This is Episode One of a never completed story that was to be our second (after Regeneration) following the format of several small 10 minute episodes. We wrote Jubilee instead... You might notice some of the dialogue made it into Mobius Trap though! Farenheight by Howard Richardson and Daniel Whittle Episode One Scene One On Planet Orcitas (general happy mumbling and clinking of wine glasses) Man1: Well, to think that I'm actually here, to witness this great event, it's.. Man2: (chuckles) Yes, quite a humbling experience, wouldn't you say. Man1: Mmm. Reassuring that things can only get better. Man2: (chuckle) Andrea's joking that she'll be able to go and do some sunbathing. Man1: (to self) 300 years... tut.. it's definately a long time. Man2: Yes, 300 years.... Scene Two In Tardis Adric: 300 years? Dr: Yes, you certainly need to read the long-range forecast when it comes to taking a holiday there. Adric: But that's just... crazy Dr: Such are the whims of Mother Nature, Adric. Their bi-solar atmosphere generates alternating cycles of cold and warmth, about 300 years long. The transition between the two is quite a spectacle. Adric: And they're at a transition now? Dr: Exactly, which is why our coordinates are all set for the Sirius 3 system. Adric: (examines console) Planet Orcitas? Dr: Yes. I'm really quite looking forward to the "Festival of Pipes". Curious tradition, but most enjoyable I'm told. Large musical pipes, filled to the brim with Venusian Wine. Plays a tune as you drink. Adric: Oh, you're not planning on getting drunk are you Doctor? Dr: No, no, no. As a Timelord I'm not suceptible to alcholic intoxication, but I shall be savouring the taste. Adric: I see. Very long till we arrive? Dr: A couple of minutes, but there's always time for a cup of tea. Put the kettle on Adric, there's a good chap. Adric: But you cannibalised the kettle last week for parts, remember? You were trying to fix that electric toothbrush of yours. Dr: (sigh) Ah, did I? Well, we better dematerialise then, eh? (pulls lever) Scene Three (Inside the tower) Tardis materialises Adric: Don't you ever land in the right place, Doctor? Why don't you use the car park like anyone else would? Dr: Huh! I take you round the galaxy, show you worlds you've only dreamt about, and this is the gratitude I get! Come along Adric, a few stairs won't do you any harm... Did I ever tell you that story about Copernicus? Always insisted on taking the elevator.. or was that George Orwell? Had a wooden foot, I seem to recall... Adric: (meanwhile Adric has climbed the stairs) (calling from top) Are you coming, Doctor. It looks like the festival's already underway.. Scene Four Main Festival Room in Tower Dr: Quite an impressive view, wouldn't you say Adric. Adric: I didn't realise we were so high up. Dr: Yes, this tower is set on the top of a mountain, the highest of its kind in this neck of the woods. The locals call it The Pinnacle. From here we get the perfect vantage point to see in the coming of the warm era. Adric: And the locals are certainly celebrating it in style... (pipes playing in background) Jezman: I say! (pause while he examines the Dr) Ha! Class of 33, Acadamy of Gallifrey, no? Dr: Well I'll be... Ha! Jossman isn't it? Jezman: Jezman. Dr: My dear fellow, it's been.. Jezman: phrrr.. centuries, Doctor. So what brings you here? Dr: Oh, you know. This and that. Quite fancied the wine actually.. Jezman: I can recommend it Doctor. Won't you partake? Dr: (sniffs the pipe) MMmm. Yes, don't mind if I do... (drinks it..) Not bad, not bad, though I don't think it beats a really nice cup of tea. Jezman: Tea? Dr: Hard to find round here, of course. No hot water, but clean teeth make up for it, at least in part! Jezman: Have you gone quite mad?!! Adric: (laughs) Oh that happened centuries ago! Jezman: I don't believe I've had the pleasure... Dr: I do beg your pardon. Adric , Jossman. Jossman, Adric. Jezman: Jezman. Dr: Yes, him aswell. We were at the Acadamy together. Jezman: And didn't you come out with an