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DOCTOR WHO
THE DEADLY ASSASSIN

Written by
Robert Holmes

Part One

(The following roller-caption text scrolls up the screen, read by the Doctor off-camera:

Through the millennia,
the Time Lords of Gallifrey
led a life of peace and ordered
calm, protected against all
threats from lesser civilisations
by their great power.

But this was to change. Suddenly
and terribly, the Time Lords
faced the most dangerous
crisis in their long history...

[INT. TARDIS wooden console room]

(The DOCTOR is looking down at the console, from which he may well have been reading the foregoing text. While pressing some switches, he gets a faraway look in his eyes, which open wide. He is having a vision - as red-and-white-garbed GUARDS stand in the background, TIME LORDS in their yellow and orange ceremonial robes, with large ceremonial collars, are gathered by the dozen.)
DOCTOR: The Panopticon.
(He staggers forward. In the vision, the TIME LORDS have turned toward his vantage point, some with hands thrust outward. The DOCTOR appears to be in pain. We zoom in on the DOCTOR, who is now witnessing a scene of a man in white Time Lord robes on a dais, round which the others are gathered. The vantage point is revealed to be that of a weapon. The face of the man on the dais is at the centre of its sights.)
DOCTOR: No! No!
(The view is now of a sweating DOCTOR shooting toward the man with an energy weapon. The figure in white is hit by a burst of white energy and falls backward. In the console room, the DOCTOR shakes his head and makes his way to the wall, against which he collapses in shock. After a moment, he puts his hand to his head and rises to his feet.)

[INT. Gallifrey walkway]

(We are next to a walkway with railing. An alarm is sounding. As the following announcement is made, GUARDS with red helmets run along the walkway, white capes billowing behind them. They converge with other GUARDS at the end of the walkway.)
TANNOY: Sector 7, Sector 7, alert. Unauthorised capsule entry imminent. Repeat, unauthorised capsule entry imminent. Stand to on Sector 7.
(The TARDIS materialises at the end of the walkway, just beneath a seal on the wall.)

[INT. TARDIS]

DOCTOR: (looking up) Right outside the Capitol itself. I'm in trouble now.
(He hits the scanner control, and its shutters open to reveal the GUARDS outside.)
DOCTOR: The Chancery guards. Pfft. What a welcome home.

[INT. Gallifrey walkway]

(A senior guard and a man in more everyday Time Lord regalia - no fancy collar - walk briskly along the walkway and stop before the TARDIS.)
HILDRED: It looks-
SPANDRELL: Yes?
HILDRED: If I didn't know better, Castellan, I'd swear it was a Type Forty.
SPANDRELL: It is.
HILDRED: But that's impossible.

[INT. TARDIS]

HILDRED [on the scanner screen]: There are no Type Forties in service. They're out of commission, obsolete.
DOCTOR: Obsolete? Twaddle. (patting the console) Take no notice, my dear old thing.
SPANDRELL [on screen]: Nevertheless, Commander, this is a TARDIS. It's in an unauthorised zone. I want the occupants arrested.
(The DOCTOR looks up sharply.)

[INT. Gallifrey walkway]

SPANDRELL: The barrier on this model is a double-curtain trimonic, so you will need a cypher indent key to get in.
HILDRED: Very good, Castellan. I'll send for one.
SPANDRELL: After you've arrested the personnel, impound the machine.
HILDRED: Of course, Castellan. Will you want me to question the-
SPANDRELL: (turning back to him) Eventually, yes, but not on a Presidential resignation day, Hildred.

[INT. TARDIS]

DOCTOR: Presidential resignation day! (He sees the image of the fallen figure again.)

[INT. Records room]

SPANDRELL: (to the computer) Data retrieval. Request information on all Type Forty TT capsules currently operational.
COMPUTER: (in a deliberate female voice) Negative information. Type Forty TT capsules are de-registered and non-operational.
SPANDRELL: Report number of de-registrations.
COMPUTER: Three hundred and four.
SPANDRELL: Report number of registrations.
COMPUTER: Three hundred and five.
SPANDRELL: Report reason for numerical imbalance.
COMPUTER: One capsule removed from register. Reference malfeasance tribunal order dated three zero nine nine zero six.
ENGIN: (an older Time Lord in similar dress) Can I be of any further help, Castellan Spandrell?
SPANDRELL: One minute, Engin.
(He taps a video communicator on his glove.)
HILDRED [on screen]: Commander Hildred, Sector 7.
SPANDRELL: Malfeasance, Hildred.
HILDRED [on screen]: Malfeasance?

