THE BEN CHATHAM ADVENTURES
REGULAR CAST:
Ben Chatham - Ryan Hawley
Katie Ryan - Kate Ryan
Kyle Scott - To be confirmed
Julian LeFarge - To be confirmed
Shakey Jake Reynolds - Phil Harding
Corinne Shaw- Michelle Collins
Paul FAarraday - Michael French
SUPPORTING CAST:
Alastair Chatham - Anthony Head
James Bartlett - To be confirmed
Madame Camboux- To be confirmed
Adam Wooten - To be confirmed
Chiara Smith - To be confirmed
Keith Smith - To be confirmed
Barry Tuck - Johnny Vegas
Luigi Marinoni - To be confirmed
Craig Chatham - To be confirmed
Isobel - Hannah Murray
EPISODE ONE : FIRESTARTER
A series of unexplained fires have rocked the city of London with offices and government buildings the target. No apparent cause of the fires can be found so the government calls in Operation Delta to investigate. Ben and his team face resistance from the security services who object to the possibility of alien involvement, classing the fires as terrorist related. Ben has a heated argument with the head of MI5, Sir John Fellowes, which leads to a violent altercation between Kyle Scott and a member of Fellowes' staff. The following day Fellowes disappears and Kyle is arrested. With the Operation Delta team under suspicion, more random fires begin, this time targeted at schools and colleges. There are multiple fatalities in a London Academy and as an atmosphere of panic grips the city, curfews and a form of martial law are declared. Ben suspects that a conspiracy in high places is behind the incidents and his suspicions are confirmed when Corinne and Paul infiltrate a meeting in the back room of a London pub between Fellowes and several Cabinet Members, all of whom reveal themselves to be shape-shifting aliens, allied to a mysterious alien leader called 'The Exalted Creath', whom Ben has encountered before. Ben and his team rescues Kyle from prison in an action packed shoot out, using guns lent by his father Alastair, who belongs to a shooting club. Then Ben convinces the Prime Minister of the plot and loyal troops are brought into London. However the aliens vanish before they can be captured. Ben warns that the threat is not over and will return.
EPISODE TWO: THE BEAST OF LOCHRANZA
Ben and Julian are staying on the Isle of Arran, where Julian's father owns a holiday home. Strange lights are seen in the sky and there are reports of mutilated sheep being found all over the island. Ben visits the whisky distillery to sample its award winning single malt however he finds it strangely closed and deserted. The islanders are frightened and clam up when questioned. One of them punches Ben and warns of worse to come as the island is cursed. Ben calls Operation Delta HQ for back-up as bodies begin appearing by the roadside of the locals, horribly mutilated. Julian witnesses a reptilian creature emerging from the sea and he and Ben take up refuge in Brodick Castle. Ben spends some time admiring William Beckford's art collection within the castle before the rest of the team arrive. Kyle and Katie have discovered large animal prints in mud by the side of the road from the ferry dock and later Ben witnesses a UFO land from an upstairs window in the castle. Ben and the team follow the lights from the craft and confront three ethereal silver aliens who are loading the reptilian creature into the craft. The aliens explain that the creature was left behind by mistake on an earlier visit to earth. They explain that they have been watching humanity and are repulsed by the violent nature of human history. Ben tells them to either help humanity or stop visiting. The aliens leave.
EPISODE THREE: THE GHOSTS OF CABLE STREET
Shakey Jake Reynolds, Operation Delta's lead science researcher, has discovered a mathematical equation which unlocks and renders operational the three rings of alcenon, a set of three strange alien bracelets found at a UFO crash site in the Arizona desert in the 1960s. Shakey Jake reveals that the rings enable the wearers to jump back in time when worn and touched together, but only for a temporary period and the date cannot be controlled. Ben, Katie and Kyle experiment with the rings and find themselves back in 1930s London. They see a crowd of men marching to a blackshirt rally and decide out of curiosity to follow along. Sir Oswald Mosley is making a rousing speech and Katie expresses admiration for his charismatic delivery and rhetoric. Kyle however is angered when a group of blackshirts start beating up a Jewish heckler and intervenes. Ben, Kyle and Katie are chased out of the meeting and Kyle and Katie have a heated political row. The following day, Katie flounces off to attend a blackshirt march through Cable Street in London. Kyle angrily states that he is going to attend the counter-demonstration led by communists and other left-wingers. Ben in left alone in cheap 1930s hotel, exasperated by his friends and worried that his team will by split by political divisions. He drinks more than he should at the hotel bar and pours out his frustration to the attractive barman ,Jack, who reveals that he was once a blackshirt until he became disillusioned by the anti-Semitism of the movement. Ben asks Jack to help him save his friends from themselves and they rush to Cable Street. Ben confronts Mosley and asks him to call off the march as his friends may be hurt. Mosley is mesmerised by Ben's charisma and orders his supporters to stop beating up the communists and to pull back. Ben makes a speech about the threat from Nazi Germany then implores Katie and Kyle to shake hands and make up. They do and then they touch the three rings together and return to current time.
to be continued
Ok folks, here is the next part of this pitch. Lets make it happen:
EPISODE 4: MENACE IN VENICE
Ben and Julian are holidaying in Venice, with Ben's manservant Luigi Marinoni acting as translator. They visit the Basilica of San Marco and the Palazzo Ducale before taking a gondola around the waterways of Venice with Luigi punting. In the gondola they listen to the adagietto from Mahler's Fifth Symphony on a CD player while Ben feeds Julian strawberries and cream. Suddenly Ben sees a corpse floating to the top of the water, its flesh glowing bright red. They report the body to the Venetian police and are shocked when the officer in charge, Piedro Gonzales, states that the victim died from a cholera outbreak that has struck in the slum areas of the city. Ben goes to the British consulate, arguing that cholera victims seldom glow bright red, however he is fobbed off with vague promises to look into it. Back in their hotel, Ben is approached by a youth called Tadzio who has overheard Ben and Julian discussing the case. Tadzio speaks good English and explains that his uncle works at the local mortuary and more bodies have been brought there with the same red glow. Ben, Julian, Luigi and Tadzio break into the mortuary and discover the glowing red bodies. However armed security guards arrive and the team only just manage to escape in a gondola before being fired upon. As they punt away, Julian notices patches of red slime floating in the water. Tadzio explains that a new company, Farinacci Enterprises, has taken over the management of Venice's waterways and promised to clear them of algae. Ben and the others visit the offices of Farinacci Enterprises, however they are surprised to see Gonzales there in conversation with the manager, Carlos Farinacci. Black shirted guards chase Ben off the premises, however they return at night, break in and discover documents that prove that Farinacci has been experimenting with a powerful new herbicide designed to kill the algae but it has reacted with minerals in the water to create the deadly red slime. Ben and the team expose the scandal and leave Venice.
