BLAKE'S 7

25. "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 Blake       Gareth Thomas  
          Kerr Avon       Paul Darrow  
          Jenna Stannis   Sally Knyvette  
          Vila Restal     Michael Keating  
          Cally           Jan Chappell  
          Servalan        Jacqueline Pearce  
          Travis          Brian Croucher  
          Zen             Peter Tuddenham 
          Gola            Bruce Purchase  
          Rod             Shaun Curry  
          Tara            Freda Jackson  
          Old Man         Arthur Hewlett  
          Fool            Cengiz Saner  
          Patrol Leader   Ron Tarr

          Walk-ons:
          Steve Kelly        Jan Murzynowski  
          Jeff Howard        Paul Taras  
          Ridgewell Hawkes   Eileen Brady              
          Eric French


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

    VILA:  We're not even sure that Lurgen was here.
   BLAKE:  Docholli had no reason to lie.
    VILA:  Some people don't need a reason.
    AVON:  True, 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.
   JENNA:  Lurgen's brain print is on a thong around a chief's neck.
           That's what Docholli said.
   CALLY:  Or he said it was Lurgen's brain that was on a thong. That
           might not be the same thing.
    AVON:  If you find the brain print, and consequently the location of
           Star One, what then?
   BLAKE:  Finish what we started.
    AVON:  Destroy it?
   BLAKE:  Of course. And the entire Federation with it. Does that
           bother you suddenly?
    AVON:  Star One is the automatic computer control center for the
           entire Federation.
   BLAKE:  Get to the point, Avon.
    AVON:  That is the point. Through Star One we could control
           everything. The Federation could belong to us.
    VILA:  I could be president.
    AVON:  Ah.
    VILA:  Or we can take it in turns.
   BLAKE:  You ready to go, Vila?
    VILA:  Why not? Now that would be worth the risks we're taking.
    AVON:  Blake is afraid that power would corrupt him.
   BLAKE:  That sort of power would corrupt anyone.
   CALLY:  Which is why the location of Star One has been kept such a
           secret.
   JENNA:  Travis could change all that, and I doubt if he has your
           scruples.
   BLAKE:  Then 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]
    VILA:  Now there is something that worries me, how do we know that
           Travis isn't down there now? 
    AVON:  You 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.
   BLAKE:  So anyone who lives on Goth, lives underground.
   JENNA:  If he's wise, he does.
    VILA:  And if he's not, he's dead.
   BLAKE:  All 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. 
    VILA:  Hey, the air is a bit niffy.
   JENNA:  Hmm, sulphur.  Rots your lungs eventually.
    VILA:  Marvellous, 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 

     ZEN:  Main detectors report Federation pursuit ship, bearing one
           three two, course two seven six, leaving the planet and
           entering orbit.
    AVON:  Put it on the main screen.
     ZEN:  Affirmative.    [pursuit ship appears on screen]
    AVON:  Are we in range of its detectors?
     ZEN:  Negative.
    AVON:  Plot us a course to intercept.
     ZEN:  Affirmative.
   CALLY:  You're not going to attack?
    AVON:  Don't you recognize it? THAT is Travis' ship.
   CALLY:  But if we leave here, we leave Blake and the others out of
           teleport range.
    AVON:  This is our chance to finish off Travis. He is at our mercy.
   CALLY:  Perhaps, but you can't just --
     ZEN:  Course for intercept, zero-seven-three, speed, Standard by
           Four, strike range in four minutes ten seconds.
    AVON:  We've got him cold. We'll be there and back within ten
           minutes and Travis will be dead. Steer zero-seven-three,
           Cally.
   CALLY:  Avon, I'm --
    AVON:  ZERO-SEVEN-THREE!!
   CALLY:  All right. 
           [Liberator turns - shot of pursuit ship on screen]
    AVON:  This time we have him.  Zen, put up the radiation flare
           shields, clear the neutron blasters for firing.
     ZEN:  Confirmed.
   CALLY:  Avon, I hope you know what you're doing.
     ZEN:  Neutron blasters are cleared for firing.
    AVON:  Can you think of a better way to stop Travis finding Star
           One?     [External shot of Liberator in motion]
     ZEN:  Target will be in strike range in exactly two minutes.
   CALLY:  No indication that he's seen us.
    AVON:  Good. 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]

    VILA:  All 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.] 
   BLAKE:  Avon, teleport now.  Avon!  Avon!

