Save The Man!

After a failed attempt to start a school of his own, a young Booker T. Washington returns to Hampton Institute searching for direction. There he impresses his mentor, General Armstrong, but also finds himself in trouble after crossing a social boundary he barely understands.

At Hampton, Booker meets Olivia Davidson, a gifted teacher frustrated by the limits placed on women. When an opportunity arises to establish a new school in Tuskegee, Alabama, Booker asks Olivia to join him. Her response forces him to confront a hard truth: the world is not as fair—or as simple—as he believes.

Before he can build a school, Booker must find his way.

Special thanks to Stephen Hill, Shayna Small, Antoine Medley, Michael Armstrong, Issa Barrett, Sharon Graves, Lele Jones, Emma Sutphin, Jocelyn Monroe and my agent James Sarnoff. 

Transcript

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SPEAKER_10 0:03

Come children, inside. Steven, where are your books?

SPEAKER_00 0:07

I left them at the mine. You don't need them anyway. Mr. B, my pa says we don't need school, because we're gonna work at the mine. Get inside. My pa say always gonna be is old miners anyhow. That's true. We're all gonna be nothing but old miners. Nothing but old miners. We're all gonna be nothing but old miners.

SPEAKER_10 0:26

Children, wash that grime off your hands, kick the coal dust off your feet, and settle down. It's time to learn.

SPEAKER_02 0:46

Yes, I will, yes, sir. Build this moon from the tooth in the skies on all the picking minis on the head up. Mr. Boogie B said, Leave I will. Build this moon on the on the hill. Got a shovel, we got a dream.

SPEAKER_09 1:08

Booker and Olivia, episode one, Save the Man. The producers would like to thank Michael Momstrom, Easy Barrett, Antoine Bentley, Lily Jones Me, Jamie Ray, and Steven Hill for the contribution. Original music provided by July Greg Wilson, founding member of the Carolina Soccer Trucks.

SPEAKER_10 1:38

Come children, insight. Insight before we're also this world holds much in store for you. Some of you with pluck can be doctors, lawyers, teachers. The school belongs to the mining company. You don't. You can be anything you want, and you don't have to work in a full mind to do it.

SPEAKER_09 2:05

Shut it down, shut it down, shut it down. Look like you was right, Clement. Ooh, these learning wrong, boss. You know, we don't pay you to come around here and teach these boys these biggity ideas. You boys head on back to the mine and find your paths because school's over with this.

SPEAKER_10 2:30

Children, go home. Shirts, pants, suspenders. I'm gonna need another sack, Fanny.

SPEAKER_03 2:40

Where are you going now?

SPEAKER_10 2:41

A place I've been waiting to get back to for a long time. Hampton.

SPEAKER_03 2:46

What about me?

SPEAKER_10 2:47

You? Actually, you'd be quite helpful if you could iron these shirts. Fanny, come inside.

SPEAKER_03 2:57

I spend two years feeding and taking care of your ass, trying to be the woman you want. You don't want that, huh? Then go.

SPEAKER_10 3:05

Benny, I'll send for you. If I need you.

SPEAKER_09 3:10

All aboard. Newport new settlers landed in Hampton next. Don't take no chickens, no. Tickets, please. Tickets, please. Tickets, please. Greenbacks and goods. Tickets, please. If you please, tickets, please, sir. Sir, make sure you store those chickens in the overhead next time. Thank you, sir. My home by the sea. So, who do you have for home back, Miss Jocelyn?

SPEAKER_01 3:39

We got Miss Armstrong for Home Egg and General Armstrong for American history.

SPEAKER_09 3:44

Two Armstrongs? Wow, I feel for you, Miss Jocelyn. Man, that cafeteria lady, man, always talking about gravy baby, gravy baby, man. Feel like she's cooking some food for some sharecrop. I didn't come to school to eat no slop.

SPEAKER_01 3:58

Taste like my grandma's cooking to me.

SPEAKER_09 3:59

Your grandma cooked slop? Grandma eating slop. Last year we lost the hour two to one.

SPEAKER_01 4:06

Maybe we'll have better luck this year.

