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Old
Master: You
just remember, I done been kind to you!
You mine! You stay
‘way from him, ya hear? (he
pulls her around and delivers a right-handed slap across the face.
She goes flying down to the ground face to the audience) (Old
Master wipes his whip with a dirty rag pulled from his pocket. Wipes
his brow and exits stage right. All the Slaves, except Fed, rush in
to help Hester.) (Eliza, Fed’s sister kneels down besides her still
crouching brother.) Eliza:
Fed, she gone be alright. Don’t
you fret none. Lawd, I
don’t know why Aunt Hester don’t leave that Robert’s nigger alone. She
knows Massa wants her only fuh hisself.
Fed:
Liza, dis ain’t da way dis’ suppose to be.
Eliza:
I know, I know Fed, but if Aunt Hester don’t behave huself, Old Massa’s
gwine to sell her south. You
‘member couple months back when Aunt Jenny and Uncle Noah ran off?
Old Massa’s so mad he got Da Colonel to sell Aunt Jenny’s sister
Maryann, and her younguns’ south! Maryann’s man, Henry ain’t been right
in da’ head since. Fed:
Yeah, he sold them, after giving po’ Maryann a baby! (Light dims a
little. Spotlight shifts DR to a white woman, dressed in the clothes
of the period who enters and walks over to a podium far stage right.
She is the Narrator.) (Action continues
in mime on stage as Narrator talks) The
Narrator:
1830’s America! Slavery
is in full bloom and at no time was the moral, ethical, religious, and
constitutional values more in conflict than during this period in our
nation’s history.It was a brutal time. It was a inhumane time. It was
a time that peeled away man’s façade of humanity to reveal the ugliness
inside. Eliza:
Now,You hush that kinda’ talk! Folks hear you talkin’ like that, you
wind up going south! (in
hush tones) Anyhow, it’s Christmas time and I hear tell our mama might
just sneak on down from Mr. Steward’s Plantation for a visit. So every
thangs gonna be alright. (Pause) You ain’t never seen her, but I remember
her well. She was always
smiling and singing and hugging on us.
Fed:
…But Mr. Steward’s Plantation is 10 miles away!
She walkin’ that far? Eliza:
I don’t know how she comin’, I just hear tell she might pay us a visit
tonight, so you don’t want her to see you all afeared, now do you?
Come on, it’s Christmas time and you know what that means.
We always get a little mo’ extra food at Christmas time.
(Ruggles,
a young black male slave around the same age as Fed, overhears the conversation.) Ruggles:
…and we gits a little of Old Massa’s corn liquor and best of all, we
get the next day off from the fields!
Hallelujah! Eliza:
Ruggles, is that all you can think about? (Eliza
rises, shakes her head at what Ruggles has just said, smiles and joins
the other slaves tending to Hester SR.) Ruggles:
What do you think, Fed? Huh?
Huh? Ya’ think she likes
me just a little? Fed:
Who? Liza? Ruggles, why don’t you just gone over there and tell her
how you feel? Ruggles:
…and I will too…someday. (Fed
walks away) Looky here Fed, I know she’s yo’ Sister in all,
but I’m yo’ best friend! Can’t
ya just put in some good words for me? (Fed smiles at his friend, waves him away and joins
the rest of the slaves tending to Aunt Hester SR.) (Enter Old Master
SR with a couple of pails, ladles, and a couple of bottles tucked under
his arms) Old
Master:
Well here you go. (Dropping
the pails of food down) I don’t know why Colonel Lloyd’s being
so good to ya.’ I’m just
the Overseer here, but hell, I thank it’s workins’ what you need.
You don’t need no day off!
Ah, but, I guess it being Christmas and all, the old man’s gittin’
a mite touched! (He
uncorks one of the bottles and takes a swig and grimaces) Maybe
the old man ain’t all that touched after all. (Exits
stage right) (There’s a rush at the pails and bottles and shouts of “JUBA, JUBA”.
Someone has broken out a harmonica and there’s laughter and dancing
as the bottles get passed around.)
(Music
and laughter in background) Ruggles:
JUBA, JUBA…ha, ha. Come
on Fed we gone have ourselves a jubilee! Hey, (Turning and addressing the other occupants in the cabin) come
on, let’s get Fed to act like the Colonel.
Come on, Fed you do him so good! (Fed waves him away with a half smile.shouts of “yeah,
go on”) Fed:
(reluctantly pulling himself up straight to his full height and in a deep
exaggerated voice, pacing left to right with hands behind his back)
Now I’ve been kind to ya. I’ve
let ya clean out my stables. I’ve let you eat two cups of my corn mush
a day. I don’t beat ya’ on Sundays, Dat’s the Lawd’s day and I trust
ya to work my fields all day.
I’ve been kind to ya boy, kind to ya!”
(laughter)
I don’t know how much mo’ of da’ Colonel’s kindness I can stand!
(laughter) (Fed drifts away stage left.) (Eliza approaches
him and pats him on the back.) Eliza:
You gone be alright Fed? Fed:
I don’t know how much mo’ kindness I can stand, Liza.
Eliza:
I hear tell that da’ Colonel is thanking about sending you to his brother-in
law, Capt.Auld, in Baltimore. I guess dey po’ folks and could use some
hep. Anyway, I hear tell you’d get to eat 3 meals a day, you don’t have
work no fields and you get warm clothes to wear.
You’d like dat, wouldn’t you Fed? Fed:
Liza, tell me again about our mama. Eliza:
Well, she use to belong to the Colonel just like we do now, and she
had us right here on da’ Colonel’s plantation. (weak chuckle)
The little ones couldn’t say Fred, so everybody took to calling you
Fed, and… Fed:
Liza, who’s my pappy?
(slight
pause) Eliza:
Fed, you know I don’t want to talk about..... Fed:
I know, but you my sister. You
all I got. Eliza:
(slowly) Dey say, that Old
Massa’s your pappy, Fed. (he
turns away) But, you can’t believe everythang you hear.
(Female slave bursts in from Stage left. She’s crying
hysterically.) Female
slave:
Dey done sold my children! Dey
done sold my children south! (Collapses to the floor) (Black Out) The Narrator: Slave families were often broken
up and sold to various plantations. Family members seldom saw each other
again after that, but to be sold south was considered particularly tragic
because the work was often harder, the sun was more brutal and the masters
were extremely cruel. Many
slaves died under those circumstances. Fed, however was not going south,
he was headed instead, to Baltimore, Maryland (about a hundred miles
away), but the difference in his life would be like night and day. (Stage lights up) Scene 2: Baltimore, the home of Capt’n and Sophia Auld-The scene is a
small parlor room with table without table cloth & chairs, a smaller
coffee table, rug on the floor, picture on the wall and a overstuffed
chair with a sheet for covering. A white woman is dusting the furniture
when there’s a knock on the back door from stage right. The woman opens
the door. Mrs.
Sophia:
You must be the boy that my brother sent to us. Come on in boy. I’m
Mrs. Sophia Auld. What’s your name? Fed:
(Looking down) My name’s
Fred Bailey, but they just call me Fed. Mrs.
Sophia:
(Talking rapidly) Well come
on in and sit yourself down. (She
gestures at a chair) I’ll be right back. I left something cooking
in the kitchen. (Trailing off to the kitchen)
You hungry? I told the Capt’n, that’s my husband, you’d be hungry. He’ll
be back tomorrow morning. He’s away selling cows or something. I placed
a tray of food in your room. (Exits stage left) (Fed stands there, facing the audience in shock! His eyes are wide open
and he mouths the words, “MY
ROOM”! He touches the chair in bewilderment.
He slowly sits down in it, as if afraid of getting caught. He
immediately jumps back up. He begins to look around in amazement. He
again sits in the chair). (Enter Mrs. Sophia with tea. Frighten, Fed quickly
jumps back up again.) Mrs.
Sophia:
(Talking rapidly) Sit down
Freddy. Can I call you Freddy?
My dear Uncle Amos, rest his soul, was nicknamed Freddy. (She pours him some tea).
Nobody in the family liked him, ‘cepting Aunt Mildred and his ole’ dog
Herman. Though, I’m not so sure about that dog. They say he bit Uncle
Amos one day and he died. The
dog—not Uncle Amos, and… Fed:
…uh, Miz Auld, uh..Old Massa never told me what I was expected do around
here. Could you tell me? Mrs.
Sophia:
(Talking rapidly) Well let
see now, (Scratching her head), you can help me with little Tommy, that’s
my boy, chop some wood, fixup that sagging fence out back, though I
don’t think it looks that bad. My next door neighbor, Mr. Harvey, got
drunk one night and fell into it. I think he should fix it, don’t you?
Fed:
Uh, yes’m. Uh… Mrs.
Sophia:
My word! Here I am just chattering away.
Let me show you to your room.
(She rises and proceeds stage left.
As she exits…) It’s not much but I hope you’ll like it. (He
follows behind shaking his head and mouthing the words, “MY ROOM”) (Black out) The
Narrator: Poor Sophia Auld, not having had any experience
in dealing with slaves, she just didn’t know how to be bigoted!
