The Underground Railroad (2021) s01e08 Episode Script

1
[birds singing]
[chuckles softly]
♪
♪
- [indistinct chatter]
- [laughter]
[Molly] "When, in the course
of human events,
it becomes necessary
for one people to dissolve
the political bonds which have
connected them with another
and to assume among
the powers of the earth
the separate and equal station
to which the Laws of Nature
and of Nature's God
entitle them.
We hold these truths
to be self-evident,
that all men are created equal,
that they are endowed
by their Creator
with certain unalienable rights,
that among these are Life,
Liberty and the Pursuit
of Happiness.
That to secure these rights,
Governments are instituted
among men,
deriving their just powers from
the consent of the governed.
- [laughter]
- That whenever any Form
of Government
becomes destructive
of these ends,
it is the Right of the People
to alter or to abolish it
and to institute new Government,
laying its foundation
on such principles
and organizing its power
in such form
as to them shall seem
most likely
to effect their Safety
and Happiness.
But when a long train
of abuses and usurpations,
pursuing invariably
the same Object evinces a design
to reduce them under
absolute Despotism,
it is their right,
it is their duty,
to throw off such Government,
and to provide new Guards
for their future security."
Thank you.
I am overwhelmed.
Uh
I'd like to thank Molly
for that heartfelt recital.
[man] Thank you, Molly.
[John] Out of the mouths
of babes.
Brothers and sisters, I
I do believe we are
looking at the future.
Thank you, young lady.
♪
[door opens]
- Miss Cora.
- Georgina.
You sure taught
these pickaninnies
how to give a proper talk.
There are no pickaninnies here,
Cora, just children.
Oh, I'm sorry, I-I didn't
It-it's all right, Cora.
See, oftentimes when folks'
minds finally get freed,
they have to unlearn as much
as they learn, you understand?
I do, yeah.
Mmm!
My, my, my, that barbecue
is making my whole mouth water.
Ooh.
But can I ask you something
about the children?
Of course, Cora.
They speak so well, but
do they know what's
in those big words?
No.
What they don't understand
today, they may tomorrow.
Take the Declaration
of Independence
that little Molly was reciting.
It's like a map.
You trust that it's right,
but you only know
when you go and test
for yourself.
You really believe that?
Of course not, Cora.
I'm a colored woman
living in America.
But
everybody's got to go out
and test it for they selves.
Understand?
[dog barks in distance]
- [indistinct chatter]
- [horse neighs]
Now, let's go see
about that barbecue.
♪
Mmm!
[lively chatter]
[laughter]
[glass clinking]
[Gloria] How's everybody doing?
- [others] Good.
- [Gloria] Good, good, good.
Certainly hope y'all had
a pleasant day.
Normally,
my husband would speechify here,
but he is feeling too grand
for words this afternoon.
[scattered laughter]
Y'all just have to make due
with me.
And I'll certainly do
the best that I can.
So
I was down at the cellar
all day,
and then I come up to see
what a gift God gave us.
This beautiful sky.
[chuckles]
Them hogs.
And this glorious plot of land.
I would like to take a moment
to thank and praise my husband
for negotiating the deed
on this here land.
Lord knows when we first
showed up they had no idea
of the colored love and joy
coursing through his veins.
[chuckles]
And so when I'm out
in these fields,
when I hear the little ones
over by the pond
just flapping and a-flailing
without a care in the world,
when I
when I find new voices
here among us,
traveled from faraway places
but holding the same power,
same strength of our people
within their bones,
well
it reminds me to have
a little peace of mind.
That no matter what we decide
going forward, this farm
this community is
in good standing.
[scattered cheers]
Now, I-I promise
we'll stop all this yapping
and get to these fine eatings
in short order.
Sure smells good, don't it?
- [laughs]
- [woman] Yes!
But, first, please, let us
raise and join hands.
[quiet chatter]
Be present at our table, Lord.
[all] Be present
at our table, Lord.
Be here and everywhere adored.
[all] Be here
and everywhere adored.
These mercies bless
and grant that we
[all] These mercies bless
and grant that we
May feast in fellowship
with Thee.
