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Two Trials

Now showing -- July 4, 2003

  Episode Two

Copyright 1996, 2003 Dan Sewell Ward

FADE IN:

INT: RESIDENCE, DINING ROOM OF THE LORD MAYOR, LONDON -- MORNING

Samuel Starling, as the Lord Mayor of London is having dinner with “Teresa” [Terri Bailey in modern times].  A maidservant, Lola, is standing nearby, her head lowered.  As the Mayor spoons some soup with an oversized silver spoon, Terri is sitting without touching her soup, her posture fully erect and a sweet smile on her face, her demeanor one of being primed to pounce, as she watches her Lord and Master.

TERRI

I know you want me to look my best, dear Samuel.  But with only two personal servants to attend me...

 

STARLING

Teresa, my lovely.  My wife has only three, herself.  And yet she can entertain the illusion she is mistress of this house!

 

TERRI

But this poor thing here has almost nothing to do with herself!

 

STARLING

That may very well be.  But I suspect there is precious little she can do.

 

TERRI

But I can train her.  She’s very pliable.

 

STARLING

In your hands, my lovely, most anyone is pliable.

Terri returns the coy smile, as the Lord Mayor’s BUTLER enters.

BUTLER

My Lord Mayor, Lord Howell, and a Mr. Devon Sophing have arrived.

 

STARLING

Dismal timing!  But show them in.  Can’t keep the King’s Representative waiting.

 

BUTLER

As you say, my Lord.

The Butler turns and exits the room.

STARLING

As for you, my lovely, I indulge you entirely too much.  But take this poor woman with you and see what you can make of her.

 

TERRI

Thank you, dear Samuel.  Perhaps I can show my gratitude later this evening.

 

STARLING

Perhaps.   Now I must ask you to take your leave.  Matters of state, you know.  Too dismal for your delicate ears, I’m afraid.

 

TERRI

Of course, my dear.  I do understand.  But I will be counting the moments.

Terri gets up and gives the Lord Mayor a long lingering kiss.  Lord Howell arrives at the door, but quickly stops.  Sophing almost walks into him from behind.  Howell glares momentarily at Sophing, and then turns back to the room and discreetly clears his throat.  Terri, straightening, gives Howell a quick, knowing glance, turns and leaves.  Lola follows her, her head still lowered.  Lord Hallow and Sophing then approach.

HOWELL

My apologies, Lord Mayor.  I would never have disturbed you, but these are matters of the gravest importance.

 

STARLING

No matter.  I fully understand.

 

HOWELL

May I introduce Mr. Devon Sophing, our Member of Parliament and their designated representative in this matter. He has the full authority to act on the behalf of Parliament.

 

STARLING

Mister Sophing.  I’m  honored.

 

SOPHING

The honor is all mine, my Lord.

 

STARLING

Naturally.

 

HOWELL

The matter, Sire, is about...

 

STARLING

Yes, yes.  This damnable trouble with that misguided scoundrel and his following. 

 

HOWELL

They call themselves “Quakers”.

 

SOPHING

Troublemakers, if you ask me.

 

STARLING

It is inconceivable the son of someone as distinguished as Sir William Penn, an Admiral in the King’s Navy, could father such a disgrace to his heritage.

 

HOWELL

Sir William is, of course, quite ill, Sir.  But I am nonetheless assured he will not defend his misguided son in any manner, nor question our judgement in the slightest.

 

STARLING

That may well be.  But he might better have shown restraint in his bedchamber twenty five years ago.  Then we would not have this felon again on the streets of London, preaching his damnable religion, again challenging my authority.

 

SOPHING

But he exercises discretion now, my Lord.

 

STARLING

I am reminded of that ancient Greek Solon who compared the law to a spider’s web in which less weighty defendants light upon and find themselves stuck in the stickiness, while heavier, more substantial defendants fall straightaway through to freedom.  It is small comfort we need not concern ourselves with Sir William’s weight.

 

HOWELL

The younger Penn, my Lord, has a co-defendant, a linen draper named William Mead.  May I respectfully suggest we style these two men as co-conspirators who have taken it upon themselves to challenge the very laws of England.

 

STARLING

An accurate if not obvious appraisal.

 

HOWELL

My concern is that we can no longer tolerate this thorn in our side.  His majesty is desirous of uniting with Parliament and the Central Criminal Court in silencing this dissident and his followers on a long term basis.  It is his royal desire to put an end to these despised Quakers and any others who would defy the Crown and Church.

