Pale Columbia Chapter One: "For The Return of Jupiter"

How does the simple transport and sale of a dead slave’s corpse turn into a death-defying flight for freedom?

Easier than you might think.

Doctors Aloysius and Allella Freeman turn back the pages of time, taking you to Revolutionary era Monticello, where Jupiter Nameless—favored servant and protege of Thomas Jefferson—suddenly finds himself a hunted runaway.

His master will no doubt be looking for him, but Jupiter has bigger problems at hand: the one place he would flee for freedom is overrun with blighted madmen who attack the uninfected on sight.

PALE COLUMBIA STUDIO HEADQUARTERS

ALOYSIUS

Hello, I’m Doctor Aloysius Freeman, Professor Emortus in the History of Medicine at the University of Virginia –

ALLELLA

And I’m Professor Allella Freeman, Romero Scholar for Historical Blight Studies at Georgetown University.

ALOYSIUS

Thanks for joining us for the first episode of Pale Columbia, a podcast wherein we’ll shine a light on a few unsung –

ALLELLA

Some might say “intentionally hidden” -

ALOYSIUS

Unsung or hidden players in the American story. In their day, they saw agents of the state committing atrocities in the supposed interest of a greater good. Meanwhile, powerful corporate interests arrogated ever greater control unto themselves, at the expense of the common folk. All this and worse, even as a deadly plague loomed.

ALLELLA

Sound familiar? It should. The inescapable itch of history is that, more often than not, it's the same story over and again.

ALOYSIUS

Our story takes place during the American Revolution, and it starts with a slave known only as Hercules. Hercules’ last mention in the historical record comes in the form of a bill of sale for his corpse.

ALLELLA

In those days, medical schools needed bodies to dissect and examine. Supplying them was a lucrative business, and it gave slaveowners the chance to make one last bit of profit. The appraisal of Hercules' corpse is the perfect place to begin a tale we call ... Pale Columbia.

THE FLESH MERCHANT

CHARON

Twenty-five Spanish dollars is the highest I can go.

JUPITER

Twenty-five? But, sir, if I may –

CHARON

Poor sod’s already bloating. Have to move him quick afore he’s useless.

SAMSON

Or maybe we can just bury the poor bastard, and uh–

JUPITER

Samson, please. Now, sir, Master Jefferson expects forty dollars.

CHARON

Your master’s been a faithful supplier; that’s why I even went that high. Now, what’s your name again, boy?

JUPITER

Jupiter, sir. Jupiter Nameless. But, sir –

CHARON

Nameless, huh? Questionable parentage, eh?

JUPITER

I don’t see how that –

CHARON

Skin that light, plus that red hair. No question. Bet you’re one of Jefferson’s favorites, huh? Probably why he gave you this task. Heaven knows he couldn’t leave it to this big buck you brought with you.

SAMSON

You know –

JUPITER

Samson, please! Sir –

CHARON

Boy, I’m giving you twenty-five dollars – And a bill of sale and explanation. I’m sure he’ll understand the shortfall.

JUPITER

Again, sir, if you’ll hear me out, I’m –

SAMSON

Just take the receipt and let’s go, Nameless! You ain’t gonna sway him.

CHARON

Your buck Samson’s right, Nameless.

CHARON

Now, I’ve stated my position here. Plus, I’ve left a note to your master that, should either of you expire in the near future –– I got a good deal for your corpses. Got folk interested mulatto physiology.

JUPITER

Samson, have you got any sense? Let me go!

SAMSON

I got all my sense, Nameless, now let’s get the hell up out of here!

JUPITER

But Master Thomas’ full fee! We –

SAMSON

Listen, Nameless We both know you smart. Smart enough that Master Thomas done taught you to read and play piano, yeah. Same time, you ain’t got a lick of sense. What the hell make you think you can argue with a white man making money off dead black bodies?

JUPITER

You think he meant to harm us?

SAMSON

How he pay you? Spanish dollars, huh? Why ain’t he give you a bank note, Nameless? And the bill of sale? You see a signature?

JUPITER

Well, no, but –

SAMSON

Because he working in a world that don’t sign spit. Now, you keep giving him lip, what’s to stop him selling three dead slaves instead of one? Master Thomas might show you off to company while the rest of us in the fields, but that don't make you special.

JUPITER

I hadn’t considered the illicit nature of the transaction, but do you really think he would’ve – Er – Samson? Why are you? Hugging me?

