THE
GREEN DEATH
BY
ROBERT SLOMAN
EPISODE THREE
1: INT. LLANFAIRFACH COLLIERY. CAVERN GALLERY
(The DOCTOR gets nearer.)
DOCTOR: (Shouts.) Jo?! Jo - are you there?!
JO: (OOV: Ahead in the cavern.) Doctor - here quickly!
(The DOCTOR moves on at speed and soon he and JO bump into each other in the green gloom.)
JO: Doctor! Doctor - it's horrible!
(She points back where she has come from.)
DOCTOR: What is it?
(He moves on to look. He reaches the cavern and sees the lake of giant maggots.)
DOCTOR: Good grief!
(He goes back to her.)
DOCTOR: Come on!
(They start to set off back the way they have come but all of a sudden there is a rumbling sound. The long-disused tunnel, disturbed by their movements, starts to collapse. Dust and rocks fall down, totally blocking their route back. To make matters worse, several maggots suddenly emerge from gaps in the debris. JO looks on in horror as the creatures start to shuffle towards them. One of them hisses at the pair with its small mouth filled with razor-sharp teeth. The DOCTOR pulls JO back in the direction of the lake in the cavern.)
JO: There's no way out.
DOCTOR: Nil desperandum, Jo.
JO: But, Doctor, those things crawling around in that green stuff - you saw what happened to the others.
DOCTOR: Then we mustn't let them touch us, must we? Now, how do we get out of here?
(JO points to some wheeled coal carts nearby.)
JO: What about those - they any good?
(One cart is slightly de-railed.)
DOCTOR: Lift it up.
(They strain to lift the cart...)
DOCTOR: Right...now, push it over.
(...and then to lift it back onto the rail.)
2: EXT. LLANFAIRFACH COLLIERY
(An ambulance has been called to the mine. The driver closes the back doors and the watching BRIGADIER walks back into the pit office as the ambulance sets off.)
3: INT. LLANFAIRFACH COLLIERY. ENGINE ROOM
(A tired DAVE sits down, upset at the turn of events. CLIFF tries to offer comfort.)
DAVE: If anything happens to Bert too, I...I don't know what I'll do.
CLIFFORD JONES: It was their own decision to go down, man. You can't count it your fault. No, it's obvious who's responsible - Global Chemicals. We'll have to go down.
(The BRIGADIER enters and listens.)
DAVE: No! No, the...the Doctor - he was most emphatic. I...it's too dangerous. On no account, go down.
CLIFFORD JONES: But that girl, man! She's in terrible danger.
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: It may surprise you to learn, Professor Jones, that Miss Grant is one of my staff. I think that she and the Doctor are quite capable of looking after themselves.
CLIFFORD JONES: Two people, possibly three, have died already. She may be next. I'm going down even if you're not.
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Professor Jones, believe me, my concern for Miss Grant is as deep as yours - probably more so. The Doctor knows what he's doing.
CLIFFORD JONES: Very well, but you must do something. It's got to be stopped, man, it's gone too far!
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Far too far - I quite agree. I think it's time that I paid Global Chemicals another visit.
4: INT. LLANFAIRFACH COLLIERY. CAVERN GALLERY
(The DOCTOR and JO have managed to put the cart back onto the rails. JO is stood in the cart and the DOCTOR passes JO a disused pit prop.)
DOCTOR: Get a hold of this prop.
(JO takes the prop from him.)
DOCTOR: Take it over that side.
JO: Right.
(She rests the prop like a pole from a punt over one side of the cart.)
DOCTOR: Make room for me.
(The DOCTOR climbs into the cart with his own prop.)
DOCTOR: Right, you ready?
JO: Yeah.
DOCTOR: Then off we go.
(They both start to push but while the DOCTOR is trying to push the cart towards the lake, JO is pushing in the opposite direction with the result that they don't move an inch. The DOCTOR notices.)
DOCTOR: No, not that way! The rail's blocked. This way - through the cave here.
JO: Through those things?!
DOCTOR: Well, it's only about a foot deep.
JO: (Appalled.) I can't - I just can't!
DOCTOR: Jo, we haven't got any alternative.
JO: Doctor, it's not that I'm afraid exactly, it's just...it's just those maggots.
DOCTOR: Then close your eyes.
JO: Alright.
DOCTOR: Good girl.
(JO shuts her eyes tight and starts to punt the cart along in the same direction as the DOCTOR.)
DOCTOR: That's it - right, we're under way.
(The cart moves into the maggot infested lake of green slime. JO momentarily opens her eyes but quickly closes them again.)
