EXT. BUS TERMINAL. NATCHEZ, MISSISSIPPI. LATE AFTERNOON.
LEGEND: Natchez, Mississippi - April 16, 1940
A well-dressed black man, SAM MORGAN, about thirty, steps off
a bus in front of an aging service station that serves as a
bus terminal in Natchez.
Sam pulls a white cotton handkerchief and wipes his forehead,
then covers his nose against the diesel fumes and dust from
the departing bus.
EXT. NATCHEZ BLUFFS. LATE AFTERNOON.
Sam walks slowly across the street and railroad tracks to the
wooden gazebo on the bluff two hundred feet above the massive
Mississippi River.
He watches the remains of a blackened tree trunk turning
helplessly in the deadly, swirling current of the turbid
water. Sam wipes his forehead again, picks up his suitcase
and starts walking.
EXT. STREETS OF NATCHEZ. LATE AFTERNOON.
Sam walks up the hill on Main Street, past hotels and retail
shops made of brick fabricated in Natchez before the War
Between the States. Very intent, he ignores the white
Natchezans who nod to him.
Sam arrives at “the corner” where he looks at Natchez’s
“colored” downtown, which includes two barber shops, the
funeral home, the Mount Olive Baptist Church, and several
juke joints and small retail stores.
He walks across the street toward a tin building on the lot
across the street from the barber shops and juke joints.
A large, hand-made sign proclaiming “The Rhythm Club” hangs
on the side of the building.
EXT. RHYTHM CLUB. LATE AFTERNOON.
An older black man, MITCHELL, on a stool outside the front
door recognizes Sam.
MITCHELL
Sam Morgan! When’d you get back?
Sam smiles and shakes hands, but looks beyond Mitchell into
the darkness of the club.
SAM
Just rolled in, Mitchell. Rufus
inside?
MITCHELL
Yeah, man, go on in.
SAM
Good to see you, Mitchell.
Genres:
["Drama","Historical"]
Ratings
Scene
2 -
Confrontation at the Rhythm Club
INT. RHYTHM CLUB. LATE AFTERNOON.
ELROY, young, friendly, is wiping the bar and talking to a
black man about Sam’s age, RUFUS WOOLRIDGE.
Sam puts his suitcase down and walks to the bar, where he
stands behind Rufus. Elroy stares at Sam, and Rufus stops
talking.
Rufus turns and grins.
RUFUS
Sammy.
Sam punches Rufus hard in the face, knocking him against the
bar, then hits him in the stomach, doubling him over.
Elroy picks up a sap and reluctantly starts around the bar.
Sam roars at Elroy.
SAM
Stay right there! This is between
me and Rufus.
Rufus, bleeding from his nose, nods to Elroy, who walks
outside. Sam hits Rufus again, knocking him to the floor.
SAM
Get up and fight!!
RUFUS
I ain’t fightin’ you, Sammy. Beat
me all you want.
Sam stands over Rufus, breathing heavily.
RUFUS
My nose is busted.
SAM
Get up and I’ll bust it some more.
RUFUS
No.
Sam grabs an ash tray off the bar and flings it against the
wall, then picks up his suitcase and walks to the door.
When Sam opens the door, daylight streams into the darkness
of the bar, backlighting Sam, who turns back to Rufus, still
on the floor.
SAM
I’m not through with you.
Genres:
["Drama","Historical"]
Ratings
Scene
3 -
Unresolved Love
EXT. NORTH UNION STREET. LATE AFTERNOON.
Sam walks up two flights of concrete steps onto the porch of
a Victorian house high above North Union Street.
He puts his suitcase down, and knocks hard on the door. ROSE
BENNETT, a pretty black woman about Sam’s age opens the door.
ROSE
Hello, Sam.
SAM
Is that all you have to say?
ROSE
What do you want me to say?
SAM
Tell me it’s not true.
Rose lowers her head and looks at the floor. Sam steps
forward, halfway through the front door.
ROSE
You can come in and we’ll talk.
But I don’t want you upsetting
Daddy in his own house.
INT. ROSE’S HOME. LATE AFTERNOON.
Inside, Sam nods to MOSES BENNETT, old and very thin, who
sits in a rocker in the front parlor.
Rose walks toward the kitchen.
ROSE
I’ve got something on the stove.
I’ll be right back.
Mr. Bennett smiles at Sam.
MOSES
How have you been, Sam?
SAM
Okay, Mr. Bennett.
MOSES
You all through with school?
SAM
Yes, sir.
MOSES
You know we’re all proud of you.
Moses nods, then starts coughing. Rose returns and gives him
a spoonful of medicine, then hands him a glass of water.
ROSE
Time for your nap, Daddy.
He gently smiles at his daughter and struggles to stand, then
shuffles toward his room, speaking softly over his shoulder.
MOSES
Real good to have you back in town,
Sam. Real good.
Rose sits down, and through the closed door to Moses’
bedroom, Sam and Rose hear her father’s terrible coughing
again.
SAM
He doesn’t sound good.
ROSE
His emphysema...the four months he
spent in the Gulfport Sanitorium
didn’t help.
SAM
Gulfport? How were you able to
send him there?
ROSE
I managed.
Sam is quiet for a moment.
SAM
I don’t understand what happened.
How could you marry Rufus?
Rose looks down at her hands folded in her lap.
SAM
When I left last May everything was
set. (beat) Wasn’t it?
Rose looks up, into Sam’s eyes, her eyes filling with tears.
ROSE
Yes.
SAM
We were getting married right after
I graduated. Your letters were
so...wonderful.
ROSE
I meant every word.
SAM
Then they stopped.
ROSE
I didn’t know how to tell you.
SAM
How about the truth? I had to hear
it from Mother. She wrote me about
you and Rufus.
ROSE
I had to make a choice.
Mr. Bennett’s coughs in the next room.
ROSE
I’ve got to see about Daddy.
She looks at Sam.
ROSE
You better go. I’ve got to help
him breathe.
They stand, and Sam takes Rose by the arms and pulls her
closer.
SAM
Look me in the eyes and tell me you
don’t love me any more.
She turns her head and tries to pull away.
SAM
Tell me you love Rufus and not me.
She struggles to get out of Sam’s grasp. Mr. Bennett’s
coughs get louder. Sam lets her go.
SAM
I’m leaving now, but I love you and
won’t stop until I get you back.
Rose is scared.
ROSE
Please, don’t. There’s
nothing...to do.
SAM
You have to understand.
Sam moves closer to her.
SAM
Nothing else in the world matters
to me. Nothing.
Sam walks out the front door.
Genres:
["Drama"]
Ratings
Scene
4 -
Unwelcome Homecoming
EXT. NORTH UNION STREET. DAY.
Sam walks down the several flights of steps outside the
Bennett house toward the street. He stops on the landing
above the final flight and watches a Sheriff’s patrol car
stop below him.
SHERIFF BILLY WILLIAMS, a fifty-ish white man in a khaki
uniform with a large calibre revolver in a black leather
holster on his hip, gets out and walks up the steps to join
Sam on the landing.
The Sheriff looks up and tips his cowboy-style, sweat-stained
straw hat to Sam.
SHERIFF
Howdy, Sam.
SAM
Hello, Sheriff.
SHERIFF
Welcome back to town.
SAM
Thanks.
SHERIFF
I’m afraid I’m going to have to
take you in. I know this ain’t
much of a homecoming.
SAM
Rufus pressing charges?
SHERIFF
Nah. The bartender Elroy told me
what happened. Rufus said he
didn’t want to file no complaint,
but it ain’t exactly up to him.
SAM
It’s a personal matter, Sheriff.
SHERIFF
I know exactly what all this is
about. But I can’t have you sashay
into town, give a Natchez
businessman a beatin’ and just look
the other way. Sam, you supposed to
be an educated man.
SAM
Am I under arrest?
SHERIFF
We’ll see once we get to the
station house.
Sam walks down the steps with the Sheriff and gets into the
back seat of the patrol car with his suitcase.
Sam looks out the window and sees Rose walk out on her porch
as Sheriff Williams drives him away.
Genres:
["Drama","Crime"]
Ratings
Scene
5 -
Confrontation and Departure
INT. ADAMS COUNTY JAIL. LATE AFTERNOON.
Sam sits on the bunk behind the steel bars of the jail cell,
his head down.
An outer door opens and Sheriff Williams walks in, followed
by DR. KENNETH HOLMAN, a fifty-ish black man, meticulous in
appearance, and very serious. Sheriff Williams unlocks the
cell and opens the door.
SHERIFF
All right, Sam. You’re free to go.
Sam gets off the bunk and stops at the open cell door. He
glares at Dr. Holman.
SHERIFF
There ain’t no arrest on your
record. You need to thank Dr.
Holman here.
Sam walks past Dr. Holman without speaking and walks out of
the jail. The Sheriff looks at Holman and shakes his head at
Sam’s ingratitude.
EXT. OUTSIDE ADAMS COUNTY JAIL. LATE AFTERNOON.
Dr. Holman and Sam stop in the lengthening shadows on the
sidewalk in front of the red stone Victorian-style jail.
Neither Sam nor Dr. Holman have smiled or spoken.
SAM
You’re the last person I expected.
DR. HOLMAN
Rose asked me to get you out.
She’s the only reason I’m here.
SAM
Yeah, well, remind me to send you a
thank-you note.
DR. HOLMAN
Brawling in a night club. I was
right to send you that telegram.
SAM
Yeah, real brave of you. What’s
the real reason you backed out of
the deal we made?
DR. HOLMAN
I told you. Business is off.
There’s not enough traffic in my
office to keep two physicians busy.
SAM
I don’t believe that for a minute.
DR. HOLMAN
Believe what you like.
SAM
Well, I don’t believe you.
Sam turns and starts walking away.
DR. HOLMAN
It’s time you grew up. Rose is a
married woman. And she’s not
leaving Rufus. They’re expecting a
child.
Sam stops suddenly but doesn’t turn around. Holman continues
to look at Sam’s back. After a moment, Sam starts walking
again. Holman calls out.
DR. HOLMAN
Go back to Baltimore.
EXT. OUTSIDE RHYTHM CLUB. DUSK.
Fifteen minutes after leaving the jail, Sam walks past the
Rhythm Club. It’s Saturday evening, and well-dressed, happy
black couples in their early twenties wait outside the club
to pay the cover charge.
A poster by the front door gives notice that the following
Saturday, April 23, 1940, “The World Renowned Willie Jones
and his Orchestra” will be playing at the Rhythm Club.
Loud music pours from the open door as Sam walks by.
Genres:
["Drama","Historical"]
Ratings
Scene
6 -
Homecoming and Heartache
EXT. MARY MORGAN’S FRONT PORCH. NIGHT.
Sam steps onto the porch of his family home on Madison
Street. The wooden front door is open, and Sam opens the
screen door and walks in.
INT. MARY MORGAN’S HOUSE. NIGHT.
SAM
Mama?
A pretty black woman, about fifty, comes out of the kitchen
drying her hands on her apron. She opens her mouth wide in
surprise and hugs and kisses Sam.
MARY
Lord have mercy, son. What are you
doing here?
SAM
I’m home.
MARY
I see you are. And you look so
handsome. (beat) This is such a
wonderful surprise.
SAM
I’m home for good.
Mary sits down, the smile on her face replaced by anxiety.
MARY
Oh, son.
She takes Sam’s hand and examines his knuckles.
MARY
Lordy! What did you go and do?
SAM
Nothing.
MARY
You got into it with Rufus, didn’t
you? When are you going to stop
fighting, Sam? You’re a medical
doctor; supposed to help people.
SAM
My best friend. And my girl
friend.
MARY
Fighting won’t help you with Rose.
For God’s sake, tell me you’re not
in town to try to get her back.
Sam puts his hand behind his mother’s neck and kisses her on
the cheek. He smiles and kisses her again.
SAM
Mama, I want to ask you something.
MARY
All right.
SAM
What was it Daddy said to make you
know you wanted to spend the rest
of your life with him?
Mary looks wistfully, and leans back.
MARY
It wasn’t what he said. It
was...just who he was.
SAM
But when he proposed...
MARY
I knew I wanted to marry your Daddy
the first time I met him. He was
so smart, and confident. And
strong. I knew he could do
anything.
SAM
How was he different from the
others?
MARY
You’re going to think I’m silly,
but every time I was around him, my
heart was...I could feel it beating
faster. You know how two people
were just intended to be together?
SAM
I know. That’s how I feel about
Rose. And I know she feels the
same way about me.
MARY
She must not, son.
Sam slaps his hands on his knees.
SAM
What’s for supper?
Genres:
["Drama"]
Ratings
Scene
7 -
Tensions in the Pews
INT. MOUNT OLIVE BAPTIST CHURCH. MORNING.
Mary and Sam walk into church late, and slide into the last
pew as the preacher begins his sermon. Sam spots Rufus and
Rose seated in the middle of the church.
Rose turns around and glances at Sam. Sam smiles at her but
Rose doesn’t react. She quickly turns back to face the
preacher.
PREACHER
My brothers and sisters. President
Roosevelt has worked hard to lift
the dark clouds of financial
depression plaguing our country and
our town. Yet, the best and most
promising of our young people, some
in this congregation, and, I regret
to say, some from our own Natchez
Baptist College, see fit to
squander their newfound prosperity
on sinful pleasures.
ELDRED MACK and CECIL BROOKS, two college-age, nice-looking
young men seated in the pew immediately in front of Rufus and
Rose look at one another, dreading what’s coming from the
preacher.
The preacher stares at the two young men, who sink lower in
the pew.
PREACHER
Our people have been fortunate in
this City of Natchez. We are
unique. Our forebears, including
more free men of color than
anywhere in the South, fought and
died for the right to be free and
prosper in this town as farmers,
merchants, and businessmen, working
hard and succeeding, pleasing God.
Rose glances at Rufus, who shakes his head in silence.
PREACHER
And how do our young people today
honor these brave men and women,
our great grandparents and great,
great grandparents? They choose to
consort with the Moneywasters
Social Group in the Rhythm Club
across the street, worshiping drink
and dance....
The preacher’s eyes move to Rufus, who stares back at the
preacher in defiance.
INT. MOUNT OLIVE BAPTIST CHURCH. MORNING.
A deacon stands in the aisle with the collection plate,
waiting for Rufus to contribute. Rufus ignores him.
Rose, embarrassed, puts in a dollar.
PREACHER
Let us stand for our final prayer.
The congregation stands, and Mary Morgan whispers to Sam.
MARY
Wait for me on the steps after
church. I’ve got to dress the
altar.
Genres:
["Drama"]
Ratings
Scene
8 -
After the Service
EXT. MOUNT OLIVE BAPTIST CHURCH. SUNDAY MORNING.
After the service, outside on the church steps beneath Greek
Revival columns, the two embarrassed young men, Eldred Mack
and Cecil Brooks, scamper down the steps to get away.
Sam hustles to catch up with Rose and Rufus walking down the
steps. Sam calls out quietly and they stop to look up at Sam
standing two steps above them.
Rufus’s face is bruised and cut from the beating.
SAM
What’s your rush?
Sam steals a look at Rose’s stomach, which shows no signs of
pregnancy.
RUFUS
I had enough of that old hypocrite
in there. I’m going back to Holy
Name.
Sam looks directly at Rufus, but Rufus avoids direct eye
contact with Sam.
SAM
You mind if I talk to Rose a
minute?
Rufus looks at Rose, then nods. Rufus appears relieved.
RUFUS
I’ll wait at the bottom of the
steps.
Sam smiles at the older ladies and gentlemen who walk past
him, greeting him and welcoming him back to Natchez.
Rose walks down a couple of steps and waits as Sam responds
to the older church members.
Sam joins Rose just as two young couples in their mid-to-late
twenties walk up to Sam. One of the men speaks to Rose.
JOHN
Rose, introduce us to Dr. Morgan.
Rose is reluctant at first.
ROSE
Well, here’s Dr. Sam Morgan.
The first young man extends his hand.
JOHN
I’m John Sewell, Dr. Morgan, and
this is my wife Helen. We heard
you were back in town.
The goodwill is contagious, and Rose joins the conversation.
ROSE
John has the new pharmacy on
Franklin. He’s from Port Gibson.
JOHN
I hope I’ll be filling lots of
prescriptions for you.
SAM
I’m sure you will, soon as I get my
office open.
The other couple steps forward.
