h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

............................DOCTOR
..............................WHO

<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<THE HOUR OF CONTROL

By Richard H. Wilden

Episode One:

The TARDIS continually banged about in the time vortex while inside the calm, relaxed atmosphere smothered the inhabitant more so.

Working at the controls was a short elfin-like chap dressed in a black frock coat and large baggy trousers.

This was the Doctor, the operator of the time machine, who now worked almost tirelessly at its instruments. In between takes from lever to lever he'd pipe something quick and high on his small light brown recorder.

Aggravated by this sound a young lad wandered into the console room. He was wearing a tunic and shirt while around his waist he wore a kilt, this was Jamie, a highlander who travelled with the Doctor.

'Doctor? Are you going to continue with that row all day?' he complained and as a matter of a response the Doctor looked at Jamie, recorder in mouth and gave him a sad look.
'Oh don't you give me that look Doctor, I know that look and I ain't going to fall for it!' Jamie said harshly staring down at the man, who produced a low whistle from his recorder.
'Oh Doctor, sometimes I wish you would nae keep messing with this thing?' he said pointing a finger at the console.
At this the Doctor pulled the recorder from his mouth. 'Helps to know where you're going Jamie if not we get a pleasant surprise' replied the Doctor but Jamie was not easily impressed.
'Oh really, then what about last time when I landed in the mud!' he groaned.
'At least you got out of it in one piece, there now I believe the TARDIS is in full working order?' the Doctor said as he finished his tinkering and stepped back rubbing his hands.
'You believe? Oh that's wonderful, just as long as we land somewhere solid, I'll be fine' Jamie muttered stalking back to the door to the corridor.
'Oh Jamie, if only you had a bit of faith in the TARDIS? It should be working perfectly and we're right on course too!' the Doctor said eagerly.
'Oh really and where is that?' Jamie asked and the Doctor found the touch of sarcasm quite heart stopping.

'Garon, a place in the Bumeaka system!' came a voice from behind them, turning they caught sight of a young dark haired woman in a sparkling black cat-suit.

'Remember Doctor?' she said looking to the Doctor.

'Of course Zoë, of course. To Garon on Zoe's request' replied the Doctor. Jamie, feeling a bit lost looked to the Doctor.
‘So what's so special about this Garon place?' he asked and saw that the Doctor looked lost.

'It's an artificial planet created two hundred years ago and then terraformed, I have a friend living on it, Dr Carneth, I mentioned him before' replied Zoë, which only made Jamie roll his eyes. Never did they ever go to Scotland?

Suddenly there came a bang from the console and suddenly the room titled sideways and immediately everyone was thrown against the console.
'Have faith Doctor? Ha!' Jamie muttered.

'Oh really Jamie, haven't you noticed something? The TARDIS is being influenced here by something else!' the Doctor replied.
'Can't you stop it Doctor?' Zoë asked, her face against the Time Rotor.

'I'm afraid not Zoë, the TARDIS is being pulled off course. All we can do is go with it, unless I act very quickly?' he muttered and feverishly started to twiddle with the controls.
'Well just hurry it up will ya?' Jamie groaned. As the Doctor twisted a final dial he quickly announced to them both' Hold on this might get bumpy!' he cried and pressed a far button.

Immediately the TARDIS started shake dangerously.
********
In a laboratory elsewhere an important discovery was about to be made. A white-coated scientist was leaning over a microscope and focussing on an object while a series of bubbling chemicals glinted in various flasks along the bench.
The man, short and round with thinning hair and small rounded beard eyed the object on the slide carefully. Suddenly he exclaimed ‘Eureka’ and quickly climbed up from his position and crossed the laboratory to a green wall mounted phone.

Taking the receiver he dialled a few numbers and waited patiently. His excitement was ill concealed as the answer came.
'Hello?' the replier was well spoken and full of authority.

'Colonel, Colonel it's me the Doctor, I believe I've found the source of the fungus?' he said aloud in Scottish tone.

'Really? Then you can have found a way to stop it?' came the hopeful reply of the Colonel.
'Not really Colonel, only that the source is not organic, this fungus is not a natural mutation. My only guess is that persons unknown created this fungus in a special laboratory?' the Scientist replied looking back to the microscope.

'Are you telling me that this killer fungus that chews through metal and has claimed the lives of three people was made?' the Colonel asked sound incredulous.

'Indeed I am Colonel and unless we find a clue with those fingerprints at the space centre then we may...' he tailed off looking to the door where two white clad men in overalls trained him with a revolver.
'Don't answer him!' ordered the first man. 'So you're responsible for the fungus?' the Scientist guessed looking at them both with no sign of terror.

'You could say that but I'm afraid you'll be telling no one!' he replied cocking the gun and levelled it at the Scientist.
***
Suddenly the TARDIS came to a stand till and they all found that they could move once again.
'And there we go!' the Doctor replied smiling heartily. 'Are we?' grumbled Jamie.
'Of course we are, just a spot of turbulence, that's all!' the Doctor replied.
'Don't be so pessimistic Jamie, we're not dead' replied Zoë.
'Well perhaps I should check the Scanner, see where we are?' the Doctor said crossing to the scanner and immediately they could see the scientist being threatened by the two guards.
'Now that doesn't look so safe!' regarded Jamie and before the Doctor could stop him, Jamie shot of the TARDIS.

'Doctor, we've got to help Jamie!' Zoë cried at the threshold of the door but as the Doctor watched he could see something flickering to the side and as he turned a lever on the screen the scanner turned to see a large camera facing the scene, while a man with headphones on dangling a giant boom above the scene watched.

'Oh no!' the Doctor said at last now realising what was going on.

'What's the matter Doctor?' Zoë asked as the Doctor hurried over to the door.
'It's Jamie! He's not using his head, running into trouble as usual!' he muttered worryingly as he hurried out of the TARDIS followed swiftly by Zoë.
******
'You know you can't succeed, the Colonel knows as much as I do!' the scientist replied staring back at the man's grim face.

'Well Doctor, I'm afraid he too will have to suffer!' he said, his finger tightening on the trigger. Suddenly Jamie launched himself from his hiding place and grabbed the man hard.
Taken by complete surprise the man spun about while Jamie ploughed him into the scenery. The scientist and the other man looked truly baffled as this strange fight took place. When the man was lying flat out moaning from a savage hit to his ribs Jamie held the gun aloft smiling triumphantly just as the Doctor rushed on looking very serious.
'Jamie! Jamie! Stop! It isn't what you think?' he babbled but Jamie unperturbed looked around shrugging at what he'd done.
'What're you talkin about?' he wondered sounding genuinely confused but as the Doctor was about to answer there came a loud harsh voice.

'Cut! Cut Cut! What's going on here?' demanded a skinny man in a chequered shirt and blue jeans, his brown hair was tied at the back into a ponytail and he looked suitably angry.

'That is something that I would like to know?' demanded the Scottish Scientist from behind them.

'Well it's like this Mister, my friend Jamie overreacted slightly?' the Doctor began but that didn't interest the Director.

'Overreacted? He destroyed that scene, just five scenes away from the cliff-hanger and you ruined it!' he snapped at Jamie, who looked suitably confused.

'Look I'm sorry I didn't know?' was all Jamie could say. 'Could somebody help me up?' came a whining, almost bleating tone of the man, who lay crumpled on the floor. Looking down, a few technicians came forward and helped him up, he rubbed his head with the ache of pain.
'Are you all right Jon?' asked the Director but the man shook his head.
'No, it's my ribs, they're killing me!' he groaned and winced hard. The Director sighed hard and frowned before turning back to everyone assembled.
'Look guys we're going to have to take five!' he said slowly and reluctantly everyone nodded.
Slowly they started to filter away across the studio floor taking great care not trip on any loose coils of wire. With them gone the Director turned back to them, looking increasingly annoyed.

'Look, who are you and how'd did you get in here? It's a closed set!' he demanded and to answer this the Doctor stepped forward.

'I'm sorry Mr Director for this problem and I can assure you that it won't happen again. I am the Doctor and this is Zoë and Jamie' he explained.
The Director looked a little amused by this.
'A Doctor you say? Very convenient for us. Perhaps you could do something for Jon? As for you two, are extras?' he said now looking to Jamie and Zoë. 'Extras?' Zoë asked and the Director shook his head.
'Yes, they are extras and I am their Doctor' the Doctor announced with a note of superiority.

'Really? You don't look like professionals? More like students!' replied the Director humorously. The Doctor briefly turned away and winked to them both before turning back to the Director.
'Of course they are, no doubt you have heard of the celebrated Scottish actor James Robert McCrimmon!' the Doctor replied patting Jamie on the shoulder.
'Really? Well, a word of warning to you Mr McCrimmon, interfere in the workings of Doomsday again and it will cost you!' the Director replied harshly and then walked over to the scientist and started to talk.
********
'What did you mean by that?' Zoë asked and saw the twinkle in the Doctor's eye. He gestured to the studio around them.
'This is a television studio, and you are supposed to be actors!' the Doctor replied, which only increased the confusion in their minds.

'Actors? Oh, you mean holo-media in the entertainment centres?' Zoë asked but the Doctor shook his head slightly.
'Not as complicated as that Zoë but you're on the right lines' the Doctor explained but this still seemed to be a bit hard for Jamie to take in. For him an actor was someone on a stage in a theatre and only rich people went to the theatre yet he could see no staging? As the Doctor could see Jamie's confusion, he looked over to him.

'I have explained that you are a brilliant actor Jamie and that you Zoë are a non-speaking actress' the Doctor explained and so Zoë started to nod.
'What do you mean act, I can't act?' Jamie started to say but the Doctor quickly shook his head.
'Just pretend Jamie, pretend. That will have to do to remedy the situation' the Doctor explained and finally saw that spark of recognition in the Scotsman's face.

