Script for The Keeper

by Allan Prior

(c) 1979 by the British Broadcasting Corporation. Series created by Terry Nation. This is a complete dialogue transcript for research purposes and is not for sale under any circumstances. Format (c) 1993 by Eddie Clark, Frances Teagle and Micky DuPree.

Dramatis Personae

Roj BlakeGareth Thomas
Kerr AvonPaul Darrow
Jenna StannisSally Knyvette
Vila RestalMichael Keating
CallyJan Chappell
ServalanJacqueline Pearce
TravisBrian Croucher
ZenPeter Tuddenham
GolaBruce Purchase
RodShaun Curry
TaraFreda Jackson
Old ManArthur Hewlett
FoolCengiz Saner
Patrol LeaderRon Tarr
Walk-ons:
Steve KellyJan Murzynowski
Jeff HowardPaul Taras
Ridgewell HawkesEileen Brady
Eric French


LIBERATOR'S Flight Deck - Blake, Jenna and Vila are preparing to land on Goth.

VILAWe're not even sure that Lurgen was here.
BLAKEDocholli had no reason to lie.
VILASome people don't need a reason.
AVONTrue, but let us assume that the keeper of the secret is somewhere down there on the planet Goth, and that the keeper is a royal personage.
JENNALurgen's brain print is on a thong around a chief's neck. That's what Docholli said.
CALLYOr he said it was Lurgen's brain that was on a thong. That might not be the same thing.
AVONIf you find the brain print, and consequently the location of Star One, what then?
BLAKEFinish what we started.
AVONDestroy it?
BLAKEOf course. And the entire Federation with it. Does that bother you suddenly?
AVONStar One is the automatic computer control center for the entire Federation.
BLAKEGet to the point, Avon.
AVONThat is the point. Through Star One we could control everything. The Federation could belong to us.
VILAI could be president.
AVONAh.
VILAOr we can take it in turns.
BLAKEYou ready to go, Vila?
VILAWhy not? Now that would be worth the risks we're taking.
AVONBlake is afraid that power would corrupt him.
BLAKEThat sort of power would corrupt anyone.
CALLYWhich is why the location of Star One has been kept such a secret.
JENNATravis could change all that, and I doubt if he has your scruples.
BLAKEThen the very least we can do is make sure that he doesn't find the secret. [Blake, Jenna and Cally head for the teleport room]
VILANow there is something that worries me, how do we know that Travis isn't down there now?
AVONYou don't. [exits]

[Teleport room]

CALLY... But there are noxious gases. Anyone who lives above ground will die sooner or later from toxic lung infections. Also your eyes will be affected.
BLAKESo anyone who lives on Goth, lives underground.
JENNAIf he's wise, he does.
VILAAnd if he's not, he's dead.
BLAKEAll right, put us down Cally.

[They transfer to Goth, landing in a wooded gorge.]

BLAKE[Into communicator] Down safe. Proceeding on bearing of zero-two-nine.
VILAHey, the air is a bit niffy.
JENNAHmm, sulphur. Rots your lungs eventually.
VILAMarvellous, I can hardly wait.

Shot of entrance to the Goths' cave, with standards and a sentry. A patrol of 3 or 4 Goth warriors comes out.

External shot of a Federation pursuit ship.

LIBERATOR Flight Deck

ZENMain detectors report Federation pursuit ship, bearing one three two, course two seven six, leaving the planet and entering orbit.
AVONPut it on the main screen.
ZENAffirmative. [pursuit ship appears on screen]
AVONAre we in range of its detectors?
ZENNegative.
AVONPlot us a course to intercept.
ZENAffirmative.
CALLYYou're not going to attack?
AVONDon't you recognize it? THAT is Travis' ship.
CALLYBut if we leave here, we leave Blake and the others out of teleport range.
AVONThis is our chance to finish off Travis. He is at our mercy.
CALLYPerhaps, but you can't just --
ZENCourse for intercept, zero-seven-three, speed, Standard by Four, strike range in four minutes ten seconds.
AVONWe've got him cold. We'll be there and back within ten minutes and Travis will be dead. Steer zero-seven-three, Cally.
CALLYAvon, I'm --
AVONZERO-SEVEN-THREE!!
CALLYAll right. [Liberator turns - shot of pursuit ship on screen]
AVONThis time we have him. Zen, put up the radiation flare shields, clear the neutron blasters for firing.
ZENConfirmed.
CALLYAvon, I hope you know what you're doing.
ZENNeutron blasters are cleared for firing.
AVONCan you think of a better way to stop Travis finding Star One? [External shot of Liberator in motion]
ZENTarget will be in strike range in exactly two minutes.
CALLYNo indication that he's seen us.
AVONGood. I have no objection to shooting him in the back.

