by GEOFFREY ORME

first broadcast - 28 January 1967

1. THOUS' CHAMBER

(Guards stand to the side as ZAROFF enters and stands menacingly over the DOCTOR and RAMO.)

THOUS [OC]: There is your answer. Do with them what you will!

(The guards close the doors.)

ZAROFF: So you're just a little man after all, Doctor, like all the rest. You disappoint me.

DOCTOR: (walking around beside ZAROFF) You disappoint me, Professor. I didn't think a man of science needed the backing of thugs.

ZAROFF: Have a care, Doctor! Your life is in the balance.

DOCTOR: Well you mean you haven't told your own people what's in store for them? Are you afraid, Zaroff?

(ZAROFF stands in front of the DOCTOR, looking down at him thr*at.)

ZAROFF: I have made a mistake. If I had not interfered with the temple sacrifice, the sharks would have torn you apart! But it's not too late. I'll return you to Lolem and tell him I need you no longer. (pointing angrily) And he can have that stupid priest as makeweight.

DOCTOR: No! You've no quarrel with Ramo. I persuaded him to help me. I'm the one to blame.

RAMO: That is not true. I have always distrusted you, Zaroff.

ZAROFF: Take them away!

RAMO: (growling) The curse of Amdo be on you!

(A guard grabs RAMO and takes him to the doors and the Doctor follows. They stop and turn as ZAROFF speaks.)

ZAROFF: Goodbye, Doctor. Have a pleasant journey.

DOCTOR: Let's not say goodbye, Professor. We'll be seeing each other again.

ZAROFF: (with a look of triumph) Not in this world, Doctor.

(The DOCTOR and RAMO are led away. THOUS walks past ZAROFF to his seat and the professor follows him.)

ZAROFF: As always there is nothing to worry about.

THOUS: And there is no truth in this man's arguments?

ZAROFF: (shaking with conviction) The man is a fool! Have I not sworn to you that Atlantis shall rise again from the sea? Haven't I? Haven't I?

(THOUS is staring at ZAROFF's eyes, making him uncomfortable.)

ZAROFF: W- what are you staring at?

(THOUS turns his head away slightly, still staring at ZAROFF’s eyes.)

THOUS: Nothing. Nothing at all.

(ZAROFF is confused, but his eyes still twinkle with madness.)

2. TEMPLE

(The executioner stands in ceremonial robes, helmet, gloves, and a black mask, holding a sword aloft. Six priests enter, holding fish masks to their faces, and line up along either side of the entrance, chanting menacingly. Two bare-chested children enter with the same fish masks and take their places beside the execution block. LOLEM follows the children, stands in front of the block, and bows to the face of AMDO. Two more priests escort in the DOCTOR and RAMO, both stripped of their priestly robes, leaving RAMO bare-chested. The DOCTOR looks nervously at RAMO.)

DOCTOR: What happens now?

RAMO: First the supplication, and then...

(He looks at the executioner.)

LOLEM: (raising his arms dramatically over his head) Accept, oh powerful and mighty Amdo, these, your sacrifices.

(He bows again and turns to the victims, who are forced to their knees, bent over the execution block.)

DOCTOR: I'm sorry I got you into this, Ramo.

RAMO: We all have to die sometime, Doctor. If it is the will of Amdo, it is inevitable.

(The priests shove the DOCTOR and RAMO’s heads down and step back. The executioner approaches and raises his sword. A ghoulish cry echoes through the temple, coming from the idol itself. LOLEM and all the priests look at the idol in fear.)

VOICE: This is the voice of Amdo. Hear me. Bow down your heads that Amdo may accept your sacrifice. Bow. Let no human eyes witness this awful moment.

(Terrified, LOLEM and his followers bow their heads. The DOCTOR is the only one left showing his face, which is one of confusion. He lifts his hand to his mouth, thinking.)

DOCTOR: I know that voice!

(He looks in surprise as BEN emerges from the door beside the tunnel and beckons emphatically.)

DOCTOR: (whispering and pulling RAMO up) Ramo. Don't be afraid. Get up and follow me. Come on.

