Original subtitles

WOMAN: I need to get this baby out. One, two, three.

(woman screaming)

Dana.

This is too hard.

Do you want a hint?

-Why can't you just read to me? -I could.

But you need to learn to read on your own.

Why?

DANA: Because it's important.

Maybe we're going too fast.

Yeah?

-Let's um... -(faint thud)

Hey.

Do you want to come closer so you can see?

(water bucket thuds)

You know, if you both learn,

you can write to each other.

Come on. Show Carrie what you can do.

This is the letter M.

What sound does the letter M make?

-Mmm. -Good.

Good. Okay, and the next one?

-Uh... -WOMAN: Carrie. Carrie.

You must be crazier than I thought.

Luke asked me to teach Nigel how to read.

-I thought Carrie might want to learn... -Carrie, come here.

Carrie.

You're the only one who really understands her.

-What happens when you're gone? -Ever since you've got here

with all your good intentions, bad things been happening.

Tom starving us out over Winnie. Celeste dead.

-That wasn't my fault. -You sure about that?

If this was Luke's idea and I don't believe for a second

that it was, but if so, then he ain't in his right mind.

And you know what would happen if you get caught doing something like this?

He ain't got no right to take us all down with him.

But at least Luke is doing something to give Nigel a better chance at life.

Luke don't even know what a better life look like.

Carrie, you are never to be alone with Miss Dana again, you hear me?

Now go.

(footsteps receding)

You got any sense, you run along too.

'Cause you lucky it was me and not Massa Tom or that evil Jake.

Your father and this one gonna get you killed.

Or worse.

(footsteps receding)

It's okay, Nigel, nothing bad is gonna happen.

We'll do more tomorrow.

Okay.

KEVIN: I'm really glad you're coming to Easton.

He thinks we're friends.

Can't say I'm not excited to get off this farm, though.

See more of the world.

If you got stuck here, could be fun to travel.

Sure, sounds fun if you're white.

Okay. Or we could go home.

I told you, I told Luke that I'd teach Nigel to read.

KEVIN: Yeah, but how long will that take?

I just... (sighs) ...I don't feel like I've done everything I came here to do.

You were brought here to save Rufus's life. That's it.

What's gonna happen to these kids when we leave?

And Carrie, what's gonna happen to her?

Is it just gonna be Tom and Celeste all over again?

It can't just be Rufus, we have to save them all.

I don't know what will happen, Dana,

but I know that if we try to save the world,

we will lose our fucking minds.

Oh, Maggie, my sister.

Rufus, come greet your Aunt May.

-Come here. -(Margaret giggling)

MAY: What a very fine young man you've become.

Every year he looks more like our father.

And this is Mr. Franklin.

MAY: Mr. Franklin? Not the musician?

May.

How do you do?

I seem to recall my sister making very fond mention of you in a letter.

How is it you've come to return after all these years?

Yet to be decided, I see.

-Will you be visiting long? -MAY: Oh, no.

I'll return to Baltimore tomorrow.

I'd hate to deprive Rufus of his bed for too many nights,

seeing as the guest room is occupied.

TOM: Kevin, Rufus.

May, what a pleasant surprise.

It's not a surprise. We planned this visit for months.

Yeah, well, it must've slipped my mind.

Rufus and I will see you when we return.

Must he go with you? May has come all this way to see Rufus.

Should I leave my son to gossip over tea?

Come along, Franklin. Luke has a horse ready for you.

-MAY: Maggie. Maggie. -(door slams)

A horse, like, to ride?

MARGARET: You planned this knowing my sister is to visit.

Do you see how inconsiderate you are?

TOM: Uh, we'll be meeting a few other planters in Easton.

Rufus is old enough to be learning a few things.

-MARGARET: What business must be done today besides drinking? -TOM: Hush woman.

A pity. I so hope to spend at least some of this time with my nephew.

We'll only be gone half the day.

Your horse, Mr. Franklin.

I got... Oh, I got it.

(sighs) Okay.

(Franklin clears throat)

Uh, should Dana ride with me or...

Nonsense, this trip is for men. Let's go.

DANA: It's just a few hours, okay? Stay close to Rufus.

TOM: Mr. Franklin!

(horse blows)

(horse grunts)

My sister and I desire tea in the parlor.