ON GOTH - Blake, Jenna and Vila are walking between overgrown rocks, heading into a deep narrow cleft - an overhead shot shows the Goth patrol lying in wait]

VILAAll right to visit, but I wouldn't want to live here. Seems deserted, shame about that.

[The Goths attack, leaping down on them]

Avon, teleport!

[Jenna is captured and Blake knocked out. Vila offers no resistance but surreptitiously calls the ship]

Teleport!

[Left alone for a moment, he runs off and hides in a crack in the rocks]

Avon! where are you!

[As the Goths search for him, the sulphur fumes make him sneeze and he is discovered. Blake recovers, picks up a branch and brains the Goth standing guard over him and escapes. Shot of Jenna and Vila being lashed to litters.]

BLAKEAvon, teleport now. Avon! Avon!

LIBERATOR - shot of pursuit ship on main screen.

CALLYWhy doesn't he move?
AVONHow should I know? Just so long as he doesn't... [An electronic signal is heard]
CALLYWhat's that? He's transmitting. Who to?
AVONWho cares? Stand by.
CALLYHis detectors must warn him soon.
AVONWe are going to get as near as we can, Cally. [Exterior shot of Liberator stalking pursuit ship.]
AVONGoodbye, Travis. [Presses button - other ship blows up] Got him! [Main screen shows the explosion]
CALLYSo much for Travis. Mind you, you could hardly miss at that range.
AVONWhat did you want me to do? Give him a sporting chance?
CALLYZen, take us back into planetary orbit, Standard by Twelve.

GOTH

BLAKE[coughing] Avon! Avon! [dives for cover as Goths fire explosive bolts with their crossbows] Liberator! Liberator!

LIBERATOR

AVONWe've solved one of Blake's problems for him. Let us hope that he can handle the rest as easily.
CALLYComing into stationary orbit now.

SURFACE - The hunt for Blake - he is cornered by Goths who aim their crossbows at him]

BLAKETeleport now! [he vanishes as the explosive bolts strike the rocks]

LIBERATOR

AVONWhat the hell happened? What happened to the others?
CALLYLet him drink this first. [hands Blake a drink]
AVONWhere are the others?
BLAKEThe Goths have them.
AVONHow?
BLAKEAmbush.
CALLYAre we going down to get them out?
BLAKEI am. [furiously] And where the hell were you?
AVONWe just got Travis for you!
BLAKEWhat!!!

IN THE CAVES - Vila and Jenna are led into a large cave containing several richly decorated tents.

VILAWell, how much further is it?
GOTHMove!!
VILAAll right, there's no need to push.

GOLA'S TENT - a harper is playing, Gola is sitting in his throne on a dias, he is wearing an amulet. His fool is juggling, he muffs a trick.

GOLAFool, you do not amuse me as once you did. [The fool goes over to Tara's chair and crouches beside her where she bends over a steaming pot on a tripod.]
TARAGola, you frighten him, that is why all his tricks go wrong.
GOLASilence witch. [The fool tries to entertain him with handstands.]
TARAI could tell you better tricks. I could show you things in the future.
GOLAYou can show me nothing! All that talks is your drug. In the end you will inhale too much and it will kill you.
TARANothing will kill me, I shall live for ever.
GOLATcha! [Travis enters] Kick that fool as you pass him. Possibly I might smile at his pain. [Travis does, they both laugh]
GOLATravis, my friend. You'll take wine?
TRAVISThank you, oh Charl.
GOLAMy sister here has all kinds of mind-bending potions if they are more to your liking. [they laugh]
TARA[Looking into the vapour] I see... I see: a man and a woman. The man is a fool, the woman is beautiful to behold. Here, in the Tents of Goth.
GOLAYou see? She is not of this world. [more laughter.]
PATROL LEADER [Off screen] In there!
VILA[Off screen] All right! [Vila and Jenna are brought in]
TRAVISYou! Where is Blake?
VILA[To Jenna] They haven't got him.
PATROL LEADER Silence!!
GOLA[to Travis] You know these people?
TRAVISYes, oh Charl. They are enemies. Of myself, of Servalan, and also of Lurgen who mended your wound and took away the terrible pains.
GOLATruly a magician, that Lurgen. Real magic, not foolery and potions. It's a pity he's gone from us. [fingering a red scar on his forehead] Without his cure, I would be wishing for death. You say these people are his enemies?
TRAVISThey pursue him to kill him.
GOLAA beautiful woman! And a fool.
VILAEh?!
TRAVISThese two I leave to your mercies, oh Charl.
GOLAA beautiful woman - indeed she is so. [Vila and Jenna exchange nervous looks, the Fool scowls jealously]