LIBERATOR - shot of pursuit ship on main screen.

   CALLY:  Why doesn't he move?
    AVON:  How should I know?  Just so long as he doesn't...
           [An electronic signal is heard] 
   CALLY:  What's that?  He's transmitting. Who to?
    AVON:  Who cares? Stand by.
   CALLY:  His detectors must warn him soon.
    AVON:  We are going to get as near as we can, Cally.
           [Exterior shot of Liberator stalking pursuit ship.]
    AVON:  Goodbye, Travis.    [Presses button - other ship blows up]
           Got him!     [Main screen shows the explosion]
   CALLY:  So much for Travis. Mind you, you could hardly miss at that
           range.
    AVON:  What did you want me to do?  Give him a sporting chance?
   CALLY:  Zen, 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

    AVON:  We've solved one of Blake's problems for him. Let us hope
           that he can handle the rest as easily.
   CALLY:  Coming into stationary orbit now.

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

   BLAKE:  Teleport now!  [he vanishes as the explosive bolts strike
           the rocks]

LIBERATOR

    AVON:  What the hell happened?  What happened to the others?
   CALLY:  Let him drink this first.  [hands Blake a drink]
    AVON:  Where are the others?
   BLAKE:  The Goths have them.
    AVON:  How?
   BLAKE:  Ambush.
   CALLY:  Are we going down to get them out?
   BLAKE:  I am.  [furiously] And where the hell were you?
    AVON:  We just got Travis for you!
   BLAKE:  What!!!

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

    VILA:  Well, how much further is it?
    GOTH:  Move!!
    VILA:  All 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.

    GOLA:  Fool, 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.]
    TARA:  Gola, you frighten him, that is why all his tricks go wrong.
    GOLA:  Silence witch.
           [The fool tries to entertain him with handstands.]
    TARA:  I could tell you better tricks.  I could show you things in
           the future.
    GOLA:  You can show me nothing!  All that talks is your drug.  In
           the end you will inhale too much and it will kill you.
    TARA:  Nothing will kill me, I shall live for ever.
    GOLA:  Tcha!  [Travis enters] Kick that fool as you pass him.
           Possibly I might smile at his pain.  [Travis does, they
           both laugh]
    GOLA:  Travis, my friend. You'll take wine?
  TRAVIS:  Thank you, oh Charl.
    GOLA:  My 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.
    GOLA:  You 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]
  TRAVIS:  You!  Where is Blake?
    VILA:  [To Jenna] They haven't got him.
PATROL LEADER:  Silence!! 
    GOLA:  [to Travis]   You know these people?
  TRAVIS:  Yes, oh Charl. They are enemies. Of myself, of Servalan, and
           also of Lurgen who mended your wound and took away the
           terrible pains.
    GOLA:  Truly 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?
  TRAVIS:  They pursue him to kill him.
    GOLA:  A beautiful woman!  And a fool.
    VILA:  Eh?!
  TRAVIS:  These two I leave to your mercies, oh Charl.
    GOLA:  A beautiful woman - indeed she is so.
           [Vila and Jenna exchange nervous looks, the Fool scowls
           jealously]
 
