Shades of War
Page 4
GUSS: You can stop hopin’, girl. That’s guaranteed!
PHOEBE: Well, goodbye.
(PHOEBE walks him to the door.)
GUSS: Now remember, every goodbye ain’t gone. I wish it was Tuesday again already.
(GUSS exits.)
(Blackout.)
Scene 6
GUSS is cleaning up the tavern after a long day, he is stacking silverware on a pile of plates in the middle of the table. SAM is folding a white tablecloth.
SAM: Make sure the door is locked.
GUSS: Yes sir.
(GUSS exits to lock the door and quickly returns.)
(SAM retrieves his coin purse and begins to count the money.)
SAM: What a gay crowd! They bought up so much wine!
GUSS: Indeed they did, Mr. Fraunces.
SAM: I know we made out handsomely tonight!
GUSS: Mr. Fraunces...
SAM: What is it?
GUSS: I bought me that plot of land by the church yesterday.
SAM: That’s good to hear.
GUSS: And next week, I’m gonna buy a horse. It’s kinda old, but it’ll get me around from place to place...
(Pause)
Mr. Fraunces, I’m real grateful for this job you give me.
SAM: You are a fine worker and besides, it’s my duty to pass opportunities onto the next man. I did not acquire my fortune solely on my own accord. No man is an island.
GUSS: And a man ain’t nothin’ without a woman in his corner.
SAM: So you feel you’re ready for a wife?
GUSS: More ready by the second.
SAM: There is a slave girl named Anna, aged seventeen years. She is not mulatto. In fact, she is quite dark, but very pleasing to look at. Anna is owned by my dear friend, General Washington. I could speak to him on your behalf. Anna would be a good choice for you.
(Beat)
Now, you know the rules with slaves... You could only see her after church on Sundays, then she would have to go back to General Washington. But because he is my friend, I might be able to arrange for you to have her for the whole weekend. And I’m sure a man like you would make the most of that time.
GUSS: Mr. Fraunces, I don’t want that kind of a wife.
SAM: Is it because she is dark?
GUSS: No, Mr. Fraunces. I don’t wanna marry a slave.
SAM: Maybe you could save enough money to buy Anna.
GUSS: Mr. Fraunces, I wanna marry Phoebe. How would I go about havin’ her hand?
SAM: How bold of you to even suggest that!
GUSS: Mr. Fraunces, I would give her a good life. I promise I would.
SAM: There is no place for your kind in my family! You are poor, illiterate, uncouth! You are not fit for my daughter! If it weren’t for the job I gave you, you’d be nothing.
GUSS: I may not have all the fancy things you got, Mr. Fraunces, but I am a good man.
SAM: You are barely good enough to marry Anna and Phoebe is far beyond your reach! I am insulted that you would dare ask for my daughter’s hand!
GUSS: Mr. Fraunces...
SAM: Leave here now and go find employment elsewhere!
GUSS: Mr. Fraunces, you swear you’re better than me, but you’re worse than them white folks who call you “Black Sam” to your face and nigga behind your back. And you wrong about me, I am a good man. And that don’t got nothin’ to do with what’s in my pocket.
(SAM gathers the coins and puts them in his pocket.)
(SAM throws a coin on the floor at GUSS.)
SAM: Make sure you clean up before you leave.
(SAM exits.)
(GUSS starts to clean the tavern.)
(Blackout.)
Scene 7
GUSS stands in the spotlight holding a letter.
GUSS:
August 19th, 1776
Dear Phoebe,
I had a friend write this letter. I wish I could’ve written it myself. My mind always goes back to that night when I was at your house and you looked in my eyes. I was sure right then that you were the woman I wanted to be with.
I know how different we are, and I know Mr. Fraunces hates me for wanting you, but if you get this letter and you feel anything at all for me, please come to the seaport next Saturday. I will be there and I hope to God to see your face.
Sincerely,
Guss Porter
(Blackout.)
Scene 8
It's mid-morning at the Fraunces house. SAM is sipping coffee and reading a book in the rocking chair.
(PHOEBE enters.)
SAM: Where are you off to?
PHOEBE: The fish market, Father.
SAM: Your mother went there yesterday. Sit down, Phoebe.
(PHOEBE sits next to him.)
SAM: Where are you really going? And who are you going to see? I keep trying to save you from yourself, but you are exhausting my patience.
PHOEBE: And I feel exhausted by your smothering! Let me live my own life.