 

STARLING

And Parliament’s position?

 

SOPHING

We’re in full accordance with Lord Hallow’s eager attempt to enforce the Conventicle Act.

 

STARLING

As you should be.  I’d say it’s a case of clear and manifest guilt. You present your case and I’ll instruct the jury to find a guilty verdict.  Straightforward, I should think.

 

HOWELL

I was certain we could count on you, my dear Lord Mayor.

 

STARLING

As any loyal subject to His Majesty.

The three men smile, with the Lord Mayor and Lord Howell smiling directly at each other, and Mr. Sophing smiling and glancing back and forth between the other two.

 

INT:  THE OLD BAILEY, LONDON -- MORNING

Five hundred spectators fill the tiered seating which encircles the pit area below.  There a ten judge bench, including Starling as the presiding justice and John Robinson as an associate justice, are holding court.  In the jury box sit Thomas Veer, HENRY HENLEY, WILLIAM PLUMSTEAD, Charles Milson, Henry Michel, GREGORY WALKLET, John Brightman, William Leaver, THOMAS DAMASK, Edward Bushell, John Bailey, and John Hammond.  Howell is present as Recorder of London and prosecutor, while Sophing is on the front row of spectators, just in front of OLIVIA RUD and Lisa Leigh.  [All other cast members not otherwise engaged are spectators in one form or another.]

OLIVIA

Tis not the first time the young Penn has found himself before the bar.

 

LISA

But he has done his time, has he not?

 

OLIVIA

It matters little.  He is in it once again.

 

LISA

May a merciful God protect him.

 

OLIVIA

Methinks the Lord God spends little time in a place such as this.  Else what is hell for?

 

CLERK

Hear ye, hear ye.  Silence in Court.  The Central Criminal Court is now in session. 

 

STARLING

Bring the prisoners William Penn and William Mead to the bar.

WILLIAM PENN (the modern day BILL PENCE) and WILLIAM MEAD (the modern day BILLY MATSON) are brought into place as the defendants.  Both are flanked by Jock and Frederick Strong and other blue uniformed policemen.  Penn and Starling exchange knowing stares.

STARLING

The Clerk will read the indictment.

 

CLERK

That William Penn, gentleman, and William Mead, linen draper, with divers others to the jurors unknown, to the number of 300 or more, on the 14th day of August in the 22nd year of the king, in the street called Gracechurch Street, did unlawfully and tumultuously assemble and congregate to the disturbance of the peace of the Lord the King.  That the aforesaid William Penn, in conspiracy with and abetted by William Mead, did then and there preach and speak to the persons there assembled, in direct defiance of the land’s Conventicle Act; by reason thereof a great concourse and tumult of people then and there a long time did remain in contempt of the Lord the King, and of his law; to the great terror and disturbance of many of his liege people, his crown and dignity.  It is the mandate of the law that wherein every person who neglects to worship in the manner prescribed shall ipso facto be deprived of all his spiritual promotions and that from thenceforth it shall be lawful to present or collate to them as though the person or persons so offending or neglecting were dead.  What say you, William Penn and William Mead?  Are you guilty as you stand indicted, both in manner and form, or not guilty?

 

PENN

We can not know nor remember the indictment just read, and therefore, desire a copy, as is customary on like occasions.

 

HOWELL

You must first plead to the indictment before you can have a copy of it.

 

PENN

I am not schooled in such matters, and thus I ask two things of this court:  That no advantage be taken or me, nor deprived of any benefit due me, and that I receive a fair hearing, the liberty to make my defense, and the court to act as my counsel.

 

STARLING

No advantage shall be taken against you.

A disbelieving mummer sweeps  through the court room.

STARLING

You shall have liberty, you shall be heard.

 

PENN

Then I plead not guilty in manner and form.

Starling rolls his eyes at Penn, and turns to Mead, who takes a step forward.

MEAD

I ask for the same liberty as is promised...

 

STARLING

You shall have it!

 

MEAN

I plead not guilty in manner and form.

Starling takes a moment, looking disgruntled as he observes the defendants as they stand straight and defiantly.

STARLING

Bailiffs, stand the prisoners aside.  The court will hear other trials this day.

The jurors and spectators all stir and look at each other in wonder.  Howell glances toward Sophing and the two men smile.

