Scene 1

(Jane and Eddie enter dining room together from the same side)

Jane: Eddie we have to talk. (walks to other side of the table)

Eddie: S'up?

Jane: Listen, Eddie. (Annoyed) Your spendin' my money ain't ya' (She has a New York accent, Eddie pretends to be admiring a picture)

Eddie: (looks around) huh?

Jane: Listen, Bozo. (walks towards Eddie) You can't spend my hard earned money on your gambling, You don"t even have a job. If you don't stop I'll-I'll

Eddie: What of It? (looks at floor, pretends to not listen)

Jane: humph. I was going to say Legal action, Bozo.

Eddie: Your pet name for me is cute! Bozo, I like the ring of Bozo, yeah.

Jane: Be QUIET, you twit. I am going to sue for every bit of my money you spent. Do you know how much that is? (Eddie Shrugs, Jane makes a cross look) $600,000!!!

Eddie: but Janie, you know that I don't have that much.

Jane: AND NEITHER DO I. That is why I am going to pull legal action you.

Eddie: So what If you do?

Jane: AAAAAAAARGGGH! DON'T bother me I'll be calling my lawyer. (She storms off to the other room, exit right)

Eddie: Whatever. (exit left, fade)

Scene 2

(Next day at the attorneys office, Jane is at her conference with her Lawyers Ms. Perry and Mr. Sohna.)

Jane: Ms. Perry you've been my family's lawyer since before I was born, so I thought I should come to you first.

Ms. Perry: Of course, Jane, what's the matter? (She makes a thoughtful look towards Jane Mr. Sohna listens Patiently)

Jane: Well, (sigh) my husbands been (clears throat) mistreating my money.

Mr. Sohna: Go on.

Jane: he's been spending it on his gambling trips. 

Mr. Sohna: Isn't that stealing?

Ms. Perry: hold on a sec. how much has he spent?

Jane: I've contacted the Casino manager and he estimates $600,000.

Mr. Sohna: Good Gracious! (quietly)

Ms. Perry: How long has he been doing this

Jane: 4 long years.

Mr. Sohna does your husband have a job?

Jane: No, and I can't get welfare out of him because legally I support the family.

Mr. Sohna: No welfare?

Ms. Perry: All right I'll take the case, Mr. Sohna Call Mr. Jaredson (motions to phone)

Mr. Sohna: (into phone) Yes, Mr. Jaredson, Eddie? (pause) Yes this Mr. Sohna how'd you guess? (pause) oh, I see. Anyhow your due in court in 120 hours. (pause) yes you heard me correct. (pause) you'll need a lawyer $600,000 and some water. (pause) oh the water? it's too cool you down. (pause) ok then bye now. (hangs up, to Ms. Perry and Jane) whew.

Ms. Perry: Thank you Mr. Sohna, Now all we gotta' do is- (fade)

Scene 3

  (Attorneys office, (no changes) Joe is sitting in his seat behind the desk and Eddie enters with a card in his hand.)

Eddie: H-Hello, Is this Mr. (looks at card in his hand) Jackson's office?

Joe: Yep, it sure is. Please, Call me Joe. What's your Name?

Eddie: Ok Mr. (pauses) er Joe. I am Eddie Jaredson. Your secretary said she told you about me.

Joe: Yep, that's right.

Eddie: Anyway, I was hoping that you would be my defense lawyer (shyly)

Joe: Me, your? (Laughs heartily) what an Idea (pause, completely Serious) I'll take your case.

Eddie: uh, Ok Mr. Er Joe.

Joe: See ya' court day!

Eddie: eh, yeah (leaves room, mutters) And Jane thinks I need mental help! (Fade)

Act2

Scene 1

(Courtroom, Trial day. All actors in their places, except witnesses. Sonny is standing the front of the judges podium)

Sonny: All rise fro the honorable judge Amanda Vick. (Everyone stands, Amanda walks to the podium.)

Amanda: You May Sit now. Defendant please state your name.

Eddie: Edward Theodore Jaredson. but, please call me Eddie. Amanda: All right Eddie. You are accused of stealing your wives money to gamble (pause) How do you plead?

Eddie: Not, Guilty, your honor.

