Copyright 2004, 2011 by Ronald L. Ecker
All Rights Reserved
This online version has been divided into three Web pages.
FADE IN:
EXT. PLANTATION - DAY
A typical plantation of the early 19th-century South.
SUPERIMPOSE: "SOUTH CAROLINA, MARCH, 1812."
INT. STABLE - DAY
A few horses are in stalls. From one stall comes the sound
of HEAVY BREATHING.
ROSE (V.O.)
When are you gonna ask Master Hines
if we can get married?
INT. STALL - DAY
SIMON, 20, a handsome, jockey-sized African American,
smooches passionately with the pretty African American ROSE,
18, on some hay.
SIMON
Oh Rose, this ain't no time to
think about that.
ROSE
What do you mean?
SIMON
This ain't no time to think about
nothing.
Simon tries to keep smooching, but Rose wants an answer.
ROSE
When are you going to ask him?
SIMON
I almost did once, Rose, but the
time ain't right. What if he says
no, and sells one of us off just
for spite?
ROSE
Oh Simon --
SIMON
He's a mean man when you do
something he don't like.
Rose sees something with alarm, Simon not noticing as he
nibbles her neck.
SIMON
All his Bible reading don't mean
nothing.
Simon now sees what Rose sees -- the smirking white overseer
BURKE, 35, looking down at them.
INT. MANSION - LIBRARY - DAY
Plantation owner MR. HINES, 55, sits reading aloud from First
Corinthians in the Bible as Simon stands before him.
Standing behind Simon is Burke, still smirking.
HINES
(reads)
"What? Know ye not that your body
is the temple of the Holy Ghost?
Avoid fornication, let every man
have his own wife, and let every
woman have her own husband."
Hines sets down the Bible.
HINES
Now how long has this thing with
Rose been going on?
SIMON
I'm in love with Rose, Master
Hines. It ain't like we just
been -- what was that word -- ?
HINES
The word is "fornication." You
probably call it something else.
SIMON
Yes, sir, I reckon I do. Fact is,
Master Hines, sir, I been thinking
'bout marrying Rose. That way,
like the Good Book says, I'd have
my own wife, and --
HINES
So you're in love with Rose.
SIMON
Yes, sir, that's a fact.
HINES
You want to marry her.
SIMON
Yes, sir.
HINES
So you can raise a couple of runts
like yourself. Why didn't you ask
for permission?
SIMON
I was afraid, sir, that you would
say no, and -- and sell one of us
off, or -- or put me out in the
field, or --
HINES
Well you're a pretty smart fella,
Simon, because that's what I plan
to do.
SIMON
Sell one of us off, sir?
Hines rises and steps over to get a cigar.
HINES
No, boy, put you in the field. I
was planning on doing it sooner or
later.
SIMON
(appalled)
I'm gonna be a field hand? But,
Master, haven't I --
HINES
You've outgrown being a house
servant, Simon. You're about
twenty now, aren't you? It's
time to bring in a youngster.
I put it off, Simon, because of
your slight build. I have to
look after my black folks. What
do you say, Burke?
BURKE
A few days in the field oughta
toughen him up, Mister Hines.
I'll see that he does all right.
Hines lights his cigar.
HINES
Well and good. Or I could sell
you, Simon. You rather do that?
SIMON
No, sir, I --
HINES
I could sell you to one of them
horse-racing fellas. He'd want to
make you a jockey. I had one
ask me one time.
SIMON
I don't wanna leave here, sir. I
don't care about ridin' no hosses.
I don't much like to get near 'em.
HINES
Then it's settled. You be a good
field hand, Simon, and I might let
you and Rose get married. But for
now, you keep your hands off of
her, like a good Christian should.
SIMON
Yes, sir, Master Hines.
HINES
You are religious, aren't you, Simon?
SIMON
Yes, sir. In fact, at one Sunday
meetin', I almost -- I swear I come
this close -- to speaking in an
unknown tongue.
HINES
How did you know that, Simon?
SIMON
What can I tell ya? "The Lord
works in mysterious ways."
HINES
Well, you keep your hands off Rose.
And that's in the slave quarters
too. Now in the morning we'll have
a young-un here for you to teach
him your house chores.
INT. ENTRANCE HALL - DAY
Black slave DAVY, 14, looks the place over, Simon with him.
DAVY
Say, they don't call this the big
house for nothing.