SAMSON

You might know chess and plays and piano, Nameless, but Imma tell you something you don't know. Ain't but one good side to all this, and you a fool if you think you on it. And you an even bigger fool if you think they'll let you over on they side. Now, I got somewhere I gotta be.

JUPITER

Samson? Where are you going? The wagon is back that way.

SAMSON

I ain’t going back, Jupiter. You seen what they done with Hercules’ body. That ain’t gonna be me, tell you what.

JUPITER

And where might you go instead?

SAMSON

Quiet as kept, the Brits supposed to be camped downriver, freeing any slaves that can make it. There’s a white man I used to know out that way. Figure with a bit of pocket change and some luck, he can set me up and –

JUPITER NAMELESS

Good luck! I’ve got the coin from Hercules’ sale right – The. Coin. Right – Samson! Samson, did you take the – Samson, wait up!

THE PRINT SHOP

ALOYSIUS

That brings us to our next historical artifact A fugitive slave notice promising thirty-five dollars…

PRINTER

Thirty-five dollars reward. For the return of two Negros, Jupiter and Samson, to the subscriber in Albemarle, as well as - Mister Jefferson, far be it from me to turn down good coin, but I’d swear I've read this exact notice in five other –

JEFFERSON

Due diligence, sir. Yes, I’ve posted it before. Jupiter and Samson were due back days ago.

PRINTER

So you think they colluded to make their escape?

JEFFERSON

“Colluded”? Hardly. Jupiter wouldn’t flee of his own volition. And Samson –

PRINTER

Mayhap they fell ill, sir. Heard tell some plague’s turning the blacks mad, and –

JEFFERSON

Some African Blight? Heaven forfend! No, friend. Of all the body’s humors, black bile drives the Negro, just as it tints his skin. Samson’s has gotten the better of him.

THOMAS JEFFERSON

No doubt, he’s duped Jupiter into searching out some sympathetic fool. The loyalists in this country are well known, though. Between these notices and the hunters I’ve set after them, I’ll see them returned within a sennight.

JEFFERSON

Now, about that notice Do mention Jupiter’s red hair.

PRINTER

Of course, sir, you’ve noted such already. Now, about the fee.

JEFFERSON

Yes, I’d meant to address that. Let’s say I pay you on the overmorrow instead of right now. That way –

JAMES RIVER

JUPITER

Samson, wait! Help me tie up the raft!

SAMSON

Look here, Jupiter Nameless I ain’t going back. Spout Massa's fancy words all you want, but do it quiet-like.

JUPITER

Samson, I’m telling you, were we to return of our own volition --

SAMSON

"Our own volition"? Think you so smart. We both know you really wanna – Wait! You hear that?

JUPITER

Hear what?

SAMSON

Nevermind. It’s just a weird quiet is all.

JUPITER

Well, we needn’t sneak if – And what makes you think I want to abandon -

SAMSON

You still here, ain't you?

JUPITER

Well, you've got Master Thomas’ money and--

SAMSON

You even hear yourself, Nameless? Blood money ain’t got rightful owners. It's like Hercules used to say The die is cast. If you want, I can rough you up some, and you can tell Master Thomas I got the drop on you.

SAMSON

Yeah, I heard it too. Fella that can get me to the Brits, he got a shop nearby. If you coming, let’s take the alleys. Quiet like.

JUPITER

Why can’t your man meet you on the river?

SAMSON

Cuz there’s snitches telling tales. Hell, if Massa sent anyone after us, they prolly know where to look. Let’s duck down this alley; his shop – What is that?

SAMSON

No time to worry about that. We just need to get across the town square, and – Get back!

SAMSON

Look at them three!

JUPITER

Do you see that short one? All over his waistcoat. Is that blood? Samson, something’s wrong. Let's head back–

SAMSON

Run if you want. Careful, anybody Massa sent after us most likely gonna take the main road.

JUPITER

Look there! Those ones turned at the sound! – Oh my!

SAMSON

Oh, his face! What the hell?

JUPITER

Samson, quiet! They’ll hear –

SAMSON

All the meat’s tore off! What the hell happened to his face!

JUPITER

Samson, I’m telling you be quiet! They’re looking for – Samson, wait! They’ll see you! Samson! Wait for me!

SAMSON

There! Up ahead! With the door open!

