PLANET
OF THE
SPIDERS
BY
ROBERT
SLOMAN
PART TWO
1: INT. LAMASERY. CELLAR (EVENING)
(The ceremony continues...)
LUPTON: Om mani...
GROUP: Om.
LUPTON: ...padme hum.
GROUP: Om.
LUPTON: Om mani...
GROUP: Om.
LUPTON: ...padme hum.
(LUPTON'S voice rises to a crescendo again...)
GROUP: Om.
LUPTON: Om mani...
GROUP: Om.
LUPTON: ...padme hum.
GROUP: Om.
LUPTON: Om mani...
GROUP: Om.
LUPTON: ...padme hum.
GROUP: Om.
LUPTON: Om mani...
GROUP: Om.
LUPTON: ...padme hum.
(SARAH looks on in open-mouthed shock...)
GROUP: Om.
LUPTON: Om mani...
GROUP: Om.
LUPTON: ...padme hum.
GROUP: Om.
LUPTON: Om mani...
GROUP: Om.
LUPTON: ...padme hum.
(...as a blue glow fills the centre of the mandala...)
GROUP: Om.
LUPTON: Om mani...
GROUP: Om.
LUPTON: ...padme hum.
GROUP: Om.
LUPTON: Om mani...
GROUP: Om.
LUPTON: ...padme hum.
(...and, as the glow subsides, a twitching, two-foot wide spider materialises in its place. The chanting abruptly stops as SARAH grabs MIKE'S hand. The five men hastily jump up and back from the mandala. KEAVER is most frightened. Crying out is terror, he runs for the steps. A blue arc of energy shoots out from the spider and hits the fleeing man in the legs. He falls down to the floor, unconscious. Collecting himself, LUPTON holds up his outstretched hands to the manifestation and speaks as sonorously as he can...)
LUPTON: Go! I command you - go!
(The SPIDER suddenly speaks. Its voice is thin, feminine, slightly resonating and full of menace...)
SPIDER: I have come to give you the power you seek.
(Any shock that LUPTON feels at the sound of the voice is subsumed by the choice of its words...)
LUPTON: Power?
SPIDER: Turn around.
(LUPTON naturally hesitates.)
SPIDER: Turn around, I say!
(Slowly, he turns and faces the wall. As the other men – and SARAH and MIKE – watch, the SPIDER flexes on its eight legs...and jumps. It clamps itself to LUPTON'S back and the man gives out a startled cry, causing SARAH to jump. Hanging down off LUPTON'S shoulders, the SPIDER fades away and vanishes. A small smile appears on LUPTON'S face. He flexes his shoulders slightly and turns to face the other men. SARAH watches open-eyed in shock.)
2: INT. UNIT HQ. LABORATORY (NIGHT)
(It is now night. CLEGG'S body has been taken from the laboratory.)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Well, what did the man die of? Did the crystal kill him?
DOCTOR: No, I don't see how it could have done.
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Well he was looking at it when he died.
(BENTON enters.)
SERGEANT BENTON: The police have gone, sir. The Inspector said he'd give you a ring later.
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Right, thank you, Benton.
DOCTOR: Well wait a minute. Now there is a chance...
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: A chance of what?
DOCTOR: Well, Professor Clegg was attached to this IRIS machine when he died. Perhaps it recorded his thoughts?
(The DOCTOR steps towards the machine and presses a switch. There is the sound of a tape running backwards for a moment and then the DOCTOR presses a switch to play. The BRIGADIER and BENTON step forward to look at the monitor. On it is shown a writhing, swirling mass of...)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Spiders?
3: INT. LAMASERY. CELLAR (NIGHT)
(As LUPTON and BARNES watch on, MOSS and LAND help the recovering KEAVER to his feet. SARAH and MIKE are still in their place of concealment and are also watching developments.)
KEAVER: What happened? That...spider!
(He looks round in fear.)
KEAVER: Where is it?
LUPTON: Now go to your rooms.
(He holds up a hand to forestall further argument.)
LUPTON: But remember - not a word of this to a living soul.
(The three men go up the steps. LUPTON is about to follow but a concerned BARNES calls him back.)
BARNES: Lupton, are you feeling alright?
LUPTON: (Confidently.) Of course, I am. Never felt better.
(He too goes up the steps and leaves the cellar, followed by BARNES. SARAH listens to them go.)
4: INT. UNIT HQ. LABORATORY (NIGHT)
(The DOCTOR switches off the IRIS machine.)
DOCTOR: Well, there's only one thing to do now.
SERGEANT BENTON: Well, what's that, Doctor?
