CHAPTER 1

ACT I

Lights up: On the `Golden Fleece' Tavern in Philadelphia. The year is 1846. Over the entrance door is a painting of the `all seeing eye' in a triangle. There are a few chairs on some of the tables. The Barmaid is black and very pretty. She seems to be in her late twenties, maybe early thirties, but with black women who can really tell. Above the bar on the wall is the yellow fur of a Ram, the head is attached to the fur. A sign above the Ram fur says `The Golden Fleece'. Sarah is sitting at a table counting the days' receipts. Sarah, a white lady, is an attractive raven haired beauty. She has a sensual quality and a strong sense of self. She is not a push over. As Sarah counts her money there is an open wooden box in front of her. She also has ink and pen and makes notations in her ledger. A Patron finishes his drink, plops some coins on the bar and exits the Tavern. He tips his hat to Sarah. Mary brings the coins to Sarah.

SARAH

Good night. (To Patron leaving.) Mary, where is my sewing?

BARMAID

Behind the bar ... next to your journals. You want them?

SARAH

Yes.

Mary goes behind the bar as Sarah puts her ledger away. Mary finds Sarah's sewing kit. She crosses to Sarah, as Sarah puts the coins and paper money into the wooden box.

SARAH

Today was a good day.

Sarah opens the sewing kit and places some quilting squares on the top of her table. The Barmaid wipes down another table. She is swiping a table with a damp cloth and taking the pewter mugs and plates and stacking them on the bar.

SARAH

Mary come here for a second. What do you think?

The Barmaid stops what she is doing at looks at the sewing.

BARMAID

Miss Sarah, I would place them like this?

The Barmaid rearranges the quilting squares on the table top.

SARAH

Ahhh, yes. Think I might finish it by the week end.

BARMAID

Miss Sarah, I got more quilting squares for you.

Barmaid get some extra quilting squares from behind the bar, As Sarah puts on her coat, Sarah, replaces her quilting squares back into her sewing kit.

SARAH

Thank you Mary. You lock up everything, Okay?

BARMAID

Yes, Miss Sarah.

Sarah places her money box into her sewing basket and covers it, and crosses to the door.

SARAH

You're doing fine work Mary.

BARMAID

Thank you Miss Sarah.

Sarah exits. The Barmaid locks the door. She crosses to a table and stacks all the plates together then crosses to the bar with the plates. There is a coded knock at the door. The Barmaid stops and listens. The code is repeated: one knock, then a pause, then three quick knocks. She goes to the door and opens it slightly, then all the way. A black man enters. He is dressed in elegant clothes. It is obvious that he has money. He carries leather saddle bags draped across his shoulder. He is in his 40's and educated. This is Prince.

PRINCE

Guess I'm early.

BARMAID

First one.

PRINCE

Your mistress?

BARMAID

On her way home. She gonna be busy sewing.

PRINCE

That's good

BARMAID

Drink?

PRINCE

Later.

BARMAID

How many coming?

PRINCE

Three others.

BARMAID

Hungry? I have apples and cheese.

PRINCE

Maybe you could fix something for the others.

Prince sits at a table and pulls out a small book from his leather bag.

BARMAID

You can read?

PRINCE

Yes.

BARMAID

What chu reading?

PRINCE

A book of poems by a man named Edgar Allan Poe.

BARMAID

What's it called?

PRINCE

The Raven and Other Poems.

BARMAID

You buy that book here?

PRINCE

No, Boston ... just before I left.

BARMAID

I know my alphabet.

PRINCE

Really?

BARMAID

Want to hear it?

PRINCE

Of course.

BARMAID

A,B,C,D,E,F,G,H,I, (pause) and J, and K, and L ...

PRINCE

Keep going you're almost there.

BARMAID

O, M, P, R-rah, S, and T,U,V,W ... XYZ.

PRINCE

Very good.

BARMAID

Thanks.

PRINCE

You left out some letters.

BARMAID

Which ones?

PRINCE

The letter N and the letter Q.

