The Assassination Of President Lincoln (The Play) Part 1
Lorient Montaner
THE ASSASSINATION OF PRESIDENT LINCOLN (The Play)
Written by Lorient Montaner
Contents
Dramatis Personae
ACT I
ACT II
ACT III
ACT IV
ACT V
Dramatis Personae
ABRAHAM LINCOLN–President of the United States
MARY LINCOLN–His wife
WARD HILL LAMON–Lincoln’s personal bodyguard
JOHN WILKES BOOTH–Lincoln’s assassin
LEWIS POWELL–A conspirator
DAVID HEROLD–A conspirator
GEORGE ATZERODT–A conspirator
MARY SURRATT–Mother of John Surratt
JOHN SURRATT–A conspirator
MICHAEL O'LAUGHLEN–A conspirator
FREDERICK DOUGLASS–A Black abolitionist
EDWIN BOOTH–Brother of John Booth
MARY ANN HOLMES–Mother of John Wilkes Booth
ADMIRAL PORTER–An admiral in the Union forces
ROBERT TODD LINCOLN–Eldest son of the President
GIDEON WELLES–Secretary of the Navy
EDWIN M. STANTON–Secretary of War
CHARLES LEALE–A young army surgeon
JOSEPH K. BARNES–A physician
CHARLES HENRY CRANE–A physician
ANDERSON RUFFIN ABBOTT–A physician
ROBERT K. STONE–Lincoln’s personal physician
CHARLES SABIN TAFT–A doctor
Setting: The United States, 1865
ACT I
SCENE I
At the National Hotel, Washington, D.C.
Near the end of the American Civil War, John Wilkes Booth organized a conspiracy to assassinate President Abraham Lincoln—intended as a final blow to revive the Confederate cause. Booth meets with fellow conspirators: Lewis Powell, David Herold, and George Atzerodt to plan the attack.
JOHN WILKES BOOTH
Welcome, gentlemen, to this urgent meeting. I commend you for coming on such short notice.
LEWIS POWELL
John Wilkes Booth—the actor.
JOHN SURRATT
Mr. Booth is quite a stellar performer. I saw him once in Richard III in Baltimore—he was impeccable.
JOHN WILKES BOOTH
Yes, Mr. Surratt is right. I have a deep love for acting. But now, I take on the greatest role of my life.
DAVID HEROLD
What’s the main reason for this meeting?
JOHN WILKES BOOTH
You mean, why are we gathered in this hotel room?
GEORGE ATZERODT
Exactly, Mr. Booth.
JOHN WILKES BOOTH
Gentlemen, we’re here to discuss the assassination of the Union President.
LEWIS POWELL
You mean President Lincoln?
JOHN WILKES BOOTH
Yes—Abe Lincoln himself.
LEWIS POWELL
How do you propose we pull off such a difficult task?
GEORGE ATZERODT
That’s what I’d like to know too.
JOHN WILKES BOOTH
I’ve begun laying the groundwork for a plan. But I’ll need your complete cooperation—from start to finish.
DAVID HEROLD
What kind of assistance are you talking about?
JOHN WILKES BOOTH
I know your loyalty to the South and your hatred for Lincoln. That’s why you’re here.
LEWIS POWELL
And what does that have to do with killing him?
JOHN WILKES BOOTH
Everything—if we succeed.
DAVID HEROLD
And what if we don’t?
JOHN WILKES BOOTH
There’s no guarantee. But I’ll tell you one thing—I believe the South will rise again.
LEWIS POWELL
Lee’s army is close to surrender. The war’s nearly over. Damn those meddling Yankees!
JOHN WILKES BOOTH
Maybe so—but our battle has just begun. I was at Lincoln’s second inauguration on March 4. I had a clear chance to kill him then.
LEWIS POWELL
So why didn’t you do it?
JOHN SURRATT
Because he would’ve been captured and hanged by the next day, no doubt.
JOHN WILKES BOOTH
Exactly. There was a reason I didn’t take the shot.
DAVID HEROLD
And what was that?
LEWIS POWELL
Yeah—I want to hear that too.
JOHN WILKES BOOTH
This isn’t the time to get lost in details. We’re here to act—and that time is now.
SCENE II
Inside the White House, Washington, D.C.
Three days before his assassination, President Lincoln shares with his bodyguard, Ward Hill Lamon, a troubling dream. He had seen a funeral in the East Room of the White House, with mourners gathered around a coffin—his own.
WARD HILL LAMON
Good morning, Mr. President.
ABRAHAM LINCOLN
Good morning, Hill.
WARD HILL LAMON
I hope you slept well, sir.
ABRAHAM LINCOLN
I’m not so sure. I’ve been having troubling dreams lately—strange ones.
WARD HILL LAMON
You seem distracted. What’s on your mind?
ABRAHAM LINCOLN
I believe I’ve had what they call a phantasmagoria.
WARD HILL LAMON
A nightmare, Mr. President?
ABRAHAM LINCOLN
Perhaps. Let me describe it: I was walking through the White House until I entered the East Room. There, I saw a catafalque—a platform holding a corpse, wrapped in funeral clothes. Soldiers stood guard. A crowd mourned around it. Some wept. I asked a soldier, "Who is dead in the White House?" He answered, "The President." I was then killed by an assassin.
WARD HILL LAMON
That’s—well, I don’t know what to say.
ABRAHAM LINCOLN
Neither do I. But the dream haunts me. I can’t ignore its meaning.
WARD HILL LAMON
Sir, if I may—aren’t dreams just passing illusions of the mind?
