Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope Page #12

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EXT. TATOOINE - ROCK CANYON - FLOOR - DAY

Artoo forces himself into the shadows of a small alcove in

the rocks as the vicious Sandpeople walk past carrying the

inert Luke Skywalker, who is dropped in a heap before the

speeder. The Sandpeople ransack the speeder, throwing parts

and supplies in all directions. Suddenly they stop. Then

everything is quiet for a few moments. A great howling moan

is heard echoing throughout the canyon which sends the

Sandpeople fleeing in terror.

Artoo moves even tighter into the shadows as the slight

swishing sound that frightened off the Sandpeople grows even

closer, until a shabby old desert-rat-of-a-man appears and

leans over Luke. 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 the unconscious farm boy. Artoo makes a

slight sound and Ben turns and looks right at him.

BEN:

Hello there! Come here my little

friend. Don't be afraid.

Artoo waddles over to were Luke lies crumpled in a heap and

begins to whistle and beep his concern. Ben puts his hand on

Luke's forehead and he begins to come around.

BEN:

Don't worry, he'll be all right.

LUKE:

What happened?

BEN:

Rest easy, son, you've had a busy

day. You're fortunate you're still

in one piece.

LUKE:

Ben? Ben Kenobi! Boy, am I glad to

see you!

BEN:

The Jundland wastes are not to be

traveled lightly. Tell me young Luke,

what brings you out this far?

LUKE:

Oh, this little droid! I think he's

searching for his former master...

I've never seen such devotion in a

droid before... there seems to be no

stopping him. He claims to be the

property of an Obi-Wan Kenobi. Is he

a relative of yours? Do you know who

he's talking about?

Ben ponders this for a moment, scratching his scruffy beard.

BEN:

Obi-Wan Kenobi... Obi-Wan? Now thats

a name I haven't heard in a long

time... a long time.

LUKE:

I think my uncle knew him. He said

he was dead.

BEN:

Oh, he's not dead, not... not yet.

LUKE:

You know him!

BEN:

Well of course, of course I know

him. He's me! I haven't gone by the

name Obi-Wan since oh, before you

were born.

LUKE:

Then the droid does belong to you.

BEN:

Don't seem to remember ever owning a

droid. Very interesting...

He suddenly looks up at the overhanging cliffs.

BEN:

I think we better get indoors. The

Sandpeople are easily startled but

they will soon be back and in greater

numbers.

Luke sits up and rubs his head. Artoo lets out a pathetic

beep causing Luke to remember something. He looks around.

LUKE:

Threepio!

EXT. TATOOINE - SAND PIT - ROCK MESA - DAY

Little Artoo stands at the edge of a large sand pit and begins

to chatter away in electronic whistles and beeps. Luke and

Ben stand over a very dented and tangled Threepio lying half

buried in the sand. One of his arms has broken off.

Luke tries to revive the inert robot by shaking him and then

flips a hidden switch on his back several times until finally

the mechanical man's systems turn on.

THREEPIO:

Where am I? I must have taken a bad

step...

LUKE:

Can you stand? We've got to get out

of here before the Sandpeople return.

THREEPIO:

I don't think I can make it. You go

on, Master Luke. There's no sense in

you risking yourself on my account.

I'm done for.

Artoo makes a beeping sound.

LUKE:

No, you're not. What kind of talk is

that?

Luke and Ben help the battered robot to his feet. Little

Artoo watches from the top of the pit. Ben glances around

suspiciously. Sensing something, he stands up and sniffs the

air.

BEN:

Quickly, son... they're on the move.

INT. KENOBI'S DWELLING

The small, spartan hovel is cluttered with desert junk but

still manages to radiate an air of time-worn comfort and

security. Luke is in one corner repairing Threepio's arm, as

old Ben sits thinking.

LUKE:

No, my father didn't fight in the

wars. He was a navigator on a spice

freighter.

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