'Oh Aye' replied Jamie and slowly the Doctor started to lead them around pointing to various places and items, stopping from time to time as wardrobe personnel carrying great bars of costumes through.

'Doctor, what did that man, the Director mean by Doomsday?' asked Zoë. This seemed to shock the Doctor as turned to look around until he caught sight of a clapper-board with title: DOOMSDAY written across the top.

'Well I imagine it's the name of the show? But what sort of show?' he said poking at a vast disembodied tentacle sitting on a chair, bringing it to his face he could smell the rubber of it, frowning he put it back down. The Scientist started to flip through a mass of papers and started to read aloud while the Director came over to them.
'Are you lost?' he asked this time his voice seemed less full of stress.
'Well want to know what this is?' Zoë said pointing to the tentacle, which promoted the Director to frown with amazement so quickly the Doctor, asked another question. 'She means, what is the story?' The Director scratched his head before asking.

'I don't really know I just shoot it, why don't you ask Webster over there?' he said pointing to the scientist. 'Oh thank you, thank you very much' the Doctor replied and as he was about to reply the Director nodded to an unseen voice.
'Look, just ask Webster and then get out of the way. We'll call you when we need you. The Executive needs to see me' he replied quickly and hurried off.
*******
'Hmm I wonder where he's off to?' Zoë wondered as she watched him go.
'Just off to see the studio executive I imagine?' the Doctor guessed as he wondered across to see Webster, the scientist.
'Mister Webster?' the Doctor said at last and eventually the man looked up to acknowledge him, he seemed very busy and full of stress as he answered.
'Yes, what, what do you want?' he replied steadily but his voice proceeded to bounce up and down.
'Well I was hoping you could explain everything to us?' the Doctor asked but instead Webster looked away and back to his script.
'Please?' Zoë asked and it seemed as if it were her sweet charm of her voice that grasped his attention fully. 'Good day Miss, how can I help you?' he asked now folding his script under his arm.
'Well could you explain what Doomsday is about?' she asked and Webster looked deeply surprised. Her attire certainly looked atypical of the acting profession but not to know of him, of the show?
'Well this is Doomsday. It's the greatest thing that ECCO pictures have ever produced!' he explained looking to them but the only one who seemed interested was the Doctor.

'Did you say Echo pictures?' he asked looking a little curious. 'E double C O, ECCO pictures, come on you have to have heard of DOOMSDAY? Every child knows of the valiant Doctor Doommaster and the threated perils of the unknown!' Webster explained and finally the Doctor nodded, his face reflecting a bored look.
'As I thought, science fiction!' he muttered loudly but undisturbed by this Webster lead Zoë to the side.
'You know, I believe you're exactly what we're looking for?' Webster replied sounding eager while his eyes scattered over her form. Zoë, finding herself unable to escape found herself feeling very sickly as he ogled her so.
'Yes, there might just be a part for you in this serial? Episode Five, the female bodyguard of Dr Chaos, there's quite a lot of dialogue, here take this. Why don't you try it out?' Webster asked handing Zoë his tattered, damp script and smiled so. Zoë returned the smile and quickly Webster nodded to Jamie.
'And even the way you handled Jon, there may be a place for you too?' he replied as he wandered off towards the Cafeteria to get a drink for his dry lips.
'What was all that about?' Jamie asked feeling very concerned about what Webster had said.
'You mustn't worry about it Jamie, he just wants you to appear in their silly little Science fiction sketch' the Doctor sighed and hung his head low.
'Science fiction?' asked Zoë looking non the wiser. The Doctor sighed again before turning back to his companions.
'Science Fiction is as H.G. Wells put it: 'to romanticise the subject of science'. Human beings encountering the unknown, flying to the moon, meeting alien beings and flying saucers' the Doctor explained. They both looked a little incredulous to what had been said.
'But we've been to the moon and met alien life forms, why do they make a show out of that?' Zoë asked and the Doctor sighed once again.
'That I know Zoë but during this time circa nineteen sixty or so it was considered to be perfect escapism from normal life, wonderful entertainment for all the family! If only?' he muttered but as Jamie looked as though he was about to ask something the Doctor instead led them off towards the direction of the Cafeteria. He looked interested for in his mind, he was sure he had heard of that word before, there was something vaguely familiar about the word-ECCO?
*******
As the lift doors opened the Director emerged onto a dark coloured corridor where surprisingly no pictures hung nor was there any art of any description? As he made his way up the narrow walkway, his shoes echoing hard on the polished floor.
Coming to an intersection he carried on wards while a circular camera turned round watching his progress. In no time at all he came to a desk at where a tall and attractive brown haired woman sat, wearing a full black trouser suit, her eyes were like pearls, she was very attractive he noted.
'Yes, what can I do for you?' she replied in an emotionless voice almost sounding clinical and cold. The Director brushed through his hair before answering her.
'Director Lance Hutton to see the Executive, he said that I had to come and see him?' the Director-Hutton replied and watched as she picked up the phone next to her. He remembered that he had asked her to appear in one of the shows, that she was perfect for the role but she had always refused.
Miss Elaine Harmer why couldn't you? He wondered to himself. After a moment Harmer replaced the phone and turned her attention to Hutton.
'The Executive will see you now!' she replied in the same cold tone and he nodded briefly before waving goodbye but Harmer merely returned an icy stare as Hutton continued on.
Before him were two vast lift-like doors that parted allowing him access. He found himself in a small dark office lit by only one lamp while behind it sat a tall, lean man dressed in a smart black suit. His hair was combed neatly while a pair of horn-rimmed glasses lay across his nose. His dark eyes seemed to burn behind them as he looked towards Hutton.
'Would you please explain the delay?' the Executive asked in a distinctly cold tone.
'Um, there was a problem Sir, unforeseeable that is?' Hutton found himself babbling before this impassive figure.
'I am aware of that Mr Hutton, however I do not know why this has happened? Would you care to explain?' the Executive asked staring now at Hutton.
'We had an interruption Sir, these extras broke into the scene. Jon Hardy playing the guard Cubbin has got his ribs bruised, we'll have to take some time out until he is better?' Hutton replied and tried so hard not to look into those staring eyes, they almost seemed to burn?
'You do realise that our entire schedule will have to be halted, the entire studio could come to a stand, as well you know! This interruption will radically alter the spaces that have been made in the table! They cannot be allowed to continue!' the Executive declared but this was not what Hutton wanted to hear.
'Look, what do you want me to do? Drag everyone back in no less than a few seconds. What about Hardy's ribs? Do I really have to replace him?' Hutton nearly exploded with anger but the Executive merely watched him.
'If it would aid the schedule then yes, locate another candidate. You have ten minutes Mr Hutton to get the studio working!' the Executive replied and pressed a control on his desk. Immediately the doors behind Hutton opened, for him the discussion was not over.
'Now listen here you... I've got' he started to say but was rudely interrupted by the Executive.
'Yes a production to be completed in ten minutes time. Good bye Mr Hutton' the Executive replied.
Without wanting to waste further time Hutton shrugged and left the room muttering. For a time the Executive sat still and then he pressed another control.

'Harmer, I require the full biopsy on Lance Hutton. I also require all footage from studio number three to be fronted to my office' he said into the COM,
'Yes Sir' replied Harmer. What was the cause of the error? Who were these extras? The problems would be smoothed over; the errors would be fixed!
*******
The Doctor's party by this time had entered the cafeteria and was sitting; talking with a man called Marlowe. He was some sort of assistant controller for the floor with greyish hair and crystal blue eyes. On another table sat Webster, flicking through another script carefully.
'So what you're saying is, that this place used to be Bugle pictures?' the Doctor was saying much to the disagreement of Jamie and Zoë, who looked quite bored.

'Indeed, the company was going under and what little money we had left went to the performers. Then one day we were out on the slag, ten years of the Dolly Sisters and Ask Edith and then' Marlowe gestured with his thumb.
'And where did this ECCO company come from?' the Doctor asked leaning over the table.
'Now that was the odd thing, less than an hour to go before we sold up and I got a call from this woman. She told me she presented this company interested in expanding into entertainment. Well within the hour, there they were signing over the lease. The man in charge, the Executive made sure a few of us stayed on to make sure that the studio was run properly, that was about five years ago?' Marlowe recalled and sat back taking a drink.

'Ah, I see? Now what did this company do before television?' the Doctor asked inquisitively.
'Well they're really in charge of communications, those satellites up there are all theirs, at last we don't have to compete for viewers, we can reach nearly everyone on the planet!' Marlowe explained triumphantly.

'Really? How very interesting' replied the Doctor looking very interested. 'Now tell me about this Executive? Where does he come into it?' the Doctor asked, his eyes narrowing as he almost felt the hairs on his neck rise up, he was being watched.
'Well he's really a controller of the studios, he runs it with efficiency and it all works smoothly for him but any problems arise and... Well he becomes terribly concerned' Marlowe replied looking up to see the desperate looking figure of Hutton standing in the doorway.

As Hutton entered the noisy room of the cafeteria, his eyes washed over the sight of various technicians, actors of all sorts, some wearing makeup and costumes. Sailors, astronauts, Napoleons sat together regardless of their looks talking.
Suddenly he focussed on the lonely figure of the Webster and hurriedly crossed the packed room towards him.