SAM: You did a fine job of living your life with that rogue Thomas.
PHOEBE: You cannot control me forever.
SAM: I am protecting you!
PHOEBE: Most fathers protect their daughters out of love, but that isn’t your motive... You only wish to preserve the Fraunces name. To keep our perfect little place in high society.
SAM: You consider it a fault for a man to provide his family with a descent life? Of course I have always stressed keeping up appearances. You only have one name, and reputation is more valuable than riches! And you have also prospered from my hard work and this family name. From the shoes on your feet to the pearls around your neck! You disappoint me with your ungrateful tone.
PHOEBE: Father, I am grateful, I just question if... You said before that the only thing that never changes is love.
SAM: Yes, that is true. And if you love me, you will never defy me again.
PHOEBE: Father, I wish to God that you would look at me like you used to... Like that time we went to Maiden Lane. I am still the same but you are not. I see no warmth in your eyes when you look at me. I do regret my indiscretion with Thomas. I carry that in my heart everyday. And you always mention it, reminding me of my mistake even more! But Father, no matter how much I pray, I cannot undo the past.
SAM: I always wanted for our family to set a high example for the colored race. There is such a common belief that we lack self-respect, that our women are harlots, that we all ignorant! But with dignity and grace, we can disprove that. I want you to lead the life of a noblewoman. And if you are not careful, there will be no chance for that. I understand that none of God’s creatures are without flaws. But mistakes are hard to accept, especially coming from you, my own flesh. But you should always know that I am on your side, Phoebe. There isn’t a soul beyond the walls of this house who will ever be more on your side.
PHOEBE: I never meant to defy you, I just want to be loved and cared for...
SAM: I want you to have all of those things and more, but you must go about it the right way. One day soon, you will be married, living in a house of your own and you will think back on this very moment, and you will be most grateful for the way I looked after you.
(Blackout.)
Scene 9
JONATHAN sits in a chair, reading a letter.
JONATHAN:
October 15th, 1777
Dear Phoebe,
I know it has been over a year since I've seen you. I write to you from the soldier's hospital of Saratoga, New York. The Brits outnumber us by the thousands, but we have finally defeated them.
Like many of the men here, I was injured in combat. Despite my condition, I was most happy to sacrifice for the revolution. After all, it was your father who encouraged me to enlist.
I was also humbled by my brush with death. God has spared my life and I feel an obligation to right my wrongs. I regret being so overbearing the day we met. I assure you that I am a different man, a better man.
Sincerely,
Jonathan Lewis
Scene 10
It's mid-afternoon inside of a soldier's hospital. JONATHAN sits in a chair by a lantern. His skin is pale and his there are dark circles under his eyes. He is shivering underneath a thin blanket. He lets out a loud cough.
(PHOEBE enters.)
JONATHAN: I am so surprised to see your face, Miss Fraunces.
PHOEBE: My dear Lord... Jonathan...
JONATHAN: Never mind my condition, tell me all about the happenings in your life. Tell me about anything not pertaining to the war. Have you a husband? Children?
PHOEBE: I'm afraid not.
JONATHAN: What ever became of that fellow you so loved?
PHOEBE: He was a causality of the Revolution.
JONATHAN: Sad to hear. I didn't think you would come...
PHOEBE: I harbor no bad feelings in my heart for you or anyone else.
JONATHAN: You are a very noble woman and I'd still be honored to have you as a wife, but surely you wouldn't want to spend the rest of your days looking after a crippled. Phoebe, there is a good chance I will never walk again. I hardly feel like a man anymore.
PHOEBE: Sacrifice is the truest testament of manhood. I will pray for you, Jonathan.
JONATHAN: Save it for someone more worthy.
(PHOEBE kneels down next to JONATHAN and grabs his hand. She begins to pray.)
PHOEBE: Lord, watch after your most humble servant, Jonathan Lewis. Bless him with a renewed passion for living. Show him that with you, no challenge is insurmountable. Amen.
JONATHAN: Phoebe...
(JONATHAN begins to cough.)
(PHOEBE gives him some water.)
JONATHAN: Thank you.
PHOEBE: Jonathan, I will pray for you everyday from now on and I will come visit you again very soon.
(PHOEBE stands up to leave.)
JONATHAN: Is there any chance that one day you would have me for a husband?
(PHOEBE smiles.)
PHOEBE: Jonathan, I...
JONATHAN: Don't say anything further... your smile alone gives me hope.
PHOEBE: Good evening, Jonathan.
