5. The Tree Garden

Roll original 1982 Peter Davison opening credits

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REPRISE

BILLY
(anxiously) “Nyssa?! Nyssa, you’re in pain! It’s the Tree again, isn’t it? Isn’t it?!”

NYSSA
(cries; in pain) “She’s trying…to get inside my mind” (Pause) “It’s too much for me! I can’t take it in! I CAN’T TAKE IT IN!!”

BILLY
(upset; out loud) “Stop it! Stop it, you Tree whatever you are! Can’t you see you’re hurting Nyssa?! You’re going to burn her brains out! Please stop! PLEASE STOP!!!”

Nyssa cries out in more pain, whilst Billy cradles her in his arms. Meanwhile, the Doctor has trouble dealing with the Melkurs.

MELKURS
(in unison) “What is it to be, Doctor? Death by burial? Or death by execution by the master we serve? Your choice!”

(CONTINUES INTO:)

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SCENE #36B – INT – CAVE ON HILL, RIVERLOTH – NIGHT

DOCTOR
(to Melkurs) “You are being unfair on us! Is it because we’re so close to the truth that you want to kill us?”

MELKURS
(in unison) “Surrender! Surrender to us outside! Or surrender in the cave!”

Just then, Nyssa stops crying in pain. She then rises to her feet.

BILLY
(concerned) “Nyssa? Nyssa, what’s the matter? You’ve gone all serious.”

DOCTOR
(to Melkurs) “The choices you give to us lead to death. Aren’t there any choices that lead to life?”

MELKURS
(in unison) “You cannot escape death! Death becomes you!”

Just then, Nyssa speaks with the voice of the Tree inside her and talking over her voice.

NYSSA/TREE
(bellows) “No! You will not harm the Doctor and his friends! I am here!”

BILLY
(astonished) “Doctor! Nyssa, she’s speaking with another voice!”

DOCTOR
(astonished) “I heard her, Billy!” (realises) “The Melkurs seem to be terrified of Nyssa as well! See! They’re backing away!”

BILLY
(anxiously) “But what’s happening? Why has her voice changed?!”

DOCTOR
“Quiet, Billy. Listen!”

Nyssa, taken over by the Tree, steps forward to talk to the Melkurs. The Melkurs back away from the entrance to the cave.

MELKURS
(in unison; terrified) “You cannot be here! You cannot exist in corporal form! Leave us! We beg you! Your presence here terrifies us!”

NYSSA/TREE
(bellows) “Be gone, spawns of evil! I shall use my powers to smite you and cast you into eternal darkness! Be gone I say!”

MELKURS
(in unison) “We shall return! You have not heard the last of this!”

With that, the Melkurs retreat. They walk away from the cave before flying into the air. They leave the hill of the Tree behind them and head back to where they came from. Moment of silence.

BILLY
“They’ve gone, Doctor! The Melkurs have gone!”

DOCTOR
(astonished) “Yes, so they have.”

BILLY
“But what does it mean, Doctor? What is it all about?”

DOCTOR
“I don’t know, Billy. It’s most fascinating!” (cautiously; to Nyssa) “Nyssa?”

NYSSA/TREE
(bellows) “Doctor! You and your friends must come and see me at the Tree Garden. There is much I need to tell you! So little time left. Time is against us! Please hurry! Meet me at the Tree Garden where I live!”

Suddenly, Nyssa gasps for breath. She is freed of the Tree’s control of her. She stumbles forward, as Billy catches her in his arms.

BILLY
(reassuringly) “It’s alright, Nyssa! It’s alright! I’ve got you!”

Nyssa recovers, before she looks up to see Billy.

NYSSA
(wearingly) “Billy? Am I…?”

BILLY
“Yes, Nyssa. Everything’s alright! You’re ‘you’ again. I think.”

Nyssa eventually sighs relieved. She embraces Billy in a hug.

DOCTOR
“Good to see you well too, Nyssa.”

NYSSA
“Doctor? Did…you see what happened to me? Did you hear me…?”

DOCTOR
“Yes, Nyssa. We heard you alright. Billy and me.”

BILLY
“You were speaking with a different voice, Nyssa. It was like your voice, but somebody else was speaking over it.”

NYSSA
(gradually) “It was the Tree! The Tree spoke through me!” (Pause) “She took control of my mind and used my voice. The words weren’t my own! It was the Tree’s.”

DOCTOR
“So the Tree was using you as a medium. To speak to me and Billy as well as the Melkurs. Just like the Xeraphin before then.”

BILLY
“Xeraphin?”

DOCTOR
(to Billy) Another time.

NYSSA
The Tree could sense we were in danger. When the Melkurs were chasing after us, she wanted to give us time. To reach the Tree Garden at the top of the hill. So she used me to scare the Melkur off!

BILLY
(wryly) Well it certainly scared them off, alright! I’ve never seen statues scared off before. Especially not scary-looking statues.

DOCTOR
You could remember everything, Nyssa? You could remember what was going on?

NYSSA
Yes. A trace of the Tree’s memory is still in me. Lingering inside my mind. But it’s starting to fade away as if it were a dream.

DOCTOR
But you’re better now, are you Nyssa?

NYSSA
I’ve never felt better in all my life. Truly I am alright!

BILLY
(to Nyssa) “Well you could have fooled me. I was terrified when I heard you speaking with a different voice.”

