Jennings: May I ask why, sir?
Lincoln: Why? Because I have a very good answer.
Jennings: You do?
Lincoln: Long enough to reach the ground.
Jennings: Excuse me?
Lincoln: Long enough to reach the ground. That's the answer! Get it? How long do you think a man's legs should be? Long enough to reach the ground!
Jennings: I see.
Lincoln: You don't think it's funny?
Jennings: May I be frank, Mr. President?
Lincoln: (Annoyed) Well, I got a big laugh with it today.
Jennings: Really?
Lincoln: Absolutely. I was with the cabinet and some friends and a man asked it and I shot back that answer and the whole room broke up.
Jennings: May I ask, Mr. Lincoln, in what context did he ask it?
Lincoln: Pardon me?
Jennings: Were you discussing anatomy? Was the man a surgeon or a sculptor?
Lincoln: Why-er-no-I-I-don't think so. No. A simple farmer, I believe.
Jennings: Well, why did he want to know?
Lincoln: Well, I don't know. All I know is he was someone who had requested an audience with me urgently…
Jennings: (Concerned) I see.
Lincoln: What is it, Jennings, you look pale?
Jennings: It is a rather odd question.
Lincoln: Yes, but I got a laugh off it. It was a quick answer.
Jennings: No one's denying that, Mr. Lincoln.
Lincoln: A big laugh. The whole cabinet just broke up.
Jennings: And then did the man say anything?
Lincoln: He said thank you and left.
Jennings: You never asked why he wanted to know?
Lincoln: If you must know, I was too pleased with my answer. Long enough to reach the ground. It came out so fast. I didn't hesitate.
Jennings: I know, I know. It's just, well, this whole thing's got me worried.
(Lincoln and Mary Todd in their bedroom, middle of the night. She in bed, Lincoln pacing nervously.)
Mary: Come to bed, Abe. What's wrong?
Lincoln: That man today. The question. I can't get it out of my mind. Jennings's opened a can of worms.
Mary: Forget it, Abe.
Lincoln: I want to, Mary. Jesus, don't you think I want to? But those haunting eyes. Imploring. What could have prompted it? I need a drink.
Mary: No, Abe.
Lincoln: Yes.
Mary: I said, no! You've been jittery lately. It's this damn civil war.
Lincoln: It's not the war. I didn't respond to the human being. I was too preoccupied with getting the quick laugh. I allowed a complex issue to elude me just so I could get some chuckles from my cabinet. They hate me anyhow.
Mary: They love you, Abe.
Lincoln: I'm vain. Still, it was a fast comeback.