Unclassified, Doctor? Dr: (coughs)Not at all. Ahem. Jezman: (Laughs) But seriously though Doctor. I've seen something here that might just interest you.. I recall you were always one for morphology. Dr: (modest) Well I have a smattering of knowledge. What have you found? Jezman: (lowering voice) Come with me Doctor. I'll show you. You can bring your companion with you, but I'd rather no one else saw us. Dr: Mum's the word,eh? Scene Five In the corridors. Adric: Doctor, can't we go back now? This is the sixth corridor we've been down now, and I still don't see what we're looking for... Dr: Yes, Jezman, my dear chap, are you sure you know where we're heading? Jezman: Trust me, Doctor. It's just through here... (walking....) Here we are! Dr: (pause) Fascinating. (pause) Looks like Ancient Akkadian, I'd say. Jezman: Really? I was thinking the strokes were more reminicent of Later Ecruvian. Dr: Nonsense. Ecruvian was essentially a pidgin of Phrygroan, but you'd expect to find more curves in the glyphs, were that the case. Adric: (butts in) But what does it MEAN? Dr: "Excellence in Research" or something along those lines. It appears to be a motto of some sort in Ancient Akkadian, er.. the lingua franca of the scientific community a few millenia back.. Adric: How odd. Look, it's repeated on those doors as well. Jezman: He's right. Dr: Well, how do we get in then? Jezman: Get in? Dr: Yes. They obviously lead somewhere. I wonder if there's a doorbell here at all... Adric: Sonic screwdriver time, Doctor? Dr: Good! I like that! Good thinking. (gets out SS - FX) Oh this one won't budge. Let's try the other... here we are... (Doors creak open...) Jezman: This is most irreguar, Doctor. Are you sure we... Dr: Yes, yes,.. are you coming Jezman or not? Jezman: Err.. well, I think I'll decline your offer, Doctor. I'm not really the adventurous type. Dr: Oh, Ok. See you back at the party soon. Come along, Adric... Scene Six (through the door) Adric: A lift shaft. Is that all? Dr: (reads) Press for service... And we do.. (pushes button) It still works... (lift arrives..they enter, doors shut) Ground or Basement? Dr: I think we're on ground, so basement it is. Press it Adric. Adric: (presses button, sighs) But Doctor, I thought we were here for the party! Dr: Come along Adric. There's nothing wrong in a bit of adventure, now is there, eh? (Lift passes through architectural barrier. this causes disturbance. fx) Adric: (anxious) What was THAT? Dr: I don't know, but I don't like it. It sounded like the distortion you get when passing through a spatial barrier. Adric: But who'd have one of those HERE? Dr: No idea. Still, I suppose we should be thankful the elevator stood up to the shock of it... (lift blows!) Adric: Oh no! What was that.. Dr: Ah. It would appear I spoke too soon. Well, we've reached the bottom safely, but I don't think we'll be going up again. At least not in this carriage. Adric: We're trapped? Dr: Maybe. But we'll worry about that later. This lift shaft is here for a reason, and we're going to find out what that is... Scene Seven Back at the party Man: Phrr, you get some odd ones round here, don't you! Man2: (chuckles) Yes look at that one over there ... Man: (chuckles) Yes, and him there with the hood completly covering his face.. Man2: SHhhh! He'll hear you. Oh no, he's coming over.. Falkray: That man. The one with the ridiculous scarf, who is he? Man: I'm sorry? Falkray: He just left. A tall character in a long coat and scarf. Do you know him? Man: No, I really can't help you. Go to reception. They have a complete guest list there. Falkray: Is it the Timelord? I MUST know! Man: Ahem.. Sorry, we really must go. Excuse us... (both leave) (Dramatic music) Falkray: (pause, to self) So Doctor, you return at last... CREDITS Farenheight by Howard Richardson and Daniel Whittle with Daniel Whittle as The Doctor, Nigel Smith as Adric, Howard Richardson hooded man Heslii were played by members of the cast. Music and FX by the Richardson Radiophonic Workshop. This has been FloorTen Audio Production.