THE PLAGUE

Written by

PAUL ERICKSON & LESLEY SCOTT

Original Air Date: 12 March, 1966
05:15pm-05:40pm

1: INT. ARK. CONTROL DECK

ZENTOS: (Shouts.) I invoke the special galactic law against them. Hold them! Take them into custody and later they will be made to answer for the crime that they have committed!

STEVEN: Look, listen to us...

ZENTOS: Take them away!

(The travellers are dragged away. ZENTOS steps down and goes over to where MELLIUM is tending to her near-unconscious father. Other Guardians surround them.)

MELLIUM: What about my father?

ZENTOS: He may well die, but then again, so might all of us.

(The other Guardians react with shock to this statement.)

ZENTOS: In which case, it was pointless leaving.

(He turns and looks at the giant monitor screen on which is shown the Earth as it travels on to its doom...)

2: INT. ARK. TRAVELLER’S ROOM

(The travellers have been placed in a basically furnished room. The DOCTOR is looking through a small window in the locked door. STEVEN rests on a padded bench whilst DODO sits at a table.)

STEVEN: What do you think they’ll do to us Doctor?

DOCTOR: (Turns.) Well, I’m not sure, dear boy. We shall just have to wait and see.

DODO: (Upset.) It’s all my fault. If I’d known it was going to be like this, I’d never have come.

DOCTOR: Well you did come, my dear, so it’s too late to be worry about that - and stop sniffling!

DODO: I’m not sniffling - it’s me nose running again! Anyway, I’m feeling better now but I don’t suppose anyone cares.

DOCTOR: But of course they care, my dear. Now don’t worry. It’s not your fault at all. If it’s anybody’s, it’s mine.

STEVEN: Look, do you think this has happened before? That we’ve carried an infection from one age to another, or even one planet to another?

DOCTOR: Oh, I don’t want to think it...about it, too...dear boy, it’s too horrifying. Though I must say that we’re usually very healthy.

(DODO coughs and sneezes behind him.)

STEVEN: It’ll spread through the whole ship, become an epidemic.

DOCTOR: Well that depends on the strength of the virus infection.

DODO: (Crying.) If it’s half as bad as my cold was, it will.

DOCTOR: Oh, do blow your nose child! It’s running all over the place.

DODO: No, it isn’t. I’m crying this time!

(The DOCTOR is momentarily at a loss. Then he puts his arm and across the young girls shoulder and pats her gently.)

DOCTOR: Well look, my dear, do try and rest, you know you may be feeling better but your far from cured, hmm?

(He crosses to the door.)

DOCTOR: Oh, if only those wretched Guardians would let us out of here. I’d be able to help, mm? Hmm!

3: INT. ARK. CONTROL DECK

(MANYAK signs to a MONOID as ZENTOS looks at monitor screens on the control desk.)

ZENTOS: Look.

(MANYAK signals to the MONOID to go, then he turns and joins ZENTOS in looking at a small monitor.)

ZENTOS: That’s another victim. It’s not showing any signs of abating.

(The monitor shows a MONOID on the transporter collapsing at the base of the statue. Two Guardians rush to assist. ZENTOS adjusts a control and the image changes.)

ZENTOS: And look!

(The image now shows the jungle outside the TARDIS. A MONOID collapses against the ship...)

4: INT. ARK. JUNGLE

(...and then falls on the jungle floor. It gives out agonised cries in its death throes, then lies still.)

5: INT. ARK. CONTROL DECK

ZENTOS: That’s another victim...another death, and more human Guardians have also been taken ill. Thank heaven none of them has died yet.

MANYAK: What will happen if one does?

ZENTOS: It’ll be disaster. Each man has his allotted task. No one had reckoned on this eventuality.

MANYAK: There must be something we can do about it.

ZENTOS: Our micro-virologists are trying to find the answer. One of them is with the Commander now.

(They look across the control deck to a closed room, outside of which are two MONOIDS on guard.)

6: INT. ARK. COMMANDER’S ROOM

(The COMMANDER lies delirious on his bed. MELLIUM tends him watched by RHOS, a micro-virologist and a MONOID. All three wear perspex mouth masks to protect them from the germs. RHOS takes MELLIUM to one side. They takes their masks off to speak.)

MELLIUM: Is there nothing you can do?

