From: ss@realsoon (Scott N Streeter)
Subject: The Script (1/7)
Organization: Worcester Polytechnic Institute
Date: Fri, 17 Apr 1992 18:15:15 GMT



Well to celebrate the coming of this group, here is the script from
the first film, copied from the pages of "The Art Of Star Wars". It
will be in seven (7) parts.





                                   STAR WARS

                                   Episode IV

                                   A NEW HOPE

                                    From the
                             JOURNAL OF THE WHILLS

                                       by
                                  George Lucas

                              Revised Fourth Draft
                                January 15, 1976

                                 LUCASFILM LTD.


                             ----------------------


A long time ago, in a galaxy far, far, away...


        A vast sea of stars serves as the backdrop for the main
        title. War drums echo through the heavens as a rollup 
        slowly crawls into infinity.


   It is a period of civil war. Rebel spaceships, striking from a
hidden base, have won their first victory against the evil Galactic
Empire.
   During the battle, Rebel spies managed to steal secret plans to the
Empire's ultimate weapon, the Death Star, an armored space station
with enough power to destroy an entire planet.
   Pursued by the Empire's sinister agents, Princess Leia races home
aboard her starship, custodian of the stolen plans that can save her
people and restore freedom to the galaxy...


        The awesome yellow planet of Tatooine emerges from a total
        eclipse, her two moons glowing against the darkness. A tiny
        silver spacecraft, a Rebel Blockade Runner firing lasers from
        the back of the ship, races through space. It is pursed by a
        giant Imperial Stardestroyer. Hundreds of deadly laserbolts
        streak from the Imperial Stardestroyer, causing the main solar
        fin of the Rebel craft to disintegrate.

INTERIOR: REBEL BLOCKADE RUNNER -- MAIN PASSAGEWAY.

        An explosion rocks the ship as two robots, Artoo-Detoo (R2-D2)
        and See-Threepio (C-3PO) struggle to make their way through the
        shaking, bouncing passageway. Both robots are old and battered. 
        Artoo is a short, claw-armed tripod. His face is a mass of
        computer lights surrounding a radar eye. Threepio, on the
        other hand, is a tall, slender robot of human proportions. He
        has a gleaming bronze-like metallic surface of an Art Deco
        design. 
           Another blast shakes them as they struggle along their
        way.

THREEPIO: Did you hear that? They've shut down the main reactor. We'll
be destroyed for sure. This is madness!

           Rebel troopers rush past the robots and take up positions
        in the main passageway. They aim their weapons toward the door.

THREEPIO: We're doomed!

           The little R2 unit makes a series of electronic sounds that
        only another robot could understand.

THREEPIO: There'll be no escape for the Princess this time.

           Artoo continues making beeping sounds. Tension mounts as
        loud metallic latches clank and the scream of heavy equipment
        are heard moving around the outside hull of the ship.

THREEPIO: What's that?

EXTERIOR: SPACECRAFT IN SPACE.

        The Imperial craft has easily overtaken the Rebel Blockade
        Runner. The smaller Rebel ship is being drawn into the
        underside dock of the giant Imperial starship.

INTERIOR: REBEL BLOCKADE RUNNER.

        The nervous Rebel troopers aim their weapons. Suddenly a
        tremendous blast opens up a hole in the main passageway and a
        score of fearsome armored spacesuited stormtroopers make their
        way into the smoke-filled corridor.
           In a few minutes the entire passageway is ablaze with
        laserfire. The deadly bolts ricochet in wild random patterns
        creating huge explosions. Stormtroopers scatter and duck
        behind storage lockers. Laserbolts hit several Rebel soldiers
        who scream and stagger through the smoke, holding shattered
        arms and faces.
           An explosion hits near the robots.

THREEPIO: I should have known better than to trust the logic of a
half-sized thermocapsulary dehousing assister...

           Artoo counters with an angry rebuttal as the battle rages
        around the two hapless robots.

EXTERIOR: TATOOINE -- DESERT WASTELAND -- DAY.

