The Birth Of A Nation Page #11

(CONTINUED)

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76

ELIZABETH (O.S.

God’s going to punish whoever did

this. He will...

*

*

OFF NAT, catatonic, we-

FADE OUT:

77 OMITTED 77 *

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59

78 EXT. FIELD -DAY (VISION 2) 78 *

Nat’s POV as he squeezes an ear of corn. Blood gushes over

his hand.

*

*

79 INT. REESE PLANTATION - SERVANT QUARTERS - (NIGHT) 79

Tight on Cherry’s silhouetted profile as she stirs. Nat parts

the draped netting, moves close to her. Her lips moveslightly within her bloated face.

*

*

Nat.

CHERRY:

Love.

NAT:

CHERRY:

I’m sorry.

NAT:

No. You don’t apologize. You don’t

owe that to anyone.

CHERRY:

Joanna OK?

NAT:

She’s here. She just fine.

CHERRY:

Don’t want her to see me like this.

NAT:

She don’t know no better.

(then)

Cherry, I need you to tell me whodid this to ya. I’m gonna take careof it, ya hear. On my soul.

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CHERRY:

“Put up again thy sword into hisplace: for all they that take thesword shall perish with the sword.”

You taught me that.

(beat)

I need you here. Joanna too.

Promise you’ll leave this to the

Lord. Promise.

NAT:

I promise.

He gently kisses her cheek, uses a nearby sponge to dab sweatfrom her brow.

80 OMITTED 80 *

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*

EXT. TURNER PLANTATION - BIG HOUSE - PORCH - DAY

81 81

Nat arrives to find Samuel pacing on the porch.

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NAT:

You wanted to see me suh?

SAMUEL TURNER:

Yeah...

(then)

Cherry alright?

NAT:

I believe she will be.

SAMUEL TURNER:

Good. Not many would’ve let you go,

but...

NAT:

Thank ya, suh.

SAMUEL TURNER:

I’m having a get together tonight

for some important people. Kindlike when daddy was alive.

(then)

I’m gon’ want you, couple of

others, in the house. You gotexperience with servin’ and respectwith the help.

NAT:

Yes’suh.

SAMUEL TURNER:

Can’t tell ya’ how important this

is for all of us. We get thisright, the Turner name’ll mean

something again. We’ll be back on

top.

NAT:

Yes, suh.

And Samuel disappears into the house.

82 OMITTED 82 *

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*

INT. TURNER PLANTATION - BIG HOUSE - DINING ROOM - LATER 83

Nat and Isaiah hold silver trays of hors d'oeuvres. Isaiahwears a curled PERIWIG. Several well-to-do guests populatethe dinner table. We see Elizabeth, Catherine and Guiles. We

recognize Reverend Walthall, as well as Joseph Randall andhis WIFE (60’s). GENERAL CHILDS (50’s a commander of the

state militia) is also present, his wife and DAUGHTER (20’S)

at his flank. She eyes Samuel seductively. Samuel manages anervous smile before clinking his fork against a crystalglass. The room settles.

SAMUEL TURNER:

As you know, this annual dinner was

a tradition of my daddy years ago.

For all he believed, he made sure

family, faith and tradition were at

the top of his priority list. Now,

near twenty years later, the same

priorities have kept this property

afloat.

JOSEPH RANDALL:

That, and a cash cow of a colored

preacher.

A few chuckles.

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SAMUEL TURNER:

All right, that too.

Samuel smiles, nods to Reverend Walthall, who winks back.

Samuel raises his glass high.

SAMUEL TURNER (CONT’D)

May God continue to bless us formore generations to come.

GUESTS:

Here, here!

SAMUEL TURNER:

Nat, lead us in prayer.

All bow their heads, eyes closed. Nat looks to the servants,

at the perimeter of the table, then to the guests. He studiestheir pasty, smiling faces. Nat prays directly to them, HISEYES OPEN.

NAT:

Heavenly Father, we come to thankyou for your word and your will. Weunderstand it is written that “Eye

hath not seen, nor ear heard-

neither have entered into the heart

of man, the things which God hathprepared for them, that love him.”

We pray for and thank you for yourprotection and your promise that inour obedience, you will be an enemyto our enemies that you will opposethose who oppose us.

Isaiah’s eyes snap open, rack to Nat.

NAT (CONT’D)

Continue to guide us oh, Lord andwe will continue to follow. Throughfire and tribulation, we will pushforward, recognizing you alone asour source and strength. In yourHoly name we pray...

Amen.

ALL:

84 INT. TURNER PLANTATION - BIG HOUSE - DINING ROOM - LATER 84

The party has wound down. The women have retired, leavingonly a group of inebriated men, Samuel being the worst off.

Samuel covertly signals Isaiah who steps forward with a trayof cigars.

(CONTINUED)

*

*

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SAMUEL TURNER:

Isaiah, here, served President

Jackson once.

GENERAL CHILDS:

That right?

ISAIAH:

Yes, suh.

SAMUEL TURNER:

Tell him Isaiah.

ISAIAH:

(as he serves)

During the war of 1812. For a time,

I was his personal servant. Wecalled him “Ewo nan Nouvelle

Orl.ans.”

(re:
their blank stares)

“The Hero of New Orleans.”

GENERAL CHILDS:

(boorish)

And now you’re here serving me.

Childs holds up his glass. An awkward beat as Isaiah moves tohim, fills his glass. Samuel, sensing the discomfort, signalsNat who steps forward, sets a bowl of peppercorn on thetable. Samuel drops three into his glass of port wine.

SAMUEL TURNER:

Daddy always said:

(sotto)

“Three black peppercorns to a glassof port, and you got yourself anexcellent digestive.”

Ester brings coffee as the men talk. Joseph Randall eyes her *

closely.

JOSEPH RANDALL:

Black is always tasty... Especially

a nice piece of black meat. Juicy.

Sweet...

As she pours for Joseph Randall, he runs his hand up herdress. She casually steps back from his reach. Nat notices. *

GUILES REESE:

Pepper in my port is worth a try.

But fornication of that kind...

Frankly, I find it uncivilized.

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84 CONTINUED:
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Joseph Randall blindly reaches back toward Ester, rubbing his

hand along a leg. He glances toward the leg to find a pant-

covered leg. His eyes dart up to find Nat wearing a wrysmile. Randall recoils, turns sheepishly back to his drink.

*

*

*

*

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GENERAL CHILDS:

Give it time, son. I suspect itwon’t be long before you findyourself slipping from the banalchaise to find a tastier treat in

mammy’s harem.

SAMUEL TURNER:

When that day comes, make sure youhave some money saved. Cus’ if my

sister catches you and tosses youout, you won’t be coming to stay

here.

And another round of laughs.

85 OMITTED 85 *

86 EXT. SLAVE QUARTERS - HARK’S CABIN - NIGHT 86

Nat arrives to find Hark guarding his front door, arguingwith Isaiah. They speak in whispers.

*

NAT:

What’s going on?

HARK:

I ain’t doin’ it Nat! I’d have ‘em

lynch me first.

NAT:

Doin’ what?

Nat looks to Isaiah who hangs his head.

ISAIAH:

One of Samuel’s guests... hasrequested Ester.

NAT:

Requested her for what?

(re:
Isaiah’s look)

No. Just go and tell Samuel. He’ll

straighten this out.

ISAIAH:

Samuel sent me personally.

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