ABRAHAM LINCOLN
Perhaps. But some dreams reflect deeper concerns. That’s what I’ve read.
WARD HILL LAMON
What concerns, sir? The war is ending.
ABRAHAM LINCOLN
Yes, but the real challenge lies ahead: reuniting this broken nation. The war may be drawing to a close—but healing the Union has just begun.
WARD HILL LAMON
Let’s hope time will mend our country’s wounds.
ABRAHAM LINCOLN
Sometimes, I think back to our nation’s birth—Independence from England, the formation of the United States. It feels like only yesterday.
WARD HILL LAMON
You’re a remarkable man, sir—a true statesman. There’s no one I’d rather serve.
ABRAHAM LINCOLN
Thank you, Hill. I value loyalty—and yours means a great deal. I trust your counsel, as I once did in the Eighth Judicial District of Illinois.
WARD HILL LAMON
It’s an honor, sir—truly.
ABRAHAM LINCOLN
And I am deeply grateful for that loyalty.
SCENE III
Gautier's Restaurant, Pennsylvania Avenue, Washington D.C. – March 15
Booth reunites with his co-conspirators, who now appear more committed to the plot.
JOHN WILKES BOOTH
Gentlemen, I’m glad you’re here. It seems the cause has finally persuaded you to return.
DAVID HEROLD
It’s that very cause that convinced us in the end.
JOHN WILKES BOOTH
Excellent. Your involvement will be vital to the success of this operation.
LEWIS POWELL
We’re ready to give our all—for the Confederacy. I’d sell my soul to whistle “Dixie” and wave the Bonnie Blue Flag past the Mason-Dixon Line.
JOHN SURRATT
Lincoln must pay for what he’s done. That man cannot be trusted with our states’ rights or our liberty.
JOHN WILKES BOOTH
Exactly. We stand on the edge of history. We must act quickly.
LEWIS POWELL
Freeing the slaves will only corrupt our white society. I've heard enough Yankee talk to know—they mean to destroy everything we stand for!
JOHN WILKES BOOTH
And when they come, they’ll bring their carpetbaggers, eager to impose Northern laws and strip away our traditions.
DAVID HEROLD
How are we going to get close to Lincoln?
JOHN WILKES BOOTH
I’ll take care of that when the time is right.
GEORGE ATZERODT
I’d like to know that too.
JOHN WILKES BOOTH
Patience, gentlemen.
LEWIS POWELL
But how do you expect to get near him?
JOHN WILKES BOOTH
It’s simple. Lincoln loves the theater. That makes the perfect setting for our plan.
DAVID HEROLD
But you haven’t said how you’ll lure him there.
JOHN WILKES BOOTH
On March 17, we’ll capture him after he attends a performance at Campbell Military Hospital.
LEWIS POWELL
You think we can just snatch him with all those guards around?
DAVID HEROLD
That’s a dangerous move.
JOHN SURRATT
We must trust Booth’s plan.
JOHN WILKES BOOTH
He won’t have his usual guard detail that evening.
GEORGE ATZERODT
How do you know that?
JOHN WILKES BOOTH
We have a contact inside Lincoln’s circle—a Confederate sympathizer.
DAVID HEROLD
Who is he?
JOHN WILKES BOOTH
You’ll know soon enough. But for now, his identity must remain secret for everyone’s safety.
LEWIS POWELL
And once we have him, where does he go?
JOHN WILKES BOOTH
To Richmond—the capital of the Confederacy. Follow my instructions exactly until further notice.
SCENE IV
President Lincoln’s Office, The White House.
The President is looking out the window. His wife, Mary, enters quietly.
MARY LINCOLN
I thought I’d find you here, Abraham.
ABRAHAM LINCOLN
It’s such a peaceful day, Molly. I couldn’t help but look outside...but something weighs on me. I can’t enjoy it as I used to.
MARY LINCOLN
There’s still beauty in the world, and many more days to enjoy it.
ABRAHAM LINCOLN
True, but my soul is heavy with the lives lost on those harsh battlefields. It troubles me that the power to wage war rests with Congress and the President, and yet the price is paid by young men in muddy tents, far from home.
MARY LINCOLN
You have a kind heart, Abraham. But those men died with honor, for their country and their brothers.
ABRAHAM LINCOLN
I don’t doubt that. What haunts me is the mothers left behind—their grief keeps me awake. They gave everything.
MARY LINCOLN
As a mother, I understand. There is no greater pain than losing a child. But they died for a noble cause. Think of your letter to Mrs. Bixby, who lost five sons.
ABRAHAM LINCOLN
Yes... I remember every word:
"Dear Madam, I have been shown...that you are the mother of five sons who have died gloriously on the field of battle. I feel how weak and fruitless must be any words of mine...But I cannot refrain from offering you the thanks of the Republic they died to save...May our Heavenly Father comfort you in your loss and leave you the pride of having laid such a sacrifice upon the altar of Freedom."
I wrote those words...and I meant them. But I feel them now more than ever.
MARY LINCOLN
No one expects you to forget. What they do expect is for you to heal the wounds of this war and bring the country back together.
ABRAHAM LINCOLN
Glory means little now. What matters is unity—restoring trust between brothers. I pray we can mend what’s been broken, if not for ourselves, then for our children.
MARY LINCOLN
This nation was once united. We must return to those principles—the Constitution our forefathers wrote.
ABRAHAM LINCOLN
If only it were so simple. But the Constitution must be preserved. We the People are its rightful masters—not to destroy it, but to protect it from those who twist its meaning.
