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By George Lucas
Journal of the Whills, 3:127
"THE STAR WARS"
1. EXT. SPACE A vast sea of star serves as the backdrop for the MAIN TITLE, which is followed by a ROLL UP: The REPUBLIC GALACTICA is dead. Ruthless trader barons, driven by greed and the lust for power, have replaced enlightenment with oppression, and "rule by the people" with the FIRST GALACTIC EMPIRE. For over a thousand years, generations of JEDI KNIGHTS were the guardians of peace and justice in the galaxy. Now these legendary warriors are all but extinct. One by one they have been hunted down and destroyed by the sinister agents of the Emperor: the DARK LORDS OF THE SITH. It is a period of civil wars. Rebel Armies, striking from fortresses hidden deep within the Great Rift, have won a crushing victory over the powerful Imperial Starfleet. The Emperor knows that one more such defeat will bring a thousand more solar systems into the rebellion, and Imperial control of the Outland systems could be lost forever. To crush the rebellion once and for all, the Emperor has sent one of his most ferocious Dark Lords to find the secret rebel strongholds and destroy them... The awesome yellow planet of Utapau emerges from total eclipse. A tiny silver spacecraft races into view, followed by a giant Imperial stardestroyer. Hundreds of deadly laser bolts streak from the Imperial warship as it dives on the smaller craft. The overwhelming concentration of laser fire causes the main solar fin of the rebel craft to disintegrate, creating a spectacular heavenly display. The smoldering rebel ship is quickly overtaken by the giant Imperial warship.
The chaos of battle echoes through the narrow, main corridor of the starfighter. THREEPIO The little dwarf robot makes a series of electronic sounds that only another robot could understand. Rebel troops rush past the robots, and take up positions in the main passageway. Everything is suddenly still and quiet. Tension mounts as the rebels wait for the pending attack. Loud metallic footsteps are heard moving around on the outside the hull of the ship. The scraping screams of heavy equipment being dragged across the metal skin of the starship run chills up Threepio's bronze spine. He huddles in a small alcove with little Artoo watching the passageway ceiling. THREEPIO A tremendous blast opens up a hole six feet wide in the side of the main passageway and a score of fearsome stormtroopers, armed with powerful multi-laser rifles, make their way into the smoking corridor. The rebel warriors draw their chrome, laser pistols, and blast out several shots that rip through the Imperial stormtroopers. In a few moments, the entire passageway blazes with laser fire. The deadly bolts ricochet in wild random patterns, creating small explosions. Stormtroopers scatter and duck behind storage lockers. Laser bolts hit several stormtroopers who scream and stagger through the smoke, holding shattered arms and faces. In the confusion, Artoo and Threepio are blown slipping and sliding into a power canister, but rushing gas from a broken pipe keeps knocking them over. The lanky Threepio becomes entangled in the mass of dangling wires, which spark and pop every time he attempts to move. Artoo clings to a pipe for dear life. Artoo counters with an angry rebuttal as he struggles to free the larger robot. The battle rages around the two hapless robots. Suddenly, there is a slight lull in the fighting, then a deathly quiet sweeps over the passageway as an awesome, seven-foot tall DARK LORD OF THE SITH makes his way into the blinding light of the main passageway. This is DARTH VADER, right hand of the Emperor. His face is obscured by his flowing black robes and grotesque breath mask which stands out next to the fascist white armored suits of the Imperial stormtroopers. Everyone instinctively backs away from the imposing warrior. Vader raises his arms and objects that aren't bolted down, including the rebel warriors, are picked up by an invisible force and hurled to the end of the passageway. In the excitement, Artoo and Threepio have fled down a sub-hallway.
A death white wasteland stretches from horizon to horizon. The tremendous heat of two huge twin suns settles on a lone figure, LUKE STARKILLER, a farm-boy with heroic aspirations; who looks much younger than his twenty years. His short hair and baggy tunic give him the air of a simple-minded, but lovable lout with a prize-winning smile. His face is partially covered by a breath mask and goggles. A light wind whips at him as he adjusts several valves on a large chrome pipe, which sticks out of the desert floor much like and oil-rig christmas tree. He is aided by a small, very beat-up tread-robot with six claw arms. The little robot appears to be barely functioning, and moves with jerky motions. A bright sparkle in the morning sky catches Luke's eye, and he instinctively grabs a pair of electrobinoculars from his utility belt. LUKE He stands transfixed for a few moments, studying the heavens, then dashes toward his dented, crudely repaired Landspeeder (an auto-like transport that travels a few feet above the ground on a magnetic field). LUKE The robot stops short and smoke begins to pour out of every joint. Luke throws up his arms in disgust. LUKE He gives the dwarf robot a swift kick in the side, which doesn't seem to make much difference. The young farm boy rushes to his landspeeder and zooms off leaving the smoldering robot to hum madly.