BARMAID

You'd think I wouldn't forget the letter N.

PRINCE

Still that was very good. Do you recognize words?

There is a knock at the door. The same coded knock as before. Both Prince and the Barmaid stop talking and listen. The knock is done a second time: one knock, then a pause then three quick knocks. She goes to the door and opens it, a black man enters; he is elderly. His clothes are worn but you can tell they were once very fine and expensive, he wears a hat. This is Grandpa. He carries a loaf of French bread.

GRANDPA

Cold out tonight.

BARMAID

Not fit for man nor beast.

GRANDPA

Am I the first?

PRINCE

No, I'm here.

GRANDPA

Damn, I like being first. Young lady, a hot buttered rum would ease the chill on these weary bones.

BARMAID

Coming right now.

Grandpa crosses to Prince. They shake hands. He tears off a piece of bread.

GRANDPA

Taste this. Nice leather bag, beautiful work. Where did you get it?

PRINCE

I made it. I have a leather shop in Boston. (He tastes the bread.) Still warm. It's good.

GRANDPA

I baked it myself. That is how the French cook their bread. I was up last night. All night ... thinking about our meeting. Only thing I could do was cook ... to take my mind off tonight. You like duck stew?

PRINCE

Yes.

GRANDPA

After the meeting ... come to where I'm staying I will feed ya duck stew. Cooked the French way. How many of us are there?

PRINCE

Four.

GRANDPA

Is that enough?

PRINCE

That depends on what we decide to do.

GRANPA

Four. Not bad. Not bad. It's a start.

PRINCE

Let us see the character of each man and that will help us decide a course of action.

GRANDPA

That's why you're the leader Prince. That's why you're the boss.

BARMAID

Want some free cheese with that rum?

GRANDPA

Sounds good, Sweet lady ... sounds very good.

Grandpa crosses to the bar.

GRANDPA

Will your mistress miss it?

BARMAID

I know how to cover my tracks.

GRANDPA

Got an apple to go with that cheese?

BARMAID

Green or red?

GRANDPA

Red. Want me to peel it for ya?

BARMAID

No, I know what I'm doing.

PRINCE

Young girl, let Grandpa prepare that apple. He's a cook.

BARMAID

Really?

GRANDPA

I can peel this apple and never break the skin. One continuous spiral from the stem to the bumpy bottom. Takes a delicate touch with a firm grip.

BARMAID

Where you learn that?

Grandpa picks up the red apple and begins to peel it with a paring knife. He carefully and slowly peels the apple as he talks.

GRANDPA

I used to cook for the President.

BARMAID

Polk?

GRANDPA

No. The one that really counted. The first one. That bastard that set all this mess in motion.

BARMAID

That was 70 years ago. How old are you?

GRANDPA

Good black don't crack.

BARMAID

I can see that. How old are you?

GRANDPA

Old enough to know better and smart enough not to get caught.

PRINCE

You remember the story of the slaves that ran away from Washington?

BARMAID

You're not `Hercules'?

GRANDPA

And was never heard from again ... till now.

BARMAID

You're a legend. You, Deborah Squash and Oney Judge. You outwitted George Washington. My sweet Jesus, I am standing here talking to `Hercules'.

GRANDPA

Call me Grandpa, sweet lady. It's safer for all concerned.

BARMAID

My pleasure, Grandpa ... my pleasure. Can I shake your hand?

She extends her hand. They shake. Grandpa slides the loaf of bread towards the Barmaid.

GRANDPA

Sweet Lady, cut this bread on the bias and we'll have it with the cheese and apples.

BARMAID

Mr. Africanus, you got any other legends showing up here tonight?

PRINCE

Let's just say it's a secret. And if you listen quietly you just might discover some new things.

BARMAID

I can already feel it in the air. Gonna be a glorious night.

GRANDPA

So Prince ... are we going to be able to see some theatre while I'm here?

PRINCE

There is nothing to see.

GRANDPA

I hear Edwin Forrest is here doing some Shakespeare.

