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Lucas, George
Star Wars Episode IV A New Hope (1977)
In a galaxy far, far away. George Lucas put himself on the pop culture map and cemented his status as a legend with this classic battle between good and evil. Intrepid Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill), his trusty droids, and smuggler Han Solo (Harrison Ford) face off against Darth Vader (James Earl Jones), trying to save Princess Leia (Carrie Fisher) and destroy the Death Star. And a little help from Obi-Wan Kenobi (Alec Guiness) never hurts.
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This moviescript available in following formats:
Lucas, George. Star Wars Episode IV A New Hope
Star Wars: A New Hope Script
A long time ago, in a galaxy far, far, away...
A vast sea of stars serves as the backdrop for the main title.
War drums echo through the heavens as a rollup slowly crawls
into infinity.
It is a period of civil war. Rebel spaceships,
striking from a hidden base, have won their first
victory against the evil Galactic Empire.
During the battle, Rebel spies managed to steal
secret plans to the Empire’s ultimate weapon, the
Death Star, an armored space station with enough
power to destroy an entire planet.
Pursued by the Empire’s sinister agents, Princess
Leia races home aboard her starship, custodian of
the stolen plans that can save her people and
restore freedom to the galaxy...
The awesome yellow planet of Tatooine emerges from a total
eclipse, her two moons glowing against the darkness. A tiny
silver spacecraft, a Rebel Blockade Runner firing lasers
from the back of the ship, races through space. It is pursed
by a giant Imperial Stardestroyer. Hundreds of deadly
laserbolts streak from the Imperial Stardestroyer, causing
the main solar fin of the Rebel craft to disintegrate.
INT. REBEL BLOCKADE RUNNER - MAIN PASSAGEWAY
An explosion rocks the ship as two robots, Artoo-Detoo (R2-
D2) and See-Threepio (C-3PO) struggle to make their way
through the shaking, bouncing passageway. Both robots are
old and battered. Artoo is a short, claw-armed tripod. His
face is a mass of computer lights surrounding a radar eye.
Threepio, on the other hand, is a tall, slender robot of
human proportions. He has a gleaming bronze-like metallic
surface of an Art Deco design.
Another blast shakes them as they struggle along their way.
THREEPIO
Did you hear that? They’ve shut down
the main reactor. We’ll be destroyed
for sure. This is madness!
Rebel troopers rush past the robots and take up positions in
the main passageway. They aim their weapons toward the door.
THREEPIO
We’re doomed!
The little R2 unit makes a series of electronic sounds that
only another robot could understand.
THREEPIO
There’ll be no escape for the Princess
this time.
Artoo continues making beeping sounds. Tension mounts as
loud metallic latches clank and the scream of heavy equipment
are heard moving around the outside hull of the ship.
THREEPIO
What’s that?
EXT. SPACECRAFT IN SPACE
The Imperial craft has easily overtaken the Rebel Blockade
Runner. The smaller Rebel ship is being drawn into the
underside dock of the giant Imperial starship.
INT. REBEL BLOCKADE RUNNER
The nervous Rebel troopers aim their weapons. Suddenly a
tremendous blast opens up a hole in the main passageway and
a score of fearsome armored spacesuited stormtroopers make
their way into the smoke-filled corridor.
In a few minutes the entire passageway is ablaze with
laserfire. The deadly bolts ricochet in wild random patterns
creating huge explosions. Stormtroopers scatter and duck
behind storage lockers. Laserbolts hit several Rebel soldiers
who scream and stagger through the smoke, holding shattered
arms and faces.
An explosion hits near the robots.
THREEPIO
I should have known better than to
trust the logic of a half-sized
thermocapsulary dehousing assister...
Artoo counters with an angry rebuttal as the battle rages
around the two hapless robots.
EXT. TATOOINE - DESERT WASTELAND - DAY
A death-white wasteland stretches from horizon to horizon.
The tremendous heat of two huge twin suns settle on a lone
figure, Luke Skywalker, a farm boy with heroic aspirations
who looks much younger than his eighteen years. His shaggy
hair and baggy tunic give him the air of a simple but lovable
lad with a prize-winning smile.
A light wind whips at him as he adjusts several valves on a
large battered moisture vaporator which sticks out of the
desert floor much like an oil pipe with valves. He is aided
by a beatup tread-robot with six claw arms. The little robot
appears to be barely functioning and moves with jerky motions.
