EXTERIOR: NABOO SPACEPORT - DAY
The Starfreighter lands in the giant port city of Theed.
PADME, ANAKIN and ARTOO are among the EMIGRANTS streaming from the Starfreighter and into the vast docking area. They exit onto the main plaza with BUMBLEBEE and WHEELIE.
EXTERIOR: NABOO PALACE, GRAND COURTYARD - AFTERNOON
The speeder bus pulls up and stops. PADME, ANAKIN, WHEELE, and ARTOO get out and Bumblebee follow behind them. the great courtyard stretches before them, and they see the rose-colored domes of the palace on the far side. ARTOO WHISTLES. They pick up their gear and start to cross the courtyard. ARTOO trundles behind them with BUMBLEBEE and WHEELIE.
WHEELIE: This place is beautiful.
PADME: Yes it is Wheelie.
ANAKIN: If I grew up here, I don't think I'd ever leave.
PADME: (laughing) I doubt that.
ANAKIN: No, really. When I started my training, I was very homesick and very lonely. This city and my Mom were the only pleasant things I had to think about... The problem was, the more I thought about my Mom, the worse I felt. But I would feel better if I thought about the palace - the way it shimmers in the sunlight - the way the air always smells of flowers...
PADME: ...and the soft sound of the distant waterfalls. The first time I saw the Capital, I was very young... I'd never seen a waterfall before. I thought they were so beautiful... I never dreamed one day I'd live in the palace.
ANAKIN: Well, tell me, did you dream of power and politics when you were a little girl?
PADME: (laughing) No! That was the last thing I thought of, but the more history I studied, the more I realized how much good politicians could do. After school, I became a Senatorial advisor with such a passion that, before I knew it, I was elected Queen. For the most part it was because of my conviction that reform was possible. I wasn't the youngest Queen ever elected, but now that I think back on it, I'm not sure I was old enough. I'm not sure I was ready.
ANAKIN: The people you served thought you did a good job. I heard they tried to amend the Constitution so you could stay in office.
PADME: Popular rule is not democracy, Annie. It gives the people what they want, not what they need. And, truthfully, I was relieved when my two terms were up. So were my parents. They worried about me during the blockade and couldn't wait for it all to be over. Actually, I was hoping to have a family by now... My sisters have the most amazing, wonderful kids... So when the Queen asked me to serve as Senator, I couldn't refuse her.
ANAKIN: I agree! I think the Republic needs you... I'm glad you chose to serve. I feel things are going to happen in our generation that will change the galaxy in profound ways.
PADME: I think so too.
ANAKIN and PADME walk toward the palace. ARTOO, BUMBLEBEE AND WHEELIE continues to follow.
INTERIOR: NABOO PALACE, THRONE ROOM - AFTERNOON
QUEEN JAMILLIA is seated on the throne, flanked by SIO BIBBLE and a COUPLE OF ADVISORS. FOUR HANDMAIDENS stand close by, and GUARDS are at the doors.
QUEEN JAMILLIA: We've been worried about you. (takes her hand) I'm so glad you're safe, Padmé.
PADME: Thank you, Your Highness. I only wish I could have served you better by staying on Coruscant for the vote.
QUEEN JAMILLIA: And who are they.
QUEEN JAMILLIA looks at BUMBLEBEE and WHEELIE.
PADME: These are my Autobot Guardians BUMBLEBEE and WHEELIE.
BUMBLEBEE and WHEELIE bow to the Queen.
BUMBLEBEE: It's an honor to meet you your majesty.
SIO BIBBLE: Given the circumstances, Senator, you know it was the only decision Her Highness could have made.
QUEEN JAMILLIA: How many systems have joined Count Dooku and the separatists?
PADME: Thousands. And more are leaving the Republic every day.
WHEELIE: And are enemies the Decepticons have also join forces with the Separatist.
PADME: If the Senate votes to create an army, I'm sure it's going to push us into a civil war.
SIO BIBBLE: It's unthinkable! There hasn't been a full scale war since the formation of the Republic!
QUEEN JAMILLIA: Do you see any way, through negotiations, to bring the separatists back into the Republic?
PADME: Not if they feel threatened. The separatists don't have an army like the Decepticons, but if they are provoked, they will move to defend themselves. I'm sure of that. And with no time or money to build an army, my guess is they will turn to the Commerce Guilds or the Trade Federation for help.
QUEEN JAMILLIA: The armies of commerce! Why has nothing been done in the Senate to restrain them?
PADME: I'm afraid that, despite the Chancellor's best efforts, there are still many bureaucrats, judges, and even Senators on the payrolls of the Guilds.
SIO BIBBLE: It's outrageous that, after all of those hearings, and four trials in the Supreme Court, Nute Gunray is still the Viceroy of the Trade Federation. I fear the Senate is powerless to resolve this crisis. Do those money mongers control everything?
