Hello everyone! 🙂
Welcome to ‘Bradley’s Basement’ blog and I’m Tim Bradley!
It’s time to come to a close on ‘Part Three’ of this exciting story of ‘The Space Hotel’ with the Fifth Doctor, Nyssa and Billy. In this instalment, the supernova gets closer to Rotenhend Hotel 360. Will it mean trouble for our heroes to find out who the murderer is? Stay tuned for ‘Part Four’ next week!
Here is a brief summary of what ‘The Space Hotel’ is all about.
The TARDIS takes the Doctor, Nyssa and Billy to Rotenhend Hotel 360 in the 37th century. They meet a rude hotel manager and murders take place.
Enjoy!
Tim. 🙂
12. Supernova!
SCENE #100 – INT – TOP LEVEL (STATION) – 37TH CENTURY – EVENING
At the space space station with Larry and Bob, Lady Mite’s TARDIS arrives, materialising on the top level. The red phone box TARDIS whooshes and grinds before making a loud thump as it lands.
SCENE #101 – INT – SIMI-SUITE (STATION) – 37TH CENTURY – EVENING
In the simi-suite on the top level, Larry and Bob busily set the holo-emitter stabilisers into place. The last stabiliser have now been fitted in.
LARRY
“Finished, Bob?”
BOB
(exhausted) “Yes, Larry. The stabilisers are all installed.”
LARRY
“Good. A good day’s work for us as I always say.”
BOB
“Good day’s work? You?! I was the one fitting the stabilisers!”
LARRY
“Yes, well never mind about that. We’ve done what her ladyship’s said. Now all we’ve got to do is to wait for her?”
BOB
(doubtful) “Yeah? But will she come?”
LARRY
“Of course she’ll come. Don’t doubt it.”
BOB
“That’s what you said when you called a doctor for me when I was ill with the measles. He merely shoved down a thermometer down my throat and stuck some cotton wool in my mouth!”
LARRY
“Yes but that was an accident, Bob.”
BOB
“Not from where I was sitting. Or lying. Or about to die.”
The simi-suite doors then slide open.
LARRY
“Ah! Talk of the peach!” (cheerily) “Hello, Lady Mite! We’re so glad you got here! We were wondering…” (gasps) “Oh no!”
BOB
“It’s him isn’t it, Larry?”
LARRY
“Yes, Bob! It’s…it’s…”
DOCTOR
(pleased) “Ah! I’m glad you two recognise me!”
BOB
“What are we going to do?”
LARRY
“Hide! We must hide!” (out loud; to computer) “Computer! Create a barn around me and Bob!”
The computer beeps in response. Larry and Bob are then surrounded by a farmyard barn, with cows, chickens and sheep, as they hide from the Doctor and the others.
NYSSA
“They’re peculiar men, aren’t they?”
LADY MITE
(out loud; to computer) “Computer! Remove the barn! And the animals!”
The computer beeps in response. The barn and the animals vanish, as Larry and Bob are now exposed.
LARRY
(shocked) “Lady Mite. How can..?”
LADY MITE
“It’s alright, Mr. Cooper; Mr. Hill. The Doctor’s with me. You need not fear him.”
DOCTOR
(cheerfully) “Nice to meet you gentlemen again. Remember me? I’m the Doctor!”
NYSSA
“And I’m Nyssa.”
BILLY
“And I’m Billy.”
BOB
(to Lady Mite) “But you said you were to avoid seeing him, your ladyship!”
LARRY
(to Lady Mite) “You said he was not to be trusted! Obviously we thought he was one of your competitors!”
LADY MITE
“The Doctor’s an old flame of mine, gentlemen. I was merely nervous of him. I wasn’t ready to be reacquainted with him yet.”
DOCTOR
“Let’s not go into that again, Lady Mite.”
LADY MITE
(coyly) “Nervous are we, Doctor?”
DOCTOR
“Hardly.”
LARRY
(protests) “But he kept asking us questions about those stabilisers.”
BOB
“We’ve installed them by the way.”
LARRY
(sharply) “Don’t tell his ladyship in front of the Doctor!”
BOB
“What? I was just…”
DOCTOR
(interjects) “Yes, about those stabilisers!”
The Doctor goes over to where the stabilisers are in different parts of the simi-suite.
LARRY
(objects) “Oi! Oi! Don’t touch them, Doctor! They’re very delicate!”
DOCTOR
“Recently new, aren’t they? And you’re about to use them in a big trade with her ladyship I gather!”
LARRY
“That is none of your concern…”
DOCTOR
(to Lady Mite) “Just what are you using them for, Mite? And why do you need these gentlemen to help you!”
LADY MITE
“Oh really, Doctor. Keep your pants on!!”
DOCTOR
“Tell me what you’re up to!”
LADY MITE
“Alright, alright. Calm down!” (Pause) “I was merely on the work of some new brand of holographic technology. With the help of these gentlemen, I was able to experiment with a new standard and format for a sophisticated kind of holographic environment.”
BOB
“You’re telling the Doctor about our transaction! After all you’ve said about him!”