NYSSA
“Sorry, Billy. I didn’t mean to distress you. It sometimes happens to me when beings of immense power want to take over my mind.”

BILLY
“So what do we do now, Doctor? Where do we go from here?”

DOCTOR
(gradually) “Well the Tree said through Nyssa that it wanted us to go and meet it at the Tree Garden. That’s on top of this hill. I suggest we go up there and make our appointment.”

BILLY
“You’re not seriously suggesting we go up to the top of the hill and meet this Tree in its…her garden?”

DOCTOR
(enthused) “Oh absolutely! I’m determined! The Tree has a lot of answers to our questions that we need to know!”

NYSSA
“I can show you the way, Doctor. I know how to get up to the top of the hill and find the Tree Garden.”

DOCTOR
“Really, Nyssa?”

BILLY
“But you don’t know Riverloth well enough, Nyssa. This is your first visit to Riverloth, isn’t it?”

NYSSA
(interrupts) “The Tree showed me the way, Billy. It made mental contact with me and I can see the route which the Tree gave me.”

DOCTOR
“Very well then. Lead the way, Nyssa. Let’s hope we reach the top of the hill safely enough and find the Tree easily.”

NYSSA
“Come on then! Out of the cave we go!”

The Doctor and Billy follow Nyssa, as they head out of the cave.

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SCENE #37 – INT – CONSUL CHAMBER, RIVERLOTH – NIGHT
In the Consul Chamber, Werna is being interrogated by her father and mother, Rondus and Galadio.

GALADIO
(insistent) We want to know what you’ve been doing, Werna! Tell us what you’ve been up to!

WERNA
(protests) I refuse to be treated in this way! Especially by my parents!

RONDUS
We have to maintain a sense of good reputation amongst our family in the Riverlothian society, daughter! You should share what your activities have been of late, so that we can ascertain how to judge you!

GALADIO
And whether we should treat you fairly or unfairly.

WERNA
(protests) You’ve been treating me unfairly ever since I was in my late teens! I’ve been trying to make something of myself!

GALADIO
(dismissive) “That’s enough, Werna! You don’t know what you’re saying!”

WERNA
(protests) “I try to speak freely but you always shut me up! To hide the truth! To avoid seeing how our society leans towards a state of decay!”

RONDUS
“We’re not ‘crumbling’ as you claim, Werna!”

GALADIO
“You would do well not to interfere with the workings in our streets; villages and towns, Werna. Your interference could cause damage to the stability and equilibrium of our planet. Even interference with the River Manipulator could cause damage!”

WERNA
(protests) “I’m sure the three visitors, the Doctor; Nyssa and Billy can see there’s something wrong on this planet with the crisis you and the Consuls debate about.”

GALADIO
“The Doctor and his friends had better not interfere, Werna! That mustn’t be encouraged!”

RONDUS
“The three visitors must see the achievements of Riverloth! Not its failures. They must not be aware that something is wrong!”

WERNA
“But they are aware, father! They know, you see!”

GALADIO
“What?! What do you mean, child?!”

WERNA
“I gave a message to one of the three strangers. The boy called Billy. I told him to let the Doctor and Nyssa know about the River Manipulator Room. That they should investigate there!”

GALADIO
(shocked; appalled) “You told them about the secrets in the River Manipulator Room. Or hinted at it!” (angrily) “How could you do such a thing, daughter?! You’ll ruin this family’s reputation on Riverloth!”

WERNA
“Better to have our reputation ruined than to live on a dead world, mother! Something must be done to save Riverloth from disaster! I believe the Doctor; Nyssa and Billy can save us!”

RONDUS
(knowingly) “They won’t save us, daughter! Not after the crime they’ve committed this night!”

WERNA
(puzzled) “What do you mean, father?”

RONDUS
“The Doctor and his friends have been to see the Tree on the hill. A sacred place where no-one must stand! Not even Consuls!”

WERNA
(wryly) “Except for Consul Sarumane and Consul Bonncere! When they want to ‘maintain’ the power flow from the Tree to the River via the River Manipulator.” (puzzled) “By the way? Where are Sarumane and Bonncere? Shouldn’t they be here to add to these discussions?”

GALADIO
“Sarumane and Bonncere’s whereabouts are not of your concern!”

WERNA
“Yes they are, mother!”

RONDUS
“The point is the Doctor; Nyssa and Billy have committed a crime. They’ve walked on sacred ground. Therefore they must be punished!”

WERNA
(shocked) “What?! You can’t punish those three for walking on sacred ground when they don’t even know about it! For goodness sake, father! They didn’t know!”

GALADIO
“They should have known better, daughter!”

WERNA
(protests) “Mother; father!”

RONDUS
“It is decided! Proctor Glorfini will inform us of the Doctor and his friends’ capture. Then they will bring them here to us in the Consul Chamber! Then we shall condemn them!”

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SCENE #38 – EXT – TREE GARDEN, RIVERLOTH – NIGHT
Meanwhile, at the Tree Garden, the Doctor; Nyssa and Billy arrive. All is calm as they reach the top of the hill. The TARDIS trio are quite exhausted from their climb.

BILLY
(exhausted) “Is…is this it? Is this the Tree Garden?”

