16. Stockbridge’s Innings
SCENE #168 – INT – CRICKET PAVILLION, STOCKBRIDGE – DAY, AFTERNOON (2010)
It is now interval time for the Stockbridge team and the Sontarans during their game of cricket. They are now in the cricket pavilion. Tea is being provided to the Doctor, Max, Jack and the other Stockbridge cricketers. They have sandwiches and cakes to eat and cups of tea to drink. The Sontarans however stand around watching disapprovingly, as the Stockbridge cricketers have their food and drink.
MAX
“More tea, Doctor?”
DOCTOR
“Oh yes thanks, Max. Good of you to play mother.”
MAX
“My pleasure, Doctor.” (to Jack) “More tea, Jack?”
JACK
“No thanks, Max. I’ve got a full cup already.”
DOCTOR
(to Krond) “Are you sure you wouldn’t care for a cup of tea, Commander Krond?”
KROND
“We Sontarans do not desire your nourishment, Doc-tor. We obtain energy from the back of our probic vents. That is enough for us to go into battle unwavering and unfaltering.”
JACK
“Sounds very unappetising.”
MAX
(to Sontarans) “Well done, Sontarans. Well done with one hundred and six runs for seven. I suppose you’re very proud.”
STUMP
“We would be proud if we were given the chance to see our enemies die on the battlefield.”
KROND
(to Stump) “That is against the rules, Stump. And you know that.” (to Doctor) “Isn’t that so, Doc-tor?”
DOCTOR
“Oh yes. Absolutely correct. I’m impressed by your respect for the game, Krond.”
KROND
“We shall meet you out on the battlefield, Doc-tor. We have our strategy for fielding to conduct.”
DOCTOR
“By all means, go ahead.”
The Sontarans go off into one corner, leaving the Stockbridge cricketers to enjoy their tea.
JACK
“Pompous lot. I wouldn’t like my daughter to marry one of those trolls.”
MAX
“I doubt you would, Jack. They seem to have the love life of a two-toned squid…if I know the life of a two-toned squid that is.”
DOCTOR
“Anyway, the way they’ve been playing one hundred and six runs for seven. I think it’s a sporting declaration.”
JACK
“Oh you think so, do you?”
DOCTOR
“Yes.”
MAX
“Well never mind, Doctor. I’m sure it’ll get better when I bowl again.”
DOCTOR
“No, Max. We’re batting this time, remember?”
MAX
“Oh yes, I forgot. Aww and I was just getting the hang of it.”
DOCTOR
(to Max; Jack) “I think it’s best if I was last man in, if it’s all the same to you two. I’m likely to get the most runs, not given to modesty.”
JACK
“That sounds like a good plan, Doctor. I’ll go first in the batting.”
DOCTOR
“Good man, Jack. Hope it goes well for you.”
MAX
“And I’ll bat second if that’s alright with you, Doctor.”
JACK
“You? Maxwell Edison batting?! I can’t wait to see that!”
DOCTOR
“I’m sure you’ll do a fine job at the batting end, Max.”
MAX
“Thanks Doctor.”
DOCTOR
“Provided Stump doesn’t get chosen to be the bowler and kill all of us.”
MAX
(glumly) “Oh. Oh yes. I forgot about that.”
SCENE #169 – EXT – VILLAGE GREEN, STOCKBRIDGE – DAY, AFTERNOON (2010)
Outside the cricket pavilion, the Sontarans discuss their fielding plans.
KROND
“Right. I shall bowl first.” (to Stump) “Stump, you’ll bowl second half-way through the game. You shall also be what’s called a mid-wicket. Understand?”
STUMP
“Yes, sir. Understood.”
HURN
(enthused) “Permission to volunteer, sir?”
KROND
“Yes, Hurn.”
HURN
“I shall like to keep wicket. I shall wipe those Stockbridge cricketers’ bails off, sir.”
KROND
(to Hurn) “Yes alright, alright, Hurn.” (to Sqar) “Sqar, you shall be slip…” (to Thor) “…Thor, you shall be gully…” (to Goml) “…Goml, you shall be outfield point…” (to Kike) “…and Kike, you shall be cover.” (to Sontarans) “The rest of you Sontarans present. Nord, you shall be extra cover; Lekov, you shall be mid off; Gurh you shall be mid on; Vott you shall be mid wicket…”
SQAR
(interrupts) “Excuse me, sir? Are all these roles really important? They sound rubbish…and stupid.”
KROND
“They are very important, Sqar. They are part of the rule book of cricket. And as every Sontaran knows, he should abide by the rules of conduct of battle. Is that understood?”
STUMP
“Perfectly understood, sir.”
KROND
“Thank you, Sergeant.”
STUMP
“We hope.”
Moment of tense silence ensues.
KROND
“Now, as I was saying. With all our positions in mind, we shall spread out across the field…”
Krond continues explaining his strategy to his Sontarans.
