This chapter is dedicated to Carrie Fisher (1956-2016), the actress who portrayed Princess Leia in the films.
After showing clips of the previous show, the stage slowly lit up from a near-dark state.
[Today, these three players are after big creds! But, they'll have to avoid the whammy as they play the most exciting game of their lives.]
A whammy that looked more like a Hutt slithered across the screen.
[From Holovision City on Coruscant, it's time to press... your... galactic luck! And now, here's your host, the star of Press Your Galactic Luck, David Oilfin.]
"Donny, it's great to be back with you again for what we hope is another exciting game in our Press Your Galactic Luck Madness Tournament," David said. "Today's players are a motley mix, so let's meet them, shall we? Our first player is the 23rd seed and the template for Clone Wars-era troopers. Let's welcome Jango Fett."
"Thanks, David," Jango replied after receiving welcome applause from the audience.
"Welcome and good luck. Next, we have a twin separated at birth who went on to be a princess, a wife, mother, and general. Let's say hello to the multi-talented, and 14th-seeded, Leia Organa Solo."
"Thanks, it will be nice to battle using a game board and not horrible weapons and such," Leia answered.
"Indeed. Finally, we have the tournament's fifth seed. Looking to redeem himself after an explosive encounter on Utupau, let's welcome General Grievous."
"Bah, dispense with the small talk, Oilfin. I just want to win credits in hopes I meet Kenobi in the finals," Grievous said before coughing.
"Umm, OK. Let's get started, then. As the board begins to update, we have 50 000 credits worth of cash and prizes for you to win. We also have whammies, but you don't want those; four of them put you out of the game and our tournament. If at any time you fear the whammy, you can pass your earned spins to another player. And, finishing with the lead in round one means you play last in round two.
"Let's check the spin allocation this round. Jango has two spins. Leia has four, and Grievous has eight. In round one, play goes in order of the fewest spins first, so we'll start with Jango."
"Alright, I only have two spins so let's make them count here. I need big creds and stop!" Jango called out.
"Stop on 750 credits. That's a good starting value. First place for the moment and one more spin. Will you take it, or will you pass it?"
"I'll take it of course. Let's get another amount just like the last one and hold on here. Stop!"
"Stop on 600 more. Jango, you finish with 1350 credits. We'll see if that holds up while we go to Leia who plays next with four spins."
"OK. I see all kinds of good values on the board and some mystery prizes. I wonder what's up there for me to win. Let's find out. Stop!"
"Stop on a whammy."
After a synthesized foghorn sounded, a female whammy appeared and said, "Help me, Whammy-wan. You're my only hope."
As a whammy popped up in front of Leia, David said, "Well, that wasn't a good start. Let's hope it's not a bad omen. The good news is it didn't cost you anything and you still have three spins."
"We'll try this again. Let's get something good this time and no more whammies. Stop."
"Stop on 650 credits. That puts you in the game, 700 behind Jango, with two more spins."
"Now is my time to get the lead. I can get more credits or one of those prizes... Stop!"
"Stop on 'Advance Two Spaces' to a prize space. That's a cocktail dress ensemble worth 708 credits."
Well, I am a princess, so that might be a good prize, Leia thought.
"Leia, you now have 1358 credits. That puts you in first place by eight credits with one more spin. Press or pass?"
"I'll take that last spin to extend my lead. I need anything here but a whammy. Grievous has eight spins so I need everything I can get now. Stop!"
"Stop on 550 credits. That gives you 1908 and first place by 558 credits over Jango. Now, we go over to Grievous who has eight big spins this round."
"I'll keep this simple!" Grievous bellowed. "I'll dispense with the formalities and just stop the board... Stop!"
"Stop on 750 credits. You're in the game in third place with seven more spins."
Grievous nodded and took his next spin.
"Stop on a prize space. That's a diamond pendant valued at 371 credits."
Bah! Grievous thought. What will I do with that?
"You have 1121 credits now, just 229 behind Jango for second place. Six spins, press or pass?"
"I'll go again. I have to pass that bounty hunter... Stop!"
"Stop on 'Big Creds!'" That takes you to the space above it for 1250 credits."
The audience applauded and cheered.
"Grievous, you have 2371 credits now, that catapults you into first place by 463 credits over Leia with five more spins."
"Let's go again and extend my lead... Stop!"