 

INT:  OLD BAILEY, JUROR’S HOLDING CELL, LONDON -- EVENING

The jurors, bedraggled and weary, shuffle about in the room, glancing around at the dismal quarters.  Leaver seems lost, until he moves to a corner to relieve himself.

HENLEY

I don’t understand.  Why sit in that juror’s box while all manner of other business comes before the court?  Then take tomorrow off before the trial begins?

 

EDWARD

Perhaps to mark the anniversary of the Fire of 1666.  I understand the judge and several other notables lost their homes in that conflagration.

 

JACK

You seem particularly knowledgeable about a lot of things.

 

EDWARD

I am not totally without understanding.

 

JACK

Then perhaps you can tell me what the hell we’re doing here?

 

EDWARD

That is uncertain.  This is not what I might have expected.  But fate has always provided me with much challenge and entertainment.

 

JACK

Entertainment?  Have you perhaps noticed that they don’t feed you here?

 

EDWARD

Perhaps to make us more amenable. As Mr. Dooley once said, “Many an innocent was sent to hang so jurors might dine.”

 

JACK

What exactly does that mean?

 

EDWARD

Jurors are often awarded for their verdicts with a banquet.

 

JACK

And if the verdict is not to the court’s desire?

 

EDWARD

I rather suspect something less than a banquet.

 

JACK

I don’t suppose you’re feeling any concern for having encouraged me to join this jury.

 

EDWARD

None whatsoever.

 

INT:  OLD BAILEY, COURTROOM, LONDON -- MORNING, TWO DAYS LATER

Penn and Mead enter the packed courtroom carrying their hats, followed by the bailiff.

STARLING

Sirs!  Who bid you put off your hats?  Bailiff, put their hats on again.

 

Penn and Mead appear mystified, but do nothing as the Bailiff sets each hat on their head, making minimal effort to do the job properly.

STARLING

Sirs!  Do you know where you are?

 

PENN

Yes.  It is the king’s court.

 

STARLING

And do you show respect to his court?

 

PENN

We do.

 

STARLING

Then why do you not pull off your hats?

 

PENN

I did not think that a matter of respect.

 

STARLING

The court sets forty marks apiece upon your heads as fine for contempt of court.

 

PENN

But it is you who bid us do so.

 

STARLING

Do not be insolent!

 

MEAD

Am I so fined also?

 

STARLING

You are.

 

MEAD

But this has no justice in it.

 

STARLING

Cease your ranting!  Swear the jury.

The Clerk stands and turns to the jury.

CLERK

You shall well and truly try that betwixt our sovereign Lord the King and the prisoners at the bar, according to the evidence, so help you God. 

 

JURORS (in an approximate unison)

I do.

 

STARLING

Kiss the Bible.

The Clerk carries the Bible to the Foreman, who dutifully kisses it.  The Bible is then passed to the others.  When it reaches Bushell on the back row, Bushell kisses it and prepares to pass it on to Jack and Duke, the remaining jurors to be sworn in.  At that point, Judge Robinson, who had been watching with squinted eyes, suddenly erupts.

ROBINSON

Wait!  That Bushell.  He did not kiss the book.  Will you disgrace this court, Sir?

 

BUSHELL

I bring no disgrace, for I did kiss the book, my Lord.

 

ROBINSON

Do not insult this court again. You say you are a juryman of much tenderness and conscience; yet I saw that you did not kiss the book and require you to be sworn in again.  Clerk, swear him again.

Jack hands the Bible back to Bushell, who kisses it with unusual reverence.  He then hands it to Jack, but glares back at an unrepentant Robinson.  Jack and Duke each complete the process, both taking special pains not to repeat Bushell’s experience.

CLERK

The jury is present and sworn, My Lord.

 

INT:  DENVER FEDERAL COURT, MAIN COURTROOM -- MORNING

The Denver jury is seated and consists of: Thomas Veer (foreman), Edward Bushell, Thomas Damask (a man of obvious Spanish descent), Henry Michel, Thena Pales, Henry Henley (the senior most citizen of the lot), Lola Tinsle, William Plumstead (an older, black man), Gregory Walklet, Katrina Gorlik, Jack Bailey, and John Brightman. Included as alternates are: Lin Sue, Charlie Milson, John Duke Hammond, and Olivia Rud.  [William Leaver, already dismissed, is London Juror #8.]  Olivia gasps as Bill Pence and Billy Matson are brought into the courtroom, their arms behind them.  There, a sheriff’s deputy removes handcuffs and the two men sit next to Sophing.  Howell rises from his chair at the prosecutors table and moves toward the jury.

