24. Corridor outside cell

(The bolts thud back and the door slides open. After a moment, AVON emerges, looks around, and then sets off down the corridor.)

25. Algor’s chamber

(SERVALAN stands by the screen. ALGOR wheels in from the door to his living quarters, wearing a dressing gown.)

ALGOR: Avon is dead?

SERVALAN: If your robot is as efficient as you claim...

ALGOR: Good! I would offer you some refreshment to celebrate... what shall I call it? Our alliance? But I have been estranged from society for so long that I have nothing suitable...

SERVALAN: It doesn’t matter. I have what I came for. When may we leave with Gabor?

ALGOR: When I am prepared. (smiles) But soon enough. Gabor has been programmed – that is to say, a nuclear device is now installed as a part of his function. Very simple, a small container attached to his waist.

SERVALAN: Once I have harnessed Gabor’s strength, you will have nothing to fear from me. Your concern for your future safety is understandable, but you are wasting my time.

ALGOR: When you know me better – and I hope you shall – you will know that I take such matters very seriously. I was never blessed... or cursed... with much of a sense of humour when my life is at stake.’

(Suddenly, a high-pitched alarm sounds, startling both SERVALAN and ALGOR, who waves at the monitor switch. SERVALAN presses it and the screen shows the empty cell and the dead ROBOT.)

ALGOR: (much agitated) Avon is free!

SERVALAN: (tight lipped) Right now, a sense of humour might have come in handy.

26. Woods

(TARRANT, SOOLIN and VILA advance inland through the sparsely-wooded area. They are close to the pit from which Avon escaped, with evidence of the destroyed robot’s debris.)

TARRANT: This is where they must have cornered him.

SOOLIN: It looks as if he got away though.

TARRANT: But, I suspect, not too far.

VILA: Let’s move on.

(TARRANT moves slightly, distracting VILA. SOOLIN grabs the shotgun. She levels it at a startled VILA who hovers on the edge of the pit.)

TARRANT: It’s about time you found out who your friends are, Vila. Let’s go.

(He moves off. SOOLIN smiles and follows. VILA, after a sheepish look, continues after them.)

27. SAND DUNES

(Avon moves across the sand dunes as fast as his weakened condition will allow.)

28. ALGOR’S CHAMBER

(As before.)

ALGOR: There are only two lesser robots remaining. I have sent them in pursuit of Avon.

SERVALAN: He has already proved himself capable of destroying them! You must release Gabor!

ALGOR: Not yet.

(ALGOR changes the image on the screen to show AVON running over the sand dunes. ALGOR speaks into the microphone on the console)

29. SAND DUNES

(AVON hears ALGOR’s voice over the loudspeakers outside. He freezes.)

ALGOR: (vo) Avon is in the left quadrant!

30. Woods

(TARRANT, SOOLIN and VILA also hear ALGOR’s voice.)

ALGOR: (vo) Kill him!

(TARRANT takes the shotgun from SOOLIN. They move off.)

31. GULLIES

(The two remaining LESSER ROBOTS change direction over the sand dunes in pursuit of Avon.)