by DAVID WHITAKER

first broadcast - 13 January 1968
running time - 23mins 46secs

1. SALAMANDER’S OFFICE, CONTROLLER HOUSE, CENTRAL EUROPEAN ZONE

SALAMANDER: But I tell you! (concerned) I must get back to research centre. You will come with me. 

BRUCE: (insistent) It was you! (second-guessing) Or . . . someone like you. 

(SALAMANDER, realizing the implications of an imposter, looks at him, fear in his face for the first time.)

2. KENT’S CARAVAN, AUSTRALASIAN ZONE

(As the scene changes, the DOCTOR’s face is superimposed over SALAMANDER’s.)

DOCTOR: Patience, Mister Kent, patience!

KENT: Astrid should have been in contact by now.

DOCTOR: (Rubbing hands.) Ah, perhaps her plan to infiltrate into Salamander’s organisation has failed.

KENT: Ah, no, otherwise Benik’s little visit here wouldn’t have been so moderate. He wouldn’t have stopped at breaking up the crockery.

(The DOCTOR listens, his mouth crooked, gently rubbing his hands.)

DOCTOR: Can’t you contact her?

KENT: If I knew where she was. Oh, no. I know she’s in the Central European Zone, but that’s a big place. No, we’ll just have to sweat it out and wait.

DOCTOR: But your friend Benik did indicate we weren’t entirely welcome here, you know.

KENT: (Arms crossed.) Yes, it’s not safe, ah, and taking you from place to place isn’t easy. And I mean, you’re er . . . not exactly inconspicuous, are you?

DOCTOR: Ah, thank you. Well, I suggest we give her another hour, and then if she doesn’t contact us by then, we’ll move out and find out what has  happened.

(The small television is still on the table.)

3. KENT’S OFFICE, AUSTRALASIAN ZONE

(And the Communicator is still in KENT’s office. Someone is running. The door opens and ASTRID runs in. She closes the door and leans against it momentarily with a sigh. She quickly goes to the Communicator and turns it on.)

4. KENT’S CARAVAN, AUSTRALASIAN ZONE

(The television bleeps. KENT runs over and switches it on. ASTRID sits in front of the screen.)

KENT: Astrid, you’re back! Switch to scramble.

5. RECORDS ROOM, RESEARCH CENTRE, AUSTRALASIAN ZONE

(BENIK has intercepted and watches ASTRID on his own Communicator with a scowl.)

ASTRID: Scramble? Are we being monitored?

(KENT is unintelligible through both ASTRID’s monitor and BENIK’s monitor.)

ASTRID: Right. Switching now.

(The screen goes black and the monitor beeps. BENIK flips a switch with a frown. A guard appears on the screen.)

BENIK: Has Leader Salamander’s ship arrived at the terminal?

GUARD: I think it’s due now, sir.

BENIK: Good. Contact the guard. And I want the girl Astrid Ferrier traced, she’s Giles Kent’s assistant. I’ll have an identiprint sent down immediately.
She’s somewhere in this zone.

GUARD: Yes sir.

BENIK: Tell the captain to inform me the moment he’s found her, and to hurry.

GUARD: Sir.

6. KENT’S OFFICE, AUSTRALASIAN ZONE

(KENT and ASTRID continue their chat over the Communicator.)

KENT: Denes d*ad?

ASTRID: Yes, sh*t in the back.

KENT: Well, it looks as if our friend Salamander’s had a field day, doesn’t it?

ASTRID: (matter-of-factly) I’m afraid I haven’t done very well.

KENT: Don’t worry. It’s not your fault. Look, stay put and we’ll join you.

(ASTRID flips a switch to turn the Communicator off. Someone frantically knocks at the door. ASTRID quietly runs to the wall beside the door. As it opens, she reaches over to grab the handle and yanks the door, pulling the person on the other side inside, who happens to be FARIAH. She stumbles in with a shout, and she is wearing a shiny black vest over her usual uniform.)

FARIAH: Oh!

ASTRID: You! What are you doing here?

(FARIAH lifts a g*n, but ASTRID quickly grabs it and disarms her, trapping her in a hold. She touches the g*n to FARIAH’s neck, while FARIAH gasps in fear.)