LIBERATOR - teleport room

AVONWe had to stop Travis getting to Star One first. Well now he is stopped.
BLAKEIF he was on the pursuit ship.
AVONIt seemed a reasonable assumption.
BLAKEIf I'm not back in six hours, come down. Both of you.
CALLYThat's a long time to stay in orbit. Stationary, we are an easy target.
BLAKENo one knows we're here. Unless you've alerted them. Put me down Cally.

SERVALAN'S TENT - she is lying on a couch eating fruit

TRAVIS[Entering] It's them! It's that fool Vila and the girl, Jenna, they're here.

SERVALANWhat? Is Blake here?
TRAVISNo. [into transmitter] Pursuit Ship Four, Travis here. Reply.

SERVALANThe Liberator has obviously destroyed it.
TRAVISYes. Blake must be one step behind us. We know the keeper of the secret is on Goth. We know he is a royal person. Perhaps Blake knows that too.

SERVALANBut which royal person? There is the Charl and there is his sister.
TRAVISIt has to be one of them.

SERVALANBut which one?
TRAVISYou will soon know, and when you do, you could control the Federation, you and I.

SERVALANDon't be ridiculous, Travis.
TRAVISLook, Star One is the computer control center. It controls the climate on more than two hundred worlds, communications, security, food production, it controls them all. It is the key to our very lives. Think of all that power.

SERVALANYou can see why the Council themselves don't know where Star One is. In the wrong hands --
TRAVISYes, but in the right hands: yours and mine.

SERVALANBe very careful you don't overreach yourself, Travis.
TRAVISThere'll come a time when such ideas seem unambitious. One day, Servalan --

SERVALANYes? What are you talking about, Travis? [he sits down]
TRAVISI must alert the nearest Federation flotilla to attack the Liberator. I can't do it from here on this thing. I'll have to use your ship.

SERVALANThe Liberator may pick you up.
TRAVISIt's a chance we'll have to take unless you're prepared to risk Blake getting to the secret before we do, well?

SERVALANAll right. How long?
TRAVISThree hours.

SERVALANThat long?
TRAVISYou could have the secret by then, it has to be one of those two, the chief or his sister. Don't you trust me?

SERVALANNo, of course not.
TRAVISThen trust my ambition. You will be the new keeper of the secret.

SERVALANYes.

LIBERATOR - teleport room

BLAKE[Over the intercom] ...at the moment, ground bearing one-two-zero.
AVONIs he all right?
CALLYSo far.
ZENMain detectors report ship leaving planetary orbit.
AVONIdentify.
ZENIt is a modified Class One Federation pursuit ship.
AVONGrid reference?
ZENGrid reference B-three-seven-two-one
AVONModified Class One ... that must be Servalan. Zen, have they detected us?
ZENNegative.
AVONCally, set a course to intercept.
CALLYWhat?
AVONA course to intercept.
CALLYNo.
AVONYes.
CALLYIf we leave here we leave Blake alone again.
AVONThis is an ideal opportunity.
CALLYNot this time.
AVONShe will be out of range in one minute. We will never get her.
CALLYAll right, then. We'll never get her.
AVONCally, listen.
CALLYNO!

GOTH - The woods. Rod is being dragged along by four guards with his arms lashed to a wooden yoke behind his neck.

