16. Rooftop Danger

SCENE #182 – EXT – ROOFTOP, CHASM 35 CONTROL CENTRE – DAY, MORNING
Back on the rooftop of the control centre building on Teruvada 16, the Doctor and his friends are triumphant with the miniscope.

JO
(cheers) “You did it! Well done, Doctor; Nyssa!”

NYSSA
“We all did well! Exemplary I should say!”

BORK
(upset) “My life’s work! All gone! How are Tulu and I going to cope?”

TULU
(reassuringly) “Don’t worry, Bork. Something will come up.”

DOCTOR
“Exactly! It’s always best to see the bright side!” (Pause) “Now that’s all sorted, it’s time to shut down and destroy the miniscope!”

BORK
(pleads) Oh please Doctor, no! Not the miniscope! Anything but destroy the miniscope please!

DOCTOR
That Nargdu king and the prince are still out there, Bork! We have to make sure they don’t use this machine to their advantage ever again!

TULU
He’s right, Bork! It’s better for the scope to pack up now that its circuitry is all frazzled up.

DARBY
Doctor? All those creatures have been sent back to their own time and place, haven’t they? No more Drashigs; Ogrons and Autons to deal with, right?

DOCTOR
Precisely, Corporal! And what a relief that is! Now we must get onto destroying the miniscope at once!

NYSSA
(cries; alarmed) Doctor, behind you!

At that, the Doctor turns around and sees an enraged King Garnik charging behind him with a sword.

GARNIK
“Die, Doctor! Die for your meddling interference!”

Garnik strikes with his sword but he misses as the Doctor ducks out of the way. Garnik’s sword smashes the glo-sphere of the miniscope and it gets damaged.

BILLY
(reassuringly; to Nyssa) “It’s alright, Nyssa! It’s alright! The Doctor got out of the way just before Garnik struck him with his sword!”

JO
“Oh thank goodness for that! For a moment I thought [that…”]

BORK
(shocked) “He’s destroyed the glo-sphere! My miniscope! My miniscope’s damaged!”

TULU
“The king won’t have much use for it now. And he has more to pay us.”

The Doctor meanwhile confronts Garnik.

DOCTOR
“Your majesty King Garnik! Please stop! It’s over! Your plan has failed! You can’t put your plan into operation! All the monsters have been sent back to their own time and place and the miniscope’s had it!”

GARNIK
“No Doctor! I shall never forgive you for what you’ve done to me! I could have been a great king! And you’ve spoiled it! Now you shall pay dying by my sword!”

NYSSA
(cries) “Doctor, defend yourself!”

Garnik howls as he raises his sword to strike the Doctor again. The Doctor dodges and defends himself against Garnik, holding the sword back from him. A struggle ensues between them as the Doctor and Garnik tug each other.

BORK
(excited) “The Doctor and Garnik are now in a hand-to-hand impasse! Even if the king has his sword! And that’s cheating!”

TULU
“This isn’t a show, Bork! This is happening! The Doctor’s fighting for his life!”

JO
(anxiously) “We must do something! We have to save the Doctor!”

BILLY
“I’ll get Garnik from behind!”

NYSSA
“Billy, wait! Garnik will kill you! Jo and I will help!”

JO
(gasps; shocked) “Doctor!”

The Doctor suddenly gets knocked off his feet by Garnik. He rolls over and is about to fall off from the top of the building.

NYSSA
(horrified) “Oh no! He’s rolling off! The Doctor’s going to fall off the building!”

GARNIK
“And I shall be the one to help him to his death!”

Garnik kicks the Doctor with his foot. The Doctor is about to fall off the edge.

JO
(cries) “No!!!”

NYSSA
(cries) “Doctor!!!”

But the Doctor manages to hold on whilst he hangs onto the edge of the building.

DOCTOR
(reassuringly) “It’s alright, Nyssa; Jo; Billy! I’m holding onto the edge of the building here!”

GARNIK
“Don’t think yourself lucky, Doctor! I’m still standing over you! And I say to you…die!”

But Garnik gets held off and is caught by Darby who comes up from behind him. Garnik struggles as he’s being held by Darby.

GARNIK
(bitterly) Get off me! Get your filthy hands off me, you human scum! Get off me!

DARBY
(calls; to Nyssa; Billy; Jo) Hurry, you three! Nyssa; Billy; Jo! Get the Doctor!

JO
(astonished) James! Where did you spring from?

DARBY
Don’t stand there gawping! Save the Doctor now!

Without hesitation, Nyssa, Billy and Jo run over to the Doctor to rescue him.

JO
(anxiously) He’s slipping! (to Doctor) Doctor, hold on!

NYSSA
Billy, quickly! Grab his hand!

The Doctor slips and cries before Billy grabs his hand to save him.

BILLY
Got you, Doctor! I’ve got your hand!

DOCTOR
(relieved) “Thank you, Billy! Thank goodness! You got me just in time!”

BILLY
(to Nyssa; Jo) “It’s alright, Nyssa; Jo! I’ve got him! I’ve grabbed the Doctor’s hand!”

NYSSA
“Jo, help me with Billy! Help me grab the Doctor’s other hand!”

JO
(to Nyssa) “Right you are, girl!” (to Doctor) “Hold on, Doctor! We’re going to get you back up here! Don’t worry!”

Nyssa and Jo grab the Doctor’s other hand as they and Billy are about to pull him back up.

NYSSA
Right, Doctor! We’re going to pull you back up now! Hold tight!

DOCTOR
(reassuringly) I am holding tight, Nyssa! I am!

The three companions use their strength to help pull the Doctor back up. Garnik meanwhile continues to struggle with Darby holding him.

DARBY
(to Garnik) It’s no good, old king! You can’t break free from me! I’ve got you locked!

