PLANET OF THE SPIDERS
BY: ROBERT SLOMAN
PART SIX
5:35pm - 6:00pm
[SCENE_BREAK]
1: INT. LAMASERY. ABBOT'S ROOM
(K'ANPO Rinponche, the abbot of the lamasery, sits in an armchair, his hands folded deep in mediation. His room is comfortably furnished in a mixture of styles - classical English furniture for the most part but with Tibetan hangings on the walls in the place of the usually expected paintings, country prints and their like. The abbot is an elderly man with a white beard. Like CHO-JE, he is dressed in brown and red Tibetan robes. He seems oblivious to the events taking place in the building around him.)
[SCENE_BREAK]
2: INT. LAMASERY. PASSAGEWAY OUTSIDE ABBOT'S ROOM
(TOMMY leads the DOCTOR and SARAH round a corner and to the door to the abbot's room.)
SARAH: Doctor! Doctor, the crystal!
DOCTOR: Yes, yes, Sarah - all in good time.
(TOMMY knocks on the door.)
[SCENE_BREAK]
3: INT. LAMASERY. ABBOT'S ROOM
(Inside, the abbot opens his eyes and gives an order in a voice that is as gentle as his face.)
K'ANPO: Come in.
(The three enter and the DOCTOR shuts the door behind them.)
TOMMY: This is the Doctor, K'anpo.
K'ANPO: I know. You are welcome.
TOMMY: My friend, Sarah Jane Smith.
K'ANPO: It is kind of you to come and visit an old man.
(The DOCTOR steps forward, places his palms together and bows. He then speaks several words of Tibetan.)
K'ANPO: You speak Tibetan?
DOCTOR: A little, sir, yes.
SARAH: (Smiling.) What did you just say?
DOCTOR: I apologised to the Rinpoche for not bringing him a cotton scarf.
K'ANPO: (To SARAH.) You friend knows not only our language, but also our customs. The ceremonial gift merely symbolises friendship. (To the DOCTOR.) We have no need for symbols - you and I.
(The DOCTOR frowns at the meaningful way in which the abbot says this. TOMMY goes to the door.)
TOMMY: I...I think I'd better keep a watch outside. If...if the others get out of the cellar...?
K'ANPO: As yet they haven't managed it. They may soon though. Thank you, Tommy.
(TOMMY goes out and shuts the door. K'ANPO looks at his visitors.)
K'ANPO: Pray be seated.
DOCTOR: Thank you, sir.
(The DOCTOR and SARAH each sit on a couple of low stools. The effect is to place the DOCTOR at the feet of the old man.)
K'ANPO: Now, Doctor, you have a story to tell me.
DOCTOR: Yes, well, I have a strange feeling that you already know most of it. Erm, you see, I...I found a crystal, a blue crystal...
(K'ANPO looks at him with twinkling eyes.)
K'ANPO: Found?
DOCTOR: (Uncomfortably.) Well, perhaps, "stole" might be a better word.
(He looks at the old man.)
DOCTOR: Forgive me, have we met before?
K'ANPO: The recognition of friends is not always easy.
(The DOCTOR frowns again but the abbot carries on...)
K'ANPO: Tell me about this crystal you... "stole".
DOCTOR: Yes, well it didn't occur to me that I had stolen it - at the time. You see...
[SCENE_BREAK]
4: INT. LAMASERY. PASSAGEWAY OUTSIDE CELLAR
(BARNES and the others have made their escape and they stand in the passageway above the cellar. KEAVER carries a crowbar with which, presumably, they used to effect their escape.)
BARNES: We must separate. We must search - he can't have gone far.
MOSS: (Panicked.) No, no, I don't want anything more to do with this! I'm going!
(He only manages a few steps down the passageway before he is brought up short by the reverberating sound of the SPIDER'S torture in his head. He gasps as he hears the spindly female voice in his head...)
MOSS' SPIDER: (OOV.) You will stay. You will do as I wish. You will obey me!
MOSS: (Gasping.) Yes...yes...anything...stop it! Stop it!
(The sound dies away. MOSS staggers on his feet while a look of relief crosses his face.)
KEAVER: (To BARNES.) What are we supposed to do?
(Before BARNES can answer, LAND'S eyes shut and he starts to intone...)
LAND: I can see...I can see a blue crystal.
LAND'S SPIDER: (OOV.) Yes, we must find the crystal at any cost. Concentrate - all concentrate.
(The other three men close their eyes and do as instructed.)
