♪ ROSE: What you gon' call her?

July.

Yes, yes, I'll take her.

Massa, no!

♪ NIMROD: Miss July, my, how you all grow up.

SOLDIER: The slaves are burning down the plantations.

This island ablaze.

ROSE: Me know you grieve your mum.

But see, you have a fine son.

ROBERT: In just a few days, slavery will be finally abolished.

♪ ♪ ♪ OLDER JULY (voiceover): Look at her.

The loss of her mama and of her baby boy almos' finish that girl.

Yet her hair be braided neat, her dress clean, her face straight.

Only deep within them black-black eyes might you catch a flash of pain, swift as a doll with two faces.

But upon this particular evening, if you watch her close, come.

You might see her smile.

(chair scraping) (firecracker bursts in distance, Caroline gasps softly) (people cheering in distance) Oh, what on Earth was all that noise?

JULY: Big party, Missus.

Everywhere, all over the island.

For... Me is now free.

OLDER JULY: Of course, freedom come at a price.

For the new queen in England say that compensation must be paid-- to the slave owners, of course.

Come, Caroline even teach July to read and write to keep track of this big-big money coming in.

Molly!

OLDER JULY: And for the slaves, what they get?

(dishes clattering) Nothin', not a penny.

(chickens clucking) (sighs) OLDER JULY: No matter how July rise up above all the other houseworkers... (Molly breathing heavily) OLDER JULY: Still, she get nothin'.

What good be free if nothin' change?

JULY: Leave it-- me do it!

Go!

Get out, go on before him come!

Are we quite ready?

All ready, Missus, all ready.

Good.

Oh...

It's such a relief to have a true gentleman to come to us as overseer.

At last, company worth keeping.

Mrs. Mortimer?

There you are, Mr. Goodwin!

Do take a seat.

Oh, thank you.

I hope your accommodation is satisfactory.

It's most satisfactory, thank you.

No, my needs are few.

In fact, I've just been making my preliminary inspection of the estate.

(chuckling) How very industrious of you.

Bring the tea, Marguerite.

ROBERT: Yes, but I must say, Mrs. Mortimer, the... ...plantation is by no means running as efficiently as it could.

And the workers' accommodation, that's in a dreadful state.

Never seen such a number of miserable Black people before.

Oh, is that so?

I had no idea.

(dishes clanking loudly) Since my brother died, I'm afraid I find it quite, um, quite a struggle to manage the estate on my own.

Well, of course, but, in my opinion, Mrs. Mortimer, the well-being of the workers is the key to the success of a plantation.

Really?

Absolutely, Madam!

In fact, my first suggestion would be to tell the workers how fairly you intend to treat them, especially now they're free to leave if they wish.

Are you quite... (chuckling): Quite sure about that, Mr. Goodwin?

Pour the tea, Marguerite!

Milk or lemon, Massa?

Uh, milk, if you please.

Yes, I believe wholeheartedly that slavery is an abomination.

It's...

The Negroes need kindness, that's what my father told me.

"Take kindness to them, Robert, and then you will have their love and respect."

Thank you.

Yes, my father is a man of God, you see, Mrs. Mortimer.

It was his wish that I come to Jamaica and help cleanse this stain that slavery has placed upon England.

I see.

Mm.

And Mrs. Goodwin?

My mother passed away some years ago.

(laughs): I meant...

I don't mean to pry... ROBERT: Oh, um... No, I've not yet taken a wife myself.

(giggles) My father encouraged me to find my vocation first.

Oh, that's very wise, yes.

Leave us, Marguerite.

Yes, thank you, Marguerite.

Thank you, Massa.

CAROLINE (voiceover): I think he found me very charming.

Mm.

His long, elegant fingers-- I bet he plays piano well.

Mm.

He comes from a very good family.

Even has a baronet on his mother's side.

(sighs) And sparkling, bluest eyes you've... All right, that's enough, Marguerite!

You may rinse.

(water splashes, Caroline sighs) Mm...

He's very tall, isn't he?

Very broad, tall and broad.

(bird chirping) He's handsome.

(Caroline continues in muffled audio) ♪ Are you listening, girl?

I was just thinking about what the overseer did say.

That me can leave you now.

Any time me want.

Well, where would you go, hm?

Have you thought about that?

I mean, who would protect you?

(chuckles): No, no, no, you'd starve, surely.