LARRY
“You said he was evil!”
LADY MITE
“I never said anything of the sort. There’s no harm in telling him anyhow.” (to Doctor) “Anyway, Doctor. I thought of expanding the parameters of a normal holographic boundary from one million atomisers to two hundred billion!”
NYSSA
(astonished) “Two hundred billion atomisers!”
LADY MITE
“If not more, young lady.”
BILLY
“Sorry? What are atomisers?”
NYSSA
“They’re spectroscopic points of space generated through electromagnetism and mass. An atomiser is a basic unit of energy to generate a holographic illusion in a simulated environment like this one.”
BILLY
(tries to understand) “So they’re like…um…little…bits that make this place tick!”
NYSSA
“Well…I would have a more elaborate description than that. But…generally yes.”
LADY MITE
“And the commands you make to the computer in hotel simi-suites can make these virtual realities happen.”
LARRY
“Like ordering for a restaurant at a French Riviera!”
BOB
“Or become a mouse.”
LARRY
“Yeah and we…” (disapprovingly; to Bob) “Become a mouse? You stupid idiot!”
NYSSA
“But how can you generate so much power to get the atomisers to generate the extended parameters you need?”
DOCTOR
“That’s where the stabilisers come in. That’s why these gentlemen were carrying them to do your dirty work.”
LARRY
“Oi! I take my hat and throw it to you for that!”
LADY MITE
“I wouldn’t say my work was dirty, Doctor!”
DOCTOR
“Oh come on! Meddling with holographic technology to satisfy your own ends!”
LADY MITE
(protests) “I’m merely doing a universal service!”
DOCTOR
“I’m sure you are.”
LADY MITE
“Much can be said for you. When you’re travelling around the universe for your own pleasures and getting into trouble…”
DOCTOR
“Let’s not talk about me! That story can wait for another millennia!”
BILLY
“Hang on! Let’s slow down a minute! How does this all relate to the murders?”
NYSSA
“And the unusual hotel staff?”
BILLY
“And the unusual hotel staff.”
NYSSA
“And the supernova?”
BILLY
“And the supernova.”
DOCTOR
“It doesn’t. Mr. Cooper and Mr. Hill are innocent bystanders in this matter. They were merely doing half of what Lady Mite considers a valuable service.”
LARRY
“Well thank you very much indeed.”
BOB
“Very considerate of you, I’m sure.”
DOCTOR
“But I’m afraid her ladyship is a different matter.”
LADY MITE
“You’re not seriously suggesting I’m involved in committing the murders!”
DOCTOR
“I’m not suggesting that for a moment, my lady.”
LADY MITE
“Thank you.”
DOCTOR
“But you are involved in what’s happening with the murders.”
LADY MITE
“What?”
DOCTOR
“Or else why would be intent on coming here?” (Pause) “Because this station hides a secret, doesn’t it? And you were intent on finding out. By sending these two men into the thick of the deadly dungeon!”
LADY MITE
“It’s not like that.”
NYSSA
“But you did send Mr. Cooper and Mr. Hill into danger.”
LADY MITE
“They weren’t in any danger!”
LARRY
“No we weren’t!”
BOB
“No we weren’t! Her ladyship assured us!”
DOCTOR
“Oh and you took her word for it.”
LARRY
“We trust her ladyship completely!”
LADY MITE
“See. Even some can look and see I’m not just a pretty face.”
DOCTOR
“But you’re not just a pretty face, are you?! Conducting a business transaction whilst investigating a mysterious secret in this sector of space with a murderous rampage involved is very sneaky business.” (Pause) “Before I intervened, you were intent on finding out from these gentlemen what they had discovered before they did your work with the holo-emitter stabilisers.”
BILLY
“Doctor, sometimes you just talk a bit too fast!”
LADY MITE
“You seem very well informed about these things, Doctor. I sometimes wonder whether or not you did the same thing as I did myself!”
DOCTOR
“I have a nose for these things, as you know well.”
Moment of silence.
BOB
“We did discover something on this space station.”
LARRY
“Bob! Shut up!”
DOCTOR
“You did?”
BOB
“Well at least I discovered something. Something macabre.”
NYSSA
“What did you discover, Mr. Hill?”
BOB
“Call me Bob.”
NYSSA
“Bob.”
LARRY
“And call me Larry.”
NYSSA
“Larry.” (Pause) “What did you discover?”
LARRY
“You can have my star-address if you like?”
BILLY
(abrupt) “Just answer Nyssa’s question, will you?!”
BOB
“Ah, well. I went down to the lower levels, as Lady Mite instructed…”
DOCTOR
(ruefully) “As Lady Mite instructed!”
LADY MITE
“Stop pestering me, Doctor.”
BOB
“…and I found a load of dead bodies lying about!”
NYSSA
“Dead bodies?”
BILLY
“Dead bodies?”
DOCTOR
“Where about on the lower levels did you find them?”
BOB
“In the store room.”