A series of explosions echo throughout the ship as the tall, gleaming Threepio rushes through the narrow subhallway yelling at Artoo, who is racing along on a small set of wheels under his center foot. THREEPIO Artoo stops before the small hatch of an emergency lifepod. He snaps the seal on the main latch and a red warning light begins to flash. The stubby, dwarf-robot works his way into the cramped four-man pod. THREEPIO Artoo whistles something at his reluctant friend. THREEPIO Artoo isn't happy with Threepio's stubbornness and he beeps and twangs angrily. A new explosion, this time very close, sends dust and debris through the narrow sub-hallway. Flames lick at Threepio, and after a flurry of electronic swearing from Artoo, the lanky robot jumps into the lifepod. THREEPIO The safety door snaps shut, and with the thunder of exploding latches, the tiny lifepod ejects from the disabled starfighter.
On the main viewscreen, the lifepod carrying the two terrified robots speeds away from the stricken rebel spacecraft. CHIEF PILOT CAPTAIN
Darth Vader, the black knight, takes a short restraining pole from one of the guards and brutally jabs a captured rebel officer in the chest. VADER The rebel cries out as the spooky looking Sith Lord begins to twist his arm, creating a gruesome snapping and popping of broken bones.
The reddish-yellow mass of Utapau seems to engulf the tiny lifepod containing the two robots. The grouping of starships grows smaller as the pod descends toward the planet.
A small settlement, consisting of a few rundown block-house type buildings, rests against one of the huge rock white buildings. Luke pilots his landspeeder through the dusty, empty street of the tiny settlement. An old WOMAN runs to get out of the way of the speeding vehicle, shaking her fist at Luke as he flies past. WOMAN Luke pulls up behind a low concrete service station that is all but covered by the shifting desert sands. The rusted hulk of a landspeeder lies half-buried to one side of the building. Luke jumps out of the speeder and runs into the dilapidated power station.
A dismantled speeder rests in the repair bay of the station. Inside the station's "office" sits THE FIXER, rugged-looking, about thirty years old, with a big moustache. On his lap sits CAMIE, a sexy, disheveled girl about eighteen. Her cloak is pulled up and one of the Chief's hands rests on her beautiful thigh. They are both sound asleep. In a small room behind the office DEAK and WINDY, two tough boys about the same age as Luke, are playing a computer pool-like game with BIGGS, a tall, handsome startrooper cadet. His flashy uniform is a sharp contrast to the loose-fitting tunic of farm boys. A robot repairs some equipment in the background. Luke bounces in yelling excitedly, waking The Fixer and Camie. The others come in from the other room, and Camie jumps off The Fixer's lap, pulling her dress down in a sexy manner. Luke is surprised at the appearance of Biggs. LUKE BIGGS LUKE Biggs snaps to attention. BIGGS The dazzling spectacle of his uniformed friend is almost too much for Luke. His eyes glaze over. Suddenly he snaps out of it. LUKE
The group stumbles out into the stifling desert sun. Deak and The Fixer complain, and are forced to shade their eyes. Luke has his binoculars out, scanning the heavens. LUKE Biggs takes the binoculars from Luke, as the others strain to see something with the naked eye. Through the binoculars Biggs sees two small silver specks. BIGGS LUKE Camie grabs the binoculars away from Biggs, banging them against the building in the process. Luke reaches for them. CAMIE Fixer gives Luke a hard look, and the young farm boy shrugs his shoulders in resignation. BIGGS Luke agrees, although it's obvious he isn't sure why. The group stumbles back into the power station, grumbling about Luke's ineptitude,
A beautiful young girl about sixteen years old huddles in a small alcove as the stormtroopers search through the ship. She is LEIA ORGANA, a rebel princess. The fear in her eyes slowly gives way to anger as the muted crushing sounds of the approaching stormtroopers grows louder. She steps from her hiding place and blasts two troopers with her laser pistol, but she is greatly outnumbered and quickly captured.
Princess Leia is led down a low-ceilinged hallway by a squad of armored stormtroopers. Her hands are bound with brass bracelets, and she is brutally shoved when she is unable to keep up with the briskly marching troops. They enter a small gloomy chamber where Darth Vader, the Dark Lord of the Sith, is sitting. Vader speaks in an oddly filtered voice through his complex breathing mask. VADER OFFICER VADER VADER The Officer bows and leaves the chamber. LEIA Vader raises his arm and as a sudden pain grips Leia, she doubles up unable to continue. Vader raises his arm and a flask on the table mysteriously jumps into his open hand. He casually drinks from the flask. VADER LEIA VADER His frightening laugh rings throughout the ship.
