1. Dalekmania!
SCENE #4 – EXT – CHURCHWOOD STREET, CARDIFF – DAY, MORNING
It’s the 23rd of December 1965. Christmas is nearly approaching. On Churchwood Street in Cardiff, everybody is out and about, doing last-minute shopping. Everybody is happy and carefree whilst they’re busy. Children are laughing and running about, whilst their parents are shopping.
SCENE #5 – INT – NORTON’S CAFÉ, CHURCHWOOD STREET – DAY, MORNING
In Norton’s Café, everybody treats themselves to a Christmas breakfast. Nyssa and Billy are there, seated at a table and looking through Christmas cards whilst having their breakfast.
NYSSA
(happily) “Enjoying your breakfast, Billy dear?”
BILLY
(happily) “Tremendously, yes! Thanks. And you?”
NYSSA
“I’m content with my cup of tea, yes.”
BILLY
“Any new Christmas cards from anyone we may or may not know?”
NYSSA
(checks) “Well, there’s one from your Aunt Mary. She’s wondering why you haven’t sent her any letters in a long while. There are also cards from some of your school friends Bethany and George as well as Dylan and Jade. Dylan and Jade ask how you are. Apparently, they’re still on their honeymoon in Barbados.”
BILLY
“Hmm! That’s good to hear.”
NYSSA
“And there’s one from a very dear old friend. Remember Mr. Adams? We met him in Huttle when we first met during that railway business in nineteen sixty-three.”
BILLY
(remembers) “Oh yes! Old Mr. Adams. Let me see.”
Nyssa passes the Christmas card from Mr. Adams to Billy and he takes it. He has a little read of it.
BILLY
(gradually) “Aww, that’s nice. There’s a note from him saying “What the bally Moses have we been doing since we last saw him?”” (laughs) “He hopes we haven’t got into too much trouble and that life is well for him and his wife Alice. He wishes us well for the wedding and says Merry Christmas.” (delighted) “Hmm. I appreciate Mr. Adams sending us a Christmas card like that. It means a lot.”
NYSSA
(solemly) “Still no word from the Doctor though.”
BILLY
(gradually; feeling grim) “No.” (Pause) “Do you think he’s okay?”
NYSSA
“I don’t know, Billy. Ever since he dropped us off, he hasn’t been seen since.”
BILLY
“Maybe he thinks we’re too busy with our wedding plans and doesn’t want to become involved.”
NYSSA
“It’s more than that, Billy. It’s like he’s avoiding us. Like he doesn’t like the idea of us getting married.” (sighs) “I hope I’m wrong about that.”
BILLY
(reassuringly) I wouldn’t worry about it, Nyssa. He’ll come back to us eventually. Once the wedding day comes, he’s bound to be there.
NYSSA
(gradually) Yes. Yes, you’re right, Billy. He’s bound to be there.
At that moment, a little boy and a little girl play together in the café with toys. The little boy and the little girl playing with their toys at each other gradually frighten Nyssa and Billy nearby.
LITTLE BOY
(mimics Dalek) Exterminate! Exterminate! The humans are our prisoners! Take them away immediately!
LITTLE GIRL
(mimics Dalek) We are the masters of Earth! Daleks are the masters of Earth!
Nyssa and Billy gradually get out of their seats, shocked by what they’re seeing.
BILLY
(shocked) Nyssa, those toys! They’re…
NYSSA
(shocked) Daleks! These children have toy Daleks!
BILLY
How can that be? Where did they get them from?
NYSSA
“I’ve no idea. But I’m sure the Doctor knows something about this.”
At that moment, the Doctor enters the café.
BILLY
“Oh, what a coincidence!”
DOCTOR
“Nyssa; Billy! We’re in trouble! Something terrible is happening and I don’t know how it started!”
NYSSA
(astonished) “Doctor, where have you been? We haven’t seen you for days!”
DOCTOR
“No time to explain. Come outside and have a look, you two!”
Nyssa and Billy do as the Doctor says, as they go outside to have a look.
SCENE #6 – EXT – CHURCHWOOD STREET, CARDIFF – DAY, MORNING
In Churchwood Street, the Doctor, Nyssa and Billy see the mania happening.
DOCTOR
There! See what I’m on about?
NYSSA
(shocked) They’re in the shops! Dalek toys in shops! As well as newsagents!
BILLY
(shocked) Look at the kids! They’re getting excited about having Dalek toys from the shops!
NYSSA
They’re everywhere! There are Dalek toys everywhere!
BILLY
Not just Dalek toys, Nyssa. There are kids wearing Dalek suits! And that billboard! (astonished) Goodness gracious me!
NYSSA
(astonished) A poster advertising a Dalek movie coming soon to cinemas! (Pause) And look at the snow-covered park! Those children are making Snow Daleks!
The children have fun making Snow Daleks instead of snowmen. Everyone goes all Dalek mad, as they roam around the Churchwood area, mimicking Daleks and chanting “Exterminate!” The Dalek chants echo all over the street, causing Nyssa, Billy and the Doctor to worry further.
DOCTOR
“This is definitely wrong! Hideously wrong! The whole world has gone Dalek mad! I’m determined to find out why that is, how it was done and how we’re going to stop it!”
SCENE #7 – INT – LIVING ROOM, NO. 8 – DAY, MORNING
At No. 8 Churchwood Street, Billy enters the living room to find his mum and dad on sofas. They look up to see him. The Doctor and Nyssa enter behind Billy.
ENID
(astonished) “Billy! We weren’t expecting you to be back so soon!”
FRED
(concerned) “Are you alright, Billy? You look flustered. You and Nyssa.” (realises) “Oh! I see the Doctor is with you!” (cheerily) “Hello, Doctor!”
BILLY
(breathlessly) “Mum; Dad, are you alright? You’re not hurt, are you? You haven’t been attacked?”
ENID
(puzzled) “Attacked? Attacked by whom, Billy?”
FRED
“What are you talking about?”
BILLY
(relieved) “Oh thank goodness! Listen, you two. You have to believe us. There’s something terribly wrong going on here.”
NYSSA
(concerned) “Doctor?”
DOCTOR
“Yes Nyssa, what is it?”
NYSSA
“Look!”
They look to see what’s on the living room table. The Doctor goes over to pick it up.
BILLY
(shocked) “A Dalek! You have a toy Dalek!”
ENID
“Oh, so you’ve noticed! I’m surprised you didn’t notice our toy Dalek in all the time you’ve been back with us.”
NYSSA
Enid; Fred, how long have you had that in your house?
FRED
About a month or so. It was one of the first deliveries in Churchwood Street.
NYSSA
A month? First delivery?!
The Doctor switches on the Dalek and it speaks instantly.
TOY DALEK (WALKER)
(tinny voice) EXTERMINATE! EXTERMINATE! YOU ARE AN ENEMY OF THE DALEKS! YOU WILL BE EXTERMINATED!