J.W.
And I’m J.W. Davis. I just bought
the funeral home on the corner.
And my wife Sally.
Sam shakes his hand and nods at Sally.
SAM
Where are you from?
J.W.
We moved here from McComb. Hope
you don’t cure everyone. I need
some business.
Everyone laughs.
J.W.
Sorry you had to hear the preacher
go on about the Rhythm Club. It’s
not a bad place. Tell him Rose.
ROSE
Preacher says it is.
SAM
That was wrong of that preacher to
put it on those two young boys.
J.W.
Rufus does a good job keeping the
club fit for decent folks. He’s
got Willie Jones playing Saturday.
SAM
Nice meeting all of you.
Sam bids them goodbye and he and Rose walk down the steps.
They stop on the landing, a mere ten steps from Rufus.
SAM
When can I see you again?
ROSE
Not here, Sam...I don’t know.
SAM
Why didn’t you tell me you were
pregnant?
Rose points to see Mary at the top of the steps.
ROSE
There’s your Mother. I have to go.
Rose moves quickly down the steps and joins Rufus on the
sidewalk. She takes Rufus’s arm and walks him away. Sam
calls out.
SAM
Rose! Wait!
Rufus turns his head to look at Sam but Rose drags him away.
Sam watches them for a moment, then two young girls passing
by on the sidewalk, ARLENE BROWN and MAHALIA CURRY, stop to
speak to him. They’re dressed provocatively.
ARLENE
Hello, Dr. Morgan. I’m Arlene
Brown.
The other girl is just as forward.
MAHALIA
And I’m Mahalia Curry.
SAM
Do I know you girls? Were you in
church?
Arlene and Mahalia look at each other and giggle.
ARLENE
No.
SAM
How do you know me?
MAHALIA
Rufus talks about you.
The girls look up and see Sam’s mother walking down the
steps. They walk off giggling, with Arlene calling out to
Sam over her shoulder.
ARLENE
We’ll see you at the club.
Sam’s mother looks at the departing girls as she joins Rufus
on the sidewalk.
MAHALIA
You know those girls?
MARY
No. They’re sure not dressed for
church. (beat) Let’s go see your
Daddy.
Genres:
["Drama","Romance"]
Ratings
Scene
9 -
Reflections at the Cemetery
EXT. NATCHEZ NATIONAL CEMETERY. SUNDAY AFTERNOON.
Sam and Mary stand at the base of a hill with hundreds of
white tombstones commemorating the deaths of soldiers in the
United States military from the Civil War through the First
World War.
They look down on a small white marble tombstone that reads
“Woodrow Morgan, born 1893, died in the Battle of Chateau-
Thierry, June 4, 1918.”
MARY
I miss him every day.
SAM
I remember some things about him,
but the images are hazy. Seems
like he was real tall.
MARY
Same size as you. You were real
little when he had to go off.
SAM
What if he had been married before?
MARY
What do you mean?
SAM
I mean if when you met him and knew
you were in love with him, he
wasn’t...available.
MARY
I’d have left him alone.
SAM
Baloney, Mama. Tell me the truth.
MARY
The truth is, I don’t know. I
guess I’d have been an old maid.
SAM
I don’t believe that. You always
taught me anything worth having is
worth fighting for.
MARY
Don’t twist my words. You can’t go
after another man’s wife.
SAM
What would Daddy have done if he
came home from the war and you had
married someone else?
MARY
Once I met your Daddy, I would have
never married anyone else.
Genres:
["Drama"]
Ratings
Scene
10 -
Frustration at Holman's Office
EXT. OUTSIDE DR. KENNETH HOLMAN’S PRIVATE OFFICE. MONDAY
MORNING.
Sam walks past the “Dr. Kenneth Holman” sign and up the steps
to Dr. Holman’s office, a two-story wooden structure,
formerly a residence.
INT. DR. KENNETH HOLMAN’S RECEPTION ROOM. MORNING.
Dr. Holman’s patients, white and black, look at Sam as he
walks to the receptionist’s window. The older black woman at
the reception desk, MRS.WEST, is happy to see him.
Mrs. West hops up, walks around her desk, opens the door, and
ushers him out of the waiting room and into her office area.
MRS. WEST
Look at you! Dr. Sam Morgan.
She gives him a hug.
SAM
Good to see you, Mrs. West. I’d
like to talk to Rose a second.
MRS. WEST
You sit right down and I’ll tell
her you’re here.
She hops up and starts toward the back, but returns to Sam
and whispers.
MRS. WEST
I’m so sorry things didn’t work out
here with Dr. Holman.
Sam smiles and gestures that it doesn’t matter.
Mrs. West opens the door to the first examination room, and
Rose walks out, leading her father toward Sam and the exit.
Mrs. West whispers to Rose, who looks at Sam. Mr. Bennett
smiles warmly at Sam as he walks slowly past.
MOSES
Oh, Sam. How are you this morning?
SAM
Fine, Mr. Bennett.
MOSES
Doing all right, thank the Lord.
Got to save my strength. Rose is
going take me to see Willie Jones
this weekend.
Behind him, Rose shakes her head, her eyes wet with tears.
Rose walks Mr. Bennett past Sam into the waiting room and out
the front door. Mrs. West returns to her desk.
SAM
Mr. Bennett doesn’t look good.
MRS. WEST
His emphysema is in its last
stages.
SAM
It’s a cruel disease. I saw a lot
of it in Baltimore.
MRS. WEST
It’s not fair. That man is a
saint. Not a mean bone in his
body.
SAM
Rose said she put him in the
sanitorium.
MRS. WEST
Four expensive months on the coast.
Didn’t do a bit of good.
Dr. Holman walks out of the examination room hallway and
looks at Sam. Holman is all business.
DR. HOLMAN
You here to see me?
SAM
I wanted to speak to Rose.
DR. HOLMAN
We’re busy this morning. What’s
this about?
SAM
It’s private.
Rose walks through the waiting room door and stops next to
Sam and Dr. Holman. The tension is palpable.
DR. HOLMAN
Rose, I need you to join me in Room
Two with Mrs. Reed.
ROSE
Well...
DR. HOLMAN
Right now, Rose.
Rose looks down at the floor and walks toward the examination
rooms.
DR. HOLMAN
She can’t see you today.
Sam grits his teeth, looks briefly at wide-eyed Mrs. West,
then walks out, banging the door behind him.
Genres:
["Drama"]
Ratings
Scene
11 -
A Tense Encounter at the Rhythm Club
EXT. STREETS OF NATCHEZ. DAY.
Sam walks to “the corner.”
He walks across the street and stands outside the Rhythm Club
reading the sign proclaiming the Willie Jones and his
Orchestra appearance Saturday night.
“$2.00 per person” is highlighted in big red letters. After a
moment, he walks in the club.
INT. RHYTHM CLUB. MONDAY NOON.
Sam lets his eyes adjust, then walks toward the bar. Elroy
the bartender stops cleaning up when he sees Sam. Elroy grabs
a baseball bat but stays behind the bar. Sam holds up his
hands, palms outward.
SAM
Where’s Rufus?
Elroy grips the bat.
ELROY
I don’t know.
SAM
Come on. I’m not here to fight.
Elroy walks out from behind the bar holding the bat between
him and Sam, and backs toward the front door, keeping his
eyes on Sam.
ELROY
You stay where you are. I’ll tell
him you’re here.
Sam waits in the Club, picking up a flyer off the bar
advertising the Willie Jones dance.
He reads it then makes a paper airplane out of it, then
throws it in the air. It does a loop-the-loop by the door
just as Elroy walks back in.
ELROY
He said to come out back.
Genres:
["Drama","Mystery"]
Ratings
Scene
12 -
Confrontation and Confessions
EXT. BEHIND RHYTHM CLUB. DAY.
Rufus’s face is still swollen and cut from the fight two days
before. He walks gingerly as if his ribs are sore as well.
RUFUS
You come here to give me another
beating?
SAM
No.
RUFUS
Why you here?
SAM
To talk.
RUFUS
About what?
SAM
Rose.
Rufus looks down at the ground.
RUFUS
The other day, when you whupped me,
I ain’t never seen you that
mad...and I seen you mad plenty.
SAM
I know.
Rufus pauses for a moment.
RUFUS
You remember when Darnell stole
those new shoes of yours at school?
You chased him for thirty minutes
before kicking his ass all the way
to Vidalia.
Sam nods. Rufus remains cautious.
SAM
Yeah, I remember that.
RUFUS
You still got a temper.
SAM
I try to keep it under control.
RUFUS
You have every right to be mad at
me about Rose.
SAM
Just tell me how it happened.
RUFUS
I didn’t have no choice.
SAM
What the hell are you talking
about? The pregnancy?
RUFUS
No! It’s complicated. People
putting pressure on me to do
this...do that.
SAM
What people?
RUFUS
I can’t say.
SAM
You mean won’t say. Dammit, Rufus,
quit talking in riddles.
Rufus’s frustration turns to anger. He points his finger at
Sam.
RUFUS
Man, don’t come down on me. I got
enough on my plate. (beat) You and
me, Sammy, we look at things
different. Always have. You
smart, work hard. Me, I just get
by. I do what I got to do.
SAM
So, what did you have to do?
RUFUS
I married Rose.
SAM
You saying someone made you?
Rufus gets angry.
RUFUS
Look, I ain’t never had the breaks,
or the choices you’ve had. And for
the first time in my life, I’m
making money--real money. And I
don’t need you messing up my deal.
SAM
Who made you marry Rose?
RUFUS
Hell with you, man.
SAM
Who?
Rufus looks hard at his lifelong friend. He’s angry, but he
can’t keep it from Sam any longer.
RUFUS
Goddammit, you can’t tell anyone,
including Rose, I told you this.
SAM
You got my word.
RUFUS
Holman.
SAM
Holman? How did he...?
RUFUS
I’ve said all I’m saying. I still
ain’t in the clear. You talk this
out with Rose. I ain’t saying
nothing else about it.
A moment of silent frustration passes between them.
RUFUS
Remember, I didn’t say nothing to
you. (beat) Let’s walk inside my
club. I want to show you what I’ve
done, what’s at stake for me.
Rufus walks ahead of Sam, leading him into the club.
Genres:
["Drama"]
Ratings
Scene
13 -
Confrontation at the Rhythm Club
INT. RHYTHM CLUB. DAY.
Sam looks around the club as he stands next to Rufus.
RUFUS
Profits have gone through the roof
since I got my liquor license...
Sam nods.
RUFUS
Gettin’ that license took some
doing.
SAM
Who controls that?
RUFUS
Sheriff Williams.
SAM
I’ve heard of Willie Jones in
Baltimore.
RUFUS
He’s famous. This Saturday’s the
biggest thing we’ve ever had.(beat)
You know he’s from Vicksburg
originally. And he’s played all
over Europe.
Sam has yet to smile, but he’s not as grim.
SAM
How’d you get him here?
RUFUS
He plays in Florida in the winters
and is headed back to Chicago,
where he’s based. He heard about
the club, and said he had to stop
somewhere along the way, and it
might as well be Natchez.
SAM
Must cost a pretty penny.
RUFUS
He’s playing for a guarantee of
$300 against half the gate.
Rufus and Sam hear a car pull up outside, close to the front
entrance. Rufus turns to see KENNETH HOLMAN, JR.(”JUNIOR”) a
handsome, sharply-dressed black man, a couple of years
younger than Sam and Rufus, standing in the doorway.
Through the open door Sam sees the car Junior is driving, a
shiny new black sedan. Rufus mutters to himself when he
recognizes Junior.
RUFUS
Damn.
Sam turns to look at Junior.
JUNIOR
Well, look who’s here.
RUFUS
What you want, Junior?
JUNIOR
Want? I’m just being sociable. I
heard Dr. Morgan was in town,
fixin’ to open his own medical
office.
Sam stands and walks to Junior. They shake hands.
SAM
Nice car, Junior. How’ve you been?
JUNIOR
Can’t complain. Give me a beer,
Elroy.
Elroy the bartender looks at Rufus for guidance.
RUFUS
Too early to sell alcohol.
JUNIOR
Who said anything about buying? I
said give me a beer, Elroy.
Rufus nods okay to Elroy, who opens a bottle and puts it on
the bar.
Junior turns the bottle up for a long drink, then puts it
back on the bar. Junior turns, puts his back against the bar,
and rests both elbows on it.
JUNIOR
Heard you two had a little ruckus
in here Saturday.
RUFUS
It wasn’t anything.
Junior laughs and takes another long pull on his beer.
JUNIOR
Yeah. Well I guess some red wasp
made your face swell up.
SAM
None of your business, Junior.
JUNIOR
Maybe you allergic to that
delicious Nurse Rose.
Sam bristles. Rufus looks quickly at Sam, then at Junior.
RUFUS
Ain’t you got nothing better to do?
JUNIOR
Nope. This is what I do best.
Part of my job.
SAM
You never worked a day in your
life.
JUNIOR
I’m proud to say you are correct,
Dr. Sambo. If your practice don’t
get off the ground, Mr. Callaway is
looking for hands at Concordia
Plantation across the river. You
ain’t forgotten how to pick cotton,
have you, Doctor Sambo?
Sam smiles and moves closer to Junior.
SAM
Glad to see you haven’t lost any of
your charm, Junior.
RUFUS
Junior, why don’t you finish your
beer and get going.
JUNIOR
Shut up, Rufus. I’ll stay long as
I want.
Junior turns up the beer, draining it. He tosses the empty
over the bar to Elroy, who tries to catch it but misses. The
bottle shatters on the concrete floor. Junior feigns
disappointment.
JUNIOR
Damn, Elroy. Give me another one
of Rufus’s beers.
Elroy looks at Rufus, and so does Sam. Junior looks hard at
Rufus.
JUNIOR
Well?
Rufus reluctantly gives the okay to Elroy, and Sam stands up.
SAM
I’ll be going now.
JUNIOR
Going to sneak around with Rose
while Rufus is here minding the
store?
With quickness and strength, Sam wheels on Junior and grabs
him by the collar, almost lifting him off the floor.
Sam drives him against the bar, and bends him over so that
Junior’s upper back is flat against the top of the bar.
Sam gets right in Junior’s face, but Junior smiles as if he’s
enjoying it.
JUNIOR
I believe the old man is right
about you.
SAM
You say Rose’s name again and
you’ll wish you hadn’t.
JUNIOR
Her husband don’t seem to mind.
SAM
I mind.
Sam loosens his grip and backs off. Junior stands and
straightens his shirt. He grabs his new beer and takes a
drink as he walks to the door.
JUNIOR
Good seeing you boys.
Junior starts to walk out, but turns back to Sam.
JUNIOR
You’re welcome to join me any time
at my private club on the hill,
Doctor Morgan.
Junior leaves.
RUFUS
Junior ain’t never hit a lick at a
snake, but he throws money around
like it’s water.
SAM
Dr. Holman has plenty of it.
RUFUS
Does he ever. He’s got over a
thousand acres in cotton across the
river and rent property all over
town. Owns buildings on Main
Street and rents to white people.
He bought three hundred acres in
the hills south of town just to
hunt.
SAM
He told me his medical practice
isn’t growing.
RUFUS
That’s baloney, but what difference
would that make? The man is a
businessman more than a doctor.
He’s had lots of cash the last ten
years when nobody else had any.
Bought lots of stuff cheap.
SAM
Junior hasn’t changed.
RUFUS
Junior’s in a fix. He don’t like
socializing with his own kind, but
white people won’t have anything to
do with him, no matter how much
money he’s got.
SAM
What’s his private club?
RUFUS
Aw, hell, that’s Sally’s.
SAM
What happened to Sally?
RUFUS
She’s still there, but somehow,
Junior owns the place.
SAM
She tell you that or Junior?
RUFUS
She did.
SAM
I’m gone.
RUFUS
Where to?
SAM
I’m looking at some rental space on
Franklin Street for my office.
RUFUS
You ought to show up here Wednesday
night. Local group is playing.
SAM
I don’t know.
RUFUS
Natchez’s best young colored people
will be here; people you ain’t seen
in a long time. Be good for your
business.
SAM
I’ll see you later.
Sam starts walking out.
RUFUS
Hey. I got my daddy’s old truck
out back. Don’t look like much,
but it still runs good. I don’t
ever drive it. Why don’t you use
it until you get a vehicle of your
own.
SAM
Thanks, but...
