You’re under oath here, sir. Need I remind you?

Never.

Did you ever catch Mr. Varrick watching you in the shower? While you were in there together? Naked?

I never noticed.

Never noticed. I’m constantly amazed at how much you didn’t notice over a period of—what was it? Five?

Four. Four years.

Four years, five years, whatever. All right. Now back to Mr. Varrick. How long did you know him?

Let’s see. Let me think. I think it was … four, no, three years. Yes, three years. [Nodding vigorously, hands clasped in lap]

I think we’ve already established your capacity for not noticing things, but during the time you knew Mr. Varrick, did you ever happen to notice what his first name was?

I believe it was Howard.

You believe it was Howard.

Yes.

Under the contention of cruel and unusual punishment, the defense would like for us to believe that this alleged torture actually took place without due cause. Without being deserved, in other words. All right, Mr. Lawrence. Doyle Huey, isn’t it? [Titters from crowd; judge’s gavel rapped lightly, perfunctorily] You have already stated, under oath, that you and Mr. Varrick had sex with these two unidentified women.

I would like for you to explain to the jury and to this court exactly how you knew this act was being consummated while you were blindfolded and, apparently, engaged simultaneously in the same alleged action.

What do you mean? I don’t know what you mean.

Forgive me. Let me make it simple enough for you to understand it. I mean, how did you know Mr. Varrick made love to this woman while you were blindfolded? I believe in your deposition you also stated that you were equipped with earplugs? And nose plugs? Is that correct?

That’s correct. We … we had to breathe through our mouths. So there was no kissing. Involuntary sex, well, for involuntary sex that’s required. It was just one of the rules.

And you always followed the rules.

Always tried to, yes. I mean, we were at the mercy of these people. Every time we tried to—

Let’s not go off on that particular tangent again, please. Please. Just. Answer the question. How do you know Mr. Varrick had sex with this woman?

Well. I could just tell.

You could just tell. That’s interesting. A prisoner for four years doesn’t know why he was individually tortured only on Saturdays, doesn’t know a close friend was a homosexual—

That hasn’t been proved.

—isn’t sure what that friend’s first name was; in short, doesn’t notice a whole lot about what is going on immediately around him for four years. Not very good recommendations for a writer, are they? Right?

[Silence]

I said, Isn’t that RIGHT!

Yes. Yes. That’s right.