A PLAY IN TWO ACTS.
CAST OF CHARACTERS:
ELLEN SHELBY, a girl
CATHERINE SHELBY, Ellen's mother
AARON SHELBY, Ellen's father
KATIMA, a slave girl belonging to Derek Shelby
SALOTUN, a slave boy, Katima's brother, also belonging to Derek Shelby
DEREK SHELBY, A Plantation Owner
MARIE SHELBY, Derek's wife
SUSAN SHELBY, Derek's Daughter
SLAVES, belonging to Derek Shelby
HARRIET TUBMAN, famous conductor on the Underground Railroad
LISA POTTER, Operator of a station on the Underground Railroad
HARRY POTTER, Her Husband
BART WILSON, An Acquaintance of Harry's
ACT I.
SCENE 1: June, 1859 - the Shelby house in Tennessee, morning.
ELLEN SHELBY: Why do I have to go ? I know how to behave myself. I DO NOT WANT TO GO!
CATHERINE SHELBY: You have to darling. Your father and I decided this a long time ago.
ELLEN: Why can't I go to England with you?
CATHERINE: My mother is sick and I have to go take care of her. I won't have time for you.
AARON SHELBY: You'll have a much better time at my brother's plantation than you would in England with your mother and me. You'll be able to play with their daughter, Susan.
ELLEN: You didn't ask me if I wanted to go . You just went ahead and said I have to. I HATE YOU.
CATHERINE: Don't talk to your father that way, young lady. Now go get your bags. We're leaving soon.
AARON: Do you need any help with your bags?
ELLEN: NO!
Ellen Exits.
AARON: She'll be okay. It's for the best, you know.
CATHERINE: She's so rebellious, I'm glad we're getting away.
AARON: Derek is strict, he'll straighten her out.
Ellen enters with bags.
ELLEN: Well, if I have to go, I'd like to at least get there on time.
CATHERINE: By the end of the summer you'll be a different person and I'm sure you'll thank your father and me for arranging this.
All exit.
SCENE 2: A week later at Derek Shelby's plantation in Mississippi, late in the afternoon.
KATIMA: Welcome, Miss Ellen. May I take your bags?
ELLEN: Aunt Marie, Why is she talking to me that way? I always take care of my own bags.
MARIE: Don't ask stupid questions, child. She's a slave. She does those things for you.
ELLEN: She's a slave? Does she act like this all the time?
DEREK: Yes, didn't you know that? You have a lot to learn this summer.
ELLEN: Excuse me, where's my room?
DEREK: Katima will show you to your room.
MARIE: Why don't you freshen up? Dinner's almost ready.
Derek and Marie exit.
ELLEN: Do you live here?
KATIMA: Well, I guess you could say that.
ELLEN: Maybe we can play together someday?
KATIMA: Are you stupid? I'm a slave. You're not. We aren't supposed to play. Unless you order us to. And your Aunt and Uncle probably wouldn't like that.
ELLEN: Oh. Well, are there any other people around here to play with that aren't slaves or adults?
KATIMA: You'll have Susan, but I'm not sure you'll want to have her when you get her.
ELLEN: Why do you say that?
KATIMA: You've never met her, have you?
Salotun enters.
SALOTUN: Time for dinner, Miss Ellen.
Ellen, Katima, and Salotun exit.
SCENE 3: The dining room of the Shelby Plantation House.
ELLEN: Good evening, Aunt Marie. Good evening, Uncle Derek.
MARIE: She's so polite.
DEREK: I know, my dear. Isn't she wonderful?
MARIE: I wish Susan were more like her.
ELLEN: Where is cousin Susan, anyway?
DEREK: She's attending a boarding school in Georgia.
ELLEN: Is that why you need all the help?
MARIE: Help? To Derek. I'm sure I don't know what she can mean, my dear.
DEREK: To Marie. She means the slaves, I think. To Ellen. We aren't meant to do certain things for ourselves, child. That is why we have slaves. Do you have any other questions? We might as well remedy your ignorance now as later.
ELLEN: Where do Katima and Salotun eat? Don't they eat with you?
DEREK: They are slaves. They eat outside with the other slaves. Don't worry your head about them. We feed them plenty.
