· · ·
turning to page one
turning to page one
The slaves are brought over to a small table on deck. They are seated, and are served food by a MULATTO WOMAN. On occasion WHITE PASSENGERS make their presence known.
Burch comes around to the slaves, a bottle of liquor in hand. He offers a drink to each of the men.
BURCH
Drink?
The men know better than to demur, and take what's offered. Burch plays coy, then pours a healthy-sized drink and offers it to Eliza. The salaciousness of the act cannot be hidden.
BURCH (CONT'D)
It's good. Nothing harsh.
She drinks, and Burch pours her another. Clearly Burch is trying to get her greased up.
ELIZA
No. No more, thank you.
Unhappy with the outcome of his efforts, Burch sulks away. The Mulatto woman could not help but overhear. Drawing close to Eliza, offering what she considers sage advice on the sly:
MULATTO WOMAN
You should cheer up. Don't do to
be so down cast. Take what's
offered. Things needn't be no
harder than they are. And if
you're wise...and I can see by
your wares that you are... Well,
a wise woman makes her situation
as pleasant as she can. For
herself...
Stroking Emily's hair
MULATTO WOMAN (CONT'D)
For her child...
Eliza slaps the woman's hand away.
ELIZA
Don't touch her! She will not be
like you.
MULATTO WOMAN
Then she be a slave. Like you.