[INT. Gallifrey - Sector 7]

SPANDRELL [on the other screen, on a red glove]: The occupant of your Type Forty is a convicted criminal. Approach with caution.
HILDRED: (to the GUARDS) Very good, Castellan. Set your stasers.
(HILDRED and his GUARDS adjust the setting on their hand weapons.)

[INT. TARDIS]

(On the scanner, we see a GUARD present HILDRED with a box of keys of various types.)
DOCTOR: I must get past them and warn the President.
(He looks at the console and opens one panel, which folds out into a mini secretary. He pulls out a sheet of paper and, using the central column as a desk, begins to write. He see HILDRED take out a key, with staser drawn. Within the TARDIS, the DOCTOR roots around in a Gladstone bag from another room and removes a water pipe from it.)
DOCTOR: Cash and carry, Constantinople.
(He turns down the lights and looks at the scanner again.)

[INT. Gallifrey, walkway]

(HILDRED unlocks the TARDIS door.)
HILDRED: Right, follow me. (He steps in, followed by the GUARDS.)

[INT. TARDIS]

HILDRED: Don't move. I said 'don't move'.
(He is speaking to the shape of the Doctor. Stepping closer, he can tell that a coat and scarf have been set up on a high-backed chair. The Doctor's note is pinned to the dummy. HILDRED grabs the note, reads it, and looks up. He sees the DOCTOR on the scanner.)
HILDRED: There he goes! Quick! (He and the GUARDS exit the TARDIS.)

[INT. Gallifrey]

(The DOCTOR summons a lift and turns his back while waiting for it. There is a GUARD within, who inclines his head. They head toward the TARDIS. However, an energy-weapon blast hits the GUARD. The DOCTOR turns round and catches him. He sees a figure slink away in the shadows.)
DOCTOR: Hey, just a minute! Excuse me!
(The DOCTOR enters the lift, selects a level, and quickly exits again. He hides behind a pillar while other GUARDS arrive on the scene.)
HILDRED: (checking the status of the fallen GUARD) Coyned. He's got into the tower. You'll have to check every floor. (into his communicator) All guards, report to main tower, Sector 7. Dangerous intruder at large.

[INT. Records room]

ENGIN: (reading from the records) The tribunal chose, in view of the extenuating circumstances, to impose a lenient sentence.
SPANDRELL: What?
ENGIN: (louder) The tribunal chose-
SPANDRELL: What sentence?
ENGIN: Oh, I beg your pardon. Banishment to Earth.
SPANDRELL: Earth?
ENGIN: Sol 3, in Mutter's Spiral. Rather an interesting little planet, I understand. Several of our-
SPANDRELL: Is there anything further of relevance I should know, Co-ordinator Engin?
ENGIN: Ah, I see there is an addendum. Er, yes. The sentence was subsequently remitted at the intercession of the CIA.
SPANDRELL: Celestial Intervention Agency. They get their fingers into everything. Is he mixed up with them?
ENGIN: There's nothing further on the file.
SPANDRELL: (with a dry laugh) Oh yes, they'd see to it that there wouldn't be. Can you get me his extract biog?
ENGIN: Yes, certainly. Won't take a moment.
(He heads into an adjacent storage area.)
HILDRED: (entering) Castellan, I have to report the intruder in Sector 7-
SPANDRELL: Well?
HILDRED: Evaded us. And he shot one of my guards.
SPANDRELL: I see. Such efficiency. (He sits down.)
HILDRED: But we have him trapped in the communications tower, Castellan.
SPANDRELL: Well done, Hildred. An antiquated capsule, for which you get adequate early warning, transducts on the very perimeter of the Capitol. You are informed that the occupant is a known criminal, whereupon you allow him to escape and conceal himself in a building a mere fifty-three stories high. A clever stratagem, Hildred. You're trying to confuse him, I take it?
HILDRED: I apologise, Castellan. He won't evade capture a second time.
SPANDRELL: In the light of your impressive record so far, I would make no rash commitments.
HILDRED: I found this in the capsule.
SPANDRELL: (reading the Doctor's note, which is written in Gallifreyan script) 'To the Castellan of the Chancery Guard. I've good reason to think the life of His Supremacy the President is in grave danger. Do not ignore this warning. The Doctor.' And he's signed it over the Prydonian seal.
ENGIN: Apparently he is or was at one time a member of that noble chapter.
SPANDRELL: How can you tell?
ENGIN: Well, the biog data extracts of Time Lords are colour-coded according to chapter.
SPANDRELL: I didn't know that.
ENGIN: No? Well, your duties usually involve you with more plebeian classes, don't they, Castellan?
SPANDRELL: A Prydonian renegade, eh? I have to refer this to Chancellor Goth.

