#ps by fett I mean Boba

[marierg]

Biscuits and Beskar: 3

Pairing: Boba Fett x OC Kaylee Manu

Rating: PG-13 (just for the last little tense parts and the action)

Warnings: Mentions of injuries, language, mentions of past traumas, SNAKE!, semi nakedness, naughty-ish thoughts, TENSION. No actual naughtiness or schmexy-ness but lots of thoughts running wild.

A/N: I apologize now, I know I'm not writing very fast but I hope what comes out is worth the wait. I wanted to give these two a few little moments but also I wanted the Pike incursion to be felt. I have given names to a few of the characters we know. The Gamorean guards are Ro and Weem and the Rancor handler is Vol (pronounced Val). Our girl Kaylee grew up on a star cruise liner (think Princess cruise) and I picture her having been around entertainers and dancers a lot as a kid. One of whom I picture as a very young Jimmy Buffet.

PS- Kaylee is a shit magnet (doesn't mean to find trouble, it just seems to find her) and a klutz. Lots of heart and spirit, but lots of boo boos. Lets just say I hope that the Daimyo's insurance is good.

Words: 4700ish

Song credit: Come Monday by the great Jimmy Buffet! (Don't tell me Margaritaville doesn't exist in Star Wars)

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“PAPA!”

You woke in a cold sweat, hands scrubbing the last of the horrible memory away. You could still see him, hear his last words.

“Free men built this galaxy and free men will have their day again.”

Celsus Manu had died as he lived, bravely standing for what he believed. How many souls had he smuggled on those cruises, how many had Papa saved from a fate worse than death? To be bound to a life of forced servitude until their very spirit extinguished even while their bodies remained.

Nothing could have saved him that day though. The shots ringing in your ears...

Heading down to the kitchen you pulled your robe tight. At each of the dormitory doors you paused to listen, just to be sure the sand scrappers slept well. Turbo was still recovering from the crash to catch that slug majordomo that was sleeping in the dungeon. And it was right where the slemo belonged. It had shaken you to see the boy hurt. The little motley crew was all that you had, and now you could count two hunters to that small group. The Daimyo had done something you couldn't, seeing the kids well cared for, it pleased you beyond words. Starting a kettle you heard Ratty boop and beep as he popped around the corner, following you like a shadow.

There was a balcony just off the hall between the throne room and your domain. It was peaceful there, with not but the wind off the dunes and canyons to break the silence. Sipping your tea there was another sound that came not from the vast wilderness, but the tower above. A shadowy figure moving in smooth, controlled motions. You couldn't help to wonder what specifically caused the Daimyo to be up at this hour?

Then again what wouldn't, given the mess at hand. Finishing your tea you rose, patting the little droid on the head. Glancing again to the tower above you went back to the kitchen and pulled out another mug, “Ratty would you be so kind as to deliver something for me?”

The gaffii's weight was a comfort in his hands as Boba moved about the floor. It was a steadfast and strong weapon, it served him well. The dreams had returned with a vengeance causing many a restless night. Practicing always acted as a bit of a balm. People say that time heals, Boba always thought it a foolish saying. No what healed was not simply time, it was affection, closeness, family. The Tuskins had taken him in, made him part of the tribe. They had given him much needed perspective after years of burying himself in hunting.

Years of running from his past... of ignoring the pain.

Boba was a different man than the one who had been swallowed by the Sarlacc. He had done his job and done it well, hoping to be as good a hunter as his father if not better. Jango had once told him that the more proficient he became the more he could pick and choose the jobs he took, but even Jango wouldn't have been able to avoid the Empire. Those hunts were never satisfying, the quarry rarely worth the price on their head.

Boba's philosophy was much like Jango's; he did the job, he got paid, end of contract. Even still Boba regretted parts of his past. He wondered sometimes what had happened to his daughter, if Ailyn ever thought of him. He had stayed away to keep her safe and maybe that was how it should stay. Hearing a tap at the door his attention shifted. He hadn't send for anyone, “Yes?"

Crossing the floor he opened the portal to find no one, just a tray with a cup of tea and a piece of flimsy. Cautiously picking up the mug Boba read the fine scrawl.

You should get some rest.

Seems he wasn't the only one awake. Taking a sip of the herbal tea he could faintly taste the black melon that was part of the brew. A faint smirk crossed his face. Boba sometimes wondered how you actually felt about him, good or bad. You were ever a puzzle, keeping well behind the curtain of formality yet still doing small kindnesses like this. Something a friend would do for another. Maybe you were waiting for him to seek you out? He hummed at that thought, sipping on the warm decoction. Whatever the case he still felt glad of your presence, even if it was from arms length. “Dral runi.”

“Skad aren't you all supposed to be patrolling?” You looked over the middle counter to where the young man was hovered over his breakfast.

Finishing a bite of hash the scamp nodded at you. “Jus' waiting on Nikita and that Gamorean, Ro, to get back.”

“And here we are,” Nikita strutted in followed by Ro, who grunts at you. The other Gamorean, Weem, was with Drash in the hangar taking a delivery.

Turning to the counter where dishes are drying you gesture to them. “Get some food you two and tell Vol to come eat too.”

Vol never came up until after he had seen to the Rancor. He was a quiet man, said only what was necessary, had a hard edge about him. He was considerate in his own way though, you'd seen him a few times help the kids here and there. But mostly he kept his own company and you respected that. As your thoughts wandered a favorite tune came over the speaker, a smile spread on your face as the old sweet song brought back happier times. Reaching over you raised the volume.

“Oh no,” Skad tried to make a run for it.

“Oh yes.” Grabbing the boy's hand you start to dance and sing. It was something you'd done with Papa in the kitchen growing up. For a moment when you moved across the floor you thought maybe he was there, laughing with you. Most of the kids would dance along when this would happen, knew which songs you loved.

Fennec had gotten back to the Palace when it was still dark, her head buzzing. Whether it was from Fwip's hospitality or the lovely female whose warm bed she had shared was undetermined. What a sweet distraction it had been though. Fennec stepped into the kitchen, an amused chuckle escaping her. You were twirling around and dancing with one of the Gamoreans, looking over to her with a puckish grin. “Don't even think it cookie.”

You rolled your eyes and instead went to the counter to retrieve a Bloody Mary. Handing the drink to the master assassin you continue singing.

“...Come Taungsday it'll be alright. Come Taungsday I'll be holding you tight. I spent four lonely days in a brown Bespin haze and I just want you back by my side.”

Fennec took a sip of the drink and couldn't help smirking at your flirtations. “Sweetheart I would eat you alive.”

“Hmm but what a way to go...” Making a flirting face you swayed your hips to the music.

Bumping hips with Fennec you threw a towel over your shoulder to get back to work. The assassin had a wicked sense of humor you found. A sense of humor that struck in the form of your belt loop getting hooked to pull you to her side. Fennec tutted you like a naughty child, “Ah ah ah, the song's not over cookie.”

She tugged, guiding your movements while holding her drink in the other. You continued to sing and sway as the song hit the last chorus. Fennec tapped her fingers under your chin then stepped away as the final chords rang. You laughed and felt genuinely happy, feeling safe enough to let down your guard. Which was funny if you thought on it... feeling safe in the palace of the Daimyo of Tattoine. Looking at Fennec's smug face you couldn't help but be a little bit of a brat, “Such a tease Mistress Shand.”

Fennec smirked, glancing back at the hallway, “Oh, you have no idea...”

Boba had stepped back where you couldn't see him, still watching you. Observing as you joined his second in command at the table, making notes on your data pad. It annoyed him that Fennec would toy with you like some dancing girl. Walking into the kitchen he saw you look up at him with a small smile.

“Good morning.” Tracking as he moved to sit at the head of the table by Fennec. You take a fortifying breath, kark you were tired. “Omelet with bacon for the Daimyo or just toast and coffee like this one?”

“Careful cookie, remember who's in charge.” Fennec gives you a light warning. There's no real threat behind it, especially with how she saw Boba looking at you. What these two needed was a solid nudge, still now may not be the time. “By the by, Garsa was asking about you.”

“How's she doing?” You ask concerned. Moving to the buffet you started making up plates and readying the omelet pan.

“Just fine, the Sanctuary was booming last night.”

“And I bet Troy was the bartender,” You smirked at her expression as you passed her a plate of hash. “They have a heavy pour and always work race days, better tips.”

Boba watched as you bustled around making his plate. He was used to eating rations and quick meals on the fly, not often indulging in the slow enjoyment of a meal. It was something that he was still not used to. As you placed the plate and utensils down he glanced to where you sat, keeping his tone even, “You're not eating?”

“No.. I'm...” a flush rose in your cheeks as the man looked at you. Something in those eyes that saw too much. Swallowing thickly you tried to find your words again, “I'll eat later.”

“You should eat,” Boba tilted his head, suspecting that you had never returned to your quarters after making his tea. He gave a slight waive of his hand, “Please.”

“Yes Lord Fett,” Grabbing another plate you put an egg on a slice of toast and refilled your Kaf cup. His gaze was on you like a warm summer sun until you took that first bite. Glancing over you saw the man's lips turn up just slightly as he ate his meal. “I hope it's to your liking.”

“Quite good, thank you.” Boba could think of a few things he'd like to consume much better. Still he did not want to startle or distress, you always appeared flustered when he was near. There were more pressing matters that his mind needed to tend to, business always before pleasure. “Did the prisoner receive a meal.”

“Yes Lord Fett.” Rolling your eyes and giving a grunt, your tone was flatly annoyed.

Well that was a first he thought. “You don't much care for the majordomo?”

