The Trial

By Cleveland McLeish

Summary

Christian is standing trial in the Court of Eternity. He represents the entire Christian Community. The Prosecution will seek to prove beyond the shadow of a doubt that Christians are unredeemable and that God should end the world now.

Characters

Judge Jehovah God
Prosecutor
Defense
Christian
Narrator
Bailiff
Dr. Omar Murray (Child Doctor)
Reginald Bowe (Mortician)
Betty Warwick ( Nurse)
Hubert Clarke (Warden)
Maria Duncan (Sinner)
John Cretchin (Computer Hacker)
Windell James (Drug Dealer)
Marie Christian (Christian’s Wife)
Georginia Riley (Church Sister)
Uriel (Angel)
Benedict Roberts (Beggar)
Dr. Wilbert French (Phychologist)
The Holy Spirit.
Note
Most of these characters can be doubled.

Scriptures

· Deutoronomy 22:5
· 2 Chronicles 7:14
· St. Matthew 25
· St. Matthew 28
· 1 Corinthians 8:13
· Phillipians 2

From the Playwright

I once had to encounter my own reflection in the mirror. It was there that I recognized all the blemishes and spots in my life and I knew I wasn’t perfect. But God has made it possible for imperfect beings to inherit eternal life. Yet one has to admit that the road is not easy. The obligations and responsibilities that we have to God and people far outweigh our own human potential. That’s when I knew that success would not be based on our own abilities, but on the Spirit of God in our lives.
Then I saw the world as a courtroom. I heard the accusations made against the church as I walk the streets; standing in line at the post office; on the news, practically everywhere. I heard them say the church is asleep. I heard them say we have turned our backs on morality and it hurt me deeply as the accusations escalated with each passing year.
Then I saw the judge, seated on his throne; the prosecutor, grinning, preparing his case; the defense, sweating, ready to defend the one man who stood for all Christians. And through this play, I present a reflection of ourselves in light of various scriptural references.

Script

(Setting: A Courtroom. The Judge will have his high rise seat, the prosecutor a table and a chair SR, the defense a table and a chair SL. These will be set up according to preference. The audience would be the Congregates that one would expect to fill the courtroom behind the counselors.)
LIGHTS UP
NARRATOR: In the courtroom of eternity, the trial of the century is about to begin. The forces of darkness have brought numerous accusations against Christian. He will attempt to prove, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that man is unredeemable and God should choose to end this world now and not delay His second Coming for the sake of Humans.
(Enter DEFENSE, DEFENDANT & PROSECUTOR)
NARRATOR: This should be a time of personal reflection, as we all examine ourselves from the perspective of this Trial. We will see, as a man that beholds himself in the mirror, a true reflection of our nature and spiritual position in God. And we will have all opportunity to decide what the final verdict will be.
(The DEFENSE sits at a table SL. He scans through numerous files on his desk, while the DEFENDANT sits humbly with his head bowed waiting.)
(The PROSECUTOR is tormented. He claps his pen against the table. Crosses and criss-crosses his legs, gets up, sits down, walks about etc. His eyes are glued towards US and he twitches continuously until finally the BAILIFF walks out.)
BAILIFF: ALL RISE!
(Everyone [including the audience] should stand.)
BAILIFF: Judge Jehovah God presiding.
(God enters and takes His place behind the high rise throne. His mannerisms define authority, and His voice Truth.)
(God slams the mallet hard on a metal saucer and speaks as one who commands even thunder.)
GOD: This court is now called to order. You may be seated. (everyone sits. God checks his notes)The prosecutor may present his opening arguments.
(The PROSECUTOR rise.)
PROSECUTOR: Thank you Your honour. My compliments on the suit. Lovely tie...nice shiny shoes...
GOD: Could we get on with it. If you don’t mind.
PROSECUTOR: Certainly! (Clears throat) I strongly doubt that I could summarize all that the Defendant has done, but I believe that there’s a word that covers it all. SIN! Is it not? I will prove to this court that Christian is guilty of innumerable acts of sin, and by law he should be cut off from all righteousness and given such sentence as demons have received. Your honour, it has always been your wish to see man redeemed to his former state. But I state the obvious, that he has proven himself as being un-redeemable and I would implore your fellow congregates not to allow any form of preference to cloud your judgement in seeing that Christian is guilty, guilty, guilty...and in like terms he should be severely and eternally punished.
