Starring
Patrick Troughton
Serinda Swan
Episode 1
(Inside the Tardis console room, the Doctor is operating the controls.)
DOCTOR: There we are. In perfect flight.
POLLY: Yes, and look what happened last time.
DOCTOR: Oh, that. Well, the Princess was the one flying.
PRINCESS: Hey!
DOCTOR: Sorry. Oh! I've just had a thought…
(The Doctor wonders out of the console room.)
BEN: What are you up to now?
(The Doctor returns with a strange cap like helmet covered with wires and lights and a long thick cable running out the back.)
POLLY: Doctor, what is that?!
DOCTOR: Just a little something I've been dabbling with.
PRINCESS: Is this what you were talking about earlier?
DOCTOR: Yes, exactly.
PRINCESS: I thought it'd look a bit…tidier.
DOCTOR: (Frowning) Yes, well, it is just a prototype, remember.
JAMIE: A what?
BEN: Yeah, what is it, Doctor? A prototype of what?
DOCTOR: It's something that should hopefully allow the Princess to control her premonitions, and allow us to see them too.
JAMIE: Oh, Doctor, I don't know. The second sight can be mighty dangerous.
DOCTOR: Oh, nonsense.
BEN: How will we see these premonitions then?
DOCTOR: Through the scanner. It's simple enough. Just, plug this in here. (Plugs the cable from the helmet into the console) Then the Princess puts this on.
(The Princess takes off her top hat and puts it on the glass column in the centre of the console. She then puts on the helmet the Doctor hands her.)
POLLY: And you're sure this is safe, Doctor?
DOCTOR: About as sure as I can be when dealing with the unknown.
PRINCESS: Sounds good to me, let's try it out.
DOCTOR: Right, switching on. (Activates controls on console) Try to focus, Princess.
(The Princess seems to be staring off into space. The scanner overhead shows nothing but static. But then, the static begins to clear. And through it, something can be seen.)
POLLY: Doctor…look!
(The picture clears on the scanner, revealing a huge pincer like claw. They all stare at it in horror, except for the Princess who is still in a trance. But then sparks suddenly shoot out of the console frightening the rest of them. The picture on the scanner turns back to static, as more sparks fly from the console. The Doctor begins whacking the console with his handkerchief.)
POLLY: Oh, not again!
BEN: Doctor, what have you done!
JAMIE: What's happening?!
DOCTOR: It's–It's nothing. Just a bit of feedback, that's all.
(Suddenly the Princess collapses. As she does the cable connected to the console is yanked out, and upon hitting the ground, the helmet she is wearing is damaged.)
JAMIE: Princess!
POLLY: Is she all right?!
(They all quickly gather around her.)
PRINCESS: (Murmuring) Ben… Ben…
BEN: I'm right here, Princess.
PRINCESS: Ben…fight it… Fight it, Ben…
BEN: Eh, what's she on about?
PRINCESS: Hair…don't like… Oh, Medok… We can't leave…here, Jamie… Come with…Mavis…sorry… Cheerleaders…dancers…Highland… So…merry…merry… Mary had…a little lamb…
POLLY: She's rambling.
JAMIE: Have you bewitched her, Doctor?
DOCTOR: No, not now, Jamie. Hold on, she's coming to.
BEN: Let's get this thing off her.
(Ben pulls the broken helmet off the Princess' head as the Doctor helps her sit up.)
PRINCESS: Ow… Head hurts.
DOCTOR: Yes, sorry about that.
POLLY: Clearly that machine of yours needs some work.
(Ben holds up the broken helmet, with bits still falling off the side.)
BEN: A lot by the look of it.
PRINCESS: Oh. I'm sorry, Doctor. I didn't mean to break it.
DOCTOR: It's quite all right.
JAMIE: I told you it was dangerous.
DOCTOR: Yes, thank you, Jamie. We'll make sure to heed your advice in future.
POLLY: What was all that you were muttering just now, Princess? Another premonition?
PRINCESS: What?
POLLY: Don't you remember?
PRINCESS: (Rubs head) Only bits. I remember that giant claw. And there's a face. A scared face I can see in my mind. But it's…it's becoming forgery the more I think.
DOCTOR: Just relax. It'll come back in time. Best to let these things occur naturally.
BEN: Says the bloke who just tried to control it.
DOCTOR: Yes, well, we won't be doing that again any time soon.
(The Doctor takes the helmet from Ben.)
DOCTOR: (Murmuring) Not until I've repaired it anyway.
(The Doctor walks out of the console room. As he does, the Princess retrieves her top hat form the glass column in the console.)
JAMIE: Do you really remember nothing of what just happened, Princess?
(Having dusted off her hat, the Princess returns it to its proper spot atop her head.)