PERCEVAL'S GENERAL STORE

JUPITER

Samson, why. Why are we stopping here? Why not –

SAMSON

This my man’s shop. Percival the one taking me to the Brits. He got a –

SAMSON

Floor under this one. He prolly down there now, waiting-waiting all this out.

JUPITER

Did you see them? Horrid! Empty eyes! Mangled! And such wailing! And they were so fast! Mayhap some blight –

SAMSON

I don’t know about none of that. What I do know is I’m finna knock on that hatch how Percival said and get the hell out of here.

JUPITER

Samson, half the town is out there rabid in the streets!

SAMSON

Grab you one of them hammers off the shelf huh.

JUPITER

There are a few hammers. In truth, though, we’d likely be better served if we had –a sturdy ax. Ah, here's one. Of course, no need to maim anyone unless -

SAMSON

Percival, this Samson. You seen all that madness out there? Percival? You alright? I hear you breathing.

SAMSON

Percival, Oh hell you look – Ah! Ayyah!

SAMSON

Get off me, dammit! Nameless!

JUPITER

Samson, what’s with your man – Oh! Oh, no!

SAMSON

Jupiter, please! I can’t –

JUPITER

Mister Percival, I insist, I There! I’ve got him pinned! My god, Samson, his eyes! Like those madmen outside.

SAMSON

Knock him one, Nameless! The ax!

JUPITER

The ax? I – Samson, this is a white man! We’re already –fugitives, and –

SAMSON

Gimme that!

JUPITER

Samson, you! This was –

SAMSON

Son of a bitch was all over me! Trying to bite me! We ain’t have a choice. We –

JUPITER

We? You!

SAMSON

We, uppity bastard! You held him down!

JUPITER

Just. Blood. Everywhere. So much –

SAMSON

Nameless! Pay attention! Now, look this is bad. Real bad.

JUPITER

Samson, this is a white man. You –

SAMSON

You think I don’t know that?

JUPITER

But he knocked the coin purse loose. If I give it to Master Jefferson and explain –

SAMSON

It’s bigger things at hand, Nameless! That money ain’t nothing if them others heard all that and get us first! We –

JUPITER

This blight seems to be catching. There! – the bites on Percival’s neck and face.

SAMSON

Use them smarts to figure us a way out.

JUPITER

Does the shop have a backdoor?

SAMSON

It’s over there! Probably blocked. He stacked liquor boxes over it.

JUPITER

Liquor? What kind?

SAMSON

How should I know? Liquor! Go look!

JUPITER

Mostly sherry. Anything stronger?

SAMSON

There was some brandy down in that hidey-hole, last time I was here, but what you

JUPITER

The brandy. Now, I found iron and a flint. You bring up the brandy while I clear the door.

AUDIO: Groans. Thuds against window.

SAMSON

So we draw them in, spark the flame, and head out the back.

JUPITER

Yes. Can you bring up the brandy yourself?

SAMSON

I got it. I – Bastard nicked my ankle.

JUPITER

Get the brandy. I'll clear the door.

SAMSON

I gotcha - Hey, Nameless. Nice that all that book learning ain’t useless.

JUPITER

We’ll see.

SAMSON

Oh that burns.

JUPITER

What’s wrong?

SAMSON

Just my ankle. One sec, I’ll-

JUPITER

Samson?

SAMSON

I dropped them, Nameless. It’s spilt all over the floor. We could still –

SAMSON

How’s it so many of them? Jupiter, help me up, we can still –

SAMSON

Jupiter, They coming through! Hey, what you doing?

JUPITER

They’re already through, Samson. There’s no time! I’m sorry!

SAMSON

Don’t you leave me! Nameless!

JUPITER

I’m sorry, Samson. I’m sorry! There’s no time. I’m so sorry! I’m so sorry! I’m so…

PALE COLUMBIA STUDIO

ALOYSIUS

Self-effacing and sober, Jupiter Nameless’ account reads more like a confessional than anything else. Detailing his escape from Percival's shop, Jupiter makes no effort to spare himself.

Pale Columbia Host Aloysuis Freeman Reads Jupiter Nameless' Account

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ALLELLA

For a while after this initial encounter, Jupiter’s account becomes sparse on details. Around this time, though, additional players enter our tale, isn’t that right?

ALLELLA

We’ll have to wait to see how they fit into our tale, though, as that’s all the time we have today. Join us next week, when we’ll check in on these new arrivals --

ALOYSIUS

-- and see how Jupiter and Samson’s tale progresses. All in the next episode of Pale Columbia. See you next time!