SIMON
Come on, I'll show you around.
As they walk,
DAVY
Hey, Simon, you hear 'bout Solomon
running off last night?
SIMON
Yeah, I heard. He asked me if I
wanted to go with him --
(spitefully)
-- since I'm losing my job.
DAVY
What'd you tell him?
SIMON
That I'm staying here to get
married.
EXT. PLANTATION - DAY
In front of the mansion, overseer Burke and HINES' SON #1,
22, look off at something.
A 40-ish white SLAVE CATCHER and TWO HELPERS approach on
horses, with the 30-ish, well-built slave SOLOMON on foot,
hands tied behind his back.
INT. MANSION - KITCHEN - DAY
Davy spots a nice red apple.
A black cook and Rose are at work. Simon and Rose exchange
glances.
SIMON
Well, I don't know what else to
show ya. But the longer I show
ya, the longer I stay out of the
field.
Simon sees Davy pocket the apple.
SIMON
Hey, put that back.
DAVY
What for?
Simon takes the apple and puts it back where it was.
DAVY
It belongs to us as much as to
them. We growed it, didn't we?
Simon gets in Davy's face.
SIMON
If you don't take nothing, you
don't get caught taking it. It
ain't good to get caught. And you
ain't gettin' caught stealing while
you're in my custody. When I'm
gone, you can try stealing all
you want.
SON #1 (O.S.)
(yells from outside)
Hey, Paw, they're bringing that
Solomon back!
EXT. IN FRONT OF MANSION - DAY
Arriving, Solomon drops tiredly to his knees. The Slave
Catcher and Helpers pull up their horses behind him. Burke
and Son #1 stand watching.
Hines comes out of the house and walks over to Solomon. MRS.
HINES, 50, Simon, Davy, and Rose also come out.
HINES
What'd you run away for? Haven't I
been good to you?
Solomon remains silent, his eyes on the ground.
BURKE
Some of these bucks don't appreciate
nothing you do for 'em.
HINES
Take him to the quarters, Mister
Burke.
Solomon gets to his feet. Burke marches him toward the slave
quarters.
HINES
(to Slave Catcher)
How much you figure you're owed
for expenses?
CATCHER
Oh, five dollars.
HINES
(to Mrs. Hines)
Go get the man his money.
CATCHER
I need the reward money too, ma'am.
HINES
I didn't advertise any reward. He
would have come back on his own.
CATCHER
Some of 'em do, and some don't.
HINES
Well I didn't send for a slave
catcher.
CATCHER
That don't matter. I brung him
back. The law says I'm owed
twenty-five at the least. Now
you owe me thirty.
HINES
I don't owe you a thing but five
dollars, and that's all you're
getting.
Hines starts to turn away. The Catcher draws his double-barrel
flintlock pistol and holds it on Hines.
MRS. HINES
(frightened)
I'll bring thirty dollars.
Mrs. Hines heads for the house. Hines glares at the Catcher.
HINES
You are destined for jail, mister,
for armed robbery.
CATCHER
The law says I'm owed what I'm
owed. And this piece is just
backing me up.
The Catcher is hit in the side by a PISTOL SHOT.
Helper #1 FIRES his flintlock at the shooter, Hines's son,
who FIRES back (both missing). The Catcher SHOOTS Hines in
the chest.
MRS. HINES
No!
Mrs. Hines runs to the fallen Hines. Helper #1 grabs the
reins of the wounded Catcher's horse.
Simon looks at Hines bleeding in the arms of his wife, then
watches Helper #1 and the slumped-over Catcher gallop off
on their horses.
Scared Helper #2 raises his hands as Burke comes running
back, a pistol in hand.
HELPER #2
Look, I ain't done nothing. I had
nothing to do with this shooting.
EXT. PLANTATION - NIGHT
A somber SPIRITUAL can be heard from the slave quarters.
INT. MANSION - BEDROOM - NIGHT
Hines lies unconscious on his deathbed. Mrs. Hines, TWO
FRIENDS, Son #1, and SON #2 hold vigil. Rose sits on the
floor beside Mrs. Hines.
SLAVES (V.O.)
(sing spiritual)
INT. SLAVE CABIN - NIGHT
Solomon lies on his stomach on the ground by the cabin fire.
FEMALE SLAVE #1 washes blood from bullwhip cuts on his back.
SLAVES (V.O.)
