The Rabid Bantha Bar and Grille

In Cloud City (4)

(In the carbon-freeze chamber, Han, Leia, and Chewie are led in by stormtroopers. Vader watches them, Boba Fett at his side.)

ANAKIN: Hey, is that Threepio on the Wookiee's back?

VADER: So it appears...

A: Wizard! Maybe when we're done, we can get together and reminisce about the good old days.

V: The good old days?

A: Yeah. It seems like just yesterday that he was activated, doesn't it? *sniff* He's grown so much! *sniff* *sob*

V: Will you stop? He's a droid. He doesn't grow at all.

A: How can you say that about your first child?

V: Oh, please!

A: Yeah, all right, I'm just messing with you. But he looks good, doesn't he? Except for the part about being in a million pieces. But he still works!

V: Hey, when I build 'em, I build 'em to last.

(Vader gives the order to put Han in, and stormtroopers begin to pull the smuggler away from his friends. Chewie goes ballistic, Threepio begins yammering away, and Fett raises his gun toward the Wookiee.)

A: He's gonna shoot Threepio!

(Vader slaps Fett's gun down.)

A: Yeah! Yeah! You show that cloned mutha he can't mess with *our* droid!

(Across the way, Chewie settles down, Han and Leia share a kiss, and Han is dragged away.)

LEIA: I love you!

HAN: I know.

(Slowly he lowers into the floor.)

A: What, that's it? Where's the romance in *that*? Where're the grand, flowery proclamations of love that shake the earth and make the heavens weep?

V: No kidding. I guess the overly-dramatic courtship is a lost art...

A: I tell you, these kids today--

V: --with their rock-and-roll music--

A: --and their opposable thumbs...

V and A: (in unison) Bunch of hippies.

V: I've got more romance in my little finger than both of these two have in their whole bodies.

A: Yeah. Except when you're killing people.

V: But even then, I only kill people out of love.

A: Oh?

V: Yeah. I *love* killing people.

A: You old softie.

(From the center of the chamber, a huge cloud of steam hisses up, and the giant claw reaches down. With a snapping, crackling sound, the carbonite slab is torn free and lifted out. It thuds to the floor. Lando hurries over and checks the dials.)

VADER: (to Lando) Is he alive?

LANDO: He's alive, and in perfect hibernation.

A: Ha, ha! Told you it'd work!

V: Quiet...

(Vader hands Han over to Boba Fett, orders the chamber reset for Skywalker, then commands Lando to take Leia and Chewbacca to his ship.)

LANDO: You said they'd be left in the city under my supervision!

VADER: I am altering the deal; pray I don't alter it any further...

(Vader turns and departs the chamber.)

A: You fibber.

V: What?

A: You lied to Calrissian about Leia and the Wookiee. *Twice*!

V: Hello? Evil Sith Lord here. Not really caring...