01x05 - Emancipation

[bunniefuu]

- Another one... hmm?

- Ah, ah, wait till they cool.

- Asia, you are deadly with cinnamon.

- And don't think she doesn't know it.

- Jo, those old boards stacked up in the barn...

you plannin' on using 'em?

- I didn't know they were there.

- Thought I'd build a few extra shelves.

The kids can stockpile more feed for the winter.

- [Jo]: That's fine with me.

- Emile? You want a glass of milk with that?

- Don't I always?

- She gives him one?

- Here ya go, hon.

- Thanks Asia, you're the best.

- I'm short an egg today. There was a chicken missing.

That's the second one this week.

- I'll go check it out.

- I'll come with you.

- You know, I bet it's a fox. Maybe a wolf... or a bear?

- A bear? Let's not get carried away, Nat.

- Well, nothing's burrowed.

I don't see any traces of fur or blood anywhere.

- [Jo]: Are you sure you latched the gate?

- [Nat]: Yeah, I'm positive.

- Looks like we got ourselves a little chicken mystery.

- [Nat]: I'm going to figure this out.

[ Chickens squawking]

Hey! Stop! Wait!

Come back!

Come on, come back!

Wait, stop!

- What's going on?

- [Jo]: [span tts:fontStyle="italic"]My husband and[/span] [span tts:fontStyle="italic"] I founded Plumfield[/span]

[span tts:fontStyle="italic"]as a school for children[/span] [span tts:fontStyle="italic"] from all walks of life.[/span]

[span tts:fontStyle="italic"]His passing has[/span] [span tts:fontStyle="italic"] left a void in our lives,[/span]

[span tts:fontStyle="italic"]but in the children I[/span] [span tts:fontStyle="italic"] see the promise of a new day[/span]

[span tts:fontStyle="italic"]and find the strength[/span] [span tts:fontStyle="italic"] to keep our dream alive.[/span]

[span tts:fontStyle="italic"]No matter how[/span] [span tts:fontStyle="italic"] hard the struggle.[/span]

- Mrs. Jo? - Yes, Nat?

- I was wondering...

What if somebody was really, really hungry...

and this kid, this person, was almost starving...

and he didn't mean any harm,

he just wanted to feed his family...

- Hmm... go on.

- Now... what if he was so desperate that

he needed to steal something to eat?

- Like a chicken?

- Like a chicken.

But I'm not saying that it is.

- Oh, of course not, no. - Mm-hmm...

Because it wouldn't be right, would it?

I mean...

what if somebody promised they wouldn't tell

that there's a hungry family livin' in the woods.

- No. No... you- uh, somebody...

wouldn't want to do that if he gave his word.

- Right, Mm-hmm...

- I'm just wondering...

If someone happened to follow this somebody...

completely by accident of course.

- Yeah.

- Could someone stumble upon

this same family in the woods?

- It's over here.

- Hello.

- Josiah!

- You promised.

- Hush, Isaac. He ain't done wrong.

- This your land, ma'am?

- Yes, it is.

- I beg your pardon ma'am.

We're gonna pack right up and move on.

Isaac, get your bed roll.

- How long have you been camping out here?

- Just a few days.

But soon as we pick up, you'll never know we was here.

- We didn't mean to cause you no trouble.

- Oh, you haven't.

- I'm gonna pay you for them chickens,

as soon as I can.

- There's no need.

- Yes, there is.

- I shoulda told Isaac to take them chickens straight back.

But, well...

- We were hungry.

- My house is just up the ridge.

Would you join us for dinner?

- Kind of you, ma'am, but we'll manage.

- I'm sure you will... but I'd like for you to be our guest.

- [Nan]: Mrs. Jo said we were having special guests.

Why are they so special?

- If Asia's gonna cook stuff this good, who cares?

- Why are you wearing such a nice dress, Bess?

- Well, it's a dinner party, isn't it?

- Well, it's not like they're gonna be dressed up nice.

They were living in the woods.

- Nan, mind your manners!

Poor people got the right to your respect, just like anyone.

- [Nat]: They're here!

