"Master and Slave"

By

Thom Cote

"Doctor Who"

by Sydney Newman

BBC

TEASER

DEEP SPACE - PEACEFUL

Suddenly, the TARDIS zips by, zigzagging through space.

INT.TARDIS

As Donna and her grandfather Wilfred watch, the Doctor and

another man fight for control of the TARDIS. The intruder

looks slightly older than the youthful Doctor, but sports a

distinctive, well-trimmed light brown beard. They run

around the hexagonal TARDIS control panel flipping levers

and trying to stop the other, all the while yelling at each

other over the lurching, out-of-control TARDIS.

DOCTOR

Don’t touch that! Very sensitive

equipment! Not something for

beginners.

INTRUDER

Quiet, I’m working.

DOCTOR

(straining to get the intruder

away from controls)

Then you might want to get your own

office!

INTRUDER

(pushes back to controls)

Sorry, haven’t got time for that.

DOCTOR

You know, most people ask before

traveling with me.

INTRUDER

Do I look like people?

DOCTOR

Nah, you’re a little hairier than

most.

The intruder sheepishly rubs his beard.

INTRUDER

Donna likes it.

The Doctor stares at Donna.

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED: 2.

DONNA

What? Reminded me of my granddad!

WILFRED

Oh, thanks.

DOCTOR

(to Intruder)

T-M-I. If you want to be an

assistant I’d gladly consider, but

there are application forms and

papers and passports and

licenses. Very complicated

process.

INTRUDER

Saying "Ooooh, it’s bigger on the

inside!" seems to get most anyone

on board.

The Doctor grabs a photo of Rose Tyler off the console and

shoves it in a drawer. The intruder does not notice.

DOCTOR

How would you even know what you

are on board?

INTRUDER

TARDIS. Time and Related

Dimensions in Space.

DOCTOR, WILFRED, DONNA (IN SYNC)

Relative!

DOCTOR

Now where are you even taking us?

INTRUDER

Just a little detour. A course

correction, if you will.

DOCTOR

No, no, you don’t do that!

INTRUDER

I know what I’m doing! It’s in

both our best interests.

DOCTOR

Then you must be mistaken. Now get

out, this is my room!

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED: 3.

INTRUDER

With this decor you can hardly tell

anymore!

DOCTOR

(pausing)

You’ve been here before?

The intruder throws a lever.

INTRUDER

We’re off to Gallifrey.

DOCTOR

Gallifrey? Who do you think you

are? You can’t just--

INTRUDER

Oh, but I can, Doctor! You might

say I’m a master at my craft!

The Doctor pauses, realizing who he’s dealing with.

END OF TEASER

ACT 1

INT.DONNA’S HOUSE

SUPERIMPOSED:

"Two Days Earlier"

Donna’s grandfather Wilfred and her mother Sylvia eat

breakfast.

SYLVIA

Dad, where’s Donna got off to?

WILFRED

Eh? Oh, I don’t know.

SYLVIA

She’s been gone for two days.

WILFRED

Oh, a lot longer than that, I

imagine.

SYLVIA

What?

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED: 4.

WILFRED

Don’t worry. She’ll be back in her

own time.

The familiar sound of the TARDIS can be heard outside.

SYLVIA

What’s that sound?

WILFRED

Donna.

EXT.NEIGHBOURHOOD

Wilfred and Sylvia come outside just as the TARDIS finishes

materializing on the lawn. Donna comes out.

DONNA

Mum, granddad!

WILFRED

Donna!

SYLVIA

(to Wilfred)

What was she doing in that box?

The Doctor stumbles out of the TARDIS dressed in a Hawaiian

shirt and shorts that are just the slightest bit too small

for him.

SYLVIA

With...him?

WILFRED

I thought you knew him. Don’t tell

me you’ve never met the Doctor.

SYLVIA

If only.

DONNA

It’s great to see you again,

Mum. How are things going on the

ol’ homestead?

SYLVIA

We’re fine, Donna. We can survive

two days without you.

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED: 5.

DONNA

Two days? Oh, yeah. Lost track of

time.

SYLVIA

Where on Earth have you been?

DONNA

Oh, nowhere.

Donna brushes past her into the house.

SYLVIA

Alright, really. Be serious for a

second.

DOCTOR

She is serious. Nowhere on Earth.

INT.DONNA’S HOUSE

Donna, the Doctor, Wilfred, and Sylvia are gathered in the

living room.

SYLVIA

So tell me, why did you two bring

us a police box?

DONNA

Well, it’s his box.

DOCTOR

My box.

SYLVIA

But really, what have you been

doing? You never even called me.

WILFRED

She’s just got back, don’t press

her so much.

SYLVIA

I have a right to know what my

daughter is doing with her life.

DONNA

Oh, you know. Things. Very boring

things. You wouldn’t be

interested.

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED: 6.

SYLVIA

Ah. Well, let me go get you some

snacks.

Sylvia heads toward the kitchen but hides around a corner,

able to hear the conversation in the living room.

DOCTOR

Boring things? You could be more

appreciative.