DOCTOR: I must look into the crystal myself.
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Isn't that rather dangerous? I mean, look what happened last time.
DOCTOR: I'll bear it in mind, Brigadier.
(The DOCTOR heads towards the crystal on a stand on the lab bench.)
SERGEANT BENTON: But, Doctor?
DOCTOR: Mmm?
SERGEANT BENTON: Well, wouldn't it be best for me to have a go first? I mean, I'm expendable and you're not.
DOCTOR: Well I'm already responsible for the death of one man, Sergeant. Thanks just the same.
5: INT. LAMASERY. PASSAGEWAY (NIGHT)
(MIKE helps SARAH through the same sash window that they made their entrance in. She sits on the ledge and makes a last plea...)
SARAH: (Quietly.) Look, you're sure you won't come too?
MIKE YATES: (Whispers.) And if I went they'd guess I was onto them. No, it's mu...much better you go by yourself. Let the Doc and the Brig know what's going on.
SARAH: (Whispers.) Okay.
(She slips through the window but leans back in.)
SARAH: (Quietly.) Hey, Mike!
MIKE YATES: (Whispers.) What?
SARAH: (Whispers.) I don't know what is going on.
MIKE YATES: (Whispers.) Just tell them everything you saw. Off you go.
SARAH: (Quietly.) Well, what are you going to do?
MIKE YATES: (Whispers.) I'm going to try and get into the Abbot - tell him all about it.
(SARAH sighs in resignation.)
SARAH: (Quietly.) Do be careful, hmm?
(She ducks out of the window and MIKE closes the sash. He suddenly hears LUPTON'S voice.)
LUPTON: (OOV: Down the passageway.) This is only the first stage, you see?
(MIKE closes the curtains on the window.)
BARNES: (OOV: Down the passageway.) Well, I still don't understand what happened.
(MIKE quickly moves off as LUPTON and a shaken BARNES walk down the passageway.)
LUPTON: I'm only just beginning to understand myself.
BARNES: And, that...that...that spider - what was it? One of those Tibetan demons Cho-je warned us about?
LUPTON: Well, that's what he would say - but he'd be wrong.
BARNES: Where did it go?
LUPTON: It didn't.
(He smiles at BARNES.)
LUPTON: It's still here.
BARNES: (Amazed.) Still there? Do you mean...you can still feel it on your back?
LUPTON: Our minds are joined together. If I...concentrate...I can hear it speaking to me.
(LUPTON does so and hears the thin, insistent and contemptuous voice...)
SPIDER: (OOV.) This man is stupid. Send him away.
LUPTON: Very well.
BARNES: Was it speaking to you then?
LUPTON: It was.
BARNES: What did it say?
LUPTON: It said you looked tired and you...should be in bed.
BARNES: (Sighs.) I'll never be able to sleep a wink. To think I came here to get peace of mind.
LUPTON: Well, I'll see you in the morning, and don't worry, I know what I'm doing.
(He gives BARNES a friendly pat on the shoulder. Rubbing his eyes, the man walks down the passageway and off to his room. LUPTON watches him go but suddenly twitches as he feels the SPIDER within him do the same. He frowns.)
LUPTON: What is it?
SPIDER: (OOV: Eagerly.) The crystal! I can feel it! Concentrate, Lupton - concentrate!
LUPTON: (Puzzled.) What crystal?
SPIDER: (OOV.) It is why I have come - to find the crystal and get it back. It will give us power - the power we both seek - concentrate!
(LUPTON takes breath and stares into the distance.)
LUPTON: I can see a man...staring into a blue light...the light of a crystal...
(In his mind's eye, he sees the blue glow from the Metebelis crystal.)
LUPTON: ...a blue crystal...
6: INT. UNIT HQ. LABORATORY (NIGHT)
(The DOCTOR is indeed staring into the Metebelis crystal which is held up in a lab bench clamp. He is in a deep trance and impervious to the worried entreaties of the BRIGADIER who is stood next to him.)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Doctor?
(The DOCTOR doesn't move his position.)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Good grief!
(He calls out into the corridor.)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Sergeant Benton?
SERGEANT BENTON: (OOV: In corridor.) Yes, sir?
(BENTON walks in with a cup of coffee on a tray.)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Oh, there you are. Looks as if we have an emergency on our hands. I can't get him to come round. Damn silly idea. Thought so all along.
(He picks up the lab phone.)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: (Into phone.) Give me the M.O. - quickly.
(Looking worried himself, BENTON moves over to the DOCTOR...)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: (Into phone.) Oh, is that you, Sullivan? Get over to the lab straight away.