A bright sparkle in the morning sky catches Luke’s eye and
he instinctively grabs a pair of electrobinoculars from his
utility belt. He stands transfixed for a few moments studying
the heavens, then dashed toward his dented, crudely repaired
Landspeeder (an auto-like transport that travels a few feet
above the ground on a magnetic-field). He motions for the
tiny robot to follow him.
LUKE
Hurry up! Come with me! What are you
waiting for?! Get in gear!
The robot scoots around in a tight circle, stops short, and
smoke begins to pour out of every joint. Luke throws his
arms up in disgust. Exasperated, the young farm boy jumps
into his Landspeeder leaving the smoldering robot to hum
madly.
INT. REBEL BLOCKADE RUNNER - MAIN HALLWAY
The awesome, seven-foot-tall Dark Lord of the Sith makes his
way into the blinding light of the main passageway. This is
Darth Vader, right hand of the Emperor. His face is obscured
by his flowing black robes and grotesque breath mask, which
stands out next to the fascist white armored suits of the
Imperial stormtroopers. Everyone instinctively backs away
from the imposing warrior and a deathly quiet sweeps through
the Rebel troops. Several of the Rebel troops break and run
in a frenzied panic.
INT. REBEL BLOCKADE RUNNER
A woman’s hand puts a card into an opening in Artoo’s dome.
Artoo makes beeping sounds.
INT. REBEL BLOCKADE RUNNER
Threepio stands in a hallway, somewhat bewildered. Artoo is
nowhere in sight. The pitiful screams of the doomed Rebel
soldiers can be heard in the distance.
THREEPIO
Artoo! Artoo-Detoo, where are you?
A familiar clanking sound attacks Threepio’s attention and
he spots little Artoo at the end of the hallway in a smoke-
filled alcove. A beautiful young girl (about sixteen years
old) stands in front of Artoo. Surreal and out of place,
dreamlike and half hidden in the smoke, she finishes adjusting
something on Artoo’s computer face, then watches as the little
robot joins his companion.
THREEPIO
At last! Where have you been?
Stormtroopers can be heard battling in the distance.
THREEPIO
They’re heading in this direction.
What are we going to do? We’ll be
sent to the spice mine of Kessel or
smashed into who knows what!
Artoo scoots past his bronze friend and races down the
subhallway. Threepio chases after him.
THREEPIO
Wait a minute, where are you going?
Artoo responds with electronic beeps.
INT. REBEL BLOCKADE RUNNER - CORRIDOR
The evil Darth Vader stands amid the broken and twisted bodies
of his foes. He grabs a wounded Rebel Officer by the neck as
an Imperial Officer rushes up to the Dark Lord.
IMPERIAL OFFICER
The Death Star plans are not in the
main computer.
Vader squeezes the neck of the Rebel Officer, who struggles
in vain.
VADER
Where are those transmissions you
intercepted?
Vader lifts the Rebel off his feet by his throat.
VADER
What have you done with those plans?
REBEL OFFICER
We intercepted no transmissions.
Aaah... This is a consular ship.
Were on a diplomatic mission.
VADER
If this is a consular ship... were
is the Ambassador?
The Rebel refuses to speak but eventually cries out as the
Dark Lord begins to squeeze the officer’s throat, creating a
gruesome snapping and choking, until the soldier goes limp.
Vader tosses the dead soldier against the wall and turns to
his troops.
VADER
Commander, tear this ship apart until
you’ve found those plans and bring
me the Ambassador. I want her alive!
The stormtroopers scurry into the subhallways.
INT. REBEL BLOCKADE RUNNER - SUBHALLWAY
The lovely young girl huddles in a small alcove as the
stormtroopers search through the ship. She is Princess Leia
Organa, a member of the Alderaan Senate. The fear in her
eyes slowly gives way to anger as the muted crushing sounds
of the approaching stormtroopers grow louder. One of the
troopers spots her.
TROOPER
There she is! Set for stun!
Leia steps from her hiding place and blasts a trooper with
her laser pistol. She starts to run but is felled by a
paralyzing ray. The troopers inspect her inert body.
TROOPER
She’ll be all right. Inform Lord
Vader we have a prisoner.
INT. REBEL BLOCKADE RUNNER - SUBHALLWAY
Artoo stops before the small hatch of an emergency lifepod.
He snaps the seal on the main latch and a red warning light
begins to flash. The stubby astro-robot works his way into
the cramped four-man pod.
THREEPIO
Hey, you’re not permitted in there.