DONNA

I am! It was amazing, Doctor. I

just don’t think I’m ready to tell

her. Not yet.

DOCTOR

We--

He pauses as Sylvia comes back in with snacks.

SYLVIA

Oh, don’t let me interrupt you.

DOCTOR

We were just talking about...how

lovely your house is.

SYLVIA

Really? Donna used to tell me how

repulsive the place is. Funny

she’d change her mind in two days.

DONNA

Mother!

SYLVIA

So how long are you and your

boyfriend planning to stay?

DONNA

He is not my boyfriend!

DOCTOR

I should think so! At my age I’d

be her man-friend!

DONNA

It’s a term, Doctor.

DOCTOR

Ah. Yes. Just making a joke.

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED: 7.

SYLVIA

Look, you don’t have to hide it

from me. I heard what you were

saying about not telling me, but

I’d love to know your plans.

The Doctor and Donna glance at each other.

DOCTOR

Can I tell her?

DONNA

May as well.

DOCTOR

Alright, here goes. I’m a Time

Lord from the planet Gallifrey, and

Donna and I have been traveling

together in my spaceship.

SYLVIA

Don’t kid, kid.

DOCTOR

I’m not kidding! We’ve been flying

through space!

SYLVIA

Never heard it called that before.

DOCTOR

I mean we’re literally flying

through space! In a

spaceship! You just saw us

land! That groaning,

remember? The...

The Doctor imitates the TARDIS sound.

DOCTOR

(gesturing between him and

Donna)

That was us.

Silence. They all stare at the Doctor.

DOCTOR

Uh, what I mean is--

SYLVIA

Why are you covering yourselves

with this ridiculous spaceship

story? Kids, I want to hear the

truth! I’m happy for you two!

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED: 8.

DONNA

Mum, this is the truth. We’re not

together, not how you mean. The

Doctor is a Time Lord. He comes

from another planet. Remember, he

saved us from the Daleks!

WILFRED

They’re telling the truth. I’ve

been in his ship.

The conversation is interrupted by the telephone

ringing. Wilfred answers it.

WILFRED

Hello?

EXT.STREET

The Master, the man seen in the teaser, stands at a phone

booth talking on the phone.

MASTER

Yes, hello, is this the Noble

residence?

INTERCUT -- PHONE CONVERSATION

WILFRED

Yes. Who is this?

MASTER

Mr. Quentin Anax.

WILFRED

Anax? Oh, you’re Donna’s

friend. She’s talked about you.

MASTER

I’m flattered. Just checking by,

seeing if Donna is in.

WILFRED

Well, this isn’t really a good

time.

MASTER

Could I stop by later?

WILFRED

Uh, I suppose. I’d have to ask

Donna--

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED: 9.

MASTER

Excellent! I’ll be there at five

o’clock sharp.

The Master hangs up.

INT.DONNA’S HOUSE

WILFRED

Apparently your friend Anax is

coming over later today.

DONNA

Oh, him.

DOCTOR

Who?

DONNA

Quentin’s just a guy I know. A bit

awkward but he’s nice enough. A

lot like you, actually.

EXT.STREET

The Master exits the phone booth and walks down the

street. He pulls a small communicator out of his pocket.

MASTER

En route. I will be on Gallifrey

in a matter of hours.

VOICE (V.O.)

Good. Contact us when you are

there.

The voice is that of Dalek Caan!

END OF ACT 1

ACT 2

INT.DONNA’S HOUSE

The doorbell rings, and Sylvia answers. The Master is

waiting outside.

SYLVIA

Mr. Anax.

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED: 10.

MASTER

Ah, Mrs. Noble! Pleasure to see

you again.

WILFRED

Hey, Quentin. Come in, come in!

The Doctor watches as the Master speaks quietly to Donna as

they go into another room. Wilfred and Sylvia come back

into the living room.

DOCTOR

So, who is this guy?

WILFRED

An old friend. They worked

together for a while.

DOCTOR

Ah.

After an awkward silence, Donna and the Master come back.

DONNA

Mum, Dad, can I talk you you for a

moment?

SYLVIA

Sure, honey.

DONNA

(walking away)

He’s just asked me out. I don’t

know what to say...

They walk into another room to talk, leaving the Doctor

alone with the Master. There’s another bit of silence.

DOCTOR

So, uh, how about that weather?

MASTER

Hm? Oh, yes, the weather. Very...

DOCTOR

Very...weathery.

MASTER

Yes, quite. Weathery.

Silence.

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED: 11.

MASTER

Do you watch sports?

DOCTOR

Sports? Oh, you know,

sometimes. Football...

He motions swinging a golf club.

DOCTOR

(continuing)

...and all that.

MASTER

So, what else do guys from around

here talk about? I’m not a local,

you see.

DOCTOR

Oh, you know. Politics and girls

and fishing. Guy stuff.

MASTER

Ah.

Silence.

MASTER

So, uh, how about that weather?

DOCTOR

Still weathery.

MASTER

Ah, yes. Just checking.

