by Ian Doescher
JANGO
They shall perform aright, e’en to the last.
Of that you may be sure, too.
OBI-WAN
I thank you, Jango, for this dialogue.
JANGO
Indeed, the thanks is mine—’tis e’er my pleasure
to make acquaintance with a Jedi. [Aside:] Now
we must flee, for time doth quickly run.
[Exeunt Jango and Boba.
OBI-WAN
I have uncover’d ev’rything at last.
[To Taun and Lama:] I bid ye now give me my leave
to go
And make report unto the Jedi Council.
Our Jedi Master, Yoda, will delight
To hear the progress you have made herein.
LAMA SU
To strengthen the Republic noble’s cause,
The army we have built for him’s immense.
OBI-WAN
I shall reveal to him what I have seen—
He shall regret he did not see’t himself.
LAMA SU
More sorry I, for he would be most proud—
A leader of the Jedi Council, aye.
OBI-WAN
Regret I Master Sifo-Dyas could
Not be here to bear witness to your fruits.
LAMA SU
All things run to completion in their time:
Let Master Sifo-Dyas be at peace.
OBI-WAN
His memory you honor, Minister.
LAMA SU
Our thanks deliver we in multitudes:
A million further we may proffer soon,
Two hundred thousand we may give you now.
OBI-WAN
And we return those thanks to thee, kind sir.
We shall make contact soon, with further orders.
LAMA SU
All is on schedule, as it hath been plann’d.
So we may then proceed with business?
OBI-WAN
Forsooth, your operation’s well in hand.
LAMA SU
I trust your visit here is worth its length.
OBI-WAN
Indeed, it hath been most enlightening.
[Exit Lama Su.
TAUN WE
I hope from now you shall more better know
Our high prime minister, e’en Lama Su.
Come now, and I shall show you on your way.
OBI-WAN
Much gratitude for all you’ve shown me here—
The soldiers you have made impress me quite.
TAUN WE
Give us but time, and you shall have yet more.
OBI-WAN
I understand. You have mine utmost thanks.
TAUN WE
Since we so long have been in touch with you,
Indeed, ’tis well to meet you in our home.
OBI-WAN
Your hospitality hath been most kind.
TAUN WE
Our high prime minister sends his regards.
Good Master Jedi, salutations, sir.
[Exit Taun We.
OBI-WAN
Thus what was hidden now hath been reveal’d,
Though its significance is yet conceal’d.
[Exit.
SCENE 1.
On the planet Naboo, at the lake retreat.
Enter PADMÉ and ANAKIN SKYWALKER.
ANAKIN
Come, come, thou wasp: thine hidden secret shout.
PADMÉ
If I be waspish, best beware my sting.
ANAKIN
My remedy is, then, to pluck it out.
PADMÉ
If thou shalt pluck, I shall not tell the thing.
In sooth, I do not know.
ANAKIN
—Methinks thou dost.
PADMÉ
Wilt thou perhaps a Jedi’s trick employ,
And plunder all my thoughts with ruse unjust?
ANAKIN
Nay, with such base tricks I’d not thee annoy.
Besides, such mind games would not work on thee,
For they are only us’d upon the weak.
PADMÉ
If thou shalt not be touch’d by jealousy,
I’ll give to thee the answer thou dost seek.
Of my first kiss may this small tale be sung:
Mine age was twelve, and he was Palo nam’d.
A legislative program for the young
Did mark the place where first my lips were tam’d.
A handsome boy, and older by some years,
With raven’s eyes and curly hair of brown.
ANAKIN
Thou hast spoke long enough to burn mine ears.
So what of him? How did he let you down?
What was his error or his fatal blunder?
Or was it he whose interest did fade?
Aye, wert thou maid or unmade? O, you wonder!
PADMÉ
No wonder, nay; but certainly a maid.
To public service my direction led,
Whilst he became an artist in Naboo.
ANAKIN
Mayhap ’twas he who acted with his head.
PADMÉ
Thou dost not care for politicians, true?
ANAKIN
Nay, there are two or three I do prefer—
They are an ample feast to suit my taste.
There is one dish of which I’m yet unsure,
Whose flavor is with zest and spices lac’d.
Yet, by my troth, I think the system broken:
’Tis not the cogs, but ’tis the whole machine.
PADMÉ
How should it run, if in thy words ’twere spoken?
ANAKIN
They all should sit together and convene—
Discussing ev’ry matter of the state—
And make agreement as to what is best
For ev’ry creature, whether small or great:
Then on their findings should their actions rest.
