Shades of War (2 page)

As you know, the
war is on, and my tavern is now the official meeting place for
Washington and his top surrogates. I keep their glasses full and
their spirits high. I have signed on as a private in the army and
contributed all of my spare funds to the cause.

The Brits would
surely capture me and kill me if they discovered my ties to the
Revolution. However, my fear does not diminish my resolve to do what
is righteous! I ask that you please send whatever monies you have at
your disposal. We desperately need more arms. It will not be an easy
task, but we can overtake the Brits. I can taste our independence!

Most sincerely,

Your brother,

Samuel Fraunces

(Blackout.)

The Fraunces
house is cozy and bright. The sun shines through the window. PHOEBE
is sitting in the rocking chair, reading a book in the sunlight.

(SAM
enters.)

SAM: Oh, what a
trying week I’ve had. How’s my sweet Phoebe?

PHOEBE: I haven’t
seen you in days.

SAM: It’s
terribly busy at the tavern.

PHOEBE: I miss
you, Father.

SAM: Where’s
your mother?

PHOEBE: Upstairs
with Rose, making adjustments on her wedding gown. I've never seen
her so excited.

SAM: She ought to
be. Phillip comes from a fine family and those two will prosper
together.

PHOEBE: He comes
from a fine family indeed, however...

SAM: Yes?

PHOEBE: I’m
glad you didn’t choose him for me.

SAM: Is that so?

PHOEBE: His face
is not so pleasing to the eyes.

SAM: I pray you
keep that thought to yourself. Besides, your sister is indifferent to
his appearance. And even the most beautiful faces change with time.
Everything falters with time, except for love.

PHOEBE: I realize
that, Father. But I still ask that you choose a husband for me who is
better looking than Phillip.

SAM: And what
other attributes would you like him to have, my dear?

PHOEBE: A love of
music and laughter. A love of animals too, especially horses! A
master at conversation, and a-

SAM: The more
things you name, the longer it will take for me to find such a man.
But you’ll have your turn soon enough. Jonathan Lewis will make a
fine husband for you.

PHOEBE: He sends
me letters constantly. He'll be in New York on business in a few
weeks.

SAM: Very well,
then we can plan for a summer wedding for you two. That is certainly
the season of love. You know, your mother and I were married in July.
It was dreadfully hot, but we were all smiles.

PHOEBE: Father...
I'm not sure if I'm ready to wed Jonathan. I hardly know how to cook
and I...

SAM: You needn't
worry, my dear. Starting next week, you will take over your sister's
post in the kitchen, down at the tavern.

PHOEBE: What
about my studies and my violin lessons? What about the literacy class
I teach at the church?

SAM: You must
prioritize your domestic responsibilities above all else.

PHOEBE: But
Father, I love to learn and you always encouraged me to be studious.

SAM: Noble men
like Jonathan will shy away from a woman who is too intellectual. The
ideal wife can carry on a conversation gracefully without
intimidating her husband. My sweet child, if only you’d been born a
man.

PHOEBE: Father,
is it possible for me to continue my studies and wait to marry
Jonathan?

SAM: If you
delay, he will certainly choose another wife. Now if it pleases you,
you can stay on as a volunteer teacher at the church until they find
a replacement, but I expect for you to work morning shifts at the
tavern starting on Monday. Trust that you will enjoy a pleasant life
with Jonathan. His father is a prominent landowner in New Jersey. You
will be abundantly provided for, my dear. Besides, Jonathan is the
most handsome blue-blooded mulatto I could find. Your offspring will
not be cursed with dark skin.

PHOEBE: He said
in his last letter that he wants us to move to Philadelphia. I do not
wish to go there.

SAM: When your
mother and I first arrived in New York, she so missed Saint-Domingue
that she hardly spoke to me for a month. She hated this cold, dirty
city and wanted to return to the comfort of island life. Her hazel
eyes overflowed with tears and she even threatened divorce. But I
assured her that we could prosper here, just as you and Jonathan will
prosper in Philadelphia.

PHOEBE: Father,
I...

SAM: Trust that
you will find happiness with Jonathan. On Sunday, after church, if it
pleases you, we will all go for a family walk on Maiden Lane.