DOCTOR
(intrigued) Interesting! Dalek DNA compressed to a miniaturised form. Only processing automatic responses.
NYSSA
So, it’s not dangerous then. It’s dormant.
DOCTOR
“For now. But what that means, I’ve no idea.”
BILLY
(to Enid; Fred) “Mum; Dad! What made you buy that thing?”
ENID
“We bought it for you, Billy.”
BILLY
“For me?!”
TOY DALEK (WALKER)
(tinny voice) “DALEKS CONQUER AND DESTROY! DALEKS CONQUER AND DESTROY! DALEKS CONQUER AND DESTROY! [DALEKS CONQUER AND DESTROY…”]
ENID
(continues) “We thought it would make a nice Christmas present for you when you and your friends came back. It does have a mind of its own though. The way it moves about a lot.”
NYSSA
“It can move by itself?”
ENID
“Occasionally. We don’t know what’s causing that.”
BILLY
“It’s a Dalek, Mum! And Daleks means trouble. They’re one of the most dangerous and vicious alien races in the entire universe!”
ENID
“Oh we know that.”
NYSSA
“You do?”
ENID
“Of course!”
DOCTOR
“Then why didn’t you get rid of it? Why hasn’t anyone else tried to destroy the toy Daleks if they know they’re dangerous?”
FRED
“Because it says so on the package. As toys, they’re the most dangerous form of life in the entire universe. It’s an exciting tagline! That’s why many children are excited by them! Kids like outer spacey things like that for Christmas.”
ENID
“The kids around this street have been going mad about them. Dalekmania has worsened since it arrived.”
DOCTOR
Dalekmania?
FRED
That’s what they call it. ‘Dalekmania’! Children have been getting these new toys everywhere in the country. The entire world!
ENID
It’s on the telly. Here, I’ll switch it on.
With that, Enid goes over to the TV and switches it on before going back to her sofa.
ENID
Give it a moment. It takes a while for the thing to wake up.
NYSSA
Tell us more about this Dalekmania, Enid; Fred. Tell us how it started.
ENID
Like we said. The children wanted Dalek toys for Christmas. They’re getting excited about them.
FRED
“And it’s not just shops filled with Dalek toys; but also Dalek tea towels, Dalek books, Dalek comics, Dalek stage shows, Dalek movies, Dalek cakes, Dalek soap…”
BILLY
“Soap?”
FRED
“Oh yes! They think of everything the merchandisers.”
Eventually, the TV comes on and they look to see a newsreader.
NEWSREADER (V’O)
It’s coming to Christmas, and already mums and dads are rushing to the shops to buy these new Dalek toys. It’s extraordinary how they’ve managed to attract so much attention. Already, three million Dalek toys [have been sold around the world as well as other merchandise like….]
NYSSA
Three million Daleks?!
DOCTOR
Let’s switch to another channel.
The Doctor turns a knob and switches to another channel to a weather report.
WEATHERMAN (V’O)
And on this side of South England, we’re expecting a heavy bout of Daleks pouring into the heart of London as well as affecting parts of South Wales and Southern Eastern Scotland…
The Doctor switches over to another channel to a ‘Blue Peter’ item featuring Valerie Singleton as a presenter.
VALERIE SINGLETON (V’O)
Well, I’ve got three Daleks here. A little less frightening than the big ones. These you can eat. This one is in fact a Swiss roll covered in delicious chocolate icing. It’s also got liquorice and liquorices allsorts and…
The Doctor switches over to another channel…
ADVERT #1 (V’O)
Brace yourself, everyone! It’s the Daleks in their new movie – ‘The Ultimate Adventure’! Now showing at a cinema near you. Be there, or else…
…another channel…
ADVERT #2 (V’O)
Get to go on the new Dalek roller coaster, the Dalek fairground, and the Dalek log flume of death! Now Pembrokeshire is the new Dalek theme park! You’ll love it! The hugest theme park for families to go to and be exterminated! [Brace yourself…]
The Doctor joins Nyssa and Billy – a look of worry on his face.
BILLY
“This can’t be real. It just can’t be! They can’t be all over the world, can they?”
NYSSA
“What is going on? This must be some sort of joke.”
DOCTOR
“It’s no joke, Nyssa. This is definitely happening all over the world!”
SCENE #8 – INT – DALEK CONTROL ROOM, BRIGGS AND SHEARMAN’S TOY FACTORY – DAY, MORNING
In the Dalek control room at the toy factory in the Brecon Beacons, the Red Dalek monitors the images relayed by the toy Dalek in the Walkers’ house before the Black Dalek enters.
BLACK DALEK
“REPORT?”
RED DALEK
THE DOC-TOR AND HIS COMPANIONS KNOW OF OUR PRESENCE. THEY HAVE DISCOVERED DALEK UNITS IN THE FORM OF TOYS.
BLACK DALEK
AS LONG AS THEY DO NOT DISCOVER OUR BASE OF OPERATIONS, WE ARE SECURE. CONTINUE MONITORING!
RED DALEK
I OBEY!
The Black Dalek glides away to talk to its superior, the Gold Dalek Supreme. It raises its sucker stick to salute.
BLACK DALEK
HAIL GOLD DALEK SUPREME!
GOLD DALEK SUPREME
WHAT OF OUR ENEMIES? WHAT OF THE DOC-TOR AND HIS COMPANIONS? ARE THEY AWARE OF OUR PRESENCE?
BLACK DALEK
NO. BUT THEY HAVE BEEN ALERTED TO THE PRESENCE OF THE TOYS.
GOLD DALEK SUPREME
“NO MATTER! THE DOC-TOR IS STILL IGNORANT OF OUR CONQUEST OF EARTH.”
BLACK DALEK
“THEY WILL WORK IT OUT. THE DOC-TOR AND HIS COMPANIONS WILL SOLVE THE MYSTERY.”
GOLD DALEK SUPREME
“BY THEN, IT WILL BE TOO LATE. WE HAVE SAFEGUARDS SECURING ALL AREAS INVOLVING DALEK OPERATIONS.”
BLACK DALEK
“YES.”
GOLD DALEK SUPREME
CONTINUE THE OPERATION. INFORM ALL DALEK UNITS TO BE ON GUARD AND ON THE ALERT FOR THE DOC-TOR. HE AND HIS FRIENDS ARE TO BE EXTERMINATED ON SIGHT!
BLACK DALEK
UNDERSTOOD.
GOLD DALEK SUPREME
THE DALEKS WILL BE THE NEW MASTERS OF EARTH! THE NEW MASTERS OF EARTH! THE NEW MASTERS OF EARTH!!!
At that moment, a woman called Mrs. Shearman enters, escorted by a Dalek.
MRS. SHEARMAN
Must you boys make so much noise? You lot give me such a headache!
