Lincoln · written by Tony Kushner · 2012

Mary begs Lincoln not to let Robert enlist, but news of the Wilmington bombardment calls him away.

Scene 40 of 102 · ≈ 1 min on screen · Act two

Lincoln
Mary
John Nicolay

Act oneAct twoAct three

Begins 1:00 into a 2:06 film

The story so farBefore scene 40

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 37
Lincoln finds Mary grieving in Willie's bedroom and acknowledges the pain they cannot escape.
Scene 38
At the grand reception, Mary confronts Stevens about his scrutiny of her household and Lincoln's popularity.
Scene 39
Lincoln asks Stevens to temper his radical demands, arguing that a moral compass cannot chart the obstacles to reform.
Scene 40
This scene

40INT. MARY'S BOUDOIR, THE WHITE HOUSE - NIGHT

Spectacles on, Lincoln unlaces Mary's corset.

LINCOLN

Robert's going to plead with us to

let him enlist.

He's unlaced enough; she unhooks the front and steps out of her corset and petticoats, turns to him in her plain thin chemise and drawers.

MARY

Make time to talk to Robbie. You

only have time for Tad.

LINCOLN

Tad's young.

MARY

So's Robert. Too young for the

army.

LINCOLN

Plenty of boys younger than Robert

signing up...

MARY

Don't take Robbie. Don't let me

lose my son.

There's a knock on the door. Mary turns to it, furious:

MARY (CONT'D)

Go away! We're occupied!

Lincoln opens the door. Nicolay's standing there.

JOHN NICOLAY

Secretary Stanton has sent over to

tell you that as of half an hour

ago, the shelling of Wilmington

harbor has commenced.

Lincoln leaves with Nicolay. Mary watches, frozen, unable to let him go, knowing she can't stop him.