[all] May feast in fellowship
with Thee.
- Amen.
- [all] Amen.
- [quiet chatter]
- [laughter]
[indistinct chatter]
[Mingo] No doubt, you have
a heart of gold, brother.
But I fear you've brought
too much trouble
down on our home this time.
Is that right?
My dear wife heard your latest
stray is a wanted woman.
Ah. [laughs]
Well, most folks round here
wanted for one thing or another.
Not me, brother.
Not me.
Be that as it may
Cora belongs here.
Same as any of us.
And it's for her
to tell her story
of whatever she's running from,
or whatever she's running to,
whenever she chooses.
Please don't use her
to push your grievances
- against the Railroad.
- I'm not against the Railroad.
I am not against the Railroad.
Now, I bear no ill will
toward that poor girl,
but you are naive to think
white folk are gonna let us
keep a place like this
if we continue to taunt them
- with our arrogance.
- Arrogance?
Since when is living
and breathing
and tilling the land, what is
rightfully yours, arrogance?
I do
appreciate your thoughts,
Brother Mingo.
And I will be sure
to bear them in mind as I
tend to my affairs.
[glass clinking]
[John] While you all digest
this fine meal,
we have a honored guest
on the farm among us today.
Now, some of you
who've been with us a while
will certainly recognize
his handsome face.
I know of a few who find it
pleasing to the eye, mm-hmm.
A most distinguished young man
of the arts,
here to read from his upcoming
collection of poems,
our brother,
Rumsey Brooks.
[scattered cheers]
May I ask, is the spirit
of our people
here with us
on Valentine Farm today?
[murmuring]
'Ere I saw a dappled wonder
Settling 'cross the fields
Hovering on angel wings
Brandishing a blazing shield
Of tears and blood
and flesh and bone and skin
Of all the voices
come and gone
The beauteous souls of kin
From the heavens returned
an angel fallen
A soldier of legacy's deeding
To stoke
that Apollonian ember
in all mortal beings
[applause]
[John] Brother Rumsey.
[others] Brother Rumsey.
Moment that poem started
I knew you'd be running off.
[Cora] Hasn't been but a month,
and you already know
my ways and means, Mr. Royal?
No, ma'am.
Just
observing.
- [laughter in distance]
- [indistinct chatter]
[dog barking]
Oh, you better pray
Red don't catch you.
- [dog barks]
- There you go.
You real pretty like that.
When you smile, you know?
I mean, you pretty anyway,
but boy, when you smile
like that
What'd old Rumsey say?
"To stoke the Apollonian ember
that burns
in all mortal beings."
- You hush, now.
- I'll do no such a thing.
♪
[rhythmic clapping]
[laughter]
[woman] Watch my feet.
[lively chatter]
[woman] What you gonna tell me?
[lively chatter continues]
♪
You speak some mighty
fine words, Mr. Brooks.
If I gave you my sorrows,
would you make them
sound pretty?
[chuckles]
I certainly would try, yes.
Yeah.
I bet you would.
Okay.
Okay, then.
- Okay, what?
- [chuckles]
Please
give me your sorrows.
♪
♪
Royal, feel like there's
something burning underfoot.
Valentine's toying with
pulling up stakes
and moving everyone out West.
There's been talk
that we should
- [clapping in distance]
- get farther away
from white folks,
put some distance between us
and the slave states.
Makes sense to me.
Mingo disagrees. Mingo
has different plans
for Valentine.
He wants to cut a group
of white businessmen
from the town
in on our wine, but
we'd have to offer them
some concessions.
What's that?
There's been a couple dustups
about runaways showing up
in they town.
Mingo claims
they need reassurances
there won't be
no more trouble of the like.
That's why he look at me
like a maggot on meat.
And he don't even
know the whole truth.
Mingo don't speak for everybody.
So, when they gonna decide?
Not sure, but
soon.
Does everybody get a vote?
Yes, ma'am.
Even you.
Why you looking at me like that?
- Like what?
- You gaze upon me
most strangely, Miss Cora.
You real pretty like that,
you know, when you smile.
[laughing] Oh
I mean, you pretty anyway,
but boy, when you smile
like that
[laughing] Oh
- Miss Cora.
