IMSDb (2015) '12-Years-a-Slave' at: http://www.imsdb.com/scripts/12-Years-a-Slave.html [accessed 10/3/15]
12 YEARS A SLAVE
Written by
John Ridley
CARD: 1841
FADE IN:
1 INT. TOWNHOUSE/STUDY - DAY 1
-EARLY APRIL, 1841-
We are close on a PAIR OF BLACK HANDS as they open A
FINELY WRAPPED PACKET OF VIOLIN STRINGS.
WE CUT TO the hands stringing a VIOLIN. It's not a high
end piece, but it is quite nice.
WE CUT TO a wide shot of the study. Sitting in a chair
with violin in hand is SOLOMON NORTHUP; a man in his late
twenties. Everything about Solomon, his mien and manner,
is distinguished. But he, too, seems a hardy individual.
Someone who has known manual labor in his time.
Solomon begins to lightly play his violin, as if testing
the strings, their tuning. Satisfied, Solomon begins to
play vigorously. As he does, we make a HARD CUT TO:
INT. HOUSE/LIVING ROOM - EVENING
We come in on a lively affair. A dinner party is being
thrown within the confines of a fairly stately house. In
attendance are EIGHT COUPLES. All are WHITE and all are
FAIRLY YOUNG, in their early twenties. The men and women
are dressed in very fine attire. We should get the sense
that for the most part they are people of means.
The furniture has been set aside in the living room. At
the moment the couples are engaged in the dancing of a
REEL.
The music they are dancing to is being played by Solomon,
having cut directly from the tune he was previously
playing. He plays with a light determination, and in no
way seems possessed with empty servitude.
Solomon concludes the reel, and the dancers break into
enthusiastic applause, which is followed by personal
thanks and congratulations from all. It should be clear
that despite their respective races there is much
admiration and appreciation for Solomon's abilities.
INT. NORTHUP HOUSE/BEDROOM - MORNING
It is a Saturday morning. Clad in her finest attire is
ANNE; Solomon's wife, a few years younger than he. We
see also the Northup children: MARGARET who is eight, and
ALONZO who is five. They are handsome, and well groomed
kids. Anne straightens up the children. She finishes,
(CONTINUED)
2.
3 CONTINUED: 3
she rises up and stands behind them, almost as if
preparing to pose for a portrait.
They all wait a moment, then Solomon enters the foyer.
He stands and looks admiringly at his family. ADMIRINGLY
stressed. It isn't that he doesn't have love for them,
he does as well. But in the moment, he truly admires his
greatest accomplishment: a family that is healthy and
well and provided for. He goes to his children, and
hands each a coin, then goes to Anne. Gives her a kiss
on the cheek. The children giggle at the sight.
EXT. STREET - DAY
Solomon and his family are out walking along the streets
and groves of Saratoga.
The streets are well populated this morning with many
people out strolling. Most are WHITE, but there are
BLACKS as well. They are FREED BLACKS who mingle fairly
easily - though not always completely - with the whites.
We see, too, a few BLACK SLAVES who travel with their
WHITE MASTERS. These pairings are largely from the south
and - despite the fact the blacks are slaves - they are
not physically downtrodden, not field hands. They are
well dressed and "leading apparently an easy life" -
comparatively speaking - as they trail their masters.
As they walk, Solomon and his family arrive to an
intersection well-worn and muddied from horse and cart
traffic. Solomon and his children easily jump across the
muck. Anne stands at the lip of the puddle, calls for
Solomon to help her across.
ANNE
Solomon...
Solomon, turning back to his wife with a broad smile
waving her forward:
SOLOMON
Come, Anne. Jump.
The children, now smiling as well, egg their mother on.
ALONZO MARGARET
Jump. You can make it. I've done it. You can make
it.
ANNE
I will not ruin my dress. Catch
me!
Solomon moves close, holds out his arms. Yet, there's
still just a bit of mischievousness in his eyes. Anne
gives her husband a lightly stern look to which Solomon
replies.
(CONTINUED)
3.
SOLOMON
I will catch you, Anne.
(BEAT)
I will.
Again, lightly stern:
ANNE
You will.
And with that Anne takes the leap. Solomon catches her,
swings her around grandly and sets her down lightly to
the delighted applause of the children. That done,
Solomon takes Anne's hand and leads her on.
As Solomon and his family make their way, among the
slaves on the street, we see one in particular; JASPER.
As he trails his MASTER he can't help but note Solomon
and his family as they enter A STORE. His intrigue of
this most handsome and harmonious group should be
obvious.
With his Master occupied, Jasper moves slyly toward the
STORE. Frozen on the spot, Jasper looks on admiringly.
Suddenly a voice barks out-
A VOICE (O.S.)