As they talk, the Master tries to secretly reach into

Donna’s purse to retrieve her TARDIS key, but stops when

Donna, Sylvia, and Wilfred reenter the room.

DONNA

So, got anywhere in mind?

MASTER

Huh?

DONNA

For our date, silly!

The Doctor is clearly shocked.

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED: 12.

MASTER

Oh, yes, of course. I know this

lovely restaurant very near

here. Italian and Mediterranean.

DONNA

Salads?

MASTER

And calzones.

DOCTOR

(under breath)

What a ham.

DONNA

That sounds lovely. Tomorrow

night, then?

MASTER

Yes, that would be excellent.

DONNA

See you then, Quenty.

The Master seems surprised, and genuinely smiles

faintly. The Doctor is disgusted.

MASTER

I look forward to it.

The Master leaves the house.

DONNA

He’s sweet, isn’t he?

DOCTOR

(sarcastic)

Oh, yes, Quenty is just amazing.

The Doctor sees Wilfred and Sylvia are there.

DOCTOR

Could I speak to you outside for a

moment?

Donna and the Doctor head outside.

13.

EXT.NEIGHBOURHOOD - NIGHT

The Doctor and Donna exit the house and stand halfway

between the house the TARDIS.

DOCTOR

Donna, what are you doing? We were

going to Metebelis Seven tomorrow!

DONNA

I know, but Doctor...I...I don’t

really want to go.

DOCTOR

Fine! We can go to

Felspoon. There are mountains that

sway in the breeze--

DONNA

I mean I want to stay here.

DOCTOR

What?

DONNA

I want to stay on Earth. With

Quentin and mum and granddad.

DOCTOR

Quentin? But I...

DONNA

If you wanted to go out with me,

you could have just asked! I still

would’ve said no, but you should

have asked!

DOCTOR

No, it’s not that, it’s--

DONNA

Oh, I see. It’s that I can get a

date and you can’t.

DOCTOR

I wouldn’t put it like that--

DONNA

Then how would you put it?

DOCTOR

Donna, the only person who’s ever

loved me in the past thousand years

is trapped in another universe.

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED: 14.

DONNA

What about River Song? She said

you marry her in the future.

DOCTOR

Then I feel sorry for that version

of me, because I would never marry

that psychopath! Point is, this

always happens. People always find

another person, and leave me

behind.

DONNA

Then find someone yourself!

DOCTOR

Fine! I will then!

DONNA

Fine!

DOCTOR

Fine!

The Doctor walks to the TARDIS and Donna walks to the

house. They both slam the doors behind them.

INT.TARDIS

DOCTOR

Fine. I’ll find someone.

Pushing buttons and flipping levers, his hand hits the

picture of Rose on the console. He picks it up and looks at

it for a moment.

DOCTOR

I’ll find someone else.

He fires up the TARDIS.

INT.DONNA’S HOUSE

Donna slams the door behind her.

WILFRED

Donna, what’s wrong?

DONNA

Nothing.

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED: 15.

WILFRED

There’s something wrong, and I want

to know what it is.

DONNA

I’m not sure I want to travel with

the Doctor any more. I want my own

life here.

WILFRED

Have you told him?

DONNA

He’s getting an idea of it. And

he’s not taking it well. I mean,

this must happen for everyone who

travels with him long enough. The

TARDIS, the time travel, it’s all

amazing and fun and all, but I want

to come back home. For

good. Because I think if I stay

too long with him...

WILFRED

What?

DONNA

He makes you feel safe, like he

knows exactly what he’s doing and

everything will be okay. But

somewhere you just know...you know

how much danger you’re always

in. Danger that, some time, the

Doctor won’t be able to save you

from. It’s just a matter of

time. Ironic, isn’t it?

WILFRED

It’s your choice. If you want to

stay here, it’ll be great to have

you back. If you want to stay with

the Doctor a while longer, I’ll

wait for you. You’ll always have a

home here.

EXT.STREET

The TARDIS lands on a sidewalk. The Doctor comes out

dressed in the same outfit the First Doctor would normally

wear. A group of women walks by, and the Doctor smiles and

nods at them. They pick up their pace and continue on. The

Doctor glances down at his gettup.

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED: 16.

DOCTOR

Come on, this used to work like a

charm.

Another woman walks by.

DOCTOR

(seductively)

Hey. I’ve got two hearts, and one

of them is for you.

She looks disgusted and walks on.

DOCTOR

This is hopeless.

He gets back in the TARDIS and dematerializes. Seconds

later, the Master walks by and pulls out his communicator.

MASTER

Master to Dalek Caan. Master to

Dalek Caan.

DALEK CAAN (V.O.)

What is the meaning of this? You

were told to contact us when you

reached Gallifrey.

MASTER

Just reminding you of our

terms. My place in the High

Council.

DALEK CAAN (V.O.)

I am aware of your demands. You

waste time by reminding me.

MASTER

I am making a new demand, Caan. I

wish to have the galaxy split

equally between us after taking

over.

DALEK CAAN (V.O.)

