Starring

Patrick Troughton

Serinda Swan

Episode 2

(In a high story office, the Doctor – pretending to be Salamander – stands opposite Bruce, with the other time travellers behind him. Kent is sat at his desk, with Astrid stood alongside him. The Doctor is wearing a black pair of trousers and jumper, with his hair neatly brushed to one side.)

DOCTOR: (Pretending to be Salamander) Why, hello, Bruce. What are you doing here?

BRUCE: I was under the impression you were in the Central European Zone, Leader.

DOCTOR: That's what you were meant to believe.

BRUCE: Why?

DOCTOR: I do not care to be questioned by my own security.

BRUCE: But that's just it. How can I possibly maintain security when you behave like this? I'm at least entitled to know your movements.

DOCTOR: You have a policeman's mind, Bruce.

BRUCE: That may be, but only a few days ago you questioned me about this man and his activities, and we agreed that he was dangerous. Now I find you in his office.

DOCTOR: Sometimes I like to deal with matters in my own way.

(The Doctor sits down, with his fellow time travellers stood behind him.)

BRUCE: They're not holding you here?

DOCTOR: Holding me?

BRUCE: Under some threat or other?

DOCTOR: No one threatens Salamander.

BRUCE: What about Isabella, where is she?

DOCTOR: Where I left her, in the European Zone.

BRUCE: That's not like you to leave her behind. I'd like an explanation now, if you don't mind?

DOCTOR: Yes, of course, you shall have it. But not now. When I return from the Central European Zone.

BRUCE: (Sighs) Very well. (To Astrid) Now, what about the dead man found in your bungalow. He was one of your lot, wasn't he?

ASTRID: Yes… He was trying to protect me. The other two wanted to kill me.

BRUCE: Now why should they want to do that to a nice young girl like you?

ASTRID: Well, I…

KENT: Obviously they thought I was there.

BRUCE: You?

KENT: Yes, Bruce. Just like you, a lot of people don't like me.

BRUCE: Don't get clever with me, Kent. I've a good mind to–

DOCTOR: I am prepared to accept his story.

BRUCE: Well, I'm not.

DOCTOR: That's interesting, but not important. (Stands up) I accept it, that's all that matters.

BRUCE: It's beginning to look as if these people are working for you now. Is that right?

DOCTOR: You still dare to question me?! They have information. I shall get it. I will see you on my return. Now leave me.

(Bruce stands for a moment, before then marching past the Doctor. However, before leaving he stops, pointing to Jamie.)

BRUCE: McCrimmon, you said?

JAMIE: Aye.

BRUCE: Well, you just watch your step, that's all. And you too, Princess.

(Bruce then leaves, the soldier following him out and shutting the door behind him.)

PRINCESS: (Cheerful) Bye, Bruce!

JAMIE: What did we do, we never said a word.

VICTORIA: Well, that's not entirely true, Jamie.

DOCTOR: (Back to normal) Must be the way you look, Jamie.

VICTORIA: Oh, Doctor, you were splendid.

DOCTOR: Thank you, Victoria.

(The Doctor pulls out a handkerchief from his pocket and pats down his face.)

ASTRID: (To Kent) That was a dangerous game to play.

KENT: It paid off. All right, are you with us?

DOCTOR: I don't know where you stand, Mr Kent. But you and this Salamander are obviously on opposite sides, that at least is clear. But which side is good? Which side is bad? And why should I interfere?

ASTRID: Well, you're the only man who can help save the world.

VICTORIA: But isn't that what Salamander's trying to do?

ASTRID: Don't you understand? Salamander–

DOCTOR: Just a moment. Jamie, you're unusually quiet. What do you think?

JAMIE: Well, to save the world, aye, it sounds grand, but… Oh, we couldn't turn our back on a challenge like this, Doctor. Well, at least I know you wouldn't.

VICTORIA: We don't know anything about these people.

JAMIE: Astrid saved our lives. She was wounded because of it.

VICTORIA: Oh, but, Jamie, you don't think–

JAMIE: Look, she was–

DOCTOR: Thank you, Jamie. And you, Princess? (The Princess is silent) Still thinking about your premonition?

PRINCESS: There are people here who need our help. Salamander's connected to them in some way, I saw him after all. And a red-haired woman.

KENT: That'll be his wife, Isabelle.

