Episode 1


(It's London, the modern day, and on a park side pavement, a police box materialises, accompanied by a strange wheezing noise. The door to this police box opens, and out steps the Doctor, dressed in a long black cloak and Astrakhan hat. Following him, is the Princess, dressed in her usual red and black patterned dress, with long ginger hair flowing down past her shoulders. Lastly to exit the police box is Dodo, dressed in a simple dress. The three look around, and Dodo instantly starts smiling.)

DOCTOR: Well, I suppose you know where you are, my dear.

DODO: London. Home. It's marvellous to be back. It seems ages since I left.

PRINCESS: It certainly has been a while for you. Although, I think relatively speaking, it's probably not been that long.

DODO: Well, how long has it been, Princess?

PRINCESS: Oh, let's see… (Thinks hard as she looks around) Perhaps…four months? Does that seem right to you, Doctor?

(The Doctor is busy, putting a sign up on the door of the police box. It reads, 'Out of Order.')

DOCTOR: I'm sorry, my dear?

PRINCESS: I'm asking how long it's been, between this point in time and the one where Dodo joined us.

DOCTOR: Oh, I don't know. Why ask such things?

(The Princess rolls her eyes.)

DODO: What's that sign for, Doctor?

DOCTOR: Well, you see, the problem is, coming back to the twentieth century, my dear, the ship, I'm afraid, is often mistaken for the real police box.

(At that moment, a policeman walks past. He looks past the time travellers and at the sign the Doctor put up. Having read it, the policeman smiles at the time travellers, who smile back, before he continues on his rounds.)

DODO: I see what you mean.

DOCTOR: Yes, and fortunately he can't get in.

DODO: If only he could. (Chuckling) Scotland Yard whipped off into time and space.

(Dodo laughs, and the Princess smiles. While the Doctor looks up towards the sky and notices something.)

DOCTOR: So, that's it!

PRINCESS: What's, 'It?'

(The Princess and Dodo look up, seeing what the Doctor has spotted. It's the Post Office Tower, a tall slim building that stretches up above the buildings around it.)

DODO: Oh, the tower. It's finished! It's great, isn't it… Stephen would have liked it here.

DOCTOR: You know there's something alien about that tower. I can sense it.

PRINCESS: I know what you mean. Like something's…

DOCTOR: Not quite right.

PRINCESS: Yes…

DODO: Smells okay to me. Good old London smoke.

DOCTOR: You know, we really must investigate this at once.

(The Doctor strides off towards the Post Office Tower, leaving the Princess and Dodo by the police box.)

PRINCESS: Of course, you must.

DODO: Do you think it's anything serious?

PRINCESS: I hope not, Dodo. But just to be safe… Come on.

(The Princess and Dodo set off after the Doctor.)


(A short while later, on the top floor of the Post Office Tower, a lift door opens. A man in a suit with a moustache, Major Green, steps out the lift, followed by Dodo, the Princess and Doctor.)

MAJOR GREEN: It is a splendid view, certainly. I think you'll enjoy it.

(Dodo runs up to the window, looking out over London.)

DODO: Doctor, Princess, look at it. Isn't it terrific?!

PRINCESS: It most certainly is.

MAJOR GREEN: If you'd like to follow me.

PRINCESS: Of course. Sorry, Major Green.

MAJOR GREEN: Not at all, I understand the excitement. Through here, however, is something equally as impressive as the view.

(Major Green leads the time travellers through a set of doors into spacious room filled with computer banks and floor to ceiling window acting as the far wall – giving one a brilliant view of London. In the room working, is a man in a lab coat and bowtie with thinning hair, Professor Brett. At a nearby desk, is Professor Brett's receptionist, a woman with her long blonde hair tied back and wearing a wavy styled dress, Polly.)

MAJOR GREEN: Professor Brett.

(Professor Brett looks up from his work.)

PROFESSOR BRETT: Ah, you must be the Doctor. Thank you, Major Green.

(Professor Brett walks over and shakes the Doctor's hand. At the same time, Major Green exits the room, closing the doors behind him.)

PROFESSOR BRETT: (To Doctor) I understand from Major Green you're a specialist in computer development.

