Starring
Patrick Troughton
Serinda Swan
Episode Two
(Later, still in the cell, the Doctor is laid upon the bed of straw, playing, 'Twinkle Twinkle Little Star,' on his recorder, while the Princess is sat on the chair by the table.)
PRINCESS: (Singing) Then the traveller in the dark, thanks you for your tiny spark. He could not see which way to go, if you did not twinkle so. Twinkle, twinkle, little star. How I wonder what you are. As your bright and tiny spark, lights the traveller in the dark. Though I know not what you–
(The Princess stops singing and the Doctor stops playing as the cell doors opens. It is Thomni, with a bow staff in hand.)
DOCTOR: (Standing up) Ah, and about time too. Come to release us, have you?
THOMNI: No, sir.
DOCTOR: Oh.
PRINCESS: What's your name?
THOMNI: Thomni. You must come with me.
PRINCESS: Nice to meet you, Thomni. I'm the Princess, and this is the Doctor.
DOCTOR: Now, let's have a little chat, shall we?
THOMNI: Khrisong will be waiting.
DOCTOR: No, no, just wait. No one seems to want to listen to us, and everyone is jumping to the wrong conclusions.
PRINCESS: What's been happening, Thomni? Why is everybody so anxious?
THOMNI: We are besieged. The Yeti have turned upon us. At least, that is what we thought until…
DOCTOR: Until we turned up. I see. (To Princess) It seems every time we visit Det-Sen, the monastery seems to be in some sort of trouble.
THOMNI: You have been here before?
PRINCESS: Oh, yes.
DOCTOR: Tell us, Thomni, what do you know about the attack of 1630?
THOMNI: You know something of our history?
DOCTOR: Yes, a little.
THOMNI: Ah, that was also a dark period. It was then our holy ghana was taken from us.
PRINCESS: Taken? I thought it was gifted to us?
DOCTOR: Them.
PRINCESS: Them. Gifted to them. Whoever, 'Them,' be.
THOMNI: You speak most strange.
PRINCESS: You don't know the half of it.
DOCTOR: Isn't the ghanta meant to be returned?
THOMNI: Yes, so legend tells us. But after so long…
(The Princess gets up and steps over to the Doctor and Thomni.)
PRINCESS: What about Travers–
(Thomni jumps to alert, gripping his bow staff as if to fight – to which the Doctor and Princess jump back.)
DOCTOR: Yes–Yes, tell us about him.
THOMNI: There is no time to talk, Khrisong will be angry.
PRINCESS: But he's not the Abbot, is he?
THOMNI: No.
DOCTOR: Well, I don't think you'll find the Abbot will be angry, when he sees what we've bought with us. Show him, Princess.
(The Princess removes the bag with the ghanta from her coat. But before she can take it from the bag, they hear footsteps coming. The Doctor quickly grabs the bag and throws it under the straw and stands up straight as Khrisong and some of his warriors enter the cell, all with bow staffs.)
KHRISONG: Why this delay? Seize them. Take them to the gate.
(The men with Khrisong enter, grabbing the Doctor and Princess by their arms. They are then escorted out of the cell.)
DOCTOR: (Over shoulder) Thomni, the straw.
PRINCESS: We're your friends, please–
KHRISONG: Move.
(They all leave the cell, save for Thomni who remains.)
(As the Doctor and Princess are escorted down into the courtyard, morning prayers have come to an end. Monks are moving to and fro, but two of the eldest stand by the gates to the monastery – Rinchen and Sapan.)
RINCHEN: Khrisong.
(Khrisong signals for his warriors to wait with the Doctor and Princess, as he steps towards the elders.)
KHRISONG: Do not interfere, Rinchen.
RINCHEN: Did we not decide we would consult the Abbot Songsten before taking–
KHRISONG: We? You mean you had decided. The time for talk is past.
RINCHEN: But, Khrisong, the Abbot must–
KHRISONG: The Abbot? Must I always consult the Abbot before I take decisive action?
(At that moment, Travers exits a door, and passes through the courtyard on his way to the gates.)
DOCTOR: Travers, don't you think this has gone far enough?
(Travers stops, turning back to approach the time travellers.)
TRAVERS: Well, there's nothing I can do.
