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PLANET
OF THE
SPIDERSBY
ROBERT
SLOMANPART FIVE
1: INT. METEBELIS THREE. SPIDER'S BASE. PASSAGE
(The SECOND GUARD CAPTAIN runs after the DOCTOR.)
SECOND GUARD CAPTAIN: Stop!
(He catches up with the DOCTOR and grabs him by the shoulder. The DOCTOR turns, grab his arm and whips him over onto the ground. He turns to run but two other guards with jewelled staves pointed at him walk up.)
DOCTOR: Oh dear, this is getting monotonous.
SECOND GUARD CAPTAIN: Your execution hasn't been cancelled - just postponed.(The SECOND GUARD CAPTAIN gets up from the floor.)
SECOND GUARD CAPTAIN: Bring him along.
(He strides away and the two guards escort the DOCTOR after him.)
2: INT. METEBELIS THREE. SPIDER'S BASE. CELL
(SARAH has given up her attempts at freedom and lies calmly in her cocoon.)
SARAH: Sabor, how long do you think we've got?
SABOR: Who knows? A week, a...a day, an hour.(Suddenly the DOCTOR walks into the cell. SARAH looks at him in astonishment and delight.)
SARAH: Doctor! You're alive! I knew you'd come!
(The DOCTOR holds up a hand for silence and then gestures behind him. The two guards walk into the cell and SARAH realises that he is as much a prisoner as her. Her head falls back.)
SARAH: Oh...Doctor!
3: INT. METEBELIS THREE. COUNCIL CHAMBER
(LUPTON and his SPIDER are before the council. LUPTON is within a dock of two blue-barred struts whilst his SPIDER twitches on a stand behind him.)
QUEEN SPIDER: Be silent! You are in no position to protest! Your conspiracy has been discovered. You and your confederate will die!
LUPTON: I d...I don't understand.
LUPTON'S SPIDER: They know that we did not bring the crystal to Metebelis. I'm sorry, Lupton.
LUPTON: (To the QUEEN.) But...how did you find out?
QUEEN SPIDER: (Triumphantly.) In the same way that we first traced it - by its vibrations through space and time. The crystal is still on Earth. Do not attempt to deny it!
LUPTON: (Hastily.) Why should I deny it? I know where the crystal is hidden. I told you, but I didn't say it was hidden on Metebelis.(The members of the council mutter in agreement. LUPTON regains his confidence.)
LUPTON: The situation is unchanged. If you wish to invade Earth, you need my help.
QUEEN SPIDER: (Warning.) Be careful, two-leg. You may go too far.
LUPTON'S SPIDER: But it's true. Once more, oh Queen, your arrogance has endangered the master plan of the Great One.(The council cries out...)
SPIDERS: All praise to the Great One!
LUPTON'S SPIDER: (Suggestively.) It is not the first mistake the Queen has made.
QUEEN SPIDER: (Outraged.) Mistake?!
FIRST SPIDER: Maybe the most noble Queen is growing old?
SECOND SPIDER: I think the time has come for a coronation.(There are more mutters of assent from the council. The QUEEN SPIDER'S legs twitch uncomfortably.)
QUEEN SPIDER: Wait! Wait, my sisters, do not be so hasty. I merely wanted to be sure.
LUPTON'S SPIDER: Then what of the attack on Earth?
QUEEN SPIDER: I shall visit the cave of the crystal and ask the approval of the Great One.(There are some gasps from the SPIDER council.)
QUEEN SPIDER: Do you hear me? I shall this very day speak with the Great One herself.
(The would-be rebellious council almost reluctantly chant their glorification...)
SPIDERS: All praise to the Great One...
(While LUPTON licks his lips nervously.)
SPIDERS: All praise to the Great One...
4: INT. METEBELIS THREE. SPIDER'S BASE. CELL
(The DOCTOR has been wrapped into one of the cocoons and placed on the shelf above SARAH. Unlike her and SABOR, he remains cheerful.)
DOCTOR: Now I know what a fly feels like. What an absolutely fascinating experience!
SARAH: (Sarcastically.) Ha ha! Great...
DOCTOR: Yeah...judging by the habits of our captor's Earth cousins, I would say we're probably in the larder.
SARAH: Right first time.
DOCTOR: I think they'll find I'm rather a tough old bird.
SARAH: (Smiles.) An old boiler, in fact.
DOCTOR: (Smiles.) Yes! Yes, make a good item on the next agenda of the spider council meeting.(SABOR watches this exchange with an incredulous look on his face.)
DOCTOR: Yeah - whether to stew a Time Lord or roast him in a slow oven.
SARAH: That'll give them something to chew over.
DOCTOR: Yes, something they can really get their teeth into, what?(SARAH giggles, then a thought strikes her...)
SARAH: Hey, Doctor, you know I'm still not clear what's going on. I mean, if the spiders wanted that crystal so badly, well why didn't they just take it before you did?
DOCTOR: Well they didn't arrive until much later. We're in the future remember, Sarah.
SARAH: Oh, of course. Ha!
DOCTOR: Now listen to me - both of you, listen.(From his prone position, the DOCTOR tries to look down at SARAH and SABOR.)
DOCTOR: Arak is, er, trying to get together some of the men from the other villages. They're gonna try a rescue.
SABOR: (Alarmed.) But he mustn't! If they do, they're walking into certain death!