DOCTOR: Oh, and how does she fit into all this?

KENT: Oh, she's involved all right. We just don't know if it's willingly or under duress.

PRINCESS: Either way, I don't want to leave until we've gotten to the bottom of this.

KENT: It won't take you long to find out for yourselves that we're right about Salamander.

DOCTOR: And how do you propose we do that?

JAMIE: He'll be well guarded for a start.

VICTORIA: We can hardly steal into his study and go through his papers.

PRINCESS: We could always try talking to him.

DOCTOR: That man Bruce said that he was in the Central European Zone.

VICTORIA: It's a long way from Australia.

ASTRID: It's only two hours by rocket.

KENT: You could leave almost at once.

DOCTOR: Well, what then?

ASTRID: I've had a plan for infiltrating into Salamander's inner circle for some time. Well, I could adapt it for your three friends.

KENT: I can arrange four travel warrants and visas. Everything you need.

PRINCESS: Four?

KENT: Well, one for Astrid, one for you, the lad and the girl.

DOCTOR: Oh, that's very clever of you. How can you do that? I thought you said you had no official position.

ASTRID: We have a contact there.

DOCTOR: He must be a very important person.

ASTRID: He is. Denes, Controller of the Zone.

DOCTOR: Oh, I see. What about me?

KENT: I think we better have a look at Salamander's Research Station at Kanowa.

DOCTOR: Yes. Yes, but from a safe distance, of course.

KENT: So, we're in agreement then, you'll work with us?

(The time travellers look to one another.)

DOCTOR: Only until we can verify what you say to be true. Once we do, we'll see where we stand.

(Later, in the European Zone, Salamander, in his fancy frail shirt, is stood on the balcony of the palace, overlooking beautiful gardens and the sea beyond. Behind him, at a table, sits a woman with shoulder length red hair, blue eyes and a black dress – Isabella. Next to her is a larger older gentleman with thick grey hair – Denes. And beside him stands a man with thick glasses and a near bald head – Fedorin.)

DENES: This is dreadful news, Salamander. I still can't believe it.

FEDORIN: Terrible, terrible.

(Salamander turns around to face his guests, before proceeding over to the table.)

SALAMANDER: I don't say it will happen. I say it can happen. Your zone is in danger, Denes. Show him, my dear.

(Isabella points to a region of mountains on a map titled, 'Central European Zone.')

ISABELLA: My husband has calculated that these three volcanos here have a high chance of erupting any time in the next twenty-four hours.

FEDORIN: We've had no trouble for years in those mountains.

SALAMANDER: You don't imagine I make it up?

FEDORIN: No, no, of course not.

(From another table, a communications device begins to buzz incessantly.)

DENES: Those volcanoes have been dead since the sixteenth century. Fedorin is right to doubt.

(Salamander puts his arm around Fedorin's shoulders and pulls him close.)

SALAMANDER: A volcano is a strange thing, my friend. I tell you the truth. It's like a man in the hot sun, sleeping. Still, lifeless. Then boom! He wakes full of energy, as a beautiful woman walks past, no? I know volcanoes.

DENES: Isn't there a possibility of a miscalculation for a few degrees?

ISABELLA: My husband is never wrong.

SALAMANDER: My wife, my greatest support.

ISABELLA: Every one of his predictions has been correct.

DENES: Yes. Your record is good, I don't deny that.

SALAMANDER: You are too kind.

(A woman with short dark hair and a white dress steps out onto the balcony – Fariah.)

FARIAH: Leader, the communications.

SALAMANDER: I know, I know. I told you I was not to be disturbed.

FARIAH: Yes, Leader.

(Fariah turns to leave.)

SALAMANDER: No, wait.

(Fariah turns back around.)

SALAMANDER: (Smiling) Wait, Fariah. (To Fedorin) You'd like some refreshment, perhaps?

FEDORIN: Thank you.

DENES: (Stands) No, no, not for me.

SALAMANDER: Oh, you're going so soon?

DENES: I must consult my scientific advisors.

SALAMANDER: You still don't believe me.

DENES: I believe you sufficiently to want to have your information checked before I alarm my people unnecessarily.

ISABELLA: It's not unnecessary, Controller Denes. Please, call for an evacuation before it's too late. The likely hood is, before your scientists can finish their tests the volcanos will erupt.

