INT. LINCOLN'S OFFICE, WHITE HOUSE - EARLY EVENING

Seward hands the last prospectus to Nicolay, who unfolds it, places it on top of the other prospectuses, and records details about Hawkins's appointment in a notebook. Seward smokes a cigar, Nicolay a pipe. Lincoln sits, feet up, examining a newspaper.

           SEWARD

And lastly, Democratic yes vote number six. Hawkins from Ohio.

           LINCOLN

Six.

           SEWARD

Well, thus far. Plus Graylor's abstention. From tiny acorns and so on.

           LINCOLN

What'd Hawkins get? 47.

           JOHN NICOLAY
           (STILL WRITING:)

Postmaster of the Millersburg Post Office.

           LINCOLN

He's selling himself cheap, ain't he?

           SEWARD

He wanted tax collector of the Western Reserve - a first-term congressman who couldn't manage re- election, I felt it unseemly and they bargained him down to Postmaster. (TO NICOLAY:) Scatter em over several rounds of appointments, so no one notices. And burn this ledger, please, after you're done.

Lincoln stands.

           LINCOLN
           (TO NICOLAY:)

Time for my public opinion bath. Might as well let em in.

Nicolay helps Lincoln trade his shawl for his overcoat in preparation to meet the public.

           LINCOLN (CONT'D)

Seven yeses with Mr. Ellis! Thirteen to go!

           SEWARD

One last item, an absurdity, but - My associates report that among the Representatives a fantastical rumor's bruited about, which I immediately disavowed, that you'd allowed bleary old Preston Blair to sojourn to Richmond to invite Jeff Davis to send commissioners up to Washington with a peace plan.

Lincoln is silent. A horrifying reality dawns for Seward:

           SEWARD (CONT'D)

I, of course, told them you would never...Not without consulting me, you wouldn't...Because why on earth would you? 48.