
Doctor Who - Marco Polo

MARCO POLO

Season 1; 1964; 7 episodes

Marco Polo, the forth story of Doctor Who's first season, was first broadcast in March-April 1964, starring William Hartnell as the Doctor.
All seven episodes are missing from the BBC archives, and they remain only as a handful of telesnaps and rehearsal shots, together with poor quality audios of the episodes.

The story begins as the travellers arrive in the Himalayan Mountains in the late 13th Century. They are rescued by the Venetian Marco Polo, and due to a misunderstanding about the nature of the TARDIS, are forced to travel with him to Kublai Khan's palace at Peking and try to prevent the time craft being given to the Emperor as a gift. Meanwhile, one of
Polo's party has his own treachery planned...

Marco Polo (1)

MARCO POLO

EPISODE 1 - THE ROOF OF THE WORLD by JOHN LUCAROTTI
first broadcast - 22nd February, 1964
running time - 23mins 20secs

1. EXTERIOR THE TARDIS

(A Snowy Pass in a bleak mountainous range. BARBARA and SUSAN are outside the TARDIS; SUSAN is kneeling down on her hands and knees in the snow, looking at a large footprint.)

SUSAN: Must've been made by a giant!

(IAN emerges from the TARDIS, and kneels next to SUSAN as they examine the footprint.)

SUSAN: What do you make of this?

IAN: Well, it could be a perfectly ordinary footprint, Susan, and the

Sun's melted the edges and made it look a bit bigger.

(SUSAN hadn't thought of that.)

SUSAN: Oh.

(The DOCTOR staggers breathlessly from the ship.)

IAN: You alright, Doctor?

DOCTOR: Yes... Oh, a little bit out of breath. Oh, that's quite understandable.

After all, we're several thousand feet above sea level.

SUSAN: Do you know where we are, then, Grandfather?

(The DOCTOR is prepared to take credit, even if he does not know where they are.)

DOCTOR: Well, I directed the ship towards Earth and it looks as though

I've been successful!

SUSAN: (Pointing to the footprints) But what about that?

DOCTOR: That? Oh, I can't see anything without my glasses! Anyway, I don't like this place! You'll have to excuse me... I've got a lot of work to do first

(He bustles back into the TARDIS, mumbling to himself.)

IAN: Barbara, I wonder... do you think it could be the Earth? If it were, where do you think we could be? In the Alps?

BARBARA: Or it could be the Andes...

SUSAN: Himalayas - the roof of the world!

IAN: The roof of the world? I wonder... If only... Ha! Well... the Doctor isn't very reliable, you know. Mustn't count on it.

(The DOCTOR emerges once more from the TARDIS, in a panic.)

DOCTOR: Oh, dear, dear, dear, dear! We're always in trouble! Isn't this extraordinary - it follows us everywhere!

IAN: What's the matter?

DOCTOR: All the lights in the ship have gone out! The whole circuit has burned itself to a cinder, and added to that it affected the water
- we haven't got any!

IAN: Well, the water's no bother, Doctor. I mean, we've got snow...plenty of it... but how about the heating?

DOCTOR: Oh, the heating as well! Everything's gone to pot!

BARBARA: But that's serious... we could freeze to death!

(The DOCTOR turns angrily to BARBARA)

DOCTOR: Serious!... Are you telling? - there's no need for you to tell me that, really!

IAN: I think I'd better try and find some fuel.

DOCTOR: Fuel? Now where on earth do you expect to find fuel here, hmm?

(IAN is irritated by the DOCTOR's fatalistic response.)

IAN: Well, I must try, mustn't I?

DOCTOR: Oh well, I wish you luck!

BARBARA: I'll come with you, Ian.

IAN: Thank you.

SUSAN: Yes, me too!

IAN: No, Susan, you stay here.

DOCTOR: You stay with me, child. You might be able to help me.

SUSAN: OK.

IAN: Oh, come on, Barbara, we haven't much time!

DOCTOR: Now, Susan, go into the ship and fetch me the 2-L-O, will you?

You know what it is. Even if I do find the fault, I don't suppose I shall be able to repair it before it gets dark, and then we shall all freeze to death!

(IAN and BARBARA set off into the snow.)

2. EXTERIOR MOUNTAINS

(Further down the mountain, IAN and BARBARA are still struggling through the blizzard. BARBARA is exhausted.)

BARBARA: Ian, wait a minute. I... I must rest!

(IAN isn't prepared to give up yet, and urges BARBARA on.)

IAN: Come on, Barbara! We haven't found anything yet. We must find something!

BARBARA: Alright then, you go on... I'll catch up with you

IAN: Alright.

(IAN moves on into the blizzard, leaving BARBARA to herself for a moment.)

BARBARA: Oh, it's hopeless!

(Suddenly, she sees a dark figure through the snow and cries out.)

Ian! (IAN rushes back.)

IAN: What is it? What's the matter?

BARBARA: I... there was... there was an animal or something! Just standing there staring at me!

(She points in the direction she had seen the figure. IAN looks and, apparently seeing nothing unusual, shrugs his shoulders.)

You don't believe me, do you? Well, look at these footprints!

(She draws his attention to the indentations in the snow. IAN closely examines them.)

IAN: I'd better take you back to the ship.

(They head back the way they came.)

3. EXTERIOR THE TARDIS

(The DOCTOR and SUSAN are examining a broken piece of equipment from the TARDIS.)

SUSAN: Can you mend it, Grandfather, or have you got to make a new one?

DOCTOR: I'm afraid it's going to need a new one, dear... and it's going to take me days! Oh well... I don't know, really... I always seem to...

(IAN returns, leading a distressed BARBARA.)

DOCTOR: Well, Chesterton?

IAN: Just as you predicted, Doctor, nothing but snow and ice

DOCTOR: Yes.

BARBARA: Have you found the fault?

DOCTOR: Yes, yes, yes, but it's going to take such a long time...and time we don't have! Now the only chance is to try and get down to a lower a-altitude and, er... er... you know... before it gets cold... and we...

BARBARA: Doctor... there are strange things on the mountain. I- I saw one of them!

DOCTOR: What are you talking about now?

IAN: Well, I only saw a print.

DOCTOR: Print? What sort of print - paws, hooves, what?

IAN: To tell you the truth, I thought it was made by a fur boot.

(BARBARA sounds very distressed at IAN's disbelief.)

BARBARA: No, Ian, I-I'm sure it wasn't human!

DOCTOR: And if it were, that means there's shelter nearby!

(Off in the distance, SUSAN sees what appears to be a brightly coloured wagon, quickly travelling away from them.)

SUSAN: Look!

(BARBARA sees it also.)

BARBARA: Look, there it is!

IAN: Quick, after it! It's our only chance of shelter!

(SUSAN attempts to help the DOCTOR along as they hurry after the wagon.)

SUSAN: Come on, Grandfather!

DOCTOR: Alright. Yes, yes, yes, yes!

4. MOUNTAINS

(The travellers quickly reach a pass in the mountains which obscures the view in any direction. The wagon has disappeared from view.)

IAN: Which way'd it go?

(They have very little time to ponder before they suddenly find themselves surrounded by Mongol SOLDIERS.)

SUSAN: Ah! Grandfather!

(IAN tries to help them remain calm.)

IAN: Keep still!

(Sensing they are in great danger, he tries to communicate with the

SOLDIERS)

We're travellers, lost on the mountains. Will you give us shelter?

(SUSAN and BARBARA make anxious noises, as the apparent leader of the group, TEGANA, steps forward.)

TEGANA: Hear me, Mongols... in these parts live evil spirits, who take our likeness to deceive us and then lead us to our deaths. Let us therefore destroy these evil spirits before they destroy us!

IAN: We're not evil spirits! We are people like yourselves!

TEGANA: Destroy them!

EUROPEAN: Stop!

(The SOLDIERS prepare to kill the four travellers, but are interrupted by a EUROPEAN man, who suddenly arrives on the scene.)

EUROPEAN: Put up your swords!

TEGANA: Would you have us killed? These are evil spirits!

EUROPEAN: I command you in the name of Kublai Khan!

(The SOLDIERS back off at the mention of this name. The EUROPEAN looks at the DOCTOR, then turns to IAN.)

The old man has the mountain sickness?

IAN: Yes, he has.

EUROPEAN: My caravan is further down the pass... Come.

(He beckons to them to follow as he moves off, followed by the SOLDIERS.)

IAN: Come on, Doctor!

DOCTOR: (coughing) Hm...hm...

(They set off after the EUROPEAN.)

SUSAN: Who is he, Barbara?

BARBARA: I was asking myself the same question.

5. INTERIOR, A TENT

(Some time later, the EUROPEAN leads the travellers into his tent, where a young girl is cooking some food.)

EUROPEAN: We have guests, Ping-Cho. They are cold and hungry.

PING-CHO: Yes, Messr. Marco.

IAN: Sit down, Doctor.

(The DOCTOR does so, and PING-CHO brings him some soup.)

DOCTOR: Thank you, my dear.

(Taking note of the server and host, SUSAN comments to BARBARA.)

SUSAN: Not like her, or any of the others.

BARBARA: No, he's a European, Susan, and he mentioned Kublai Khan...

SUSAN: Kublai Khan?

BARBARA: He was a great Mongol leader, who conquered all of Asia. He had a European in his service... He was a Venetian and his name...

EUROPEAN: (Referring to the soup) I'm afraid the... err... the liquid is not too warm, but the cold here is so intense, it even robs a flame of its heat.

DOCTOR: Oh, it's excellent nourishment, sir.

IAN: (Correcting the EUROPEAN) The cold can't affect the heat of the flame, sir. The liquid boils at a lower temperature, because there's so little air up here.

EUROPEAN: You mean... the air is responsible?

IAN: Well, the lack of it... just as the lack of it is responsible for the Doctor's mountain sickness.

BARBARA: Is your name Marco Polo?

EUROPEAN: It is, my lady, and may I ask who you are?

DOCTOR: Oh we're... we're travellers... yes. Th-that's my grandchild,

Susan, and that's Miss Wright, and that's Charlton.

(He laughs to himself)

IAN: (Correcting him) Chesterton. Ian Chesterton

POLO: My companions are the Lady Ping-Cho and Warlord Tegana. We travel to Shang Tu.

BARBARA: Shang Tu? That's in China, isn't it?

POLO: China? I do not know this place... Shang Tu is in Cathay!

BARBARA: Oh, silly of me. Yes, of course... Cathay

POLO: Well, you must all be very tired. Ping-Cho, you will share your quarters with...?

(He indicates SUSAN)

SUSAN: Susan.

POLO: Susan. I will sleep here with the others, and Lady...?

(He indicates BARBARA)

BARBARA: Miss Wright.

POLO: Miss Wright, you will have mine.

BARBARA: Thank you.

DOCTOR: Thank you... you saved our lives!

POLO: I am rather curious to know why you were wandering around the mountainside at night, but questions can wait until morning.

DOCTOR: Oh, there-there-there were two, young man, that I would like to ask.

POLO: Well, ask them.

DOCTOR: Er... what year is this and where are we, hmm?

POLO: (surprised) You do not know?

DOCTOR: Oh... that is why I'm asking you!

POLO: How long have you been travelling? It is Twelve Hundred and Eighty

Nine and this is the Plain of Pamir, known to those who travel to Cathay as The Roof of the World.

IAN: The Roof of the World?

DOCTOR: Twelve Hundred and Eighty Nine, ah!

6. PING-CHO'S TENT (NIGHT)

(Later that night, SUSAN and PING-CHO lie awake in their tent, restless.)

PING-CHO: Are you asleep, Susan?

SUSAN: No.

PING-CHO: Where are you from?

SUSAN: That's a very difficult question to answer, Ping-Cho.

PING-CHO: You do not know where your home is?

SUSAN: Well, I've had... many homes... in many places. What about you?

PING-CHO: I come from Samarkand. My father is government official there.

SUSAN: But I thought Mr. Polo said that...

PING-CHO: Messr Marco! That's what we call him in Cathay...

SUSAN: Well, I thought Ms...Messr. Marco said that you were going to

Shang Tu. Are you on holiday?

PING-CHO: No... Kublai Khan's summer palace is in Shang Tu...I am going there to be married.

SUSAN: What? But how old are you?

PING-CHO: I am in my sixteenth year.

SUSAN: Well, so am I!

PING-CHO: Do you marry at our age in your land? Here it is the custom.

SUSAN: Is your fiance handsome?

PING-CHO: My what?

SUSAN: Your... the man you're going to marry.

PING-CHO: I have never seen him.

SUSAN: What!?!

PING-CHO: The marriage has been arranged by my family. I know only two things about him.

SUSAN: Well, what are they?

PING-CHO: He is very important man...

SUSAN: Well, that's a good start.

(PING-CHO suddenly sounds very serious.)

PING-CHO: ...and he's seventy-five years old.

(SUSAN gasps.)

7. EXTERIOR THE TARDIS (NIGHT)

(POLO and TEGANA are sitting around a bonfire, quite near to the

TARDIS.)

TEGANA: You should have let me kill them!

POLO: Why? Because their clothes are different from ours... because their words are unfamiliar to our ears? No, Tegana, they are travellers.

TEGANA: They are evil spirits... sorcerers... magicians! Tomorrow, if we live until then, you may see that I speak the truth.

POLO: I think the Sun's rays will dispel the shadows from your mind,

Tegana.

TEGANA: Is that what you believe! Listen, the carriage they travel in has no wheels! It just stands there like a warlord's tomb on one end! And another thing... it is not large enough to carry four people.

POLO: It must be!

TEGANA: I say it is not... and yet, I saw all four walk from it! Upon my sword, I swear it to you!

8. EXTERIOR THE TARDIS (DAY)

(Time passes, and IAN and BARBARA join POLO and TEGANA by the fire.

POLO addresses IAN as they arrive,)

POLO: So, this is your caravan?

IAN: Yes, the Doctor calls it the TARDIS.

POLO: Where are the wheels?

IAN: It doesn't have any.

POLO: Then how does it move?

(IAN gestures expansively)

IAN: Through the air!

TEGANA: (To POLO) Did I not say they that they were evil spirits?

POLO: (changing the subject) Are you of the Buddhist faith?

IAN: No, why?

POLO: Well, at the Khan's court in Peking, I have seen Buddhist monks make cups of wine fly through the air unaided and offer themselves to the
Great Khan's lips. I do not understand it, but I have seen it!

(He turns to BARBARA and gestures towards the TARDIS.)

There is room for all of you inside here, Miss Wright?

BARBARA: Yes.

(POLO walks up to the TARDIS and indicates the doors.)

POLO: And one enters here?

BARBARA: It's locked.

POLO: Where is the key?

BARBARA: The Doctor has it, and you wouldn't let him come up here.

POLO: Oh yes, he has the mountain sickness. Have you the power to make it fly?

IAN: No, only the Doctor has that power.

POLO: Why is it here?

SUSAN: It's damaged!

POLO: What?

IAN: Um, er... part of it is broken.

POLO: But it could be moved by hand?

IAN: Oh yes, if you had sufficient men.

POLO: Well, we'll make a sledge and take it down the pass... then we shall see!

9. POLO'S TENT

(Meanwhile, in the tent, PING-CHO is cooking breakfast, when the

DOCTOR enters.)

DOCTOR: Ping-Cho, this smells very, very good! What is it?

PING-CHO: Bean-sprout soup, my lord.

DOCTOR: Ah... mmm... allow me!

(He tastes the soup.)

Oh, it's delicious, delicious!

PING-CHO: My lord is kind.

DOCTOR: Hmm... you know... it's rather surprising to find the daughter of a high government official working as a servant in Marco Polo's caravan.

PING-CHO: I wish to serve, my lord, although, among Messr. Marco's retinue, there is a man who calls himself a cook.

DOCTOR: His name wouldn't be Tegana, would it?

PING-CHO: (shocked) Oh no, my lord!...The Warlord Tegana is a special emissary from the camp of the great Mongol Lord Khan Noghai, who has been at war with Kublai Khan.

DOCTOR: Hmm, yeah - Mongol fighting Mongol. (laughs)

PING-CHO: The war is over, my lord. Noghai has sued for peace and Tegana travels to Kublai's court to discuss the armistice plans...

DOCTOR: (laughing) Yes... oh well... yes... well... For an emissary of peace, he has rather bloodthirsty habits, doesn't he?

(MARCO POLO enters with IAN, BARBARA and SUSAN.)

POLO: I find your caravan most unusual, Doctor.

DOCTOR: Yes... uh, Messr. Marco, it is different!

POLO: And in need of repair?

DOCTOR: That is true, hmm.

SUSAN: Messr. Marco has ordered a sledge to be made. He's going to bring the TARDIS down here.

DOCTOR: Oh indeed? That's charming of you... very charming of you! It won't take me very long to repair... a day or two... but I assure you that
I shall not hold up your journey any longer than is necessary.

POLO: I'm afraid we can't stay here... one crosses the Plain of Pamir as quickly as possible. However, we will be spending a few days at Lop.

BARBARA: Lop? Where's that?

POLO: It's a town on the edge of the Gobi Desert, beyond Kashgar and

Yarkand.

DOCTOR: I see, and you will be taking us along with you, including the

TARDIS?

POLO: Doctor, I once transported an entire army and its equipment from... ah, Cathay to India... all without loss.

DOCTOR: Oh good!... good... then I can work as we proceed.

(The DOCTOR laughs. POLO responds plainly.)

POLO: Um... no.

DOCTOR: Why not, hmm?

POLO: The Mongol bearers still half believe that you are evil spirits.

They also believe that outside your caravan, you are harmless. However, should any of you attempt to enter, there would be trouble.

DOCTOR: Hmm...I see. You saved our lives, Messr. Marco... and the least we can do is to respect your wishes. No one will enter the TARDIS until we reach Lop.

POLO: Good.

10. MAP

(The caravan sets out on the journey to Lop, with the TARDIS in tow.

The screen shows a map of the route, with POLO's voice providing narration.)

POLO: (oov) Success... my plan has worked! The strangers and their unusual caravan accompany me to Lop. Our route takes us across the
Roof of the World, down to the Kashgar Valley and southeast to Yarkand.
Here, we join the Old Silk Road, along which the commerce and culture of a thousand years has travelled to and from Cathay. I wonder what the strangers' reaction will be when I tell them what I propose to do?

11. EXTERIOR, MARKET

(POLO's caravan arrives at the way station in the busy town of Lop, where they are greeted by YENG, the proprietor.)

POLO: My caravan is large, Yeng, so I shall need plenty of food and water before venturing out into the Gobi Desert.

(YENG goes off to make the necessary preparations for the caravan's stay.)

12. INTERIOR, LODGINGS

(Later, the travellers are relaxing in the comfort of their new lodgings at the way-station.)

POLO: Is the accommodation to your liking, Ping-Cho?

PING-CHO: Thank you, Messr. Marco. It is most comfortable.

SUSAN: Oh, I think it's fab!

PING-CHO: Fab? What is that, Susan?

SUSAN: Well... it's... um... it means wonderful! It's a verb we often use on Earth.

(Sensing that SUSAN is not thinking about what she says, the DOCTOR quickly changes the subject.)

DOCTOR: Oh, Messr Marco... these way-stations... do you have many of these in Cathay?

POLO: Yes, the Khan has them dotted at regular intervals throughout his domain. Those who work in his service and wear the Khan's gold seal have the right to demand anything they may require: provisions, horses, shelter.

DOCTOR: Hmm.

(SUSAN is impressed with the seal POLO has produced, and wants to look closer.)

SUSAN: May I have a look, please?

POLO: Of course.

SUSAN: Thank you.

IAN: (Looking outside) Doctor!

DOCTOR: Yes?

IAN: They've set the TARDIS up in the courtyard.

DOCTOR: Oh, excellent, excellent! Yes... well, if you'll pardon me,

I have a lot of work to do and...

(He trails off as he heads towards the TARDIS.)

13. COURTYARD

(The DOCTOR makes to enter the TARDIS, but he is stopped by two of the MONGOL SOLDIERS, who prevent him from entering. He returns to confront
POLO in irritation at this turn of events.)

14. INTERIOR, WAY-STATION

(The DOCTOR returns from the Courtyard.)

DOCTOR: What does this mean?

POLO: Please sit down, Doctor.

DOCTOR: I don't wish to sit down... I want you to call your guards off!

POLO: Please, be seated.

DOCTOR: No!

POLO: I beg you to hear me out!

DOCTOR: But I have work to do!

(BARBARA tries to calm the DOCTOR down.)

BARBARA: I think, perhaps, we should listen to him... come on.

DOCTOR: (Not convinced) Oh! Very well! Bah!

(He sits down.)

POLO: My home is Venice... I left there with my father and my uncle to come to Cathay in Twelve Seventy-One. The journey to Peking took us three and a half years. When I arrived at the Khan's court, I was twenty-one.
I was an alert young man, good at languages, and willing to learn. The
Khan liked me.