SALAMANDER: Listen to my wife, hear the passion in her voice, no?

DENES: And I appreciate her concern, of course. But I must double check your claim before acting.

ISABELLA: You're wasting your time. Your scientists are amateurs when compared to my husband.

DENES: No, my dear, they are not amateurs. They are very clever men dedicated to their work, but they are men, capable of human error like anybody else.

ISABELLA: Please, Denes–

SALAMANDER: It's no good, my dear, he won't listen. (To Denes) Do as you wish. (Calling) Captain.

(The guard captain steps out onto the balcony.)

CAPTAIN: Sir!

SALAMANDER: Controller Denes is leaving.

CAPTAIN: Yes, sir.

(The captain exits the balcony, making way for Salamander and Denes to follow.)

SALAMANDER: You will soon see that I am right.

(Fedorin goes to follow, but Salamander turns back to face him.)

SALAMANDER: (To Fedorin) Oh, you will stay? My wife will keep you company until I return. But don't get too comfy, no.

(Salamander chuckles, as he shows Denes out, leaving Fedorin on the balcony with Isabella and Fariah.)

ISABELLA: Fariah, would you be kind enough to bring us some glasses and a bottle of wine.

FARIAH: Of course.

(Fariah exists the balcony.)

ISABELLA: Come. Sit, Fedorin. Let us get to know one another better.

(Somewhat uneasily, Fedorin sits down at the table with Isabella.)

(Meanwhile, in the public gardens near the palace, the Princess and Victoria are sat on a bench, while Jamie paces back and forth before them.)

JAMIE: Are you sure this is the right one?

VICTORIA: I'm not sure of anything after that rocket.

PRINCESS: Still feeling queasy?

VICTORIA: A little.

JAMIE: But are we in the right place?

PRINCESS: It's as good a place as any.

JAMIE: But Astrid said it was the third bench on…on…

VICTORIA: On the South walk of the large gardens.

PRINCESS: Which just happens to be this bench here.

JAMIE: Is it?

PRINCESS: Well, unless my counting's off.

JAMIE: Aye, well, that wouldn't surprise me. After all, you've been searching for that playing card of yours for as long as I've known you.

PRINCESS: (Unhappily) Still haven't found it.

JAMIE: I think I'll… Wait, here she comes.

(Astrid comes jogging up along the path to join the time travellers.)

ASTRID: What are you doing here?

VICTORIA: Is this not the right bench?

ASTRID: No, it's back there.

(Jamie and Victoria look sternly to the Princess who smiles sheepishly.)

ASTRID: It's a good thing I spotted you. Anyway, it's all arranged. Salamander and his wife, Isabella, are residents in the President's Palace.

(Astrid hands over a card to Jamie.)

JAMIE: What's this?

ASTRID: That'll get you through the front gate.

PRINCESS: I wouldn't trust him with that, he lost the last card I gave him.

JAMIE: I did not!

VICTOIRA: Princess.

ASTRID: Stop it all of you, or do you want us to get caught. (To Jamie) Look for the balcony facing West, you should find him or his wife there. You know what do from there?

JAMIE: Aye, don't worry about me.

VICTORIA: Good luck, Jamie.

ASTRID: Keep your wits about you.

PRINCESS: See you soon.

(Jamie then jogs off down the path and towards the Palace, as Astrid takes a seat on the bench next to the Princess.)

ASTRID: (To Princess) Are you sure you wouldn't rather change your clothes? I've got a bag nearby in–

PRINCESS: I'm good, thank you.

VICTORIA: It will make you stand out, Princess.

PRINCESS: It's what I'm comfortable in. And if I'm comfortable, I can lie better.

ASTRID: Well, just don't do anything to draw more attention to yourself. And let your friends do the searching. They'll spot you snooping a mile away.

PRINCESS: Oh, I doubt that. I can be very good.

(The Princess holds up a handheld phone and presses a few buttons on it.)

ASTRID: Where did you get that?

PRINCESS: From your pocket.

(Astrid checks her pocket, finding her phone gone – as the Princess now has it.)

PRINCESS: (Into phone) Giles Kent, please.

ASTRID: Give me that!

(Astrid snatches the phone form the Princess.)

KENT: (From phone) Hello? Who is this?

ASTRID: (Into phone) Hello, Giles? This is, Astrid.