(Prosecutor breathes hard to calm himself and takes a seat.)
(God finish taking a few notes and gestures towards the DEFENSE, who stands)
DEFENSE: Your honour. It is with great disdain that I...
(Prosecutor jumps to his feet)
PROSECUTOR: Objection Your honour!
GOD: On what grounds?
PROSECUTOR: The Defense has used the pronoun ‘I’ implying that he is the one on trial and not the defendant.
GOD: Sit down.
(Prosecutor immediately sits.)
DEFENSE: Yes. I thought it to be my soul duty to offer a defense on behalf of my client, Christian. I am not saying that Christian is being falsely accused of sin. The scriptures clearly tell us that all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God and for a man to say otherwise would be to call God – [you] a liar, which you are not or could ever be. The scriptures also state that any man who acknowledges, confesses and turn from his sin should be considered righteous, being liable and very much worthy of eternal life.
(The prosecutor jumps to his feet as the Defense sits.)
PROSECUTOR: Your Honour, The prosecution requests that you step down from this case.
GOD: I beg your pardon!
PROSECUTOR: I do not believe you are the best person to preside over this case, seeing that you are both the writer of the bible and the creator of man...
GOD: Sit down.
(The prosecutor immediately sits.)
GOD: And for the record, let it be noted that the Defendant will be judged by the Bible and not by personal preference, emotions or beliefs.(To Prosecutor)You may call your first witness.
(The prosecutor stands.)
PROSECUTOR: I call to the stand, Dr. Omar St. Augustine Murray.
(Dr. Murray enters. He walks to the witness stand and raises his right hand as the prosecutor approaches him with a bible. Dr. Murray rests his left hand on the bible.)
PROSECUTOR: Do you...
DR. MURRAY (interrupting): I do.
(Dr. Murray sits. The prosecutor consults his files.)
PROSECUTOR: For the record Doctor, could you state your profession.
DR. MURRAY: I am a Doctor.
PROSECUTOR: What kind of a doctor?
DR. MURRAY: One who specializes in child care.
PROSECUTOR: Very good. Could you tell us how you differentiate between a girl and a boy at child birth?
(Defense jumps to his feet)
DEFENSE: Objection Your Honour. This is highly irrelevant.
PROSECUTOR: If the court will permit, I will get to the point soon enough.
GOD: Very well. You may proceed.
(Defense sits)
PROSECUTOR: Please answer the question Doctor.
DR. MURRAY: Well...to be honest there’s just one way really. By looking at their...you know.
PROSECUTOR: Be a little more specific Doctor.
DR. MURRAY: By looking at their private parts.
PROSECUTOR: A little more specific Doctor.
GOD: I think we all know what the Doctor is referring to, so please proceed.
PROSECUTOR: Doctor, how do you differentiate between a Christian and a Non Christian
DR. MURRAY: Well...ahh. That in itself has gotten quite difficult, seeing that they all dress alike; women cut their hair; men grow their hair, etc.
PROSECUTOR: So how do you tell the difference?
DR. MURRAY: By looking at their private lives I guess.
PROSECUTOR: Private lives, Doctor?
DR. MURRAY: Yes. What they do when the lights go out; when the doors close, that kind of a thing.
PROSECUTOR: Doctor. Do you know the defendant?
(Dr, Murray looks directly at Christian)
DR. MURRAY: Yes I do.
PROSECUTOR: Would you say that his behavior defines Christianity.
DR. MURRAY: No.
PROSECUTOR: How about his dress code?
DR. MURRAY: No.
PROSECUTOR: Maybe his conversations?
DR. MURRAY: No.
PROSECUTOR: How he treats his fellow brother?
DR. MURRAY: No.
PROSECUTOR: And I could go on and on and on. Couldn’t I, Doctor?
DR. MURRAY: I guess.
PROSECUTOR: No further questions, Your Honour.
(The prosecutor sits. God takes notes and then lifts his head casting his eyes towards the Defense table. The Defense rises.)
DEFENSE: Doctor, could you clarify all that you’ve just said.
