Scene 053 - EXTERIOR NABOO PALACE, GRAND COURTYARD - AFTERNOON

The speeder bus pulls up and stops. PADMÉ, ANAKIN and ARTOO get out. The great courtyard stretches before them, and they see the rose-colored domes of the palace on the far side. ARTOO WHISTLES. They pick up their gear and start to cross the courtyard. ARTOO trundles behind them.

ANAKIN
If I grew up here, I don't think I'd ever leave.

PADMÉ
(laughing) I doubt that.

ANAKIN
No, really. When I started my training, I was very homesick and very lonely. This city and my mom were the only pleasant things I had to think about...The problem was, the more I thought about my mom, the worse I felt. But I would feel better if I thought about the palace - the way it shimmers in the sunlight - the way the air always smells of flowers...

PADMÉ
...and the soft sound of the distant waterfalls. The first time I saw the Capital, I was very young...I'd never seen a waterfall before. I thought they were so beautiful...I never dreamed one day I'd live in the palace.

ANAKIN
Well tell me, did you dream of power and politics when you were a little girl?

PADMÉ
(laughing)No. That was the last thing I thought of, but the more history I studied, the more I realized how much good politicans could do. After school, I became a Senatorial advisor with such a passion that, before I knew it, I was elected Queen. For the most part it was because of my conviction that reform was possible. I wasn't the youngest Queen ever elected, but now that I think back on it, I'm not sure if I was old enough. I'm not sure I was ready.

ANAKIN
The people you served thought you did a good job. I heard they tried to amend the Constitution so you could stay in office.

PADMÉ
Popular rule is not democracy, Annie. It gives the people what they want, not what they need. And, truthfully, I was relieved when my two terms were up. So were my parents. They worried about me during the blockcade and couldn't wait for it to be over. Actually, I was hoping to have a family by now...My sistes have the most amazing, wonderful kids...So when the Queen asked me to serve as Senator, I couldn't refuse her.

ANAKIN
I agree! I think the Republic needs you...I'm glad you chose to serve. I feel things are going to happen in our generation that will change the galaxy in profound ways.

PADMÉ
I think so too.

ANAKIN and PADMÉ walk toward the palace. ARTOO continues to follow.