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turning to page one
It is August, "cotton picking" season.
We are looking out over a cotton field in full bloom. It presents a visual purity, like an immaculate expanse of light, new-fallen snow. The cotton grows from five to seven feet high, each stalk having a great many branches shooting out in all directions and lapping each other above the water furrow.
There is a slave to each side of the row. They have a sack around their necks that hangs to the ground, the mouth of the sack about breast high. Baskets are placed at the end of the furrows. Slaves dump their sacks of cotton in the baskets, then pick until their sacks are again filled.
Solomon, as with the other slaves, is picking cotton. It is hard, harsh back breaking work. Clearly he's not "skilled" at the chore - he moves along slowly and does not pick with any particular dexterity.
Patsey, on the other hand, is the "queen of the field." She moves through the rows at speed, expertly picking the cotton.
THE SOUNDTRACK TO THE SCENE IS NOTHING MORE THAN THE RUSTLE OF LABOR, THE MALE CICADAS BUGS "TYMBALS" IN THE HEAT and a SPIRITUAL SUNG BY THE SLAVES.
Despite the heat, there is no stopping for water. The slaves are "driven" by Edward, who is himself "driven" by Treach.
TREACH
C'mon. Drive dem niggers.
Edward moves among the slaves, applying the whip to them without regard.
EDWARD
Pick dat cotton. Move along now,
hear?