RHOS: Unfortunately, the data covering this type of fever was lost long ago. In the primal wars of the tenth segment.

COMMANDER: (Weakly.) Mellium...

(She puts her mask back on and crosses to her father.)

MELLIUM: Yes father?

COMMANDER: (Weakly.) I seem to be drifting back and forth...unconsciousness...to moments of sudden clarity.

MELLIUM: Perhaps it’s better that you shouldn’t talk.

COMMANDER: No...must, I must... Promise me, Mellium, should anything happen to me...

MELLIUM: Oh, you mustn’t talk this way!

COMMANDER: Should anything happen, do all in you power, along with the others...to make sure the voyage continues.

MELLIUM: Of course, father.

COMMANDER: What...

MELLIUM: But soon, you’ll get well.

COMMANDER: What happens to me is not so important. Or you for that matter, or any one of us...but the voyage and the eventual landing of our descendants on the planet Refusis - that is! That’s the only thing that’s important. Remember that.

MELLIUM: Yes father.

(A slow drumbeat sounds starts up. RHOS and MELLIUM look round.)

7: INT. ARK. TRAVELLER’S ROOM

(DODO, also hearing the sound, raises her head. She crosses over to the door where the DOCTOR watches.)

DODO: What is it?

DOCTOR: I don’t know.

DODO: It sounds like savages.

8: INT. ARK. CORRIDOR

(Four MONOIDS carry one of their kind wrapped in a burial shroud.)

9: INT. ARK. CONTROL DECK

(They enter the control deck where Guardians watch in respectful silence. ZENTOS stands on the COMMANDER’S dais.)

ZENTOS: Proceed with the preparations for ejection. Commit the body to space burial.

(MANYAK signals to the MONOIDS who take the body over to a transporter. Once the body has been placed on it, a MONDOID drives away. A door marked “LAUNCHING BAY” shuts behind it.)

MANYAK: It is over.

(He switches on a monitor on the instrument panel. The screen shows a door sliding open on the curved exterior of the Ark, then the body is ejected and spins off into space. ZENTOS addresses the crowd from the dais.)

ZENTOS: Guardians, Monoids, before it is too late, before we are stricken by the fever ourselves, we must make the strangers answer for the terrible crime they have committed.

(The crowd agrees loudly, out of which can be heard the voice of one female GUARDIAN.)

2 GUARDIAN: Yes, they must be tried and punished.

ZENTOS: A hearing will commence at once. As Deputy Commander, I will preside. Baccu has undertaken to put the charges.

(ZENTOS points at BACCU. The crowd mutters in approval.)

1 GUARDIAN: ... best man for ...

ZENTOS: Will anyone speak for the prisoners?

(The Guardians look uncomfortably at each other. Seeing this, MANYAK steps forward.)

MANYAK: I will.

(MELLIUM joins him.)

MELLIUM: And I.

(ZENTOS stares at her.)

MELLIUM: My father would wish it.

10: INT. ARK. COMMANDER’S ROOM

(A masked MONOID adjusts a wall monitor in the COMMANDER’S room in order that he can watch proceedings.)

MELLIUM: (OOV: On monitor.) His only desire was that justice should be done and a sensible solution to this crisis be found.

COMMANDER: Yes...yes...!

11: INT. ARK. TRAVELLER’S ROOM

(A similar wall monitor in the time travellers room shows an image of ZENTOS addressing the Guardians on the control deck. He reads a document.)

ZENTOS: (OOV: On monitor.) The law that has been broken is the following...

DODO: Look Doctor, they’ve switched the television on.

ZENTOS: (OOV: On monitor.) In that the spaceship represents the only means by which Earth life may be extended and perpetuated, the Guardian for the time being in charge of the ship, shall have absolute power to punish or restrain any life-form that endangers...

12: INT. ARK. CONTROL DECK

ZENTOS: ...the success of its mission, by expulsion from the ship, miniaturisation or such lesser penalty as he shall deem fit.

13: INT. ARK. TRAVELLER’S ROOM

DODO: Some sort of trial?

(The DOCTOR considers.)

ZENTOS: (OOV: On monitor.) I call on Baccu to detail the charge.

DOCTOR: Yes, my dear, and we are the accused, hmm!

(MELLIUM appears on the monitor.)

