The Birth Of A Nation Page #5

4/9/15 -WHITE 24

39 CONTINUED:
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MAN:

(to Nat)

You spoke to my wife?! Where isyour owner, boy?

Nat offers no response. The man swings the cane down hard,

its length striking Nat’s arm. Nat eyes the dirt in rehearsedpassivity.

MAN (CONT’D)

Do you hear me, boy?

The Man swings the cane again, it connects with a CRACK onNat’s elbow. Nat grits his teeth. The Man raises it once

more. As he brings it down NAT CATCHES IT. His eyes justslightly connecting with the Man’s. The man goes white with

fear.

SAMUEL TURNER (O.S.)

(to the Man re:
cane)

You best go on and put that down.

Nat lets go. The Man stumbles backward, but keeps the caneraised.

MAN:

I want the sheriff. This boyassaulted me! He assaulted my wifeand I’m bringin’ charges.

SAMUEL TURNER:

Sheriff Floyd? You can fetch him ifyou like. In the meantime, I’ma

give you the count of three to putthat stick down, else I’ma have to

make sure you have some real

charges to bring to him when hegets here.

MAN:

You threatening me?

SAMUEL TURNER:

One.

The Man flinches, lowers the cane. He regards Nat and Samuelwith equal disdain before slinking away, pulling his wifealong with him. Samuel helps Nat to his feet. Nat and theyoung boy catch eyes long enough to see the boy’s innocent

face curl into a scowl.

SAMUEL TURNER (CONT’D)

(to Nat)

You alright?

(Nat nods)

(MORE)

(CONTINUED)

39

Think they’re higher than theAlmighty himself... C’mon.

5/8/15 - PINK

CONTINUED:
(2)

SAMUEL TURNER (CONT’D)

25

39

Samuel walks back toward the wagon. Nat eyes the PUPPET on

the ground, it’s painted brown eyes staring back.

*

40 EXT. FARMER’S MARKET - ROAD - DAY 40

Samuel sits next to Nat who guides the wagon away from thewood store, passing fresh fruit stands, vegetables stacked onwagons, and crafts booths. Business men shout toward Samuel,

begging for his business.

A FEW YARDS AHEAD

A YOUNG BOY (10) stands on the dirt road, bounces a woodensign which reads “SLAVE SALE!”.

ANGLE ON a seedy SLAVE DRIVER (50’s) who conducts an

impromptu slave sale off the back of an uncovered wagon. FOUREXHAUSTED AND RAGGED SLAVES stand naked on the wagon-back. Afew REDNECKS assemble.

*

*

Hold on.

SAMUEL TURNER:

Nat slows the wagon as he and Sam look on. The Slave Driverslaps the backside of a THIN MALE SLAVE. A bony nub at hisright wrist, where a hand should be. The driver spins him.

SLAVE DRIVER:

Strong as an ox! Nothing but goodseed flowing from this here buck!

(he fishhooks the slave)

And look at them teeth! I’ll start

this one at two-hundred?

No response. ON NAT who witnesses the spectacle.

SLAVE DRIVER (CONT’D)

One fifty?

(nothing)

I gotta make livin’ here gents.

Dammit, a hundred? Seventy-five?

A REDNECK 1 raises a hand.

Sold!

SLAVE DRIVER (CONT’D)

The Driver motions to his helper who ambles over, ushers thenewly sold slave to the Redneck. Nat watches as the Redneckroughly inspects him before handing over cash.

(CONTINUED)

6/15/15 -YELLOW 25A

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He then fits a shackle around the slave’s neck, climbs atop

his horse and trots off- the slave jogging behind him.

(CONTINUED)

4/9/15 -WHITE 26

40 CONTINUED:
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Nat and Samuel watch the Slave Driver arrive to a YOUNG

WOMAN. Matted hair. A thin worn dress hangs just below herknees. Nat looks away.

SLAVE DRIVER (CONT’D)

Consider this comely wench! Not aday over eighteen! We’ll start her

at one seventy-five.

