How ‘The Empire Strikes Back’ really ended

This entry was published at least two years ago (originally posted on November 12, 2001). Since that time the information may have become outdated or my beliefs may have changed (in general, assume a more open and liberal current viewpoint). A fuller disclaimer is available.

A furious lightsaber duel is under way. DARTH VADER is backing LUKE SKYWALKER towards the end of the gantry. A quick move by Vader chops off Luke’s hand! It goes spinning off into the ventilation shaft.

Luke backs away. He looks down, and realizes there’s nowhere to go but straight down.

VADER Obi-Wan never told you what happened to your father.

LUKE He told me enough. He told me you killed him!

VADER No! I am your father!

LUKE That’s not true! Thats impossible!

VADER Search your feelings; you know it to be true!

LUKE NO!

VADER Yes it is true, and you know something else? You know that brass droid of yours?

LUKE Threepio?

VADER Yes,Threepio, I built him when I was 7 years old.

LUKE No!

VADER Seven years old! And what have you done? Look at yourself, no hand, no job, and couldn’t even levitate your own ship out of the swamp.

LUKE I destroyed your precious Death Star!

VADER When you were 20! When I was 10, I single-handedly destroyed a Trade Federation Control ship!

LUKE Well it’s not my fault.

VADER Oh, here we go…”Poor me, my father never gave me what I wanted for birthday, boo hoo, my daddy’s a Dark Lord of the Sith…waaah, waah.”

LUKE Shut up!

VADER You’re a slacker! By the time I was your age, I had exterminated the Jedi Knights!

LUKE I used to race my T-16 through Beggar’s Canyon!

VADER Oh, for the love of the Emperor! 10 years old, winner of the Boonta Eve Open. Only human ever to fly a Pod Racer, right here baby!

Luke looks down the shaft. Takes a step toward it.

VADER I was wrong. You’re not my kid. I don’t know whose you are but you sure ain’t mine.

Luke takes a step off the platform, hesitates, then plunges down the shaft. Darth Vader looks after him.

VADER Get a haircut!

— Originally from theforce.net, I think.