LAWING AND JAWING
by ZORA Neale HURSTON
TIME: Present
PLACE: Way cross Georgia
SCENE: Judge Dunfumy's Court.
PERSONS: Judge Dunfumy, Officer Simpson and another, Jemima Flapcakes, Cliff Mullins, John Barnes, two lawyers, a clerk, a pretty girl and her escort.
SETTING: Usual court-room arrangement, except that there is a large red arrow pointing off-stage left, marked "To Jail."
ACTION: At rise everybody is in place except the Judge. Suddenly the CLERK looks off-stage right and motions for everybody to rise. Enter the JUDGE. He wears a black cap and gown and has his gavel in his hand. The two POLICEMEN walk behind him holding up his gown. He mounts the bench and glares all about him before he seats himself. There is a PRETTY GIRL in the front row left, and he takes a good look at her, smiles, frowns at her escort. He motions the police to leave him and take their places with the spectators and he then raps vigorously with his gavel for order.
JUDGE
Hear! Hear! Court is set! My honor is on de bench. You moufy folks set up!
(He glares at the boy with the pretty girl)
All right, Mr. Whistle-britches, just keep up dat jawing now and see how much time I'll give you!
BOY
I wasn't talking, your honor.
JUDGE
Well, quit looking so moufy.
(to CLERK)
Call de first case. And I warn each and all dat my honor is in bad humor dis mawnin'. I'd give a canary bird twenty years for peckin' at a elephant.
(to CLERK)
Bring 'em on.
