Star Wars: Tempest Runner (The High Republic)

Star Wars: Tempest Runner (The High Republic)

SCENE 1. INT. CANTINA. SRAN—NIGHT.

A cantina on a blasted rock of a planet in the area of galaxy known as the Ash Worlds. The place is empty, save for the serving droid and a hulking figure, who is sitting at the bar. We can hear the hiss and wheeze of the ventilator strapped to his massive body, and when he speaks, his voice has a slight electronic distortion from the mask he wears.

Some kind of cantina-type music plays in the background, tinny as if through slightly broken speakers. Cutting back to this will be a good indicator that we’ve switched scenes or times.

FX: Doors slide open. Wind rushes in from outside, bringing dirt and grit with it. There’s a storm outside. Footsteps as an Er’Kit stumbles in—Andrik. The door shuts with a hiss.

ANDRIK:
Woo-ee! That’s quite a storm you have blowing up out there. Dust gets everywhere, eh?

SERVING DROID:
Welcome to Sran, buddy. They don’t call them the Ash Worlds for nothing. What can I get you?

ANDRIK:
Got any Tovash?

SERVING DROID:
No.

ANDRIK:
Juma juice?

SERVING DROID:
No.

ANDRIK:
What have you got?

HULKING FIGURE: (MASKED)
Nothing good.

ANDRIK:
I hear you, pal.

SERVING DROID:
Enough of that talk, or I’ll cut you off.

HULKING FIGURE: (MASKED)
Promises. Promises.

SERVING DROID:
How about a glass of utoz or vematoid.

ANDRIK:
Which is better?

HULKING FIGURE: (MASKED)
Neither.

ANDRIK:
I’ll go for the vematoid. Neat.

HULKING FIGURE: (MASKED)
You’ll regret it.

ANDRIK:
I’ll take my chances.

FX: A drink is poured and placed in front of Andrik, clunking on the bar.

SERVING DROID:
Enjoy.

ANDRIK:
Thanks.

FX: Scrape as Andrik picks up the glass and takes a drink.

ANDRIK: (CONT)
(RECOILS) Ugh! What in void’s name?

HULKING FIGURE: (MASKED)
Told ya.

ANDRIK:
(COUGHING) It’s disgusting. Pure gutrot.

SERVING DROID:
Another?

ANDRIK:
You bet.

HULKING FIGURE: (MASKED)
(LAUGHS) I like you.

ANDRIK:
Good to know. And a . . . a welcome change. The name’s Andrik.

HULKING FIGURE: (MASKED)
You’re an Er’Kit.

ANDRIK:
Yeah.

HULKING FIGURE: (MASKED)
Don’t see many of you around here.

ANDRIK:
I can believe it.

SERVING DROID:
Here you go.

FX: Another glass is slammed down in front of Andrik.

ANDRIK:
Thanks.

HULKING FIGURE: (MASKED)
You running from trouble?

ANDRIK:
No.

HULKING FIGURE: (MASKED)
Then you must be looking to cause it. Those are the only reasons anyone comes to Sran.

ANDRIK:
What about you?

HULKING FIGURE: (MASKED)
I’m still working that out.

FX: Andrik’s stool scrapes as he looks around at the empty bar.

ANDRIK:
Pretty dead in here. Pity.

HULKING FIGURE: (MASKED)
If you’re looking to party, you’ve come to the wrong place, friend.

ANDRIK:
I’m not looking for a party, but you might be able to help me.

HULKING FIGURE: (MASKED)
How so?

ANDRIK:
(LEANS IN, CONSPIRATORIALLY) I’m looking for . . . muscle.

HULKING FIGURE: (MASKED)
(LAUGHS) Are you now?

ANDRIK:
Mercs. Bounty hunters, even.

HULKING FIGURE: (MASKED)
Must be desperate. You got credits?

ANDRIK:
Sure.

HULKING FIGURE: (MASKED)
Don’t look like you got credits.

ANDRIK:
Appearances can be deceptive.

HULKING FIGURE: (MASKED)
You’re telling me.

ANDRIK:
Okay, okay. I admit it. I’m not exactly . . . flush right now.

HULKING FIGURE: (MASKED)
(NOT SURPRISED) Is that right?

ANDRIK:
But there’s this job . . . a good job . . .

HULKING FIGURE: (MASKED)
With riches beyond my wildest dreams, I’ll be bound.

ANDRIK:
Not just riches. Power. Real power.

HULKING FIGURE: (MASKED)
You don’t say.

ANDRIK:
So what d’ya think?

HULKING FIGURE: (MASKED)
I’m not interested.

ANDRIK:
Oh. I didn’t mean you. I mean . . . you’re a big guy, but no offense or anything, you . . . you don’t sound like you’re in the best shape.

HULKING FIGURE: (MASKED)
There’s a reason for that.

ANDRIK:
I bet. All I need is pointing in the right direction.

HULKING FIGURE: (MASKED)
To the muscle.

ANDRIK:
It’ll be worth their while.

HULKING FIGURE: (MASKED)
What’ve you got in mind? A hit job? Protection?

ANDRIK:
A rescue. Well, more of a breakout, I guess. It’s not gonna be easy.

HULKING FIGURE: (MASKED)
Things never are. And who exactly are you breaking out?

ANDRIK:
(BEAT, AND THEN LOWERS VOICE AS IF THERE WERE SOMEONE ELSE IN THE BAR WHO COULD HEAR)

Have you ever heard of a woman called Lourna Dee?