        A death-white wasteland stretches from horizon to horizon. The
        tremendous heat of two huge twin suns settle on a lone figure,
        Luke Skywalker, a farm boy with heroic aspirations who looks
        much younger than his eighteen years. His shaggy hair and
        baggy tunic give him the air of a simple but lovable lad with
        a prize-winning smile.
           A light wind whips at him as he adjusts several valves on a
        large battered moisture vaporator which sticks out of the
        desert floor much like an oil pipe with valves. He is aided by
        a beatup 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. He stands transfixed for a few moments studying the
        heavens, then dashed toward his dented, crudely repaired
        Landspeeder (an auto-like transport that travels a few feet
        above the ground on a magnetic-field). He motions for the tiny
        robot to follow him.

LUKE: Hurry up! Come with me! What are you waiting for?! Get in gear!

           The robot scoots around in a tight circle, stops short, and
        smoke begins to pour out of every joint. Luke throws his arms
        up in disgust. Exasperated, the young farm boy jumps into his
        Landspeeder leaving the smoldering robot to hum madly.

INTERIOR: REBEL BLOCKADE RUNNER -- MAIN HALLWAY.

        The 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 and a deathly quiet sweeps through the
        Rebel troops. Several of the Rebel troops break and run in a
        frenzied panic.

INTERIOR: REBEL BLOCKADE RUNNER.

        A woman's hand puts a card into an opening in Artoo's dome.
        Artoo makes beeping sounds.

INTERIOR: REBEL BLOCKADE RUNNER.

        Threepio stands in a hallway, somewhat bewildered. Artoo is
        nowhere in sight. The pitiful screams of the doomed Rebel
        soldiers can be heard in the distance.

THREEPIO: Artoo! Artoo-Detoo, where are you?

           A familiar clanking sound attacks Threepio's attention and
        he spots little Artoo at the end of the hallway in a
        smoke-filled alcove. A beautiful young girl (about sixteen
        years old) stands in front of Artoo. Surreal and out of place,
        dreamlike and half hidden in the smoke, she finishes adjusting
        something on Artoo's computer face, then watches as the little
        robot joins his companion.

THREEPIO: At last! Where have you been?

        Stormtroopers can be heard battling in the distance.

THREEPIO: They're heading in this direction. What are we going to do?
We'll be sent to the spice mine of Kessel or smashed into who knows
what!

           Artoo scoots past his bronze friend and races down the
        subhallway. Threepio chases after him.

THREEPIO: Wait a minute, where are you going?

           Artoo responds with electronic beeps.

INTERIOR: REBEL BLOCKADE RUNNER -- CORRIDOR

        The evil Darth Vader stands amid the broken and twisted bodies
        of his foes. He grabs a wounded Rebel Officer by the neck as
        an Imperial Officer rushes up to the Dark Lord.

IMPERIAL OFFICER: The Death Star plans are not in the main computer.

           Vader squeezes the neck of the Rebel Officer, who struggles
        in vain.

VADER: Where are those transmissions you intercepted?

           Vader lifts the Rebel off his feet by his throat.

VADER: What have you done with those plans?

REBEL OFFICER: We intercepted no transmissions. Aaah....This is a
consular ship. Were on a diplomatic mission.

VADER: If this is a consular ship...were is the Ambassador?

           The Rebel refuses to speak but eventually cries out as the
        Dark Lord begins to squeeze the officer's throat, creating a
        gruesome snapping and choking, until the soldier goes limp.
        Vader tosses the dead soldier against the wall and turns to
        his troops.

VADER: Commander, tear this ship apart until you've found those plans
and bring me the Ambassador. I want her alive!

           The stormtroopers scurry into the subhallways.

INTERIOR: REBEL BLOCKADE RUNNER -- SUBHALLWAY.

        The lovely young girl huddles in a small alcove as the
        stormtroopers search through the ship. She is Princess Leia
        Organa, a member of the Alderaan Senate. The fear in her eyes
        slowly gives way to anger as the muted crushing sounds of the
        approaching stormtroopers grow louder. One of the troopers
        spots her.

TROOPER: There she is! Set for stun!

