Star Wars - Return of the Jedi
Page 8
and stands staring up at the Death Star. Leia finds him like
that.
LUKE
Luke, what's wrong?
Luke turns and looks at her a long moment.
LUKE
Leia... do you remember your mother? Your
real mother?
LEIA
Just a little bit. She died when I was very
young.
LUKE
What do you remember?
LEIA
Just...images, really. Feelings.
LUKE
Tell me.
LEIA
(a little surprised at his insistence)
She was very beautiful. Kind, but...sad.
(looks up) Why are you asking me all this?
He looks away.
LUKE
I have no memory of my mother. I never knew
her.
LEIA
Luke, tell me. What's troubling you?
LUKE
Vader is here...now, on this moon.
LEIA (alarmed)
How do you know?
LUKE
I felt his presence. He's come for me. He can
feel when I'm near. That's why I have to go.
(facing her) As long as I stay, I'm
endangering the group and our mission here.
(beat) I have to face him.
Leia is distraught, confused.
LEIA
Why?
Luke moves close and his manner is gentle. And very calm.
LUKE
He's my father.
LEIA
Your father?
LUKE
There's more. It won't be easy for you to
hear it, but you must. If I don't make it
back, you're the only hope for the Alliance.
Leia is very disturbed by this. She moves away, as if to deny it.
LEIA
Luke, don't talk that way. You have a power
I--I don't unde rstand and could never have.
LUKE
You're wrong, Leia. You have that power too.
In time you'll learn to use it as I have. The
Force is strong in my family. My father has
it...I have it...and...my sister has it.
Leia stares into his eyes. What she sees there frightens her. But
she doesn't draw away. She begins to understand.
LUKE
Yes. It's you Leia.
LEIA
I know. Somehow...I've always known.
LUKE
Then you know why I have to face him.
LEIA
No! Luke, run away, far away. If he can feel
your presence, then leave this place. I wish
I could go with you.
LUKE
No, you don't. You've always been strong.
LEIA
But, why must you confront him?
LUKE
Because...there is good in him. I've felt
it. He won't turn me over to the Emperor. I
can save him. I can turn him back to the good
side. I have to try.
They hold each other close and look at each other, brother and
sister.
Leia holds back her tears as Luke slowly lets her go and moves
away. He disappears onto the walkway that leads out of the
village. Leia, bathed in moonlight, watches him go as Han comes
out of the Chief's hut and comes over to her.
Leia is crying, her body trembling. He realizes only now that she
is crying.
HAN
Hey, what's goin' on?
Leia attempts to stifle her sobs and wipes her eyes.
LEIA
Nothing. I - just want to be alone for a
little while.
HAN (angry)
Nothing? Come on, tell me. What's goin' on?
She looks up at him, struggling to control herself.
LEIA
I...I can't tell you.
HAN (loses his temper)
Did you tell Luke? Is that who you could tell?
LEIA
I...
HAN
Ahhh...
He starts to walk away, exasperated, then stops and walks back to
her.
HAN
I'm sorry.
LEIA
Hold me.
Han gathers her tightly in his protective embrace.
77 EXT FOREST - IMPERIAL LANDING PLATFORM 77
An Imperial shuttle floats down from the Death Star and lands
gracefully on the huge platform.
Now, an Imperial walker approaches the platform from the darkness
of the forest. The whole outpost - platform, walkers, military -
looks particularly offensive in the midst of this verdant beauty.
78 EXT IMPERIAL LANDING PLATFORM - LOWER DECK 78
Darth Vader walks down the ramp of the shuttle onto the platform,
into an elevator, and appears on a ramp on a lower level. He
walks toward another ramp exit and is met by two troopers and a
commander with Luke, in binders, at their center. The young Jedi
gazes at Vader with complete calm.
COMMANDER
This is a Rebel that surrendered to us.
Although he denies it, I believe there may be
more of them, and I request permission to
conduct a further search of the area.
The commander extends his hand, revealing Luke's lightsaber.
COMMANDER
He was armed only with this.
Vader looks at Luke, turns away and faces the commander, taking
the lightsaber from the commander's hand.
VADER
Good work, Commander. Leave us. Conduct your
search and bring his companions to me.
