Lincoln · written by Tony Kushner · 2012

Stevens struggles against the celebrating crowds on his way home.

Scene 88 of 102 · ≈ 1 min on screen · Act three

Act oneAct twoAct three

Begins 1:53 into a 2:06 film

The story so farBefore scene 88

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.
Scenes 17–84
Lincoln bargains, delays peace commissioners, confronts family costs and defends the vote against postponement.
Just before
Scene 85
Colfax casts his own aye and announces that the amendment has passed with a two-vote margin.
Scene 86
Bells and cannon announce victory; Lincoln raises the window and rests his hand on Tad's head.
Scene 87
The House celebrates abolition's passage, and Stevens borrows the official amendment to take home.
Scene 88
This scene

88EXT. A STREET, WASHINGTON - DUSK

Celebrating crowds move towards the Mall, singing, carrying placards proclaiming the passage of the amendment.

Thaddeus Stevens is hobbling in the opposite direction, making difficult headway against the crowd, pushed and shoved, unrecognized; he shoves back, his ferocious scowl utterly at odds with the prevailing festive mood.

He reaches a modest house, unlocks the door and steps inside.