The Gold Dalek Supreme swivels around to address Mrs. Shearman.
GOLD DALEK SUPREME
MRS. SHEARMAN. DALEK OPERATIONS ARE AT FULL CAPACITY! ARE OPERATIONS EFFICIENT AT YOUR END?
MRS. SHEARMAN
“My company has despatched Dalek merchandise in all areas of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales. Batches of Dalek merchandise are already being sent to America, France and Japan.”
GOLD DALEK SUPREME
“DESPATCH OF DALEK UNITS MUST BE SENT AROUND THE WORLD IN ALL AREAS IN AN INSTANT! THE PROCESS MUST BE SWIFT!”
MRS. SHEARMAN
“I can only do my best. Perhaps you lot need to keep your side of the bargain. I can only work so fast so long as you give me the power and technology I require.”
GOLD DALEK SUPREME
“YOU HAVE NOTHING TO FEAR! EVERYTHING IS IN PLACE REGARDING YOUR PURPOSE WITH US!”
MRS. SHEARMAN
“I fear nothing. I left fear behind a long time ago. I’ve no reason to fear anything.”
GOLD DALEK SUPREME
“YOU WILL BE HAILED IN THE NEW AGE OF THE ALMIGHTY DALEK!”
The Daleks raise their sucker sticks to salute.
DALEKS
“ALL PRAISE TO THE ALMIGHTY DALEK!!! ALL PRAISE!!!”
MRS. SHEARMAN
“All praise to the Almighty Dalek indeed. Well, if he’s holier than anyone else, I’ll be happy to be a part of his regime.”
GOLD DALEK SUPREME
“YOU HAVE NO OPTION! IT IS YOUR DESTINY!”
MRS. SHEARMAN
“Is that so?” (Pause) “Hmm. Well, we’ll have to wait and see, won’t we?” (Pause) “Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have an important business meeting to attend to. A very important business meeting. If you have no objection…”
GOLD DALEK SUPREME
“YOU ARE DISMISSED. YOU MAY GO.”
MRS. SHEARMAN
“Much obliged.”
With that, Mrs. Shearman curtsies before she leaves, with the Dalek that escorted her in escorting her out of the Dalek control room. The Black Dalek joins beside the Gold Dalek Supreme once Mrs. Shearman is on her way out.
BLACK DALEK
(quietly) “SHE SERVES US WELL.”
GOLD DALEK SUPREME
(quietly) “AND SHE’S NOT SUSPICIOUS.”
SCENE #9 – INT – LIVING ROOM, NO. 8 – DAY, MORNING
Back in the living room of the Walkers’ residence, the Doctor, Nyssa and Billy confront Enid and Fred about the Dalekmania that’s been happening lately.
ENID
“I don’t understand why you three are so agitated about the Dalek toys. They’re harmless!”
FRED
“Yes. They may give the wrong impression, but the kids that I’ve seen love them to bits. It’s what the world is looking forward to. Outer space, alien lifeforms. It’s what you three have been doing in your travels.”
BILLY
“Mum; Dad, the Daleks are the Doctor’s greatest enemies. If they’re setting up these toys and their merchandise across the world, then it must be for an ulterior motive. Not to give pleasure and happiness to children.”
FRED
“Wait, you knew about the Daleks before returning to Churchwood?”
NYSSA
“We’ve faced the Daleks many times before. They’re ruthless, callous and without pity. They’re the most evil beings in the universe.”
ENID
(groans) “Oh please! Not like the Dwaxi again! I’ve had enough of that this year, thank you.”
DOCTOR
“Can I ask, Enid; Fred? Is it alright if we three go to the cinema?”
NYSSA
(surprised) “What? Doctor?”
DOCTOR
“I’m very curious about what the new Dalek movie is like. I would like to see it. And I haven’t been to the cinema in a long while.”
FRED
“Of course, Doctor. Why, we’ve got free tickets to go and see the film. It’s a guaranteed offer.”
ENID
“When would you like to go, Doctor?”
DOCTOR
“Today.”
ENID
“Today?!”
DOCTOR
“If it’s not too inconvenient, of course.”
FRED
“No, of course not. Me and Enid are happy to spend a day at the cinema with you, Nyssa and Billy. Aren’t we, Enid dear?”
BILLY
“When did you get free tickets to go to the cinema, Dad?”
ENID
“He got them from the cinema, of course. Excuse me. I’ll fetch some extra cash for my purse.”
FRED
“I’ll have the car ready. You three, wait here.”
With that, Enid and Fred leave the living room. Nyssa and Billy are perplexed whilst with the Doctor.
NYSSA
(puzzled) “What are you playing at, Doctor? Why do you want to go to the cinema all of a sudden? You don’t really want to see a Dalek film, do you?”
DOCTOR
“No, of course not. I just want to do some thinking. Form a strategy on how to sort out this Dalek menace.”
BILLY
“And you need to go to the cinema for that?”
DOCTOR
“It helps to avoid distractions. The Daleks could be anywhere. And I’m sure none of us wants to attract attention. So, it might be best to blend in. I can easily form a strategy before the Daleks know it whilst at the cinema.”
NYSSA
“Where have you been, Doctor?”
DOCTOR
“Pardon?”
NYSSA
“We haven’t seen you for days and you come back to us, warning us about the Dalek menace. What happened to you? Where were you whilst Billy and I have been preparing our wedding?”
DOCTOR
(frustrated) “Really, Nyssa. This isn’t the time.”
BILLY
“Nyssa’s got a point though, Doctor.”
DOCTOR
“Please, Billy, not you too.”
BILLY
(continues) “We’ve been fairly busy getting arrangements sorted for the wedding as well as Christmas. You haven’t been around to give us moral support. Like we needed you to be around when we wanted to ask you something.”
DOCTOR
“Please, Nyssa; Billy! This isn’t the time!”
NYSSA
“It never is, Doctor.” (Pause) “Have you been trying to avoid us?”
BILLY
“Is that it, Doctor? Are you trying to avoid us because we’re getting married?”
DOCTOR
“No, it’s not like that.” (Pause; breathes deep) “I’ve allowed you two to get your wedding sorted without any interference from me….because I know that whatever I do; whatever I touch…I bring chaos and trouble. Like this Dalekmania business.”
NYSSA
Since when has that stopped you from being part of our lives? We want you to be part of our wedding. We don’t want to shun you out.
BILLY
Your life isn’t all danger and destruction like you make it out to be. You make people better! You’re the Doctor! If it weren’t for you, Nyssa and I would never be together.
NYSSA
So, honestly tell us, Doctor. What makes you think you can’t be part of our lives in order to get away from the troubles of the universe? You don’t go looking for it.
DOCTOR
You’re right, Nyssa. You’re right, Billy. (Pause) I’m sorry for not being around when you wanted me to be. I’ve been selfish. (Pause) It’s just… It’s been a while since I’ve handled relationships between couples. Especially when one of them is about to get married.