5: INT. GLOBAL CHEMICALS. CORRIDOR
(ELGIN bumps into FELL in a corridor.)
ELGIN: Have you heard? They've brought another two out of the mine - one dead and the other dying.
FELL: (Coldly.) Yes, I heard.
ELGIN: Is that all you can say? Do you feel no responsibility at all?
FELL: I - why should I?
ELGIN: (Angrily.) You told them we had no cutting equipment and you knew we had and I'm sure you know something about what's going on down in that mine!
FELL: No, I...
(FELL puts his fingers up to his screwed-up face as if in pain.)
ELGIN: Oh, for heaven's sake, man, tell the truth! Others might die if you don't.
(FELL recovers his self-composure.)
FELL: (Flatly.) You are mistaken.
(He enters a room, shutting the door behind him on ELGIN.)
6: INT. GLOBAL CHEMICALS. PUMPING ROOM
(The room that FELL has entered is a pumping operations room. Large pipes run down the walls of the room and there is a console on the edge of a raised dais in the centre. The dais runs into a raised gantry which runs round the side of the room. FALL takes a clipboard off the wall and sits at the console. Behind him, ELGIN follows him quietly into the room and takes cover behind a large vertical blue pipe, watching FELL carefully.)
7: INT. LLANFAIRFACH COLLIERY. CAVERN GALLERY
(The little cart continues to be punted through the infested lake of slime.)
DOCTOR: Well, I've heard of boating lakes but this is ridiculous!
(They come to the other end of the lake and the continuation of the tunnel.)
DOCTOR: Bit more. Right, that'll do. Right, get rid of your pole.
(The two throw their pit props down and the DOCTOR starts to clamber out.)
DOCTOR: Come on.
(JO follows him.)
DOCTOR: Well done, Jo.
JO: Now what?
(The DOCTOR looks up the continuation of the tunnel which becomes more narrow and less man-made.)
DOCTOR: We go up this crevice.. It was marked on the map.
JO: How do you know it leads to the surface?
DOCTOR: Well, that stuff must have come down here from somewhere. If there's a way down, there's a way up. I think I know where it leads to. Come on, you go first.
(He pushes JO on ahead.)
8: INT. GLOBAL CHEMICALS. STEVENS' OFFICE
(The BRIGADIER has been granted another meeting with STEVENS.)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: No, there's no question of it, sir. This is now a security matter and UNIT's taking charge. My people will be arriving as soon as possible.
STEVENS: Yes, but surely...
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: (Interrupts.) Now this cannot be dealt with locally. Now, I intend to request a full international investigation under the auspices of the United Nations. There's too much at stake.
STEVENS: (Annoyed.) Indeed! Indeed!
(STEVENS gets up from his chair and walks round his desk to the BRIGADIER.)
STEVENS: Our work here is of international importance. However, I would point out a certain risk - should it be thought that we are in any way connected with these deaths, my whole project might be closed down! Sentimental fools are always with us.
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: If it would become advisable to close down your plant...
STEVENS: (Interrupts.) That must never happen!
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: (Firmly.) Mr. Stevens, two of my friends are still down there in that mine in the gravest danger. If it consider it necessary to close Global Chemicals, then closed it will be.
(He heads for the door.)
STEVENS: Brigadier, I advise you to be careful - very careful indeed.
(The BRIGADIER looks STEVENS in the eye.)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Are you threatening me, Mr. Stevens?
STEVENS: (Softly.) Yes, I think perhaps I am. Or perhaps I'm just counselling a little prudence.
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: If necessary, I can bring influence to bear at Cabinet level.
STEVENS: Oh, you have friends in high places, have you? Well so have I!
(He returns to his desk and jabs the intercom switch.)
STEVENS: Stella?
(There is a buzz of acknowledgement.)
STEVENS: Will you get the Minister of Ecology on the phone, please?
(There are two buzzes of response. The BRIGADIER looks less confident at this development.)
9: INT. LLANFAIRFACH COLLIERY. CREVICE
(JO and the DOCTOR are climbing at a steel angle up a crevice filled with abandoned pit props and rocks.)
DOCTOR: If I remember rightly, it gets easier further up.
JO: At least there's none of those awful...
(She suddenly sees something ahead.)
JO: Ergh!
DOCTOR: What is it?
(He struggles up next to her to see what she is looking at. On a ledge above them are a pile of huge enlarged maggot eggs.)
JO: They look like eggs.
DOCTOR: I think I'm beginning to understand. Now, hold on a minute. I've got to get a hold of one of those.
(He pushes past her and further into the "hatchery". He reaches up and takes one, putting it into a large sack as JO watches nervously.)
