OBI-WAN stands up.
OBI-WAN
I can see that you do not approve of Anakin’s decision, but his gifting in the Force is too formidable to ignore.
OWEN
Is this really what you want, Anakin?
ANAKIN
More than anything.
OWEN gives ANAKIN a hug and pats him on the back.
OWEN
Hey…take care of yourself.
ANAKIN
Thanks for looking out for me, Owen. Good luck with your moisture farm.
OBI-WAN
Come Anakin, it’s time to leave. Owen, Beru, thank you very much for your hospitality.
OBI-WAN, ANAKIN, OWEN, and BERU walk out through the front entrance.
21 EXT TATOOINE – LARS HOMESTEAD – BINARY SUNSET
OWEN and BERU stand in the doorway and wave to ANAKIN as he and OBI-WAN walk towards the LANDSPEEDER.
22 INT CORUSCANT – JEDI TEMPLE – COUNCIL CHAMBERS – NIGHT
OBI-WAN and ANAKIN stand before MASTER YODA, MASTER MACE WINDU, and the JEDI COUNCIL. The twelve JEDI MASTERS are dressed in their Jedi robes, seated in a circular formation around OBI-WAN and ANAKIN.
MACE
You have summoned us, Obi-wan?
OBI-WAN
Yes, Master Windu. I have come to request approval for the training of this boy.
ANAKIN walks around the chamber, shaking hands with the JEDI MASTERS, who are taken aback by this strange custom.
ANAKIN
(still shaking hands)
The name’s Anakin Skywalker. Pleased to meet you.
YODA
This was the one whose presence you felt?
OBI-WAN
Yes. It is him. Of that I have no doubt. It’s astounding. His reflexes, precognition…He has an instinctive strength and potential in the Force. I’ve never seen anything like it…
MACE
Obi-wan! Sorry Anakin, can you please excuse us for a moment?
ANAKIN leaves the chamber quietly.
YODA
Obi-wan. Careful you must be. Mindful of what you say. Or over-inflate the boy you will…I sense much fear in him.
OBI-WAN
He’s lost his mother and he’s light years from home, of course he’s –
YODA
Excuses we need not, Obi-wan. Fear is the path to the Dark Side…
OBI-WAN
You’re expecting him to run before he can walk! He has nothing to lose and an eagerness to learn. I can train him, I know I can!
YODA
Already the boy can run, by the sounds of things. The walking we’re concerned about.
OBI-WAN
But Master –
MACE
Don’t fret, Obi-wan. We have already approved the boy’s training. We just want to make sure you understand the seriousness of the task before you.
OBI-WAN
Thank you! Thank you…I will train him well, I promise. I won’t let you down.
MACE
(smiling)
Okay, okay! Get out of here and train that boy!
OBI-WAN
Don’t worry, I will. Thanks again!
OBI-WAN bows and runs out of the chamber. YODA shakes his head, smiling.
YODA
May the Force be –
The door SLAMS behind Obi-wan. The JEDI MASTERS cringe at the sound.
YODA
(continuing)
…with you.
MACE
There’s something about that boy. I felt an immense power about his presence; a sense of destiny.
KI-ADI
I felt it too.
YODA
Hmmm…so too did I. But the future surrounding him, too difficult to see.
23 INT CORUSCANT – JEDI TEMPLE – HALLWAY OUTSIDE COUNCIL CHAMBERS
OBI-WAN walks down the hallway towards ANAKIN, pretending to look a little disappointed.
ANAKIN
What did they say?
OBI-WAN
(smiling, almost imitating Yoda)
We may begin…the training. Come this way…
OBI-WAN and ANAKIN walk down the hallway together.
24 INT CORUSCANT – JEDI TEMPLE – MEDITATION CHAMBER – DAY
OBI-WAN gives ANAKIN a tour of the Meditation Chamber. The room is covered in white tiling. There are bookshelves against the side walls containing Jedi teachings, and red velvet cushions sitting on the floor. The entire rear wall is a window, allowing the sunlight to illuminate the room.
OBI-WAN
This is the Meditation Chamber. Quiet place. Minimal distractions. This is where you’ll learn to clear your thoughts and centre yourself in the Force.
ANAKIN
Tell me about the Force…
OBI-WAN
The Force is an energy field. It binds and flows through all living things. It holds the universe together…
ANAKIN
So, the Force controls everything?
OBI-WAN
Well yes, and we control it, to an extent. See, we are a part of the Force as well, and it is a part of us. When we acknowledge this truth, the Force can be a powerful ally.
ANAKIN
Does that mean I can use the Force to move objects?
OBI-WAN
Yes. With the proper training, you will be able to move anything in this room.
ANAKIN
Can you show me now?
OBI-WAN
Very well. See that book over there? Focus all your energy on it. Stretch your hand out towards it. Good. Now, close your eyes, and concentrate. That’s it. Now, think of nothing but that book. It is just a part of the living Force. Now…lift it!
The book hovers about a foot above the ground. ANAKIN keeps his arm outstretched with his palm facing upward. He opens his eyes slowly and gapes in awe.
ANAKIN
I did it! I did it!