BILLY
You’re the best friend we’ve ever had, Doctor. Me and Nyssa. We want you to be part of our lives as much as we’re part of yours.
NYSSA
Us getting married, Doctor, is merely a new step. (Pause) Billy and I have been thinking about it. And we would value your opinion on what we should do in our lives together.
A moment of tender silence enuses.
DOCTOR
(gradually) “Thank you, Nyssa and Billy. I appreciate you two valuing my opinion.” (Pause) “Of course, I’d like to help out in whatever way I can concerning your future together.”
Just then…
FRED
(calls; from outside) “Doctor? Nyssa? Billy? We’re ready to go now. The car’s ready!”
ENID
(calls; from outside) “And I have my purse on me with all the cash we need.”
BILLY
“Mum must have joined Dad out from the back when getting her purse.”
DOCTOR
“We’ll talk more about this later. In the meantime, we need to sort out what’s happening with the Daleks and their current presence on Earth. Agreed?”
NYSSA
“Of course, Doctor. It’s fine by me.”
BILLY
“Yes, of course. I can cope with that.”
DOCTOR
(pleased) “Good, good.” (Pause; cheerfully) “Let’s go to the cinema then!”
SCENE #10 – INT – SCREEN #4, MONICO CINEMA – DAY, MORNING
At the local Monico cinema on Churchwood Street; the Doctor, Nyssa, Billy, Enid and Fred are checking out the film ‘Daleks: The Ultimate Adventure’ on the big screen, eating popcorn and hot dogs at the same time. Nyssa, Billy, Enid and Fred are watching an exciting scene from the film (background movie effects occur), whilst the Doctor is slumped in his seat.
BILLY
(quietly) “Enjoying your popcorn, Nyssa?”
NYSSA
(quietly) “Not really. It feels so dry when eating it.”
BILLY
(quietly) “I know what you mean. I’m not one for popcorn myself. And hot dogs aren’t what they used to be.”
NYSSA
(quietly) “That’s the thing about time-travel, Billy. When you leave home, the things you used to enjoy end up becoming so different once you try them out again. I used to like a few Traken customs when I was a child. Nowadays, I’m not so keen on them.”
BILLY
(quietly) “Yeah.” (Pause) “Isn’t it like that normally when you’re growing up though?”
NYSSA
(quietly) “I’m not sure.” (Pause) “Mind you, I recall the things that Tegan said and did before she joined us in our TARDIS travels. She became a different person by the time we returned her to Heathrow Airport in the nineteen-eighties on Earth. All for the better, I hope.”
BILLY
(quietly) “That’s what I like about you, Nyssa. You’re very observant about people and the way they behave. And you’re so insightful.”
NYSSA
(quietly) “I’d like to see things from a variety of perspectives, Billy. It helps to get a clear picture of things in life.”
BILLY
(quietly) “Oh really? Then from your perspective, what do you make of this film?”
NYSSA
(quietly) “I’m not sure. The story itself is pretty straightforward. But I find it a tough experience when viewing it. The people on screen are trying to save Earth, yet the Daleks are able to destroy them.”
BILLY
(quietly) “Yeah. It’s like the Daleks are the heroes and the humans are the bad guys. I wonder why anyone would want to watch this film.”
ENID
(hushes) “Hush, you two! You’re making too much noise!”
After a moment’s silence, Nyssa and Billy try to speak to each other in lower whispers.
BILLY
(whispers) “I’ve never known a cinema to be this full either.”
NYSSA
(whispers) “I’ve never known people to be so obsessive about a flim like this.”
BILLY
(whispers) “Is the Doctor sleeping or has he got his eyes closed to think?”
NYSSA
(whispers) “I’m not sure if he can hear us.”
DOCTOR
(quietly) “You can stop whispering, you two. I can hear every word you’re saying.”
NYSSA
(surprised; quietly) “Doctor, you’re awake!”
DOCTOR
(quietly) “Wide awake, of course! And I know exactly how we’re going to stop this madness in order to defeat the Daleks!”
BILLY
(quietly) “Defeat them? What do you mean?”
NYSSA
(quietly) “How, Doctor? How are we going to defeat the Daleks?”
DOCTOR
(quietly) We need to investigate the Dalek toys; find out what they can do; and find out how they’re causing so much appeal to so many people on the planet Earth.
BILLY
(quietly) Okay. Fair enough. So where do we start?
DOCTOR
(quietly) Simple. We visit the shops, the newsagents and the supermarkets that have Dalek mechandise! Come on!
With that, the Doctor gets up and makes his way out of the audience row he and his friends are in. He passes through a number of people in their audience seats along the way.
DOCTOR
(quietly) Excuse me. Sorry. Coming through. Pardon me…
The audience members become agitated and annoyed once the Doctor makes his way out of the audience row. Nyssa and Billy soon get up and follow after the Doctor, passing through the audience members in their seats too.
NYSSA
(quietly) “Sorry. Coming through. Excuse us.”
BILLY
(quietly) “Yeah, sorry about this. Don’t mean to intrude.”
ENID
(calls; quietly) “Billy! Aren’t you and your friends going to stay to watch the rest of the film?”
FRED
(calls; quietly) “You’ll miss the big battle on the planet Skaro at the end!”
BILLY
(quietly) “Sorry, Mum; sorry, Dad. This is rather urgent.”
More audience members become annoyed, as Nyssa and Billy make their way past them to get out of the audience row.
BILLY
Do you have any idea where the Doctor is going with this plan of his?
NYSSA
No idea. But I’m keen to find out.
SCENE #11 – INT – TUCKWELL’S TOYS, CHURCHWOOD STREET – DAY, MORNING
Later on, the Doctor, Nyssa and Billy enter a toy shop. They look around, seeing a variety of toys before them.
BILLY
(feeling nostalgic) I haven’t been in a toy shop since I was a kid. I used to enjoy coming to this one. Wanted to have my toy cars and trains. Wanted to have my own castle with a prince, princess and knights. I even wanted to have my own yoyo as well as a little dinky.
NYSSA
I suppose that’s a slip of the tongue there, Billy. A donkey, not a dinky.
BILLY
No, no, Nyssa. A dinky is a… oh never mind. It’ll be hard to explain.
NYSSA
I’m intrigued.
DOCTOR
“Did they sell many Dalek toys when you used to come here, Billy?”
BILLY
“Not at all, Doctor. I’m sure I would’ve heard the word ‘Dalek’ back in the nineteen-fifties when I was growing up.”
NYSSA
“The shelves over there are filled with Dalek merchandise. There’s too much of it. What is it all for, I wonder?”
DOCTOR
“That’s what I hope to unravel. The Daleks’ single-minded lust for power drives them all the way. They’ll have something in mind on a massive scale with this mechandise.”