(sniffs): You have a very easy life of it here.

I can assure you that most other workers on other plantations... (yells) (gasping) (muttering) Marguerite!

OLDER JULY (voiceover): Not all the Negroes were present to hear Robert Goodwin when he did first address them.

Some already pack up and fled that plantation to seek work elsewhere.

Others were still laid upon their beds with heads too sore to listen on no bakkra man.

He jump on top of the barrel.

Come in, come in, come in.

Come in.

Come in, come in, come in, come in.

Mm, him surely have some fine-fine boots upon him foot.

Not a spot o' mud.

Well, good morning to you all.

(murmured greetings) Good morning.

Now, as you're all no doubt well aware, your mistress, Mrs. Mortimer, has, by the grace of God, granted you your freedom.

Freedom!

(scattered replies) ROBERT: But listen, listen.

You must remember that the houses you live in, they don't belong to you.

No, they're the property of your mistress.

So, if you don't labor for your mistress as you've done before, then you can't expect to remain in your homes.

However... (crowd muttering) Mm-mm, he not talk truth.

Queen command we stay in our house!

Hush up, me wan' hear!

Don't hush me!

...will be paid a fair wage.

Out of which you must pay a small rent for your homes.

Now...

I know that some workers have already left and your number is depleted.

Therefore, we need those good souls remaining to work hard, so that the plantation of Amity may thrive and prosper once more for your esteemed mistress.

And let us all thank God for this blessing of freedom and prove to Queen Victoria, to the people of England, and to your mistress, that you are worthy of the kindness that's been shown to you.

(muttering) Me no have to listen up no bakkra no more.

ROBERT: Thank you, thank you all for coming.

You may go.

(workers muttering) You... (clears throat) Do you think you have restored their best feelings towards me, Mr. Goodwin?

Absolutely, Madam, yes.

No, I'm certain of it.

(wind blowing) (rain pelting, wind howling) ♪ CAROLINE: Marguerite!

Marguerite!

(rain falling heavily) There you are, go to Mr. Goodwin's house and ask if he cares to dine with me this evening-- we have beef!

I know he'll be interested in beef.

But it be raining very hard.

No, never mind about that, you must go now so we have time to prepare.

Rain soon stop, me go then.

No, it's only a little bit of rain, go now.

But me can go later... At once!

Free.

(sucks teeth) Cha.

(thunder claps) ♪ (panting) ROBERT: Elias, Elias, quickly!

Stay out-- Christ!

(footsteps pounding) Oh, God, get them off me!

Oh, good, right, there's another one under there.

Quick, Elias, quick.

ELIAS: Me have them, Massa, me have them.

ROBERT: Right-- right.

(chair scraping) All right, there's another one here, right there.

Quick, I can see it there, there!

Quick, quick!

Me have them, Massa, me have them, Massa.

Right, right.

Put them in the box, put them in the box.

Quick, quick, quick, quick!

Okay, put them in the box!

(out of breath): Right... (box closes) Oh, uh, just one moment, we're just, um... Just... Oh, you're drenched.

Massa, me missus wan' know, you come tonight?

Your mistress sent you out in this storm?

What, what could possibly be so important?

I'm really...

Box full, Massa.

Right, well, don't leave it there, Elias-- take it away, please.

And don't leave it on the veranda like last time.

Just kill them all and take them very far away!

But me find plenty more.

You wan' see, Miss July?

Please, Elias, for pity's sake, just take them away...

But Massa... Elias!

(sighs) (panting) (chuckles nervously) Thank you.

And now you know how ridiculous the new overseer is whenever there's cockroaches anywhere near him.

(both chuckling) You can laugh all you like, it is terror.

(giggles) Well, them just be bug-a-bugs, Massa.

Plenty 'pon this island.

Them roused up by the rains, but them have no harm.

(chuckles): No be feared.

Well, I'm very feared of them.

(giggles) Did I hear Elias call you something else?

Miss July.

Is that your name?

That be me true name, yes, Massa.

Then why does your mistress call you Marguerite?

Her t'ink it pretty name to call a slave.

Oh, I see.

And may I call you Miss July?

Well, then, Miss July, what's your message?

Me missus wan' you to come to dinner, for she has beef must be eat up.

Right.

Well, I haven't had beef since I arrived here.

So, yes, tell your mistress that I gratefully accept her invitation to eat beef.

