12 Years a Slave · written by John Ridley and Steve McQueen · 2013

Ford admits his debts and transfers Solomon to Tibeats, who plans building work at a nearby plantation; Ford promises Solomon he will help if asked.

Scene 110 of 211 · ≈ 1 min on screen · Act two

Ford
Tibeats
Solomon

Act oneAct twoAct three

Begins 1:05 into a 2:22 film

The story so farBefore scene 110

After being kidnapped from New York and sold into slavery, Solomon Northup uses his skills and carefully placed trust to survive and seek a way back to his family.

Scenes 1–29
Solomon lives freely in Saratoga as a husband, father, worker, and musician.
Scenes 30–65
Kidnapped and held under the imposed name Platt, Solomon must preserve his life and identity.
Scene 86
Ford takes Solomon, Harry, and Eliza from Freeman; Eliza is dragged away from Emily, committing Solomon to plantation life and its family separations.
Scene 87
Ford brings Solomon and the other captives into plantation life; Solomon must survive within a system that denies his identity.
Just before
Scene 107
Solomon’s successful raft arrives at the mill to the workers’ cheers and Ford’s applause, while Taydem and Tibeats resent the demonstration.
Scene 108
Ford gives Solomon a fiddle as thanks for his work; Solomon appreciates the gift but hears “over the years” as a reminder of his captivity.
Scene 109
Ford reads Scripture about protecting children and the consequences of harming them to the plantation’s gathered slaves.
Scene 110
This scene

110EXT. FORD PLANTATION - DAY

Seasons have passed. It is winter now, and very grey out along the bayou. Ford and Tibeats - who we have seen working around the mill - stand with Solomon, Tibeats giving Solomon an inspection. Ford carries much lament.

FORD

He's a good carpenter and a smart

nigger.

TIBEATS

I'm familiar with his cleverness.

Turn around. Raise yer shirt.

Solomon does as instructed. Tibeats looks at Solomon's back, at the scars from lashings he bears.

TIBEATS (CONT'D)

Troublesome.

FORD

Quite the opposite. Trustworthy

to the highest degree. A jack-of-

all trades. No chore too menial

nor skill too complicated. Plays

the fiddle as well.

TIBEATS

Look like he got airs.

FORD

You won't find a nigger more

humble.

TIBEATS

Ain't found a nigger yet I cain't

humble.

Tibeats heads off. Solomon, highly curious over the preceding. WHEN FORD RESPONDS, IT IS WITH GREAT HUMILIATION.

SOLOMON

Sir, did I do something wrong?

FORD

Not your concern, Platt. I say

with much...shame I have compiled

debts. I have long preached

austerity, but find myself

hypocritical in that regard.

You'll be in the ownership of Mr.

Tibeats. You are his now. But he

himself is in the employ of my

sister and her husband, their

plantation is across the Bayou

from my own. There is much

building to be done, and you'll be

of great use to them. Serve him