10. Within The Caves
SCENE #92 – INT – CHIEFTAIN’S CAVES, SCOTLAND – NIGHT
In the Chieftain’s Caves, Nyssa and Jeremy explore their way through, after having got in via the iron maiden. Jeremy uses a torch as they go further into the caves.
NYSSA
You’ve been down here lots of times haven’t you, Jeremy? So, you should know where we’re going.
JEREMY
Aye, that I should. (Pause) If the torch doesn’t go bust.
At that moment, the torch flickers as Jeremy uses it. Jeremy smacks and shakes the torch before the lights eventually go out.
JEREMY
(grimly) And it just has, I’m afraid.
NYSSA
(wryly) That’s a good start.
JEREMY
(realises) No, wait, wait. Just a minute. I have some matches with me. Perhaps we can use them.
Jeremy takes out a box of matches from his pocket. He takes one match out and lights it on the matchbox. Using the alighted match, Nyssa and Jeremy see their way into the dark cave dwellings.
NYSSA
Will they last long?
JEREMY
Well, there should twenty matches in this box at least. If we use them up before we get to where Iona lives. I don’t see us having any problem whatsoever.
NYSSA
I wish we went back for the Doctor. He should have come with us while he could.
JEREMY
It’s like he said, lass. The guards were onto him.
NYSSA
No. He had every opportunity to get into these caves with us. He held back on purpose. I know he did.
JEREMY
(astonished) Why are you saying, Nyssa? That the Doctor, your friend, deliberately held back where he was in order for us to escape? Why would he want to stay behind to get caught by my father’s guards?
NYSSA
Your father’s employer, Jeremy.
JEREMY
Lord Salvador?
NYSSA
The Doctor and he go a long way back. I suspect that the Doctor is trying to find out what he is intends to do with future plans for Scotland.
JEREMY
Och, I can tell you what they’re planning if your friend were with us. I overheard them talking about the fight for Scotland whilst I was fetching the keys from my father’s locker.
NYSSA
The fight for Scotland? Tell me on the way, Jeremy. I’d like to know myself what Salvador is planning.
JEREMY
Well you see it’s like this, lass. Father’s army from the Wallace era belonging to us MacDonalds, and the Mackintoshes’ army of Jacobean Scots are all about to [fight….]
Jeremy tells Nyssa what he knows of Salvador’s plan as they make their way through the caves to find Cawdor Castle.
SCENE #93 – INT – ESUO HOUSE, RACTA MOON – DAY, MORNING
Meanwhile, far away, in the house of Euso, within its council chamber on the Racta Moon, Lord Budt snoozes in his office chair. He snores away before his secretary Pew enters to see him. Pew makes his way over to meet Lord Budt as he snores away.
PEW
(shouts) Excuse me, my lord.
Lord Budt wakes up startled as he turns round to see Pew standing there before him. He sighs with relief once he realises who stands before him.
LORD BUDT
(mutters) Yes, Mr. Pew. What can I do for you?
PEW
I’ve brought the files you wanted to see about the Dubgintton Infostack Blogger virus-hacking scandals. They’re still going strong about it, I’m afraid.
LORD BUDT
Are they indeed? Well, well. It’s never going to end.
PEW
There’s also something else. I’ve received a message from Mr. Ches of Roid who’s currently on the Planet Scotland within the Divesuvus Boundary. He’s sent a message of great urgency which I think you should see for yourself.
LORD BUDT
(sighs) I see. Very well. Let’s see it.
PEW
I’ve sent it to your portable laptop. I did that in order to save time, my lord.
With that, Lord Budt opens his laptop and switches it on to see his messages. Once switched on, Lord Budt types in on the keyboard to view the inbox.
LORD BUDT
Ah, yes. I see it now. Let’s see what Roid has to say.
Budt presses a button. A window appears on Budt’s laptop screen to show a visual recorded message by Ches of Roid. Budt watches as Ches speaks via his recorded message.
CHES (V’O)
This is Ches of Roid to anyone on the Racta Council back on Racta Moon. Listen carefully to this message for I haven’t much time. The theories made about Henry MacDonald were correct. He has been using a power source to pluck human beings from another Scotland and he’s working for a criminal mastermind known only by the name of Salvador. They are now intent on staging a battle between two Scottish armies and it looks as if it’s going to be bloody. (Pause) I must end this transmission now before somebody realises I’ve been spying. Please relay a reply to this message as soon as possible by coded means. I look forward to hearing your recommendations on what should be done. Also…my wife has gone missing. Over and out.
With that, Ches cuts off transmission in his recorded message. Lord Budt immediately switches off his laptop and lets out a bewildered exhale of breath.
LORD BUDT
(bewildered) Well, Pew. Seems that we were right all about Scotland and its intent to cause trouble.
PEW
It seems so indeed, sir. (Pause) Shall I leave you now with the files in your capable care? I’m sure the hacking scandals are things you’d like to conduct on your own as you think [through them…]
LORD BUDT
(interjects) This is far more serious than any hacking scandal, Mr. Pew. If Roid is right, if Scotland is being run by a criminal mastermind, then it will mean trouble for us and not just for others.
PEW
Yes, my lord. What do you wish me to do?