(The DOCTOR pulls RAMO past the priests, toward the idol. RAMO follows, but keeps his head down. The DOCTOR pulls RAMO behind a short wall as LOLEM begins to look up.)

VOICE: He who looks on the living face of Amdo shall die. 

(LOLEM quickly bows to the ground again. The DOCTOR and RAMO quickly climb the steps and disappear into the door beside the idol. The ghastly screech rings out again. LOLEM rises, followed by the rest of the priests. He turns to face them, ecstatic.)

LOLEM: A miracle! A great and powerful miracle! Amdo has eaten up her victims!

3. CHAMBER BEHIND THE IDOL

(The priests just outside have taken up the chant again, making it difficult to hear anything. The DOCTOR stands with BEN and POLLY, dabbing his face with his handkerchief, while RAMO descends the steps, distraught.)

RAMO: Unbelievable. All these years and I never guessed Amdo's secret.

DOCTOR: Oh, I thought I recognised the voice. How on Earth did you manage it?

POLLY: (holding a cable with a speech grill on the end) This is linked to the back of Amdo's mouth. It's a bit old but it works.

DOCTOR: It was the sweetest sound I've ever heard in my life.

POLLY: Thanks, Doctor.

BEN: Keep your voices down now, or they'll hear us.

POLLY: No they won't, I put the grill back in.

RAMO: So Amdo was made to trick her worshipers.

(The DOCTOR comes down to RAMO and touches his shoulder reassuringly on his way to JAMIE.)

DOCTOR: Ben, how did you find this place?

BEN [OC]: Oh we found it by chance. A tunnel in the mines leads straight here.

DOCTOR: (spreading his hands happily) Jamie!

(He claps JAMIE’s arms.)

JAMIE: Doctor! (pointing) That's Sean, that's Jacko.

4. THOUS' CHAMBER

(THOUS is on his throne and ZAROFF sits diagonal to him, arms crossed.)

ZAROFF: So I tell you, it's complete. Everything will be ready in two days from now.

(THOUS stands and walks away, deep in thought. ZAROFF follows him.)

THOUS: To think that after so long, the great day is at hand. We shall surprise the whole of mankind.

ZAROFF: Yes. A very great surprise. (chuckling) Perhaps the greatest ever.

THOUS: I shall order special prayers today.

ZAROFF: Why not? It will keep the people happy.

LOLEM [OC]: Let me in!

(THOUS and ZAROFF turn to the doors as they open. LOLEM walks in, enraptured, and stands between THOUS and ZAROFF.)

THOUS: What is the meaning of this, exalted Lolem?

LOLEM: A miracle, mighty Thous, before our very eyes!

ZAROFF: Tell us.

LOLEM: Mighty Amdo, goddess of land and sea, has accepted the sacrifice of the priest, and the little Doctor.

ZAROFF: (laughing) Indeed. What a miracle.

LOLEM: They vanished into air before they could be beheaded.

ZAROFF: No! Disappeared, you say? How?

LOLEM: They were in our midst and we bowed our heads in prayer, when we looked again they'd gone.

(ZAROFF grabs him. LOLEM’s eyes widen at ZAROFF’s anger.)

ZAROFF: You lie, Priest. You allowed them to escape, no?

(LOLEM looks at THOUS for help.)

THOUS: You discredit the mystic power of Amdo?

(ZAROFF shoves LOLEM, who falls on the throne.)

ZAROFF: I believe what I've seen with my own eyes.

(THOUS crouches beside the priest. ZAROFF saunters to his other side.)

THOUS: The truth, Lolem?

LOLEM: I tell you, the voice of Amdo spoke to us.

ZAROFF: Ha!

LOLEM: (turning to ZAROFF) The little Doctor no longer lives.

THOUS: You are certain?

LOLEM: By the spirit of Amdo. By the all-beating heart of living Atlantis!

THOUS: Perhaps he is right. It is a miracle. You may go.

(THOUS helps LOLEM up and LOLEM goes toward the door.)

ZAROFF: Yes, go. (shaking his finger at LOLEM furiously) And pray to Amdo that you are right!