Impossible! You will receive your

ten percent, and no more.

MASTER

I demand it!

DALEK CAAN (V.O.)

This is unacceptable. Any more

insolence and the arrangement will

be revoked.

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED: 17.

MASTER

And then what? You know as well as

I that you have no army left. No

means to take over a single planet,

let alone the entire galaxy! You

are stuck alone on a single

spaceship, and only I can secure

Gallifrey for you.

DALEK CAAN (V.O.)

Very well. Your terms are

accepted. Proceed with your

mission.

MASTER

A wise decision, Caan. For your

sake. Master out.

INT.DALEK SHIP

CLOSE UP: DALEK CAAN

Dalek Caan switches off the communicator and turns around.

DALEK CAAN

Success. The Master believes there

is but one of us. Once he secures

Gallifrey, he will be

exterminated. With the power of

the Time Lords, even the Doctor

cannot stop us! The Daleks shall

be victorious!

PULL BACK to reveal a massive room full of Daleks!

DALEKS

Victorious! Victorious! Victorious!

PULL BACK even farther to reveal a massive fleet of hundreds

of Dalek ships!

INT.RESTAURANT

Donna and the Master eat dinner at a table together.

MASTER

Good food, isn’t it?

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED: 18.

DONNA

Delicious. Thank you so much.

They both smile at each other. Both smiles fade as they see

the Doctor enter the restaurant and sit by himself at a

table across the room.

MASTER

Say, isn’t that your friend...what

was his name?

DONNA

Doctor.

As Donna looks over at the Doctor, the Master secretly leans

down and retrieves the TARDIS key from her purse. The

Doctor sees this and his eyes widen as he stares.

DONNA

Ugh, he’s staring. Of course he

would.

MASTER

Shall we leave, then?

DONNA

Yeah.

They get up and leave the restaurant. The Doctor follows at

a distance.

EXT.STREET

Nobody else is near the two as they walk, except for the

Doctor, who is still at a distance.

DONNA

I’m so sorry. The Doctor is so

clingy.

MASTER

No, Donna, I’m sorry.

DONNA

It’s not your fault.

MASTER

I’m truly sorry.

DONNA

For wha--

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED: 19.

The Master holds a handkerchief of chloroform over Donna’s

face. He catches her fall and gently lays her down.

MASTER

I’m so sorry.

The Master runs away. The Doctor runs over to Donna and

wakes her.

DOCTOR

Donna! Donna!

DONNA

Wha...what happened?

DOCTOR

We’ve gotta get after him. He took

your TARDIS key.

DONNA

Where’d you park it?

DOCTOR

Back at your house.

DONNA

It’s always about me, isn’t it.

She gets up and they run after the Master.

EXT.NEIGHBOURHOOD

The Master unlocks the TARDIS outside Donna’s house and

heads inside. The Doctor and Donna run into the yard,

yelling at him to stop. Wilfred comes out of the house.

WILFRED

What’s going on?

DOCTOR

Anax got inside the TARDIS.

The Doctor, Donna, and Wilfred enter the TARDIS as it begins

to dematerialize.

INT.TARDIS

As Donna and her grandfather Wilfred watch, the Doctor and

the Master fight for control of the TARDIS. They run around

the hexagonal TARDIS control panel flipping levers and

trying to stop the other, all the while yelling at each

other over the lurching, out-of-control TARDIS.

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED: 20.

DOCTOR

Don’t touch that! Very sensitive

equipment! Not something for

beginners.

MASTER

Quiet, I’m working.

DOCTOR

(straining to get the intruder

away from controls)

Then you might want to get your own

office!

MASTER

(pushes back to controls)

Sorry, haven’t got time for that.

DOCTOR

You know, most people ask before

traveling with me.

MASTER

Do I look like people?

SHOT: The TARDIS zigzags through space.

MASTER (V.O.)

We’re off to Gallifrey.

END OF ACT 2

ACT 3

EXT.ARCADIA

SHOT: The TARDIS lands in the middle of the street in the

Gallifreyan city Arcadia.

INT.TARDIS

The Doctor locks the TARDIS doors from the console.

DOCTOR

So you did regenerate after all.

MASTER

Just waited a bit for everyone to

think I’d died.

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED: 21.

DOCTOR

You said you wanted me to be the

last Time Lord again.

MASTER

Making you think you were was good

enough. You really think I’d die

for that?

DONNA

Doctor, what are you talking about?

DOCTOR

So. Even the Master can get a date

better than I can. What a

confidence booster.

MASTER

Oh come now Doctor, it’s been that

way since the Academy.

DOCTOR

(defensive)

Whaddya mean? I was the most

popular guy there. I was the man.

MASTER

Yes, I’m sure everyone was very

impressed with your 51% on your

proficiency test.

DOCTOR

51% is quite good!

MASTER

The lowest passing score. On your

second try.

DONNA

Could someone please explain what

is going on?

MASTER

(to Donna and Wilfred)

Did you know the Doctor never

passed the test to pilot a TARDIS?

