Description
Theme: Legacies: Reckoning and Resolve. We inherit the legacies of our those who march before us, if not directly, some other way and so reckoning has become a way of life. Some suggests that what will save us is our resolve.
Assignment:
Individuals in this class may submit poems (3 maximum), short stories (2 maximum) and personal essays (2 maximum) on general topics as well as on the theme. The maximum length (for short stories and personal essays) is 3500 words. Only previously unpublished work will be considered. The term “previously published” covers print and electronic publication —including on social media platforms, and self-published items.
Professor asks: that Before submitting, the submitter should carefully edit and proofread the manuscript, adhering to publication-ready details, as well as standards of proofreading such as spelling, grammar, punctuation, formatting, and consistent language, along with the elimination of typographical errors, and with focus on the overall quality of the work.
I have chosen two short stories inspired by my plays and
I would like to have help in refining my play titled ‘1733’. My aim is to make it more accurate, in-depth , and well-crafted. I also want to turn it into a one-act play, which will earn me extra points. Can you please assist me with this?
1733 slave insurrection on St. John – Wikipedia
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MOKOJUMBIE
A play in acts
By Michael C.V. Bell
MOKOJUMBIE by Michael C.V. Bell
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ACT I
General Introduction of the Playwright
Five Friends were enjoying their road trip to a music concert when the
unexpected happened. They have no option but to find an escape route by
fighting an evil spirit to save their lives from danger. Will these friends
survive the night? Their choices matter and they must fight together to stop
this all hallows night.
Cast List
London:
A jovial and arrogant teen who likes to explore life and have
new experiences. She enjoys getting in trouble.
Brett:
Timid and very gullible, always there to please London. He
fears getting into trouble but does it because of London. Best
friends to Ajani and London.
Ajani:
London’s and Brett’s best friend. he is the smartest in the
group. he always gets a way to clear the troubles set by his
friends.
Michael:
London’s and Brett’s childhood friend. he is the cool one in the
group. he always keeps a cool head and temperament, He is
also a big music listener
Mia:
Youngest friend in the group, life f the party, loves to sleep,
Michaels, cousin and is off duty from the force for the weekend
decided to tag along and party for a break from the stressful job
BIJOU:
The evil Ghost witch seeks vengeance for the burning down of
her carnival Hear’em Scare’em, which caused her family and
her to die in a fire, old which uses moko jumbies to get revenge
on islanders who enter her woods
MOKOJUMBIE by Michael C.V. Bell
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Brief Note on Language Use
The language used in the play is a fusion of the Cruz dialect of the Crucian
Caribbean.
Act One
Ajani, London, Michael, Brett, & Mia are on a road trip to Christiansted as
their favorite Blind Earz will have a concert this weekend. The five friends
cannot stop talking about how they will enjoy their weekend. Ajani is
driving while Michael and London are seated in the back seat, along with a
sleeping Mia and Brett surfing his cell phone. A series of events will pit
them against malevolent forces that seek to haunt them. Will they survive
the night?
Dialogue for Characters
ACT I
AJANI
These roads look pathetic; I wonder if the government cant’s see this.
They don’t even care about what the people need
LONDON
Who gives a fuck about it? The only thing that those hungry
mongrels care about is their stomach.
MICHAEL
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Enough of this stupid chitchat mehn? As if there is something you
can do about it. Let’s get in the mood for partying already.
(he stretches over to the driver’s seat to turn on the music and begins
dancing to the beats, Ajani and London join him in the moves.)
BRETT
(Shocked) Holy shit! What sought of crap is this! This can’t happen
now!
(The two look surprised)
LONDON and AJANI
(In unison) What is it?
BRET
(Showing them his phone) There is breaking news that the road we
are about to use is barricaded because the other part of the road is
flooded due to yesterday’s rain.
(The friends seem heartbroken)
MIA
(awakens from her nap) Are we there yet?
MICHAEL
We have a problem theres no way we can get to Christiansted Mia.
MIA
Seriously!
LONDON
MOKOJUMBIE by Michael C.V. Bell
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We have come a long way; what will we do? We can’t go back. We
already have the VIP tickets. I can’t miss the concert for some stupid
reason.