(LOLEM stops and steps toward him angrily.)

LOLEM: May the wrath of Amdo engulf you!

ZAROFF: I'll take my chance. (waving his arm) Get out!

(LOLEM exits and the guards close the doors. THOUS goes to his throne and sits. ZAROFF stands beside him. THOUS looks up at him.)

THOUS: Is it wise to sow seeds of doubt by discrediting a miracle just now?

ZAROFF: Yes. If the Doctor is at large, he can be an even bigger danger. We must search the whole of Atlantis for him.

THOUS: But Lolem said-

ZAROFF: Maybe Lolem can raise Atlantis again from the sea with his prayers?

(THOUS looks down.)

THOUS: Give your orders, Zaroff. (nodding) It shall be as you wish.

ZAROFF: Now you are talking sense again.

5. BEHIND THE IDOL

(POLLY sits while JAMIE and BEN lean behind her.)

POLLY: The point is, where do we go from here?

BEN: Yeah, where?

JAMIE: Aye, tell us, Doctor.

DOCTOR: Our course is plain. We must att*ck Zaroff. He has gone mad. He's bent on destroying the whole world. We've only a short while in which to stop him.

SEAN: Well just tell us what to do.

DOCTOR: (crossing his arms) Food.

(The DOCTOR clears his throat, believing that one word to be all necessary explanation. Or perhaps he hasn’t figured out the explanation himself.)

SEAN: You're hungry, Doctor?

DOCTOR: Hmm?

SEAN: Hungry?

DOCTOR: (short pause before understanding) Oh no, I mean Zaroff and his people cannot exist without food.

RAMO: But there's always plenty of food for everyone. The sea is all around us. The supplies are unlimited.

DOCTOR: Yes, but who provides it?

RAMO: The fish people do.

DOCTOR: (stands) The fish people! Exactly. But why? Because they are slaves. But slaves, like worms, can be made to turn.

POLLY: Right. (pointing) So if you organize the fish people to cut off the supplies… (shrugs) But that's no good, then they'll just go and live off their stocks.

DOCTOR: Tell them, Ramo.

RAMO: We have no stocks of food.

DOCTOR: Exactly. Zaroff has not yet found the answer to his great problem. All his seafood goes bad in a few hours, and has to be thrown away.

RAMO: That's true.

DOCTOR: And so...

BEN: (stands) I get it, we get the fish people to go on strike.

(The DOCTOR crosses his arms.)

JACKO: Oh, you are dreaming, man.

SEAN: Now hold on a minute, we could try right enough.

POLLY: (stands) Yes, but what would that do for us?

DOCTOR: (incredulously) What would it do for us? (grunts, backing off) I don't know, really, but . . . (nodding optimistically) it's a start. (to SEAN) Do you think you can do it?

SEAN: Well, we'll have a go, Doctor, but it'll take a great gift of the gab to win over the fish people, you know?

DOCTOR: (smiling) But you are Irish.

SEAN: Ha ha ha! (to JACKO) Well, come on laughing boy. (to the DOCTOR) Tell me, how can we contact you?

(The DOCTOR bites his finger, thinking, before making a decision.)

DOCTOR: We make this place our headquarters.

SEAN: Right.

DOCTOR: If nobody's here just leave a message.

POLLY: Good luck.

JACKO: Oh, we'll need it.

(He leaves with SEAN.)

BEN: What are we going to do?

DOCTOR: Kidnap Professor Zaroff.

6. MARKET

(Lots of people mulling about and talking. A child buys a large shell and repeatedly taps his friend, trying to get his attention. ARA and POLLY, now dressed like ARA, walk through the crowd searching for something. A blind man wearing sunglasses, a cape, and a bandana over his hair sits by the fountain and shakes a tambourine with a strip of bells on his hand, trying to sell a tray of little instruments. He puts the tambourine down and picks up a recorder, and we realize who he is. He toots a few notes to get POLLY and ARA’s attention. POLLY picks up a necklace and examines it to look inconspicuous. The DOCTOR picks up the tambourine again.)

DOCTOR: Look alright?

POLLY: Super. Look what I've got on.