(...and puts the cup of hot coffee down in front of him. Suddenly and without moving...)
DOCTOR: Absolutely beautiful.
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: What's that, Doctor?
(The DOCTOR takes a deep breath...)
DOCTOR: Oh, the smell of that coffee. Thank you, Sergeant.
(...and picks up the cup with an appreciative smile.)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: (Into phone.) Forget it, Sullivan.
(He slams the phone down.)
DOCTOR: (To BENTON.) You know, I've always said that next to Mrs. Samuel Pepys you make the finest cup of coffee in the world.
SERGEANT BENTON: (Proudly.) Thank you very much, Doctor. Actually the secret of it is, is to get the water...
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: (Interrupting impatiently.) Yeah, look, never mind the dratted coffee! What about the spiders?
(The DOCTOR takes a sip and looks puzzled.)
DOCTOR: Spiders?
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: (Patiently.) The ones in the crystal.
DOCTOR: Oh yes. (Pensively.) You know, Brigadier, when I was a young man, there was an old hermit who lived half way up a mountain just behind our house. Well, I spent some of the finest hours of my life with that old man.
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: What are you talking about?
DOCTOR: And it was from him I first learnt how to look into my mind.
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: The crystal, Doctor!
DOCTOR: And that's what I'm trying to tell you, Brigadier. When I looked into that crystal, all I could see was the face of my old teacher...
7: INT. LAMASERY. HALLWAY (NIGHT)
(MIKE starts to ascend the stairs in the hallway when TOMMY'S hand clamps down on his arm.)
TOMMY: Go ta bed, Yates.
MIKE YATES: But I must see K'anpo.
TOMMY: K'anpo Tommy's friend. He...he like to be alone. Now go ta bed!
MIKE YATES: But Tom...!
TOMMY: (Interrupts.) I fetch Cho-Je, or I hit you!
(He raises a powerful fist, despite looking sorry to do so.)
MIKE YATES: No, no...don't do that. I won't go up.
TOMMY: Good. (Smiles gently.) Tommy don't like to hit you.
(Suddenly, his magpie eyes catch the glint of a silver pendant hanging round MIKE'S neck.)
TOMMY: (Breathlessly.) Oh, that's pretty!
(MIKE takes the pendant off and hangs it over TOMMY'S head.)
MIKE YATES: Here you are - yours.
TOMMY: For Tommy?
(MIKE nods. TOMMY wanders off, seemingly oblivious to anything but his new present.)
TOMMY: Oh...ah...that's pretty.
(MIKE looks up the stairs but TOMMY swings round.)
TOMMY: Go ta bed...mister.
(He turns back to his present and wanders off.)
TOMMY: Go ta bed.
(MIKE waits for him to go out of sight, sneaks a glance round and is about to try and tread the stairs again when another more sinister voice booms out.)
LUPTON: What excellent advice!
(Smiling, LUPTON rounds the corner.)
LUPTON: Time for all good little boys to go to bed - don't you agree?
MIKE YATES: Oh... (Coughs.) ...yes, yes.
(But he doesn't move. LUPTON nods down the corridor towards MIKE'S room.)
LUPTON: Goodnight.
MIKE YATES: Goodnight.
(MIKE gives up and walks off. LUPTON watches him go.)
8: INT. UNIT HQ. LABORATORY
(It is the next day. SARAH, wearing a stylish grey jacket and red-check collar and cuffs and a red woollen hat, paces the DOCTOR'S laboratory, trying to put together a coherent story. The DOCTOR, not even half-listening, examines the crystal in his hand.)
DOCTOR: Of course I'm listening, Sarah. Go on - what happened next?
(He puts the crystal down on the sensor plate of a device and makes notes on a clipboard while the machine beeps away.)
SARAH: Well, then we climbed in the building, you see, and went straight down to the cellar.
DOCTOR: (Not listening.) Hmm mm.
SARAH: Oh, no, not straight down, because of Tommy. Oh, but he's not really mixed up in this. At least, I suppose he isn't.
DOCTOR: Oh, that's fascinating.
SARAH: Mmm?
(The DOCTOR points to an oscilloscope-type screen.)
DOCTOR: The crystal lattice is equally balanced from right to left. Remarkable...
SARAH: (Annoyed.) You see, you're not listening to a word!
DOCTOR: Yes, of course I am. You went down into the cellar to see if Tommy was still there - right?
SARAH: Half-right. Oh please, do try to pay attention, Doctor?
DOCTOR: Probably analogous to the laser.