DOCTOR
(to Nyssa) “Nyssa? You and Billy go down there and see how many of the dead bodies there are. I’ll be with you in a moment.”
NYSSA
(apprehensively) “Yes, Doctor.” (to Billy) “Come on, Billy. Let’s go.”
Both Billy and Nyssa make to leave.
LARRY
“Are you sure you want to go down there? Including the young lady?”
BOB
“Yeah. It’s spooky down there. And full of…bodies.”
BILLY
(reassuringly) “Don’t worry. I’ll be down there with Nyssa anyway. And raring to go.”
DOCTOR
“Just be careful, you two. There may be more than one dark secret down there than Lady Mite implies.”
BILLY
(enthused) “Will do! Over and out!”
NYSSA
“Let’s take the lift, Billy!”
Nyssa and Billy leave the simi-suite, as the doors slide open and close for them. Meanwhile, Lady Mite addresses the Doctor with Larry and Bob in the simi-suite with them.
LADY MITE
“Listen to me, Doctor! I don’t care what you think of me, but I had nothing to do with the murders. Granted yes, I was curious. But only in the best interests of preserving the life span of the universe. You heard the expression – ‘life, the universe and everything!’ Well I thought it was my duty as a Time Lady to see to it that everything was in proportion. I know I had to risk these two men’s lives here in order to transact some dirty dealings with them. But I had to do it in order to cover up my suspicious actions. I absolutely had nothing to do with the atrocities. And I very much would like to help to find the culprit.”
Moment of silence.
DOCTOR
“I believe you.”
LADY MITE
(surprised) “You do?”
DOCTOR
“Yes. Otherwise why would you use the distress call circuit in your TARDIS? You may have not got much help from Gallifrey, but it was your best shot. Didn’t think though I would be around to help out.”
LADY MITE
(amazed) “You really believe me, don’t you?”
Moment of silence.
DOCTOR
“Now. In order for all of you to help with solving the murder mystery, I will require some valuable equipment.” (to Larry; Bob) “Gentlemen. These stabilisers.”
LARRY
“They’re ours!”
DOCTOR
“Oh I’m glad! Take them off!”
BOB
“What?”
DOCTOR
(insistently) “Quickly! Take them off the grid walls of the simi-suite! I’ll require them for catching our culprit!”
LARRY
“But we’ve just installed them already.”
DOCTOR
“Well you’ll just have to uninstall them, won’t you?! Come on!”
Reluctantly, Larry and Bob begin uninstalling the stabilisers one-by-one off the grid walls of the simi-suite. Lady Mite looks admiringly at the Doctor.
LADY MITE
(admiringly) “In all these centuries of partnership, you believe me, Doctor! It must be a close psychic link we share.” (Pause; realises) “But wait a minute! What are Mr. Cooper and Mr. Hill doing with those stabilisers?”
Lady Mite watches, as Larry and Bob take the holo-emitter stabilisers off the grid walls of the simi-suite.
SCENE #102 – INT – CORRIDOR (STATION) – 37TH CENTURY – EVENING
Meanwhile, the lift doors slide open and Nyssa and Billy come out, entering the lower levels. They walk on in a dark corridor.
BILLY
“It is spooky, isn’t it?”
NYSSA
(wryly) “Must you state the obvious?”
BILLY
“Have we got a torch or something?”
Nyssa fumbles in her pockets and takes out a few light beacons. He hands one to Billy.
NYSSA
“Here we are, Billy. Here’s a few beacons. One for you and one for me.”
Billy takes a beacon from Nyssa.
BILLY
“Thanks. Maybe we could have done with one of the hotel’s puddings to keep us going through this dark hole.”
Nyssa and Billy switch their light-beacons on, as they make their way down the corridor.
NYSSA
“You always like to include mentions of food in your topics of conversation whenever we’re in danger.”
BILLY
“Well it’s the only way to keep sane. And to get over being nervous.”
Moment of silence.
BILLY
“Let’s keep walking forward. We might be able to get to this store room that way.”
NYSSA
(gradually) “How come you don’t want to be with us, Billy?”
BILLY
(puzzled) “Sorry?”
NYSSA
“The Doctor and me? How come you don’t want to be with us in the TARDIS?”
BILLY
“I never said I didn’t want to be with you! What gave you that impression?”
NYSSA
“You seemed reluctant to make your mind up about wanting to join us when we were having that dance a few days ago.”
BILLY
(changes subject) “Yes. We must have another dance before we leave.”
NYSSA
(agitated) “Stop changing the subject, Billy. Do you want to be in the TARDIS?”
BILLY
“Well…I…I suppose so.”
NYSSA
“Then join us.”
BILLY
“I can’t do that.”
NYSSA
“Why not?”
BILLY
(stammers) “You…you two seem to be alright. You don’t need me to be with you.”
NYSSA
“That shouldn’t stop you joining us.”
BILLY
“Yeah but…you said…things aren’t always pleasant when travelling in the TARDIS.”
NYSSA
“There are wonderful things as well.”
BILLY
“You…you wouldn’t want me.”
NYSSA
“Of course we’d want you.”
