I need to get this baby out.
One, two, three.
Dana…
…this is too hard.
Do you want a hint?
W-- Why can't you just read to me?
I could, but you need to learn to read on your own.
Why?
Because it's important.
Maybe we're going too fast, yeah?
Let's, um--
Hey.
Do you wanna come closer so you can see?
You know, if you both learn, you can write to each other.
Come on. Show Carrie what you can do.
It's the letter M. What sound does the letter M make?
Mmm.
Good!
Good, okay, and the next one?
Uh.
Carrie. Carrie?
You must be crazier than I thought.
Luke asked me to teach Nigel how to read.
-I thought Carrie might wanna learn-- -Carrie, come here.
Carrie.
You're the only one who really understands her.
What happens when you're gone?
Ever since you 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.
He know what 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 Ms. Dana again. You hear me?
Now go.
You got any sense, you run along too
'cause you lucky it was me and not Marse Tom, or that evil Jake.
Your father and this one gonna get you killed…
or worse.
It's okay, Nigel. Nothing bad is gonna happen.
We'll do more tomorrow.
Okay.
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.
Yeah, but how long will that take?
I just-- I don't feel like I've done everything I came here to do.
You were brought here to save Rufus' 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.
What a very fine young man you've become.
Every year, he looks more like our father.
And this is Mr. Franklin.
Mr. Franklin. What-- 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?
Oh, no. I return to Baltimore tomorrow.
I'd hate to deprive Rufus of his bed for too many nights,
seeing as the guest room is occupied.
Kevin, Rufus. May, what a pleasant surprise.
It's not a surprise. We planned this visit for months.
Yes, well, must have slipped my mind.
Uh, 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.
Maggie. Maggie.
A horse? Like, to ride?
You planned this knowing my sister is to visit.
Do you see how inconsiderate you are?
I will be meeting a few other planters in Easton.
Rufus is old enough to be learning a few things.
What business must be done today, besides drinking?
Hush, woman.
A pity. I so hoped to spend at least some of this time with my nephew.
Yeah, we'll only be gone half the day.
Your horse, Mr. Franklin.
I got-- Whoo-- I got it. Okay.
Uh, s-should Dana ride with me or--
Nonsense. This trip is for men. Let's go.
It's just a few hours, okay? Stay close to Rufus.
Mr. Franklin!
My sister and I desire tea in the parlor. Fetch it for us now.
Uh-- Oh, I-I-- Actually, I--
-I told Mr. Franklin I would-- -You and I both know that's not true.
Tea. Now.
Ms. Margaret and her sister want tea.
You know where the kettle is.
Fuck.
Where are we?
This is where your father grew up.
Where my daddy first taught me how to till the soil.
Taught us.
Ain't that right, Luke?
-Master William was a fine planter. -Mm-hmm.
I was half your age, Son, when he failed to return from battle.
You two grew up together here?
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 of my own.
Died of fever.
Can Nigel and I go play?
Yeah, go ahead, Son.
The 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 will be under your charge.
Go ahead, grab a handful. Tell me how you find its prospects.
You don't need to touch it to see the land's 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.
You 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.
Yeah, I'm aware,
but there's nothing more tiresome than a melancholy slave.
Oh, thank you.
My sister is upstairs, freshening up with the mute.
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.
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.
It's cold.
-I'm sorry, I-- I'll-- I'll go get-- -No, 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.
You can fetch me a proper cup.
Hey, Willie.
Come on, Son.
That's a boy.
Go along, now and fetch my order at the printer.
Yes, sir.
Hey.
I heard about Celeste.
I wanted to check and see if you're feeling all right.
No, I'm not all right.
You worrying about me, that ain't good for anybody.
Mr. Franklin.
Where are we, Daddy?
Oh, it's a momentous occasion.
You, my son, are getting your first proper shave.
As are you. I need my company looking distinguished.
My 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 pockets.
Master Weylin. Master Weylin.
I don't got no whiskers. What'll they shave?
Yeah, don't worry. Uh, I think shaving makes your whiskers grow sometimes.
I don't know. I read that once.
Put them up front with your father.
-Yes, sir. -Meet me at the barber when you're done.
Tea was too cold, huh?
Benjamin.
Tommy, my boy.
-Ben. How are you, sir? -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?
Get up, Son.
I'm Rufus Weylin, sir.
Rufus Weylin, I did not recognize you beneath all of that shaving cream.
-No school today? -No more school for me.
Learning the planter business. Ain't that right, Daddy?
Indeed, Son.
-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 shoeshine.
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.
I had Nancy take care of their tea.
Now you can go on and get.
'Cause ain't no reason you got to be up in here.
Maybe, uh, Rufus shouldn't be drinking.
And why not?
Because you're 12.
I had my fair share of drink at his age. Part of the business.
-Yeah, it's part of the business, Kevin. -Mm-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' downfall.
I jest. I jest. Lighten up.
-We're celebrating. -What?
I just made a great deal with Benjamin.
What'd you do?
