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73EXT. FREEMAN'S/GREAT ROOM - DAY

An odd sort of sight, A JUMBLE OF ACTIVITY. CUSTOMERS have come to see Freeman's lot - the room all gussied up with flowers. Freeman moves among them, displaying them as a rancher would prize chattel. Freeman makes the slaves hold their heads up - "look smart" as he previously admonished them. They are made to walk briskly back and forth while customers feel their hands and arms and bodies, turn them about and ask what skills they possess. The Customers routinely make the slaves open their mouths and show their teeth.

At times a man or woman are taken off to the side, stripped and inspected more minutely.

Randall is made to run, and jump by a PROSPECTIVE BUYER.

Bob, as he's done previously, plays his fiddle.

As this occurs, as a BUYER looks over a MALE SLAVE - his back lightly scared - Freeman gives the Buyer the soft sell.

FREEMAN

Too few strokes is a sign they

ain't been broken. Too many tells

yah never will. This is a well

tenderized nigger here.

The Buyer is more curious in Randall.

BUYER

Your price for the boy?

FREEMAN

You see how fit he is. Like ripe

fruit. He will grow into a fine

nigger. Six hundred, and that's

fair and final. I take him

outside these gates I can name my

price.

BUYER

Will you accept a note?

Eliza is beside herself. She begs of the Buyer:

ELIZA

Please, sir, no. My baby boy,

he's my baby. Please don't divide

my family. Don't take my boy

unless you take myself and my baby

as well.

FREEMAN