(sing)
EXT. SLAVE QUARTERS - NIGHT
Several SLAVES sit around a fire outside the cabins, singing
while one of them, 50-ish ELIJAH, plays the banjo.
INT. MANSION - NIGHT
Coming out of the bedroom, Mrs. Hines is met by Simon.
SIMON
Is he going to die, Mrs. Hines?
MRS. HINES
Let us pray not. You're very fond
of Mister Hines, aren't you, Simon?
Simon seems unsure how to answer that.
SIMON
I hate to see any man die.
EXT. SLAVE QUARTERS - NIGHT
Simon sits gazing at the fire, and watching Elijah strum
chords on the banjo. Some of the others get up to head for
their cabins.
FEMALE SLAVE #2
What's gonna happen to us? When
that man dies, we all gonna be
sold off to God knows where.
MALE SLAVE #1
You don't know that. And he ain't
dead yet. Don't get everybody so
worried and all. Now let's go try
to sleep.
More slaves rise to go to their cabins.
FEMALE SLAVE #2
You ain't worried? They'll sell
our young-uns off here and our
menfolk off there, and we'll never
see 'em again.
FEMALE SLAVE #3
O Lord, no --
FEMALE SLAVE #4
I'd druther they shoot me just like
they did Mas'r Hines, than see my
children get sold.
FEMALE SLAVE #5
I feel like takin' mine an' headin'
for the woods right now.
Simon looks somberly at the banjo Elijah holds, no longer
playing it. Elijah seems lost thought.
SIMON
Elijah...
ELIJAH
Yeah, Simon?
SIMON
Teach me how to play that thing.
Elijah hands the banjo to Simon.
ELIJAH
Why sure, son. Why do you want to
learn now all of a sudden?
SIMON
So I can be like you, I reckon, and
play something when something needs
playing.
ELIJAH
Put your fingers like this. Now
strum that.
Simon strums.
ELIJAH
If anything happens to me, this
banjo is yours -- if you really
wanna learn how to play. Strum
that.
SIMON
What's gonna happen to you?
ELIJAH
(ignoring question)
Learnin' the banjo, Simon, is like
anything else. You've got to try
your best to learn it, then let the
Good Lord do the rest. If he wants
you to play that banjo, you'll play
it. Go ahead and strum now.
ROSE
Simon!
Rose comes hurrying to Simon. She's in tears.
ROSE
He just died, Simon.
Simon sets the banjo aside and holds Rose while she cries.
ROSE
What's going to happen to us? What
will they do with us now?
Others are crying now too, Elijah looking pensively at the
ground.
EXT. PLANTATION - DAY
White HIRED HAND #1, early 20s, stands with a musket in hand.
HIRED HAND #1
All right, you folks get on board.
TWO FAMILIES of slaves, six in all, climb aboard a wagon with
their few belongings, the Hired Hand standing by.
HIRED HAND #2, early 20s, sits ready to drive the wagon.
Simon, waiting to board last, a bundle under his arm, looks
at Rose, who stands watching with other slaves who are
staying. The overseer Burke is also present.
ELIJAH
Simon...
Elijah walks over and hands Simon the banjo.
ELIJAH
You almost forgot something.
(whispers)
I'm gonna be runnin', Simon. I
ain't gonna need it. You play them
chords that I taught you.
HIRED HAND #1
(to Simon)
Get on board.
Simon with the banjo boards the wagon.
HIRED HAND #1
Now I can tell y'all one thing.
It's a long way to Tennessee where
you're going. Anybody tries to
take off running --
(brandishes musket)
-- won't get to Nashville alive,
that's for sure.
Hired Hand #1 mounts his horse, which a young slave holds for
him.
HIRED HAND #1
We'll take you there dead, just
so's they'll know that we didn't
sell ya somewheres on the way.
Much obliged, Mister Burke!
BURKE
Just doin' my job. I ain't gonna
have it much longer.
HIRED HAND #1
You there with that banjo. You can
keep us entertained.
SIMON
I'm still a-learnin'. I don't play
good yet.
HIRED HAND #1
Let's go!
The wagon starts moving, the mounted Hired Hand following.
Simon and Rose gaze at each other as the distance grows
between them.
EXT. NASHVILLE - DAY
People move about on the unpaved main street.
SUPERIMPOSE: "NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE."
OVERLAP SOUND of Simon (V.O.) STRUMMING three chords on the
banjo.
