Chapter 6
SCENE #56 – EXT – COUNTRYSIDE (1973+1983/1173+1183) (ZONE #2) – DAY, MORNING
Meanwhile, on a quite cold and autumnal morning along a countryside road, the Third Doctor and Jo drive in Bessie.
JO
(gradually) Well, Doctor? Any clear idea as to where and when we might be?
DOCTOR 3
Not really, Jo. I hoped driving out here in the countryside would provide us with some answers. Especially with the inbuilt chronometer recently installed. But Bessie’s computerised systems are still sluggish.
JO
It’s a good thing Bessie is still mobile. We’re about a few miles away from the TARDIS. Are you sure the TARDIS is safe where it is?
DOCTOR 3
Quite sure, Jo. She needs to recharge whilst we’re out here. Hopefully the TARDIS instruments will be functioning normally again once we get back to her.
JO
It’s very odd the TARDIS behaved like she did. I’ve never known her to register zero in Space and Time before.
DOCTOR 3
Neither have I. It happens so rarely. (Pause) It’s a good thing we brought Bessie in the TARDIS, isn’t it? Especially when we can materialise and dematerialise around her.
JO
I’m amazed you managed to park Bessie in the TARDIS at all. I couldn’t get over that there was a TARDIS bike and car park too. All those motorcycles you’ve got. It’s like Batman’s Batcave.
DOCTOR 3
I’m hoping to have a new mobile vehicle built sometime in the future. Something I can travel around in when on Earth as well as some other planets.
JO
(ruefully) Haven’t you had enough vehicles to play with, Doctor?
Just then, something bleeps from Bessie’s inbuilt chronometer. Gradually, the Third Doctor stops the car to check.
JO
(puzzled) What is it, Doctor? Why is that thing making a bleeping sound?
DOCTOR 3
(gradually) The inbuilt chronometer is picking up some temporal emissions.
JO
(surprised) Really? How come?
DOCTOR 3
(muses) I don’t know. But there’s something wrong with it.
JO
What do you mean?
DOCTOR 3
(gradually) According to these readings, the chronometer says we’re in nineteen seventy-three and nineteen eighty-three.
JO
(puzzled) Come again?
DOCTOR 3
We’re shifting between time-zones, Jo. Nineteen seventy-three and nineteen eighty-three, going backwards and forwards every time we’re in this place.
JO
I don’t feel much of a difference.
DOCTOR 3
And that’s what’s worrying me.
JO
What, that I don’t feel a difference worries you?
DOCTOR 3
Yes. Usually, I’d be the one to sense a change in the shifting time-zones. But for you, you’d be oblivious to it. (Pause; thinks) All the time that I’ve spent on Earth, would you say it was the nineteen seventies?
JO
Well, of course. I should know your days with U.N.I.T. on Earth have been in the nineteen seventies.
DOCTOR 3
But what if they weren’t, Jo? What if my days on Earth shifted between the nineteen seventies and the nineteen eighties? And you and I didn’t notice. You, me, the Brigadier, Mike Yates, Sergeant Benton and everyone else at U.N.I.T.
JO
(gradually; baffled) So, wait, are you suggesting that we could have been or could be living in two time periods at the same time and we didn’t notice? That someone’s been manipulating Earth’s timeframe or something like that and we were just made to be oblivious to it?
DOCTOR 3
That about sums it up, yes. And surely as a Time Lord, I would have sensed that. And that worries me.
JO
Who would even want to do such a thing? (thinks) The Master?
DOCTOR 3
Possibly. But he’s too obvious.
JO
Nothing is too obvious with the Master surely.
DOCTOR 3
Perhaps. But I doubt he’d have the skill or technique to adopt such a plan. To balance two timeframes for me, you and everyone else at U.N.I.T. to exist is a bit too much for him. Unless this is a future version of the Master we’re talking about.
JO
(puzzled) Future version?
DOCTOR 3
Nothing to worry about. And it doesn’t explain how the TARDIS instruments registered zero when we arrived here.
JO
Should we go back to the TARDIS to check the systems have rebooted themselves?
DOCTOR 3
No, not just yet. Let’s explore a bit more to see where we are in our surroundings.
At that moment, sounds of battle echo nearby. The Third Doctor and Jo look to see, as medieval knights fight each other in the countryside.
JO
(baffled) Doctor, were those knights here before?
DOCTOR 3
No, Jo, they weren’t. Either they appeared out of thin air or we were just completely oblivious to them.
JO
But we couldn’t have been. Could we?
At that moment, bleeping sounds echo from Bessie’s inbuilt chronometer.
JO
Doctor, that chronometer has gone off again.
DOCTOR 3
Yes, I see. Let me just check it for a moment.
The Third Doctor checks the inbuilt chronometer and its readings again.
DOCTOR 3
(gradually) Now the readings say we’re in eleven seventy-three and eleven eighty-three.
JO
(befuddled) Eleven seventy-three… (trails off) Look, are you sure Bessie’s inbuilt chronometer is working properly?
DOCTOR 3
Nothing’s certain, Jo. But it’s most intriguing.
JO
Frightening more like. How come we’re in medieval times when we were in the twentieth century? It doesn’t make sense.
