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DOCTOR WHO FAN AUDIO SERIES

Episode 8
“Lock and Key”

By
Hitchhikerstowel

Revised by
Entertain-me

Based on:
Doctor Who
(c) BBC
NARRATOR
The vacuum of space, a vast and very desolate
place. A place of tranquility and peace. A
place whose peace is being shattered by a shrill
distress signal, coming from a large, grey block
of metal with small engines on the sides. The same
shrill distress signal which has just caught the
attention of a certain Timelord and his companion.

INT. CORRIDOR - PRISON SHIP

(We hear the sound of the TARDIS materialising, the door


opening, footsteps as the Doctor and Alicia step out )

ALICIA
So, Doctor, where and when are we - and why are
we literally in the dark?

(The sound of the sonic screwdriver can be heard as the Doctor


checks his watch)

DOCTOR
Well, by my watch, it’s April 21st in the year
80,016 and we’re on a prison ship just on the outer
reaches of your solar system. Looks like 80th
millenia Earth architecture, too.
(taps part of vessel)
Not the most imaginative period - a bit boring,
really. Oh, and we’ve received a distress signal.

ALICIA
And the lights aren’t working because...?

DOCTOR
I know! Whatever happened to hospitality, eh?

ALICIA
Hospitality on a prison ship?

DOCTOR
It can happen. I can say with absolute certainty
that you’ll never find a nicer bunch than on the
federal prison of Jaxaroth 7. Except on the actual
planet, of course. Very nice but incredibly stupid.

NARRATOR
The Doctor and Alicia set off cautiously down the
dark, dank corridor, with the Doctor’s trusty sonic
screwdriver as their guiding light. The screwdriver
was aimed towards the ground and fell, at once, upon
a still figure lying on the floor.
ALICIA
Oh my...!

DOCTOR
Ah, maybe not so boring 80th millenia, after all.
(examines body with screwdriver)
Looks like he died of asphyxiation. He’s been
strangled. I’d say he’s been dead for a week. But
why would they just leave him here?

ALICIA
I’m not liking this, Doctor.

DOCTOR
Come on, let’s find out what’s happened.

(we hear footsteps as the Doctor and Alicia continue on, very
slowly)

ALICIA
I can’t see a thing!

DOCTOR
Try eating more carrots. Wait a moment, I’ll just
power this thing up.

(We hear the sonic screwdriver powering up as it creates more


light)

DOCTOR
Oh.

NARRATOR
As the sonic screwdriver increases in brightness,
more bodies are revealed. A lot more bodies.

ALICIA
Are...Are they all dead?

DOCTOR
Yes, I’d say they are. Notice the prison cells next
to us have no front walls. From the looks of things,
it’s a force-field generated cell wall. How stupid
is that? Would’ve gone right out with the lights.

(We hear the sonic screwdriver as the Doctor examines a couple


of bodies)

DOCTOR
Hmm. Asphyxiation, again. You know what I’m
thinking? I’m thinking they all killed each other.
All of them dead from what seems to be random acts
of violence. Alicia, I think we’re in a madhouse!

ALICIA
You sound a little bit too excited when you say
that, Doctor.

DOCTOR
Come on, then! Let’s see what else is here.
Someone’s got to be alive. The only reason the
TARDIS camehere was because of that distress signal.

NARRATOR
Alicia and the Doctor continue along the corridor,
making sure not to step on any of the bodies, until
they reach a sealed metal door. Using the ever-
handy sonic screwdriver, the Doctor opens the door
and he and Alicia climbed a set of stairs and find
themselves in a circular room. The room contains a
few battery-powered lamps and four people, staring
at the newcomers.

INT - CONTROL ROOM, PRISON SHIP

SMITH
Who are you?

SALETH
Did you get our distress signal?

DOCTOR
Yes. I’m the Doctor. This is my good friend
Alicia.

ALICIA
“friend” is pushing it a little, don’t you think?

DOCTOR
Fine, fine. My worst enemy Alicia. So, we’ve
introduced ourselves, your turn - oh, and you can
perhaps explain why there are a bunch of dead people
out there.

SMITH
I’m Chief Warden Lezo Smith, of the RPS Durok, sir.

SALETH
Warden Bernice Saleth, of the RPS Durok, sir.

KROFER
Warden Damon Krofer, of the RPS Durok, sir.

PELHAM
And I’m Warden Susan Pelham, of -

DOCTOR
Yes, yes - “RPS Durok.” Good. Wonderful. Now, let’s
get down to business. Chief Warden Smith, if you
don’t mind me asking again, why is everyone dead?

