by Dara Harper
Shades Of War
Dara Harper
Copyright © 2008 by Dara Harper
Story Marketplace Publishing
All rights reserved. No part of this play may be reproduced in any form without permission.
Introduction
I was first introduced to the story of Phoebe Fraunces while working as a tour guide in New York City (one of the many jobs I held to support my artistic endeavors.) Tour guides must be very knowledgeable about the history of the Big Apple to pass a test required to receive a license. I spent hours at the library learning about the early days of the city once known as “New Amsterdam.”
Phoebe was a free woman of color of Haitian and French ancestry who saved George Washington’s life in 1776 and exposed a British assassination plot. Her father, Samuel served as a private during the American Revolution and was one of Washington’s biggest supporters.
She was a woman ahead of her time who faced countless obstacles with courage and self-determination. My admiration for Phoebe compelled me to give a voice to a story that history books have ignored.
Shades Of War debuted in a crowded theater where I was humbled to see audience members cheer for the heroes and villains I crafted based on real people and historical events. Since then, it has had a successful Off-Broadway production and been presented in several venues across the nation.
In the 18th Century, women and people of color faced unspeakable oppression and I hope that my play does justice to Phoebe’s remarkable and true story.
Cast of Characters:
SAMUEL FRAUNCES:
Male, 40’s. African and French ancestry. Originally from Haiti (formerly Sainte-Domingue), he’s a meticulous man who carries himself with class and poise.
PHOEBE FRAUNCES:
Female, age 18. African-American. She is educated and beautiful and represents the fruits of her father’s labor.
GUSS PORTER:
Male, 20’s, African-American, a Louisiana native, agile and muscular.
JONATHAN LEWIS:
Male, 20’s. African-American, fair complexion, Philadelphia-born from a wealthy family.
THOMAS HICKEY: Male, late 20’s. Irish immigrant with charm.
CLAUDE FRAUNCES:
Male, 40’s. Haitian, Samuel’s brother, a passionate revolutionary.
Setting:
(1) Fraunces’ Tavern on Pearl Street, near Broad Street.
(2) The living room of the Fraunces Family home.
(3) Secret meeting place for Thomas & Phoebe.
(4) Soldiers’s hospital at Saratoga.
(5) Guss’ Tavern.
Time:
New York City (1776 - 1789)
ACT I
Scene 1
It’s closing time at the Fraunces' Tavern and lights are low. GUSS and THOMAS are engaged in a drinking match. The men down their ale. GUSS finishes first and lets out a big laugh.
THOMAS: Jesus, Joseph and Mary!
GUSS: Only way to pass the time, land or sea.
THOMAS: Nothing better.
GUSS: I can think of a couple of things... like Rebbecca... My oh my, that girl got some hips on her! Remind me of the women back home... And a voice... sweet like maple syrup... Every time I lay down with Rebbecca, it's like music... all them pretty sounds she make. And I declare, Rebbecca is worth every coin! I don't even look at that other one, what's her name? That skinny one with the long hair... Sally. Only took up with her one night, 'cause Rebbecca wasn't around. Sally didn't make a sound the whole time, like she was mute or somethin'. I ain't got no use for quiet women.
THOMAS: I don't know... there's a certain charm about a quiet woman. Like me mother... she wasn't much on words but she had a grace about her. Quiet women make for fine wives.
GUSS: But if you had one coin to your name, who would you spend it on, Rebbecca or Sally?
THOMAS: Neither. I don't have to pay for the company of a lady. Any woman can be won.
GUSS: How you figure that?
THOMAS: With the right words and bit of patience, you can keep your coins right in your pocket.
GUSS: You sure got some high ideas.
THOMAS: I take you don't believe me...
GUSS: I save all my believing for God.
THOMAS: Wise man. Better get outta here... I have to be at work by first light.
GUSS: Goodnight, Thomas.
THOMAS: Goodnight.
(THOMAS exits.)
(Guss goes from table to table drinking from the half empty glasses of ale patrons left behind. After a few rounds, he passes out.)
(SAM enters.)
SAM: Guss! Guss! For god’s sake, get on your feet man!
(SAM nudges GUSS awake.)
GUSS: Mr. Fraunces, you mind...
(GUSS lifts his glass up towards SAM.)
SAM: Not for all the coins in your pocket.
(GUSS puts his glass down on the table and sits up straight in his chair.)
GUSS: Look here, I’ll be on my way, just pour me some ale. I can even drink it out on Broadway. Pour me one more and I’ll be outta here, just like I said... I’m real good ‘bout keepin’ my word.
SAM: No!
GUSS: Hey... you seen Rebbecca?
