Author's Note: This chapter features two characters that don't speak Basic as a first language. For this chapter only, I will use the following conventions:
Words in «angled quotes» represent speech in Huttese.
Words in \backslashes\ represent speech in Shyriiwook.
Today's episode opened without clips of previous shows, instead opting to show the current players as the house lights slowly activated.
[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 brandishing a lightsaber sliced off its arm.
[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.]
"Thanks, Donny O'Charles," David replied. Welcome back to the next quarterfinal game in our Press Your Galactic Luck Madness Tournament. We have another terrific trio of players today, so let's meet them. First, we have our 22nd seed. You may know him as Han Solo's copilot. We know him as Chewbacca. Before I greet him, I'll just say that our translator module will be working double duty today to help you translate both his and our next player's speech. Chewbacca, welcome to our show."
\Thanks, David. I hope today is more fun than setting speed records on the Kessel run,\ Chewbacca replied.
"I have a feeling you won't be disappointed. Next, we have our 15th seed—the Giant Galactic Gangster most people love to hate—Jabba the Hutt."
«Anything that lets me win credits with little to no effort is a good thing,» Jabba answered.
"I can see why you'd say that, Jabba. Finally, we have our fourth seed. She's a relative newcomer, so let's give a warm Press Your Galactic Luck welcome to Rey. Rey, how does it feel to have such a high seed and be the top-seeded female in the tournament for that matter?"
"I find it quite an honor to be seeded so high, David," Rey said with a slight accent in her voice. "I think fans enjoy a well-told rags-to-riches story, and I'm hoping I win so I can trade in my rags for riches... or a nice dress and some 10 cm wedge heels."
"We're no fashion experts, but if you win, you're more than welcome to buy whatever you wish with your credits. So, let's get started. We have 50 000 credits worth of cash and prizes on the board for you. We also have whammies, but those are about as desirable as a hungry rancor on feeding day. Worse yet, four whammies puts you out of the game and our tournament. If you fear the whammy at any time, you can pass your earned spins to another player. If you finish in the lead after our first round, you have the advantage of playing last in round two.
"Let's see how the spin are allocated for this round. Chewbacca, you have two spins. Jabba has three, and Rey has eight. In round one, play starts with the player having the least number of spins. Chewbacca, that means you'll play first."
\Alright, let's win something good here. Stop!\ Chewbacca called out.
"Stop on a prize space. That's a food factory valued at 436 credits. You have the early lead, one more spin, press or pass?"
\I'll take it. Let's get another good space again. Stop!\
"Stop on 350 credits. That should be a good space. You finish with 786 credits. Next, we go to Jabba and his three spins."
«If the Wookie can have fun, so can I. Stop!»
"Stop on 1500 credits. That's big creds!"
The audience applauded for Jabba hitting the round's largest credit value.
"Jabba, you have first place and two more spins."
«This is fun. Let's do it again. Stop!»
"Stop on 350 more. You have 1850, just over 1100 more than Chewbacca, and one last spin. Press or Pass?"
«I'll go again. I've never made this many credits so easily. I could enjoy this game... Stop!»
"Stop on 300 credits. Jabba, you have the lead for now with 2150 credits. We now turn to Rey and her eight big spins."
"OK, I need big creds here. Let's catch up to Jabba and go from there. Stop!"
"Stop on a prize space. That's a trip to Corellia worth 762 credits."
"Travel sounds fun."
"Rey, you trail Chewbacca by 24 credits for second place, but you still have seven spins."
"I'm definitely pressing on. One spin at a time here. We'll take second place now and then work on taking the lead with the other spins. Stop."
"Stop on 400 credits. That gives you second place with 1162 credits, 1088 less than Jabba with six more spins."
"I can do this. Let's get big creds and pass the big guy next to me... Stop!"
"Stop on 200 and a spin. You still have second place with a total of 1362. You still have six spins."
"Spin by spin, I'll keep making progress. I'm not worried here, and stop!"
"Stop on 200... without a spin. Fifteen sixty-two, five spins, press or pass?"
"Six hundred credits shouldn't be hard to get. Let's try to get it now or a prize. Stop!"
"Stop on 500 more. You're still in second place, but you keep narrowing the gap. Right now, you have 2062 credits—just 88 less than Jabba—and four spins at your disposal."
Rey pointed at the board, saying, "I have to go again. This is my chance for first place. Now, we can get the big creds. Stop!"
"Stop on 750 and a spin. Your 2812 credits is good for first place, and you picked up another spin to remain at four."
"I probably should go again, David. Big creds, no whammies, and stop!"
"Stop on 550. That brings your total up to 3312 with three more spins."
"I'll go one more time."
"I've never heard anyone say that before," David replied facetiously.
"Anything worth credits works here. No whammies, please... Stop!"
"Stop on 550 again. You have 3862, over 1700 more than Jabba, and two more spins."
"Now's a good time to pass," Rey stated.
As the spins transferred to Jabba's passed column, David said, "Jabba, Rey passed you two spins you must take. Avoid the whammy, and you'll stay in second place, and perhaps even take back the lead."