PRINCESS: Like I said, just the claw and the vague face. Why, what else did I say?
POLLY: Well, you kept telling Ben to, 'Fight,' something. There was also something about hair and not being able to leave. You mentioned some strange names, then started singing Mary had a little lamb.
PRINCESS: That does sound odd.
JAMIE: But that beastie, that was what you saw before us?
PRINCESS: Yes.
JAMIE: Do you know when we'll face it?
PRINCESS: No idea. For all I know it could be weeks before we run into it.
(The Doctor returns to the console room.)
DOCTOR: Ah, good, we're just about ready to land.
JAMIE: Aye, well, I'll not be caught off guard. When that beastie does turn up, I'll be ready for it.
DOCTOR: Beastie, what beastie?
BEN: The one we saw on the scanner.
DOCTOR: Oh, that. Yes… Actually, perhaps I'll be able to ascertain some more information with the aid of the Tardis.
POLLY: But I thought you said we were landing.
DOCTOR: Well, I can multitask.
(Polly and Ben share uncertain looks. But nevertheless, the Tardis' materialisation goes smoothly. The glass column in the centre of the console gradually slows, before stopping completely. And the wheezing engines exhale with their usual final humph before a gentle thud resounds.)
DOCTOR: There we are, down safely.
POLLY: Unless there's something out there waiting for us.
PRINCESS: Let' see shall we. Maybe there's a greeting party for us.
BEN: (Sceptical) Yeah, maybe.
(The Princess activates the scanner. It shows the view from a cliff-edge, looking out across a rocky planet, with ridges and valleys down below. As the picture rotates, it shows more of the spacious cliff-edge, revealing a gap in the ridge they've landed next to.)
PRINCESS: Looks safe enough.
POLLY: Come on then, open the doors.
(The Princess activates the door controls, as part of the console room wall opens up, revealing the outside. The Princess and Polly are about to step outside, when Jamie hurries out in front of them, a stick in hand.)
JAMIE: Now, wait just a minute, you two. I'll go first.
PRINCESS: All right, if that's what you want.
(Jamie gingerly exits the Tardis, tense and alert, as he clutches his stick tightly. Grinning, Ben follows him out. Polly goes after them, with the Princess about to follow.)
DOCTOR: Princess.
PRINCESS: Yes?
DOCTOR: Come and see this.
(The Princess joins the Doctor by the console, where he's been reading from one of the read-outs.)
DOCTOR: (Pointing) What do you make of that?
PRINCESS: What's it for?
DOCTOR: It's registering the approximate size of that thing we saw on the scanner. The one from your premonition.
PRINCESS: Really? That's quite…big, isn't it?
DOCTOR: Very.
(From outside the Tardis there's a shout, followed by Ben's laughter.)
POLLY: (From outside) Oh! Oh, Ben, for goodness sake.
BEN: (From outside) Well, what's the big stick for, Jamie? Nothing's happened yet.
JAMIE: (From outside) Have you no sense? Have you forgotten what the Princess prophesied?
POLLY: Don't. It was horrible.
JAMIE: Aye. Well, I'm not being left without nothing to defend ourselves with.
(The Princess and Doctor exit the police box onto the cliff edge to join their companions.)
DOCTOR: I'm afraid you're wasting your time, Jamie.
JAMIE: Why?
DOCTOR: Unless I'm very much mistaken, these creatures are so big, they're going to see us long before we see them.
JAMIE: What'd ya mean?
PRINCESS: Oh, what was his name again?
POLLY: Who's name, Princess?
PRINCESS: (Pointing) His name, the one sneaking up behind Jamie.
(The rest of the time travellers turn around to see a man, in a ripped and torn uniform of sorts, with a messy, thick beard coming towards them through gap in the ridge.)
POLLY: Look out, Jamie!
BEN: Hang on, mate, I'll get him!
(Ben dives for the man, tackling him to the ground.)
DOCTOR: Well done, Ben.
PRINCESS: Be gentle.
POLLY: Be careful, Ben!
DOCTOR: Jamie, help him!
JAMIE: Oh, no. Ben will handle him.
DOCTOR: Don't argue, Jamie–
JAMIE: Come on, Ben!
POLLY: Sit on top of him, Ben!
PRINCESS: He's not a chair, Polly.
JAMIE: Roll him over on his back!
DOCTOR: Yes, that it!
PRINCESS: Pull his hand behind his back.
JAMIE: Aye, hold him. That's it.
DOCTOR: Well done, Ben!
(Ben has managed to restrain the man on his knees and is holding his hands behind his back.)
POLLY: Ben, are you all right?
PRINCESS: Don't be too hard, Ben. We want to talk to him.