LIBERATOR - teleport room

    AVON:  We had to stop Travis getting to Star One first. Well now he
           is stopped.
   BLAKE:  IF he was on the pursuit ship.
    AVON:  It seemed a reasonable assumption.
   BLAKE:  If I'm not back in six hours, come down. Both of you.
   CALLY:  That's a long time to stay in orbit. Stationary, we are an
           easy target.
   BLAKE:  No 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.  
SERVALAN:  What?  Is Blake here?
  TRAVIS:  No.  [into transmitter] Pursuit Ship Four, Travis here.
           Reply.  
SERVALAN:  The Liberator has obviously destroyed it.
  TRAVIS:  Yes. 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.  
SERVALAN:  But which royal person?  There is the Charl and there is
           his sister.
  TRAVIS:  It has to be one of them.  
SERVALAN:  But which one?
  TRAVIS:  You will soon know, and when you do, you could control the
           Federation, you and I.  
SERVALAN:  Don't be ridiculous, Travis.
  TRAVIS:  Look, 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.  
SERVALAN:  You can see why the Council themselves don't know where Star
           One is. In the wrong hands --
  TRAVIS:  Yes, but in the right hands:  yours and mine.  
SERVALAN:  Be very careful you don't overreach yourself, Travis.
  TRAVIS:  There'll come a time when such ideas seem unambitious. One
           day, Servalan -- 
SERVALAN:  Yes? What are you talking about, Travis?
           [he sits down]
  TRAVIS:  I 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.  
SERVALAN:  The Liberator may pick you up.
  TRAVIS:  It's a chance we'll have to take unless you're prepared to
           risk Blake getting to the secret before we do, well?
SERVALAN:  All right. How long?
  TRAVIS:  Three hours.  
SERVALAN:  That long?
  TRAVIS:  You could have the secret by then, it has to be one of
           those two, the chief or his sister.  Don't you trust me?
SERVALAN:  No, of course not.
  TRAVIS:  Then trust my ambition. You will be the new keeper of the
           secret.  
SERVALAN:  Yes.

LIBERATOR - teleport room

   BLAKE:  [Over the intercom] ...at the moment, ground bearing
           one-two-zero. 
    AVON:  Is he all right?
   CALLY:  So far.
     ZEN:  Main detectors report ship leaving planetary orbit.
    AVON:  Identify.
     ZEN:  It is a modified Class One Federation pursuit ship.
    AVON:  Grid reference?
     ZEN:  Grid reference B-three-seven-two-one
    AVON:  Modified Class One ... that must be Servalan.  Zen,
           have they detected us?
     ZEN:  Negative.
    AVON:  Cally, set a course to intercept.
   CALLY:  What?
    AVON:  A course to intercept.
   CALLY:  No.
    AVON:  Yes.
   CALLY:  If we leave here we leave Blake alone again.
    AVON:  This is an ideal opportunity.
   CALLY:  Not this time.
    AVON:  She will be out of range in one minute. We will never get
           her.
   CALLY:  All right, then. We'll never get her.
    AVON:  Cally, listen.
   CALLY:  NO!

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

     ROD:  Let me go you dogs!  Let me fight you one by one.  [a guard
           strikes him]
   BLAKE:  Hold 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.
   BLAKE:  Who are you?
     ROD:  My name is Rod.  Greeting.
   BLAKE:  Greeting.  [puts his blaster away]
     ROD:  And what is that?
   BLAKE:  Er - nothing.
     ROD:  You say that it is nothing, yet men fall.  It is magic.
           You are for the Tents of Goth?
   BLAKE:  Yes, when I can find the way.
     ROD:  Hmm, they are underground.  So!  I will take you there.
           Your name?
   BLAKE:  Blake.
     ROD:  [Laughs]   And whom do you seek?  The ones called Servalan
           and Travis?
   BLAKE:  [Short laugh]   They are no friends of mine.
     ROD:  Nor 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?
   JENNA:  We do not mean him any harm.
    GOLA:  Then why are you here?
   JENNA:  We come to help the Federation.
    GOLA:  The 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.] 
   JENNA:  If you do not want Federation servitude, why do you harbour
           their lackeys?
    GOLA:  You talking about Travis?  He's a refugee from the Federation.
   JENNA:  Where is Lurgen?
    GOLA:  If 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?
   JENNA:  I've told you, we mean him no harm.
    GOLA:  You 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?
    VILA:  Just bracelets, Oh King.  [Gola puts them on]
    Gola:  Do me a trick, Fool.
    VILA:  What?  Now?
    GOLA:  Now!
    VILA:  Ermm - a trick ...  I take this chain from about my neck
           and place it in my fist, like so -- it's gone! 
    GOLA:  Ah-ah!
    VILA:  The 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. 
    GOLA:  Splendid!  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.
    TARA:  He is jealous.  He thinks you do not love him any longer and
           he feels badly about it.
    GOLA:  He'll feel much worse if I send him below - eh Fool?
    FOOL:  No!  Not below!
    GOLA:  Why not?  I have a better fool now.
    FOOL:  Great Charl, Leader of the Goths, greatest and strongest
           warrior of them all, have mercy on a fool that's lost his
           magic! 
    GOLA:  Behave and maybe I will.  Tara, what do you think of the girl?
    TARA:  You think to take her to pair-bond.
    GOLA:  How 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. 
    TARA:  He will try that, that is as certain as our eyes.
    GOLA:  If you say that once more, your head is forfeit!  [Tara laughs]  
           I mean it, sister or not, if you say that once more ...
    TARA:  I say - I say that he will kill, but he will die.
    GOLA:  We will kill each other then?
    TARA:  That 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? 
   JENNA:  Well --- yes.  It's very nice, very nice indeed.
    GOLA:  Good.