DOCTOR: Oh no. No, they know how to protect themselves now.
SARAH: Well how?
DOCTOR: Well, you see wha...(The DOCTOR falls silent as he hears footsteps approaching. The SECOND GUARD CAPTAIN walks in with one of his guards. He points to SARAH.)
GUARD CAPTAIN: The girl.
(The guard walks towards her, raising high a knife he carries in his right hand. SARAH cries out...)
SARAH: No!
(The guard brings the knife down...and starts to cut the fibres of the cocoon away. Gasping as her limbs become unrestricted, SARAH tries to get to sit up, her arm held by the guard.)
DOCTOR: Where are you taking her?
GUARD CAPTAIN: Never you mind. You'll find out soon enough. On your feet, girl!(The guard yanks her upwards, but SARAH'S legs give way beneath her.)
SARAH: Ooh! Ah!
GUARD CAPTAIN: What's the matter with you?
SARAH: I've...pins and needles.(She rubs her legs.)
GUARD CAPTAIN: Oh, enough! Come on - bring her.
(The guard starts to drag her out of the chamber.)
DOCTOR: (Urgently.) Sarah, try and stall them as long as you can.
(SARAH shouts as she is pulled away.)
SARAH: You bet, Doctor! I'll do my best to give them all indigestion!
5: EXT. METEBELIS THREE. VILLAGE
(The villagers are gathering for the attack. REGA and ARAK come down from the steps of their hut.)
REGA: I must come with you.
ARAK: No, Rega. This is man's work.(TUAR calls over from where he is with the village men next to the TARDIS.)
TUAR: Why do we wait? We're ready.
ARAK: Very well then.(But the elderly NESKA comes running out after them.)
NESKA: Wait, Arak, wait.
(She runs up to ARAK and looks up at him.)
NESKA: My husband has been taken from me.
(She crosses to TUAR and looks at him pleadingly.)
NESKA: Must I lose my sons as well? I've carried you to the fields at my breast, I've dried your eyes, I've laughed with you through the short years of your boyhood - now you're a man. Must you leave me alone...to mourn?
TUAR: But mother...(ARAK joins them and interrupts.)
ARAK: We must go, mother. We're not only fighting for Sabor and the two strangers, we're fighting for ourselves - for the freedom of our people. Rega?
(He gently pushes his mother towards his sister as ARAK turns to the assembled men.)
ARAK: You have nothing to fear. The Doctor has given us protection. Put on the headbands I gave you.
(They all tie a strip of material around their heads. Into the centre of these is sewn one of the rocks that the DOCTOR isolated from the others.)
ARAK: Are we ready then?
VILLAGERS: Yes!
VILLAGE MAN: We're ready!
ARAK: Death to the eight-legs!
VILLAGERS: Death to the eight-legs!
VILLAGE MAN: Death! Death!(As NESKA and REGA watch with concern etched on their faces, the men set off.)
6: INT. METEBELIS THREE. SPIDER'S BASE. CELL
(Within his cocoon, the DOCTOR is wriggling his shoulders as he attempts to pry himself free of its bounds.)
SABOR: You're wasting your time. It's impossible to get out of these things.
DOCTOR: Look, much as I admire your stoic acceptance of the inevitable, I would appreciate it if you'd shut up for a moment.(Holding his breath, he starts to manoeuvre again.)
DOCTOR: What I'm trying to do requires the utmost concentration.
SABOR: What are you trying to do?
DOCTOR: Compress the muscles. It's an old...(SABOR watches in astonishment as the DOCTOR gets his arms free of the fibres and continues to wriggle the rest of his body out, speaking all the time as he does so.)
DOCTOR: A little trick I learned from an old friend of mine, er, Harry, er, what was his name? Erm, er, Hopkins! No, no, that's not right...er, er, Hetherington! No, that's not right either.
(By now he has freed all of his upper body and sits up as he tries to move backwards to get his legs free.)
DOCTOR: Er...er, it wasn't an English name, erm, er, Hackenschmidt. No, I know it began with an "H".
(The DOCTOR'S legs are now almost totally released.)
DOCTOR: Houdini! Yes, that was it - Harry Houdini.
(He pulls his lower legs out, brushes the fibres off his immaculate trousers and climbs down from the shelf. He makes for the door but stops for a quick word with SABOR.)
DOCTOR: Oh, don't worry, old chap. As soon as I've rescued Sarah, I'll find a knife and come back for you.
(He runs off. SABOR is speechless with astonishment.)
7: INT. METEBELIS THREE. SPIDER'S BASE. QUEEN SPIDER'S CHAMBER
(The guard pushes SARAH into another small chamber and roughly to the floor. There is a raised stand for the QUEEN SPIDER and another long platform for other SPIDERS. It resembles a smaller version of the council chamber.)
QUEEN SPIDER: (To the guard.) Leave us.
(The guard hesitates, obviously reluctant.)
QUEEN SPIDER: (Angrily.) Leave us, I say!
(The guard turns and leaves. The QUEEN SPIDER speaks imperiously to SARAH.)
QUEEN SPIDER: Rise, child. You have no reason to fear me. I am your friend.
(SARAH gets to her feet.)
SARAH: Oh, you've a funny way of treating your friends then!
QUEEN SPIDER: You are impertinent! I am going to help you.