(SARAH gives a moan of despair.)
DOCTOR: Well, go on! I'm listening.
SARAH: Right.
(But he turns back to his clipboard as SARAH restarts her pacing.)
SARAH: So, there they all were in the cellar, chanting away like billy-o, and all of a sudden, this...giant spider appeared and jumped on Lupton's back!
(The DOCTOR looks at the read-out again.)
DOCTOR: It's coherent thought!
SARAH: (Her patience tried.) Oh, Doctor, really!
DOCTOR: (Smiles.) A scientific pun.
(Suddenly, the smile disappears off his face. He spins round on his chair and faces SARAH.)
DOCTOR: What did you say?
SARAH: I said "really"! This is important but you're so interested in that wretched...!
(He jumps off his chair and crosses to her.)
DOCTOR: No, no, no, - be...before that. What did you say before that? Did you say "spider"?
SARAH: That's right.
(He takes her hands and his voice grows grave.)
DOCTOR: Now listen to me, Sarah - this is very important. Tell me the whole story - right from the beginning!
SARAH: Oh...!
(She rolls her eyes...)
9: EXT. UNIT HQ. CAR PARK
(A UNIT SOLDIER is servicing the DOCTOR'S futuristic silver car. Taking a windscreen panel off, something suddenly catches his eye across the car park.)
SOLDIER: 'Scuse me, sir. Can I help you?
(It is LUPTON, jauntily walking towards the main building.)
LUPTON: Oh, thanks very much. Erm, where's the Doctor?
SOLDIER: Oh, the medical officer? Well, this time of the day, he'll...
LUPTON: No, no, no, no, the...other Doctor.
SOLDIER: Oh, yes, of course. In his lab, I should think. (Nods.) It's, er, through that door over there.
LUPTON: Thanks very much.
(LUPTON turns towards the indicated direction.)
SOLDIER: Oh, hang about, sir. May I see your pass?
LUPTON: (Puzzled.) Pass?
SOLDIER: Didn't they give you one at the main gate, sir?
LUPTON: (Smiles.) Oh! Yes, of course, how stupid of me! Here...
(He reaches into his pocket as if to get out the pass, but the hand that comes out is empty. LUPTON points his fingers at the SOLDIER and an arc of blue energy, identical to the one that hit KEAVER in the cellar, slams into the SOLDIER. He clutches his chest and falls to the ground.)
10: INT. UNIT HQ. LABORATORY
(SARAH has told the DOCTOR her story and sits looking at the crystal on its sensor stand as the DOCTOR finishes his side of the recent events.)
DOCTOR: So you see, it's after seeing these spiders that he died. So there must be some connection.
SARAH: Where did the crystal come from anyway?
DOCTOR: Oh, I brought it back some time ago from a planet called Metebelis Three.
SARAH: (Smiles.) I've never heard of it.
DOCTOR: Well, you wouldn't have done. It's also called the blue planet because the moonlight is blue, you see?
SARAH: Oh. And did you just happen to stumble across the planet and find this crystal, accidental like?
DOCTOR: Oh no, I went there deliberately to fetch it. It has strange properties, a Metebelis crystal. It can affect the mind.
SARAH: Mind? You mean it could drive someone mad?
DOCTOR: No, just the opposite usually. It clears the mind and amplifies its power.
SARAH: But it could be used for evil purposes?
DOCTOR: Oh, yes, of course - if the mind operating it was motivated by evil.
SARAH: So, if the giant spiders on Metebelis Three wanted that crystal back...?
DOCTOR: But there aren't any giant spiders on Metebelis Three. At least there weren't any when I was there.
11: INT. UNIT HQ. CORRIDOR
(LUPTON quickly moves along a brick-lined corridor but stops at a junction, looking round to get his bearings. SERGEANT BENTON comes up behind him.)
SERGEANT BENTON: Excuse me, sir?
LUPTON: Yes?
SERGEANT BENTON: You have a pass, of course?
LUPTON: Oh yes, of course.
(He waves an impatient hand and walks on round a corner. BENTON quickly follows.)
SERGEANT BENTON: Hey - wait!
(LUPTON raises his hand again and blasts the SERGEANT down. He writhes on the ground.)
12: INT. UNIT HQ. LABORATORY
(The DOCTOR sits on a chair, thinking furiously while SARAH continues to stare at the blue jewel. They fail to see LUPTON moving behind the frosted glass partition towards the window in the door.)
DOCTOR: Wait a minute - there could be a time difference.
SARAH: Come again? Oh, I get it! You mean the spiders come from an earlier era than your visit?