EPISODE 6: THE CHILDREN OF AVEBURY
Ben is contacted by a former Cambridge Archaeology Professor, Sir Leonard Mattingley, whom taught Ben at university. Mattingley explains that his daughter, Eleanor, has joined a neo-pagan group called the children of Avebury and subsequently disappeared. Ben is reluctant to help as he never liked Mattingley's lectures and felt that they meandered all around a topic while never reaching a point. Ben explains this to Mattingley on the phone and informs him that he lacked flair as an archaeologist. However later Ben has a change of heart when Keith Smith informs him that there have been a spate of UFO sightings near Avebury stone circle in Wiltshire. Ben, Kyle and Katie travel to Avebury and learn from a group of new age travellers camped near the village that the children of Avebury meet in the field next to West Kennet Long Barrow and carry out rituals. Ben and the others visit the field at night and find nothing, however Kyle spots a bonfire glowing on the nearby Silbury Hill and figures chanting. They walk towards the hill however they are attacked by a group of pagan teenage youths and outnumbered they flee. Hiding in West Kennet Long Barrow they suddenly feel icy cold and see a strange glowing light coming from the entrance. Emerging outside they encounter the same ethereal silver aliens from 'The Beast of Lochranza'. The aliens explain that they are repulsed by the violence and ecological damage being caused by humanity and are 'rescuing' certain specially chosen teenagers who will be taken to their home planet and educated in peaceful values. The children of Avebury cult is a front for this. Katie explains that they have no right to do this and punches one of the aliens. The aliens are horrified by this act of violence and state that humanity is beyond saving and that they will leave the planet. On Silbury Hill, the teenagers see the UFO rise from nearby woods and fly off. Devastated they collapse to the ground crying. Katie makes a speech to them calling them a bunch of snowflakes and insisting that they need to build some resilience if the earth is to resist alien threats.
EPISODE 6: MOSQUE OF DEATH
A spate of terrorist attacks across the UK have been linked to the Henbury Park Mosque in Luton and the radical preacher Abu Daarbu. Operation Delta are asked to investigate since police forensic scientists are unable to identify the chemicals used to make a bomb which has blown up an Aldi store in Newcastle, fortunately at night when it was empty. Ben sends samples to the Operation Delta lab, where Shakey Jake and Keith Smith identify the chemicals as being of alien origin. Ben and Kyle decide to visit the mosque, posing as BBC staff researching a Panorama special on British muslims. They find the worshippers to be a benign group, sitting around listening to Cat Stevens albums before going to pray. However when Ben suggests that they install a bar in the mosque, they are escorted out at knifepoint by Abu Daarbu, who proceeds to preach a fiery sermon outside to a crowd of muslim youths, calling for jihad. One of the youths, Zayn Ahmed, approaches Ben and explains that strange things have been happening within the mosque at night, with futuristic technology being stored inside.
Back at Operation Delta HQ, Corinne Shaw has been researching Daarbu's background. When Ben arrives, Corinne shows him pictures of Daarbu in the middle east prior to his arrival in the UK. Ben is puzzled to see that in these pictures Daarbu has hooks instead of hands, yet when Ben met him a few hours earlier his hands were flesh and blood. Ben and Kyle return to the mosque at night with Zayn and break in. They hear voices coming from a cellar underneath the building. Descending the stairs they see Daarbu and two bearded men making explosive devices using alien technology. A fight ensues and Kyle hits one of the men with a lump of metal, ripping skin off the man's face to reveal wires and electronics. Daarbu and his men are cyborgs! Daarbu explains that they now serve the Exalted Creath who is using them to undermine race relations in the UK with a view to weakening the British state from within prior to invasion. Fortunately Ben, Kyle and Zayn escape and alert the security services but before they can arrive, the mosque explodes destroying all evidence. Ben warns that the Exalted Creath is a threat that may return, while Ben also states that he has secured funding for the site of the former mosque is to be turned into a community centre for disaffected youth as a reward to Zayn.
to be continued
EPISODE 7: THE BELLS OF TEWKESBURY Ben, Kyle and Katie decide to test the three rings of alcenon again. Clicking them they find themselves transported back to medieval London. Questioning a peasant girl selling vegatables they discover that it is spring 1471. The Wars of the Roses are raging and the insane King Henry VI has been restored to the throne by forces led by Queen Margaret of Anjou and her ally Warwick the Kingmaker, a former Yorkist who has swapped sides. Ben is disgusted by the smell of the city, the open sewers and the filthy, bedraggled beggars who line the streets. They enter a tavern with straw on the floor and Ben is shocked to find that the tavern owner , Silas, has never heard of absinthe and only serves ale. Questioning the customers, Ben receives a hostile and suspicious reception. One of them slinks off and reports him to a Lancastrian soldier. A group of armed Lancastrians arrive and mistake Ben, Kyle and Katie for supporters of the Yorkist alternative King Edward IV. They are arrested and taken to the Tower of London, where Warwick the Kingmaker arrives to question them. Warwick, a ruggedly handsome man, is deeply attracted to Katie who feels the same towards him. She decides to play on this to ensure the safety of the team and enjoys a night of passion with Warwick in his room in the Tower. The next day they are brought before the King and Queen. Henry babbles incoherently and Katie, over exuberant after the night before, calls him a 'retarded cretin'. Ben gives her a stern talking to about use of inappropriate language before the stern and angry Margaret of Anjou intervenes, accusing them of being Yorkist spies. Katie calls her an 'ugly old bat' and the Queen fiercely orders their executions. Warwick, intervening to save them, says he will take them to his northern castle and deal with them there. On the way up north, Warwick's army encounters the Yorkists and the Battle of Barnet takes place. Warwick is killed and they are captured by the Yorkists. They are taken to Edward IV who is a deeply attractive young man with an eye for the ladies. Katie, devastated by Warwick's death and looking for comfort, is seduced by Edward IV in the royal tent. Edward tells her that he plans to intercept the remainder of the Lancastrians at Tewkesbury and massacre them in the Church. Later she informs Ben and Kyle of this. Ben is torn as to whether to try to escape and warn the Lancastrians or to let history take its course. He decides on the latter however Kyle supports warning them and they argue. Arriving at Tewkesbury, the Battle of Tewkesbury starts and Ben and Kyle escape from the Yorkists. Kyle tries to warn Queen Margaret of the Yorkist plot however she arrogantly refuses to listen. He escapes again and rejoins Ben and they are powerless to intervene as the Lancastrians are massacred in the church as the bells ring. Katie wants to stay with Edward IV in 1471 however she catches him in a passionate liaison with another woman and angrily changes her mind. They click rings and return to current time. In the Mermaid Wine Bar Katie drowns her sorrows and reflects on the untrustworthy nature of men.
