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SCENE 4 The littleWhiteRat runs between howweird's hoofed feet. howweird stands perfectly still. Monkey-General: "Mr. Howweird, do you consider yourself of sound mind?" howweird blinks slowly and kicks at the monkey. Ishmael sighs. fate [to Ishmael]: "Be aware that you may object to leading questions, following answers, misstatements, or anything that you don't understand." Ishmael waves his hand. Monkey-General: "Or would you characterize your sound as mined?" Ishmael: "OBJECTION!" fate [to Monkey-General]: "Is this sound relevant to the war chimes?" howweird gives a good whack to Monkey-General, who goes flying up to the ceiling. fate: "Objection sustained.... NeighWeird, you must refrain from sustaining objections with your hooves." Monkey-General: "Yes, your honor, I need to establish probable cause here." Ishmael watches Monkey-General like a hawk or a horned owl. howweird watches Ishmael like a horse. Ishmael takes out a piece of paper and starts drawing on it as he listens. Monkey-General [to howweird]: "Do you recognize the defendant?" fate: "Well, you could all take a leaf from the horse's book, it seems to know what probable cause is. [to howweird]: What was the probable cause of that last kick, witness?" howweird leans over to Ishmael, grabs the paper in his mouth and starts chewing on it. Ishmael stands up and grabs at the paper fate [to Monkey-General]: "This witness isn't hostile, it's not cooperating." Monkey-General begins polishing the red shoes. Ishmael: "Blasted horse!" howweird lets the paper fall from his mouth and nuzzles his nose up to Ishmael's neck. fate: "I believe we must swear out this witness entirely." Ishmael takes a swing at the animal and misses. howweird: "Neiiiiighhhhh." howweird gallops out of the courtroom. fate [to howweird]: "You are excused as a witness, although there is no excuse for your worthless evidence."
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