GARNIK
(defiantly) I don’t think so!

With that, Garnik kicks Darby in the shin and pushes him to one side. Darby tries to fight back, but Garnik frees himself before knocking his opponent out. Darby falls to the floor.

BORK
(horrified) Oh no! The king’s knocked Corporal James out!

TULU
(cries) Nyssa; Jo; Billy! Look out!

But it’s too late as Garnik approaches and pushes the girls to one side. Nyssa and Jo cry out once their grip on the Doctor’s other hand has been broken off and after they’ve been pushed off by Garnik. Billy manages to hold onto the Doctor’s hand once the girls have been pushed aside by Garnik.

BILLY
(reassuringly) It’s alright, Doctor! I’ve still got you! The girls though…

DOCTOR
(anxiously) “Billy! My hand’s slipping from yours! I can’t hold on, Billy!”

BILLY
(determined) “I’m not letting go, Doctor! I’m not going to let you go!”

GARNIK
(mockingly) “That’s what you think, boy!”

At that, Garnik comes over and stamps hard on Billy’s hand. Billy cries out in pain, causing him to let go of the Doctor’s hand. The Doctor screams as he falls away off the building. Billy sees this once he’s recovered.

DOCTOR
(screams) “Billy!”

BILLY
(shocked; cries) “No! Doctor!”

Eventually, Nyssa and Jo rejoin Billy.

NYSSA
(panics) “Billy, what’s happened? Where’s the Doctor?”

JO
“Yeah! Where is he?”

BILLY
(trembles) “He…he fell! He fell, Nyssa! I tried to hold on but…he fell! Garnik stamped on my hand!”

GARNIK
(defiantly) “Yes! And I’d do it again to destroy all the enemies of the Nargdu!”

Garnik laughs mockingly and triumphantly.

NYSSA
(horrified) “No! It can’t be! It simply can’t be!”

GARNIK
(cruelly) “Your friend, the Doctor…is no more! He has plummeted to the city below! To his death!”

JO
(cries; upset) “No!!! Doctor!!!”

Nyssa, Billy and Jo are completely horrified and upset as they see the Doctor falling to his death whilst Garnik laughs mockingly and triumpantly away.

---

SCENE #183 – INT – BACK STAIRWAY, CHASM 35 CONTROL CENTRE – DAY, MORNING
On the back stairway of the control centre, Prince Ernpic runs up the stairs to reach the top of the building.

ERNPIC
(determined) “Must reach the top of the building! I must!”

Ernpic then stops midway on the stairs.

ERNPIC
They’ll all be on top, the Doctor and his companions! They must die for their crimes against the Nargdu Empire! Glory to Empire! (Pause) If my father fails to kill them in time, I shall blow this building apart!

Ernpic takes out an explosive device from his pocket and places it on the wall of the building. He switches it on and it emits a signal.

ERNPIC
(satisfied) There! Done! Once I press the remote device in my pocket, the explosive will detonate and explode! The building will be destroyed and all our enemies with it! The Doctor and his companions!

Ernpic then hears a scream as he looks out to see the Doctor plummeting to the city below. Once he’s seen this, Ernpic begins to chuckle mockingly and eventually laugh out loud in triumph.

ERNPIC
(laughs; triumphantly) Well, his companions at least! My father must have beaten the Doctor to cause him to fall to his death! (calls; to Doctor) Fare thee well, Doctor! Death shall be with you!

Ernpic continues to laugh out loud mockingly and triumphantly, as he continues to make his way up to the top of the building. He runs up the stairs as he makes his way up.

ERNPIC
(triumphantly) “Have no fear, father! I, your son Ernpic, shall assist you in your victory!”

---

SCENE #184 – EXT – GRONDOR CITY, TERUVADA 16 – DAY, MORNING
Meanwhile, the Doctor continues to plummet down as he’s about to end up on the city floor.

DOCTOR
“Nyssa; Billy; Jo! I’m so sorry! I wish I could have saved you in time!”

Just then, the TARDIS materialises underneath him as he falls.

DOCTOR
(surprised) “The TARDIS? On the city floor?” (Pause) “The doors open for me!”

The TARDIS doors certainly do open for him as the Doctor falls through. There is a splash before the doors close once the Doctor’s inside the TARDIS. The TARDIS then dematerialises out of the city of Grondor.

---

SCENE #185 – EXT – ROOFTOP, CHASM 35 CONTROL CENTRE – DAY, MORNING
Back on top of the Chasm 35 control centre building, Nyssa, Billy and Jo are still upset with losing the Doctor.

BILLY
(upset) “I couldn’t hold on. I held his hand and I couldn’t…I’m so sorry! I’m so desperately sorry. I wish I could’ve saved him.”

NYSSA
“Don’t be hard on yourself, Billy. There was nothing you could’ve done. It’s just so hard to believe that the Doctor’s gone.”

JO
“I’ve only just met him. Your Doctor I mean. He was mine too but…I didn’t get the chance to know him. Such a horrible way to die like that.”

Nyssa, Billy and Jo then turn to King Garnik who continues to laugh away mockingly at them.

JO
(cries) “Stop it! Stop it, you revolting man! You horrible king!”

GARNIK
“Oh but I haven’t started yet, you three. From now on, it’s going to get worse!”

NYSSA
(upset) “How much worse can it get? You’ve killed our best friend! You murdered him! You stamped on Billy’s foot and caused the Doctor to fall and die!”

BILLY
(angrily) “Give me one good reason, your majesty, why I shouldn’t put my hands around you and strangle you now?!”

GARNIK
“Oh, but you can’t! I am the great king! I am Nargdu!”

Billy angrily gets up to his feet and charges towards Garnik, yelling away.

NYSSA
(cries) “Billy, don’t!”