to be continued
Ok folks, this major pitch continues:
EPISODE 8: THE POISONED AIR
A new type of cheap vehicle fuel called petroplastic has been developed by the world leading UK chemicals company IBC, made from recycled plastic waste. Politicians of all major parties have pushed subsidies IBC's way as a means to drastically cut fuel prices and to tick the environment box due to public concern about plastic waste in the oceans. Across the cities of the UK, petrol stations have switched to petroplastic and the number of vehicles on the roads is increasing.
Meanwhile Ben and the Operation Delta team are called in to investigate a series of mysterious deaths in London, with victims mauled to death by some kind of animal. Ben visits a mortuary in Dagenham to view the corpses and the pathologist expresses bafflement as to what kind of animal could have caused such wounds. Ben is disconcerted by having had to view the corpses and pays a visit to a bar in Old Compton Street to calm down by enjoying a few drinks with Julian. Here he encounters a drunken middle-aged gay man who claims to have been attacked by a giant rat in a back alley in Soho. Ben tells him to go away and stop leering at Julian however the man shows Ben a wound on his arm which is similar to the wounds on the corpses. Meanwhile news reports begin of a strange and sudden increase in the number of deaths from asthma attacks, with poor NHS treatment getting the blame from the tabloids.
Ben sends Paul Farraday and Corinne Shaw to visit IBC's main plant in Surrey, posing as civil servants. Paul and Corinne are suspicious of IBC's Chairman, Sir Alan Derring, and while they are being shown around a worker pulls Paul to onside and hands him a note. The note reveals that IBC have been using alien technology to synthesise the petroplastic from the waste, the alien chemicals being from a crashed UFO and provided to IBC by the corrupt Minister of the Environment Boris Rees-Fox. Corinne manages to steal a sample of petroplastic and sends it to the Operation Delta Lab for investigation. Shakey Jake reveals that the petroplastic is highly toxic and gives off lethal fumes which can cause asthma attacks in humans but also change rodent DNA.
In London, Ben and Julian hear screaming and discover a woman being mauled to death in a back alley near some bins by a group of rats the size of dogs. The rats chase after Ben and Julian but turn into a MacDonalds, mauling the customers. All over the UK reports of rat attacks start coming in. Ben and Julian drive to 10 Downing Street and insist on an emergency meeting with the Prime Minister, presenting her with Shakey Jake's lab report. Production of petroplastic is suspended and Derring & Rees-Fox pensioned off.
EPISODE 9: THE CREEPER OF LISLE STREET
Ben, Katie and Kyle use the three rings of alcenon to take another trip back in time. They arrive in Victorian London where Ben meets Oscar Wilde and Lord Alfred Douglas. They take tea with Oscar in the Café Royal, however Katie upsets him by calling him a fat old poof jokingly. Ben apologises for Katie and orders more absinthe. Oscar explains that the whole of London is talking about The Creeper, a mysterious serial killer who has been slitting the throats of young men. Oscar is worried about some of the young men he has been socialising with, which he describes as 'feasting with panthers', becoming the next victims. Ben is informed by Lord Alfred Douglas that there is a 'special house', number 16 Lisle Street, which some of the victims had been known to frequent. Ben, Katie and Kyle visit the house and discover that it is a male house of ill repute, run by a man named Symonds and staffed by youths who also work for the post office delivering telegrams. Ben and Kyle pretend to be clients in order to interview two of the youths, William and Ernest. They reveal that one of the regular visitors to the house is a member of the Russian royal family, Grand Duke Dmitri Romanov, and that he has violent fits of temper. Meanwhile Katie has a chat with the cook, Nellie, who reveals that the politician Lord Dewsbury also visits the house and is being blackmailed by Symonds.
Ben and Kyle visit the Russian Embassy and Ben confronts Grand Duke Dmitri. He feels an instant mutual attraction between them however Kyle manages to talk him out of spending the night at the Embassy, convincing Ben that it will destroy his relationship with Julian. Ben is convinced that Grand Duke Dmitri is not the Creeper. Meanwhile Katie visits Lord Dewsbury's office and is shocked to find Oscar Wilde there. Wilde is astounded when Katie asks Dewsbury if he is the creeper and reminds Katie that a cynic knows the price of everything and the value of nothing. Katie accuses him of using pretentious phrases and quotes and implies that Wilde might soon find himself in prison. Dewsbury pleads his innocence and states that Symonds is blackmailing him.