MARY LINCOLN
And what of the slaves?
ABRAHAM LINCOLN
This country won’t fall to outside enemies. If it’s destroyed, it will be from within. Slavery must end. Every man has the right to be free—no human being should be property. I owe much to Frederick Douglass, whose courage helped guide this nation’s conscience.
MARY LINCOLN
If anyone can guide this country through the storm, it’s you.
ABRAHAM LINCOLN
I only hope I’m equal to the task. The road ahead will be long—reconstruction will be painful.
MARY LINCOLN
Then you’ll lead them through it. You have the strength and the vision.
ABRAHAM LINCOLN
I pray that I do, Molly. With God’s help, perhaps this nation can be reborn—stronger, kinder, and united.
SCENE V
Mary Surratt’s Boarding House, Washington, D.C.
The conspirators react to the failure of their plot to abduct the President.
DAVID HEROLD
We failed to abduct Lincoln!
JOHN WILKES BOOTH
Because he didn’t attend the play. He went to a ceremony at the National Hotel—of all places, the very hotel where I was staying!
JOHN SURRATT
You mean to say Lincoln was at the National Hotel while you were there?
JOHN WILKES BOOTH
Yes! And had I not gone to the hospital that night for the attempted kidnapping, I might have crossed paths with him there—unguarded, vulnerable.
LEWIS POWELL
It would’ve been the perfect chance to seize him. We could’ve had him all to ourselves.
JOHN WILKES BOOTH
Exactly. But fate turned quickly against us. That single change in circumstance upended our entire plan.
DAVID HEROLD
So what do we do now?
JOHN WILKES BOOTH
I haven’t decided yet what our next step should be.
JOHN SURRATT
Will we ever get another golden opportunity like that again?
JOHN WILKES BOOTH
Yes. But we must be cautious. We must watch more closely. When the right moment comes, we will strike—and the whole nation will be shaken by what we do.
DAVID HEROLD
We can’t afford to waste another opportunity that puts Lincoln within our reach.
JOHN WILKES BOOTH
I agree. But time is still on our side. We can still succeed.
LEWIS POWELL
I sure hope you're right, Mr. Booth. I’m not willing to risk my neck again if this ends in failure.
JOHN WILKES BOOTH
Gentlemen, I give you my word—once we have the right plan and the right moment, we’ll succeed. No doubts.
GEORGE ATZERODT
And if we don’t?
JOHN WILKES BOOTH
Then we adjust. But there's no need to argue over the details when we know our purpose is righteous and resolute.
LEWIS POWELL
That all sounds good, but talk won’t get us results.
JOHN WILKES BOOTH
Remember—the Confederate army is crumbling. If we act now, our strike will carry the power of that lost cause.
LEWIS POWELL
Not if we keep the spirit of the Confederacy alive. That spirit is stronger than any army.
JOHN WILKES BOOTH
Exactly. That’s the heart of our mission. To preserve what they died for.
SCENE VI
The front lawn of the White House, Washington, D.C.
President Lincoln stands admiring the sunset. His bodyguard, Ward Hill Lamon, joins him.
ABRAHAM LINCOLN
How beautiful the sunset is as it slips past that distant ridge. It takes me back to the quiet days in Springfield.
WARD HILL LAMON
Springfield...I remember those days. I was still practicing law back then.
ABRAHAM LINCOLN
You’ve been an excellent lawyer, a steadfast U.S. Marshal, and now my most trusted bodyguard, Hill. There’s no man I’ve placed more faith in. Your loyalty means the world to me.
WARD HILL LAMON
It’s been the greatest honor to serve you, Mr. President.
ABRAHAM LINCOLN
Do you remember the Baltimore Plot, back in ’61? When Mr. Pinkerton called you a “brainless, egotistical fool”?
WARD HILL LAMON
I remember. That was quite a time.
ABRAHAM LINCOLN
Pinkerton was certain the train would be attacked—with bombs, hand grenades, even fire. But the next day, we passed through Baltimore without incident.
WARD HILL LAMON
Truth is, there was no real conspiracy. Not a hundred men, not fifty, not even two with any serious intent to murder you in Baltimore.
ABRAHAM LINCOLN
But Pinkerton was sure it was real.
WARD HILL LAMON
What mattered is that you came through safely, sir.
ABRAHAM LINCOLN
Thanks to your sharp mind and careful instinct, Hill.
WARD HILL LAMON
Let’s agree that in the end, there was no plot to kill you.
ABRAHAM LINCOLN
Yes. And remember, Hill—true patriotism is more meaningful than false piety. No man is good enough to govern another without his consent. Principles must stand firm.
WARD HILL LAMON
No one speaks with such conviction and wisdom as you, Mr. President.
ABRAHAM LINCOLN
I don’t know if I deserve any praise. In this sorrowful world of ours, grief visits everyone. It hits the young hardest, because they never see it coming. I know this too well. My parents were born in Virginia—ordinary folks, from modest roots.
WARD HILL LAMON
There’s no other man better suited to heal this country’s wounds than you, sir.
ABRAHAM LINCOLN
That’s kind of you to say. But there’s still so much to be done—and so many eager to tear it down.
WARD HILL LAMON
Still, it’s good to see you smile again, even just for a moment.
ABRAHAM LINCOLN
It’s rare that I get a chance to enjoy a sunset like this. And it’s a beautiful one.
WARD HILL LAMON
It is. A shame we don’t take more time to enjoy such simple wonders.