RUFUS
Take it and keep it long as you
need it.
(MORE)
RUFUS (cont'd)
You’ll be doing me a favor.
Driving it will do it some good.
SAM
All right.
RUFUS
And look, you go see Rose. You
need to talk to her, Sammy.
Sam looks Rufus dead in the eye.
SAM
If she won’t tell me the whole
truth...you’re going to.
Rufus looks away, and Sam walks out, waving to the bartender.
SAM
Later, Elroy.
Elroy waves goodbye to Sam.
Genres:
["Drama","Crime"]
Ratings
Scene
14 -
A New Beginning
EXT. FRANKLIN STREET. MONDAY AFTERNOON.
Sam presses his face against a glass storefront next to a
“For Rent” sign, peering inside the building. A short, bald
man with a Mediterranean complexion approaches him.
MONSOUR
Are you Dr. Morgan?
SAM
Yes. Mr. Monsour?
MONSOUR
That’s right. I appreciate your
being on time. Be glad to rent
this space to you. Franklin Street
is a good location for a doctor’s
office.
SAM
Let’s have a look.
Monsour sticks a key in the door and opens it. He turns to
Sam, but looks past Sam and waves at someone. Sam turns and
sees Sheriff Williams riding past on Franklin Street.
MONSOUR
That’s Sheriff Williams. He’s a
good man to know.
SAM
I know the Sheriff.
MONSOUR
You say you finished medical school
in Baltimore? I’ve got a cousin in
Baltimore.
Monsour and Sam walk into the building.
Genres:
["Drama"]
Ratings
Scene
15 -
Eviction and Affection
EXT. FRANKLIN STREET. TUESDAY MORNING.
Sam pulls to the curb on Franklin Street in Rufus’s father’s
ramshackle old truck.
He starts moving tools and lumber from the bed of the truck
into the building.
Rose appears on the sidewalk in her nurse’s uniform. Sam
walks out of the office for another load and is surprised to
see Rose standing there.
SAM
What are you doing here?
ROSE
I’ve come to warn you. Don’t do
any work on this place.
Sam takes her by the elbow.
SAM
Come inside.
INT. FRANKLIN STREET STOREFRONT. MORNING
ROSE
They’re not going to let you rent
this place.
SAM
What?
Mr. Monsour walks in through the open door. Sam nods to his
landlord. Rose looks as if she’d like to disappear.
SAM
Morning, Mr. Monsour.
Monsour is nervous, unsmiling.
SAM
You know Rose?
MONSOUR
Yes.
Monsour barely acknowledges Rose.
MONSOUR
Dr. Morgan, you’re going to have to
get this stuff out of here.
Sam is shocked.
SAM
What do you mean? We have a deal.
MONSOUR
No. You haven’t paid any rent, and
we don’t have anything in writing.
My brother’s a lawyer.
SAM
I can pay you today.
MONSOUR
No. I can’t rent to you.
SAM
I don’t understand.
MONSOUR
There’s nothing to understand. You
have to leave.
SAM
All right.
Sam knows he doesn’t have any legal rights to the space.
He’s unhappy, but has no recourse. Sam picks up his dustpan
off the floor and turns it over slowly so that the dirt and
debris he’s swept up falls back onto the floor.
SAM
Here’s your dirt back.
MONSOUR
Give me my key.
Sam digs in his pocket and hands the key to Monsour.
MONSOUR
I’ll wait outside until you load
your things back in the truck.
Monsour walks out the door. Sam looks at Rose.
SAM
How did you know?
ROSE
I heard the Sheriff and Dr. Holman
talking at the office.
SAM
You have to quit working for that
crooked, no count...
ROSE
I can’t.
SAM
You mean you won’t.
ROSE
I mean I can’t. He won’t let me.
SAM
Damn, Rose. Haven’t you heard?
Slavery was abolished. I’ll
deliver your baby and take care of
your Daddy, better than Holman.
Rose looks away from Sam, as if she’s embarrassed.
SAM
What’s he got on you?
Rose is not going to answer. Sam walks closer to her and
takes Rose in his arms.
SAM
Let me take care of you, baby.
Sam kisses her, and she kisses him back. Rose pulls away.
ROSE
Come see me tomorrow night. At
home.
SAM
I’ll be there. And I want to look
at your Daddy.
Genres:
["Drama"]
Ratings
Scene
16 -
Confrontation at the Sheriff's Office
INT. ADAMS COUNTY SHERIFF’S WAITING ROOM. TUESDAY MORNING.
Sam sits in a metal chair in the waiting room outside Sheriff
Williams’ office. He fidgets, then stands and walks to the
deputy at the desk near the Sheriff’s door.
SAM
Would you tell him I’m still here?
DEPUTY
He knows, Dr. Morgan. Sheriff
Williams is a busy man.
Sam sits back down and drums his fingers on his knee. The
deputy goes into Sheriff Williams’ office and closes the door
behind him. Seconds later, the deputy comes out.
DEPUTY
He’ll see you now.
Sam walks past the deputy into the office.
INT. ADAMS COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE. TUESDAY MORNING.
Sheriff Williams stays seated behind his desk, cleaning a
hunting rifle. Deer antlers and wild boar heads line the
wall behind him.
SHERIFF
Have a seat, son. What can I do
for you?
SAM
Did you say something to Mr.
Monsour?
The Sheriff is silent for a moment.
SHERIFF
I talked to Mr. Monsour.
SAM
What did you tell him?
SHERIFF
That you didn’t have a medical
license to practice in Mississippi.
SAM
And how do you know that?
The Sheriff shrugs.
SAM
You talked to Dr. Holman.
SHERIFF
I talk to Dr. Holman every day.
SAM
Did he tell you I’d have my license
as soon as I got to Jackson to
apply for it?
SHERIFF
I wouldn’t be too sure about that.
From what I hear.
SAM
Why should you care? Why are you
involved in my business?
SHERIFF
Everybody’s business in this county
is my business. People elected me
to enforce the laws. I keep an eye
on everything.
SAM
Yeah? Well, state law prohibits
prostitution, and I hear Sally’s is
still going strong right up there
on the hill.
Sheriff Williams smiles benignly, then squints into the rifle
barrel he’s cleaning to see if he missed anything.
SHERIFF
Son, if I was you, I’d be doing
what my Mama wanted me to do and
get on back to Baltimore.
SAM
I’m not leaving Natchez, Sheriff.
I’m going to practice medicine
here, no matter what Dr. Holman and
you think I ought to do.
SHERIFF
Suit yourself. I got another piece
of advice for you. You best leave
Rose Bennett alone.
SAM
I got some advice for you, Sheriff.
You keep your nose out of my
business. Tell Holman that, too.
Sam closes the door hard behind him. Walking out, he remarks
to the deputy at the door.
SAM
Don’t bother the Sheriff. He’s
real busy.
Genres:
["Drama","Crime"]
Ratings
Scene
17 -
Confrontation in the Waiting Room
INT. DR. KENNETH HOLMAN’S OFFICE. TUESDAY.
Sam walks through the waiting room and stops at Mrs. West’s
desk. Sam is agitated, and Mrs. West is nervous.
SAM
Where is Dr. Holman?
MRS. WEST
He’s already gone home for lunch.
Sam starts to leave but Rose walks out of an examination room
and sees him. She can tell he’s upset.
ROSE
What’s wrong?
MRS. WEST
Sam wants to see Dr. Holman.
SAM
I’m going to see Dr. Holman.
ROSE
Not in your frame of mind.
SAM
He’s just a doctor. He’s not some
kind of god.
Rose grabs him by the arm.
ROSE
Come with me.
Rose leads him down the hall into an examination room and
closes the door.
Genres:
["Drama"]
Ratings
Scene
18 -
Unresolved Tensions
INT. DR. KENNETH HOLMAN’S EXAMINATION ROOM. DAY.
Rose sits Sam down on the examination table.
ROSE
Calm down.
Sam does his best.
SAM
Holman doesn’t want me to open an
office...and neither does the
Sheriff. The Sheriff told me to
leave you alone.
ROSE
Showing up at Dr. Holman’s house is
not going to solve anything.
SAM
I asked Rufus how you two came to
be married all of a sudden and he
tells me to talk to you.
ROSE
I had to marry Rufus. Because of
the baby.
Sam takes Rose gently by the arm.
SAM
I don’t believe you.
Rose’s eyes fill with tears.
SAM
Tell me the truth.
Rose shakes her head. Sam pulls her gently to him.
SAM
Please tell me.
Rose looks deeply into Sam’s eyes, opens her mouth, and
kisses Sam over and over.
ROSE
Don’t go.
SAM
I’ve got to.
Sam walks quickly out of the examination room.
Genres:
["Drama","Romance"]
Ratings
Scene
19 -
A Warm Welcome at Buckland Mansion
EXT. STATE STREET. DAY.
Sam drives the rickety old truck on State Street and turns
into the gravel driveway of Buckland Mansion, a Federal-
style, red brick antebellum structure with four huge white
columns in front.
EXT. BUCKLAND MANSION PORCH. TUESDAY.
He parks in front and knocks on the door. After a moment, a
sturdy black maid opens the door. She glances at the old
truck then looks suspiciously at Sam.
ADELE
What you want?
SAM
I’d like to see Dr. Holman.
ADELE
He ain’t here.
SAM
They said at the office he was home
for lunch.
ADELE
Listen boy, I said he ain’t here.
(beat) He left.
From inside the majestic house, a woman’s voice.
KITTY
(O.S.) Adele! Who is it?
Adele turns and hollers back to the woman, just as loud.
ADELE
I don’t know. Just a minute.
Adele turns back to Sam. She’s gruff.
ADELE
What’s your name.
SAM
Sam Morgan. I’m the new doctor in
town.
Adele smiles.
ADELE
You’re Mary’s boy. You used to
work at Dr. Holman’s office. My
goodness.
Adele turns and hollers inside.
ADELE
It’s Sam Morgan, the new doctor.
KITTY
(O.S.) Bring him here.
Adele motions for Sam to follow her inside.
Genres:
["Drama"]
Ratings
Scene
20 -
Flirtation and Confrontation in the Parlor
INT. BUCKLAND MANSION. DAY.
Adele walks Sam into the parlor, where KITTY HOLMAN, a once-
attractive fifty-ish black woman reclines in her nightgown
and robe on a Victorian sofa.
She raises a silver mint julep cup to Adele, who takes it and
disappears from the parlor.
Kitty looks Sam over; she likes what she sees.
KITTY
You’re all grown up.
SAM
Yes, m’am.
KITTY
Shush, Sam. Don’t you m’am me.
I’m not that old.
SAM
I came to talk to Dr. Holman.
KITTY
Good luck.
SAM
He’s not here?
KITTY
I’m not sure. These days he
usually lunches at Sally’s.
Adele comes back into the parlor with a silver tray on which
sits the mint julep cup. Kitty takes the cup off the tray.
KITTY
You want a drink, Sam?
Sam shakes his head no and Adele starts to leave.
KITTY
Wait, Adele. Did Dr. Holman come
home for lunch?
ADELE
No, ma’am.
Kitty dismisses Adele with a tired wave. Adele disappears.
Kitty smiles coquettishly at Sam and, looking him in the
eyes, leans over so that her decolletage gaps open,
displaying her amble bosom for Sam.
Sam looks at what she is showing him, then meets her eyes.
She takes a long drink, and smiles warmly at Sam.
KITTY
Sure you won’t have a drink? Dr.
Holman won’t be here again until
late tonight.
She slurs her words.
SAM
No, Mrs. Holman, I need to catch up
to the doctor.
KITTY
Please, Sam.
There’s an awkward silence.
SAM
I better not, Mrs. Holman.
Kitty’s eyes starts to tear as she realizes she’s made a fool
of herself. She takes a big slug of her drink and wipes her
eyes with a linen napkin.
A door slams in the back of the house and Junior Holman
bursts through the swinging kitchen door, walks purposefully
across the wide hallway and into the parlor.
Junior sees his mother dry her eyes, then turns on Sam with a
look that could kill.
JUNIOR
What the hell are you doing here
bothering my mother?
SAM
I’m not bothering her. I was
looking for Dr. Holman.
Junior looks at his mother, who sniffs into her napkin.
JUNIOR
Are you all right, Mother?
KITTY
I’m fine, Junior. Sam just got
here.
JUNIOR
And it’s time for Dr. Sambo to
leave.
KITTY
Junior!
Sam nods to Mrs. Holman.
SAM
I’ll be seeing you, Mrs. Holman.
Sam turns and walks to the front door.
JUNIOR
Don’t come back.
Sam stops and turns to Junior.
SAM
I’ll let myself out.
Sam leaves. Junior, concerned and attentive, sits next to
his mother.
Genres:
["Drama"]
Ratings
Scene
21 -
Eavesdropping at the Rhythm Club
EXT. STREETS OF NATCHEZ. DAY.
Sam drives the old truck toward Sally’s, but on the way, Sam
sees Dr. Holman’s car and Sheriff William’s car parked side
by side in front of the Rhythm Club.
Sam stops the truck where it will not be seen and walks to
the back of the club. He walks quietly across the gravel,
then scurries along the back of the club, stopping below an
open window.
He kneels down and listens.
INT. RHYTHM CLUB. DAY.
Sheriff Billie Williams, Dr. Holman, Rufus, and a portly
white man in a white short-sleeved shirt and black tie sit
around a table in the club.
Rufus flips his cigarette ash into the ash tray and takes a
long pull on the cigarette.
SHERIFF
Now, Rufus, you heard what the
doctor said.
RUFUS
I heard.
SHERIFF
And Chief, everything’s up to snuff
with you?
The fat white man nods. On his chest is a badge that reads
“Natchez Fire Department--Chief.”
Dr. Holman gets up and leaves with the Chief.
EXT. BACK OF RHYTHM CLUB. DAY.
Sam steals a glance through the window and watches Dr. Holman
and the Chief leave. The Sheriff and Rufus remain at the
table, and Sam strains to listen.
Genres:
["Drama","Mystery"]
Ratings
Scene
22 -
Tension at the Rhythm Club
INT. RHYTHM CLUB. DAY.
Rufus stares at the ash tray in front of him.
SHERIFF
Now, Rufus, don’t go getting
independent. Just do as you’re
told...
RUFUS
It’s going to be hot in here
Saturday night.
SHERIFF
If you don’t go along, the
doctor’ll call that note on you and
you ain’t got the money. And he’s
also the surety on your liquor
license bond. He revokes that, I
shut you down.
RUFUS
Ain’t I already done enough for the
man? I mean, damn...
SHERIFF
Not until he says so. Don’t go
getting stupid now. You about to
make some money.
The Sheriff gets up to leave.
EXT. OUTSIDE RHYTHM CLUB. DAY
Sam stays pressed against the wall under the open window.
After a moment, he scoots along the wall, looks around the
corner of the building and waits until he’s sure the Sheriff
is gone.
Genres:
["Drama","Crime"]
Ratings
Scene
23 -
Tension at the Rhythm Club
INT. RHYTHM CLUB. DAY.
Sam walks into the club. Rufus is now alone in the club,
still smoking at the table, unhappy. The cuts and bruises on
Rufus’s face from the whipping Sam gave are healing.
SAM
What was the Sheriff doing in here?
RUFUS
Damn, Sammy. You with the FBI?
Wasn’t nothing to do with you.
Rufus stubs out his cigarette.
RUFUS
Just because you back in town four
days don’t mean everything revolves
around you.
Sam knows Rufus isn’t going to tell him anything.
SAM
When do you start getting ready for
Willie Jones?
RUFUS
I got a work crew coming in day
after tomorrow.
Sam nods, and gets up.
RUFUS
Where you headed?
SAM
Mama’s. I’ll see you tomorrow
night.
Genres:
["Drama"]
Ratings
Scene
24 -
Nostalgia and Tension on the Porch
EXT. MARY MORGAN’S FRONT PORCH. NIGHT.
Sam and his mother sit in a swing on the front porch,
slightly moving back and forth.
Sam’s arm is around Mary’s shoulder. It’s almost dark.
Fireflies float lazily in the humid air, in the yard and on
the porch.
SAM
You remember me catching lightning
bugs in a mason jar? You poked
holes in the top with an ice pick.
MARY
Sure do. And you’d fiddle with
their tails, trying to figure out
how they lit up. End up smushing
them every time.