KEAVER: I...I can see it too.
(His eyes closed, MOSS turns and faces in one direction.)
MOSS: It...it's that way.
MOSS' SPIDER: (OOV.) Yes! Yes, we can feel the vibrations! It is near!
BARNES: Come on then!
(He leads the way at speed in the direction indicated.)
[SCENE_BREAK]
5: INT. LAMASERY. ABBOT'S ROOM
(The DOCTOR finishes his story. SARAH has vacated her stool and stands with her back to the two men. Although listening, her face has a strange other-worldly look.)
DOCTOR: So you see, the crystal was even more important than I thought. They want it very badly.
K'ANPO: Then perhaps they should have it.
DOCTOR: No, sir, never. Once they get a hold of that crystal, nothing can stop them taking over the Earth.
(SARAH turns at this statement and speaks, but in a tone more controlled than usual.)
SARAH: Or even the universe itself.
(The DOCTOR doesn't seem to notice the difference...)
DOCTOR: Or even the universe itself. (To himself.) I wish I knew where that crystal was at this moment.
(K'ANPO raises his right hand from under his robes. In the palm of his hand lies the crystal. His eyes smile down at the DOCTOR.)
K'ANPO: Tommy brought it to me. It was the crystal which cured him.
(SARAH looks down at the crystal as if mesmerised as the DOCTOR stands up.)
DOCTOR: Thank heavens it's safe.
SARAH: Give it to me!
(The DOCTOR looks at his companion. The gravity of the tone in his voice shows that he has at last realised that something is very wrong.)
DOCTOR: Sarah, what's the matter with you?
SARAH: Give...
(Suddenly, SARAH'S voice becomes that of her possessor - the QUEEN SPIDER.)
QUEEN SPIDER: (OOV.) ...me the crystal! I must have it! I must! Give it to me!
DOCTOR: Sarah, what's come over you?!
(SARAH raises her left hand and she shoots a bolt of blue energy at the DOCTOR. He clutches his chest and falls to the floor. SARAH makes a move towards the old abbot but he raises a Canute-like hand.)
K'ANPO: Stay!
(The old man's power seems to hold back the QUEEN SPIDER and her stolen body stands still. The gasping DOCTOR looks up from the floor.)
DOCTOR: Sarah, what has the Queen Spider done to you? What has she done?!
(SARAH looks at them, unmoving and uncomprehendingly.)
K'ANPO: It's no use. See through my eyes - look!
(K'ANPO takes the DOCTOR'S hands in his own and they concentrate. The QUEEN SPIDER suddenly appears clinging onto SARAH'S back. The DOCTOR is appalled.)
DOCTOR: Good grief!
[SCENE_BREAK]
6: INT. LAMASERY. PASSAGEWAY OUTSIDE ABBOT'S ROOM
(BARNES and the others come running round the corner and see TOMMY standing guard outside the abbot's door. They line up opposite him and hear one of the SPIDERS speaking in their minds.)
SPIDER: (OOV.) The crystal is in that room!
(BARNES walks up to the handyman.)
BARNES: Get out of the way.
(TOMMY gently but firmly shakes his head.)
TOMMY: You can't go in there.
(The two men stare each other out. BARNES walks backwards to his compatriots. TOMMY and BARNES continue to stare each other out.)
MOSS: (Urgently.) What are we going to do? We...
BARNES: (Interrupts.) Be quiet!
(He yells at TOMMY...)
BARNES: Stand back you!
(...but the burly man stays where he is. BARNES raises a hand and blasts a spark of energy at TOMMY. Again he staggers but doesn't fall.)
BARNES: Keaver, Land - get him out of the way!
(The two men step forward.)
LAND: Come on now, Tommy.
(They walk up on either side of the man.)
KEAVER: Now!
(They jump him but TOMMY easily throws them back. BARNES also jumps TOMMY but his arm is grabbed and twisted behind his back. BARNES yells with pain.)
BARNES: No, no!
TOMMY: I'm sorry, Mr. Barnes.
(TOMMY kicks BARNES away and he falls at the feet of the other possessed men.)
BARNES: Kill him!
(MOSS fires a bolt of energy, followed by KEAVER, then LAND and BARNES. The four men continue firing, pouring bolt after bolt into TOMMY...)
[SCENE_BREAK]
7: INT. LAMASERY. ABBOT'S ROOM
DOCTOR: Sarah - listen to me! Struggle against the spider, Sarah - fight it!
(SARAH'S lips move...)
