I have transcibed conversations between Anakin Skywalker and Cos Palpatine from the book into simple script type layout. It is a lot more expanded than in the film. I found it rather interesting because it just goes a lot deeper and I think it provides more insight into their special relationship. It's also interesting to witness their first meeting on the platform in episode one, and so poinent at the end of 'Phantom' where nice ol' uncle Cos says to him "And you, young Skywalker, we shall watch your career with great interest!" and pats his shoulder to the conclusion of their relationship in episode six where Ani throws him down a shaft to save his son. I get the impression that he'd had a gutfull of Palpatine and his ways.

Bernard Hartnett, August 2005

OPERA HOUSE (film/script scene no.88)

RED GUARD You are expected

ANAKIN Chancellor. Sorry I’m late.

PALPATINE Yes Anakin! Don’t worry. Come in, my boy, come in. Thankyou for your report on the Council meeting this afternoon – it made most interesting reading. And now I have good news for you – Clone Intelligence has located General Grievous!

ANAKIN That’s tremendous! He won’t escape us again.

PALPATINE I’m going to – Moore, take a note – I will direct the Council to give you this assignment, Anakin. Your gifts are wasted on Coruscant – you should be out in the field. You can attend Council meetings by holoconference.

ANAKIN Thank you, sir, but the Council coordinates Jedi assignments.

PALPATINE Of course, Of course. Mustn’t step on any Jedi toes, must we? They are so jealous of their political prerogatives. Still, I shall wonder at their collective wisdom if they choose someone else.

ANAKIN As I said in my report, they’ve already assigned Obi-Wan to find Grievous.

PALPATINE To find him, yes. But you are the best man to apprehend him – though of course the Jedi Council cannot always be trusted to do the right thing.

ANAKIN They try. I – believe they try, sir.

PALPATINE Do you still? Sit down.

ANAKIN I’m not sure I understand.

PALPATINE You must sense what I have come to suspect. The Jedi Council is after more than independence from Senate oversight; I believe they intend to control the Republic itself.

ANAKIN Chancellor -

PALPATINE I believe they are planning treason. They hope to overthrow my government, and replace me with someone weak enough that Jedi mind tricks can control his every word.

ANAKIN I can’t believe the Council -

PALPATINE Anakin, search you feelings. You do know, don’t you?

ANAKIN I know they don’t trust you...

PALPATINE Or the Senate. Or the Republic. Or democracy itself, for that matter. The Jedi Council is not elected. It selects its own members according to its own rules – a less generous man than I might say whim – and gives them authority backed by power. They rule the Jedi as they hope to rule the Republic: By fiat.

ANAKIN I admit... my faith in them has been... shaken.

PALPATINE How? Have they approached you already? Have they orded you to do something dishonest? They want you to spy on me, don’t they?

ANAKIN I -

PALPATINE It’s alright, Anakin. I have nothing to hide.

ANAKIN I – I don’t know what to say...

PALPATINE Do you remember how as a young boy, when you first came to this planet, I tried to teach you the ins and outs of politics?

ANAKIN I remember I didn’t care much for the lessons.

PALPATINE For any lessons. As I recall. But it’s a pity; you should have paid more attention. To understand politics to understand the nature of thinking beings. Right now, you should remember one of my first teachings: all those who gain power are afraid to loose it.

ANAKIN The Jedi use their power for good.

PALPATINE Good is a point of view, Anakin. And the Jedi concept of good is not the only valid one. Take you Dark Lords of the Sith, for example. From my reading I have gathered that the Sith believed in justice and security every bit as much as the Jedi -

ANAKIN Jedi believe in justice and peace.

PALPATINE In these troubles times, is there a difference? The Jedi have not done a stella job of bringing peace to the galaxy, you must agree. Who’s to say the Sith may not have done better?

ANAKIN This is another of those arguments that you probably shouldn’t bring up in front of the Council, if you know what I mean.

PALPATINE Oh, yes. Because the Sith could be a threat to the Jedi Order’s power. Lesson One.

ANAKIN Because the Sith are evil.

PALPATINE From a Jedi’s point of view. Evil is a label we put on all those who threaten us, isn’t it? Yet the Sith and the Jedi are similar in almost every way, including their quest for greater power.