SAM
Doesn’t seem like there’s as many
of them these days.
MARY
They come and go. Depends on how
much rain we get.
SAM
Mama, let me ask you something.
MARY
Have at it.
Sam removes his arm from her shoulder, sits up in the swing
and faces her.
SAM
You know anything about the Sheriff
and Dr. Holman?
MARY
What do you mean?
SAM
I mean their relationship.
Mary looks out into the yard, shaking her head.
MARY
Why you want to stir stuff up?
SAM
I’m not stirring anything up.
MARY
Well. Dr. Holman’s rich. The
Sheriff’s a politician.
(MORE)
MARY (cont'd)
I expect the Sheriff takes care of
Dr. Holman like he does the rich
white people.
They are silent for a moment.
MARY
In Baltimore you wouldn’t have to
worry about such.
Sam gives her a peck on the cheek.
SAM
But then I couldn’t take care of
you if you ever decide to get old.
Mary rests her chin in her palm and shakes her head.
Genres:
["Drama"]
Ratings
Scene
25 -
A Night at the Rhythm Club
EXT. RHYTHM CLUB. WEDNESDAY EVENING.
It’s almost dark. Sam pays the entrance fee and walks in to
the Rhythm Club. The local combo plays a jazzy, swing
composition on a riser on the east side of the big tin
building.
The bass player recognizes Sam and waves. Sam casually
salutes him. Sam walks on to the bar, nods to Elroy, and puts
coins on the bar.
SAM
Give me a Falstaff, Elroy.
Sam turns around to face the dance floor. There’s a decent
crowd for a Wednesday night on the dance floor. They’re all
well-dressed young couples in their early to mid-twenties.
Sam sips on his beer and enjoys the dancing. He sees John
Sewell, the pharmacist whom he met at church. Sam extends
his hand.
SAM
My favorite pharmacist.
JOHN
You bet. Any progress on getting
your office open?
SAM
Not yet. I have to get to Jackson
to the licensing board. Might go
tomorrow or Friday.
JOHN
Let me know if I can do anything
for you.
John’s wife Nancy joins them and pulls John back to the dance
floor. The other couple Sam met at the church, the
undertaker, J.W., and his wife, Sally, walk up.
SAM
J.W. and Sally! How are you doing?
J.W.
Having a blast. We told you this
was a nice place.
SAM
How’s the undertaker business?
J.W.
People dying to see me!
Sam laughs and takes a sip of beer. J.W. raises his drink in
a toast.
J.W.
Here’s to the newest, and I hear
the smartest, doctor in town.
Sam takes a sip of his beer, then another. Several other
couples walk up and congratulate Sam. They’re all old
acquaintances, who haven’t seen Sam in years. The men pat
Sam on the back and punch him in the arm; the women kiss him
on the cheek and hug on him.
Sam enjoys seeing old friends, but stops laughing when he
sees Rose walk in the door and head for a room behind the
bar. Sam waits for a moment, excuses himself and follows
Rose into the room.
Genres:
["Drama","Romance","Slice of Life"]
Ratings
Scene
26 -
A Dance of Awkward Invitations
INT. RUFUS’S OFFICE IN RHYTHM CLUB. NIGHT.
Rufus is almost horizontal, leaning back in a swivel chair,
his feet on the old wooden desk, talking to Rose. When Sam
walks in, Rufus stops talking, and Rose turns around in the
small room and sees Sam. It’s awkward, and the sound of the
local combo’s jazzy waltz fills the room.
RUFUS
Rose is just leaving.
Sam looks at Rose.
SAM
I thought you might want to dance.
RUFUS
That’s a good idea. She can’t get
me on the dance floor. (beat) Rose,
you and Sam go dance and enjoy
yourselves.
Rose is reluctant.
ROSE
I don’t really want to.
RUFUS
Go ahead, Rose. That’s the least
you can do.
Sam gestures to the door, and Rose walks out ahead of him.
INT. RHYTHM CLUB DANCE FLOOR. NIGHT.
Sam and Rose dance slowly in the center of the dance floor.
They move well together.
SAM
I forgot what a good dancer you
are.
ROSE
Too many eyes in this place. Why
don’t you come to my house in a
couple of hours. Let me get
Daddy’s breathing done and get him
to bed.
SAM
I’m not going behind Rufus’s back.
ROSE
You don’t have to. Tell him you’re
coming to see me.
Sam is surprised at her statement.
ROSE
You heard me right.
The song ends, and Rose walks out.
Genres:
["Drama","Romance"]
Ratings
Scene
27 -
Sneaky Entrances and Bartender Bonds
INT. RHYTHM CLUB BATHROOM. LATER WEDNESDAY NIGHT.
Sam washes his hands after relieving himself, and hears the
sound of wood cracking. Curious, he walks out of the
bathroom and peers behind a partition, where he sees a
teenager crawling through a jimmied window.
Sam watches in silence as the teenager holds the fractured
window sash open for another teenaged boy to crawl through.
The two boys slink into the main part of the club. Sam walks
back across the dance floor to the bar, and Elroy sets up
another Falstaff for him.
SAM
Thanks, Elroy.
ELROY
Yes sir, Dr. Morgan.
A young man who looks much like Elroy appears behind the bar.
SAM
This your twin, Elroy?
ELROY
No, sir. Just a regular brother.
Frankie. (beat) We both work real
hard, Dr. Morgan. You got any kind
of work for us, we’ll be glad to do
it. Real reasonable, too.
SAM
I’ll keep that in mind. (beat) You
have a problem with people sneaking
in this place?
ELROY
All the time, Dr. Morgan. They
sneak through the windows and back
door like they wide open. This an
old building.
SAM
Rufus can’t catch’em?
ELROY
Not if we busy and they’s lots of
people in here.(beat) But he told
me we’re going to do something to
keep them out Saturday for Willie
Jones.
SAM
What?
ELROY
He ain’t told me yet.
Genres:
["Drama","Mystery"]
Ratings
Scene
28 -
Flirtations and Tensions at the Rhythm Club
INT. RHYTHM CLUB. LATER WEDNESDAY NIGHT.
Sam watches the young couples on the dance floor, and sees
the two young girls he met in front of the church, Arlene and
Mahalia, walk through the front door. They see Sam and wave
energetically to him, then join him at the bar.
ARLENE
Hello, Dr. Morgan.
MAHALIA
We told you we’d see you here.
SAM
You girls eighteen?
They giggle.
MAHALIA
Rufus lets us in.
ARLENE
How long are you going to be here?
SAM
Not much longer.
ARLENE
Why don’t you come up to our club?
SAM
Where’s that?
MAHALIA
Sally’s.
SAM
Sally’s? Is Holman up there
tonight?
The girls shrug.
MAHALIA
You talking about Junior?
SAM
No. Dr. Holman.
ARLENE
We don’t know.
Sam looks around for Rufus.
ARLENE
Could we have a ride if you’re
going to Sally’s to look for Dr.
Holman?
SAM
Uh... Sure. Wait for me outside.
The girls walk out and Rufus joins Sam at the bar.
RUFUS
I told you you’d see people you
know. Wait until Saturday.
Sam points to Arlene and Mahalia as they walk away.
SAM
You let those girls in?
RUFUS
Yep.
SAM
You know they work at Sally’s?
Rufus gets annoyed at the question.
RUFUS
What do you think?
SAM
I’m sure you know.
RUFUS
Then why you asking?
SAM
Might not be good for this place’s
reputation.
RUFUS
Might not have a choice. (beat) You
enjoy dancing with Rose?
Sam turns to look directly at Rufus.
SAM
You know I did. She asked me to
come see her at home tonight.
RUFUS
Go ahead, man. It’s fine with me.
Sam is incredulous.
SAM
I’m going to stop by Sally’s on the
way.
Rufus gets close to Sam.
RUFUS
Take my advice. Don’t mess with
the Holmans, leastwise until after
you and me have our talk.
Sam walks out of the club.
INT. RUFUS’S OLD TRUCK. NIGHT.
The girls and Sam bounce in the old truck headed toward
Sally’s. Arlene, sitting next to Sam, looks around at the
raggedy interior.
ARLENE
You sure you a doctor?
MAHALIA
This don’t look like no doctor’s
car to me.
Sam turns left at an intersection and Arlene grabs the inside
of his leg just above his knee to keep her balance in the
turn. When the old truck is through the turn, Arlene slides
her hand inside Sam’s thigh as far up as she can go.
Sam gently removes her hand from his crotch and places it on
her knee. He looks at Arlene, and she smiles and shrugs, as
if to say “you can’t blame a girl for trying.”
Genres:
["Drama","Romance"]
Ratings
Scene
29 -
Tensions at Sally's
INT. SALLY’S. NIGHT.
The two girls enter Sally’s ahead of Sam. It’s a two story
residence, with a dimly-lit bar in the front room. The
furniture is stuffed; mostly love seats and couches.
Older white men sit around drinking, young girls, white and
black, with them. Arlene and Mahalia are well-known to every
man in the room.
They make the rounds, flirting and giggling. Sam walks into
the front room bar, where Junior sits playing solitaire.
A large black man with a toothpick dangling from his lips
stands behind Junior, and watches Sam’s every move.
JUNIOR
As I live and breathe. Dr. Sambo
Morgan graces us with his presence.
Junior gestures for Sam to sit down, but Sam declines.
SAM
Your Daddy here?
JUNIOR
Don’t think he’s ever been here.
SAM
That’s not what your mother says.
JUNIOR
Mother has a vivid imagination,
enhanced by blended whiskey.
Sam looks around at the plush decor.
SAM
Always knew you’d make a good pimp.
The large man with the toothpick takes a step toward Sam, but
Junior holds up his hand.
JUNIOR
I take that as a compliment, Sambo.
Sam walks toward the front door. Arlene and Mahalia rush
over, disappointed that he’s leaving. Sam gently pushes them
away, and turns to Junior.
SAM
Tell your old man I’m looking for
him.
Sam walks out and Junior gestures for the toothpick man to
come close. Junior whispers in the big man’s ear.
Genres:
["Drama","Mystery"]
Ratings
Scene
30 -
Night Assault in Natchez
EXT. STREETS OF NATCHEZ. WEDNESDAY NIGHT.
Sam drives Rufus’s old truck toward Rose’s house. He sees
the lights of another vehicle behind him and adjusts the rear
view mirror. As he arrives at Rose’s house, the other car
closes in. Sam stops the truck and gets out.
Simultaneously, three men jump out the other car, a black
sedan, and run toward Sam. It’s too dark to make out their
faces.
Sam puts up his fists but the first man dives into Sam’s
midsection, knocking him to the street. The other two start
pummeling Sam’s body with their fists and feet. Rose’s porch
light comes on and she comes out the front door screaming.
ROSE
I’m calling the Sheriff!!
The three men jump back into the black sedan and hightail it
in the darkness. Rose runs down the two flights of concrete
steps to the street, where Sam is getting up.
ROSE
Sam! Are you all right?
SAM
I think so. Thanks for running
them off.
ROSE
Who were they?
SAM
I couldn’t see.
ROSE
Should I call the Sheriff?
SAM
I don’t think that would do any
good.
They walk up the steps to Rose’s house.
Genres:
["Drama","Mystery","Thriller"]
Ratings
Scene
31 -
Nighttime Concerns
INT. ROSE’S HOME. NIGHT.
Sam sits on the couch. She examines him quickly. He’s not
bleeding and there are no marks on his face.
ROSE
Are you hurting anywhere?
SAM
My stomach and side are a little
sore, but I’m okay. I’ll probably
have a few bruises tomorrow.
A sleepy Mr. Bennett opens his door and walks in. He totters
to his chair and sits down, looking at Sam. Moses coughs for
a minute.
MOSES
What happened to you?
SAM
Three men tried to beat me up.
MOSES
How come?
SAM
I don’t know.
MOSES
That ain’t good. Man ought to know
why somebody’s beatin’ him.
Rose walks back in.
ROSE
Daddy! What are you doing up?
MOSES
I wanted to see what the commotion
was. It was Sam here.
Mr. Bennett starts coughing again and can’t stop. Rose
leaves Sam’s side and coaxes her father back into his room.
INT. MR. BENNETT’S BEDROOM. NIGHT.
Sam follows Rose and watches as she puts her Daddy back in
bed. Sam sits on the edge of the bed.
SAM
Bring me a light, Rose. And a
stethoscope.
Rose leaves the room but returns quickly. Sam is already
examining her father. He studies his eyes, takes his pulse,
then puts the stethoscope on Mr. Bennett’s chest and listens
for a long time.
Sam has Mr. Bennett sit up, and thumps his back and listens
intently to the stethoscope as the old man wheezes.
SAM
Mr. Bennett, can you cough up some
phlegm for me?
MR. BENNETT
That I can do. How much?
Sam chuckles. Rose hands her father a clean handkerchief and
he coughs into it. Sam takes the cloth, folds it, and puts
it in his pocket.
SAM
You get some sleep, Mr. Bennett.
Sam and Rose walk out of the room and close the door.
Genres:
["Drama"]
Ratings
Scene
32 -
Tender Confessions
INT. BENNETT LIVING ROOM. NIGHT.
Rose walks into the kitchen and returns with a wet face
cloth. She presses it tenderly to Sam’s forehead and he
places his hand over hers. He takes the towel from her, then
places her hand in his, and kisses the back of her hand.
ROSE
You sure you’re all right?
SAM
I’m fine. It’s your father I’m
worried about. I’ll take a look at
his sputum in the morning under a
microscope.
ROSE
Dr. Holman says...
Sam cuts her off.
SAM
I’ve seen more emphysema in four
years in Baltimore than Holman’s
seen all the years he’s practiced.
Rose looks at her hands folded in her lap.
SAM
Let me take care of him from now
on. (beat) If there’s any way to
save him, I will.
Rose lays her head on Sam’s chest.
ROSE
All right.
Sam moves her so that their faces are close together.
SAM
Why did you want me here?
ROSE
Because I love you.
SAM
Tell me what’s going on.
ROSE
Make love to me, Sam.
Sam pulls her toward him and she leans against him. He
kisses the top of her head over and over as he puts his arm
around her shoulder. After a few moments, she pulls back
from him and she kisses him.
Sam kisses her, gently at first, then with long-suppressed
passion. Sam stands and pulls her to him, and they kiss
again.
ROSE
Please make love to me.
He scoops her up, into his arms, and starts walking toward
the back of the house, past Mr. Bennett’s door. Sam and Rose
don’t notice that the door is slightly ajar.
When they close Rose’s bedroom door, Mr. Bennett’s door
closes slowly, without making a sound.
Genres:
["Romance","Drama"]
Ratings
Scene
33 -
Aftermath at the Rhythm Club
INT. RHYTHM CLUB. THURSDAY MORNING.
Sam enters the Rhythm Club late the next morning. Elroy and
his brother are sweeping the floor clean of the detritus from
the night before.
Others scurry around the club, decorating for Saturday night.
One woman on a stepladder drapes Spanish moss from the
rafters and along the walls. She stops to slap a spider on
her arm and yells.
WOMAN
Rufus. This moss is full of bugs.
From the back of the club, Rufus answers her.
RUFUS
We’re going to take care of that.
Sam follows Rufus’s voice to the back of the club where he
hears the pounding sound of a hammer on wood. He finds
Rufus, wearing a carpenter’s apron, driving large nails into
one of the window sashes.
SAM
Fixing that window?
RUFUS
Yeah. Fixin’ it so’s nobody can
sneak in Saturday night. Got to do
all the windows and doors except
the front door.
SAM
There’s going to be a lot of people
here Saturday night. You think
that’s a good idea?
Rufus stands and shakes the hammer at Sam.
RUFUS
Hell, no. It’s a real bad idea.
Gon’ be hot as hell in here.
SAM
What were Dr. Holman and the Fire
Chief doing in here with the
Sheriff the other day?
Rufus is surprised, then smiles and shakes his head.
RUFUS
You don’t miss nothing, do you?
SAM
Holman’s calling the shots in here.
He’s your silent partner.
Rufus nods his head yes, as if ashamed.
SAM
Three men jumped me last night
after I left Sally’s.
RUFUS
Did you recognize them?
SAM
No. I’m sure Junior and his old
man were behind it.
RUFUS
Where did this happen?
SAM
Right in front of Rose’s house.
RUFUS
What?
SAM
Didn’t Rose tell you?
RUFUS
I didn’t go home.
