The PALACE GUARDS escort LUKE, LEIA, and THREEPIO to BARROLA’S court. They stand before the opulent ruler’s dais, surrounded by many of his courtiers, political sycophants, and hangers on, all hailing from various worlds. Among them can even be seen an aged TOYDARIAN dressed in servant’s clothing. BARROLA looks angrily at his GUARDS.
BARROLA: (in Huttese, subtitled) Who are these human beings you bring before me?
LUKE steps forward before the bewildered GUARDS can try to explain.
LUKE: Please forgive our intrusion, Your Greatness. I am Luke Skywalker, and this is Leia. We are Jedi ambassadors seeking to speak with you concerning a narcotic spice epidemic that has recently begun to proliferate on the Imperial border world of Ondos.
BARROLA: (in Huttese, subtitled) Jedi?! The audacity! If the spice is becoming a problem, then you Jedi have only yourselves to blame!
LUKE: Forgive me, Oh Powerful One, but what exactly do you mean?
BARROLA: (in Huttese, subtitled) Do not patronize me! Do you really think I could be unaware that it is the Jedi who are in league with the Imperial military to take control of our spice trade?
LUKE: (mystified) ...In league with the Imperials...?
BARROLA: (in Huttese, subtitled) You know as well as I that when the soldiers came to take our young, a robed woman carrying a Jedi weapon oversaw the round up! The Jedi have always been treacherous villains, never to be trusted! After their betrayal of the Republic, we Hutts were all too happy to help hunt them down!
BARROLA pauses, thinking.
BARROLA: (in Huttese, subtitled, cont.) ...Perhaps this is why the Jedi are now seeking revenge on my people. We have been nothing but loyal to the Republic, and you’ve turned our allies against us!
LEIA: I assure you that you must be mistaken. As defenders of peace and justice, the Jedi are opposed to the oppression of the Imperials. We could never be in league with such heinous activities, and we offer you the help of the Galactic Alliance in righting any injustice that has been inflicted upon your people.
The HUTT’S eyes narrow as he studies LUKE and LEIA.
BARROLA: (in Huttese, subtitled) ‘Skywalker’...
BARROLA leans forward, sneering.
BARROLA: (in Huttese, subtitled, cont.) ...I know who you two are. I’m told you were the ones who murdered Jabba. Is this the sort of ‘help’ you and the Galactic Alliance are now offering? Your attempt to feign ignorance is an insult to my intelligence! Were it not for the threat against our Huttlets, you would not be leaving Nal Hutta alive! Now go, before I change my mind.
LUKE, LEIA, and THREEPIO turn to depart, amid the murmurings of disapproval from the court onlookers.