RODLet me go you dogs! Let me fight you one by one. [a guard strikes him]
BLAKEHold it! [ducks as a Goth throws a tomahawk at him, then fires a shot and drops the guard] I said leave him! [He fires again, dropping another guard, the others run away]
ROD[laughs] Thank you, whoever you are. [Breaks the yoke] You are a friend.
BLAKEWho are you?
RODMy name is Rod. Greeting.
BLAKEGreeting. [puts his blaster away]
RODAnd what is that?
BLAKEEr - nothing.
RODYou say that it is nothing, yet men fall. It is magic. You are for the Tents of Goth?
BLAKEYes, when I can find the way.
RODHmm, they are underground. So! I will take you there. Your name?
BLAKEBlake.
ROD[Laughs] And whom do you seek? The ones called Servalan and Travis?
BLAKE[Short laugh] They are no friends of mine.
RODNor mine. So! I will help you defeat them. I like your machine but I will not kill you for it, you saved my life. My brother, he would kill you for it. That is the difference between us.

GOLA'S TENT

GOLA[Contemplating Jenna] Very beautiful. [Begins an arm wrestling bout with a henchman] You know Lurgen has gone?
JENNAWe do not mean him any harm.
GOLAThen why are you here?
JENNAWe come to help the Federation.
GOLAThe Federation means nothing to me, I live as my ancestors have lived. We are a warrior people [wins the bout, his followers applaud] we fight to live and we live to fight. What can the Federation offer us but slavery? [reaches out to touch her face. Vila sneaks forward in an attempt to get a look at his amulet] You are of Goth blood, I know it. Proud, fit mate for a warrior Charl. [Notices Vila and slaps him away.]
JENNAIf you do not want Federation servitude, why do you harbour their lackeys?
GOLAYou talking about Travis? He's a refugee from the Federation.
JENNAWhere is Lurgen?
GOLAIf you wish to kill him, why should I, I who am his friend, who bless his name, why should I tell you where he is?
JENNAI've told you, we mean him no harm.
GOLAYou come from a spaceship. My guards capture you, or else by now you would have killed us. [holding up teleport bracelets] What are these? You - fool! What are these?
VILAJust bracelets, Oh King. [Gola puts them on] Gola: Do me a trick, Fool.
VILAWhat? Now?
GOLANow!
VILAErmm - a trick ... I take this chain from about my neck and place it in my fist, like so -- it's gone!
GOLAAh-ah!
VILAThe chain now travels up my right arm, across my chest, down my left arm [dropping it into Gola's hand] and into my great king's noble hand.
GOLASplendid! Better than my own fool. [The Fool creeps to the foot of the throne and produces a knife - Gola kicks him away] The next time, I'll kill you.
TARAHe is jealous. He thinks you do not love him any longer and he feels badly about it.
GOLAHe'll feel much worse if I send him below - eh Fool?
FOOLNo! Not below!
GOLAWhy not? I have a better fool now.
FOOLGreat Charl, Leader of the Goths, greatest and strongest warrior of them all, have mercy on a fool that's lost his magic!
GOLABehave and maybe I will. Tara, what do you think of the girl?
TARAYou think to take her to pair-bond.
GOLAHow do you know that? But you're right - I need a line to follow me. I need sons, to kill my brother if he kills me first.
TARAHe will try that, that is as certain as our eyes.
GOLAIf you say that once more, your head is forfeit! [Tara laughs] I mean it, sister or not, if you say that once more ...
TARAI say - I say that he will kill, but he will die.
GOLAWe will kill each other then?
TARAThat I do not know.
GOLA[kicking over the stand] Woman, you are addled with that stuff. [to Jenna] Come, sit by me. [she takes the seat on his left, a gold tiara is placed on her head] You like that?
JENNAWell --- yes. It's very nice, very nice indeed.
GOLAGood.

CAVE ENTRANCE - Blake and Rod appear above as a sentry comes out. Blake jumps him.

LIBERATOR

AVONZen, any sign of Federation pursuit ships on the main detectors?
ZENNegative.
AVONAny activity whatever?
ZENThere is no activity on the main detectors.
AVONWhat about the extra-range detector?
CALLYYou know that puts a heavy drain on the energy banks.
ZENNegative on the extra-range detector.
CALLYSatisfied?
AVONNo. I think we're in real danger, hanging around here in stationary orbit.

GOTH - The dungeons, Road and Blake enter

RODStay here. Wait for me, I will be back.
BLAKEAll right.
RODI will then take you to the tents. Wait for me. [He goes. Blake shines his torch through one of the cell doors.]