“Not particularly,” you bit out the words as though you had swallowed a bug.

Boba gave a huff of a laugh at that. So you had a temper.

“Anyone willing to deal with the Pikes is a damn fool,” Lips hovering on your mug you dared look the Daimyo in the eye, “But while also attempting to assassinate the new Daimyo... dead man walking.”

Boba couldn't help give a slight nod at that, even if his pride was a tad hurt. And foolish he had been, so distracted by his dealings with the syndicate so certain of the profits. All while his tribe was massacred by that speeder gang. But that was then, this was now. “At least he was smart enough to give me the information.”

You huffed, mind turning to more immediate concerns. The rotation on security had changed again, but most of all no audiences. “I didn't see anything on the schedule today.”

Boba didn't raise his head to reply, “Nothing worth mention.”

“Is that why you were awake?” You shouldn't poke the bear, you really shouldn't poke the bear.

Boba looked up from his omelet, seeing the softness of your eyes. You were concerned and curious. “Cleaning up messes.”

“Putting out fires,” You kept your tone easy as you pulled up your data pad to show a message from a friend in Mos Eisley. Partly about parts for your speeder and partly about an increase in unfriendly traffic. “Those fin heads are coming Lord Fett.”

Fennec watched you two dance around one another like a pair of tookas. She knew you had an edge to you, most did living on the outer rim. It did amuse her that you were finally relaxing around them enough to let your teeth show. “No need to worry your pretty head Cookie.”

“They're blood thirsty little piranhas.” You well remembered problems with them during the drought years. How ruthless they could be towards people who couldn't pay their protection.

“Yes but they can occasionally be dealt with,” Fennec kept a calm tone, watching you.

“Rather it ended quickly so that people could get back to living. But what do I know,” Tone low and sad you got up and headed to the sink, tone sharper than intended. “Enjoy your breakfast.”

“Cookie...” Fennec sighed taking a last drink. “I'm going to town, comm if you need anything.”

“Fennec, be careful.” You watched as she gave you a nod and left. Your thoughts were dark, grumbling in your throat you scrubbed harder at the last of the dishes. You hadn't meant to be moody, it was not like you at all. “I'm sorry...”

“For what?”

You jumped not realizing he had come up behind you. You were so startled that you dropped a glass. The shards sliced your finger, not badly but enough to be annoying. “Shit.”

“Here,” Boba started the faucet, placing your hand under it. “I didn't mean to...”

“No it's... I should be more careful.” Keeping your head down you weren't sure if you could meet his gaze. “I shouldn't have snapped.”

“I think Fennec will survive,” Boba could see your face flushing as he sprayed some bacta on your hand. His tone turning soft, a rarity, but you seemed to bring that out. “There, doesn't look bad.”

“Thank you,” You tried not to stammer as his hands held yours, strong and larger than your own. Glancing up to meet his gaze you almost froze, “Lord Fett.”

“Boba,” He smirked and raised your hand to his lips, giving a light brush of his lips to your knuckles. “My name is Boba.”

“Boba,” you nodded dumbly as he slowly released your hand.

“Kaylee,” Boba inclined his head to you.

Your heart thundered in your ears. Watching as he gestured for you to sit again. He nodded for you to at least finish your Kaf and so the two of you sat like that for a time. It was companionable, without the need to fill the silence.

Boba waited till you had relaxed again, speaking quietly so not to startle. “The tea last night, you put black melon milk in it.”

“Helps settle the nerves,” you shrugged sipping at your drink and not quite looking at Boba. It was such a short name for a man who cast such a large shadow. “and I didn't want to waste the melon on just my tea.”

Boba hummed at that. “And what is it that keeps you awake Kaylee?”

“Things better left in the past...”

“I over stepped...” then he felt your small hand take his own, just holding it lightly.

“S'alright. My Papa would say that honesty is good for the soul.” You sigh with a sad little smile, “Sometimes memories aren't always pleasant and come when we least want them.”

“He sounds like a wise man.”

Patting his hand you study the inside of your mug, tone a little bitter sweet, “He was.”

Screaming and several squeals rang through the halls of the Palace, causing both of you to jump. Boba got to the throne room first. There was Ro, Weem, and Drash standing next to an ornate wood box on the floor. Nikita stood frozen several steps away, a dune sea asp staring her down. The large serpent baring its fangs at the girl.

“Don't move, be still.” Boba began to approach the viper his helmet display lighting up trying to target the creature. It was just too close, still in range to strike the girl before he could shoot.

“Fuck!” Drash could shoot herself for accepting the damn shipment, it was her fracking fault it should be her. “Nikita it's gonna be ok. I swear it'll be ok.”

Nikita cried silently, tears trailing her cheeks as she tried to remain still.

“Nikita cat, look at me sweetie.” Stars and maker help you, no please don't let this happen. Your heart was in your throat and you wanted to scream. But that wouldn't help any, “'Kita Cat, come on look at me, look at me.”

The young woman glanced at you finally getting her eyes off the snake.

“Good girl, just... you remember what we used to say? When you kids would hide,” you stepped just a bit closer holding out a hand as if to grasp hers, “Far and away we won't be afraid. Just keep your eyes on me.”

“Far and away we won't be afraid. Far and away we won't be afraid...” the girl whispered the words over and over still looking at you.

“Good, keep her calm,” The snake was a message, a very clear one meant for him. Boba knew the asp could kill with its fangs as well as blind and maim by spitting its venom. If he could get the snake to go for him instead the armor would protect him.

“Mama Kay,” the high pitched terror in Nikita's voice ripped you in two, “I don't wanna die.”

“Kark it...” Swallowing hard you got ready to do something really stupid. You had given your word to protect the kids and that was one thing you would not break. Even if their parents were long dead, you had given your word. “Drash get to the drop switch.”

Boba's helmet turned to you, gut dropping to his boots. “What are you...”

Throwing a dish rag at the snake you ran between it and Nikita. The snake hissed furiously and slithered fast as lightning forward to strike at you. “Now Drash!”

“Haar'chak!” The floor went out, sending you to the rancor pit. Boba shot the viper, spraying it with the flame thrower for good measure after. His temper flared, how could you be so foolish? Looking over at Nikita she appeared no worse for wear, Drash had her well in hand. Angrily striding across the room he barked at the Gamoreans, “Clean up this mess! And find out where that came from.”

It was dark, barely any light came down from above. You could hear Drash though, sounding more like the scared girl you had first met and less the confident young woman you knew. “Mama Kay?!”

“I'm alright,” It was a huge lie. Your leg hurt, kark it hurt so bad. It had been a longer drop than you thought and you had heard crunch on landing. This job was getting more and more hazardous to your health. “Ahhhh!”

“Raaaaaaaaaahhhhhhh!”

“Oh dank....” looking around the dark beady eyes of the Rancor met your own. The breath froze in your lungs, body throbbing in pain as the ground vibrated with its roar.

The beast uncurled from where it slept coming to a crouch over you. It's lumbering head turning this way and that studying the new visitor. One large clawed hand came to paw roughly at your hurt leg.

“Hrrgg...” You couldn't help grunting in pain, but the large animal didn't move to harm you further, just studying you. It's large head lowering to sniff and snort, drool falling from it's large fangs. Vol had said that Rancors could be quite sweet. Reaching up to stroke the big beasts muzzle, it huffed a high pitched sound and blinked at you. “You... you like that? Ok we can... we can do that.”

“Open the cage.” Boba kept his voice low, striding into the dark space carefully. While he was confident the beast would not harm him, he did not wish to place you in further danger by startling it. He could hear the deep grunts of the Rancor's breathing, but couldn't see you. “Kaylee?”

“Down here,” it came out pained. You continue stroking and cooing at the rancor, trying to keep calm. In all honesty if your leg weren't on fire this would be infinitely enjoyable “Whose the most fearsome rancor? Such a tough looking fella, just a big sweetie aren't you? Yes you are, yes you are! The best boy aren't you.”

Boba crossed his arms over his chest tilting his helmet to the side. He wasn't sure which outweighed the other, his anger at your reckless behavior or the amusement of seeing you treat the Rancor like a massif puppy. “Miss Manu, you are a hazard to yourself.”

“I'm in no position to disagree,” Glancing to the side and giving a weak grimace you could tell the man was steamed, voice turning sheepish, “It was dumb. I know it was dumb. Please don't fire me... Gaaahh!”

The Rancor accidentally brushed your leg again sending pain shooting. Nausea rose in your throat and your breathing came in little gasps. Oh it was definitely broke.

“Alright boy, easy now go to Vol.” Boba patted the beast and directed it to where the handler stood in the corner. The beast whined and lumbered off, giving him a clear look at the damage. Boba scooped you up easily, carrying you silently up the tower. Partially he was silent to let you stew a little, you deserved that a bit for scaring him. A deeper part of him though simply wanted to absorb the feeling of you in his arms again. The way your chest rose and fell as you breathed, the soft curves of your body in his hands. How you wrapped your arms around his shoulders and neck.

“I'm sorry.” He heard you whisper.

You were toast, so freaking toast. Closing your eyes as Boba walked with you up the stairs, head laying in the crook of his neck, tears fell. It had been nice while it lasted, shouldn't have gotten used to it anyway, maybe Garsa would let you moonlight again. At least Nikita was safe and the kids were cared for, Boba would see to them even if you weren't here. All the worst thoughts running through your mind. You didn't realize at first where the big man had placed you down.