SMITH
Well, sir, just over a week ago, the power was cut
off. There must have been a malfunction in the
supply because we don’t have an ounce of power left.
After that, the cells unlocked and the prisoners
escaped.

SALETH
We think the same thing happened all over the ship.
We lost communication with the other levels.

PELHAM
These prisoners are - or rather, were - the most
dangerous and mentally unstable people on planet
Earth. For the past ten years, it has been our
purpose to keep them and hopefully rehabilitate
them. But now...

DOCTOR
I think if I’d lived on 80th millenia Earth, I’d
have ended up in a madhouse, too.

SMITH
Yes, but this was a rather uncharacteristic event,
Doctor. They all attacked each other. These people
are - were - insane in a whole variety of ways, so
it is strange that every single one of them go at
each other, like they did.

KROFER
Six of the guards in this block were killed, too. We
don’t know anything and we need to get out of here.

SMITH
I suppose you have a ship?

(no response from the Doctor)

ALICIA
Er.. Doctor?

DOCTOR
Oh, you people are thick! You are so thick! Partly
because you bulit force-field cells, but more
importantly... Ah, perfect!
(picks up a book)
Watch what happens when I drop this book.

(We hear the heavy book being dropped with a thud)

ALICIA
That’s just gravity. Are we supposed to be impressed
by that, or something?

DOCTOR
Gravity! Well, actually, it’s an instruction manual
for the ship - no, getting off-topic a little. So,
gravity. And where are we? Anyone?

ALICIA
In the middle of space. Oh, yeah. So it’s
artificial.

DOCTOR
Exactly! Oh, very good! And gravity requires power.
The power’s not gone, it’s just been redirected.
Someone or something has intentionally taken away
the power from the floor. It was no accident these
prisoners escaped. You’ve been sabotaged.

(We hear the Doctor pick up the book and flick through its
pages)

DOCTOR
Oh, but you’re even more thick than that, aren’t
you? If you just reconfigure the cables in here, it
should provide easy access to the emergency
generator. You really should know this.

(The Doctor opens a cabinet and starts playing around with the
wires and switches, mumbling to himself. Then the lights come
on)

DOCTOR
Let there be light! Now we have something to work
with! That should last about four hours or so before
it’ll need to recharge. Let’s get going!

NARRATOR
In his eagerness, the Doctor pushes past Alicia and
leads the way back down the staircase and into the
corridor with the dead prisoners. While the others
stand warily near the doorway, the Doctor bends down
to examine another prisoner.
INT. CORRIDOR - PRISON SHIP

DOCTOR
Well, this is interesting. I’m detecting unusually
high levels of electrical activity, especially for
someone who’s been dead a week.

PELHAM
Can we please just leave? There’s nothing more we
can do for them.

DOCTOR
Oh, you’re just being dead boring - see what I did
there? “Dead” boring?... Maybe not. Tough crowd...
but this is brilliant! Oh, all right. You can leave
but you’ll have to wait for me in my ship. Surely,
you want to investigate though, Alicia?

ALICIA
Well, naturally - Oh, Doctor, I think this one just
moved.

PELHAM
It’s getting up!

DOCTOR
Aha, so it is! I had a feeling this was going to be
a good day. You know, I think the only thing that
could make me happier right now is a big tray of
muffins. Muffins when we get back? What do you
think, Alicia?
(to moving corpse)
So, you - random criminal rising from the dead -
what’s got into you? And yes, I do mean that
literally.

NARRATOR
Just as the Doctor finishes speaking, the rest
of the corpses begin moving in unison. They all
stand up as one and turn to face the Doctor.

PRISONERS
That is none of your concern. You should be
concerned for your lives. In exchange for your
survival, let us use your ship to pilot this one
back to Earth.

DOCTOR
Oh, yes, of course. By all means, do. As if I would
just stand aside and let you do that. Who do you
think I am?
ALICIA
Why can’t you get back to Earth on your own?

DOCTOR
Ah, very good question. See, I told you she was
good. Yes, why can’t you get back to Earth on your
own?

PRISONERS
The engines were irreparably damaged in an asteroid
cluster collision.

DOCTOR
Okay, fair enough. But why do you want to get back
to Earth, anyway?

PRISONERS
That is none of your concern.