ABRAHAM LINCOLN
Yes. In the middle of a war like this, even something as small as a sunset reminds us we’re still human.
WARD HILL LAMON
War is never easy to forget, especially when it’s brother against brother.
ABRAHAM LINCOLN
My dream is of a future where America is once again a land of hope and opportunity. That’s my deepest conviction. And I know this: we cannot dodge the responsibility of tomorrow by putting it off today.
ACT 2
SCENE I
A secluded boarding house in Washington, D.C. David Herold, Lewis Powell, George Atzerodt, and John Surratt meet to discuss their growing uncertainty about the assassination plot.
JOHN SURRATT
We’re gathered here because I have serious doubts about this plan—especially after the failed attempt. We need to talk about what comes next.
DAVID HEROLD
What do you mean?
LEWIS POWELL
Where’s Booth? Why isn’t he here?
JOHN SURRATT
I didn’t invite him.
LEWIS POWELL
Then what’s the point of this secret meeting?
JOHN SURRATT
We need to decide whether we should still follow Booth’s lead in this uncertain plot.
DAVID HEROLD
So what are you suggesting?
JOHN SURRATT
There’s a lot to consider, especially now.
DAVID HEROLD
Are you blaming Booth for the failure?
JOHN SURRATT
This isn’t about blame. The real question is—are we willing to keep putting our lives on the line, trusting in his leadership?
DAVID HEROLD
At this point, there's no turning back. And Booth’s the only one who still has access to Lincoln.
JOHN SURRATT
That’s true. But how far are we willing to go under his direction? Let’s put it to a vote.
LEWIS POWELL
Do we even have another option?
DAVID HEROLD
I vote we stay with Booth’s plan.
LEWIS POWELL
I vote the same.
JOHN SURRATT
And you, Atzerodt?
GEORGE ATZERODT
I vote to go on with it, too.
JOHN SURRATT
Then it’s decided. We follow through with the plan. But we need to be ready for whatever outcome—good or bad.
LEWIS POWELL
Let’s hope it works in our favor.
JOHN SURRATT
If not, we could be caught quickly.
DAVID HEROLD
There’s a real chance we’re walking straight into something deadly.
SCENE II
The front lawn of the White House, Washington, D.C. President Lincoln and his wife, Mary ("Molly"), have just returned from a carriage ride.
MARY LINCOLN
Nothing makes me happier than seeing you smile, dear.
ABRAHAM LINCOLN
And nothing pleases me more than your beautiful smile, Molly.
MARY LINCOLN
If only things could stay this peaceful—just the two of us with our children.
ABRAHAM LINCOLN
Unless, of course, you grow tired of my ugly old face.
MARY LINCOLN
Never! You’re as handsome as the day I met you. Always using humor to hide your sadness.
ABRAHAM LINCOLN
I call it affliction, nothing more.
MARY LINCOLN
Whatever you call it, I know the Lord is good and merciful.
ABRAHAM LINCOLN
I know the Lord is always on the side of what’s right. But it’s my constant prayer that this nation—and I—remain on His side.
MARY LINCOLN
I believe we are. You’ve never betrayed your values for selfish gain.
ABRAHAM LINCOLN
I’ve always lived by the law. Ever since my days as a lawyer, my principles haven’t changed.
MARY LINCOLN
What this country needs more than ever is prayer.
ABRAHAM LINCOLN
I remember my mother’s prayers. They’ve stayed with me all my life.
MARY LINCOLN
This country will need unity during the Reconstruction.
ABRAHAM LINCOLN
As I’ve said before—America will never be destroyed from the outside. If we lose our freedom, it will be because we destroyed ourselves.
MARY LINCOLN
Hasn’t the nation suffered enough already, after this terrible war?
ABRAHAM LINCOLN
Let’s hope the country learns something from this, something that endures.
MARY LINCOLN
It must get better.
ABRAHAM LINCOLN
Every great nation has faced struggle. The strongest rise by enduring it.
MARY LINCOLN
You sound like a true statesman.
ABRAHAM LINCOLN
I’ll take that as a compliment, Molly.
SCENE III
At the home of Mary Ann Holmes, mother of John Wilkes Booth, in Maryland. Booth has come to visit. Unexpectedly, his brother Edwin is present.
MARY ANN HOLMES
My son, I’m so happy to see you again. Why has it taken you so long to visit me?
JOHN WILKES BOOTH
I’ve been caught up with performances and constant travel, Mother. Time slips away so quickly.
EDWIN BOOTH
Your talent as an actor is undeniable, John. It’s just a shame your political passions have led you down a dangerous path.
JOHN WILKES BOOTH
Spoken like a true Union loyalist. Still, it’s good to see you too, brother.
EDWIN BOOTH
I remember when you admired John Brown, calling him inspired—the greatest figure of the century.
JOHN WILKES BOOTH
That was before the North tried to force its will upon the South.
MARY ANN HOLMES
That’s enough! Have you both forgotten how to treat one another with brotherly respect?
EDWIN BOOTH
Forgive us, Mother. Rivalry has always been part of us—but we are brothers before anything else.
JOHN WILKES BOOTH
Of course, Edwin. Let’s keep it that way—for our mother’s sake, and for ours.
MARY ANN HOLMES
There’s no greater joy for a mother than seeing her sons getting along.
JOHN WILKES BOOTH
I agree. If there’s one thing you always valued, Mother, it was kindness and good manners between us.
JOHN WILKES BOOTH
You look well, Edwin. I hope you’re doing fine.
EDWIN BOOTH
And you? Where are you calling home these days, John? Constant travel must wear you down.
