4. Wells Wood
SCENE #32 – INT – MAIN BAR, RED FERN INN – DAY, AFTERNOON (2010)
Back at the Red Fern Inn, Billy becomes upset, jealous and threatened when he learns the truth about Andrew from Nyssa.
BILLY
(to Nyssa) So…he was your boyfriend before me.
NYSSA
“This happened before I met you, Billy!”
BILLY
“And you never said anything! You didn’t even mention you had a boyfriend before me!”
NYSSA
“Didn’t I?”
BILLY
(wryly) “No, wait! Let me think!” (thinks) “Err…no! You never mentioned it! At all!”
ANDREW
(to Billy) “Well that’s a coincidence, because Nyssa never told me about you.” (to Nyssa) “You didn’t tell me you were going out with somebody already.”
NYSSA
“I was going to tell you about Billy, Andrew. I never expected you to come back to Stockbridge.”
ANDREW
“What?! You didn’t think I would come back?!”
BILLY
“Is this why you’ve been tense with me lately, Nyssa?”
At that moment, the Doctor and Max enter.
NYSSA
(relieved) “Doctor! Thank goodness! You managed to find out what you were looking for, I presume.”
DOCTOR
“Sort of, yes. Max and I found an energy signature in the room that [the archer…]”
BILLY
(interrupts) “Doctor, did you know about this?”
DOCTOR
(to Nyssa) “It was very faint but…” (distracted; to Billy) “Know about what, Billy?”
BILLY
“About Nyssa and her ex-boyfriend here?”
NYSSA
“His name’s Andrew, Billy!”
BILLY
“I know very well who he is, Nyssa!” (to Doctor) “Well, Doctor?”
DOCTOR
“Please, Billy! This isn’t the time!”
BILLY
(insistently) “Did you or did you not, Doctor?”
NYSSA
“Billy, please stop!”
DOCTOR
“Yes Billy, alright! I did know about Nyssa and Andrew!”
BILLY
“You knew and you never told me!”
DOCTOR
“I was going to tell you about it on the cricket field. But we got interrupted with that archer business, didn’t we?”
ANDREW
(to Nyssa) “I think your boyfriend is threatened by me, Nyssa. He’s afraid I’m a better suitor for you than he is, dear.”
BILLY
(to Andrew) “Don’t you call my girlfriend a ‘dear’! That’s my privilege! And I’m not afraid of anything!”
MAX
(interjects) “Doctor, we must talk about this book I gave you.”
DOCTOR
“Yes of course, Max.”
BILLY
“The book can wait, Doctor! I want answers!”
MAX
“But this book may be important! ‘The Travellers’ Tale of Althrace’ I think it’s called, Doctor.”
DOCTOR
(gradually; shocked) “What did you say, Max?!”
ANDREW
“‘The Travellers’ Tale of Althrace’, I think he said.”
DOCTOR
(to Andrew) “Thank you, Andrew.” (to Max) “Max, you didn’t tell me it was called ‘The Travellers’ Tale of Althrace’!”
MAX
“You didn’t ask me. I’m sorry, Doctor. Anyway, I remember having this feeling that the book was sort of talking to me. Like it was telling me bits about the book as well as the title.”
NYSSA
“Talking to you, Max?”
MAX
“Very unusual thing for a book to do, I know. But it was something I picked up whilst reading the pages. It seemed to be shouting words to me.”
NYSSA
“Where did you find this book, Max?”
MAX
“Where? Oh err…in Wells Wood. I was taking a stroll from Stockbridge to the Limestone Company when by chance, I came upon it. It was lying about on the ground. I picked it up; opened it and it seemed interesting.”
DOCTOR
“Didn’t it strike you odd that a book was lying about in Wells Wood before you considered picking it up? Then taking it back to your house afterwards?”
MAX
“Didn’t pass my mind. Is it important, Doctor?”
DOCTOR
“Very important, Max!” (insistently) “Take me to Wells Wood, Max! Show me where you found the book!”
MAX
“Right you are, Doctor. We’ll take my moped. There’s room for two.”
The Doctor and Max are about to head off before Billy stops them.
BILLY
“Not so fast, Doctor! I still want answers from you!”
NYSSA
“Billy, please! Let the Doctor and Max go!”
BILLY
“This is important, Nyssa!”
DOCTOR
“You’re right, Billy! This is important! So if you let Max and me go…”
BILLY
(interjects) “Not your business about the book, Doctor! I mean Nyssa and me!” (indicates Andrew) “And him being in the way!”
DOCTOR
“Billy, I haven’t got time for this!”
NYSSA
“You’re being very silly, Billy!”
BILLY
(wryly) “Yes, that’s right! I’m being very silly! That’s all you lot see me as! A very silly Billy! You’ve made me an idiot [long enough…]”
NYSSA
(interrupts) “Billy, if you don’t stop behaving like this, I shall never speak to you again!”
A moment of tense silence ensues. Billy eventually calms down.