DR. MURRAY: It’s very simple. I do not believe that Christian is a Christian because everything about him is in direct opposition to the word of God.
DEFENSE: In what way?
DR. MURRAY: He’s boisterous. Very rebellious and hardly follows instructions. Disrespectful to his elders and those in authority. He pierces his body in unmentionable places, wears whatever he feels like, and goes wherever he wants to. He is always telling rude jokes and idle jesting and he’s sexually active.
(Defense appears stunned by those last words)
DEFENSE: How do you know that he’s active sexually?
DR. MURRAY: Because he got my daughter pregnant.
(Gasp from the audience.)
DEFENSE: How did that make you feel, Doctor?
DR. MURRAY: Angry!
DEFENSE: Vengeful, arrogant...
PROSECUTOR: Objection...
DEFENSE: Withdrawn.(pause)Doctor, when was the last time you spoke to my client.
DR. MURRAY: I...don’t remember.
DEFENSE: Five, maybe six years ago.
DR. MURRAY: Maybe. I’m not sure.
DEFENSE: Was it before or after your daughter’s graduation.
DR. MURRAY: Before.
DEFENSE: How long has it been since she graduated.
DR. MURRAY: Five years, Two months, One week and four days.
DEFENSE: I assume that your precision is based on the fact that it was graduation night that she told you she was pregnant?
DR. MURRAY: Yes.
DEFENSE: Are you aware that Christian has been attending church now for only four years.
(Silence)
DEFENSE: Are you?
DR. MURRAY: Does it matter? Once a sinner always a sinner.
DEFENSE: No further questions your honour.
DR. MURRAY: I’m not finished. Do you have any idea what it’s like...
GOD: Be quiet.
DR. MURRAY: I have...
GOD: Silence.
(A hush falls over the courtroom.)
GOD: Does the prosecutor wish to re-examine the witness?
PROSECUTOR: No Your Honor.
GOD: Very well. The witness may step down.
(Dr. Murray alights from the witness stand and exits.)
GOD: Next Witness!
PROSECUTOR: I call to the stand, Reginald Bowe.
(Mr. Bowe enters and stands in the witness booth. The Prosecutor approaches him with the bible.)
PROSECUTOR: Do you promise to tell...
REGINALD: I do.
(Reginald sits.)
PROSECUTOR: Mr. Bowe, could you state your profession.
REGINALD: I’m a mortician sir. A certified mortician.
PROSECUTOR: So you deal with the dead?
REGINALD: That I do sir. That I do.
PROSECUTOR: About how many dead people come to your parlour a year?
REGINALD: A lot sir, a whole lot.
PROSECUTOR: And what percentage of that lot would you say, are victims of suicide?
REGINALD: Sir, I really don’t want to think about that now. It’s so very sad. So sad.
PROSECUTOR: Please answer the question.
REGINALD: About 10 maybe 15 percent, sir.(Wipes a tear from his eyes.)
PROSECUTOR: And what do you think is the cause for this?
(Defense jumps up)
DEFENSE: Objection Your Honour. We are seeking facts and not opinions.
(Prosecutor turns to face the defense)
PROSECUTOR: Isn’t the bible a source of opinions since most of it has not even been proven.
GOD: You’re out of line, counsellor.
PROSECUTOR: Sorry Sir. I just wish to establish some grounds of weakness on the defendant’s part.
GOD: Proceed.
PROSECUTOR: Well, Mr. Bowe...
REGINALD: There are many sad people out there Mr. Sir...people commit suicide because they lack something.
PROSECUTOR: Love, attention...
REGINALD: Yeah. Things like that. If Jesus was still around, I think that would help.
PROSECUTOR: Why?
REGINALD: He offered himself for us. We haven’t come close to being half the man that he was. For him there was no class division or status preferences, black or white. people was just people. And he helped everyone.
PROSECUTOR: Wouldn’t you say that the defendant is somewhat of an image of Christ?
REGINALD: No Mr. Sir. He’s no better than the sinner man out there. Seeking only to please himself. With people like him around, we’ll always be burying suicides.
(Christian Stands)
CHRISTIAN: That’s a lie!
GOD: Please be seated, Mr. Christian.