DOCTOR: Come on by.
JO: Alright.
(JO climbs past him.)
DOCTOR: Now don't knock the pit-prop over. You'll have the whole thing down on us.
JO: Okay.
DOCTOR: Keep tight into the wall.
JO: Right.
(She forges on ahead.)
DOCTOR: Alright?
JO: Yeah.
10: INT. GLOBAL CHEMICALS. PUMPING ROOM
(FELL is still sat at the console, operating the controls. At one side of the console are two thermometer-like indicators marked "1" and "2" and an "EMPTY" and "FULL" line indicated between the two. At the moment "1" is full and "2" is empty. ELGIN comes out from his observation place.)
FELL: What are you doing here? This is for authorised personnel only.
ELGIN: Oh, come on, Ralph. You know quite well I'm as authorised as you are.
FELL: Not for here.
ELGIN: Why? What's so special about this room?
FELL: Nothing.
ELGIN: Looks like a pumping control to me. That's not a security area.
FELL: So there's nothing to see. Why don't you go away?
ELGIN: Oh, but I'm interested. You're venting one tank and filling another. Is that it?
FELL: Yes, for cleaning purposes.
ELGIN: I see.
(ELGIN points to indicator "1". The levels of each indicator are changing.)
ELGIN: Now that one refers to the main waste tank on level four.
(He points to "2".)
ELGIN: Where's this one - the one you're filling?
FELL: Close to it.
ELGIN: The next big one on level three?
FELL: Yes.
ELGIN: (Thinks.) But that's a heavy duty pump working. You shouldn't need anything more than gravity feed.
FELL: I...I made a mistake. It is for a tank on a higher level.
ELGIN: There isn't one on a higher level. (Thinks.) No, hang about - there's that new special storage tank...
FELL: (Interrupts nervously.) Excuse me. I cannot answer any more of your questions. I am busy.
ELGIN: Of course, old man. Of course.
11: INT. WHITEHALL MEETING ROOM
(In a wood-panelled room, members of the Cabinet are in a meeting. One of them - the MINISTER OF ECOLOGY - takes a phone call.)
MINISTER OF ECOLOGY: (Into phone.) Fair enough, Johnstone, but you are interrupting a Cabinet meeting, you know. (He listens.) Who? (Listens.) Oh yes, the UNIT chap. Well, you'd better put him on.
(He looks over at a man sat at the head of the table.)
MINISTER OF ECOLOGY: Do forgive me, Prime Minister. (Into phone.) Ah, Brigadier. Unfortunate business this.
12: INT. GLOBAL CHEMICALS. STEVENS' OFFICE
(STEVENS watches with a smile as the BRIGADIER speaks with the MINISTER.)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: (Into phone.) I'd put it a little more strongly than that, sir. (He listens.) Well, it seems to me that an international investigation... (Listens.) No, I don't agree at all, sir.
13: INT. WHITEHALL MEETING ROOM
MINISTER OF ECOLOGY: (Into phone.) Don't you, Brigadier? Interesting. Nevertheless, I strongly suggest that you put yourself and UNIT at the disposal of the director of Global Chemicals. He's in by far the best position to handle the situation.
14: INT. GLOBAL CHEMICALS. STEVENS' OFFICE
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: (Into phone.) May I remind you that I answer to Geneva. Under article seventeen of the third enabling act, the...
15: INT. WHITEHALL MEETING ROOM
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: (OOV: Over phone.) ...United Nations...
MINISTER OF ECOLOGY: (Into phone.) I helped draft that act, Brigadier. May I remind you of article eighteen? In matters of domestic concern, er, paragraph three if I remember rightly, will place itself at the disposal of the host nation - in all respects. The Prime Minister and I feel...
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: (OOV: Over phone.) Sir, with...
16: INT. GLOBAL CHEMICALS. STEVENS' OFFICE
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: (Into phone.) ...respect, I disagree that this is a purely domestic matter, on the contrary...
17: INT. WHITEHALL MEETING ROOM
(The MINISTER cups the mouthpiece as the BRIGADIER continues and speaks to the Prime Minister.)
MINISTER OF ECOLOGY: Wretched fellow needs a swift kick on the backside. Would you care to administer it, Jeremy?
(He passes the phone to the Prime Minister.)
18: INT. GLOBAL CHEMICALS. STEVENS' OFFICE
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: (Into phone.) And what's more, sir... (He listens.) What do you say?
(The BRIGADIER'S mouth drops.)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: (Into phone.) Oh... (Coughs.) Yes, good afternoon, sir. (He listens.) Duty? Yes, I think I know... (Listens.) Yes, I know that, s... (Listens.) Is that an order, Prime Minister? (Listens.) I see.