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

LIBERATOR

    AVON:  Zen, any sign of Federation pursuit ships on the main detectors?
     ZEN:  Negative.
    AVON:  Any activity whatever?
     ZEN:  There is no activity on the main detectors.
    AVON:  What about the extra-range detector?
   CALLY:  You know that puts a heavy drain on the energy banks.
     ZEN:  Negative on the extra-range detector.
   CALLY:  Satisfied?
    AVON:  No.  I think we're in real danger, hanging around here in
           stationary orbit. 

GOTH - The dungeons, Road and Blake enter

     ROD:  Stay here.  Wait for me, I will be back.
   BLAKE:  All right.
     ROD:  I 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.

    TARA:  Your name is what?
   JENNA:  Jenna.  [she is now richly dressed in a red and gold gown]
    TARA:  You are of what tribe?
   JENNA:  I come from Earth.
    TARA:  Earth - then you must gain my approval earthwoman, or no
           pair-bond.
   JENNA:  You remember Lurgen, the man who made your brother well?
           He will speak for me.
    TARA:  He had magic, certainly.
   JENNA:  He is one of the best cyber-surgeons in the whole of the
           Federation.
    TARA:  But he is no longer here.
   JENNA:  Oh?
    TARA:  [Looking into the vapour]  He is gone, far away.
   JENNA:  Where?
    TARA:  The vapour does not tell me that.
   JENNA:  Lurgen 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.
    TARA:  And you are asking me who the keeper is?
   JENNA:  Yes.
    TARA:  And if I could tell you, what then?
   JENNA:  Ask for anything in the whole galaxy, and it is yours.
    TARA:  [Chuckles]  It must be a very important secret, this thing
           you ask about.
   JENNA:  It is.
    TARA:  Yes, you are very beautiful, I can see why my brother
           wishes to pair-bond with you.
   JENNA:  This secret, I am told, is on a person of royal blood.
    TARA:  Ahh!
   JENNA:  It hangs from the neck of such a person.
    TARA:  Like the one I wear?  Like the one my brother wears?
   JENNA:  Perhaps.
    TARA:  Well?
   JENNA:  Yes.
    TARA:  Mmmm - and you would like to look at it, eh?
   JENNA:  Yes, may I?  [she reaches for it, but catches Tara's
           hypnotic stare and is immobilised]  I can't move my hand.
    TARA:  No.  [takes her hand, releasing the spell]
   JENNA:  Was that some of your magic?
    TARA:  Does it matter?
   JENNA:  You must have great powers.
    TARA:  I 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. 
   JENNA:  I 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.
    TARA:  Possibly.
   JENNA:  If I stay, you're afraid that I might take some of your
           powers away.
    TARA:  Hmm... The vapour says that if you remain here, you may die.
   JENNA:  Once I know who the keeper is, I will go, I promise.  Would
           you help me?
    TARA:  Yes, I would help you to go, IF I knew who the keeper was.
   JENNA:  Isn't it you?
    TARA:  You may touch the amulet now.  I will not stop you.  [Jenna
           turns it over, it is blank]
   JENNA:  There is nothing on it.
    TARA:  No.  You are disappointed.
   JENNA:  I thought it might be you.
    TARA:  Hmm ... now?  And now?
   JENNA:  And now I have to stay.
    TARA:  Why is that?
   JENNA:  You 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.

