[Back to Scene 7]

[Palpatine and his men have reached the Boulders] Palpatine:Someone has beaten a Jedi Master. There will be great suffering in the Trade Federation if she dies.

[Scene: Along a hilltop] Sith Lord: Catch your breath.

Amidala: If you'll release me, whatever you ask for ransom, you'll get it, I promise you.

Sith Lord:[laughing] And what is that worth, the promise of a woman? You're very funny, Highness.

Amidala: I was giving you a chance. It does not matter where you take me. There is none more masterful with in politics than Senator Palpatine. He can negotiate with a Womp Rat to lead him through a sandstorm. He can find you-or get someone to do it for him.

Sith Lord: You think your dearest love will save you?

Amidala: I never said he was my dearest love, and yes, he will save me. That I know.

Sith Lord: You admit to me that you do not love your fiance.

Amidala: He knows I do not love him.

Sith Lord: Are not capable of love is what you mean. Amidala: I have loved more deeply than a killer like yourself could ever dream.

Sith Lord: [almost slaps her] That was a warning, Highness. The next time my hand flies on its own, for where I come from, there are penalties when a woman lies.

[Scene: At the Table. Palpatine sniffs at vial]

Palpatine:Iocane. I'd bet my life on it. And there are the Queen's footprints. She's alive, or was an hour ago. If she is otherwise when I find her, I shall be very put out.

[Scene: Grassy Hilltop, alongside a gully]

Sith Lord: Rest, Highness.

Amidala: I know who you are. Your cruelty reveals everything. You're the Sith Lord Vader, admit it!

Sith Lord: [the Sith Lord bows gracefully] With pride. What can I do for you?

Amidala: You can die slowly, cut into a thousand pieces.

Sith Lord: Tsk-tsk-tsk. Hardly complimentary, your Highness. Why loose your venom on me?

Amidala: You killed my love.

Sith Lord: It's possible. I kill a lot of people. Who was this love of yours? Another Senator like this one, ugly, rich, and scabby?

Amidala: No. A slave boy. Poor. Poor and perfect. With eyes like the clouds of Bespin. In deep space, your ship attacked. And the Sith Lord Vader never takes prisoners.

Sith Lord: I can't afford to make exceptions. I mean, once word leaks out that a Sith Lord has gone soft, people begin to disobey you and it's nothing but work, work, work all the time.

Amidala: You mock my pain!

Sith Lord: Life is pain, Highness. Anyone who says differently is selling something. [pause] I remember this slave boy of yours, I think. This would be what, five years ago? Does it bother you to hear?

Amidala: Nothing you can say will upset me.

Sith Lord: He died well. That should please you. No bribe attempts or blubbering. He simply said, "Please... please, I need to live." It was the "please" that caught my memory. I asked him what was so important for him here. "True Love", he replied. And then he spoke of a girl of surpassing beauty, wardrobe, and faithfulness. I can only assume he meant you. You should bless me for destroying him before he found out what you really are.

Amidala: And what am I?

Sith Lord: Faithfulness he talked of, madame, your enduring fathfulness. Now tell me truly, when you found out he was gone, did you get engaged to your Senator that same hour, or did you wait a whole week out of respect for the dead?

Amidala: You mocked me once. Never do it again! I died that day! [pause] And you can die too for all I care! [Amidala pushes the Sith Lord down the hill]

Sith Lord: [ rolling ] As... you... wish!!

Amidala: Oh my sweet Anakin, what have I done?
[Amidala jumps down the hill, rolling after him]

[Go to Scene 9]

[Go to the Index]

["You're the Sith Lord Vader, admit it!"]

[That was a warning, Highness...]

[Amidala listens angrily to the Sith Lord's accusations.]