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DOCTOR WHO
THE SEEDS OF DOOM

Written by
Robert Banks Stewart

Part Three

(Overlap from the exploding generator plant)

[EXT. Antarctica]

(SARAH slowly stirs and wakes up as a tracked vehicle approaches. A man in an orange parka gets out. This is CHESTER. Two MEN wearing whites follow.)
CHESTER: Come on.
(The group approach SARAH.)
CHESTER: Are you all right? Look, we're from South Bend. These marines got me through. We heard the explosion. What happened?
SARAH: The Doctor. Where's the Doctor?
CHESTER: It's all right. I'm a doctor. Doctor Chester. Look, we're going to take care of you. Don't worry.
SARAH: No, no, you don't understand. He's trying to reach the camp. We've got to find him. Doctor!
CHESTER: Look, hang about. Take it easy.
SARAH: Doctor!
(She heads off, and the men follow. She then sees something.)
SARAH: Doctor!
(Face down, partially buried in the snow, is the DOCTOR.)
SARAH: Help me, please! Help me.
(They roll him onto his back.)
SARAH: He's alive.
DOCTOR: Good morning.

[INT. Botanical lab]

(SCORBY and KEELER arrive, with the pod in its box, in a room beyond which are various plants. This is an administrative room with a desk and files.)
SCORBY: Must be in the greenhouse. Mister Chase? Mission accomplished.
(CHASE enters. He has been looking after his many plants.)
CHASE: Well? Open it.
(KEELER hangs back as SCORBY does so.)
CHASE: Astounding. I can scarcely believe it.
SCORBY: (hastily) I wouldn't touch it.
CHASE: Why not?
SCORBY: Well, there was this other pod, and one of the expedition apparently got infected by it.
CHASE: Yes, so I heard. What happened exactly?
KEELER: It was all very strange. He went mad and killed somebody.
SCORBY: Yeah, they told us the pod took him over in some way.
CHASE: Oh. What became of this other pod?
SCORBY: It was destroyed. We had to blow the whole place to smithereens, plus everyone in it.
CHASE: What a pity. I could have had two pods.
(There is a knock on the door.)
CHASE: Come.
HARGREAVES: Mister Dunbar, sir.
CHASE: Ah, come in, Dunbar. It's all right. These are the two men who brought back the pod.
(HARGREAVES leaves.)
CHASE: They know of your contribution to the enterprise.
DUNBAR: I had no idea you'd go to such terrible lengths to get it.
CHASE: The destruction of the others was necessary.
DUNBAR: Necessary?
CHASE: There it is. Look at it. Like me, I imagine you couldn't wait to see it with your own eyes.
DUNBAR: Unlike you, I can hardly bear to look at it, considering the cost.
CHASE: Since you mention cost, Dunbar, you've already been well paid for your part, so keep a stiff upper lip, forget your qualms. The object has been achieved. We can all relax.
DUNBAR: Not quite.
CHASE: No?
DUNBAR: They weren't all wiped out. That's what I came to warn you about. The Doctor and his assistant are still alive.
SCORBY: That's not possible.
DUNBAR: The Doctor's meeting Sir Colin and me in two hours' time.

[INT. Dunbar's office]