Crouching down he started to talk agitatedly towards him, many times he smothered back his pony tail, where Webster in response started to shout loudly, almost threatening to disturb the Doctor's conversation, when at last he nodded reluctantly. Only now did Webster smile and climbed from his seat and quietly left the room. Hurriedly Hutton wandered to various technicians and whispered the same thing to them; there was a minimal amount of fuss. Now looking round, he spied the Doctor's table and made his way over there.

'Excuse me but are you two doing anything at the moment?' he asked aloud, his voice flecked with stress. Hutton looked relieved when they both shook their heads.
'Oh thank goodness, now could you please come with me?' he asked or rather practically ordered as it sounded to them. Zoë, feeling a little reluctant held back while Jamie, a little more eager stepped forward.
'Aye, what do you want?' he asked and Hutton shrugged. 'I've had words with the Executive upstairs and he wants the production to go ahead' Hutton explained which seemed to baffle Jamie.
'Then why do you need Jamie for this?' asked Zoe looking inquisitively.
'Hardy's ribs are still bruised and he can't perform and since you are a perfect actor from Scotland I might need you?' Hutton replied and looked to his watch. But Jamie was no actor on a stage somewhere, he was a highlander!
Then he remembered the Doctor's words.
'Only pretending' he murmured before nodding his head. Hutton looked relieved as then looked to Zoë.
'Well if you're going on, I guess I'll have to keep an eye on you' Zoe finally replied. Turning back to the deep conversation taking place between the Doctor and Marlowe. 'Doctor, we're just going off with the Director?' she called but the Doctor didn't seem to hear her?
'Doctor?' she tried again and received only a few words. 'In a minute Zoe? Please go on?' replied the Doctor sounding deeply involved. After a moment or so later the Doctor looked up hearing his name.
'Zoë? Jamie? Now where have they gone of to?' he muttered.
'I expect they'll be exploring the studios, they're very big you know?' replied Marlowe as he finished drinking his tea.
'Oh yes, very big!' repeated the Doctor sounding uneasy.
********
As the Executive sat in his office in the high backed chair; his notice was fixed carefully on a large monitor.

It was replaying footage from studio three, as the supposed interruption came along he stared in amazement at the action of Jamie, Zoë and the Doctor. Now this man seemed interesting! He acted unlike the others, he was quick, resourceful and full of correctness, he was an educated man.
As he looked again he caught sight of a strange object standing in the corner of the shot. It was a tall blue box but that had not been there previously? Reaching for a control on his desk, the image started to rewind but as he watched he could see a flickering in the shadows and could hear a strange wheezing-groaning and slowly and surely the blue box appeared out of no where.
Shortly after this the door opened and out came the three intruders. Whatever this man's origin, he was no extra! Pausing the monitor on the Doctor's face. He reached forward and pressed a green button on his desk and a screen appeared before his door.
It came alive with a roundish face with blond hair wearing a white tunic and an odd looking white bowler hat.
'Synwell, I have a duty for you to perform' he said slowly towards the screen. The man- Synwell answered him in a crisp, polite voice.
'Yes Sir' the Executive turned the monitor round to face Synwell.
'This man is an interesting being, I want him to be monitored!' the Executive ordered and leaned forward.
'Is that all Sir?' Synwell asked slowly but the Executive shook his head.
'No, I want to know the status of Mirana Webster? Her father has been asking after her' he replied and Synwell turned away briefly as he was handed something.
'All technicians report the process will be completed in one hour, shall I bring them down after that?' Sywell asked and the Executive nodded.
'Yes, that would be best. I want all connections completed in three hours!' he replied and Synwell nodded slowly.
'Yes Sir, after that the Programme will be tested for any flaws' Synwell concluded.
'Yes, Continue to transport all materials. I want all units processed and returned within the hour!' snapped the Executive in his cold tone.
'Understood Sir' came Synwell's polite tone. The image faded away and the Executive sat in silence, now looking at the monitor.

'Who are you? What manner of man are you?' he muttered as he stared at the Doctor's face.
*******
While elsewhere in the studio the Doctor was being shown around by Marlowe. You certainly have a lot of cameras about?' the Doctor noted as he looked at one and saw that it started to follow him about.
'Well they're all for security you know, stops unwanted press getting in, they’d sell their very skeleton I bet to get their teeth into our secrets. Oh would you not keep staring at them, it disrupts the network I'm told' Marlowe explained and led the apologetic Doctor away from it and back towards the tour.
'Oh I am sorry?' the Doctor replied looking around him at the cream coloured walls and the white polished floor of the corridor.
'Now that looks promising?' the Doctor added as they walked past a door marked: Control room. Marlowe nodded and scratched his head, it was like taking an excited child about and yet the Doctor was about as old as he was, he guessed.
'Now that is the systems control for the entire studio below, would you like to go in?' he asked but the Doctor's excitement had already propelled him inside. Inside there was a lot of activity going on, various operators wearing heavy headphones were checking instruments and watching the many screens on a video wall before them.
As he leant over people's shoulders casting shadows across their scripts he received only irritated looks and quickly found himself being pulled back.
'I think it would be best if you stood back here out of harm's way?' Marlowe said quietly and once more the Doctor resigned himself once more.
'I was only interested' he said aloud but received threatening shushes.
'Sorry?' he said to Marlowe who started to point out the various uses for having this control room but the Doctor, already versed at what it was for allowed his eyes to wander until they focussed in a logo: ECCO. It was printed across nearly every piece of equipment there? 'Tell me Mr Marlowe, is everything in here ECCO's?' he said pointing to the various logos.
'Well yes Doctor everything was supplied by ECCO, all the top of the range equipment needed is enhanced by their own companies' he explained but as he did so the Doctor caught sight of a familiar figure standing before the screens.
'Hey, that's Jamie? What does he think he's up to?' the Doctor replied. As Marlowe squinted hard towards the screen, it was indeed the Doctor's friend but there seemed to be no sign of the girl? No wait there she was on the sidelines.
'It seems that he has got himself mixed up in DOOMSDAY? Don't worry Doctor it's just a screen test I imagine?' Marlowe explained but the Doctor looked worried.
'But they can't be? They took it off the air!' he replied and all Marlowe could do was shrug.
'I don't know? I suppose the Executive could have ordered the production to begin again, always worried when things halt his wheel of progress' Marlowe started to re-explain in a dull, monotonous tone. Seeing the Doctor, he looked as though he was about to panic?
'I shouldn't worry, after all it is only make believe?' Marlowe added but instead got a strange look from the Doctor beside him.
******
'Right, if you could turn this way Mr McCrimmon?' asked a plump, round curly haired woman and as he turned he received a strange pie of fluff into his face. His first reaction was to get up, to walk away but they weren't harming him.
In fact in the last five minutes he'd been pampered like a prince as they had cleaned him and combed his hair.

'There now, if you could go to the wardrobe now and they'll change you' the Director replied but this was not what Jamie wanted to hear?
'Change me? Oh no I ain't going to do that' he said struggling out of the chair. Hutton sighed loud as he looked to Jamie, a professional he had been told. Professional what? He wondered.
'Look, you cannot go stage wearing that thing!' Hutton countered pointing to Jamie's kilt.
'Aye, but that's mine, I suppose you'd rather have me take it off and freeze, would you?' he mumbled but Hutton simply shook his head slowly.
'Look you are going to play a vicious henchman, you are going to threaten Webster over there with a gun!' he said frantically pointing to where Webster was being made up in his scientist's white coat.
'Threaten?' Jamie mumbled looking a bit unsure.
'Yes, threaten him with the gun. You're a vicious psycho- a killer being employed to shoot Webster!' Hutton replied hoping to capture Jamie's creative energy but it was no use?
'But you said I threaten him?' grumbled Jamie in response and Hutton rolled his eyes to the ceiling.
'Look, will you just go to wardrobe, please?' begged Hutton finally and reluctantly Jamie agreed relieving Hutton, who dashed across to talk to Webster. Just as Jamie sighed Zoe came across dressed in a white fur coat.

'Hello Jamie?' she called and slowly he looked up to see her outfit.
'Do you like it? Those men in wardrobe got it for me, they say I look very good' she said pleasantly but then she saw Jamie's expression.
'What's wrong?' she asked and Jamie shrugged.
'I don't know, that man Mr Hutton wants me to take off my kilt and then threaten someone with a gun, I thought this acting was easy?' Jamie muttered but all he got was a slight giggle.
'He wants you to act Jamie, to pretend to threaten someone and he will record the image on the camera' Zoë explained but Jamie's eyes widened with horror.
'Record my image?' he almost spat with disgust but Zoë simply shook her head.
'Yes, there's no harm made. They do it all the time apparently. No where are you off to?' She asked as a beautiful woman suddenly escorted Jamie.
'To see someone's wardrobe I think?' Jamie mumbled quickly as his escort took him away.
'Well good luck and remember your lines aren't you can't go wrong' Zoë replied waving to him. Lines? Lines?
'What? What do you mean by lines?' Jamie managed as he vanished out of sight.
********
At the desk outside the Executive's office sat Harmer writing through some reports when the telephone rang. Immediately as if she could sense it she plucked it free on its first ring and answered it.
'Yes?' she asked slowly. After a moment she replaced the phone and pressed an orange control on her desk, there was a small buzz before static.
'Yes Harmer?' came the reply of the Executive through the desk grille.
'The dignitaries have arrived to make their contribution Sir. You requested being told' she replied in her flat voice. There was a slight pause before he answered her. 'Thank you Harmer' he replied and behind Harmer came the metallic swish as the doors slid open disgorging the tall figure of the Executive.

He walked in a hollow; open stepped pace towards the desk and looked down at the woman.
'I shall go and greet them then, show them where their money will go. If anyone calls by please take a message, I may be gone for sometime' replied the Executive and Harmer bowed in respect before returning to her reports as the Executive walked to a side lift.