“It's going to hurt when this boot comes off,” Boba's temper had eased seeing the tear stains on your cheeks, you wouldn't even look at him just keeping your eyes down. Taking his gloves off and placing them in his helmet to the side, Boba used just the tips of his fingers to raise your head. Your lip quivered and his face softened. Giving you a ghost of a smile he gently stroked your jaw. “Who would make me tea if you left, hmm? Just have to keep you around... though I may have to take away anything sharp from the kitchen.”

Snorting at the joke you let out a shuddering breath, relief flooded your body. Giving him a weak smile and wincing as he eased the boot off. “Thank you, Boba.”

“Lay back mesh'la, this is not going to be pleasant.”

“Pain I'm used too,” A droid came over and scanned you. Boba cut into your pants-leg exposing the area. The droid gave you a shot of medication and with a few quick movements reset the limb. Even with the drugs it hurt like a mother kriffer.

“Fuuuuuck!”

“Here drink this,” Handing you a glass of whiskey he watched as you downed the amber liquid without a flinch. The droid had suggested putting you in the tank, but Boba watched as you shook your head no. He assisted in the removal of your coveralls, you wore simple small clothes beneath. The droid placed bacta wraps on your leg and a splint, finally leaving you be. He couldn't help noticing you relax when it left. “Rest now Kaylee, you're safe here.”

It would be so easy to get lost in those tigers eyes of his, to forget your place. The man was dangerous... very, very dangerous to you. Because you trusted him so readily, believed when he told you it was safe. You had seen too many dancing girls fall for the crime lords, officers and tycoons on the cruiser growing up. Even here in Mos Espa, you knew that it was a fairy tale. As you continued to hold his gaze, your brain had finally registered where it was he had brought you. The silk sheets, the quiet wind off the dunes, the warm spicy scent.

The man had placed you in his own bed.

You should run to your room this instant, broken leg or no. You felt far too much for the man to begin with but now... The seductive feeling of the soft bed beneath you as he gazed down was just too much. The slide of the material against the bared skin of your body, the way you wanted his scent to linger. Stars he had barely touched you to help get your clothes off, but you never wanted his hands to leave.

Oh, there be danger here. Shaking your head you tried to get back to reality, “I should go...”

“No.”

Boba placed a finger to your lips pausing your words and giving you a stern look. His fingers eased down your lips to your neck, watching as you swallowed hard. A faint smile tugged at his lips as his fingers finally came to press against your collar bones to make you lay back. He didn't miss as the goose flesh rose, nor your pupils dilating.

It all made sense to him now. The way you shied away, the nervousness, the little smiles. You liked him, in some small way you felt something for him. Boba relished as part of this puzzle finally fit. He would let you lead this little chase of theirs, because in the end he knew he would win. First things first though, “Rest Kaylee.”

You shivered as he placed the blankets over you, methodical and deliberately keeping eye contact. As his hand slid down the material you took hold of it. He didn't pull away, simply letting you hold his hand. Calluses and scars from a lifetime of work, a strong and even lethal grace to their dexterity. All that you could tell from the touch of his hand. Your tone was a whisper and some small part of you knew you should still run. But your heart had ever been the foolish sort and there was something there in the gruffness, the controlled tone. A sadness in his eyes that called to you. “I'm sorry if I scared you.”

“I don't frighten, cyar'ika.” He tilted his head, such a perceptive little thing. This woman so wise beyond her years. Soft yet strong, and so very sweet. A tough little cookie. He brushed his thumb affectionately over your palm before placing it on your stomach. “Close your eyes Kaylee, sleep.”

“Yes Boba.” The pain medication had been lulling you there already, but it was his deep tenor that made you obey the command. Your last thought before sleep took hold was how nicely your name fell from his lips.

Boba watched you, only for a moment to be sure that you were comfortable. Rangir, who was he trying to fool? He may as well admit that it pleased that hungry part him to see you laying in his bed. Seeing your soft body wrapped in his sheets as a faint smile curved those plush lips. Next time though it would be different, you would be here of your own choosing. Next time you would beg him to stay.

Rising he replaced his gloves and tucked his helmet under his arm. Pausing to glance down on you one more time. “Nuhoy jahaala Kaylee, jate vercopa.”

Translations:

Dral runi- Bright Soul

Cyar'ika- Sweetheart

Mesh'la- Beautiful

Haar'chak- Damn it!

Rangir- To hell with it

Nuhoy jahaala, jate vercopa- Sleep well, good dreams

Tags: @acatalystrising @pickleprickle @daimyosprincess @kimiheartblade

[kill-the-feels]

Question for the day!

I have two potential works I could post this evening (manifest me getting my work done on time🤞) and I want to know which y’all would prefer!

Option one: next chapter of fwwchtsam

Or….

Option two: new work (hint: it’s a Fett piece👀)

Let me know!

[mandoalorian]

Return of the Jedi [Max Lord x gn!Reader]

Summary: You and Alistair are heartbroken when you find out opening week tickets for Return of the Jedi have sold out. So Maxwell calls an old friend and organises a special surprise for his little family.

Warnings: food mention

Word count: 2000>

Author’s note: I received a request to write a Maxwell Lord x neurodivergent!Reader from @smoldjarin . They provided me with so much information in regards to autism, stimming, hyperfixations and more. I had so much joy writing this and I hope you find joy in reading it too. I couldn’t have done this without Melissa. I just hope I done it justice. (PS— I wanted to include Melissa’s love for Star Wars in this. I think we all, as Pedro stans, love Star Wars).

Maxwell wanted to pull his hair out. He had no idea what you and Alistair were yapping on about, but, evidently, it was something you both felt very passionate about. He’d seen you enthusiastic like this before, sure, but this was the first time he’d ever seen Alistair so hyped up. His brown eyes were gleaming as he hopped up and down.

“He literally said ‘I am your father!’ you laughed and Alistair let out a long groan.

“Yeah but he’s the bad guy! And the bad guys always lie,” Alistair explained — and that statement alone was enough to make Maxwell frown. ‘The bad guys always lie’ ... Ironic, to say the least. But, Alistair did make an excellent point. “I don’t trust him.”

You giggled and pulled Alistair into your lap. You’d never found it easy, touching people and being so close to them, but Alistair has grown to be an exception. He was like a son to you.

“Well, I suppose all will be revealed next week.” you told the ebony haired boy, pressing a kiss to his forehead.

You and Alistair got along really well, and Maxwell couldn’t be more grateful, but it was the moments when you both babbled on about Star Wars that had him feeling the most clueless. Granted, he hadn’t found the chance to sit through the movies, but he wanted to because he knew how much it meant to you and his son.

He was also made blissfully aware that the third and final instalment of the trilogy was being released next week, because you and Ali couldn’t stop talking about it. Even in the moments when Alistair wasn’t there, you expressed your excitement to Maxwell. He found it endearing though. He loved it when you talked about your interests and current hyper-fixations. Which is why his heart broke when you read the Friday morning paper and found out all the tickets for opening week were sold out.

Max, despite having no interest in Star Wars, was devastated when he saw the look on your face. He especially didn’t want to be the person who had to break the bad news to Alistair.

“I was really looking forward to it.” You mumbled sadly, your eyes fixated on your cereal. You only had a little left to eat, but truthfully, you’d lost all appetite. These movies and this franchise meant the absolute world to you, and now no doubt you’d have the final movie spoiled for you at work or by the television.

“Oh darling,” Maxwell hummed, wrapping his strong arms around you and holding you tight. You relished in his warmth and found yourself getting lost in the comforting scent of his sweet musk cologne. “I know. And I’m sorry,” the silence between you both broke his heart. “Don’t worry honey, I’ll fix this.”

You weren’t sure how he could possibly fix this. There were simply no more seats available in the movie theatres. He couldn’t just spawn in more seats. What Maxwell Lord did have though, was power, influence and money— and when he put his mind to something, he was sure to get it done. You had never met anyone more determined than him.

He didn’t want to leave you that morning, but duty called and he had to go to work. You tried your hardest to push through the day, ignoring this morning’s revelation. You opted to meet up with a friend at the park, and got ice cream. But when you’re friend told you they’d got tickets, you couldn’t help but feel a pang of jealousy. You deserved these tickets. It just wasn’t fair.

Maxwell was struggling to focus on his work too. He was running out of bright ideas, but he didn’t just want his statement from this morning to be another empty promise. He actually wanted to fix this. He’d do anything to make you and Alistair happy.

Then it struck him. If his life was a kids cartoon, an illuminated lightbulb would’ve popped above his head. He buzzed his assistant, Raquel, into his office.

“Mr. Lord?” she smiled, walking towards his pine wood desk. Maxwell combed his fingers through his golden locks of hair and looked up at the blonde girl.

“Do I know anyone who is in the uh— the new Star Wars movie?” He inquired.

Raquel was expecting some question about the latest oil numbers, or a request for more supplements — so to say she was taking aback by her boss’ query was an understatement.

She thought for a moment. “Well, Harrison Ford has been a long time investor for Black Gold. He attended last year’s charity gala. Do you remember?”

Of course Maxwell remembered. How could one forget about being in the presence of Hollywood A-Lister Harrison Ford? “Harrison’s in Star Wars?” Maxwell quizzed, trying to hide his piqued curiosity. “Bring me his number. I have to make a call.”

———

Maxwell was so excited to get home and share the good news with you and Alistair. You greeted him just as you normally did, with a loving embrace and a gentle kiss.

“How was your day sweetheart?” your boyfriend asked, smoothing out your hair.

You shrugged. “Fine I s’pose,” you told him. “How was work?”

Maxwell’s grin only grew. “Bring Alistair in.” he beamed.