THACKERAY: But why should people go to such lengths to get their hands on the pod?
DOCTOR: Greed. Greed. The most dangerous impulse in the universe. Do you realise, do you realise that on this planet the pod is unique? I use the word with precision. Unique. And to some people, its uniqueness makes it valuable at any cost.
DUNBAR: You make these two mystery men sound like fanatics.
DOCTOR: Fana-? Tell him. You tell him. You tell him!
SARAH: These two mystery men had everything planned. They had an aeroplane, guns, even a bomb. It was organised down to the last detail. Now, if that isn't fanaticism, well, what is?
DUNBAR: Surely you're exaggerating.
SARAH: Exaggerat-? Now look, I was there. We were nearly killed!
DOCTOR: Be calm. Be calm. Listen, both of you. Are you both listening to me? I think they were dangerous, but they were stooges. I believe they were working for someone else.
SARAH: And if that's true, that someone else must be a complete madman.
DOCTOR: What's more to the point is how they knew of the pod's existence. The discovery had been reported only to your department, correct?
THACKERAY: That's correct. But, Doctor, I trust you're not suggesting that information was leaked from this bureau?
DOCTOR: Why not? Why shouldn't it be?
DUNBAR: Doctor, how can you suggest such a thing?
THACKERAY: In any case, what would be the gain?
DOCTOR: Oh, money.
DUNBAR: Money?
DOCTOR: Yes, money. Hired thieves and murderers don't usually work for love.
DUNBAR: Since you seem to have it all sewn up, Doctor, perhaps you can tell us where the pod is now?
DOCTOR: I'll make a guess. Right here, in this country. Action! Action, that's what we need. If we don't find that pod before it germinates, it'll be the end of everything. Everything, you understand? Even your pension!
THACKERAY: Very well, Doctor. You've made your point. All the facilities of this bureau will be placed at your disposal.
DOCTOR: Thank you.
THACKERAY: All right, Dunbar?
DUNBAR: I'll organise anything you require, Doctor.
DOCTOR: Good. Then organise us to the Botanic[al] Institute, now.

[EXT. Outside the World Ecology Bureau]

(The DOCTOR and SARAH exit the building, and a chauffeur meets them.)
CHAUFFEUR: Doctor?
DOCTOR: Yes.
CHAUFFEUR: This car was ordered for you, sir.
DOCTOR: Good. Let's go.

[INT. Dunbar's office]

DUNBAR: (on the telephone) It's all right, Mister Chase. They're being taken care of. But I must warn you about that pod.

[EXT. Back lane]

(The limousine stops. We are right in the middle of a muddy lane.)
DOCTOR: What's going on? Where are we?
CHAUFFEUR: (turning round with a gun out) We're in a nice deserted place, Doctor.
DOCTOR: Who do you work for?
CHAUFFEUR: Both of you, out. This side.
(He gets out first, then the DOCTOR opens his own door.)
DOCTOR: Now just a minute.
(Through his window, which is rolled down, the DOCTOR pulls the CHAUFFEUR against the door and throws him down into the mud.)
DOCTOR: Sarah, come on.
(They start running, up a rise, and head down a slope before the CHAUFFEUR can get in a clean shot at them. The DOCTOR runs back for SARAH at one point, taking her hand.)
DOCTOR: Come on.
(They hide behind piles of sand as the CHAUFFEUR stops and takes stock of the situation.)
SARAH: Hey, down here. Down here, cloth-eyes. Are you blind?
(He scrambles down the slope and is soon in the sandy area, He stops to look around.
The DOCTOR throws a small rock onto a steel rooftop among the industrial structures,and distracts him. The DOCTOR jumps down onto his back from above and punches him in the face, knocking him out. He and SARAH head back to the limousine.)
DOCTOR: You try the boot.
SARAH: Right, give us the key.
(He looks in the glove box, and SARAH finds a framed print of a plant in the boot.)
SARAH: Hey, Doctor.
DOCTOR: Yes?
SARAH: Here.
DOCTOR: What?
SARAH: Look.
(He reads out the signature of the artist.)
DOCTOR: Amelia Ducat.
SARAH: That's interesting.
DOCTOR: Is it? Why?
SARAH: Well, Amelia Ducat [correcting his pronunciation to the French style] is only one of the world's leading flower artists.