DOCTOR
(exhausted) I hope it is, Billy! The Tree stands out at the top of this hill, doesn’t it?

BILLY
It’s not much of a garden, is it? Just one tree planted in a square. With stone pebbles around it.

DOCTOR
It’s certainly very distinctive, Billy. This is all rather fascinating. Now if I just fetch my sonic screwdriver…aha!

The Doctor fumbles in his pockets and takes out his sonic screwdriver. He switches it on and it buzzes away. The Doctor scans the Tree with his sonic screwdriver, getting readings from it.

DOCTOR
Hmm! This Tree has a very powerful telepathic field. It originates from the central stem of the Tree. The sonic screwdriver’s picking up wiring technology. Presumably to connect the flow of water from the Tree to the river and back again. Pumping water and energy as it does so!

The Doctor puts the sonic screwdriver back into his coat pocket.

BILLY
Perhaps the Tree can respond to our voices when we talk to it.

Billy steps forward and tries to talk to the Tree.

BILLY
(cheerfully; to Tree) “Hello there! My name’s Billy! We’re here as you requested.” (Pause) “The Doctor; Nyssa and I.”

No response.

BILLY
(to Tree) “We’re wondering what you want. There’s no need to be afraid.”

Still no response. A gentle breeze brushes the leaves of the Tree.

BILLY
(annoyed) “Heck, I’m talking to a tree! I feel silly.”

NYSSA
(entranced; dazed) “The Tree can’t talk to you via word of mouth, Billy. The Tree’s telepathic. It can only communicate with telepathy. Such as mine. The strain…of the mental connection…is too strong. My abilities…faintly dormant….”

BILLY
(concerned) “Nyssa? Are you alright? What’s the matter?”

NYSSA
(entranced; dazed) “The Tree! It’s happening again! It’s making contact…with me again! I can feel it…gaining control of my mind.”

Nyssa then cries out in pain, as she stumbles to the floor. The Doctor and Billy kneel beside her again.

BILLY
(cries; anxiously) “Nyssa?! Can you hear me? Nyssa?! Nyssa?!”

Nyssa then convulses violently as she cries out in pain.

BILLY
(anxiously) “Doctor, it’s worse now! She’s convulsing violently!”

DOCTOR
“We’re close to the Tree! The source of the telepathic contact is too strong for Nyssa!”

BILLY
“Then it could easily kill her! We’ve got to take her away from here!”

DOCTOR
“No, Billy! That’ll make things worse!” (Pause) “I’ll try to project an energy barrier around her head again! Then I’ll make contact with her.”

BILLY
“Are you sure, Doctor?”

DOCTOR
“There’s no alternative, Billy. Now please be quiet!”

The Doctor begins to mentally contact with Nyssa. He tries to project an energy barrier around Nyssa’s head as he does so.

DOCTOR (V’O)
“Nyssa? Can you hear me? Nyssa?!”

NYSSA (V’O)
(in pain) “I hear you, Doctor. Just about.”

DOCTOR (V’O)
“Nyssa, listen to me! I’m projecting an energy barrier around your head. You have to let your mind go for the Tree to speak through you to us!”

NYSSA (V’O)
“The telepathic connection is too strong, Doctor. I don’t think I can do it!”

DOCTOR (V’O)
“Yes you can, Nyssa! Be strong! Free your mind of any doubt or barriers you’re trying to maintain. Try to relax! Your body and mind! Let the Tree establish contact with you.”

Nothing seems to happen for a moment. Eventually, Nyssa stops convulsing. She breathes deeply before she becomes calm again. Moment of uneasy silence ensues.

BILLY
(to himself) “She’s stopped! Nyssa’s stopped convulsing.”

Billy gently checks Nyssa’s pulse, as she kneels on the ground transfixed.

BILLY
(to himself) “Well her pulse is fine.”

Billy then checks Nyssa’s heart beats as he gently presses his head to her chest.

BILLY
(to himself) “And her heart-beat’s still going. The Doctor must have…”

Just then, the Doctor breathes deeply and exhales out loud. Billy goes over to check on him.

BILLY
“Doctor! Doctor, you’re still okay?”

DOCTOR
(breathes deep; reassuringly) “Yes, Billy. I’ll be fine in a moment.” (Pause) “Just need to get my breath back. Mental communication isn’t always smooth, you know.”

BILLY
“What about Nyssa? She’s still on the ground transfixed. Is she alright?”

DOCTOR
“Don’t worry, Billy. Nyssa has just relaxed her mind as well as her body. It’s only a matter of time before the Tree speaks to us through her.”

Suddenly, Nyssa opens her eyes to see the Doctor and Billy before her. She then stands up from the ground.

BILLY
(panics) “Doctor! She’s awake! She’s opened her eyes and standing up!”

DOCTOR
“Don’t panic, Billy. I’m sure Nyssa will be alright.”

Nyssa then turns to look at the Doctor and Billy. She speaks to them, with the Tree inside her. The Tree’s voice talks over Nyssa’s as she speaks.

NYSSA/TREE
“Doctor! You and your friends have come to me at last! Good! That’s good! There’s so much to tell you! We have little time left.”

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SCENE #39 – EXT – RIVER-BANK TO HILL, RIVERLOTH – NIGHT
A fair distance away, Fosters led by Eyo reach the river-bank to the hill in boats. They get out of the boats to step onto the river-bank.

