Lincoln · written by Tony Kushner · 2012

A grieving Hutton slams the door on Schell's offer of a government job.

Scene 23 of 102 · ≈ 1 min on screen · Act two

Act oneAct twoAct three

Begins 43 min into a 2:06 film

The story so farBefore scene 23

In the final winter of the Civil War, Abraham Lincoln risks a fragile coalition and the chance of an early peace to force an amendment abolishing slavery through a divided House of Representatives.

Scenes 1–7
The reelected president balances military command, popular affection and a household wounded by grief.
Scenes 8–13
Lincoln needs a durable constitutional abolition measure and commits to passing it before the term ends.
Scenes 14–16
Radical allies and discreet patronage operatives join the campaign as the amendment enters House debate.
Scene 17
Robert returns, bringing the family's private struggle over his enlistment into Lincoln's public campaign.
Just before
Scene 20
The operatives report that they still need twenty Democratic votes despite securing Graylor's abstention.
Scene 21
Bilbo pitches LeClerk and Hawkins; LeClerk throws beer in his face and storms away.
Scene 22
The operatives tell Seward that thirty-nine lame-duck Democrats are beyond persuasion.
Scene 23
This scene

23EXT. A WORKING CLASS NEIGHBORHOOD IN WASHINGTON - DAY

Schell stands at the door of a small, grubby row house. He presents the folio, warped from its beer bath, to WILLIAM HUTTON(D, IN), eyes red from crying, dressed in mourning black.

Hutton slams the door in Schell's face. A funeral wreath that adorns the door falls to the ground. A daguerreotype attached to the wreath depicts a young officer, Hutton's brother Frederick.