HOWELL

The defendants before you are charged with a heinous crime.  By their action, dozens were brutally, cold-bloodedly murdered! The prosecution will demonstrate beyond any reasonable doubt that the defendants, William Pence and William Matson, were in fact conducting wholly unauthorized and dangerous experiments in an attempt to launch a rocket ship in clear violation of the law and which resulted in the murder of a score or more of innocent victims.  These unrepentant amateurs include a reckless, self-styled creative genius and Nikola Tesla devotee, a man lacking any recognized credentials whatsoever and without formal training or academic degrees of any kind.  The second conspirator is the only son of a wealthy and honored member of society, a man of prominence who even while gravely ill, has disinherited and disowned his own kin because of his unacceptable behaviors. These two men with malice aforethought have committed acts which have resulted in the wholesale slaughter of thirty-six men, women and children, and the injury of well over a hundred others. 

Howell approaches the jury box, and places his hands on the railing, leaning forward.

HOWELL

What possible motivation could these two men have had for the grotesque crime of which they are charged?  What could be their defense, in heaven’s name?  Insanity? They didn’t know what they were doing, or it was an accident, something went terribly wrong; economic hardship, we’re poor lost souls who have never had a break!?  No.  They are not insane.  Inflated egos, yes!  Egos which verge of criminality, clearly!  But not insane.  Be very clear on this point.  What about an accident?  Again, no.  This is not a case of manslaughter where the deaths and horror of their experiment are the result of an honest mistake.  Here the law is very clear: No one engaged in the commission of a crime can later claim manslaughter or circumstances beyond their control if someone dies.  If you break the law and cause a death, then you’re guilty of murder.  Period!

Howell turns and approaches the defendants.  Then he turns back to the jury.

HOWELL

They are not the product of poverty or a broken home, something that would cause them to ignore all convention and morality and lash out against an unjust world.  Not on your life.  One is a Rhodes Scholar with every advantage great wealth and family position could provide.  The other is from a prosperous upper middle class family, the recipient of numerous science scholarships -- scholarships, by the way, of which he invariably failed to fulfill the terms and conditions in anything resembling a responsible fashion.  Instead, this reckless young man was provided unlimited funds by his equally reckless and wealthy co-conspirator, and then,  with all the benefits and opportunities that our society can offer them both, they repaid us with immense pain, death and destruction. In their wild and grandiose plans, their egocentric, misguided, unauthorized, unsanctioned experiments were designed to literally launch a rocket ship to Mars.  They claim, in the manner of other egotists, that their work goes far beyond that of traditional science and engineering.  They know more, or so they proclaim, than all the properly credentialed scientists and engineers living and working throughout the world.  And yet, their greatest achievement to date was to fly in the face of the time tested research and devotion to science by real scientists, and with little regard for anyone but themselves, they chose to conduct ill-advised, and grotesque experiments, carelessly playing with the raw forces of nature, with malice and forethought, and thereby caused the deaths and injuries of innocent people.  People like you and me, people who do not imagine themselves grander than everyone else.  These men might have you believe that they were simply giving it the old college try. Would they have done as well as any genuine college student!

Howell picks up a sheaf of papers and holds them in the air.

HOWELL

Uncaring, reckless, irresponsible, grotesquely egocentric, these murderers thought they would teach the world a great lesson, “a shot heard round the world!”

Howell slams the papers against the table, leaving them there.

HOWELL

But the only sound we heard when their illicit laboratory was enveloped in the flaming fuel of misguided science was the sounds of death from the innocent people living in the same or adjoining buildings. 

Howell stops for a moment to take out a handkerchief to wipe his brow.

HOWELL

These two men were breaking the law.  Even before having their experiments turn into a raging inferno of death and disaster.  In fact, they were breaking numerous laws.  They wanted to launch a rocket ship without a license, without insurance to compensate others for their possible failures, without permission of any responsible authority.  All specific violations of the legal code.  And for what purpose?  To go to Mars!  So they could show up the valiant attempts at responsible space activities by NASA.  As we will show with clear and manifest evidence in due course, what we have here are two spoiled, irresponsible failures at life who dreamed far beyond their capabilities.  And in so doing, they murdered scores of men, women, and children.  And while these others, these innocent victims died from their actions, the defendants, the co-conspirators, were high above, flying in the clouds, looking down from their vantage point, watching from a safe place, their self generated cataclysmic fireball of death!