QUEEN SPIDER: (OOV.) I...am...the Queen!
K'ANPO: No! You are Sarah Jane Smith!
(SARAH manages to speak in her own voice...)
SARAH: I...I...
K'ANPO: You are free! You don't have to be dominated! Look into your mind and see that you are free!
(SARAH'S eyes move, revealing the turmoil within.)
DOCTOR: Sarah...look at the crystal.
(SARAH struggles to look down at the crystal held in K'ANPO'S hand.)
DOCTOR: Look at it!
(She manages to focus her eyes on the jewel...)
DOCTOR: Look deep into its blue light.
(...which is glowing with its bright, iridescent blue light. SARAH'S head starts to turn away but her eyes hold onto the crystal.)
QUEEN SPIDER: (OOV.) No...no! I will not!
K'ANPO: See that you are free now!
QUEEN SPIDER: (OOV.) I...am...the Queen!
(The blue light takes a stronger hold.)
SARAH: No, I'm free...free...
QUEEN SPIDER: (OOV.) The Queen...must live! (Fearfully.) Help me! I shall die!
(SARAH'S face screws up in pain and fear.)
SARAH: I'm...frightened!
DOCTOR: Concentrate, Sarah! Concentrate!
(The grasp of the light on SARAH'S mind reaches its climax...)
K'ANPO: You...are...free!
(...and she throws her head back and cries out - both in her own voice and that of the QUEEN SPIDER who falls from her back. SARAH stumbles towards the DOCTOR who stands up from the floor.)
SARAH: (Tearfully.) Doctor...!
(She falls into his comforting hug. On the floor, the QUEEN SPIDER'S legs fold in and the arachnid fades away from Earth.)
[SCENE_BREAK]
8: INT. LAMASERY. PASSAGEWAY OUTSIDE ABBOT'S ROOM
(Another two bolts of energy hit TOMMY but the man is unmoved from his guard post.)
BARNES: Wait!
(The men lower their hands.)
BARNES: We're not getting anywhere.
FIRST SPIDER: (OOV.) I agree.
SECOND SPIDER: (OOV.) And I.
THIRD SPIDER: (OOV.) And I.
SECOND SPIDER: (OOV.) We need more power. Concentrate! Concentrate!
(BARNES signals to his men and they stand in a circle. They hold up their arms and touch the outer tips of their fingers together.)
GROUP: Om...Om... Om...
(TOMMY watches this development nervously...)
GROUP: Om... Om... Om... Om...
[SCENE_BREAK]
9: INT. LAMASERY. ABBOT'S ROOM
(The DOCTOR helps SARAH to sit on her stool. She is still upset.)
SARAH: Oh, I'm sorry! I'm so sorry, Doctor! I...
DOCTOR: (Gently.) What have you got to be sorry about? You did very well. You should be proud of yourself.
SARAH: To let that...creature take me over like that. I...I mean I actually volunteered.
K'ANPO: (Smiling.) We are all apt to surrender ourselves to domination - even the strongest of us.
(The DOCTOR frowns and walks over to the old man.)
DOCTOR: Do you mean me?
(K'ANPO looks up steadily at him with twinkling eyes.)
K'ANPO: Not all spiders sit on the back.
SARAH: Well, I don't understand. You're not saying they've taken over the Doctor, are you?
DOCTOR: Oh no, Sarah, no. No, he's talking about my greed.
SARAH: Greed? You?
DOCTOR: Yes, my greed for knowledge, for...information. He's saying that...all this is basically my fault. If I hadn't taken the crystal in the first place...
(Suddenly he stops. He swings back round to the old abbot.)
DOCTOR: I know who you are now...
K'ANPO: (Gleefully.) You were always a little slow on the uptake, my boy!
(He holds up a wrinkled hand and the DOCTOR reverently takes it in both of his.)
DOCTOR: It's been a long, long time.
SARAH: You know each other?
(The DOCTOR doesn't take his eyes off the old man.)
DOCTOR: Ah, yes. Yes, he was my teacher. My...my guru if you like.
(He turns back to the watching journalist.)
DOCTOR: In another time, another place.
K'ANPO: Another life.
SARAH: Oh no! (To K'ANPO.) Don't tell me you're a Time Lord too?
K'ANPO: I am. But the discipline they serve was not for me.
DOCTOR: No, nor for me.
K'ANPO: (To the DOCTOR.) I wouldn't have chosen your alternative. (Roguishly.) To borrow a TARDIS was a little... "naughty", to say the least.