AJANI
(As she turns back the car) No problem, we will use the available
option. We’’ll take the old fair ground ruin up by the rainforest road
and well get to the other road and straight to deh Jam!
LONDON
But, it seems scary, using the alternative means that we have to cross
this forest that is believed to be haunted.
AJANI
(Laughing and mocking London) You! Who likes danger and trouble
afraid of some old wives tale? That’s the forest our grandparents use
to tell us stories about when we were kids to scare us. The HAG of
Deh Forest, and with all her witch powers and obia can call forth
mokojubies to take you away. Stop being a baby! Have you ever seen
the witches? Those are just stories used to scare children to sleep.
LONDON
Meen no fraid but I know I don’t play about them spooky shit!
MIA
(laughing at Ajani & London) Girl, Please, That’s just a made-up
story. Remember when we tried to find the old burned down
fairgrounds, and we never find it all that big bush the government
letting grow can’t find nun in dem fields. I’m pretty sure our folks
just said that in the hopes we would wander off someplace we won’t
supposed to be.
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MICHAEL
Besides, Mia is here, and she brought a sat phone, and her service
pistol in case we run into any trouble, especially with all the
robberies, mugging, murders, and violence on the island will be fine
as long as we get to Christiansted.
(Before traveling a longer distance, they meet a little girl crying by
the roadside; Ajani insists that they should not stop, but London
forces Ajani to stop the car)
LONDON
You are the one who said this place is dangerous; how would we
leave this innocent child all alone? Maybe she has lost her parents.
(They get out of the car, and before they can reach the little girl, she
disappears and changes into an older adult. They run back to the car
and realize that it isn’t moving)
AJANI
(Screaming), I warned you, and you could listen to me, now, what
will we do?
(The old witch bangs the car everyone screams in fear).
BIJOU (THE WITCH)
I am a good person; I’ll only let you go if one of you remains with me.
And I need the one with the blond hair (pointing at London)
ACT 2
(Everyone is yelling at each other as the witch continuously bangs the
vehicle’s door. Ajani
MOKOJUMBIE by Michael C.V. Bell
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suggests ways they could escape from this situation but none seems
to be working.)
BIJOU(THE WITCH)
I’ll let you go once you let me remain with the blond one.
London
(Shaking) No! No! No! I love a little trouble but this isn’t it.
AJANI
What do you want from us?
BIJOU(THE WITCH)
Vengeance. These are my woods. You must never have stepped on
my woods. For my
family, I will avenge against whoever sets foot on my woods!
MIA
(cries) Oh God Oh God. Here I was thinking I escaped from my
stressful job just to be in
this freaking situation. I should have slept instead.
Brett:
(scared) Mia it is not time for that. You are scaring us. I am feeling
out of breath. I can’t
handle this.
Michael
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Hey guys come down, breathe! We gotta have a plan. Mia where is
your phone. I am
not sure your service pistol could work on a witch. She keeps
switching places.
AJANI
First, we must all come out of this. We are not leaving any of us here.
We stay together;
in unity, we concur. London be inside the car at all times since you
are the target.
Brett
(trembling) the witch will break the windows if she continues
banging the car. We have to
find a distraction.
AJANI
London should remain in the car while she tries to find the problem.
The rest of us will
get out and surround the car and prevent the witch from reaching
London. As long as the witch
cannot reach you, we are safe.
London
(pressing car peddles while shouting) I cannot find the problem!
BIJOU: (places palm on the car). I want you, you cannot run from me.
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London: (Jumps in fear). We are trapped, the witch must be the cause
of the engine failure.
MOKOJUMBIE by Michael C.V. Bell
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1733
A play in acts
By Michael C.V. Bell
PLAY TITLE by Michael C.V. Bell
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Acknowledgments
To the brave men and women who gave their lives for the sake of freedom and
liberty against the oppressive yoke of slavery, this play is a fictional tale paying
homage to our ancestors.
PLAY TITLE by Michael C.V. Bell
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Brief Note of Language
The language used in this play is a fusion of the Caribbean dialect of non-traditional
speaking slaves of the Virgin Islands or, at this time of 1733 The Danish West Indies.