DOCTOR: Oh, really?

POLO: On my twenty-fifth birthday, I was given an appointment in the

Khan's service.

BARBARA: Twelve Seventy-Seven?

POLO: It was, as you say, Twelve Seventy-Seven. Since then, I have travelled to every corner of his domain and beyond it. Two years ago, my father, my uncle and I asked the Khan for permission to go home. He refused. I think we had all served him too well.

DOCTOR: Well, I really don't see what this has to do with my repairing the TARDIS!

POLO: Doctor, I have not seen my home for eighteen years. I want to go back!

DOCTOR: Well, ask the Khan again!

POLO: I intend to! But this time, I shall offer him a gift so magnificent that he will not be able to refuse me.

(IAN suddenly sees what POLO's intentions are.)

IAN: You mean to give the Doctor's caravan to him?

POLO: Yes.

(There is a very long pause. Finally, the DOCTOR speaks.)

DOCTOR: You're mad!

POLO: You can make another.

DOCTOR: (exasperated) What! In Peking, or Shang Tu?

(Still thinking his plan reasonable, POLO attempts to allay the DOCTOR's fears)

POLO: You do me an injustice, Doctor! I will not leave you stranded in Cathay, just as I did not let you die on the mountain. No, you will come with me to Venice and make another one there!

(The DOCTOR is even less convinced and more angry.)

DOCTOR: Oh... you think so... really? Oh no!... Oh no!

(IAN tries to reason with POLO)

IAN: Marco, it's impossible!

POLO: Surely, for a man who possesses a flying caravan, all things are possible?

IAN: No! We need special metals, materials... things that don't exist in Venice! I'm afraid you don't understand all the problems involved.

(The DOCTOR sees it getting more and more ludicrous.)

DOCTOR: And neither do you, young man!

POLO: Well, travel home by ship! We trade with every port in the world.

It may take you longer, but you'll get there eventually!

(The DOCTOR gives up hope of reasonable discourse)

DOCTOR: Eventually? He doesn't know what he's talking about. The man's a lunatic! Ho!

POLO: No, Doctor... desperate. There are many men who are jealous of the Polo influence at court, and the Khan suffers from an affliction for which there is no cure.

BARBARA: What's that?

POLO: Old age. If he dies, I may never see Venice again!

(The DOCTOR responds sulkily)

DOCTOR: Well, that is your problem, not mine!

POLO: I have just made it yours, Doctor!

(BARBARA is desperate to reason with POLO.)

BARBARA: But you do see Venice again, Marco, I know you do!

IAN: What makes you so sure that the Doctor's caravan is a suitable present? The Doctor is the only one who can fly it!

POLO: I told you about the Buddhist monks... they will discover its secret!

(The DOCTOR begins to laugh.)

A caravan that flies... do you imagine what this will mean to the Khan?

It will make him the most powerful ruler the world has ever known; stronger than Hannibal... mightier than Alexander the Great!

IAN: Marco... you don't understand!

(POLO has had enough of the debate, and defiantly ends it.)

POLO: I refuse to listen to any more. My mind is made up! Your caravan goes with me to Kublai Khan!

(The DOCTOR laughs all the louder, while BARBARA tries to calm him down.)

BARBARA: Doctor, come on. Come and sit down.

DOCTOR: (Between laughs) Oh well... what a mess!

(SUSAN also tries to calm him down)

SUSAN: Grandfather... Grandfather!

DOCTOR: (Still laughing) Yes. Go by sea, he says!!

SUSAN: Why are you laughing? He means it!

BARBARA: Doctor, he's serious!

DOCTOR: I know he is! Yes!

(He continues laughing uncontraollably.)

SUSAN: But what are you going to do?

DOCTOR: (Practically rolling about on the floor) I haven't the faintest idea! Oh, ho, ho, ho...!

15. OUTSIDE LOP

(Outside the city walls, a meeting is taking place between a mysterious

TARTAR MAN and TEGANA. The MAN gives TEGANA a container of some sort.)

MAN: Be careful, my lord. One drop will poison an army!

TEGANA: I will use it well... on all but the first of Marco Polo's water gourds, for tomorrow, the caravan sets out to cross the Gobi Desert. Now, you will follow us and on the third night, I will walk back to you...then we're gonna ride back here to Lop, wait for two days and then... return to the caravan to collect the thing of magic that will bring the mighty
Kublai Khan to his knees!

NEXT EPISODE : THE SINGING SANDS

Dr. Who

WILLIAM HARTNELL

Ian Chesterton

WILLIAM RUSSELL

Barbara Wright

JACQUELINE HILL

Susan

CAROLE ANN FORD

Marco Polo

MARK EDEN

Tegana

DERREN NESBITT

Ping-Cho

ZIENIA MERTON

Tartar Man

LESLIE BATES

Yeng

O. IKEDA

Title Music by

RON GRAINER and the BBC Radiophonic Workshop

Incidental Music by

TRISTRAM CARY

Story Editor

DAVID WHITAKER

Designer

BARRY NEWBERRY

Associate Producer

MERVYN PINFIELD

Producer

VERITY LAMBERT

Directed by

WARIS HUSSEIN

Transcribed by

PHILIP JAMES FAIRWEATHER

MARK ILES

ANDREW CLONINGER

Corrections by

JULIAN HAYLOCK (Haylock.Mus@btinternet.com)

Back to the Marco Polo index.

Marco Polo (2)

MARCO POLO

EPISODE 2 - THE SINGING SANDS by JOHN LUCAROTTI
first broadcast - 29th February, 1964
running time - 26mins 34secs

1. STREET IN LOP

(In a dark and lonely passageway in Lop, TEGANA is handed a phial of poison by his ally.)

TEGANA: I will use it well, on all but the first of Marco Polo's water gourds. For tomorrow, the caravan sets out to cross the Gobi Desert. Now, you will follow us, and on the third night, I will walk back to you. Then, we're gonna' ride back here to Lop.  Wait for two days, and then return to the caravan to collect the thing of magic that will bring the mighty Kublai
Khan to his knees!

2. MARCO POLO'S JOURNAL

(POLO's voice narrates as he writes in his journal.)

POLO: I have taken charge of the travellers' unusual caravan, and set out into the Gobi Desert. The journey across this vast ocean of sand is slow and hazardous.  To make matters worse, the old Doctor continually shows his disapproval of my action by being both difficult and bad-tempered.
For three days now, during which time we have covered no more than thirty miles, I have had to endure his insults.

3. INTERIOR MAIN TENT (NIGHT)

(It is night, and the caravan is at a halt. Inside the main tent,

IAN and BARBARA are talking with POLO and TEGANA. SUSAN sits quietly nearby.)

IAN: How much water does a caravan like this use crossing the Gobi

Desert, Marco?

POLO: We will use one barrel every five days, Ian. I have allowed for eight gourds to carry us across to the other side.

TEGANA: The bones of many men who thought they had enough lie bleached in the desert sand.

POLO: I think we should exercise some restraint, Tegana. (to SUSAN)

I'm sorry the Doctor wouldn't eat with us this evening.

SUSAN: Yes, so am I, Messr Marco.  I've given him food...

(POLO brings out a chess board from one of his travel bags.)

POLO: A game of chess, Ian?

IAN: Oh, well I'm not very good, but I'll give you a game.

POLO: I gladly accept your challenge.

(POLO sets up the chess board. BARBARA is intrigued by the intricately carved wooden pieces.)

BARBARA: What magnificent pieces!

POLO: Yes, I purchased them in Marmot, on my first journey to Cathay. Now, they go with me everywhere.

IAN: Do you, ah...

(At that moment, SUSAN, who is clearly upset that the DOCTOR is not eating, suddenly rushes from the tent.)

SUSAN: I'm sorry... Marco...

TEGANA: (to BARBARA) Do you play chess, lady?

BARBARA: Not very well, Tegana.

(BARBARA, concerned with SUSAN's sudden departure, decides to follow the girl.)

Excuse me.

(She walks from the tent. IAN and POLO prepare for their game of chess. TEGANA watches them with interest.)

TEGANA: I find it a fascinating game of strategy of war. Two equally balanced armies deployed upon a field of battle, and each commander determined to be the one who cries 'shah mat'.

IAN: Shah mat?  Check mate?

TEGANA: It means the king is dead.

4. EXTERIOR MAIN TENT

(BARBARA finds SUSAN sitting outside the main tent. SUSAN is clearly upset.)

BARBARA: We'll get the TARDIS back, Susan.

SUSAN: Yes, but at Kublai Khan's Court, when it's too late.

(She stares sadly up into the stars.)

We should be up there - another time, another galaxy.

BARBARA: Oh, we'll think of something.

SUSAN: How? Ian's playing chess with Marco.  Grandfather's being rude and sulking by himself.

BARBARA: Oh, I don't know he's sulking, is he?

SUSAN: Well, he won't eat.  He won't even talk to me.

BARBARA: Well, you know him better than I do. I'd have said he was just feeling defenceless. He has a wonderful machine, capable of all sorts of miracles, and it is taken away from him by a man he calls a primitive.
Look, TARDIS is the only home we have at the moment.  When we're in it, we feel safe and secure.  When we're out of it...

SUSAN: Will he talk to me? Confide in me?

BARBARA: Oh, he's like a rubber ball. He'll come bouncing out of there soon full of ideas.

(SUSAN stares back at the sky.)

SUSAN: One day, we'll know all the mysteries of the skies... and we'll stop our wandering...

BARBARA: Then you and I will say good-bye.

SUSAN: (surprised) Ummm?  Oh, not yet.  Not for a long time!

BARBARA: Well, I think we should say goodnight anyway.

SUSAN: Are you coming?

BARBARA: No, not for the moment.

SUSAN: Goodnight.

(They walk back towards the main tent.)

5. INTERIOR MAIN TENT

(SUSAN appears in the entrance to the tent.)

SUSAN: Ping-Cho?

POLO: Shhh!  She's gone to bed.

SUSAN: Oh, well... I'll go too then. Goodnight.

POLO: Goodnight, Susan.  Sleep well.

(As SUSAN leaves, POLO turns back to the chess board.)

POLO: Now, what was I about to do? Ah yes...

(He moves a piece.)

IAN: Ouch!

6. PING-CHO AND SUSAN'S TENT

(SUSAN enters the tent she shares with PING-CHO and lies down next to her.)

SUSAN: Not asleep yet?

PING-CHO: No, I was thinking.

SUSAN: What about?

PING-CHO: How peaceful it is in the desert.

(She glances outside the tent.)

Oh, it's a lovely night! The moon will rise later.  That is the time to see the desert. It is like a great silver sea.

SUSAN: The metal seas of Venus...

PING-CHO: Where?

SUSAN: Oh, a long way from here. I've never seen a moonlit night. How long before the moon rises?

PING-CHO: Two or three hours. I'll call you then.

7. INTERIOR MAIN TENT

(In the main tent, BARBARA is also captivated by the sight of the

Gobi Desert at night.)

BARBARA: Night in the desert is very beautiful.

POLO: Don't be deceived by it, Miss Wright, the desert is always dangerous.

(IAN is concentrating on the chess game.)

IAN: Like my Queen!

(He moves a piece, still watched intently by TEGANA.)

Check!

TEGANA: Oh, Marco, can you save your King?

POLO: I think so, Tegana.

(POLO studies the board carefully before making a move.)

POLO: Check.

8. EXTERIOR PING-CHO AND SUSAN'S TENT

(Later on that night, when the rest of the camp is silent, SUSAN and PING-CHO emerge from their tent. The moon has risen, and the two girls view the moonlit desert in amazement.)

SUSAN: Oh crazy... Say it Ping-cho.

PING-CHO: Sssh! The guard will hear you. Crazy?

SUSAN: Yes, we really dig it.  You know - like it.

PING-CHO: This language of yours is very strange.

(At that moment, TEGANA emerges from the main tent. He has a brief conversation with the GUARD, and then moves off into the desert.)

PING-CHO: Tegana!

SUSAN: Let's follow him.

PING-CHO: He'll be angry!

SUSAN: You're not afraid?

PING-CHO: No.  I am not.  Come.

(They follow TEGANA into the desert.)

9. INTERIOR MAIN TENT

(IAN and POLO are sleeping in the main area of the tent. Outside, the sounds of the horses becoming restless can be heard. IAN and POLO are eventually woken by the whinnying of the horses.)

IAN: What is it, Marco?

POLO: The horses are very restless.

(The two of them look outside the tent.)

POLO: There's a sandstorm coming, Ian.

IAN: How do you know?

POLO: Notice how still it is. As if everything were waiting.

(POLO indicates the horses.)

They sense it too.

IAN: Will it be a bad one?

POLO: Bad enough. I must attend to the horses.

10. DESERT

(SUSAN and PING-CHO continue following TEGANA through the desert.

They are finding it difficult to keep up with the pace TEGANA is setting, and are beginning to lose the warrior.)

SUSAN: He walks so quickly.  Can you still see him?

PING-CHO: Yes.  There he is, over there.

(PING-CHO points out into the desert. Suddenly, she collapses onto the ground. SUSAN sits down next to her.)

SUSAN: Oh, let's give up.

PING-CHO: Who is afraid now?

SUSAN: No, I'm not afraid.  It... Isn't is so hot?  I can hardly breathe.

PING-CHO: Yet it was most pleasant when we left the caravan.

SUSAN: Oh, come on, let's go back.

PING-CHO: Alright.

(As they stand up and are about to walk off, PING-CHO indicates to

SUSAN to stop.)

PING-CHO: Susan, listen!

(SUSAN does so, and manages to hear the faint sounds of swirling wind.)

SUSAN: What's that?

PING-CHO: Where?

(SUSAN points towards a hazy mist on the horizon.)

SUSAN: That cloud on the horizon.

PING-CHO: Susan, it's a sandstorm!

SUSAN: What! It's coming this way! Ping-Cho, we must get back before it reaches us!

PING-CHO: No, the caravan's too far away!

SUSAN: No, come on!  We must get back.  We can't stay here!

PING-CHO: No, we'll get caught in it - and we'll never find our way!

SUSAN: Ping-Cho, come on!

PING-CHO: No, we must shelter here.

SUSAN: No...

(The wind begins to fiercely swirl around them. The two girls scream and hold on to each other as they are caught in the sandstorm. Their screaming mingles with the noise of the 'singing' sands.)

11. INTERIOR MAIN TENT

(Back at the main tent, BARBARA is woken by the sounds of the approaching sand-storm, and appears from her section of the tent.)

BARBARA: Ian, what is it?  What's happened?

IAN: Don't be afraid, Barbara.  It's a sandstorm.  It sounds as if all the devils in hell were laughing.

POLO: It's the wind shifting the sand.

BARBARA: It's terrifying!

POLO: Not always, Barbara.  Sometimes, it sounds like musical instruments being played - the clashing of drums and cymbals.  I've heard it sound like a great many people talking as they trekked across the desert. It can also be like... like a familiar voice calling your name.  You're not the only one to be afraid.  Travellers of the Gobi Desert have good reason to fear the singing sands, Barbara.

IAN: It's fantastic that the doctor's still asleep!

(Ian looks towards the DOCTOR, who is still sleeping in his room despite the noise from outside.)

POLO: Tegana's not here! His bed's empty!

IAN: What?

POLO: Has anyone seen him?

IAN: Well, he can't be out in this!

POLO: He must be!

BARBARA: Well, what will happen to him?

POLO: If he finds shelter, he'll be alright!

BARBARA: Well, can't we do anything?

POLO: Nothing.

(IAN and POLO watch helplessly as the sand swirls outside. BARBARA decides to check SUSAN and PING-CHO's tent, and quickly leaves.)

BARBARA: I think I'll see if the girls are alright... Ping-Cho?

POLO: Tegana's no fool. He can look after himself.  Don't worry...

(BARBARA re-enters the main tent, in a hysterical condition. She has discovered that SUSAN and PING-CHO are not in their tent. She screams out in anguish, pleading with IAN and POLO that they must do something.
IAN tries to restrain BARBARA from rushing outside.)

BARBARA: They're gone... they're not there!

IAN: Gone?

POLO: Barbara, you can't go out there!

BARBARA: Let go!

POLO: Barbara, you'll be lost in seconds!

IAN: Calm down, Barbara!  Marco's right - there's nothing we can do!

BARBARA: The girls...

POLO: We must wait.  There's nothing we can do now!

BARABARA: Oh, it's all your fault anyway!  If you hadn't kept us prisoner here, none of this would have happened!

(BARBARA starts screaming SUSAN's name, while IAN tries to calm her down.)

12. DESERT

(SUSAN and PING-CHO huddle closer to one another as the sandstorm passes over them. SUSAN thinks she can hear her name being called.)

SUSAN: Ping-Cho, what's that?  There it is again... It's Ian... I can hear him!

Ian!... Ian!... Ian!...

(She looks up in the direction of the voice, and sees a shadow looming over her from out of the sand. She screams...)

13. INTERIOR MAIN TENT

(IAN waits impatiently for the storm to pass.)

IAN: Let me go look for them.

POLO: Not until it's light.

IAN: Let me go as soon as the storm is over!

POLO: Ian, you'd miss them in the dark. You must wait until it's light!

14. DESERT

(SUSAN's screams are cut off as she recognises the figure as TEGANA.

The warlord looks down at the two cowering girls.)

15. INTERIOR MAIN TENT

(The storm has passed. IAN, BARBARA and POLO wait in the main tent.

BARBARA is frantic with worry and impatience.)

BARBARA: We can't just go on sitting here!

(IAN looks towards the DOCTOR's room.)

IAN: Shh!  The Doctor's still asleep.  We don't want him to know about the girls.

POLO: Barbara, I give you my word that until we find the girls, we will not leave this place.

(The group look up startled when TEGANA, SUSAN and PING-CHO enter the tent. BARBARA jumps up and rushes to SUSAN.)

BARBARA: Susan! Do you know you had us half worried to death. Where have you been?

SUSAN: We went for a walk.

BARBARA: A walk!

(POLO is furious.)

POLO: Without asking me?!  Don't you dare do that again!  Do you understand?

That also applies for you, Ping-Cho.

SUSAN: I'm sorry, Messr Marco. Has Grandfather been very worried?

IAN: Luckily for you, he's been asleep the whole time.

POLO: And we don't want him to know anything about this. I'm surprised that you'd encourage such a venture, Tegana.

TEGANA: (surprised) Ahhh... they weren't with me!  I found them  crouched behind a sand dune.

POLO: You were alone?

TEGANA: Well, it was a pleasant night. I decided for a walk. I told the guard - he knew all about it.

POLO: In future, the guards will be told to notify me immediately if any of you wish to leave the camp. Now go and change, we have to break camp soon.

SUSAN: Yes, Messr Marco.

(TEGANA, SUSAN and PING-CHO walk off to their tents. BARBARA approaches

POLO.)

BARBARA: This has been a terrible experience for us all, Marco. Couldn't we spend one more night here?

POLO: I'm sorry, Miss Wright.

BARBARA: But surely one day can't make all that much difference?

POLO: One day without progress is one day's water wasted. And in the Gobi

Desert, that could mean the difference between life and death.

16. EXTERIOR MAIN TENT

(Outside the main tent, TEGANA removes the phial of poison from his pocket. He studies the poison carefully, thinking what to do next.)

17. MARCO POLO'S JOURNAL

(POLO writes in his journal.)

POLO: Progress today has been good, although we were all very tired after a sleepless night. How can I ever repay Tegana for saving Ping-Cho and Susan? We covered fifteen miles before I gave the order to set up camp for the night.

18. PING-CHO AND SUSAN'S TENT (NIGHT)

(The next evening, PING-CHO and SUSAN are still recovering from the previous night's ordeal. SUSAN is frantically brushing her hair.)

PING-CHO: Susan!  Susan!

SUSAN: I still can't get this sand out of my hair.

PING-CHO: Last night there were moments when I was sure I would never be here again.

SUSAN: Ping-Cho, did you believe Tegana last night, when he told Messr

Marco about going for a walk?

PING-CHO: Why not?

SUSAN: Well, I don't think Tegana's the kind of man who goes for a walk just because it's a nice night. I think he goes because he has a reason to go.

PING-CHO: Susan, why would he lie to Messr Marco?

SUSAN: I don't know.

PING-CHO: He's an important man. He's a special emissary of the great Mongol leader who has been at war with Kublai Khan. Tegana is to arrange a peaceful settlement between them.  Would a man like that lie about walking in the desert?

SUSAN: No, no he wouldn't.  That's what's so strange...

PING-CHO: What?

SUSAN: The fact that he did.

19. INTERIOR MAIN TENT

(In the main tent, TEGANA is polishing his sword, while POLO writes in his journal.)

TEGANA: What is that you do?

POLO: I keep a journal.

TEGANA: Why?

POLO: Because it interests me.