(The phone buzzes as it is put down abruptly at the other end.)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Well, you leave me no choice.
(He puts the phone down and turns back to a silent watching STEVENS.)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: You have very powerful friends, Mr. Stevens.
19: INT. LLANFAIRFACH COLLIERY. CREVICE
(The crevice has flattened out somewhat but the two are still having to make their way forward crouched down.)
JO: I think I can see something.
DOCTOR: Good. Go on.
JO: Okay.
(They move on slightly.)
DOCTOR: Right, let me pass.
(They reach the end where the rock gives way to a metal ceiling in the crevice with a large pipe coming down. A ladder runs down the inside of the pipe.)
DOCTOR: A pipe - I was right.
JO: Of course.
DOCTOR: After you, Miss Grant.
(JO goes to the base of the ladder.)
20: INT. PIPE
DOCTOR: Up you go.
JO: Right.
(She starts to climb.)
DOCTOR: There.
(As the DOCTOR comes up after her, JO sniffs the pipe.)
JO: What's that smell?
DOCTOR: Oh, it's crude oil. Or rather crude oil waste. You can see it on the sides of the pipe.
JO: You mean it leads to Global Chemicals?
DOCTOR: Where else. Come on - up you go.
JO: Right.
21: INT. GLOBAL CHEMICALS. PUMPING ROOM
(FELL looks ill. He clutches his head as ELGIN tries to reason with him...)
ELGIN: I don't know what's happened to you, Ralph, but you've got to fight it!
(An alarm sounds and an electronic voice is heard.)
VOICE: Intruder in 'D' area - section two. Visual identification available.
(An image appears on a wall monitor of the DOCTOR and JO climbing up inside the pipe.)
ELGIN: It's that Doctor chap and there's a girl with him.
(FELL picks up a trimphone from the side of the console.)
FELL: (Into phone.) Intruders located. Unauthorised entry into pipe.
ELGIN: You mean they're actually in the pipe? Well, we've got to get them out.
(A beep comes from the console. Indicator "1" is almost full again as "2" empties out.)
FELL: Tank voiding operations completed. Waste disposal underway.
(FELL puts the phone back as ELGIN yells at him.)
ELGIN: Waste? You're putting the waste into that pipe? You'll kill them!
FELL: They are intruders.
ELGIN: Turn it off, damn you!
(FELL starts to look perturbed.)
FELL: I can't. The operation is automatic. Twenty-eight seconds to go.
22: INT. PIPE
(JO pauses.)
JO: Doctor, I think there's a sort of vibration in this pipe. Can you feel it?
DOCTOR: Yes, I certainly can.
JO: What does it mean?
DOCTOR: It means I think we ought to hurry. Come on!
(They carry on their ascent.)
23: INT. GLOBAL CHEMICALS. PUMPING ROOM
(ELGIN continues to plead with FELL who is growing increasingly erratic as the control over him lessens.)
ELGIN: For heaven's sake! There are two innocent people in there - we've got to save them!
FELL: Not...possible.
ELGIN: Yes, it is. We can open this door.
(Ho goes to a hatch-door on one side of the room. He tries to pull it open as FELL stares at the console, his mouth twitching.)
ELGIN: How's it done?
(He continues to try and find the lock of the hatch.)
ELGIN: How's it done?!
FELL: (Struggling to speak.) Un...authorised...personnel. Not...in...the...interests...of...the...company.
(ELGIN rushes back to FELL.)
ELGIN: Interests be damned! It's murder! You've got to tell me - how does it open?
(FELL gets up looking more and more distraught.)
FELL: Murder...unauthorised...saves lives...!
(The DOCTOR and JO appear at an observation window on the pipe, signalling desperately for help.)
ELGIN: Fell, tell me...
FELL: Not...permitted.
ELGIN: ...how do I open the hatch?
(A rumbling sound starts to build up in the room. FELL strains to answer and points as if in pain at the console.)
FELL: Yellow button...left side...
(He collapses on the floor as ELGIN presses the indicated button and rushes to the hatch. He pulls back the locking bolts and opens the door. The DOCTOR and JO rush out and ELGIN slams the door shut, just as the green slime shoots down the pipe as seen through the observation window.)
24: INT. GLOBAL CHEMICALS. STEVENS' OFFICE
(STEVENS and the BRIGADIER share a drink following the Director's 'victory' over the soldier.)
STEVENS: We're not murderers, Brigadier. I am as anxious as you are to prevent any further...accidents.
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Good.
