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FADE IN:
TITLE CARD:
The words "A house divided cannot stand: Abraham Lincoln"
filter into view.
INT. CARGO HOLD - THE WANDERER - DAY
In a dank, diseased ridden storage level of a slave ship,
hundreds of slaves huddle, tightly packed against one
another. The dead lay upon the living. Slaves cringe at the
heavy footsteps and banging from the deck above.
Hardened voices are heard as the door to the above deck
slowly creaks open. Chains being drug across the deck resound
from beyond the opening.
The door raises. The light of day temporarily blinds the
tortured souls. Sea air rushes in, gasps for air rise in
concert before fear grips the collection of slaves. What
seems to be prayers from strange tongues can be heard
mumbling throughout.
EXT. MAIN DECK - THE WANDERER - DAY
A bearded Irishman stands upon the deck staring into the
hold. A group of ten men prepare a chain near by The
Irishman.
The words "Charleston, South Carolina 1857" fade into view.
The Irishman's furrowed face is red and chapped from his time
at sea. He wears a long woolen coat to warm his portly body.
He yells into the cargo hold below.
THE IRISHMAN
Let's go, let's go, get up you
godless pieces of shit!
INT. CARGO HOLD - THE WANDERER - DAY
The weary slaves closest to the door rise slowly and gently
and make their way up the wooden steps. The rest of the
level begins to rustle.
The first slave reaches the top of the steps. Frightened, he
is greeted by the devilish smile of The Irishman and quickly
tossed into the group of men holding a 20 foot length of
shackles and chain. A few of the men quickly restrain the
slave and force him to stand correct.
Next, two slaves carrying a corpse approach the top of the
steps. Displeasure sinks into The Irishman and the men
holding the chain.
CHAINMAN ONE
Ah shit! What in the hell are we
supposed to do with that one?
The Irishman calls a couple of men over to take the corpse from
the slaves as two other men escort the living slaves to their
place in line.
CHAINMAN ONE (CONT'D)
So, what do ya reckon?
The Irishman nods toward the side of the ship.
The chained slaves look on in horror.
CHAINMAN ONE (CONT'D)
This one better not be coming out
of me share.
The Irishman looks on as the two men approached the side of
the ship.
THE IRISHMAN
If you don't shut your mouth you
can bet I will.
Chainman One and the fellow reach the side of the ship and
without hesitation deposit the body over the side. Both men
look overboard to watch the corpse splash into the sea.
As the two men turn to walk back, The Irishman yells out.
THE IRISHMAN (CONT'D)
(proudly)
Now that's the way you dispose of a
dead pig!
Chainman One and the other man walk back to their place in
line. The Irishman pats Chainman One on the back as he passes
by.
Slaves continue to rise from the cargo hold.
Dismay is abundant amongst the chained slaves in line.
The Irishman walks to the side of the ship. He stares into
the distance.
THE IRISHMAN (CONT'D)
It's going to be a good day... a
good day.
Pulling away from the Irishman and the ship, the first group
of 20 slaves shuffles down a gangplank and onto the wharf
where they are met by a large crowd of would-be slave owners.
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Script created with Final Draft by Final Draft, Inc.