The book floats gently back down again.
OBI-WAN
Well done, Anakin! Now come, there is much to learn…
25 INT CORUSCANT – JEDI TEMPLE – COMBAT CHAMBER – NIGHT
OBI-WAN and ANAKIN walk past a series of ancient Jedi hieroglyphs on the wall of the Combat Chamber.
OBI-WAN
See, in this picture, the warrior and the blade are separate. It is a struggle to become a warrior, even with the goal of bringing peace to the galaxy. We begin at odds with ourselves, and our weapon.
ANAKIN
This next one over here, what does it mean?
OBI-WAN
The warrior and the weapon are one. With the Force as our ally, even a blade of grass can become a weapon.
They walk further along the wall and stop in front of the final hieroglyph.
OBI-WAN
And in the final picture, there is no blade…
ANAKIN
(pausing for a moment)
So, the warrior becomes the blade!
OBI-WAN
(slightly concerned by this interpretation)
No, no…not quite. The ultimate ideal of the warrior is to finally lay down his weapon. The warrior is at peace with the galaxy. But for now, let’s just focus on number two!
OBI-WAN throws a staff into Anakin’s chest. ANAKIN grips it awkwardly. They begin to spar with each other. ANAKIN responds purely with reflex actions, surprising himself.
OBI-WAN
That’s it. Good. You are trusting your instincts and anticipating my movements.
26 ONDERON – IZIZ – OUTER CITY LIMITS – CANYON – NIGHT
GENERAL GRIEVOUS walks down into the canyon, glancing around suspiciously. SABÉ follows him at a distance and hides behind a large rock. The ground opens up before General Grievous. A platform rises from underground to receive him. He boards the platform and descends underground. SABÉ runs towards the opening as the ground closes up behind him. She gazes down in awe at what lies below as the ground closes up.
SABÉ
(into comlink)
Your Highness…
27 ONDERON – IZIZ – UNDERGROUND CLONING FACILITY
GENERAL GRIEVOUS steps off the elevator platform and looks around the facility. The factory line produces armour and weaponry as HUMAN CLONES are being formed in kolto tanks. Potential CLONE SOLDIERS of differing maturity levels are being trained in separate rooms. The LIEUTENANT walks up to GRIEVOUS and salutes him.
GRIEVOUS
State your progress, Lieutenant.
LIEUTENANT
Your first squad of clone troopers is ready, General. Would you like to inspect them?
GRIEVOUS
Yes. That is what I’m here for.
The LIEUTENANT leads the General to a platform overlooking the first squad of CLONE SOLDIERS. The CLONE SOLDIERS march perfectly in rank and file until they come to a halt. They turn uniformly on the incline and present arms.
GRIEVOUS
Good. Increase production to maximum output. I want the army completed within the month.
LIEUTENANT
As you wish, General.
28 INT CORUSCANT – JEDI TEMPLE – COMBAT CHAMBER – SUNRISE
OBI-WAN and ANAKIN stand before a chasm in the Combat Chamber.
OBI-WAN
See that chasm over there?
ANAKIN
(warily)
Yes…
OBI-WAN
You are going to jump it.
ANAKIN
Are you crazy?! That’s impossible!
OBI-WAN
Yes. It is…according to your conscious mind. But not with the Force. In time you will learn to let go of your conscious mind and rely on instinct.
ANAKIN
But this chasm…it’s too big.
OBI-WAN
It’s no different from stepping over a tiny crack. Use the Force, Anakin.
ANAKIN
All right. Here goes…
ANAKIN closes his eyes to focus, then rubs his hands to the mantra of “just a crack”. He takes a big run-up, sprints, then leaps across the chasm. He comes up short, gripping the edge with his fingers. ANAKIN hangs on, closes his eyes, and concentrates. All of a sudden he pulls himself up the wall at speed, somersaults, and then lands on his feet.
OBI-WAN
Well done, Anakin! I knew you would make it!
ANAKIN peers back over the edge.
ANAKIN
What was down there anyway?!
OBI-WAN
Just the trash compactor…
ANAKIN does not look impressed.
OBI-WAN
(continuing)
I knew you were going to make it!
29 INT ONDERON – IZIZ – GRIEVOUS’ OFFICE
GENERAL GRIEVOUS sits behind his desk. A BEEP sounds from his desk. He presses a button on the comlink.
OFFICER
(over comlink)
The Lieutenant is here to see you, General.
GRIEVOUS
(into comlink)
Send him in.
The LIEUTENANT enters his office.
GRIEVOUS
Report status.
LIEUTENANT
(saluting)
Troop production is on schedule and the first army is nearing completion, General.
GRIEVOUS
Good. Prepare to move through to the next phase of the operation.
A BEEP comes from his comlink again.
OFFICER
(over comlink)
The Queen requests your presence immediately, General.
GRIEVOUS
(into comlink)
Inform her Highness that I will arrive shortly.
GRIEVOUS rises from his seat and fastens his cape.
GRIEVOUS
Lieutenant, gather what troops you can. It is time.
LIEUTENANT
(saluting)
Yes, General. We await your orders.