Fetch it for us. Now.

Uh... Oh... Uh... I... Actually, I... I told Mr. Franklin I'd...

You and I both know that's not true.

Tea. Now.

Miss Margaret and her sister want tea.

You know where the kettle is.

-(sizzling) -Fuck.

(sighs)

RUFUS: Where are we?

This is where your father grew up.

When my daddy first taught me how to till the soil.

Taught us. Ain't that right, Luke?

-LUKE: Master William was a fine planter. -TOM: Mmm-hmm.

I was half your age, son, when he failed to return from battle.

KEVIN: You two grew up together here?

TOM: We did.

I was born right after Luke.

We were the only boys here.

Two sisters before me, one after.

But Luke was the closest thing I had to a brother.

I had two brothers in my home.

Died of fever.

Can Nigel and I go play?

Yeah, go ahead son.

Owner finally passed and this land is for sale again.

What say you, Luke? Should I acquire it?

You know, we could expand.

And this land would be under your charge.

Go ahead. Grab a handful.

Tell me how you find its prospects.

I don't need to touch it to see the lands worthless.

But why should that stop you? Wouldn't be the first thing you took for yourself

just for the sake of taking.

I'm ready to move on. Fetch the boys.

(horse grunts)

You'll have to excuse Luke, uh...

he had a friendship with a slave who recently passed.

I thought bringing him along on this trip might cheer him up some.

-He's grieving. -TOM: Yeah, I'm aware.

But there's nothing more tiresome

than a melancholy slave.

-(May plays on piano) -MAY: Oh, thank you.

My sister is upstairs freshening up with the mute.

(cutlery clanking)

You belong to Mr. Franklin, do you not?

-Yes, ma'am. -He's giving Margaret piano lessons?

-Yes. -Funny.

I never knew Maggie to be very musical,

but if he's lifting her spirits... (chuckles)

Hi. What a beautiful day.

Won't you give me a tour of the grounds, Maggie?

And I suppose I should meet our cousin Jake.

My husband did pay for his voyage over, after all.

(tea splashes)

-It's cold. -I'm sorry, I'll go get...

MARGARET: Stay.

You and Mr. Franklin share a room,

well aware that it is against my rules.

So which one of you is it that can't control themselves?

Answer me.

-Margaret. -Answer me.

(tea splashes)

(cup clanks)

You can fetch me a proper cup.

Hey, Willy.

Come on, son.

That's a boy.

Go along now and fetch my order at the printer.

NIGEL: Yes, sir.

Hey.

I heard about Celeste.

Wanted to check and see if you were feeling... all right.

No, I'm not all right.

You worrying about me, it ain't good for anybody.

TOM: Mr. Franklin.

RUFUS: Where are we, Daddy?

TOM: Oh, it's a momentous occasion.

You, my son, are getting your first proper shave.

As are you. I need my company looking distinguished.

A barber will sort you.

Uh, how much does a barber cost?

I'm short on funds.

Don't worry yourself, Mr. Franklin. I'm well aware of your shallow pot.

NIGEL: Master Weylin. Master Weylin.

I don't got no whiskers.

-What'll they shave? -Don't worry.

Uh, I think shaving makes your whiskers grow sometimes.

I don't know. I read that once.

-TOM: Put them up front with your father. -NIGEL: Yes, sir.

Meet me at the barber when you're done.

(bell rings)

(cutlery clanking)

Tea was too cold, huh?

TOM: Benjamin.

BEN: Tommy, my boy.

-Ben, how are you, sir? -BEN: Ah.

Fine, but what a boon to find you off the plantation.

May I introduce Mr. Franklin?

He's a musician and a guest in my home.

-Pleasure to meet you. -A musician?

Who knew you to be a patron of the arts?

And who is this fine young man?

TOM: Get up, son.

I'm Rufus Weylin, sir.

-Rufus Weylin? -(Tom chuckles)

I did not recognize you beneath all of that shaving cream.

-No school today? -RUFUS: No more school for me.

Learning the planter business.

-That right, Daddy? -Indeed, son.

-(Ben chuckles) -You here for an appointment?

Me? Never.

I have a boy at home for my grooming.

More convenient. I picked him up on a trip to South Carolina.