(He barely looks.)

DOCTOR: Looks splendid.

POLLY: Better than you do. Couldn't you find a better disguise than that?

(She puts the necklace back.)

DOCTOR: What's wrong with it?

ARA: You look like a sailor.

DOCTOR: That's what I'm supposed to be.

(A maid passes between them with a basket. POLLY comes beside the DOCTOR and takes a drink from the fountain while the DOCTOR continues to play with his instruments, staying in character. POLLY chokes and spits the water out.)

POLLY: Ugh. Salt water.

DOCTOR: What did you expect, this is Atlantis. 

(He clears his throat and leans in.)

DOCTOR: Now you know what to do?

POLLY: I think so.

(The DOCTOR notices something off screen.)

DOCTOR: Wait a minute. Oh no something's gone wrong! Where's Zaroff?

POLLY: Looking for us!

(POLLY and ARA quickly move away from the DOCTOR. Ara stands in front of POLLY as guards appear, but ZAROFF is not with them. The guards move away and POLLY and ARA wander through the crowd, looking for a place to hide. ARA sees something.)

ARA: This way.

(They head into a carpet stall.)

ARA: Nola, we need your help.

NOLA: Guards?

POLLY: They're looking for me.

NOLA: Lie down.

(POLLY lies on a pile of carpets and ARA and NOLA cover her with another carpet. ARA sits on the pile with her legs over POLLY. A GUARD looks in.)

GUARD: Seen any strangers about, old woman?

NOLA: Everyone's a stranger these days. (to ARA) Why don't they stay away and leave us in peace?

(The guards come in.)

GUARD: What have you got here?

(His partner prods the carpet with his trident. NOLA grabs the w*apon before he can strike again.)

NOLA: How shall I sell my carpets if you stick holes in them?

(The guards laugh and take their trident back before walking away.)

NOLA: It’s clear.

(ARA uncovers POLLY.)

ARA: Are you alright?

(POLLY stands and wipes her hands while NOLA puts the carpet away.)

POLLY: Yes, thank you very much Nola.

NOLA: Don't waste time, girl, get away while you're safe.

(ARA and POLLY rush off. Children are playing in the fountain. The DOCTOR comes back to his spot by the fountain, shaking his tambourine. JAMIE and BEN approach, wearing guard uniforms.)

JAMIE: Zaroff's on his way, close behind us.

(A guard appears. BEN slaps the DOCTOR’s shoulder and speaks gruffly.)

BEN: Oi! Did you see anyone come through the market place?

(The DOCTOR stands as the guard approaches.)

DOCTOR: A man?

BEN: Yes.

DOCTOR: About five foot nine?

BEN: That's right.

(The DOCTOR tries to remain inconspicuous as he continues to turn his face away from the guard, who walks past them.)

DOCTOR: Black coat, baggy trousers and a bow tie?

BEN: (trying not to laugh) Exactly.

(The DOCTOR relaxes.)

DOCTOR: No. As a matter of fact I haven't.

BEN: Hah, the old fool.

(JAMIE takes the DOCTOR’s arm.)

JAMIE: He's gone. We'd better get in position.

BEN: Right.

(BEN and JAMIE run off.)

DOCTOR: (hisses) Polly!

(POLLY and ARA run toward him. POLLY seems to give him something, possibly the blowpipe he uses later, then she and the DOCTOR rush off in opposite directions while ARA takes the DOCTOR’s place at the fountain. ZAROFF approaches with guards. He grabs ARA and pulls her to her feet.)

ZAROFF: Where's that man who has been a moment ago?

ARA: What man, sir?

ZAROFF: Answer me, girl.

ARA: I don't know!

ZAROFF: Guard! Search over there.

(The guard obeys.)

BEN: Sir!

(ZAROFF turns to BEN and JAMIE.)

ZAROFF: You two come with me.

(They salute and follow him as he walks away. The DOCTOR jumps through the crowd and waves his arm. He’s lost his bandanna, vibing 12 with his slick shades.)

DOCTOR: Zaroff!

(He dashes off.)

ZAROFF: There he is! There he is! Stop that man!