No one had taught her!
But she would become very instrumental in the life of Fredrick
Bailey. It’s morning now
in the Auld Household and I think Capt’n Auld has just come home. (Lights come
up slowly) Scene 3: The
Auld Parlor—It’s the next morning. The Capt’n and Mrs. Auld are in the
parlor. Mrs. Auld is seated
at the center of the table and the Capt’n is seated to her right. He’s
obviously agitated.
Capt’n
Auld:
(Yelling at the top of his lungs)
You put him where? Mrs.
Sophia:
Well dear, where else was I going to put him?
We don’t have a slave cabin. Capt’n
Auld:
A nigger in his own room! (Running
is hands thru his hair)
In my house! Mrs.
Sophia:
…and I was right. He was
hungry, but I took him up a tray. Capt’n
Auld:
(yelling) You did what?
Sweet Mother of Jesus!
(In exasperation) Looky
here dear, you
(Enter
Fed from stage left) Capt’n
Auld:
Come here boy. I’m Capt’n
Auld and while you’re on loan to me from my brother-in law, I’m your
new master. Now I don’t want you getting no uppity ideas about you staying
here and all. We don’t
have no suitable place to keep you so we gone keep you in that room,
ya hear? You understand? Fed:
Yassur Massa Auld Capt’n
Auld:
You can just call me Capt’n. Now
here are the rules boy—You stay in your room until it’s time to do your
work. You eat your meals when the family’s done. I’m gone most of
the day down at the docks but Mrs. Auld will give you your chores.
Don’t you give her no back talk, ya hear? Fed:
Yassur Capt’n
Auld: (To his wife) I’m
going down to the docks. Don’t you tell nobody ‘bout this. Sweet Mother
of Jesus! (Exits S.R.) Mrs.
Sophia:
(Speaking rapidly and somewhat confused)
Uh..You hungry Freddy? Help
me set the table. (She
starts to move table and food
items from small table to larger table. Fed gives her a hand) Mrs.
Sophia:
No, no Freddy—like this. (She
corrects the way he has placed the silverware. She sets a place for
two). Capt’n Auld
is always yelling, “do things this way”, “don’t do things that way”,
“treat him this way” “you can’t treat people this way”, and I declare,
I just can’t remember all that stuff!
Sit down right there (Gesturing
to a chair at the table).
(Fed slowly begins to sit down and he looks bewildered). Mrs.
Sophia:
(Noticing that she had a slave sitting
at the table. Confused and flustered)
No, No I guess that’s not right. Uh…sit over here. (Gesturing
at a spot on the floor next to the small table) (Fed sits down on the floor next to the small table and he looks a little
ridiculous). Mrs.
Sophia:
Oh Lord, I..I guess that’s not right either. I…I (She
grabs his arm to help him up)…uh, I , uh,
Oh just eat your breakfast!
(Flustered,
she throws up her hands and exits stage left)
(Black out) The
Narrator: Several weeks have gone by and Fed has
been kept busy mending things around the house, doing housework and
oh yes, helping Capt. Auld build a slave quarters. Scene 4: The Auld Parlor (lights up) (Fed is cleaning the room. Sophia
enters room from stage right with coat or cloak on) Sophia:
My, my, my what a good Bible class we had.
God is so good! (Taking coat off and giving it to
Fed, she sits down) Fed:
(Places coat on hook on wall.)
Uh, Miz Auld, what’s a Bible? Sophia:
Why it’s God’s word! You
don’t know about God’s word? Fed:
No, maam. Sophia:
Land sakes! Well, we’re
going to fix that today! Ain’t
nobody living on my premises that don’t know God! (Sits down at chair
center of table) Come on over here.
(She opens the Bible. He sits down
across from her.) We’re going to start at the beginning. (Pointing
her finger at the Bible.) In the beginning God created the heavens
and the earth… The
Narrator: So Mrs. Auld taught Fed about her God,
and the lessons went on for several months, but in the process however,
she taught him something else. She taught him how to read! Sophia:
No, no Freddy, you say “Loorrd”---not “Lawd”, and his name is “Jehovah”
–not “Joowah”. See that’s
the “o” sound there. It’s
what we call a vowel. You’ll
get much farther with the Lord if you pronounce his name right. Fed:
He gets mad, huh? Sophia:
No Freddy, God doesn’t get mad at us. Fed:
Den, Miz Auld, why did God make me Black and you White? (pause) Sophia:
Well Freddy, God just wanted to make everything work out right in the
world, so he put some people in charge and some people to help out.
He made some people white and some people black.
You understand? Fed:
uh, uh. Sophia:
Look here (Opening
her Bible). See?
Ephesians the six chapter, verse 5.
It says, “Slaves obey your masters”.
Slaves are suppose to help their Masters, while the Masters try
to figure out how things should go and Lord knows there’s a lot to be
figured out. Fed: So
what happens to us when the Masters figger out how things go?
Sophia:
Well, I guess we go to heaven. But you got to get saved first.
Fed:
How do I do that? Sophia:
Well uh, let’s see (Slightly
flustered, she turns some pages).
It says here that everybody’s got to repent and ask Jesus into
their heart. Fed:
‘pent? How do I do that?
Sophia:
Repent. That means stop
doing the bad things you been doing and then ask Jesus into your heart.
Fed:
Then I wait on the Masters to figger out how things go? Sophia:
Yes… sorta. Fed:
Well, when I get to heaven, I got a lot of questions to ask this Jesus.
(pause) Fed:
Miz Auld, will Black folks and White folks both be in heaven together? Sophia:
Well Freddy, I can’t rightly say.
I…I guess they would have a place for you up there and a place
for us. I don’t rightly
know. I’ll have to ask
Rev. Hanson next Sunday in church. Anyway, let’s get back to God’s word.
See this word? It’s
Revvv el late shun. Revelation.
It
means there’s something God wants to say to us. Fed:
Rev uh lat shun. Revelation.
Sophia:
Here read that sentence. You learned enough by now to read that.
(She hands the book to Fed) Fed:
(Reading slowly) Da rev
el ate shun ub Jesus. Sophia:
No, you gotta pronounce it right.
The Revelation of Jesus Christ. Fed:
The Revelation of Jesus Christ. Sophia:
That’s Right. But you say
it like you’re ashamed. God
says if you’re ashamed of him here on earth, then he will be ashamed
of you in heaven. So stand up and say it like you’re in a lecture hall
talking to a lot of people. Fed:
(Clearing his throat, standing erect,
in a commanding voice) The Revelation of Jesus Christ Sophia: That’s
good Freddy. The Capt’ns
birthday is coming up and won’t it be a surprise for him for you to
read him his favorite Bible verse.
Oh, speaking of the Capt’n, he should be home any minute now
and I haven’t finished cooking. (Closing the Bible) Freddy
can you go out back and bring me in some more wood? (She disappears Stage left)
(He disappears Stage right) (Enter Capt’n Auld SR with newspaper. Takes hat off
and tosses it on table) Capt’n Auld:
(Reading paper) Damn abolitionist!
Why don’t they just leave people be.
Dey crazy as a junebug.
FREE NIGGERS! That’s the damnest thing I’ve ever heard!
Sophia, my supper ‘bout ready?
(Freddy comes in SL with wood and walks slowly, while
eavesdropping, Sophia enters with mug and pipe) Capt’n Auld:
Sophia, listen to dis. It says here, some damn no-count abolitionist,
riled up a bunch of people by talking about freeing niggers.
Hell, they should string him
up. (Freddy stacks the wood stage left) Sophia:
Whatever you say dear. Here,
sit down. Here’s your pipe
and drink. I’ll get supper
on. (she exits stage left) Capt’n Auld:
(Continue to talk to her shouting)
Says here, some niggers run off north and then got caught and
some dat gum abolitionist is saying they should be pardoned!
Hell, what they need is to have the tar beat out ‘em!
I’m too much of a Christian to say what they should do to that
damn abolitionist! (Sophia enters with plates and begins to set table)
Sophia: You’re
right dear.
(Exits stage left) Capt’n Auld:
Mark my words, if the gov’ment don’t do something, those damn abolitionist
gone bust up the whole blame country! (Throws paper stage left in Freddy’s direction) (Freddy reaches down, picks it up and begins to read
it. He takes it off—stage
left) (Blackout) Scene 5: The
Auld’s Parlor-(lights up—Enter
Capt’n Auld SL) Capt’n Auld:
Hell, I got to be at the docks in 30 minutes.
Where’s that coffee? (Fed enters with coffee mug on a tray, trips a little
and spills it on Auld) Capt’n Auld:
Damn nigger! (Slaps
Fed. He falls toward audience. Audience sees the anger in Feds face) (Enter Sophia) Sophia:
(Alarmed) Dear what’s wrong? Capt’n Auld:
Can’t these people do anything right? You been gittin’ mighty uppity
these last couple of months, boy. If I wasn’t a good Christian man,
I’d…(Draws
back to hit Fed one more time, but Sophia grabs his arm) Sophia:
Aren’t you running late, dear? Capt’n Auld:
Yeah, I guess you’re right. (To
Fed) I know Baltimore is a tad better than the Lloyd’s place,
but don’t you get to getting any airs, ya’ hear?