EYO
“Alright, fellow Fosters! It’s time to find our fugitives! They can’t have got far! They are making for the Tree Garden on top of the hill. Or else they have got there already.”

FOSTER #1
(calls) “Foster Eyo! Hear me! Hear me!”

EYO
“What is it, brother?”

FOSTER #1
“There are footprints on the ground! They lead up to the top of the hill. There are three sets of footprints. It must be them.”

EYO
(pleased) Well spotted, dear brother. Well spotted. (barks) Fosters, draw arms!

The Fosters draw their weapons and charge them up ready to fire.

EYO
Set your weapons on stun. The three fugitives must be taken alive and returned to the Consul chamber. (Pause) Come! Up the hill we go!

The Fosters obey Eyo, as they follow him up the hill.

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SCENE #40 – EXT – TREE GARDEN, RIVERLOTH – NIGHT
Meanwhile in the Tree Garden with the Doctor; Nyssa and Billy…

BILLY
(anxiously) Doctor? Nyssa’s speaking with that Tree voice again! You said you were sure Nyssa ‘will be alright’!

DOCTOR
Yes, well. This could be a temporary thing with the Tree voice speaking through her, Billy.

BILLY
I don’t like it when Nyssa is used by the Tree to speak through her. It isn’t right. Especially when she’s standing rigid like that. Not showing emotion.

DOCTOR
It’s the only way to communicate with the Tree, Billy. Don’t worry. Let me ask the questions and Nyssa will be back to normal as soon as possible.

Gradually and taking a deep breath, the Doctor and Billy turn to Nyssa, used by the Tree.

DOCTOR
(to Tree) Hello? You obviously know who I am. Who we are. What is it you want?

NYSSA/TREE
(gradually) “To save Riverloth! From destruction and tyranny! That is what I ask, Doctor? To help and save us! You and your young friends.”

DOCTOR
(gradually) “But you’re supposed to keep and protect Riverloth according to Consul Protector Rondus? How come you need help?”

NYSSA/TREE
“Rondus spoke the truth. I was grown to keep and protect Riverloth. But he has not told you the full story of how I came to be on Riverloth.”

BILLY
(to Tree) “So…you’re not really a native of this planet at all then?”

DOCTOR
(to Billy) “Billy, please! Let me handle this!”

NYSSA/TREE
“The boy is correct, Doctor. I am not a native of Riverloth.”

DOCTOR
(surprised) “Oh.”

NYSSA/TREE
“Some of what Rondus told you of how I came to be here was true.” (Pause) “I was grown from a sapling of a seed. From the first tree grown in the gardens of Traken.”

BILLY
(to Tree) “So, you’re actually a Tree of Traken then. Not of Riverloth.”

NYSSA/TREE
“In a way, yes. I was acquired by the people of Riverloth when the sapling of the seed was drifting in space following the collapse of Traken by the entropy field spreading throughout the Metulla Orionsis system. The people of Riverloth planted me and tended to me on this hill on this planet of theirs.”

DOCTOR
“How fascinating!”

NYSSA/TREE
“The Riverlothians were not admirers of the Traken union back then when they found me drifting in space. It was through me that the Riverlothians’ fascination with Traken started. They were aware of my telepathic abilities and allowed me to govern all of Riverloth and to protect its natural resources. I grew my roots to connect with the Great River to generate the power that was needed for the planet and its people to survive.”

DOCTOR
“So you started life on Riverloth being a willing and natural keeper. You gave the power resources to keep the planet alive and fresh.”

NYSSA/TREE
“Correct, Doctor. In those days, it was a golden age for Riverloth. For me as the Tree and for the people I protected under my care.”

BILLY
(puzzled) “But hang on! How come you got technology wired into you? The Doctor scanned you with his sonic screwdriver earlier? There’s also that River Manipulator the Riverlothians use. How come you got things technologically attached to you when you rule this world naturally?”

DOCTOR
“Very good questions, Billy.” (to Tree) “Well Tree? Do you have answers to these questions of Billy’s?”

NYSSA/TREE
“I have, Doctor. That is where it all went wrong with the age of technology. Many Riverlothians were unsatisfied with the protection I was giving them. With the amount of resources I was reproducing, they couldn’t be sure that I was providing enough water through the River as a ‘source’ of power for Riverloth.”

DOCTOR
“So they implanted wires into you and embedded you with their technology. To make sure you could keep a constant level of power flowing through the river to satisfy their anxiety and impatience. You were no longer the natural controller of the river’s power. The people were.”

BILLY
(saddened) “That’s so sad.”

NYSSA/TREE
“It is! And that is why I have summoned you here. I can’t keep up with this any longer.”

DOCTOR
“You want us to disconnect the power feeds into you via the wires so that you can re-establish a natural connection with the river again. Is that it?”

NYSSA/TREE
“More than that, Doctor. You must stop the evil influence now spreading throughout the Riverlothian society.”

BILLY
“What do you mean by…‘evil influence’?”

NYSSA/TREE
“The Melkurs! The robots that look like Melkurs! They’re not what they seem. They’re not mere robot servants.”

DOCTOR
“No. I suspected that they weren’t. What are they, Tree?”

