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TIME AND THE RANI
PART THREE
Written by
PIP AND JANE BAKER
1. INT. THE RANI'S CITADEL. THE LABORATORY
(The Rani and the Doctor are standing at the control desk in the centre of the room whilst all the machines throb in activation.)
RANI/MEL: You know, don't you.
(With little hesitation, the Rani pulls off her wig of red curls to reveal her own long brunette hair. She starts to unpin it.)
RANI: But your usefulness is not yet over. You have another role to play.
(To distract her, the Doctor gestures to the right door. She looks and he ties his scarf around her and pushes her down on to the control desk.)
RANI: Dratted man.
(He then runs from the laboratory.)
2. INT. THE RANI'S CITADEL. THE ARCADE
(Beyus is attending to the cabinet controls as the Doctor rushes past. The Doctor opens the grill to descend into the Tetrap Eyrie. The Rani, having released herself from the scarf, runs into the Arcade and pushes Beyus aside. She enters the Eyrie.)
3. INT. THE RANI'S CITADEL. THE TETRAP EYRIE
(The Rani descends the stairs into the eyrie and, peering into the darkness, she sees the Tetraps hanging asleep from the rocky ceiling but fails to see the Doctor. He is hiding behind a rock. Giving up, she leaves the eyrie and closes the grill behind her. The Doctor ventures out from his hiding place and looks around for another exit. Before he can look further, a group of awakened Tetraps encircle him, their forked tongues ready to pierce the Doctor with venom...)
DOCTOR: I say. I mean, we may not see eye to eye. Try and see it my way! I'm trying not to be personal. I mean, after all, a bat may look at a Time Lord.
(There is a clunk from the entrance. Beyus is there and has pulled the metal chain which causes the blood plasma to be released.)
BEYUS: Doctor! Hurry!
(The Doctor leaps across the tube delivering the plasma to the trough. All the Tetraps feast from the trough. The Doctor and Beyus exit the eyrie and shut the grill behind them.)
4. EXT. THE LAKERTYAN SURFACE. THE RANI'S CITADEL ENTRANCE
(The Rani appears at the entrance and stands on the lookout for the Doctor. She is observed by Mel and Faroon who conceal themselves behind a rock.)
FAROON: She's looking for us.
MEL: Maybe, but I can think of a more likely explanation. The Doctor's on the loose. Whatever the reason, Faroon, you mustn't be caught with me.
FAROON: I can't leave you. I promised.
MEL: I'll be alright. Now go. Please?(Faroon moves away out of sight. Mel watches her go then moves off herself.)
5. INT. THE RANI'S CITADEL. THE ARCADE
(The Doctor and Beyus attempt to share a greeting to one another via Human and Lakertyan ways - failing, they gives up, and the Doctor goes to run off down the corridor.)
BEYUS: No, you'll have to go out through the laboratory. The Rani went that way.
(The Doctor returns to Beyus and exits off the Arcade into the Laboratory.)
URAK: (From the Lab) Mistress Rani?
(The Doctor hastily runs back out into the Arcade with a desperate look on his face.)
6. INT. THE RANI'S CITADEL. THE LABORATORY
(Urak wander around the Laboratory searching for the Rani. Failing to find her amongst all the noise of the activated equipment, he exits out to the Arcade.)
7. INT. THE RANI'S CITADEL. THE ARCADE
(Beyus is seemingly alone in the Arcade. Urak comes out from the Laboratory to address him.)
URAK: You, Lakertyan. Have you seen the Mistress? Well quickly, answer!
BEYUS: She went into the grounds.
URAK: Oh, out of my way. The Mistress has profound insight but I think she is mistaken to rely on any of your worthless race.(Having pushed past Beyus to move down the arcade, Urak leaves Beyus alone. Except that the Doctor has been hidden out of sight in his personally labeled cabinet. Beyus opens the door and the Doctor jumps out.)
DOCTOR: I can't say I share the Rani's taste in pets.
BEYUS: The Tetraps are nobody's pets and you'd be wise not to forget it.
DOCTOR: This is what I'll never forget. (Referring to the other Cabinet inhabitants) Unique talents every one of them. The Rani's roamed the universe plucking these geniuses out of time, at the height of their powers and reduced them to the status of laboratory specimens.