An office sign reads "ROBERT C. FOSTER, ATTORNEY AT LAW."
INT. FOSTER'S OFFICE - LAW LIBRARY - DAY
Simon practices his strumming, a broomstick propped by a
bookshelf. He hears from the office,
FOSTER (O.S.)
Simon! Come here.
Simon rises with dread, setting aside the banjo.
INT. FOSTER'S OFFICE - DAY
Simon walks in from the adjoining library. Waiting behind
the office desk is lawyer ROBERT C. FOSTER, 40.
Sitting in front of the desk are COLONEL GEORGE ELLIOTT, 48,
and his white horse trainer ROSCOE, 45.
FOSTER
This is Colonel Elliott, Simon.
You answer his questions.
Rising, Elliott strolls around Simon to look him over.
ELLIOTT
Simon, is it? Those young clients
of yours, they inherited this boy
from who?
FOSTER
An uncle in South Carolina. I've
hired out the others. This one is
yours if you want him.
ELLIOTT
If we're going to train him, I'd
rather buy the fella outright.
FOSTER
They won't mind, long as they get
the money. And selling is less
trouble for me.
ELLIOTT
South Carolina... Boy, you ever done
any racing or horseback riding?
SIMON
No, sir.
Elliott sits down.
ELLIOTT
Why not? You're sure as hell built
for it.
SIMON
Master Hines, he didn't believe in
bettin' on horses, and fornicatin'
and all.
FOSTER
What did you say?
SIMON
Master Hines, he was extra religious.
He read the Bible to me a lot.
That's where I learnt that word.
ELLIOTT
I've got nothing against it myself.
Betting on horses, I mean.
ROSCOE
Me neither.
ELLIOTT
Would you like to be a jockey, boy?
SIMON
I'm a house servant, sir. I been
one for years. I'm good at it.
I can play the banjo too. I just
need some more practice. I don't
know nothin' 'bout ridin' no hosses.
ELLIOTT
We'll teach you what you don't
know. Anybody can play the banjo
must be a good learner. What do
you think of him, Roscoe?
ROSCOE
Yessir, he's got the right size,
and he seems like a smart one too.
I might would buy him myself if I
could.
INT. JOCKEYS' QUARTERS (ELLIOTT'S FARM) - DAY
A white jockey named SMITTY, about 30, shaves in a mirror.
Roscoe brings in Simon, who carries his bundle and banjo.
ROSCOE
This here's Simon, Smitty. He's
gonna be bunking with you, if you
don't mind.
SMITTY
Long as he stays out of my things.
ROSCOE
The colonel don't wanna throw him
in the quarters.
(to Simon)
You be at the stable in five
minutes, hear? I'm gonna put you
on a horse.
Roscoe leaves. Simon picks out a bunk.
SIMON
I can see me on a hoss.
SMITTY
You mean you ain't never rode one?
SIMON
No, I ain't.
Smitty chuckles.
SMITTY
I can see I'm gonna have some
competition! Yessir, I think I'll
stay on this job for awhile.
SIMON
How many more jockeys be here?
SMITTY
Right now, just me and you. The
last nigger the colonel had ridin',
he didn't work out.
EXT. ELLIOTT'S FARM - RACETRACK - DAY
Circling the track, Simon rides up on a filly to where Roscoe
stands waiting.
ROSCOE
Simon, you've got to keep the right
posture like I showed you.
SIMON
Yes, sir.
ROSCOE
You're gonna give that hoss back
sores. Can't I learn you nothing?
SIMON
This hoss ain't the one with the
back sores, sir.
INT. JOCKEYS' QUARTERS - DAY
Simon and Smitty eat lunch. Simon looks sullen.
SMITTY
You need to look at it this way,
Simon. You ain't racin' for the
white man that owns you, just so's
he can win. You need to race for
yourself. Me, I'm gettin' paid, so
to me it's a job. But you -- well,
there ain't many slaves get to have
as much fun as you.
SIMON
Yeah, I'm havin' me lots of fun.
SMITTY
You got things to learn, and for a
slave you're damn lucky.
(MORE)
You ought to make the best of it,
'stead of acting so bitter.
SIMON
You don't know what it's like to
have somebody own you.
SMITTY
Well, you win enough races, maybe
nobody'll own you no more.
Simon looks at him quizzically.
SIMON
What are you talking about?
SMITTY
You buying your freedom.