[INT. Gallifrey walkway]

(The DOCTOR re-enters the TARDIS. A figure watches from the shadows and walks past.)
OBSERVER: Predictable as ever, Doctor.

[INT. Chancellery]

SPANDRELL: He's a Prydonian renegade, sir, and, as you know, when a Prydonian forswears his birthright, there is nothing else he fears to lose.
GOTH: (with the note in hand) So you think there is a real danger, Castellan?
SPANDRELL: He has already killed one of the guards. I think he's ruthless and determined. A typical CIA agent.
GOTH: But if he is a member of the Celestial Intervention Agency, why should he wish to harm the President?
SPANDRELL: He could have been suborned. If he's being false to his Prydonian vows, his fidelity is already suspect.
GOTH: But this note? Why warn us in advance? (He sits.)
SPANDRELL: Perhaps to get us nervous or just looking the wrong way. Prydonians are notoriously-
GOTH: Devious? Not true, Castellan. We simply see a little further ahead than most. Anyway, what is it you want?
SPANDRELL: Permission to withdraw fifty guards from the Panopticon to search the communications tower.
GOTH: A great loss of pomp and circumstance.
SPANDRELL: I'll feel much happier once he's in custody.
GOTH: Very well, Spandrell. I should like to see this TARDIS. Extraordinary to think an old Type Forty is still operational.
SPANDRELL: It's in Sector 7, cloisters.
GOTH: Then we'll have to hurry. I have an audience with the cardinals in a few minutes.

[INT. TARDIS]

DOCTOR: (leaning on the console) Now, where's the local news programme? Ah.
(He presses a control, and a young man in the less formal style of robes appears on the scanner screen.)
RUNCIBLE [on screen]: Around me in these high galleries of the Panopticon (which we now see as he describes events) already the Time Lords are gathering, donning seldom-worn robes with their colourful collar insignia. The scarlet and orange of the Prydonians, the green of the Arcalians, the heliotrope of the Patrexes, and so on. (as the view returns to RUNCIBLE himself) And the one question that is on all their lips, the question of the day, as His Supremacy leaves public life, is 'who will he name as his successor?'
DOCTOR: Oh no, it's Runcible. Runcible the Fatuous.
RUNCIBLE [on screen]: In a moment, I hope to talk to Cardinal Borusa, the leader of the Prydonian Chapter, the chapter that has produced more Time Lord Presidents than all other chapters together, and perhaps get an answer to this question.

[INT. Panopticon]

(A group of TIME LORDS, led by one in deep purple, descend the steps at speed.)
RUNCIBLE: Cardinal Borusa, if you can spare a moment, sir.
BORUSA: Yes?
RUNCIBLE: (holding up his recorder) Public Register Video. If I could ask you a few questions?
BORUSA: Good gracious. Runcible, is it not?
RUNCIBLE: Ah, yes, sir.
BORUSA: One of my old pupils at Prydon Academy.
RUNCIBLE: May I congratulate you, sir, on your elevation to cardinal?
BORUSA: Thank you, Runcible. Good day.
RUNCIBLE: No, no, wait, sir. Please, if I could ask you a few questions.
BORUSA: Runcible, you had ample opportunity to ask me questions during your mis-spent years at the Academy. You failed to avail yourself of the opportunity then, and it is too late now. Good day.

