12 Years a Slave · written by John Ridley and Steve McQueen · 2013

Sally explains the plantation’s work and Sabbath routine; a teenage slave runs in, stares at the newcomers, then laughs and leaves.

Scene 89 of 211 · ≈ 1 min on screen · Act two

Sally

Act oneAct twoAct three

Begins 56 min into a 2:22 film

The story so farBefore scene 89

After being kidnapped from New York and sold into slavery, Solomon Northup uses his skills and carefully placed trust to survive and seek a way back to his family.

Scenes 1–29
Solomon lives freely in Saratoga as a husband, father, worker, and musician.
Scenes 30–65
Kidnapped and held under the imposed name Platt, Solomon must preserve his life and identity.
Just before
Scene 86
Freeman says Emily cannot be sold, but Ford says he will take them. Eliza is dragged away crying as Solomon plays to cover the separation.
Scene 87
Ford brings Solomon, John, and Eliza to his plantation; while Eliza grieves her lost children, Ford assigns the men to mill work and sends them to Sally’s cabin.
Scene 88
Two young children pause their washing to stare at the newly arrived captives, then run off.
Scene 89
This scene

89INT. FORD PLANTATION/SALLY'S CABIN - CONTINUOUS

Sally conducts the group into her cabin. As they enter, Sally instructs:

SALLY

Lay down your bundles. Seat

yourselves. Rest while yah can.

Tomorrow'll be work. Ya'll work

everyday 'cept fer the Sabbath.

Still, it's up in the mornin'.

Massa Ford read us the scripture

'fo we's left ta ourselves.

Just then JOHN, a young slave of about sixteen years of age comes RUNNING IN. He looks steadily in the faces of the newly arrived slaves, then turns and runs back out without saying a word. He does however LAUGH LOUDLY as if their arrival was a great joke.