SIMON
You mean I could do that?
SMITTY
I've heard of slaves doing it. What
you win for the colonel, see, could
go toward buying yourself.
Simon looks enthralled by the idea.
SMITTY
Of course, the first thing you gotta
do is win some damn races.
EXT. ELLIOTT'S FARM - RACETRACK - DAY
Roscoe stands watching Simon run a race against Smitty, whose
horse holds a short lead over Simon's filly.
Elliott walks up beside Roscoe to watch.
ELLIOTT
That Simon's doing all right, ain't
he, Roscoe?
ROSCOE
That he is, Colonel. Today he said
the sooner he starts winning races,
the better.
ELLIOTT
Sounds good to me.
Simon beats Smitty in the race by a length.
Smitty rides over to Simon, who has reined in his filly.
SMITTY
Who the hell do you think you are,
showing me up in front of the
colonel?
SIMON
I'm a jockey belong to the colonel,
what do you think I am?
SMITTY
You're one of them niggers that
don't know his place, boy.
SIMON
One day your white ass is gonna
call me that one time too often.
Simon rides off, Smitty resentfully watching him.
EXT. MAIN HOUSE - PORCH - NIGHT
Smitty sits waiting. He rises as Elliott comes out with a
drink in his hand. Elliott is about half-drunk.
ELLIOTT
What is it, Smitty?
SMITTY
I'm sorry to bother you, sir,
but...
ELLIOTT
Well that's what you're doing.
What is it?
SMITTY
I found out something, sir, that --
well, I guess you oughta know
about. 'Bout Simon, sir. He
confided something to me.
ELLIOTT
Well out with it! He's not gonna
know that you told me. What do you
care anyway? He's just a damn slave.
SMITTY
Yes, sir. I've taken a liking to
him, but... He plans to talk to you
'bout buying his freedom, by counting
what he wins toward payment.
I thought I should tell you, 'cause --
If you don't agree to him buying his
freedom, well, sir, I figure he
ain't gonna be worth a hoot to you.
Elliott looks mad.
SMITTY
I sorta hate to see you and Roscoe
invest time in somebody who ain't
gonna work out.
ELLIOTT
Hell, it's not just the time. I
invested three hundred dollars in
that little bastard.
(turns to go in, then)
Thanks for telling me, Smitty.
Elliott goes in the house. Smitty looks pleased with
himself.
INT. JOCKEY'S QUARTERS - DAY
Simon sits making calculations, based on a value figure of
$1,000, on a piece of paper with a red cedar pencil.
Smitty comes in. He walks over to see what Simon's doing.
SMITTY
You know arithmetic, Simon?
SIMON
Sure do.
Smitty strolls over to his bunk.
SMITTY
Where'd you go to school?
SIMON
Miz Hines of South Carolina learnt
me.
SMITTY
I got some bad news, Simon.
SIMON
What's that?
SMITTY
You been sold. It's a damn shame
too. I'm gonna miss your banjo
picking.
Simon sits stunned, Smitty enjoying it behind Simon's back.
EXT. HAYNIE PLANTATION - DAY
JESSIE HAYNIE, 45, lights a cigar as he stands in front of
the big house and waits. His white overseer GRADY, 40, and
Simon ride up on horses.
Simon and Grady dismount. Simon presents himself before
Haynie.
GRADY
(to Simon)
This is Captain Jessie Haynie of
the West Tennessee militia. He's
your new owner.
HAYNIE
You come highly recommended, Simon.
Now I hope you don't disappoint me.
SIMON
I try to do good, sir. But Cap'n
Haynie, I hope you ain't planning
on making me no house servant.
HAYNIE
Why, you'd probably make a good
house servant, Simon.
SIMON
I told folks I was a good 'un, sir --
and I wasn't lying 'bout it neether.
It's just that I wasn't really as
good a house servant as I thought
I was.
HAYNIE
What would you like to do, Simon?
SIMON
Why, I'd like to be a jockey, sir.
That's what I was doing at the
colonel's.
HAYNIE
That's why I bought you from him,
boy. To ride horses. The colonel
said that you were making good
progress.
Simon frowns quizzically.
SIMON
He did? If I was making good
progress, then how come he sold me?
HAYNIE
He said he had another black boy
that could be even better than you.
SIMON
Then how come I never seen him?
HAYNIE
The colonel wasn't telling the
truth?
SIMON
Why that --
Simon catches himself. He seems to search for words.