You called for the boy who had been playing with his action figures in his bedroom. His mom had dropped him off about an hour before Maxwell got home. You and Ali snuggled into each other on the crushed velveteen sofa as Maxwell paced backwards and forwards. It wasn’t nervous pacing though, he was bubbling with anticipation.

“I hope you’re all excited for tomorrow night,” Maxwell began, before flashing three pristine Return of the Jedi tickets before yours and Alistair’s eyes. “Because I met with my good friend Han Solo for lunch and he has given us access to a private screening on Sunday night. So we get to see the movie before the rest of the world.”

You felt like you were in a dream. He’d done it. He’d actually fixed it. You didn’t know how and you knew better than to question him, but it didn’t matter because he somehow managed to fix this and it was all to you and Alistair. You’d found it so hard to find someone who loved you for you, who didn’t mind your stims and who encouraged your hyperfixations. But Maxwell was that man and you couldn’t believe how lucky you had gotten.

Alistair bounced up and jumped on his dad, almost knocking him over in the process. Maxwell wrapped his arms around the six year old and picked him up.

“Daddy! Thank you thank you thank you!” he squealed, unable to contain his ecstatic grin. “I had no idea you were friends with Han Solo!”

Maxwell smiled. “Oh yeah, me and Han go way back. I used to co pilot with him on the—“ Maxwell paused for a second as he tried to recall what Harrison told him. He had to get this right. “—Millennium Falcon?”

Both yours and Alistair’s jaw dropped. Gods, he was good at this. Maxwell may have been a brilliant businessman but he was an even better father.

“Does that mean you know Luke and Leia too?” Alistair asked.

“Oh yes.” Maxwell nodded, despite having no idea who Luke and Leia were.

“And Chewbacca?”

Chewbacca? Maxwell thought. What kind of name was that? Never the less he smiled and nodded. “Absolutely.”

“And Artoo and Threepio?”

Maxwell blinked. “Yep.” he replied through gritted teeth.

“Wow daddy,” Alistair hummed, snuggling into his dad’s chest. “I’m so excited.”

Maxwell dropped Alistair the ground and kneeled to his level. “You should put on your jammies and have an early night. That way, tomorrow will come around quicker.”

“Okay!” Alistair agreed enthusiastically before running back into his bedroom.

“And remember Ali!” Maxwell called. He cleared his throat and pointed his finger. “I am your father.”

That was it. That was the last straw. You’d tried your hardest to hold back your laughter as Max humoured his son, but seeing your boyfriend do a Darth Vader impression was something else.

Max sighed and sat down next to you, pulling your body into his lap. “I love you so much, my dear.”

You grinned and pressed a kiss to his lips. “I love you too. I can’t believe you did all of this.” you revealed.

“I always keep my promises.” he replied with the most genuine smile.

———

The movie was a success, and even Maxwell enjoyed it, which was very unexpected.

“I can’t believe Darth Vader was telling the truth,” Alistair sighed, exasperated. It had been a long day for sure, and his cheeks were still rosy with excitement. “I’m so glad Darth Vader isn’t my dad.”

Maxwell tutted.

“But he turned good in the end,” You smiled, taking Ali’s hand. “He saw what truly mattered. He had to save his son.”

Yeah, the parallels between Vader and Luke and Maxwell and Alistair were interesting to say the least.

“Daddy, who was your favourite character?” Alistair asked.

Maxwell thought for a moment. “I liked that guy in the green armour, he was cool. He sorta reminds me of, well, me.”

“Boba Fett?” Alistair quirked an eyebrow. “Oh daddy, no one is as cool as Boba Fett.”

Maxwell feigned a gasp. “Not even your old

man?”

Alistair giggled and rolled his eyes. “I liked the Ewok!” he announced and then tugged on your hand. “Who did you like?”

“I like Leia,” you beamed. “She’s strong and beautiful...”

“Just like you.” Maxwell whispered, brushing his

lips against yours.

The night came to an end and you couldn’t have been happier. As you lay in bed, you thanked Maxwell for all he had done. He was truly the best boyfriend in the world. He loved you so much, and he swore in that moment, as you fell asleep in his arms, that the next promise he’d make would be a promise to himself.

He was going to marry you.

———

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[darknessawaits28]

OH MY GOSH! Chapter 5 of the Mandalorian and Boba Fett Love triangle just dropped today!

Come on down my lovies and witness another glorious chapter that has just been posted up! This chapter is superrrrr juciyyy I mean like holy cannoli! 

Well hope yall enjoy it! 

https://www.quotev.com/story/14635452/Cyarika-comePrincess-dont-ever-leave-meMandalorian-and-Boba-Fett-love-triangle

PS: Mando and Boba both say they love you very much and that you look sexy~

[annoyingnerdsposts]

Hey guys! so yesterday I bought this tarot book to help me understand what the cards mean and while reading i got the idea to create a starwars tarot deck!

Here are the ideas for some of the cards that i have already if you have any ideas for the cards i show here of any others please tell me i need suggestions!

The Emperor- Palpatine

The Devil- Vader

The Lovers- Padme and Anakin/Han and Leia

The Hermit- Obi-wan/Yoda

The Moon- Death star

The Sun- Tatooine

The Star- Luke 

Again if you have any suggestions let me know! 

PS: I WILL ALSO DO CHARACTERS FROM ALL TRILOGIES AND TV SHOWS(rebels.clone wars, bad batch,the mandalorian, the book of boba fett)

[dindjarindiaries]

mollyyy!!! im taking a break from tumblr but i finally climbed out of the cave i've been living in and watched the trailer for the book of boba fett and i needed someone to shout with because ALKJHSDLJK OH MY GOSH IM SO EXCITED!!! ok that's all. hope you have a lovely day <3 ps congrats on graduating early that's so exciting i'm so proud of you!!!!

AHHHH YES I’m excited too! I’ve been having a great day—and thank you so much. That means the whole wide world to me! 🥺🤍

[mccoyquialisms]

so that Mando season finale huh

here have some disorganized thoughts (spoilers)

I CAN’T BELIEVE THEY JUST.....ENDED IT LIKE THAT

seeing din be sexy fighting against/wielding the dark saber was nice but GOD at what cost

me the entire time he was fighting the dark trooper: the SPEAR, din, the SPEAR, HELMET HEAD

his absolute exhaustion when bo katan wouldn’t take the darksaber oaisdhgsdgd. he’s like mAAM PLS I JUST WANT MY SON....I DIDNT ASK FOR THESE LASER SWORDS AND WEIRD SUCCESSION TRADITIONS

is the opening scene of the new season just going to be din more and more aggressively shoving the saber at bo-katan while she runs away

Din’s FACE when he was saying goodbye :((((

I’m so bitter that they said goodbye and there was no keldabe kiss OR mando’a, i’m coming for filoni and favreau’s kneecaps

didn’t stop me from crying the entire time though 

WHEN THE BABY TOUCHED HIS FAAACE 🥺

but FUCK does this mean grogu was at Luke’s jedi school and got murdered by kyle ron???

I hope fucking not I hOPE din comes to get him later because I will NOT STAND FOR THAT SHIT

keep my boys AWAY from that skywalker nonsense

but for real wtf is the next season gonna be...‘din deals with mandalorian politics’? 

don’t get me wrong I AM interested in that as a concept but I worry that without the din/grogu connection the show has lost its emotional center and won’t be nearly as compelling

but perhaps I should show more faith, we shall see

ps props to boba fett for saying ‘fuck ALL that’ and becoming a crime kingpin or w/e. good for him. I will probably be watching his show as i am unfortunately now in love with him. mr temeura got me good 😔

anyway I am furious that I now have to wait god knows how long for season 3. excuse me while I drown myself in AUs 

[callioope]

Thoughts on the Mandalorian s2 finale below

There was a point while watching that I was like, “Oh, wait, we are focusing on an action scene showing 4 women being badass and competent without being sexualized. That’s pretty cool.”

And then I got annoyed because they just stood around the bridge scratching their heads like dummies. What? Come on? Representation credit reduced to half. Like, “Oh, Moff Gideon isn’t here? Where could he possibly be?” Oh idk maybe where his highest “asset” is? Everything could have played out the same except Din runs into the Bo racing through the halls rather than just standing around perplexed on the bridge.

Also -- could they not have turned off the Dark Troopers from the Bridge? I mean could they at least have tried to figure out how to do that? 

Like, 4 adventurers arrive on an empty bridge. They poke things! They look for stuff! They do not just stand around waiting for plot to happen! When the villain isn’t there, they keep moving to find them.

Finally we come to my biggest peeve of the episode. Bo-Katan accepted the Dark Saber from Sabine. While she was hesitant to do so, Sabine proved to her that the people supported her. And it felt incredibly contrived to have Bo agree with Gideon that she could not just take it. (The villain! Why would you agree with the villain!) Din didn’t care. Din most likely does not want to rule. Din definitely does not have any leadership experience whatsoever. Din will not be good at this.

Oh, speaking of Gideon, why did it take them so long to knock him unconscious?

Also why does no one ever set their blasters to stun? 

Okay, now, onto the big part: Grogu going with Luke. Obviously the Fear is “wait does this mean Kylo killed him, right?” 

But I have to say, it seems weird to me to remove Grogu from the cast at this point. He’s been part of the series for 2 whole seasons now. People refer to the show as “The Baby Yoda Show.” A lot of people only tune into this show for “Baby Yoda.” 

So, I’m not 100% convinced he’s gone for good. 