In her company, of course.

(chuckles) Yes, Massa.

Oh, wait, um... Let me give you... Let me give you this.

(umbrella opens) Thank you.

(rain falling) (thunder rumbling) ♪ (exhales) (laughs) ♪ (horses neighing, indistinct chatter) ♪ CLARA: Oh, Miss July!

Is it not?

You walking all the way back to Amity this hot-hot day?

Miss, Miss Clara, good day to you.

You have no parasol, Miss July.

You be getting very dark.

You still working 'pon that plantation?

Yes, but...

I could not abide still to be on a plantation.

(chuckles) The wife of a white man on a plantation?

Me husband would never allow it.

Your husband?

But you did not hear?

Mr. William Walker, the attorney at Friendship Plantation.

Yes, him buy me a lodging house, me husband.

(audio fades): It a big white house 'pon the corner of Trelawney Street, you know it?

(audio returns to full): Here.

(gasps): But me forget.

(softly): Plantation slaves cannot read.

(carriage approaching) ROBERT: Whoa, whoa, whoa!

Hello, good day, Miss July!

Are you on an errand for your mistress?

Surely be, Massa.

ROBERT: Well, then, may I drive you back to Amity?

I've finished my business here, I'm heading there now.

Yes!

Yes!

Come.

Thanking you!

Good day to you, Miss Clara!

♪ ♪ OLDER JULY (voiceover): From up high in the front of that fine carriage, the world did look very, very different to our July.

And she found herself thinking how Miss Clara had come up in the world and of how she get there.

♪ ROBERT: Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa.

Massa, have you... You know... Oh, no, please.

Please.

Me was just tinkin'... have you... ever been to Scotch Land, Massa?

Uh, no, I haven't, no.

Heard it's very beautiful, though.

(chuckles) Why do you ask that?

My papa be from Scotch Land.

Your father was a white man?

Oh, yes.

Me be a mulatto, not a Negro.

ROBERT: And what was his name?

JULY: Me papa be Mr. Tam Dewar.

He was the overseer here?

Yes.

ROBERT: Yes, right.

JULY: Him be a fine overseer.

And your mother?

Her name be Kitty.

She, she work in the first gang.

She... (chuckles) She was tall.

And strong.

And was Tam Dewar married to your mother?

Them...

Them both killed, Massa, in the riots where, where did happen...

I'm so sorry, I'm so... ♪ I didn't mean to upset you, I'm sorry.

I, I didn't mean that.

It's all right.

Let me help you down.

Oh... Ooh!

(both exclaim, chuckle) (July panting) I have a book on Scotland.

Perhaps you'd allow me to show it to you one day.

Thank you, Massa.

Me surely will.

(breathing quickly) Wha', catchin' flies, Molly?

♪ (Robert urges horse, horse neighs) ♪ (wardrobe door bangs open) This one needs mending.

And this one.

These undergarments-- look.

The silk here is almost in shreds.

(gasps) The rats been at them, Missus.

What?!

Them like chew the sweaty parts of the pants... Oh, stop, just have them washed and mended.

(breath trembling) A gentleman surely deserves the company of a lady.

Hm, him surely do, Missus.

(knock on door) MOLLY: Water.

JULY: Put it here.

The missus catch you in that, she gon' get you lash!

Well, she not gon' catch me!

(singing softly) Where you be goin' in it?

Fishin'.

(chuckles) Going to catch me a big old fish so me never need dirty me hand no more.

(hums) Wha' you look on me for?

Come on, out!

(exclaims) Goodbye!

Oh, hey... (door shuts) ♪ ♪ (July clears throat) Miss July.

Uh...

Sorry, must have just, um... just for a moment.

Uh, do you have a message for me?

No, Massa, me come to see the book.

The book?

Picture of Scotch Land.

Where me papa be from.

Oh, yes, yes!

Yes, the book.

Um...

This be your papa?

Yes, that's right, that's him.

Huh.

Ah!

Here we are.

(pages flipping) Let's see.

Mm...

Here.

Hm.

(chuckles) This is Scotland.

Be this where my papa live?

(chuckles) Well, no, I doubt it-- that's a castle.

(chuckle) No, let's see if there's something more... (pages flipping) Yes.

This is probably more the sort of thing.

Hm...

This be my papa house?

Well, not this one exactly, no, but... Something similar.

Hm.

And... What be these?