Katie meets up with Ben and Katie and Ben reveals that Grand Duke Dmitri has also confessed to being blackmailed by Symonds. Ben works out a plan and gets William and Ernest to go to tell Symonds that they will go to the police unless they get a cut of his blackmailing profits. Then he has them lurk around in a back alley where previous victims of the Creeper have been found. A masked man appears with a knife and attacks William, however Kyle overpowers him and rips off the mask to reveal Symonds, who has been killing anyone who has discovered his blackmailing scam. Ben & Kyle take him to the police. They then return to present time with the rings, having secured William & Ernest jobs working for Oscar Wilde in the Albemarle Club.
to be continued
Ok, here is the season finale:
EPISODE TEN: THE DAY OF THE CREATH
The UK has undergone a military coup with the army and MI5 seizing control and closing down Parliament. The BBC and ITV are broadcasting statements by the coup leader, General McGillery, explaining that this was a necessary step to save 'the British way on life' from chaos and takeover by Russia. He explains that Russian security services were in control of all major political parties and had been fermenting deliberate chaos in order to destroy both the UK and the EU. However , he explains, the army and security services have stepped in to rescue the country.
Operation Delta has been closed down, however Ben and the team are in hiding and working underground from a secret location, Framwell Grange, a country house owned by the United Nations and once used to train UNIT officers. UNIT has been secretly revived to resist the coup and Ben is working closely with Kate Lethbridge-Stewart.
Large numbers of people are being rounded up and interned in prison camps, having been accused of being Russian sympathisers, racist extremists and Marxists. Ben and Kyle learn from a young escapee from one of the camps, Joe, that strange medical experiments are taking place within them with organs being removed from the inmates. Ben urges Kate Lethbridge-Stewart to launch a full UNIT attack of the forces holding London, however she refuses arguing that they lack the manpower. Ben decides that they must infiltrate the security services to find out what is going on. Kyle leads a team of UNIT troops who hijack a car carrying Will Brown, a Tory MP who supports the coup, and Ben takes his place, reasoning that Brown is not well known and the coup leaders won't know his appearance. Kyle poses as his driver. They arrive at MI5 HQ and finds that McGillery has gathered together a group of sympathetic MPs for a speech. Ben is shocked when McGillery , flanked by armed men, reveals that he is an alien and that the UK is now under alien control. 'It was necessary to disguise our intentions until order was assured'. A female MP starts to argue with McGillery and she is dragged out of the meeting and shot. McGillery reveals that the great leader, The Exalted Creath, is coming and that humans are needed to provide spare organs for the aliens in order to prolong their lifespans. 'Let the harvest begin' he says with a grin.
Kyle and UNIT troops burst in and shoot McGillery, rescuing Ben and the MPs. Meanwhile an alien landing vessel touches down in the grounds of Buckingham Palace. The Royals are being kept under arrest at Sandringham and out of the landing vessel emerges The Exalted Creath. He is a tall, oriental man with a beard and the clothing and appearance of the fictional criminal Fu Manchu. Later , in a BBC Broadcast to the nation, The Exalted Creath explains that he is now the anointed King of the world and all must obey him. 'You may call me King Chang I', he says with a grin. He adds that it is everyone's duty to donate body parts and give up their lives for the aliens. Failure to do so will lead to prolonged agonising torture in the concentration camps, he adds menacingly.
Back at Framwell Grange, Katie Ryan has had enough of Kate Lethbridge-Stewart's prevaricating and in an angry showdown she persuades the other UNIT officers to support an armed assault on London. Lethbridge-Stewart is forced to agree and Katie Ryan organises the attack. Ben and Kyle manage to flee from the aliens and meet up with a gang of East End youths who are part of the YOU - Youth Organised Underground, a resistance group made up of East End lads, gangs from Brixton and other working class groups. Ben is reluctant to work with them, arguing that they are uncouth yobs who could never achieve success. However Kyle persuades him that UNIT need support from multiple angles.
Ben and Katie organise a joint attack by phone and in a series of exiting battles, the aliens are routed. Ben confronts The Exalted Creath, otherwise known as the intergalactic criminal Chang, and Katie threatens to shoot him if he doesn't open the camps and free the prisoners. Reluctantly he gives the order, threatening to rape Katie and then gouge her eyes out. Katie slaps him feistily and orders UNIT troops to arrest him. However before they can do so, Chang presses the automatic beamer concealed on his wrist and is beamed up to his escape ship in space.
Later Ben is invited to a royal gala party at Sandringham to celebrate the defeat of the aliens. He and Julian are dressed in three piece suits and the Queen ruffles Ben's hair, remarking to Prince Charles that one is delighted to be in the presence of such a fine young man.
THE END
OK folks, in summary this pitch consists of a 10 episode series of, 'The Ben Chatham Adventures' to replace Doctor Who this year. Also the series will be released on DVD & Blu-ray box sets. The episodes are:
1) Firestarter
2) The Beast of Lochranza
3) The Ghosts of Cable Street
4) Menace in Venice
5) The Children of Avebury
6) Mosque of Death
7) The Bells of Tewkesbury
8) The Poisoned Air
9) The Creeper of Lisle Street
10) The Day of the Creath
The series has something for everyone, science fiction, historical adventures, murder mystery and ecological threats.
The New Year Special will follow shortly.
Ok folks, here is the New Year Special to finish off this pitch for a series of 'The Ben Chatham Adventures'.
NEW YEAR SPECIAL:
"WORLD HARVEST'
Ben and Julian were attending a New Years Eve party at 'The Curve Bar', an exclusive venue near to Operation Delta's London HQ. The party had been conceived as a team building exercise by Paul Farraday and Corinne Shaw who had hired the venue just for Operation Delta staff. Barry Tuck was already drunk and was guffawing loudly, belching and shouting across to the barman:
"Hey pal, its as dull as a nun's knickers in here. When are the birds gonna arrive?"
Ben sipped his absinthe and turned to Julian: "We had to come and show our face. We'll just have this one drink and I'll circulate a bit to show willing then we'll get out of here and go somewhere better. I know a very exclusive cocktail bar I want to take you to." Julian laughed: "Good. I don't think I can stand to see you forcing yourself to be nice to your dreary team Ben". Ben laughed as well. As he spoke, Katie Ryan flounced over in an angry mood:
"Ben I hope you aren't going to piss off early before the speeches. Corinne has just told me that I'll have to substitute if you aren't around to make your speech and I've really nothing to say to this lot." Ben gave her a smirk:
"Oh I'm sure you'll think of something Katie. You're never usually short of words."
"Yes earn your keep please", Julian added.
