Original subtitles

?

? Dig down ?

? Dig down deep ?

? Lord, I'm tired and oh so weak ?

? Dig down ?

? Dig down deep ?

? Dig me a grave that's six feet deep ?

? There's blood ?

? In the river ?

? There's blood ?

? In the river ?

? There's blood ?

? In the river ?

? Who's gonna save us now? ?

? Who's gonna save us now? ?

? Blood in the river ?

? Oh! ?

? There's blood ?

? In the river ?

? There's blood in the river ?

? There's blood ?

? In the river ?

? Who's gonna save us now? ?

? Who's gonna save us now? ?

? Nobody's gonna save us ?

? Now ?

(Fireworks screeching, popping)

?

MAN: Richmond Dispatch! Got your newspapers right here!

- Papers here! - (Crowd chattering happily)

(Marching band playing)

?

NARRATOR: Civil war looms over a divided America.

The northern states aim

to preserve the Union and end slavery,

while the southern states rely on slavery

as their economic bedrock.

This division leads states to secede from the Union

starting with South Carolina,

followed swiftly by Mississippi,

Florida, Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana and Texas.

Virginia's fate hangs in the balance.

Abraham Lincoln,

newly elected president of The United States,

resides in The White House,

while Jefferson Davis,

the soon-to-be elected president of the Confederacy

will come to reside in The Gray House.

This story is inspired by historical events.

?

(Steam hissing)

(Men chattering)

(Steam hissing)

(Coughing)

DEPUTY: Papers, boy.

(Crowd chattering)

MAN: Yes, sir...

WOMAN: Was it a long trip?

DEPUTY: Pass or your papers.

SLAVE: I got my pass right here, sir.

DEPUTY: I told ya, no papers, no pass...

- BAKER: Oat cakes! - (Bell ringing)

DEPUTY: All right, who's next?

Master sign this?

WOMAN: Yes, sir. That's his mark.

(Horse whinnying)

DEPUTY: Papers.

Get on your way.

(Breathing heavily)

Ye awright, mum?

Got your pass, trogle?

I'm... freed.

Then, let's see your papers.

(Breathing heavily)

Are you deaf? I asked you a question.

Answer me!

No need to be so harsh with the lass.

She seems sickly.

You got a license to pedal in the street, mister?

BAKER: Aye.

Fresh and crisp from the County Clerk.

Would you like to keep 'em?

- (Scoffing) - Can't have undocumented

n****** gallivantin' around Richmond.

I got there manumission papers.

So, let's see 'em.

Hmm. Here they is.

I can't read this.

Hmm. Well, I'll reads it to you...

if you don't know how.

Pike! We need the Slave Patrol's help.

Couple of bucks busted outta the Devil's Half-Acre!

(Bell ringing)

Bully's got the hounds and we're huntin' 'em down the river.

Come on!

- We gotta catch up! - Where'd she go?

Don't know.

We gotta hurry, boss! Let's go!

Move!

- Watch your step, darlin'. - Evening.

- Good afternoon. - Good to see you, sir.

(Chattering)

(String section playing classical music)

?

DRIVER: Whoa there! Whoa!

(Guests chattering)

Welcome to the Van Lews'. Good evening, ma'am, sir.

Step right on in now, right on in.

- Welcome to the Van Lews'. - MAN: Good afternoon.

(Upbeat music playing)

Now, whatever Lincoln may profess,

Illinois' baboons are in the pocket

of a crackpot abolitionist,

not to mention a wild-eyed Free State acolyte.

Well, if Virginia should choose to secede,

let's hope my Maryland will follow, huh?

(Making gunshot sound)

Oh, how do you do, Mrs. Van Lew?

Evening, Toby.

Evening. Well, hello there.

- So lovely you could come. - MAN: Thank you so much.

WOMAN: Thank you. Thank you so much.

Yes. Evening, Governor Wise.

Ah, Mrs. Van Lew.

What the Republicans intend is to starve the South's economy

and legislate our entire way of life out of existence.

Surely, Governor Wise, that's because it's based on slavery.

Our Southern states clothe the world,

Miss Bremer, rich and poor alike,

and are justly paid for it.

Our sea island cotton is universally sought after.

As my father says, your Scandinavia is no exception.

(Chuckling) Ah, no slaves, no cotton.

No cotton, no wealth. No wealth, no progress.

Quod erat demonstrandum!

Envy, Miss Bremer, envy, that's all it is.

Just because the North is unable to grow a simple,

measly stalk of cotton, envy will tear this country apart.

Surely, Mr. Lincoln merely opposes

the extension of slavery or am I--

Mr. Lincoln is a dupe, or dishonest, or both.

I wouldn't waste a belch in his direction.

Now, now...

Gentlemen, Miss Bremer has traveled to Richmond

all the way from Scandinavia...

My, my.

...to familiarize herself

with our customs and Southern hospitalities.

So, I'm sure you'll forgive me if I scoop her up

and introduce her to some other aspects

of our local flora and fauna.

Go ahead. Go ahead.

Gentlemen, please remember, general topics of conversation

are the order of the evening, hmm?

Oh, Mrs. Van Lew, we will speak of nothing

but the delightfulness of your gala.

That's right.

- (Breathing heavily) - (Dogs barking in distance)

Come on! Come on!

- (Dog barking) - (Men shouting)

(Dogs barking in distance)

Come on! Grab my hand! Come on, move!

MISS BREMER: Seriously, Mrs. Van Lew,

are all your guests at the festivity

in favor of slavery?

Nothing quite so simple as that.

Some are... quite advanced,

my dear, as you will see.

And call me Eliza.

William. William.

Kindly see to it that certain liquid refreshments

are served on the periphery of the room.

The gentleman immediately behind you

could do with a slight... hiatus in their libation.

WILLIAM: Yes, ma'am.

Oh, Mr. Broadnaxe,

may I introduce...

Miss Fredrika Bremer of Sweden.

