WIPE TO:
INT. MOS EISLEY CANTINA - DAY
The bustling bar with the motley patrons we all remember. A
band -- unfamiliar -- sets up on stage.
Alda Contana reclines against the bar, his arms around two
females, one of them human. They share his pipe.
In a booth, a bit of the inverse, as the three alien gunners
vie for the attention of a single alien female, grotesque and
bulbous with huge feminine eyelashes.
In another booth, Kitch and Manx sit across from a pair of
Jawas.
CAPTAIN KITCH
No way I'm paying you up front,
boys -- and the fact that you even
proposed it makes me think you're
wasting my time.
Incomprehensible squeaks and squeals from the Jawas.
CAPTAIN KITCH (CONT'D)
You get a cut of the profits IF
your information proves accurate -
that's what!
More Jawanese.
CAPTAIN KITCH (CONT'D)
What choice do you have? Your hot
tip's worthless in a week. Maybe I
stiff you and maybe I don't, but
I'm your only shot at a payday.
MANX
Come on, Cap. Let's get out of
here. Trying to bargain with Jawas
is like... well, it's like trying
to bargain with Jawas.
Manx and Kitch move to stand. They're halted by more
Jawanese.
CAPTAIN KITCH
Ok. Glad you see it my way. Now
tell me about this military supply
convoy.
Across the cantina, the band strikes up a tune. And through
the front door walks Obi Wan Kenobi.
KENOBI
(shouting across the room)
Renzo, my friend. There you are!
The Jawas at Kitch's table scramble like it's a raid. Kenobi
waltzes over and takes their seat.
KENOBI (CONT'D)
Who were your friends, Renzo? They
seemed skittish. Hi, Manx.
CAPTAIN KITCH
Kenobi.
MANX
Hey, Obi Wan.
CAPTAIN KITCH
What do you want?
KENOBI
I just got this funny feeling --
you know how I get those sometimes
- that you were going to leave
without me. But, we had an
agreement, so I certainly hope that
isn't true.
CAPTAIN KITCH
We agreed to talk, Kenobi. And,
here we are talking, just like we
would have talked a couple of days
from now, if you had been a little
more patient and trusting.
KENOBI
A conversation I'm sure we would
have had via communicator as you
left this planet's orbit.
CAPTAIN KITCH
A conversation in which I would
have told you, good luck, and may
the Force...
MANX
Be with you.
CAPTAIN KITCH
That's it. But it's time to go our
separate ways. Because we have
pirating to do, and you probably
have something a little more
suicidal on your agenda.
Heph suddenly appears at the table, pushing his way past
patrons, with Forbee, looking much better, in tow. He doesn't
immediately notice Kenobi.
HEPH
Cap'n, Kenobi's on his way. I hope
you got what we need from those
Jawas, because we have to shove off
NOW.
Kitch and Manx close their eyes and shake their heads. Forbee
beeps and whirs at Heph, who looks down and sees Kenobi.
HEPH (CONT'D)
Or else we'll never get back in
time to pick him up... you up.
And surprise you with our hold full
of riches.
KENOBI
(looking at Kitch)
A couple of days from now, eh
Renzo? If I were more patient. And
trusting?
HEPH
Yeah, in a couple of days. That's
right.
Kitch looks Heph in the eye and shakes his head. Heph slumps
in defeat and walks away.
HEPH (CONT'D)
Sorry Kenobi. Nothing personal.
Forbee beeps and whistles.
HEPH (CONT'D)
I didn't have to fix your
vocalizers, you know?
Exeuent Heph and Forbee.
KITCH
Like he said. Nothing personal.
MANX
(failing to conceal some
shame)
Yeah. Just business.
KENOBI
I completely understand. After all
the things I've put you through.
And, as you so often remind me,
you're pirates -- hardly the type
to enlist in profitless adventures
for the common good.
KITCH
Exactly.
KENOBI
And yet, I do. Time after time.
Under false pretenses. Trying to
make heroes out of thieves and
cutthroats. Paying you in honor and
virtue, righteousness and justice,
when all you want are cold,
pitiless credits.
The guilt trip is working on Manx, even though she can see it
for the ploy that it is, but Kitch nods along happily.
KITCH
Couldn't have said it better
myself.
KENOBI
Which is why, this time, I've come
to you with an opportunity.
KITCH
Here we go.
KENOBI
A ship filled with valuable cargo.
KITCH
(facetiously)
Why, that's right in our line!
MANX
How'd you hear about this ship?
KENOBI
Another Jedi. He's keeping an eye
on it for us, but we have to move
quickly.
KITCH
That's a new wrinkle. Another
Kenobi. And I suppose there's
nothing in it for you and your
comrade, right? You're simply
trying to pay us back for all the
trouble you've caused over the
years. Or have you taken a sudden
interest in piracy?
KENOBI
Of course, I have my reasons, but
it doesn't mean there's nothing in
it for you.
KITCH
And what about your war? The big
one? The greatest threat of our
lifetimes?
KENOBI
It's not going anywhere.
And, then Anakin rushes in just like Heph, catching stares
from the crowd of old crooks.
ANAKIN
(out of breath)
Oh good. You found them.
