The Tatooine Effect

The script that follows has no date of writing, and is only shown here first due to it’s place in the story - at the beginning. Best estimates would pace the writing of this script sometime during August 1986.

…a long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away…

Whilst conducting business on the arid world of Tatooine, Jan Lomona and his new partner Goah Galletti hit trouble…

Directed by - Mark Newbold

Produced by - Jonathan Hicks

Edited by - Mark Newbold

Associate Producer - Jonathan Hicks

Executive Producer - Mark Newbold

Story by - Mark Newbold

Script by - Mark Newbold

A dusty street on the desert planet of Tatooine…Jan Lomona leans on a Landspeeder surrounded by…Jawas

Jan L - Get out of here, go on, git. Damn filthy Jawas. Goah, use that rifle of yours for something good and get rid of these stinkin’ Jawas will ya…Goah? (Sniffs and looks around whilst wiping his nose) Where’s he got to? Oh, what the heck. He’s most likely in the Cantina getting his early morning top up. Which is where I should be.

Bar-droid - Good morning sir. How can I be of assistance?

Jan L - You can assist me by getting a bottle of Flameout and a bowl of Cockons.

Bar-droid - Sir, you partook of fifteen bottles last night.

Jan L - I must’ve lost count. Now pour the drink Silversides. Before I have to prove to you that the customer is always right. (The droid quickly pours the drink and busies himself at the end of the bar)

Originally `Quest for Freedom’ Part Four

Original script draft dated 12^th August 1986

Second draft dated 25^th January 1999

Goah - This is just what I needed. `An easy mark’ you said. `Kids stuff’ you said. Some renewed partnership this has been.

Jan L - Knock it off, I’m thinking.

Goah - You know, that genuinely surprises me. Why couldn’t you have started doing that a little earlier?

Jan L - Hey, hold up! It wasn’t me who was napping under a speeder and got lifted by Jabbas men.

Goah - (defensively) I’d like to see you drink fifteen bottles of Duarga and not pass out.

Jan L - Buddy, I didn’t pass out. I was just asleep, like any normal drunk.

Goah - Whatever.

(Outside we hear the plaintive whistling of an astromech droid and an agitated Stormtrooper trying to slow it down. There is a fierce crackle of energy and the trooper hits the deck, unconscious)

Jan L - I don’t believe it!

Goah - Believe what?

Jan L - That’s my astromech Troopie. I recognise the greeting pattern.

Goah - Hooray for the power of positive thought.

Jan L - Hey Troopie, roll over here and bring my Blaster.

(The astromech tries, but his lack of height means he cannot reach with his extension. The droid whistles sadly)

Jan L - Stang, he can’t reach!

Goah - So now what?

Jan L - Now we improvise. (Pauses in thought for a moment) I’m thinking there’s a way we could possibly get ourselves out of this…but it’s a long shot, and I’m not sure if I can remember how.

Goah - Don’t think - do. Or don’t try at all!

Jan L - Yeah, that sounds familiar. (Without knowing it, Lomona uses the Force to knock the Blaster off the edge of the table and onto the extender arm of Troopie.) Good work buddy. Now roll over there while I blast the lock controls.

Goah - How the hell?

Jan L - ..don’t ask. Some old guy on Varoone taught it to me years ago. Said it might come in handy sometime.

Goah - I guess he was right. (Gesturing to Troopie) Why not get him to open the doors?

Jan L - `Cause me an Troopie have had run ins with the Empire on Luronsa IV before. They’d have his data retrieval pattern on record and he’d set the alarms off.

Goah - Fair enough. (They all stand back as Jan blasts the control dead centre and releases the bars)

Jan L - Heads up Goah, (he tosses Goahs rifle to him) time to scratch gravel.

Goah - I don’t need an invite.

(They head down a corridor, where they are engaged by Stormtroopers, intent on killing. The battle is joined)

Jan L - You two, this way. Hurry, there ain’t much time!

Goah - Right.

Jan L - You start the Sunrise up, I’ll hold `em off.

Goah - No Jan, you take care of the ship, I’ll do this.

Jan L - But you’ll…

Goah - No time to argue - move.

Jan L - Come on Goah! (Goah is in a pitched battle with a dozen Stormtroopers. Gradually he edges his way backwards up the ramp)

Goah - Whenever you’re ready…

Jan L - Hold on to your butt.

(The Sunrise blasts off from Luronsa IV)

Goah - Good work Jan. Where to now?

Jan L - Well, that’s the billion-credit question isn’t it? My gut says Zelon, but my head says anywhere but…(checks his heads-up display) I knew it was too good to be true.

Goah - What? Company?

Jan L - In numbers. T.I.E’s, and plenty of `em.

(a space confrontation is joined)