(POLO continues to write. Suddenly, TEGANA yells out POLO's name, and lunges at POLO with his sword. POLO reacts quickly to parry the blow.)

TEGANA: Marco!  That's excellent, excellent.  But it's better a man keeps the blade of his sword clean, than it's edge sharp.  You continue your writing, Marco.
I'll see to the horses tonight.  I'll... I'll give the guard his instructions.

POLO: No, send him to me.

(TEGANA is uncertain.)

POLO: Please.

20. EXTERIOR MAIN TENT

(Once outside the main tent, TEGANA walks towards the wagon containing the water gourds. He glances around to check that he is unseen, and slashes open one of the gourds. The precious water splashes all over the ground.)

21. EXTERIOR MAIN TENT (DAY)

(The next morning, IAN, POLO and BARBARA survey the damage caused to their water supply.)

IAN: All of them, Marco?

POLO: Yes, except for the one we're using.

IAN: How much is there left?

POLO: Without rationing, enough for today.

IAN: And with rationing, how long will it last?

POLO: Three... four days.

BARBARA: Is there enough to get us back to Lop?

POLO: If we're very careful with it, yes.

(IAN indicates the split gourds.)

IAN: But who would have done it?

POLO: Bandits, Ian.

BARBARA: Bandits? In the desert?

POLO: Yes, it has happened before, but not to me. The bandits follow a caravan out into the desert. Then one night, this happens. The caravan is forced to turn back. Then, when everyone is weak through lack of water, the bandits attack.

IAN: So if we turn back, we're bound to be attacked.

POLO: Yes.

(TEGANA silently joins the group.)

TEGANA: Then we shall fight.

IAN: There must be somewhere else we can go to.

POLO: The nearest is a small oasis, but that's one weeks journey north from here.

IAN: Marco, if we pressed really hard, walked day and night, how long would it take us?

POLO: Five, possibly six days.

IAN: As long as that?

POLO: Yes, and with the water rationed we'll be growing weaker all the time. There is another danger, Ian - bandits always camp near an oasis.

BARBARA: Then we must go back to Lop.

IAN: But they're bound to be waiting for us there. No, we must go north, and take a chance.

POLO: Yes, what Ian says makes sense. We go to the oasis.

TEGANA: We shall all die of thirst. I will not go.

POLO: Then what will you do?

TEGANA: Return to Lop. I'm not afraid of any bandits. Just give me my share of the water...

POLO: No, Tegana.

TEGANA: You refuse the War-Lord Tegana?

POLO: I am commander of this caravan, and I am responsible to Kublai Khan for your safety. We go north, together.

22. MARCO POLO'S JOURNAL

POLO: Have I made the right decision? Each day, our progress towards the oasis becomes less. On the first day, we covered twenty miles. On the second, fifteen. The third, ten. The fourth day's total was eight. Now on the fifth day we have travelled only two miles before the heat of the sun has forced us to stop. We are nearly exhausted, and our situation is perilous.

23. DESERT

(The sun continues to beat down relentlessly on the caravan. The weary travellers lie motionless in the shade of the wagons. POLO shares out the last last few drops of water.)

POLO: The worst of the sun is nearly over.  We must move on again as soon we've had this.

(Everyone drinks their water in silence. They are all seriously affected by heat exhaustion.)

IAN: The bearers have their rations?

POLO: (offering IAN water) No...

IAN: You take it.

POLO: We will share.

DOCTOR: Marco, is this all we're going to get unitl tonight, hmm?

POLO: Until we reach the oasis, Doctor, yes.

BARBARA: There's no more?

TEGANA: How much further?

POLO: I cannot say.

TEGANA: I will go to the oasis and bring back water.

POLO: Do you think you could reach the oasis?

TEGANA: Yes.  My... my horse is still the strongest.

POLO: Very well, Tegana.

(TEGANA prepares to leave.)

TEGANA: You wait for me here.

POLO: No. While we can, we'll push on towards the oasis.

(TEGANA mounts his horse, and heads off into the desert. IAN calls out weakly after him.)

IAN: Good luck, Tegana!

POLO: We must go.

(The group prepares to leave. Suddenly, the DOCTOR collapses unconscious.)

SUSAN: Oh, Grandfather!  What's the matter with him?

IAN: He's exhausted!

POLO: We'll set up a cot for him in the wagon.

BARBARA: To be jostled and bumped about? He needs to rest in comfort,

Marco.  What about the TARDIS?

IAN: He'd be more comfortable, Marco.

SUSAN: Please, Messr Marco!

(POLO thinks about the suggestion.)

POLO: Very well. The Doctor can travel in his own caravan. Susan, you can go with him. But you, Barbara, and you, Ian, must remain with me.

IAN: Thank you, Marco.  Without water, the Doctor isn't going to last twenty-four hours.

POLO: None of us are, Ian, without water.  Our fate rests with Tegana.

24. OASIS

(TEGANA arrives towards the oasis, and greedily drinks the water.

He fills a water gourd, and triumphantly holds it to the sky.)

TEGANA: Here's water, Marco Polo. Come for it!

Next Episode : FIVE HUNDRED EYES

Doctor Who

WILLIAM HARTNELL

Ian Chesterton

WILLIAM RUSSELL

Barbara Wright

JACQUELINE HILL

Susan Foreman

CAROLE ANN FORD

Marco Polo

MARK EDEN

Tegana

DERRIN NESBITT

Ping-Cho

ZIENIA MERTON

Title music composed by

RON GRAINER and the BBC Radiophonic Workshop

Incidental Music

TRISTRAM CARY

Story Editor

DAVID WHITAKER

Designer

BARRY NEWBERY

Associate Producer

MERVYN PINFIELD

Producer

VERITY LAMBERT

Directed by

WARIS HUSSEIN

Transcribed by

BRUCE ROBINSON (robinsba@ozemail.com.au)

Corrections by

JULIAN HAYLOCK (Haylock.Mus@btinternet.com)

Back to the Marco Polo index.

Marco Polo (3)

MARCO POLO

EPISODE 3 - FIVE HUNDRED EYES by JOHN LUCAROTTI
first broadcast - 7th March, 1964
running time - 23mins 20secs

1. THE OASIS

(TEGANA rides towards the oasis, and thirstily drinks the water.

He fills a water gourd, and triumphantly holds it to the sky.)

TEGANA: Here's water Marco Polo.

(Tegana pours the water into the sand ...)

TEGANA: Come for it ...

2. MARCO POLO'S JOURNAL

POLO: (writing in journal) What has happened to Tegana?

Is he lost? Perhaps he never found the oasis. But in the hope he did, I inched our caravan forward through the night. What misery. A bitterly cold wind swept down from the north and set us shivering as we stumbled on. I fear the end is not far off.

3. CAMP, GOBI DESERT

(Barbara and Ian are resting with Polo and Ping-Cho. All lie slumped in the shade of the wagon ...)

POLO: (looking out into the desert) No sign of Tegana.

IAN: Nothing but sand ...

POLO: Tegana is our only hope now.

BARBARA: Surely, he should be back by now.

POLO: He would not start back from the oasis in the dark, for fear of missing us.

PING-CHO: Then we must get going.

POLO: Yes ...

(But Polo is too tired to move ... IAN continues to stare hopefully into the surrounding desert)

IAN: Hot again soon Marco. Hadn't we better get started?

POLO: We would not get very far, Ian. No, we must wait here.

BARBARA: The Doctor and Susan are still in the TARDIS.

IAN: Oh, let them sleep Barbara.

4. INTERIOR - THE TARDIS

(In the TARDIS, the Doctor is sleeping. He is gradually woken by droplets of water splashing on his face ...)

DOCTOR: Oh... water.... water.... water!...

(Realising there is condensation covering the TARDIS walls, the DOCTOR quickly jumps out of his bunk. He rushes over to the other bunk, and attempts to wake SUSAN.)

DOCTOR: Susan, Susan, child. Susan, wake up. Wake up, quickly!

(Susan slowly wakes up.)

DOCTOR: Fetch some cloth and cups.

(SUSAN mumbles incoherently ...)

DOCTOR: We must catch the water ... we mustn't waste a drop!

Come along, child, wake up, quickly! Look at it ... it's streaming down the walls. Look, we must collect it. It's water! We must ... quickly ... quickly ... before the ship heats up in the sun ... hurry child ... hurry please ...

(During the next few minutes, the Doctor and Susan frantically sponge all the water from the TARDIS walls.)

5. CAMP, GOBI DESERT

(Outside, the others are preparing to leave.)

IAN: Not a sign of him ...

(The DOCTOR and SUSAN suddenly emerge from the TARDIS, each carrying a jug of water.)

SUSAN: (rushing forward) Water! Look! Water!

DOCTOR: Please wait - we must be careful.

POLO: This is in your caravan?

DOCTOR: Yes, but it's not pure water you see ...

POLO: (furiously)

You told me you weren't carrying any Doctor!

DOCTOR: I haven't got any water, don't you understand. I wouldn't allow us to get into this state if I had water, young man. No this was the water that was running off the walls. It's condensation, it's unbelievable!
Condensation, do you understand?

POLO: No, I do not understand!

DOCTOR: Chesterton, make him understand! It was condensation off the walls and I ...

POLO: (furious)

The old man lied to me!

(IAN and SUSAN both try to calm POLO down.)

IAN: Marco, you remember, last night it was cold. Bitterly cold,

Marco. The outside of the caravan cooled, but the inside stayed warm and so moisture formed on the inside. It's condensation, we just call it that ... it's just a name.

SUSAN: That's true, Messr Marco. It was running down the walls, and from the ceiling. We... we took it in this...

(indicating the cloth)

...look, we squeezed it in here

(indicating the cup),
you see?

DOCTOR: You understand now? Hmm?

POLO: (suspiciously) I have seen this happen. Let me see you drink it.

(IAN gladly accepts the offer, and swallows a mouth of water.)

DOCTOR: Not too much ... steady ...

6. THE OASIS

(Therefore, refreshed, the caravan makes its its way to the oasis while the travellers are re-united with a susprised TEGANA.)

TEGANA: There were bandits here last night when I arrived. So

I had to wait in hiding until this morning when they left. And then when
I prepared to leave for you, I saw your caravan coming across the desert towards me.

POLO: Had the Doctor not discovered water, you might have been too late to save us, Tegana.

BARBARA: And are those bandits likely to return?

TEGANA: No, no, I overheard them saying they were going to ride for Karakorum.

BARBARA: Karakorum? That used to be to the north, on the great steppes.

POLO: It still is, Barbara. Well, the sooner we leave here the better ...

BARBARA: But Marco ...

POLO: This oasis is dangerous, Barbara. We must leave here as soon as possible.

BARBARA: Marco, we're all in need of rest, and the Doctor is still very weak.

POLO: We will stay here until tomorrow morning - no longer. Please tell the others.

(BARBARA walks off to join the DOCTOR, IAN and SUSAN next to the oasis. TEGANA is left alone with Polo. He begins to chuckle.)

POLO: What amuses you?

TEGANA: You don't really believe their story, do you, of water forming inside a caravan?

POLO: Yes. I know it to be true.

7. OASIS

(Meanwhile, by the oasis, the DOCTOR is discussing the broken TARDIS circuit with the rest of the crew.)

DOCTOR: I think I can repair the circuit in a week, maybe less.

BARBARA: We're leaving here tomorrow.

DOCTOR: Oh, we're always rushing around ... a day's rest would do us all a lot of good ...

BARBARA: Marco's worried about bandits.

DOCTOR: Oh, rubbish!

BARBARA: Tegana said there were some here last night. Well if they were, they were very clean about it.

IAN: What do you mean?

BARBARA: Look, last night was very cold. But there's no sign of a fire having been lit.

IAN: Well, perhaps they didn't want anyone to know they'd been here.

BARBARA: Yes, that may be. But I think Tegana just used the bandits as an excuse for not coming back to us with water.

IAN: Maybe. Well, the thing to do is to ask Tegana.

TEGANA: (arriving on the scene) Ask Tegana what?

IAN: How many bandits were there here last night?

TEGANA: Twelve.

IAN: It was a cold night. Didn't they light a fire?

(POLO also joins the group.)

POLO: (lightly dismissing the topic) If they had Ian, the remains would still be visible. Doctor?

DOCTOR: Well?

POLO: Barbara may have told you that we're leaving here tomorrow, so get all the rest you can today. You may use your caravan again, but before we leave in the morning, it will be locked, and the key handed over to me.

DOCTOR: Young man, you have no concept of what is happening, have you? And you still don't seem to realise that you're speaking to a man of superior intellect.

8. MARCO POLO'S JOURNAL

POLO: (writing in journal) My conscience pricks me. I was adamant despite the Doctor's protests, that the key and his caravan should be handed over to me. Now we journey on across this burning desert and I shall not rest until I see the temple spires of the city of Tun-Huang.

9. WAY-STATION, AT TUN-HUANG

(The caravan has arrived at the bustling way-station of Tun-Huang.

This way-station is even more extravagant than the one at Lop. BARBARA,
SUSAN and PING-CHO are amazed by the view of the city from the inn.)

SUSAN: I've never seen so many temples in my life!

PING-CHO: Tun-Huang is a famous city, Susan.

SUSAN: Yes ..

BARBARA: Isn't the cave of the thousand Buddhas near here?

SUSAN: Thousand Buddhas?

(POLO joins the group.)

POLO: Yes. Have you heard of the cave of the five hundred eyes?

BARBARA: No, I haven't.

PING-CHO: I do not know that one either, Messr Marco.

BARBARA: I'm intrigued by this cave, Marco. Why is it called five hundred eyes?

POLO: On the walls are painted the faces of two hundred and fifty evil men who once lived there. They were the Hashashins.

SUSAN: Hashashins?

POLO: Yes, and they were so called because they used a drug  hashish.

SUSAN: Are there still Hashashins in the cave?

POLO: No, Susan. They were put to the sword twenty years ago by a great Mongol conqueror called Halagu.

PING-CHO: There is a story of Halagu and the Hashashins.

SUSAN: Oh, tell it to us, Ping-Cho.

PING-CHO: Later, if you wish.

SUSAN: Why not now?

PING-CHO: It needs preparation.

(PING-CHO walks off to prepare for the presentation)

SUSAN: Oh...

10. WAY STATION

(In another corner of the way-station, the DOCTOR and IAN are talking.)

DOCTOR: It seems we shall be stopping here for a while - it means

I can get on with more work.

IAN: (looks at the DOCTOR in puzzlement.) Huh?

DOCTOR: Oh, repairing the circuit, young man...

IAN: Aren't you forgetting something, Doctor?

DOCTOR: Don't use realise they will be much less vigilant? I shall be able to sneak into the TARDIS, no worry at all!

IAN: Yes, but you've given Marco Polo the key.

DOCTOR: A key, my boy. A key. What use do you think it's going to be to him? Hmmm? And where do you suppose I got that from? Huh?

(The DOCTOR triumphantly holds up a second TARDIS key.)

IAN: (laughing) I have no idea.

DOCTOR: I made it.

IAN: Made it? When?

DOCTOR: On the night of the oasis. Only chance I had - she knows all about it, don't you Susan?

SUSAN: (wandering over) Yes!

IAN: (laughing) You crafty old fox!

(The DOCTOR and SUSAN chuckle along with IAN).

SUSAN: Grandfather.

DOCTOR: Yes?

SUSAN: What do you know about the Hashashins?

DOCTOR: Well ... now, let me think ... let me think ... yes, they were some kind of sect. Why?

SUSAN: Well, Ping-Cho knows a story and she's going to tell us about it.

DOCTOR: Oh, how delightful! Yes ... yes ... why not?

11. WAY STATION

(The DOCTOR and SUSAN sit down for the presentation. BARBARA moves closer to IAN.)

BARBARA: Ian, Ian, I must talk to you.

IAN: What is it?

BARBARA: It's about Tegana. I caught him off-guard.

IAN: Sssh! Later. Come and sit over here ...

BARBARA: (preferring to stand up) No, I'll be all right over here.

(SUSAN walks over to one of the interior doors of the way-station, and opens it.)

SUSAN: (calling out.)

Ping-Cho ... oh, Ping-Cho, are you ready?

PING-CHO: (calling back.)

I am ready, Susan.

SUSAN: Oh, good.

(Everyone sits down in anticipation. There is a gentle round of applause as PING-CHO enters. She is lavishly dressed in a long blue silk robe, over which she wears a knee-length red jacket. She bows to the audience, and commences her recital......)

PING-CHO: Gracious maidens, gentle lords

Pray attend me while I tell my tale

Of Ala-eddin, the Old Man of the Mountain

Who by devious schemes, evil designs

And foul murders ruled the land.

No host of arms, no vast array

Of banners served this wicked lord.

They were but few - ruthless, reckless men

Who obeyed his cruel commands.

Thus did he persuade them

Promising paradise, he gave his followers

A potent draught and whilst they slept

Transported them to a vale where

Streams of milk and honey, wine and water, flowed.

Here were gardens and flowers of every hue

And essence. Here, too Golden pavilions outshone the sun

And even the stars of heaven envied

The bejewelled interiors strewn with incomparable silks, tapestries,

And treasures.

Hand-maidens, dulcet-voiced

Soft of face, attended them, and thus bemused

Did they dwell in this man-made paradise

Until Ala-eddin intent upon some evil deed

Proffered again the hashish draught

And brought them sleeping to his castle

What lord, are we cast out of paradise

Awakening, they cried.

Not so, Go abroad, seek out my enemies

And strike them down.

But care not for your lives.

Paradise is eternal.

So terror stalked the land for many years.

Then one day, came mighty Halagu To stand before Ala-eddin's lair

For three long years in siege

And thus fell Ala-eddin and his men.

Now honest hands reap harvests of life

From the soil where death and evil Reigned.

And those who journey

Through the vale are heard to say

Tis truly paradise today.

(There is generous round of applause as Ping-Cho concludes the tale.)

DOCTOR: That was really delightful...

PING-CHO: Thank you - my Lord is kind.

POLO: Thank you, Ping-Cho.

IAN: Charming, Ping-Cho, charming. Susan, do you know that we use the word Hashashin in English today?

SUSAN: No.

IAN: Yes - assassins.

SUSAN: Assassin!

IAN: Yes.

SUSAN: Ping-Cho, is the lair of Ala-eddin really near here?

PING-CHO: No, Susan. It was on a mountain called Mount Alumet in Persia.

SUSAN: Persia! But Messr Marco said that Halagu killed the Hashashins near here.

(At this point, TEGANA silently leaves the room. BARBARA, without anyone else noticing, follows Tegana ...)

POLO: So he did, Susan. Some of Ala-eddin's followers lived near here, in the cave of 500 eyes.

12. CAVE OF FIVE HUNDRED EYES

(TEGANA enters the Cave of Five Hundred Eyes. He peers into the darkness.)

TEGANA: Malik? Malik?

(An elderly man shuffles from out of the darkness, coughing and spluttering.)

MALIK: Who calls my name?

TEGANA: Tegana, the Mongol War Lord.

MALIK: We have waited for you Tegana.

TEGANA: You need wait no more, old man. What news from Noghai?

MALIK: You shall hear it. You shall hear it. Come - follow me.

(TEGANA follows MALIK into a secret chamber. A few seconds later,

BARBARA enters the main part of the cave. She cautiously feels her way through the darkness.)

13. CAVE OF FIVE HUNDRED EYES - INNER CHAMBER

(In the inner chamber of the cave, TEGANA is greeted by another warrior of Noghai, ACOMAT.)

ACOMAT: Welcome.

TEGANA: Acomat! What news from Noghai?

ACOMAT: He has formed his army and marches now for Karakorum.

TEGANA: Good.

ACOMAT: Where he will await news of your success.

TEGANA: I will not fail him.

ACOMAT: You failed at Lop. You were to meet our courier on the third night in the desert.

TEGANA: There was a sandstorm.

ACOMAT: He did not return ...

MALIK: Before the courier left, he spoke of gifts to Noghai.

TEGANA: Yes - a caravan that flies.

(MALIK laughs.)

TEGANA: It belongs to an old magician who accompanies us. Polo's taking it to the Kublai Khan.

ACOMAT: With such a caravan, Noghai would be invincible.

TEGANA: Yes, that is why you must capture it. You will attack our caravan as we're going to Shang-Tu.

ACOMAT: It shall be done.

TEGANA: And then, deliver it to Noghai.

ACOMAT: And Polo, and those that go with him? What of them? Kill them?

TEGANA: Of course ...

(MALIK suddenly reappears. He is in a flustered state.)

MALIK: Did a woman accompany you here?

TEGANA: No.

MALIK: There is one in the outer cave now.

(TEGANA is surprised. He draws his sword.)

14. CAVE OF FIVE HUNDRED EYES

(BARBARA feels her way through the cave trying to discover where

TEGANA has gone. She slowly makes her way down one of the passages ... as TEGANA silently emerges from the inner chamber. He moves around behind
BARBARA, and creeps towards her. Barbara screams as she is grabbed from behind.)

