(First half here.)
18. (Small glass window in door. ISOBEL’S face peers in. She gestures beside her. Door opens, ISOBEL and her group enter. Room revealed to be an armoury.)
ISOBEL: Here we are, then.
MILLER: Now we’re talking.
(Excitedly, MILLER grabs a gun.)
ISOBEL: No, we’re no’ doin’ it like that.
(MILLER looks to her, surprised.)
ISOBEL: They’re guns. There’s only one thing t’ do wi’ a gun.
(ISOBEL grabs gun off MILLER, and tries to break it over her knee. It won’t break. She smashes it against the wall. It still doesn’t break. She throws it away.)
ISOBEL: Okay, that didnae go so well. But m’ point still stands. We destroy the guns.
MILLER: Why?
ISOBEL: Because they’re guns.
MILLER: Who says?
ISOBEL (facing him off): I say.
MILLER: We need those guns. Try stopping me.
ISOBEL (flatly): If y’ want me to.
(As they argue, behind them YOUNG MAN picks the gun up off the floor. Experimentally, he tries firing it. Nothing happens.)
YOUNG MAN: It’s no use. They won’t fire anyway.
DOCTOR (from off): No, they won’t.
(People look round to see THE DOCTOR in doorway.)
ISOBEL (excited): Doctor!
MILLER (suspiciously): Why not?
DOCTOR: They’re attuned to the user’s cybermetric signal.
ISOBEL (annoyed): There he goes again! Just ask him, someone, what he means by that. It can’t be me all the time.
DOCTOR: Like biometrics, but the other way around. There’s only way to fire a cyber gun, and that’s to become a Cyberman. Which, funnily enough, is what they want from us.
MILLER: So all these are just useless to us?
DOCTOR: Yes, but we can make them just as useless to them. And for that, what we need is… (rummages around room) …one of these.
(DOCTOR holds up bomb.)
MILLER: Is that a bomb?
DOCTOR: I think it might be.
MILLER: We can blow this whole place!
DOCTOR: Yes, but there’s a problem.
(Beat.)
ISOBEL (impatiently): Which is?
DOCTOR: They’re made for battlefield combat. More grenade than bomb, really. They’ve short timers. The maximum we can set it for is three and a half minutes before explosion.
ISOBEL: Is that even long enough for us to get clear?
DOCTOR (brightly): Well, it’ll be good if it is. Shall we get started?
THIRTY-SOMETHING WOMAN: Wait, before you do that… My husband was taken by them. I have to find him.
DOCTOR: I’m sorry, but we can’t do that.
THIRTY-SOMETHING WOMAN: But he must be here…
DOCTOR: He will be. But that’s the worst part. They’re here to turn us into them. Only a small party will have landed. Then they turn us into them, one by one. Less of us, more of them. When they came into the hall, one of them will have been him. You wouldn’t have recognised him. Nor him you.
THIRTY-SOMETHING WOMAN: But we were married for… it was almost our anniversary…
DOCTOR: I’m so very sorry. But none of that matters now.
THIRTY-SOMETHING WOMAN: I see.
(Pause.)
THIRTY-SOMETHING WOMAN: Okay, let’s get these bombs set then.
MILLER: Most likely, they’ll blow us up too.
THIRTY-SOMETHING WOMAN (sharply): Yes, I heard, thanks.
19. (Team walks down corridor. CYBERMEN lay where they’ve fallen, people having to step over and around them. Quick cuts to close-ups of their feet as they do this.)
DOCTOR: We need to be as quick as possible.
ISOBEL: Smart thinkin’.
(ISOBEL bends down and picks up a dropped gun.)
ISOBEL: Take their guns.
MILLER: We can’t use them.
ISOBEL (impatiently): And if we take them, neither can they.
DOCTOR: Okay. But otherwise, don’t stop for any…
(YOUNGER WOMAN stands near lying CYBERMAN. He opens his eyes, slowly stretches his arm and finally grabs her ankle. She screams, and tries to pull away, but can’t. She tries again, and falls. Others stop, see what’s happening and run back. They argue rapid-fire over her perpetual screams and cries.)