BILLY
(glumly; to Doctor) “Alright then. Go if you and Max want to, Doctor.”
DOCTOR
“Thank you, Billy!”
MAX
“Doctor, we ought to go now before it gets dark.”
DOCTOR
Yes Max, of course. (to Nyssa) Nyssa? Do you still have your Kraston Four communicator on you?
NYSSA
Yes, Doctor. I’ve kept it since the Dwaxi business in nineteen sixty-five.
DOCTOR
Very well then. Stay here and keep alert. If anything happens whilst Max and I are out, let us know. I’ll have my Kraston communicator with me and switched on.
NYSSA
Very well, Doctor.
DOCTOR
(to Max) Come along, Max! Let’s go!
MAX
Right behind you, Doctor.
The Doctor and Max head out and leave whilst Nyssa, Billy and Andrew stay behind in the Red Fern Inn. A moment of silence ensues.
ANDREW
“Well! Since all three of us are together, I suggest we get to know each other. Say that’s poetic! Anyone fancy a drink?”
Andrew goes off behind the bar, whilst Nyssa and Billy feel uncomfortable.
SCENE #33 – INT – STOREROOM, UNDERGROUND BASE – DAY, AFTERNOON (2010)
Back in the storeroom of the underground base beneath Wells Wood, Oswald, Melanie, Rupert and Samuel have just finished their conversation with their collaborators.
RUPERT
Well, that was the strangest of conversations I’ve ever had.
SAMUEL
Especially as we interrupted them in their strategy meeting. They’ve got a nerve saying they don’t like being interrupted.
RUPERT
They’re just a bunch of silly storm troopers. That’s what they are. A bunch of silly, stupid…
OSWALD
(interrupts) Shut up, the pair of you! You know these hooligans won’t like us slacking in these ‘tasks’ we’ve got from them.
MELANIE
God help us. I just hope we get our reward. After all the dirty work we’ve done for them.
OSWALD
(to Melanie) Don’t worry, Melanie dear. We’ll get our reward. We’ll get the gold planet they promised us.
MELANIE
“Yeah. Considering our ambitions. They think their brains are far superior to ours, don’t they?!”
RUPERT
“Insulting lot, they are! I’m glad Melanie interrupted them in their stupid war chant, Melanie. It drives me nuts when they do that!”
OSWALD
“We carry out their orders like they told us to.” (to Rupert) “Rupert! You capture the Doctor. By now, he’ll be out with Edison on that stupid moped of his at Wells Wood. The rest of us will go and seek his other friends at the Red Fern Inn. Either way, we must get them and hand this thing over to ‘our friends’ that want it badly.”
RUPERT
“They say it’s the most powerful artefact in the cosmos. One which can change the direction of any space empire. Including theirs.”
OSWALD
“Yes well, the least said about that the better as far as I’m concerned. In the meantime, let’s get on with our work.”
Oswald, Melanie, Rupert and Samuel eventually split up and head out of the underground base.
SCENE #34 – EXT – WELLS WOOD, STOCKBRIDGE – DAY, EVENING (2010)
It’s now the evening. Eventually in Wells Wood, the Doctor and Max arrive at the place where Max found the book.
MAX
(enthusiastically) “Here we are, Doctor! Underneath this tree!”
The Doctor inspects the place where Max found the book, as he kneels down to the ground. He lays his hands on the grass between two big roots.
DOCTOR
“Whereabouts was it you found the book, Max?”
MAX
“Just where your hands are now. In that grassy patch between the big roots.”
DOCTOR
(insistently) “Hand me the book please, Max.”
MAX
“Oh yeah sure.”
Max takes the book out from his anorak pocket and hands it over to the Doctor. The Doctor takes the book as he places it on the grassy patch. After fiddling about with the book, the Doctor speculates.
DOCTOR
“Hmm. Well, I suppose it could have been teleported from an alien spaceship. It certainly didn’t fall out from the sky or from a tree.”
MAX
(intrigued) “Really? How do you know?”
DOCTOR
“If the book fell from the sky or a tree, there would have been some debris of branches on the ground. Agreed?”
MAX
(thinks) “I…I suppose so, yeah.”
DOCTOR
“Well, can you see any debris of branches?”
MAX
(thinks) “The wind could have blown them away. It was a few weeks since I found the book.”
DOCTOR
“A few weeks?!”
MAX
“Yes.”
DOCTOR
“You’ve had this book for a few weeks and you never mentioned it, Max?!”
MAX
“An oversight. I wasn’t to know it was dangerous when I started reading it, Doctor.”
DOCTOR
“I see.” (Pause) “You shouldn’t have read it so blindly, Max. Without knowing what you were letting yourself in for.”
Moment of silence.
MAX
“What is it about though, Doctor? What’s this…‘Traveller’s Tale of Althrace’?”
DOCTOR
“A very old relic that belongs to the Higher Evolutionaries of Althrace. A distant system far away from your galaxy. They control the Event Synthesiser running the flow of events in time. Their members are Lords in the Matrix on Gallifrey.”