Katie flashed Julian and angry look and proceeded to pour her pina colada into his lap. Julian leapt up angrily and Ben was furious:
"Oh for pity's sake Katie, that is really pathetic and childish."
Katie laughed sardonically:
"If the boy can't take it the boy should not dish it out". She spilled the last few drops over Julian's head then strutted off. Julian was angry:
"This has ruined my evening. These little people are staring at me. " Ben comforted him and suggested that they go back to Ben's London apartment for a change of clothes. They left the Curve Bar and walked out into the silent London street. There were no cars to be seen and everywhere was silent apart from the noise from the bar:
"I expect everyone is partying away in the bars" ben mused. Julian was still upset and moodily stared at the ground.
"You should sack her Ben. She has no class and she talks to you like she's in charge half the time." Ben stroked Julian's face:
"I can handle Katie. I've known her for years and I can manage her foibles. Lets just concentrate on having a great evening."
They arrived at the tube station and descended the stairs into it. There was no one else there. Descending the escalator they found the platforms deserted and the signs indicating that the trains were approaching were blank. Ben frowned:
"This is odd. The trains should still be running even though its New Years Eve. He pulled out his mobile, however the screen was dead.
"Oh for pity's sake. I charged this before we came out. Battery must be dead". Julian pulled out his phone which was also dead. Julian was upset:
"Mine as well. What about me, I'm covered in pina colada, its sticky and it stinks." Ben frowned:
"Some things that are sticky and stink have a most alluring appeal. However don't worry Julian, we'll get a taxi."
They left the station and crossed the deserted road to where the taxi rank was, however a row of empty taxis stood there with no drivers or anyone else around. Ben was concerned:
"Ok something is not right. There's a MacDonalds over there. Much as I despise the places, we need to go in and ask if they know what is going on. Hold your nose Julian".
They crossed the road and went into the MacDonalds however that was also deserted. Half eaten big macs and other meals were strewn across the tables. Ben was concerned:
"This isn't right at all. But if this is something to do with terrorism then where are the police? Come on, lets get back to the Curve Bar".
They ran back through the cold, deserted streets to the Curve Bar, where they could hear the sound of the party still underway".
"At least the team are unaffected by what is going on. "
Back in the Curve Bar, Ben ran behind the bar and banged a glass on the surface, calling for silence. Shakey Jake Reynolds shouted over to him:
"Hey man, the speeches aren't till later. What's with the heavy shouting."
Ben stared at him angrily:
"Listen everyone. Something is very wrong in London tonight. I want you to check your phones."
Several of the team fetched out their phones and checked them. Corinne Shaw looked up:
"Mine's out of juice",
"Mine as well", Paul Farraday added.
As everyone discovered that their phones were not working then began to get angry. Barry Tuck downed the rest of his pint and shouted out:
"Who gives a ¤¤¤¤ if our phones are shafted. When are the birds arriving?"
Ben glared at him:
"Shut up Tuck, this is serious. The streets out there are deserted and no transport seems to be moving. Something is happening here and I don't know what it is......"
...........to be continued.
Ok folks, here is the second part of the 'World Harvest' story synopsis:
'WORLD HARVEST'
Part 2
Ben and the team send out Adam Wooten and Chiara Smith to drive around London and report back on the situation. They arrive back at 'The Curve Bar' and inform the team that the streets, bars and shops are deserted and that everyone seems to have disappeared. Some of the team start to panic, however Katie sips her Martini and sighs:
"Look are Londoners really any great loss? Most of them are foreigners anyway and with them gone we can avoid all the traffic congestion problems. We still have the rest of the country's population." Ben is annoyed with her:
"Look Katie this is no time for petty flippancy and how do we know that this is just confined to London."
Kyle rounds on Katie:
"'Ere my family cam from Landon. This ain't a joke."
Katie adds a fresh layer of lipstick:
"Oh stop whining, chavboy. You never liked your family anyway apart from your druggie mother." Ben intervenes:
"Oh just stop this Katie. *addressing the team* we must stay calm. Finish your drinks and then we'll drive to Cambridge to see if everything is OK outside of London'.
While driving to Cambridge they encounter a small group of UNIT troops in army vehicles being driven into London. Kate Lethbridge-Stewart informs Ben that the rest of the UK is fine but all communication with London has been lost. However there have been reports of strange lights in the sky and mysterious radio signals coming from Romford. Ben and the team agree to join the UNIT troops in driving to Romford to investigate but on the way they are attacked by unknown soldiers wearing black uniforms. They are soon overpowered, several UNIT troops having been killed, and they are escorted into Romford to a large warehouse. Once inside they are shocked to see fascist-style symbols emblazoned on the walls and thugs wearing black shirts carrying baseball bats.
"Looks like we've been invaded by Germans Ben", Julian exclaims. However the fascists speak with Essex accents:
"Awight mate, welcome Ben Chatham. The leader is expecting you. Cam this way."
"What is going on here? Why have you kidnapped us and what has happened to the people in London?" Ben demands.
"Ere mate, don't get a cob on. Cam and meet the leader."
The fascists escort Ben, Julian, Katie and Kyle up some steps and along a makeshift corridor towards a large door. One of them knocks the door."
A woman's voice sternly shouts "Enter". Walking in they see a stern, frosty faced forty-something woman sat at a large oak desk. She has dark hair, piercing eyes and above her desk, fixed to the wall, is a horsewhip.
"Ah Ben, I have been expecting you. I am Sylvia Hepton-Blake and I welcome you to the new order."
Kyle is unimpressed:
"Ere look 'ere missis 'Epton-whatever, I wanna know what you've done with all the Landoners."
Hepton-Blake stared at him icily:
"I can see Ben that your boy here could do with some discipline. I find that these East London boys can be quite agreeable company, once they've been broken in."
Ben frowned:
"We would all like to know why we are here and what exactly is going on. That is all."
Sylvia Hepton-Blake stood up and walked over to Ben, stroking his cheek:
"Hmmm, such firm cheekbones. Such attractive blond hair. Let me explain. Myself and my group, Britain Awake, are now the new British government. We have watched this country slide downhill, a mass of weak values, liberal snowflakery and decline. Worst of all was London. However we discovered some allies who were in desperate need for food to sustain themselves on a very long journey. We agreed to a smart little deal. They get to take certain human resources as food, which this country will be well rid of, and then we take over and rebuild Britain, creating a new order based on strength, honour and discipline."