SARAH: (Suspiciously.) Why should you want to help me?
QUEEN SPIDER: I do not agree with the plans of the council. The invasion of your planet is a foolhardy venture. It could destroy us! I have lied to the council. I have said I will visit the Great One, but...
SARAH: The Great One?
QUEEN SPIDER: Never mind. I lied to the council but I had to lie. I desire only peace with you and all two-legs.(SARAH'S fear starts to disappear...)
SARAH: Th...then why have you treated them as slaves?
QUEEN SPIDER: It...it was necessary... (Exasperated.) Stop fighting me, child! I intend to help you and your Doctor friend to escape - back to Earth.
SARAH: (Pleased.) Well, that's more...like it. (Suspiciously.) But why?
QUEEN SPIDER: Do you know of the blue crystal?
SARAH: Yes - your pal Lupton's got it.
QUEEN SPIDER: He has not. (Angrily.) He left it on Earth!
SARAH: (Smiles.) So that's it. You want me and the Doctor to get it back for you.
QUEEN SPIDER: If you do not, I see only disaster ahead for all of us.
SARAH: And what about Sabor - the old man?
QUEEN SPIDER: I shall release him.
SARAH: And the other...(She hesitates to use the forbidden word "spider".)
SARAH: ...the other two-legs on Metebelis?
QUEEN SPIDER: I shall listen to their grievance.
SARAH: And do something about it, like setting them free?
QUEEN SPIDER: Very well.
SARAH: Okay, it's a deal. Now what do I have to do?
8: INT. METEBELIS THREE. SPIDER'S BASE. PASSAGE
(The DOCTOR walks down one of the passageways. He suddenly ducks into a side passage and presses himself against a wall. A moment later, two stave-carrying guards walk past. The DOCTOR watches them go and then carries on.)
9: INT. LAMASERY. BARNES' ROOM
(MIKE has recovered from his attack but is still tied and gagged. He has managed to sit up on the bed and is making a futile attempt to free his hands from behind his back. The door opens and BARNES walks in. MIKE begins a furious and muffled tirade from behind the gag. BARNES steps over and takes the gag off. MIKE coughs as his mouth is freed but his hands are left tied.)
BARNES: Well?
MIKE YATES: What are you gonna do?
BARNES: Do?
MIKE YATES: About Lupton? I told you - I overheard you talking.
BARNES: (Sighs.) There's nothing we can do. Just got to wait for him and keep you here until he comes back.
MIKE YATES: But as you said yourselves, he may not be able to.
BARNES: I know. As I said, there's nothing we can do.
MIKE YATES: (Urgently.) Of course there is - re-establish the link, the contact.
BARNES: You mean with the mandala, the ceremony?
MIKE YATES: He's probably waiting for you to do just that.
BARNES: There's only four of us. You have to have five.
MIKE YATES: I'll help.
BARNES: You? Why should you help?
MIKE YATES: Because of Sarah Jane Smith of course. I want her back just as much as you want Lupton.
BARNES: (Thinks.) Yes...yes, of course. But how do I know it's not just some sort of trick?
MIKE YATES: (Exasperated.) Oh, for pete's sake! Of course it isn't!(He stands and proffers his tied hands to BARNES.)
MIKE YATES: Come on, untie me.
(BARNES starts to do as instructed.)
10: INT. METEBELIS THREE. COUNCIL CHAMBER
(In the absence of the QUEEN, LUPTON'S SPIDER has taken her place on the podium in the council chamber. The council watches and listens as LUPTON leans over her, plotting quietly.)
LUPTON: My plan is this: we shall return to Earth and fetch the crystal from its hiding place, then the way will be open for the invasion of Earth.
FIRST SPIDER: And what if the Queen returns from the Great One?
SPIDERS: All praise to the Great One!
FIRST SPIDER: I say what if she returns with a different plan?
LUPTON'S SPIDER: The Queen is not to be trusted.
FIRST SPIDER: Neither are you - nor the two-leg, Lupton.
LUPTON'S SPIDER: No two-leg can be trusted.(LUPTON is angered by this betrayal.)
LUPTON: Now, wait a minute!
LUPTON'S SPIDER: Silence! My loyalty is to the eight-legs. My loyalty is to this council. You will listen and obey.
LUPTON: But it was agreed...
LUPTON'S SPIDER: (Interrupts.) You have not been made a slave. Let that be your reward.
LUPTON: (Angrily.) You...will put my plan into action! I am the one you will obey! I have the power...(The council suddenly start to mentally attack LUPTON. The reverberating sound tears into his mind as he clamps his hands to his head and falls to the ground, writhing in agony.)
LUPTON'S SPIDER: You will obey.
FIRST SPIDER: You will obey.
SPIDERS: You will obey, you will obey, you will obey, you will obey, you will obey...
LUPTON: I shall obey...
LUPTON'S SPIDER: Very well.(The sound dies away but LUPTON lies dazed on the floor.)
LUPTON'S SPIDER: If you cooperate, you will be rewarded.
FIRST SPIDER: Now, what shall be our action?
SECOND SPIDER: We should invade. This was the plan.
LUPTON'S SPIDER: It must be carried out.
11: INT. METEBELIS THREE. SPIDER'S BASE. PASSAGE
(The DOCTOR turns a corner in the passage. Behind him is the entrance to what looks like a rocky cave. It is covered over with webs. From this emerges a familiar and panicking voice...)