ANAKIN The Jedi’s quest is for greater understanding. For greater knowledge of the Force -

PALPATINE Which brings with it greater power, does it not?

ANAKIN Well...yes. I should know better than to argue with a politician.

PALPATINE We’re not arguing, Anakin. We’re just talking. Perhaps the real difference between the Jedi and the Sith lies only in their orientation; a Jedi gains power through understanding, and a Sith gains understanding through power. This is the true reason the Sith have always been more powerful than the Jedi. The Jedi fear the dark side so much they cut themselves off from the most important aspect of life: passion. Of any kind. They don’t even allow themselves to love. The Sith do not fear the dark side. The Sith have no fear. They embrace the whole spectrum of experience. From the heights of transendent joy to the depths of hatred and despair. Beings have these emotions for a reason, Anakin. That is why the Sith are more powerful: they are not afraid to feel.

ANAKIN The Sith rely on passion for strength, but when that passion runs dry, what’s left?

PALPATINE Perhaps nothing. Perhaps a great deal. Perhaps it never runs dry at all. Who can say?

ANAKIN They think inward, only about themselves.

PALPATINE And the Jedi don’t?

ANAKIN The Jedi are selfless – we erase the self, to join with the flow of the Force. We care only about others...

PALPATINE Or so you’ve been trained to believe. I hear the voice of

Obi-Wan Kenobi in your answers, Anakin. What do you really think?

ANAKIN I...don’t know anymore.

PALPATINE It is said that if one could ever entirely comprehend a single grain of sand – really, truelly understand everything about it – one would, at the same time, entirely comprehend the universe. Who’s to say that a Sith, by looking inward, sees less than a Jedi does by looking out?

ANAKIN The Jedi – Jedi are good. That’s the difference. I don’t care who sees what.

PALPATINE What the Jedi are is a group of very powerfull beings you consider your comrades. And you are loyal to your friends; I have known that for as long as I have known you, and I admire you for it. But are your friend loyal to you?

ANAKIN What do you mean?

PALPATINE Would a true friend ask you to do something that’s wrong?

ANAKIN I’m not sure it’s wrong.

PALPATINE Have they asked you to break the Jedi Code? To violate the Constitution? To betray a friendship? To betray your own values?

ANAKIN Chancellor -

ANAKIN He could keep someone safe from death?

PALPATINE According to legend, he could directly influence the

midi-chlorians to create life; with such knowledge, to maintain life in someone already living would seem a small mater, Don’t you agree?

ANAKIN Stronger than death...

PALPATINE The dark side seems to be – from my reading – the pathway to many abilities some could consider to be unnatural

ANAKIN What happened to him?

PALPATINE Oh, well, it is a tragedy, after all, you know. Once he has gained the ultimate power, he has nothing to fear save losing it – that’s why the Jedi Council brought him to mind, you know.

ANAKIN But what happened?

PALPATINE Well, to safegueard his power’s existence, he teaches the path towards it to his apprentice.

ANAKIN And?

PALPATINE And his apprentice kills him in his sleep. Plageuis never sees it coming. That’s the tragic irony. You see: he can save anyone in the galaxy from death – exept himself.

ANAKIN What about the apprentice? What happens to him?

PALPATINE Oh, him. He goes on to become the greatest Dark Lord the Sith have ever known...

ANAKIN So, it’s onlt a tragedy for Plageuis – for the apprentice, the legend has a happy ending...

PALPATINE Oh, Well, yes, quite right. I’d never really thought of it that way – rather like what we were talking about earlier, isn’t it?

ANAKIN What if it’s not just a legend?

PALPATINE I’m sorry

ANAKIN What if Darth Plagueis really lived – what if someone really had his power?

ANAKIN How could I find him?

PALPATINE I’m sure I couldn’t say. You could ask your friends on the Jedi Council, I suppose – but if they ever find him they’d kill him on the spot. Not as punishment for any crime, you understand. Innocence is irrelevent to the Jedi . They would kill him simply for being Sith, and his knowledge would die with him.

ANAKIN I just – I have to – you seem to know so much about this, I need you to tell me: would it be possible, possible at all, to learn this power?

PALPATINE Well, clearly not from a Jedi.