BEYUS: Doctor, please hurry.
DOCTOR: Time, the concept of time. That's at the heart of what she's up to. Otherwise why reserve a place for me. A Time Lord in this abysmal parade.
BEYUS: If you're still here when she gets back, you'll find out from inside the cabinet.
DOCTOR: Which you will help her put me in.
BEYUS: If she catches you, yes.
DOCTOR: You know, Beyus, your collaboration with the Rani's difficult to understand.
BEYUS: My people are under threat. If you do manage to escape, go to the centre of Leisure. You will find the reason there. Now hurry Doctor.(Beyus ushers the Doctor from the Arcade and through into the laboratory.)
8. INT. THE RANI'S CITADEL. THE LABORATORY
(The Doctor and Beyus move across the laboratory and stop at the control desk.)
BEYUS: Be careful, Doctor. The grounds outside are a minefield of traps.
DOCTOR: Nothing outside compared to this.(The Doctor activates the monitor screen displaying the asteroid spinning in space.)
BEYUS: A harmless asteroid?
DOCTOR: It's composed of strange matter, Beyus. A devastating force. With the right trigger, that harmless asteroid, as you call it, could incinerate your planet. And anything else in this corner of the galaxy. (Gesturing to the sealed door) And what does the Rani keep behind there? Oh, all good things come to a bend.(The Doctor moves down to the repaired pyramid machine and removes a component. The result is the lights returning to full beam and the machine operation halting. He returns to where Beyus is.)
DOCTOR: Micro-thermister, I doubt if she'll have a spare.
BEYUS: She won't need one; you're going to put it back. Give it to me.(The Doctor shakes his head and Beyus tries to take the component from him. They struggle with one another until Beyus gains possession of the component. He moves to return it to the machine but the Doctor trips him up using his discarded umbrella. Beyus falls to the ground dazed. The Doctor takes the component from him.)
DOCTOR: I had no intention of hurting you.
RANI: (from the Arcade) Beyus!(The Doctor jumps up, beating a hasty retreat from the laboratory via the right side door. The Rani returns via the left side door. She observes the situation and moves over to Beyus who lies on the floor.)
RANI: Who sabotaged this? What happened?
BEYUS: Ah, I hit my head.
RANI: Was it the Doctor?
BEYUS: I don't know. He tried to steal something from the cabinet. I tried to stop him.(The Rani leaves his side and goes to the control desk. She activates an alarm.)
9. EXT. THE LAKERTYAN SURFACE. THE RANI'S CITADEL ENTRANCE
(Watched by Ikona from behind a rock, the Doctor runs at great speed from the Rani's citadel. Ikona moves off in the direction that the Doctor went.)
10. EXT. THE LAKERTYAN SURFACE
(Mel makes her way amongst the rocks. A Tetrap appears suddenly before her, causing her to scream. She tries to run away but Urak blocks her path. She is trapped and screaming. Urak's tongue pierces venom into Mel's neck and she becomes totally rigid.)
URAK: The Mistress will be overjoyed to see you. (To the other Tetrap) You know where to take her.
(The Tetrap picks Mel up and carries her away.)
11. EXT. THE LAKERTYAN SURFACE
(The Doctor moves amongst the rocks but stop when he hears a voice.)
IKONA: Stop! Don't take another step.
DOCTOR: Here's a turn up for the cook. A rock that talks.(Ikona appears from behind a rock in the cliff face ahead of the Doctor.)
IKONA: You must be the Doctor. I've met your companion, Mel.
DOCTOR: Don't hold that against me.
IKONA: I see where she gets her sense of humour. And you're going to need it.
DOCTOR: That bad?
IKONA: Look down.(The Doctor looks down at his feet and sees a tripwire belonging to one of the Rani's bubble traps.)
IKONA: Now step back very slowly.
(The Doctor slowly lifts his foot away from under the wire. No sooner has he done so than a Tetrap appears behind him.)
DOCTOR: Hello. Haven't I seen you hanging around somewhere?
(Ikona fires one of the fireworks to distract the Tetrap. The Doctor shoves the Tetrap aside. Its foot knocks the tripwire. There is an explosion and a bubble forms around the Tetrap. The bubble lifts higher and higher until it knocks into a cliff face causing the bubble to explode and thus ending the Tetrap's life. The Doctor raises his hat out of mock respect.)
