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turning to page one
Later in the evening. Solomon now shares his space with Eliza and her children. As the children rest, Eliza drops into a lament as if pleading her case to Solomon who lends a sympathetic ear.
ELIZA
Poor innocent things. They know
nothing of the misery they are
destined to endure. The years
previous will have been bliss by
comparison.
Both slyly, and with a bit of aggrandizement:
ELIZA (CONT'D)
I had my master's favor, do you
understand? Above even his own
wife, I had it. Do you know that
he built a house for me? Built it
only on the sole condition that I
reside there with him. The added
promise in time I would be
emancipated. And for nine years
he and I cohabited. And in that
nine years he blessed me with
every comfort and luxury in life.
Displaying the finery she still wears:
ELIZA (CONT'D)
Silks and jewels and even servants
to wait upon us. Such was our
life, and the life of this
beautiful girl I bore for him.
But Master Berry's daughter...she
always looked at me with an unkind
nature. She hated Emily no matter
she and Emily were flesh of flesh.
As Master Berry's health failed,
she gained power in the household.
Eventually, I was brought to the
city on the false pretense of our
free papers being executed. On
our arrival, instead of being
baptized into the family of the
free, we were delivered into
stricter bondage. If I had known
what waited I would not have been
brought here alive. I swear that.
Eliza looks to Solomon. But there is no response that comes easily on the heels of all that's been said. All they can do is share Eliza's lament. She turns to her children, says again:
ELIZA (CONT'D)
My poor children. My poor, poor
babies.
BLACK