LORD BUDT
Do? (Pause) I want you to send messages to all other councillors on the Racta Council to attend a meeting at the Stellarcarnivornian Hall. A meeting where the Racta Councillors discuss how to handle Henry MacDonald and his dastardly affairs. Scotland will soon be a dominant empire…and I will not allow it.
PEW
Very well, my Lord Budt.
LORD BUDT
And I’ll be chairman.
With that, Pew leaves the office. Lord Budt meanwhile attends to his work regarding tomorrow’s meeting.
SCENE #94 – INT – WEST SECTION, CHIEFTAIN’S CAVES – NIGHT
Back on the planet Scotland, in a deeper part of the Chieftain’s Caves, a campfire is set up. Billy, Cari, Macmillan and Buchanan sit around it, safe after their ordeal with the ogress. The campfire flickers as Billy, Cari, Macmillan and Buchanan sit and have cooked fish and chips.
CARI
That’s a very good fire you’ve got going. Well done, Mr. Macmillan. Well done, Mr. Buchanan.
BUCHANAN
Well, we had to set up the fire to have this fresh fish meal with chips.
BILLY
I must say…I’ve never had fish and chips in a cave before. Is the fish special?
MACMILLAN
Caught it in the Loch Cluanie, laddie! Scottish Salmon from the loch. The potatoes we bought in Pitlochry to make the chips.
BUCHANAN
(ruefully) I bought the potatoes in Pitlochry to make the chips.
MACMILLAN
Yes, well.
BILLY
Well, whoever bought the potatoes, I’m enjoying the meal all the same.
CARI
So am I. Thanks Mr. Macmillan; Mr. Buchanan. I really needed this meal. Especially after our ordeal with that monster.
BILLY
Yeah, how come it was in the caves? What’s it doing lurking in here?
BUCHANAN
No idea, laddie. But I tell you something. You wouldn’t no be playing the pipes to sing one of ye tunes unless you wish to be gobbled up.
MACMILLAN
Unless of course you happen to be good at poetry, yes.
CARI
Oh yes, Mr. Macmillan. You of course are a poet. Are you going to provide us with one of your poems whilst we’re having our meal?
MACMILLAN
I could. I can tell you about a poem for one of these caves if you like. The cave of the calf, as I recall it. (clears throat) Hark now the wind from chieftain’s windiest peak, Wails through the corries to the glen below, The while within the caves a fugitive, shivers and shrinks to see the swirling snow. (clears throat) Through the long week the redcoats, a grim band, Scots and…
BUCHANAN
(interrupts) Oh give over, Alan. We have little time for your poetry-making.
CARI
Oh, I was enjoying that, Mr. Buchanan.
MACMILLAN
Yes, James. Mrs. Cari was enjoying my poetry. You shouldn’t have interrupted.
BUCHANAN
I apologise to you, Mrs. Cari. But I’m afraid we must discuss important matters regarding our Mr. MacDonald and the Chieftain’s Caves.
BILLY
I agree.
CARI
Billy, don’t you want to listen to Mr. Macmillan’s poetry?
BILLY
I’m sorry, Cari. But I’m afraid Mr. Buchanan’s right. We need to talk about what’s going to happen now whilst we’re stuck here in these caves lost and wondering where we’re going. I’m worried about my friends, the Doctor and Nyssa, and must get out of these caves to find them.
CARI
We will find them eventually, Billy.
BILLY
Not whilst we do nothing. I know it’s dangerous to move on with that ogress thing lurking around. But we must do something nonetheless before we’re caught eventually. (to Buchanan) What do you suggest we do, Mr. Buchanan?
BUCHANAN
(thinks) Well, by my reckoning we should be looking for the source of power within these caves that MacDonald uses to conjure up the things we want.
MACMILLAN
It’s not going to be easy. Even with Mr. Billy’s torch and the fire we’ve got here to use as torches, we won’t be able to find our way through if we just go round and round in circles.
BILLY
Not unless we use a marker point or something along these caves. Like…a ball of string.
CARI
A ball of string?
BILLY
Yes. I remember somewhere in Greek myth, I forget what it was called, where somebody had to use a ball of string or something to find his way around a maze in order to escape some big monster. If I remember correctly it was some kind of bull. (Pause) Does that ring a bell with any of you?
Moment of silence.
BUCHANAN
It’s not a method of navigation I’m most familiar with, Mr. Billy. But if it’s the best you can suggest, I’d say we may as well give it a try. At least we’ll know where we are if we get lost.
MACMILLAN
The thing is we haven’t got a ball of string.
BILLY
We can use my socks! They’re made of wool.
Another moment of silence.
MACMILLAN
Are you sure about that, laddie? You don’t want to get cold feet?
BILLY
(reassuringly) I’ll be alright. Besides, my shoes will keep me warm.
CARI
Well, unravel your socks after we finish our meal, Billy. I don’t like having my fish and chips when people show their bare feet. Not that I’m saying your feet stink at all. I’m sure…
MACMILLAN
(interrupts; realises) Hold the phone.
BUCHANAN
What is it, Alan? Have you lost something?
MACMILLAN
Something strange has happened here.
BILLY
Why, what is it?