12. INT. THE RANI'S CITADEL. THE ARCADE
(The Tetrap carries the rigid form of Mel along the arcade to where the Rani is with Beyus and Faroon.)
RANI: Take her away.
(The Tetrap carries Mel away to the Tetrap Eyrie.)
RANI: Faroon? You can tell the Doctor he can have the girl in return for the Micro-thermister he stole.
FAROON: And where will I find this Doctor?
RANI: He'll make contact with the other Lakertyans and try to stir up trouble. So don't be taken in by his glib tongue.(The Rani goes into the laboratory. Faroon almost follows her in anger when Beyus stops her.)
BEYUS: Do as she says, Faroon. You know the penalty our people will have to pay if you disobey.
FAROON: Well shouldn't we try to escape as Sarn did?
BEYUS: Faroon, I have obeyed all of the Rani's commands, carried out the most menial of tasks. Now that she has almost completed the experiment why should I take the risk?
FAROON: And when our work is finished, what happens then?
BEYUS: She will leave Lakertya.
FAROON: Will she, Beyus?
BEYUS: That was her promise.
FAROON: And when she does...?
BEYUS: Our lives will return to normal.
FAROON: (Tearfully) Normal, Beyus, without Sarn?
BEYUS: Faroon, deliver the message to the Doctor. I believe that you will find him in the Centre of Leisure.(Faroon moves slowly off to the exit watched by Beyus.)
13. EXT. THE LAKERTYAN SURFACE. THE CENTRE OF LEISURE ENTRANCE
(The Doctor and Ikona make there way over some stepping stones across a small stream that leads to the entrance to the Centre of Leisure. Other Lakertyan inhabitants make there way in and out of the Centre. They kiss a large rock by the entrance.)
DOCTOR: No restrictions for movement. The Lakertyans can come and go freely.
IKONA: Provided they obey the instructions of Beyus and don't try to get into the Laboratory.(Ikona enters, kissing the rock with his hand. The Doctor imitates him and then enters himself.)
14. INT. THE CENTRE OF LEISURE
(The Centre of Leisure is a large, brightly lit room containing pools of water, comfortable seating areas and decorative ornaments. Music can be heard. In the centre hangs a large grotesque spinning globe. The Doctor and Ikona stand on a balcony overlooking those relaxing.)
IKONA: The Centre of Leisure. The Centre of Indolence.
DOCTOR: Not a favourite haunt of yours, I take it, Ikona.
IKONA: No. I can't imagine why Beyus told you to come to this place.
DOCTOR: He said I'd find the answer to his subservience here.
IKONA: From these spineless pleasure seekers?
DOCTOR: Why not?
IKONA: It would require effort, that's why, Doctor. They've become spoon-fed drones. There's no reason for them to strive. An indulgent system provides all. Well, didn't Beyus give you any clue as to what to look for?(They make their way down some stairs on to the main area.)
DOCTOR: He was too anxious for explanations. But whatever the threat, it must be considerable. D'you see anything that's different? New?
IKONA: Only that. Another pointless embellishment.(He gestures spinning the globe.)
DOCTOR: I wonder. Couldn't we ask someone?
IKONA: We'll be interrupting their pleasure.(They move over to a conversing Lakertyan couple reclining in an alcove.)
IKONA: Could you tell me what that globe's for?
(They blank him.)
IKONA: I did warn you.
DOCTOR: There's none so deaf as those that clutch at straws.
IKONA: If you say so. Lanisha!(Ikona sees his brother other the over side of the chamber. The Doctor and Ikona go over to greet him. Lanisha and Ikona press their palms against one another.)
LANISHA: Ikona.
IKONA: Lanisha. Can you tell me what that globe's for?
LANISHA: We've been forbidden to have anything to do with you, Ikona.
IKONA: You'd ignore your own brother.
LANISHA: I obey the orders of Beyus.
15. INT. THE RANI'S CITADEL. THE LABORATORY
(Beyus, the Rani and Urak encircle the control desk in the centre. Urak produces the circular silver petal-like remains of the Lakertyan fireworks used earlier by Ikona.)