ASTRID: No, don’t be foolish. What are you doing here?

FARIAH: (Not choking.) I can’t talk, you’re choking me.

(ASTRID throws her off and steps back, keeping the g*n on FARIAH as she spins around.)

ASTRID: One move, just one move . . . .

FARIAH: You think Salamander sent me here?

ASTRID: Well, didn’t he?

FARIAH: No it was my own idea. I came here to see Giles Kent.

ASTRID: Why?

FARIAH: I have some information for him.

ASTRID: Why should you want to help him?

FARIAH: (contemptuously) Because I hate Salamander probably even more than you do. I can help you to destroy him. I want to be there to see his face when he dies.

7. RECORDS ROOM, RESEARCH CENTRE, AUSTRALASIAN ZONE

(BENIK walks toward the Communicator as he paces anxiously.)

BENIK: Come on, come on.

(The guard appears on the screen.)

BENIK: About time too. Is the Captain there?

GUARD: Yes sir.

(The guard steps away and the CAPTAIN appears on screen. This Guard Captain of the Australasian Zone has a white helmet, while the Guard Captain of the Central European Zone had a black helmet.)

CAPTAIN: Here sir. The girl, Astrid Ferrier, she was in the Central European Zone.

BENIK: Was she? Well she’s here now. (sharply) Have you found her?

CAPTAIN: I think so. One of my men saw someone answering her description going into Giles Kent’s office earlier.

BENIK: Was she alone?

CAPTAIN: Yes, sir. But shortly after someone else followed her in.

BENIK: Well who, man, who?

CAPTAIN: Leader Salamander’s food taster sir, Fariah.

BENIK: (intrigued) Fariah? Right, I want the place surrounded, and I’ll join you there. Get a move on!

CAPTAIN: Yes sir.

BENIK: (Rolling the ‘R,’ bemused.) Fariah . . . .

(He walks away, that constant self-righteous smirk on his face.)

8. KENT’S OFFICE, AUSTRALASIAN ZONE

DOCTOR: But what are they going to do to Jamie and Victoria?

ASTRID: (Locking the door.) I don’t know.

KENT: Hold them in the Central European zone until Salamander has time to deal with them.

FARIAH: No. You’re wrong. Salamander doesn’t care for loose ends. He brought them back with him.

DOCTOR: What, to his headquarters?

(FARIAH nods and approaches.)

DOCTOR: The Research Centre?

FARIAH: Yes. He’s going to try to get information from them.

DOCTOR: (Fingers interlocked.) How far will he go to get it?

FARIAH: Very far.

DOCTOR: (sarcastically) That’s very comforting.

FARIAH: I tell you I know Salamander.

DOCTOR: Yes, I- I’m not quite clear about your part in all this. You work for Salamander, suddenly you fall over yourselves to betray him.

FARIAH: I came here for that purpose, yes.

DOCTOR: Why?

FARIAH: Because I have every reason to hate Salamander. He blackmailed me into being his personal servant. I even had to smile when he told me to.

KENT: What sort of blackmail? What had you done?

FARIAH: Does it really matter?

DOCTOR: Oh, no no no of course not my dear. Well nobody’s perfect, Kent. But I- I still can’t help wondering why-

FARIAH: (interrupting) Why I hadn’t tried to expose Salamander?

DOCTOR: Well you were in a unique position to do so.

FARIAH: Because without any proof I’d be wasting my time.

DOCTOR: (Waving hands violently.) Proof! Proof! Proof!  (Approaches KENT.) It always comes back to the same thing! No one has any evidence against Salamander!

KENT: We have some.

DOCTOR: Not enough! It’s not enough! (Folds hands.) Salamander covers up too well.

FARIAH: I have what you want.

(The DOCTOR is intrigued.)

ASTRID: But I thought that you said-

FARIAH: (interrupting) No. Not about me. Fedorin.

ASTRID: Fedorin? A public embezzler who commits su1c1de?

FARIAH: (Nodding.) Salamander engineered nearly every one of those swindles, and I can prove it.

ASTRID: How?

(FARIAH smiles as she produces a file from under her black vest. The DOCTOR’s mouth opens in amazement.)

FARIAH: Fedorin’s file.

(The DOCTOR smiles and clasps his hands.)

