Lincoln · written by Tony Kushner · 2012

After reflecting on equality through Euclid, Lincoln orders the commissioners held at Hampton Roads instead of brought to Washington.

Scene 56 of 102 · ≈ 2 min on screen · Act two

Midpoint
Save the Cat: Midpoint
Lincoln
Samuel Beckwith
Homer Bates

Act oneAct twoAct three

Begins 1:14 into a 2:06 film

The story so farBefore scene 56

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 53
Lincoln sits awake at an open window, weighing Grant's telegram against law books and the ticking of his watch.
Scene 54
Lincoln wakes Hay over a deserter's pardon and asks what use there is in adding more corpses as the war ends.
Scene 55
Lincoln continues his solitary walk, declining Hay's offer of company.
Scene 56
This scene

56INT. THE TELEGRAPH ROOM, WAR DEPARTMENT - PRE-DAWN

Lincoln is seated at Eckert's desk, shawl wrapped around his shoulders, glasses on; he stares down into his hat, held between his knees. Homer Bates and Sam Beckwith are waiting for him.

Lincoln draws a handwritten note from his hat and carefully unfolds it.

LINCOLN

"Lieutenant General Ulysses S.

Grant, City Point. I have read your

words with interest."

Sam Beckwith transcribes Lincoln's words into code on a pad with a pencil.

LINCOLN (CONT'D)

"I ask that, regardless of any

action I take in the matter of the

visit of the Richmond

commissioners, you maintain among

your troops military preparedness

for battle, as you have done until

now."

He stops for a moment. Beckwith waits, pencil poised.

Lincoln looks at the note, folds it, tucks it in a band inside his hat.

LINCOLN (CONT'D)

"Have Captain Saunders convey the

commissioners to me here in

Washington."

(ANOTHER PAUSE)

"A. Lincoln." And the date.

SAMUEL BECKWITH

(WHILE WRITING:)

Yes sir.

Lincoln places the hat on the floor.

SAMUEL BECKWITH (CONT’D)

Shall I transmit, sir?

LINCOLN

(a beat, then:)

You think we choose to be born?

SAMUEL BECKWITH

I don't suppose so.

LINCOLN

Are we fitted to the times we're

born into?

SAMUEL BECKWITH

I don't know about myself. You may

be, sir. Fitted.

LINCOLN