NYSSA
“Perhaps the Daleks have changed, Doctor. Maybe there is some good in them after all. Maybe they’re trying to remedy for what they’ve done in the past to so many in the universe.”
DOCTOR
“Daleks never change, Nyssa. Not in my experience. They’re always reassuringly bad.”
BILLY
“You can’t be sure of that, Doctor. Nyssa has a point.”
DOCTOR
“Yes, well, unless proven otherwise, I’m treating this as a massive urgent priority of ‘Daleks causing death worldwide’.”
NYSSA
“Alright. We should start asking questions to the person who owns this establishment. Get his perspective on what’s going on.”
DOCTOR
“Yes. You’d think the owner of this shop would turn up about now.”
At that moment, Mr. Tuckwell, the owner of Tuckwell’s Toys, enters.
TUCKWELL
(delighted) “Ah! Customers! Welcome, welcome! Can I help you three?”
DOCTOR
“Mr. Tuckwell, I presume?”
TUCKWELL
“At your service, Mr.…”
DOCTOR
“Doctor. Call me Doctor. And these are my friends, Nyssa and Billy.”
TUCKWELL
“Delighted to meet you all. Were you searching for anything in particular?”
DOCTOR
“Daleks! We’ve come to ask about the Daleks.”
NYSSA
“We thought about buying some for a charity event.”
TUCKWELL
“Well, there’s plenty on offer. And happily if I may say so. Take your pick. Dalek toys; Dalek games; Dalek books. Anything Daleky Dalek you want is here. There’s plenty to choose from.”
BILLY
“You must get your stock in pretty early before Christmas. I’m surprised you haven’t run out.”
TUCKWELL
“Oh, I’m well prepared, young man. And well supplied. This ‘Dalemania’ business has made me a millionaire!”
NYSSA
(surprised) “A millionaire?! You’re happy with your business then.”
TUCKWELL
“Oh yes! If it weren’t for Briggs and Shearman’s toy company, I don’t know where I would be.”
DOCTOR
“Briggs and Shearman’s? They supply you with the mechandise then?”
TUCKWELL
“Of course! They started supplying to me at the beginning of the year. They’re quite a winner over Woolworths.”
BILLY
(surprised) “At the beginning of the year? Since nineteen sixty-five started? But that means…”
NYSSA
(finishes) “…The Daleks have been around during the time we were dealing with the Dwaxi menace. They must have planned this in secret.”
DOCTOR
“Tell me, Mr. Tuckwell. Where do Briggs and Shearman run their base of operations? Is it far from here?”
TUCKWELL
“Oh, it’s up the Brecon Beacons. And it’s Mrs. Shearman who runs the company now. Just her apparently.”
NYSSA
“Why, what happened to Mr. Briggs? Or is it Mrs. Briggs? Or Miss?”
TUCKWELL
“Mr. Briggs, my dear. And we don’t know what became of him. Not that it matters, since I get a good intake of stock from the company anyway.”
DOCTOR
You wouldn’t happen to know where I might find Mrs. Shearman. I would like to ask her a few questions.
TUCKWELL
(hesitantly) Well, I’m not really sure…
NYSSA
Please! It’s very important.
BILLY
Yeah! We’re um…health and safety specialists. As well as working for a charity.
DOCTOR
Indeed! So if you could give us her home address, it would be a great help.
Tuckwell is silent for a moment, feeling hesitant.
TUCKWELL
(reluctantly) Well, I suppose I could give you her home address. I’ve got it in my address book somewhere.
With that, Tuckwell goes over to the address book that’s on a nearby counter. Opening the address book, Tuckwell rummages through the page to find where Mrs. Shearman’s home address is. The Doctor, Nyssa and Billy lean beside him.
TUCKWELL
(gradually) Ah! Here we are. Twenty-seven Richmond Road. It’s at the far end of Churchwood Street. You can’t miss it. About two and a half miles away from here.
DOCTOR
Come on! Let’s go and meet her!
NYSSA
Supposing she isn’t there, Doctor.
DOCTOR
Then we’ll have to find her somewhere else, won’t we?
TUCKWELL
“I say! Just a minute! Don’t you want to buy some Daleks mechandise on your way out?”
DOCTOR
“We’ll come back for that later. Thank you so much, Mr. Tuckwell! You’ve been a great help!”
With that, the Doctor, Nyssa and Billy leave the shop and a befuddled Tuckwell standing at the counter.
TUCKWELL
(befuddled) “Funny. I can’t imagine what ‘great help’ I was to them.”
SCENE #12 – EXT – NO. 27, RICHMOND ROAD – DAY, MORNING
On Richmond Road, the Doctor, Nyssa and Billy arrive outside Mrs. Shearman’s house. They’re in awe of the place.
NYSSA
(astonished) “It’s a large house! Rather spooky in my opinion.”
BILLY
(jokingly) “Maybe Mrs. Shearman wants a lot of room to keep her Dalek toys in order to play with them.”
NYSSA
(ruefully) “Very amusing, Billy.”
DOCTOR
“Come on, you two. Let’s ring the doorbell. See if anyone’s in.”
With that, the Doctor rings the doorbell.
BILLY
(whispers; to Nyssa) “Are you going to ask him or me?”
NYSSA
(thinks; whispers) “I’ll ask him.”
Nyssa and Billy approach the Doctor, whilst he keeps ringing the doorbell.
DOCTOR
(impatiently) “Come on, come on! What’s taking you so long?!”
NYSSA
“Doctor? Billy and I…we wanted to ask you something. It’s rather important.”
DOCTOR
(sighs; calmly) “Yes, Nyssa and Billy. What is it?”
NYSSA
(gradually) “Would you be willing to give me away? At the wedding?”
DOCTOR
(gradually; surprised) “Me? Give you away? To Billy? At the wedding?”
NYSSA
(gradually) “I can’t think of anyone else. Doctor. My father’s gone.” (Pause) “I would like you to have the honour.”
DOCTOR
(gradually) “Well, I must say…” (Pause) “I…I’m honoured. Really I am.” (Pause) “Thank you, both. I’d be happy to give you away at the wedding, Nyssa.”
NYSSA
(pleased) “Thank you, Doctor. That means a great deal.”
A moment of tender silence ensues. Eventually, the Doctor turns his attention back to the front door of No. 27.
DOCTOR
(sighs; frustrated) “Why isn’t she answering?”
BILLY
“She might not be at home, Doctor. We’ll have to come back later.”
DOCTOR
“Typical. Just typical!”
Eventually, the Doctor fumbles through his coat pockets.
DOCTOR
“What I need is a paper clip. I usually keep one in one of my coat pockets.” (Pause) “I don’t seem to have one on me today.”
NYSSA
“You can use my Traken brooch if you want.”
