The Tall Target

Mr. Gannon.

Mr. Gannon! Running orders.

I know, Mr. Crowley.

Not these!

You never had the like of this.

9:
16 pm, it says here.

February 22, 1861.

"Born to civil unrest.

"All trains will operate with caution

and reduced speed.

"Effective immediately."

You can thank the radical Republicans!

This boiler will never

run on time again.

A fine way to run a railroad!

A fine way to run a country!

Republicans are secessionists.

My aim is to bring the Flyer

into Washington depot at 9 am.

If the Good Lord is willing.

Good Lord may be willing.

But that order to slow down

was signed by P.J. Donovan,

division manager.

Inspector Reilly, New York police.

I am looking for a man.

What's he wanted for?

He's not. He's a friend of mine.

I'm seeing him off.

I've got his ticket and his baggage.

How long before the gates open?

- Another 15 minutes.

- Oh.

Berth 7 Car 42.

Why don't you go

keep your seat warm, inspector?

Oh, much obliged.

Tell me his name.

Nd I'll keep an eye out for him.

His name is Kennedy. John Kennedy.

How much longer?

Listen, Kennedy.

I told him you're waiting.

Tell him again.

My train leaves in an hour.

He said he'd call you. He's busy now.

Oh.

So I hear.

Hey! Where are you going?

Get back here.

Now, see here, Kennedy.

I want my report back.

Your report?

Well, there's your report.

And it's hogwash!

Everyone in the department

says it's hogwash.

This report was confidential

to you, Mr. Stroud.

Except for the copy I sent

to the Secretary of War.

When you're Superintendent, you can

decide what's confidential around here.

And who are you to go direct

to the War Department?

For the last time, will you

take action, Mr. Stroud?

If you don't, there'll be

a shooting in Baltimore tomorrow

that'll blow this country apart.

- What's this?

- Hogwash!

There's still time, Mr. Stroud.

Have you seen the evening paper?

"The President-elect plans

to spend tonight in Harrisburg,

"leaving early by special train

for Baltimore.

"where he intends to make a speech

"before continuing to Washington

for his inauguration."

Will you telegraph?

No!

Wait a minute, son.

It wouldn't be the new president who's

been picked for the shooting, would it?

It would. During his speech tomorrow.

If you're sure of that,

I'll go to Baltimore myself.

That's one speech

I wouldn't want to miss.

Are you certain

there's nothing to it, Simon?

Sgt. Kennedy was detailed

for two days to guard Abe Lincoln

when he was electioneering

in New York last fall.

He thinks he still on the assignment.

Well, I've got to be on my way.

- I've got a train to make myself.

- Good luck to you, Colonel.

Don't stand next to

Lincoln tomorrow, Caleb.

You never can tell when them

sharpshooters will miss.

Good luck to you, Sergeant!

I take to a man who stands up

for what he believes in.

Even if it is hogwash.

I'm going to Baltimore tonight.

I'll get to someone in authority.

You'll cut across channels.

And I'll bust you!

I'll save you the trouble.

Papers!

Read all about the new president.

Get your paper here!

Jeff Davis sworn in.

Papers!

Rail splitter splits union.

Papers! Papers!

Read all about it.

The new President.

Get your paper here.

Jeff Davis sworn in.

Papers!

Rail splitter splits union!

Read all about it!

Get your paper here.

Jeff Davis sworn in!

Read all about it!

Company!

Halt!

At ease!

Tickets, please. All tickets, please.

Here you are, conductor.

These toy soldiers yours?

Poughkeepsie's finest.

How about putting him in their box?

You're holding up my passengers.

Take over, sergeant.

Tickets, please.

Last car.

Last car.

Papers! Papers! Read all about it.

Lincoln. What's his first name?

Abraham.

Telegram his mansion. Harrisburg, PA.

Papers!

Rail splitter splits union.

Read all about the new president.

Paper here!

Jeff Davis sworn in.

$1.30, please.

Night Flyer train for Washington.

Going south now on Track 1.

Train New Brunswick, Trenton

Show your tickets, please.

All tickets, please.

Tickets.

I am Mrs. Charlotte Alsop.

You may have read my books.

I'll be with you

all the way to Washington.

Traveling is such an ordeal

these days, isn't it?

Nothing absolutely nothing short of

an appointment with the new president

could induce me to take this trip.

Now that I'm on my way,

I intend to tell him a thing or two

about his shilly-shallying.

Cabin B. Car 27, Mrs. Alsop.

Doesn't Mr. Lincoln know that

seven states have seceded already?

For heaven sakes,

what is the man waiting for?

He's waiting to be inaugurated.

- What are you waiting for, lady?

- Cabin B.

I say Mr. Lincoln must take a firm stand

against slavery once and for all.

Now don't you agree?

As far as I'm concerned, madame,

the new president is

Jefferson Davis from Mississippi.

Secessionist!

Keep the line moving, please.

Pardon me, conductor.

Did an Inspector Reilly leave tickets

for Kennedy? John Kennedy?

Kennedy? John Kennedy?

Berth 7 Car 42.

Go right on through.

You'll find Inspector Reilly aboard.

He's got your ticket.

Thank you.

Tickets, please.

Right this way, please.

Car 27.

Car 43.

Tickets, please.

Tickets.

I beg your pardon.

I'm looking for the man

who was carrying this the valise.

He has my ticket. Did you see him?

I'm afraid not.

He must've been here.

He left the bag.

Wooo!

What was it? Are we moving now?

Each state has the right

to do as it pleases.

I'm from Carolina myself.

And I'm going back home

to look after my tobacco.

Pardon me, gentlemen.

Did either of you see a man...

Because if that black Republican

ever sets foot in the White House,

it's war, sir.

- Unmitigated war!

- You, sir.

Did you see the man over here?

I'll wager he never reaches Washington.

Too many people are gunning for hm.

I'm missing someone.

I'm in here in section 7.

He'll show up once were moving.

They usually do.

But he isn't going with me.

He has my ticket.

Then you better get off

and buy another one.

If there's any left, you can

turn it into the conductor.

In case your man shows up.

But you'll have to hurry.

Thank you.

Reilly? Tim Reilly.

Ten o'clock Night Flyer Express

for Washington, Track 2.

All aboard!

Night Flyer Express for Washington.

And points south now ready on Track 2.

Train for New Brunswick

Sorry, the window's closed.

No more tickets.

No more tickets, sir.

Excuse me. I've gotta

get a ticket to Philadelphia.

Closed.

What's the matter?

No more room on the train?

I gotta get to Philadelphia!

I must have one more ticket

for my brother Lt. Beaufort.

If it's skirts that influence you,

I've got dozens of them right here.

I gotta be in Wilmington tomorrow

morning to show them to a buyer.

Since when does a drummer

take priority over an officer?

I must have that ticket.

A hundred dollars?

I can't make change, Miss.

I don't want any change.

If that's the last space,

I'd like to take it.

New York Police Department.

I beg your pardon.

- No more room on the train.

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