THE KENOBI CONUNDRUM (excerpt)
Introduction: This story was intended to play out over multiple episodes. The premise is that Obi-Wan Kenobi would face certain demons from his past. Specifically, events stemming from his apprenticeship to Qui-Gon Jinn.
One aspect of this story involves people known as Bendu - a word later used as a character name in the CG animated television show that ran from 2014 to 2018. In my definition, Bendu is a type of discipline; a way of living.
The story remains unfinished. However, in 2018, I was thinking of the opening scene to this story and decided to make a few changes. The idea for the opening scene below was spawned from one of my scene revisions to the third cinematic episode.
The first act can be found below:
STAR WARS The Clone Wars
The Kenobi Conundrum (incomplete)
NEWSREEL (NARRATOR)
The Clone Wars continue! Hard
fighting takes its toll on the
citizens and soldiers of the
Republic. As for our heroes --
Anakin Skywalker and Obi-Wan Kenobi
-- they find themselves in yet
another predicament....
INT. UNKNOWN LOCATION
ANAKIN SKYWALKER and OBI-WAN KENOBI stand next to each other in a
dimly lit chamber. They are illuminated with standby
lighting. Shadowy, armor-clad soldiers stand behind them;
however, the lighting is so low it is impossible for the
viewer to identify the troopers.
A roaring noise can be heard as if a great crowd is outside
the chamber, awaiting to be entertained by the two Jedi.
Obi-Wan mutters to himself:
OBI-WAN
I have a bad feeling about this.
ANAKIN
(to Obi-Wan)
You seem a little tense.
OBI-WAN
Do you hear how riled up they
are? Any moment now the floor
beneath us is going to open and
we’re-
ANAKIN
Would you rather they stand us up
against a wall and shoot us?
OBI-WAN
A firing squad, I can handle. What
a ridiculous situation for two Jedi
to be in.
Obi-Wan folds his arms in frustration. Anakin chuckles.
ANAKIN
Just smile and wave. I’ll take
care of the rest.
OBI-WAN
Somehow, I KNEW you were going to
say that.
A hole in the floor beneath them begins to open. The
floating platform they're standing on begins to
descend.
OBI-WAN
Oh, here we go.
ANAKIN
Showtime.
INT. GALACTIC SENATE BUILDING - SENATE ROTUNDA
The podium with Anakin and Obi-Wan descends through the
ceiling of the rotunda of the Galactic Senate. In the
podium with them are three armored Senate Vanguards.
CHANCELLOR PALPATINE is giving a speech to the full
assembly. The crowd is applauding as the Jedi appear and
the Chancellor finishes his introduction:
PALPATINE
Citizens of the Republic, it is a
great honor to introduce to you
Anakin Skywalker and Obi-Wan
Kenobi, Heroes of The Republic.
Triumphant music fills the air as Anakin and Obi-Wan’s
podium floats down to the Chancellors stand. Anakin is
making big, waving gestures, Obi-Wan is more subdued. A
number of familiar faces, including Senators PADMÉ AMIDALA
and BAIL ORGANA are among the assembled crowd. Finally,
they reach the Chancellor, who greets them and hangs medals
around both of their necks.
PALPATINE
You’ve done well, my boys. You’ve
made me and this Republic proud.
Thunderous applause fills the air!
WIPE TO:
INT. SENATE BUILDING - RECEPTION HALL
What awards ceremony wouldn’t be complete without a
high-class reception with drinks and finger food? Anakin
loves the spotlight and Palpatine loves the political points
that come with associating with a Jedi hero who loves the
spotlight. As they laugh and banter with a small crowd of
press, politicians and other related scumbags, Obi-Wan is
off by himself, doing everything he can to make himself
appear invisible. Senator Organa approaches him.
ORGANA
Master Kenobi,congratulations.
And thank you for your service.
OBI-WAN
Thank you, Senator.
Obi-Wan removes the medal from around his neck and places it
on a waiter’s tray as he passes by.
OBI-WAN
(continued)
But I’m afraid I’m not one for
awards and recognition.
ORGANA
No offense...
(he leans in closer)
...it shows.
They both have a polite chuckle.
ORGANA
General Skywalker seems to enjoy
the spotlight.
Obi-Wan looks in Anakin's direction.
OBI-WAN
Yes. He always did struggle with
humility.