WILFRED

Is that why it’s always a police

box?

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED: 22.

DOCTOR

No, that was a conscious decision.

MASTER

(to Donna and Wilfred)

He’s a liar, kid.

DOCTOR

Takes one to know one.

DONNA

(suddenly forceful)

Alright, that’s enough! If you two

would quit throwing insults like

two insecure pre-teens, I for one

would like to know what the hell is

going on here!

DOCTOR

The Master. Renegade Time Lord,

stole a TARDIS, not particularly

popular with the Gallifreyan

government.

WILFRED

You just described yourself.

DOCTOR

Difference is, I like to think I

help people. He just helps

himself. Or tries to. Over and

over again. I’d think it gets

rather monotonous.

MASTER

To each his own.

DONNA

And this Master was Quenty?

DOCTOR

Stop calling him that!

MASTER

I don’t mind.

DONNA

He was my friend! Hell, he was my

date! And you’re telling me he’s

an evil Time Lord?

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED: 23.

MASTER

Evil is such a strong word.

DOCTOR

I’m sorry, Donna, it’s the

truth! Now I’d like to know why

he’s in my TARDIS!

DONNA

(to Master, like an angry

parent)

We’ll talk later.

WILFRED

So, if he has his own TARDIS, why’d

he take yours?

DOCTOR

Because he’s a top-priority

criminal to the high-ups here. If

his TARDIS were detected on

Gallifrey, the Time Lords would

make short, short work of it.

WILFRED

Then how come yours is

fine? Aren’t you also--

DOCTOR

As far as the Time Lords are

concerned, the Master is a

felon. I just annoy them. Which

makes me wonder why exactly he’d

want to be on this planet.

MASTER

If you unlock that door I’ll

explain everything.

DOCTOR

No doubt yelling over your shoulder

as you run away. No, I want to see

exactly where we are.

The Doctor checks the scanner.

DOCTOR

Well, it’s Gallifrey all

right. But...why here?

DONNA

What is it, Doctor?

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED: 24.

DOCTOR

We’re in Arcadia. Great big city,

but I doubt the Master’s come here

for the nightlife. No, if I know

one thing about the Master it’s

that he won’t pass up an

opportunity to get his grubby

little hands on some real power.

MASTER

Can you blame me, Doctor?

WILFRED

So I take it Arcadia is the

capital, then.

DOCTOR

That’s the thing. It’s not. No

real power has ever been here,

except...

DONNA

Except what?

DOCTOR

Except during the Time War. The

Council relocated to

Arcadia. Safest place on

Gallifrey, they said.

MASTER

They were wrong.

DOCTOR

I was getting to that. Before the

Daleks destroyed Arcadia they

besieged it, left the government

searching for a foothold. That’s

where we are now. The feds are all

holed up in the Central Tower and

at the moment have pretty much zip

jurisdiction over the

planet. Meaning this is the

perfect opportunity for a certain

someone to take control.

MASTER

Precisely, Doctor. Though not for

the reasons you may think.

DOCTOR

Oh, I suppose you’re here purely on

a humanitarian mission?

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED: 25.

MASTER

As a matter of fact, I am. You may

have heard about the siege of

Arcadia, Doctor, but you weren’t

here and you don’t know what really

happened.

DOCTOR

What do you mean?

MASTER

There are Gallifreyans and then

there are Time Lords, Doctor. You

may have ignored it until now, but

the Time War showed the difference

between the two. The difference

between the masters and the

slaves, between the elites and the

expendables, and soon enough,

between the living and the

dead. Open that door, Doctor, and

consider who really killed

Gallifrey.

EXT.ARCADIA

The TARDIS door opens and the four step outside. The dusty

street is unkempt and broken. Impoverished Gallifreyans sit

on sidewalks and beg on corners. A group of people gathers

around the TARDIS. None of the four speak as they walk past

the begging crowd and down the dusty streets of

Arcadia. One could hardly guess this was once a great,

powerful race.

DOCTOR

This...this never happened.

MASTER

Like I said, you don’t know what

really happened. Perhaps because

you deserted.

DOCTOR

You’re just as guilty of that as I

am.

MASTER

But I came back.

WILFRED

Doctor, what is he talking about?

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED: 26.

DOCTOR

The Time War had spread all across

the universe, all across time

before the Daleks came to

Gallifrey. They attacked, and that

was when I left. But before that

they besieged the entire planet. I

was always told the siege lasted

about a month, but...

MASTER

The Time Lords told you

that. Right now, you’re somewhere

locked up tight in Central Tower

with no idea what’s going on

outside.

DOCTOR

That was for our protection. You

know that.

MASTER

Perhaps. But it was also to hide

the truth from all but the highest

up in the Council. They

brainwashed you.

DOCTOR

The Council would never keep

secrets like that from us.

DONNA

But maybe the fact that they kept

secrets was itself kept a secret,

so you wouldn’t secretly suspect

they were keeping secrets. Hm,

sounded better in my head.

MASTER

That is precisely what

happened. Really Doctor, this

one’s cleverer than you.