(SARAH laughs at this admonition.)
DOCTOR: Yes, well, I had to get away. I hadn't your power.
K'ANPO: Indeed. I regenerated and came to Earth - to Tibet.
SARAH: Regenerated?
DOCTOR: Yes. Yes, when a Time Lord's body wears out her regenerates - becomes new.
K'ANPO: That is why he can live such a long time.
SARAH: I see. Well what about Cho-Je? Is he a Time Lord too?
K'ANPO: (Laughs.) In a sense. In another sense, he doesn't exist.
SARAH: (Laughs.) You've lost me!
DOCTOR: Me too, I'm afraid.
K'ANPO: Cho-Je is a projection of my own self!
(His mouth opens in a silent laugh.)
[SCENE_BREAK]
10: INT. LAMASERY. CELLAR
(Down in the cellar, CHO-JE has recovered but MIKE has not. CHO-JE grasps his chin and shakes him awake.)
CHO-JE: Mr. Yates? Mr. Yates?
(MIKE comes to and starts to sit up.)
MIKE YATES: Where am I? Oh, that spider...
CHO-JE: There's not a moment to lose - come.
(He helps MIKE to his feet and pushes up the steps.)
[SCENE_BREAK]
11: INT. LAMASERY. PASSAGEWAY OUTSIDE ABBOT'S ROOM
(BARNES and the others continue their linked chant...)
GROUP: Om...Om...Om...Om...
[SCENE_BREAK]
12: INT. METEBELIS THREE. SPIDER'S BASE. COUNCIL CHAMBER
(Across space, the entire council of SPIDERS hum in affiliation with their sisters and their possessed allies on Earth. LUPTON watches in puzzlement and concern. His SPIDER sits on the QUEEN'S podium.)
LUPTON: What's going on?
LUPTON'S SPIDER: We are sending power to our sisters on Earth.
LUPTON: But...what about that crystal?
LUPTON'S SPIDER: Be silent!
[SCENE_BREAK]
13: INT. LAMASERY. ABBOT'S ROOM
(K'ANPO sits back in his chair, his eyes closed in concentration as the DOCTOR and SARAH watch.)
SARAH: (Quietly.) What's he doing?
DOCTOR: Shh!
(K'ANPO opens his eyes and looks at the DOCTOR.)
K'ANPO: As I thought - the moment approaches.
SARAH: What moment?
K'ANPO: The moment I have been waiting for - the moment of truth, if you'll forgive a cliché. (To the DOCTOR.) The moment of truth for us both. You know what you have to do?
DOCTOR: (Puzzled.) No, I...
K'ANPO: I think you do, my son. What is it you most fear?
(The DOCTOR'S face drops. He remembers his recent encounter in the cave of the blue crystal.)
[SCENE_BREAK]
14: INT. METEBELIS THREE. CAVE OF THE BLUE CRYSTAL (FLASHBACK)
(The DOCTOR gasps with effort and a look akin to terror appears on his face as the voice starts to mock him.)
GREAT ONE: (OOV.) Is that fear I can feel in your mind? You are not accustomed to feeling frightened, are you, Doctor? You are very wise to be afraid of me.
[SCENE_BREAK]
15: INT. LAMASERY. ABBOT'S ROOM
(The DOCTOR looks at his teacher, the alarm showing in his quiet words...)
DOCTOR: I...is...is there no other way?
(K'ANPO looks at him sternly.)
K'ANPO: None.
(The DOCTOR blinks several times and then looks resolved.)
DOCTOR: (Quietly.) Very well.
(He stands and holds out a hand.)
DOCTOR: Give me the crystal.
(K'ANPO hands it to him. SARAH also gets up, puzzled at this development.)
SARAH: W...what are you going to do?
DOCTOR: Take the crystal to the Great One.
SARAH: (Alarmed.) But you told me that if you went back there the cave of crystal...would destroy you!
DOCTOR: Nevertheless, I have to go.
[SCENE_BREAK]
16: INT. LAMASERY. PASSAGEWAY OUTSIDE ABBOT'S ROOM
(The four men are still mentally linked.)
GROUP: Om...Om...Om...Om...
BARNES: Enough.
(They break apart and stand in a line facing TOMMY.)
BARNES: Now!
(They raise their arms in unison at TOMMY who licks his lips nervously. Bolts of energy shoot out again. This time they are too much for the man and he staggers back against the door.)