[INT. Ducat's studio]

(A pleasant elderly woman speaks, gazing at the print in her delicately appointed studio.)
DUCAT: Oh, yes, a perfect example. Fritillaria meleagris.
DOCTOR: Is that the common snakes-head fritillary?
DUCAT: And why are you asking me?
DOCTOR: No, I mean did you paint it, Miss Ducket?
DUCAT: The name is Ducat [French pronunciation] actually. Yes, of course, I painted it. I camped out on the Chilterns night after night to catch it at sunrise.
DOCTOR: We're trying to trace the owner.
DUCAT: Isn't it yours?
DOCTOR: No. We found it in a car boot.
DUCAT: A car boot?
DOCTOR: A Daimler car boot.
DUCAT: The car is immaterial.
SARAH: The driver wasn't. He tried to kill us.
DOCTOR: Can you remember who bought this particular painting?
DUCAT: (standing next to her easel) Well, nobody. I haven't finished it yet.
SARAH: No, hang about, not that one. This one, Miss Ducat.
DOCTOR: Common snakes-head fritillary.
DUCAT: Oh, that one. Oh, dear me. It was a long time ago. Now what was his name? Something like, er, Face? Mace? Lace?
SARAH: Pace?
DOCTOR: Base?
DUCAT: That's right. Chase! Of course. Harrison Chase, the millionaire. Good lord. He never paid me!

[INT. Plant lab]

KEELER: No, no, the x-rays don't show any signs of activity, so-
CHASE: We mustn't give up, Keeler. I'm certain we're on the verge of a breakthrough.
KEELER: Yes, but if we... (sighs) Mister Chase, please listen. Something weird happened in Antarctica. A man came into contact with the other pod, and, according to the Doctor, he turned into an alien. Now I don't know what he meant exactly, but I believe it did happen, so please let's stop this experiment now.
CHASE: No, Keeler. Dunbar's explained everything to me. Provided we take the proper precautions, there is no danger. Now, inject the pod with fixed nitrogen.
(A telephone rings, and CHASE motions for KEELER to answer.)
KEELER: Special Projects Lab. Yes. Yes, he's here. (to CHASE) Urgent call from Dunbar. Your chauffeur's in hospital.

[EXT. Outside Chase's estate]

(The DOCTOR drives the limo to a gate in a stone wall.)
SARAH: I hope this works.
DOCTOR: It's worth the risk to find that pod.
(He puts on the chauffeur's cap in place of his own hat.)
DOCTOR: How do I look?
(She looks at him and does not reply.
The horn sounds, and the WATCHMAN leaves his lodge. He walks round to the gate, opens a door in it, and looks at the car. He then opens the gates, and the car drives through, with SARAH keeping her head down. The gates are closed again. The DOCTOR drives a short way further.)
DOCTOR: So far, so good.
SARAH: Leave the car here? (She rises.)
DOCTOR: Yes.
(They continue through the grounds on foot until reaching the main building.)
SARAH: We're here.
DOCTOR: What's the best way in, do you think?
SARAH: The front.
DOCTOR: Pfft. Not this time.
SARAH: The back?
DOCTOR: The back. Quick, hide.
(Two GUARDS stroll past with automatic weapons.)
DOCTOR: Let's brazen it out.
(He and SARAH walk across the lawn.)
GUARD: Hey, you! Halt, or I'll fire!
DOCTOR: Just act naturally.
SARAH: I am.
(They break into a run, and a moment later one GUARD opens fire. They head through a side gate to an inner garden, They run through this, past its pond, and find themselves in another inner garden.)
SARAH: 'Act natural' he says.
(They keep running, through paths of a less manicured arboretum.)
SCORBY: Hold it.
DOCTOR: Get our hands up.
SCORBY: Hello, Doctor. How nice of you to come. Over here! I've got them!
(The two GUARDS arrive finally.)
DOCTOR: That's right, grab us. We're very dangerous.
SCORBY: You're full of good ideas, Doctor.