PLAY TITLE by Michael C.V. Bell
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General Introduction
The enslaved of the islands lived under very harsh conditions. Rules from 1733 stipulated
that enslaved who committed grand larceny were to be pinched three times with red-hot
tongs and hanged.
If a slave attempted to run away, the punishment was to have a leg amputated or – if
forgiven by the master – be given 150 lashes and lose one ear. When the slaves
encountered a European, they had to step aside and stand still “with all subservience”. If
not, they were given a proper beating.
This play is a historical fiction drama that highlights the Slave Revolt in the West Indies
of 1733 on the Island of St. John.
On the eve of November 23, 1733, a group of men and women prepare for what will be a
revolt with dire consequences as they sit around a fire preparing for the night to approach.
They speak about what drove them to their actions. While other slaves prepare for the
rebellion. The play will highlight what lead to this revolt and actions taken during the
revolt leading these characters to different fates, the gallows, the cell, or freedom
PLAY TITLE by Michael C.V. Bell
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CHARACTERS
Moe
Leader of the group. Doesn’t take any crap. Prone to violence.
Been beaten so many times lost track.
Larry
A follower. He tries to be inoffensive around Moe. Voice of
reason, burns down Bradshaw’s farm land and house a sign of
warning.
Curtis
A free spirit sometimes stands up to Moe.
Mary
A house slave, cook, and maid. Often the soft-spoken,
passionate, but now morning the loss of her son to being
beaten to death for stealing a loaf of bread.
Sue
Cotton picker hates her masters and wants freedom, and
Doesn’t want to die like her parents on a plantation.
Bishop
House slave, bastard son of Bradshaw house slave mentality
we, sick we broke We! He doesn’t want his curuel ways to
hinder his friends anymore
Irvin
Blacksmith, style guns and weapons for the revolting slaves,
wants revenge against the Brittle brothers for the rape of his
wife.
Samuel
Animal herder, and runaway slave, currently seeking a way
off the island once the revolt is over. He carries a sack holding
shoes, a johnny cake, and a piece of meat.
Mr. Bradshaw,
large owner of Plantations on the south side of St. John.
Considers himself a a strong religious man, with harsh rules.
Ms. Bradshaw
Loyal wife and very kind yet mischievous. Gets Sue sent to
the locker for dirtying her dress while gardening.
Cornel Raoul bourbon
(French via Martinique), big, fat burly, mean, and violent,
will stomp any insurrection, comically whimsical funny.
PLAY TITLE by Michael C.V. Bell
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Captain James
Danish navy officer was a stern man with beliefs and
values of law and order, justice, and punishment. Angered
that his fort is pathetic and laughable at best, knows it
defenses are bear with only 2 cannons manned.
Duke
He is the oldest house slave to the Bradshaw served Mr.
Bradshaw’s father and now serves his son’s house mentality
of we sick, we poor and doesn’t like the slaves getting out
of order. Hates the rumors going around about rebellion
and feels he should notify the master, the magistrate, the
governor’s staff, and the captain at the fort.
PLAY TITLE by Michael C.V. Bell
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SETTING
St. John
TIME
1733 St John Revolt on the eve of the fight
SCENES
Evening. Before the revolt, in a deep bushy area where salves are gathering to prepare
Plantation fields
Big house
Naval Port
Cornel’s ship
Captains Quarter fort
The fort
Town of St. John various plantations
Act I
It’s the evening before the day of the revolution, fears and energy are high. Moe, Larry,
and Curtis are heading to the rendezvous point but are startled by stranger occurrences in
the bushes; once they made it to camp, the events which are about to transpire become
clear, as a fight to take over St. John begins. Plans are laid set, traps are in place, bullets
are loaded, machetes are sharpened and torches a flame, and the hope of freedom looms
in all the character’s minds as they begin their exodus!
PLAY TITLE by Michael C.V. Bell
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ACT I
Scene 1
Meeting Spot
Early evening
ACT I
SCENE 1
(early evening. Moe, Larry and Curly enter. Curly walking ahead sees a fire, a signal
marking the militia’s camp.)
MOE
Aye we ah reach deh camp or wah?
CURTIS
(HOLDING HIS MACHETE)
We reach buh yon got deh patience to look
MOE
(annoyed)
Oh, a wise guy you be eh!
