The Nut Gatherers

The Nut Gatherers
The Lady of Shalott
the night watch by rembrandt
the Night Watch
Nodding without really understanding, Luke indicated the run-down thoughobviously popular cantina. "Do you really think we can find a pilot here capable oftaking us all the way to Alderaan?" Kenobi was exiting from the speeder. "Most of the good, independent freighterpilots frequent this place, though many can afford better. They can talk freely here.You should have learned by now, Luke, not to equate ability with appearance." Lukesaw the old man's shabby clothing anew and felt ashamed. "Watch yourself, though.This place can be rough." Luke found himself squinting as they entered the cantina. It was darker insidethan he would have liked. Perhaps the regular habitués of this place wereunaccustomed to the light of day, or didn't wish to be seen clearly. It didn't occur toLuke that the dim interior in combination with the brilliantly lit entrance permittedeveryone inside to see each newcomer before he could see them. Moving inward, Luke was astonished at the variety of beings making use of thebar. There were one-eyed creatures and thousand-eyed, creature with scales,creatures with fur, and some with skin that seemed to ripple and change consistencyaccording to their feelings of the moment. Hovering near the bar itself was a towering insectoid that Luke glimpsed only asa threatening shadow. It contrasted with two of the tallest women Luke had everseen. They were among the most normal looking of the outrageous assemblage ofhumans that mixed freely among alien counterparts. Tentacles, claws, and handswere wrapped around drinking utensils of various sizes and shapes. Conversationwas a steady babble of human and alien tongues.