Root Of Laughter Script
Root Of Laughter
Characters:
• Jenny: African slave girl, younger sister of Ashton works in the Kinleys house
• Ashton: African Civil War Veteran, older brother of Jenny
• Ellis: Caucasian mistress of the Kinley's house, master of Jenny, wife of Markus Kinley mother of Levi
• Markus Kinley: Caucasian master of Jenny, husband of Ellis, father of Levi
• Thomas: African Civil War veteran, best friend of Ashton
• Levi: Caucasian son of the Kinley's, currently 3 years old
* Stage Directions. Will be bolded and italicized. *
Screenplay is split in 2 acts.
Background Information:
New Orleans Massacre occurred on July 30, 1866. It was a convention that took place outside of the Mechanics Institute in New Orleans. It was held after the Louisiana state legislature had recently passed the black codes and refused to extend voting rights to the black men. The convention was accompanied by 200 black soldiers who fought in the civil war, as the soldiers marched through the streets of New Orleans shot were fired but the soldiers were given the order to proceed to the building as they arrived at the building the police and white mob members attacked them. Starting a riot which would then be the known in history as the New Orleans Massacre, altogether 238 people were killed 200 of them being the black soldiers and 46 were injured.
During the reconstruction period the North was known as the only “safe” area for the former black slaves, because in the North the black slaves we truly free. So its only natural for slaves in Louisiana to journey to the North in search for freedom.
Act 1.
Scene 1.
Jenny and Ashton are in the back yard of the Kinley's house, Ashton tells Jenny about the Louisiana Constitutional Convention which is going to be held on July 30, 1866. Ashton is trying to convince Jenny that she will be freed but Jenny being the wise cautious girl she is takes Ashton for a fool!
Jenny: (Frustrated at Ashton) “Ain’t none sense in try’n anymore, you is gonna do what you’se want anyhow. Foolish boy! You is gonna get yours commin just you’se wait. Oh my, are you’se gonna get it. Mhm. Ashton I done undastand why’s you’se be always try’n to stir up sum kinda trouble wit dese ere white folks.”
Ashton: (pleading and looking at Jenny) “Jenny you’se wrong my lil sister, you is the foolish one, we be need’n dis, done ya see with da vote we can really be free, dis is what we’se be fight’n for, does you wanna live ere in da way ya be already livin’n being them folks slave, havin’ no rights, Jenny! Listen to me will ya?!”
Jenny: (Angered! Yells at Ashton) “Bah!! Ashton done you’se be talking to me like you is one of dem, done you be try’n to fill my head wit ya tall tales talkin bout me evers gonna be free, dat ain’t eva gonna happen, ya hear, no ways no hows, foolish boy, devilish lies fill yo mouth, spitting dem in mah face shame on you. How dare you!! You’se better get outta ere go on now, get! And don’t ya be commin round ere ya hear me!!!”
Ashton: (sad and confused looking down at his feet) “Jenny, please try and undastand all dat I’m say’n to ya, you’se be a woman, now wit dat I tip my hat to ya, and I’s be on my way now, I love you lil sis, though you be hear’n lies in your head, I do love you, I be on my way now.”
Jenny: (still angered but calmed) “Bye Ashton you’se better be go on now, Mr. Kinley be commin home any minute now and lords only know’se how angry he be if he caught ya a stir'n round ere, go on now, get. I love you my brother, you’se the only family I’s here got in dese woods. You’se still a foolish boy tho. Go on now.”
Scene 2.
In the Kinley’s house, in comes Ellis walking in the living room to observe the mess her 3 year old son Levi has made, Jenny and Ellis try to get the house ready for the return of Mr. Kinley.
Ellis: (exhausted and shocked at Levi) “Oh goodness, look at this mess, I swear Levi I can leave you for a seconds time and dere you’se go making a rukus. My its looks as if a wind swirl came on by and went, leaving it tracks all over. My, my what am I gonna do with you boy?” (In walks Jenny, Ellis looks at her with relief) “Oh! Jenny my dear, get Levi all doned up quickly now, Mr. Kinley will be home any minute now and you’se know how he be getting when da house isn’t all doned up. My, I bet that be him a commin right bout now, hurry Jenny!
Jenny: (obeying Ellis wishes leaning over to pick up Levi) “ yes misses. Come on Levi, my whatta big boy you is commin up to be and my what a mess you’ve made. Lets go get you ready now.”