STEVENS: We shall cooperate with you in every possible way. An office will be placed at your disposal and my secretary will be pleased to...
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: (Interrupts.) Er, that's very kind of you, Mr. Stevens, but my own staff will be joining me. Well, thank you for the drink. And now if you'll excuse me, I must find out if there's been any news about the Doctor and Miss Grant.
(He places the empty glass on the table and leaves.)
25: INT. GLOBAL CHEMICALS. PUMPING ROOM
(The DOCTOR has told ELGIN of what is happening in the mine.)
ELGIN: Where can these creatures have come from? Do you think they are linked to the oil waste?
DOCTOR: Well, they must be in some way. And that waste area down the mine seems to be their breeding ground.
(Behind them, FELL starts to get up off the floor.)
ELGIN: Stevens couldn't have known anything about these...these maggots. Nor could Fell for that matter.
(FELL leaves the room. ELGIN hears the noise of the shutting door.)
ELGIN: Fell?
(He goes to the door...)
26: INT. GLOBAL CHEMICALS. CORRIDOR
(...and looks out into the empty corridor. He sighs and re-joins the DOCTOR and JO.)
27: INT. GLOBAL CHEMICALS. PUMPING ROOM
ELGIN: He's gone.
DOCTOR: Where? To tell Stevens about us?
ELGIN: Perhaps, perhaps not. He was acting very strangely. Didn't seem to know which side he was on.
DOCTOR: Oh, and which side are you on, Mr. Elgin?
ELGIN: I don't like what's happening here any more than you do.
DOCTOR: Good man.
ELGIN: So, what next - beard the mighty Stevens in his den?
JO: Doctor?
DOCTOR: Yeah...?
(She crosses to him, shivering.)
JO: I'm so cold.
DOCTOR: Good heavens, what am I thinking of? Mr. Elgin, can you get us out of here without us being seen?
ELGIN: Yes, of course. We can take the back lift down to the car park.
DOCTOR: And what about Fell?
ELGIN: Well, even if he does go to see Stevens, I doubt if he'll make any sort of sense.
28: INT. GLOBAL CHEMICALS. STEVENS' OFFICE
(FELL bursts into STEVENS' office. The Director, smoking a cigar, is with HINKS. FELL stares blankly and uncomprehendingly at STEVENS.)
STEVENS: What is it, man?
FELL: I...I...
STEVENS: (Impatiently.) What is it?
FELL: (With an effort.) I have...a...head...ache.
(STEVENS puts down the cigar and joins FELL.)
STEVENS: Of course you have. You've been overdoing it. Come and sit down.
(He helps him to a chair. HINKS stands behind him.)
FELL: My head...help...me.
STEVENS: Of course I'll help you.
(STEVENS crosses to the console...)
STEVENS: I helped you once before - remember?
(...and lifts the cover off the headphones. FELL gasps out his words.)
FELL: Once...
STEVENS: I'll always help you.
FELL: You...helped...me...once...before...
(STEVENS pulls the headphones into the socket and takes the headphones over to FELL.)
FELL: Once...before...emergency...equipment...was...withdrawn...
(Through his delirium, FELL realises what is happening and feebly covers his ears but HINKS yanks his hands back.)
FELL: Once...before...
(STEVENS puts the headphones on...)
FELL: Once...before...
(...and FELL starts to receive the conditioning again.)
FELL: Once...once...before....
(The faces of STEVENS and HINKS shimmer before him.)
FELL: Once...before...once...before....
(He seems to see STEVENS approaching again with the headphones. His head lolls slowly forward and back as he looks up at STEVENS and HINKS and finally he is still with a sad look in his reddened eyes.)
FELL: You've...done something...to my mind.
(The oscilloscope lines on the overhead monitor burst into life...)
BOSS'S VOICE: Stevens, the processing was a failure. This man is of no further use. I suggest...self-destruction.
STEVENS: That's not necessary, surely?
BOSS'S VOICE: You are...a sentimentalist, Stevens. (Firmly.) I repeat: self-destruction.
(With some reluctance, STEVENS crosses back to the console and presses a single red button marked with the number "9". In total silence, FELL grasps the headphones and twitches as if receiving a mild electric shock. With a sigh, he then slumps slightly forward and HINKS removes the headphones. Suddenly, in a total trance, FELL stands up and walks like an automaton out of the room. STEVENS watches him go with a pained look on his face.)
STEVENS: Not...necessary, surely?
29: INT. GLOBAL CHEMICALS. CORRIDOR
(ELGIN scouts ahead round a corner in the corridor. At one end of the corridor is a short flight of steps which lead to the a door and daylight. ELGIN signals to the DOCTOR and JO to follow but no sooner have they turned the corner than ELGIN sees someone approaching.)
