SPACE: Several TIE fighters approach the Death Star.

DEATH STAR - CONTROL ROOM.

VADER: Her resistance to the mind probe is considerable. It will be some time before we can extract any information from her.

An Imperial Officer interrupts the meeting.

IMPERIAL OFFICER: The final check-out is complete. All systems are operational. What course shall we set?

TARKIN: Perhaps she would respond to an alternative form of persuasion.

VADER: What do you mean?

TARKIN: I think it is time we demonstrate the full power of this station. (to officer) Set your course for Princess Leia's home planet of Alderaan.

IMPERIAL OFFICER: With pleasure.

TATOOINE - MOS EISLEY - STREET.

THREEPIO: Lock the door, Artoo.

Four heavily-armed stormtroopers move menacingly along a narrow slum alleyway with strolling people and robots. One of the troopers checks the door concealing Threepio and Artoo.

TROOPER: All right, check that side of the street. . . Door's locked, move on to the next door.

The door slides open, Threepio moves into the doorway and peeks out.

THREEPIO: I would much rather have gone with Master Luke than stay here with you. I don't know what all the trouble is about, but I'm sure it must be your fault.

Artoo makes beeping sounds.

THREEPIO: You watch your language!

ALLEYWAY - USED SPEEDER LOT: Ben and Luke are standing in a sleazy used speeder lot, talking with a tall, grotesque, insect-like used speeder dealer. Strange exotic bodies and spindly-legged beasts pass by as the insect concludes the sale by giving Luke some coins.

LUKE: Allright, give it to me, I'll take it. Look at this, ever since the XP-38 came out, they're just not in demand.

BEN: It will be enough.

Ben and Luke leave the speeder lot and walk down the dusty alleyway. Luke turns and gives one last forlorn look at his faithful speeder as he rounds a corner. A darkly clad creature moves out of the shadows as they pass and watches them as they disappear down another alley, and then follows Ben and Luke.

DOCKING BAY 94 - DAY: Jabba the Hut and a half-dozen grisly alien and human pirates stand in the middle of the docking bay. Jabba is the grossest of the slavering hulks and his scarred face is a grim testimonial to his prowess as a vicious killer. He is a fat, slug-like creature with large eyes and a huge ugly mouth.

JABBA: Solo! Come out of there, Solo! . . . Solo!

A voice from directly behind the pirates startles them and they turn around to see Han Solo and the giant Wookiee, Chewbacca, standing behind them.

HAN: Right here, Jabba. I've been waiting for you.

JABBA: Have you now. (laughs)

HAN: You didn't think I was going to run, did you?

JABBA: (fatherly-smooth) Han, my boy, you disappoint me. Why haven't you paid me . . . and why did fry poor Greedo?

HAN: Look Jabba, next time you want to talk to me, come see me yourself. Don't send one of those twerps.

JABBA: Han, Han! I can't make exceptions. What if everyone who smuggled for me dropped their cargo at the first sign of an Imperial starship? It's not good business.

HAN: Look Jabba, even I get boarded sometimes. You think I had a choice? but I've got a nice, easy charter now and I'll pay you back, plus a little extra. I just need some more time.

JABBA: Han, my boy, you're the best. So, for an extra 20% . . .

HAN: (interrupts) Fifteen, Jabba, don't push it.

JABBA: Okay, 15%. But if you fail me again, I'll put a price on your head so big you won't be able to go near a civilized system.

HAN: Jabba, you're a wonderful human being.

JABBA: (to his men) Come on.

The pirates follow Jabba as Han enters his ship.

DOCKING PORT ENTRY - ALLEYWAY: Ben, Luke, and the robots make their way up the street.

BEN: If the ship's as fast as he's boasting, we ought to do well.

Chewbacca waits restlessly at the entrance to Docking Bay 94. Chewbacca jabbers excitedly and signals for them to hurry. The darkly clad creature has followed them from the speeder lot. He stops in a nearby doorway and speaks into a small transmitter.

MOS EISLEY SPACEPORT - DOCKING BAY 94: Chewbacca leads the group into Docking Bay 94. Resting in the middle of the huge hole is a large, round, beat-up, pieced-together hunk of junk that could only loosely be called a starship.

LUKE: What a piece of junk!

HAN: She'll make point five past light speed. She may not look like much, but she's got it where it counts, kid. I've made a lot of special modifications myself.

It's obvious Luke isn't sure about all this. Chewbacca rushes up the ramp as Han urges the others to follow.

HAN: But . . . we're a little rushed, so if you'll just get on board, we'll get out of here.

The group rushes up the gang plank, passing a grinning Han Solo.

MILLENNIUM FALCON: Chewbacca settles into the pilot's chair and starts the mighty engines of the starship.

DOCKING BAY 94: Luke, Ben, Threepio, and Artoo move toward the Millennium Falcon passing Solo.

THREEPIO: Hello, sir.