Huck has just arrived at Aunt Sally’s house. He is mistaken for Tom Sawyer, their nephew who they were expecting to arrive soon. Jim, the runaway slave who Huck has helped escape to freedom, has been detained by Sally and Silas Phelps, and is currently locked away in a shed. The following day, Sally and Silas head into town to the Sheriff’s office to report/turn-in Jim. Huck has been left alone at the Phelps’ home, with Jim still locked away in the shed. The scene begins with Sally and Silas entering the Sheriff’s office in town.
ACT TWO
Scene Six (and a half)
1 LIGHTS UP: Inside of SHERIFF’S office. Two cargo boxes are CENTER LEFT and drapes appearing as curtained windows hang on each cargo box. DOOR is placed DOWN CENTER. Two more cargo
…show more content…
SALLY carries purse, wearing casual outfit. SILAS wears casual clothing.
SALLY: (ENTERS DOORWAY) Silas, I be hopin’ Tom okay by himself.
SILAS: (ENTERS DOORWAY) Don’t worry ‘bout him, the boy’ll be fine by himself. That 10 slave we got locked up won’t do no harm in that shed. I locked it up real well so he ain’t got no chance of escaping.
SALLY: I know it, I just don’t want nothin’ to happen to precious little Tom.
SHERIFF: (ENTERS THROUGH DOORWAY) What can I help y’all with?
SALLY: We’ve got a runaway slave from down south, and we thinking he’s fleeing
15 north. We locked up in a shed, and came here to turn ‘em in.
SHERIFF: I see, I see ma’am... there been so many runaways from down south lately. You got his name or anything?
SILAS: Nosum... Just that he’s a runaway. Slaves don’t got names anyway. Could you make it down to our place to arrest him?
20 SALLY: (Worried) I’m afeared for my nephew–Tom Sawyer (Lays hands on Sheriff’s desk. He’s left home alone, who knows whats happenin’ there. We need you quickly.
SHERIFF: Ma’am, you is as worried as that runaway slave probably is. Your boy’ll be fine, assuming that sheds’ locked down tight. We can come down quickly… you mind waiting here for a minute while I go and get some paper to make a
…show more content…
You better scram before I arrest you, Doofdiddle! If you think I won’t catch your lies then you a dumb fool. SILAS: This gettin’ out of hand, can we just finish up?
60 TEDDY: (Knows he has been caught) I ain’t tryna mess with you Mr. Sheriff, I’m just here to get my runway. SHERIFF: Oh I see (Pulls out pistol and aims at Teddy) You need to leave now or else your gonna pay the piper. TEDDY: (RUNS OFF THROUGH DOOR and yells) It ain’t my fault, it ain’t my fault, I was
65 forced! SHERIFF: (Slams door shut) I apologize for that. I‘ve seen so many con boys tryna’ claim runaway slaves as theirs so they can sell em. It ain’t ever work with me, I’m too smart for that.
SALLY: It’s bully Mr. Sheriff. Somethin’ was up him with when he walked in. Can you
70 wrap this up? My Tom been home ‘lone for a long while now.
SHERIFF: (SITS DOWN at DESK) Yes ma’am, I just need to write down that a runaway has been found and make a report. It’ll only take a few minutes, and I’ll be on my way. Y’all free to leave, and I’ll meet you at the house.
SILAS: Perfect, it’s 317 Bridle Lane. I’ll grab the key to open the shed. (SILAS and
75 SALLY get up and walk out the door… BLACKOUT)
End of Scene