Frieda

//Abstract: Frieda is a resident of Middletown, Delaware. She works as a waitress at Buffalo Wild Wings in town. She often runs errands once her shift is over. She decided to avoid the traffic congestion on Main Street so she took Noxontown road.// //Play begins in a courtroom; Frieda has been pulled over for a minor traffic violation. The judge and four jurors are present. They have been selected randomly. All are residents of Middletown. Geoff is the principle of a local school. Sonya is a stay at home mom who loves her child. Francine is also a mother, however she works to help support the household. As the trial proceeds each juror develops their own opinion. Some only see the facts while others are influenced by personal matters.// // 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.) //

**Scene One: The Beginning** 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 fact that many people were speeding as well. Jury, what is your opinion?

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 gone 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 briefly.)//
 * 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 son’s 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.

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

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 a 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 cannot, he has a lot more power than 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.

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

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 cannot 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. The play is an allegory for World War two. The four jury members represent four countries involved in the war. Geoff is Germany, Sonya is the Soviet Union, Francine is France, and Amanda is America. Geoff is on the side where Frieda is guilty, but nobody else is on his side. He threatens the other jury members to get them on his side. In World War 2, Germany captured other countries by attacking them. Out of fear, those countries would side with him. When the jury members got back to the court, Sonya was on Geoff’s side, and then Francine, who was undecided. In the war, France was undecided between the axis and allies. When Geoff realizes that Amanda is still standing strong, he starts to bribe and scare Francine because she is undecided. In World War 2, Hitler took over countries one at a time by attacking them. Amanda ended up being the only one thinking Frieda was innocent, so the other jury members confessed to Geoff’s threats. Geoff ended up getting in trouble for the threats, and Amanda’s side won. In the war, America finally takes over German armies and German has to surrender.