MAX
(confused) “Sorry, Doctor. Didn’t catch that last part.”
DOCTOR
“Never mind, I’ll explain later. Basically this book is a guide for any wandering traveller to know his or her whereabouts in the Althrace system. No-one has dared managed to pick up the book and look around the Althrace system itself. At least, not as far as I’m aware.”
MAX
“So what you’re saying is…this book here is a tourist guide for another star system.”
DOCTOR
(grimly) “That’s right. I’ve been to Althrace once. It’s at the centre of a white hole. The scientists are well-learned in the mechanics of temporal reality and stability. I needed their help to stop a demon from causing havoc and chaos with the Event Synthesiser.”
MAX
“Doctor, if this book’s supposed to be some…holy relic from a world far, far away…how did it end up here?”
DOCTOR
“I’m not sure. Somebody could have stolen it for all I know.”
The Doctor then becomes distracted, as he spots something on the ground.
DOCTOR
“That’s odd. That’s very odd indeed.”
MAX
“What is it, Doctor? You’ve found something?”
DOCTOR
“These footprints, Max. Were they here when you found the book those few weeks ago? They seem rather heavy footprints, don’t you think?”
MAX
“Footprints?”
DOCTOR
“Here, look!”
Max looks and sees for himself.
MAX
(thinks) “I don’t know. I don’t think so.”
DOCTOR
“Yes. Seems as if the person was wearing boots. Or perhaps there’s more than one of them.” (Pause) “Do you know something else?”
MAX
“What?”
DOCTOR
“Feel the ground, Max.”
Max does as the Doctor says and touches the ground with his hands. Max gets a shock once he touches the ground.
MAX
“Oh cripes! The ground’s shaking!”
DOCTOR
“Small vibrations. Small strange vibrations.”
MAX
“What does this mean, Doctor?”
DOCTOR
“I’m not sure. But based on my deductions and statements of the book, the big footprints on the ground…I’d say that…”
MAX
(apprehensively) “What? What is it, Doctor?”
DOCTOR
“I’d say…that somewhere underneath…is an underground base of some sort.”
MAX
“An underground base?! Wow…blimey! I know I should be scared but…blimey!”
SCENE #35 – INT – OPS CONTROL, UNDERGROUND BASE – DAY, EVENING (2010)
The Doctor and Max don’t realise that they’re being watched on monitor screens by two mysterious aliens in the ops control room of the underground base.
MAX (V’O)
“So…what do you want to do now, Doctor? Want to read more of this book?”
DOCTOR (V’O)
“We must find out whether there is an underground base underneath where we’re standing. With all these vibrations emanating from the ground.”
The mysterious aliens discuss the Doctor and Max, as they watch them on the monitor screens. They speak with gruff voices.
STUMP
“Is that him, Commander? Is that him?”
KROND
“Yes, Sergeant. It’s him. That is our sworn enemy! The Doc-tor!”
STUMP
“He’s with that lunatic! The one they call…’Mad Max'”
KROND
“He’s also got the book with him!”
SCENE #36 – EXT – WELLS WOOD, STOCKBRIDGE – DAY, EVENING (2010)
Meanwhile, with the Doctor and Max…
DOCTOR
“I suggest we head back for Stockbridge village and meet up with the others. We’ll look more at that fascinating book when we get back to the Red Fern Inn.”
MAX
“I’ll keep it in my rucksack. For safety measures.”
DOCTOR
“No wait! Do you mind if I keep it, Max? I know you’re partial to it, but…”
MAX
“No of course. Take it.”
Max hands the book over to the Doctor, which he takes.
DOCTOR
“Come on. Let’s head back before it gets really dark.”
With that, the Doctor and Max head off back to Stockbridge..
SCENE #37 – INT – OPS CONTROL, UNDERGROUND BASE – DAY, EVENING (2010)
The mysterious aliens watch the monitor screens as they see the Doctor and Max head off back to Stockbridge.
KROND
“See to it our new army is despatched for testing! Send them to attack!”
STUMP
“Very good, Commander. I will carry out your orders.”
KROND
“I shall contact the Fleet Marshal. Dismissed, Sergeant!”
STUMP
“Yes, sir!”
With that, the sergeant salutes before he leaves. Meanwhile, the commander begins to make contact with the fleet marshal.
SCENE #38 – INT – MAIN BAR, RED FERN INN – DAY, EVENING (2010)
Back at the Red Fern Inn, Nyssa talks to Billy whilst Andrew’s in the storeroom behind the bar.
NYSSA
Billy, will you please just listen to me?
BILLY
Alright. What do you have to say?
NYSSA
I want you to be friendly to Andrew. He’s having a hard time accepting you and me being together. I know you’re upset, but…
BILLY
Upset?! I’m still in shock from all of this, Nyssa!
NYSSA
I don’t see why you should be shocked, Billy. You used to be infatuated with Alexandra before you met me.
