12 Years a Slave Page #22

employment as overseeing is, it's

no easy chore on the spirit. I

say no man of conscious can take

the lash to another human day in,

and day out without shredding at

his own self. Takes him to a

place where he either makes

excuses within his mind to be

unaffected... Or finds some way

to trample his guilty sensations.

Well, I trampled.

Armsby takes a drink.

ARMSBY (CONT'D)

And with frequency.

SOLOMON:

Where is your place of birth?

ARMSBY:

Maryland. Have you traveled

there?

SOLOMON:

...I cannot say that I have.

ARMSBY:

Fine country. More seasonal than

the bayou. A deal less humid.

SOLOMON:

Why did you leave it?

ARMSBY:

To make my fortune, of course. I

gave in to tales of wealth and

prosperity that were the lore of

the southern states: all that's

needed being a patch of land and a

few good growing seasons. Cotton,

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ARMSBY (CONT'D)

or tobacco. And then locating aproper bank in which to store yourriches. But such profitableoutcomes are reserved for the

plantation masters. It's the lot

of the rest of us to serve. So I

settled on being an overseer, andfailed as well at that. In the

meantime my dreams gave way toreality. Now, I want nothing morethan to earn a decent wage.

(beat)

And get myself home.

Armsby takes another drink and leans back.

INT. MASTER EPPS'S PLANTATION/SLAVE SHACKS - MORNING 143

-AUGUST, 1847

We again hear the sound of the HORN BLOWING signaling thestart of the work day for the slave.

EXT. MASTER EPPS'S PLANTATION/FIELD - DAY 144

With the sun yet again high in the sky the slaves areworking the field picking cotton. As before they sing aspiritual, the only thing that distracts them from thetedium at hand.

But there is no distracting from the heat. We see Uncle

Abram begin to falter and finally drop down to theground.

Treach calls to Edward:

TREACH:

Get him water.

Edward runs to fetch water which he carries to Abram and

DUMPS ON HIM...BUT ABRAM DOES NOT RISE. DOES NOT MOVE.

At this point, the sounds of the singing from the otherstapers off as they realize Abram isn't getting up.

EXT. MASTER EPPS'S PLANTATION/SLAVE CEMETERY - LATER 145

We are beyond the main of the plantation, the cottonfield in the background. We are at the slaves' cemetery,

a mixture of crude crosses and unsettled ground.

Solomon, Bob and Henry, now much visually older than whenwe first saw them, are digging a grave in the dirt. The

uncovered body of Abram lays near. Having dug down anappropriate distance, the three men take the body and,

very unceremoniously, place it into the ground. Holding

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A148

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the shovel in his hands, and resting it by his feet, Bobtilts his head down and closes his eyes. The others dothe same. Almost stutteringly, not really knowing what to

say-

BOB:

I just want to say something aboutUncle Abram. He was a good man andhe always looked out for us sincewe were little. God Bless him. God

love him. And God keep him.

That done, they begin to cover it with dirt. It is all

the more of a funeral that Abram will receive.

OMIT 146

OMIT 147

EXT. MASTER EPPS'S PLANTATION/SLAVE CEMETERY - LATER A148

A female voice appears out of the blackness and begins tosing solo, "Went down to the river Jordan." A response of"Oh Yeah" quickly follows. Again the singer continues,

"where John baptized three."

The same faces we have seen on Epps' plantation, but nowfilled with rapture, appear. It's as if the voices havecreated a new form of awakening and presence. It seems totranscend and translate in a strange way, joy. A joywhich has un-yet been seen on screen. A joy which hasbeen hidden, but a joy which is undoubtedly there. It'scaptivating, infectious.

This should be a moving part of the film, which stirs theaudience and, for a moment, relieves them of theseemingly chastising environment.

The singer continues, "Well some say John was a Baptist,

some say John was a Jew, but I say John was a preacher,

because the Bible says so too, preach on Johnny." Andwith that, the rest of the congregation chant "I believe.

Oh, I believe."

INT. EPPS'S PLANTATION/WOODS - NIGHT 148

Solomon goes to RETRIEVE THE SMALL PACKAGE FROM UNDER AROCK AT THE BASE OF A TREE. Solomon returns the letter to

hiding. He takes the money with him and cautiously movesfrom the area.

OMIT 149

1/24/13 FINAL SHOOTING SCRIPT 99.

150 INT. EPPS'S PLANTATION/ARMSBY'S SHACK - LATER 150

The door opens. Solomon enters. Armsby is surprised tosee him. So much so, he isn't sure what greeting togive. Solomon gives a blunt introduction. Re: the

coins:

SOLOMON:

The proceeds of my fiddling

performances. A few picayunes,

but all I have in the world. I

promise them to you if you will do

me the favor I require. But I beg

you not to expose me if you cannot

grant the request.

ARMSBY:

What do you ask?

SOLOMON:

First, your word, sir.

ARMSBY:

On my honor.

SOLOMON:

It is a simple enough request. I

ask only that you deposit a letter

in the Marksville post office.

And that you keep the action an

inviolable secret forever. The

details of the letter are of no

consequence. Even at that, there

would be an imposition of much

pain and suffering were it known I

was the author. A patron is what

I require, sir.

ARMSBY:

Where's the letter now?

SOLOMON:

...It is not yet written. I will

have it in a day. Two at most, my

skill with composition as poor as

it is.

Armsby considers the request.

ARMSBY:

I will do it. And will accept

whatever payment is offered.

Solomon hesitates. In the moment, he's not so sure hecan wholly give himself over to trust.

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ARMSBY (CONT'D)

To assist you, I put my own self

at risk. I will do so, but fair

compensation is all I ask.

Solomon hands over the money.

ARMSBY (CONT'D)

Draw up your letter. We will meet

again. In two days?

SOLOMON:

In two days. ...Thank you.

Solomon exits.

151 EXT. EPPS'S PLANTATION/COTTON FIELD - DAY 151

Solomon and the slaves pick cotton. Armsby isconspicuously NOT laboring in the field. As Solomon

works he is watched by Epps. Watched more than he

normally is. For a moment it seems it might just be amatter of perspective; Solomon's unease over his actions.

But soon Epps is joined by Armsby. The two men stand and

talk, their looks locked toward Solomon.

Whatever it is that is occurring between them continuesfor a long, long moment. But Epps makes no move towardSolomon. Solomon continues with his work.

152 INT. EPPS'S PLANTATION/SLAVE SHACK - NIGHT 152

The slaves are at rest. Gripping his whip Epps enters,

without so much as a knock at the door. For a moment

there's curiosity; is he there for a dance, forPatsey...?

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