DOCTOR: Well, hardly a specialist, sir, but I dabble, yes, I dabble.

PRINCESS: (Pointing) I think that might be it, Doctor.

PROFESSOR BRETT: What might be it?

(The Doctor and Professor Brett look to where the Princess is pointing, at the main computer bank.)

DOCTOR: Yes, I think it very much is, my dear.

PROFESSOR BRETT: (To Princess) And you are?

PRINCESS: Cinderella Smith. But call me, 'Princess.' Everyone else does.

PROFESSOR BRETT: Oh, well, it's a pleasure to meet you, Princess.

PRINCESS: Likewise, Professor.

DOCTOR: Yes, the Princess and I felt a strange wave of energy from outside this building earlier. A sort of magnetic pull if you like, it was most unusual. But I suspect, much like the Princess here, that it has something do with that.

PROFESSOR BRETT: Well, I can't explain what either of you felt outside, but if you like I'd be more than happy to explain what I'm doing here.

PRINCESS: We'd love to hear about it, Professor.

PROFESSOR BRETT: Very well. Well, if I'm being modest, it's my life's work. In fact, I'd go as far as to say, that there's nothing else quite like it in the world. This computer is at least ten years ahead of its time.

DODO: What makes it so special?

PROFESSOR BRETT: Well, Miss…?

DOCTOR: Oh, this is my secretary, Dodo Chaplet.

PROFESSOR BRETT: Well, Miss Chaplet, I'll explain. This is perhaps not the biggest computer in the world, but it's certainly the most advanced. In fact, it can handle scientific problems well outside the range of any other computers in existence. We are about to link this up with computers all over the world as a central intelligence. A sort of problem solver.

DODO: I don't understand.

PROFESSOR BRETT: Well, perhaps it'll be clearer tonight.

PRINCESS: Tonight?

PROFESSOR BRETT: At the press conference. I'm sorry, I thought your visit was in relation–?

DOCTOR: Oh yes, yes, yes, yes, of course, my dear fellow, yes.

PROFESSOR BRETT: Well, you're all of course welcome to come. Eh, Polly, could you phone Sir. Summers and make sure our guests are added to the list for the press conference tonight?

POLLY: Of course.

PROFESSOR BRETT: Thank you. Oh, this is my secretary, Polly.

DODO: Hello, Polly.

POLLY: How do you do?

PROFESSOR BRETT: Now Polly's pretty smart, a cracking typist, right? (Polly cringes jokingly) Also rather a cheeky one at times. Well now this machine, which I call WOTAN.

PRINCESS: I'm sorry?

PROFESSOR BRETT: 'Vo-tan.' Spelt; W, O, T, A, N. Will Operating Thought ANalogue.

DOCTOR: I see.

PROFESSOR BRETT: Well now, WOTAN can not only think faster than Polly, or myself, it can also type faster.

DODO: (To Polly) True?

POLLY: Afraid so, and it never makes mistakes, wretched thing.

DOCTOR: (To Professor Brett) Are you seriously telling me, sir, that you have invented a machine that can think?

PROFESSOR BRETT: Yes.

PRINCESS: That's incredible.

DOCTOR: And it never makes mistakes?

PROFESSOR BRETT: Never.

DOCTOR: May I?

PROFESSOR BRETT: Of course.

(The Doctor approaches the central computer bank.)

DOCTOR: (Pointing to a microphone) I take it that I speak into here.

PROFESSOR BRETT: Yes, that's right, Doctor.

DOCTOR: (Into WOTAN's microphone) What is the square route of seventeen-thousand four-hundred and twenty-two?

(The printer attached to the WOTAN computer begins printing the answer. Once it is done, the Doctor removes the sheet of paper and reads from it.)

PRINCESS: Well, Doctor?

DOCTOR: One-hundred and thirty-one point nine, nine, two, four, two, four, zero, two, five. Yes, that's correct.

PROFESSOR BRETT: You see.

DOCTOR: Well, let's not get ahead of ourselves, a calculator could have work that out, sir.

PRINCESS: (Disapprovingly) Doctor.