DOCTOR: But that’s wonderful! Let me see.

(He quickly approaches, hands spread like a greedy little boy. FARIAH moves it away from him. He clasps his hands and nods reassuringly.)

DOCTOR: I’ll give it to you back. 

(She hands it over and he eagerly snatches it.)

DOCTOR: Thank you.

(His brows furrow deeply as he flips through it.)

DOCTOR: (mutters) Oh. Yes. Yes . . . .

9. OUTSIDE BUILDING, AUSTRALASIAN ZONE

(BENIK approaches four guards.)

SERGEANT: (into helmet microphone) Report your position, A-three.

CAPTAIN: (to BENIK) Keep well back sir.

BENIK: Is the building surrounded?

SERGEANT: A-three’s in position, Captain.

CAPTAIN: Just closing up the gaps.

BENIK: Well you haven’t brought me here on a fool’s errand, I hope? (Looks up at the building.)

CAPTAIN: Still inside sir.

BENIK: Where’s Kent’s office?

CAPTAIN: Up on the second floor.

BENIK: Hmm, right. We’ll move in.

CAPTAIN: Just a moment, sir. (to SERGEANT) What about the roof?

SERGEANT: No reply yet, Captain. (into helmet microphone) Er- position A-five, position . . . .

BENIK: (Looking up at KENT’s office.) Come on, come on . . . .

10. KENT’S OFFICE, AUSTRALASIAN ZONE

(KENT has FEDORIN’s dossier and the DOCTOR is sitting in a chair.)

DOCTOR: But I’m afraid that this still isn’t evidence, it’s- it’s not real evidence.

KENT: (angrily) You mean even this doesn’t convince you about Salamander? (Slams the file on the desk.)

DOCTOR: Oh, I’m not saying that.

ASTRID: Well then you’ll do it? You’ll impersonate him?

FARIAH: And of course when they see you with me they’re bound to think you’re Salamander.

(The DOCTOR breaths heavily as he stands and steps away, folding his hands.)

DOCTOR: Yes but I . . . I still don’t know if I can carry it off.

KENT: It’s the only way to get your friends released.

DOCTOR: Yes . . . . 

(The DOCTOR looks at KENT, beginning to have a suspicion.)

KENT: Of course, there are-

DOCTOR: (interrupting, disappointed) Oh I see, yes of course, there are conditions, aren’t there? (Distaste plain on his face.) You help me, I defeat Salamander?

KENT: Now look, you’re giving me the biggest opportunity I’ll ever have of ridding the world of this monster! Either I can convince you one way, or I’ll have to do it another.

DOCTOR: What you really want me to do is to k*ll him, isn’t it?

KENT: (contemptuously) What else do you do when someone is evil?

DOCTOR: (disapproving) Private justice, eh? (Shakes head.) Oh no. No. I’ll expose him, ruin him, have him arrested, but I won’t be his executioner. 

(KENT tries to cut in.)

DOCTOR: No one has that right.

KENT: Sometimes it’s necessary.

DOCTOR: (Shakes head emphatically.) No.

KENT: Yes, Doctor yes! When the inducement is strong enough, and in your case yes, do you still want your friends out of danger?

DOCTOR: You can’t bargain with people’s lives like that!

KENT: I can. Either you get rid of Salamander, or we won’t lift a finger to help your friends.

(The DOCTOR stares at him. More dangerous than SALAMANDER, KENT is close to making an enemy of the DOCTOR.)

FARIAH: (Pointing out the window.) Mister Kent, look.

(KENT and ASTRID join FARIAH at the window, but the DOCTOR stays back.)

KENT: I’d make up my mind quickly if I were you.

DOCTOR: Why?

KENT: Have a look out of the window.

DOCTOR: Well, what is it?

(He steps toward the window, making sure to keep out of sight.)

11. OUTSIDE BUILDING, AUSTRALASIAN ZONE

(BENIK approaches the SERGEANT and the CAPTAIN.)

SERGEANT: A-five reporting in, Captain. Every man’s in position now.

CAPTAIN: Right, we’ll move in.

BENIK: Tell all men to sh**t on sight.

CAPTAIN: I- I can’t accept responsibility like that, sir.

