The Birth Of A Nation Page #5

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As she reaches into the basket, she rises to find a smilingElizabeth Turner.

ELIZABETH TURNER

Mind if I help.

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NANCY:

No, ma’am.

Nancy and Elizabeth string the sheets in silence until-

ELIZABETH TURNER

How’s Nat doin’?

NANCY:

He doin’ fine I reckon... Somethin’

wrong, Missus?

ELIZABETH TURNER

No. Nothin’ wrong.

(then)

John Clarke told me something thismorning I thought I’d ask youabout.

(beat)

He said Nat knows how to read.

NANCY:

Read? Oh no. He don’t know how to

read. He don’t know nothin’. He

just pulling John Clarke’s leg.

ELIZABETH TURNER

John Clarke said he found him with

a book. Said he knew letters.

NANCY:

Nat don’t know nothing ‘bout no

books. He just shiftless. Act likehe ain’t got no sense half the

time.

ELIZABETH TURNER

A part of me couldn't believe iteither... So, I tested him.

A sheet slips from Nancy’s grasp. She catches it before it

hits the grass.

NANCY:

Ma’am?

ELIZABETH TURNER

Sure enough, there he was soundingout letters.

An excruciating beat. The two continue hanging sheets intandem. Nancy’s hands tremble.

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ELIZABETH TURNER (CONT’D)

Have him come by the house tomorrowafter lunch*

NANCY:

Please, Missus. He didn’t mean no

harm. I’ll whip him good when I seehim-

ELIZABETH TURNER

Whip him? Nonsense. I’m going to

teach him. If the good Lord gavethat boy a gift to read, we’d be

remiss to let it go to waste. Nowhave him at the house tomorrow

after lunch, hear?

(then)

And don’t expect him back for a fewdays. Reading can be tricky.

Lessons best not be disturbed in

the beginning.

*

Nancy forces a smile.

Yes’m.

NANCY:

And Elizabeth saunters away as cheery as when she came. OnNancy, her face falling.

22 EXT. SLAVE QUARTERS - NANA’S CABIN - DAY 22 *

Nancy pulls a burlap shirt over Nat’s head. WIDER to see Nat

wears a pair of sack cloth pants; the first time we’ve seen

him without his tow shirt.

*

*

Nancy and Bridget regard Nat as he studies his new outfitwith pride.

*

*

Hold on.

NANCY *

*

Nancy disappears into the Cabin. *

BRIDGET:

Now you listen to everything MissElizabeth say. Keep ya head downand stay out the way, hear?

*

*

*

*

Yes’m.

YOUNG NAT *

*

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Nancy emerges from inside, produces a folded piece of cloth. *

She and Bridget share a look before she kneels, hands it to

Nat.

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