Mr. Deeds Goes to Town Page #40

CLOSEUP - LONGFELLOW

He has his face averted and doesn't look at her.

278. MEDIUM SHOT

Babe continues to rivet her eyes on Longfellow, as she is

sworn in.

CLERK:

Raise your right hand, please.

She does so.

CLERK:

Do you solemnly swear the testimony

you may give before this court to

be the truth, the whole truth and

nothing but the truth, so help you

God?

BABE:

I do.

CLERK:

State your right name, please.

BABE:

Louise Bennett.

CLERK:

Take the stand.

279. MED. CLOSE SHOT AT WITNESS STAND

As Cedar steps up to question Babe. Judge in f.g.

CEDAR:

Miss Bennett, are you employed by

the Morning Mail?

There is no answer. Babe continues to stare off at

Longfellow, hoping he will look up. Cedar speaks to her

again:

CEDAR:

I must ask you to direct your

attention to me.

But Babe's attention remains focused on Longfellow.

BABE:

(appealing to Judge)

Your Honor, this is ridiculous!

JUDGE:

Please answer the questions.

BABE:

(wildly)

The whole hearing's ridiculous!

That man's no more insane than you

are.

The suddenness of her outbreak is startling. The Judge

pounds his gavel.

280. WIDER ANGLE - FRONT OF COURTROOM

The Judge pounding his gavel.

JUDGE:

Miss Bennett please!

CEDAR:

This is outrageous!

BABE:

(rising to stand)

It's obviously a frameup! They're

trying to railroad this man for

the money they can get out of him!

CEDAR:

Your Honor!

The Judge pounds his gavel throughout her speech.

JUDGE:

(highly)

Young lady, another outburst like

that and I shall hold you in

contempt! We're not interested in

your opinion of the merits of this

case. You're here to testify. Sit

down and answer the questions.

Proceed.

Cedar beams victoriously.

CEDAR:

Thank you, Your Honor. Are you

employed by the Morning Mail?

BABE:

(sharply)

No!

Cedar's eyes widen in surprise. There is a light stir.

CEDAR:

(threateningly)

You are under oath, Miss Bennett.

I ask you again - are you employed

by the Morning Mail?

BABE:

(irritably)

No! I resigned last week!

CLOSE SHOT - LONGFELLOW

As Cedar proceeds without interruption.

CEDAR'S VOICE

Well, prior to that time - were

you employed by the Morning Mail?

BABE'S VOICE

(laconically)

Yes.

282. CLOSE SHOT AT WITNESS STAND - BABE AND CEDAR

CEDAR:

Were you given an assignment to

follow the activities of Longfellow

Deeds?

BABE:

Yes.

CEDAR:

Did you subsequently write a series

of articles about him?

BABE:

Yes!

CEDAR:

(holding them up)

Are these the articles?

BABE:

Yes!

CEDAR:

Were you present when all these

things took place?

BABE:

Yes!

CEDAR:

Are they true!

BABE:

NO!!

CEDAR:

But they did take place?

BABE:

They're colored! Just to make him

look silly!

CEDAR:

And you saw them happen?

BABE:

Yes, but I—

CEDAR:

(preemptorily)

That's all, Miss Bennett.

BABE:

(half shrieking)

It isn't all! I'd like to explain—

CEDAR:

(brusquely)

That's all, Miss Bennett. That's

all.

283. MEDIUM SHOT

A bailiff takes Babe by the arm.

BAILIFF:

Come on, miss - come on!

CEDAR:

(simultaneously, to

Judge)

Your Honor, I'd like to submit

these articles as evidence.

Rate this script:0.0 / 0 votes