SUSAN: (calling to the others inside) Grandfather, look! (She points excitedly at footprints in the snow.) Look at those two footprints...they must have been made by a giant!
(IAN and BARBARA emerge from the TARDIS.)
BARBARA: (To IAN, as they examine SUSAN'S discovery) Well, what do you think?
IAN: It could be a perfectly ordinary footprint, Susan, but the Sun's melted it and made it look a bit bigger.
(The DOCTOR staggers breathlessly from the ship.)
IAN: Are you all right, Doctor?
DOCTOR: Eh?... Oh, a little bit out of breath!
IAN: Well, I suppose that's quite understandable!
DOCTOR: We must be several thousand feet above sea level.
SUSAN: Do you know where we are, then, Grandfather?
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.)
IAN: Barbara...I wonder!...Could it be...the Alps?
BARBARA: Or it could be the Himalayas?...Where are we?...The roof of the world!
IAN: The roof of the world?...I wonder!...If only! (He sighs.) Well...the Doctor isn't very reliable, you know!
DOCTOR: (Emerging once more from the TARDIS in a bit of a panic) Oh, look at all these things in here!...We're always in trouble!...This is extraordinary!...The fault is everywhere!
IAN: What's the matter?
DOCTOR: All the lights in the ship have gone out! The whole circuit on board has stopped working and this has affected the water- we haven't got any!
IAN: The water's no bother, Doctor...I mean, we've got snow...plenty of it!...And how about the heating?
DOCTOR: Oh, the heating as well!...Everything's gone to pot!
BARBARA: But that's serious...we shall freeze to death!
DOCTOR: (Turning angrily to BARBARA) Silly!...Are you quite- there's no need for you to tell me that, really!
IAN: I think I'd better try and find some fuel.
DOCTOR: Eh?...Oh?...Now where on earth do you expect to find fuel here, hmm?
IAN: Well, I must try, mustn't I?
DOCTOR: Oh well, I wish you luck!
BARBARA: I'll come with you, Ian.
IAN: Stay here.
SUSAN: (Butting in) Let me go!
IAN: No, Susan, you stay here!
DOCTOR: You stay with me, child...you might be able to help me.
IAN: Oh, come on, Barbara, we haven't much time! (He and BARBARA prepare to set off.)
DOCTOR: Now, Susan, go into the ship and fetch me the 2L0, 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: (going) Good luck!
DOCTOR: Thank you.
(IAN and BARBARA set off into the snow.)
**********
SCENE 2 - Mountains
(Later on, IAN and BARBARA are still struggling through the blizzard.)
BARBARA: (exhausted) Ian...one moment...I must rest!
IAN: (Trying to struggle on) 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: All right.
(IAN moves on into the blizzard. Suddenly, BARBARA sees something and cries out. IAN rushes back.)
IAN: What is it? What's the matter?
BARBARA: (frightened) I...think I saw an animal or something! It was standing there staring at me!...You don't believe me, do you? (She sees more footprints.) Well, look at those footprints!...
IAN: (worried) I'd better take you back to the ship.
(They head off back the way they came.)
**********
SCENE 3 - Exterior the TARDIS
(The DOCTOR and SUSAN are examining a broken piece of the DOCTOR'S equipment.)
SUSAN: Can you mend it, Grandfather, or have I got to make a new one?
DOCTOR: I'm afraid it'd take too long, my dear...that'd take me days!...Oh well...I don't know, really...it's all such a mess!
(IAN returns, leading a distressed BARBARA.)
DOCTOR: Well, Chesterton?
IAN: Just as you predicted, Doctor, nothing but snow and ice!
(The DOCTOR emits a meaningless sound, indicting that he is irritated.)
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!...Well, I suppose we could try to get down to a lower altitude and then...er...you know...before it gets cold...and then we...
BARBARA: Doctor...those things Susan was on about...I saw one of them!
DOCTOR: What are you talking about now?
IAN: Well, I only saw a print.
DOCTOR: Eh?...Prints?...What sort of print?...Paws, hooves, what?
IAN: To tell you the truth, I thought it was made by a fur boot.
BARBARA: No, Ian, I-I'm sure it wasn't human!
IAN: I only...
DOCTOR: If it were, it means there's somebody nearby!
SUSAN: (Pointing at something further down the pass) Oh, look!
IAN: (looking) There is something down there...it looks like a caravan or something!
SUSAN: (Making for the TARDIS) Come on, Grandfather!
DOCTOR: I must... (He mutters something incomprehensible.)
**********
SCENE 4 - Mountains
(Lower down the pass, the travellers find the spot where they saw the caravan. The snow is scuffed, but there is no sign of the wagons or people.)
IAN: Which way did it go?
SUSAN: (Screaming, as she is grabbed from behind) Ahh! Grandfather! (They are surrounded by MONGOL SOLDIERS.)
DOCTOR: Keep still!
IAN: (Trying to communicate with the SOLDIERS) We're travellers, lost on the mountains...will you give us shelter?
(SUSAN or BARBARA make anxious noises, as the 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 just people like yourselves!