"Stop on 'Advance Two Spaces' to a prize space. That's recreation equipment valued at 1011 credits. That brings you to 3382 credits with four spins left."
"I'll press, Oilfin... Stop!"
"Stop on another prize space. That's silver service worth 579 credits. You now have 3961 credits, first place, and three spins."
"I need to go at least one more time. Let's get something bigger. Stop!"
"Stop on 470 credits. Grievous, you've got 4431 now—2523 more than Leia—and two more spins."
"Pass!"
As the spins transferred to Leia's display with a chime, David said, "Leia, Grievous gave you a gift in the form of two spins you must take. Avoid the whammy, and you may finish first or close to it."
"Alright then. I'd love to get that 2500 and more to take first place again. Let's start right now and stop!"
"Stop on 500 credits. That's 2408 with one last spin you have to take."
"So maybe I won't get first place, but we can still close the gap. Let's get big creds here or one of the few spaces with a spin... Stop."
"Stop on 400 more. Leia, you finish with 2808 credits. Jango has 1350. And Grievous has the lead after round one with 4431. Stay tuned for round two after these messages."
###
"Welcome back to round two of today's game in the Press Your Galactic Luck Madness Tournament. As you see, the cash and mystery prizes are bigger and better to the tune of 100 000 credits. We still have the whammies, but let's hope they stay away for a while.
"We'll recap the scores and the spin allocations for this round. Grievous, you finished first with 4431 credit, so you'll play last with nine big spins. Leia, you're in second with 2808 and you'll have three spins for trying to add to your winnings. Jango, with 1350 credits and three spins, you'll play first as the player with the least amount of money in round one. The board is yours."
"Thanks, David," Jango replied. "Let's take advantage of these few spins and see what I can do here. I thrive under pressure. Big creds, no whammies, and stop."
"Stop on 750 and an important spin. You're up to 2200 now, still in third place, and all three spins. Press or pass?"
"I'll press again. Let's keep getting credits or spins. Both is nice, too. Stop!"
"Stop on 2000 credits. Jango, you've got 4200—second place just 231 credits shy of Grievous—and two spins."
"I have to go, then. Even a brief lead beats trailing. Boba didn't do too well, so it's up to me now. Let's get big creds here and stop!"
"Stop on 'Advance Two Spaces' to a prize space: a trip to Glee Anselm."
Jango joined the audience in brief applause.
"That trip is worth 1897 credits for a new total of 6097, 1666 more than Grievous now for first place. Will you take that last spin or pass it?"
"I don't want to be too greedy here; I'll pass."
"That spin goes to Grievous, but he won't take it yet. Leia plays now with 2808 credits, one whammy, and three spins of her own."
"I have some catching up to do again. Let's hope those whammies stay away," Leia stated. "Let's get the most out of these three spins and stop."
"Stop on a prize space. That's a trip to Tatooine worth 3141 credits."
Leia wasn't overly thrilled with the trip, but it was what she needed to catch Jango.
"Leia, your total is now 5949. You trail Jango by just 148 credits with two spins."
"Then let's do it. Let's get big creds or a big prize again. The Maker knows I need it now... Stop!"
"Stop on 1138 credits. You now have 7087, good for first place over Jango by 990 credits. Will you press or pass that last spin?"
"As tempted as I am to pass, Grievous has ten spins already, so I need every spin I can get. So I'll press my galactic luck."
"Here we go."
"Let's finish with big creds. I need to lead by more here... Stop!"
"Stop on 1250 credits. Leia, you have first place for the moment with 8337 credits. Now, we go over to Grievous. You have 4431 credits. Before you can take your nine spins, however, you have one passed spin you must take first. Let's get that out of the way, shall we?"
"Every spin is a chance to destroy my enemies, err, opponents. Stop!" Grievous called out.
"Stop on 501 credits. You have 4932 and you can now press or pass with nine spins."
"Perfect. Let's get first place back and make this game great again. Stop!"
"Stop on a prize space. That's a cruise to Borleias valued at 2527 credits."
The audience briefly applauded and cheered.
"Grievous, your new total is 7459 credits—just under 900 shy of Leia—with eight more spins."
"Perfect. I have her right where I want her, Let's pass her now. Stop!"
"Stop... on a whammy!"
"Bah!" Grievous exclaimed before coughing.