[INT. Chase's library]

(The DOCTOR and SARAH are brought in at gunpoint.)
SCORBY: (with his gun out) Some visitors, Mister Chase.
CHASE: So, the meddling Doctor. You lead a charmed life. You arrive without a chauffeur, not even a touch of frostbite.
DOCTOR: How do you do? Have you met Miss Smith? She's my best friend.
CHASE: Is she? And still beautifully intact, I see.
SARAH: I try my best, under the circumstances.
DOCTOR: And this is Mister Scorby. I don't know his first name. And these two gentlemen-
CHASE: Yes, thank you, Doctor, we are acquainted.
DOCTOR: How nice. Hand over the pod.
CHASE: After all the inconvenience I've been put to? Oh no, Doctor. Perhaps you didn't know, but in this house is assembled the greatest collection of rare plants in the world. When the pod flowers, I shall achieve the crowning glory of my life's work.
DOCTOR: Take care. I notice a little greenfly here and there.
CHASE: Ah, your envy is understandable, Doctor. However, as I propose to have you both executed-
SARAH: Why? We haven't harmed you.
DOCTOR: Be reasonable, Sarah. What choice has he got? We keep interfering.
CHASE: Exactly, Doctor. However, before you die, you will be granted a unique privilege. The last things you will ever see will be my beautiful plants. Please come this way.
SARAH: (sotto) Look, what are you playing at?
SCORBY: Come on, on your way.

[INT. Chase's plant lab]

CHASE [OC]: And the west wing was completed by Sir Bothwell Chase just before his execution in 1587.
(They all step in.)
CHASE: This plant laboratory is unique, Doctor. It makes the Botanical Institute look like a potting shed.
DOCTOR: Are we near the end? I do so hate guided tours.
CHASE: Here we treat our green friends as patients. If they're puny, we build them up. If they're sick, we give them succour.
SARAH: I've heard of flower power, but that is ridiculous.
CHASE: You've heard of the theory that irregular light patterns can affect the senses of so-called mindless things?
DOCTOR: Oh, yes, like Scorby here.
SCORBY: Enjoy yourself while you can, Doctor.
DOCTOR: Where's Keeler?
CHASE: He's engaged in important and isolated research.
DOCTOR: On the pod?
CHASE: What else?

[INT. Keeler's lab]

(KEELER is looking at the pod through a magnifying glass.)
HARGREAVES: Your coffee, sir. Two lumps, isn't it?
KEELER: It's happening.
HARGREAVES: What is?
KEELER: There's a Flocker's[?] path forming on the pericarp.
HARGREAVES: There's a what, sir?
KEELER: It's alive! It's growing! Go and fetch Mister Chase. Tell him it's urgent.
HARGREAVES: Yes, sir.
KEELER: Hurry up, Hargreaves!

[INT. Chase's greenhouse]

(The DOCTOR examines a palm tree.)
SCORBY: All right, that's enough.
GUARD: Come on, move.
(They head down some steps and see the source of the random-seeming tones they have been hearing.)
SCORBY: Okay, hold it there.
CHASE: (referring to the work he is doing on his mixing desk) The hymn of the plants. I composed it myself. People say that you should talk to plants. I believe that. Just as I believe they also like music.
SARAH: Got to get out of here.
DOCTOR: [mutters indistinctly]
SARAH: What?
DOCTOR: I said the music's terrible!
SCORBY: Shut up.
CHASE: (turning down the volume) Now I shall play you my requiem - my Floriana Requiem, dedicated to Linnaeus.
(More discordant though slightly more organ-type sounds are made.)
CHASE: You know, Doctor, I could play all day in my green cathedral.
HARGREAVES: Mister Chase.
DOCTOR: Oh, go away. Can't you see Mister Chase is busy?
HARGREAVES: It's Mister Keeler. Something's happening to that pod!
CHASE: (ceasing to play) Why are you shouting, Hargreaves?
HARGREAVES: Would you go to the annex, please?
CHASE: Yes, right. Take these people away. I imagine they won't mind a few minutes' delay before they die.
SCORBY: All right, move. (They all leave.)

[INT. Keeler's lab]

CHASE: What is it?
KEELER: I thought you should see this.
CHASE: Have you injected fixed nitrogen?
KEELER: Fifteen grams. Careful. I shouldn't get too close.
CHASE: There can't be any danger yet.
KEELER: Don't forget it's alien.
CHASE: More nitrogen.
KEELER: No, no, I don't think that would be wise, Mister Chase.
CHASE: I make the decisions. Inject another fifteen grams.