«That would be very fun. Let's get that big amount again. Stop!»
"Stop on 200 credits. You have 2350 credits and one last spin you must take."
«OK, I need that 1500 for sure this time. Don't disappoint me. Stop!»
"Stop on a prize space. That's an emerald pendent whose value is 322 credits."
The audience applauded. Jabba, despite not retaking the lead, did his best to applaud as well.
"Jabba, your final total is 2672. Chewbacca, you have 786. Rey, you finished with the lead thanks to your 3862 credits. Believe it or not, nobody hit a whammy that round. When we come back, we'll see if your collective good fortune continues in round two."
###
Back from the break, the big board updated, showing off the round two cash amounts.
"This is where we win the big money, folks," David informed the players. "We have well over 100 000 credits on the board this round, not including our special Double Your Credits space. We also have the whammies, but let's hope they continue to take the day off."
"Let's recap the scores along with the spin count for this round. Rey, you have the lead with 3862 credits and eight more spins. You'll play last. Jabba, you finished with 2672 credits. You picked up six spins this round to help you out. Chewbacca, because you finished with the lowest score—a total of 786 credits—you'll play first with three spins this round. I hope you can make them all count."
\That makes two of us. I need something big to catch up to the others. Stop!\
"Stop on 1250 credits. You're still in third place with 2036 credits and two more spins."
\I need whatever I can get here. Let's get something even bigger now. Stop!\
"Stop on 3000 and a spin!"
The audience cheered the big money hit.
"Chewbacca, that gives you 5036 credits. That puts you in first place for the moment and you still have both spins."
\Everyone else still has to play, so I'll press. Let's keep getting more credits and prizes. Stop!\
"Stop on 2000 more. You've moved up to 7036 with one last spin. Will you take it, or will you pass it?"
Chewbacca pondered his choices as the audience cheered its own advice. He could pass to Rey, but what if she kept winning more money?
\I'll take it myself! Let's get one last big value here. I want to keep the lead. Stop!\
"Chewbacca, you just avoided hitting our first whammy. Instead, you stopped on 800 credits. Your total for now is 7836—3974 more than Rey. Next, Jabba plays with 2672 credits and six spins."
«Oh, good, I get to have the fun again,» Jabba replied. «Let's get mores credits. Stop!»
"Stop on '2000 or Lose-1-Whammy.' Since you don't have a whammy, that's 2000 more credits—giving you 4672. That's just under 3600 less than Chewbacca with five spins."
«I love making credits so easily. Let's get even more. Stop!»
"Stop on a prize space. That's a cruise to Borleias valued at 2527 credits. That brings you up to 7199 credits, still in second place, and four spins to go."
«I could do this all day if you'd let me. I bet my friends are all jealous right now. Stop!»
"Stop on a whammy."
As the audience groaned in disappointment, a whammy appeared on screen and said, "Let me take a picture of you losing your credits." Its holocamera exploded, taking the whammy with it.
After Jabba laughed at the animation, David said, "Jabba, that was unfortunate. Your first whammy sets you back to zero, but you still have three spins. Incidentally, this was the games first whammy after 18 straight spins without one. Would you like to start over?"
«Even when I lose, it's funny. I like your style, so I'll spin again. Let's get those big values again and stop!»
"Stop on 500 and a spin. That puts you back in the game in third place with all three spins remaining."
«I'll keep going. I want first place and those big values again. Stop!»
"Stop on a prize space, that's a skycycle."
Jabba chuckled at the thought of himself riding a skycycle. Maybe I'll let Bib use it on weekends, he thought.
"Jabba, that skycycle is worth 2770 credits, bringing you up to 3270—just 592 behind Rey for second place—with two more spins to go."
«I'm going to move up again, especially if I can get those big values again. Let's do it now. Stop!»
"Stop on 2000 credits. That moves you into second place again with 5270 credits. With just one spin, you trail Chewbacca by 2566 credits. Press or pass?"
«I'll pass to the Wookie!» Jabba replied.
"Chewbacca, once that spin transfers to your passed column, you'll have to take it and risk your 7836 credits. Avoid the whammy, and you stay in first place."
\Here goes nothing. I want big creds and no whammies. Stop!\
"Stop on Double Your Credits and a spin!"
The crowd cheered wildly as Chewbacca joined them.
"Chewbacca, you just increased your winnings to 15 672 credits. That spin you picked up goes into the earned column, so you can take it or pass it to Jabba."
\Pass!\
"Jabba, that spin comes back to you. You trail Chewbacca by quite a bit, so let's see if you can narrow the gap."
«I need that big credit and a spin space here. Let's get it now. Stop!»
"Stop on a prize space. That's a big screen holovision set worth 3762 credits. It's not enough to take the lead, but you're back up to 9032 credits. Now, we go over to Rey. Finally, it's your turn. You've got 3862 and eight spins for trying to catch up to Chewbacca."
"I guess I have my work cut out for me," Rey replied. "I need big creds, even if I have eight spins here. I can't get small values for now. Stop!"