TARA'S TENT - It contains her occult paraphernalia, including a totem of skulls decorated with beads. Tara is looking into the vapour - a shot of her amulet.

TARAYour name is what?
JENNAJenna. [she is now richly dressed in a red and gold gown]
TARAYou are of what tribe?
JENNAI come from Earth.
TARAEarth - then you must gain my approval earthwoman, or no pair-bond.
JENNAYou remember Lurgen, the man who made your brother well? He will speak for me.
TARAHe had magic, certainly.
JENNAHe is one of the best cyber-surgeons in the whole of the Federation.
TARABut he is no longer here.
JENNAOh?
TARA[Looking into the vapour] He is gone, far away.
JENNAWhere?
TARAThe vapour does not tell me that.
JENNALurgen left behind him a secret, what does the vapour say about that? The keeper of the secret may not even know that he, or she, is the keeper.
TARAAnd you are asking me who the keeper is?
JENNAYes.
TARAAnd if I could tell you, what then?
JENNAAsk for anything in the whole galaxy, and it is yours.
TARA[Chuckles] It must be a very important secret, this thing you ask about.
JENNAIt is.
TARAYes, you are very beautiful, I can see why my brother wishes to pair-bond with you.
JENNAThis secret, I am told, is on a person of royal blood.
TARAAhh!
JENNAIt hangs from the neck of such a person.
TARALike the one I wear? Like the one my brother wears?
JENNAPerhaps.
TARAWell?
JENNAYes.
TARAMmmm - and you would like to look at it, eh?
JENNAYes, may I? [she reaches for it, but catches Tara's hypnotic stare and is immobilised] I can't move my hand.
TARANo. [takes her hand, releasing the spell]
JENNAWas that some of your magic?
TARADoes it matter?
JENNAYou must have great powers.
TARAI do know some of the mysteries handed down from the lost time. I can speak with my people of my own blood. [considering Jenna] Yes, you are very lovely. I think my brother will pair-bond with you. The vapour tells me how deeply he desires this.
JENNAI don't think you need the vapour to tell you that. You don't want me to bond with him, do you? You would rather I left Goth and never returned.
TARAPossibly.
JENNAIf I stay, you're afraid that I might take some of your powers away.
TARAHmm... The vapour says that if you remain here, you may die.
JENNAOnce I know who the keeper is, I will go, I promise. Would you help me?
TARAYes, I would help you to go, IF I knew who the keeper was.
JENNAIsn't it you?
TARAYou may touch the amulet now. I will not stop you. [Jenna turns it over, it is blank]
JENNAThere is nothing on it.
TARANo. You are disappointed.
JENNAI thought it might be you.
TARAHmm ... now? And now?
JENNAAnd now I have to stay.
TARAWhy is that?
JENNAYou know why. There is only the chief, he is the only other person of royal blood. [Tara laughs uproariously]

GOLA'S TENT - More wrestling - Gola wins and the loser is dragged out.

GOLAWine! [The Fool tastes the wine and hands it to him] Where is the girl?

[The Fool pretends the wine is poisoned, then laughs - Gola shoves him away.]

Ah! there you are. [Jenna enters, smiling]

Come and sit next to me, I feel low, this fool is not amusing me. Music! [the harpist strikes up] So, you do not hate me now?

JENNAI have never hated you.
GOLAAh! That's good. You'll pair-bond with me whether you like it or not, you know.
JENNAIt is an honour.
GOLAAhhh...good. More wine.
JENNAYou are truly a most remarkable man [attempts to touch his amulet, he repulses her] I am sorry, it looks interesting.
GOLADo not touch a Charl's person.
JENNAI am sorry.
GOLAHumility is good in a woman.

THE DUNGEONS - Blake is sat waiting.

OLD MAN [Appears at a cell door - moans. He is wearing an amulet.]
BLAKEWho are you?
OLD MAN Go away, go, go, go.
BLAKELook, I'm not going to harm you. Who *are* you?
OLD MAN Go away, leave me to die. Go away ... LEAVE ME!
BLAKEQuiet! You'll bring the guards.
OLD MAN Not the guards! Not the guards!
BLAKEThen keep quiet. [Old Man drops out of sight.]