(The DOCTOR comes running back the way he came.)

DOCTOR: Zaroff!

(BEN and JAMIE chase after him and catch him. They struggle and the DOCTOR fights them off.)

DOCTOR: Get off me!

He escapes and runs through the crowd. He taunts ZAROFF again, removing his cape as he runs into the tunnels. ZAROFF, BEN, and JAMIE follow him.)

7. TUNNEL

(POLLY sits by the wall, pretending to be busy, while the DOCTOR races past. ZAROFF comes around the corner.)

ZAROFF: That man - which way did he go?

(POLLY points, keeping her head down. As ZAROFF, BEN, and JAMIE chase the DOCTOR, POLLY gets up and joins the chase.)

8. TEMPLE

(RAMO is waiting. He catches the DOCTOR as the Time Lord rushes into him. The DOCTOR has sadly lost his sunglasses.)

RAMO: Is all well?

DOCTOR: (breathless) Splendid. He's close behind me. I hope I haven't set too hot a pace for him. (points, smiling) No. Here he comes.

(The DOCTOR and RAMO run up to the idol of AMDO, the DOCTOR fully appreciating his new ability to run. RAMO kneels before AMDO, pretending to pray, while the DOCTOR hides around a corner. ZAROFF rushes in, followed closely by BEN and JAMIE.)

ZAROFF: He must be here somewhere. Search the temple.

BEN: Yeah.

(They begin searching. ZAROFF approaches RAMO and touches his shoulder to get his attention.)

ZAROFF: Who has entered here, priest?

(RAMO stands and ZAROFF recognizes him, then grabs his arms.)

ZAROFF: Ah! The renegade priest himself. Guards! Take him!

(He throws RAMO to BEN and JAMIE, who grunt as RAMO struggles. ZAROFF finds the DOCTOR.)

ZAROFF: Ah, Doctor, at last I-

(As he approaches, the DOCTOR uses a blowpipe to blow a gas in his face. ZAROFF growls, covering his eyes as he staggers back. BEN and JAMIE grab him.) 

BEN: Right, to the back with him.

(ZAROFF struggles, growling, as they drag him away.)

ZAROFF: Let go of me!

(The DOCTOR smiles and runs after them, but POLLY chases him and stops him.)

POLLY: Doctor! Now that you've got him, what are you going to do with him?

DOCTOR: You'll see. Come on.

(The DOCTOR takes her hand and leads her up the the steps after BEN, JAMIE, and ZAROFF.)

9. BEACH

(SEAN and JACKO stand on a ledge overlooking the water, where fish people relax on the surface or on some rocks protruding from the water. The fish people speak in trills and twittering.)

JACKO: Go on, tell them.

SEAN: Tell them what? I tell them nothing. They're not people like us, they're just a bunch of sardines. You heard me. Cold-blooded fishes.

(One of them lowers her head sadly, and another swims over to comfort her.)

SEAN: You haven't got a drop of good red blood in your body.

(The fish people point and burble angrily to SEAN's taunting.)

SEAN: A flatfish from Galway would have more guts in them than that bunch.

(One throws a rock, then all the others join in, flinging rocks and shells at SEAN. SEAN laughs, enjoying it much more than he should.)

SEAN: You wouldn't hurt a little child. (laughs)

JACKO: What would they do?

SEAN: I'll tell them. 

(He raises his hands in submission, also to protect himself from the rocks hurled at him.)

SEAN: Alright, alright, alright!

(A little edge comes through his playful voice, growing frustrated of having rocks thrown at him.) 

SEAN: Oh calm down and listen. (points) Listen will you?

(SEAN's audience of fish people stop and listen. SEAN crouches.)

SEAN: Look. You supply all the food for Atlantis, right? It can't be stored, right? It goes rotten in a couple of hours. That's why Zaroff has you working like slaves night and day, right? 

(The fish people nod in agreement.)

SEAN: Well has it never occurred to your little fish brains to stop that supply of food? Feed yourselves, but starve Atlantis, eh?
What do you think will happen then? Well now is your chance. Will you do it?

(The fish people blurb in agreement.)