DOCTOR: He’s still not fully revived. We need to get her free before that happens.
(ISOBEL hits CYBERMAN’S arm with gun butt, to no avail.)
ISOBEL (urgently): He won’t budge!
DOCTOR: No, not like that… Gold, we need gold. Who has gold?
ISOBEL (disbelieving): Gold?
DOCTOR: Yes, it clogs their respiratory system, inhibits their their prime functions and…
(DOCTOR sees ISOBEL looking at him sharply.)
DOCTOR: …gold stops them.
(While they talk urgently, terrified YOUNGER WOMAN starts to pull herself along floor. CYBERMAN, still holding on, gets dragged behind her.)
ISOBEL (looking round group): Okay, who has something gold?
MILLER: I don’t walk around with ingots on me!
ISOBEL: Doesn’t need to be. Anything that’s gold.
YOUNGER MAN (rummaging in his pockets): I might have some pound coins…
ISOBEL: I dinnae think they’re real gold. Anyone else?
YOUNGER WOMAN: Leave without me, you’ll have to leave without me.
ISOBEL: We won’t. Someone get gold.
(YOUNGER WOMAN pulls a pendant out form under her top. She frantically waves it at the CYBERMAN like a crucifix.)
YOUNGER WOMAN: I don’t think it’s working!
DOCTOR: Let me.
(The DOCTOR takes it and places it over the CYBERMAN’S chest unit. It immediately raises its other hand to grab him. He jumps back.)
DOCTOR (to YOUNGER WOMAN): Thanks, but I don’t think that’s gold either.
YOUNGER WOMAN (affronted): After what I paid for it?
ISOBEL: If yer after takin’ it back, we may have a wee job t’ do first. (to the others) C’mon folks, let’s have your best plan!
YOUNG MAN (brandishing watch): I think my watch is silver. Does that work?
ISOBEL: No. (To DOCTOR) Does it?
DOCTOR: I don’t think so.
MILLER: I expect it’s just nickel anyway.
YOUNG MAN: Nobody asked your opinion!
ISOBEL (annoyed): Could we just focus here?
(Everyone falls silent.)
ISOBEL: Better.
(ISOBEL looks around group, her eyes fix on THIRTY-SOMETHING WOMAN hiding her hand.)
ISOBEL: What’s that on your hand?
THIRTY-SOMETHING WOMAN: Nothing.
ISOBEL: Show me.
THIRTY-SOMETHING WOMAN: There’s nothing to…
ISOBEL (interrupting): We’ve no’ got the time for this!
(THIRTY-SOMETHING WOMAN holds her hand up, a ring on her index finger.)
THIRTY-SOMETHING WOMAN (forlorn): It’s my wedding ring.
ISOBEL: Is it gold?
(Beat. THIRTY-SOMETHING WOMAN nods.)
THIRTY-SOMETHING WOMAN (defeated): I think so.
(Calmly, ISOBEL holds out her hand.)
THIRTY-SOMETHING WOMAN: I don’t want to!
(THIRTY-SOMETHING WOMAN looks round group, as if for support.)
THIRTY-SOMETHING WOMAN (wailing): It’s all I have left of him.
IOSBEL: I’m sorry, but the truth is it’s all we have.
YOUNGER WOMAN: Please, give it to her…
THIRTY-SOMETHING WOMAN: Will I get it back?
ISOBEL: If we can.
(With reluctance, THIRTY-SOMETHING WOMAN hands the ring over to ISOBEL. She puts ring on her own finger, swiftly crouches, and slams the ring onto the chest pack. The CYBERMAN slowly raises his other hand and grabs her by the neck, but she continues pushing on the ring.)
MILLER (to DOCTOR, urgently): We have to do something!
DOCTOR: We can only hope that’s pure enough gold.
(Finally, the CYBERMAN’s arm drops and he goes limp. The others go to help a winded ISOBEL and distraught YOUNGER WOMAN up.)
