Track 1: Cumbria 1207 (Doctor Who Series 7 OST)
Track 2: You'll Be Queen One Day (Game of Thrones Series 1 OST)
Track 3: Childhood Home (Doctor Who Series 8 OST)
Track 4: Setting Off From Kathmandu (Everest OST)
Track 5: The Mission (Doctor Who Time of the Doctor OST)
Track 6: Last Words (Everest OST)
Track 7: Things I Do For Love (Game of Thrones Series 1 OST)
Track 8: An Abandoned Base (Doctor Who Series 8 OST)
Track 9: Unsealing the Infirmary (Doctor Who Series 8 OST)
Track 10: Listen (Doctor Who Series 8 OST)
Track 11: Someone Loves Us (Game of Thrones Series 6 OST)
Track 12: Wakanda Tag (Captain America: Civil War OST)
1 EXT. NORTH FACE - DAY
8th June 1924 (12:48) - 27,000 feet above Sea Level.
[Track 1: Cumbria 1207] The clouds pass, revealing a great mountain range. A pickaxe smashes into the snow, as a handsome man, in his mid-30s, uses it to pull himself up. His hair is usually pressed tightly to his head underneath a small cap, but the strong winds have thrown it about, making his beard thick and scraggly. His eyes are weary and weighted with experience, but still have a youthful hint of excitement as he stands upon the tallest mountain in the world. He looks over to another ridge, on the North East side, seeing two small figures clambering up the rocks and ice. The sight of the two figures causes the man to grin.
ODELL
I say! Is that who I think it is?
He cheers, waving in their direction.
ODELL
Good show, lads, good show!
The clouds begin to descend and shroud his view, so he turns on his heel and starts making his way back down the mountain. He slides down on the snow, before he comes to a small ledge. He jumps over it, his crampons steadying his landing onto the other side as the spikes wedge his boots into the snow. He climbs over a small mound before seeing a basic camp, with small tents and mountain-climbing equipment littered about. He trudges down the hill pproaches the rest of the team, who look shattered.
ODELL
Hey, hey! You'll never guess what I just saw?
BEETHAM
Unless it's a well-grilled steak, I'm not interested.
ODELL
It's Mallory and Irvine - They're on the first steps of the North East ridge!
NOEL
You're joking. They're making it?
ODELL
No need to sound so surprised! Come, I'll show you, we might be able to catch them before the clouds come down.
NOEL
Bit late for that.
They turn back, as the weather turns grim and grey.
ODELL
Ah, shame. It's good to know they're making it though!
He sits with the others, continuing to talk.
2 EXT. NORTH EAST RIDGE - DAY
A few metres below, an ice axe rests on a small outcrop of rock, whilst on the main slope, strange footprints accompany a long trail. As the camera pans up, it is revealed that Irvine is being dragged by a large, clawed hand, almost invisible in the snow. [Track 1 ends]
ROLL TITLES
3 EXT. SOUTH COL - DAY
[Track 2: You'll Be Queen One Day] The Sun is barely rising over the mountaintops. The TARDIS stands like a beacon in the snow, a small blue box on a landscape of white and grey. Already, the base has been buried in a thick layer of snow, not to the Doctor's amusement, who scowls at the snow flooding through the doors as he steps out with a wintry version of his usual costume. He crouches down, inspecting the snow, revealing a full oxygen tank strapped to his back. He lets the soft, powdery flakes slip through his fingers.
DOCTOR
This seems right.
Clara joins the Doctor in warm ski clothes, also with an oxygen tank - despite this, she still feels an icy chill as soon as she emerges from the box.
CLARA
Ooh, god. Bit cold.
DOCTOR
Just a bit.
CLARA
So, Tibet?
DOCTOR
Almost.
CLARA
That's worrying.
DOCTOR
I think you'll find that Tibet is about 200 metres that way. Maybe more. Maybe less. Strictly speaking, we're in Nepal.
CLARA
I think that's the closest you've gotten to reaching our intended destination. You're improving. So, Nepal… I'm guessing Himalayas?
DOCTOR
Correct. By the direction of the wind, and my timing… We're on the South side.
CLARA
South side of the Himalayas?
DOCTOR
South side of the mountain. It's 1953. That should mean…
The Doctor tries to run up to a small ledge, but he gets caught in the slush, slowing him down. Clara joins him, as they bury themselves, lying flat on their front, watching a small camp, with a few men wearing similar gear, but more era-appropriate, and the oxygen tanks tucked safely away in a tent.
