by MERVYN HAISMAN

and HENRY LINCOLN

first broadcast - February 24 1968

1. OPERATIONS ROOM

(Professor TRAVERS’ breath shakes as he cowers on the floor, shrinking away from the giant Yeti in front of him. He stands as he backs away, eyes wide in terror.)

TRAVERS: Anne! Yeti!

(He backs into a wall as the Yeti advances. He screams as the Yeti strikes its arm down.)

2. FORTRESS MAIN CORRIDOR

(ANNE rushes out of the laboratory, hearing his scream, and runs right into a Yeti. She screams as it roars and throws her to the lab floor.)

3. OUTSIDE OPERATIONS ROOM

(The Yeti, emitting its characteristic bleeping noise, drags the unconscious TRAVERS away by his arm. Another Yeti takes up the rear.)

4. TUNNEL

(The DOCTOR, VICTORIA, JAMIE, and Driver EVANS are racing to reach Covent Garden and the TARDIS. They pass a tunnel leading off to the side and JAMIE stops them.)

JAMIE: Wait, which way?

DOCTOR: (Indicates straight ahead.) It’s this way to Covent Garden.

(EVANS looks down the side tunnel.)

JAMIE: You’re sure Chorley’s after the TARDIS though?

DOCTOR: Yes, certain of it. Why else would he lock us in?

(EVANS takes a few steps down the side tunnel.)

JAMIE: Aye, mebbe you’re right.

(JAMIE gestures for them to continue.)

EVANS: Like me to take a shufty down this tunnel? He might have taken a wrong turning.

DOCTOR: No, no, no, if he did it doesn’t matter, does it? (Waves arm.) Come along, this way.

(He heads off down the tunnel, followed by the others.)

5. TUNNEL

(The COLONEL and Staff Sergeant ARNOLD are trying to catch up with Captain KNIGHT’s group. The COLONEL stops and raises his p*stol, moving against the wall. ARNOLD stops behind him, holding his r*fle ready.)

ARNOLD: (Whispers.) What is it, sir?

COLONEL: Something up ahead.

(They tense as quiet footsteps approach. The COLONEL lowers his g*n.)

COLONEL: It’s all right. Captain Knight and his party.

ARNOLD: They’ve been very quick, sir!

COLONEL: Yeah . . . .

(He walks forward with ARNOLD to meet KNIGHT and his soldiers.)

COLONEL: Any luck?

KNIGHT: Afraid not, sir. The fungus b*at us to it. A hundred yards this side of Holborn.

ARNOLD: Just as if it knew what we were up to, sir.

COLONEL: Yes . . . .

KNIGHT: There’s just a chance, Colonel, that we might be able to get to Holborn via Piccadilly.

COLONEL: Fungus on the Central Line only, eh?

KNIGHT: Well, it’s worth a try, sir.

COLONEL: Yes, right. Tottenham Court Road, down to Leicester Square, and up past Covent Garden. Come on, follow me.

(He walks past KNIGHT and leads the party off.)

6. TUNNEL

(The DOCTOR’s group continue rushing through the tunnels as fast as they can without stumbling over the many rails and boards.)

DOCTOR: This looks familiar - it’s around this corner. (Points.)

(They round the corner and JAMIE stops short, holding out an arm to halt those behind him.)

JAMIE: Oh no!

(The TARDIS crew look in horror at a wall of the web-like fungus blocking the tunnel.)

VICTORIA: Oh, we can’t get to the TARDIS!

DOCTOR: No, Victoria, I’m afraid we can’t.

(They slowly approach the webbing.)

JAMIE: What’s happened to Chorley, then?

DOCTOR: That’s what I’m wondering. Did he reach the TARDIS before the fungus, or- or did he not?

(The DOCTOR stops a few feet away and studies it.)

JAMIE: You mean to say, he could have got to the TARDIS and already taken off with it?

DOCTOR: I don’t know . . . .

(The DOCTOR takes another step closer.)

JAMIE: Hey, come back, Doctor!

(The DOCTOR cautiously approaches and produces two large pairs of tweezers from a pocket.)

DOCTOR: It’s er, it’s all right, Jamie, I’m not going to do anything silly. I- I just want to try and get a little bit for an analysis.

VICTORIA: Oh Jamie, stop him!

DOCTOR: (Turns to face her.) It’s all right, Victoria.

(The DOCTOR turns back to the fungus and steps within arm’s reach.)

DOCTOR: Has anyone got a box?

(EVANS feels the many pockets on his army gear.)

EVANS: I’ve got my tobacco tin.

(He pulls it out as the DOCTOR approaches him.)

DOCTOR: Oh, splendid. (Takes it.)

EVANS: But then, it’s got tobacco in it.

DOCTOR: Oh never mind.

(He promptly empties the contents into EVANS’ hand. EVANS just stutters in protest and the DOCTOR walks away.)

EVANS: Hey! Oh, all right. I only hope you think the sacrifice is worth it!

(The DOCTOR approaches the fungus again.)

DOCTOR: Hold the tin for me, would you, Evans?

(EVANS approaches and takes his tin back. The DOCTOR reaches toward a strand of webbing as it sways with the air currents in the tunnels. He clasps the strand and cries out in surprise as it reacts to the att*ck. He clasps the strand with the other pair of tweezers when it starts pulsating and glowing. The DOCTOR grunts as he struggles to tear the strand away.)

EVANS: Gone and set it off! Come on, now!

(The fungus continues to pulsate angrily.)

VICTORIA: Oh, it’s horrible!

JAMIE: Go on, Doctor, get it out!

DOCTOR: Nearly done! Hold the tin underneath!

(He has cut the strand, then quickly tears a piece off and drops it into the tin.)

DOCTOR: There we are - now back, everyone, quickly!