BILLY
“Maybe you do. But the Doctor won’t.”
NYSSA
“You can ask him. Why do you think he wouldn’t want you?”
BILLY
“He just seems to be happy to have you rather than me. I might get in his way. I don’t want to, but I might give that impression…”
NYSSA
“I’m sure the Doctor’s doesn’t think that of you either. He just seems like that because he’s got a lot on his mind.”
BILLY
“I just don’t think it’s a good idea me being in the TARDIS.”
NYSSA
“You’ll be missing an opportunity to visit new worlds. To see new planets and alien species. You’ve always wanted to see them.”
BILLY
“Yes. That would be something not to miss.”
NYSSA
“Then what’s stopping you?”
They both stop, as Billy explains to Nyssa.
BILLY
(hesitant) “I’m afraid of making mistakes. I don’t want to seem like I know nothing about the universe and get things wrong whilst I’m with you and the Doctor. I don’t want to get you all into trouble.”
NYSSA
“Then don’t.”
BILLY
“How can I do that?”
NYSSA
“When I travelled in the TARDIS, I thought I was never going to be worthy being with the Doctor. But the Doctor appreciated me for what I was and what I was doing. I’m sure he’d do the same for you. If you make mistakes, he’ll let you know.”
Moment of silence.
BILLY
“I’ll have to think about it, Nyssa. I promise I will think about it.”
NYSSA
“I would miss you if you decided to go back home.”
BILLY
(surprised) “You would?”
NYSSA
“Yes. I would.”
Moment of silence. They then keep going, as they come to the end of the corridor.
BILLY
“There’s a door here in front of us. Perhaps this leads into the store room.”
NYSSA
“Let’s go inside and see, shall we?”
Nyssa presses a button on the control panel. The door slides open, as Nyssa and Billy enter.
SCENE #103 – INT – STORE ROOM (STATION) – 37TH CENTURY – EVENING
Inside, Nyssa and Billy find themselves in the store room.
BILLY
(shudders) “It’s dark in here too.
NYSSA
(disgusted) “Ugh! Doesn’t half smell as well” (Pause) “Lights up, please.”
The computer beeps in response to Nyssa’s command. The lights come on in the store room. Nyssa and Billy are shocked by the sight they see.
NYSSA
(shocked) “There are bodies here. Lots of them. Sprawled about on the floor.”
BILLY
(shocked) “Mr. Hill said they were dead.”
NYSSA
“Yes, well that’s to be determined.”
Billy then looks up.
BILLY
“Hey, Nyssa! There’s another level up above! More bodies!”
NYSSA
“Yes. I can see.” (shocked) “Oh no!”
BILLY
“What is it?”
NYSSA
“Look.”
Billy looks to see what Nyssa’s seen.
BILLY
(startled) “Oh! Oh my!”
SCENE #104 – INT – LOBBY, LEVEL #1 – 37TH CENTURY – EVENING
Back at Rotenhend Hotel, in the lobby on Level #1, Bruce is at the reception desk. He presses a few buttons on the computer to receive data on one of the monitors at reception. Elizabeth then enters.
BRUCE
“Mrs. Rotenhend.”
ELIZABETH
“What is it now, Bruce?”
BRUCE
“A space car has docked in the cargo bay of this hotel. It was the one stolen from here yesterday.”
ELIZABETH
“From here yesterday! Is Joel there?”
BRUCE
“Yes. Heat scanners are detecting him. He’s returning to the lobby now.”
ELIZABETH
(relieved) “Oh good. I wonder how he is.”
Just then the Weerd Chancellor approaches the reception desk with the Weerd Elder.
WEERD CHANCELLOR
“I want to see Mr. Rotenhend and I want him now!”
WEERD ELDER
“His grace wants to see Mr. Rotenhend and he wants him now!”
WEERD CHANCELLOR
“Shut up, Elder!”
WEERD ELDER
(to himself) “Yeah! Me shut up!”
ELIZABETH
“Is there something wrong, your grace?”
WEERD CHANCELLOR
“Wrong? Is there something wrong?! You ask me that?”
ELIZABETH
“Yes.”
WEERD CHANCELLOR
“You are all despicable and disgraceful worms!”
WEERD ELDER
“You are all despicable and disgraceful worms!”
WEERD CHANCELLOR
“I’m not satisfied with the service here! This is the worst hotel I’ve been in!”
WEERD ELDER
“He’s not satisfied with the service here! This is the worst hotel he’s ever been in!”
WEERD CHANCELLOR
(annoyed) “Oh do stop repeating everything I say, Elder.”
WEERD ELDER
“Oh do stop repeating…” (stops; clear his throat) “Sorry, your grace.”
ELIZABETH
“I’m sorry to hear that you’re not satisfied with the service here, your grace. If there’s anything I can do to help…”
BRUCE
“Mrs. Rotenhend.”
ELIZABETH
“Not now, Bruce.”
BRUCE
“Mrs. Rotenhend.”
ELIZABETH
“Quiet, Bruce. I’m busy.”