JUNDLAND, or "No Man's Land," where the rugged desert mesas meet the foreboding dune sea. The two helpless astro-robots kick up clouds of dust as they leave the lifepod and clumsily work their way across the desert coastline. THREEPIO Suddenly Artoo makes a sharp right turn and starts off in the direction of the rocky desert mesas. Threepio stops and yells at him. THREEPIO A stream of electronic noises pour forth from the small robot. THREEPIO Artoo counters with a long whistle. THREEPIO He shoves Artoo and the tiny robot tumbles down a small dune. Threepio starts off in the direction of the vast dune sea as little Artoo struggles to his feet and shakes a metallic claw at his ex-partner. THREEPIO Artoo's reply is a rather rude sound. He turns and trudges off in the direction of the towering mesas.
Threepio, hot tired, struggles up over the ridge of a dune, only to find more dunes, which seems to go on for endless miles. He looks back in the direction of the now distant rock mesas. He sits in a huff of anger and frustration, knocking the sand from his joints. His plight seems hopeless, when a glint of reflected light in the distance reveals an object moving toward him. The bronze android waves frantically and yells at the approaching transport.
Luke and Biggs are sitting in a corner of the now empty power station. Biggs has had a little too much to drink and sloppily leans close to Luke. BIGGS LUKE BIGGS LUKE They quietly sit in the dim coolness of the station having run out of things to say. Luke finishes his drink and stands up. LUKE
The gargantuan rock formations are shrouded in a strange foreboding mist, and the ominous sounds of unearthly creatures fill the air. Artoo moves cautiously through the creepy rock canyon, inadvertently making a loud clicking noise as he goes. He hears a distant, hard metallic sound and stops for a moment. Convinced he is alone, he continues on his way. In the distance, a pebble tumbles down the steep canyon wall and a small, dark figure darts into the shadows. A little further up the canyon a slight flicker of light reveals a pair of eyes in the dark recesses, only a few feet from the narrow path. The unsuspecting robot waddles along the rugged trail until suddenly, out of nowhere, a powerful magnetic ray shoots out of the rocks and engulfs him in an eerie glow. He manages one short electronic squeak before he topples over onto his back. His bright computer lights flicker off, then on, then off again. Out of the rocks scurry three MEN, no taller than Artoo. They holster strange and complex weapons as they cautiously approach the robot. They wear grubby cloaks, and their faces are shrouded so that only their yellow eyes can be seen. They hiss and make odd guttural sounds as they heave the heavy robot to their shoulders and carry him off down the trail.
The eight dwarves, or JAWAS as they're sometimes called, carry Artoo out of the canyon to a huge tank-like vehicle the size of a two-story house. They place the robot under a large tube on the side of the vehicle, and the little robot is sucked into the giant machine.
It is dim inside the hold area of the sand crawler. Artoo switches on a small floodlight on his forehead and stumbles around the scrap heap. The narrow beam swings across rusty metal rocket parts and an array of grotesquely twisted and maimed astro-robots. He lets out a pathetic electronic whimper and stumbles off toward what appears to be a door at the end of the chamber.
Artoo enters a wide room with a four-foot ceiling. In the middle of the scrap heap sit a dozen or so robots of various shapes and sizes. Some are engaged in electronic conversation, while others simply mill about. A voice of recognition calls out from the gloom. THREEPIO A battered Threepio scrambles up to Artoo and embraces him.
The enormous sand crawler lumbers off toward the magnificent twin suns, which are slowly setting over a distant mountain ridge.
Two stormtroopers open an electronic cell door and allow a group of Imperial guards to enter. Princess Leia's face is filled with defiance, which slowly gives way to fear as Darth Vader enters with a giant black torture robot. VADER VADER The door slides shut. The long cell block hallway appears peaceful with armored stormtroopers marching back and forth. The muffled sounds of the princess' screaming are barely heard.
A harsh gale blows across the bleak gray surface of the endless desert wasteland. The morning sky presses down on the huge sand crawler as it slowly climbs one of the massive sand dunes, then disappears down the other side.
Threepio and
Artoo noisily bounce along inside the THREEPIO Suddenly the trembling and bouncing of the sand crawler stops, creating quite a commotion among the mechanical men. Threepio shakes Artoo, and his computer lights pop on. THREEPIO At the far end of the long chamber a hatch opens, filling the chamber with blinding white light. A dozen or so Jawas make their way through the odd assortment of robots, placing a small chrome ring to the wrists of the ones they select. Artoo and Threepio are among the chosen, and are herded outside with several other unfortunates.
