The Birth Of A Nation Page #7

Nat pulls a measured breath, gathers his words.

NAT:

The Bible says, “take therefore no

thought for the morrow: for themorrow shall take thought for thethings of itself.”

(re:
Hark’s blank look)

Means worrying ain’t gon’ do you no

good. Trust in the Lord, and try tolive your best for him, right now.

And speaking of right now, you needto go and see to your wife, ‘fore

she go and change her mind.

Hark stands, noticeably relieved. A strong embrace before heheads off. On Nat, his confidence fading slightly, as hestudies the floating embers.

49 INT. BARN/SLAVE CHURCH - DAY 49

Nat stands before a dozen brown faces.

NAT:

Just as the planted crop isharvested in its own time, so too

has the Lord planted us...

The back door opens and several slaves walk in. The last ofthem is Cherry. Nat stammers as he watches take her seat.

NAT (CONT’D)

Yes. The good Lord...

(glances to his Bible)

...the good Lord will finish hiswork in us.

(then, rushing)

(MORE)

(CONTINUED)

49

As I close, I urge you, brothersand sisters to take heart. For God

is at work in your life. And hewill not relent until the job isdone. Amen?

5/8/15 - PINK

CONTINUED:

NAT (CONT’D)

36

49

Amen-

ALL:

NAT:

Dismissed.

50 EXT. TURNER PLANTATION - BIG HOUSE - DAY 50

Nat and Cherry arrive to an arching oak. Nat lies down his

vest for Cherry. They sit.

*

*

NAT:

I’m happy to see you.

CHERRY:

I’m happy to see you.

NAT:

You look beautiful.

CHERRY:

Thank you... *

NAT:

So much time passed... I battledthoughts that you might’ve been

sold off...

(then)

How is it there?

CHERRY:

It’s fine. Nothing like what I comefrom ‘for here. Most days I’m just

tending to Missus Elizabeth, orfetchin’ this or that for Miss

Catherine.

NAT:

You know if ya’ll are coming back

next week for church?

CHERRY:

I know as much as you. I s’pose if

Missus is suggestin’ and Massa

Reese don’t mind the trip.

(CONTINUED)

4/9/15 -WHITE 37

50 CONTINUED:
50 50 CONTINUED: 50

NAT:

I surely wouldn’t want to wait

another season to see you.

CHERRY:

Me neither...

They study each other, spellbound. Nat extends his hand toher. ANGLE ON A CLOTH WRAPPED OBJECT. Cherry eyes Nat beforeunwrapping it to reveal NAT’S WOODEN TRIBAL RELIC.

NAT:

My Nana got it from my granddaddy.

She brought it here when she wastaken from Africa.

CHERRY:

Africa?

NAT:

(nods)

She kept it hid. Said it was theone thing that kept her mind free.

CHERRY:

It’s pretty.

She offers it back.

NAT:

I want you to have it.

(then)

In case I don’t see you for a

while, you’ll have somethin’

reminds you of me.

CHERRY:

I don’t know if it’s right I take

it. ‘Sides I don’t have nothin’ to

give you to remind you of me.

NAT:

I spend all my time thinking aboutyou already.

A frozen moment as they stare and smile. Until-

CATHERINE (O.C.)

Cherry?!

Cherry slowly stands. A warm smile before she disappearstoward the Big House.

We stay with Nat as he looks and longs after her.

6/15/15 -YELLOW

38

EXT. REESE PLANTATION - NIGHT

51 51

A farm house stands adjacent to a small barn-both set beforea vast field. We spot Cherry who empties plates into a slopbucket near the back door.

She suddenly stops, turns.

CHERRY:

Who’s there?

CHERRY’S POV as she gazes into a thicket of trees until-

NAT SLOWLY EMERGES FROM THE TREELINE ATOP THE COAL BLACK

HORSE, JUPITER.

Cherry nearly drops the plates. Nat climbs down.

CHERRY (CONT’D)

Nat? What you doing here?

No answer. Nat walks boldly to her, his eyes glued to hers.

He leans in, kisses her softly on her lips.