SAM
Where’d you go?
RUFUS
I was here real late. Caught a
couple of hours sleep on a cot I
got in the back.
SAM
If Rose hadn’t come out and yelled
that she called the Sheriff, I
don’t know how bad it would have
been.
RUFUS
They cut you?
SAM
No. No knives or guns. Just sore
ribs.
RUFUS
Damn. Why?
SAM
Holman wants to run me out of
Natchez.
Rufus looks around, and draws close to Sam, as if he’s going
to let him in on a secret.
RUFUS
Whatever Holman’s up to with you,
money is at the center of it. The
man don’t care about nothing but
money.
Sam pauses for a moment, then gets very serious.
SAM
Why don’t you let me help you get
out of the bind Holman and the
Sheriff got you in?
RUFUS
After Saturday night. I don’t want
you messing up the biggest colored
social event this town has ever
seen.
SAM
I have to talk to you, man to man,
about me and Rose.
RUFUS
Oh, yeah? Well, I got to talk to
you about me and Rose.
SAM
Deal.
RUFUS
I’ll tell you the whole story
Sunday. I’m sick of being played
for a fool. Just don’t mess with
the situation ‘til after Willie
Jones. I’ll be on top then.
Sam walks through the main part of the club toward the exit,
dodging the decorating crew still hard at work.
Genres:
["Drama","Mystery","Thriller"]
Ratings
Scene
34 -
Confrontation in the Examination Room
EXT. OUTSIDE DR. KENNETH HOLMAN’S OFFICE. THURSDAY.
Sam parks Rufus’s old truck and walks slowly past Dr.
Holman’s sign, up the steps, and into the office.
INT. DR. KENNETH HOLMAN’S OFFICE. DAY.
Sam walks through the waiting room door and stops at Mrs.
West’s desk. She can tell something’s wrong.
MRS. WEST
What happened?
SAM
Nothing. Pulled a muscle. Is Rose
in?
MRS. WEST
I’ll get her.
Mrs. West walks into the back and returns right away, Rose
trailing her.
ROSE
Go into exam room number three.
Sam walks down the hall and into the room.
INT. DR. HOLMAN’S EXAMINATION ROOM. DAY.
Sam leans against the exam table and unbuttons his shirt.
Rose comes in and closes the door behind her. She hands him
a pill and a small cup of water.
ROSE
This analgesic will help the
soreness.
Sam takes the pill.
SAM
You might have to help me with this
shirt.
She finishes unbuttoning the shirt and removes it carefully.
Sam’s back and stomach are bruised.
ROSE
Oh. That has to hurt.
She slowly wraps a cotton bandage around his ribs. When she
stops momentarily in front of him and tapes the bandage, she
looks up, into his eyes, and she kisses him. Gently at
first, then more seriously.
Responding to her, Sam pulls her close to him, and she leans
against him, her cheek on his bare chest.
SAM
I love you, baby.
Suddenly, the door flies open and Dr. Holman rushes in the
small room. Sam stands up, in Holman’s face.
SAM
You know how to knock?
Holman meets Sam’s eyes, but then looks away. Holman is
angry.
SAM
This is none of your business.
DR. HOLMAN
Everything that goes on in my
office is my business.
Holman shakes his finger at Sam.
DR. HOLMAN
Bar fights and the morals of an
alley cat. Just what the Natchez
medical community needs.
Rose is mortified.
ROSE
I was wrapping Sam’s ribs, Dr.
Holman.
DR. HOLMAN
Another fight?
SAM
Yeah. The three guys you and
Junior sent beat me up last night.
DR. HOLMAN
You’re delusional...and paranoid.
SAM
Is that so? You and my mother are
the only two people in town wanting
me to leave. I don’t think those
three were friends of hers.
DR. HOLMAN
Fool with another man’s wife,
things happen. Rufus knows lots of
tough guys.
Dr. Holman looks sternly at Rose.
DR. HOLMAN
I need you in with Mrs. Bates. Are
you quite through in here?
ROSE
Yes, sir.
Rose walks out. Dr. Holman looks seriously at Sam.
DR. HOLMAN
You’re in over your head.
SAM
You and me, old man, we’re just
getting started.
They stare each other down, then Dr. Holman leaves the
examination room, closing the door hard behind him.
Genres:
["Drama","Romance"]
Ratings
Scene
35 -
Whispers Among Fireflies
EXT. ROSE’S FRONT PORCH. THURSDAY NIGHT.
Sam and Rose sit in rocking chairs on Rose’s front porch.
It’s dark and fireflies are everywhere.
SAM
More lightning bugs than the other
night.
ROSE
I love to watch them.
They sit in silence, the fireflies floating around them.
SAM
I saw the way Holman looked at you
today.
Rose shrugs.
ROSE
He was mad at me for kissing you in
the office, that’s all.
SAM
I want the truth. What’s he got on
you?
Rose says nothing. They sit silently in the darkness for a
long moment, the fireflies floating around them.
SAM
Your Daddy asleep?
ROSE
Yes.
SAM
Do you want to go in the back?
Rose looks him right in the eyes.
ROSE
Yes.
Genres:
["Romance","Drama"]
Ratings
Scene
36 -
Preparations at the Rhythm Club
EXT. OUTSIDE RHYTHM CLUB. FRIDAY AFTERNOON.
Sam pulls the old truck into the Rhythm Club parking lot late
Friday afternoon.
There’s Spanish moss and crepe paper hanging from the roof on
the front of the club. Sam walks past the Willie Jones
poster and into the club.
The place is bustling with activity. Elroy, working behind
the bar, hollers out to Sam.
ELROY
Hey, Dr. Morgan. You coming
tomorrow night, aren’t you?
Sam smiles and waves.
SAM
Rufus says I have to.
ELROY
You’ll be glad you did.
Rufus hustles over to Sam and holds out a telegram.
RUFUS
Willie Jones says he’ll be here
about three tomorrow to set up.
Rufus grabs Sam’s hand and shakes it vigorously.
RUFUS
He’s definitely coming. Willie
Jones is playing my club.
Rufus draws Sam close.
RUFUS
After tomorrow night, I want you to
help me get out of the mess I’m in.
SAM
I will.
One of the workers hollers at Rufus from across the dance
floor.
WORKER
Hey, Rufus.
Rufus, with Sam following, walks over to the worker, who has
a large tank and sprayer and is spraying a mist on the
Spanish moss hanging from the rafters.
WORKER
Rufus, I’m about to run out of
juice.
RUFUS
There’s more in the shed out back.
I’ll mix it for you.
WORKER
All right, then.
The worker returns to his spraying and Rufus and Sam walk
toward the bar.
SAM
What’s he spraying?
RUFUS
It’s a pesticide I got from the
hardware store. That moss is full
of bugs, and I don’t want people
leaving here saying they got bit or
something. They won’t come back.
SAM
It smells.
RUFUS
I’ve done it three or four times
before. You can’t smell it after
it dries.
Sam starts to leave, but Rufus remembers something.
RUFUS
Now, you’re going to be here.
Right?
SAM
I promise I will.
RUFUS
Well, I need a favor. I know you
won’t tell me no.
SAM
What?
RUFUS
I’m going to be as busy as a one-
armed paperhanger around here
tomorrow night, getting ready and
everything. Would you pick up Rose
and get her here.
SAM
You sure?
RUFUS
I’m sure. And Mr. Bennett wants to
come. You mind bringing him?
SAM
Be glad to if your old truck will
make it.
RUFUS
Oh, that truck will be here long
after you and me. Mr. Bennett saw
Willie Jones play in Vicksburg
years ago. Been a fan a long time.
Mr. Bennett ain’t going to be
around much longer, and I couldn’t
tell him no.
SAM
No problem.
Rufus spots Elroy’s brother on a ladder. He hollers at him.
RUFUS
Frankie. Not there!
Rufus turns to Sam.
RUFUS
I got to get back to work. See you
tomorrow night.
Rufus hustles off.
Genres:
["Drama","Mystery"]
Ratings
Scene
37 -
Exploitation in the Shadows
INT. DR. KENNETH HOLMAN’S OFFICE. LATE FRIDAY NIGHT.
A frightened young girl, her draped legs spread in stirrups
on an examination table, starts to cry as Dr. Holman works on
her pelvic region.
Holman finishes, gathers his instruments and washes his
bloody hands in a stainless steel bowl on a stand near the
table.
He raises the sheet and looks lasciviously at the girl’s
naked body, then moves her legs from the stirrups and covers
her with the sheet.
DR. HOLMAN
Now, Pearlie, you use the
precautions I’ve shown you, and you
won’t get this way again.
The young girl sniffs and nods that she understands. Holman
opens the door to the examination room, and Junior and
Sheriff Williams enter.
DR. HOLMAN
Even though what you did with that
boy who got you this way is against
the law, I’ve asked Sheriff
Williams not to arrest you.
SHERIFF
That’s right little lady. As long
as you pay Dr. Holman for this
procedure, we’ll let it go.
PEARLIE
I don’t have any money.
JUNIOR
I’ve got a place you can live, and
a way you can earn some money to
pay the doctor and stay out of
jail. You can’t go back to your
folks in Fayette after this.
DR. HOLMAN
You go with Junior, and get you
some rest. I’ll check on you
tomorrow.
EXT. OUTSIDE DR. KENNETH HOLMAN’S OFFICE. MIDNIGHT.
Sam stands behind a large camellia bush in the pitch black
darkness of the yard across the street from Dr. Holman’s
office.
The office porch light comes on, and Sam watches as Junior
and Sheriff Williams help Pearlie down the steps and into
Junior’s black sedan.
EXT. OUTSIDE SALLY’S. AFTER MIDNIGHT.
Sam stops his old truck a block away from Sally’s and watches
Junior help Pearlie up the back porch steps and into Sally’s
back door.
Sam sits for a moment, then drives away.
Genres:
["Drama","Thriller"]
Ratings
Scene
38 -
A Night Out with Mr. Bennett
EXT. OUTSIDE ROSE’S HOME. SATURDAY EVENING, APRIL 23, 1940.
Sam parks the old truck on North Union and walks up the steps
to Rose’s home.
Dressed in a dark suit and tie, he knocks on the door and
Rose opens it. She looks beautiful in her party dress. Sam
is speechless for a moment.
ROSE
Are you going to stand there with
your mouth open or you planning to
come in?
Sam laughs.
SAM
I’m sorry. It’s just... you look
so beautiful.
ROSE
Thank you. And you look very
handsome, Dr. Morgan. Come in.
Mr. Bennett shuffles out of his room, dressed in a faded
black suit that swallows him, and an yellowed white shirt
with a collar several inches too large.
A largemouth bass leaping out of water on an extremely wide
tie hangs on his chest.
SAM
Are we ready?
ROSE
Daddy?
MOSES
Can’t wait to see Willie Jones.
They walk slowly out of the house, Rose holding one of her
father’s arms, Sam on the other.
INT. SAM’S OLD TRUCK. SATURDAY EVENING.
Rose sits in between Sam and Moses as the old truck sputters
toward the club. Sam takes his eyes off the road for a
second to wink at Rose, who smiles coyly. Moses stares
straight ahead, seemingly oblivious, then speaks, his eyes
still glued on the street.
MOSES
You children behave tonight.
ROSE
What do you mean, Daddy?
MOSES
This is Rufus’s club. Don’t you
two act like anything but friends.
Sam is surprised, but Rose isn’t.
ROSE
Don’t worry, Daddy.
Sam looks at Rose, but says nothing. Mr. Bennett continues
to stare straight ahead.
Genres:
["Drama","Romance"]
Ratings
Scene
39 -
Entrance to the Rhythm Club
EXT. RHYTHM CLUB. SATURDAY NIGHT.
There’s already a large crowd outside the Rhythm Club when
they arrive.
Sam opens the passenger door for Mr. Bennett and Rose.
EXT. OUTSIDE RHYTHM CLUB ENTRANCE. NIGHT.
There’s no line, but a throng of young couples ten deep
waiting to pay at the door. Rose, Sam, and Mr. Bennett wait
at the back of the crowd.
The young adults are all well-dressed and polite, waiting
patiently to enter. Sam moves around to see Rufus taking up
the money, and when he catches Rufus’s eye, Sam points to Mr.
Bennett.
Rufus stands on his stool and gets the crowd’s attention.
RUFUS
Ladies and gentlemen, please let
Mr. Bennett and his daughter
through.
The crowd, as one, turns to look at Mr. Bennett, who appears
so old and fragile, while at the same time pleasant and
unassuming, that the crowd of young adults, as if on cue,
parts to let the old man through.
Mr. Bennett totters toward the door, with Rose and Sam
helping him on either side. A young man calls out.
MAN
Hello, Dr. Morgan.
Sam turns to see the young pharmacist, John Sewell, and his
wife Helen.
SAM
Hello, John. Helen.
Sam continues to escort Mr. Bennett through the crowd until
they stand in front of Rufus. He’s sweating from the work
and excitement, but he’s ecstatic.
RUFUS
We’re going to have a full house.
Sam reaches for his wallet, but Rufus will have none of it,
motioning them through.
RUFUS
I’ll see you inside after I finish
working the door.
SAM
We’ll save you a chair.
RUFUS
No. I’ll be on my feet all night.
Rose steps forward.
ROSE
It looks like a big success, Rufus.
Rufus looks at Rose as if she’s just one of his patrons.
RUFUS
Thanks, Rose. You and your Daddy
have fun.
Sam, Rose, and Mr. Bennett get past Rufus and into the club.
Genres:
["Drama","Romance"]
Ratings
Scene
40 -
A Night at the Rhythm Club
INT. RHYTHM CLUB. NIGHT.
Sam, Rose, and Mr. Bennett separate from the crowd and stand
for a moment to admire the decorations.
Spanish moss hangs from the rafters and is draped on every
wall, along with crepe paper in festive colors.
Sam and Rose help Mr. Bennett to a table on the wall opposite
the entrance. He and Rose sit down.
SAM
I’m going to get something to
drink. What can I get you two?
ROSE
I’ll have a Coca-Cola.
MOSES
Me, too. But put a little Old Crow
in mine.
SAM
I’ll be right back.
Sam walks across the crowded dance floor. Sam looks at the
bandstand, where Willie Jones and his Orchestra have set up.
There’s equipment and instruments on the riser, but no band.
Sam makes his way to the crowded bar and calls out to Elroy.
Elroy’s brother Frankie works next to him, as does another
young man who also looks like Elroy.
SAM
Falstaff, an Old Crow and Coke, and
a plain Coke, Elroy.
ELROY
Yes sir, Dr. Morgan.
SAM
Good thing you got Frankie helping
you tonight.
Elroy grabs the third young man and presents him to Sam.
ELROY
And this is my other brother,
Ervin, Dr.Morgan.
Elroy and his two clean cut brothers smile at Sam.
ELROY
Any time you need work done, you
call us. We paint, mow...anything.
There’s a big crowd at the bar. Sam takes his drinks and
walks through the crowd back to the table. He puts the
drinks down and sits next to Rose.
SAM
Some party.
ROSE
I’m happy for Rufus. He’s worked
hard.
SAM
I’d say it paid off.
ROSE
Rufus is a good man. And he thinks
the world of you.
Rose looks over at her father, who is quietly studying the
crowd, sipping his drink, paying no attention to their
conversation.
Rose looks at Sam with adoring eyes, then over his shoulder,
she sees someone enter the club.
ROSE
Look.
Sam turns to the door, where Junior Holman and his mother
walk in, followed by the large man with the toothpick.
Mrs. Holman is unsteady on her feet and her hair is
disheveled. Her expensive gown doesn’t fit.
SAM
Who’s the toothpick behind Junior?
ROSE
He’s come by the office with Junior
a few times. They call him Boo,
but I don’t know his real name. He
gives me the creeps.
Sam leans close to Rose.
SAM
What is Mrs. Holman doing here?
ROSE
I don’t know. Maybe same reason
Daddy’s here.
Sam shrugs. Moses raises his gnarly hand and points to the
bandstand.
MOSES
Rufus is starting up.
Rufus is on the bandstand, his lips very close to the
standing microphone. He raises his hands high above him.
RUFUS
Ladies and gentlemen.
The crowd erupts in applause and Rufus tries to quiet them.
The young people are well-behaved but very excited. Rufus is
smiling and excited, too.
RUFUS
Hold on, now. I can’t introduce
the man unless y’all calm down.