SIMON
I ain't saying he was lying, sir,
but he didn't give me no chance, no
chance to prove how good I can be.
(with determination)
And I can tell you one thing, sir.
I'm gonna be good all right. I'm
gonna win you races, Cap'n Haynie,
like there ain't no tomorrow. And
there ain't no hosses I'd rather
beat than the colonel's. And
that's the God's truth! And any
other hosses too, of course. You
ain't gonna regret buying me.
Haynie smiles broadly.
HAYNIE
You know what, boy? It just may be
that you were a steal at four hundred
dollars. Come on with me, I want to
show you something.
INT. STABLE - DAY
Haynie introduces Simon to a fine-looking 3-year-old MARE.
HAYNIE
This here's Haynie's Maria.
Simon admiringly pets Maria.
SIMON
Haynie's part of her name, sir?
HAYNIE
That's right. Before, she was just
Maria. Now she's Haynie's. Lord
knows, she cost me enough. Simon,
have you ever heard of General
Andrew Jackson?
SIMON
No, sir.
HAYNIE
West Tennessee militia -- and the
troops may soon get called up,
because there's going to be war.
SIMON
War against who, sir?
HAYNIE
Why, the British, the way they've
been acting. They've been fighting
the French, but while they're at
it, they been seizing our ships.
SIMON
That don't sound right.
HAYNIE
It's not! What we need is a second
war of independence.
SIMON
You mean there's already been one?
(on Haynie's look)
Just joking with you, Cap'n. I've
heard there was one.
Simon keeps petting Maria, who likes it.
HAYNIE
They been treating this country like
dirt. Anyway, General Jackson's got
a new horse, named Decatur. He's the
son of Jackson's horse Truxton, the
winningest stallion in West Tennessee.
And now I've got Haynie's Maria.
Simon seems to pay more attention to Maria than to Haynie.
HAYNIE
You come listen to me.
Haynie leads Simon away from the horse.
HAYNIE
There's a race being set up for
July, boy, at Jackson's track, over
at Clover Bottom. You listening?
SIMON
Yes, sir.
HAYNIE
It'll be Decatur's first race --
and General Jackson thinks he's got
him another Truxton. I aim to see
Maria win that race. You want to
ride her?
SIMON
Yes, sir.
HAYNIE
We'll see, then. Twixt now and
that race, you're going to have
to show me you can do it.
EXT. JACKSON'S RACETRACK - DAY
The grandstand is filled with white gentry, with slaves
on the grass by the track or sitting on the fence.
Two jockeys, one white and one black, finish a heat on
their horses.
SUPERIMPOSE: "CLOVER BOTTOM, TENNESSEE, JULY, 1812."
ANDREW JACKSON, 45, tall and thin, moves to his seat.
Already seated are his attractive wife RACHEL, 37, and
4-year-old ANDREW JR. The Elliotts sit nearby.
Jackson shakes hands with GENTLEMAN #1 and sits down.
GENTLEMAN #2 calls to him,
GENTLEMAN #2
General Jackson, sir, when's Tennessee
going after those British up north?
JACKSON
When Washington tells me to muster
our troops, sir.
GENTLEMAN #2
But war was declared a month ago,
sir. What's going on?
JACKSON
They apparently feel they don't
need us up there. And they're
keeping one eye on the Gulf.
GENTLEMAN #3
Good luck with Decatur, General!
JACKSON
Thank you, sir.
GENTLEMAN #4
If he runs like his daddy Truxton, he
won't need no luck!
Simon, in cap, silk shirt, and buckskin pants like the other
jockeys, walks along the side of the track, acknowledging
encouragement from slaves at the fence.
DAVY
Simon! Simon from the Hines
plantation!
Simon is surprised to see Davy, who was going to replace him
as a house servant. They shake hands.
SIMON
Davy! What are you doing here?
DAVY
I wound up with that same lawyer
you did. He let me hire out to the
Sheffields, that's who I works for.
But I still belong to them young-uns
in Nashville.
SIMON
The house servant Rose, do you know
what happened to her?
DAVY
I believe she and some others wound
up with some Hineses in Loueesiana.
SIMON
New Awlens?
DAVY
Nah, it was some other name. Damn,
I can't remember. You still got
that banjo?
SIMON
I sure do.
HAYNIE
Simon! Get over here!