MACMILLAN
There was a clean neat salmon lying right next to me. I was going to use it in case people wished for seconds.
CARI
That’s quite alright, Mr. Macmillan. I’ve had enough fish to keep me going.
BILLY
Me too. I’m rather full up.
MACMILLAN
You don’t understand. The salmon I had. It’s gone.
BUCHANAN
(stunned) Gone? How can it have gone?
MACMILLAN
I have no idea, James. All I know is, the fish was here and now it has gone. (Pause) You haven’t stolen it, have you, James?
BUCHANAN
Of course not, Alan! What do you take me for?
BILLY
Well if nobody stole the fish, where did it swim off to? Or slither if that’s the word?
Moment of silence.
MACMILLAN
Of course, it could be Red Bonnet.
BUCHANAN
Alan, don’t.
BILLY
Red Bonnet? A sort of hat?
MACMILLAN
Have you not heard of Red Bonnet, laddie?
BILLY
No.
CARI
Neither have I. Is he a person?
MACMILLAN
Red Bonnet is one of the merriest fairies who worked for the King of the Fairies. He led merry dances, races and exploits. Village folk in Scotland often spoke of queer tales about Red Bonnet who often stole treasure and food! No harm, of course.
BUCHANAN
Unless of course, it could be Red Cap.
CARI
Red Cap? Is that the same thing? Or person?
MACMILLAN
Oh dear. Red Cap is far worse than Red Bonnet.
BILLY
How do you mean far worse?
MACMILLAN
Red Bonnet may be harmless. But oh man, Red Cap is a thoroughly evil creature. An old man who wears a cap covered by his victim’s blood. He’s dangerous and hateful in nature.
BUCHANAN
And if you should see Red Cap flash before your eyes, you’d soon be dead.
Billy and Cari become disturbed with Macmillan and Buchanan as they continue to eat their fish and chips in the caves.
SCENE #95 – INT – BANQUETING HALL, EILEAN DONAN CASTLE – NIGHT
In the banqueting hall of Eilean Donan Castle, the Doctor is being interrogated by Henry MacDonald. With them are Maggie, Hugo and Ches. They watch whilst the Doctor sits at the table, being interrogated by Henry.
HENRY
(bellows) Answer me, Doctor. Answer! ANSWER!!!
DOCTOR
You haven’t asked any questions, Mr. MacDonald.
HENRY
Be that as it may, I still demand you answer. (to Hugo) Hugo, are you taking notes?
HUGO
I’m taking notes, Henry. Aye, that I am.
HENRY
(to Doctor) If you think you’re going to overthrow the MacDonald estate into chaos, you’ve got another thing coming, Doctor. The MacDonald gathering is happening tomorrow and we’ll be able to outwit your army.
DOCTOR
I don’t have an army.
HENRY
Better still. There’s no point in taking chances. Isn’t that so, Roid?
CHES
Well, I…
MAGGIE
Please, Henry. This is getting us nowhere. Leave the poor man alone.
DOCTOR
Why are you working for Salvador, Henry?
HENRY
I’m asking the questions, Doctor!
DOCTOR
Salvador is the most corrupt being ever to exist in the entire known universe. And you’re working for him. You, a laird, with your traditions and values submitting yourself to a man who is easily turned by the cosmic imbalance of time. You, who have risked the lands of your glen and the whole of Scotland, planet Scotland mind you, to be put in the hands of a mad man.
HENRY
Salvador is not mad, Doctor. He has given me grace and freedom. He has given me my Scotland!
DOCTOR
Your Scotland? I thought it was his Scotland.
HENRY
We share it between us. (Pause) I was nothing, Doctor! Nothing to what my father would call proud. I’m the son of a MacDonald who lived in the highlands of Scotland, working hard to try and please my father when he was ruling his lands and estate. I had a brother and he was the golden boy for my father. And he got the affection and attention from my father. Far much so than me.
DOCTOR
And then Salvador came for you, didn’t he? He came at the moment where you grieved and despaired over having no love from your father. And no approval that you could be a great laird of a Scottish land. (Pause) That’s how he works, Henry. Salvador works by seducing his victims and corrupting them in granting their desires to be fulfilled. That’s what he’s done to you, Henry. Due to your service in following him.
HENRY
Are you taking note of this, Hugo? Of these blasphemous words?
HUGO
Aye. That I am, Henry.
HENRY
No, Doctor. You are incorrect. Salvador has saved me from unhappiness. He has given me this place. This Scotland is mine. It’s much better than the one I grew up in. I can do whatever I want. And have things my own way. I can fight against Mackintoshes, have battles of Scottish glory and defeat played all over again, and have them played out to my own way.
DOCTOR
This isn’t a train set you’re playing with, Henry MacDonald. You’re dabbling in life and death of others. Salvador has made you work to his will by conducting these macabre incidents and massacres. And you must stop doing this.
HENRY
Salvador has fulfilled all that I can ever wish for. Salvador has fulfilled my desires in providing me with my Scotland. My castle. And my wife Maggie! Isn’t that right, dear?
MAGGIE
Yes, dear.
DOCTOR
(grimly) She’s not real though, is she, Henry. Maggie isn’t a real person. Not when you met her. She’s just a conjured up the person who you wished for, because Salvador granted it to you.