It’s restricted. You’ll be deactivated
for sure..
Artoo beeps something to him.
THREEPIO
Don’t call me a mindless philosopher,
you overweight glob of grease! Now
come out before somebody sees you.
Artoo whistles something at his reluctant friend regarding
the mission he is about to perform.
THREEPIO
Secret mission? What plans? What are
you talking about? I’m not getting
in there!
Artoo isn’t happy with Threepio’s stubbornness, and he beeps
and twangs angrily.
A new explosion, this time very close, sends dust and debris
through the narrow subhallway. Flames lick at Threepio and,
after a flurry of electronic swearing from Artoo, the lanky
robot jumps into the lifepod.
THREEPIO
I’m going to regret this.
INT. IMPERIAL STARDESTROYER
On the main viewscreen, the lifepod carrying the two terrified
robots speeds away from the stricken Rebel spacecraft.
CHIEF PILOT
There goes another one.
CAPTAIN
Hold your fire. There are no life
forms. It must have been short-
circuited.
INT. LIFEPOD
Artoo and Threepio look out at the receding Imperial starship.
Stars circle as the pod rotates through the galaxy.
THREEPIO
That’s funny, the damage doesn’t
look as bad from out here.
Artoo beeps an assuring response.
THREEPIO
Are you sure this things safe?
EXT. TATOOINE - ANCHORHEAD SETTLEMENT - POWER STATION - DAY
Heat waves radiate from the dozen or so bleached white
buildings. Luke pilots his Landspeeder through the dusty
empty street of the tiny settlement. An old woman runs to
get out of the way of the speeding vehicle, shaking her fist
at Luke as he flies past.
WOMAN
I’ve told you kids to slow down!
INT. POWER STATION - DAY
Luke bursts into the power station, waking The Fixer, a rugged
mechanic and Camie, a sexy, disheveled girl who has been
asleep in his lap. They grumbled as he races through the
office, yelling wildly.
FIXER
Did I hear a young noise blast through
here?
CAMIE
It was just wormie on another rampage.
Luke bounces into a small room behind the office where Deak
and Windy, two tough boys about the same age as Luke, are
playing a computer pool-like game with Biggs, a burly,
handsome boy a few years older than the rest. His flashy
city attire is a sharp contrast to the loose-fitting tunics
of the farm boys. A robot repairs some equipment in the
background.
LUKE
Shape it up you guys!... Biggs?
Luke’s surprise at the appearance of Biggs gives way to great
joy and emotion. They give each other a great bear hug.
LUKE
I didn’t know you were back! When
did you get in?
BIGGS
Just now. I wanted to surprise you,
hot shot. I thought you’d be here...
certainly didn’t expect you to be
out working.
(he laughs)
LUKE
The Academy didn’t change you
much...but you’re back so soon? Hey,
what happened, didn’t you get your
commission?
Biggs has an air of cool that seems slightly phony.
BIGGS
Of course I got it. Signed aboard
The Rand Ecliptic last week. First
mate Biggs Darklighter at your
service...
(he salutes)
...I just came to say good-bye to
all you unfortunate landlocked
simpletons.
Everyone laughs. The dazzling spectacle of his dashing friend
is almost too much for Luke, but suddenly he snaps out of
it.
LUKE
I almost forgot. There’s a battle
going on! Right here in our system.
Come and look!
DEAK
Not again! Forget it.
EXT. TATOOINE - ANCHORHEAD - SETTLEMENT - POWER STATION -
DAY
The group stumbles out into the stifling desert sun. Camie
and The Fixer complain and are forced to shade their eyes.
Luke has his binoculars out scanning the heavens.
LUKE
There they are!
Biggs takes the binoculars from Luke as the others strain to
see something with the naked eye. Through the binoculars
Biggs sees two small silver specks.
BIGGS
That’s no battle, hot shot... they’re
just sitting there! Probably a
freighter-tanker refueling.
LUKE
But there was a lot of firing
earlier...
Camie grabs the binoculars away banging them against the
building in the process. Luke grabs them.
LUKE
Hey, easy with those...
CAMIE
Don’t worry about it, Wormie.
The Fixer gives Luke a hard look and the young farm boy shrugs
his shoulders in resignation.
FIXER
I keep telling you, the Rebellion is
a long way from here. I doubt if the
Empire would even fight to keep this
system. Believe me Luke, this planet
is a big hunk of nothing...