DOCTOR: Or a later one.
(LUPTON spots the crystal.)
SARAH: Well, what if you're wrong?
DOCTOR: No, just...wait a minute. Give me a chance to work this thing out.
13: INT. UNIT HQ. CORRIDOR OUTSIDE LABORATORY
(LUPTON steps away from the door and speaks to the SPIDER in his mind.)
LUPTON: It's there! The blue crystal - it must be the one!
SPIDER: (OOV.) Of course it is! You forget I can see through your eyes. Now...concentrate! Concentrate!
(LUPTON does so, screwing up his eyes with the mental effort.)
14: INT. UNIT HQ. LABORATORY
(SARAH smiles down at the crystal as the DOCTOR continues to think in his chair across the lab.)
SARAH: You know, this is barmy! Here am I, calmly discussing fabulous planets with blue moons, giant spiders, magic crystals, as if I was talking about...erm, pussycats, fish and chips and the Liverpool docks!
DOCTOR: Well, they're just as real.
SARAH: Oh, I know but that's what gets me.
(The crystal suddenly fades away.)
SARAH: Doctor!
(The DOCTOR looks up as SARAH touches the empty space where the crystal once stood.)
15: INT. UNIT HQ. CORRIDOR OUTSIDE LABORATORY
(The crystal is in LUPTON'S hand. He comes out of his reverie of concentration, smiles down at his acquisition and moves off.)
16: INT. UNIT HQ. CORRIDOR
(BENTON has got somewhat unsteadily to his feet. LUPTON comes round the corner.)
SERGEANT BENTON: Here! What are you doing...?
(With slightly less finesse than earlier, LUPTON punches the burly man in the stomach. With a cry, BENTON ends up back on the ground. LUPTON runs off. A second later, the DOCTOR and SARAH run up to the fallen man and help him up.)
DOCTOR: What happened, Sergeant? Somebody attack you?
SERGEANT BENTON: Yes, and he's got that crystal of yours, Doctor - come on!
(The three rush off down the corridor.)
17: EXT. UNIT HQ. CAR PARK
(LUPTON runs out of the main HQ building and across the car park. Suddenly he sees the BRIGADIER walking towards him. He stops and looks round to see BENTON, the DOCTOR and SARAH come out the building behind him.)
SERGEANT BENTON: (Shouts, to the BRIGADIER.) Sir! Stop him!
(The BRIGADIER instantly pulls his revolver out of his holster and points it at the thief.)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Put your hands in the air!
(LUPTON ignores him and runs towards the DOCTOR'S silver car. As the three people from the building close in, the BRIGADIER starts firing at him but LUPTON gets into the car and drives off at speed. The BRIGADIER rests his shooting arm against a UNIT vehicle to steady his arm at the escaping car. He fires a shot but the DOCTOR reaches him and pulls his arm down.)
DOCTOR: No, no, Brigadier! You'll damage my car!
(Behind him, BENTON is in the driving seat of Bessie. He starts the roadster up and screeches up to the DOCTOR.)
SERGEANT BENTON: Here you are, Doctor!
(SARAH and the BRIGADIER pile into the car.)
DOCTOR: Well done, Sergeant! Take me to the airstrip. We'll spot him from the air.
(The DOCTOR stands on the running board as BENTON drives off.)
18: EXT. ROAD OUTSIDE UNIT HQ
(LUPTON speeds away from UNIT HQ, the perimeter fence on his right.)
19: EXT. AIRSTRIP
(Bessie arrives at the deserted airstrip and the DOCTOR climbs down.)
DOCTOR: Get after him, Lethbridge Stewart. I'll contact you by R/T.
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Move over, Benton.
(As the two soldiers swap places, the DOCTOR runs over to a small one-man gyrocopter.)
SERGEANT BENTON: Okay, sir.
(The DOCTOR picks up a helmet as he climbs into the seat.)
20: EXT. COUNTRY ROAD
(LUPTON tears down another road, a smile on his face.)
21: EXT. ROAD OUTSIDE UNIT HQ
(Bessie and its three passengers speed away from UNIT and the airstrip.)
22: EXT. COUNTRY ROAD
(LUPTON takes a corner which dips down between some hedged fields at some speed.)
23: EXT. AIRSTRIP
(The DOCTOR is helmeted and sat in the gyrocopter. Its blades start to gather speed.)
24: EXT. COUNTRY ROAD
(Bessie takes the same corner as LUPTON, also at speed.)
25: EXT. AIRSTRIP
(The gyrocopter moves down the runway and takes off.)