DOCTOR

You still haven’t said, how long

was the siege?

MASTER

The siege lasted for over ninety

years.

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED: 27.

DOCTOR

What did the Council do?

MASTER

Nothing. Like I said, they’re all

locked up in Central Tower right

now.

DONNA

You mean they left all these people

helpless?

A beggar approaches the group.

BEGGAR

(whispering)

Please, do you have any food?

DOCTOR

Sure, here--

BEGGAR

(whispering)

Quiet! Quiet!

The Doctor quietly gives a bit of food to the beggar.

BEGGAR

(aloud)

Nothing? Time Lord scum...

The beggar wanders away.

DOCTOR

But I gave him some food!

MASTER

Quiet. Don’t advertise it.

DOCTOR

Why not?

MASTER

If anyone hears, he’ll be dead in

minutes. They’ll kill for a scrap

to eat.

DOCTOR

How could the Time Lords let this

happen?

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED: 28.

MASTER

They decided it was a necessary

sacrifice. But it was

cowardice. More cowardice than--

DOCTOR

Than you. And with that in mind,

why did you want to come here?

MASTER

This injustice cannot

continue. The High Council needs

to face reality.

DOCTOR

I’d have to agree. Which once

again confuses me. Why am I

agreeing with you? I find it hard

to believe this is all you hope to

accomplish here. I’m guessing

something a little more

power-grabby from you.

MASTER

Believe what you want,

Doctor. We’re not the only Time

Lords who wants this.

DOCTOR

Who else?

MASTER

An old friend.

INT.SHACK

The old shack appears to be made of brick and adobe. It is

located on a hillside just outside Arcadia. The four enter

and find an old man sitting in a chair, staring out the

window, through which the city and its massive, gleaming

Central Tower are visible.

DOCTOR

K’anpo Rimpoche.

K’ANPO

Good to see you again,

Doctor. And...Master. I’m rather

less pleased to see you.

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED: 29.

MASTER

I’m on your side, you know.

K’ANPO

That doesn’t mean I like

you. Tolerate is a better word.

MASTER

I’m flattered.

K’ANPO

And who are your friends?

DOCTOR

Oh, this is Donna and Wilfred.

DONNA

Doctor, who is your friend?

DOCTOR

Not just a friend, Donna. K’anpo

Rimpoche was my teacher, my

mentor. He taught me a lot of what

I know now.

K’ANPO

If the Master has brought you here,

I fear there is still much you do

not know.

DOCTOR

He’s told me a little. The siege

lasted ninety years and the Council

can’t govern the planet.

K’ANPO

Not cannot. Will not. The Council

chose to abandon the billions of

citizens and locked every Time Lord

in the Central Tower. I refused,

and was exiled from Arcadia. Just

as well. I returned to this old

place.

DOCTOR

It hasn’t changed a bit.

K’ANPO

No, I suppose not. Though after

hundreds of years of neglect, the

bushes needed some trimming when I

came back.

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED: 30.

MASTER

May I remind you all of why we’re

actually here?

K’ANPO

He’s right. You have to act.

DOCTOR

What are you suggesting?

K’ANPO

The Council must change its

ways. The Time Lords must take

responsibility for their people.

MASTER

And we think I can...persuade

them. That’s why K’anpo Rimpoche

sent for me.

DONNA

Sent for you? You were on Earth!

MASTER

Hypercube.

DONNA

Hyper-what?

DOCTOR

Hypercube. Capsule that’s sent

through space and time. Kind of

like a Time Lord e-mail. An

e-mail, by the way, which I did not

receive. Why didn’t I get one?

K’ANPO

I tried to send you one, but it did

not recognize your existence.

DOCTOR

Recently?

K’ANPO

Yes.

DOCTOR

I was in a different universe.

DONNA

Oh, yeah. That was an interesting

experience.

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED: 31.

DOCTOR

But we’re all here now. So what’s

the plan? I love plans.

DONNA

You love just wingin’ it.

DOCTOR

Yes, but winging it is the

plan. But not now. Now has a

different plan.

MASTER

Quite. We need to get inside the

Central Tower and pay a visit to

the High Council. But that’s

harder than it may sound.

K’ANPO

The Time Lords could have fled in

their TARDISes, but they did

not. Because the Central Tower is

the safest, most heavily fortified

place in the known

universe. Nothing goes in, and

nothing comes out.

WILFRED

Doesn’t that make this whole thing

rather pointless if we can’t get

in?

MASTER

We have an inside man.

K’ANPO

One of us is already in the Tower,

and has been for quite a long time.

DOCTOR

(figuring it out)

Over ninety years.

WILFRED

Who?

The Doctor springs up, ready to go.

DOCTOR

Got it. Alrighty, team. Let’s go.

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED: 32.

DONNA

But who’s in the Tower? Who’s our

inside man?

DOCTOR

Time to put the government in its

place. From the inside.

WILFRED

Doctor, spit it out! Who is in the

Tower?

The Doctor smirks.

DOCTOR

Who indeed?