SARAH: (OOV.) Doctor! Doctor, come quickly!
(The DOCTOR ducks under the webs and enters the rocky passage.)
12: INT. LAMASERY. STAIR CUPBOARD
(TOMMY sits on the floor of his stair cupboard, struggling with the unfamiliar words and difficult text.)
TOMMY: (Reads.) "Intelligence...as a concept. The simplistic notion that the intelligence qu...qu...qu...quotient"
(He consults the word in another book that lies next to him – a dictionary.)
TOMMY: (Reads.) "Quotient - result given by dividing one quantity by another."
(He sighs and shuts his first book.)
TOMMY: It's no use - I don't understand the words. I'll have to ask someone wha...what's happened to me.
(He remembers a name from his foggy past.)
TOMMY: Yates. He's my friend, I think. I'll ask Mr. Yates.
(He gets up and opens the door to the cupboard...)
13: INT. LAMASERY. PASSAGEWAY
(...but stops as he hears voices round the corner of the passage...)
BARNES: (OOV.) Moss may be in the garden - if he hasn't run away altogether, of course.
(TOMMY pulls the door to slightly but carefully to the exchange.)
MIKE YATES: (OOV.) But we'll meet in the cellar?
(TOMMY reacts. The phrase seems familiar.)
BARNES: (OOV.) Yes, I suppose so. The sooner we get on with it, the better. I haven't had a moment's peace since Lupton disappeared.
(Again TOMMY reacts to this statement. This has penetrated the befuddled memory from his previous life.)
MIKE YATES: (OOV.) Ten minutes.
BARNES: (OOV.) If I can find them - of course.(The footsteps of the people come nearer. TOMMY pulls the door to...)
14: INT. LAMASERY. STAIR CUPBOARD
(...and sinks to the floor, a look of puzzlement and concern on his face. The conversation has triggered so many memories. He remembers the words as they echo in his mind...)
BARNES: (OOV.) I haven't had a moment's peace since Lupton disappeared.
MIKE YATES: (OOV.) But we'll meet in the cellar?(The words continue to echo...)
MIKE YATES: (OOV.) We'll meet in the cellar...in the cellar...in the cellar...in the cellar...in the cellar...in the cellar...
(...as TOMMY remembers an urgent message given to him what seems such a long time ago by a girl in a red striped top who he has not seen since.)
TOMMY: Cellar?
(He sees in his mind's eye the urgent look on SARAH'S face as she implored him to take the message to MIKE.)
SARAH: Lupton has gone down to the cellar... Lupton has gone down to the cellar... Lupton has gone down to the cellar...Lupton has gone down...Lupton... Lupton... Lupton... Lupton... Lupton... Lupton... Lupton... Lupton...
(And another connection is made from his past...)
TOMMY: Lupton! Clever Lupton!
(He thinks back and relives the moment when LUPTON appeared out of thin air in the hallway and his own words of admiration from that time.)
TOMMY: Clever Lupton...
(He remembers another connection with this event and dives for his shoebox. He pulls the sought-after crystal from it and looks over its glowing blue colours as he tries to make sense of these events.)
TOMMY: Cho-Je - I'll ask Cho-Je!
(He puts the crystal in the ancient first-aid box on the wall, locks it and leaves the cupboard.)
15: INT. METEBELIS THREE. CAVE OF THE BLUE CRYSTAL
(The DOCTOR makes his way down a cave of glowing blue crystal. Large circular openings let in the light from the outside. SARAH'S voice echoes again, more urgent than ever...)
SARAH: (OOV.) Quickly, Doctor! Quickly!
(Suddenly another voice shrieks out. Unmistakably a SPIDER voice, it nevertheless contains a terrifying edge of hysteria within its tones.)
GREAT ONE: (OOV.) Stop! If you come any further, Doctor, you will die!
(The DOCTOR stops as instructed and frowns as he looks searchingly ahead.)
GREAT ONE: (OOV.) Oh, not at once, but gradually every cell in your body will be irretrievably damaged by the crystal rays, and I need you alive!
DOCTOR: (Worried.) I heard the voice of my assistant?
GREAT ONE: (OOV.) Have no fear - she is quite safe.
DOCTOR: (Worried.) But she called out to me for help.(The voice cackles with laughter.)
GREAT ONE: (OOV.) Like this?
(Again he hears SARAH'S pleading, desperate voice...)
SARAH: (OOV.) Doctor! Help me! Come quickly!
(He starts towards the sound, but...)
GREAT ONE: (OOV.) No! It is an illusion! Listen...!
SARAH: (OOV: Singing.) Half a pound of tuppenny rice,
half a pound of treacle,
that's the way the money goes..."(Then, inexplicably, there is a popping sound and the last line is sung by a voice that sounds like the DOCTOR himself.)
DOCTOR: (OOV: Singing.) "...goes the weasel!"
(At this sudden demonstration of power, the DOCTOR starts to look extremely wary and puzzled.)
DOCTOR: Who...who are you?
GREAT ONE: (OOV.) They call me...the Great One!
DOCTOR: Why can't I see you?
GREAT ONE: (OOV.) You will, Doctor, you will, all in good time - but not until you bring me the crystal you stole from Metebelis.