Amanda: all right, let's start this trial. (pause, she looks at Ms. Perry) Your up Miss.

Ms. Perry: Thank you (stands up and walks to jury) Member's of the Jury I employ you to listen to all the facts. I hope we can have a fair trial...

Joe: (to Eddie) She's buttering them up.

Eddie: (to Joe) eh, oh.

Ms. Perry: (continuing) Now folks that man has been using my clients money for the past for years, how can that be fair treatment?

Joe: (to Eddie) sympathy ploy # 123.

Ms. Perry: (continuing) You are the only people that can stop him. So again I employ you to listen to the facts and make the right. (takes her seat, Joe sneers at her when she walks by, Ms. perry makes a smirk back at him)

Amanda: (looking over her reading glasses) Thank you Ms. Perry. Now Mr. Jackson, you rebuttal?

Joe: Yes, your honor. My Client is a good person. He has a blank criminal record and he would never do a thing like that. He's been wrongfully accused. The plaintiff is out for money. Can't you feel It? You gotta' stop her from stealing money from him. Thank you. (takes his seat)

Eddie: (quietly, to Joe) Good going. 

Joe: thanks

Amanda: Ok. there's our opening statements. (pause) let's take a short recess and then get back to trial. (fade)

Scene 2

(courtroom, after recess. all actors sitting in their place, witnesses numbers 1 through 4 are waiting just offstage.)

Amanda: Welcome back, Now we'll move on by having the prosecution call it's witnesses.

Ms. Perry: Thank you your Honor. First I Would like to call to the Stand, Jane Martha Jaredson. (Jane and Sonny walk to the stand)

Sonny: (with a bible can be any book ) Do you swear to tell the whole tooth, I mean truth, and nothing but the tooth, eh, truth?

Jane: (looks at him strangely) eh, yeah.

Sonny: Ok your free to go, I mean answer questions. (Amanda slams her head on the desk and sighs)

Amanda: (to herself) Man do I hate budget cuts. (to everyone) You May Start Ms. Perry

Ms. Perry: Thank you. Mrs. Jaredson, How long have been married to Mr. Jaredson.

Jane: about 6 years

Ms. Perry: And how long has he been spending your money?

Jane: Approximately four years

Ms. Perry: Where do you work?

Jane: I'm a nurse at the hospital.

Ms. Perry:How Much money do you make?Jane: approximently 110,000 a year, Ma'am.

Ms. Perry: how old are you?

Jane: I'm 27 years old

Ms. Perry: How old is your husband?

Joe: Your Honor I object, that is irrelevant information. Besides it's a personal, and it's circumstantial evidence.

Amanda: Objection over-ruled. Sit down Mr. Jackson (Joe sit's down grumbling and muttering something about circumstantial evidence) Now, Mrs. Jaredson. How old is your husband?

Jane: (pauses) fift-fifty Eight (The the jury looks surprised)

Ms. Perry: Do you know if your husband gambles a lot before he married you.

Jane: Yes He did, In fact I met him at a casino, I was performing there once.

Ms. Perry: that is all.

Amanda: Defense Do you have any questions?

Joe: Yes I do! Ms. Jaredson. Are you Lying?

Ms. Perry: I object your honor, a lawyer cannot ask that question!

Amanda: Hmm. You'll need a new question Mr. Jackson.

Joe: Nope I don't have any more.( Jane takes her seat)

Amanda: Then sit down Mr. Jackson (He keeps walking back and forth)

Joe: Pardon?

Amanda: SIT DOWN!

Joe: ok, ok, don't your cloak in a rustle. (mutters in snooty tone) then sit Mr. Jackson, Mr. Jackson sit sit, well sit down your self you lousy-

Amanda: Did you say something Mr. Jackson?

Joe: uh? ur.. eh No, Ma'am.

Amanda: Good. Now Ms. Perry your Next Witness.

Ms. Perry Your Honor I call Erika Aarst to the stand.(Eddie giggles to himself)

Sonny:(walks to the witness stand) Ms. Aarst (Eddie giggles again) Do you swear to tell the whole truth, and nothing but the fruth? er Truth?

Erika: I do

Sonny: OH you DO!!! Wow! Let's See We'll have the wedding in three months (Amanda slams her head on the podium and sigh)

Amanda: (annoyed) MR. DEBRIO CALM DOWN!! She said she swears not that she wants to marry you! Who would???