SEAN: Or will you stay fish slaves for the rest of your lives? You're men, aren't you? (shaking his fist) Well start the blockade right now!

(The fish people twitter to each other and with a splash they head off into the depths. SEAN stands.)

JACKO: Reckon they'll do it?

(SEAN tosses a rock and catches it.)

SEAN: Who knows? We can only hope for the best.

10. UNDERWATER

(A fish person swims toward some workers and communicates. A worker floats to join the first. They confer. The messenger floats away. A fish person communicates with another group of workers. They stop their work, one fanning themself and the other going to sleep. The message continues to spread.)

11. THE CHAMBER BEHIND AMDO

(BEN stands over ZAROFF.)

ZAROFF: I haff underrated you, Doctor. I hardly imagined you would haff the nerve to kidnap Zaroff himself.

(ZAROFF laughs like the madman he is.)

BEN: What's so funny?

(POLLY and JAMIE stand beside BEN, JAMIE with his arms crossed.)

JAMIE: Aye, what?

POLLY: I don't see what you've got to laugh at.

ZAROFF: Dear lady, if you wish to stop my plans, you are all too late.

RAMO [OC]: Too late?

ZAROFF: The process has started. My nuclear reactor is activated, and when the desired figure is reached, fission will take place, and none of all this will matter for any of us.

(The DOCTOR stands aside.)

DOCTOR: He's only bluffing. Nothing will start without him.

ZAROFF: Ah, Doctor, how do you know that?

DOCTOR: The great Zaroff would have to be there to set off the expl*si*n. Miss your big moment? I think not.

ZAROFF: You cannot hold me. My guards will-

RAMO [OC]: Will never find you, not inside the temple you have defiled, Zaroff.

ZAROFF: (stands, shaking with fury) You are fools! Idiots! I may k*ll the lot of you if I…

(ZAROFF suddenly stops and grimaces in pain.)

ZAROFF: If...

POLLY: Doctor?

(ZAROFF slumps to his knees with a groan, clenching his fingers. The DOCTOR runs to him and helps him onto his back as he continues to groan.)

JAMIE: It's a ruse.

POLLY: What's the matter with him?

DOCTOR: Some sort of att*ck.

BEN: That stopped him. Course he won't be able to go ahead now, will he?

DOCTOR: I don't know. We better make sure.

(The DOCTOR stands.)

JAMIE: What would you do?

DOCTOR: Get inside that laboratory.

JAMIE: Then I'm coming with you.

BEN: Yeah, me too.

DOCTOR: Well, somebody's got to stay here to look after Zaroff.

POLLY: I... I'll stay.

JAMIE: You can't bide here by yourself.

RAMO: I'll stay with her.

DOCTOR: Very well. Come on.

(The DOCTOR beckons to BEN and JAMIE, who rush after him.)

BEN: Right.

POLLY: Take care!

BEN: Yeah.

(ZAROFF is unresponsive.)

12. TEMPLE

(The DOCTOR, JAMIE, and BEN slip out of the door beside AMDO. The priest’s chanting can be heard on the other side of the wall.)

BEN: Not another service!

DOCTOR: This could take some time.

JAMIE: Could we not just slip out?

DOCTOR: I'm not sure. Better duck down here.

(They go to hide behind a low wall.)

13. THE CHAMBER BEHIND AMDO

(ZAROFF is slumped in a chair, his face blank, breathing heavily. The chanting can be heard.)

POLLY [OC]: Doesn't seem possible, does it?

RAMO [OC]: What?

POLLY: Well look at him. Doesn't look very menacing now, does he?

RAMO: There is still evil in this man, it hangs over him like a shroud.  (approaches) You will pay dearly for your crimes, Zaroff.

ZAROFF: (weakly) I know. I know. (gasping) But before I die, priest, you must help me to pray to your god for atonement.

RAMO: Why should I help you?

ZAROFF: Have pity on me. At least help me stand at your side so I may feel the aura of your goodness.

POLLY: I think you should, he does look very ill.

RAMO: It's more than you deserve, Zaroff. But for the blessing of Amdo I will grant you this last request.