(Moe attempts to hit Curly but hits Larry instead.)
LARRY
Aye! Buh what’s deh big idea?
MOE
Well, if you Dam head wasn’t in a meh way, you wouldn’t ah gotten samcked
(Hits Larry.)
PLAY TITLE by Michael C.V. Bell
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(A scream is heard from somewhere in far distance.)
CURTIS
What was that? What was that?!
(All three run to wards the flame )
MOE
We a here, jumbie pon deh prowl
(They look around for a clearing. Curly suddenly notices a
shadow with white eyes– its eyes are moving.)
CURTIS
Aye Moe.
MOE
Quiet, mehn? I’m tryin’ ta think.
MOE
(They look around for a clearing. Curly suddenly notices a
shadow with white eyes– its eyes are moving.)
CURTIS
Lord harry deh judge? Ah what is that, alyo haul ayo rass to camp fast before
jumbie ah take we.
MOE
Weh I dark deh hell we ah run to, Boy you really gah we lost in this dark bush,
Imagine if Masa Bradshaw and he possie come rund looking for his runaways,
well be beaten and hanged before the sun even rise.
LARRY
Aye! Watch what you ah say, leh we not conjure deh spirits of the enemy before
tomorrow’s battle
(As they walk quietly through deh dark they find the
clearing and hear the sounds of slaves signing and flames
ragging..)
PLAY TITLE by Michael C.V. Bell
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MOE
Well sah is as if exodus has come to our island like Moses and Hebrews, watch
ah people ready to fight and show deh whote man we nah fear a soul.
LARRY
Ah look, mary and sue making mischief with Irvin and he muskets.
I
IRVIN
Ah look, the man ah deh hour, boy You look like you’d ah neva mek it to camp.
We though we’d have to start deh war without you man.
MOE
Weh you well know I cyan miss this for anything meh boy, I see iu steel
machetes, muskets and ammunitions from deh small armory for Cornel Raoul,
and more bullets from Captain James’s caravan of supplies.
(As they converse sue and mary both bring a map and some
stones to a clearing not far from the fire to begin going over
the plan, Irvin excuses him elf so that he can help some of
the others prepare the muskest and rations for each slave)
MARY
Stuffing a pistol in her waist band.
All ayo come round meh map and leh we gone over this plan here.
(the camp loud with conversation, stories, and anger sue
proudly blows her fathers conch shell, the only thing she
has left from her parents)
SUE
If ayo could shut ayo mouth and act like we gah sense this is serious, many of
us will see the gallows, deh jail, or worse death right deh on deh field.
PLAY TITLE by Michael C.V. Bell
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MOE
That’s right what we do tmr will mean life death, freedom or bondage ?
(Samuel of scouting and bringing the horses from watering
and ties them to a tree entering he brings news)
MOE
Samuel, my friend meh partna hows goes your scouting.
SAMUEL
Masa Bradshaw came back from his night of church gambling and cock fights
with his wife and friends, he entertaining dem in deh big house Most of the deh
guards dem in town have gone on leave and a new set have come from deh fort,
but they town quiet more slaves are leaving the plantations to come here ad
along the roads to ambush and soldiers patrolling deh streets. Deh people ready
and willing Moe
MOE
Mary see what we got Numbers, fya power, and sprit. Break deh down deh plan
man
(Larry begins to sing some quelbe much to bishops delight
who is off to the side bring a box of weapons he stole from
around the plantation from the Derry’s a plantation from
the north of St. John)
MOE
Mary see what we got Numbers, fya power, and sprit. Break deh down deh plan
man
BISHOP
Yes, larry sing chune
(Mary annoyed grabs both men by thee ears)
MARY
Me warn you now! Hush ayo rass and be serious. Now here is deh plan.
PLAY TITLE by Michael C.V. Bell
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(Mary breaks down the plan everyone pays close attention
to there role, place of action, what theretasks will be and
where children and eldery will be kept safe until passage to
another island can be arranged.)
MOE
Mary see what we got Numbers, fya powa, and spirit. Break deh down deh plan
man
End Of Act I.