PRINCESS: You could tell them we didn't murder your friend.
TRAVERS: So that you're free to get in my way again? No, I don't think so.
DOCTOR: What do you hope to gain?
TRAVERS: Time.
PRINCESS: Time?
TRAVERS: Look, you killed my companion–
DOCTOR: How many times, we did not kill your–!
TRAVERS: You might have left me single handed, but don't worry, that won't stop me. I shall find the Yeti, with or without help.
DOCTOR: You can't possibly leave–
(As the Doctor goes to move, the monks around him and the Princess cross their bow staffs, preventing him and her from moving.)
TRAVERS: Can't I? You'll be quite safe here, and I know where you are. Now, don't worry. The monks won't harm you. They're men of peace.
DOCTOR: Men of peace?
(With a satisfied smirk, Travers walks away. As he passes the elders and Khrisong, he bows in respect. They bow back to him, and he then leaves with a chuckle. The monks then resume their conversation.)
RINCHEN: (To Khrisong) You are asking us to agree to murder.
(The Doctor and Princess frown to one another in concern.)
KHRISONG: No. Our hands will be clean.
SAPAN: After deliberately using them as bait, even the woman? You cannot be so ruthless.
KHRISONG: Sapan, I believe that these two are, for some reason, trying to turn the Yeti into savage creatures.
SAPAN: But what proof is there?
KHRISONG: You heard the word of Travers. They are foreigners, stranger. Killers.
SAPAN: We will not condone your plans, not in regard to the woman.
KHRISONG: Then just the man, let me tie him to the gate. If the Yeti come to rescue him, we will know the truth, and my warriors will be waiting.
SAPAN: But if he is innocent?
KHRISONG: My warriors will protect him.
RINCHEN: Khrisong, there may be wisdom in what you say. All we ask is that you wait until–
KHRISONG: No. I have done with waiting. (To warriors) Bring him to the gate.
(The warriors grab the Doctor by his arms and drag him towards the gate. The Princess tries to follow but is quickly grabbed and held by her arms.)
PRINCESS: You can't do this!
DOCTOR: It'll be all right, Princess.
PRINCESS: Doctor! Let him go! And let me go while you're at it!
(The Princess continues to struggle in vain, as the Doctor is taken outside the gates of the monastery. Once there a rope is thrown up over the monastery wall. From inside the courtyard a warrior pulls on the rope, tightening it before tying it to one of the pillars. After a short moment, Khrisong and his warriors return to the courtyard, closing the door behind them. And leaving the Doctor outside. Now inside, the warriors take up positions by grated windows looking out of the monastery, standing watch for the approach of the Yeti.)
PRINCESS: You're leaving him out there to die?!
KHRISONG: We will protect him, if you and he are innocent.
PRINCESS: But how will you know if the Yeti are here to rescue him or kill him? You won't, because the only way you'll know is when they're close enough to rip apart the rope. But hasn't it occurred to you, that at the same distance they could just as easily kill him!
KHRISONG: We will find out the truth.
PRINCESS: At the cost of a man's life! You're peaceful people, religious monks! This isn't right and you know it!
(The Princess tries again to pull herself free, but the warriors have a tight hold on her. Then suddenly the Princess cringes in pain, as the rhythmic beeping returns, echoing around her. Khrisong and his warriors notice this.)
KHRISONG: What is wrong?
PRINCESS: (Strained) It's…pressing on my head… Exerting its influence…stretching out towards…
RALPACHAN: Something is coming! Khrisong, the Yeti! The Yeti!
DOCTOR: (From outside) Oh no!
KHRISONG: Be ready to kill them!
(The beeping noise stops for the Princess, who straightens back up, relieved.)
PRINCESS: Oh… That's better. What was that about the Yeti?
KHRISONG: They are here to rescue you and your friend!
PRINCESS: Rescue? Why would the Yeti rescue us? You know who would rescue us, is… Oh, no.
DOCTOR: Jamie! Victoria! Keep back! Keep back! They'll kill you! Keep away! Get away!
KHRISONG: You see, I was right!