Ellis: (Frantically and impatiently) “OH! Jenny he is here hurry now.”
In storms Mr.Kinley angered and frustrated at the life he now has to call his.
Ellis gets up to greet him.
Ellis: (welcoming) “Darling, welcome home! Supper is in the oven, should be ready in a jiff, my you look exhausted, ere come in and sit down take off yo boots. Tell me bout your day how is the crops?”
Mr. Kinley: (angered spits out his rage) “Thank you Ellis. My days be like other ones before em. Damn Niggers! Think’n cause they fought against us in dat damn war they be free!!! Talking back to their masters thinking they some kinda civilized Americans! I ain’t having it Ellis! I ain’t gonna let some niggers commin ere changing the ways of my god! Ya ere me Ellis I ain’t havin it!”
Ellis: (looking at her husband and the man he has become tries to calm him down) “Calm on down dear, you is getting yourself all worked up bout em silly nig..(she pauses and lets out a sigh she doesn’t want to say the word) ..”Black folk, it ain’t good for you health dear.”
Mr. Kinley: (filled with rage) “Hold your tongue woman! Done you dare be talk'n to me in such tone ya hear! Damn niggers think dey own da place now, but not you Ellis, you wont be talk’n back to me ya ere! You wont!”
Ellis: (looks at the ground and lets out a sigh) “Yes dear..”
In the other room Levi starts to cry and Jenny tries to make him stop
Jenny: (whispering to Levi) “Hush now Levi, dere’s no need for cry’n em tears now.”
Mr. Kinley: (over-hearing Jenny filled with more rage) “Hush your damn mouth Nigger!! My son wants to shed tears you better let him! Damn nigger I ain’t gonna be hav’n any niggers back talking me in my home!!!”
Ellis: (shocked!) “Markus! Done talk to Jenny in that tone! She ain’t done nothing to you! Why she’s just try’n to calm poor Levi down dats all.”
Mr. Kinley storms out of the room!
Jenny: (looking at Ellis with caution) “You done have to do dat misses. Mr.Kinley is be hav’n every right to be get’n mad at me. You done need to help me, I was wrong.”
Ellis : (looking at jenny still shocked at her husband) “No Jenny, he done have the right to be mad at you, he just be tired from the day its sure been a long one for all of us, you just hush up now and get Levi ready for his supper, leave Mr.Kinley to me.”
Jenny: (looks at Levi with caution) “Yes misses.”
Ellis nods, and walks out of the room to join her husband, still shocked by everything that went on she sighs, dusts herself off, fixes her scarf around her neck, and forces a smile on her face as she walks in once more to greet her husband.
Jenny picks Levi up and carries him to the sink to wash him up for his supper, she looks over and sees Ellis acting as if nothing ever bad happened in the world. She smirks she knows how miss Ellis gets, always trying to hide her feelings, Jenny knows better though.
The family prepares themselves for dinner.
Scene 3.
Jenny carries Levi to the dinner table Mr.Kinley and Ellis take a seat, and Jenny pulls out her chair and sit right between Ellis and Levi. Outraged at this scene Mr. Kinley pounds his fist at the table and looks at Jenny.
Mr.Kinley: (outraged) “Oh hell No! Get away nigger! No niggers be eat’n at my table go on now!”
Ellis: (Shocked and angered at Markus) “Markus! I told Jenny she can eat with us from now on! Poor gal is practically family now, why she be the only one helping with Levi around here even though she be a free slave. She still helps me!”
Mr. Kinley: (more outraged stands up and yells) “She done have a choice woman! There ain't no such thing as a free slave in my house, she does what I say! And I say that niggers don’t belong on my table!”
Ellis: (pleading now with tears in her eyes) “Markus, no! Jenny is allowed on this table!”
Mr. Kinley: (walking over to Ellis with rage in his eyes) “Done you be talk’n back to me woman! This is my house! Im da man of this family and what I say goes ya hear me! The nigger ain't aloud at my table!” (He turns to look at Jenny with bloodshot eyes) “Go on now get away from my table nigger!”
Ellis: (sighs and chokes back her tears looks at Jenny) “ Jenny, I am very sorry dear but you be eat’n in the kitchen on the stool from now on. Go on now.”