28th May 1953 (06:20) - 25,900 feet above Sea Level.
Clara gawps at the men.
DOCTOR
There...
CLARA
Who are they? Native population?
DOCTOR
Explorer expedition. Amongst that group are two men; those two men would be the first to reach the highest point on this tiny little planet. They are the first to reach the summit of Mount Everest. Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay.
HILLARY
You called?
The Doctor and Clara hear a rough Australian accent, and they turn themselves around, staring at a young figure pulling himself towards them with a pickaxe which he wedges firmly into the ground with each step. He's a very lean, tall bloke, wrapped in anoraks and wearing a beanie-like hat on his head, with a pair of goggles on top of them.
DOCTOR
Oh, uh- Hi.
HILLARY
Where did yous spring from, eh? Don't see friendly faces out in the bush too often, do we?
He chuckles.
HILLARY
Go on, you gonna sit there with your gobs open or you gonna tell me who you are?
CLARA
No-one important, we were just off. Nice to meet you.
HILLARY
Off where? We're on a mountain.
DOCTOR
Even so, we're very busy.
HILLARY
Oh, be a sport.
DOCTOR
I'd rather not.
A distant shout catches Hillary's attention.
NYIMA
Hey! What's going on up there, Eddie?
HILLARY
For the last time, Thomas! Ed or Edmund!
Clara looks at the Doctor, mouthing "Edmund Hillary?" and he replies with a sharp nod.
NYIMA
What?!
HILLARY
Ed… or Edmund! Can't hear me, for Christ's…
He regards the two strangers.
HILLARY
I think you should come with me down to camp.
DOCTOR
Is that necessary?
HILLARY
Perhaps not. But we didn't know of any other expeditions. And I'd like to know more.
The Doctor and Clara follow the mountaineer down the slopes. [Track 2 Ends]
4 EXT. CAMP - DAY
[Track 3: Childhood Home] Alfred Gregory is a well-built, handsome man, propping up a camera on a tripod, as assisted by a scrawny, nerdy boy, yawning - George Lowe.
LOWE
If there's something I won't miss, it's the early starts.
GREGORY
Cut out your whining.
Lowe does a mock salute.
LOWE
Yes, sir.
GREGORY
Enough of the attitude, alright? If you were a little older, the Army would've chewed you up and spit you out. That's what boys like you need. You don't half know how lucky you are.
Gregory addresses the group.
GREGORY
We've been together for two months now. I know you would've wanted the rest of the group up here. It wasn't fair, I get it. We left a lot of good friends who should be here. Our leader, Hunt, he should be one of us. But they're not, we are. You need to get over your pettiness and get on with the task at hand. It's no easy feat. But I'm damned sure that we're gonna get to the top. And when we do, we'll think of everyone who contributed to our achievements, and bask in the view that they should be sharing. Got it?
Nyima and Lowe murmur "yes sir" and resume their jobs. Hillary, the Doctor and Clara approach the camp, catching everyone off-guard. [Track 3 ends]
GREGORY
What the hell? Who are you?!
CLARA
Doctor, Clara Oswald, mountaineers.
HILLARY
Ah, we've got a name at last! See if you can make some sense of their antics, sir. No idea where they came from, they just seem eager to head off somewhere.
[Track 4: Setting Off From Kathmandu]
GREGORY
Are we seeing stars?
Gregory touches the Doctor.
GREGORY
They're real! Where did you get all this equipment from? I've never seen anything like...
DOCTOR
Would you mind not?
He pushes Gregory away.
GREGORY
Where did you come from? You sound Scottish, but the Empire's funding us.
DOCTOR
Private funding.
Gregory glances at the rest of the group.
GREGORY
Yes, it's a spectacle, but we don't have time! We need to use all the sunlight we have! You two, into my tent.
Gregory climbs into a small, beige, canvas tent.
DOCTOR
I don't like being bossed around like this.
CLARA
Tough.
The Doctor and Clara head after him.
5 INT. TENT - DAY
The Doctor snoops around Gregory's stuff, until the leader clears his throat, and Clara slaps his hand away.
GREGORY
So who exactly funded this "private expedition"?
The Doctor presents his psychic paper, passing it to Gregory. As he inspects it, he frowns.
GREGORY
This… this is blank?
CLARA
How does that work?
DOCTOR
I dunno. Lack of oxygen, making the brain go funny?