CHANCELLOR'S OFFICE (Film scene no.118)

ANAKIN I'm sorry, sir. Perhaps you didn't hear me. Obi-Wan has made contact with General Grievous. His attack is already

under way - they're fighting right now, sir!

PALPATINE Yes, yes, of course, Anakin, quite. I entirely understand your

concern for your friend. Let us hope is he up to task.

ANAKIN It's not just concern for Obi-Wan, sir; taking General Grievous will be the final victory for the Republic!

PALPATINE Will it? I'm afraid, my boy, that our situation is a great deal more grave than even I had feared. Perhaps you should sit down.

ANAKIN What do you mean?

PALPATINE Grievous is no longer the real enemy. Even the clone wars themselves are now only... a distraction.

ANAKIN What?

PALPATINE The council is about to make it's move. If we don't stop them, by this time tomorrow the Jedi may very well have taken over the Republic.

ANAKIN But sir - please, you can't possibly believe that.

PALPATINE Anakin, I know. I will be the first to be arrested - the first to be executed - but I will be far from the last.

ANAKIN Sir, I know that the Council and you have... disagreements, but-

PALPATINE This is far beyond any personal dispute between me and the members of the Council. This is a plot generations in the

ANAKIN Sir, I - ah –

PALPATINE Not need to fumble for an explanation. You've already as much as admitted they've orded you to spy upon me. Don't you understand that anything you tell them tonight - whatever it may be - will be used as an excuse to order my execution?

ANAKIN That's imossible - the Senate would never allow it

PALPATINE The Senate will be powerless to stop it. I told you this is bigger than any personal dislike between the Council and myself. I am only one man, Anakin. My authority is granted by the Senate; it is the Senate that is the true government of the Republic, The Jedi will have to take over the Senate first.

ANAKIN But the Jedi - the Jedi serve the Senate!

PALPATINE Do they? Or do they serve certian Senators?

ANAKIN This all - I'm sorry, Chancellor, please, you have to understand how this sounds.

PALPATINE Here –

ANAKIN Yes, sir. That's the Petition of the Two Thousand –

PALPATINE No, Anakin! No! It is a roll of traitors.

ANAKIN What?

PALPATINE There are, now, only two kinds of Senators in our government, Anakin. Those whose names are on this so-called petition and those whom the Jedi are about to arrest. Didn't I warn you, Anakin? Didn't I tell you what Obi-Wan was up to? Why do you think he was meeting with leaders of this...delegation...behind your back?

ANAKIN But - but, sir, please, surely, all they ask for is an end to the war. It's what the Jedi want, too. I mean, it's what we all want, isn't it? Isn't it?

PALPATINE Perhaps. Though how that end comes about may be the singular most important thing about the war. More important, even, than who wins. Their...sincerity...may be much to be admired - or it would be, were it not that there was much more to that meeting than met the eye.

ANAKIN What do you mean?

PALPATINE Their...petition...was nothing of the sort. It was, in fact, a not-so-veiled threat. It was a show of force, Anakin. A demonstration of the political power the Jedi will be able to muster in support of their rebellion.

ANAKIN But - but surely - surely Senator Amidala, at least, can be trusted...

PALPATINE I understand how badly you need to believe that, but Senator Amidala is hiding something. Surely you sensed it.

ANAKIN If she is - even if she is, it doesn't mean that what she is hiding is treason.

PALPATINE I'm surprised you Jedi insticts are not more sensitive to such things.

ANAKIN I simply don't sense betrayal in Senator Amidala.

PALPATINE Yes, you do, though you don't want to admit it. Perhaps it is because neither you nor she yet understands that by betraying me, she is also betraying you.

ANAKIN She couldn’t- she could never...

PALPATINE Of could she could. That is the nature of politics, my boy. Don’t take it too personally. It doesen’t mean the two of you can’t be happy together.

ANAKIN What - ? What do you mean?

PALPATINE Please, Anakin. Are we not past the point of playing childish games with one another? I know, do you understand? I have

ANAKIN What – what do you know?

PALPATINE Anakin. Padme was my Queen; I was her embassador to the Senate. Naboo was my home. You of all people know how I value loyalty and friendship; do you think I have no friends among the civil clergy on Theed? Your secret ceremony has never been secret. Not from me, at any rate. I have always been very happy for you both.