Some in the crowd get the message and shush the others.
After a few moments, there’s relative quiet in the club.
RUFUS
Thank you. The Natchez Rhythm Club
proudly presents the world famous
Willie Jones and his Orchestra,
direct from Miami, Florida, en
route to Chicago, Illinois.
The band bursts onto the stage, dressed in red-sequined
tuxedos. The horn players grab their instruments and belt
out a quick introduction.
The crowd screams, and gets even wilder when Willie Jones
strides gracefully to the microphone. Willie’s graying hair
is slicked-back. The band members are younger, but they’re
all consummate showmen.
They blast the crowd with an opening anthem, then cut it off
dramatically and Willie takes the microphone.
WILLIE
Good evening, all you fine young
folks here in Natchez town.
The crowd goes wild, cheering and clapping. Willie Jones
smiles warmly and quiets the crowd.
WILLIE
You know who we are, and we all
hope to get to know who you are
through the evening.
The crowd cheers again. Willie quiets them.
WILLIE
No one came tonight to hear me
talk, so let’s get to it.
Willie starts to snap his fingers and turns to his band, and
they start on his cue. The young couples flood the dance
floor and swing their partners to the big band beat.
Sam leans over to Rose. He has to scream to be heard above
the noise of the band reverberating off the tin walls and
roof.
SAM
You want to dance?
Rose shakes her head.
ROSE
Not yet.
SAM
Let me know when.
Sam looks over at Mr. Bennett, who taps his arthritis-twisted
fingers on the table in perfect time with Willie Jones.
Out on the dance floor, John the pharmacist and his wife
Helen cut a rug.
J.W., the undertaker, and his wife Sally share a drink while
they dance energetically.
Elroy, Frankie, and Ervin serve beer and drinks as they dance
and jump excitedly behind the bar.
Willie Jones laughs, rolls his eyes, and sings into the
standing microphone.
Dr. Holman’s wife Kitty drinks from her cup and slaps the
table in time with the music, as Boo looks on impassively.
Genres:
["Drama","Romance","Musical"]
Ratings
Scene
41 -
A Dance Interrupted
INT. RHYTHM CLUB. SATURDAY NIGHT.
The crowd thins, out of breath from the first number.
Willie Jones gets close to the mike, and talks in a deep,
throaty voice.
WILLIE
Now this is for all you young folks
in love out there tonight.
The band starts a romantic number and Sam looks at Rose.
SAM
How about now?
Rose looks at her father. He nods yes, and Rose takes Sam’s
hand and leads her to the dance floor. They dance well
together, and make a striking couple. Sam pulls back and
looks into Rose’s eyes.
SAM
I...
Rose puts her finger to his lips.
ROSE
Shhhh. Don’t say anything.
Sam closes his eyes and continues dancing, then opens them in
time to see Junior Holman walking toward him. When Junior
gets close, he smirks and leans into Sam.
JUNIOR
Your ribs a little sore, Doc?
SAM
Never felt better. Those your
friends or your Daddy’s?
Junior feigns puzzlement.
JUNIOR
What on earth are you talking
about, Dr. Morgan? (beat) You
lookin’ mighty fine tonight, Rose.
Sam doesn’t like Junior’s comment to Rose.
SAM
Carry your lazy ass, Junior. I’ll
settle up later with you and your
old man.
Junior throws his head back and cackles, then walks off the
dance floor.
Sam and Rose continue to dance.
Junior sits down next to his mother. Boo leans against the
wall.
Junior says something to Mrs. Holman, who responds, obviously
drunk.
Genres:
["Drama","Romance"]
Ratings
Scene
42 -
Tensions at the Rhythm Club
INT. RHYTHM CLUB. NIGHT.
Sam watches Dr. Holman walk in the front door. Sam turns Rose
on the dance floor so she can see him.
Dr. Holman walks across the dance floor to his wife.
ROSE
Uh-oh.
SAM
Poor Mrs. Holman.
ROSE
That woman’s been through hell.
Sam dances Rose closer, so they can hear what is going on at
Mrs. Holman’s table.
Dr. Holman grabs his wife by the arm and tries to make her
stand.
DR. HOLMAN
You have no business being here.
KITTY
You can’t stop me.
DR. HOLMAN
You’re drunk!
KITTY
I’d rather be drunk than mean like
you.
The music grows louder, and Sam and Rose cannot hear any more
of what’s being said. They watch Junior confront his father.
Junior jerks Dr. Holman’s hand off Kitty’s arm and gets in
his father’s face. Dr. Holman turns to leave.
Dr. Holman spies Sam and Rose dancing. Sam waves at Dr.
Holman, who shakes his head in disapproval, then storms
through the crowd and out the front door.
Rose and Sam finish the dance. Everyone claps and Willie
Jones quiets the crowd.
WILLIE
Okay, young folks. You’re mighty
fun to play for tonight, and we’re
proud to be here in good old
Natchez. We’re going to take a
break, but we won’t be long. So,
catch your breath, take a smoke,
and rest up, ‘cause we got a lot
more dancing to do tonight.
The crowd applauds and Willie Jones and his Orchestra walk
off the bandstand and into their room. Most of the young
couples file out of the club to cool off outside.
INT. RHYTHM CLUB. NIGHT.
On the side wall of the club, a naked light bulb burns,
A few patrons continue to sit and talk. Mrs. Holman is asleep
in her chair. Boo stands behind her.
Above the naked bulb, a large bundle of Spanish moss hangs
from the rafter and the wall. A small strand of the silvery
moss drops from the wall and lands on the bulb, where it sits
for just a moment, then sizzles, pops, and bursts into
flames.
It burns out immediately on top of the bulb and a puff of
smoke disappears into the rafters above, commingling with the
cigarette smoke. No one notices the miniscule conflagration.
Genres:
["Drama","Romance"]
Ratings
Scene
43 -
A Night of Introductions
INT. RHYTHM CLUB. NIGHT.
Sam leads Rose toward the exit, but Rufus whistles loudly and
gestures for them to join him behind the bandstand. They
join Rufus.
RUFUS
Come on, Sammy. Willie Jones wants
to meet you. I told him all about
you.
Rufus leads Sam and Rose into a small room behind the
bandstand. Willie Jones sits on a stool, wiping his forehead
with a towel. He looks much older than on stage.
RUFUS
Mr. Jones, this here is Dr. Sam
Morgan, who I was telling you
about.
Willie Jones’s face lights up and he extends his hand to Sam.
Rufus turns and walks off, calling out.
RUFUS
I’ll be right back.
Sam watches Rufus leave and turns back to Willie Jones.
SAM
A pleasure to meet you, Mr. Jones.
WILLIE
The pleasure is mine. Rufus has
told me all about you. Johns
Hopkins. Congratulations!
SAM
Well, thanks, I...
WILLIE
It does me good to see someone who
can take care of our people with
modern medical know-how.
Willie Jones’s eyes move to Rose, whose skin glows from
dancing.
WILLIE
And this lovely creature is Mrs.
Morgan?
Rose shakes her head, smiling.
SAM
She will be.
Rufus walks back into the room with John the pharmacist and
his wife Helen.
RUFUS
Mr. Jones, here’s someone else I
want you to meet.
Sam and Rose leave.
Genres:
["Drama","Romance"]
Ratings
Scene
44 -
A Tragic Delay
EXT. OUTSIDE RHYTHM CLUB. NIGHT.
Sam and Rose are outside cooling off, waiting for the break
to end. Sam leans against his old truck, parked on the
street near the club entrance, talking quietly to Rose.
The two young girls from Sally’s, Arlene and Mahalia, run up
to Sam, out of breath.
ARLENE
Dr. Morgan. We need help. Fast.
SAM
What’s wrong.
MAHALIA
They brought in a little country
girl last night. She’s bleeding
real bad.
ARLENE
Sally couldn’t find Junior or Dr.
Holman.
Sam looks at Rose.
SAM
We have to help.
Sam, Rose, and the two girls pile in the truck and speed off
towards Sally’s.
INT. SECOND FLOOR BEDROOM. SALLY’S. NIGHT.
Sam and Rose enter the small bedroom, where Sally, the madam,
sits in a wooden chair pulled close to the bed, shaking her
head.
Pearlie, the young girl from Fayette, lies in the bed, very
still and deathly pale. Sam quickly moves Sally away from
the bed and he and Rose examine the child. Sam can’t find a
pulse.
Sam shakes his head at Rose as he feels the girl’s wrist.
Rose lifts the sheet covering the girl. A huge blood stain
under the girl covers most of the bed. Rose feels Pearlie’s
neck and looks sadly at Sam.
ROSE
The child is already cold.
Sam is angry. He barks at Sally.
SAM
Why didn’t you do something?
SALLY
I couldn’t find Dr. Holman. He
told me don’t never call anybody up
here but him.
SAM
Damn!
Sam grabs Rose’s hand. He calls out to Sally over his
shoulder as they leave the room.
SAM
Call the coroner. I’ll find
Holman.
Genres:
["Drama","Mystery"]
Ratings
Scene
45 -
A Night at the Rhythm Club
EXT. RHYTHM CLUB. NIGHT.
Sam parks his old truck in the street right in front of the
club, and he and Rose hop out. Willie Jones and his
Orchestra are playing again, their lively music spilling out
of the club.
Rose and Sam stop behind the large crowd of patrons waiting
to get back in. Sam and Rose watch Junior, in the front of
the crowd, disappear into the darkness of the club.
SAM
I’m going to find out where Dr.
Holman is.
ROSE
Just be careful. Junior’s
crazy...and dangerous.
They continue to wait for the crowd in front of them to re-
enter the building, and by the time they get to the door, the
song is over.
INT. RHYTHM CLUB. NIGHT.
Sam and Rose stand just inside the door, the last couple to
make it back inside after the break. The dance floor is
crowded.
On the bandstand, Rufus spots Sam near the door, and points
out Sam to Willie Jones, who nods, then gets close to the
microphone.
WILLIE
Ladies and Gentlemen. I’ve got a
special announcement before our
next song. The honorable Rufus
Woolridge, our host for the evening
and proprietor of the famous Rhythm
Club here in Natchez, is proud to
announce that Dr. Sam Morgan, one
of Natchez’s brightest stars, has
returned to this fair city to open
his medical practice.
Rufus steps up and starts clapping and points to Sam.
WILLIE
Step out where everyone can see
you, Dr. Morgan.
Sam is still upset about the girl’s death, but he forces a
smile and steps forward. The crowd claps and cheers.
WILLIE
Now, I sure hope you good folks
don’t go getting sick, but if you
do, Dr. Morgan’s the man that can
take care of you and your family.
The crowd applauds politely and Sam steps back into the crowd
by the door, next to Rose.
WILLIE
Now, who’s ready for some more
music?
The crowd yells and cheers, and the music starts. It’s loud
and lively, and the dancers gyrate wildly.
Sam takes Rose by the hand to try to move her through the
crowd to get to Junior, but she balks.
ROSE
It’s too crowded.
Sam gestures that he can’t hear what she said. He leans over
and she yells into his ear.
ROSE
We can’t get across the dance floor
right now. Let’s wait.
Sam nods.
Genres:
["Drama","Romance"]
Ratings
Scene
46 -
Inferno at the Rhythm Club
INT. RHYTHM CLUB. NIGHT.
The large clump of Spanish moss hanging above the naked light
bulb separates, and falls onto the bulb. After a few
seconds, the moss starts to smolder.
INT. RHYTHM CLUB. NIGHT.
Elroy the bartender and Frankie and Ervin, his two younger
brothers, are all smiles, happily watching the dancers,
serving a few customers, and picking at each other.
INT. RHYTHM CLUB. NIGHT.
Bernie Mack and Cecil Brooks, the two boys excoriated by the
preacher in Mount Olive Baptist Church the Sunday before, and
their dates gyrate enthusiastically to the music.
INT. RHYTHM CLUB. NIGHT.
Moses Bennett sits in his chair. He grins broadly at Willie
Jones and the Orchestra and claps gently with the music.
INT. RHYTHM CLUB. NIGHT.
Mrs. Holman takes a sip of her drink as she watches the
youngsters dance. Boo sits leaning against the wall, the
toothpick dangling from his mouth.
INT. RHYTHM CLUB. NIGHT.
Rufus is on the bandstand, behind Willie Jones, dancing and
clapping, proud that his big night has been such a huge
success. Willie pats his forehead with a handkerchief. He’s
a great entertainer, and he’s genuinely having a great time.
INT. RHYTHM CLUB. NIGHT.
John Sewell, the pharmacist, spins his wife Helen around the
dance floor close to J.W. the undertaker and his wife Sally.
John the pharmacist spots Sam and points to him, laughing and
dancing, then they disappear back into the center of the
dance floor, in the middle of the revelry.
INT. RHYTHM CLUB. NIGHT.
The large clump of Spanish moss caught on the hot, naked bulb
continues to smolder for a moment, then bursts into flames.
The few people sitting near the wall turn and stare. A woman
screams. Mrs. Holman looks dully at the flame. Boo hops up,
grabbing Mrs. Holman, pulling her up from her chair.
Everyone on the side wall screams and rushes toward the dance
floor as the Spanish moss ignites along the walls and
rafters. The flames spread incredibly fast, racing along the
side wall to the front wall then toward the front door.
The dancers in the center of the room hear the screaming and
see a wall of flames race toward the front and center of the
building with a “whoosh”, boiling across the ceiling, sucking
the oxygen out of the air.
It’s total bedlam in the Rhythm Club as everyone, from one
end of the club to the other, realizes what’s happening.
Genres:
["Drama","Thriller"]
Ratings
Scene
47 -
Inferno at the Rhythm Club
INT. RHYTHM CLUB. NIGHT.
Rose and Sam see the fire. As patrons rush past them toward
the door, Rose and Sam start across the club to where Mr.
Bennett sits, but the flames and smoke stop them.
Sam tries to go by himself, but Rose grabs Sam by the arm.
ROSE
No!! You’ll burn up, too!!
Sam reluctantly stops, and they join the rush of people to
the front door, the only exit. Finally, Sam bulls through
the door, pushing Rose ahead of him.
Sam takes a last look inside. Flames cover the entire
interior of the club, creating an oven effect with the tin
roof and tin walls holding in the flames, the heat, and the
toxic fumes.
Sam looks at the bandstand, where Willie Jones and the
Orchestra rush toward the back wall to avoid the flames.
Rufus is still on the bandstand.
Sam sees the pharmacist John Sewell pulling his wife toward
the back wall, away from the flames engulfing the front of
the club.
Elroy and his two brothers are scrambling to get out from
behind the bar. Sam screams.
SAM
The back door and windows are
nailed shut! Come this way!
No one hears Sam in the chaos, and the patrons pushing toward
the front door push Sam out of the front door.
Genres:
["Drama","Thriller"]
Ratings
Scene
48 -
After the Fire
EXT. RHYTHM CLUB. NIGHT.
Sam tumbles on the ground outside the front door. He’s all
right, but the patrons coming out after Sam are less
fortunate, some with hair and clothes on fire, some coughing
violently and gasping for air.
Rose spots Sam and rushes to his side. She helps him up.
ROSE
Are you all right?
SAM
I’m okay.
They look at the front door. Hot, acrid smoke pours out of
the door. A few more patrons stagger out, one by one, their
injuries more severe the longer they were inside. He takes
Rose by the arms.
SAM
Your father was against the back
wall and everyone was rushing
toward him.... He couldn’t have
gotten out.
Rose starts to cry and Sam pulls her close.
SAM
It’s all right, Rose.
Sam stares at the front door, and the black, deadly smoke
continues to boil out. Sam looks around at the people on the
ground.
SAM
Come on, Rose. We have to help
these people.
Sam kneels to examine the closest patron to him, a young man
whose hair is burned off and whose rasping coughs indicate a
serious bronchial injury.
SAM
Rose, help me over here.
The words are barely out of Sam’s mouth when a person crawls
out of the smoke-filled door and collapses, the lower half of
his body still in the club. Sam scurries over to the man.
A fire truck, its siren wailing, stops on the street in front
of the club behind Sam’s old truck. White Firemen jump from
the fire truck, and white volunteer firemen arrive in their
own vehicles.
Several ambulances arrive and townspeople, white and black,
rush to the scene to help.
Sam pulls the man out of the door, then drags him further
along the ground until he’s a safe distance from the
building. Sam turns him gently over onto his back.