Five battered robots, including Artoo and Threepio, are lined up in front of the enormous sand crawler, which is parked beside a small homestead consisting of three rundown block houses. Out of the shadows of a dingy side-building limps OWEN LARS, a large burly man in his mid-fifties. His reddish eyes are sunken in a dust-covered face. As the weather-beaten farmer carefully inspects each of the robots, he is closely followed by his slump-shouldered nephew, Luke Starkiller. One of the vile little Jawas walks ahead of the farmer spouting an animated sales pitch in a queer unintelligible language. Owen picks out a small astro-robot similar to Artoo, and it waddles along behind the group. The limping farmer stops in front of Threepio and studies him carefully. OWEN THREEPIO OWEN As the Jawas start to lead the three remaining robots back into the sand crawler, Artoo lets out a pathetic little beep and starts after his old friend Threepio, but is restrained by a slimy little Jawa, who zaps him with a little control box. Owen is negotiating with the head Jawa, when Luke notices something on the R-2 unit. LUKE He lifts the R-2 unit's claw arm and it drops lifelessly to the robot's side. Owen argues with the Jawas for a few moments; then with a little reluctance the scruffy dwarf trades the damaged astro-robot for Artoo Detoo. Owen pays off the whining Jawa as Luke and the two robots trudge off toward a grimy and decaying building on the far side of the homestead. Several large rodents scatter as they pass.
27. INT. LAR'S [sic] HOMESTEAD - GARAGE AREA - LATE AFTERNOON The garage is cluttered and worn, but a friendly, peaceful atmosphere permeates the low gray chamber. In the center of the room Threepio lowers himself into a large tub filled with warm oil. Near the battered "landspeeder" little Artoo rests on a large battery with a cord attached to his face. THREEPIO Artoo beeps a muffled reply. Luke is slouched in the corner with his feet up on a bench, watching a magazine sized TV set. A woman's voice calls out from the other room. BERU Luke jumps to his feet, turns off the TV set and starts dusting little Artoo with an oily rag. LUKE BERU Luke drops the rag and dashes out of the garage.
Luke and his uncle Owen sit before a table covered with steaming bowls of food. AUNT BERU, a plump, gray-haired matron, carries in a pitcher of blue milk. Luke is in a good mood, and gobbles down his food. LUKE Luke's Uncle Owen has a scowl on his face and appears to be in a very grumpy mood. OWEN OWEN LUKE OWEN LUKE OWEN Luke pushes his half-eaten plate of food aside and rushes out of the room. Owen mechanically finishes his dinner afraid to look at his quietly sympathetic wife. BERU OWEN
29. EXT. UTAPAU - LAR'S HOMESTEAD - GARAGE AREA - DUSK The giant twin suns of Utapau slowly disappear behind a distant dune range. Luke stands watching them for a few moments, then reluctantly enters the dimly lit garage.
Threepio is wiping the oil from his glistening bronze body and little Artoo is still plugged into the power unit. Luke is very angry and slams a wrench across the workbench. LUKE Threepio timidly approaches the fuming youth. THREEPIO Luke glances at the battered robot and a bit of his anger drains and a tiny smile creeps across his face. LUKE THREEPIO I'm sorry, sir, I'm only a 'droid,' and not very knowledgeable of such things... not on this system anyway. As a matter of fact, I'm not even sure which system we're on. LUKE THREEPIO Luke unplugs Artoo and begins to scrape several connectors on the robot's head with a chrome pick. Threepio continues to dry himself. THREEPIO Luke sparks to life at the mention of rebellion. LUKE THREEPIO LUKE THREEPIO Luke struggles to remove a small metal fragment from Artoo's neck joint. He uses a larger pick. LUKE The fragment breaks loose with a snap, sending Luke tumb ling head over heels. He sits up and sees a small (15 inch) 3-D hologram of Leia Organa, the rebel princess, being projected from the face of little Artoo. The image is a rainbow of colors as it flickers and jiggles in the dimly lit garage. Luke's mouth hangs open in awe. LEIA There is a little static, then the transmission is cut short. A grave concern sweeps over Luke, and he runs out of the garage. LUKE
Now that night has fallen, the interior of the homestead is filled with a warm glow. Luke rushes in as his Aunt Beru is putting the last of the dinner plates away. LUKE BERU Luke is out of breath and takes a few moments to compose himself. A realization crosses his mind and he suddenly seems much calmer. LUKE BERU Luke gives his aunt a big hug. He seems suddenly very sentimental and serious. LUKE BERU
Morning slowly creeps into the sparse, but sparkling oasis of the open courtyard. The idyll is broken by the yelling of Uncle Owen, his voice echoing throughout the building. OWEN Owen enters the courtyard in a huff, scattering the large gopher-like rodents. He opens the garage and notices the battered old landspeeder id missing. OWEN
Owen enters the garage and looks around. He picks up a magazine-like video slate sitting propped up on the bench. It generates a soft glow, as if it had been left on "hold." Beru hurries into the garage. BERU As Owen picks up the video-slate, it turns itself on and Luke's image appears. LUKE OWEN
The rock and sand of the desert floor are a blur as Threepio pilots the sleek landspeeder gracefully across the vast wasteland. Luke rides precariously on the back trunk of the vehicle adjusting something in the motor compartment. LUKE Threepio signals that it is fine, and Luke climbs back into the wind-whipped cockpit and slides the canopy shut. LUKE I've never been this far beyond the dune sea before. Biggs said the wild things out here were weird and savage, but it doesn't look like there is much out here to me. I think we should be there soon. General Kenobi was my father's commander, and he is probably the greatest of all the Jedi knights... or at least my father thought so. He will certainly know what to do.