(They all make a hasty retreat while the fungus continues to glow.)

7. PLATFORM

(Staff Sergeant ARNOLD and Corporal BLAKE are ahead of the main party and step onto a station platform.)

ARNOLD: All right, Corporal. Nip back and tell Captain Knight it’s all clear up ‘ere. And get ‘em to get a shift on!

BLAKE: Righto, Staff.

(BLAKE goes back along the tunnel. Behind ARNOLD, Driver EVANS suddenly appears around the corner.)

EVANS: Hello, Staff. 

(ARNOLD spins around, g*n raised.)

EVANS: (Calls down the tunnel.) It’s all right, it’s just Staff Arnold!

ARNOLD: One of these days, Evans my lad, you’re going to creep up on someone once too often!

EVANS: Well, that’s life, innit Staff?

(The DOCTOR, JAMIE, and VICTORIA appear from the tunnel.)

DOCTOR: Any luck at Holborn?

ARNOLD: No - fungus.

JAMIE: Same back there.

ARNOLD: Right. I’ll tell the Colonel. You lot had better get back to HQ. We’ll be along in a few minutes.

DOCTOR: Come on, Jamie, I’ll- I’ll just show this bit of fungus to Travers.

JAMIE: Right.

(JAMIE, VICTORIA, and EVANS follow the DOCTOR. ARNOLD resumes his post waiting for KNIGHT.)

8. FORTRESS MAIN CORRIDOR

(It looks as if the Goodge Street Fortress’ thick metal entrance door has been ripped off its hinges, leaning against the wall, covered in black, squiggling burn trails.)

JAMIE: [OOV.] The door’s open, Doctor!

DOCTOR: [OOV.] Let’s see, Jamie.

(JAMIE enters first and gets a good look at the damaged, burnt door.)

JAMIE: Hey, look at this!

(The DOCTOR brushes past JAMIE as he gently touches the burn marks and VICTORIA and Driver EVANS file in.)

DOCTOR: Good Lord! That’s Yeti!

(VICTORIA goes farther into the Fortress as the men contemplate the door.)

JAMIE: You don’t think they may still be here?

DOCTOR: No.

JAMIE: I hope not!

(VICTORIA looks down the hall around the corner and gasps in horror, pointing at something on the floor. The DOCTOR and JAMIE rush to her side.)

VICTORIA: Oh, Doctor!

(A pile of expired soldiers lies in the hall, covered thickly with white webbing. VICTORIA cries out, hiding her face in JAMIE’s arms.)

DOCTOR: Shh, quiet, Victoria!

(The DOCTOR listens as VICTORIA quiets down. A faint moan can be heard. The DOCTOR turns and steps into the Laboratory.)

9. LABORATORY

(The DOCTOR looks at the floor as he enters.)

DOCTOR: Anne!

(He rushes to her side, as she is prostrate on the floor.)

JAMIE: Miss Travers!

(The DOCTOR takes her shoulders and turns her over. JAMIE runs to her and rubs her hand to stimulate her to wake up. The DOCTOR pulls a vial of smelling salts out of his jacket and holds it under her nose.)

VICTORIA: Oh, will she be all right?

(ANNE begins to move her head, coughing and gasping.)

DOCTOR: Yes, yes I think she’ll be all right.

(The DOCTOR and JAMIE help her sit up, still coughing.)

DOCTOR: Evans, get a chair for her, would you? Get her up, Jamie, come on.

(They pull her to her feet as EVANS rushes to grab a chair. The DOCTOR comforts her as they help her toward the chair.)

DOCTOR: It’s all right. It’s all right now, Anne. Sit down.

(ANNE collapses in the chair, gasping with shock, while JAMIE pats and rubs her hand to keep her from fainting again.)

DOCTOR: There you are. It’s all right now.

ANNE: (Gasping.) Oh, Doctor, Doctor, the Yet- Yeti. Have they gone?

DOCTOR: Yes, they’ve gone now, it’s quite safe now.

JAMIE: What happened?

ANNE: (Suddenly remembers.) Oh my father . . . the Yeti! (Grabs the DOCTOR’s shoulder.) The Yeti, they’ve taken him!

(The DOCTOR’s face fills with horror.)

JAMIE: Eh?

ANNE: Oh, my . . . .

(She is still gasping, and close to hysterics. The DOCTOR and JAMIE speak at the same time.)

DOCTOR: Jamie, you’d better get her to the Common Room. You go too, Victoria.

JAMIE: It’s all right, we’ll find him for you.

(JAMIE helps her stand, nearly hyperventilating, and he and VICTORIA take her to the door.)

DOCTOR: Lie her down.

JAMIE: Easy, that’s it.

(The DOCTOR clears his throat.)

EVANS: You OK?

JAMIE: Oh I’ll manage, thanks.

(He and VICTORIA lead ANNE out of the room, while the DOCTOR and EVANS watch with concern. The DOCTOR turns and walks slowly toward the bench, staring thoughtfully. The soldiers arrive and mill about outside, discovering the pile of bodies in the hall.)

EVANS: D’you reckon they have?

DOCTOR: Have what?

EVANS: Taken him? Like she said?

DOCTOR: Yes, I’m very much afraid they have. But why? Why didn’t they just k*ll him? Unless . . . .

EVANS: Yes?

DOCTOR: (Looks at EVANS.) Well, unless they had a use for him.

(The COLONEL steps into the room.)

COLONEL: Ah, Doctor. What’s this I hear about Travers?

(The COLONEL leans on his g*n and EVANS steps out of the way as Captain KNIGHT walks in.)

DOCTOR: Well, the Yeti broke in while we were out looking for Chorley.

COLONEL: Chorley?

KNIGHT: What the devil was he doing in the tunnel in the first place?

DOCTOR: Well I’m not quite sure.

