play-+sara,+caroline,+ashley,+tykia,+robert

// A judge is standing at the podium in the front of the room. The 4 jury members enter to a row to the right of the judge and stand at their seats. Each member is wearing certain colors. The order in which they are in is Geoff, Francine, Sonya, and Amanda.) //

Judge: You may take your seats. (//Jury sits//.) Today we have the case of a woman named Frieda speeding. In a 50 mph zone, she was going 60 mph. She is pleading innocent due to the face that many people were speeding as well. Jury, what is your opinion?
 * Scene One: The Beginning **

Amanda: I am sure that there were other drivers besides Frieda on the road. It is completely natural that everyone speeds, even by just a little bit, most of the time. The police man was being unreasonable by only pulling her over when a majority of drivers were doing the same thing. :

Judge: All statements said are true. All agreed say Aye. (//Amanda and Sonya say Aye//.) All opposed say nay. (//Geoff says nay//.) Geoff, would you like to defend yourself?

Geoff: Yes, sir. (//Stands up//.) Well, following the speed limit is the state law. Actually, it is a law in the entire country. She was going 10 mph over the speed limit, which is two points on the license. She was caught and pulled over by the police, so she should be punished. Anybody that disobeys the law and goes to court has a consequence.

Sonya: (//Quickly looks at the judge//.) Permission to speak, your honor.

Judge: All may speak without interrupting.

Sonya: Everyone speeds, it is habit. I know that I have personally went over the limit a few times before. One person should not get punished when others got away for committing the same violation.

Amanda: I agree we are all equal in the constitution and should be punished equally as well. This is why one person should not be punished for this.

Geoff: (//Angrily//) created equal!? She must be punished! If I go out and graffiti the court house right now is it okay for me to say “Everyone else was so I joined it?”

Judge: You both have valid arguments. Francine, your input is required.

Francine: I cannot decide between the two sides. Geoff and Amanda have strong opinions. I am caught at a cross road. Amanda has more logic and reason, which is fair for everyone. Geoff does not sound like he will change his mind that Frieda’s crime was a big deal, and that everyone does it.

Judge: Okay, then we will give you time to think it over and talk with the other jury members. Recess.

//(Francine and Amanda walk to the right. Geoff and Sonya stay and talk on stage and Francine and Amanda cannot hear. Judge exits courtroom breifly.)//
 * Scene Two: The Threat **

Geoff: I need your help to defend my side; I’m out numbered against you three.

Sonya: I'm not sure because Amanda’s opinion is correct; Frieda was breaking the law but she was not the only one speeding. She should have sped because everyone else was, it was logical and she kept up with the speed of traffic.

Geoff: //(angrily and in loud whispers )//I'll have you know that I am the principal of your sons school, if you do not side with me on this case I will have your child kicked out of school. He will not be able to get into any other school with the bad record I will give him. Is this case worth it?

Sonya//: (worried)// are you threatening me?!

Geoff: //(Points his finger)// Yes, so you better take my side or pay the consequences! (//Judge return to courtroom)// Judge: Court is now in session! Please return to your seats.

//(All of the jury members return to the stage and take their seat. Sonya looks worried but none of the other members know why)//
 * //Scene Three : The rebuttal// **

Judge: After talking it over with the other jurors? Have you come to a conclusion?

Geoff: I strongly stand where I did before.

Amanda: Sonya and I still believe that Frieda should be not punished because of her actions. Going slower than every other driver on the road is just as dangerous as going over the speed limit.

Sonya//: (scared / timid to state her opinion)// A-A-A-Actually, I have changed my position on the case, I now agree with Geoff.

Amanda//: (shocked)// Sonya, why have you changed sides//?//

Sonya: Well I don’t think it’s....

Geoff: //(interrupts Sonya in mid sentence)// She realized that Frieda was not lucky and was caught when the others were not, making this only fair to her because she was speeding//.//

Francine: Let her speak for herself, I’m still undecided and would like to hear from everyone point of view, not just yours.