And at any rate the sequels never happen

I think there’s some speculation about whether season 3 will happen or whether it’s going to be the Boba Fett show (yawn), but we haven’t resolved the situation with the darksaber or Mandalore -- and Din does care about his people, I think. So we do need follow up and resolution there.

OKAY OKAY AND FINALLY

LUKE SKYWALKER!!!!!!!! was so amazing. Honestly he sorta overshadowed the final moment for me between Grogu and Din -- normally I’d be sobbing uncontrollably during a scene like that, but my heart was too much like Luke!!! Skywalker!!! is right there!!!! Looking so awesome!!! 

I mean Luke is BAE it’s undeniable.

OH, and another thing -- I don’t really think that Luke would buy into the anti-attachment isolation stuff of the Jedi Order. For one thing, he was never indoctrinated in it. His love for his father is literally what saved his father. and Luke never stops loving Leia and Han. So I don’t see why Din couldn’t have been like “hey can I come with you tho”? Like at least ASK! Okay, maybe he didn’t because Ahsoka hinted the attachment thing was an issue. But Luke could have been like “Dude I’ll send you the coordinates, come visit, we have family time every Saturday” or WHATEVER.

PS: Boba Fett is overrated and I really don’t care. Temeura Morrison I’d rather see you play clones T_T

[steebersss]

a. enjoy yourself b. I need to inform you that there’s a god damn 501st legion shirt in that pic of his helmet you are fucking an Official Approved For Lucasfilm Events Boba Fett, probably the closest you can get to Actual Boba Fett Armor.... in the nicest way possible I hope you get totally wrecked by mr boba

i have no idea what the 501st means but yeah his shit was LEGIT. guns, rocket, jetpack, shin knives. everything. while we were cuddling he apologized if he was “stabbing me w his armor” and i couldnt explain to him just how ok with it i was

ps. boba armor comfy... i played w his braids.

pps. yes i got wrecked

[swan-of-sunrise]

Hey hi what's up I hope u remember me lol

I'm really behind on your fics because of well life and that might be the case for another week or so..

So I just wanted to check in and remind u I'm here and hope you are doing fine and all

Here are some flowers for you

PS

In the weeks I've been gone I did get into star wars and so maybe I will start reading the Mandalorian fics (though I haven't started that series yet)

I'm more of in my Poe Dameron and or Anakin skywalker phase💀

Omg hi!! Of course I remember you lol it's so good to hear from you again! Don't worry, I totally get life getting in the way so no worries, it just means you've got plenty to read whenever you have to kill a little time 😊 I'm doing pretty good, and it's nice to hear that you are too! If you wanna start reading my Mando series, then I recommend you watch Season 1 first and if you want you can continue with Season 2 (My fic starts a little before Season 2 and closely follows the plot of the entire season and most of The Book of Boba Fett, so it's up to you if you'd rather read that season or watch it first). And I'm not gonna lie, the thought of writing something for Poe has been tempting me lately 💀

Oh, thank you for the flowers and here's some for you!

[revginapond]

Sometimes I wonder...

...if people are watching the same shows that I am.

For example: Doctor Who. Gods, the people who complain about the writing on Doctor Who is enormous, and my writer self over here is looking at the complaints and wondering if we're watching the same shows. I mean, really. Are people seeing truncated versions that don't have the same incredible heart and plot twists that make my heart sing with pride in the craft of writing?

Another example is Star Trek Discovery. The writing in that show is glorious and has been epic from the start. And Picard is just masterful. The writers for both these shows have dug deep into canon and made shows that really honor the spirit of Trek.

And then there's the Mandalorian and The Book of Boba Fett. Hell, even the last Trilogy of movies themselves! Glorious!

Then again, I've said it before: there's a lot of movies and shows that I adore and think are awesome that a lot of folks seem to think are crap, or even hate. I suppose it's just confusing to see people be so vehemently cranky about something which I see as so well done.

PS: One thing I don't understand is why are these people who say the writing sucks and the show is horrible still watching it? There's plenty of other entertainment in the sea, you know?

[anaryo]

Some quick theories about The Mandalorian Season 2, episode 1, and what may happen in the next episode.

SPOILER WARNING FOR ALL THOSE WHO HAVE NOT WATCHED THE MANDALODIAN AND WANT TO AVOID SPOILERS!!!!

This is the post I was trying to get ready for Yesterday (Tuesday), but utterly failed and ended up posting it today.

Now, my main thoughts on the episode.

It was honestly fun. I really loved the introduction of the Krayt Dragon. I mean, as someone who really likes dragon, and this episode’s main quest being about fighting a dragon, this episode was quite a treat.

While I haven’t personally played the game (I must), I find it neat how the episode – in a way – paid homage to a quest in the KOTOR game.

Honestly, when Cobb Vahn showed up, wearing Boba’s armor, you could clearly see it was not exactly well fitting. Like it was made for someone with a different body type and height. Bit of a neat detail. Btw, just realized he lacks one knee protector on one leg. The armor isn’t complete.

It was also kind of funny, how the way Din got Cobb out of the way was by striking the Jetpack, causing it to malfunction in the same manner Boba’s did. Based on what we have seen from Jango Fett, and the Mandos in TCW, I guess Jetpacks are fated to be the one weakpoint in a Mandalorian’s arsenal.

We got a cameo in the form of R5, from Episode 4. Small galaxy. Tbf, R5 was still on Tatooine when we last saw him (if I’m not mistaken), and could have remained on Tatooine, ending up where the droid is right now.

The Boba Fett reveal was an honest surprise, but a welcome one (to me at least). And it’s interesting how it was probably something that was bound to happen, especially after that ending in Season 1, Episode 5, when people started theorizing that the person who finds Fennec at the was possibly Boba Fett. And it seems Season 2 may build up on that plot point that was left hanging.

Now, onto some quick theories

1. Boba Fett is Alive

And I can think of a few options of how this happened, and the reason why Boba has what appear to be Tusken gear (What appears to be a Gaderffii or gaffi stick on his back, along with what appears to be a rifle).

Either:

a. He was found by the Tuskens after he had his armor stolen by Jawas, and taken in due to viewing him a survivor of both the Sarlacc and the new resident, the Krayt Dragon.

b. He blew a hole in the Sarlacc, injuring it heavily. The Sarlacc could try to catch him again while he crawls out, only for the the Krayt dragon to come in and finish off and eat the Sarlacc. The dragon saving him by pure coincidence.

c. He was rescued by the Tuskens after crawling out of the Sarlacc, took him in – possibly for the same reason as option a. – and stripped him of his armor to treat his wounds. The armor is then stolen by Jawas… Somehow

d. He got swallowed by the Krayt dragon along with the Sarlacc, only to be spit out due to his armor causing the beast to choke momentarily. The Tuskens discover him after this, possibly witnessing this, and save him.

I have little doubt that he may have been saved by the Tuskens in some shape or form. That or he just killed and Tusken and took their gear. After losing his armor that is.

Now. Whether or not he is living with the Tusken Raiders or not is a question that needs answering. After all, he could just be wandering around on his own, tracking down his lost armor, and him showing up at the end of the episode is him finally tracking down where said armor is.

2. Mando having Boba Fett’s armor may lead to encountering the guy later on

I believe that the moment he waltz into Mos Eisley to go back to his ship, people will spot Boba’s armor. The residents will recognize the armor, which may lead to Mando learning who the previous/original owner of the armor is (Boba Fett) and may then set out to find him. That, or he will encounter him after being told the man is possibly dead, seeing as the armor is all that is left. And no one has actually seen Boba himself without a helmet/mask. He may be a Jango clone, but he wouldn’t be immediately recognized as Boba Fett based on the fact that he never took his helmet off, at least not in front of people (intimidation and stuff, maybe). This possibly enables Boba to hide more effectively whenever he is not wearing the armor.

Also remember. Boba mostly resided on Tatooine, serving as a bounty hunter for Jabba the Hutt. Outside of that, he was pretty well known to many, his armor is pretty recognizable. His armor was basically his face in the eyes of the public, if we are being honest.

3. Boba is a clone, and Din (who was a kid during the clone wars) may recognize his face if he sees him without a face cover.

Now, this one is a bit of a stretch. Who knows?

My thoughts are that, since Din was rescued from B2 battle droids (which were mostly seen during the Clone Wars) by Death Watch (who were active during that same period). Could it be possible that, before the attack that destroyed his home and left him an orphan, that Din may have seen clones? What if the attack on his home was the result of the Republic failing to protect the place, which led to said tragedy? And while this defense set by the Republic was in place, Din may have seen and/or interacted with clone troopers, seeing them without a helmet.

This could lead to his meeting Boba Fett having a different sort of impact. He could recognize his face, a clone, however he hadn’t aged much, which could mean he is different from the rest. Perhaps there is some deep-seated resentment, at the loss of his home due to the Republic failing them, and the clones were just the face he associated with said failure.

4. About Episodes 2 and Possibly 3

I feel like perhaps we will get a three episode arc to start this season, much like season 1 (Episode 1 involved finding the Child, Episode 2 Involved some bonding with the Child and discovering he is force sensitive before getting off-planet to deliver him, and Episode 3 is basically the ‘Rescue the child’ part of the arc).

Episode 1, Din finds a Mandalorian armor (which we know belonged to Boba Fett).

Episode 2 could possibly be about discovering the name of the armor’s previous owner. Boba could be possibly be believed to be dead by the locals, after all he was last seen getting swallowed by a Sarlacc, and now they find someone has found his armor. Din, on his way to leave, may be confronted by Boba wearing his Tusken disguise (if he has one). The two fight and Boba steals the armor back.

Episode 3 could be a follow up, with Din wanting to track down the person who took the armor.