- Welcome to Plumfield.

- Hey, Isaac!

- Hi.

- She never said they were Negroes.

- [Jo]: We're so glad you came.

Everyone!

This is Mr. And Mrs. Jones and their son, Isaac.

- Hello.

- Hi.

- My, don't you all look lovely.

- Why don't we go inside?

- Come on, Isaac.

- Isaac, why don't you take a seat next to Nat.

Mr. And Mrs. Jones, you can sit next to me.

- Thank you, ma'am.

- It's sure a fine-lookin' table, Mrs. Bhaer.

- Oh, thank you.

- And whatever's cookin' sure smells good.

- Oh, that's Asia for you. She's a wonderful cook.

Oh, here she comes.

Asia, I'd like you to meet the Jones Family.

- How do you do?

- Ma'am.

- In your lap.

- Well, Mr. Jones...

where were you living before you came to Concord?

- Well, last place was Lowell, ma'am.

- Seems like we been in every town

from here straight back to Georgia.

- Georgia, that's in the South.

Are you slaves?

- Tommy! [ The children giggle ]

- [Tommy]: What?

- That's all right, ma'am.

We were slaves, Tommy, but now we're free.

- You ever try and escape?

- No... we just hoped...

and we prayed.

- You all right?

- You see those folks?

- Seem like a nice family.

- Yes, but Miss Jo's got 'em sittin'

right at the table with her.

- Guess she wants 'em to feel at home.

- But they're not used to eatin' in a place like this.

She should pack those folks some food, and send 'em on their way.

- [Jo]: Really, it's no trouble at all.

I won't take no for an answer.

Asia, I've invited the Joneses to spend the night with us.

- Isn't that nice.

I'll have Nick lay out some bedrolls in the barn.

- Well, I meant for us

to prepare the guest room, of course.

- Oh no, ma'am. The barn'll suit us just fine.

- Nonsense. That's why the guest room is there.

Maybe Isaac would like to bunk with the boys?

- No.

- But I-

- You're stayin' with us.

- We got an extra bunk, Mr. Jones.

There's plenty of room.

- You behave.

- [Jo]: Well then, it's settled.

- There's some extra blankets in the hall closet,

just in case you get chilled.

And if there's anything else you need, just let me know.

- You've done more than enough, Miss Bhaer.

- Please, call me Jo.

- Ready.

- [Jo]: Thank you, Asia.

- Yes, thank you.

- You're welcome.

- Well then, I guess I'm off to bed.

Good night.

- Good night, Mrs. Bhaer.

- Jo.

- Jo.

- Have you ever?!

Lace curtains... a feather bed.

What is it?

- Why is she doin' this?

- Who, Mrs. Bhaer?

- Jo.

- She's a dear lady, Josiah...

with a big heart.

- What does she want from us?

- What do you mean, what she want from us?!

- Folks like her don't do nothin' for ya,

without expectin' something in return.

- Maybe she's just trying to be nice.

You ever think of that?

- When was the last time anyone did anything nice for us?

- It's just one night, Josiah.

Can't you be grateful and enjoy it?

- Isaac, I got you a bed.

- Thanks.

- Good luck fallin' asleep, Nat snores.

- Hey, come on.

- Nothin' can keep me awake. I can sleep anywhere.

- I bet he has.

- [Nat]: We're happy you're here.

- Yeah.

- Good night, Isaac. Good night Dan.

- 'Night. - 'Night.

- Word of advice, keep your distance.

- [Laurie]: I imagine it's been very difficult

being on the move so much,

especially while raising a child.

- Got no choice. Gotta go where the work is.

- What kind of work do you do?

- Just about any job.

- He's done carpentry, farmin',

even worked for a blacksmith once.

And I'm real good with a needle.

We ain't picky, Mr. Laurence.

All we want is an honest wage,

someplace where folks treat ya decent.

- Well, there must be some opportunities in town.

- Yes, I'd be happy to make some inquiries for you.

- Josiah, Mr. Laurence knows all the folks around here.

Maybe somebody's looking?

- That's right.

And in the meantime...