CHRISTIAN: But Your Honour. I’ve made a worthwhile contribution to the cause.
GOD: If you don’t sit down, I’ll have to charge you with contempt.
(Defense grabs Christian’s shoulder and pulls him down into the chair)
CHRISTIAN: It’s not fair.
DEFENSE: It never is.
GOD (To prosecutor): Continue.
PROSECUTOR: No further questions, Your Honour.
(The defense remains seated as the prosecutor shoots him a smile.)
GOD: Does the Defense wish to cross examine the witness.
DEFENSE: No, Your Honour.
GOD: Very well. The witness may step down.
(Reginald gets up and exits.)
GOD: Next witness!
PROSECUTOR: I call to the stand, Betty Warwick.
(Ms. Warwick enters and walks to the witness booth. The Prosecutor approaches with bible in hand)
PROSECUTOR: Do you promise to tell the tru...
BETTY: I do.
(Prosecutor sighs)
PROSECUTOR: For the record, could you state your profession please.
BETTY: I am a registered Nurse.
PROSECUTOR: And you work at a prominent, public hospital. Is that correct?
BETTY: Correct. There is also a home for the aged and orphans.
PROSECUTOR: Do you keep a daily log of visitors as they come and go?
BETTY: It is mandatory that we do.
PROSECUTOR: Do you know the defendant?
(Betty looks at Christian)
BETTY: Can’t say that I do.
PROSECUTOR: Surely you’ve seen him pay visits to the hospital and the widows and orphans.
BETTY: If he had, I would remember him.
PROSECUTOR: Are you saying that he never visits?
BETTY: I’m saying that if he had, I would know him.
PROSECUTOR: I see. Ms. Warwick, do you get Christian patients a lot.
BETTY: Sometimes.
PROSECUTOR: Surely the defendant has paid occasional visits to his own people.
BETTY: No Sir.
PROSECUTOR: Thank you Ms. Warwick.
(The defense jumps up before he’s called.)
DEFENSE: Ms. Warwick, are you saying that you know everyone who visits those in the hospital.
BETTY: Yes sir. I’m usually a very friendly person.
DEFENSE: Do you know me?
(She looks intently at him for a beat. Squinting her eyes as she searches her memory)
BETTY: Can’t say I do.
DEFENSE: That’s strange. I recall making visits to that hospital.
BETTY: Aw yes, now it’s registering. I do know you.
DEFENSE: That’s strange too; I’ve never been to that hospital.
(Prosecutor stands)
PROSECUTOR: Objection your Honour. The defense is confusing the witness through preconceived deceit
GOD: Over-ruled. Counsellor, you will desist from any such methods in my Court.
DEFENSE: Yes, sir. No further questions.
(Defense takes his seat)
(God gestures for the witness to step down. She does.)
GOD: Next witness.
PROSECUTOR: I call to the stand...Mr. Hubert Clarke.
(Mr. Clarke enters. He walks to the witness stand.)
PROSECUTOR: Do you promise...
HUBERT: I do.
PROSECUTOR: You may take your seat.(pause)Mr. Clarke, for the record could you state your profession please.
HUBERT: I am a..ahh..Warden sir.
PROSECUTOR: Do you know the defendant, Mr. Clarke?
HUBERT: ahh...well...ahh, yes I do.
PROSECUTOR: Could you tell us how you come to know the defendant, Mr. Clarke.
HUBERT: Sure.
(Silence. The court waits to hear what Mr. Clarke has to say, but he looks as if he’s finish.)
PROSECUTOR: Now, Mr. Clarke.
HUBERT: Oh sorry, didn’t realize you wanted to hear now. Well...ahh...Mr. Christian has been to prison quite a few times.
(Gasp from the audience.)
PROSECUTOR: Prison, Mr. Clarke?
HUBERT: Yeah, you know this place with bars on it and a high fence around the perimeter...
PROSECUTOR: We know what a prison is.
HUBERT: Ok. Didn’t sound like it.
PROSECUTOR: You are telling us, that Christian is a criminal.
HUBERT: Well...ahh...
PROSECUTOR: Only criminals go to prison, right?
HUBERT: Well, yes...I suppose.
PROSECUTOR: What crime could Christian have possibly committed?