BENIK: You won’t have any responsibility unless you do as I say. These people are t*rrorists. Give the order!

(The CAPTAIN hesitates before nodding at the SERGEANT.)

SERGEANT: (into helmet microphone) All ‘A’ positions, sh**t on sight.

CAPTAIN: (Walks past BENIK.) Forward!

12. KENT’S OFFICE, AUSTRALASIAN ZONE

KENT: No doubt of it, they’re security men.

FARIAH: And they’re closing in.

DOCTOR: (Spreads hands anxiously.) Well isn’t there another way out of here?

KENT: The usual ways will be blocked.

ASTRID: The f*re escape.

(KENT notices something and points.)

KENT: Up there, look!

(Two guards stand on a balcony of the adjacent building and a third joins them.)

DOCTOR: One down there, too!

(A woman pushes her pram past three more guards standing at the corner.)

FARIAH: What do we do now?

KENT: (Looks around frantically.) Over here, quick!

(He runs and lifts a door in the wall.)

DOCTOR: Well what’s that?

KENT: Through here, the ventilator shaft.

ASTRID: Giles, we can’t.

KENT: Yes, of course.

FARIAH: (Running to the desk.) Wait! The file.

(She grabs it as the DOCTOR runs to the shaft.)

KENT: Come on, quick.

DOCTOR: But where does it go?

13. OUTSIDE KENT’S OFFICE intercut with KENT’S OFFICE

KENT [OC]: It doesn’t matter, come on.

(The CAPTAIN runs up to the door and BENIK and the SERGEANT follow.)

CAPTAIN: It’s locked.

(BENIK stands and listens by the door, g*n in hand.)

BENIK: Wait! Why don’t you just let us in, it’ll save so much unpleasantness.

KENT: (Comforting FARIAH.) Now look just relax and you won’t feel a thing.

(KENT and the DOCTOR lower her into the shaft.)

KENT: Now you, Doctor, next.

BENIK [OC]: Kent! Open the door.

DOCTOR: (to ASTRID) Wh-wh-wh-what about you?

ASTRID: Oh no, you’re too important. You go, and Giles. I’ll follow.

KENT: All right.

(The DOCTOR helps KENT inside.)

BENIK [OC]: Very well . . .

DOCTOR [OC]: Quick! Quick!

BENIK: You leave me no alternative. Break it down.

(ASTRID closes the shaft after the others, and sh**t at the door.)

BENIK [OC]: Get back!

ASTRID: (Ducks behind a chair.) Get away from that door!

(A rope dangles outside the window behind ASTRID.)

BENIK [OC]: Can you hear me in there?

ASTRID: I can hear you!

BENIK [OC]: (Shouting over ASTRID.) Why don’t you come out?

ASTRID: I can hear you!

(A guard climbs down the rope and stands in the window.)

BENIK [OC]: How long do you think you can hold out against us?

(BENIK and the CAPTAIN stand on either side of the door while two other guards face it, g*n raised.)

BENIK: Standing by?

SERGEANT: (into helmet microphone) A-five. Progress?

BENIK: (impatient) Well!?

SERGEANT: He’s outside the window now, sir.

(BENIK is relieved.)

(ASTRID notices a piece of fabric moving in an air current. She spins to face the open window and the guard coming through. He jumps down and she falls back. He points his g*n at her, but she kicks her legs between his and swipes his feet out from under him with a shout. He reaches for her g*n and they wrestle for it, growling. They get to their feet, fighting for the g*n over their heads. The g*n goes off, f*ring at the ceiling. ASTRID elbows the guard in the stomach, causing him to bend over, letting go of the p*stol. ASTRID brings the handle down on the guard’s neck, sending him to the floor.)

(BENIK and the guards outside can hear the commotion.)

BENIK: He’s through, Sergeant, smash that lock.

(Repeating sh*ts ring out as the SERGEANT sh**t the lock. He kicks open the door.)

(The SERGEANT jumps inside, g*n ready, and the CAPTAIN follows. The SERGEANT runs to the opposite door and kicks it open as another guard runs in.)

BENIK: (Peers into the room, g*n in hand.) Well? Well?

SERGEANT: Empty.

(The SERGEANT goes to the door in the wall and opens it.)