The doors slid open and in he went, the doors shut silently and the light above it signalled that it was going down. Slowly and surely the office doors sealed themselves behind her.
*******
Down in the studio Zoë was standing beside a stand of costumes when Jamie returned. At first she wasn't sure it was Jamie for his hair had been given a side parting and his usual kilt and tunic had gone to be replaced by white coveralls, trousers and black jack boots. He came over to her looking and feeling decidedly uncomfortable.
'Oh I don't know about this Zoë?' he grumbled but Zoë instead seemed all right about it.
'Nonsense you look really vicious, you just need to emphasise that quality' Zoë explained but Jamie still hadn't any idea what she was talking about?
'Empha-what?' he muttered.
'Emphasise it, make it very real. Come on it's easy?' she pleaded knowing what he would do next.
'Course it's easy for you girl, you've just got to stand around!' Jamie snapped angrily. Zoë smiled as she watched him.
'Great, you've really got the hang of it!' she replied. Just then a fatter man came on dressed in a black jumper and grey trousers and shouted
'Clear stage!' Immediately everyone else started to file off the stage. The man in turn saw Zoë and ushered her off the stage.
'Come on you, clear the stage!' he warned.

'We'll go from- You could say that but you'll be telling no one!' Hutton said quickly looking at his watch and hurriedly Jamie was ushered into place by another similarly suited man and handed a gun.
Looking at it with disgust Jamie threw it to the floor, which caused a great uproar, frustrated Hutton ran onto the set.
'What is the matter Mr McCrimmon?' he said as he retrieved the gun from the floor.
'I, I don't know?' cried Jamie.
'I thought you wanted me to threaten him?' he moaned and Hutton sighed hard. 'Look, it's quite easy just say the line
'You could say that but you'll be telling no one!' and point the gun at Webster. Steven will handle it from there!' he said motioning to the other man and slowly Jamie reluctantly nodded. Smiling now Hutton crossed back to his place and caught a cold stare from a tall dark suited man leading a group of men and women across the floor. Hutton swallowed nervously and raised his hand.

'Right and now action!' he announced and pointed. There was a click as the camera started to roll but Jamie unprepared held the gun on Webster but said nothing. It was only from a knock from the man beside him that Jamie started.
'You could say that but you'll telling no one now!' Jamie repeated in his Scots voice and so the action continued. Out of the corner of his eye Hutton watched the Executive depart and sighed heavily.
******
Up in the control room the Doctor watched the scene going ahead with great suspense but as he looked he could see the far away group making their way out of the studio.
'Mr Marlowe, who are those people?' the Doctor asked gesturing to the rapidly vanishing people. Marlowe squinted again and shook his head.
'That will be the Executive showing the dignitaries around again. Trying to recruit more business to join them, I expect?' Marlowe guessed but received a look from the Doctor.
'The Executive! Of ECCO?' he asked and Marlowe nodded but no sooner had he nodded then the Doctor out across the room and out.
*******
Hurrying along the corridor like a man possessed the Doctor did his best to avoid people coming the other way. Slipping on the ground he turn and leapt down the stairs in great jumps until finally he came to a door marked CLOSED SET, Do not enter when Red light flashes. The red light was on but this was a matter of an emergency!

Hurriedly he pulled open the door and dashed out, looking this way and that he spied the last of the group and quickly shot across the studio floor behind the action-taking place. His large coat flapping as he ran, the only person to spy him was Hutton, who caught a glimpse of him running.
'Oh no!' he muttered just hoping that no one could see him making a fool of himself? As the Doctor pushed past a costume rack he found himself at a door marked exit.
Panting heavily he pushed open the door and found his way barred by sunlight but as he shielded his eyes there was no one there! Just a large, empty compound and an aerial mast but of the people, there was nothing.
'That's not possible? They can't have just disappeared?' the Doctor muttered looking around him.
********
Zoë, who had been so rudely pushed to the back of the set, sat in a huff. Just typical how Jamie got all the fun and how she was always left behind? Just then she seemed to hear some distant voices and as she looked, beyond the set there seemed to be a group of people walking this way. Crossing behind the set she spied them walking towards a door, the leader was answering questions.
'If you join the ECCO organisation I can promise you all a new perspective to the business community' replied the Executive as he lead the way.
'Really Sir and how much money do you want from us?' replied a fair-haired woman close to the back.
'For the moment nothing Madame, unless you are fully satisfied with the tour I ask for no money?' he replied politely. Zoë hurried across behind a series of sets and followed after them, curious as to know where they were going?

As the door opened Zoë pushed herself further into the group and walked out with them all-unaware that the Doctor's fleeting form was coming quickly after her. As they emerged into the sun the Executive turned their attention towards the aerial mast. 'If you join our conglomerate I can promise you world-wide advertising twenty four hours a day, seven days a week without breaks' the Executive announced gestured to the tall mast.
'You seem very sure of that?' asked the fair haired woman from the group and without turning the Executive replied. 'I am Madame. It is my duty to know that, if you would accompany me, I will show you the very strength of the ECCO' He looked up at the sun, undisturbed by the brightness as it shone down.
Quickly he led the way round to the tall mast. Zoë, on seeing this crept out of the group and stopped watching them. As he gestured to the tall mast he goaded them forward and then suddenly he wandered behind the aerial, the others in tow but he did not emerge from the other side! Slowly she crept towards the aerial but as she did she could hear a wailing scream.
'No, no please I don't want to?' it was a woman, perhaps the same woman from the group?
'You have no choice! You will obey!' replied the Executive but quickly there came a fleeting figure running away from the aerial and hurrying towards another studio. Zoë getting her chance hurried after her just as the tall lean figure of the Executive watched her from the mast.
It was the same woman from the studio feeds; she was from the intellectual's group. The unit had to be recovered, she had seen something? No, better to close off the link he decided. With a nod he pulled himself back into the aerial mast and was gone. As Zoë hurried after the woman she could see she was dressed in a brown skirt and coat. She was almost panicking when Zoë caught up.
'Easy there? Easy. I won't hurt you?' Zoë said softly and the woman slowly started to calm down. The woman looked tearful but she sniffed hard.
'Can you help me? Are you working for him?' She babbled but Zoë simply shook her head.
'Look, it's obvious that you've had a nasty shock so perhaps we could begin again? My name is Zoë' Zoë said simply and the woman took out a tissue from her bag, she was definitely calming down.
'He almost attacked me, tried to pull me in there!' she replied pointing to the aerial.
'Yes but what is your name?' Zoë asked again.
'My name is Rebecca, Rebecca Wood Secretary to Command Electronics...' she started to say.
******
From where the Doctor stood he surveyed the area with careful eyes. They must have gone somewhere? But where? Behind him unnoticed came the loud word of
'CUT!' As it came there seemed to be a great rushing of feet and within no time at all the Doctor became aware that he was not alone.
'You all right Doctor?' came the Scottish reply and turning the Doctor half-smiled as he saw Jamie but not dressed as he should be.
'Having trouble Doctor? I saw you crossing the room, wanted to go but they kept me there? Why didn't you tell me pretending was so fun?' Jamie replied smiling greatly but stopped as he saw the Doctor's face.
'What's the matter?' he asked and the Doctor pointed to beyond the doors into the vast compound between studios. 'Jamie, I just followed someone out of here with a group of people, about a dozen of them and they vanished?' the Doctor said simply.
'Vanished?' Jamie replied.
'Out there, I was only a minute behind them? Even if they had gone into another studio I would have seen them? No they vanished all right!' the Doctor decided.
As Jamie looked beyond the door, he too surveyed the area but he too could see nothing.
'Whom did you say you were following?' he asked and the Doctor looked at him crossly.
'Well him, the Executive of these studios. Where's Zoë?' he suddenly asked aware that she was also no where to be seen.
'She was by the side of the stage, when I started. I thought she was with you? Is it important?' he asked but the Doctor's expression only confirmed it.
'Oh very Jamie, the name ECCO I've heard it before somewhere and now the leader and his tour vanish within a matter of seconds! Something is very wrong!' the Doctor muttered low.
'Come on, let's try and find Zoë?' he replied at last and hurried off quickly.
************
Meanwhile Zoë had made sense of Rebecca's story. She was invited here to see the wonders of the ECCO industry.
'And you say they just vanished into the aerial installation?' Zoë asked and reluctantly Rebecca nodded. 'Yes, it sounds crazy doesn't it?' she asked but Zoë didn't say anything. She had seen them vanish behind the mast.
'No, I saw you go. Look if you come with me I've got a friend who will listen to you, please?' Zoë asked and slowly, hesitantly she nodded.
'Okay but as long as we don't go near that creepy Studio Executive I'll be fine' she replied.
*************
As they both climbed to that feet they in turn were being watched from a distance by a bowler-hatted man dressed in white. Slowly he raised a small disc-like pad and pressed a red control on its top. Within the centre of the disc there formed a column of light.
'Yes?' came the Executive's cold reply.
'This is Synwell, Sir. I have the rogue unit in my sight, she appears to be talking with someone?' he replied politely.
'Oh dear. Orders are changed, extinguish the error please?' the Executive commanded and Synwell flicked off the communicator. Drawing a strange looking gun from his tunic and pointed it at the girls.
'Orders understood!' he replied and pulled the trigger!