SAM: Heavens no! I do not consort with such women, there are far better uses for my money! Guss, you are a disgraceful sight! A living example of the worst attributes of our race... For everyone like me, there are hundreds still like you... Lazy. Hopeless.
GUSS: Mr. Fraunces, I ain’t nothin’ like you say!
SAM: Well then, what am I missing about your character? Night after night, I’ve watched you drink yourself to a dither! I want to know your plight, my good man. What is your sad story? What’s stopping you from living a productive life?
GUSS: My life suits me just fine, Mr. Fraunces!
SAM: Oh, surely, there’s something! Perhaps a tragic past? I assume that you’re a fugitive. From where exactly?
GUSS: Ascending Bay, Louisiana. I may not have been born free like you, Mr. Fraunces, but I got my freedom now.
SAM: And now that you have it, what good does it serve! Name one thing you have contributed to society since your escape... and if you cannot, you are better off a slave.
(GUSS stands up so fast that his chair falls over in the process. He is face to face with SAM. GUSS tightens his fists.)
SAM: This is just what I expected of you... acting at whim, no control over your emotions! This is why they think so poorly of our kind, because of Negroes like you.
GUSS: We ain’t so different as you think, Mr. Fraunces. I hear what they call you. “Black Sam, fetch my wine!” “Black Sam, get me some coffee!” “Black Sam-”
SAM: They do not mean it in that vein!
GUSS: You is Black Sam, ain’t you? No matter how much property you own or how much education you got, you gonna die Black Sam.
SAM: Those men respect me. I have the ear of Washington, Hamilton, all of them! A nickname makes no difference.
GUSS: If this was my tavern, I wouldn’t let nobody call me out of my name. You can believe that.
SAM: But it isn’t yours! I doubt you own anything besides those dreadful clothes.
GUSS: Now just a minute, Mr. Fraunces. That’s fixin’ to change.
SAM: Do you even have employment?
GUSS: I been... talking to some people around the city about work... ‘Sides, I could always get a job back on a ship again.
SAM: What experience do you have at sea?
GUSS: Been everything from a cabin boy to a first mate. You probably size me up and think I ain’t been nowhere or done nothin’, but I seen a whole lot of this world. Maybe even more than you. The Caribbean. Europe even.
SAM: In all you travels, did you ever visit Saint-Domingue?
&nbs
p; GUSS: Couples times, I sure liked it there. Wouldn’t mind gettin’ me some land by the beach and a pretty, young wife. They sure got some fine lookin’ women to pick from down there.
SAM: Indeed. That is my homeland.
GUSS: Yeah, you kinda talk like it.
SAM: I’ve been in New York for many years, but I know I’ll carry my accent to the grave. My French has served me well here. Dutch too.
GUSS: I’ve heard you with the customers, speaking all them different languages.
SAM: The best way to learn is to listen. Take that pearl of wisdom, and keep it with you. So why did you come to New York?
GUSS: I figure if a colored man could make somethin’ of himself, this would be the best place. I know they got slavery here too, but...
SAM: I’m certain it’s quite different from the horrors you witnessed in the south. I’ve owned slaves myself. Fed them well. Never overworked them. It’s not the institution of slavery that is flawed, it’s the way the slaves are treated. I personally know of masters who consider their slaves like family, and both parties are quite happy.
GUSS: Now, Mr. Fraunces, you can’t speak on that. You’ve known freedom all your life. I almost died gettin’ mine. And believe me, the only happy slaves is the ones in heaven. But if them British win, they promise to free all the slaves if they win the war.
SAM: Do you think those tyrannous Brits will live up to their word? They’ve made millions on the slave trade! If you take up arms with them, you are a fool indeed!
GUSS: I ain’t gonna be no solider, not for the Brits, or for nobody else!
SAM: So sad to hear, General Washington could use a strong man like you.
GUSS: I ain’t takin’ no bullet for him! He already got his freedom. He ain’t seen his family sold away. Nobody ever took a whip to his back.
SAM: Guss, there’s far more at stake. Haven’t you heard the calls? No taxation without representation! The Revolution is crucial and necessary.
GUSS: You sure got a lot of faith in the white man’s war.
SAM: This goes beyond color. It is for the well being of all men.
GUSS: Never mind who wins, it ain’t gonna change how they treat us.
SAM: You don’t know that! Neither of us has the power to predict the future. I would like to introduce you to my friends, Washington and Hamilton. They will make you understand the value of the Revolution. And you’d be pleased to know that Hamilton is fighting to abolish slavery.
GUSS: Mr. Fraunces, I respect you and all, but I don’t wanna meet them. And I know they don’t wanna meet me. Good luck to you, fightin’ that war.
SAM: I am certain we will win.
GUSS: Goodnight, Mr. Fraunces.
SAM: Take care, my good man.
