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

Clemens predicts they will be sold in New Orleans, while John insists his master will redeem him; Burch brings Eliza and her children, who reunite in the yard.

Scene 40 of 211 · ≈ 1 min on screen · Act one

Clemens
John
Randall
Eliza

Act oneAct twoAct three

Begins 27 min into a 2:22 film

The story so farBefore scene 40

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.
Scene 30
Solomon is drugged and abducted in New York, abruptly ending his free life and beginning his captivity.
Scene 31
After Solomon is drugged and abducted in scene 30, he wakes in chains and discovers that he has been stolen from his free life.
Just before
Scene 37
Forced to wash naked with the other captives, Solomon comforts the crying Randall by promising his mother will come.
Scene 38
Solomon first pushes away the meager meal, then eats it after Radburn leaves, while his voice calls the captivity a crime.
Scene 39
Solomon argues that Brown and Hamilton will secure their release; Clemens challenges his faith in them and recalls Brown’s shabby performance.
Scene 40
This scene

40EXT. YARD - CONTINUOUS

Solomon's got to reconcile that recollection of his. Brown sure wasn't a performer of any merit. More like a charlatan. As Solomon considers that fact, Clemens states very plainly:

CLEMENS

How I reckon the situation:

whatever past we had...well,

that's done now. The reality to

come is us being transported

southward. New Orleans if I were

to venture. After we arrive,

we'll be put to market.

Clemens Ray chokes a bit. The horrid fate waiting for them becoming quite clear to him.

CLEMENS (CONT'D)

Beyond that... Well, once in a

slave state I suppose there's only

one outcome.

John's anxiety grows.

JOHN

No.

CLEMENS

I don't say that to give you empty

agitation...

JOHN

For y'all. For y'all they ain't

nothin' but that! But John was'n

kidnapped. John bein' hold as

debt, tha's all. Massa pay his

debt, and John be redeemed--

CLEMENS

Boy--

John is nearly beside himself with panic.

JOHN

Now John's...John's sorry for

y'all, but tha's how it be. Where

y'all goin', yah goin' witout

John. Massa take care of me.

Massa take care.

RANDALL

Mama!

All three men turn and look. At the moment Randall doesn't call out emptily. At the door to the yard is Burch along with two women. One in her late twenties; ELIZA. She is "arrayed in silk, with rings upon her fingers, and golden ornaments suspended from her ears."