DOCTOR 3
You could be right. Someone or something could be manipulating all this.
JO
(shocked; cries) Doctor, look out!
Looking up, the Third Doctor sees a medieval knight charging towards him. The knight raises his sword and screams a battle cry. The Doctor uses his Venusian aikido and goes…
DOCTOR 3
Hai!
…as he knocks the medieval knight to the ground.
DOCTOR 3
Apologies, dear chap. I hope I didn’t hurt you too much.
Jo then screams, as a medieval knight grabs her.
JO
(cries) Doctor! This knight! He’s got my arm!
The Doctor helps Jo, as he goes for another karate chop on the knight manhandling her.
DOCTOR 3
Hi-yah!
The Doctor’s karate chop works, as the knight is knocked down to the ground beside Bessie.
DOCTOR 3
(concerned) Jo, are you alright?
JO
(urgently) Come on, Doctor! Let’s get away!
Obliging, the Third Doctor gets back and sits down in Bessie. He soon puts the car into gear, as he and Jo drive away, whilst the medieval knights continue to fight each other.
SCENE #57 – COUNTRYSIDE (1973+1983/1173+1183) (ZONE #2) – DAY, MORNING
A fair distance away from the Third Doctor and Jo in the same countryside, the Seventh Doctor and Ace hide behind a rock to avoid being killed in a battle by the medieval knights.
ACE
Who are these knights then, Professor? Are they fighting for England or not?
DOCTOR 7
On the left, they look like the rebel knights fighting for the Kingdom of France on behalf of Eleanor of Aquitaine and three of the King of England’s sons. On the right, they look like the knights fighting for the Kingdom of England. We must be somewhere during the revolt of eleven seventy-three to eleven seventy-four against King Henry the Second of England.
ACE
(impressed) You can tell all that just by recognising what armour the knights are wearing?
DOCTOR 7
It’s amazing what you pick up as a student of history, Ace.
ACE
So, that’s where we are then. England in eleven seventy-three or something.
DOCTOR 7
(muses) Possibly, possibly.
ACE
What do you mean ‘possibly’? Either it is or it isn’t.
DOCTOR 7
That’s just the thing, Ace. When we arrived here, the TARDIS instruments registered ‘zero’.
ACE
So?
DOCTOR 7
Well, don’t you think it’s odd that the TARDIS instruments didn’t pick up we were in eleven seventy-three on the planet Earth? The TARDIS instruments should have picked up those details instantly instead of registering zero.
ACE
I suppose it is odd. But it doesn’t tell us anything about dealing with all these fighting knights around us.
DOCTOR 7
(impatiently) Yes, yes, I know, Ace. I’m working on it.
ACE
Well, work faster. You’re usually fast when it comes to solving a problem.
DOCTOR 7
Usually I am, yes. It’s always frustrating but you’re rarely in charge of the unexpected.
At that moment, a medieval knight begins to attack them.
ACE
Err…speaking of the unexpected…
DOCTOR 7
(cries) Duck, Ace! Duck!
Ace ducks whilst the knight lunges his sword at the Seventh Doctor. The Doctor uses his question-mark handle umbrella to ward off the knight. Eventually, the knight cries and trips over, caused by the Doctor using his umbrella. The knight is knocked out unconscious.
ACE
Professor, did you just trip him over with your umbrella?
DOCTOR 7
(pleased) I did, yes. Thank you, Ace.
ACE
And you just had to doff your hat to him.
DOCTOR 7
Of course. It would be rude not to do so after knocking someone out for the count.
ACE
(cries) Doctor, look out! There’s another one.
The Seventh Doctor turns to see another knight charging towards him with his sword raised in the air. As before, the Doctor attempts to ward off the knight with his umbrella. Unfortunately, the knight manages to grab the Doctor and attempts to strangle him with his umbrella. The Doctor chokes as this happens.
ACE
(panics) Doctor! That knight’s trying to strangle you!
DOCTOR 7
(chokes) Yes. Thank you for noticing, Ace.
The knight’s hold around the Doctor’s neck tightens. The Doctor struggles to breathe.
DOCTOR 7
(chokes; to knight) Now look. I’m sure we can come to a mutual understanding…
The knight ignores the Seventh Doctor, as he continues to strangle him. Eventually, Ace cries out, as she charges towards the knight with her baseball bat. She knocks him out with a couple of whacks, and soon, the knight collapses to the ground. Once the knight is down and out, the Doctor recovers, clearing his throat.
ACE
(concerned) Professor, are you okay?
DOCTOR 7
(reassuringly) I’ll be fine. (Pause; surprised) You used your baseball bat on him.
ACE
Of course. It would be rude not to do so.
DOCTOR 7
(scolds) There’s a difference between using one’s umbrella and using one’s baseball bat to knock a knight out.
ACE
Come on, Professor! Let’s not argue. We still have to get out of here.
DOCTOR 7
You’re right, Ace. Quite right. The question is, where do we go from here? We’re likely to get caught in the crossfire between these knights fighting each other.
ACE
(realises) Hey! Look up there. Is that a yellow roadster I see?
The Seventh Doctor looks to see.
