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INT. APARTMENT BUILDING, AMIDALA’S APARTMENT – DAY

Anakin looks on as Padme and Jar Jar talk, standing near the door of the anteroom to Padme�s bedroom. Dorme moves about packing luggage.

PADMÉ: I’m taking an extended leave of absence. It will be your responsibility to take my place in the Senate. Representative Binks, I know I can count on you.

JAR JAR: Mesa honored to be taken on dissa heavy burden. (Pompously) Mesa accept this with muy muy humility and da…

PADMÉ: Jar Jar. I don’t wish to hold you up. I’m sure you have a great deal to do.

JAR JAR: Of course, M’Lady.

Right. Leave your post in the hands of a certified idiot while you go play cloak and dagger with the Skystalker.

Jar Jar bows and goes out. Padmé walks briskly into the bedroom. She is in a very bad mood.

PADMÉ: I do not like this idea of hiding.

ANAKIN: Don’t worry, now that the Council has ordered an investigation, it won’t take Master Obi-Wan long to find this bounty hunter.

Padmé attends to the packing.

PADMÉ: I haven’t worked for a year to defeat the Military Creation Act not to be here when its fate is decided.

ANAKIN: Sometimes we have to let go of our pride and do what is requested of us.

PADMÉ: Anakin…you�ve grown up.

ANAKIN: Master Obi-Wan manages not to see it.

ANAKIN: (Con’t) Don’t get me wrong. Obi-Wan is a great mentor…

He picks up a silver sphere from a table and levitates it with the Force.

ANAKIN: …as wise as Master Yoda and as powerful as Master Windu.

After a moment, he lets the sphere rest in his hand.

ANAKIN: I am truly thankful to be his apprentice. In some ways…a lot of ways…I’m really ahead of him. I’m ready for the trials. But he feels I’m too unpredictable. He won’t let me move on.

PADMÉ: That must be frustrating.

ANAKIN: It’s worse! He’s overly critical. He never listens. He just doesn’t understand. It’s not fair!

PADMÉ: All mentors have a way of seeing more of our faults than we would like. It’s the only way we grow.

Anakin sits on low couch at the end of the bed and sighs.

ANAKIN: I know.

PADMÉ: Anakin. Don’t try to grow up too fast.

Anakin stands up and faces Padmé.

ANAKIN: But I am grown up. You said it yourself.

Anakin looks deep into Padmé’s eyes.

PADMÉ: Please don’t look at me like that.

ANAKIN: Why not?

PADMÉ: It makes me feel uncomfortable.

Padmé turns and goes back to her packing.

ANAKIN: Sorry, M’Lady.

Anakin looks back at her and smiles.

EXT. JEDI TEMPLE – DAY

The tall spires of the Jedi Temple stand out against a cloudy sky.

INT. JEDI TEMPLE, COUNCIL CHAMBER – DAY

Obi-Wan and Anakin stand in the center of the Council Chamber. The members of the Jedi Council are seated in a circle surrounding the two Jedi.

YODA: Track down this bounty hunter, you must, Obi-Wan.

MACE WINDU: Most importantly, find out who he’s working for.

OBI-WAN: What about Senator Amidala? She will still need protecting.

YODA: Handle that, your Padawan will.

MACE WINDU: Anakin, escort the Senator back to her home planet of Naboo. She’ll be safer there. And don’t use registered transport. Travel as refugees.

ANAKIN: As the leader of the opposition, it will be very difficult to get Senator Amidala to leave the Capital.

YODA: Until caught this killer is, our judgement she must respect.

MACE WINDU: Anakin, go to the Senate and ask Chancellor Palpatine to speak with her about this matter.

The two Jedi bow and exit the Council Chamber.

INT. SENATE BUILDING, PALPATINE’S OFFICE – DAY

Anakin and Palpatine stand at the window of Palpatine’s office and look out over the vast city.

PALPATINE: I will talk to her. Senator Amidala will not refuse an executive order. I know her well enough to assure you of that.

ANAKIN: Thank you, your Excellency.

PALPATINE: And so, they have finally given you an assignment. Your patience has paid off.

ANAKIN: Your guidance more that my patience.

They turn away from the window and walk through the office towards the door.

PALPATINE: You don’t need guidance, Anakin. In time you will learn to trust your feelings. Then you will be invincible. I have said it many times, you are the most gifted Jedi I have ever met.

ANAKIN: Thank you, your Excellency.

Yes, Master.

PALPATINE: I see you becoming the greatest of all the Jedi, Anakin. Even more powerful than Master Yoda.

INT. JEDI TEMPLE, ATRIUM – DAY

Mace Windu and Obi-Wan walk along the Temple corridors. Yoda accompanies them, riding in a small floating disc.

OBI-WAN: I am concerned for my Padawan. He is not ready to be given this assignment on his own yet.

YODA: The Council is confident in this decision, Obi-Wan.

MACE WINDU: The boy has exceptional skills.

OBI-WAN: But he still has much to learn, Master. His abilities have made him…well, arrogant.

YODA: Yes, yes. A flaw more and more common among Jedi. Hmm. Too sure of themselves they are. Even the older, more experienced ones.

MACE WINDU: Remember, Obi-Wan. If the prophecy is true, your apprentice is the only one who can bring the Force back into balance.