    GOLA:  Wine!  [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? 
   JENNA:  I have never hated you.
    GOLA:  Ah!  That's good.  You'll pair-bond with me whether you
           like it or not, you know.
   JENNA:  It is an honour.
    GOLA:  Ahhh...good.  More wine.
   JENNA:  You are truly a most remarkable man  [attempts to touch his
           amulet, he repulses her]  I am sorry, it looks interesting.
    GOLA:  Do not touch a Charl's person.
   JENNA:  I am sorry.
    GOLA:  Humility is good in a woman.

THE DUNGEONS - Blake is sat waiting.

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

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

    GOLA:  There!  I win!  [they laugh]
SERVALAN:  She let you win.
    GOLA:  What?
SERVALAN:  She is a superior-grade citizen of the Federation. Her IQ is
           very high.  She let you win.
    GOLA:  You are a friend of Lurgen's, or I ...
SERVALAN:  What?
    GOLA:  I'd send you down below.
SERVALAN:  You lay a finger on me and the Federation battle fleets will
           blast you to ashes.  You and all your tents.
    GOLA:  We are a long way under the ground. Do not be sure any bomb
           would reach us.
SERVALAN:  There is not a hole deep enough for you to hide in.
    GOLA:  Silence!  I am Charl here.  I do not wish your presence in
           my tent. Go.
SERVALAN:  Very well, but I must speak to you alone, in one hour, in
           my tent. It would be wise for you to be there.
    GOLA:  You will come to me.
SERVALAN:  [shakes her head]  Uh..uh.  [She leaves.  Tara laughs]
    GOLA:  What are you cackling at?
    TARA:  She represents the Federation and you are afraid of her.
    GOLA:  No I am not.
    TARA:  HE would not be afraid of her.
    GOLA:  Shut up about him!
   JENNA:  Who is she talking about?
    GOLA:  Nobody.  You didn't let me win, did you?
   JENNA:  Of course not.
   VOICE:  [Sounding very like Vila]  Oh yes she did.
   JENNA:  Vila!
    VILA:  Eh?
   JENNA:  [Under her breath]  Be quiet!
   VOICE:  But she did!  She let you win.
    GOLA:  What did you say?
    VILA:  Eh?
    GOLA:  You said she let me win.  [The Fool turns and winks at Tara]
    VILA:  No I didn't.  I didn't say anything.
   JENNA:  [In an urgent whisper]  Vila, shut up!
    VILA:  But I didn't say anything.
    GOLA:  Guards!  You are going down below.
    VILA:  But I said nothing.
    GOLA:  You 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] 
   JENNA:  Gola, please!
    GOLA:  No, no, you must learn.
   JENNA:  Gola, don't kill him, please.     [Vila is heard shrieking
           protests off stage] 
    GOLA:  We'll see, we'll see.

THE DUNGEONS - Blake hides as Vila is dragged in.

    VILA:  But 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!
    VILA:  I 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.
   BLAKE:  Vila.
    VILA:  Huh!  Blake!
   BLAKE:  Shhh, quiet.
    VILA:  Am I glad to see you.  What are you doing here?
   BLAKE:  Is Jenna all right?
    VILA:  Only pair-bonding with the chief.
   BLAKE:  Good.
    VILA:  Well, come on, get me out.
   BLAKE:  I can't, not for a while.  You'll have to stay here for a bit.
    VILA:  Marvelous.
 OLD MAN:  [Groans]
    VILA:  Who's that?
   BLAKE:  He seems harmless.
    VILA:  He smells horrible.
   BLAKE:  Well, so would you if you'd been here for as long as he has.
    VILA:  Well let's not think about that.
   BLAKE:  Tell me what's going on out there - everything.