SCENE #170 – EXT – STOCKBRIDGE, ENGLAND – DAY, AFTERNOON (2010)
Meanwhile, back in Stockbridge village, Nyssa hides herself behind a wall whilst avoiding angry villagers who run past without even seeing her. They yell with rage as they run pass. Once gone, Nyssa breathes a sigh of relief.
NYSSA
(relieved) “Thank goodness they’re gone. I hope Billy and Andrew managed to find somewhere to hide.”
Nyssa then hears footsteps approaching. She keeps silent as they near towards her hiding place.
NYSSA
(quietly) “Oh no. Someone’s coming. Please don’t let them find me. Please!”
Nyssa keeps quiet as the footsteps are almost next to her.
NYSSA
“Oh no.”
Eventually Billy pops his head around the corner and gives Nyssa a fright.
BILLY
“Hey, hey. It’s only me, Nyssa. It’s me Billy.”
NYSSA
(relieved) “You scared me, Billy. Don’t creep on me like that.”
BILLY
“Sorry, I was afraid somebody might be in there already waiting to jump out.”
NYSSA
“You managed to escape your pursuers then.”
BILLY
“Yes. You seem to have done the same.”
NYSSA
“Have you seen Andrew?”
BILLY
“No. Sorry I didn’t get a chance to see where he went. I’m sure he’ll be alright.”
NYSSA
“You can never be too sure.”
BILLY
(urgently) “Quick Nyssa, get behind this wall.”
NYSSA
“You heard someone coming?”
BILLY
“Yes. Now keep quiet a minute.”
Nyssa and Billy keep quiet as they listen to whoever’s approaching. There’s then a muffled female voice and a struggle occurs nearby.
NYSSA
“Sounds like a struggle going on.”
BILLY
“Could be a trick.”
NYSSA
“No wait, listen.”
Nyssa and Billy listen again as Andrew comes with Melanie, who he’s grabbed a hold of and put a hand around her mouth. She manages to get a mouth free to speak.
MELANIE
“You won’t get away with this! You won’t…”
Andrew puts his hand around Melanie’s mouth again.
ANDREW
(annoyed) “You have to be so difficult, Melanie. The ‘real’ Melanie wasn’t like you at all.”
NYSSA
(cries) “Andrew!”
Andrew turns to see Nyssa and Billy behind the wall.
ANDREW
“There you are, you two.”
BILLY
“This is Melanie, isn’t it? The landlord’s daughter. Oswald Jackson.”
NYSSA
(to Billy) “Yes. She was working with the Sontarans whilst keeping watch over Andrew and me.” (to Andrew) “Take your hand away from her mouth please, Andrew.”
Andrew takes his hand off Melanie and she speaks out loud.
MELANIE
“You won’t get away with this! I’ll scream and scream until the Sontarans are heard coming! They’ll get you and take you back to the cloning chamber! And you three will never see daylight again!”
NYSSA
(to Melanie) “I don’t think so. You’re coming with us to find the beacon plant. We need your hand print to get inside.”
ANDREW
“Seems like I did the right thing capturing Melanie, Nyssa.”
NYSSA
“Yes Andrew, well done. I’m sure you and Billy would have done the same thing splendidly.”
BILLY
“Oh I wouldn’t be as cunning as Andrew, Nyssa.”
NYSSA
“Come on. We must get to the beacon plant immediately.”
MELANIE
“I won’t come with you, you know.”
NYSSA
(to Melanie) “You will.” (to Andrew) “Andrew? Hand over her mouth. But gently this time.”
Andrew puts his hand over Melanie’s mouth and she muffles for a scream.
NYSSA
(to Billy) “Billy, help Andrew take her with us to the beacon plant before she can escape.”
BILLY
“Yes of course.”
Billy joins Andrew to take Melanie with them.
BILLY
“Here we are, Andrew. Two heads are better than one.”
ANDREW
“Thanks, mate.”
NYSSA
“Right, you two. Follow me. To the beacon plant.”
Nyssa leads the way, as Andrew and Billy take Melanie who struggles with them. They make for the beacon plant.
SCENE #171 – EXT – VILLAGE GREEN, STOCKBRIDGE – DAY, AFTERNOON (2010)
On the village green, the second round of the cricket match begins with the Sontarans fielding and the Doctor’s team batting. Jack and Max walk out as they’re the first batsmen.
JACK
“Now remember, Max! When we’re batting, only take singles. I’ll do the rest.”
MAX
(protests) “I’m capable of batting a lot more than just one, Jack.”
JACK
“Just do as I say. If you run once I’ll be able to bat more than you.”
MAX
“You think I won’t be able to get more runs with my speed, don’t you?”
JACK
“Just get over to the other end of the crease, will you?!”
MAX
“Oh very well then.”
Max goes over to the other end of the crease whilst Jack goes over to the wicket.