DOCTOR: But why do you want that particular crystal? It's no different from all the others.
GREAT ONE: (OOV.) Oh, but it is! You took the one last perfect crystal of power. I searched all time and all space for it. (Shrieks.) I must have it!
DOCTOR: (Firmly.) No - no, never!(The cackles again with laughter.)
GREAT ONE: (OOV.) You are proud, little man! I see that I shall have to teach you to have respect.
(The DOCTOR suddenly flinches as he feels a power take control of his body.)
GREAT ONE: (OOV.) Round you go, Doctor...
(The DOCTOR'S eyes and twitching face show that he is putting up an almighty battle to retain control of his own body...)
DOCTOR: (Shouts.) No...no!
(...but the force against him is too great and he starts to stamp round in a circle, his legs raising and slamming down like a guardsman on parade.)
DOCTOR: No, I will not!
(The voice shrieks with laughter as her "plaything" carries on the circle.)
DOCTOR: No!
(The DOCTOR struggles on but the force is too great for him.)
DOCTOR: No, I will not! No!
(The circular turn is completed. The DOCTOR gasps with effort and a look akin to terror appears on his face as the voice starts to mock him.)
GREAT ONE: (OOV.) Is that fear I can feel in your mind? You are not accustomed to feeling frightened, are you, Doctor? You are very wise to be afraid of me! Go now - you must hurry back and fetch the crystal!
(The control over the DOCTOR'S body ceases. His hands twitch with nerves as the voice shrieks on...)
GREAT ONE: (OOV.) I must have it, don't you understand?! I must have it! I must! I must! I must! Go now - go!
(The DOCTOR starts to run back the way he came, the voice shrieking after him...)
GREAT ONE: (OOV.) Go! Go noooooowwwwwww!
16: INT. LAMASERY. CELLAR
(LUPTON'S group is assembled in the cellar with BARNES taking the place of their vanished leader. MIKE makes up the quorum and chants with his new allies.)
GROUP: Om.
BARNES: Om mani...
GROUP: Om.
BARNES: ...padme hum.
GROUP: Om.
BARNES: Om mani...
GROUP: Om.
BARNES: ...padme hum.
GROUP: Om.
BARNES: Om mani...
GROUP: Om.
BARNES: ...padme hum.
GROUP: Om.
BARNES: Om mani...
GROUP: Om.
BARNES: ...padme hum.
GROUP: O...
17: INT. METEBELIS THREE. COUNCIL CHAMBER
(The power link with Metebelis is made. The SPIDERS hum in unison as LUPTON'S SPIDER twitches on the QUEEN'S podium.)
LUPTON'S SPIDER: Contact established. The path is open.
FIRST SPIDER: The scout soldiers are ready.(A recovered LUPTON watches nervously from the other side of the chamber.)
LUPTON: Wait! Where is this...contact?
LUPTON'S SPIDER: (Impatiently.) The place you opened!
LUPTON: The monastery? Then the group must be operating, but be careful - they might be hostile now.
FIRST SPIDER: Then the approach must be secret.
18: INT. LAMASERY. CELLAR
(The ceremony continues...)
BARNES: Padme hum.
GROUP: Om.
BARNES: Om mani...
GROUP: Om.
BARNES: ...padme hum.
GROUP: Om.
BARNES: Om mani...
GROUP: Om.
BARNES: ...padme hum.
GROUP: Om.
BARNES: Om mani...
GROUP: Om.
BARNES: ...padme hum.
19: INT. METEBELIS THREE. COUNCIL CHAMBER
(In the centre of the floor of the council chamber, a SPIDER is enveloped in a blue glow. As LUPTON watches with concern, the SPIDER fades away.)
20: INT. LAMASERY. CELLAR
(The chanting in the cellar is growing faster and more urgent...)
GROUP: Om.
BARNES: Om mani...
GROUP: Om.
BARNES: ...padme hum.
GROUP: Om.
BARNES: Om mani...
GROUP: Om.
BARNES: ...padme hum.
GROUP: Om.
BARNES: Om mani...
GROUP: Om.
BARNES: ...padme hum.
GROUP: Om.
BARNES: Om mani...
GROUP: Om.
BARNES: ...padme hum.
GROUP: Om.
BARNES: Om mani...
GROUP: Om.
BARNES: ...padme hum.
GROUP: Om.
BARNES: Om mani...
GROUP: Om.
BARNES: ...padme hum.
GROUP: Om.
BARNES: Om mani...
GROUP: Om.
BARNES: ...padme hum.
GROUP: Om.
BARNES: Om mani...
GROUP: Om.
BARNES: ...padme hum.
GROUP: O...(BARNES breaks off.)
BARNES: It's not working!
MIKE YATES: (Urgently.) Keep trying!(The group re-starts the chant.)
GROUP: Om.
BARNES: Om mani...
GROUP: Om.
BARNES: ...padme hum.
GROUP: Om.
BARNES: Om mani...
GROUP: Om.
BARNES: ...padme hum.
GROUP: Om.
BARNES: Om mani...
GROUP: Om.
BARNES: ...padme hum.(In a darkened corner of the cellar the blue glow appears and the SPIDER appears.)
GROUP: Om.
BARNES: Om mani...
GROUP: Om.
BARNES: ...padme hum.
GROUP: Om.
BARNES: Om mani...
GROUP: Om.