Clean up this mess! (Fed begins to clean up the mess and Sophia brushes
the coffee off of Auld) Sophia:
Don’t fret so, dear. (Handing
him his hat) You just have yourself a good day. (Capt’n Auld exits) Sophia:
Don’t you worry none about the Capt’n, Freddy.
He’s just a mite edgy this morning. Fed:
(Gets up from floor)
Maam, I been here a couple of months now and I want to thank
you fo’ being so kind to me, teaching me to, uh…the Bible and all. Sophia:
aw posh. (Slightly
embarrassed) Taint’ nothing no other Christian woman wouldn’t
do. Fed: No
Christian woman I hear tell of. God must love the women more than he
loves the man. Sophia:
No Freddy, what makes you say a thing like that?
Here hand me that Bible. (Turns to Galatians 3:28 and reads) listen, “There is neither
Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one
in Jesus.” That means God treats man and woman alike. Fed:
…But Maam, if that’s true, then what about the slave/free part? Sophia:
Oh, I don’t know about that. I’ll
have to ask Rev. Hanson about that one.
Anyway, let’s see
how you’re coming on your Bible verses. (She hands him the Bible) Here’s one. This one is one of Rev.
Hanson’s favorites. (black out) The Narrator: The bible lessons continued and
Fred showed a remarkable grasp of the text.
He learned a lot from reading other materials as well.
Occasionally, when no one was around he read the Auld’s newspaper,
their children’s books, Old Richard’s Almanac, and just about everything
else he came across. Until
one day… Scene 6: The
Auld’s Parlor-(Sophia and Freddy
are in the parlor seated at the table.) (Lights
up) Sophia:
We got time to practice one more Bible verse before the Capt’n gets
home. Won’t he be surprised? This being his birthday and all. Here,
Matthew 19:24 is his favorite verse. This is the one I want you to do.
(She
points out a passage) Fed:
Matthew 19:24, It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle
than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. Sophia:
Oh, I hear him outside. Quick, you go in the kitchen and when I call
you, come on out and do it for him. (Fed goes in kitchen SL. Fed is lingering out stage
left waiting for the word to enter. Capt’n enters stage right) Sophia:
How was your day dear? (Taking
his coat) Capt’n Auld:
I heard the funniest dang blasted story today that I’ve ever heard.(Laughing)
Seems they caught that nigger, that Nat Turner fellar, that caused that
slave rebellion over in Virginia.
Well, they hung his buddies and you know what they did to him?
Well, they hung him too (Laughing) but afterwards some doctor skinned him and made a purse
out of his skin and grease out of his body! (Laughing hysterically). (Fed overhears—anger is on his face)
Sophia:
Well dear, you sit right down here and relax. (Gives
him a mug and his pipe)Today’s your birthday and I know how
you like to relax and have the Bible read to you, so I got together
this little surprise for you. Freddy, now. Fed:
(Enters and reads a different verse
in a commanding defiant voice) Mark 7: verse 6—“Jesus replied,
Isaiah was right when he prophesied about you hypocrites; (Capt’n Auld slowly rises in shock.
His pipe falls from his mouth) as it is written: These people
honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me.” (Throws
the book down) Capt’n Auld:
(Shouting) SWEET MOTHER OF JESUS!!!
She done taught him how to read!!! Sophia:
(Crying) Noooo, I was teaching
him the Bible! (Blackout) (House lights up) End of Act One Intermission
music ACT II Scene 1: Spring
1834 The Covey Farm (Scene
opens with Capt’n Auld pushing a chained Fed down the aisle toward Mr.
Covey’s Place) (lights up on aisle) Capt’n Auld:
Go on boy! You just getting’
too uppity for your own good!
But Mr.Covey take care of that! (Small
laugh) (They enter the Covey’s storage barn.
There’s bags of grain in the corner, shovels leaning against
the wall, leather straps and other farm equipment laying around. A bedraggled
man is in the barn and he takes a bottle from his back pocket, takes
a swig, wipes his mouth and puts it back.) Capt’n Auld:
Mr.Covey, I’m glad you could find the time to handle my little problem
here. Mr. Covey:
‘obliged to help out, Capt’n. Capt’n Auld:
(To Fed) You see boy, Mr.
Covey here is what you might call “A Nigger Breaker”, In
fact, he’s one of the best in the county.His reputation is known
far and wide. If he can’t beat some of that “uppitiy” out of you, taint
nobody can. Mr. Covey:
Let’s see what we’ve got here.
(Poking and proding at Fed as if
he were inspecting a cow or a horse)
Lets see your teeth (grabbing his left cheek. Mr. Covey: So I’ll keep him for 6 months and when you get him back he’ll
be as good as new. I ain’t failed to break a nigger yet! (The Capt’n pays Covey some money and then leaves down
the aisle.) Capt’n Auld:
I’ll see ya’ in six months.
(Exits down aisle) Mr. Covey:
Alright boy, this is how it goes.
You gone git up 3AM every morning, milk the cows, feed the chickens,
slop the hogs and then if I think you deserve it, I’ll feed you.
After that you’ll clean the barn, work the fields, and groom
the horses and if I so much as hear a peep out of you, you’ll rue the
day you were born black! You understand? I’m going work your butt off!
Now get a broom and sweep up this place. (Covey exits) (Fed continues to sweep up and exits SR) The Narrator: Fredrick was
indeed worked. From dawn
to dusk he sweated and worked.
He slept only a few hours each night. When he ate, it was usually
dried corn and water or what he could steal from the hogs. He was often
beaten for the smallest infraction and this went on week after week.
Until one day… (Fed is in the
storage barn with a hammer in hand and he’s looking for nails. Enter
Mr. Covey SL) Mr. Covey:
What you doin’ back here boy?
You suppose to be with the ox, plowing the field! Fed:
Well suh, the ox broke loose an’ tore the fence down.
I came back to get a hammer and nails to fix it. Mr. Covey:
(Shouting) You let my ox
run free? Damn you! Fed:
Mr. Covey, I told you when I came to work for you that I didn’t know
anything ‘bout working no ox plow. Mr. Covey:
You sassing me boy? (Approaching
Fed menacingly) You
sassing me boy? (He
slaps Fed. Fed falls to all fours) Fed:
No sir (Covey kicks him.) Mr Covey:
Capt’n Auld was right about you boy. You come in here with your uppity
ways, talkin’ funny. You even got the nerve to look a white man right
in the eye, like you somebody!
I don’t know where you learned all that stuff but I’m going to
unlearn it right now. (Covey
picks Fed up off the floor and punches him in the stomach.
Fed is again on all fours with face to the audience. He slowly
stands up and for a brief moment faces Covey almost nose to nose. Covey
is wide-eyed. Fed suddenly grabs Covey by the neck and holds him for
a brief moment. A slave walks in and Covey screams, “Help me,
help me”. The
slave looks terrified and runs out. Fed lifts Covey off his feet and
tosses him in a corner. Fed slowly walks toward Covey.
Covey cringes in terror. Fed towers over him. Fed picks him up
and backhands him. Fed again, slowly moves toward Covey and then suddenly
stops. He turns and walks away stage right.
The terrified Covey just stares, rubbing his throat.) Mr. Covey:
(Shouting toward Fed) You…you
gone back to work now, ya hear?
And don’t let me have to beat you again. (Rubbing
his throat. Fed exits stage right. Covey staggers out coughing and holding
his neck SL--blackout) The Narrator: Striking a
white man meant the death penalty, but somehow Mr. Covey just forgot
to report it. Maybe his reputation as a “Nigger Breaker” had something
to do with it. Fed’s workload
lighten considerably after that incident. His food got better and his
work hours were more reasonable.
He was never again beaten by Mr. Covey or even yelled at. The
fight was never mentioned again.The rest of the six months went by rather
quickly and when Cap’n Auld picked him up and returned him to the Auld
household there was a surprise waiting for Fed. Scene 2 The Auld’s Parlor-(Capt’n Auld and Fed enter
the Auld parlor SL. Eliza
& Ruggles are standing SR) Sophia: Dear,
you’re back and Freddy, welcome back home. Fed:
Thank ya’ Maam. Capt’n Auld:
Sweet Mother of Jesus! (Puts his coat on a hook, turns
around and proceeds to kitchen) Where’s my supper! Sophia:
I’ll get your supper, dear. (Exits
stage left) (Fed stares at Eliza & Ruggles and then they embrace
center stage) Fed:
(Speaking in much improved articulation)
What are you two doing here? How did you get here?… Eliza:
Miz Auld is having another baby Fed, so the Colonel sent me up here
to hep out. Ruggles:
…and since you were sent away for awhile, the Colonel sent me to fill
in for ya’. Fed:
My, my, my…I’m so glad to see ya’ll. Eliza:
(Stands back and takes a good look
at Fed.) You don’t
look none the worst for wear. You talk funny.