I was just passing by on the way to fill my belly

and I saw your slave driver, Luke,

getting a shoe shine.

You are a gracious master to allow that, Tom.

Though I suppose if any of that kind deserves it, it's Luke.

He is a fine tiller of the land.

(Ben chuckles)

(birds chirping)

(water gushing)

-I had Nancy take care of they tea. -(Dana sighs)

Now you can go on and get,

because there ain't no reason you got to be up in here.

(exhales deeply)

Maybe, uh, Rufus shouldn't be drinking.

-Why not? -Because you're 12.

Had my fair share of drink at his age. Part of the business.

Yeah, it's part of the business, Kevin.

Mmm-hmm, which part?

Come on, have a drink, Mr. Franklin. Relax.

You know, I find your temperance

rather feminine in nature, to be frank.

It's no wonder you were Broadus's downfall.

(Tom and Rufus laughing)

I jest. I jest, lighten up. We're celebrating.

-What? -I just made a great deal with Benjamin.

-RUFUS: What'd you do? -Well, I had something he wanted that I didn't need anymore.

-Uh, no. -Thank you.

Thank you.

(cutlery clanking)

How about that, Rufus? Handsome, don't you think?

-I don't know. -You're not looking, son.

RUFUS: She's all right.

Now, you see a woman like that, you look, but you don't marry.

-Why not? -Because she's below you.

RUFUS: I... I don't even want to get married.

TOM: All men must find a wife.

Kevin didn't.

TOM: You don't want to end up like Kevin.

Yes, I do. Kevin has Dana.

-That's not what your dad means, Rufus. -Dana's a slave, Rufus.

No, she's not. She's special.

Ruf, I think you've had too much to drink.

I have not.

(Rufus sighs)

Yes, I quite agree.

Nigel will deliver you home.

-Go on, he's outside. -(Rufus mumbling)

Leave, before you embarrass me forever.

There's your quality time between father and son.

I can't say it feels right.

(mug thuds)

He's been coddled by women his whole life.

Should have taken him under my wing sooner.

Oh, come, Mr. Franklin.

You won't waste a drink, will you?

I've been quite generous with you.

You can't toast with an empty glass.

Without it, you'll give us both bad luck.

And I think you've had enough of that for a lifetime.

Don't you agree?

-(sighs) -(mug thuds)

Now drink, Mr. Franklin.

(mug thuds)

(Tom laughs)

(mug thuds)

MAY: Oh, Dana.

I've been looking for you.

I'm sorry for my sister.

She was terribly unfair to you.

I hope you find me less formidable than Maggie.

Prior to our residence in Baltimore,

my husband and I, he's a doctor,

we spent time in Boston amongst...

many liberal thinkers.

My sister and I diverge in that way.

How has she been? My sister?

Is her unhappiness as apparent to you as it is to me?

She doesn't really confide in me.

But surely you have eyes.

You can tell me. Is Tom the source of her misery?

Then tell me this.

Is it true that Tom starved his slaves

after his concubine escaped?

(sighs)

Scarcely. Maggie is too humiliated to tell me such things.

She knows I never liked Tom.

(May chuckles)

That man is a heathen and a drunkard

who can barely spell his own name.

NIGEL: Dana, can you help me with Master Rufus?

Rufus, what... what happened?

Master Rufus has had too much whiskey, that's all.

Rufus. Rufus, what's wrong?

-He's drunk. -Drunk?

-RUFUS: I feel sick. -MARGARET: Who did this?

-Was it your father? -MAY: Well, of course it was his father.

All that louse does is drink and now your son is old enough to join him.

Is this what you want, Maggie? For your child to grow up

-to be just like his godless father? -Don't say that.

Well, that is the course you have put him on, Maggie.

His very soul is at stake.

Stop it, May, stop! You think I don't know.

MAY: This is too much.

I have duties to uphold. Obligations.

It rips me in two to see you like this.

It's misery. Time has come to do something.

Please leave us alone for a while.

-RUFUS: Mama. -Oh, honey.

No.

TOM: I was thinking just this morning

there's so much I don't know about you.

Your people, where are they from?

I told you, I'm from New York.

But your parents?

New Jersey.

And they were musicians?