COMMANDER
Yes, my Lord.
The officer and troops withdraw. Vader and Luke are left standing
alone in the oddly tranquil beauty of the place. The sounds of
the forest filter in upon them.
VADER
The Emperor has been expecting you.
LUKE
I know, father.
VADER
So, you have accepted the truth.
LURE
I've accepted the truth that you were once
Anakin Skywalker, my father.
VADER (turning to face him)
That name no longer has any meaning for me.
LUKE
It is the name of your true self. You've only
forgotten. I know there is good in you. The
Emperor hasn't driven it from you fully. That
is why you couldn't destroy me. That's why
you won't bring me to your Emperor now.
Vader looks down from Luke to the lightsaber in his own black-
gloved hand. He seems to ponder Luke's words.
VADER (indicating lightsaber)
I see you have constructed a new lightsaber.
Vader ignites the lightsaber and holds it to examine its humming,
brilliant blade.
VADER
Your skills are complete. Indeed, you are
powerful, as the Emperor has foreseen.
They stand for a moment, the Vader extinguishes the lightsaber.
LUKE
Come with me.
VADER
Obi-Wan once thought as you do.
Luke steps close to Vader, then stops. Vader is still.
VADER
You don't know the power of the dark side. I
must obey my master.
LUKE
I will not turn...and you'll be forced to
kill me.
VADER
If that is your destiny.
LUKE
Search your feelings, father. You can't do
this. I feel the conf
lict within you. Let go
of your hate.
VADER
It is too late for me, son. The Emperor will
show you the true nature of the Force. He is
your master now.
Vader signals to some distant stormtroopers. He and Luke stand
staring at one another for a long moment.
LUKE
Then my father is truly dead.
79 EXT ENDOR - RIDGE OVERLOOKING SHIELD GENERATOR 79
Han, Leia, Chewbacca, the droids, Wicket, and another Ewok scout,
PAPLOO, hide on a ridge overlooking the massive Imperial shield
generator. At the base of the generator is an Imperial landing
platform. Leia studies the installation.
LEIA
The main entrance to the control bunker's on
the far side of that landing platform. This
isn't gonna be easy.
HAN
Hey, don't worry. Chewie and me got into a
lot of places more heavily guarded than this.
Wicket and Paploo are chattering away in Ewok language. They
speak to Threepio.
LEIA
What's he saying?
THREEPIO
He says there's a secret entrance on the
other side of the ridge.
80 EXT SPACE - REBEL FLEET 80
The vast fleet hangs in space near a blue planet. A giant Rebel
Star Cruiser is up at the front, but now the Millennium Flacon
roars up to a spot ahead of it, tiny in comparison.
81 INT MILLENNIUM FALCON - COCKPIT 81
Lando is in the pilot seat. His alien copilot, NIEN NUNB, takes
some getting used to in the familiar environs of the Falcon's
cockpit. Lando speaks into his comlink.
LANDO
Admiral, we're in position. All fighters
accounted for.
ACKBAR (VO)
Proceed with the countdown. All groups assume
attack coordinates.
Lando turns to his weird copilot.
LANDO
Don't worry, my friends are down there.
They'll have that shield down on time...(to
himself) or this'll be the shortest offensive
of all time.
The copilot flips some switches and grunts an alien comment.
ACKBAR (VO)
All craft, prepare to jump to hyperspace on
my mark.
LANDO
All right. Stand by.
He pulls a lever, and the stars outside begin to streak.
82 EXT SPACE - REBEL FLEET 82
We are treated to an awesome sight first the Millennium Falcon,
then Ackbar's Star Cruiser, then, in large segments, the huge
fleet ROARS INTO HYPERSPACE. And disappears.
83 EXT ENDOR - RIDGE OVERLOOKING CONTROL BUNKER 83
Han, Leia, Chewie, the droids, and their two Ewok guides, Wicket
and Paploo, have reunited with the Rebel strike squad. The entire
group is spread through the thick undergrowth. Below them is the
BUNKER that leads into the generator. Four Imperial scouts, their
speeder bikes parked nearby, keep watch over the bunker entrance.
Chewie growls an observation, and Paploo chatters away to Han in
Ewok language.
HAN
Back door, huh? Good idea.