JOHN WILKES BOOTH
It does take a toll. But I enjoy mingling with Washington’s high society. Believe it or not, I was even invited to Lincoln’s inauguration—and yes, I went.
MARY ANN HOLMES
You must tell us everything! What was it like? What’s Washington like—and the President?
EDWIN BOOTH
Surely the President must’ve left an impression on you in person.
JOHN WILKES BOOTH
I’d be lying if I said he didn’t. But I still see a stark difference between him and Jefferson Davis.
EDWIN BOOTH
That sounds like more than just a passing observation.
MARY ANN HOLMES
Is Washington really as lively as people say? And is Lincoln everything they claim?
JOHN WILKES BOOTH
It depends on who’s doing the observing—and whose opinion matters most, Mother.
EDWIN BOOTH
How long will you stay, John?
MARY ANN HOLMES
I hope you’ll stay at least a few days, son.
JOHN WILKES BOOTH
I plan to stay for a few days—but I must return to Washington soon.
SCENE IV
Inside President Lincoln’s office at the White House, Washington D.C. He is preparing for a major speech in which he will support voting rights for freed slaves. He is joined by his friend, Ward Hill Lamon. Lincoln begins by reciting a portion of his Gettysburg Address.
ABRAHAM LINCOLN
"...that these dead shall not have died in vain—that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom—and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth."
WARD HILL LAMON
Mr. President. You called for me?
ABRAHAM LINCOLN
Yes, Hill. As you know, I’m preparing a speech—an important one—and I need your counsel.
WARD HILL LAMON
I knew about the event, but I figured you had a specific reason for summoning me.
ABRAHAM LINCOLN
Indeed I do. You're a fine orator, and your opinion matters greatly to me.
WARD HILL LAMON
I’m honored, sir. Truly.
ABRAHAM LINCOLN
These are heavy times for the country, and what we need now is a speech that can uplift hearts and strengthen purpose.
WARD HILL LAMON
Of course. I’ll help in any way I can—even if my opinion doesn’t entirely match yours.
ABRAHAM LINCOLN
We’ve never agreed entirely on abolition, Hill. But our friendship has stood the test of time. You've always remained loyal—even back in 1860, when I was competing against Seward for the Republican nomination. You stacked the hall with my supporters by printing extra tickets. That meant a lot.
WARD HILL LAMON
I remember. After you won, I hoped you’d appoint me to a diplomatic post overseas. But instead, I got a letter that simply said: "Dear Hill, I need you. Come with me to Washington, and be ready for a long stay."
ABRAHAM LINCOLN
And you came. From Springfield to Washington, that train ride in 1861 was full of memories. I’ll never forget it.
WARD HILL LAMON
We’ve lived a lot of history together, Mr. President.
ABRAHAM LINCOLN
If anyone writes my biography, I hope they include more than just a footnote about you, Hill.
WARD HILL LAMON
That would be an honor.
ABRAHAM LINCOLN
But I didn’t call you here for nostalgia. I want to talk about the future of this nation.
WARD HILL LAMON
I'm at your service, sir.
ABRAHAM LINCOLN
As I said—I want your thoughts on my upcoming speech.
WARD HILL LAMON
I'm listening.
ABRAHAM LINCOLN
What do you think of this as an opening line: “We meet this evening, not in sorrow, but in gladness of heart.”
(Lincoln pauses.)
WARD HILL LAMON
I think it’s a powerful beginning, Mr. President.
ABRAHAM LINCOLN
The speech still needs sharpening. Some details are yet to be finalized.
WARD HILL LAMON
Even so, I believe this could be one of your finest addresses.
ABRAHAM LINCOLN
I hope so. My mind is overwhelmed with concern for the people of this great nation. I remember when I had varioloid while giving the Gettysburg Address—how ill I felt. But passion and duty kept me going. Without them, I don't know how I’d have managed.
SCENE V.
At the tavern of Mary Surratt in Surrattsville, Maryland.
Booth meets Mary Surratt to discuss the planned abduction of the President. He is introduced to another conspirator, Mr. Michael O'Laughlen.
MARY SURRATT.
Mr. Booth, I am most glad you have come. Allow me to present Mr. Michael O’Laughlen.
JOHN WILKES BOOTH.
Mr. O’Laughlen, it is a pleasure to make your acquaintance.
MICHAEL O’LAUGHLEN.
The pleasure is mine. I have heard you are an actor by profession.
MARY SURRATT.
Indeed, Mr. Booth is among the finest of his craft.
JOHN WILKES BOOTH.
I am appreciative of your kind remarks, but I would prefer we speak now of the cause that unites us.
MICHAEL O’LAUGHLEN.
I was told of your intent to abduct the President, yet I’ve not been given the particulars.
MARY SURRATT.
I awaited your arrival, Mr. Booth, so that you might explain the scheme to Mr. O’Laughlen in your own words.
JOHN WILKES BOOTH.
Of course. The matter is intricate, yet I shall speak with clarity.
(pauses, looks between them)
We shall abduct Mr. Lincoln.
MICHAEL O’LAUGHLEN.
Abduct Lincoln? And how do you propose we accomplish such a feat?
JOHN WILKES BOOTH.
In time, the finer details shall be revealed. But first, you must meet the rest of our company.
MICHAEL O’LAUGHLEN.
Where shall this meeting take place?
JOHN WILKES BOOTH.
In Washington. That is where all must convene.
MARY SURRATT.
Perhaps we ought to focus on selecting a proper date.
JOHN WILKES BOOTH.