DOCTOR
(calls) “Good luck, Max; Jack.”
MAX
“Thanks, Doctor.”
JACK
“It’s not a question of luck, Doctor. It’s a question of nerves of steel and deadly concentration on the cricket field.”
DOCTOR
“That’s what I said. Good luck.”
Meanwhile, Krond organises his field.
KROND
(calls) “Kike! Get closer to the batsman. I’d like to get mine with a short catch of the ball.”
KIKE
“If I stand closer sir, I’ll get my head bashed in.”
KROND
“Do as you’re told, boy!”
Meanwhile, Jack positions his bat.
JACK
Middle please, umpire.
The umpire coordinates Jack’s positioning of the bat.
UMPIRE
Just a touch to the middle there.
JACK
(calls) Say, Max! This should be easy. Old dumpty’s bowling techniques are beyond disastrous.
HURN
(to Jack) Don’t you say that about our commander!
JACK
(coos) Oh dear, it’s the woolly corporal playing demon wicketkeeper is it? Are you any relation to Tarzan the way you’re jumping and making monkey movements like that?
HURN
(grunts) What do you mean by that?
JACK
(to Hurn) “Oh nothing for you to worry about.” (to Kike) “‘Ere boy? Are you going to stand there like that?”
KIKE
“My commanding officer says I have to.”
JACK
“You’ll get your head bashed in.”
KIKE
(gradually; calls; to Krond) “Commander Krond, sir! This hu-man says I’ll get my head bashed in if I stand here!”
KROND
“Stay where you are, Kike.”
UMPIRE
(calls) “Play!”
KROND
(to Jack) “Right, hu-man! I’m going to be very vicious with you! Here it comes!”
Krond bowls the ball.
MAX
“Blimey! Is he bowling at Jack or is he aiming for that field of cows?”
UMPIRE
“No bowl, I’m afraid.”
KROND
“What do you mean ‘no bowl’?”
Hurn meanwhile smashes up the wicket.
HURN
(shouts) “I got it!!! I got it!!! Owzat!!! Owzat!!!” (to umpire) “Tell me, umpire; tell me! How was it?! How was it?”
UMPIRE
“Very spectacular. But it’s not out.”
JACK
“I didn’t even move.”
UMPIRE
“Oh really! I’ll have to put them up again.”
With that, the umpire sets the stumps up again. Stump meanwhile goes over to Krond to speak to him.
STUMP
“Is he going to do that all the time, sir? Demolish the wicket?”
KROND
“I don’t know. I hope not.”
The umpire eventually manages finishing setting up the wicket.
UMPIRE
“Right. There we are. Let’s try again, shall we?” (calls) “Play!”
With that, the umpire walks off.
KROND
(to Jack) “Right, hu-man. I was tempting you last time. I won’t do the same thing again.”
JACK
(dubiously) “Oh! Is that what you were doing? Tempting me, was it?”
KROND
“Right! Stand by for my next ball! Here it comes!”
With that, Krond bowls again. This time, Jack hits it. Jack and Max run, whilst an applause from the spectators occurs.
UMPIRE
(cries) “Four!”
STUMP
(to Krond) “Were you tempting him again, sir?”
KROND
“Quiet, Stump.”
The Doctor calls out from the cricket benches under the pavilion.
DOCTOR
(calls) “Well done, Max; Jack! Keep it up!”
MAX
“Thanks, Doctor.”
Suddenly Hurn smashes the wicket again.
HURN
(shouts) “I got it!!! I got it!!! Owzat!!! Owzat!!!” (to umpire) “Tell me umpire; tell me! How was that? Did I whip off the hu-man’s bails then according to the rule book?!”
UMPIRE
“Really, Mr. Hurn! I wish you’d stop doing that!”
HURN
“I nearly had him there, didn’t I?! I nearly had him!”
JACK
“What are you talking about? I got to my crease before we even started!”
HURN
“But I could have got you, couldn’t I?”
KROND
(calls) “Hurn?! Hurn?! Come here!”
Hurn makes his way over to meet Krond.
JACK
“Oh dear. Mr. Potato Head is in trouble, isn’t he?”
Hurn eventually meets up with Krond.
HURN
“Apologies, sir. I’ll try and be alert next time.”
KROND
“Look, Hurn! The hu-man must be out of his crease before you hit the wicket. Otherwise that umpire will be replacing those stumps all afternoon.”
Eventually the umpire places the stumps back into their proper position again.
UMPIRE
“Right, stumps back in.” (calls) “Play!”
DOCTOR
(calls) “Come on, Max; Jack! Get more runs, this time!”
KROND
(to Jack) “Right, hu-man! I’ve finished being tolerant with you! Here it comes!”
Krond bowls again and Jack hits it. Jack and Max run, the applause echoes from the spectators. They get more runs as they go.