CLARA
Ugh, of course. We're a small company, some Scottish nationalists think they should get up first.
DOCTOR
Seriously?
GREGORY
Of course they do.
DOCTOR
Now, if you don't mind us, we're going to continue with our expedition.
GREGORY
Well, perhaps we could pool our resources together.
DOCTOR
Pool them how?
GREGORY
Hillary - the man you met up on the hill - he wants to go on ahead on his own. Naturally, I wouldn't allow for him to go ahead by himself, team effort and all that, but it's best if one person could use all the resources possible.
DOCTOR
Just Hillary?
GREGORY
I'm sending another - Tenzing Norgay. Local fellow, y'see. Knows these mountains like the back of his hand. Astonishing climber if I do say so myself. For a Nep, anyway. The rest of us are heading back down with the rest of thr group.
CLARA
You want us to go with them? To the top?
GREGORY
Not with them. But you're heading up there anyway, are you not?
CLARA
Of course.
GREGORY
Then we're agreed.
Gregory hurries out of the tent.
CLARA
We're not seriously going to do as he says?
DOCTOR
I don't think we've got much choice.
He scowls. [Track 4 ends]
6 EXT. CAMP - DAY
The Doctor and Clara follow Gregory out of the tent.
CLARA
So where is this Norgay dude anyway?
GREGORY
Over here, in his tent.
They proceed over to a small tent, not much larger than Gregory's.
GREGORY
Anyone in?
Some shuffling is heard from the inside; moments later Norgay emerges.
NORGAY
I don't believe it. It's true. There are actually new people! Who are they?
GREGORY
Apparently another expedition. Private funding.
DOCTOR
We were just on our way.
He speaks through gritted teeth. [Track 5: The Mission]
CLARA
Excuse his manners, cold's getting to him.
NORGAY
...Right, what's your plan?
DOCTOR
Uh, well- plan.
He stutters.
CLARA
I heard you know these mountains. Why don't you lead the way?
NORGAY
...I don't, uh, see why not?
GREGORY
Spiffing news! I'll go find Mr. Hillary.
Gregory strolls away. Clara pulls the Doctor to the side.
CLARA
Thing is, I've never heard of Tenzing Norgay. Edmund Hillary, sure - he's the guy on the Australian coins, right?
DOCTOR
That's history for you. Always focusing on the first world representatives.
CLARA
Fair enough.
Gregory and Hillary return.
GREGORY
You're ready, then?
HILLARY
Of course, sir! Oxygen tanks stocked, axes at the ready, and my resolve is as steely as a-
DOCTOR
Excellent, excellent, so let's get moving!
HILLARY
...Are you sure you're up for this, mate? I hope you don't mind my saying, but you do look a little…
DOCTOR
Devilishly handsome?
HILLARY
Let's go with experienced.
DOCTOR
Experience is never a bad thing. And you'll know all about that, wouldn't you?
Hillary nods. The Doctor attaches a rope to his belt, and then to Clara's.
CLARA
Let's set off then!
NORGAY
Only 4000 feet to go!
The camp watches on, their hearts full with pride, as the expedition starts to vacate the group and climb. [Track 5 ends]
7 EVEREST MAP
[Track 6: Last Words] The Doctor, Clara, Edmund and Tenzing all appear on a diagram of Everest, tracking their route as they make their way up a large slope.
8 EXT. SLOPE - DAY
Their sticks split the bitter, icy ground beneath, revealing the group, pulling themselves over a ridge, huffing.
28th May 1953 (10:38) - 26,236 feet above Sea Level.
HILLARY
Stay close, my dear!
CLARA
What did the Doctor mean by "you'll know all about experience"?
HILLARY
Oh, that. It's obvious that the Doctor is well-read. I've climbed many a mountain before.
CLARA
How many?
HILLARY
Eleven.
CLARA
Eleven?!
HILLARY
I know.
CLARA
That's… that's amazing.
HILLARY
Why, thank you, ma'am. You're most kind.
He turns to the Doctor.
HILLARY What about you, old timer? You musta seen many a gaze in your day.
DOCTOR
Hundreds.
HILLARY
So you know the thrill of adventure then? The feeling you get deep down. The sense of accomplishment when you finally reach the top. The challenge of the ascent, and the bittersweet feeling of knowing that it'll be a long way back?
DOCTOR
You could say.
HILLARY
Sometimes the sheer cliffs and rocks intimidate me, I'll admit that much, but I would never back down from such a challenge.