HUBERT: A few.
PROSECUTOR: Be more specific Mr. Clarke.
HUBERT: Well, ahh, manslaughter, as a result of reckless driving or speeding; trying to leave the country with false passport and other documents; drug smuggling; physical abuse of spouse or children...ahh, yeah. That’s about all I can remember.
PROSECUTOR: One last question, Mr. Clarke.
HUBERT: Shoot.
PROSECUTOR: During the time that Christian is not in prison, does he ever visit those who are.
HUBERT: Not to my knowledge...no.
PROSECUTOR: Thank you Mr. Clarke.
(The prosecutor walks to his seat as the defense rise.)
DEFENSE: Mr. Clarke. How would you say Christian behaved when in prison?
HUBERT: Ahh…Different, I suppose.
DEFENSE: Clarify.
HUBERT: Well, he was..ah, humble.
DEFENSE: How did that make you feel?
HUBERT: Like he doesn’t belong in prison, I guess.
DEFENSE: Thank you Mr. Clarke.
(Defense sits.)
GOD: Does the Prosecutor wish to re-examine this witness.
PROSECUTOR: No, Your Honour.
GOD: The witness may step down.
(Hubert steps down and exits the court)
GOD: Next witness.
PROSECUTOR: I now call to the stand, Ms. Maria Duncan.
(Ms. Duncan enters and walks to the witness stand. Prosecutor approaches with bible)
PROSECUTOR: Ms. Duncan, do you promise to tell the truth..(pause)the whole truth(pause)and nothing but...
MARIA: I do.
(The Prosecutor sighs.)
PROSECUTOR: Ms. Duncan, for the record could you state your profession.
MARIA: I’m a, sinner.
PROSECUTOR: A sinner, Ms. Duncan?
MARIA: Yeep.
PROSECUTOR: Do you know the defendant?
(Maria stares at Christian whose eyes remain downcast)
MARIA (smiling): Yeep.
PROSECUTOR: On what level?
MARIA: All levels.
PROSECUTOR: A little more specific.
MARIA: Social and intimate.
PROSECUTOR: You know the defendant intimately?
MARIA: That’s what I just said. Are all these questions necessary?
PROSECUTOR: This is a court, Ms. Duncan. You’re supposed to answer questions.
MARIA: Oh.
PROSECUTOR: Ms. Duncan, can you tell the court the true nature of your relationship with the defendant.
(Defense stands)
DEFENSE: Objection your honour. I believe my client’s relationships should be kept confidential and not worded out in a public Court such as this.
PROSECUTOR: Have we not clearly establish the fact that to differentiate a Christian from a non-christian, we have to look at the private parts of their lives?
GOD: Point taken.(To defense)Over-ruled.
PROSECUTOR: Ms. Duncan.
MARIA: Our relationship has been more sexual than anything else.
PROSECUTOR: Sexual? You mean fornication, right?
MARIA: Yeep.
PROSECUTOR: Have you ever seduced the defendant into sexual activities.
MARIA: No sir. Most time he’s the one who makes the first move.
(Christian jumps to his feet)
CHRISTIAN: She’s lying!
(Defense quickly grabs Christian, pulling him down into the chair)
(God removes his glasses. He speaks to Christian in a calm yet disappointing tone)
GOD: Mr. Christian. If I have to warn you again, you won’t like it. Understand?
(Christian nods. God replaces his glasses)
GOD (to prosecutor): Proceed.
PROSECUTOR (to Maria): So he makes the first moves?
MARIA: Yeep. At first I was disappointed, because I believe that as a Christian...you should put greater value on yourself, but very soon I realized that a lot of Christians are purposefully fornicating, so what the hell...you know.
PROSECUTOR: Anything else.
MARIA: Well yeah. He hardly talks about the bible or invites me to church. He engages in the type of slack conversations that we, the sinners have, and sometimes he even curses.
(Gasp from the audience.)
PROSECUTOR: You mean, Christian curse-words, right?
MARIA: Nah! I’m talking hard-core, curse words. He says it is only a sin if spoken in the wrong context.
PROSECUTOR: Ms. Duncan, do you have respect for the defendant.
MARIA: I respect him as a person, but not as a Christian.