DOCTOR 7
(realises) Why, yes, Ace. I also recognise the driver and his passenger. (Pause) Come on! Let’s move! And be mindful of the knights fighting around you as we run. Don’t make contact with them.
With that, the Seventh Doctor runs on ahead with Ace following behind him.
ACE
Are we going to hitch a lift then?
DOCTOR 7
That is the general idea, yes, Ace. And hopefully we might get some answers to our questions on why we’re here.
ACE
Oy, Professor! Wait for me!
SCENE #58 – EXT – COUNTRYSIDE (1973+1983/1173+1183) (ZONE #2) – DAY, MORNING
With the Third Doctor and Jo in Bessie, the car gradually comes to a halt, as the medieval knights continue to fight each other around them.
JO
(anxiously) Doctor, this isn’t a good time to stop. We’ve still got knights fighting around us.
DOCTOR 3
I’m trying to get my bearings, Jo.
JO
Couldn’t you have done it at a better place than here?
DOCTOR 3
The countryside is shifting, Jo. This is happening as the time zones shift, according to Bessie’s in-built chronometer. From nineteen seventy-three to nineteen eighty-three to eleven seventy-three to eleven eighty-three and back again.
JO
(realises) Now you mention it, I do see the countryside changing from time to time. Those mountains are changing from snow-covered to dry and back again. How come I didn’t notice that before?
DOCTOR 3
Your perception is adjusting to the reality we’re in. It’s also beginning to get rather foggy.
JO
(realises) It is, yes. (Pause) But we can’t stay here, Doctor. One of these knights is likely to attack us like the others did before?
DOCTOR 7
(calls; from a distance) Hello there! Hold on, you two! Wait for us!
The Third Doctor and Jo look to see and are startled, as the Seventh Doctor and Ace run towards them.
JO
(startled) Doctor, am I seeing things or are there two people running up towards us that aren’t knights?
DOCTOR 3
No, Jo. You’re not seeing things. And they seem more aware of our presence compared to the knights.
JO
Who are they, do you think?
DOCTOR 3
I don’t know, but… (stops; realises) Wait a minute. That little fellow. He seems familiar.
Soon, the Seventh Doctor and Ace arrive and meet up with the Third Doctor and Jo in Bessie.
DOCTOR 7
(out of breath) Thank goodness you waited for us.
ACE
I thought there was no-one else except knights fighting each other in this place.
DOCTOR 3
(astonished) Jehosophat, it is you, isn’t it?
DOCTOR 7
It is me, yes. I wondered when another ‘me’ would appear in this place.
DOCTOR 3
Well, it’s very inconvenient. Us having to meet each other like this time and again.
DOCTOR 7
How do you think I feel? I’m trying to live a peaceful life most of the time.
JO
Doctor, do you know this man?
DOCTOR 3
Sort of, yes. Though I’ve yet to be him, Jo.
JO
(puzzled) I’m sorry?
ACE
(realises) Hey, it’s you, isn’t it? Jo Grant, right?
JO
(baffled) I’m sorry, do I know you, dear?
ACE
(perplexed) It’s me! Ace! Don’t you remember? We met during that incident on the planet Lonmar with their robots and everything.
JO
Lonmar?
DOCTOR 7
Ace, now is not the time for explanations or displaced reunions. Let’s get away from here before the knights get us.
DOCTOR 3
Agreed! Come on, your getaway car awaits. Everyone aboard.
ACE
Professor, isn’t this your car? You drove it once when we were in Carbury with U.N.I.T. and the Brigadier.
DOCTOR 7
Yes, yes. It was my car, but it belongs to him.
JO
(astonished) You’ve met the Brigadier?
DOCTOR 3
I become a professor in your future? How enlightening.
DOCTOR 7
Time for a chat later. Come on. Let’s get going.
With that, the Seventh Doctor and Ace get in the back seat of Bessie. They, the Third Doctor and Jo soon drive on whilst the knights continue to fight each other in the countryside.
SCENE #59 – INT – CENTRAL OPS ROOM, U.N.I.T. HQ – N/A
Back in the temporary U.N.I.T. HQ, outside the interdimensional zones, the Thirteenth and Fifth Doctors, Yaz, Dan, Nyssa and Billy are waiting for the Tenth Doctor and Donna.
BILLY
(anxiously) How long does it take to get ready?
YAZ
(teases) Donna is probably checking the cucumber sandwiches you’ve given her for the trip.
BILLY
She didn’t complain at the time when I made them in the kitchen.
NYSSA
Yaz is teasing you, Billy. I’m sure you did a good job.
DAN
Anyway, it may not be Donna who’s keeping us waiting. It could be her Doctor. (teases) You know how the Doctor always tinkers with a piece of technology at the last minute.
DOCTOR 13
Oy! I strongly object to that, Dan. Some of the upgrades added have been very essential for the mission.
YAZ
(reassuringly) Relax, Doctor. Dan is teasing you as well.
DOCTOR 5
(realises) Hold on. They’re coming back.
At that moment, the Tenth Doctor and Donna appear.
DOCTOR 10
Hello everyone! Sorry to keep you waiting. Had to check a few things with Osgood concerning the dimension-jumping technology.