Now all this is just speculation that just came to my mind. There probably won’t be an all-out confrontation, but I don’t mind, honestly.

Ps: wouldn’t it be kind of funny if said confrontation I theorize for Episode 2, led to people saying Boba’s ghost is haunting them or something?

Anyway, all of these points are just theories based on my own thoughts, they are not facts.

Hope you enjoy

[anthonydarnell]

It’s a legendary story, but it’s not true: When Princess Leia (Carrie Fisher) confesses her love for Han Solo (Harrison Ford) in Empire Strikes Back, the scripted reply was, “Just remember that, because I’ll be back.” Feeling that the line lacked a certain je ne sais quoi, Ford changed it.

“I love you.”

“I know.”

It’s humorous, poignant, and a spot-on character-driven interaction. It’s often cited as the best actor-improvised line in movie history, but, here’s the thing, it wasn’t improvised.

My wife recently surprised me with a gift; a book by Empire Strikes Back publicist Alan Arnold called Once Upon a Galaxy: A Journal of the Making of The Empire Strikes Back (originally published in 1980). It’s an out-of-print and somewhat hard-to-find book, but, if you’re interested in Star Wars history, I highly recommend getting your hands on a copy.

Arnold was granted access to all aspects of the production from the very first shots to the final cast wrap-up party. It’s a spellbinding, day-by-day account of the production. It includes contemporary interviews with the cast and crew, but, most importantly, transcripts from the set.

In an unprecedented move, Arnold convinced director Irvin Kershner to wear a wireless mike during the filming of the carbonite scene AND YOU CAN READ THE WHOLE DAMN THING (transcript below)! In a time before behind-the-scenes videos, this is the closest you’ll get.

So, yes, it’s true that Ford penned the famous line, but it was actually hashed out with director Irvin Kershner on set. It’s fascinating to read how the scene and lines developed. With special effects, extras, and actors to wrangle, it was a chaotic day of shooting that coalesced into pure perfection.

I’ll let Arnold set the scene:

“Another element the director must weave into this sacrificial scene is the emotionally tense relationship between Han and the princess. It has been a cat-and-mouse game up to now, but this scene of Han’s departure into the void must surely be the moment of truth for both of them—and for the audience. How much to reveal, how much to imply? It is something else Kersh has to decide before the scene is played.”

“And so, on a day meant for lazing in the summer sun, I followed Kersh onto the carbon-freezing-chamber set, he with his cordless mike, me with my receiver and antenna, feeling somewhat like a robot strayed from Hoth. It is 8 A.M.”

“We enter Stage 5, already throbbing with activity, and climb a stairway to the central platform where Kersh joins director of photography Peter Suschitzsky, who is lighting the set for the long shot of the group’s entrance. They take turns looking through the lens.”

Irvin Kershner: We've got to be very careful on this set never to put the frame-line on any strong horizontals. If we do, the light will be there as we follow the action, jumping in and out of that frame-line, and that worries me. Little things like that are so important. This set is so peculiar that we've got to keep watching tiny relationships of light like that. I'm also worried whether the set is too bright back there.

Peter Suschitzsky: (Suspecting, perhaps, that Kersh is playing on the mike) I think you’re just worried about everything.

IK: Yes, I am worried about everything. Everything is important, especially little things like that.

PS: I thought that light was just fine.

IK: I want to steam it all up. I would like to see figures through steam. I know that’s hard on the light because steam washes your light out, but we’ve got to do something. (Kersh proceeds to direct the shifting of various lights.) We have to be very careful. Go back a touch. Now go all the way back. I want the camera back there out of the way. Yes, put it there. Move the lights. I have to move everything! I want it all hazy, all figures in space. I must do this now before I position my actors. Once I get them into position we’ll take two cameras and do the action, the whole bloody thing.

(Harrison Ford arrives, looking very much like student who has strayed off campus.)

Harrison Ford: Hi.

IK: Good morning. I tried to call you yesterday to talk with you about the scene. I was working on it and discovered a lot of things that look really illogical the way it’s presently set up.

HF: Yeah, it certainly is. And you’ve got one other problem. I tried to tell the art department about it some weeks ago. My shirt is wrong.

IK: That’s no problem. They’ll take the shirt off you when you go down into the carbon freeze.

HF: But this shirt has no sleeves.

IK: Shit.

HF: Do you want us to talk in your trailer?

IK: Yes, but I want to set up the scene of your entrance first. This is really your scene, Harrison. It affects you more than the others. So we’ll lock ourselves away and talk.

HF: Well, I’ll go to make-up.

(Harrison leaves for make-up and Kersh prepares a lineup.)

IK: All right. I need a stormtrooper here, a stormtrooper there, and I want one over here.

(David Tromblin, the first assistant director, is beside Kersh now.)

IK: He doesn’t move well.

David Tromblin: Which one?

IK: That one over there. Was he there yesterday?

DT: Yes.

IK: Well, he must stop moving his head. I’m sure he wasn’t there yesterday. (He positions another stormtrooper.) Would you stand back please? Stand right in the corner, but don’t fall off. If you do fall off, there are boxes below. You won't get hurt. Whoops! Don’t stand quite so close or you will fall off.

(Kersh then positions Jeremy Bullock, the actor playing Boba Fett.)

IK: Jeremy, come along and stand here. Hold it. Hold it. That’s it, Jeremy. Try that. I also need a couple of guards. We have some, don’t we?

DT: We’ve got two.

IK: Two is all right. (Turns to Suschitzky.) Something’s wrong. Can you lower one of those lights on the stairway? It would be nice to have it dim on the stairway.

PS: I can’t make it much dimmer without putting filters on, and there isn’t the light for more filters.

IK: Oh, I see.

PS: You are having much more steam than we thought. It makes for very low key.

IK: I wish I could have taken those lights out altogether. I want the lights to float. Just float.

(There is further positioning and the effect is again discussed.)

IK: (Peering through camera) I wonder where the strongest shot is when bringing the entire group in. Is there no other way than along the ramp? (Suddenly spotting an angle from the top of a flight of stairs leading from the platform.) Wait a minute. There’s something nice here. High angle! Oh, yes, this works. I never looked up here before. That’s the trouble with this set, you can't get away from it to look at it! Watch it, Dave!

(Tromblin has narrowly missed falling off the set. About an hour has been absorbed by the time the main camera angle has been chosen and the guards positioned. Kersh is now looking at the set-up through different lenses; the numbers he refers to are the focal lengths in millimeters of the lenses.)

IK: Oh, boy. I’ve got it. Got it! Hold it. I saw something really interesting through the 150. You can see their feet. Look what happens.

PS: You want to be in that tight?

IK: Yes, yes.

PS: You don’t want to see a wide angle?

IK: It looks good this way. Let me look at it with the 100 now. The 100 looks great, too. All right put a 100 in.

PS: Maybe we can combine the two.

IK: Yes, let’s have a couple of cameras up there.

(He calls for a run-through with stand-ins.)

IK: Action! I like the heads going out for a moment, then the heads appearing, then going out. And this grab thing [the tong] just rising as they come around. I like the fact that all this is out of focus.

PS: While you’re here, have a look at a 50.

IK: It becomes just an ordinary walk with a 50. With a long lens it’s not an ordinary walk. I want to bring them in on some crazy shot so you don’t know where they are. They stop. You see them look over. Then I’ll cut in a couple of close-ups of Vader and Lando. When Vader says, “Put him in the carbon freeze…” Boom! Cut to a close-up of the reaction. Cut back to the long shot as the Wookie goes crazy. Everything starts happening. People start running. So, for a moment, you see the whole thing. But I want to withhold it. I don’t want to give it all at one go.

(Forty minutes later the decision is still proceeding.)

IK: Could the whole group come here please? You see, it works very well on the long lens. Right to the point where they’re in back of this grab thing as it’s moving. Cut to here and they’re going down and the thing continues to move.

(David Tromblin calls all the actors together to warn them yet again about the dangers of falling off the set. They try another run-through. The noise is cacophonous. There is shouting and banging as carpenters and grips put final touches to the set.)

IK: Excuse me, could you leave one stromtrooper here? Just one. Give me a stromtrooper to stand right here.

DT: (To second assistant director) Steve, I need another stormtrooper.

IK: I’m wondering if we want that tong thing down…actually it could be rising up.

DT: Weren’t we going to have it come up as we pan across on the longer lens?

IK: Yeah, but the problem is it’s such a big thing it cuts everything out. It becomes a great black mass with no definition on it. It would be interesting to bring them in when the tong is moving, so they’re hidden behind it as the pit closes up. No, that’s too complicated.

DT: Why don’t I have them do it once so you can look at it?

IK: I’ll tell you what’s better. Let’s have the tong down as they come in and take their positions. Then we cut from their point of view and you see the thing rise up, revealing Vader standing there with Lando. He says, “Put them in the carbon freeze.” See what I mean?

DT: Keep the platform up?

IK: No, no, I want it down. Actually, the tong should just go down to the platform, just to touch the platform.

DT: And the platform stays there until Han actually gets on it.

IK: That’s right.

DT: (To a stagehand) Les, bring the claw down as far as it will go.

Les: The floor?

IK: No, the claw. The claw right down to the floor.

DT: Les, please lower the claw.

IK: (Exasperated) Just drop it down.

(They wait for the clawlike tong to be lowered)

IK: (Observing through camera) Yes, I’ve got an interesting pattern going now. With the tight lens I’ll take them all the way down till they disappear behind the claw, which is moving. They disappear behind it. We cut to a shot across that claw. As it rises, you see Vader.

