Shades of War by Dara Harper Page B

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