ACT II
As plans are made, the revolution amassed, the group begins to finalize its strategies,
combat their nerves, and enjoy their final hours of peace dark day approaches with
strangers lurking in the dark and thunder lurking in the skies, our group faces
surmounting odds and carry the hopes of the enslaved as they prepare for revolution. our
brave heroes being to rebel, all wonder if shall live. Die or finally find freedom. The play
is set the traps are laid. Begin the rebellion Say I!
ACT II
(Mary breaks open a stolen crate of weapons and ammunition and brings stolen layout
maps of St. John and even a plan of the governor’s home As she spreads the materials
out, she begins going over the plan a rumble of thunder is heard in the distance.)
MARRY
Aye, so all or sisters and brothers have been called and assembled for
tomorrow’s fight. This plan is air tight.
CURTIS
(HOLDING HIS MACHETE)
PLAY TITLE by Michael C.V. Bell
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We all know that deh fort poorly maintained and the captain and he man dem
complain mawrnin noon and nit, about the lack of security and fya powa and
people make it safe like deh church.
IRVIN
(HOLDING HIS RIFLE)
The governa must pay for his transgression and we must be wift and cut down
deh white man before the cornel and his armada are alerted and local magistrate
locks down deh ports, docks, and town. We must be prepared for long hardfought battle
MOE
(HOLDING HIS TOURCH)
We as the slaves and abused will stand together, untied. All of of us will be split
into teams of large groups to deal with plantations, deh fort, town, governors
house and other properties that we will eradicate once we have completed our
tasks.
Narrator
A fort had been erected at the western end of the island, but it was very insecure
from the nature of its construction and was provided with only a few cannons
and twenty-five muskets.
CURTIS
(HOLDING HIS MACHETE)
Weh de governor according to the house ladies he supposed to leave deh
Sunday coming, but he rass going to grave nun the less he and he people who
right deserve our rath
(SUE IN THE BACKGROUND EXAMINES WEAPONS AND PISTOLS)
Marry
So Irvin and Curtis will lead deh group heading to the governor’s house, while
Moe and his group will attack the fort in waves. Larry and Sue will take over
the plantations along with Samuel and the bishop getting our people to safety
upon boats and securing a cove for the to leave out of. Mary and the remainders
PLAY TITLE by Michael C.V. Bell
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will run point and keep information running and send signals to us should
anything arise.
IRVIN
(HOLDING HIS RIFLE)
Over the last weeks, we have gathered materials, plans, layouts, ammunition,
and gun. Along with swat, club, torch, machete, and rum. We read for a fight.
But should we fuck deh governor task up will need to head straight to deh port
and catch he rass before he boards his official vessel. It might go slow because
he rass so big.!
(THEY ALL LAUGH)
MOE
Mary are we ready?
BISHOP
We being at deh crack a dawn, Meh just going blow meh conch shell and that
means we will start the revolution.
(Mary annoyed grabs both men by thee ears)
MARY
Me warn you now! This is to the death, if we fail it’s to deh gallows the
chopping block, or deh jail. I judge no one who wants to leave and take deh
people with them or move back to they house before deh bradshaws notice
SUE
The song has been sung for the loved ones we have lost for liberty from this
oppression we must fight even give our lives to this cause
We will be VICTOR
MOE
We will FIGHT
PLAY TITLE by Michael C.V. Bell
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LARRY
TOGETHER!
(Mary rallies everyone they all begin to shout and sing
songs of joy )
(In the darker deep parts of the forest a strange listens to all
their plans watching the rebellion form. In. gasp, he says)
THE STRANGER
This cannot stand and cannot be I just stop this revelry. We must stop this less
my master’s death come true I duke house of Bradshaw will tell the courts this
truth.
(With his cane in hand he disappears into the night rushing to tell his master of
this plight)
End of ACT II.
PLAY TITLE by Michael C.V. Bell
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ACT III
It is now 8:00 in the morning, smoke rising high like fog, shouting, screaming, yelling,
sounds of canon fire, rifles being fired, cries of war being heard. Our heroes are raging,
hoping to find freedom in all this chaos. As the fighting gets louder The stranger who
lurked in the woods can be seen running with his walking stick in his hand entering
Bradshaw’s big house, yelling as if Satan himself were right behind him. As Bradshaw
calms him down, he is notified that a mass attack on the island has occurred, and the fort
has been left almost defenseless. He tells him that most of the plantations about 2 miles
out have been burned, families killed, its employees either burned, killed, or left running
for the men murdered and others left fleeing in the wake of this destruction.