BRUCE
“Mrs. Rotenhend.”
ELIZABETH
(frustrated) “What is it?”
BRUCE
“Your son.”
Elizabeth looks to see Joel standing there.
ELIZABETH
(shocked) “Joel! My goodness me, you’ve been shot! Are you alright?”
JOEL
(cheerfully) “Don’t worry, Mum. Everything’s been just fine!”
Joel then falls to the floor unconscious.
ELIZABETH
(pleased) “Well he smiled for one thing.”
BRUCE
“Shall I inform, Mr. Rotenhend?”
ELIZABETH
“If you please, Bruce.”
BRUCE
“Right. I’ll go and tell the owner.”
WEERD ELDER
“I thought he was the manager.”
BRUCE
“Alright, fine.” (louder) “THE MANAGER!!”
GORDON
(from a distance; echoes) “I heard that!”
They listen to Gordon’s echo from a distance.
BRUCE
“It’s alright, Mrs. Rotenhend. He’s coming.”
Elizabeth meanwhile switches the tannoy on.
ELIZABETH
(through tannoy) “Attention all guests at Rotenhend Hotel. There will be a drill occurring for the next supernova. So please all follow safety procedures.”
As Elizabeth makes the announcement, the Weerd Chancellor and the Weerd Elder whispers together in conference.
WEERD ELDER
(whispers) “Supernova’s approaching, your grace. A lot of people might get injured.”
WEERD CHANCELLOR
(whispers) “Good. I shall like to see someone hurt today! Especially that hotel manager. Or should I say ex-hotel manager!”
SCENE #105 – INT – SIMI-SUITE (STATION) – 37TH CENTURY – EVENING
Back in the simi-suite aboard the small space station, Larry and Bob finish uninstalling the holo-emitter stabilisers. They put them down on the floor.
LARRY
“There we are! All stabilisers are down!”
BOB
“What do you hope to use them for, Doctor?”
LADY MITE
“Yes? What do you hope to use them for, Doctor?”
DOCTOR
“Just a little plan I have in mind!”
BOB
“Anyway, where are we going to take them? We can’t take them back to the hotel. Someone’s stolen our space car!”
LARRY
“And we don’t even know who it was.”
DOCTOR
“It was Mr. Rotenhend’s son, I believe. Joel.”
LARRY; BOB
“Joel?”
DOCTOR
“Yes, Joel.”
LADY MITE
“What are you up to, Doctor? Why are so intent on taking down the stabilisers and ruining my plans. I have a business transaction to conduct with these two, you know.”
DOCTOR
(dismissively) “You know, I’m not sure who this murderer is yet.”
LADY MITE
“Oh, here we go again!”
DOCTOR
(continues) “Nyssa; Billy and I have been listing all the suspects. Mr. Rotenhend; Mrs. Rotenhend; Enuji; Bruce; the Admiral; the Weerds; you two gentlemen…”
LARRY
“Oi!”
DOCTOR
(continues) “…You, Mite…”
LADY MITE
“Charming.”
The Doctor scratches his head.
DOCTOR
(continues) “…And yet we’re still not close to finding out who’s committed the murders. It does my head in to find out who it is!” (Pause) “This station also happens to emit shockwaves that causes the hotel’s simi-suites to phase in and out whenever there’s a malfunction with the holographic grid. Now why does it do that and what’s it for? Can anyone answer that?”
Moment of silence.
LARRY
“Well…”
DOCTOR
(interrupts) “Does anyone own this space station by any chance?”
LADY MITE
“How should I know?”
DOCTOR
“I would have thought you would have had insight knowledge about this sector of the galaxy, Lady Mite. Or else why wouldn’t you be conducting your own investigations.”
LADY MITE
(drearily) “I can’t be good at everything, Doctor.”
BOB
(interjects) “There is a portrait of a woman we saw when we first came onto this space station!”
DOCTOR
“Woman? What woman?”
LARRY
“Oh just some old hag that ran the space station before we came here. Someone who knew the ins and outs far longer than she would have liked…”
DOCTOR
“Where is this picture?”
BOB
“In the gallery. Close to the air locks in the docking ports?”
DOCTOR
“Show me! Please!”
LARRY
“Alright! Alright! Don’t be impatient, Doctor!”
BOB
“This way!”
Bob and Larry lead the way out, as Lady Mite and the Doctor follow.
LADY MITE
“What’s got into you, Doctor? Why are you so worried about this woman in the portrait?”
DOCTOR
“Just got a sneaky suspicion related to a theory!”
LADY MITE
“What theory?”
The Doctor doesn’t answer. They then leave the simi-suite, as the doors slide open and close behind them.
SCENE #106 – INT – GALLERY (STATION) – 37TH CENTURY – EVENING
The Doctor; Lady Mite; Bob and Larry eventually find the gallery close to the docking port. They find the portraits hanging there.
BOB
“This is the gallery! And nice fine pictures too!”
LARRY
“I like that picture there! With the woman lying on the…”
LADY MITE
“Never mind about that, Mr. Cooper. Please show us where this portrait is. I, as well as the Doctor, am quite fascinated to see it!”