Well, I had something he wanted… …that I didn't need anymore.
-Uh, no. -Thank you. Thank you.
How about that, Rufus? Handsome, don't you think?
I don't know.
You're not looking, Son.
She's all right.
All right. You see a woman like that, you look, but you don't marry.
Why not?
Because she's below you.
I-- I don't even wanna get married.
Now, all men must find a wife.
Kevin didn't.
You don't wanna end up like Kevin did.
Yes, I do. Kevin has Dana.
-That's not what your dad means, Rufus. -Dana's a slave, Rufus.
-N-No, she's not. She's special. -Rufe!
Think you've had too much to drink.
I have not!
Yes, I quite agree.
Nigel will deliver you home. Go on, he's outside.
-N-- No, but I-I-- -Leave. Before you embarrass me further.
There's your quality time between father and son.
I can't say it feels right.
He's been coddled by women his whole life.
Should've 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,
but 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?
Mmm.
Now drink, Mr. Franklin.
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?
It's ghastly. Maggie is too humiliated to tell me such things.
She knows I never liked Tom.
That man is a heathen and a drunkard who can barely spell his own name.
Dana, can you help me with Master Rufus?
Rufus! What-- What happened?
Marse Rufus just had too much whiskey, that's all.
Rufus!
-Rufus! What's wrong? Where's Tom? -He's okay, he's just drunk.
-Drunk? -I feel sick.
Who did this? Was it your father?
-Well, of course it was his father. -Rufus?
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?
Just-- Don't say that!
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?
This is just too much.
I have duties to uphold. Obligations.
It rips me in two to see you like this.
This misery.
Time has come to do something.
Uh, please, leave us alone for a while.
Oh, honey.
No.
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, uh-- An account-- A bookkeeper.
Yet you have no books to keep.
You know, I was-- I was thinking, um,
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 it 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. -You're not?
The show must be starting.
The show?
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.
Gentlemen!
Place your bets. Place your bets.
We've got three rounds tonight. Starting with the lovely Jane.
Come on, Franklin.
First up is Jane.
How long will the Negress last before she is conquered?
Please! No, please!
Go on! Get her.
Stop. Please, stop. Please, just stop.
Please, you don't have to do this. Stop. Just stop. Just stop.
Kevin.
Shall we go?
Where's Luke?
He doesn't belong to me anymore.
He won't be returning with us.
Can Dana come with us?
-No, Rufus. -What's going on?
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! Come! 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.
Great.
They best get going now.
Rufus, sit up.
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. -My sister can do as she pleases.
Do not think I will save you from being trampled if you insist on impeding us.
-He has to stay. -What on earth are you doing?
-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-I can't explain it to you right now.
But I-I can promise you I'm here to protect him.
Oh, 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!
-I am not-- Margaret, I am not the devil. -Begone!
-Demon! Begone! -Margaret. Please, please, please.
-You will not take him from me! -Rufus! Rufus! Rufus!
Rufus!
No, no, no, no, no, no, no, no! Rufus!
No!
I wouldn't get too sentimental about Luke.
He needed to see just how good he had it with me.
Mr. Franklin.
What?
You seem ill-tempered.
Well, 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 tastes.
Are you talking about Dana?
So it's just as Rufus said.
I don't 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.
Do not compare me to you.
I would never feel love for such creatures.
It would be a cruelty onto them.
Ah, wouldn't you?
Wouldn't I what?
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 gotta 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.
Where's Kevin?
Margaret? Where are you?
Margaret?
She's gone.
Gone where?
To Baltimore with May.
They took Rufus.
They did what?
Chrissake.
Where's Kevin?
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.
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? -Earlier today in Easton.
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.
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.
-What about Margaret? -Leave her.
Nosy bitch. What are you doing standing there?
No, it's all right, Jake.
Let her come in here.
Where's Mr. Franklin?
What an odd thing you are. How old are you?
Twenty-six.
You've been with child before? Yes?
What do you think of Mr. Franklin as a master?
Excuse me?
Well, you must tire of his instability.
A master without a home is 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.
Did you do something to him?
He will return when he returns. Or maybe he won't.
And fool you are to expect anything else from that louse.
You really are a loyal breed, aren't you? Do you even know what's good for you?
Leave my sight.
Hello?
Don't open that.
Mr. Franklin.
Oh, my God. Winnie, you-- You're still here?
Don't let her out.
I was just hoping I-I could stretch my legs for a little bit.
Okay. Yeah.
Are you-- Are you okay?
May I have a glass of water?
Yeah, yeah. Yeah, sure.
You okay?
Holy shit.
You have to go get her.
Shit, shit, shit. Winnie!
Kevin.
Sarah, what are you doing here?
Marse 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'd never step foot in the house.
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?
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 master is.
But it sound like he ticked Master Tom off something fierce.
And I don't imagine that he's gonna be
risking his life to come back around here for you.
What do you mean by that?
No, no, no, no. Winnie!
Winnie!
Marse Tom own you now.