The Planter Seed
© June 22nd, 2008
by
Matthew P. Lazin
Opening scene-Naval Battle Monitor and Merrimack(Duration-15 min.)
9 March 1862
Image of Ironclad ship CSS Virginia
(men preparing for battle just before dawn)
Image of Ironclad ship USS Monitor
(silently moving through the water)
Images of CSS Virginia preparing to attack Minnesota.
(Confederate naval officers shouting and pointing as the USS monitor comes into view)
(Two eleven-inch guns of the Monitor drop in to range and the first shots are fired)
Cannons fire back and forth between the Ironclad ships. Cannonballs ring from metal hitting metal as huge splashes, smoke, fire, and scurrying men on ships are shown.
Lieutenant John L. Worden Commander of the USS Monitor urges his men to continue the ensuing battle.
A man from below deck shouts that they cannot get enough ammunition into the cannons fast enough
The commander shouts: “Take us into shallower water!”
The Monitor hulks and churns away from the Virginia as the Virginia gives up it's prey to focus it's attention on the original intended target, the Minnesota. Cannons square their aim on the sights of the ship. A shot is fired. Fade to black.
Cut to: Growing up on plantation
Small African-American boy in the middle of a lush green plantation field.
Begin Opening Credits
(Overlaying music)
Credits run as small boy hears a shout in the distance and gets up to run through the fields back home.
End Opening Credits
It's breakfast time in a slave quarters, we see this small boy eating breakfast as prepared by his mother.
Young Robert Smalls: “One day I am going to be as rich as the master! I am going to have my own fields. I am going to have my own equipment. I am going to have my own plantation just like the master...”
Robert Smalls' Mother: ( She quickly cuts him off, mid-sentence) “And are you going to have slaves just like the Master?”
The boy silently returns to finishing breakfast, bowing his head in embarrassment.
Mother: (Speaking Gullah) “Robert when are you going to learn that owning a plantation does not make a man rich? The lord says the we shall not store up for ourselves treasures on earth. You need to become rich in the heart and store up your treasures in Heaven. Thieves and robbers can take all that you own on earth and destroy it. Keep your dreams in your heart and soul, and one day you'll see, God will grant you all the riches and honor you seek.”
Robert: “Yes Ma'ama”
Mother: “Now finish your breakfast and go get cleaned up. We got a lot of chores to do today and I am going to take you into town to see the market today.”
Robert (A big smile comes over his face) “Will I get to see the ships in port?!”
Mother: “Yes, Robert” (Slapping him in the behind to get him moving)
Close-up Mother's face (We see concern in her eyes as she looks of to somewhere in the distance.)
Fade to sounds of the bustling Marketplace.
Slave-market with mother
Charleston, SC 13 April 1850
Robert and his mother are walking through the crowded market place.
He runs to pick out an apple but just as he reaches for it his mother grabs his other arm and pulls him away. He closes his hand as the apple was just within grasp.
Mother: “Robert. I want to show you something.” (She says with a stern voice.)
She picks him up and places him on an apple crate.
He looks and sees all of the slaves. White men are beating men, women, and children mercilessly. Blood is spilling to the ground. From the scene one can tell that much blood is spilled here and none to much of it, is ever cleaned up.
Robert closes his eyes in horror and goes to turn away. But his mother quickly grabs his head with her hands and makes him face.
Mother: “Open your eyes Robert!” (She shouts in a trembling voice, choking back tears) “You have to face it.”
He opens his eyes and visibly shakes as each blow is delivered to a person. Tears begin to stream down his face.
Robert: “But Ma'ama,...”
Mother: “Is this what you want? Is this what you'll do to get your plantation like the master's?”
Robert: “Why won't somebody stop them?” he cries.
Mother: “Well, son. That's just the way it is.”
She turns his head and looks him right in the eyes.
“That is, unless you are going to do something about it.”
He looks at her and we see his face turn to anger. He turns his body as if he is going to do something about it.
Mother: “Not now Robert. Not now.”
“You have to become stronger. You have to become smarter. You have a lot to learn about the world. There is a lot out there that is going to break your heart.”
“Let's go home Robert. Ma'ama's going to make you something to eat.”