KNIGHT: (To the COLONEL.) I knew that one would panic.

(ARNOLD enters and stomps half-heartedly.)

ARNOLD: I’m afraid . . . young Weams has had it, sir, like the other poor devils outside.

(The atmosphere in the room is suddenly melancholy, everybody looking down and avoiding eye contact.)

COLONEL: I see. Er, Staff, you’d better get-

(He cuts himself off, not wanting to finish, and gestures with his arm, meaning “get the bodies out of here.”)

ARNOLD: Yes, all right sir, we’re doing that now. Evans, come with me.

EVANS: (Stomps.) Staff!

(EVANS begins to leave, but stops by the COLONEL.)

EVANS: Glad to see you’re all right, sir.

(The COLONEL is pulled reluctantly from his brief moment of mourning.)

COLONEL: Eh?

EVANS: Drove you to Holborn, I did, sir.

COLONEL: (Uninterested.) Ah yes, so you did.

ARNOLD: Evans!

EVANS: Sorry, Staff.

(He hurries past ARNOLD, who had stepped back inside. ARNOLD closes the door behind them.)

COLONEL: (Leans on his r*fle.) I can’t make out why the Yeti broke in. I mean, they could have destroyed the place if they’d wanted to.

DOCTOR: Well, the answer’s simple. They came for something, and they got it. (Mouth goes crooked thoughfully.)

COLONEL: What was that?

DOCTOR: (Slowly looks at him.) Travers!

10. FORTRESS MAIN CORRIDOR

(Corporal BLAKE rounds the corner and stops abruptly when he sees the pile of bodies. He looks at the guard on duty, but doesn’t say anything, and glaces at the bodies again before entering the lab.)

11. LABORATORY

(Corporal BLAKE enters and approaches the COLONEL.)

BLAKE: ‘Scuse me, sir, but I think you ought to come to the Ops Room.

KNIGHT: Why? What’s happening?

BLAKE: That fungus stuff, it’s on the move again!

(They all head through the door.)

12. OPERATIONS ROOM

(The illuminated map of the Underground network shows the black lines slowly closing in on Goodge Street. The DOCTOR, the COLONEL, Captain KNIGHT, and Corporal BLAKE walk in to see the fungus’s relentless progression.)

BLAKE: It’s like a spider’s web, innit?

DOCTOR: Yes. And we’re the flies, all right, but . . . where is the spider? (Looks around the room suspiciously.)

COLONEL: Better give the others a hand, Corporal.

BLAKE: Sir.

(He stomps and leaves.)

COLONEL: Doctor, I’ve been thinking about what you were saying earlier.

DOCTOR: Hmm?

COLONEL: About someone here in HQ being responsible for all this. 

(KNIGHT looks surprised.)

COLONEL: Could it have been Travers?

DOCTOR: Oh I doubt it.

KNIGHT: Well, after all he has disappeared.

DOCTOR: Yes - so has Chorley. I’d say he was a much more likely suspect.

COLONEL: True.

DOCTOR: (Walking past them.) On the other hand, of course, whoever is in league with the Il- Intelligence could still be amongst us here.

(He looks suspiciously to either side, his back turned to KNIGHT and the COLONEL. The COLONEL and KNIGHT glance at each other.)

COLONEL: That’s a fact of which I am uncomfortably aware. But tell me, Doctor, this . . . Intelligence - exactly what is it?

DOCTOR: (Turns sideways to them.) Well I wish I could give you a precise answer. Perhaps the best way to describe it is a sort of . . . formless, shapeless thing, floating about in space like a cloud of mist, only . . . with a mind and will.

COLONEL: What’s it after? What’s it want?

DOCTOR: Mm, I wish I knew. The only thing I know for sure is that it brought me here.

(KNIGHT looks at the COLONEL, looking for an explanation.)

KNIGHT: (Incredulous.) Brought you here?

COLONEL: Yes, been wondering how you got here.

DOCTOR: (Happy to brag.) Yes, well I . . . I don’t think there’s any harm in telling you now. I . . . I have a craft . . . that travels in time and space. (Tries not to smile.)

(KNIGHT looks at the COLONEL, expecting it to be a joke, but the COLONEL is expressionless as always. KNIGHT scoffs and the DOCTOR smiles.)

KNIGHT: Oh, come now Doctor, you can’t expect me to-

COLONEL: (Interrupts.) This craft of yours, this time-space craft. Could it get us out of here?

DOCTOR: Well, yes - but it’s at Covent Garden!

COLONEL: What does it look like?

DOCTOR: (Knowing it sounds ridiculous.) It’s a police box. (Interlocks fingers.)

KNIGHT: Oh really, Colonel, surely you’re not-

(KNIGHT walks away as he speaks, but the COLONEL interrupts him and he stops.)

COLONEL: So - if we could rescue that craft, you could take us out?

DOCTOR: (Breathing heavily.) Yes, yes I could, but I- I have to stay here and finish Travers’ work!

JAMIE: Ah, Doctor. 

(They look as JAMIE enters.)

JAMIE: Miss Travers is feeling all right now, and would like to see you right away. (Points and waves arm.)

DOCTOR: Very good, Jamie. Excuse me, gentlemen, please.

COLONEL: Yes.

(The DOCTOR and JAMIE quickly leave the room. The COLONEL goes and sits on the table.)

KNIGHT: (Amused.) Well, I’ve heard some stories in my time, but that one really takes-

COLONEL: (Interrupts.) So you don’t believe him?

KNIGHT: No, of course not, sir! The whole idea is screwy. A police box!

COLONEL: Well whether you think it foolish or not, we are going to rescue that craft.

KNIGHT: Oh, but sir! Our job-

COLONEL: (Interrupts.) Captain Knight. The Army has failed to defeat this menace. 