15. INTERIOR - WAY-STATION

(TEGANA has returned to the way-station. BARBARA's disappearance has been noticed by the others. POLO is furious.)

POLO: This is the most dangerous thing she could have done! What kind of country do you come from where a woman can wander alone through the streets at night?

TEGANA: You will never find her alive in Tun-Huang.

IAN: We won't find her sitting here.

(IAN prepares to walk off, but Polo stops him.)

POLO: Wait, Ian. We will search together. The city is divided into distinct areas. Tegana, you will take one, we will take another. We will meet back here in two hours' time.

IAN: Well, let's get started.

DOCTOR: Do you need my help?

POLO: No, Doctor, you stay here. And nobody else move.

(POLO, IAN and TEGANA walk off to search for BARBARA. The DOCTOR places a comforting arm around SUSAN.)

DOCTOR: Don't worry, child. We'll find her. Don't worry.

16. CAVE OF FIVE HUNDRED EYES - INNER CHAMBER

(BARBARA has been tied up in the inner chamber of the Cave of Five

Hundred Eyes. Nearby, a group of Mongol warriors taunt her as they play dice.)

17. COURTYARD - WAY-STATION

(Back at the way-station, the DOCTOR has realised this is the perfect opportunity to work on the TARDIS. As he emerges from the TARDIS and locks the door, SUSAN and PING-CHO appear.)

SUSAN: Grandfather ... grandfather ...

(The Doctor peers suspiciously at PING-CHO.)

SUSAN: Don't worry about Ping-Cho, you can trust her.

DOCTOR: (reluctantly)

Well, it looks as though I must, doesn't it? What is it, hmm?

SUSAN: We think we might know where Barbara is.

DOCTOR: Oh, where?

PING-CHO: Messr Marco was telling us about the Cave of Five Hundred

Eyes.

SUSAN: Yes, and Barbara was very interested. So we thought she might have gone off and had a look without asking anybody, because Messr
Marco might have tried to stop her.

DOCTOR: Do you know where this Cave of Five Hundred Eyes is?

PING-CHO: I do not know my lord. But Chenchu would know.

(The DOCTOR notices that CHENCHU, the manager of the way-station, is cleaning one of the tables nearby. The DOCTOR beckons him over.)

DOCTOR: Aha, my friend! And how long have you been lurking there?

Hmmm?

CHENCHU: I arrived this very moment my lord.

DOCTOR: Where is the Cave of Five Hundred Eyes?

CHENCHU: The Cave of Five Hundred ...

DOCTOR: Yes. Where is it?

CHENCHU: On the road to Su-Chow my Lord. Set back against the foothills.

DOCTOR: Well, how far is it from here?

CHENCHU: About a third of a league, my lord.

DOCTOR: A mile, a mile, yes ...

(The DOCTOR turns to SUSAN and PING-CHO.)

DOCTOR: Now you two go back in there and wait... go along... go along... go along...

CHENCHU: My lord is going there now? At this time of night? But it is haunted, my lord, the spirits of the Hashashins... you should not go, my lord.

(The DOCTOR laughs.)

SUSAN: You mustn't go there alone, grandfather. And anyway, we must stay with you.

PING-CHO: Messr Marco will be angry - he told us to stay here.

DOCTOR: Never mind about him. Which road?

CHENCHU: The road to Su-Chow ...

SUSAN: Grandfather, you'll never find it on your own. Come on!

DOCTOR: Yes all right, if you insist! Then come along, both of you, quickly!

(The DOCTOR, SUSAN and PING-CHO rush out of the inn. CHENCHU yells out a parting message.)

CHENCHU: Do not go my lord! Not at night! You will not come back alive!

(But CHENCHU's warning has no effect. The DOCTOR, SUSAN and PING-CHO have already left.)

18. CAVE OF FIVE HUNDRED EYES

(The DOCTOR, SUSAN and PING-CHO enter the Cave of Five Hundred Eyes.)

PING-CHO: Frightening.

SUSAN: Look at those eyes.

PING-CHO: I'd prefer not to, Susan.

(The DOCTOR examines the 'eyes' on the wall of the cave.)

DOCTOR: (laughing) Extraordinary! Look! Yes, it's quartz... ha, ha... yes... a mineral ore... Look, you see the veins going through the rock structure. And look how cleverly that face is carved so that at the eye, the quartz is exposed. Now, isn't that interesting, hmm?

SUSAN: Grandfather, we're supposed to be looking for Barbara.

DOCTOR: Hmm? Barbara? Oh yes, of course. Yes, yes, we mustn't waste time! No... come on...

(The search commences ...)

DOCTOR: (grinning mischievously) Now, let's see if we can find the spirits...

19. INTERIOR - WAY-STATION

(TEGANA has returned to the way-station. He strides up to CHENCHU.)

CHENCHU: My lord?

TEGANA: Oh, it's you.

CHENCHU: He's gone my lord.

TEGANA: Gone?

CHENCHU: The old lord has gone. After you had gone, the young ladies approached me - they were looking for him.

TEGANA: Well ... wasn't he in his room?

CHENCHU: Not so my lord. He was out there

(pointing to the TARDIS in the courtyard)

- that's where they found him. That's why I came and told you, my lord.

But he forced me to tell him the way to the cave.

TEGANA: (angrily) What cave?

CHENCHU: He forced me, my lord. He forced me ...

TEGANA: (even more forcefully) What cave?!

CHENCHU: The Cave of Five Hundred Eyes.

TEGANA: You fool ...

(TEGANA angrily pushes CHENCHU away.)

CHENCHU: He forced me ...

20. CAVE OF FIVE HUNDRED EYES

DOCTOR: A fool's errand, it's a fool's errand, child. That's what you've brought me on. And I had so much work to do in the TARDIS.
Now, come along, we mustn't waste any more time here ...

(The group walks towards the exit of the cave.)

DOCTOR: Barbara's probably in bed and asleep by now. If you had any sense, where both of you should be!

(PING-CHO finds and picks up a handkerchief from the ground.)

PING-CHO: My lord, look.

DOCTOR: Hmmm?

SUSAN: That's Barbara's! She must have been here.

(SUSAN and PING-CHO begin calling BARBARA's name.)

21. CAVE OF FIVE HUNDRED EYES - INNER CHAMBER

(The yelling is heard by the warriors in the inner chamber.)

22. CAVE OF FIVE HUNDRED EYES

(SUSAN and PING-CHO continue yelling BARBARA's name. SUSAN screams

- pointing to the cave wall ...)

SUSAN: They moved... They moved!

NEXT EPISODE : THE WALL OF LIES

Doctor Who

WILLIAM HARTNELL

Ian Chesterton

WILLIAM RUSSELL

Barbara Wright

JACQUELINE HILL

Susan Foreman

CAROLE ANN FORD

Marco Polo

MARK EDEN

Tegana

DERRIN NESBITT

Ping-Cho

ZIENIA MERTON

Chenchu

JIMMY GARDNER

Malik

CHARLES WADE

Acomat

PHILIP VOSS

Title music composed by

RON GRAINER and the BBC Radiophonic Workshop

Incidental Music

TRISTRAM CARY

Story Editor

DAVID WHITAKER

Designer

BARRY NEWBERY

Associate Producer

MERVYN PINFIELD

Producer

VERITY LAMBERT

Director

WARIS HUSSEIN

Transcribed by

BRUCE ROBINSON (robinsba@ozemail.com.au)

Script Adaption / Editing / Additional Description

LEE HORTON (LeeH@tcp.co.uk)

Corrections by

JULIAN HAYLOCK (Haylock.Mus@btinternet.com)

Back to the Marco Polo index.

Marco Polo (4)

MARCO POLO

EPISODE 4 - THE WALL OF LIES by JOHN LUCAROTTI
first broadcast - 14th March, 1964
running time - 25mins 30secs

1. CAVE OF FIVE HUNDRED EYES

(SUSAN and PING-CHO continue yelling BARBARA's name. SUSAN screams

- pointing to the cave wall ...)

SUSAN: They moved... They moved!

2. INTERIOR - WAY-STATION AT TUN-HUANG

(POLO and IAN have returned to the way-station after an unsuccessful search for BARBARA. They are having a conversation with CHENCHU.)

CHENCHU: Oh, Tegana took a horse, and rode off.

POLO: To the Cave of Five Hundred Eyes?

CHENCHU: So I believe my lord.

POLO: (to IAN)

When will your companions realise I know what I'm talking about when

I say it's dangerous to wander about at night? First Barbara, and now the
Doctor goes off, taking Susan and Ping-Cho with him.

IAN: All right, Marco, you can be angry later. Let's get to this cave. Do you know where it is?

POLO: Yes.

(POLO and IAN leave for the cave.)

3. CAVE OF FIVE HUNDRED EYES

(In the Cave of Five Hundred Eyes, the DOCTOR closely examines the wall. In particular, he is trying to discover the eyes which SUSAN claimed had moved.)

DOCTOR: It must be your imagination, child. These eyes didn't move - it's quartz.

SUSAN: I saw them move, grandfather. I swear, I did.

DOCTOR: Oh rubbish, child.

PING-CHO: (as TEGANA walks into the cave)

Look! Look!

DOCTOR: Tegana!

TEGANA: What are you doing here?

DOCTOR: If you must know sir, we are looking for Miss Wright.

TEGANA: Well, why would she be in this cave?

DOCTOR: (holding up the handkerchief)

I think this is your answer. We found it.

(TEGANA looks nervously around the cave.)

TEGANA: You found that here?

SUSAN: (pointing to a dark area of the cave)

Yes - over there.

TEGANA: In the passageway ... it is not wise to remain in these caves - they are possessed with evil spirits.

DOCTOR: I'm not afraid of ghosts.

TEGANA: Oh yes, I forgot, you're the magician, aren't you?

(The DOCTOR laughs at TEGANA's superstitious nature.)

IAN: (shouting out)

Doctor! Susan!

SUSAN: It's Ian!

IAN: Susan!

(The two groups shout back and forth at one another, and eventually

IAN and POLO and re-united with the rest of the group.)

IAN: Have you found Barbara?

SUSAN: No.

DOCTOR: She dropped this handkerchief - we found that over there.

(The DOCTOR hands the handkerchief to IAN.)

IAN: (examining the handkerchief)

It is Barbara's.

TEGANA: Leave before the spirits are angered.

DOCTOR: (chuckling)

This man thinks this cave is haunted.

PING-CHO: He's not the only one. Susan saw the eyes in one of the faces move.

DOCTOR: Oh rubbish child, rubbish.

IAN: Which face Susan?

SUSAN: (pointing to a particular face on the wall)

This one here.

(IAN walks over to the wall, and examines the face.)

IAN: (excited)

Marco, quick!  Look!

(POLO rushes over and joins IAN next to the wall.)

TEGANA: (shouting at the wall)

Do not strike them down, great spirits of Hashashins. Depart! The War

Lord Tegana intreats you.

IAN: (referring to the wall)

Is it safe for us to look now?

TEGANA: Do as you will.

(Once again, the DOCTOR chuckles at TEGANA's superstitious nature.)

DOCTOR: Well, what are you looking for Chesterton?

IAN: Susan was right - she did see the eyes move.

DOCTOR: Oh, rubbish, rubbish!

SUSAN: Of course I did!

DOCTOR: What proof have you?

IAN: I've just seen them move myself. Look - these eyes you see here have been set in from behind. There must be some sort of a room behind this rock face. Look! There's a crack ... there's a door here!

TEGANA: Yes ... all we need now is to find out how to open it.

(IAN and POLO feel around the rockface until they find the opening mechanism for the door. The secret door glides open ...)

POLO: Ian!

(... revealing a Mongol warrior about to kill a dazed Barbara. SUSAN screams. TEGANA immediately rushes forward and slays the warrior. BARBARA is immediately untied by IAN and is very distressed over the whole affair.)

BARBARA: There were four of them...

IAN: It's all right, Barbara ...

BARBARA: That dreadful man... They were playing dice to see who would kill me. That dreadful man... and he won... he won...

(BARBARA indicates the dead warrior.)

IAN: (comforting BARBARA)

All right Barbara. You're safe now Barbara. Safe now. Don't worry ...

4. INTERIOR - WAY-STATION

(The group have returned to the inn at Tun-Huang. POLO and TEGANA are talking in the main room.)

POLO: We were just in time, Tegana. A moment or two later, and she would have been killed.

TEGANA: What is that to you?

POLO: I'm responsible for their safety.

TEGANA: Why not... let go... let them go on their way.

POLO: My conscience does not permit it. Look, I took their caravan away from them. The least I can do is see them safely on their way home.

TEGANA: You think they hold you in such esteem?

POLO: The Doctor, no, with good reason. The others, yes.

TEGANA: Marco, which one leads them?

POLO: The Doctor.

TEGANA: And leaders are obeyed. Has not that cunning Susan already won Ping-Cho from your side?

POLO: She's a child, Tegana.

TEGANA: Only a fool defends his enemies! Be warned Marco - they will set us at each other's throats by lies and deceit, and then, when they have divided us, then they will destroy us one by one.

POLO: They are harmless Tegana.

TEGANA: Harmless? They possess a caravan that flies!

POLO: What power they have is locked inside it, and I have the key.

TEGANA: This very evening, Marco, when we were out looking for this Barbara, Chenchu thought the old man was in his room. He was not.
Marco, he was out there with his caravan.

(TEGANA points towards the courtyard, where the TARDIS sits.)

POLO: What are you saying?

TEGANA: I'm saying does a magician need a key to open a door?

(At that moment, IAN, BARBARA, SUSAN and PING-CHO appear from their rooms.)

POLO: (to BARBARA)

How are you feeling?

BARBARA: A little bit shaky.

POLO: You realise you're most fortunate to be alive.

BARBARA: Yes, I know.

POLO: Why did you go to the cave? You know my rule about obtaining permission to leave here.

(BARBARA hesitates ...)

IAN: Tell him Barbara.

BARBARA: I followed Tegana there.

TEGANA: (shocked)

Me? I've only been there once, and you were there when I arrived.

BARBARA: But that's not true! I followed you there.

TEGANA: I have only been there once!

BARBARA: But why would I lie? I was almost killed.

POLO: Be quiet!

TEGANA: (to POLO)

Mark well all that I have said.

(TEGANA turns to walk off ...)

POLO: Tegana ...

TEGANA: (turning back to POLO)

My friend, mark it well.

(TEGANA walks up the stairs to his room, without looking back. POLO thoughtfully considers what TEGANA has said. He solemnly turns to PING-CHO.)

POLO: Ping-Cho, you will remove your belongings to another room.

From this night on, you will not share with Susan again.

PING-CHO: But Messr Marco ...

POLO: Obey me!

(At the head of the staircase, TEGANA is listening. He smiles.)

5. MARCO POLO'S JOURNAL

POLO: (writing in journal)

Poor Susan and Ping-Cho. And yet what alternative had I but to separate them? Now my caravan seethes with suspicion and discontent as we journey south-west. The route takes us to the ancient cities of Su-Chow and Kan-Chow, where the Great Wall of Cathay begins. Following the wall, we travel south to Lan-Chow, which lies on the banks of the Yellow River. Here, our route swings north, and with the river always in sight, we journey towards Shang-Tu.

6. WAY-STATION AT LAN-CHOW

(At the next way-station, the DOCTOR, IAN and BARBARA are discussing the state of the TARDIS.)

DOCTOR: The trouble is, Polo's change of attitude has slowed down my progress on the circuit.

IAN: I think you've done brilliantly to make any progress at all, Doctor.

BARBARA: How much longer do you think you will need?

DOCTOR: Well, with a bit more time, and a lot of luck, I should say about another night.

BARBARA: But that's marvellous Doctor!

DOCTOR: The following evening will even be better!

BARBARA: And that's when we say good-bye to Marco Polo.

DOCTOR: Yes, and a jolly good riddance.

BARBARA: Well, I shall be jolly glad to leave here. In fact, the only regrets I'll have will be for Susan.

DOCTOR: What do you mean?

BARBARA: Oh, I think she and Ping-Cho are very fond of each other.

It's a pity they've been kept apart so much.

DOCTOR: It's a pity there was any association at all. That Chinese child makes me nervous.

IAN: What on Earth do you mean?

DOCTOR: She found out about the key.

IAN: What!

DOCTOR: Yes, on the night that Barbara was captured, Susan and

Ping-Cho thought Barbara had gone down to the cave, and met with an accident, so they came looking for me. Just as I was about to enter the TARDIS, it was then Ping-Cho saw the key.

7. PING-CHO'S ROOM

(SUSAN, cautiously and looking about for anybody else, walks up the stairs of the inn, and enters PING-CHO's room. A sad PING-CHO is sitting on the bed, staring into space......)

SUSAN: Ping-Cho, what's the matter?

PING-CHO: For me, this journey, in spite of all the dangers, was the happiest time of my life, until Tun-Huang.

SUSAN: What did Tegana say to make Messr Marco change so much?

Did you ask Messr Marco?

PING-CHO: A hundred times - but he remains silent.

SUSAN: If only we could find out... only we could prove that

Tegana had been at the Cave of Five Hundred Eyes before.

PING-CHO: It won't make much difference soon ...

SUSAN: Why not?

PING-CHO: You will be leaving.

SUSAN: Leaving?

PING-CHO: Your grandfather must have nearly finished the work on your caravan by now.

SUSAN: (sadly)

Ping-Cho, he has.

PING-CHO: Will you go home?

(SUSAN remains silent ...)

PING-CHO: Will you say good-bye to me before you leave?

SUSAN: Of course I will!

PING-CHO: Even if it is very late?

SUSAN: No matter what time of night it is.

(SUSAN and PING-CHO hug each other.)

PING-CHO: Hey - this will cheer you up!

SUSAN: What?

PING-CHO: I've forgotten hearing anything about the key.

(Outside the room, TEGANA has been listening intently to the conversation.)

8. MARCO POLO'S JOURNAL

POLO: (writing in journal)

For the past three days, I have followed the course of the Yellow River as it flows north to the small town of Sinju, which lies nestled against the Great Wall.

9. EXTERIOR - SINJU WAY-STATION

(The caravan has stopped at the Sinju way-station. This way-station, although not as busy as Tun-Huang, is just as extravagant. POLO and TEGANA stand outside the inn.)

POLO: Have you seen my... er... clothing bag, Tegana?

TEGANA: Ah yes, it's in the passageway outside your door.

POLO: Thank you.

TEGANA: Oh ... I want to go into town.

POLO: Very well.

TEGANA: Thank you.

(TEGANA walks off towards the town, as Polo re-enters the way-station.)

10. INTERIOR - SINJU WAY-STATION

(PING-CHO is walking through the inn, when she suddenly remembers something.)

PING-CHO: (to herself)

The passageway - why have I not thought of it before?

(PING-CHO quickly finds SUSAN.)

PING-CHO: Susan, Susan! I've got proof. I can prove it!

SUSAN: What?

PING-CHO: That Tegana lied.

POLO: (overhearing PING-CHO)

You can prove what?

PING-CHO: Messr Marco, do you remember Tegana's reply when Miss

Wright said she had followed him to the Cave of Five Hundred Eyes?

POLO: Yes, he said he'd never been there before.

PING-CHO: He lied Messr Marco.

POLO: You bring a very serious charge, Ping-Cho - I hope you have proof.

PING-CHO: When he came into the cave, Susan's grandfather showed him Miss Wright's handkerchief, saying we had found it over there. And the old lord pointed to a dark corner of the cave. And do you remember what he said? He asked if we had found it in the passageway.

POLO: Well?

PING-CHO: If he had never been to the cave before, how could he know that a dark corner was a passageway?

SUSAN: Yes!

POLO: This is your proof? You call this evidence?

PING-CHO: Yes Messr Marco.

POLO: And on these grounds you dare to call the War Lord Tegana a liar? You foolish child, how dare you make such a reckless accusation.
Believe me, it will take much more than this to shake my confidence in
Tegana.

11. SINJU INN

(At another inn in the town, TEGANA has met up with ACOMAT. ACOMAT is furious with TEGANA...)

ACOMAT: It was your fault!

(TEGANA stares angrily at ACOMAT, but remains silent. He takes a sip of his wine.)

ACOMAT: You should have killed them all when you ...

(TEGANA angrily throws the goblet of wine to the floor.)

TEGANA: You listen to me, Acomat, and you listen well. The day after tomorrow, the caravan sets out to cross the bamboo forest. On the second night, I shall silence the guard, and then when all is well, I shall signal you with a burning torch, and then you will move in and slaughter them all. But with stealth, mind you ...

ACOMAT: And the magician's caravan?

TEGANA: You will send... that on to Noghai, whilst I will continue on to Shang-Tu with terrible stories of bandit attacks.

ACOMAT: Polo?

