Lincoln · written by Tony Kushner · 2012

Seward's operatives report that peace rumors are costing them votes and hardening Democratic resistance.

Scene 45 of 102 · ≈ 1 min on screen · Act two

Seward
Richard Schell Robert Latham
Seward Robert Latham
Richard Schell
W.n. Bilbo

Act oneAct twoAct three

Begins 1:08 into a 2:06 film

The story so farBefore scene 45

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 42
Democrats plan to provoke Stevens into declaring racial equality; Yeaman publicly opposes the amendment despite hating slavery.
Scene 43
Pendleton and Wood expose Hawkins's patronage deal and intimidate him.
Scene 44
Hawkins runs from Bilbo, fearing that a vote for abolition will make his neighbors kill him.
Scene 45
This scene

45EXT. IN A BACK ALLEY, SOMEWHERE IN WASHINGTON - AFTERNOON

Seward, smoking unhappily, strides toward his carriage, with Schell, Latham and Bilbo in pursuit.

SEWARD

Eleven votes?! Two days ago we had

twelve!! What happened?

RICHARD SCHELL ROBERT LATHAM

It's the goddamned rumors There are

defections in the regarding the

Richmond ranks... Yes! The peace

delegation. offer!

SEWARD ROBERT LATHAM

Groundless. I told you that. And

yet the rumors persist.

RICHARD SCHELL

They are ruining us.

RICHARD SCHELL (CONT’D)

Among the few remaining

representatives who seem remotely

plausible there is a perceptible

increase in resistance.

Seward has reached the carriage, Bilbo alongside him. Before the Secretary of State can climb on board, Bilbo shuts the carriage door. Seward is outraged.

W.N. BILBO

Resistance, hell! Thingamabob

Hollister, Dem from Indiana? I

approached him, the sumbitch near

to murdered me!