(KNIGHT is silent, but avoiding eye contact and clenching his jaw, frustrated at constantly being told what to do by the COLONEL.)

COLONEL: Now the Doctor thinks he might succeed. Personally, I doubt it. But if we stay here, we’re as good as d*ad. Therefore I do not intend leaving any escape route unexplored, however . . . screwy you may think it.

KNIGHT: Oh, surely Colonel, our-

COLONEL: (Interrupts.) Let’s get on with it, shall we, Knight?

KNIGHT: (Grudgingly.) Sir.

(KNIGHT marches to the door, but turns back to the COLONEL and leans on the table.)

KNIGHT: I suppose you’ve considered that the Doctor might be leading us into a trap?

(The COLONEL just looks at him.)

13. COMMON ROOM

(ANNE, now recovered, is sitting at the table with VICTORIA and JAMIE. The DOCTOR stands apart with his back turned.)

ANNE: But . . . but there must be a chance! If the Doctor’s spa-

DOCTOR: (Interrupts.) No, the soldiers could comb these tunnels for a fortnight and- and still never find him. I’m afraid your father’s been taken by the Intelligence. The only way that we can save him is . . . by finding the central control source.

JAMIE: Aye, if he’s anywhere, that’s where he’ll be.

ANNE: But why? Why him? Why not me, or one of the soldiers, or-

(JAMIE rubs her shoulder as she looks near to tears.)

DOCTOR: (Interrupts.) Yes, I know. Tell me . . . (Contemplates wording.) what- what was your father working on before the Yeti broke in, Anne?

ANNE: Um . . . oh, we were ready to test the sphere with the control unit, but I don't see what this has to do with anything, Doctor.

DOCTOR: (Faces them.) But don’t you? (Approaches, pointing.) If he was near to success . . . .

VICTORIA: That’s why they took him!

DOCTOR: (Touches chin.) Well, it’s a possibility, isn’t it? (Gestures toward the door.) Now Anne, do you feel strong enough to come back to the- to the laboratory?

ANNE: (Stands.) Yes, yes of course.

JAMIE: (Quickly stands.) A-a-anything we can do?

DOCTOR: (Opens door.) No, no, you just take it easy, Jamie. Come on.

(The DOCTOR ushers ANNE out of the room. JAMIE steps toward a pensive VICTORIA.)

JAMIE: What’s the matter?

VICTORIA: I’ve been thinking about what the Doctor said. Anything we do, the Intelligence always knows!

JAMIE: Aye, but I wouldn’t let it worry you. (Taps her arm.) The Doctor will soon find a way out. (Sits on the table.)

VICTORIA: (Quietly.) I wish I could believe that.

14. LABORATORY

(The DOCTOR’s eye is magnified as he looks through a magnifying glass at the inner workings of the control sphere which TRAVERS had been working on.)

DOCTOR: Oh yes. Yes, this seems to be in order, Anne.

(ANNE approaches, holding a small box.)

ANNE: My erm . . . my father didn’t want it put together until this was in . . . proper order.

(The DOCTOR puts down the magnifying glass and the control sphere to look at the rectangular box, which has two small prongs sticking out on each side and a coiled bit of wire hanging off an edge.)

DOCTOR: Very wise. Let’s have a look at this.

(He takes the control box and pulls on one end, sliding out a clear tub filled with circuitry and wires, one of which was the coiled one sticking out.)

DOCTOR: Oh yes, yes . . . . (Looks at ANNE.) My word, this is a splendid piece of work, Anne.

ANNE: Oh, thank you.

DOCTOR: Yes, this should control the sphere, all right, but . . . would it override the commands issued by the Intelligence, I wonder?

ANNE: No. No, I’m afraid it won’t. I just didn’t have the time. Do you think we can do it?

DOCTOR: Oh, we can do it, if you’ve got the right bits and pieces.

(They look up as Driver EVANS appears behind them.)

EVANS: Hope I’m not disturbing, Doctor, but Staff asked me to give you this.

(He puts an object in the DOCTOR’s hand - it is one of the miniature model Yetis. The DOCTOR looks at it with horror.)

DOCTOR: (Gravely.) Where’d you get this?

EVANS: On the floor, by that young lad Weams, it was.

DOCTOR: But this is what brought the Yeti to the expl*sives store! It’s obviously been reprogrammed as a homing device, and you’ve given it to me!

(He tosses it down onto the bench, which ANNE begins staring at.)

EVANS: Here! You don’t think I had anything to do with these Yeti, do you?

ANNE: Doctor! (Looks past EVANS.) The other models - they’ve gone!

(The DOCTOR searches the bench, then looks straight at EVANS. ANNE looks at him as well.)

EVANS: Well don’t look at me! (Pointing.) I didn’t want to come down here in the first place! I shouldn’t be down here at all, really. Driver, I am, see. (Reaches into pocket.) You’d better have this, before you say I’ve nicked it.

(He pulls out the tobacco tin containing Yeti webbing and hands it to the DOCTOR.)

DOCTOR: Thank you.

EVANS: (Pointing.) And I’ll have the tin back, when you’ve finished with it. (Sniffs.)

DOCTOR: Don’t look so unhappy - we’re all under suspicion, you know, including me.

EVANS: Hmm!

(He walks off briskly.)

ANNE: What’s in the tin, Doctor?

DOCTOR: It’s the fungus from the tunnel. I thought if we examined it, it might give us a clue. (Puts down the tin and picks up the Yeti model.) I must get this dismantled. It’s like holding a time b*mb.

(He picks up a pair of pliers and holds them to the base of the Yeti model.)

15. OPERATIONS ROOM

(The COLONEL is holding a briefing. He stands by a street map of Central London propped on an easel, while KNIGHT, ARNOLD, LANE, BLAKE, EVANS and a group of SOLDIERS watch. The COLONEL indicates places on the map with a pointer.)

