Content Warning: The source text and the guide discuss enslavement, racialized physical abuse, and racism.

In early spring of 1862, in a remote cabin in west Texas, a “Chorus” of enslaved peoples debate whether their fellow enslaved person, Hero, will join their enslaver, the Colonel, in the Confederate Army. The chorus’s “Leader” lists all the unsavory tasks Hero would have to undertake while serving the Colonel in the war, so he doubts whether Hero will do it. The Leader’s Second bets that Hero will follow the Colonel to the war to pursue “greatness.”

Other members of the Chorus enter. Third bets that Hero will go to war. Fourth bets that Hero will stay. Old Man—another enslaved person who is like a father to Hero—enters; he has been looking for Hero’s dog, Odd-See (Odyssey Dog). Old Man says Hero kicked Odyssey Dog, and the dog ran off: Both actions are out of character, since the two have a deep bond. The dog is Hero’s good luck charm; without him, Old Man won’t place a bet on Hero’s decision.

Hero enters, carrying a Confederate Army uniform. He is still trying to decide whether to go with the Colonel.