Chapter 24AE

'Weird Old Man'

'Visitors for Young Jedi'

'Papa's Got a Brand New Apprentice'

'Being Grounded Has Its Rewards'

'Fair is Fair'

Kris sits in the great armchair at the living room entrance. He is waiting for his guests to arrive. His mother is in the kitchen preparing the dinner. The Dark Lord is still holed up in his study. He is determined to remain there until dinner is served.

Kris repositions himself in the chair. He wants to appear cool. He leans over to check that his shoes are properly laced.

Ana-Lena walks through the living room. She escapes spending the rest of the afternoon with Arnold. The two strike a deal once he discovers that Ana-Lena never needed a tutor. Ana-Lena makes him promise not to tell her father. Anakin sees Arnold wandering around the living room and invites him into his study.

Ana-Lena passes through the living room. She smirks and rolls her eyes at her little brother as he waits for his guests.

"So, so sad…twelve and uncool. You know…if she's as hot as you say she is, she can't possibly want to be around a dork like you."

"Yeah? Like you're so hot."

"All the guys want to date me."

Anakin appears out of nowhere.

"And that is why you're in convent school."

"Ohh…here we go again…I feel a story coming on." She yawns then drops in the upholstered chair opposite her brother. She waits for the lecture. Anakin continues.

"I know teenage boys because I was one."

"And you weren't cool."

"That's beside the point…hey, who said that I wasn't cool?"

Kris giggles.

"Hee-hee…Uncle Ben did."

"What the hell?"

Ana-Lena taunts her father.

"You look upset, Daddy. Are you going to have it out with Uncle Ben? Are you going to turn to the dark side?"

"No, I'm going to teach you some life lessons. Boys are only after one thing so stay away from them or else."

"What about 'pip squeak' over here?" Ana-Lena points to Kris.

"He's twelve; I'm not worried about him."

"That's not fair, Dad!"

Arnold rushes out of the study and into the living room.

"Mr. Skywalker, Mr. Fett says it's your hand. What card should I play now?"

Anakin is torn between giving his 'lecture' and a winning Sabaac hand. There is an awkward pause. He backs away then orders Arnold into the study.

"Get back in there! Wait…am I losing?"

"No…you're up 5000 credits."

"Oh, good." He turns to Ana-Lena. "I'm very busy right now but I'm not done with you, young lady."

Kris laughs.

"Ah-ha!" he thinks for a moment. "Hey, wait. How come he gets to play Sabaac and we can't? That's not fair!"

Ana-Lena agrees.

"Yeah. Is this about my math grade?"

Kris is curious as well.

"Is this because I'm grounded?"

Anakin ignores them and disappears inside the study with Arnold.

Kris and Ana-Lena look at one another then run after the Dark Lord. The door slams closed. They resort to eavesdropping outside the door. Someone is watching them. They look up.

"You know it's wrong to eavesdrop."

'Revenge of the Siblings'

"Oh, hi Mom. We were…uhm…"

Ana-Lena chimes in, keeping her voice to a whisper.

"Daddy's gambling and he's got poor Arnold in there."

Kris stares at his sister in disbelief. When did she start feeling sorry for Arnold? He waits for his mother to take action.

"So, what are you going to do, Mom? Are you going to give him the 'what for'?"

"Move away from the door."

The siblings step aside but do not leave. Isabel looks at them.

"When I said move away from the door, I mean, go find something constructive to do."

"Oh…you don't need our help?"

"What do you think?"

They sulk, and then walk away.

'Are You Being Served?' 'At Your Service' 'Man, Oh Man!'

The first dinner guests arrive a short time later. Threepio, refreshed from his hard drive cleaning, answers the door. The proper protocol droid looks down at the two guests.

"Oh my!"

"We're here to see Kris."

Threepio glances at the adolescent boy and girl standing at the door. The boy is slightly taller than the girl is. The mop of dark unruly hair makes him appear even taller. A pair of yellow ski goggles obscures his hazel eyes.

He has a mischievous smile accented by dimples on both cheeks. He is wearing a dark green parka two sizes too big. He wears loden corduroy trousers and Hoth workboots. He looks as if he is dressed for a youth rebellion. The laces on his left boot are untied.

The girl is petite and fair with two flaxen braids falling below her waist. On top of her head is a whimsical looking faux fur tauntaun hat with ears. The long ties from the earflaps hang over her shoulders and have with fringe on the ends.

Threepio continues to stare at them. The boy speaks.

"Hey, Mister Tin Man, are you gonna let us in? It's cold out here."

Threepio responds with a stern, "Young man, Master Kris is grounded and has been for some time now. His privileges have been suspended."

"Well, we have a special invitation."

"Listen you little raga muffins, I have just explained quite clearly…"

Kris appears at the door and steps in front of the protocol droid. He interrupts Threepio.

"Hey, guys, you made it! He turns to a perturbed Threepio. "I got this, Threepio."

"Well! Just wait till your parents hear about this!"

"Come on in, guys."

The boy hands Threepio his tattered rucksack and parka.

"Here you go, Jeeves."

"The name is Threepio, young man."

An elderly butler accompanies Threepio in the foyer to lend a hand. He bows before addressing the children.

"Your coat, young lady?"

"Yeah, it's mine. Why?"

Threepio interrupts.

"He is offering to hang your coat."

The girl hands the butler her white bantha shearling coat.

"Oh. Thanks, Mr. Jeeves."

The old man is puzzled. He looks at Threepio with a worried expression on his face.

But I'm Hobson."

Threepio tries to explain.

"It's the Coruscant educational system…poor waifs."

"My word."

Hobson turns to the girl.

"May I take your floppy animal hat, little Miss?"

"No thanks." She is distracted. Her eyes widen as she walks inside the beautiful house.

