ACT 1 SCENE 4

The Capitol steps

Booth My Virginia, my beautiful Maryland. How I mourn for you. So alone so alone!

Voice Excuse me Sir, are you in need of assistance?

Steeped so deep in misery was Booth, the voice failed to startle him, He shook his head and motioned that he was alright.

Voice I, too weep tonight for our poor country. So many dead and wounded. The widows, and may God forgive us. The orphaned children. I fear we will pay for this terrible war for many generations to come. Please, tell me Sir have you recently lost someone close to you?

Booth Aye Sir [Bitterly] 600,000 of my countrymen.

Voice Indeed Sir, you have the key to it.May I offer you the comfort of a brother, will you take my hand man to man and permit me to take some succor from you? Fellow Americans both in pain to deep to bear without the love of a kindred spirit.

Booth I will give you my hand, as long as you understand that while I do weep for all of this country, I grieve most deeply for Virginia. If that goes against your own loyalties, then I release you from your offer of comfort and beg you to leave me to my melancholy.

Voice Nay, Sir. I believe each man must have some place he holds in his heart above all other, For you it is that beautiful state of Virginia and for me it is Illinois, A harsh and rugged landscape but one for which I long day after day. I dream of my modest home there and of the neighbors and friends I may never see again. I believe this accursed war is a trial placed upon this country as a warning against the sin of pride. We have been blessed with a piece of the Garden of Eden. I pray that each man would take on the responsibility of this gift, that we not be cast out again. The angel of the sword has been much in evidence these past four years, and now we come to the end of a conflict so abhorrent I sweat in my bed at its very horror.

The man turns to leave, but John touched by the strangers pain reaches over and lays his hand on the mans shoulder, as he does so the man turns full face and Booth freezes in disbelief. The man was Abraham Lincoln. John fumbled for his sword cane but it fell from his nerveless fingers he went to his knees to search for it.

Bending down Lincoln picks up the cane and hands it to Booth.

Here Sir! Why if I am not mistaken you are that most wonderful actor John Wilkes Booth. I and my wife have enjoyed a number of your performances.

Booth Yes it is I Mr. Lincoln. But pray tell me how come you to be abroad at this hour of the night and alone? Do you not fear for your safety?

Lincoln I would not cower in the White house like a frightened rodent Mr. Booth, A President must be seen by the people, we have peace at last ! The war is over.

Lincoln freezes [ LX to Special.]

Booth Aside to Audience I do find myself in a state of much confusion. Here, my most hated enemy standing unprotected before me. Yet I stay my righteous blade! Why? Am I a coward? Or perhaps imperfect in my convictions. Neither damn it! I wish to know what this fiend has to say for himself. A most formidable foe as a lawyer I have heard it said. A speechmaker of some eloquence I did hear with my own ears at his inauguration, though to me he did sound mealy mouthed and miserly. It matters little, for rhetoric will not save him from his end. I however do love the irony of the fates to place us on such a well designed stage. [LX to Restore] I beg your pardon Sir; I was startled by the nights shadows.

Lincoln Quite understandable Sir an unfortunate effect of our times. Still I do enjoy my solitary walks.I am surrounded day and night by bodyguards I keep telling them that Americans fight honorably but still they fuss and coddle me. I beg of you, please do not laugh but I take great pleasure in giving them the slip to walk around this city. Oh I believe that somewhere close at hand, someone has me in their care, however it amuses me to believe I am unencumbered for a little while. I can more easily learn the truths that I know are diluted before they reach my desk, so it serves me and the people well this little game. I was a woodsman did you know that. I roamed the land without a gun observed wildcats, bears, and wolves, not one of them got me. When as a lawyer I went after the most dangerous creature in this world, man. I carried only the constitution to protect me. Should I be afraid in this civilized city? I am an old and sick man Mr. Booth. I have endured a war I never wanted for my country. Borne the accusations of many who say that I instigated the conflict. Seen too much blood spilled, and fought against men who should have been like brothers to me. I am overjoyed to come to the end of this last battle. I am well prepared for my final journey. To weigh my soul before the throne of the Lord. If I am found errant in my course, he will do with me as he desires. I fear not his punishment nor expect a reward. I wish only to know that I did his will.

Lincoln rises and prepares to depart. Booth with some surprise at his own actions speaks.

Booth Would you have a few minutes to engage in discourse with a humble thespian Mr. President? Lincoln hesitates then returns to his seat I have traveled on both sides of this conflict and have seen much that I do not understand. You! As the engineer of these events must have much insight as to their reason and temperament I would intreat you to enlighten me a little.

Lincoln To enlighten you Mr. Booth would take longer than I have days left upon this earth, for like yourself the cause of it is a mystery to me.

Booth Please Sir! call me John. You surely must know the reason for this fight. I can not believe that you allowed so much suffering to occur for the sake of a few Negroes, most of who live better than the poor white people on small farms and toil less than the miners and railway builders. Yet we strove to tear our country apart for four years to free a people who will not know what to do with their freedom when they get it.

Lincoln Mr. Booth, excuse me John. You say a few; I tell you there are four million blacks in bondage in this country. Slavery is an abomination under Gods laws, and yes, I know all about the bible being full of slaves and the logic of the master system. I have close friends who kept slaves before the war, my own great uncle kept over forty blacks treating them as if they were cattle. Property to use as they were needed. I have on occasion seen them punished. It makes the bile rise into my throat to know I am the chief executive of such a great nation and yet can allow such degradation of fellow human beings to occur I had many noble reasons to enjoin this war but none so clear to me as to free a people and to ensure them of the greatest gift that man possesses. Free will. Freedom to strive to be the best we can be and if in the effort we fail at least we can say it was a choice made without coercion not forced by the whip of some overseer, whose own back bears the stripes. Do you know John when I look at the flag? I think of those stripes and it strengthens my resolve to make this country a land for all the people no matter the color of their skin.

Booth Perhaps Mr. President you did not stay around those People of Color. long enough to find out that they will throw your free will back in your face and murder you in your bed. Do you really believe that when those emancipated slaves are turned out on the roads of this land, with no jobs, education, food, or shelter that they will thank good old Massa Abraham. Do you imagine the bankers and honest tradesmen who have worked and died to make this a great nation will pray on their knees for you ? .What of the mothers and sweethearts of the fallen soldiers, will they bless your name and agree each time someone says their sons and fathers were good soldiers for following when their government called. One more thing how much money did the senators and congressmen make on this righteous war Mr. President ? .Perhaps I misjudge them, did they pitch in with their own fortunes because they all believed in your Free will for ignorant slaves. I dont think so sir I do recommend you go seek out that little bodyguard of yours and be quick before someone less tolerant than I, see you so unguarded.

Lincoln Do you mean me some harm sir ? You seem almighty angry. I regret if I am the cause. May we not continue this conversation? Which I can say while not comfortable, is at least, honest. I have no desire to retire just yet and I would like to know more of your views.

Booth Mr. President. I give you my word of honor, as a gentleman, that tonight you are as safe with me as my own sweet mother.

Lincoln Well said John, well said! All we need is some warming libation and a fine cigar to make it perfect.

Booth As you command my Liege! Fine brandy, superb Havana cigars. I would have sweet music played but alas such tricks, I left in my other jacket.

Scene 4