RANI: Do you recognise these?
URAK: Answer the Mistress Rani!
BEYUS: They're from the fireworks that we used to have at our carnival.
RANI: These were fired at no carnival. These were used to enable the Doctor to escape.
URAK: Causing the death of a Tetrap.
BEYUS: None of my followers would be responsible.
RANI: You're careful not deny it's the work of a Lakertyan.(She activates the monitor screen and it displays the spinning globe from the Centre of Leisure.)
BEYUS: You will be punishing the innocent.
RANI: Guilt by association. I warned you of the consequences of subversion.(She presses a button on the console and the globe stops spinning.)
16. INT. THE CENTRE OF LEISURE
(Compartments in the globe open and the killer insects are released. The Lakertyans start to run for their lives, but not all are quick enough. A Lakertyan is struck down by a deadly bite.)
LAKERTYAN: Look out, they kill!
(The Doctor bends down over the Lakertyan corpse but Ikona grabs him to the arm and leads him quickly away to escape the insects.)
IKONA: Killer insects! Come on, Doctor.
(The Doctor and Ikona escape up the stairs. More Lakertyans are struck down. Lanisha is another unfortunate victim. Ikona cradles his brother in his arms and tries to initiate a response but without success. The Doctor is by his side and Faroon enters amidst the chaos.)
FAROON: Do you still insist that Beyus should not count the cost of resistance, Ikona. If every cell in the globe were opened, there wouldn't be a Lakertyan left alive.
DOCTOR: Erm, killer insects.
FAROON: Doctor, I have a message for you.
17. INT. THE RANI'S CITADEL. THE TETRAP EYRIE
(The Tetraps hang like bats from the rocky ceiling but amidst their collection is Mel. She is still rigid from Urak's venomous tongue piercing.)
18. EXT. THE LAKERTYAN SURFACE
(Urak appears and motions for "Mel" to move into the open. She does so but looks awkward. Across the valley are the Doctor and Ikona. "Mel" waves to them. The Doctor gestures for Ikona to go and place the machine component in the middle of the valley.)
DOCTOR: Let Mel come towards me. I've kept my side of the bargain. You've got what you want.
(Ikona leaves the component on a rocky bolder and moves away. Urak gestures for "Mel" to go towards the Doctor and Ikona.)
URAK: So stupid. You are not a worthy opponent for the Rani.
(Urak leaves the situation with the component in his grasp.)
DOCTOR: What's he crowing on about, Mel?
("Mel" returns to the Doctor with Ikona. His arms are outstretched, ready to welcome her. She carries on walking and walks through him before vanishing. It wasn't the real Mel at all.)
DOCTOR: A hologram! As substantial as the Rani's scruples.
(The Doctor throws his hat to the ground in frustration, then picks it up and storms off followed by a confused Ikona.)
19. INT. THE RANI'S CITADEL. THE TETRAP EYRIE
(Urak releases the real Mel (still locked rigid) from her hanging position in the eyrie and carries her out.)
20. INT. THE RANI'S CITADEL. THE ARCADE
(The Rani is standing by Einstein's Cabinet with Beyus.)
RANI: As soon as the machine is operational, increase the brain stimulation.
BEYUS: But that would take it above the danger level.
RANI: I'm in danger of missing the solstice, which is far more important.
BEYUS: The computer control needs constant monitoring. I can't manage alone.
RANI: So I've anticipated and I've got just the expert for you.(Urak carries Mel over to join them. The Rani produces as capsule and breaks it under Mel's nose. A dust is produced and Mel is freed from the effects of the venom. She coughs and splutters in response.)
RANI: Beyus. She's your responsibility.
BEYUS: Mine? But I can't govern her. She's not a Lakertyan.
RANI: Just make certain she understands the penalty for non-cooperation.(The Rani and Urak leave Beyus and Mel in the Arcade.)
21. EXT. THE LAKERTYAN LANDSCAPE
(The Doctor and Ikona are making their way at speed towards the Rani's base.)
IKONA: Doctor, in my opinion, returning to the laboratory is a pointless exercise. I've a feeling Mel's beyond all help.
DOCTOR: Oh the Rani would never go to those extremes. She never does anything without reason.
IKONA: Then why the hologram? Why didn't she just release Mel?
