A New Hope by George Lucas Read Free Book Online

short, grubby Human and an even smaller rodent-like beast join the belligerent monstrosity.
    HUMAN He doesn’t like you.
    LUKE I’m sorry.
    HUMAN I don’t like you either
    The big creature is getting agitated and yells out some unintelligible gibberish at the now rather nervous, young adventurer.
    HUMAN (continued) Don’t insult us. You just watch yourself. We’re wanted men. I have the death sentence in twelve systems. LUKE I’ll be careful than.
    HUMAN You’ll be dead.
    The rodent lets out a loud grunt and everything at the bar moves away. Luke tries to remain cool but it isn’t easy. His three adversaries ready their weapons. Old Ben moves in behind Luke.
    BEN This little one isn’t worth the effort. Come let me buy you something…
    A powerful blow from the unpleasant creature sends the young would-be Jedi sailing across the room, crashing through tables and breaking a large jug filled with a foul-looking liquid. With a blood curdling shriek, the monster draws a wicked chrome laser pistol from his belt and levels it at old Ben. The bartender panics.
    BARTENDER No blasters! No blaster!
    With astounding agility old Ben’s laser sword sparks to life and in a flash an arm lies on the floor. The rodent is cut in two and the giant multiple-eyed creature lies doubled, cut from chin to groin. Ben carefully and precisely turns off his laser sword and replaces it on his utility belt. Luke, shaking and totally amazed at the old man’s abilities, attempts to stand. The entire fight has lasted only a matter of seconds. The cantina goes back to normal, although Ben is given a respectable amount of room at the bar. Luke, rubbing his bruised head, approaches the old man with new awe. Ben points the the Wookiee.
    BEN This is Chewbacca. He’s first-mate on a ship that might suit our needs.
    EXTERIOR TATOOINE —MOS EISLEY —STREET.
    Threepio paces in front of the cantina as Artoo carries on an electronic conversation with another little red astro-droid. A creature comes out of the cantina and approaches two stormtroopers in the street.
    THREEPIO I don’t like the look of this.
    INTERIOR TATOOINE —MOS EISLEY —CANTINA.
    Strange creatures play exotic big band music on odd-looking instruments as Luke, still giddy, downs a fresh drink and follows Ben and Chewbacca to a booth where Han Solo is sitting. Han is a tough, roguish starpilot about thirty years old. A mercenary on a starship, he is simple, sentimental, and cocksure.
    HAN Han Solo. I’m captain of the Millennium Falcon. Chewie here tells me you’re looking for passage to the Alderaan system. BEN Yes, indeed. If it’s a fast ship.
    HAN Fast ship? You’ve never heard of the Millennium Falcon? BEN Should I have?
    HAN It’s the ship that made the Kessel run in less than twelve parsecs!
    Ben reacts to Solo’s stupid attempt to impress them with obvious misinformation.
    HAN (continued) I’ve outrun Imperial starships, not the local bulk-cruisers, mind you. I’m talking about the big Corellian ships now. She’s fast enough for you, old man. What’s the cargo? BEN Only passengers. Myself, the boy, two droids, and no questions asked.
    HAN What is it? Some kind of local trouble?
    BEN Let’s just say we’d like to avoid any Imperial entanglements. HAN Well, that’s the trick, isn’t it? And it’s going to cost you something extra. Ten thousand in advance.
    LUKE Ten thousand? We could almost buy our own ship for that!
    HAN But who’s going to fly it, kid! You?
    LUKE You bet I could. I’m not such a bad pilot myself! We don’t have to sit here and listen…
    BEN We haven’t that much with us. But we could pay you two thousand now, plus fifteen when we reach Alderaan.
    HAN Seventeen, huh!
    Han ponders this for a few moments.
    HAN Okay. You guys got yourself a ship. We’ll leave as soon as you’re ready. Docking bay Ninety-four.
    BEN Ninety-four.
    HAN Looks like somebody’s beginning to take an interest in your handiwork.
    Ben and Luke turn around to see four