The man is badly burned. His face and head are charred; his
eyelids are scorched and his eyebrows are gone; his skin
continues to smoke. The man sees Sam and grabs him by the
arm. Sam looks closely at the man’s face.
SAM
My God, Rufus.
Sam grabs an ambulance worker and gestures for the worker to
help Rufus. Sam rushes over to Rose, who is helping another
victim and wiping tears from her eyes. Sam kneels next to
her.
SAM
How is he?
ROSE
I think he’s going to be okay.
Sam stands and pulls her up with him.
SAM
Rose. Come over here. It’s Rufus.
She follows Sam and they kneel by Rufus’s side. Rose reaches
out to Rufus, but pulls back when she realizes there’s no
place she can put her hands where he’s not charred.
ROSE
We have to get him to the hospital
right now.
Sam waves another medical attendant over. The firemen attack
the building. Some smash the walls with axes and pickaxes;
others spray a powerful stream of water onto the roof and
through the holes the axes have made. Sam barks at the
attendant, who stares at Rufus on the ground.
SAM
Get this man on a stretcher and
take him to the hospital! Now!
The attendant and his assistant help Sam move Rufus onto the
stretcher and they pick him up. Sam leans over the stretcher
and talks in Rufus’s ear.
SAM
I’m going to the hospital with you,
Rufus. Just hold on. I’m going to
take care of you.
Rufus, his eyes wide and frightened, barely nods.
ROSE
I’ll go with you.
SAM
No. You stay here and help the
people you can. Come to the
hospital when you’re through here.
Rose starts to cry, but pulls herself together and attends to
another victim. Sam heads for his old truck but stops when he
sees Dr. Holman pull into the parking lot.
Dr. Holman is horrified by what he sees. Holman grabs Sam’s
arm, and Sam looks at Holman with disgust.
DR. HOLMAN
Did everyone get out?
SAM
Probably less than half.
DR. HOLMAN
Dammit!
Holman stares at the victims on the ground being attended to
by firemen, medical personnel, and Natchez citizens, both
black and white.
DR. HOLMAN
How did this happen? That building
can’t burn.
SAM
The Spanish moss went up like a
fuse. Rufus treated it with a
pesticide that must have been
flammable.
DR. HOLMAN
That fool! Where is he?
Sam glares at Holman.
SAM
Already on the way to the hospital.
He’s probably going to die.
DR. HOLMAN
What about Junior?
SAM
There was so much commotion, I
don’t know about Junior. But where
your wife was sitting, there was no
way she could have gotten out.
Rose’s father died in there, too.
Dr. Holman doesn’t react.
SAM
The young girl you did the
procedure on last night at
midnight...she bled to death in her
bed at Sally’s.
Dr. Holman stares at Sam as if he didn’t hear him, then walks
toward the mass of victims, firemen, and townspeople in front
of the Rhythm Club.
Sam gets into his old truck and cranks it. He takes a final
look at the scene as he motors slowly away.
Firemen continue to hack into the club and spray water on the
roof and into the rafters. Others help the medical
attendants carry the patrons who managed to get out but died
on the ground outside.
The dead are arranged in rows and covered with blankets. Sam
shakes his head and guns the engine of the old truck,
speeding toward the hospital.
Genres:
["Drama","Tragedy"]
Ratings
Scene
49 -
Emergency at Natchez Hospital
EXT. NATCHEZ HOSPITAL. NIGHT.
Sam stops the old truck and runs as fast as he can toward the
hospital emergency entrance. Ambulances are already backed
up to the entrance, and attendants are carrying victims
inside. Sam runs through the open door.
INT. NATCHEZ HOSPITAL. NIGHT.
In the emergency room, a wide-eyed, white nurse looks at the
first victims of the fire, unclear what to do. Sam rushes in.
SAM
Are there any doctors here?
NURSE
No. Just me and Nurse Carson on the
colored wing.
SAM
Get her over here, then get on the
phone. Get every doctor in town
here right now!
NURSE
All of them?
SAM
White and black. Call all your
nurses, too.
The nurse starts to walk quickly away, but stops.
NURSE
Who are you?
SAM
Dr. Morgan. Now move.
Sam takes a quick look at each of the burn victims and finds
Rufus. He opens several drawers until he finds a small
light.
SAM
Rufus. Can you hear me? Rufus.
Rufus opens his eyes. His eyelids are badly burned. Rufus
opens his mouth to talk but a raspy whisper is all he can
manage. Sam moves his ear right over Rufus’s mouth and
listens intently.
SAM
All right. I’ll get you some
water. You’re going to be okay,
Rufus. Hang on.
Genres:
["Drama"]
Ratings
Scene
50 -
Triage Under Fire
INT. NATCHEZ HOSPITAL. NIGHT.
The victims begin to pile up in the door and hallway outside
the emergency room. Sam is doing triage, examining the
survivors on their gurneys and barking orders.
A half-dozen nurses have shown up. The first white doctor,
DR. WELCH, walks through the emergency room door and stops, a
look of disbelief on his face.
Sam is working feverishly over a young lady. The nurse Sam
first talked to brings the white doctor over to Sam.
NURSE
Dr. Morgan, this is Dr. Welch.
Chief of Staff.
SAM
Good.
DR. WELCH
Now, who are you again?
SAM
Sam Morgan. I just finished at
Johns Hopkins.
DR. WELCH
Medical school?
SAM
That’s right.
DR. WELCH
How’d you get here?
Sam wipes the sweat off his forehead with his arm.
SAM
Long story. I’m from here.
Sam’s had enough of the pleasantries.
SAM
You have any experience treating
third degree burns?
DR. WELCH
Some.
SAM
Well, come give me a hand with this
woman.
Dr. Welch looks at Sam for a moment, then joins him at the
patient’s side.
INT. NATCHEZ HOSPITAL. NIGHT.
The hospital has become a madhouse. Black and white doctors
and nurses attend the victims. Sam works on a patient, then
talks to the first nurse as Dr. Welch rounds the corner.
SAM
Get this patient in a room.
NURSE
The colored wing is full.
SAM
So start filling the white wing.
The nurse is taken aback. She looks for guidance from Dr.
Welch, who nods assent to Sam’s order.
Dr. Welch watches Sam work on the next patient, and is
impressed with Sam’s knowledge and technique.
Genres:
["Drama"]
Ratings
Scene
51 -
After the Fire: A Night of Tragedy
EXT. RHYTHM CLUB. NIGHT.
Rose stops to wipe her face with a towel. It’s a warm night,
and the smoldering building makes it even hotter.
The seriously burned survivors have been taken to the
hospital, leaving only the slightly injured and the dead.
Rose finishes wrapping a bandage on a patron whose only
injury was a slightly burned hand, and she sends him on his
way.
She walks over to the dead bodies placed neatly on the ground
in rows.
Firemen working on the building call out and start to run
away from the front wall of the building, which crashes to
the ground, exposing the interior of the club for the first
time.
The fire trucks and sheriff’s cars shine their bright
spotlights into the smoking, hissing hulk of the club
building
As the smoke clears, the bodies of the huge number of victims
trapped in the building become visible.
Rose walks closer to look and stops near Sheriff Williams and
the portly Fire Chief.
Rose, Sheriff Williams, and the Fire Chief look in horror on
the mass of bodies, arms and legs intertwined, stacked like
cord wood against the back wall of the club. Smoke and steam
rise from the charred bodies.
ROSE
Jesus, Mary, and Joseph.
Rose starts crying. Dr. Holman joins the Sheriff and the
Fire Chief.
DR. HOLMAN
My wife’s in there.
The Sheriff and the Fire Chief look hard at the doctor. Rose
steps over to Dr. Holman.
ROSE
How is Junior?
DR. HOLMAN
His left arm is burned pretty
badly. I sent him on to the
hospital.
The Sheriff pulls Dr. Holman to the side.
SHERIFF
I just left the coroner at Sally’s.
Holman looks nervously at the Sheriff.
DR. HOLMAN
I’ve got to get to the hospital.
EXT. RHYTHM CLUB. NIGHT.
One of the firefighters makes his way carefully across what’s
left of the dance floor. He shines his large flashlight on
the mass of bodies.
Some bodies appear badly burned; others are not burned at
all; but they’re all dead. The bodies are jammed together
against the back wall, near the windows and door that were
nailed shut by Rufus.
The fireman moves his light over the bodies and stops on a
piece of cloth that is darkened, but not burned.
It’s Moses Bennett’s tie with the largemouth bass jumping out
of the water.
The fireman continues to survey the bodies, moving his light
over Willie Jones in his charred, red-sequined tuxedo; Elroy
and his two brothers; John Sewell the pharmacist and his wife
Helen; J.W. the undertaker and his wife Sally; the two young
boys from church, Bernie Mack and Cecil Brooks; and finally
over Mrs. Holman and Boo dead on the floor next to her, the
toothpick still dangling from his lips.
Genres:
["Drama","Tragedy"]
Ratings
Scene
52 -
Night Tensions at Natchez Hospital
INT. NATCHEZ HOSPITAL. NIGHT.
Sam works frantically over another burn victim. He calls out
to anyone in earshot.
SAM
Do we have any more morphine?
One of the white doctors looks up from his patient.
DOCTOR
No. We’re out.
SAM
Damn.
Sam steps back from the patient and gestures for the nurse to
take over.
SAM
Make him as comfortable as you can.
Sam walks away and leans against a wall. He wipes his
forehead, puts the back of his head against the wall and
closes his eyes. Rose walks up to him. He opens his eyes
and speaks softly to her.
SAM
Sorry about your daddy.
Rose tears up at the mention of his name.
SAM
He had a good life.(beat) And he
was pretty sick.
ROSE
I know. His suffering is over.
And he got to see Willie Jones.
Dr. Holman walks quickly by them without speaking or even
acknowledging their presence. Sam speaks quietly.
SAM
Holman’s got a lot to answer for.
ROSE
How is Junior?
SAM
Dr. Welch said one arm was burned
but otherwise he was fine.
A nurse walks quickly up to Sam.
NURSE
Dr. Morgan, Dr. Welch said we need
your help in the emergency room.
Sam follows the nurse. Rose stays in the hall.
Genres:
["Drama"]
Ratings
Scene
53 -
Emergency Ethics
INT. NATCHEZ HOSPITAL EMERGENCY ROOM. NIGHT.
Dr. Holman is working on an unconscious, seriously burned
patient in the emergency room, with Dr. Welch looking on,
when Sam walks in. Dr. Welch points Sam toward another
patient lying on the other examination table.
DR. WELCH
This is an interesting case, Dr.
Morgan. I wanted your opinion
before we started treatment.
Sam looks at the patient’s chart, then bends over to check
the patient’s pupils.
Junior Holman, his left arm bandaged, walks in and moves to
the side of the room where his father is working. Sam
notices Junior but says nothing.
Sam gestures to Dr. Welch to come closer, and points to
something on the chart he cradles in his arm.
SAM
Look at this.
Dr. Welch reads what Sam has pointed out and nods
approvingly. On the other side of the room, Dr. Holman
removes his stethoscope from his patient’s chest, then takes
the scope off.
DR. HOLMAN
This one’s gone.
Sam looks up from his patient’s chart and walks over to
Holman’s patient, putting his ear to the patient’s chest.
SAM
Not yet.
Sam swings into action, pressing the patient’s chest and
calling out to a nurse for oxygen. He places a breathing cup
over the patient’s mouth.
SAM
I need a hand, Dr. Holman.
Holman, standing by his son Junior, shakes his head no.
DR. HOLMAN
You’re wasting your time.
SAM
I don’t think so. Dr. Welch?
Dr. Welch comes to assist Sam, along with a nurse. Sam
continues to work feverishly until the patient begins
breathing on his own and stabilizes.
Sam finally relaxes and backs away from the patient, letting
the nurse take over.
DR. WELCH
Excellent job, Dr. Morgan.
Dr. Holman is unhappy at being shown up by Sam. Sam notices
Junior smirking at his old man. Sam talks to Junior.
SAM
Did your Daddy tell you that young
girl you brought to Sally’s last
night bled to death this evening?
Junior looks at his father in disgust and walks out of the
emergency room. Sam gestures to Dr. Holman and Dr. Welch.
SAM
Dr. Holman, why don’t you tell the
Chief of Staff about the procedure
you did on that little girl last
night.
Dr. Holman walks out of the room, leaving Dr. Welch staring
curiously at Sam.
Genres:
["Drama","Medical"]
Ratings
Scene
54 -
Final Farewell
INT. NATCHEZ HOSPITAL. NIGHT.
Exhausted, Sam walks down a long hospital corridor, passing a
sign that says “Whites Only.” He stops at a door and cracks
it slightly, then walks in.
Rufus is in the bed, terribly burned, and Rose sits by his
side. Rose looks up and Sam puts his hand on her shoulder.
She’s crying softly into a handkerchief.
ROSE
Oh, Sam.
SAM
I know.
Rose stands and whispers to Sam.
ROSE
Is there anything else we can do
for him?
Sam shakes his head sadly.
SAM
No, Rose. He doesn’t have much
longer. I called for the priest.
She cries on Sam’s shoulder. He pats her back, consoling
her. Sam’s eyes fill with tears. He moves closer to Rufus
and examines him, then whispers to Rose.
SAM
Go see if you can find the priest.
Hurry!
Crying, Rose walks out quickly. Sam takes Rufus’s charred
hand and Rufus opens his badly burned eyes eerily wide.
Rufus opens his mouth, and emits a raspy, unintelligible
whisper.
SAM
I can’t understand you, buddy.
Rufus gestures with his eyes. He’s got something to tell
Sam. Sam bends down and puts his ear right over Rufus’s
mouth. Rufus talks and Sam listens intently.
After a few moments, the door opens and Rose and the priest
come in.
PRIEST
Is he still alive?
SAM
Barely.
The priest quickly administers the last rites. Sam’s arm is
around Rose, supporting her against him. The priest finishes
and backs away.
Rufus takes one final, painful breath, and expires. Sam
feels for a pulse, then closes Rufus’s eyes and pulls the
sheet over his head. Rose sobs.
Genres:
["Drama"]
Ratings
Scene
55 -
Secrets and Confrontations
INT. NATCHEZ HOSPITAL OFFICE. NIGHT.
Sam sits with Rose in a quiet office away from the bustle of
nurses and doctors. She’s calm now, but her eyes are red
from crying.
SAM
You feel like talking?
ROSE
It’s just so sad. Daddy and Rufus;
both gone.
Sam is sympathetic; but he needs some questions answered.
SAM
Yesterday Rufus told me he was
going to answer all my questions
about you and him, and about the
Sheriff and Holman.
ROSE
So now you want me to.
Sam nods yes.
ROSE
I’ve never slept with Rufus.
SAM
So who’s the father?
ROSE
Dr. Holman.
Sam doesn’t act surprised.
ROSE
You act like you knew.
SAM
Rufus told me before you and the
priest came back. He just
confirmed what I suspected.
Rose cries, then pulls herself together enough to look Sam in
the eye.
ROSE
I’m so ashamed.
Sam holds her tenderly and strokes her hair. She looks into
Sam’s eyes for a long moment.
ROSE
Don’t hate me. I had to...at least
I thought I did. (beat) Did Rufus
tell you why?
SAM
No, but I think I know. The
sanitorium.
Rose nods and takes a deep breath.
ROSE
Right after Christmas, Daddy needed
to go to there bad.
SAM
Who told you that?
ROSE
Dr. Holman.
SAM
How would he know?
ROSE
Daddy was real sick. Couldn’t
leave the house. Could hardly
breathe.
(MORE)
ROSE (cont'd)
Dr. Holman said Daddy’s only chance
to live was to get to the seashore,
the sanitorium.
SAM
A lot of good it did.
ROSE
I couldn’t afford it. We didn’t
have any money.
SAM
So Holman said he would pay for it
if you would...
ROSE
I knew it was wrong...
SAM
That bastard. No wonder he wanted
me to leave Natchez.
ROSE
The first time was just days after
I came back from taking Daddy to
Gulfport.
Rose sobs.
ROSE
I feel so dirty.
SAM
You did what you thought you had to
do to save your Daddy’s life.
ROSE
And when I got pregnant...
SAM
You married Rufus.
ROSE
Dr. Holman told me I had to, so
nobody would know about him and me.