Mr. Kinley: (taking his seat at the dinner table looks at Jenny) “You heard her get slave, and done you be think’n just cause your people won the war against us you is free now!”
Jenny stands up and walks to the kitchen in silence, under his breath Mr.Kinley whispers “Damn Nigger!”
Ellis Sighs and looks as Levi she pats him on his head and proceeds on eating her dinner.
Dinner is eaten in silence.
Scene 4.
Ashton and Thomas are sitting together on a tree stump talking about the Convention and the black vote.
Ashton is worried about Jenny they haven’t spoken in a week and that’s longer then they usually go without speaking, he is also very sad. Thomas is trying to cope with Ashton but is getting annoyed with his gloominess.
Thomas: (looking at Ashton with content and apology) “Ashton cheer up brotha Jenny will come around, she just be busy wit dem white folks, dese’s got’er always work’n on sumthin she prolly forget bout yo fight already. Just busy dats all cheer up.”
Ashton: (looking at Thomas with sorrow in his eyes he knows Thomas is annoyed but he can’t help but feel sad about Jenny. Sucking in a breath of some of the sweet air he smirks a smile on his face and brightens up his eyes) “They sure do have her work’n a lot dats for sure.”
Thomas: (smiling) “That’s right they sure do Ashton!”
Ashton: (chuckling at Thomas) “yea haha, eh man tomorrow is da convention.”
Thomas: (stops laughing looking at Ashton) “You’re not scared right Ashton? Ya know how I’d be gett’n when you’re scared, boy I be gett’n scared ma self I done wanna be scared Ashton.”
Ashton: (also stops laughing looks at Thomas) “Nah Thomas I ain't scared, wen have you eva seen me scared bout sumthin Thomas?’
Thomas: (looking at the ground reflecting on some memories of when Ashton was scared) “My you’re right, why I done have one single memory of you’se been scared Ashton, why not even in the war, you is a tough one Ashton cept when Jenny gots a reason to be mad at you, den you’se be scared boy! Dat young gal has got you’se runnin for dem hills when she be mad!”
Ashton: (laughing at Thomas in complete agreement) “Yea! Thomas you’re right my friend, Jenny be da only one to get me scared bout anything. Dat gal be da scariest thing in dis world when she’s mad!”
Thomas: (laughing in more agreement) “Ashton remember that one times wen Jenny got mad at you wen you put dat ugly frog in her shirt, boy she was madder den mad dat time, she even had you’se cry’n dat day!”
Ashton: (stops laughing looking at Thomas with complete seriousness) “I done cry Thomas, I told you and Jenny it was dat dust in ma eyes! Jenny done make cry eva!”
Thomas: (Laughing even harder than before looking at Ashton with sarcasm) “Ashton! Ya right! Dat gal always be hav’n you’se cry’n and ya know it! Young gal dere be tough!”
Ashton: (giving in to the fact, laughs) “Ya she is tough! Dats how tough we’se gonna be tomorrows days time Thomas! When we show up to the building we’se gonna make them white folks give us dat vote!”
Thomas: (looking at Ashton still laughing) “Yes Ashton yes we’se gonna be tough jus like Jenny.”
Ashton: (smiling) “Den we’se gonna leave dis ere town and move North Thomas we is gonna leave dis place fors a longs times Thomas, you’se meh and Jenny. We’se all gonna be gone! And we’se done eva commin backs.”
Thomas: (smiling and patting Ashton on the back) “Yea Ashton you’se me and Jenny.” (smirking and beginning to laugh at Ashton) “Den you’se gonna be putt’n mor frogs in Jenny’s shirt den she’s gonna be make’n you’se cry sum mor!”
Ashton: (lightly pushing Thomas and laughing) “It was da dust THOMAS!”
The two of them continue to sit and laugh at the past as they prepare for tomorrow’s march for the convention. The sun is setting and they have to get their camps ready for the night.
Meanwhile…
During the same time of Ashton and Thomas’s conversation, Mr. Kinley and the other farmers are having a conversation of their own about the convention tomorrow.
Scene 5.
Mr. Kinley and his neighbors are speaking to one another about the niggers wanting the right to vote and how outraged they are about the whole idea of a black man even thinking about wanting the right to vote.