           Leia steps from her hiding place and blasts a trooper with
        her laser pistol. She starts to run but is felled by a
        paralyzing ray. The troopers inspect her inert body.

TROOPER: She'll be all right. Inform Lord Vader we have a prisoner.

INTERIOR: REBEL BLOCKADE RUNNER -- SUBHALLWAY.

        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 astro-robot works his way into the
        cramped four-man pod.

THREEPIO: Hey, you're not permitted in there. It's restricted. You'll
be deactivated for sure..

           Artoo beeps something to him.

THREEPIO: Don't call me a mindless philosopher, you overweight glob of
grease! Now come out before somebody sees you.

           Artoo whistles something at his reluctant friend regarding
        the mission he is about to perform.

THREEPIO: Secret mission? What plans? What are you talking about? I'm
not getting in there!

           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 subhallway. Flames lick at Threepio and,
        after a flurry of electronic swearing from Artoo, the lanky
        robot jumps into the lifepod.

THREEPIO: I'm going to regret this.

INTERIOR: IMPERIAL STARDESTROYER.

        On the main viewscreen, the lifepod carrying the two terrified
        robots speeds away from the stricken Rebel spacecraft.

CHIEF PILOT: There goes another one.

CAPTAIN: Hold your fire. There are no life forms. It must have been
short-circuited.

INTERIOR: LIFEPOD.

        Artoo and Threepio look out at the receding Imperial starship.
        Stars circle as the pod rotates through the galaxy.

THREEPIO: That's funny, the damage doesn't look as bad from out here.

        Artoo beeps an assuring response.

THREEPIO: Are you sure this things safe?

EXTERIOR: TATOOINE -- ANCHORHEAD SETTLEMENT -- POWER STATION -- DAY.

        Heat waves radiate from the dozen or so bleached 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: I've told you kids to slow down!

INTERIOR: POWER STATION -- DAY.

        Luke bursts into the power station, waking The Fixer, a rugged
        mechanic and Camie, a sexy, disheveled girl who has been
        asleep in his lap. They grumbled as he races through the
        office, yelling wildly.

FIXER: Did I hear a young noise blast through here?

CAMIE: It was just wormie on another rampage.

           Luke bounces into a small room behind the office where Deak
        and Windy, two tough boys about the same age as Luke, are
        playing a computer pool-like game with Biggs, a burly,
        handsome boy a few years older than the rest. His flashy city
        attire is a sharp contrast to the loose-fitting tunics of the
        farm boys. A robot repairs some equipment in the background.

LUKE: Shape it up you guys!.... Biggs?

           Luke's surprise at the appearance of Biggs gives way to
        great joy and emotion. They give each other a great bear hug.

LUKE: I didn't know you were back! When did you get in?

BIGGS: Just now. I wanted to surprise you, hot shot. I thought you'd be
here...certainly didn't expect you to be out working. (he laughs.)

LUKE: The Academy didn't change you much...but you're back so soon?
Hey, what happened, didn't you get your commission?

           Biggs has an air of cool that seems slightly phony.

BIGGS: Of course I got it. Signed aboard The Rand Ecliptic last week.
First mate Biggs Darklighter at your service...(he salutes)...I just
came to say good-bye to all you unfortunate landlocked simpletons.

           Everyone laughs. The dazzling spectacle of his dashing
        friend is almost too much for Luke, but suddenly he snaps out
        of it.

LUKE: I almost forgot. There's a battle going on! Right here in our
system. Come and look!

DEAK: Not again! Forget it.

EXTERIOR: TATOOINE -- ANCHORHEAD -- SETTLEMENT -- POWER STATION -- DAY.

        The group stumbles out into the stifling desert sun. Camie and
        The Fixer complain and are forced to shade their eyes. Luke
        has his binoculars out scanning the heavens.

LUKE: There they are!

           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: That's no battle, hot shot...they're just sitting there!
Probably a freighter-tanker refueling.

LUKE: But there was a lot of firing earlier...

           Camie grabs the binoculars away banging them against the
        building in the process. Luke grabs them.

LUKE: Hey, easy with those...

