The hole In the door

[maharba]

Assuming that the president's box occupants had noticed an hour, before, some motion or maybe a visitor putting his head in and retreating. I would have told myself, that must have been Security that is Parker, and then I would have felt more at ease in knowing that. Did JWBooth absolutely know who all was in the box? Had a friend or a confederate told Booth just who was in that box? Not including Grant and soldiers, not also a strong personal bodyguard of Lincoln? In scouting out the live theater, was Booth able to view into the box and see just who was in there? Booth did his homework and planning very well, including a novel escape method. Men with guns would not have/did not shoot at the fleeing actor, unsure if that wasn't just a part of the play. It was bold of Booth to go in there with just a one-shot pistol and a knife. If I was now about to open that door and enter, several ideas would have played through my mind. I AM John Wilkes Booth, and if somehow necessary I could at the very last second "talk my way in and through" any unforeseen event. "Hello President Lincoln, I just want to say what a pleasure to have you here, etc." Then with everyone disarmed and charmed by Booth's presence, quickly decide what to do next.