[SCENE_BREAK]
17: INT. LAMASERY. ABBOT'S ROOM
(The three people inside the room hear the noise. K'ANPO has raised himself from his chair. The DOCTOR is about to rush for the door but he stops and looks back at the abbot.)
K'ANPO: Take my hand! Quickly!
(The DOCTOR grasps K'ANPO'S hand.)
[SCENE_BREAK]
18: INT. LAMASERY. PASSAGEWAY OUTSIDE ABBOT'S ROOM
(TOMMY manages once again to recover and stands upright. MIKE and CHO-JE rush up from a side passage.)
MIKE YATES: No!
(MIKE stands between the four men and TOMMY, his arms out-stretched in protection. A bolt of energy blasts into him.)
TOMMY: Yates!
(He falls to the ground. TOMMY rushes to help him...)
TOMMY: Mr. Yates!
(...and the four men use the diversion to run past him and at the abbot's door. TOMMY tries to stop them but KEAVER pushes him to the ground.)
[SCENE_BREAK]
19: INT. LAMASERY. ABBOT'S ROOM
(They burst into the room.)
SARAH: Doctor!
(SARAH and the DOCTOR run back from the door. MOSS sees the crystal in the DOCTOR'S grasp.)
MOSS: The crystal - there it is!
(Before the four men can do anything, the DOCTOR fades away. BARNES blasts K'ANPO who stands between him and where the DOCTOR stood. The old man gasps and staggers back to his chair, clutching his chest. Once there, he slumps down.)
LAND: (To BARNES.) Where's he gone?
BARNES: Back to the cellar.
KEAVER: Come on!
(The four men run out and SARAH runs to help the stricken abbot.)
[SCENE_BREAK]
20: INT. LAMASERY. CELLAR
(Crystal grasped in his hand, the DOCTOR fades into view in the cellar, stood on the abandoned mandala. He looks round sharply, gaining his bearings. He spots the open door of the TARDIS and jumps inside. Almost immediately the dematerialisation sound begins as BARNES and his men run down the stairs. The TARDIS fades away before them.)
[SCENE_BREAK]
21: EXT. METEBELIS THREE. SPIDER'S BASE
(The TARDIS rematerialises outside the black towers of the SPIDER'S base. The DOCTOR steps out and pulls the door to behind him. He walks off and almost immediately bumps into TUAR and ARAK who grasps his arm in greeting.)
ARAK: Welcome, Doctor.
DOCTOR: Arak, Tuar.
(He grasps the brother's arm also in greeting.)
DOCTOR: Your attack was a success then?
TUAR: You can see for yourself.
ARAK: Thanks to you, Doctor.
DOCTOR: Look, I need your help. I want to go into the mountain - into the cave of crystal.
TUAR: You will die.
DOCTOR: Well nevertheless I have to go. Will you show me the way?
ARAK: There's more than one way into the caves - come.
[SCENE_BREAK]
22: INT. LAMASERY. PASSAGEWAY OUTSIDE ABBOT'S ROOM
(Outside the abbot's room, CHO-JE and TOMMY examine MIKE.)
TOMMY: He's dead.
CHO-JE: Not quite. Take him to K'anpo Rinpoche.
(TOMMY starts to pick MIKE up to carry him into the abbot's room.)
[SCENE_BREAK]
23: INT. METEBELIS THREE. SPIDER'S BASE. COUNCIL CHAMBER
(The DOCTOR strides ahead of ARAK, TUAR and some of the other villagers. Turning a corner, he finds himself for the first time in the SPIDER'S council chamber with all of the SPIDERS in their places, including the returned QUEEN on her podium. He turns round sharply but finds ARAK and the others blocking the doorway. Their faces are expressionless and it is obvious that they too are now possessed.)
DOCTOR: So, you lied. Your attack failed.
QUEEN SPIDER: Did you really believe these creatures could overcome the eight-legs? They have minds as easily controlled as their own sheep. Why have you come back?
DOCTOR: To return the crystal.
QUEEN SPIDER: You have the crystal?! Here?!
DOCTOR: Yes...yes, of course.
(He takes the jewel from his pocket and holds it up.)
QUEEN SPIDER: (Eagerly.) Give it to me!
DOCTOR: No. I shall return the crystal only to the Great One herself.
COUNCIL: All praise to the Great One!
DOCTOR: Is there any among you would dare take it from me?
(LUPTON darts forward.)
LUPTON: I would dare!
(He reaches out but is stopped by the SPIDER'S reverberating mental force on him.)