26: EXT. FORK IN THE ROAD
(LUPTON reaches a fork in the country road and takes the right-hand option.)
27: EXT. COUNTRY ROAD
(Bessie still gives chase.)
28: EXT. GYROCOPTER
(Up in the air, the DOCTOR looks down and speaks into a radio.)
DOCTOR: (Into radio.) Hello, Brigadier? Look, is this thing working? Can you hear me? Over.
29: EXT. BESSIE
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: (Into radio.) Loud and clear, Doctor. Have you had a sight of him? Over.
30: EXT. ANOTHER FORK IN THE ROAD
(LUPTON comes to another fork and this time goes left.)
31: EXT. GYROCOPTER
DOCTOR: (Into radio.) Yes, he's getting away from you. Take the next right fork. Try and cut him off. Out.
32: EXT. ANOTHER FORK IN THE ROAD
(The BRIGADIER takes the direction indicated as above the gyrocopter follows.)
33: EXT. ROAD JUNCTION
(The route saves precious moments and Bessie has now caught up with the silver car at the next junction. LUPTON suddenly looks concerned and looks behind him to see the yellow roadster on his tail. He puts his foot down but suddenly hears a buzzing sound. He looks up and sees the gyrocopter also in pursuit. Somewhat open-mouthed at his opponents' tenacity, he powers on.)
34: EXT. LAY-BY
(A small police panda car sits in a lay-by. The slightly corpulent POLICEMAN within pushes his hat back and picks up the radio.)
POLICEMAN: (Into radio.) Panda three to control. I'm at the junction of Mallet Lane with Athenum Road. Nothing to report, over.
CONTROL: (OOV: Over radio.) Received, Panda Three. Your message timed at ten-fifteen, out.
(The POLICEMAN suddenly sits up as the strange procession of vehicles drives and flies past. He seems to wake up and yells into his radio.)
POLICEMAN: (Into radio.) Panda Three to control - I've just spotted a silver hovercraft being chased by an old crock at ninety miles an hour - and there's a little tiny helicopter after them both! I...I'm in pursuit, over!
CONTROL: (OOV: Over radio.) Thank you, Panda Three. Signal if you need assistance.
(Control suddenly takes note of the message.)
CONTROL: (OOV: Over radio.) What did you say?
(The POLICEMAN starts up his panda car, screeches round in a circle and gives chase.)
35: EXT. ANOTHER FORK IN THE ROAD
(Going at break-neck speed, the silver car turns to the right at another fork and Bessie follows. The police panda car comes up a moment later and takes the right hand road onwards. However, the car comes to a sudden halt. The POLICEMAN looks out of his window, puts his car in a fast reverse and takes the correct route.)
36: EXT. COUNTRY ROAD
(Bessie is just keeping up enough to be able to keep the silver car in sight. However, once out of sight, LUPTON takes a sudden turn to the right. As the BRIGADIER turns in the swerve in the road, the DOCTOR'S silver car is nowhere to be seen.)
37: EXT. GYROCOPTER
(Up above, the Gyrocopter keeps up with the movements of the vehicles on the ground. The DOCTOR speaks into his radio...)
DOCTOR: (Into radio.) He's turned off to the right, Brigadier. I say again - he's turned off to the right.
38: EXT. COUNTRY ROAD
(Bessie takes the correct turn.)
39: EXT. GYROCOPTER
(The DOCTOR looks down with satisfaction and starts to bring the Gyrocopter towards the ground.)
40: EXT. COUNTRY ROAD
(The POLICEMAN follows the right-hand turn taken by the two strange pursuing vehicles.)
41: EXT. AIRFIELD
(The silver car stands deserted on the wet tarmac of what appears to be another airfield. Its top stands open. The gyrocopter has also landed and the DOCTOR has divested himself of his helmet and is running toward his abandoned silver car as Bessie comes up. The panda car is not far behind. The BRIGADIER and the others get out of Bessie and join the DOCTOR.)
DOCTOR: Look, he can't be far away, Brigadier. We must spread out and search.
(The DOCTOR is correct. At the edge of the airfield, LUPTON is crouched down in long grass, watching events on the tarmac. The angry POLICEMAN walks up to the disparate group.)
POLICEMAN: Now wait a moment. I want a few particulars. You must have touched ninety back there.
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Not now, Constable. Look, Doctor...
(As the argument between the group on the tarmac continues, LUPTON hears the SPIDER in his mind...)
SPIDER: (OOV.) We must escape in the flying machine.
LUPTON: (Protests.) I don't know how to fly it!
SPIDER: (OOV.) The principle seems simple. I will guide your hands - come!