SPEAKER_09 4:08

But we ain't even had no baseball team. We still score the money. Oh man. Dean could be. Hamtonians clear this yard. I want all of you in class. Clear the yard, Hamptonians. When that bell toes, you will clear this yard and report to your classes. Clear the yard, Hamptonians. Clear this yard, yard, yard, yard.

SPEAKER_05 4:33

The rain in Spain falls mainly on the plane.

SPEAKER_10 4:37

Miss Lord. Booker. Let me gather that up.

SPEAKER_05 4:41

No, you really don't. Stand up. Let me look at you. General, it is my wish that we add Booker Washington to the program.

SPEAKER_06 4:51

More than anybody, I would love to put Booker in the program.

SPEAKER_08 4:55

But let me answer for you, General. Is it fair to the valedictorian, Olivia Davidson, to include another Darkie at the podium?

SPEAKER_06 5:03

I hardly think Booker is just another Darkie, Mr. Frizzell.

SPEAKER_05 5:07

Booker is an exceptional Negro with potential to do well as a teacher. At a Negro college, of course.

SPEAKER_08 5:13

Why do you care?

SPEAKER_05 5:14

Why do I care?

SPEAKER_08 5:16

Yes, why do you care so passionately?

SPEAKER_06 5:19

Miss Lord is right. Booker is no common darkie, Mr. Frizzell. He's handsome and clean. It's about the story, Mr. Frizzell. My business is as much about raising money as it is educating. And the story of the successful return student who has come to impart a few wise words is one that our supporters want to hear.

SPEAKER_08 5:45

I would hardly call getting turned out of your own school successful.

SPEAKER_10 5:49

Hampton creates teachers who will be the voice of their students to stand up and if need be to be the defender of the student.

SPEAKER_05 6:00

It is Looker, what's the matter? Can you read my writing?

SPEAKER_10 6:04

Yes, Miss Lord. In fact, you've the loveliest handwriting. It's just I I can't make this speech. General Armstrong fought the war, and this lady, Olivia Davidson, that's gonna be speaking? I heard she had a school burned down in Mississippi and tried to build another one on the same spot. They're defenders. I don't deserve to be at the podium with them saying this.

SPEAKER_05 6:26

General Armstrong, your most powerful benefactor, has asked that you give a speech. Gratitude is in order.

SPEAKER_10 6:34

I didn't say I couldn't give a speech. Just not this one.

SPEAKER_05 6:38

What would you like to speak on?

SPEAKER_10 6:41

The colored schools, a place to rest overworked bodies and test underworked minds. Not colored, um The Negro schools, a place to rest tired bodies and work eager minds. A haven. But will the future hold?

SPEAKER_05 7:00

Booker, Booker, who are you preening for?

SPEAKER_08 7:06

Mr. Frizzell. Booker, Miss Lord, the procession is about to begin.

SPEAKER_05 7:11

Booker, good luck.

SPEAKER_08 7:14

Natalie encourages you because she thinks that you are one exceptional darky. Exceptional darkie. See you at the podium.

SPEAKER_06 7:26

And now, Hampton's valedictorian, Miss Olivia Davidson.

SPEAKER_04 7:33

One day it will not be so novel an idea for a Negro woman to have her name adorned on a building such as General Armstrong has his. One day it will not be novel for a Negro man to imagine being president.

SPEAKER_08 7:48

When hell freeze is over.

SPEAKER_09 7:49

Negro president, do I never have one water, please?

SPEAKER_04 7:54

She's a coffin because she's telling lies.

SPEAKER_10 7:56

This may help. Darn right she is. Thank you.

SPEAKER_04 8:02

One day it will not be novel for a Negro man to imagine being president of a Negro college. As surely as I stand as valedictorian, it will happen. It will happen. Thank you.

SPEAKER_06 8:17

Lastly, in closing, our returning alum who personifies Hampton's mission, Mr. Booker T. Washington.

SPEAKER_10 8:27

What a glorious day it is on the waterfront, is it not? I too would like to have my name on a building. Even if it's a laundry. The purpose of the Negro school, some ask. If the Negro was meant to be schooled, then he'd be at William and Mary, Harvard, Yale. But he isn't there. Because he isn't meant to be learned in such a manner. At least that's what they say. The Negro school, a place to rest tired body, work eager mind, a haven. What will be its future? That will be determined by the Negro. Thank you. Are you alright?

