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Category:
Biography
Publisher: Veni Vici Books
Pages: 140
Copyright: Aug. 26. 1996
ISBN-13: 9780988018983
Price: $2.99 (eBook)
Docudrama screenplay in an e-book (and coming paperback) based on true story of an 18th century black & white couple who defied slavery laws, got their offspring educated in the north where the youngsters became incredibly accomplished.
Possibly a first - a screenplay in screenplay format published in an e-book.
It is based on the true story of Michael Morris Healy, an Irish immigrant to Georgia who established a thriving cotton plantation,bought a slave, fell in love with her and lived common law to have 9 children. These became America's first black bishop, a president of Georgetown University, a legendary sea captain, a mother superior, a priest who served at the Vatican and a professional gambler.
Excerpt
INT. - GRAMPS' KITCHEN - DAY
Gramps is putting some dishes away and Jack is excited.
JACK
Wow! And they did get away?
GRAMPS
Oh, sure. And later they got Nancy out, too. But that's another story.
JACK
And what was it that killed Michael?
GRAMPS
I've given this a lot of thought. His drinking probably did it but he was a phenomenal man. If he'd been a hypocrite as some of our Founding Father were - who professed to abhor slavery but kept slaves and had children by slaves and then denied them - then he might have lived to a riper age.
DISSOLVE TO:
A MONTAGE OF REPEAT FOOTAGE OF MICHAEL IN HIS YOUNGER YEARS STANDING UP TO HIS FATHER, TROUNCING HIS BRITISH OFFICER, BEFRIENDING THE INDIANS IN THE WOODS, PREVENTING JOSHUA'S FORMER MASTER FROM BEATING HIM, PREVENTING THE AUCTIONEER FROM STRIPPING ELIZA AT THE AUCTION.
GRAMPS (V.O.)
He had a sense of justice and always stood up for it. It was slavery, which he hated but which gave him prosperity and the wherewithal to educate his family..and that broke his back. It filled him with guilt. That inner conflict is what really killed him.
BACK TO GRAMPS AND JACK
JACK
But what happened to the rest of them? James and Patrick and Sherwood and Michael, Jr.,and the three girls?
GRAMPS
Well, I'm still doing research - but I can tell you this much:
DISSOLVE TO A MONTAGE WITH REPEAT FOOTAGE OF THE HEALY BOYS ON THE PLANTATION, AT THE QUAKER SCHOOL, SEEING THE GRAFFITI ON THE WASHROOM WALL, ACTIVITIES AT HOLY CROSS, ETC.
GRAMPS (V.O.)
They had much to overcome because even in the North a dark skin closed many doors; and being Catholic was no plus. James eventually became a bishop. Patrick became president of Georgetown University; Sherwood became a priest, served at the Vatican and later took charge of the Cathedral in Boston. Little Eliza became a mother superior. Michael, Jr. Made headlines as a captain in the U.S. Revenue Cutter Service, the precursor to the U.S. Coast Guard - which, incidentally, launched a ship in his name, the Captain Mike, a hundred years after his service.
JACK
Woweeee! And the baby, Eugene?
GRAMPS
(chuckling)
Oh, he was something else! Worthy of several books. He became a professional gambler and adventurer.
Gramps is putting on his coat and Jack is jumping all around him.
JACK
But wait, Gramps, priests don't marry and have children! How can they be our...you know...ancestors?
GRAMPS
You are forgetting Michael, Jr., and Amanda and Martha Ann and Eugene...
JACK
Oh, yea! Wow! So which one? What happened with them?
Gramps puts a coat on Jack and picks up a suitcase as he chuckles.
GRAMPS
That's another story. A big one. But I've got to get you on a plane, young man. Your mom and dad are picking you up at the airport.
Gramps ushers the excited Jack out the door and locks it.
CUT TO:
EXT. - GRAMPS' FRONT YARD - DAY
It is a New England country setting, all covered with snow.
JACK
(a thought has come to him)
But, but, but Gramps, if I've got a great-great-grandma who was a black slave, what does that make me?
ANGLE ON GRAMPS
He stops, smiles warmly and speaks
GRAMPS
A boy! A nice American boy!
PULL BACK as Gramps leads Jack to the car in the drive. KEEP PULLING BACK FOR AN EXTREME LONG SHOT. The car drives off becoming a dark spec in that huge blanket of white.
FADE
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