- Hmm?
- You liable to make a man
think you liking him.
- [chuckles]
♪
[horse snorts]
[Samson speaking indistinctly]
[Samson] Know what that means?
[Sybil] No, but I'm sure
you gonna tell me.
[Samson] Mm-hmm.
Howdy, Miss Sybil.
Mm. Samson.
Royal.
- Hey, now. [chuckles]
- [Samson laughs]
Well, I best be getting on.
I don't want to keep you ladies.
It was a pleasure talking
with you, Miss Cora.
All mine, Royal.
All mine.
[laughing]
[rooster crowing]
♪
[bottles rattling]
♪
- [door opens]
- [door closes]
Well, hello there,
Mr. Valentine.
Judge.
[quiet chatter]
Didn't think they'd get you
from under them cows.
You hush, now.
[dog barking]
♪
[gasps]
[panting]
[dogs barking]
- [Cora yells]
- [whip cracks]
Cora.
Cora.
- [panting]
- Cora, they not looking
for you.
Cora, please, I swear
they're not looking for you.
- She pointed at me.
- She pointed at us.
She pointed at the vines.
Only folks
what stoke suspicion here
is the folks what's hiding.
Now, in Indiana, we got rules,
we got law and order,
and can't no slave catcher
set foot on a person's property
without the local judge
giving a warrant.
And that judge
he like his drink.
So we make sure that
that man don't have to look for,
nor worry about nary one drop
of that pretty red Valentine
wine for more time than it takes
to reach for the bottle,
and in return
before any slave catcher sets
foot on this here property
we make sure whoever they is
looking for is long gone.
[grunting quietly]
You're safe here, Cora.
Cora, you're safe.
[indistinct chatter]
[horses neighing in distance]
- [knocking]
- [door opens]
[Royal] Mind if I join you?
[door closes]
[chair creaks]
May I?
You done all this?
You came all this way
on the Railroad?
Yeah.
And left behind
all those peoples.
Cora.
Cora.
I-I know tomorrow is a day
for working, but, um
considering the day
you had
I was thinking maybe we could do
something different.
Just you and me.
Now, there's a lot around here
what I know you ain't seen.
Would love to
take you around for a bit.
Clear your head.
Yeah.
All right, then.
♪
[door opens]
[door closes]
- [leaves rustling]
- [horse snorts]
♪
[insects trilling]
[horse nickers]
[Royal] Don't worry.
Ain't planning on shooting
nobody no time soon.
[Cora] Just
don't think I ever seen
so many Black folk
with guns before.
Not until I got here.
[Royal] Well, it's
in the Constitution.
Got it right up there
in the library.
Here.
[horse snorts]
Take a hold of it.
♪
[horses neigh]
Now
See here,
you the master over it.
Not the other way around.
You make it do as you do.
It's hard.
Eh, just takes
some getting used to.
Now, see, the trick is
to think of something
what you trying to hit.
Or someone, if need be.
[birds singing]
Mm-hmm.
What's their name?
[shaky breaths]
[birds cawing]
[Royal] There's a sadness
in you.
[horse snorts]
I wish I knew the root of it.
Wish I could help you with it.
You born free, ain't you?
When you a runaway
lot of things
get left behind.
Hard not to think about 'em.
It's like a piece of you
what's missing.
It's heavy.
Like dead weight.
That may be true
But, Cora, you carry more
of the past with you
than anybody I ever seen.
The weight you talk of
I don't know how anybody
could ever just
be carrying that kind
of weight on they spirit.
I want to show you something.
- [leaves rustling]
- [birds singing]
[echoing birdcalls]
[wind whistling]
[birdcalls continue]
♪
[soft thud]
Make manure smell sweet.
You work on a farm long enough,
manure do smell sweet.
[hollow thuds]
What you digging at?
Just you wait.
- [shoveling stops]
- [loud clatter]
[loud crash]
[door creaks]
[loud thud]
[Royal dusts off hands]
[wind whistling]
[metal clinking]
[metal lid clinks]
♪
[echoes] Yeah.
Ain't nothing in this world
Black folk can't do.