Two whammies with lightsabers appeared and said together, "First, we swing. Then, we slash. Then, we take away his cash."
"Grievous, that was rather inopportune. However, you still have seven spins for catching up again. Will you press on?"
"You bet your battle droids, I will!" Grievous replied emphatically. "We've got to catch up here. No more whammies. They're more annoying that B1 battle droids. Stop!"
"Stop on 1138. That puts you back in the game, third place, six spins."
"Excellent. Let's keep getting four-digit values here... Stop!"
"Stop on 1000 and a spin. That's a four digit value. You have 2138 and six spins, still."
"Let's get more of the same. I'll catch up, yet. Stop!"
"Stop on another whammy."
A whammy appeared onscreen, pointing and laughing until it disappeared.
"Grievous, you now have two whammies. That's not a cause for concern, yet, but you only have five spins for trying to catch the others. Will you press or pass?" David asked.
"I have no choice, Oilfin. Roll the board!" Grieve bellowed. "Let's get bigger credits this time. Those whammies are annoying me more than Kenobi now. Stop!"
"Stop on 'Move One Space.' You can choose a prize, or '2000 Or Lose-1-Whammy.'"
"I need the 2000."
"And so you have it. You're back in third place with four spins."
"Getting 2000 each spin would be enough. Let's see what we get. Stop!"
"Stop on 'Advance Two Spaces' to a prize space. That's a trip to Kabal worth 4194 credits."
The value drew some cheers from the audience.
"Grievous, you have 6194 credits now. That puts you back in second place—about 2143 credits behind Leia if my math is correct. And, you have three spins."
"Let's try this again. I'm ready to catch up to you, princess... Stop!"
"Stop on 2000 credits. With 8194 credits, you only trail her by 143 credits. Anything more gives you the lead."
"So, this is where I get my lead back. You are doomed," Grievous said, adding a sinister laugh. "Stop!"
"Stop on 750 and a spin. That's enough for first place, 8944 credits in all—a 607-credit lead—and both spins."
"Perfect. Let's get more credits and go for the win here... Stop!"
"Stop on 'Big Creds!' That gives you 5000 and a spin!"
The audience cheered loudly.
"Grievous, you've moved into five-digit territory with 13 944 credits and you still have two spins."
"Pass! I don't want to lose it all now."
"Leia, you trail Grievous by 5607 credits and he's giving you two spins to try to catch him," David informed her. "Let's take these spins one at a time to see what happens."
"I've been in tighter situations than this," Leia replied calmly. "Let's get something big here to make it easier for my next spin. Stop."
"Stop on 800 credits. That gives you 9137 with one more spin you have to take. You trail Grievous by 4807 credits. Barring a hit of our one prize worth more than 5000 credits, you'll need something with an additional spin to stay in the game. Anything else, and Grievous advances to the semifinals."
"That's pretty clear then. I need anything and a spin here, anything and a spin... Stop!"
"Stop on 1500 credits. It's not enough; Grievous has won the game!"
Grievous once again laughed evilly as the congratulatory music played before he had another coughing spell.
"We'll take one more break. After we come back, We'll talk about what happens moving forward."
###
"Welcome back to our Press Your Galactic Luck Madness Tournament," David told everyone. "Donny O'Charles will now summarize Grievous' winnings today."
[Sure thing, David! Grievous, you won a trip to Kabal. Spend a quiet weekend in the coastal fishing town of Pallisade with this prize package valued at 4194 credits.
Including your cash winnings of 9750 credits, your total for today is 13 944. Congratulations.]
"Grievous, you've advanced to the semifinal round where you'll compete against Maul and the winner of the quarterfinal featuring Luke Skywalker, Beebee-Ate, and Captain Phasma," David informed him.
"Excellent! I look forward to destroying more opponents!" Grievous exclaimed.
"Leia, you almost pulled off an upset, but you fell a little short. Jango, you did your best with the few spins you had. You'll each receive parting gifts for being part of this tournament."
Both Leia and Jango nodded to show their appreciation and thanks.
"Our next semifinal game features Rey, Jabba the Hutt, and Chewbacca. Until then, this is David Oilfin thanking you for watching Press Your Galactic Luck. We'll see you next time."
That cued the show's closing credits and recitation of prize sponsors.
[This is Donny O'Charles speaking for Press Your Galactic Luck, a Mallet Media Production.]