Been around too many white folks I reckon. So how ya’ really
doin’ Fed? Fed:
‘Liza, I hit a white man! He beat me for no good reason at all.
I just couldn’t take no mo’. Eliza:
Aw naw, Fed! Ruggles:
Dey gone hang ya’ fo’ sho’! Fed:
Naw, I don’t think so. It wouldn’t do for his white neighbors to know
he was beaten by a nigger. But
what about you? How long
ya’ been here? Ruggles:
Ever since ya’ left. Hey
Fed, this place taint’bad a tall. Dey feed ya’ good here. Eliza:
…and you know what Fed? Dey
got some black folks here who ain’t slaves.
Dey Free! Miz Auld made us find a church to go to and Fed we
found a church with free colored folks and slave colored folks!
Ruggles:
Miz Auld even let’s us hold some church meetings here…when Capt’n Auld
is outta town and he’s gone seems like every Saturday night.
I here tell he’s drinking and gamblin’ with that crowd down at
the dock. Eliza:
Fed, ya’ gotta meet some of those free colored folks!
Dey say some thangs I ain’t never heard befo’ and, some of dem
can read! Fed:
‘Liza, Miz Auld taught me to read too!
Aw, she didn’t mean to.
She was teaching me the Bible, but just the same I learned and
Liza, there’s so much out there to learn when you can read. Fed:
What kind of things they saying at that church? Eliza:
You’ll see. (Patting
him on the shoulder) Dey gone meet here tonight when da’ Capt’n
leaves. (Enter Capt’n and Sophia Auld from Stage left) Capt’n Auld:
(To Sophia) Now I won’t
be home til’ sometime tomorrow morning.
(Grabbing his coat) …uh we expecting a big load in tonight. (Turning
to Fed) …and looky here boy, we gone change some things around
here. I got you a job down at the docks as a caulker.
I can teach you all you need to know.
You start Monday and you gone git paid ten dollars a week wages.
You gone bring those wages back here to me. Ya’ hear? And
I’m going to give you some of it back, say about thirty cents. That should be enough.
(to Sophia) I’ll
see you tomorrow. (gives her a kiss on the cheek) (Blackout) Scene 3: The
Auld’s Parlor—(Chairs are set up stage left facing SR.
This is a meeting of the Black Church.
Several participants are gathered here and they are chattering
away.) (lights up) Rev. Cordell:
(Deep voice)Yaw’ll gone
and sit down now and hush up.
You know we promised Miz Auld we wouldn’t stay too long and we
wouldn’t make no fuss.It was nice of her to let us meet here while our
church is being built. Now last week we was praying for a new name for
our little church. Did anybody come up with anythang? Male church member:
(Stands)
Well you know that colored church , over on Main Street?: Dey found
out that colored folks went there and
some of dat white trash from da’ Baptist church came and burned
it down. So, I was thinkin
that maybe we don’t want to call ourselves no church. (Lots of chatter. hand raised in the back) Ruggles:
Rev. Cordell? Rev. Cordell:
Yes, brother Ruggles. Ruggles:
Since the church is s‘pose
to improve us and we do live here in East Baltimore, why don’t we call
ourselves the East Baltimore ‘provement Group?
Rev. Cordell:
Dat’s good,but how ‘bout this.
Since the church helps to improve your mind and where you live,
let’s call it The East Baltimore Mental ,(’dat means the mind), ‘provement
Society. What do ya’ll
think? (More chatter in agreement) Rev. Cordell:
Alright, now that that’s over with, uh…Brother James can I talk to you
a moment? (Cordell and James get together
to mime talk) (Other church members mime talk among themselves) (Fed and Ruggles in back CS) Fed:
So how are you really doin’? Did
you ever get around to telling ‘Liza how you feel about her? Ruggles:
I’m…I’m workin’ my way around to it. Fed:
(Laughs) You’re the slowest
worker I’ve ever seen. Ruggles:
You know my old mamma was a woman of few words, but she use to say,
“If ya’ want to do a thang good, ya’ take your time.” Fed:
but as slow as you’re goin’ you ain’t gone ever get your thang done!
(Looking around—spots Anna Murray, a attractive Black woman who is talking
to another woman) Who’s that? Ruggles:
Oh, that’s Miz Anna Murray. She’s
a free woman who housekeeps for some rich white folks over on Washington
St. (Fed can’t take his eyes off of her) Rev. Cordell:
…thank you Brother James. (Lowers his voice and looks around)
You know Brother James works for the Miller farm and he just
told me that his Master is planning to sell his wife and younguns’ south.
(Church
members react) We
got to do something ya’ll. Now
we can pray for ‘em but I think we got to put some feet on those prayers.
Now what can we do to hep’ him? (Pause—silence) Anna Murray:
(Stands and says in a passionate
voice) We got to get em’ out of here. Ruggles:
You mean turn em’ into runaways?
Woman don’t you know what that means? Eliza:
hush. She knows what it means.
Go on Anna. (Enter Sophia Auld from Stage left) Sophia:
My, my, my, the Lord is so good. Your group keeps growing everytime
I see it. Don’t mind me I’m just gonna run next door and chat with Miss
Taylor a mite. She’s feeling poorly. (Exits
SR) Anna:
(More quietly) We gotta
get em’ out. Get em’ north—the
wife, the younguns’and Brother James.
I’m willing to try to hep em’.
Anybody want to hep’ me? (Silence—people are looking away) Fed:
(Standing up) We take care
of their farms. We take care of their children. We wash their dirty
clothes, cook their food and still call em’ Master! They kill our folks, have their way with our women, and beat
us for no reason. (Looking around at the congregation) I’ll help. Eliza:
Fed! Anna:
(Shy Smile) Thank you, Mr.
Uh.. … Fed:
(Looking at her with a wide smile)
Fed, ..uh Mr. Fredrick Bailey, Maam. (Reaching out his hand)
Eliza there is my sister. Anna: (Extending
her hand) Anna
Murray (Pause) Rev. Cordell:
(Nervously relieved) Well
now, uh..I guess dat’ll just bout do it for tonight. Yall be careful
going home now, ya hear? (Folks go for their coats and slowly exit SR while
talking to each other. Ruggles
and Eliza stay back watching Fed & Anna) Anna: (Going
for her coat—Fed helps with her coat) Tell me Mr. Bailey, Why you risk yourself for folks you don’t
even know? Fred:
Well Miz Murray, if what I read in the Bible is true… Anna:
You know how to read? Fed:
Yes, I’ve known how for some time, and and if God is truly God, then
slavery is wrong. It’s
wrong for man to kill man. It’s wrong to think of others as not being
human. (He
slowly raises his voice)
It’s wrong that I’ve got to pretend that I can’t read or speak right.
It’s wrong Miz Murray. (He suddenly drops the volume of his voice) It’s wrong.
But I would like to help. Anna:
You know ‘dat ‘dis is a long road ya’ ‘bout to go down, Mr. Bailey?
Fred:
I have no choice Miz Anna. I
have no choice. Anna:
You a good man, Mr. Bailey. Thank you for you help. (Exits) (Eliza and Ruggles approach Fred) Eliza:
Fed, ya’ know you can’t let Capt’n Auld know that you… Fred:
I know, I know. Ruggles:
Miz Murray, huh? (Playfully
pokes a finger in Fred’s ribs) As my old Mamma use to say, “You
was looking at that woman like she was a cotton ball and you was a boll
weevil ” Fred:
What? (He playfully takes his hat off
and hits Ruggles on the head as they exit SR) (Blackout) The Narrator: Fredrick and
Anna Murray went on to help Brother James and his family to successfully
escape and Anna and Fredrick began to develop a close friendship.
Although she could not read or write herself, Anna would often
sneak books out of the house of her employer for Fredrick to read and
study. Not only did Fredrick
develop his reading skills, but his oratorical abilities as well.
He begin to teach some of the other church members to read and
he himself taught the Sunday School.
He was never at a lost for words…well almost never. Scene 4: (Lights up the Aulds Parlor at the close of
a church meeting) Rev. Cordell:
I’m happy to say that our church will be finished ‘dis week so tonight
will be our last meetin’ here.
(Chatter among members) Rev. Cordell:
Now, I want to ask Brother Bailey if he would come up here and say a
few thangs to close us out. Brother Bailey… (Fred walks to the front ) Fred:
My brothers and sisters--We have had to meet quietly and secretly here
for the last couple of months now and we thank Mrs. Auld for her generosity.
But I want you to know that no one should have to worship their God
in secret. It is my prayer
as we enter our new church building that God would indeed be present
with us. Goodnight. (Folks chatter as they slowly file out SR) Fred: Uh…Miss Murray, can I talk to you for a moment?
(He approaches her center stage) (Ruggles gives Fred a knowing look as he puts on his
coat. He and Eliza move toward upstage right and wait on Fred) (Anna walks over to Fred) Fred:
(Looking nervous) I
uh…we…I would like to uh…call on you sometime.
