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turning to page one
Driven in a horse drawn wagon by Ford is the group of Solomon, John and Eliza. Eliza is sullen to say the least. With the loss of her two children she has dropped into a depression she will not be able to pull out of.
They arrive to the FORD PLANTATION. The main house of the plantation - the GREAT HOUSE as they are commonly called - is sizable. Two stories high with a piazza in front. In the rear are also a log kitchen, poultry house, croncribs and several slave cabins. The plantation is described as "a green spot in the wilderness."
With the arrival of Master Ford there is a flurry of activity - the "excitement" of a new delivery - as a "yellow girl," ROSE announces his return. Present with Rose is her husband, a slave named WALTON. Rose calls to her Mistress - MISTRESS FORD.
ROSE
Mistress! Mistress, they arrivn'.
Mistress Ford EXITS the house and travels to her husband, kisses him, then laughingly inquires:
MRS. FORD
Did you bring those niggers?
Three of them? You got three?
(calling off:)
Sally...!
FORD
Make me something to eat, dear.
The day has taken it from me.
MRS. FORD
Rose, fetch Sally.
ROSE
Yes, ma'am.
MRS. FORD
Tell her there are three new
niggers.
ROSE
Yes, ma'am.
(calling off)
Sally...!
MRS. FORD
Do not yell for her. Run fetch
her.
Rose runs off to fetch Sally. Mrs. Ford turns her attention to the new arrivals.
MRS. FORD (CONT'D)
Let me get a look at them... Do
they have any skills? What do
they do?
Indicating to Solomon and John:
FORD
Walton, tomorrow you will take
these two up to the mill and start
them workin'.
WALTON
Yeh, suh.
MRS. FORD
(re: Eliza)
This one's cryin'. Why is this
one cryin'?
FORD
Separated from her child.
MRS. FORD
Oh, dear.
FORD
It couldn't be helped.
Moving with alacrity, Rose returns with SALLY; another female slave.
SALLY
Suh...?
FORD
Sally, take these new niggers
around to your cabin. Fix them a
meal, and have them rest
themselves.
SALLY
Yeh, suh, Massa Ford.
(to the slaves:)
C'mon, now. C'mon. Don't dawdle.