[flame whooshes]
[torch thuds]
Would you like to see,
Miss Cora?
♪
♪
You all right, Miss Cora?
Yeah.
Don't look down too much,
you'll catch yourself a fright.
♪
♪
[Royal] Ain't made
for a locomotive.
[Royal sighs]
[grunts]
A little ways in,
the tunnel gets too small, see?
It don't connect
with the rest of the line.
- So, where does it go, then?
- [metallic click]
It's from before my time.
The conductor I replaced
showed it to me.
Here.
I took the handcar
a few miles in.
It was too much.
How the walls hugged me
like a drunk grandma.
Call this here
the "ghost tunnel."
As far as I can tell,
it ain't never been used.
That house up there
used to belong to a general
in the Revolutionary War.
I still don't believe
anybody could ever
have been living up there.
It's all old nails and weeds,
like the earth is reaching up,
trying to swallow it.
Maybe it don't start
beneath the house.
But somewhere
in this black hole.
Maybe this ain't
the start of things
but the end.
Make you wonder if there ain't
no real places to escape to.
Only places to run from.
Why did you bring me here?
I wanted to show you this
because
you've seen more
of the Railroad than most.
I wanted you to see
how it fits together.
Or it doesn't.
I'm just a passenger
like anybody else.
Yes, ma'am,
but don't you understand
the Underground Railroad is
bigger than its conductors?
It's all y'all, too.
Small spurs,
the big trunk lines.
The newest locomotives,
the obsolete engines,
and even the
loneliest little handcars.
But
can't none of us
figure it out.
Maybe you can.
Me?
I don't know why it's here
or-or what it means, Royal.
All I know is
I'm tired of running.
Then don't.
Cora?
Cora.
- Cora.
- Don't you touch me!
[gasping softly]
♪
[birds singing]
[howling in distance]
[plants rustling]
[Royal] There's a sadness
in you.
And I wish I knew
the root of it.
Wish I could help you with it.
♪
- [gunshot]
- [thunderous bang]
[sheep bleats]
- [indistinct chatter]
- [laughter in distance]
- [indistinct shouting]
- [dog barking]
[Cora grunts]
Hey, Cora.
Hey.
- [children laughing]
- [indistinct chatter]
How you been keeping?
Keeping.
Cora, are you all right?
You asked me that 20 times
since last Sunday.
Told you already.
I-I did.
You did. [chuckles]
What you want, Royal?
I wants to apologize, I
I-I wants to apologize
for what
Already did that.
Already did that, Royal.
You leave me be, now.
There's a mission down south.
Red and Samson,
leaving in a few days,
say they need a third.
It'd be dangerous.
I'd be gone a good while.
I can tell them to find
somebody else.
- Cora, I'm asking you
- You asking me what?
Royal, what happen
between the two of us
ain't got nothing to do
with you.
You do what you want.
No need to worry about me.
♪
- [crickets chirping]
- [logs crackling in fire]
- [footsteps approaching]
- [door opens]
What a long day it's been.
Pardon me.
My head's filling up
with thunder.
[door closes]
♪
♪
♪
♪
♪
- [wheels screeching]
- [train clanging]
[man] This way.
[train whistling]
[indistinct chatter]
- [clinking]
- [wheels screeching]
[train whistles]
♪
- [bell chiming]
- [train car rumbling]
[train chugging]
[train whistles]
[indistinct chatter]
[distorted, indistinct chatter]
You want to go down
to platform four.
I'll take you there.
[chalk squeaking]
[steam hisses]
- [bell chimes]
- [indistinct shouting]
[distorted chatter continues]
[elevator whirring]
[quiet chatter]
[distorted chatter]
♪
[man] Right here in this box.
[woman] Hey, I haven't done it,
and I'm a little nervous.
- [distorted shouts]
- [whip cracking]
[distorted yelling]
- [indistinct chatter]
- [distorted crying]
- [dog barking]
- [distorted chatter]
[distorted chatter continues]
[echoing baby crying]
- [station clerk] Next.
- [bell dings]
[baby crying]
- Next.
- [bell dings]
[baby crying]
Next.
