EXT. POWER STATION - DAY

Luke and Biggs are walking and drinking a malt brew. Fixer and the others can be heard working inside.

LUKE
(Very animated) ... so I cut off my power, shut down the afterburners and came in low on Deak's trail. I was so close I thought I was going to fry my instruments. As it was I busted up the Skyhopper pretty bad. Uncle Owen was pretty upset. He grounded me for the rest of the season. You should have been there ... it was fantastic.

BIGGS
You ought to take it a little easy Luke. You may be the hottest bushpilot this side of Mos Eisley, but those little skyhoppers are dangerous. Keep it up, and one day whammo! you're going to be nothing more than a dark spot on the down side of a canyon wall.

LUKE
Look whose talking. Now that you've been around those giant starships you're beginning to sound like my uncle. You've gotten soft in the city ...

BIGGS
I've missed you kid.

LUKE
Well, things haven't been the same since you left Biggs. It's been so ... quiet.

Biggs looks around then leans close to Luke.

BIGGS
Luke, I didn't come back just to say good-bye ... I shouldn't tell you this but you're the only one I can trust ... and if I don't come back, I want somebody to know.

Luke's eyes are wide with Biggs' seriousness and loyalty.

LUKE
What are you talking about?

BIGGS
I made some friends at the Academy ... (whispering) ... when our frigate goes to one of the central systems, we're going to jump ship and join the Alliance ...

Luke is amazed and stunned almost speechless.

LUKE
Join the rebellion?! Are you kidding! How?!?

BIGGS
Quiet down will ya! You got a mouth bigger than a meteor crater!

LUKE
I'm sorry. I'm quiet. (whispering) Listen how quiet I am. You can barely hear me ...

Biggs shakes his head angrily and then continues.

BIGGS
My friend has a friend on Bestine who might help us make contact.

LUKE
You're crazy! You could wander around forever trying to find them.

BIGGS
I know it's a long shot, but if I don't find them I'll do what I can on my own ... It's what we always talked about. Luke, I'm not going to wait for the Empire to draft me into service. The rebellion is spreading and I want to be on the right side - the side I believe in.

LUKE
And I'm stuck here ...

BIGGS
I thought you were going to the academy next term. You'll get your chance to get off this rock.

LUKE
Not likely! I had to cancel my application. There has been a lot of unrest among the sandpeople since you left ... they've even raided the outskirts of Anchorhead.

BIGGS
Your uncle could hold off a whole colony of sandpeople with one blaster.

LUKE
I know, but he's got enough vaporators going to make the place pay off. He needs me for just one more season. I can't leave him now.

BIGGS
I feel for you Luke, you're going to have to learn what seems to be important form what really is important. What good is all your Uncles work if its taken over by the Empire ... You know they're starting to nationalize commerce in the central systems .. it won't be long before your Uncle is merely a tenant, slaving for the greater glory of the Empire.

LUKE
It couldn't happen here. You said it yourself, the Empire won't bother with this rock.

BIGGS
Things always change.

LUKE
I wish I was going ... Are you going to be around long?

BIGGS
No, I'm leaving in the morning ...

LUKE
Then I guess I won't see you.

BIGGS
Maybe someday .. I'll keep a lookout.

LUKE
Well, I'll be at the Academy next season .. after that who knows, I won't be drafted into the Imperial Starfleet that's for sure ... take care of yourself, you'll always be the best friend I've got.

BIGGS
So long, Luke.

Biggs turns away from his old friend and heads back towards the power station.

- NOTE: The above text comes from the actual shooting script.

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