- Well, how do you do? - Mm.

Fredrika, this is Mr. Duncan Broadnaxe -

esteemed editor of The Richmond Chronicle newspaper.

FREDRIKA: Oh.

Welcome to Virginia, Miss Bremer.

Thank you. Thank you so much.

Yes, Miss Bremer is considered

the Harriet Beecher Stowe of Europe.

- Oh. - Mm-hmm.

Although her writing deals not with Negro affairs,

but the plight of women.

She advocates for the right of women to vote.

Indeed?

MAN: We closin' on 'em!

My hounds are gettin' real eager!

(Dogs barking)

(Sniffing)

They found their scent. Release the dog!

(Snarling)

(Gasping, whimpering)

Oh, God! Aah!

(Barking)

(Dogs barking in distance)

(Dogs snarling and barking)

BULLY: God damn it! I warned you!

My hounds know better!

Get it off him!

PIKE: Dumb bastard's own fault.

Wouldn't 'a gone for his neck, he hadn't fell.

Goddammit, that's costin' me money!

Unless he cut across the river!

I'm afraid we lost the other one.

BULLY: You're gonna keep those mangy-ass dogs on a short leash.

Or you know what? I'm gonna put 'em both down!

And you know what? Those runaway slaves?

They're coming out of your pay! Give me that!

- Come on. - (Dog whimpering)

Out of your pay!

(Dogs barking)

We'll pick up tracks on the other side!

(Breathing heavily)

- (Straining) - (Men shouting in distance)

Psst! It seems to me

you're more of a thief than a freed woman.

My papers got tore up, you saw it.

Oh. I cannot be certain what these are.

Please, sir, help me.

I'm not much aidin' and abettin', lass.

Take me up to Church Hill.

The Van Lews will pay you a reward.

Church Hill?

(Sniffling)

The Van Lews?

Heh. It's too risky.

They're regalin' all'a Richmond's

who-be-the-who's there tonight.

No, sir, you see, there's no risk at all.

If the Van Lews don't pay you,

turn me over to Bully Lumpkin.

Now, you know he'd pay a reward.

Either way,

I'm walkin' cash-money, sir.

(Chuckling)

You sure you're from around here?

You don't think like any other--

"N***** girl?"

Well, sir, I assure you, I was born and raised here...

in Richmond.

Oh...

All right, up with you.

Come on. Up you come.

- (Gasping) - (Dogs barking in distance)

(Chattering)

Thank you.

(Upbeat music playing)

?

Mr. Hampton Arsenault, welcome.

Well, Mrs. Van Lew...

A splendid evening

has now elevated itself into a perfect one.

Oh, my thanks for that quite undeserved compliment.

Where is your lovely daughter?

Buried under a throng of admirers, no doubt.

And here I was lulled into thinking

it was my repartee that had drawn you here.

(Chuckling)

Don't despair,

Elizabeth will be down shortly.

Thank you.

?

- (Dogs barking in distance) - (Gasping)

(Thunder rumbling)

(Dogs barking in distance)

(Dogs barking in distance)

(Upbeat music playing in far distance)

(Thunder rumbling)

(Breathing heavily)

(Thunder rumbling)

Scoot, scoot, little chickens.

It's time for bed!

I'm gonna sprinkle some fairy dust for your dreams.

That's my good girls.

(Upbeat music playing)

(Door opening)

- (Upbeat music playing) - (Guests chattering)

The longer you stare, the more fault you'll find.

I speak from experience.

Your presence is required downstairs.

Tonight's celebration

was... not... my... idea.

Yet, you exhausted

every purveyor of fine apparel in Richmond to dress for it.

For those who came to gawk at an old maid.

Oh, now... don't presume

they came on your account, young lady.

And, if gawkers there be,

we must not disappoint.

All to spend a sweltering evening

cooped up in a cage of corsets and hoops.

I shall have to steer you clear

of our guest Miss Fredrika Bremer.

She'll convince you to start parading around in britches.

(Both chuckling)

Bloomers mother, not britches.

Well, can't say as I see much difference.

Has he come?

Hmm?

Of whom are we speaking?

Mother!

Mr. Hampton Arsenault has arrived

and inquired as to your whereabouts,

however, well... (Gasping)

...now, he's so much in demand.

If you don't intend to come downstairs,

I suppose I shall have to

refer him to one of his many other admirers.

(Laughing)

I don't know why I insisted on green,

I'll look though if I'm coming down with the ague.

Elizabeth!

A Van Lew never quails before the summons to battle.

(Groaning)

(Wind gusting)

Uh, Tadpole,

go get me that lighting taper over there.

Yes, Uncle Isham.

- Go on. - Right away.

(Thunder crashing)

Blowin' in from the West.

Look like gonna rain on the party.

Yeah, look like God has got His own fireworks in mind tonight.

Come on. Come on. Come on, Tadpole. Come on.

Gimme that light.

- Uncle Isham? - Hmm?

Mrs. Van Lew said you ain't s'posed to be climbin' ladders!

I suppose you're right.

Go on. You climb. I'll hold.

- (Horse whinnying) - (Carriage approaching)

TADPOLE: We expecting company?

ISHAM: No, we ain't. What's he doing here?

BAKER: Whoa. Whoa.

Hold up, Baker Man.

The Van Lews weren't expectin' a delivery tonight.

What I'm deliverin', I don't think any of you were expectin'.

She said she belongs here.

Oh... Uncle Isham.

ISHAM: Lord...

Mary Jane.

ISHAM: See you get... (Continuing indistinctly)

BAKER: I got it.

Hang on.

ISHAM: Easy, easy, easy.

Easy. Take her inside. Take a inside.

(Breathing heavily)

Tadpole, that's Mary Jane, your cousin.

Been all the way to Africa. Now, she back.

- No fooling? - No.

We gonna tell Miss Eliza and Miss Lizzy?

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

Um, we tell 'em in the morning, not tonight.

It'll be a surprise.

