Smuggler's Blues

Smuggler's Blues was a comic appearing in Star Wars Tales 14 and collected in Star Wars Tales Volume 4.

Plot
Set shortly before Obi-Wan and Luke enter the Mos Eisley cantina.

Han and Chewie are sitting at a table in the Mos Eisley Cantina. Han is complaining that business has been slow since he dumped a shipment of Jabba's. Chewie tells Han he has some clients who want to hire the duo and so they impatiently interview them all.

The first client is a Snivvian who may or may not be Zutton. The Snivvian wants to transport some "Hutt-Smut" to the Kuluvion System. Han tells the wily Snivvian that he'd rather "be frozen in Carbonite and hung up on a wall, than smuggle that trash."

The next candidate is a blue skinned Twi'lek who is hoping that Han has a job opening for her. She offers to be a stewardess and hand out peanuts or clean up the ship, but Han tells her that "we're not that kind of operation, sister--sorry we can't help you." The Twi'lek walks away sadly saying "I guess I'll just have to take that job at Jabba's Palace after all."

Next is a sect of aliens led by Brother Xando. They request passage to the "holy planet" of Norclune. Han tells them that it is "Quite a trip" and "it'll cost ya." But Xando tells him that they have no possessions and that they prayed Han would "bestow the trip as a gift to the living force." Han tells them (ironically) that "the day I believe in the "force" is the day I join the Rebellion."



Next is Dr. Evazan and Ponda Baba (Hyuck.) The doctor and his comrade demand passage off Tatooine "right away" with a discount as well. Evazan tells Han that "I have the death sentence of twelve systems--One more won't matter!" Chewbacca shows them on their way.

As Dr. Evazan walks off grumbling, Han tells Chewie to find someone "worthwhile." By which he means "No Freaks, No Perverts, No charity cases" and that an "old man with connections, or a kid with a speeder he can sell for a one-way ticket outta here" would be ideal.

Han reflects on his "smuggler's blues" by suggesting that "being thrown into a sarlacc pit would be less painful." As he reflects Wuher yells "No Blasters, no Blasters." and Han complains quietly that "Chewie will probably bring whoever's causing that trouble over there next." Ironic considering that it is indeed Obi-Wan and Luke who want passage next.

Characters

 * Han Solo
 * Jabba Desilijic Tiure
 * Chewbacca
 * Evazan
 * Ponda Baba
 * Nabrun Leids
 * Labria
 * Momaw Nadon
 * Xando

Species

 * Rodian
 * Twi'lek
 * Jawa
 * Bith
 * Human
 * Wookiee
 * Advozse
 * Hutt
 * Snivvian
 * Duros
 * Talz
 * Aqualish
 * Morseerian
 * Devaronian
 * Ithorian

Creatures

 * Dewback
 * Bantha
 * Sarlacc

Locations

 * Tatooine
 * Mos Eisley
 * Mos Eisley cantina
 * Jabba's Palace
 * Kulurvion System
 * Norclune

Organizations

 * Norclu Order
 * Alliance to Restore the Republic

Other

 * Kessel Run