"Stop on 2500 credits. Sixty-three sixty-two, still in third place, and seven spins."
"Let's get the big creds again. Or something with a spin... Stop!"
"Stop... on a whammy."
"That's not what I wanted," Rey muttered under her breath.
Two whammies brandishing lightsabers appeared, saying "First we swing. Then, we slash. Then, we take away her cash!"
"Rey, the whammies decided to come back and play this round. You have no credits, but you still have six spins. I take it you'd like to press your galactic luck."
"I'm not one to give up easily," Rey replied. "OK, let's get big creds here and no more whammies! Stop!"
"Stop on 1250. That puts you into the game in third place and five spins."
"I need big creds and a spin or one of those expensive prizes. Please let me have that. Stop!"
"Stop on 'Big Creds.' That takes you up to the top spot for 4000 and a spin!"
After the audience cheered, David added, "Rey, you now have 5250 credits and all five spins."
"I have to get to second place at least. So, I need big creds again. Stop!"
"Stop on 500 more. Fifty-seven fifty credits, 3282 behind Jabba for second, and four spins."
"I'm pressing. C'mon, let's get big creds or a prize right now. Either would be a big help here. Stop!"
"Stop on 2000 credits. That gives you 7750 in total and 1282 less than Jabba. Three spins, press or pass?"
"I have to press, David," Rey responded. "Let's get big creds or a prize again. I need to get into second place soon. Stop!"
"Stop on 1000 and a spin. That spin helps as you'll stay at three. As for your winnings, you now have 8750—just 282 less than Jabba."
"I'm definitely going again. Let's get big creds or a spin. I want to see how much I can get in these next couple of spins. Stop!"
"Stop on 700 and a spin. Rey, you seem to be getting the spins you need for now. You've moved into second place now with 9450 credits. You trail Chewbacca by 6222, but you have three spins to try to catch up."
"That's what I'll do. I need something worth 2500 or more here, or something and a spin again... Stop!"
"Stop on 1500, just narrowly avoiding a whammy. You've moved into five-digit territory with 10 950 credits. With your two spins, you'd need 4722 credits to tie Chewbacca."
"I could get that in one spin, so I'll press on. Let's get big creds here. Something big now makes my last spin easier. Please... and stop!"
"Stop on 2000 credits. Rey, let's talk. You presently have 12 950 credits and one last spin. You trail Chewbacca by 2722 credits. You can take your spin and hope to tie him and force a showdown or try for the win. Or, you could pass the spin to Chewbacca. If he hits a whammy, you'd win. Otherwise, he'd likely win."
As if on cue, the audience offered its advice about spinning or passing.
"I've come this close, I want to see if I can do it and win by myself," Rey stated intently.
"Rey, Chewbacca, this is it. This spin will determine your fates."
"I don't know if there's a 2750 space on the board but I could use it or big creds this time. No whammies, please, and stop!"
"Stop on a prize space, a home bar. That prize is valued at 2965 credits. Rey, you did it! You won the game by 243 credits!"
"Yes!" Rey exclaimed as the congratulatory music played.
"Let's take a break and talk about what happens next after these messages."
###
"Welcome back to our Press Your Galactic Luck Madness Tournament," David said. "We just watched Rey pull out an incredible win on her final spin. Donny, tell Rey what she's won today."
[Sure thing, David. Rey, you won a home bar. You'll be the host with the most as you and your friends socialize. Put some pizzazz in your wine, ale, or Corellian Brandy—or even mix your own magnificent beverages—with this prize package worth 2965 credits.
Adding in your 12 950 credits in cash, your winnings for today total 15 915 credits. Congratulations, Rey.]
"Rey, I must ask you what you were thinking when you took that last spin," David stated.
"Well, I knew there were prizes worth that much on the board, but I was hoping for anything and a spin just because it would have given me a chance to go again in case I came up short."
"I can only imagine how incredible it feels to win."
"It still seems so surreal. I'm just glad I did so I can advance."
"And talking about advancing, your win means you advance to the semifinals. You'll play against Hera Syndulla and the winner of tomorrow's semifinal featuring Obi-Wan Kenobi, Ahsoka Tano, and General Hux."
"I look forward to it."
"Chewbacca, you came close to a big upset, thanks to that Double Your Credits space, but Rey managed to pull off the last-second heroics. Don't worry, we have some nice parting gifts for you."
\I'm glad Rey won, she earned it. I hope she makes it to the finals,\ Chewbacca replied.
"Jabba, the same can be said about you. You played your best and you were one of our more fun players on the show. We'll have some parting gifts to thank you for being part of tournament."
«I hope I can come back again. This is the most fun I've had, amazing since there were no dancing girls,» he replied.
"Right. As you heard earlier, our next semifinal features Obi-Wan, Ahsoka, and General Hux. We hope you'll join us again for another exciting episode of Press Your Galactic Luck. Take care until then."
David walked out from his podium to join the players while the final credits scrolled.
[This is Donny O'Charles speaking for Press Your Galactic Luck, a Mallet Media Production.]