(Dogs barking in distance)

(Upbeat music playing)

- (All laughing) - Laurette,

how long will you and John be residing here

with your in-laws?

Ugh. Well...

it's bad enough my girls and I must endure the "hospitality"

of my husband's peculiar family

until the re-model of our barn of a home is complete.

Now, there's the burden of this gathering

of all the available men in Richmond

for my sister-in-law, under the guise of patriotism.

As well as points further south.

Oh? Like the delightful

and very handsome Mr. Hampton Arsenault.

One more. All right...

Yes. Now, had I known

New Orleans gentleman were so becoming,

I would've endeavored to make a sojourn there.

- Laurette! - Laurette!

Oh, before I married John, of course.

In the days of my availability.

Oh.

The Van Lews certainly spared no expense.

Well, heaven knows they can afford it.

Well, of course they can.

Though it does appear a mite desperate -

Lizzy's last opportunity to be plucked off the vine.

(All chuckling)

I heard she had a beau who died tragically.

LAURETTE: Oh!

(Upbeat music playing)

?

Mm. Pity.

I believe men are more drawn to a widow than a spinster,

knowing someone once deemed the lady worthy of a proposal.

WOMAN: Oh, Miss Elizabeth!

Heavens sakes, she's a lovely girl.

My sister-in-law has not been a "girl"

for a good many years now.

(Chuckling)

(Chattering)

Around your sister, I feel like a weed in a garden of roses.

- ELIZABETH: Congressman. - Miss Van Lew.

Mr. Webster.

If she were to notice me at all, it would be to pluck me out.

Confidence, my friend. Confidence!

- Miss Elizabeth? - Erasmus.

HAMPTON: Miss Elizabeth...

Suddenly, the whole evening has brightened!

Did the servants bring more candles?

My, my, sir, you give me great cause for concern.

They say the onset of blindness

is preceded by sudden flashes of light.

Oh. Is that what they say?

They also say that blindness

is the principal attribute of heartfelt devotion.

If so, then, I am already blind.

(Chuckling)

Well, it's an honor that you thought

to finally include us in your busy peregrinations.

Oh, Hampton cannot resist any soiree

which boasts both a floor and a roof.

Oh, is that right?

My dear Obie Wise, quite the warrior, I see.

HAMPTON: Mm-hmm.

I stand Virginia proud.

Well, let's just say you'd do better

to dress up for battle less and to read your Bible more.

We must be prepared for Northern aggressors.

Well, I doubt they'll attack tonight.

(Elizabeth chuckling)

Our United States democracy is the only one in existence

on this entire planet.

Surely, you do not wish to secede from that.

- Well-- - If you'll excuse us,

there's something I must show Miss Van Lew.

Of course.

Well, behold, the glories of a Northern education.

The woman's a walking pamphlet.

- She's insufferable. - Mm. She is.

You know, under other circumstances,

a good old-fashioned spanking would be an order.

It may also behoove you and your...

Governor Daddy to refresh your grasp

of our American Constitution.

You should familiarize yourself

with the sovereign rights of our beloved Commonwealth.

Oh? Like your right to dress up

in that dandified made-up uniform?

There comes a time, sir, when insults of a certain order

demand satisfaction.

Are you challenging me, Mr. Wise?

Honor must be defended with action.

You have faced a dueling pistol before?

This is not your quarrel, Mr. Booth.

Obie's duels are more regular

than the train to... Fredericksburg.

And, as you can see,

he has never been derailed.

You men, you're like a couple of fighting game cocks.

My friend Charmaine here

would appreciate if you put some of that...

masculine energy into a waltz.

Enchanted.

- Congressman... - Lovely.

...so, you're from western Virginia.

That's right. There you go.

- Stokely. - Ma'am.

Mm-hmm.

Evening.

I suppose I should think twice before speaking my mind.

Whatever will you think of me?

All the more for having dared to do so.

Now, as I have failed to entice you

to my most Southern homeland,

I've brought a bit of our Cajun Country to you.

(Crowd gasping)

(Hissing, snarling)

Oh, my...

- ISHAM: Come back here! - (Girls screaming)

Children, get on over there.

No now, you get on back here.

Get on back here!

Look at the teeth on that thing!

He's lookin' at you like you a piece of bacon!

I...

On our last visit,

you declared your desire to see an alligator.

Meet Antoine.

Mr. Arsenault, you-- you are incorrigible!

This-- this is quite ridiculous.

Well, indeed.

Ridiculousness is our lot.

It's ridiculous when we reveal our true selves,

casting all to the winds -

possessions, self esteem, reputation -

risking everything for love.

What could be more ridiculous than that?

And when that is denied us,

don't we angrily thrash about like Antoine here?

ELIZA: What is going on out here?

(Antoine growling)

- (Growling) - Is-- is that a, uh...

An alligator?

Yes, Mother, that's an alligator.

All right.

Uh, Caroline?

Caroline, bring those children inside right now...

- GIRL: Yes, ma'am. - ...and make them stay there.

CAROLINE: Yes, Missus.

Defy me again, you shall see me spit fire.

Go on.

Everyone?

Everyone, our...

zoological interlude has ended.

Dancing and refreshments shall resume.

(Guests cheering)

See?

How can I compete with monstrous reptiles as party gifts?

Oh, buck up, old boy.

Nothing in matters of love,

or life for that matter, is certain.

No.

You have... revealed yourself

as a full-blooded romantic.

Well, indeed I am, Miss Van Lew.

Indeed I am.

In public, Mr. Arsenault?

This is my mother's house.

Yes, yes, yes, yes.

We must abide by convention, of course.

I am not one for avoidable scandals,

as I find myself

to be the object of much gossip already.

Oh, very wise of you, Miss Van Lew.

We must avoid a scandal at all costs.

(Band playing upbeat music)

?

(Chuckling)

Now, you gonna make

the two-backed beast with old Mrs. Wise's gal, huh?