QUEEN SPIDER: Stop, Lupton!
(He struggles against the force, gasping with the effort while the DOCTOR looks on.)
LUPTON: (To the SPIDERS.) Why do you stop me? Everything we've planned, everything we've dreamed of is there - in the palm of his hand!
QUEEN SPIDER: We dare not take the crystal. The Great One is all seeing.
COUNCIL: All praise to the Great One!
QUEEN SPIDER: The Great One is all knowing.
COUNCIL: All praise to the Great One!
QUEEN SPIDER: The Great One is all powerful!
COUNCIL: All praise to the Great One!
QUEEN SPIDER: You have beaten us, Doctor. It is good that you will die!
(With the gentlest of nods at the council, the DOCTOR turns. ARAK, TUAR and the possessed villagers stand in his way but they soon part and let him through. LUPTON watches him go, aghast, and then turns his venom on the council.)
LUPTON: (Shouts.) You superstitious fools!
QUEEN SPIDER: Be silent, Lupton!
LUPTON: (Shouts.) I will not be silent! I've listened to you for too long! To think that I've lost my chance of power through a spider!
(The council audibly gasps at this insolence.)
LUPTON: (Shouts.) A spider that I would crush underfoot, without a second thought! A spider!
(He raises a fist to bring it crashing down on the body of the QUEEN SPIDER but she is quicker and a blast of energy erupts from her and hits him square in the chest. He falls to the ground, dead.)
[SCENE_BREAK]
24: INT. LAMASERY. ABBOT'S ROOM
(MIKE lies on the floor of the abbot's room, cradled in SARAH'S lap and with the gentle and healing hand of K'ANPO on his forehead. His eyes start to flutter open.)
K'ANPO: His compassion protected him - just as Tommy's innocence was his shield.
(MIKE grins upwards into SARAH'S face.)
MIKE YATES: Hello, Sarah Jane.
SARAH: Hi.
(MIKE slowly sits up.)
SARAH: Hey, we thought you'd had it!
MIKE YATES: Well not this time. Oh, I feel fine.
(He smiles, full of life.)
SARAH: Yeah?
(TOMMY steals a look at the abbot moves to him in alarm.)
TOMMY: K'anpo!
(The abbot is slumped back, breathing heavily.)
K'ANPO: I'm afraid this old body has had it, Miss Smith...
(His eyes close and his head falls back. SARAH looks devastated.)
SARAH: No!
(Watching this, CHO-JE remains as calm and as gentle as ever.)
CHO-JE: Dear friends, please don't...please don't...
(Both the body and the words of CHO-JE fade away into nothingness.)
SARAH: What's happening?
(She and the others look at the dead abbot and sees that his features are changing. Within seconds, his body has metamorphosed and become that of CHO-JE. His eyes are closed and he is muttering.)
CHO-JE: Please...don't...please...
(He opens his eyes and looks at the three astonished humans.)
CHO-JE: Don't concern yourselves. I am not dying - merely regenerating.
TOMMY: Cho-Je?
(The abbot holds up a hand of admonition.)
CHO-JE: No, Tommy - I am K'anpo.
(He breaks into a familiar giggle.)
CHO-JE: Will you put this in your magazine, Sarah Jane Smith?
(SARAH'S face breaks out into a huge smile of delight.)
[SCENE_BREAK]
25: INT. METEBELIS THREE. CAVE OF THE BLUE CRYSTAL
(The DOCTOR has found his way back to the deadly cave of crystal. Walking forward, he is brought to a halt as a familiar mad voice rings out...)
GREAT ONE: (OOV.) Stop! Have you brought the crystal to me?!
DOCTOR: (Sighs.) Well if I have not, why should I have returned?
GREAT ONE: (OOV: Eagerly.) Very well! Very well! Advance!
(The DOCTOR walks forward and turns a corner in the cave. He comes before the GREAT ONE. It is a SPIDER, identical to those of the council but huge in size, towering over the DOCTOR and filling the back of the cave. It stands at the top of a long flight of steps and hangs twitching over the puny humanoid below. The DOCTOR is initially stupefied but soon regains his composure.)
DOCTOR: I've brought you the crystal. Now why don't you just take it and leave the humans in peace - both here and on Earth?
(The GREAT ONE gives a short shriek of insane laughter.)
GREAT ONE: (Contemptuously.) You think I care for the puny plans of my subjects? Earth? One paltry planet among millions? (Shouts.) Give me the crystal! I thirst for it! I ache for it!