Garnik however takes out a device and holds it against Billy’s face. Billy gasps as he freezes on his way charging towards him.

GARNIK
“None of that, boy! Don’t think you can dispose of me!” (laughs) “Oh but you can’t, can you? I’ve caught you in my grasp!”

BILLY
(cries; panics) “Nyssa; Jo! He’s got me! I can’t move! He’s caught me in some kind of trap! I can’t move my legs or my body at all!”

NYSSA
(to Garnik) “What have you done to him?!” (realises) “You’ve locked him with that device of yours!”

JO
(cries) “Let him go! Please have mercy! You’ve hurt us enough already!”

GARNIK
Oh but I intend to cause more harm to all three of you! Yes! That includes you two girls!

Garnik aims his device on Jo and Nyssa. They too gasp as they freeze with Billy standing beside them.

JO
(panics) “I…I can’t move either, Nyssa! He’s…got us stuck standing!”

NYSSA
He’s immobilised us! (calls) Corporal James; Bork; Tulu! Help us!

As Billy, Nyssa and Jo are caught in Garnik’s grasp, Darby, Bork and Tulu run over to help them.

DARBY
(cries) Let them go, you barbarian!

Darby however gets knocked out by Garnik when struck by his fist. Darby collapses to the floor.

BORK
(protests) Now see here, your majesty! I’m not a violent man but I don’t like [when…]

Bork too gets knocked by Garnik with his fist striking in his face. Bork falls to the floor too.

TULU
(protests) Ere! You can’t just…

Tulu also gets knocked out by Garnik. She collapses to the floor beside Bork and Darby who are knocked out unconscious.

BILLY
(cries; anxiously) Corporal James; Bork; Tulu! Wake up please! Get up and help us!

NYSSA
It’s no good, Billy! They’ve been knocked out cold! Garnik punched them!

JO
This is not turning out well as we hoped, is it?

GARNIK
(to Nyssa; Billy; Jo) Now you three remain standing in the way of my ultimate conquest! Unless you submit to Nargdu law and Nargdu will, I shall let you live!

JO
“We would never serve you! After you violently knocked out our friends!”

GANRIK
“They will be required later on. Bork and Tulu especially. I will not kill them immediately. I still need them to repair the miniscope.” (to Nyssa) “As I’m sure I need you! One who is so technically gifted.”

NYSSA
(defiantly; to Garnik) “I won’t help you! Not if it means wiping out a species for your putrid, fascist ideals! I shudder by what you represent and I abhor your philosophy!”

BILLY
(defiantly; to Garnik) “You see, king? Even after you killed the Doctor, you still can’t control us! We’ve more sense than you do!”

GARNIK
(chuckles) “In that case, I shall have to try to motivate you in some other way. By fear tactics!”

JO
Fear tactics?

GARNIK
This device I hold in my hand does not only immobilise you. It also can be of use as a hypnotic device. To access the recesses of your mind and implant images to frighten and terrify you!

JO
(realises) I’ve seen something like this before. By another megalomaniac. (defiantly; to Garnik) It won’t work, your majesty! You won’t overpower us! We are stronger than you think!

GARNIK
(scornfully) Very well then. Prove it! Gaze into the things you fear! Resist the visions of your pasts that make your horrified! (Pause) You cannot resist my will! I am the King of the Nargdu! I am to control you all!

Garnik switches on his device before Nyssa, Billy and Jo experience visions of their past. They now become horrified.

JO
(struggles) Don’t fall for it! Nyssa; Billy, keep calm! Be strong! They’re not real! The images you and I are seeing are not real! Concentrate! Think, both of you! Think! Please, think!

BILLY
(struggles) I can’t, Jo! I can’t keep focus! It’s too much! I’m seeing all sorts of horrible things! They’re so frightening to look at! I can’t keep control! I can’t!

NYSSA
(struggles) The Melkur! I see the Melkur coming towards me! Calcified and evil! It’s come to kill me! With its red eyes!

BILLY
(struggles) “Vegrons! I see Vegrons! Walking lizard men! They’re going to shoot me! They’re going to gun me down! Help me! Please somebody!”

JO
(struggles) “Maggots! Giant maggots coming out of the ground! The green death!” (Pause) “No! It’s not real! Must resist! We must…resist!”

NYSSA
(struggles) “You’re right, Jo! We must resist! We must!” (Pause) “No! The Master! Terileptils, Cybermen, Kwundaar, Daleks, Rutans, Dar Traders…”

BILLY
(struggles) “Volturnans, Dwaxi, Sontarans, the Gren, Larkanians, Salvador…”

JO
(struggles) “Axons, Sea Devils, Azal, Kronos, Omega, Russorg…”

As Nyssa; Billy and Jo struggle facing the horrors of their past, Garnik laughs away mockingly at them.

---

SCENE #186 – INT – TARDIS CONSOLE ROOM – N/A
Inside the TARDIS, the Doctor (1) recovers as he gets up from the console room floor to look around.

DOCTOR (1)
(astonished) “I’m…I’m alive! I’ve been saved! The old girl’s saved me!”

DOCTOR (2)
“Yes! My TARDIS managed to save you fortunately.”

The Doctor (1) looks to see another Doctor (2) standing before him on the other side of the console room. He looks exactly like him.

DOCTOR (1)
(realises; groans) “Oh no! Of all the people!” (Pause) “Hello Doctor.”

DOCTOR (2)
“Hello Doctor. How are you?”

DOCTOR (1)
“Fine. No thanks to you. You do know you’ve broken the fundamental law of time. Bumping into yourself.”

DOCTOR (2)
Oh, please! Since when has that ever stopped you, Doctor?

DOCTOR (1)
I take it you’re my future self. My future self with the same cricket clothes and hat. And the stick of celery.