DOCTOR: No, what we need is a more obscure question. Now let me think…

DODO: I have one, Doctor.

PROFESSOR BRETT: By all means.

(The Doctor steps back so Dodo can step up to the microphone.)

DODO: Here's one you'll never get. What does the word, 'Tardis,' mean?

PRINCESS: Oh, very good, Dodo.

(Once again, the printer attached to WOTAN begins printing the answer. Dodo removes the sheet of paper and reads from it.)

DOCTOR: Well, what does it say, my dear?

DODO: (Astonished) It's got it right.

PRINCESS: Don't be silly, Dodo, it can't have.

(Dodo shows the Doctor and Princess the piece of paper with the answer on it.)

DODO: Look. It says right there. 'Time And Relative Dimensions In Space.'

(The Doctor and Princess read it for themselves, both astonished.)

PRINCESS: But that's impossible.

DOCTOR: How could it possibly know that?

PROFESSOR BRETT: WOTAN knows a lot I don't know. There's something else I can tell you, Miss Chaplet… Miss Chaplet?

(The Doctor and Princess look up from the sheet of paper to see Professor Brett staring in concern at Dodo, who is staring straight ahead with a blank expression on her face.)

PRINCESS: Dodo.

DODO: Pardon?

PRINCESS: Is everything all right?

DOCTOR: Yes, Professor Brett was trying to tell you something just now.

DODO: Was he? Oh, I'm sorry.

(The Princess places her hand on Dodo's forehead.)

PRINCESS: Are you feeling unwell, Dodo?

DODO: No. There was…just this buzzing in my ears, that's all.

DOCTOR: Is it gone now?

DODO: Yes, I feel fine now.

PRINCESS: All the same, why don't you sit down for a moment.

(The Princess takes Dodo over to couch in the corner of the room and sits her down. Polly also comes over.)

POLLY: Can I get you anything?

DODO: No, I'm fine, thank you.

PRINCESS: Would it be possible for her to have a glass of water, Polly?

POLLY: Yes, of course, I'll just get one.

PRINCESS: Thank you.

(Polly exits the room.)

PRINCESS: (To Dodo) How are you feeling now?

DODO: Perfectly fine, Princess. It must have just been a dizzy spell.

PRINCESS: Perhaps.

DODO: Princess…

PRINCESS: Yes, what is it, Dodo?

DODO: I'm…I'm not sure I want to go to that press conference tonight. It just doesn't seem all that exciting to me.

PRINCESS: Do you want us to take you back to the ship so you can rest?

(At that moment, Polly returns with the glass of water.)

DODO: No. I'd like to go out.

PRINCESS: Well, I don't want you going out on your own, not after what just happened.

DODO: I'm fine, Princess, honestly.

POLLY: She could come with me if she likes. I get off in half an hour anyway, and I was planning on going out.

DODO: Can I, Princess?

PRINCESS: Well…as long as you don't mind, Polly.

POLLY: Of course not, I'll look after her.

PRINCESS: That's very kind of you, Polly, thank you.

POLLY: It's my pleasure.

(Polly then hands over the glass of water to the Princess, who passes it to Dodo.)

PRINCESS: Now, I want you to drink all of that before you even think about getting up, young lady.

DODO: Yes, Princess.

(Dodo drinks the water.)

DODO: So, where are we going, Polly?

POLLY: Well, I was planning on going to the Inferno, but–

DODO: Is that a nightclub?

POLLY: Yes, it is.

DODO: Oh, it feels like forever since I've been to a nightclub.

PRINCESS: Well, you go and have fun, but be careful. The Doctor and I will come and get you after the press conference, all right?

DODO: All right, Princess.

PRINCESS: 'The Inferno,' you said, Polly?

POLLY: Yes. Just say that to any cab driver and they'll know where to take you.

PRINCESS: Right.

(The Princess steps away from Dodo and Polly and goes to join the Doctor and Professor Brett by the WOTAN computer banks.)

PRINCESS: (To herself) What a strangely named establishment.