GOLA'S TENT - He is playing chequers with Jenna, Servalan is watching.

GOLAThere! I win! [they laugh]

SERVALANShe let you win.
GOLAWhat?

SERVALANShe is a superior-grade citizen of the Federation. Her IQ is very high. She let you win.
GOLAYou are a friend of Lurgen's, or I ...

SERVALANWhat?
GOLAI'd send you down below.

SERVALANYou lay a finger on me and the Federation battle fleets will blast you to ashes. You and all your tents.
GOLAWe are a long way under the ground. Do not be sure any bomb would reach us.

SERVALANThere is not a hole deep enough for you to hide in.
GOLASilence! I am Charl here. I do not wish your presence in my tent. Go.

SERVALANVery well, but I must speak to you alone, in one hour, in my tent. It would be wise for you to be there.
GOLAYou will come to me.

SERVALAN[shakes her head] Uh..uh. [She leaves. Tara laughs]
GOLAWhat are you cackling at?
TARAShe represents the Federation and you are afraid of her.
GOLANo I am not.
TARAHE would not be afraid of her.
GOLAShut up about him!
JENNAWho is she talking about?
GOLANobody. You didn't let me win, did you?
JENNAOf course not.
VOICE[Sounding very like Vila] Oh yes she did.
JENNAVila!
VILAEh?
JENNA[Under her breath] Be quiet!
VOICEBut she did! She let you win.
GOLAWhat did you say?
VILAEh?
GOLAYou said she let me win. [The Fool turns and winks at Tara]
VILANo I didn't. I didn't say anything.
JENNA[In an urgent whisper] Vila, shut up!
VILABut I didn't say anything.
GOLAGuards! You are going down below.
VILABut I said nothing.
GOLAYou do not insult the Charl of the Goths - BELOW!
VILA[carried off by guards] But I didn't speak. Honestly, I didn't. You've got to believe me. I said nothing - I said nothing! [he is hauled out protesting as Jenna tries to intervene]
JENNAGola, please!
GOLANo, no, you must learn.
JENNAGola, don't kill him, please. [Vila is heard shrieking protests off stage]
GOLAWe'll see, we'll see.

THE DUNGEONS - Blake hides as Vila is dragged in.

VILABut you don't understand, it's all been a terrible mistake! Put me down! I didn't say one word, really! You've got to believe me! I did not speak, I'm telling you, I didn't say a word.
PATROL LEADER Come along, we know where you've got to go. Come along. [opens cell door] In you go. [shoves him inside] Behave!
VILAI was behaving. [Guard locks door and leaves] Ah, don't leave me here, at least leave me a torch. I don't like the dark. I like to see what I'm scared of.
BLAKEVila.
VILAHuh! Blake!
BLAKEShhh, quiet.
VILAAm I glad to see you. What are you doing here?
BLAKEIs Jenna all right?
VILAOnly pair-bonding with the chief.
BLAKEGood.
VILAWell, come on, get me out.
BLAKEI can't, not for a while. You'll have to stay here for a bit.
VILAMarvelous.
OLD MAN [Groans]
VILAWho's that?
BLAKEHe seems harmless.
VILAHe smells horrible.
BLAKEWell, so would you if you'd been here for as long as he has.
VILAWell let's not think about that.
BLAKETell me what's going on out there - everything.

SERVALAN'S TENT - Jenna enters, followed by two guards.

JENNAWhere is Travis?

SERVALANI can see you have the run of the place.
JENNAI am betrothed to the Charl and I have his protection.

SERVALANI still may kill you.
JENNAI only have a minute. Where is Travis?

SERVALANOh, he'll be back.
JENNAI think not. I think he already knows the location of Star One and he's on his way there already.

SERVALANReally? And who do you imagine told him?
JENNAThe only person who knew: Lurgen.

SERVALANLurgen was gone before we arrived.
JENNAWas he? Are you sure.

SERVALANTravis knows better than to trick me. I've already told him he's dead if he tries.
JENNAWith all that power at stake, do you think that he really cares?
GOLA[Off stage] Jenna! Where is Jenna?

SERVALAN[Laughs] I may not kill you after all. A lifetime with Gola would be very educational for you.