ELLEN: It's just that, when I'm not having dinner with you, it gets lonely. I won't have anyone to play with until Susan gets back. I miss Mother and Father. They're so far away.
Ellen looks as though she is about to cry.
DEREK: If it bothers you so much then they can eat with you in the kitchen until Susan gets home. She'll be home soon; but until then, they shall be your constant companions, honey. I'll see to that.
CATHERINE: To house slave. Slave, go get Katima and Salotun. Tell them that Ellen needs some company.
Slave exits. Another slave enters with a folded paper on a tray.
SLAVE: Message for Mr. Shelby.
DEREK: Listen to this! "Warning to all slave owners. Somebody, perhaps even an abolitionist, is going around stealing very valuable slaves from plantations in this county. Make sure all your slaves, especially the young and able-bodied, are protected. Slave children have been disappearing from the quarters at night and should be kept under close guard." It's signed by the County Sheriff.
MARIE: We must make some changes. Ellen, Katima will share your room, and Salotun will have the guest room until this crisis is over. They are too valuable to risk losing.
SCENE 4: Ellen's room. Six days later, early morning .
ELLEN: Yawning and stretching. Is it morning already?
KATIMA: Yes, I've been up for hours. Its almost 6:30. You know if I don't get working, I'll be whipped. She listens for a moment. Do you hear that? Slaves start singing and slowly get louder as they pass the house on their way to the fields. Then the song fades as the line of slaves moves away.
SLAVES:
This little light of mine,
I'm gonna let it shine.
This little light of mine,
I'm gonna let it shine.
This little light of mine,
I'm gonna let it shine,
Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine.
Down by the riverside,
I'm gonna let it shine.
Down by the riverside,
I'm gonna let it shine.
Down by the riverside,
I'm gonna let it shine.
Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine.
In the dark of night,
I'm gonna let it shine.
In the dark of night,
I'm gonna let it shine.
In the dark of night,
I'm gonna let it shine,
Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine.
ELLEN: Over singing. What?
KATIMA: Over singing. That. Both listen as singing gets louder and fades away. Then. That's our way out of here. But only if you are brave enough to travel on The Underground Railroad.
ELLEN: What's that?
KATIMA: People up North and people down here who don't believe in Slavery set it up so we can get up to Canada and be free. Some are leaving tonight. That's what the song says. They'll meet down by the river when it's black night and go upstream. The dogs can't track so well in the water. Then they'll meet the Conductor, maybe even Moses as they call her. If I'm brave enough, I'll go too.
The girls don't notice that Salotun has entered until he speaks.
SALOTUN: Katima, you big-mouth! What you want to tell her that for? She may be different but that don't mean you can trust her.
Enter Derek.
DEREK: You two, Katima and Salotun, get to work. Outside. The front garden needs tending. Ellen, go find something to do outside, too, if you want.. The three go outside. Katima and Salotun get to work.
ELLEN: What kind of work do you have to do? Could I help?
KATIMA: Hard. And, no. I'm a slave. You're not, remember?
ELLEN: I'll be up on the hill picking flowers. I'll come back. Maybe I can help you then.
SALOTUN: Well, we won't be done till late tonight. So don't bother.
Exit Ellen.
SCENE 4: At the plantation, in the garden by the circular driveway in front of the house. Ellen returns with her straw hat full of flowers.
ELLEN: Oh my gosh, it's almost 3 p.m. I've been gone for hours.
KATIMA: Ellen, we are leaving tonight. Are you coming with us? If you're not, we're taking you with us.
SALOTUN: What my sister is trying to say is that if you don't come with us, then you will tell your uncle and aunt about the escape tonight.
ELLEN: I know how slaves have to live their lives. I've seen a lot, and I've only been here a week. Believe me, I won't tell. I hate my parents and I hate it here.
A carriage arrives. Katima screams and faints.
SALOTUN: I think she fainted and I'm sure I know why. Susan's carriage just pulled up. She's been in Georgia and we've been dreading the day she comes back. Nobody's as mean to us as Susan.
The driver, a slave, helps Susan down from the carriage. He bows deeply. She pays no attention to him. Ignoring Ellen, she rushes over to Katima and kicks her in the side.
