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turning to page one
turning to page one
We are back in Freeman's great room. It is almost as if the intervening never happened. The slaves are again on display. Bob, again, playing the fiddle as the BUYERS move among the prospective sales; a jumble of question and conversations which Freeman fields.
Among the buys we see WILLIAM FORD; a good-looking man, who has appeared to have reached the middle age of life. There is something cheerful and attractive in his face and tone of voice.
FORD
What is the price for the ones
Harry, Platt and Eliza?
FREEMAN
Nine Hundred for Harry, a thousand
for Platt; he is a nigger of
talent. Seven hundred for Eliza.
My fairest price, sir.
FORD
You will exchange a note?
FREEMAN
As always, from you, Mr. Ford.
Eliza, pulling Emily forward and putting her on urgent display:
ELIZA
Sir... Sir, she is my baby.
Stepping in, attempting to explain things.
SOLOMON
Sir, she watched as her only boy
was sold off. If there is any way
in your heart--
FREEMAN
You will be quiet.
SOLOMON
To not separate them further, sir.
The Lord almost took her with
disease. If He would not separate
Mother and Child, are any of us to
do more?
FORD
What is her price?
FREEMAN
(spitefully)
I won't sell the girl.
FORD
And you have no need for her. One
so young will bring you no profit.
FREEMAN
be made of her. She is a beauty.
One of the regular bloods, none of
your thick-lipped, bullet heated,
cotton picking niggers.
FORD
Her child, man. For God's sake,
are you not sentimental in the
least?
FREEMAN
My sentimentality stretches to the
length of a coin. Do you want the
lot, Mr. Ford, or do you pass on
'em all?
FORD
I will take them.
Eliza grips Emily tight.
ELIZA
I will not go without her. You
will not take her from me.
AS if to prove her wrong, Freeman puts a foot to Eliza and harshly kicks her away from Eliza.
ELIZA (CONT'D)
Please, don't. No!
Freeman, to Bob:
FREEMAN
Take her out of here.
Bob begins to pull Eliza away toward the door of the room, but her screaming and pleading do not abate. IT IS CLEARLY UNSETTLING TO THE OTHER BUYERS.
FREEMAN (CONT'D)
Keep her quiet.
Bob tries to muzzle her with his hand, but Eliza continues to scream for her child as Emily does for her mother.
EMILY
Don't leave, mama. Mama, don't
leave me!
FREEMAN
(to Solomon)
Play something! Get the fiddle
and play.
As ordered, Solomon takes up Bob's fiddle and begins to play lightly.
FREEMAN (CONT'D)
Play!
Solomon begins to play harder and louder. Still, it is barely enough to drown out Eliza's cries. Freeman gets the other slaves to clap along with Solomon's playing.
FREEMAN (CONT'D)
Goddamn it, Bob, yah keep her
quiet or it's yer damned hide I
will take it out of!
Bob pulls a rag, stuffs it in Eliza's mouth. Clamping both hands over her mouth, he hauls Eliza from the room by the head. It is an ugly, ugly scene.