GOLA'S TENT - Jenna is dancing with the Charl when she sways and reels into his arms]

JENNAI feel strange - dizzy. It must have been the wine.
GOLAThe wine? Seems all right.
JENNAI must sit. [Sits on a couch]
GOLA[Rounding on the Fool] YOU gave her the wine.
FOOLNo, no!
GOLAI saw you give it her. You gave her a potion. One of HER potions.
FOOLNo! I swear I did nothing.
GOLAGuards! You are going down below.
FOOLNot below!
GOLAWhile I decide how you will die. Get him out of here!
FOOLI did nothing! I did nothing! [carried off protesting just like Vila]
GOLAAre you all right, my love?
JENNA[Lying on couch] Yes, I think so. I did not drink too much. Gola, please release Vila.
GOLAWhat?
JENNAHe was telling the truth. Your fool tricked him by throwing his voice. You see how much he hates us. Oh, Gola, please - or else you will have no fool to entertain you.
GOLAGuards, bring the other fool back up. Be well my love. [To Tara] Will she be well?
TARA[Keeping a straight face] Oh yes.
GOLAGood.
JENNA[Looking at the amulet again] Oh, I'm sorry, it is forbidden.
GOLANo, no, please my love. [She turns it over, it is blank. Tara laughs triumphantly]

DUNGEONS

VILAIt has to be Gola, it's not his sister, so it has to be him.
OLD MAN [Feebly] No...
VILAShut up, will you. Who is he anyway?
BLAKEI don't know. Look, I'm going up there, soon.
VILAWhat about me?
BLAKEShh, quiet! [The guards bring the Fool down, Blake hides]
FOOLNo! Don't put me down there, please! I didn't put poison in her drink, I didn't, I tell you. I didn't put poison in her drink, I didn't! [They shove him into Vila's cell and haul Vila out]
VILAHey! What's going on?
PATROL LEADER You're free - orders of the Charl.
VILAEh?
PATROL LEADER You're the new fool. If you aren't funny, you'll be back.
VILAWonderful. [They leave]
FOOL[Moans] I knew it would come to this in the end.
OLD MAN Who is it?
FOOLIt's I, your fool.
OLD MAN Who?
FOOLYou've forgotten. Never mind, we'll all die and be forgotten down here. It's a sad life, that of a fool.

GOLA'S TENT - Gola is lying with Jenna on the couch.

VILA[Demonstrating a trick] He loves her!
GOLA[Unenthusiastically] It's quite good - quite good. [Tara offers him a drink] A drink from your hand? [pushes it away, they both laugh] he is the fool, not I.
VILAAnd now - for my next trick [he juggles, they applaud]

DUNGEONS - Rod enters laughing

BLAKEI thought you were never coming.
RODMy men are already in the tunnel.
BLAKEYou going up alone?
RODI have business with my brother.
BLAKEWho is your brother?
RODCome. [they leave]
OLD MAN [Groans - the Fool fills a cup with water.]
FOOLDrink master [hands it through the bars] Water. [The old man drinks.]

A CORRIDOR - Rod and Blake enter - they hear Gola laughing.

BLAKEI thought you said they'd all be asleep. [they continue]

GOLA'S TENT - Vila is playing a cat's cradle game with Jenna.

VILAIn this trick, the captive ring is liberated without breaking the rope. Watch closely, is there a break above? [looking Jenna in the eye] or a Blake below? And - one - two - three. [pulls the ring free]
GOLASplendid! Your friend is a good fool. I will keep him here with me forever. Like you, eh, my sweet pair-bond partner.
JENNAOf course.
GOLATara, tell us the future. I'm in a mood to know. Will I be happy with my sweet pair-bond partner?
TARANo.
GOLAWhat?!
TARAYou will not have her.
GOLAYou talk nonsense.
TARAThe vapour sees a duel of the blood.
GOLANo!
TARAYes, a duel of the charls - tonight!
GOLAHow can that be?
TARAIt is!
GOLA[With a roar, he kicks over her tripod]
ROD[Entering] Leave the woman! Try your strength with a man.
GOLARod!
RODBrother - I will not call you Charl.
GOLAThen I shall make you. [Blake enters]
JENNABlake!
BLAKEShhh!
GOLAWho is this?
RODThis is my second.
GOLAI see, where's my second? [to Vila] You, fool!
VILAWhat? I don't ...
GOLA[To henchman] and Master of the Duel - you!
TARAIt is written he will kill you.
GOLAYou called him back, didn't you?
TARAYes I did.
GOLAWhy?
TARABecause you betrayed the tribe. You seek to take her to pair-bond and she is not of the Tents of Goth. The vapour has prophesied that if you take her to pair-bond, you will die by your brother's hand.
GOLAI am not afraid of your vapour.
TARAHmm - we shall see.

