Lincoln · written by Tony Kushner · 2012

Seward reports six Democratic votes, then discovers Lincoln has permitted Blair's Confederate peace initiative.

Scene 32 of 102 · ≈ 1 min on screen · Act two

Seward
Lincoln
John Nicolay

Act oneAct twoAct three

Begins 46 min into a 2:06 film

The story so farBefore scene 32

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 29
Schell slides the portfolio in front of Benson at a crowded workingmen's lunchroom.
Scene 30
The operatives add Benson's prospectus to the pile and identify Hawkins as another prospect.
Scene 31
Bilbo offers Hawkins a government position while checking his bird snares.
Scene 32
This scene

32INT. LINCOLN'S OFFICE, WHITE HOUSE - EARLY EVENING

Seward hands the last prospectus to Nicolay, who unfolds it, places it on top of the other prospectuses, and records details about Hawkins's appointment in a notebook. Seward smokes a cigar, Nicolay a pipe. Lincoln sits, feet up, examining a newspaper.

SEWARD

And lastly, Democratic yes vote

number six. Hawkins from Ohio.

LINCOLN

Six.

SEWARD

Well, thus far. Plus Graylor's

abstention. From tiny acorns and so

on.

LINCOLN

What'd Hawkins get?

JOHN NICOLAY

(STILL WRITING:)

Postmaster of the Millersburg Post

Office.

LINCOLN

He's selling himself cheap, ain't

he?

SEWARD

He wanted tax collector of the

Western Reserve - a first-term

congressman who couldn't manage re-

election, I felt it unseemly and

they bargained him down to

Postmaster.

(TO NICOLAY:)

Scatter `em over several rounds of

appointments, so no one notices.

And burn this ledger, please, after

you're done.

Lincoln stands.

LINCOLN

(TO NICOLAY:)

Time for my public opinion bath.

Might as well let `em in.

Nicolay helps Lincoln trade his shawl for his overcoat in preparation to meet the public.

LINCOLN (CONT'D)

Seven yeses with Mr. Ellis!

Thirteen to go!

SEWARD

One last item, an absurdity, but -

My associates report that among the

Representatives a fantastical