Susan: OK, we’ve elected our foreman, what do we do now?
Martyn: I guess we wait until they take us into the Courtroom. I hope it’s not going to be a long drawn-out case.
Greg: Don’t sweat it, we won’t be here that long - it’s an open and shut case.
Lesley: Maybe to you, but some of your fellow jurors may not be so sure.
Greg: Only the stupid ones.
Susan: Don’t you think we should listen to the evidence
before we make up our minds? The 12 of us have to take this responsibility
very seriously. We need to listen to both sides to figure out whether this
man was speaking the truth to us or whether he’s nothing more than a fake.
And our decision has to be unanimous.
Greg: Sure, no problem. All in favour of voting the guy
to be a looney raise your hands.
(Three other hands go up, five others look around to see what the others are doing, three cross their arms and look disapproving and one little old lady says…)
Old Lady: I’m sorry – what was that dear – all in favour of ballooning raise your hands?
John: No – (leaning over old lady and loudly emphasising the words) the guy is a complete and utter looney.
Old lady: (glancing at Greg, who looks thunderous) Well, I’m sure you’re right dear, but it’s not a very nice thing to say to his face is it? We should all really try to get along, just as that nice young man said – love your neighbour as you would love yourself. Such good advice.
Anna: Yes, excellent advice, and not the kind of thing a looney would say.
Old lady: Ballooning today dear? No, I don’t think so.
Greg: It’s precisely the sort of thing a loon….(pauses, looks at old woman and decides to change wording) a mentally unstable individual with delusions of grandeur would say.
Lesley: What do you mean ‘delusions of grandeur’ – this guy Jesus had nothing but the clothes on his back?
Greg: Well what else would you call it, when he’s going round proclaiming that he’s the Son of God. Come off it, he was flesh and blood, same as you and me.
Martyn: Yeah, then he had the gall to say that the only way to get to God was through Him – that’s downright arrogant.
Hippy: Right on brother – how can there be only one way to God, and what is God anyway? Isn’t he that inner voice; the God within; aren’t we all a God unto ourselves, you know what I’m saying?
Old lady: Praying? Yes dear, I think you probably should.
Susan: Look, we’re basing our judgment on preconceived ideas. We’re being narrow-minded.
Greg: I think he was the narrow-minded one – a narrow-minded bigot – you know all that stuff about sin and right and wrong. Who’s he to tell me what I can and can’t do. As long as you’re not hurting anyone, you should be able to do just as you please.
Anna: Mind you, bigots don’t usually go around seeking to reach out to the poor, oppressed and social outcasts.
(Uncomfortable silence)
John: Well I think he was just a premeditated liar. He probably couldn’t help himself – the lies just got bigger and bigger the more people he fooled. Nothing more than a charlatan – the first cult leader really.
Greg: Look, whatever the reason, one thing is clear – the guy’s a complete fake.
Old lady: Don’t you think, dear, that we should listen to the evidence from both sides before we reach a decision?
Greg: (in an undertone) There’s not much point in your case – you can’t hear a thing, you silly old bat.
Old lady: Smell a rat, dear? Yes, I’m afraid I do (waving knitting needle at him) – and although it’s not deaf it’s as blind as a bat.
(Lights out)
.....................................................
© Susan Irvine (Dunedin City Baptist) October 2000
All rights reserved
This play may be performed free of charge, on the condition that copies
are not sold in any medium, nor any entrance fee charged. In exchange for
free performance, the author would appreciate being notified of when and
for what purpose the play is performed. Our drama group can be contacted
at the following address: Caradii@xtra.co.nz