(Then, from out of the gap in the ridge, steps a larger man – Ola – in a similar but different uniform to the first man. With him are three men in dark uniforms, carrying guns.)
OLA: We don't know who you are, strangers, but we are grateful. Medok is one of our last patients in the Colony.
PRINCESS: Medok! That was your name.
(Ola signals for his guards to take Medok from Ben.)
OLA: We've done our best for him, but he gets worse day by day. I wasn't informed you were travelling across our territory.
(Ola snaps his fingers and one of the guards steps forward.)
OLA: Hurry back to the Colony and tell the Pilot what's happened.
(The guard leaves, while the other two hold onto Medok.)
BEN: Pilot?
OLA: Yes, the Pilot of our Colony. No doubt he will want to thank you in person. (To guards) Tie him up tighter. Come on, tighter. I don't want any more trouble with him. Come on, I'll show you myself.
PRINCESS: There's no need–
(The Doctor pulls the Princess back and shakes his head. The Princess unhappily, remains silent.)
JAMIE: Er, any good asking?
DOCTOR: Asking what?
JAMIE: Where we are, Doctor?
DOCTOR: Well, according to my calculations we're certainly in the future, and on a planet very like the Earth.
JAMIE: How do you know?
DOCTOR: I don't know. I'm guessing.
(Ola, having secured Medok, comes over to the time travellers.)
OLA: My name is Ola. I am the Chief of Police.
POLLY: That sounds very important.
OLA: Oh, it's a very responsible job. I take my instructions from our Control centre. Oh, it all works very well, as you will see. Please follow me.
DOCTOR: Oh, thank you.
(The time travellers begin to follow Ola through the gap in the ridge. As the Doctor passes Medok and the guards however…)
DOCTOR: Not too tight. It's bad for the blood pressure.
(The Doctor continues on, smiling at the Princess who smiles back. The guards then follow them through, dragging Medok with them. And through the gap in the ridge, on a nearby cliff sits a large city – the Colony.)
(Later, the time travellers are escorted into an office by Ola. It's a nice, office, with a large desk, behind which sits a man in a similar uniform to Ola – the Pilot. Behind him is a large screen that is currently turned off. And over the speaker systems, all across the Colony, a merry tune is playing.)
SINGER: (Singing, from speaker) Ra ra ra ra ra ra ra ra! Danke schön, danke schön. Number one! Tan tan tan tan tan ta tan tan tan!
PRINCESS: (Looking up) Your welcome.
JAMIE: Eh?
(Polly and Ben grin.)
OLA: Pilot, these are the strangers that have helped us.
PILOT: Very well, Ola. I will look after our guests. You will no doubt wish to take care of poor Medok. You may leave.
PRINCESS: Perhaps we can help Medok. My friend here's a doctor.
DOCTOR: Yes. Perhaps we could–
(The Pilot stands up from his desk.)
PILOT: Oh, thank you, but you've done more than enough already. No stay, please, Ola can see to Medok.
(Ola, eyes narrowing on the Princess, leaves.)
PRINCESS: I don't think he likes me.
PILOT: Nonsense! Ola, can be a bit rough around the edges, but he's as merry as the next man. (To Doctor) Though, one might say the opposite of you, from the way Ola says you handled Medok.
DOCTOR: Well, actually that was my good friend Ben.
PILOT: (To Ben) Then you are indeed a brave man to tackle someone as disturbed as Medok.
BEN: Thanks.
PRINCESS: He didn't seem that disturbed.
POLLY: You must be joking, Princess.
JAMIE: Aye, that one definitely had a touch of the mad eye about him.
DOCTOR: (To Pilot) Well, this is merry! Why all the music?
PILOT: Oh, we regulate our day by music.
POLLY: What a good idea.
PILOT: I'm glad you approve. And now, my friends, I suggest you take advantage of our refreshing department.
BEN: Lead me to it mate. I'm starving!
PILOT: Oh, you will eat later. Here we revive the weary body.
BEN: Oh…
(The Pilot leads the time travellers out of the office. But before leaving, Jamie pulls the Princess back.)
JAMIE: I don't know that I like this, Princess.
PRINCESS: What do you mean?
JAMIE: They're a weird sort of folk. I don't know that I trust them. You have nae had another premonition, have ye?
PRINCESS: Not since we left the Tardis, no.
JAMIE: Well, keep your eyes open, just in case.
PRINCESS: Always, Jamie.
(The Princess and Jamie follow the rest of the time travellers out of the office.)
(A short while later, the Pilot leads the time travellers into a reception room. One with many doorways, a water feature and another big screen that takes up an entire wall. A man is waiting, somewhat anxiously for them – Barney. Upon seeing the Pilot enter with the time travellers, who are admiring the Colony, he rushes up to them.)
