You play defense attorney
"Yes," he says,"and only with the intention to help the
situation, not worsen it."
"But you do agree that you were there?" prosecuting attorney
Miss Mursome presses.
"Yes, I was."
"And you're sure you were not in the kitchen before the school
was alerted of the fire?"
"I was there before. Someone had asked me to get a
saltshaker--our table didn't have one."
"A-ha!" Miss Mursome says, pouncing like a hawk on a mouse.
"Who asked you to get the saltshaker?"
"I did not know her name. She's not one of my students, nor was
she a staff member."
"I rest my case, your honor," Miss Mursome addresses the
judge. "The man is lying."
"Wait," Ms. Fishburn says, "let the defense speak.
Defense, do you care to cross-examine this witness?"
"Yes," you say. "Mr. Anderson, how long were you in the
kitchen?"
"No more than two minutes."
"And when you came out, you were carrying a saltshaker?"
"Yes, I was."
"You had nothing in your hand before you went in?"
"No...nothing."
"Would you have any reason to start a fire in the kitchen?"
"No. I love teaching, I respect the school, and I would never
harm the girls."
"Isn't it true," you ask, remembering something you heard,
"that you are actually afraid of lighted matches, flames, or
anything connected with fire, Mr. Anderson?"
"Yes--it frightens me to death."
"I rest my case," you say, winking at Mr. Anderson before he
steps down.
The next witness is Mrs. Kent. One question she is asked is if she
recognized the manner of fireworks thrown in the stove, because this
is what she claims they were.
"No," is her answer.
You don't know how you know, but suddenly you do...Mrs. Kent started
the fire herself! But why? And how can you prove that? What's your
next move?
The trial begins, the Honorable Judge Matilda H. Fishburn (ha, that's
a laugh!) residing. The first witness to be called is, of course, Mr.
Anderson. He is asked if he entered the kitchen at the time of the
fire.