PADMÉ
Yea, as thou just hast said we surely do,
Yet trouble comes when all cannot agree.
ANAKIN
Then those who disagree are most untrue,
And must be made to sing in common key.
PADMÉ
By whom? Which choirmaster wouldst thou name?
ANAKIN
Someone who would conduct the group aright.
PADMÉ
Wouldst thou hold that baton?
ANAKIN
—’Twas not my claim.
PADMÉ
Then someone else?
ANAKIN
—Aye, someone wise, with might.
PADMÉ
Thy tune doth sound most like dictatorship.
ANAKIN
If it would work, I’d sing its melody.
PADMÉ
Thou mockest me, I see it in thy lip.
ANAKIN
Nay, I intend no sharp disharmony.
’Twould be unwise a senator to mock,
For mockingbirds do whistle scornful airs.
PADMÉ
Your sly refrain upon mine heart doth knock,
And helpeth to unburthen me from cares.
Enter a herd of SHAAKS.
ANAKIN
[aside:] My love, my joy, my senator, my queen!
To hear her laugh doth set my soul to sigh.
What light is light, if Padmé be not seen?
What joy is joy, if Padmé be not by?
[To Padmé:] Let us have sport, and merry make the day.
PADMÉ
These beasts are beautiful, yet can be rough.
May Jedi over such as these hold sway?
ANAKIN
Methinks my skill and strength shall be enough.
[Anakin jumps onto a shaak and begins riding it.
PADMÉ
Behold how like its master thou dost ride!
Forsooth, thou hast a senator impress’d.
ANAKIN
The creature is with vigor well supp
lied,
And by some rage it now doth seem possess’d.
[The shaak throws Anakin to the ground.
PADMÉ
My strong protector, O, mine Anakin!
My soul did cry as I beheld his fall.
[Padmé runs to Anakin. Exeunt shaaks.
Speak thou, good Ani, hast thou injur’d been?
Be thou not broken by this creature’s gall.
ANAKIN
Ha, ha, my chuck, I do but jest by schemes.
And yet thine eyes—they show thy care unfurl’d,
They are the books, the arts, the academes,
That show, contain, and nourish all the world.
PADMÉ
By heav’n, I am reliev’d that thou art well:
The fear that shook me so is turn’d to joy.
ANAKIN
Be not afeard, or if thou art, then tell—
Together we shall all thy fears destroy.
PADMÉ
Thou art my safeguard strong, my Jedi Knight.
Now since thou art yet whole, say: shall we dine?
ANAKIN
To follow all thy steps brings me delight—
If ’tis your will to eat, then it is mine.
[They proceed to a table to sup.
PADMÉ
What canst thou say that shall my mirth arouse?
ANAKIN
Mayhap this need-born phrase we Jedi say—
A technique we from time to time espouse—
“Determinèd negotiations,” yea.
PADMÉ
Determinèd negotiations, what?
What doth it mean, for I’ve not heard of it?
ANAKIN
It doth imply negotiations, but:
Those manag’d by a lightsaber, to wit.
[Aside:] I know I love in vain, no hope thereof;
Yet in this captious and intenible sieve
I still pour in the waters of my love—
It is the very hope for which I live.
Now bring the Force upon this happy scene,
I shall employ its pow’r my lass to tease.
[Anakin uses the Force to lift a pear and bring it to him.
PADMÉ
Such tricks do render all my thoughts serene.
ANAKIN
’Tis well, they’d not put Obi-Wan at ease.
[He cuts a slice of pear and, using the Force, passes it to her.
PADMÉ
This fruit thou sendest me the Force withal
Shall fall most pleasantly upon my lips.
The thanks I render thee are far too small
To quite express what from my spirit slips.
Pretty and witty, wild, and yet, too, gentle:
Thou fashion’d art of paradox, in part.
Yet such faint praise can be but detrimental
Unto the noble man thou truly art.
Thou art a treasur’d and a worthy friend,
Protector of my life, though all unplann’d.
If things were chang’d, perhaps love would transcend
And tame my wild heart to thy loving hand.
ANAKIN
The closer we become, the more I ache,
To be sans you would steal my very breath.
The kiss thou gave, which I did gladly take,
Doth move upon my passions as a death.
Can I go forward when my heart is here,
The heart that thou, with lips, have turn’d to scar?
Thou art a specter, ghost to my good cheer,
Tormenting me by haunting pow’r bizarre.
What may I do? What shall I say to thee?