TEGANA: Destroy them! (The SOLDIERS prepare to kill the four travellers, but are interrupted by a EUROPEAN man, who suddenly arrives on the scene.)
EUROPEAN: No! (SUSAN screams.) Put up your swords!
TEGANA: Would you have us give way to 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 mountain sickness?
IAN: Yes, he has.
EUROPEAN: My caravan is further down the pass...Come on. (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.
**********
SCENE 5 - Interior, a Tent
(Some time later, the EUROPEAN leads the travellers into his tent, where a young girl [PING-CHO] is cooking some food.)
EUROPEAN: We have visitors, Ping-Cho, who are cold and hungry.
PING-CHO: Yes, Messr. Marco. (She prepares to serve the DOCTOR and his companions some food and drink.)
IAN: Sit down, Doctor.
EUROPEAN: Yes, do. (The DOCTOR does so and PING-CHO brings him some soup.)
DOCTOR: Thank you, my dear.
BARBARA: (To SUSAN) I think I know who he is now.
SUSAN: Who then?
BARBARA: He's a European, Susan...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 liquid here is not too warm, but the cold here is so intense, it even robs a flame of its heat.
DOCTOR: Oh my, is that so?
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 well, we're travellers...yes...that's my grandchild, Susan, and that's Miss Wright, and that's Charlton, hmm!
IAN: (Correcting him) Chesterton!...Ian Chesterton!
POLO: My companions are the Lady Ping-Cho and the Warlord Tegana, and we're travelling 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, how silly of me...yes, of course...Cathay!
POLO: Well, you must all be very tired...Ping-Cho, you will share your quarters with Lady...? (Indicating SUSAN)
SUSAN: Susan.
POLO: Susan. I will sleep here with the others, and Lady...? (Indicating BARBARA)
BARBARA: Miss Wright.
POLO: Miss Wright, you will have my place.
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 well, there is a thing or two, young man, that I would like to ask.
POLO: Well, ask then.
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, aah!
**********
SCENE 6 - Ping-Cho's Room (Night)
(Later that night, SUSAN and PING-CHO are lying in bed in Ping-Cho's section of the tent.)
PING-CHO: Are you asleep, Susan?
SUSAN: (lying) Yes!
PING-CHO: Where are you from?
SUSAN: That's a very difficult question to answer, Ping-Cho!
PING-CHO: Do you not know where your home is?
SUSAN: I have 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: (Correcting her) Messr. Marco! That's what they call him in Cathay, you know!
SUSAN: But, in that case, 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: (shocked) Huh?...But how old are you?
PING-CHO: I am in my fifteenth year.
SUSAN: But so am I! Do you marry with...<the rest of the question is incomprehensible>?
PING-CHO: There it is the custom.
SUSAN: <Another incomprehensible question>? Am I right?
PING-CHO: Mixed.
SUSAN: And 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: And what are they?
PING-CHO: He is very important man...
SUSAN: That settles that!
PING-CHO: ...and he's seventy-five years old.
SUSAN: Oh!...
**********
SCENE 7 - Exterior the TARDIS
(The next morning, POLO and TEGANA are arguing outside, 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 will see that I speak the truth.
POLO: I think the Sun's rays will dispel the terrors from your mind, Tegana.
TEGANA: That's what you believe! Listen, the carriage they travel in has no wheels!
POLO: Has it?
TEGANA: (Pointing at the TARDIS) It stands there like a warlord's tomb on one end! 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!
(IAN and BARBARA arrive on the scene.
POLO: (To IAN) 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: So, how does it move?
IAN: Through the air!
TEGANA: (To POLO) Did I not say they that they were evil spirits?
POLO: (Ignoring him) 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 their Khan's lips. I do not understand it, but I have seen it! (To BARBARA) There is room for all of you inside here, Miss Wright?
BARBARA: Yes.
POLO: (Indicating the TARDIS doors) And one enters here?
BARBARA: It's locked.
POLO: Where is the key?
BARBARA: The Doctor has it, but you wouldn't let him come up with it!
POLO: Oh yes, he has another thing...have you the power to get inside?
IAN: No, only the Doctor has that power.
POLO: Why is it here?
IAN: It's damaged!
POLO: What?
IAN: And...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!
**********
SCENE 8 - Polo's Tent
(Meanwhile, in the tent, PING-CHO is cooking breakfast, when the DOCTOR comes in.)
DOCTOR: Ping-Cho, that smells very, very good! What is it?
PING-CHO: Bean-sprout soup, my lord.
DOCTOR: Ah...mmm...allow me! (He tastes the soup.) Mmm...it's 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 here 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 called Noghai...He wants to make war with Kublai Khan.
DOCTOR: Oh yes...Mongol fighting Mongol!
PING-CHO: The war is over, my lord. Noghai has sued for peace and Tegana travels to Kublai's court to discuss armistice plans.
DOCTOR: (Butting in) Yes...oh well...yes...well...For an emissary of peace, he has rather bloodthirsty habits, hasn't he, hmm?
(MARCO POLO enters with IAN, BARBARA and SUSAN.)
POLO: I find your caravan most unusual, Doctor.