BARNEY: Pilot! Pilot, Control wish you to call them immediately. They wish to welcome our guests.
PILOT: Oh, but of course. Switch on please, my dear.
(The receptionist presses a button next to the big screen and it turns on, showing a picture of a handsome man's face.)
POLLY: Hey, who's that? He looks smashing.
PILOT: That's our Controller.
CONTROLLER: (From speaker) We wish to welcome joyfully the visitors to our Colony. We are very grateful to them. They have performed a valuable service. The Colony is to make our guests happy and contented during their stay. Welcome again, friends. Now, back to work everyone.
POLLY: Well, that was great. I'm really going to enjoy myself.
PILOT: Splendid! And now, my good friends, let me put you into the hands of our supervisor, Barney. 'Dear old Barney,' everybody calls him!
BARNEY: Thank you, Pilot.
PILOT: And I must leave you for work calls, you know. And hard work never hurt anybody. (Everyone laughs, except Jamie) Till later!
(The pilot walks out, with the Princess watching him go.)
BARNEY: Delighted to see you. Delighted to have you with us. Now, you have a complete choice of all our treatments. We have steam baths, beauty treatments, perhaps a massage…
(As Barney continues to list off the features of the refreshing department, the Princess eyes a nearby coat stand that's about the same hight as her. Carefully, she steps back, unnoticed, before quickly placing her top hat on top of the stand. From Barney's perspective, it looks like she's still there at the back of the group, allowing the Princess to sneak out the door unnoticed.)
(A short while later, the Princess is walking about the Colony streets, when she comes across a crowd. Like everyone else, they also wear a uniform. Making her way through the crowd, the Princess embeds herself in a position to see what is happening. Before the crowd, Ola and his men are leading Medok along the side of the building in front.)
OLA: Come on, move back. This prisoner's not to be trusted. He's violent and suffering from delusions.
MEDOK: I'm not the one suffering from delusions, it's you. All of you!
(The Princess hears the sobbing of a woman near the front of the crowd. She looks, spotting a red haired woman – Mavis.)
MAVIS: Medok. Medok, please…
(Upon spotting Mavis, Medok softens his tone.)
MEDOK: Mavis. Mavis, you don't understand. You don't know what's happening in this Colony.
OLA: Be quiet, Medok!
MEDOK: There's only one way to silence me, Ola.
MAVIS: Medok, please. What's happened to you?
OLA: It's no good, Mavis, you can't reason with him.
MAVIS: But he's my husband, Ola. Just let me talk to him, please. (Ola snorts) Medok, please, forget about what you saw, it's not real.
MEDOK: It is real, you fool!
(Mavis sobs harder.)
MEDOK: I'm sorry. Mavis, I'm sorry… But there are things, horrible things. Creatures infesting this Colony at night.
OLA: That's enough.
MEDOK: Go out at night and you'll see them, Mavis!
OLA: I said that's enough.
(Ola hits Medok, at which Mavis cries. She tries to get close, but friends hold her back.)
OLA: It's for his own good, Mavis. Now, has anyone seen the pilot?
MAN: He's with the strangers. I've no idea where they are.
(The Princess shrinks down a little, hoping not to be spotted in the crowd by Ola. Suddenly, the huge screen on the side of the building lights up, as the same picture of the Controller as before appears.)
CONTROLLER: Back to work. Shift rest is over. No time to be lost. The Colony needs you. Preparation to be made for tonight's reception, a welcome for the strangers.
MAVIS: Medok, you used to love the parties, remember. Please, forget about what you saw and join us. It'll be like it used to be.
MEDOK: Mavis–
CONTROLLER: It will be fun for all!
MEDOK: No! I won't partake in this charade anymore! My eyes are open. I only wish I could open yours Mavis.
MAVIS: Oh, Medok…
MEDOK: If you listen to one thing, Mavis, listen to this. Get out. Get out before they crawl all over you!
OLA: That's enough! Right, get back all of you.
(Ola and his guards drag away Medok quickly, as he tries feebly to get away. The crowd watch as he's taken into another building, before then dispersing, returning to their work. But not Mavis, who remains where she's stood, sobbing to herself. With the crowd gone, the Princess is the only one who remains. She approaches her carefully.)
PRINCESS: Excuse me?
(Mavis jumps, turning around to see the Princess.)
MAVIS: Who are you?!
PRINCESS: I'm sorry, I didn't mean to frighten you. I'm the Princess, I'm one of the strangers.
MAVIS: Princess…
PRINCESS: Yes. We found your husband when we arrived.
MAVIS: You helped bring him back! Oh, thank you. (Takes Princess' hands) Thank you, miss.