PRINCE

Not my favorite actor.

GRANDPA

Don't tell me you prefer William Charles Macready?

PRINCE

He's English. He has an affinity for Shakespeare. I saw his Lear. He had imagination, original thought of character delineation ... and a gift for iambic pentameter.

GRANDPA

Give me an American doing Shakespeare. Forrest has passion. Not that British, "nose up in the air, I love the sound of my own voice acting".

There is a banging on the door. The men stop talking. They listen. It is not the coded knock at the door. Five loud bangs on the door. The Barmaid stops and listens.

FREDDY

I know you are in there. Open up.

No one moves. Grandpa and the Barmaid turn and look at Prince. He nods no.

FREDDY

Come on open up. It's me.

He bangs on the door again.

FREDDY

Oh, the code ... the code.

He knocks twice then waits and knocks three times slowly. There is silence. Prince motions to the Bar maid for her to pour him a drink. Prince crosses to the bar.

FREDDY

Isn't that it? Oh, come on, open up. It's me. I know you're in there. (To himself) Shit what is the code?

He knocks three times pauses then knocks twice. No one moves.

FREDDY

That ain't it either? (He whines.) Oh, come on you guys, open up ... I forgot the damn code.

He bangs really hard three times.

FREDDY

Prince Africanus, Jr.! Come on, open the damn door.

He kicks the door with his foot. Prince nods to the Barmaid to open the door. She goes to the door and Freddy enters. He wears a scarf and gloves, as well as a heavy coat. He loosens his coat and takes off his scarf and gloves.

FREDDY

Damn, you're beautiful. I was freezing out there.

GRANDPA

Colder than a well diggers ass.

BARMAID

Or an overseer's heart.

FREDDY

I couldn't have said it better myself. What do you have to warm a poor country boy's soul?

BARMAID

Hot buttered rum.

She puts a cup in front of Grandpa. Grandpa has finished peeling the apple.

FREDDY

That'll do ... with `bitters'.

GRANDPA

Here you go sweet lady. One well peeled apple

BARMAID

Thanks. Give me a minute and I'll have your rum.

FREDDY

Take all the time you need as long as it is under a minute.

Freddy shakes Prince's hand.

FREDDY

Good evening Prince.

PRINCE

Freddy do you know the importance of secrecy?

FREDDY

I couldn't for the life of me remember that code.

PRINCE

Then you should have gone away. Not go caterwauling my name.

FREDDY

Nobody heard me. It's deserted out there. Too cold for somebody to be walking around ... including us.

PRINCE

You should have gone away ... calmed down ... and tried to remember.

FREDDY

Sorry. Hey old man, you think I should have froze my ass off trying to remember the code?

PRINCE

This is Grandpa.

FREDDY

Prince, I thought your grandfather was dead.

GRANDPA

No Sonny. I'm everyone's Grandpa ... including you.

Freddy laughs.

FREDDY

Never knew my Daddy, so you could well be my Grandpa. Call me Freddy.

GRANDPA

Okay Sonny. If I were you, I would have walked away and let the cold weather be a reminder that I should pay attention ... so that something as important as a coded door knock would not be forgotten. You could have put us all in a bad situation.

FREDDY

Said I was sorry. Prince, I brought you a couple of editions of `The Liberator'.

PRINCE

Thank you, Freddy.

FREDDY

There's a letter from John Quincy Adams writing about giving up tobacco.

PRINCE

Not interested. What has Garrison written about abolition?

FREDDY

What hasn't he written? Just a rehash of the last edition. The only interesting thing is that he went to England and met with Thomas Clarkson.

PRINCE

Ah, ... the gentleman who spearheaded Great Britain's action to abolish slavery.

FREDDY

The very same.

The Barmaid brings him his drink. Prince sits in his chair and reads the newspaper.

BARMAID

Hot buttered rum with bitters.

FREDDY

Thank you, beautiful. Slave or free?

BARMAID

Guess.

FREDDY

Sounds like free to me.