(breathing slowly) Sheep.

(heavy breathing) And what be sheep?

(desk items clattering) (gasping and grunting) Oh, no, no, no, no.

No, I'm sorry, I'm so, so sorry.

I shouldn't have done that.

No, no, it be right, Massa... No, no, no, no, it's very, very wrong, It's very wrong.

My, um... My father would not approve, you see.

But your papa is not here.

No, he, he has the highest contempt for white men who abuse their position with Negroes, you see.

But me is a mulatto.

(softly): Oh, God...

He sent me here to do good.

He will never know.

Please, July, you have to leave.

No, Massa.

You have to leave, I'm sorry.

You have to leave.

Why?

(whispers): Because you're too beautiful.

You're too good.

Why don't... (aloud): No, you have to leave.

Please leave.

(softly): Just leave.

(chair scrapes) I will not give in to this, Father.

I will not give in to this, Father, I promise you, right?

I won't give in to this.

I promise you, I won't give in to this.

(ragged sigh) OLDER JULY (voiceover): Let me whisper you a truth.

(chuckles) OLDER JULY: This is not the way white men usually behaved upon this Caribbean island.

(birds chirping) For many weeks after that, Robert Goodwin did stay away from the great house, until July fear she may not see him again.

♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ Until finally, Caroline could stand it no longer.

She demand his attention.

(indistinct chatter) Oh, oh.

Missus.

Oh, what she be after?

JACKSON: Let's go, no slacking!

(whip cracks) ROBERT: This is all being planted up and fertilized.

And the first gang are planting 3,000 holes a day, which works out at over six acres a week, which, according to my research, should give us a very healthy profit, indeed, actually!

(Caroline coughs lightly) I must say, it's terribly... Oh, that's just the manure.

But I guarantee you, Mrs. Mortimer, at this rate, we shall have the finest sugar crop in all of Jamaica.

Oh, I think I... Perhaps I'd better sit, sit... Are you all right, Madam?

Oh, oh!

Are you all right?

CAROLINE: As a plantation owner, of course, I am interested in the management of my estate, and yet, as a lady, sometimes I find it a bit of a challenge.

Yes, well, let's, um, let's get you into the shade.

Here, Missus, you can lean on me.

No, one hand's plenty, Marguerite.

OLDER JULY: July knew those blue-blue eyes of his still be hungry for her.

(indistinct chatter) OLDER JULY: But what?

What was he waiting for?

(waves lapping) CAROLINE (distant): Marguerite!

Marguerite!

ROBERT (softly): Come!

(gasps) Listen, you must know, right?

I, I can't hide it from you.

I love you.

What?

I love you.

♪ Listen.

I've, uh, I've have made a plan that I've just this minute set into action.

What plan?

It will work, I promise you, it will work.

Tell me, tell me.

I love you.

Mm-hm.

(laughing) I will, I will.

(laughing) Soon, I'll explain soon, all right?

All right.

Go.

Go, go!

(Caroline calling in distance) Oh, there you are!

What are you doing?

Yes, come at once, Marguerite!

(giddily): Quickly!

(rooster crowing) There is so much to be done!

We must go into town first thing tomorrow morning to the dressmaker's, of course, and then there are cards to be printed and we need to order a cake, the finest cake-- isn't it the most exciting news?

Oh, I didn't tell you.

I am to be married.

I am to be married to Robert Goodwin!

(squeals): Oh, come!

There's so much to be done!

(exhales) OLDER JULY (voiceover): What fool-fool dream had our July been nursing?

♪ Caroline wasted no time in becoming Mrs. Robert Goodwin.

♪ Eight letters had Robert received from his papa, urging him to take a wife and start a family.

"Only a married man might taste the joys of love," his papa say.

And having guarded his virginity all these years, now on his wedding night, oh, how ready he was to taste them joys.

I must confess I thought I should never again be blessed with love.

God has smiled upon me, Marguerite.

(sighs) I am to be the happiest woman on the whole island.

(gasps and sighs happily) (breathing deeply) That'll be all, Marguerite.

(places brush down) (door slams, crickets chirping) (grunts, sobbing) (grunts) (Caroline breathing deeply) (clears throat) (breath trembling) (squeals) (giggling) (exhales) (knocking at door) (crickets chirping, knocking continues) (unlocking door) Massa... (closes door, turns locks) What you be doing here?