DT: Excuse me interrupting. That claw. Does it go right into the pit?

IK: (Beside himself) Just put it down!

DT: Well, wait a minute, Kersh.

IK: (Still impatient) Leave the platform where it is. Just drop the claw.

DT: You don’t want to have it tucked in the platform?

IK: That’s all I need! Please leave it right where it is.

DT: Leave it where it is for the moment, Les. (To Kersh) Do you want to see the group in position?

IK: Yes.

DT: Come in, folks.

(Norman Reynolds, the production designer, has been waiting in the wings for a chance to talk to the director. He seizes the opportunity provided by the change of set-up to show Kersh a sketch of a window to be used on another set in a future scene.)

Norman Reynolds: It’s just a sketch. I never have time to give you a finished drawing, I’m afraid, but it’s this question of the window. Do we want a round window or a square window?

IK: Don’t we want a round window?

NR: That’s why I’m anxious that it comes to your attention now. We need enough of the window to take in a long shot and then you need to go close, right?

IK: No. No. No. Oh, yes.

NR: I just wanted to know. Gary has said he thinks it ought to be a square window.

IK: Why should it be a square window?

NR: Well, his thinking is that a square window suggests the idea of being on a ship.

IK: Don’t they have round windows on ships?

NR: We could make it whatever shape you like. We could make it round or whatever. That was just his feeling.

IK: Well, first of all, Luke is standing in front of it. We start very close, then we pull back and we see the people watching him. There they are, this whole group against this wonderful scene of the fleet. The scene is really out there through the window. Then Leia walks past him. We go with her coming to the window and standing looking out and…I don’t know, would a square window look elegant there?

NR: I’ll have to make one.

(Now the scene is Kersh’s trailer. Harrison has arrived to talk further about the scene to be filmed this morning. It is 11 AM)

IK: You see, Harrison, one thing I discovered that is going to affect us crucially is the fact that you have no way of knowing that you are going to be put in the carbon freeze. They bring all three of you in, but you don’t know anything. The princess doesn’t know anything. She just senses danger. None of you has ever been in this place. You don’t know what this place is. That’s the reality of the situation. So we have to add some lines.

HF: Yeah, there’s something missing.

IK: Right.

HF: I don’t have any lines. I’m on my way to an appalling fate and, well, it’s no time for a speech, but surely I should say something, try to talk my way out.

IK: You’ve got heavily armed people all around you. Why do you think that Chewie and Leia have been brought in, too? I know why they are brought in. It came to me last night. They are brought in so you will not make problems. If you try to make a break, if you try to jump them, try to do anything so as not to go into that pit, they’ll kill Chewie and Leia, too. They use them to subdue you.

HF: But they don’t use them well enough, do they? Chewie tries to fight them off, but I don’t raise a hand to help him.

IK: No, actually you stop him so he won’t get himself killed.

HF: But I stop him before I know that if he fights he’ll get himself killed. It’s in Han’s character to join Chewie in the fight. The bargain I’m likely to keep quiet for is if I’m convinced that Leia is safe because Lando has taken a shine to her.

IK: So we need another scene.

HF: No, all I have to do is ask Lando “What is going to happen to Leia?”

IK: “What is going to happen to them?”

HF: No, to her.

IK: All right, her.

HF: And he says, “She’s too beautiful to harm.” Something on that level. You know what I mean?

IK: He could say, “I’ll see she’s all right.”

HF: How about “She will be mine”?

IK: It’s a little, well…besides, by that time you know he’s stuck on Leia.

HF: Yeah, but how does the scene play? There’s no time for thought process.

IK: Suppose Lando walks in with you. No, let’s say he’s already there. Before Vader says, “Put him in the carbon-freezing chamber,” you come to a stop and…no, I’ve got another idea. He comes from the foreground. Suppose that before Vader comes in, Lando comes over to you and says, “Listen, fella, I just want to tell you,” but he doesn’t know how to phrase it. Nevertheless, you understand his position. You don’t like it but you understand it. No, that won’t work either. That assumes you know that you’re the one that’s going to go into the pit. That’s no good.

HF: Let’s just look at this, okay? Vader says, “Put him in the carbon-freezing chamber” and Boba Fett says, “What if he doesn’t survive?” It takes a moment for everyone to realize how callous it all is. But there are still questions to be answered. For example, what about Leia?

IK: You still assume they’re going to do something to Leia, too, but you’re the one who’s going to be the guinea pig.

(Harrison rummages in Kersh’s fruit bowl.)

HF: Are there any more apples?

IK: Have this one. It’s been here a week but it’s still good. As I was saying, they’ve brought Leia and Chewie along to make you behave.

HF: But I don’t think there should be any “buddy buddy” stuff with Lando.

IK: Of course not. Lando, after all, is acting out of expediency. Wait. There is something interesting developing here. “What’s up, buddy?”…“What’s up, pal?” That’s your line to Lando.

HF: But I come in with my hands chained! Surely that gives me an idea of what’s up. I’m the only one who’s manacled.

IK: Right. But I don’t think you should be manacled when they send you down to the pit.

HF: I think I should be.

IK: (Still trying to devise the line.) “What’s up, buddy?” “What’s up, pal?”

HF: I think I should be manacled. It won’t stop the love scene. I mean I don’t have to put my arms around Leia to kiss her. I can’t see how they would indulge in more than a straight kiss in such circumstances. It has to be rough and brisk and over with.

IK: Absolutely. I don’t intend to mess around…”What’s up, buddy boy?”… in the love scene.

HF: As I pass by her, I think Leia ought to say very simply, “I love you.”

IK: (Tries it out) “I love you.” And you say, “Just remember that, Leia, because I’ll be back.” You’ve got to say, “I’ll be back.” You must. It’s almost contractual!

HF: If she says “I love you,” and I say “I know,” that’s beautiful and acceptable and funny.

IK: Right, right. You know what? I may keep Vader out of this till the end. When all this stuff is over, Vader walks right in and all he says is “Put him in the carbon-freezing chamber.” Why should he watch all this other stuff going on?

HF: He’s there because he’s telling Boba Fett what he intends to do with me.

IK: Then I guess he has to watch everything.

HF: He could walk away.

IK: No, he couldn’t. There’s no place to walk. (Laughs) I’m really stuck here.

HF: I think he could walk out and Boba Fett be the one to say, “Put him in the…”

IK: No, no, no, no…Boba can’t…No, no, no, no.

HF: Well, Vader has given me to Boba Fett.

IK: (Now wrestling with Boba Fett’s lines) “What if he doesn’t survive? He’s worth a lot to me.”

HF: I’m going to get a cup of coffee.

IK: “What if he doesn’t survive?”

(Kersh tries out several variations in Harrison’s absence and when the actor returns he’s still at it.)

IK: “What’s up, pal or buddy?”… “What’s up, pal?” That’s nice. It’s ironic. And he says, “You’re going to be frozen.” I don’t like frozen. “You’re going into the carbon-freezing chamber.” And he knows you’re likely to die if you go in there.

HF: I would know it, too!

IK: “You’re being put into carbon freeze.” How about that? And you ask, “What about them?” indicating Leia and Chewie.

HF: But I can’t say, “What about them?” I said the same thing in the cell scene we’ve already shot.

IK: So, instead of saying, “What about them?” you say, “They’re putting me in the carbon freeze,” and Leia asks why and you say, "It’ll make me behave better.”

HF: You don’t like “To make me more polite”?

IK: Polite is too obscure. Behave is much better because you’ve been a rascal, a thorn in their side. It implies a form of punishment. Leia says, “It could kill you,” and that sets Chewbacca off. (Reprising lines so far) “What’s up, pal?”… “You’re being put in the carbon freeze”… “Why?”… “It’ll make you behave.” It is sadistic.

HF: Leia’s got to be the one to recognize how sadistic it is.

IK: “What’s up, pal?” “You’re being put in the carbon freeze.” “Why?” “It’ll make you behave.” No, it's too clever. The problem is I’ve got a two-part harmony going.

HF: I still don’t like “It’ll make me behave.”

IK: How about, “It’ll make me easier to transport.” You see, you’re a guinea pig, a substitute for Luke Skywalker, but we can’t say that.

HF: “What’s up, pal?”

Together: “You’re being put in the carbon freeze.”

(Later, on Stage 5 again, Kersh is joined by Billy Dee Williams.)

Billy Dee Williams: (Quietly) “You’re going to be put in the carbon freeze.” (Louder) “You’re going to be put in the carbon freeze.”

IK: (Joining him to speak Han’s line) “Why?”

BDW: “To keep you polite.”

IK: (As Boba Fett) “But that could kill him.” When Vader says, “Put him in the carbon freeze,” you’ve got to look angry as hell.

BDW: Where’s Leia at this point?

IK: Carrie’ll be right here and we’ll work that out.

(Carrie Fisher arrives. She has not yet been in make-up.)

Carrie Fisher: Hi...

IK: I’ve just changed the scene.

CF: I know. Harrison told me.

IK: I’ve just changed it because it didn’t answer one important thing: Why are you there to watch the execution? Why don’t they take him out of jail and just do it? It doesn’t make sense, does it?

CF: No.

IK: There’s only one reason. They do it to keep the victim from fighting, from trying to take people with him. Vader doesn’t want problems like that. He brings you along for that reason. You have to understand that, or otherwise you would just stand there like a lump. So I’m starting this scene in a situation where you have no idea why you’re there. Han says to Lando, “What’s up, pal?” very sarcastically. Lando says, “You’re being put in the carbon freeze.” But he feels miserable about it, powerless. Vader says, “Put him in the carbon freeze” and everybody goes nuts. I’ve changed the scene because the emphasis was on ignorance before. I don’t want it to be on ignorance, I want it to be on knowledge.