JONATHAN: Please come back as soon as you can.
(PHOEBE exits.)
(Blackout.)
Scene 11
SAM stands alone reading a letter. CLAUDE stands next to him. Both men have aged thirteen years.
SAM:
May 19th, 1789
Dear Brother,
Washington won the election easily and he immediately asked me to serve as steward to the presidential mansion. I am honored to have such a high post; they treat me as fair as they would any white man. However, it is a demanding position and I am thinking of selling the tavern. How I wish I could keep it! There are countless memories in that place.
I got Phoebe hired on as a maid at Washington’s mansion. She is grateful for the opportunity. She is quite downhearted since the death of Jonathan Lewis, a young suitor whom she befriended later in life.
As you know, she is still single and nearing the end of her childbearing years. I am reluctant to marry her off because of her behavior years ago with Thomas. I also came to find out that she corresponded with that runaway slave I fired. I doubt she is pure and it is best that she remain alone.
Rose is expecting her forth child. My grandchildren are quite wonderful! It is also a blessing that they look more like Rose than Phillip.
I will board a ship and come visit Saint-Domingue this winter. It’s been far too long. I will bring that fine scotch you so enjoy, and we will toast to this old patriot!
Love always,
Your brother,
Samuel Fraunces
(CLAUDE reads a letter.)
CLAUDE:
August 29th, 1789
Dear Brother,
When you come visit, there will be no partaking in fine scotch. I hope that you will devote yourself to the most pressing cause, the freedom of our people. I pay my taxes faithfully and own several properties and I am still unable to vote. All over the island, slaves don't have adequate food or medical care. Yellow fever is taking lives of every shade.
You so selflessly helped the Americans secure their liberation and now I ask that you come and help us. We need you.
Sincerely,
Your brother,
Claude Fraunces
PS. As the revolution continues in France, it will make it easier for us to defeat them.
SAM: Claude there is far more to citizenship than voting. Although I have never cast a ballot, I support candidates with my influence and with generous donations to their campaigns. I agree that the conditions of the slaves in Saint-Domingue should be improved but this is not a pressing concern for me. My dear brother, I hope that your love for our people does not overpower your sense of self-preservation.
(Blackout.)
Scene 12
It's late at night at the Fraunces house. It's raining outside. PHOEBE drinks a glass of wine as she looks out of the window. Thirteen years have passed and she looks much older. Her hair is streaked with gray and her eyes look tired.
(SAM enters.)
SAM: It isn't becoming for a lady to drink.
PHOEBE: Father, let me be...
SAM: I hear reports from the other maids that you are not keeping up with your work at the mansion. President Washington thinks too fondly of you to have you fired, but I will do it myself if necessary.
PHOEBE: By all means, Father, do what you think best.
SAM: I suppose it's quite natural for this weather to bring one's spirits down...
PHOEBE: Sun or rain, day or night, I only draw breath. I no longer feel alive.
SAM: On the contrary, you have much to be grateful for... our family name, a beautiful home and a job serving the most important man in the country. You haven't any idea how many women would-
PHOEBE: I am still alone, Father.
SAM: That is your doing.
PHOEBE: I agree. I should have left here and made a life for myself.
SAM: Had you done that, you would have starved or taken up some awful trade.
PHOEBE: You cannot be certain of that! Besides, I might have found happiness.
SAM: Well then, I am surprised that you didn't pursue it.
PHOEBE: My allegiance to you overpowered my allegiance to myself. And I never lost faith in your promise... you said you wouldn't let me become an old maid.
SAM: Phoebe...
PHOEBE: I deserve to be loved by someone. I deserve a good husband and a life of my own.
SAM: You must understand how difficult it was for me as your father... I was floored by your affair with Thomas and then you-
PHOEBE: I assure you, it's been far more difficult for me. I wish to God you would stop judging me and see past my indiscretion, see the woman before you. I am your daughter.
SAM: Phoebe, I see my face in yours and that is why I... I reacted the way I did years ago. And now, I am aware of how this has hurt you and for that, I am very sorry.
(Beat)
If it pleases you, I can try and arrange for you to marry someone.
PHOEBE: I don't know, Father.
SAM: Well, please give it some thought... I do not wish for you to be unhappy. Goodnight, my dear.
PHOEBE: Goodnight.
(SAM exits.)
(Blackout.)
Scene 13
GUSS stands reading a letter. The years have been kind to him, he looks about the same.
GUSS:
July 4th, 1789