My dad was a bookkeeper, an accountant, a bookkeeper.

Yet you have no books to keep.

You know, I... I was thinking maybe it's a little early for Rufus

to start his planting education.

Maybe stay in school a little bit longer, don't you think?

I stopped around his age. A man only needs to know his sums.

Right, but might be good for him to spend some time

around some other boys at his age.

He says he doesn't have any friends anymore.

Seems really sad to me.

Well, that's what you're for, is it not?

Or are you planning on leaving us sometime soon?

-Oh, no. No, I'm not. -TOM: You're not?

Well, the show must be starting.

-The show? -TOM: Yes.

I was going back and forth as to whether it would be

appropriate for Rufus or not, but...

I feel you'll enjoy it.

Grab your drink.

(indistinct chatter)

COMMENTATOR: Gentleman, place your bets.

Place your bets, we've got three rounds tonight,

starting with the lovely Jane.

-(laughter) -Oh, Franklin.

(indistinct chatter)

(man coughing)

(laughing)

COMMENTATOR: First up is Jane.

How long would the niggers last before she is conquered?

(crowd chatters)

(Jane screeches)

JANE: Please.

MAN: Go on, get her.

-(Jane thuds) -(crowd cheers)

JANE: Please, stop. Please, stop.

-(Jane pleading) -(crowd laughing)

-(crowd cheering) -(Jane yelling)

TOM: Kevin.

Shall we go?

(footsteps crunching)

(horse blows and grunts)

KEVIN: Where's Luke?

TOM: He doesn't belong to me anymore.

He won't be returning with us.

(muffled chatter)

RUFUS: Can Dana come with us?

-MARGARET: No, Rufus. -DANA: What's going on?

MARGARET: Come on. Go back upstairs.

Fuck.

Jake! Jake!

They're running, they're running, and they're taking Rufus.

You gotta stop... you gotta stop them. Come on, they'll be gone any minute.

Jake, come on. Tom left you in charge, didn't he?

Someone ought to teach you to mind your own business.

You're their cousin.

-Right. -I best get going now.

MARGARET: Rufus, sit up.

(heavy breathing)

No, no, no, no, no, no, no, stop, stop.

Get out of the way. This is none of your concern.

-You can't take him. -MAY: My sister can do what she pleases.

-DANA: Margaret. -Do not think I will save you

from being trampled if you insist on impeding us.

-DANA: Margaret, he has to stay here. -Get out of the way.

You cannot take him. He has to stay here.

And who are you to determine that?

-Hmm? -Do you remember when Rufus was younger

and someone saved him from being drowned?

And then after that, when there was a fire,

and somehow he was brought to safety?

That was me, Margaret, and I... I can't explain it to you right now,

but I can promise you, I'm here to protect him.

She is raving mad.

I rem... remember.

I'm here to keep him alive.

And he has to stay here.

The devil came into my house one night

and no one believed me.

And then again by the river.

How could I not see that it was you?

-No, no, Margaret. -You're the devil.

-Devil! -DANA: I... I'm not!

-Margaret, I am not the devil. -Be gone!

-Demon. -Margaret please, please, please, please!

-You will not take him from me! -Rufus! Rufus! Rufus!

Rufus! Rufus!

No, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no.

Rufus!

TOM: I wouldn't get too sentimental about Luke.

He needed to see just how good he had it with me.

-Mr. Franklin. -KEVIN: What?

TOM: You seem ill-tempered.

Is it from the drink?

Is this why you abstain?

Or is it the entertainment that's affecting you?

I thought that you of all people would appreciate

that sort of spectacle, considering your taste.

Are you talking about Dana?

So it's just as Rufus said.

I know what you're talking about.

I fear that you actually are

in love with your chattel.

And if so, you must know

that those feelings you have, they're unnatural.

-Like you're any different. -TOM: Do not compare me to you.

I would never feel love for such creatures.

It'd be a cruelty unto them.

-Ah, wouldn't you? -Wouldn't I, what?

KEVIN: Seems like you feel more than you'll admit.

At least about Winnie.

It seems it's time our arrangement come to an end.

Fine.

Then let us tidy our books, shall we?

You owe me $10.

-What? -For the haircut,

the drinks, the entertainment.

-For the very clothes on your back. -I don't have any money, Tom.

