Scene 4 continues
Both men continued in a reflective mood for a few minutes. Lincoln breaks the silence.
Lincoln John? Do you dream?
Booth Dream?... Mr. Lincoln, I dream of many things, some you may find suprising. I dream of my home, Tudor Hall in Virginia. When I do I see it in flames; all is destruction, In the midst of this horror lies the sight that breaks my heart afresh every time this apparition visits me. My Mother and sister lie ravished and dead. It is quite enough to drive me mad… I dream every actors nightmare. I am on the stage, but I have never heard of the play! Moreover, I don’t know my part. That is really not a dream at all, for I feel more and more each day as if I have been transported to some neither region of hell and there is no place where I can find release. I am an outcast with every mans hand turned against me. … I remember my most favorite dream as a youth. I was Gigantic and stood at the entrance to a great harbor, the ships would pass under me and all the people would look up at me in awe I was the most wonderful thing they had ever seen. I always awoke from that dream happy and I swore to myself I would someday have that fame, you know Mr. President I have it now. It does taste like wormwood in my mouth. I found out later I had dreamed of the Colossus of Rhodes. One of the “Seven Wonders of the World” It stood for a mere 65 years not even a mans allotted span, and when it broke it broke at the knees. A lesson wouldn’t you say? So much for fame.
Lincoln A lesson this country may in its infancy have had to learn. It has always seemed to me that men take to much credit for the workings of a higher force. We are a stiff necked and arrogant people. I believe if we could have sat and talked honestly of our differences we could have avoided the bitter gall of these years. General Lee is a most noble, gentle, man as like-minded as General Grant and it is to our everlasting shame that we took up arms against such a man. I am bitter! I feel that I have failed my countrymen by allowing hotheads to prevail over reason. John I ask you to keep my confidence, I will step down soon, and I will leave it to men like Johnson, to ensure the future of our country.
Booth No, No! Mr. President you can’t trust them, they will send in the scavengers and profiteers the South will be stripped clean in a few months. You must make a fair and a just peace. Free all the prisoners and let the country breathe, We need the men to work the fields and raise the cattle. The dear women of this land have almost killed themselves keeping the farms and businesses going, now we need them to have babies to give us babes to carry the souls of the generation that has perished. Most importantly the soldiers will need the gentleness that only their womenfolk can provide, or else we have but halted this war for a short time. It will awaken again like a roaring dragon if balance is not restored to nature. If not you Sir. Then God himself must return to this earth or we as a people are lost .
Lincoln You don’t understand John, I am ill much sicker than the doctors have divulged I have not the strength to do the things you ask. I am sorry! Nevertheless, a greater force than I will have to rally this nation for only a people united will survive.
Booth A force greater than you? Excuse me Mr. President much as I hate to admit it as a Southerner. You! are the force in this world, and I am surprised to learn much against my will, one for good, or at least better than any other here known. I am confounded to hear you say that you will let other men finish what you started, that you would desert americans when a stong but tempered father is most needed. It reeks to the very heavens of perfidy. For that I will make no apology.
Lincoln It must seem that way to you. Know in my defense that I have drawn up plans this very day to permit certain well-known gentlemen to escape into Canada or abroad. So where lies the treachery but at my own door? I wish no more blood on my hands. Like your great character Macbeth, I grow weary of fear and would make end to it.
Booth [Booth in agitation raises his hand to Lincolns lips in admonishment.] Do not speak that name, it is a superstition that, that play is not spoken of too casually, and we who stir the air with such dire words tonight are just the poor unfortunates that spirits seek, with malice in their hearts… and speak not of cowards who would run from their Country's deathbed...Why did you ask me if I dreamt? It seems a strange question in such a place.
Lincoln Oh! It is naught but a silly fancy that has troubled me of late. It is nothing.
Booth I entreat you Sir, share with me, an actor loves dreams for does he not live in their realm? and would be a pauper for their absence.
Lincoln As you wish John, but you will imagine me to be a weak old fool to be bothered by a dream... “It always starts out the same way, I am awakened from a deep slumber by a low murmur in the White House. I make my way through the corridors which are draped with a gauze like material, and as I near the East wing I hear the murmur turn to sobs and lamentations. I see before me a catafalque on which rests a figure in vestments of the grave. Around it stand soldiers with reversed weapons, an honor guard. There is a crowd around the bier gazing at the corpse and weeping mournfully. Who is dead in the White House I demanded of a soldier?” He answered “The President. He was killed by an assassin!” I look down and see my own face before me. It quite shook me up I can admit. I was foolish enough to tell my wife and now she is in a most distressed frame of mind. She is a very delicate woman and does not react well to talk of death. If she but knew I have an envelope in my desk which contains some one hundred threats upon my life. It is all part and parcel of politics, nothing to worry about. The dream is caused by stress and by the overzealous protectors around me. Why look at us, you a Southern gentleman, I, a representative of all you are against, and yet we can speak civilly. I pray that we may continue to know each other in the future Sir, for you have brought me a measure of peace tonight. I am grateful for your kindness, John.
Booth You do me too much credit Sir. I am sorry to say that your manner has quite overthrown my heart. I would that we had met some time earlier before events and the ill spoken words and malevolent doings of both sides in this conflict had not wormed their way in to my brain. I too fear, however unlike you, Sir. I still fear for the land that bore me and the way of life that I believe is right and just. Meeting you has seemed a machination of some unknown power sent to torment me and to turn me from my duty. I have been changed by you Mr Lincoln. what the out come will be? I do not know, my heart is not within my control.
Booth I will wish you an easy mind and sound sleep tonight, for by your leave and my desire I must go. I have an appointment and my associates await upon my coming. May I have your permission to withdraw Sir?
Lincoln Of course my good fellow, it has been most interesting and I hope we meet again. Do you plan to attend the Ford tomorrow night? Perhaps you could join my wife and I. General Grant will be with us. A most dour fellow...Aaahh. confidentially, my wife and his do not see eye to eye.
Booth I may see you there Sir. I have not confirmed my appointments as yet. Good night Sir. God bless you.
Lincoln Thank you John. I would shake your hand if I may: goodnight may heaven protect you.
{They shake hands each looking deep into the others eyes }
Booth Goodnight…
[Lincoln walks away pausing once as if intending to turn back, then walks on a shadowy figure receding into the depths of the misty night.
Booth Goodnight, Abraham, sleep well for if you cannot save this country then the task falls to me.
“Oh. Cursed spite that ever I, was born to set things right.”
{John starts to walk in the direction Lincoln had taken when he hears a shout and Paine runs past him as if to follow the President. He is to late }