[EXT. Grounds of the estate]

DOCTOR: Where are you taking us, Scorby?
SCORBY: I shouldn't worry, Doctor. It's strictly a one-way journey.
(The DOCTOR, in front, runs round the stone between two narrow archways. SARAH, behind SCORBY, grabs his gun arm.)
SARAH: Now, Doctor!
(He kicks the gun from SCORBY's hand and then punches him and twists his head. We hear a nasty sound.)
DOCTOR: Come along, Sarah.
SARAH: But-
(SCORBY gets up, holding his neck.
We then see SARAH close an iron gate they have run through, then runs more quickly to catch up to the DOCTOR.)
DOCTOR: We've got to warn Sir Colin.
SARAH: Right. Let's get out and phone him.
DOCTOR: Got a 2p piece?
SARAH: Yeah.
DOCTOR: Good. You're going to phone him. I must get another look at that pod. Let's get you over the wall first.
SCORBY: (picking up his gun) Guards!
(Three GUARDS run up.)
SCORBY: They got away. We've got to find them. You two that way.
(As the whistles blow, the DOCTOR leads SARAH to a terraced area along the main wall. He looks over the top of the wall.)
SCORBY [OC]: You men there cover sector nine!
(The searching guards converge at a statue of Queen Victoria.)
SCORBY: Spread out, you idiots.
(The DOCTOR returns with rope, which he starts to tie around SARAH's waist.)
DOCTOR: Come on.
SARAH: Listen, you be careful of Chase. If he catches you-
DOCTOR: Shhh.

[INT. Keeler's lab]

(The pod's segments are more clearly separating now. KEELER stands back in a corner.)
CHASE: Remarkable. It almost grows before my eyes. Where's your enthusiasm, Keeler? Don't you realise we face a moment of history?

[EXT. Grounds of the estate]

(The DOCTOR lowers SARAH, who uses the ivy as handholds. She unties herself, and the DOCTOR stashes the rope in the hedge nearby. He starts to return to the house.
Meanwhile, SARAH hears a twig snap. She freezes, and a GUARD comes up behind her and grabs her.)
GUARD: One word out of you and you're a dead little girl, understand? So near yet so far.
(He whistles, and a compatriot emerges from the trees.)
GUARD: You didn't think you'd get away with it, did you? Come on.
(Meanwhile, the DOCTOR is creeping through the mansion. We then see SCORBY, in his rendezvous with the GUARDS just outside the main building.)
GUARD: Found her in the woods. She must have got over the wall.
SCORBY: And the other one?
GUARD: No sign of him.
SCORBY: Where's the Doctor? Mister Chase isn't going to be very pleased with you. Come on. Keep looking!
(He drags her into the mansion.)

[INT. Keeler's lab]

(The DOCTOR emerges from an attic door. On the roof, he looks down on Keeler's lab via the skylight.)
KEELER: It's like waiting for a time bomb to explode.
(SCORBY drags SARAH in.)
CHASE: What's been happening? I thought you had them both safely locked up.
SCORBY: They got away somehow. The Doctor's still free, but he won't get far.
CHASE: So that's what all that noise was about. Where is he?
SARAH: I don't know. And if I did, I wouldn't tell you.
CHASE: What a very unco-operative young lady. However, I've just had an idea. You can help me with my experiment. Remove her coat. Sit down. Miss Smith will be our subject, like so.
(CHASE holds her arm on the table, right next to the pod.)
SARAH: No!
CHASE: Fetch some clamps, Keeler.
KEELER: You can't! It's inhuman!
CHASE: I don't care. I must know what happens when a Krynoid touches human flesh.
(We hear a sound, and before the DOCTOR's eyes, the pod begins cracking open.)

The above notes, transcription, etc. by Anna Shefl

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