(Later that day, a taxi pulls up at the side of the road, and the Doctor and Princess get out. The Doctor hurries off towards one of the buildings, while the Princess pays the driver. Once that's done, the Princess joins the Doctor at the door. The plaque beside the door reads, 'The Royal Scientific Club.' The Doctor smiles eagerly at the Princess, before ringing the bell. A man answers, before allowing the Doctor and Princess inside.)

RECEPTIONIST: And you are?

DOCTOR: The Doctor and Princess.

PRINCESS: We're here for the press conference. Professor Brett's secretary phoned earlier about us.

RECEPTIONIST: (Looking at a list) Oh, yes, I've got you right here. Go straight through please.

DOCTOR & PRINCESS: Thank you.

(The Doctor and Princess head on through to the next room. The room is filled with reporters, all stood before a table at the back of the room. Cameras have all been set up, and photographers are taking photographs. Before the table is a smaller one, with a model of WOTAN. Behind the table, stands a man in a three-piece suit with thinning hair, Sir Charles Summer. Next to Summer, is a man with glasses sat in a chair, Professor Krimpton. The Doctor and Princess make their way through the crowd of reporters, so that they are stood in the centre with a good view.)

SUMMER: (To room) Gentleman, ladies, may I have your attention please? Well, you're heard the backroom boys, now it's my turn. C Day, that is Computer Day, will be next Monday, July the sixteenth, that is in four days' time. Now, on that date all the computer systems in this country, and subsequently in the whole world, will come under the control of this central computer, which we call WOTAN. Now, as you've heard, that will have both peaceful and military implications. I need hardly tell you that this is a great step forward for Britain and indeed I may say, for the whole world. Now, have you got any questions?

STONE: Roy Stone, New York Sketch.

SUMMER: Fire away.

STONE: Sir, doesn't this put a great deal of power into the hands of whoever operates WOTAN?

SUMMER: No one operates WOTAN. WOTAN operates itself. The computer is merely a brain which thinks logically without any political or private ends. It is pure thought. It makes calculations, it supplies only the truth. It has no imaginative powers.

REPORTER: Is there no way of fixing it so it can give the wrong answers?

SUMMER: There would be no point, WOTAN is aware enough to correct any ill-conceived attempts at reprogramming. And unlike human beings, its mind cannot be swayed by emotion.

STONE: Oh, but surely, sir–

SUMMER: It has no reason to suppress the truth, it has no emotions. It thinks in purely logistical terms.

STONE: It seems to me by the way you're talking, sir, that this machine can think for itself like a human being.

SUMMER: It can. Only much more accurately.

STONE: But, sir, I mean, isn't this kinda risky? I mean, suppose it decides it can do without people, what then?

(The crowd laughs, with the exception of the Doctor and Princess.)

SUMMER: (Chuckling) I hardly think it'll come to that. I'm sure that Professor Brett and his team will have the machine well under control.

(Summer sits down next to Professor Krimpton and starts talking quietly to him.)

PRINCESS: (To Doctor) I don't see Professor Brett anywhere, do you?

DOCTOR: No. He must be running late.

PRINCESS: That's surprising, considering how excited he was.

DOCTOR: Yes, I'm rather afraid he's missing his moment in the spotlight.

(Summer stands back up.)

SUMMER: (To room) Now, gentlemen, ladies, I must apologise for the absence of Professor Brett. I'm sure he'll be along in a moment or two if you will just bear with us. It is, after all, his show.


(A while later, Summer is still stood before the crowd of reporters – as well as the Doctor and Princess – alone.)

SUMMER: Well, gentlemen, and ladies, if there are no more questions? I really am very sorry about the absence of Professor Brett. I'm sure that it must have been something very important that prevented him coming–

(The doors to the room are flung open, as a stone faced Professor Brett marches into the room and through the crowd.)

SUMMER: Ah! Professor Brett.

(Professor Brett makes his way to the table then stops.)

PROFESSOR BRETT: Gentlemen, I am sorry I was not able to attend. It was unavoidable.

SUMMER: Well, now that you're here perhaps you'll talk to the gentlemen–

PROFESSOR BRETT: I want to see Professor Krimpton.

SUMMER: I beg your pardon? They've been waiting–

PROFESSOR BRETT: It's urgent. Professor Krimpton.

