Band of Angels Page #3

Sold for $ 75.

Next. Come on out, boy.

Get up there. Stand up there.

Two hundred pounds.

Fine specimen, a fine piece of a boy.

Now, what am I offered? What am I bid?

- Seventy-five.

- Seventy-five dollars, for this boy here?

He's built like a bull. Go on, boy,

show them what you're made of.

Show them what your muscles are made of.

Watch him run up and down, now.

Look at him go, he run like a rabbit.

Watch that boy. Look at that specimen.

Look at those shoulders on that boy.

- All right, last time. Now, what are my bids?

- One hundred.

One hundred, 100 is bid.

Now, do I hear 125?

- Get up here, boy.

- One hundred twenty-five.

- Do I hear 150?

- One hundred fifty.

- One fifty.

- One fifty is bid.

- Do I hear 175?

- One seventy-five.

One seventy-five has been taken.

- Do I hit 200?

- Two hundred.

Going, going, gone. Sold for 200 dollars.

- Next. Come up, get up here.

- Come here. Come here.

You ruin my sale and I'll break you down

to $5 worth, you hear? Get up there.

Now, ladies and gentlemen, a flower

of Kentucky in the bloom of youth.

But why go into details about something

fit to ornament a drawing room?

You ladies and gentlemen have eyes,

especially you, gentlemen.

Now, I don't misrepresent.

For the fact, she has colored blood.

But it couldn't be more than a miser's dram

if indeed, ladies and gentlemen, that much.

Just a moment. All the same,

I'm going to examine her.

Why, certainly, sir.

Anybody's free to look before bidding.

You'll see perfection.

Note the make of the leg

and the splendid conformation.

I bid $5000.

- Did I hear 5000?

- You did.

You mean you wanna start the...?

Oh, it's you, sir.

According to what you say,

she's a bargain at $5000, isn't she?

Oh, why, sure enough. Now, who's game

to bid against this gentleman?

I reckon that you all know him

and I consider it an honor...

I still intend to have a look at her.

Turn around. This way.

Perhaps you better tell him

the rules of the auction.

Yes, sir. No inspection of the property

is permitted after the first bid, sir.

- Do you expect me to bid sight unseen?

- No. I don't expect you to bid at all.

It's my opinion that you got

into the Rue Royale by mistake...

...while looking for Gallatin Street

where things are free and easy.

- Mostly free.

- Are you calling me a cheapjack?

I must be.

I don't see any others around here.

Then I demand satisfaction.

I have seen brave-talking cowards

like you before...

- Hamish Bond, why didn't you tell me?

- I've been trying to.

If you get his dander up,

you'll find yourself in a pine box.

And you wouldn't be the first one either.

Sorry. Please proceed.

Thank you, sir, thank you.

I have 5000.

Five. Five thousand.

Mr. Hamish Bond offered 5000.

He invites you to bid against him.

I have five, five, five. I have 5000.

Is Mr. Bond's bid

a little too steep for you?

Well, it usually is.

But that's no disgrace to mortal man.

Sold for $5000 to Mr. Hamish Bond.

Charge to my account

and send her papers to my house.

What do they call you?

- Manty.

- Come on, Manty.

All right, boy. Now, come on.

Come on, get up here, boy.

Take a look at this specimen,

ladies and gentlemen. Look at this boy.

Two hundred and twenty-five pounds.

A big, strong worker.

You needn't put me in the center room.

Just put me with the rest of the slaves.

Follow Michele.

Hot water will be sent up to you

for your bath and also your supper.

Like a prisoner in a cell.

I think he's horrible,

with his iron bars and his iron gate.

I think it's the outside

he wants to keep out.

I don't believe he gives much thought

to the inside of this house.

- Oh, yes. He's thinking about his $5000.

- He has many thousands of dollars.

And he thinks that's

all it takes to own a woman...

...her name on a piece of paper,

like an animal's.

Well, he can buy her, all right.

- But he can never own her, her feelings.

- And her heart?

You think monsieur wouldn't

be receiving full value without that?

Many ladies have worn their hearts on their

sleeves for him, free women of quality.

Free.

That word one hears it so often these days.

Especially from the North.

I have friends up there.

Maybe you could help me

get in touch with them?

I'm sorry, ma petite.

There's nothing I can do.

Well, he need never know.

If you're afraid of him, of what he might do.

I, afraid of Monsieur Hamish?

Well, you're a slave aren't you?

Don't you ever think of escape?

Oh, I see.

Oh, at night, do not forget to arrange

the netting against the mosquitoes.

The season is upon us.

- What are you doing?

- It is not a prison cell as you said.

No, it's worse.

- What am I gonna do?

- You will live, ma petite.

Michele. Would you care to sit down?

Monsieur is kind, but it is not necessary.

Well, I declare.

What are you looking for?

Looks like somebody needs

my gri-gri loving potion.

Pour it in coffee, pour it in rum.

Make Master Hamish

crawl like a hound dog.

Make him moan for his new gal.

What's the matter?

Don't you love nobody?

Then you better try my gri-gri.

Then you love somebody.

Make you sit up and purr

like a little p*ssy kitten.

Dollie, get to work.

Well, seems I was right.

You still live.

Like any other captive.

Monsieur Hamish send you an invitation...

...to dine with him downstairs

any evening you wish.

No, thank you.

You tell him if I ever come down,

it'll be to go to the slave quarters.

That was smart.

Tease him like a catfish

swimming around a worm.

And wait till he gets itchy.

And then he'll get a little bite...

...and grab so hard

he'll break his pole.

What were we saying?

Nothing, monsieur.

Nothing for quite a while.

I believe I was about to mention

I like that gown you're wearing.

You paid for it, just as you did for me.

Please, don't use that

as a weapon against me.

You know, I know better than most men

that money is no cure-all.

I used to think it was.

I used to think it would open

the door to friendship...

...and other essentials

more important than power.

I used to believe it was everything.

A drug for loneliness,

a painkiller for certain memories.

Well, the whole apothecary shop

for every problem of life.

What would you know about problems?

I learned about yours from your papers.

Kentucky. Your father.

And my mother? My pedigree?

There's quality in it.

More than in some thoroughbreds I've seen.

Good to see you.

I've placed the bills of sale

for cotton on your desk.

The price goes high on the English market

since Louisiana and the others seceded.

President Lincoln makes no move

to blockade the ports.

He's a wise man.

He says he can't control events,

that events control him.

They're building up, Rau-Ru,

like a bonfire waiting for the torch.

- The world is full of fools.

- Of all colors, monsieur.

The cry for freedom is in the air

like a rising wind.

Slaves have already gone wild

on many plantations.

But not at Pointe du Loup?

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