CLARA
You'd keep going no matter what you're up against?
HILLARY
It's merely a formality, the climb. A test of strength, to see if you're worth the real prize - the view.
CLARA
You'd do all that, just to see the view?
HILLARY
Yes, who wouldn't?
CLARA
Like someone else I know.
The Doctor is listening, but then turns away.
DOCTOR
I admire your courage, Hillary.
HILLARY
Thank you. How's our oxygen levels?
They all check their tanks.
NORGAY
Still got a while to go.
CLARA
Ours are okay.
The Doctor pulls Clara to the side.
CLARA
How is it that our tanks are still full?
DOCTOR
They're bigger on the inside. Don't tell the others, bit advanced for 1953.
CLARA
Obviously. Isn't that basically cheating?
DOCTOR
It's taking advantage of the resources we have.
CLARA
And they don't have. That's literally the definition of cheating.
The Doctor shrugs and then begins to thrust his pickaxe deeply into the snow to clamber up the slopes. However he slips on a patch of ice and faceplants the ground.
CLARA
Doctor!
Hillary and Norgay turn back, rushing to help him up.
DOCTOR
I'm okay, I'm okay. Just tripped.
NORGAY
You'll want to be careful around here. The terrain is unpredictable, and not much can be foreseen.
CLARA
Got it. Can you walk?
DOCTOR
Yes, yes, stop fussing.
He stands up and brushes Clara's hand away.
NORGAY
It's not a dishonour to request help.
DOCTOR
Okay.
The Doctor aggressively smashes his pick into the ground as he climbs ahead of him. Clara rolls her eyes.
CLARA
Again, sorry.
The three start after him, feeling satisfied by the crunch of the snow as it splits apart upon their boots' impact.
HILLARY
Believe me, it's fine. I understand how you might be drawn to him.
CLARA
Woah, woah. What… what does that mean?
HILLARY
Oh, nothing. It's just… I fought too.
CLARA
Fought?
HILLARY
In the war. Second World War.
CLARA
Oh, right, yes. But… what's that got to do with the Doctor?
HILLARY
I can see it in his soul. Conflict's changed him. He might be determined, get the job done, but by no means worthy of love. But his inner strength seems appealing.
CLARA
He's...
HILLARY
I'm not judging him, I don't mean to be rude. I'm exactly the same way. I was in the war, it changed me. I was in the New Zealand Air Force, and I watched as God's Earth ripped itself apart. I got hurt, and I returned a different man.
CLARA
I'm so sorry.
HILLARY
I see the same in his soul. Your Doctor got too close to the fire, and got burnt. Now, his only wish is to make amends for those he wronged - but he doesn't realise that the only person who's still waiting to forgive him… is him.
Clara's face falls, and they both fall silent. [Track 6 ends]
9 EVEREST MAP
On the diagram, the group make their way from the slopes a bit higher towards a large ridge, beside a great gorge.
10 EXT. RIDGE - DAY
[Track 7: Things I Do For Love] They stop at the edge, staring down at the chasm below, which is hiding under an outcrop of snow above them, holding strong stalactites. Clara looks up at the shape of the mountain, almost looking like the mouth of a panther.
28th May 1953 (11:24) - 26,992 feet above Sea Level.
CLARA
No chance of there being a lift? With maybe like a sushi bar or a… no?
HILLARY
You first, Mr Norgay.
NORGAY
Alright, step back.
Norgay takes a few steps back, before charging towards the ledge, each step increasing in speed before-
He launches off! Snow falls down the crevice with tremendous force, smashing into a million shards at the bottom. The man raises his pickaxe and wedges it onto the other side. He grips onto the pickaxe with almighty force as he dangles over the edge, letting out a hearty yell as he pulls himself up, before collapsing on the bank, panting. Clara claps.
HILLARY
Good show, sir! Well done! Now you, old timer.
DOCTOR
Oh, I'm not sure about that.
NORGAY
Come on, now! We don't have time to waste. It's not as far as it looks!
DOCTOR
Oh… I've got a bad feeling about this…
He catapults himself off in a similar fashion to Norgay, however with a bit less prowess. He loses control of his arms and he barely manages to clip the rock with his pickaxe, but still utilises his upper body strength to lift himself up, with Norgay's help.
HILLARY
Ladies first, Miss Oswald?
CLARA
Oh, no, no. I'm good, thanks.
HILLARY
Please, even in these situations I must maintain a sense of chivalry.
