12 Years a Slave Page #2

cravat? Pure silk by way of the--

Before Parker can finish, the door opens. It's Jasper'sMaster, FITZGERALD. He's stern, clearly displeased.

FITZGERALD:

Jasper!

(to Parker)

My regrets for the intrusion.

SOLOMON:

No intrusion.

Fitzgerald looks to Solomon. It is a cold glare asthough he wasn't speaking to, and has no interest in aresponse from a black man. Looking back to Parker:

FITZGERALD:

Good day, sir.

6 INT. NORTHUP HOUSE/DINING ROOM - EVENING 6

Anne, busy in the kitchen, puts the final touches to themeal, which is just about to begin. Solomon, in themeanwhile, sits at the head of the table reading from aNEWSPAPER. He reads to his children solemn news of the

funeral arrangements for the recently deceased PresidentHarrison.

SOLOMON:

"Thus has passed away from earth

our late President."

Solomon starts from the top of the article.

SOLOMON (CONT’D)

"During the morning, from sunrise,

the heavy bells had been pealing

forth their slow and solemn toll

while the minute guns announced

that soon the grave would receive

its trust. Our city as well as

our entire nation has been called

to weep over the fall of a great

and good man. One who was by the

wishes of a large majority of our

(MORE)

(CONTINUED)

1/24/13 FINAL SHOOTING SCRIPT 5A.

6 CONTINUED:
6

SOLOMON (CONT’D)

people raised to fill the highestplace of trust within their gift.

William Henry Harrison."

A long moment of quiet, the family continuing to eat.

Then, from Margaret:

MARGARET:

Will you read it again?

ANNE:

Not just now, darling.

Anne enters the dining room and places a large chicken atthe center of the table. As she takes a seat, all headsare bowed.

MARGARET:

For food that stays our hunger,

For rest that brings us ease,

For homes where memories linger,

We give our thanks for these.

ALL:

Amen.

SOLOMON:

Margaret, that was wonderful.

MARGARET:

Thank you, Papa.

SOLOMON:

Alonzo, do you have something tosay?

ALONZO:

Yes, I helped Momma make this.

ANNE:

Yes, and you were such a goodhelp. Especially making the gravy.

MARGARET:

Papa, I would very much like tolearn how to play the violin.

Could you teach me?

ALONZO:

Me too!

MARGARET:

Yes, but I asked Papa first.

SOLOMON:

Both of you, calm down. We willhave our first lesson after this

wonderful dinner. And on that

note, let's start eating.

(CONTINUED)

1/24/13 FINAL SHOOTING SCRIPT 5B.

6 CONTINUED:
(2) 6 6 CONTINUED: (2) 6

The family all tuck in to their meal. The scene is one ofwarmth and happiness.

1/24/13 FINAL SHOOTING SCRIPT 6. 6.

7 INT. NORTHUP HOUSE - NIGHT 7

Solomon and Anne have fun and difficulty putting theunruly children to bed. They are tucked in, and eachgiven a kiss good night. As Margaret lays down to sleep,

Anne blows out the candle darkening the room.

Silhouetted in the doorway, Solomon takes Anne in hisarms, holds her tightly as they both luxuriate in thesimple, beautiful gift that is their children.

7A INT. NORTHUP HOUSE - NIGHT 7A *

Now alone together, we see Anne and Solomon wrapped ineach other's arms. Beyond being physically close,

emotionally close, they are just so very comfortable withone another. They are the very representation of acouple who are made for each other.

They look at each other for a prolonged time. *

SOLOMON:

(comically forlorn)

Three weeks. Two days.

*

*

*

ANNE:

It is the custom. I wonder what

you'll do without me?

*

*

*

SOLOMON:

I won't stay idle.

*

*

SOLOMON's eyes lower. *

ANNE:

Darling, it's good money.

*

*

SOLOMON:

If only I didn't have to shareyour cooking with other people.

*

*

*

ANNE holds his gaze. *

You don't.

ANNE *

*

They kiss. *

8 OMIT 8

1/24/13 FINAL SHOOTING SCRIPT 7.

9 EXT. NORTHUP HOUSE - MORNING 9

We are just outside the Northup house. A CARRIAGE waits

with a DRIVER. Anne and the children are dressed for

travel - Anne sporting HER NEW CARRY ALL. The Driver

loads bags into the carriage.

For her parting gift, Anne gives her husband a kiss.

SOLOMON:

Travel safely.

ANNE:

Stay safely.

Anne and the children loaded up, the Driver chides thehorse and the carriage heads off. Solomon waves a heartygood bye to his wife and children.

10 EXT. PARK -DAY 10

Solomon is now out for a stroll. He passes two men - twoin particular - who stand outside conversing with MR.

MOON himself:
MERRILL BROWN and ABRAM HAMILTON. Brown

is about 40, with a countenance indicating shrewdness andintelligence. Hamilton is closer to 25, a man of faircomplexion and light eyes. Both are finely, if perhaps abit garishly, dressed. Hamilton, as Solomon describeshim, slightly effeminate.

Moon, spotting Solomon:

MR. MOON

Call the Devil's name... There he

is now. Mr. Northup...! I have

two gentlemen who should make your

acquaintance. Messrs. Brown and

Hamilton.

BROWN:

Sir.

MR. MOON

Mr. Northup, these two gentlemen

were inquiring about distinguished

individuals, and I was just this

very moment telling them that

Solomon Northup is an expert

player on the violin.

HAMILTON:

He was indeed.

SOLOMON:

Mr. Moon is being overly gracious.

(CONTINUED)

1/24/13 FINAL SHOOTING SCRIPT 8.

10 CONTINUED:
10 10 CONTINUED: 10

BROWN:

Taking into consideration hisgraciousness and your modesty, maywe trouble you for a moment ofyour time to converse, sir?

11 EXT. PARK/PAVILION - LATER 11

We make a jump to a green space. Solomon, Brown andHamilton are sitting at a bench.

SOLOMON:

A circus?

HAMILTON:

That is our usual employee. The

company currently in the city ofWashington.

BROWN:

Circus too constricting a word todescribe the talented and merryband with which we travel. It is

a spectacle unlike most have everwitnessed. Creatures from the

darkest Africa as yet unseen bycivilized man. Acrobats from the

Orient able to contort themselves

in the most confounding manners.

HAMILTON:

And I myself in aide of Mr. Brown;

an internationally renownedpractitioner in the art ofprestidigitation.

BROWN:

We are on our way thither torejoin the company having left fora short time to make a small

profit from our own exhibitions.

HAMILTON:

The reason for our inquiry withMr. Moon...

BROWN:

Yes. We had just a devil of atime in procuring music for our

(MORE)

(CONTINUED)

1/24/13 FINAL SHOOTING SCRIPT 9.

11 CONTINUED:
11

BROWN (CONT'D)

entertainments. Men of true

talent seemingly in short supply.

SOLOMON:

Thank you sir...

BROWN:

If we could persuade you toaccompany us as far as New York...

We would give you one dollar foreach day's service and threedollars for every night played atour performances. In addition wewould provide sufficient pay forthe expenses of your return fromNew York here to Saratoga.

SOLOMON:

You understand this is all verysudden.

HAMILTON:

Consider it an opportunity to seethe country-

SOLOMON:

It's intriguing...

HAMILTON:

If there is any way in which youwould give consideration to theoffer...

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