DOCTOR
Oh, you see that’s where you’re wrong because either
you have an utterly fantastic reason for me to take
you there, or you won’t be going anywhere. If you
want me to help, everything is my concern.

PRISONERS
Then you have chosen death. Very well.

NARRATOR
As the corpses began to advance on the group, the
Doctor bit his lip and looked at Alicia and the
wardens.

DOCTOR
I think now would be an appropriate time to ... Run!

NARRATOR
The group run back along the corridor. The prisoners
copy them and begin to run, too.

(we hear the sound of running - then someone tripping)

ALICIA
Krofer, are you all right? Hurry up!

KROFER
Oh... Oh, god... No!

(Krofer screams. We hear the prisoners attack him and beat him
to death)
KROFER
Hel - aaarrrggghhh!!!!

DOCTOR
Don’t stop! Keep on going!

(A door is opened then closed and the sonic screwdriver can be


heard locking it behind them)

DOCTOR
Okay, now that should hold them off.

INT - CONTROL ROOM, PRISON SHIP

(We hear a click as the door is slowly unlocked)

DOCTOR
No, no, no! I just locked it!

NARRATOR
Before the prisoners can reach the Doctor and the
wardens, Alicia pushes herself up against a large
storage cupboard next to the door, tipping it over.

(We hear the cabinet crashing to the floor)

DOCTOR
Fantastic! Everyone over here! There’s a vent we can
use to get down into a lower level.

ALICIA
I think we’re going to have a bit of trouble fitting
in there, Doctor.

DOCTOR
Have faith, Alicia. When you’ve been in the business
as long as I have, ventilation shafts are easy.

(we hear the Doctor pull off the grate and quickly jump down
the vent)

DOCTOR
Geronimo!!!
(from level below)
Come on, it’s not far!
ALICIA
How did you know that before you jumped?

DOCTOR
I didn’t.

NARRATOR
Everyone follows after the Doctor. Once they are
all together in the pitch-black, the Doctor uses the
light from the sonic screwdriver and rushes over to
one of the panels. He fiddles about with some more
wires until the lights in this room blinker on.
They find themselves in a very similar room to the
one above, except this room has two doors leading
off; one to the left and one to the right, marked
“Therapy Ward”

INT. LARGER ROOM - PRISON SHIP

DOCTOR
Okay, switched the emergency power to this level.
Now, to the important question. What exactly is
inside these things? No, that’s not the most
important thing. The most important thing is what
turned off the power in the first place? Whatever it
is that’s working with them.
(starts pressing some buttons)
Some kind of virus most likely, draining all the
power away, creating the perfect opportunity for
this thing to manifest and take control. And now it
needs to get back to Earth. But why?

ALICIA
Maybe it just wants to spread. Maybe needs more
human hosts?

DOCTOR
No, I mean why is the electric-redirecting thing,
person, virus, whatever, helping them? They don’t
seem that smart so I doubt they’re in charge.

ALICIA
Maybe it just likes them. Y’know, the thing that
gets me, though, is why you three don’t seem to care
at all that your friend is dead. I mean, he just got
torn to shreds by a bunch of zombies and you’re just
standing there like you’re waiting in line at the
Post Office.

SALETH
Krofer was not our friend. He was just a colleague.
We’re taught how to handle difficult situations
here.
DOCTOR
You’ve done a good job, so far.

SALETH
We, ourselves, are prisoners who have been
rehabilitated and this is our service, in return.

ALICIA
So, you were once all dangerous criminals.

SMITH
Yes, but this is also a hospital, of sorts. We went
through intense therapy and were cured, so we
offered to become members of the crew.

ALICIA
I suppose it’s not like you had anywhere else to
go, the engines destroyed, and all.

DOCTOR
Nothing! Absolutely nothing! I’ve run a full scan.
That means it’s physical and... Oh, this is
interesting.

ALICIA
What?

DOCTOR
Well, if you’re very, very clever like I am, you
might have noticed on our way here that there were
173 dead bodies lying on the floor. But if you take
a look right here, there should be 168 prisoners
plus the six guards on each level.

ALICIA
Right...

DOCTOR
Now, it seems either I’ve counted wrong, which is
impossible, or there’s someone else on board who
didn’t die in this mutiny.. A prison full of the
most dangerously devious criminals on Earth and one
of them is running about in a ship full of re-
animated corpses.. Haha! I love this job!

NARRATOR
In the corridor, on the other side of the door, more
dead prisoners begin to rise. Alicia watches them
through the small window in the door.