DOCTOR (2)
Yes, you’re right! I am your future self! And right now, time is pressing! You have to save your friends, Nyssa; Billy and Jo! I’ve rescued you just for that!

The Doctor (2) presses a few buttons and switches whilst the Doctor (1) idly stands by the console.

DOCTOR (1)
Can I help at all?

DOCTOR (2)
Keep your hands away from the console, Doctor! This is your future before you, remember?

The Doctor (1) stands back away from the TARDIS console.

DOCTOR (1)
Sorry I spoke.

The TARDIS time rotor whirs away, going up and down. The chuffing and the whooshing occurs in the background before the time rotor drops to a halt. It makes a loud ding to indicate the TARDIS has landed.

DOCTOR (2)
“There we are! We’ve arrived! Now you need to go out!”

DOCTOR (1)
“Just where and when is it you’ve dropped me off to, Doctor?”

DOCTOR (2)
(annoyed; impatiently) “Oh for goodness sake! Don’t you see, Doctor? This is your future! You’re standing in the TARDIS from your future!”

DOCTOR (1)
“Your TARDIS and my TARDIS are exactly the same!”

DOCTOR (2)
“No! Well, yes and no! But not this TARDIS! This is my TARDIS, yes! But it’s also yours and yet its not!”

DOCTOR (1)
(sardonically) “Well, I’m glad we’ve resolved around that one.”

DOCTOR (2)
“Where’s your TARDIS now, Doctor? From your perspective I mean.”

DOCTOR (1)
“Well, that’s easy. It’s on the lower levels of the Chasm 35 control centre building on the planet Teruvada Sixteen.”

DOCTOR (2)
Exactly!

DOCTOR (1)
(realises) You’ve landed us on the lower levels of the building in close proximity to my TARDIS!

DOCTOR (2)
As you can see.

The Doctor (2) presses a switch to activate the TARDIS scanner screen. The Doctor (1) sees the earlier version of the TARDIS outside on the lower levels of the Chasm 35 control centre building via the scanner screen.

DOCTOR (1)
(realises) Yes. I see it now. (to Doctor (2)) Thank you very much for showing me.

DOCTOR (2)
You need to go out there now and rescue Nyssa; Billy and Jo this instant! They’re in great trouble! You need to save them! They’re now on top of a tremendous height!

DOCTOR (1)
You don’t mean…

DOCTOR (2)
I do mean.

DOCTOR (1)
But…but how…?

DOCTOR (2)
(interjects) There’s no time to explain! Get out there; get into your TARDIS and rescue Nyssa, Billy and Jo! Do it right now this instant!

The TARDIS interior doors open. Without hesitation, the Doctor (1) runs out to make for his other TARDIS whilst the Doctor (2) watches go.

---

SCENE #187 – EXT – ROOFTOP, CHASM 35 CONTROL CENTRE – DAY, MORNING
On top of the control centre building, Darby recovers as he wakes up to see what King Garnik is doing to Nyssa; Billy and Jo. The three companions continue to struggle against the influence of Garnik’s mind-numbing and hypnotic device.

DARBY
(weakly) Nyssa; Jo; Billy!

GARNIK
(laughs) “Very soon, you three shall succumb to me! You shall not resist me! I will crush your brains to make you serve me if I have to!”

Garnik continues to torture Nyssa, Billy and Jo as they stay frozen to the spot, struggling to break free. Darby slowly gets up from the floor as he regains his senses and vision.

DARBY
(slowly; angrily) No! Not a chance you won’t, King Garnik! Not… a… chance!!!!!

Darby charges towards Garnik and pushes him off the floor, stopping his attack on the three companions. The hypnotic trance gets broken and Nyssa; Billy and Jo are free. The three companions shake out of their reverie.

NYSSA
(faint) Corporal James! He… he saved us! He freed us!

BILLY
(faint) I… I feel so faint.

JO
(faint) So do I.

Nyssa, Billy and Jo then faint to the floor after the shock of what they’ve been through. Darby and Garnik continue to fight each other on the rooftop, whilst Bork and Tulu wake up and recover after being knocked out.

BORK
(disorientated) “Ooh! What hit me?”

TULU
(realises) “‘Ere, Bork! Look! The corporal and his majesty! They’re fighting each other on the rooftop!”

BORK
(refocuses) “He must have recovered before we did. The corporal, I mean. He got his majesty to break the control over the Doctor’s friends!”

TULU
“Yeah! They must have fainted as soon as the corporal broke the connection. Poor things. They’re so lost without their Doctor.”

BORK
“I’m not much good with counselling but I can’t help say I sympathise.” (Pause) “How much longer are those two going to fight each other for? They’ve been at it for some time now.”

TULU
(realises; panics) “Oh no! Bork! Look who’s coming up the stairs!”

BORK
(realises; gasps) “Oh no! The prince!”

Bork and Tulu look to see Prince Ernpic arriving on the rooftop after climbing up the back stairs. Ernpic witnesses the fight between his father King Garnik and Darby.

ERNPIC
Father? (realises; enraged) Father!

Despite Ernpic’s rage, Darby keeps on fighting Garnik.

ERNPIC
(to Darby) Let my father go, human scum! Let him go or I’ll kill you myself!

DARBY
(bitterly; to Ernpic) Your father just murdered a man! He doesn’t deserve any mercy! I shall make him pay for what he has done!

Darby strikes Garnik again.

ERNPIC
(shouts; enraged) “Back off, you human scum! Back off or I’ll kill you!”

But Darby is persistent as he fights it out with Garnik.

ERNPIC
(angrily) “Right! That’s it! If you won’t back off, I shall take you down myself!” (Pause; realises) “Ah! The miniscope! Just what I need!”