(LUPTON jumps up to move towards the gyrocopter – the nearest vehicle to him. Back at the group...)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: I think the answer is this...
(It is SARAH who sees LUPTON getting into the gyrocopter and putting the helmet on his head.)
SARAH: Doctor!
(The gyrocopter starts off down the runway. The others make a feeble attempt to run after it but soon give up.)
SARAH: He's got away!
(The gyrocopter takes off and into the air. Controlled in his movements by the SPIDER, LUPTON has a small smile of satisfaction on his face.)
DOCTOR: Oh no he hasn't!
(He runs towards his silver car.)
SARAH: Hey, you're not going without me!
(She runs after him and climbs in the passenger side. The BRIGADIER also runs up.)
DOCTOR: Right, fasten your seatbelt.
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: But, Doctor, you'll never catch him - he's airborne!
DOCTOR: Stand well back, Brigadier.
(With himself and SARAH strapped in, the DOCTOR pulls down the hood of the vehicle. It powers up, turns at the edge of the tarmac and starts to travel down the runway. The two soldiers and the POLICEMAN left behind look agape as their heads move upwards, following the movements of the car as it takes to the air. SARAH is astounded as they move higher off the ground.)
SARAH: Doctor! We're flying!
DOCTOR: (Calmly.) Yes, of course we're flying.
(Back on the ground, the BRIGADIER has got over his surprise.)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Come on, Benton.
(They move back to BESSIE. The POLICEMAN is about to stop them but shrugs and gives up.)
42: EXT. GYROCOPTER
(The stolen gyrocopter glides over a mist-covered field. LUPTON seems quite calm in the seat.)
43: EXT. AIRFIELD
(The POLICEMAN is back in his car and has picked up the radio.)
POLICEMAN: (Into radio.) Panda Three to control. You'll never believe this, Sergeant, but...oh, nothing to report, over. I'm coming in. I don't feel very well, over.
44: EXT. COUNTRYSIDE
(The DOCTOR'S car glides over the English countryside.)
DOCTOR: Now keep your eyes peeled for the gyroplane.
(SARAH does as instructed. After a moment, she spots the little helicopter through the DOCTOR'S window and points.)
SARAH: There he is!
DOCTOR: Right, hang on!
(The car turns towards the gyrocopter, rapidly catching up. Glancing to one side, LUPTON does a double take as he sees his strange pursuer next to him in the air. The two flying machines keep abreast of each other.)
SARAH: Well, now you've caught up with him, what are you going to do?
DOCTOR: Nothing. He can't last much longer. He must be almost out of fuel.
(The SPIDER in LUPTON'S mind has reached the same conclusion...)
SPIDER: (OOV.) We must return to the ground. There is very little liquid left to burn.
LUPTON: (Nervously.) You mean we've...got no fuel?
SPIDER: (OOV.) We have enough.
(The gyrocopter turns and starts to descend with the DOCTOR'S car at a constant distance behind.)
DOCTOR: Right, here we go. Coming in to land.
45: EXT. FIELD
(LUPTON has landed the gyrocopter in a field. He snatches the helmet off his head and runs off. Above, the silver car comes nearer to the ground.)
46: EXT. RIVERSIDE
(Below, LUPTON looks round desperately. The field edges onto a wide river which meanders through the countryside. He runs towards the river.)
47: EXT. FIELD
(The DOCTOR has brought the car down in the field and glides it up next to the abandoned gyrocopter. The two occupants take off their seatbelts. The DOCTOR pushes up the hood and they get out, running after the thief.)
48: EXT. RIVERSIDE
(LUPTON makes his way down some timber shoring which props up a barge in the mudflats of the river. Making his way unsteadily round the edge of the barge, he slips in the mud, regains his feet and runs round the edge of the barge, looking out across the broad expanse of water. He sees a MAN who had just brought a small speedboat to the edge of the river pulling it further ashore. Another man - Mr. HOPKINS – shoots onto the river bank in a small two-man Skima hovercraft. The MAN WITH BOAT calls out to the new arrival.)
MAN WITH BOAT: Fantastic, Mr. Hopkins! If I had enough money, I'd buy twenty of them.
(LUPTON rushes out from behind the barge and makes for the MAN WITH BOAT. HOPKINS sees this.)
HOPKINS: (Shouts.) Look out!
(LUPTON pushes the MAN WITH BOAT into the waters of the river.)
HOPKINS: Hey!