KENT: Right, let's have it. What's happening?

ASTRID: Everything's gone fine so far. The rocket arrived right on time, and Jamie's got his entrance pass and has started phase one.

KENT: Do you think the boy can handle it?

ASTRID: Well, I hope so.

KENT: And what about that Princess, did you manage–

PRINCESS: (Into phone) No, I'm still wearing my clothes, Giles. Thanks for asking.

KENT: I didn't–

PRINCESS: How are you, Doctor?

DOCTOR: (From phone) I'm doing fine. Giles and I are still in his office. I wanted to wait to hear from you before we set off.

PRINCESS: Victoria's still feeling a little queasy after the rocket.

DOCTOR: Oh, dear. Well, please give her my best.

PRINCESS: (To Victoria) The Doctor sends his best.

VICTORIA: Thank you. I'm hoping it'll pass soon.

DOCTOR: Has she had something to eat, yet–?

KENT: Never mind about that. Astrid, have you made contact with Denes? We must keep him posted as to what is happening.

ASTRID: It's all right. We've made contact and we've arranged to meet.

KENT: Be careful, he's pretty well known.

ASTRID: Oh, don't worry. I suggested that we meet under a disused jetty by the river.

PRINCESS: Disused Yeti?!

VICTOIRA: No, jetty, Princess. Jetty.

PRINCESS: Oh, good, we're not there yet.

KENT: Anything else to tell us?

ASTRID: No. If the plan goes through, I'll try and contact you again.

KENT: Right. Goodbye, good luck.

DOCTOR: Good luck, Princess, Victoria. Both of you remember to keep an eye on Jamie.

PRINCESS: We will, bye!

(Astrid hangs up the phone and puts it away.)

VICTORIA: Now what do we do?

ASTRID: You wait here while I help Jamie. Now don't leave for anything, understand.

PRINCESS: Not even for a volcanic eruption?

(Astrid rolls her eyes as she walks off down the path.)

VICTORIA: I don't think she likes you, Princess.

PRINCESS: No? (Shrugs) Oh, well.

VICTORIA: What shall we do while we wait?

PRINCESS: Well, you know, it's been some time since I've had a really good game of snap.

(The Princess pulls out her deck of cards and begins to shuffle them. Victoria, meanwhile, rolls her eyes. But she smiles all the same, as the Princess starts to deal the cards between them.)

(Back on the palace balcony, Isabella is sat opposite Fedorin, while Fariah sets down a tray of glasses and wine between them.)

ISABELLA: Thank you, Fariah.

(Fariah nods, before uncorking the bottle. She then pours two glasses. As she's recorking the bottle, Fedorin takes his glass of wine and drinks quickly. Fariah goes to say something, but when Isabella rises her hand, Fairah stops herself. Isabella and Fariah then watch as Fedorin drinks more than half the glass in one go.)

ISABELLA: How is it, Fedorin?

FEDORIN: It's good. Very good, thank you.

ISABELLA: I'm glad. It's from my husband's privet vineyard, but you can never be certain of the quality until it is consumed.

(Fedorin continues to drink while Isabella leaves her glass alone.)

FEDORIN: My dear, is it forward of me to ask, what is it Salamander wants of me?

ISABELLA: I might be his wife, but I am not privy to all of Salamander's thoughts.

FEDORIN: Forgive me.

(Fedorin finishes off his wine. Fariah uncorks the wine and pours him some more.)

FEDORIN: (To Fariah) Thank you. What about you, what do you do here?

(Isabella nods for Fariah to speak.)

FARIAH: I serve.

FEDORIN: Yes, but you're obviously not an ordinary servant.

ISABELLA: Well spotted, Fedorin. Tell me, how are your nerves now?

FEDORIN: Better after a few sips of this.

ISABELLA: Fariah will be glad to hear that.

FEDORIN: What?

ISABELLA: Tell him your official title, Fariah.

FARIAH: I am Salamander's food taster.

FEDORIN: Does he need one?

FARIAH: There have been many attempts to poison him.

FEDORIN: Dangerous job.

(Fedorin takes another drink of wine.)

FARIAH: That's why it's very nice to have help for a change.

(Fedorin almost chokes on what he's swallowed.)

FEDORIN: You mean…You mean you haven't…?

FARIAH: No.