Dates are fickle, madam. I would sooner wait for the opportune moment than tie our fortunes to a calendar.
MICHAEL O’LAUGHLEN.
If we’re to carry out so grave and daring a mission, we must be prepared in every regard.
JOHN WILKES BOOTH.
And so we shall be.
(gathers his coat)
I must take my leave. There are other matters that demand my attention while I remain in Maryland.
MARY SURRATT.
I am preparing to move my residence to Washington myself.
JOHN WILKES BOOTH.
Excellent. Then I shall look forward to seeing you there very soon.
Booth nods to them both and exits with purpose, leaving behind a thick air of tension.
ACT III
SCENE I.
The President’s Office, within the White House, Washington D.C. Late Afternoon. April 1865.
President Lincoln stands near his writing desk, preparing notes for a speech. Mary Todd Lincoln enters quietly. The atmosphere is both solemn and intimate.
ABRAHAM LINCOLN.
Molly, you seem always to know where to find me.
MARY LINCOLN.
You've been so consumed with work lately that I feared you had forgotten how to rest. But the speech you’re preparing—I'm certain it shall be well received by the majority of this country.
ABRAHAM LINCOLN.
And what of the minority that detests me and fought against everything I stand for?
MARY LINCOLN.
My dear, you cannot satisfy the whole world. No mortal can.
ABRAHAM LINCOLN.
You remain ever dutiful and modest. While I’ve grown occupied with the burdens of government and war, you've carried the weight of diplomacy, hosting our receptions with dignity.
MARY LINCOLN.
There is little I can complain of, being the President’s wife.
ABRAHAM LINCOLN.
Still, I regret how little time we’ve spent together—less than even during my old circuit-riding days.
MARY LINCOLN.
I care only for the well-being of this country—and your health.
ABRAHAM LINCOLN.
You once dreamed of a grand life in Washington. I recall when we first moved here, my clerk, William Stoddard, remarked how faded and worn many of the rooms were. Even the East Room bore a look of tired neglect.
MARY LINCOLN.
Those early days forced me to rely on instinct and a touch of imagination.
ABRAHAM LINCOLN.
And now, we stand on the edge of a new revolution—one not fought with muskets, but with principle. The abolishment of slavery, and the enshrinement of freedom for those who bled for it.
MARY LINCOLN.
Whatever divisions still exist, the time for change is now—and you are the one called to shape it.
ABRAHAM LINCOLN.
At what point then is the approach of danger to be expected? I say, if it ever reach us, it must rise from within. It cannot come from abroad. If destruction be our lot, we must be its author and finisher. As a nation of freemen, we must live through all time—or die by suicide.
MARY LINCOLN.
Those were your words as a young lawyer. And now they echo back to you as President.
ABRAHAM LINCOLN.
I carry the burden of this nation’s original sin—and the guilt of its long delay in redemption.
MARY LINCOLN.
There is no man better versed in both the Bible and Shakespeare than you, Abraham.
ABRAHAM LINCOLN.
What I wouldn’t give to hear a verse of the Bard again. But for now, I would settle for hearing The Battle Hymn of the Republic played in honor of our fallen.
MARY LINCOLN.
Perhaps we could visit the theater soon?
ABRAHAM LINCOLN.
Yes! I’ve heard that Our American Cousin is being performed at Ford’s Theatre. It’s been well received.
MARY LINCOLN.
It would be a comfort to leave the house for an evening. To share time as husband and wife again.
ABRAHAM LINCOLN.
I know the war has brought sorrow, distance, and hardship—but I would restore what was lost between us, if I can.
MARY LINCOLN.
Since Willie’s passing, I have found solace only in nature. The Soldier’s Home...occasional retreats to New York or Vermont. But here, within these walls, even joy feels like a mockery.
ABRAHAM LINCOLN.
I mourn Willie still. But now, as President, I mourn all the young souls who’ve fallen for this republic—boys whose names shall fade from memory, though their sacrifice must not.
(They stand together in silence, the weight of grief and hope between them.)
SCENE II.
April 3, 1865. Grant’s Field Headquarters, City Point, Richmond, Virginia.
Union forces have occupied Richmond. President Lincoln visits the abandoned Confederate capital, accompanied by his son Tad, a small guard, and several freedmen. He later confers with Generals Ulysses S. Grant and William Tecumseh Sherman aboard the River Queen. Now he speaks with Admiral David Dixon Porter.
ABRAHAM LINCOLN.
Admiral Porter, I have longed for this day since the cruel birth of this war.
ADMIRAL PORTER.
And I am proud to have helped bring it to pass, Mr. President.
ABRAHAM LINCOLN.
There is no triumph sweeter than peace after bloodshed...and no image more powerful than that of war's final silence.
ADMIRAL PORTER.
You speak as one whose words shall echo through time, Mr. President.
ABRAHAM LINCOLN.
If Lee and Johnston surrender, as General Sherman expects, then let the war be declared over. Let it be finished.
ADMIRAL PORTER.
We shall deliver that result, sir. And soon.
ABRAHAM LINCOLN.
Then let them surrender...and go home. Let them keep their horses to plow, and if they must, their rifles to shoot crows. Give them generous and honorable terms. Tell Sherman to return to Goldsboro—and forget the war.
ADMIRAL PORTER.
It shall be done, Mr. President.
ABRAHAM LINCOLN.
Thank you, Admiral. Keep me informed of all new developments.
ADMIRAL PORTER.
Of course. And I hope, sir, that I might one day visit you at the White House—as your honored guest.