CAMIE: Don't worry about it, Wormie.

           The Fixer gives Luke a hard look and the young farm boy
        shrugs his shoulders in resignation.

FIXER: I keep telling you, the Rebellion is a long way from here. I
doubt if the Empire would even fight to keep this system. Believe me
Luke, this planet is a big hunk of nothing...

           Luke agrees, although it's obvious he isn't sure why. The
        group stumbles back into the power station, grumbling about
        Luke's ineptitude.

INTERIOR: REBEL BLOCKADE RUNNER -- HALLWAY

        Princess Leia is led down a low-ceilinged hallway by a squad
        of armored stormtroopers. Her hands are bound and she is
        brutally shoved when she is unable to keep up with the briskly
        marching troops. They stop in a smoky hallway as Darth Vader
        emerges from the shadows. The sinister Dark Lord stares hard
        at the frail young senator, but she doesn't move.

LEIA: Lord Vader, I should have known. Only you could be so bold. The
Imperial Senate will not sit for this, when they hear you've attacked
a diplomatic...

VADER: Don't play games with me, Your Highness. You weren't on any
mercy mission this time. You passed directly through a restricted
system. Several transmissions were beamed to this ship by Rebel spies.
I want to know what happened to the plans they sent you.

LEIA: I don't know what you're talking about. I'm a member of the
Imperial Senate on a diplomatic mission to Alderaan...

VADER: You're a part of the Rebel Alliance...and a traitor. Take her
away!

           Leia is marched away down the hallway and into the
        smoldering hole blasted in the side of the ship. An Imperial
        Commander turns to Vader.

COMMANDER: Holding her is dangerous. If word of this gets out, it
could generate sympathy for the Rebellion in the senate.

VADER: I have traced the Rebel spies to her. Now she is my only link
to find their secret base!

COMMANDER: She'll die before she tells you anything.

VADER: Leave that to me. Send a distress signal and then inform the
senate that all aboard were killed!

           Another Imperial Officer approaches Vader and the
        Commander. They stop and snap to attention.

SECOND OFFICER: Lord Vader, the battle station plans are not aboard
this ship! And no transmissions were made. An escape pod was
jettisoned during the fighting, but no life forms were aboard.

           Vader turns to the Commander.

VADER: She must have hidden the plans in the escape pod. Send a
detachment down to retrieve them. See to it personally, Commander.
There'll be no one to stop us this time.

COMMANDER: Yes, sir.

EXTERIOR: SPACE.

        The Imperial Stardestroyer comes over the surface of the
        planet Tatooine.

EXTERIOR: TATOOINE -- DESERT.

        Jundland, or "No Man's Land", where the rugged desert mesas
        meet the foreboding dune sea. The two helpless astro-droids
        kick up clouds of sand as they leave the lifepod and clumsily
        work their way across the desert wasteland. The lifepod in the
        distance rests half buried in the sand.

THREEPIO: How did I get into this mess? I really don't know how. We
seem to be made to suffer. It's our lot in life.

           Artoo answers with beeping sounds.

THREEPIO: I've got to rest before I fall apart. My joints are almost
frozen. 

           Artoo continues to respond with beeping sounds.

THREEPIO: What a desolate place this is.

           Suddenly Artoo whistles, makes a sharp right turn and
        starts off in the direction of the rocky desert mesas. Threepio
        stops and yells at him.

THREEPIO: Where are you going?

           A stream of electronic noises pours forth from the small
        robot.

THREEPIO: Well, I'm not going that way. It's much too rocky. This way
is much easier.

           Artoo counters with a long whistle.

THREEPIO: What makes you think there are settlements over there?

           Artoo continues to make beeping sounds.

THREEPIO: Don't get technical with me.

           Artoo continues to make beeping sounds.

THREEPIO: What mission? What are you talking about? I've had just
about enough of you! Go that way! You'll be malfunctioning within a
day, you nearsighted scrap pile!

           Threepio gives the little robot a kick and starts off in
        the direction of the vast dune sea.

THREEPIO: And don't let me catch you following me begging for help,
because you won't get it.

