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

At supper, Lawson and Bristol warn Solomon that Tibeats is volatile and that Ford can no longer protect him.

Scene 113 of 211 · ≈ 1 min on screen · Act two

Bristol
Lawson
Solomon

Act oneAct twoAct three

Begins 1:08 into a 2:22 film

The story so farBefore scene 113

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 110
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 111
Tibeats drives Solomon, Sam, and Harry by wagon along Bayou Boeuf to their next assignment.
Scene 112
Solomon finds Eliza at the Tanner plantation, where she still mourns her children; when she clings to him, Tibeats beats them both until overseer Chapin intervenes.
Scene 113
This scene

113INT. TANNER PLANATION/SLAVE SHACK - NIGHT

Solomon talks with another of Tanner's slaves, LAWSON, and his wife BRISTOL. They dine on bacon and corn cake. Eliza, all the while and same as always, is continually and gently weeping.

Bristol warns Solomon regarding Tibeats.

BRISTOL

Tibeats has got a streak to him.

Cain't say where it come from;.

Drinks no mo' than most, take to

da Bible... That don't matter

none to his disposition, and he

don't give no warnin' for his

moods neither.

LAWSON

Say this; massa hate a nigger that

think for hisself. Do as told -

yes, suh. No, suh - you'll do

fine.

BRISTOL

But you show a spark of reasonin'

behind yo eyes...steel yourself

for a lashin'.

SOLOMON

Ford wouldn't stand for him to

give me such a beating.

BRISTOL

Not Massa Ford's no more. Yo time

with him is o'er and done. And

the Tanner's hain't never about.

Put it out your head. Learn

yourself ta be a proper nigger.

BLACK