BILLY
Alexandra’s different. She and I didn’t get anywhere. You obviously did with him. Why didn’t you tell me, Nyssa? Why?
NYSSA
(apprehensively) “It just never occurred to me that I would meet Andrew again. It’s been a long time since I last saw him.”
BILLY
(gradually; saddened) “I thought you and I were…but obviously not.”
NYSSA
“We’re still a couple, Billy! I haven’t lost my love for you! What Andrew and I had for each other was a long time ago.”
BILLY
“He still has a thing for you, Nyssa. I can see it in his eyes. He wants you. And it’s driving me mad! Do you have any idea [what…?]”
NYSSA
(interrupts) “Billy?! Of course I know Andrew has feelings for me. He told me so himself. He wants me to stay with him.”
BILLY
(wryly) “Oh great!”
NYSSA
“But I intend to set things straight with him. I need to tell them I’m no longer his. I have to settle a score with him.”
BILLY
(sceptically) “Is that a fact?”
NYSSA
“I need you to be patient with me, Billy! Trust me!” (Pause) “Will you do that for me please?”
A moment of uncomfortable silence ensues.
BILLY
It’s just so hard for me, Nyssa. I feel so… bad.
NYSSA
I’m sorry, Billy. I didn’t mean to make you feel this way. I should have told you about this from the start. (Pause) But now you know, I don’t want you to lose faith. Have faith in me, Billy. Please!
A moment of tense silence ensues.
BILLY
(gradually; sighs) Alright. I’ll try and be friendly with him. It won’t be easy, but I’ll try my best.
NYSSA
Thank you.
At that moment, Andrew enters carrying a tray of drinks and bowl of crisps. He sets them on a table.
ANDREW
(cheerfully) Ah! May I serve you both now?
Billy reluctantly joins Nyssa with Andrew at the table.
ANDREW
(cheerfully) Here we are! Crisps and nuts in the table’s centre and drinks for each of us.
NYSSA
“This is very good of you to do this for us, Andrew.”
Andrew finishes laying out the table as they all sit down.
BILLY
(apologetically) “Look, Andrew. I…I’m sorry I was a bit off with you earlier. I just didn’t expect…”
ANDREW
(interjects) “Aw don’t bother about it, Billy. I’m sure you’re a fine decent bloke.”
BILLY
(gradually; reluctantly) “I…I hope I’ll be able to get to know you a little better, Andrew.”
ANDREW
“There’s nothing I would like better.” (Pause) “Now…how about some wine, Nyssa darling?”
NYSSA
(gradually; apprehensively) “Thank you, Andrew.”
Andrew then pours out some wine in Nyssa’s glass.
ANDREW
“In fact, it’s the same wine you had to drink when we went out on our first date together. Remember, Nyssa?”
NYSSA
(uneasily) “Is it really?”
ANDREW
(to Nyssa) “Indeed it was.” (to Billy) “Fancy some wine, Billy?”
Billy feels uncomfortable as he sits with Nyssa at the table whilst Andrew pours some wine for him.
SCENE #39 – EXT – WELLS WOOD, STOCKBRIDGE – DAY, EVENING (2010)
Meanwhile, the Doctor and Max reach the edge of Wells Wood, as they try to locate Max’s moped. The Doctor carries the book in his hand, as he has it open and reads from it.
DOCTOR
(reads) ‘Mindless knowledge to the one. Everyone wants to be whoever wants to be. People definitely are a mistake. They know nothing; they know everything. They’re brainless; they’re intelligent. Which way do you see it? Can we look outside ourselves or can we always stay inside? Breakfast includes tea and toast…’
The Doctor closes the book, annoyed.
DOCTOR
(annoyed) This is worse than reading ‘The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy!’
MAX
(chirpy) My favourite book! Brilliant writing! Always liked the Vogons, the Babel fish and the paranoid robot Marvin! Brilliant stuff! Brilliant writer! I love the works of Douglas [Adams…]
DOCTOR
(interrupts; agitated) Did you understand this book when you read it, Max?
MAX
No, but…
DOCTOR
(satisfied) Good! I’m pleased to hear that!
MAX
Do you understand it, Doctor?
DOCTOR
“Why do you think I was reading it?”
MAX
“Was what you read important?”
DOCTOR
“Could be. It’s still nonsense of course.”
MAX
“You’re not making much sense, Doctor.”
DOCTOR
“Is anything?”
MAX
“When I read the first few pages, I thought my mind was searing into a crystal of bright light and power. I had to take my specs off to recover. I thought I was having a dizzy spell!”
DOCTOR
“That’s what books from Althrace do to you, Max. They boggle the mind. I’ve never actually read a book from Althrace, but…”
MAX
“You were reading one just now, Doctor!”
DOCTOR
“I was just skim-reading, Max. Big difference there.”
MAX
“I think we’d better stop talking nonsense before we lose our heads.”
DOCTOR
“Works for me. Mind if I still keep the book, Max?”
MAX
“By all means. I’ve wanted to get rid of that book for a few weeks!”