MELLIUM: (OOV: On monitor.) Doctor, Manyak and I believe your story. We’ve offered to speak in your defence but at least one of you must give evidence.

DOCTOR: Of course.

STEVEN: I must go.

DOCTOR: What?

(STEVEN stands but he is breathing heavily.)

STEVEN: Doctor, I must. I’m getting stifled in here. I must go and do something, even if it’s only to show them how stupid they are wasting time with trials and speeches. After all, the only important thing now is to let you organise finding a cure.

DOCTOR: Very well then, if only they’ll listen.

MELLIUM: (OOV: On monitor.) They’ll probably ask you to speak next, Doctor.

DOCTOR: My dear, I only want to help!

(The image vanishes. The door to the room opens and a MONOID enters. It gestures and STEVEN leaves the room. The DOCTOR and DODO turn back to the monitor on which the control deck is now shown, full of waiting Guardians.)

14: INT. ARK. CONTROL DECK

(The hearing has g*n. BACCU approaches STEVEN who is held within a barred cage which is again covered with a plastic covering against the fever. ZENTOS presides from the COMMANDER’S dais.)

BACCU: My contention is that it was no accident that this disaster has happened. I say that you came here intentionally - to spread the disease...

STEVEN: But that’s utter nonsense. I mean how can you possibly...

BACCU: ...and that you are agents of the planet towards which this spaceship is proceeding. That you came here to destroy us.

STEVEN: Why? We’re human beings like you are. Well, why should we?

ZENTOS: (Shouts.) There is the crux of the matter. Do you expect us to believe that nonsense, that you manage in that ridiculous machine called the TARDIS, have managed to travel through time? Guardians, Monoids, these beings, whatever they are, place a heavy strain on our credulity.

STEVEN: Well that’s not very difficult! If your medical records are anything to go by, this segment of time, far from being one of the most advanced in knowledge, is one of the worst!

ZENTOS: (Standing in anger.) We can cope with all things known to the fifty-seventh segment of Earth life, but not with strange diseases brought by you - as agents of the intelligences that inhabit Refusis!

STEVEN: Are you still on about that? I’ve told you before; we know nothing of that planet!

ZENTOS: My instincts, every fibre of my being, tells me differently.

STEVEN: And that, unfortunately, tells me only one thing.

ZENTOS: What’s that?

(STEVEN is now sweating heavily.)

STEVEN: That the nature of man, even in this day and age, hasn’t altered at all. You still fear...the unknown, like everyone else before you.

15: INT. ARK. COMMANDER’S ROOM

(The proceedings are being watched in the COMMANDER’S room. The old man himself still lies weakly on his bed.)

COMMANDER: That’s true! True!

ZENTOS: (OOV: On monitor.) That won’t stop me from coping with it.

16: INT. ARK. CONTROL DECK

STEVEN: How? By destroying us? By ejecting us into space?

ZENTOS: If that is the voted finding of this hearing - yes!

MANYAK: Steven, prove to us your good faith. Would your friend, the Doctor, have any knowledge how to deal with this fever?

STEVEN: Yes, he probably would if you’d let him out of that cell so that he had a chance to experiment.

ZENTOS: Yes, of course he would! He would love that...and by such means spread the fever even further and faster. Perhaps even k*ll one of the Guardians.

(He turns to the Guardians.)

ZENTOS: Are we to be fooled by such tricks?

(The angry Guardians shout “No!”.)

ZENTOS: Are we to be taken in by such nonsense?

(They shout “No!” again.)

ZENTOS: Do these creatures have the outward appearance of human beings?

(The Guardians are now extremely angry.)

2 GUARDIAN: They are enemies - they should be punished!

1 GUARDIAN: That’s right! Let them be taken to the ejector chamber! They must be thrown ...

(STEVEN is now h*t hard by the fever.)

17: INT. ARK. TRAVELLER’S ROOM

DODO: Doctor, look at Steven. Is he all right?

DOCTOR: (Worried.) I hope so, my dear, I hope so.

DODO: Do you think he may have caught the fever?

DOCTOR: Well, I’m afraid he may have. It appears that this virus is more virulent than I suspected.

18: INT. ARK. CONTROL DECK

(MANYAK steps forward and tries to shout over the raging Guardians.)