I mean, if that’s alright with you? Anna:
(Slowly) Mr. Bailey, we
ain’t got a thang in common. I can’t read like you. I can’t talk like
you. (Smiles)
Nobody can talk like you and I ain’t the prettiest gal in the town neither.
Why would you want to call on me. Fred:
You’re wrong Miss Anna. We
have a lot in common. We
think the same. We feel the same. We care the same and for the same
things. Maybe you can’t
read, but your heart goes out to those who need it. And maybe you can’t
write but I have no trouble understanding you. And you’re right, you’re not the prettiest gal in town. You’re
the prettiest gal in the county, and (Taking
her hand) I would be honored if you would allow me to call on
you sometime. Anna:
(Looking up at him) I would
like that. Fred:
Ruggles, would you see Miss Anna home?
Mr. Auld’s coming home late tonight and he says he wants to talk
to me about something. Ruggles:
Yep, just like that boll weevil. Fred:
(Pushing him out the door)
Get on out of here! Ruggles:
Come on ‘liza. You can
walk with us. Eliza:
(Grabbing her coat) See
you in a little bit, Fed. (They
exit) (Alone, Fred sits down at the table and he’s got a
big smile on his face. He’s nervously happy. He hums to his self.) Fred:
(To himself) Boll Weevil!
Ha! (Enter Capt’n Auld and Fred immediately stands up) Fred:
Capt’n Auld, sur. Capt’n Auld:
I hear tell you got paid early this week.
Why haven’t you given me that paycheck? I need that money to…uh
. Nevermind that! Why haven’t
you given me the damn money? Fred:
I was going to give it to you tomorrow sir, just like I always do. Capt’n Auld:
I thought that little visit down to Covey would have straighten you
out some, but you come back here more uppity then ever!
You even talkin’ funny.
Don’t think I ain’t noticed it. (Pause)
Well, you know what I think? I
think you lying to me. From this day on, you don’t work at the docks
no more. I’m gone send
you back to the Lloyds and tell ‘em to ship your butt south.
That’ll teach you some manners. Fred:
Capt’n I was going to give you the money!
Capt’n Auld:
I don’t need it now. They
done promoted me down on the docks so I’m shipping you back next week!
(He
exits Stage left) (Fred plops down onto a chair. There’s anguish on his
face. He pauses there and
then grabs his coat and runs out SR) (Anna, Ruggles and Eliza are strolling off stage in
front of audience from SR to SL) (Fred catches up with them.) Fred:
Capt’n Auld: came home just after you left. He accused me of holding
back my paycheck. He’s going to send me back to the Lloyds. Eliza:
Fed! Fred: I’m not going back! Anna:
What are you saying? Fred:
I’ve got to escape North! Ruggles:
Boy, you talking crazy talk now. Fred:
Listen Ruggles, living like this just ain’t way it’s suppose to be and
I’d rather die than go back to the Lloyds! Anna:
What about… Fred:
What about us? Why don’t
you come with me? In fact,
why don’t you all come with me? Anna:
I can’t just leave. I know
I’m a free woman and all but Miz Jarrod’s been good to me and she’s
been feeling poorly lately. Eliza:
…and Mrs. Auld is just about to have her young’un. Ruggles:
(Looking at Eliza) …Well,
I want to stay for a little while mo’ myself. Fred:
(Turning to Anna) but, I’ve
got to go. You understand? Anna:
Yes, I understand. Then
let me hep you. I’ve got
a little money saved up and I think I know of a way to work it out. Fred:
Anna, I don’t want… Anna:
hush (Pause) Fred:
When I get north I’ll send for you. Will you come? Anna:
(She closes her eyes and shakes
her head affirmatively) Yes, I will. (They both pause and then he hugs her) Fred:
I’ll wait for you at the new church. (Fred turns to Ruggles) Ruggles:
Well, boll weevil, ya’ take care of yourself.
(He hugs his friend) (Fred runs off up the aisle. Ruggles hugs both ladies,
who are now gently weeping, and escorts them off) (Blackout) The Narrator: Anna did devise
a plan. It was a very ingenius plan.
She had come up with an old sailor’s outfit, complete with red
shirt, sailors hat and black cravat.
She also had some identification papers that stated that the
bearer was a Freedman who was serving as a sailor. With sailor’s outfit,
papers and a little money Fredrick made good his escape.
He traveled by train, steamboat and ferry.
He barely avoids being recognized by some friends of the Aulds. But on September 4, 1838 around 1AM in the morning he finally
arrives in New York City. While
there he met up and moved in with a white abolitionist,the Rev.Nathan
Rutherford, who was the Conductor
on the New York Underground Railroad. Rev. Rutherford, a obviously educated
man, was well mannered, extremely courteous and well spoken. He was
welcomed and treated with the utmost respect. He was given all the books
he could read and encouraged in his oratory.Rev. Rutherford even mailed
his letters back to Anna for him.
Then one day his host surprised him. Scene 5: The Rutherfords Parlor—with covered chair,
pictures on the wall, old lamp, table with tablecloth, small table with
books, and chairs for the table.
The cloth coverings all matched. (Fredrick is seated in the large chair with book in
hand. Enter Rev. Rutherford with a plate of food.) Rutherford: My
friend I was preparing myself a light meal and I thought that you might
enjoy a little something as well. Fredrick:
Rev. Rutherford, I… Rutherford:
Please, you have been under my roof for almost a year now.
Call me Nathan. Fredrick:
Nathan, I want you to know that I appreciate everything that you’ve
done for me. But, I… Rutherford:
I know, my friend. As bad
as your life has been, you still miss some of it. Fredrick:
yes…but I want you to know how grateful I am for not only saving me
from the streets, but helping me with my diction, working with me in
my reading, and for the long discussions we have had. Rutherford:
I was happy to help and in your speaking abilities you have shown a
remarkable gifted sense of oratory. In fact, next week we will be holding
a special gathering of abolitionists and others helping out in our railroad
and I’ve invited a Mr.William Lloyd Garrison, a news editor for The
Liberator Newspaper, to be present. I would like for you to address
the meeting. Fredrick:
What is this Liberator newspaper about? Rutherford:
It is our premier instrument for fighting our cause. It is a abolitionist
newspaper founded by our friend, Mr. Garrison. Fredrick:
Abolitionist? Rutherford:
People, both black and white, working to rid our nation of this abomination
we call slavery. Fredrick:
What would I say? Rutherford:
Anything that you feel comfortable in sharing . I was telling Mr. Garrison
about you and he wanted to hear you for himself. Rutherford:
Oh, one other thing.(Rises
to leave) I’ve
arranged to have a little something sent from Baltimore to surprise
you. (He steps out to get Anna, Eliza and Ruggles SR and
then disappears SR) Ruggles:
(Big grin) Hiya boll weevil!
Ha, ha (They enthusiastically hug and greet each other) Fredrick:
Liza! (He hugs her. His eyes then come
to rest on Anna) (Pause as he stares at her) Fredrick:
(Almost a whisper) Anna! (They hug each other) (Fredrick notices that Ruggles is holding Eliza’s hand) Fredrick: (Grinning)
You,…you two? (A
joyful laugh. All four embrace) (Blackout) The Narrator: The Rutherford’s
home was one of many meeting places for the American Anti-Slavery Society,
a national group of abolitionists who fought slavery through lectures,
news articles, and holding conventions around the country. Their members
often had to meet in secret and many of them were harassed, beaten and
even killed for their views. Scene 6: The Rutherford Parlor-A meeting of the American
Anti-Slavery Society Several
people are gathered there including Mr. Lloyd Garrison. (lights up) Rev. Rutherford:
Tonight
the Society is pleased to have Mr. Fredrick Bailey with us.
Mr. Bailey has recently escaped the horrors of slavery and we
have asked him to say a few words. (Fredrick walks to the front and takes out a prepared
speech and begins to read) Fredrick:
Thank you. I will not take up too much of the Society’s time tonight,
but I want to thank all of you who are fighting this war on the behalf
of those who cannot fight. I,
myself, was powerless to fight. I did not even know that a fight was
a possibility. But thanks to God, my close friends (Gesturing
to Anna, Ruggles & Eliza) and you, my new friends, I am
able to stand here, ready to pick up my weapons and enter the fray.
I have witnessed the beatings,
rapings, and barbaric treatment of my people for no other reason than
being born of a different race, and because of that, I wish to join
you, this day, on the battlefield. I Thank you. (Applause—he is approached by Rutherford and Garrison.) Rutherford:
Mr. Garrison this is Mr. Bailey, the gentleman that I was talking to
you about. Garrison:
Mr. Bailey, it is indeed a pleasure to meet you. .
Where did you learn to read and speak so articulately? Fredrick:
From friends as well as enemies, Mr Garrison. Garrison:
Well, I have a proposition for you sir. The world has much to learn
about man’s cruelty to man and the Society would be honored if you would
take on the task of teaching that lesson. Fredrick:
How would I do that, Mr. Garrison? Garrison:
By working on the behalf of the Society. You would be paid a handsome
salary to lecture at our conventions and meetings. You have much to
say and this country needs to hear it. (Fredrick looks at Anna who nods her approval.) Fredrick: Mr.