Clara mutters under her breath.
CLARA
I hate the past… Here we go then!
She runs off the edge, screaming, and her limbs flailing about haphazardly and with little control, almost veering off course. However, the Doctor catches her.
CLARA
Aaah!
DOCTOR
Hold on!
CLARA
Yeah, obviously! Argh!
Norgay and the Doctor pull her up, and she sighs.
CLARA
That was a bit scary.
NORGAY
Don't fret. Many men have tried this task and failed before. Just… watch your step next time, okay? Try and control your swing, take care towards your body shape.
CLARA
Got it.
NORGAY
I would've thought you would've known this.
CLARA
Yeah, sorry.
Norgay stares on towards the Doctor and Clara with great concern.
HILLARY
Well done! Move back, I'm on my way over!
Hillary hurdles over, but then-
11 INT. CAVE - DAY
An ethereal light flows into a cave, mixing blues and whites together to form a composition of snow and ice, hiding from the snowstorm outside. Hillary's screams echo, and a shadow rises.
12 EXT. RIDGE - DAY
Hillary is hanging off the edge, and Norgay is barely holding onto him with the rope, the Doctor and Clara helping him keep his balance and stopping the pair of them from falling into the abyss.
NORGAY
Mr Hillary!
His pickaxe is swinging loosely from the strap that's still attached to his wrist.
NORGAY
Whatever you do, don't move your hand! It's in a very vulnerable position!
DOCTOR
He's right, one wrong move and you'll crack your skull!
CLARA
That's definitely going to calm him down!
NORGAY
Ma'am, hold onto the rope!
Clara lets go of Tenzing's body and crouches down to grip tightly onto the rope that's linking both Norgay and Hillary together.
NORGAY
Okay, I'm going to untie this. You ready?
CLARA
What?!
HILLARY
I'm not too sure about this!
NORGAY
Three, two, one!
He unlinks the rope and Clara struggles to hold it, but Tenzing helps her.
NORGAY
Alright, Doctorrrr, get those axes and put them into the ground!
The Doctor rams the poles as far as he can into the snow, as Norgay goes to tug at the rope.
NORGAY
Try not to move!
HILLARY
I'm dangling from a cliff, how can I move?!
NORGAY
Try and make yourself as light as possible!
All three begin to lift Hillary up, further and further, until they all crash back onto the snow. They exhale with relief and try to regain some air - something very difficult in the current climate. [Track 7 ends]
CLARA
Are you okay?
HILLARY
Yes, yes… I feel a bit embarrassed.
NORGAY
No need to be. Everyone makes mistakes.
HILLARY
Nearly lost my life. You saved me. Thank you.
NORGAY
You would've done the same for me.
Norgay smiles, and he nods. They all stand up, and resume their ascent with an air of silence.
FADE TO:
13 EXT. SLOPES - DAY
[Track 8: An Abandoned Base] They have made their way back onto another open part of the mountain, again very steep and with great difficulty. A fog has descended, and the snow is adding to their shrouded vision.
28th May 1953 (12:56) - 27,108 feet above Sea Level.
They climb for a while longer, and then the Doctor looks back, sniffing the air. Clara notices this.
CLARA
The weather changed quickly.
HILLARY
Nature's mind is fickle.
DOCTOR
How poetic. We're trapped on a mountain with a very elegiac man and another man of little words. Makes me wonder how much you'd get done if you followed in Tenzing Norgay's footsteps.
CLARA
Doctor, I know you're not in the best of moods right now, but could you cool it with the insults?
HILLARY
Speaking of, where is he?
CLARA
I thought he was just pulling off for a small break.
The pair are interrupted by a silhouette emerging from the fog.
CLARA
Ah, that must be him over there.
Hillary looks down at the rope that binds the two explorers together - it isn't moving. He looks back up to the figure, that is still advancing.
HILLARY
Didn't you two say you were the only climbers in your party?
CLARA
Yeah, why's it important?
DOCTOR
Then who's hiding in the snow?
HILLARY
Mr Norgay, is that you?!
CLARA
Tenzing!
DOCTOR
Shh, shh.
CLARA
What?
DOCTOR
Both of you, keep moving now.
They start edging backwards.
CLARA
Why?
DOCTOR
I have a worrying suspicion that there's something else. Mr. Hillary, the rope?
HILLARY
No. He's not moving.
DOCTOR
Then if he's staying still, he should be fine.
CLARA
Why is he fine staying still but we're not?