PHOEBE: That
would be grand!

SAM: I’m going
to go upstairs and check on your mother and Rose.

PHOEBE: Will you
be here for supper tonight? We are making quail and gingerbread cake
for dessert.

SAM: I will
likely eat at the tavern tonight.

PHOEBE: Take
care, Father.

SAM: Indeed, and
the same to you... Phoebe, don’t forget about Sunday.

PHOEBE: Maiden
Lane.

SAM: Now get back
to your reading, my dear.

(PHOEBE
opens her book.)

(SAM
exits.)

(Blackout.)

CLAUDE stands
alone reading a letter. SAM stands next to him.

CLAUDE:

February 27th, 1776

Dear Brother,

I am appalled
that you would ask me for funds to aide in the American Revolution at
a time when our people are still in chains in this island and
throughout the New World. You are ready to die for their cause and
you are convinced that Washington is your friend, but I am certain
that he would never take a bullet for you.

The island is
quite different from the place you left years ago. Slaves are
revolting everywhere. Many have runaway to the live in the mountains.
I am writing you this letter asking that you send funds to help us
concur the French. Soon, Saint-Domingue will be a free nation of
color!

Sincerely,

Your Brother,

Claude Fraunces

SAM: Claude, you
are sadly mistaken. Washington is my friend. When he sees my face, he
does not see my color. He sees a man who is his confidant. He has as
much trust in me as he does in Hamilton, Jefferson, and all the rest.
It isn't wrong for me to put self-preservation above all else! The
colored race will never succeed if we continue to limit ourselves. I
am one man and I cannot save our people. The best I can do is to look
after my own family. Besides, if a man does not like his station in
life, it is his own responsibility to change it, no matter his color.

(Blackout.)

It's early in
the afternoon at the tavern. GUSS finishes sweeping and takes the
chairs down from the table. His clothes are a bit sloppy, but clean.

GUSS:

(Singing.)

Swing low,
sweet chariot.

Coming for to
carry me home.

I looked over
Jordan, and what did I see?

Coming for to
carry me home,

A band of
angels coming after me,

Coming for to
carry me home.

(SAM and
PHOEBE enter.)

SAM: Guss, this
is my daughter, Phoebe. She will be working in the kitchen.

GUSS: Much
obliged.

PHOEBE: Nice
meeting you.

SAM: Now go to
the kitchen and help Maple prepare lunch.

PHOEBE: Father,
you know I've never anything cooked before.

SAM: And today,
you'll learn. A most important man will be dining with us today.

GUSS: General
Washington, sir?

SAM: He got back
to the city last night after spending time at his Virginia estate.

(To
PHOEBE.)

Go on now, he'll
be here at noon sharp.

(PHOEBE
exits.)

(SAM
notices how GUSS grabs a fork and places it on the table.)

SAM: You mustn't
touch silverware in that manner.

(SAM
snatches the fork out of GUSS' hand and shows him the proper way to
hold it and arrange it on the napkin.)

GUSS: Sorry, sir.

(SAM
looks GUSS up and down.)

SAM: Stand up
straight a moment.

(GUSS
obeys him.)

SAM: Have you a
mirror in your rooming house?

GUSS: No, sir.

(SAM
tucks GUSS' shirt in and smooths out his collars.)

SAM: You must
take more pride in your appearance. Don't make it so obvious to the
world that you had a humble start in life. From now on, I would
advise you to come in early and go to the cellar. I have a full
length mirror by the lantern, there is also a comb and a small basin
filled with water. Take a bit of time to make yourself presentable
before the start of your shift. You work for me now, and it is
imperative that you don't look out of place.

GUSS: Yes, sir.

SAM: Rest
assured, I do not mean to insult you. Guss, you have truly impressed
me with your work ethic.

GUSS: Why thank
you. I'm so tryin' hard not to mess up. I learned more off of you
then anybody I ever worked for.

SAM: I've also
noticed that you have not partaken in spirits or the company of
brothel women.

GUSS: Well, yes
sir, I'm savin' my money now. Bit by bit.