SAM
And Rufus got the money to open the
club. (beat) How often did Holman
have his way with you?
She starts crying again, and answers quietly.
ROSE
Whenever he wanted.
Sam clenches his jaw; he’s angry. He walks toward the door.
SAM
You stay here. I’m going to see
Holman.
ROSE
No! Don’t do that! It’ll just be
trouble.
Sam stops, takes Rose in his arms, and kisses her.
SAM
I’ll be back. He’s got a lot to
answer for, and he can’t buy his
way out this time.
Sam walks out the door.
Genres:
["Drama"]
Ratings
Scene
56 -
A Night of Urgency
INT. NATCHEZ HOSPITAL. NIGHT.
Sam walks with determination down the hallway. It’s quieter
now, with patients in individual rooms and wards.
Dr. Welch stops in the hall to talk to Sam, but Sam walks
right past Dr. Welch as if he didn’t see him.
DR. WELCH
Dr. Morgan.
Sam stops and looks at Dr. Welch.
SAM
I’m sorry, Dr. Welch.
DR. WELCH
I could see you were deep in
thought. It’s been a hard night for
all of us.
SAM
Do you think things are quiet
enough that I could leave for a
short while?
DR. WELCH
Absolutely. But you’re coming
back?
SAM
Yes, sir.
DR. WELCH
Good. I don’t know how we would
have gotten through this without
you.
SAM
Dr. Welch, there’s something I need
to tell you.
Dr. Welch waits.
SAM
I’m not licensed to practice in
Mississippi. I did get my medical
degree from Johns Hopkins, but I
haven’t...
DR. WELCH
You did all your work tonight under
my strict supervision. And come
Monday morning, you’ll have your
license. I’ll see to that.
Sam shakes Dr. Welch’s hand.
SAM
Thanks.
Sam runs out of the hospital.
EXT. OUTSIDE NATCHEZ HOSPITAL EMERGENCY ROOM. NIGHT.
Sam runs and hops in Rufus’s old truck, cranks it, and takes
off as fast as the old truck will run, into the night.
Genres:
["Drama"]
Ratings
Scene
57 -
Desperate Measures
EXT. MARY MORGAN’S FRONT PORCH. NIGHT.
Sam bounds up the stairs and onto his mother’s front porch.
He rushes in the house.
INT. MARY MORGAN’S HOUSE. NIGHT.
Sam runs through the house into the dining room, where he
turns on the light, then tears through each drawer of a
sideboard, looking for something.
His mother walks into the room in her gown, rubbing her eyes.
MARY
Thank God you’re all right. I
heard about the fire....
SAM
Where’s Daddy’s gun? His pistol.
MARY
What on earth for? Those three men
after you again?
SAM
No. Where is it?
MARY
It’s in my room in the top drawer
of my night stand. It’s loaded.
Sam rushes past her and ducks into her bedroom, turning on
the switch. Mary follows and watches him take the old
revolver out and check the cylinder.
SAM
When’s the last time this was
fired?
MARY
Lord only knows. I shot a sick
possum in the back yard... maybe
five years ago. You not lookin’ to
hurt somebody with that, are you?
Gun in hand, Sam rushes past her. His mother calls out after
him, but he’s out the door.
MARY
Don’t throw away everything you’ve
worked for.
Genres:
["Drama","Thriller"]
Ratings
Scene
58 -
Confrontation at the Buckland Mansion
EXT. BUCKLAND MANSION. NIGHT.
Sam pulls Rufus’s truck onto the gravel driveway and slides
to a stop in front of the house. He jumps out and runs
toward the front door past Dr. Holman’s car and Junior’s
shiny black sedan.
The front door is wide open. Sam stops at the door and peers
in, then walks carefully inside.
INT. BUCKLAND MANSION CENTRAL HALLWAY. NIGHT.
Sam hears voices from the parlor, and tiptoes to the edge of
the hallway outside the parlor and hears loud talking.
It’s Junior.
INT. BUCKLAND MANSION PARLOR. NIGHT
JUNIOR
And you never cared anything about
me or Mama.
DR. HOLMAN
That’s not true.
JUNIOR
Shut up.
DR. HOLMAN
Put down that gun. You’re the one
brought her to the club.
Junior bristles at his father’s statement.
JUNIOR
She deserved one night of fun. You
turned her into a drunk.
DR. HOLMAN
There’s no reason for you to be
angry with me.
JUNIOR
No reason? You killed Mama’s soul.
She was already dead before the
fire tonight.
DR. HOLMAN
You didn’t help her situation.
JUNIOR
You’re the one ordered Rufus to
nail the windows and doors shut.
You killed her.
DR. HOLMAN
Shut up! You good for nothing...
INT. BUCKLAND MANSION HALLWAY. NIGHT.
The loud explosion of a gun comes from the parlor, making Sam
jump. He sticks his head around the corner to see what
happened.
Genres:
["Drama","Family","Mystery"]
Ratings
Scene
59 -
Confrontation at Buckland Mansion
INT. BUCKLAND MANSION PARLOR. NIGHT.
Dr. Holman is sitting in a wing back chair and Junior stands
ten feet away from him holding a smoking pistol. Both are
unhurt.
Pieces of ceiling plaster fall from above Junior’s head onto
the cypress floors. Dr. Holman sees Sam and reacts, causing
Junior to turn and look at Sam.
JUNIOR
Oh, Natchez’s new white knight.
Junior giggles.
JUNIOR
Of course, I mean that
figuratively. Come join us, Dr.
Sambo.
Sam walks carefully into the parlor, his revolver pointed at
the floor. Junior, his left arm bandaged from shoulder to
wrist, has a gun in his right hand pointed at Dr. Holman.
JUNIOR
Won’t you sit down?
SAM
Thanks. I’ll stand.
Sam gets a good look at Junior for the first time. Junior’s
eyes are wild.
DR. HOLMAN
He’s on amphetamines. More than
usual.
JUNIOR
The only good thing you’ve ever
done for me.
Junior laughs loudly, then turns to Sam.
JUNIOR
He’s been good to you, too, Dr.
Morgan. Had his way with Rose and
bribed Rufus into marrying her to
cover the good doctor’s clumsiness.
Bet you didn’t know that.
SAM
I already knew.
Sam looks at Dr. Holman.
SAM
She told me how she paid for the
sanitorium.
Dr. Holman looks away, and Junior laughs again, pointing at
Sam.
JUNIOR
Good going, Dr. Sambo. I’m
actually sorry I had those men beat
you up.
Sam looks at Junior.
SAM
Did he tell you about that young
girl he let bleed to death?
Junior is angry; he points at Dr. Holman.
JUNIOR
Damn butcher!
Sam looks at Dr. Holman.
SAM
You’re a bad doctor and a murderer.
The sound of a car stopping suddenly in the gravel outside
comes through the open front door. Neither Sam nor Junior
can see the front door from where they stand in the parlor.
JUNIOR
Who is that?
SAM
I have no idea.
Sheriff Williams walks into the parlor from the hallway. His
gun is in his holster on his side. He sees the two guns.
DR. HOLMAN
Billie. Thank God.
SHERIFF
Adele called me. Junior’s
hollering woke her up. (beat)
Junior, put that gun down. You
too, Morgan. What the hell you
thinking about?
Junior keeps his gun trained on Dr. Holman. Sam lowers his
so that it’s pressed against his thigh, pointing at the
floor.
SHERIFF
Now, Junior, we’ve been through
this before.
JUNIOR
This time is different.
SHERIFF
No, it’s not.
JUNIOR
He killed my Mama.
SHERIFF
No, he didn’t. She died in the
fire. But he did let that young
girl at Sally’s die.
Junior keeps his eyes on Dr. Holman. Sheriff Williams draws
his gun.
SHERIFF
Drop the damn gun, Junior.
Junior looks at the Sheriff.
JUNIOR
He has to die, Sheriff. He has to.
Junior raises his gun slightly as if preparing to fire and
Sheriff Williams shoots him just as Junior pulls the trigger.
Junior’s bullet hits the wing back chair next to Dr. Holman’s
head.
Junior falls hard on the floor.
Sam rushes to help Junior. Sam puts his gun on the coffee
table and turns Junior over on his back.
Blood pools on the wide-planked cypress floor. Junior’s eyes
are open, and there’s a bullet hole in his shirt, right over
his heart.
While Sam is tending to Junior, the Sheriff picks up Sam’s
gun.
SAM
He’s dead.
Sam stands up. The Sheriff points his gun at Sam.
SAM
You shot him right in the heart.
Couldn’t you have just wounded him?
SHERIFF
Morgan, I ain’t that good a shot.
I was lucky to hit him.
DR. HOLMAN
The drugs. He was beyond help this
time.
Dr. Holman looks at the Sheriff.
DR. HOLMAN
You did the right thing, Sheriff.
SHERIFF
Shut up. I should have let him
kill you.
Sam is surprised. He looks at the Sheriff’s gun pointed at
Sam’s mid-section.
SAM
You’re going to shoot me now?
The Sheriff looks down at the gun in his hand, surprised. He
holsters his gun and sticks Sam’s gun in his pants.
SHERIFF
Hell, no. I’m sorry, Sam. Killing
Junior’s got me upset.
SAM
We ought to call the coroner.
SHERIFF
No rush. You said he’s dead.
(beat) You figured out Dr. Holman
was Rufus’s silent partner in the
club, didn’t you?
SAM
Yes.
SHERIFF
I knew you would. You’re smart.
Rufus needed the money to open the
club, so he agreed to cover
Holman’s butt.
(MORE)
SHERIFF (cont'd)
But don’t blame Rose, Sam, and
don’t blame Rufus, God rest his
soul.
The Sheriff points at Dr. Holman.
SHERIFF
He’s the one to blame for messing
up you and Rose. And, he’s the
greedy bastard ordered Rufus to
nail the windows shut. Couldn’t
stand getting beat out of two
measly dollars.
The Sheriff walks over and stands over Junior, looking down
at the dead body.
SHERIFF
Junior finally got what he’s been
wanting all these years...somebody
to put him out of his misery.
The Sheriff rests his hand on the butt of his gun and looks
at Dr. Holman.
SHERIFF
Now I got to do something with you,
you conniving, greedy, no good son
of a bitch.
Holman looks at the Sheriff.
SHERIFF
You need killin’, Holman. But I
ain’t gonna shoot you.
SAM
What are you going to do?
SHERIFF
Now,Sam, you just sit tight. You
ain’t been back in Natchez long
enough to get a vote on how this
ought to come out.
SAM
You can’t let him get away with
what he’s done.
SHERIFF
He ain’t. Just hold your horses.
The Fire Chief told Rufus he
couldn’t have that many people in
that club. But Dr. Holman here got
around the Chief’s objections just
like he’s done with everything in
his life. He put a green poultice
on it. Gave the Fire Chief some
money to look the other way.
SAM
Arrest the Fire Chief for taking a
bribe.
The Sheriff laughs.
SHERIFF
Things in Natchez don’t work like
that, Morgan.
DR. HOLMAN
No one has to know the whole story
about what happened.
SHERIFF
You’re right about that, Holman.
Especially since it was all colored
people burned up. But they were
some mighty fine people. Colored
society in this town ain’t ever
going to recover from this fire.
No, sir.
SAM
You can’t let him get away with
killing two hundred people.
SHERIFF
Final count was two hundred and
three I believe.
SAM
Jesus.
Sheriff Williams looks at Dr. Holman.
SHERIFF
Two hundred four if you count that
little country girl that bled to
death. Point is, Holman, you just
don’t care about nobody.
SAM
He’s a murderer.
SHERIFF
Just hold your horses, Sam. Dr.
Holman ain’t getting away with
nothing. He’s just getting away.
DR. HOLMAN
What do you mean?
SHERIFF
I mean you got until nine a.m. To
get all your cash money together,
because you leaving Natchez
tomorrow and ain’t never coming
back.
DR. HOLMAN
But...
SHERIFF
All you taking is your cash and
whatever clothes and things you can
stuff in your car. (beat) And
you’re going to be at the Chancery
Clerk’s office at nine in the
morning to sign Sally’s house back
over to her. Then you’re going to
sign a deed to this Mansion here,
your farm and timber land, and your
other real estate and buildings to
the Children’s Home. The orphans
can use the money.
DR. HOLMAN
I’ll do no such thing.
SHERIFF
All right. Then I’m going to
arrest you at nine-oh-five for two
hundred and four counts of murder,
or maybe negligent homicide, I
ain’t decided which yet.
DR. HOLMAN
And you’ll arrest the Fire Chief,
too?
SHERIFF
Sure, we’ll have to do that. But
he won’t be prosecuted...maybe just
a little.
(MORE)
SHERIFF (cont'd)
See, he’s white and you’re not.
The Grand Jury’s all white. The
judge and jury’s going to be all
white. And everybody in town likes
the Chief, and I bet there ain’t a
handful of whites in town care for
you. And if you tell them anything
about me, what I supposedly did,
it’ll just make them madder at you.
SAM
And with all the black folks you
killed, you might not make it to
trial.
Holman thinks for a minute and nods.
DR. HOLMAN
I don’t seem to have a choice.
SHERIFF
You’re right. And Morgan here is
going to take over your practice.
Dr. Welch tells me Morgan saved a
bunch of lives tonight.
SAM
Don’t I get a say so...
SHERIFF
Not really.
SAM
What about Junior?
SHERIFF
His mama’s the only one ever loved
him. For all anybody knows, he
died from complications of his
burns. I’ll talk to Adele, make
sure she understands.(beat) By the
way, Holman, I’ll see to it that
Junior and Mrs. Holman are buried
proper. Together, too.
The Sheriff looks at Holman.
SHERIFF
You understand what you’re going to
do?
Holman nods.
DR. HOLMAN
I’ll be at the clerk’s office at
nine a.m.
SHERIFF
And out of town by nine-thirty.
Holman lowers his head and nods. Sam starts to walk out but
the Sheriff calls to him to wait, and they walk out together.
SHERIFF
Sam, you’re going to like it here
in Natchez.
SAM
Are you going to shut down Sally’s?
SHERIFF
Now why would I do that?
SAM
I saw you and Junior taking the
girl from Holman’s office to
Sally’s.
The Sheriff stops and looks Sam in the eye.
SHERIFF
You got a decision to make, son.
SAM
What?
SHERIFF
You keep your mouth shut about what
happened in this house tonight, and
what you know about that young
girl, you get a prosperous medical
practice and the woman you love.
SAM
And if I decide to tell the State
Police?
SHERIFF
Oh, you might cause me a little
discomfort for a while, but it’ll
blow over. Then I’ll come up with
something on you and run you out of
town just like I did Holman, and
there won’t be nothing you can do
about it.
Sam thinks for a moment.
SHERIFF
You know, white people in this town
are coming together like I never
seen to help the victims and their
families. Money’s already coming
into my office. Newspaper’s
setting up a special fund. I’d
hate for scandals about the night
club and Holman ruin all those good
feelings.
It’s a tough decision for Sam.
SAM
Would you consider making sure that
Sally only employs grown women?
SHERIFF
Already taken care of that. The
young girls was Dr. Holman’s doing.
Sam purses his lips, thinking. Sheriff Williams extends his
hand, and Sam shakes it, then walks toward his truck, leaving
the Sheriff standing on the steps under the magnificent
columns of Buckland Mansion.
SHERIFF
Think on it and let me know, Dr.
Morgan.
SAM
No need. I’ll go along.
Genres:
["Drama","Crime","Mystery"]
Ratings
Scene
60 -
A New Beginning
EXT. OUTSIDE DR. KENNETH HOLMAN’S OFFICE. DAY.
Weeks later, standing outside the medical office, Sam has his
arm around Rose. Her pregnancy is showing.
They watch a worker take down Dr. Holman’s sign and replace
it with one that reads “Sam Morgan, Medical Doctor.”
Rose is beaming, and so is Sam. Sam takes Rose in his arms
and kisses her, then whispers in her ear.
SAM
I hope our baby’s a little girl,
Mrs. Morgan. She’ll be as
beautiful as her mother.
Rose looks into his eyes.
ROSE
And if it’s a boy?
SAM
We’ll name him Rufus.
Mrs. West opens the front door of the office. She’s all
smiles.
MRS. WEST
The Judge is here for the ceremony,
and we have plenty of witnesses.
Rose looks up at Sam, eyes full of love, and they walk
through the door.
THE END