Luke agrees, although it’s obvious he isn’t sure why. The
group stumbles back into the power station, grumbling about
Luke’s ineptitude.
INT. REBEL BLOCKADE RUNNER - HALLWAY
Princess Leia is led down a low-ceilinged hallway by a squad
of armored stormtroopers. Her hands are bound and she is
brutally shoved when she is unable to keep up with the briskly
marching troops. They stop in a smoky hallway as Darth Vader
emerges from the shadows. The sinister Dark Lord stares hard
at the frail young senator, but she doesn’t move.
LEIA
Lord Vader, I should have known.
Only you could be so bold. The
Imperial Senate will not sit for
this, when they hear you’ve attacked
a diplomatic...
VADER
Don’t play games with me, Your
Highness. You weren’t on any mercy
mission this time. You passed directly
through a restricted system. Several
transmissions were beamed to this
ship by Rebel spies. I want to know
what happened to the plans they sent
you.
LEIA
I don’t know what you’re talking
about. I’m a member of the Imperial
Senate on a diplomatic mission to
Alderaan...
VADER
You’re a part of the Rebel Alliance...
and a traitor. Take her away!
Leia is marched away down the hallway and into the smoldering
hole blasted in the side of the ship. An Imperial Commander
turns to Vader.
COMMANDER
Holding her is dangerous. If word of
this gets out, it could generate
sympathy for the Rebellion in the
senate.
VADER
I have traced the Rebel spies to
her. Now she is my only link to find
their secret base!
COMMANDER
She’ll die before she tells you
anything.
VADER
Leave that to me. Send a distress
signal and then inform the senate
that all aboard were killed!
Another Imperial Officer approaches Vader and the Commander.
They stop and snap to attention.
SECOND OFFICER
Lord Vader, the battle station plans
are not aboard this ship! And no
transmissions were made. An escape
pod was jettisoned during the
fighting, but no life forms were
aboard.
Vader turns to the Commander.
VADER
She must have hidden the plans in
the escape pod. Send a detachment
down to retrieve them. See to it
personally, Commander. There’ll be
no one to stop us this time.
COMMANDER
Yes, sir.
EXT. SPACE
The Imperial Stardestroyer comes over the surface of the
planet Tatooine.
EXT. TATOOINE - DESERT
Jundland, or "No Man’s Land", where the rugged desert mesas
meet the foreboding dune sea. The two helpless astro-droids
kick up clouds of sand as they leave the lifepod and clumsily
work their way across the desert wasteland. The lifepod in
the distance rests half buried in the sand.
THREEPIO
How did I get into this mess? I really
don’t know how. We seem to be made
to suffer. It’s our lot in life.
Artoo answers with beeping sounds.
THREEPIO
I’ve got to rest before I fall apart.
My joints are almost frozen.
Artoo continues to respond with beeping sounds.
THREEPIO
What a desolate place this is.
Suddenly Artoo whistles, makes a sharp right turn and starts
off in the direction of the rocky desert mesas. Threepio
stops and yells at him.
THREEPIO
Where are you going?
A stream of electronic noises pours forth from the small
robot.
THREEPIO
Well, I’m not going that way. It’s
much too rocky. This way is much
easier.
Artoo counters with a long whistle.
THREEPIO
What makes you think there are
settlements over there?
Artoo continues to make beeping sounds.
THREEPIO
Don’t get technical with me.
Artoo continues to make beeping sounds.
THREEPIO
What mission? What are you talking
about? I’ve had just about enough of
you! Go that way! You’ll be
malfunctioning within a day, you
nearsighted scrap pile!
Threepio gives the little robot a kick and starts off in the
direction of the vast dune sea.
THREEPIO
And don’t let me catch you following
me begging for help, because you
won’t get it.
Artoo’s reply is a rather rude sound. He turns and trudges
off in the direction of the towering mesas.
THREEPIO
No more adventures. I’m not going
that way.
Artoo beeps to himself as he makes his way toward the distant
mountains.
EXT. TATOOINE - DUNE SEA
Threepio, hot and tired, struggles up over the ridge of a
dune; only to find more dunes, which seem to go on for endless
miles. He looks back in the direction of the now distant
rock mesas.
THREEPIO
That malfunctioning little twerp.
This is all his fault! He tricked me
into going this way, but he’ll do no
better.
In a huff of anger and frustration, Threepio knocks the sand
from his joints. His plight seems hopeless, when a glint of
reflected light in the distance reveals an object moving
towards him.
