At Rise: Lawyers and clients all seated in the 12 chairs on stage area, as Judge enters, Bailiff speaks:

Bailiff:  All rise. Court is now in session, the honorable Bully L. Scorner presiding. All cases will be heard and fairly ruled upon. You may be seated.

Judge:  Okay Harvey, let's cut to the chase. I've got a life besides this courtroom. My golf game is at 4:00.  Who's on first?

All people look at each other and murmur. Judge raps gavel

Bailiff: Yes your honor, we have seven cases on the docket today. Mr.Willard Swindell has four and Mr. Howey Cheatem has two and there's a lady, Widow Goldstern, representing herself.

Judge:  Lawyers approach the bench.(wait till they walk up) Seven cases? We'll have to cut it down some, I'm not sitting here all day with these losers. Let's cut it down to five cases, I'll see the rest another day.

(Bailiff shows Judge the docket)(Judge marks off 2 cases, as he names them)

Judge:  Swindle, this case of Jacobs vs Burns--"Duct-Taped dog's muzzle shut", I'll hear it Monday. And this case Mr.Cheatem, Goldstern vs JR's Roof Repair,  I cannot handle foolishness like this today. (Tries to hand Widow's paper to Cheatem.)

Cheatem: That's not mine your honor, she's representing herself.

Judge: (rolls eyes) Here Harvey, give this to the Court Aide for rescheduling.  Alright, let's get to it.

Lawyers go back to seats.

Bailiff: (turns back to courtroom) Err, ladies and gentlemen, we only have time for five cases today, I'll read off the names of the cases we're excusing. You will have to come back at a later date.

Widow: (stands and raises hand) Please your Honor, I hope my name is not on that list, I am desperate you see.

Bailiff:  Ms. Goldstern! You can't speak out like that in the courtroom.

Judge:  (Raps gavel.) Madam, if your name is on the list, then your name is on the list. I am the judge here. I'll decide which are the important cases. Bailiff, proceed.

Widow: But your Honor, I am a widow and I don't have money for a lawyer. I'll have to plead my own case, and what happened to me, is terrible. Won't you please hear me out?

Judge: (raps gavel) Madam be seated, now! Harvey read the names please, and let's get on with it

Bailiff: Jacobs vs Burns and Widow Goldstern vs JR's Roof Repair. We will reschedule your cases.

(Jacobs and Burns get up and leave, haughty and glaring at each other)

Widow: (Stands up) "Your honor may I speak?"

Judge: "NO! (raps gavel) Call the first case Harvey"

(Widow does not leave, sits in last chair)

Bailiff: Case #1, Your Honor is Jones vs. Smith (Lawyer and two people go up)

Judge:  (bored sigh) Proceed Mr. Swindle.

Mr. Swindell: That's Swindell, your Honor, (said with big smile) my client loaned Mr. Smith his truck, Mr. Smith had an accident and refuses to pay to get the truck fixed."

Judge: (in a bored tone) "Alright Mr. Smith, speak your piece."

                                              END of PREVIEW