Written by David Fisher, "The Gamble With Time" was initially set in 1920s Las Vegas, which was later changed by Fisher to Paris and Monte Carlo in 1928, along with a 16th century Florence timeline as well, and had The Doctor and Romana teaming up with a detective named Pug. Gambling was going to be a big focal point to the story, as well as an ancient alien race called the Sephiroth. "The Gamble With Time" evolved further into the Season 17 serial "City of Death" which was written by Douglas Adams and Graham Williams over a weekend at Williams' house, under the pen name of David Agnew.