NYSSA/TREE
“The Melkurs are possessed by a legion of evil entities. They’ve taken control of the Melkurs’ bodies to masquerade around the gardens and the groves on Riverloth. It is the evil entities’ influence you must stop!”

DOCTOR
“How can these evil entities have taken the Melkur robot bodies? What sort of force would be able to achieve that?”

NYSSA/TREE
“The evil influence I mentioned is led by one who is ancient and foul from the dark times of Traken. He has been helped to infiltrate our world of Riverloth by the one…who is the false Consul! The false Consul who has betrayed us on this planet.”

BILLY
(realises) “The false Consul! The one you mentioned to Nyssa! Who is it? Is it a he or a she?”

Before the Tree via Nyssa can answer, just then the Fosters led by Eyo turn up running up the hill.

BILLY
“Doctor! There are Fosters coming right behind us! They’ve been following us to this hill!”

NYSSA/TREE
“Time has run out! Do not speak of what I said to you to the Fosters or the Consuls. No one is to be trusted. You must be careful from now on! Find a way to save Riverloth! Find a way please!”

DOCTOR
(protests) “No, wait! We need to know…”

NYSSA/TREE
“Farewell, fellow visitors to Riverloth! Farewell!”

With that, Nyssa suddenly gasps before falling to the ground in a faint. Billy comes by and helps Nyssa up from the ground. Billy pats her on the face to wake Nyssa up.

BILLY
(anxiously) “Nyssa?! Nyssa, are you alright?! Nyssa, please wake up!”

Nyssa eventually awakes, as she looks into Billy’s eyes.

NYSSA
(recovers; relieved) “Billy? Billy, thank goodness you’re here. Has the…?”

BILLY
“Yes! The Tree has left you again! You’re ‘you’ again now!”

NYSSA
(disorientated) “I feel so woozy from my link with the Tree. I’m glad the Doctor’s energy barrier protected me when it did.”

DOCTOR
(wearingly) “I fear we’ve got company, you two.” (quietly) “Remember not to say anything as the Tree says!”

Just then, the Fosters arrive as they, led by Eyo, train their weapons on the Doctor, Nyssa and Billy.

EYO
“Stay where you are, you three! You are condemned criminals. You are to be taken back to the court building! The Consuls await you!”

Soon, the TARDIS trio are taken into custody.

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SCENE #41 – INT – CONSUL CHAMBER, RIVERLOTH – NIGHT
Later on in the Consul Chamber, the doors slide open. Glorfini enters to see Rondus and Galadio seated with Werna beside them. The doors close shut once Glorfini is inside.

GLORFINI
“Consuls! The cause of the evil! The Doctor and his friends are captured!”

RONDUS
“Excellent, Proctor Glorfini! Where are they now?”

GLORFINI
“Outside! They’re waiting to be brought in, Consul Protector.”

RONDUS
Send them in, Glorfini! We shall deal with them.

GLORFINI
Yes, Consul Protector!

Glorfini leaves the chamber with the doors sliding open and closing.

WERNA
(protests) Mother; father! You can’t condemn the Doctor and his friends! Give them a chance! They deserve that especially after the hospitality you gave them…

GALADIO
(insistent) Silence, daughter! You may leave the Consul Chamber now.

WERNA
What?

GALADIO
We wish to deal with the Doctor and his friends ourselves. You’ll get in the way.

WERNA
(protests) I want to stay here, mother; father. I want to see you two don’t condemn the Doctor and his friends unjustly.

RONDUS
(insistent) Please, daughter! Leave these premises at once!

GALADIO
“Or else we’ll get Proctor Glorfini and his Fosters to escort you home.”

WERNA
(gradually; frustrated) “You just won’t listen, you two!”

Werna storms off, leaving the Consul Chamber. Just then, the doors slide open and the Doctor, Nyssa and Billy are brought in by Glorfini and the Fosters. The door slide shut with Werna out of the Consul chamber.

BILLY
(protests) “Alright! There’s no need to push!”

DOCTOR
“Billy, don’t antagonise them!”

Eventually, the Doctor; Nyssa and Billy stand before Rondus and Galadio. Moment of tense silence ensues.

RONDUS
“Doctor; Lady Nyssa; Mr Billy. You three have committed a crime! A crime so obscene that it’s hard to imagine you three would do such a thing. We offer you hospitality; friendship, and this is how you repay us?!”

DOCTOR
(confused) “We’re sorry we got you out of your beds, Consul Protector Rondus; Consul Galadio. Believe me, we didn’t mean to upset you.”

NYSSA
(protests) “We haven’t committed a crime! We’re innocent!”

BILLY
“Yeah! We just visited your Tree on the hill!”

GALADIO
(righteously) “Exactly! That hill is sacred ground to Riverloth. You have trespassed on those grounds! It is a crime to do so.”

NYSSA
“Well, we didn’t know! We weren’t told your hill was sacred. You didn’t warn us at the banquet when we dined with you.”

DOCTOR
“Exactly. So with all due respect, you Consuls are to blame!”

RONDUS
(angrily) “Don’t try to twist words or make excuses, you three! You have committed a crime! You must be punished!”

BILLY
(protests; shocked) “Punished?! You can’t punish us like that!”

GALADIO
“We must abide by the Riverlothian law! It is by the law that you three must be punished!”