SCENE #172 – EXT – BEACON PLANT, STOCKBRIDGE – DAY, AFTERNOON (2010)
At the beacon plant in Stockbridge, Nyssa, Billy and Andrew arrive with Melanie as they’re about to gain entry.
NYSSA
“Billy; Andrew. Place Melanie’s hand on the sensor to open the door.”
BILLY
“Right you are, Nyssa.”
MELANIE
(shouts) “Don’t make me open that door for you.”
ANDREW
“Tough. Because we are.”
Billy and Andrew place Melanie’s hand on the door, as it automatically slides open. They enter inside.
SCENE #173 – INT – BEACON PLANT, STOCKBRIDGE – DAY, AFTERNOON (2010)
Inside the beacon plant, Nyssa, Billy and Andrew drag Melanie with them to find Reverend Shilling and Mr. Brett before them.
REVEREND SHILLING
“Good heavens! What is this? Are you our rescuers?”
BRETT
(indicates Melanie; to Reverend Shilling) “Apart from her, your reverence. She’s in with those trolls as well as her father Mr. Jackson.”
MELANIE
(to Reverend Shilling; Brett) Get stuffed!
BRETT
Don’t you talk to his reverence like that!
NYSSA
Who are you two?
REVEREND SHILLING
I’m Reverend Shilling of the parish of St. Justinian’s. This is my verger Mr. Brett. And you are?
NYSSA
I’m Nyssa. This is Billy and this is Andrew.
BILLY
How do you do?
ANDREW
I’ve met these two already, Nyssa. I sometimes went to their church to help out when they needed helpers for the annual bring and buy.
BRETT
Yes, I remember you now. You almost vandalised every part of the church hall wherever you went.
ANDREW
Oh, it’s you is it, Mr. Brett? The verger with the funny glum look.
BRETT
This is my usual expression. You can’t be a verger and not have a face like this, you know.
ANDREW
“You seemed to manage alright.”
REVEREND SHILLING
(to Brett; Andrew) “Please Mr. Brett; young Mr. Whittaker. Could we save backfiring till later? Right now we must know what is happening.” (to Nyssa) “Have you come to help us, my dear? To save us?”
NYSSA
“We hope so. But first we must shut this beacon down before an entire invasion force approaches. Is this the beacon here?”
REVEREND SHILLING
“Yes it is. Very complicated stuff, I’m afraid though.”
NYSSA
“Let me take a look.”
Nyssa takes a look at the beacon systems, as it whirs away quite strangely.
BILLY
“Here, Andrew. Keep hold of Melanie, will you? I want to see what Nyssa’s up to.”
Without waiting for an answer, Billy lets go of Melanie to join Nyssa whilst Andrew keeps hold of her. Melanie struggles vibrantly as Andrew holds her.
ANDREW
(cries) “Hey, Mr. Brett. Be a good person and help me hold this girl, will you?”
BRETT
“Do I look like the sort of chap who holds girls about?”
REVEREND SHILLING
“Oh do go and help Mr. Whittaker out, Mr. Brett. We haven’t got all day.”
BRETT
“Oh very well, your reverence.”
Brett goes over to join Andrew, as he holds Melanie by the arm as she struggles.
ANDREW
“Right! Hold her by that side where she’s standing. And don’t let go! If you let her escape, it’ll be on your head.”
BRETT
(retorts) “Don’t you take that tone with me!”
Meanwhile, Billy watches as Nyssa observes the beacon systems.
BILLY
“Can you shut it down, Nyssa?”
NYSSA
“The algorithm sequence on this machine is far more complicated than the one in the cellar of the castle ruins. And the mechanism to shut down the beacon completely is right at the back of this machine.”
BILLY
“Does that mean we’ll have to strip this piece of junk bare then?”
NYSSA
“Yes, I’m afraid it does.”
BILLY
“That’s going to take a lot of time.”
NYSSA
“Exactly. And we haven’t got long to do it.”
Reverend Shilling then joins them.
REVEREND SHILLING
“If there’s anything I can do to help, young lady. I’m more than happy to.”
NYSSA
“Do you know how to de-assemble what you’ve been forced to put together during your slave labour?”
REVEREND SHILLING
“Oh yes I’m sure.”
NYSSA
(surprised) “You do?”
REVEREND SHILLING
“Those war-like monsters made us go through the procedure of putting together these contraptions like this one over and over again.”
BILLY
“You’ve worked on a lot of these then.”
REVEREND SHILLING
“Five at least. One in Well’s Wood in fact.”
NYSSA
“Can you show me how you do it, vicar? What components you implemented into the machine? Like this one?”
REVEREND SHILLING
“Of course, I’ll show you. Watch me.”
Reverend Shilling begins to demonstrate as he takes a panel off one of the units, whilst Nyssa and Billy watch him.