Garrison, I thank you for your offer and I accept. (Shakes hands and Garrison exits SR) Rutherford:
Before you start on your new life, I think it wise to make one slight
change. Fredrick:
Yes? Rutherford:
New York is full of slave traders who would love nothing more than to
collect a bounty for catching and returning a runaway slave. So, from
this moment on there is no Fredrick Bailey.
You must choose another name. (Fredrick pauses to think on what was just said) Fredrick:
I was reading one of your books by a Sir Walter Scott, Lady of the Lake.
It has a character with an interesting name. Douglass. Rutherford:
Well, Mr. Fredrick Douglass, I wish you well in your new life. (Shakes hands) (Blackout) The Narrator: Fredrick Bailey,
now known as Fredrick Douglass, was about to embark on a whole new life.
He would be fighting the same enemy but in a new arena. The offices
of the Society were located in New Bedford, Massachusetts and over the
next couple of days the small group of four, with help from their Society
friends, made their plans to leave. But before they departed, there
was one last thing that had to be done. (Lights up) Scene 7: The Rutherfords Parlor--A wedding scene. Fredrick
and Anna and Ruggles and Eliza are standing before Rev. Rutherford. Rutherford:
…and now with the authority vested in me, I now pronounce you, Fredrick
and Anna, Ruggles and Eliza man and wife. (Ruggles stops the Reverend with a hand gesture and
motions to have a broom placed on the floor. The two couples jumped
over it.) (Blackout) The Narrator: The four made their way by train to New
Bedford, Massachusetts. The Society set the Douglass’ up in a modest
little house and provided Fred with all the reading material he wanted.
He read books on oratory, philosophy, and politics. The also arranged
for Ruggles to go to work at a nearby warehouse and he and Eliza rented
a small apartment not to far from the Douglass’ When they were settled
in, the Society immediately sent Fred and Garrison on the lecture circuit
thru out the north. Scene 8:—The Douglass Parlor, one year later–there
are old pictures on the wall and books stacked in a corner, table with
tablecloth, old chairs. Anna and Mrs.Harris, a black woman,
are seated at the table looking at a book. (Lights up) Anna:
I just cain’t understand dis’reading, Miz Harris. I kno’ da’ Society’s
payin’ you to try to teach me to read, but I just cain’t understand
it. Mrs. Harris:
You just have to clear your mind and it’ll begin to make sense to you..
You’ve just got too much to think about my dear. With Fredrick
gone on the lecture tours all the time and you being left alone in a
new city, I’m sure it’s all rather frightening. Anna:
I ain’t really alone. We made some friends at the colored Zion Methodist
church around the corner and dey’s always comin’ over. Mrs. Harris:
Oh, you found a church to join. How wonderful! Anna:
It was de’ only colored church in de’ area. We went to one church dat
had blacks and whites in it. The Preacher said we was welcome to join
but dey had da’ blacks sitting in da’ back. Dey even gave us communion
last! I guess dey’ only talk dey religion. Mrs. Harris:
Oh, I almost forgot. Your husband sent a letter for you. Shall I read
it to you? Anna: (Excited) Yes, Please Mrs. Harris:
(Reading) “My
Dearest Anna, These tours have been half heaven and half heartache.
It is half heaven because it is important that people know the horror
that is slavery and if what I share can turn just one heart then it
has been worth every lonely mile. It is half heartache because I cannot
be there with you. I cannot be there to enjoy your laughter and your
smile. I am learning much by observing William Garrison and the other
speakers, but they are asking me to speak on subjects of their choosing—not
mine. I find that we are disagreeing more and more each day. I proposed
a most novel idea With the help of our friend, Wendell Phillips, I could
write what is called a autobiography. It would be a story of life in
slavery. Surely it would reach far more people than I could in my tours.
However William and the others rejected the idea. I am, however not
willing to part with the idea. I must close
now. Give my regards to Mrs. Harris for her gracious assistance. I shall
be home as quickly as possible. Your Fed. Anna:
Miz Harris, do you think Fredrick should try to write a book? Mrs. Harris:
Well, William apparently doesn’t think it’s a good idea. Anna:
Is it because he don’t think a colored man can write a book? Mrs. Harris:
Well, because Fredrick speaks so well, there are those who don’t believe…
that he was ever a slave, and if he wrote a book, well… Anna:
Miz Harris, you don’t know my Fredrick. Since he learned to read, he
been reading everything he git his hands on. He been practisin’ how
to talk good most every night ‘fore going to bed. He’s a smart man Miz
Harris and he gone write dat’ book!
(Harris
& Anna continue to mime talk and Anna sees her out. They both exit
SR. Blackout) The Narrator: Fredrick’s lecture tours became wildly
successful. People came from far and near to hear this former slave
speak on the horrors of slavery. He had developed his oratorical skills
to the degree that there were some who thought he rivaled if not surpassed
many of the great speakers of the day. The year is 1844 and Fredrick and Garrison had spoken
to thousands in lecture halls, schools, churches and auditoriums through
out the north. As Fredrick’s own views on slavery matured, he often
found himself at odds with his mentor. Scene 9: Lecture Hall—(Douglass is standing at podium
SL. Garrison is standing at Narrators podium SR. The stage is dark except
for spot on Douglass and white reporter in audience. The following exchange
can be read as if from sheets of speaking points—hence, they don’t have
to be memorized) (Spot) White reporter
in audience:
Mr. Douglass, I’m Franklin Johnson with the New York Herald.
We appreciate you and Mr. Garrison appearing here in New York
on this 4th of July holiday to share your views on the slave
question. My readers want to know what will be your next move in the
battle? (Spot off) Douglass:
Mr. Johnson, the battle thus far has been borne in large part by many
of our white friends in and out of the abolitionist movement. There
is now a need for an independent Black voice to join the movement. I,
along with some of my colleagues are exploring the possibility of starting
a Black Independent Newspaper. It will add the missing element to the
movement. (Blackout) (Spot) Garrison:
With respect to my esteemed colleague, while another voice is always
welcomed in the fray, we at The Society are not yet convinced that the
time is right for that introduction.
It might prove to be divisive. (Blackout) (Spot) Douglass:
A independent voice is needed because there are some points of view
that need to be fully heard. For example, there are those of us who
feel that the new Liberty Political Party maybe right in their assertion
that freedom may lie in persuading our white brethren to take the fight
to the voting booth and elect a more progressive President and Congress.
(Blackout) (Spot) Garrison: We
at The Society are of the opinion that we must appeal to the basic goodness
in man, to his sense of morality and to his devotion to his God. Politics
is not the answer. (Blackout) (Spot) Douglass:
It is because another perspective is needed that I have decided to write
a narrative, a autobiography if you will, that will not only describe
life inside that nightmare we call slavery, but suggest some means of
overcoming it. (Blackout) (Spot) Garrison (Angry)
It was The Society’s hope that Mr.Douglass would return to the lecture
circuit. Where his obvious
oratorical skills could further the movement, rather than waste them
in something so vain and redundant. (Blackout) (Spot) Douglass:
(glaring at Garrison) What is a waste dear friends is the patriotic
zeal in which we celebrate this day. After all, What to the American
slave is your fourth of July? I answer, a day that reveals to him, more
than all other days in the year, the gross injustice and cruelty to
which he is a constant victim. There is no nation on the earth guilty
of practices more shocking and bloody, than those perpetrated by the
people of these United States.
The zeal of this day is indeed wasted. (pause)
Ladies and gentlemen of the press, we thank you and good day. (Blackout) (Stage lights up & spot on Narrator) The Narrator: Fredrick went on to write that autobiography.
He entitled it the Narrative of
the Life of Fredrick Douglass, an American Slave. It was an instant
best seller. With proceeds from his book`and help from friends he was
able to start The North Star, his own newspaper from a Black man’s perspective.
His disagreements with Garrison grew as well. Scene 10:--Douglass
Living Room—(Enter Douglass &
Garrison arguing) Douglass:
(Angry) That was an outrageous
thing to print in the Liberator. Miss Griffin has been my Business Manager
for several years now and she is nothing if not an honorable woman.
To say such a thing is beneath contempt! Garrison:
Readers have a right to know if the editor of The North Star has employed
a woman whom he is working very closely with. Douglass:
You mean a white woman! (Exasperated) I invited
you over here to see if we could bury our differences. It is not doing
the movement any good for us to bicker. Garrison:
(Placing his hand on Douglass’ shoulder)
The Society took you from nowhere and allowed you to speak on its’ behalf.
It allowed you to develop your speaking skills at its’ conventions and
meetings and you show your gratitude by betrayal. Douglass:
THE SOCIETY ALLOWED ME? (Frustrated
Pause) (rapidly)Tell me William, why does The Society only allow white
staff to handle funds? Tell
me William, why are all of the Society’s decision makers, white men?