MANYAK: Guardians listen!

(His words have no effect. He walks over and stands beneath the COMMANDER’S dais.)

MANYAK: Guardians, listen to me. This is a court of law!

(ZENTOS stands up and shouts.)

ZENTOS: Let him speak!

(The Guardians fall silent.)

ZENTOS: This is a fair hearing.

MANYAK: My view for reason in this matter is simple and direct. The Doctor and his companions have not denied that they brought the fever among us. They said it was an accident, and I believe them.

1 GUARDIAN: But that’s nonsense...!

MANYAK: For the simple reason that if they were in fact agents of the Refusians, they could have a...achieved their objective in a much simpler way. One in which they would not have exposed themselves to this danger.

2 GUARDIAN: But they’re Refusians!

1 GUARDIAN: That’s no argument!

MANYAK: Then I have another; the fever is here. We have no answer for it and it might well be that they are the only ones who can cure it.

ZENTOS: Our micro-virologists may still find an answer.

MANYAK: Perhaps...but if we were to agree that the Doctor and his friends could, what is the value in expelling them from the spaceship?

19: INT. ARK. COMMANDER’S ROOM

COMMANDER: (Still watching the monitor.) None at all. If Manyak and my daughter can see that, why can’t they?

20: INT. ARK. CONTROL DECK

(As the Guardians start to discuss the verdict amongst themselves, BACCU runs forward and joins ZENTOS on the COMMANDER’S dais. He turns to the crowd.)

BACCU: Guardians, listen to me! I’ve just had news of another disaster; one of our kind, one of the Guardians has died from the fever.

(The crowd is shocked.)

21: INT. ARK. TRAVELLER’S ROOM

(The DOCTOR’S face shows the trouble that they now find themselves in.)

22: INT. ARK. CONTROL DECK

ZENTOS: Do you want to hear more? Never mind the arguments of the defender because now they are nothing - now that one of our own kind had died. So Guardians, what is your answer to the charge? Do you find the prisoner guilty or not guilty?

(They all shout “Guilty!” except for MANYAK and MELLIUM who give the opposite verdict but their cries are drowned out.)

ZENTOS: Is it your vote that we exact the full penalty of the special galactic law?

(The cries are mostly “Yes” with the defendants shouting “No”. ZENTOS jumps to his feet.)

ZENTOS: So be it! They shall be taken from this place and expelled from the ship...and the privilege of execution, in that they were the first to be struck by the fever, will be granted to the Monoids.

MELLIUM: But the verdict is wrong!

MANYAK: Yes, but it is the voted verdict. There is nothing we can do about it.

(Several MONOID’S approach the cage as STEVEN collapses against the bars of the cage.)

23: INT. ARK. TRAVELLER’S ROOM

DODO: Doctor, something is wrong with Steven!

24: INT. ARK. CONTROL DECK

(STEVEN falls to the floor of the cage...)

25: INT. ARK. TRAVELLER’S ROOM

(Two masked Guardians help STEVEN to the bench in the room. They are about to leave when...)

DOCTOR: Stop! I demand fair play! This young man is as ill as anyone of your own people. How do you expect him to plead in his own defence, hmm?

(ZENTOS’ voice calls out from the wall monitor. The DOCTOR spins round to look at his image.)

ZENTOS: (OOV: On monitor.) The verdict of the court was passed that you are guilty.

26: INT. ARK. CONTROL DECK

ZENTOS: You and your party have been condemned by an overwhelming majority and your sentence is ejection into space.

(The DOCTOR similarly appears on ZENTOS’ monitor.)

DOCTOR: (OOV: On monitor.) Are you aware that you might be committing your entire community to a slow extinction? Trust me! Allow me, help me to find a new cure for this fever of yours.

ZENTOS: The verdict has been given.

(He switches the monitor off. He starts to walk off the dais but sees MANYAK and BACCU waiting for him.)

ZENTOS: Well?

MANYAK: You are right, of course.

BACCU: Of course, there’s no question.

MANYAK: But can we not afford to take a chance? After all, the old man was the first to diagnose the illness. For that reason alone, he may be able to find a cure.

ZENTOS: No. Sentence will be carried out. Baccu, assemble the Monoids, they may proceed.

BACCU: Very well.