COLONEL: So my party will get above ground and approach Covent Garden by Neal Street. Is that clear?

(The soldiers murmur their understanding.)

COLONEL: Now Staff here will be taking the trolley through the tunnel, and will arrive, we hope, at the same time as we do. You picked your two men, Staff?

ARNOLD: Er, yes, sir. Lane and Evans.

COLONEL: Right. Now as soon as we get there, we shall be looking for a police box.

BLAKE: A police box, sir?

COLONEL: Yes, a police box. 

(BLAKE tries not to smile, looking around to discern if the COLONEL is serious.)

COLONEL: Now I want that box either out of the station or onto the trolley as quickly as possible. Is that understood?

ARNOLD: Yes, sir.

COLONEL: Right. Any questions?

BLAKE: (Amused.) Yes, sir, this, um . . . police box. Is it important?

COLONEL: Corporal Blake, we’d hardly be going to this trouble if it weren’t.

KNIGHT: Who’s going to look after the civilians, sir?

COLONEL: I’d like you to stay behind and look after them, Captain Knight. The Doctor’s got work to do. Right gentlemen, time to go.

(KNIGHT is still bitter, but doesn’t protest. The COLONEL marches out of the room, followed by the others.)

16. LABORATORY

(The DOCTOR sticks his hands inside a pair of large gloves connected to the side of a clear observation box, allowing him to reach inside. The box contains EVANS’s tobacco tin. The DOCTOR leans over the container and ANNE watches over his shoulder.)

DOCTOR: Now you’d better stand back, Anne.

ANNE: Is it really necessary, Doctor?

DOCTOR: (Straightens.) This fungus is an unknown quantity, you know.

(JAMIE and VICTORIA enter the laboratory.)

JAMIE: Ah, Doctor.

DOCTOR: Oh Jamie, what is it?

JAMIE: Er, the Colonel says to tell you he’s on his way.

DOCTOR: On his way where?

JAMIE: To rescue the TARDIS!

DOCTOR: (Raises eyebrows.) He’s wasting his time.

(The DOCTOR turns back to the tobacco tin and proceeds to ignore everyone.)

VICTORIA: Well that’s what I told him. And I think that man Chorley must be behind-

(JAMIE shushes VICTORIA and indicates that the DOCTOR is busy.)

DOCTOR: (Frustrated at the constant interruptions.) Now look! Get behind me, both of you, and keep clear.

(JAMIE and VICTORIA step back.)

DOCTOR: Here we go.

(He carefully pries open the tobacco tin.)

DOCTOR: No!

ANNE: What is it, Doctor?

DOCTOR: Well the tin’s empty!

(The bottom of the tin shines brightly, completely clean. The DOCTOR looks up in realization.)

DOCTOR: Evans!

17. FORTRESS MAIN CORRIDOR

(Staff Sergeant ARNOLD and Driver EVANS prepare their gear for the journey through the tunnels.)

EVANS: Course, really I shouldn’t be doing this, you know, Staff. Not officially on the strength down here, see. What I am really is a driver, you see-

ARNOLD: (Interrupts.) Don’t try to come the old soldier with me, lad!

EVANS: Who, me?

ARNOLD: Yes, you! And when we get in the tunnels, don’t you try to skive off, ‘cos if you do I’ll have you for breakfast. D’you understand?

(Corporal LANE appears from the tunnels outside the doorway.)

LANE: Trolley’s ready, Staff.

ARNOLD: Right, come on!

(ARNOLD follows LANE outside and EVANS takes up the rear.)

18. LONDON STREET

(Along a deserted street of the capital, gates are closed and windows are shuttered. The COLONEL, Corporal BLAKE, and a number of soldiers march through the streets. BLAKE has a bazooka over his shoulder. The COLONEL stops and addresses BLAKE.)

COLONEL: So far, so good. If we don’t see any Yeti, we should make Covent Garden in about ten minutes. Come on!

(The COLONEL continues and the soldiers march in a line behind him.)

19. OPERATIONS ROOM

(JAMIE, VICTORIA, the DOCTOR, and ANNE come into the room.)

JAMIE: Captain, they’ve gone, and Evans with them, I think. I can’t find him anywhere.

(They all stand around Captain KNIGHT.)

KNIGHT: Yes, well we’d better question Evans carefully when he gets back.

JAMIE: Aye, if he gets back.

KNIGHT: (Nods.) It’s a funny business, Doctor, that fungus disappearing.

DOCTOR: Yes, yes I know . . . . Don’t worry about that just at the moment. I’ve been working on this control box with Miss Travers. There’s a few more things I need - transistors, circuits . . . .

KNIGHT: Aren’t there any in Stores?

DOCTOR: No, not of the right type.

KNIGHT: Well in that case, Doctor, I can’t help you.

DOCTOR: Well, er . . . I was wondering, erm . . . (Pointing.) if I could go up to street level . . . .

VICTORIA: But the mist! Or the Yeti!

DOCTOR: There’s no mist directly above us here - we’d have to risk the Yeti.

KNIGHT: No. No, I’m afraid that’s out.

ANNE: (Playing on KNIGHT’s misplaced affections for her.) It’s terribly important. Please!

(KNIGHT looks uncertain.)

DOCTOR: It’ll only take five minutes.

(KNIGHT looks at ANNE again.)

KNIGHT: (Reluctantly.) All right. I’ll get my gear. (Walks off.)

DOCTOR: (Softly.) Well done, Travers.

(KNIGHT stops at the door and the DOCTOR runs past him.)

KNIGHT: (Points.) And while we’re gone, you three lock yourselves in.

JAMIE: (Disappointed.) Oh aye!