CREDITS:
DOCTOR WHO

THE HOUR OF CONTROL

Doctor Who: Patrick Troughton

Jamie: Frazer Hines

Zoe: Wendy Padbury

The Executive: Bernard Kay

Marlowe: Cyril Shaps

Webster: Richard Todd

Hutton: Peter Halliday

Harmer: Louise Pajo

Synwell: Philip Madoc

Rebecca: Felicity Gibson

Written By: Richard H. Wilden

Script Editor: Gerry Davis

Music by: Dudley Simson

Directed by Morris Barry

<<<<DOCTOR
<<<<THE HOUR OF CONTROL


Episode Two


As Zoë helped Rebecca to her feet they were unaware of the watching figure of Synwell, who stood some distance away. The gun was levelled directly at them.
'Orders accepted' he said in a crisp, polite voice and carefully pressed on the trigger.
'Excuse me? But where have you been?' suddenly came a voice from behind him and turning Synwell confronted a tall, balding man of thirty.
'Well?' he asked and Synwell sighed as he lowered his gun.
'I believe you have me confused with someone else?' Synwell replied but the man facing him shook his head. 'Look, you're wearing a Moon-runner costume and the gun. You're wanted on set now!' the man demanded but Synwell rolled his eyes and raised his gun.
'No I'm not!' he hissed and pressed the trigger, the end lit up and the man stiffened, his face contorted with agony and he fell forward to the ground. Satisfied with his work he turned back to where the girl should be but they weren't! He frowned and looked over his shoulder at the dead man before him.
'Primitive!' he muttered and quickly he hurried away.
*******
With the scene filled out, Hutton was feeling better though the scowl of the Executive had unnerved him; he was sure about one thing- the episode would be finished on time! As he turned away from the Colonel's set he became aware of a young woman well within her 20th year or so, standing by the side.
'Hello? Can I help you?' he asked as he walked briskly towards her. It was only as he drew closer that he recognised her.
'Good day Mr Hutton, have you seen my father?' she asked and Hutton looked around as if to see him? 'He was here a moment ago Miss Webster but I believe he may have to the cafeteria?' he replied politely and with that she started to turn towards the distant door.
'Wait a second? Are you all right Miss Webster? I only heard from your father that you were coming back from treatment, did it go well?' he asked and turning back he caught a glimpse of her expressionless face. Slowly it broke and she smiled.
'Yes thank you Mr Hutton, the doctors say that I am strong enough to leave the clinic. I was hoping my father would be here?' she asked and Hutton nodded.
'Well he'll be around here somewhere, can't wait to get you back on the set, story's haven't been the same without you?' Hutton replied but the girl simply ignored him and walked slowly off the set.
********
With the studio lights raised the Doctor and Jamie's search was made easier but as they had been continuing along a back of dusty costume racks, the sudden light shocked them and indeed the empty rubber monster costume caused him to cry out!
But since it didn't as much as twitch at them the Doctor lead the way.
'I canna believe it Doctor? She was standing by the stage and now she's...' Jamie started but in no time the Doctor finished.
'Vanished! Just like those people as well?' he muttered as he finally lead the equally tired Scotsman out of the dust. Now staring over at the studio floor, at the few varied sets there were in the large room.
The few people that climbed over them making sure that everything was stuck together and not in any danger of falling apart? As the Doctor squinted two far figures came into the studio seemingly unnoticed from the Doctor's view.
'It's no good Doctor, they could be anywhere in here?' replied Jamie but the Doctor shook his head.
'No Jamie, I can't believe that Zoë would let herself get lost like that?' he muttered. Just then Hutton spun round and crossed over to them both.
'Ah there you are Mr McCrimmon I was wondering where you went to? May I have a word with you?' he asked but Jamie was in no mood for this now- for him- the whole business was over.
'No, I'm helping the Doctor' Jamie answered slowly but this was obviously not what Hutton wanted to say?
'Now please Mr McCrimmon, I've just heard that Hardy cannot perform but because of your performance, I want you to take part full time. I want to go over with you about the script, if that is all right?' He said looking to the Doctor believing that he must be an agent.
'Well, if you have to, you'll have to' the Doctor replied and carried on much to the alarming look from Jamie.
'Now look here Doctor I can nae...?' he started but received only the Doctor's back as Hutton pulled him away.
As Zoë helped Rebecca, she noticed a familiar looking figure wandering around the back looking this way and that.
'Doctor!' she called and immediately the Doctor looked around to spy her distant form.
'Zoë?' he asked sounding unsure. But as they drew level into the light the Doctor beamed and hurried across to them.

'Zoë!' the Doctor replied happily as he rushed to greet her.
'Oh Doctor' she replied looking equally happy to see him. 'What's wrong?' she asked seeing the look of slight sadness on his face.
'I thought you'd gone. I thought you'd gone off with that group?' the Doctor replied, which produced a look of recognition on Zoë’s face.
'You mean vanished? You saw them too?' she asked and the Doctor nodded eagerly.
'Yes, I was following them. They were being by the Executive, I just wanted to speak to him?' the Doctor replied.
'Well don't try to- he'll just make you disappear like he did with the others!' came a new voice to the Doctor's ears and turning he saw an attractive woman with Zoë.
'Oh I'm sorry, who is this?' he asked looking very polite. '
This is Rebecca Wood. I think she can help you Doctor?' Zoë replied but the Doctor looked a little bewildered.
'What do mean?' he asked but Rebecca simply shook her head.
'I knew he'd never believe me?' She replied but the Doctor shook his head, remembering what she had said he suddenly cast aside any thoughts of dread from her mind. 'You mean you were there when this group vanished?' he asked and quickly Rebecca nodded.
'Yes, I was part of his group, we all were and then he showed us his 'centre of power' and he took us round to an aerial box but as he showed us- these men came out of no where dragged us through...' she said slowly tailing off thinking that he was humouring her but instead this man seemed to hanging on her every word?
'Came out of where Miss Wood?' the Doctor said, almost cueing her and immediately she responded with an unusual look across her face.
'Well, the aerial mast, just came out of the box and grabbed them... pulled them through' she explained and slowly the Doctor nodded.
'What do you think it is?' Zoë asked, disturbing the Doctor's thoughts.
'Oh um nothing. Just something at the back of my mind? Now then, thus aerial mast, could you find it again?' he asked and Rebecca nodded.
'Course I could, it's just out there!' she said and pointed to beyond the studio and the Doctor suddenly remembered.
'Then come on, we haven't a second to waste?' he replied and hurriedly he lead them to the exit.
*********
In the cafeteria sat Webster mulling through his notes. The next scene was going to be tough but he assured himself that he- the great Dr Doommaster could rise to the occasion! The room was no longer full but empty everyone had been called back to work and there he sat. Just then the doors opened in walked the girl but Webster was too busy looking through his script. When she was a few feet from him she called out in a sweet voice.

'Father?' Looking up slowly he caught sight of her, at first he believed that she was a hallucination but beamed in recognition as she took a step towards him.
'Mirana? Is it you?' he asked wondering what she was doing here? The Doctors had said otherwise but here she was.
'Of course it is me father, I am back now. How are you?' she asked and Webster laid his script onto the table beside him.
'Can't complain, still doing the same old story? As for you I was told that it would be another week or so before you would be up? You are all right aren't you?' he asked looking into her violet eyes and smiled. She instead stood there almost as if she didn't know what to do?
'I'm fine father. The Doctors said that I am cured and can now return to the show' Mirana replied n the same simple reply. Webster could hardly contain his joy for her and stretched out his hands towards her.
'Come here and give your Dad a hug, I think I need it?' he said but strangely enough Mirana simply stood there, her face was frozen in joy and she simply stared ahead. 'Mirana?' Webster asked again and she smiled.
'You are feeling all right aren't you?' he asked and in a response she nodded but the grin never left her face. Standing up looking a bit unnerved by that grin he stared at her but she did nothing. Then she reached up to her head and cried out, stepping to help her she slowly fell into a seat.
'Mirana?' he asked looking down at her but she shook her head.
'It is nothing father, just a headache?' she replied weakly but instead Webster embraced his daughter carefully.
'It's all right dear, Daddy's here, Daddy's here' he said slowly.
********
'I demand to see the manager!' shouted the tall aged looking man in the expensive suit.
'I am afraid the Executive is out at the moment Sir, he is show civil dignitaries around' Harmer replied from her desk but the man facing merely shook his head and frowned harder.
'Then why did he not wait for me? I am Sir Donald Humphrey, chief executive of Orpheus Industries; I eat little jumped up secretaries like you for breakfast! I want answers and I want them now!' Sir Donald bellowed staring over the desk at Harmer's perturbed face.
'You were late for the tour?' Harmer asked turning to her computer and started to type in.
'Of course I was bally well late! Confounded traffic that's what and when I turn up to the complex I'm asked for a pass!' Sir Donald shouted rudely, his eyes narrowing greatly but instead Harmer simply looked back at him.
'Would you care to wait then as the Executive will be some time?' Harmer replied but Sir Donald merely raised a fist and whacked it on the desk hard.
'No I would not! Now listen to me, I will not play second fiddle! I have friends you know? Friends that can deal you lot into the bin, where you belong unless you tell me where this wretched tour of yours is!' he yelled and then gave way to a hoarse cough. Harmer merely shook her head as she looked from her monitor.
I am afraid that is not allowed Sir, the tour has entered into its final moments, your visit would incur to nothing' Harmer replied and gestured to a seat. 'Please take a seat?'
But Sir Donald had heard too much and fiercely grabbed hold of Harmer's hair and tugged her close to his fist. 'Now listen here, Madame unless you tell me where the tour is I'll beat the answer out of you, understand?' he roared. Harmer, although compromised pulled free a similar looking gun from her side and levelled it at Sir Donald.
'I afraid Sir that we are not interested in business with you!' she said coldly and triggered the gun. Immediately Sir Donald groaned and roared before falling backwards to the floor. Placing the gun back down she continued with her typing.
********
Synwell stood by the side of studio three watching area carefully and then satisfied that no one was around he pulled out the communicator and activated it. Immediately the disc buzzed with static.
'Yes?' came the cold reply of the Executive.
'This is Synwell, Sir' he replied politely.
'Ah, you have extinguished the rogue unit?' the Executive asked sounding a little pleased but Synwell shook his head.
'Negative Sir, I was interrupted in the dispatch. The units are still alive' he said sounding weak knowing all to well of what was going to happen.
'No matter, keep under observation. Has the man I asked you to monitor appeared yet?' he asked and Synwell shook his head.
'Not yet Sir...' he said but as he did so the studio door open and out wandered the Doctor, Zoë and Rebecca. As Synwell watched them, they seemed to be heading towards the aerial.
'Sir, the man has just appeared now, he is accompanying the two rogue units, shall I extinguish them?' he asked. There was a small pause before the reply came over.
'No, the entrance bay is sealed they cannot enter however just keep them under close supervision!' the Executive ordered.
'Yes Sir' Synwell replied politely and closed the communicator. He stood there by the side of the building, completely unnoticed watching as they moved.
*******
'This man, Miss Wood, did he lead you into the Aerial mast?' the Doctor asked as he lead her over but she shook her head.
'No, he followed them in. Do we have to go back there?' she replied and the Doctor nodded.
'The only way to end the crime is to start at the beginning!' he said as he drew level with the mighty structure.
'Very impressive' he muttered as he gazed at it.
'Not really, judging by its size I mean I've known bigger communications arrays to hold emergency units together. This is nothing' replied Zoë as she too scanned the machine.
'Size isn't everything Zoë?' replied the Doctor as he made his way around the machine.
'And you say these men came out and grabbed the people?' the Doctor repeated and reluctantly Rebecca nodded.
'Yes. Look could this just be a television effect? I mean perhaps I should have told security?' Rebecca replied as she looked at the tall mast before her. Instead the Doctor started to kneel down and gestured for them to come too.