ABRAHAM LINCOLN.
That shall be a pleasure. I am planning a great celebration.
(He pauses thoughtfully.)
Have you heard of Anthony Berger?
ADMIRAL PORTER.
I confess I have not.
ABRAHAM LINCOLN.
He is the gentleman who recently took a photograph of me on the White House portico—March 6, 1865. One of the first true photographs of a President taken inside the Executive Mansion.
ADMIRAL PORTER.
I would very much like to see it, Mr. President.
ABRAHAM LINCOLN.
Then you are most cordially invited.
(They shake hands. Lincoln steps away, silhouetted against the James River, the sun setting upon a fractured, healing nation.)
SCENE III.
At the East Room of the White House, the evening of the second inauguration.
The President is visited by Frederick Douglass, who wants to discuss the issue of racial equality with him in private.
ABRAHAM LINCOLN.
My friend! How are you today?
FREDERICK DOUGLASS.
I am doing just fine, Mr. President!
ABRAHAM LINCOLN.
Why didn’t you tell me you were coming today? I would have invited other guests.
FREDERICK DOUGLASS.
Forgive me, sir, but it is my duty to speak, as I have always done, for the silent voice of my people. I came to speak privately with you.
ABRAHAM LINCOLN.
About what?
FREDERICK DOUGLASS.
About the issue of securing the rights of my people, now that their liberty has been granted!
ABRAHAM LINCOLN.
You’re aware that my Inauguration Day is tomorrow?
FREDERICK DOUGLASS.
Of course! And I’m grateful you invited me.
ABRAHAM LINCOLN.
You’re probably wondering what the substance of my speech will be?
FREDERICK DOUGLASS.
Truly, Mr. President, I’d be dishonest if I didn’t openly express my immediate concern.
ABRAHAM LINCOLN.
What do you believe the premise of my speech should include?
FREDERICK DOUGLASS.
It must not be false or misleading. If I may advise, I would urge you to consider the rights of all Americans, including the empowerment of my people.
ABRAHAM LINCOLN.
Do you believe I should include the rights of one race of Americans while excluding others in my formal speech? Based on that, who among the many demanding people should I favor?
FREDERICK DOUGLASS.
I am not the President, but if I were, I would uphold the constitutional duties of the office. I would speak solemnly on behalf of those disenfranchised and neglected—those marginalized by the color of their skin or their social class. That would definitely resonate throughout my speech!
ABRAHAM LINCOLN.
Do you consider yourself, Mr. Douglass, a non-citizen of this country?
FREDERICK DOUGLASS.
My people are not considered citizens. Although I appear before you dressed as a gentleman, beneath these clothes I am, by fate, no more than a former runaway slave. But I swear, I will not remain a non-citizen any longer!
ABRAHAM LINCOLN.
No one can mistake that Frederick Douglass has stood tall defending his guiding principles with conviction and precedent.
FREDERICK DOUGLASS.
It is my passionate conviction, Mr. President, that guides me amid the adversity of this continuous struggle. I was born to be the Moses who leads my people out of centuries of bondage—whether he or she be a Gentile!
ABRAHAM LINCOLN.
It is not my nature, when I see a people weighed down by the shackles of oppression and tyranny, to make their lives more bitter by heaping greater burdens upon them; rather, I would do all in my power to lift their yoke, not add to it.
FREDERICK DOUGLASS.
"I would like to know if, taking this old Declaration of Independence, which declares that all men are created equal, you begin making exceptions—where will you stop? If one man says it doesn’t mean a colored man, why not another say it doesn’t mean some other man?"—thus spoke Abraham Lincoln.
ABRAHAM LINCOLN.
By God, Mr. Douglass, if there’s anything a man can do well, I say let him do it. Give him a chance!
FREDERICK DOUGLASS.
When men sow the wind, it’s rational to expect they will reap the whirlwind.
ABRAHAM LINCOLN.
I have pondered deeply the true nature of slavery.
FREDERICK DOUGLASS.
It is truth that compels me to seek equality for my people. I wish the color of my skin did not have to be part of this argument, but it would be foolish not to admit the obvious distinction. As I said before, a battle lost or won is easy to describe and appreciate, but the moral growth of a great nation requires reflection and observation. I have given to this nation and to the war my eldest son, Charles Douglass, who joined the 54th Massachusetts Regiment but was ill much of his service; Lewis Douglass, who fought at the Battle of Fort Wagner; and my other son, Frederick Douglass Jr., who served as a recruiter.
ABRAHAM LINCOLN.
Indeed! The country owes a debt to the service of the Colored Troops. You have enriched my understanding each time we have spoken at length in our enlightened conversations.
FREDERICK DOUGLASS.
And I have tried to learn lessons from you that I can apply to my wisdom. Knowledge is the path from slavery to freedom. You have the power to make and change history if you desire. Power concedes nothing without a demand. It never has, and it never will. Mr. President, a man’s greatness consists in his ability to act and properly apply his powers to what needs to be done.
ABRAHAM LINCOLN.
I shall consider your faithful petition and work to redeem the inequality imposed upon former slaves, now free men and women of this nation. Therefore, there must be an undeniable guarantee of equality and justice to all Americans, regardless of race, creed, or religion.
SCENE IV.
At the White House, Washington, D.C.
On April 11, Booth, along with Herold and Powell, attend the President’s speech at the White House, in which President Lincoln promotes voting rights for the freed slaves.
DAVID HEROLD.
I can’t believe one man can unite a cause, like slavery, both for and against him.
