Lincoln · written by Tony Kushner · 2012

Seward warns that the amendment needs twenty Democratic votes; Lincoln insists they can find them.

Scene 8 of 102 · ≈ 1 min on screen · Act one

Seward
Lincoln

Act oneAct twoAct three

Begins 12 min into a 2:06 film

The story so farBefore scene 8

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.
Just before
Scene 5
Elizabeth Keckley encounters Lincoln outside Mary's room and recognizes the trouble caused by his dream.
Scene 6
Lincoln studies slave-sale photographs and carries a sleeping Tad, who asks for his dead brother Willie.
Scene 7
Lincoln raises a flag at the Treasury Department and leaves its preservation to the people.
Scene 8
This scene

8EXT. A CARRIAGE, PENNSYLVANIA AVENUE, WASHINGTON - MORNING

In a four-door carriage, top down, Seward sits opposite Lincoln. Hay, next to Seward, organizes papers in a portfolio on his lap.

SEWARD

Even if every Republican in the

House votes yes - far from

guaranteed, since when has our

party unanimously supported

anything? - but say all our fellow

Republicans vote for it. We'd still

be twenty votes short.

LINCOLN

Only twenty.

SEWARD

Only twenty!

LINCOLN

We can find twenty votes.

SEWARD

Twenty House Democrats who'll vote

to abolish slavery! In my opinion -

LINCOLN

To which I always listen.

SEWARD

Or pretend to.

LINCOLN

With all three of my ears.

SEWARD

We'll win the war soon - It's

inevitable, isn't it?

LINCOLN

Ain't won yit.

SEWARD

You'll begin your second term with

semi-divine stature. Imagine the

possibilities peace will bring! Why

tarnish your invaluable luster with

a battle in the House? It's a rats'

nest in there, the same gang of

talentless hicks and hacks that

rejected the amendment ten months

back. We'll lose.

Lincoln smiles.

LINCOLN

I like our chances now.