Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back Page #18

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LANDO:

That's always been a danger looming

like a shadow over everything we've

built here. But things have

developed that will insure security.

I've just made a deal that will

keep the Empire out of here forever.

INT. CLOUD CITY - DINING ROOM

The mighty doors to the dining room slide open and the group enters the

dining room. At the far end of a huge banquet table sits Darth Vader.

Standing at his side and slightly behind him is Boba Fett, the bounty

hunter.

Faster than the wink of an eye, Han draws his blaster and pops off a

couple of shots directly at Vader. The Dark Lord quickly raises his

hand, deflecting the bolts into one of the side walls, where they

explode harmlessly. Just as quickly, Han's weapon zips into Vader's

hand. The evil presence calmly places the gun on the table in front of

him.

VADER:

We would be honored if you would

join us.

Han gives Lando a mean look.

LANDO:

I had no choice. They arrived

right before you did. I'm sorry.

HAN:

I'm sorry, too.

EXT. LUKE'S X-WING - BESPIN SYSTEM

Luke's X-wing races through thick clouds toward Cloud City.

INT. LUKE'S X-WING - COCKPIT

Luke is grim-faced as he pilots his course toward Bespin's shining

city. Artoo's beeps and whistles are transmitted onto the scope.

LUKE:

(into comlink)

No, Threepio's with them.

Artoo whistles another worried inquiry.

LUKE:

(into comlink)

Just hang on. We're almost there.

INT. CLOUD CITY - LARGE CELL

Chewbacca is in a Cloud City prison cell. The stark room is flooded

with hot light. To add to Chewie's misery, a high-pitched whistle

screeches loudly. Chewie is going mad. He hits the wall with giant

fists as he paces back and forth across the cell floor. The upper

lights go off abruptly. The prisoner rubs his eyes and moves to a

wall, where he listens for a moment. Then, moaning to himself, he

moves to a platform where the disassembled pieces of Threepio lie. He

picks up the golden droid's head and meditates on it for a moment,

barking a few philosophical remarks. Chewie sticks the robot's head on

its torso and starts adjusting wires and circuits.

Suddenly, the lights in Threepio's eyes spark to life as Chewie touches

two connectors together. Threepio immediately begins to speak, but his

voice is so slow and so low as to be nearly unintelligible.

THREEPIO:

Mmmm. Oh, my. Uh, I, uh - Take

this off! I, uh, don't mean to

intrude here. I, don't, no, no,

no... Please don't get up. No!

Chewie looks at Threepio in bewilderment, then scratches his furry

head. He gets an idea and adjusts some connections, whereupon Threepio

immediately begins speaking normally.

THREEPIO:

Stormtroopers? Here? We're in

danger. I must tell the others.

Oh, no! I've been shot!

INT. CLOUD CITY - PRISON ENTRY AREA

Darth Vader strides through the room as two stormtroopers prepare an

elaborate torture mechanism. Han is strapped to a rack which tilts

forward onto the torture device. Vader activates the mechanism,

creating two bursts of sparks, one of which strikes Han's face.

The door opens, and Vader leaves the torture room just as Han screams a

sharp, piercing cry of agony. Darth Vader moves to the holding

chamber, where Lando and Boba Fett await him.

INT. CLOUD CITY - HOLDING CHAMBER

LANDO:

Lord Vader.

VADER:

(to Fett)

You may take Captain Solo to

Jabba the Hut after I have

Skywalker.

Han's screams filter through the torture room door.

BOBA FETT:

He's no good to me dead.

VADER:

He will not be permanently damaged.

LANDO:

Lord Vader, what about Leia and

the Wookiee?

VADER:

They must never again leave this

city.

LANDO:

That was never a condition of our

agreement, nor was giving Han to

this bounty hunter!

VADER:

Perhaps you think you're being

treated unfairly.

LANDO:

No.

VADER:

Good. It would be unfortunate if

I had to leave a garrison here.

Vader turns and sweeps into the elevator with Boba Fett. Lando walks

swiftly down another corridor, muttering to himself.

LANDO:

This deal's getting worse all

the time.

INT. CLOUD CITY - LARGE CELL

Chewie now has a little more of Threepio back together. One arm is

connected, but the legs are yet to be attached. There is one small

problem, however. It seems the Wookiee has managed to put the droid's

head on backwards.

THREEPIO:

Oh, yes, that's very good. I like

that. Oh! Something's not right

because now I can't see. Wait.

Wait! Oh, my! what have you done?

I'm backwards, you stupid furball.

Only an overgrown mophead like you

would be stupid enough...

Threepio is cut off in mid-sentence as Chewie angrily deactivates a

circuit and the droid shuts down. The Wookiee smells something and

sits up. The door to the chamber slides open and a ragged Han Solo is

shoved into the room by two stormtroopers. Barking his concern, the

huge Wookiee gives Han a big hug. Han is very pale, with dark circles

under his eyes.

HAN:

I feel terrible.

Chewie helps Han to a platform and then turns as the door slides open

revealing Leia. She, too, looks a little worse for wear. The troopers

push her into the cell, and the door slides closed. She moves to Han,

who is lying on the platform, and kneels next to him, gently stroking

his head.

LEIA:

Why are they doing this?

HAN:

They never even asked me any

questions.

The cell door slides open. Lando and two of his guards enter.

LEIA:

Lando.

HAN:

Get out of here, Lando!

LANDO:

Shut up and listen! Vader has

agreed to turn Leia and Chewie

over to me.

HAN:

Over to you?

LANDO:

They'll have to stay here, but at

least they'll be safe.

LEIA:

What about Han?

LANDO:

Vader's giving him to the bounty

hunter.

LEIA:

Vader wants us all dead.

LANDO:

He doesn't want you at all. He's

after somebody called Skywalker.

HAN:

Luke?

LANDO:

Lord Vader has set a trap for him.

Leia's mind is racing.

LEIA:

And we're the bait.

LANDO:

Well, he's on his way.

Han's rage peaks.

HAN:

Perfect. You fixed us all pretty

good, didn't you?

(spits it out)

My friend!

Han hauls off and punches Lando. The two friends are instantly engaged

in a frantic close-quarters fight. The guards hit Han with their rifle

butts and he flies across the room. Chewie growls and starts for the

guards. They point their laser weapons at the giant Wookiee, but Lando

stops them.

LANDO:

Stop! I've done all I can. I'm

sorry I couldn't do better, but

I have my own problems.

HAN:

Yeah, you're a real hero.

Lando and the guards leave. Han wipes the blood from his chin as Leia

and Chewie help him up.

LEIA:

(dabs at his wound)

You certainly have a way with

people.

INT. CLOUD CITY - CARBON-FREEZING CHAMBER

Four armor-suited stormtroopers stand at the ready in the large

chamber, which is filled with pipes and chemical tanks. In the middle

of the room is a round pit housing a hydraulic platform. Darth Vader

and Lando stand near the platform.

VADER:

This facility is crude, but it

should be adequate to freeze

Skywalker for his journey to the

Emperor.

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