A REDNECK #2 tips his hat.

SLAVE DRIVER (CONT’D)

Got one seventy-five, I hear two?

A REDNECK #3 raises his hand.

SLAVE DRIVER (CONT’D)

Now we talkin! Do I got two twenty-

five?

ON NAT as he glances toward the bidding Rednecks. Studiestheir body language. He glances to the woman, her eyesdeadened.

REDNECK #2, again tips his hat.

SLAVE DRIVER (CONT’D)

Two-twenty five! I hear two-fifty?!

Nat glances again to the mulling rednecks. Then-

NAT:

Massa... That wench there’d sho’

make a good weddin’ gift to Ms.

Catherine. You keep sayin’ she beenaskin.

SLAVE DRIVER (O.S.)

Gimmie Two-fifty! C’mon nah!

A long beat. Until-

SAMUEL TURNER:

The whole lot of ‘em looks busted

from here. Sides, she look rightyoung if you ask me.

Angle on Redneck #3 who again raises his hand.

SLAVE DRIVER (O.S.)

There it is! Two seventy-five?!

(CONTINUED)

4/9/15 -WHITE 27

40 CONTINUED:
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NAT:

You right, suh. She young, but withthe right teachin’, a wench like

that could be working a long time.

Nat steals a look to Samuel who squints toward the stage. TheSlave Driver spins the Slave Woman in a circle, fondles herbrest. She tenses.

SLAVE DRIVER:

Now is you fella’s seein’ what I’m

seeing?! Take this one home, cleanher up, won’t be long ‘fore you

find yourself happier than a dogwith three balls!

A few chuckles in response. He spins her back forward.

SLAVE DRIVER (CONT’D)

(sotto, to slave woman)

Smile b*tch!

(she weakly complies)

Now come on y’all, talk to me!

(to Redneck #2)

You got two seventy-five for me?

Redneck #2 mulls.

NAT:

Massa, it’d shole’ be a shame to

watch her go to waste for such alow price.

SAMUEL TURNER:

What you know about what’s little

and what’s a lot?

Nat falls quiet.

SAMUEL TURNER (CONT’D)

Ain’t sure what’s got into you, but

whatever it is, you need to quitit.

NAT:

Yes, suh.

SLAVE DRIVER:

Alright! That’s two-fifty goin’

once...

Nat glances back to the woman, when suddenly she GLANCES UPTO CATCH HIS GAZE.

(CONTINUED)

5/8/15 - PINK 28

CONTINUED:
(4) 40 CONTINUED: (4) 40

SLAVE DRIVER (O.S.) (CONT’D)

Goin’ twice!

Nat and the woman’s eyes remain locked. The Slave Driver

raises his hand high-

SAMUEL TURNER (O.S.)

Two seventy-five!

The auctioneer freezes. Nat’s eyes flit to Samuel in

disbelief. Redneck #3 eyes Samuel hard.

SLAVE DRIVER:

(ecstatic)

We got two seventy-five! Do. I.

Hear. Three hundred?!

Redneck #2 ambles off. All eyes fix on Redneck #3.

SLAVE DRIVER (CONT’D)

Two seventy-five goin’ once!

ON NAT who holds his breath.

*

SLAVE DRIVER (CONT’D)

Two seventy-five goin’ twice!

Redneck #3 finally spits in rebuke, turns and walks off.

SLAVE DRIVER (CONT’D)

And SOLD to the fine gentleman inthe back!

*

*

Nat breaths relief, as he and Samuel make their way forward.

41 EXT. TURNER PLANTATION - BIG HOUSE - DAY 41

The wagon grinds to a stop. Samuel pulls back the cowhideflap, peers into the back. He scrunches his face. Nat followshis gaze.

NAT:

She’ll be fine, Suh.

SAMUEL TURNER:

Hope you right. Have your mama gether cleaned up and fed; startbreaking her in.

NAT:

Y’suh.

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