           Artoo's reply is a rather rude sound. He turns and trudges
        off in the direction of the towering mesas.

THREEPIO: No more adventures. I'm not going that way.

           Artoo beeps to himself as he makes his way toward the
        distant mountains.

EXTERIOR: TATOOINE -- DUNE SEA.

        Threepio, hot and tired, struggles up over the ridge of a dune;
        only to find more dunes, which seem to go on for endless
        miles.  He looks back in the direction of the now distant rock
        mesas. 

THREEPIO: That malfunctioning little twerp. This is all his fault! He
tricked me into going this way, but he'll do no better.

           In a huff of anger and frustration, Threepio knocks the
        sand from his joints. His plight seems hopeless, when a glint
        of reflected light in the distance reveals an object moving
        towards him.

THREEPIO: Wait, what's that? A transport! I'm saved!

           The bronze android waves frantically and yells at the
        approaching transport.

THREEPIO: Over here! Help! Please, help!

EXTERIOR: TATOOINE -- ANCHORHEAD SETTLEMENT -- POWER STATION -- DAY.

        Luke and Biggs are walking and drinking a malt brew. Fixer and
        the others can be heard working inside.

LUKE: (Very animated)...so I cut off my power, shut down the
afterburners and came in low on Deak's trail. I was so close I thought
I was going to fry my instruments. As it was I busted up the Skyhopper
pretty bad. Uncle Owen was pretty upset. He grounded me for the rest
of the season. You should have been there...it was fantastic.

BIGGS: You ought to take it easy Luke. You may be the hottest
bushpilot this side of Mos Eisley, but those little Skyhoppers are
dangerous. Keep it up, and one day, whammo, you're going to be nothing
more than a dark spot on the down side of a canyon wall.

LUKE: Look who's talking. Now that you've been around those giant
starships you're beginning to sound like my uncle. You've gotten soft
in the city...

BIGGS: I've missed you kid.

LUKE: Well, things haven't been the same since you left, Biggs. It's
been so...quiet.

           Biggs looks around then leans close to Luke.

BIGGS: Luke, I didn't come back just to say good-bye...I shouldn't
tell you this, but you're the only one I can trust...and if I don't
come back, I want somebody to know.

           Luke's eyes are wide with Biggs' seriousness and loyalty.

LUKE: What are you talking about?

BIGGS: I made some friends at the Academy. (he whispers)...when our
frigate goes to one of the central systems, we're going to jump ship
and join the Alliance...

           Luke, amazed and stunned, is almost speechless.

LUKE: Join the Rebellion?! Are you kidding! How?

BIGGS: Quiet down will ya! You got a mouth bigger than a meteor
crater!

LUKE: I'm sorry. I'm quiet. (he whispers) Listen how quiet I am. You
can barely hear me...

           Biggs shakes his head angrily and then continues.

BIGGS: My friend has a friend on Bestine who might help us make
contact.

LUKE: Your crazy! You could wander around forever trying to find them.

BIGGS: I know it's a long shot, but if I don't find them I'll do what
I can on my own...It's what we always talked about. Luke, I'm not
going to wait for the Empire to draft me into service. The Rebellion
is spreading and I want to be on the right side -- the side I believe
in. 

LUKE: And I'm stuck here...

BIGGS: I thought you were going to the Academy next term. You'll get
your chance to get off this rock.

LUKE: Not likely! I had to cancel my application. There has been a lot
of unrest among the Sandpeople since you left...they've even raided
the outskirts of Anchorhead.

BIGGS: Your uncle could hold off a whole colony of Sandpeople with one
blaster.

LUKE: I know, but he's got enough vaporators going to make the place
pay off. He needs me for just one more season. I can't leave him now.

BIGGS: I feel for you, Luke, you're going to have to learn what seems
to be important or what really is important. What good is all your
uncle's work if it's taken over by the Empire?...You know they're
starting to nationalize commerce in the central systems...it won't be
long before your uncle is merely a tenant, slaving for the greater
glory of the Empire.

LUKE: It couldn't happen here. You said it yourself. The Empire won't
bother with this rock.