DOCTOR
That's a very good point. Stay still!
HILLARY
Do you want us to stay still or to move?
DOCTOR
Stay still!
The fog moves in front of Clara and she disappears from the Doctor's sight. [Track 8 ends]
DOCTOR
Clara!
Beat.
HILLARY
Miss Oswald?
Something lunges at the Doctor and he blacks out.
CUT TO BLACK:
14 INT. CAVE - EVENING
[Track 9: Unsealing the Infirmary] The Doctor wakes up with a jolt. He takes a moment to study his surroundings. The air around is filled with a fine mist, not quite smoke, not quite fog. Dangling stalactites pierce through the haze, a faint light pours through, revealing just enough to make out minor details. The raucous sound of scraping against rock and ice echoes through the inky void beyond his sight.
28th May 1953 (18:10) - 27,224 feet above Sea Level.
DOCTOR
Clara? Clara, are you there?
He removes his goggles, which have steamed up and cracked.
DOCTOR
Fat lot of use you are. You're meant to be self-repairing. Ah, that's what I get for getting them from Calibris.
He looks towards the orange light of the dying sun barely streaming through the fog.
DOCTOR
Part of me thinks that I shouldn't go towards the light. Especially not without Clara.
He trudges further into the cave, wrapping his coat around him and shivering slightly.
DOCTOR
Hello? Is anyone there? Mr Hillary?
He sees a shape breaking through the mist, and rushes towards it - but it seems like the shape is fixed into a rock wall. It's a fairly handsome man, with smooth skin, a strong jawline and neat, blonde hair, appearing terrified, nearly frozen solid. Icicles dangle from his brows and nose, he's definitely been there for months at a minimum.
DOCTOR
Hello? Are you okay? ...Dead. Has been for a very long time, I think.
He goes to inspect the body, but a hand reaches out and pulls his shoulder. He jumps back, and Clara shrieks.
DOCTOR
Oh! Don't do that!
CLARA
Sorry.
DOCTOR
What are you doing?
CLARA
Looking for you - where are the others… and who's that?
She points to the man encased in a thin sheet of ice on the wall.
DOCTOR
That's just what I was about to find out.
He fumbles around in his pockets, looking for the sonic screwdriver.
DOCTOR
Oh, no, no, no.
CLARA
What?
DOCTOR
The sonic. I've dropped it somewhere.
CLARA
It's gotta be close by.
The Doctor and Clara fix their gaze on the floor, hunting for the bronze tube with the green light. Clara sees a small hat on the floor, buried under a bit of ice and snow. It takes a few tugs to remove it, but as she does, dusting it off, she reads the label.
CLARA
Ah, at least we've got a name for this bloke.
DOCTOR
Oh?
CLARA
It's on his hat. Andrew Irvine.
The Doctor pauses, and spins around, staring at Clara.
DOCTOR
What did you say?
CLARA
Andrew Irvine.
DOCTOR
Ohh… not good. Very bad. Worse than bad.
CLARA
Why, who is he?
DOCTOR
An explorer. He went missing on Everest in 1924.
CLARA
Well, we found him.
DOCTOR
You don't get it. He was never found. Presumed dead.
CLARA
He's not.
DOCTOR
He is. His partner, George Mallory, was found out there on the rocks in 1999. But never Irvine. So how did he end up here?
CLARA
You're pulling your worried face. Why?
DOCTOR
Why did they split up? Why did Irvine lose his axe about 100m away from Mallory's body? And why is he in perfect condition here?
CLARA
Okay, why?
DOCTOR
I think he's… I think we're in a larder.
CLARA
Why is that filling me with dread? You don't mean to say-
DOCTOR
I do. I really, unfortunately do.
CLARA
Oh, god. We need to find the others and get out of here. Like right now.
DOCTOR
Just one problem. Does your food ever escape the larder? I saw the exit, but… I felt like I shouldn't go that way. Something's… off about it. Forbidden.
CLARA
Who cares if it's forbidden? Edmund! Tenzing!
DOCTOR
You try, then.
CLARA
Alright. Which way is it?
The Doctor looks around, but the mist has now confused his sense of direction.
DOCTOR
Uh…
CLARA
Oh, no. Don't you tell me we're lost. Don't you dare.
DOCTOR
Okay.
CLARA
So… Where are we?
DOCTOR
You told me not to tell you.
CLARA
Now is not the time for cheap jokes. Are we lost or not?
DOCTOR
We're lost.
