS: Is it straight on from here?
BEN: Yeah, just follow the light, but why?
PRINCESS: Because I want you to take Polly on ahead while I go back and get the Doctor.
BEN: Hold on, Princess, if anyone's going back, it'll be me.
PRINCESS: Ben, we don't have time–
BEN: You're right, we don't, so listen. Polly might have hurt herself. Now, even if you give me the key, I don't know my way around that ship. What if Polly needs something? How am I supposed to find it? You on the other hand will be able to help her. And me, I've been up and down these tunnels more than you, so I know them better and can be faster.
(The Princess is silent for a moment.)
PRINCESS: Yes, you're right, of course. But be careful, Ben, I'm serious. Those men are desperate and will do anything to get that treasure.
BEN: You don't have to tell me.
PRINCESS: Right, on you go. But don't take any unnecessary risks.
BEN: Aye, same to you.
(Ben starts heading back along the tunnel, leaving the Princess and Polly.)
PRINCESS: Right, ready, Polly?
POLLY: Yes, Princess.
(The Princess puts one arm under Polly's and helps lift her up to her feet. Once up on her feet, Polly leans on her as they proceed on through the tunnel. However, not long after, Polly is able to walk on her own, albeit a little slower than usual. It doesn't take them long to get to the end, as light floods into the tunnel. Said tunnel also begins to open up, and just ahead, is the familiar police box, waiting by the mouth of the cave.)
PRINCESS: We're almost there, Polly.
(They continue on until…)
POLLY: Princess, look!
(The Princess looks up, and sees two pirates have come out from behind the police box.)
PRINCESS: Back inside, quick!
(Polly and the Princess turn to flee but the pirates are on them too quickly. One grabs the Princess by the hair and pulls her back.)
POLLY: Princess!
(The other pirate grabs Polly by the arms. They tussle for a moment before Polly kicks him in the leg. The pirate losses his hold on Polly and she manages to pull herself away. Polly then runs to help the Princess. But before Polly arrives, the Princess manages to grab a hold of the pirate's arm and flips him over onto his back.)
PRINCESS: Run, Polly!
(Polly turns and runs in the opposite direction, with the Princess behind her. The pirates quickly recover though and pursue them into the cave.)
POLLY: Ben!
(The pirates catch up to them. One grabs the Princess from behind, pulling her arms behind her back while the other does the same to Polly.)
POLLY: Let us go!
(The pirates chuckle darkly, but then Ben leaps from out of the shadows, tackling the pirate holding Polly. All three go down.)
BEN: Get on top of him!
(Ben holds down the pirate while Polly sits down on his back.)
BEN: Now hold his arms, like this.
(Polly takes up Ben's hold. Meanwhile, the other pirate has shoved aside the Princess, who manages to catch herself before her head hits the wall. The second pirate goes to attack both Ben and Polly, but Ben jumps up to intercept him. The two begin to wrestle for dominance.)
BEN: (Struggling) Princess, help Polly.
(The Princess goes around, avoiding the fight between Ben and the pirate. She joins Polly and helps her hold down the struggling pirate. Unfortunately, Ben doesn't last long, and is shoved aside by the pirate who then draws his sword.)
PRINCESS: Ben, look out!
(The pirate goes to stab Ben with his sword, when a gun from behind him is fired. The pirate drops dead, as Blake and his armed men come running up.)
POLLY: Mister Blake, thank heavens.
BLAKE: Are you all all right?
POLLY: Yes, but this one's still conscious.
BLAKE: (To two of his men) You two, bind him.
(Two men proceed to take custody of the pirate from the Princess and Polly.)
BLAKE: Tell me, are the scoundrels in the church?
PRINCESS: Yes, and so is the Doctor, he needs your help.
BLAKE: Have no fear, your highness, the day will be ours soon enough. Come on, men!
(Blake and his men charge on through the tunnel leading back towards the crypt.)
BEN: Hang on, Blake, I'm with you.
PRINCESS: Polly, wait here until we get back.
POLLY: But–
PRINCESS: (To nearby men) Look after her.
MEN: Yes, your highness.
(Ben and the Princess then race after Blake and his men, while Polly remains behind with the rest and the restrained pirate.)
(Further down the tunnel, Blake and his men have arrived at the secret entrance. Ben and the Princess have just caught up to them, as Blake presses the stone that opens up the passageway. Inside the crypt, there's already a battle going on. More of Blake's men have come in the traditional way and pushed the pirates down into the crypt – and all while Pike stands pulling treasure out of a hole in the floor. But before any of that, the Doctor is stood in the entrance way to the passage.)
PRINCESS: Doctor!
BLAKE: Pray, stand aside, good old man. In the King's name!
(The Doctor moves aside as Blake and his men charge in to attack Pike and his pirate from the other side. Gun shots ring throughout the crypt and swords clash as the pirates are squished in between to two sides of Blake's small army. While all that's going on, the Princess and Ben come through to join the Doctor.)
PRINCESS: Doctor, are you, all right?
DOCTOR: Of course, I am, my dear.
BEN: Right, let's get out of here.
DOCTOR: Not yet, I must try and help the Squire.
PRINCESS: Where is he?
DOCTOR: (Pointing) Over there.
(By a pillar, the Squire is slouching, his wounded should even worse than before. He has turned pale and is breathing heavily.)
BEN: He looks half dead.
DOCTOR: Which is why we've got to get him out of here, come on.
BEN: Doctor, wait–
PRINCESS: He'll be quicker if we help him.
(The Princess and Ben then follow the Doctor along the wall to where the Squire is sat.)
DOCTOR: (To Squire) Oh, thank heavens you're still alive, sir. (To Princess) Help me move him, Princess.