20. TUNNEL

(Staff Sergeant ARNOLD, Corporal LANE, and Driver EVANS, taking a trolley along the rail tracks to Covent Garden, have found their way blocked by a wall of glowing fungus. ARNOLD shields his eyes from the light.)

ARNOLD: The Colonel will be through there at Covent Garden in a few minutes, right?

EVANS: Do you think they’ll be able to load the police box on here, Staff?

ARNOLD: Well, if we can get this thing through the f- fungus stuff - there’s not much of a gradient in this section of the tunnel.

(ARNOLD faces the other two and they stand at attention.)

ARNOLD: Right, I want one volunteer.

EVANS: Volunteer? That’s a dirty word, that is. Not me!

ARNOLD: Lane?

LANE: Well what for, Staff?

ARNOLD: Well, if this thing wants some help going through to Covent Garden, I’m going through with it.

LANE: What, into that stuff?

ARNOLD: Have we got those respirators?

LANE: Well yeah, here.

(He sets his r*fle on the trolley and runs back a few paces down the tunnel where they left the respirators. He comes back and hands two gas-mask packs with oxygen t*nk to ARNOLD.)

ARNOLD: I reckon we should be all right in these.

(He hands one to LANE. LANE hesitates to take it and looks nervously at the fungus. ARNOLD takes it back.)

ARNOLD: (Frustrated.) Oh all right, Lane lad. I’ll go by meself.

(ARNOLD begins to put on the respirator, lowering a strap over his head so the pack rests on his chest.)

LANE: (Takes off his hat.) No, ‘ang on a sec, Staff. 

(He picks up the second respirator. ARNOLD stops to look at him. LANE tries to argue his decision was purely practical rather than being based on sappy stuff like loyalty or camaraderie.)

LANE: That trolley’s heavy, it’ll take two of us to shift it.

(He begins to put the respirator on.)

ARNOLD: Good lad. Come on.

EVANS: You’re potty, the pair of you!

ARNOLD: (Snaps.) Shut up, will you! Do as you’re told. Play that rope out as we go; any sign of trouble whip us out sharpish. Right?

EVANS: Well, it’s your neck.

ARNOLD: OK.

(ARNOLD pulls a gas mask over his face, which distorts his voice.)

ARNOLD: (Through gas mask.) All right Lane.

(LANE fits his gas mask over his face. Thick tubes from the gas masks run into the packs on their chests. ARNOLD gives LANE a thumbs up and LANE repeats the signal back to him as EVANS steps back and takes hold of the rope. The two of them slowly advance into the fungus, pushing the trolley ahead of them. EVANS lets the rope play out. As they push through, the fungus starts  glowing and pulsating. LANE lifts his arm to shield his face as he disappears, pushing through the thick webbing. EVANS struggles to perform his task, trying to hide his face from the light. He crouches down with an arm over his face, letting the rope through his other hand. Suddenly he hears a piercing scream, followed by a second. The pulsing and whirring of the fungus fades into silence. EVANS slowly looks up at the silent, motionless webbing. As he stands, horrified, thin wisps of smoke appear in patches of light around him.)

EVANS: Staff? Staff Arnold?

(EVANS pulls hard on the rope, struggling to pull it out of the thick fungus. Wheels squeak as the trolley appears. Lying on it is LANE, the respirator still over his face, his whole body covered with the web-like fungus. EVANS lets go of the rope and slowly approaches, eyes even wider than normal in horror. He reaches out and grabs the gas mask covered in webs. He pulls the mask off, causing the webbing to stretch across LANE’s lifeless face. EVANS takes a step back, breathing hard. He looks into the fungus.)

EVANS: (Loudly.) Staff?

(He turns and runs away, terrified.)

21. INTERSECTION, COVENT GARDEN

(The COLONEL arrives at an intersection and stops his line of soldiers, seeing four Yeti lumbering up the street toward them. He looks aside and sees two more Yeti coming up the street on the left. The soldier in the back of the line turns and looks behind them.)

SOLDIER: (Points.) Look, sir!

(Four more Yeti approach in the rear.)

COLONEL: In Here! Quick!

(He ducks to the right.)

22. WAREHOUSE YARD ENTRANCE

(The COLONEL pushes open a large service gate and stands aside as the soldiers rush inside.)

COLONEL: Come on!

(As soon as they are all through, muttering between themselves, two soldiers shut the gate.)

COLONEL: I’m going to find a way out. Split up!

(The soldiers run down the short entrance street.) 

23. WAREHOUSE YARD

(They run into a yard full of boxes stacked in piles and covered with tarpaulins, which become cover for two or three soldiers each. The Yeti approach; the soldiers f*re their r*fles, but the Yeti continue to lumber on. Finally one of them stumbles and roars, but continues. The COLONEL runs into the yard and two soldiers run to him.)

SOLDIER: Yetis - three of them, sir!

COLONEL: Grenades!

(The COLONEL ducks behind a pile of boxes. The soldier swings his arm and throws a hand grenade at the towering creatures. It explodes in their midst with a shower of sparks and a tower of smoke, knocking two of them over.)

SOLDIER: Hey, look!

(Yeti pour out of doorways, appearing from all directions.)

BLAKE: Right, f*re!

(The troops f*re off another round of r*fle sh*ts. A soldier in front reloads and continues f*ring. The COLONEL makes his way to the front, standing sideways against an uncovered pile of boxes, and sh**t with his p*stol. The Yeti continue to approach, seemingly impervious to the b*ll*ts.)

24. WAREHOUSE YARD ENTRANCE

(The service gate begins to bend at the bottom as the Yeti kick and push against it. The latch breaks and the Yeti push it open. One of the two soldiers guarding the gate shouts back.)

SOLDIER: Sir, they’re smashing down the gate!