'What is it?' Zoë asked as the Doctor gestured for them to come closer.
'Look down here!' he instructed and as he cleared his hands Zoë and Rebecca could easily see the remains of footprints pressed hard into the ground.
'Yes well those are our or were our footprints' Rebecca replied but the Doctor instead pointed to the two pairs of well set footprints, they appeared to be thicker than the others.
'Notice anything about these two?' the Doctor asked looking to them both. Instead he caught sight of frustrated looks and frowns. He sighed as he knew that he might have to tell them out loud.
'Well they're deeper than the others' Rebecca said first and the Doctor swiftly nodded.
'And there were two of them that grabbed you' Zoë replied and the Doctor looked hopeful but nothing came from that. 'Notice anything about the aerial?' he asked and pointed to it. Zoë glanced up at the vast silver rod driven hard into the ground and beside it the smaller metal box attached.
'Well?' he asked after a minute or so.
'I'm sorry Doctor but I don't see what you mean?' Zoë and replied. The Doctor stood now in the footprints facing forward.
'Does this help matters?' he asked and all of a sudden Rebecca noticed it.
'Yes, they're facing towards us, not part of the group... so where did they come?' she replied slowly.
'Exactly! They came out this way, they must have been powerful, heavy men. And here we have concrete proof!' the Doctor replied excitedly and turned to face a blank looking wall. Before him was a sign reading: No Unauthorised personnel beyond this point!
'So where did they come from? There's isn't enough room to hide a shoe let alone a group of people?' Zoë asked. Turning to face Rebecca the Doctor gestured with his right hand towards the wall.
'Can you describe to us about what happened here Miss Wood?' he asked and saw her expression.
'The Executive pointed upwards and then they were there, dressed in black with helmets and everything and they pulled us into the wall. Oh yes, the wall was shimmering' she replied and quickly the Doctor stretched out his hands as if to feel the way?
'Be careful Doctor?' warned Zoë but the Doctor carried on. After a moment he pulled out his sonic screwdriver and adjusted the end. Kneeling down, he applied the screwdriver around the area. Immediately there was a heavy beeping from the area.
'Ah hah!' he replied and turned round. 'You've found something?' Rebecca asked.
'Indeed yes, Taltisian radiation!' he replied slightly. This baffled Rebecca but hit a spark in Zoë.
'Taltisian radiation but that's the by-product of a transmat point!' Zoë replied staring at the wall.
'You what?' asked Rebecca incredulously.
'So it's not a question as how but rather as where did they go?' he said at last.
********
'Sir, I have some unfortunate news for you?' Harmer said into the communicator of her desk. There was a buzz of static before the Executive answered.
'I trust that the business was taken care of?' the Executive asked but Harmer shook her head.
'We lost a dignitary Sir. Sir Donald Humphrey of Orpheus Industries' Harmer reported.
'He was late for the tour, no doubt you informed him to wait patiently for my return?' he asked but Harmer looked now to the dead form of Sir Donald lying not too far away.
'I did Sir but he turned dangerous, I had to extinguish him' Harmer replied weakly and there was a brief pause. 'I see. No matter, the others have entered the first phase but due to the disorganised events my supervision time will have to be cut short. As soon as this threat moves aside I will return' the Executive explained and soon after the communicator died down.
*********
'Transmat?' sounds like something out of Doomsday?' Rebecca mumbled, which only made the Doctor grumble so. 'You watch this Doomsday then? Zoë asked as they were wandering back to the studio.
'Well not me but my children do, I wish they wouldn't but they do!' she explained. Coughing a bit the Doctor launched straight into another conversation.
'Now those people are businesses, they are transmatted away to... somewhere? No why?' he muttered looking deep in thought. He shook his head again as he tried to bring the struggling memory to the surface.
'Taltisian radiation was first discovered on Canotaltis. It held the right properties to allow for full scale teleportation but that was in the Bumeaka system? Not on Earth in the nineteen sixties?' he muttered aloud.
'Is your friend all right?' Rebecca asked eyeing him closely.
'He's just thinking aloud, so tell me what does your company do?' Zoë asked but as she did so the Doctor tripped forward knocking him to the floor.
'Doctor, are you all right?' Zoë asked but as the Doctor grumbled he could see feet ahead of him and they weren't his. Sitting up he stared down at a body!
'Doctor!' Zoë cried and quickly he knelt down and turned the body over.
'It's a prop or something, surely?' Rebecca said but the Doctor shook his head.
'I'm afraid not Miss Wood, this man is dead!' the Doctor said aloud, the man's face was contorted with terror.
********
As the group came marching down the corridor they seemed to be making quite a racket. The Doctor had hurriedly tried to make something of what was happening but his fears were confirmed by the body's discovery- now there was only one man, he knew could help him. Coming to a room marked: WILLIAM MARLOWE- Technical Co-ordinator.