TEGANA: Well, I should let Polo die like... umm... an old woman in her bed.

ACOMAT: The... ah... the old magician - how can you kill him?

TEGANA: With a stake through the heart.

12. COURTYARD - SINJU WAY-STATION

(The DOCTOR and BARBARA sneak into the way-station's courtyard. The

TARDIS sits a short distance away. They approach it.....)

DOCTOR: There isn't very much more to do - I won't be long. But keep your eyes open ...

BARBARA: Yes.

(BARBARA keeps watch as the DOCTOR enters the TARDIS. At that moment,

TEGANA returns to the inn. He immediately notices the DOCTOR closing the
TARDIS door behind him. BARBARA turns quickly, just as TEGANA rushes off into the way-station. BARBARA rushes off in search of IAN.)

BARBARA: Ian?

13. INTERIOR - THE TARDIS

(Unaware of what is happening outside, the DOCTOR completes the repairs to the TARDIS main circuit. He hums cheerfully to himself.)

14. COURTYARD - SINJU WAY-STATION

(IAN joins BARBARA in the courtyard.)

BARBARA: I think ... Tegana must have seen him going into it!

IAN: Where's Tegana now?

BARBARA: I don't know.

IAN: Stay here.

(IAN performs a quick search of the courtyard to see if TEGANA is hiding nearby.)

IAN: Not a sign of him. Where's Marco?

BARBARA: He must be in his room.

IAN: Good. Now listen. Go and get the Doctor out of the ship, then hide. I'm going to try a bluff. If it works, we may be able to turn the tables on Tegana. Now, go quickly.

(As IAN rushes off to find POLO, BARBARA approaches the TARDIS.)

15. INTERIOR - THE TARDIS

(The DOCTOR continues his repairs, humming to himself.)

16. INTERIOR - SINJU WAY-STATION

(IAN has found POLO first.)

IAN: Ah, Marco, I was just coming to have a word with you.

POLO: What about?

IAN: Well, I should have thought that was pretty obvious.

POLO: Be more explicit Ian.

IAN: Oh come on Marco, we're friends aren't we?

POLO: We were.

IAN: Well, why this sudden change? And tell me, why separate

Susan and Ping-Cho?

POLO: Susan is a bad influence.

IAN: Oh, you can't really mean that.

POLO: Ping-Cho's first loyalty is to me, yet she backs you against

Tegana.

IAN: Perhaps that's because we were telling the truth. It is possible, you know.

POLO: Let me tell you something Ian. Tegana is a special emissary of Noghai on his way to talk peace with Kublai Khan. He's a very important man. You are mysterious travellers from some far off land I know nothing about. Now, if you were in my position, a servant of Kublai Khan, whose word would you take?

IAN: Well, I should keep an open mind.

POLO: Yes ...

(At that moment, TEGANA arrives on the scene.)

TEGANA: Marco, I ...

(He spots IAN)

I have... err... something... err... rather interesting... err... to show you.

POLO: What is it?

TEGANA: The old magician is in his... err... caravan.

POLO: (furiously)

He is what! Is this true Ian?

IAN: Well,... err... why don't we go outside and have a look?

17. COURTYARD - SINJU WAY-STATION

(POLO, IAN and TEGANA enter the courtyard and approach the TARDIS.)

POLO: Are you sure about this?

TEGANA: He's got another key - I saw him go inside.

IAN: So all we can do now is wait for him to come out.

POLO: This you are prepared to do?

IAN: If it will convince you that Tegana is making trouble, we can wait here all night.

POLO: Tegana, are you absolutely positive?

TEGANA: When the War Lord Tegana says it is so, Marco, it is so. He is in there.

(Suddenly, the DOCTOR emerges from the TARDIS.)

IAN: Doctor, shut the door quickly!

(The DOCTOR hurriedly turns around, and locks the TARDIS door.)

POLO: I'm sorry I doubted your word Tegana.

(He marches up to the DOCTOR, hand outstretched.)

Give me the key, Doctor.

DOCTOR: No.

POLO: You're an old man, and I do not wish to use force.

DOCTOR: That is what you'll precisely have to do Polo.

(TEGANA forces the TARDIS key from the Doctor's hand.)

TEGANA: (holding up the key)

Bear witness, did I not say he had another key?

DOCTOR: Put that key in the lock, Polo, and you will destroy the ship. Then where will your precious Khan be, hmmm? You need more than a key to enter my ship. You need knowledge. Knowledge you will never possess.

POLO: Tell me.

DOCTOR: No - understand? No! I'd let you wreck it first!

POLO: (Screaming)

Guards! Guards!

(A number of warriors burst in and surround the DOCTOR and IAN.)

DOCTOR: Let go of me!

(POLO turns to IAN.)

POLO: Bear, witness. I wear the gold seal of Kublai Khan, and by the authority it invests in me, I do hereby seize and hold your caravan in his name. Be warned. Any resistance to this decree is instantly punishable by death.

DOCTOR: You poor, pathetic, stupid savage.

POLO: Take them away!

(The Doctor and Ian are dragged off by the guards, the DOCTOR's laughing at POLO.)

TEGANA: Marco, are you now convinced which of us makes trouble?

18. MARCO POLO'S JOURNAL

POLO: (writing in journal)

What a nightmare this journey has become. Our progress is impeded because

Tegana, the bearers and I must constantly be on the alert for any signs of trouble from the prisoners, and Ping-Cho's resentment of me only serves to make my task more difficult. But I have succeeded in keeping her away from them by setting up a separate tent for the Doctor and his companions.

19. INTERIOR - THE TIME TRAVELLERS' TENT

(It is night in the bamboo forest. The Doctor and his companions remain closely guarded in their tent.)

IAN: We can't go on like this! We must get out.

(IAN angrily throws a china plate on to the ground.)

BARBARA: Well, that's easier said than done.

IAN: I know Barbara. I know the odds are against us, but at least we've got to try.

DOCTOR: Yes, I quite agree with you. The ship's waiting outside, with the circuit finished and installed.

BARBARA: And Polo has both keys.

DOCTOR: Oh, that wretched child!

SUSAN: Grandfather, Ping-Cho wouldn't say anything about the second key. I know she wouldn't.

DOCTOR: Oh, my dear Susan, if you ...

IAN: Oh, don't you worry about that now! We must concentrate on getting one of those keys back.

DOCTOR: Yes, and the only way I can see it, is that we should have to capture Polo.

IAN: Why not? Take him hostage!

BARBARA: But we're hopelessly outnumbered!

IAN: Only by day. At night, we've got the edge on them. They've only got one guard, remember.

SUSAN: Yes, but how are you going to disarm him?

IAN: I don't know - somehow. I'll do it.

DOCTOR: Now just a minute. First things first, young man. How are we going to get out of here, and remember that guard is out there watching for us. Hmmm?

(IAN picks up the broken plate from the floor, and examines the jagged edge.)

IAN: With this - I'll cut my way out.

DOCTOR: That's a very good idea - good!

IAN: As soon as I've dealt with that guard, I'll come back for you.

DOCTOR: Right.

(IAN commences to cut through the tent using the broken plate as a knife.)

SUSAN: Grandfather, do you think Messr Marco will give him the keys?

DOCTOR: Don't worry my child. I think by the time I've finished with that gentleman, he'll only be too glad to let us go.

(The DOCTOR chuckles.)

20. EXTERIOR - THE TIME TRAVELLERS' TENT

(After cutting through the tent, IAN cautiously sneaks up behind the guard. However, the guard offers no resistance - he is lying motionless on the ground.

IAN kneels next to the guard, and turns him over. He is dead, having been stabbed through the chest ...)

NEXT EPISODE : RIDER FROM SHANG-TU

Doctor Who

WILLIAM HARTNELL

Ian Chesterton

WILLIAM RUSSELL

Barbara Wright

JACQUELINE HILL

Susan Foreman

CAROLE ANN FORD

Marco Polo

MARK EDEN

Tegana

DERRIN NESBITT

Ping-Cho

ZIENIA MERTON

Chenchu

JIMMY GARDNER

Malik

CHARLES WADE

Acomat

PHILIP VOSS

Title music composed by

RON GRAINER and the BBC Radiophonic Workshop

Incidental Music

TRISTRAM CARY

Story Editor

DAVID WHITAKER

Designer

BARRY NEWBERY

Associate Producer

MERVYN PINFIELD

Producer

VERITY LAMBERT

Director

JOHN CROCKETT

Transcribed by

BRUCE ROBINSON (robinsba@ozemail.com.au)

Script Adaption / Editing / Additional Description

LEE HORTON (LeeH@tcp.co.uk)

Corrections by

JULIAN HAYLOCK (Haylock.Mus@btinternet.com)

Back to the Marco Polo index.

Marco Polo (5)

MARCO POLO

EPISODE 5 - RIDER FROM SHANG-TU by JOHN LUCAROTTI
first broadcast - 21st March 1964
running time - 24mins 12secs

1. EXTERIOR - TIME TRAVELLERS' TENT

(IAN cuts through the tent, and sneaks up behind the guard. However, the guard offers no resistance. IAN turns him over. The guard is dead, having been stabbed through the chest.)

2. THE BAMBOO FOREST

(ACOMAT and the MONGOL warriors are hidden in the bamboo forest.

ACOMAT turns to the Mongol warrior next to him.)

ACOMAT: Are the men in position?

MONGOL: The caravan is surrounded, my lord.

ACOMAT: Do they know the signal to attack?

MONGOL: Each one has been told that lord Tegana will wave a burning torch.

ACOMAT: Then we shall watch for it.

3. INTERIOR - TIME TRAVELLERS' TENT

(IAN rushes back into the time travellers' tent. The others immediately note his agitated state.)

DOCTOR: What's the matter? Did you kill him?

IAN: No, of course not. He was dead.

BARBARA: Dead?

IAN: Yes, he's been stabbed.

BARBARA: Bandits?

IAN: They must be just on the point of attacking us.

SUSAN: Grandfather, what are we going to do?

DOCTOR: Well, continue with our plan, get the keys, and get out of here as soon as possible.

SUSAN: (looking out the tent) Tegana!

IAN: We're already too late, Doctor. The only thing I can do now is warn Marco.

BARBARA: Be careful, Ian.

IAN: I will.

(IAN rushes out of the tent.)

4. MARCO POLO'S TENT

(IAN creeps into POLO's tent, and attempts to wake POLO.)

IAN: Marco, Marco ... wake up.

(POLO mumbles, reaching for his sword.)

No, no, it's all right.

(POLO turns sleepily towards IAN.)

Marco, the guard's dead, I think we're in for a bandit attack.

POLO: (immediately sitting up) Bandits? Where's

Tegana?

IAN: He's outside. I didn't tell him - I thought it best to tell you first.

5. EXTERIOR - CAMP

(POLO and IAN rush out of the tent and join Tegana, who is standing next to the fire.)

POLO: Tegana, wake the bearers.

TEGANA: What is it?

POLO: Bandits.

TEGANA: (gesturing towards IAN) What's he doing free?

POLO: Never mind about that. A guard's been killed. Now, wake the bearers and get some swords, quickly. Call the others.

IAN: (calling to their tent) Doctor, Susan, Barbara, quickly, here.

(The DOCTOR, BARBARA and SUSAN emerge from the tent.)

POLO: Miss Wright, Susan, go into the tent and stay there.

SUSAN: What about Ping-Cho?

POLO: Now, she sleeps now, but if she wakes up, make sure she stays with you.

BARBARA: Yes.

(SUSAN and BARBARA enter PING-CHO's tent just as TEGANA reappears.

He is heavily armed.)

POLO: Are the bearers awake?

TEGANA: Yes, they've taken their positions around the edge of the camp.

POLO: (handing a sword to Ian) Do you know how to use one of these?

IAN: No, but given half a chance, I'll learn.

DOCTOR: Pardon me ...

POLO: (handing a sword to the Doctor) If you're half as aggressive with this as you are with your tongue Doctor, we can't lose.

IAN: How many of them are there likely to be?

POLO: Oh, more than enough for us.

DOCTOR: Well, we look a bit silly standing here, don't we?

POLO: Then what do you suggest we do?

DOCTOR: Use TARDIS.

POLO: (suspiciously) Your caravan? To go where?

DOCTOR: Yes, get out of here, anywhere where it's place ... where it's safe.

TEGANA: Look, this is another of the magician's tricks. I don't believe there are any bandits.

POLO: Tegana, a guard is dead.

TEGANA: (indicating the DOCTOR and IAN) Could they have not killed him? What better way to give this lie the ring of truth.

IAN: Not everyone lives by your standards, Tegana.

TEGANA: Well, where are these bandits if there are any? Why haven't they attacked? I warn you Marco, if you go in their caravan, they will surely destroy you.

DOCTOR: If you believe that Polo, you're a bigger fool that even

I think you are.

POLO: You deceived me before, Doctor. No, we will not use your caravan. If there are bandits, we shall fight.

DOCTOR: (waving the sword) Well, we're not going to get very far with this overgrown bread knife! We shall have to use more enterprise than this.

IAN: The Doctor's right, Marco. We need more than these swords.

(IAN glances around their surroundings.)

Wait a minute ... perhaps we can outwit them!

POLO: How?

IAN: We'll use this bamboo.

POLO: (surprised) Well, what good will that do?

IAN: If we throw it on the fire, it will expand and blow up.

It's a terrifying noise. It's worth a chance, Marco.

POLO: Let us hope time is our ally.

6. THE BAMBOO FOREST

(ACOMAT and the Mongols continue waiting in the forest. Their impatience with TEGANA grows by the minute ...)

ACOMAT: What keeps him then? The moon will soon rise to deny us darkness.

MONGOL: Perhaps he is sleeping.

ACOMAT: True. He is not as young as we are. Tell the others, that unless he signals before the moon's first light, we attack then.

MONGOL: As my lord commands.

ACOMAT: But, not with stealth, as lord Tegana wished. We'll make sport of it.

7. EXTERIOR - CAMP

(IAN and POLO have collected a large pile of bamboo. As they arrange the bamboo, POLO considers the implication of recent events.)

POLO: (contemplating to himself) Does the lamb conceal the wolf, or the wolf the lamb?

(POLO turns to IAN ...)

Were you trying to escape?

IAN: Yes.

POLO: It was very reckless of you.

IAN: It was the only thing we could do.

POLO: Even though failure might have meant death?

IAN: We hoped we'd succeed.

POLO: Tell me, Ian, what were you going to do to me?

IAN: Take the key from you, and use you as a hostage until we were safely at the TARDIS.

POLO: Then, I shall have to be more careful in future.

IAN: Marco, I wish I could explain to you how important the TARDIS is to us.

POLO: And I wish I could explain to you, Ian, how important it is to me.

(IAN looks into the sky, realising it is useless to continue with the argument.)

IAN: The moon will soon be up.

POLO: Yes, we must gamble that the attack comes now. Tegana, wake the bearers.

TEGANA: They are alert, Marco.

IAN: All three of them, that makes seven.

(IAN glances around, and notices that the Doctor has fallen asleep next to the fire.)

We can wake the Doctor. Marco, the bamboo will need time to heat up.

POLO: Yes, we must gamble that the attack comes now.

(IAN and POLO commence throwing the bamboo on to the fire.)

TEGANA: (outraged) There are no bandits! This was all a ruse.

(Suddenly, the bandits begin to emerge from the forest surrounding them ...)

IAN: A ruse Tegana?

POLO: (raising his sword for battle) Good luck, Ian.

(IAN rushes over to the sleeping DOCTOR, and shakes him.)

IAN: Doctor - wake up. The bandits!

(The DOCTOR hands a box of matches to IAN. IAN quickly lights the pile of bamboo with a match.)

8. THE BAMBOO FOREST

(The bandits move in ...)

9. EXTERIOR - CAMP

(Suddenly, the attack commences. The camp is filled with the sounds of swords clashing, and men screaming. POLO's bearers desperately attempt to hold off the attackers. ACOMAT notices TEGANA, and smiles scornfully.)

ACOMAT: (yelling) So, the mighty War Lord is awake!

(Before ACOMAT can say another word, TEGANA rushes forward and kills him. Suddenly, amidst the confusion, the bamboo on the fire begins to explode.
Screaming in terror, the Mongol warriors rush back into the forest.)

IAN: (laughing) They're running! They're running!

(The DOCTOR laughs triumphantly as the group happily celebrate their victory. BARBARA, SUSAN and PING-CHO emerge from their tent.)

We've won!

PING-CHO: We've won, Susan!

(SUSAN and PING-CHO hug each other in relief.)

SUSAN: What was the explosion?

POLO: Bamboo ... the bandits thought there were devils in the fire, and fled.

DOCTOR: No, it wasn't the devils in the fire. Their leader was killed. That's why they broke up and ran.

TEGANA: Well, in battle all men face death.

DOCTOR: And few expect to meet it. Hmmm!

10. MARCO POLO'S JOURNAL

POLO: (writing in journal) At sunrise, we buried the dead, broke camp, travelled to the edge of the bamboo forest, and out beyond it onto the plain. But at midday, as we were all tired after the events of the previous night, I ordered a halt.

11. EXTERIOR - MAIN TENT

(The caravan has halted momentarily in the middle of an arid plain.

The DOCTOR, IAN and BARBARA are sitting around a table outside the "yurta"
(the main tent). They are discussing the events of the previous night.)

BARBARA: (slamming a fist onto the table) Surely he can't punish us! By trying to escape - we saved his life.

DOCTOR: If that fool had any decency at all, he'd let us go.

IAN: I doubt if he'll do that Doctor.

DOCTOR: Well, then we must go on trying to escape. The circuit's finished, and all we need are those keys.

IAN: That's not going to be very easy, is it, after last night.

Marco's bound to be on his guard.

(POLO and TEGANA appear from the main tent. The DOCTOR, IAN and BARBARA immediately become silent, refusing to meet Polo's eye.)

POLO: I have a question to ask all of you. Will you promise, on your honour, not to attempt another escape?

(There is no answer.)

(quietly) So be it.

DOCTOR: We sacrificed our freedom to save you.

POLO: Yes I know, and in return, I revoke the seizure of your caravan by official decree.

DOCTOR: (sarcastically) Huh! Very noble of you, I'm sure!

IAN: What you're really saying, Marco, is that we're no longer

Kublai Khan's prisoners - only yours, 'eh?

POLO: That's right.

DOCTOR: Thanks for nothing.

POLO: All the freedoms you enjoyed before will be restored. Susan and Ping-Cho can share each other's company, and no guards will watch you by night.

DOCTOR: And the keys to the TARDIS?

POLO: As before Doctor, they remain with me. And, I shall be guarded day and night.

TEGANA: Marco, let me be your sword.

POLO: (forcefully) You are in my charge, Tegana, not I in yours.

(POLO strides back into the main tent. TEGANA hesitates a moment

...)

TEGANA: (to the Doctor) Work your magic on him if you will, but make no move against me.

(TEGANA re-enters the main tent.)

IAN: He knows we're on to him.

DOCTOR: Strange that Tegana should watch the fire - a sort of menial job he'd order a guard to do.

BARBARA: How could he? The guard was dead.

IAN: Tegana wasn't to know that, otherwise he'd have given the alarm.

DOCTOR: Would he?

IAN: You mean he was implicated in the attack?

DOCTOR: Of course he was. The bandit knew him - I'm certain he did.

BARBARA: Ian, do you remember that bandit we buried this morning?

I knew I'd seen him somewhere before. He was in the Cave of Five Hundred
Eyes.

DOCTOR: Yes, and he had to kill him or be exposed.

IAN: But what's Tegana's game? What's he after?

DOCTOR: My ship.

IAN: Oh no, Doctor, he's terrified of it. It must be something else. Whatever it is, we're in the way, that's for sure.

BARBARA: Marco too?

IAN: I don't know - maybe.

BARBARA: Well, shouldn't we warn ...

DOCTOR: No, no, sssh! We mustn't be impetuous. We must choose the right moment carefully.

(The conversation is interrupted by the arrival of SUSAN and PING-CHO.

They are accompanied by a young courier.)

SUSAN: This is a courier from Kublai Khan. Have you seen Messr

Marco?

IAN: (pointing towards the tent) Yes, he's in there.

PING-CHO: (to the courier) Please be seated.

LING-TAU: Thank you, my lady.

PING-CHO: I will fetch him.

(PING-CHO enters the main tent to find POLO.)

SUSAN: (introducing the courier) His name is Ling-Tau.

IAN: You look as though you've travelled far.

LING-TAU: From the summer palace at Shang-Tu, my Lord.

12. INTERIOR - MAIN TENT

(Sitting on his bunk, Polo has just completed his journal entry for the day. As he hides the TARDIS keys in the spine of the journal, PING-CHO enters.)

POLO: What is it Ping-Cho?

PING-CHO: A courier from the great Khan has arrived, Messr Marco.

POLO: Ask him to wait, please. I'll be with him in a moment.