PRINCESS: It's quite all right. But I was wondering, what happened to him, if you don't mind me asking?
MAVIS: Oh, it was terrible. One morning he just wanted to leave, tried to take me with him. He kept going on about these creatures he'd seen that night.
PRINCESS: Did you see anything?
MAVIS: Of course not. They don't exist, it's all in his head.
PRINCESS: But what if they are real, like Medok says?
MAVIS: They aren't. It's happened to quite a few people unfortunately.
PRINCESS: Really?
MAVIS: Yes. But less and less as time goes on. Hopefully Medok will be the last one. Anyway, I must get to work.
PRINCESS: But wouldn't you rather be with Medok? I'm sure your presence would help him.
MAVIS: No. Family and friends aren't allowed to be present during correction. Anyway, I'd probably only get in the way. Now, I really must be off. Goodbye.
PRINCESS: Wait–!
(But Mavis has already run off, leaving the Princess alone. That is until she turns around, looking to the shadow of the nearby building. From out of the shadow comes the Doctor, who approaches the Princess. As he does, he pulls out the Princess' hat, holding it out to her.)
DOCTOR: You left this behind.
PRINCESS: Thank you.
(The Princess takes her top hat and puts it back on her head.)
PRINCESS: Where are the others?
DOCTOR: I left them to finish refreshing. What have you found out?
PRINCESS: That nobody believes Medok, not even his own wife. And that he's not the first to see these creatures.
DOCTOR: So, he's not insane. Not completely anyway.
PRINCESS: We should talk with him.
DOCTOR: I was about to say the same thing.
PRINCESS: They took him this way.
(The Princess leads the Doctor in the direction Medok was dragged off in by Ola and his men.)
(Later on, in a grey metallic corridor, the Doctor and Princess are making their way along a corridor, when they reach a corner. Hearing noises, the Doctor stops himself and the Princess at the corner. He carefully peers around. At the end, outside a metal door, two guards have just exited the room. One locks the door behind them, before they proceed down another corridor. The coast now clear, the Doctor turns back to tell the Princess it's safe, only to find her gone. He looks around in shock, before spotting her already down the corridor outside the metal door. The Doctor looks around in panic, before hurrying down the corridor to join her. When he reaches her, he taps her furiously on the shoulder.)
DOCTOR: (Hissing) Don't do that.
PRINCESS: Why not?
DOCTOR: Because… Well, you gave me a very big shock.
PRINCESS: I thought you saw. Anyway, keep watch while I–
CHICKI: While you what?
(The Doctor and Princess turn around, finding another young red headed woman – Chicki – behind them.)
PRINCESS: While I…I look for my missing card. I dropped it around here somewhere.
DOCTOR: (Chuckling) She's always losing them.
PRINCESS: I am not!
(The Princess gets down on her hands and knees and begins looking about the floor.)
DOCTOR: (To Chicki) So sorry, are we in your way?
CHICKI: No.
PRINCESS: Shouldn't you be working right now? You didn't miss the announcement, did you?
(Chicki scowls at the Princess, before walking off.)
DOCTOR: (Calling) See you at the reception, perhaps!
(The Princess gets up off the floor.)
DOCTOR: (To Princess) See the trouble you cause when you sneak off on your own.
PRINCESS: Want me to stop doing it?
DOCTOR: No, of course not, don't be so silly. Now, let's get this door open.
(The Doctor finishes what the Princess started and picks the lock of the door. Opening the door, it leads into a stone brick room with a single jail cell made of traditional steel bars. Inside sits Medok on a stone slab, his hands tied to the bars of the cell with rope. As the Doctor and Princess enter the room, Medok spots them.)
MEDOK: You two?! What are you doing here?!
DOCTOR: We're going to set you free.
(The Doctor and Princess approach the cell, at which point the Doctor begins untying Medok's hands.)
DOCTOR: Just hold still a minute… There we are. One more.
(The Doctor finishes untying Medok who rubs his sore wrists.)
DOCTOR: Don't bother to say thank you.
(Medok grumbles something inaudible.)
PRINCESS: Medok, can you tell us about these things that you've seen?
MEDOK: Why would you want to know?
PRINCESS: Maybe we've seen them to.
MEDOK: No, you haven't. If you had, you'd be in here with me.
DOCTOR: Well, do the creatures you saw have big pincer like claws?
(Medok looks up slowly.)
MEDOK: How do you know?
PRINCESS: We told you, we saw them.
MEDOK: When?
DOCTOR: Oh, we shan't bother you with that. Now, let's get this door unlocked.
(The Doctor begins working on the lock to the cell door. Medok hears something.)
MEDOK: Listen.
PRINCESS: To what?