ISABELLA: Well, you seemed so eager to drink, Fedorin, I didn't want to hold you up. It is good though, nothing bitter?

FEDORIN: No. I…I don't think so.

ISABELLA: Shame.

(Isabella finally takes her glass and drinks.)

FARIAH: (To Fedorin) Don't worry, if there was anything poisonous, you'd know by now.

(At this Fedorin relaxes. He then goes to drink some more wine, but decides against it.)

FEDORIN: But…But what on Earth made you take a job as a food taster?

SALAMANDER: She was hungry.

(Everyone turns to find Salamander stood in the doorway leading out to the balcony.)

SALAMANDER: Only thing is, now she has all the food she needs, she's lost her appetite. (To Fariah) Get me a drink.

(Fariah gets to work pouring Salamander a glass of wine as well.)

SALAMANDER: (To Isabella) And how are you, my love. He's not boring you, no?

ISABELLA: Sorry, dear, I'm just tired.

SALAMANDER: Not long to go now. Then perhaps, an early night for us both, no?

ISABELLA: No, dear, we have…important business to attend to.

SALAMANDER: This is true. But I'll always make time for you.

ISABELLA: After. If I'm not too tired.

(Salamander chuckles, then leans down kissing Isabella on the cheek.)

SALAMANDER: And how are you, Fedorin?

FEDORIN: Fine, fine. Just a little scare over the wine. I did not realise how well protected you were.

(Salamander chuckles, before snapping his fingers. A guard, armed with a gun, steps out from a hiding place and onto the balcony in full view, starling Fedorin who jumps up.)

SALAMANDER: Very well protected. Be calm. Sit down. Drink your drink.

(Instead though, Fedorin points to the railing of the balcony and yelps. For Jamie has leapt up over and behind the guard. Isabella jumps up to her feet too, shrieking as Salamander stands in front of her protectively. Within seconds, Jamie has knocked the guard unconscious and taken his gun from him, which he now aims at Salamander.)

JAMIE: Thank you for calling the guard. I was wondering what to do about him.

(Salamander tries going for the communication device on the nearby table.)

JAMIE: Now don't move for that box! (Salamander stops) Not if you value your life. Now all of you, back over there! That's it.

(Salamander, Isabella, Fariah and Fedorin back up, as Jamie moves over to the table with the communicator. He then picks it up, and steps back towards the edge of the balcony.)

JAMIE: Not as well protected as you think you are, aye? Now when I say duck…

(Jamie suddenly throws the communicator up into the air.)

JAMIE: Get down!

(Everyone ducks, as an explosion then goes off. Salamander is the first to recover, pulling Isabella up to her feet along with him. Jamie, confidently, lays down the gun and leans against a support beam with his arms folded. Guards then rush onto the balcony, surrounding Jamie, having heard the explosion.)

SALAMANDER: Wait!

(The two guards lower their weapons as Salamander marches up to them.)

SALAMANDER: What do you do, boys? Read? Sleep? It's a fine thing. Here we have an attempt to destroy me and where are you? It's not so good, boys, it's not so good. I'm watching you. (Pointing to unconscious guard) Look after him.

(The two conscious guards drag away the unconscious one.)

SALAMANDER: Better still, get rid of him!

(Salamander then approaches Jamie who stands up properly.)

SALAMANDER: What's all this about?

JAMIE: Well, I heard two men talking. They said they'd planted a bomb of some kind in your communicator there. I tried to warn them at the gates, but they wouldn't pay any attention.

SALAMANDER: So, you break in? How you break in?

JAMIE: Ah well, I'm here on holiday with my friends. They're both very pretty ladies, so the guard didn't see me slip past him.

SALAMANDER: Why didn't you call out and warn me? I nearly used the communicator several times.

JAMIE: Ah, you'd have had me shot, most like. But had you tried to use it, I guess I wouldn't have had a choice. Luckily it didn't come to that.

SALAMANDER: Why you risk your skin to save me?

JAMIE: Well, without you the Earth hasn't much of a chance, has it?

(Isabella comes up alongside Salamander.)

ISABELLA: (To Salamander, whispering) He's one of your fanatics.

(Salamander stares hard at Jamie for a moment.)

SALAMANDER: You like to work for me? You like that?

JAMIE: Oh, no, you don't have to do that. I mean, you owe me nothing.

SALAMANDER: You're quite right, boy.