(PING-CHO turns to walk off.....)

Ping-Cho, do I have your word not to tell anyone where these keys are?

PING-CHO: (quietly) Yes, Messr Marco.

13. EXTERIOR - MAIN TENT

(Outside the tent, the DOCTOR, IAN and BARBARA are talking to LING-TAU.)

IAN: When did you leave Shang-Tu?

LING-TAU: Yesterday, my lord.

IAN: Yesterday!

BARBARA: What!

DOCTOR: But that's three hundred miles away, isn't it?

LING-TAU: We change horses every league my lord.

IAN: Every league!

(LING-TAU indicates the bells around his waist.)

LING-TAU: That's the reason we wear these, my lord - to warn the post-house of our arrival, and when we get there, a fresh horse is saddled and waiting, ready for the next three miles.

BARBARA: And you ride without rest until you reach your destination?

LING-TAU: Yes, my lady.

DOCTOR: I would have thought it was a physical impossibility!

LING-TAU: Our bodies would be shaken to pieces, my lord, were it not for these. Bound tight - like this one, on my head.

(LING-TAU indicates his extra-tight riding breeches.)

IAN: Tell me, are there many men who can ride such long distances without a break?

LING-TAU: We are few, my lord.

DOCTOR: Three hundred miles a days on horseback! Very few people can ride more than twenty five.

LING-TAU: It's in our blood, my lord. We all come from the great steppes to the north.

(POLO and PING-CHO appear from the main tent.)

My lord, Polo?

POLO: I am he.

LING-TAU: (bowing) The mighty Kublai Khan sends his greetings to his faithful servant.

POLO: Thank you.

(LING-TAU hands POLO a note.)

Thank you.

(POLO reads the note.)

We must leave here at once.

PING-CHO: Why, Messr Marco?

POLO: Kublai Khan wishes to see me without delay. Six days hard riding from here is the city of Cheng-Ting, where we can take horses and ride on to Shang-Tu.

PING-CHO: But our possessions, Messr Marco?

POLO: They will have to follow on one of the many trade caravans that travels the route.

DOCTOR: And the TARDIS?

POLO: That too must follow on, Doctor.

14. MARCO POLO'S JOURNAL

POLO: (writing in journal) My only concern now is to reach the summer palace as quickly as possible. So within an hour, we were on the move again, and on the sixth day of our journey, the spires of Cheng-Ting could be seen on our horizon. By later afternoon, we had arrived at the way station of the White City, as Cheng-Ting is often called.

15. INTERIOR - CHENG-TING WAY-STATION

(The way-station at Cheng-Ting is the most extravagant the travellers have stopped at so far. The manager of the way-station, Wang-Lo, a portly and fussy man, greets them.)

WANG-LO: And how long will you honour us with your presence, my lord?

POLO: We have to ride to Shang-Tu tomorrow.

WANG-LO: (theatrically) Oh how sad!

(SUSAN and PING-CHO wander into view ...)

Good day, my gracious ladies. Cheng-Ting is so delightful at this time of the year.

(At that moment, the DOCTOR rushes into the room. He is in an agitated state.)

DOCTOR: Well, where is it?

POLO: What?

DOCTOR: The TARDIS.

(POLO shrugs.)

Oh, dear, dear, dear, dear, dear.

WANG-LO: I was advised of your pending arrival, my lord Marco, by a courier who passed this way from Shang-Tu.

DOCTOR: Polo?

POLO: What is it now?

DOCTOR: I thought you said the TARDIS was to be placed in the courtyard.

WANG-LO: To what does the old lord refer?

POLO: His caravan.

WANG-LO: Oh, that's what it is! I had it moved.

DOCTOR: Where to?

WANG-LO: The stables, my lord.

DOCTOR: The stables?

WANG-LO: Well, I could hardly leave it in the hanging gardens, my lord, now could I?

POLO: It will be safe enough there, Doctor. What... er... when does the next commerce caravan leave for Shang-Tu?

WANG-LO: Umm, the day after tomorrow, my lord.

POLO: Will you see that all the baggage goes with it, including that caravan?

WANG-LO: (smiling broadly) I shall make it a personal duty, my lord Marco. And now, if you step this way, I'll escort you to your apartment.

POLO: Thank you.

(As WANG-LO leads Polo away, the Doctor scowls. He turns to IAN and

BARBARA ...)

DOCTOR: (mimicking WANG-LO's sing-song voice) "I could hardly have it placed in the hanging gardens, now could I" What does he think it is? A potting shed, or something.

BARBARA: Well it's better there than in the courtyard, Doctor.

At least it's out of sight.

16. COURTYARD - CHENG-TING WAY-STATION

(SUSAN and PING-CHO are sitting next to the fish pond in the courtyard.

They are watching the goldfish swim through the water.)

SUSAN: Look at that one there. He's just like Wang-Lo, all fat, smooth and silky. And look at this one here - he's very solemn. He's just like Marco Polo. And look at this one dashing around all over the place.
He's got Ian's energy. Ah, look, that one's all by itself. It's independent, like Barbara.

(One of the goldfish suddenly hides by itself.)

PING-CHO: There's you Susan, hmmm? A wicked goldfish.

(SUSAN laughs.)

SUSAN: Now, where are you Ping-Cho? Oh, look there - that little pretty one down there, with the wedding veil.

(PING-CHO struggles to hold back the tears.)

Oh, Ping-Cho, I'm sorry.

PING-CHO: How I miss my home in Samarkand. And your home Susan?

You've never told me about that. Is it so very far away?

SUSAN: (sadly) Yes, it is. It's as far away as a night star.

PING-CHO: But you can reach it from Venice, can't you?

SUSAN: No, Ping-Cho, no, I can't.

PING-CHO: And if Messr Marco does give your caravan to Kublai

Khan, you will never see your home again?

SUSAN: That's right.

PING-CHO: I gave him my word Susan. I promised not to tell anyone where he put the key.

SUSAN: And I promise you that no-one will ask you.

17. STABLES - CHENG-TING WAY-STATION

(In the stables, TEGANA meets KUIJU, a sinister looking man wearing an eyepatch. There is a small monkey sitting on Kuiju's shoulder. The two of them are examining the TARDIS.)

KUIJU: What is it, lord?

TEGANA: A War Lord's tomb. I want it. Can you arrange to have it taken for me?

KUIJU: Are you prepared to pay a good price?

TEGANA: How much?

(TEGANA offers KUIJU some paper currency.)

KUIJU: We want gold, not Kublai Khan's paper money.

TEGANA: You shall have it.

KUIJU: In advance.

TEGANA: One half tonight, the other half when I get the tomb.

KUIJU: 100 golden pieces.

TEGANA: You shall have it.

KUIJU: That first part, my lord. When do I receive it?

TEGANA: Tonight.

KUIJU: The street of the beggars at midnight.

TEGANA: I shall be there.

KUIJU: (chuckling) So shall I.

(As KUIJU walks off, TEGANA studies the TARDIS.)

TEGANA: A War Lord's tomb. More than that, a Khan's throne for

Noghai.

18. INTERIOR - CHENG-TING WAY-STATION, MARCO POLO'S ROOM

(POLO is putting away his journal, when there is a knock on the door.)

POLO: Come in.

(PING-CHO enters.)

PING-CHO: It is dinner time, Messr Marco.

POLO: Thank you, Ping-Cho.

(POLO notices the state of his hands.)

Oh dear, I have ink on my fingers. I will join you there.

(As soon as POLO walks off to wash his hands, PING-CHO quickly removes a key from the spine of the journal.)

19. COURTYARD - CHENG-TING WAY-STATION

(Later on, PING-CHO meets with SUSAN in the courtyard.)

PING-CHO: I have something to give you.

SUSAN: What is it?

PING-CHO: Can't you guess?

SUSAN: No.

PING-CHO: This.

(PING-CHO hands over the key to an astonished SUSAN.)

SUSAN: Ping-Cho! But you promised Messr Marco ...

PING-CHO: ... not to tell anyone. I haven't. You don't know where

I got it.

SUSAN: But he'll be terribly angry!

PING-CHO: (smiling) But one of us will be on their way home.

(As they hug each other, TEGANA walks past.)

TEGANA: Good night, ladies.

PING-CHO: Good-night my lord.

SUSAN: Do you think he saw it?

PING-CHO: No, I don't think so. Let me go up to our room before you tell the others.

SUSAN: Yes, all right.

PING-CHO: You will say good-bye, won't you?

SUSAN: Of course I will!

(beginning to cry)

Ping-Cho ... what can I say?

20. COURTYARD - CHENG-TING WAY-STATION (AT NIGHT)

(Later that night, after everyone else has falled asleep, the escape plan is put into operation. The Doctor and his companions sneak into the courtyard.)

IAN: (whispering) Got the key Doctor?

DOCTOR: Yes, of course I have.

(As they are about to enter the courtyard, IAN beckons for everyone to stop.)

IAN: Get back - there's a guard.

DOCTOR: Dear, dear, dear, dear, haven't you any ideas?

IAN: Yes ... yes I have.

(IAN searches around the area, until he finds a goblet. He fills it up with water, and drunkenly approaches the guard, placing his arm around the guard's soldier. The guard is momentarily alarmed.)

Why don't you have a drink?

(IAN and the guard laugh drunkenly. Ian leads the guard away from the courtyard, holding the goblet teasingly in front of him.)

SUSAN: (looking around) Ping-Cho ...

(As the Doctor and Barbara approach the TARDIS, SUSAN wanders off to find PING-CHO. Nearby, IAN suddenly turns around, and knocks the guard unconscious. The DOCTOR quickly places the key in the TARDIS lock, and opens the door ... the DOCTOR, IAN and BARBARA rush into the TARDIS console room.)

21. INTERIOR - TARDIS

(The DOCTOR immediately rushes around the console, setting levers and dials.)

DOCTOR: All right Doctor, close the doors.

(The DOCTOR presses the level on the console. The doors glide close

...)

IAN: Wait! Where's Susan? Where is she?

BARBARA: She must have gone to say good-bye to Ping-Cho.

DOCTOR: What on Earth does that child think she's doing? Great

Olympus!

IAN: Don't panic. Give her a second. I knocked out the guard.

22. COURTYARD - CHENG-TING WAY-STATION

(Outside in the courtyard, SUSAN meets up with PING-CHO. They sadly hug each other good-bye. SUSAN quickly rushes back to the TARDIS. Suddenly,
TEGANA emerges from the darkness, and grabs SUSAN. SUSAN screams.)

SUSAN: Grandfather!

NEXT EPISODE - MIGHTLY KUBLAI KHAN

Doctor Who

WILLIAM HARTNELL

Ian Chesterton

WILLIAM RUSSELL

Barbara Wright

JACQUELINE HILL

Susan Foreman

CAROLE ANN FORD

Marco Polo

MARK EDEN

Tegana

DERRIN NESBITT

Ping-Cho

ZIENIA MERTON

Ling-Tau

PAUL CARSON

Chenchu

JIMMY GARDNER

Malik

CHARLES WADE

Acomat

PHILIP VOSS

Kuiju

TUTTE LEMKOW

Wang-Lo

GABOR BARAKER

Title music composed by

RON GRAINER and the BBC Radiophonic Workshop

Incidental Music

TRISTRAM CARY

Story Editor

DAVID WHITAKER

Designer

BARRY NEWBERY

Associate Producer

MERVYN PINFIELD

Producer

VERITY LAMBERT

Director

WARIS HUSSEIN

Transcribed by

BRUCE ROBINSON (robinsba@ozemail.com.au)

Script Adaption / Editing / Additional Description

LEE HORTON (LeeH@tcp.co.uk)

Corrections by

JULIAN HAYLOCK (Haylock.Mus@btinternet.com)

Back to the Marco Polo index.

Marco Polo (6)

MARCO POLO

EPISODE 6 - MIGHTY KUBLAI KHAN by JOHN LUCAROTTI
first broadcast - 28th March 1964
running time - 26mins 37secs

1. COURTYARD - CHENG-TING WAY-STATION

(In the courtyard, SUSAN rushes back to the TARDIS after saying goodbye to PING-CHO. Suddenly, TEGANA emerges from the darkness, and grabs Susan.)

SUSAN: (screaming) Grandfather!

2. INTERIOR - TARDIS

(The DOCTOR, IAN and BARBARA watch helplessly as the events unfold on the TARDIS scanner ...)

3. COURTYARD - CHENG-TING WAY-STATION

(IAN slowly walks from the TARDIS.)

IAN: Tegana ...

TEGANA: Stand still.

IAN: Let her go.

TEGANA: No.

IAN: Let us all go. I appeal to you. What possible difference could it make to you - you hate Marco.

TEGANA: Is the old man inside the caravan?

IAN: Yes.

TEGANA: And the other woman?

IAN: Yes.

TEGANA: Tell them to come out.

(Noticing that IAN remains motionless, TEGANA tightens his grip on

SUSAN.)

Do as I command!

(IAN reluctantly beckons for the DOCTOR and BARBARA to emerge from the TARDIS. As the DOCTOR and BARBARA walk out, POLO appears.)

DOCTOR: (as he is approached) There is no need.

POLO: What's happened?

TEGANA: They would all have escaped if I had not caught this one.

(TEGANA indicates SUSAN, whom he is still holding in a firm grip.)

DOCTOR: (to POLO) Tell that man to take his hands off my grandchild.

POLO: The key first, Doctor.

(The DOCTOR reluctantly hands over the TARDIS key.)

Release her, Tegana.

(TEGANA hesistates ... but POLO eventually forces TEGANA to release his hold over SUSAN. SUSAN immediately rushes over to the DOCTOR, and hugs him in relief.)

TEGANA: What are you ... let me kill them, and be done with them.

POLO: We will kill no-one.

TEGANA: Are you mad? They will only escape again.

POLO: I don't think so.

(SUSAN releases her grip of the DOCTOR, and bows her head sadly.)

SUSAN: I'm sorry grandfather.

DOCTOR: So long as you're safe Susan. That's all that matters.

POLO: Where did you get the key, Doctor?

PING-CHO: Messr Marco ...

IAN: (hurriedly) I took it.

POLO: You did?

IAN: Yes, I searched your room last night.

POLO: (thoughtfully) I see.

IAN: What are you going to do about it?

POLO: Tomorrow morning at dawn, we ride to Shang-Tu. When next you see your caravan, it will be at the great Khan's summer palace, and that will make an end of it.

4. MARCO POLO'S JOURNAL

POLO: (writing in journal) A day of hard riding. We left

Cheng-Ting at dawn, and by dusk, had covered forty miles. As this is a densely populated area of Cathay, accommodation is not hard to find, and we have stopped for the night at an inn. Our baggage, including the Doctor's caravan, is following on with a trade caravan.

5. INTERIOR - NEXT WAY-STATION

(The travellers are weary after the day's riding. In the main room of the way-station, IAN and BARBARA are talking.)

IAN: How's the Doctor? Got over his ride yet?

BARBARA: (smiling) No, I don't think we'll ever get him on another horse as long as he lives.

(IAN laughs.)

Listen, we need the TARDIS. You must talk to Marco.

IAN: Talk to Marco! I've done nothing else but talk to Marco.

(At that moment, POLO appears.)

BARBARA: (hurriedly) Oh, Marco, Ian wants a word with you. I'm feeling a bit tired, so I think I'll go off to bed.

(Before IAN has the chance to reply, BARBARA quickly rushes off to her room.)

IAN: (shouting after BARBARA) But ... just a minute ...

Barbara, come here!

POLO: Well?

IAN: Marco, you must give us back the TARDIS.

POLO: Is that what you want to talk to me about?

IAN: Yes.

POLO: Look, I've told you before Ian, you know what this caravan means to me. If I give it to the Khan, he'll let me go home.

IAN: But we want to go home too Marco. And we can't go home without the TARDIS.

POLO: I have offered to take you back to Venice with me, and see you safely on your way home from there.

IAN: By boat. We can't go by boat, Marco, we need the TARDIS.

POLO: Why Ian? Why?

IAN: All right, I'll tell you why. And I'll tell you the truth.

I don't suppose you'll believe it, but still. As I told you, I come from
England. Barbara as well.

POLO: Well, I grant you England's a long way, but the journey's not impossible, Ian. The Crusaders did it.

IAN: The Crusaders! Oh, Marco, to me, the Crusaders lived seven hundred years ago.

POLO: What are you talking about, Ian? The Crusaders were in the holy land, twenty-five years ago.

IAN: I come from another time. Our caravan, it not only covers distance, it can cross time.

POLO: (disbelievingly) Travel into the past and the future?

IAN: Yes ... I know it's difficult to believe, but it's the truth.

POLO: On my travels to Cathay, Ian, I have come to believe many things which I previously doubted. For instance, when I was a boy in Venice, they told me that in Cathay, there was a stone which burned. I did not believe them, but there is such a stone. I have seen it.

IAN: It's black isn't it?

POLO: Yes, and cold. In Cathay, we call it the burning stone.

And if a stone burns, why not a caravan that flies? Birds fly. I have even seen fish that fly. You are asking me to believe that your caravan can defy the passage of the sun, move, not merely from one place to another, but from today into tomorrow, today into yesterday? No Ian ... that I cannot accept.

IAN: I'm telling you the truth, Marco.

POLO: Are you Ian?

IAN: I swear it.

(POLO considers what IAN has said. He holds up the TARDIS key.)

POLO: Where did you get that?

IAN: From your room.

POLO: Whereabouts? Where had I hidden it?

(IAN remains silent.)

Come Ian, surely you know where you found it?

(IAN continues to remain silent.)

You didn't find it, did you? It was given to you, and you lied about finding it to protect Ping-Cho. Ian, don't you see it doesn't matter to me why you lied. What is important is the fact that you are capable of lying.

IAN: So you don't believe me when I say I came from another time.

POLO: If I did Ian, I would give you the key.

6. STAIRCASE

(PING-CHO has been listening to the latter parts of the conversation

... she re-enters her room, and turns to the sleeping SUSAN.)

PING-CHO: Goodbye Susan.

7. INTERIOR - WAY-STATION (NEXT MORNING)

(Next morning, PING-CHO's disappearance has been discovered. IAN rushes down the stairs and joins BARBARA in the main room.)

BARBARA: Well?

IAN: There's no sign of her.

BARBARA: She must have run away. But why?

IAN: Because of that key, obviously.

(POLO and SUSAN enter the room.)

SUSAN: I'm sorry, Messr Marco, I didn't hear a word...

POLO: I'm not blaming you, Susan. But we must find her, and quickly.

BARBARA: Susan, have you any idea where she'd go?

(SUSAN remains silent.)

Well, speak up.

POLO: There are robbers and cut-throats on the road!

SUSAN: I ... I think she might have tried to reach home.

POLO: Samarkand?

(SUSAN nods.)

But that's a thousand miles from here!

TEGANA: Will we go back and find her?

POLO: I suppose we must ...

TEGANA: The Khan ordered you to ride without delay to Shang-Tu.

POLO: I am also responsible for Ping-Cho's safety.

TEGANA: Well ... you're the one who will face his wrath.

IAN: Will the Khan be angry, Marco?

POLO: Of course, he will.

IAN: Very well then. You ride on, I'll go back and find Ping-Cho.

POLO: Alone?

IAN: Why not? I can remember the road we came along. She can't be far. But she is in danger, and you yourself can't go ...

POLO: What do you hope to gain by this gesture, Ian?

(IAN glares at POLO, refusing to answer the question.)

I'm sorry. When do you want to start?

IAN: As soon as possible.

(POLO turns to one of the bearers.)

POLO: Go with Messr Ian and prepare a horse and provisions.

(The bearer nods, and leads IAN away.)

BARBARA: Don't worry Marco. He'll bring her back. You mustn't underestimate him.

TEGANA: Very good advice, Marco.

8. INTERIOR - CHENG-TING WAY-STATION

(Back at the previous way-station at Cheng-Ting, WANG-LO is making arrangements with an important Chinese lady.)

WANG-LO: (to an employee) When the embroiderers arrive, take them straight to the lady May-Ching.

(WANG-LO turns back to the group of ladies, smiling broadly.)

My ladies, I cannot tell you how... hmmm... how wonderful it is to...

(WANG-LO suddenly notices someone waving to him from the courtyard.)

Please forgive us ... excuse me.

(WANG-LO walks into the courtyard and confronts the shifty bandit,

KUIJU.)

What do you want?

KUIJU: The trade caravan to Shang-Tu.

WANG-LO: (looking around for the commander of the caravan)

Where is the other man?

KUIJU: The old man isn't here ...

(KUIJU hands a scrolled parchment to WANG-LO. WANG-LO carefully scans its contents.)

It's my authority to collect the ...

WANG-LO: (impatiently) I see! I've got eyes. It's in the stables.

(Sighing, WANG-LO walks off with the parchment ...)

KUIJU: Hey! Give that to me!

WANG-LO: (waving KUIJU away) Now, about your business!