ANAKIN You – but she’s going to betray us –

PALPATINE That, my boy, is entirely up to you.

ANAKIN I don’t – I don’t inderstand...

PALPATINE Oh yes, that’s very clear. Please sit, my boy. You’re looking rather unwell. May I offer you something to drink?

ANAKIN I – no. No, I’m all right. I’m just - a little tired, that’s all.

PALPATINE Not sleeping well?

ANAKIN No. I haven’t been sleeping well for a few years, now.

PALPATINE I quite understand, my boy. Quiet. Anakin, we must stop pretending. The final crisis is approaching, and our only hope to survive it is to be completely, absolutely, ruthlessly honest with each other. And with ourselves. You must understand that what is at stake here is nothing less than the fate of the galaxy.

ANAKIN I don’t know –

PALPATINE Don’t be afraid, Anakin. What is said betwwen us here need never pass beyond these walls. Anakin, think: think how hard it

ANAKIN I – I wouldn’t even know where to begin.

PALPATINE It’s quite simple, in the end: tell me what you want.

ANAKIN I don’t understand.

PALPATINE Of course you don’t. You’ve been trained to never think about that. The Jedi never ask you what you want. They simply tell you what you’re supposed to want. They never give you a choice at all. That’s why they take their students – their victims – at an age so young that the choice is meaningless. By the time a Padawan is old enough to choose, he has been so indoctrinated – so brainwashed – that he is incapable of even considering the question. But you’re different, Anakin. You had a real life, outside the Jedi Temple. You can break through the fog of lies the Jedi have pumped into your brain. I ask you again; what do you want?

ANAKIN I still don’t understand.

PALPATINE I am offerning you... anything. Ask, and it is yours. A glass of water? It’s yours. A bag full of Corusca gems? Yours. Look out the window behind me, Anakin. Pick something, and it’s yours.

ANAKIN Is this some kind of joke?

PALPATINE The time for jokes is passed, Anakin. I have never been more serious. Pick something. Anything.

ANAKIN All right... How about one of those new SoroSuub custom speeders –

PALPATINE Done

ANAKIN Are you serious? You know how much one of those costs? You could practically outfit a battle cruiser.

PALPATINE Would you prefer a battle cruiser? How about the Senatorial Apartments?

PALPATINE Done.

ANAKIN It’s privately owned.

PALPATINE Not anymore.

ANAKIN You can’t just –

PALPATINE Yes, I can. It’s yours. Is there anything else? Name it.

ANAKIN All right, Corellia. I’ll take Corellia.

PALPATINE The planet, or the whole system? Anakin?

ANAKIN I just – I can’t figure out if you’re kidding, or completely insane.

PALPATINE I am neither, Anakin. I am trying to impress upon you a fundamental truth of our relationship. A fundametal truth of yourself.

ANAKIN What if I really wanted the Corellian system? The whole Five Brothers – all of it?

PALPATINE Then it would be yours. You can have the whole sector, if you like. Do you understand, now? I will give you anything you want.

ANAKIN What if I wanted – what if I went along with Padme and her friends? What if I want the war to end?

PALPATINE Would tomorrow be too soon?

ANAKIN How – how can you do that?

PALPATINE Right now, we are only discussing what. How is a different issue; we’ll come to that presently.

ANAKIN And in exchange? What do I have to do?

PALPATINE You have to do what you want.

ANAKIN What I want?

PALPATINE Yes, Anakin. Yes. Exactly that. Only that. Do the one thing that the Jedi fear most: make up you own mind. Follow your own conscience. Do what you think is right. I know that you have been lomging for a life greater than that of an ordinary Jedi. Commit to that life. I know you you burn for greater power that any Jedi can wield; give yourself permission to gain that power, and allow yourself license to use it. You have dreamed of leaving the Jedi Order, having a family of your own – one that is based on love, not on inforced rules of self-denial.

ANAKIN I – can’t...I can’t just...leave...

PALPATINE But you can.

ANAKIN I’m sorry. I’m sorry, but – but as much as I want those thing – as much as I care for you, sir – I can’t. I just can’t. Not yet. Because there’s only one thing I really want, right now. Everything else will just have to wait.