Neighbor: (Slapping his leg outraged looks at Mr. Kinley) “It aint right! Niggers done vote! This needs to be stopped, niggers need to learn their place! Thinking they can just come in here and change the ways of our living! Damn Niggers!”
Mr.Kinley: (more outraged looking at his neighbor in full agreement) “Niggers aint gonna get that vote! I’ll make sure of that! Slaves think they be free I’ll put an end to that too!”
Neighbor: (looks at Mr. Kinley questioning) “What ya gonna do Mark? Kill the bastards?”
Mr.Kinley: (smirks and looks at his neighbor) “Some one has to teach these damn niggers where they belong in this world.” (Looking at his neighbor again) “You round up the others, tomorrow we will put an end to these damn niggers once and for all.”
Neighbor: (looks at Mr.Kinley with concern but certainty that Mr.Kinley knows what he is talking about nods his head and turns to walk away) “Mark, just make sure you know where your place is too.”
Mr. Kinley: (turns away and pauses and looks at the ground and lets out a sigh) “This ain’t right, they need to be stopped, even if Ellis disagrees a woman should know her place. Go on now.”
The neighbor walks off and Mr. Kinley stands quiet still looking at the ground he wipes his nose, and whispers to himself “nigger needs to know his place.” He straightens himself out and walks off its almost dark and tomorrow is the convention will for the black mans vote.
Scene 6.
July 30, 1866.
The day of the convention, the soldiers, Ashton and Thomas, gear up for the march to the mechanics building to join the states legislature. Carrying the flag is Ashton, playin the drum right by his side is Thomas. The men all march in uniform with not a single clue of what terror lies ahead of them on the streets in New Orleans.
The day of the convention Mr.Kinley and his neighbors crowd the mechanics building waiting for the niggers to come around the corner, filled with rage and ready to do what’s necessary to ensure that the black man doesn’t receive the vote. Some brought guns, others pitch forks, bottles, bats anything they can get their hands on as they all stand guarding the building and waiting for their chance. Revenge fills their minds, this is the time when they finally beat the black man.
The soldiers march banging the drum waving the flag determined to reach the building. As they turn on to the street they are greeted by a mob of angry white folks. The soldiers march through the mob trying to ignore all the horrible names the mob were calling them. Names such as “Nigger! Slave! And Filthy Bastards!” the mod screamed at the soldiers to leave and to stop marching it wasn’t until the white folks started grabbing the soldiers that shots were fired, and a riot broke out!
Ashton: (Yelling to the mob) “Back Up! Let us through!”
Thomas: (pushing some of the people and yelling to them) “Let go of me! Back up! Let us through!”
Ashton looked back and saw his fellow soldiers disappear in the mob, following orders he marched on determined to get to the building trying to dodge bottles being thrown at him, fists being punched, and all the harsh names being called. He turns around and see’s a group of white men punching and kicking Thomas. Thomas looks up and yells for Ashton. Ashton runs to Thomas and tries to protect his best friend pulling the white man off of him. Thomas manages to get on his feet as he stands he is hit with a bottle and he falls unconscious. Shots are fired and the mob manages to break down the door of the mechanic’s building people were thrown out of the windows women screamed while tying to get away. Men yelled and the black soldiers fell to the ground.
Mr. Kinley saw his chance to finally rid himself of his rage, as he watch a black solider try to help his friend from being killed he pulled out his gun and he shot the soldier two bullets and the soldier was down. As he shot the soldier he watched as his friend stood to his feet, the soldier’s friend looked at Mr.Kinley and shouted “you killed him!” Mr. Kinley then pointed his gun at the standing soldier ready to shoot but was beaten to the punch as another man broke the bottle on the soldier’s head. He watched him fall and with that he smiled and gave in to the mob killing any black soldier he could.
The smoke cleared, and Thomas woke up to see his fellow soldiers badly beaten and killed, bodies laid in the streets blood covered the walls he looked around and saw white men still running around he looked to his side and there laid Ashton.
Thomas: (Grabbing Ashton in his arms sobbing) “Ashton, eh man wake up! Ashton! Come on man we gotta go!”
Ashton laid there with no response
Thomas: (sobbing even harder and checks Ashton's pulse) “Ashton! Please man you can’t leave me! Jenny needs you, I need you man, please.”