Where you coming from?
- Indiana.
- Name?
Randall.
Cora Randall.
Free or runaway?
I'm not sure.
Where have you given testimony?
I've told my story
in in Georgia,
South Carolina, North Carolina
and Tennessee.
That's a long ride.
So they say.
What about Indiana?
Excuse me?
You told your story
everywhere else.
What about Indiana?
Oh, I told it. Yeah.
But did you tell it?
Did you really tell your truth?
[sighs]
[echoing laughter]
[distorted screaming]
[screaming stops]
Mm.
- [distorted chatter]
- [laughter]
Hmm.
I'm not finding a Cora Randall
in here.
- Well, that can't be.
- But it is.
Now, in order for us
to move you forward
we are required
to confirm your testimony.
But I can't just stay here.
I don't know anybody.
Neither did our mammies
or pappies
when they brought us here,
but look around.
Look at all we've done.
Won't take long to go through
the Indiana manifests.
And if what you state
is in there,
we'll move you forward.
All right.
What I'm supposed to do
in the meantime?
Make some new friends.
Next.
[bell ringing]
Thank you.
This is heaven.
Leave it to a bunch of Africans
to build a place underground
where you can drink
the world's best coffee.
[chuckles softly]
You all right?
It's a lot, I know.
Are we above the ground
or below?
Depends on
where you're coming from.
[door swings open]
[door closes]
[distorted chatter]
[door swings open]
Is the rest of the world
still out there?
Of course.
Where you think we are,
the moon?
Well, then, can I go outside
while I wait?
No.
I don't think you're
quite ready for that.
[door swings open]
[door closes]
[dishes clinking]
[exhales]
[baby fussing]
[baby crying]
[crying continues]
- [crying stops]
- [door creaks]
[crickets chirping]
[bird caws]
[woman, echoing] Cora!
[distorted chatter]
[soft creaking]
[door knob rattling]
[woman] I'm right here, Cora.
It's Lovey.
♪
[distorted busy chatter]
[bell chiming]
[train whistles]
[train chugging]
[distorted chatter continues]
[man] You are standing
on a train platform.
A fear of missing the train,
a slavery to time.
There is so much
you have never said
to your companion and
so little time to articulate.
The years have accreted
around the simple words,
and there would have been
ample time to speak them
had not the years intervened
and secreted them.
The conductor paces
up and down the platform
and wonders why
you do not speak.
You are a blight
on his platform and timetable.
Speak, find the words.
The train is warming
towards departure.
You cannot find the words,
the words will not allow you
to find them in time
for the departure.
Nothing is allowed to pass
between you and your companion.
It is late.
A seat awaits.
That the words are
simple and true
is only half the battle.
The train is leaving.
The train is always leaving,
and you have not found
your words.
[gasping]
♪
[breathing heavily]
May I have this dance?
You may.
♪
- You looking
- [gasping]
mighty fine tonight,
Miss Cora Randall.
As do you
Caesar Gardner.
Is that so?
[chuckles] Yes.
Fine things suit you.
And you, Mr. Gardner.
And you.
How long this gonna last?
Long as you need.
[sobbing softly]
♪
[gasps softly]
♪
♪
[metal clinking]
♪
[blacksmith] Royal gone.
- Excuse me?
- He done up and gone.
Left late last night
with two mens.
Packed up really good, too.
Look like official business.
When he coming back?
How should I know?
I look like his mammy?
♪
♪
♪
[metal clinking]
[rain falling]
[metal scraping]
[phone line ringing]
[Groove Theory: "Hey U"]
Hey, you ♪
I hope you know what I've
been going through, baby ♪
I wonder if you're
going through it, too ♪
But I'm afraid to face
what might be true ♪
Hey, you ♪
I remember ♪
The day it hit me ♪
That I really loved your way ♪
I thought for sure
I'd be here to stay, baby ♪
To my surprise,
I'd soon be running away ♪
Running away ♪
If I ever see you walking ♪
I won't know what to say ♪
Or do ♪
- Ooh, ooh ♪
- Ooh, ooh ♪
So what's the use
in talking? ♪♪
♪
♪
[music ends]