DOCTOR: A bird in the hand keeps the Doctor away.
IKONA: You're probably right.
DOCTOR: On this occasion it'll have the opposite affect.(They move off.)
22. INT. THE RANI'S CITADEL. THE LABORATORY
(The Rani and Urak are in the lab. She replaces the micro-thermister in the machine, reactivating it. The lighting dims and starts to flash in time to the humming and pulsing of the machines. She returns to the desk and operates the monitor to watch the asteroid and check the readings.)
RANI: The increase in brain activity is not enough. I'm going to miss the Solstice.
URAK: Perhaps the stimulation of a greater genius. A brilliance that surpasses all others, Mistress.
RANI: Do I gather you're suggesting that I climb into one of those cabinets?
URAK: Your capable presence is wasted in here and I could operate the machine.
RANI: Yes, I'm sure you could.(The Rani turns off the monitor.)
RANI: Urak! Come with me.
(The Rani leads Urak from the lab out to the arcade.)
23. INT. THE RANI'S CITADEL. THE ARCADE
(Beyus and Mel are checking the readouts. The Rani enters with Urak.)
RANI: Prepare the Doctor's cabinet for occupation.
(Beyus moves off to do so.)
MEL: Well that'll be a waste of effort. You've got to find him first and then catch him.
RANI: I need neither find nor catch him. The bumbling fool's readymade as a sacrificial lamb.
MEL: He's shrewder than you think. Underestimating the Doctor is a common fault.
RANI: Really.
MEL: He's got qualities you'll never have.
RANI: Such as?
MEL: Something I'd call humanity.
RANI: You're as sentimental as he is. Get on with your work.(The Rani storms away, bored with the conversation. Mel is angered by her response but Beyus prevents her from following the Rani.)
BEYUS: Don't antagonise her. She has only to press a button for every Lakertyan to be exterminated.
MEL: I could nominate a few candidates for extermination myself.
24. EXT. THE LAKERTYAN SURFACE. THE RANI'S CITADEL ENTRANCE
(The Doctor and Ikona observe the exterior of the Citadel from a concealed position. The Doctor looks at the rocket launcher built into the roof.)
DOCTOR: A space rocket launcher sure enough. But have you noticed it's got a fixed trajectory.
IKONA: No doubt it'll still play havoc with our planet.
DOCTOR: Maybe it's a side effect, Ikona, but not the intention. I'd say the target is the asteroid of strange matter, which means the launcher is locked into a precise time.
IKONA: Could it be the Solstice that's due.
DOCTOR: Assuming it is, the Rani's overriding priority will be to meet that countdown. No more setbacks or delays. I've got to get back to the laboratory. That sealed chamber. I've got to get in there. Out of the frying pan into the mire. Right, Ikona, start the diversionary tactics.
IKONA: Have a care, Doctor. This bluff worked once. The Tetraps might not fall for it again.(Ikona runs off and is spotted by a Tetrap who makes off in pursuit. Seizing his opportunity, the Doctor makes his way for the abandoned entrance. No sooner has he reached it than Urak and another Tetrap suddenly appear, trapping him.)
URAK: We have been expecting you, Doctor.
(Urak's tongue appears ready to pierce the Doctor's neck with venom.)
25. INT. THE RANI'S CITADEL. THE ARCADE
(Beyus and Mel stand over the Doctor's readied cabinet bed.)
MEL: We must be able to do something? Can't we make it blow a fuse?
BEYUS: What good would that do? At least he'll be kept alive in here.
MEL: Don't try to reason me into compliance, Beyus. You're wasting your breath. Doctor!(Urak and the other Tetrap carry the rigid form of the Doctor and drop him on to the cabinet bed.)
URAK: You, Lakertyan. Connect this specimen to the main input.
MEL: No, leave him alone. I won't let you do...
BEYUS: You have no choice.(Urak moves off to the Lab, leaving Beyus and Mel with the prone Doctor.)
BEYUS: Now listen to me. They are completely without conscience. They will not hesitate to kill.
26. INT. THE RANI'S CITADEL. THE LABORATORY
(The Rani stands overlooking her equipment. Urak addresses her.)
URAK: All went as you planned, Mistress.
RANI: Good.