NYSSA
(protests) “But the Tree summoned us to Riverloth in the first place, Consul Galadio! It needed our help! The Doctor; Billy and me. It wanted to speak to us! We went to the hill so that it could see and speak to us!”

DOCTOR
Don’t you want to know what the Tree said, Consuls? The Tree used Nyssa as a medium to communicate with us.

GALADIO
It is of no importance!

BILLY
(shocked) No importance?! Are you serious?!

GALADIO
Your crimes have been accounted for. You three are guilty for trespassing on sacred ground.

RONDUS
You will be taken to the penal wing of the court building. There you shall wait until we decide what to do with you in the morning.

DOCTOR
(angrily) Not like the punishment you and your people deserve, Consuls!

RONDUS
(puzzled; stammers) What…what do you mean?

DOCTOR
(accusingly) “Oh come on! We know the history of how your people ‘manipulated’ the Tree with your River Manipulator! How you implanted wires into the Tree’s roots to control the flow of water into the river! From the tree, into the river and back again!”

NYSSA
(accusingly) “The Tree was once your natural protector! It maintained the power your people needed from the River to keep the planet alive. Now your Tree is in distress! It senses the evil presence on Riverloth!”

DOCTOR
“Is it any wonder why you people have this crisis at the moment, Consuls of Riverloth?!”

RONDUS
(angrily) “Enough! The judgement has been made! You three are to be taken to the penal wing at once!”

BILLY
(protests) “Listen to us! Listen to the Doctor and Nyssa!”

GALADIO
(calls) “Proctor Glorfini! Escort these three prisoners to the penal wing. See to it that they are guarded at all times!”

GLORFINI
“Yes, Consuls!” (to Fosters) “Fosters, take them away!”

The Fosters escort the Doctor; Nyssa and Billy out of the Consul chamber to the penal wing. The trio struggle in the Fosters’ grip, as the Consul Chamber doors slide open for them to leave.

DOCTOR
(shouts; protests) “You’re living a lie on Riverloth, Consuls! You can’t hide from the truth forever! This will only be easier if you’d just listen to us!”

But it’s no use, as the Doctor; Nyssa and Billy are taken out of the Consul Chamber. The doors close shut behind them.

---

SCENE #42 – INT – CORRIDOR, RIVERLOTH – NIGHT
In the corridor outside the Consul Chamber, the Doctor; Nyssa and Billy get taken away, escorted by the Fosters to the penal wing.

BILLY
“Well! That didn’t go well, did it?”

NYSSA
“They seemed very unwilling to listen to us! Why? Why this change of attitude in them to us all of a sudden?”

DOCTOR
“It doesn’t matter. We won’t be getting any help from them that’s for sure.”

GLORFINI
(fiercely) “Stop talking, you three! Move! Move!”

The Doctor; Nyssa and Billy do as they’re told. They get led down the corridor to the penal wing by the Fosters. Meanwhile close by, Werna watches in hiding to see the Doctor; Nyssa and Billy escorted away. She watches for a little while, until they’ve gone around the corner.

WERNA
(whispers) “They’ve taken them to the penal wing. I’ve got to help them!”

Werna is about to come out of hiding, before she ducks back in again. Bonncere appears in the corridor. Werna watches as he approaches the door to the River Manipulator Room. Bonncere presses a button to ring the doorbell. No response at first.

BONNCERE
(calls) “Sarumane! Sarumane, let me in! It’s Bonncere! Let me in at once!”
Still no response. Eventually the door of the River Manipulator Room opens from the other side by Sarumane. He looks to see Bonncere standing at the door.

SARUMANE
“Composed yourself have you now, my dear friend?”

BONNCERE
“I have regained my wits. I’m willing to help now.”

SARUMANE
“Despite your doubts about my behaviour?”

BONNCERE
“I’m willing to put those aside. If you can assure me your intentions are sincere for the good of Riverloth…”

SARUMANE
(interrupts) “Of course they are, Bonncere! I think of nothing else to ensure Riverloth’s survival.” (Pause) “But you must understand! I don’t take on doubters lightly. You are welcome to re-join me in the River Manipulator Room.”

BONNCERE
“Thank you, Sarumane.”

SARUMANE
“But just be warned! Should you ever doubt me again…should you question my authority, I shall ruin you! Understand?”

BONNCERE
“Yes. I understand, Sarumane.”

SARUMANE
(gradually) “Good.”

Before Sarumane lets Bonncere in, Rondus exits from the Consul Chamber with the doors sliding open for him to leave. The doors slide close again, as Rondus approaches Sarumane and Bonncere at the River Manipulator Room door.

RONDUS
(calls) “Consul Sarumane; Consul Bonncere! How does the work go?”

SARUMANE
(reassuringly) “Very well, Consul Protector. Bonncere and I have come to an agreement! We’re eager to continue with our tests.”

RONDUS
“I see. I look forward to seeing your results in the morning.”

BONNCERE
“What has been going on, Consul Protector? What’s this hullabaloo been about then?”

RONDUS
“The Doctor and his friends have been captured. They are now condemned criminals. They walked on the sacred ground of the hill to the Tree! They have been taken to the penal wing and in the morning their punishment will be decided.”

SARUMANE
“This is indeed…sad news, Consul Protector.”

RONDUS
“So it is, Consul Sarumane. I had hoped these visitors would respect our laws and not go gallivanting off to places they have no right to go to unless they asked permission first from me and my Consuls.”

