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

Bass tells Solomon no reply has arrived and refuses to risk another inquiry, admitting his fear has overcome his belief and he plans to leave.

Scene 207 of 211 · ≈ 1 min on screen · Act three

Story Circle: Take
Bass
Solomon

Act oneAct twoAct three

Begins 2:15 into a 2:22 film

The story so farBefore scene 207

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.
Scenes 66–123
He enters plantation life under Ford, passes through Tibeats’s violence and the near-lynching, and is transferred to Epps.
Scenes 124–199
Under Epps, Solomon works and watches for a route home; Armsby betrays his letter attempt, and Patsey’s punishment leaves him without a safe path out.
Scenes 200–206
Bass’s arrival gives Solomon a person willing to hear his account and carry letters to his northern friends.
Just before
Scene 204
Solomon steals a candle and matches from the kitchen.
Scene 205
Solomon waits nervously with a lit candle by the river until Bass arrives.
Scene 206
By candlelight, Solomon gives Bass names and addresses in Saratoga; Bass agrees to post the letters at Marksville and check for replies.
Scene 207
This scene

207EXT. MASTER EPPS'S PLANTATION/GREAT HOUSE/ADDITION - DAY

The addition is well on its way to being finished. Slaves continue to work on it, Solomon in particular. As they work, Bass comes riding up on a horse. Solomon tries to remain calm but we can see the anxiety building in him.

Bass talks with Avery a bit, then makes his way casually to Solomon. His news is not good.

BASS

No letter yet, Platt.

SOLOMON

You are certain?

This hits Solomon hard. Recovering, emphatic:

SOLOMON (CONT'D)

Write again.

BASS

No use.

SOLOMON

There is every use. My freedom.

BASS

No use. I have made up my mind to

that. I fear the Marksville post

master will mistrust something, I

have inquired so often at his

office. Too uncertain. Too

dangerous. I have talked too

openly of freedom for niggers. I

have concern for my own life now.

My beliefs have struck up against

my fears. I will be honest that

my fears preside.

Solomon just then begins to realize the finality of the situation. The truth of that is clear, though Bass cannot articulate it. Instead:

BASS (CONT'D)

I have a job or two on hand which

can be completed shortly. By that

time I shall have a considerable

sum of money, and then, Platt, I

am leaving. I have lived in this

region long enough. I am tired of

slavery as well as you. ...I go

with a heavy heart that I could do

no more for you.

With much regret for his own failure of effort and