LEWIS POWELL.
He’s a crafty impostor, behind that suit and top hat.
JOHN WILKES BOOTH.
Call him whatever you want, but he’s a dead man.
LEWIS POWELL.
Maybe, but he’s not going down easy, I reckon.
DAVID HEROLD.
I agree! We need a damn good plan to deal with him.
JOHN WILKES BOOTH.
We will, if it’s the last thing I do on this earth.
LEWIS POWELL.
Well, I’m waiting to hear what you have in mind.
DAVID HEROLD.
Surely you’re not bold enough to kill him with so many people around?
JOHN WILKES BOOTH.
Time is the key, gentlemen!
DAVID HEROLD.
But time’s running out—and what if the emancipation proclamation really gets enforced after this?
JOHN WILKES BOOTH.
That means black citizenship. I guarantee this will be the last speech Lincoln ever gives in person.
LEWIS POWELL.
What are you saying?
JOHN WILKES BOOTH.
By the end of the day, he’ll be stone dead—and buried six feet under!
DAVID HEROLD.
How do you expect to do that without getting caught?
JOHN WILKES BOOTH.
Simple. Powell, you shoot Lincoln on the spot, now!
LEWIS POWELL.
Are you out of your cotton-picking mind? I’d be seen by all the onlookers!
JOHN WILKES BOOTH.
Herold, by God, I’ll do it myself if you don’t!
DAVID HEROLD.
I won’t take part in this attempt.
JOHN WILKES BOOTH.
You’re just as much a coward as Powell!
LEWIS POWELL.
Listen, I’m no coward, but I’m not foolish enough to risk everything for your reckless urge.
DAVID HEROLD.
I suggest we leave before people start to get suspicious of us.
SCENE V
At Lincoln’s office in the White House, Washington, D.C.
The President has returned from his trip to Richmond to inform his beloved Mary that the war is nearly over.
ABRAHAM LINCOLN.
I’m home, Molly—and I must admit I’m weary from the trip. But thank God, Richmond has finally fallen!
MARY LINCOLN.
We’ve waited so long for that city to fall.
ABRAHAM LINCOLN.
Oh, I made sure Jefferson Davis knew I was there. I even had dinner at his table—in his very own mansion.
MARY LINCOLN.
How did their White House compare to ours?
ABRAHAM LINCOLN.
Perhaps you should ask Tad. He was there and saw it all for himself.
MARY LINCOLN.
I hope I’ll have the chance to see it in person someday.
ABRAHAM LINCOLN.
It’s good to see you smiling again, Molly. You look so full of life. I’ve been worried about your well-being.
MARY LINCOLN.
And I’ve been worried about yours. You look pale—ashen, really.
ABRAHAM LINCOLN.
I always knew I was pale in complexion, but I didn’t think I was ghostly pale!
MARY LINCOLN.
Well, those were your words, not mine!
ABRAHAM LINCOLN.
Maybe we should go see a play. Something light-hearted.
MARY LINCOLN.
That sounds wonderful. Have you picked one?
ABRAHAM LINCOLN.
One of the cabinet members mentioned Our American Cousin.
MARY LINCOLN.
At which theater?
ABRAHAM LINCOLN.
Ford’s Theatre.
MARY LINCOLN.
I’ve read some glowing reviews. You know it’s a satire?
ABRAHAM LINCOLN.
Of course. A little innocent laughter might help us forget the harsh memories of war—and losing Willie.
MARY LINCOLN.
It’s been so long since I’ve had a good laugh.
ABRAHAM LINCOLN.
Damn this wretched war! But I’ll be damned if I let it consume me any longer with worry and distraction.
MARY LINCOLN.
Once the war officially ends, I hope we can return to the lives we had before. That would truly be a blessing in disguise.
SCENE VI
In a room at the boarding house, Washington, D.C.
The conspirators—minus Booth—gather to discuss Booth’s erratic behavior and the continuation of their plan to assassinate the President.
JOHN SURRATT.
I’m beginning to seriously question Booth’s character—and whether this plan to kill the President will actually work.
LEWIS POWELL.
What exactly do you mean?
DAVID HEROLD.
I understand him. I’ve also started to doubt Booth. His behavior’s been more irrational by the day.
GEORGE ATZERODT.
Exactly!
LEWIS POWELL.
So what do we do now?
JOHN SURRATT.
Honestly, until we speak to Booth again, I don’t know what course to take.
LEWIS POWELL.
Then why call this meeting?
JOHN SURRATT.
Because we need to express our concerns and have a frank discussion.
DAVID HEROLD.
I agree. Until we confront Booth, none of us can move forward comfortably.
LEWIS POWELL.
Seems like the sensible thing to do, given all this uncertainty.
LEWIS POWELL.
But here’s what I’m asking: Can Booth really be trusted? He’s not a true Southerner like us. He’s never even been imprisoned.
JOHN SURRATT.
That’s a fair point.
DAVID HEROLD.
I’m not making any wild accusations—but something feels off.
LEWIS POWELL.
That’s just the plain truth.
DAVID HEROLD.
What I want to know is what exactly Booth plans to do—and when. Especially about the assassination.
JOHN SURRATT.
We’ll have to wait until he gets back from Maryland.
DAVID HEROLD.
In the meantime, it would be smart to come up with a Plan B.
GEORGE ATZERODT.
Plan B? Like what?
DAVID HEROLD.
I don’t know yet—but we’d be fools not to have one.
LEWIS POWELL.
He’s right. The stakes are too high. And I’m not much of a gambler.
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