KUIJU: My old man is but a fool...

(Still holding on to the document, WANG-LO ignores KUIJU, and turns back to another group of travellers.)

WANG-LO: Please follow me.

(WANG-LO re-enters the way-station with the other travellers. A few moments later, PING-CHO stumbles into the courtyard. She notices KUIJU standing a short distance away.)

PING-CHO: My lord?

KUIJU: Yes.

PING-CHO: Are you with the caravan, my lord?

KUIJU: I am, my lady.

PING-CHO: Is your caravan bound for Samarkand?

KUIJU: It might, why?

PING-CHO: I would like to journey with your caravan, unless it is going to Shang-Tu.

KUIJU: Err... it's possible ...

PING-CHO: I can pay.

(PING-CHO searches through her pockets for all the money that she has.)

KUIJU: (hesitatingly) Err ... come to think of it ... we do strike inland ... I'll talk to the commander of the caravan.

PING-CHO: Shall I come with you?

KUIJU: No, you wait here. Give me the money ...

(PING-CHO hands over the money to a smiling KUIJU...)

Don't worry, little one. I'll arrange it.

(With a final grin, KUIJU walks off from the courtyard. As KUIJU chuckles, the monkey on his shoulder also begins to cackle.

A few moments later, PING-CHO suspects something is wrong when KUIJU fails to re-appear. She approaches Wang-Lo, and tells the story to him
...)

WANG-LO: You paid money? You foolish child. You've been robbed.

PING-CHO: Robbed? What shall I do? It was all the money I had.

(WANG-LO peers at PING-CHO suspiciously.)

WANG-LO: Haven't I seen you before? Not long since ... I know!

You were with Messr Marco Polo's caravan.

PING-CHO: No, my lord, no ...

WANG-LO: (horrified) What have you done child? Run away?

Oh ...

(At that moment, IAN enters the courtyard. PING-CHO, unable to control her emotions any longer, bursts into tears. She rushes into IAN's arms.)

IAN: Ping-Cho, why did you do it?

PING-CHO: The key ... and I can't marry a man old enough to be my grandfather. I can't. Please don't take me back. Please ...

IAN: I must Ping-Cho. I promised Marco.

WANG-LO: I knew I'd seen her before, my lord. Silly child - let herself be robbed.

IAN: What?

WANG-LO: Oh, some villain, posing as a caravan driver, took all her money on the promise of letting her travel inland with the caravan.

IAN: Where did you meet this man?

PING-CHO: Here.

WANG-LO: At my way-station? Impossible!

PING-CHO: No, my lord, he was in the courtyard with you.

WANG-LO: (suddenly remembering) Oh, that one! But he was going to Shang-Tu. I have the document authorising him to take the old lord's caravan from the stables. Here it is.

(WANG-LO indicates the scrolled parchment, still in his hand.)

IAN: So the TARDIS is on the road to Shang-Tu, eh?

WANG-LO: It's... err... possible.

(As IAN tries to comfort the upset PING-CHO, another man walks into the way-station, and approaches WANG-LO.)

COURIER: The trade caravan to Shang-Tu, excellency - there is something here for us to take.

WANG-LO: Oh, but the other man said you were ill!

COURIER: What other man?

WANG-LO: The one that took the old lord's caravan.

COURIER: (indicating a scroll) But here's my authorisation.

WANG-LO: But ... but ...

(IAN notices the look of confusion on WANG-LO's face ...)

IAN: What's the matter?

WANG-LO: (embarrassed) Oh, nothing, my lord. Just a slight confusion. I'm sure it can be rectified.

IAN: It's been stolen?

(WANG-LO hangs his head.)

The TARDIS has been stolen!

9. MARCO POLO'S JOURNAL

POLO: (writing in journal) I hope all is well and Ian has found Ping-Cho. Our progress towards Shang-Tu continues to be excellent, and we are now beyond the Great Wall, spending the fourth night of our journey at an inn about fifty miles from the summer palace.

10. INTERIOR - NEXT WAY-STATION

(At the next way-station, POLO and TEGANA are in the middle of a heated argument ...)

TEGANA: You trust too much, and doubt too little! Marco, let me go back after him.

POLO: I will not agree to this!

TEGANA: But Marco ...

POLO: Look, it's no good ... how will it appear if I stand before the Khan without you? You speak for Noghai ... silence could mean war ...

TEGANA: But ...

POLO: You must be at the summer palace. You must be, I say!

TEGANA: Marco, the magician's caravan. Why do you think Ian offered so readily... so... so eagerly to go back after ... after Ping-Cho?

POLO: What's your point?

TEGANA: Ping-Cho could be anywhere - the... the chances of finding her are very small. But, Ian knows where the caravan is ... he knows exactly where it is.

POLO: You're wrong Tegana. I think I know something of Ian's character ...

TEGANA: You can't know it all. Marco, just give me a strong horse

... now by using your name, I can bring them both back to you. I can bring the girl to you, and the caravan will be safe. You need that caravan. Because when peace is concluded with Kublai Khan, he might very well exchange this magician's caravan for your return to Venice.

(At that moment, there are the sounds of laughter. BARBARA and SUSAN appear - both are in a cheerful mood.)

Ah ... all their sympathies are with Ping-Cho. They are all against this marriage.

POLO: Then why did Ian go back to look for her?

TEGANA: Exactly.

(TEGANA turns to a giggling SUSAN and BARBARA.)

I'm glad to see that your humour is not impaired by our misfortune.

BARBARA: What do you mean? What misfortune?

TEGANA: Well ... your friend Ian has not returned. We can only assume that he has failed to find Ping-Cho.

BARBARA: Oh, you haven't given him enough time yet.

SUSAN: Anyway, I'm glad. I hope he doesn't.

TEGANA: Oh I see. You want to see her alone, do you? Without friends? She might be kidnapped, murdered.

SUSAN: Well, that won't happen to her. She's got money. She can buy a safe passage home ...

TEGANA: Money! Are we all sitting here for her ... and her intended husband sits in despair?

SUSAN: Oh, even you couldn't be so cruel as to want her to marry a man four times her age!

TEGANA: (chuckling) Even I? I thank you, lady.

(TEGANA turns to BARBARA.)

And this is your opinion too, I suppose?

BARBARA: I suppose so.

POLO: One moment. Are you opposed to Ping-Cho's marriage?

BARBARA: (hesitating) Look, why are we ...

POLO: Answer my question please.

BARBARA: Yes I am - completely opposed to it.

TEGANA: How very unusual for you and Ian to disagree.

BARBARA: It isn't unusual at all. We don't agree about everything.

And in this case, we're in complete agreement - all of us.

POLO: This marriage has the Khan's blessing. Am I to understand that you oppose it? Am I??

BARBARA: Yes.

POLO: All four of you?

BARBARA: Yes, all four of us.

(POLO turns to TEGANA.)

POLO: Take your horse Tegana. You have my leave to go. Use my name or such powers as you will, but bring them both to the summer palace.

TEGANA: I shall do so.

(TEGANA nods, and walks off to prepare for the journey.)

SUSAN: Why did you do that?

POLO: To make certain.

SUSAN: Certain of what?

POLO: That Ian has gone back to look for Ping-Cho, and not your caravan.

11. INTERIOR - CHENG-TING WAY-STATION

(At the Cheng-Ting way-station, WANG-LO is using all of his charm in talking to the important Chinese ladies. The ladies suddenly burst out laughing at one of Wang-Lo's comments. Nearby, IAN is talking to PING-CHO about the TARDIS ...)

IAN: I've got to find it. I've got to. But where?

PING-CHO: Perhaps it is still here.

IAN: No, no, Ping-Cho. We should have heard. No, it's been taken, all right. Is must have been taken by some old road ... some route that's no longer used ...

PING-CHO: The Karakorum road.

IAN: Karakorum? But Karakorum's the capital of the Mongol empire.

PING-CHO: Not any more. Not since the Khan built his palace at

Peking.

IAN: Yes, but it'll still be an important place. I mean caravans will still go there.

PING-CHO: Karakorum was not a city of stone. It was just a collection of tents. When the Khan moved, the Mongols dispersed.

IAN: So the road isn't used any more?

PING-CHO: Never.

IAN: Then, that will be the answer!

PING-CHO: Why would someone take the TARDIS to Karakorum?

IAN: (shaking his head) I don't know Ping-Cho. But until

I find it, we shall never leave Kublai Khan's Cathay ...

12. SHANG-TU - THE SUMMER PALACE

(POLO's group ride into the Khan's summer palace at Shang-Tu. They stare around the wondrous surroundings in awe. Amidst the intricately designed pavillions, there are a number of carefully tended gardens. After dismounting from their horses, POLO's group is met by the Grand VIZIER, who is responsible for managing the KHAN's summer palace.)

VIZIER: (grandly) The Great War Lord and Master of the World, mighty Kublai Khan is pleased to grant you an audience.

POLO: We wait the Great Khan's pleasure.

(Led by the Grand VIZIER, the group make their way towards the main palace. The DOCTOR stares around the surroundings in amazement ...)

DOCTOR: It's all Chinese - very interesting. It's odd that a

Mongol should choose Chinese architecture.

SUSAN: Did you see those beautiful pavillions?

BARBARA: Yes - weren't they magnificent?

POLO: Some of them are made of solid gold.

SUSAN: Are they?

DOCTOR: What size are the grounds?

POLO: Oh, they're enormous. They have to be to accommodate the

Khan's two great passions - hunting and falconry. Do you know in his stables, he has ten thousand white stallions?

DOCTOR: (rubbing his back) Yes, well one's enough for me, young man. Red, white or blue!

(The group finally enter the main throne room.)

VIZIER: When great Kublai Khan appears, you will make your obeisance to him so that he may look kindly upon you, and spare your worthless lives.

DOCTOR: Pray then, what am I supposed to do, sir?

VIZIER: Kowtow. Kneel upon the ground and touch your forehead upon the floor three times.

DOCTOR: (outraged) I shall do no such thing!

VIZIER: Kublai Khan is the mightiest man the world has ever seen.

Not to pay him homage will cost you your head.

DOCTOR: Well, if it breaks my back, then he can take all of it!

So why waste time on small items?

SUSAN: Grandfather please ...

DOCTOR: (grouchily) Oh, do be quiet child! I'm not going to make a spectacle of ...

VIZIER: Silence!

(A gong suddenly sounds.)

Those who dare to come before the sight of the great Kublai Khan, kowtow.

(Another gong sounds.)

Kowtow before the War Lord of War Lords. Mighty and fearful in his strength.

Kowtow before the Ruler of Asia, India, Cathay and other territories. Kowtow before the Master of the World.

(As the other members of the group kowtow, the DOCTOR groans in agony as he kneels to the floor.)

SUSAN: Grandfather, go on, get down ...

VIZIER: (noticing the DOCTOR) Kowtow! Kowtow!

DOCTOR: Yes, yes, yes ... I'll manage it ...

VIZIER: Kowtow!

(The DOCTOR tries to bend over, but the pain in his back proves too unbearable. The DOCTOR continues to moan in agony. Suddenly, at the cue of fanfare, Kublai KHAN enters the room. He is an aging old man with a long silver beard. He walks very slowly into the room, due to a large lump on his foot (the KHAN suffers from gout). Muttering in pain, the KHAN surveys the group in front of him. He notices the DOCTOR also crying in great agony
...)

THE KHAN: Do you mock our afflictions?

DOCTOR: Just my back ...

THE KHAN: What ails it?

DOCTOR: It's broken!

VIZIER: Don't be impertinent!

DOCTOR: I am not being impertinent, sir. I'm far from unwell

...

VIZIER: How dare you speak out!

(Ignoring the DOCTOR's protests, the Grand VIZIER tries to physically force the DOCTOR to bend forward while on his knees.)

This gout will be the end of us!

THE KHAN: Get up.

POLO: My lord ...

THE KHAN: Get up all of you.

(The VIZIER assists the DOCTOR to stand. Kublai KHAN turns to the other members of the group.)

(to POLO) These gracious ladies also accompany you?

POLO: They do, my lord.

THE KHAN: We bid you welcome to our Court ... ladies. What's the matter with him?

(Kublai KHAN indicates the DOCTOR.)

POLO: Oh, five days hard riding on horseback, my lord. The Doctor's not accustommed to it.

THE KHAN: Doctor?  Oh?  Is he?... Are you perchance, a physician?

DOCTOR: I am not a doctor of medicine, sir, otherwise I should be able to cure these pains.

THE KHAN: Oh, what a pity. Where is the War Lord Tegana?

POLO: Riding for Shang-Tu, my lord, with the lady Ping-Cho and a companion of theirs.

THE KHAN: Noghai's army is encamped at Karakorum.

POLO: (disbelievingly) But that's impossible my lord!

When Tegana joined my caravan, Noghai's army was only forty miles north of Samarkand.

THE KHAN: Then it stands hundred miles from Shang-Tu. We are very anxious to hear Tegana's explanation of his master's conduct.

POLO: I can understand my lord's concern, and it is my fault that he is not here.

THE KHAN: We are on our guard against treachery ... our patrols watch the Karakorum road, and tomorrow, we ride for Peking.

SUSAN: Must we go too?

VIZIER: Silence! Speak only when you are addressed.

THE KHAN: Tut ... tut ... tut. What was it you say?

SUSAN: Well, I wondered if we might wait for Ping-Cho, my lord.

THE KHAN: No, I think it is better that you ride with us.

DOCTOR: (moaning) Oh, not another horse!

THE KHAN: You spoke?!

DOCTOR: I said I don't think I could get on another horse.

THE KHAN: Then walk!

DOCTOR: In my present condition sir? And what about that lump of yours, hmmm?

VIZIER: The Master of the World has a carriage of state.

DOCTOR: (muttering) Well, well, he's lucky ... he won't be jogged about ...

THE KHAN: (chuckling) Tomorrow, you will ride in state, with us.

DOCTOR: Thank you.

(The KHAN is suddenly struck by intense pain.)

THE KHAN: (to the VIZIER) Find suitable accommodation for our guests.

VIZIER: As my lord commands.

THE KHAN: Marco ...

POLO: My lord?

THE KHAN: When Tegana arrives, bring him directly to us.

POLO: Very good, my lord.

THE KHAN: (to the Doctor) We ... we have healing waters here which relieve my gout. Come ... let us observe their effects upon your aches and pains.

DOCTOR: Very well ... very well.

THE KHAN: Oh, what a trial old age is.

DOCTOR: It must be borne with dignity, sir.

THE KHAN: Oh, dignity ... yes of course. Now, take my arm friend.

(Moaning and grumbling to one another, the DOCTOR and Kublai KHAN, linked arm-in-arm, slowly hobble from the throne room. SUSAN watches in amusement as the two old men leave the room. She laughs.)

SUSAN: That's the mighty Kublai Khan!

POLO: Laugh if you will, Susan, but he is the greatest administrator the world has ever seen.

SUSAN: I'm sorry Messr Marco.

BARBARA: Marco, we can't leave here tomorrow, not without Ian and Ping-Cho.

POLO: I'm afraid we have no choice, Barbara. Don't worry, Tegana will bring them.

BARBARA: Will he?

13. THE ROAD TO KARAKORUM

(On the road to Karakorum, KUIJU is resting in a clearing. He sits next to a small fire, while his monkey scampers around nearby. The TARDIS is strapped securely to one of the wagons. Unknown to KUIJU, IAN and PING-CHO are hiding behind a shrub.)

PING-CHO: (looking at KUIJU) That's him, Messr Ian. That's the man who robbed me.

IAN: Yes ... it looks as though he's waiting for something. Waiting for somebody ... that's why he's brought the TARDIS here. Take cover
... get down, Ping-Cho.

(IAN sneaks towards KUIJU, but the bandit hears the sounds of approaching footsteps. KUIJU draws his dagger, and faces IAN.)

KUIJU: Who are you? What do you want? Speak!

PING-CHO: (appearing from the shrub) Where's my money?

(KUIJU is momentarily alarmed by PING-CHO's sudden appearance. IAN quickly knocks the dagger from KUIJU's hand, and picks it up before the bandit has the chance to recover. IAN presses the dagger against KUIJU's throat.)

IAN: (angrily) Where is it? Where's the young girl's money?

KUIJU: In my pouch, lord.

IAN: Get it, Ping-Cho ...

(PING-CHO searches around in KUIJU's pouch, and re-takes her money.)

You're a greedy man aren't you? And you brought the old lord's caravan here, I suppose, to get money? Well, was it?

KUIJU: (terrified) Yes lord!

IAN: And who's going to give you that money? Tell me! Tell me!

KUIJU: Arghh!  The War Lord Tegana!

IAN: Tegana .... !

(Suddenly, TEGANA appears in the clearing, clutching his sword. PING-CHO screams as TEGANA grabs hold of her. Ian moves the dagger further towards
KUIJU's throat as TEGANA moves closer.)

I'll kill him.

(TEGANA waves his sword impassively.)

TEGANA: Do so. He is of no importance.

(IAN hesitates as he moves the dagger millimetres from KUIJU's throat

...)

Come ... come ...

NEXT EPISODE - ASSASSIN AT PEKING

Doctor Who

WILLIAM HARTNELL

Ian Chesterton

WILLIAM RUSSELL

Barbara Wright

JACQUELINE HILL

Susan Foreman

CAROLE ANN FORD

Marco Polo

MARK EDEN

Tegana

DERRIN NESBITT

Ping-Cho

ZIENIA MERTON

Kublai Khan

MARTIN MILLER

Vizier

PETER LAWRENCE

Kuiju

TUTTE LEMKOW

Wang-Lo

GABOR BARAKER

Title music composed by

RON GRAINER and the BBC Radiophonic Workshop

Incidental Music

TRISTRAM CARY

Story Editor

DAVID WHITAKER

Designer

BARRY NEWBERY

Associate Producer

MERVYN PINFIELD

Producer

VERITY LAMBERT

Director

WARIS HUSSEIN

Transcribed by

BRUCE ROBINSON (robinsba@ozemail.com.au)

Script Adaption / Editing / Additional Description

LEE HORTON (LeeH@tcp.co.uk)

Corrections by

JULIAN HAYLOCK (Haylock.Mus@btinternet.com)

Back to the Marco Polo index.

Marco Polo (7)

MARCO POLO

EPISODE 7 - ASSASSIN AT PEKING by JOHN LUCAROTTI
first broadcast - 4th April 1964
running time - 24mins 50secs

1. THE ROAD TO KARAKORUM

(IAN and PING-CHO have confronted KUIJU about the stolen TARDIS.)

IAN: Tegana ...

(Suddenly, TEGANA appears in the clearing, clutching his sword. PING-CHO screams as TEGANA grabs hold of her. IAN moves the dagger further towards
KUIJU's throat as TEGANA moves closer.)

I'll kill him.

(TEGANA waves his sword impassively.)

TEGANA: Do so. He is of no importance.

(IAN hesitates as he moves the dagger millimetres from KUIJU's throat

...)

Come ... come ...

(TEGANA tightens his grip on PING-CHO.)

IAN: Will the mighty War Lord kill a child as well?

TEGANA: If in my way, as you are.

IAN: And Kublai Khan? Is he in your way too?

TEGANA: I serve Noghai. And with that, he will rule the world.

(TEGANA indicates the TARDIS.)

IAN: Only the Doctor can make that work.

TEGANA: Noghai's sorcerers will reveal its secrets. Now, enough of this game.

(TEGANA extends his sword, just as LING-TAU and a group of warriors burst into the clearing.)

LING-TAU: Disarm them!

(The warriors quickly move through the party, confiscating IAN's dagger and TEGANA's sword. KUIJU suddenly makes a run for freedom ...)

Stop him!

(One of the warriors quickly intercepts KUIJU, and delivers the bandit a fatal blow with a sword. Kuiju cries out in agony ...)

(to the warrior) You fool! I did not command his death.

TEGANA: (to LING-TAU) My name is Tegana - the War Lord.

Get rid of these men.

(TEGANA indicates the warriors surrounding him.)

LING-TAU: I am Ling-Tau, captain and courier in the great Khan's service.

(TEGANA indicates IAN, PING-CHO, and the TARDIS.)

TEGANA: They were trying to steal the Khan's property.

IAN: That's not true.

(LING-TAU looks uncertainly at IAN and PING-CHO ...)

LING-TAU: I remember both of you. You were with Messr Marco Polo's caravan.

PING-CHO: (pointing to TEGANA) He is the thief - we caught him with that.

LING-TAU: Pardon me, my lady. I have not the authority to judge in this dispute. It's a matter for the great Khan.

TEGANA: Then take us to Shang-Tu.

LING-TAU: The great Khan has left the summer palace at Shang-Tu, my Lord. You will see him at Peking.

2. PEKING PALACE - THRONE ROOM

(Marco POLO's party has arrived at Kublai KHAN's Peking palace. In the throne room of the palace, the DOCTOR and Kublai KHAN are playing backgammon.
Kublai shakes his head in amazement as the DOCTOR wins yet again ...)

