The indicated features a shortened scene of a broader play that presents the fleeing experience of a young slave girl, who is starving to bask in the great glory of liberty and dwell the American dream. This shortened scene also contains useful facts concerning slavery in America in the era preceding the pivotal moment of the Civil War that transformed the genuine ideals of the nation into the basic laws that interlink each human being making up our present society.
The scene commences as a pair of young female slaves enter the slaves’ shed after having satisfied the slave driver with a full day’s work.
House Slave: I see that you have finally arrived. Where have you been?
Slave: What do you consider? Workin’ the fields, of course. I would sure favor mindin’ to the master’s home. Everybody acknowledges how luxurious that is!
House Slave: I have my work cut out for me, too, you know.
Slave: You know, I have been ponderin’ lately about somethin’ extremely significant.
House Slave (viewing her cautiously): I do not like that tone of yours.
Slave (looking at her feet): Well, I have been thinkin’ that maybe I would flee this here plantation to Mexico.
House Slave (bewildered): Pardon me, but how could you be so foolish as to think such a ridiculous thing?
Slave: There is no life here for me.
House Slave: What of your brothers and sister? Your mother and father wouldn’t have wanted you to leave here. After they perished after that dreadful disease they caught from those ole ships on which they arrived here, I promised to see to you and your siblings. Look at me, Elaine, look! Don’t you respect your family and your bretrothed?
Slave: Y-yyyyyes, M’am! (She attempts to defend herself.) But, they will be fine. Won’t they? (She turns toward her companion.)
Slave Friend: But, Elaine….
Slave (shaking her in distress):Won’t they?
Slave Friend: Well, I sure don’t know.
House Slave: Besides, don’t you know what those ole white men will do if you flee? (She answers her own question.). Hang you ‘til you are swingin’ over yonder from that oak tree! Perhaps they will whip you ‘til you bleed to a sorrowful death! Or burn you alive, Elaine! Alive!
Slave (overwhelmed): Well, that’s just mere tales the men tell to amuse themselves at the campfire.
House Slave: No, suh! This here’s the truth, the whole truth indeed! I myself witnessed a hanging of my dear friend ten years back.
Slave (turning away in defiance): That will never happen to me!
House Slave: Well, you just think more on your foolish notion, gal!
Slave: I sure will! (She exits the scene, slamming the door harshly behind her.)
Slave Driver (noticing the slave exiting from the shack): Girl, what do you think you are doing? You know, I don’t take kindly to no runaways after that last incident.
Slave: Yes, M’am, I believe I do, but I am simply going up to the creek over yonder to fetch some water with this here bucket. (She indicates to a bucket located near the side of the shack).
Slave Driver: (laughing wickedly): Well, you just make sure that you get back in less than five minutes.
Slave: Yes, M’am, I will. (The slave driver exits as Elaine indecisively moves toward the north.)
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