PRINCESS: Be gentle.
(The Doctor and Princess couch on either side of the Squire and lift him up, as he winces in pain. At which point, Pike – who'd still been trying to grab as much treasure as he could – spots the time travellers. Pike drops the treasure and draws his sword.)
PIKE: Sawbones, Princess, ye Neptune's curse! Ye've laid a trap and for that you'll die by the pike.
(But before Pike can get to the time travellers, Blake steps into his path, his own sword drawn.)
BLAKE: Captain Pike, surrender I say.
PIKE: And give over this treasure? Never!
(Pike and Blake clash swords, while all around Pike's pirates are being defeated by Blake's men. But even though things look bleak for Pike, he fights on. After a few blows he manages to shove aside Blake, before turning back to the Doctor and Princess who are struggling to move quickly with the Squire between them.)
PIKE: Sawbones, Princess, I'm coming for ye. See if your magic will help you now.
(Pike charges towards the time travellers and raises his arm to swing his sword. But then the Squire somehow manages to throw himself at Pike, grabbing onto his sword weird arm and pulling him off course. Blake, meanwhile, back on his feet, draws his pistol and aims for Pike. He fires, and Pike is shot through the chest, but does not fall. The Squire does though, having used the last of his strength, and collapses to the floor. Pike, however, still has some strength, and with his sword in hand limps towards the Doctor and Princess. The Doctor pushes the Princess behind him, the two backing up as Pike follows them. But before he can get close enough to strike, Pike collapses to the ground, his sword leaving him as he dies.)
BLAKE: Sir, Squire.
(Blake goes to help the squire up, while his men make sure the pirates are all dead. The Princess is a little shocked from the battle that has just happened, but as the Doctor pulls her arm, she realises what he's up to. The Princess then follows the Doctor, over to the passageway, where Ben is waiting. Although confused, Ben says nothing as the Doctor ushers him through. The Princess, before following, takes one last look back at the battle, saddened by what has happened. But there's a little joy, in seeing that the Squire is still alive at least, as Blake helps him up.)
BLAKE: Thank ye, Squire. The day is ours.
SQUIRE: (Strained) Yes, quite so, quite so. I think we've managed very well, you and I.
BLAKE: But where's the old man and her highness? I would offer my gratitude to them.
(Before Blake can spot her, the Princess slips into the passage way. And from there she, the Doctor and Ben head towards Polly, and from there, the ship.)
(Inside the console room of their ship, the wall opens up, and the Doctor and Princess lead Ben and Polly inside. Once in, the Doctor activates the door controls, and the walls closes over behind them. From there, the Doctor starts working the controls and preparing for departure.)
PRINCESS: How's your ankle feeling now, Polly?
POLLY: All right now, thanks. I guess it wasn't all that bad after all.
DOCTOR: Possibly the shock and strain more than anything else.
BEN: Aye, speaking of, you're looking more than a little tired yourself, Doctor.
DOCTOR: You will too once you reach my age, my boy.
BEN: Well, I thought you'd had it when old Pike got going.
PRINCESS: So did I.
DOCTOR: Nonsense, I knew we'd be all right once Blake's men arrived.
POLLY: And what about the pirates, are they all dead?
BEN: Sure seemed it from where I was standing.
DOCTOR: Yes, superstition is a strange thing, my dear, but sometimes it tells the truth.
(The glass the column in the centre of the console then begins to rise and fall, as the familiar sound of the engines echoes around the room, signalling the ship's dematerialisation.)
POLLY: Where will we go to now, Doctor. Will we go forward or back in time?
DOCTOR: I'm aiming to get you back home, my child. But it wouldn't be the first time this old ship of mine has overshot it's intended destination.
PRINCESS: Meaning we'll most likely materialise in the future, if the trend holds true.
BEN: Well, it'd better be 1966 or I'm in dead trouble.
PRINCESS: Try not to worry about it, Ben. Remember, it is a time machine, so it's completely possible we'll return you to before you even left.
POLLY: Oh, no, Princess, I don't think I could handle two of him.
(Polly and Ben laugh.)
BEN: Yeah, all right. Anyway, wherever it is, it can't be as bad as where we've just been… Say, Doctor, are you sure you're, all right?
(The Doctor is swaying a little by the console, as if half asleep.)
DOCTOR: Pardon…? Oh, yes, yes, fine, fine, my boy.
(The Princess lays her hand on the Doctor's shoulder.)
PRINCESS: Why don't you sit down for a little while. I'm sure I can handle the materialisation, even with my limited knowledge.
DOCTOR: You know, that doesn't sound like such a bad idea. Thank you, Princess.
(The Doctor makes his way over to a seat and sits down, exhausted.)
DOCTOR: But I'll…I'll be here if you need me.
PRINCESS: I know.
POLLY: (Hushed) What's wrong with him, Princess?
PRINCESS: Oh, he's just tired. Dealing with Pike took a lot out of him.
BEN: Well, like he said himself, he ain't getting any younger.
PRINCESS: I wouldn't let him hear you say that.
(Ben and Polly giggle.)
PRINCESS: Why don't you two go and get changed out of those clothes. I'm sure wherever we end up next will have a different style of clothing.
POLLY: Oh, I hope so. But I haven't got anything to change into.
PRINCESS: (Pointing) Head through that door there and you'll find a wardrobe, you too, Ben. Help yourselves to whatever you like.
POLLY: Oh, thanks, Princess.
BEN: Aye, cheers.
(Polly and Ben head through the door, taking them further into the ship, while the Princess remains in the console room with the Doctor. And while the ship continues its flight through time and space, the Princess watches the tired Doctor, with a grave look of concern. All while heading towards their next adventure…)