JAMIE: And I am on holiday.

SALAMANDER: You won't find what I pay you disappointing.

JAMIE: Aye, there's my friends too, though.

SALAMANDER: I'm offering you a job, not you and everyone you know, boy.

ISABELLA: Hold on, dear, hold on. Tell us, how many of your friends are here with you?

JAMIE: Just the two, both girls.

ISABELLA: Fariah, weren't you saying something to me about our chief complaining he needed an assistant?

FARIAH: Yes, that's right.

SALAMANDER: So, he needs two now? What sort of chief is he, can't run a kitchen on his own?

ISABELLA: One assistant, dear. I could use someone to help me with getting ready in the morning and for events.

SALAMANDER: What are you talking about, you look stunning, no matter the occasion.

ISABELLA: I'm aware that's how you see me, but I have to put a lot of work into impressing people, and I could use a hand.

SALAMANDER: Waste of time, you give me the names of anyone treating you disrespectfully and I'll–

ISABELLA: Please…my love.

SALAMANDER: Oh…very well. You and your friends then, how about it boy?

JAMIE: Well, I suppose I can't refuse now, can I?

SALAMANDER: You're right about that.

JAMIE: Still, I'll say this though, your security system's rotten. There'll have to be changes.

SALAMANDER: (Chuckles) What a boy.

ISABELLA: Indeed.

SALAMANDER: Fariah, see he gets some proper uniform instead of this skirt. And then bring him and his two friends to see me.

FARIAH: Come along, then.

(Fariah shows Jamie off the balcony and into the palace.)

FEDORIN: What an extraordinary young man.

SALAMANDER: I prize loyalty very highly, my friend. And I repay it very generously, like I do the girl, Fariah. But you'll understand that soon enough. Come, let us drink, and eat. I'll have the chief send up dinner.

ISABELLA: (Muttering) Assuming the oaf can stop complaining long enough to do his job.

(Isabella takes a gulp of wine, as she sits down with Salamander and Fedorin.)

(A short while later, back in the public gardens, Victoria and the Princess are sat on the bench, with a pile of cards between them and a stack each. Astrid is sat next to the Princess, reading a book. Carefully, Victoria takes a card from her stack and puts it face up on the pile. Then the Princess does the same before–)

VICTORIA: Snap!

(Victoria has reached the pile first, with the Princess' hand on top.)

PRINCESS: Rats!

(Victoria giggles gleefully as she gathers up the cards she's won.)

ASTRID: Would you two please keep it down. We're supposed to be blending in.

PRINCESS: (Over shoulder) You blend in your way, we'll blend in ours. (To Victoria) Let's go again.

(Victoria puts down the first card.)

VICTORIA: How do you suppose Jamie's doing?

(The Princess puts down a card.)

PRINCESS: How should I know, I'm not physic.

(Victoria puts down a card.)

VICTORIA: Well, have you had a premonition?

(The Princess puts down a card.)

PRINCESS: Nothing since we arrived. Once we get into the palace I might try and have one.

(Victoria puts down a card.)

ASTRID: What are you two talking about?

PRINCESS: (Over shoulder) I thought you were reading a book?

(As the Princess turns around, she spots Jamie coming down the path towards them from the palace.)

PRINCESS: (Pointing) Look, there's Jamie.

(Victoria turns to look, as the Princess quickly puts down her card.)

PRINCESS: Snap!

VICTORIA: That's not fair, Princess!

ASTRID: (Without looking) It's not even a snap.

PRINCESS: What?

VICTORIA: She's right. That's a nine on top of a six, Princess.

(The Princess leans in for a closer look, pushing back her top hat.)

PRINCESS: Are you sure?

VICTORIA: I suppose I win, since I have the most.

PRINCESS: You can be very smug, Victoria.

(Victoria giggles, as the Princess gathers up the cards and tucks them into her jacket pocket. At which point Jamie approaches them.)

PRINCESS: How'd it go, Jamie?

JAMIE: It all went fine.

VICTORIA: Oh, good.

ASTRID: (Pretending to read) Careful, you might have been followed.

JAMIE: Oh, don't worry, they think I saved his life. (To Princess & Victoria) Hey, he's offered me a job too.

PRINCESS: What about us?

JAMIE: Aye, took some convincing, but his wife managed to talk him into hiring your two as well.