DOCTOR: Well, why is it so important to you?
GREAT ONE: You see this web of crystal above my head?
(Above the GREAT ONE hangs a lattice of blue jewels. It resembles a glowing upturned mountain with a flat open top - the place waiting for the crystal.)
GREAT ONE: It reproduces the pattern of my brain. One perfect crystal and it will be complete. That is the perfect crystal I need!
DOCTOR: And then?
GREAT ONE: My every thought will resonate within the web, and grow in power until...until...until...!
(The enormous SPIDER'S chant dissolves into another mad laugh. The DOCTOR, breathing heavily as his body starts to die under the effect of the crystal in the cave, tries to reason with the insane giant.)
DOCTOR: But you've built a positive feedback circuit! You're trying to increase your mental powers to infinity!
GREAT ONE: Exactly! I shall be the ruler of the entire univerrrrsssseeee!
DOCTOR: Now listen to me...listen. I haven't got much time left. What you're trying to do is impossible. If you complete that circuit, the energy will build up and up until it cannot be contained. You will destroy yourself!
GREAT ONE: You waste the little time remaining to you! Even now the cave of crystal is destroying the cells of your body. I will grant you one last favour - you may watch the completion of my triumph before you diiieee!
(The crystal is suddenly plucked by invisible forces from the DOCTOR'S hand. He watches helplessly as it floats upwards towards the webbed lattice. Pointed upwards, it easily slots into the socket at the base of the lattice. Triumphant, the GREAT ONE'S voice shrieks across the cave, almost not believing that its ambition has been fulfilled...)
GREAT ONE: I...am...com...plete! Now I am...total power! (Shouts.) All praise to the Great One!
DOCTOR: (Shouts.) Stop! Stop! Don't you see what's happening to you?!
GREAT ONE: (Shouts.) All praise to the Great One! All praise to me! Bow down before me, planets! Bow down stars! Bow down o galaxies and worship the Great One! The me! The Great, all-powerful mmmeeee!
(Suddenly, a red glow starts to emerge from the centre of the GREAT ONE'S body. The creature gives a cry of pure pain, its legs flailing about.)
GREAT ONE: (Shouts.) I huuuurrrtttt! Help mmmeeee! I am burning! My brain is on firrreee!
(Looking weak and terrified, the DOCTOR turns and starts to flee from the cave.)
GREAT ONE: (Shouts.) Heeeellllppp mmmeeee!
(The very cave is starting to shake as the DOCTOR stops momentarily to gain his bearings and then rushes on.)
[SCENE_BREAK]
26: INT. METEBELIS THREE. SPIDER'S BASE. COUNCIL CHAMBER
(The death of the GREAT ONE also affects the council. Their intertwined bodies writhing in agony, they moan as they too die. Across the shaking chamber, the villagers eyes suddenly lose their dull look and ARAK puts his hands to his head as he regains control of his mind.
ARAK: ... !
TUAR: We're free!
ARAK: Are you coming, my brother?
(He and the others run from their captivity and back to their farms. Behind them, the death throes of the SPIDERS continue.)
[SCENE_BREAK]
27: INT. LAMASERY. CELLAR
(In the cellar of the monastery on Earth, BARNES and the others are once again quietly chanting around the mandala.)
GROUP: Om...Om...Om...
(They stop as the SPIDERS materialise on their backs and fall off dead.)
[SCENE_BREAK]
28: EXT. METEBELIS THREE. SPIDER'S BASE
(Weakening rapidly, the DOCTOR has made it back to the TARDIS. He takes the key out of his pocket and unlocks the police box. He enters and shuts the door - just as a series of massive explosions from within the mountain that overlooks the SPIDER'S base rip it apart. Soon, a smouldering crater is all that is left...)
[SCENE_BREAK]
29: INT. UNIT HQ. LABORATORY
(Two of the DOCTOR'S many cloaks hangs on the coat-stand in his silent laboratory. SARAH, dressed in a smart pale green jacket and skirt, takes one of them off the peg, momentarily hugs the garment to her and paces the room. The BRIGADIER enters behind her.)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Hello, Miss Smith.
(Somewhat startled, SARAH turns and tries to put a brave face on.)
SARAH: Oh, hello, Brigadier. I'd...I just thought I'd pop in and...well, to tell you the truth, I don't quite know why I did pop in, actually.
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: To see if there was any sign of the old fellow, eh?
SARAH: Yes.
(She hangs the cloak back up.)
