Lincoln · written by Tony Kushner · 2012

Latham and Schell approach Merrick amid the Patent Office displays.

Scene 28 of 102 · ≈ 1 min on screen · Act two

Robert Latham

Act oneAct twoAct three

Begins 44 min into a 2:06 film

The story so farBefore scene 28

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 25
Latham separates Hanson from his colleagues and introduces the patronage portfolio.
Scene 26
Latham names Giles Stuart as the next prospective convert.
Scene 27
Bilbo and Schell stage a collision at the Treasury to put the patronage portfolio into Stuart's hands.
Scene 28
This scene

28INT. THE US PATENT OFFICE, WASHINGTON - DAY

Visitors file past cabinets containing animal and plant specimens and inventions; the line circles around a large case in which an amputated leg capped with a brass plate is displayed. A sign identifies it: LEFT LEG OF GENERAL DANIEL SICKLES, AT GETTYSBURG, JULY 5, 1863.

ROBERT LATHAM (V.O.)

Nelson Merrick.

Latham looks through the case at Schell, who's next to Nelson Merrick, who nods, solemnly staring at the leg. Schell proffers Merrick the folio. Merrick flips through the folio.

ROBERT LATHAM (V.O.)

Homer Benson.