QUEEN JAMILLIA: Remember, Counselor, the courts were able to reduce the Federation's armies. That's a move in the right direction.
PADME: There are rumors, Your Highness, that the Trade Federation Army was not reduced as they were ordered.
QUEEN JAMILLIA: We must keep our faith in the Republic. The day we stop believing democracy can work is the day we lose it.
PADME: Let's pray that day never comes.
QUEEN JAMILLIA: In the meantime, we must consider your own safety.
SIO BIBBLE signals. All the OTHER ADVISORS and ATTENDANTS bow and leave the room.
SIO BIBBLE: (to Anakin) What is your suggestion, Master Jedi?
PADME: Anakin's not a Jedi yet, Counselor. He's still a Padawan learner. I was thinking...
ANAKIN: (nettled) Hey, hold on a minute!
PADME: Excuse me! I was thinking I would stay in the Lake Country. There are some places up there that are very isolated.
ANAKIN: Excuse me?! I am in charge of security here, M'Lady.
SIO BIBBLE and QUEEN JAMILLIA exchange a look. Something is going on here.
PADME: Annie, my life is at risk, and this is my home. I know it very well... that is why we're here. I think it would be wise for you to take advantage of my knowledge in this instance.
ANAKIN: (takes a deep breath) Sorry, M'Lady.
QUEEN JAMILLIA: Perfect. It's settled then.
ANAKIN glares at PADME. Then QUEEN JAMILLIA gets up, and they all start to leave.
QUEEN JAMILLIA: Padmé, I had an audience with your father yesterday. I told him what was happening. He hopes you will visit your mother before you leave... your family's very worried about you.
PADME: Thank you, your Highness.
PADME looks worried. They ALL exit down the main staircase.
EXTERIOR: THEED, RESIDENTIAL AREA, SIDE STREET - AFTERNOON
PEOPLE are passing through the little street, OLD MEN are sunning themselves, WOMEN are gossiping, KIDS are playing. ANAKIN, PADME, WHEELE, BUMBLEBEE and ARTOO turn onto a side street. ANAKIN is back in his Jedi robes. and PADME wear a beautiful simple dress. She stops, beaming.
PADME: There's my house!
BUMBLEBEE then Activate his human body holoform. Whenever he or the Autobots Transfer their core consciousness into a holographic representation of themselves in order to enter in a room that will not permit there actual body to enter for obvious reasons.
PADME starts forward; ANAKIN hangs back.
PADME: What? Don't say you're shy!
ANAKIN: (untruthfully) No, but I...
Suddenly, there are shouts from two little girls, RYOO (age 6) and POOJA (age 4). They come running toward PADME.
PADME: Ryoo!! Pooja!!
PADME scoops up RYOO and POOJA and hugs them.
PADME: Go wake up Artoo.
RYOO POOJA: Artoo!!!
As they see the droid, they hug him. ARTOO WHISTLES and BEEPS. PADME'S laughs. ANAKIN, PADME, WHEELE and BUMBLEBEE go on toward the house. The GIRLS stay and play with ARTOO.
INTERIOR: PADME'S PARENTS' HOUSE, MAIN ROOM - AFTERNOON
SOLA, PADME'S beautiful older sister, comes in from the kitchen carrying a big bowl of food.
SOLA: (over her shoulder) They're eating over at Jev Narran's later, Mom. They just had a snack. They'll be fine.
SOLA puts the bowl down on the table, where ANAKIN, PADME, BUMBLEBEE, WHEELIE, and RUWEE NABERRIE (Padme's father) are coming into the room.
SOLA: Padmé! (hugging her) You're late. Mom was worried.
PADME: We walked. Anakin, Bumblebee, Wheelie, this is my sister, Sola.
SOLA: Hello, Anakin.
ANAKIN: Hello.
BUMBLEBEE: Nice to meet you.
WHEELIE: How you doing.
SOLA: So these are the Autobots we heard about.
PADME nods
SOLA sits, as JOBAL NABERRIE (Padme's mother) comes in with a heaped bowl of steaming food.
PADME: ...and this is my mother.
JOBAL: You're just in time for dinner. I hope you're hungry, Anakin.
ANAKIN: A little.
PADME: He's being polite, Mom. We're starving.
RUWEE: (grinning) You came to the right place at the right time.
JOBAL: Bumblebee, Wheelie are you too hungry.
BUMBLEBEE: Ah. No we Cybertronians don't eat.
JOBAL: Oh I forgot.
EVERYONE sits and starts passing food. and Wheelie was standing on top of the table since he's small.
JOBAL: (to Padmé) Honey, it's so good to see you safe. We were so worried.
PADME: gives JOBAL a dirty look. RUWEE smiles as he watches.
RUWEE: Dear...
JOBAL: I know, I know... but I had to say it. Now it's done.