DAN
(cheers) Knew it.
DOCTOR 13
Less of the cheek, Dan.
DONNA
And I didn’t fancy the salt and vinegar crisps when I tried them out. I asked for cheese and onion instead. They tasted better.
BILLY
(quietly) Well, at least she didn’t complain about the cucumber sandwiches.
At that moment, the Brigadier, Kate and Francesca appear.
BRIGADIER
Ah. Here we all are. All good to go?
DOCTOR 10
Yes, Brigadier. Donna and I are all geared up to go.
DONNA
Zone three, isn’t it? Where the Doctor with the floppy hat and scarf is. As well as the Doctor in the multi-coloured coat.
BRIGADIER
Correct.
DOCTOR 10
Oh goody. This should be an interesting combination of ‘me’s’ to meet.
KATE
Let’s give you a final briefing before you go.
FRANCESCA
Pay attention, you two. The information is vital before you enter zone three.
DOCTOR 10
(eagerly) Right then. Fire away.
DONNA
Ready and listening.
KATE
(gradually) When you enter via the portal gateway, you need to use the checkpoint disc given to you in order to return to us at U.N.I.T. HQ. Remember, you have at least three hours to spend in zone three before the power in the checkpoint disc runs out.
DOCTOR 10
Yes, Kate, we remember.
YAZ
Couldn’t we have two checkpoint discs? One as a spare just in case.
KATE
The checkpoint discs need to be referred to via computer code. Osgood will have them on record when she’s linking zone three to the central ops room. We need to avoid confusion.
DONNA
So, no then.
BILLY
I’ve a question. Why are we starting with zone three instead of zone one? Wouldn’t it make sense to do this chronologically in terms of rescuing the other Doctors and their friends?
NYSSA
It’s more to do with confusing the entity, whether friend or foe, controlling this interdimensional network, Billy. We don’t want to be too obvious when rescuing people.
BRIGADIER
Quite right, Mrs. Walker. It’s always good to have the element of surprise.
DOCTOR 5
Have you been able to find out more on who or what is behind this operation? Any hint of who or what the entity might be?
KATE
Afraid not, Doctor. There are strange artefacts we picked up, which U.N.I.T. scientific personnel are examining right now, that might provide us clues as to what the situation we’re in is. Unfortunately, the deciphering phase is rather slow-going.
DOCTOR 5
Perhaps Nyssa, Billy and I can help out with the deciphering phase whilst you’re setting up the portal gateway for the interdimensional zone we’ll be jumping into.
DOCTOR 13
My group can help too. Yaz and Dan are good puzzle-solvers. Ain’t that right, you two?
YAZ
Absolutely.
DAN
Of course. Happy to help out.
NYSSA
And we’d be willing to help too. Wouldn’t we, Billy?
BILLY
Yes, definitely.
FRANCESCA
Thank you, Doctors. You and your friends’ help is much appreciated.
BRIGADIER
Captain Yates will escort you six to the room where the items collected are being deciphered.
MIKE
(pleased) Of course, sir.
DOCTOR 10
Well, if that’s all there is to say, it’s about time Donna and I were on our way.
DONNA
(shrewdly) Alright, Dr. Seuss, let’s just get moving.
KATE
We advise caution, Doctor. You and Miss Noble don’t want to take any unnecessary risks.
DOCTOR 10
(reassuringly) Don’t worry, Kate. Me and Donna can handle anything.
KATE
That’s what I’m worried about.
DONNA
You and me both, Kate.
BRIGADIER
We hope to see you two soon before your three hours are up.
DOCTOR 10
(cheerily) Thanks, Brig. (to Donna) Right, come on, Donna.
DONNA
Here’s the portal gateway. We just have to wait for Osgood to open it.
As the Tenth Doctor and Donna wait at the portal gateway, Francesca switches on the intercom nearby.
FRANCESCA
(through intercom) Miss Osgood, we’re ready to open the portal to zone three.
OSGOOD (V’O)
Yes, ma’am. Stand by. Initiating ignition phase.
DOCTOR 10
(cheerily) Wish us luck, everyone.
DOCTOR 5
We do. Good luck, Doctor.
DOCTOR 13
Yeah, good luck. You and Donna get back here safe and sound, alright?
DONNA
Don’t worry. I’ll make sure he does.
At that moment, Osgood comes in on the intercom again.
OSGOOD (V’O)
Osgood here again, ma’am. Ignition phase complete. Opening portal in three…two…one…zero.
Within seconds, the portal gateway is switched on. A howling swirling of cloud and electricity emanates via the portal gateway. Spellbound, the Tenth Doctor and Donna gaze into it.
DONNA
It’s like… Like looking into a time vortex.
DOCTOR 10
Not exactly, Donna. And it’s not something you should be thinking about.
BRIGADIER
Good luck, Doctor.
KATE
Yes, good luck to you and Miss Noble.
FRANCESCA
We expect you to be successful in your mission.
NYSSA
Good luck, you two. Take care.
BILLY
Yeah, good luck, Doctor; Donna.
DAN
Have a safe journey.
YAZ
See you when you get back.