SCENE #174 – EXT – VILLAGE GREEN, STOCKBRIDGE – DAY, AFTERNOON (2010)
Back on the village green in Stockbridge, the Doctor comes out in pads as he’s the last man in. Everyone in the audience cheers as he comes out.
DOCTOR
“Well here I am. Last man in. Here we go.”
The Doctor walks on with cricket bat under his arm as he passes Jack.
JACK
“Go on, Doctor. You go out there and show them whose boss.”
DOCTOR
“As I’ve said before, Jack. I’ll play to the best of my ability.”
JACK
“Well, you’ll certainly do better than me.”
DOCTOR
“You had thirty-seven runs, Jack. That’s a record.”
The Doctor continues walking out onto the cricket field where the Sontarans are waiting for him.
KROND
“Come on, Doc-tor. We’ve been waiting for you.”
DOCTOR
“Alright, Krond. I’m coming; I’m coming.”
The Doctor then meets up with Max.
MAX
“Doctor. Oh am I glad to see you!”
DOCTOR
“Hello Max. You sound like you’re the relief column.”
MAX
“I was afraid I was going to get bowled out for one minute. Glad you came along to take some of the weight off.”
DOCTOR
“Ah well. Let’s see what we can show these Sontarans, shall we?”
The Doctor makes his way over to the crease as he begins to take his place.
DOCTOR
(calls) “Middle stump please, umpire.”
UMPIRE
“Left a bit more, Doctor.”
The Doctor places his bat a little bit more left in front of the wicket.
UMPIRE
“That’s it.” (calls) “Play!”
DOCTOR
“Just a moment, umpire. I need to check my field.”
KROND
“Well you won’t be here long, Doc-tor. At last I get my chance to strike at the sworn enemy of the Sontaran race!”
DOCTOR
“Don’t count your chickens, Krond. I’m a pretty good batsman for your information.”
UMPIRE
“Are you ready now, Doctor?”
DOCTOR
“Yes, umpire.”
UMPIRE
(calls) “Play!”
KROND
“Here it comes, Doc-tor!”
Krond bowls one at the Doctor, to which the Doctor hooks eagerly.
DOCTOR
“Yes! Run Max, run!”
Max and the Doctor run, as they make for each other’s sides of the crease. Whilst they play, they are watched by Mrs. Withers and Miss Potter from far off across the cricket field.
MISS POTTER
“Did you see that, Mrs. Withers? Did you see that? That Doctor bloke scored a boundary!”
UMPIRE
(calls) “Four!”
MRS WITHERS
“He’s certainly doing well that Doctor fellow. I believe his family goes way back when they came for the cricketing season.”
MISS POTTER
“Look! He’s going to hook it again!”
The Doctor hooks the ball with his bat. Applause echoes from the spectators, as the Doctor makes another run with Max.
SCENE #175 – EXT – VILLAGE GREEN, STOCKBRIDGE – DAY, AFTERNOON (2010)
A while later…
MISS POTTER
“He’s made a six.”
MRS. WITHERS
“I think he’s foiled the bowling, Miss Potter!”
MISS POTTER
“Has he? Cor, he’s hit the ball many more times now than those Sontarans ever would have done.”
On the cricket field, the Doctor has hit the ball so many times on so many various occasions as the Sontarans are unable to outwit him.
STUMP
“Not doing so very well with outwitting the Doc-tor are you, Commander sir?”
KROND
“Oh do shut up, Stump. I shall defeat this Doc-tor if it’s the last thing I do. For the glory of Sontar!”
Krond bowls again, as the Doctor hits it again.
DOCTOR
“Yes! Run again, Max!”
MAX
“How many more runs do we need, Doctor?”
DOCTOR
“Who’s counting?! Keep running!”
HURN
“Right you are! I’m right behind you!”
DOCTOR
“Not you, Corporal! Not you!”
The Doctor pushes Hurn back to his wicket-keeping position, as he and Max continue to run to either side of the crease.
SCENE #176 – INT – BEACON PLANT, STOCKBRIDGE – DAY, AFTERNOON (2010)
Back inside the beacon plant, Reverend Shilling continues to show how to dismantle the equipment for the beacon plant machinery to Nyssa and Billy. Andrew and Mr. Brett still keep a hold of Melanie. Reverend Shilling meanwhile has just managed to dismantle the last component.
REVEREND SHILLING
“There we are. That’s the last component. And this is what I think they called the main interface.”
BILLY
“Do you recognise it, Nyssa?”
NYSSA
“I think so. It’s rather crude technology. Typical of the Sontarans, but I think I might be able to shut it down from here.”
MELANIE
(shouts) “You won’t get away with this. I’ll tell my father on you! I really will!”
ANDREW
“Shut it, will you?!”
BRETT
“Yeah, shut up!”
Andrew and Brett keep a firm grip on Melanie.
BILLY
“Okay then. So how do we go about it?”