Kyle frowned:
"'Ere I get it. You've sold out the people on Landon so you can take over and create some fascist state. Who the hell are these flamin' 'allies' then."
Hepton-Blake shot Kyle an angry look:
"I shall enjoy breaking you in later. Now Ben, I spared you and your organisation because I'm sure we will see eye to eye. I've heard particularly good things about Miss Ryan here. There is a place at the top of my organisation for her if she wants it."
Katie scowled:
"Why would I want to work for you?"
Hepton-Blake laughed:
"Oh come on. We strong women should stick together. A mess is made for a woman to clean up after all. The new order needs strong women at the top to rid this country of the weakness and decay of the last half-century."
Ben is bemused:
"Look I am not at all interested in your bizarre ideas and you have ruined our new years eve party. So please get to the point. Answer Kyle's question: who are your allies."
Hepton-Blake smiled frostily:
"Come into my side office, their ambassador is resting in there."
Ben and the others follow Hepton-Blake into a side office and are horrified to see an alien creature slumped backwards in an armchair. Its face was canine in appearance, except it had four eyes and scales instead of skin. Suddenly all four eyes opened and stared at Ben....
.........to be continued.
Ok, this New Year special continues:
"WORLD HARVEST" Part 3
The alien identified itself as Karnoth, ambassador of the Dogonar.
"It has been very pleasing to do business with your people. We are a proud and business-like species."
Julian flicked his hair to one side:
"You are extremely ugly and look like a cross between a wolf and a salamander. Utterly repugnant and very uncouth."
Karnoth fixed its four eyes on him:
"I have an overwhelming desire to eat you, however this may be undiplomatic and create tension between your people and mine. So I will desist."
Julian flicked his hair back again:
"Does anyone have a bone I can toss it?"
Ben gave him a hug:
"I don't think it has a sense of humour Julian." *To Karnoth : "What have you done with the people of London and what is this 'business deal' that you've concocted with this fascist group, who do not represent the British government?"
Karnoth grunted and saliva dripped from his mouth:
"We are travelling to our new colony. Our planet is dying, the atmosphere around it is irreparably disintegrating and soon it will be uninhabitable. We need fresh supplies of food for the long journey. Your species is a most agreeable source of sustenance; meat that is packed with protein and lots of fat, which is a fine delicacy to us."
Ben was angry:
"You cannot just come here and harvest human beings for food. This is despicable".
Katie gave Ben a sharp nudge:
"It already has, no point in trying to reason with this animal. From the sound of it at least it won't be interested in us, only fat bastards. Best not to let it see Barry Tuck."
Ben frowned at her:
"This is no laughing matter Katie. These traitors have sold people for food supplies to these creatures in return for power."
Sylvia Hepton-Blake interjected:
"We are not traitors Ben. We are simply using this once in a lifetime opportunity to turn this country around. Let us continue this conversation back in my office, you have annoyed our guest for long enough."
Back in Hepton-Blake's office, Ben rounds on her:
"What you are doing is quite unacceptable. Striking a trade deal with these creatures and a trade deal involving people as food is monstrous. You'll pay a heavy price for this, doll."
Hepton-Blake shot him a frosty stare:
"Do not refer to me as 'doll'."
Kyle interjected:
"Ere some of them you've sold for friggin' meat are my mates and family. You ain't gettin' away with this."
Hepton-Blake glared at Kyle:
"Oh there is something very challenging about rough London boys. I'll enjoy breaking you, bending you to my will and I'm already getting excited thinking about it. However for now you can all go to our holding room as I have work to do."
She clicked her fingers and two large fascists who resembled nightclub bouncers appeared in the doorway and escorted Ben and the team to a brick building at the side of the warehouse and threw them in.
Kate Lethbridge-Stewart was there with several UNIT troops. One of the UNIT soldiers was shaking and having a panic attack. Katie Ryan was bemused:
"Oh for pity's sake. Looks like UNIT are recruiting complete wusses into their ranks now."
Ben sighed wearily:
"Just leave it Katie will you. We need to think of a way out of here and a strategy for dealing with this ghastly conspiracy."
Kyle stood on the wooden bench where the UNIT troops were sitting and fiddled with the iron grill over the window:
"Ere this ¤¤¤¤er is loose. Cam and give us a hand".
Julian gazed at it:
"I am not touching that thing, its rusty."
Ben glared at the UNIT troops:
"Get up there and help Kyle".
Kate Lethbridge-Stewart was annoyed:
"Ben please don't order my soldiers around, they are not under your command. As you can see, Private Flynn here is unwell."
She gestured to the other soldier who assisted Kyle in removing the grill. Kyle then broke the glass with his shoe and cleared the shards:
"Right, cam on lets get outta here".
Eventually they all clambered out the hole, last out was Private Flynn, assisted by his UNIT colleagues. Katie Ryan frowned:
"What a pathetic sight. No wonder the aliens are running us ragged with specimens like that in the armed forces."
Ben turned to the others:
"Right, we need to run for those woods and get under cover. There may be a pathway to the other side."
They ran to the woods and scrambled through the undergrowth. Julian became tangled in some brambles and shouted out in pain. Ben came to his rescue and gently removed the brambles from around Julian's trousers:
"I'm really sorry Julian that you have had to have your legs scratched by undergrowth."
Julian hugged Ben.
They found a pathway through the woods, however the sun was setting and the thick oak and sycamore trees cast dark shadows. Private Flynn was still shaking and weeping loudly. Katie Ryan shouted out:
"Oh please just shut him up will you."
Kate Lethbridge-Stewart went over to her:
"Look Miss Ryan, Private Flynn has this afternoon seen two of his closest friends killed before his eyes. Have some respect please."
Katie glared at her:
"Do not tell me to have respect. Especially not when your hair looks like that."
"What is wrong with my hair?" Kate retorts.
"Well, how shall I put this delicately. Please don't take offence but its a complete mess and you're certainly looking your age."
