DAVENPORT

Do you attend church regularly, Mr. Bannister?

BANNISTER

Only on Sundays.

DAVENPORT

That’s good enough for the prosecution. Your Honor, we will accept this man as a member of the jury.

(BANNISTER starts toward the jury box.)

JUDGE

One moment, Mr. Bannister. You’re not excused.

BANNISTER

(A little petulant)

I wanted that there front seat in the jury box.

DRUMMOND

(Rising)

Well, hold your horses, Bannister. You may get it yet!

(BANNISTER returns to the witness chair.)

JUDGE

Mr. Drummond, you may examine the venireman.

DRUMMOND

Thank you, Your Honor. Mr. Bannister, how come you’re so anxious to get that front seat over there?

BANNISTER

Everybody says this is going to be quite a show.

DRUMMOND

I hear the same thing. Ever read anything in a book about Evolution?

BANNISTER

Nope.

DRUMMOND

Or about a fella named Darwin?

BANNISTER

Can’t say I have.

DRUMMOND

I’ll bet you read your Bible.

BANNISTER

Nope.

DRUMMOND

How come?

BANNISTER

Can’t read.

DRUMMOND

Well, you are fortunate. (There are a few titters through the courtroom) He’ll do.

(BANNISTER turns toward the JUDGE, poised.)

JUDGE

Take your seat, Mr. Bannister. (BANNISTER races to the jury box as if shot from a gun, and sits in the remaining front seat, beaming) Mr. Meeker, will you call a venireman to fill the twelfth and last seat on the jury?

BRADY

(Rising)

Your Honor, before we continue, will the court entertain a motion on a matter of procedure?

MEEKER

(Calling toward the spectators)

Jesse H. Dunlap. You’re next, Jesse.

JUDGE

Will the learned prosecutor state the motion?

BRADY

It has been called to my attention that the temperature in this courtroom is now 97 degrees Fahrenheit. (He mops his forehead with a large handkerchief) And it may get hotter! (There is laughter. BRADY basks in the warmth of his popularity) I do not feel that the dignity of the court will suffer if we remove a few superfluous outer garments.

(BRADY indicates his alpaca coat.)

JUDGE

Does the defense have any objection to Colonel Brady’s motion?

DRUMMOND

(Askance)

I don’t know if the dignity of the court can be upheld with these galluses I’ve got on.

JUDGE

We’ll take that chance, Mr. Drummond. Those who wish to remove their coats may do so.

(With relief, many of the spectators take off their coats and loosen their collar buttons. DRUMMOND wears wide, bright purple suspenders. The spectators react.)

BRADY

(With affable sarcasm)

Is the counsel for the defense showing us the latest fashion in the great metropolitan city of Chicago?

DRUMMOND

(Pleased)

Glad you asked me that. I brought these along special. (He cocks his thumbs in the suspenders) Just so happens I bought these galluses at Peabody’s General Store in your home town, Mr. Brady. Weeping Water, Nebraska.

(DRUMMOND snaps the suspenders jauntily. There is amused reaction at this. BRADY is nettled: this is his show, and he wants all the laughs. The JUDGE pounds for order.)

JUDGE

Let us proceed with the selection of the final juror.