BARNES: ...padme hum.
GROUP: Om.
BARNES: Om mani...
GROUP: Om.
BARNES: ...padme hum.(It scuttles off into the shadows.)
GROUP: Om.
BARNES: Om mani...
GROUP: Om.
BARNES: ...padme hum.
GROUP: Om.
BARNES: Om mani...
GROUP: Om.
BARNES: ...padme hum.
GROUP: Om.
BARNES: Om mani...
GROUP: Om.
BARNES: ...padme hum.
21: INT. METEBELIS THREE. COUNCIL CHAMBER
(Another SPIDER moves across the floor of the council chamber and into the blue glow from whence it fades away.)
22: INT. LAMASERY. CELLAR
(The blue glow appears in the corner of the cellar where MIKE and SARAH previously hid. The frantically chanting men are oblivious to it.)
GROUP: Om.
BARNES: Om mani...
GROUP: Om.
BARNES: ...padme hum.
GROUP: Om.
BARNES: Om mani...
GROUP: Om.
BARNES: ...padme hum.
GROUP: Om.
BARNES: Om mani...
GROUP: Om.
BARNES: ...padme hum.
GROUP: Om.
BARNES: Om mani...
GROUP: Om.
BARNES: ...padme hum.(The newly transported SPIDER appears in the glow.)
GROUP: Om.
BARNES: Om mani...
GROUP: Om.
BARNES: ...padme hum.
GROUP: Om.
BARNES: Om mani...
GROUP: Om.
BARNES: ...padme hum.
GROUP: Om.
BARNES: Om mani...
GROUP: Om.
BARNES: ...padme hum.(It scuttles away to await further reinforcements.)
23: INT. LAMASERY. SITTING ROOM
(TOMMY has found CHO-JE and told the little man all that he knows...)
TOMMY: So I thought I'd better come and tell you all about it.
CHO-JE: I'm glad you did. (Softly.) Dear me, these foolish fellows.
TOMMY: But don't you think we should tell K'anpo?
CHO-JE: Indeed we should tell the Abbot when we know...what to tell him.(CHO-JE smiles gently and walks out of the sitting room. TOMMY follows.)
24: INT. LAMASERY. PASSAGEWAY
CHO-JE: Tommy, you go and get this...crystal, and I will go down to the cellar and see what these naughty chaps are about.
(TOMMY is about to argue.)
CHO-JE: Now off you go now.
TOMMY: Yes, Cho-Je.(CHO-JE heads in the direction of the cellar and TOMMY is about to ascend the stairs when he softly calls the little monk back.)
TOMMY: Cho-Je?
CHO-JE: Yes?
TOMMY: Y...you don't seem very surprised to find me changed?
CHO-JE: When everything is new, can anything be a surprise?(CHO-JE giggles with happiness. TOMMY smiles back at him.)
TOMMY: I see.
CHO-JE: Hurry now.(They head off in different directions but the smile has disappeared off CHO-JE'S face.)
25: INT. METEBELIS THREE. SPIDER'S BASE. PASSAGE
(The DOCTOR has made it back to the main part of the SPIDER'S base. He ducks again under the webs which mask the entrance to the rocky passage, gathers his bearings and moves on.)
26: INT. LAMASERY. CELLAR
(The group in the cellar continues their chanting, still unaware of the effect that they have had.)
GROUP: Om.
BARNES: Om mani...
GROUP: Om.
BARNES: ...padme hum.
GROUP: Om.
BARNES: Om mani...
GROUP: Om.
BARNES: ...padme hum.
GROUP: Om.
BARNES: Om mani...
GROUP: Om.
BARNES: ...padme hum.(With unaccustomed speed, CHO-JE runs down the cellar steps and up behind the seated group. Suddenly his voice rings out in anger.)
CHO-JE: You must stop!
GROUP: Ohm...!(The group abruptly does so. CHO-JE stares at them in horror.)
CHO-JE: You are the most misguided of men. Did I not warn you? Did I not tell you of the risks you ran?
(CHO-JE suddenly looks up in fear and even KEAVER grimaces as a SPIDER hangs in mid-air and shoots a burst of blue crackling energy at the monk. With a scream of pain, he falls to the ground. The others jump up in consternation. MIKE sees what has happened to CHO-JE.)
MIKE YATES: No!
(He runs over to help the fallen lama but the SPIDER blasts him as well. TOMMY runs down the steps but stops as he sees the other SPIDERS moving out of the shadows towards the other trapped humans. They back off in horror. TOMMY has seen enough and runs back up the steps to the ante-room.)
27: INT. LAMASERY. CELLAR ANTE-ROOM
(He pulls the door to behind him and stops to collect his thoughts.)
TOMMY: K'anpo... I must tell K'anpo.
28: INT. METEBELIS THREE. SPIDER'S BASE. CELL
(The DOCTOR enters the cell to find SARAH stood there waiting for him, seemingly unharmed. SABOR is still wrapped in his cocoon.)
SARAH: Doctor! Where on earth have you been?
DOCTOR: Sarah, so you're safe then?
SARAH: Yes, of course I am. Now listen, Doctor - we're going to escape. Hold my hands.
DOCTOR: Look, there's no time for foolish...(He breaks off as SABOR hears the sounds of commotion outside.)
SABOR: Listen!