BENIK: The air ducts. They’ve disappeared from the air conditioning plant. (to the CAPTAIN) Is there a manhole that could let them out to the street?

CAPTAIN: I don’t know, sir.

BENIK: Well find out!!

(The CAPTAIN, a guard, and BENIK run out of the room.)

CAPTAIN: On the double! 

SERGEANT: (into helmet microphone) Attention all ‘A’ positions. Cover street. Send to the air conditioning plant.

(The SERGEANT and the other guard run out of the room.)

BENIK [OC]: (screaming) Tell your men to sh**t to k*ll!!!

SERGEANT [OC]: (into helmet microphone) sh**t to k*ll, repeat sh**t to k*ll.

(ASTRID is hiding under the desk, breathing heavily, listening to them leave with a g*n in her hand.)

14. STREET, AUSTRALASIAN ZONE

(FARIAH has been separated from the DOCTOR and KENT. She runs around a corner and pauses for a breath, holding the file tight to her chest. She runs under an archway and stops, spotting a guard. The guard hears her and spins around, g*n raised. FARIAH turns and runs as the guard fires. She arches back with a screech, holding her stomach. The CAPTAIN runs toward her as she collapses and helps her down, dropping his p*stol on the ground. He watches, horrified, while FARIAH writhes in pain. He looks up angrily at the guard as he approaches.)

CAPTAIN: (angrily) What do you think you’re doing?

GUARD: We had orders to k*ll.

CAPTAIN: Do you always obey orders?

GUARD: I’m sorry, Captain.

CAPTAIN: Oh, never mind. Go and search for the others.

(The guard runs off.)

CAPTAIN: (to FARIAH) I’m sorry. You should have stopped.

(BENIK runs around the corner.)

BENIK: (impatiently) Did you get the others?

CAPTAIN: Not yet, sir.

(BENIK runs to FARIAH and grabs her face.)

BENIK: Now listen to me. It was you, Astrid Ferrier, Giles Kent and another. Who was the other man?

FARIAH: (weakly) You- you’ll know . . . soon . . . soon enough.

BENIK: I want to know now. (Touches g*n to her cheek.)

CAPTAIN: Sir-

BENIK: Shut up! (to FARIAH) Well?

(FARIAH pauses to muster the strength to speak. She smiles.)

FARIAH: (weakly) You can’t thr*at me now, Benik. I can only die once. And someone’s beaten you to it.

(BENIK moves the g*n away from her face and grabs her shoulders, bending close to her.)

BENIK: (through teeth) Who was the other man?

(FARIAH, with her last strength, slaps BENIK in the face. BENIK stands and points his g*n at her, his hair in disarray with his fury.)

CAPTAIN: Sir! She’s d*ad.

BENIK: Good.

(BENIK notices the file and picks it up. He smiles.)

BENIK: Fedorin’s file. (to FARIAH) Thank you.

(He walks away. FARIAH is at peace.)

15. RECORDS ROOM, RESEARCH CENTRE, AUSTRALASIAN ZONE

SALAMANDER: What you mean is you failed.

(BENIK stands calmly, holding the dossier.)

BENIK: I always said something should be done about Kent.

SALAMANDER: (Walking around him.) You always say. You say things, but you don’t think!

(BRUCE walks in.)

BRUCE: You exceeded your authority, Benik. A woman’s been k*lled.

BENIK: (defensively) Resisting arrest.

BRUCE: Maybe. But you can’t just take the law into your own hands. 

(BENIK looks away, unconcerned.)

BRUCE: Giles Kent hadn’t broken any rules that I know of.

BENIK: For sure he’d show himself one day, he was simply building up his resistance group.

SALAMANDER: (Shaking his head.) Resistance group . . . . The man’s a traitor! These people are rebels. Bruce, you must find this man who impersonated me. The dangers are obvious. He could walk in anywhere at any time pretending to be me and ruin everything.

BRUCE: You can leave that to me.

SALAMANDER: How so?

BRUCE: Benik, come with me and I’ll go over the security arrangements with you now.

(BRUCE walks to the door, but BENIK makes no indication to follow him.)

SALAMANDER: Do as you’re told!

(BENIK hands FEDORIN’s file to SALAMANDER.)