ACT III
STRANGER
MASTA BRADSHAW!
MR. BRADSHAW
What in God’s name is going on? With all that hollering.
(the doors burst open with a gust of wind the stranger screams for his master while
running through the house)
MR. BRADSHAW
God dam Duke what’s got you startled, did one of them niggers cause the cattle
to break my dam fence,
(The stranger is Duke the master’s most loyal servant)
DUKE
The boys that been missing since roll call last night and them other folks from
the around the other plantations done built a militia. They got plans, and Lord!
Have they done it, they fixing to kill anyone who opposes them, they plan to
assassinate the governor, take over the port and towns, and make sure they hold
the fort. But Masta they got plans for you sue mary, moe. And it ain’t pretty
(Ms. Bradshaw hearing all the commotion enters holding her childern)
PLAY TITLE by Michael C.V. Bell
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MRS. BRADSHAW
HONEY WHATB THE MATTER ALL THIS
NOISE IS DUKE OK? THE CHILDREN RAN IN
THE ROOM WHEN THEY HEARD
SCREAMING AND SHOUTING AND THE
BABIES AWAKE!
(Bradshaw )
MR. BRADSHAW
Darling, get the children packed we got leave.
MRS. BRADSHAW
Why do we need to pack you’re scaring me. You’re afraid of a little rabble jut
end word to the fort and get those animals in line.
MR. BRADSHAW
WOMAN! DO WHAT I SAY I WILL NOTHAVE NO MONKEY. NIGGER
HARMING MY FAMILY SO HELP ME GOD!
DUKE
MASTA BRADSHAW WE gotta stop this madness you won’t believe the
things I’ve seen trying to get back to the big house. We got trouble, and its
coming fast. Should I call the hands to guard the grounds and brracde the
house?
MR. BRADSHAW
Your plans a good idea but I need my wife and children gone, duke take the
Misses and children to the barn and prepare the carriage wagon to take them to
the port I call my men and get them ready for a fight. These niggers will not
burn down 4 generations worth of Bradshaw land!
DUKE
MASTA BRADSHAW, I can’t leave this is your daddy’s home my father’s
father’s father is buried here and I will die before we let this place become
ruble.
MR. BRADSHAW
Duke you my ost loyal hand, rusule up the niggers ad tell them anyone who
fights recives extra ratins for there amily or themselves, feed a hiungry man and
he’ll do anything to getting feed
PLAY TITLE by Michael C.V. Bell
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(Bradshaw grabs his gun after writing a parchment letter to Cornel Raoul
bourbon and grabbing his important documents and money from his safe. He
hears the warning bell of his estate, signaling danger, Ms. Bradshaw holding the
babe, and the children are hugged by her husband.
MR. BRADSHAW
What in God’s name is going on? There here I’d assume the bell is ringing
MRS. BRADSHAW
Dear god, honey, those animals will kill us and the children! Is the wagon
ready?
MR. BRADSHAW
You take everyone and go to meet my captain at the port and make sure this
here letter makes it to the cornel and hand it to the military men stationed at the
port; they’ll sail immediately to the cornel and notify him, your brother-in-law
captain James is probably fighting the niggers at the fort. Should he make, it
find him and tell him we’re in trouble at my plantation—theres enough money
for you and the children.
(duke now returns with the coach and a strong force of slaves who don’t know
any better, fearing the receive punishment from duke or Mr. Bradshaw should
they not fight.)
DUKE
Aight Masta Bradshaw got your wife’s carriage ready and some 50-odd strong
strapping niggas to come to fight for us.
MRS. BRADSHAW
Dear yall best not give them no guns less they turn them on you, better to give
them some farm tools and or a stick?
(Riffle sounds and smoke can be heard and seen in the distance. Yelling of the
rebels can also be heard faintly)
PLAY TITLE by Michael C.V. Bell
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MR. BRADSHAW
Now ya’ll get out of here and don’t look back! Papa will sail to you all in
Martinique once he’s handled some business.
