EXT. IN A BACK ALLEY, SOMEWHERE IN WASHINGTON - AFTERNOON

Seward, smoking unhappily, strides toward his carriage, with Schell, Latham and Bilbo in pursuit. 68.

           SEWARD

Eleven votes?! Two days ago we had twelve!! What happened?

RICHARD SCHELL ROBERT LATHAM It's the goddamned rumors There are defections in the regarding the Richmond ranks... Yes! The peace delegation. offer!

SEWARD ROBERT LATHAM Groundless. I told you that. And yet the rumors persist.

           RICHARD SCHELL

They are ruining us.

           RICHARD SCHELL

Among the few remaining representatives who seem remotely plausible there is a perceptible increase in resistance.

Seward has reached the carriage, Bilbo alongside him. Before the Secretary of State can climb on board, Bilbo shuts the carriage door. Seward is outraged.

W.N. BILBO Resistance, hell! Thingamabob Hollister, Dem from Indiana? I approached him, the sumbitch near to murdered me!