As Thomas searched for a pulse he saw the bullet wounds in Ashton’s chest. Thomas then remembered the white man shooting Ashton and pointing the gun at Thomas, he remembered how the white man smiled when he killed Ashton and he remembered the red piercing eyes the man had giving in to the devil’s revenge.
Thomas carried Ashton off of the street, he sat down next to his best friend’s dead body and he cried.
Thomas: (looking at Ashton’s body still sobbing) “Done you worry anymore Ashton done you worry I will get them for you, I will take Jenny outta ere for you Ashton, done you worry, you’se jus rest now my friend rest and done worry.”
Thomas stood up and began to run. He needed to tell Jenny.
Scene 7.
Thomas runs to see Jenny, she is outside on the back porch of the Kinley’s house. Jenny looks up and see’s Thomas running towards her, she notices Ashton isn’t with him and that he is hurt. She sees the bruises covering his body and the blood stained on his shirt and skin.
Jenny stands up and looks at Thomas.
Jenny: (worried) “Thomas! My its late, what is your business round ere?”
Thomas: (stammering to catch his breathe looks at Jenny pleading) “Jenny! Please for give me Jenny, forgive both of us, he loved you Jenny he really did, please oh lord please.” Thomas begins to cry and yell.
Jenny: (confused and concerned) “Hush up Thomas, you is gonna wake Levi! Now, tell me what’s wrong, where’s Ashton Thomas what mess did you boys get into dis times?”
Thomas: (choking back tears looking at Jenny with sorrow) “Jenny, he’s dead, a white man killed him there was a mob Jenny, we wasn’t ready. They came at us, and they killed him Jenny he is all dead and gone now. Jenny! Please forgive us!”
Jenny: (shocked at the thought filled with disbelief and trying not to scream at Thomas) “Who Thomas, who be gone and dead Thomas, you tell me who!?”
She knew already she didn’t want to believe it she needed to hear it for sure she needed to be sure.
Thomas: (sobbing) “Ashton, Jenny your brotha is dead.”
Jenny: (filled with rage and disbelief looks at Thomas) “No! No boy you’se be lyin to me, devils words be filling your mouth, he’s not dead he’s not gone Thomas you lie!”
Jenny yells at Thomas and falls to her knees in disbelief. Not speaking to anyone in specific more so herself she bangs her fists to the ground and cries out even harder. “No! no it isn’t true, you’re lying Thomas, you is lying, he is still here, he has to be here. ASHTON!”
Thomas: (putting his arms around Jenny) “Jenny, im not lying. Ashton wanted to take us outta ere Jenny, he wanted to go north and leave ere for goods, Jenny we can still go, i’ll take you Jenny, I’ll take you!”
Jenny: (pushes Thomas away and stands up) “No! Thomas you is a fool! You and Ashton both fools! Now look where dat foolish got ya, look! Ashton is dead! My brotha only family I have is dead! You foolish man! LEAVE! I aint gonna go nowhere with you Thomas you! GO!”
Thomas: (looks at jenny with tears in his eyes and shock at her response, stands up and walks away slowly) “He loved you Jenny.”
Jenny lets out one more scream. “ASHTON!”
End of Act 1.
Act 2.
Scene 1.
Jenny is outside with Ellis hanging up the clothes on the line. Ellis has noticed that Jenny hasn’t been herself lately she’s been quiet and she seems to always hide tears, she has even caught Jenny crying while rocking Levi to sleep. Ellis is concerned about Jenny she wants to know why she is so sad, and what she can do to help Jenny. She knows about the riot last week and she understands how hard that must be for the black folk.
Ellis: (looking at Jenny while clipping her gown on the line) “Jenny dear, I am concerned bout you, you've been acting strange lately, my dear what is the matter?”
Jenny starts to cry.
Jenny: (tyring to hold back tears looks at Ellis) “Misses, I am sorry I really am for acting the way I do, you see, I had a brotha I never told you or Mr.Kinley cus I was scared. He would come to visit me and well, he was a soldier.”
Ellis: (shocked and confused puts down her gown and looks at Jenny) “What do you mean Jenny?”
Jenny: (taking in a huge breathe to calm herself) “Misses, my brotha was killed last week in the riot that happened in town. He was one of the soldiers marching for the black vote. And he is dead and gone now, I am sad misses cause I miss him and its hard, he was my only family, my momma died when I was little I done know ma daddy, Ashton was all I had.”