HENRY
(gradually) Maggie was a real person where I come from. But she fell for my brother. I wanted her first, but my brother got the better of me. They both married and I long suffered it whilst she was in our house. (Pause) But Maggie is here. This Maggie is the one I’ve longed for. She loves me and cares for me as much as I wish her to. Even though she does tell me off as every proper wife should.
MAGGIE
We’ve been together for twenty of our years, Doctor. And we’ve been happy. Don’t try to spoil it for us.
DOCTOR
Oh, Maggie. You may have the memories of twenty years, but I’m afraid that’s just memories implanted by Salvador himself. You may be real to your husband, but you’re just a projection. A fantasy. A block-transfer computation. One which Salvador gave to Henry, in order that Henry may serve him.
Moment of grim silence.
SCENE #96 – INT – EAST SECTION, CHIEFTAIN’S CAVES – NIGHT
In the Chieftain’s Caves, far away from Billy and his friends, Nyssa and Jeremy navigate their way through the caves. They try to find their way to Cawdor Castle. It seems that they’ve lost their way.
NYSSA
(slightly frustrated) How long have we been down here, Jeremy?
JEREMY
Ach I’ve no idea, lass. Seems a while. I’m afraid I’ve only a few matches left in this box. And they keep burning out whenever I light…
Jeremy then lets out a cry of pain as he drops a match to the floor and it burns his hands. He opens the box of matches to take out another one.
JEREMY
Not again.
NYSSA
What a fix we’re in. (wryly) So much for your sense of direction, Jeremy.
JEREMY
Don’t blame me. It’s not my fault these caves are so annoyingly structured.
NYSSA
I thought you knew your way to the castle from here.
JEREMY
So I thought. I don’t know how I could have got us so lost. Usually I know my way around these caves.
Moment of silence.
NYSSA
Do you suppose there’s a chance we’ll meet anyone down here? I wonder if Billy would be down here. (Pause) I took your advice, by the way. I informed the Doctor about us.
JEREMY
It’s hardly likely we’ll meet your man down here, lass. Besides hardly anybody goes through these caves, except for Iona and me that is. There’s no chance we’ll meet up with anybody.
Suddenly, a ferocious roar echoes in the caves. This causes Nyssa and Jeremy to tremble.
NYSSA
(wryly) No chance we’ll meet anyone?
JEREMY
(perplexed) It can’t be. It just can’t be.
NYSSA
You recognise that sound? What is it? An animal of some sort?
JEREMY
It’s a terrible beastie, Nyssa. One which is hardly to be imaginable living in these parts.
Nyssa and Jeremy hear someone approaching.
NYSSA
Jeremy, I heard something. (Pause) Those are footsteps. Somebody’s coming around the corner.
JEREMY
It could be the beastie. Stand behind me, lass. I’ll protect you from its terrible appearance.
Jeremy stands in front of Nyssa as the footsteps draw closer.
NYSSA
How big is this creature then? About five feet?
JEREMY
Approximately ten feet to be precise.
NYSSA
You can’t face a creature with a height of that magnitude, Jeremy. It could kill you.
JEREMY
Just you watch me. A son of MacDonald never retreats, so says my father.
NYSSA
(terrified) Look, it’s coming.
The footsteps come around the corner as somebody steps into the light. Jeremy and Nyssa eventually sigh with relief as they see who’s turned up.
JEREMY
(relieved) Iona, thank goodness it’s you. Thank the Lord you weren’t a beastie.
IONA
(coldly) I expected to find you here. I anticipated your arrival.
NYSSA
You anticipated well, Iona. Can you get us back to your castle?
JEREMY
Will your parents be there, sweetheart?
IONA
(coldly) Jeremy? What is she doing here? I warned you against her, remember?
SCENE #97 – INT – BANQUETING HALL, EILEAN DONAN CASTLE – NIGHT
Back in the banqueting hall of Eilean Donan Castle…
HENRY
Say all that you like, Doctor. There’s nothing you can do to stop us. I can’t and will not trust to what you say.
DOCTOR
I met somebody else recently who said the very same thing as you did. You wouldn’t happen to be related to him, would you? A spaceship captain, he was.
HENRY
This world shall belong to the MacDonalds as soon as we’ve won the battle at Chieftain’s Caves, seen all those Mackintosh throats cut and their bodies lying about on the battlefield.
The banqueting hall doors then open, as Salvador enters.
HUGO
Look! It’s him! It’s Lord Salvador!
Salvador makes his way forward and approaches the Doctor.
SALVADOR
You see now, Doctor. You cannot persuade these Scotsmen of Scotland. They are proud and resolute. And they believe and trust in me completely. They have faith.
DOCTOR
Faith which you implanted in their minds, Salvador. You corrupted them. You gave them what they wanted so that they can serve you.
SALVADOR
And that is the way it should be, Doctor.
DOCTOR
Should?
SALVADOR
Don’t you dare try to dissuade me from my purpose. These are my disciples and I am their messiah. I am the Alpha and Omega – beginning and end. My name! (chuckles) Yes! My name even confirms it! Salvador means…
DOCTOR
(interjects) Saviour. Yes, I know my elementary Spanish.