Ernpic runs over to the damaged miniscope and grabs it with his bare hands.

BORK
(cries) “No! Your young majesty! Don’t! Don’t throw the miniscope at…”

But Ernpic ignores Bork as he aims the miniscope at Darby.

ERNPIC
(yells; to Darby) Take this, you piece of filth! Take it!!!!

With that, Ernpic throws the damaged miniscope at Darby.

TULU
(cries) Corporal James! Look out!

Darby hears Tulu’s cry and ducks out of the way before the miniscope is about to hit him. The miniscope instead hits Garnik as he stands up and it blows up right in his face. Once the miniscope’s blown up, Garnik staggers back over the edge of the building.

ERNPIC
(realises; shocked) No! Father! It wasn’t meant for you! Father!

GARNIK
(angrily) You stupid boy! You stupid idiot of a son!!!!!

With that, Garnik falls off, screaming away as he plummets to the ground below. Ernpic runs over to the edge of the bulding to see his father fall to his death.

ERNPIC
(cries) “No!!! Father!!! NO!!!!!”

---

SCENE #188 – EXT – GRONDOR CITY, TERUVADA 16 – DAY, MORNING
King Garnik continues to scream as he falls down through the sky and plummets to the ground. He eventually ends up on the ground, sprawled dead.

---

SCENE #189 – EXT – ROOFTOP, CHASM 35 CONTROL CENTRE – DAY, MORNING
Back on top of the control centre building, Prince Ernpic is overcome with shock. Nyssa, Billy and Jo meanwhile recover.

BILLY
(recovers) “Nyssa; Jo? Are you alright?” (Pause) “Nyssa?”

NYSSA
(recovers) “Billy, is that you?” (Pause) “I’m so glad to see you again.”

BILLY
“And I you.”

Nyssa kisses Billy before they turn to Jo.

NYSSA
“Jo? Jo, wake up!”

Jo wakes up to recover.

JO
(recovers) Nyssa; Billy. Where…?

BILLY
It’s alright, Jo. I think that mad king’s gone.

JO
Gone? Gone where?

NYSSA
(realises) Bork; Tulu! You’re alright! And Corporal James!

Bork and Tulu come over to join them as does Darby.

BORK
Corporal James saved you three. And what a brave man he was!

TULU
We thought you nearly had it! Luckily Corporal James had more guts than us.

DARBY
I managed to get rid of King Garnik and his hypnotic control over you three. But I fear his son got rid of his father more than he did me. And not intentionally I’m afraid.

Nyssa, Billy, Jo, Bork, Tulu and Darby look to see Ernpic grovel and mourn.

ERNPIC
(mourns) My father! My father! You can’t be gone! You can’t!

JO
(confused) What just happened? Please somebody tell me!

TULU
Corporal James was fighting the king once he rescued you. Ernpic tried to save his father using the miniscope.

BORK
But Corporal James ducked and the miniscope blew up in Garnik’s face! Garnik then tripped and fell off the building. He’s now fallen and plummeted to his death.

DARBY
He’s probably sprawled all over the ground.

NYSSA
(sympathically) Poor Ernpic. What a horrible way for his father to die.

BILLY
Yeah it is. I can’t help but feel sorry for him.

Ernpic continues to mourn and weep.

ERNPIC
(weeps) Father! Come back to me! Please, please! Come back to me, father! Come back to me! (screams) Come back to me, father! Come back!!!!!

Ernpic screams with rage before he turns to Nyssa, Billy, Jo, Bork, Tulu and Darby.

ERNPIC
(enraged) You did this! You all did this! You’re the cause of my father’s death!!!!!

JO
(protests) No, we didn’t! Please we didn’t do this!

NYSSA
Your majesty, we’re very sorry about your father. But let us help you!

ERNPIC
(enraged) Help?! Help from you?!!!

Ernpic screams with rage again as he takes out his detonation device.

BILLY
(anxiously) What’s that he’s got in his hand?!

DARBY
(realises; panics) Oh no! It’s a detonation device!

NYSSA
Your highness! Don’t!

But Ernpic presses the button on his detonation device and the whole building shudders violently as an explosion occurs. The building rocks from side to side as Nyssa, Billy, Jo, Bork, Tulu and Darby cry and scream with fright as they sway.

JO
(terrified) What just happened?! What’s he done?!

BILLY
He’s blown up the building! He set a bomb inside this building to blow us up all sky high!

ERNPIC
(enraged) That’s right! After what you did to me! Killing my father! You all deserve to die!!!

TULU
(protests) You can’t do this! We haven’t done anything to you!

BORK
We told you, your majesty! We’re just simple travelling players!

ERNPIC
(yells; enraged) I want you all to suffer!!! For what you did to me?!!!

NYSSA
Your father killed the Doctor, Ernpic! What gives you the right to kill us as well?! Unless of course you’re utterly insane!

ERNPIC
(yells; enraged) I curse you all!!! I curse the lot of you!!!

BILLY
If we die, then you die with us too! You’ve just set off your own funeral! Don’t you get it?

ERNPIC
Oh no! I have a back-up plan! I shall send you all to your deaths whilst I escape with this!

Ernpic takes out another device from his pocket.

JO
(realises) “Billy, he’s got a teleport gadget on him! He’s going to teleport himself out!”

BILLY
No!!!

NYSSA
Ernpic, you can’t do this! Don’t leave us to die!

ERNPIC
(yells; enraged) Die in hell!!! Say hello to your end!!!

But as Ernpic is about to teleport himself out, he suddenly finds himself falling off the building as it sways even further.

BILLY
(realises) Nyssa! He’s falling! Ernpic’s toppling off the roof of the building!

NYSSA
(cries) Ernpic!!!