END OF ACT 3

ACT 4

INT.TARDIS

As the others watch, the Doctor rummages around through a

large chest, pulling out miscellaneous objects.

DOCTOR

I know I’ve got one somewhere...ah!

The Doctor pulls out a Hypercube, puts it on the TARDIS

console, and begins using the controls.

DONNA

What are you doing?

DOCTOR

Sending an e-mail.

He finishes with the controls, and the Hypercube vanishes.

DOCTOR

Now he--the me in the Tower--is

going to unlock the West door in

exactly eight minutes.

DONNA

Why eight?

DOCTOR

Because he likes that number. Now

it’ll only be open for a minute or

two, so we’ll have to hurry.

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED: 33.

WILFRED

So let me get this

straight. You’re inside the Tower

right now?

DOCTOR

A younger version of me. And he’s

gonna let us in.

WILFRED

How do you know he’ll help?

DOCTOR

I included my own personal

safe-word in the message. He’ll

know it’s me.

EXT.ARCADIA

The TARDIS materializes near the Central Tower. Donna and

Wilfred follow the Doctor and Master out, but the Doctor

stops them.

DOCTOR

No, you two hang back in the

TARDIS.

DONNA

Why?

WILFRED

We’re coming with you.

DOCTOR

Not possible. Only Gallifreyans

are allowed in the Central

Tower. Two humans would give us

away immediately.

WILFRED

Well what can we do?

DOCTOR

Wait in the TARDIS. We’ll be back

soon.

DONNA

(sternly)

Doctor.

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED: 34.

DOCTOR

Fine. Come to think of it, I’ve

got something special for you two

to do.

The Doctor, Wilfred, and Donna head back into the

TARDIS. The Master waits impatiently outside. After a few

seconds, the Doctor comes back out.

MASTER

What are they doing?

DOCTOR

Just something to keep them busy.

INT.CENTRAL TOWER

The front door opens by itself and the Doctor and Master

step inside. The huge entrance hall extends several storeys

high with upper-level balconies lining the edges. There are

no lights on.

MASTER

I can’t see the other you. Too

dark in here.

DOCTOR

He’s probably nowhere near

here. Dangerous to know too much

about one’s own future.

MASTER

All the Time Lords are on the top

floor. They’ve been up there for

decades with no idea how much time

has passed.

DOCTOR

And no one bothered to check their

watch?

MASTER

Time flows strangely in this

building. There are warps and

folds everywhere here. That’s half

the reason the building is so

secure--it has to be contained.

They observe parts of the building flickering in and out of

existence as areas shift through time.

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED: 35.

DOCTOR

And why we couldn’t land the TARDIS

in here.

The Doctor examines the black, smooth perimeter walls, which

never change.

DOCTOR

Time-proof walls around a swirling

mess of distorted spacetime. Like

cannoli.

MASTER

What?

DOCTOR

A hard, stiff shell with a creamy,

delicious filling.

MASTER

That’s not a metaphor I would

use. This place is simultaneously

the safest and most unstable place

in the galaxy.

DOCTOR

Yes...but why?

MASTER

I have a theory.

DOCTOR

And what’s that?

MASTER

The window to the Time Vortex.

QUICK FLASH BACK

INT.VORTEX WINDOW ROOM

Flashback to the young Master, Koschei, looking into the

Time Vortex. The sound of beating drums can be heard.

QUICK FLASH FORWARD

36.

INT.CABINET ROOM

(Clip from "The Sound of Drums")

MASTER

It’s everywhere. Listen, listen,

listen. Here come the drums. Here

come the drums.

QUICK FLASH FORWARD

INT.CENTRAL TOWER

The Doctor pauses.

DOCTOR

No, impossible. That’s nowhere

near Arcadia.

MASTER

The Time Lords blindfolded anyone

who came to the Window.

DOCTOR

That was for safety. People can

lose their minds looking into the

Vortex. You, for example.

QUICK FLASH BACK

INT.FLIGHT DECK

(Clip from "The Last of the Time Lords")

MASTER

The drumming. The never ending

drumbeat. Ever since I was a child.

I looked into the vortex. That’s

when it chose me. The drumming, the

call to war.

QUICK FLASH FORWARD

INT.CENTRAL TOWER

MASTER

Never mind that! What if the Time

Lords also wanted to hide its true

location? Why else would they

build this?

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED: 37.

DOCTOR

If you are right...if they lied

about where the Window is...

MASTER

Then who knows what else they lied

about! Come on!

The Doctor and Master head up stairs, working their way

toward the top floor.

INT.TARDIS

Wilfred watches as Donna repeatedly pushes the same button

on the TARDIS console. She is cycling through a seemingly

endless series of radio stations, communications, and other

audio transmissions.

DONNA

Oh, yeah, you two stay in the

TARDIS while I take my arch-nemesis

to do the important stuff!

WILFRED

Donna, I’m sure the Doctor has a

reason for us to do this.

DONNA

What, for scanning every

transmission on Earth from the day

we left?