(Professor Brett walks around the table to Professor Krimpton.)

PROFESSOR KRIMPTON: See me now?

PROFESSOR BRETT: Immediately, if you don't mind.

(Summer goes over to join the Professors, while the Doctor and Princess watch them from afar.)

SUMMER: Are you all right Brett?

PROFESSOR BRETT: Quite all right, thank you.

SUMMER: Well, it is the computer then?

PROFESSOR BRETT: No!

(Mr. Stone comes over.)

STONE: Ah, Professor Brett. I'm from the New York Sketch, sir.

PROFESSOR BRETT: No comment! This way, Krimpton.

STONE: But I haven't asked a question, sir. Can you make a comment–

(As professor Brett leads professor Krimpton out of the room, Mr. Stone and the other reporters hurriedly follow him, all talking over one another as they try to ask their questions. Within seconds, the room is empty, save for Summers, the Doctor and the Princess. Summer is about to leave as well, when he notices the Doctor and Princess.)

SUMMER: Oh, excuse me, are you the doctor that Professor Brett telephoned me about?

DOCTOR: (Shakes Summer's hand) Yes, I am, Sir Charles.

SUMMER: (To Princess) And you are?

PRINCESS: The Princess.

SUMMER: Oh. You're not a member of the royal family, are you?

PRINCESS: Oh, distant, very distant. But still technically a princess. With a name like mine, I'd have to be.

SUMMER: Which is?

PRINCESS: Cinderella.

(The Princess and Summer chuckle.)

PRINCESS: But please, call me, 'Princess.' Everyone else does.

SUMMER: Of course, of course. Well, I'm glad that you could both come along. I only wonder what's gotten into Professor Brett this evening. His manner was very odd.

PRINCESS: Yes, it was. He seemed fine earlier when we saw him at his office.

SUMMER: Really.

PRINCESS: Once you've got WOTAN up and running, I'd suggest giving him a long holiday.

SUMMER: Yes, perhaps you're right. Overworked, that's probably it.

DOCTOR: Tell me, Sir Charles, who was that man, Krimpton, that left with Professor Brett?

SUMMER: Oh, electronics fellow. One of our top men… Come to think of it, electronics… Perhaps there is something wrong with WOTAN and he didn't want to let it out? That would explain it, wouldn't it?

PRINCESS: That's one possibility.

SUMMER: Look, I'm terribly sorry but would you excuse me, I think I'd better go and check.

PRINCESS: Of course.

SUMMER: My man Kennedy will look after you.

PRINCESS: Oh, no, that's quite all right. No, all we'll need is a taxi, thank you.

SUMMER: Very well, I'll have Kennedy arrange for one immediately. He'll fetch you when it's outside.

PRINCESS: That's very kind of you, Sir Charles, thank you.

SUMMER: Tell me, where are you staying?

PRINCESS: Oh, we haven't arranged accommodation yet.

SUMMER: Well, you can stay with me.

PRINCESS: Are you sure?

SUMMER: Certainly.

PRINCESS: That's ever so kind. Oh, there is a third member of our party, a young woman, Dodo Chaplet.

SUMMER: Not a problem. Drop by any time. I'll have Kennedy let my wife know what's happening. Goodbye.

PRINCESS: Goodbye, Sir Charles.

(Summer leaves.)

PRINCESS: What a nice man. Doctor? Doctor.

DOCTOR: Hmm?

PRINCESS: Were you even listening?

DOCTOR: Oh, I'm sorry, my dear, I was just thinking.

PRINCESS: About WOTAN.

DOCTOR: Yes. Something strange is going on, I can feel it. Yes, I think perhaps we should remain her another day or too, just until I'm satisfied nothing untoward is happening.

PRINCESS: Well, Sir Charles has invited us to spend the night at his home.

DOCTOR: When did that happen?

PRINCESS: (Sighing) I'll tell you on the way. Come on, let's go and see about that taxi. I'm beginning to worry about Dodo.

(The Princess starts walking out of the room, with the Doctor behind her.)

DOCTOR: Oh, you worry far too much, my dear. She'll be fine, I tell you. Besides, she's with that girl, Polly, remember.

