Manderlay Page #3

Her actions would comprise

an unconditional enrichment

of these people's lives.

There was no doubt about that.

Or was there?

Actually, Grace did not see

much of the glow she had hoped for...

the glow that could've

convinced her

that no one would end up

like her little pale yellow canary.

These were human beings,

but of the kind on whom

pain had been inflicted, Grace thought,

as she was suddenly interrupted

by a strangely exotic accent.

When we were slaves,

we were not required

to offer thanks for our supper,

and for the water we drink

and the air we breathed.

Nobody needs to say

thank you, but...

But what?

I mean, there is something

we ought to be thankful for?

I didn't mean "but."

I meant "and."

And...

There's no reason

to be grateful for anything

as natural as your freedom.

I'm the first to apologize

for everything...

...you and your people

have been subjected to.

See, those gates should've been

unlocked 70 years ago.

Only 70 years ago?

But before that, of course,

they were completely justified.

No.

No, no, you misunderstand me.

What can I say?

You need say nothing at all.

We've heard of your kind.

You're a society lady

who spends her time

rescuing wretched n*ggers.

I should like to say thank you.

Missy done give her time

and effort to helpin' us.

Time I'll bet she could've spent

on all kinds of different things.

'Cause was perfect justice

when God made some of us slaves

and not others.

The nigra is vile by nature.

I know it ain't popular to say so,

and it ain't 'cause of Bert

that I say so. Hmm.

No, Victoria

did not base her perception

exclusively on her experience

of her husband, though God knows,

it weighed heavily.

Bert was a useless eejit

whose character Victoria

regrettably, so far in vain,

had done her best to improve

by hitting him with any implement

at hand on any given occasion,

no matter how much he had

threatened to take his own life

by throwing himself into

Manderlay's deep well.

Grace looked at Wilhelm,

the old house slave, and understood.

He had not brought her here

for anybody to thank her.

He just wanted her

to see them all...

the unfortunate flock

that he very rightly feared

would have few chances

beyond the perimeter fence.

Living proof of the devastating

power of oppression.

- Listen up.

- Yes, sir.

This has all been put on paper.

I just needed to check

the wording first again

as these things

are legal and binding.

Bingo.

- What are these?

- Don't rightly know, ma'am.

They're the contracts, ma'am.

The family

has been so considerate

to offer us all employment.

Grace was not a lawyer,

and unqualified to assess

the validity of the contract

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