(The Doctor finishes unlock the door.)
MEDOK: (Panicked) Someone's coming.
(Medok opens the cell door, but the Doctor prevents him from exiting the cell.)
DOCTOR: It's all right, we won't let them hurt you.
MEDOK: Get out of my way.
DOCTOR: Why don't you listen to me?!
PRINCESS: We want to help you, Medok–
MEDOK: I am not being caught!
(Medok shoves the Doctor aside and into the Princess causing the two to topple to the ground. Taking his chance, Medok runs out the door and flees down the corridor.)
GUARD: (From corridor) Stop him! Don't let him escape!
(Alarms start going off.)
OLA: (From corridor) How did he get away? Who's responsible?
(Ola and the Pilot enter the room, finding the Doctor and Princess sat on the floor next to one another, smiling innocently. Ola isn't happy, while the Pilot is confused.)
PILOT: What happened?
PRINCESS: We wanted to talk with Medok, see if we could help him.
DOCTOR: We told him he wouldn't get hurt and he wouldn't believe us.
PILOT: You mean you let him go?
DOCTOR: Well, no, not exactly.
PRINCESS: We just…unlocked the door.
DOCTOR: But he opened.
PRINCESS: Yes, he opened.
OLA: They let the prisoner escape. That is a crime in this Colony. For that, men must work in the pit.
PRINCESS: What about girls? Do we get a special exception?
OLA: Guards!
(A guard enters, but behind him are Polly, Jamie and Ben.)
POLLY: You can't arrest them. They don't know your laws.
PILOT: That's true, Ola. They are strangers here.
DOCTOR: There's something else you're forgetting, gentlemen. We set free someone that we caught in the first place.
PILOT: True. A reasonable point of view, Ola.
DOCTOR: It is? I mean, it is!
OLA: Medok is dangerous.
PRINCESS: Oh, I don't think so.
OLA: You hardly know him. The Colony will be petrified when they know he's out there in the night.
PILOT: Well, send your patrol after him. He can't have got far.
DOCTOR: He can run, you know. He's got legs.
PRINCESS: And arms. No claws though.
OLA: Why do you say that?
DOCTOR: Oh, don't mind her. My friend here can say some strange things from time to time.
(Ola leans over the Princess.)
OLA: Anyone who spreads that kind of rumour in this Colony, will find themselves in the hospital for correction.
PRINCESS: What rumour?
OLA: The one you just said.
PRINCESS: Which would be?
(Ola snarls at the Princess, who presses herself against the bars of the jail to get further way from Ola.)
PILOT: I think you will both understand more about Medok if you talk to some of the people who knew him best.
PRINCESS: I already spoke with his wife.
OLA: When?
PRINCESS: Before the work shift. She seemed very upset. Probably because she couldn't visit her husband.
DOCTOR: Tell us, why can't family and friends visit people in the correction facility?
OLA: Pilot, these two are–
PILOT: Take the strangers to the labour centre, Ola.
OLA: But, Pilot–
PILOT: There they can learn more about us, and perhaps Medok as well.
DOCTOR: Oh, well, thank you.
PILOT: Of course.
POLLY: Here, let me help you up, Princess.
PRINCESS: Oh, my gosh, Polly!
POLLY: What?
PRINCESS: Your hair! You've changed it.
BEN: She had a haircut, Princess, that's all.
PRINCESS: I don't like it short.
POLLY: I'm not too sure about it myself, but I didn't get much of a chance to object.
PRINCESS: (To Doctor) It's a good thing you got my hat out of there. Who knows what they would've done to it?
BEN: Come on, you two, let's get a move on.
(Ben helps the Doctor up, while Polly helps the Princess. Then, the time travellers are escorted out by Ola and his guards.)
(A short while later, while walking through the Colony, the time travellers are being led by the guards, while Ola and some more guards walk behind them. As they walk, the Doctor stops, looking to a boarded-up building.)
OLA: What is it?
DOCTOR: Nothing.
OLA: Keep walking then.
(The group continue on past the boarded-up house, seemingly unaware that Medok is watching them from inside.)
(A short while later, the time travellers are led into a room filled with desks and people working at computers.)
OLA: Pete.
(A dark-haired man in uniform comes over – Pete)
OLA: I have to attended to the search. I'll leave the strangers in your care. (Leaning in) They're not to be left unsupervised and aren't to leave here, understood.
(Pete nods his understanding.)
OLA: (To time travellers) I'll return later.
DOCTOR: Oh, well, don't hurry on our account.
(Ola exits the room, taking his guards with him.)
PRINCESS: Pete?
PETE: Yes.
PRINCESS: You wouldn't happen to know where we could find Medok's wife, Mavis, would you? Only I was thinking we should check in on her, see how she's doing.