BIGGS: Things always change.

LUKE: I wish I was going...Are you going to be around long? 

BIGGS: No, I'm leaving in the morning...

LUKE: Then I guess I won't see you.

BIGGS: Maybe someday...I'll keep a lookout.

LUKE: Well, I'll be at the Academy next season...after that who knows.
I won't be drafted into the Imperial Starfleet that's for sure...Take
care of yourself, you'll always be the best friend I've got.

BIGGS: So long, Luke.

           Biggs turns away from his old friend and heads towards the
        power station.

EXTERIOR: TATOOINE -- ROCK CANYON -- SUNSET.

        The gargantuan rock formations are shrouded in a strange
        foreboding mist and the onimous 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 pepple 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 Jawas, 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 only their glowing eyes can be
        seen. They hiss and make odd guttural sounds as they heave the
        heavy robot onto their shoulders and carry him off down the
        trail. 

EXTERIOR: TATOOINE -- ROCK CANYON -- SANDCRAWLER -- SUNSET.

        The eight Jawas carry Artoo out of the canyon to a huge
        tank-like vehicle the size of a four-story house. They weld a
        small disk on the side of Artoo and then put him under a large
        tube on the side of the vehicle and the little robot is sucked
        into the giant machine.
           The filthy little Jawas scurry like rats up small ladders
        and enter the main cabin of the behemoth transport.

INTERIOR: SANDCRAWLER -- HOLD AREA.

        It is dim inside the hold area of the Sandcrawler. 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.

INTERIOR: SANDCRAWLER -- PRISON AREA.

        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: Artoo-Detoo! It's you! It's you!

           A battered Threepio scrambles up to Artoo and embraces him.

EXTERIOR: TATOOINE -- ROCK CANYON -- SANDCRAWLER -- SUNSET.

        The enormous Sandcrawler lumbers off toward the magnificent
        twin suns, which are slowly setting over a distant mountain
        ridge.

EXTERIOR: TATOOINE -- DESERT -- DAY.

        Four Imperial stormtroopers mill about in front of the half-
        buried lifepod that brought Artoo and Threepio to Tatooine. A
        trooper yells to an officer some distance away.

FIRST TROOPER: Someone was in the pod. The tracks go off in this
direction. 

           A second trooper picks a small bit of metal out of the sand
        and gives it to the first trooper.

SECOND TROOPER: Look, sir -- droids.

EXTERIOR: TATOOINE -- DUNES.

        The Sandcrawler moves slowly down a great sand dune.

INTERIOR: SANDCRAWLER.

        Threepio and Artoo noisily bounce along inside the cramped
        prison chamber. Artoo appears to be shut off.

THREEPIO: Wake up! Wake up!

           Suddenly the shaking and bouncing of the Sandcrawler stops,
        creating quite a commotion among the mechanical men.
        Threepio's fist bangs the head of Artoo whose computer lights
        pop on as he begins beeping. 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.

THREEPIO: We're doomed.

           A Jawa starts moving toward them.

THREEPIO: Do you think they'll melt us down?

           Artoo responds, making beeping sounds.

THREEPIO: Don't shoot! Don't shoot! Will this never end?

EXTERIOR: TATOOINE -- DESERT -- LARS HOMESTEAD -- AFTERNOON.

        The Jawas mutter gibberish as they busily line up their
        battered captives, including Artoo and Threepio, in front of
        the enormous Sandcrawler, which is parked beside a small
        homestead consisting of three large holes in the ground
        surrounded by several tall moisture vaporators and one small
        adobe block house.
           The Jawas scurry around fussing over the robots,
        straightening them up or brushing some dust from a dented
        metallic elbow. The shrouded little creatures smell horribly,
        attracting small insects to the dark areas when their mouths
        and nostrils should be.
           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 farmer carefully
        inspects each robot, he is closely followed by his slump-
        shouldered nephew, Luke Skywalker. One of the vile little
        Jawas walks ahead of the farmer spouting an animated sales
        pitch in a queer, unintelligible language.
           A voice calls out from one of the huge holes that form the
        homestead. Luke goes over to the edge and sees his Aunt Beru
        standing in the main courtyard.