KENOBI
(playing dumb)
What are you doing here? This is no
place for a boy.
ANAKIN
I wasn't sure you got the message.
I was afraid they'd take off before
you got here.
KITCH
You got one of your feelings, eh
Kenobi?
(to Anakin)
You been sabotaging the repairs,
tadpole? How long ago could we have
left, huh?
ANAKIN
You kidding me? You're a week ahead
of schedule thanks to me.
KITCH
What's the angle there?
KENOBI
Anakin, you should wait outside.
ANAKIN
(to Kitch)
The angle is to get you ship-shape
as soon as possible. There's a
galaxy to save, or haven't you
heard?
KENOBI
And wealth, Kitch -- you'll see.
ANAKIN
Huh? You think the Senate will pay
you for bringing them evidence of
an invasion?
Kitch stands, and Manx follows reluctantly.
KITCH
I've heard enough.
ANAKIN
Where are you going?
KITCH
I've got a pair of Jawas to find.
Boys! Alda.
Alda reluctantly leaves his darlings, ordering them a drink
to ease the blow. The gunners reluctantly leave theirs,
jockeying and shoving each other to get the last word.
EXT. MOS EISLEY STREETS - MOMENTS LATER
Kitch, Manx, Alda, and the gunners march down the street. Obi
Wan and Anakin trot after them, catching up.
KENOBI
I wasn't lying to you, Renzo. It's
all true. The ship. The Jedi. The
cargo.
KITCH
The Senate. The evidence. The
invasion.
KENOBI
I said I had my reasons.
KITCH
And I have mine.
ANAKIN
Ah, forget about him, Obi Wan, you
can do better.
KITCH
(insulted)
You're welcome to try.
ANAKIN
Plenty of crooks with ships in this
town.
KITCH
None like the Star, and none with a
crew like mine.
ANAKIN
What good's a solid ship and crack
crew, if you're a coward?
Everybody stops. Kitch turns and closes on Anakin, putting a
finger in his face.
KITCH
Last person who called me a coward
has a pile of ashes where his face
used to be. And the fact that you
saved our skin out there is the
only thing keeping you from the
same fate.
Anakin doesn't even flinch. Kitch turns to Kenobi.
KITCH (CONT'D)
Tell me straight -- is there any
money in it?
KENOBI
Not a credit.
KITCH
I'll do it.
Kitch strides off, his crew close behind. Alda is shaking his
head.
MANX
(sarcastically)
You showed them, Cap.
KITCH
Shut up.
Still standing in the street. Anakin raises his eyebrows at
Kenobi. Obi Wan claps him on the back.
EXT. PUDA'S SHIPYARD - NIGHT
The crew boards the Falling Star. Kitch and Kenobi are the
last aboard -- Kitch letting Kenobi on before him with an
exaggerated bow.
INT. LARS MOISTURE FARM, BOYS' ROOM - NIGHT
Anakin lays in bed, staring up at the ceiling. He's wrestling
with a thought, then he makes a decision.
Anakin springs out of bed and begins dressing quietly.
INT. LARS MOISTURE FARM, DINING ROOM - MINUTES LATER
Anakin types the finishing touches of a letter on a datapad
and puts it down gently on the table.
EXT. LARS MOISTURE FARM - MOMENTS LATER
Anakin throws a pack in the speeder and jumps in behind it.
He starts her up.
INT. LARS MOISTURE FARM, PARENTS' ROOM - CONTINUOUS
Hamish snores, but Arna's awake. She hears the sound of the
speeder and smiles through her tears.
EXT. TATOOINE, DESERT - MOMENTS LATER
Anakin rockets across the sand in the landspeeder, he sheds a
few tears of his own.
EXT. BERU'S FARM - LATER
Anakin's parked outside, knocking at Beru's window. She
appears in night clothes and opens the window.
BERU
Anakin, what are...?
Anakin pulls her in for a deep kiss.
ANAKIN
Good night, Beru.
Anakin turns around and heads for the speeder.
BERU
Anakin?
EXT. PUDA'S SHIPYARD - LATER
Anakin pulls up, grabs his pack and runs toward the dry dock.
Turning a corner, he finds the Star... gone.
Anakin throws his pack on the ground. Puda steps out of her
office.
PUDA
That Kenobi said you might show up.
If you hurry, you might catch them
before they jump.
She nods towards the hot rod, parked in the hangar, door now
open.
ANAKIN
I might not be able to bring her
back.
PUDA
She's yours, kiddo. Belonged to
your mom. Hamish nearly busted a
thruster when I told him you
started fixing her up, but you've
always had a ship-sense -- figures
you'd recognize your own craft.
ANAKIN
Arna?!
PUDA
No, your real mom.
ANAKIN
What are you talking about? My real
parents were farmers.
PUDA
Don't know who they were kid, but
they weren't from around here, and
they sure as hell weren't farmers.
ANAKIN
But...
PUDA
Get going! I'll get that speeder
back home for you.
Anakin nods.
EXT. TATOOINE, SKIES - MINUTES LATER
Anakin's ship climbs fast, leaving the surface below.
INT. ANAKIN'S SHIP, COCKPIT - CONTINUOUS
Anakin's face shows a confusion of determination, regret,
elation, and uncertainty.