Sonny: Oh Whoops, I'll just go sit now. (sit's in his chair)

Amanda: Wise, Idea. Please Continue Ms. Perry

Ms. Perry. What's your occupation?

Erika: I am the Manager at Royal Isle hotel/casino.

Ms. Perry. Have You seen the defendant at your Casino?

Erika: Oh yes I see him there all the time.

Ms. Perry: In your estimate, How much money have you made off of the defendant?

Erika: I have The record right here. He's spent approximately 600,000 dollars at our casino in the past year.

Ms. Perry: that is all, your honor. (sits down)

Amanda: Defense any good questions?

Joe: but of course. (walks to stand) Where is your office located?

Erika: well it's in the back (she starts to squirm, just a little.) bu-but I have a see out window mirror thingy. An-and I don't spend many of the casino operating hours in my office.

Joe: that is all (sits down, Erika Exits)

Amanda: Your Next witness, Ms. Perry?

Ms. Perry: yes, right, I call John Smith to the stand. (John, and sonny walk to the stand)

Sonny: Do you-

Amanda: Just SKIP IT!!!!

Sonny: ok ok. (runs back to his seat)

Ms.Perry: How Much Time do you spend at the Royal Casino?

John: Me? Well I'm there everyday from opening to closing.

Mr. Sohna: Do you work there?

John: ha, I wish I did.

Ms. Perry: Do you see the defendant when you are at the casino?

John: Oh yeah at least every other day usually everyday.

Ms. Perry: how Much Money does he spend?

John: on a normal night? at least $350, He bet's really high and loses most the time, like he's playing on someone elses money.

Ms. Perry: that's allAmanda: Defense?

Joe:Do you Need Glasses?

John: Well yeah, bu-Joe: do you wear them at the Casino?

John ah wha? uh Well no I don't.

Joe: thank you that's all (he makes a quick smirk to Ms. Perry (John leaves the stage)

Amanda: Ms. Perry?

Ms. Perry: I call Blake Anderson to the stand (he walks to the stand)

Sonny: skip it?

Amanda: SKIP IT!

Ms. Perry: Where were you-

Blake: I don't speak English

Ms. Perry: Well you-

Blake: I don't speak English

Amanda: Mr. Anderson your excused

Blake: I don't speak English

Amanda: Leave!

Blake: I don't speak English (Amanda motions to leave, Blake nods, and leaves.

Amanda: I am not going to let you call your last witness due to time, So this Court is adjourned until tomorrow. Now let's all get a good rest. (fade)

Scene 3

(back in court, next Day)

Amanda: All right (to joe)

Mr. Jackson it's your turn to call witnesses.

Joe: Ok, Your Honor. I call Eddie Jaredson to the stand (Sonny looks up at Amanda)

Sonny: uh? your ho-

Amanda: Just Skip it, Go on Vacation or something!!

Sonny: Ok, bye! (Amanda waves and gives a smirk in Sonny's direction)

Joe: Mr. Jaredson, How old are you?

Eddie: I'm FORTY-eight, Thank you (he seems quite confident)

Joe: Are you employed?

Eddie: No.

Joe: (to Eddie) yes you are

Eddie: (loudly to Joe) No I'm not

Joe (to Eddie) don't you remember that you work for Daytons?

Eddie: eh, no.

Joe: OK folks he's unemployed, Now Mr. Jaredson, How Much time do you spend at Casino Treall (pronounced Tree-all)?

Eddie: I never go to the Casino.

Joe: There ya' see

Eddie: I go to Casino Royal (Joe hits his head with his hand)

Joe : Ok. How much do you spend at the Casino? 

Eddie: About 30 Dollars.

Joe: Where were you last Wednesday?

Eddie: At the Ca-- wait, I was with you. 

Joe: Exactly! No Further questions.

Ms. Perry: (crossly) Where were you the Wednesday before last?

Eddie: A-At the Casino.

Ms. Perry: How Much money did you spend that night?

Eddie: th-th-three hu-hundrend and fif-fity two d-dollars and 92 cents (Joe hits his head on the desk and mutters something about why he shouldn't have taken this case, ending with "why me?")