Ellis: (putting her hand over her mouth looks at Jenny with sorrow) “jenny I am so sorry dear, Ashton, was that your brotha’s name?”
Jenny nods her head.
The two of them finish hanging up the clothes on the line, they are both quiet, Jenny wipes her nose and the tears from her eyes and goes inside to put Levi down for his nap. Ellis sit on the porch and lays her head in her hands, she feels sorry for Jenny, and for making her do all the work like a slave while she is grieving the death of her brother. She sits and thinks she tries to figure out a way to help Jenny. Maybe if Jenny took a little break she could allow herself to reflect on her grief some more, the poor girl needs a break anyways. Ellis stands up and walks inside she has decided that tonight she will talk with Markus and tell him that they need to let Jenny go.
Scene 2.
Thomas is walking to the Kinley's house he wants to talk to Jenny again about leaving to the north he is sure she is calmed down now and maybe she will change her mind, he’s been checking up on her ever since he told her about Ashton. As he approaches the back gate he sees the Kinley's talking, he sees the blonde woman standing with her hands on her hips she looks delicate and under stress. He watches as she brings her hands to her face and wipes away tears. He cant imagine how someone can make such a beautiful creature shed tears. He watches her as she storms into the house revealing the identity of the man she was talking with. Thomas gasps and rage fills his whole body. Mr. Kinley stands on the porch looking at the ground his hands balled into fists. Mr. Kinley straightens himself up and turns to follow Ellis into the house. Thomas stands filled with rage as he watches Ashton’s murder walk away.
Thomas turns away, completely forgetting his reason for coming to the Kinley's’ house at all.
Ellis: (looking at Mr. Kinley pleading) “Markus, we need to let Jenny go, she is in pain, she needs to heal her poor broken heart. Please Markus.”
Mr. Kinley: (Looking at Ellis angered at her request) “What does that nigger have to be broken bout Ellis? She is a slave you need to get the idea of freedom for ere outta head! She is not free and she wont be free, if that nigger is sad it aint my problem!”
Ellis: (choking back tears frustrated at her husband and filled with disbelief) “how can you stand there and say that about Jenny Markus? She has done nothin to you, she is free and she still stays let her go please.”
Mr. Kinley: (trying to calm down) “Ellis, I done know how to get it through your head. You done seem to undastand anythin woman, you think you can make the decisions freeing my slave, standin up to me in my own house, why you even walk round ere with your nose stuck up to me. You done list’n anymore a woman needs to list’n to ere husband!”
Ellis: (looking at her husband shocked at what just came from his mouth) “She had a brother Markus, he died in the riot, by the white mob. She lost her brother, her only family, done you dare sit there and tell me I done undastand anything.”
Mr. Kinley: (looking at the ground quietly trying not to loose his mind) “She had a brother, I doned know about?”
Ellis: (putting her hand on Markus’s shoulder) “she done tell anyone she done wanna get in trouble. She lost her brother Markus, just like you did. She lost him in the damn riot you lost yours in the war. Please let her go.”
Mr. Kinley: (filled with rage at Ellis for even bringing up the death of his brother in the civil war, and filled with rage at the idea of freeing the slave) “No! Ellis No! You damn woman I otta put you in your place! You never bring him up again. That slave lied to me! She will be punished, my God done like liars! And that nigger is a liar!”
Ellis: (crying and frighten at the tone in Mr. Kinley's voice pleading) “Markus please, you can be mad at me but done hurt Jenny.”
Mr. Kinley: (filled with more rage) “Leave Ellis! That nigger has to be punished, you done lie to your master leave now woman, I’ll deal with you latta.”
Ellis walks back into the house crying. Mr. Kinley stands on the porch and looks at the ground remembering his brother and how he died in combat in the civil war, he fought against freed slaves, and so will Markus, he will carry on what his brother wanted it’s the least he can do. And that slave will never be free no slave will ever be free as long as he is alive.
Scene 3.