With a sharp wrap at the door there came a muffled
'Come in?'' and on this signal the Doctor burst in to see Marlowe sitting behind a desk whilst Jamie sat in a chair facing him. On looking up Marlow put the pad down and welcome them.
'Doctor, there you are at last? I wondered where you'd gone?' he replied but the Doctor was in no mood to be seasonal.
'Mr Marlowe I believe that you have some trouble brewing here at ECCO pictures?' he said in a loud tone and at this Jamie turned to see him, looking a little worse for wear. 'Doctor!' he replied but the Doctor nodded towards him and then at Marlowe.
'What do you mean by that Doctor?' he asked looking at them all. However the Doctor's eyes noticed the pad on the desk and what was written on it. Without warning he picked up the pad and started to read.
'How are you Jamie?' asked Zoë and he delighted to see her grinned.
'Oh I'm fine, just been helping Mr Marlowe out here' he said politely and noticing Rebecca he simply smiled.
'Yes as I can see' replied the Doctor as he put down the pad.
'Jamie here has such an imagination, I've already written of quite a few ideas that's bound to keep Doomsday going for well over a decade!' Marlowe replied priding himself but the Doctor had heard enough.
'Mr Marlowe, I think you should contact the police?' he said sternly but Marlowe was confused.
'You are serious I assume?' Marlowe retorted but the Doctor could contain his anger no more.
'There's precious little to joke about over a dead body!' he shouted, which shook Marlowe up greatly.
'Did you just say a dead body?' he asked looking incredulous.
'It's true!' replied Zoë.
'That and you've lost fifteen important people!' the Doctor added. This was too much for Marlowe, was this some kind of joke?
'You mean you lost sight of the tour?' Marlowe asked but Rebecca answered him.
'Not at all Sir, that executive grabbed them!' she shouted.
'I'm sorry but who are you?' he asked noticing her for the first time.
'This is Miss Rebecca Wood, she was part of the tour and she managed to escape too' replied the Doctor.
'Are you sure of these things Doctor?' Marlowe asked and the Doctor grimly nodded. Jamie, who had finally got some air space, was greatly confused.
'What is going on Doctor?' he asked but the Doctor merely gave him a funny look.
'Later Jamie, Later! Mr Marlowe I would like to see this Executive? Could you get me an appointment with him?' he asked and slowly Marlowe nodded and reached for the phone.
********
The green lift doors hissed open and out walked the tall figure of the Executive. As he crossed to the desk, his eye caught the slumped body of the late dignitary Sir Donald.
'A pity' he simply said before looking to Harmer who bowed her head in respect.
'Have there been any further developments?' he asked in his cold voice.
'Only one Sir, it occurred within the last few minutes. It's from technical Co-ordinator Marlowe; his message is that a man would like to see you. Doctor John Smith' she said clearly and he nodded.
'Very well, the test programme has been run successfully. All units are entering secondary phase now. Soon Harmer soon the hour of control will be within our grasp!' he declared triumphantly. At that moment the phone rang and Harmer instantly answered it.
'The emergency line is being used Sir' Harmer reported. 'Put it on the monitor!' ordered the Executive and slowly Harmer pressed a green control on the phone and the receiver on a latch. Immediately the line became filled with static and Marlowe's urgent voice broke out:
‘Hello police? This is William Marlowe of ECCO pictures, I would like to report a murder...' the Executive's eyes narrowed as he heard this.
'Synwell reported that he was discovered, this error is from his failing. When Mr Marlowe has finished telephone the police and inform them that a mistake was made. Synwell will deal with this' the Executive decided and Harmer nodded.
'What of the unit's dead form?' she asked.
'Dispose of it, use maximum settings!' ordered the Executive and walked to his office, the metal doors hissed open and in he walked. Taking up her gun from her side Harmer altered the switch on its side and levelled it at Sir Donald and fired. There was a flash as his body twisted in the light and then faded away. Satisfied with her work she lay the gun down and as soon as Marlowe rang off, she picked up the phone and started to dial.
********
Within Marlowe's office sat Rebecca, Zoë, Jamie and Marlowe.
'You shouldn't have let the Doctor go off on his own?' muttered Jamie much to Rebecca's annoyance.
'The Doctor wanted it, this way Jamie. He said that we should just sit here and wait!' replied Zoë but Jamie started to pace up and down.
'Well as soon as the police get here, the sooner they can lock up that Executive!' Rebecca said suddenly as Marlowe finished on the phone.
'Well I've spoken to them and they'll send someone around as soon as possible? I just hope the Doctor is wrong?' he muttered and feverishly scratched his head.
'Look Mr Marlowe I can't believe it either but I saw what happened! They'd have got me if I hadn't run for it!' Rebecca cried but Marlowe shook his head.
'Not that I'd call you a liar Miss Wood but I cannot believe that this happened? People going missing at this studio?' Marlowe replied.
'Then where are they?' Zoë asked.
'I'm sorry but what do you mean?' Marlowe asked.
'Well we came in to this block and their cars are still outside, those men guarding them look very bored' Zoë explained. Men guarding carts? The chauffeurs she meant! 'The tour must be taking longer than expected?' Marlowe guessed but Jamie piped up defensively.
'Look, if the Doctor, Zoë and Miss Wood saw something then they saw something!' it was obvious that he still had wanted to go with the Doctor.
'But dead bodies, vanishing guests? This is reality, not television, these things should not be happening?' Marlowe implored as he hunched behind his desk.
'What is this Executive's name?' Zoë suddenly asked. Marlowe was taken aback by this question.
'Well he's... he's...?' he looked deeply confused.
'I don't rightly know? All this time I've worked for them and I don't know it?' Marlowe replied and tried hard to remember but nothing happened.
'A man with no name running this company. Now that's odd!' Rebecca said and Marlowe looked to them.
'Then I don't know what to say?' he said slowly. Then there came a knock at the door.
'Come in?' replied Marlowe and as Zoë and Jamie moved aside a black uniformed man walked into the room. He roved his cap at the sight of the women- a policeman!
'I'm sorry Sir but you requested police?' he said politely.
'Yes, you're early, I just made the call?' Marlowe muttered looking from the phone to the man.
'Not to worry there Sir, I was passing by and told to report to you about a murder?' the policeman said pleasantly.
'Yes you'd best come in Mr...?' Marlowe gestured. 'Synwell. Inspector Synwell' He replied and smiled broadly at the group before him!
********
Returning to the cafeteria with some pills and cup of water, which his daughter had taken she should have been feeling better but she wasn't. Webster knew what his daughter was like and this wasn't it. She had stopped clutching at her head but in the way she was neither smiling nor frowning, which made him worry more so.
The final story of Doomsday and all of a sudden Mirana went down into a coma. The doctors had promised that she would be better but not like this? She was more wooden unlike a puppet.
Now with this season cliff-hanger coming up it would be a great story for him to finally appear in. He may try again for some other lesser parts and then pick it up again but his daughter.
Miss Lee to Doommaster, taken out when the coma hit her and now here she was back again!
'Mirana? He asked but she did nothing but sit there expressionless.
'Mirana, it's Daddy. I'm here, I don't know if you can hear me but I will have to go soon?' he said slowly but she did nothing. For all he knew she could be back in that coma again. Then suddenly she blinked and turned face him.
'I hear you father' she said and hugged him hard, caught unaware he returned the hug.
'I love you Mirana' he said but she said nothing. Slipping out of her grip, she was still smiling but was doing nothing more. Staring at her with great fear he wondered what could be wrong with her? Backing away slowly she became animated and stood up also, eyeing her suspiciously he crossed over to the doors.
'Hurry back father?' she called and Webster turning back nodded before wandering out of the room. He would have to see the Executive about this? He after all had contacted the doctors for him.
********
At first the Doctor had felt a little lost with the crude directions that Marlowe had given him. The huge main building looked tall and dark compared to the vast studios of the complex. On stepping through the massive doors the Doctor had already noticed the many cameras that huge from the ceiling.

From his office, the Executive watched his progress.
'So you have a name then? John Smith. Strange, I had expected something else but no matter?' he replied and as he watched the Doctor started to climb some stairs.
As the Doctor reached the top he pushed forward double glass doors before he found himself in a long, narrow corridor. The ground beneath his feet was of polished white and as he carried on he became aware of no colour, the walls were blank and grey and there seemed to be no pictures of any kind.
Coming to the end he spotted a green lift door to his right while a large black desk stood before him. While a grey couch sat to the side but behind this sat an attractive looking woman.
'Excuse me but could I speak to the studio Executive please?' he asked pleasantly but Harmer continued to type on the computer's keyboard. At first he believed that she hadn't heard him but after a moment or so she looked up at him.
'Is the Executive expecting you Sir?' She asked is a rather cold, emotionless voice.
'I had someone place an appointment in advance of me. Please? Could I speak to your manager?' he asked yet again.
'Doctor John Smith?' She asked and the Doctor nodded understanding that Marlowe's reply had been answered. As his gaze wandered around the room, his eyes widened on the strange looking controls on the edge of her desk. That was until he caught sight of Harmer's cold stare and swiftly he stopped. She pressed a control on her desk and a steady hissing rang out and as the Doctor turned two large doors slid open and now the far wall had opened up.

'The Executive will see you now' Harmer replied and cautiously the Doctor walked into the room. Seated behind the desk sat the enigmatic Executive.

'Would you please sit down Dr Smith?' the Executive replied and gestured to a waiting chair. Cautiously the Doctor sat down sensing that nothing was wrong but as he sat down strong, metal bands swung over him pulling him into the seat securely.
'What on? What is this?' the Doctor said feigning ignorance as he struggled so. But the Executive merely exchange a cold, inquisitive look to him.
'Do not resist Doctor Smith. It will not take long?' the Executive replied but the Doctor continued to struggle hard.
'What is going on here?' the Doctor asked but the Executive merely shook his head and smiled.
'We are going to talk Doctor, face to face!' he said leaning towards the Doctor. No matter how hard he tried to struggle, the bands held him tight until he was staring into those cold eyes that seemed to burn into his panicky expression!

'I wondered when we might meet? I presume you've made quite an impression here on Earth! Bombarding people's minds with unintelligible gibberish!' the Doctor started hoping to unnerve the man but quite the opposite was made.
'If you are attempting to annoy me then I am not. Rather that I am fascinated by such an interesting being as you Doctor!' the Executive replied.
'I wouldn't consider myself that interesting, just a normal Doctor, that's all' the Doctor answered but he saw a look in the Executive's face that changed the way he felt.
Humiliation. He had a feeling that the Executive knew much more than he saying?
'Not so Doctor, you display interesting characteristics, the means at how you recognised the deployment of our operations' the Executive said leaning over at him.
'Oh, the transmat. Well it doesn't help with you leaving so many clues lying around?' the Doctor retorted.
'We have been thorough in ensuring that all ties have been cut. No one on this earth with the exception of yourself has even considered any problems' the Executive replied.
'But not when someone you try to abduct runs off and I suppose you were responsible for that man's death too?' the Doctor snapped by the Executive instead rose from his desk.
'Not myself but an employee. His actions were seen and that error had to be taken care of!' the Executive replied and suddenly the lights shone hard and intense throughout and with shock the Doctor was forced to squint.
'Really, well now that the police are on their way over here then whatever you're up to is finished!' the Doctor replied desperately as the Executive encircled him. 'Quite the contrary, no police are coming, no unwanted press are summoned, I am in complete control of the situation! I was until you came along?' He said to the Doctor's left ear.
'Then what are you doing? Abducting people to where? What do you want?' the Doctor cried but the Executive shook his head.
'Abduction is merely a means of supply and control of essential work units. You on the other hand are very interesting, your intelligence is superior to all humans, who are you, what are you?' he asked no to the right ear. 'I'm a Doctor and an agent to Mr James McCrimmon and that's all you need to know!' the Doctor shouted but the Executive was not at all fazed.
'No matter Doctor, you will tell me the secret of your success!' the Executive replied now facing him once more. 'Success? What? What are you talking about?' he babbled. The Executive turned the monitor round to face the Doctor and pressed a control. Immediately the screen showed the TARDIS appearing. He then paused it and looked to the Doctor.
'A sophisticated travel capsule no doubt, no tell me, who are you?' he replied in a harsh, cold tone staring the Doctor fast!