Howell takes a step back, as one hand reaches across his midsection to hold the other elbow, while the other hand reaches up to grasp his chin.

HOWELL

As the jury, you will have the responsibility of hearing shocking evidence, and on this basis, ensure justice for the victims.

As Howell looks at the jury, his face sympathetic and understanding, Bill Pence pushes a notepad toward Sophing.  Sophing reads the hastily scrawled message, and then shaking his head from side to side, holds up a hand to dismiss the suggestion.

 

INT:  SESSIONS HOUSE, MAIN COURTROOM, 1670 LONDON -- MORNING

LIEUTENANT JAMES COOK takes the stand, as Starling turns to him.

STARLING

Lieutenant Cook, your hand on the Bible, do you swear the evidence you shall give this court betwixt our sovereign king and the prisoners at the bar shall be the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, so help you God?”

 

LIEUTENANT

I do.

 

STARLING

What do you know of this case?

 

LIEUTENANT

I was at the Exchange when I was ordered to disperse a meeting in Gracechurch Street Meetinghouse.

 

STARLING

And what therein transpired?

 

EXT:  GRACECHURCH STREET MEETING HOUSE, 1670 LONDON -- MORNING

Standing in ranks in front of the main door to the meetinghouse is a phalanx of Redcoats, under the command of a sergeant major, all of whom are already nervously gripping cocked carbines.  Lieutenant Cook arrives from a different direction with several other redcoats.  Cook is looking equally concerned.  The crowd of Quakers consists of several hundred, all attentively listening to the young, 25-year old William Penn and his older colleague, William Mead, when Cook approaches.

LIEUTENANT (voice over)

I saw Mr. Penn speaking to the people and tried to stop him.  But he obeyed me not and continued to speak.  I could not hear what he said because of the noise.

Cook is trying to get Penn’s attention, when he orders his men to follow him as he tries to get through the crowd.  The crowd is quiet and mild mannered, but not acquiescent.  They do not resist Cook’s intrusion, but also do not readily yield.

LIEUTENANT (voice over)

I tried to make my way to him, but was unable due to the crowd of people.  I ordered my men to form up in front of the Meetinghouse, just as Captain Mead approached me.

 

MEAD

I beg of you, Sir.  Let Mr. Penn go on, for when he is done, I will bring him to you.

 

INT:  SESSIONS HOUSE, MAIN COURTROOM, 1670 LONDON -- MORNING

STARLING

Captain!?  Is this man not merely a linen draper?

 

MEAD

Sir, that is my present employment.  But I was a Captain in service some twenty years ago in the army of Charles, the father of our present king.

 

STARLING

Sit down!  I did not ask you.  Lieutenant Cook, did Mr. Mead bring Mr. Penn to you?

 

LIEUTENANT

He did not. 

 

EXT:  GRACECHURCH STREET MEETING HOUSE, 1670 LONDON -- MORNING

LIEUTENANT

Corporeal, go to the Exchange and inform them I am requesting reinforcements.

 

MEAD

Sir, I beg of you.  Surely you can see that we are prevented from our meetinghouse by the soldiers.  Being men of peace, we will not rush them.  But it is also the Lord’s Day, and we are determined to honor Him upon his day.  If we cannot do it inside the meetinghouse, then the steps must of necessity serve...

 

LIEUTENANT

And you, Sir, are in violation of the Law. You can not hold a religious service here.

The Lieutenant pulls out a piece of paper and begins to read.

LIEUTENANT

The Conventicle Act establishes one legal church, The Church of England.  No other religious services or gathering of other churches of any kind are permitted.

The Lieutenant then looks directly at Mead, speaking extemporaneously.

LIEUTENANT

Sir, any attempt by you to hold a religious service here violates the law.  I beg of you, everyone must disperse and do so now.

 

MEAD

There is a higher law, Sir.  A law permitting every man and woman to worship God or not worship Him, according to the dictates of their own conscience.

As the Lieutenant glares back, Penn, from his impromtu pulpit, turns toward Mead.