BARMAID

I like a man who pretends he has an education.

FREDDY

You make my mouth water.

Freddy takes a sip. He likes it.

FREDDY

Better than my first master's Mammy used to make.

BARMAID

I guess you know a good thing when you taste it.

FREDDY

... And when I see it too. My old master used to use me to increase his investments. Lots of brown babies run around on the Willowbrooke plantation in Maryland. (Laughs) So, Grandpa, where you from?

GRANDPA

Not far.

FREDDY

How'd you get here?

GRANDPA

The usual way.

FREDDY

Well, I guess you fall into the category of runaway.

GRANDPA

Maybe, Sonny ... maybe.

There is a knock at the door. Again it is the coded knock: one knock then a pause then three quick knocks. The Barmaid goes to the door opens it slightly and lets in a black man. This is West. He is dressed in coveralls. He's a farmer. He's wrapped in a warm coat, a country hat and big clodhopper boots. He unwraps his scarf. He has workman's hands, and moves with measured steps. He is stoic and low key.

WEST

Guess I got de right room.

Prince puts down his paper and crosses to West.

PRINCE

Yes, you have. Come in, this is West. This is Grandpa and this is Freddy.

They all shake hands.

GRANDPA

How about a hot drink to warm the cockles of your heart?

West nods.

GRANDPA

Sweet Lady, would you mind using your magic to give my new friend a drink?

BARMAID

On its way.

WEST

She yo gran daughter?

GRANDPA

No, I never made babies that beautiful.

WEST

Truly is a beauty.

FREDDY

Make a good man go bad.

Prince moves to a larger table.

PRINCE

So we're all here. Gentlemen let's talk.

They all grab chairs and sit at Prince's table.

PRINCE

I asked you all here because I feel you are the best and I need the best to carry out my plans. West, you are a farmer. No one knows better than you how to build things, work with his hands, and turn nothing into something. Freddy, you are literate and educated. You can read and write and you are very religious. I think we may need all those skills to help me achieve my goals. Grandpa, you have been on the run for 50 years. No one knows better than you what to look for and how to evade detection. You didn't get to be this old and not get captured by accident. You are my team. The question is, for what purpose? I think it is time for us to send a message. A symbolic move to let our government and those that oppose abolition, know that the time has come for the Emancipation of the Negro people. We must put an end to this most peculiar institution.

FREDDY

What kind of message are we talking about?

PRINCE

Something that sends a message to all 26 States. It is time to abolish this injustice. It will also serve as a light of hope to those captives that change is coming.

GRANDPA

You mean something like the Boston Tea Party?

PRINCE

Precisely. That sent a clear and direct message to their oppressor.

FREDDY

I know what we should do. I think we should steal the Declaration of Independence. Scratch out the words, "We hold these truths to be self evident that all men are created equal". Then put it back.

GRANDPA

Wait, Wait, Wait ... Sonny, you want to steal the Declaration of Independence?

FREDDY

Yep. I got a friend in Baltimore, who has a brother that knows the cousin of one of the guards at the patent office where they are exhibiting the Declaration in the District of Columbia. We talk to him and he lets us in, we then take the Declaration ... we do what we need to do ... then ... find a way to put it back.

There is a pause. Everyone looks at each other.

GRANDPA

Nigger, please.

FREDDY

What?

GRANDPA

Sonny, you better stop drinking that rum 'cause I think that alcohol has eroded your common sense.

FREDDY

It's foolproof.

GRANDPA

You're the fool ... and here's the proof ... You're suggesting we break into the patent building that is exhibiting the Declaration of Independence, the most famous document in America. Enlist the help of some guard you know through third and fourth parties, ask for their assistance so we can deface this document, waltz back in to the scene of the crime, and replace this document so the world can see we ain't happy about the way they've been carrying out there promise to the American people.

FREDDY

You got a better idea?

GRANDPA

Yeah.

FREDDY

What is it?

Granpa slaps Freddy on the back of his head.

GRANDPA

And that feels good too.