Saying Yes to Immortality

Because I was beginning a new job, I've spent the past month rereading Cal Leandros, Doubletake. I finished it last week and was at a loss for where to go next. New jobs can be stressful and these days at the fencing and decking place can be long.

I got lucky. Mom knew how much of a fan I was of Abraham Lincoln, Vampire Hunter. She knew, also, that I adored the movie and was intent on owning a copy. Thus, I was delighted when she brought home from the library a sequel to the first book I hadn't even been aware of existed! (Also, Henry Sturges being the young gorgeous guy from Mama Mia kind of blew both our brains) I am now rereading the first one in preparation of enjoying the second. While doing so on my lunch break, I came across a scene that was completely removed from the movie. In fact, the entire plotline was.

Abraham Lincoln loved someone before he loved Mary Todd. He met a girl named Ann Rutledge. He described her in his journal and described her to his friends excessively. The two bonded over a love of language and of academics. Below is a piece of conversation from the movie Lincoln in Illinois.

Abraham Lincoln: You taught me how to love.
Ann Rutledge: Have I taught you to like it?
[both laugh] 

When she died, Lincoln turned suicidal. (This is per the Vampire Hunter version) His friends were forced to strip him of his weapons, sharp utensils, even his belt. Alas, his friends missed the pistol beneath his pillow. He put it to his head and he wondered if he'd have the time to hear the BANG? If he'd see the blood or the gore spatter the wall, or if darkness would swallow him first? Two things stopped him from doing the deed. The first was the memory of his mother who had, with her dying breath, asked him to live.

The other was Henry.

The second Abe's undead friend heard the news, he hopped a horse and galloped for New Salem. He made Abe's friends leave. Inside the small room Abe was renting, Henry sat with him as he cried. He talked about lost loves and how time does make it easier. (A vampire would know) He talked about how lovely Ann must have been per Abe's regular letters. (Abe was excessive in his descriptions to all) And Henry talked of options. He told Abe he could bring Ann back. I think (personally) that Abe deciding consciously not to do that to her is what got him through. It had to be his decision and he had to make it with somebody he trusted and who understood him.

This entire plotline-Ann Rutledge/Abraham Lincoln-wasn't in the movie. I get it. It would have been a step aside from the vampires storyline. People would have thought it stole from Mary Todd's character. I do think it was a loss, however. (Mom sent me an article on Ann, since I wondered whether she'd been made up for the sake of the novel. I discovered via doing so that there's actually much controversy over just how close Abe and Ann were)

Opinion is varied on the ending of the movie vs. the book. The biggest difference is, of course, Abe's decision whether or not to become a vampire. In the movie, he says no to Henry. "There are more ways to be immortal than living forever." He tells his friend. In the book, he agrees. It is my hope that in the sequel, he and Henry are hunting vampires together. I'll get back to you on the results of this.