SIMON
Elijah, who gave me the banjo --
did he run away like he said he
was?
DAVY
He sure did. And you know what?
He must still be running, 'cause
nobody heard nothing 'bout him.
SIMON
Good to see ya, Davy.
DAVY
You too, Simon. You win this race
now!
Jackson in the grandstand watches Simon mount Haynie's Maria.
JACKSON
I see Haynie's got a black jockey
too on Maria.
ELLIOTT
A boy named Simon, from South Carolina.
He'd never seen a horse till he got
to my farm. I sold him to Haynie.
GENTLEMAN #4
They don't have horses in South
Carolina?
ELLIOTT
They've got 'em, he just wasn't
paying much attention.
On the track, Haynie steps over to Simon, aboard Maria. Other
jockeys and trainers are in b.g.
HAYNIE
You listen to me, Simon. That
Decatur is General Jackson's
pride and joy, and this three-year
old beauty is mine. This is the
maiden voyage of Haynie's Maria,
and you're gonna sail her home to
victory. Aren't you, boy?
SIMON
Yes, sir.
HAYNIE
I'm headin' for the grandstand, boy.
LATER
Haynie sits down by his wife MRS. HAYNIE, 45, in the
grandstand.
GENTLEMAN #5
Captain Haynie, you and the general
got a side bet going?
HAYNIE
We sure do. That Decatur's got me
worried, though, I wouldn't lie.
Rachel looks at Jackson, who says nothing.
Eight jockeys on their mounts are lined up for the first
heat. Simon on Haynie's Maria is beside Jackson's BLACK
JOCKEY #1 on DECATUR.
The starter FIRES his flintlock pistol, and the horses are
off.
The Jacksons and others watch, many urging on their
favorites.
RACHEL
How much have you bet, Andrew?
JACKSON
We're not going lose the farm.
We're not even going to lose
this race.
Decatur takes the lead. Haynie's Maria moves up to second.
JACKSON
That-a-way, Decatur. Come on, boy.
In the stretch Decatur's lead starts evaporating. Simon
moves right on by him on Haynie's Maria.
They cross the finish line. Haynie jumps to his feet with a
whoop.
GENTLEMAN #6
Haynie's Maria!
Rachel looks at Jackson.
JACKSON
That's only one heat.
LATER
Decatur beats Haynie's Maria by a length in the second heat.
Jackson happily slaps his knee and hugs Andrew Jr.
GENTLEMAN #7
Well, now we'll find out who's got
how much left.
LATER
The starter's pistol FIRES again.
Jackson watches helplessly as Simon on Haynie's Maria leads
all the way in the third heat.
Haynie celebrates, with many applauding.
RACHEL
How much, Andrew?
INT. MANSION PARLOR (HAYNIE'S PLANTATION) - DAY
Haynie and some fellow gentlemen sit talking about war while
drinking mint juleps.
HAYNIE
The first thing we ought to do,
before the British have time to
strike on the Gulf, is to march
into Florida and kick out the
Spanish.
INTERCUT WITH:
INT. HALLWAY - DAY
Simon sits waiting outside the parlor. He can hear the talk
through the open door.
GENTLEMAN #8
Why not? We can do that and take
Canada too.
GENTLEMAN #9
That's right. The British can't
spare enough men to be striking the
Gulf yet.
INT. PARLOR - DAY
Haynie, fixing another mint julep, stands waiting alone as
Simon enters, a black house servant leaving.
HAYNIE
You wanted to see me, Simon?
SIMON
Yes, sir, Cap'n Haynie.
HAYNIE
Go ahead and have a seat, boy.
SIMON
(sits down)
Thank you, sir.
HAYNIE
Now what is it you want to talk
about?
Simon rises.
SIMON
I have a proposition, sir, that I'd
like to present.
HAYNIE
Sounds like serious business. Sit
on back down there and present it.
SIMON
(sits down again)
Yes, sir. I won for you good
yestiddy.
HAYNIE
That you did, son, that you did.
SIMON
And I can win more for you, sir,
plenty more, on whatever hoss I'm
on. Specially when I've got some
incent-a-tive.
HAYNIE
Do you mean incentive?
SIMON
That's what I mean, sir. I'd like
a cut of what I win to go toward
buying my freedom. And I'll win
you race after race.
HAYNIE
How much do you reckon you're
worth?
SIMON
Let's say fifteen hundred dollars.
