INT. THE LIBRARY, BLAIR HOUSE, WASHINGTON - EVENING

Lincoln's perched on the edge of an ottoman. 20.

           LINCOLN

If the Blairs tell em to, no Republican will balk at voting for the amendment.

The room is baronial. PRESTON BLAIR, patriarch of his wealthy and powerful family, 72 years old, sits facing his son, MONTGOMERY BLAIR, 50, whip-thin. A fire blazes in a massive fireplace behind Monty. Preston's handsome, elegant daughter, ELIZABETH BLAIR LEE, 45, sits across from Monty, next to Tad, who's wearing a Union infantryman's uniform, a real musket by his side.

           MONTGOMERY BLAIR

No conservative Republican is what you mean -

           PRESTON BLAIR

All Republicans ought to be conservative, I founded this party - in my own goddamned home - to be a conservative antislavery party, not a hobbyhorse for goddamned radical abolitionists and -

ELIZABETH BLAIR LEE Damp down the dyspepsia, daddy, you'll frighten the child.

           MONTGOMERY BLAIR
           (TO LINCOLN:)

You need us to keep the conservative side of the party in the traces while you diddle the radicals and bundle up with Thaddeus Stevens's gang. You need our help.

           LINCOLN

Yes, sir, I do.

           MONTGOMERY BLAIR

Well, what do we get?

ELIZABETH BLAIR LEE Whoo! Blunt! Your manners, Monty, must be why Mr. Lincoln pushed you out of his cabinet.

PRESTON BLAIR MONTGOMERY BLAIR He was pushed out - I wasn't pushed. 21.

ELIZABETH BLAIR LEE (CONT'D) (SMILING SARCASTICALLY:) Oh of course you weren't.

PRESTON BLAIR MONTGOMERY BLAIR He was pushed out to placate (to Tad:) the goddamn radical I agreed to resign. abolishonists!

ELIZABETH BLAIR LEE (CONT'D) (a nod at Tad:) Oh Daddy, please!

           PRESTON BLAIR

You don't mind, boy, do you?

           LINCOLN

He spends his days with soldiers.

           TAD

They taught me a song!

           PRESTON BLAIR

Did they? Soldiers know all manner of songs. How's your brother Bob?

           TAD

He's at school now, but he's coming to visit in four days! For the shindy!

           PRESTON BLAIR

At school! Ain't that fine! Good he's not in the army!

           TAD

Oh he wants to be, but mama said he CAN'T -

           PRESTON BLAIR

Dangerous life, soldiering.

ELIZABETH BLAIR LEE Your mama is wise to keep him clean out of that.

           PRESTON BLAIR

Now your daddy knows that what I want, in return for all the help I give him, is to go down to Richmond like he said I could, soon as Savannah fell, and talk to Jefferson Davis. Give me terms I 22.

can offer to Jefferson Davis to start negotiating for peace. He'll talk to me!

           MONTGOMERY BLAIR

Conservative members of your party want you to listen to overtures from Richmond. That above all.

Two black servants who have entered begin to pour and serve tea.

MONTGOMERY BLAIR (CONT'D) They'll vote for this rash and dangerous amendment only if every other possibility is exhausted.

           PRESTON BLAIR

Our Republicans ain't abolitionists. We can't tell our people they can vote yes on abolishing slavery unless at the same time we can tell `em that you're seeking a negotiated peace.

The Blairs look at Lincoln, waiting for an answer.