I Don’t Like You, Either.

Ben speaks to the Wookiee, 

pointing to Luke several times 

during his conversation 

and the huge creature 

suddenly lets out a horrifying laugh. 

Luke is more than a little bit disconcerted and pretends not to hear the conversation between Ben and the giant Wookiee. 

Luke is terrified but tries not to show it. 

He quietly sips his drink, 

looking over the crowd 

for a more sympathetic ear or whatever. 

A large, multiple-eyed Creature gives Luke a rough shove.

CREATURE 

Negola dewaghi wooldugger?!?

The hideous freak is obviously drunk. 

Luke tries to ignore the creature and turns back on his drink. 

A short, grubby Human and an even smaller rodent-like beast join the belligerent monstrosity.

HUMAN 

He doesn’t like you.

LUKE 

I’m sorry.

HUMAN 

I don’t like you either.

The big creature is getting agitated 

and yells out some unintelligible gibberish 

at the now rather nervous, young adventurer.

HUMAN 

You just watch yourself. 

We’re wanted men —

I have the death sentence in twelve systems.

LUKE 

I’ll be careful.

HUMAN 

You’ll be DEAD —

The rodent lets out a loud grunt 

and everything at the bar moves away. 

Luke tries to remain cool but it isn’t easy. 

His three adversaries ready their weapons. 

Old Ben moves in behind Luke.

BEN 

This little one isn’t worth the effort. 

Come, let me get you something…

A powerful blow from the unpleasant creature sends the young would-be Jedi sailing across the room, 

crashing through tables and breaking a large jug 

filled with a foul-looking liquid. 

With a blood curdling shriek, 

the monster draws a wicked chrome laser pistol 

from his belt and levels it at old Ben. 

The bartender panics.

BARTENDER 

No blasters! 

No blaster!

With astounding agility old Ben’s laser sword 

sparks to life and in a flash an arm lies on the floor. 

The rodent is cut in two 

and the giant multiple-eyed creature 

lies doubled, cut from chin to groin. 

Ben carefully and precisely 

turns off his laser sword 

and replaces it on his utility belt. 

Luke, shaking and totally amazed 

at the old man’s abilities, attempts to stand. 

The entire fight has lasted 

only a matter of seconds. 

The cantina goes back to normal, 

although Ben is given a respectable 

amount of room at the bar. 

Luke, rubbing his bruised head, 

approaches the old man with new awe. 

Ben points to the Wookiee. 

BEN 

This is Chewbacca. 

He’s first-mate on a ship that might suit our needs.

[Riker's quarters]

(Riker is in casual clothes, reading, when the doorbell rings) 


RIKER: 

Come in. 


JELLICO: 

Am I disturbing you? 


RIKER: 

Not at all. 


JELLICO: 

Musician. 


RIKER: 

Yes. 


JELLICO: 

Classical? 

Contemporary? 


RIKER: 

Jazz. 


JELLICO: 

Ah. 


RIKER: 

Is there something 

I can do for you, Captain? 


JELLICO: 

Are you aware of our plans to attack the Cardassian invasion fleet? 


RIKER: 

Yes, sir. I understand you've been talking to every shuttle pilot on board. 


JELLICO: 

Let's drop the ranks for a moment. 

I don't like you. 

I think you're insubordinate, arrogant, wilful, and I don't think you're a particularly good first officer. 

But you are also the best pilot on the ship. 


RIKER: 

Well, now that the ranks are dropped, Captain, I don't like you, either. 

You are arrogant and closed-minded. 

You need to control 

everything and everyone. 

You don't provide 

an Atmosphere of Trust, 

and you don't inspire these people to go out of their way for you. 

You've get everybody wound up so tight there's no joy in anything. 

I don't think you're a particularly good Captain. 


JELLICO: 

I won't order you to fly this mission. I'm here to ask. 


RIKER: 

Then ask me. 


JELLICO: 

Will you pilot the shuttle, Commander? 


RIKER: 

Yes. 


(Jellico starts to leave) 


RIKER: 

You're welcome.