What speech will exorcise your maiden doubt
And turn the spirit of your love to me?
But speak the word: thy servant is devout.
PADMÉ
Love like a shadow flies, pursu’d too soon.
ANAKIN
Is’t possible that thou dost long for me?
If thou dost suffer love, then ’tis a boon:
But say ’tis so and we may joinèd be.
PADMÉ
We two may not within one love be knit.
For love is blind and lovers cannot see
The pretty follies that themselves commit.
How pretty would such follies in us be?
It is not possible.
ANAKIN
—O, say not so!
The course of true love never did run smooth.
What blossom without weeds did ever grow?
I prithee listen, let my reason soothe.
This bud of love, by Naboo’s ripening breath,
May prove a beauteous flower of which we’ll boast.
PADMÉ
Nay, thou shalt listen, my soul warranteth:
The tempter or the tempted, who sins most?
The vision thou dost proffer suits us not,
Thine honor nor my station, neither one.
Reality it seems thou hast forgot,
For us to love would mean us both undone.
Thou art a Jedi, I a senator,
If thou wouldst follow thy thoughts to their end
Then wouldst thou with my judgment straight concur:
I am not made for lover, but for friend.
This must be so, regardless how we feel,
And how our passions move toward each other.
ANAKIN
There thou hast given thy confession real:
Thou lovest me—we yearn for one another!
PADMÉ
Thy future I would never take from thee,
And thus oppose the thread of Fate’s design.
I pray thee, do not fall in love with me,
For I am falser than vows made in wine.
ANAKIN
And yet thou ask’st that which I may not do:
To speak mine heart as though it were my mind.
Would that I mine affection could eschew,
And change as quickly as the moon unkind.
Yet ’tis not so.
PADMÉ
—I shall not bow to this:
The pressure and the childish, nagging voice.
Thy love, and not thy spite, should meet my kiss.
ANAKIN
Belike there is, as yet, another choice.
Mayhap in some enclosèd, private place,
We could agree to meet and be as one.
There could I see the beauty of thy face,
Our secret safe, we would not be undone.
PADMÉ
Yet would this render all our days a lie,
A lie our souls would never let us keep.
Thou couldst not live in such a way, nor I—
Our love by such a bargain is made cheap.
Thou couldst not want that, couldst thou, Anakin?
I know that thou art made of better stuff.
ANAKIN
Indeed, it would destroy us both therein.
Thou hast o’errul’d my passion well enough.
Alas, there’s some ill galaxy that reigns,
I must be patient till the heavens look
With an aspect more favorable. Chains
Would be more comfort than this hope forsook.
[Exit Anakin.
PADMÉ
O, time! Thou must untangle this, not I;
It is too hard a knot for me t’untie.
[Exit Padmé.
SCENE 2.
Tipoca City, on the planet Kamino.
Enter OBI-WAN KENOBI.
OBI-WAN
For answers to Kamino did I come,
And such I did receive in quantities:
Two hundred thousand answers met me here.
Yet with this army comes more questions on—
What was it Sifo-Dyas hop’d to do?
And who is this Tyranus Fett speaks of?
I must make contact with the Council next!
Enter R4-P17.
R4-P17
Blip, whoop.
OBI-WAN
—R4, I bid thee set code five
For Coruscant, care of the elders’ home.
Enter YODA and MACE WINDU on balcony.
Good Masters, I’ve establish’d contact with
Kamino, and with its prime minister.
They use a bounty hunter, Jango Fett,
And by him build an army made from clones.
Mine instincts do inform me Jango Fett
Is e’en the selfsame bounty hunter who
Would be assassin of the senator.
MACE
Do you believe the cloners are involv’d
In this nerfar’ous plot? I’ll fly away
Myself to work them woe if it be so.
OBI-WAN
Nay, Master, for they could not gain thereby.
YODA
Avoid assumption,
Obi-Wan, we need your mind
Most open to be.
When clear are your thoughts,
Discovery of villains
In this plot follows.
OBI-WAN
Indeed, good Master. They did make report
That Master Sifo-Dyas was the one
Who did request an army of the clones.
This deed he did perform ten years ago,
Upon request of the Galactic Senate.
Yet ’twas my memory that he was kill’d
Ere then—say, did the Council authorize
Creation of an army led by clones?
MACE
Nay, nay. Whoe’er it was the order plac’d
Hath drunk a juice the Council did not serve.
YODA
If you can bring him,
This bounty hunter vicious,
Question him we will.