From high on a rock mesa, the tiny landspeeder can be seen gliding across the desert floor. Suddenly in the foreground two weather-beaten Tusken Raiders, shrouded in their grimy desert cloaks, peer over the edge of the rock mesa. One of the marginally human creatures raises a long ominous laser-rifle, and points it at the speeder, but the second creature grabs the gun before it can be fired. The Tusken Raiders speak in a coarse barbaric language as they begin to get into an animated argument.
The battered landspeeder is parked on the top of a huge sand dune. Luke, with his long-barreled laser-rifle slung over his shoulder, makes his way past the bleached bones of a dinosaur-like beast. When he reaches the top of the ridge, he searches the landscape with his electrobinoculars. Threepio lifts Artoo out of the speeder and the stubby little robot struts around stretching his joints between irritated whistles. Luke is depressed as he returns to the speeder. LUKE THREEPIO LUKE
Threepio maneuvers the powerful landspeeder around several massive boulders in the narrow canyon, as Luke intently studies the pulsing radar scope. LUKE
Luke carefully makes his way to the top of a rocky ridge and scans the canyon with his electrobinoculars, until he spots the two riderless Banthas. Threepio struggles up behind the young adventurer. LUKE Luke watches the distant Tusken Raider through his electrobinoculars. Suddenly something huge moves in front of his field of view. Before Luke or Threepio can react, a large gruesome Tusken Raider looms over them. Threepio is startled and backs away, right off the side of the cliff. He can be heard for several moments as he clangs, bangs and rattles down the side of the mountain. The towering creature brings down his glowing red laser- sword, but Luke manages to block the blow with his laser-rifle, which is neatly cut in half. The terrified farm boy scrambles backward until he is able to ignite his own laser-sword and defend himself. In a flurry of blows Luke is forced to the edge of a deep crevice. Luke stumbles under the mighty blows of the fearsome creature, drops his sword and almost tumbles over the cliff to his death. He hangs on for dear life as his feet dangle over the abyss. The sinister Raider stands over him and lets out a horrible shrieking laugh that echoes throughout the canyon.
Artoo forces himself into the shadows of a small alcove in the rocks as the vicious Tuskens walk past carrying armloads of supplies from the battered landspeeder. As they disappear, Artoo squirms out of his hiding place and waddles into the clearing where the speeder is parked. LUKE Artoo starts searching for something in the speeder that he might use to get his master down. He pulls a long length of wire out of the engine compartment and ties it into a lasso. As Luke slowly rotates around, Artoo swings the rope and catches the boy around the foot. The line goes taut but rather than pulling Luke down, little Artoo is pulled up as if he had roped a windmill. The stubby robot lets out an electronic shriek and drops to the ground with a crash. LUKE At that moment footsteps are heard coming through the narrow canyon. Artoo scampers back into his hiding place. Luke's face is a roadmap of agony as the footsteps get louder. A huge menacing shadow on the canyon wall gives way to a shabby old desert rat of a man, who appears to be at least seventy years old. His ancient leathery face, cracked and weathered by exotic climates, is set off by dark, penetrating eyes, and a scraggly white beard. BEN KENOBI squints his eyes as he scrutinizes Luke in his predicament. BEN LUKE BEN The wizened old man begins to giggle like a child, putting his frail hand to his mouth in a vain attempt to contain himself. Luke becomes annoyed. LUKE Much to Luke's surprise, the old codger draws his laser-pistol and blasts Luke point blank. The young farmer disappears in a cloud of smoke and drops to the ground. The old man leans over the boy as he rolls over with a loud groan. BEN LUKE BEN Luke staggers to his feet as Artoo waddles up behind him and lets out a pathetic little beep. LUKE Luke hobbles off toward the canyon bluff.
Little Artoo stops at the edge of a large gravel pit and begins to chatter away in electronic whistles and beeps. Luke slides down to where a very dented and tangled Threepio lies half buried in the gravel. THREEPIO LUKE THREEPIO LUKE The young farmer helps the battered robot to his feet. Old Ben and little Artoo watch from the top of the pit.