I'd like for you to stay here at Plumfield.

- Oh, we have everything we need by the creek.

- Don't be silly, I can't let you stay out there.

I insist.

- Mr. And Mrs. Jones, it's a losing battle arguing with her,

I assure you.

- If we stay, we're gonna have to work for our keep.

- [Jo]: Fine.

- And Isaac, too. - Oh no!

Isaac will go to school with the other children.

- I ain't puttin' my boy in this school.

- What Josiah means is...

Isaac's so far behind, he...

he don't even know his letters.

- That's fine. I can teach him.

- Not here, he ain't! Not with them!

- Josiah!

- Mr. Jones... I understand your reluctance,

but I can assure you that this school

prides itself in the acceptance of any child.

Your son will be treated fairly.

Please, at least let me teach him the alphabet.

I'll give him private lessons, just the two of us.

And what's this letter here?

- B?

- That's a P, remember? As in Plumfield.

Poodle, pitcher... remember?

Don't worry, Isaac. You'll get it.

I have an idea, come here.

[Jo]: Let's try something different, come here.

- Mr. Jones?

Nick Riley. I'm the caretaker here.

Mrs. Bhaer tells me you're willin' to help out.

- That's right.

- Good, I could always use a hand.

I been meanin' to put up some new shelves in the barn.

You ever done work like that before?

- Built plenty of shelves in my day.

- All right, then. Follow me.

- Now, what do you see?

- Me.

- That's right.

Now... tell me...

what do you see?

- Me with my arms up like this.

- All right, look at the chart.

- I'm a P!

- That's right!

Now... let's try an X.

- X!

- Great! You're getting it, you're getting it!

- What is she doin'? She's doin'...

You finish awful quick.

These children know how to pick up dirt around here.

You have got to scrub every collar and every crease.

- Yes ma'am, I've been awful careful.

- Well, that'll do.

Now listen, Ruth.

You don't have to wring the clothes by hand anymore.

You just wind the clothes through here and turn the crank.

- I know, I've used a roller before.

- You have?

- Yeah, they're real handy, ain't they? Saves lots of time.

- Well...

just make sure you don't break nothin'.

[Under her breath]: You don't know wringing clothes...

Don't understand it, Miss Jo bringing 'em here.

- [Emil]: It's bad enough Mrs. Jo let 'em stay here overnight,

but now they're movin' in.

- It's only temporary.

- She shoulda never brought them here in the first place.

- Why not?

- Look at 'em, Tommy.

Bunch of lazy, thievin' squatters...

They got it free and easy now,

eating our food, using our things.

Makes me sick!

Look at that!

He shows up when all the work's done.

- Chores started an hour ago.

- Oh, sorry we're late. We got a little caught up in our lesson.

- Isaac, you can help Tommy muck out the barn.

- Nick... isn't there something a little

more pleasant that Isaac can do?

- Gotta be done.

- I don't mind. I like being around horses.

- Oh, then maybe he can groom one.

That needs to be done too, right?

- Sure. C'mon, Isaac, I'll get ya started.

- I see Mr. Riley found you, put you to work.

- Buildin' a shelf for the barn.

- Josiah, wait.

Things are gonna work out here, I can feel it.

This place is different.

Jo's been real good to us.

And that Mr. Laurence, has been real nice too.

- Yeah, everybody's been real kind.

Givin' us that fine room,

wanting to teach Isaac in their fancy white school.

- These are good folks, Josiah.

Open up your eyes, take a look.

They just wanna help.

- Isaac?

Isaac!

You finish groomin' those horses yet?

- Uh... no sir.

- Everybody's gotta pull his own weight around here.

I give you a job, I expect you to do it.

- Yes, sir.

- [Nat]: Faster, guys faster! C'mon, c'mon guys!

- Let's go! Hurry up!

- Oh, you think you can b*at me Jack? Huh, really?

- C'mon, let's go! C'mon, let's see what you got.

- Can I help?

- Don't need it.

- But there's lots to do-

- He can do something else.

Or take the slop out to the pigs.

- What's going on?