Amanda: //(to judge)// we are still not ready to make our decision, May we be allotted more time to discuss the issue?

Judge: You may, recess. (//Judge exits courtroom)// //(Sonya and Amanda walk to the right of the room. Geoff grabs Francine’s arm forcing her to walk to the left of the room with him) (The conversations go back and forth between the pairs because they are happening at the same time.)//
 * Scene Four: The Bribe **

Amanda: What has gotten into you? I thought that we were on the same side?

Sonya: Well I don’t think I should say. I’m afraid of what might happen.

Amanda: What are you talking about? This is a confidential case. //- (Switches over)--//

Geoff: You need to pick a side.

Francine: I'm still undecided, it’s not that easy.

Geoff: I think I can make it easier for you.

Francine: What do you mean?

Geoff: I can allow your children free schooling at an prestigious school if you side with me.

Francine: Are you bribing me? //-- (Switches back over)-//

Sonya: //(very quietly, in hushed tones)// Okay, the last recess Geoff pulled me aside and threatened me to side with him. If I do not my family will suffer the consequences and I am not willing to risk that for a court case.

Amanda: You need to think of the government. This is a case of justice and your personal issues should not interfere. You can have him arrested for threatening you. I’ll help you overcome this.

Sonya: No! I can not, he has a lot more power then you think. //- (Switches back) -//

Geoff: If you do not take my bribes, you can take my threats instead.

Francine: //(scared)// it looks like I have no choice//.//

Geoff //:( Smiling)// Good, now let’s get back in there before you //change your mind.// (//Judge enters courtroom. Everyone turns to her, as she enters Geoff looks as Sonya in an nasty way, lifting his eyebrow and giving her a meanlook. All jury members return to their seats and Geoff gives Sonya and Francine a reassuring nudge that they are on his side.)// Judge//: (calls)// Court is now in session. Please return to your podium Geoff: Sonya and Francine and I all agree that we are on the same side.

Amanda: //(shocked)// what?

Francine: Yes, I have come to a decision I agree with Geoff

Amanda: What made you take sides with Sonya and Geoff

Francine: I came to my senses and I feel that Frieda was treated unfairly, she shouldn’t have been the only one pulled over and got a ticket.

** Scene Five : The End ** Judge: Ok Francine you have been undecided this entire hearing, have you come to a decision?

Francine: Yes I have, I think that Frieda is guilty.

Amanda: What? Francine why did you chose to side with Geoff?

Geoff: Well Amanda, Francine saw that….. //(Interrupted by Amanda)//

Amanda: Excuse me Geoff but I believe that I asked Francine

Francine: Uh… Well I thought it over and I realized that Frieda shouldn’t be the only one to get in trouble so she should be guilty. She broke the law. Judge: Well Amanda everyone but you agrees that Frieda should be guilty; I am tempted unless you can prove them wrong to allow Frieda to be accused of all charges.

Amanda: Your Honor, I know Geoff is tempting them somehow. You don’t just change opinions so fast.

Geoff: Amanda face the facts it’s three against one you lost and there’s nothing that you can //(interrupted by Sonya)//

Sonya: Judge I can’t take it anymore, Geoff threatened to kick my child out of school if I didn’t side with him.

Judge: Is this true Geoff?

Geoff: Uhhh no judge she is lying, I bet you Amanda told her to say that.

Francine: The lying has to stop Geoff. Judge, Geoff said that he would get my kid into a great school if I sided with him.

Judge: I can’t believe what I am hearing

Amanda: See Judge Geoff bribed them into siding with him; they really think Frieda is innocent.

Geoff: Your Honor you can not actually believe them

Judge: But I do Geoff and I also believe that you have lost this case and Frieda is innocent. Since you believe in strict punishment you will be the one leaving here today with charges and fines not Frieda. Court is dismissed.