I think I've loved you ever since the moment I saw you.

Every scrap of love I possess, every scrap, I lay before you now.

Will you have me?

♪ (breathing heavily) ♪ (softly): Sorry, sorry... ♪ ♪ (crickets chirping) (breathing heavily in faded audio) (laughing quietly) (rooster crowing, birds chirping) (rooster crowing) (birds chirping) I mus' go get the missus' breakfast.

No, no, no, no.

No, you're not to leave the bed.

I mus' go.

No, you're not to leave this bed.

She need her food.

No, she can feed herself.

(laughs) (laughing): It's true, but... Yeah.

(laughing, squealing) No, no, no, no, no, no, no... (Robert and July laughing nearby) Breakfast, Missus.

(shaky breathing) (clock pendulum swinging) That be all?

(distant calling, pendulum swinging) (Robert sighs, chair creaks) (deep inhale) Something's come up in the, uh, mill yard, apparently.

(soft chuckle) So, I'll miss breakfast, unfortunately.

But, um...

I'll be back for lunch.

All right?

(door closes) (screaming) ("Hill and Gully Rider" playing) Go on!

("Hill and Gully Rider" continues) (whooping) Thank you, boys!

("Hill and Gully Rider" continues) Move it!

OLDER JULY (voiceover): Robert know he could not marry a Negro.

It would break his papa's heart.

But this arrangement would be jus' fine.

("Hill and Gully Rider" continues) I said move it!

(cracks whip) Hey!

(song stops) We be slaves no more!

(tray clatters loudly) OLDER JULY: It would bring benefit to both women, pride to his papa, and pleasure to himself.

We be slaves no more.

Move!

(grunts) We be free now.

Just like you, and we dance to no lash.

(horse nickers) (urges horse) (horse neighs) Go along!

("Hill and Gully Rider" resumes) OLDER JULY (voiceover): And, of course, Robert's marriage meant that he was no longer just an overseer, but now lord, master, and owner of Amity.

("Hill and Gully Rider" continues) (crickets chirping) (deep inhale, exhale) (clock pendulum swinging) I was thinking, after dinner, we could spend some time together in the music room.

I'm afraid I have work to do after supper.

I need to, um, go over the books with Jackson.

It's been so very long since we had an evening together, husband.

It's been months.

You wouldn't see the place go to rack and ruin, would you?

Mm, no, of course not, I do think... Well, then, perhaps tomorrow evening.

(Robert sips, places glass down) (cutlery scraping) (ringing) (door opens) Clear these, Marguerite.

JULY: Yes, Missus.

My dear, you do know that Marguerite is not her name.

What?

No, her name's Miss July.

(Caroline inhales deeply) Well, I've always known her as Marguerite.

Ever since she was a tiny girl.

Nevertheless, that's not her name, is it?

Her name is Miss July.

So we should address her as such.

"Miss" July?

Am I expected to take tea with her of an afternoon?

Shake her hand?

(shrilly): Inquire about her family?!

Caroline, could you speak in a lower register?

Missus.

(places plate down) And for you, Massa.

Thank you, Miss July.

Miss July?

Do we have any pickle to go with this cheese?

Surely, Massa.

What kind of pickle you want?

Um... Something hot, I think.

We only have sweet, Massa.

But I can get hot pickle in the market.

(inhales, clears throat) Miss Essie, she have the best hot pepper pickle in town.

Does she now?

Mm.

Well, I'd very much like to taste her hot pepper pickle.

(soft chuckle) Come and sit with us.

What could possibly be the harm?

Come and sit down.

No, no!

No, no!

(slams table) Thank you, Massa, but me mus' return to the kitchen.

(cutlery scraping) (July laughing loudly) Stop it!

(laughing): Stop it!

(breath catches) Get off, you!

Oh, no, no, no... Aw... You want to play games.

Mm-hmm.

(laughs) Hm... (crickets chirping) (laughing): Stand up.

Some sleeves?

Oh, yes, please, yes.

Mm-hmm.

(both laughing) I look like a beekeeper.

(laughing) (laughing): Why are you making me your beekeeper?

So you can go out and work hard.

You know, I've never been happier than in this room with you.

You are my true wife, July.

And you are my big-big-blue-eyed husband.

(laughing) Mmm.

To work, then.

(sighs) Mm-hmm.

Have I got everything?

Don't be long!