DONNA
(pleased) Thanks a lot. You four are the best.
DOCTOR 10
Right, Donna. Ready? In we go!
With that, the Tenth Doctor takes Donna by the hand, and they charge forward into the portal gateway. Donna cries, as she and the Tenth Doctor vanish through the portal. A moment of silence ensues. Eventually, Francesca switches on the intercom again.
FRANCESCA
(through intercom) They’ve gone through, Miss Osgood. Switch off the portal gateway.
OSGOOD (V’O)
Yes, ma’am. Switching off the gateway.
The portal gateway soon gets switched off. Another moment of silence ensues.
DOCTOR 5
(gradually) Well, I suppose we’d better go and check out those items that U.N.I.T. collected. After you, Doctor.
DOCTOR 13
No, no. After you, Doctor. (to Mike) Lead the way, Mike.
MIKE
Yes. If you six will follow me.
Mike Yates leads the way. The Thirteen and Fifth Doctors, Yaz, Dan, Nyssa and Billy follow.
YAZ
I hope Donna and her Doctor will be okay in zone three.
DAN
It depends on what they’ll find. Hopefully, the maps based on our terrain findings will help.
BILLY
What was it again in zone three? An English village in nineteen ninety-three and twenty-thirteen? Could it be Stockbridge?
NYSSA
It’s possible, Billy. Hopefully whatever Donna and her Doctor will find won’t be too deadly.
SCENE #60 – INT – MAIN AREA, BAKERY (1993) (ZONE #3) – DAY, MORNING
Meanwhile, in a bakery in an English village in the year 1993, the Sixth Doctor takes out a tin he’s just baked from the oven. His companion Peri is with him.
DOCTOR 6
(pleased) There! A pretty good tin is what I say.
PERI
Very impressive, Doctor, but this is hardly the time to be baking bread. We should be thinking of getting outta here.
DOCTOR 6
Getting outta here? GETTING OUTTA HERE?!!! My dear Perpugilliam, where’s the fun in that? I’ve just baked one tin. Half a dozen left to go!
PERI
I’m pleased you’re enjoying yourself, but we should figure out where we are, shouldn’t we? Especially since the TARDIS instruments registered ‘zero’, remember?
DOCTOR 6
I haven’t forgotten. I’m just doing this to pass the time.
PERI
Exactly! What time period are we in? It’s an English village for sure, but that doesn’t give us much. I can’t even find a newspaper to check the date.
DOCTOR 6
It’s ninety ninety-three, Peri. Or didn’t you see the calendar on the wall? Use your eyes, Peri. It works for me.
PERI
Thank you for being observant, Mister Sherlock Holmes. But there are still questions on why we’re here and who brought us here.
DOCTOR 6
Relax, Peri. I’m sure the answers will come soon enough.
PERI
Don’t you think this is all rather worrying?
DOCTOR 6
Peri, we fell into a maelstrom in Space and Time whilst minding our own business and we woke up to find ourselves here with the TARDIS parked in this bakery’s storage room. The TARDIS instruments say we’re nowhere and no-time, and as far as I’m concerned there hasn’t been a customer coming in to ask for some bread whilst the door-sign is saying we’re open. I can assure you, I find this worrying enough as it is.
PERI
But we should do something. Like going out to explore to see where we are.
DOCTOR 6
No, the best course of action is to stay where we are. Going out to explore is probably the obvious thing to do next. My gut instinct tells me that whoever or whatever brought us here is likely to expect us to go out and explore. Therefore, we’d better not give that person or entity the benefit of satisfaction. Trust me, we’ll let them come to us first before we go looking for them.
PERI
A bit risky, ain’t it?
DOCTOR 6
Probably, but I want to keep us both safe in whatever strange situation we’re in. I’ve put you in harm’s way enough as it is.
PERI
I’ve never known you to be this considerate.
DOCTOR 6
After the death of your mother and everything else that’s happened, I feel more responsible for you lately.
PERI
(gradually) I’m okay, Doctor. I’m better than I was since mom died. I don’t need you to keep looking out for me.
DOCTOR 6
Strange. I could say the same thing about you looking out for me. (Pause; cheerily) Now come along. Help me with laying out the next couple of tins to be put in the oven. You never know. Some poor soul may come in and want one.
Just then, rustling sounds echo nearby. Upon hearing these sounds, the Sixth Doctor and Peri stop to listen.
PERI
(whispers) Doctor, did you hear that?
DOCTOR 6
(whispers) Evidently. Keep whispering, Peri, as we talk.
The Sixth Doctor and Peri keep quiet, as they listen to more of the rustling sounds nearby.
PERI
(whispers) What do you think it is?
DOCTOR 6
(whispers) I’m not sure. But it seems to be coming from the storage room.
PERI
(whispers; realises) Where we parked the TARDIS?
DOCTOR 6
(whispers) Yes. (Pause) Let’s go and investigate, shall we?
The Sixth Doctor and Peri make their way to the bakery’s storage room in the back. They tread carefully, as they approach the door.
PERI
(whispers) Doctor, be careful.
DOCTOR 6
(whispers) Aren’t I always?