(BACCU steps down and signals to a group of MONOIDS. They start to make their way off the control deck when the voice of the COMMANDER echoes around the chamber.)

COMMANDER: (OOV.) Wait! This has gone far enough.

27: INT. ARK. COMMANDER’S ROOM

(MELLIUM and RHOS support the COMMANDER as he sits up from his sick bed and uses his last vestiges of energy to re-assert his authority. MELLIUM holds up a microphone.)

COMMANDER: Zentos, this is your Commander speaking. I order you to release the travellers immediately. They will be given every facility for research.
They may be our only hope. See to it.

28: INT. ARK. CONTROL DECK

(ZENTOS switches on a communicator on the COMMANDER’S dais.)

ZENTOS: But the hearing decided differently, Commander. These people are dangerous!

29: INT. ARK. COMMANDER’S ROOM

COMMANDER: Don't argue with me Zentos! Those are my instructions. In case you are right, I wish the Doctor to use his young friend as a guinea pig. If he succeeds in curing him, then I will set aside the verdict of the court. Now - proceed.

(Exhausted, the old man lies back.)

MELLIUM: Thank you father.

30: INT. ARK. CONTROL DECK

(Defeated, ZENTOS flicks off the switch.)

ZENTOS: Very well. If he has not decided wisely, we will not live to know it.

(ZENTOS nods to confirm the order and strides off angrily.)

31: INT. ARK. TRAVELLER’S ROOM

(The DOCTOR has been watching these undertakings on the monitor. He turns to two masked Guardians.)

DOCTOR: (Energetically.) At last we’re near a solution! We must waste no more time. Now you two, get the boy up to the table.

(They lift an unconscious STEVEN off the couch and carry him across to the table. As the DOCTOR starts to write in a notepad, the door opens and MELLIUM runs in, taking off her mask.)

MELLIUM: Is there anything we can do to help, Doctor?

DOCTOR: Yes, cover him, we must keep him warm at once.

MELLIUM: Warm? But he’s already sweating with the fever in the same way that my father is?

DOCTOR: My dear young lady, please do as you’re told! Now, where is that other young woman I want?

DODO: (Stepping forward.) Here I am Doctor.

(The DOCTOR rips a sheet out of his notepad and passes it to DODO.)

DOCTOR: Oh good, now look here - go to the TARDIS and bring these things back for me will you?

(MELLIUM has taken the coverings off the wall couch.)

MELLIUM: Will these do?

DOCTOR: Yes, certainly, fine, fine.

(She takes them over to STEVEN.)

DODO: (To the DOCTOR.) How will I know where to find them?

DOCTOR: Well open your eyes, my dear child, otherwise you’ll...you won’t be any use to me will you?

DODO: Okay.

(She turns to leave.)

DOCTOR: (Laughs, then.) What did you say?

DODO: I said “Okay”.

DOCTOR: Yes, I thought you did. Now once this crisis is over, I...I’m going to teach you to speak English.

(BACCU and RHOS are also in the room.)

BACCU: I shall go with her.

DOCTOR: Right, off you go.

(They leave.)

RHOS: Doctor, our virologists are willing to give you all the help you need. Can you describe the virus responsible?

DOCTOR: Yes, I...

MELLIUM: (Interrupting.) I’ve wrapped Steven warmly. Is there anything else I can do?

DOCTOR: Yes, now I want you to find all the sick people in this spaceship and give them the same treatment.

MELLIUM: You mean keep them warm?

DOCTOR: Exactly, my child, yes.

MELLIUM: Very well.

DOCTOR: Oh, and my child?

MELLIUM: Doctor?

DOCTOR: That also includes your father.

(She leaves the room. The DOCTOR turns to BACCU.)

DOCTOR: Now, this germ...this germ is...

32: INT. ARK. CONTROL DECK

(ZENTOS watches silently as DODO, BACCU and four MONOIDS return laden from their trip to the TARDIS. Nearby, RHOS and MANYAK talk.)

RHOS: The vaccine was used as long ago as the twentieth century and then was lost in the time of the primal wars.

BACCU: Is that what he’s trying to find now? The old vaccine?

RHOS: Yes, he says it’s, er, a natural compound derived from animal membranes. We only need to take single specimens and then we can release the animals again, but it means that a large scale hunt has to be organised out there in the jungle.