(laughs, door closes) Come back!

I miss you!

(laughs) (man shouting in distance) ROBERT: Jackson.

How's everything on my estate?

Good morning, Mr. Goodwin.

ROBERT: This field should be finished by now, surely, no?

Where are the others?

Since they've been freed, the lazier they've got.

Well, send someone to find them and get them to work.

We can't afford to let things slip, even for a few days.

Savvy?

Good!

(clicks tongue) (birds chirping) (nearby sweeping) (distant chatter) ♪ (chuckling softly) ♪ (chuckling softly) (whispers): You're all right.

(door opens) (stifled sob) (birds chirping) (sobbing quietly, baby crying) (Rose cooing, baby fussing) Go and see your mama.

Who d'is?

(softly): Who d'is?

(Rose chuckling) You never seen skin so pale.

(fussing) This be good medicine.

Soothe the memory of your first child.

(footsteps quickly approaching, door opens) ROBERT: Oh, thank God, you're safe!

Oh, thank God!

(breathing heavily) The baby?

A girl.

Girl.

(chuckling): A girl.

ROSE: Mm-hmm.

(breathing softly) (laughs) Hello!

Oh, she's perfect.

You're perfect.

It's perfect.

My, um... My mother's name was Emily.

(baby cooing) Do you think... Emily be a fine name.

(Emily cooing) (laughing) ♪ (laughing) ♪ ♪ OLDER JULY (voiceover): I wish I could end my story here.

♪ But no.

(waves crashing, children laughing) LILIAN: Girls!

Tea time!

Come in now!

Come on in and wash your hands.

(girls laughing) Go on!

Tea?

OLDER JULY: It was not long after the birth of Emily that Amity's fortunes did flounder and the trouble with the new massa begin.

(trumpeting) (multiple shells trumpeting) (indistinct chatter) (clapping softly) (chatter stops) ROBERT: Now, as you know, three fields of cane are ready to be taken off, so we must work quickly to get the job done.

However, since there are fewer of you working here now, I will need you all to work seven full days a week from now on.

(murmurs of dissent) That's every person over the age of ten years old-- man and woman.

Understand?

Must work seven days a week, otherwise the crop will spoil.

It be Christmas!

We promise time off!

ROBERT: Yes, no, I know that, but the crop is ready now, so we must harvest now.

If we wait until after Christmas, the crop will spoil.

You see?

But me go see my wife.

Massa, five days a week, we work for you.

DUBLIN: Five days it be!

Yes, but five days is not enough to take off a sugar crop, is it?

The cane will rot in the fields.

Come, James, you're a good Negro, you know this to be true.

Well, tell you what, Massa.

Every one of us in health, we work five days for you.

And we work hard.

No, it must be seven days.

Do you hear me, boy?

(clears throat) Just until the crop's in.

Yes, Massa, me did hear you.

But... Me say five days!

(crowd growing louder) We mus' have Christmas off!

PEGGY: Five days only!

We work hard five days.

ROBERT: Yes, but remember, if you do not work when required, then you will not be paid.

And if you cannot pay your rent, you cannot stay in your homes.

We build them house!

Our queen tell us we stay in we house!

Yes, but all free people, even white people in England, they all work for wages as and when required by their masters.

Look... Look, I will give you some time to think this over, but I suggest you think very, very hard.

(murmuring dissent) (Emily fussing) You-- tell the massa him t'ink very hard.

We slaves no more.

Why you make trouble with him for?

Is only till crop be over.

Don't be fool just 'cause you have him pickney.

Bakkra all the same.

JULY: No.

Him different.

Him be good and him be fair!

(murmuring dissent) ♪ ♪ (crickets chirping) (Emily cooing) Emily... (rattling) (Emily cooing) ROBERT: Let's have some food.

(laughing) Aw... Mm... Me t'inking, husband, about the Christmas working.

Maybe it help if you just talk to the workers.

I've talked to them.

(Emily cooing) And I've always treated them well, so I don't know why they're being so disobedient.

'Cause, husband, it be Christmas.

Them want see them family, them want work them gardens.

Well, I can't help that, July.

The crop's ready now-- it's ready now.

Yes, but Mary Ellis have her son Alfred come.

Him walk many days for see her.

First time since him taken from her.

Them been planning this for many, many months.

Yes, but they, they can visit them.

That's the point.

They can visit them after the crop's in.