Organa’s tones grow dark.
ORGANA
Maybe it’s something he learned
from the Chancellor. Obi-Wan, can
I confide in you? Discretely?
OBI-WAN
Of course.
Organa escorts him to a balcony. Padmé takes notice of them
as they go.
EXT. CORUSCANT - SENATE BUILDING - BALCONY
The balcony is a wide pedestrian boulevard that stretches around the building. The view overlooking the city is spectacular. Organa pulls a small device from a
pocket and scans to make sure they are talking in private.
ORGANA
I apologize for all of this. But I
can’t afford to have anyone listen
in on our conversation.
His scanning device beeps.
ORGANA
(continued)
We’re clear.
OBI-WAN
Senator? What is going on?
ORGANA
I need your help Obi-Wan. There
will be an election soon and I am
considering running against
Palpatine. He has too much power,
too much control. It may be the
only peaceful way of deposing him
and ending this war.
OBI-WAN
Senator, you know the Jedi cannot
endorse one candidate over another.
ORGANA
No, no, that’s not what I’m asking
for. I just need an ally. I know
the Jedi don’t trust
Palpatine. I may need support
to prove his wrongdoings in how
he’s handled the war. And I
promise to never violate your
principles. Can I count on you?
Obi-Wan thinks for a moment.
OBI-WAN
You need me to cancel out Anakin’s
apparent approval of how Palpatine
is running the war.
Organa seems a bit sheepish.
ORGANA
Well, in as many words... yes.
OBI-WAN
I’m not comfortable with this
arrangement, but I will do what I
can. Now, if you would forgive me,
I have another engagement.
ORGANA
Don’t tell me you are going to
sneak out of your own party?
OBI-WAN
Senator Organa, Jedi do not party.
Obi-Wan walks off, leaving Organa to himself.
CUT TO:
EXT. CORUSCANT - STREETS; LATER
Obi-Wan has gone from one of the most lavish areas of the
planet to one of its poorest. This part of the city is in rough condition, with buildings
stacked one on top of the other. Obi-Wan is eyed
up from every dark alley and the viewer is generally
concerned that a mugging may take place (…although the viewer
knows any said mugging would end poorly for the mugger).
Obi-Wan comes to a dingy apartment building. Knocking gains
him access.
INT. APARTMENT COMPLEX - LOBBY
Obi-Wan is studied carefully by the doorman but proceeds
to an elevator.
INT. APARTMENT COMPLEX - UPPER FLOOR - HALLWAY
Obi-Wan is soon out the elevator and walking down a hall to
an apartment door.
DEXTER (DEX) JETTSTER is standing at the entrance to his apartment. Since
the war began, Dex has been Obi-Wan’s most trusted source for
information. Obi-Wan has his own private network of spies and
informants apart from Jedi and Clone intelligence. Dex maintains hundreds
of contacts that would rather not associate with Jedi or Clones.
At the moment, Dex seems unhappy.
[Note: all of Dex’s dialog is spelled correctly]
DEX
Yer late.
OBI-WAN
Yes....well, I had quite the day.
DEX
I heard you had a big, shiny medal
wrapped around yer neck and had a
pretty party with bubbly
drinks and dem little samwiches. (sic)
OBI-WAN
Admittedly, not the most perilous
situation I’ve ever been in.
Dex chuckles and his mood improves.
DEX
It’s good to see ya, Obi-Wan.
He slaps the Jedi on the back, hard enough to cause Obi-Wan
to stumble.
OBI-WAN
How’ve you been, Dex?
They enter Dex’s apartment.
INT. DEX’S APARTMENT - CONTINUING
DEX
Oh, you know me. I don’t change
much.
Dex’s home is small and cluttered. Very cluttered. Dex is
obviously a pack-rat.
OBI-WAN
You sold the diner?
DEX
Yes, well... A cook’s life agreed
with me a little too much.
(he pats his belly)
If you know what I mean?
Dex groans as he takes a seat in his chair, which nearly collapses under
his weight. Obi-Wan clears some items off of something that
he can sit on (Is it a stool or a small display table? Hard
to tell with all the clutter).
DEX
(continued)
So I got meself a job flyin
taxis. If it’s interestin’ people
ya wanna meet, that’s the job ta
have!
