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SCENE 5 Ishmael is restrained by court officials as he struggles to get the piece of paper he can't reach on the floor. fate writes something down on yet another piece of paper. Monkey-General jumps up and down in rhythm with the disruption. fate [to Ishmael]: "It looks bad for you son, even the horse is against you." Ishmael: "I'm innocent! I never chimed at all!" fate: "Moving right along: Who belongs to these red shoes? And why are they here at all?" Ishmael turns to look at the red shoes. Monkey-General: "Your honor, I would like to introduce these red shoes into evidence." fate: "Introduce them by all means... what is their name?" Ishmael's face turns ashen and he looks away. Monkey-General: "This one here is David, and that one is Wilson." Ishmael snaps his head sharply to look at Monkey-General. fate: "Have I seen them before? They look familiar." Monkey-General: "Oh, I'm sorry, your honor... that one is David, and this one is Wilson." fate: "Oh, no, it was just the confusion of names being switched, no, I don't know them." Monkey-General: "They have a long history... but one that is outside of this court." fate: "Good, I assume that means it's quite damaging." Ishmael sits down and closes his eyes. fate [to Ishmael]: "These shoes are yours aren't they?" Ishmael opens his eyes and looks up wearily at fate. Ishmael: "I am not in the witness stand." Monkey-General: "Objection. I mean, abjection." fate: "Subjection approved, call Ishmael to answer the last question." Monkey-General jumps up on the prosecutor's table. Ishmael: "I will not be cross-examined randomly. Call me to the stand and I will tell you." fate frowns: "This isn't randomly, this is how justice works." Monkey-General claps behind her back. fate orders Ishmael to take the stand at once and stand up straight. Ishmael stands and approaches the stand and is sworn in. fate: "Take a stand and stick to it, that's the way." flunky: "Repeat after me: I, Ishmael, do abjectly swear to submit myself to the whims of this court, however trivial...." Ishmael: "I swear allegiance to NO ONE but myself and to the truth as I SEE IT!" flunky: "Close enough for a court martial. He's sworn, your horniness." Monkey-General mimics Ishmael by strutting around the court with her hands over her eyes. fate nods: "Continue, Prosecutrix." Monkey-General: "Have you ever seen these shoes before?" Monkey General holds up the laceless red shoes. Ishmael squints. Ishmael: "Yes." Monkey-General: "These are the same and very same shoes you stole from..." Monkey General holds up deserter's head. Monkey-General: "...this poor sod."
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