Boy, keep this up and someday,

a pissed-off coochie gonna turn you into a eunuch.

What choice I gots?

Every time I gets close to some sweet thing,

the damn governor gonna turn around and sell her.

Yeah, you got a point there.

- He's got a point. - Go on, enjoy yourself.

Yeah, go on.

Talulah.

You got another one of them apples?

TALULAH: Maybe.

Well, you certainly cut a dashing figure on stage,

Mr. Booth.

Your Hamlet must have been thrilling.

My audiences seemed to think so.

"There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio,

than are dreamt of in your philosophy."

That was beautiful.

Your family has an eye for beauty, Mrs. Van Lew,

and I refer not only to this magnificent gala.

(Giggling) Why, thank you, kind sir.

(Chuckling)

Of course, a thespian such as yourself

would have an eye for beauty,

a roving eye, I hear tell.

(Chuckling) John...

He is such a joker.

Aren't you, John?

Not that I'm aware of, Laurette.

Your father, Mr. Booth, gave the best performance of Hamlet

the world has ever seen.

I doubt today's...

lesser talents could ever better it.

My husband, being a man of business,

is not a true theater aficionado.

(Thunder rumbling)

Please, sir,

please... (Breathing heavily)

- (Dogs barking in distance) - Please, sir...

Please. Please, sir. Please.

(Dogs barking in distance)

Oh, God, are you testing me?

(Dogs barking in distance)

Come here. Come here, boy. Come on.

I got you, I got you, I got you.

(Dogs barking in distance)

- (Men shouting in distance) - MAN: The Van Lew house!

- (Dogs barking) - BULLY: Easy. Good boy.

(Dogs barking)

(Upbeat music playing)

?

(Hampton chuckling)

Would you please excuse me?

Only if you promise to return.

I think you better come with me. Come on.

(Speaking indistinctly)

Oh, hi, Mr. Arsenault.

Evening.

Your Louisiana beast is the hit of the ball.

It appears so.

Miss Van Lew seemed quite delighted.

Everybody thought your gift was wonderfully dashing, Hampton.

Shall we?

Of course.

(Waltz playing)

They're down there. Right there.

How do, ma'am? Bully Lumpkin.

This here's Deputy Pike from the Slave Patrol.

Sorry to disturb your festivities,

but we come here on blood tracks leading right up here.

Well, I haven't seen anything unusual,

and certainly nothing so distressing.

Isham, have you?

- (Dog barking) - No, ma'am.

(Barking)

- Them dogs don't lie. - That's the truth, ma'am.

- (Dog barking) - Well, perhaps not.

But right now, it appears awfully confused.

Can't it tell one Negro from another?

Ma'am, I do apologize for the inconvenience,

but we need to check your stables and outbuildings.

- They gon' come. - ELIZABETH: You may search,

but I will not have these blood-thirsty hounds

endangering my people.

ELIZA: Now, now, what is this commotion?

ELIZABETH: Now, my mother's been summoned.

Embarrass her in public

and she will have your heads on a stick.

Oh, he wouldn't do that.

(Barking)

Tie these... excitable mongrels to a tree

and we'll all take a nice,

quiet look around, shall we?

No need to accompany us, ma'am.

You best go on back to your party.

ELIZA: Oh, I wouldn't dream of it.

Harboring fugitives is a criminal offense.

We must be assured our safety has not been compromised.

ISHAM: No tellin' what kind of riffraff

you gon' find sniffing around here in the dark.

Go on. Go ahead.

(Dogs barking)

(Barking)

(Dogs barking)

(Barking)

(Dogs barking)

- (Barking) - ELIZA: Gentlemen!

Calm down your dogs! Gentlemen!

(Dogs barking)

Goddamn you, kid!

Tadpole, did you see anybody run in here?

No, ma'am. I ain't seen nothing.

(Dogs barking)

- (Gasping) - (Door thudding)

(Dogs barking)

PIKE: Old Bones is onto somethin'!

BULLY: We got him. He's inside.

(Dogs barking)

MARY JANE: Oh, easy now!

Mary Jane, I told you to stay in bed.

- She's been ill. - She was at the train station,

said she was free, showed me her papers.

Which you tore up, sir, 'fore you see'd it was a pass.

I was free to go walkin' around

'cause Miss Eliza gives me a pass, didn't you, ma'am?

Uh, yes.

Mary Jane... enjoys watching the trains.

Uh-huh.

And as I was walkin' back, I see'd this boy

cut up through the woods, and as he was runnin',

he dropped this!

Goddamn it! She threw 'em off!

Hounds picked up the scent and followed you, ya stupid monkey!

Mary Jane!

You saw that, Deputy,

so what-- what are you going to do about it?

(Gun cocking)

Insolent child!

There'll be no killing at my mother's ball.

Put your gun away, sir.

Go on, get out of here!

She needs to learn a lesson.

Gentlemen,

as I was previously engaged in conversation with the Governor,

might we move this along?

(Indistinct conversation)

(Bully speaking indistinctly)

Miss Van Lew.

I told ya our fugitive run on further down the river!

(Dogs barking)

(Dogs barking in distance)

(Breathing shakily)

ELIZABETH: My God...

What just happened?

Mary Jane just sacrificed herself for us.

What do we do now?

We return to the party,

resume our polite faces.

If we are to do this work and be safe,

we must continue to be chameleons.

You ladies go on back.

Tadpole and I will take care of our guests. Go on.

ELIZA: Yeah.

I suggest you return your attention to Mr. Arsenault.

He's travelled... all this way to see you.

(Violin playing)

(Guests chattering and laughing)

(Thunder rumbling)

MR. CLEMENS: What you suggest is against the law.

MR. WISE: We make the law, you self-righteous jackass.

The chasm of our political differences aside,

I loathe the dang fetid cesspool that is your character.

You do not lead Virginia, Governor.

You drag her, like a drunkard staggers into a ditch.

Mr. Clemens, you impugn me here in the Van Lew home?

