Enter HAN SOLO and CHEWBACCA.
Now, Captain Solo, pray, a word with thee.
HAN
[aside:] A word from thee belike means hundreds more.
C-3PO
I know not where your ship did learn to speak—
It hath a most peculiar dialect.
It is as though ’twere programm’d by a thief,
And spends its days with smugglers, thugs, and crooks.
But now, no more of that; my point is made.
It doth report the power coupling on
The axis negative is polariz’d,
And must replacèd be to operate.
HAN
’Tis plain it must replacèd be. Presume
Thou not to tell a pilot—one so grand
As me, at least—the bus’ness of his ship.
[Exit C-3PO.
[To Chewbacca:] Good Chewie?
CHEWBAC.
—Egh?
HAN
—It seems we must replace
The power coupling negative, yes?
CHEWBAC.
—Grrm.
[Exit Chewbacca.
Enter PRINCESS LEIA, aside, working.
HAN
[aside:] We are alone. Yet ev’ry time I have
Approach’d her recently I’ve been rebuff’d.
This should not be a nut I cannot crack—
I am not ignorant in women’s ways.
Although, by troth, most often when I speak
Of “she” or “her,” I indicate my ship.
And yet, I am a man of many strengths:
I pilot ships with talent, skill, and grace,
In battles or in races hard to best,
My swift maneuvers legendary are
And through the galaxy my ship is known.
But with this princess, all my skill is naught.
My tongue is tied, and I resort to barbs
And witticisms sloppily convey’d.
How shall I show this princess my true heart?
How set aside my ego and be kind?
Here, in this moment, I shall undertake
To set my pathway not toward my pride,
But through the smoother course that runs to love.
[He approaches to help her and is shoved away.
[To Leia:] Pray patience, Worship, I but try to help!
LEIA
Couldst thou forswear thy pompous attitude
And promise thou shalt ne’er call me that name?
HAN
Aye, Leia.
LEIA
[aside:]—Prithee, give me patience now!
To make him thine, respond thou not with fire.
[To Han:] You do not make it simple.
HAN
—Yes, ’tis true.
But ’tis not I alone who is to blame,
For thou couldst softer and more gentle be.
O Princess, may we end these pointless games?
May we two souls of flame extinguish’d be
Just long enough to drink of love’s rewards?
I ask thee, truly, dost thou sometimes think
That certain virtues may be found in me?
Canst thou imagine ever looking deep
Into my soul to see the man within?
[Leia stops working and rubs her sore hands.
LEIA
Occasionally, mayhap, when you are
Not acting in the manner of a scoundrel.
[Han Solo takes Leia’s hands in his.
HAN
A scoundrel? “Scoundrel” is the word you choose?
I like that word, when spoken from your lips.
LEIA
Pray cease that touch, it doth my heart confuse.
HAN
But wherefore cease? What reason shall eclipse
The greater reason of my heart’s intent?
LEIA
But lo, my hands are dirtied by my work.
HAN
My hands are likewise dirty. Pray, assent
Unto this moment. What fear makes you shirk?
LEIA
What fear? I tell thee, I am not afraid.
HAN
Did I imagine that your hands did shake?
Thou likest that I am of scoundrel made.
For thy life could more scoundrel gladly take.
If thou wouldst cast my suit off, think again—
I would that thou within me deeper look.
LEIA
I tell thee true, that I do like nice men.
HAN
I too am nice.
[They kiss.
Enter C-3PO.
LEIA
[aside:]—He kisses by the book.
C-3PO
Sir, Sir, I’ve isolated the reverse
Flux power coupling. Have I done thee proud?
[Exit Princess Leia.
HAN
O thank you, 3PO, thank you so much.
C-3PO
But speak none of it, Sir—I have a touch.
[Exeunt.
Scene 2.
Aboard the Empire’s Super Star Destroyer.
Enter DARTH VADER and CAPTAIN NEEDA (in beam).
NEEDA
The swift Millenn’um Falcon made its way
Unto the field of asteroids and that,
My great Lord Vader, was the last that they
Within our scopes did e’er appear. They must
Have been destroy’d, if one considers all
The damage we have tolerated here.
VADER
Your answer’s insufficient, Captain, for
I know they are alive. Thy scanners are
Poor proxies for the Force. Now listen well
To my command: I tell thee ev’ry ship
That hath some power left to give shall search
The ast’roid field until they have been found.
NEEDA
I shall with haste fulfill thy shrewd decree.
[Exit Captain Needa from beam.
Enter ADMIRAL PIETT.
PIETT
My Lord?
VADER
—Yes, Admiral?
PIETT
—The Emperor
Commands that thou do contact him at once.
VADER
Then, move the ship out of the ast’roid field
That I may with my master clearly speak.
PIETT
We will, my Lord.
[Exit Admiral Piett.
VADER
—Now shall I speak with my
Dread Emperor. The man who gave me life
When all was lost. The man to whom I owe
All that I am, and e’er shall be. The man,
Indeed, who like a father is to me.
His plans for pow’r and schemes most excellent
I do obey and carry out with pride.
Though people fear my aspect bleak and dark,
They should, more surely, fear what I will do
When answering his perfect, flawless will.
For sooner would I sacrifice my life
Than disobey the word of this great man.