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Parnaby sat down behind the desk, pulled open one of its drawers and rummaged around in it for a moment. 'Yes, but then as you pointed out I am a small philosopher.' He closed the drawer again.

The Doctor began examining the contents of the book shelves. 'I didn't mean to hurt your feelings.' As far as he could see there were none of the standard texts on time travel. In fact there was almost nothing he was familiar with.

'You didn't hurt my feelings,' Parnaby said.

'Obviously not,' the Doctor mused. 'I'm reassured. Because I expect you'd have mentioned it if I had'

'Have a seat,' Parnaby said again.

The Doctor gave up on the books and looked at him more carefully. The philosopher seemed nervous suddenly. ‘Do I make you nervous?' The Doctor gave Parnaby his most reassuring smile. It seemed to make him more nervous if anything. 'There's no need to be nervous of me. I'm not nearly as tall as I look you know.' It probably wasn't a good idea to tower over him like this, the Doctor thought, it did tend to make people nervous.

He sat down in the chair Parnaby was indicating, made himself comfortable and said, Parapsychology.'

'What about it?' Parnaby asked, glancing towards the door.

'It is being studied?' the Doctor asked.

'Yes, but it's clearly nonsense.'

If only that were true, the Doctor thought. Why is it happening here in this place at this time? Which came first: the research or the field effect? And why am I so badly affected? Unless it's the water. It could be the water.

There could be some sort of hallucinogenic pollutant in the water. I must get it analysed. He said, 'There is a properly funded research programme, I've been told.'

That means nothing,' Parnaby said, sighing. 'If funding and good sense were synonymous, mass religious movements would be rational by definition. Rich men would all be geniuses.'

'How long has it been going on?' the Doctor asked.

Weirdly, Parnaby glanced at his watch before saying, 'Mass religious movements? Stupid rich men?'

'The research into parapsychology.'

Parnaby shrugged. 'The research fellowship's been up and running a couple of years three maybe.'

'And this water,' the Doctor said. 'How long have they been giving away this water?'

'I have no idea.' Parnaby glanced past the Doctor towards the door again.

'But I don't see the connection.'

This time the Doctor turned to try and see what Parnaby was looking at.

'Are you expecting someone?' he asked.

As if on cue the door to the room opened and a uniformed security guard came in. Standing in front of the doorway with his arms folded he asked politely, 'Is there a situation here, Professor?' But before Parnaby could answer him, the short-wave radio clipped to the guard's uniform lapel squawked faintly. Never looking away from the two men in front of him he turned his head slightly to speak into it, pressing the send button with his thumb. One four to base, yes it's Professor Parnaby,' he muttered. The radio squawked again. No, I can deal,' he answered. Yeah right. One four out.' He released the radio and spoke to Parnaby again. 'So is there a problem, Professor?'

'Problem?' The Doctor turned back to Parnaby. You have a problem? Why didn't you say so? Is it something I can help you with?'

You pressed your panic button,' the security guard said.

'Is that what you were doing in the drawer?' the Doctor asked.

The security guard ignored the interruption. 'Do I take it this gentleman is bothering you?'

'Good grief,' the Doctor protested with mock amazement, 'you're not suggesting I'm a problem.'

'Please be quiet, sir.' The security guard managed to make politeness sound peculiarly threatening. 'You pressed the panic button Professor Parnaby?'

I'm not sure why they call them panic buttons,' Parnaby said. 'What took you so long?'

"There's been some trouble in the cafeteria.'

What sort of trouble?' the Doctor asked, conscious that when he had left Leela eating her breakfast