(Khrisong opens the door in the gate and rushes out along with his warriors. And during the commotion, the Princess takes the chance to stamp on one of the warriors' feet. Yelping, the warrior loosens his grip enough for the Princess to pull free. She then spins around and flips the other warrior over onto his back, before hurrying out the door after the rest of the warriors. Outside, she sees Jamie, Victoria and Travers running down the hillside towards them. Khrisong and the warriors have formed a wall between them and the Doctor.)
KHRISONG: Don't let her escape!
PRINCESS: Escape, I wasn't–
(One of the warriors aims their bow staff at the Princess. In response, she puts up her hands and backs up into the Doctor, who's had his hands tied together and held above his head by the rope that goes over the wall.)
TRAVERS: Khrisong! Khrisong!
(Travers reaches them first, to which Khrisong and the warriors relax slightly.)
TRAVERS: Look, it was all a mistake.
JAMIE: Doctor.
VICTORIA: Princess.
(Jamie and Victoria push their way through to the Doctor and Princess.)
VICTORIA: What is going on?
PRINCESS: Hello, you two.
DOCTOR: (Hissing) Didn't we tell you to wait inside.
JAMIE: Aye, well, it looks a good thing we didn't.
DOCTOR: Oh, Jamie.
TRAVERS: (To Khrisong) I've been talking to these youngsters. I'm sorry, these two didn't attack me.
KHRISONG: Seize them!
(Jamie and Victoria are pulled back as two warriors restrain each of them.)
JAMIE: Hey, what's going on?!
PRINCESS: Leave them alone!
(The warrior in front of the Princess flexes his bow staff, reminding her of his presence as she remains where she is.)
DOCTOR: (To Jamie) I told you to keep away. (Looking at Travers) He's lead you into a trap!
TRAVERS: No, Doctor, believe me–
KHRISONG: Silence! Who are these people?
TRAVERS: They're friends of theirs.
KHRISONG: Then they shall act as hostages also.
(At that moment Thomni comes rushing out.)
THOMNI: Khrisong!
KHRISONG: Where have you been?!
THOMNI: With the Abbot. He has–
KHRISONG: The Abbot?! I gave you no instructions–
THOMNI: But, Khrisong, we must release them! These strangers have brought back to us the holy ghanta that was lost. We must treat them with respect and kindness. These are the words of our Abbot.
(Slowly, the warriors back away, releasing Jamie and Victoria as they do. Khrisong stares at the Doctor and Princess for a moment, before approaching them.)
KHRISONG: Is this true?
PRINCESS: Yes.
KHRISONG: Then why did you not tell me?
DOCTOR: You'd already accused us of murder.
PRINCESS: And you'd made up your mind about us, you refused to listen. Thankfully, Thomni did. So, we gave him the ghanta.
(Khrisong considers this for a moment, knowing it to be true.)
DOCTOR: Oh, please, could we do something about these ropes?
(Khrisong nods, and one warrior unties the Doctor, freeing his hands.)
DOCTOR: Oh, thank you. This wasn't the welcome we expected, you know. As for you, Travers.
TRAVERS: I really am sorry, Doctor.
DOCTOR: Really?
TRAVERS: Yes. I let my paranoia and ambitions get the better of me. I'm sorry.
PRINCESS: Oh, that's okay. Come here.
(To Travers surprise, the Princess gives him a hug.)
TRAVERS: Oh, eh… Thank you, my dear.
PRINCESS: You've been through a lot, haven't you?
TRAVERS: Eh, yes. I suppose.
PRINCESS: But we're all on the same side here, remember that.
(The Princess and Travers part.)
PRINCESS: You might even be able to find your Yeti, once this is all over.
TRAVERS: Yes.
JAMIE: Aye, speaking of that, have we got a story for you two.
DOCTOR: Oh, really, Jamie?
JAMIE: Aye, we were attacked by this–
VICTORIA: Might we go inside first? I'm beginning to feel the wind up here.
PRINCESS: I'm surprised Jamie isn't.
(Victoria giggles a little, as Jamie frowns at the two women.)
DOCTOR: Yes, good idea, Victoria, let's move back into the courtyard, come on.
(The time travellers and Travers head back through the door into the courtyard. Khrisong and his warriors follow.)
KHRISONG: Ralpachan, remain on watch.