I do not frequent brothels, so where else would we meet?

You are thusly entirely impugned.

This is absolutely intolerable. I will not allow it!

- JOHN JR.: Gentlemen, please! - BROADNAXE: Sherrard, no.

I am not the villain and clod-pucket who chose this!

FREDRIKA: This is about slavery, no?

Certainly not! Before Mr. Sherrard Clemens

lowered himself to personal effrontery,

our biggest quarrel and that of the South

hinged upon our sovereign state rights.

Someone! Please!

- (Crashing) - JOHN JR.: Mother!

I feel the vapors.

Breathe, Mother, catch your breath.

I fear the vapors are upon me! Oh!

Sir, state rights to own slaves?

That is not what I said.

Miss Bremer,

I am a Southern lady, Richmond born and Richmond bred.

Seven of Virginia's sons have served as president.

These are my people.

And we walk daily

in the footsteps of Washington, Jefferson,

and Patrick Henry, who in the venerable church

across from our door gave voice to the defiant hope of mankind.

"Give me liberty or give me death."

(Guests murmuring)

Now, we may argue, as families of heart

and passion sometimes do,

but you are in grave error to judge us all as cruel

and ignorant whip-crackers.

Our European ancestors

imported their entrenched slavery into this country

and planted it into our Southern fields

just as surely as they planted

the Egyptian cotton and Indian rice,

which, I'm sorry to say, relies upon it.

(Guests murmuring)

Now, 300 years later,

whether one advocates slavery or loathes it,

as many Southerners do,

the fact remains that it was thrust upon us

with neither our knowledge nor consent.

Sadly, we were born into it.

(Guests murmuring)

And you,

shake hands as gentlemen and be done with this.

Governor, the tempest of our times

calls for temperate heads,

if you wish to guide Virginia's fate.

And you shall, of course, no doubt, have my support.

Appreciated.

(Fireworks booming)

ELIZA: Goodness gracious.

- (Fireworks booming) - The spectacle has begun.

Gentlemen, let's just go outside and enjoy the fireworks.

(Guests chattering)

ERASMUS: That was masterful.

You should be in Congress.

How could that be? You don't allow women to vote.

Oh, touch�, Miss Bremer. You have a point.

But it'd be a shame to come all this way

and not see these beautiful fireworks.

- (Screeching) - (Guests exclaiming)

(Booming)

Erasmus was right, that was masterful.

But rather exhausting.

I thought Obie was gonna challenge me to a duel.

(Hampton chuckling)

HAMPTON: Well, we're lucky tonight -

the storm seems to have passed us by.

Although, I fear another tempest awaits just beyond the horizon

and will be storming upon us before we know it.

I pray to God in heaven, we'll be ready for it.

Well, with you by my side, I shall be ready for anything.

Rocket's red glare, bombs bursting in air.

Public insult like that...

ELIZA: Simply glorious, isn't it?

Miss Eliza, I'm afraid I must depart,

but thank you for a wonderful evening.

It was spectacular.

Most certainly, Mr. Arsenault.

Our pleasure.

- Until tomorrow? - Of course.

Good night.

John Jr., good night.

JOHN JR.: Mr. Arsenault, I'll see you out.

Recovered from your attack of the vapors, Mother?

(Chuckling)

In controversial times,

a certain amount of artifice is necessary.

- (Fireworks booming) - (Guests exclaiming)

Do you think I got carried away inside?

Oh, I promise you, most of that went over their heads.

In my experience,

men watch our mouths very intently,

but manage to hear not a word

of what we're saying.

- (Fireworks booming) - (Guests exclaiming)

(Guests exclaiming)

(Horse whinnying)

(Talulah giggling)

GOVERNOR WISE: Jericho, we're leaving.

Take me home. Mrs. Wise will follow later.

Mr. Wise, I'd like to offer my hand.

And you mine.

Dawn tomorrow at the cemetery.

I shall inform my seconds.

Miss Elizabeth urged us to avert this course.

Whilst we were guests in her home.

Now, we walk the streets of Richmond, sir.

You may continue to hide behind Miss Elizabeth's skirts

or remedy the situation on the field of honor.

Tomorrow, sunrise.

(Reins snapping)

Nothing like the Fourth of July.

- (Fireworks booming) - (Guests exclaiming)

Gentlemen, your presence here

proves you are both men of honor.

It is not too late to reconcile.

Never.

My family has been deeply wronged.

The duel shall proceed.

So be it.

?

Governor Wise himself

should be shot for what he's done to that boy.

Pure foolishness, Webster.

Gentlemen,

on my signal,

you will ride to your marks, turn and fire.

Hold ready...

- (Gun cocking) - Set!

- (Gun firing) - (Horse whinnying)

?

(Pistols firing)

?

The point of honor being settled.

You may now dismount, shake hands, and be reconciled.

OBIE: I'm not satisfied.

HAMPTON: Obie, please. You've proven yourself a brave man.

The contest, unless the gentleman prove a coward,

must continue.

SHERRARD: Then it shall.

Lest I have time for another insult

toward you or the governor?

OBIE: Take your pistol.

The duel shall resume.

God have mercy on you both.

- (Pistol cocking) - Hold ready!

- Set! - (Firing)

(Horse whinnying)

?

(Horse whinnying)

(Pistols firing)

(Groaning)

WEBSTER: Sherrard.

Sit tight.

SHERRARD: Son of a bitch.

LAURETTE: I conduct my affairs as I see fit!

JOHN JR.: Then why, dear God,

did you ever accept my proposal of marriage?

LAURETTE: I remain here for my daughters only!

JOHN JR.: Oh, how noble of you!

Babcock...

Look at yourself, mister!

You're the one who stuck us here!

You refused to rely upon slave labor

to expedite our deprivations and complete our own home!

Don't you ever act as if you're the measure of the man

I deserve! You don't even have it in you!

Poor Mr. Junior.

Lord knows what'll happen if Miss Laurette

ever discovers what we're doing.