27. INT. THE RANI'S CITADEL. THE ARCADE / THE LAB / THE BRAIN CHAMBER
(The Doctor's bed recedes into the cabinet and the door closes, sealing him inside still unconscious.)
BEYUS: Set the temperature gage, Mel.
MEL: I'm setting nothing.
BEYUS: Stubbornness will not help the Doctor.
MEL: And putting him in here will?! That's some twisted philosophy if you like.(The Rani enters the Arcade.)
RANI: How far have you got?
BEYUS: I need to realign the final calibrations before he can be connected to main input.
RANI: Make certain that the levels are kept stable.
MEL: If you're hoping for any positive results, you're going to be disappointed. The Doctor won't collaborate.
RANI: I'm sure, were he able, he'd express his appreciation of such unstinting confidence. (To Beyus) As soon as the activity indicator reaches 8.15, increase the stimulation.(She leaves them, and Beyus walks off to continue his work. The Rani goes to the sealed door and opens it via the wall control. Urak follows her and they ascend the stairs to enter the room.)
(Back in the Arcade - Mel waits for Beyus' attention to be diverted and moves out of the arcade into the lab.)
(In the Lab - Mel looks around her and notices the door to the sealed room is open. She mounts the stairs and ascends to see inside.)
(In the Brain Chamber - Mel enters and sees a large pulsating brain before her.)
BRAIN VOICE: To reproduce the Leptonic Era temperature of 10 to the power of 12K, it will be essential to create a cataclysmic explosion, the equivalent of a supernova.
(The Rani reappears and grabs hold of Mel.)
RANI: Is this what you're looking for?
BRAIN VOICE: Our time dilation is not in question. Our understanding of time is still at a primitive stage.
RANI: It won't be once the Doctor has added his contribution.(The Rani drags Mel back down the steps with Urak following, into the Lab.)
(Back in the Arcade - Beyus is waiting as the other three return.)
RANI: Beyus?
BEYUS: Yes?
RANI: Is the Doctor connected to the main input.
BEYUS: Everything is ready.
RANI: Then switch on!
MEL: No, Beyus! For once don't do as she says.(Mel is restrained by Urak whilst Beyus activates the Doctor's cabinet. It throbs into life.)
RANI: The Doctor's wellbeing is in your hands now. Remember that.
(The Brain Chamber - The Rani returns to the Brain Chamber to observe the brain function. She smiles with satisfaction.)
BRAIN VOICE: The barrier to understanding time is empirical thinking. I suggest a lateral approach.
(Back in the Arcade - Mel is held tightly by Urak. She screams as she witnesses the Doctor's brain draining away into the headset and into the Rani's Large Brain...)
CAST
The Doctor
SYLVESTER McCOYMelanie
BONNIE LANGFORDThe Rani
KATE O'MARAIkona
MARK GREENSTREETBeyus
DONALD PICKERINGFaroon
WANDA VENTHAMUrak
RICHARD GAUNTLETTLanisha
JOHN SEGALComputer Voices
PETER TUDDENHAM
JACKI WEBB
PRODUCTION CREW
Theme Music Composed by
RON GRAINERTheme Arrangement / Incidental Music
KEFF McCULLOCHSound
DICK MILLSProduction Manager
TONY REDSTONProduction Associate
ANN FAGGETTERProduction Assistant
JOY SINCLAIRAssistant Floor Manager
JOANNA NEWBARRY
CHRISTOPHER SANDEMANOB Lighting
IAN DOWOB Sound
DOUG WHITTAKEROB Cameraman
ALASTAIR MITCHELL
JAMES HAWESVisual Effects Designer
COLIN MAPSONVideo Effects
DAVE CHAPMANVision Mixer
SUE THORNETechnical Co-ordinator
RICHARD WILSONCamera Supervisor
ALEC WHEALVideotape Editor
HUGH PARSONSStudio Lighting
HENRY BARBERStudio Sound
BRIAN CLARKCostume
KEN TREWMake-up Designer
LESLEY RAWSTORNEScript Editor
ANDREW CARTMELGraphic Designer
OLIVER ELMESDesigner
GEOFF POWELLProducer
JOHN NATHAN-TURNERDirected by
ANDREW MORGANBBC MCMLXXXVII