BENIK: I think you’ll find this interesting.

(SALAMANDER takes it and his eyes widen. He looks up at BENIK.)

SALAMANDER: What, the girl Fariah had this? 

(BENIK just smiles. SALAMANDER steps toward him and smiles.)

SALAMANDER: What can I say?

(BENIK smiles and follows BRUCE. SALAMANDER glances at the file again, then goes to the Communicator and switches it on.)

GUARD: Yes sir?

SALAMANDER: The records room is out of bounds. I am not to be disturbed. See that the security locks are engaged.

GUARD: Very well, sir. For how long, sir?

SALAMANDER: For as long as I say so.

GUARD: Yes sir.

(SALAMANDER switches it off. He turns a knob and flips a switch. A metal door buzzes as it slides over the regular door, sealing it off. SALAMANDER goes to another console and flips a switch. The same buzzing sounds as another door is sealed off. He pushes a button and wheels begin spinning. An intermittent buzzer sounds as a metal door slides open, revealing a large capsule on a tall platform. It slides into the room on a track. SALAMANDER climbs up to the capsule and lays down inside. The whole thing slides back into the cupboard and the capsule rotates downward until SALAMANDER is upright. The metal door slides closed.)

16. ELEVATOR, RECORDS ROOM, AUSTRALASIAN ZONE

(SALAMANDER pushes a button and the capsule slides straight down an elevator shaft. As it travels rapidly downward, SALAMANDER stiffens against the slight shaking. He waits patiently as it falls farther and farther. The capsule comes to a sudden stop.)

17. HALLWAY, RESEARCH CENTRE, AUSTRALASIAN ZONE

BRUCE: Are you telling me that no one, no one at all can see Salamander?

GUARD: No one, sir.

BRUCE: (Approaches.) Can you communicate with him on closed circuit?

GUARD: I’ll try, sir. 

(The guard goes to a panel and presses a button. Nothing happens. He turns back to BRUCE.)

GUARD: He’s turned off the master switch. Sorry, sir.

(BENIK walks down the hallway toward them with a file.)

BENIK: Get all the security details. What’s the matter now? (Approaches BRUCE.)

BRUCE: It seems that Salamander’s locked himself away and can’t be got at.

BENIK: So?

BRUCE: Well, suppose the place caught f*re?

BENIK: It won’t.

BRUCE: Don’t be foolish!

BENIK: Look, I can only tell you that when Salamander works in records, as he does from time to time, no one is allowed in.

BRUCE: I can understand if it were a . . . erm . . . a laboratory or a . . . research room of some sort, but a . . . a records room? What sort of records have you got in there anyway?

BENIK: What did you want to see him about?

BRUCE: Never mind. I just don’t like mysteries. Salamander’s far too important to lock himself away like this, anything might happen, a . . . a world emergency. (Has an idea.) Suppose . . . I had to order you to let me in there?

BENIK: It wouldn’t do any good. When the locks are switched over they can only be opened from the inside.

(BRUCE is suspicious.)

18. CONTROL ROOM, UNDERGROUND, AUSTRALASIAN ZONE

(The door opens onto a room with an administrator’s desk, covered in phones, an intercom, and files. A large Communicator stands by the wall. SALAMANDER enters, taking his jacket off. He is wearing a jumpsuit covered in burns, dirt, and scratches. His hair is no longer slicked down, but still parted and not as messy as the DOCTOR’s. He opens a drawer under the desk and stuffs his jacket inside. He pulls a key out of his pocket and locks the drawer. He puts the key back in his pocket as he approaches the Communicator and turns it on.)

19. WORK ROOM, UNDERGROUND, AUSTRALASIAN ZONE

(People work at their stations and walk around with clipboards, making sure everything is in order. The workplace is quiet and appears to be well-organized. They communicate with each other well, appearing to have no troubles with their coworkers. Everyone stops what they’re doing and looks up as SALAMANDER’s voice comes over the PA system.)

SALAMANDER: (Breathing heavily.) I have returned. Take radiation precautions. I will make a report about the surface.

SWANN: (to COLIN) He’s back! He’s managed to get back again.

COLIN: Let’s hope he’s got some good news this time.

MARY: Do you think Salamander’s found some more food, Swann?