Thomas is pacing back and fourth filled with rage and disbelief that his best friend, Ashton’s, little sister is working for the man who killed him. He has a bottle of alcohol in his hand as he takes a big gulp he thinks about how wrong it is that Jenny works for the man that killed her brother, her only family and she has know idea. Thomas thinks to himself how much he wants revenge and how he wants Jenny out of that house, “ she needs to be out,” he says to himself. He takes another big gulp and swallows it down without a problem his pacing soon turns to wobbling. He has tears in his eyes filled with so much rage he just wants revenge for his best friend. “A good man done need to go out that way, Ashton done need to die. “ He throws the empty bottle and watches it as it shatters on a rock. Shatter that how Thomas feels like his whole world has been thrown and has shattered, all he has left is Jenny. He needs to protect her, he needs to save her from herself Ashton would have wanted that. He sits down on the tree stump where he and Ashton would sit and he looks at the camp. Its lonely and cold the fire doesn’t even help warm his cold heart. He looks down at the ground and there is the gun, Ashton’s gun.
Thomas takes the gun and he begins to stagger back to the Kinley’s house he will get revenge.
Thomas opens the back gate with the gun in his hand he waits. He waits for his chance. He sees it, the back door opens and out steps the 3 yr old boy, he is looking for his dad. This wasn’t part of the plan Thomas didn’t want to kill a child but then again the white man killed Ashton. The riot wasn’t part of the plan. The way Thomas sees it now nothing goes as planned anymore. The 3 yr old boy is calling for his dad “daddy!” he yells Thomas sees a woman coming out to pick him up. He’s loosing his chance. There’s one bullet in the gun, he aims and with a click of a trigger and the loud noise he watches as the little boy falls down the steps and as the woman scream for her now dead son.
Thomas drops the gun mortified and confused about what he’s done he watches as the woman picks up her baby boy and cradles him in her arms tears flooding down her face he notices she isn’t the only one crying Jenny stands in the doorway tears roll down her cheeks as she watches the woman scream in agony for her son. Thomas hears a loud noise out runs the white man. He crouches down next to his wife tears fills his eyes. He shakes his son “wake up boy! You’re stronger then this wake up!”
Thomas overwhelmed by the scene turns away. He walks back to the camp quietly and still in a state of shock about what he just did. He took the life of a child for revenge for the death of his friend. He screams and falls down to his knees he pounds his fist at the ground. Revenge shouldn’t feel like this, he shouldn’t have more pain. He yells for Ashton but soon realizes the fact that his friend will not come back. He lays on the ground broken, as the tears run out of him.
Scene 4.
Back at the Kinley’s house. Mr. Kinley and Ellis brought their son back into the house. Ellis carries her son in her arms holding his face next to hers she allows tears to fall from her eyes on to his cheek. Jenny tries to help Ellis.
Jenny: (still crying) “Misses let me take him, you done need to hold you baby like dis let me help you.”
Mr. Kinley: (pushes Jenny away he is filled with more rage then ever before) “Get away nigger! You did this, you killed my son!”
Jenny takes a step back and looks at Mr. Kinley. How can he think she had something to do with this? She loves Levi as if he were hers she raised him, she’s been with him longer than he has. She is always helping Ellis with him.
Ellis: (looking at Mr. Kinley filled with rage) “Do not talk to Jenny like that! Done you dare blame her for this, done you dare do this Markus!”
Mr. Kinley looks at Ellis and bites his tongue, he can see the sincerity in her eyes she is more serious then ever and he is shocked at her.
Jenny: (looks at Mr. Kinley sighs) “I done kill your son sir, I done kill anyone. I love him, I love misses. I even love you.”
Mr. Kinley stormed out of the house leaving his dead son, wife and Jenny behind.
Ellis: (sighs and looks at Jenny) “Help me Jenny, we need to take Levi somewhere get my coat I’ll carry him.”
Jenny does as she’s told wiping the tears from her eyes. She grabs Ellis’s coat and she follows her out the door.
Scene 5.
Thomas gets up from the ground and sit on the tree stump, he wipes his face he’s cried every tear he possibly could. He thought about what he’s done and how ashamed Ashton would be but worse, how upset Jenny would be if she knew he killed the boy. He doesn’t even know the name of the boy he killed. Jenny would never forgive him for what he’s done, she would never go north with him now, and he knows they will track him down. He is better off dead. He sat on the tree stump thinking about his life and how much he will be hated for killing such and innocent being. He hates himself he can’t believe what he’s done.