PETE: She works in a different sector. But have no fear, she'll be taken care of.
(The screen on the walls turns on, showing the face of the Controller.)
CONTROLLER: (From speaker) This is your Controller speaking. There is no need for alarm. You may all continue your work and play confident that the best is being done for you. But our unfortunate companion Medok has been allowed to escape. Emergency Patrols two and three are now searching the Colony, and he is sure to be caught before it is dark. Now, return to your work and play with fresh heart and renewed energy.
(The screen then turns off.)
BEN: They've got that bloke all over the place like a blinking politician.
PETE: He is our Controller. We're always pleased to see him. He brings us encouragement.
BEN: Oh, he's not a politician then.
CONTROLLER: (From speaker) Number nine shift to stand by. Leader to report to Youth Centre.
PETE: Work shift ready to leave.
(The workers behind the desks stand up, but remain where they are. Then, a merry tune begins to play.)
SINGER: (From speaker) We're happy to work, we're happy to play….
(The workers file out in time to the tune.)
JAMIE: That's a nice wee tune.
BEN: Yeah, if you happen to like work.
PRINCESS: Music can make even the most mundane of jobs fun, Ben.
PETE: It's a privilege to work for the Colony.
(As the last of the workers file out, another batch of workers enter, taking up the spaces of those who have just left. One of them approaches Pete and the time travellers.)
SHIFT LEADER: Shift leader reporting. Shift number nine, all present and correct.
PETE: Good. You're the first of the night shifts.
JAMIE: What do you do then? Farming or fishing?
PETE: We work very hard here.
DOCTOR: Yes, but what do you do?
PETE: We tap and refine gas.
POLLY: For heating?
PETE: No, we use it for many things. The Colony depends on it. It's absolutely essential.
PRINCESS: Essential for what?
PETE: It is essential for the Colony.
DOCTOR: Yes, but how so? If it's not for heating the buildings, then do you sell it? Or does it lead into the production of food somehow?
PETE: I don't–
(An alarm goes off.)
SHIFT LEADER: Emergency!
(Pete races over to a desk and grabs a phone, while the rest of the workers continue working as if nothing is happening.)
PETE: (Into phone) Accident. Stand by, oxygen supply. (To Shift Leader) Any other losses?
SHIFT LEADER: Two with gas sickness.
(The Doctor taps the Princess' shoulder, before nodding towards the door. She nods in agreement, before the two sneak out unnoticed.)
(The Doctor and Princess have returned to the boarded-up building they passed before. Casually they lean back against the building, next to an open window.)
DOCTOR: I saw you.
(Medok appears at the window.)
MEDOK: (Hissing) Get out!
PRINCESS: Out of where? We're not in there with you, are we?
MEDOK: Who else knows I'm here?
DOCTOR: No one.
PRINCESS: We could tell someone if you like, perhaps Mavis–
MEDOK: No!
DOCTOR: Don't you want your wife to know your safe?
MEDOK: She'll turn me in.
PRINCESS: But don't you love one another?
MEDOK: Yes, of course, but… She–She doesn't believe me. She believes there lies.
DOCTOR: You mean she doesn't believe in the creatures we've seen.
MEDOK: Yes.
PRINCESS: Why not?
MEDOK: Control doesn't want them to. That's why the put people like me, people who have seen them in the correction hospital. They'll put me back there if they catch me. And they'll put you in there for helping me.
JAMIE: (Calling) Doctor?!
BEN: (Calling) Princess?!
MEDOK: Go on, quickly. They're looking for you.
(Medok moves out of sight.)
POLLY: Doctor, Princess?!
PRINCESS: But, Medok, we need to–
(The Doctor takes the Princess' arm and leads her away from the boarded-up building.)
DOCTOR: Later, Princess. We'll come back later.
(As they walk away, the Doctor pulls out his recorder and begins to play. Up ahead, by one of the buildings, Ben, Polly and Jamie are searching with Ola and some of his men. But upon hearing the music from the Doctor's recorder, they stop and see them approaching. The time travellers chuckle and giggle, as the Doctor and Princess join them.)
DOCTOR: Were you looking for us?
PRINCESS: Sorry, we just wanted to look around, that's all.
OLA: It's dangerous to go off on your own after dark.
DOCTOR: But it's not dark, not yet.
OLA: The sun is setting.
PRINCESS: Oh, can we watch it, I love a good sunset.
OLA: No, you may not. Everyone is confined to rest cubicles before nightfall by order of Control. Anyone who wanders round the Colony at night may be killed.
DOCTOR: Killed by who?
OLA: By me and my men.
(The huge screen on the side of the building comes on, once again showing the still picture of the Controller's face.)