(LUPTON turns and aims his fingers at HOPKINS. The blue arc of energy hits the overall dressed man in the chest and he falls to the ground. As the MAN WITH BOAT struggles out of the water, the DOCTOR and SARAH reach the shoring timbers and make their way down to the mudflats and round the edge of the barge. They watch the drama on the water where LUPTON has taken the speedboat into deeper water and is struggling with the MAN who is trying to climb aboard and reclaim the craft. LUTPON easily pushes him back into the water. The DOCTOR runs towards the hovercraft while SARAH heads for the fallen HOPKINS. On the water, LUPTON gets the speedboat started after a small struggle. The MAN in the water calls out ineffectually...)
MAN WITH BOAT: Come back!
(LUPTON starts up the speedboat and shoots off down the river. On the muddy bank, the DOCTOR is in the hovercraft which he starts up and takes to the water, giving chase with a look of determination on his face.)
49: EXT. RIVER
(LUPTON looks back and sees the DOCTOR tenaciously keeping up. The hovercraft very slowly starts to edge closer to the speedboat but not enough to make a difference. LUPTON takes a wide swerve in the river which the hovercraft does not have the turning circle to achieve but the DOCTOR has the advantage of being able to travel over land as well and is able to skim over a bank which juts out into the water. LUPTON looks back over his shoulder and sees that he has not lost his pursuer. The DOCTOR looks ahead and sees that the curves in the river ahead are greater. He adjusts the controls of the hovercraft and takes to the land. On the water, LUPTON looks back and sees that he has the water to himself.)
LUPTON: (Triumphantly.) We've lost him!
50: EXT. RIVERBANK
(The DOCTOR shoots over a flat green field, quite close to the spire of a peaceful English church.)
51: EXT. FIELD
(In the next field, a TRAMP with his few meager belongings with him, eats a sandwich as sits on a small grass bank.)
52: EXT. DIRT TRACK
(The adaptable hovercraft shoots down a dirt track, throwing up dust as it goes.)
53: EXT. FIELD
(The TRAMP stretches and yawns. Taking his hat off, he lies down on the grass to sleep. Suddenly, the noise of a machine grows in volume and the hovercraft appears over the brow of the small bank. Not seeing the TRAMP, the DOCTOR carries on down the bank and over the recumbent form. After the vehicle has passed over, the astonished TRAMP sits up in shock.)
54: EXT. RIVER
(The DOCTOR has reached the river again but has cut out a considerably long stretch of the curve in its route by going overland. He skims back onto the surface of the water and finds that he is much closer behind LUPTON'S speedboat and getting nearer all the time. The DOCTOR finds himself buffeted by the churned-up waters from the speedboat and instead goes to one side of the wake of the craft, thereby being able to close up easier. LUPTON hears the drone of the hovercraft and looks back. The look of satisfaction disappears off his face.)
LUPTON: He'll catch us!
SPIDER: (OOV.) I'll get help from Metebelis. Concentrate! Concentrate!
(The two craft are now neck and neck together with both men watching ahead and each others movements as they race through the water. The DOCTOR brings the hovercraft immediately next to the speedboat and lunges himself aboard LUPTON'S craft. LUPTON keeps at the controls as the DOCTOR clambers to his feet. But when he looks down at the driver's seat, it is empty. LUPTON has disappeared into nothingness before an astounded DOCTOR...)
Doctor Who
JON PERTWEE
Sarah Jane Smith
ELISABETH SLADEN
Brigadier
Lethbridge Stewart
NICHOLAS COURTNEY
Mike Yates
RICHARD FRANKLIN
Sergeant Benton
JOHN LEVENE
Lupton
JOHN DEARTH
Barnes
CHRISTOPHER BURGESS
Moss
TERENCE LODGE
Land
CARL FORGIONE
Keaver
ANDREW STAINES
Cho-je
KEVIN LINDSAY
Tommy
JOHN KANE
Policeman
CHUBBY OATES
Soldier
PAT GORMAN
Man with boat
TERRY WALSH
Hopkins
MICHAEL PINDER
Tramp
STUART FELL
Spider voices
YSANNE CHURCHMAN
KISMET DELGADO
Written by
ROBERT SLOMAN
Title Music by
RON GRAINER &
BBC RADIOPHONIC
WORKSHOP
Title Sequence
BERNARD LODGE
Incidental Music by
DUDLEY SIMPSON
Special Sound
DICK MILLS
Film Cameraman
FRED HAMILTON
Film Sound
JOHN GATLAND
Film Editor
BOB RYMER
Script Editor
TERRANCE DICKS
Designer
ROCHELLE SELWYN
Directed by
BARRY LETTS
COLOUR
© BBC 1974