NAT:

I shoulda’ done that earlier today.

CHERRY:

You came here to kiss me?

Nat slowly sinks to one knee.

NAT:

I ain’t got much. The Lord. My

faith. Mamma. Nana. Up until now, *

it was enough.

(beat)

Cherry, I’d feel right honored if

you’d be my wife. I’d treat you

right. I’d protect you with my

life... if you’d have me.

CHERRY:

(smiles)

Yes. I will.

Nat rises. Kisses her lips again.

CHERRY (CONT’D)

What now?

NAT:

I’ll talk it over with Samuel. Get

a cabin set up for us.

(CONTINUED)

4/21/15 -BLUE 39

CONTINUED:
51 CONTINUED: 51

OK.

CHERRY:

A final kiss before Nat slowly backs away from her, shadowsengulfing him into the night. Cherry smiles, breaths deep, asif for the first time.

52 EXT. SLAVE QUARTERS - DAY 52

Nat and Cherry are knelt in front of Bridget who praysfervently. Nancy, Hark, Ester and a few others “lay hands” onNat and Cherry’s shoulders praying along silently in support.

53 INT. SLAVE QUARTERS - NAT’S CABIN - (NIGHT) 53

Nat and Cherry are in Nat’s cabin. He gently kisses her as

they make love.

*

54 EXT. TURNER PLANTATION - BIG HOUSE - DAY 54

Reverend Walthall climbs the porch steps. As he grabs therailing, it comes off into his hand. He carefully replacesit, continues to the door and knocks. Samuel arrives, pushesopen the screen door.

SAMUEL TURNER:

Reverend. What brings you aroundthese parts during the week?

Wouldn’t expect to see you til

Sunday.

REV. WALTHALL

There’s never a wrong time to bringa blessing to a brother in Christ.

SAMUEL TURNER:

Oh, Lord. Is this blessin’ gonna

cost me money?

REV. WALTHALL

Ha! Not a penny. The contrary infact.

Sam joins him on the porch. They sit on adjacent rockers.

SAMUEL TURNER:

Isaiah! Run some waters out here.

REV. WALTHALL

Gin, if you please.

(CONTINUED)

4/9/15 -WHITE 40

54 CONTINUED:
54 54 CONTINUED: 54

ISAIAH:

(from inside)

Yes’suh.

REV. WALTHALL

I put the word out about your

preacher. Got a couple farmers

willing to turn a good coin.

SAMUEL TURNER:

That right?

Isaiah serves the drinks, before disappearing into the house.

SAMUEL TURNER (CONT’D)

How much they offering.

REV. WALTHALL

A bit. And these days every bit

counts.

(then)

If your boy does to these fellas’liking, you could bounce back fromthe drought, pay off some debt.

Soon enough, find yourself ridingthe gravy train with biscuitwheels.

Samuel stares off as he considers.

SAMUEL TURNER:

Whereabouts are we talkin’.

REV. WALTHALL

All in Southampton to start.

SAMUEL TURNER:

An all I gotta do is have Nat

preach?

REV. WALTHALL

That’s it.

(beat)

Now, I’m not vouching for thecharacter of these fellas, what

business they running or how, I’m

just telling you there’s a

opportunity here, one you got themeans to capitalize on.

SAMUEL TURNER:

(finally nods)

Sounds good enough.

(CONTINUED)

5/8/15 - PINK 41

CONTINUED:
(2) 54 CONTINUED: (2) 54

REV. WALTHALL

Alright, then. I’ll send you the

details- names, locations and dates

by tomorrow.

SAMUEL TURNER:

You already booked the dates?

REV. WALTHALL

I figured you’d say yes.

SAMUEL TURNER:

You’re going mighty far outta your

way make sure my cabinets arestocked full. What’s in all this

for you.

REV. WALTHALL

Just the joy of knowing I’m helpingmy fellow brother. And...

SAMUEL TURNER:

Here it comes...

REV. WALTHALL

If I were to receive a “gift

offering” following the successful

completion of such trips, Icertainly would not object.

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