Lincoln · written by Tony Kushner · 2012

Lincoln writes a narrowly worded denial; Hay fears impeachment, so Lincoln entrusts delivery to Bilbo.

Scene 76 of 102 · ≈ 1 min on screen · Act three

Lincoln
W.n. Bilbo
John Hay
John Nicolay

Act oneAct twoAct three

Begins 1:42 into a 2:06 film

The story so farBefore scene 76

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.
Scene 56
Lincoln changes his telegram to hold the Confederate commissioners outside Washington, choosing time for the amendment over immediate talks.
Scene 63
Mary predicts losing Robert and confronts Lincoln over the grief and bloodshed carried by his decisions.
Scene 66
Lincoln joins the operatives himself and begins personally securing the remaining Democrats.
Scene 71
Still short of votes and beset by demands for peace, Lincoln orders his allies to procure the final votes.
Just before
Scene 73
Black guests enter the gallery; peace affidavits prompt Democrats and conservative Republicans to demand postponement.
Scene 74
Bilbo, Hay and Nicolay race from the Capitol to get Lincoln's answer to the peace allegations.
Scene 75
The race continues through the White House, with Hay reaching Lincoln's office ahead of Bilbo.
Scene 76
This scene

76INT. LINCOLN'S OFFICE, THE WHITE HOUSE - AFTERNOON

Lincoln is at his desk, working, when Hay bursts in. Bilbo appears in the doorway, beet-red and gasping for air.

Hay's too winded to speak. Bilbo holds out the note, limp with sweat, and brings it to Lincoln. Lincoln reads it.

LINCOLN

This is precisely what Mr. Wood

wishes me to respond to?

Tad runs into the room, excited by the commotion. He wraps his arm around his father's neck, then tears wildly out of the room.

LINCOLN (CONT'D)

Word for word? This is precisely

the assurance that he demands of

me?

W.N. BILBO

Yes sir.

As Nicolay heaves into the room in last place, wheezing terribly, Lincoln deliberates for a moment, then writes a note. He blots, folds and hands it to Hay, who immediately reads it, Nicolay looking on.

LINCOLN

Give this to Mr. Ashley.

Hay looks at Nicolay, who can't speak; he waves at Hay to speak for him.

JOHN HAY

I feel, um, I have to say, Mr.

Lincoln, that this -

(annoyed, impatient, to BILBO:)

Could you please just step

outside?!

W.N. BILBO

You gonna have a chat now, with

with the whole of the House of

Representatives waiting on that?

Nicolay continues gasping, trying to speak. He can't.

JOHN HAY

(TO LINCOLN:)

Making false representation to

Congress is, it's, um -

JOHN NICOLAY

It's, it's -

LINCOLN

Impeachable. I've made no false

representation.

JOHN HAY