Luke and Old Ben struggle to help Threepio into the low-slung speeder. Artoo follows them, carrying a clawful of tiny parts which have dropped of his friend. BEN Luke bristles at the use of "boy." LUKE BEN LUKE Ben studies the young farmer through narrowed eyes. He suppresses a smile. Luke notices the old man is impressed with his story, and begins to feel expansive. LUKE Luke suddenly realizes the old man might be an Imperial spy and a worried look crosses his face. Ben laughs heartily. BEN Luke is embarrassed and concentrates on making Threepio comfortable. LUKE BEN Luke is dumbstruck. Then with a combination of awe and excitement he finds his voice. LUKE BEN Luke drops to his knees and bows before the old Jedi. The old man rubs his beard in wonder. BEN LUKE The scruffy old Jedi smiles at the kneeling boy. BEN LUKE A sudden thought crosses Luke's mind and his enthusiasm turns to embarrassed silence. LUKE BEN LUKE BEN LUKE BEN
The clean but spartan cave dwelling radiates an air of time worn comfort and security. The image of the beautiful rebel princess is projected from Artoo's face. LEIA There is a little static and the transmission is cut short. The old man leans back and scratches his head. He silently puffs on a tarnished chrome water pipe. BEN LUKE BEN LUKE BEN BEN Luke bows his head in sorrow for one of the greatest warriors in the galaxy and a fallen idol. Ben is em barrassed and makes a needless adjustment on the pot belly thermal heater, which radiates a warm glow throughout the room. Little Artoo begins to pick up the pieces of the old man's arm and reassemble them. The badly dented Threepio breaks the awkward silence by noisily standing up. THREEPIO Luke nods his head. Old Ben leans back in his chair. BEN
Luke tosses and turns in his sleep. Threepio sleeps peacefully. Luke keeps hearing the voice of Princess Leia calling out for help. Suddenly he sits up with a start. He hears Leia's voice coming from the main living area. Luke climbs out of bed and quietly makes his way through the darkened dwelling. He stops at the entrance to the main room.
Ben is sitting before the flickering hologram image of Princess Leia. The old man rests his head in his one good arm. His back is to Luke, but he senses the boy's presence. BEN BEN LUKE BEN LUKE BEN LUKE The old man leans back and scratches his head smiling slightly. BEN LUKE BEN Luke reluctantly stands and heads for the bedroom.
Artoo and Threepio carry supplies out of the cave dwelling to where Luke loads them into the landspeeder. Old Ben emerges into the sunlight and stretches his new arm. BEN Ben walks over to the speeder and puts his hand on Luke's shoulder. BEN LUKE BEN LUKE BEN BEN LUKE BEN LUKE BEN LUKE BEN Artoo and Threepio are already in the speeder, as Luke and old Ben climb in. The speeder starts with a low hum.
46. INT. ALDERAAN - CRYSTAL CHAMBER Three SITH LORDS are on their knees praying before a shining crystal placed on a tall altar. They mumble a strange electronic chant. 1ST SITH Darth stands and stares at the crystal. 2ND SITH VADER They file out of the chamber.
The speeder zooms across the desert wasteland and eventually stops on a bluff overlooking the spaceport at MOS EISLEY. It is a haphazard array of low gray concrete structures and semi-domes. A harsh gale blows across the stark canyon floor. Luke adjusts his goggles and walks to the edge of the craggy bluff, where Ben is standing. BEN
Luke stops the speeder before the remains of a burnt-out spaceship the size of a large jet fighter. Two scruffy figures huddle around a small thermal heater, attempting to use the decaying building as shelter against the howling winds. One of the rag-tag figures ventures over to the group in the speeder. It is obvious from his pint size that he is a Jawa. Artoo lets out a string of electronic beeps and whistles. THREEPIO JAWA LUKE Saliva dribbles from the dark hole where the Jawa's face should be and drops, splat on the hood of the speeder. Threepio repeats the question in the Jawa's language, and the vile creature points to the far end of the street and mumbles something. THREEPIO The Jawa continues to fondle the speeder as Luke starts the magno-system. The filthy creature reluctantly jumps away as the speeder takes off and glides down the dingy spaceport street. A giant lizard scurries out of the wretched spaceship chased by a stubby Jawa.