DOCTOR
(pleased) “Brilliant! Thank you, Nyssa. I would like to borrow it for a few minutes, please.”
Eventually, Nyssa takes off her Traken brooch and hands it over to the Doctor.
NYSSA
“Here you go.”
DOCTOR
“Thank you. Now let’s see if I can pick the lock of this front door using your brooch. Hopefully we should be able to get inside within a few minutes.”
At that moment, Enid and Fred arrive.
FRED
(calls) “There they are! Billy; Nyssa; Doctor!”
BILLY
(surprised) “Mum; Dad! What are you two doing here? You shouldn’t be here! It’s dangerous!”
ENID
“We followed you here from Tuckwell’s Toys. We wondered what became of you, Billy, when you and your friends left the cinema.”
At that moment, the Doctor picks at the lock with Nyssa’s brooch and the front door to No. 27 unlocks to open.
DOCTOR
(triumphantly) “Aha! Here we are! Now let’s go inside!”
NYSSA
“Are you sure about this? We don’t the right to…”
ENID
(shocked; interrupts) “Did your Doctor friend just force an entry into this house, Billy?”
BILLY
(exasperated) “Mum, now is not the time!”
NYSSA
“What about Billy’s parents, Doctor? What are we to do with them?”
DOCTOR
“Well, bring them in! They can’t stay out here! Come on, inside!”
With that, the Doctor eagerly goes inside.
NYSSA
“Just bring them in, Billy. It’ll save some awkward questions outside.”
BILLY
“Alright then.” (to Enid; Fred) “Come on, Mum; Dad! Let’s go in!”
ENID
“You must be out of your mind, Billy! We’re not going into someone’s house without being invited! People will think we’re burglars!”
BILLY
(shrugs) “Suit yourself. See you later.”
With that, Billy follows Nyssa inside the house. After a moment’s silence…
FRED
(gradually) “We’d better go in, Enid. We can’t leave them in there like this.”
ENID
(sighs; grudgingly) “Very well.” (calls) “Wait for us, you three! Hold on!”
With that, Enid and Fred follow inside after Billy, Nyssa and the Doctor.
SCENE #13 – INT – LIBRARY, NO. 27 – DAY, MORNING
Inside; the Doctor, Nyssa, Billy, Enid and Fred end up in the library of Mrs. Shearman’s house. The Doctor rummages through some papers on a table to make a start.
NYSSA
“Do you know what to look for, Doctor?”
DOCTOR
“Not as such. Anything to do with Daleks probably. Manufacture blueprints; product sheets; company records; data documents. Anything that can help us to establish what the Daleks are up to.”
BILLY
“We won’t be able to find much here. There are so many books and papers about. We’ll be lucky to find anything before Mrs. Shearman returns home.”
NYSSA
“Billy’s right, Doctor. We shouldn’t linger here for too long.”
DOCTOR
“Then help me with checking these files. We can start off by looking through the lever arch files. You Nyssa and you Billy look through that one.”
The Doctor hands over a lever arch file to Nyssa and Billy, to which they take and begin to look through. Meanwhile, the Doctor looks another lever arch file to search for anything Dalek-related.
BILLY
(gradually) “Well. they’ve got plenty of Dalek designs. There are details on specific proportions and how Daleks toys should be manufactured.”
NYSSA
“Perhaps that’s the clue we need.”
DOCTOR
“I wish there was a laboratory nearby.”
ENID
“You three are unbelievable! Is this what you’re going to be doing for the rest of your life, Billy? Travelling the universe and getting yourself into trouble?”
BILLY
“Mum, there’s no need to be like that!”
ENID
(challengingly) “Well, is it?”
BILLY
“No! It’s not always like this. Most times, it’s rather pleasant.”
FRED
“That’s the thing, Billy. What are you and Nyssa going to do in terms of a future? Are you still going to keep on travelling like you are now or are you going to settle down somewhere?”
BILLY
“I don’t know. There’s still a lot to prepare.”
ENID
“Do you think you two will ever get to talk about marriage? About how you live your life whilst still adventuring? You two won’t get a chance to enjoy marriage together.”
NYSSA
“Enid; Fred! I’m sure we’ll talk about this in due course. Billy and I will be talking about how we’ll spend our lives together once we’re married.”
ENID
“But you’re not talking about it now! You’re doing stuff involving Daleks and breaking into other people’s houses! Is that what my son’s going to end up doing? Getting in the midst of danger and being a law-breaker?”
DOCTOR
(interrupts; triumphantly) “Aha! Eureka!”
NYSSA
“What is it, Doctor?”
DOCTOR
“I’ve found it! In this file here! It has what we need to know in terms of how and where the toy Daleks are being constructed?”
BILLY
(amazed) “Really?” (Pause) “Well, where are the toy Daleks being constructed then?”
DOCTOR
“Here, of course! In this room! Staring right at us in the face!”
NYSSA
(puzzled) “I’m sorry.”
The Doctor makes his way over to a table.
DOCTOR
“If we lift the leg of this pony statuette here on this table before us…”
With that, the Doctor lifts the leg of the pony statuette and a door opens inwardly nearby on a wall. Everyone looks to see the door opening in the wall.
DOCTOR
(finishes) “…a panel opens up to reveal a laboratory behind the oak-panelled wall.”
FRED
(astonished) “Amazing! Absolutely amazing!”
ENID
“This reminds me of all those ‘Famous Five’ books I’ve read! Featuring places with secret passages in them.”
NYSSA
(impressed) “Good spotting, Doctor!”
BILLY
(pleased) “Now we can get somewhere.”
DOCTOR
“Yes! Come on, everybody! Inside!”
With that; Nyssa, Billy, Enid and Fred follow the Doctor, as they enter the laboratory through the oak-panelled wall.
SCENE #14 – INT – LABORATORY, NO. 27 – DAY, MORNING
Inside; the Doctor, Nyssa, Billy, Enid and Fred look around the laboratory to find what they’re looking for.
DOCTOR
“Now this looks promising. All this equipment is definitely not of human origin. I recognise Dalek technology whenever I see it.”
NYSSA
“Doctor, there’s a transmat pad system here. It’s homing in on a signal that’s being transmitted in outer space.”
DOCTOR
(intrigued) “Really, is that so? Where exactly is this signal being transmitted to?”
Nyssa checks, as she accesses the computer terminal.
NYSSA
(gradually) “The signal is establishing a direct link with Earth’s moon.”
BILLY
(surprised) “The moon?! Why would the Daleks want to establish a link with the moon?”
DOCTOR
“To create a communications network? A new base containing armies of massive-sized Daleks? A construction site for a giant Dalek? I’ve no idea.”
NYSSA
“Do you think Mrs. Shearman knows about this link between Earth and its moon by the Daleks, Doctor?”
DOCTOR
“I’d be surprised if she didn’t.”
ENID
“If this is supposed to be a Dalek manufacturing base, where are all the workers? Why aren’t they here?”