BERU: Luke, tell Owen that if he gets a translator to be sure it
speaks Bocce.

LUKE: It looks like we don't have much of a choice but I'll remind
him.

           Luke returns to his uncle as they look over the equipment
        for sale with the Jawa leader.

OWEN: I have no need for a protocol droid.

THREEPIO: (quickly) Sir -- not in an environment such as this --
that's why I've also been programmed for over thirty secondary
functions that...

OWEN: What I really need is a droid that understands the binary
language of moisture vaporators.

THREEPIO: Vaporators! Sir -- My first job was programming binary load
lifter...very similar to your vaporators. You could say...

OWEN: Do you speak Bocce?

THREEPIO: Of course I can, sir. It's like a second language for
me...I'm as fluent in Bocce...

OWEN: All right shut up! (turning to Jawa) I'll take this one.

THREEPIO: Shutting up, sir.

OWEN: Luke, take these two over to the garage, will you? I want you to
have both of them cleaned up before dinner.

LUKE: But I was going into Toshi Station to pick up some power
converters...

OWEN: You can waste time with your friends when your chores are done.
Now come on, get to it!

LUKE: All right, come on! And the red one, come on. Well, come on,
Red, let's go.

           As the Jawas start to lead the three remaining robots
        back into the Sandcrawler, Artoo lets out a pathetic little
        beep and starts after his old friend Threepio. He is
        restrained by a slimy Jawa, who zaps him with a control box.

           Owen is negotiating with the head Jawa. Luke and the two
        robots start off for the garage when a plate pops off the head
        of the red astro-droid's head plate and it sparks wildly.

LUKE: Uncle Owen...

OWEN: Yeah?

LUKE: This R2 unit has a bad motivator. Look!

OWEN: (to the head Jawa) Hey, what're you trying to push on us?

           The Jawa goes into a loud spiel. Meanwhile, Artoo has
        sneaked out of line and is moving up and down trying to
        attract attention. He lets out with a low whistle. Threepio
        taps Luke on the shoulder.

THREEPIO: (pointing to Artoo) Excuse me, sir, but that R2 unit is in
prime condition. A real bargain.

LUKE: Uncle Owen...

OWEN: Yeah?

LUKE: What about that one?

OWEN: (to Jawa) What about that blue one? We'll take that one.

           With a little reluctance the scruffy dwarf trades the
        damaged astro-droid for Artoo.

LUKE: Yeah, take it away.

THREEPIO: Uh, I'm quite sure you'll be very pleased with that one,
sir. He really is in first-class condition. I've worked with him
before. Here he comes.

           Owen pays off the whining Jawa as Luke and the two robots
        trudge off toward a grimy homestead entry.

LUKE: Okay, let's go.

THREEPIO: (to Artoo) Now, don't you forget this! Why I should stick my
neck out for you is quite beyond my capacity!

INTERIOR: LARS HOMESTEAD -- GARAGE AREA -- LATE AFTERNOON.

        The garage is cluttered and worn, but a friendly peaceful
        atmosphere permeates the low grey chamber. 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 to his face.

THREEPIO: Thank the maker! This oil bath is going to feel so good.
I've got such a bad case of dust contamination, I can barely move!

           Artoo beeps a muffled reply. Luke seems to be lost in
        thought as he runs his hand over the damaged fin of a small
        two-man Skyhopper spaceship resting in a low hangar off the
        garage. Finally Luke's frustrations get the better of him and
        he slams a wrench across the workbench.

LUKE: It just isn't fair. Oh, Biggs is right. I'm never gonna get out
of here!

THREEPIO: Is there anything I might do to help? 

           Luke glances at the battered robot. A bit of his anger
        drains and a tiny smile creeps across his face.

LUKE: Well, not unless you can alter time, speed up the harvest, or
teleport me off this rock!

THREEPIO: I don't think so, sir. I'm only a droid and not very
knowledgeable about such things. Not on this planet, anyways. As a
matter of fact, I'm not even sure which planet I'm on.