The speeder
pulls up in front of a rundown, blockhouse THREEPIO BEN Luke, Ben and
the two robots climb out of the speeder,
The young adventurer and his two mechanical servants follow Ben Kenobi into the smoke-filled cantina. The murky, moldy den is filled with a startling array of weird and exotic alien creatures and monsters, laughing at the long metallic bar. At first the sight is horrifying. BARTENDER Luke, still recovering from the shock of seeing so many outlandish creatures, doesn't quite catch the Bartender's drift. LUKE BARTENDER Luke looks to Old Ben who is busy talking to one of the Corellian pirates. He notices that several of the gruesome creatures along the bar are giving him a very unfriendly glare. LUKE Threepio and his stubby partner go outside and most of the creatures at the bar go back to their drinks. Ben is standing next to CHEWBACCA, an eight foot tall, savage-looking creature resembling a huge gray bushbaby-monkey with fierce 'baboon-like' fangs. His large yellow eyes dominate a fur-covered face and soften his otherwise awesome appearance. Over his matted, furry body he wears two chrome bandoliers, a flak jacket painted in a bizarre camouflage pattern, brown cloth shorts, and little else. He is a two hundred year old WOOKIEE, and a sight to behold. Ben speaks to the Wookiee in his own language, which is a little more than a series of grunts. The old man points to Luke several times during the conversation and the huge creature suddenly lets out a horrifying laugh. Luke is more than a little bit disconcerted, and pretends not to hear the conversation between Ben and the Giant Wookiee. He is terrified, but tries not to show it. He quietly sips his drink, looking over the crowd for a more sympathetic ear or whatever. CREATURE The hideous freak is obviously drunk. Luke tries to ignore the Creature and turns back to his drink. A short, grubby HUMAN and an even smaller RODENT-like beast join the belligerent monstrosity. HUMAN LUKE HUMAN The big Creature is getting agitated and yells some unintelligible gibberish at the now rather nervous young adventurer. HUMAN LUKE HUMAN The rodent lets out a loud grunt and everything at the bar moves away. Luke tries to remain cool, but it isn't easy. His three adversaries ready their weapons. Old Ben moves in behind Luke. BEN A powerful blow from the unpleasant Creature sends the young would-be Jedi sailing across the room, crashing through tables and breaking a large jug filled with a foul-looking liquid. With a blood-curdling shriek, the monster draws a wicked chrome laser pistol from his belt and levels it at Old Ben. The Bartender panics. With an astounding agility, Old Ben's laser-sword sparks to life and in a flash an arm lies on the floor. The rodent is cut in two and the giant, multiple-eyed Creature lies doubled, cut from chin to groin. Ben carefully and precisely turns off his laser-sword and replaces it on his utility belt. Luke, shaking and totally amazed at the old man's abilities, attempts to stand. The entire fight has lasted only a matter of seconds. The cantina goes back to normal, although Ben is given a respectable amount of room at the bar. Luke, rubbing his bruised head, approaches the old man with new awe. BEN Luke is still giddy, and downs a fresh drink.
Luke, Ben and the two lumbering robots follow the giant Wookiee along a narrow slum alleyway crowded with darkly-clad creatures hawking exotic goods in dingy little stalls. Men, monsters and robots crouch in waste- filled doorways whispering and hiding from the hot winds. The group enters a small doorway n a decaying stone building at the far end of the alley. Several robots guide a small herd of anteaters down the street.
Chewbacca leads the group along a tall gantry over- looking a long Rube Goldburg-pieced together contrap- tion, which can only be loosely called a spaceship. Luke gives Old Ben a skeptical look. Old Ben just smiles. As they approach the ship, it looks even more homemade and shabby than it did at a distance. The Wookiee calls out to someone inside the ship, but there is no reply. A tall figure steps out of the shadows of the imposing spacecraft. HAN Chewbacca steps forward and explains who the strangers are and what they want. HAN BEN Luke is taken by surprise, thinking that Ben was going to take care of things. Han turns to Luke. HAN LUKE Ben and Luke step to one side. LUKE BEN Ben turns back to the young starcaptain. BEN HAN LUKE Artoo and Threepio follow Luke and Ben as they hurry out of the starship hangar. LUKE Ben glances back at Threepio. BEN A great worry sweeps across Luke's face as he looks back at the two unaware robots faithfully following after them. Han Solo grins and slaps the monsterous wookiee across the back. HAN Chewbacca doesn't share Han's enthusiasm, and makes a couple of worrisome grunts. HAN A commotion filters down from the entry gantry and Chew- bacca whines pessimistic comment. A dozen or so gruff and grisly pirates approach the ship. The grossest of the slavering hulks is JABBA THE HUTT. His scarred face is a grim testimonial to his prowess as a vicious killer. HAN He laughs maniacally. Han is not amused. HAN JABBA It's a moment of great tension. Han glances at the four pirates standing near them. Two of the greasy brigands have their weapons pointed at him. The young starcaptain stands firm for a few moments with his hand resting on his utility belt only inches from his blaster. Chewbacca sways back and forth as he adjusts his weight from one foot to the other. JABBA Han turns and reluctantly boards the ship. Jabba walks alongside Han and puts his arm around him. JABBA
Ben, Luke and the robots are standing in a sleazy used-speeder lot, talking with a tall, grotesque, insect-like used speeder dealer. Only Threepio can understand the creature's weird buzzing dialogue. Strange exotic bodies and spindly legged beasts pass by outside. Once in a while a large lizard or strange animal scurries across the junk-strewn floor. Luke scratches his head and ponders the situation. LUKE He looks at Ben, then Artoo, and finally Threepio. LUKE
LUKE Threepio buzzes to the salesman, who shakes his head. THREEPIO BEN They turn and start out of the rundown showroom. LUKE BEN Ben helps Artoo into the speeder as Luke climbs in the pilot's seat. The speeder starts up with a loud hum, but before Luke can back out of the garage area, the insect stops them. Luke breaks out in a big smile and Ben manages a slight grin.