(One of the monks nods, before taking up position by one of the grated windows, while Khrisong, Thomni and the others all depart. The time travellers and Travers meanwhile, have gathered by the Buddha statue at the far end of the courtyard.)
VICTORIA: Oh, it's lovely, isn't it, Jamie?
JAMIE: Aye, very nice.
DOCTOR: You were saying, Jamie…
JAMIE: Aye, well, it started not long after you left, when Victoria–
VICTORIA: Excuse me.
JAMIE: What?
VICTORIA: You were about to imply this was all my doing?
JAMIE: Well, it was in a way, aye.
VICTORIA: Now, you look here, Jamie McCrimmon, this was not my–
JAMIE: Aye, but you were the one who wanted to leave, and the one who wanted to explore–
VICTORIA: Well, you didn't argue very hard–
(As the two argue, the Princess suddenly reaches into Jamie's satchel.)
JAMIE: There was no arguing with– Hey, Princess! What're doing?!
(The Princess pulls out a perfect silver sphere, staring at it curiously.)
DOCTOR: Princess?
PRINCESS: Jamie, where did you get this?
JAMIE: In the caves, I was just about to tell ya.
VICTORIA: There were a lot of them.
JAMIE: Is it important?
PRINCESS: I believe so…
DOCTOR: What's the matter, Princess.
PRINCESS: There's something about it, something…familiar.
DOCTOR: May I?
(The Princess hands over the sphere to the Doctor, who looks it over.)
TRAVERS: Doesn't seem like much to me. Just a ball of some kind.
DOCTOR: Never judge a book by its cover, Travers.
JAMIE: Do you know what it is then, Doctor?
DOCTOR: I've no idea.
(The Doctor passes the sphere back to the Princess.)
DOCTOR: Now, this creature, what was it like?
JAMIE: Oh, it was huge, and all covered with hair, like a sort of bear.
VICTORIA: It attacked us.
DOCTOR: It does sound like your abominable snowman, Travers.
TRAVERS: Oh, but they wouldn't attack anyone.
DOCTOR: No, I always thought so.
TRAVERS: They're shy, elusive creatures. Why do you think it's taken me so long to track them down?
(The Princess has pressed the sphere up to her ear, frowning.)
VICTORIA: Princess, what are you doing?
PRINCESS: I thought I heard that beeping noise again.
VICTORIA: What noise?
DOCTOR: The one you've been hearing on and off? From inside there?
PRINCESS: Yes. Well, I thought so. Maybe I just imagined it.
(The Princess turns the sphere over, trying to find something on its surface.)
PRINCESS: There's no opening, or switch or anything. Maybe you're right, Travers. Maybe it is just a ball.
(The Princess sets the sphere down by the Buddha statue.)
DOCTOR: I'd like to see one of these creatures.
VICTORIA: It was horrible.
JAMIE: Aye, it was buried under tons of rock, yet it still just got up and came after us.
VICTORIA: Like a nightmare.
TRAVERS: Now, fear makes us imagine all sorts of things.
RALPACHAN: Khrisong! Khrisong!
PRINCESS: I wonder what fear made him imagine.
DOCTOR: What's the matter?
RALPACHAN: Khrisong, come quickly!
(Khrisong and his warriors enter the courtyard, striding over to Ralpachan whose stood by the grated window.)
KHRISONG: What is it?
JAMIE: He must have seen something.
RALPACHAN: Look!
(As Khrisong opens the door in the gate, everyone moves forward to get a look. Outside, on the hill, they see three huge furry Yeti making their way towards them.)
TRAVERS: There they are at last.
JAMIE: Hey, that's them, Doctor!
TRAVERS: After all these years!
KHRISONG: Ralpachan, stand watch at the walls. Pletu, I want two men either side of this gate. Thomni, come with me.
(As Khrisong and Thomni walk away, Travers pushes forward for a better look out the door.)
TRAVERS: Look. They're magnificent, just as I thought they'd be.
PRINCESS: Is that what attacked you, Victoria?
VICTORIA: Yes, but there are more of them now.
PRINCESS: I can see why you made the mistake, Travers. The Doctor's coat is just like them.
DOCTOR: (To Khrisong) Do you really think they'll attack?
KHRISONG: I don't know. They have never been this close before.