Our Underground Railroad won't be so underground anymore.

JOHN JR.: ...fawning over that stripling of an actor!

Why did we have no warning about that runaway?

I do not know.

The red lamp was lit.

After...

last night's fiasco,

we need to be finished with all this.

(John Jr. continuing indistinctly)

JOHN JR.: Don't you ever disrespect me like that again.

Are you threatening me, John?

I can't help it if men find me appealing!

(Door slamming)

We hope you have a safe journey

back to your homeland, Miss Bremer.

Thank you ever so, Madame Van Lew.

You may visit me next time.

I'm curious.

Is it because you still have slaves

the reason you speak so expressively to defend it?

Why... I do not justify nor defend it.

I was merely trying to explain why it exists.

We abolished slavery in Europe 13 years ago.

ELIZABETH: It's complicated, Miss Bremer.

Pity us, should you choose.

Pray for us, if you're willing.

But as a foreigner with no blood at stake in our noble union,

you are in no position to judge us.

ELIZA: You have no idea what my family

and many others with similar beliefs

do for these poor creatures.

Creatures?

Are they not our fellow human beings?

Forgive me. I'm grateful for your hospitality

and sorry to upset you so.

I fear it's a defect of my character -

I always speak my mind.

I too, am often told that is my problem.

Good day. Your train awaits.

Godspeed.

All right, let's go see about Mary Jane.

STOKELY: So, there you are

had to go and beat on this girl, huh?

PIKE: She had it coming.

Bully gave her a tap, then she slapped him back,

right in front of God and everybody.

- And who does she belong to? - The Van Lews.

STOKELY: You are an imbecile, Pike, you really are.

You took her from the party last night?

Mrs. Van Lew herself ordered the arrest.

- (Clanking) - STOKELY: Come on, girl.

You clean her up.

Hmph.

Fat chance of that.

?

Oh, Miss Elizabeth! Mrs. Van Lew, good morning!

ISHAM: Whoa. Whoa.

Whoa. Whoa there.

Good morning.

Please.

Yes, this must be very unsavory

for you to come down here like this.

I take it John Jr. was not available to come himself.

ELIZABETH: Unfortunately,

he's tending to other pressing matters.

STOKELY: I understand.

If I knew this poor wretch belonged to you,

I would have dismissed this case entirely.

ELIZA: No, no, I insisted Deputy Pike arrest her.

PIKE: Slave code calls for hanging

when assaulting a white man.

Thank you, Mr. Pike.

When we get home,

the girl will get the whooping she deserves.

STOKELY: I'm sure she will.

Naturally, we will pay the fine.

Oh, please, put your money away, Miss Van Lew, please.

Ten dollars is waived as a token of our respect

and my personal way of saying thank you

for what a wonderful gala you put on last evening.

I mean, it was the social event of the season.

Well, thank you most kindly.

Please.

I'll be in the carriage.

A shame the discord between Obie Wise

and Congressman Clemens could not have ended there, hmm?

I thought the hostilities had been averted.

Only postponed, I'm afraid.

Hmm.

Oh, excuse my indiscretion.

I thought you knew.

Obie enlisted your friend Mr. Arsenault

as his second.

Duels are against the law, Mr. Reeves.

As city constable you are duty-bound

to put a stop to it.

Mm.

But not everybody obeys the law, now do they, huh?

Miss Van Lew?

Come on, girl.

(Horse whinnying)

ELIZA: Throw her in and let's go.

I've matters to attend to.

Hurry up.

Eyes straight ahead.

There's still people watching.

Isham!

Hyup there.

Hey! What?!

(Groaning)

Oh, sorry, sir. I'm sorry.

Watch the shop!

Excuse me. Pardon me.

Anyone see that boy?

Where'd he go?

He went that way.

Thank you!

(Groaning)

CHILD: Sorry. Sorry, Miss. I was hungry.

All right.

But you see, there's this man

and he thinks that I stole something.

I didn't steal nothing.

(Breathing heavily)

(Clara clearing throat)

You see a boy come by here?

No.

WORKER: Here you are. Here you are, Miss Clara.

(Breathing heavily)

Sorry to trouble you.

Frankfurters. Get your frankfurters here.

I'll take one.

You got a name, tomboy?

Katey.

Aww, jobby bawbag, fer Chris'sakes.

KATEY: I ain't never, never

seen nothing like this before.

(Chuckling)

You live here?

CLARA: For now.

Saving my money to, one day, move far away from all this.

Look like you already rich.

- (Chuckling) - How much you need?

A lot more than I've got now, that's for sure.

MAN: Gentlemen. A pleasure.

How are you?

CLARA: Listen, honey, I have to go out.

Here's something for you.

I want you to go across the street,

buy yourself a good beef-steak.

Get some color back in those cheeks.

Hmm? Now, listen.

It's very important.

You see this on the door...

...you stay scarce a while longer. Do you understand?

Yeah.

You sure about that?

Yes.

Strange little creature.

Let's go.

I've got a lot of work to do.

Go out the stairs, out the door,

you'll see the butcher right there.

No, you're not going in there. Come on, out you go.

Out you go.

STOKELY: Senator Judah Benjamin.

My name is Stokely Reeves.

Governor Wise sent me to welcome you to Richmond.

I trust your trip from Washington was a pleasant one?

Pleasant enough, Mr. Reeves.

Good day, gentlemen.

Might any of you be staying on the third floor?

Room 317, I believe,

just directly above me.

Someone wearing what must be hobnail boots

is just pacing back and forth throughout the night.

I do need my sleep,

and it's really quite disturbing.

Not guilty, I'm delighted to say.

But if you care for me to intercede...

Oh, no, kind sir. Thank you.

I'll just speak with the bell captain.

Thank you...

STOKELY: May I offer you a drink, Senator?

Yes.

She must be in room 217.

Yeah, a man must question the decency of a woman

who spends her time in a commercial hotel room alone.