WILFRED

He gave the TARDIS some instruction

before he went. It must be doing

something useful.

DONNA

"Contact me when you find something

interesting" he said. What’s he

looking for, a football game? His

favorite song?

Suddenly, Dalek voices and the Master’s voice can be heard

from the scanner.

MASTER (V.O.)

Master to Dalek Caan. Master to

Dalek Caan.

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED: 38.

DALEK CAAN (V.O.)

What is the meaning of this? You

were told to contact us when you

reached Gallifrey.

MASTER (V.O.)

Just reminding you of our

terms. My place in the High

Council.

The Master’s conversation continues as it did before, as

Donna and Wilfred talk.

WILFRED

That’s the Master!

DONNA

And a Dalek!

WILFRED

They’re negotiating! They’re in

cahoots!

DONNA

I think we’ve found what the Doctor

was looking for.

Donna dials on her phone.

DONNA

(into phone)

Hello, hello, Doctor?

INT.CENTRAL TOWER

The Doctor’s cell phone begins ringing, but the pitch bends

and distorts. The Doctor answers.

DOCTOR

Hello? Hello?

MASTER

Who is it?

The Doctor examines the phone.

DOCTOR

Dunno. It dropped. Let me

just...it’s dead.

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED: 39.

MASTER

The spacial-temporal distortion

must be interfering with it.

DOCTOR

Must be.

The Doctor continues following the Master upstairs, but more

uneasily now.

INT.TOWER TOP FLOOR

The two Time Lords reach the top floor, which is a meeting

room with displays all around the perimeter. Dozens of Time

Lords sit in an ovular auditorium-like pit. The Window to

the Time Vortex is at the bottom of the pit, surrounded by

Time Lords, who turn to look at the newcomers. As the

Doctor and Master talk, they walk down in front of the

Window. The Master positions himself between the Doctor and

the Window, facing toward the Doctor.

DOCTOR

You were right.

MASTER

I can’t look at the Time Vortex, so

I’ll take your word for it.

INT.TARDIS

DONNA

This phone won’t work!

WILFRED

Any other way to contact him?

DONNA

There’s one way.

INT.TOWER TOP FLOOR

MASTER

Doctor, I never told you how sorry

I am for leaving Donna on the

street like I did. I’m so, so

sorry.

DOCTOR

That’s my line. Why are you saying

it right now?

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED: 40.

MASTER

Because I’d also like to tell you

I’m not at all sorry for this.

The Master pulls out a gun and holds it behind the Doctor’s

head.

INT.TARDIS

DONNA

(into microphone on TARDIS

console)

Find the Doctor!

The TARDIS takes off.

INT.TOWER TOP FLOOR

DOCTOR

You’re joking.

MASTER

You know I’m not one to joke,

Doctor.

DOCTOR

In front of the entire High

Council?

MASTER

They’re tyrants, I’m a

backstabber. I think we fit nicely

together.

DOCTOR

In light of things, I won’t

disagree there.

EXT.TIME VORTEX

The TARDIS lurches through the Time Vortex.

INT.TARDIS

WILFRED

Are you sure about this!

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED: 41.

DONNA

Nope!

INT.TOWER TOP FLOOR

MASTER

Sorry, Doctor, but this is where it

ends. At least I brought you home

to die.

DOCTOR

I wouldn’t be so sure.

MASTER

Oh? And why not?

The Doctor looks past the Master into the Time Vortex and

sees a small blue speck getting closer and closer.

DOCTOR

Because there’s something I see

that you can’t.

MASTER

(uneasy)

What’s that?

The speck is close enough to be seen as a small blue box...

DOCTOR

Gotta be honest, I don’t really

know how I feel about this turn of

events. Still could end very

badly.

MASTER

(panicked)

What could?

DOCTOR

But at the moment, all I can think

is, this is gonna be pretty cool.

MASTER

What!

The Master turns and faces the Window. The Doctor and some

Time Lords leap out of the way as the TARDIS crashes through

the Window, ramming into the Master and sending him flying

across the room. The TARDIS skids and tears up the room

before coming to a groaning stop. Donna and Wilfred come

out.

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED: 42.

TIME LORD LEADER

Humans!

DOCTOR

Donna! Wilfred!

DONNA

Doctor! Where’s the Master?

DOCTOR

He’s taking a quick nap.

WILFRED

He’s working with the

Daleks! They’re planning to

conquer Gallifrey!

DOCTOR

Knew he was up to something.

TIME LORD LEADER

What is the meaning of

this? Humans in the Central

Tower? A Time Lord allied with

Daleks? Explain yourself, Doctor!

As the Time Lord Leader talks, vortex energy begins to leak

out of the Window behind him. Suddenly, sparks of energy

leap off the frame of the Window and touch the Time Lord

Leader. The space around him warps and distorts violently,

tossing him around like a doll and finally pulling him back

into the Time Vortex.

DOCTOR

No. No, no, no, no!

DONNA

What’s happening?

DOCTOR

We just broke a Window.

END OF ACT 4

TO BE CONTINUED...