TRAVERS: Of course they wouldn't attack anyone. They're timid, you'll see.
VICTORIA: That's not the word I'd use.
DOCTOR: (To Khrisong) If they do attack, do you think you could capture one? I would like to examine it.
JAMIE: Examine it?! Aye, we'll wrap it up for you.
DOCTOR: Oh, thank you, Jamie.
KHRISONG: Thomni, come. We must see to the defences.
(Khrisong leads Thomni away.)
JAMIE: Hey, Doctor. If you really want to capture one of these beasties, I think I have an idea which might just work.
DOCTOR: Oh, eh, Princess? Victoria?
JAMIE: Eh?
PRINCESS: Yes?
(The Doctor takes the Princess' hand and Victoria's.)
DOCTOR: I think this is one of those instances where discretion is the better part of valour.
VICTORIA: What do you mean?
DOCTOR: Jamie has an idea.
(The Doctor begins leading the Princess and Victoria away.)
DOCTOR: Come along.
PRINCESS: Good luck!
JAMIE: But…
(The Doctor, Princess and Victoria exit the courtyard through one of the doorways, leaving Jamie and the warriors to fight off the Yeti. Inside, the three time travellers find a meeting room, where several of the elder monks have gathered, including Songsten, the current abbot. They are in the middle of a discussion around a table.)
RINCHEN: But what if the Yeti do attack?
SONGSTEN: Have faith, Rinchen. Khrisong and his warriors will protect us.
SAPAN: Khrisong is a rash man. He was so sure that this Doctor and Princess were a threat to us.
DOCTOR: I can assure you we're not.
(The monks all turn towards the doorway, where the Doctor is stood with the Princess and Victoria on either side of him. Songsten smiles warmly and approaches them. Songsten then puts his hands together, with the Doctor and Princess copying him. A nudge from the Doctor has Victoria doing the same, albeit a little more unsure. They then bow.)
SONGSTEN: Welcome, Doctor. Welcome, Princess.
DOCTOR: Thank you for receiving us, Abbot.
SONGSTEN: For returning to us the holy ghanta, you will all be forever welcome.
PRINCESS: Thank you, that is most kind.
VICTORIA: Will we be safe in here?
SONGSTEN: Of course, dear child. All are safe at Det-Sen.
PRINCESS: We wish that were true, Abbot. But I sense a great evil here.
SONGSTEN: Have no fear, Princess. Khrisong and his warriors will not let the Yeti in.
VICTORIA: But will they be all right? Jamie's out there helping them.
SONGSTEN: Have faith in your friend, as we do in our warriors.
DOCTOR: I'm sure they'll be fine. (Quietly) Provided Jamie isn't too bold.
(Later, in the meeting room, a captured and still Yeti has been laid out on the table. Around it stands the Doctor, Travers, Thomni, Princess, Victoria, Jamie and Khrisong, all examining it curiously.)
DOCTOR: I'm sorry to say, Travers, but this isn't your abominable snowman.
TRAVERS: What are you talking about, Doctor, of course it–
(The Princess lifts up the Yeti's arm and lets it fall back to the table with a clunk.)
PRINCESS: It's made of metal.
VICTORIA: It can't be.
JAMIE: Aye, I can feel its skin beneath the fur.
DOCTOR: A very conniving disguise.
TRAVERS: That's incredible.
THOMNI: What is it?
KHRISONG: A devil's warrior.
DOCTOR: No, I don't think so. It's more like a robot.
TRAVERS: A robot? My dear chap, don't let your imagination run away with you.
PRINCESS: I would have thought you'd have a more open mind, Travers?
TRAVERS: Well, the Yeti are one thing, but a robot…
DOCTOR: The question is, why has it stopped? Wait a minute. Wait a minute.
(The Doctor lifts a flap of fur in the centre of the Yeti's chest, revealing a spherical hole of metal within.)
VICTORIA: Nothing there.
DOCTOR: No, but there has been.
(As the Doctor reaches in, running his fingers around the rim, the Princess suddenly clutches her head in pain. The rhythmic beeping has returned.)
JAMIE: Princess?
DOCTOR: What's the matter?
PRINCESS: (Strained) The beeping…its back. It's…moving…