The boy is in awe too.

"Gee, Kris, the way you talk about your home, I thought you lived in a dump! This place is sweet."

He plops down in an over-stuffed armchair. The girl sits in an adjacent chair.

"Hey, Boonie, we're like a king and queen. Sweet!"

The boy runs his hand across the arm of the chair touching the soft fabric.

"You're complaining about being grounded in a place like this? Man…, if I had digs like this, I'd be happy to be grounded."

Ana-Lena passes through the living room. She attempts an about-face but it is too late. Kris and his guests stand in front of her. Kris makes the introductions.

"This is my sister. That's all you need to know."

"You're not going to introduce us?"

Kris releases a heavy sigh.

"Ana-Lena, this is Boone and Sieglinde."

Boone grins and then nods.

"Wow, you're beautiful."

"Calm down, scruffy." She turns to her brother and his two friends. "Looks like the youngling table will be pulled out tonight."

"Mom says we'll be at the adult table."

"Fine, just don't sit near me."

Sieglinde whispers to Kris.

"What's her problem? Dark side?"

"Boys."

Arnold joins Kris and the others in the living room.

Meanwhile, Isabel gives the Dark Lord an ultimatum.

"Enough with the Sabaac. I'm not going to ask you again. You need to spend time with your son Turn off that plasma and get out of the den!"

"Who's the boss around here? Ok! Fine! Fine! Fine!"

The doorbell rings. Threepio answers the door. The voice of the visitor is rude and abrupt.

"Out of my way, you metallic nuisance!"

"You don't have to be so rude!"

"Now…where are the little darlings?"

Old man Palpatine wrings his pale, aged hands as he pushes his way pass Threepio in the foyer. The former emperor follows the laughter of younglings to the day room. The children are seated on a long sofa. Skippy the family K-9 droid is seated on the floor wagging his tail. Arnold is talking.

"Well, Mrs. Skywalker knocked on the door and asked if I would leave while she discussed dinner plans with your dad. That's when the yelling started.

Kris chuckles.

"Hee-hee! My mum has no Force powers but she can sure get my dad in line."

Kris and Ana-Lena sense someone approaching the door. Ana-Lena rolls her eyes.

"Oh boy…cool time is ending. Old-timer at twelve o'clock." She looks at the door. Skippy goes into growling mode. The old man appears in the doorway.

"Good afternoon, children."

Kris and his sister utter a less than enthusiastic, 'Hello, Granpalps.'

"It's so good to see you…and your little friends."

"Mom told us to stay in here until dinner."

"Well, it's a lovely room to entertain friends. Here's a little gift for you and your sister."

The siblings accept the red TaggeMart totes. They look inside their bags

"An E-Pod!"

"An E-Phone!"

"Thanks, Granpalps! You're the best."

"Oh, I brought a little treat for you to share with your guests."

Palpatine hands them a familiar-looking candy box. Kris opens the traditional teal box with the burgundy grosgrain ribbon. Five little heads lean into the open box. The fruity aromas of apricot, Blossom wine, and Pera waft through the air.

The old man takes a seat in a corner armchair facing them as they enjoy the sweets.

"Sooo…are you going to introduce me to your little friends?"

Kris hesitates and then makes the introductions.

"Uhm…guys this is my Granpalps. Palps, this is Arnold, Boone, and Sieglinde."

The three guests greet the old man. Skippy continues to growl.

"Hi."

"Hi."

"Hi."

Palpatine stares at the K-9 droid.

"Does this 'thing' have to be under foot every time I visit?"

Ana-Lena responds.

"He's part of the family, Palps." She starts to baby talk to Skippy. "Who's the cute doggie? You are! Yes, you are!"

Skippy wags his tail then rolls over. Palpatine gives a disgusted look at the creature then changes the subject.

"So, this is your little friend? She's lovely." He summons Sieglinde."

"Come closer, child."

"Who? Me?"

"Yes, I want to get a closer look at you."

"Why? Are you blind or something?"

"You remind me of someone I knew a long, long time ago. Come; let me see you with these old eyes."

Sieglinde glances over at Kris and Boone. She slowly approaches the old man. She stops about a foot away from the chair. Palpatine leans forward. Sieglinde stares at the red TaggeMart vest he is wearing. The vest is decorated with accommodation pins. A pasty hand reaches out and touches one of her flaxen braids. She backs away.

"Eww…you're weird!"

Kris is upset.

"Palps, you're freaking out my friends!"

"I apologize."

"We're going to another room."

Boone and the others follow.

"Is your grandfather senile?"

"Close to it."

Ana-Lena is the last to walk out of the dayroom.

"Thanks a lot for embarrassing me, you old coot!"

Skippy growls and barks violently.

"Come on, Skippy. He's not worth it. I'll let you bite him later."

The kids gather in the living room. More dinner guests arrive. Leia is sitting on the sofa with Isabel's parents. Leia grins.

"How cute, the little prisoners get visitation privileges."

Their grandmother Ouissanne reaches out to them for hugs and kisses.

Here are my angels. Nana's got presents for you.

"The old man is here. He gave us E-Pods and E-Phones from TaggeMart."

"Oh, your grandfather and I got you something better."

"Oh, Nana, Pop-pop, you're the best!"

She hands them the fancy bags from Rodian Drive then whispers:

"Don't tell your parents."

"We won't, Nana." Ana-Lena squeals with joy. "Oh, Kris, we are the luckiest kids in the galaxy!"

Leia chimes in with a smirk on her face.

"Lucky until Dad finds out."

"Just because he made you and Luke miserable; don't ruin it for us."

"Good evening, everyone!"

Ana-Lena looks up.

"Oh, hi, Daddy." She quickly hides her bag and slips it to Sieglinde.