Kara gets a job playing an enslaved ladies' maid...and uncovers the fate of the historical figure she is playing.
Kara, a 22-year-old Black woman, starts a new job playing Caroline Branham, an enslaved lady’s maid, at the historic home of America’s founding father and mother, George and Martha Washington. Visitors press her to say that the Washingtons were kind, and Kara delivers her scripted replies until she breaks character. Pearl, 65, White, who plays Martha, overhears and advises Kara to never break character to maintain the visitor experience. Kara discovers there were 577 enslaved people at Mount Vernon. Later, a visitor touches Kara's hair without permission. When another compliments her smile and asks to see her teeth, Kara retorts, “Are you going to show me your teeth?” Kara sees a Black woman spray-painting "Ona" on a wall. Kara learns about Ona Judge’s story of escape from enslavement. Pearl fails to see why Ona would want to escape. Kara tells her that Ona wanted to be free. Kara learns her predecessor Nicole "snapped." Kara seeks out Nicole who asks if Kara has learned what happened to Caroline. Later, Kara publicly challenges Pearl’s glorification of the Washingtons. A visitor defends Martha—she seems like a nice person. Kara: “Can we stop pretending? This was a forced labor camp. After she dies, her grandson George inherits me and rapes me. I give birth to a daughter Lucy. (to Pearl) Your great granddaughter.” Upset, Pearl says they’re all in the process of becoming Americans. They’re doing the best they can. Kara: “Do you not think we can do better? Well, I do.” She tells the crowd to enjoy their visit and walks off, tossing her apron and cap.