OBI-WAN
I’ll bet. I got your report on
activity on the Outer Rim. What
else are you hearing out there?
DEX
I haven’t heard from my contact on
Cato Nemoida in some time. But I’m
sure he’ll show up. Did’ja hear
about what happened on Sobo?
OBI-WAN
The Magnificent Queen’s prized speeder
collection...?
SIMULTANEOUS
Yeah!
Dex makes a gesture of an explosion and laughs.
DEX
I would like to have seen
that! But it sounds like the
Sobo’s will be rejoining the
Republic. Been hearin lots o’
stories about yer Padawan.
(Note: he pronounces it
"pad-a-whan")
OBI-WAN
Anakin? I can assure you, whatever
you’ve heard is only half true.
The both chuckle.
DEX
I did hear something
else... Imdaar.
Obi-Wan's mood becomes very serious.
OBI-WAN
Imdaar!? Now there’s a name from
the past. What did you hear?
DEX
Not much. Just some bounceback off
a long-range transmitter. But it
sounds like the war is on again.
OBI-WAN
Oh no. Are the Separatists
involved?
DEX
On Imdaar? That rock’s got no
strategic value to nobody.
OBI-WAN
Did Qui-Gon ever tell you what
happened to us on Imdaar?
DEX
Bits and pieces. Never got the
whole story. I know it’s a
colony for non-Jedi.... Whadda call
em again?
OBI-WAN
Bendu. They follow the Jedi Code
of peace and discipline but they
are not attuned to the Force and
could never become true Jedi.
Hundreds of year ago, a group of
pilgrims founded a colony on Imdarr.
Free from the decadence and politics
of the Republic.
DEX
But the planet they settled on was
already inhabited, eh? An' the natives
weren't in a sharin' kind of mood.
Obi-Wan nods.
OBI-WAN
I won’t bore you with the
history lesson. But the Bendu and
the native Imdaar have been at war
on and off again for hundreds of
years. Qui-Gon and I went
there to negotiate a lasting
peace. It’s curious that I’m
learning this from you and not from
the Jedi Council.
DEX
Ah...yeah. That’s just it. The
Jedi passed the request on to the
Republic.
OBI-WAN
Are you saying the request for help
was denied?
DEX
'Fraid so. What kinda times
we livin' in where the Jedi
turn down a plea for help?
Obi-Wan stands and walks to the window. He looks out but
his thoughts are light years away.
OBI-WAN
We are at war, Dex. Despite my
affections for those people... If
the Council made a decision not to
help, I cannot disobey.
Dex cuffs him on the back of the head.
DEX
Do you have any idear what Qui-Gon
would say if he heard you say
that? He’d tells you "Do what’s
right!" Every Jedi in the Order is
out there fightin' dem droids. They
can spare ya for one mission. Them
people need you Obi-Wan. Yer
their only hope.
Obi-Wan says nothing and looks out the window again. He suddenly
has much on his mind.
INT. JEDI TEMPLE - HANGER BAY; LATER
There is short montage with some really sweeping music as
Obi-Wan enters the hanger bay, climbs into his fighter and
takes off.
EXT. SPACE - ABOVE CORUSCANT
Obi-Wan’s fighter docks with a hyperdrive ring.
INT. OBI-WAN’S FIGHTER
Obi-Wan keys a button and a small hologram of Senator Organa
appears before him.
OBI-WAN
Senator Organa, I’m in position.
EXT. SPACE - ABOVE CORUSCANT
Senator Organa's ship, the Tantive IV, passes overhead of the camera position and
approaches Obi-Wan’s fighter.
INT. TANTIVE IV - BRIDGE
Senator Organa is on the bridge of his ship and looking at a hologram of
Obi-Wan.
ORGANA
We’re with you, General
Kenobi. Ready for hyperspace on
your mark.
OBI-WAN
(hologram)
Remember, Senator, let me take the
lead.
INT. OBI-WAN’S FIGHTER
OBI-WAN
(continued)
I’d like to find a peaceful
solution to this if I can.
ORGANNA
(hologram)
Understood.
The hologram of Organa dissolves. The R2 droid attached to Obi-Wan's ship chimes in and reports that all systems are go.
OBI-WAN
Okay. Let’s go.
EXT. SPACE
Obi-Wan's fighter jumps into hyperspace, followed closely by the Tantive IV.
END ACT 1