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

   JENNA:  Where is Travis?
SERVALAN:  I can see you have the run of the place.
   JENNA:  I am betrothed to the Charl and I have his protection.
SERVALAN:  I still may kill you.
   JENNA:  I only have a minute.  Where is Travis?
SERVALAN:  Oh, he'll be back.
   JENNA:  I think not. I think he already knows the location of Star
           One and he's on his way there already.
SERVALAN:  Really? And who do you imagine told him?
   JENNA:  The only person who knew: Lurgen.
SERVALAN:  Lurgen was gone before we arrived.
   JENNA:  Was he? Are you sure.
SERVALAN:  Travis knows better than to trick me. I've already told him
           he's dead if he tries.
   JENNA:  With 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]

   JENNA:  I feel strange - dizzy.  It must have been the wine.
    GOLA:  The wine?  Seems all right.
   JENNA:  I must sit.   [Sits on a couch]
    GOLA:  [Rounding on the Fool]   YOU gave her the wine.
    FOOL:  No, no!
    GOLA:  I saw you give it her.  You gave her a potion.  One of
           HER potions. 
    FOOL:  No!  I swear I did nothing.
    GOLA:  Guards!  You are going down below.
    FOOL:  Not below!
    GOLA:  While I decide how you will die.  Get him out of here!
    FOOL:  I did nothing!  I did nothing!   [carried off protesting
           just like Vila] 
    GOLA:  Are you all right, my love?
   JENNA:  [Lying on couch]   Yes, I think so.  I did not drink too
           much.  Gola, please release Vila.
    GOLA:  What?
   JENNA:  He 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. 
    GOLA:  Guards, bring the other fool back up.  Be well my love.  
           [To Tara]   Will she be well?
    TARA:  [Keeping a straight face]   Oh yes.
    GOLA:  Good.
   JENNA:  [Looking at the amulet again]   Oh, I'm sorry, it is
           forbidden. 
    GOLA:  No, no, please my love.  [She turns it over, it is blank.
           Tara laughs triumphantly]

DUNGEONS

    VILA:  It has to be Gola, it's not his sister, so it has to be him.
 OLD MAN:  [Feebly]   No...
    VILA:  Shut up, will you.  Who is he anyway?
   BLAKE:  I don't know.  Look, I'm going up there, soon.
    VILA:  What about me?   
   BLAKE:  Shh, quiet!   [The guards bring the Fool down, Blake hides]
    FOOL:  No!  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]
    VILA:  Hey!  What's going on?
PATROL LEADER:  You're free - orders of the Charl.
    VILA:  Eh?
PATROL LEADER:  You're the new fool. If you aren't funny, you'll be back.
    VILA:  Wonderful.   [They leave]
    FOOL:  [Moans]   I knew it would come to this in the end.
 OLD MAN:  Who is it?
    FOOL:  It's I, your fool.
 OLD MAN:  Who?
    FOOL:  You'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.
    VILA:  And now - for my next trick   [he juggles, they applaud]

DUNGEONS - Rod enters laughing

   BLAKE:  I thought you were never coming.
     ROD:  My men are already in the tunnel.
   BLAKE:  You going up alone?
     ROD:  I have business with my brother.
   BLAKE:  Who is your brother?
     ROD:  Come.  [they leave]
 OLD MAN:  [Groans - the Fool fills a cup with water.]
    FOOL:  Drink master [hands it through the bars]  Water.
           [The old man drinks.]

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

   BLAKE:  I thought you said they'd all be asleep.  [they continue]