The Doctor then puts the book in one of his coat pockets.
DOCTOR
“How much further to your moped, Max?”
MAX
(reassuringly) “Not much further. We’re getting closer to it, I think.”
They walk on a bit further until…
MAX
“Ah! Here it is, Doctor! My moped’s parked next to that gate where…” (stops; realises) “Wait a minute!”
DOCTOR
(apprehensively) “Max! There’s something not right! Look at that moped of yours!”
They approach the moped, as Max checks the tyres.
MAX
(shocked) “Doctor! These tyres on my moped have been punctured! Someone has run amuck with my moped! I’ll have them! I’ll really have them, those blighters!”
DOCTOR
“Punctured, yes. Deliberately, as I can see.”
MAX
“Deliberately?!” (Pause; realises) “You mean…you’re saying someone wishes us not to get back to Stockbridge!”
DOCTOR
“Somebody’s already aware of our intent to resolve what’s lurking in this part of Gloucestershire. This terror of temporal transference.”
MAX
“Well that’s ruined our ride. Not to mention pounds worth of two tyres. And I haven’t got spares.”
DOCTOR
“Never mind, Max. There’s only one thing for it. We’ll have to walk on foot.”
MAX
(taken aback) “On foot?”
DOCTOR
“Yes! Do us the world of good, the exercise.”
MAX
“Doctor? You must be aware, I’m not as young as I once was.”
DOCTOR
“Come on, Max. We must get back to Stockbridge as soon as possible. Nyssa and Billy will be waiting for us. As well as Andrew.”
The Doctor drags Max along with him, as they make the journey back to Stockbridge on foot. They leave the ruined moped, as they head off onto the main country road. They don’t realise that they’re being watched, as Rupert comes out from behind some trees in the wood.
SCENE #40 – INT – MAIN BAR, RED FERN INN – DAY, EVENING (2010)
Back at the Red Fern Inn, Billy finds it hard to cope with Andrew who is not being helpful to soften the tension between them. Andrew reminisces over good times with Nyssa.
ANDREW
“I remember having to clean your mess up when you didn’t like what you’d chosen for your meal.”
NYSSA
“I’ve never had a lasagne before, Andrew. It was a very heavy meal.”
ANDREW
“I couldn’t help laughing when I cleaned your face up with a cloth.”
NYSSA
You enjoyed making fun of me when I couldn’t eat my dessert.
Both Nyssa and Andrew laugh.
NYSSA
How’s your work at the foster care home?
ANDREW
Oh I’m still helping out. People seem to appreciate me being friendly and helpful. I think it’s the friendly bug I got from you.
NYSSA
Andrew, you’re mocking me.
ANDREW
A certain style and mannerisms I picked up from you. (Pause) Hey, do you remember I showed you an essay on an engineering survey at the Hampshire Institute of Electrical Research that was for a work placement?
NYSSA
Don’t I just. I read it and thought it was scientifically implausible.
ANDREW
“Ah but you managed to help me to get it right, didn’t you?”
NYSSA
“Modestly speaking, yes.”
ANDREW
“My lecturer was gobsmacked when I showed him the results of my research. He couldn’t believe my advanced principle theory so readily. It got me my engineering job. And I have you to thank for that.”
NYSSA
“Oh I was merely a helpful influence. You did all the work yourself.”
ANDREW
“Mind you though, there’s nothing quite right about the way you predicted M equals to the root three point four five eight when calculating the odds of a two minute electrical current in the gravity [of…]”
BILLY
(interrupts; angrily) “Will you two just stop! Just stop! I haven’t been able to get a word in edgeways! I’ve had to sit watching you two chatting away la-de-dah-di-dah for about twenty minutes!”
NYSSA
(realises; calmly) “Oh Billy, I’m so sorry. We didn’t mean to ignore you.”
BILLY
(angrily) You haven’t taken the slightest bit notice of me. All you’ve talked about is the times you spent together and have excluded me completely!
NYSSA
I said I was sorry, Billy. We were just absorbed in the conversation.
BILLY
That’s another thing! (to Andrew) You’re starting to irritate me! You want to be friendly with me? Well, it certainly isn’t showing!
NYSSA
Billy, stop it!
ANDREW
Nyssa wrote a novel when she first met me! Did you know that, Billy?
BILLY
Yes! The Doctor mentioned it to me. (to Nyssa) You didn’t tell me you wrote a novel, Nyssa.
NYSSA
“Sorry, Billy. It didn’t occur to me to mention it to you.”
ANDREW
(continues) “It was all about Nyssa’s life. Her family and her home planet where she came from. Oh yes, she’s told me about Traken. I encouraged Nyssa to write her novel. That’s when I became interested in her. She was struggling at first, but I gave her inspiration. Of course she wouldn’t get inspiration from you if she wanted to write another one, would she? And obviously she hasn’t.”
Billy and Andrew stand up from the table to confront each other. Nyssa stands in-between them.
NYSSA
“That’s not fair! Andrew, stop it!”