DOCTOR: Yes...yes, Messr. Marco, it is different!
POLO: And in need of repair?
DOCTOR: Yes, it is, the...
SUSAN: Messr. Marco has ordered a sledge to be made, so we can take the TARDIS and walk.
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 staying for a few days at Lop.
BARBARA: Lop? Where's that?
POLO: It's a town near to the Gobi Desert, beyond Kashgar and Yarkand.
DOCTOR: I assume you will be taking us along with you...including the TARDIS?
POLO: Well, sir, I once transported an entire army and its equipment from Cathay to India...all without loss!
DOCTOR: Good...good, then I can work as we proceed!
POLO: Er...no!
DOCTOR: Why not, then?
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.
**********
SCENE 9 (Route 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) Next day...my plan worked! The strangers and their unusual caravan accompanied me to Lop!...Our route took us across the Roof of the World, down to the Kashgar Valley and downwards to Yarkand. Here, we joined the Old Silk Road, along which the commerce and culture of a thousand years had travelled to and fro from Cathay. I wonder what the strangers' reaction will be when I tell them what I mean to do?
**********
SCENE 10 - Exterior, Lop Way-station
(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 all necessary preparations for the caravan's stay.)
**********
SCENE 11 - Interior, Way-station
(Later, the travellers are relaxing in the comfort of their new lodgings at the way-station.)
POLO: The accommodation is to your liking, Ping-Cho?
PING-CHO: Thank you, Messr. Marco, this is excellent!
SUSAN: Truly fab!
PING-CHO: Fab!?! What is that, Susan?
SUSAN: Well... it's...umm...wonderful, even if it is a bit of a mess!
DOCTOR: Hey, 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...food!
(SUSAN emits a joyful shout.)
DOCTOR: Good.
IAN: (Looking outside) Doctor!
DOCTOR: Yes?
IAN: They've set the TARDIS up in the courtyard.
DOCTOR: Oh...excellent...excellent...yes...well...if you pardon me, I have a lot of work to do.
**********
SCENE 12 - Way-station courtyard
(Shortly afterwards, the DOCTOR makes to enter the TARDIS, but he is stopped by two of the MONGOL SOLDIERS, arrested and taken back to POLO.)
**********
SCENE 13 - Interior, Way-station
(The DOCTOR is brought in by the two SOLDIERS.)
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: (Trying to calm the DOCTOR down) I think, perhaps, we should listen to him...come on!
DOCTOR: (Not convinced) Gah!...Very well!...Bah! (He sits down.)
POLO: My home is Venice...I left there with my father and my uncle. We came to Cathay in 1271. 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: 1277?
POLO: It was, as you say, 1277...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 he will not be able to refuse it!
IAN: (Seeing the plan) You mean to give the Doctor's caravan to him?
POLO: Yes.
DOCTOR: You're mad!
POLO: You can make another.
DOCTOR: (exasperated) What...in Peking...or Shang Tu?
POLO: (Trying to calm him down) 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!
DOCTOR: (unconvinced) Oh...you think so...really? Oh no!...Oh no!
IAN: (Trying to reason with POLO) Marco, it's impossible!
POLO: (unconvinced) Surely, for a man who possesses a flying caravan, all things are possible!
IAN: No! We need special materials...metals...things that don't exist in Venice! I'm afraid you don't understand all the problems involved!
DOCTOR: (Indignantly to IAN) And neither do you, young man!
POLO: We'll return home by ship! We trade with every port in the world! It may take you longer, but you'll get there eventually!
DOCTOR: (sarcastically) Eventually...He doesn't know what he's talking about...the man's a lunatic!
POLO: No, Doctor...just 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!
DOCTOR: (sulking) Well, that is your problem, not mine!
POLO: (firmly) I have just made it yours, Doctor!
BARBARA: (desperately) 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 uncontrollably.) A caravan that flies...can you imagine what this would 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: (defiantly) 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.)
BARBARA: (Trying to calm the DOCTOR down) Come and sit down.
DOCTOR: (Between laughs) Oh well...what a mess!
SUSAN: (Also trying to calm him down) Grandfather...Grandfather!
DOCTOR: (Still laughing) Return by sea, he said!
BARBARA: Doctor...he's serious!
DOCTOR: I know that he is! (Continues laughing)
SUSAN: But what are we going to do?
DOCTOR: (Practically rolling about on the floor) I haven't the faintest idea! Oh, ho, ho, ho...!
**********
SCENE 13 - Outside Lop
(Outside the town walls, a secret meeting is taking place between a mysterious TARTAR MAN and TEGANA. The MAN gives TEGANA a container.)
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 report back to you...then we'll arrive 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 Susan Foreman CAROLE ANN FORD Barbara Wright JACQUELINE HILL Tegana DERREN NESBIT Marco Polo MARK EDEN Ping-Cho ZIENIA MERTON Yeng O. IKEDA Tartar Man LESLIE BATESStory Editor
Producer
VERITY LAMBERT
Director
WARIS HUSSEIN
Transcription
PHILIP JAMES FAIRWEATHER and MARK ILES