COTTON SONG: Fire and Escape: Karen Jennings has grown weary of stifling plantation life. She has also developed an eye for darker skin and the appeal of freedom.

Karen Jennings is an orphaned young woman who lives with her uncle on a cotton plantation in the Antebellum South. She longs for a life outside of her rigid confines, as she finds her assigned role as a Southern Belle stifling and myopic.

Karen's uncle, John Frederick, tends to sympathize with her feelings, as does his wife and Karen's aunt-in-law, Laura. John and Laura, while wealthy slaveholders, are also an unconventional couple with more liberal sensibilities than average at the time in the deep South.

John's relaxed approach to interacting with his slaves brings him into conflict with his overseer, a viscous drunk by the name of Blaine McCormick. John and Blaine frequently butt heads over managerial practices and slave punishment.

One night, McCormick's small overseer's house is lit afire. McCormick blames Ben Tosh, the healthiest and most productive slave on the Frederick plantation. Ben also has feuded with Blaine, with scars on his well muscled back to show for it.

Karen, amidst the chaos of the event, recognizes an opportunity. An opportunity for adventure, to achieve a self actualized existence, and to come to the aid of a handsome, pleasant, and eye catching young black.