Part 3: Chapters 36-47 Summary and Analysis

Chapter 36:

FRIDAY, APRIL 14, 1865 WASHINGTON, D.C. 8:05 P.M.

The Lincolns are running late. Rather, the President has made them late due to an impromptu meeting with Colfax. Mary pleads with her husband to hurry. As they go to their carriage, people beckon to Lincoln but he politely states that they are going to the theater. The Lincolns pick up their guests and arrive at the theater at 8:25. The crowd enjoys the play and Lincoln laughs out loud for the first time in many months.

Parker, Lincoln's guard becomes bored. He cannot see the stage and longs for a beverage. Parker leaves his post and entices Lincoln's driver to go to a nearby pub.

"President Abraham Lincoln's only bodyguard, a man with a career-long history of inappropriate and negligent behavior, has left his post for the last time...