Act III: For Love Or Money

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EXT. RACETRACK (CANTO BIGHT) - DAY

CLOSE ON the sweating, heaving, panting faces of some Fathiers, cheek by jowl, as they grind out a daytime practice run (in SLOW-MOTION).

As the view widens and tilts up, the tiny JOCKEYS (boys and girls, about 10 years old), become visible on their backs.

They STAMPEDE past the finish line.

INT./EXT. PRINCE'S PRIVATE BOX (CANTO BIGHT) - DAY

Above the racetrack, the Prince stands at the balcony of his suite.

PRINCE (clutching his fist) "Yes!"

PALASTER: "That's a winning time, to be sure."

INT. CORRIDOR OUTSIDE PRINCE'S BOX (CANTO BIGHT) - DAY

On her way to see the Prince, Leia runs into Poe, Finn and Rose.

POE: "General, we--"

LEIA: "Commander Dameron, good. I wanted to see you. I've had another briefing from Vice-Admiral Holdo..."

POE (off her look) "Bad news?"

LEIA: "A setback, at least. I suggest you have a look at her report."

Veras's SECURITY GUARDS give Leia and co. a nod and grant them entry.

INT. PRINCE'S BOX (CANTO BIGHT) - DAY

Veras and Palaster, out of earshot, are focused on activities below.

POE (confidentially) "General, Bilkes and Perro are missing, and possibly selling information to the other side."

LEIA (under her breath) "Damn it!"

Veras comes over.

VERAS: "Excuse me a moment, Princess, but..."

Palaster (a bit near-sighted, and hard of hearing), steps forward.

PALASTER: "Is this your brave crew?"

LEIA: "Forgive me, Lord Palaster, yes..."

PALASTER: "Heroes all of you, no doubt. I'm..." (belatedly recognizing Poe) "...honoured to meet you."

POE (ironic smile) "Honoured to meet you, sir."

PALASTER: "Well, I... Please excuse me, I have, uh, other matters to attend to."

POE (under his breath) "Yes, I'm sure you do."

Veras leads him away; Poe keeps an eye on them as they move off.

LEIA (a headache coming on) "All right, alert Admirals Holdo and Ackbar that we have a potential leak. And find me those lieutenants! I've still got business to do here."

POE: "General, under the circumstances, we have to call off the deal."

Needing more privacy, Leia takes them aside into another room.

INT. INTERIOR ROOM, PRINCE'S BOX (CANTO BIGHT) – DAY

POE: "There's no polite way to say it, General - Veras is a strategic liability, and Palaster is definitely working both sides.

LEIA: "You think I don't know that?"

Double-takes all around. Finn, Poe and Rose are stunned speechless.

LEIA: "You're a bit old not to know how the galaxy really works, aren't you?"

FINN: "General, if we deal with people like them, we're no better than the First Order. I should know."

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