Battling the Doctor across space and time offered the Master a myriad of pleasures, starting with the mental stimulation of fighting a worthy enemy. Of course, to get the full range of these pleasures, it was necessary for the Doctor to realize that the Master was out there, biding his time. The Master loved the thought that the Doctor knew the Master, at any given time, might be just around the corner, laying a trap. The Doctor being completely unaware of the Master's presence in the universe was intolerable.

The Master set his TARDIS down near the entrance to the zoo of Central park, disguising it as a large oak tree. He knew the Doctor would come back to Earth, probably sooner rather than later. The Master had used the scanners of his TARDIS to detect any activity that might attract the Doctor's attention. An unusual energy signal had led the Master to New York City. He just hoped one of the Doctors came to investigate. In the meantime, the Master wandered the zoo, keeping to the shadows and loosing himself in large crowds.