Ernpic screams as he accidentally falls off and is about to plummet to the ground. A burst of energy emits from his teleport device as he falls.

JO
(shocked) He’s gone! The prince has fallen!

BILLY
Just like his father. He was going to try to escape but he lost his chance.

JO
(shocked) How horrible. He didn’t use his teleport device in the end.

The building sways again and Nyssa, Billy, Jo, Bork, Tulu and Darby become even more terrified.

NYSSA
We’ve got more things to worry about. This building’s swaying even further!

DARBY
(shouts) Hold onto something, everyone! Hold onto something!

BORK
We are holding onto something, Tulu and I! As you can see!

TULU
Nyssa, Billy and Jo are too! Thank goodness!

BILLY
Nyssa! Please say we’re going to survive this!

NYSSA
I don’t see how, Billy! Everything’s falling apart!

JO
(cries) We’re going down! The building’s toppling over! Somebody please do something!

But it’s too late as Nyssa, Billy, Jo, Bork, Tulu and Darby hold on for dear life as the building topples over, collapsing to the ground.

---

SCENE #190 – EXT – GRONDOR CITY, TERUVADA 16 – DAY, MORNING
The Chasm 35 control centre building crumbles apart as it continues to collapse to the ground, taking its six heroes with it.

---

SCENE #191 – EXT – ROOFTOP, CHASM 35 CONTROL CENTRE – DAY, MORNING
As the building falls, Nyssa, Billy, Jo, Bork, Tulu and Darby continue to hold onto the rooftop for dear life as they plummet to the ground. The six of them panic as they go down.

DARBY
It’s no good! I can’t hold on much longer! The building’s collapsing too fast! We won’t survive!

TULU
This wasn’t what I expected! I didn’t sign for this!

BORK
We’re all going to die! It’s the end for us all!

Just then, the three companions spot something in the distance. It whooshes and grinds as it comes closer towards them.

BILLY
(cries) Wait! Look! Down in the sky! Is it a bird?

NYSSA
Is it a plane?

JO
(realises; cheers) No! It’s the TARDIS! It’s the Doctor! The Doctor’s alive!

The TARDIS immediately makes a huge touchdown on the building rooftop, startling everyone once it lands. The TARDIS doors open and the Doctor steps out through the doorway.

DOCTOR
Nyssa, Billy, Jo!

NYSSA
Doctor! You’re alive! I’m so glad to see you! How did you…?

DOCTOR
(urgently; to Nyssa) Never mind about that now, Nyssa! I’ve applied the TARDIS’ anti-grafts to the building, but it won’t last long. (to Jo) Jo, quick! Hold onto Billy’s hand!

JO
“Right!”

Jo holds onto Billy’s hand.

DOCTOR
(to Billy) Billy, hold onto Nyssa’s hand!

BILLY
With pleasure!

Billy holds onto Nyssa’s hand.

DOCTOR
(to Nyssa) Nyssa! Hold onto Corporal James’ hand! (to Darby) Corporal James! Hold onto Tulu’s hand. (to Tulu) Tulu, hold onto Bork’s hand!

TULU
Got ya, Doctor!

With that, Nyssa holds onto Darby’s hand; Darby holds onto Tulu’s, and Tulu holds onto Bork’s.

BORK
(to Tulu) Steady dear, steady.

DOCTOR
Now, you six! When I say ‘jump’… jump into the TARDIS. I’ll have both doors open for you six to get inside!

DARBY
Doctor, I don’t see…

DOCTOR
(interjects; shouts) Now!!! Jump!!!

With that, Nyssa; Billy; Jo; Bork; Tulu and Darby let go of the rooftop and jump down into the TARDIS. They fall through the TARDIS doors. There are loud splashes from inside the TARDIS before the Doctor closes the doors. The TARDIS dematerialises, swirling through the sky, just in time before the control centre building finally collapses.

---

SCENE #192 – EXT – GRONDOR CITY, TERUVADA 16 – DAY, MORNING
The Chasm 35 control centre building collapses to the ground and blows up into smithereens everywhere across the city grounds. A still silence ensues once the building’s collapsed altogether.

---

SCENE #193 – INT – TARDIS CONSOLE ROOM – N/A
Inside the TARDIS console room, the Doctor and the others gather around. Nyssa, Billy, Jo, Darby, Bork and Tulu have recovered after falling into the swimming pool/large bath. They are currently soaked through and wrapped in towels.

JO
(overjoyed) “You’ve saved us, Doctor! You’ve saved us!”

DOCTOR
“Yes, of course I did. I usually do, Jo!”

BILLY
“We’re so glad you’re not dead, Doctor. If it weren’t for you, we wouldn’t be here now.”

DOCTOR
“Me dead? Oh no, Billy! You can’t get rid of me that easily!”

DARBY
Was it really necessary for us to get wet after jumping into your TARDIS, Doctor?

BORK
“Indeed! That swimming pool or large bath of yours has me soaked through! This is only the best suit I’ve got!”

TULU
“And I’m not even dressed for swimming! I haven’t got a bikini! My underwear’s ruined as well!”

NYSSA
“The water helped to cushion our fall when we descended into the TARDIS. The internal dimensions are so vast that the incalculable odds of us surviving by falling into the TARDIS were theoretically non-existent.”

BILLY
Always good at explaining the scientific stuff, Nyssa. I’m so glad I’m still alive and able to hear you speak so beautifully.

NYSSA
And I’m glad to hear you compliment me so well, Billy.

Nyssa and Billy kiss.

JO
I was so afraid that you’d died, Doctor. And yet you come out alive to rescue us. Thank you, Doctor.

Jo immediately hugs the Doctor, despite her still being wet with towel around her.

DOCTOR
(clears throat) Err, Jo…

JO
(realises) Oh yes! My wet clothes. Sorry, Doctor.