MRS. BRADSHAW
Dear you be safe now, you can come with us if you want.
MRS BRADSHAW
Dear, my place is with my men and my property and no nigga, coon, or darky
gonna stop this here man from protecting what is rightfully mine! Now ride!
(Mrs. Bradshaw and the Kids ride of fast in the distance shooting can be heard;
Mr. Bradshaw shouts at his men to open fire and kill any nigger that stands;
Duke watches from the porch step with a pistol in hand, telling those he has
been forced to fight:)
DUKE
Masta Bradshaw got big plans to feed you fine folk should you protect the big
house, and if you think of running, I’ll be the first to set them dogs loose and
find your black ass, now pick up a tool, and swing at any nigga that comes
across that fence your families will be safe, they been locked up for safety in the
barn.
MR. BRADSHAW
LISTEN HEAR YOU NIGGAS HIDING IN THEM DAM BUSHES YOU
GOT TILL THE COUNT OF 5 TO SHOW YOUR ASS, BEFORE I PUT A
HOT ONE IN EACH AND EVERY ONE OF YOU. THIS SHIT CAN END
HEAR PEACEFULLY IF YOU COME OUT AND SURRENDER,
GRANTED I MIGHT SHOW LENIENCY WITH TAKING FOOT OR HAND
FOR RAISING THIS RABBLE AGAINST YOUR MASTA.
VOICE IN THE DISTANCE
THIS YAH YOU WHITE SCUNT, TIZ DEAD YOU ILL BE YOU AND ALL
DEM PEOPLES YOU GOT DEH THINKING YOU GOIMG STAND
AGAINST US! THE UNITED, YOUNLED OUR DAUGHTERS TO RAPE
BY YOUR MEN, MURDERED OUR FATHER AND SONS, OUT OF
ANGER, OVERWORK, AND SMPLY BECAUSE YOU’RE A VILE MAN.
WE WILL HAVE SWEET VICTORY WHEN YO ASS HANGING FROM
DEH TREE YOU SO LOVE TO TO PUNISH AND EECUTE!
DUKE
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I-1 Page 20
(RESPONSEDS)
Y’ALL HAD BETTER RUN YALL BLACKS OF OUR PROPERTY! SUE, MARY
MOE, LARRY, CURTIS, SAMUEL, ALL YPU INGRATE NIGGAS GONNA SEE
HELL TODAY.
MR BRADSHAW
5
4
3
2
1
(Shots Ring Out!)
END of ACT III
PLAY TITLE by Michael C.V. Bell
I-1 Page 21
ACT IV
Mrs. Bradshaw, the kids and some house servants are heading to the cornel’s ship to alert
them of the happenings at the plantation and seek backup. The fighting and exchange of
words continues. There are some casualties and massive destruction. Mr. Bradshaw and
his team have to find their way to the cornels ship as well as they are being overpowered.
MRS BRADSHAW
Ring the Bell!
(Mrs. Bradshaw Rings the Militia Bell at the Soldier’s Quarters near a ship,
Captain James hears this and rushes outside to
MRS. BRADSHAW
They’ve taken over our homes and lands, Brother, we lost good men, children,
and women, they burned our homes and fields, they’re killing us brother, My
husband is fighting them right now on our fields, he sent a letter for you and the
cornel
CAPTAIN JAMES
Who’s fighting us
MRS BRADSHAW
The SLAVES!
CAPTAIN JAMES
Someone get Cornel immediately. Rebels got our people.
(Murmuring to himself and pacing while shaking profusely and hitting the walls
of the ship while reading Mr. Bradshaw’s letter)
These fuckers will not see the light of day; punishment shall befall the last of
them!
(A voice of whiskey and jovialness is heard in the distance a whistle is blown A
solider shouts )
PLAY TITLE by Michael C.V. Bell
I-1 Page 22
SOLDIER
Cornel on Deck! ATTENTION!
CORNEL RAOUL BOURBON
Approaching with his whimsical and annoying laugh with his fat and arrogant
sway.
CAPTAIN JAMES
Cornel, the Bradshaw’s are here with a message for ya and drop the gaddam
smile we are in serious trouble.
