DAVENPORT

Sir, I’m Tom Davenport.

BRADY

(Beaming)

Of course. Circuit district attorney. (Putting his arm around DAVENPORT’S shoulder) We’ll be a team, won’t we, young man! Quite a team! (The picnic table is in place. The sight of the food being uncovered is a magnetic attraction to Brady. He beams, and moistens his lips) Ahhhh, what a handsome repast! (Some of the women grin sheepishly at the flattery. BRADY is a great eater, and he piles mountains of food on his plate) What a challenge it is, to fit on the old armor again! To test the steel of our Truth against the blasphemies of Science! To stand—

MRS. BRADY

Matthew, it’s a warm day. Remember, the doctor told you not to overeat.

BRADY

Don’t worry, Mother. Just a bite or two. (He hoists a huge drumstick on his plate, then assails a mountain of potato salad) Who among you knows the defendant?—Cates, is that his name?

DAVENPORT

Well, we all know him, sir.

MAYOR

Just about everybody in Hillsboro knows everybody else.

BRADY

Can someone tell me—is this fellow Cates a criminal by nature?

RACHEL

(Almost involuntarily)

Bert isn’t a criminal. He’s good, really. He’s just—

(RACHEL seems to shrink from the attention that centers on her. She takes an empty bowl and starts off with it.)

BRADY

Wait, my child. Is Mr. Cates your friend?

RACHEL

(Looking down, trying to get away)

I can’t tell you anything about him—

BROWN

(Fiercely)

Rachel! (To BRADY) My daughter will be pleased to answer any questions about Bertram Cates.

BRADY

Your daughter, Reverend? You must be proud, indeed. (BROWN nods. BRADY takes a mouthful of potato salad, turns to RACHEL) Now. How did you come to be acquainted with Mr. Cates?

RACHEL

(Suffering)

At school. I’m a schoolteacher, too.

BRADY

I’m sure you teach according to the precepts of the Lord.

RACHEL

I try. My pupils are only second-graders.

BRADY

Has Mr. Cates ever tried to pollute your mind with his heathen dogma?

RACHEL

Bert isn’t a heathen!

BRADY

(Sympathetically)

I understand your loyalty, my child. This man, the man in your jailhouse, is a fellow schoolteacher. Likable, no doubt. And you are loath to speak out against him before all these people. (BRADY takes her arm, still carrying his plate. He moves her easily away from the others. As they move) Think of me as a friend, Rachel. And tell me what troubles you.

(BRADY moves her upstage and their conversation continues, inaudible to us. BRADY continues to eat, RACHEL speaks to him earnestly. The townspeople stand around the picnic table, munching the buffet lunch.)

BANNISTER

Who’s gonna be the defense attorney?

DAVENPORT

We don’t know yet. It hasn’t been announced.

MAYOR

(He hands a modest picnic plate to MRS. BRADY)

Whoever it is, he won’t have much of a chance against your husband, will he, Mrs. Brady?

(There are chortles of self-confident amusement. But HORNBECK saunters toward the picnic table.)

HORNBECK

I disagree.

MAYOR

Who are you?

HORNBECK

Hornbeck. E. K. Hornbeck, of the Baltimore Herald.