46. EXT. CORUSCANT- SENATE BUILDING
To establish.
47. INT. SENATE BUILDING- CORRIDOR, DAY
Scores of senators are standing in the hallway, chatting idly. A man in regal robes passes through them, his robes swishing majestically around those he walks by. The man is Palpatine, and in this arena he is the kind, caring, compassionate senator from Naboo. As he continues down the hall, a voice can be heard giving a speech.
Ronan Sneed
(O.S.)
… the time to act has come. We cannot sit idly by and let corruption infiltrate the Republic.
48. INT. SENATE BUILDING-HEARING ROOM-CONTINUING
Palpatine sits in his booth and watches the man speaking. It is Ronan Sneed, the highly respected senator from Toggin.
Ronan Sneed
(Cont'd)
If we allow this Trade Federation to be formed, we allow our people to be unfairly taxed by outside parties that are concerned with only the fatness of their credit pouches, and not the welfare of others. We, as senators, must act with our hearts, and not allow the Trade Federation to have a franchising license!
Ronan's speech is accepted with a generous amount of applause. Palpatine claps too, but the look of concern on his face reveals that Ronan's wishes may not be his own.
49. INT. SENATE BUILDING- ATRIUM
The atrium is a large, dome shaped section of the senate building. Two hours have passed since Ronan Sneed's speech. The session has adjourned, but many senators linger, chatting. The room is packed with hundreds (perhaps thousands) of them. Some are talking, others are busy doing senatorial things, and others are trying to look important. The entire atrium is crowded, and yet Palpatine manages to glide through them as if they are made of smoke. He passes Senator Sneed, who is talking with a fish- headed humanoid. Ronan spots him, excuses himself from his conversation, and runs to catch up to Palpatine.
Ronan Sneed
Senator Palpatine! Senator Palpatine!
Palpatine whirls around, face to face with Ronan. He smiles.
Palpatine
Senator Sneed, what can I do for you?
Ronan Sneed
Please, call me Ronan. I was wondering if I could have a word with you.
Palpatine
I always have time for upstanding senators like yourself. What is the problem?
Ronan Sneed
I was hoping to hear your opinion on this Trade Federation business.
Palpatine
To be honest, senator, I'm concerned for the well-being of the Republic if this Trade Federation is given their franchising license. I've met with many of the Neimoidians behind the federation. They're greedy, unscrupulous tyrants that will use their power to undermine the Senate every chance they get.
Ronan
I was hoping you would say that. Listen, it is crucial that this act is voted down. At the moment, it seems like this vote can go either way. I'm rallying as many senators as I can, but I can't do it alone. I need your help. I've been watching you closely for some time now. I know what you are, and what you are capable of.
Palpatine
(Slightly nervously)
What do you know?
Ronan
I know that you are a man that demands respect. You've been a senator for, what, a standard year, and yet you've gained the amount of influence that even the most aged senators crave. People admire and trust you. That is why I need you. If the both of us stand up against the Federation, we stand a chance of defeating them.
Palpatine
You're absolutely right, Ronan. You have my full support. For the Republic.
Ronan
Thank you, Senator.
(Shakes his hand)
I knew I could count on you.
Ronan turns and leaves. Zoom in to a medium shot of Palpatine, whose expressions have darkened. He glares at the exiting Senator.
Palpatine
(To himself)
You can always count on me, Senator Sneed.
END SCENE
50. EXT. PYLAR, PLANETARY SHOT
To establish. Pylar, from outer space, is a murky brown planet with spots of a lesser murky brown scattered throughout.
51. EXT. PYLAR, MARKET SQUARE, DAY
The surface of Pylar looks no better from the ground. The earth is dark brown, cracked, with no foliage. There are trees, but they are leafless. The entire planet looks like a horror movie set.
The market square is drab. Vendors peddle their wares in raggedy tents, and everyone wears expressions of defeat and despair. Tam Whiting passes down the street, looking nervously at his surroundings. A merchant holding a dead animal grabs Tam's shoulders and spins him toward her.
Merchant 1
Ee wamba Zulu? Takka es nambo wat!
Tam
(terrified)
Ummm…. That looks nice. But…
Another merchant grabs him
Merchant 2
Nakka lo em. Meansa mabba nos locamos.
Tam
(backing away)
I don't understand what you're saying… excuse me…please…
Other merchants crowd around, pushing things in his face, yelling at him in their strange language. Tam manages to escape from them, and runs down the street. Moments later, he is accosted from behind.
Tam
Please, I am not buying anything.
Barlis Orfis
Don't worry, Mister Whiting, we're not trying to sell you anything.
Three goons grab Tam. Barlis Orfis, the lead henchmen, is a large, broad-shouldered alien who looks like a cross between Vin Diesel and the Predator. Very intimidating, he is very successful in making people obey his orders, which is why he is one of the criminal organization Black Sun's most reliable lackeys. Barlis nods his head, and the goons drag Tam into a deserted alleyway.
52. EXT. PYLAR, DESERTED ALLEY- CONTINUING, DAY
The goons drag Tam through the alley and slam him up against a brick wall.
Barlis
Good morning, Tam. Are you enjoying your visit to Pylar?
Tam
I can't say I am.
Barlis
(chuckles)
I'll tell you, the scenery is not much to look at, but I hear the local cuisine is worth the trip. Pylarian worms are a delicacy on the Inner Core Planets. Wait, where are my manners? We've never been formally introduced. My name is Barlis. Vigo Marbossa sends his greetings.
He punches Tam in the stomach.
Barlis
(Cont'd)
What were you thinking, Mr. Whiting? Did you think you could borrow that much money from Black Sun and run without consequences? I know professional grave robbers aren't the smartest of beings, but surely you knew that we would come for you?
Tam
(coughing)
Grave Robbing just isn't the same these days. All the good graves have been picked over. I've just hit a slump, that's all.
Barlis
You've "hit a slump"?
(Pull out his blaster and points it at Tam's head)
I don't think you realize just how big your problem has become.
Tam
(Shaking, crying)
Please don't kill me!
Barlis
I'm afraid you've left me no other choice.
Tam
Wait! I have a solution!
Barlis
(Lowers his weapon)
Ok, I'm listening.
Tam
On my last expedition, before it went horribly wrong, I came across an artifact. I believe it is an ancient relic of the Sith.
Barlis
The Sith!
(Laughs Loudly)
The Sith are stuff of legend, fairy tales made up to frighten young children.
Tam
Not true. The Sith exist, and this artifact proves it. Its value should pay my debt tenfold.
Barlis
I'll believe it when I see it. Give me the artifact.
Tam
I don't have it on me.
Barlis
I'm growing very tired of you, Mr. Whiting. I'll tell you what I'm going to do: I'm going to give you one standard week to get your artifact. We'll contact you about a place to meet up.
The goons release Tam. He hugs Barlis.
Tam
Thank you. Thank you so much.
Barlis
(pushes him away)
Get off me! And Tam?
Tam
Yes?
Barlis
Don't even think of running. We will find you. And next time, there will be no amnesty.
Tam
Yes, sir.
Tam runs off. The camera moves upward to the roof of a nearby building. A mysterious figure dressed in black stands atop the building watching the action down below. His jetpack ignites, and he flies away.
IRIS OUT