PENN

Brother Mead, if you would lead us in prayer.

Mead steps forward, bowing his head; as the Lieutenant suddenly looks horrified.

MEAD

Our heavenly Father...

 

LIEUTENANT

Stop!

 

MEAD

We come to you in our time of need.

The Lieutenant gestures to his sergeant and four men quickly step forward to take hold of Penn and Mead.

LIEUTENANT

Sirs!  In the name of the King of England, you are under arrest!  The rest of you will disperse, or I will disperse you by force.

With two Redcoats holding Penn and Mead by either arm, the other Redcoats raise their rifles, preparatory to firing into the crowd.  The crowd surges slightly toward Penn, and then hesitates in the face of the rifles.  Penn is dealing first with the men who have grabbed his arms.  Then he looks up, his expression suddenly showing grave concern.

PENN

My Brothers and Sisters!  I beg of you, disperse.  Return to your homes for now and pray for us.  As we will pray...

Penn and Mead are summarily moved away from the crowd toward a paddy wagon.  The Redcoats and the Lieutenant concentrate their attention on the crowd, which first hesitates -- their attention drawn to Penn and Mead being led away, and then taken into the paddy wagon.  As Penn and Mead disappear inside, the crowd’s attention shifts from the two men to the Redcoats who are standing ready with their rifles lowered and ready to fire.  Slowly the crowd begins to disperse.  The Lieutenant and Redcoats remain cocked for battle, but slowly relax as the crowd backs away.

 

INT:  SESSIONS HOUSE, MAIN COURTROOM, 1670 LONDON -- MORNING

LIEUTENANT

The defendants were taken to Newgate Prison, where they were charged and legally incarcerated.

 

STARLING

What number were at Gracechurch Street?

 

LIEUTENANT

About three or four hundred, I would guess.

 

STARLING

You say you tried to stop him?

 

LIEUTENANT

Before he spoke, my sergeant major made entreaties that he not do so, that he disperse the crowd.  But he spoke and attracted a great crowd in so doing.

 

STARLING

Do you know what he said to the crowd?

 

LIEUTENANT

I could not hear for the noise, but I did not like the tenor of it.

 

STARLING

Very well.  You may go.

Cook salutes, and starts to leave, as a surprised Penn stands up.

PENN

Sir, if I may be allowed to ask...

 

STARLING

Sit down, Sir.  You are out of order.  Call the Constable Richard Read.

As Lieutenant Cook leaves and Penn slowly takes his seat, Howell, a sinister smile on his face, turns to the jury and begins sizing them up, each in turn. The jury’s reaction is mixed.  Edward, Jack and Charlie are looking stoic and slightly skeptical.  John Hammond looks confused, and glances at the first three for their reaction.  Michel, Damask and Plumstead appear to be considering the testimony, while the other five (Veer, Leaver, Henley, Walklet, and Brightman) are showing varying degrees of agreeing with whatever has transpired.

 

INT:  DENVER FEDERAL COURT, MAIN COURTROOM -- LATE MORNING

RICHARD READ is on the witness stand, very emotional, and testifying amidst tears and a choked voice.  Howell, looking sympathetic, is standing in front of him.

READ

I was on my way home when I heard the deafening noise.  Even in my car with the windows up, it unnerved me.  Then as I turned the corner I could see it some two or three blocks up the street.

 

EXT:  EXPLOSION SCENE, COLORADO SPRINGS -- MODERN DAY, AFTERNOON

Read is in his car as it turns a corner onto the street of the explosion.  Two and a half blocks away, the front facade of a five story brick building is toppling over into the street with flames and debris from its lower floor already scattering about the street.  As Read continues to relate, people on the street, already injured or dead from the initial blast, are staggering about, with only a few aware of the building toppling upon them.

READ (voice over)

Oh my God, it was terrifying!  I don’t know why, but somehow I knew my wife was inside, that she was in immense pain and dying.  By the time I reached the building, all I could do was sit there and weep.

 

INT:  DENVER FEDERAL COURT, MAIN COURTROOM -- FOLLOWING

HOWELL

Did you see either of the defendants?

 

READ

I don’t know.  There were the fires everywhere and explosions!  Everything kept exploding!  And the screaming, the people on fire and trying to run from the building!  Oh, my God, you can’t imagine the horror!  My family was being burned alive before my very eyes!  I just know it!