VICTORIA: (Standing up) That's perfect.

ASTRID: Well done, Jamie.

JAMIE: Well, it was nothing.

(Jamie sits down in between the Princess and Astrid, practically knocking the Princess off the bench in his attempt to get close to Astrid.)

JAMIE: Was it all right your end?

ASTRID: Yes. But it was nothing.

VICTORIA: Jamie. Jamie!

(Jamie finally turns away from Astrid.)

JAMIE: What?

VICTORIA: Does he look like the Doctor?

JAMIE: Aye, it's so uncanny.

PRINCESS: I'll believe it when I see it.

ASTRID: Careful.

JAMIE: What's the matter?

(Astrid shuts her book and promptly leaves.)

VICTORIA: What is it?

(Jamie then looks back down the path and sees two people approaching.)

JAMIE: She must have eyes in the back of her head.

(Jamie grabs Victoria and pulls her down onto the bench with him. He then puts his arms around both Victoria and the Princess, pulling them close. Both women look confused.)

JAMIE: (Aloud) So, he's offered all of us jobs.

(Victoria spots the two people approaching.)

PRINCESS: Yes, we know, you already–

VICTORIA: (Aloud) Oh, good.

CAPTAIN: Who was that?

(The Captain and Fariah are stood before the bench with the time travellers.)

JAMIE: Who?

CAPTAIN: The other girl who was sitting there?

VICTORIA: (Points to Princess) You mean her?

CAPTAIN: No, the other one.

PRINCESS: (Pointing to Victoria) You mean her?

CAPTAIN: No, the one who just walked away.

PRINCESS: Hardly know her.

VICTORIA: She just sat down next to us and read her book.

PRINCESS: She wasn't friendly like you.

CAPTAIN: (Blushing) Yes, well...

FARIAH: (To Jamie) Are these your friends?

JAMIE: Yes, they are.

(Jamie stands up along with Victoria and the Princess.)

FARIAH: Is there…something the matter with her?

PRINCESS: Don't talk about Victoria like that.

VICTORIA: (Whisper) I think she means you, Princess.

PRINCESS: Me? No, there's nothing wrong with me.

CAPTAIN: Then why are you dressed like that?

PRINCESS: Why are you dressed like that?

CAPTAIN: This is my uniform.

PRINCESS: We don't have to wear uniforms, do we?

FARIAH: Jamie will, but for you and her that'll be up to Lady Isabella.

PRINCESS: Oh, I'm looking forward to meeting her.

FARIAH: Yes. I'm sure she'll be…delighted to meet you too.

JAMIE: These are my friends, Victoria and the Princess.

FARIAH & CAPTAIN: Princess?

JAMIE: Aye.

VICTORIA: (Nervous chuckle) It's a bit of joke, between us. No, her real name's Aurora Smith, isn't it?

PRINCESS: It is? I mean, yes, it is.

FARIAH: I'm Fariah. Jamie tells me you have experience helping ladies getting ready.

PRINCESS: Well, I used to play dress up with dolls.

FARIAH: Of course you did. (To Victoria) And he said you were studying the arts of the kitchen.

JAMIE: Aye, she's a great dishwasher.

VICTORIA: I like eating and cooking, it's true.

FARIAH: Then let's see if we can't find you something to do. You can work with me if you like.

VICTORIA: Thank you.

PRINCESS: No. No, I think she'll be better at preparing the food than sampling it.

CAPTAIN: We should return to the palace. It's not wise to keep Salamander waiting.

PRINCESS: Well, come on then.

(The Princess promptly takes off along the path back towards the palace, with the Captain, Fariah, Victoria and Jamie hurrying after her.)

PRINCESS: We want to get there before anything blows its top.

(Meanwhile, back on the palace balcony, Isabella returns, with a file in hand. At the table, Salamander sits opposite Fedorin, where the three of them have just ate.)

ISABELLA: Here you are.

(Isabella hands the file to Salamander.)

SALAMANDER: Thank you, my love.

(Salamander opens the file and briefly reads it.)

SALAMANDER: Yes. Have a look at this, Fedorin.

(Salamander hands the file over to Fedorin with a grin. Fedorin accepts it and begins reading it over, growing more shocked by the second. Salamander smiles, as Isabella takes her seat beside him.)