DOCTOR: Ahh... Curious.

Seems like scurvy or some sort of shipboard fever.

You sure she hasn't been to sea?

No, sir.

How soon before she's back to work?

This n***** is malnourished.

This is most vexing.

I've known your family for years,

and even a chained-up dog deserves to be fed.

I had no idea Dr. Graves had such a tender heart.

I wish you'd told us you were coming back.

My return was not easy.

ELIZA: You're home now.

You rest.

We'll take care of you.

I thank you very much, Mrs. Eliza.

But I've been learning to take care of myself.

Yes.

Yes, you have.

All right.

Up we go.

ISHAM: I got you, I got you.

- I got you. - ELIZA: Did you know...

it was Mary Jane first gave you the name Tadpole.

For sure?

ELIZA: Mm-hmm.

LAURETTE: Eula?

Eula!

Oh, Lord, have mercy.

What? Now, we're serving the servants?

Laurette, a sick slave is worthless.

I should be sublimely grateful

to be treated half as well by this family.

And Eula, when you're done with this Negress Queen of England,

fetch me some tea.

Oh, Lord have mercy.

That was Laurette,

John Jr.'s bride - a proud, pure-blooded descendant

of the first family of Virginia.

Which she'll happily divulge to anyone who's listening.

(Isham chuckling)

She a witch!

You mind your manners now, son.

Yes, Uncle Isham. I's humbly begs your pardons.

"I beg your pardon."

I beg your pardon.

That's good, son. (Chuckling)

It's not like they say in the sermons.

Those people in Liberia, they don't want us.

Just because our skin is the same, it don't make us the same.

We're not Africans.

Well, what are you then?

I'm an American.

Mary Jane...

...what happened to you over there?

I realized who I am...

...and where I belong.

?

And see? You go through like that.

- HAMPTON: Oh, Mrs. Van Lew. - Oh...

I'm here to call on Miss Elizabeth. She's expecting me.

Oh, Mr. Arsenault, an already pleasant day made even brighter!

Well...

Lizzy!

Were you waiting by the door for Mr. Arsenault's arrival?

Oh, well...

Come along, girls. And Lizzy...

do try and rise to the occasion.

Come on, let's feed the goldfish.

Shall we?

Mrs. Van Lew.

I can see Laurette likes to be the center of attention.

As do we all on occasion.

Although, I try to be a little more prudent

about whose attention I seek and when.

I understand it was the duel that made you late.

HAMPTON: Yes.

I hope all involved are safe and sound.

Well, thankfully, the undertaker remains undisturbed,

but the doctor's services were required for Mr. Clemens.

- Sherrard? - Yeah.

Oh no.

It's only in the leg, the fleshy part.

Shall we go? Our picnic will spoil.

I'll race you.

(Horse whinnying)

?

(Horse whinnying)

You win.

What are you grinning about? Were you holding back?

If so, that would be quite annoying.

Well, of course it would.

I would never dream of attempting such a low trick.

Thank you.

Now, shut those doubting eyes.

Go on.

I have a surprise for you.

Don't open them until I say.

(Gear cranking)

(Music box tinkling)

?

Oh, Hampton...

Shall we?

?

Last night's events left us with unfinished business.

I agree.

(Song ending)

HAMPTON: You haven't enquired after Antoine.

He will be most upset;

he's preparing another surprise for you.

You're teaching your alligator tricks now?

Oh, you'll see.

He's making a great sacrifice for you.

Hmm...

Do you give quaint names to all your creatures?

Oh, he's named after royalty:

"Antoine, the Bastard of Burgundy."

I had another royal name in mind had he turned out to be female.

Pray, what name was that?

"Beatrice, the bitch of Berkshire?"

The same one with which we christened

the newest of my family's ships.

- Hmm? - The S.S. Elizabeth.

?

Perhaps we can link your name to mine even more closely.

Hampton, what are you saying?

Oh, Lord, I seem to have plunged into deep waters

rather sooner than I'd planned.

Perhaps you are merely testing the waters.

Indeed I am. I'm testing the waters.

People who know me say I have sharp edges.

I fear you may find them too sharp.

Elizabeth, that's a risk I'm willing to take.

Hampton...

you have thrown me into a quandary.

In truth, if...

If you had outright asked me to be your mistress, well...

perhaps I would be in less of one.

Well...

Let's go for a stroll.

Hampton, I must admit, I am drawn to you.

Indeed, we are very drawn to each other.

But?

I'm compelled to warn you.

I believe we have differences

about certain... social conventions.

Such as?

Tell me, why did you consent to serve as a second this morning

in Obie's ridiculous duel?

Well, Obie's my friend.

A gentleman's natural instinct is to defend his honor.

It's what distinguishes a gentleman from the plod.

- His honor? - Mm-hmm.

Or his fear of being judged as less of a man?

(Chuckling)

I suppose that's part of it.

But even though we may disagree with them,

our social conventions are...

...well, they're our way of life.

No matter how destructive they are?

(Hampton sighing)

I warned you of my sharp edges.

Would you prefer me as a coquettish,

conventional Southern belle like Laurette,

or to play the shrinking violet?

Would you have me relinquish all my convictions for your sake,

Miss Van Lew?

Hm.

?

That's where the Yankees will come from when it begins.

No reasonable person wants war.

I pray reason will prevail, even this late in the day.

Well, we'll see.

But in any union both parties must be willing to give up

some of the things they hold dear.

- Don't you agree? - What?

Even at the expense of accepting what is clearly unjust?

So, might reason smooth a path to a union between us,

do you think?

I hope it might.

Honestly, there's no one in the world I would rather be with.

The question is: do you truly want to be with me?

Certainly, your friends wouldn't approve.

I hope you aren't a sore loser.

Who says I'd lose?

- Thank you very much. - STOKELY: Governor Wise will

want to know that, as Northern transgressions increase,

if we can count on the great state of Louisiana to look

kindly on our beloved state of Virginia when she secedes?