NYSSA
“Well. First thing we’ll have to do is disable the nodes aligning to the fabric relays sending out the communication beam.”
BILLY
“Is that difficult to do?”
NYSSA
“Not so for a technically gifted mind like myself. But I think I might be able to adjust this vector-stabiliser-unit down to a level of zero point five one nine eight. Provided the system doesn’t blow up in the process.”
Suddenly, a whirring beam emanates from the control panel.
BILLY
“What’s that? What’s that sound?”
NYSSA
(to Reverend Shilling) “Your reverence? Have you heard that sound before?”
REVEREND SHILLING
“Not at all, my dear. That’s the first I’ve heard of it.”
Nyssa and Billy get up from the floor to check the computer console.
BILLY
“It’s coming from this computer console. What’s it doing?”
NYSSA
“I suppose it’s sending feedback information on the…”
Nyssa presses a few buttons on the control panel to see what’s being displayed on the screen. She then becomes horrified by what she sees.
NYSSA
“Oh no. Oh please, not now. Not now when we’ve got the system dismantled.”
BILLY
“What’s the matter? We’re not too late, are we?”
NYSSA
“I’m afraid it might be the case.”
REVEREND SHILLING
“Why, what’s the matter? Did I take something out which I shouldn’t have done?”
NYSSA
“It’s got nothing to do with you your reverence, don’t worry. But I’m afraid the signal being sent to the Rutans by the Sontarans from the castle ruins is in the process of being transmitted.”
BILLY
“What?! That means we’re running out of time!”
NYSSA
“About five minutes or so before signal’s being transmitted.”
ANDREW
“Can you stop it in time?”
NYSSA
“I’ll have to work fast.” (to Billy) “Billy, I need you to keep up with me as we go along. I’ll have to ask you to enter some numbers onto the keypad.”
BILLY
“I see, very well. Where do we start?”
NYSSA
“Use that computer terminal beside you.”
Whilst Nyssa instructs Billy, Melanie breaks free from Andrew and Brett as she runs out through the glass door of the beacon plant.
ANDREW
“The girl! Melanie! She’s getting away!”
BRETT
(shouts) “Stop the girl! Stop the girl Melanie!”
But Melanie is already out of her way through the door, as he locks Nyssa, Billy, Andrew, Reverend Shilling and Mr. Brett inside the beacon plant.
ANDREW
“It’s too late. She’s escaped. And we’re locked in.”
REVEREND SHILLING
(disgruntled) “Why couldn’t you hold her, Mr. Brett?”
BRETT
“I did, sir. But she was too strong for me!”
ANDREW
“You should have been stronger, you nitwit!”
BRETT
“Don’t you speak to me like that, Andrew boy!”
ANDREW
“You always were dopey weren’t you?!”
BRETT
(to Reverend Shilling) “He’s insulting me, your reverence.”
REVEREND SHILLING
“Oh do stop bickering, you two.”
They then hear Melanie call to them from the other side.
MELANIE
You see! You see! I told you lot I’d escaped! Now I’m going to tell my dad on you! We’re going to come back for you! Then we’re going to kill you!
Melanie laughs mockingly as she runs off. Nyssa, Billy and the others are disturbed as they find themselves locked in.
ANDREW
Oh dear. Now we are in trouble. Not only are we locked in, but that witch is going to come back and sort us out with her chums.
BRETT
(to Reverend Shilling) What are we going to do, your reverence? What are we going to do?
REVEREND SHILLING
(to Nyssa) Miss Nyssa? Can you save us?
NYSSA
I hope so. (to Billy) Billy. We’ll have to work really, really fast now. So concentrate. Do as I tell you.
BILLY
“Right, Nyssa. Whatever you say.”
Billy listens to Nyssa, as she begins instructing him on what to do with the control panel at the beacon ops desk.
SCENE #177 – EXT – VILLAGE GREEN, STOCKBRIDGE – DAY, AFTERNOON (2010)
Back on the village green, the Doctor is getting more runs than ever during the cricket match.
JACK
(calls; to Doctor) “Doctor! You’re doing well! You’re almost pulling it off with fifty runs left!”
DOCTOR
(calls; to Jack) “Thanks, Jack! Thanks for the encouragement!”
KROND
“Right, Doc-tor! I’m going to give you…what do you call it…a spinner!”
DOCTOR
“How interesting. Give me your best shot, Krond.”
KROND
“Here it comes!”
Krond bowls and the Doctor hits the ball in the air. It flies across, as it makes it ways over to the outfield.
JACK
(cheers) “You did it, Doctor! You hit it right out for the outfield!”
DOCTOR
(shouts; to Max) “Right Max! It’s our go! Let’s run!”
KROND
(cries; to Goml) “Catch it, Goml! Catch it!”
There is then a groan from the Sontarans.
STUMP
(groans) “Oh he missed it!”
DOCTOR
(cries) “Come on, Max! Keep it up!”