That's more than --
HAYNIE
Fifteen hundred? I'd say more like
two thousand.
SIMON
Let's say seventeen fifty.
Haynie looks surprised and concerned.
HAYNIE
You know math pretty good.
SIMON
And you pay me one hundred dollars
each time I win --
Simon rises to pace, full of nervous energy.
SIMON
-- in addition to the ten that I'm
getting. But you don't give me
the one hundred dollars, you let
it count toward my purchase price,
till I done won my manumission.
Have we got a deal, sir?
HAYNIE
One hundred dollars a win? Whew!
Plus ten?
SIMON
You don't give me the hundred,
Cap'n Haynie, you just count it
aside. It's imaginary payment.
The money's still yours when
I'm free.
HAYNIE
Well that's mighty kind of you.
Simon sits down.
SIMON
It's the only fair thing, Cap'n
Haynie, or I won't never get free.
HAYNIE
And if I say no, there won't be
any deal, you'd still win for me,
wouldn't you? For pride and
because that's your job. Because
it's your duty to win. Isn't that
right?
Simon looks a bit taken aback.
SIMON
Yes, sir, I'd still try to win.
Sure it's a matter of pride. I
take pride in being a jockey.
It don't get much better for a
slave than riding a hoss like
Haynie's Maria, against hosses
of men like the general. I'm just
saying, sir, that with that extra
incentive, why, I'd just be trying
all the harder. 'Cause nothing
ain't worth more than freedom.
Haynie frowns.
HAYNIE
Is that the way you feel, Simon,
about your station in life? That
nothing is worth more than freedom?
SIMON
Well, not being free... You'd have
to be there, sir, to know what it
feels like. Meaning no disrespect.
HAYNIE
That ain't no kind of attitude,
Simon. Don't you know that slavery
is basic to civilized society?
Haynie rises to pace, drink in hand.
HAYNIE
It's the very nature of man that
the strong and the wise should
control the weak and the ignorant.
I'm not saying you're ignorant,
but you know what I mean.
SIMON
Yes, sir, I know what you mean.
Cap'n Haynie, if I was free, I
could still ride for you. You'd
have to pay me something, of
course, 'cause I'd have a living
to make. But I'd still love to
ride. But by then, sir, you'll
have won lots of money -- my
freedom would be paid for many
times over -- and --
HAYNIE
All right, Simon, I hear you.
Haynie sits down. Mrs. Haynie enters and walks over to
listen.
HAYNIE
You caught me in a generous mood,
it looks like. We'll strike a deal --
seventeen fifty at one hundred
dollars a win, for your
manumission. 'Cause I want you to
win, boy, you take that incentive.
In exchange for this deal, see, you
better win -- that's what you just
said, right, you're gonna win me
some money -- or I'm going to be
mighty displeased.
SIMON
Yes, sir!
HAYNIE
Now you go on, boy. I've got
things to do.
SIMON
(rises)
Yes, sir. Thank you again, Cap'n
Haynie. How are you, Miz Haynie,
ma'am?
Mrs. Haynie nods to Simon. Simon leaves. Haynie rises with
his drink.
MRS. HAYNIE
You're going to let that slave buy
his freedom?
HAYNIE
Well, I'll let him think that I am,
if he wants to think it.
Haynie finishes his drink.
MRS. HAYNIE
That's rather cruel, Jessie, if he
thinks what isn't true.
HAYNIE
If it'll make him win us more
races, there's nothing cruel about
it a-tall.
MRS. HAYNIE
What will he say when you --
HAYNIE
He's a slave! He's not going to
say anything that matters one bit
in this world. That boy needs to
learn -- and maybe you do too --
that we all have a station in life.
Haynie walks over to pour straight liquor in his emptied
glass.
HAYNIE
That boy comes in here with high
notions of freedom. The Creator
didn't intend for every man to be
free. No man was ever born free --
we're all born in utter dependence.
And no two men were ever born
equal.
Haynie walks over to his wife with his drink.
HAYNIE
The Negroes are peculiarly suited
for their station in life -- and
have the security of their masters'
own interests.
MRS. HAYNIE
(firmly)
Then tell him that. But don't lie
to him about letting him win his
way to freedom.
Haynie slaps her.
HAYNIE
You're forgetting your place too,
woman. That's just a reminder.
Now get out of here.
Mrs. Haynie holds the side of her face. She walks off
toward the door.
Go to Part 2
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