(RAMO grabs ZAROFF around his chest and ZAROFF wraps his arm over RAMO’s back. ZAROFF leans heavily on RAMO as he stands. ZAROFF suddenly comes to life and chokes RAMO. POLLY backs away in horror. RAMO throws ZAROFF off, who stumbles to the wall. RAMO grabs a spear and holds ZAROFF at bay, thr*at him, but unwilling to k*ll. RAMO lunges at ZAROFF, who dodges, grabs the spear, and uses it to choke RAMO. ZAROFF struggles with RAMO. He grabs a spear from the corner of the chamber.)

ZAROFF: And now meddling priest, this is the end of you.

(ZAROFF throws RAMO down and raises the spear to strike. POLLY jumps in with a gasp and grabs the end of the spear.)

POLLY: Don't!

(They struggle with the spear.)

POLLY: Stop it!

(ZAROFF swings the spear, knocking POLLY against a large jar. She falls. ZAROFF raises the spear.)

ZAROFF: Die!

(He throws it down. It sticks in something off screen, the handle shivering in front of the camera. POLLY screams. ZAROFF grabs her and pulls her to her feet while she gasps and whimpers in horror.)

ZAROFF: You will come with me.

(He pushes her in front of him.)

14. TEMPLE

(Priests with their fish masks continue to chant, but it grows fainter as they slowly depart. The DOCTOR, JAMIE, and BEN rise from behind their hiding spot with fish masks covering their faces. BEN, then the DOCTOR, then JAMIE remove their masks. The DOCTOR runs off.)

BEN: Blimey, who’d have thought it’d take that long.

JAMIE: Let’s get started.

(They follow the DOCTOR.)

BEN: Yeah, quick.

(The DOCTOR stops them.)

DOCTOR: Just a minute, I've had a thought.

JAMIE: What?

DOCTOR: Jamie, you'd better watch Zaroff.

JAMIE: Why?

DOCTOR: Well we need a guide, and only Ramo knows all the passages.

(JAMIE turns and walks away.)

JAMIE: Oh, if you say so, Doctor.

(He stops, seeing RAMO stagger from the door beside the idol, holding his stomach.)

JAMIE: Doctor, Look!

(RAMO chokes, his voice trembling in pain.)

RAMO: Zaroff... ah...

DOCTOR: Come on. Come on.

(JAMIE helps him down the stairs and passes him to BEN and the DOCTOR, then rushes to the tunnel. The DOCTOR and BEN half-carry RAMO and help him lie down on the floor. He seems to have lost all energy. The DOCTOR takes a close look.)

BEN: Is he..?

DOCTOR: (sadly) Yes. 

BEN: (shaking his arms angrily) Zaroff was having us on!

(JAMIE runs back in.)

JAMIE: Polly's gone!

(The DOCTOR and BEN stand.)

DOCTOR: Zaroff's taken her as a hostage.

BEN: Well let's go!

(BEN runs off furiously, but the DOCTOR catches his arm.)

DOCTOR: No! Ben!

(BEN stops and looks at the DOCTOR, trusting him, but desperate.)

DOCTOR: Jamie, you go after Polly, only watch out, Zaroff's a desperate man.

JAMIE: Right.

(JAMIE rushes into the tunnel. The DOCTOR takes BEN’s shoulder and pulls him in.)

DOCTOR: Ben, you and I have other fish to fry. Come on.

(They run off, leaving RAMO’s d*ad body on the floor.)

15. TUNNEL

(ZAROFF has a sword and leads POLLY by a rope tied around her wrists.)

POLLY: Oooh, wait. (stops) I can't go on any more!

ZAROFF: You will go on if I have to drag you. Wait. Did you hear anything?

POLLY: N- no, nothing.

(ZAROFF looks back and forth and sees nothing.)

ZAROFF: Come on.

POLLY: Noooo!

(He yanks her to his side.)

ZAROFF: You want the same treatment as the priest?

POLLY: No.

ZAROFF: Come.

(He continues.)

JAMIE [OC]: Polly?