Tell me William, why is it that some of my Society colleagues refuse
to share accomodations with me when we are on the lecture circuit? Tell
me William! Tell me, Please! Garrison:
You know we value your contributions to The Society, and… Douglass:
Not true, William! Just
yesterday, John Collins our Society President, told me in no uncertain
terms, (Mimicking)
“You just give us the facts and we will take care of the philosopy.” Garrison:
(Condesendingly) I feel
you may have misunderstood him, Fredrick. Douglass: (Pause)
William, back in Baltimore we use to have a saying about the white man’s
misunderstandings. The white man is forever pissing on your leg and
trying to convince you that it’s raining! Garrison:
I see we have nothing more to talk about. Good day, Fredrick. Douglass:
Good day, William. (Garrison exits—Douglass slowly sits down in a chair) (He notices a letter on the table, picks it up, reads
it, looks exasperated and puts it back down) (knock on the door, Douglass opens door- enter Ruggles
and a fiesty black lady dressed in long skirt, boots, oversized flannel
shirt hanging out with belt wrapped around shirt, corncob pipe, small
eyeglasses and floppy hat) Ruggles:
We was sittin’ in the back. Fed,
you sho’ talk pretty! Uh,…dis’
lady said she wanted to meet you. Douglass:
…Harriet! Harriet Tubman! You are exactly like Mr. Phillips described
you. (extending his hand) It’s
an honor. Tubman:
(admiringly) Mr. Douglas, you sho’ likes to live dangerously.
Douglass:
(smiling) no more than you, Moses. Ruggles, this dear lady is quickly
becoming a legend. We speak
of her often in the Society. She has personally led hundreds to freedom.
( to her) Welcome. Ruggles: Why you call her Moses? Douglass:
Just like Moses in the bible, she went down into ole’ Pharoah’s land
and led our people out of bondage,..again and again. Tubman:We
hear a lot ‘bout you too. Dey was right ‘bout you.(fussing with her
pipe) Said you sounded just like a preacher. But the reason I’m here
is dat one of yo’ friends and mine is about to get hisself in a heap
of trouble and I was hoping you might talk to him. Douglass:
Of course. Who might that
be? Tubman:
Capt’n. Brown. He makin’ plans to break in da’ army fort at Harper’s
Ferry and steal some guns. He wants to get some of da’ colored down
there to hep’ him. Douglass:
(picking up the letter from the table) I’m afraid it’s too late. This
letter is from a friend of mine, Wendell Phillips, and he tells me that
John Brown and his men have already raided the armory and were captured
a couple of days ago. Tubman:
Ya’ know, Capt’n wasn’t always right up there. (pointing her pipe to
her head) (Enter Anna) Douglass:
(thoughtfully) I know. His heart often overran his mental abilities.
In fact, it is probably because of his mental incapacities that I will
have to flee the country for a while. Anna: (moving
to Fred’s side) Fed! Ruggles:
…but you didn’t have nuthin’ to do with stealin’ guns! Douglass:
I know, but my friend Wendell says that they found some letters I wrote
him in his possession and they’ve issued a warrant for my arrest thinking
that I must have been apart of the plot.
I suppose my having written a book didn’t help matters either.
Anna:
Then me and da’ family is going with you. Douglass:
No my dear. They want to
silence me. You and the family will be safe here.
I’ll only be gone until the matter gets cleared up. Douglass:
But…(straightening up) that’s for tomorrow. (turning to Tubman) Today
I want to hear all about your underground railroad. Is it really true that you led 10 groups out of bondage? Tubman:
It was more like 14. And I’m going back down there agin’ to get my mama
and daddy. Douglass:
Whew! I heard you rescued
your sister, her children and your husband. You’re quite a lady. Tubman:
Well, dat’ ain’t quite right.
I left the husband there.
Douglass:
You left him there? Why? Tubman: (slowly)Well,
you know, when I got there to pick him up...he had replaced me with
some other woman! So that
train just passed him by. (They both laugh) (Blackout) The Narrator: Fredrick, Garrison and a small group
of supporters did leave the country.
They toured and lectured through out England on the evils of
the American slave system. They
were warmly received wherever they went.
Here he addresses a packed hall in London the night before he
sails back to the states. Scene 11-A Speaking Hall in London (Spot on Douglass
at a SL podium) Douglass:
(reading a prepared text)
My thanks to Mrs Ellen Richardson, chairwoman of this event and Head
Mistress of the Olgelvy School, here in London. She has been more than
kind. Let me relay to you
a true story that happened only recently.
There was a slave in Virginia by the name of Henry Brown.
He was one of a rare breed of slave—he received wages for his
work, which he saved in anticipation of buying his wife and children
their freedom. As the time grew near to make the purchase his white
master cheated him out of his funds and sold his wife and children south
never to be seen again. Mr.
Brown, in his desperation to escape the ravages of slavery, invents
a most ingenius method to gain his freedom.
With the assistance of a free negro, he places himself in a box
3 feet long and 2 feet 6 inches wide.
He then mails himself express to Philadelphia and to freedom.
Ladies and gentlemen, these are the trials suffered by 3 million
American people whose only crime was to be born black. Tomorrow, I shall
return to the country of my birth to rejoin my brethren in those trials
and after more than a year in your country as a freeman I return to
my former position of a runaway slave. I … Uh…excuse me. (Someone
interrupts his speech to hand him a slip of paper) (Douglass
reads the note, braces himself on the podium and in a choking voice
speaks) Douglass:My
friends, I hold in my hand the finest expression that you could ever
give me of your love and friendship. (He reads the note aloud)
Bill
of Sale-To all whom it may conern: Be it known that I, Hugh Auld of the city of
Baltimore do hereby release from slavery, liberate and set free my negro
man named Frederick Bailey, otherwise known as Fredrick Douglass for
the cost of $1250.00. He is free from servitude to me, my executors
and administrators forever. Signed, Hugh Auld. Douglass:
(choking) You bought my
freedom! I thank you. (Blackout) The Narrator:
Fredrick returned to the states where a Congressional Committee, composed
of mostly southerners no less, investigated the John Brown affair and
found no evidence of a conspiracy involving Douglass or anyone else. Scene 12-The Douglass Parlor (Anna, Ruggles, Eliza,
Tubman & extras are gathered there to welcome Fredrick) (lights up) (Enter Douglass to cheers and a joyous reunion) (crowd around Anna parts) (Douglass sees Anna UpStage-there is silence-She rushes
to him and they embrace-the gathering rushes to embrace him) (Douglass shakes
hands and embraces the gathering. He notices a shy young lady who he
is not familiar with) Douglass:
I have not the pleasure, madame. (extending
his hand) Eliza:
Fed dis’ is Celia. She
just arrived here from Georgia. Douglass:
(to Tubman) Ah…a passenger of yours, I take it? Tubman:
We heped’ her out a little, I only wished we could have gotten to her
a little earlier. (Celia bursts into tears and Tubman hugs her) Douglass:
Why? What? Tubman:
Celia here, killed her Massa. Celia:
I told him! I told him!
I just couldn’t take no mo’ Tubman:
Her Massa was having his way with her for near five years and she just
couldn’t take no mo. She grabbed his gun, kilt em’and got away. Douglass:
(gently taking her hands) Madame, welcome to our home. (gestures
to Eliza and Anna) Please see if you can find something for her
to eat. She must be starving.
(they escort her out and the
others also leave with them) (Tubman finds
a chair, fusses with her pipe, peers over the top of her glasses) Tubman:
(admiringly) So how you doin’ Preacher? Douglass:
Still fighting the battle, Moses.
Still fighting the battle. Tubman:
You kno’ the election’s coming up and anyway ya’ look at it, some of
the states gone secede from da’ union. Who you for? Douglass:
Well, we’ve got John Breckinridge and John Bell—both southern sympathizers.
We’ve got Lincoln, the old rail splitter who’s slightly confused.
He thinks a President’s only duty is keeping the union together. Then you have Douglas—a man of some vision—just the wrong vision.
Not a moral giant among the four. Tubman:
So what you gone do? If you got some plans, count me in. Douglass: (pause-thinking
for a moment) My friend, you and I and others have been in hundreds
of town halls and auditoriums on the lecture circuit trying to persuade
our fellow Americans to do the right thing. Maybe it’s time to change our direction and message. Tubman: (Warming
up to the subject) What ya’ got in mind Preacher? Douglass: (excitedly)Southern
states talk secession because they want to spread slavery into the new
states. Although not anti-slavery, Candidate Lincoln is at least against
spreading it further, for that he warrants our support.
Our goal should be to campaign for Lincoln and in so doing convince
him and the country that this agitation is due to slavery not secession.
Tubman:
…and if he wins then what do we do? Douglass:
We help him to truly become “Honest Abe”. (Blackout) The Narrator: So Douglass mobilized friends in the
Society, wealthy friends abroad, other abolitionists, and anti-slavery
advocates all over the north.