BACCU: Well, leave that to me. I’ll collect a party of Guardians and Monoids. Tell us what animals you need.

RHOS: Well, we need two...

33: INT. ARK. JUNGLE

(The hunt takes place. One MONOID sees to a near-unconscious Elephant whilst another deals with a lizard, collecting the specimens in test tubes.)

34: INT. ARK. TRAVELLER’S ROOM

(The DOCTOR works on the specimens, assisted by a masked MONOID.)

DOCTOR: Yes, I know I’m a bit of a quack, but...the combination of these two membrane fluids, a little at a time, should do the trick.

(The MONOID passes the DOCTOR a test tube before he need ask for it.)

DOCTOR: Ah, thank you, thank you. You know, you’re far more knowledgeable than most people realise, aren’t you? (Laughs.)

(The DOCTOR adds to the contents and then takes the test tube over to STEVEN, who is being nursed by DODO.)

DOCTOR: Now, my dear Dodo, how is he?

DODO: He’s conscious Doctor, but only just. Are you going to try it now?

DOCTOR: Well, I don’t see why not, yes now, where is that sterilised postule?

(He turns. The MONOID is already there with a tray on which rests the postule. The DOCTOR starts to prepare the drug for STEVEN.)

DOCTOR: Oh, thank you, thank you, yes, you know I don’t know what I would do without you. (Laughs.)

DODO: Do you really think it will work?

DOCTOR: Well, I don’t see why not, my dear, providing I’ve...mixed these properly. Now...

DODO: And what if you haven’t?

DOCTOR: Oh, don’t let’s...don’t let that cross our minds, for heavens sake.

(The DOCTOR places a patch over STEVEN’S arm.)

DOCTOR: Now then, here we are.

DODO: Don’t you have to squirt it into his arm?

DOCTOR: What with a hypodermic needle? Good gracious, no. That went out a long time ago.

(STEVEN stirs faintly.)

DOCTOR: There we are. Now all we have to do is to wait and watch. (To the MONOID.) Come along.

DODO: Where are you going?

DOCTOR: I’m going to treat the others precisely the same way as I’ve treated Steven.

DODO: Isn’t that a bit dodgy? I mean, he was supposed to be the Guinea pig, wasn’t he?

DOCTOR: Well it’s going to be much dodgier my child, as you say, if I just sat and did nothing. (Laughs.) Come along.

(The DOCTOR and the MONOID leave as DODO returns to STEVEN.)

35: INT. ARK. COMMANDER’S ROOM

(Watched by MELLIUM and RHOS, the DOCTOR treats the COMMANDER in the same way. The old man’s breathing is very feverish.)

DOCTOR: There now - just relax...and rest.

MELLIUM: Is there anything further I can do?

DOCTOR: No, it’s just a matter of time, my dear. (To the MONOID.) Come along.

36: INT. ARK. CONTROL DECK

(The DOCTOR and his MONOID assistant walk out of the COMMANDER’S room and past a waiting ZENTOS. BACCU walks up to ZENTOS.)

MANYAK: How long must we wait?

BACCU: They weren’t sure. Apparently once the injection has been given, there’s no way to hurry the response of the patient.

MANYAK: Zentos is waiting like a vulture. But just in case the treatment doesn’t work...

(They turn and look at him.)

37: INT. ARK. TRAVELLER’S ROOM

(STEVEN is feverish. Whilst DODO watches, the DOCTOR consults a large book.)

DOCTOR: Yes, I, er, I think I’ve given him the right treatment, hmm. (Laughs.)

DODO: Doctor, it’s along time now since you gave him that stuff and the fever only seems to be getting worse.

DOCTOR: Hmm? Well, it’s about an hour, my dear.

(He puts the book down and walks over to the table.)

DOCTOR: Seems to be reacting quite normally, yes, he’s fighting it. (Laughs.)

(STEVEN gives out a gasp of breath and his head falls back. The DOCTOR feels his brow.)

DODO: Has something gone wrong?

DOCTOR: The fever’s down...and the temperatures dropped, hmm!

DODO: You mean?

DOCTOR: I mean he’s going to be all right, my dear. (Laughs.)

(DODO runs excitedly out of the room...)

38: INT. ARK. CORRIDOR

(...and along a corridor...)