Well, I believe, at present,

the Senator is less interested in separation

than he is in unity.

Well, compromise is my public position.

But privately, I prefer positions I witnessed

at the Shanghai circus.

Well, I've not yet witnessed such things,

but I assure you, I do apply myself.

You enjoy your stay, Senator.

The coach will be by in the morning promptly

to pick you up for your meeting.

I hope you have a good night in our fair city.

Get some rest now and don't strain yourself.

Thank you, Mr. Reeves.

God forbid you strain yourself.

What might your name be?

I haven't introduced myself yet. Clara.

Clara...

That's from the Latin...

for "clear and bright".

Well, clearly,

I have lots to learn from you.

(Voices wailing)

MAN: With the ideas you have in your head, Mary Jane,

you leave Liberia and go back to America,

- you're a dead woman. - (Whip cracking)

(Gasping)

(Breathing heavily)

(Exhaling sharply)

ELIZA: Go on, take off them rags, child.

EULA: Don't be frightened.

ISHAM: You're among friends.

Yes, sir. Yes, ma'am.

- I don't need to be no bother. - ISHAM: No bother.

We can't let them wounds fester. What are you doing?

You're supposed to be resting.

I couldn't sleep.

What's your name?

Robert Ford, ma'am. From Georgia.

Busted outta Lumpkin's Slave Jail.

How did you know to come here?

My-my friend Homer, he, uh...

He dead now.

Slave hunter's dogs got him.

He say y'all help runaways if'n the light weren't red.

But I just wanted rest, so I--

MARY JANE: You can rest here, you're safe.

We gotta get him to the farm.

That's far too dangerous.

What if the slave hunters come back?

We can't put him in the secret room?

We can.

I can't thank y'all enough.

- Much obliged to ya. - No thanks necessary.

Open wide. Goodness is its own reward.

- ELIZA: Bite down. - I got you.

Squeeze my hand.

Look in my eyes. Look.

- One, two... - I got you, son.

- ...three. - Got you! Got you!

- (Robert wailing) - Got you, boy! I got you.

MARY JANE (Whispering:) Up these stairs. Up the stairs.

- ELIZA: Hurry. - ISHAM: Come on. Come on.

- ELIZA: Shh. Get up. - ISHAM: Come on, son.

Okay, you'll be safe in here.

No one will think to look for you in the house.

I hope you're not afraid of the dark.

No, ma'am. The dark's all I know.

ISHAM: Go, go, go, go, go.

I'll fetch you water and I'll bring you something to eat.

You just stay quiet.

Remember, there's other people in this house now.

Come on. Come on.

(Horse whinnying softly)

?

The lamp was red!

You risked our lives!

What is the purpose of all of our precautions

and complex procedures if-if they are not respected?

?

MAN: The escape was not planned or prepared for.

I had no idea.

They led slave hunters

and their vicious dogs directly to my home!

I'm afraid word has spread that Church Hill is a safe haven.

Yeah, well, it wasn't safe last night.

In all these past several years in the Underground,

never have I been so terrified.

You're hidden in the shadows, protected.

I walk in the light, with all the eyes of Richmond upon me,

judging me.

I can square that right now.

No.

It is better for me to never know your identity.

This is my final run.

I'm sorry, but I am depleted.

I must now think...

of the safety of my family...

my mother.

I beg you to reconsider.

We are on the brink of a firestorm,

unlike this country's ever seen -

state against state, brother against brother.

And loyal patriots like us will be called upon

to do even more to preserve our nation.

There is no recourse.

It will require blood,

to wash this sin from our lives.

Not from me.

I've done enough. Find yourself another patriot.

(Man sighing)

If slavery be a sin, it is not ours.

It does not rest on our consent for its existence.

Slavery...

was established by decree of Almighty God,

sanctioned in the Bible from Genesis to Revelation,

where we are told it shall exist until the end of time.

- (Murmured agreement) - SECESSIONIST: Amen.

- (Glasses clinking) - Amen.

(Spitting)

Excuse me, gentlemen.

(Sighing)

Dear Lord, Jeff, who died?

We are woefully unprepared for war.

(Sighing)

The South pokes a hornet's nest and hands you the stick.

You must sit face-to-face with Mr. Lincoln

and find a way to avoid war.

This Federation of Secessionists is like a pack of wolves.

I can only lead them where they want to go.

Gentlemen...

I have been chosen to be

the Provisional President of the Confederacy.

(Secessionists cheering)

- Thank you. - (Secessionists applauding)

SECESSIONIST: Mr. President!

?

? Summer rain is falling down ?

? Faith and hope have both left town ?

? The wishing well is all wished out ?

? Fathers have to pay the price ?

? Mothers have to sacrifice ?

? Unanswered prayers cannot suffice ?

? To save their sons and daughters ?

? The winds of war are howling loud ?

? They knock down doors from house to house ?

? They sign us up and ship us out ?

? Like lambs to the slaughter ?

? These cotton fields won't hear our cries ?

? On battlefields of crimson tides ?

? God closed his eyes ?

? When we're baptized in ?

? Unholy water ?

? Unholy water ?

? Walking through this great divide ?

? Words are weapons, choose a side ?

? Hate loves hate and lies love lies ?

? Until you've lost the battles ?

? Let's pray today ain't judgement day ?

? Heaven knows there's hell to pay ?

? There's some things you can't wash away with... ?

? Unholy water ?

? Unholy water ?

? Say a prayer, hope for the best ?

? Before we lose whatever ?

? We collect ?

? Oh! ?

? Unholy water... ?

?

? Summer leaves falling down ?

? Faith and hope have both left town ?

? The wishing well is all wished out ?

? In this dirt I dig my grave ?

? With fire running through my veins ?

? The devil's gonna curse my name ?

? Unholy water... ?

? Unholy water... ?

? Say a prayer, hope for the best ?

? Before we lose whatever we collect ?

? Whoa! ?

? Unholy water... ?

?

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