But, Lord, he doth expect th’impossible!I need more bodies to fulfill this task.If I had but a hundred able soulsTo work alongside those already here,’Twould be far simpler to complete the workAnd make this Death Star ready when ’tis due.VaderThou wilt have opportunity to askThe Emp’ror for these further workers, forHe shall arrive upon the Death Star soon.Jerjerrod[ aside:] O news that fills my heart with utter dread![ To Darth Vader:] The Emperor himself shall come here?Vader—Aye.Displeasèd is he with thy thorough lackOf progress on this station incomplete.JerjerrodOur efforts shall be doubled instantly!VaderI do hope so, Commander, for thy sake—The Emperor is known for being lessForgiving than myself. Pray, is that clear?JerjerrodIt is, Lord Vader, perfectly. Thy wordsI hear and shall obey. With gratitudeI praise thee for thine honesty herein.[Exit Moff Jerjerrod.
VaderThe scene is set for this, the final act.I shall destroy the rebels, one and all,And turn young Luke, my son, unto the dark.It is the role I play, my destiny—The grand performance for which I am made.Come, author of the dark side of the Force,Make me the servant of thy quill and writeThe tale wherein my son and I are seal’dAs one. Come, take mine ev’ry doubt from me,And fashion from my heart of flesh and wiresA perfect actor: callous, cold, and harsh.Let this, the second Death Star, be the stage,And all the galaxy be setting toThe greatest moment of my narrative:The scene in which the Empire’s fight is wonWhilst I decide the Fate of mine own son.[Exit Darth Vader.
Scene 2.
The desert planet Tatooine, at Jabba’s Palace.
Enter C-3PO and R2-D2.
C-3POAgain, R2, we are on Tatooine.I would not e’er have ventur’d to returnUnto this place most desolate and wild,Except that Master Luke hath sent us hereUpon an errand. Yet I know not whatOur message is, but only that I shouldTo Jabba of the Hutt deliver it.O place most barren—I have miss’d thee not.R2-D2Beep, squeak?C-3PO—Indeed I am afraid, R2,And so shouldst thou be, too, for Lando ofCalrissian and brave Chewbacca ne’erReturn’d from here.R2-D2—Beep, whistle, squeak.C-3PO—Be notSo certain, R2, for if thou didst knowBut half of all that I have heard aboutThis Jabba of the Hutt—his cruelty, howHe tortures innocents, and all the beastsHe keeps to do his will—belike thou wouldstShort-circuit.R2-D2—Hoo.[They approach the door of Jabba’s palace.
C-3PO—And now we have arriv’d.But art thou sure this is the place, R2?Mayhap ’tis best if I do knock? [ He knocks.]Alas,There’s none to see us in, so let us go!