SALVADOR
Saviour! Yes! I am the saviour! I am the son of…
DOCTOR
(interjects) Don’t say it, Salvador! You’re nothing of the sort! For he showed mercy for the poor and the lame. You do none of those things.
SALVADOR
You’re mistaken! Henry was as poor a man in status as much as Gun Nett was poor in competence and Thorpe-Willoughby was as poor in wealth. I provided the things they wanted, so that they could serve me and obey my commands.
DOCTOR
You forced it upon them, Salvador. Because that’s your way with people. If they do as you say, you reward them. If they fail, they are blotted out of existence.
SALVADOR
The righteous deserve justly and the disbelievers are punished. That is how all such things have been done before. (Pause) Very soon, you shall serve me, Doctor. And you shall call me your saviour.
DOCTOR
Not that I’m a betting man, but would you care to wager on that?
SALVADOR
(to Henry) MacDonald!
HENRY
My lord?
SALVADOR
You obeyed me once and twice before. Would you obey me again?
HENRY
Willingly, my lord.
SALVADOR
Good! Then be reminded that the mustering of armies is to be ready before dawn and that the clan of the MacDonalds must be gathered by that day. The battle must take place tomorrow.
HENRY
Aye! That it will, my lord. That it will.
SALVADOR
You know the penalty of failing me, MacDonald. You know what happens if these tasks are not carried out to their fullest.
HENRY
Of course, of course.
SALVADOR
You and your people will lose everything. You personally, will have nothing. You will lose your lands, your castle and your wife, if you fail to obey your lord and keeper.
HENRY
Don’t you fret, dear Salvador. The armies of MacDonald shall be ready before dawn at the same time that the Mackintosh family arrives in complete numbers. I’m fighting for what I know is rightly mine. I’m not going to falter on that.
Moment of silence.
SALVADOR
Excellent. (to Doctor) You see, Doctor? You see how I deal with my disciples? They obey me fully. And they will never shirk from their duties to me.
SCENE #98 – INT – EAST SECTION, CHIEFTAIN’S CAVES – NIGHT
Meanwhile in the Chieftain’s Caves, Jeremy and Nyssa are still perturbed by Iona’s cold and odd behavior.
IONA
(sternly) I asked you a question, Jeremy! What is she doing here?
JEREMY
(perturbed) Iona, this is Nyssa. She’s a friend.
IONA
She’s not to be trusted. Leave her, Jeremy. Let’s go off together back to my house and leave her to be lost in these caves.
JEREMY
Have you gone off your head, girl? What’s got into you?
IONA
I do not trust her.
NYSSA
Iona? What things have you heard about me?
IONA
(to Nyssa) You keep away from me.
NYSSA
If there’s something about me you’re afraid of, I assure you I mean no harm.
IONA
(shouts; to Nyssa) I said keep away from me, witch!
JEREMY
Iona, will you stop being so unreasonable! You’re not unusually like this, you know.
NYSSA
Is it Salvador, Iona? Have you been in contact with Salvador? He’s likely to tell you unpleasant things about me and the Doctor.
IONA
He told me not to trust you. He regarded you and your friends as enemies to Salvador’s reign of Scotland.
JEREMY
(shocked) Iona. You’ve been in contact with that villain? How could you, lass?
IONA
(to Jeremy) Shut up!
JEREMY
(shocked) I thought we agreed he wasn’t to be trusted. Remember? The things he’s done to hurt so many people. Those soldiers!
IONA
(enraged; to Jeremy) I said SHUT UP!!!
Suddenly, Iona grunts and groans before she grows up higher and transforms into something horrific.
JEREMY
(shocked) Iona? Iona, my girl, what’s happening to you…? (stops; Pause; horrified) Oh dear God! Iona! You’re changing!
NYSSA
(disturbed) Some molecular transformation. Metamorphosis.
Eventually, Iona transforms into the ogress. She lets out a terrifying roar which shakes the section of caves that they’re in.
JEREMY
Oh my! Iona! Iona, what has he done to you?!
Iona roars again as she makes her way forward to attack.
NYSSA
(urgently) Come on, Jeremy! We have to get away! She’s going to attack us!
JEREMY
(horrified) But look at what’s she become! She’s become…a thing! A monster! Why?! Why has she become this?!
NYSSA
(urgently) We haven’t got time, Jeremy! We have to move! Now!
JEREMY
(protests) But Nyssa!
NYSSA
(urgently) Come on! She’s onto us already! Jeremy, come on!
Nyssa pulls Jeremy with her as they make their escape, before Iona strikes at them with her claws. She misses completely and Iona shrieks out enraged once she sees Nyssa and Jeremy running away. Determined, Iona the ogress chases after them.
SCENE #99 – INT – EAST SECTION, CHIEFTAIN’S CAVES – NIGHT
Still in the caves, Nyssa and Jeremy have been running for some time and are quite at a distance from Iona. They turn around the corner, before they come to a section of crossroads where two paths are ahead of them. They stop, flustered once they come to the two paths.
JEREMY
Where do we go now, Nyssa? There are two paths ahead of us. Shall we go left or right?
