INT. LINCOLN'S OFFICE - EVENING

Lincoln's in the shirtsleeves and vest of his formal evening wear, his hair brushed down and plastered in place. William Slade is working the tie and gloves. James Ashley and Schuyler Colfax stand with him, holding glasses of scotch whiskey. Slade waits with Lincoln's coat, clothes brush, the stovepipe hat and gloves on the table.

John Hay tears down several of the military maps, heavily marked, from the bookcases where they're tacked. He drops these on the floor. As they watch Hay:

           LINCOLN

I did say some colored men, the intelligent, the educated, and veterans, I qualified it.

           JAMES ASHLEY

Mr. Stevens is furious, he wants to know why you qualified it -

           SCHUYLER COLFAX

No one heard the intelligent or the educated part. All they heard was the first time any president has ever made mention of Negro voting.

           LINCOLN

Still, I wish I'd mentioned it in a better speech.

           JAMES ASHLEY

Mr. Stevens also wants to know why you didn't make a better speech. 123.

They laugh. There's a knock on the door; Nicolay enters.

           JOHN NICOLAY
           (TO LINCOLN:)

Mrs. Lincoln's waiting in the carriage. She wants me to remind you of the hour, and that you'll have to pick up Miss Harris and Major Rathbone.

Lincoln nods. Slade enters with Lincoln's hat, coat, and gloves. Lincoln begins to dress hurriedly.

           LINCOLN

Am I in trouble?

           WILLIAM SLADE

No, sir.

           LINCOLN

Thank you, Mr. Slade.

Slade hands Lincoln his gloves as Colfax and Ashley drain their drinks and rise.

           LINCOLN (CONT'D)

I suppose it's time to go, though I would rather stay.

He leaves the room.