Lincoln Page #12

watch, looking contemptuously at Wood. Schell makes a note.

36.

FERNANDO WOOD (CONT'D) W.N. BILBO

But all that was not enough Jesus, when's this son-of-

for this dictator, who now liberty sonofabitch gonna sit

seeks to insinuate his down?

miscegenist pollution into

the Constitution itself! RICHARD SCHELL

John Ellis is going to break

his watch if he doesn't stop -

FERNANDO WOOD (CONT'D)

We are once again asked - nay,

commanded - to consider a proposed

thirteenth amendment which, if

passed, shall set at immediate

liberty four million coloreds while

manacling the limbs of the white

race in America. If it is passed -

but it shall not pass!

Wild cheering and booing.

FERNANDO WOOD (CONT'D) ROBERT LATHAM

Every member of the House What's more interesting is

loyal to the Democratic Party how dismal and disgruntled

and the constituents it Mr. Yeaman appears. He should

serves shall oppose- be cheering right now, but...

W.N. BILBO

Looks like he ate a bad

oyster.

Thaddeus Stevens calls out from his desk.

THADDEUS STEVENS

A point of order, Mr. Speaker, if

you please? When will Mr. Wood -

FERNANDO WOOD:

Mr. Speaker, I still have the floor

and the gentleman from Pennsylvania

is out of order!

THADDEUS STEVENS

- when will Mr. Wood conclude his

interminable gabble? Some of us

breathe oxygen, and we find the

mephitic fumes of his oratory a

lethal challenge to our pleural

capacities.

Wild cheering, applause from the Republicans.

37.

FERNANDO WOOD:

We shall oppose this amendment, and

any legislation that so affronts

natural law, insulting to God as to

man! Congress must never declare

equal those whom God created

unequal!

The Democrats cheer. Mary watches with concern. Mrs. Keckley

is angry and uncomfortable.

THADDEUS STEVENS

Slavery is the only insult to

natural law, you fatuous

nincompoop!

GEORGE PENDLETON

Order! Procedure! Mr. Speaker, Mr.

Wood has the floor!

(TO STEVENS:
)

Instruct us, Oh Great Commoner,

what is unnatural, in your opinion?

Niggrahs casting ballots? Niggrah

representatives? Is that natural,

Stevens? Intermarriage?

THADDEUS STEVENS

What violates natural law? Slavery,

and you, Pendleton, you insult God,

you unnatural noise.

An avalanche of boos and cheers as Democrats surge towards

Wood, Republicans towards Stevens. Ashley rushes to Colfax,

CALLING:

JAMES ASHLEY:

Mr. Colfax! Please, use your gavel!

They are -

(to the Democrats:)

You are out of order!

(TO COLFAX:
)

Direct the sergeant of arms to

suppress this!

(back to the Democrats:)

We are in session!

INT. SECOND FLOOR CORRIDOR OF THE WHITE HOUSE - MORNING

The corridor as usual is lined with petitioners. They've

lined up along both sides of the wall and are hooting,

laughing, clapping and cheering, egging on Tad as, with

furious concentration, he drives a cart pulled at

considerable speed by a large and seriously annoyed goat down

38.

the hall. White House doorkeeper and unofficial child-minder

TOM PENDEL follows, admonishing the petitioners as he goes.

TOM PENDEL:

Please don't encourage this! Don't

encourage this!

ROBERT LINCOLN, 21, enters from the stairs carrying several

pieces of large and heavy luggage.

Tad sees him, jumps out of the goat cart, runs up to and

tackles Robert, causing him to drop his luggage. They embrace

as Pendel captures the goat and leads it away.

TAD:

You're back you're back you're back

you're back you're -

ROBERT:

(LAUGHING)

I am. Your goat got big.

Robert disentangles himself from Tad and hands him a

suitcase.

ROBERT (CONT'D)

Here, help me get one of these to

my room.

(a nervous glance at the

door to Mary's bedroom

SUITE:
)

Is she in there?

As Robert hoists the rest of the luggage himself, Tad

chatters and A PETITIONER comes forward. He grabs the trunk

as Robert's lifting it.

39.

TAD PETITIONER:

She's asleep, probably, they You need help, sir? I can...

went to see Avonia Jones last

night in a play about ROBERT

Israelites. Daddy's meeting No, sir, I don't. No.

with a famous scientist now

and he's nervous because of PETITIONER

how smart the man is and the Could you bring your pa this

man is angry about, `cause letter I writ about my

there's a new book that Sam insolvency proceedings?

Beckwith says is about

finches, and finches' beaks, ROBERT

about how they change, it Let it go please, thank you.

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