As Han and the huge Wookiee work their way past the sinister Jabba the Hutt, the pirate hands the young starcaptain a bulky cloak. JABBA Han doesn't mask his hatred for the loathsome pirate very well, but takes the cloak and follows the Chewbacca toward the back of the ship. He stops by a small control panel, knocking it loose with his foot. The cover falls to the floor with a muted clang and the young mechanic looks around to see if anyone heard. HAN He takes a small metal bar and jams it between two circuits, causing sparks to fly. He quickly replaces the cover and Han casually heads back toward the cockpit.
A short greasy looking pirate sits at the complex controls of the ship. PIRATE PILOT He pulls back on the power lever and the ship erupts into a cacophony of warning alarms and flashing lights. Smoke begins to issue from the panels. The pilot is startled and begins flipping switches wildly. PIRATE PILOT HAN PIRATE PILOT Han works at the control console in a vain attempt to figure out what's going on. HAN Before Han can finish, the pilot has fled.
Jabba the Hutt and his crew scramble over one another trying to flee the starship before it goes super-nova.
The alarm system is suddenly cut short. Han quickly replaces the control panel and turns to see a foul-looking pirate named MONTROSS standing over him. MONTROSS HAN Montross reaches for his laser-pistol, but Han is faster and gets the drop on him. HAN Han struggles to his feet and leads the pirate to the escape hatch.
58. EXT. PIRATE STARSHIP - ENTRY RAMP Chewbacca appears at the main hatch holding a hidden gun on Montross as Ben, Luke and the robots saunter up to the starship. The huge Wookiee lets out with a loud wail that startles Luke. BEN Han rushes toward the cockpit as Chewbacca helps Ben aboard the starship. The Wookiee shoves Montross out the hatch just as it slams shut. HAN Luke is a little puzzled by all the smoke and confusion.
A lumbering Jabba the Hutt and the remains of his terrified crew stop in the street and try to collect themselves. JABBA A strange assortment of alien creatures and robots watch Jabba from their cool alcoves along the edge of the street. The ground trembles and the pirates turn to see the mighty pirate starship riding above the dingy slum dwellings. The pirates stand dumbfounded, as the starship quickly disappears. JABBA
Han sits back
in the huge pilot's chair and puts his HAN He chuckles
as the surface of Utapau slowly drifts out HAN Little Artoo appears momentarily in the doorway, makes a few beeping remarks, then scurries away.
Threepio helps Ben and Luke put away their gear in the ramped bunk area of the starship. LUKE BEN LUKE BEN Suddenly Ben grabs his head and slowly collapses to the floor. Luke rushes to him. LUKE BEN LUKE BEN Luke helps Ben to his bunk. He's still shaking from the experience.
Princess Leia is awakened by the blinding light of the hallway as the cell door silently slides open and Darth Vader enters the cell. VADER Leia watches her captor impassionately. VADER LEIA VADER Leia tries not to reveal the shock and pain, but she is stunned. LEIA Vader starts to leave. LEIA The door slides closed behind Vader, leaving Leia alone in the darkness.
Han enters the cramped but comfortable main hold area of the starship and begins checking charts and various computer readouts. LUKE HAN Chewbacca and the two robots sit around a lighted table covered with many small hologram figures. Each side of the table has a small computer monitor embedded in it. Luke and Old Ben are sitting in the corner, the old man apparently asleep as Luke cleans a chrome laser-pistol. he acts like it's brand new. he seems very proud of it. Chewbacca seems very pleased with himself as he rests his lanky fur-covered arms over his head. Artoo immediately reaches up and taps the computer with his stubby claw hand, causing one of the hologram figures to walk to a new square. A sudden frown crosses Chewbacca's face and he begins yelling gibberish at the tiny robot. Threepio intercedes on behalf of his small companion and begins to argue with the huge Wookiee. LUKE Luke sights down the barrel of his new pistol. Old Ben opens his eyes. It's obvious he wasn't asleep. LUKE BEN LUKE BEN Han has been overhearing what Ben has been telling Luke and obviously has a low opinion of the Force of Others. HAN |