[preparations for the duel overseen by the Master of the Duel. Rod and Gola's left wrists are linked by a six foot chain.]

BLAKE[To Vila] That is Rod, Gola's brother. Now that's his brother...
VILAI see what you mean.
BLAKENow is not the right time. [Master of the Duel signals a start, a gong strikes.]
RODHe who lives be Charl
GOLAHe who lives be Charl.

[The duel begins. Gola kills Rod by strangling him with the chain and stabbing him, gong strikes to mark end of duel]

GOLAThe victory is mine. I am Charl here. [applause - Tara hands him a cup]
BLAKEVila! [Vila checks Rod's amulet, it is blank]
GOLA[drinking triumphantly] Your vapour lied. [The drink is poisoned, he starts to choke]
JENNAGola!
GOLAAaaaargh... [collapses and dies. Blake comes across to check his amulet]
JENNANo, it's not him.
BLAKEThen who is there left?
TARAAsk the true Charl, the greatest leader of them all.
BLAKEWho is he?
TARAHe who is most magnificent, the greatest truest charl of the Tents of Goth, [turning to Vila] your companion of the cells.
VILAWhat, that old man?
TARATheir father. They deposed him, and then quarrelled between themselves as to who should be the new charl.
BLAKETheir father? That old man?
TARAGo now. Take this key and take the bracelets. Leave this place. Go!
BLAKEAll right. Come on. [They go. Tara mounts the dias, the Master of the Duel places a fur cape on her shoulders and she sits on the throne, laughing triumphantly.]

DUNGEONS - Blake, Jenna and Vila enter.

FOOLLet us out. [Blake unlocks his door, then the old man's. He is lying on his bed.]
BLAKEWho is the keeper?
FOOLLeave him - let my master die in peace.
BLAKEWho is the keeper?
FOOL[Singing] I sing you of the Tents, my Master,
Charl of the Goths,
I sing you of the golden tents
Where your fathers wait to greet you...

BLAKE[Examining the talisman] It's gone, the brain print's gone!
FOOLYou seek the talisman the brain of the healer. The man with the eye patch took it.
BLAKETravis! Old man, old man, Lurgen, the healer, did he talk of Star One? Did he speak to you of anything?
OLD MAN [virtually inaudible] A fool knows everything and nothing. [dies]
FOOLHe's dead! [pushes Blake away and croons over the body] I sing you of all the wise charls
I sing you of all that
Your life, your death,
Brought honour to the tents...
VILAThat's it then. Long live President Travis. We might as well lock the door and stay where we are.
JENNADid he say anything to you Blake?
BLAKEHe said "A fool knows everything and nothing." [louder] A fool knows everything and nothing.
FOOL[In a mechanical monotone, his eyes rolling] The location of Star One is at grid reference C-one-seven-three-two-zero in the Eleventh Sector.
VILAEleventh Sector? That must be in the middle of nowhere.
BLAKEShut up.
FOOLThe location of Star One is at grid reference C-one-seven- three-two-zero in the Eleventh Sector.
BLAKELurgen must have planted it in his brain.
VILAA man with a sense of humour.
BLAKEA fool knows everything and nothing.
FOOL
[in the background]The location
BLAKE
Yes, that must have been the
trigger phrase. The fool to
keep a secret that Lurgen never
wanted in the first place.
of Star One
is at grid
reference C
one-seven-three-

JENNA
All we have to do now is find it.
two-zero
CALLY
[Intercom] Blake, this is Cally.
Do you read me Blake?
in the eleventh
sector...
BLAKEYes Cally, bring us up. [They teleport]

LIBERATOR - They enter the flight deck.

AVONAnother few seconds and I would have left you, Blake.
BLAKECourse for evasion Zen.
ZENOne eight nine, standard by ten.
BLAKEJenna!
JENNAOne eight nine, standard by ten - and on, with luck, to Star One. [Liberator gets under way.]

Script Index

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