ANDREW
(to Billy) “She left me her manuscript when she left me. A parting gift just for me. That’s nothing compared to what she’s going to leave you with.”
BILLY
(to Nyssa) “See, Nyssa! He’s revelling in taunting me! Doesn’t know when to stop!”
NYSSA
(to Billy; Andrew) “Alright, you two! Just stop it! You’re making me unhappy!”
SCENE #41 – EXT – COUNTRY ROAD, STOCKBRIDGE – DAY, EVENING (2010)
Meanwhile with the Doctor and Max, they walk on the main country road on the way back to Stockbridge.
MAX
(grumbles) “My feet are killing me, Doctor! It’s too dark to see here!”
DOCTOR
“Have you any idea where we are, Max?”
MAX
“Not really, no.”
DOCTOR
“Neither do I. I don’t recognise this road at all. Have we come the wrong way?”
MAX
“Don’t tell me we’re lost, Doctor. I was on the verge of hope for a moment.”
DOCTOR
“Certainly not. We’re just err…um…”
MAX
“Yes Doctor? Just what?”
DOCTOR
“We’re err…um…”
MAX
“Yes I got the ‘err, um’ part, Doctor. What is it you’re trying to say?”
DOCTOR
(annoyed) “Alright! We’re lost, Max! Happy now?”
MAX
(despairingly) “Oh great! Just when I hoped to have a nice snifter back at the Red Fern Inn provided by Andrew. With your friends waiting for us.”
DOCTOR
“I was certain we were heading the right way.” (sighs) “It would help if we had a torch.”
MAX
“Ah, me ninny Max go again! Have no fear, Doctor!”
DOCTOR
“You have a torch?”
MAX
You should know, Doctor. I always keep a few knickknacks in my anorak pockets and rucksacks. And a torch is one of them! Got it here somewhere. Though considering the batteries are a bit low, I doubt we’ll see much on the way here.
DOCTOR
You don’t mean to say the batteries in your torch are low, Max?
MAX
(laughs) Oh no! I was only joking, Doctor! The batteries I got here in this torch are in mint condition!
Max takes the torch out from his anorak pockets and switches it on. Unfortunately, no light emits from the torch.
MAX
Oh.
Max tries to switch the torch on again. Nothing happens.
MAX
Oh.
Max keeps switching the torch on and off, but still nothing happens.
MAX
“Oh dear. That’s not good, is it?”
DOCTOR
“Busted torch is it, Max?”
MAX
“I’ll never trust that salesman who sold me the torch ever again!”
Max throws the torch away.
DOCTOR
“Marvellous. Well, we’ll just have to trudge on through the dark as best we can. Hoping of course we don’t bang our heads together.”
MAX
“We can always do what dogs do. Follow our noses. Sniff the trail. Find any sign of something familiar to do with Stockbridge. Put our noses to the ground and then…” (stops; realises) “Okay, Doctor. No need to look like that. I was only offering a suggestion.”
A moment of uncomfortable silence ensues.
DOCTOR
“We must look out for any passing cars. If possible, we’ll use the traditional thumb for a lift method.”
MAX
“Chances of that are minimal, Doctor. You don’t get many cars driving here in the countryside.”
At that moment, a car drives up in the distance from behind them.
DOCTOR
“Spoken too soon, Max.”
MAX
“I hadn’t even said a word.”
DOCTOR
“Come on! Thumbs up; show a leg; whichever way you want. Though don’t actually show a leg, if that’s alright?”
MAX
“Right you are, Doctor.”
With that, the Doctor and Max thumb for a lift. The car slowly drives up to where they are.
MAX
“Say. Isn’t that car coming to a halt?”
DOCTOR
“Yes Max, so it is. Must have spotted us sooner than expected. We’ve been lucky.”
The car then nearly runs over them.
DOCTOR
(shouts) “Max, get back!”
The Doctor and Max jump out of the way, as the car drives past them. It stops a few metres away from them. The Doctor and Max recover, agitated.
MAX
(angrily; shouts) “Oy! What do you think you’re playing at, you moron?”
DOCTOR
(angrily; shouts) “Idiot! You could have nearly killed us!”
The car door then opens and Rupert steps out. Closing the car door behind him, Rupert approaches the Doctor and Max menacingly.
DOCTOR
(realises) “Oh no!”
MAX
“What’s wrong?”
DOCTOR
(anxiously) “Max! It’s…”
MAX
(realises) “Oh no! It’s one of them! One of them who tried [to…]”
DOCTOR
(finishes) “…to capture us, yes.”
Rupert stops mid-way, as he approaches the Doctor and Max. He then reaches out his hand to them.
RUPERT
(threateningly) “You have the book, Doctor! Give me that book at once, do you hear?”
The Doctor becomes nonchalant with Max beside him.
SCENE #42 – INT – MAIN BAR, RED FERN INN – DAY, EVENING (2010)
Back at the Red Fern Inn, Nyssa gets anxious as she attempts to resolve the tension between Billy and Andrew.