ARAK: (OOV: In passage.) Sabor! Father! Where are you?
SABOR: It's my son!
29: INT. METEBELIS THREE. SPIDER'S BASE. PASSAGE
(Outside the cell, the SECOND GUARD CAPTAIN raises a hand and fires a bolt of blue energy at ARAK. It crackles into the stone in his headband and the burly farmer staggers back slightly but is otherwise unharmed.)
SABOR: (OOV: Inside cell.) Here, Arak!
30: INT. METEBELIS THREE. SPIDER'S BASE. CELL
(SARAH grabs the DOCTOR'S hands.)
SARAH: Quickly, Doctor, or it'll be too late!
(The two concentrate and they fade away. SABOR looks from his cocoon in astonishment but has no time for further reaction as his two sons run in.)
ARAK: Father!
(TUAR starts to cut away at the cocoon.)
ARAK: Tuar! Behind you!
(ARAK runs at a guard who has just entered the cell. ARAK'S knife is dashed from his hands and he is thrown to the floor. As TUAR continues to free their father, the guard punches down at ARAK who grabs the guards hands and rolls him across the floor.)
31: EXT. METEBELIS THREE. VILLAGE
(The DOCTOR and SARAH materialise in the middle of the village. The DOCTOR staggers backwards slightly and gives a "popping" sound with his tongue.)
DOCTOR: "goes the weasel!"
SARAH: What?
DOCTOR: (Amazed.) How did you manage that?
SARAH: The Queen taught me. Nothing to it really.(She dashes grinning towards the TARDIS as one of the hut doors opens and NESKA and REGA come running out.)
NESKA: Stay girl! Tell us - what has been happening?
SARAH: Oh, don't worry, Neska. Sabor is safe - Arak and Tuar are rescuing him at this very moment. Goodbye and thank you for everything!
REGA: (To NESKA, delighted.) Can it be true?(SARAH, seemingly in charge of events, yells back at the DOCTOR...)
SARAH: Come on, Doctor!
(...who is rifling through his pockets with an expression of concern on his face.)
DOCTOR: The key! I've lost the key!
(She grins cheekily at him having opened the door of the TARDIS.)
SARAH: I've got it.
(She runs inside.)
DOCTOR: Sarah...
(The DOCTOR runs in after her.).
NESKA: Wait!
(She and her daughter run forward but the TARDIS makes its usual dematerialisation sound and fades away before the astonished eyes of the women of the village.)
32: INT. LAMASERY. CELLAR
(A SPIDER hangs on the shoulders of each of the four conscious men in the cellar. They fade away and the four look over their shoulders at their empty backs. Suddenly, something else takes their attention – the sound of the TARDIS materialising.)
BARNES: Quickly, hide!
(The four run into the darkness past the recumbent forms of MIKE and CHO-JE. The TARDIS appears in a corner of the cellar and the DOCTOR and SARAH emerge, instantly spotting the two unconscious men on the floor.)
SARAH: Doctor, look!
(The two bend down to help and the DOCTOR examines them quickly.)
SARAH: Are they dead?
(Then...)
BARNES: No.
(BARNES steps forward.)
BARNES: An unfortunate oversight, Doctor. It won't occur again.
(The others step forward. BARNES raises an arm and shoots a bolt of energy at the two arrivers. They duck down and the bolt slams into the cellar door. The DOCTOR pulls one of the black Metebelis stones out of his pocket and raises it like a talisman. KEAVER shoots another bolt which is absorbed by the stone and MOSS a third which is likewise ineffectual. TOMMY appears behinds MOSS and pushes the small man to the ground.)
TOMMY: Quickly, Doctor! This way!
(The DOCTOR deflects another bolt from BARNES and he and SARAH run up the steps past TOMMY. Another bolt hits the handyman. He staggers and a look of pain appears on his face but he is otherwise unharmed. He runs after the two escapees.)
33: INT. LAMASERY. CELLAR ANTE-ROOM
(SARAH and the DOCTOR wait in the ante-room for TOMMY with SARAH catching her breath. TOMMY is quickly behind them and locks the door to the cellar.)
SARAH: But...but what about Mike and Cho-Je?
DOCTOR: Oh, they'll be out for quite a time. But as long as they're unconscious, they're quite safe.
TOMMY: What happened to the others?(The door starts to rattle from the other side.)
DOCTOR: Oh, they've been taken over.
SARAH: By the spiders?
DOCTOR: Yes.
TOMMY: We'd better get out of here.(He goes for the door from the ante-room but SARAH has just realised something...)
SARAH: But, Tommy, you're normal! Y...you're just like everybody else!
TOMMY: I sincerely hope not.(With the faintest of smiles, he leads the way out. The door to the cellar continues to rattle furiously.)
34: INT. LAMASERY. PASSAGEWAY
(TOMMY leads the other two down one of the Lamasery passageways.)
TOMMY: This way.
DOCTOR: Where are you taking us?
TOMMY: To the Abbot.
35: INT. LAMASERY. ABBOT'S ROOM
(K'anpo Rinponche, the abbot of the lamasery, sits in an armchair, his hands folded deep in mediation. His room is comfortably furnished in a mixture of styles – classical English furniture for the most part but with Tibetan hangings on the walls in the place of the usually expected paintings, country prints and their like. The abbot is an elderly man with a white beard. Like CHO-JE, he is dressed in brown and red Tibetan robes. He seems oblivious to the events taking place in the building around him.)