They walk on a bit further, as they pass the portraits in the gallery.
BOB
“It’s hard not to miss really. It’s the biggest portrait in this place!”
They then turn around the corner.
BOB
(triumphantly) “Ah! Here we are! This is the portrait!”
Moment of silence, as they take a look at the portrait.
LADY MITE
“You’re absorbed, Doctor? Does this woman take your fancy?”
DOCTOR
(seriously) “Don’t you recognise her yet, Mite?”
LADY MITE
“What do you mean…?” (disturbed) “Oh. I see.”
LARRY
“What are you lot looking so white about? It’s just a woman.”
DOCTOR
“A woman who happens to be very familiar, Mr. Cooper!”
BOB
“Yes. I thought she looked like my mother.”
DOCTOR
“That’s not the person I was thinking of.”
BOB
“But of course. You never met my mother!”
DOCTOR
“No, you don’t understand. I recognise…”
Just then, Nyssa and Billy enter.
NYSSA
“Doctor! Thank goodness we’ve found you!”
DOCTOR
“Nyssa; Billy! Do you see that woman in the portrait?”
BILLY
(astonished) “Oh. Yes, Doctor. Looks sad, doesn’t she?”
DOCTOR
“But can’t you recognise…?”
NYSSA
(interrupts) “Doctor, this is important!”
DOCTOR
“Not as important…”
NYSSA
“Doctor, listen to me! Those dead bodies we found in the store room! There are a lot of them sprawled about on the floor on different levels!”
BOB
“You see! You see, Larry! I told you there were bodies in the store room!”
LARRY
(irritated) “Alright, Bob! There’s no need to brag about it!”
DOCTOR
“Thank you for telling us, Nyssa. But the real issue…”
NYSSA
(interupts) “Except they’re not dead!”
DOCTOR
“What?”
NYSSA
“I really think you should come down and see what Billy and I have found!”
SCENE #107 – INT – LOBBY, LEVEL #1 – 37TH CENTURY – EVENING
Back at the space hotel, in the lobby on Level #1, everyone gathers to speculate on the supernova that’s about to occur. Loud vibrations of the star about to explode occur in the distance. Lorraine and Janet, the ladies from ‘Part Two’ are also in the lobby.
LORRAINE
“What’s happening, Janet? When are we going to have our fun fair outing? When are we going to have our ice cream?”
JANET
“Soon, dear Lorraine. Very soon.”
LORRAINE
“Oh.”
Elizabeth meanwhile speaks on the tannoy.
ELIZABETH
(through tannoy) “Attention! Attention! Supernova occurring in seven minutes.”
Elizabeth switches off the tannoy, before turning to Bruce and Enuji who lift up and carry Joel’s unconscious body between them.
ELIZABETH
(to Bruce; Enuji) “Bruce; Enuji? Can you manage?”
BRUCE
“I can manage. I’m not sure about Enuji.”
ENUJI
(exhausted) “Can’t. Can’t no do. Too hard.”
ELIZABETH
“Take it easy, you two! And don’t drop him! Don’t drop my son!”
Bruce and Enuji do as they, as they keep carrying Joel’s unconscious body between them. Gordon then enters the lobby.
GORDON
“What’s the matter now, Elizabeth? Why was I called?”
ELIZABETH
“It’s your son, Gordon. Look.”
Gordon then sees Joel, carried by Enuji and Bruce.
GORDON
(shouts) “Oh great! Here’s what happens now!” (dismissively) “Oh just drop him, you two!”
Bruce and Enuji drop Joel to the floor. Enuji sighs with relief, but gives an exaggerated cough after she and Bruce drop Joel.
ELIZABETH
“Don’t drop him, you two! I told you not to drop him!”
GORDON
“What’s he doing like that?”
ELIZABETH
“He’s been shot!”
GORDON
“Oh! I thought he’d just eaten chips!” (Pause) “How come he’s shot?”
ELIZABETH
“I don’t know. I didn’t ask him!”
Elizabeth speaks on the tannoy again.
ELIZABETH
(through tannoy) “Supernova in five minutes.”
Just then, the Doctor; Nyssa and Billy enter.
DOCTOR
“Alright! Alright, listen to me everyone!”
GORDON
(astonished) “Doctor? Where did you come from?”
DOCTOR
“Never mind about that! Listen to me! You’re all in great danger!”
ELIZABETH
“Don’t worry, Doctor! These supernovas have happened before! We’ve had them on many occasions!”
DOCTOR
“That’s not what I mean, Mrs. Rotenhend.”
The Admiral then enters.
ADMIRAL
“Morning, Rotenhend?”
GORDON
“It’s evening, Admiral.”
ADMIRAL
“Yes! And a good morning to you too! Any sign of the papers!”
GORDON
“Yes. They’re here!”
Gordon passes a copy of the newspapers to the Admiral. The Admiral takes it from Gordon; opens it and reads the main headline.