PERI
(sighs; whispers) Let’s not turn this into an editorial.
DOCTOR 6
(whispers) Look on the bright side. It could be someone who has lost his or her or their way. Let’s give them the benefit of the doubt.
The Sixth Doctor soon clears his throat and places his hand on the door handle. After a moment, the Doctor turns the door handle and he and Peri enter.
SCENE #61 – INT – STORAGE, BAKERY (1993) (ZONE #3) – DAY, MORNING
DOCTOR 6
(cheerily) Ah! Hello. May we be of assistance?
The intruder turns around and growls at the Sixth Doctor and Peri.
PERI
(gasps; realises) Doctor, it’s a Sontaran!
DOCTOR 6
Yes, thank you, Peri. I had gathered that. He must have come through the back door.
PERI
(shocked) And he’s been eating up the cakes and bread!
STUKK
Ah! A target at last! You are the Doc-tor!
DOCTOR 6
(feigns innocence) The Doctor? Are you sure? You’re not confusing me with someone else?
STUKK
She said your name is the Doc-tor! That is confirmation!
DOCTOR 6
(realises) Ah. Yes. Thank you, Peri.
PERI
Sorry, Doctor. Seeing him was such a shock.
The Sontaran raises his blaster rifle at the Sixth Doctor and Peri.
STUKK
I am Corporal Stukk of the Thirteenth Sontaran Battle Brigade! Stukk the Hammerfist!
DOCTOR 6
(astonished) Thirteenth? I’m amazed you Sontarans are able to keep track.
STUKK
You and your companion will accompany me to Sontaran HQ. My commanding officer will wish to interrogate you.
PERI
(anxiously) Doctor…
DOCTOR 6
(cheerily) Not today, thanks. Goodbye!
STUKK
(barks) Stop!
Stukk opens fire but misses, as the Sixth Doctor closes the door on him.
STUKK
(barks) Come back here, Doc-tor! Come back at once!
SCENE #62 – INT – MAIN AREA, BAKERY (1993) (ZONE #3) – DAY, MORNING
DOCTOR 6
(urgently) Come on, Peri! Let’s get out of here! A run in the English village should do us some good.
PERI
What about our tins to bake? You said we should wait for whoever or whatever brought us here.
DOCTOR 6
What I said earlier appears to be academic, don’t you think?
The storage room door blows off its hinges. Corporal Stukk charges out, screaming away.
PERI
Well, when you put it like that…
DOCTOR 6
Exactly! Come on, Peri! Run!
The Sixth Doctor and Peri make a run for it, as they open the front door and head out of the bakery. Stukk makes his way to exit the bakery via the front door before his communicator bleeps loudly. He takes it out from his side and switches it on to speak into it.
STUKK
(through communicator) Corporal Stukk here.
GROUL (V’O)
Report, Stukk.
STUKK
(through communicator) Commander Groul. I have located the Doc-tor. He and his companion are on the run.
GROUL (V’O)
Very good, Stukk. The Doc-tor must be captured and brought to Sontaran HQ.
STUKK
(through communicator) Of course, Commander. The Doc-tor will be captured.
Stukk switches off his communicator and puts it back on his side, before he goes off to pursue the Sixth Doctor and Peri. He then stops for a moment, groaning in pain for a bit.
STUKK
(gradually; realises) I should not have consumed so much confectionery. (angrily) Once I have captured the Doc-tor and his companion, I shall burn this building down.
With that, Stukk continues out of the bakery.
SCENE #63 – INT – MAIN AREA, BAKERY (2013) (ZONE #3) – DAY, EVENING
Meanwhile, in another bakery in the same English village but in the year 2013, the Fourth Doctor tries out a Danish pastry he’s just baked, with Private James Darby beside him.
DOCTOR 4
(approvingly) Hmm. (Pause) Hmm! This Danish pastry I’ve baked is really good. Quite a good confection if I say so myself. (realises) Oh James, my dear chap, I beg your pardon. Would you like some?
DARBY
(frustrated) Doctor, this isn’t the time to go around trying out all the bread and cakes they’ve got at this bakery. We should work out a plan to get out of this place.
DOCTOR 4
(shrugs) Oh, I don’t know. This place is quite pleasant, don’t you think?
DARBY
Too pleasant if you ask me. We should figure out what’s going on here. Why are we here? Why did the TARDIS instruments register ‘zero’ when we got here? And where’s my Bazooie? That little mongrel is usually around.
DOCTOR 4
You’re just anxious to meet up with your Lady Christina de Souza, aren’t you?
DARBY
Of course! Wouldn’t you be? She’s the sexiest woman alive! At least I hope she is when I finally meet her on Earth. I’ve only met her once and that was in another Universe. (realises) Please don’t say we’ve ended up in another Universe again when we fell into that maelstrom.
DOCTOR 4
I’m sorry, James. I’m anxious as you are about our situation, but we have to play it by ear for now. We have to stay put in order to find out what’s going on.
DARBY
I don’t see why. This place is weird enough as it is.
DOCTOR 4
Exactly! Everything about this situation is wrong. Not just with the TARDIS, but also with how everything seems to be empty. Not just in the bakery, but also outside in the village.