PROSECUTOR: Thank you Ms. Duncan. No further questions, Your Honour.
(God looks to the defense. The defense shakes his head “NO”)
GOD: The witness may step down.
(Defense looks a bit frustrated. Christian wipes tears from his eyes. He looks up and meets Ms. Duncan’s eyes as she passes. She throws him a kiss.)
GOD: Next witness.
PROSECUTOR: I call to the stand, Mr. John Cretchin.
(Mr. Cretchin enters and walks to the stand. The Prosecutor approach as usual with the bible, but before a word leaves his mouth...)
JOHN: I most certainly do.
PROSECUTOR: Mr. Cretchin, what is your profession?
JOHN: I’m a computer hacker.
PROSECUTOR: A computer hacker?
JOHN: Yeah, I hack computers.
PROSECUTOR: Could you break that down for those among us who are unfamiliar with the word ‘hacking’?
JOHN: Means, I break into people’s computer. Just like a thief breaks into a house.
PROSECUTOR: So you’re a thief?
JOHN: No. A computer hacker.
PROSECUTOR: Ok. Once inside someone’s computer, what do you do?
JOHN: Just look around. Maybe download a virus or two, upload a file or two, that sorta stuff.
PROSECUTOR: Do you know the defendant?
JOHN: Yeah. I saw him a few times in chat rooms.
PROSECUTOR: Did you know that he is a Christian?
JOHN: Get outta here!
PROSECUTOR: I take it you don’t?
JOHN: This dude has been on all the free pornography sites that has ever been created. Not to mention all the nude photos he has on his computer, and the things he does in cyberspace.
PROSECUTOR: What kind of things?
JOHN (pointing towards the audience): Things you can’t talk about in front of the kids.
PROSECUTOR: No further questions, Your Honour.
(God looks to the defense, who acknowledges and stands)
DEFENSE: Mr. Cretchin, how do you know that it’s my client you speak about?
JOHN: Well, I saw him on the webcam under the screen name Christian.
DEFENSE: Are you sure it was my client?
JOHN: Course, I’m sure.
DEFENSE: Would you agree that most of the people you meet in Cyberspace are not who they say they are?
JOHN: Well, yeah...
DEFENSE: So the possibility exist that you may think you’re talking to a woman, when in fact it’s a man.
JOHN: Yeah,
DEFENSE: So you can never really be sure who you’re talking to?
JOHN: Yes, but...
DEFENSE: And even as a hacker, you cannot be equally sure whose computer you have hacked into, right?
JOHN: Can I say something?
DEFENSE: It’s a yes or no question, Mr. Cretchin.
JOHN: No, I can’t be sure.
DEFENSE: Thank you Mr. Cretchin. No further questions.
GOD: Does the prosecutor wish to cross examine?
PROSECUTOR: No, Your Honor.
GOD: Very Well. The witness may step down.
(Mr. Cretchin steps down and exits.)
GOD (to prosecutor): You may call your next witness.
PROSECUTOR: I call to the stand, Mr. Windell James.
(Mr. James enters and walks to the witness stand. Prosecutor approaches with the bible)
PROSECUTOR: Mr. James...
WINDELL: I do.
PROSECUTOR: Yes, of course. For the record, please state your profession.
WINDELL: I’m a drug dealer.
PROSECUTOR: And do you know the defendant?
WINDELL: Affirmative.
PROSECUTOR: How did you get to meet him?
WINDELL: He did a few jobs for me.
PROSECUTOR: A few jobs?
WINDELL: Affirmative. He dropped off a few packages for me.
PROSECUTOR: And what was in these packages?
WINDELL: Drugs, of course.
(Gasp from the audience.)
PROSECUTOR: I see. Does the defendant use drugs?
WINDELL: Well, not that I know off. I caught him smoking once though.
PROSECUTOR: Thank you Mr. James. No further questions.
(God looks to the defense, who shakes his head.)
GOD: You may step down, Mr. James.
WINDELL: Thank you, Sir.
(Mr. James step down and exits.)
GOD: Next witness.
PROSECUTOR: I call to the stand, Mrs. Marie Christian.
(Gasp from the audience. Mrs. Christian enters and walks to the witness stand.)