YOUNG MAN: Are you..?
ISOBEL (breathless but insistent):Need to move…
DOCTOR (looking ahead): I’m sorry, but it’s too late.
(ISOBEL looks where he’s looking. The other CYBERMEN are starting to rise to their feet, menacing shadows in the low light. She looks the other way. It’s the same thing.)
ISOBEL: Okay then, Doctor. Time for you to think of something clever.
(DOCTOR looks ahead, then sinks down to a crouch, looking quashed.)
DOCTOR: I’m sorry. Somehow, I thought I could do this. And I tried, I did my very best, but - this is it. We wanted to know who I was, and now we do. I’m the one who lets everybody down. In the next few minutes everyone here dies. And it’s because of me, because I don’t know how to save them.
ISOBEL (imploring): No, that’s nae right. Think of the things y’ve done already, since we’ve been travellin’. You’re goin’ to come up with some plan o’ escape any minute, just like you do. I know it!
DOCTOR: No, there’s nothing. We don’t have a… (suddenly looking up) …what did you say?
ISOBEL (taken aback): Well I canna remember every word now. It was a heat o’ the moment thing. Mostly, it was to do with gettin’ out o’ here…
DOCTOR Yes, and what’s another word for that?
ISOBEL: Is this some quiz show game you’re playin?
DOCTOR (excitedly): Escape! That’s it! You said escape!
ISOBEL: Well I might o’ done. What of..?
DOCTOR (excitedly): Don’t you see? Escape!
(ISOBEL looks nonplussed.)
DOCTOR: The escape capsule!
ISOBEL: The wha’?
DOCTOR: The escape capsule. I saw it on the way in. (pauses to think) But it’s made for deep space. There’s no telling how it will work on land.
ISOBEL: If we dinnae try, we’re dead anyway, aren’t we?
DOCTOR: Yes, there is that. Okay. Now, to get there, we need to get past them.
ISOBEL: Then we’d better go now. (to group) Okay, we’re goin’ this way…
YOUNG MAN: That’s into…
ISOBEL: That it is.
(The GROUP runs past the still awakening CYBERMEN, dodging out of the way of their grabbing hands. ISOBEL sees one, semi-upright, going for someone and drop-kicks it.)
DOCTOR: Here!
(DOCTOR stands by door to escape pod. Unlike all other doors, this is on outer edge of the circular corridor. There’s a handpad, which he puts his hand on. Nothing happens.)
ISOBEL: What’s up?
DOCTOR: The door’s also set to a cybermetric signal. I’m going to have to over-ride it.
ISOBEL: Can yer?
(DOCTOR smiles.)
DOCTOR: Let’s hope so.
(DOCTOR pulls off a panel, and gets to work with screwdriver.)
(ISOBEL looks round. CYBERMEN are now getting to their feet, if still a little groggy.)
ISOBEL: Well if yer could hurry. Our friends here seem to be wakin’ up.
DOCTOR (not listening, intent on his work): Uh-huh.
(MILLER moves close to ISOBEL.)
MILLER (speaking lowly, looking intently to Cybermen): There’s only one way to do this. You go ahead. I’ll hold them as long as I can.
ISOBEL (louder, disdainful): An’ how long d’ you imagine that bein’? Three seconds? Or maybe you’ll get a lucky punch in and’ last all the way till four.
MILLER (taken aback): Well, I…
ISOBEL (interrupting): You were nae use when y’ had yer gun, if yer remember. Twice over, if I recall. What you going to do now?
(Beat.)
MILLER (affronted): You don’t always have to be this blunt about things, you know.
ISOBEL: Aye, that’s what they tell me. Doctor, any news?
DOCTOR: Just a…
(DOCTOR adjusts something in panel, and door slides open.)
DOCTOR (gesturing): Ladies and gentlemen, if you would like to take your seats…
20. (Everyone except DOCTOR is crammed tightly into escape pod. Its circular build is obvious from the inside, cramming them further.)
DOCTOR (from outside): Now this is the tricky bit.