PALPATINE I Know what you really want. I have only been waiting for you to admit it to yourself. Listen to me: I can help you save her.

ANAKIN You – how can you help?

PALPATINE Do you remember the myth I told you of, The Tragedy of Darth Plagueis the Wise?

The myth-

ANAKIN Yes. Yes, I remember.

PALPATINE Anakin, it’s no mere myth. Darth Plagueis was real.

ANAKIN Real...?

PALPATINE Darth Plagueis was my master. He taught me the key to his power ...Before I killed him.

ANAKIN You. It’s you. It’s been you all along! I should kill you. I will kill you.

PALPATINE For what?

ANAKIN You’re a Sith Lord!

PALPATINE I am, I am also your friend. I am also the man that has always been there for you. I am the man that you have never needed to lie to. I am the man who wants nothing from you but that you follow your conscience. If thst conscience requires you to commit murder, simply over a ...philosophical difference ... I will not resist. Anakin, when I told you that you could have anything you want, did you think I was excluding my life?

ANAKIN You – you won’t even fight-?

PALPATINE Fight you? But what will happen when you kill me? What will happen to the Republic? What will Happen to Padme? When I die my knowledge dies with me. Unless, that is, I have to opportunity to teach it ...to my apprentice...

ANAKIN I... I don’t know what to do...

PALPATINE Anakin, let’s talk.

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This is how it feels to be Anakin Skywalker, right now:

You don’t remember putting away your lightsaber. You don’t remember moving from Palpatine’s office to his larger public one; you don’t remember collapsing in the chair where you now sit.. nor do you remember drinking water from the half-empty glass that you find in your mechanical hand. You remember only that the last man in the galaxy you still thought you could trust has been lying to you ever since the day you met. And you’re not even angry about it.

Only stunned.

PALPATINE After all, Anakin, you are the last man who has the right to be angry at someone for keeping a secret. What else was I to do?

ANAKIN The chosen one…

PALPATINE Exactly, my boy. Exactly. You are the chosen one. Chosen by me. Look out there, Anakin. A trillion beings on this planet alone – in the galaxy as a whole, uncounted quadrillions – and of them all, I have chosen you, Anakin Skywalker, to be the heir to my power. To all that I am.

ANAKIN But it’s not…that’s not the prophecy. That’s not the prophecy of the chosen one…

PALPATINE Is this such a problem for you? Is it not you quest to find a way to overturn prophecy? Anakin, do you think the Sith do not know of this prophecy? Do you think we would simply sleep while it came to pass?

ANAKIN You mean -

PALPATINE This is what you must understand. This Jedi submission to fate…this is not the way of the Sith, Anakin. This is not my way. This is not your way. It has never been. It need never be.

ANAKIN I am not…on your side. I am not evil.

PALPATINE Who said anything about evil? I am bringing peace to the galaxy. Is that evil? I am offering you the power to save Padme. Is that evil? Have I attacked you? Drugged you? Are you being tortured? My boy, I am asking you. I am asking you to do the right thing. Turn you back on treason. On all those who would harm the Republic. I’m asking you to do exactly what you have sworn to do: bring peace and justice to the galaxy. And save Padme, of course – haven’t you sworn to protect her, too…?

ANAKIN I – but – I – I – I’ll turn you over to the Jedi Council – they’ll know what to do –

PALPATINE I’m sure they will. They are already planning to overthrow the Republic; you’ll give them axactly the excuse they’re looking for. And when they come to execute me, will that be justice? Will they be bringing peace?

ANAKIN They won’t – they wouldn’t –!

PALPATINE Well, of course I hope you’re correct, Anakin. You’ll forgive me if I don’t share yout blind loyalty to your comrades. I suppose it does indeed come dowm, in the end, to a question of loyalty. That’s what you must ask yourself, my boy. Whether your loyalty is to the Jedi, or to the Republic.

ANAKIN It’s not – It’s not like that –

PALPATINE Perhaps not. Perhaps it’s simply a question of whether you love Obi-Wan more than you wife. Take you time. Meditate on it. I will still be here when you decide.

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CHANCELLOR'S OFFICE (Film scene no.128)