SWANN: I hope so, otherwise we’re finished. Where’s that stock list?

COLIN: (Hands over a paper from his clipboard.) Here.

SWANN: Thank you. (Walks away.)

(COLIN takes a step, looking thoughtful and determined. MARY goes back to work.)

MARY: (to COLIN) Are you going to ask him?

COLIN: You bet I am. He’ll take me too.

(MARY quickly turns to him.)

MARY: Colin, I couldn’t sleep a wink last night thinking about you making the trip. None of the others have come back.

COLIN: Don’t stop me now! I’ve got to see the surface, Mary, I’ve got to! I want to see the Sun again, walk on top of the Earth! Not hide like a rat underground. I’ve got to do it, Mary, I’ve got to ask him.

(He walks past her. MARY watches him wistfully.)

MARY: Yes . . . .

(SWANN goes through the door to the Control Room.)

20. CONTROL ROOM, UNDERGROUND, AUSTRALASIAN ZONE

(SWANN energetically approaches SALAMANDER, who shies away, raising his arm defensively.)

SWANN: Welcome back, Salamander. Are you all right?

(SALAMANDER continues to fall back as SWANN presses him.)

SALAMANDER: No, Don’t- don’t come too near my friend . . . .

(SWANN backs off, concerned.)

SALAMANDER: (Breathing heavily.) I am not yet decontaminated. Oh, I am too weary . . . too- too utterly weary . . . .

SWANN: You shouldn’t have made this trip, Salamander, you’re doing too much.

SALAMANDER: Someone has to bring back the food for you, my friend, huh? You know that the- the radiation is slowly k*lling me, don’t you Swann?

SWANN: You’re just doing too much.

SALAMANDER: (Slowly stands.) I worry about you all the time. (Walking past SWANN.) What’re you going to do when I am no longer here?

(He steps into a cubby, which lights up when he enters, and leans his hand against the wall. The geiger counter clicks as the needle on the radiation meter jumps to the highest reading.)

SALAMANDER: (Sighs.) Radiation gets a little more each time, hm? 

(The needle slowly spins back down.)

SALAMANDER: (Points.) One day, that needle will stay at maximum radiation.

MARY: Don’t say that!

(SALAMANDER smiles and steps out of the radiation chamber as the needle reaches zero.)

SALAMANDER: Why Mary! Colin! (Waves hands.) Huh, it’s my big joke, huh? Just to frighten you a little. I’ve got good news for us!

COLIN: We can return to the surface?

SALAMANDER: (Face falls.) No no no not yet, but I’ve found another store of food-

SWANN: (interjecting) Thank goodness!

SALAMANDER: And it’s undamaged! Colin, open the last store of wine, huh? (Waving.) Go on, you help him too, Mary.

(As soon as they turn away, SALAMANDER stumbles against his chair and SWANN takes his arm.)

SWANN: You must take it slowly for goodness sake.

SALAMANDER: I’m all right my friend. I’m just a little dizzy. (Looks upward.) It’s . . . it’s terrible up there, you know. Swann . . . you’ve no idea. (Takes a breath.) All right, I am ready.

21. WORK ROOM, UNDERGROUND, AUSTRALASIAN ZONE

(COLIN and MARY wheel in a keg on a trolley. The workers begin to congregate, muttering excitedly.)

SALAMANDER: (Approaching the group.) Here we are, my friends.

(They cheer and applaud, surrounding him and patting his shoulders.)

SALAMANDER: Please, no. It is enough that I am back with you again and I have brought food for you! Plenty of food!

(They cheer.)

SWANN: Here is the man who can try-

(SALAMANDER raises his hands to calm them.)

SALAMANDER: Please! Please Swann . . . . I re-remembered on- on my way back down here that we are near our anniversary again.

(The crowd murmurs.)

SALAMANDER: In a few short weeks we survivors will have been down in this shelter for exactly five years. (Holding up five fingers.) 

CROWD: (Murmuring.) Five years...

SALAMANDER: Colin and Mary were- were just teenagers then.

(COLIN has his arm around MARY.)

SALAMANDER: Look at them now! We fed ourselves.

CROWD: (Muttering.) Yes!

SALAMANDER: (Gesturing passionately.) But what’s more than that, we are fighting back! We are doing something!