DOCTOR
(pleased) I’m pleased to still be alive too, Jo! And to have rescued you, Nyssa, Billy and the others.

Jo giggles delightedly whilst the Doctor happily works at the TARDIS console to set a course back to the Grondor citadel.

---

SCENE #194 – INT – THRONE ROOM, CITADEL OF GRONDOR – DAY, AFTERNOON
Later that day on Teruvada 16, the Doctor, Nyssa, Billy and Jo wait in the king’s throne room in the Grondor citadel. The TARDIS is parked nearby. Nyssa, Billy and Jo are fully dry and not wet anymore.

BILLY
“But Doctor, I still don’t understand! How did you manage to survive the fall? We saw you! You were plummeting to your death towards the ground!”

DOCTOR
“Oh Billy! Must I explain it for the sixth time?”

JO
Yes.

NYSSA
Please do, Doctor.

DOCTOR
Look, it’s perfectly straight forward! I got saved by my TARDIS from the future. My own personal future. My future self rescued me so that he could drop me off to rescue you three as well as Bork, Tulu and Corporal James.

NYSSA
Which you’ve done already. And I take it you just went to rescue your earlier self to save us.

DOCTOR
Yes!

JO
Come again?

DOCTOR
(sighs) Look, Jo! I was falling from the building and got rescued by the TARDIS piloted by a future version of myself.

BILLY
And you’re that future version now, are you? You’ve become the Doctor who rescued us and then rescued yourself.

DOCTOR
Exactly! When I saw my future self in my own TARDIS at future point in relative time, I got dropped off to the lower levels of the control centre building. So that I could get back to the other TARDIS.

JO
The one you parked in the lower levels to rescue me, Nyssa and Tulu.

DOCTOR
Yes! Then I could get back to my earlier TARDIS to rescue the six of you before rescuing myself!

NYSSA
To rescue yourself from falling off that building. To ensure the paradox was complete.

BILLY
Creating a loop.

DOCTOR
Creating a loop, yes! And here we all are! There you go! I hope that explains everything.

JO
I still don’t get it.

DOCTOR
(sighs) Not again! Do I really have to explain myself again?

NYSSA
It’s alright, Doctor. You don’t have to explain yourself again. We more or less understand what you’re trying to say.

At that moment, Darby, Bork and Tulu, also fully dry and not wet anymore, turn up as they enter the throne room.

BORK
Ah Doctor! There you are! And with your three friends! Just about to set off, are you?

DOCTOR
Indeed yes! Hello Bork; Tulu; Corporal James. My, my, Bork. You seem quite cheerful.

BORK
Oh I am, yes. I’ve managed to find myself a new position on this planet. I am Bork – new universal entertainment manager of Teruvada Sixteen.

BILLY
Universal entertainment manager?

NYSSA
How did you manage to achieve that?

DARBY
With my help. I was able to gain entry into the High Court Council of the Nargdu on Teruvada Sixteen.

DOCTOR
And you gambled I presume, Bork. Like a good gambler, you managed to get your way.

TULU
Bork had them on the magnum pod concession.

BORK
Yes. Have you seen it, Doctor? I have three magum pods and a yarrow seed. The quickness of the hand deceives the eye; you put the yarrow seed…

DOCTOR
(interrupts) “Yes, yes, Bork. I have seen something like that before. And I’m very pleased for you. Truly I am.”

JO
“So you two get to live here on Teruvada Sixteen. Providing the entertainment.”

BORK
“Yes! These chaps need some cheering up! After all, they’re a dreary lot. And with the king and the prince gone, no longer to influence the Nargdu people with their fascism, I’m just the man to cheer them up!”

TULU
“And what a lot of husky gorgeous men to choose form!”

BORK
(tutts) “Now, now, Tulu. Stop going on about your men.”

NYSSA
“I’m very happy for you both. I’m pleased you’ve decided to put some sense back into this planet. Back to some harmonious revival and upbringings.”

JO
“You both remind me of a couple who once had to be stranded on another dull planet. You Bork will probably end up being king of Teruvada Sixteen.”

BORK
(laughs) Oh, thank you, my dear. I appreciate your confidence in me.

DOCTOR
I don’t think we need to worry too much about you, Bork. And you Tulu.

BILLY
What about you, Corporal James?

DARBY
Me? I’ve no intention of staying here. I have to report back to Earth space fleet and tell them of my expedition to this planet. Tell them that the negotiations have failed and that the ambassador got killed on the journey. I doubt that further negotiations with the Nargdu will be possible. There’s nothing left for me to remain here.

TULU
Oh yeah? Well, stick around, Corporal. Perhaps Bork and I can change your mind, hey?

DARBY
Stick around? (Pause; considers) Hmm. Yes. I’ll consider it.

DOCTOR
Well, it’s a pleasure meeting you three. But it’s time for us to go. Goodbye Corporal; Bork; Tulu.

The Doctor shakes Darby, Bork and Tulu by the hands.

BORK
Goodbye.

TULU
Goodbye.

DARBY
Goodbye.

DOCTOR
Good luck to you all! (to Nyssa; Billy; Jo) Come on, Nyssa; Jo; Billy!

The Doctor goes off into his TARDIS, opening and closing the door as he goes inside. Nyssa, Billy and Jo turn to Bork, Tulu and Darby as they say goodbye to them.

NYSSA
“Goodbye, you three! Thank you for everything you’ve done.”

BILLY
“Yeah! Bye! Hope to see you again soon!”

JO
“Yes! Bye for now!”

Bork, Tulu and Darby say farewell to them too, as Nyssa, Billy and Jo enter the TARDIS, closing the door behind them. Very soon, the TARDIS dematerialises as it whooshes and grinds away, disappearing into thin air and back into the time vortex. Bork, Tulu and Darby are amazed once the TARDIS has gone.