FRED
“Yes. Shouldn’t they be here to provide answers to the questions you need answering?”
DOCTOR
“Good questions, Enid and Fred. There should be workers here. Where are they now? Why aren’t they here?” (Pause) “Let’s see if we can find them.”
The Doctor has a look around the laboratory, whilst Fred picks up some cylinders from a nearby table that fascinate him.
FRED
“Say, Billy. Do you know what these cylinders are?”
Billy joins his dad. Fred passes one of the cylinders to Billy, and he in turn examines it.
BILLY
(gradually) “Hmm. Not sure. Nyssa might know.” (to Nyssa) “Nyssa, dear. Any idea what these things might be?”
Nyssa joins Billy and she takes the cylinder from him to examine it.
NYSSA
“They might be highly-integrated sub-wave data-stamps.”
ENID
“And what are these…data-stamps when they’re at home?”
NYSSA
This must be technology that the Daleks have acquired to gain local knowledge. They contain statistical and factual information about the current space-time of their present location.
BILLY
(realises) You mean, they use this information to get to know the local area. To know what Churchwood Street is like with its people in it.
NYSSA
I wouldn’t be surprised if they didn’t use this information to prepare for their invasion of Earth.
DOCTOR
(calls) Nyssa; Billy, help me! I can’t get this door open!
At that, Nyssa and Billy go over to help the Doctor.
NYSSA
I presume there’s something in there you want to find.
DOCTOR
A locked door makes me curious, Nyssa. And you know how curosity gets the better of me.
BILLY
(wryly) “Yeah. Don’t we all know?”
Nyssa and Billy help the Doctor, as they tug at the door to get it open.
NYSSA
“You probably won’t find anything behind that door, Doctor.”
DOCTOR
“Nonsense! Never underestimate what you can and can’t find. There’s always the possibility of something worth finding. Particularly if you want to know who’s working in the laboratory.”
Eventually, the TARDIS trio get the door open.
BILLY
(satisfied) “There! We got it open!”
DALEK #1
“DOC-TOR!”
NYSSA
(shocked) “A Dalek!”
BILLY
“Oh no!”
DOCTOR
(sighs) “Okay!”
The Doctor immediately slams the door shut on the Dalek.
DOCTOR
“Now’s the time to run!”
BILLY
(shouts) “Mum; Dad! Let’s get out of here!”
ENID
(puzzled) “Why, what is it…?”
NYSSA
(shouts) “Don’t argue Enid! Just run!”
The Dalek blasts its way through the door with its ray gun, whilst the Doctor, Nyssa, Billy, Enid and Fred escape.
DALEK #1
“EXTERMINATE! EXTERMINATE!!!”
The Doctor, Nyssa, Billy, Enid and Fred run out of the laboratory and back into the library with the Dalek chasing them.
SCENE #15 – INT – LIBRARY, NO. 27 – DAY, NOON
It’s now noon. The Doctor immediately closes the oak-panelled wall, using the pony statuette, to hide and shut the laboratory with the Dalek inside.
DOCTOR
“Good! Now back the way we came! Out through the front door!”
The Doctor, Nyssa, Billy, Enid and Fred make their way out of the house before another Dalek appears and blocks their path.
NYSSA; BILLY
(shocked) “Whoa!”
DALEK #2
“THE DOC-TOR WILL BE EXTERMINATED!!!”
DOCTOR
(shouts; urgently) “Out, out! In the lobby, everyone!”
An explosion occurs, as the Dalek from the laboratory blasts it way through the oak-panelled wall.
FRED
(panics) “That other Dalek just came through! The wall didn’t hold it much.”
DOCTOR
(shouts; urgently) “Everyone, I said! Everyone out!”
DALEKS
“EXTERMINATE!!! EXTERMINATE!!!”
The Doctor, Nyssa, Billy, Enid and Fred head out of the library and make for the lobby. The two Daleks pursuing them glide their way along, opening fire with their energy weapons at their targets.
SCENE #16 – INT – LOBBY, NO. 27 – DAY, NOON
In the lobby, the Doctor, Nyssa, Billy, Enid and Fred enter as they approach the stairs.
DOCTOR
“Nyssa! Get yourself, Billy and his parents upstairs!”
NYSSA
“What about you?”
DOCTOR
“I’ll sort the Daleks out! Now go! Up the stairs you go!”
NYSSA
(cries) “Billy! Get your parents up the stairs!”
BILLY
“Mum; Dad, up the stairs you go!”
ENID
“But those Daleks will come and get us!”
BILLY
“Daleks can’t climb stairs, Mum! Don’t worry!”
NYSSA
“They actually can climb stairs, Billy.”
BILLY
(grits teeth; annoyed) “Thanks, Nyssa! I wasn’t going to tell them that!”
DALEKS
(from a distance) “EXTERMINATE! EXTERMINATE!!!”
FRED
(urgently) “We’d better do as Billy says, Enid! Come on! Up the stairs we go!”
Fred takes Enid upstairs. Billy follows them. Nyssa meanwhile joins the Doctor, as he looks through an umbrella rack.
DOCTOR
“I’ll try and hold them off! Something from this umbrella rack should help.”
NYSSA
“I’ll stay with you, Doctor. I’ll help you out!”
DOCTOR
“Get yourself up those stairs, Nyssa! Right this instant!”
NYSSA
“I’m not leaving you!”
Billy comes back downstairs.
BILLY
(calls; urgently) “Come on, Nyssa! The Doctor’s right! Up we go now!”
Billy takes Nyssa by the hand up the stairs, before the Daleks enter, as they blast their way into the lobby with their death rays.
DALEKS
“EXTERMINATE! EXTERMINATE!!!”
The Doctor rummages through the umbrella rack, chucking things out as he does so.
DOCTOR
(mutters) “Umbrella! Another umbrella! Walking stick? Tea towel?”
Eventually, the Doctor finds something and he holds it up in the air, aiming at the Daleks.
DOCTOR
(cheers) “Aha! Golf club! Not a cricket bat, but it’ll do!” (to Daleks) “Now Daleks! I’d advise you to stay back!”
The Daleks don’t listen.
DOCTOR
(agitated) “No?! Really, I’d advise you to stay back! Stay back, or I’ll… Oh never mind!”
With that, the Doctor gets up the stairs, as the Daleks levitate and follow him.
DALEKS
“EXTERMINATE! EXTERMINATE!!!”
NYSSA
(urgently) “Doctor, they’re levitating!”
DOCTOR
“I’m aware of that, Nyssa, thank you!” (to Daleks) “Daleks, tell me the reason for you being here.”
DALEKS
“EXTERMINATE!”
The Daleks open fire. The Doctor uses the golf club to deflect their death rays.
BILLY
(cheers) “Good shot, Doctor!”