[INT. TARDIS]

RUNCIBLE [on screen]: (smiling weakly) I'm afraid Cardinal Borusa cannot, at this present moment in the time band, commit himself. However, it is certainly no secret that a very senior member of the Prydonian Chapter, and the present number two in the Time Lord Council, Chancellor Goth, is the widely fancied candidate.
DOCTOR: Oh, get off. (He turns off the broadcast, and the viewscreen reverts to showing the view outside the TARDIS.)
GOTH [on screen]: There's no way this Doctor can enter the Capitol from the tower, is there?

[INT. Gallifrey walkway]

SPANDRELL: Not unless he's got the help of an accomplice.
GOTH: From within?
SPANDRELL: Perhaps he's gone to the tower to shake off his pursuers while somebody inside lifts the barrier.
GOTH: What an inventive, suspicious mind you have, Spandrell. So this in an old Type Forty.
SPANDRELL: Its shape was infinitely variable.
GOTH: Remarkably good condition. What are you going to do with it?
SPANDRELL: I hadn't thought. I was more interested in its operator.
GOTH: Well, I shouldn't leave it here, in case he tries to sneak back. Transduct it into the Capitol.
SPANDRELL: Very well, sir.
GOTH: Oh, and, erm, keep me informed about your progress on the conspiracy.
SPANDRELL: Of course. Transduct this to the museum.
(A GUARD opens a panel at the wall and handles this. The TARDIS is removed in pixelated fashion.)

[INT. Museum]

(After patterned pixelation deposits the TARDIS on a plinth, the DOCTOR steps out.)
DOCTOR: What a way to travel. But which way the Panopticon?
(He heads to his right but soon stops, at a display of a set of Time Lord regalia in yellow and gold.)

[INT. Adytum]

DECAYED FIGURE: So, he is within the Capitol.
MAN: (visible from the back as a Time Lord collar) All his actions are exactly as you predicted, Master.
DECAYED FIGURE: I know him.
MAN: He is resourceful. He will gain the Panopticon without further help.
DECAYED FIGURE: Of course he knows he is entering a trap, but how can he resist such a bait?
MAN: The hope of preventing an assassination.
DECAYED FIGURE: Quixotic fool. He will die quickly. Make certain he dies very quickly.
(Zooming in on the face reveals bulging eyeballs and a generally corpse-like appearance.)

[INT. Gallifrey walkway]

SPANDRELL: Well?
HILDRED: We checked the tower, Castellan. Nothing.
SPANDRELL: Nothing?
HILDRED: Fifty-two floors. Nothing. He never left the lift. We think he doubled back.
SPANDRELL: To the capsule?
HILDRED: Out here. There's nowhere else for him.
SPANDRELL: Come with me, and bring the tracker.

[INT. Museum]

(The Doctor's clothes are on display. A GUARD with the hand-held tracker follows a path slowly from the TARDIS to that display.)
GUARD: Castellan.
SPANDRELL: Now he could get into the Panopticon.
HILDRED: But everyone has to show a pass. The door guards will never let any-
SPANDRELL: Do you think they will stop Gold Usher? Would you? Get over there and try to find him.
HILDRED: Very good, Castellan.
SPANDRELL: And Hildred, try to be discreet.

[INT. Dressing room]

(Two Time Lords are changing.)
TIME LORD 1: You know, I remember the inaugural of Pandak the Third.
TIME LORD 2: Really?
TIME LORD 1: Yeah. Nine hundred years he lasted. Now there was a President with some staying power, what?
(He places his gown on a coat hook and turns away. A hand removes it.)
TIME LORD 2: What?
TIME LORD 1: Staying power. Where the dickens is my gown?
TIME LORD 2: Nine hundred years, eh?
TIME LORD 1: I could have sworn it was here a second ago.
DOCTOR: (in shirtsleeves from behind the hooks) Here you are, sir. (He helps the TIME LORD put on the gold robe.)
TIME LORD 1: Ah, thank you. Most kind. Yes, very different from the fellows nowadays, what? They're chopping and changing every couple of centuries.
TIME LORD 2: You're not gold, are you?
TIME LORD 1: Not what? This isn't my gown! That fellow's given me the wrong gown.
TIME LORD 2: What fellow?
(They look at each other.)