DARBY
(amazed) Wow! I mean…wow!!!

BORK
An amazing conjuring trick! I wish the Doctor could’ve told me how it works!

TULU
(giggles) They are extraordinary those four! Totally extraordinary!

Darby, Bork and Tulu remain in the throne room for a bit before heading off out into the open again.

---

SCENE #195 – INT – TARDIS CONSOLE ROOM – N/A
In the TARDIS, the Doctor, Nyssa, Billy and Jo are in the console room as the ship journeys through the time vortex.

JO
Well, I’m glad we managed to survive that one!

NYSSA
So am I. Do you think King Garnik and Prince Ernpic really are dead?

BILLY
We saw them, Nyssa. Both fell and plummeted to their deaths.

NYSSA
I suppose. (Pause) It seems like Bork, Tulu and Corporal James have bright futures.

JO
I’m very pleased I got to see you two again. Nyssa and Billy after so long! And you of course, Doctor!

DOCTOR
Of course.

JO
You’re so beautiful, Nyssa. And you, Billy, are so handsome.

BILLY
“And you’re still delightful as ever, Jo Grant.” (realises; corrects) “Sorry. Jo Jones.”

Nyssa, Billy and Jo giggle with each other.

NYSSA
“I’m glad we’ve met again too, Jo. Be rest assured Billy and I intend to stay together. Whether it’s by marriage or not, we hope to develop our relationship further.”

BILLY
(happily) “You mean that, Nyssa?”

NYSSA
(sweetly) “Yes. Definitely.”

JO
(delighted) “I’m very pleased for you both.”

DOCTOR
(gradually) “You know Jo, you could always come with us. With me, Nyssa and Billy. On our travels in the TARDIS.”

JO
“I’ve just had one adventure, Doctor. Give me a chance to catch my breath.”

DOCTOR
“But there’s so much to see and do. So much to explore. I’ve always wanted to visit the Halls of Reaform Aboginon.”

NYSSA
(puzzled) “Reaform Aboginon?”

DOCTOR
“It’s a lovely place! Filled with scented and perfumed rooms as well as lavish baths and bedrooms. A bit like Peladon and Atlantis, only slightly more indulgent.”

JO
“Just like old times, Doctor?”

DOCTOR
(gradually) “Yes, Jo. Just like old times.” (Pause) “You can come. If you want.”

JO
(gradually) “Thanks Doctor. It’s very sweet of you to offer it to me. But I’ll pass. I have commitments. I have a husband waiting for me. And children and grandchildren. And great-grandchildren if I don’t get back to them in time.”

DOCTOR
You want me to take you home?

JO
Yes, Doctor. Please take me home.

DOCTOR
(gradually) Yes, of course. Home it is, Mrs. Jones.

The Doctor presses switches and buttons on the TARDIS console as he sets a course to take Jo home. Nyssa and Billy stand with Jo at the console.

BILLY
I’m sad you’re not staying with us, Jo. We hoped you would. We’ve enjoyed having you around.

JO
Yes. And I’ve enjoyed being with you all. Oh I’ve missed all of this. Travelling in the TARDIS; visiting planets; meeting aliens; fighting monsters and travelling backwards in time and going to other dimensions.

NYSSA
But you miss your husband, don’t you?

JO
(gradually) “He’d get suspicious. And puzzled about where I’ve been.”

BILLY
“Yes. I suppose he would.” (Pause) “Oh but it’s such a shame. We would have made a great team!”

NYSSA
Yes. And we were, weren’t we? We were a great team.

JO
Yes we were. Definitely. (Pause) But it’s time to go home for me, I’m afraid.

DOCTOR
(gradually) Just to point out, Jo, it will take a little while to get you back to your home time and place on Earth. The TARDIS can be a trifle wilful at times, as you know.

JO
Oh dear. You will get me back home though, won’t you?

DOCTOR
Of course I will. Eventually.

NYSSA
Don’t worry, Jo. I’m sure we’ll get you back in time to your family.

JO
Oh I hope so. I wouldn’t like to be stranded in France during the French Revolution now, would I?

BILLY
(teasingly) “Why? What have you got against the French?”

Jo giggles at that as do Nyssa and Billy. The TARDIS time rotor then stops going up and down as it comes to a halt. A loud ding is heard to indicate a landing.

DOCTOR
Right, Jo! We’ve arrived! Let’s open the TARDIS doors and have a look outside, shall we?

With that, the Doctor pulls the door lever on the TARDIS console and the internal doors open. The Doctor, Nyssa, Billy and Jo take a look outside as they stand in the TARDIS doorway. They see waves of the sea crashing on a beach outside.

NYSSA
(puzzled) Doctor? This isn’t Earth, is it?

BILLY
It doesn’t look like Earth to me.

JO
Oh Doctor! You haven’t brought me to the right place at the wrong time, have you? Or vice-versa?

DOCTOR
(thinks) I’m not sure… (stops; realises) Oh, of course! I should have realised!

BILLY
What, Doctor?

DOCTOR
“This is the planet I was meaning to take you to, Nyssa and Billy! The planet Vektris! The beach world with a hot sun, cold drinks and all the time in the world!”

NYSSA
“This is where you originally intended to take us! Me and Billy, Doctor.”

DOCTOR
“Yes, I’m afraid it is.” (to Jo) “Sorry, Jo. I seem to have miscalculated.”

JO
(jokingly) “You know, Nyssa; Billy. It was always like this.”

The Doctor, Nyssa, Billy and Jo laugh out loud with each other as they stand in the TARDIS doorway, feeling happy.

---

Sting music. Roll original 1982 Peter Davison end credits.

---

© Tim Bradley, 2019

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