Ms. Perry: and the Wednesday before that?

Eddie: 3 hundred 67 dollars 98 cents.

Ms. Perry: thank you that is all.

Amanda: Your Next witness?

Joe: (sigh) I call Gilbert Blite to the stand.

Amanda: (to herself) Thank goodness Sonny is gone. (sigh)

Joe: Mr. Blite.

Gil: Yes?

Joe: Where are you employed?

Gil: Casino Royal

Joe: as?

Gil: Janitor

Joe: Do you see the defendant at the Casino?

Gil: Yes

Joe: where?

Gil: Mostly at the Soda bar. He sits with friends all night long don't see him at the slots.

Joe: That is all.

Ms. Perry Where are you stationed to clean?

Gil: at the stage

Ms. Perry: Can you see the rest of the casino from there?

Gil: Well pretty much, yeah.

Ms. Perry: Can you see the poker tables?

Gil: Yes, quite easily I might add.

Ms. Perry: and the soda fountain?

Gil: Well, if I stand on tippy toes on the stage.

Ms.Perry and when do you clean the stage?

Gil: Uh, well er. Only after, uh hours

Ms. Perry: But if you are only on the stage after hours when there are no gamblers how did you see the defendant?

Gil: Well, I uh. I uh. Well, I-I did once when I was walkin' around, yeah that's it!

Ms. Perry. No further questions.

Joe: I rest. (sigh, looks disappointed)

Amanda: Ms. Perry?

Ms. Perry: I rest.

Amanda: well after a recess we'll have our closing statements.

(fade) 

Scene 4

Amanda: Ms. Perry Your up first

Ms. Perry: (Firmly) Members of the Jury. We have presented the facts to you in an orderly fashion. We just have to say he's guilty. He has no alibi, and he even admits to spending money at the Casino. He insists that he doesn't have a job, so where is his money coming from? (softly) Thank you.

Amanda: Mr. Jackson, Your turn.

Joe: Member's of the jury, all I'm going to bother you with is (sternly) DON'T LET THAT WOMAN STEAL MY CLIENTS MONEY!!!!!

Amanda: Uh Thank you, Mr. Jackson. Now Jurors, (Eddie looks like he's praying on his knees) It's your turn, decide whether or not the Defendant is guilty or not. (all actors except jurors and Jury Foreman (Jonah Pewter) exit)

Foreman: Shall we vote first? who opposes (no hands go up) Ok those for guilt? (No. 1,2,4, the foreman and 5 raise their hands) Not guilty? (No. 3 raises there hand) that's 4 to 1 guilty

No. 1: Why don't you think he's guilty

No. 3: I think he got a poor lawyer.

No. 4: So?

No. 3: Well, It does seam guilty, but.

No. 5: but What?

No. 3: it just doesn't seam fair.

No. 4: So?

No. 2: He says he's at the Casino. He said he spent 350 dollars a night. AND he said that he didn't have a job what more do you need?

No. 3: Well what if he get's his money from his friends on loan?

No. 4: So?

No. 1: and besides that's not on trial here.

No. 3: Ok

No. 5: Foreman Take a vote.

Foreman: Guilty? (all jurors and the foreman raise hands) guilty it is then. (loudly) We Have Reached A Verdict. (all the actors (except witnesses and Sonny) come back on stage)

Amanda: And you decided?

Foreman: Guilty of all charges.

Eddie: (slumps in chair) Oh Man!!

Joe: Tough luck, kid. (Mr. Sohna and Ms. Perry shake hands)

Amanda: I sentence you to a $600,000 dollar fine. (slams grovel)

Eddie: I don't have any Money.

Amanda: Ok then 18 years in the County work house for you!!

Eddie: Oh, SHOOT ( All actors leave except Ms. Perry and Joe)

Ms. Perry. you had a good case.

Joe: No I didn't you did.

Ms. Perry: No really you did good.

Joe: until you killed my witnesses. Ms. Perry: well, huh, Sorry.

Joe: I'll get you next time!

Ms. Perry: Ok, Mr. Jackson (exits)

Joe: Don't you "Mr. Jackson" ME! Come back here 

(exits following Ms. Perry, FADE) 

The End!