Ben frowns:
"I do not need this bickering. We need to work out a plan for....."
Ben was interrupted by the sound of howling in the distance.
"Hey that sounded like wolves".
"Or them aliens", Kyle added.
The howling came again only louder this time:
"Ere they're camin' for us..." Kyle exclaimed.
......to be continued.
Ok folks, here is the final part of this New Year Special episode pitch:
"WORLD HARVEST" Part 4
Deep in the woods, the creatures closed in on Ben and his team. They could see three of them scrambling through the undergrowth their yellow eyes glowing and saliva dripping from their teeth.
"Looks like we're ¤¤¤¤ed", Katie angrily exclaimed. Suddenly a figure emerged from behind some trees and Ben gasped. It was tall and humanoid in appearance yet had cloven hooves and antlers sprouting out of its head.
"It can't be surely", Ben exclaimed.
"Can't be what? What the hell is that creature?" Katie shouted.
"It looks like the archetype of the horned god, the spirit of the forest, Herne the Hunter.... Ben said in awe of the figure.
Katie laughed sardonically:
"What crap Ben, you've been reading too much lefty New Age rubbish. Not like you at all. Its another alien obviously.
The figure moved towards the three Dogonar and lifted up its hand.
"Warriors of the Dogonar step back. You have transgressed. Return the creatures of this world and leave this place. You know my power. Leave or face my wrath."
Kate Lethbridge-Stewart grabbed hold of Ben's arm:
"You could Be right Ben. Maybe the earth is protected and in time of danger the spirit of the forest rises to defend us."
Katie grimaced:
"Oh for pity's sake. Its an alien you flaky cow. Is even UNIT full of this new age nonsense now?"
Ben intervened:
"Shut up Katie. Look..."
The Dogonar slunk back through the trees and vanished out of sight. Ben stepped forward to speak to the antlered figure however it seemed to fade into the shadows and vanish.
Later, Ben and the team were enjoying drinks and food on New Years Day evening in 'The Curve Bar'. Julian was picking at the avocado salad and falaefel:
"The food in this place is atrocious Ben. Not at all in the same league as The Mermaid Wine Bar back in Cambridge.
Ben turned to Paul and Corinne:
"I have to agree with Julian's assessment. This is quite tasteless salad and the lasagne is clearly not made in house but bought in. If I closed my eyes I could well be in a Weatherspoons".
Paul laughed:
"Oh come on Ben, its not that bad. And surely the main thing is that the team are all here enjoying themselves and bonding."
Ben sipped his wine and grimaced:
"If you say so."
"Ere the main thing is that all the Landaners are back like and their memories seem to 'ave been wiped so they don't know they were ever away. So what do you think that thing was like?" Kyle asked.
"Well it wasn't some ridiculous spirit of the forest that's for sure. It was another alien and obviously one with the power and authority to police those dog things" Katie exclaimed. She sipped her wine:
"Shame about Sylvia Hepton-Blake and her colleagues though. In UNIT custody and awaiting trial and all they did was go a bit off piste."
Kyle glared at her:
"Oh cam on. She was a fascist and gonna sell out the whole of friggin' Landon just to get power. She's lookin' at a long spell of jail time."
Katie fixed him with an icy stare:
"Yes well who needs your opinion chavboy".
Ben intervened:
"Look stop bickering. Lets just make our excuses and leave. I have an exclusive restaurant that I want to take Julian to."
Outside, Ben and Julian walked through the cold London streets:
"I don't think I could have stood much more of their company Julian. I feel an inner hollowness caused by my forced association with work colleagues. My will to do anything is being dragged into a void by their utter banality and the staleness of routine".
Julian laughed:
"Then why not take me on a holiday. Somewhere expensive, exclusive and exotic. Away from them."
Ben smiled:
"That is a most charming idea Julian."
THE END.
Ok, this New Year special continues:
"WORLD HARVEST" Part 3
The alien identified itself as Karnoth, ambassador of the Dogonar.
"It has been very pleasing to do business with your people. We are a proud and business-like species."
Julian flicked his hair to one side:
"You are extremely ugly and look like a cross between a wolf and a salamander. Utterly repugnant and very uncouth."
Karnoth fixed its four eyes on him:
"I have an overwhelming desire to eat you, however this may be undiplomatic and create tension between your people and mine. So I will desist."
Julian flicked his hair back again:
"Does anyone have a bone I can toss it?"
Ben gave him a hug:
"I don't think it has a sense of humour Julian." *To Karnoth : "What have you done with the people of London and what is this 'business deal' that you've concocted with this fascist group, who do not represent the British government?"
Karnoth grunted and saliva dripped from his mouth:
"We are travelling to our new colony. Our planet is dying, the atmosphere around it is irreparably disintegrating and soon it will be uninhabitable. We need fresh supplies of food for the long journey. Your species is a most agreeable source of sustenance; meat that is packed with protein and lots of fat, which is a fine delicacy to us."
Ben was angry:
"You cannot just come here and harvest human beings for food. This is despicable".
Katie gave Ben a sharp nudge:
"It already has, no point in trying to reason with this animal. From the sound of it at least it won't be interested in us, only fat bastards. Best not to let it see Barry Tuck."
Ben frowned at her:
"This is no laughing matter Katie. These traitors have sold people for food supplies to these creatures in return for power."
Sylvia Hepton-Blake interjected:
"We are not traitors Ben. We are simply using this once in a lifetime opportunity to turn this country around. Let us continue this conversation back in my office, you have annoyed our guest for long enough."
Back in Hepton-Blake's office, Ben rounds on her:
"What you are doing is quite unacceptable. Striking a trade deal with these creatures and a trade deal involving people as food is monstrous. You'll pay a heavy price for this, doll."
Hepton-Blake shot him a frosty stare:
"Do not refer to me as 'doll'."
Kyle interjected:
"Ere some of them you've sold for friggin' meat are my mates and family. You ain't gettin' away with this."
Hepton-Blake glared at Kyle:
"Oh there is something very challenging about rough London boys. I'll enjoy breaking you, bending you to my will and I'm already getting excited thinking about it. However for now you can all go to our holding room as I have work to do."