ELGIN: Fell.
(The little man is coming at them at a run. He bursts through the group and up the steps.)
DOCTOR: Fell?
ELGIN: Ralph!
(As the DOCTOR and JO look at ELGIN in puzzlement, FELL goes through the door which can be seen to lead to a small balcony.)
ELGIN: Ralph - come back!
30: EXT. GLOBAL CHEMICALS. BALCONY
(FELL climbs over a barrier...)
31: INT. GLOBAL CHEMICALS. CORRIDOR
(...and screams as he falls. ELGIN rushes for the door, followed by the DOCTOR and JO.)
32: EXT. GLOBAL CHEMICALS. BALCONY
(They look over the edge and JO closes her eyes when she sees FELL'S body below on the concrete ground. Two guards rush up and one sends the other back to get help. Up above, STEVENS also looks down from his office window. He returns to his desk...)
33: INT. GLOBAL CHEMICALS. STEVENS' OFFICE
(...and sits down with his head in his hands. The oscilloscope twitches...)
BOSS'S VOICE: Stevens? You are a sentimentalist.
(STEVENS looks devastated.)
34: INT. WHOLEWEAL COMMUNITY. LIVING ROOM (NIGHT)
(It is later that evening. The DOCTOR and JO have returned to Wholeweal, changed from the mining gear and are enjoying a meal with CLIFF and the BRIGADIER. Various other members of the community go about their various activities which includes one shawl-wearing girl playing a soothing tune on a flute, one man sculpting, and the others chatting. The BRIGADIER wears an evening suit while JO wears a purple evening gown. The DOCTOR has been regaling them with some of his tales and his three listeners round the dinner table burst into laughter as the last reaches its conclusion...)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: (Laughs.) Is that all?
CLIFFORD JONES: (Laughs.) Nonsense! I don't believe it!
DOCTOR: Well, the moral of story, of course, is never trust a Venusian shanghorn with a perigosto stick!
CLIFFORD JONES: The most useful moral trip with endless applications! Some more wine, Doctor.
DOCTOR: Thanks very much.
(CLIFF fills his glass as JO and the BRIGADIER chat between themselves.)
DOCTOR: You know, it's really excellent this wine, though I don't recognise the vintage.
CLIFFORD JONES: Well, now you've got domestic elderberry - our Nancy's best.
DOCTOR: Can I have a bottle to take home?
CLIFFORD JONES: Certainly.
(The DOCTOR picks up the bottle.)
DOCTOR: Brigadier, do you want a little more of this?
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Thank you.
(He refills the BRIGADIER'S glass as CLIFF points out a dish to JO. NANCY, a young women with long dark hair and wearing a caftan-type dress enters the room.)
CLIFFORD JONES: Some more of this, Jo?
JO: Oh, no thank you, it was delicious but...
NANCY: Doctor?
DOCTOR: Yeah?
NANCY: You're wanted on the telephone.
(The table falls silent as if something ominous is brewing.)
DOCTOR: Excuse me, will you?
CLIFFORD JONES: It's in the hall - by the lab door.
DOCTOR: Thanks.
(The DOCTOR goes out. CLIFF points to a dish.)
CLIFFORD JONES: Some more, Brigadier?
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: (Sighs.) Oh, I wish I could.
(JO laughs.)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: What was that meat?
CLIFFORD JONES: Not meat at all - fungus.
(The soldier's eyes open wide.)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Fungus?
CLIFFORD JONES: My new hybrid.
JO: So you've solved your problem? You've found what you've been looking for?
CLIFFORD JONES: Oh, I wish I had. No, no, it tastes fine, looks good, the texture's right, but it's relatively low in protein. Has to be picked at exactly the right moment, and it has to be eaten or dried straight away, or it goes off.
JO: Oh, so you've still got a long way to go.
CLIFFORD JONES: Yes, you could say that. Right up the Amazon in fact.
JO: Up the Amazon?
(CLIFF looks at JO.)
CLIFFORD JONES: Aye...in about a month's time.
JO: Oh...
CLIFFORD JONES: Look, I'll show you.
(He crosses the room to get a book.)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: So, all your research is biological?
CLIFFORD JONES: Well, mine is, oh, the others, well...
(He looks over at the flautist.)
CLIFFORD JONES: Well, take Jessie there, tootling away on her tin whistle. She's one of the finest mathematicians in the country. She's doing a study of the probability factors that of our projected future ecology.
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: (Impressed.) Is she indeed? I never would have guessed. And...and the gentlemen making that statue thing?
