The Cave of Skulls

Dear Diary,
 

Well, our uninvited guests finally awoke. I sometimes forget time travel has that effect on people.

Barbara quickly accepted the reality of the situation, but the stubborn, narrow-minded fellow, Chesterton, refused to believe time travel possible at all! After checking the air and radiation levels, I decided to open the doors and let him see for himself while I went off to collect my rock samples. Hmph!

I am, I’m afraid, a bit concerned about the TARDIS. The yearometer must not be working properly. Its current reading is Zero.  More distressing, however, the TARDIS remains in the shape of a police box. I do hope the chameleon circuit is not going. I shall have to look into this at another time.

Whilst collecting my samples, I thought I should have a smoke. I was lighting my pipe when I was struck from behind by one of the primitives who inhabit this place. I woke on a stone slab amidst a group of them, all dressed in skins, and nattering on about fire. It seemed to be a power struggle between two parties. Seeking an advantage I threw in with this Kal fellow and somewhat hastily promised I would make fire for them, which worked well until I realized I had must have dropped my matches when I was attacked. 

This displeased the lot of them and I’m afraid it might have been the end for me had not Susan and the others chose that moment to mount a rescue. 

Still, it was a momentary respite, as we were eventually overpowered. As one of the primitives poised to deal Chesterton a killing blow, I bellowed out that if he were harmed, there would be no fire. 

Again, this bought us a little time. However, we were also tied and taken to the Cave of Skulls. A most appropriate name, I must say, for there were indeed skulls and skeletal remains littered about the cavern. As we struggled with our bonds, Chesterton and I noticed another thing the skulls had in common: they had all been split open.

Based upon the teleplay by Anthony Coburn, first broadcast on BBC 30th November, 1963