39: INT. ARK. CONTROL DECK

(...arriving at the control deck. She runs past a group of Guardians up to MANYAK and BACCU.)

DODO: It’s all right! Steven’s much better - everything’s going to be all right!

(The Guardians give a cry of relief and start to chat amongst themselves. DODO runs to the COMMANDER’S room, past ZENTOS.)

MANYAK: (To BACCU.) I told you it would be.

(The DOCTOR walks onto the command deck and up to ZENTOS.)

DOCTOR: You have nothing further to worry about, sir. The sick have been tended to and the others immunised against further att*ck.

ZENTOS: (Smiling.) Thank you Doctor. So you were right after all.

(DODO and MELLIUM run back.)

DODO: Doctor, the Commander’s fever’s gone down so he’s going to be all right.

DOCTOR: Oh! Splendid, splendid!

(The Guardians again start to excitedly talk, but they are interrupted by BACCU who points up at the large monitor screen.)

BACCU: Look! The scan of Earth!

(The chamber falls silent as they all look at the image on the screen. The planet Earth, smoke pouring out of it, falls through space to its final doom...)

ZENTOS: The last moment has come...

40: INT. ARK. CONTROL DECK (LATER)

(Later, the TARDIS crew say their goodbyes to the COMMANDER and the Guardians at the base of the unfinished statue.)

DOCTOR: Now, you can c...continue with the building of your statue and when it’s finished, I’m sure it’s going to look very beautiful.

MELLIUM: Yes, our descendants will know its meaning when they put the finishing touches to it.

STEVEN: In seven hundred years time.

MELLIUM: Yes, in seven hundred years time.

DOCTOR: Well, we must be off. Goodbye sir.

COMMANDER: Goodbye. (They shake hands.)

DOCTOR: (To MELLIUM.) Goodbye, my dear.

MELLIUM: Goodbye Doctor.

DODO: (To the COMMANDER.) Goodbye

COMMANDER: Goodbye

(As DODO and STEVEN continue to say their goodbyes, the DOCTOR walks past a waiting transporter and up to ZENTOS.)

ZENTOS: Doctor, for the fact that I mistrust you...misjudged you, I’m sorry.

DOCTOR: Remember your journey is very important, young man, therefore you must travel with understanding as well as hope. Goodbye Zentos.

ZENTOS: Goodbye Doctor.

(They shake hands. The DOCTOR climbs aboard the transporter where STEVEN and DODO wait for him. The MONOID drives it off and the travellers wave to the Guardians as they go.)

41: INT. ARK. JUNGLE

(The transporter travels through the jungle and comes to rest outside the TARDIS. The three travellers get off and enter the ship, DODO waving to the MONOID as they go. The door shuts and the TARDIS dematerialises. The MONOID reverses the transporter away.)

42: INT. ARK. JUNGLE

(The TARDIS re-materialises - back in the same jungle. The DOCTOR walks out of the ship as DODO calls to him from within.)

DODO: (OOV: Inside the TARDIS.) Can we go out now?

DOCTOR: You really must let me go first child.

(He steps into their familiar surroundings.)

DOCTOR: Oh...

(STEVEN steps out, followed by DODO.)

DOCTOR: Well, that’s strange. Something must have gone wrong. It appears we’ve landed back in the same place.

STEVEN: How?

DOCTOR: (Indicating the jungle.) Take a look at this, my boy. Isn’t that extraordinary? Well now, that’s inexplicable.

43: INT. ARK. CONTROL DECK

(DODO runs onto a quiet control deck, followed by STEVEN.)

DODO: Mellium! Baccu! They can’t be far away, can they?

STEVEN: I don’t know. It depends on how long ago it was.

DODO: What?

STEVEN: Look, there’s nobody here, is there?

(The DOCTOR catches up.)

DODO: We’ve only been gone a few seconds. Mellium! Baccu!

(She runs off, but almost instantly calls out in alarm.)

DODO: Doctor, Steven, look!

DOCTOR: What is it, my dear, what have you found, hmm?

(They join DODO who is gazing up at the statue.)

DODO: The statue! They’ve finished the statue!

(The completed stone structure looms over them. But where the plan showed a human head there is now the head of a MONOID.)
{"type": "series", "show": "Doctor Who", "episode": "03x27 - The Plague"}