- Oh uh, nothing, I was just sayin' that,

well, Isaac's finished clearing off the table,

and he really doesn't have anything else to do.

- But I wanna help.

- Well, I have an idea. It's story night, tonight.

Why don't you light the fire in the parlor?

- But that's my job tonight.

- Well, you're not finished here, Emil.

- But that's not fair.

- Mrs. Jo, we all take turns lighting the fire.

I mean, we all love to do it.

- Well, that's why I thought it might be nice

for our guest to do it tonight.

Here we go Isaac.

- Nice fire. - Thanks.

- You know, I remember my first weeks at Plumfield...

I felt real strange. Didn't think I'd ever fit in.

But then something happened my first Saturday night...

It made me feel real comfortable.

You know what happens every Saturday night?

- What is it?

- Pillow fight!

[ Shouting and laughing ]

- Hey Isaac, hey c'mon, let's go!

- Yeah, let's go!

- Oh c'mon, you can do better than that, c'mon!

[ Shouting and thumping ]

- It's Saturday night.

Would you like to go and see?

- Sure.

- Hey, that's my bed!

That's it!

- Hey, back off!

Hey, Emil, get off him!

What the heck is the matter with you Emil?

- Isaac, are you all right? Isaac?

- You oughta be ashamed of yourselves.

- I've made a new entry in the conscience book.

Out loud.

- "While dedicating the national Cemetery at Gettysburg,"

"President Lincoln proclaimed that all men are created equal."

"Members of Emil's own family have d*ed,"

"fighting to uphold that principle,"

"yet Emil has failed to embrace it himself."

Mrs. Jo- - There's more.

- But I know all this. - Do you?

What does it mean to you, Emil?

Do you believe that all people are created equal?

I don't understand it.

All Isaac wanted was to feel a part of things,

to enjoy the same sense of fun and belonging

that you take for granted every day!

- I'm sorry.

- I'm not the one you should be apologizing to.

- Ruth?

Josiah?

- We're leavin', Miss Bhaer.

Don't want no more trouble.

- There'll be no more trouble.

I promise.

Go on.

- I'm sorry I hit you.

- All right, you can go.

I too am deeply sorry.

But given time-

- Time ain't gonna change things.

It's always gonna be the same.

Don't know what we were thinking,

letting Isaac sleep in a room full of white boys.

- I wanted to stay there.

- That's all right, son.

Why don't you wait outside for us. We'll be along directly.

- Where will you go?

- I don't know.

But we're gonna find someplace where Isaac's gonna feel wanted.

- He's wanted here.

- Here! That boy b*at on my son!

- And he'll be punished for it, I can assure you.

Don't let Emil's actions turn you away.

Please.

Join us in church this morning?

Meet the community.

Concord is a very progressive town.

I'm sure there'll be great opportunities for you here.

That way Laurie and I can introduce you

to some of the business people in town, the shopkeepers, the-

- Won't do no good.

- Well, I'm going.

I'm tired of runnin' and movin' all the time.

This place you be talking about,

we been searchin' all over, and this be the first time

I thought we mighta found it!

- How could you say that, after what happened to your son?

- It breaks my heart what happened to Isaac.

But for once, somebody be doin' somethin' about it,

instead of lookin' the other way.

Miss Jo and Mr. Laurence and all the other kids...

been nothin' but gracious to us.

So I'd be happy to go to church with y'all.

Except, I got nothin' proper to wear.

- Well, I do.

- Fit all right?

- Oh yes, Asia, it's beautiful!

This fabric is so fine!

- Take care when you move these lamps, they break easy.

- Oh, I was real careful.

- And mind you keep her dress clean.

Take proper care of it.

- I will.

- Oh, there's Peter Thompson. He owns the mill.

- I'm sorry Josiah couldn't join us, Ruth...

I was hoping to introduce him.

- Yes...

Mr. Laurence, Jo...

I hope ya can understand...

Josiah, he's a good man...

A proud man.

And forgive me, but he's seen hard times

you folks could never imagine.

- Well, that's why we want to do whatever we can to help.

- He just finds it real hard to trust people.

- Give him time, he'll come around.