(DOCTOR adjusts something. Door starts to close again. DOCTOR rushes in, and smiles at the others.)
ISOBEL: Well, thank the…
(CYBERMAN’S hand intrudes, and keeps closing door open. People instinctively shrink back. With his other hand, CYBERMAN tries to push door back open.)
MILLER (urgently, to ISOBEL): Do something!
ISOBEL: Oh, so now it’s back on me?
(CYBERMAN pushes door open enough to fit his shoulder through gap, and reaches further in.)
ISOBEL: Out the way!
(ISOBEL takes the ring off her finger, moves in and quickly places it on CYBERMAN’S. He recoils and withdraws his hands, and the door closes.)
ISOBEL (to DOCTOR): Now might be a good time to go. Can y’ pilot this thing?
DOCTOR (examining controls): I think so.
ISOBEL: You canna even put up the tent.
DOCTOR: That’s different. Now, I think…. yes..
MILLER: Does he even have a driver’s license?
ISOBEL (sharply): Does he look like he does?
(DOCTOR turns and smiles brightly at the others.)
DOCTOR: Okay, please fasten your seatbelts.
ISOBEL (looking round her seat): There aren’t any.
DOCTOR (affronted): Well, it’s a figure of speech.
ISOBEL (urgently): Will you just get on with it? Before that flamin’ bomb goes off!
DOCTOR: Oh yes, that’s right.
(DOCTOR presses some buttons on a panel.)
DOCTOR: Here we go then.
21. (Outside of Cyber Craft. Pod detaches, fires up and goes flying off just above ground.)
22. (Inside pod, rapidly passing landscape viewable through screen. Everyone abroad smiles happily to one another.)
YOUNGER WOMAN: We did it!
23. (Cyber craft explodes behind them. Pod is immediately thrown forwards, carried like a piece of debris.)
24. (Inside pod. Inhabitants are thrown about wildly. It flies across the ground, going through hedges and fences.)
ISOBEL (shouting over noise): You said you could pilot it!
(DOCTOR urgently presses some buttons, then looks back to ISOBEL.)
DOCTOR: I can. But it’s not listening.
(Crashing sound. Screen goes to white.)
25. (Barn in a field. Pan across to reveal the escape pod has crashed into it, destroying half of it. The inhabitants are coming out, some limping, others nursing bruises.)
THIRTY-SOMETHING WOMAN: Alive…I’m alive.
ISOBEL: Okay, anyone injured? (To YOUNGER WOMAN) What about you?
(YOUNGER WOMAN has injured her arm, which hangs limp. ISOBEL examines it briefly, then rips off her own sleeve and makes it into an improvised sling for her.)
ISOBEL: Best I can do for now.
YOUNGER WOMAN: Thank you.
ISOBEL: I’m a nurse.
(ISOBEL starts to move off.)
YOUNGER WOMAN: No, I mean…
(ISOBEL looks back. YOUNGER WOMAN tries to gesture expansively but is hampered by her sling.)
YOUNGER WOMAN: …getting us out of there. We couldn’t have done that without you.
(ISOBEL looks at her.)
ISOBEL: Yes you could.
(ISOBEL walks off.)
26. (Inside Community centre. Party arrive, looking weary, bedraggled and not uncommonly injured. DOCTOR and ISOBEL arrive first, him mid-explanation.)
DOCTOR (to ISOBEL): …so it was a press gang. You’d all been chosen for Cyber-conversion.
ISOBEL: What, they thought this lot were the cream o’ the crop? (calling behind her) No offence intended.
THIRTY-SOMETHING WOMAN: None taken.
MILLER: Some taken.
ISOBEL: Okay, anyone wounded we want them over… (pointing) …that side of the room. Let’s get a look at you under some light. (looking round) This place must at least have a First Aid kit….
YOUNGER WOMAN: I know where.
(YOUNGER WOMAN starts to walk off , then screams. CYBER COMMANDER appears, limping, looking roughed up. One arm is missing, but the other still clutches a gun.)