Wicket and Paploo continue their Ewok conversation.
HAN (cont)
It's only a few guards. This shouldn't be too
much trouble.
LEIA
Well, it only takes one to sound the alarm.
HAN (with self-confident grin)
Then we'll do it real quiet-like.
Threepio explains what is going on to Wicket and Paploo. The
Ewoks chatter a moment between themselves. Then Paploo jumps up
and scampers into the underbrush.
Threepio asks Wicket where Paploo went and is given a short
reply.
THREEPIO
Oh! Oh, my. Uh, Princess Leia!
LEIA
Quiet.
THREEPIO
I'm afraid our furry companion has gone and
done something rather rash.
LEIA
Oh, no.
84 EXT BUNKER - ENTRANCE 84
Paploo has slipped out of the undergrowth near where the Imperial
scouts are lounging. He silently swings his furry ball of a body
onto one of the scout's speeder bikes and begins flipping
switches at random. Suddenly, the bike's engine fires up with a
tremendous ROAR. Paploo grins and continues flipping switches.
The scouts leap up in surprise.
85 EXT RIDGE 85
Han, Leia and company watch in distress. Chewie barks.
HAN (sighs)
There goes our surprise attack.
86 EXT BUNKER 86
The Imperial scouts race toward Paploo just as his speeder zooms
into motion. Paploo hangs on by his paws and shoots away into the
forest.
SCOUT
Look! Over there! Stop him!
Three of the Imperial scouts jump on their rocket bikes and speed
away in pursuit. The fourth watches them go from his post at the
door.
87 EXT RIDGE 87
Han, Leia, and Chewie exchange delighted looks.
HAN
Not bad for a little furball. There's only
one left. You stay here. We'll take care of
this.
Han and the Wookiee nod at each other and slip down toward the
bunker. Threepio moves to stand next to Wicket and Artoo.
THREEPIO
I have decided that we shall stay here.
88 EXT FOREST 88
Paploo sails through the trees, more lucky than in control. It's
scary, but he loves it. When the Imperial scouts pull within
sight behind him and begin firing laser bolts, he decides he's
had enough. As he rounds a tree, out of their sight, Paploo grabs
a vine and swings up into the trees. A moment later, the scouts
tear under him in pursuit of the still-flying, unoccupied bike.
89 EXT BUNKER 89
Han sneaks up behind the remaining Imperial scout, taps him on
the shoulder and lets the scout chase him behind the bunker into
the arms of the waiting Rebel strike team. Han returns to the
front, and taps out a pattern on the bunker door's control panel.
Everyone stands out of sight, police-style, as the door opens.
Han and Leia peek inside. No sign of life. The group enters the
bunker silently, leaving one lookout behind.
90 INT DEATH STAR - EMPEROR'S THRONE ROOM 90
The elevator opens. Vader and Luke enter the room alone. They
walk across the dark space to stand before the throne, father and
son side by side beneath the gaze of the Emperor. Vader bows to
his Master.
EMPEROR
Welcome, young Skywalker. I have been
expecting you.
Luke peers at the hooded figure defiantly. The Emperor then looks
down at Luke's binders.
EMPEROR
You no longer need those.
The Emperor motions ever so slightly with his finger and Luke's
binders fall away, clattering to the floor. Luke looks down at
his own hands, free now to reach out and grab the Emperor's neck.
He does nothing.
EMPEROR
Guards, leave us.
The red-cloaked guards turn and disappear behind the elevator.
EMPEROR (to Luke)
I'm looking forward to completing your
trai
ning. In time you will call me Master.
LUKE
You're gravely mistaken. You won't convert me
as you did my father.
The Emperor gets down from his throne and walks up very close to
Luke. The Emperor looks into his eyes and, for the first time,
Luke can perceive the evil visage within the hood.
EMPEROR
Oh, no, my young Jedi. You will find that it
is you who are mistaken...about a great
many things.
VADER
His lightsaber.
Vader extends a gloved hand toward the Emperor, revealing Luke's
lightsaber. The Emperor takes it.
EMPEROR
Ah, yes, a Jedi's weapon. Much like your
father's. By now you must know your father
can never be turned from the dark side. So
will it be with you.