SOLA: Well, this is exciting! Do you know, Anakin, you're the first boyfriend my sister's ever brought home?
PADME: (rolls her eyes) Sola!! He isn't my boyfriend! He's a Jedi assigned by the Senate to protect me. And Bumblebee and Wheelie are assigned to be protect me too as my Autobot Guardians.
JOVAL: A bodyguard?! And Autobot Guardians?! Oh, Padme! They didn't tell us it was that serious!
PADME: It's not, Mom, I promise. (glances at Jobal) Anyway, Anakin's a friend. I've known him for years. Remember that little boy who was with the Jedi during the blockade crisis?
They nod.
PADME: He grew up.
JOBAL: Honey, when are you going to settle down? Haven't you had enough of that life? I certainly have!
PADME: Mom, I'm not in any danger.
RUWEE: (to Anakin, Bumblebee, and Wheelie,) Is she?
ANAKIN: ...Yes ...I'm afraid she is.
PADME: (quickly) But not much.
INTERIOR: PADME'S PARENTS' HOUSE, MAIN ROOM - AFTERNOON
PADME, SOLA and JOBAL are clearing the table.
SOLA: Why haven't you told us about him?
PADME: What's there to talk about? He's just a boy.
SOLA: A boy? Have you seen the way he looks at you?
PADME: Sola - stop it!
SOLA: It's obvious he has feelings for you. Are you saying, little baby sister, that you haven't noticed?
PADME: I'm not your baby sister, Sola. Anakin and I are friends... our relationship is strictly professional. (to Jobal) Mom, would you tell her to stop it?
SOLA: (laughing) Well, maybe you haven't noticed the way he looks at you. I think you're afraid to.
PADME: Cut it out.
JOBAL: Sola's just concerned... we all are.
PADME: Oh, Mom, you're impossible. What I'm doing is important.
JOBAL: You've done your service, Padmé. It's time you had a life of your own. You're missing so much!
EXTERIOR: PADME'S PARENTS' GARDEN - AFTERNOON
ANAKIN, BUMBLEBEE, WHEELIE and RUWEE are walking in the garden. RUWEE stops and faces ANAKIN directly.
RUWEE: Now tell me, son. How serious is this thing? How much danger is my daughter really in?
ANAKIN: There have been two attempts on her life. Chances are there'll be more. My Master is tracking down the assassins. I'm sure he'll find out who they are. This situation, won't last long.
BUMBLEBEE: And the Decepticons are after Senator Amidala because she has one of the keys that can lead us to the AllSpark, our source of life, was jettison from our planet to far reaches of the galaxy. It was then that we had discovered a device that can locate the AllSpark, so we can find it bring it back to Cybertron and rebuild it.
WHEELIE: In order for this device to work it need five keys to operate it. Unfortunately these keys were also scattered across the universe so our leader Optimus Prime divided what was left of the Autobots into teams to find these keys. We've already obtained two of the keys one on Rodia, and the other on Alderaan.
BUMBLEBEE: The key Senator Amidala has is the necklace she was wearing when her second term as Queen had ended, and the Decepticons will do whatever it takes to get it.
RUWEE: I don't want anything to happen to her.
ANAKIN: I don't either.
BUMBLEBEE: And neither do we.
WHEELIE nods
INTERIOR: PADME'S PARENTS' HOUSE, PADME'S ROOM - AFTERNOON
PADME open a drawer in her room and found the necklace.
PADME: This is it.
PADME gives it to BUMBLEBEE.
BUMBLEBEE: Thank you Senator, we need to move quickly.
PADME throws some things into a bag.
PADME: Don't worry, this won't take long.
BUMBLEBEE leaves the room.
ANAKIN: We just want to get there before dark.
PADME goes on packing. ANAKIN looks around the room.
ANAKIN: You still live at home.
PADME: I move around so much, I've never had a place of my own. Official residences have no warmth. I feel good here. I feel at home.
ANAKIN: I never had a real home. Home was always where my Mom was.
ANAKIN picks up a framed hologram.
ANAKIN: Is this you?
The hologram shows PADME at age seven or eight surrounded by forty or fifty little green creatures. She is holding one in her arms. They are all smiling hugely.
PADME: That was when I went with the relief group to Shadda-Bi-Boran. Their sun was imploding, and the planet was dying. I was helping to relocate the children. See that little one I'm holding? His name was N'a-kee-tula, which means sweetheart. He was so full of life. All those kids were. They were never able to adapt... to live off their native planet.
ANAKIN picks up another hologram. It shows PADME at age ten or eleven. She is wearing official robes and standing between two robed legislators. Her expression is severe.
PADME: My first day as an Apprentice Legislator. Notice the difference?
PADME pulls a face. ANAKIN grins. She continues packing. ANAKIN sets the two holograms down side by side - the beaming little girl, and the stern, unsmiling adolescent.