SPEAKER_04 9:14

Strained vocal cords is all it was.

SPEAKER_10 9:16

Your name on a building.

SPEAKER_04 9:20

I don't know. Can you? Besides your private tutor is not my private tutor.

SPEAKER_10 9:26

She's my professional developer.

SPEAKER_05 9:30

Right. Booker, the general has requested your presence.

SPEAKER_10 9:33

By his table?

SPEAKER_05 9:34

No. At his table.

SPEAKER_10 9:37

Miss Lord, thank the general, but it's not my place to sit among his guests.

SPEAKER_01 9:41

Don't be a fool.

SPEAKER_10 9:43

Miss Lord, shall we go then?

SPEAKER_01 9:45

Ollie, he has a sweetheart. Where? Back home.

unknown 9:50

Of course.

SPEAKER_08 9:52

I'm from Boston, homes of beans and cod, where the Lowells talk to Cabots.

SPEAKER_06 9:57

And Cabots talk only to God. You wanted to see me, General? Ah. Olker. There you are. Sit. Hampton seeks to do for the Indian what it is doing for the Negro.

SPEAKER_08 10:12

Lift them up from savagery by teaching them to sit with whites. Not only that, but elevate them. Take Booker, for example. Armstrong, this is not fair. This man has exceptional cranial capacity. And he's clearly half-white. Fetch an ordinary Negro and we'll play this game. Booker, the Indians, can they be educated? Taught to eat with a fork and knife like you have, taught the gospel of hygiene? And by that I mean soap, water, and a toothbrush. Why not?

SPEAKER_10 10:44

There's a man inside the Indian. You simply have to kill the Indian to get to him. As they've killed the Negro in you? You haven't killed the Negro in me.

SPEAKER_08 10:54

Well, get this man some chicken. Uh Armstrong, I'm impressed. Where do I sign the check? And who do you have in mind to save these Indians?

SPEAKER_04 11:10

That is wonderful news, Mr. Washington.

SPEAKER_10 11:12

Mrs. Davidson, you may call me Booker.

SPEAKER_04 11:14

And Mr. Washington, I mean Booker? You may call me Olivia. But Armstrong's got something bigger in store for you. There was no telling how much he raised by having you sit it in.

SPEAKER_10 11:26

It's just that I want to teach. Not babysit Braves. The general gave me one order. Kill the enemy and save the enemy. Mr. Booker, sir, they are ready. Your name is David. Your name is Charlie.

SPEAKER_07 11:41

Now Charlie's gave it. And you. Your name is James. James.

SPEAKER_10 11:46

Tell them to kick their clothes. These rags stink to the heavens. See that they're burned. Cleanliness is next to godliness. And I give you the gospel. Toothbrush. Don't talk about it. Close and tight, gentlemen. Make sure you cut their hair.

SPEAKER_07 12:13

And tight. Where's James? Mr. Booker James is sick for home. He wants to leave this place. James. And Patu King Hamata.

SPEAKER_10 12:23

War dance no more good. James? James! War dance no more good. War dance no more good. Button that tunic. Look at them. Civilized.

SPEAKER_04 12:48

Quite a transformation, Mr. Washington.

SPEAKER_10 12:53

Kill the Indian, save the man.

SPEAKER_06 12:56

Is that what you've done? Amazing job, Mr. Washington. I go to Boston next month on matters for the Institute. Have you ever gone?

SPEAKER_10 13:23

Ollie here. Under the yoke give me the blanket.

SPEAKER_04 13:27

I like this fly.

SPEAKER_10 13:30

He says that I will be speaking on behalf of Hampton and introduced to philanthropists in New England.

SPEAKER_04 13:35

Ladies and gentlemen, I present to you the exceptional Negro.

SPEAKER_10 13:42

Sounds like you're jealous.

SPEAKER_04 13:44

No, I'm not jealous. I mean, why should I? Valedictorian of my class be jealous of a man who comes out of nowhere and becomes the featured speaker. I guess a woman on top wasn't good enough for the general. And plus, how could they pick a little old me to handle those Indians like you?

SPEAKER_10 14:03

Have you any job offered?

unknown 14:05

No.