MAX
(groans) “I’m trying to, Doctor! I’m trying to!”
KROND
(cries) “Goml! Throw the ball back! Throw the ball back!”
UMPIRE
(calls) “Four; five; six; seven…”
DOCTOR
“Keep it up, Max! You’re doing very well!”
MAX
“But my legs are still shorter than yours, Doctor!”
DOCTOR
“Just keep running!”
KROND
(shouts) “Goml! Throw the ball back! Throw the ball back now!”
STUMP
“I think he’s lost it, sir.”
KROND
“What? Oh no!” (to Sqar; Thor) “Sqar; Thor! Come and help Goml, Stump and me!”
SQAR/THOR
“Yes sir.”
Sqar and Thor salute as they follow Krond and Stump to where Goml is.
UMPIRE
(calls) “Eleven; twelve; thirteen…”
MAX
“I can’t believe we’re getting this many runs, Doctor!”
DOCTOR
“Neither can I?! Keep it up, Max! Keep it up!”
The Doctor and Max keep on running. Meanwhile, Krond, Stump, Sqar and Thor reach Goml who is trying to find the ball on the outfield.
KROND
“Goml, what’s the matter?”
GOML
“Apologies, sir. I seem to have mislaid the ball.”
KROND
“Why couldn’t you keep your eyes on it, Goml?!”
GOML
“I didn’t expect it to come my way! I was thinking about the glorious battle we would have with the Rutans after we finished this. I like to think these things whilst I’m…”
KROND
(interrupts; to Goml) “Alright Goml, we prefer not to hear your delusions of grandeur in battle.” (to Sqar; Thor) “Sqar; Thor? Can you find the ball?”
SQAR
“No luck, sir. No luck at all.”
THOR
“And they’re still running up there! The Doc-tor and the star-gazer!”
KROND
“Yes, so they are. We must find the ball as soon as possible.”
GOML
“Shall we tread the ground systematically as we do when we’re searching for our departed warriors on the battlefield?”
KROND
“I wish we could, Goml. If only we had time.”
STUMP
“We should declare ‘lost ball’ in the end.”
KROND
“Yes. And when we get back, you get to do some of the bowling, Stump.”
STUMP
“Is that wise, sir?”
KROND
“You’ll do as I say, Sergeant!” (calls) “Lost ball! It’s a lost ball!”
Back on the cricket field…
MAX
“What did he say, Doctor?”
DOCTOR
(disgruntled) “I’m afraid he said ‘lost ball’, Max. And it’s just made my day.”
UMPIRE
(calls) “Over.”
DOCTOR
“Yes. It certainly seems like it’s ‘over’ for us.”
MAX
“Why do you say that, Doctor?”
DOCTOR
“Well apart from the question in terms of how many runs we’ve gained, the Sontarans have just now changed the bowler.”
MAX
“You mean…Stump? Oh we’re in trouble.”
DOCTOR
“Quite.”
SCENE #178 – INT – BEACON PLANT, STOCKBRIDGE – DAY, AFTERNOON (2010)
Back inside the central beacon plant of Stockbridge, Nyssa and Billy struggle to implement an algorithm to shut the beacon’s transmitter down.
NYSSA
“Come on, Billy. It’s four one five dash nine D you need to enter.”
Billy enters the code.
NYSSA
“Not there! That’s the relay alginator control terminal you’re entering the code in.”
BILLY
“Sorry Nyssa. I find all this too much for me. I’m not used to computers and advanced technology as you and Andrew are!”
NYSSA
“Concentrate, Billy. I know it’s hard, but we’ve got to enter the right algorithm sequence to shut down the reactor.”
BILLY
“This isn’t going to get us anywhere, Nyssa. It’s obvious we can’t shut the blinking thing down!”
NYSSA
“We’ve got to try! We can’t give up! Not like this!”
ANDREW
“There must be some other way we can stop the signal being transmitted.”
Just then, a dull bleeping noise occurs to indicate a critical warning.
NYSSA
(realises) “Oh no! We’re not going to make it! The signal’s about to be transmitted!”
REVEREND SHILLING
“Can’t you stop it?!”
NYSSA
“There isn’t time! We’re too late!. The signal will soon be sent to Rutan ships up in space!”
BRETT
(to Nyssa) “You must stop it! You’ve got to stop it!” (to Billy) “This is your fault, boy! If you paid attention to the young lady…”
REVEREND SHILLING
(interrupts) “That will do, Mr. Brett.”
ANDREW
(to Brett) “No it’s not Billy’s fault you know.” (to Billy) “And that’s the first time I’ve defended you, Billy.”
BILLY
(apprehensively; to Nyssa) “Nyssa, could we garble the signal somehow?”
NYSSA
“Garble it?”
