REVISED SCENE 1: Chancellor Palpatine Returns to the Senate / Anakin and Padmé Reunite

Introduction: I believe my original motivation in revising this scene was to incorporate an awards ceremony that echoes the end of the fourth cinematic episode.  Where the ceremony in that film signals the arrival of Luke Skywalker as a hero, the award ceremony in my revision is Anakin Skywalker's pinnacle moment as a hero.  Anakin's downfall begins after this scene.

The scene below takes place immediately following the rescue of Chancellor Palpatine, the crash landing of the Separatist flagship and Obi-Wan Kenobi saying: "Another happy landing" (approximately 23:40 into the film).

EXT. CORUSCANT - SENATE BUILDING, LANDING PLATFORM

The shuttlecraft carrying Anakin, Obi-Wan and Supreme Chancellor Palpatine lands at the senate building.  A delegation of select members of the Senate are waiting to greet them.  Among them is MACE WINDU, Jedi Master and the Commanding General of the Grand Army of the Republic.  As such, he is the Supreme Chancellor's chief military advisor.  However, and much to his dismay, his advice is often ignored and his relationship with the Supreme Chancellor is quite strained.

Anakin helps Palpatine disembark from the shuttlecraft.  Mace is the first to step forward and address the Chancellor.

MACE
Chancellor, are you all right?

PALPATINE
I am fine, thanks to your two Jedi.  Count

Dooku is dead; slain by our Anakin here. 

Palpatine places a hand on Anakin's shoulder.  Anakin's expression is pride.  Mace clenches his teeth and swallows hard as he is upset to hear that Dooku, a former Jedi and friend, has been killed.

PALPATINE

(continued)
But I'm afraid General Grievous has escaped again. 

I can assure you the war will not end until he has

been brought to justice.

MACE
Then we must make finding Grievous our top priority.

Palpatine dismisses himself from Mace's presence and begins to walk past the Jedi Master, turning his nose up slightly.

PALPATINE
If you'll excuse me, master Jedi, I have a Republic

to address.

Palpatine walks to the entrance of the senate building.  The assembly of senators part before him and then obediently follow behind.  Mace watches them go.  One of Palpatine's aids walks along side the Chancellor.  Holding a data pad so the Chancellor can see it, the aid can be overheard saying:

AID
Your Honor, your speech details are outlined here. 

The Jedi will enter after you say... (tapers off)

The assembly follows Palpatine into the Senate building.  Obi-Wan and Anakin lag behind and speak with SENATOR BAIL ORGANA as they make their way inside.


INT. SENATE BUILDING - CONTINUING

ORGANA
I'm relieved to see you both, my friends. 

Good work.

ANAKIN
Well, it was Obi-Wan's plan.

OBI-WAN
Yes, well... Anakin is the real hero.  He killed

Dooku and rescued the Chancellor all while carrying

me unconscious on his back.

ANAKIN
There's no need to thank me for saving your life

for the tenth time.

OBI-WAN (correcting him)
Ninth time.  That business on Cato Nemoidia doesn't...

doesn't count.

Organa laughs at the comment.  Anakin stops smiling and pauses.  He looks to his left, down a corridor of columns.  He smiles again as his heart begins to race.  He looks at his friends.

ANAKIN
Will you excuse me?

Anakin begins walking down the corridor of columns with a bit of spring in his step.

OBI-WAN
Anakin...

Anakin looks back towards Obi-Wan and holds up his hand reassuringly.

ANAKIN
Don't worry, I won't let you face all those terrifying

Senators by yourself.

Anakin continues on his way.  Obi-Wan watches him go.

OBI-WAN (under his breath)
You'd better not.

Organa leads Obi-Wan on to their destination.  


INT. SENATE BUILDING - CORRIDOR OF COLUMNS - CONTINUING

Anakin continues down the hall.  From behind one of the columns emerges SENATOR PADMÉ AMIDALA; Anakin's wife by way of a secret marriage.  Her eyes reflect the emotions of fear, relief and joy welling up inside of her.  She rushes towards him and they embrace, kissing and holding each other close.

PADMÉ
There were rumors.  Whispers you had been

killed.

Anakin releases the embrace.  He looks at his wife, touches her face and smiles.

ANAKIN
I'm all right.  But if the Chancellor hadn't

been captured, I don't know if they would've

ever brought me home from the Outer Rim sieges. 

He leans in for another, more passionate, kiss.  She backs away.

PADMÉ
No.  Not here.

ANAKIN
Why not?  I'm tired of all this hiding. 

Keeping our marriage a secret. 

He notices something about her demeanor.

ANAKIN (continued)
You're trembling.  What's wrong?

She pauses a moment before answering, searching for the right words.

PADMÉ
Anakin... something wonderful has happened.

She takes a step back from him but continues to hold both of his hands.

PADMÉ (continued)
I'm pregnant.

Anakin inhales.  Overcome with emotion, he doesn't know what to say.  He smiles.

ANAKIN
That's...  That's wonderful news.

PADMÉ
But Anakin, the Jedi.  The Senate.  What about-?

He takes her in his arms again.

ANAKIN
Let's not worry about any of that right now. 

This is a happy moment.  The happiest of my life.

He puts his hands on either side of her face and kisses her reassuringly.  From behind them approaches C-3PO, Padmé's protocol droid who, as usual, interrupts them during a private moment.

C-3PO
Master Anakin, it's time for you to, ah...

Anakin calls over his shoulder without taking his eyes off his wife.

ANAKIN
I'll be right there 3PO. 

Anakin gives his full attention back to Padmé.

ANAKIN (continued)
I love you.  And I'll do anything to keep you

and our baby safe.

They slowly separate from each other.  Anakin walks away, passing 3PO in the process.  The protocol droid isn't sure if he should stay with Padmé or follow Anakin.  After a moment of characteristic indecisiveness, 3PO follows after Anakin, leaving Padmé to herself.


INT. SENATE BUILDING - ROTUNDA - CONTINUING

Anakin steps through a doorway and into a docked podium inside of the dimly lit Senate chamber.  Obi-Wan and some other officials are waiting for him as Supreme Chancellor Palpatine addresses the senate from the Chancellor's podium in the middle of the arena.

PALPATINE (continuing)
And so to you, the citizens and senators of

this great and free democracy, I ask you all to

rise and join me in recognizing Anakin Skywalker

and Obi-Wan Kenobi: Heroes of the Republic!

Obi-Wan leans over to Anakin.

OBI-WAN
Just in time.  I was afraid you had gotten lost.

The podium containing Anakin and Obi-Wan detaches from its dock and floats to the chancellor's podium.  The assembly cheers wildly as both Jedi are presented with medals by the Supreme Chancellor.