- Mrs. Albright. - Hmm...

- Uh, good morning.

This is Ruth Jones, the young woman I was telling you about.

- How do you do? - How do you do?

- Mrs. Albright, you know how it is up at my school,

someone's always tearing their pants,

losing a button, ripping a sleeve.

Ruth has been right there, handy with a needle.

- How wonderful.

- I'm sure you're always looking for a fine new seamstress.

- Oh, well... you know, Mrs. Bhaer, in my shop,

all my girls have experience with lace.

Have you any experience with lace?

- As a matter-of-fact, ma'am, I do.

I just learned, mind you.

This lady in Virginia, taught me how to sew on collars

and little strips around the sleeves and such.

- I'm afraid trade's been rather slow this season.

But if it picks up, I'll be sure to let you know.

- Thank you, ma'am.

- Well, isn't that a handsome house.

It is a house, isn't it?

- Oh yeah, Mrs. Jo. It's my house, for me 'n my folks.

- I see.

What's this?

- Oh, that's the kitchen.

It's got a brand new potbellied stove, and a big long table,

in case we got company.

- And this room here?

- Oh, that room's my folks' room...

it's right next to mine.

And this room's my favorite.

My Ma can sew, and my Pa can whittle or smoke his pipe.

- [Jo]: Very nice.

- How's that job comin'?

- Oh, I'm afraid this was my fault, I distracted him.

- All right. Isaac, finish up.

- Lunch is on the table.

- He hasn't finished his chore.

- This wood pile can wait an hour.

- This wood shoulda been stacked already.

- What's goin' on?

- Nothing. Everything's fine.

We're just uh, headed in to lunch.

- Josiah, part of my job's keepin' after

these kids about their chores.

- From now on, Mr. Riley, if Isaac's givin' you a problem,

you come to me and I'll take care of it.

- All right.

- Every window? You'll be out here all night.

- I still think Mrs. Jo went easy on you, Emil.

I mean you nearly broke his nose.

- He doesn't belong here. The sooner he leaves, the better.

- Well, maybe if you got to know him.

- I don't wanna get to know him, Tommy.

He's a n*gro. Nothin' better than a barnyard animal.

- Let's try this job, Isaac.

I want you to clear out this corner...

then you and the boys can start stacking the feed.

All right?

- Yes, sir. - Okay.

[ Meow ]

[ Meow ]

- Hey, where ya going?

- I'm terribly sorry, Ruth.

I was so certain that the community would respond.

- Well, thank you for tryin'.

- Well, let's not give up hope yet.

There must be someone still looking for a fine seamstress-

- A n*gro seamstress?

You can hope all you want that it won't make any difference...

but it does.

- Josiah, of course we were disappointed this morning,

but I still believe there are people in town

willing to hire you.

- Most white folks don't think like you.

- Josiah!

- All we ask, is to be given a chance,

to be treated like other people!

Then win or lose, it's up to us.

- Well, perhaps if you weren't so hostile, Josiah!

And suspicious of every honest offer to help,

maybe you'd find that chance here, in Concord.

- This town's like all the others.

- Then what's the answer?

Move on to the next town, and then to the next?!

You don't want that for your family.

I haven't faced your struggles, Josiah, that's true.

But the only way to heal the pain from the past

is to educate ourselves, starting with our children.

The more we learn about each other

and make an effort towards real understanding,

the better we'll be able to live together, side-by-side.

[ Shouting from outside ]

- Fire!

- Get more water!

- [Dan]: We need more water, guys!

Faster, come on ! Pump it faster!

- Run Nat!

- We need more right now!

- I'm here Nick, I'm here!

- Nat, get out!

- What's going on?!

How did this happen?

- We got it in time.

- What's she sayin'?

- I don't know, but I wouldn't wanna be Isaac right now.

- He's in for it, all right.

- It was an accident.

- Nat, he set the barn on fire.

- Yeah, Nat... What if it was one of us?

We'd get in big trouble from Mrs. Jo.

- Suppose you're right.

- She'll probably go real easy on him like she has been.

- Come on, let's get outta here.

