Why was Booth excited Lincoln was coming to Ford's Theatre on April 14, 1865?

• A. because he owned the theatre
• B. because he knew the layout of the theatre and all the secret passages
• C. he had tickets
• D. Lincoln promised him a prize

Answer: (B)

Booth’s plan relied on his intimate familiarity with Ford’s Theatre. As someone who had performed there, he knew the stage, backstage areas, and the ways to reach an exit, which gave him the confidence to carry out the act and slip away through a pre-arranged route. This practical knowledge of the building’s layout and possible escape paths was what made the opportunity feel feasible and controllable for him. The other options don’t fit because Booth didn’t own the theatre, didn’t need tickets in that sense, and Lincoln hadn’t promised him any prize.