Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace Page #17

VALORUM confers with several of his AIDES and VICE CHAIRMAN MAS AMEDDA.

PALPATINE whispers something to the QUEEN.

PALPATINE :
Enter the bureaucrats, the true rulers of the Republic, and on

the payroll of the Trade Federation, I might add. This is where Chancellor

Valorum's strength will dissapear.

VALORUM :
The point is conceded...Section 523A take precedence here. Queen

Amidala of the Naboo, will you defer your motion to allow a commission to

explore the validity of your accusations?

QUEEN AMIDALA is angry but remains composed.

AMIDALA :
(angrily) I will not defer...I have come before you to resolve

this attack on our sovereignty now. I was not elected to watch my people

suffer and die while you discuss this invasion in a committee. If this body

is not capable of action, I suggest new leadership is needed. I move for a

"vote of no confidence"...in Chancellor Valorum's leadership.

VALORUM :
What?...No!

This causes a great stir in the assembly. A loud mumur cresendos into a

roar of approval and jeers. CHANCELLOR VALORUM is stunned and stands

speechless. His Vice Chair, MAS AMEDDA, takes over.

MAS AMEDDA :
Order! We shall have order...

Things settledown a little. The Federation box settles next to AMIDALA.

PRINCE BAIL ORGANA moves his box into the arena.

BAIL ORGANA :
Alderaan seconds the motion for a vote of no confidence in

Chancellor Valorum.

MAD AMEDDA :
The motion has been seconded by Bail Organa of Alderaan.

MAS AMEDDA turns to the confused VALORUM, and whispers something to him.

BAIL ORGANA :
There must be no delays. The motion is on the floor and must

be voted upon in this session.

LOTT DOD :
The Trade Federation moves the motion be sent to the procedures

committee for study.

The assembly begins to chant. VALORUM talks to MAS AMEDDA.

ASSEMBLY :
Vote now! Vote now! Vote now!

PALPATINE stands next to AMIDALA.

PALPATINE :
You see, Your Majaesty, the tide is with us...Valorum will be

voted out, I assure you, and they will elect in a new Chancellor, a strong

Chancellor, one who will not let our tragedy continue...

MAS AMEDDA :
Thew Supreme Chancellor requests a recess. Tomorrow we will

begin the vote.

The Federation delegation is furious. VALORUM turns to PALPATINE.

VALORUM :
Palpatine, I thought you were my ally...my friend. You have

betrayed me! How could you do this?

EXT. PALACE OF THE JEDI - BALCONY - SUNSET

OBI-WAN and QUI-GON stand outside the palace on a balcony.

OBI-WAN :
The boy will not pass the Council's tests, Master, and you know

it. He is far too old.

QUI-GON :
Anakin will become A Jedi...I promise you.

OBI-WAN :
Don't defy the Council, Master..not again.

QUI-GON :
I will do what I must.

OBI-WAN :
Master, you could be sitting on the Council by now if you would

just follow the code. They will not go along with you this time.

QUI-GON :
You still have much to learn, my young apprentice.

INT. PALACE OF THE JEDI - COUNCIL CHAMBERS - SUNSET

ANAKIN stands before the TWELVE JEDI. MACE WINDU holds a small hand-held

viewing screen. In rapid succession, images flash across the screen.

ANAKIN :
A ship...a cup...a speeder.

MACE WINDU turns the viewing screen off and nods toward YODA.

YODA :
Good, good, young one. How feel you?

ANAKIN :
Cold, sir.

YODA :
Afraid are you?

ANAKIN :
No, sir.

MACE WINDU :
Afraid to give up your life?

ANAKIN :
I don't think so.

ANAKIN hesitates for a moment.

YODA :
See through you, we can.

MACE WINDU :
Be mindful of your feelings...

KI-ADI :
YOur thoughts dwell on your mother.

ANAKIN :
I miss her.

YODA :
Afraid to lose her..I think.

ANAKIN :
(a little angry) What's that got to do with anything?

YODA :
Eveything. Fear is the path to the dark side... fear leads to

anger... anger leads to hate.. hate leads to suffering.

ANAKIN :
(angrily) I am not afraid!

YODA :
A Jedi must have the deepest commitment, the most serious mind. I

sense much fear in you.

ANAKIN :
(quietly) I am not afraid.

YODA :
Then continue, we will.

INT. PALPATINES QUARTERS - SUNSET

QUEEN AMIDALA is standing, staring out the window, with JAR JAR. The lights

of the city shimmer before them. EIRTAE and SABE stand near the door. JAR

JAR turns to face the QUEEN and sees her sadness.

JAR JAR :
Mesa wonder why da guds invent pain?

AMIDALA :
To motivate us, I imagine...

JAR JAR :
Yousa tinken yousa people ganna die?

AMIDALA :
I don't know.

JAR JAR :
Gungans ganna get pasted too, eh?

AMIDALA :
I hope not.

JAR JAR :
Gungans do die'n without a fight.... wesa warriors. Wesa gotta

grand army. Dat why you no liken us, metinks.

PALPATINE and CAPTAIN PANAKA rush into the rom and bow before the QUEEN.

CAPT. PANAKA :
Your Highness, Senator Palpatine has been nominated to

succeed Valorum as Supreme Chancellor.

PALPATINE :
A surprise, to be sure, but a welcome one. I promise, Your

Majesty, if I am elected, I will bring democracy back to the Republic. I

will put an end to corruption. The Trade Fedreation will lose its influence

over the bureaucrats, and our people will be freed.

AMIDALA :
Who else can be nominated?

CAPT. PANAKA :
Bail Antilles of Alderaan and Ainlee Teem of Malastare.

PALPATINE :
I feel confident...our "situation" will create a strong

sympaphy vote for us... I will be Chancellor, I promise you.

AMIDALA :
I fear by the time you have control of the bureaucrats, Senator,

there will be nothing left of our cities, our people, our way of life...

PALPATINE :
I understand your concern, Your Majesty; unfortunately, the

Federation has possession of our planet. The law is in their favor.

AMIDALA :
With the Senate in transition, there is nothing more I can do

here...Senator, this is your arena. I feel I must return to mine. I have

decided to go back to Naboo. My place is with my people.

PALPATINE :
Go back!! But, Your Majesty, be realistic! You would be in

danger. They will force you to sign the treaty.

AMIDALA :
I will sign no treaty, Senator. My fate will be no different from

that of our people. Captain!

CAPT. PANAKA :
Yes, Your Highness?

AMIDALA :
Ready my ship!

CAPT. PANAKA :
Please, Your Majesty, stay here...where it's safe.

AMIDALA :
No place is safe, if the Senate doesn't condemn this invasion. It

is clear to me now that the Republic no longer functions as a democracy. If

you win the election, Senator, I know you will do everything possible to

stop the Federation. I pray you will bring sanity and compassion back to

the Senate.

AMIDALA and her RETINUE exit the room. PALPATINE has a self-satisfied smile

on his face.

INT. TEMPLE OF THE JEDI - COUNCIL CHAMBERS - TWILIGHT

ANAKIN, OBI-WAN, and QUI-GON stand before the TWELVE MEMBERS OF THE JEDI

COUNCIL.

YODA :
...Correct you were, Qui-Gon.

MACE WINDU :
His cells contain a high concentration of midi-chlorians.

KI-ADI :
The Force is strong with him.

QUI-GON :
He's to be trained, then.

The COUNCIL MEMBERS look to one another.

MACE WINDU :
No. He will not be trained.

ANAKIN is crestfallen; tears begin to form in his eyes.

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