(They f*re at the Yeti, who walk through the gate. One of them collapses aside, to reveal another directly behind it. The soldiers continue f*ring. The Yeti covers its face with its hands and falls.)

SOLDIER: We can’t hold ‘em, sir!

25. WAREHOUSE YARD

(The COLONEL hears the call and quickly makes a decision.)

COLONEL: Over the top, all of you!

(The soldiers break cover and climb over a large wall of tarpaulin-covered crates, giving them a long, thin, defendable stretch between the boxes and the brick wall of the building, with only one small open space at the front for the Yeti to approach. The Yeti march into the yard before all the soldiers have made it over.)

SOLDIER: (Screams.) They’re coming! We’ve had it!

(He screams as he is grabbed and thrown down. The Yeti grab another one and send him flipping to the ground. The COLONEL manages to make it over just in time and jumps down as the soldiers sh**t through the opening at the front, lined up along the walls. Corporal BLAKE is readying his bazooka and moves it out of the way as the COLONEL runs past him. He kneels by a few crates at the front, resting his arm over the top, and sh**t at the Yeti on the other side of the wall. They turn toward him, roaring.)

COLONEL: Grenades! Over the top!

(He ducks back under cover.)

SOLDIER: Grenades!

(BLAKE puts down his bazooka and throws a grenade over the top. It explodes between the Yeti, shaking them, but they remain functional. Another soldier throws a grenade, which knocks over a Yeti in its blast. A third soldier throws a grenade, causing another Yeti to fall. The COLONEL risks a look over the crates at the front to assess the damage and runs back to cover.)

COLONEL: Through the yard, come on!

(BLAKE grabs his bazooka and he and one of the remaining soldiers follow the COLONEL. The last three remain behind in a covered position in the back, sh**ting at the Yeti approaching from the gate. The COLONEL leads his men to a low stack of crates.)

COLONEL: Right, bazooka here to cover the others.

(BLAKE sets the bazooka across the top of the pile. The soldiers in the back continue to f*re at the Yeti approaching from the gate. More Yeti appear with w*apon. The COLONEL stands behind BLAKE, who is f*ring a g*n, and the soldier who is kneeling with the bazooka over his right shoulder. The COLONEL pats the soldier’s hat and he fires the bazooka with a deep bang, smoke sh**ting out the back end. A Yeti is knocked off its feet. The Yeti roar and g*ng up on the group sh**ting from their protected area.)

COLONEL: Dawson! Langley!

(The soldiers continue f*ring, despite the COLONEL’s warning. A Yeti raises its deadly web g*n and sprays the fungus on the three soldiers, who cry out and slump to the ground as they are covered in webbing. The Yeti are beginning to swarm the yard, but the COLONEL, BLAKE, and the last soldier continue f*ring. The COLONEL lowers his g*n.)

COLONEL: Make for the warehouse!

(He runs and BLAKE follows, but the soldier stays behind with the bazooka. The COLONEL and BLAKE reach the warehouse bay doors and see that the last soldier has not followed.)

COLONEL: Murphy!

(Murphy fires the bazooka again, but this time it appears useless. The Yeti continue their slow but relentless approach. The COLONEL and BLAKE f*re at the Yeti from the bay doors, to no avail. The Yeti bear down on Murphy and he is covered in the web spray. He screams and holds his face as he falls backward. The COLONEL and BLAKE f*re a few more sh*ts before retreating into the warehouse through an open bay door.)

26. ELECTRICIAN’S SHOP

(The words on the glass front of the office read “M Thomson & Son Electricians.” Captain KNIGHT stands guard while the DOCTOR rummages around the office, digging in a box. KNIGHT hears some of the sounds of g*n in the distance.)

KNIGHT: There it is again, Doctor!

DOCTOR: (Looks up.) Just one more thing.

(He leaves the box and goes to a shelf with a box and a record player. The DOCTOR holds up his tiny component and picks up another tiny piece, intensely interested in it. KNIGHT steps into the office.)

KNIGHT: For heaven’s sake, hurry up!

DOCTOR: I just need one more component. (Points.) I’ll look through here.

(He disappears into the back room of the office. KNIGHT shifts impatiently, then slowly follows the DOCTOR. One of the huge, hairy beasts approaches the office in perfect silence. Another ambles behind. KNIGHT stands in the middle of the office, watching the DOCTOR anxiously. The Yeti steps through the doorway and roars. KNIGHT turns to see them.)

KNIGHT: Doctor! Doctor, look out!

(He moves behind the desk as he fires his p*stol at the creatures, but they are unharmed. The first blocks his way out and he scratches at the wall for an exit. The DOCTOR runs and pounds the Yeti furiously in the back as it bears down on KNIGHT. The Yeti spins and throws the DOCTOR to the floor. Using the distraction, KNIGHT tries to jump over the desk, but the second Yeti knocks him down and he falls off the desk. The first Yeti roars and raises its arm to strike the DOCTOR on the floor with a massive blow.)

DOCTOR: No! No! No!

(Suddenly the beeping starts and the Yeti halt in mid-motion. They slowly turn and walk away. The DOCTOR breathes heavily as they walk out. He slowly gets to his feet and watches them go before turning to KNIGHT, draped across a crate, eyes staring lifelessly. The bleeping of the Yeti fades away, but one bleep remains loud and clear. The DOCTOR sticks his hand into KNIGHT’s pocket and, to his horror, pulls out a model Yeti.)

27. OPERATIONS ROOM

(JAMIE looks confused as he lifts the model Yeti.)

JAMIE: And this was in his pocket, you say?

(JAMIE studies it and holds it to his ear as he walks toward the group - VICTORIA, ANNE, Driver EVANS, and the DOCTOR.)

VICTORIA: How did he get it? You said it was stolen.