DOCTOR: My game?

THE KHAN: You're too good for us at backgammon.

(The DOCTOR chuckles.)

Tea?

DOCTOR: Please.

(The KHAN rings a small bell. One of the servants strides forward to serve the KHAN and the DOCTOR.) .

THE KHAN: (noticing the DOCTOR has kept notes) Oh, that is our reckoning?

DOCTOR: Ah, yes it is, sire, yes.

THE KHAN: What do we owe?

DOCTOR: (placing on his spectacles) Oh, thirty-five elephants with ceremonial bridles, trappings, brocades and pavillions; four thousand white stallions, and twenty-five tigers.

THE KHAN: That's not too bad, so far.

DOCTOR: And the sacred tooth of Buddha which Polo brought over from India.

THE KHAN: Oh, that? What else ... what more?

DOCTOR: I ... I'm very much afraid all the commerce from Burma for one year, sire.

(Suddenly, there are the sounds of someone approaching. The KHAN becomes terrified, as he realises that the DOCTOR's notes are still on the table.)

THE KHAN: Oh, the Empress - hide it, hide it!

(The DOCTOR quickly pockets the notes, as the EMPRESS makes a grand entrance into the room.)

EMPRESS: Winning, my love?

THE KHAN: (smiling broadly) One wins, one loses, my dear.

DOCTOR: The great Khan is far too modest, my lady.

EMPRESS: (suspiciously) You're not wagering are you? You know how it affects your gout.

(Kublai KHAN merely smiles, unable to respond. With a haughty look, the EMPRESS strides from the room. Kublai Khan winces as another stab of pain passes through his body.)

DOCTOR: How charming!

THE KHAN: Charming indeed, and yet there are moments, old friend, when we wish... our character were more like that of our lamented grandfather,
Genghis. Did you hear of him?

DOCTOR: Genghis Khan? No, I didn't meet him, I ... but I have heard of him. Yes.

THE KHAN: Oh ... he was the warrior of the family. Nothing frightened him. We are the clan of the statistician and the administrator ...

(Kublai's attention turns back to the backgammon game ...)

Oh, she will be furious with me when she finds out what I have lost.

DOCTOR: Oh, then you've lost nothing, sire.

THE KHAN: No, no, no. These are bets of honour.

DOCTOR: Well, one more game then, and if you win, you can take it all back again.

THE KHAN: And if you win?

DOCTOR: Well ... err .... Marco Polo has taken away my caravan and given it to you, sire. Ah ... if I win, perhaps I could have my caravan back again?

THE KHAN: No, not that. No, take something else. The Island of

Sumatra - we can't give you Marco's gift. We haven't even seen it yet.

DOCTOR: But none of this is important to me, sire. You see, win or lose, you can have it all back again. But if I win, my ship... TARDIS comes back to me, hmm?

THE KHAN: (impatient to return to the game) Let's play at that stake.

(Just as they are about to start another game, there is a knock at the door.)

Oh, go away!

POLO: (from outside the room) It's Marco Polo, my Lord.

THE KHAN: (to the DOCTOR) Oh, Marco Polo. Well, would you object to one interruption?

DOCTOR: No, no, no.

THE KHAN: Enter.

(Marco POLO strides into the room, holding a scrolled parchment.)

We are too busy for that, Marco. Be brief please. Be brief.

POLO: As my lord commands. The War Lord Tegana has arrived in

Peking. When he reaches the palace, shall I bring him directly to you?

THE KHAN: No. No, we'll grant him an audience as soon as possible.

Oh, we want to tell you something Marco. We owe half of Asia to our friend at backgammon.

POLO: It is unusual for you to lose, my Lord.

THE KHAN: Oh ... he is a fortunate one! But our friend here made a truly royal gesture which we have accepted, although it might upset you.

POLO: Why should it do that?

THE KHAN: (indicating the backgammon board) That's our last game. Our losses against your gift to me.

POLO: (aghast) The caravan?

DOCTOR: Ah yes, Marco, we're playing for the TARDIS ...

POLO: But my Lord ...

THE KHAN: Well?

POLO: (solemnly) Nothing, my Lord. I will leave you to your game.

(The DOCTOR chuckles as POLO leaves the room dejectedly. The final game of backgammon commences ... both the DOCTOR and the KHAN reach for the dice.)

DOCTOR: My throw!

THE KHAN: But ... yes, your throw.

3. PEKING PALACE - OUTSIDE THE THRONE ROOM

(Outside the throne room, POLO meets up with BARBARA and SUSAN.)

POLO: You will not believe this, but I swear it's true. They're playing backgammon for your caravan.

BARBARA & SUSAN: What!

POLO: If the Doctor wins, he has won back "TARDIS".

BARBARA: And if he loses?

POLO: He's lost everything.

SUSAN: Oh, Grandfather will win. I hope ...

POLO: The sly old fox - the Khan hasn't even seen it yet, and he's taking it away from me.

BARBARA: Then, this will solve everything. You've made your gesture and given the TARDIS to the Khan, so he should let you go home. And with any luck, we can go home too. So we'll all have what we want.

SUSAN: Yes, all except Ping-Cho.

POLO: Yes, I'm afraid there's nothing we can do about her, Susan.

Her future husband is already in Peking.

SUSAN: What in the palace?

POLO: Yes, there is to be a banquet tonight in his honour, at which six thousand guests will attend.

SUSAN: Six thousand!

POLO: He's a very important man.

BARBARA: He must be! When is the wedding?

POLO: Tomorrow morning.

SUSAN: Poor Ping-Cho ...

(At that moment, LING-TAU strides into the room.)

LING-TAU: My lord, Polo.

POLO: Yes?

(POLO peers closely at LING-TAU.)

Oh, you're the courier who brought me the message from Shang-Tu, aren't you?

LING-TAU: I am my Lord.

POLO: It's a pleasure to see you again.

LING-TAU: No my Lord, I fear not.

POLO: Why? What is wrong?

LING-TAU: Two members of your party, the lord known as Ian, and the lady, Ping-Cho, are being held under guard.

POLO: Why?

LING-TAU: They're accused of stealing the Khan's property.

BARBARA: The TARDIS.

(LING-TAU nods.)

POLO: Well, who accuses them?

BARBARA: Tegana!

LING-TAU: Yes, my lady.

BARBARA: That man!

SUSAN: Wait! But Grandfather's going to win back the TARDIS, so no charges can be brought.

POLO: Susan, you don't take your prize until you win the game.

(At that moment, the DOCTOR strolls into the room, with a weary expression on his face.)

SUSAN: Grandfather!

(The DOCTOR remains silent, continuing to keep the pained expression on his face.)

Grandfather, you've not lost?

DOCTOR: (waving a paper note) He gave me this - the consolation prize. A piece of his paper currency.

(The DOCTOR chuckles wryly as he waves the money about.)

SUSAN: Oh, grandfather!

(The DOCTOR continues to chuckle.)

4. PEKING PALACE - PRISON CELL

(POLO and LING-TAU are talking to IAN and PING-CHO in the prison cell. POLO has just heard the full version of events from IAN's point-of-view.)

POLO: You have told me all?

IAN: Everything from the moment I found Ping-Cho.

POLO: And you distinctly heard Tegana say that the Khan was his enemy?

IAN: Yes, Tegana said 'I serve Noghai, and he will conquer the world.' Ping-Cho heard it as well.

PING-CHO: Distinctly, Messr Marco.

POLO: (turning to Ling-Tau) Ling-Tau, did you hear this?

LING-TAU: No, my lord. I did not.

POLO: That's a pity.

IAN: You mean our word isn't strong enough against Tegana's?

PING-CHO: There are two of us, Messr Marco.

POLO: No, Ping-Cho. Ian must stand trial alone.

PING-CHO: Why?

POLO: Your husband-to-be has asked the Khan to excuse you. He promises to take you away from Peking as soon as the marriage ceremony is over.

PING-CHO: And the Khan has agreed?

POLO: You are to be married tomorrow morning.

5. PEKING PALACE - THE THRONE ROOM

(The TARDIS has been brought into the throne room. Kublai KHAN and

TEGANA are inspecting it.)

THE KHAN: So this is our flying caravan! Thank you for recovering it for us, Lord Tegana.

TEGANA: Good fortune gave me the opportunity of serving the great

Khan.

THE KHAN: The lady Ping-Cho has been excused of complicity in the theft.

TEGANA: The Khan shows much wisdom and compassion. What crimes she committed were done under the influence of others.

THE KHAN: Crimes! Who else was there?

TEGANA: The old magician, my lord, tried several times to regain the caravan.

THE KHAN: (surprised) Were there other attempts to steal it? Marco did not mention them to us.

TEGANA: Is that not natural, my lord, that he would wish to guard them?

THE KHAN: You have served us well.

TEGANA: In dealings with Mongols, like ourselves, yes my lord, but he is as they are. And does not one's loyalty first lie with one's own kind?

THE KHAN: Your point is taken, Lord Tegana.

(POLO enters the throne room.)

Marco, thank you for our gift.

POLO: I am the Khan's obedient servant.

THE KHAN: We are glad to know. But then, there were other attempts to steal the caravan? Why did you not invoke our laws?

POLO: To have done so would have been unjust, my lord. Our laws are alien to them.

THE KHAN: They were on our soil, therefore, subject to our laws.

Why did you not invoke them?

POLO: The caravan belonged to them, my lord.

TEGANA: (impatiently) My lord, I can hold my peace no longer. Forgive me.

(turning to POLO) How can that be? You claimed it in the Khan's name?

POLO: It was wrong of me to do so.

TEGANA: You wear the Khan's gold seal. It gives you your authority to take what you will.

POLO: When the cause is just. This was not.

THE KHAN: What was it then?

POLO: Selfish.

THE KHAN: What did you hope to gain?

TEGANA: He wanted to force you to let him return to Venice.

THE KHAN: (shocked) You wanted to bribe us, Marco?

POLO: I'd hoped you would allow me to return home, my lord.

THE KHAN: Your gift has failed. It is ours because we won the right to keep it in a game of chance. Where is the key?

POLO: In my quarters, my lord.

THE KHAN: Bring it to us after the banquet, and then, we'll examine our prize.

POLO: (sadly) My lord, you do me a great wrong.

THE KHAN: We are distressed and angered by your conduct, Marco.

Please think about it.

(POLO dejectedly leaves the throne room.)

You'll also attend us after the banquet, Lord Tegana. We'll discuss the terms of our settlement with Noghai. But we ... be on guard against you.

TEGANA: (surprised) What have I that the Khan should fear?

THE KHAN: The power of persuasion.

6. PEKING PALACE - THE THRONE ROOM (LATER THAT EVENING)

(Later in the throne room, Kublai KHAN is with the EMPRESS. The EMPRESS is crying, and wiping her eyes with a silk handkerchief.)

THE KHAN: And in the middle of the feast!  How can we tell her?

Terrible! Horrible! Terrible and horrible! Horrible and terrible!

(PING-CHO enters the room. The Khan immediately takes her hand kindly.)

Oh, here you are, my child. Come, we have something to tell you. A tragedy has occurred at the table tonight.

PING-CHO: Tragedy, my lord?

THE KHAN: Your beloved husband-to-be so anxious to be worthy of your love, drank a potion of quicksilver and sulphur - the elixir of life and eternal youth - and expired.

EMPRESS: (in tears) Come into my arms, child. Let me share your grief.

THE KHAN: You're overdoing it, my dear, the child is dry eyed.

EMPRESS: (outraged) Oh, ungrateful wretch! Do you not weep for your lost love?

PING-CHO: My lady, I grieve an old man's death as all would do.

But how can I weep for a love I have never known?

THE KHAN: Tell us Ping-Cho, do you wish to return to your home in Samarkand? Or would you like to stay a while in our Court and brighten all our days?

(At that moment, POLO and LING-TAU enter the throne room. PING-CHO looks at LING-TAU with a look of wonder in her face and then turns back towards the KHAN.)

PING-CHO: If I may, my lord, I would like to stay.

THE KHAN: So be it.

(The KHAN notices POLO for the first time.)

Wait, Marco.

(turning back to PING-CHO)

Tell us, my child, your opinion of the travellers from a distant land?

PING-CHO: They are my friends, my lord. As they will always be.

THE KHAN: Thank you, Ping-Cho.

(to POLO) Wait, Marco. Let that young officer escort lady Ping-Cho to her quarters.

(It seems that the KHAN had got the look. LING-TAU nods, and escorts

PING-CHO back to her quarters. The EMPRESS leaves as well. KHAN is left alone with POLO.)

She is forthright and honest. We trust her, as we once did you. Our mind dwells upon your conduct, Marco, and we've decided that you have to prove yourself worthy of our trust. If you fail this to do, we take from you our battlements, banish you from our Court, and let your enemies fall upon you. You have the key of the caravan?

POLO: Yes, my lord. But you would be well advised to have the

Doctor with you when you open it.

THE KHAN: Fetch him, Marco, fetch him. No, wait! Not until our audience with the Lord Tegana is concluded.

(POLO bows, and walks off. He meets TEGANA on the way out.)

POLO: I underestimated you, Tegana.

TEGANA: No ... you overestimated yourself.

(POLO and TEGANA glare silently at each other.)

7. PEKING PALACE - PRISON CELL

(In the prison cell, IAN is talking with the DOCTOR, BARBARA and

SUSAN.)

SUSAN: The Khan won't even see us.

DOCTOR: (grumpily)No, we've tried everything.

BARBARA: What's Tegana's game?

IAN: Well, we can be quite clear about that. Tegana said "I serve Noghai, and he will conquer the world", with the help of the
TARDIS.

DOCTOR: I always knew Tegana was a two-faced villain.

SUSAN: Yes, well that doesn't help Ian, does it? He's got to take the blame.

BARBARA: I wish I could remember what it was the Khan said that upset Marco so much.

IAN: What's it matter now?

BARBARA: Well, it was something about Noghai and Tegana.

SUSAN: I'm sure Tegana was behind that bandit raid. But why?

DOCTOR: It wasn't just my ship then. Whatever double-game Tegana is playing, he must have decided upon a long time before we appeared on the scene.

BARBARA: I remember!

DOCTOR: Hmmm?

BARBARA: The Khan was furious because Noghai had moved his armies from Samarkand to Karakorum.

DOCTOR: And that's why he delayed Marco Polo's caravan - to give

Noghai more time to move his armies nearer Peking.

IAN: Yes, that makes sense. Even so, why should Kublai Khan fear

Noghai? He has an enormous army, and he's already defeated him once, surely.

DOCTOR: Yes, but what you have to take into account where battles are concerned, dear boy, are its leaders. Kill the leader, and where are you? What happens? The whole army dissipates itself into chaos and utter confusion. It's happened throughout your history time and time again!

SUSAN: Grandfather, do you mean to say Tegana's going to assassinate the Khan?

DOCTOR: Exactly, and what could be a better answer then to disorganise everything here. It gives Noghai the perfect answer to overrun the country.

BARBARA: But then, we must get to the Khan before Tegana kills him, otherwise ...

IAN: I've had it.

DOCTOR: Yes - we've all had it.

SUSAN: Look, how are we going to get Ian past the guard?

(The DOCTOR rubs his chin in thought, and then moves towards the door. He rattles the door.)

DOCTOR: Guard! Open the door.

(The guard opens the door, and enters the room. Suddenly, the DOCTOR trips the guard with his walking stick. While the guard stumbles to the floor, the DOCTOR and his companions quickly race from the room. The guard jumps to his feet and pursues them.

A short distance from the cell, the four time travellers arrive at a junction in the corridor.)

SUSAN: Which way?

IAN: (pointing) Let's try down here.

8. PEKING PALACE - THE CORRIDORS

(The chase continues through the corridors of the Palace. But eventually, the luck runs out for the Doctor and his companions. They run into Marco
POLO and a guard.)

IAN: Marco ...

POLO: Ian, what are you doing, you fool?

IAN: Marco, you must stop Tegana! He's going to kill the Khan!

POLO: (pointing to Ian) Seize him!

(The guard grabs IAN.)

IAN: Marco, listen to me, Tegana ...

POLO: (to the guard) Take him back to his cell, and keep him under close surveillance.

SUSAN: But Messr Marco, you must ...

(But before the guard can move, LING-TAU rushes into the area.)

LING-TAU: My lord!

POLO: What is it?

LING-TAU: A messanger has just arrived. Noghai's army is marching on Peking.

(Everyone is shocked. In particular, the DOCTOR and his companions deliver cries of 'we told you so' to POLO.)

POLO: Tegana's in the throne room with the Khan now.

DOCTOR: Well, then, look, somebody must protect him!

POLO: (indicating the scrolled parchment) Hold that, Doctor, and stay here, all of you.

(POLO sprints to the throne room.)

9. PEKING PALACE - THE THRONE ROOM

(In the throne room, Kublai Khan and Noghai are discussing the terms of peace.)

TEGANA: Your terms of peace are hard, my lord.

THE KHAN: Tegana, those who rise against us must be humbled.

TEGANA: They shall be honoured. I promised Noghai to make an end of this matter.

(Suddenly, TEGANA draws his sword. An attendant immediately rushes forward to protect the KHAN, but is swiftly killed by TEGANA. TEGANA approaches the Khan ...

POLO: Tegana!

At that moment, POLO bursts into the room, drawing his own sword.

A frenetic fight occurs between POLO and TEGANA. The sword fight moves throughout the throne room. Slowly, POLO gains the upper hand ... TEGANA is forced into a corner.....

Eventually, POLO manages to knock the sword from TEGANA's hand. POLO quickly picks it up as LING-TAU and the other warriors rush into the room, and surround TEGANA. A few moments later, the DOCTOR and his companions walk into the room, chattering amongst themselves.)

THE KHAN: (triumphantly) We warned you, Tegana, those who rise against us will be humbled. You must die.

(The warriors draw their swords and approach TEGANA. But before the warriors have their chance, TEGANA grabs a sword and impales himself. SUSAN screams. The dishonourable member of the expedition has taken the honourable way out...

POLO turns to one of the guards, and indicates TEGANAs body.)

POLO: Take him away.

(The guards immediately obey POLO's instruction. POLO quickly hands the two TARDIS keys to the Doctor.)

Doctor, take the keys quickly!

DOCTOR: Thank you.

POLO: Now go!

DOCTOR: Thank you.

POLO: Go!

DOCTOR: (to SUSAN) Come along ...

(The DOCTOR's group rush into the TARDIS. Susan hurriedly says her goodbyes to PING-CHO ...)

PING-CHO: Susan, goodbye.

SUSAN: Ping-Cho...

PING-CHO: Your caravan, quickly!

SUSAN: Goodbye!

10. INTERIOR - TARDIS

(In the TARDIS console room, IAN and BARBARA watch as the DOCTOR sets the co-ordinates. As soon as SUSAN enters, the doors are closed.)

11. PEKING PALACE - THE THRONE ROOM

(The TARDIS dematerialises from the throne room. Kublai KHAN watches with POLO and PING-CHO as the caravan disappears.)

POLO: I'm sorry, my lord. I had to give them back their flying caravan.

THE KHAN: If you hadn't, the old man would have won it at backgammon.

But it is true ... a flying caravan ... there's something for you to tell your friends in Venice.

POLO: (shaking his head) No, my lord. They would not believe half the things that I have seen in Cathay.

(POLO pauses to reflect on the DOCTOR and his group.)

But what is the truth? I wonder where they are now ... the past or the future ...

(POLO stares thoughtfully into the sky ....)

NEXT EPISODE - THE SEAS OF DEATH

(Part 1 of The Keys Of Marinus.)

Doctor Who

WILLIAM HARTNELL

Ian Chesterton

WILLIAM RUSSELL

Barbara Wright

JACQUELINE HILL

Susan Foreman

CAROLE ANN FORD

Marco Polo

MARK EDEN

Tegana

DERRIN NESBITT

Ping-Cho

ZIENIA MERTON

Kublai Khan

MARTIN MILLER

Kuiju

TUTTE LEMKOW

Wang-Lo

GABOR BARAKER

Ling-Tau

PAUL CARSON

The Empress

CLAIRE DAVENPORT

Sword fight arranged by

DEREK WARE

Title music composed by

RON GRAINER and the BBC Radiophonic Workshop

Incidental Music

TRISTRAM CARY

Story Editor

DAVID WHITAKER

Designer

BARRY NEWBERY

Associate Producer

MERVYN PINFIELD

Producer

VERITY LAMBERT

Director

WARIS HUSSEIN

Transcribed by

BRUCE ROBINSON (robinsba@ozemail.com.au)

Script Adaption / Editing / Additional Description

LEE HORTON (LeeH@tcp.co.uk)

Corrections by

JULIAN HAYLOCK (Haylock.Mus@btinternet.com)

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