THREEPIO
Wait, what’s that? A transport! I’m
saved!
The bronze android waves frantically and yells at the
approaching transport.
THREEPIO
Over here! Help! Please, help!
EXT. TATOOINE - ANCHORHEAD SETTLEMENT - 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 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 who’s 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.
(he whispers)
...when our frigate goes to one of
the central systems, we’re going to
jump ship and join the Alliance...
Luke, amazed and stunned, is 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.
(he whispers)
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 or what really is important.
What good is all your uncle’s work
if it’s 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 towards the
power station.
EXT. TATOOINE - ROCK CANYON - SUNSET
The gargantuan rock formations are shrouded in a strange
foreboding mist and the onimous sounds of unearthly creatures
fill the air. Artoo moves cautiously through the creepy rock
canyon, inadvertently making a loud clicking noise as he
goes. He hears a distant, hard, metallic sound and stops for
a moment. Convinced he is alone, he continues on his way.
In the distance, a pebble tumbles down the steep canyon wall
and a small dark figure darts into the shadows. A little
further up the canyon a slight flicker of light reveals a
pair of eyes in the dark recesses only a few feet from the
narrow path.
The unsuspecting robot waddles along the rugged trail until
suddenly, out of nowhere, a powerful magnetic ray shoots out
of the rocks and engulfs him in an eerie glow. He manages
one short electronic squeak before he topples over onto his
back. His bright computer lights flicker off, then on, then
off again. Out of the rocks scurry three Jawas, no taller
than Artoo. They holster strange and complex weapons as they
cautiously approach the robot. They wear grubby cloaks and
their faces are shrouded so only their glowing eyes can be
seen. They hiss and make odd guttural sounds as they heave
the heavy robot onto their shoulders and carry him off down
the trail.
EXT. TATOOINE - ROCK CANYON - SANDCRAWLER - SUNSET
The eight Jawas carry Artoo out of the canyon to a huge tank-
like vehicle the size of a four-story house. They weld a
small disk on the side of Artoo and then put him under a
large tube on the side of the vehicle and the little robot
is sucked into the giant machine.
The filthy little Jawas scurry like rats up small ladders
and enter the main cabin of the behemoth transport.
INT. SANDCRAWLER - HOLD AREA
It is dim inside the hold area of the Sandcrawler. Artoo
switches on a small floodlight on his forehead and stumbles
around the scrap heap. The narrow beam swings across rusty
metal rocket parts and an array of grotesquely twisted and
maimed astro-robots. He lets out a pathetic electronic whimper
and stumbles off toward what appears to be a door at the end
of the chamber.
INT. SANDCRAWLER - PRISON AREA
Artoo enters a wide room with a four-foot ceiling. In the
middle of the scrap heap sit a dozen or so robots of various
shapes and sizes. Some are engaged in electronic conversation,
while others simply mill about. A voice of recognition calls
out from the gloom.
THREEPIO
Artoo-Detoo! It’s you! It’s you!
A battered Threepio scrambles up to Artoo and embraces him.
EXT. TATOOINE - ROCK CANYON - SANDCRAWLER - SUNSET
The enormous Sandcrawler lumbers off toward the magnificent
twin suns, which are slowly setting over a distant mountain
ridge.
EXT. TATOOINE - DESERT - DAY
Four Imperial stormtroopers mill about in front of the half-
buried lifepod that brought Artoo and Threepio to Tatooine.
A trooper yells to an officer some distance away.
FIRST TROOPER
Someone was in the pod. The tracks
go off in this direction.
A second trooper picks a small bit of metal out of the sand
and gives it to the first trooper.
SECOND TROOPER
Look, sir -- droids.
EXT. TATOOINE - DUNES
The Sandcrawler moves slowly down a great sand dune.
INT. SANDCRAWLER
Threepio and Artoo noisily bounce along inside the cramped
prison chamber. Artoo appears to be shut off.
THREEPIO
Wake up! Wake up!
Suddenly the shaking and bouncing of the Sandcrawler stops,
creating quite a commotion among the mechanical men.
Threepio’s fist bangs the head of Artoo whose computer lights
pop on as he begins beeping. At the far end of the long
chamber a hatch opens, filling the chamber with blinding
white light. a dozen or so Jawas make their way through the
odd assortment of robots.
THREEPIO
We’re doomed.
A Jawa starts moving toward them.
THREEPIO
Do you think they’ll melt us down?
Artoo responds, making beeping sounds.
THREEPIO
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