36: INT. LAMASERY. PASSAGEWAY OUTSIDE ABBOT'S ROOM
(TOMMY leads the DOCTOR and SARAH round a corner and to the door to the abbot's room.)
SARAH: Doctor! Doctor, the crystal!
DOCTOR: Yes, yes, Sarah - all in good time.(TOMMY knocks on the door.)
37: INT. LAMASERY. ABBOT'S ROOM
(Inside, the abbot opens his eyes and gives an order in a voice that is as gentle as his face.)
K'ANPO: Come in.
(The three enter and the DOCTOR shuts the door behind them.)
TOMMY: This is the Doctor, K'anpo.
K'ANPO: I know. You are welcome.
TOMMY: My friend, Sarah Jane Smith.
K'ANPO: It is kind of you to come and visit an old man.(The DOCTOR steps forward, places his palms together and bows. He then speaks several words of Tibetan.)
K'ANPO: You speak Tibetan?
DOCTOR: A little, sir, yes.
SARAH: (Smiling.) What did you just say?
DOCTOR: I apologised to the Rinpoche for not bringing him a cotton scarf.
K'ANPO: (To SARAH.) You friend knows not only our language, but also our customs. The ceremonial gift merely symbolises friendship. (To the DOCTOR.) We have no need for symbols - you and I.(The DOCTOR frowns at the meaningful way in which the abbot says this. TOMMY goes to the door.)
TOMMY: I...I think I'd better keep a watch outside. If...if the others get out of the cellar...?
K'ANPO: As yet they haven't managed it. They may soon though. Thank you, Tommy.(TOMMY goes out and shuts the door. K'anpo looks at his visitors.)
K'ANPO: Pray be seated.
DOCTOR: Thank you, sir.(The DOCTOR and SARAH each sit on a couple of low stools. The effect is to place the DOCTOR at the feet of the old man.)
K'ANPO: Now, Doctor, you have a story to tell me.
DOCTOR: Yes, well, I have a strange feeling that you already know most of it. Erm, you see, I...I found a crystal, a blue crystal...(K'anpo looks at him with twinkling eyes.)
K'ANPO: Found?
DOCTOR: (Uncomfortably.) Well, perhaps, "stole" might be a better word.(He looks at the old man.)
DOCTOR: Forgive me, have we met before?
K'ANPO: The recognition of friends is not always easy.(The DOCTOR frowns again but the abbot carries on...)
K'ANPO: Tell me about this crystal you... "stole".
DOCTOR: Yes, well it didn't occur to me that I had stolen it - at the time. You see...
38: INT. LAMASERY. PASSAGEWAY OUTSIDE ABBOT'S ROOM
(BARNES and the others come running round the corner and see TOMMY standing guard outside the abbot's door. They line up opposite him and hear one of the SPIDERS speaking in their minds.)
SPIDER: (OOV.) The crystal is in that room!
(BARNES walks up to the handyman.)
BARNES: Get out of the way.
(TOMMY gently but firmly shakes his head.)
TOMMY: You can't go in there.
(The two men stare each other out. BARNES walks backwards to his compatriots. TOMMY and BARNES continue to stare each other out.)
MOSS: (Urgently.) What are we going to do? We...
BARNES: (Interrupts.) Be quiet!(He yells at TOMMY...)
BARNES: Stand back you!
(...but the burly man stays where he is. BARNES raises a hand and blasts a spark of energy at TOMMY. Again he staggers but doesn't fall.)
BARNES: Keaver, Land - get him out of the way!
(The two men step forward.)
LAND: Come on now, Tommy.
(They walk up on either side of the man.)
KEAVER: Now!
(They jump him but TOMMY easily throws them back. BARNES also jumps TOMMY but his arm is grabbed and twisted behind his back. BARNES yells with pain.)
BARNES: No, no!
TOMMY: I'm sorry, Mr. Barnes.(TOMMY kicks BARNES away and he falls at the feet of the other possessed men.)
BARNES: Kill him!
(MOSS fires a bolt of energy, followed by KEAVER, then LAND and BARNES. The four men continue firing, pouring bolt after bolt into TOMMY...)
Doctor Who
JON PERTWEESarah Jane Smith
ELISABETH SLADENMike Yates
RICHARD FRANKLINLupton
JOHN DEARTHCho-Je
KEVIN LINDSAYTommy
JOHN KANEArak
GARETH HUNTSabor
GEOFFREY MORRISNeska
JENNY LAIRDRega
JOANNA MONROTuar
RALPH ARLISSGuard Captains
WALTER RANDALL
MAX FAULKNERBarnes
CHRISTOPHER BURGESSMoss
TERENCE LODGELand
CARL FORGIONEKeaver
ANDREW STAINESSpider Voices
YSANNE CHURCHMAN
KISMET DELGADO
MAUREEN MORRISWritten by
ROBERT SLOMANTitle Music by
RON GRAINER &
BBC RADIOPHONIC
WORKSHOPTitle Sequence
BERNARD LODGEIncidental Music by
DUDLEY SIMPSONSpecial Sound
DICK MILLSScript Editor
TERRANCE DICKSDesigner
ROCHELLE SELWYNDirected by
BARRY LETTS
COLOUR
© BBC 1974