SAM: That's good
to hear, young lad. You finish up out here, I'd better get to the
kitchen and make sure my dear daughter does not ruin General
Washington's lunch!

GUSS: Yes, sir.

(SAM
exits.)

(GUSS
continues to clean.)

(Blackout.)

It's after
lunch at the tavern. A few hours have passed. GUSS collects dirty
dishes and places them on a tray. He hums a tune to himself as he
works.

(THOMAS
enters and looks around.)

THOMAS: Guss,
have you seen General Washington's...

(THOMAS
spots a paper scroll on the floor, behind a chair and snatches it
up.)

THOMAS: No
bother, I found it.

(THOMAS
waves goodbye and walks towards the door.)

(PHOEBE
enters wearing an apron.)

(PHOEBE
and THOMAS gaze at each other.)

THOMAS: How do
you do, milady.

PHOEBE: Hello.

THOMAS: Until
next time, Guss.

(THOMAS
exits.)

(Horses
gallop away.)

GUSS: General
Washington sure got an appetite, don't he? Ate that chicken right
down to the bone! Notice how he called me by my name?

(Mimics
Washington)

"Guss,
get another round for me and fill it to the brim!"

PHOEBE: Who was
that man that just left?

GUSS: You talkin'
about Thomas... that's one of his bodyguards. As I understand it,
General Washington don't go no where without a bodyguard. Not even to
the latrine. Lots of people want to hurt that man, 'specially them
Brits.

PHOEBE: Do you
know Thomas?

GUSS: Used to
drink with him from time to time, but I gave that up. Not much good
ever come from drinkin'.

PHOEBE: He
sounded like a foreigner, any idea where he's from?

GUSS: Can't
rightly say, my guess would be that he's an Irishman. Most everybody
come to New York from some other place. Like me, I'm from Louisiana
and–

PHOEBE: I'm
certain General Washington will be safe with Thomas. I can just tell.

GUSS: It's a
scary thing to have to lay down your life for another man. I couldn't
see doin' it myself. Only person I'd lay down my life for is my wife,
when I get one, and my children if the Lord blesses me to have some.

PHOEBE: I think
it's noble... what Thomas does. I think it takes a special type of
man.

GUSS: Hope he
gettin' paid enough.

PHOEBE: I don't
believe a man like Thomas is concerned about money. He is seeking
something greater...

(SAM
enters.)

SAM: Well, my
dear, what did you think of your first day of work?

PHOEBE: I liked
it very much.

SAM: Just a week
ago you didn't want to work here and now you see how wonderful it is.
Young minds are high on passion and low on logic. Very soon, after
you are married, we will be having a similar conversation about
Jonathan. My Phoebe is engaged to a charming businessman. Come now,
Phoebe, I will prepare the horse and carriage to take you home.

(SAM and
PHOEBE exit.)

(Blackout.)

PHOEBE stands
alone reading a letter.

PHOEBE:

March 4th, 1776

My Sweet Thomas,

I now know that
it is possible for one to fall in love in an instant because it
happened the first moment I saw you. It makes no difference to me
that you once served in the British Army because you are on our side
now. I treasure all the stories you shared of your journey from
boyhood to manhood and I live to be in your presence.

It seems that
Father is determined to marry me off to the suitor of his choice, but
trust that Jonathan Lewis is no match for you. I will tell Father
about us very soon, and I am sure he will oblige when you ask for my
hand.

I am so anxious
to be near you and to have your lips upon my lips once more. You
invade my dreams and I always picture your bright blue eyes and your
handsome smile.

Perhaps, we
should go to Europe together. There, we could be married and live
peacefully. I want so desperately to be your wife and to give you
many sons.

Forever yours,

Phoebe Fraunces

PS. I will be
waiting for you at our secret place tomorrow afternoon.

(Blackout.)

JONATHAN
stands alone reading a letter.

JONATHAN:

March 5th, 1776

Dear Sir. Samuel
Fraunces,

I write this
letter to officially ask for Phoebe's hand in marriage. It will be an
honor to be your son-in-law. Rest assured, I will provide well for
Phoebe and our offspring. They will want for nothing.