(POLLY quickly yanks the rope out of ZAROFF’s grasp and runs to the sound of JAMIE’s voice. ZAROFF chases her.)

ZAROFF: Wait! Come back here! Come back, I warn you!

16. TUNNEL

(JAMIE and POLLY run around a large boulder. JAMIE begins to work at the knot. ZAROFF finds them.)

ZAROFF: Ah!

(He swings the sword at JAMIE, who dodges and runs around the boulder. ZAROFF is waiting for him and swings as he comes back around. JAMIE ducks, and immediately jumps as ZAROFF swings at his legs. JAMIE lunges aside from a downward stroke. POLLY swings a rock down on ZAROFF’s head. It does nothing. ZAROFF rounds on her, allowing JAMIE to wrap him in a bear hug. ZAROFF throws him to the ground and raises the sword. SEAN and JACKO appear at the last minute and thr*at ZAROFF with a torch as POLLY helps JAMIE up. ZAROFF grabs POLLY as he backs away. ZAROFF throws her and JAMIE catches her. ZAROFF runs away, laughing.

JAMIE: He's away!

POLLY: Jamie, quickly, we've got to go and warn the Doctor.

JAMIE: Aye, the Doctor's going to find a heap of trouble if Zaroff gets back there first.

JACKO: How do we find the laboratory?

POLLY: Ara, she's the only one we know who knows the way, (pointing at SEAN and JACKO) now you go back to the temple and we'll go and find her.

17. THOUS' CHAMBERS

(DAMON stands before THOUS.)

DAMON: Slaves are in revolt. They've cut off all food supplies.

THOUS: I cannot understand it. Why do they act like this when the hour of triumph is at hand?

DAMON: They're just slaves, what can you expect?

(THOUS walks past him, then turns back to him.)

THOUS: Where is Zaroff? He should be here to attend to this.

DAMON: Disappeared.

THOUS: Disappeared? He can't have. Go and look for him.

DAMON: There is no time, Excellency. You must take control now.

THOUS: So be it. (looks away dramatically) I cannot let my people starve. Bring them before me that I may hear their demands.

DAMON: Yes, great Thous, I will tell them.

(DAMON bows and leaves.)

THOUS: All-wise, all-seeing Amdo, help me now.

(THOUS’s eyes widen in surprise when ZAROFF enters, unannounced.)

THOUS: Zaroff! Where have you been? We've been looking for you. The workers are in revolt.

ZAROFF: My guards will restore order.

THOUS: (walking to his throne) They are simple people. I'm sure they will-

(ZAROFF joins him.)

ZAROFF: Those who resist will be k*lled.

THOUS: k*lled?

ZAROFF: I have no time to waste.

THOUS: Zaroff! You are subject to me in all matters. I will not have my people-

ZAROFF: Your people? Your people? They are MY people now! I hold their whole world in my power!

THOUS: The Doctor was right about you. I order your project stopped at this moment. 

(ZAROFF holds back a smile.)

THOUS: Guards! 

(THOUS and the Atlantean guards approach each other.)

THOUS: Take Zaroff to the temple and hold him there.

(ZAROFF motions to his guards dressed in black. The Atlantean guards with their robes and tridents and ZAROFF’s guards with their sleek black suits and g*n stand off to either side of the throne, where ZAROFF stands.)

ZAROFF: You're a fool! You're a fool! I'll send you to your beloved goddess Amdo to discuss the future of the universe with her.

THOUS: I demand that you-

ZAROFF: (laughing) You demand? You demand? Well since your- since your beloved goddess has developed such an enchanting appetite for people, it is only fitting that the great Thous should offer himself. No. No! I shall offer him.

(ZAROFF flips his cape aside, revealing a p*stol in his hand. A sh*t rings out. THOUS falls to the floor. ZAROFF gestures with the g*n.)

ZAROFF: k*ll those two men.

(Two more sh*ts ring out. ZAROFF’s eyes light with mad ecstasy.)

ZAROFF: (shaking with conviction) NOTHING IN THE WORLD CAN STOP ME NOW!!!!
{"type": "series", "show": "Doctor Who", "episode": "04x21 - The Underwater Menace - part 3"}