CLIFFORD JONES: Well, used to design supersonic aircraft. They even made one once.
(JO laughs.)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: What's he doing here?
CLIFFORD JONES: Making windmills.
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Really?
(CLIFF nods to a girl doing yoga in the middle of the floor.)
CLIFFORD JONES: Aye, and when Hilda's not upside down there, she's writing a book on self-actualisation. Aren't you, love? Used to run an encounter group in Aldgate.
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Oh, I was stationed once in Aldgate.
CLIFFORD JONES: Really?
(CLIFF finds the large book and returns to the table with it.)
CLIFFORD JONES: Here it is - "Up the Amazon with rifle and camera". Practically unexplored territory, see?
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: What, the Amazon basin? Oh, surely...?
CLIFFORD JONES: No, no, I mean the things people eat to get their protein - grubs, caterpillars, locusts, the blood of their cattle.
JO: Ergh!
CLIFFORD JONES: Well, it's only the same as black pudding, love.
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Mmm.
JO: Oh, that's disgusting.
CLIFFORD JONES: Ah now, listen to this... (Reads.) "And when game is in short supply, these tribes, or so it is said, will subsist for months at a time on a certain giant toadstool peculiar to their region, which serves them for their meat, thus stuffed with beneficent providence" etc. etc.
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: When was that published?
CLIFFORD JONES: 1884.
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: And on the strength of that, you go gallivanting off into the jungle?
CLIFFORD JONES: Aye.
JO: (Enthused.) But of course! Well look, it's like finding an old treasure map, isn't it?
CLIFFORD JONES: Aye! And what a treasure! Could help to make the whole world rich!
JO: Right.
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: A toadstool?
CLIFFORD JONES: Aye, a toadstool!
(They all burst out laughing. The DOCTOR enters the room with a sad look on his face, instantly dampening the jollity.)
DOCTOR: Bad news. The other miner's dead.
JO: Bert?
DOCTOR: Yes, I'm afraid so. He never regained consciousness.
JO: (Tearfully.) No...
(CLIFF puts a comforting hand over JO'S.)
DOCTOR: Well, they've completed the post mortem on Hughes.
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: And?
DOCTOR: Every cell in his body had been attacked, by some sort of virus apparently. They still haven't been able to isolate it though.
CLIFFORD JONES: So we're fighting in the dark?
DOCTOR: No, not quite. We've still got that egg, remember?
JO: (Sadly.) Poor Bert...
35: INT. GLOBAL CHEMICALS. STEVENS' OFFICE (NIGHT)
(As HINKS lights a cigarette for his boss, he relates to him the news of the egg.)
STEVENS: An egg? They've actually got an egg?
HINKS: Well, that's what they were saying down in the village. You see, there was this old taff in the pub, and, er...
STEVENS: (Interrupts.) But the Doctor and the girl are the only ones actually to have...seen these creatures, is that right?
HINKS: Load of old codswallop, if you ask me. Still, you know, I thought I ought to tell you.
STEVENS: Yes, quite right, quite right. And where is this...egg now?
HINKS: Over at the nuthutch.
STEVENS: I see. Well, you'd better go and get it, hadn't you?
36: INT. WHOLEWEAL COMMUNITY. LABORATORY (NIGHT)
(In the darkened laboratory, the DOCTOR shows the egg to the BRIGADIER.)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: It's tremendous size.
DOCTOR: Yes, isn't it? Well, tomorrow morning, Professor Jones and I are going to examine it properly.
37: INT. WHOLEWEAL COMMUNITY. LIVING ROOM (NIGHT)
(JO and CLIFF have the living room to themselves. JO is sat in front of the fire with the book on the Amazon in front of her. She is still upset at the news about Bert.)
JO: (Tearfully.) But Cliff, if I'd stayed I...I might have been able to...help him in someway.
(CLIFF comes and sits next to her.)
CLIFFORD JONES: Oh, there's nothing you could have done, love. You mustn't blame yourself.
JO: (Tearfully.) I know that really, it's...it's just he was...he was such a perky little man. He called me Blodwyn.
(CLIFF puts his arm round her shoulder and she leans against him.)
JO: (Tearfully.) Cliff, I'm sorry. I don't know why I'm crying. A funny little Welshman that I hardly knew.
CLIFFORD JONES: (Gently.) You shouldn't feel ashamed of your grief. It's right to grieve.
(JO looks intently at him.)
CLIFFORD JONES: (Gently.) Your Bert - he was unique. In the whole history of the world, there's never been anybody just like Bert - and they'll never be another. Even if the world lasts for a hundred million centuries.