ALICIA
Oh my god! More of them! They’re coming in!
(one final burst of noise as the door opens and the prisoners
are in. Alicia screams)

PRISONERS
We will give you another chance. If you serve our
purpose, we will let your friends survive.

DOCTOR
My friends meaning not me, meaning you won’t kill
me.

PRISONERS
Do not put your faith in such a notion. We will not
hesitate if we have to.

DOCTOR
You are aware that there’s one prisoner left alive
on this ship, aren’t you?

PRISONERS
No. You are mistaken. Everyone has been consumed.
All dead, allowing us to control them.

DOCTOR
Yeah, I thought it was something like that. You need
an empty body to take control, don’t you? Not strong
enough, otherwise. But how did you get them to kill
each other?

PRISONERS
They were mad. It was easy.

DOCTOR
Really? Well, I guess I’m not going to get the truth
out of you so, sorry, but I must be going. I’d like
to say it’s been a pleasure but...

NARRATOR
The Doctor runs over to the Therapy Ward door and
throws it open. The companions run through to
safety, swiftly followed by the Doctor, who locks
it, manually, this time. Once again, they find
themselves in a room without power. And once again,
the sonic screwdriver is used
(sound of Sonic Screwdriver)
As everyone’s eyes adjust to the light, the Doctor
spots a board on the wall.

INT. THERAPY WARD - PRISON SHIP

DOCTOR
Now, just to check the records.. there should be
three patients in here. That means they’ll be hiding
somewhere. Just watch your step. Alicia, Pelham,
I have something that’ll help but I’ve only got two
on me, I’m afraid.

NARRATOR
Reaching into his pocket, the Doctor pulls out two
small spheres, both emanating a green glow.

ALICIA
What are these?

DOCTOR
What does it look like they are? They’re.. little
green .. glowy things. They’re just for emergencies
when there’s no other light available. Probably only
last twenty minutes.

SMITH
Let’s go, Doctor.

(We hear the group walk along the corridor, then stop)

ALICIA
Hmm, left or right; that is the question.

DOCTOR
Actually, it’s “To Be or Not To Be”.. In fact, it
wasn’t even that to begin with. In fact, it wasn’t
even a question -

ALICIA
Doctor -

DOCTOR
Yes, sorry. Right, Smith, you’re Chief Warden, which
way do you recommend? I just realised I have
absolutely no idea where I’m going.

SMITH
Well, if we go right we can reach the central hub of
the ship. Once we get there, if you can find enough
power, you can do a life-scan of the ship and use a
trans-mat to bring your ship here. Then we can get
as far away from this place as possible.

DOCTOR
Okay, sounds good.

NARRATOR
The group ventures on. Passing a room, Alicia
catches a faint glance of something and, letting the
others go on ahead, stops to investigate.

PELHAM
I don’t think the Doctor would want you to go in
there.

ALICIA
Oh, Pelham, you scared me! Well, after travelling
with the Doctor for a while, you learn to give him
the disrespect he deserves. What is this?

(footsteps as Alicia ventures further into the room)

INT. ELECTRIC CHAIR ROOM - PRISON SHIP

ALICIA
But.. that looks like an electric chair. That’s
inhumane! You never said you executed prisoners on
this ship?

PELHAM
We don’t. Those chairs only give small electrical
jolts. Very painful but not fatal. It’s a very
effective way of managing the prisoners, Alicia. It
makes them more docile.

ALICIA
Well, of course, it bloody does! You’re frying the
life out of them! That doesn’t make it any less
cruel.

PELHAM
It’s needed.

(We hear Pelham walk off. Pause for a few seconds)

ALICIA
(to herself)
I can’t believe this. Wait til the Doctor finds out
about this.

(The door slams shut)

ALICIA
Pelham?

(we hear Alicia breath heavily with fear)


NARRATOR
Alicia’s eyes widen in fear as she realises there is
someone in the room. A figure walks into the light.
It is an old man with a few wisps of long white
hair.

PRISONER
Now you can join us. You shouldn’t have denied us
our wishes. You could have lived.

ALICIA
(screaming)
Doctor!!!

NARRATOR
The prisoner leapt at Alicia, pinning her to the
floor. He grabbed her by the neck with one hand
while he raised his other one, ready to strike.
Then, just as Alicia readied herself for death, the
door was thrown open. The Doctor, sonic screwdriver
in mouth and fire extinguisher in both hands,
appeared. The old prisoner looked up just in time to
get the full force of the extinguisher on his head.
He fell over, twitching.