She clicked her fingers and two large fascists who resembled nightclub bouncers appeared in the doorway and escorted Ben and the team to a brick building at the side of the warehouse and threw them in.
Kate Lethbridge-Stewart was there with several UNIT troops. One of the UNIT soldiers was shaking and having a panic attack. Katie Ryan was bemused:
"Oh for pity's sake. Looks like UNIT are recruiting complete wusses into their ranks now."
Ben sighed wearily:
"Just leave it Katie will you. We need to think of a way out of here and a strategy for dealing with this ghastly conspiracy."
Kyle stood on the wooden bench where the UNIT troops were sitting and fiddled with the iron grill over the window:
"Ere this ¤¤¤¤er is loose. Cam and give us a hand".
Julian gazed at it:
"I am not touching that thing, its rusty."
Ben glared at the UNIT troops:
"Get up there and help Kyle".
Kate Lethbridge-Stewart was annoyed:
"Ben please don't order my soldiers around, they are not under your command. As you can see, Private Flynn here is unwell."
She gestured to the other soldier who assisted Kyle in removing the grill. Kyle then broke the glass with his shoe and cleared the shards:
"Right, cam on lets get outta here".
Eventually they all clambered out the hole, last out was Private Flynn, assisted by his UNIT colleagues. Katie Ryan frowned:
"What a pathetic sight. No wonder the aliens are running us ragged with specimens like that in the armed forces."
Ben turned to the others:
"Right, we need to run for those woods and get under cover. There may be a pathway to the other side."
They ran to the woods and scrambled through the undergrowth. Julian became tangled in some brambles and shouted out in pain. Ben came to his rescue and gently removed the brambles from around Julian's trousers:
"I'm really sorry Julian that you have had to have your legs scratched by undergrowth."
Julian hugged Ben.
They found a pathway through the woods, however the sun was setting and the thick oak and sycamore trees cast dark shadows. Private Flynn was still shaking and weeping loudly. Katie Ryan shouted out:
"Oh please just shut him up will you."
Kate Lethbridge-Stewart went over to her:
"Look Miss Ryan, Private Flynn has this afternoon seen two of his closest friends killed before his eyes. Have some respect please."
Katie glared at her:
"Do not tell me to have respect. Especially not when your hair looks like that."
"What is wrong with my hair?" Kate retorts.
"Well, how shall I put this delicately. Please don't take offence but its a complete mess and you're certainly looking your age."
Ben frowns:
"I do not need this bickering. We need to work out a plan for....."
Ben was interrupted by the sound of howling in the distance.
"Hey that sounded like wolves".
"Or them aliens", Kyle added.
The howling came again only louder this time:
"Ere they're camin' for us..." Kyle exclaimed.
......to be continued.
Ok folks, here is the final part of this New Year Special episode pitch:
"WORLD HARVEST" Part 4
Deep in the woods, the creatures closed in on Ben and his team. They could see three of them scrambling through the undergrowth their yellow eyes glowing and saliva dripping from their teeth.
"Looks like we're ¤¤¤¤ed", Katie angrily exclaimed. Suddenly a figure emerged from behind some trees and Ben gasped. It was tall and humanoid in appearance yet had cloven hooves and antlers sprouting out of its head.
"It can't be surely", Ben exclaimed.
"Can't be what? What the hell is that creature?" Katie shouted.
"It looks like the archetype of the horned god, the spirit of the forest, Herne the Hunter.... Ben said in awe of the figure.
Katie laughed sardonically:
"What crap Ben, you've been reading too much lefty New Age rubbish. Not like you at all. Its another alien obviously.
The figure moved towards the three Dogonar and lifted up its hand.
"Warriors of the Dogonar step back. You have transgressed. Return the creatures of this world and leave this place. You know my power. Leave or face my wrath."
Kate Lethbridge-Stewart grabbed hold of Ben's arm:
"You could Be right Ben. Maybe the earth is protected and in time of danger the spirit of the forest rises to defend us."
Katie grimaced:
"Oh for pity's sake. Its an alien you flaky cow. Is even UNIT full of this new age nonsense now?"
Ben intervened:
"Shut up Katie. Look..."
The Dogonar slunk back through the trees and vanished out of sight. Ben stepped forward to speak to the antlered figure however it seemed to fade into the shadows and vanish.
Later, Ben and the team were enjoying drinks and food on New Years Day evening in 'The Curve Bar'. Julian was picking at the avocado salad and falaefel:
"The food in this place is atrocious Ben. Not at all in the same league as The Mermaid Wine Bar back in Cambridge.
Ben turned to Paul and Corinne:
"I have to agree with Julian's assessment. This is quite tasteless salad and the lasagne is clearly not made in house but bought in. If I closed my eyes I could well be in a Weatherspoons".
Paul laughed:
"Oh come on Ben, its not that bad. And surely the main thing is that the team are all here enjoying themselves and bonding."
Ben sipped his wine and grimaced:
"If you say so."
"Ere the main thing is that all the Landaners are back like and their memories seem to 'ave been wiped so they don't know they were ever away. So what do you think that thing was like?" Kyle asked.
"Well it wasn't some ridiculous spirit of the forest that's for sure. It was another alien and obviously one with the power and authority to police those dog things" Katie exclaimed. She sipped her wine:
"Shame about Sylvia Hepton-Blake and her colleagues though. In UNIT custody and awaiting trial and all they did was go a bit off piste."
Kyle glared at her:
"Oh cam on. She was a fascist and gonna sell out the whole of friggin' Landon just to get power. She's lookin' at a long spell of jail time."
Katie fixed him with an icy stare:
"Yes well who needs your opinion chavboy".
Ben intervened:
"Look stop bickering. Lets just make our excuses and leave. I have an exclusive restaurant that I want to take Julian to."
Outside, Ben and Julian walked through the cold London streets:
"I don't think I could have stood much more of their company Julian. I feel an inner hollowness caused by my forced association with work colleagues. My will to do anything is being dragged into a void by their utter banality and the staleness of routine".
Julian laughed:
"Then why not take me on a holiday. Somewhere expensive, exclusive and exotic. Away from them."
Ben smiled:
"That is a most charming idea Julian."
THE END.