BILLY
“Yes. Perhaps divert the Rutan fleet away from Earth. Perhaps send them out across space far away from Earth’s orbit. The Sontarans wouldn’t have to fight the Rutans on Stockbridge on their battleground.”
ANDREW
“Actually Billy, I take back what I said. That’s a most stupid suggestion…”
NYSSA
(interrupts; cheers) “Billy, that’s a brilliant idea! You’re a star and I love you!”
BILLY
“Oh! Thanks, Nyssa.”
REVEREND SHILLING
“Is it possible then? Can you divert the fleet away from Stockbridge?”
NYSSA
“It is possible. We’d have to enter new coordinates into the transmission message before the signal can be sent.”
ANDREW
(apprehensively) “How long have we got then?”
NYSSA
“Not long. About three and a half minutes I expect.”
BILLY
“Then let’s get started!”
NYSSA
“Right! Billy, there’s a small readout panel on your left there. Read out what it says. It should be the current coordinates for the landing site for the Rutans to come upon.”
Billy goes over to the panel and is about to read out the figures.
BILLY
“I’m afraid it’s letters and numbers, Nyssa. It doesn’t make much sense.”
NYSSA
“Just read it, Billy. I’ll know what they mean.”
BILLY
“Right. Um…it’s eight N dash one five zero dash one eight R dash M one three dash A one. But what does it mean?”
NYSSA
“It doesn’t matter. Now if I enter new coordinates into this panel here, I should be able to divert the Rutans. Let’s see. Eight N dash one five zero dash one eight R [dash M one three dash A one…]”
Nyssa enters the new coordinates into the control panel with Billy, Andrew, Reverend Shilling and Mr. Brett watching her.
SCENE #179 – EXT – VILLAGE GREEN, STOCKBRIDGE – DAY, AFTERNOON (2010)
At the cricket match, the Doctor readies himself as he’s about to receive a bowling from Sgt. Stump.
JACK
(calls; to Doctor) “Careful now, Doctor. This Sontaran chump seems to be a really fast bowler for his shape.”
DOCTOR
“Thanks, Jack. I had actually gathered that.”
KROND
(calls; to Stump) “Good fighting, Stump. See the Doc-tor out with the best of your bowling.”
STUMP
“Right, sir.”
Stump plays about with the cricket ball for the first few seconds, before he walks off to make his run.
MAX
“He’s gone to make his run now, Doctor.”
DOCTOR
“Yes, Max. I can see that.”
They all watch, as Stump keeps on walking away. A series of confused murmurs occur, as Stump walks off.
MAX
“Doctor? Is it my imagination or is that Stump person going too far?”
DOCTOR
“Where’s he going?”
KROND
“He needs to make his run, Doc-tor. Part of the rules of the game, isn’t it?”
DOCTOR
“But he doesn’t need to go all that far away.”
KROND
(taunts) “It’s not the going away you have to worry about, Doc-tor! It’s the coming back!”
Whilst Krond taunts him, the Doctor gets ready to make his strike.
MAX
“Doctor? Are you sure this cricket match really was a good idea?”
DOCTOR
“It’s alright, Max. I can handle this.”
MAX
“Are you sure?”
DOCTOR
“I’m the best cricketer you’ll ever find. I can handle any deadly strike of a bowl.” (Pause) “I’m just wondering why Stump has to walk so far away.”
MAX
“Hey look! He’s stopped!”
They see Stump stop.
STUMP
(shouts; to Doctor; from a distance) “Right, Doc-tor! Now I’m going to kill you! I’m going to smack your face or hit your body right where it’s weakest. This is how Sontarans should play cricket! They kill their opponents!”
KROND
(calls; to Stump) “Sergeant Stump?! What do you think you’re doing?!”
MAX
(cries) “Look! He’s running back! He’s coming for you, Doc-tor!”
DOCTOR
“Oh no!”
The Doctor readies himself, as he keeps his eyes firmly on the ball.
STUMP
(shouts; to Doctor; from a distance) “I’m coming, Doc-tor! Just watch this! I’m going to get you!”
MAX
“Doctor! He really means it, I think! He’s going to strike you dead!”
DOCTOR
“I’m enjoying myself here, Max. Don’t worry. I can do this. I know I can.”
MAX
“Doctor?! He’s not bowling at the stumps! He’s bowling at you! Don’t you get it?!”
DOCTOR
“Please, Max! Have a little faith!”
KROND
(calls; to Stump) “Sergeant Stump! Stop right there!”
STUMP
(shouts; to Krond) “It’s too late, sir! I’m going to destroy the Doc-tor! Our greatest enemy! Here it comes!”
MAX
(cries) “Duck! Duck, Doctor!!! He’s going to kill you!!!”
Stump makes a tremendous throw at the Doctor. The ball comes straight towards him at an incredibly furious and deadly speed, making for the kill!
Sting music. Roll original 1982 Peter Davison end credits.
© Tim Bradley, 2018
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