ADMIRAL
“Oh yes! Supernova is about to happen!” (laughs) “I told you it’d come, Rotenhend! Got you, Rotenhend! Got you!”
GORDON
(despairingly) “Great! My son is dying! The admiral’s gloating about me! And now the…whoa! That star’s getting bigger!”
NYSSA
(concerned) “Doctor! It’s happening. The supernova’s about to explode!”
DOCTOR
“Yes! And very soon it will affect everything on this space station. Including us.”
Elizabeth speaks on the tannoy.
ELIZABETH
(through tannoy) “Supernova occurring…in three minutes.”
Just then, the Weerds approach Gordon.
WEERD CHANCELLOR
“Rotenhend! Rotenhend, do you hear me?”
GORDON
(mockingly) “Oh look! It’s the Weerds! The weird Weerds!” (shouts) “Hello, Weerds! How are you doing?”
WEERD CHANCELLOR
“You’re the rudest man I’ve ever met!”
WEERD ELDER
“You’re the rudest man his grace has ever met!”
GORDON
(ruefully) “Really! I haven’t started yet!”
ELIZABETH
“It’s going all out of control!”
WEERD CHANCELLOR
“I’ve got one thing to say to you!”
GORDON
“What’s that?”
WEERD CHANCELLOR
(slowly) “You…are…going to die!”
GORDON
(wryly) “Oh dear! I’m going to die, am I?!”
Meanwhile, Billy kneels to check Joel on the floor.
BILLY
(to Bruce; Enuji) “What’s happened to Joel? Why is he on the floor?”
BRUCE
“I don’t know. How should I know? He’s been shot?”
ENUJI
“Need helpa! Need helpa!”
BILLY
(to Joel) “Sir? Joel, are you alright?”
JOEL
(wearingly) “Call me Joel. Leave me alone. I’m going to sleep.”
BILLY
“He’s still alive!” (aloud; to Gordon) “Mr. Rotenhend? Your son’s alright. He’s alive and well!”
ELIZABETH
“What?”
GORDON
(dismissively; loudly) “No he’s not! He’s not breathing!”
BILLY
“But…”
GORDON
“And another thing! You’re fired!”
BILLY
“Fired? What have I done?”
DOCTOR
(interrupts; shouts) “Will you all please just listen to me?! You’re all in great danger! There’s a murderer…”
GORDON
(booms) “Oh stuff your murderers, Doctor! How do we know that you didn’t do the murders? For all we know, you’ve been the cause of all this as well as being the murderer!”
NYSSA
“That’s not true!”
GORDON
“For all we know your young friends are involved as well! Your accomplices!”
NYSSA
“Billy and I would never do such a thing as that! The Doctor isn’t a murderer either! It’s against our nature to commit such a thing.”
DOCTOR
“Thank you, Nyssa!”
NYSSA
“You’re welcome!”
Elizabeth speaks on the tannoy again.
ELIZABETH
(through tannoy) “Supernova occurring in one minute!”
Meanwhile, the Weerd Chancellor advances on Nyssa.
WEERD CHANCELLOR
“Ah, pretty girl! You’re in my grasp at last!”
Nyssa backs away.
NYSSA
“Please! Stay back!”
WEERD CHANCELLOR
“Come on! Give us a kiss!”
NYSSA
“Get off me, please!”
Nyssa shrieks, as she’s caught in the the Weerd Chancellor’s grasp.
WEERD CHANCELLOR
(laughs unnervingly) “I’ve got you! I’ve got you now!”
Billy then approaches the Weerd Chancellor.
BILLY
“Excuse me, sir!”
WEERD CHANCELLOR
“Yes?”
Billy then punches the Weerd Chancellor. This doesn’t seem to work.
WEERD CHANCELLOR
“That didn’t hurt.”
BILLY
(puzzled) “Oh.” (Pause) “Okay I’ll push you!”
Billy pushes the Weerd Chancellor. The Weerd Chancellor shrieks out in pain, as he falls to the floor.
WEERD ELDER
(shocked) “You just hit the Weerd Chancellor!”
BILLY
“Um…”
NYSSA
(relieved) “Thank you, Billy.”
BILLY
“Not at all.”
NYSSA
“Perhaps he will leave me alone after all!”
Elizabeth speaks on the tannoy again.
ELIZABETH
(through tannoy) “Supernova impact in fifteen seconds!”
DOCTOR
(shouts) “Everybody! Get down!”
Everybody ducks down to the floor. Gordon remains standing upright behind the reception desk.
GORDON
“I don’t know why everybody has to duck down. But I’m going to…”
ELIZABETH
(impatiently) “Oh just get down, Gordon!”
Elizabeth pulls Gordon down to the floor.
DOCTOR
“I’ll never be cruel to a superstar ever again, Nyssa!”
NYSSA
“Why should you be cruel to a superstar, Doctor?”
DOCTOR
“I haven’t the faintest idea!”
LORRAINE
“I don’t like this, Janet.”
JANET
“How do you think our dogs feel?”
Elizabeth speaks on the tannoy again.