Robert puts his head into his mother's shoulder and sobs. They walk together leaving the slave market. In the background we see finely dressed socialites lining up to bid in front of the slave platform. The blood filled street is out of their sight and out of there minds.
Next Scene: Growing up on plantation
Robert and a young white boy are playing with a Bilbo catcher outside. The white boy tires of it and hands it to Robert.]
John Jr.: “Here, you play with it. This is boring. Let's go steal some molasses from the kitchen again. I'm hungry.”
Robert: “The last time we did that I got in trouble.” We can see from this scene that Robert is a little bit older now. Perhaps 13 or 14.
John Jr.: “C'mon now Robert. You know you are hungry. We can't possibly get caught this time. You watch by the door and I'll sneak in. This way you can tell if anybody's coming and I'll be inside if we get caught.”
Robert: “I don't know Jay...Let's keep playing with the bilbo catcher. It's fun see!” We can see from look on Robert's face that clearly it is not.
John Jr.: “You have to do what I say.”
Robert: “What!?”
John Jr.: “My father owns you, so you have to do what I say.”
This makes Robert visibly angry. He goes to grab John Jr.'s arm.
John Jr.: “If you don't, your Ma'ama will get in trouble. You know what Terry will do to her if you don't.”
Robert: “Fine! Just watch we don't get caught. Or I'm gonna be doin' the hurtin' to you.”
When they go into the house John Jr. sneaks in the kitchen. Robert keeps watch from the door. As he turns his head he sees John McKee (The Master) in another part of the house. McKee is making sexual advances to one of the slave girls. Robert pauses to look but as he does a lot is bang is heard.
Servant woman: V.O. “John Jr.! You get out of my molasses.”
John Jr. quickly runs out and grabs Robert. McKee looks up and sees the boys. Robert and John Jr. make for the door.
John Jr.: “Thanks Robert. I think we got away.”
Robert: “Easy for you to say. You can get away with anything.”
End of scene.
Robert returns home and sits down for dinner.
Mother (Lydia): “Robert. The master wants to see you. You have to go up to the main house before dinner.”
Robert: “But Ma'ama, I'm hungry. I think I know what he wants but I didn't do anything wrong.”
Lydia: “Who said anything about that. I told you to go up to the house before you eat. That's that. I don't want to hear any lip.”
Robert goes up to the main house and enters. McKee is sitting by the fireplace petting one of the dogs.
McKee: “Robert. Have a seat.”
Robert: “Mister I didn't do anything wrong.”
McKee: “What you saw, or what you think you saw today is another matter. I want to talk to you about something else. It's time that you went into town for work. Summer is here and I don't want you working in the fields. I am going to let you go there on your own. I'm going to give you the papers you need so's nobody will be asking you any questions. You'll keep 30% of what you make to spend as you like. The other 70% comes back to me. To pay for upkeep of the house and your mother. Came back here in the morning and I'll tell you where you need to go.”
Robert:”But...”
McKee: Raising his voice loudly. “Go home Robert. I'll see you in the morning.”
End of Scene
Morning the next day. Going to work in Downtown Charleston
Robert walks into the house. McKee hands him papers and talks to him. No dialogue is heard.
Robert walks into town. Downtown Charleston, 1853. He enters the Ansley-Cooper Inn. He goes to the front desk and rings the bell. A young beautiful African-American woman comes out. (Note to casting, the most beautiful you can find)
Hannah: “Hello, I'm Hannah. Welcome to the Ansley-Cooper Inn. How can I help you?” Smiling broadly.
Robert: “I'm here about a job. John McKee sent me.”
She checks him out head to foot. Robert is dressed very nicely for a slave-hand.
Hannah: “Hold on one moment I'll be right back.”
Robert smiles at her and nods okay.
She goes through a door speaks to someone and returns.
Hannah: “Go down this hallway and make a left. Room 137. We need a lamplighter here during the nights, but during the day you are going to help guests with their luggage and assist the grounds keeper.”
Robert: “Ma'am. I must say. It certainly is a beautiful day, now.”
Hannah: “But it's been like this all morning.” Thinking he is talking about the weather.”
Robert: “It's beautiful, now. Because, I just met you.” He turns in a polite manner and goes down the hall.
Romancing Hannah
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