SPEAKER_04 14:06

I would love to go to Massachusetts and be back at my old school, framing it.

SPEAKER_10 14:12

Hampton is your old school now.

SPEAKER_04 14:14

I'm not jealous of you, Mr. Booker T Washington. I'm happy.

SPEAKER_10 14:19

I'll tell you who's jealous. Frizel.

SPEAKER_04 14:23

He should be. The general clearly favors you. You could be Hampton's first Negro president. When alone with the general, make it known that you would like to be his successor.

SPEAKER_10 14:34

That's not how you play the game.

SPEAKER_04 14:35

That's exactly how you play it. I'm sorry. Let's just enjoy this picnic.

SPEAKER_10 14:41

Frizel plays it right. His diction. Crossing T's, dotting his I's, pronouncing his G's.

SPEAKER_04 14:49

Sound fine, Booker.

SPEAKER_10 14:51

I sound like a field hand.

SPEAKER_04 14:53

I can teach you elocution.

SPEAKER_10 14:54

I've already made arrangements.

SPEAKER_04 14:59

With whom?

SPEAKER_10 15:07

Moses supposes his toes are roses. Raw, Booker. Do it again. Moses supposes his toes are roses.

SPEAKER_05 15:16

Softer.

SPEAKER_10 15:16

I have to meet Olivia.

SPEAKER_05 15:18

She can wait.

SPEAKER_10 15:18

I have to check on the Indian.

SPEAKER_05 15:20

They can wait too. It's a beautiful day. Let's take these lessons by the water.

SPEAKER_10 15:26

Moses supposes his toes. Booker are roses.

SPEAKER_05 15:30

Don't grow too far out. And again.

SPEAKER_10 15:34

Moses supposes his toes a roses.

SPEAKER_05 15:38

Booker, don't open so wide. Booker, is Olivia your sweetheart? Or is it the girl you have back home?

SPEAKER_07 16:01

You then! Kitchen in the hall! Tension in the hall. Mr. Frizzell is doing inspection. Boys, come to order. Where is Mr. Washington? We go with lady teacher.

SPEAKER_08 16:14

General, as refined as he may be, relations between a darkie and a white woman will have the locals burn Hampton Institute to the ground. And Virginia will do nothing about it. Also, he was derelict in his duty to watch the Indians.

SPEAKER_06 16:32

This letter came recently, and at first I thought of you for this, but now. You wanted to see me, General? Ah, Booker. I've received a letter from some people in Alabama.

SPEAKER_10 16:54

Dear General, it is our hope that you can recommend a good white man to come take charge of a school for Negroes.

SPEAKER_04 17:02

White man? Where is the school?

SPEAKER_10 17:05

Alabama.

SPEAKER_04 17:06

Did he say what kind of school?

SPEAKER_10 17:08

There is no school yet.

SPEAKER_04 17:09

Booker, they're expecting a white man. Probably had in mind Frizzelle. He's sending you because of Natalie Lord.

SPEAKER_10 17:17

That's not why he's sending me.

SPEAKER_04 17:19

Booker. Did you start to think that you were one of them? What did you tell the general?

SPEAKER_10 17:26

That I would go build the school and make him proud again. Go with me.

SPEAKER_04 17:31

Booker, the last time I was in the deep south, I dug out what was left of my brother from the firefighter. I refuse to do the same for you.

SPEAKER_10 17:40

I can't I can't do this alone.

SPEAKER_04 17:43

Really? Why don't you ask Fanny, your sweetheart, back home? And if she won't go, then ask Natalie Lord.

SPEAKER_09 17:58

Next time on Booker and Olivia.

SPEAKER_10 18:00

Ollie, I don't mean to be rude, but may I ask, what happened in Mississippi?

SPEAKER_04 18:05

Booker, let's not talk about Mississippi.

SPEAKER_10 18:07

Certainly, if you wish.

SPEAKER_09 18:08

Booker and Olivia stars, Stephen Hill as Booker, and Shayna Small as Olivia. Your support is always welcome, and you can support us by going to Patreon.com forward slash audio autor. That's patreon.com forward slash AUD IO A U T E U R. Patreon.com forward slash audioautor. Thank you. Booker and Olivia was produced by William Sutfin, the audio autor.