ALICIA
I thought you weren’t a violent man!

DOCTOR
He was already dead! And please don’t feel you have
to thank me, or anything...

ALICIA
How can I trust you about my father if you do things
like this?

DOCTOR
You know you can’t just use that as an excuse for
everything. That’s the last time I’m saving your
life, if you’re just going to complain about it. Now
please, stop wandering off.

ALICIA
They’ve got an electric chair to torture the
prisoners.

DOCTOR
Yes, I noticed. 80th millenia, not a great time to
be alive. Haven’t we covered this already?

(sound of Doctor walking out with Alicia)

SMITH
Doctor, just one more block up and to the right and
we should reach the elevator to get to the Central
Command hub. Do you think you can get the elevator
working? You’ll have to hurry, though. Saleth says
she can see prisoners waking up in the next ward.

DOCTOR
Ah, good. More prisoners, lots of fun. To the
elevator!

INT. CORRIDOR/ELEVATOR - PRISON SHIP

(The group continue. They go through a door and walk on a for


few seconds then stop as they reach the elevator. The Doctor
uses the sonic screwdriver as he starts reconfiguring the
wires)

DOCTOR
Now, these zombie things, what do they have in
common? It could be the water supply but then again,
a virus could kill the body itself, if it was strong
enough. Not to mention it would need you alive,
anyway, because it relies on your brain.

NARRATOR
As the Doctor continues mumbling and fiddling with
the wires, the prisoners reach the door and begin
pushing it open. Alicia and Saleth try their best to
push it closed but it is a struggle.

ALICIA
Doctor, get a move on!

DOCTOR
I need to think. What controls you but doesn’t need
your brain to do it? Back to basics... electricity!
Of course, that’s how they operated the doors!
Creatures of electricity that need a living host to
do anything productive. That’s how they infected the
prisoners. Through the electric chair. Cruel and
unusual punishment indeed! They didn’t need someone
to shut off the power because they ARE in the power!
They’ve hooked themselves up to the main power
supply and now they can control it. There, Houston,
we have power! Alicia,hurry up!

(Ping goes the elevator doors opening)

DOCTOR
There’s always the question of who’s controlling
them, but one we can solve when we get to the hub.
Leave the door, ladies. And run. Now!

ALICIA
You heard him. Run!

(Quickened footsteps as Alicia and Saleth run towards the


elevator. The corridor door bursts open and the prisoners
pour through)

DOCTOR
Ha ha, come on, you can run faster than that!

(Ping again as Smith presses a button and the elevator doors


close)

DOCTOR
No! Smith, what are you doing?

ALICIA
Doctor!

NARRATOR
But it is too late. The Doctor watches as the doors
close, the prisoners almost upon Alicia and Saleth,
and they have no chance of reaching the elevator as
it begins to descend.

(We hear the sound of the elevator descending as the Doctor


bangs on the metal door)

DOCTOR
Alicia!
(to Smith)
We’re going back up, right now!

SMITH
Sir, if we’d delayed any longer they’d have taken
us. We definitely cannot go back now.

DOCTOR
(extremely angry)
I am not someone you want to mess with, Smith. The
moment you put my friend in danger is the moment you
condemn yourself to death. I’m reversing this lift
right now.

NARRATOR
But before the Doctor could do anything of the sort,
Smith and Pelham grab him and handcuff him.

SMITH
I’m sorry but it’s too late. I can’t let you

endanger the rest of the lives onboard just to try

and save someone. We’ve lost a colleague as well,


but we must be strategic if we are to escape.

DOCTOR
I don’t care!

VOICE
She’s still alive.

DOCTOR
Who’s that speaking?

VOICE
I’ve told them not to kill her. Not yet.

DOCTOR
You listen to me, whoever you are. Nobody threatens
one of my friends. You’d better let her go - Saleth
too - or I swear to you that I will find you and
when I do, you’ll wish you hadn’t spared my life
earlier.

VOICE
In response to your first proposition, Doctor - no.
As for the second, I look forward to meeting you
It’s been a long time since I’ve had the opportunity
to speak to someone such as yourself. I’m right down
the hall.

NARRATOR
The lift comes to a stop and the doors open into a
lit corridor with another door at the end.

VOICE
I have something you need to see.

NARRATOR
With a little awkwardness, the Doctor unlocks the
handcuffs with the screwdriver and tosses them
violently to the ground as he walks towards the
door...

(TO BE CONTINUED....)

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