LUKE: Well, if there's a bright center to the universe, you're on the
planet that it's farthest from.

THREEPIO: I see, sir.

LUKE: Uh, you can call me Luke.

THREEPIO: I see, sir Luke.

LUKE: (laughing) Just Luke.

THREEPIO: And I am See-Threepio, human-cyborg relations, and this is
my counterpart, Artoo-Detoo.

LUKE: Hello.

           Artoo beeps in response. Luke unplugs Artoo and begins to
        scrape several connectors on the robot's head with a chrome
        pick. Threepio climbs out of the oil tub and begins wiping oil
        from his bronze body.

LUKE: You got a lot of carbon scoring here. It looks like you boys
have seen a lot of action.

THREEPIO: With all we've been through, sometimes I'm amazed we're in
as good condition as we are, what with the Rebellion and all.

LUKE: You know of the Rebellion against the Empire?

THREEPIO: That's how we came to be in your service, if you take my
meaning, sir.

LUKE: Have you been in many battles?

THREEPIO: Several, I think. Actually, there's not much to tell. I'm
not much more than an interpreter, and not very good at telling
stories. Well, not at making them interesting, anyways.

           Luke struggles to remove a small metal fragment from Artoo's
        neck joint. He uses a larger pick.

LUKE: Well, my little friend, you've got something jammed in here real
good. Were you on a cruiser or...

           The fragment breaks loose with a snap, sending Luke
        tumbling head over heels. He sits up and sees a twelve-inch
        three-dimensional hologram of Leia Organa, the Rebel senator,
        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: Help me, Obi-Wan Kenobi. You're my only hope.

LUKE: What's this?

           Artoo looks around and sheepishly beeps an answer for
        Threepio to translate. Leia continues to repeat the sentence
        fragment over and over.

THREEPIO: What is what?!? He asked you a question...(pointing to Leia)
What is that?

           Artoo whistles his surprise as he pretends to just notice
        the hologram. He looks around and sheepishly beeps an answer
        for Threepio to translate. Leia continues to repeat the
        sentence fragment over and over.

LEIA: Help me, Obi-Wan Kenobi. You're my only hope. Help me, Obi-Wan
Kenobi. You're my only hope.

THREEPIO: Oh, he says it's nothing, sir. Merely a malfunction. Old
data. Pay it no mind.

           Luke becomes intrigued by the beautiful girl.

LUKE: Who is she? She's beautiful.

THREEPIO: I'm afraid I'm not quite sure, sir.

LEIA: Help me, Obi-Wan Kenobi...

THREEPIO: I think she was a passenger on our last voyage. A person of
some importance, sir -- I believe. Our captain was attached to...

LUKE: Is there more to this recording?

           Luke reaches out for Artoo but he lets out several frantic
        squeaks and a whistle.

THREEPIO: Behave yourself, Artoo. You're going to get us in trouble.
It's all right, you can trust him. He's our new master.

           Artoo whistles and beeps a long message to Threepio.

THREEPIO: He says he's the property of Obi-Wan Kenobi, a resident of
these parts. And it's a private message for him. Quite frankly, sir I
don't know what he's talking about. Our last master was Captain
Antilles, but with what we've been through, this little R2 unit has
become a bit eccentric.

LUKE: Obi-Wan Kenobi? I wonder if he means old Ben Kenobi?

THREEPIO: I beg your pardon, sir, but do you know what he's talking
about?

LUKE: Well, I don't know anyone named Obi-Wan, but old Ben lives out
beyond the dune sea. He's kind of a strange old hermit.

           Luke's gazes at the beautiful young princess for a few
        moments. 

LUKE: I wonder who she is. It sounds like she's in trouble. I'd better
play back the whole thing.

           Artoo beeps something to Threepio.

THREEPIO: He says the restraining bolt has short circuited his
recording system. He suggests that if you remove the bolt, he might be
able to play back the entire recording.

           Luke looks longingly at the lovely, little princess and
        hasn't really heard what Threepio has been saying.
-- 
                        Scott Streeter
                        ss@wpi.wpi.edu