BONNCERE
“They went to the hill of the Tree, Consul Protector?”

RONDUS
“Indeed, Consul Bonncere.” (Pause) “But I delay you both in your work. I shall return home and sleep the rest of the night. My wife will re-join me soon once she’s finished in the Consul Chamber. Good night, you two!”

SARUMANE
“Thank you, Consul Protector. See you in the morning.”

BONNCERE
“Yes! Sleep well, Consul Protector!”

Rondus leaves Sarumane and Bonncere, as he heads off to return home. Sarumane and Bonncere watch him go before they re-enter the River Manipulator Room.

SARUMANE
(delightedly) “At least we won’t have to worry about those three strangers, Bonncere! Come! Let us resume our tests!”

BONNCERE
“Coming, Consul Sarumane.”

Bonncere follows Sarumane into the Consul Chamber. They close the door behind them. Werna then comes out of hiding and looks around to see that nobody’s about.

WERNA
“I’ll have to move quickly before my mother comes out of the Consul Chamber.” (thinks) “I’ll use the secret passageway to reach the Doctor and his friends. They’ll be surprised when they see me, I’m sure!”

With that, Wena heads off out of the corridor.

---

SCENE #43 – INT – CELL, PENAL WING, RIVERLOTH – NIGHT
In a cell in the penal wing of the Cordow court building, the Doctor; Nyssa and Billy have been locked in by the Fosters. A few Fosters patrol outside, whilst the Doctor; Nyssa and Billy are in their cell.

BILLY
(astonished) “Doctor; Nyssa? We were guests on Riverloth! Now we’re their prisoners. How did this happen?!”

NYSSA
“I can’t understand why this has happened either, Billy. They seemed very unreasonable! The Consuls and the Fosters! Almost as if they were compelled to punish us!”

DOCTOR
“Well, they certainly confirmed something. They’re afraid to admit they changed the way things were controlled in the River by the Tree. It’s almost as if they’re embarrassed to mention it.”

BILLY
“Well, what do we do now? Once we get out of here, of course.”

NYSSA
“Indeed. I’m anxious that the Tree’s premonitions of disaster by this evil influence will come true. We need to find a way out of this cell before it’s too late.”

DOCTOR
“That’s rather academic, Nyssa.”

BILLY
“Besides if we do get out, how do we know where to go from here? Where do we start to save the planet from destruction?”

DOCTOR
“The obvious place would be the River Manipulator Room. The Consuls’ daughter Werna advised us to go and check there. The Tree certainly implied it as well. So that’s where we go next. We can’t stay stuck here!”

NYSSA
“If only we’d be able to prevent any interference from one of the Consuls stopping us from saving Riverloth. Including this false Consul that the Tree mentioned.”

BILLY
“Like Consul Rondus or Galadio?”

DOCTOR
“Or Consul Sarumane. He’s apparently the only one to achieve mental contact with the Tree in his River Manipulator Room.”

NYSSA
“Do you think its Sarumane then, Doctor? That he’s the false Consul?”

DOCTOR
“It’s best to explore all possible avenues, isn’t it Nyssa?”

NYSSA
“We need help from outside to get out from this cell first though.”

BILLY
(realises) “Wait a minute! Doctor, couldn’t you use your sonic screwdriver? Surely it could break the lock to our cell door.”

DOCTOR
“It would if we were on the other side of the door, Billy. The control panel to the cell door is electronic. It’d be difficult to slide through these bars to get to it!”

WERNA
(from outside) “Psst!”

BILLY
(gradually; startled) Did you two hear that? Someone ‘psst!’ at us?

WERNA
(from outside; louder) Psst!

The Doctor; Nyssa and Billy go and look to see who’s at their cell door.

DOCTOR
Someone did, Billy. Someone friendly I hope! (cheerfully) Hello Werna, daughter of Riverloth!

WERNA
Doctor, I can help you and your friends get out of that prison cell. I know what’s going on here compared to what my parents know.

DOCTOR
Well, that’s very interesting I’m sure, Werna.

WERNA
If I let you three out of this cell, will you please promise to help us! I belong to a rebel group on Riverloth. We wish to overthrow the oppression forced upon us by the Consuls of this society.

NYSSA
(surprised) “Rebel group? Not really the sort of thing we had on Traken in my time.”

BILLY
“Perhaps it came before your time, Nyssa.”

DOCTOR
(to Werna) “Werna, please! The Tree summoned us to Riverloth. We want to help you and your people! And to understand what’s going on here!”

WERNA
“My friends and I will tell you what you want to know, Doctor. But please promise you will help us! Promise!”

DOCTOR
“We’d help willingly. But if it’s a promise you want then it’s a promise you’ll get, Werna! We promise!”

WERNA
(gradually) “Good. That suits me fine. Now, I need to fetch the keys to free you from this cell.”

DOCTOR
(reassuringly) “No need, Werna. Use my sonic screwdriver! It’ll open the cell door.”

The Doctor takes out his sonic screwdriver from his coat pocket. He slips it through the bars to pass to Werna. Werna takes the sonic screwdriver in her hands. She inspects it curiously.

WERNA
“Sonic screwdriver?”

DOCTOR
“Yes. Just aim it at the control panel to this cell door. Press the button to activate the screwdriver. Don’t worry, it’s very straight-forward.”