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

    VILA:  In 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]
    GOLA:  Splendid!  Your friend is a good fool.  I will keep him here
           with me forever.  Like you, eh, my sweet pair-bond partner. 
   JENNA:  Of course.
    GOLA:  Tara, tell us the future.  I'm in a mood to know.  Will I
           be happy with my sweet pair-bond partner?
    TARA:  No.  
    GOLA:  What?!
    TARA:  You will not have her.
    GOLA:  You talk nonsense.
    TARA:  The vapour sees a duel of the blood.
    GOLA:  No!
    TARA:  Yes, a duel of the charls - tonight!
    GOLA:  How can that be?
    TARA:  It is!
    GOLA:  [With a roar, he kicks over her tripod]
     ROD:  [Entering]  Leave the woman!  Try your strength with a man.
    GOLA:  Rod!
     ROD:  Brother - I will not call you Charl.
    GOLA:  Then I shall make you.    [Blake enters]
   JENNA:  Blake!
   BLAKE:  Shhh!
    GOLA:  Who is this?
     ROD:  This is my second.
    GOLA:  I see, where's my second?   [to Vila]  You, fool!  
    VILA:  What?  I don't ...
    GOLA:  [To henchman]   and Master of the Duel - you!
    TARA:  It is written he will kill you.
    GOLA:  You called him back, didn't you?
    TARA:  Yes I did.
    GOLA:  Why?
    TARA:  Because 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. 
    GOLA:  I am not afraid of your vapour.
    TARA:  Hmm - 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... 
    VILA:  I see what you mean.
   BLAKE:  Now is not the right time.
           [Master of the Duel signals a start, a gong strikes.]
     ROD:  He who lives be Charl
    GOLA:  He 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]

    GOLA:  The victory is mine.  I am Charl here.   [applause - Tara
           hands him a cup]
   BLAKE:  Vila!    [Vila checks Rod's amulet, it is blank]
    GOLA:  [drinking triumphantly]   Your vapour lied.
           [The drink is poisoned, he starts to choke]
   JENNA:  Gola! 
    GOLA:  Aaaaargh...    [collapses and dies.  Blake comes across to
           check his amulet]
   JENNA:  No, it's not him.
   BLAKE:  Then who is there left?
    TARA:  Ask the true Charl, the greatest leader of them all.
   BLAKE:  Who is he?
    TARA:  He who is most magnificent, the greatest truest charl of
           the Tents of Goth,  [turning to Vila]  your companion of
           the cells. 
    VILA:  What, that old man?
    TARA:  Their father.  They deposed him, and then quarrelled between
           themselves as to who should be the new charl.
   BLAKE:  Their father?  That old man?
    TARA:  Go now.  Take this key and take the bracelets.  Leave this
           place. Go!
   BLAKE:  All 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.

    FOOL:  Let us out.   [Blake unlocks his door, then the old man's.
           He is lying on his bed.]
   BLAKE:  Who is the keeper?
    FOOL:  Leave him - let my master die in peace.
   BLAKE:  Who 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!
    FOOL:  You seek the talisman the brain of the healer. The man with
           the eye patch took it.
   BLAKE:  Travis!  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]
    FOOL:  He'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...
    VILA:  That's it then. Long live President Travis. We might as well
           lock the door and stay where we are.
   JENNA:  Did he say anything to you Blake?
   BLAKE:  He 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.  
    VILA:  Eleventh Sector?  That must be in the middle of nowhere.
   BLAKE:  Shut up.
    FOOL:  The location of Star One is at grid reference C-one-seven-
           three-two-zero in the Eleventh Sector. 
   BLAKE:  Lurgen must have planted it in his brain.
    VILA:  A man with a sense of humour.
   BLAKE:  A fool knows everything and nothing.
    FOOL:                [in the background]    || The location
   BLAKE:  Yes, that must have been the         || of Star One
           trigger phrase.  The fool to         || is at grid
           keep a secret that Lurgen never      || reference C
           wanted in the first place.           || one-seven-three-
   JENNA:  All we have to do now is find it.    || two-zero
   CALLY:  [Intercom]  Blake, this is Cally.    || in the eleventh
           Do you read me Blake?                || sector...
   BLAKE:  Yes Cally, bring us up.    [They teleport]

LIBERATOR - They enter the flight deck.
  
    AVON:  Another few seconds and I would have left you, Blake.
   BLAKE:  Course for evasion Zen.
     ZEN:  One eight nine, standard by ten.
   BLAKE:  Jenna!
   JENNA:  One eight nine, standard by ten - and on, with luck, to
           Star One.   [Liberator gets under way.]

                           ******* END *******