NYSSA
Yes, very impressive, Doctor! Deflecting their death rays with a metal surface on a thin curved structure.
DOCTOR
I appreciate your sentiments, you two. But now’s not the time!
The Daleks keep on firing, whilst the Doctor keeps on deflecting their death rays with the golf club.
DOCTOR
Daleks, I demand you tell me the reason for your being here! Is it for an invasion? Is that it? You can’t be just here to celebrate Christmas! Tell me! Answer me!
DALEKS
EXTERMINATE!
The Doctor keeps on deflecting the Daleks’ shots, before he angrily slams his golf club onto one of the Daleks’ casings.
DOCTOR
(shouts; angrily) I’m the Doctor! Tell me why you’re here! I’ve a right to know that before I die! Tell me why you’re here! Answer me now! JUST TELL ME!!!
The Daleks fire again and the Doctor backs away, avoiding their shots.
NYSSA
“Doctor, please be careful!”
DOCTOR
(agitated) “I am being careful! Just get yourself and Billy up on that balcony!”
Nyssa and Billy run up the stairs to join Enid and Fred on the balcony, whilst the Daleks keep on attacking the Doctor and he fights back at them with the golf club.
DALEKS
“EXTERMINATE! EXTERMINATE!!!”
DOCTOR
“You could just tell me, you know! It’s not so difficult! I’m your greatest enemy, so have the opportunity to gloat at me by allowing me to hear your plans before you kill me!”
DALEKS
“EXTERMINATE!!!”
DOCTOR
“Ooff!”
The Doctor gets knocked off his feet by a Dalek, before he falls over onto the balcony, flat on his back.
NYSSA
(cries) “Doctor!”
BILLY
(cries) “Hold on, Doctor! We’ll save you!”
NYSSA
(cries) “Billy, don’t!”
The Daleks open fire and Billy stumbles forward beside the Doctor, crying out.
NYSSA
(cries; panics) “Billy, no!”
Nyssa runs forward to the Doctor and Billy, as they lie on the floor, unable to move. The Daleks advance.
DALEK #1
(gloats) “YOU CANNOT ESCAPE US!”
Meanwhile, Enid and Fred back away, terrified of the Daleks.
ENID
(cries; panics) “Fred, we’ve got to do something! They’ll get our boy! What can we do?!”
FRED
“Hang on! What’s inside this cupboard?”
Fred opens up a cupboard nearby. Inside is a Dalek energy weapon. Fred takes it out of the cupboard.
ENID
“What is that?”
FRED
“It’s a Dalek energy weapon. Like what they’ve got!”
ENID
“Can you use it?”
FRED
“I’ll try.”
As Fred works out how to use the Dalek weapon, the two Daleks arrive on the balcony and advance on the TARDIS trio.
DALEK #2
“ALL ENEMIES OF THE DALEKS MUST BE DESTROYED!!!”
The Daleks ready their weapons, whilst Fred abruptly opens fire with the Dalek energy weapon in his hands. This causes him and Enid to scream, startled. The TARDIS trio look back to Enid and Fred.
BILLY
(shocked) “Mum; Dad, what are you two doing?!”
FRED
“I think I’ve got the hang of this!”
ENID
(cries; urgently) “Do it, Fred! Do it now! Open fire at the Daleks!”
DALEKS
“EXTERMINATE!!!”
The Daleks are about to open fire on the TARDIS trio, before Fred opens fire with his Dalek energy weapon again. The Daleks get hit by Fred’s energy weapon. They instantly shake and shudder. The mutant creatures inside the Dalek casings shriek and scream in agony and rage. The Doctor, Nyssa and Billy get up from the ground once this happens. With their last shrieks, the Daleks explode and blow up. Their casings scatter all over the place. The Dalek mutant creatures have been frazzled and fried alive. Their tentacles drop out from the controls in their casings, confirming they’re dead.
NYSSA
“You did it, Fred! You actually shot them!”
DOCTOR
(annoyed) “No, no, no, NO!!! I need to know why they’re here!”
BILLY
(astonished) “That was…amazing!”
NYSSA
“High voltage energy shortened out the Daleks’ use of static electricity. The energy weapon that Fred used disabled the Daleks’ mobility and caused an interstitial power surge that coursed through the synapses of their brains.”
ENID
(puzzled) “Could you repeat that, dear?”
BILLY
(amazed) “Mum; Dad! You saved our lives! How you managed to use that Dalek gun, I’ll never know.”
NYSSA
“And how you were able to acquire that weapon is amazing!”
FRED
“It comes with experience. Me being a soldier once.” (Pause) “And how Enid and I were able to find the weapon was from this cupboard here. It must have been a souvenir Mrs. Shearman collected from her Daleks colleagues, if they are colleagues at all.”
DOCTOR
“I believe your assumption is correct, Fred. It was sheer chance you and Enid came across it.”
ENID
“So, we’re safe then? No more Daleks to attack us.”
BILLY
“Not for now, Mum.”
NYSSA
You Fred and you Enid sorted out the ones we needed to deal with swiftly.
FRED
(pleased) Oh! Well, that’s good then.
DOCTOR
(annoyed) It’s not good! Nothing about this is good! The Daleks are up to no good! They’re invading the Earth by selling toys and merchanidise and we still don’t what form their invasion plans are going to be? There’s nothing we can use to decipher what they’re about to do.
NYSSA
Actually, we have these, Doctor. Data-stamps.
DOCTOR
What?
Nyssa presents the data-stamps in her hands to show the Doctor.
NYSSA
I assume these data-stamps can give us detailed information about what the Daleks’ invasion plans are. Considering they were kept in Mrs. Shearman’s laboratory of all places.
DOCTOR
(annoyed) “Why didn’t you tell me this before, Nyssa? This is precisely what we need!”
With that, the Doctor snatches the data-stamps from Nyssa and examines them carefully. Whilst the Doctor examines the data-stamps, Billy confides quietly with Nyssa.
BILLY
(quietly) “I suppose we’re to assume that Mrs. Shearman is a bad penny.”
NYSSA
(quietly) “The evidence seems to be clear, Billy. Unless someone contradicts us, we can’t assume an alternative at this point.”
A moment of silence ensues.
NYSSA
(gradually) “Well, Doctor? Your verdict?”
DOCTOR
(gradually) “Yes! This is exactly what we need!” (Pause) “Time for us to depart, I think. Quickly before Mrs. Shearman returns. We head back to Churchwood; return to Tuckwell’s Toys; and after that, have a bacon butty in Norton’s Café. I feel rather peckish.”
FRED
(confused) “Tuckwell’s Toys? What are we going back there for?”
DOCTOR
To buy a Dalek of course! A toy Dalek! I need to experiment on it as well as assess the data-stamps to determine what information we can gather. That way, we’ll be clearer on what the Daleks are up to.
© Tim Bradley, 2022
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