JO: (Smiles.) Thanks.
(CLIFF kisses her forehead. They look at each other for a moment and then move in to kiss. They hear the lab door banging and the DOCTOR'S voice as he and the BRIGADIER return. The two break apart and laugh gently.)
DOCTOR: Well quite frankly, Brigadier, I fail to see the value of a lot of idiot soldiers running around the place!
(The DOCTOR is first into the room. He cannot help to see what has been developing and does not look pleased.)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Oh, you've been thankful enough sometimes, Doctor.
(The BRIGADIER is less cognisant of events.)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Ah, Professor Jones, just come to say goodnight. I'm off.
(CLIFF gets up from his place by JO at the fire.)
CLIFFORD JONES: Are you sure you won't stay here too, Brigadier? We've plenty of room.
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Er, no thank you. It...it's very kind of you, but the pub'll do me. Er, goodnight, Miss Grant.
JO: Goodnight, Brigadier.
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Goodnight, Doctor.
DOCTOR: Lethbridge Stewart.
CLIFFORD JONES: I'll show you out.
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Ah, thank you.
(The two men leave the room.)
DOCTOR: I think a good night's sleep is indicated, Jo.
JO: Oh, I'm fine now. Honestly I am. Actually, I think I'll stay up for a bit. This book on the Amazon looks fascinating.
DOCTOR: Yes...well, I shouldn't be too late if I were you.
(He smiles down at her.)
DOCTOR: Goodnight.
JO: (Briefly.) Night.
(She looks back down at the book. The DOCTOR pauses in the doorway.)
DOCTOR: By the way, Jo, the TARDIS did come up trumps. I got to Metebelis Three.
(He reaches into his pocket and pulls out one of the blue sapphires.)
DOCTOR: As you can see.
JO: Mmm?
(JO looks up. For a moment, she shows some of her old enthusiasm.)
JO: Oh great!
(But it quickly disappears.)
JO: Great... Night.
(She returns to her book. The DOCTOR stares at her and re-pockets the jewel. He manages a smile.)
DOCTOR: Goodnight.
(He turns to leave as CLIFF comes back into the room.)
CLIFFORD JONES: Ah, off to bed, are you?
(JO looks up in delight but the DOCTOR slyly pulls CLIFF back towards the hallway.)
DOCTOR: Professor Jones, the very man, I've had some thought about this so-called virus...
CLIFFORD JONES: Oh, but I, er...
DOCTOR: (Ignoring him.) It seems me that if we were to postulate that...
(CLIFF is firmly led from the room.)
CLIFFORD JONES: Goodnight, Jo!
DOCTOR: (OOV: In hallway.) ...had a nucleus on this...
CLIFFORD JONES: (OOV: In hallway.) Sleep well!
DOCTOR: (OOV: In hallway.) We could possibly...
(JO'S face drops as she listens to the DOCTOR leading CLIFF away from her. She stares into the fire and smiles.)
38: INT. WHOLEWEAL COMMUNITY. LABORATORY (NIGHT)
(In the silent laboratory, the egg starts to twitch. The shell breaks and a maggot emerges. It starts to slither out.)
39: INT. WHOLEWEAL COMMUNITY. LIVING ROOM (NIGHT)
(JO leafs through the book in the firelight.)
40: INT. WHOLEWEAL COMMUNITY. LABORATORY (NIGHT)
(The maggot is now on the floor. It slithers towards the doorway and out into the hallway.)
41: INT. WHOLEWEAL COMMUNITY. LIVING ROOM (NIGHT)
(JO is still absorbed in her book. Her back is to the door. She therefore fails to see as the maggot enters the room and rears up slightly as it senses her presence. It then carries on slithering towards her unprotected back...)
Dr. Who
JON PERTWEE
Jo Grant
KATY MANNING
Brigadier Lethbridge Stewart
NICHOLAS COURTNEY
Stevens
JEROME WILLIS
Clifford Jones
STEWART BEVAN
Elgin
TONY ADAMS
Hinks
BEN HOWARD
Fell
JOHN ROLFE
Boss's Voice
JOHN DEARTH
Dave
TALFRYN THOMAS
Nancy
MITZI McKENZIE
Minister of Ecology
RICHARD BEALE
Written by
ROBERT SLOMAN
Title Music
RON GRAINER
and
BBC RADIOPHONIC
WORKSHOP
Incidental Music by
DUDLEY SIMPSON
Special Sound
DICK MILLS
Script Editor
TERRANCE DICKS
Designer
JOHN BURROWES
Producer
BARRY LETTS
Directed by
MICHAEL BRIANT
COLOUR
© BBC 1973