DARBY
Can’t say I blame anyone. The bread in this bakery must have been on display for weeks. Possibly months.
Darby picks up a loaf of bread from a nearby shelf and sniffs at it. He is appalled and puts it back on the shelf.
DARBY
(disgusted) They smell stale anyway. I wouldn’t want to take a chunk out of them.
DOCTOR 4
Never mind, dear chap. Have a jelly baby.
The Fourth Doctor takes out his bag of jelly babies from one of his coat pockets and opens it to offer one to Darby. Rejoining the Doctor, Darby takes out one of the jelly babies from the bag.
DARBY
(relieved) Thanks. I need the sugar rush.
Darby pops the jelly baby into his mouth and munches away.
DOCTOR 4
(surprised) Blackcurrant? That’s not like you at all, James. You usually pick the orange or the lemon ones.
DARBY
Trust me. Blackcurrant reflects my current mood.
DOCTOR 4
(muses) It is odd to find not so few people in this place.
DARBY
There is such a thing called ‘going outside to explore’, Doctor. That might suit us well rather than staying inside.
DOCTOR 4
No. Not yet. Some instinct tells me we should stay put before we go outside.
At that moment, an electrical noise echoes in one of the back rooms of the bakery. The Fourth Doctor and Darby listen to the sound, as it intensifies.
DARBY
(anxiously) You hear that, Doctor?
DOCTOR 4
It seems to be coming from the utility room.
DARBY
It sounds almost electrical.
DOCTOR 4
Perhaps we should go and see what it is.
DARBY
I’ve got my laser pistol on me. I can easily take out whoever…
DOCTOR 4
(interjects) Violence won’t be necessary, James. Let’s see what’s behind that door first, shall we?
With that, the Fourth Doctor and Darby gradually make their way to the utility room. The electrical noises become louder, as they get closer.
DARBY
(realises) Wait, Doctor. The TARDIS is in that room.
DOCTOR 4
Yes, James, I hadn’t forgotten.
DARBY
Well, perhaps whatever’s in there could be doing something terrible to the TARDIS.
DOCTOR 4
Let’s open the door first and see.
With that, the Fourth Doctor turns the door handle, as he and Darby look inside.
SCENE #64 – INT – UTILITY ROOM, BAKERY (2013) (ZONE #3) – DAY, EVENING
In the utility room, the Fourth Doctor and Darby see a green glowing fluorescent jellyfish-like blob absorbing electricity from the electrical appliances.
DOCTOR 4
(quietly) James, stand still. Don’t breathe a word.
DARBY
(shocked) Oh my days! It’s not…
DOCTOR 4
(hushes) Ssh! Keep your voice down.
DARBY
(shocked) It’s a Rutan! A great big flipping green Rutan in the bakery!
At that moment, the Rutan turns to face them, its tentacles sizzling with electricity.
RUTAN SCOUT
Alert! Alert! Enemy sighted! It is the Doc-tor!
DOCTOR 4
(annoyed) Now, you’ve done it, James!
DARBY
Sorry! It was just a shock to see it!
DOCTOR 4
And we’ll be shocked to death if we’re not careful.
RUTAN SCOUT
(barks) You are the Doc-tor! You must be destroyed!
The Rutan whips out one of its tentacles and lashes out at the Fourth Doctor and Darby. The Doctor and Darby back away. Thankfully, the Rutan misses.
DARBY
(cries) It’s flipping trying to kill us! It lashed out one of its flipping tentacles at us!
DOCTOR 4
(tells off) Language, James!
DARBY
Don’t flipping language me!
The Rutan lashes out again and smashes a nearby set of shelves on a wall.
DOCTOR 4
(cries) Out of here!
DARBY
What?
DOCTOR 4
(shouts) Out of here now! Come on, James!
The Fourth Doctor drags Darby with him, as they head out of the utility room. The Rutan pursues them.
RUTAN SCOUT
(barks) Come back! Come back! All enemies of the Rutan Empire must be destroyed! Destroyed! Destroyed!! DESTROYED!!!
SCENE #65 – INT – MAIN AREA, BAKERY (2013) (ZONE #3) – DAY, EVENING
DARBY
(anxiously) What do we do now, Doctor?
DOCTOR 4
Quickly! Out through the main door and into the village!
DARBY
But you said…
DOCTOR 4
(shouts; impatiently) I know what I said. But so long as we get away from that Rutan, we’ll be safe. Now come on! Run!
With that, the Fourth Doctor and Darby head out of the bakery, opening and closing the front door behind them. The Rutan burbles and gurgles as it heads out of the utility room and out of the bakery, pursuing the Doctor and Darby. It shatters the glass in the front door with its electrical tentacles as it goes.
SCENE #66 – EXT – VILLAGE, ENGLISH COUNTRYSIDE (1993/2013) (ZONE #3) – DAY, MORNING/EVENING
Out in the English village in 1993 and 2013, the Sixth Doctor and Peri run down the road. They soon stop for a moment to catch their breath.
DOCTOR 6
(breathlessly) I think we’ve given our Sontaran friend the slip.
PERI
(breathlessly) How long does this road go on for?