CORNEL RAOUL BOURBON
Oh dear, poor thing. Whatever those niggas put you through and them poor
skinny children, they be looking pathetic innit? What of mine you got now
darling? Are the fields still in tact and the soldiers? Did them niggers get to the
house yet
MRS. BRADSHAW
Cornel, a letter for you from my husband dearest. The fighting was getting
intense and them rebels got to our farm. They are overpowering my people. Oh
dear, you need to act fast lest you find all dead bodies and burnt plantations.
CORNEL RAOUL BOURBON
Breathe, woman, breath!
Ha! Ha! Ha! No misfortune shall befall us, we are the mighty and tough. We
aint shall die in the hands of them low lives. Get you and the kids into the
rooms and clean them bruises.
(Cornel signals Captain James and a few soldiers towards one end of the ship.
Mrs. Bradshaw and the kids are shown to their room to clean up and wait)
CAPTAIN JAMES
Cornel, we need more soldiers for our army. And they look miserable, I wonder
what is left of the plantation and St. John.
CORNEL RAOUL BOURBON
(Shouting at the top of his voice)
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I-1 Page 23
Gather them folks and all weapons. The great war is upon us, we need all the
finest of weapons and soldiers. We need to storm the plantations and save what
is left. Then finish the rabble for messing with our people.
NOW DISPERSE AND GET THEM ALL! WE NEED TO GET EM NOW!
MRS. BRADSHAW
Cornel, the servants and I are ready to join the war. My dear one is out there
and I need smoke out them rebels.
CORNEL RAOUL BOURBON
Woman no! Stay with the children the fields are not your playground.
(Cornel and Mrs. Bradshaw continue exchanging angered words as the soldiers
scatter to mass an army to make the invasion to save St. John.
END of ACT IV
ACT V
Darkness has fallen the soldiers have arrived at the plantation while the exchange of
words continues between MR Bradshaw, his workers and the Slave Rebels. The soldiers
are well armed with loaded weapons and are charging towards the bushes. Some parts of
the cotton fields are torched and the Masters Big house has been set on fire, and screams
from the Masters are heard loudly. Captain James is leading the soldiers and they are
moving silently.
VOICE IN THE DISTANCE
YOU WHITE PIG YOU’LL NEVER KNOW PEACE, I’LL GET YOU, YOU FAT
POOSIE YOUR FAT LITTLE MASTERS. YOU SHOT IS SO LOSE YOU AIN’T
GETTING NONE OF US.
MOE
PLAY TITLE by Michael C.V. Bell
I-1 Page 24
TO ALL OH MI BROTHAS YOU GOTTA COMME OUT AND KILL THE BLOODY
MASA. DE TIME TO EXODUS BRADSHAW FROM THE ISLAND IS NOW MAKE
SURE HE MOVES OUT IN A COOFIN IMA SPEAK TO YOH ALL ARMED WITH A
TOOL BE READY TO FIGHT AND SHOW DEH WHOTE MAN WE NAH FEAR A
SOUL.
DUKE
BLOODY DON’T TAKE A MOVE ON THE MASTA YOU RISK THE FATE OF
BEING HANGED AND YOUR FAMILIES RECIEVEING THE BLOO… (Gun fired
towards duke and he dies instantly)
CAPTAIN JAMES:
Twenty soldiers move to the east and attack from the east moving south shoot the last of
em. The rest of you follow me and lets face show these Negros we not afraid of em.
SOLDIER
(Screams in pain) Help! Help! My BLOOO.. (Gunshot followed by silence)
MR. BRADSHAW
This nigga Duke where are you
MOE
I got Duke u next fat whote man!
MR. BRADSHAW
Today is the day you die (cocks the gun and points the gun at Moe) Oh shit am bloody
out!
MOE
I gonna laugh seems your day is up pig
MR. BRADSHAW
Let’s see what you have you big headed slave, Face me man to man
MOE
PLAY TITLE by Michael C.V. Bell
I-1 Page 25
U let me people go! (He jumps towards Mr. Bradshaw and manages to punch him hard
on the face)
CAPTAIN JAMES:
Silently loads his gun and aims towards moe and fires
MOE
(Falls off with a thud and dies)
PLAY TITLE by Michael C.V. Bell
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