Lincoln · written by Tony Kushner · 2012

Stevens and Lydia share a bed, and she reads the adopted amendment aloud to him.

Scene 90 of 102 · ≈ 1 min on screen · Act three

Thaddeus Stevens
Lydia Smith

Act oneAct twoAct three

Begins 1:53 into a 2:06 film

The story so farBefore scene 90

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.
Scene 85
Colfax announces the amendment has passed the House with a margin of two votes.
Just before
Scene 87
The House celebrates abolition's passage, and Stevens borrows the official amendment to take home.
Scene 88
Stevens struggles against the celebrating crowds on his way home.
Scene 89
Stevens gives Lydia Smith the amendment, calling it a great measure passed by corruption and aided by Lincoln.
Scene 90
This scene

90INT. THE BEDROOM IN THADDEUS STEVENS'S HOUSE - NIGHT

Stevens, in his nightgown, takes off his wig. He's bald.

He lies down in bed. Mrs. Smith is in bed already beside him. She's holding the paper he gave her.

THADDEUS STEVENS

I wish you'd been present.

LYDIA SMITH

I wish I'd been.

THADDEUS STEVENS

It was a spectacle.

LYDIA SMITH

You can't bring your housekeeper to

the House. I won't give them

gossip.

(THE PAPER)

This is enough. This is... It's

more than enough for now.

They kiss. He lies back. He grabs her hand.

THADDEUS STEVENS

Read it to me again, my love.

LYDIA SMITH

"PROPOSED -"

THADDEUS STEVENS

And adopted.

LYDIA SMITH

Adopted. "An Amendment to the

Constitution of the United States.

Section One: Neither slavery nor

involuntary servitude, except as a

punishment for crime whereof the

party shall have been duly

convicted, shall exist within the

United States, or any place subject

to their jurisdiction."

THADDEUS STEVENS

SECTION TWO:

LYDIA SMITH

"Congress shall have power to

enforce this amendment by

appropriate legislation."

Thaddeus Stevens grins, nods, thinking, eyes sparkling.