CF: No crying, no kissing.

IK: The kissing comes after. The change is just the beginning of the scene. The rest is the same. So I’m just giving everybody their new script pages…

CF: (Disconcerted) I don’t know where I am now.

IK: (Exasperated) All you did before was exclaim, “No!” That’s all you had. Do you want to say, “No!”? You can say, “No!”

CF: Well, I don’t know where I’ll be when he says, “Put him in the carbon freeze.” I could do a big gesture. I could slap Lando or something. How near is he to me?

IK: He’s right next to you.

CF: Could I slap him?

IK: What you really want to say is “You bastard,” but you can’t say that.

CF: Do I have to be so polite? There’s too much politeness about. I could just have the bad manners to slap him.

IK: All right, all right. Great. You look up at Lando and just slap him. Okay? At this point Vader says, “Put him in the carbon…” Now you can grab Han. You don’t want to let him go. Let’s not be rational. I don’t want to be rational at this point.

CF: Right, I don’t want to let him go. But if I do love him, how does he know I love him? Maybe if I threw myself in front of him?

IK: That’s possible. Then, immediately, two stormtroopers come and start pulling you away. That’s when Chewbacca goes crazy. It’s got to be physical action. Lines don’t do it. So let’s say you slap him. (Turns to Billy Dee) Billy, this is the most difficult scene I have in the film. I’ve been going around looking at each person’s point of view, right? I’ve got Boba Fett’s. I’ve got Han’s. I know Chewie’s. I’ve got Vader’s. I’m trying to get what Leia’s is. Right now she has absolute contempt for you. So instead of talking to you, she’ll attack you and at that point two guards come in to pull her off. You see?

BDW: Well, the only thing I feel about that is I’ve been attacked so many times in the movie.

IK: It’s more interesting than lines.

CF: He could even slap me back.

IK: No, he couldn’t.

BDW: What happened to my line “I’m powerless”?

IK: That’s in. You say it to her when you quiet her down. What you are trying to convey is “I’m powerless, can’t you see, I’m powerless to help.” You’re trying to make her understand.

CF: What you’re really saying is that as a man you feel powerless.

BDW: Powerless means “I can’t.” I don’t think that’s right.

IK: (Turns to Carrie) Now you see what a problem it creates if you slap him.

BDW: Well, let’s just try it that way.

(Suddenly, Carrie gives Billy quite a powerful whack.)

BDW: Don’t hit me like that!

CF: Did it hurt?

BDW: Of course it hurt.

CF: I’m sorry. How do you hit someone?

IK: You telegraph it to him.

BDW: If you want to hit me, fake it.

IK: (Concentrating on the lines again) “What’s up, pal?” “You’re being put in the carbon freeze.” “Then why are they here?” “To keep you polite”…

(Ten minutes later…)

DT: (Rather confidentially) Kersh.

IK: Yeah?

DT: Do you want these little pinpricks of steam coming through or not?

IK: (His mind on something else) Yeah, yeah.

DT: You do?

IK: Can I have my script? Somebody get my script. It’s on the floor. Thanks. Now, this is what we’re going to do. “What’s up, pal?” “You’re being put into carbon freeze.” “Why are they here?” “To make you behave.” Cut. And at that point…

(The steam is turned on. The noise is stupefying.)

IK: Oh, boy, I’m getting out of here. This is too much.

DT: Turn the steam down, boys.

IK: Turn it down a little. (The noise of the steam dies down.)

DT: Sorry, but we have to blow it up before we can turn it down.

IK: That’s all right. At this pressure it doesn’t make much noise. So while everybody’s getting dressed and ready, I’m going to…

DT: Everybody is dressed.

IK: Oh, are they? I gotta take a leak so bad.

DT: Well, go have your leak while I blow this steam pressure up again.

IK: Yes, blow it up. I’ll be right back.

DT: Watch it, Kersh, you’re too near the edge.

(The incredible noise of the steam at full pressure is heard again.)

(It is 12:50 PM and they’re nearly set for a take.)

IK: Carrie? Where is she? (Shouts) Carrie. (She comes over to him) We’re going to shoot in about five minutes. What’s going to happen is this—I’ve reversed the whole thing…

CF: You talk to Harrison about the changes, but I always feel that you do it behind my back.

IK: No, no, no, we haven’t rehearsed it yet.

CF: But I didn’t know until now.

IK: I couldn’t tell you before.

CF: I would just like to be there when you decide to change things.

IK: (Getting angry) You weren’t here to be there.

CF: (Shouts) I was in the studio!

IK: Okay. Okay.

CF: I yelled at Harrison about the changes.

IK: Don’t yell at Harrison. Yell at me.

CF: There’s no reason for me to be mad at Harrison.

IK: All right, all right. Okay!

CF: But when he came to me with the changes, I got mad at him and it screws us up.

IK: Where is Harrison?

DT: He’s downstairs. We’re getting him up.

CF: He is very angry with me. And he has a total right to be. I should not speak to him in that way…

IK: Okay, okay.

DT: We’re ready, Kersh.

(The steam starts; the voices get even louder.)

CF: Harrison shouldn’t have to come to me with the changes. You should.

IK: He was eager to.

CF: I know he was. And now I have to perform at half an hour’s notice scenes that have been all changed.

IK: Your performance is not changed.

CF: All I’m asking is to be invited to watch you guys get a scene together. It may not center around me, like this one doesn’t, but I’m involved in it.

IK: Okay. Are you clear about it now?

CF: Yes, the only thing I’m not clear about is…

IK: (To himself) Jesus, what a day! I’ve got problems with the actors. Everybody’s furious with everybody else…

(And still the sound of steam. Perplexed and harried, Kersh struggles on, only to be confronted by Dave Prowse, anxious to promote his newly published physical-fitness book. It is not an entirely welcome diversion.)

Dave Prowse: Kersh, I’m going to change the subject. Completely take your mind off all this. My book is just out.

IK: (Baffled) What book?

DP: I’ve written a book called Fitness is Fun and I want to give you a copy.

IK: Really? (Not very convincingly) I would love that.

DP: Yes, it comes out on Saturday.

IK: Great! Lovely! You actually have the time to write a book?

DP: It took me about nine months to write. It’s about exercising. It’s a textbook on weight lifting. You would love it.

IK: Weight lifting! Well, okay, I’ll buy one. (As an aside into the mike) Whew! Boy, this is some scene. It really is some scene.

(Later, Kersh talks to Prowse about Vader’s part in the scene.)

IK: Now, Dave…

DP: (Interrupting him) There’s going to be this big melee going on, isn’t there?

IK: No. There’s no melee. There’s no melee at all! When they finish the dialog you say, “Put him in the carbon freeze,” and that is the moment of realization of what is about to happen. Leia is horrified. She holds on to Han. Chewie goes berserk. Two stormtroopers rush forward… (The steam effect is nightmarishly loud) Jesus, I can’t work with all this steam going. I have to shut all the steam off and do the rehearsal without the steam. You could go nuts with this noise. I know they have to check it all out but...

DT: (Shouts to a stagehand) Steve, hold the steam.

IK: (With relief) Thank you.

DT: Okay, let’s go for a rehearsal. We do everything minus the steam. All right? Action!

(Steam starts slightly.)

IK: Minus the steam!

(The steam persists.)

IK: Oh, no!

DT: Hold your positions and keep quiet.

IK: We have to have the platform coming up, you see. The platform, not the tong. It should be coming up.

DT: Don’t you want to rehearse the whole piece?

IK: No. I want to do the shot now, up to the point where they do their dialog.

DT: All right, gentlemen, we’re going to shoot. Take your positions, please.

IK: (To the actors.) Just do the dialog as you did before.

HF: “What’s going on, pal?”

BDW: “You’re being put into the carbon freeze.”

HF: “Well, why are they here?”

BDW: “To make you behave.”

IK: You see, Billy, you really don’t know. You have to guess at what’s implied when Lando says, “To make you behave.” It’s ambiguous. (The steam is once more deafening) Oh, God! Who needs this?

DT: Stand by. We’re almost ready to shoot.

IK: (An aside into the remote mike) Almost ready for fate to take over! At least nobody has fallen off the set yet. I even have an impulse to jump. It looks so inviting.

(Hardly anything can be heard above the steam.)

DT: We’re going to shoot.

IK: I think you’ve got a little too much steam coming up on the left. We’ve got so many people up here. Jesus Christ! Is there anyone we don’t need?

(Activity on the stage is at a peak.)

DT: Here we go.

IK: All right. Action!

DT: (Very loud indeed) ACTION!

(They go into a take.)

IK: Cut! I don’t know why, but I saw something move up there. Let’s go again right away. Action!

DT: ACTION!

(At 1:45 PM the first shot is achieved. They go again.)

IK: Cut.

DT: That was a beauty, wasn’t it, Kersh? Everything worked. The timing worked fantastically.

IK: (Disappointed) Boba Fett started walking too soon. He screwed me up.

DT: You want to go again?

IK: Yes. Right away.

DT: One more try, please. Now, Boba, wait till Vader stops before you go across. Okay? Right, here we go. ACTION!

(The steam goes on again and they do a third take.)

IK: Cut! Print it. Print those last two takes.

(Kersh moves away from the camera, followed by David Tomblin.)

DT: What did you think of the last one, Kersh?

IK: (Although reluctant to give his opinion) Perfect. In fact, it was very nearly good.