ANNE: You can’t think that he’s-

DOCTOR: No no no, he didn’t steal it. 

(JAMIE hands the model Yeti back to the DOCTOR, who studies it again.)

DOCTOR: The person who did planted it on him.

EVANS: Hmm.

(JAMIE looks accusingly at EVANS and crosses his arms.)

EVANS: Eh, don’t you try and pin this on me, boyo! Strikes me, anything goes wrong around here and I’m always the one to get the blame.

DOCTOR: All right, all right, let’s keep our temper, shall we? (Raises the model.) The point is, two of these were missing. (Concerned.) Now where’s the other one?

28. WAREHOUSE

(The COLONEL and Corporal BLAKE run through the warehouse, between large stacks of boxes and smaller piles, f*ring whenever possible. The Yeti smash through stacks of boxes in their as*ault. The COLONEL and BLAKE run into the maze of stacks of crates. The COLONEL tries to sh**t, but his p*stol is out of a*mo. They run around the corner as a Yeti lumbers toward them. BLAKE gives the COLONEL his r*fle and climbs onto a high stack of crates. The COLONEL hands the r*fle back and climbs up himself. They flatten themselves on top of the stack, hoping to keep hidden from the Yeti as it beeps around the corner. A Yeti paw grabs BLAKE’s leg from behind. He twists to see.)

BLAKE: Sire, there’s one here!

(The COLONEL gets back, knowing he can’t help, and BLAKE kicks and struggles as the Yeti pulls him to the edge. BLAKE is close enough to kick the Yeti’s face, but it doesn’t care.)

BLAKE: Get off! Get off!

(He yells and flails as the Yeti pulls him down and he falls to the floor, his back against the stack of crates. He looks up at it in terror and sinks down in a feeble attempt to get away as it raises its arm.)

BLAKE: No! No! NOOOO!!

(The Yeti swings its arm down and BLAKE is silent after an agonized scream. The COLONEL, seeing the entire squad wiped out, uses the distraction to jump off the pile of crates. He fires two more sh*ts and turns to sprint.)

29. LABORATORY

(The DOCTOR twists the base off the model Yeti, revealing two round prongs. He sticks the two prongs in a large, wooden vise and twists the lever, pressuring the prongs to bend. The DOCTOR struggles to twist it further until one of the prongs breaks. He unwinds the lever and lifts the broken Yeti model.)

DOCTOR: There. That one shouldn't bother us any more. 

(He places it back on the desk and walks to ANNE, Driver EVANS, JAMIE, and VICTORIA standing around the bench.)

DOCTOR: Now then, come along, Anne, let’s get down to work. Where did I put those bits and pieces? (Reaches into pocket.) Here we are . . . .

VICTORIA: I wish I knew who put it in the Captain’s pocket.

(The DOCTOR and ANNE mutter as they bend over the DOCTOR’s bits and pieces.)

JAMIE: Well it must have been Chorley.

VICTORIA: Well look, he left ages ago.

(The DOCTOR straightens, hearing someone coming.)

JAMIE: It doesn’t matter. He-

(The COLONEL quickly enters and closes the door.)

DOCTOR: Colonel!

(He trudges into the room, looking shaken and upset.)

VICTORIA: Are you all right?

JAMIE: What’s happened?

(The COLONEL, ignoring them, leans against the desk, breathing heavily.)

DOCTOR: (Concerned.) Colonel, what happened?

(VICTORIA looks horrified, reading his face.)

COLONEL: Gone.

VICTORIA: Oh, not all of them?

(The COLONEL grunts quietly in confirmation.)

DOCTOR: (Quietly.) All of them?

COLONEL: (Looks up.) I said so, didn’t I? 

(VICTORIA and JAMIE look at each other and JAMIE places a comforting hand on VICTORIA’s shoulder.)

COLONEL: All of them . . . . Evans, what about your party?

(EVANS quickly shakes his head.)

COLONEL: Arnold?

EVANS: Gone, sir.

(A quiet bleeping noise starts up in the background - nobody notices.)

JAMIE: (Softly.) Captain Knight, too.

COLONEL: Knight! Hopeless.

(He stands, a look of despair in his eyes, and slowly walks around the bench as he speaks.)

COLONEL: (Despair.) Can’t fight them. It seems . . . indestructible. (Angrily.) Can’t fight them! You were right, Doctor, when you said they were . . . formless, shapeless . . . you were right.

(The COLONEL sits on the end of the bench. The DOCTOR raises a finger, a look of horror on his face.)

DOCTOR: Listen . . . listen, everyone! It’s the other Yeti model! It’s here! (Looks around.) It’s somewhere in this room!

(He turns to search and the others also take up the search, but the COLONEL just looks confused and turns toward the DOCTOR.)

COLONEL: That noise, I’ve been hearing it on and off all day.

DOCTOR: (Points emphatically.) Your pockets!

COLONEL: What?

DOCTOR: (Gesturing frantically.) Open your pockets, Colonel! 

COLONEL: (Feeling pockets.) Oh . . . ?

DOCTOR: Quickly, quickly, come on!

(The COLONEL pulls the remaining model Yeti out of a pouch and the DOCTOR quickly grabs it.)

DOCTOR: That’s it!

COLONEL: How- how . . . ?

DOCTOR: (Emphatically indicating the model.) They bring the Yeti!

(The DOCTOR runs across the room to the door, which suddenly opens in front of him revealing a Yeti. He stumbles back as it roars and VICTORIA shouts in fear. The Yeti stands still and another appears beside it. They stand silently and someone shuffles in behind them. Between the huge piles of fur, the wide-eyed face of Professor TRAVERS appears!)
{"type": "series", "show": "Doctor Who", "episode": "05x26 - The Web of Fear - part 4"}