NYSSA
(cautiously) We have to make the right decision, Jeremy. We don’t want to head off towards a dead end or fall down a great big hole and never come back up again.
JEREMY
Well, mind how we make up our minds, lass. That ogress can sense our scent and we won’t get far if she can smell our shoes.
NYSSA
(realises) Shoes! Of course, shoes! Why didn’t I think of that?
JEREMY
What are you talking about?
NYSSA
If we’re not to get caught by that creature, then we’ll have to give her a false sense of the trail. (groans) Oh, I can’t believe I have to do this again.
Nyssa then starts taking her shoes and socks off her feet.
JEREMY
(astonished) What do you think you’re doing, girl?! Taking your shoes off in this cold dank place!
NYSSA
I’m going to give us more time to escape before that creature can catch us. I’m leaving my shoes and socks behind that pile of rock on the right. We’ll take the left direction and that’ll give us a chance not to get caught.
JEREMY
(astonished) You’re utterly daft, girl! You can’t take your shoes and socks off!
NYSSA
Come on, Jeremy! Take yours off as well!
JEREMY
(shocked) What, me?! I’m not taking my…
NYSSA
(interjects; agitated) If it hadn’t been for you, we wouldn’t be lost in these caves and we wouldn’t be chased by that monster who happens to be your fiancée. Now do as I say!
JEREMY
(groans) Oh, alright. Very well.
Jeremy starts taking his shoes and socks off whilst Nyssa finishes taking off hers.
JEREMY
(agitated) Right! Now I’ve got my shoes and socks off, what do you suggest I do with them?
NYSSA
Give them to me. I’ll place them behind this rock with mine.
JEREMY
Well, do hurry up. Iona’s nearly onto us. I can hear her.
NYSSA
Alright, alright. I’m going as quickly as I can.
Nyssa takes Jeremy’s shoes and socks and makes her way around to the pile of rock. Iona’s terrifying roar echoes in the distance. Nyssa puts both her shoes and socks as well as Jeremy’s behind the rock. She then sniffs the air before she revolts, disgusted.
NYSSA
(disgusted) Ugh!
JEREMY
What is it, lass?
NYSSA
(put-off; to Jeremy) When was the last time you washed your feet, Jeremy?
JEREMY
(protests) I had a bath this morning!
NYSSA
(sighs) Come on. Let’s take the left-hand path.
JEREMY
Quickly! Before Iona spots us.
With that, Nyssa and Jeremy head off towards the left-hand path. After Nyssa and Jeremy have gone, Iona the ogress comes around the corner. She follows the scent of Nyssa and Jeremy’s trail as she heads off towards the right-hand path. Iona then comes across Nyssa and Jeremy’s shoes and socks behind the rock before letting out a shriek of rage, realising that she’s been tricked. She picks up both Nyssa and Jeremy’s shoes and socks and throws them down to the ground in anger.
SCENE #100 – INT – EAST SECTION, CHIEFTAIN’S CAVES – NIGHT
On the left-hand path, Nyssa and Jeremy run down it as they hear Iona’s shriek of rage and anger as the ogress. They slow down once they realise they’re not being followed.
JEREMY
She’s not following us. Well done, Nyssa. Your plan certainly seems to have worked.
NYSSA
Yes! Of course, there was a forty-two percent probability that she wouldn’t take the bait.
JEREMY
Forty-two percent, hey?
NYSSA
You said yourself, Jeremy. Iona can smell our scent. But there was no knowing whether she could follow the scent of our shoes or the scent of our clothing or skin texture. I had to take a risk on a scientific principle.
JEREMY
(disturbed) Yes. (Pause) What could have happened to Iona though? Why did she become a great terrifying beastie? She could have eaten us up.
NYSSA
You heard her. This is Salvador’s doing. She was caught up in his influence all too easily. She was vulnerable to his power. It must have happened when she least expected it to happen. That’s how Salvador seems to work his way through to people. I’ve seen it in the people he’s influenced on recent adventures.
JEREMY
Well, I’ll say this for him. If I ever meet up with Salvador again, he’ll be sorry for it. Oh yes! Jeremy MacDonald will have something for Salvador to reckon with.
NYSSA
In the meantime, we have to be careful where we tread. I know it was my idea, but treading the ground with no shoes or socks on your feet is hardly rational. Walking barefoot, especially on hard pebbly ground, is hard.
JEREMY
I could have told you that it was a daft scheme, if you’d listened to me. Where did you get an idea like that from?
NYSSA
In a place called Stockbridge. In a long, long ago period of history. (Pause) I don’t suppose there’s a chance of a piggy-back?
JEREMY
Piggy-back?
NYSSA
Never mind.
Nyssa and Jeremy walk on further into the caves, treading carefully as they go.
SCENE #101 – EXT – EILEAN DONAN CASTLE, SCOTLAND – DAY, MORNING
Early next morning, Henry MacDonald with Hugo Kilwhillie and Ches of Roid stand at the main gate of Eilean Donan Castle. Cars pull in and stop as more MacDonalds arrive. One-by-one, each MacDonald is greeted by Henry and his friends as they’re about to come in.
HENRY
Angus MacDonald and his wife Miriam. Welcome!