He starts to tear up shocked by the wet crystals running down his cheeks, he wipes them off again. He lays his head in his hand its throbbing, he tears at his chest he feels sick, he just wants the pain to end he wants the suffering to be gone. Ever since he was a child he’s suffered he and Ashton suffered. And now he suffers more.
He screams out one more time for Ashton but its no use, it doesn’t matter how much he screams his friend is gone. He screams for the lord to take back all that he’s done, no use. What done is done and what’s gone is gone. He is alone now in a world where no one would ever forgive him. He took the life of someone who didn’t deserve to die. He looks down and he sees the rope. It’s the only way. The only solution for him to no longer feel the pain.
He grabs the rope and he ties it to a tree, and around his neck stepping off the stump is all it takes.
Thomas (rope tied around his neck tear in his eye gives his last breath) “None will eva hear dis, but I am sorry.”
And with that he steps off the stump and ends the pain.
Scene 6.
Mr. Kinley walks into the house its been a week since the death of Levi. He walks in and sees Ellis sitting on the back porch crying for her son, she hasn’t been the same since the death of her son. Mr. Kinley hasn’t spoken to her and nor has Jenny. The house feels cold and empty. He steps out on the porch and sit next to Ellis.
Mr. Kinley (sitting next to Ellis) “I am going to get rid of her.”
Ellis: (startled by his presence and confused) “Who Markus?”
Mr. Kinley: (looking at Ellis) “Jenny, I am going to get rid of Jenny Ellis.”
Ellis: (eyes light up and a smile crosses her face) “You is gonna set her free?!”
Mr. Kinley: (looking at Ellis with no real expression) “No Ellis, she made my family broken. Im gonna give that nigger wat she deserves.”
Ellis: (shocked and looking at her husband with disbelief and confusion) “No Markus, you can’t kill her! No!”
Mr. Kinley: (angry and looking at Ellis) “You done undastand Ellis she is the reason Levi is dead! “
Ellis: (crying now and pleading) “Please Markus, please leave Jenny be, she is all I have left.”
Mr. Kinley: (Outraged) “You has me! Im your husband Ellis not some nigger slave! You have me!”
Ellis: (crying even harder looks at her husband) “No Markus, I done, I lost you when you lost your brotha.”
Mr. Kinley stands up and looks down at his crying wife, filled with rage he turn to go back into the house he pauses and says “the nigger is going to die Ellis. Ain’t nothing you can do about it.”
He leaves.
Scene 7.
Ellis talks to Jenny while Mr. Kinley is away. She has made up her mind she has lost one person she is not going to loose another, she needs Jenny and Jenny needs her. Jenny is outside fixing the clothes line she is still heart broken and doesn’t understand why life has given her terrible treatment and why she has to suffer.
Ellis: (walks across the yard to Jenny) “Jenny, we need to talk.”
Jenny (confused looks at Ellis) “whatta bout misses?”
Ellis: ( looks around to see if no one is near and steps closer to Jenny) “Jenny Mr. Kinley is not right for us, he has done gone and lost his mind, Jenny, he’s gonna kill you.”
Jenny (shocked drops the clothes on the ground) “Why’s misses? Whys is he gonna kill me?”
Ellis: (looks at Jenny with complete seriousness) “he blames you for the death of Levi, why I even think he blames you for the death of his own brotha.”
Jenny: (looks down at the ground) “Misses what am I’s gonna do?”
Ellis: (takes Jenny’s hand) “we are leaving Jenny, you and meh we are gonna leave to the North.”
Jenny: (shocked pulls her hand away) “No misses! I’s can’t leave Mr. Kinley will find us and he’d kill you as well as meh, why I cant loose you misses you’se the only one I gots now.”
Ellis: (chokes back tears) “Jenny if we go now he wont ever find us, we be already gones.”
Jenny: (chokes back tears) “Misses whatta bout our clothes and food?”
Ellis: (pulls out a bag filled with money) “This should hold us through until we reach the North, grab what you can and lets go.”
Jenny: (smiles) “Yes misses.”
Jenny picks up the clothes on the ground and follows Ellis out the door the two of them load up a carriage and they leave. They leave Mr. Kinley certain that he will never touch any of them again they are careful not to leave any tracks just in case. As they are on their way Ellis turns to Jenny and says “Jenny, I didn’t say it before but I want you to know that I love you too.” Jenny smiles at miss Ellis and the two of them let out a giggle.
The End.