ANDREW
“Are you sure you should be seeing Billy in a bad temper, Nyssa. I know I wouldn’t if I were jealous.”
BILLY
“You’ve got that one right. I am jealous!”
ANDREW
“That’s the first time we’ve agreed on anything.”
NYSSA
“Andrew, I think you’re being unfair to Billy.”
ANDREW
“Am I?”
NYSSA
“You’re making it seem like you’re better than him. Can’t you understand I’m in love with Billy? He’s my boyfriend!”
ANDREW
“Why bother with him, Nyssa? He’s not good enough. I share the academic interests you have. How does that compare to what he’s got?”
NYSSA
“Billy’s got a degree himself, Andrew.”
ANDREW
“He has?”
BILLY
“Yeah! It may not be science, but English language and literature happens to my favourite subject!”
NYSSA
“Billy means a lot to me, Andrew! Don’t ruin it!”
ANDREW
“Didn’t I used to be your boyfriend, Nyssa?” (Pause) “There was a time when you’d be interested in me. Am I not worthy of your interest?”
NYSSA
“Andrew, how can I make you understand [that…]”
ANDREW
“Billy doesn’t have the charm I have, Nyssa. That’s what you get from someone who comes from the nineteen sixties!”
BILLY
“Excuse me, Andrew! I’ve got charm that’s ten times better than yours!”
ANDREW
(to Nyssa) “It’s not too late to change your mind about me, Nyssa. I can make things right with you!”
OSWALD
(interrupts) “It’s closing time, young Andrew.”
Nyssa, Billy and Andrew get startled, as they see Oswald the landlord behind the bar.
ANDREW
(startled) “Mr. Jackson?! Oh my heart! You didn’t half give us a fright!”
BILLY
(shocked; realises) “Nyssa! It’s…”
NYSSA
(shocked; realises) “Yes Billy! It’s the landlord! The landlord [we…]”
BILLY
(finishes) “The landlord we saw when we were in Stockbridge last time! When we were in nineteen sixty-three! But it can’t be him! It just can’t!”
ANDREW
(surprised) “Do you two know Mr. Jackson then?”
The front door then opens as Melanie and Samuel enter.
BILLY
“Look, Nyssa! There’s his daughter! Melanie, isn’t it?”
NYSSA
“But who’s that with her? That young man!”
ANDREW
“It’s Samuel! A local from the village.” (to Samuel) “Hey Samuel! How’s [it…]?”
Melanie and Samuel then stand over Nyssa, Billy and Andrew and begin to taunt them.
MELANIE
(taunts; to Nyssa; Billy) “Well, well. So you’re the two newcomers to our little village of Stockbridge then.”
SAMUEL
(taunts) “I thought I recognised some new faces.”
ANDREW
(puzzled) “Samuel, what’s got into you? I just said ‘hello’…”
MELANIE
(interrupts) “Shut it, young Andrew. You’ve got no business to be here.”
ANDREW
“I beg your pardon?”
BILLY
(wryly) “Now someone’s talking sense!”
SAMUEL
(to Nyssa; Billy) “You two be quiet as well! This is our village! Our community! We don’t like strangers here messing our lives!”
BILLY
(puzzled) “Sorry?”
NYSSA
“We’re not trying to mess up anybody’s lives here. We’re just…”
MELANIE
(scornfully) “We don’t care what you’re doing here! We just want you to get out of here and to leave us alone!”
ANDREW
“Nyssa doesn’t mean any harm. I’m not sure what to say about Billy, but…”
Billy then stands up to Melanie and Samuel.
BILLY
(agitated; to Melanie; Samuel) “You’d better watch what you lot are saying! Nyssa’s been coming to Stockbridge a number of times now! And it’s an important place to her! So don’t you go telling newcomers to get out so quickly!”
NYSSA
“Billy, don’t.”
SAMUEL
(to Billy) “Was that a threat you were making, lad?”
MELANIE
“I don’t think he likes you very much, Samuel.”
Nyssa then gets up.
NYSSA
“Come on, Billy; Andrew. Let’s get out of this place.”
BILLY
“Don’t give them the satisfaction, Nyssa!”
ANDREW
“Yeah! We can stay if we want to!”
NYSSA
“Please, I need some air. Will you two come with me?”
Just then, Melanie and Samuel train their rifles on Nyssa, Andrew and Billy as they’re about to leave.
NYSSA
“What?!”
ANDREW
“What are you two doing?! I…”
MELANIE
“Don’t even think about it, losers!”
SAMUEL
“You’re not going anywhere!”
BILLY
“Caught in a trap! I might have guessed!”
ANDREW
“What’s going on?! Samuel; Melanie; Mr. Jackson, please tell me!”
NYSSA
“Billy; Andrew! Don’t do anything! Stay still; keep calm and stand well back!”
With that, Nyssa, Billy and Andrew stand back from Oswald, Melanie and Samuel who become menacing and threatening to them.