Bowing, Angus and Miriam make their way into the house. The next couple approach.
HUGO
Mr. and Mrs. Donald MacDonald. You are most welcome. Please enter.
Mr. and Mrs. Donald MacDonald express gratitude as they enter. The next MacDonald approaches.
HENRY
Ah! Robbie, my boy. (realises) Sorry. Colonel Robert MacDonald. Great to see you again. Please enter.
Bowing and acknowledging, Colonel MacDonald enters.
HENRY
(to Hugo) Not so large a gathering as I thought there was going to be, Hugo.
HUGO
Perhaps the turnout hasn’t all arrived. It is rather early in the morning.
CHES
How many MacDonalds are coming then? Did you call that many on the phone?
HENRY
Aye, I did, Roid my man. There should be twenty-two MacDonalds coming. Whether they’ll be all here is yet to be determined.
Salvador then appears.
SALVADOR
Henry MacDonald.
HENRY
Aye, my lord Salvador. As you can see, the gathering has been begun. MacDonalds are arriving.
SALVADOR
(coldly) The gathering will not be all here instantly, Henry. My matters are pressing. I cannot detain this any longer.
HUGO
Give the man credit, my lord. Pardon me for saying it, but Henry’s been doing all he can to prepare for this gathering. You can’t expect him to do too much all at once.
SALVADOR
I am not a patient man, Lord Kilwhillie. This gathering cannot delay our business any longer. The battle must take place immediately.
HENRY
Immediately? But I thought…
SALVADOR
(bellows) You will obey me, MacDonald! (Pause) The Mackintoshes have their troops on the line already.
HENRY
Aye and we have, my lord. The Scottish army on my side is nearly complete.
SALVADOR
(satisfied) Very well then. Once you’ve gathered as many MacDonalds as you can, we shall walk out on the moors and make our way over to the Chieftain’s Caves. There your troops and the other side will meet to take places to fight the battle.
HENRY
(enthused) Aye, my lord. That they shall. (to Ches) And you shall come too, Roid. This shall be a great day for any member of the Racta society to see.
CHES
Yes. I’m sure it will be, Henry.
SALVADOR
Regarding other matters, the Doctor is to be left behind and kept prisoner here. In your castle. He must not be allowed to escape.
HENRY
Aye, that he shan’t, my lord. Toker is attending to it now.
At that moment, Toker appears.
TOKER
Excuse me, Mr. MacDonald?
HENRY
Ah, Toker my man. How is it with our prisoner?
TOKER
All is well. He is being held prisoner in the library.
SALVADOR
(agitated) Library, MacDonald?
HENRY
It was the wife’s idea. Don’t look at me. She objected to my idea of putting him in the dungeons again. Anyway, he can’t escape easily out of a library, can he?
SCENE #102 – INT – LIBRARY, EILEAN DONAN CASTLE – DAY, MORNING
In the library of Eilean Donan Castle, the Doctor is kept on watch by the chief guard Stevie. The Doctor paces about slowly for a bit as Stevie watches him. He then makes a move towards the door before Stevie cocks a rifle at him.
STEVIE
(threateningly) Don’t even think about it, Doctor.
DOCTOR
No, no. Of course not. I wasn’t even thinking it.
STEVIE
(threateningly) Make one more move like that again and I’ll have you shot on the spot.
DOCTOR
Of course, Stevie. (Pause) You know, you must get well paid for doing this. Threatening guests and barking out commands to innocent bystanders. One wonders what you do with your earned pay.
Stevie doesn’t respond. The Doctor paces about the room again before moving over to another part of the library in the corner.
DOCTOR
Tell me, Stevie. Have long have you been here?
STEVIE
I’ve been watching you for ten minutes. And you’re really getting on my nerves.
DOCTOR
(interjects) No, no. I mean, how long have you been working here at Eilean Donan Castle for Mr. MacDonald?
STEVIE
Long enough.
DOCTOR
(surprised) Really! That long, hey? He must be hard work, Mr. MacDonald.
STEVIE
He pays my wages, Doctor. That’s all that matters. And you really are getting on my nerves, as I’ve told you before.
DOCTOR
I like talking to people, Stevie. It helps me with passing the time whilst I pace about the room and you keep on watching me with that cold stare.
STEVIE
I don’t like talking to prisoners, Doctor. And I especially don’t like talking to you.
DOCTOR
You need some time off, Stevie. I can tell. You look like you could use a few weeks’ holiday.
STEVIE
Don’t you go all clever with me, Doctor.
DOCTOR
Oh, wouldn’t dream of it. (Pause) How much do you know about this library, Stevie?
STEVIE
Library? Library is not my business.
DOCTOR
What, a library isn’t an interesting place for you, is it?
STEVIE
I just play the part of the guard. I have no time for reading books or understanding the nature and purpose of a library. Besides, it’s a waste of time.
DOCTOR
And how much do you know about the structure of this castle?
STEVIE
(annoyed) Stop asking me questions, Doctor. I find it most annoying. I have no knowledge of the castle structure. I’m simply paid to be a guard. I have no interest elsewhere beyond that.
DOCTOR
(dismayed) I’m really sorry to hear you be so ignorant, Stevie. For it may as well help you at you being good at your job, if you put your mind to it.