FEDORIN: But…But these–these are all lies, Salamander. Lies, I assure you!

SALAMANDER: So you say.

FEDORIN: What are you going to do? My family, my friends.

SALAMANDER: (Chuckles) My dear man. My dear Fedorin, you don't suppose I intend to make your swindling public? This is just an insurance. Forget it. I tell you what I'm going to do for you.

FEDORIN: What?

SALAMANDER: You are going to replace Denes as controller of this Zone.

FEDORIN: But–

SALAMANDER: Don't say anything. I'll know you'll accept.

FEDORIN: What do you want?

SALAMANDER: Tell him, my love.

ISABELLA: As my husband has already said, there will be a disaster here soon. He can do nothing about it, but he is prepared to come to the aid of this zone after the disaster has happened.

FEDORIN: But why not before?

SALAMANDER: Denes wouldn't allow it, you heard him earlier. He does not believe me. But after this disaster my people will be all that stands between this zone and total collapse.

FEDORIN: Allowing you to take over.

SALAMANDER: Not just me, Fedorin, my friend. It's a partnership I'm offering you. Either you have half of everything…

ISABELLA: Or you lose everything.

SALAMANDER: My wife, she understands.

FEDORIN: But what about Denes?

SALAMANDER: Oh, yes, the popular, well beloved Denes. What a pity.

FEDORIN: Pity?

SALAMANDER: Oh, didn't I tell you? Denes is going to die, mysteriously. An assassin. Terrible.

FEDORIN: Who would assassinate him though?

ISABELLA: If I get you a mirror, you can see him for yourself.

SALAMANDER: (Chuckles) My wife with her dry humour, funny, is she not?

(Isabella takes a drink of her wine.)

FEDORIN: I can't do that. You can't ask me!

(Salamander takes back the file from Fedorin.)

SALAMANDER: I think I can ask you to do anything I want.

(Suddenly, there's a loud rumbling in the distance.)

SALAMANDER: My predictions are accurate!

(Salamander gets up and rushes over to the edge of the balcony, looking up towards the mountains. Isabella stands, lazily following him with her glass of wine in hand. Fedorin too follows, though more jumpily.)

SALAMANDER: The entire Eperjes-Tokaj ranges are in eruption.

(The mountains in the distance unleash mushroom clouds of ash and smoke, as molten lava oozes down the sides, drooling and popping forth from various pours around the cliff faces.)

SALAMANDER: It's very pretty, is it no?

(While Salamander grins from ear to ear, Isabella drinks her wine behind shut eyes, and Fedorin can only stare in horror.)

SALAMANDER: The history of Hungary is about to be rewritten.

(The lava running down the mountainside reaches a city beneath it, as the skies turn back from the ash cloud. Within moments the city at the base of the mountain has vanished in a mixture of lava, ash, and smoke, leaving nothing alive. As the three watch, Bruce comes out to join them.)

BRUCE: Salamander, Lady Isabella.

(They turn around to face Bruce.)

SALAMANDER: What are you doing here?

BRUCE: I had a report there was trouble here. An attempt on your life.

ISABELLA: Well, he's not dead, is he?

SALAMANDER: It was nothing. Come and look.

(Bruce comes over to the edge to join them, watching as the destruction continues down the mountain, claiming more and more lives as builds collapse and the very landscape changes before their eyes.)

BRUCE: Terrible. Those poor people.

(A commotion from inside the palace, before Denes marches out onto the balcony.)

DENES: Salamander! What have you done?!

SALAMANDER: I warned you.

DENES: You couldn't have known. You've done this somehow yourself!

SALAMANDER: The man's mad! Worse still, he's incompetent! I warned this man that this Zone was in danger of natural disaster, and he did nothing! Issued no cautions to the public. You deliberately allowed your people to suffer and die. You're a traitor!

DENES: You're a traitor! You contrived this for your own ends!

SALAMANDER: Bruce, I order you to arrest this man.

(Denes is shocked.)

DENES: But this is nonsense. Fedorin, you were here. You know this is nonsense.

SALAMANDER: Denes, you are too naive. At your trial, Fedorin will be the chief witness against you.

(Denes stares at Fedorin, as does Bruce. Fedorin can only lower his head shamefully, while Salamander smiles. And as the rage of the volcanic eruption continues for them all to see, Isabella finishes the last of her wine…)