Jasper! Come on!
INT. STORE - LATER
We are inside the store of MR. CEPHAS PARKER; a white man
and a supplier of general goods. Solomon greets him
WITH:
SOLOMON
Mr. Parker.
PARKER
Mr. Northup. Mrs. Northup.
With money in hand the Northup children move quickly
about the store looking for items to purchase.
CONTINUED:
Anne looks over some silks and fabrics. Parker suggests
TO SOLOMON:
PARKER (CONT'D)
A new cravat, Solomon? Pure silk
by way of the French.
SOLOMON
We are in need of a fresh carry
all for the Mrs's travels.
PARKER
A year's passed? Off to Sandy
Hill?
ANNE
I am.
Using a long pole, Mr. Parker fetches down a CARRY ALL
from an upper shelf.
PARKER
Something to suit your style, but
sturdy enough for the forty miles
round trip.
Handing the Bag to Anne, she is immediately taken by it.
ANNE
It's beautiful.
SOLOMON
(CAUTIOUSLY)
At what price?
ANNE
We will take it. Children, come
see what your father has just
purchased for me.
As the children run over - chattering excitedly about the
new gift - they RUN PAST JASPER who has quietly entered
the store.
At the checkout counter sits a portrait of WILLIAM HENRY
HARRISON, the edges draped in black crepe. Before the
book sits a LEDGER. Mr. Parker asks of Solomon:
PARKER
If you would sign our condolence
book. My hope is to find a way to
forward it to the Widow Harrison.
Sad days for the nation.
SOLOMON
Yes, certainly. Poor Mrs. Harris
and her children. I hope brighter
times ahead.
(CONTINUED)
4A.
5 CONTINUED: (2) 5
Jasper looks scared, timid. It's as though he'd like to
engage, but is unsure of as to how. Noting Jasper, Parker
SAYS:
PARKER
A moment, sir, and you will be
assisted.
SOLOMON
If we could discuss the price...
(CONTINUED)
5.
5 CONTINUED: (3) 5
PARKER
Forgive me, Mrs. Northup. A
customer waits. Welcome, sir.
To Jasper, with good nature:
SOLOMON
Shop well, but mind your wallet.
PARKER
Ignore the gentleman's nonsense.
Now, may I interest you in a new
cravat? Pure silk by way of the--
Before Parker can finish, the door opens. It's Jasper's
Master, FITZGERALD. He's stern, clearly displeased.
FITZGERALD
Jasper!
(TO PARKER)
My regrets for the intrusion.
SOLOMON
No intrusion.
Fitzgerald looks to Solomon. It is a cold glare as
though he wasn't speaking to, and has no interest in a
response from a black man. Looking back to Parker:
FITZGERALD
Good day, sir.
6 6
INT. NORTHUP HOUSE/DINING ROOM - EVENING
Anne, busy in the kitchen, puts the final touches to the
meal, which is just about to begin. Solomon, in the
meanwhile, sits at the head of the table reading from a
NEWSPAPER. He reads to his children solemn news of the
funeral arrangements for the recently deceased President
Harrison.
SOLOMON
"Thus has passed away from earth
our late President."
Solomon starts from the top of the article.
SOLOMON (CONT'D)
"During the morning, from sunrise,
the heavy bells had been pealing
forth their slow and solemn toll
while the minute guns announced
that soon the grave would receive
its trust. Our city as well as
our entire nation has been called
to weep over the fall of a great
and good man. One who was by the
wishes of a large majority of our
(MORE) (CONTINUED)
5A.
6 CONTINUED: 6
SOLOMON (CONT'D)
people raised to fill the highest
place of trust within their gift.
William Henry Harrison."
A long moment of quiet, the family continuing to eat.
Then, from Margaret:
MARGARET
Will you read it again?
ANNE
Not just now, darling.
Anne enters the dining room and places a large chicken at
the center of the table. As she takes a seat, all heads
are bowed.
MARGARET
For food that stays our hunger,
For rest that brings us ease,
For homes where memories linger,
We give our thanks for these.
ALL
Amen.
SOLOMON
Margaret, that was wonderful.
MARGARET
Thank you, Papa.
SOLOMON
Alonzo, do you have something to
say?
ALONZO
Yes, I helped Momma make this.
ANNE
Yes, and you were such a good
help. Especially making the gravy.
MARGARET
Papa, I would very much like to
learn how to play the violin.
Could you teach me?
ALONZO
Me too!
MARGARET
Yes, but I asked Papa first.
SOLOMON
Both of you, calm down. We will
have our first lesson after this
wonderful dinner. And on that
note, let's start eating.
(CONTINUED)
5B.
6 CONTINUED: (2) 6
The family all tuck in to their meal. The scene is one of
warmth and happiness.
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