CYBER COMMANDER: All of you - leave! (Pointing gun to ISOBEL) She stays!
(People freeze on the spot)
CYBER COMMANDER (shouting): I said to leave!
(People rush out. THE DOCTOR stays by ISOBEL.)
ISOBEL (to DOCTOR, quietly): You too.
DOCTOR: I’m not just leaving you.
ISOBEL: You have to. You’ve places to be.
DOCTOR: Not without you.
ISOBEL (imploring): Doctor, go! Get to Cardiff, like y’ need to. I’m sorry I couldn’t get all the way wi’ yer like I said, but… seems I’ve been unavoidably delayed.
(DOCTOR remains.)
ISOBEL: Doctor, you stay here and all that’ll happen is you get it too. Tell me if I’m wrong. Or go!
DOCTOR: I can’t…
ISOBEL (interrupting): Will you just listen? You never listen to what I’m telling you, that’s your trouble! Go when you’re told!
(DOCTOR prevaricates, then leaves. CYBER COMMANDER finds and lowers himself heavily onto a chair, gun still pointing at ISOBEL. She looks back at him defiantly.)
CYBER COMMANDER: Did I not tell you how this would end?
ISOBEL: Just get on wi’ it.
(CYBER COMMANDER levels gun. ISOBEL struggles not to flinch. He holds position, then angrily throws gun away.)
CYBER COMMANDER: The gun is broken.
ISOBEL (sardonically): Shoddy workmanship.
CYBER COMMANDER: No, from the explosion. And I too am broken. Soon I will be dead.
(Beat.)
ISOBEL: I’m sorry, But you gave us no choice.
CYBER COMMANDER: I only state a fact. Now, tell me - who are you really?
ISOBEL (taken aback): Wha’?
CYBER CONTROLLER: We watched you. In the cell. You did not behave like the others. You were unafraid. You reasoned. You… it is hard to understand, but… you defeated us. Tell me who you are.
ISOBEL: A village nurse.
CYBER COMMANDER: You are not just a nurse.
ISOBEL (dryly): No, I also got lumbered wi’ the part-time post-mistress role.
CYBER COMMANDER (furiously, smashing fist): Tell me! Do you think I’m a fool?
ISOBEL (equally furious): Aye, that’d bring some comfort to yer tin hearts, wouldn’t it? Only ever beaten by the best. You want the truth? I’m nae anyone! You’d meet me anywhere. So it doesnae matter where you land your crafts, where you stick your stupid silver boots. Aberdeen to Adelaide, it’ll be someone like me lookin’ back at you. An’ that’s why your rule will never stand!
(Angrily, ISOBEL leans in on CYBER COMMANDER.)
ISOBEL (seething): Yes, I think you’re a fool.
(CYBER COMMANDER raises his arm to strike her.)
CYBER COMMANDER: You will… fear… me….
ISOBEL: No. You’ll fear me.
(CYBER COMMANDER collapses, dead.)
27. (A light blinks and goes out on an instrument panel. Pull-back to reveal we’re in a Cyber Station. This is bigger than the assault craft seen earlier, arranged on multiple levels like a ship’s desk. A large viewscreen shows the Earth from orbit. CYBER ADMIRAL stands dominantly at highest point.)
CYBERMAN (to CYBER ADMIRAL): The last signal is also lost.
CYBER ADMIRAL: This development is puzzling. There was no previous indication the Earth creatures were this resilient. No sign of our enemies in this sector?
CYBERMAN: None.
CYBER SERGEANT: We could send in a greater force. They would not be able to withstand…
CYBER ADMIRAL: No. The war must be our priority. For now, we will look elsewhere for conversions. Plot a course to leave this sector.
CYBERMAN: Yes.
(CYBERMAN begins pressing buttons. Close-up on CYBER ADMIRAL.)
CYBER ADMIRAL: But when our war is won, we shall return. To these creatures who thought they could defy us. And when we do, we will obliterate this rock.
28. (Cyber Station in Earth orbit. It flies off, leaving Earth alone in space.)