- You were careless, son. Had your head in the clouds.

- You know what could've happened?

- But it didn't.

I'm sure Isaac feels terrible about what happened.

- I do.

- And I'm sure he'll be much more careful

and cautious about his work the next time.

- Isaac, you know what that means?

You gotta pay more attention!

- But I was!

I was sweepin' the barn, like Nick told me to

and I... I don't know what happened.

- I'll tell ya what happened.

You got distracted...

You put that lamp down where you shouldn't

and the hay caught on fire.

- I'm sorry!

- It's not good enough.

- Nick!

- I wanna make it up to you, Mrs. Jo.

Really, I do. Just tell me what to do.

- I think you've learned a hard enough lesson already.

- That's it?!

- I'm sorry, could you excuse us for just a minute? Thanks.

A punishment.

That's what you'd like to see Isaac get, isn't it?!

- No, I wouldn't like it, but that's what he deserves!

Isaac's been foolin' around, not doin' his share,

ever since he got here!

- He's new here, he feels awkward!

- Stop making excuses for him.

He's a good kid, but he needs discipline.

- You are too hard on him, Nick.

You single him out.

- What?!

- You treat Isaac differently because he's a n*gro!

- I don't care what color he is!

And I don't expect anythin' more from Isaac

than I do from the other boys!

- He's had a much harder life than the other boys!

and I have done everything I can

to make sure that he feels wanted and comfortable here!

- That's right, Jo, you have!

You've singled him out! You've treated him differently, not me!

And don't think the kids haven't seen it, too.

- She let him off the hook?

- I can't believe it.

- I mean he torched the barn.

- It was an accident.

- Yeah, and he gets off free and clear.

- [Dan]: I don't know guys-

- Shh, shht!

- Hello, everyone.

Someone will need to gather

the rest of the children for dinner.

And Asia, could you let the Joneses know?

- They already ate, Miss Jo.

They ate by themselves, in the kitchen.

- [Jo]: I see.

- Looks great, Asia.

- Asia, I just wanted you to know that...

I didn't mean to hurt your feelings.

And that I don't think of you that way.

- How do you think of me?

- As a friend.

- I'm a n*gro.

Emil, I'm coloured.

- I don't see that Asia, I see you.

- A person.

- Yeah.

- An equal person?

If you wanna be my friend, you have got to think of me,

treat me, treat everyone, as an equal.

Do you understand?

[ Knocking ]

- Was something out of place?

- Yes, Ruth... Me.

I've made some tea.

Would you like to join me?

- Yeah.

- I've learned something about myself today.

I've discovered that prejudice...

can take many forms...

There you are, I've been looking for you.

- Didn't think the others would want me around.

- If the others seem angry, it's because they believe that you,

as well as everyone else who stays at Plumfield,

should pay the consequences for their actions.

They're right.

You're a fine boy, Isaac...

With a wonderful spirit and imagination.

But there's a time for work and there's a time for play.

And I'm afraid you've been very careless

and irresponsible with your chores.

Now, I'd like you to go to the barn and clean up

and repair all the damage that you've done there.

- Yes, Mrs. Jo.

- I found these.

They should make things easier.

- Thanks.

- Whoa!

- Laurie...

I wasn't expecting you today.

- Yes, well...

Josiah, Ruth, may I speak to you for a moment?

- Mornin', Mr. Laurence.

- Morning.

I've been doing some thinking and uh...

Well, I've spoken to Mr. Harris at the bank.

He's agreed to give me a loan for a small house

and some property to farm,

with the understanding that I intend

to co-sign the loan... with you.

- Well, Mr. Laurence, we can't accept charity.

- It's not charity, Josiah.

You'll be responsible for the place,

and all the mortgage payments.

The only thing I've given you, is what the bank needed...

my name and reputation, for what that's worth.

The rest is up to you.

- Oh, Mr. Laurence-

- Wait, hold on here now-

- Josiah, hush.

This is the chance we've been prayin' for. Take it!

- I accept.

Thank you Mr. Laurence.

- A pleasure.

- Asia?

- Go on.