The witness breaks down, and Howell steps around to the side of the witness box, where he comfortingly puts his hand on the man’s slumped shoulder.

 

INT:  SESSIONS HOUSE, MAIN COURTROOM, 1670 LONDON -- MORNING

As Read raises his head, his demeanor is radically altered -- now one of confidence.  The Clerk backs away with the Bible, as Starling stares at the witness.

READ

My Lord, I was required at Gracechurch Street because of a great tumult of people gathered there.  I heard Mr. Penn speaking to the crowd and Mr. Mead with Lieutenant Cook, but what either said I could not tell.  I with my watchmen endeavored to get at Mr. Penn to pull him down, but the people gathered there began kicking my watchmen and myself on the shins.

A vocal murmur of “Quakers!?”, “Is he mad?” and other expression of disbelief run through the spectators in the Old Bailey’s tiered seating.  Starling ignores them.

STARLING

What did Mr. Penn say?

 

READ

There was such a great noise, I could not tell what he said.

The spectators respond with mocking laughter and an example of such noise.

OLIVIA

Such a great din is more likely to hath come from thine own head!

The spectators respond to the taunt with increased enthusiasm.  Starling is about to slam down his gavel, when Mead abruptly rises to his feet.

MEAD

Jury, observe this!  He said he heard him preach and yet does not know what he said.  He swears one thing now and a contrary thing of what he swore before.

 

STARLING

And the number you saw there?

 

MEAD

My Lord Mayor, it is what he swore before you when I was committed.  He swore then he had not seen me there.  I appeal to you, my Lord, if this is not true.

 

READ

About four or five hundred.

 

PENN

My Lord, I desire of him a question myself.

 

HOWELL

Which is of no import, my Lord, and serves only to waste the court’s time.  He saw the defendants there; he testified he heard Penn preach.  That is sufficient.  Whether any one saw the witness is not.  Note, jurymen, that ‘tis enough it was a tumult and he was speaking unlawfully. 

 

STARLING

Call the next witness.

 

INT:  DENVER FEDERAL COURT, MAIN COURTROOM -- EARLY AFTERNOON

COOK is his modern day incarnation, is on the stand.

COOK

As the first rescue crew on the scene, I can only describe it as horrifying. 

 

EXT:  EXPLOSION SCENE, COLORADO SPRINGS -- AFTERNOON

As Cook pulls up in the paramedic ambulance, he leaps out of the vehicle just as a man on fire comes running out of a jagged opening in the wall of a nearby building to the destroyed, collapsed rubble.  As the helpless man screams and flails about, a woman, blood smeared and limping with her own injuries, tries to take off her overcoat and get to the man.  But the man does not notice her, and running at random moves away from her quickly, even as she stumbles and falls back down on the rubble, unable to keep up with him.  Surrounding her and scattered about the street are several dead and dying bodies, a few people staggering about in a daze, and several relatively uninjured individuals who are trying to get to and help the primary victims.  The man on fire abruptly collapses to the ground and begins writing in pain as he tries to roll in the rubble to put the fire out.

COOK (voice over)

My first sight was a man on fire, screaming and trying to run to me.  His whole back side was on fire.  Some woman tried to help him.  But she couldn’t catch him.  My partner and I were about to try ourselves, when we suddenly saw all of the other injured people.  They were everywhere!  As for the burning man, I don’t think he made it.  I really don’t know if he did or not.

 

INT:  DENVER FEDERAL COURT, MAIN COURTROOM -- FOLLOWING

HOWELL

This man on fire, had you ever seen anything like that?

 

COOK

Yes, in the war.  A maintenance sergeant was burned when a fuel tank exploded, dousing him with a flaming fuel.  The burning fuel stuck to the sergeant just as it did to that unnamed soul I saw at the scene of the explosion.  It’s like napalm.  It’s designed to cling even while burning.

 

HOWELL

Napalm.  A sticky rocket fuel?

 

COOK

I don’t know what it was.  But it was sort of like that.

 

HOWELL

Of course.

 

STARLING

You’re free to step down.

Starling catches himself and takes a quick look at Sophing.  But when the latter doesn’t move, the judge raises his eyebrows and turns back to the witness and Howell.  Matson nudges Sophing, who looks at him with an intolerant expression.

End of Episode Two

 

                                             Episode One -- Jury Duty Selections

Forward to:

Episode Three -- Diversions

 

               

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