You know I don't have any money.

Very well. Dismount.

Tom.

I said dismount.

The reins.

Our arrangement is hereby terminated.

Tom, I've got to get to Dana, please.

You ever step foot on my land again and I will shoot you dead.

Believe me when I tell you I am a man of my word.

-(door slams shut) -DANA: Where's Kevin?

TOM: Margaret? Where are you?

(grunts) Margaret?

-She's gone. -TOM: Gone where?

To Baltimore with May.

They took Rufus.

TOM: They did what?

Christ sake.

Where's Kevin?

(knocking on door)

-(door creaks open) -Whoa, whoa, whoa, hold it.

It's me. It's Kevin.

Please tell me Dana's here.

Why would she be? What's going on?

Dana's in danger.

(door creaks)

She's trapped with Tom on the plantation

and I can't go back there or he'll kill me.

-What did you do? -Not my... it's not my fault.

It's not... I'm...

Tom and I got into an argument, he pulled a gun on me.

Please, someone has to get her out of there.

I'll find Luke. He'll help.

He can't, Tom sold him.

-He what? -KEVIN: Earlier today in Easton.

OLIVIA: It's gonna be hard for me to get Dana.

Tom will know enough to search for her here.

He's seen us together.

We have no choice but to leave.

Leave and go where?

North. Philadelphia.

Sooner than I planned.

Alice, pack your bag.

We're gonna have to flee.

Okay?

You stay here. I don't want you getting into any more trouble.

(door creaks open)

TOM: I don't care how late it is.

So you get out there and you find him and you bring him back

right fucking now.

-JAKE: What about Margaret? -TOM: Leave her.

JAKE: Nosy bitch.

What are you doing standing there?

It's all right, Jake.

Let her come in here.

(door slams shut)

DANA: Where is Mr. Franklin?

(Tom grunts)

What an odd thing you are.

-How old are you? -Twenty-six.

You've been with a child before, yes?

What do you think of Mr. Franklin as a master?

-Excuse me? -TOM: Well, you must tire of his instability.

A master without a home, that's kind of funny, isn't it?

How would you like to stay here permanently?

Rufus seems to like you too.

And you would continue on as his companion.

And you'd live here

instead of being dragged around the country by a traveling minstrel.

What say you?

Would you like that?

No, sir.

I belong to Mr. Franklin.

Where is he?

I don't know. Stop asking.

What do you mean, you don't know?

I mean that I don't know.

-(thud) -Did you do something to him?

He'll return when he returns.

Or maybe he won't. And fool you are to expect anything else from that louse.

(Tom chuckles)

(Tom laughs)

You really are a loyal breed, aren't you?

Do you even know what's good for you?

(Tom coughs)

(grunts) Leave my sight.

(door creaks)

-(banging on door) -WOMAN: Hello.

-(banging on door) -Don't open that.

(banging on door)

-Mr. Franklin. -Oh, my God.

-Winnie, you're still here? -Don't let her out.

I was just hoping

I could stretch my legs for a little bit.

KEVIN: Yeah.

(Winnie sighs)

Are you... are you okay?

(exhales deeply) May I have a glass of water?

Yeah, yeah. Yeah, sure.

KEVIN: You okay?

Holy shit.

-You have to go get her. -KEVIN: Shit, shit, shit.

Winnie!

-(door clicks open) -Kevin.

Sarah.

-What are you doing here? -Massa Tom wanted me to bring you some food.

-I'm not hungry. -You really ought to eat something.

Why are you here? I thought you never stepped foot in the house.

The reason I never stepped foot in this house

don't seem to be a reason no more.

Because of Margaret?

-Where's Luke? -He didn't come back neither.

Is he with Kevin?

SARAH: No child, he gone.

So...

see Luke never cared about keeping the peace.

I told you he was always doing

exactly what he wanted when he wanted.

Serves him right.

I don't know where your Massa is...

but it sound like he ticked Marse Tom off something fierce.

Now, I would imagine that he's gonna be risking his life

to come back around here for you.

What do you mean by that?

KEVIN: No, no, no, no, no, Winnie!

Winnie!

Winnie!

Massa Tom own you now.

♪♪♪

♪♪♪

Captioned by LADB.