The Doctor then bangs on the wall and a panel opens.
STEVIE
(startled) What do you think you’re doing? What’s going on?
DOCTOR
Sorry, Stevie. But I’ve got to find my friend Nyssa. I’m not going to let you or anybody else stop me.
STEVIE
(shouts; angrily) Get away from that wall! Don’t go in that wall! (Pause; threateningly) Get back here or I’ll shoot! GET BACK, I SAY!!!
DOCTOR
(cheerily) Bye, bye, Stevie!
Stevie open fires his rifle, but he’s too late as the Doctor slips away into the secret passageway of the library. The wall panel closes behind him once the Doctor’s gone. Angrily, Stevie runs over to the library door, opens it and shouts out in the corridor.
STEVIE
(shouts) Mr. MacDonald! Mrs. MacDonald! Toker! Somebody get in here! The Doctor’s escaped!
SCENE #103 – INT – CENTRAL SECTION, CHIEFTAIN’S CAVES – DAY, MORNING
Back in the Chieftain’s Caves, Billy, Cari, Macmillan and Buchanan make their way through the caves using the wool of Billy’s socks. They make a path to avoid getting lost in the caves. As they move on, Cari walks beside Billy.
CARI
(concerned) Are you feeling alright, Billy? You look all downhearted.
BILLY
I’m just worried about Nyssa. I hope she and the Doctor are alright. It’s been a while since I last saw them and I…well, I miss her. I miss my lovely Nyssa.
CARI
Don’t fret, Billy! We’ll find your girlfriend soon! If we can find our way out of these rotten caves, that is. I just hope my husband Ches isn’t having any trouble with the MacDonalds back at Eilean Donan Castle.
BILLY
Yes, I’m getting rather tired of these caves too. If we don’t get out soon, then I’m likely to go frantic.
Billy and Cari then stop as Macmillan and Buchanan turn to them.
MACMILLAN
Billy, I’m afraid we’ve used up all the wool of your socks. And we still haven’t found a way out of here.
BUCHANAN
So much for your great idea, laddie.
BILLY
Oh well. I’ll just have to live with the fact I’ll have to go around in cold feet for the next few days.
BUCHANAN
(irritated) It may well be years if we stay cooped up in here for a long time. That daft idea of yours has got us nowhere, lad.
CARI
But it was a good idea, Mr. Buchanan. Don’t criticise Billy. At least we haven’t been going around in circles.
BUCHANAN
But what do we do now? That’s the main thing, Mrs. Cari.
MACMILLAN
Aye, what do we do? (to Billy) That torch of yours won’t last forever, Billy. It’s bound to go out.
BILLY
Well, can’t we use your socks, Mr. Buchanan; Mr. Macmillan?
MACMILLAN
I’d like to keep my feet warm if it’s all the same to you.
BUCHANAN
We’re not going to take our socks off for the sake of that daft scheme of yours.
CARI
Boys, let’s just calm down for a minute. We’re getting a little edgy here.
BILLY
(hushes) Ssh a minute.
CARI
That’s right, Billy. Everyone sush a minute.
BILLY
(hushes) No really, Cari, ssh. Everyone, listen.
Keeping quiet, they hear something close by.
BILLY
Do you hear that? (Pause) It sounds like…humming.
They listen for a little while longer.
MACMILLAN
Aye, laddie. I hear it myself.
BUCHANAN
It’s very close.
Moment of silence.
CARI
(realises) It’s coming from the end of that corridor of caves.
BILLY
(eagerly) Come on. Let’s see what’s there.
With that, Billy; Cari; Macmillan and Buchanan make their way down to the end of the corridor of caves to investigate.
SCENE #104 – INT – POWER CHAMBER, CHIEFTAIN’S CAVES – DAY, MORNING
Eventually, Billy; Cari; Macmillan and Buchanan enter a power chamber within the Chieftain’s Caves. It’s a place where tremendous amounts of energy are being generated and there is a sense of power in the chamber. Electronic whirs; noises and beeps echo as computer screens flicker on and off in the chamber.
BILLY
Here we are. This must be where that hum’s coming from.
CARI
(astonished) What a place! It’s huge.
BILLY
(amazed) Yes. It reminds me of those huge rooms where they house massive computers. I’ve seen them when I watched the news on TV back home.
MACMILLAN
This is it, James! Isn’t it?
BUCHANAN
Aye, Alan, it is. We’ve actually found it.
BILLY
Why, what is it, Mr. Buchanan; Mr. Macmillan? What is this place? Is this the source of power you two have been looking for?
BUCHANAN
This is the actual power chamber contained in the central section of the Chieftain’s Caves. We’ve found the source of power belonging to Mr. MacDonald himself.
BILLY
You mean…this is where he gets his power from. Where he does these ‘conjuring tricks’ of his and summons up armies.
CARI
I don’t believe it. It’s just a huge chamber with computer banks and electronics.
MACMILLAN
Aye, you’re right, Mrs. Cari. This is definitely the source of power…of the Chieftain’s Caves.
Billy, Cari, Macmillan and Buchanan become completely astonished as they stand in the power chamber at the centre of the caves.
© Tim Bradley, 2017
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