In the morning the sky is pristine blue and the wind has died down. The long flanks of Everest are crystal clear.
Tsering: (smiling) You slept so long I thought you had…
Palin: Died? Not quite. The view is awe-inspiring but I wouldn't want to be buried here -- my bones would never stop chattering.
Tsering: It was below freezing. And the wind was terrible. You're feeling better though?
Palin: Yes, I think I can manage a hike. Now that I know I'm Michael Palin I should be trying to get back together with my film crew. This was all on our itinerary but I don't know if they've jumped ahead. I haven't a clue where they are. The only thing to do is to keep going and hope that we meet up with them.
Cut to view from high of two tiny figures hiking over a lunar landscape of rubble and gray gravel. The glacial morraine is partially covered by thin snowdrifts.
Cut to a sign that says, "Everest Base Camp". There is not much visible except a couple of small tents. Lying on the ground are discarded brandy bottles, playing cards, batteries and bits of crumpled clothing.
Close-up of Palin's terrified face. He looks upward. He hears the noise of helicopters. Shot from distance of black helicopters. "Ride of the Valkyrie" theme is heard. Shot from below of helicopters hurtling overhead. The helicopters land and disgorge a mob of Asian tourists wearing sunglasses and dressed for a spring picnic.
Palin and Tsering (together): Oh, no! Tourists!
The tourists snap pictures of everything, the camp, the snow, the garbage. Palin and Tsering pose obligingly for photographs. In the distance a group of yak herders with sunburnt, creased faces sits at a camp fire. They drink from tin mugs and watch.
Tsering and Palin are hiking away from the mountain.
Palin: Well, that was a bit of a let down.
Tsering: What a relief to get out of there.
Palin: And no sign of my film crew. Shall we continue on to Lhasa?
Tsering: Look!
Below them is a narrow gorge. They can see the bare gray rock on the further side of the gorge but looking down everything disappears into swirling mist. There is the roar of an unseen mountain stream rushing over rocks far below.
Palin: This wasn't here before!
Tsering: This is a place spoken of in our legends. It is called "The Chasm of Almost Certain Peril".
Across the chasm is suspended a narrow rope bridge. Rickety wooden slats are held in place by two ropes and another two ropes serve as handrails.
Tsering: That's the Bridge of Death. And there's its Keeper!
A short, squat old man with unkempt flowing white hair is at the other end of the rope bridge.
Tsering: He asks any who dare to cross the bridge three questions. If they can answer correctly they pass safely to the other side. If they fail they are cast into the chasm!
Palin: Too bad we couldn't send Eric Idle. We'd find out what kind of questions the Keeper asks, and maybe we could see Eric go flying into the chasm!
Tsering: Oh, Mr. Palin, that's cruel!
Palin: I was only kidding. I'll go first.
Palin crosses the bridge. It sways and bounces with his steps.
Keeper: Halt! If you wish to cross the bridge you must first answer three questions!
Palin: As you wish. Ask away.
Keeper: What is your name?
Palin: My name is Michael Palin.
Keeper: What do you seek?
Palin: I seek my documentary film crew.
Keeper: How many pounds of pressure per square inch can a chocolate cupcake withstand?
Palin: If only I were Pither again! Wait, do you mean the hard chocolate top or the cake part?
Keeper: Well, I don't know…
The Keeper lets out a cry as he is flung into the air and plummets into the chasm to disappear into its mists.
Palin: That was easy!