PROSECUTOR: Mrs. Christian, do you promise to tell the truth(Pause)the whole truth(pause)and nothing but the truth.
(Pause. Mrs. Christian looks directly at Christian.)
PROSECUTOR: Mrs. Christian...
MARIE (snapping out of a trance): Yes, yes. I do.
PROSECUTOR: Please take a seat.
(Mrs. Christian sits.)
PROSECUTOR: Could you state for the record your relation to the Defendant.
MARIE: I’m his wife.
PROSECUTOR: Do you have any children?
MARIE: Yes, two children. A boy and a girl.
PROSECUTOR: Has the defendant been a good father, Mrs. Christian.
MARIE: He’s hardly home. He works most of the time and when he’s not working, he’s out with his friends.
PROSECUTOR: What about Church?
MARIE: Sometimes only me and the kids go. He has to work on Sundays too, he says.
PROSECUTOR: Has he been a good husband?
MARIE: You see this mark around my eye. He put it there.
(Christian jumps from his seat)
CHRISTIAN: It was your fault.
GOD: Mr. Christian.
CHRISTIAN: She was cheating on me.
GOD: BE STILL.
(Christian is shaken by the thunderous voice. He slowly takes his seat ashamed.)
GOD (to defense): You will control your client or I will charge you both with contempt, understand.
(The defense nods. God gestures for the Prosecutor to continue.)
PROSECUTOR: Tell us what happened?
MARIE: He was working late and I needed some company, so I invited a friend over to stay with me. When Christian got home, he just got in a jealous rage. My friend had to run for his life.
PROSECUTOR: Were you having an affair?
MARIE: No. Christian has always been too jealous. And the worst part is he hit me in front of the kids.
(Gasp from the audience.)
PROSECUTOR: Thank you Mrs. Christian. No further questions.
(Defense stands)
DEFENSE: Mrs. Christian. Did your husband ever hit you before this time?
MARIE: No. But...
DEFENSE: How about anytime after?
MARIE: No. But he...
DEFENSE: Mrs. Christian, did your husband apologize to you any time after the incident?
MARIE: Yes. But he didn’t mean it.
DEFENSE: How do you know?
MARIE: I just do.
DEFENSE: Didn’t my client catch you and your friend in a compromising situation?
MARIE: No.
DEFENSE: Speak the truth!
MARIE: We were just cuddling.
DEFENSE: Cuddling. Just cuddling and you knew you had a jealous husband. And you knew the exact time he would be home.
MARIE: He is the one with a problem...
DEFENSE: You provoked him Mrs. Christian and you did it intentionally.
MARIE: No I didn’t...
DEFENSE: You did it to get back at him for being away from home so much.
MARIE: I should be more important to him than his work.
DEFENSE: He works to maintain his family and you think you’re not important.
MARIE: He doesn’t love me as he should.
DEFENSE: How do you know?
MARIE: If he loved me he wouldn’t hit me.
DEFENSE: He hit you because you provoked him. He apologized and you didn’t accept. Maybe it is your love that should be questioned.
MARIE: He should be humble at all times.
DEFENSE: Why?
MARIE: Because he professes to be a Christian.
DEFENSE: But human none the less. (Pause)No further questions your honour.
(God looks to the Prosecutor, who shakes his head.)
GOD: The witness may step down.
(Mrs. Christian steps down and walks towards the exit. As she’s about to pass the defense table she lunges at Christian and starts to strangle him.The defense and the prosecutor pull her off him, after much struggle, and she runs through the exit crying. Christian too has tears in his eyes.)
GOD: We will have a fifteen minute recess at this time.
(God slams the mallet down. He gathers his note and exits. The prosecutor also exits. The defense pats Christians shoulder re-assuredly and they both exit.)
LIGHTS OUT
..........................................
Copyright Cleveland McLeish, all rights reserved.
This is not the full script. The full script may be obtained from the author.
My contact details:
NAME: Cleveland O. McLeish
ADDRESS: 42 Claremont Drive,
Old Harbour P. O.,
St. Catherine. Jamaica W. I.
ele: (876) 745-2404
EMAIL: cabcom2000@yahoo.com
Other scripts by this author may also be found at his web site, http://cabcom2004.tripod.com