CROWD: Yes! Yes! Yes!

COLIN: (Shouting over the crowd.) Will we ever return to the surface, Salamander?

SALAMANDER: Yes, of course we will, this is what I’m striving for. (Looking up, grimly.) But up there it’s terrible still. The w*r goes on and on. You never know when the air is clean or when it’s poison.

COLIN: (forcefully) When can we return?

SALAMANDER: We have to . . . to fight for a while longer, hmm? Creating natural disasters. Monsoons! Earthquakes! Volcanic eruptions! Always in the places where the enemies of truth and freedom gather together!

(The crowd voice their approval.)

COLIN: You tell us this all the time, Salamander. When are we going to escape from this nightmare prison, that’s all I’m asking you?

MARY: Colin, please!

COLIN: I want an answer!

SALAMANDER: (Nodding.) You shall have an answer, my friend. You will return to the surface . . . when you have a good chance of survival.

(SALAMANDER falls forward and many hands catch him.)

SWANN: Are you ill?

(SALAMANDER stands and they slowly remove their hands.)

SALAMANDER: No no it’s alright, but you must believe me. Colin, all of you! (Shakes folded hands emphatically.) You cannot return to the surface until it’s safe to do so! (Gestures to SWANN.) Please my friend, we must . . . we must . . . .

(SWANN follows as SALAMANDER walks past him. The workers converse excitedly. COLIN walks away from the group and MARY follows him.)

MARY: He’s doing his best.

COLIN: (Spins to face her.) I can’t help it Mary! Next time I’m gonna make him take me with him.

MARY: No! You know the others didn’t come back.

COLIN: I’ve got to.

MARY: Then take me with you. I’d rather die with you up on the surface than live down here without you.

(SALAMANDER and SWANN approach the Control Room, but SALAMANDER turns to SWANN.)

SALAMANDER: Er, no, Swann, eh, we must check the power levels. Huh?

(He walks into the control room and SWANN turns away. SALAMANDER glares through the door at his sheep as he closes it.)

SWANN: All right! Everyone to their places please. Salamander wants to check the power levels.

(He points people around as they casually return to work.)

SWANN: Come along there, come on. Full blast, that’s right.

(Someone wheels the keg away.)

SWANN: Check the meter levels. Full power on line one, Salamander.

22. CONTROL ROOM, UNDERGROUND, AUSTRALASIAN ZONE

(SALAMANDER is smoking a cigar with his feet on the desk and an open file in his lap.)

SALAMANDER: Oh, good, good.

SWANN [OC]: No faults indicated!

SALAMANDER: Oh, excellent!

(He looks at the file and puffs his cigar.) 

23. KENT’S CARAVAN, AUSTRALASIAN ZONE

(The DOCTOR has a round mirror in his lap and a towel over his shoulders across his front. He looks uncomfortable as ASTRID trims his bangs.)

DOCTOR: But I still don’t understand what’s happened to Fariah.

KENT: She went the wrong way. We lost her.

(ASTRID stands and begins to comb the DOCTOR’s hair.)

DOCTOR: Well we must find her! You don’t seem to realize how vital it is!

(ASTRID gestures, trying to get them to stop talking.)

ASTRID: Doctor, hold still a moment will you?

DOCTOR: (annoyed) Sorry.

(Suddenly SALAMANDER is sitting in the chair when ASTRID parts the DOCTOR’s hair. She lifts a photograph of SALAMANDER beside the DOCTOR’s face. The DOCTOR’s disgruntled face perfectly matches SALAMANDER’s scowl. He looks over at the picture.)

ASTRID: There. Look at that, Giles, isn’t it amazing?

(The DOCTOR lifts the mirror to get a better look.)

KENT: Salamander to the life.

DOCTOR: Yes, it’s . . . it’s not bad.

ASTRID: Shh, I think I heard something.

(She puts the photograph on the cabinets and the DOCTOR stands.)

DOCTOR: Well perhaps it’s Fariah.

(A guard’s black boots enter. The DOCTOR stares, fear in his face, and the towel still around his shoulders.)
{"type": "series", "show": "Doctor Who", "episode": "05x20 - The Enemy of the World - part 4"}