[INT. Panopticon gallery]

(We are looking down on the dais. RUNCIBLE and TIME LORDS are below. We are with the cameraman, who is adjusting angles when he turns and gasps in horror. A dark figure sets upon him.)

[INT. Records room]

SPANDRELL: There may be something in his history, some clue. If only I could convince the Chancellor the threat is serious.
ENGIN: It would have to be very serious before they'd delay the ceremony. The President must be on his way to the Panopticon by now. Can I have the data, Castellan?
SPANDRELL: (looking into the tube) This has been in the reader recently.
ENGIN: Surely not.
SPANDRELL: No mica dust.
ENGIN: What? There are millions of extracts in the archives. It's hardly feasib-
SPANDRELL: I live with the dirt of the past, Co-ordinator Engin, and I can tell you that the old crimes besmirch the fingers.
ENGIN: Well, if it has been withdrawn, there'll certainly be a record.
SPANDRELL: I shall want to know who had it.
ENGIN: Yes.
SPANDRELL: But let's see the extract first.
ENGIN: A pleasure, Castellan.
(He inserts the data tube in a console.)

[INT. Panopticon gallery]

(A weapon has been assembled. It is now positioned on the railing, just next to the camera. We look through the sights - the DOCTOR is in his stolen orange robe and a matching color.)
FIGURE: The innocent to the slaughter.

[INT. Panopticon antechamber]

GOLD USHER: You have everything, sir?
PRESIDENT: I think so.
GOLD USHER: The list?
PRESIDENT: What? Oh, the resignation honours list. Yes, here it is. (holding up a small roll of paper) Some names here that will surprise them.
(GOLD USHER hands him the rod of office, which he was holding in the Doctor's vision.)

[INT. Panopticon]

(GUARDS enter.)
DOCTOR: (who has been looking about) Runcible, my dear chap. How nice to see you.
RUNCIBLE: What? Oh, I don't believe we've, er. Oh, I say. Weren't you expelled or something? Some scandal?
DOCTOR: Oh, it's all been forgotten about now, old boy.
RUNCIBLE: Oh, really? Well, where've you been all these years?
DOCTOR: Oh, here and there, you know. Round and about.
RUNCIBLE: (as the DOCTOR bends down to stay out of the view of the passing GUARDS) Is there something the matter?
DOCTOR: Oh no, just a twinge in the knee.
RUNCIBLE: Well, if you will lead such a rackety life. Have you had a facelift?
DOCTOR: Several so far.
RUNCIBLE: Yes, well, nice to have met you. I must get on. I'm doing the PR videocast.
DOCTOR: Yes, and splendidly too, if I may say so.
RUNCIBLE: Oh, do you think so?
DOCTOR: Oh, it's a gift. Somehow you have a wonderful way of making the whole thing come alive.
RUNCIBLE: Oh, that's very nice of you.
(Organ chords resound through the chamber.)
RUNCIBLE: Oh, that'll be the President now. He's just arrived at the Panopticon.
(The DOCTOR looks up, toward the gallery.)
RUNCIBLE: Are you sure you're all right?
DOCTOR: (returning from seeing the vision replayed before his eyes) What? Yes.
RUNCIBLE: Come on, you stupid yoik.
DOCTOR: What?
RUNCIBLE: I should be getting a signal from my camera technician up there.
(The Doctor sees the rifle 'up there'.)
DOCTOR: No!
(He pushes and shoves, losing his ceremonial collar along the way.)
DOCTOR: Let me go! Let me go! (He runs up toward the balcony.)
RUNCIBLE: (to the camera) Just a little disturbance here in the Panopticon, as the President starts to ascend. Already the members of the High Council, led by Chancellor Goth, are moving forward to greet His Supremacy.
(GOTH leads them in, as described.)

[INT. Panopticon gallery]

(Reaching the gallery, the DOCTOR looks down. A panel at the back of the chamber lowers, forming steps. The PRESIDENT walks down these to the dais, with GOLD USHER behind him. The PRESIDENT raises the rod. From above, the DOCTOR sees someone hold up a hand weapon. The DOCTOR raises the rifle and shoots. The PRESIDENT is hit by a white bolt of energy and falls on his back.)

The above notes, transcription, etc. by Anna Shefl

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