CONTROL: Curfew time. All personnel not on duty must retire to quarters.
OLA: Do you hear that?
PRINCESS: Shh. I can't hear.
CONTROL: Emergency patrols two and three to remain on duty. Work shifts to remain at their posts until dawn. Visitors to retire for the night to the refreshing department.
OLA: That's you. You'll be confined there for the night.
(Later, back at the refreshing department, the Doctor and Princess are led into a small room with two beds by Barney.)
BARNEY: Here we are, Doctor, Princess. Your young friends are in the room over there.
(The Doctor sits down on one bed, taking out his recorder, while the Princess climbs up on the other bed, standing on it. She then tries bouncing, but finds her top hat prevents her from doing so as it's touching the ceiling.)
PRINCESS: Not very big these rooms, are they? Could barely fit a crab in them.
BARNEY: Pardon?
DOCTOR: I'm sure the room will do for tonight. (To Barney) Thank you.
(Barney is silent for a moment.)
BARNEY: I hope you both sleep well.
PRINCESS: Oh, that's kind of you. Tell me, do you sleep well, Barney?
BARNEY: Oh, yes. Everyone in the Colony sleeps very well.
DOCTOR: Interesting. Well, goodnight.
PRINCESS: Goodnight.
BARNEY: Goodnight, Doctor. Goodnight, Princess.
(Barney then leaves, the door sliding shut behind him. The Doctor moves his fingers over the recorder but doesn't actually play, while the Princess hops down off the bed. The Princess then makes the bed so that it looks like there's someone in it, before removing her top hat and placing it on the makeshift person that's in the bed. Now it looks like she's asleep in the bed. At the same time, the Doctor does the same with his bed but leaves behind his recorder, as if the person is bed is about to play it. The Doctor and Princess, smiling proudly, high-five, before realising their mistake and shushing one another. They both almost laugh, but manage not to, before creeping over to the door. They open it, but find the corridor is thankfully clear. And so, they sneak out, down the corridor.)
(In the reception of the refreshing department, the Doctor and Princess sneak out from one of the doors. They follow the wall, passing underneath the huge screen, when it suddenly turns on, giving them both a fright.)
CONTROL: (From speaker) It is now dark. No one will go outside into the Colony. A dangerous man is in hiding. Our patrols have orders to shoot on sight. Happy sleep time, everybody.
DOCTOR: (Mutters) Same to you.
(The Doctor and Princess continue, exiting the refreshing department.)
(Outside, in the streets of the Colony, single guards patrol the streets, armed. Other guards man watchtowers, casting spotlights over the Colony. Others stand guard in groups by exits or specific buildings. The Doctor and Princess manage to avoid being spotted, as they hide in the shadows of buildings and move quickly and silently through the streets. Eventually, they arrive at the boarded-up building Medok was hidden in and climb through a window. Inside, they find Medok looking out another window, out into the street. As they approach, he hears them and turns.)
DOCTOR: It's all right. It's just us.
MEDOK: Why are you back?
PRINCESS: We came to help you, like we keep saying.
OLA: (From outside) Have a look in those new houses they're building.
MEDOK: (Panicked) He's coming. We'll have to get out.
(The Doctor and Princess join Medok at the window, going on either side of him so he's in between them both.)
DOCTOR: Wait. If he comes in this way, we'll go out the back.
PRINCESS: And if he comes in the back way, we'll go out this way.
MEDOK: Yes, all right…
(The three watch out the window, as Ola and his men come towards the building they're in.)
MEDOK: He's coming to the front of the house.
DOCTOR: All right, we'll go back, come on.
PRINCESS: Wait, they're going around the side.
DOCTOR: So, they are…
(Ola and his men vanish around the side of the boarded-up building.)
DOCTOR: They must be coming through the back. That's good, we can make for that exit over there. Wonder why it's been left open like that...
PRINCESS: (Distant) Because that's how they get in.
MEDOK: How what get in?
PRINCESS: (Distant) The Macra.
MEDOK: But how–
DOCTOR: Shhh!
PRINCESS: Look!
(They look towards the large open doorway leading out of the Colony, where there's nothing but darkness.)
DOCTOR: What? I don't see anything.
MEDOK: No, wait. Out there, those two lights.
DOCTOR: Oh, yes…
PRINCESS: Those aren't lights…
(The two lights are getting closer and closer, as a shape begins to form beneath them. One of a crab like creature, that walks on several thin legs, with huge snapping pincer like claws. The lights are in fact–)
PRINCESS: They're eyes.
(They see the gigantic Macra, as it crawls into the empty Colony street. And it sees them, as it looms over the boarded-up building they're cowering in. It's giant claw reaching out towards them…)