Lincoln Page #36

SCHUYLER COLFAX:

Mr. Clerk, please call my name, I

want to cast a vote.

GEORGE PENDLETON

I object! The Speaker doesn't vote!

SCHUYLER COLFAX:

The Speaker may vote if he so

chooses.

GEORGE PENDLETON

It is highly unusual, sir -

SCHUYLER COLFAX:

This isn't usual, Mr. Pendleton,

this is history.

THE CLERK OF THE HOUSE

How does Mr. Schuyler Colfax vote?

113.

SCHUYLER COLFAX:

(a look of surprise that

this needs to be asked,

then, stating the

OBVIOUS:
)

Aye, of course.

Laughter in the chamber. The Clerk tallies the vote, then

passes the recorded vote to the Speaker. There's absolute

silence.

In the balcony, Mary checks her own tally, not quite

believing it.

SCHUYLER COLFAX (CONT'D)

The final vote:
eight absent or not

voting, fifty six votes against,

one hundred nineteen votes for.

With a margin of two votes -

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

Lincoln stands, waiting. The only sound is the ticking of

the clock. And then the ticking is slowly drowned out as

bells begin to peal throughout the city. Lincoln raises the

window as Tad rushes to him. The bells are joined by a

cannonade. The sound of jubilation fills his office.

Lincoln turns from the window to Tad, who stares out eagerly,

seeking out the source of the noise. Lincoln puts his hand on

Tad's head. He looks down at his son, silent.

INT. THE HOUSE CHAMBER, THE CAPITOL - LATE AFTERNOON

Representatives throw papers in the air, embrace, weep,

shout, dance, climb on desks. In the balcony, Mary stands

slowly, beyond tears or joy; Mrs. Keckley stands with her,

smiling, crying. Preston Blair applauds vigorously. The black

visitors join the general exultation, overwhelmed, some

praying, others embracing and weeping.

Latham's, Schell's and Bilbo's seats are empty; they've gone.

Ashley, grinning from ear to ear, tears streaming down his

face, is hoisted up on shoulders and marched around the room,

as on the floor and in the balcony, people start singing "The

Battle Cry of Freedom."

Pendleton, with the face of someone who's seen his world

collapse into ruin, walks straight at Yeaman, who's listening

to the singing, deeply moved, his face full of wonder.

Pendleton turns, without a word, and leaves the House.

114.

Yeaman laughs, and loudly joins in singing.

Stevens clumps over to the Clerk of the House, who is placing

his tallies and the official copy of the amendment bill in a

folio. He looks up.

THE CLERK OF THE HOUSE

Congratulations, Mr. Chairman.

THADDEUS STEVENS

The bill, Mr. McPherson, may I...?

The Clerk hands the bill to Stevens, who folds it and pockets

it.

THE CLERK OF THE HOUSE

That's...That's the official bill.

THADDEUS STEVENS

I'll return it in the morning.

Creased, but unharmed.

EXT. 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.

INT. THADDEUS STEVENS'S HOUSE - NIGHT

Stevens is met at the door by LYDIA SMITH, a black woman in

her fifties. As she helps him off with his coat, he takes a

piece of paper from his pocket.

THADDEUS STEVENS

A gift for you.

She takes it.

THADDEUS STEVENS (CONT'D)

The greatest measure of the

Nineteenth Century. Passed by

corruption, aided and abetted by

the purest man in America.

115.

INT. 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.

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