OSWALD
(taunts) “Like I said! It’s closing time…for you three!”
Oswald then laughs out loud, as Nyssa, Billy and Andrew become encircled by Melanie and Samuel with rifles trained on them.
SCENE #43 – EXT – COUNTRY ROAD, STOCKBRIDGE – DAY, EVENING (2010)
Meanwhile, the Doctor and Max continue to be threatened by Rupert.
DOCTOR
“I’m sorry for mishearing. What was it you said again…Rupert, wasn’t it?”
RUPERT
“The book, Doctor! Give me the book!”
DOCTOR
“What book’s that then?”
RUPERT
“You know what book, Doctor!”
MAX
“Doctor, I think he’s talking about the Book of Althrace-thingy.”
DOCTOR
“Yes Max, I did gather that.”
RUPERT
“The book, Doctor! Give me the book of Althrace now!”
DOCTOR
(mock-realises) “Oh, you mean ‘The Travellers’ Tale of Althrace’?”
RUPERT
“Yes! My commanding officer wants it!”
DOCTOR
“Your commanding officer? I wonder who that is then!”
RUPERT
“That is of no importance to you, Doctor.”
DOCTOR
“You’ll find this book rubbish and incomprehensible. Even though it is amusing in some parts.”
RUPERT
“Doctor!”
DOCTOR
“And I don’t intend to give the book to anyone who may know its secrets and use them carelessly.”
MAX
“You’re starting to aggravate him, Doctor.”
DOCTOR
“Yes. Most satisfactory isn’t it, Max?”
RUPERT
“Give me the book to me now Doctor or else!”
DOCTOR
I’ve grown rather attached to the knickknack, actually. So I may as well keep it, if it’s all the same.
A moment of tense silence ensues.
RUPERT
Big mistake.
Rupert then switches on a radio unit in his ear.
MAX
(intrigued) Doctor! He’s got an ear-piece thing in his ear! He’s pressing a few buttons on it!
DOCTOR
So I see, Max. (to Rupert) That’s very advanced technology you’ve got there, Rupert! May I ask where you got it? Though it’s likely you won’t tell me.
RUPERT
(barks) Platoon, attention!
At that moment, an army of medieval knights and WWII army soldiers appear. The Doctor and Max turn around to see them stand in formation, entranced and zombie-like.
MAX
(flabbergasted) “Cripes! Blooming cripes! Doctor, they’re…”
DOCTOR
“Yes, Max. Armoured knights from the Middle Ages and World War Two army soldiers with ammunition rifles.”
RUPERT
(barks) “Arms ready!”
The WWII army soldiers raise their rifles and aim them at the Doctor and Max.
MAX
“They look authentic and real. But they can’t be, can they?”
RUPERT
(barks) “Platoon, fire!!!”
DOCTOR
(shouts; urgently) “Duck Max, duck!”
The WWII army soldiers fire their weapons instantly, as the Doctor and Max get down to the ground. Max gets shot and cries out in pain. The Doctor helps Max as he lies on the ground.
DOCTOR
(concerned) “Max?! Max, are you alright?!”
MAX
(groans; in pain) “I had to ask, didn’t I?” (Pause) “I think they shot me in the leg, Doctor.”
The Doctor checks Max’s leg.
DOCTOR
“It’s a flesh wound. You’ll be alright, Max.” (Pause) “But they’re using real live ammunition on us! Trying to kill us!”
MAX
“Do you think you ought to give them the book now, Doctor?”
Meanwhile Rupert congratulates the WWII army soldiers.
RUPERT
(calls) “Well done, men! You did well for your king and country!”
CORPORAL ROGERS
(proudly) “Of course. We have our duty to defend our home land.”
STEVENS
“We stop all the Nazi spies.”
WILLIAMS
“The Doctor and ‘Mad Max’ must be shot on sight.”
MAX
(protests) “‘Ere, who are you calling ‘mad’?!”
Rupert then turns to the medieval knights.
RUPERT
(shouts) “Knights, finish them off! Finish them off, I say!”
ALAZAIS
“The demons will be stamped out!”
TRISTAIN
“We knights are brave! We shall kill the Doctor and his friend!”
The medieval knights, including Alazais and Tristain, march foward as they’re about to strike the Doctor and Max. The Doctor and Max remain down on the ground, as they’re unable to move. They watch as the knights approach.
MAX
(anxiously) “Doctor, we can’t stay on the ground like this! Those knights are going to give us the chop!”
DOCTOR
(reassuringly) “Max! There’s no need to panic! Just do what I say!”
MAX
(panics) “No need to panic?! There’s every reason to panic! There’s no chance for us, Doctor! No chance! Those knights are going to slaughter us! We’ll be struck dead! They’re going to kill us, Doctor! Kill us!”
The Doctor remains calm whilst Max panics. The medieval knights advance with their swords raised in the air as they’re about to kill the Doctor and Max.
Sting music. Roll original 1982 Peter Davison end credits.
© Tim Bradley, 2018
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