CLARA
What do we do then?
Beat.
CLARA
Doctor? Are you there?
DOCTOR
There's a very good chance that we might not escape.
CLARA
I said now's not the time for jokes.
DOCTOR
I'm not joking.
CLARA
Okay, you're really scaring me now.
DOCTOR
You and me both.
CLARA
You're scared too? That's not helping. It's also not helping that we're in a larder!
DOCTOR
A larder for whom?
The pair stare at each other, then out towards the mist. [Track 9 ends] They hear a screech and bolt towards it. They find Hillary and Norgay huddled together, petrified.
CLARA
What is it? We heard screaming.
HILLARY
An… an apparition! A phantom!
NORGAY
It can't be...
HILLARY
It was a beast, almost like a Yeti!
NORGAY
What? No, no, that isn't what I saw.
HILLARY
Wha- Yes it is.
CLARA
What did you see?
NORGAY
I saw… that!
Something breaks through the fog, too fast for them to see, and they are all knocked into-
15 INT. AIRPLANE - NIGHT
[Track 10: Listen] Hillary is stuck inside a cramped fighter jet, disoriented. A deafening wail of an air raid siren fills his head, and he groans. He suddenly adjusts to his new environment, and grabs onto the controls.
HILLARY
Aagh! Wha… where are we?! Hello?! Report in!
His radio is filled with static.
HILLARY
Broken? No, no, no!
A whispering voice creeps around him.
WHISPERS
Fire… Fire….FIRE!
HILLARY
Fire?
He looks at the readings and notices that he is carrying a bomb.
HILLARY
No. No, no, no!
He looks out of the window and down onto Berlin, torn apart by World War 2.
WHISPERS
You must fire!
He hears screaming and crying as Berlin is bombarded by shells, streets getting destroyed.
WHISPERS
Fire!
HILLARY
I won't! I won't!
He, too, screams, along with the fear of the innocent below him.
16 INT. TEMPLE - DAY
Tenzing is trapped inside a grand stone Buddhist monastery.
NORGAY
Hello?! Where is everyone?
A door swings open, and two people walk through - one man, and one woman, fairly old, but both bringing a chill down Norgay's spine. They speak in a similar hushed voice overlapping their standard Nepalese accents.
NORGAY
You…?
GHANG
Namgyal.
NORGAY
Papa.
GHANG
Look at you. You desecrate these halls with your presence. You are Sherpa. It is in your blood. Yet, you hid from your own blood.
NORGAY
I'm sorry, papa, I'm sorry!
DOKMO
You beg forgiveness now? You fled. We lost everything, but your disappearance hurt us the most. You disappoint us.
NORGAY
Mama, papa, please! Please!
He stumbles back, begging like a schoolboy, as his parents advance towards him.
17 INT. CORRIDOR - NIGHT
Clara is suffocating in a blank hallway with no doors.
CLARA
Doctor! Doctor!
WHISPERS
You're all alone… No boyfriend, no Time Lord. No-one to save you this time.
She bangs against the wall, slumped on the floor.
18 INT. TRENZALORE - NIGHT
The Doctor is stranded on the empty fields, surrounded by mass graves.
WHISPERS
This was you…
DOCTOR
Who's that? Who's there?!
WHISPERS
Every single death on this planet is down to you. You are not a good man.
DOCTOR
I'm trying to be better!
WHISPERS
Trying is not enough. YOU are not a good man!
He sprints away. A shadow falls before him.
DOCTOR
Identify yourself.
FEARMAKER
You may call me… Fear.
DOCTOR
No.
FEARMAKER
Excuse me?
DOCTOR
Fear? I don't think so. Fearmaker is a better title. You are not my fears. You are just an embodiment of them. You replicate them, you make them, so fearmaker is a better title.
FEARMAKER
It doesn't matter what you call me. You cannot escape.
DOCTOR
What are you? Why are you here?
FEARMAKER
I have always been here.
DOCTOR
On this mountain?
FEARMAKER
My source has breathed this air for eternity.
DOCTOR
What is your source? Where is it?
FEARMAKER
Deep inside.
DOCTOR
What does that mean? You're not making sense!
FEARMAKER
Your friends are dying, more souls shall be taken under your care.
DOCTOR
No. I won't allow it! I won't!
FEARMAKER
You have no choice.
DOCTOR
Where is Clara?! What have you done to her?!
The shadow disappears.