(GUSS exits.)
(Blackout.)
Scene 2
SAM stands alone, reading a letter.
SAM:
February 5th, 1776
Dear Brother,
How I miss the sun of Saint-Domingue! You cannot phantom the cold here! There is snow all around us, as if God spread a white blanket over the city. I keep warm with strong coffee and fine scotch.
Business at the tavern is quite good. I hired on a new man, a runaway slave named Guss. I gave him the job partially out of charity and also because he reminds me of you - strong minded and passionate about the plight of our race.
As you know, the war is on, and my tavern is now the official meeting place for Washington and his top surrogates. I keep their glasses full and their spirits high. I have signed on as a private in the army and contributed all of my spare funds to the cause.
The Brits would surely capture me and kill me if they discovered my ties to the Revolution. However, my fear does not diminish my resolve to do what is righteous! I ask that you please send whatever monies you have at your disposal. We desperately need more arms. It will not be an easy task, but we can overtake the Brits. I can taste our independence!
Most sincerely,
Your brother,
Samuel Fraunces
(Blackout.)
Scene 3
The Fraunces house is cozy and bright. The sun shines through the window. PHOEBE is sitting in the rocking chair, reading a book in the sunlight.
(SAM enters.)
SAM: Oh, what a trying week I’ve had. How’s my sweet Phoebe?
PHOEBE: I haven’t seen you in days.
SAM: It’s terribly busy at the tavern.
PHOEBE: I miss you, Father.
SAM: Where’s your mother?
PHOEBE: Upstairs with Rose, making adjustments on her wedding gown. I've never seen her so excited.
SAM: She ought to be. Phillip comes from a fine family and those two will prosper together.
PHOEBE: He comes from a fine family indeed, however...
SAM: Yes?
PHOEBE: I’m glad you didn’t choose him for me.
SAM: Is that so?
PHOEBE: His face is not so pleasing to the eyes.
SAM: I pray you keep that thought to yourself. Besides, your sister is indifferent to his appearance. And even the most beautiful faces change with time. Everything falters with time, except for love.
PHOEBE: I realize that, Father. But I still ask that you choose a husband for me who is better looking than Phillip.
SAM: And what other attributes would you like him to have, my dear?
PHOEBE: A love of music and laughter. A love of animals too, especially horses! A master at conversation, and a-
SAM: The more things you name, the longer it will take for me to find such a man. But you’ll have your turn soon enough. Jonathan Lewis will make a fine husband for you.
PHOEBE: He sends me letters constantly. He'll be in New York on business in a few weeks.
SAM: Very well, then we can plan for a summer wedding for you two. That is certainly the season of love. You know, your mother and I were married in July. It was dreadfully hot, but we were all smiles.
PHOEBE: Father... I'm not sure if I'm ready to wed Jonathan. I hardly know how to cook and I...
SAM: You needn't worry, my dear. Starting next week, you will take over your sister's post in the kitchen, down at the tavern.
PHOEBE: What about my studies and my violin lessons? What about the literacy class I teach at the church?
SAM: You must prioritize your domestic responsibilities above all else.
PHOEBE: But Father, I love to learn and you always encouraged me to be studious.
SAM: Noble men like Jonathan will shy away from a woman who is too intellectual. The ideal wife can carry on a conversation gracefully without intimidating her husband. My sweet child, if only you’d been born a man.
PHOEBE: Father, is it possible for me to continue my studies and wait to marry Jonathan?
SAM: If you delay, he will certainly choose another wife. Now if it pleases you, you can stay on as a volunteer teacher at the church until they find a replacement, but I expect for you to work morning shifts at the tavern starting on Monday. Trust that you will enjoy a pleasant life with Jonathan. His father is a prominent landowner in New Jersey. You will be abundantly provided for, my dear. Besides, Jonathan is the most handsome blue-blooded mulatto I could find. Your offspring will not be cursed with dark skin.
PHOEBE: He said in his last letter that he wants us to move to Philadelphia. I do not wish to go there.
SAM: When your mother and I first arrived in New York, she so missed Saint-Domingue that she hardly spoke to me for a month. She hated this cold, dirty city and wanted to return to the comfort of island life. Her hazel eyes overflowed with tears and she even threatened divorce. But I assured her that we could prosper here, just as you and Jonathan will prosper in Philadelphia.
PHOEBE: Father, I...
SAM: Trust that you will find happiness with Jonathan. On Sunday, after church, if it pleases you, we will all go for a family walk on Maiden Lane.
PHOEBE: That would be grand!
SAM: I’m going to go upstairs and check
on your mother and Rose.
PHOEBE: Will you be here for supper tonight? We are making quail and gingerbread cake for dessert.
SAM: I will likely eat at the tavern tonight.