PRINCESS: I know. I just have this terrible feeling, that's all.


(The sun has set now, and a taxi pulls up at outside a building. Beside the doorway leading inside the word, 'Inferno,' runs down the side. From out of the taxi exit the Doctor and Princess, with the Princess once again paying the driver before he drives off.)

PRINCESS: (Uncomfortable) Interesting place.

DOCTOR: Oh, I don't know. I suppose I could see the appeal.

PRINCESS: Yes, well, regardless, let's just get in and find Dodo.

(The Doctor leads the way inside the building. Once inside they proceed down a corridor and then onto a landing, which overlooks a dance floor. The walls are made of stone, with demon like masks and fiery patterns all over the place. The Doctor and Princess look across the crowd, before spotting a waving hand, which belongs to Polly.)

PRINCESS: Over there.

(The Doctor looks, and seeing Polly, waves to her. The Doctor and Princess then proceed down the iron staircase, which rattles with each step, and make their way through the crowd over to Polly, a young man in a sailor's outfit – Ben – and a woman standing behind the bar – Kitty.)

DOCTOR: (To Polly) Ah, there you are, my dear. I trust you and Dodo have been enjoying yourselves?

PRINCESS: Where is she anyhow?

POLLY: Well–

KITTY: Would you each like one on the house, Doctor, Princess? It isn't every day we get the over twenties in this place.

DOCTOR: Eh, no thank you, my dear. We're not staying long.

KITTY: Oh, that's a shame. (Leans over the bar and pulls gently at the Doctor's cloak for a better look) Hey, I dig your fab gear!

(Kitty then leaves, going to serve other customers.)

DOCTOR: (Grinning cheekily) Fab gear.

PRINCESS: (Looking to Ben) Who's this, Polly? A friend of yours?

POLLY: He's not exactly a friend, I've just met him, his name is Ben. Ben, the Doctor and Princess.

DOCTOR: Ah, yes, how do you do, my boy.

(The Doctor offers his hand and Ben shakes it.)

BEN: Hello, sir. Ma'am.

PRINCESS: It's nice to meet you, Ben. (To Polly) Where's Dodo got to?

POLLY: I'm afraid she's gone.

PRINCESS: Gone?

DOCTOR: Gone where, child?

POLLY: Well, she came to answer the phone about half an hour ago, and we haven't seen her since.

DOCTOR: Well, she certainly wouldn't have abandoned you without saying something first. How very strange.

BEN: We can try having another look around if you like?

PRINCESS: Would you mind?

BEN: No, not at all. She can't have gone far.

(Ben leaves in search of Dodo.)

POLLY: I'm sorry, Princess. I know I was supposed to be looking after her–

PRINCESS: Oh, we don't blame you, Polly, not at all.

DOCTOR: No, of course not. Child's wondered of on her own…again. Why do they always do that?

PRINCESS: I don't know.

BEN: (Calling to Polly) Here, Duchess, come and give us a hand.

POLLY: (Grumbling) I told you to stop calling me that.

(Polly leaves to go and assist Ben, leaving the Doctor and Princess by the bar.)

DOCTOR: Don't worry, my dear. I'm sure she's fine.

PRINCESS: You're right. After all, London is her home. She's probably seen someone she knows.

DOCTOR: Exactly. I'm sure she'll be back in no time.

(Kitty returns.)

KITTY: Are you two staying then?

DOCTOR: Yes, for the time being it seems. Our friend, Dodo's gone astray, so if it's all right, we'll wait here until she returns.

KITTY: Fine by me. Those drinks are still on offer if you like.

DOCTOR: Please.

(Kitty leaves to get the drinks.)

DOCTOR: (To Princess) It'll be all right, my dear. It'll be all right.

PRINCESS: I know. It's just with everything else that's happening. That strange sensation we felt outside the tower, then Professor Brett's behaviour at the conference. And now Dodo's disappearance. It's hard not to think something's at play here.

(The Princess looks in concern at the Doctor, who smiles bravely. But the second she looks away, the Doctor reveals he's just as concerned about their missing companion…)