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13INT. LINCOLN'S OFFICE, WHITE HOUSE - EARLY AFTERNOON

Nicolay opens the door to the crowded outer office to admit perpetually worried JAMES ASHLEY, 42, (R, OH). Tad eyes him from a chair by the window.

Lincoln enters the room with Seward.

LINCOLN

Well, Mr. Representative Ashley!

Tell us the news from the Hill.

Lincoln shakes his hand and warmly claps the discombobulated but flattered representative on the shoulder.

JAMES ASHLEY

Well! Ah! News -

LINCOLN

Why for instance is this thus, and

what is the reason for this

thusness?

JAMES ASHLEY

I...

SEWARD

James, we want you to bring the

anti-slavery amendment to the floor

for debate -

JAMES ASHLEY SEWARD

Excuse me. What? - immediately, and

- You are the amendment's manager,

are you not?

JAMES ASHLEY

I am, of course - But -

Immediately?

SEWARD

And we're counting on robust

radical support, so tell Mr.

Stevens we expect him to put his

back into it, it's not going to be

easy, but we trust -

JAMES ASHLEY

It's impossible. No, I am sorry,

no, we can't organize anything

immediately in the House. I have

been canvassing the Democrats since

the election, in case any of them

softened after they got walloped.

But they have stiffened if

anything, Mr. Secretary. There

aren't nearly enough votes -

LINCOLN

We're whalers, Mr. Ashley!

JAMES ASHLEY

Whalers? As in, um, whales?