He wrote editorials supporting Lincoln as a “Man of unblemished
private character”. In his speeches he openly opposed the southern sympathizers,
Breckinridge and Bell and torn into Candidate Stephen Douglas’do nothing
approach to slavery. He
tried to get the Republican party to rewrite their platform from “No
more Slave states” to “Death to Slavery”. Although Lincoln enjoyed the
support, he never once came out in front of the slavery issue. In fact,
as the campaign wore
on, Republican leaders were slowly disavowing any intention to emancipate
the slaves or halt it’s spread. By November 1860 Lincoln had won the
election and three months later seven states seceded to form the Confederacy. Scene 13. The
Douglass Parlor—Present are Ruggles, Anna, Eliza, Tubman, and other
anti-slavery supporters. (Anna is serving
coffee to everyone) Ruggles:So
what Fed go and meet with the Pres’dent for? Tubman:
To make him see that this war we ‘bout to get into ain’t just ‘bout
states leaving. It’s ‘bout
da’ slave issue. Ya’ see,
if they think it’s only ‘bout states then they can kiss and make up
and we still have our people in slavery. (enter Garrison)
Garrison:
You are quite right Harriet. Anna:
William.,William Garrison! Tubman:
Well, well, well. What
you doin’ here, Garrison? I would have thought you’d be pleased as punch
to see the union busted up and you’d be somewheres celebrating with
your boys. Anna:
Mr. Garrison is always welcomed here. What brings you here, Mr.Garrison?
Garrison:
Well, since it looks like war is inevitable, I thought it might be the
right time to bury the hatchet, so to speak. Is Fred home? Eliza:
No, we ‘spect him back any hour now.
He went down to Washington to see ‘da Pres’dent, and… (enter Douglass) (The Garrison
and Douglass stare at each other for a brief moment) Douglass:
Welcome to my home, Mr Garrison. Garrison:
Fredrick, you and I will probably never agree on everything but our
goals are the same and our hearts are the same. (hand extended)
Can we bury the hatchet? Douglass: (pause—shakes
his hand and smiles) Consider it buried. Garrison: (excitedly)
Now what about this meeting with Lincoln. What did you say and what
did he say? Douglass: (hugging
his wife) Well, (they all gathered around) I introduced myself and he said that he
had heard of me and that he has read my newspaper. Garrison:
yes Douglass:
…I then laid out for him three ideas that I had concerning the upcoming
war. One-That slavery is the cause of the secession and that if you
abolish slavery the cause would no longer exist.
Two-I would gladly work to recruit negros in the north to fight
along side of their fellow white Americans, if he would allow them to
join, and third that if negro Americans risked their lives in a war
about negros then they should be emancipated as a result. Ruggles:
Whew! That was a mouthful!
What’d he say? Douglass:
He said, (mimicking Lincoln),
I’ll give the matter some thought.
(laughter) Eliza: (hugging
Douglass) Fed, Mama would have been proud! (conversation
continues in mime) The Narrator: Douglass went on to have several visits
to the White House as the war raged on.
He vigorously recruited Blacks in the north as soldiers and then
fought for their treatment in the army as equals.
He fought for their right to bear arms, receive promotions, get
adequate pay and in prisoner exchanges. Wherever he went he spoke about
the real reason for the war—man’s refusal to treat his fellow man equitably.
In meeting halls, schools, conventions and churches he hammered this
theme home again and again. Through his speeches, writings and visits
to the War office and the White House he eventually got most of what
he wanted, however the last goal was still just out of reach.Then one
day in December 1862… Scene 14-The
Douglass Parlor— Present are Ruggles, Anna, Eliza,
Tubman, Garrison and other anti-slavery supporters (enter Douglass
slowly) Douglass: Ladies
and gentlemen, I have just gotten off the train from Washington and
it would appear that we have finally obtained our last goal.
On New Years day the President will announce his Emancipation
Proclamation. (cheers all around). Garrison:
Congratulations Fredrick. (shaking
Douglass’hand) Douglass:
It would seem that our good President has been preparing to do so for
some time, ever since I gave that speech at the Smithsonian Institute
last summer. He was just waiting for the right time. Garrison:
So you now have all the goals you aspired to. Douglass:
Well, not quite. This Emancipation
will only free our brethern in areas held by the Confederacy however
it is a very good first step. I think we should pause and give thanks
to the almighty. (heads bowed—blackout)
The Narrator: The Emancipation was signed January 1,
1863 by the President and celebrated in various parts of the country.
Three thousand people packed Boston’s Tremont Temple to celebrate as
Fredrick gave the keynote address.
His friends, Harriet Beecher Stowe and Ralph Waldo Emerson spoke
at the Boston Music Hall in celebration. People celebrated all day until
the wee hours of dawn. However, not everyone was happy about the great
day. Riots broke out in
some northern cities because some wealthy white men, who paid their
way out of the army, did so at the expense of poor white men.
The poorer men placed the blame for the war on the negro.
Riots broke out in New York City as angry whites went through
the streets grabbing and lynching black men, women and children. Some
white solders refused to fight because they perceived that the goal
was now Black emancipation. Some members of Congress and the Presidents
own Cabinet argued against emancipation, but Fredrick Douglass had accomplished
all of his three goals. After the war, Fredrick went on to campaign
for the rights of women, the rights of chinese immigrants and always
the civil rights of blacks. He was asked to be the editor of a new Washington,
DC newspaper, The New Era and was later appointed a U.S. Marshall.Although
he enjoyed his new life in Washington, there was still one last important
task yet to be done. Scene 15. The
Aulds Parlor. –A much older Sophia Auld is taking care of a dying Captain
Auld. He is sitting in the overstuffed chair covered with a blanket
and coughing. (knock on the
door stage left and Sophia opens it) Sophia:
Freddy! You came. (she
hugs him) I’m so glad to see you. He’s been asking for you. Douglass:
How sick is he? Sophia:
The doctors give him about a week. (she
weeps) You’re not going to… Douglass: (smiling)You
need not worry. We were victims of a system that nearly destroyed us
both. I have long since forgiven him and the system. Sophia: (smile)Marshall
Douglass is here to see you dear. (Fredrick approaches
the chair) Captain Auld:
Marshall I… Douglass (softly)
No Captain. To you I am
Fredrick. Captain Auld:
(coughing)You
know I’m dying. Douglass:
Ah, I fear you’ll outlive us all. Captain Auld:
Naw, I don’t think so.(cough)
You know, when you ran off, at first I was madder than wet hen. Then
over the years, I got to feeling so low, thinking no man should ever
treat another man so. (getting a little excited and rising up) (coughing) I treated you
badly Fredrick and maybe this is the good Lord’s way of paying me back.
But I want to ask your forgiveness. Douglass: (smiling)
There’s nothing to forgive. We were both trapped in slavery. (Auld offers
his hand in friendship and Douglass takes it.) Douglass:
I do have one request however. Captain Auld:
What’s that? Douglass:
Sir, I never knew the year of my birth. Captain Auld:
February 1818. Douglass:
Thank you, Sir. (more coughing
by Auld) (Douglass rises,
smiles, shakes the hand of the old man and exits SR) (Blackout) The Narrator:The year is now 1884 and Fredrick Douglass
is a much older man. He went on to rewrite his Autobiography, arranged
to have what was left of his Maryland family moved north and occasionally
revisited the old Maryland Plantation. He continued to speak out on
issues regarding reconstruction, womens suffrage, and government policies
affecting blacks. Occasionally he would be ridiculed by blacks who found
it hard to believe that he could so easily forgive his white master
and he was equally criticized by whites who felt he was asking too much,
too soon. He was eventually given a post as a Ambassador to Haiti. His
children were all adults now and on their own and then suddenly he lost
his beloved Anna. In 1882
she suffered a stroke and passed away and for two years Fredrick lost
all interest in home, job, and politics, but providence had one more
significant event in store for him. Scene 16 The
Douglass parlor in Washington DC—Minister, family
and friends are prepared for a wedding. Douglass is nervous. (lights up) Ruggles:
Where is she? Was she this late when she worked for you in yo’ office? Douglass:
No. Maybe she’s changed her mind. Eliza: (fixing
Douglass’ shirt) Helen would be a foolish woman to pass up marrying a good man like you.
Douglass: (to
Eliza and Ruggles) I want to thank you two for standing by me when even my own children
and some of my friends turned their backs. Eliza:
I know life was hard for you after Anna passed on, and you deserve all
the happiness God sees fit to give you. So if you want to marry this
woman, then I wish you all God’s best. Douglass:
Where is she? The Minister:
Brother Douglass, where is your bride? (From SR The
Narrators podium) The Narrator: Here I am! I’m sorry to be late.
(she quickly runs over
and loops her arm in Douglass’) (The Minister
opens his bible and begins to perform the ceremony) The Minister:
Do you Helen Pitts take this man Fredrick Douglass to be your lawfully
wedded husband… The End.
Closing Narration by the Host or Director Fredrick Douglass
continued his fight for the civil rights of blacks and women.
He continued until a cold day in February 1895.
On the 28th of the month he was escorted to the podium
by his friend, Susan B. Anthony, to address the National Council of
Women in Washington, D.C. He later returned home, had dinner with his wife Helen, sat
down to relax and gently passed away.
He was 77 years old and no one before or after him has ever blazed
such a trail for freedom.
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