WERNA
(gradually) “Alright then.”

Werna aims the sonic screwdriver at the control panel to the cell door. She presses the button on it. Then the screwdriver buzzes wildly, before eventually there’s a click. The cell door is unlocked.

WERNA
“There! You’re free now!”

Werna opens the door. The Doctor; Nyssa and Billy come out of their cell.

DOCTOR
“Thank you! Most appreciated, Werna!”

NYSSA
“Yes thank you, Werna!”

WERNA
“Here, Doctor! Your sonic screwdriver back!”

DOCTOR
“Oh. Thank you!”

The Doctor takes his sonic screwdriver back from Werna before he puts it into his coat pocket.

BILLY
“Which way from here then?”

WERNA
“Follow me, you three! We’ll head back via the secret passageway!”

NYSSA
“The secret passageway?”

WERNA
“Come on! I’ll take you there!”

The TARDIS trio follow Werna, as they head off to find the secret passageway and to get out of the penal wing of the court building.

---

SCENE #44 – EXT – GARDENS OF CORDOW, RIVERLOTH – NIGHT
Eventually, in the gardens of Cordow, the Doctor, Nyssa and Billy, guided by Werna, tread carefully and quietly during the night. They then come to a stop behind some bushes. They speak quietly as they go.

DOCTOR
(quietly) “Where is it you’re taking us to, Werna?”

WERNA
(quietly) “To our secret hideout where my friends and I gather to meet. Not even the Fosters; Consuls or my mother and father know about it.”

DOCTOR
(quietly) “Interesting.”

WERNA
(quietly) “Wait here! I’ll look for the secret tunnel that will lead us to our secret hideout. I won’t be long.”

Werna goes off, as she leaves the Doctor; Nyssa and Billy hiding behind the bushes.

BILLY
(gradually; quietly) “Should we trust Werna, Doctor?”

NYSSA
(quietly) “I agree with Billy, Doctor. We don’t really know much about her.”

DOCTOR
(quietly) “She helped us to escape, you two. I think we should give her the benefit of the doubt.”

NYSSA
(gradually; quietly) “I do like these gardens they have on Riverloth. They’re so beautiful and heavenly. They make me feel back at home.”

BILLY
(quietly) “I like these gardens too, Nyssa. I’m glad they make you feel you’re back at home. I’m afraid I don’t know much about gardening.”

NYSSA
(quietly) “Oh I have very fond memories of tending my garden when I was a little girl back on Traken with my father. I have such happy memories as a little girl. Playing and dancing in the gardens day on end.”

BILLY
(chuckles happily; quietly) “I can easily imagine you doing that, Nyssa.”

NYSSA
(quietly) “Even the Melkurs standing in the groves didn’t spoil the enjoyment I had when dancing and playing. How strange to look back at those times when things weren’t so terrible.”

DOCTOR
(quietly) Speaking of which, where are the Melkurs that were supposed to be in these gardens? We haven’t seen them yet! Where are they?

BILLY
(quietly) They’re not here, no. I wonder what became of the Melkurs. They were chasing us on the hill of the Tree.

NYSSA
(quietly) Perhaps the Melkurs are with their true masters. Or with the one who is the false Consul of Riverloth.

Eventually, Werna returns, puffing out breathless, as she re-joins the Doctor; Nyssa and Billy.

WERNA
(breathless) It’s alright. I’ve found the secret tunnel. Come! Follow me!

Werna leads the way, as the Doctor; Nyssa and Billy follow her.

---

SCENE #45 – EXT – GARDENS OF CORDOW, RIVERLOTH – NIGHT
A short while later, Werna and the TARDIS trio arrive at a mound of earth. Werna opens a door in the mound, to reveal a tunnel inside.

WERNA
“Here’s the tunnel! We go through here!”

BILLY
You have a tunnel inside a mound of earth?!

WERNA
Yes! Quickly, inside! We must be quick before anyone sees us!

NYSSA
It looks dark in there! How will we see our way inside?

WERNA
There is a light further on ahead in the tunnel. Don’t worry! I’ll switch it on once I’ve closed the tunnel door behind us. (urgently) Hurry! We mustn’t waste time!

DOCTOR
She’s right! (to Nyssa) Nyssa! You first! Crawl your way into the tunnel as you go!

NYSSA
(reluctantly) Alright.

Nyssa kneels on the ground; gets in and crawls inside the tunnel.

WERNA
Hurry! I have an uneasy feeling that we’re being watched!

DOCTOR
“That’s Nyssa through.” (to Billy) “Billy, you next!”

BILLY
“Right.”

Billy gets into the tunnel too. He kneels on the ground and crawls inside.

DOCTOR
“I hope you and your friends will help us with all we want to know on Riverloth, Werna!”

WERNA
(reassuringly) “Trust me, Doctor. They will. Now you get inside next! I’ll close the door once I’m in after you.”

DOCTOR
“Very well.”

The Doctor gets down on his knees and crawls his way into the tunnel as well. He’s followed in by Werna, who kneels and crawls into the tunnel before turning back to close the tunnel door behind her.

WERNA
(quietly; to herself) So far, so good. No-one’s following.

With that, Werna closes the door behind her into the tunnel.

---

© Tim Bradley, 2016

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