(soft chuckle) Yes, yes.

But for that, them mus' trust you.

Many white massas no tell the truth.

Them tell lie.

When have I... You is different.

I know you be different.

So show them!

(indistinct chatter, goats bleating) (rooster crowing) (horse nickers) (distant goat bleating, chatter) (birds twittering) Ezra!

How are you?

Are you well?

Well, Massa?

Yes.

Because I have a proposition for you.

If you were to work seven days a week for me, I would pay you a very good wage, and I would give you time off once you've finished.

Now, how about that?

What do you say to that?

No, Massa, me no can work Christmas.

Me go Unity.

Me see me pickney.

Me mus' walk a long, long, long way.

Yes, yes.

Yes, that's what I'm saying.

Yes, you could, you could visit them, after Christmas.

(chuckling): That's my point.

(quietly): Hey!

ROBERT: Come on, Ezra, will you not just do as I suggest, hm?

Come on, say you will and that will be an end to it.

No, Massa, me no can do.

(indistinct chatter, rooster crowing) Mary, Mary!

It be Peggy.

Peggy, yes!

Peggy, yes!

No, I know.

Peggy, of course.

(chuckling): Of course!

Now, you'd be willing to work seven days for me, wouldn't you?

(murmuring) ROBERT: Yes, you surely wouldn't let me down.

Massa, no!

Me wan' to go Joncanoe.

Long time me plan it, Massa.

Mm?

Me make special dress!

Cannot work, Massa, man.

Cannot work.

(sighing): She said she must prepare for a special party.

Dublin?

Now, come on, man, you understand, hm?

(chuckles) The boiling houses must be supplied with cane.

Is that not correct, Dublin?

This is for the good of us all.

But, Massa, it be Christmas and me mus' go to church to praise the good Lord.

(laughing, murmuring) He said he must go to church.

Yes, I know what he said.

I know what he said.

JAMES: ♪ Christmas a come, me wan me lama ♪ ♪ Christmas a come, me wan me lama ♪ ALL: ♪ Christmas a come, me wan me lama ♪ ♪ Christmas a come, me wan me lama ♪ ♪ Christmas a come, me wan me lama ♪ ♪ Christmas a come, me wan me lama ♪ ♪ Christmas a come, me wan me lama ♪ ALL (louder): ♪ Christmas a come, me wan me lama ♪ (louder): ♪ Christmas a come, me wan me lama ♪ ♪ Christmas a come, me wan me lama ♪ (audio distorting, singing continues) (breathing heavily) ♪ Christmas a come, me wan me lama ♪ (full audio resumes): ♪ Christmas a come, me wan me lama ♪ ♪ Christmas a come, me wan me lama ♪ ♪ Christmas a come, me wan me lama ♪ ♪ Christmas a come, me wan me lama ♪ JULY: Stop it!

Stop it!

ALL: ♪ Christmas a come, me wan me deggeday ♪ ♪ Christmas a come, me wan me deggeday ♪ ♪ Christmas a come, me wan me deggeday ♪ Wait, husband!

(singing continues) Wait!

(singing continues) ♪ Christmas a come, me wan me lama ♪ (horse nickers) ROBERT: Go!

Go!

Wait!

Go!

Go!

(singing continues) (crickets chirping) (exhaling and muttering) (furious muttering) (muttering continues) His father's quite wrong, you know.

I told him: Negroes, they cannot be reasoned with.

He's tried everything he can to treat them fairly and look how they repay him.

His father's never even met a Negro.

They will never be civilized.

And they won't rest until every planter in Jamaica is ruined.

Husband?

Hm?

Come in now.

You work too hard.

You mus' rest.

How can they be so ungrateful, hm?

Come.

See Emily, come.

No, July!

(breathing heavily) I'll make those (no audio) beg to work for me.

♪ I'll make them beg.

♪ ♪ (chuckles) OLDER JULY (voiceover): Though the wind be calm that night, and the sky be clear, July did feel a great storm coming.

("Hill and Gully Rider" playing) ROBERT: You must understand that your houses, they belong to me.

JAMES (voiceover): We stop work!

And we'll pay no rent!

(crowd shouting in agreement) (crying) He does not want to see you.

He said so himself.

(hits ground) ("Hill and Gully Rider" stops) ♪ ANNOUNCER: Go to our website, listen to our podcast, watch video, and more.

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