Reverdy Johnson: I really want you to do this for me, Freddie.

 

Frederick Aiken: You're not serious.

 

Reverdy Johnson: As serious as the charges against our client.

 

Frederick Aiken: Me? Defend her?

 

Reverdy Johnson: She doesn't stand a chance with an old Southerner like me defending her. She needs a Yankee captain like you.

 

Frederick Aiken: I'm sorry, sir. I... I can't do it.

 

Reverdy Johnson: No, you'll do fine, son. Experience matters for nothing when they're making up the rules as they go along. Besides, this government has never executed a woman.

 

Frederick Aiken: They've never considered a woman, nor a man for that matter, capable of murdering the president. Sir, I can find you a rebel to defend her, but I ca... I won't do it.

 

Reverdy Johnson: There is no court in the Union that would fairly judge that woman with a Confederate counsel.

 

Frederick Aiken: I won't betray my country. I won't betray my friends who died defending it.

 

Reverdy Johnson: I'm not asking you to betray your allegiances, Freddie. I'm simply askin' you... rather tellin' you... to obey your oath as a... as an attorney and do your job.

 

************************************

 

Frederick Aiken: He wants me to represent Mary Surratt.

 

Sarah: What?

 

Nicholas Baker¹: What?

 

Man: Yeah. He can't be serious.

 

Jail warden²: They're the actors from the theater. Open up.

 

Frederick Aiken: Thank you, soldier. That'll be all. This conversation is privileged.

 

Soldier: Sorry, sir. Orders.

 

Mary Surratt: Where is Senator Johnson?

 

Frederick Aiken: The senator has instructed me to handle your case. You understand what you've been charged with? Conspiring³ to murder the president, secretary of State and the vice⁴ president... if found guilty, you could hang?

 

Mary Surratt: No disrespect, Mr...

 

Frederick Aiken: Aiken.

 

Mary Surratt: Mr. Aiken. How many years have you?

 

Frederick Aiken: 27.

 

Mary Surratt: So you've handled cases like this before?

 

Frederick Aiken: There's never been a case like this before.

 

Mary Surratt: But you have defended others. They've left nothing to chance.

 

Frederick Aiken: Very well. You own a boarding house on 541 H Street? Is that correct?

 

Mary Surratt: Yes.

 

Frederick Aiken: How long you been there? Ma'am? All I know about you is what I read in the papers. It's not flattering.

 

Mary Surratt: I moved to Washington a year ago with my son and daughter after my husband passed.

 

Frederick Aiken: And the assassins were frequent visitors to your home.

 

Mary Surratt: Yes.

 

Frederick Aiken: Well, you... heh. You don't even deny having been acquainted with John Wilkes Booth and the others behind bars?

 

Mary Surratt: No, sir, I do not. My husband died a drunk, Mr. Aiken, and left me loads of debt. I had to support my family, so I rented rooms to boarders. Those men were customers, nothing more.

 

Frederick Aiken: And you never considered their allegiances?

 

Mary Surratt: I didn't ask about their allegiances.

 

Frederick Aiken: What about yours, ma'am?

 

Mary Surratt: I am a Southerner. I'm a Catholic and a devoted⁵ mother above all else... but I am no assassin.

 

Frederick Aiken: Your freedom is gonna require greater assurances than that.

 

Mary Surratt: Then you tell me what I should say to those generals.

 

Frederick Aiken: Oh, you can't say a thing. You're prohibited from testifying in your own defense⁶. Perhaps your son could speak for you. Any idea where he's hiding?

 

Mary Surratt: No, I don't.

 

Frederick Aiken: All right. Is there anyone who will give your version of events?

 

Mary Surratt: You mean the truth?

 

Frederick Aiken: Well, obviously the government believes your version is not the truth.

 

Mary Surratt: Based on what?

 

Frederick Aiken: They're not releasing their list of witnesses or the evidence they'll use against you.

 

Mary Surratt: And can they do that?

 

Frederick Aiken: This kind of proceeding⁷, they can do to you whatever they want.

 

Mary Surratt: Well, then what difference does it make? Those generals have made up their minds. I can tell by the way they look at me.

 

Frederick Aiken: The way they look at you?

 

Mary Surratt: Just the same way you're looking at me.

 

Frederick Aiken: I have to go. Good day.

 

Mary Surratt: Mr. Aiken, I haven't a word from my daughter since I've been here. Would you look in on her for me? I'd be most grateful. Thank you.

 

 

1. charge: 控告，指控。看一下例句：He was arrested on the charge of robbery.（他因被控犯有抢劫罪而被捕。）

 

2. stand a chance: 有机会，有希望。stand a good chance是“大有希望”。

 

3. Yankee: （美国南北战争时期）北军士兵。

 

4. execute: 将……处死。

 

5. flattering: 令人喜爱的，讨人欢喜的。例如：a flattering new dress（令人喜爱的新衣服）。

 

6. frequent visitors: 常客。

 

7. behind bars: 在监狱服刑，坐牢。

 

8. devoted: 忠实的；挚爱的。例如：Mrs Jones had a very devoted husband.（琼斯太太有一位忠实的丈夫。）

 

9. assassin: 暗杀者，刺客。

 

10. assurance: 表示保证（或鼓励等）的话。看一下例句：The contractor⁸ gave assurances that the work would be completed on time.（承包人表示过保证按时完工。）

 

11. word: 消息，音讯。看一下例句：He sent word to us that he would not be able to come.（他带信来，说他来不了。）

 

12. look in on somebody: 顺便拜访某人。请看例句：Why don't you look in on me next time you are in town?（你下次进城来顺便看看我好吗？）

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