DOCTOR
This isn't real. I deny its existence. I only feel it because of the visual stimulus entering my brain, but if I step outside…
He feels the ice, and uses it to pull him out of the environment.
19 INT. CAVE - NIGHT
The Doctor wakes up, to see the other three lying on a floor - and something on top of Clara, but we can't make out what it is. Only the Doctor can.
DOCTOR
You let her go. I'm not scared of you as long as she's in danger.
The Fearmaker screeches, and evaporates into a bright light and folds up into a small box. [Track 10 ends] He runs to Clara. [Track 11: Someone Loves Us]
DOCTOR
Clara! Clara, wake up!
CLARA
Eh? Oh… Doctor.
DOCTOR
You're okay now. Tenzing, Edmund!
He shakes them awake.
EDMUND
What's going on?
NORGAY
It's dark. How long have we been sleeping for?
DOCTOR
A few hours.
CLARA
That dream… It felt so real.
DOCTOR
It fed off your anxieties, your nightmares.
CLARA
What did?
The Doctor picks up the metal box.
DOCTOR
This did. "The Fearmaker". Someone thought that climbing the tallest mountain in the world wasn't challenging enough, decided to leave a little prank for climbers. Must've gotten a little damaged by the weather and started killing people.
CLARA
So every climber who didn't make it back…
DOCTOR
Maybe not every climber, but… some of them may have died from fright rather than Everest.
NORGAY
That's sick.
HILLARY
How can such a small box provide so much terror?
DOCTOR
It's very advanced, definitely not from Earth. It's likely someone just passed by and dropped it off at the highest point.
HILLARY
It's… it's horrible. Who would do that?
DOCTOR
Not everyone in the Universe is kind.
He grimaces.
CLARA
The fog's clearing.
The mist begins to disappear, and the Doctor finds the sonic lying on the floor. He pockets it, then turns back to the group.
HILLARY
We'll kip here, regain our strength, then start moving early morning. Seems a good a place as any.
The Doctor nods, looking out of the cave entrance to the vast mountain range.
20 EXT. HILLARY STEP - DAY
29th May 1953 (11:02) - 28,990 feet above Sea Level.
The mountaineers reach a large crack in the face between the rock wall and the ice.
HILLARY
This looks like a smooth ascension point. I think this… this should take us to the summit. We're almost there.
DOCTOR
You go on ahead, we'll just catch our breath.
HILLARY
We can wait.
DOCTOR
No, no. This is your moment. Don't let a few... Scottish nationalists hold you up.
Hillary shakes the Doctor's hand.
HILLARY
See you at the top, sir. Ma'am.
NORGAY
Good luck.
CLARA
Same to you.
Hillary and Norgay approach the rock face and wedge their pickaxes into it, pulling themselves up.
DOCTOR
The Hillary Step. The first time anyone has ever climbed it.
CLARA
Are we not going with them?
DOCTOR
Like you said, Clara. We cheated. Those two men got to the peak with minimal resources and determination. Let them have their moment. Let history resume as normal.
The Doctor starts walking back down the slopes.
CLARA
History's not exactly normal. They're going to be talking about us, aren't they?
DOCTOR
The oxygen is so thin up here, they can barely remember it. The Fearmaker probably scrambled their heads a bit too. In fact, no-one quite knows who got up there first - Hillary or Norgay.
CLARA
And what about the Fearmaker?
DOCTOR
It was lashing off my fear of you dying, but whilst you were in danger, I wasn't scared. I couldn't be. I starved it, and it dispersed. And with the device safely stored away in the TARDIS vaults, it can't do any harm.
CLARA
Right… how are we getting to the TARDIS? Are we climbing all the way down?
DOCTOR
Let's get a lift.
The Doctor sonics the TARDIS key, and the blue box materialises in front of them.
CLARA
...Cheater.
They hop inside. [Track 11 ends]
21 EXT. SUMMIT - DAY
29th May 1953 (11:30) - 29,030 feet above Sea Level.
[Track 12: Wakanda Tag] Hillary and Norgay walk together towards the peak, basking in the view. The top of the world, Planet Earth under their feet. The snow is almost blinding, reflecting the Sun and sparkling, almost like diamonds are buried in the snow; but the sight of the mountain is a jewel to behold in itself, a secret world above the clouds. With the air thin, it's possible that even the world is breathless at its own grandeur. They smile to each other, and then gaze out. [Track 12 ends]
ROLL CREDITS
NEXT EPISODE: Boiling Point