SARAH: But there can't be, can there? I mean, he's been gone over three weeks now.
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Oh, that's nothing. One time I didn't see him for months. And what's more, when he did turn up, he had a new face - could have been a completely different man.
SARAH: No - he knew if he went back there he would destroy himself. We'll never see him again.
(The room's silence is suddenly broken by the sound of the TARDIS materialising. SARAH and the BRIGADIER watch as the familiar blue box fades into view in its accustomed place in the corner of the room. They wait and watch as the door slowly opens and an arm in a dark blue smoking jacket and ruffled cuff appears round the edge. SARAH runs forward to greet him, somewhat alarmed.)
SARAH: Doctor!
(The DOCTOR looks pale and grey. He is barely managing to hold onto the edge of the door and his voice is hardly a whisper.)
DOCTOR: Hello, Sarah...I...I got lost in the time vortex...the TARDIS...brought me home...
(He takes one step away from the support of the door and promptly collapses face down on the floor of the laboratory.)
SARAH: Oh!
(She rushes to help him as the BRIGADIER quickly grabs a cushion off a chair. Thy turn him over and place the cushion under his head. The DOCTOR'S skin is almost translucent and it is obvious that his end is near.)
SARAH: Oh, Doctor, why did you have to go back?
(His eyes barely open, the DOCTOR struggles to speak...)
DOCTOR: I had to face my...my fear, Sarah. I had to face my fear. That was...was more important...than just going on living.
SARAH: (Tearfully.) Please...don't die.
(He manages to turn his head slightly and look at her through half-closed eyes.)
DOCTOR: A tear...Sarah Jane?
(His hand shakes upwards towards her face.)
DOCTOR: No, don't cry. While there's life there's...
(His voice tails away into a sigh. His head moves and his hand drops down. He is quite still. SARAH suppresses a sob and closes his eyes. She and the BRIGADIER stare at each other, too stunned to say anything. After what seems an eternity of silence, SARAH becomes aware of something happening in the room. There is a slight sound, like an undercurrent of thoughts and she suddenly sees CHO-JE appear like a ghost, cross-legged and perched on a table on the other side of the room. He is surrounded by an ethereal glow. He smiles down at her and speaks, his voice echoing slightly.)
CHO-JE: It's all right. He is not dead.
(SARAH stands up, her voice shaking. The BRIGADIER looks on in amazement.)
SARAH: Oh no. I don't think I can take much more.
CHO-JE: I am sorry to have startled you, my dear.
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Won't you introduce me to your friend, Miss Smith?
(SARAH desperately tries to collect her thoughts.)
SARAH: Oh, erm, yes. This is the Abbot of...no, it's Cho-Je. I mean, it looks like Cho-Je but it is really K'anpo Rinpoche...I think.
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: (Sardonically.) Thank you. That makes everything quite clear.
CHO-JE: The Doctor is alive.
SARAH: (Tearfully.) You're wrong - he's dead.
CHO-JE: All the cells of his body have been devastated by the Metebelis crystals, but you forget - he is a Time Lord. I will give the process a little push and the cells will regenerate. He will become a new man.
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: (Concerned.) Literally?
CHO-JE: Of course, he will look quite different.
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Not again!
CHO-JE: And it will shake up the brain cells a little. You may find his behaviour somewhat...erratic?
(A smile of relief starts to appear on SARAH'S face and she moves towards the ghostly figure.)
SARAH: Well...when will all this happen?
CHO-JE: Well there's no time like the present, is there?
(He points his hands at the recumbent figure of the DOCTOR.)
CHO-JE: Goodbye. Look after him...
(The manifestation fades away. The BRIGADIER moves across the room towards where is was.)
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Now wait a moment!
(SARAH is concentrating on the figure on the floor and she grabs his arm.)
SARAH: Look, Brigadier, look! I think it's starting.
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART: Well, here we go again.
(On the floor of the laboratory, the features of DOCTOR change. The grey hair is replaced by dark brown wavy locks. The face is younger, the dying skin now looks healthy and glowing. The slightly hooked nose points upward into the air and the eyelids flutter as the DOCTOR is born anew...)
Plan: A: K'Anpo; Q: Who convinces the Doctor to face his fear and return the crystal to the Great One? A: Barnes; Q: Who is the leader of the men who want to stop the Doctor from returning the crystal? Summary: K'Anpo persuades the Doctor he must face his fear and return the crystal to the Great One.But first they need to get past Barnes and his men.