DOCTOR 6
Hopefully long enough with no dead end in sight.
PERI
There aren’t any people around. There are little houses and such, but I haven’t seen a single soul. Even when we knocked on the doors of a couple of houses, no-one answered.
DOCTOR 6
Have you noticed anything else that’s particularly weird about this place?
PERI
(puzzled) Anything else? What do you mean?
DOCTOR 6
Look to your right, Peri.
Peri looks to her right.
PERI
(gradually; realises) Why… It’s another bakery. Another bakery in the village. (Pause) In fact, it looks distinctly identical to the one we just left.
DOCTOR 6
There’s something else. It’s darker over there compared to where we are. Here, it’s daytime. Must be evening over there.
PERI
(realises) I hadn’t noticed that before. I thought it was still the beginning of dawn or something like it.
DOCTOR 6
(muses) Looks more like the beginning of dusk actually. Almost as if two time zones are colliding with each other. Very odd.
PERI
(scoffs) Now that’s just ridiculous.
DOCTOR 6
Is it, Peri? Hmm? Is it really that ridiculous? After seeing a Sontaran in our bakery before he chased us, I would say the possibility of anything nonsensical is very likely.
PERI
(realises) Doctor, look. There’s a couple of people exiting that bakery! They’re coming over to us.
DOCTOR 6
(realises) So I see. I wonder if… (stops; realises) Wait. I recognise him.
PERI
(puzzled) Recognise who?
DOCTOR 6
The one in the long scarf.
Eventually, the Fourth Doctor and James Darby meet up with the Sixth Doctor and Peri. They stop to catch their breath.
DOCTOR 4
(out of breath) I thought as much. This side of the English village appeared to be lighter compared to where James and I were. (to Doctor 6) I take it this is a collision of two temporal zones in one place, right?
DOCTOR 6
It would seem to be, yes.
DOCTOR 4
(realises) Hold on. Do I know you from somewhere?
DOCTOR 6
It’ll come to you eventually.
DARBY
(breathlessly) Doctor, what’s going on? Who are these two?
DOCTOR 4
(realises) Wait a minute. (Pause) No! It can’t be… No… Wait… It is, isn’t it? It’s you, isn’t it?
DOCTOR 6
Ah. The penny’s dropped.
DOCTOR 4
(gradually) Yes, well, I can tell our dress sense hasn’t improved with age.
DOCTOR 6
I’ll have you know this coat is the height of fashion.
PERI
(scoffs) That’s a matter of opinion.
DOCTOR 6
At least I’m not wearing the long scarf.
DOCTOR 4
And I’ll have you know that the kiddies love me in my long scarf.
DARBY
(interrupts) Doctor, we shouldn’t stand here with that Rutan chasing us.
DOCTOR 6
(shocked) Did you say Rutan?
PERI
He said Rutan, Doctor.
At that moment, a bubbling gurgling noise echoes nearby. Everyone turns to see the Rutan scout crawling towards them.
DARBY
(shrewdly) And would you know? It’s finally caught up with us!
DOCTOR 4
(urgently) Keep back, everyone! Keep back!
The Fourth Doctor keeps everyone back, as the Rutan scout approaches.
RUTAN SCOUT
I have you in my sights, Doc-tor. You and your associates will be destroyed! You shall pay for defying the might of the Rutan Empire!
STUKK
(from a distance) So, there is a Rutan in my field of fire.
Everyone turns to see Corporal Stukk, having caught up with them. Stukk charges up his blaster rifle, ready to open fire.
STUKK
(shouts; from a distance) I shall enjoy obliterating you, Rutan scum! For the glory of Sontar!
DARBY
(shocked) Wait! Sontarans are here too!
RUTAN SCOUT
(angrily) A Sontaran! Change target! The enemy must be destroyed! All Sontarans are the hated enemies of the Rutan Empire.
STUKK
(cries) Die, Rutan scum! DIE!!!
DOCTORS 4 + 6
(shouts; in unison) Everyone, get down! Take cover!
The Fourth and Sixth Doctors, Darby and Peri duck and fall to the ground, as the Sontaran and the Rutan fight each other. Stukk opens fire with his Sontaran blaster rifle whilst the Rutan fights back with electricity from its tentacles.
DARBY
(annoyed) They’re doing this now?! Fighting each other, with us in their line of fire? (wryly) Terrific.
PERI
Sontarans and Rutans do hate each other, you know.
DARBY
Yeah, but at a time like this?!
DOCTOR 4
(realises) The woods! Let’s make for the woods up ahead!
DOCTOR 6
Good idea! Come on, Peri, up you get.
The Sixth Doctor helps Peri up on her feet.
PERI
(anxiously) We don’t even know what’s in those woods!
DARBY
There might be more of these goons waiting for us!
DOCTOR 4
But then again, there might not. Come on, James, dear chap.
The Fourth Doctor helps Darby up on his feet.
DOCTOR 6
Avoid being shot by the Sontaran and electrocuted by the Rutan as we go.
The two Doctors and their friends make for the woods ahead. Stukk and the Rutan scout keep on fighting each other, as the Doctors and their friends make their escape.
© Tim Bradley, 2023
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