SUSAN: Up, you lazy slave! Why are you lying down when there's work to be done! You, Salotun! Throw some water on her and don't forget to tell the Overseer I want her whipped tonight when the field hands come back. You forget and I'll have you whipped, too. They don't stand for this in Georgia and I don't see why Mama and Papa stand for it here. Back to work!
Finally noticing Ellen, who stands in shock.
Oh, hello. Why you must be cousin Ellen. We'll have such fun while you' re here.
Susan enters the house. Ellen hurries to Katima as Salotun pours water on her from a bucket.
ELLEN: I'm going with you.
ACT II.
SCENE 1. Katima, Salotun and Ellen have joined a "train" of the Underground Railroad. They are on the trail from Hernando, Mississippi to Millington, Tennessee. Their conductor is a small woman but strong and untiring.
KATIMA: Well, we've actually left that plantation and all it's trouble behind us.
SALOTUN: But, what if someone sees us or catches us?
ELLEN: I'll just tell them my uncle asked me to take you somewhere.
SALOTUN: Right. Like anyone's going to believe a kid your age. They'll think we took you!
KATIMA: Are you really Moses?
HARRIET TUBMAN: Yes, I'm Harriet Tubman. Some call me Moses.
SALOTUN: Where are we going to stop next?
HARRIET: We'll stop in Millington, Tennessee where we can rest for a while at a station.
ELLEN: Watch out for that branch, Katima.
HARRIET: Keep your voices down. We're near an abandoned cave where we can sleep today. It's not safe for us to be outside in the daylight and it's almost dawn.
SCENE 2. The cave. Dusk. Katima rouses Ellen.
KATIMA: Ellen, it's almost dark. We'll be leaving soon.
HARRIET: If we get at least 12 miles from here tonight, we'll reach Millington by dawn the day after tomorrow.
ELLEN: We've already been in the woods two days. Are we going to get there sometime soon?
SALOTUN: Are you sorry you wanted to come?
ELLEN: My feet sure are, but I'm not.
KATIMA: Stop teasing her, Salotun.
HARRIET: It's not too far ahead. Now keep quiet, it's dark enough to leave.
SCENE 3. The Potter House in Millington, Tennessee. A secret "station" on the Underground Railroad.
LISA POTTER: Calling softly out the back door. Harriet, quick. Get them all in here before someone sees you. It's not quite light, but people will soon be passing on the road.
All enter Potter House.
HARRY POTTER: Down here, in the wine cellar. My wife will bring you hot water to wash with and some food we've kept warm for you.
ELLEN: Good, we'll have food soon. I'm starving!
KATIMA: We're very grateful to you both.
SALOTUN: After I wash up and eat I'm going right to sleep!
HARRIET: That's best. You need to rest up, for the next stage of the journey may be harder.
Later.
LISA: Well, it's been two days, but finally we have a way to sneak you on to Union, Tennessee.
HARRY: You will ride in our wagon when I go to the market tomorrow. You'll have to pass through the town of Ripley, hidden under blankets. The children will have to keep very still.
HARRIET: They'll keep still. They know what will happen to us all if they get caught.
SCENE 4: In the wagon on the way to Union, Tennessee.
Bart Wilson, an acquaintance of Harry Potter, is sitting by the road, just outside of Ripley.
BART WILSON: Hey, Harry. Where ya goin'? How about a ride into Union? I'll just hop in on top of that pile of blankets you got there.
HARRY: Sorry, Bart, but I'm not going that way today. Maybe another time.
BART: Well, that's alright then. Maybe I'll just leave my trip until another day.
Bart exits back toward Ripley. Harry pulls up on the reins. Harriet and the children exit wagon.
HARRY: We're safe now. But that was a close call. Here's where I better turn off for home.
HARRIET: I've been in worse situations than that. Well, see you next time, Harry.
KATIMA: We won't forget your kindness, Mr. Potter.
SALOTUN: 'Bye, Mr. Potter. Tell your wife she's a really good cook.
ELLEN: We'll make it to Canada. We'll never let each other down.
- Julia Rachel Himes