ELIZABETH
(through tannoy) “Supernova in five…four…three…two…one!”
Just then, there’s a blinding flash as the supernova commences.
SCENE #108 – EXT – ROTENHEND HOTEL 360 – 37TH CENTURY – N/A
In outer space, the supernova takes place as it sends a large shockwave, hitting the space hotel. The hotel shudders once it’s been hit as well as the space ships docked at the hotel. The hotel drifts out of orbit in Zondor space before it eventually ends up at the borders of a space nebula. It comes to a stationary orbit, as the supernova comes to an end and everything’s back to normal. This lasts for about three minutes.
SCENE #109 – INT – LOBBY, LEVEL #1 – 37TH CENTURY – EVENING
Back inside the space hotel, in the lobby on Level #1, control panels fry and spark on fire. Everything becomes awry in the lobby from the impact of the supernova. People lie about on the floor, before they slowly wake up and recover, moaning and groaning. The Doctor; Nyssa and Billy also recover, as they take in their surroundings.
DOCTOR
“Nyssa; Billy? Are you two alright?”
NYSSA
(coughs) “Just about.”
BILLY
“Yeah. I’m in one piece.”
DOCTOR
“Which is more than I can say for this hotel!”
Just then, Elizabeth and Gordon wake up and slowly recover as they stand to their feet.
ELIZABETH
(laughs wryly) “It’s more damaged than I thought.”
GORDON
“Oh! Look at this place! And look at that wall that’s fallen on my son! Get that wall off my son, somebody!”
BRUCE
(groans) “Very well.”
Bruce goes to Joel on the floor, before he lifts the wall up from him with his powerful strength. With that same strength, Bruce throws the wall away onto the floor.
GORDON
“Thank you.”
BRUCE
“Good. I’m praised for my strength.”
GORDON
“Shut up!”
BRUCE
“Then again.”
DOCTOR
(out loud; to computer) “Computer. Lights please!”
The computer beeps in response, as the lights are switched on in the lobby.
ELIZABETH
“Is everyone alright?”
Everyone responds affirmatively.
GORDON
(raises voice) “Look!”
Everyone is shocked by the sight on the floor.
DOCTOR
“What are you all looking at?”
GORDON
“The Doctor’s killed Admiral Brown!”
DOCTOR
(surprised) “What?”
GORDON
“Look! His hands are around his neck!”
JANET
And that boy! He’s strangled the Weerd Chancellor!”
BILLY
(protests) “No, I didn’t!”
LORRAINE
“And that girl’s cut the Elder’s throat!”
NYSSA
“I…I haven’t! Someone put the knife in my hand! It wasn’t there…”
GORDON
(shouts) “Murderers!”
DOCTOR
“Mr. Rotenhend, if you’ll let me explain…”
GORDON
(yells) “Murderers?! Murderers, Doctor?! It’s you and your friends that are the murderers!”
NYSSA
“We didn’t do it!”
BILLY
“Somebody’s setting us up! It must be…”
ELIZABETH
“Bruce! Prepare to open the airlocks!”
BRUCE
“With pleasure.”
GORDON
(out loud; to computer) “Computer! Set a containment field around the Doctor and his friends.”
A force-field is set up around the Doctor; Nyssa and Billy. They try to break free, but the force-field keeps them in.
NYSSA
“Please! Let us out!”
BILLY
“What are you going to do to us?”
GORDON
“That’s very simple. Underneath your feet, is a floor board! That is where the airlock is. Bruce will decompress and set it open. You will all then be sucked out into the space. Drifting across the stars. Dead!”
DOCTOR
(shocked) “You can’t be serious!”
NYSSA
(pleads) “Please! Don’t do it!”
BILLY
(cries) “Let us explain!”
GORDON
(shouts) “Bruce! Open the airlocks! Let them rot in space!”
DOCTOR
“Mr. Rotenhend! No!”
GORDON
“DIE!!!!”
The floor underneath is soon opened. The Doctor, Nyssa and Billy fall before they hold onto the floorboards for dear life, as they’re being sucked out into space.
NYSSA
“Doctor! We’ve grabbed onto the floorboards!”
DOCTOR
“Hold on, you two! Hold on….”
The Doctor’s voice echoes, as he’s sucked out into space.
GORDON
(yells) “DIE, all of you! DIE!!!”
Nyssa and Billy try to hold on.
NYSSA
“He’s gone, Billy! The Doctor’s been sucked out!”
BILLY
(cries) “Nyssa!”
NYSSA
“Yes, Billy?”
BILLY
(cries) “I…I…”
Nyssa and Billy cry for dear life, as they too get sucked out into space. The Doctor, Nyssa and Billy are gone as Bruce closes the air lock. Gordon then laughs out loud; then Elizabeth; then Bruce (though put-on); then Enuji (though confused and puzzled) as well as everyone else in the lobby at the Doctor, Nyssa and Billy’s demise.
Sting music. Roll original 1982 Peter Davison end credits.
TO BE CONTINUED…
© Tim Bradley, 2016
Bradley's Basement 