'You expect me to explain a simple conjuring trick as that? This is a television corporation, anything can be tricked on television!' the Doctor countered by the Executive simply shook his head.
'How can I say this, you will tell everything Doctor or else your friends will suffer!' the Executive casually announced. But the Doctor feigned his courage well. 'Empty threats, you can't kill Mr Marlowe, even he will be missed!' the Doctor countered but instead the Executed smiled greatly.
'You believe that I would killed them all? What would be the point and in such a small amount too? You see I do not need to kill in order to gain control but unless you tell me everything then... Watch!' the Executive replied and with a click of a control on his desk the monitor's image changed to Marlowe's office.
It showed that each one of the inhabitants being interviewed by a policeman. But if no police were coming why was there one there? Beaming, the Executive picked up the phone and dialled. On the screen the phone rang and steadily Marlowe answered it.
'Hello, William Marlowe?' he said slowly.
'Good day Mr Marlowe this is the Executive Controller, why is there a police car parked outside?' he asked and Marlowe on the screen replied steadily.
'Well there's been a murder, a floor manager's body has been found outside' Marlowe replied.
'A murder? Really? How horrible. Tell me though, can I speak to the policeman?' he asked in a vein of innocence. 'Of course Mr Executive' he said and on the screen Marlowe gestured to the policeman. Taking the phone the man replied politely.
'Hello?'
'This is the Executive Controller, Synwell the Doctor is being uncooperative perhaps you could help to persuade him?' the Executive replied and the policeman nodded. 'Yes Sir!' Synwell replied and put down the phone.
'It won't work, you know? They're too clever!' the Doctor countered to those burning eyes.
'We shall see, won't we?' he said walking to a control mounted on the wall.
Slowly he twisted the dial and immediately the blinding light went off and then on and off and the flashing grew faster and faster followed by a strange warbling sound that progressed to get louder.
'What is this? What are you doing?' the Doctor asked just above the racket.
'This is the way Doctor, this process won't take too long and when it does, you will tell me everything!' he replied sounding satisfied and promptly left the room, the doors hissing as they closed. Instead the sound grew louder to deafening and as the Doctor struggled his vision became hazier and hazier!
********
'Perhaps it would be best if you were to show me where this body was found?' asked the Policeman-Synwell.
'Of course Um would you excuse me Inspector, I have many reports to deal with? You understand/' Marlowe said from the desk. Synwell nodded and then looked to the other three.
'In that case perhaps one of you three could help me there?' he said, notebook in hand.
'All right inspector' Zoë said much to the disagreement of Jamie.
'Look girl I can nae let you go off!' he started to say but Synwell held up his hand.
'It's all right Sir I won't let anything happen to them?' Synwell replied.
'Well fine but I'm coming along too!' Jamie said quickly but try as he might he couldn't sway the Scotsman's decision.
'Very well Sir but I warn you it is not needed?' he said in a pleasant tone. Synwell opened the door and politely allowed them out. Following them out he politely closed the door but a few minutes later the phone rang on Marlowe's desk. Reaching for it he became aware of an angry sounding voice on the other end.
'What do you mean by wasting police time? You sent over an inspector some ten minutes ago?' he replied but as the voice warbled on Marlowe's expression changed greatly. 'What do you mean no such person? Look I'm telling you an inspector came in here, he's been dispatched by area command?' he argued but eventually it became evident of how wrong he was.
Putting the phone down he climbed to his feet and hurried to the door but as he gazed out he saw nothing, no one was there. Leaving the door open he walked calmly to the nearest window but unfortunately the Venetian blinds were covering the view but as he pulled them open, his worst fears were confirmed: There was no police car parked in the large car park! Whoever that man was that had gone off with those kids, he was certain that he was no policeman!
*******
Outside the Executive's office, the man addressed Harmer. 'The Doctor fails to cooperate with us. Therefore I have instigated immediate processing of him' he explained.
'I thought the processor in your office was dangerous and unstable Sir, even to a human it may prove fatal?' Harmer asked but the Executive shook his head.
'No, he is not as he seems. He has a sophisticated travel capsule at his disposal. I believe that he is beyond human terms but his friends are not, Synwell is to deal with them' the Executive decided.
'It would be wasteful, would it not? These humans could be as useful to us as the others?' Harmer suggested. It took the Executive only a few seconds to agree.
'Inform control then to expect others, ready the processing rooms. The Doctor will be left now for thirty minutes, after that time interrogation will begin again!' he said at last.
'You have an appointment scheduled from Mr Webster; he wishes to speak to you?' Harmer reported. The Executive nodded.
'Very well, inform him that I shall be on my down!' the Executive commanded and with that he strode away silently.
********
Hutton, who had by this time been looking for William Marlowe and Jamie over a possible addition to the show. Jamie's performance had been superb and he himself wanted Jamie to continue.
However as he climbed the stairs he looked to see Marlowe's door open. Cautiously he pushed open the door to see Marlowe talking on the phone, on seeing him Marlowe motioned him to come in. As he did so Marlowe continued to talk, after a moment or so he stopped. 'Bill, um I need a word?' he asked but Marlowe was in no mood for this.
'Not now Hutton, too much going on! People vanish, a body turns up and now a phantom policeman! This is not the time!' he muttered.
'Look, Webster might not be going ahead? He says his daughter is very sick, either way he won't be appearing!' Hutton replied, his voice full of anger but he received only a stare from Marlowe.
'I don't care Hutton, I don't care. Don't you understand? Those kids have gone off with someone claiming to be a policeman and he's vanished!' Marlowe shouted loudly at the Director. Just then the phone rang again and he answered it immediately.
'Yes?' he said and immediately he frowned. Hutton's dreams of a perfect show were starting to crumble away quickly. As Marlowe finished he turned to Hutton.
'That was Orpheus Industries, they want to know when Sir Donald Humphrey is going to return' he said slowly.
'The kids? You mean Mr McCrimmon was with them?' Hutton asked and reluctantly Marlowe nodded.
'Yes and they are in serious trouble, I can't reach the Executive's office and all hell seems to breaking loose!' Marlowe hissed. Hutton suddenly remembered such a party accompanied by a policeman, they were wondering around the studio floors.
'Excuse me Marlowe but I think I can help you?' he said and quickly walked out of the room. Confused by this Marlowe reluctantly followed after him.
******
While in the Executive office the Doctor struggled so with his binds but as he did so he cried out as his hand twisted. Thinking quickly he reached up with his foot and tried to stretch out far, he had to reach the red control, the one that controlled the binds.
But his heel came one foot from it, as he tried he shut his eyes tight as the light bombarded his eyelids. The sound was of roaring bells ringing hard into his ears but as he shook his head he wiggled his foot closer and closer to the button but he couldn't quite reach it. As he felt the strain of his muscles continued he cried out as a long cramp filled his leg. He had to get free, not only for himself but for the sake of his friends!
********
'Over here Inspector!' Rebecca gestured as she knelt down to the side of the building. Zoë and Jamie joined her as Synwell looked on.
'He was lying there, on his front' she explained and Synwell made an attempt at taking a note.
'What would you say killed him?' he asked knowing all too well that he couldn't act out here?
'My guess is that he was shot with a narrow band electro-stunner. Projecting a large quantity of ionised material through the air and affecting him like electricity' Zoë said and for a moment there was a look of surprise across Synwell's face. She too was very clever and perhaps a necessity to keep alive?
'You what?' Jamie asked looking non the wiser.
'He was shot by an electro-projectile at short range... she was shocked to death' Zoë said as she remembered who she was explaining things to.
'Oh Aye' replied Jamie in a tone that would suggest that he knew exactly what was being said.
'Really Miss? And is that all, I was told that some people had gone vanishing or something?' Synwell said slowly and immediately Rebecca nodded.
'Yes, over here Inspector' She said leading the way towards the aerial mast. Zoë slowly followed at Synwell followed lastly. As Jamie approached the massive pole, he gazed skywards trying to figure out what it was?
'What is this thing Zoë?' he asked as she drew level with him.
'It's an antennae Jamie' she said but he looked lost. 'When they finish making a programme they send it electronically to this transmitter and it send the images all around the country via other aerials' she said at last and after scratching his head he nodded.
'Over here Inspector, it's just around here!' Rebecca called and as Synwell wandered around the mighty structure, she pointed to the ground where the footprints remained.
'That man led us around here and next thing you know, these men just grabbed us and pulled them inside. They would have got me had I not...' she started to say when she noticed that he was nodding.
'When you ran?' he said and drew his gun from his coat. 'You may have got away last time but not now!' he replied harshly. Jamie, on spying this charged over there ready to pound this man but as he yelled out a figure dressed in black appeared out of no where.
Dressed in black featureless armour he raised a similar gun and fired. The blast hit Jamie, who crashed to the ground. Another figure gripped hold of Rebecca and pulled her back into the wall. Zoë tried to turn but the two figures had surrounded Zoë and slowly they marched her at gun point into the wall. There was a great light that flashed in her eyes but as it cleared to a silver finish, she became aware that she was not in the antennae; she was in a bright, powerful silver room.
'Welcome to your future! Welcome to your pain!' replied Synwell, gun in hand.

CREDITS:
DOCTOR WHO

THE HOUR OF CONTROL

Cast Doctor Who: Patrick Troughton

The Executive: Bernard Kay

Synwell: Philip Madoc

Jamie: Frazer Hines

Zoe: Wendy Padbury

Rebecca: Felicity Gibson

Harmer: Louise Pajo

Hutton: Peter Halliday

Marlowe: Cyril Shaps

Webster: Richard Todd

Mirana: Tina Packer

Written by: Richard H. Wilden

Script Editor: Gerry Davis

Music by: Dudley Simpson

Directed by Morris Barry.